The voice of Temple Israel
Greater Manchester’s Center for Conservative Jewry
Rabbi Eric Cohen, PhD
Volume 16, Issue 6 (Nov/Dec)
[email protected]
Christine Dame, Office Administrator
66 Salmon Street, Manchester, NH 03104
603-622-6171
In this Issue:
What is Chanukah? ....................................................... 1
From the President’s Desk ........................................... 2
Schoolhouse News ....................................................... 3
Donations ....................................................................... 4
Yahrzeits......................................................................... 5
The Reflective Holidays & Beyond .............................. 6
November & December Dates ...................................... 8
Torah Rededication ............................................. 9
Mazel Tov ............................................................ 10
Welcome New Members .................................... 11
Kol Nidre ............................................................. 11
Special Thanks ...........................................12 & 13
Temple Events at a Glance/New Policy ........... 13
What is Chanukah?
By Rabbi Eric Cohen
The sages of the Gemara, the compendium of
rabbinic discussions dating from about the
4th through 6th centuries CE, ask: “What is
Chanukah?”
“What is Chanukah?!” you might respond in
surprise. “What kind of question is that?
Everyone knows: you light the menorah, you
get presents, you eat latkes. We celebrate the
victory of Judah the Maccabee against the
evil King Antiochus who tried to stop us from
practicing our religion. It’s just about the
best Jewish holiday ever!” Well, you may be
right, but, centuries ago, our rabbis were not
100% certain as to why we celebrated it.
The rabbis in the Gemara give this reason:
“On the twenty-fifth of the month of Kislev 22
begin] the days of Chanukah which are eight.
For when the Greeks entered the Temple,
they defiled all the oils therein, and when the
Hasmonean family (the family of Judah the
Maccabee) defeated them, they made search
and found only one jar of oil which lay with
the seal of the High Priest. This jar was
small, and contained sufficient oil for only
one day's lighting. Yet a miracle happened,
Kol Israel –Nov/Dec
Page 1
and the Menorah remained lit for eight days…
“
So, for the rabbis, the holiday is celebrated
mainly because of a miracle that came about
with regard to the lighting of the Menorah in
the Temple.
Elsewhere in the Gemara (Tractate Avodah
Zarah), we read:
“Our Rabbis taught: When primitive Adam
saw the day getting gradually shorter [in the
month of Kislev], he said, 'Woe is me,
perhaps because I have sinned (having eaten
for the Tree of Knowledge), the world around
me is being darkened and returning to its
state of chaos and confusion!' So he began
keeping an eight days' fast. But as he
observed the winter equinox and noted the
day getting increasingly longer, he said, 'This
is just the way the world is', and he set forth
to keep an eight days' festivity Now, he fixed
this holiday for the sake of Heaven, but [his
descents who were pagans forgot about this,
and] celebrated them for the sake of idolatry.”
Here is a fascinating tidbit: Chanukah is
actually very ancient, and is about the Winter
Vol. 16, Issue 6
Equinox, and the promise of more light to
come.
The historian Josephus, who lived in the first
century CE, wrote:
“Now Judah the Maccabee celebrated the
festival of the restoration of the sacrifices of
the Temple for eight days, and omitted no
sort of pleasures thereon; but he feasted
them upon very rich and splendid sacrifices;
and he honored God, and delighted them by
hymns and psalms. The Jews were so very
glad at the revival of their customs, when,
after a long time of intermission, they
unexpectedly had regained the freedom of
their worship, that they made it a law for their
posterity, that they should keep a festival, on
account of the restoration of their Temple
worship, for eight days. And from that time to
this we celebrate this festival, and call it
“Lights.” I suppose the reason was because
this liberty beyond our hopes appeared to us.
That is the reason…”
For Josephus, the holiday is celebrated
because the Temple was restored to its
former pure state, and Jewish rituals and
holidays could once again be celebrated
openly.
Now, all these ancient sources ignore the
long, drawn-out war that he fearless band of
rebels, the Maccabees, fought against the
Hellenized Syrians. This is the topic of the
Book of the Maccabees, which gives a blowby-blow account of the conflict. And yet…,
the Gemara barely mentions it, and Josephus
just in passing. Even more puzzling: the
Book of the Maccabees does not even make it
into the Jewish Bible!
