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Congregation Sinai Milwaukee Newsletter--November-December, 2014
Citation preview
Shabbat/Holiday Schedule 2
Rabbis Corner 3
Cantors Notes 4-5
Presidents Message 5
Reflections,
Create a Jewish Legacy
6
Lifelong Jewish Learning 7-10
Family Programming 11
Whats Happening 12-13
Chanukah 14-15
Brotherhood 16-17
Women of Sinai 17-18
Brit Nashim 19
Social Action Committee 20-21
Israel Committee, Chesed 22
Scene at Sinai 23-24
Supporting Sinai 25
Calendars 26-27
In the Sinai Family 28
Contributions 29-30
Those We Remember 31
SINAI NEWS
Rabbi David B. Cohen Cantor Lauren Phillips Rabbi Emeritus Jay R. Brickman Director of Youth Education Barb Shimansky, MSW Director of Administration Karen Lancina Program Coordinator Jen Friedman
Assistant to Rabbi and Cantor Karen Hintz School Administrator Jeri Danz Bookkeeper Ilene Wasserman Sinai News Nicole Sether Congregation Sinai 8223 N. Port Washington Road Fox Point, WI 53217
414.352.2970 414.352.0944 (fax) www.congregationsinai.org
November-December 2014 Tishrei-Tevet 5775
In this issue
A bi-monthly publication Issue 22, Volume 1
Happiness is a Skill Change Your Brain by
Transforming Your Mind
Dr. Richard Davidson Tuesday, December 2, 2014
7:30 pm Lecture *We anticipate a full house, please allow ample
time for parking. Lecture will begin promptly.
World-renowned neuroscientist Dr. Richard
Davidson wants you to know three things:
You can train your brain to change.
Change is measurable.
New ways of thinking can change it for the better.
Not so long ago this would have sounded like science fiction. Now, the worlds most cited scientist on mindfulness will be at Sinai to talk with us about his
research!
Dr. Davidson received his PhD from Harvard University in Psychology and has been
Professor of Psychology and Psychiatry at the University of Wisconsin Madison since 1984. He is the Founder and Director of the Center for Investigating Healthy
Minds at the Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison. Dr. Davidson's
investigations and research stem from a decades-long relationship with the Dalai
Lama. Eastern philosophies and practices meet with Western science!
Dont miss this very special mind expanding opportunity!
Please RSVP by November 22nd to secure your space
(as space is limited):
https://richiedavidsonatsinai.eventbrite.com This event is sponsored by Congregation Sinai Co-sponsors: Ellen & Jim Flesch, Susan & Oyvind Solvang and Deb & Brian Stark
Program Committee: Ellen & Jim Flesch, Sarah Hwang, Jen Moglowsky, Susan
Solvang and Deb Stark
Shabbat Vayera
Genesis 18:1 - 22:24
Nov 7 Shabbat Service 6:15 pm
Nov 8 Torah Study 8 am
Morning Minyan 9:30 am
Daniel Zehavi Bar Mitzvah 10 am
Shabbat Chayei Sara
Genesis 23:1 - 25:18
Nov 14 Rockin Shabbat 6:15 pm Congregational Dinner 7:30 pm
Nov 15 Torah Study 8 am
Morning Minyan 9:30 am
Ari Borkin Bar Mitzvah 10 am
Shabbat Toldot
Genesis 25:19 - 28:9
Nov 21 Shabbat Service 6:15 pm
Nov 22 Torah Study 8 am
Morning Minyan 9:30 am
Shabbat Vayetzei
Genesis 28:10 - 32:3
Nov 28 Shabbat Service 6:15 pm
Nov 29 Torah Study 8 am
Morning Minyan 9:30 am
Shabbat Vayishlach
Genesis 32:4 - 36:43
Dec 5 Shabbat Service 6:15 pm
Dec 6 Torah Study 8 am
Morning Minyan 9:30 am
Shabbat Vayeshev
Genesis 37:1 - 40:23
Dec 12 Shabbat Service 6:15 pm
Dec 13 Torah Study 8 am
Morning Minyan 9:30 am
Shabbat Miketz
Genesis 41:1 - 44:17
Dec 19 Shabbat Unplugged 6:15 pm
Dec 20 Torah Study 8 am
Morning Minyan 9:30 am
Shabbat Vayigash
Genesis 44:18 - 47:27
Dec 26 Shabbat Service 6:15 pm
Dec 27 Torah Study 8 am
Morning Minyan 9:30 am
November-December Shabbat & Holiday Service Schedule
Page 2 November-December 2014
Chanukah Blessings Candles are added to the Chanukiyah from right to left but are kindled from left to right. The newest candle is lit first.
Light the Shamash first and use it to kindle the rest of the Chanukah lights. Say or sing:
Baruch atah, Adonai Eloheinu, Melech haolam, asher kid'shanu b'mitzvotav v'tsivanu l'hadlik ner shel Chanukah.
Blessed are You, Adonai our God, Sovereign of all, who hallows us with mitzvot, commanding us to kindle the Hanukkah lights.
Baruch atah, Adonai Eloheinu, Melech haolam, she-asah nisim laavoteinu v'imoteinu bayamim hahaeim baz'man hazeh.
Blessed are You, Adonai our God, Sovereign of all, who performed wonderous deeds for our ancestors in days of old at this
season.
For first night only:
Baruch atah, Adonai Eloheinu, Melech haolam, shehecheyanu v'kiy'manu v'higianu laz'man hazeh.
Blessed are You, Adonai our God, Sovereign of all, for giving us life, for sustaining us, and for enabling us to reach this season.
Page 3 November-December 2014
Neuroplasticity, Mindfulness, Compassion and You:
What Science Teaches us About Our Capacity to Rewire Our brains
Rabbis Corner
The story is told of an elderly man who in his later
years grew quite reflective. You know, hed say on occa-sion, when I was a young man, I wanted to change the world. Yet, as I grew older my ambitions changed; I truly
wanted to change just my family. He sighed and concluded. And now, having reached the age of wisdom, Ive reached the conclusion that I would be happy
just to be able to change something about my-
self. An enduring truth: changing the world
begins with changing ourselves. Until we come to
embody the change we desire we have little
chance of convincing others of its worth.
Where do we begin? Sinais December Scholar in Residence, Dr. Richard Davidson, has
some suggestions. He proposes that the power to
change resides deep in our brains and that through a variety
of behaviors we can rewire our brains to good effect. Dr.
Richardson sums it up: it comes down to changing our brains by transforming our minds. Dr. Richardsons work, sometimes called contemplative neuroscience, uncovered the phenomenon of neuroplasticity, the ability of the brain to change in re-
sponse to external factors. As his web site explains:
Davidson's research, conducted at his Center for Investigat-ing Healthy Minds in Madison, focuses on the myriad ways in
which contemplative practices can produce measurable
changes in the human brain and body. This effect rests on two suppositions: first, that more than any other organ, the
brain responds to external events. And the second, that epi-
genetic environment and mental environment directly affects
gene expression. Astoundingly, we can observe and measure
such brain changes through functional MRI imaging.
Utilizing a variety of techniques to achieve
mindfulness, kindness and compassion, Dr. Davidson con-cludes that we can achieve important personal goals, like
increasing happiness or a sense of compassion, and thus
create the foundation for transformational work in the com-
munity and beyond.
We begin with a search for mindfulness. Mindful-
ness is "the intentional, accepting and non-judgmental focus
of one's attention on the emotions, thoughts and sensations
occurring in the present moment. In a practical way, mindfulness is observing ones own thought and feelings from a distance, without judging them good or bad. It means to be aware of what is happening in our minds on a
minute to minute, second to second, basis. Mindfulness is
not about emptying ones mind, in the way of some eastern
forms of meditation, but rather a way to be aware of our
thoughts as we think them. For me, this means maintaining
an inner monologue, e.g. hmm, thinking about lights being installed in our kitchen and feeling apprehensive about the
choice of fixtures. At that moment, rather than beginning to obsess or get cranky or upset, I make a choice to
simply observe and take note of the passing
thoughts: Isnt that interesting, I think, and then move on the next thought and or emotion as
it flits by.
