October 2026 CEI Bulletin
Congregation Emanu-El Israel
222 North Main Street, Greensburg, PA. 15601
Tishrei – Cheshvan 5787
October 2026
724-834-0560
The Mission of Congregation Emanu-El Israel is: To support Judaism and the welfare of our community.
—————————————————–
FROM THE DESK OF: Rabbi Lenny
The phrase “people of the book” is often used to lump together many of the so-called Abrahamic religions. Jews, Muslims, Baptists, Methodists, and others have embraced this way of aligning with the laws that define our various traditions. But if there was one term to distinguish Jewish tradition, you could make a strong argument for “witness.” We are a people of witnesses, and it is demanded of us that we see and engage in the world through a Jewish lens. That is the beauty of Jewish living.
The final letters of the first and last words of the Shema are ayin and daled. These letters stand out as they are three times as large as any of the adjacent letters Ayin is the last letter in the word shema, and daled is the last letter in the word echad. Combined, they spell the Hebrew word eid, witness. Judaism teaches us that living our lives as Jews means that we are witness to the power of experience and the power of community. We cover our eyes when saying the prayer in order to better concentrate on these words. We open our eyes in order to experience the wonder that is Jewish living and learning.
One of my favorite experiences as a rabbi is the religious questions that I get from kids. When is God’s birthday? Were there dinosaurs on Noah’s ark? An inquisitive first grader once asked me, “Why is the Shema written in the prayer book if we always cover our eyes when we say it?” What an astute observation. Clearly, there would be no need for our main tenet of faith to be written in the siddur if we all internalized these essential words the way we teach our children to do.
Judaism is a religion of life. We have no theology explaining an afterlife. We have no focus on what happens after we pass away. To be Jewish is to define a way of life. Judaism must be lived, it cannot simply be learned. The Bible says, “But take utmost care and watch yourselves scrupulously, so that you do not forget the things that you saw with your own eyes and so that they do not fade from your mind as long as you live. And make them known to your children and to your children’s children.” The Torah is insistent that Judaism hinges upon experience, and it provides pathways for those who were not able to witness the Exodus firsthand. None of us today were there at Sinai, but we certainly have the ability to live, breath, and experience Judaism on a daily basis.
Amen, Rabbi Lenny
—————————————————–
SISTERHOOD NOTES by Shoshana Halden, President
Le Shana Tova ve Chatima Tova to all:
Yes, Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are over. So much more is coming; more holidays, meetings and parties. The last fiscal year has been successful for Sisterhood and I hope the next will be even better. At this point I would like to add a small item of large interest written with the help of Robin Mickey, our Vice President.
B’Shalom, Shoshana
Camaraderie is what Sisterhood means to CEI. This year’s opening dinner was full of friends, conversations, fun and food and an unwanted guest, Covid. We must be careful at our gatherings as many of us are caregivers and live with compromised others. If you feel a bit under the weather, please stay home. You will be missed but another fun event is on the horizon.
Vice President, Robin Mickey
—————————————————–
ALFRED RATNER LIBRARY NEWS by Shirley Shpargel, Librarian
Books purchased with CEI Sisterhood Funding:
The Anatomy of Exile by Zeeva Bukai (Fiction).
Crash of the Heavens-Remarkable Story of Hannah Senesh and the Only Mission to Rescue Europe’s Jews During W W II by Douglas Century (Biography).
Dog by Yishay Ishi Ron (Fiction).
The Prosecutor: One Man’s Battle to Bring Nazis to Justice by Jack Fairweather (Nonfiction).
Seven Days of Shiva by Marc Gellman (Biography).
Happy Rosh Hashana 5787. Celebrate the New Year-stop in the library and check out a new or older book.
The book, The Prison Minyan by Jonathan Stone takes place at Otisville Prison in upstate New York. This is the only “Jewish” correctional prison in the US for religious men convicted of white-collar crimes. It serves Kosher food and has services in a prison synagogue. Author, Jonathan Stone, came up with the idea for a novel after reading an article in the NY Times where Michael Cohen, Trump’s attorney and fixer, was serving out his sentence at Otisville Prison. The fictional characters in the Minyan are led by a Rabbi who was incarcerated for embezzlement from his congregation, and other members committed bribery, insurance fraud, tax evasion, polygamy and bogus medical testing centers. At the Minyan the men discuss ethics and Talmud while guarded by “Big Willie.” The men also take a poetry class led by Deborah Liston, a female professor who analyzes hidden meanings in the prisoners’ poems.
