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Rabbi Carl M. Perkins |
Peter Seresky, President Gil Brodsky, Editor |
April 20, 2009, Monday, 27 Nissan, 5769 |
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Our condolences go out to Rabbi Harold Kastle on the loss of his wife, Ruth Kastle. The funeralwas held on Sunday, April 19th. Rabbi Kastle was the spiritual leader in the early years of Temple Aliyah, serving as Rabbi of the Congregation from 1967 to 1975. Rabbi Kastle now lives in Chestnut Hill at 250 Hammond Pond Parkway, #102-S, 02467.
The Israeli community and the Temple Aliyah community send condolences to Hili Shiran and mourn the passing of her husband Shimon Shiran on Saturday, April 11, 2009, at the age of 57. For the past seven years Shimon has been on the Temple’s Mi Shebayrach list. He succumbed to his wounds from a terrorist attack at Matza Restaurant in Haifa exactly seven years ago. He was laid to rest next to his daughter, Adi (age 17 at the time) who was killed at the same terrorist attack. His funeral was attended by hundreds of people, including the Mayor of Haifa and other dignitaries. He was buried on Sunday in a special area of the cemetery in Haifa reserved for victims of terrorist attacks. After the attack, Shimon, suffering from a severe head wound, spent months in hospitals and rehab centers. At the time of his death, he had been residing in a nursing home in Haifa with 24-hour aides. Shimon's wife, Hili, survived the attack with wounds that she still deals with today.
Hili Shiran was introduced to the Temple Aliyah Kesher Committee by a social worker in Israel. Many TA congregants have had the privilege of meeting Hili and have come to admire her courage, strength, positive attitude, and dedication in the face of diversity. When assistance was offered to her, she declined and instead encouraged the Kesher Committee to “find someone who really needed help.” The Israel Kesher Committee has been committed to other victims of terror and has been able to involve a number of Israelis to help also. Holiday gifts, phone calls, and visits mean a great deal to Hili and to the other families we have adopted.
Our thoughts are with Hili, Shimon’s mother, her daughter Anat, son Eyal, daughter-in-law, and grandson. If you would like to send a note to Hili, her address is Rehov Trumpeldor 5A, Neve Shaanan, Haifa, Israel. Donations in Shimon's memory may be made to Temple Aliyah (attention Israel Kesher Committee), and Hili will be advised of your donation.
And our condolences go out once again to Franklin and Bonnie Gold and their family on the loss of Franklin's father, Robert Gold. The funeral was held earlier today on Cape Cod Syngagogue. Shiva will be held on the Cape through Thursday morning and then at Franklin and Bonnie’s home at 120 Brookside Road, Needham, Thursday 3-9 pm with minyan at 7:30 pm, and on Friday from 10 am-1 pm.
Hamakom yinacheim otam... May the Divine Presence comfort them, among all the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.
Yasher Koach
Congrats to Sisterhood President Jessica Hamermesh, who ran the Boston Marathon today, completing the course in just under five hours, fighting a stiff head wind and a head cold to beat! Jessica ran as a member of Team CJP, and together the 7 members raised over $30,000. Anyone who wants may still support Jess’s efforts after the fact by clicking on this link.
Join the TA Choir — Nashir
Nashir, the newly named TA Choir, has completed its first few gigs, but we are still looking for new members. Our next event is together with choirs from other synagogues and gospel choirs for the annual Project Manna. Rehearsals are coming up right away: on April 22 and 29 and on May 2, wiith the performance on May 3. Even if you have not participated with the group in any of its rehearsals before, you’re welcome to join us now. The music can be found online. Cantor Gastón wants you!
Israeli Consul to speak at TA — Friday, May 1
Celebrate Israel Independence Day with a distinguished guest. On Friday May 1, Nadav Tamir, the Israeli Consul General of New England will address Temple Aliyah. Consul General Tamir will deliver a talk entitled “What's so great about Israel,” going beyond the Arab-Israeli conflict to celebrate what he loves most about the vibrant and dynamic Jewish state. The evening will start with a Tot Shabbat service at 5:30 and Minyan Shirah at 6:15, followed by an Israeli dinner ($10 for adults, $6 for children) and Consul General Tamir's talk at 8:00 pm. To register for dinner email Bonnie Gold.
Project Manna — Sunday, May 3
The Massachusetts Avenue Baptist Church & Temple Emanuel present the 20th annual Project Manna Concert! Sunday, May 3rd, 2009, 4:00 pm, at Temple Emanuel, 385 Ward Street Newton. All proceeds to benefit Mass Ave. Baptist Church Food Pantry & Soup Kitchen. This concert brings together several Boston gospel choirs, as well as the choirs of several area synagogues—Temple Aliyah included—for a rolicking, inspiring, foot-stomping celebration. This year for the first time the concert will be held on a Sunday afternoon, to promote the attendance of families. Don’t miss this terrific concert!
