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Rabbi Carl M. Perkins |
Peter Seresky, President Gil Brodsky, Editor |
February 19, 2009, Thursday, 26 Shevat, 5769 |
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Our condolences go out to Karen and Jeff Cohen on the recent passing of Karen’s grandmother.
Hamakom yinacheim otam... May the Divine Presence comfort them, among all the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.
Art Show — March 4-8
The 2009 Temple Aliyah Fundraising Event is an Israeli Art & Craft Show! We will be bringing the work of several Israeli artists to our Temple—giving you a chance to support the Temple, Israel—and get something special for you or your household. Admission to the Art & Craft Show is Free. We will have oil paintings, silk paintings, photographs, Judaica, microcalligraphy, jewelry, weave products, and so much more! You should have received your invitation in the mail. Please support the Art Show by becoming a Sponsor (all sponsors are invited to a Wine Reception and Special Preview on Wednesday, March 4th). There will also be a Dessert Reception for all Temple members on Saturday evening (all sponsors attend for free!). Temple members and all non-Temple member friends and family are all welcome!! Any questions, please contact Karen Sisselman.
Host a Real Artist During the Art Show: Seven artists from Israel will be coming to Temple Aliyah to show their work and help run the Show. These artists are paying their own travel expenses, and to help alleviate some of their costs, we have volunteered to host them at homes of Temple members. We have already found homes for 5 people; we need to find homes for the final two artists. Opening up your home is not only a mitzvah (and will be another way to support the Temple Art Show) but will also be a great opportunity for your family to spend time with an artist from Israel. You can learn first hand about their artwork as well as hear about life in Israel. You need not have a kosher home or be shomrei shabbat to be a host. This is truly a very unique and special opportunity. Please let Karen Sisselman know if you are interested.
The Shpilkes Klezmer Band — new name, new web site, and a new gig!
Shpilkes Klezmer Band (formerly known as The Temple Aliyah Klezmer Band) will be performing at the UnCommon Coffeehouse in Framingham on Saturday, February 21 at 8:00 pm. For more information visit the coffee house's web site or the Shpilkes site on MySpace.
AIPAC Regional Director to be guest of Kurinskys — all welcome
Debbie and Geoff Kurinsky are hosting a special gathering at their home on February 26 at 7:30-8:45pm to learn more about a topic which is close to our hearts: the US-Israel relationship. Eric Giesser, New England Director of AIPAC, will speak about current events in Washington vis-à-vis American support for Israel. He will also describe an event which we find highly inspirational, and even addictive: the annual AIPAC Policy Conference, which will be May 3-5 in Washington DC. At this impressive gathering, over 6000 Israel supporters will hear from the most senior decision-makers in both governments, and then we will meet with our Mass. legislators personally in their offices. It’s an opportunity to make a difference, like no other. Visit the AIPAC web site for more information about this event.
Please join Debbie and Geoff in their home, 1 Bridle Trail Road in Needham, for coffee and dessert, and to learn more about the US-Israel relationship and how you can made a difference by going to Washington. In order to allow her to plan for the correct number, please RSVP to Debbie.
Book Club — February 24
Temple Aliyah Sisterhood invites you to the next Book Group meeting where we’ll be discussing The World to Come by Dara Horn. Tuesday, February 24, at 7:45 p.m. (right after minyan), in the Temple Library.
At the center of the story is Benjamin Ziskind, a former child prodigy who now spends his days writing questions for a television trivia show. After Ben's twin sister Sara forces him to attend a singles cocktail party at a Jewish museum, Ben spots Over Vitebsk, a Chagall sketch that once hung in the twins’ childhood home. Convinced the painting was wrongfully taken from his family, Ben steals the work of art and enlists his twin to create a forgery to replace the stolen Chagall. What follows is a series of interwoven stories that trace the life and times of the famous painting, and the fate of those who come into contact with it.
Purim
Be happy! Adar is almost here! Stop fretting about your stock portfolio, and make plans to beef up your schtick portfolio!
