November 2024 CEI Bulletin
Congregation Emanu-El Israel
222 North Main Street, Greensburg, PA. 15601
Tishrei – Cheshvan 5785
November 2024
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
This month we return, again, to reading the book of Bereshit – Genesis. One of the striking contrasts of Judaism that becomes apparent when reading this book is its view of people. Most specifically, its insight that people are not perfect.
How this contrasts with other religions. Buddhism defines six areas of perfection. They label it as paramitas and include generosity, ethical conduct, patience, diligence, meditation, and wisdom. A Buddha is a person who attains perfection, a human who achieved a state of enlightenment, nirvana. Christians believe that Jesus was born sinless and lived a sinless life. That he was made perfect along the way with his actions. In Taoism, the goal of becoming a “perfected person” (zhenren) involves living in harmony with nature, practicing wuwei, and cultivating a state of simplicity and inaction. Islam is a bit more complicated. In Islam, if something is perfect, then it’s free of faults. Muslims believe that the Quran is free of faults and is perfect. They believe that Muslims should strive for perfection, but that no person is perfect.
In Judaism the idea of perfection is simply not present. Perhaps God might be considered perfect in our religion. Yet the religion is focused on people and it is not part of our religion to strive for perfection. Judaism goes to great lengths to point out that people are not perfect. The bible details the flaws of our forefathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Our Matriarchs were not perfect. Even the great Moses had many personality flaws. Adam and Eve, the very first people, had character issues.
Why such a stress on imperfection? In Judaism, imperfection is a part of life. It is seen as a feature of creation rather than a mistake. We all have our foibles and we are well aware of them. We know we are not perfect. Judaism teaches us that that is ok. The Torah teaches us that even with our imperfections we can still do great and amazing acts. That whatever issues and stumbling blocks life has thrown in our path, or problems that are inherent in ourselves, we have the ability to rise to the occasion, to do the right thing, to contribute to our family and our society.
Amen, Rabbi Lenny
Recently, Rabbi Lenny received a letter from the Director of Cultural and Community Connections for Go Laurel Highlands regarding placing a large outdoor Chanukah menorah in front of the Westmoreland County Courthouse during holidays beside a lit-up Christmas tree and he passed it along to me. Before I presented the proposition to the Board of Directors, I had several phone calls, emails and a Zoom meeting in an attempt to be certain that the display would be respectful and appropriate. The request actually came from the county commissioners who made it clear that this project was especially important to them as they want the Jewish Community to be represented during the holiday season. In addition to the person representing Go Laurel Highlands, I dealt with the aides of two county commissioners. We chose a beautiful menorah that will be 6.5 feet tall and with the ability to electronically light one bulb each night of Chanukah, which I felt was essential. It will be on display from Thanksgiving until after New Year’s Day. The county is absorbing the cost of purchasing and installing the menorah. This process was smooth and something I had never experienced before and it was gratifying to know that the Jewish Community will be well represented during the holiday season. The Board of Directors unanimously approved of the project!
The Holy Days are over for 5785 and I must say all of the services were warm, beautiful and meaningful! I am hopeful that 5785 will be another great year for CEI! The services were enhanced by the wonderful voices of Mitch Goldstein, Joel Last, Zach Taylor and Tulip Serbin. I thank them for doing a terrific job as our cantorial soloists. Rachel Gau added a special touch to Erev Yom Kippur by playing Kol Nidre on her violin. Her performance was marvelous. It was obvious that Rabbi Lenny spent many hours preparing for services and I want to send out a special ‘thank you’ to him! The new prayer books [Mishkan HaNefesh] included some meaningful readings and prayers. I would also like to thank EVERYONE who volunteered to participate in the services!
Another important ‘thank you’ goes to Chris DeMarco for being so conscientious about our security during these important days. All of the ushers took their responsibilities seriously and having the police presence was reassuring!
Thank you for being wonderful Congregants! It makes this ‘job’ so much easier to do.
