1 Riverdale Temple Bulletin

Vol. 72 October 2018 (5779) No. 2

As I write my bulletin article this month, Sukkot is about to begin, and Dr. Christine Blasey Ford has just arranged to testify before the Senate regarding her accusations against Judge Brett Kavanaugh. The Union of Reform Judaism had a roundup of High Holiday sermons on their website, and I read through a few of them, mostly those of rabbis I know. A number of them wrote about the MeToo movement, something that I have not previously discussed.

I do have some opinions about the MeToo movement, and I have some questions as well. In fact, I have been planning (as soon as the intense crush of the holidays is over) to write to some of my thoughtful female friends to ask them for their opinions.

I once had a debate with a friend of mine who always used to wish me a Merry Christmas. When I told him that I did not celebrate Christmas, he informed me that Christmas was no longer a Christian holiday, but rather an American holiday. I replied that, as an American and a non-Christian, I reserved the right to decide if Christmas was my holiday or not. It was not up to him to decide for me.

Similarly, I don’t really feel that I should be saying much about the MeToo movement. Of course, I support an end to the sexual abuse of power and position that has proved to be all too common in our society. But in a movement that is partly about listening to women who have often been ignored, men’s voices should be supportive. They should not take the lead. This is why I think that my first inclination, to ask female friends for their advice and opinions, was a good one.

I was just talking to a person who has recently joined our synagogue. She had been attending an Orthodox synagogue, and had left after discussing bat mitzvah plans for her daughter. She had been told that either her daughter could read Torah in a service of all women, or they could have a mixed group, but then her daughter could not read Torah.

There is a tradition in Judaism that kol isha, the voice of a woman (especially when singing), should not be heard in public. The theory is that it is too provocative for men to listen to. The rabbis assure us that it is not because the women are evil, but because the men are weak. In fact, anything that is forbidden can become provocative and exciting. People learn to deal with things that they see all the time.

The prohibition against hearing the voice of a woman is not in the Torah, although some do believe it is. When the culture was very misogynistic, the

Worship Services (also see calendar on p. 2)Fridays

Oct. 5 7:00 p.m. Shabbat Evening ServiceOct. 12 7:00 p.m. Shabbat Evening ServiceOct. 19 5:00 p.m. Tot Shabbat Service 7:00 p.m. Ruach Shabbat ServiceOct. 26 7:00 p.m. Shabbat Evening Service

SaturdaysOct. 6 10:30 a.m. Shabbat Morning ServiceOct. 13 10:30 a.m. Shabbat Morning ServiceOct. 20 10:30 a.m. Shabbat Morning ServiceOct. 27 10:30 a.m. Shabbat Morning Service

continued on p. 3

The BulletinRiverdale Temple

From the rising of the sun unto the going down thereof, the name of the Eternal One is to be praised.

y:y} μve lL;hum] /abom] d[' vm,v, jræz]Mimi

The Rabbi’s Column

Special ServicesMonday, October 1

10:00 a.m. Sh’mini Atzeret Service with Yizkor6:15 p.m. Simchat Torah with Consecration

Annual Open Meeting of the Pulpit & Ritual and Music Committees

will take place on Saturday, October 27, at approximately 1:00 p.m. This is an opportunity for all congregants to weigh in on the High Holiday and other services and make their preferences known.

YIVO Series Talk Sunday, Nov. 4, with Prof. David Biale, UC, Davis

Oc

tober

22nd of Tishrei 5779Sh’mini Atzeret10:00 am Sh’mini Atzeret Service with Yizkor6:15 pm Simchat Torah Service with Consecration

1

23rd of Tishrei 5779Simchat Torah

2

24th of Tishrei 5779Noon Lunch and Learn with Rabbi Gardner

3

25th of Tishrei 5779

4

26th of Tishrei 57797:00 pm Shabbat Evening Service

5

27th of Tishrei 5779Parashat Bereshit10:30 am Shabbat Morning Service with Torah discussionExtended Kiddush after service

6

28th of Tishrei 5779

7

29th of Tishrei 5779Columbus Day

8

30th of Tishrei 57794:00 pm Simcha Learning Center first Tuesday class6:00 pm History and Meaning of Reform Judaism with Rabbi Gardner 7:30 pm Liturgical Hebrew with Cantor Sharett-Singer 9

1st of Cheshvan 5779Noon Lunch and Learn with Rabbi Gardner7:30 pm WRJ meeting

10

2nd of Cheshvan 57797:30 pm Executive Committee Meeting

11

3rd of Cheshvan 57797:00 pm Shabbat Evening Service

12

4th of Cheshvan 5779Parashat Noach10:30 am Shabbat Morning Service with Torah discussionExtended Kiddush after service

13

5th of Cheshvan 57799:00 am Jr. Choir9:30 Simcha Learning Center Noon A Taste of Judaism with Rabbi Gardner