A new prisoner comes to Otisville, “the Pisk” and suddenly the kosher menu disappears and so does the favorite chef, Dmitry. A New antisemitic warden arrives who reduces the size of the Minyan and privileges disappear. The prisoners work out ways to outmaneuver what they see as injustices brought upon them. The Prison Minyan has humorous characters but also as a satire examines worrisome issues of antisemitism and supremacy in our country.
—————————————————–
CHATTER
Happy Birthday to: Malcolm Cohen, Nicolette Cloutier, Liz Eisenstatt, Ronda Goetz, Amy Karelitz, Jamie Kaufer, Nancy Krokosky, Ben Resnick, Mackenzie Robinson, Rabbi Lenny Sarko, Brian Slone, and Sharon Winters.
Happy Anniversary to: Mitch & Julie Goldstein, Marcus & Lydia Greenberg, Bob & Shoshana Halden, Paul & Robin Mickey, and Brendan & Amanda Winters.
—————————————————–
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.
—————————————————–
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.
—————————————————–
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).
—————————————————–
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 on 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.
—————————————————–
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.
—————————————————–
WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR THESE GIFTS
PULPIT FLOWERS: In Memory of:
August 28: Helen A. Slone by Robert & Marion Slone.
September 4: Norma Brodell by Linda & Jeffrey Reisner.
September 11: Lena Samuels by Marilyn & Jim Davis. Brent Adler by Richard & Georgi Virshup.
Rosh Hashanah: John Halden, Margot Halden, Zilpa Lurie, Reuven Lurie, Boaz Lurie by Shoshana & Bob Halden. Barry J. Kane by Mary Ellen Kane & Family. Walter Baker, Harry Goldman, Sadie Goldman by Cori & Michael Liptak. Rhoda A. Reid, Daniel M. Reid, Suzie Mickey, Bradford Powell, Addie Powell by Robin & Paul Mickey. Herbert Moidel, Sylvia Moidel by Teri & Gary Moidel. Samuel H. Roth, Ruth Seltman Roth by Shirley Ratner & Family. Norma Brodell, Larry Brodell, Joanne Brodell Alpern, Sarah Davis, William Davis by Linda & Jeffrey Reisner. Rolf Rothschild, Liesel Rothschild by Irene C. Rothschild. Ruth Metz Shpargel, Sol Shpargel, Minna Lader Feuerstein, Harry Feuerstein, Jerold Shpargel by Shirley Shpargel & Family. William Virshup, Freda Virshup, Brent Adler by Richard Virshup.
—————————————————–
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, Robert & Marion Slone, Cori & Michael Liptak, Virginia & John Lieberman, Joel I. Last.
CONGREGATION GENERAL FUND: CEI operating expenses. High Holy Day Donation: Jeffrey Feryus. High Holy Day Appeal: Mark Binakonsky, Richard Virshup, Cori & Michael Liptak, Jeffrey & Cathy Feryus, Jonathan & Margaret Kates, Bruce & Karen Kaufer, Janice & Gary Bilchik.
CONGREGATION YAHRZEIT FUND: In Memory of: Annual Family Yahrzeits by Duffy & Summer Friedlander. Freda Wilder by Jack Wilder. Natalie Kaufer & Malka Kaufer by Bruce & Karen Kaufer. David R. Gold by Andrew & Amanda Gold. Tina Peter by Teri & Gary Moidel. Herbert Cohen & Herbert Cohen by Stanley Cohen. Marcus Last by Joel I. Last.
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. In Honor of: Sister Gemma DelDuca by Solange Lebovitz.
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 Memory of: Leonard Redlich by Irene Rothschild, Virginia & John Lieberman and Wally Caplan. Dolly Lippman by Irene Rothschild.
TEMPLE EMANU-EL CEMETERY FUND: For beautification and upkeep of the Temple Emanu-El Cemetery.
TREE OF LIFE: A leaf commemorating a happy lifecycle event to be added to the Tree of Life.
—————————————————–
SAVE THE DATE
Please Note: All times & events subject to change.
Sunday, November 8: Sisterhood visit to WMA for Ansel Adams: Majestic Lands exhibit.
Monday, November 9: Kristallnacht @ 7:00 PM in the Seton Hill University Chapel.
Thursday, November 26: Thanksgiving Day. CEI Closed.
Friday, November 27: No Shabbat Service. CEI Closed.
Sunday, November 29: Latke Making with Shoshana & Robin. All invited. 10:00 AM
Friday, December 4: Shabbat Service. Hannukah Day 1.