Attaining mindfulness is such a central
Jewish goal it is assigned a full day a week: Shab-
bat. On Shabbat we step back from our weekday
roles as creators in the world bending, twisting, and shaping all of creation to our own purposes and for the 25-hour length of Shabbat, we focus
on, instead, our role as creatures. On Shabbat,
we pare down to the essentials. We spend time with the peo-
ple who mean the most to us but who rarely get the attention
they deserve. Rather than manipulating the world, we appre-
ciate it and consider its holiness. Thus, we reemerge into the
new week with newfound clarity and spiritual energy.
Dr. Davidson will be sharing his research with us
and will explain the aspect of translational research hes involved in, research that applies the new theories and les-
sons learned to groups of people who will most directly bene-
fit from them, e.g veterans for whom mindfulness exercises
like meditation can help rewire the brain and lessen the
affects of post traumatic stress disorder.
Dr. Davidsons work underscores the nugget of wis-dom with which I began only once we find a way to change ourselves, can we then go out and change the world. Rabbi
Nachman of Bratzlav, himself a regular meditator, put this
point in poetry:
A person reaches in three directions
inward, to oneself
upward, to God
and out, to others.
The miracle of life is that
in truly reaching
in any one direction
one embraces all three.
Rebbe Nachman of Bratslav
Rabbi David B. Cohen
Page 4 November-December 2014
Thanks to Adam Sandler, the Maccabeats, Peter
Yarrow, and many others, we are blessed with a plethora of
songs for Chanukah. Some are silly, some are sentimental,
but most of them have one thing in common: they are largely
based on non-liturgical sources. The liturgical texts we have
for celebrating Chanukah are few in number: the blessings
and rituals associated with lighting the Chanukah
menorah, Al HaNissim (a paragraph added into
the Thanksgiving section of the Amidah and the Grace After Meals that acknowledges the miracle
of Chanukah), and the Hallel psalms of praises
we sing during this season.
So where do all of our beloved Chanukah
songs come from? Some come from Yiddish or
Sephardic folk traditions, while some are based
on medieval poetry. Others were inspired by the
special foods and symbols of this festival of
lights, such as latkes, soufganiyot (jelly donuts),
dreidels, and menorahs. In the spirit of this season, here are
some insights into eight of of the most beloved Chanukah
melodies a song for each night!
Maoz Tzur (Rock of Ages) Maoz Tzur is the quintessential Chanukah melody to
the point where it is the tune that we often use for Mi Cham-
ocha during this season (there is a tradition of singing our
liturgical rendering of the Exodus from Egypt to a melody re-
lated to timely holiday celebrations). The song is based on a
Jewish liturgical poetic form known as a piyyut. It was written
sometime in the 13th century and actually contains six stan-
zas though we generally only sing the first and last stanzas at Chanukah because these are the texts that directly relate
to the holiday. The other stanzas deal with additional chal-
lenges that the Jews have faced throughout the years, such
as slavery in Egypt and the defeat of Haman during the Pu-
rim story.
Although the composer of the piyyut is unknown, the
stanzas spell out the acrostic Mordecai, which leads us to believe that this was the authors first name. In English, we know Maoz Tzur as Rock of Ages. The translation we typi-cally sing is not literal; it is based on the German version by
Leopold Stein (18101882), and was written by Talmudic linguists Marcus Jastrow and Gustav Gottheil.
Mi Yimaleil (Who Can Retell) Mi Yimaleil was written by Menashe Rabinowitz (1899-1968). Rabinowitz, also known by the Hebrew last
name Ravina, was among the earliest creators of Israeli folk
music. In this song, Ravina fuses sacred and secular texts in
a way that demonstrates an interesting relationship between
Jewish folk music and Jewish liturgical music. While the song
was not designed with a specifically religious purpose in
mind, it drew upon Biblical psalms. He turned the phrase,
"Who can recount the mighty acts of the Lord, recite all His
praises?" (Psalms 106:2) into this: "Who can recount the
mighty acts of [the people] Israel? Who can count them? In
every generation a hero arises, redeemer of the people."
Not unlike the Maccabees, Rabinowitz took the fate
of the establishment of national Palestinian Jewish identity
into his own hands. Rabinowitz also saw music as a way of
bringing people together and established choirs to facilitate
connections amongst diverse groups of people.
I Have A Little Dreidel It is impossible to pinpoint precisely who
wrioe this silly Chanukah classic because the
melody for the English and Yiddish versions of the
song are exactly the same. We know that the lyri-
cist for the English version is Samuel S. Gross-
man and the composer of the English version is
listed as Samuel Goldfarb (also S. E. Goldfarb).
The Yiddish version, Ikh Bin A Kleyner Dreydl, was both written and composed by Mikhl Gelbart,
but he listed the author as Ben Arn, a pseudonym
referring to himself as the son of Aaron.
The biggest difference between the two
versions is that in English the singer sings about a dreidel,
whereas in Yiddish the singer is the dreidel. In the Yiddish
version, the dreidel is made out of "blay (lead), which is his-torically accurate, and in the English version it is made out of
clay. However, since modern dreidels are mostly made of
materials other than clay, the song has spawned countless
parodies involving dreidels made out of wood, plastic, and
foam.
Ocho Kandelikas (Eight Candles) This Ladino (Judeo-Spanish) Chanukah song was
written by Flory Jagoda, a Sephardic folk singer who has
made it her lifes work to revive the music and language with which she grew up. Although the song has a folk-like quality
that makes it sound like it has been around for generations, it
was written as recently as 1983. The song reflects her musi-
cal training, which began in the small village of Vlacenica, in
Bosnia, where she grew up singing along with aunts, uncles,
grandparents, and cousins. The lyrics describe a childs joy of lighting the candles on the menorah and provide a delightful
lesson in conversational Ladino as we count down to eight
candles.
I Am A Latke This clever song by Debbie Friedman zl tells the sto-ry of Chanukah from the perspective of one of its most be-
loved delicacies: a potato latke. But the song isnt all silliness: It includes a basic recipe for latkes while providing a lesson in
the significance of Jewish foods for several holidays (Matza and charoset are for Pesach; Blintzes on Shavuot are deli-cious). It also includes a stanza about social justice and how it is important for us to help people who are less fortunate,
especially amidst our own celebrations.
Ymei HaChanukah (O Chanukah) This Chanukah classic has versions in Hebrew, Eng-
lish, and Yiddish. The Yiddish version, known as Oi Chanuke, includes lyrics by Mordkhe Rivesman (1868 1924), who was born in Lithuania. The English and Hebrew
versions are not direct translations of the Yiddish; rather, they
are singable poetic translations by E. Guthmann and Av-
Cantors Notes
Eight Nights, Eight Melodies
Page 5 November-December 2014
As I write this letter, we just completed the High
Holidays and are preparing for Sukkot and Simchat Torah.
However, as you are reading this edition, we are preparing
for Thanksgiving and Chanukah. As we celebrated the High
Holiday services together and shared in the beautiful music
of our talented Cantor and our fantastic choir, on a personal
level, I cherished the moments with my family as we prayed
together. I thought of how fortunate I am to have a beauti-
ful, healthy family. It reminded me of an old joke:
A Jewish Grandmother loses her grandson at the
beach when a tidal wave sweeps him away into the depths
of the ocean.
The Grandmother immediately bows to her knees
in the sand and prays to God for the return of her grand-
son. "Please God, I have always been a good person, a ded-
icated Jew and a loving Grandmother; please return my
grandson to me."