14

6th of Cheshvan 5779

15

7th of Cheshvan 57794:00 pm Simcha Learning Center 6:00 pm History and Meaning of Reform Judaism with Rabbi Gardner 7:30 pm Liturgical Hebrew with Cantor Sharett-Singer 16

8th of Cheshvan 5779Noon Lunch and Learn with Rabbi Gardner

17

9th of Cheshvan 57797:30 pm Board of Trustees Meeting

18

10th of Cheshvan 57795:00 pm Tot Shabbat7:00 pm Ruach Shabbat Service

19

11th of Cheshvan 5779Parashat Lech-Lecha10:30 am Shabbat Morning Service with Torah discussionExtended Kiddush after service, followed by Chavurah study group

20

12th of Cheshvan 57799:00 am Jr. Choir9:30 Simcha Learning Center 11:30 pm KRMH grocery deliveryNoon A Taste of Judaism with Rabbi Gardner

21

13th of Cheshvan 5779

22

14th of Cheshvan 57794:00 pm Simcha Learning Center 6:00 pm History and Meaning of Reform Judaism with Rabbi Gardner 7:30 pm Liturgical Hebrew with Cantor Sharett-Singer

23

15th of Cheshvan 5779Noon Lunch and Learn with Rabbi Gardner

24

16th of Cheshvan 5779

25

17th of Cheshvan 57797:00 pm Shabbat Evening Service

26

18th of Cheshvan 5779Parashat Vayera10:30 am Shabbat Morning Service with Torah discussionExtended Kiddush after service, followed by Annual Open Meeting of Pulpit & Ritual and Music Committees

27

19th of Cheshvan 57799:00 am Jr. Choir9:30 Simcha Learning Center Noon A Taste of Judaism with Rabbi Gardner

28

20th of Cheshvan 5779

29

21st of Cheshvan 57794:00 pm Simcha Learning Center 6:00 pm History and Meaning of Reform Judaism with Rabbi Gardner 7:30 pm Liturgical Hebrew with Cantor Sharett-Singer 30

22nd of Cheshvan 5779Noon Lunch and Learn with Rabbi Gardner

31

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

3 Riverdale Temple Bulletin

rabbis of the time found a way to claim that their cultural prohibitions came from the Torah. In fact, no one is free from the assumptions of the culture in which he or she lives. Our culture has been changing, and so must our lives, and so does our Judaism.

I cannot say if it would have been right to have female Torah readers, synagogue presidents, rabbis and cantors in the fifteenth century.1 But it is certainly right to have them now. For many years,

men took advantage of power and position to mistreat women. They also took advantage of the fact that women’s voices were not heard. Now that is changing. It is time for those of us who are not women to start listening.1. We know there were female synagogue presidents in the third century.

—Rabbi Tom Gardner

The CanToR’s Column

The PResidenT’s Column

On October 27, following Shabbat services and our extended Kiddush, the Pulpit & Ritual Committee and the Music Committee will hold their annual open meeting at which all of our congregants can comment on what they liked and what they did not like about the recent holiday services, as well as the Shabbat services throughout the year. This is an important annual event, because our clergy and lay leaders alike work hard to be responsive to our congregants and make any necessary adjustments to future services. All are urged to attend.

From what I can tell so far, congregants (at least the more vocal ones) were happy with the Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur services. When thanked for their help as High Holiday greeters and ushers, a number of them wrote back. Here are a few of the comments they made in replying to us:

• I look forward each year to participating in this lovely tradition of reaching out to our congregation and being a part of this wonderful group of people.

• It was my pleasure to be part of this wonderful team. May we all be back together again to do this wonderful job next year!

• I wish every Shabbat felt like it felt in the sanctuary on these High Holidays, but the warmth, energy and camaraderie of everyone on this email do ring through the year.

• I found the services for 5779 sweeter than ever.

• Absolutely everyone came through to insure well-run, inspirational, meaningful, and safe services. We all should celebrate the wonderfulness of RT. How fortunate we are to be among the RT family.

Of course, these comments came from active congregants with a real investment in the temple. Most likely, not everyone would agree with them, and this is what we wish to find out on October 27 (or via email for those who cannot attend then).

For myself, a congregant at Riverdale Temple since 1971, our sanctuary, under the care and leadership of Rabbi Tom Gardner and Cantor Inbal Sharett-Singer, is as warm, welcoming, and comforting a place as it has ever been. Our schools, both the Nursery School and the Simcha Learning Center, are thriving under the expert and devoted direction of Linda Herman and Judy Weinberg, respectively. The meetings of the Board of Trustees are occasions for debate and disagreement, but without rancor and hostility. And our congregants are extremely appreciative, friendly, good-natured, and kind. Here’s hoping that we can remain healthy as a congregation and work hard in the years ahead to remedy anything that needs fixing or improvement, and to make what is already good even better.

—L. Michael Griffel, Co-President

Shalom Chaveirim,It was heartwarming to see our temple filled with so many people during the High Holy Days. There was a beautiful sense of community and unity in our sanctuary. I have greatly enjoyed teaming up with our new High Holy Day organist Mollie Nichols and our wonderful quartet, who gave so much of themselves to assure beautiful, moving, and inspirational High Holy Day services.

