September 2023 Bulletin

September 2023 CEI Bulletin

Congregation Emanu-El Israel

222 North Main Street, Greensburg, PA. 15601          

                Elul – Tishrei      5783/5784                 

September 2023

 724-834-0560    

office@cei-greensburg.org     rabbi@cei-greensburg.org     www.ceigreensburg.org

 The Mission of Congregation Emanu-El Israel is: To support Judaism and the welfare of our community.

—————————————————–

From the desk of Rabbi Leonard Sarko

Over the next few weeks we will observe the High Holy Days in the month of Tishrei in the Jewish calendar.  These holidays are about the concepts of renewal, forgiveness, freedom and joy.

The origins and reasons for the High Holy Days are found in the Bible and are a reflection of the agricultural and religious culture that produced it.  The millennia of Jewish tradition between the Bible and the present informs our celebrations as well, in ways that go beyond the biblical texts.

Rosh Hashanah is believed to mark the date of the creation of the world, and it begins the “Days of Awe”, a 10-day period culminating in Yom Kippur.

The first holiday, Rosh Hashanah, celebrates renewal.  It involves the blowing of the shofar horn, itself connected to the ram sacrificed instead of Abraham’s son.  Important activities include hearing the shofar.  There is also a custom to eat apple slices with honey.  The apple represents hopes for fruitfulness and the honey symbolizing the desire for a sweet year.

The biblical description of Yom Kippur involved a series of sacrifices and rituals designed to remove sin from the people.  For example, a goat was chosen to bear the sins of the Israelites and was sent off to the wilderness, carrying the sins away.  The term “scapegoat” in English derives from this act.

There are many sounds we associate with the High Holidays.  Perhaps the best known is the sounding of the Shofar, the ram’s horn.  The commandment, interestingly, is not to sound the Shofar, but to hear it.  Thus, the rabbis argued that a Jew passing by a synagogue on Rosh Hashana who stops and listens to the Shofar is fulfilling the mitzvah.

We need to ask the question, why does Rosh Hashanah precede Yom Kippur? No sooner do we mark the New Year than we begin repenting for our sins.  Surely the logical sequence would be the reverse: we should repent and then usher in the New Year with a clean slate.

Rosh Hashanah is a day we celebrate the world.  We appreciate the beauty, the wonder and the miracle of life.  That appreciation is critical; for only when we understand how splendid, yet fragile, is this world, can we begin to repent for having damaged or neglected it.  All tikkun, all reparation, begins in appreciation.  We heal relationships because we understand their value.  We seek to restore the imbalances in the natural world because it dazzles our eyes.  Yom Kippur is the outcome of our Rosh Hashanah vision: surrounded by possibility.  We need to heal what we have hurt.  Seeing the cracks in creation, we acknowledge our obligation to fill them.  First comes gratitude, then regret, then restoration.

May this coming year be one that is sweet, fulfilling, healthy and full of love for all.

Shana Tova, Rabbi Lenny Sarko

—————————————————–

PRESIDENT:  Irene C. Rothschild

The relaxing days of a warm summer are almost over and the High Holy Day season is here.  I am hoping to see most of you at services for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.  I know that Rabbi Lenny has been working hard preparing for these special days.  The Garden Committee lead by Robin Mickey has also been working hard on cleaning up the grounds in the front of the building and the front of the building itself will be cleaned and some pointing will be done.  The goal is for everyone and everything to be warm and welcoming!

You will not be able to see it, but protective film has been installed on all of the downstairs windows, adding another layer of protection for everyone inside the building.  Shortly after the High Holy Days, two sets of Exit only doors will be added to the front entrance and at the bottom of the stairs.  When they are closed, during services for example or during the day when only staff is in the building, people can exit them, but no one can enter them.  The Board of Directors and the Security Committee are doing as much as possible to keep everyone in the building as safe as possible.

Nine people participated in the CPR/AED training last month and Bea has compiled a list of all those who are currently certified.  I am grateful for all of those folks who volunteered to participate! Chris DeMarco is working on organizing a ‘Stop the Bleed’ class at Mutual Aid, so anyone who is available during the day and interested should contact Chris or the office.  There is no cost for this training, as we have a generous donor who is covering the cost.  Again, I am so grateful for the generosity of those who volunteered to cover the cost of both of these training courses!