Just as she finishes her prayer, a
huge wave crashes back on the beach,
returning the young boy to his Grand-
mother's side.
The Grandmother begins to cry
and hug her grandson that she thought
she would never see again. She is over-
come with joy and gratitude.
She looks once more at her
Presidents Message
grandson, then looks back at the sky and
yells, "He had a hat!!"
Sometimes we dont take time to reflect and appreciate the people and
beauty around us because we are too fo-
cused on what we want or dont have. Many of us, myself included, are constantly
striving for more, lusting for what we dont possess, when we should be taking time to
reflect and appreciate the richness of our
lives in the present moment. Theres a great quote by Freder-ick Keonig that helps put things in perspective: We tend to forget that happiness doesn't come as a result of getting
something we don't have, but rather of recognizing and appre-
ciating what we do have. I hope that at this time of year, we all take time to
appreciate the people in our lives and recognize how fortu-
nate we are to have family, friends and good health.
On behalf of Andy, and the other members of the
Executive Committee, and your fellow Sinai members who
serve on our Board of Trustees, we wish you and yours a fes-
tive Thanksgiving, Chanukah and a sweet and Happy New
Year.
BShalom, Dan Elias, Co-President and Andrew Gollin, Co-President
Cantors Notes (continued)
raham Avronin, respectively. The songs Chasidic melody makes reference to many Chanukah traditions as well as
the liturgical addition of Al Hanissim and celebrates the
happiness and joy of the holiday.
The melody may sound familiar to classical music
lovers. The Society for Jewish Folk Music in St. Petersburg
published two classical compositions which make extensive
use of this tune: Freylekhs" for solo piano, by Hirsch Kopyt (published in 1912) and Dance Improvisation for violin and piano, by Joseph Achron (published in 1914 in Khar-
kov).
Haneirot Halalu
Haneirot Halalu (We Light These Lights) is men-tioned in the Talmud (Soferim 20:6) as a chant that reminds
us with the sacred nature of the Chanukah lights that are lit
to commemorate and publicize the Chanukah miracles. It is
often recited after the new Chanukah candle for each night
is lit. The text reiterates the importance of the fact that the
Chanukah lights are meant to be symbolic and decorative we are not to use them for any other purpose other than
showing our gratitude for the miracles and wonders of this
season.
The text can be chanted simply; there are also sev-
eral choral arrangements that incorporate this passage. In
addition, there is a modern version that incorporates He-
brew and English texts by Nashville Jewish composer Stacy
Beyer. The text translates as follows:
We kindle these lights [to commemorate] the sav-
ing acts, miracles and wonders which You have performed for
our forefathers, in those days at this time, through Your holy
priests. Throughout the eight days of Chanukah, these lights
are sacred, and we are not permitted to make use of them,
but only to look at them, in order to offer thanks and praise to
Your great Name for Your miracles, for Your wonders and for
Your salvations.
Light One Candle This folk rock song by Peter, Paul, and Mary, which
premiered in 1982 during the Lebanon War, can now be
found in the Reform Movements prayer book, Mishkan Tefi-lah. The lyrics connect one of the central images Chanukah
(the menorah) with one of the central themes of the holiday
(freedom) in a moving way. The song reminds us that while the
event of Chanukah happened a long time ago, the situation of
Chanukah (loss of freedom) happens daily and that ob-
servance of Chanukah ritual in the home should be matched
with action to encourage freedom in the world.
The songs Israeli premier was a bit controversial: Mary Travers recalls the group's dilemma in a 1983 interview
in the Christian Science Monitor. We didn't want to be against anything specific like Lebanon or the occupation, but
for something - the moral ethic which is the essence of Israel. I hope you will enjoy singing these songs this Chanu-
kah. Look for a song packet available at the Latka Lunch on
December 14th!
Chag Urim Sameach,
Cantor Lauren Phillips
Page 6 November-December 2014
Create a Jewish Legacy: Its Easy to Help! Before the start of this years Yom Kippur memorial service, Rabbi Cohen mentioned a new initiative: The
Create a Jewish Legacy program. It involves long-term giv-ing for Congregation Sinai through your estate planning,
such as insurance policies and other resources. As the Rabbi
said, every year that a participating Synagogue enlists 18
donors translates into a $10,000 grant as well.
When the Rabbi mentioned this program, a light
bulb went off, because we have already planned to change
the beneficiaries of our life insurance to benefit Sinai and
some other local non-profits that we choose to support. In
fact, by the time you read this we
have worked with our insurance
agent to make the necessary pa-
perwork changes to the policy.
This is life insurance that
was bought many years ago when
our children were small, in the
event of something happening to
one of us while they were still at
home. Now that we are empty-
nesters, we realize that our adult
children do not have the same
Reflections
It is a strange paradox that
Reform Judaism was born in the mid-
19th century with the twin goals of re-
taining a modified Jewish religiosity
while abandoning Jewish ethnicity.
What has occurred in the interim is the
very opposite. Attendance at Reform
services is minimal; we have difficulty
attracting a minyan on Sabbath morn-
ings. At the same time, most Jews
take great interest in events in Israel and take pride in the
Maccabi games which will be conducted in Milwaukee. We
look outside of faith for ways to alleviate the spiritual hunger
that secular existence seems to provoke. Some have
sought this by returning to Orthodoxy. For others, like my-
self, the practice of KEVA (a fixed practice at a fixed time)
has proven helpful. Start with reciting the single line of the
SHEMA before falling asleep at night! When this has be-
come a Keva, add the next line, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God, with all thy heart and with all they soul. Having made this part of ones evening routine, repeat the same on arising each morning! Becoming aware of Gods presence can bring new comfort and strengthening to ones existence.
Rabbi Jay R. Brickman
Create a Jewish Legacy
need for this kind of financial support.
So it made perfect sense to us to
make a decision that will benefit Con-
gregation Sinai in the futurealthough, God willing, not anytime
soon!
We urge fellow congregants
to join us in the Create a Jewish Leg-acy program. Take a look at your insurance holdings, which you might
not have thought about for years if
you are a fellow baby boomer. Or per-
haps you have some 401k holdings
that could be reallocated to Sinai in your estate planning.
Planned giving like this is about the simplest, most pain-free
way to ensure the long-term financial sustainability of our Con-
gregation that we can imagine.
Join us as one of at least 18 families participating in
this years Create a Jewish Legacy program. And we wish all of you continued health and happiness throughout 5775!
Shelly and Dick Seesel
Thank you to Shelly & Dick Seesel for remembering Sinai and creating a Jewish Legacy.
Karen Lancina [email protected]
(414) 352-2970
Lifelong Jewish Learning
Page 7 November-December 2014
Sing a New Song Unto God:
The Relationship Between Music and
Prayer with Cantor Lauren Phillips
Tuesdays, 7:30-9:00 pm
Oct 28 - Nov 18
Have you ever sat through a
service and wondered how our prayers
came to be organized in a particular
way? In this class, we will explore the structure and con-
tent of our Tefillah (prayer), focusing especially on the Fri-
day evening service.
During our study, we will learn several musical
settings for each prayer and discover how different types
of melodies can enhance and change the interpretation of
our liturgy. We will spend time reviewing some of Congre-
gation Sinais favorite music for Tefillah while also learn-ing some new tunes. Our overarching goal will be to dis-
cover and interpret the emotional arc of our prayer ser-
vices.
No previous musical experience is necessary.
This workshop will be a great way for both singers and
listeners alike to explore the intimate relationship be-
tween music and sacred text.
RSVP at: https://musicandprayerwithcantorphillips.eventbrite.com
Cantor Lauren Phillips joined the Congregation
Sinai family in 2013 after receiving her cantorial ordina-
tion from the Debbie Friedman School of Sacred Music at
Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in New
York. She is excited to continue singing, praying, learning,
and celebrating with the Sinai community.