Judah the Maccabees’ successors. Indeed,
the work of Josephus was not studied by
Jews until relatively modern times, so even
this passing comment of his did not make
much of an impression until relatively
recently. In the 20th century, with the birth of
the first independent Jewish state since the
descendants of Judah ruled in ancient Israel,
the national liberation aspect of the holiday
came to the fore. We identify with freedom
fighters that fought to gain or maintain
Jewish independence. Over time, Chanukah
also began to compete with Christmas, so
that Josephus’s holiday “Lights” also
garnered some attention.
What is Chanukah? All of these. In the USA,
it works well as a holiday that celebrates
religious freedom. In an age when we worry
about climate change, it works well as a
celebration of our connection to nature and a
reminder of our place in the universe. And, in
a time and place when our connection to
Jewish practices is not as strong as it used to
be, lighting a menorah is an important act
that roots us in our traditions. May this
Chanukah bring you freedom, light and a
stronger connection to Jewish practices.
Happy Chanukah to one and all!
From the President’s Desk . . .
The Yom Kippur Speech
by Steve Saulten
Pam & I wish all of you L’Shana Tovah!
I can’t believe that it’s Yom Kippur already. It
seems like only yesterday I was standing here
asking you for money. And, here I am again.
With all these different traditions behind
Chanukah, which do we focus on? Well,
that’s a matter of priorities.
For those of you that don’t read Kol Israel,
you may not realize the scope of the changes
and the things going on here at Temple Israel.
The rabbis of the Gemara were not enamored
of the Maccabees. Although Judah and his
brothers were freedom fighters, their
descendants who ruled as Kings, were not so
righteous. The ancient rabbis would rather
not be reminded of them, and focused more
on spiritual matters: the renewal of Temple
ritual, or to the connection we have with the
natural order of the universe.
Josephus
focused on national liberation and religious
liberty, but skipped over the conflict, and
First, we have added about a dozen new
member families in less than a year’s time!
This has not happened for many many years!
Kol Israel –Nov/Dec
Page 2
Thank you Norri Oberlander our new Board
Membership Chair.
Once again the Hebrew School is bursting at
the seams. We just added another class
room. Thank you Karen Jacobs, Aida
Kutcher, and our wonderful teachers for
Vol. 16, Issue 6
making our Temple Hebrew School the best
there is!
This costs money!
At our annual meeting, I told you about some
of the new outreach and inreach programs
that we are putting in place and I also asked
you for your help in volunteering your time to
keep Temple Israel alive and growing.
We realized that to introduce our terrific
Rabbi, and to tell our wonderful success
story, we need to show the Jewish
community what Temple Israel is all about.
We decided to invite Jewish families who
were not Temple members to events such as
our Family Shabbat dinner and services, to
our Passover Seder, to our Braverman
Hanukah party, and other like activities.
This costs money!
For an organization such as our Temple to
prosper, you need only two ingredients.
One: you need people. Not just any
people, but people with a vision as to
what and where we are, and also what
and where we want to be.
Two: you need the money to accomplish
and capture that vision.
The good news is that you, the Board and
members of this great Shul, are the people
with that vision.
The bad news is that we are woefully short on
the funding to accomplish and capture that
vision.
Our dues cover only about a third of our
expenses. We look to our fund raisers for
additional funding.
And, finally, we depend on the generosity of
our families for the rest.
Your Kol Nidre pledges have decreased over
the past couple of years. But our activities
both social and religious have increased.
So, I ask you again this year, please make a
generous pledge. When you fold down the
tab on your pledge card, consider increasing
your pledge by folding the next higher tab.
The school year is underway – we welcomed
new families and a new teacher to our staff.
Joan Vick joined us to teach grades two and
three. Beth Schwartz filled in for a couple of
weeks (thank you Beth) while Joan was out.
Each class is well into their Hebrew and
Judaic studies. Kindergarten and first grade
are working on Aleph-Bet letter recognition
and sounds, learning about the holidays and
playing games that welcome them into Judaic
studies.
Grade 2-3 is learning early reading skills,
including letter recognition, adding vowels
and putting together small words or sounds
in Hebrew. They have made Tzedakah boxes,
wine cups, new year cards and more to
understand about the holidays.
Grade 4-5 is studying the Friday evening
service. Reviewing holidays and studying
about what it means to be a Kehilla, a
community. Later in the year they will add a
Tour of Israel to their studies.
Grades 6 and 7 are learning the Torah
service, and studying Prophets and Jewish
history.