Temple Tots will have their Purim Celebration on Sunday, March 1, 2009 at 4:15 pm. Come and celebrate Purim with other toddler families at Temple Aliyah. There will be craft activities, face painting, a costume parade, Purim story, and snack. Children should come dressed in costume! For families with children ages 0-5. Rsvps encouraged to Sylvia Lewinstein.
Purim carnival celebration: Temple Aliyah welcomes members and non-members alike to our yearly Purim Carnival. Our Purim carnival is geared to kids 18 months-5th grade. Bring your family and friends to the largest party of the year. Sunday, March 1, 12:30-2:30pm. New games, pizza, hamantashen, great prizes and raffle. For more info, check the flier or contact Laurie Spitz.
Volunteers are needed, students (5th and up) and adults! We are in need of lots of volunteers to help set up, run the games, sell the food, and give out the prizes. Your help during the carnival would be
a great mitzvah (and Zayin students receive a mitzvah credit for your time). Each participating student will also receive a free raffle ticket with a chance to win a gift certificate to a local business. Please email your availability -1st hour (12:30p-1:30p), 2nd hour (1:30p-2:30p), or both hours. Please let us know what is your availability, game request or questions directly to Tammy Sadok.
Books and PJs: On Purim it is particularly important to help the poor (Matanot l'Evyonim). In the sprit of this mitzvah the Sisterhood will be conducting a Pajama & Book Drive at the Purim celebrations on March 1. This will help children in need have a pair of new pajamas and a book to read at night. The pajamas and books are given to children all over the world. These children have never known what it is like to change out of their day clothes put on new pajamas and read or look at a book. So please support us by donating a new children’s book or a new pair of Pajamas size infant to 17.
And Purim itself will begin on Monday, March 9, with megillah readings for both adults and kids, beginning at 6:30 pm. Afterward, we will of course continue celebrating, with klezmer music, and a return performance of the Gann Academy Jugglers! The megillah reading will also be repeated on Tuesday morning, March 10, at 7:00 am.
Check out the Interfaith Purim Program in the “In the Community” section (below).
Spelling Bee
The annual Needham Education Foundation Spelling Bee will take place this year on Thursday evening, April 2. Temple Aliyah hopes to send a team of three top spellers to support this wonderful community fundraiser. Our participants have performed admirably and precisely in the past, so if you think you can continue in that tradition, please either email Jan or call her in the office. But the deadline for our fielding a team is February 28, so don't wait!
Minyan Shirah
Our upcoming dates for Friday evening Minyan Shirah are February 27 and March 6. (On that last date, we have already invited guests to join us: the ten or so members of the Introduction to Judaism class that Rabbi Perkins taught at the Carter Methodist Church this past fall.) Please join us at 6:15 pm.
Keruv Shabbat
On Saturday morning, March 7, Temple Aliyah will host its first “Keruv Shabbat.” Services will begin as usual at 9:15. Our mid-morning guest speaker will be Fern Chertok, M.A., Research Scientist at the Maurice and Marilyn Cohen Center for Modern Jewish Studies at Brandeis University.
Ms. Chertok will review her research and use it to discuss intermarriage in a new and different way: to move toward a deeper understanding of the full array of factors including intermarriage that impact how and why Jews may or may not become involved in Judaism and the Jewish community. She will also discuss practical perspectives for intermarried couples and how the synagogue can support them.
Keruv means “bringing closer” or “drawing near.” Temple Aliyah has created a Keruv Committee to reach out to interfaith couples and families, those who have chosen to become Jewish, and parents of children dating or married to people who have a faith background other than Judaism. For more information, contact our Keruv Committee Chairperson, Fredie Kay.
Adult Ed Programs beginning
Rabbi Perkins’s course, “The Talmud on Prayer,” begins on Tuesday evening, March 3. This is a continuation of the first semester course, but newcomers are welcome. Deadline for enrollment is February 23rd. For more details, check the online flier. To enroll, or if you have any questions, please email Rachel.
And Rabbi Berkman’s course on “Unlocking the Prayer Service,” a 5 session course on Wednesday mornings at 11:00 am, is starting March 4. We’ll demystify the Jewish prayer service, discovering unifying themes and structures. Email Rabbi Berkman for more information or to register.
Meditation Shabbat
Our next meditation program will take place on March 14, beginning at 9:15 in the Library.
