July 2025 CEI Bulletin
Congregation Emanu-El Israel
222 North Main Street, Greensburg, PA. 15601
Tamuz – Av 5785
July 2025
724-834-0560
The Mission of Congregation Emanu-El Israel is: To support Judaism and the welfare of our community.
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FROM THE DESK OF: Rabbi Lenny
During the month of July, we will begin reading the last of the Five Books of Moses, Deuteronomy (Devarim), in our Friday services. The book represents Moses’ renewal of the Sinai covenant with the next generation, who would enter the Promised Land and create a Jewish based society.
The preamble identifies time and place: the last weeks of Moses’ life, with the people encamped by the banks of the Jordan. Moses recalls his appointment of leaders, the sending of the spies, and the people’s failure of nerve that led to the forty-year stay in the wilderness.
He reminds the people of their victories over Moab and Ammon and the settlement of their land by the tribes of Reuben and Gad and part of Menashe. The parsha ends with Moses’ description of his appointment of, and encouragement to, Joshua as his successor.
Succession is a significant concept for CEI this year. We are seeing a passing of the torch to a new group of individuals. We are thankful to our past leaders, for their efforts over the decades, for the work of Irene, Terri and Marion, to mention a few. The time and effort they placed into Congregation Emanu-El Israel cannot be overstated. And we thank them for what they did. Yet the synagogue needs to continue, to move forward. We still need to provide the Jewish foundation for our community. Like Moses to Joshua in the bible, our new leaders will need to pick up that challenge and their efforts will go a long way to defining what will become in the future.
There is a prayer out of the Reform movement for leadership:
God of history,
We yearn for new leadership,
For men and women of inspiration and insight,
Visionaries to build nations and communities
In Your image,
Stewards dedicated to justice,
Unafraid to face the challenges of our day,
So that our cities and countries resonate with
Compassion and health,
Justice and mercy,
Kindness and peace.
Bless our leaders
With dedication and foresight,
Fortitude and imagination
To solve the complex issues that threaten our future.
May they lead us to a time when neighbors embrace
And the communities thrive,
A time when liberty and equality
Reign supreme.
Amen, Rabbi Lenny
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PRESIDENT: Joel Last
I am very proud to have been elected as the replacement for Irene as President of the Board of CEI. I want to thank all the Congregation members for their confidence and will do my best to fill in for Irene until Jamie Kaufer takes the helm 2 years hence. I have been on the board for a number of years and am impressed with the dedication and competency of the other board members. I am sure I can rely on them to continue to keep CEI functioning and carrying out the Jewish traditions of worship, prayer, and community.
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SISTERHOOD NOTES by Shoshana Halden, President
This is my first official article for the monthly Bulletin as the President of Sisterhood. As I write this article our Board is preparing to assume its duties. We have an aggressive schedule of activities that we hope to accomplish in the next year.
During our first general meeting on Wednesday, June 25 we will be assigning Committee chairmanships and members.
B’Shalom, Shoshana
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ALFRED RATNER LIBRARY NEWS by Shirley Shpargel, Librarian
Books donated by P J Library:
Avi the Ambulance to the Rescue by Claudia Carlson (Easy Reader Grades K-4).
The Lion and the Bird by Marianne Dubuc (Easy Reader Grades K-4).
Being Jewish After the Destruction of Gaza: A Reckoning is by Peter Beinart, the professor of journalism and political science at the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at the City University of New York. Beinart raises the question, how should a Jew feel about the bombing and killing after the destruction of Gaza. He emphasizes that half the world’s Jews don’t live in Israel, and very few of the ones that live in Israel make decisions within the Netanyahu government. Most of the world’s Jews disapprove of the bloodshed the Israeli forces have unleashed on the Palestinians since October 7. 12,000 of the Palestinian casualties were under the age of 18 and thousands have been infants. The war is supported to honor the memory of the Israelis Hamas murdered, but the war is creating desperate young Palestinians eager to avenge their loved ones.
What is Beinart’s solution to the destruction of Gaza? He quotes speaking of Abraham’s descendants in the book of Genesis, God says, “All the families of the earth shall bless themselves by you.” Perhaps this is what it means for the Jewish people to bless humanity in our time. It means liberating people from supremacy of leaders, so as partners with Palestinians, Jews can help liberate the world. Being Jewish After the Destruction of Gaza can be checked out from the Westmoreland Library Network.
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CHATTER
Happy Birthday to: Justin Chobirko, Michelle Gau, Rachel Gau, Joel Last, Paul Mickey, Teri Moidel, Shirley Shpargel, Zachary Taylor, and Alisa Weberman.