Sunday, December 6: Hannukah Party @ 2:00 PM.
—————————————————–
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
Rummage Sale – Sunday, October 11 and Monday, October 12, 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Set-up Sunday, October 4 beginning at 10:00 AM. Rummage items may be dropped off during regular business hours or by special arrangement with Shoshana Halden.
Special Birthday Oneg for Rabbi Lenny following 7:30 PM Shabbat Services on Friday, October 23.
Kristallnacht Remembrance will be on Monday, November 9 at 7:00 PM in the Seton Hill University St. Joseph’s Chapel.
Thanksgiving Day – CEI will be closed on Thursday, November 26.
No Shabbat Service on Friday, November 27 – CEI office will be Closed.
—————————————————–
SISTERHOOD DOCENT LEAD MUSEUM TOUR
Sunday, November 8, 2026
Pizza and Salad at CEI at Noon
Courtesy of Sisterhood
Tour at 1:30 PM – Ansel Adams Majestic Lands
$5.00 fee for non-museum members
RSVP to Irene Rothschild on or before November 4, 2026
Home: 724-804-5159, Cell: 412-817-4143, Email: icrothschild2@gmail.com
—————————————————–
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 Rabbi or the CEI office with patient name and hospital.
—————————————————–
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.
—————————————————–
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.
—————————————————–
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 2: *Esther Charapp, Allen Marc Cohen, *Bernard Cohen, *Samuel Felder, *Zev Wolf Felder, *Zalman Flamm, *Ernest Friedlander, Ruth Glantz, *Rose J. Harris, Catherine E. Keating, *Hannah Kuhl, *Philip Levinson, *Jack H. Millstein, Sr., *Minnie Reisberg, *Samuel H. Roth, *David Schneider, *Ida Shofnosky, Louis Slutzker and *Ida Zeeman.
October 9: Jacob Ainbender, *Berl Brill, *Lucy A. Caplan, *Zundel Donshefsky, *Dora Ekstein, Edward Gold, Malka Kaufer, *Sidney A. Kaufmann, Mike Leifer, *Wolf Asher Mace, *Sadie Moldovan, David Perman, Harry Pripstein, *Eli J. Rose, *David Sine, John Trotter and *Samuel J. Wise.
October 16: *Israel L. Berezofsky, *Dr. Benjamin D. Berkowitz, Anne Bernstein, Ronald Byster, *Simon Cohen, *Anna Daniels, *Rachel L. Davis, *Geraldine S. Drexler, Ida Glenn, *Leah W. Gold, Judy Goldstein, Eckie Kaufer, *Alexander F. Kaufman, Nick Lalli, Jack Moldovan, Benjamin Papernick, *Pearl Schindowich, *Morris Schwartz, *Eva Shapiro, *Isaac Shofnosky, *Albert Solomon, *Sally Stein, *Essak Weiner and *Abe Wolinsky.
October 23: Phyllis Ackerman, *Goodman Altman, Harold Byer, *Lillian Callet, *Alexander H. Cohen, *Jessie E. Cohen, *Benjamin Feinberg, *A. H. Felder, *Simon Friedlander, *Arnold Gold, *Rabbi Henry Goody, *Michelle Wendy Haupt, *Morris Hirsh Levine, Dr. Robert T. Lindner, *Lillian Pretter, *Samuel W. Rose, *Morris Sandson, *Meyer VeShancey, Nancy VeShancey and Harvey Weiner.
October 30: *Max N. Cohen, *Wolfe Daniels, *Lewis Davis, Henry Feuerstein, *Abraham Glasser, Don Gold, Jerry Gross, *Minnie Kahanowitz, Frank Kogut, Louis Lader, *Harry C. Lauchman, Eva Levin, *Isadore Levin, Rose Mallinger, *Ada Oppenheimer, Judith Pripstein, *Minnie Quint, *Fannie Redlich, *Sophie Sandson, Rose Shpargel, Reuben Slone, *Jessie Werblin, *Ada M. Wolfe and *Joseph Zakowitz.
November 6: Alexander Brodell, *Meyer Cohen, Jay Davis, *Edward D. Drexler, Martin Fairman, *Rhoda A. Friedlander, Miriam Glantz, *Yetta Introligator-Frank, *Eleazer Katz, *Max Kay, *Eli J. Levin, *Morris Millstein, Olive Pearlstein, Martha Reisner, *Jacob Shapiro and *Ethel Shendowich.
* A light will be lit on a Memorial Board.