In the Rabbis Study Special Guest: Elana Kahn-Oren
Sunday, November 16 at 10:00 AM
Elana Kahn-Oren is the Director of
the Jewish Community Relations Council
(JCRC). The JCRC speaks as the representa-
tive of the Jewish community on issues of
public affairs and public policy. An example:
the JCRC mobilized the Jewish community to stand in solidarity
with the Sikh community after the shootings. In many respects,
the JCRC stands at the crossroads of Jewish and American val-
ues.
The Council implements a coordinated program of edu-
cation, action, and advocacy for the Jewish community. It oper-
ates by consensus and is its deliberations are living proof that
for every two Jews there are three opinions. Despite the range
of feelings and opinions, the JCRC tries to represent the Jewish
community in all of its complexity.
Issues the JCRC has worked on recently include: the
anti-semitic incident in Algoma Wisconsin last July; coordinating
opposition to a proposed boycott at the Riverwest Public House,
last August; issuing a statement of support for the proposed
mosque in Brookfield; joining the Interfaith Conference in issu-
ing a statement on religious intolerance; appearing on WUWMs Lake Effect show on the topic of civility in discourse.
Join us as Rabbi Cohen interviews Ms. Kahn-Oren
about the work she does, the passions and the disappoint-
ments it engenders, and how
she sees the state of the Mil-
waukees Jewish communitys relations with the wider com-
munity.
Young-at-Hearts Senior Singles Group
Young-at-Hearts is a social group for those looking to connect and make new friends in a social setting. This is not a grief group, or matchmaking group, but a social group intended to bring together people who may be divorced, lost a spouse or just want to regain the fun in life! Young-at-Hearts conducts monthly meetings and then often go to lunch together at Maxfields. Outings and activities include: card games, lunches, dinners, sporting events, mah jongg, theater etc. Young-at-Hearts is open to all Jewish seniors in the community. Meetings are held at Congregation Shalom, 7630 N. Santa Monica Blvd., Fox Point.
Next meetings: Dates: Wednesday, November 12 & Wednesday, December 10 Time: 10:00 - 11:30 am followed by lunch at Maxfields
To sign up for a meeting contact Jen Friedman at [email protected] or call 352-2970.
Masah Yehudi Jewish Journey Group Mondays, 7:00 - 8:30 PM
October 20 - November 25
Among the journeys each of us takes in life, is a Jewish Journey. What is a Jewish Journey?
The unfolding experiences we have that shape our inner, spiritual lives. A Jewish Journey group is a place to
reflect on such experiences and to share each others stories that we might better understand our own.
Join us for an enriching and enlightening experience!
Ongoing Adult Learning
Lifelong Jewish Learning
Page 8 November-December 2014
Lunch & Learn
Pirke Avot
Day: Mondays, beginning September 8th
Time: 12:00 PM
Facilitator: Rabbi David B. Cohen
Pirke Avot (Sayings of our Ancestors) presents
nuggets of wisdom from the most famous rabbis
of the Talmud. Rabbi Akiva, Rabbi Hillel and
many more teach such essential texts as "If I am
not for myself who will be for me? If I am only for
myself, what am I? And if not
now, when?"
Bring a bag lunch and join us as
we begin learning Pirke Avot!
A Modern Rabbis Approach to the Bible
Day: Wednesdays
Time: 9:30 AM
Facilitator: Rabbi Jay Brickman
Rabbi Brickman is a trained Jungian, a
philosopher, and a practitioner of Tai Chi.
If you havent studied with him now is the time!
Through the Eyes of Women
Day: Fridays (except 11/28 & 12/26)
Time: 9:30 AM
Facilitator: Dr. Sherry Blumberg
Using the Torah: A Woman's Commentary as a
text, we are discussing the Torah, verse by verse
using critical questions, feminist readings,
modern midrash, traditional
commentaries and women's poetry.
Shabbat Morning Torah Study
Day: Saturdays
Time: 8:00 AM
Facilitator: Rabbi Jay Brickman, Rabbi David B.
Cohen
Verse by verse, line by line, word by word, the
Torah comes alive!
School News
Page 9 November-December 2014
Lifelong Jewish Learning
We are heading into the darkest time of our year.
The amount of daylight has actually been getting progres-
sively shorter since the middle of June, but we do not tend to
really notice the earlier onset of evening until the fall. And
then, on that first fateful Sunday in November, we turn our
clocks back an hour and while we relish the extra sleep for one night, we suddenly realize that
it begins to get dark in the middle of the after-
noon!
The convergence of our Jewish calendar
and our astronomical calendar is not an accident.
Just as our night reaches its longest point at the
Winter Solstice, we are lighting our chanukiyot bringing additional light into our lives. This year,
the 8th night of Chanukah falls on December 23rd.
We will have just passed the Winter Solstice, and
our hours of darkness will begin ever so slightly
decreasing, just as we are shining the most fan-
tastic, full lights from our windows.
There are, of course, historical reasons why Chanu-
kah is celebrated at this time of year. But symbolically, it is a
reminder of hope at a time when it may be easy to have
none. This time of year can be difficult for many. In America,
this season of Thanksgiving through New Years can be joy-ous, but can also be filled with stress and anxiety. The lights
of our chanukiyot can be a physical reminder of the beauty
that is around us in the world even when we cannot easily see it. As we add a candle each night, we can add hope to
our lives hope that will, like the candles, continually in-crease, particularly as we move toward the start of our new
secular year.
Perhaps these thoughts can lend themselves to
different kinds of gifts in your family celebrations this year. I am not at all suggesting that you refrain from giving physi-
cal gifts to your children if that is your familys custom somehow I do not think that would go over well! But in addi-
tion to the things purchased at the store, as you light your
candles each evening, perhaps each member of your family
can think of gifts they can bring into the world. This can be
something on a small scale, such as ways each family mem-
ber can contribute to better functioning within your own
home, or something larger, such as helping those
less fortunate in some way. Of course, there are
also many things in between! How can you in-
crease hope and goodness in your school, place
of employment, community, group of friends, etc?
Even trying this for one evening might bring an
added element to your Chanukah celebration that
goes beyond material gift giving.
My hope for all of you as we move into
this season of light and hope is for your families
to experience love, health, happiness, and peace.
Ken yehi ratzon may it be G-ds will.
Barb Shimansky, MSW
Director of Youth Education
NFTY Convention 2015 Several of our teens are attending the largest gath-
ering of Reform Jewish youth in North America, February 13-
17 in Atlanta, GA. The five-day event has been described by
teens, youth professionals, and other adults as high-energy,
action-packed, and fun! Participants experience a non-stop
roster of amazing speakers and artists, over 200 sessions
on topics important to todays teens, a fun day exploring Atlanta, and a Jewish community you cant experience any-where else.
Barb Shimansky will be attending the Youth Summit
at NFTY Convention for youth professionals and stakehold-
ers. This is an opportunity to learn more about the world of
our teens and youth professionals, and why investment in
youth is so significant to the future of our congregation.
For more information, to register, and get a sneak-
peak at this years line-up, visit nftyconvention.org. Early bird registration savings ends on November 17th.
We would love to send a large delegation to Atlanta,
and are committed to helping make that happen. If you are
interested in attending NFTY Convention this Presidents Day Weekend, please reach out to Barb at:
Back to School Cereal Breakfast!
Page 10 November-December 2014
Lifelong Jewish Learning
Questions about any of our youth group programming?
Contact Barb Shimansky at: [email protected]
School News
Calling all Sinai Youth 3rd Grade & Up
Join us for Regressive Lunch in other words, eat dessert before
lunch!!!
Date: Sunday, November 16th after Religious School at
12:00 p.m.