Happy Anniversary to: Samuel & Kala Gau, Gary & Teri Moidel, and Jono & Alisa Weberman.
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CEI LINK PROGRAM
CEI LINK Program – a video conference experience. Even though CEI is open for in-house worshipers, we will continue to video conference the Shabbat Services on Friday at 7:30 PM, so you can continue to attend services from home. Visit our website www.ceigreensburg.org for instructions on how to log into the meeting and for the meeting code (which should be the same each week). If you have any questions, please call and talk with Rabbi Lenny. Songs for the service will be available on the website. The Mishkan T’filah (prayer books) used in the service are available digitally on the website.
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INVITATION TO WORSHIP
Do you know of someone who is Jewish and currently unaffiliated?
Do you know of someone who would like to worship with us as a member?
If so, please give info to Anna Spor.
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ESTATE PLANNING
If you are planning to initiate or change your will or estate plan, please remember to include Congregation Emanu-El Israel (CEI) as part of your legacy. The monies can be used for a specific purpose as designated by you, or added to an Endowment Fund already set up to assure the ability to continue providing a full-service Congregation to serve the Jewish people of the area.
This legacy can be accomplished by a simple bequest in your will, by one of the allowable charitable trusts where you get an immediate tax advantage, or through life insurance.
PLEASE DO IT NOW! Please check with your attorney or insurance agent. If you have any questions or need additional information, contact Gary Moidel (724-244-6421) or Bob Slone (724-836-5468).
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TREE OF LIFE
Share your joy by inscribing simchas on our Tree of Life… an everlasting remembrance of the meaningful happy events that touch us. Inscribe a leaf our Tree of Life. Leaf – $180 ea. (Price includes engraving)
The golden leaves may be inscribed to commemorate joyous events such as births, Bar/Bat Mitzvahs, graduations, weddings, anniversaries, etc. Share your joy by inscribing simchas on our Tree of Life… an everlasting remembrance of the meaningful happy events that touch us.
Memorial Plaques are for remembering a loved one. You may purchase a plaque for the sanctuary Memorial Boards by contacting the CEI office (724-834-0560). Cost per plaque $300.00.
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WHEN MAKING A DONATION
When making a donation, whether to a CEI Fund or the Remembrance Fund, please provide complete information. This will make it easier and faster to process.
1 The name and address of where to send the response to let them know you made a donation.
2 The reason for the donation (in memory of, in honor of, speedy recovery, etc.) and the full name of the honoree.
3 Name and address of donor.
Example: Please send a card (or accept this donation) to Jane Doe, XXX Main St, Greensburg, PA 156XX. In Honor of the Birthday of Jane Doe! From Jack Jones, XXX Broadway Dr., Greensburg, PA 156XX.
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WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR THESE GIFTS
PULPIT FLOWERS: In Memory of:
May 9: June Ziff by Marilyn & Jim Davis.
May 16: Janet Engelhart Gutterman by Marilyn & Jim Davis.
May 23: Terry (Rachel Leah) Davis by Marilyn & Jim Davis and Linda & Jeffrey Reisner.
May 30: Minna Lader Feuerstein by Shirley Shpargel.
June 6: Margot Halden by Robert & Shoshana Halden. Robert Schrag by Loren Vivio.
June 13: Barry J. Kane by Mary Ellen, Bob, Erin, Amanda & Michael Kane & Families.
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CEI FUNDS
CARING FUND: Supports congregants who are experiencing sickness, bereavement & other personal difficulties. Thank you for those taking care of me during my difficult time by Robin Mickey.
CEI ENDOWMENT FUND: Provides for the continuity of the congregation by subsidizing future operating expenses.
CONGREGATION GENERAL FUND: CEI operating expenses. In Honor of: Irene Rothschild’s 16 years of service on the Board of Directors by Donald Pripstein.
CONGREGATION YAHRZEIT FUND: In Memory of: Richard “Dick” Liebman by Linda Liebman. James Applebaum & Frances Applbaum Abramson by Daniel & Barbara Applbaum Glennie. Sylvia Bendix by Sanford Bendix. Max Kaufer and Kenneth Barlow by Bruce, Karen & Max Kaufer. Aleen Redlich by Carol Redlich. Herbert L. Friedlander by William Friedlander, Jody, Mike, Stacey, Michael & Samantha Keating and The Friedlander Family. Robert Schrag by Loren & John Vivio. Barbara Wilder by Jack Wilder. Minna Feuerstein & Harry Feuerstein by Shirley Shpargel. Norman Glantz by Jeffrey & Catherine Feryus. Elaine Friedlander Smith by Bill Friedlander, H. Duffy Friedlander, Jody, Mike, Stacey, Michael & Samantha Keating. Sarah VeShancey by William VeShancey. Marie Tattenbaum by Rachel Minushkin. Barry J. Kane by Mary Ellen Kane & Family. Abraham Pavloff by Gerald & Yolanda Pavloff. Susie Mickey & Bradford Powell by Robin Mickey. Joan Silvis & Timothy Silvis by Teri & Gary Moidel. Herbert Kramer by Richard Levitt.
