September 2026 CEI Bulletin
Congregation Emanu-El Israel
222 North Main Street, Greensburg, PA. 15601
Elul – Tishrei 5786 – 5787
September 2026
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
The phrase “people of the book” is often used to lump together many of the so-called Abrahamic religions. Jews, Muslims and Christians 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 and something to be remembered as we enter our High Holy Days.
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?” 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. During this holiday season, let us take the time to think about how to live, breath, and experience Judaism on a daily basis.
Amen, Rabbi Lenny
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SISTERHOOD NOTES by Shoshana Halden, President
As the New Year approaches, Sisterhood will start with an opening dinner meeting on August 31st, 2026. By the time you read this article, we will already have met and passed out signup sheets for all our projects in the coming year of 2027.
I would like to wish you all LeShana Tova Tiketevoo. May all your prayers (wishes) come true.
Looking forward to working with all Sisterhood members.
LeShana Tova
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ALFRED RATNER LIBRARY NEWS by Shirley Shpargel, Librarian
Hostage is Eli Sharabi’s memoir about his 491 days of captivity by Hamas. On October 7, 2023, terrorist burst into Sharabi’s house in Kibbutz Be’eri where he lived with his British wife, Lianne, and their teenage daughters, Noiya and Yahel. Eli is kidnapped alongside Khun, a Thai agricultural worker, blindfolded and taken to Gaza. Sharabi describes his captivity in the present tense with such detail that the reader feels they are there with him. Sharabi goes into survival mode and believes he will return to his home and his family. First, he is held on the upper floor of a home in Gaza with ankles and hands tightly bound behind his back. The first tunnel he was taken to was under a Mosque and continually moved to tunnels of various conditions. The hostages suffered starvation, physical pain and psychological abuse, beatings and humiliation.
Despite the conditions they were in, Sharabi writes that the bonds with fellow captives helped him to survive. Fellow captives were Almog Sarusi, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Alon Ohel, Ori Danino, Eliya Cohen, Or Levy and before being released Ohad Ben Ami. Eliya was Orthodox so would lead the captives with Kiddush every Friday night followed with Havdalah songs at the end of Shabbat. They began every morning with opening prayers to search for something good to cling to, to have hope. The captives must call their captors “Muhammed” but secretly they nickname them Peaky, Smiley, Triangle, Nightingale, Square, Circle, Eyebrow, Trash, Garbage! They notice how brainwashed the captors are; they don’t know much about Israel or the world. Islam is the only true path they believe, and the land belongs to them. Eli Sharabi is released with fellow captives, Ohad Ben Ami and Or Levy. When they return, Eli understands that his wife and daughters were killed after he was kidnapped. Eli’s” life has hit rock bottom, but now life” are the memoirs final words. Hostage may be checked out from WLN.
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CHATTER
Happy Birthday to: Ellis Cohen, Jonathan Dohner, Cooper Kane, Michael Kane, Harry Slone, Marion Slone, Jason Winters, Juhua Yang.
Happy Anniversary to: Brian & Karen Chobirko, Francois & Myriam Gau, Michael & Cori Liptak, John & Loren Vivio.
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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 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.
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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:
July 17: Tim Silvis by Teri & Gary Moidel.
July 24: Herbert Moidel by Teri & Gary Moidel.
Aug. 21: Liesel Rothschild by Irene Rothschild. Phyllis Davis by Marilyn & Jim Davis and Linda & Jeffrey Reisner.
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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. In Loving Memory of: my parents, Lawrence & Norma Brodell, my sister, Joanne Brodell Alpern, and my grandparents, William & Sarah Davis by Linda Reisner.
CONGREGATION GENERAL FUND: CEI operating expenses. An Anonymous donation to purchase a new chair for Rabbi Lenny.
