September 8, 2006 – Elul 15, 5766

Rabbi Joshua Hammerman, Temple Beth El, Stamford, Connecticut

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Contents of the Shabbat O Gram:

(Click to scroll down)

Just the Facts (service schedule)

The (Occasionally) Ranting Rabbi

Mitzvah/Tzedakkah Opportunities

Ask the Rabbi

Spiritual Journey on the Web

Required Reading and Action Items (links to key articles on Israel and Jewish life)

Announcements (goings on in and around TBE)

TBE Youth Programming

Joke for the Week

Mazal tov to all our sisterhood cookbook contributors whose recipes were featured in the Advocate this week, and especially to Fran Ginsburg and Dana Katz.

Our mouths are watering and we’re bursting with pride!

Mazal tov to Nurit Avigdor, who recently became a grandmother for the first time! The baby, Michael, and parents Gal and Cathy, are doing great following the bris!

This week is very exciting, but also keep an eye on next weekend, with our teen programs getting into gear, Selichot services featuring Cantor Littman and Hazzan Rabinowitz, preceded by the acclaimed movie “Ushpizin,” Havdaah at the Beach, the annual Bima Building, Tot Shabbat and much more! Details below…

Quote for the Week

What is a Congregation?

A congregation is a harbor into which an anchor is cast
At a moment of inevitable silence
Before or after a storm.

A congregation is a seashell
Where one can hide
When the soul sinks down into the depths of the ocean.

A congregation is a song, a prayer, a dream
Where the spirit can sail forth, heavenward bound.

A congregation is a voice that calls out,
To reach up to the heavens
It tries again and again to cause us to make the decision
Between indifference and activity.
Between spiritual improvement and oblivion.
Between kindness and sinfulness.

A congregation is togetherness from within.

A congregation is the place from where we are commanded to enact the most simple
and most difficult of all things — loving the other.

By Annabelle Hertziger-Tanzer, Kehillat Har-El
Published in the Har-El Bulletin July-August 2004

JUST THE FACTS

Welcome back to all our Hebrew School students –

And welcome to our new ones as well!

School begins this Sunday morning!

Friday Evening

Candle lighting: 6:57 pm on Friday, September 8- Havdalah is at 7:57 pm on Saturday evening. For candle lighting times, other Jewish calendar information, and to download a Jewish calendar to your PDA, click on http://www.hebcal.com/. To see the festivals of other faiths as well, go to http://www.interfaithcalendar.org/

Kabbalat Shabbat: 7:30 PM – in the sanctuary (note later start time on 2^nd week of the month)

Shabbat Morning: 9:30 AM – Mazal Tov to Mitchell Berkoff, who becomes Bar Mitzvah this Shabbat morning

Children’s services: 10:30 AM – (the older jr. congregation service in the chapel begins next week)

Torah Portion: Ki Tavo Deuteronomy 26:1 - 29:8

1: 26:12-15
2: 26:16-19
3: 27:1-3
4: 27:4-8
5: 27:6-10
6: 27:11-28:3
7: 28:4-6
maf: 28:4-6

Haftarah Isaiah 60:1 - 60:22

Mincha-Havdalah service: 6:30 PM – Mazal tov to Eric Hazen, who becomes Bar Mitzvah this Shabbat afternoon.

See a weekly commentary from the UJC Rabbinic Cabinet, at www.ujc.org/mekorchaim. Read the Masorti commentary at http://www.masorti.org/mason/torah/index.asp. University of Judaism, JTS commentary is at: http://learn.jtsa.edu/topics/parashah/. USCJ Torah Sparks can be found at http://uscj.org/item20_467.html. UAHC Shabbat Table Talk discussions are at http://uahc.org/torah/exodus.shtml. Other divrei Torah via the Torahnet home page: http://uahcweb.org/torahnet/. Test your Parasha I.Q.: http://www.ou.org/jewishiq/parsha/default.htm. CLAL’s Torah commentary archive: http://click.topica.com/maaaiRtaaRvQhbV2AtLb/. World Zionist Organization Education page, including Nehama Liebowitz archives of parsha commentaries: http://www.moreshet.net/web/index.asp?f=1 For a more Kabbalistic/Zionist/Orthodox perspective from Rav Kook, first Chief Rabbi of Israel, go to http://www.geocities.com/m_yericho/ravkook/index.html. For some probing questions and meditations on key verses of the portion, with a liberal kabbalistic bent, go to http://www.jewishealing.com/learning.html or, for Kabbalistic commentaries from the Zohar itself, go to http://www.kabbalah.com/k/index.php/p=zohar/weekly/intro. To see the weekly commentary from Hillel, geared to college students and others, go to http://www.hillel.org/hillel/NewHille.nsf/FCB8259CA861AE57852567D30043BA26/DF7D129F15B3DF0885256AB80058E9C3?OpenDocument. For a Jewish Renewal and feminist approach go to http://rabbishefagold.hypermart.net/Torah1.html . For a comprehensive Orthodox viewpoint from the Israeli rabbi, Yaakov Fogelman, go to the Torah Outreach Program at http://israelvisit.co.il/top/previous.shtml. Guided meditations for each portion by Judith Abrams at http://www.maqom.com/kavannah.pdf

