If I am not for Myself, who will be for Me?

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1 JANUARY 2020 TEVET/SHEVAT 5780 VOLUME 86 NO. 5 INSIDE: Mitzvah Day, Monday, January 20. 9:30am: Opening Ceremony, The Community Synagogue. 10:30am, Mitzvah Projects at TBI This issue of the TBI Tablet is sponsored by SHERYL & DAN GORDON in honor of the Bar Mitzvah of their son BENJAMIN This issue of the TBI Tablet is sponsored by GINA EZRATTY & ERIC LITUCHY in honor of the Bnai Mitzvah of their children ANNA & ISAAC SHALACH MANAT Info Arriving in January RABBI S NOTES by Rabbi Michael Mishkin If I am not for Myself, who will be for Me? Shalom Friends, I hope everyone has had a good and meaningful start to the New Year While the New Year often inspires resolutions for better living, I want to take a step back and look at how we live our lives from a more macro-level. To begin that process, I want to share with you a very interesting teaching from Pirkei Avot, The Ethics of Our Fathers (1:14). There, the great sage Hillel teaches, If I am not for myself, who will be for me? If I am only for myself, what am I? And if not now, when? When quoting this teaching, people often focus on the middle clause, If I am only for myself, what am I? To live a good and meaningful life, it is essential that we think about other people and their needs. However, the first and third clause are important as well. And the starting point, is that we understand who we are and what s important to us, and that we advocate for ourselves. Dr. Sheila Murray Bethel, a contemporary author and speaker on leadership, says something very similar. She says, One of the most courageous things you can do is identify yourself, know who you are, what you believe in, and where you want to go. How do we do this? Through self-reflection. Jennifer Porter, a writer for the Harvard Business Review, begins an article on self-reflection with the following anecdote. She says, When people find out I m an executive coach, they often ask who my toughest clients are. Inexperienced leaders? Senior leaders who think Rabbi continued on page 2 TBI college students receiving Hanukkah packages. Visit us online at Contact us at

2 Temple Drive, Port Washington NY T: F: Rabbi Michael Mishkin Cantor Sharon Grainer Cantor Emeritus Baruch Blum President Rita Shumsky Vice President, Ritual David Volpe Vice President, Fundraising Steve Castar Vice President, Administration Louis Silfin Vice President, Education Adina Kay-Gross and Eden Kasle Vice President, Membership Jen Latner Vice President, Communications Eric Letuchy Treasurer Andrew Silver Financial Secretary John Teeger Corresponding Secretary David Cooper Recording Secretary Susan Levbin Trustees Alan Doubert Mark Fridman Sheryl Gordon Halona Jaffe Helene Hechtkopf Laura Landau Jenny Markman Jill Mellow Trustees Emeritus Elkan Abramowitz Joel Greenblatt Saul Muchnick Jack Mishan Lane Palmer Adam Smith Mike Smolow Andrew Sollinger Scott Tashlik Alison White Sisterhood Presidents Alisa Schindler and Michelle Mondschein Men s Club Presidents Jon Brooks and Michael Nerenberg Immediate Past President Matthew Engel Synagogue Director Cathy Seldin Director of Education and Engagement Anya Morgulis Preschool Director Diana Snaider TBI Tablet is published monthly by TBI. Submissions must be received by the tenth of the month prior to the issue in which they will appear. Rabbi continued from page 1 they know everything? Leaders who bully and belittle others? Leaders who shirk responsibility? The answer is none of the above. The hardest leaders to coach are those who won t reflect particularly leaders who won t reflect on themselves. Porter continues by explaining what self-reflection is. At its simplest, reflection is about careful thought. But the kind of reflection that is really valuable is more nuanced than that. The most useful reflection involves the conscious consideration and analysis of beliefs and actions for the purpose of learning.... [This learning] is crucial to ongoing growth and development, (Harvard Business Review, March 21, 2017). In this New Year, may we all engage in more self-reflection. Here are a few steps we can take to accomplish this. One, identify