Kesher movie — March 15
Noodle! Don’t miss this award winning feel good movie, which sold out at the Boston Jewish Film Festival. Join us on Sunday, March 15th, at 7:30 pm. Suggested donation is $7 per person ($25 per family of 4 or more). The film is recommended for age 12 and above. All proceeds will be sent to Standing Together, which provides meals and other support for IDF soldiers. For more details on the film and Standing Together, check the colorful online flier.
Avodah & Chocolate — March 20
Join us Friday, March 20 at 6:15 for a relaxing evening of prayer, dinner, stories, songs, and—of course—a delicious chocolate dessert. Master storyteller Seth Castleman will tell us Hasidic tales, and Cantor Gastón will lead us in Shabbat songs following Kabbalat Shabbat services and dinner. Stay tuned for more info!
Rabbi Joseph Telushkin to speak at TA — March 22
Rabbi Joseph Telushkin will be the speaker at the Synagogue Council of Massachusetts annual Connie Spear Birnbaum Memorial Lecture, whih will take place at Temple Aliyah this year on Sunday, March 22. Temple Aliyah is proud to be hosting this event. Rabbi Telushkin, named by Talk Magazine as one of the 50 best speakers in the United States, is the author of Jewish Literacy: The Most Important Things to Know About the Jewish Religion, Its People and Its History, the most widely selling book on Judaism of the past two decades.
Rabbi Telushkin’s topic will be “Love Your Neighbor as Yourself: A Code of Jewish Ethics.” The talk, which is open to all and free, will begin at 7:30, with doors opening at 7:00. We expect several hundred people to attend, so please come early. Also, there will be a dinner with our guest at 5:30, for a cost of $36. You can register and pay for the dinner via the Synagogue Council’s web site.
For more information about this exciting event, check out the flier online.
Special Family Music Program with Singer Rick Recht — March 29
Don’t miss the first in TA’s Cantor’s Concert Series with top U.S. touring Jewish singer/songwriter and entertainer Rick Recht. Rick’s music inspires both youth and adults to connect with each other and their Jewish heritage. Visit Rick's Web Site or his MySpace page to listen to his music. Rick will perform jointly with kids of various ages, as well as with our adult choir, under the new direction of Cantor Gastón. Tickets available at Temple Aliyah or at Kolbo in Coolidge Corner. Adults $18, kids $9, and family $40. Sponsorships available. For info and reservations email cantorsconcert@templealiyah.com.
Temple Aliyah groups on Facbook and LinkedIn
Synagogues are strongest when its members feel connected and can count on each other for support. In an effort to expand opportunities for members of Temple Aliayh to connect with each other, we have created a group on LinkedIn called “Temple Aliyah, Needham MA.” It may be found at: http://www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=1793069. This group is open to members of Temple Aliyah only. Howard Hirsh has graciously agreed to be the group admin. It is our hope that members of Temple Aliyah may bring value to each other by expanding their business and professional networks through this forum. Congregants, including those who are in search of new professional opportunities, may identify other synagogue members who are also “Linked In” and initiate and participate in discussions within the group. Perhaps members will be able to lend each other business or professional referrals through this group.
We also now have a group on Facebook. This is a social networking site—well, if you’re already on FB, you know what it is, and if you’re not—well, if you do join we hope you’ll join our group. David Eisenberg and Howard Hirsh are the co-admins of this closed group, which was formed quietly just two days ago and already has 25 members. This will be for informal discussions, exchanging news and views on Jewish and communal topics, photos, and fun.
USY trip to the Big Apple in April
Temple Aliyah USY is planning a weekend adventure in NYC, April 24-26 (the last weekend of the April school vacation). We will be staying in the Hotel Belleclaire and exploring creative Shabbat services on the Upper West Side. Travel will be by chartered coach. Joey and Debi Baron will be the group supervisors. Though the full details are still being worked out, we need to know how many high schoolers would be interested in attending. The anticipated cost, including transportation, accommodations, all meals (kosher), and admissions, will be in the range of $400-450. Full details will be sent out within the next few weeks but it would be helpful to know who may be interested ASAP. If you are interested in joining in the fun, please email Joey with your name, grade, and age. Volunteers to help organize events are always welcome, too. This promises to be a very cool weekend.
