October 2025 CEI Bulletin
Congregation Emanu-El Israel
222 North Main Street, Greensburg, PA. 15601
Tishrei 5786
October 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
October is a time for Yom Kippur. A time when our souls and lives hang in the balance. Jewish prayer has power to inspire life-changing, soul-healing leaps of faith. If ever we needed leaps of faith, it’s now. All of us alive today feel how imbalanced our world is now – ecologically, economically, politically and spiritually.
Often the Yom Kippur message is something about death – memory, ancestry, near-death experiences, ultimate meaning. But after a year infused with death, near-death and collective fear of death, perhaps we should talk instead about life – about how to repair, rebalance and forgive. Recently a rabbi friend shared that they felt stuck on forgiveness. They didn’t know how to forgive the unrepentant – conspiracists, hate mongers, sowers of corruption. They felt torn. After all, forgiveness without repentance and repair is a misnomer: real teshuvah asks best effort to take responsibility and make repair – far more than apologizing. Yet the soul’s drive to forgive is powerful because teshuvah is about our yearning to “return” to our best selves, each other and God. So, what do we do about our hurt from the unrepentant and toxic? How do we rebalance without their validation and repair?
In the world we have today, how can we possibly reach a life that is balanced, Tiferet.
Anger that powers change can be productive and healthy. In can draw boundaries, stop wrongful conduct and propel us forward. On the other hand, releasing anger can be tantamount to accepting the unacceptable, or forgiving before we are ready, or before real teshuvah happens.
I once had a long talk with a holocaust survivor. He was an elderly gentleman, who late in his life became an artist. His art reflected joy. There was no evidence of anger. I asked him how he did it -how he lived so creatively and joyfully after more memory and pain than I ever could imagine. He said: To live as a victim is to live dead. So yes, inside me is a crazed double bass playing a haunting tune. I decided to play a fiddle above it so there should be some harmony to my life. I live with memory by adding to memory, by living into one ‘and’ after another. Auschwitz and art, and love, and passion, and service. That way, there is life. It was his way of restoring balance. He added: we become our own teshuvah, even without an apology. We become our own repair. And by adding, we become our own teshuvah, even without an apology.
He found balance not from someone else’s teshuvah, but from his own. He found balance not by subtracting memory, but by adding to it. And he found balance without any help from the guilty. In our world today, perhaps we need to sometimes look inward, to repair ourselves, to take the craziness of our hectic world and find a way to bring happiness and peace to ourselves.
Amen, Rabbi Lenny
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SISTERHOOD NOTES by Shoshana Halden, President
On Sunday September 14 we celebrated the opening day for Sisterhood’s coming year. There was a great turnout for the event.
We voted on some issues affecting the future.
1. Sisterhood dues were increased to $36.00.
2. The Chanukah celebration, scheduled for December 19, was returned to sandwiches, salads, and desserts. We could use some volunteers to help out. Please let Shoshana know if you can help.
3. We decided to cash in a bond that we had invested intending to make a onetime gift off $10,000 to the CEI treasury to help out with the cost of utilities. This is in addition to the ongoing donation of $600 per month that is now in effect.
On October 5th we will get together to make decorations to be used in the Sukkah that the Men’s Club will erect.
Bob (my personal secretary) and I wish all a “Shana Tova” and may you be inscribed in the Book of Life.
Leshana tova tikatevoo
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ALFRED RATNER LIBRARY NEWS by Shirley Shpargel, Librarian
The Sisterhood of Ravensbruck: How an Intrepid Band of Frenchwomen Resisted the Nazis in Hitler’s All-Female Concentration Camp by Lynne Olson is centered around the camp’s four main leaders: Germaine Tillion, Anise Postel-Vinay, Genevieve de Gaulle, and Jacqueline Pery d’Alincourt. Olsen gives detailed accounts of how these French women participated in the resistance against the Nazi before, during and after their interment at Ravensbruck. Ravensbruck, located 50 miles north of Berlin, was the only all-female concentration camp and 80 percent of the inmates were French, Polish, German and Czech political prisoners. The women ignored their differences to help each other survive the forced labor, medical torture, and brutal conditions they were subject to. This widespread camaraderie wasn’t common in co-ed or all-male concentration camps and Olsen attributes that women are brought up to take care of each other.