I was overjoyed seeing familiar and new faces in our sanctuary! I am grateful for our wonderful staff and the many congregants who helped our High Holy Days work so smoothly. There are too many names to share, but I know who you are and I’d like to say Thank You for your care, generosity, and devotion.

As we move on to a new Jewish year, I am filled with new energy and spirit to proceed in the holy work of co-leading our

congregation, together with Rabbi Gardner. There are so many wonderful opportunities in October to “recharge” your spiritual selves. Simchat Torah is on October 1, my Adult Education Liturgical Hebrew class will resume on October 9, and RUACH SHABBAT with our full band is on October 19. And I will continue to teach in our growing Simcha Learning Center on Tuesdays and Sundays. Junior Choir has been moved to 9:00 a.m. on Sundays and will start on October 14, and the students who join the choir are promised to receive a special snack!

I am excited to usher in a new year of inspirational music, teachings, and growing in our Riverdale Temple family. May we go from strength to strength!

L’hitraot,—Cantor Inbal Sharett-Singer

4 Riverdale Temple Bulletin

Simcha Learning center

Tot Shabbat Services During the school year, Tot Shabbat services usually take place once or twice a month on Friday. These special services are led by Rabbi Gardner and Cantor Sharett-Singer and include singing and guitar playing. For potluck dinners, we try to make every possible accommodation for food allergies and kashrut observance (all dishes will be labeled). This month’s Tot Shabbat is on October 19.

Another great start to the year for the Simcha Learning Center. We began the school year with a schoolwide assembly with parents and students. Everyone enjoyed seeing each other, greeting the many new faces, and revisiting last year’s success by watching the end of the year montage with marvelous school pictures and happenings. We welcomed ten new families to the school and a total of 23 new students (and still counting). All of them were honored together with the B’nai Mitzvah class at the Simchat Torah and consecration service. The children, parents, young, and older danced with the Torah and enjoyed the festivities.

Although many days were rained out during Sukkot, our children and parents had time to build an amazing sukkah decorated with artwork the children made to reflect the Mitzvah of welcoming all to our Sukkah and community.

We look forward to consistent school weeks with days filled with song, community, Torah, and the Hebrew language.

—Judy Weinberg, Education and Engagement Specialist

–Photos by Judy Weinberg

t

OCTOBER 19 NOVEMBER 16 DECEMBER 7Chanukah Ruach Shabbat

JANUARY 11 MARCH 15 APRIL 12 MAY 10Ruach Shabbat Celebrating Israel

7:00 p.m.7:00 p.m.6:30 p.m.

7:00 p.m.7:00 p.m.7:00 p.m.6:30 p.m.

SAVE THE DATE

5778–5779 2018 –2019

Inspiring, vibrant, and uplifting musical service with our full band!Followed by a festive oneg

5 Riverdale Temple Bulletin

The Bulletin: Vol. 72, No. 2, October 2018. The Bulletin is published monthly by Riverdale Temple, 4545 Independence Avenue, Bronx, NY 10471, 10 times a year, September through June. The Riverdale Temple logo on p. 1 was designed by Alix Brandwein.This publication is intended for members of Riverdale Temple. Any other use or publication in whole or in part without Riverdale Temple’s prior consent is prohibited.

Riverdale Temple Telephone Extensions (718-548-3800)Temple Office 0 or 1Bookkeeper 2Nursery School 3Rabbi 4

Cantor 5Simcha Learning Center 6Emergencies 7General Information 8Other 9

Visit our redesigned website at www.riverdaletemple.org. Join Us on Facebook!Did you know that Riverdale Temple has a Facebook page? Find us by searching for “Riverdale Temple Bronx, NY” on Facebook and join this page by clicking on “like.” This is a space where we can exchange ideas, blog, discuss events, share photos, etc., and strengthen our bonds as a community. Join and make our numbers grow.To Send a Contribution to Riverdale TempleSend your donation to Riverdale Temple, 4545 Independence Avenue, Bronx, NY 10471. Please make your check payable to Riverdale Temple. Give the name/category/event to which your donation applies. We now accept payment by credit card; call the office (718-548-3800, ext. 0) or go to www.riverdaletemple.org. You can support Riverdale Temple by buying a mug with our logo for just $10.

If you need transportation to and/or from services at the temple, please call the office at 718-548-3800, ext. 0 or 1, to make arrangements.

Registry of Holocaust SurvivorsIf you are a Holocaust survivor or a family member of a survivor, you can register to be included in the Benjamin and Vladka Meed Registry of Holocaust Survivors, at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C. For more information and to download the Survivors’ Registry Form, go to ushmm.org/resourcecenter and click on Holocaust Survivors and Victims Resource Center to complete the form. Contact information: Holocaust Survivors and Victims Resource Center, United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, 100 Raoul Wallenberg Place, SW, Washington, DC 20024–2126; tel: 202-488-6112; fax: 202-314-7820; email: resource-center@ushmm.org.