CONGREGATION YAHRZEIT FUND: In Memory of: Bradford Powell by Robin Reid Mickey. Joe Naughton, Lillian Tattenbaum by Rachel Minushkin. Herbert Moidel and Timothy Silvis by Teri & Gary Moidel. William L. Brill and Anna R. Brill by The Brill Family. Louis W. Cohen and Susan Alana Cohen by Jeanne & Jeff Sicuro. Liesel Rothschild by Irene C. Rothschild. Lillian Liebman and Samuel Liebman by Linda Liebman. Jean Grossman Wolf and Karen Anne Wolf by Dr. & Mrs. Jeffrey A. Wolf. Steven VeShancey by William VeShancey. Yolanda Perusse and Edith Bergstein Hollander by The Pavloff Family.
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.
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: Get well soon to Chris O’Leary by Jack Wilder. A quick and easy recovery to Shoshana Halden by Irene Rothschild, Virginia & John Lieberman and Shirley Shpargel. In Memory of: John Howell’s mother, Marie by Irene Rothschild. Scilene Mraz 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.
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SAVE THE DATE
Please Note: All times & events subject to change.
Sunday, October 4: Rummage Sale set-up. 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM.
Sunday, October 11 & Mon., October 12: Rummage Sale. 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM.
Friday, October 16: First “monthly” Shabbat Dinner hosted by Sisterhood.
Wednesday, October 21: CEI Board Meeting. 7:00 PM.
Friday, October 23: Special Oneg following Shabbat Services in honor of Rabbi Lenny’s birthday.
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.
Friday, December 4: Shabbat Service. Hannukah Day 1.
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LULAV AND ETROG FOR SUKKOT
For congregants that would like to order their own lulav and etrog set for Sukkot, we use a New York company called Hadar Etrogim. You can order directly yourself or if you would like us to receive it for you to pick up at the synagogue you can give the rabbi a call. To order yourself, you can go to their website www.hadaretrogim.com. We have found this company to be reliable and their products very good.
Rabbi Lenny
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HIGH HOLY DAY SCHEDULE 2026
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 5787 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 4, 2026 – 7:30 PM. Followed by Ice Cream Social Oneg.
EREV ROSH HASHANAH: Friday, September 11 – 7:30 PM. Followed by a dessert Oneg.
ROSH HASHANAH MORNING: Saturday, September 12 – 10:00 AM.
TASHLICH SERVICE – Immediately following service on the front porch.
ROSH HASHANAH DAY II: Sunday, September 13 – No Service. CEI Closed. (If any shut-ins on Day I would like a visit from Rabbi on Day II, please contact Rabbi Lenny.)
KEVER AVOT SERVICE at the Cemetery: Sunday, September 13 – 10:00 AM.
SHABBAT TESHUVAH: Friday, September 18 – 7:30 PM.
YOM KIPPUR EVE SERVICE: Sunday, September 20 – 7:30 PM.
YOM KIPPUR MORNING SERVICE: Monday, September 21 – 10:00 AM.
YOM KIPPUR AFTERNOON: 3:00 PM.
YOM KIPPUR YIZKOR SERVICE: 4:00 PM.
CLOSING SERVICE: 4:30 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 $18, Children 4-12 $6, under 4 are Free. All reservations and payments must be made by Saturday, September 12 to the CEI office. No walk-ins.
SUKKAH BUILDING: Wednesday, September 23 – 10:30 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, September 25 – 7:30 PM.
We will celebrate SIMCHAT TORAH at services on Friday, October 2 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.
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WESTMORELAND COUNTY FOOD BANK
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 is set up in the foyer during High Holy Days for these donations. If you join us online you may make a monetary donation, mailed to: Westmoreland County Food Bank, 100 Devonshire Drive, Delmont, PA 15626, please mark the memo line “CEI Program”.
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THANK YOU
I would like to thank all of you who attended, baked, or helped with the celebration party / oneg for Sister Gemma DelDuca and/or donated toward the Tree of Life leaf. Thank you so much.
Yvonne Bureau
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BREAK THE FAST
Break the Fast at CEI following Yom Kippur services on Monday, September 21, 2026.
Lots of good eats include: Bagel / Lox, Many salads, kugels, fruits, Dessert, Beverages
Cost: $18 / Adults, $5 / Children (Ages 4-12)
All reservations must be made by Saturday, September 12-please!