For online Parsha quizzes from Pardes in Israel, go to http://www.pardes.org.il/online_learning/parsha_quizzes/ Torah for Kids: http://www.torah4kids.net/ Weekly Lesson of Popular Israeli Rabbi Mordechai Elon: http://www.elon.org/archives/archives.htm - and his parsha sheets: http://www.mibereshit.org/special/download_eng_pdf.htm From Bar Ilan University: http://www.biu.ac.il/JH/Parasha/eng/; http://www.torahproductions.com/weekly_article.jsp

THE ENTIRE HEBREW BIBLE (AS WELL AS OTHER JEWISH SOURCES) CAN BE FOUND WITH SIDE-BY-SIDE TRANSLATION AT

http://www.mechon-mamre.org/

Morning Minyan: Weekdays at 7:30, Sundays at 9:30 AM

TO ENSURE A “GUARANTEED MINYAN” FOR THE DAY OF YOUR YAHRZEIT – GO TO THE ROSNER MINYAN MAKER AT WWW.TBE.ORG AND ALSO CONTACT ME AT RABBI@TBE.ORG.

We’ve had several people coming lately who are saying kaddish following recent deaths in the family. We want to make sure we have a minyan each day. Your presence any morning is greatly appreciated!

The

(occasionally)

Ranting Rabbi

Conservative Judaism at a Crossroads

It’s now all but official that the Conservative movement will be moving toward a greater acceptance of Gay rabbis and possibly sanctioning some forms of commitment ceremonies. In several recent lectures, forums and articles, various leaders within the movement have begin preparing the professionals and laity for what would be monumental change this December, when the Law Committee meets. The decision will likely be a pluralistic one, in the true spirit of the movement, allowing for various policy options for congregations and rabbis. Once those decisions are revealed, each congregation will be able to have an internal dialogue as to what the decision means for them. We will be no exception. One congregation, in Ann Arbor MI., has already made its opinion known by sending out a letter – from its board – to other congregations across the country, urging the Law Committee to vote in favor of greater inclusiveness. Their statement can be read in pdf format by clicking here. Others in Canada are threatening to secede from the movement if the change is made. My own views favoring greater inclusiveness are widely known, and I am listed among the many Conservative rabbis who have taken such a stand. You can find that extensive list of rabbis, and what it is that we are endorsing, at http://keshetrabbis.org/. It will be interesting to see how other congregations and seminaries respond to this upcoming decision.

Articles to read for more background include: Conservative Movement Seen Ending Ban On Gays (the Jewish Week), What's wrong with Jewish Conservatives? (Ha’aretz), Conservative Rabbis Predict Gay Ban Will Fall, Canadian Shuls Weigh Split With Movement (Forward) and faith-based: Why Conservative Judaism is ailing (Slate). Gay Ban’s Human Toll: A convert to Judaism was a star rabbinic pupil at JTS, until she came out as a lesbian. http://www.thejewishweek.com/news/newscontent.php3?artid=12933

9/11 Plus 5

We Remember

Mayor Molloy, 9/11 Families, First Responders, Clergy

Join to Remember 5^th Anniversary

Stamford Government Center

Monday, September 11, 9:30am

In an act of remembrance and solidarity, Mayor Molloy and area clergy will join with families of 9/11 victims and first responders at 9:30am for a 30 minute commemoration at the government center on Monday, September 11^th.

We Remember: 5th Anniversary of 9/11 Memorial Observance represents a modest and heartfelt desire to let victims’ families know that they are not alone and that their community stands with them. We also gather to recognize the daily courage first responders must summon to answer the call of those in distress.

With words and melodies common to all faiths, we will take 30 minutes to recollect the intensity of that day five years ago. We will recollect the lives taken and families shattered by a world changed in ways we’re still trying to understand.

We Remember: 5th Anniversary of 9/11 Memorial Observance is sponsored by The Stamford Board of Rabbis in cooperation with The Mayor’s Office and the Stamford Interfaith Council.

Talk about your rabid rabbis… here’s an article from a “rabid” minister!

“And God sayeth unto man: I've had it!”

http://www.boston.com/news/globe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2006/08/23/and_god_sayeth_unto_man_ive_had_it/

"Like a multi-screen theater,

Synaplex™ offers a variety of Shabbat experiences

for our diverse Jewish community."