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Mitzvah Day — Sunday, May 17
Please join Temple Aliyah members of all ages on Sunday May 17th, 2009, with kickoff at 9 am. We will have many social action projects to choose from. Here is a sample…
- Go bowling with residents of a local group home
- Make dolls to be given to hospitalized children
- Prepare meals for residents of Ronald McDonald House
- Serve dinner at a food shelter
- Sing songs to residents of a local nursing home
There will be a number of projects suitable for families and temple members of all ages. Sign-up information will be mailed to all Temple members. Remember to sign-up early because many of the projects will have limited space availability (there will be sign up forms the morning of the 4th). Also, we still have opportunities for people who may be interested in leading a Mitzvah Day Project.
Questions or interested in being a Mitzvah Day Team Leader? Please email Don Lassman.
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A Night of Niggunim and Acoustic Jams
Enjoy a very special evening of acoustic music, on Thursday, April 30, at 8 pm, when Cantor Gaston jams with Yehuda Katz, leader of Israel’s Reva l'Sheva and former Music Director for Reb Shlomo Carlebach. Yehuda Katz, Debi and Joey Baron’s brother-in-law, will be visiting us before he serves as guest artist/educator at Kehilleth Israel’s family retreat. He is also the founder of Arts and Musicians for Israel (AMI), an arts education program working with communities in both Israel and the United States. According to Joey Baron, “This promises to be quite a musical shidduch.” There is no charge for the event but donations will be collected. Please feel free to bring pasta and raisins for Project Bread, too. To help us set up the room properly, please RSVP to Joey Baron at bafriend@rcn.com.
Guinness World Record Singing Hatikvah World-Wide
In celebration of Israel Independence day, an hour and a half broadcast is scheduled to take place on April 29th, 2009, at 3:50 pm in Boston, corresponding to 10:50 pm in Jerusalem and 12:50 pm West Coast. At this time, a coordinated, record-breaking world-wide singing of Hatikvah will take place, and members of Temple Aliyah are invited to join in. Cantor Gastón will have an audio-visual link set up at the shul, and anyone interested in joining in should get to the Temple by 3:30. Contact the Cantor for more information.
Cantor G to perform at JCC Travel Club
On Tuesday, May 12th at the JCC the Travel Club will have its annual dinner from 5 to 7:30 pm, with Cantor Gastón as its guest and entertainer. Dinner will be a choice of salmon filet and beef roulade, and the cost is $25 per person. It will be a very entertaining evening, and you will have a chance to hear about the many trips which the JCC Travel Club has planned. For more information or to make a reservation please call Lillian Mamon at 617-558-6448 or e-mail her at lmamon@gbjcc.org.
Laymen’s Institute
The New England Region of the FJMC's The 63rd Annual Laymen's Institute will be held at Camp Ramah in the Berkshires from June 11 - 14, 2009 (the weekend before Father's Day).
Laymen's Institute is of a wonderful mix of relaxation, sports, eating, learning, prayer, spirited singing and camaraderie. The schedule is centered on our two Scholars in Residence, each of whom will deliver multiple presentations.
This year, we are pleased to be taught by two wonderful scolars: Rabbi Mayer E Rabinowitz, associate professor of Talmud at The Jewish Theological Seminary, on The Internet and Jewish Law, the Kaddish (Ancient ritual and the Modern Jew), and
Getting along with people different than you; and Rabbi Daniel Liben, spiritual leader of Temple Israel of Natick, on Conservative Keruv and on Hasidic Texts on Prayer and Spirituality (Can the insights of Hassidic teaching speak to the prayer lives of Conservative Jews?).
Other activities include our famed “Minyan in the Grove,” a learner’s minyan, softball, a tennis competition, swimming, boating, bike rides and our Hearing Men’s Voices programs, where men have the opportunity to talk about many key personal issues facing us today.
The weekend begins on Thursday afternoon and ends Sunday morning before noon. Men may arrive and leave to their own schedules, though we discourage traveling on Shabbat. Camp Ramah is in Palmer, MA, just a 75 minute drive west from Boston. Carpools are available.
For more information, you can watch a short video highlighting the Laymen’s Institute experience, check out the album of pictures from last year, or contact Stephen Baum.