LIBRARY BOOK FUND: Provides for the purchase of books and other resource material for the library.
NEW HIGH HOLIDAY, MISHKAN HANEFESH, PRAYER BOOKS: Provides for the purchase of new High Holiday Mishkan HaNefesh.
RABBI’S DISCRETIONARY FUND: Helps individuals and/or org. in need. A donation by Richard Virshup.
REMEMBRANCE FUND: A special donation to Sisterhood to honor or celebrate an event or person. Virginia Lieberman (724-668-2442) or Yvonne Bureau (724-837-8072). In Honor of: A Happy Anniversary to Karen and Rabbi Lenny Sarko by Wally Caplan and Irene Rothschild. A Speedy Recovery to Marilyn Dunn by Irene Rothschild. A Happy Birthday to David Rothschild by Irene Rothschild.
TEMPLE EMANU-EL CEMETERY FUND: For beautification and upkeep of the Temple Emanu-El Cemetery.
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SAVE THE DATE
Please Note: All times & events subject to change.
Friday, August 1: Early Shabbat Service (5:30 PM) followed by Concert in the Park (7:00 PM) with “Suns of Beaches” (recreates the sound, vibe & style of Jimmy Buffet).
Tuesday, August 5: Jewish Heritage Night at PNC Park. Pirates vs. Giants. Bus departs CEI @ 4:20 PM. Game @ 6:40 PM. Sign-up ASAP.
Friday, August 8: Deadline for Sisterhood Pulpit Flower.
Sunday, August 17: Set-up Rummage Sale @ 10:00 AM.
Friday, August 22: Early Shabbat Service (5:30 PM) followed by Concert in the Park (7:00 PM) with “David Clark’s All About Joel” (Billy Joel Tribute Band).
Sunday, August 24: Rummage Sale in Social Hall from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM.
Monday, August 25: Rummage Sale in Social Hall from 9:00 AM to 12:00 noon.
Friday, August 12: Deadline for Book of Remembrance (Yizkor Memorial) participation form return.
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STOP THE BLEED
On Sunday, July 20 CEI will be holding a joint Stop the Bleed / CPR Class for members to learn or refresh their lifesaving skills.
Lt. Tom Fitzgerald from Park Police will lead the Stop the Bleed seminar and show us how to control bleeding in an arm or leg. Autumn Bupp will be leading us in a CPR/Basic Life Support certification course following Stop the Bleed.
We will meet at 12:30 PM in the social hall for pizza and refreshments. Class will start at 1 PM and last for 3 hours. Cost: $20 / person. To sign up, please call or email the office. Deadline to register is July 4.
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MEN’S CLUB BASEBALL OUTING
Wednesday, July 30, 2025, Men’s Club is hosting an outing to the Wild Things vs. NJ Jackals baseball game. First Pitch @ 6:05 PM (we will meet at CEI at 4:15 PM and depart at 4:20 PM).
Reserved seat tickets are $16.50 each. Tickets for age 50 & over are free! $1 Hot Dogs (all fans) presented by Berks Foods. Please sign up on the form in the office. If you have any questions, please contact Gary Moidel at 724-244-6421 or tergar2cats@gmail.com.
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JEWISH HERITAGE NIGHT AT PNC PARK
Tuesday, August 5, 2025 Jewish Heritage Night at PNC Park for the Pirates vs. San Francisco Giants. First Pitch @ 6:40 PM (We will meet at CEI at 4:15 PM and the Bus leaves at 4:20 PM).
Lower level seats are $41 each (or $59 with Pre-game Kosher Meal: Hamburger with lettuce, tomato, onion, & pickle, coleslaw, chips and bottled water). Tickets include Seat, Pirates / Jewish Heritage Night Pirates co-branded Hat and Bus Transportation. Please sign-up on the form in the office. If you have any questions, please contact Gary Moidel at 724-244-6421 or tergar2cats@gmail.com.
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RUMMAGE SALE
Set up will be Sunday, August 17. Sale will take place on Sunday, August 24 and Monday, August 25.
WE NEED YOUR HELP!
Call Shoshana Halden to put your name on the schedule. Rummage can be brought to the Temple at any time during regular business hours. Please call the office to make sure someone is there. Remember – the alarm is set when they are not in the building.