Ravensbruck was liberated later than many of the other camps, only six days before the war ended in Europe. Because it was liberated by the Soviets, the camp did not receive the attention by American journalists and was described as the “forgotten camp.” After the war, France wanted to focus only on the future, but the women from Ravensbruck refused to allow their achievements, needs and sacrifices to be forgotten. They stayed active in the fight for justice, helping create the National Association of Former Female Deportees and Internees of the Resistance which provided the camp victims with medical care, shelter and employment. Germaine Tillion kept detailed notes of the horror she witnessed at Ravensbruck and was instrumental in the prosecution of several of the camp’s officials and the execution of the Commandant Fritz Suhren and the SS Supervisor Hans Pflaum.
The four main women passed away before Olson began the book, but she was able to use their memoirs and Maia Weschler’s documentary about Ravensbruck to tell their stories. Ravensbruck shows the power of individuals when they come together to overcome evil in the worst of situations. The Sisterhood of Ravensbruck can be found at area WLN libraries.
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CHATTER
Happy Birthday to: Jeff Abramowitz, Nicolette Cloutier, Liz Eisenstatt, Ronda Goetz, Marcus & Lydia Greenberg, Amy Karelitz, Jamie Kaufer, Nancy Krokosky, Arnie Papernick, Ben Resnick, Mackenzie Robinson, Rabbi Lenny Sarko, Brian Slone, and Sharon Winters.
Happy Anniversary to: Mitch & Julie Goldstein, Shoshana & Bob Halden, Paul & Robin Mickey, Brendan & Amanda Winters.
We mourn the death of former member Faye Redlich and offer condolences to her husband Leonard and children Stephen, Beth and David Redlich and families.
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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:
Aug. 29: Natalie Kaufer by Bruce & Karen Kaufer and Max Kaufer. Liesel Rothschild by Irene C. Rothschild. Susan Schrag by Loren Vivio, Helen Slone by Robert & Marion Slone.
Sept. 5: Norma Brodell by Linda & Jeffrey Reisner. Tina Peter by Gary & Teri Moidel. Lena Samuels by Marilyn & Jim Davis.
Sept. 12: Brent Adler by Richard & Georgi Virshup. Jerold Shpargel by Shirley Shpargel.
Sept. 19: Barbara Callihan by Marilyn & Jim Davis.
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CEI FUNDS
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. High Holy Day Appeal: Irene C. Rothschild.
TEMPLE EMANU-EL CEMETERY FUND: For beautification and upkeep of the Temple Emanu-El Cemetery. In Loving Memory of: David Richard Gold, Henry Gold, Sadie Gold, and Dr. Philip H. Gold by Andrew & Amanda Gold.
CONGREGATION GENERAL FUND: CEI operating expenses. High Holy Day Appeal: Mark Binakonsky, Bruce & Karen Kaufer, Ben Resnick. In Memory of: Alan Karelitz by Nick Forman and Family. Faye Redlich by Marilyn & Jim Davis.