The High Holy Day Appeal letter has been mailed and on behalf of the Board of Directors, I hope that you are as generous as possible and I thank you in advance!

The Board of Directors and all of the committees will continue the smooth operation of the Congregation and are all looking forward to another productive year at CEI!  Rabbi Lenny, Bea and Jeff continue to do a terrific job and will carry all of us into the year 5784.  Let’s all keep working toward another good, healthy and productive year!

L’Shana Tova!  Irene

—————————————————–

—————————————————–

CHATTER

Happy Birthday to:  Ellis Cohen, Jon Dohner, Zak Goldstein, Cooper Kane, Mike Kane, Jono Korzen, Harry Slone, Marion Slone, Jason Winters and Juhua Yang.

Happy Anniversary to:  Karen & Brian Chobirko, Liz & Larry Eisenstatt, Myriam & Francois Gau, Terri & Stan Katzman, Cori & Michael Liptak, Gwen & Alan Sarko and Loren & John Vivio.

Mazel Tov to:  Jeffrey & Cathy Feryus on the birth of their first grandchild, Phoebe Feryus.

We mourn the death of: member Phyllis Davis and offer condolences to Marilyn & Jim Davis and Family; former member Susan Cohen and offer condolences to members Jeanne Cohen & Jeffrey Sicuro and Family; and, of Ben Nemeth and offer condolences to former members Leslie & Ed Nemeth and Family.

Mazel Tov to member Gary Moidel on his retirement.

—————————————————–

SISTERHOOD NOTES by Terri Katzman, President

“Opening Dinner”, in the form of an outdoor picnic, took place on August 10th at the home of Marion Slone.  The turnout, the food, and the weather were great.  I offer many thanks to Marion for the fantastic job of making it all (well, not the weather) take place.  I also offer thanks to her husband Bob and grandson Harry for all of their help.  Shirley Shpargel’s daughter Rebecca was a guest and wonderful help for the evening.

Before anyone could have dessert, we had a productive meeting.  Plans for the coming year were discussed.  Our first outing will take place on Sunday, October 15 when we will meet at Wicks & Wax Studio to make our own candle.

The exciting part of the evening was when we enthusiastically voted to become involved in purchasing and bagging weekend food bags for children in need in the Westpoint Elementary School.  The program entitled Food 2 Go 4 Kids was established a few years ago, and many area churches are involved.  Our involvement will be to provide bags just three times during the school year.

Before all of the above takes place, Sisterhood will be busy in the kitchen where we will prepare goodies for Slichot, Rosh Hashana, and Break the Fast.

The New Year is off to a great start and I look forward to the involvement of all Sisterhood members.

With my wishes for a sweet year for all,
Terri Katzman, Sisterhood President

—————————————————–

ALFRED RATNER LIBRARY NEWS by Shirley Shpargel, Librarian

Books purchased with the Alfred Ratner Library Fund:
The Man Who Sold Air in the Holy Land by Omer Friedlander (Fiction).
Kantika: A Novel by Elizabeth Graver (Fiction).
Professor Schiff’s Guilt: A Novel by Agur Schiff (Fiction).
The Woman Beyond the Sea by Sarit Yishal-Levi (Fiction).

Book donated by the P J Library:
A Song for My Sister by Lesley Simpson (Easy Reader).

Once We Were Home by Jennifer Rosner is the author’s second novel, in which she intertwines three narratives about displaced children and the moral choices involved in their placement after World War II.  Desperate Jewish parents sometimes made the horrific sacrifice of sending their children away to places or people they believed offered safety.  After the war, surviving relatives searched for missing children; often removing them from their new homes was traumatic for the children when they no longer had memory of their original family.  Rosner follows 3-year-old Daniel and 7-year-old Mira whose parents smuggle them out of a Polish ghetto to a Polish farm couple for safekeeping.  The Dabrowskis bravely protected the children with the new names of Ana and Oskar.  At the end of the war the children are kidnaped by a Jewish Zionist group with the hope of sending the children to a kibbutz in Palestine.

Seven-year-old Roger, a Jewish boy, is raised Catholic in a French convent near Marseille.  When his paternal aunt came to reclaim him, his rescuers refuse to turn him over, The Catholic Church claimed that they were saving his soul so with a monk Roger traveled to Spain to escape the courts.  Roger was always questioning everything, and he became confused and conflicted about escaping the law.  Under legal pressure, Roger eventually ended up with his family in Israel.