Location: Meet at Sinai, then head to Yo Mama
in Shorewood
Pick-up Info: Please plan to meet your child at
1:00 p.m. at Yo Mama on Oakland Avenue in
Shorewood for pick up. Need carpool? Let us
know, we are happy to help!
Volunteers Needed: Can you help us with
driving to Yo Mamas!
RSVP to Barb Shimansky at
by Thursday, November 13th.
7th Grade Parent Coffee
Get to know the parents of your childs classmates! The Youth Education Committee
invites you to attend a Parent Coffee on
Sunday, November 9
at 10:00 am (immediately following Tefillah).
Gather by the couches
in the foyer for informal
conversation and coffee.
We look forward to seeing you
there!
3rd Grade Family
Learning Program
Sunday, November 9th from 10:00 am -12:00 pm
The Great God Hunt
Thanksgiving Break: There will be NO classes from
Tuesday, November 25th through
Sunday, November 30th.
Consecration Ceremony Sunday, December 14th at 11:30 am
Please join us for our annual
Consecration ceremony as we
welcome our newest learners into
the Youth Education community!
(just prior to the Latke Lunch).
Winter Break: There will be NO classes from
Sunday, December 21st through
Sunday, January 4th.
9th-12th graders: Mark your calendars for
NFTY-CANOe Winter Kallah,
December 19-21, 2014
at OSRUI in Oconomowoc, WI!
Join us for three days filled
with amazing programming,
growing friendships, creative
services, and snowy
adventures. Celebrate the
beginning of break in a
winter wonderland with NFTY Northern and Chicago
Area Regions! Well celebrate Shabbat with musical services created and led by teen leaders, warm up
with programming on our theme, and shake out stress
at our Saturday night program. We cant wait to see you there! Please check nfty.org/no/events for more
information.
Page 11 November-December 2014
Family Programming
We value every member at Congregation Sinai even our youngest! Our preschool age program (birth-3) is called Itsy Bitsy Sinai. It includes Sunday morning fun with the rabbi and the cantor.
We want to make coming to synagogue something that our youngest
children look forward to a place of joy and laughter and fun. We strive to help parents connect to others with similar aged children, to develop
bonds that will enable them to share their Jewish journeys together.
RSVP: https://itsybitsysinainovember2014.eventbrite.com
https://itsybitsysinaidecember2014.eventbrite.com
(Birth - 3) Itsy Bitsy Sinai
Sunday, November 9 at 10:15 AM &
Sunday, December 14 at 10:15 AM Then join us for the Latke Lunch
Activities will include:
Songs
Stories
Instruments
Craft & holiday projects
PJs, Havdallah, Pizza & Movie Night
Saturday, November 22nd Kids get to pick the film during Religious School!
Pssstttt KidsTell your parents! Pajamas, Prayer, Popcorn, Pillow and a Movie at Sinai!
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm Havdallah, Movie & Popcorn!
Come in your favorite pajamas, dont forget your pillows and blankets. Great for families with children 4th grade and under yet, all are welcome!
FREE! Please RSVP to Eventbrite by November 20th
https://novpjhavdallahmovie2014.eventbrite.com FREE!
Page 12 November-December 2014
Whats Happening
The retreat is open to all Sinai Families especially those with school aged children up to 6th grade. Spend quality
time with your family under the backdrop of the beautiful
grounds of Olin Sang Ruby on the shores of Lac La Belle in
Oconomowoc, WI. Activities will include:
Friday night PJ Shabbat
Music and Singing
Programs and Discussions geared towards both adults and kids (sometimes together,
sometimes separate)
Time to work on your Family Menorah for the Sinai Annual Chanukiah Contest
Scavenger Hunt and Geo-catching around Camp
Free time to explore camp: Hiking, Sledding, playing in the amazing OSRUI Sports Cen-
ter, playing Ga-Ga, or just having some quiet time
Havdalah and Smores by the campfire Saturday night Talent Show
This is an amazing opportunity for quality family time. Its also time for grown-ups to hang out in the evenings and get to know each other better, maybe over a glass of wine and connect with our clergy, while our kids enjoy supervised fun activities with our young adult
staff.
Cost is $180 per adult, $90 per child (ages 2-12). Register by November 7th and receive a
$15 per person discount. $100 deposit per family required to secure your registration.
Payment Options:
One payment (minus deposit) due on December 1st.
Three payments divided equally due on December 1st, February 1st and April 1st
If cost is prohibiting your from signing up, arrangements can be made! Please contact
Barb Shimansky.
Please register at this Eventbrite Link below remember to register by November 7th for the Early Bird discounted price.
https://sinaifamilyretreat2014.eventbrite.com/
Contact Barb Shimansky with any questions about this fun get-away opportunity at
[email protected] or call her at 414-352-2970
Page 13 November-December 2014
Whats Happening
Rockin' Shabbat and Roll into Dinner!
Friday, November 14th 6:15 pm: Rockin' Shabbat Service 7:15 pm: Congregational Dinner
Join us for Rockin' Shabbat filled with song and music. You won't want to miss this Shabbat experience. Great for all ages! Roll into Dinner for a delicious meal! Conversation for adults, with activities for kids! This will allow for a leisurely dinner for all. Feel free to bring a bottle of wine to share!
Please RSVP by November 11th at: https://rockinshabbatdinnernov2014.eventbrite.com
Early Bird Cost (by Nov. 11): Adults: $10.00 * Children 12 and under: $7.00 * Children 3 and under: Free
Post Deadline (by Nov. 13): Adults: $12.00 * Children 12 and under: $8.00 * Children 3 and under: Free
Day of/Walk in: Adults: $15.00 * Children 12 and under: $10.00 * Children 3 and under: Free
Sinai In the City!
What does it mean to be a young, professional Jewish adult in 2014? Are you looking for a point of entry
into metropolitan Jewry? Do you have a child or know someone affiliated or unaffiliated - that is looking to meet other young Jewish professionals? Look no further.
Join Cantor Lauren Phillips for a unique alternative Shabbat and Holiday experience downtown for young
professionals. Well utilize media, music, current topics, and alternative venues to worship, share, and get to know each other. This is a chance to meet like-minded Jewish adults to schmooze, eat, share in a
little Torah and a lot of conversation! Come be a part of Judaism in a meaningful way that is relevant to
you and your life. Young adults and grad students 20s and 30s, singles, couples, married all are welcome!
Thursday, December 18 *watch the Enews for time & location*
Miracles and Martinis - a Chanukah Experience *1st signature cocktail is on Sinai RSVP by December 15th at https://sinaidowntowndecember.eventbrite.com
Save these future dates for Sinai Downtown:
Friday, February 6 Tu BeSHABBAT Our Environment and Sustainability Thursday, March 26 Four Cups of Wine and Then Some
For more information contact Cantor Lauren Phillips at
[email protected] or 414.352.2970
Page 14 November-December 2014
Chanukah!
All Things Chanukah!
Celebrate Chanukah at the Latka Lunch
Enjoy delicious Chanukah foods! Latkas and Sufganiyot for all!
Sunday, December 14th 12:00-1:30 pm Congregation Sinai Craft Project 7th Annual Design-Your-Own Chanukiyah Contest Yummy Latka Lunch and Sufganiyot for Dessert! Bring your friends!
Register by December 11th at https://latkalunch2014.eventbrite.com
3rd Annual Mitzvah Menorah!
Beginning November 23rd we will display the Mitzvah Menorah. Take some candles for your family and purchase toys for Tikun Ha-Ir. Toys will be distributed to Cathedral Center, Casa Maria, Milwaukee Womens Shelter, and Hope House.
Bring your unwrapped gifts for children and teens living in homeless shelters this holiday season to the December 14th Latka Lunch.
No stuffed animals No gift cards or cash Picture books and games are welcome!