-- starsynagogue.org

What is Synaplex?

Synaplex™ is a way to celebrate simultaneously the many authentic expressions of Judaism - learning, culture and gathering as well as prayer. Jews have a multitude of ways to participate in Judaism and Jewish life; Synaplex™ brings them together in Jewish "prime time," that is, in the synagogue on Shabbat.

Save the date for our Grand Opening:

Oct. 27-28

Featuring

SHABBAT UNPLUGGED

…on Friday night, led by Cantor Littman,

followed by a relaxing sit-down oneg and “rebbe’s tish.”

And on Shabbat morning,

Kabbalistic Yoga, Heschel discussion, mind-body-spirit bike ride, meditative services, family-style learners’ services, traditional “Kahal” davening service, additional services for teens and tots

and then we all come together for

"Babble"

For the portion of Noah

In the beginning, there was only one language.Then the tallest tower toppled, and translation was born.

Join the Storahtellers as they present a ritual performance of Torah portion Noah complete with traditional Hebrew chanting, dramatized English translation, live original music and audience interaction.

And…just maybe…a real-live ufruf!

Also featuring a delicious lunch, followed by lecture/discussions for all different generations, plus:

THE FIRST ANNUAL TBE “ROSNER BOWL” TOUCH FOOTBALL GAME, SCAVENGER HUNT FOR KIDS, ISRAELI DANCING WITH SHMULIK, TBE PET PALLOOZA, and much more…

And save the following dates as well…

SYNAPLEX at TBE 5767

Friday and Sat., October 27-28 GRAND OPENING Synaplex Shabbat

(Including Cantor Littman’s spectacular Shabbat Unplugged on Friday night)

Friday, December 8 - Synaplex Shabbat

(theme of diversity, exotic multi-cultural Shabbat dinner, December Dilemma)

Friday and Sat. January 19 and 20 - Synaplex Shabbat/Shabbat Unplugged

Scholar in Residence Dr. Benjamin Gampel

Fri and Sat. February 9 and 10 - Synaplex Shabbat

Sisterhood Shabbat

Scholar in Residence, Rabbi Burt Visotzky

Havdalah Unplugged

Friday March 9 - Synaplex Shabbat, Shabbat Unplugged,

Shabbat, April 7 – Beth El Cares Synaplex Shabbat - Passover

Friday May 3 - Synaplex Shabbat/Shabbat Across America,

Friday, May 10 – Synaplex Shabbat/Shabbat Unplugged

Shabbat, June 23 -Synaplex Shabbat, adult b’nai mitzvah

Download a volunteer form at

http://www.tbe.org/site/sog/SynaplexVolunteerPackage.htm

or Click here for the Volunteer Form

contact our Synaplex committee at

tbesynaplex@optonline.net

Fill it out and send it back – and join the dozens who have already stepped forward!

And for more general information about Synaplex,

go to www.starsynagogue.org

Mitzvah/Tzedakkah Opportunties

 
Beth El Cares
 
Cathy Satz (968-9191; csscounsel@yahoo.com)
Cheryl Wolff (968-6361; cwolff@optonline.net)
BETH EL CARES co-chairs

We hope you all enjoyed your summer.

Please give generously to the 2006

HIGH HOLIDAY FOOD DRIVE!

September 22- October 2, 2006

Each year TBE members help to start the New Year off with a Mitzvah. You can join the team by bringing in food that will stock the pantry at PERSON to PERSON in Darien. Bags will once again be available for pick up at temple on ROSH HASHANAH. Please take one or more and fill it up with non-perishable, unopened and not expired food. Then, bring it back to temple by Yom Kippur. Your donation will then be delivered on Tuesday, October 3, 2006. Volunteers will be needed that day at PERSON TO PERSON to help unload, sort food and stock the shelves. To help, contact Cheryl Wolff (968-6361) or Cathy Satz (968-9191).

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

Habitat for Humanity is recruiting volunteers to assist with the planning and building of 6 to 9 housing units on West Main Street in Stamford (near the Kentucky Fried Chicken). The actual timing of the building depends on site plan and other approvals, but the ceremonial ground breaking should take place in October 2006. Please contact bknebal@habitatcfc.org if you want to help in any way. Assistance is needed now in the formation stages, as well as later with the building. Bob Knebel, CEO, can tell you what jobs are available.