OctoberWRJ meeting Oct. 10Executive Committee meeting Oct. 11Social Action Annual Pajama Collection Oct. 12–

Nov. 12A Taste of Judaism with Rabbi Gardner Oct. 14, 21, 28Board of Trustees meeting Oct. 18KRMH Grocery Delivery Oct. 21Pulpit & Ritual and Music Committees Meeting Oct. 27

Upcoming in NovemberYIVO Series talk with Prof. David Biale Nov. 4KRMH Grocery Delivery Nov. 18WRJ Annual Fair Trade and Local Artisan Nov. 18

Crafts Fair Annual KRMH Coat Collection Nov. 27–

Dec. 26 Dates subject to change. Check www.riverdaletemple.org for updates.

Riverdale Temple House CommitteeOur mission is to ensure that the building and grounds of our synagogue best respond to the spiritual, educational, cultural, and social needs and activities of our congregation. We are concerned about safety, cleanliness, comfort, and appearance and maximizing the functionality of our facilities. The committee works closely with the maintenance staff to ensure that the facilities are well managed and meet the needs of our community efficiently and economically. The committee benefits from members with varied experience in facilities management, engineering, construction, and related fields. Please volunteer to serve on this committee by writing to rivtemple@aol.com or president@riverdaletemple.org.

Bulletin Board

Copy for the next issue of the Bulletin is due by October 19. You can email it directly to

rivtemple@aol.com (put “Bulletin” in subject line).

Riverdale Temple is now part of the organics/compost pilot program in the Bronx. We can now recycle our food scraps. Please observe the different signs on the garbage receptacles and put throwaways in the proper container. We are pioneers in a wonderful program—please join the effort in caring for our environment. Thank you!

Congratulations!Margaret Ross Griffel and L. Michael Griffel on their special anniversary

Recapture the joy of reading through the JBI Library for

visually impaired, blind, and reading-disabled individuals, all provided free of charge and delivered to your doorstep. Call 1-800-433-1531 or visit JBI’s website at www.jbilibrary.org.

6 Riverdale Temple Bulletin

nurSery SchooL newS

It has been an incredible beginning of the year here at Riverdale Temple Nursery School!

The teachers worked all summer making their classrooms and our school beautiful! We have been working at simplifying the

classrooms, with fewer distractions, so that they are calmer places for children to do their work.

The area that I am proudest of is the feeling of community in our school. Teachers helping other teachers and other classrooms. I want us all to feel that we are all a part of the whole. Teachers were building, sewing, moving furniture, sharing ideas with each other. My vision is that we are all in this together and “we can do together what we can’t do alone.”

Ms. Anna, one of our Pre-K teachers, continues to work on our beautiful tree. I hope when you come through our door you will notice all the different birds that have been added.

We just had our first Ice Cream Social. The playground was filled with families eating ice cream, “schmoozing,” and playing in the playground. It was a wonderful way to begin the school year and celebrate our amazing community.

The Two-Year-Olds are separating from their families and learning the routines of their class. They are collaging, painting, and drawing with the loving Mrs. Cutler, Mrs. Turner, and Ms. Lorena. Their colorful shofars and Jewish stars are decorating the walls. Please come and look! They are learning about the holidays through play and songs and stories. You can hear their sweet voices as soon as you walk through our front door!

Our Three-Year-Olds are also learning about the holidays. They have been making apple prints, eating apples and honey, and making honey jars and cards for the holidays.

We have three Pre-K Classes this year. They are all working on celebrating the fall. The unit they are working on is “All About Me.” If you walk into the Pre-K classes, you will see wonderful self-portraits that the children have made. We continue to do our “Building Blocks” Math Program. Children are learning math through games, songs, and stories. Math is now included in their curriculum.

The theme that runs through the whole school is kindness. We read books about kindness, talk about kindness, and practice kindness. We are raising children to make the world a kinder, gentler, more loving, caring place.

In our Nursery School, we have four specials: Music with Shara Yolkut, Movement with Kara Tatelbaum, Yoga for the Four-Year-Olds with Anthony Purdy, and Story Time with Linda. Shara, Kara, and Linda work with the teachers on supporting their curriculum, so that the music, movement, and stories will connect to the studies children are doing in the classroom.

Cristin Messinger, our Parents Association president, is teaching our Mommy and Me Class. Crawlers and Walkers with their Mommies or Caretakers are playing with toys together, singing, eating snacks, collaging, and playing with Play-Doh every Friday. If you are around, peep into Room 301. It is so lovely!

We also have a lovely After School program this year: Monday is Science with Virginia Purdy. Tuesday is Jewish Enrichment with Sandi Daniels. Wednesday is Soccer with HappyFeet. Thursday is Art with Sandi Daniels.

This year we are having our second Harvest Fair on Sunday, October 14, from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Each class will set up a table with a craft. There will be food, face painting, a magician, and a bubble van. It should be great fun. All our welcome!