important questions for ourselves. Two, schedule regular time for reflection. Three, select a reflection process that works for us. For example, some people reflect by journaling, others by going on walks, and still others by talking to a trusted friend or colleague. Lastly, you can start small. Set aside a minimal amount of time on a regular basis to do this important work. One place certainly not the only place we can engage in self-reflection is during prayer. Dr. Steven Brown, a master educator at the Jewish Theological Seminary, writes, One of the basic goals of Jewish prayer is to force us on a regular basis to confront ourselves honestly: asking ourselves who we are, what s important to us, how we relate to others, and what are our goals in life. In fact, within our tradition there is an opinion that one of the highest forms of prayer is silence giving us the opportunity to contemplate the answers to the above questions. [Even if we struggle with believing in God, and do not follow all of the rituals and traditions], it is important to understand how Jewish prayer provides an opportunity for looking at the kind of human beings we are and what, in the light of our tradition, we ought to become. One of the tasks of prayer, then, is to push us from where we are (emotionally, intellectually, interpersonally) to where we ought to be, (Higher and Higher: Making Jewish Prayer Part of Us, p. 13). All of this is summarized in one word the Hebrew word for prayer l hitpallel, which means to reflect. In this New Year, may we all engage in self-reflection more often at work, at home, out in nature, and at services at TBI. L shalom, Rabbi Mishkin rabbmishkin@tbiport.org tot shabbat please join temple beth israel s tot shabbat programming on the following dates: january february 8 march april 18 may june PAGE 2 TBI TABLET JANUARAY 2020

3 PRESIDENT S NOTES HINENI STAND WITH TBI Our Campaign to Pay Off the Mortgage By Rita Shumsky Shalom Welcome to 2020! It s hard to believe we are in a new decade, the past ten years have seem to flown by so quickly. Actually the past six months have gone by in almost a blink. I like to keep you up to date because it is very important that you know what is happening in our Temple so you stay connected. At our annual Gala, in June, we honored Reina and Jon Teeger and Debbie and Michael Levine. As in the past there was a wonderful turnout to celebrate our honorees. In June 2020, we will be honoring Gail and Mark Mancher and Judy and Morton Sloan. Mark you calendars for June 7. Phase II of our Capital Campaign, the construction of the Multipurpose Room is almost completed. I am sure you will be thrilled as I am with the transformation of the Old Lobby, Library and former offices into a beautiful new space. In December 2019 Tablet I wrote that our Hineni Stand with TBI, Our Campaign to Pay Off the Mortgage had raised almost $600,000. As of December 31, we are now close to $700,00. If you have not already donated, please consider a pledge. Keeping the congregation safe is our priority. The grant that the Emergency Preparedness Committee submitted was approved and we have been given $100,000 by the Department of Homeland Security to harden the security in and around the Temple. Kudos to the committee for doing such a great job. The Strategic Planning Committee has started the Community Conversations. Our first group was with members of the Sunday Minyan. We are looking forward to many more conversations and hope you will join in the effort to strategically plan ahead for TBI. In August we welcomed our new Director of Education and Engagement, Anya Morgulis. Even though she as been here a short period of time she has accomplished much. Anya has been invited to continue the important work with the Jewish Education Project (JEP) and the Innovation Engine we started last year. The immediate action with Innovation Engine s support is our new Hebrew language learning initiative. With guidance and support from a JEP consultant, Ellen Rank, the program will be launched in January with Kitah Gimmel, Dalet and Hei. Learning in zman ivrit, or Hebrew time groups, learners will engage in the Hebrew material through four modalities: a