While deep in their studies, the students also
worked on the annual paper chain for the
Sukkah. As of this writing it is contained it
two large plastic bags – both filled to
overflowing. This is likely the longest chain
we’ve ever produced. Izzy Schill in 7th grade
did find out that the Guinness World record is
a chain over 55 miles long – well, we may not
beat that one, but I think we have the longest
Sukkah Chain ever made! Well done to all
our students.
A couple of reminders – please be to school
by 9:25 a.m. so classes can start promptly at
9:30. Children are responsible for bringing a
healthy kosher snack and juice if they want.
Feel free to check in with your child’s teacher
for progress and updates.
L’shanah Tova
Morahot Karen and Aida
Help us to capture the vision!
Kol Israel –Nov/Dec
Page 3
Vol. 16, Issue 6
On September 25, Temple Israel families enjoyed a
fire truck tour and equipment presentation by the
Manchester Fire Department. Kids and parents alike
explored the truck, checked out the equipment, and
visited with real fire fighters. A great time was had
by all!
MEMORIAL TZEDAK
Al, Jonathan & Josh Shamash in memory of
Rebecca Shamash
Pam Englander in memory of Herbert Kruger
Luis Englander in memory of Enrique Englander
Reva Rovner in memory of Abraham Berger
Aida Koocher in memory of Barbara Esterman
Aida Koocher in memory of Benjamin Esterman
Aida Koocher in memory of Maurice Koocher
Ruth Chevion in memory of Paul Dov Scribner
Gary & Rochelle Lindner in memory of Raymond Lindner
Celia & Mark Macgovsky in memory of Simon & Bertha
Magovsky, Scott David Magovsky and Murray Magvosky
Michele Plotkin in memory of Sally Plotkin
Roberta Silberberg in memory of Ashney Hodack, Charna
Silberberg Hodack, Abraham Silberberg, Deborah
Silberberg, Faiga Silberberg, Joseph Harry Silberberg, and
Rebekah Privah Silberberg
Phyllis & Jayson Levine in memory of Solomon Cavall
Ruth Diane Katz in memory of Ben Perlman and Rose Finn
Sandra Hoexter in memory of Gerda Hoexter
Richard Ekman in memory of Nathan Ekman Sonia Ekman,
and Sheldon Ekman
Carol Krensky in memory of David Shaer
Sydell Rosen in memory of Israel /Rosen
HAROLD & CHARLOTTE GROSS
HEBREW SCHOOL FUND
Harold & Charlotte Gross in memory
Rachel, Ben & Jacob Geier in honor of
Charlotte & Harold Gross (63rd anniversary)
Brenda Gross & Dan Geier in honor of Rachel Geier
GENERAL FUND
Dina & John Weber in memory of Edith Novak
BARLAND-ZLOTOWICZ LIBRARY FUND
Isadora Zlotowicz
RABBI’S DISCRETIONARY FUND
Isadora Zlotowicz
Kol Israel –Nov/Dec
Page 4
Vol. 16, Issue 6
Tishrei 30
Heshvan 1
Heshvan 2
Heshvan 4
Heshvan 6
Heshvan 7
Heshvan 8
Heshvan 9
Heshvan 10
Heshvan 11
Heshvan 12
Heshvan 13
Heshvan 14
Heshvan 15
Heshvan 17
Heshvan 18
Heshvan 19
Heshvan 20
Heshvan 21
Heshvan 22
Heshvan 23
Heshvan 24
Heshvan 26
Heshvan 29
Kislev 1
Kislev 1
Kislev 2
Kislev 3
Kislev 4
Kislev 5
YAHRZEITS – NOVEMBER 2016
Tishrei 30-Hesvan 29
1
Dorothy Rubin
2
Solomon Cavall
Lenore Cohen
3
Ida Cramer
Sally Parker
5
Estelle Cooperman
Samuel Green
7
Marilyn Harrison
Sally Plotkin
8
Toby Singer Kaufman
Morris L. Resnick
S/Sgt. Allen Soifert
9
Jacob Kurtz
10
Eugene Jay Feldman
Ida Shapiro
11
Simon Katz
Eli A. Margolis
Rose Meriam Slosberg
Joseph Winthrop
12
Paul Krensky
Benjamin Rubinstein
Lena White
13
Herbert Rosenberg
14
Myer Mulman
Keven Rudman
Hyman Steinberg
15
Nathan Marmer
16
Hyman Baltimore
Mike Spector