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Missing Coat
COAT MISSING … Before you put away all your winter clothes, please check your closets and see if the man in your house may have mistakenly taken the wrong coat from the coat room a few weeks ago. We’re looking for a long, dark grey, winter men’s coat, size L, which probably has a white scarf stuffed in the sleeve. The long, dark grey winter coat left behind is now at David Goodtree’s home. If you find David’s coat, please let either Jan or David know. Thanks for checking.
In the Community
Risa’s Dream: Many of you know Temple member Glenn Rosengard. Glenn’s wife, Risa Singer Rosengard, was a talented, much-admired woman who grew up Newton. Risa died in 2006 at age 39, from complications of Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. She left behind two lovely daughters Mia and Olivia, then ages 5 and 3, along with Glenn.
For much of her successful banking career at Bank of America, Risa held the position of Senior Vice President of Marketing where she focused her energi es on the helping children and families. Risa’s family, friends, and colleagues have founded the Risa S. Rosengard Foundation, whose mission it is to fund programs that assist families coping with cancer, during or after treatment or bereavement. The foundation’s mission is to support and guide families to resources that best fit their unique situations.
On Sunday, May 3, 2009 at 4 pm, the Risa S. Rosengard Foundation is hosting its inaugural event, Risa’s Dream, to be held at the National Heritage Museum in Lexington Massachusetts. For more information about the event or to make a donation, please check out the foundation web site or email Larry Richmond.
The Synagogue Council of Massachusetts cordially invites you to its Annual Meeting, Installation and Awards Ceremony, on Thursday, May 14, 2009, at Temple Shir Tikva, 141 Boston Post Road, Wayland, Massachusetts.
*Gala Dessert Buffet & Silent Auction 7:15 pm
*Awards Presentation & Installation 8:00 pm
Couvert: $36 per person (dairy dessert buffet & program)
The K'lal Yisrael Award will bepresented to Lauren & Bill Gabovitch, the Founders Award will be presented to Dr. Jesse Hefter, the Community Service Award will be presented to Marjorie Berkowitz, and the Annual Meeting will also provide an opportunity to thank outgoing president, Anita Zetlan Redner, for her years of inspiring leadership and to install the new president, Richard Shulman, along with his new Board.
The Case for Israel: Democracy’s Outpost. With special guest Alan Dershowitz. May 3, 2009, at 7:00 pm, at the West Newton Cinema, 1296 Washington Street. $10 General Admission, $18 Admission includes dessert reception with Professor Jonathan Sarna. For tickets, visit www.bostonort.org.
PALS Happy Birthday, Israel! Preschoolers and their families are invited to PALS (Preschoolers And Little Siblings) Happy Birthday, Israel! at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, April 30, at Solomon Schechter Day School of Greater Boston, 60 Stein Circle, Newton. The morning will feature Israeli dancing, singing, crafts and birthday cake. Admission is free. To register or for more information, contact Stephanie Maroun at 617-630-4625 or stephanie.maroun@ssdsboston.org.
Kol HaNeshamah Concert: Students will raise their voices to promote healing in the world at Kol HaNeshama, the Day School Music Festival, at 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 28, at Newton North High School. Hosted by Solomon Schechter Day School of Greater Boston and ushering in Yom HaAtzma’ut, the event will also include performances by students from South Area Solomon Schechter Day School, Jewish Community Day School, the Rashi School, Gann Academy and MetroWest Jewish Day School. Available at all participating schools, tickets for the concert are $10 each. Proceeds will benefit the trauma unit of the Rambam Medical Center in Haifa. For information, email danagerbieklein@gmail.com.
The Parkway Concert Orchestra concludes its 2008-09 “Season of Celebrations” with a spring concert on Sunday, May 3 at 3 p.m. at the First Congregational Church, 100 Winter Street, Norwood. Music Director and Conductor Matthew Fritz presents the 50-piece orchestra in an American classical and pops program including “America! Patriot Themes,” Copland’s “Variations on a Shaker Melody,” Grofe’s “On the Trail,” Griffes’ “The White Peacock,” Anderson’s “Blue Tango,” medley “Broadway Tonight” and selections from Dvorak’s “Symphony No. 9 From the New World.” The concert features the world premiere of “Orchestral Celebration” by Phoenix, Arizona composer and percussionist Joshua Michael Carro. This is the first piece commissioned for the orchestra by conductor Matthew Fritz, and commemorates his inaugural season as Music Director. The program is supported in part by a grant from the Norwood Cultural Council, a local agency, and the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency. Ticket prices are $15 for adults; $10 for seniors and $8 for children under 12 years old. For ticket reservations please call 781-762-0288 and for more information, visit the orchestra’s web site.
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