Please know that my door is always open, if you have any suggestions about making our school even better. I truly believe that we can do together what we cannot do alone.

In October, the school will be closed on:

Oct. 1 (Mon.) Sh’mini Atzeret

Oct. 2 (Tues.) Simchat Torah

Oct. 8 (Mon.) Columbus Day observed

Lovely quote: “The moment you doubt where you can fly, you cease forever to be able to do it.” Peter Pan, J. M. Barrie

Happy fall to everyone! Much warmth always,—Linda Herman, Director

women of reform JudaiSm (SiSterhood)

THANK YOU to everyone who helped with our Rosh Hashanah prep and our annual “Lunch in the Sukkah” meal.

Again, we started this year with a “BANG”! We passed out Apples & Honey after the Family Service on Rosh Hashanah, and we had a very successful Honey Jar campaign, which delivered honey to our families and friends. “Lunch in the Sukkah” was on September 29, and the food was delicious! Thank you again for everyone who contributed. Every year gets better and better—especially when we celebrate together.

We are also finalizing our plans for our Annual Fair Trade and Local Artisan Crafts Fair on Sunday, November 18, in the ballroom. We are still actively looking for vendors. Please reach out to Susan Birnbaum or Ronni Stolzenberg with any questions.

WRJ is turning our attention to Social Action Initiatives. There is a lot to do— there is a lot to say—and we need your help. It is that simple (it really is). We cannot lose our passion—we cannot lose our drive, we are moving forward. WRJ and the many committees and affiliates within the temple will be working together to bring you more special events. We believe this will strengthen our community. If there is an event, a lecture, a demonstration that you would like to see happen—let us know!

We look forward to seeing you at our next meeting on Wednesday, October 10.

—Eugenia Zakharov and Joanne Heyman, Co-Presidents

7 Riverdale Temple Bulletin

men of reform JudaiSm (men’S cLub)

The column will resume next month.

B’Shalom,—Steve Rosenfeld

SociaL action

GROCERY DONATIONS: Special thanks to everyone who filled Rosh Hashanah-Yom Kippur grocery bags for the KRMH Pantry. We are also most grateful to the volunteers who helped to load the bags into cars and deliver our Riverdale Temple donations to the KRMH Pantry on September 30. We collect needed groceries all year, but the holiday effort is the largest. The next dates for deliveries are: Oct. 21, Nov. 18, and Dec. 16 at 11:30 a.m.

PAJAMA PROGRAM COLLECTION: Our annual collection of NEW pajamas for the Pajama Program will take place from October 12 to November 12. Because of the continued hurricane crises, we shall continue to collect both NEW lightweight pajamas and NEW heavier warm pajamas for children and teens in our community. Working with the Pajama Program, we hope to collect lightweight pajamas to help those in need either in North Carolina or in Puerto Rico. During October, you may be able to find lightweight pajamas on sale in the clearance areas of stores. Watch for specials for the heavy-weight pajamas as well. We can use sizes from infant to adult for big teens.

It means the world to children and teens who have lost everything or those in poorer areas to have a new pair of pajamas to sleep in.

If your children/teens are having birthday parties or celebrating a bar/bat mitzvah, you could also do a special collection of New Pajamas to donate.

Volunteers are needed to help pack around November 14–15.

HURRICANE FLORENCE: The Riverdale Y is a drop-off site to collect needed items to help people affected by Hurricane Florence. The Y is partnering with the AFYA Foundation in Yonkers. Needed items include tarps, garbage bags, cleaning supplies, baby diapers, adult diapers, gloves, batteries, reusable water bottles, infant formula, soap and body wash, toothbrushes, and toothpaste.

You can also check the Charity navigator to see approved charities that are helping both people and animals in North and South Carolina, if you want to make a financial donation.

HURRICANE MARIA: As you see on TV and read in the papers, after one year, Puerto Rico is still in great need of help. When possible, please continue to donate to charities that are helping on the long road to recovery. Mano a Mano is one; New York State and the Hispanic Federation also have funding sites to continue to receive donations.

BENEFIT CONCERT FOR KRMH FOOD & HUNGER PROJECT: Sunday, October 14, at 2:00 p.m. at the Riverdale-Yonkers Society for Ethical Culture, 4450 Fieldston Road. Classical and Spanish guitar and Sephardic songs will be featured. Tickets are $20 for adults; $10 for children and teens.

COAT COLLECTION: As the weather turns cooler, please set aside coats and jackets that either don’t fit or you don’t wear. We shall be having the annual coat collection from November 27 to December 26, 2018. The coat donations go to help the homeless and those in need of winter coats to keep warm.

MITZVAH DAY SUBCOMMITTEE: Mitzvah Day 2019 is scheduled for March 31, 2019. Joanne Heyman, Cristin Messinger, David Greenfield, and Phil Clarke are already doing the planning. Please contact them, if you can help.