traditional workbook, tefillah, games and activities and an online portal. We believe that this more focused and intentional structure will help the children to achieve the goal of learning Hebrew. Was this really the old entrance to TBI!! Diana Snaider our Director of the Preschool has brought back the popular PJ Library. Every month Miss Sam, one of the preschool teachers, introduces a new Jewish themed book. Activities related to the book are included. The children love coming and the turnout has been terrific. The opportunity for lifelong learning never stops! Rabbi Mishkin presented a four part series entitled Thoughtful Debates Matter: How to Disagree Constructively. In October, in the Sukkah, Dr. Annette Kasle started her series Biblical Texts Behind the Jewish Holidays. Her first class was entitled Who is Ecclesiastes and Why is He So Bummed Out About Life! I m looking forward to her other classes. Rabbi Sharyn Perlman will continue her series More Torah from the Heart. The first class is January 15! In conjunction with the Social Action Committee, Rabbi Mishkin and Dr. Annette Kasle wil be presenting a series Anti-Semitism: Here and Now beginning Thursday January 16. This is a very timely and needed topic for all of us. The Library Committee presented Holocaust survivor Ruth Mermelstein on November 7 for President continued on page 11 TEVET/SHEVAT 5780 TBI TABLET PAGE 3

4 Mazal Tov January Birthdays Neri Elson Julia Vinitsky Eli Muehlbauer Henry Kasle Madeleine Friedman Marielle Jacobson Isaac Smith Brooke Herbert Maya Green Lily Mishkin Ezra Smolow Zachary Gould January Anniversaries Robert Gass and Sandra Albert Sidney and Sharon Braginsky Ira and Gloria Slutzky Alan Friedman and Alison Kent-Friedman Stephen and Helene Weingrow Blair Greber-Raines and Leigh Weissman Michael and Heidi Jaffe Alexander Katz and Ellen Doft Irwin and Ann Kellner Murray Singer and Linda Galler Victor and Eleanor Himel We list all children s birthdays up until the age of ten. We make every effort to include everyone, but if we miss your child s birthday or your anniversary we do apologize and ask that you let us know as soon as possible so we can be sure to correct it. ANTISEMITISM HERE AND NOW: January Study Group Led by Rabbi Michael Mishkin & Dr. Annette Kasle By Dr. Annette Kasle I am here in my kitchen enjoying a glorious autumn day and preparing Shabbat dinner. I often consider how fortunate I am to practice as a Jew; to raise my children as Jews and watch them raise their own children as Jews. I imagine that on a similar autumn day on October 26, 2018 there were members of the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh who were also reflecting on their similar good fortune. Yet, the following day, October 27, 2018 their lives were shattered as an anti-semitic gunman entered the sanctuary and shot 11 congregants. Tragically, this event was only one of ever-increasing acts of physical and psychological violence towards individual Jews and Jewish communities. Even here in Port Washington, and throughout Long Island, times are changing with increases in anti-semitic incidents, so much so that our houses of worship are required to institute new security procedures to ensure our physical safety and security. A recent article in the New York Jewish Week describes a recent U.N. report, submitted to the General Assembly that was dedicated entirely to anti-semitism, in which they found that violent manifestations of anti-semitism around the world increased 13% globally in This article included remarks from Dr. Deborah Lipstadt, professor of Modern Jewish History and Holocaust Studies at Emory University who praised the report. Dr. Lipstadt has devoted her career to understanding and fighting anti- Semitism in every venue, including college campuses. Just this year, she published an important new book entitled Antisemitism Here and Now. You can learn more about this volume at antisemitism-here-and-now. The Social Action Committee of Temple Beth Israel urges you to join us for a three-part series, featuring a discussion of this critically important new book with Rabbi Mishkin and myself. The program will take place on three consecutive Thursday evenings in