CONGREGATION YAHRZEIT FUND: In Memory of: Louis W. Cohen and Susan Alana Cohen by Jeanne & Jeff Sicuro. Herbert Moidel and Tina Peter by Teri & Gary Moidel. Freda Wilder by Jack Wilder. Marcy Lynn Farber and Jane Morovitz by Mr. & Mrs. Jeffrey Feryus. Jean Wolf by Dr. Jeffrey & Marsha Wolf. Susan Schrag by John & Loren Vivio. Jerold Shpargel by Shirley Shpargel. Natalie Kaufer, Murray Fischer and Malka Kaufer by The Kaufer Family. Herbert Cohen by Stanley Cohen. Ruben Rothschild and Liesel Rothschild by Irene Rothschild. Brent Adler by Richard & Georgi Virshup. Minnie G. Binakonsky by Mark Binakonsky. Sidney A. Kaufmann by Margie & Alan Leisawitz. Mark Mendler by Michael & Stacy Mendler. Celia Glantz Feryus by Jeffrey & Cathy Feryus. Marcus Last by Joel I. Last, M.D.
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 Gary & Teri Moidel. A donation to purchase kippot by Ben Resnick.
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 speedy recovery of Peggy Farrah by Irene Rothschild. Chris DeMarco on his graduation and new job by Irene Rothschild. In Memory of: Mike Goodwin by Wally Caplan. Elinor Gold by Wally Caplan. Faye Redlich by Wally Caplan, Virginia & John Lieberman.
TREE OF LIFE: A personalized leaf commemorating a happy lifecycle event to be added to the Tree of Life. In Honor of: Our Granddaughter Ava on her Bat Mitzvah Love, Esther & Stuart Glasser.
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SAVE THE DATE
Please Note: All times & events subject to change.
Tuesday, November 4: Election Day.
Friday, November 7: Shabbat Service honoring Veterans. 7:30 PM.
Thursday, November 27: CEI Closed – Thanksgiving.
Friday, November 28: CEI Closed. No Shabbat Service.
Sunday, December 7: Men’s Club Mitzvah Day, put out large menorah. 10:00 AM.
Sunday, December 14: First night of Hanukahh.
Friday, December 19: Early Hanukahh Service followed by dinner. 5:30 PM.
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SISTERHOOD LUNCH AND MUSEUM TOUR
The Art of Elizabeth Catlett
Sunday, November 9, 2025
Pizza Lunch at the temple at 11:30 AM
Docent led tour at the museum at 1:00 PM
RSVP to Irene on or before November 5, 2025 at Icrothschild2@gmail.com or 412-817-4143
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KRISTALLNACHT SERVICE
Seton Hill University’s National Catholic Center for Holocaust Education will commemorate Kristallnacht, The Night of the Broken Glass on Monday, November 10 at St. Joseph’s Chapel beginning at 7:00 PM.
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HIGH HOLIDAY PRAYER BOOKS
As you may know, Sisterhood purchased High Holiday Prayer Books for use in the Sanctuary for High Holy Day Services. The books are as a set consisting of “Mishkan Hanefesh” for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. The cost of a set is $55.00. A few Large print versions are also available for $100.00 a set. Please contact the office to purchase a set with or without a dedication.
Thank you, Shoshana
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HIGH HOLY DAY SCHEDULE
Yom Kippur Eve Service: Wednesday, October 1 – 7:30 PM.
Yom Kippur Morning Service: Thursday, October 2 – 10:00 AM.
Yom Kippur Afternoon Service: 3:30 PM.
Yom Kippur Yizkor Service: 4:30 PM.
Yom Kippur 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 Service: Friday, October 10 – 7:30 PM.
Simchat Torah Service: 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, mark all checks in the memo line “CEI Project”.
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HIGH HOLY DAYS GUIDELINES
Attendance at High Holy Day Services
Current Members:
Your Fair Share contribution covers the cost of attending High Holy Day services. To be a member in good standing, your Fair Share contribution should be current.
Because of being able to attend services virtually, we will not send out High Holy Day tickets. For those who attend in-person, make sure that you bring your FOB to enter the building. If you do not have a FOB or choose not to use it, please contact the office ASAP to be put on the Guest List.
Former Members:
We welcome you to return to CEI for High Holy Day Services. Please call Julie Goldstein, Treasurer at 724-261-0896 to discuss restoring your membership status.