—Frances Segan, Ph.D., Chair, Social Action Committee

Kol Nidre Appeal Thank you for your Kol Nidre donations. To those of you who haven’t responded yet, please do your share to be part of the whole! We would love to have 100 percent participation! Kol Nidre donations will be listed in a later issue of the bulletin.

8 Riverdale Temple Bulletin

aduLt education

YIVO Jewish Culture SeriesSAVE THE DATE: We are pleased to announce that the first YIVO Jewish Culture Series talk will be on Sunday, November 4, at 2:00 p.m. in the temple sanctuary.

We are fortunate to present DAVID BIALE, who is the Emanuel Ringelblum Distinguished Professor of

Jewish History and also the chair of the Jewish Studies Program at the University of California, Davis. Professor Biale’s research is broadly in the areas of Jewish intellectual and cultural history. His books have won the National Jewish Book Award three times, and he has been awarded fellowships by the Guggenheim Foundation, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and the Lady Davis Foundation. Most recently, he won the UC Davis Prize for Undergraduate Teaching. His current project is as director of an international team writing the first history of Hasidism.

More details will follow in the weekly eblasts about his talk on November 4.

Study with Rabbi Gardner Lunch and Learn classes meet weekly on Wednesdays from noon to 1:00 p.m. in the conference room. Registration is not required.

A Taste of Judaism: This is a special class designed for individuals from the larger Riverdale community who are curious about Judaism. It will meet on three Sundays from noon to 2:00 p.m.: October 14, 21, and 28. Registration is required at administrator@riverdaletemple.org or by calling 718-548-3800, ext. 1, to speak to our administrator, Jen Jimenez. This course is free to all. It speaks to a diverse group from various religious and cultural backgrounds. You can alert people you may know who would find such a course enlightening.

History and Meaning of Reform Judaism: This class will meet on select Tuesdays at 6:00 p.m.: October 9, 16, 23, 30; November 6, 13, 20, 27; December 4, 11, 18 (conference room). The course is free, and registration is not required.

Commenting on the Bible: This class will meet Tuesdays at 6:00 p.m.: January 8, 15, 22, 29; February 5, 12, 19, 26; March 5, 12, 19, 26; April 2, 9, 16, 23, 30; May 7. Free. Registration is not required.

Study with Cantor Sharett-SingerLiturgical Hebrew Class: For Hebrew readers at any level. Tuition is $125 for six classes. To register, email the cantor at cantorsharettsinger@riverdaletemple.org. It will meet at 7:30 p.m. on October 9, 16, 23, 30; and November 6, 13 (conference room).

—Dr. Yvette Marrin, Chair Adult Education Committee

The Chavurah will meet on Saturday, October 20, following the Shabbat service and communal lunch. The Torah portion for that day, read by Jews throughout the world, is Lech-Lecha. In this reading, the Eternal One tells Abram to go forth from Haran to the land that He will promise to him and his progeny. It is a few short sentences, but it has a magical effect on the Jewish imagination, propelling us forward into unknown lands and territories of the mind. Indeed, many of the wonderful works of the Jews can be traced to this exhortation to be brave and face the future with faith and energy. Join us for a stimulating conversation on this Torah portion. No prior familiarity with the Torah is needed.

—Dr. Ronna Weber

9 Riverdale Temple Bulletin

ConTRibuTions The following funds are represented in the entries below: Bible and Prayer Book Fund, Jean P. and Francis J. Bloustein Camp Scholarship Fund, Cantor’s Special Fund, Decorating Fund, Jacob-Fogel Program Fund, Rabbi Stephen D. Franklin Music Fund, General Fund, Dorothy and Joseph Kay Prayer Book Fund, Leon and Beatrice Bereano Pulpit Flowers Fund, Rabbi’s Special Fund, Religious School and Nursery School Parents Associations, Soviet Émigré Fund, Charles Tenenbaum Fund, Torah Repair Fund, Youth Activities Fund.

Donor In Honor Donor In Honor

Rabbi Shelly Kovar Becker Rabbi Gardner, thank you! and Martin H. Becker

Hermina Birnbaum A beautiful Yizkor service

Susan and Howard Rabbi Gardner, for the aliyah on Birnbaum the 60th anniversary of Howard’s Bar Mitzvah

Marge and Michael Griffel, on their 50th wedding anniversary

Cantor Sharett-Singer and Jonathan Singer, on the birth of Emmanuelle

Arline Brown My daughter Susan Brown Mandel, son-in-law Andy Mandel, and their children Henry and Lucy

Haley Chitambar Noa Singer and Amit Singer, for their birthdays

Rochelle (Shelly) Clark Rabbi Gardner and Cantor Sharett-Singer for their wonderful Yom Kippur service. It was both beautiful and inspirational.

Ellen Dubin High Holiday Services at Riverdale Temple

Abby Eisenberg Riverdale Temple, thank you for a meaningful Rosh Hashanah service!