January the 16th, 23rd and 30th. January 16, 7:00-9:00pm: The program will kick off with the screening of the award-winning film Denial, a chronicle based on Lipstadt s acclaimed book, Denial: Holocaust History on Trial. This story provides a riveting blow-by-blow account of the trial between Dr. Lipstadt, and Holocaust denier, David Irving. Irving had filed a libel law suit against Lipstadt and her publisher for an earlier book Lipstadt had written, entitled Denying the Holocaust. In that book, Lipstadt called Irving, one of the most dangerous spokespersons for Holocaust denial. Since the lawsuit was in England, it was up to Lipstadt and her legal team, to prove that the Holocaust did indeed take place. The judgment was a resounding victory for Lipstadt and all people who value the truth, and it resulted in a formal denunciation of a Holocaust denier that crippled the movement for years to come. The movie not only tells this incredible story, but also features Academy Award winner Rachel Weisz, Timothy Spall, and Tom Wilkinson. January 23 and 30, 7:30-9:00pm: Rabbi Mishkin and I will lead a study group focusing on Lipstadt s new book, Antisemitism Here and Now. Please save the dates and join us for this important series. PAGE 4 TBI TABLET JANUARAY 2020

5 Day On, Not A Day Off! MONDAY, JANUARY 20 9:30 AM Join us for our Community-Wide MLK Mitzvah Day of Service and Make a Difference COLLECTIONS AT TBI Starting December 9 through January 19 BOOKS Any picture book or easy level books. Recipient: The Queens Advocacy Center SCHOOL SUPPLIES Pens/pencils boxes(qty:80) Small crayon boxes (QTY:50) Coloring books (QTY:50) Journals (QTY: 30) Notebooks (QTY:50) Recipient: The Queens Advocacy Center POKEMON/SPORTS TRADING CARDS Used pokemon or trading cards. Recipient: Common4kids CRAYONS Used (even broken!) old crayons. Recipient: Crayon Initiative (where they will be made into new crayons and sent to children in hospitals to be used in art programs. COSTUMES Old Halloween or Purim costumes. Recipient: Single Parent Initiative PROFESSIONAL CLOTHING/DRESSES Gently used dresses or professional clothing. Recipient: Beautiful Memories Gemach at Young Israel of New Hyde Park NON PERISHABLE FOOD Any kosher nonperishable food. Recipient: UJA helping to feed the hungry. PHONE CHARGERS Any kind of used phone charger. Recipient: Northwell Health Hospitals. FEMININE PRODUCTS New boxes of tampons or pads. Recipients: Women s Dignity Project For more information: jillianlundberg@gmail.com Donate Today! TEVET/SHEVAT 5780 TBI TABLET PAGE 5

6 Social Action Update By Allison White Yasher Koach and thank you to Gail Mancher, Chairperson of TBI s Syrian Refugee Project. Under Gail s leadership, and with the support of Rabbi Mishkin, Dina Adsetts, Annette Kasle, Alana Mitnick Benjamin, Judith Heller Green, Jeffrey Freilich and our friend, Adam Haber (who generously matched the funds raised by TBI) we have reached our fundraising goal ($37,500 total). Thank you to everyone who donated for your contribution. These funds will enable a family of five living in perilous circumstances to immigrate to safety in Canada. We hope to provide you with an update soon about the family s process of applying to immigrate. This project truly exemplifies the collective power we have to change the world when we band together as a community. Yasher Koach to Dori Fishbin for her outstanding leadership (and coordination of four Port Washington synagogues working together) to support a refugee family from El Salvador resettled last year on Long Island. In addition, Dori and her crew of volunteers have also been supporting another HIAS family from Afghanistan. Thank you to Annette Kasle for working with Rabbi Mishkin on a three-part program on Antisemitism beginning in January. First session on January 16th. The Social Action Committee will be co-sponsoring a talk by Civil Rights activist, Bernice Sims on January 12th. Please see the blurb elsewhere in the Tablet. Save the date, Thursday evening, April 2nd for a panel presentation on Combatting Hunger and Food Scarcity in Port Washington and Long Island. Thank you to Janet Lavin, who is coordinating this program. Thank you to those TBI congregants