Early Bird Costs (by Dec. 11) $10 adults/ $12 non-member adults $7 children 4-12 $9 non-member children $5 adults 55 and up Children 3 and under FREE
Post Deadline Costs (by Dec. 13) $12 adults/ $14 non-member adults $8 children 4-12 $10 non-member children $7 adults 55 and up Children 3 and under FREE
Day of/Walk in Costs $15 adults/ $16 non-member adults $10 children 4-12 $12 non-member children $10 adults 55 and up Children 3 and under FREE
Page 15 November-December 2014
Chanukah!
7th Annual Design-Your-Own Chanukiyah Contest
Bring your Chanukiyah to Sinai on Sunday, December 14th, at the start of school to be displayed in the Social Hall.
Rules: It must have 9 candle holders (one for each night of Chanukah and a shamash). It must be useable in some way and made by your family (parents - that means
kids should be primarily involved). One entry per family please! All Chanukiyot will be judged by a Panel of Experts and family prizes will be awarded to 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place!
Shaina has
shopped for Chanukah
Chazerai!
Wrapping paper, candles, dreidels, and gelt, oh my!
Skip Walgreens and buy it at Sinai!
Sunday, December 7th &
Sunday, December 14th
9:30 AM - 12:30 PM Cash or checks only
Page 16 November-December 2014
Sinai Committees
Brotherhood
For Those Who Missed It Excerpts from Sermon on the Mound 2014 all the springs of the great deep burst forth, and the floodgates of the heavens were opened. And rain fell on
the earth forty days and forty nights. That, of course, is the Biblical description of the
Great Flood. But it could just as well have been a descrip-
tion of this years softball season in not always so beautiful Milwaukee, where the only thing about the weather one can
count on is that it will rain pretty much every Tuesday night
during what passes for summer here. Eight weeks into the
season our record was 1-1. And despite our pleas and the
obvious need, for some reason the JCC refuses to build a
retractable roof over Kletzsch Park. The weather did im-
prove somewhat when July rolled around, and Im proud to say that we finished the season with a respectable 6-4 rec-
ord (we were scheduled to play 16 games!), including 4
straight victories, the last two in walk-off style. That was
good for 2nd place in our division, just a game behind the
champs; Im positive we would have been the champs if we had played a full schedule! But most importantly, we had a
good time and avoided any major injuries.
Our on field exploits aside, to me the highlight of the
season came while at one of our after-game hangouts, hav-
ing a few beers. One of my teammates turned to me and
said that hes been playing on various softball teams for the last 13 years or so, and that playing on our Sinai Brother-
hood Team has been the most fun and the best experience
hes had because of how friendly and supportive all his team mates are. Thats what makes us winners, year after year, no matter our record.
While it may be true that, as a modern Jewish sage
sings, You dont need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows, sometimes you do need a weatherman to know whether its going to rain. So in light of our Softball Teams soggy season, I thought Id talk a bit about rain, Judaism and Baseball.
Praying for rain is generally not something we base-
ball fans do, and certainly not something we softball players
do. But praying for rain is a key part of the spiritual life of a
Jew. For almost half of the year, our daily prayers include
praise of God as the One who "makes the wind blow and the
rain descend" and a request that God will "give dew and rain
for a blessing on the face of the earth." And although it is my
understanding that Jews are not permitted to pray for the
rain to stop, the fact that we specifically ask that the rain be
"for a blessing" acknowledges that too much rain is just as
dangerous as not enough rain.
On Shemini Atzeret, which follows the festival of
Sukkot, we make a special blessing for rain (we wait until
Sukkot is over to pray for rain because we dont want to get wet while dwelling in our sukkah; more to come on that).
And while Simhat Torah is primarily the time to rejoice and to
celebrate the completion of the reading of the Torah, after all
the joyous processions with the Torah scrolls, after the sing-
ing, dancing and merriment, when the scrolls are returned to
the Ark, we recite: Tefillat Geshem, the Prayer for Rain. But while we probably cant actually control the rain, even with prayer, Jonathan Neril, a rabbinical student who is
the project manager of the Jewish Environmental Parsha
Initiative, points out that the Torah teaches us that our ac-
tions can impact the rain. Specifically, in the Torah portion
B'hukotai, we read that rainfall is a function of our doing
God's will; that if Israel keeps the Torah, God says, "I will give
your rains in their time, the Land will yield its produce, and
the tree of the field will give forth its fruit... you will eat your
food to satiety, and you will live in security in your land, and I
will grant peace in the Land." This promise of abundant
rains and prosperity is followed by a warning that, should
Israel ignore the Torah, God will "make your skies like iron."
Neril then argues that, while our actions may not affect the
rain quite like the Torah envisions, we have a modern scien-
tific understanding that human actions do indeed affect the
quality and quantity of the rain, such as carbon emissions
causing climate change, and that the warning of B'hukotai
warrants our attention.
Similarly, while in Baseball we can ameliorate the
effects of rain by building Miller Park with a retractable roof
(that was another Bud Selig stratagem Im beginning to see a pattern; apparently the only shortening of a game he
could abide was the All Star Game in Milwaukee!). I note
that earlier this year the April 16 game between the Twins
and Blue Jays at Target Field was postponed not by rain, but
by snow!
So what can we make of all of this discussion about
rain, baseball and Judaism? Maybe just that, as Rabbi Co-
hen likes to remind us, while our prayers cant keep bad things from happening to us, whether that be sickness,
death, or rainouts, we can control how we respond to them,
even if we cant build a retractable roof over our lives. And always remember, as that great philosopher Ebi
Nuke Laloosh in Bull Durham intoned, Sometimes you win. Sometimes you lose. And sometimes, it rains. Shab-bat Shalom.
-Marc Kartman
Brotherhood Coffee The Magic of Music with Cantor Lauren Phillips Sunday, December 7, 2014
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Cantor Lauren Phillips will refocus our thoughts
with an in depth discussion of the magic of
music. Jewish music is so varied and
meaningful that each of us will find ourselves
thinking about the profound impact that it has
to move our soul.
Page 17 November-December 2014
Women of Sinai
Brotherhood Softball Shabbat BBQ
Look for your Women of Sinai Membership Mailing to arrive in your mailbox and inbox soon! $36 Annual Member-
ship or $72 to be recognized as a Woman of Valor. Contact Julie at [email protected] or 414-379-7878.
Sinai Committees
December 7 - Mah Jongg Friendzy The 6th annual Community-wide Mah Jonng Fundraiser and
Raffle is not only a lot of fun, but also an important
fundraiser that benefits KOACH, an education and social
program for adults, and also the Jewish Community Food
Pantry.
Join us for an afternoon of social play and sisterhood.
Women of Sinai is co-sponsoring this event with the
sisterhoods of Cong. Beth Israel Ner Tamid, Cong. Emanu-El
Bne Jeshrun, Cong. Shalom, Temple Menorah and Cong. Emanu-El of Waukesha.
LOCATION: Congregation Shalom,
7630 N. Santa Monica Blvd.
TIME: 2:00 - 5:00pm
COST: $20 - Contact Julie at [email protected] for
registration information
SAVE THE DATE!
Sunday, April 12, 2015
3rd Annual Women of Sinai
Membership Appreciation
Brunch
Women of Sinai Upcoming Programs
Brotherhood
Sukkah built by Sinai Brotherhood
Break-The-Fast
Thank You!
A big Todah Rabah to
Judy Shor for
coordinating our
congregation's Break
the Fast meal again
this year!!
Special thanks also to
everyone who cooked,
baked and donated to
offset the cost of the
caterer.
Stefanie Jacobs
Phyllis Wiggins
Sheri Levin
Donna Neubauer
Sandy Saltzstein
Judy Shor
Jody Lowenstein
Linda Ross
Mary Runge
Bob Steuer
Idy Goodman
Doris Sherman
Pam Stein
Sheila Smith
Lauri Roth
Bobbi Rector
Julie Lookatch
Laura Waisbren
Nancy Balcer
Dorothy Meyers
Joanne Roberts
Our sincerest
apologizes if your name
was accidentally
omitted.