Galia Galinsky Thank you for a lovely Children’s Service

Sylvia Gottlieb Rabbi Gardner for my bonus aliyah during the High Holy Days

Margaret and Michael For their 50th wedding anniversary Griffel

Joyce and Howard Jaffe Yom Kippur community service

Dorothy Kay Marge and Michael Griffel on their 50th wedding anniversary

My aliyah on Yom Kippur

Ruth Loebmann Extended Kiddush

Barbara Mass Riverdale Temple

Ali Micelli Riverdale Temple

Robin Minkoff Riverdale Temple

Mac Psachie The High Holidays

Cynthia Rabinowitz Riverdale Temple

Linda and Stuart Ring Riverdale Temple

Renee Rosenberg Riverdale Temple, thank you for your beautiful High Holy Day services!

Muriel Singer For tzedakah

Renee Spath Rabbi Gardner, for my aliyah

Donor In MeMory

Shelley Ast Otto Kucera, in loving memory

Shirley Auerbach Harold Auerbach

Robert Barr Otto Kucera

Hermina Birnbaum Joseph Ackner

Susan and Howard Marshall Bloomfield Birnbaum Otto Kucera

Jim and Beverly Byard Marshall Bloomfield

Irene Brenner Julius Richman

Harold Caplan David Caplan, beloved father

Sadie Caplan, beloved mother

Jean Daniels Isidore Licker

Edward and Linda Dubin Marshall Bloomfield

Michael Gefter Munia Gefter Rita Gefter

Naomi Glauberman Melvin L. Glauberman

Eric Goldstein Irwin Goldstein, beloved father Riva Goldstein, beloved mother

Sylvia Gottlieb Otto Kucera and Jeffrey Dinowitz

Margaret and Michael Klara Griffel, beloved mother of Griffel Michael Griffel

Otto Kucera, beloved husband of Rabbi Judith Lewis

Marlene Grushoff Jack Grushoff

Jane Johnston Marshall Bloomfield

Dorothy Kay Otto Kucera

Ida and Rob Krausz Alex Krausz

Cyndi Lauper Marshall Bloomfield

Joyce Liskin Charles Lasky

10 Riverdale Temple Bulletin

2 Bridie Aguayo 2 Augusta Levy 2 Helen Martin 2 Helen Moskowitz 2 Werner Oppenheimer 2 Jack Weiner 2 Dr. Louis S. Werner 3 Henry N. Merson 3 Leonard D. Pearlman 3 Bernhard David Saxe 4 Harry Deutsch 4 Lilly Lea Hirschl 4 Dr. Phil Liebling 4 Sarah Lowenthal 5 Gerald Gellady 5 Isidore Greenberg 5 Louis Shapiro 6 Helene Benardo 6 Edyce Elliss 6 Morris Friedenberg 6 Louis Halpern 6 Gloria Katz 6 Henrietta Krauss 6 Diane Pinsley 6 Leonard Y. Rosenberg 6 Martin Sternstein 7 Robert C. Baker 7 Erna Heisner 8 Doris Adelman 8 Bessie Cohen 8 Albert Djivre 8 Samuel Gilman 8 Constance (Connie) Jacob 8 Isidor Kaminer 8 Max Rosenbaum

9 Michael H. Abrahamson 9 Alexander Alperovich 9 Ruth Hochroth 9 Albert Horn 9 Yetta Lester 9 Pearl A. Weintraub10 David Avrach10 Daisy Goldberg11 Ida Bennett11 Myrna Faigman11 Samuel Hellman11 Frances Licker11 Fannie H. Naftal11 Mark Nevins11 Sholom Rozenfeld12 Joseph Feder12 Adelaide Schulman12 Andria T. Schweitzer13 Sandra Abramoff13 Joseph Fertig13 Frank Glickenstein13 James (Jim) Pinsley13 Sigmund Prince14 Minnie Eva Harris14 Stephen Shulman15 Rae Manheimer15 Lottie Mittleman15 Hedy Schnitzer16 Sarah Changhong Adams16 Cybele Fisher-Koppel16 Sarah M. Fondiller16 Oscar Kalinowsky16 Benjamin Sperling16 Isabel Virshup Werner17 Annette Parker

17 Morris T. Roth18 Hank Grossman18 Rosa Lessin19 Rose Bloch19 Isaac Kaplan19 Victor Lieberman19 Jennie Schoenberg20 Rose Gordon20 William Hutter20 Ansa Schlesinger20 Martin Stern21 George Braun21 Hattie Fertig21 Leslie Litt21 Norman Mazin22 Fanny Cohen22 Samuel Fain22 Leopold Goldstein22 Catherine (Kitty) Haines22 Eugene Levy22 Carol Lipskar22 Harry Samalin22 Dorothy Simmons22 Clara White23 Celia Altman23 Edna Bender23 Leo Evans23 Gertrude Kleinman24 Bertha Cohn24 Sam Moskowitz24 Joseph Rappaport24 Abe Shaifer24 Minnie Soicher25 Robert Mozlin26 Linda Sue Gray