Rosner jumps to 1968, and introduces Renata, an Oxford educated archeologist who is in Israel on a dig.  Renata was raised in England by a German mother.  Her mother dies, leaving Renata with unanswered questions about her past.  In Rosner’s previous novel, The Yellow Bird Sings, the daughter who was hidden in a convent appears as a famous violinist.  The narratives of these characters over decades may seem disconnected, before they intersect, familiar objects, a dreidel, nesting dolls, and carved chess pieces are inserted into the stories.

In Once We Were Home, each of the characters must deal with secrets and the often consequences of their past.  Rosner asks: What does it mean to belong someplace, or with someone? What makes a family? What defines a home? How do biology, memory, nurture and obligation shape a personal identity? Once We Were Home gives readers much to think about.  This title may be checked out from Westmoreland Library Network.

—————————————————–

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 Mary Ellen Kane.  

—————————————————–

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 Jerry Pavloff (724-593-6513) or Gary Moidel (724-468-0005).

—————————————————–

Tree of Life Share your joy!

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.

—————————————————–

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 gratefully acknowledge the following gifts:

July 28:    In Memory of:  Lillian & Samuel Liebman by Linda Liebman & Renee Silverman.  Herbert Moidel by Teri & Gary Moidel.

—————————————————–

CEI Funds

PULPIT FLOWERS PROVIDED BY DONATIONS TO THE PULPIT FLOWER FUND.

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.  In Honor of:  The Gau & Snyder Families celebrations by Irene C. Rothschild.

COMPUTER FUND: Provides a means to continually upgrade & maintain CEI’s computer system / software.

CONGREGATION GENERAL FUND:  CEI operating expenses.  In Honor of:  Nina Lewis’s recovery by Roni & Carl Schiffman.  The Gau Family celebrations by Mary Ellen Kane, Elaine & Todd Miller.  The start of her journey to converting to Judaism by Nikkell Reynolds.  The Stop the Bleed program by Jonathan S. Dohner.

CONGREGATION GENERAL FUND – HIGH HOLY DAYS:  Jeffrey Feryus.  High Holydays cellist by Jonathan S. Dohner.

CONGREGATION YAHRZEIT FUND:  In Memory of:  Joe Naughton & Lillian Tattenbaum by Rachel Minushkin.  Karen Anne Wolf by Dr.  Jeffrey & Marsha Wolf.  Lillian Liebman & Samuel Liebman by Linda Liebman.  Timothy Silvis & Herbert Moidel by Teri & Gary Moidel.  Martin M.  Kramer & Phyllis Kramer by Dr. Herbert Kramer.  Sarah Meyers by Lois Browdie.  Annual Family Yahrzeits by Linda & Jeffrey Reisner.  Diane M. Tauber by Don Gold.  Louis William Cohen by Jeanne (Cohen) & Jeffrey Sicuro.

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 SHABBAT PRAYER BOOKS:  Provides for the purchase of new Stone Edition of The Chumash.

RABBI’S DISCRETIONARY FUND:  Helps individuals and / or organizations in need.  In Appreciation of:  All of Rabbi Lenny’s good deeds by Herb Kramer.

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.

SOCIAL ACTION FUND:  Supports projects that benefit our community.

TEMPLE EMANU-EL CEMETERY FUND:  For beautification and upkeep of the Temple Emanu-El Cemetery.

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.

—————————————————–

SAVE THE DATE

Please Note:  All times & events subject to change.

Fri., Oct. 6:  Simchat Torah Service. 7:30 pm.

Wed., Oct. 11:  CEI Virtual Board Meeting. 7:00 pm.

Sun., Oct. 15:  Sisterhood Program @ Wicks & Wax, Greensburg.  Time TBD.

Thurs., Nov. 23:  CEI Closed – Thanksgiving.

Fri., Nov. 24:  CEI Closed.

—————————————————–

“Break the Fast” at CEI
Following Yom Kippur services on Monday, September 25, 2023

Lots of good eats include:
Bagels / Lox
Many Salads, Kugels, Fruits
Dessert
Beverages

Cost:  $15 / Adults,  $5 / Children (Ages 4-12)
All reservations must be made by Monday, September 18 – please!!!

Call the CEI office at 724-834-0560 or Terri Katzman at 724-837-8275.