Adult children and other relatives of current members who do not live in Western Pennsylvania:
You are invited to be the guests of CEI and join with us for the High Holy Days. It is appropriate to consider a donation to CEI for each attendee to help defray CEI operating costs. To ensure the safety of all attending, you must be on the Guest List to enter the building. Please call the office at 724-834-0560 or an email (office@ceigreensburg.org) ASAP to be put on the Guest List.
Members of other Reform Congregations:
Members of other URJ congregations are invited to be with us for the High Holy Day services as guests of the Congregation under URJ reciprocity arrangements. Please contact your home congregation and have them submit your reciprocity agreement form to office@ceigreensburg.org and contact the CEI office and let us know of your intention to join us in worship. We will place your name on the Guest List when we receive your letter of reciprocity.
Non-Members, including adult children of current members:
We invite you to pray with us on the High Holy Days; and consider becoming part of the CEI family by joining. It is possible to obtain entrance by speaking with our membership chairperson, Anna Spor (412-944-9967) and being put on the Guest List. We hope you will become a full member of CEI and/or make a donation to help defray operating costs.
Please remember to bring your fob to all high holy day services for admittance. Entrance to the building will be through the front door only.
Starting Times and Decorum
All services will start promptly at the designated time. Members and guests are encouraged to arrive early and to take seats before the start of the services. For security purposes, entrance to the building will only be available through the front door. New Members, Students and non-member attendees must have their name on the Guest List to be admitted by an usher.
If you arrive after a service has started, we request that you enter as unobtrusively as possible through the door at the rear of the sanctuary. Wait quietly at the back of the sanctuary and enter quickly at an appropriate pause in the service. DO NOT ENTER when the leader is in the midst of a prayer or reading, when the Congregation is in responsive prayer or standing in silent devotion or when the ark is open. Talking and conversations in the sanctuary are discouraged and must always be minimized during services. Please turn off all cell phones, beepers, watch alarms or any item that distracts those around you from the service. There should be no texting or electronic games during services.
The Congregation encourages the attendance and participation of children at all services; however, it is the parents’ responsibility to control the actions and behavior of children to maintain the decorum and solemnity of the services. If this is not possible, the child should be escorted out of the sanctuary as quickly and quietly as possible.
Members and guests are encouraged to remain in the sanctuary until the end of the service. If it is necessary to leave before the end, it should be done at an appropriate break in the service and with the same considerations as a late entry. Re-enter at the back of the sanctuary.
Parking
The available parking locations for each of the services are listed below. Please cooperate with our neighbors by respecting their wishes on availability of their parking spaces. Do not park in Cathedral, Museum or Greensburg Salem Middle School parking areas at any times other than those listed below:
Blessed Sacrament Cathedral Parking Lot Available on these dates and times only.
Wednesday, October 1: 7:00 PM – 10 PM Limited
Thursday, October 2: Morning No Parking
Friday, October 10: 7:00 PM – 10 PM
Friday, October 17: 7:00 PM – 10 PM
Greensburg Salem Middle School Available on these dates and times only.
Wednesday, October 1: 7:00 PM – 10 PM
Thursday, October 2: Morning No Parking, 6:00 PM – 10 PM
Friday, October 10: 7:00 PM -10 PM Limited
Friday, October 17: 7:00 PM – 10 PM Limited
The Westmoreland Museum of American Art Available on these dates and times only.
Wednesday, October 1: 7:00 PM – 10 PM
Thursday, October 2: 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM Limited, 6:00 PM – 10 PM
Friday, October 10: Evening No Parking
Friday, October 17: 7:00 PM – 10 PM Limited
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EVERYONE DESERVES A FULL PLATE
Each year during the high holidays the Social Action Committee requests your help in feeding those less fortunate. A table will, again, be available in the foyer waiting for you to bring canned goods and non-perishable items that can be given to the Westmoreland county food bank. (Please make sure that any food items donated have not passed their “use by” date.)