26 Edith Licker26 Celia Maskit27 Judge Edward L. Block27 Manasseh Brandt27 Heda Chazen-Cohen27 Irwin Goldstein27 Leonid Krasnopolsky28 Sarah Jacobson28 Lillian B. Kurtin28 Jean Snyder28 Terry Stafford28 Yetta Young29 Celia Bloustein29 Rebecca Harris Feingold29 Shirley Matison29 Ralph Weiskopf29 Samuel Wilensky30 Geraldine Breindel Shlamm30 Samuel Feldman30 Linda Stein31 Pauline Baer31 Hilda Levy31 Carole Unger

The Departed Whom We Now Remember: October Yahrzeit Observances

Donor In MeMory Harriet Martin Harry L. Samalin, beloved father

Richard Meisler Larry Meisler, beloved brother

Helen Meltzer-Krim Julius Meltzer

Wendy J. Parker Max Halper Rose Halper

Rita Pochter-Lowe Marion “Minnie” Weiss Pochter, beloved mother

Martin Prince Olga Prince

Frances A. Segan Ethel Epstein

Jack and Jill Shaifer Otto Kucera

Donor In MeMory Deborah Simmons Richard Simmons

Renee Spath Constance Spath Osach

Barbara Stafford Sol Stafford

Ronni Stolzenberg David Stolzenberg

Irving Weiler Alma Weiler Eugene I. Weiler

Judith Zucker Marshall Bloomfield, loving husband of Heather and father of their children

Otto Kucera, loving husband of Rabbi Judith Lewis

11 Riverdale Temple Bulletin

Thank you, Prestige Cleaners, for cleaning, gratis, our Torah mantels and clergy and choir robes.

Dear Each and Every One of My Fellow Riverdale Temple Congregants

I want to thank each of you so very much for making this year’s High Holiday 5779 services so wonderful.In the thirteen years I have been organizing the High Holiday ushers and greeters and phone callers, I have seen the level of congregant involvement grow stronger each year.This year included some new ushers and callers, and I very much appreciate their participation. I also want to voice a shout-out to the families that allowed our greeters and ushers and callers to spend time away from their loved ones as they offered their time and efforts to others.Lastly, I want to acknowledge the work of Jen, Osorio, Santana, Darling, and Sam for doing all the advance work that allows us to be a family congregation. We are very fortunate to have good, caring people helping us celebrate the High Holidays. A BIG thumbs up!As I have mentioned in the past, we are indeed a better congregation when we spend our talents and energies giving to our families, giving to each other, and giving to our communities.So let me offer a big round of applause, a giant pat on the back, and a truly heartfelt “thank you” to everyone.Be well, Rob Katz

This year’s ushers and greeters were:Shelley Ast, Amy Bensen, Henry Bensen, Howard Birnbaum, Susan Birnbaum, Phil Clarke, Dorothy Feldman, Beth Fertig, David Glickenstein, Gerri Glickenstein, Stuart Goldshein, David Greenfield, Joanne Heyman, Linda Kaplin, Carol Kassel, Sherry Kassel, Craig Katz, Dorothy Kay, Olivia Koppell, Helen Krim, Ruth Loebmann, Rita Pochter Lowe, Cristin Messinger, Cordell Schachter, Phil Schachter, Frederick Schweitzer, Scott Sirkin, Sherrill Spatz, Fay Statsky, Ronni Stolzenberg, David Wolovick, and Judith Zucker.

12 Riverdale Temple Bulletin

RiveRdale Temple

4545 INDEPENDENCE AVENUE

BRONX, NY 10471

ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED

RiveRdale Temple 4545 Independence Avenue

Bronx, NY 10471 affiliated with the Union for Reform Judaism,

patron of the Hebrew Union College–Jewish Institute of Religion

Telephone: 718-548-3800 Fax: 718-543-1492 Email: rivtemple@aol.com

Web Page Address: www.riverdaletemple.org

Rabbi of the Congregation Thomas A. Gardner, B.A., M.A., M.A.H.L.

Cantor of the Congregation Inbal Sharett-Singer

Rabbis Emeriti of the Congregation Stephen D. Franklin, D.D., D.H.L.

Judith S. Lewis

Co-Presidents of the Congregation Dr. Rachel Radna

Dr. L. Michael Griffel

Nursery School Executive Director Linda Herman

Religious School Education and Engagement Specialist Judy Weinberg

Bulletin Editor Margaret Ross Griffel, Ph.D.

Bulletin Proofreaders Shelley Ast, Susan Birnbaum,

Sylvia Gottlieb, L. Michael Griffel, Olivia Koppell, Ruth Loebmann

1 Worship Schedule 1 The Rabbi’s Column 2 Monthly Calendar 3 The Cantor’s Column 3 The President’s Column 4 Simcha Learning Center 4 Tot Shabbat Services

4 Ruach Shabbat 5 Bulletin Board 5 Congratulations 6 Nursery School News 6 Women of Reform Judaism 7 Men of Reform Judaism 7 Social Action

7 Kol Nidre Appeal 8 Adult Education 9 Contributions10 Yahrzeit Observances11 Thank You

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