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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CHATTER
Happy Birthday to: Marla Blum, Yvonne Bureau, Suzan Estner, Stan Katzman, Rhonda Lee, Virginia Lieberman, Alex Shpargel, Molly Kane, Bob Kane
Happy Anniversary to: Richard and Georgi Virshup.
SISTERHOOD NOTES: Terri Katzman, President
October was a very busy month. So many holidays – so much food to prepare – so much fun greeting people one has not seen in a long time.
Many thanks to all who helped make the holidays delicious, by either cooking, helping to set up or clean up, and a very special thanks to the Goldstein family for making the Break the Fast a profitable evening for Sisterhood projects.
Remember…
High Holiday books are still available and can be marked as a remembrance or thanks for someone special. Call the office and Bea will help you with the purchase.
The Westmoreland County Food Bank accepts food year-round (we have a container at the top of our stairs in which to put your donations), or monetary donations sent directly to the WCFB.
November looks to be a little calmer with only Thanksgiving needing preparations. So – let’s spice it up a little by visiting our beautiful museum (just across the street from CEI) on Sunday, November 10. The date has changed since information was first given because that is the date the Museum was able to secure a docent for our visit.
Our December event will be the Chanukah dinner that will take place on Dec. 29th. More info to come.
My wishes are for you to be healthy, stay healthy and enjoy life,
Terri Katzman, Sisterhood President
ALFRED RATNER LIBRARY NEWS: Shirley Shpargel, Librarian
The Postcard by Anne Berest is a auto-fiction, part autobiography and part fiction. The book is the author’s research into her Ashkenazi Jewish family as they escaped from Russia at the start of the twentieth century, then to Latvia, to Palestine and finally to France were Berest was born. In January 2003, Anne’s mother, Lelia Picabia, received an anonymous postcard with only a handwritten list of four names: Ephraim, Wmma, Noemie, Jacques. The first two names are Leila’s grandparents, the Rabinovitches; and the last two names are their children, Lelia’s aunt and uncle. All four were killed at Auschwitz. Seven years later, Anne asks her mother to tell her about their family history, which Leila had been researching. Leila’s grandfather, Ephraim, believed that the family would be safe through naturalization in France. Later when officers came to arrest the family, Myriam’s father made her hide in the garden. She then biked to Paris, where her fiance, Vincente and his sister Jeanine smuggled her out of the city to a safe zone. Myriam, Vincente and Jeanine played roles in the French Resistance. The Rabinovitches knew when to leave Russia in 1918, but not when to leave France in 1939.
Anne had a secular childhood with no Jewish education. One day Anne finds out that her daughter, Clara, had an anti-Semitic incident on the playground. Anne begins to investigate Myriam’s life during the war. Her thoughts turn to the postcard that her mother received years before. Anne decided to find the sender and asked Lelia for assistance. Fear of the rise of anti-Semitism in France hangs over Anne, as she wondered if the postcard was meant to be a threat. She took the postcard to handwriting experts and a detective, but they were unable to offer insight. Lelia had given her two daughters Anne and Claire, middle names of Myriam and Noemie. The names of their past relatives had an impact on their identities.
I will let you, the reader, discover if Anne was able to find out who wrote the postcard and who sent the postcard. I recommend The Postcard, which portrays twentieth century France’s intellectual and artistic life and a Jewish family devastated by the Holocaust. The Postcard is available in the Alfred Ratner Library.
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 Robert Slone (724-836-5468) or Gary Moidel (724-244-6421).
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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.
Memorial Boards. For more details, please contact the CEI office at 724-834-0560.
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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:
August 30: Natalie Kaufer by Bruce, Karen & Max Kaufer. Helen A. Slone by Robert & Marion Slone.
September 6: Liesel Rothschild by Irene C. Rothschild. Norma Brodell by Linda & Jeffrey Reisner. Lena Samuels by Marilyn & Jim Davis.