LOCKS OF LOVE HAIR DONATIONS CONTINUED

Any one wishing to donate 10 or more inches of hair to Locks of Love can contact Cathy or Cheryl for more information on how to donate and how to get your before and after photo on the TBE web sit

Cheryl Wolff

Cathy Satz

Multiple Sclerosis Sponsorship

For the past two years I have taken a role in the fight against multiple sclerosis (MS). On Sunday, September 17, I will be participating again in the MS Bike Tour and I am asking you to join me in this important fight by sponsoring me.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) usually strikes adults in the prime of life - between the ages of 20 and 50. It is a chronic disease of the central nervous system affecting the brain and spinal cord. Imagine, one day you are ready to take on the world... and the next you are faced with the diagnosis of an incurable and debilitating disease. One new case of MS is diagnosed every hour. It comes and goes unpredictably, leaving people to wonder, "Will I become paralyzed, blind or have trouble walking? Will I be able to raise my family and continue my career?"

The National MS Society invests more money into MS research than any other voluntary health organization in the world. This investment is paying off in significant advances in treating MS, such as the new medications, which may reduce or delay future disability for people with MS. Researchers are also making advances in diagnosis, rehabilitation, and symptomatic therapies for people with all forms of MS, and are bringing us ever closer to a cure.

MS researchers have made extraordinary progress these last few years in developing new treatments for MS that can slow the progression of the disease and in searching for a cure, and your contribution will help support these vital efforts. Funds will also be used to support local programs for people with MS and their families.

You can help me reach my fundraising goal of $500 by sponsoring me in the MS Bike Tour. Support me as I ride 30 miles to find a cure. It’s easy. Please click on the "To Sponsor Me" link below and sponsor me online today.

Your support will mean so much to me, and the over 400,000 Americans living with MS. Can I count on your help?

Warmest regards,

Mark D. Plotzky

To sponsor me:
Click here

To visit My Personal Page :
Click here

For more information about this event:
Click here

For more information about the National MS Society:
Click here


If the links above appear as URLs instead of text links, please copy and paste the URLs into your web browser.

How Can I Help Israel?

Stand With Israel

Speak Out Against Global Terrorism
and its State Sponsors.

National Israel Solidarity Rally

Wednesday, September 20, 12 Noon
Second Ave. and 47th St., New York City

Send a message to the Leaders of the World
as they gather at the UN General Assembly.

Dear Friends:

We often ask ourselves how we can help Israel.  After all, we are all committed to the safety of Israel and of her citizens.  There is a high-impact charity near and dear to our hearts committed to therapy for trauma victims -- EMDR-Israel, the humanitarian assistance program in Israel dedicated to doing frontline trauma work for her citizens.

So, we are inviting you to a fundraiser on Sunday September 17th to hear a speaker, Dr. Billy Eisenberg, talk about what is happening in Israel and how people in the North have been affected by the constant bombing.  Dr. Eisenberg, himself a 9/11 survivor, does a significant amount of work with psychotrauma units in hospitals throughout Israel.  These victims - civilians and soldiers - desperately need psychological intervention and support.  In addition, Dr. Karen Alter-Reid will specifically address the type of trauma treatment being used  and how it helps alleviate and resolve post-traumatic stress symptoms.  She will also talk about how the EMDR-Israel organization uses the donated monies to provide this treatment for both acute onset and delayed post-traumatic stress syptoms and to provide trauma training for mental health professionals in Israel. All services provided by EMDR-Israel are provided by teams of volunteers.

We are asking for a donation of $50.00 to EMDR-Israel, the humanitarian assistance program in Israel.  Of course, if you could afford to give more, it would be greatly appreciated.

When: Sunday, September 17, 2006
Where: Bonnie's house: 220 West Trail, Stamford CT  06903
Time: 10:30 - 12:00 (brunch will be served)
RSVP: kalterreid@aol.com OR bonnieb@gmail.com

If you cannot attend, please feel free to send a check made out to "EMDR-Israel" and mail to Karen Alter-Reid at 66 Big Oak Road, Stamford, CT 06903 or to Bonnie Bachar at the address above.  Please also feel free to forward and extend this invitation to any interested friends and colleagues.


Directions:  Merritt Parkway to Exit 35, make left turn onto High Ridge Rd (from north or south) - drive approximately 3 miles and make a left on Sunset Road, at the stop sign make a right onto West Trail.  Drive .6 miles down - house is #220, on the left side.  Home tel # 203.968.0310.

Look forward to seeing you,

Karen Alter-Reid & Bonnie Kintzer Bachar

ISRAEL. Taking you higher.

Visiting Israel takes you higher. It heightens your senses. It heightens your awareness.

It heightens your sense of self. It heightens your faith.

And it heightens your sense of identification with a land, thousands of miles away, a land that is so very dear to us all.

We urge you to visit Israel now. To take you higher. To start planning your visit this very moment.

Experience Jerusalem, visit Tel Aviv, float in the Dead Sea, tour the Negev, and relax in Eilat.

But this time, go north too.

Take yourself to a higher plane. Visit Safed, the highest town in Israel, one of the four holy cities of Judaism.

To Haifa, majestically draped around the slopes of Mount Carmel.