18
Ida Mushlin Barber
19
Johanna Benjamin
Annie Rovner
20
Fred Hoffman
Rebecca Mushlin
Libby Singer
21
Barbara Arliss
Golda Foster
Ilene Levine
Samuel Waisman
22
Richard Baltimore
Mollie Charron
23
Beverly Angelini
Helen Bialo
Hugh Hybsch
Ethel Polins
Juliet Semiat
Harry Silber
24
Elizabeth Messenger
25
Minnie Ekman
Esther Metz
David Shaer
27
Oscar Rosenblatt
David Zerinsky
30
Rose Finn
Gerda Hoexter
Benjamin Perlman
Kislev 6
Kislev 7
Kislev 8
Kislev 9
Kislev 10
Kislev 11
Kislev 12
Kislev 13
Kislev 14
Kislev 15
Kislev 17
Kislev 18
Kislev 19
Kislev 20
Kislev 21
Kislev 22
Kislev 23
Kislev 24
Kislev 25
Kislev 28
Kislev 28
YAHZEITS – DECEMBER 2016
Kislev 1 – Tevet 2
12/1
Leslie Richmond
12/1
Morton Thaler
12/2
Louis Kaplan
12/3
Allan Brestin
12/4
Naomi Bluestone
12/5
Nathan Ekman
Samuel Kaufman
Harvey David Rubin
Kol Israel –Nov/Dec
Tevet 1
Tevet 2
Page 5
YAHZEITS – DECEMBER 2016
Kislev 1 – Tevet 2
12/6
Cillia Katz
Hyman L. Perlman
Paul Weiner
12/7
Anna Fieldman
Rebecca Kandler
Janet Laibson
Ida Resnick
12/8
Jessie Litvinchook
Sidney J. Siegel
12/9
Rebecca Cramer
12/10
Colombe Hybsch
Abraham Saulten
12/11
William Brogadir
David Holtzman
Louis Liverman
12/12
Selma Chitister
Harold Eckman
Alexander Heifetz
Morris Swartz
12/13
Aaron Kurtz
12/14
Irving Eskowitz
Rosita Hardoon
Beatrice Kurtz
Jeanette Mandelbaum
Mary Spierer
12/15
Ralph Baer
Leonard Novak
12/17
Israel Al Rosen
Gertrude Swartz
12/18
Ida Koocher
Samuel Litvin
12/19
Harry Rice
Julius Stoloff
Theresa Tevelov
12/20
Sarah Elfond Eluto
Sam Gasser
Benjamin Gruber
Charles Saber
Isidore Sternberg
Rosalind Sternberg
12/21
Harry Charron
Sonia Gasser
Louis Isenberg
Sarah Rosenberg
Jennie Sidman
Irving Stemple
12/22
James Gilmartin
Shelley Herson
Blanche Peterman
12/23
Ben Hoffman
Alice Perlstein
12/24
Samuel Katz
Vera Rovner
Arnold Solomon
Goldie Wilinsky
12/25
Solomon Lefcofsky
12/28
Abraham Braverman
12/28
Jeanette Eskowitz
Bertha Kniager
Edward Siegel
12/30
Harvey Levine
Morris Margolis
Anna Spillberg
12/31
Heath Andler Feldman
Emanuel Grodman
Vol. 16, Issue 6
The Reflective
Holidays & Beyond
Restoring Our Scrolls, Renewing
Our Souls, One Letter at a Time…
By David Winthrop
The High Holidays have passed and just a few
days ago our restored Sefer Torah (Torah
scroll) was rededicated. I’ve had some time
to reflect on these events. This has been my
rookie year acting as “Gabbie Rishon” (Torah
service coordinator) for our shul during this
High Holiday season. I don’t think I’ve had a
more
remarkably
uplifting,
reflective
experience. From making phone calls to
hand out aliyahs, to preparing the main
sanctuary by changing prayer books and
Torah Covers or by just sitting up on the
Bima seeing all the new faces and
remembering the ones that are gone; images
and memories that kept flooding my brain
helped me to reflect and renew my soul.
On Sunday October 16th (the 14th of Tishrei),
our religious school students, teachers, and a
wonderful group of fellow temple members
got together with our Rabbi Eric Cohen and
the Sofer Stam (Torah Scribe), Rabbi Hale, to
participate in an educational program to
rededicate our Sefer Torah. During the
“siyyum” (rededication ceremony), 10 letters
were left unfinished so that all that were
present helped to add the final touches to
“Sandi’s Torah”. Plus we congratulated all
contributors to this project with special
certificates of appreciation.