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MARK YOUR CALENDARS
CONCERTS IN THE PARK! For the past few summers, we have had early Shabbat Services beginning at 5:30 PM. This allows our Congregants time to enjoy the free Summer Sounds Concert in St. Clair Park offered by the City of Greensburg. We will have early services on the following Fridays, after which you can enjoy the concert listed below:
July 11: Copilot (rock, pop, folk)
July 25: Cecily (soul & jazz)
August 1: Suns of Beaches (recreates the sound, vibe & style of Jimmy Buffet)
August 22: David Clark’s All About Joel (Billy Joel tribute band)
Mark your calendars to join us for the above concerts. For a complete list of performances or to listen to a sample of each band, please visit the website www.greensburgpa.org/summersounds.
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SISTERHOOD CALENDAR INFORMATION REQUEST
Please complete & return the calendar form that is in this month’s bulletin before September 19, 2025, even if you do not wish to purchase a calendar. Thank you for your generous support of the C.E.I. Sisterhood.
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SISTERHOOD PULPIT FLOWERS
How praise worthy are the father and mother that raised this child.
One is duty bound to honor one’s parents, even after their death. Both sons and daughters fulfill this duty by keeping their yahrzeit, by contributing to charity in honor of the deceased, and most importantly by living a life that brings them credit. (Rabbi Hayim H. Donin)
We hope you will take this opportunity to order pulpit flowers for the coming year for loved ones and friends. Since we update our records annually, we need a new form from you each year if you want to order pulpit flowers.
To order pulpit flowers for a yahrzeit (anniversary of death), Rosh Hashana and / or Yom Kippur use the form found in this month’s bulletin.
Forms must be received by August 8, 2025, to be included in High-Holiday Services. If you have any questions, please call Virginia Lieberman (724) 668-2442 or email at virginiagwl@gmail.com.
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MEMORIAL BOOKLET
Once again, we are in the process of preparing the Memorial Booklet for the Yizkor service on Yom Kippur, October 2, 2025. This tradition has been well received by our membership and in this time of virtual services, we would still like it to continue as an Online Memorial to your loved one/s.
Only the names of those deceased during the past year (5785: 2024-2025) will be read from the pulpit. If you wish to have the names of deceased relatives included in the Memorial Booklet on our website, please list them on the form below or mark “same as last year” and only write in names to be added. Please indicate if any of the names appear on the Memorial Plaques. This will help us publish an accurate record in the Virtual Memorial Booklet online.
At this time of the year, it is appropriate to make contributions in memory of our loved ones. If you wish to honor your loved ones in this way, kindly indicate the contribution in the Memorial Booklet form, which can be found in this month’s bulletin, and make checks payable to Congregation Emanu-El Israel or to CEI and mail to CEI, 222 N. Main St., Greensburg, PA 15601. Please note that due to High Holiday deadlines, forms must be returned no later than September 12, 2025.
May the upcoming year bring you the blessings of love, health and happiness.
Sincerely, Memorial Committee
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TENTATIVE HIGH HOLY DAY SCHEDULE
Shana Tova – Happy New Year
The Rabbi, Karen, Board of Directors, Sisterhood and Men’s Clubs want to wish you a most happy new year. May the year 5786 be a year of health, happiness and well-being. Below are the dates and times of our High Holy Day services. Please note that they will be in-house and online (For online, login is the same as every Friday night).
SLICHOT SERVICE – Friday, September 12, 2025 – 7:30 PM. Followed by Ice Cream Social Oneg.
ROSH HASHANAH EVE – Monday, September 22 – 7:30 PM. Followed by a dessert Oneg.
ROSH HASHANAH MORNING – Tuesday, September 23 – 10:00 AM. CEI Office Closed. TASHLICH SERVICE – Immediately following service on the front porch.
ROSH HASHANAH DAY II – Wednesday, September 24 – No Service. CEI Closed. (If any shut-ins on Day I would like a visit from Rabbi on Day II, please contact Rabbi Lenny.)
SHABBAT SHUVAH – Friday, September 26 – 7:30 PM.
KEVER AVOT SERVICE at the Cemetery – Sunday, September 28 – 10:00 AM.
YOM KIPPUR EVE SERVICE – Wednesday, October 1 – 7:30 PM.
YOM KIPPUR MORNING SERVICE – Thursday, October 2 – 10:00 AM.
YOM KIPPUR AFTERNOON – 3:30 PM.
YOM KIPPUR YIZKOR SERVICE – 4:30 PM.