Page 18 November-December 2014
Women of Sinai
Sinai Committees
Sign-up at: http://www.milwaukeejewish.org/events/our-common-thread-a-womens-night-of-stitching-history/
Page 19 November-December 2014
Brit Nashim
Sinai Committees
Congregation Sinai (via our Social Action Committee) has had an
ongoing relationship with Pathfinders, an organization who's tagline is:
"Empowering youth. Changing lives."
Over the past few years, one of Sinai's most visible involvements
has been monthly collection and delivery of needed items via barrels in our
foyer.
This year, in support of these Social Action Committee programs,
B'rit Nashim decided to dedicate one of their monthly meetings to making
lasagnas which were donated to Pathfinders. The Women of Sinai joined in
supporting this effort by donating the funds to purchase the ingredients.
One of our B'rit Nashim members also did a presentation describing numer-
ous programs and services that are provided by Pathfinders for Milwaukee
youth who are in crisis.
For more information about Pathfinders, you can read their
website: pathfindersmke.org
Thank you to all of the individuals and groups for contributing to this effort. This is a wonderful example of
collaboration among Sinai groups, while creating an impact in the greater Milwaukee community.
Join Us: Become a Member of B'rit Nashim! Each fall, Brit Nashim welcomes new members. This brings wonderful new energy and input to our covenant. We invite you to join us. We meet the second Monday of most months. Potential members can come to our Membership Recruit-
ment meeting on Monday, November 10th at 7:15 pm.
B'rit Nashim (Covenant of Women) is a group of women who meet once a month for programs of personal interest
and Jewish content. The purposes of the group are: to build a community of women within the larger community of Congrega-
tion Sinai, to share interests, and to strengthen our connections to Judaism.
We began this fall by making lasagnas and donating them to Pathfinders (see article) and led the Erev Sukkot Ser-
vice. A few additional highlights of last year were:
Cooking and Eating Indian Jewish Foods and Learning the History of Jewish India.
Preparing fleece fabric so Sinai Students could make them into blankets for residents at the Milwaukee Womens Shelter, in support of Sinai's Social Action Committee. Fleece was provided by Women of Sinai. This was truly a collaborative
effort.
Viewing Items with Jewish Connections at the American Geographical Society at the UWM Library with Marcy Bidney, Curator, followed by dinner.
An Evening with Cantor Lauren Phillips discussing Kol Ishah: The Female Voice in Music and Prayer.
A daylong Shabbaton.
Enjoying a Chocolate Seder and Learning the Jewish connection to the chocolate trade.
A Presentation on Hours Against Hate by Elana Kahn-Oren, Director of the Community Relations Council at the Milwaukee
Jewish Federation.
Discussion of the Book: I am Forbidden by Anouk Markovits.
Most of all, we have the opportunity to make connections
with other women at Sinai.
If you have any questions or want additional information but
cannot attend the Membership Recruitment meeting, be sure to
contact: Toby Colton at 351-5205 or [email protected] or
Joanne Roberts at 351-6486 or [email protected]
A Collaborative Effort! Brit Nashim, The Women of Sinai, & The Social Action Committee
Would you like to make a difference in someones life?
Do you want to make a difference to a
family who is in need?
You can...how? Become an active participant
in our interfaith meal program at the Mother
Scott Youth Fellowship Center. The Mother
Scott Youth Fellowship Center provides hot
meal programs as well as an emergency food
pantry and nutrition for babies. They also pro-
vide a bread ministry (bread is put out daily for
people to take), clothing bank, and programs for children.
What can you do? Your commitment to this interfaith meal pro-
gram would be to donate a specific food item every other
month and drop it off at Congregation Sinai during the week we
are assigned . Thats it. We make the delivery to the Mother Scott Center. In September with the help of Kate Mann, we
delivered our gifts of food and other items. My heart sang with
joy when I saw how much food was gifted by all of you. The
grateful faces of the clients will be a memory which I will carry
until I die. It made me so proud to be part of this interfaith
meal program. Please take advantage of this opportunity to make a difference.
Join many of your friends at Sinai and other families in the Mil-
waukee community who are already active members of our pro-
gram. Please contact me at [email protected] or
(414) 354-5961 so I can send you the schedule and you can be
part of our wonderful charitable undertaking.
Donna Neubauer, Social Action Committee Member
Social Action Committee
Page 20 November-December 2014
Sinai Committees
Social Action at Congregation Sinai -
What gets your goat? Social Action at Sinai has many interesting, exciting
and fun events planned for 2014-15. Already weve heard from ACLU Director, Chris Ahmuty on The State of Religious Liberty, and had a wonderfully fun and delicious Green Shabbat which included hearing about the efforts to protect
the Penokee Hills ecosystem with tribal leader Mike Wiggens
and a night walk at the Lynden Sculpture Gardens. On De-
cember 9, we offer additional information on this issue by
showing locally-made film Wisconsins Mining Stand-off. (See the announcement below.) Throughout the year we have scheduled speakers, films, an Immigration Seder, build-
ing and harvesting of the Sukkah garden, a Synagogue-wide
Mitzvah day and more. We have purchased reusable table-
cloths for the synagogue events to reduce waste. Why do we
do these events? Because this is what people on our com-
mittee care about, we hope it reflects your interests too.
Let us know what social justice issues concern you.
Consider bringing your passions and skills to our committee or at least to our attention. Get involved with preparing and
serving a meal at Pathfinders Drop-in Center, driving some-
one to an immigration hearing in Chicago, working on the
Sukkah garden, engaging in sharing your knowledge with our
school-aged children, attending a MICAH program on prison
reform, contributing food to the Mother Scott Meal Program,
supporting our work by contributing to the Tzedakah Fund.
Thank you for all the contributions you have already
made! Talk to any committee member with your thoughts:
Rabbi David Cohen, Davida Amenta, Rachel Buff, Naomi
Cobb, Edith Gilman, Idy Goodman, Lilly Goren, Craig Johnson,
Jay Larkey, Lois Malowsky, Donna Neubauer, Deborah
Schermer, Diane Slomowitz, Naomi Soifer.
Idy Goodman [email protected] Craig Johnson [email protected]
Social Action Film Series
Wisconsin's Mining Standoff Tuesday, December 9, 2014
7:00 - 9:00 PM
If you care about democracy or the
environment or simply love good drama,
you wont want to miss this deep dive into the controversial proposal to dig
what could be one of North Americas largest open pit mines right here in Wisconsin.
Guest speaker: Devon Coupery,
Producer of Wisconsins Mining Standoff and
representative of 371
Productions as well
as Idy Goodman and
Lois Malawsky.
Social Action Committee
Page 21 November-December 2014
Sinai Committees
Your contributions make a
difference: Much of the
financial support for our
efforts comes through the
Sinai Tzedakah Fund
Please consider
this Fund when
making your next
contribution in
honor or memory
of someone.
Our entry hall barrel will now be holding items collected for Pathfinders.
Please donate!
Fall/Winter clothes and Toiletries
2014-2015 Social Action
Committee Meeting Schedule Fridays from 12:00 - 1:00 PM
November 14
December 12
January 9
February 13
March 13
May 8
Pathfinders and Sinai As the cold season approaches, my heart aches for the young people who seek warmth,
safety and guidance because they have no home that can provide these basic human comforts.
Pathfinders provides a day time safe haven for young adults.