September 13: Brent Adler by Richard & Georgi Virshup. Jerold Shpargel by Shirley Shpargel.
September 20: Barbara Callihan by Marilyn & Jim Davis.
September 27: Samuel H. Roth by Shirley Ratner.
October 3 & 4: Richard Dunhoff by Dalia Dunhoff & Family. John Halden, Margot Halden, Zilpa Lurie, Boaz Lurie by Shoshana & Bob Halden, Barry J. Kane by Mary Ellen Kane & Families. Daniel & Etta Katzman by Stan & Terri Katzman. Walter Baker, Harry & Sadie Goldman by Cori & Michael Liptak. Rhoda A. & Daniel M. Reid, Suzie Mickey, Brad & Addie Powell by Robin & Paul Mickey. Herbert & Sylvia Moidel by Teri & Gary Moidel. Samuel H. & Ruth S. Roth by Shirley Ratner & Family. Norma & Larry Brodell, Joanne Brodell Alpern, Sarah & William Davis by Linda & Jeffrey Reisner. Rolf & Liesel Rothschild by Irene C. Rothschild. Ruth Metz Shpargel, Sol Shpargel, Minna Lader Feuerstein, Harry Feuerstein, Jerold Shpargel by Shirley Shpargel & Family. William & Freda Virshup, Brent Adler by Richard Virshup.
October 11 & 12: Richard Dunhoff by Dalia Dunhoff & Family. John Halden, Margot Halden, Zilpa Lurie, Boaz Lurie by Shoshana & Bob Halden, Barry J. Kane by Mary Ellen Kane & Families. Lillian & William Weiner by Stan & Terri Katzman. Herbert & Sylvia Moidel by Teri & Gary Moidel. Samuel H. & Ruth S. Roth by Shirley Ratner & Family. Norma & Larry Brodell, Joanne Brodell Alpern, Sarah & William Davis by Linda & Jeffrey Reisner. Rolf & Liesel Rothschild by Irene C. Rothschild. Ruth Metz Shpargel, Sol Shpargel, Minna Lader Feuerstein, Harry Feuerstein, Jerold Shpargel by Shirley Shpargel & Family. William & Freda Virshup, Brent Adler by Richard Virshup.
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CEI FUNDS
ALFRED RATNER LIBRARY FUND: Supports library facilities, books, & equipment.
ARCHIVE FUND: Helps to defray the cost of archiving the CEI material sent to the Rauh Jewish archives.
BOB & PHYLLIS DAVIS FAMILY FUND: Youth scholarships & enrichment.
CARING FUND: Supports congregants who are experiencing sickness, bereavement & other personal difficulties.
CEI ENDOWMENT FUND: Provides for the continuity of the congregation by subsidizing future operating expenses. A Bequest from the estate of Dr. Herbert Kramer. High Holy Day Appeal: Dr. & Mrs. Stanley Katzman, Mr. & Mrs. Michael Liptak, Dr. & Mrs. Stuart Glasser, Mr. & Mrs. Charles Levy, Mrs. Robin Mickey, Mr. Ben Resnick, Mr. & Mrs. Robert Slone, Mr. Jack Wilder, Ms. Mary Ellen Kane, Rabbi Adriane Caplowe & Mr. Joseph Felder, Mrs. Shirley Shpargel, Mr. & Mrs. Jeffrey Firestone, Mr. & Mrs. Richard Krathen and Mr. Adam Winter, Mr. & Mrs. Gerald Pavloff, Mr. & Mrs. Joshua Estner, Ms. Rebecca Torres, Mr. & Mrs. Brian Winters, Mrs. Joan Zimmerman, Mrs. Shirley Ratner, Mr. William Friedlander, Mr. & Mrs. Jon Geier, Ms. Irene C. Rothschild and Mr. & Mrs. Gary Moidel. In Memory of: Reuben Rothschild by Anne Bush and Gerry Seaman.
COMPUTER FUND: Provides a means to continually upgrade & maintain CEI’s computer system / software.