who attended one or both sessions of our recent Immigrant Navigator Training with our outstanding presenter, Samantha Plaff of CARECEN. We were humbled that in addition to our own congregants, participants at the training included the new Director of Hispanic Affairs for Nassau County, the Director of the Parent-Child Home Program, the Director of Community Engagement of the Sid Jacobson JCC, a librarian from the Huntington Public Library, several teachers of ESOL, a few attorneys, several immigrants and a brand new citizen from Port Washington and other parts of LI. Other programs being planned for Spring and beyond, include exploring the possibility of growing vegetables at TBI to nourish people in our local community, and a program about Israel and the depravity of BDS. As always, if you would like to be part of any of these efforts or be added to the Social Action Committee dedicated list, please contact me at alliwhite@gmail.com. Bernice Sims Civil Rights Activist and Author Sunday, January 12, 2020, 10:30 a.m. Bernice Sims memoir recounts her days as a member of the youth branch of the NAACP in the 1960 s, under the leadership of Mississippi Field Director, Medgar Evans. She tells of the final hours she spent with civil rights workers James Chaney, Michael Schwerner and Andrew Goodman, before they were murdered by the KKK. She joined the Freedom Summer movement, participating in protest marches and voter registration campaigns throughout rural counties of Mississippi, alerting the nation to the injustices of representation, which omitted black citizens from voting and participating in government in Mississippi. Please join us as we hear Ms. Sims tell her remarkable story, offering her personal tribute to these three courageous men Ms. Sims memoir Detour Before Midnight will be available for purchase and signing. PAGE 6 TBI TABLET JANUARAY 2020

7 January 2020 Tevet/Shevat 5780 SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY Tevet 5 Tevet 6 Tevet 7 Tevet RS Closed 9:00am Minyan 9:00am RS Faculty Meeting New Year s Day 6:45pm Services CL 4:23 8 Tevet 9 Tevet 10 Tevet 11 Tevet 12 Tevet 13 Tevet 14 Tevet RS Open 9:00am Minyan 10:30 Bernice Sims Civil Rights Speaker & Author 12noon Mostly Mitzvahs 12:30pm Sisterhood Hula Hoop Class PS Resumes 8:00pm Exec. Bd Mtg 4:00pm RS Resumes 6:10pm TBI High Resumes 9:00am Special Morning Minyan 2:00pm Rabbi Mishkin Study Group Woman in the Bible 10:30am PS Challah Making 7:00pm Service FNL with Naomi Less Oneg Harry Gindi CL: 4:29pm 15 Tevet 16 Tevet 17 Tevet 18 Tevet 19 Tevet 20 Tevet 21 Tevet 4:00pm RS 6:10pm TBI High 8:15 BOT 7:00pm Antisemitism Class (Part 1of 3) 6:45pm Service Oneg Benjamin Gordon CL 4:37pm :30am Services 11:00am Tot Shabbat & Jr. Congregation 9:30am Service Bar Mitzvah Harry Gindi 9:30am Service Bar Mitzvah Benjamin Gordon 22 Tevet 23 Tevet 24 Tevet 25 Tevet 26 Tevet 27 Tevet 28 Tevet Martin Luther King Jr. Day 9:30am Mitzvah Day 7:00pm Service & FNL 9:30am Service Opening Ceremonies: with Naomi Less Bnai Mitzvah Anna & Community Synagogue Oneg Anna & Isaac Lituchy RS Closed 10:30am TBI Mitzvah 4:00pm RS 7:30pm Antisemitism Isaac Lituchy 11:00am Tot Shabbat 9:00am Minyan Day Projects 6:10pm TBI High Class CL 4:45pm 5pm PS Havdallah RS Open 9:00am Minyan 10:30am Mid-Year Congregation Mtg 11:30am Learning to Read Torah Trope 29 Tevet 1 Shevat 2 Shevat 3 Shevat 4 Shevat 5 Shevat 6 Shevat 7:30pm Writing As Reflection Lifelong Learning Never Stops 7:00pm Antisemitism Class 6:45pm Service CL 4:54pm 9:30am Service 8:00pm Monte Carlo Night BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND Writing As Reflection: Make meaningful connections between Torah & our lives today WITH PAM COBRIN 9 Sessions Meets once a Month (Sept thru May), 7:30pm 9:30pm, Mondays: 1/27/20, 2/24, 3/30, 4/27, 5/18 Cost: $30 per session Join Professor Pam Cobrin, Director of the Speaking and Writing Programs at Barnard College, as she leads monthly programs where we use writing (ours and others) to explore our relationship with various texts and ourselves. How does the act of writing help us connect to our conscious and unconscious thoughts? How does writing raise questions that challenge our thinking and our sense of the world? Answer these questions and more... Space is limited RSVP: jcheevers@tbiport.org TEVET/SHEVAT 5780 TBI TABLET PAGE 7