Call CEI office at (724) 834-0560 or Terri Katzman at (724) 837-8275.
Please send payment to the office prior to Yom Kippur.
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CEI SISTERHOOD CALENDAR INFORMATION REQUEST
Please complete & return the Sisterhood Calendar form from this month’s bulletin before September 18, 2026, even if you do not wish to purchase a calendar.
REMINDER: Directory information is requested for all members, even if you do not wish to purchase a calendar.
Thank you for your generous support of the CEI Sisterhood.
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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, September 21, 2026. 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 (5786: 2025-2026) 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 in this month’s bulletin.
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 form.
Please note that due to High Holiday deadlines, forms must be returned no later than September 10, 2026.
May the upcoming year bring you the blessings of love, health and happiness.
Sincerely, Memorial Committee
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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.
Friday, September 4: 7:00 PM – 10 PM
Friday, September 11: 7:00 PM – 10 PM
Saturday, September 12: 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM (Limited)
Friday, September 18: 7:00 PM – 10 PM
Sunday, September 20: 7:00 PM – 10 PM
Monday, September 21: 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM, 3:00 PM – 10 PM
Friday, September 25: 7:00 PM – 10 PM
Friday, October 2: 7:00 PM – 10 PM
Greensburg Salem Middle School Available on these dates and times only.
Friday, September 4: 7:00 PM – 10 PM
Friday, September 11: 7:00 PM – 10 PM
Saturday, September 12: 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Friday, September 18: 7:00 PM – 10 PM
Sunday, September 20: 7:00 PM – 10 PM
Monday, September 21: Morning No Parking, 6:00 PM – 10 PM (Limited)
Friday, September 25: 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Friday, October 2: 7:00 PM – 10 PM
The Westmoreland Museum of American Art Available on these dates and times only.
Friday, September 4: 7:00 PM – 10 PM (Limited)
Friday, September 11: 7:00 PM – 10 PM (Limited)
Saturday, September 12: 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Sunday, September 18: 7:00 PM – 10 PM
Sunday, September 20: 7:00 PM – 10 PM
Monday, September 21: 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM, 3:00 PM – 10 PM
Friday, September 25: 7:00 PM – 10 PM (Limited)
Friday, October 2: 7:00 PM -10 PM (Limited)
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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 Rabbi or the CEI office 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:
September 4: *Henry Baneman, *Phylis Caplan, Mildred Caplowe, Jane Fish, *Lewis Kay, *Morris A. Leff, *Benjamin Liebman, Tina Peter, *Benjamin M. Ratner, *Hinda Rubenstein, Susan Schrag, Howard Schwartz, *Julius Werblin, *Jean Grossman Wolf, *Shirley M. Young and Gertrude Zwibel.
September 11: Brent Adler, *Lottie R. Berk, *Anne Bleiberg, *Harry Daniels, David H. Davis, Hannah Fishfeder, *Libbie Gordon, *Jacob Hochberg, *Patricia A. (Jamie Stein) Jurczyk, *Ben Katz, Malka Kaufer, Ruth Lippard, *Albert Oppenheimer, *Bessie Wilkoff Osgood, *Lena Samuels, Jerold Shpargel, Jerome Valinsky and * Isaac Wolinsky.
September 18: *Harvey Arnold Bayer, *Minnie G. Binakonsky, *Barbara Callihan, Yetta Rachel Glenn, *Harry Kuhl, Marcus Last, *Abe Loundy, Max Mindlin, Anna Minushkin, Jane Morovitz, *Ida S. Rossen, *David Shendowich and Lillian Valinsky.
September 25: *Elizabeth Altman, Neal J. Buckstein, *William V. Conn, M.D., *Jacob Corman, Jeanette Feldstein, Celia Glantz Feryus, *Eric Karelitz, *Howard B. Kaufman, Katjarina Erker Lader, Mark Mendler, *Lab Wolinsky and *Emma R. Zober.
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.
* A light will be lit on a Memorial Board.