CONGREGATION GENERAL FUND: CEI operating expenses. High Holy Day Appeal: Mr. & Mrs. Jeffrey Feryus, Mr. & Mrs. Ronne Friedman, Mr. & Mrs. Daniel Glennie, Joel I. Last, M.D., Mr. & Mrs. John Lieberman, Ms. Rachel Minushkin, Mr. Donald Pripstein, Mr. & Mrs. Jeff Sicuro, Mr. & Mrs. Zach Taylor, Mr. Richard Virshup, Ms. Susan Wilder, Ms. Anne H. Bush, Mr. & Mrs. Michael LIptak, Mr. Gene Goldberg, Ms. Rhonda Lee, Mr. Jonathan Dohner, Ms. Ronda B. Goetz, Mr. Christopher DeMarco, Mr. & Mrs. Richard Lappen, Mr. Mark Binakonsky, Mr. & Mrs. Richard Wong, Ms. Lois Browdie, Dr. & Mrs. Barry L. Levin and Mrs. Anna Spor. In Honor of: The High Holidays by Mr. & Mrs. Phillip Kimball.
CONGREGATION YAHRZEIT FUND: In Memory of: Minnie G. Binakonsky by Mark Binakonsky. Mark Mendler by Mike Mendler. Jerold Shpargel & Katrina Erker Lader by Shirley Shpargel. Malka Kaufer by The Kaufer Family. Samuel H. Roth by Shirley Ratner & Family. Jane Morovitz by Mr. & Mrs. Jeffrey Feryus. Liesel Rothschild by Irene C. Rothschild. Brent Adler by Richard Virshup. Ruth “Bunny” Bernstein & Joseph Bernstein by Lee Bernstein.
IVAN B. YOUNG EDUCATIONAL ADVANCEMENT FUND: Supports the advancement of Jewish education.
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. In Honor of: The 60th Anniversary of Shoshana & Bob Halden by Terri & Stan Katzman.
PULPIT FLOWERS: Provided by donations to the pulpit flower fund.
RABBI’S DISCRETIONARY FUND: Helps individuals and/or org. in need.
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: The Haldens on their 60th wedding anniversary by Irene Rothschild. A smooth & easy recovery to Melissa Boerio by Irene Rothschild. A speedy recovery to Henry Guggenheimer by Irene Rothschild. In Memory of: Eric Karelitz by Wally Caplan, Marla Blum, Shirley Shpargel, Virginia & John Lieberman, Irene Rothschild and Jack Wilder. Norine Bononi by Virginia & John Lieberman.
SOCIAL ACTION FUND: Supports projects that benefit our community.
TEMPLE EMANU-EL CEMETERY FUND: For beautification and upkeep of the Temple Emanu-El Cemetery. A donation was made by Elliot Drexler.
TORAH REPAIR FUND: To provide funds to repair the Torah scrolls.
TREE OF LIFE: A personalized leaf commemorating a happy lifecycle event to be added to the Tree of Life in lobby.
HIGH HOLY DAY APPEAL
Appeal letters are out and we hope you will consider sending in a donation to C.E.I. to help us continue to be a source for worship and learning in Westmoreland County. If you did not receive an appeal letter, but would like to contribute, please send your donation with a note that it is for the H.H. Appeal. Donation may be sent to C.E.I., 222 North Main Street, Greensburg, PA 15601. Thank you all so much for your generosity.
Please Note: All times & events subject to change.
Sunday, December 22: Men’s Club Mitzvah Day – put up large menorah.
Tuesday, December 24: CEI Office Closed.
Wednesday, December 25: Chanukah 1st Light. CEI Closed.
Thursday, December 26: Chanukah 2nd Light.
Friday, December 27: Chanukah 3rd Light. Chanukah Service @ 7:30 PM.
Saturday, December 28: Chanukah 4th Light.
Sunday, December 29: Chanukah 5th Light. Chanukah Family Dinner.