Sinai continues to support Pathfinders Drop-In Center with donated goods and food for
meals at the shelter. Thank you to Brit Nashim, under the cooking leadership of Jill Weinshel, and the ingredients from Women of Sinai, for making several lasagnas that we delivered to the
shelter. *We want other committees and families to join us in this effort, to bring food and com-
pany to the young people who seek Pathfinders for a respite from the streets. In December, we
would like another group to provide the meal, it is a very easy commitment when 4-5 people get involved. Please contact Idy
Goodman for more information.
Tired of that sweater, too many hoodies, a big sale on wool socks? Please bring them to our donation barrel for Path-
finders. Personal size hygiene items and laundry detergent is also needed.
-Naomi Cobb
Membership Committee
Wed like to extend a warm welcome to all of our new member families! We know that you will find a warm
and welcoming home here at Sinai! It is our
hope that our new member families will
make an easy and comfortable transition into
our Sinai community.
We have an exciting year planned at
Sinai. We strive to offer a variety of learning,
spiritual, activism, social, adult and family
opportunities for all ages and interests.
Please take the time to find your interest and
join us. Is there a particular group you would
like to see addressed at Sinai? We would
like to help make that happen. Let us know!
The Sinai Membership Committee is
looking for interested volunteers! We would
like to have a nice cross segment of our con-
gregation to assist in welcoming and integrating new and
current members into congregational activities, committees
and groups. Help members find meaningful connections to
synagogue and work in membership retention. Be a mentor!
This is not a large time commitment, yet an important part of
the success of our community. Please let us
know if you would like to join us!
As always, help us perpetuate our
beautiful community. When you are wor-
shipping in Shabbat Services, walking
through the halls during religious school at
pick up, taking a class, enjoying a Brother-
hood Coffee, or having a meal at a congre-
gational dinner say hello to someone you may not know and start a conversation.
Making connections is what makes Sinai so
special and unique.
Carrie Ellerbrock and Elyse Cohn,
Membership Co-Chairs
Welcome New Members!
Jeff Askenas & Bob Nelson
Michel & Rebecca Chagall
Alison Kopyt-Knutson &
Karl Knutson
David & Wendy Kramer
Andrew & Kelly Landsman
Alison Kravit & Timothy OBrien Alyson & Aaron Lippman
Danielle Stage
Dorothy Tarachow
Doron & Amit Zehavi
Israel Committee
Page 22 November-December 2014
Sinai Committees
Chesed
The Chesed Initiative Program made High Holy Day visits to our congregants. The Chesed Initia-
tive matches one Chesed (Acts of Loving Kindness) volunteer with a congregant. Our one-on-one ap-
proach has strengthened our connections with each other and helped make our program a
success!
If you would like to be a Chesed volunteer, or would like friendly visits, please let us know.
-Amy Newman ([email protected])
Chesed has opportunities to connect with our Sinai community in small and easy ways.
Please consider including your name on our:
*Funeral House Watch
When there is a death in the
Sinai community, we offer
house watching during the
funeral. We will email our list
of house watching volunteers
to see if someone is available
to help.
*Making Soup
We are always appreciative of
members who come to Sinai to
pick up our new quart containers,
fill with soup, and bring the quarts
back to the synagogue freezer,
ready to deliver to a congregant in
need.
*Soup Delivery
When Sinai is notified of an
illness, we like to bring soup to
our congregant. We will email
the request to see if someone
is available to deliver soup.
Page 23 November-December 2014
Scene at Sinai
Sinai Youth miniature golfing!
Enjoying the Softball Shabbat BBQ!
Our 2014/2015 Religious School teachers and madrichim
Sukkot BBQ
Simchat Torah
Page 24 November-December 2014
Scene at Sinai
Sinai teens give out recipe books Erev Rosh Hashanah
Making soup during High Holy Day Youth Programming
High Holy Day Youth Services Nick Padway teaches 6th-8th grade at High Holy Days
Shofar Blowing Contest contestants!
Young Jewish Adults of Milwaukee Sukkah Crawl -
2nd stop - Sinai!
Shop & Support Sinai!
Support Sinai whenever you shop on-line at amazon.com.
Go to the Sinai homepage: www.congregationsinai.org. Click on the amazon.com banner. Youll be linked directly to amazon.com.
By using the website link, your purchase will support Congregation Sinai.
Support Sinai While Shopping at SENDIKS!
Purchase your Scrip card at times that are convenient!
November 2 & 16, December 7 & 14
Scrip cards can ALWAYS be purchased during regular Sinai office hours.
What is Scrip? Scrip means substitute money. Through Sendiks Food Market Scrip program 5% of what you pay for your Scrip card is donated to Sinai.
If you are looking for a wonderful way to honor or
remember someone, or recognize a special occasion, you
can do so by sponsoring Bimah Flowers or an Oneg Shabbat
after a Friday night service
Congregation Sinai typically provides these items for
Friday evenings when there is no Bar or Bat Mitzvah. Simply
let us know that you would like to sponsor and we will do the
rest. All sponsorships will be acknowledged in the Sinai
Shabbat Pamphlet and the Sinai News. We will also send a
Sponsor an Oneg or Bima Flowers
note of congratulations or thanks to the
honorees. The cost of sponsoring Bima
flowers is $60.00 and an Oneg Shabbat is
$260.00.
Please email Jen Friedman at
[email protected] or call
(414) 352-2970.
Page 25 November-December 2014
Supporting Sinai
Shop for Chanukah!
No
vem
ber
2014
SU
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:30
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:30
am
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ligio
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Condolences to:
Hamakon YNachemMay God Comfort
Idy (Bill) Goodman on the death of her sister,
Geraldine Gerri Kay
Sandra Saltzstein (Darrin Lile), Miranda and Malcom Lile on
the death of their mother and grandmother, Judith Saltzstein
Mary Ann Greenebaum on the death of her sister,
Judith Saltzstein
Sally (David) Weber on the death of her aunt,
Judith Saltzstein
Richard Strauss, Randy (Diane) Strauss, Timmy (Danielle)
Strauss, Cole, Chandlar, Justin and Riley Strauss on the
death of their mother, grandmother and great grandmother,
Goldene Strauss
Page 28 November-December 2014
In the Sinai Family
Bnei Mitzvah Bios
Mazel Tov to:
Rachel Arbit & Ashley Norris on their marriage.
Judy and Henry Eckstein on the marriage of their son David
Samuel to Tara Lynn Craig on May 10, 2014.
Alison Kravit, Timothy OBrien, and Steve & Anne Kravit on the birth of their son and grandson, Jack.
Paul Loewenstein and Jody Kaufman Loewenstein on the
engagement of their son Andrew to Alissa Rachel Cohen.
Both reside in West Palm Beach, FL. A wedding is planned
for Fall 2015.
Jimmy and Nancy Markenson on the marriage of their
daughter Emily to Conrad Schernecker.
Mimi Schechter and David Weissman on the marriage of
their son Dan to Lanie Wurzel.
Jori & Seth Broidy on the birth of their son, Liam Jacob.
Daniel Zehavi Daniel Zehavi will become a Bar Mitzvah on November 8th. Daniel is the son of our new
community Shlicha Amit Zehavi and her husband Doron, brother of Yonatan and Neta, and grandson
of Uri and Nitza Zehavi and Yehuda Yaniv and Prof. Zohara Yaniv-Bachrach from Israel. Prof. Yaniv-
Bachrach will arrive from Israel, as will other family members from around the U.S. Daniel's Torah
portion is "Vayera".
Daniel is a 7th grader attending the Milwaukee Jewish Day School and his interest includes
soccer and percussion.
In kibbutz Tzora, where Daniel comes from, the 7th graders have a year of fulfilling 13 Mitz-
vot, like Aliyah Laregel - an overnight hike to Jerusalem, organizing the Rabin memorial day, and a
traditional Bar Mitzvah show in which Daniel wishes to participate.
Daniel and his family would like to thank Rabbi Cohen, Cantor Phillips and the Sinai office
for helping Daniel reach this special occasion.
Ar