In addition to food, money donations are very much appreciated. A donation box will be on the table for a collection of checks (payable to WCFB) and cash. Should you prefer to send a check directly to the food bank, please acknowledge that it is being sent as part of the Congregation Emanu-El project.
It is our hope that interest in this project will grow and have a significant impact on our county.
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HOSPITAL VISITS
The Rabbi will gladly make visits to local area hospitals to visit sick Congregants. Since hospitals no longer release patient information, your help is needed for these visits to take place. Please notify CEI with patient name and hospital.
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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:
October 3: *Harvey Arnold Bayer, Alexander Bluestone, *Berl Brill, *Esther Charapp, *Samuel Felder, *Zev Wolf Felder, Celia Glantz Feryus, *Zalman Flamm, *Ernest Friedlander, Ruth Glantz, Yetta Rachel Glenn, *Rose J. Harris, *Hannah Kuhl, *Philip Levinson, *Jack H. Millstein, Sr., Anna Minushkin, Barney Moldovan, *Eli J. Rose, *Samuel H. Roth, *David Schneider, *Ida Shofnosky, *Samuel J. Wise and George Ziff.
October 10: Jacob Ainbender, Neal J. Buckstein, Ronald Byster, *Lucy A. Caplan, *Bernard Cohen, *Zundel Donshefsky, *Dora Ekstein, Judy Goldstein, *Sidney A. Kaufmann, *Wolf Asher Mace, Lynn Manuel, *Sadie Moldovan, *Eva Shapiro, *David Sine, *Sally Stein and John Trotter.
October 17: Hilda Baer, *Israel L. Berezofsky, *Dr. Benjamin D. Berkowitz, *Simon Cohen, *Anna Daniels, *Rachel L. Davis, *Geraldine S. Drexler, *Benjamin Feinberg, *Simon Friedlander, *Leah W. Gold, Walter Jacobowitz, Malka Kaufer, *Alexander F. Kaufman, Catherine E. Keating, Nick Lalli, *Morris Hirsh Levine, Jack Moldovan, Benjamin Papernick, Harry Pripstein, *Pearl Schindowich, *Morris Schwartz, *Isaac Shofnosky, *Albert Solomon, *Essak Weiner, *Abe Wolinsky and Harry Ziff.
October 24: Phyllis Ackerman, Anna Adler, *Goodman Altman, *Alexander H. Cohen, *Jessie E. Cohen, *Max N. Cohen, *A. H. Felder, *Arnold Gold, *Rabbi Henry Goody, *Michelle Wendy Haupt, *Minnie Kahanowitz, Mike Leifer, David Perman, *Lillian Pretter, *Samuel W. Rose, *Morris Sandson, *Sophie Sandson, *Meyer VeShancey and Nancy VeShancey.
October 31: Hildegarde Briner, Harold Byer, *Wolfe Daniels, *Lewis Davis, Henry Feuerstein, *Abraham Glasser, Ida Glenn, Donald Gold, Eckie Kaufer, Frank Kogut, Louis Lader, *Harry C. Lauchman, *Isadore Levin, *Ada Oppenheimer, Norman Papernick, *Minnie Quint, *Fannie Redlich, Martha Reisner, Rose Shpargel, Reuben Slone, *Jessie Werblin, *Ada M. Wolfe and *Joseph Zakowitz.
November 7: Alexander Brodell, *Lillian Callet, *Meyer Cohen, *Edward D. Drexler, *Rhoda A. Friedlander, Miriam Glantz, *Abraham Glasser, *Yetta Frank, *Eleazer Katz, *Max Kay, *Eli J. Levin, *S. Jacob Levy, Robert Lisker, *Morris Millstein, Olive Pearlstein, Abraham Pittler, Judith Pripstein, Selma Reiss, *Jacob Shapiro, *Ethel Shendowich, Harvey Weiner and *Lara L. Wong.