Save the Dates
Great events in the spring — mark your calendars now!
Mitzvah Day will be on Sunday, May 17. If you are interested in helping with the program, contact Don Lassman.
Looking for some quality time with your family in a beautiful spot? Want to spend time with long-time Temple Aliyah friends and/or make new connections? Then save Memorial Day weekend (Friday May 22-Sunday May 24) for the annual Temple Aliyah retreat at Camp Yavneh in New Hampshire. The weekend will include opportunities for singing, praying, learning, boating, tennis, softball, conversation, supervised babysitting for younger kids, plenty of leisure time for adults and kids, and much more. More details and a sign-up form will be coming in the weeks ahead.
The New England Region Men’s Club annual Laymen’s Institute will take place on the weekend of Thursday, June 11, through Sunday, June 14. This is a great time for study, relaxation, and lots of male bonding, in all its forms. We’re hoping to have a large contingent of TA men attend this year. Details to follow...
In the Community
Interfaith Family Workshops on Purim and Passover: (sponsored by Jewish Family and Children’s Services)
Purim Workshop for Interfaith Families: Thursday, March 5, 2009, 7:00-9:00pm. We’ll bake hamantaschen and participate in a mini- Purim play.
Interfaith Families Celebrate Passover: A two-part Empowering Workshop, Thursday, March 19 and April 2, 2009, 7:00-9:00 pm. The first session will introduce history, themes and practices. The second will be a mini-model seder where participants will learn how to prepare and conduct a seder and discuss different ways to enliven and personalize their seders. Some participants will meet old friends and all can make new ones who face similar challenges as interfaith families eager to share common experiences.
Each series costs $25 per person or whatever you can afford.
Please contact Elana Kling Perkins, LICSW, Coordinator, Interfaith Connections, Jewish Family & Children's Service, with questions or to pre-register.
A few emails back we asked people to participate in the annual Boston area kosher survey. The final report for the 2008 Boston Area Kosher Community Survey has now been released. Copies are available online.
Golem performed at our Purim party last year, and a lot of us loved their music. They have just come out with a new CD. Check out a podcast interview with accordionist and lead singer Annette, as well as audios of two of their new songs, on the Nextbook site.
On Tuesday, March 3, from 8-9:30 pm (EST), there will be a free national teleconference, sponsored by Sharsheret, concerning breast cancer. The Topic is: Take It From Me: My Experience in My Own Words. Included will be information on writing or recording your life stories; writing a personal journal as a means of self-awareness and self-expression; blogging for education, convenience, and to avoid repetition; and information about Sharsheret’s new Blog at www.sharsheret.blogspot.com. To register for the free teleconference and for dial-in instructions, please email events@sharsheret.org or call toll-free (866) 474-2774. A transcript of the teleconference will later be available on-line. (Sharsheret is an organization that links young Jewish women in their fight against breast cancer.)
Jewish Vocational Services is offering the seminar Weathering the Storm: Tools, Tips and Strategies to Navigate the Recession on three upcoming dates. The seminar is designed to help you get a “leg up” on your job search. Learn creative approaches and inventive strategies in this interactive workshop.
These seminars are presented by the Career Moves Staff of JVS. While these seminars are open to the public, space is limited and registration is required. The dates are:
Wednesday, February 25 at the Leventhal-Sidman JCC, 333 Nahanton Street, Newton.
Time:4:00 - 6:30 PM
Registration is required: 617-399-3101
Sunday, March 1 at Temple Israel of Sharon, 125 Pond Street, Sharon
Time: 3:00 - 5:30 PM
Open to the public.
Sunday, March 22 at Temple Emanuel, Newton
Time: 2:00 - 4:30 PM
More information to come.