Monday, December 30: Chanukah 6th Light.
Tuesday, December 31: Chanukah 7th Light.
Wednesday, January 1: Chanukah 8th Light. CEI Closed.
Kristallnacht Commemoration on November 11 at 7:00 PM in Cecilian Hall at Seton Hill University. Lauren Bairnsfather presents Kristallnacht Through the Lens of the Jewish Diaspora.
OFFICE HOURS
The CEI Office is open Monday, Tuesday & Friday from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Wednesday & Thursday 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: Irene C. Rothschild. Vice President: Jamie Kaufer. Treasurer: Julie Goldstein. Recording Secretary: Virginia Lieberman. Sisterhood President: Terri Katzman. 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:
November 1: *Wolfe Daniels, Jay Davis, *Lewis Davis, Henry Fuerstein,m *Rhoda A. Friedlander, *Abraham Glasser, *Yetta Introligator-Frank, *Eleazer Katz, *Max Kay, Frank Kogut, Louis Lader, *Harry C. Lauchman, Mike Leifer, *Isadore Levin, Norman Papernick, Harry Pripstein, *Minnie Quint, *Fannie Redlich, Martha Reisner, Rose Shpargel, Reuben Slone, *Jessie Werblin, *Ada M. Wolfe and *Joseph Zakowitz.
November 8: Hildegarde Briner, Alexander Brodell, Harold Byer, *Meyer Cohen, *Edward D. Drexler, Donna Ekstein, Miriam Glantz, Ida Glenn, Eckie Kaufer, *Eli J. Levin, *Martha Levy, *S. Jacob Levy Robert Lisker, *Morris Millstein, *Leon Morris, Olive Pearlstein, *Jacob Shapiro, *Ethel Shendowich and *Lara L. Wong.
November 15: *Lillian Callet, *Olga Engel, *Joseph Engelhart, *Nathan Friedland, *Helene Geier, *Abraham Glasser, *Pessel Gold, *Louis M. Kahanowitz, *Dora Liebman, *Louis M. Mace, *Abraham Marcus, Nathan Metz, Judith Pripstein, *Charles Pross, Goldie Wilson Stein, Harvey Weiner, *Dora Whiteman, *Lizzie Wolinsky and *Harry T. Ziskind.
November 22 (includes Nov. 29): Samuel Benowitz, *Sarah Berezofsky, Abe Berman, *Charlotte Bloom, *Dorothy M. Brill, *Abraham Brill, *Lena Buchman, Martin Fairman, *Jennie Felder, Milly Freedman, *Hyman Friedman, *Sara Anna Gillis, *Rose Glasser, *Harry Baron Gold, *Sadie R. Gold, *Stevan M. Gold, D.M.D., *Charles L. Goldberg, *Jack H. Goldberg, *Sarah Grossman, *Libby Kahanowitz, Benjamin Martin Kates, *Rose E. Kaufmann, *William Kogut, *Yudel (Julius) Levin, *Samuel Levine, *Mark Mace, Rose Mallinger, *Rachel Marcus, *Samuel Margaretten, *Sarah Mervis, *Pinkus Middleman, *Ida Libby Miller, Milton Poster, *Ella Rabinowitz, *Ruth S. Roth, *Eleanor Shendow, *Libby Shendowich, *Feiga Rochel Shoag, *Joseph Stein, Judith Strauss, *Max Werblin, *Ida C. Wise and Bessie Wolf.
November 6: *Phillip Abramson, Billy Jean Ayers, *Morris Caplan, *Albert E. Gold, Arthur S. Gold, Hanni Lederer Hamburger, Hugo Hamburger, *Max Kay, *Louis H. Levine, *Betty Rae Lewis, *Fanny Kogut Millstein, *Sarah Pavloff, Helen Pripstein, *Celia Levin Ratner, Lillian Weiner and *Mary Young.
* A light will be lit on a Memorial Board