Closing Service -5:00 PM. Followed by Break-the-Fast at 6:00 PM (hosted by and benefits Sisterhood). Call Vlad Norris, Zoe Pawlak or the office to make reservations. Adults $15, Children 4-12, $6 and under 4 are Free. All reservations and payments must be made by Tuesday, September 30 at noon to the CEI office. No walk-ins.
SUKKAH building – Sunday, October 5 – 10:00 AM. We will have the Etrog and Lulav at the synagogue in the sanctuary. Anyone wishing to say the prayers and shake the Lulav and Etrog may do so at their convenience in the sanctuary or in the sukkah, please notify Rabbi Lenny or the office.
SUKKOT – Congregational Celebration – Friday, October 10 – 7:30 PM.
We will celebrate SIMCHAT TORAH at services on Friday, October 17 at 7:30 PM. CEI Office Closed.
The new Mishkan HaNefesh High Holiday prayer books are for in-house use only. They are not to be removed or borrowed from the sanctuary.
We, again, are collecting non-perishable foods for the Westmoreland County Food Bank. A table for donations and a box for monetary donations (payable to: WCFB or Westmoreland County Food Bank) will be set up in the foyer during High Holy Days. If you are joining us online and would like to make a monetary donation, please mail to: WCFB, 100 Devonshire Drive, Delmont, PA 15626.
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OFFICE HOURS
The CEI Office is open Monday, Thursday & Friday from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Tuesday and Wednesday from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Rabbi Lenny, generally, has office hours on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM. Making an appointment is highly recommended, since emergencies and meetings outside the office do occur. The Rabbi can also be available at other times, for your convenience. Please call 724-834-0560 or Rabbi directly at 724-963-0789.
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CEI LEADERSHIP
Rabbi Leonard Sarko
CEI Officers:
President: Joel Last. Vice President: Jamie Kaufer. Treasurer: Julie Goldstein. Recording Secretary: Virginia Lieberman. Sisterhood President: Shoshana Halden. Men’s Club President: Gary Moidel. Bulletin Editors: Mary Ellen Kane, Karen Sarko & Bea Harrison.
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HONORING THEIR MEMORY
Families of the following loved ones will honor their memories and mark the occasion of their family history by reciting the Kaddish this Shabbat.
The following Yahrzeits will be honored at CEI:
July 11 (Includes July 4): *Lawrence Brodell, William Buchman, *Dora Charapp, *Edna G. Cobetto, *Fannie Davis, Samuel Farber, Harry Feuerstein, *Rachel Leah Flamm, Milton Gespass, Alvin Glenn, *Esther Gordon, *Kate Grossman, *Nathan Jaskulek, Richard Kates, Herbert Kramer, *Marcy Weiss Langer, MS, CCC-A, *Hyman Levin, *William Lipman, *Beila Mace, Annabelle F. Millstein, Bradford Powell, *Louis Shofnosky, Timothy Silvis, *Jacob Stern, *Anna Sucatzky and *Leonard Wolinsky.
July 18: *Alexander Alt, *Anna K. Conn, *Rae M. Daniels, *Mary Davis, *Gloria Glasser, Margaret Goldberg, Daniel Hamburger, *Sarah Kane, *Solomon A. Kane, *Abe Levin, *Bella Pearl Redlich, *Abraham Sandson, *Jacob Soltz, *Fanny Vance and Jeffrey Ward.
July 25: *Diane “Deanie” Blum, *William L. Brill, *Meyer Charapp, *Mayer Davison, *Samuel Friedlander, D.D.S., Edith Bergstein Hollander, Edwin Karelitz, *Martin M. Kramer, *Lazer Kuhl, *Lillian Liebman, *Samuel Liebman, *Abraham Miller, *Alvin J. Moldovan, Donald Perusse, Sr., *Milton Redlich, James Schenck, *Rose Stern, Lillian Tattenbaum, *Steven L. VeShancey and *Rose Weiner.
August 1: Joseph L. Bernstein, Belle Cohen, *Sgt./Maj. Abraham Corman, *Catherine Davis, Fanney Cohen Devlin, Anna Glasser, *Baila Miriam Harris, Sarah Meyers, *Harry Olesker, Donald Perusse, Jr., Fred Portnoy, *Michael Sandson, *Ida Levin Shoag and *Karen Anne Wolf.
August 8: Fran Arbetter, Cecily Aronson, *Freida Bleiberg, *Anna R. Brill, *Meyer Bronk, *Ruth D. Buchman, Selma Fairman, *Fannie Friedland, David R. Gold, *Dora Goldberg, *Minnie Jacobson, *Gordon Kogut, *Myron Lewis, *Gertrude E. Mace, *Abraham Moidel and *Herbert Moidel.