Contact: cmovesmail@jvs-boston.org or Bellie at 617-399-3101
Schechter PALS programs feature Purim Parade, Morning Musical Surprise! Preschoolers and their families are invited to two PALS (Preschoolers And Little Siblings) programs in March at Solomon Schechter Day School of Greater Boston, 60 Stein Circle, Newton. Children are encouraged to come in costume to the PALS Purim Parade, featuring Davey the Clown, who will share juggling, magic, unicycling and balloon sculpture at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 3. A PALS extra event will feature Mike the Hatman in a Morning Musical Surprise at 9:30 a.m. Thursday, March 26. Children will laugh at silly sing-along songs, foot-stomping dances and balloon hats. Admission for PALS programs is free. To register or for more information, contact Stephanie Maroun at 617-630-4625 or stephanie.maroun@ssdsboston.org.
What can you learn in 90 minutes? Maybe enough to save someone’s life. QPR Suicide Prevention Training for Adults/Parents. Over the past few years, the Needham community has experienced several suicides that have impacted the town on many levels. In an effort to learn more about this topic and be of support to a person in distress, the Needham Coalition for Suicide Prevention and the Needham Youth Commission are offering QPR trainings. Investigate the myths surrounding suicide, explore the signs of suicide, discover the differences between suicide and self injury, and learn how to help to a person in distress.
The QPR Suicide Prevention model (Question, Persuade, Refer) is based upon the following concepts:
* Those who most need help in a suicidal crisis are the least likely to ask for it;
* The person most likely to prevent a person dying by suicide is someone they already know; and
* That prior to making a suicide attempt, a person typically sends warning signs of their distress and suicidal intent to those around them.
Final Training date for the year is Tuesday, March 24, 2009, at 7:00pm. Training is free of charge. Space is limited to 25 participants. Register with Jon Mattleman. Learn more at the Needham Youth Commission web site.
Needham volunteer opportunities fair, Tuesday, March 3, 3-6 pm, at the Needham Historical Society. Learn about the many possibilities for volunteering around Needham . Representatives from a variety of town-wide agencies and organizations will be present to share information, including The Needham Community Council, Needham Council on Aging, Needham Public Schools, Needham Historical Society, Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital Needham, Needham Women’s Club, Needham Health Department & Traveling Meals Program, Needham Housing Authority, League of Women Voters, The Needham Public Library, Needham Exchange Club, Needham Rotary Club, The Walker School, Springwell, The Charles River Center, and The Needham Community Farm. Needham is proud to be a “town of volunteers.” Join us to find the right volunteer opportunity for you that will fit your schedule and match with your interests and skills. Find out the many ways in which your time can benefit our community. This event is geared toward adult volunteerism and open to all. There is no admission charge. Refreshments will be served, and each organization represented will provide a door prize. One door prize ticket is complimentary for each person attending the fair with chances to “earn” additional tickets from visiting and talking with the organizations. For further information contact Penny Gordon at the Needham Council on Aging, 781-455-7555.
The Magic Ark Children’s Series presents the tween singing sensation Girl Authority on Sunday, March 8, 2009. Show Times: 1pm and 3pm, at the Leventhal-Sidman Jewish Community Center. Tickets: $9 general admission. Tickets available by phone: 617-965-5226. Join us for the hottest musical party in town! Girl Authority is made up of real girls with different personalities and interests who come together to sing, dance, and put their own spin on the girl power pop hits you know and love. The girls will perform fun-infused cover songs that kids and parents will love, as well as all-new original material full of positive messages, intricate dance choreography, and fashion-forward outfits. Come ready to dance and sing along to favorite hits like “Life is a Highway,” “Girls Just Want to Have Fun,” and “We are Family.”
The Leventhal-Sidman JCC presents: An Evening of Jazz, Cabaret and Broadway Music. At the Jewish Community Center, Newton, co-sponsored by the National Yiddish Book Center. Saturday, March 21st at 8pm, and Sunday, March 22nd at 2pm. The Three Yiddish Divas pour passion and artistry into a thrilling celebration of diverse music stylings. This sophisticated, emotionally charged and stunningly powerful concert includes music that ranges from Bei Mir Bist Du Shayn to an unforgettable repertoire of the songs that inspired modern Broadway. Featuring Theresa Tova (Jazz-Cabaret Diva), Joanne Borts (Theatre Diva), Adrienne Cooper (Concert Stage Diva), and a live jazz trio.