Please send payment to the CEI office (222 North Main Street, Greensburg, PA 15601) prior to Yom Kippur.

—————————————————–

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 5784 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 – Saturday, September 9, 2023 – 7:30 pm.
Followed by Ice Cream Social Oneg.

EREV ROSH HASHANAH – Friday, September 15 – 7:30 pm.
Followed by a dessert Oneg.

ROSH HASHANAH MORNING – Saturday, September 16 – 10:00 am.
TASHLICH SERVICE – Immediately following Service in front of CEI.

ROSH HASHANAH MORNING II – Sunday, September 17 – NO SERVICE.

KEVER AVOT CEMETERY SERVICE – Sunday, September 17 – 10:00 am.

SHABBAT SHUVAH SERVICE – Friday, September 22 – 7:30 pm.

SUKKAH building – Sunday, September 24 – 10:00 am.  We will have the Etrog and Lulav at the synagogue in the sanctuary.  Anyone wishing to say prayers and shake the Lulav and Etrog may do so at their convenience in the sanctuary or in the sukkah.

YOM KIPPUR EVE / KOL NIDREI SERVICE – Sunday, September 24 – 7:30 pm.

YOM KIPPUR MORNING SERVICE – Monday, September 25 – 10:00 am.
The CEI office is closed.
YOM KIPPUR AFTERNOON SERVICE – 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 Terri Katzman or the office to make reservations.  Adults $15, Children 4-12 $5.  Please send reservation form and payment in advance to the CEI office.  No walk-ins.

SUKKOT – Congregational Celebration, Friday, September 29 – 7:30 pm.

SIMCHAT TORAH – Friday, October 6 – 7:30 pm.

For those attending online services only, if you need the Slichot Service booklet or a High Holiday Book, please contact the CEI office to arrange sign-out and pick up.

Please support the Westmoreland County Food Bank by bringing in non-perishable foods or by making a monetary donation payable to: Westmoreland County Food Bank (WCFB).  A table for donations and a box for monetary donations 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 make check payable to WCFB and mail to: CEI, 222 N.  Main Street, Greensburg, PA 15601 before October 6, 2023.  Thank you for your generosity.

—————————————————–

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 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@cei-greensburg.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
Fri., Sept. 15, 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Fri., Sept. 22, 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Sun., Sept. 24, 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Fri., Sept. 29, 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm

Greensburg Salem Middle School
Fri., Sept. 15, 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Sat., Sept. 16, 9:30 am – 12:30 pm
Fri., Sept. 22, 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Sun., Sept. 24, 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm

The Westmoreland Museum of American Art
Fri., Sept. 15, 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Sat., Sept. 16, 9:30 am – 12:30 pm
Fri., Sept. 22, 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Sun., Sept. 24, 7:00 pm -10:00 pm
Mon., Sept. 25, 9:30 am – 10:00 pm
Fri., Sept. 29, 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm

It is suggested that everyone wear masks, except when you are eating.

—————————————————–

HIGH HOLY DAY SAFETY AWARENESS

1. Doors will remain locked at all times.

2. All Congregants must have their Fobs in order to enter the building for each service.

3. Please enter the building through the Front Door.

4. Please be aware of your surroundings and who else might be entering the building at the same time.

5. Do NOT allow any unknown person to enter the building with you, without checking to see if they are on the Guest List.  If that person made a request to attend services, someone will be able to identify that guest.  One of the ushers will be assigned to do that.

6. Due to the continuance of COVID and other respiratory viruses, it is suggested that everyone wear a mask, except when you are eating.

We can have a safe environment with everyone’s help.

—————————————————–

Let’s Help

Between Rosh Hashanah and Succot we will collect non-perishable food items and donate them to the Westmoreland county food bank.  Items should be placed on the tables in the foyer.

Monetary donations will also be accepted and appreciated.  Either cash or check (made out to Westmoreland County Food Bank) can be deposited in the designated box on the table at CEI.

This is a perfect time to think of others – and help!

We can make a difference!

—————————————————–

CEI SISTERHOOD CALENDAR

Directory information is requested for all members, even if you do not wish to purchase a calendar.  Please complete & return the calendar form in the monthly bulletin before September 15, 2023.

—————————————————–

 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. 

—————————————————–

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.

—————————————————–

Honoring Their Memory