Sandi McCurdy, who passed away earlier this
summer, was our “Gabbie Rishon” for many
years. She had a love of Torah and the stories
it told. She instilled in me that love of Torah,
along with all the little nuances of the
Shabbat services. In memory of Sandi’s
devotion to Torah, years of service to Temple
Israel, and her religious commitment, Rabbi
Eric and I wish to dedicate this restored
sacred scroll to Sandi McCurdy (Sara Rivka
bat Yom Tov Lipman). I will always refer to
this scroll as “Sandi’s Torah.” In order to
honor “Sandi’s Torah” correctly, Rabbi and I
would like to start a fundraiser to acquire a
Torah Mantel (Cover), with artistic embroidery
work and appropriate lettering to honor
Kol Israel –Nov/Dec
Page 6
Sandi’s memory. Any amount, no matter how
small, would be greatly appreciated.
I do want to thank the numerous synagogue
members who have graciously contributed to
the restoration of “Sandi’s Torah.” Your
donations are greatly appreciated, but the
need for funds hasn’t vanished with the
completion of this project. Temple Israel now
possesses seven Kosher Torahs, and we plan
on using them all. With constant use of these
scrolls, it is important to schedule
maintenance on a yearly basis. Torahs may
have to be resewn, possibly dusted or
cleaned, frayed edges fixed and any chipped
letters rewritten. Having a maintenance
program will eliminate the future need for any
major restoration project. Like any other
temple
function,
this
costs
money.
Mentioned in an earlier article, one of our
Torahs is for sale. Hopefully, when the scroll
sells, the funds will be able to replenish the
“Mandel Torah Fund.” Meanwhile, any
contributions to this fund would be greatly
appreciated.
After
the
rededication
program
was
completed, our youngsters, as well as some
committed adults (thank you!) helped
decorate our Sukkah for the upcoming
holiday. A delightful day was had by all. I
know that Sandi would have enjoyed the
occasion, very much.
I’ve heard it said, “That 90% of life is just
showing up.” I don’t know who said it, but it
pretty much rings true. It has been pointed
out that providing monetary funds is
important to the operation of our shul and
there are many worthwhile funds to
contribute to. I would like to point out that it’s
not just money that drives a temple, but it’s
the people that make up the membership. To
help to make our growing synagogue a
healthy community, participation, getting
involved, or just showing up, is key. It is
important to participate not only in the
special events, but in the numerous
committees that temple members may join.
Plus, there is the importance of just showing
up for weekly religious services - I cannot
stress that enough. I’m referring to the Friday
evening and Saturday morning Shabbat
services.
Vol. 16, Issue 6
I am putting out a challenge to all our
members and their families to help us make
minyans. We need at least 10 children of
Israel, B’nei Mitzvah age or older, to help us
conduct full Shabbat services. Without a
minyan, members cannot say Kaddish for
their lost loved ones when they have a
Yahrzeit (anniversary of their passing away).
Without a minyan, we cannot have a formal
Torah Service during Shabbat morning
services. I guarantee that by just showing up
for services, there is a good chance you will
be enlightened and refreshed. At the very
least, you’ll learn a new tune, enjoy a Kiddush
lunch, and quite possibly gain some insight
into our long and colorful heritage.
Congratulations Al Shamash!
2016 Shem Tov Honoree
Kol Israel –Nov/Dec
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November
December
Nov. 2 – noon
Dec. 3 – 9:30am
Lunch & Learn at
Joy Sydney’s
Junior
Congregation
Nov 10 - 6:00pm
Dec. 11 – 10:00am
Schmooze & Spirits
Soiree
Rabbi’s Schmooze
& Schmear
Nov. 12 – 9:30am
Dec. 17 – 9:30am
Junior
Congregation
Tot Shabbat
Nov. 18 – 6:00pm
Dec. 18 – noon
Family Shabbat
A Taste of Italy
Braverman
Chanukah Party
RSVP by noon Nov. 11
RSVP by noon Dec. 9
Kol Israel –Nov/Dec
Page 13
New Policies for
Temple Events
Please be aware that
nonmember guests at
catered events may
subject to a fee of
$15/ea or $30/family
Reservations accepted
after the RSVP closing
date may be subject to
a late fee of $15/ea or
$30/family
Vol. 16, Issue 6
Kol Israel –Nov/Dec
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