8 BNAI MITZVAH OF Anna & Isaac Lituchy How do you feel about twins? That was the question my doctor asked on that magical day. It had been a long, hard road up until this moment and I just couldn t believe my ears. I will forever remember that question, How do you feel about twins? I felt over the moon excited, happy, grateful and honestly scared out of my mind. We were already parents to our 2 ½-year-old Janey, how would we be able to manage twins? We decided to find out the gender this time around. One night I was reading to Janey a bedtime story about a boy and his sister. I decided this was the perfect opportunity to tell her she is going to be a big sister. I asked her whether she would like a baby brother or a baby sister. Her reply, I want a brother AND a sister. I guess it was her Lucky Day! On December 22nd, 2006 the last night of Hanukkah our Miracle babies entered into the world and into our hearts. First came Isaac from the moment he was born he was wide-eyed, curious and eager to soak in the world. Isaac has this magnetism to him; Even before he could talk people were drawn to him. As he got older and became verbal he would make everyone around him laugh without even trying. Isaac s name means laughter and he is certainly true to his name. He has been keeping us laughing for the past thirteen years like no one else can. Isaac thrives on connections with the outdoors, his family, and his friends. He appreciates the wonders of nature. He plants vegetables in the garden, nurtures them and marvels at how they grow. He is quick to notice and share a beautiful sunset or a starry night sky. Isaac gets more joy out of every experience when he shares it with those around him. Whether it s the beauty of nature, his favorite food, music, and so much more, for Isaac every experience is enhanced when he is able to share it. In fact, he is one of the only kids I know who cultivates connections through enforcing a no screen time policy during meals and family movie nights. Isaac has a zest for life. He goes through his days with his heart and soul wide open, taking in all that he can from the world. He has a sense of adventure and is eager to try new things. He brings us out of the comfort zone of our daily routines. From planning a backyard outdoor movie to parasailing, white water rafting and so much more, Isaac is always looking for ways to share new experiences with those around him and create memories. Although he loves new experiences, some of his favorite tried-and-true things are, spending time with family and friends, basketball, sleepaway camp, Silver Point Beach Club and our annual apple picking tradition. When Isaac is given a choice on how to spend his time, he chooses to connect with people and nature above all else. BAR MITZVAH OF Benjamin Gordon Anna was born three minutes after Isaac, she was a happy baby often smiling and content. Unlike Isaac, she approached people and all things new with caution. Still to this day she observes new situations, draws a conclusion and gives thought on how she wants to proceed. Anna is independent and self-sufficient. Walking at only 10 months old, and braiding her own hair at three years old Anna earned the nickname Little Miss Independent. To this day we still sing that song to her by Kelly Clarkson. Anna is determined and one of the most self-motivated people I know. When she was just four-years-old she practiced the monkey bars every day for weeks until she was able to make it all the way across. When Anna sets goals for herself she works towards them until they are accomplished. Born into a family of free spirits, I often wonder where she gets some of her type-a characteristics. From the time Anna entered kindergarten, every night she would ask me what the weather was going to be for the next day; Then she would lay out the appropriate clothes in a neat pile to make her morning run smoothly. Procrastination is not in her vocabulary. When she comes home from school the Lituchy continued on page 10 I am a 7th grader at Weber Middle School. I m in Music Technology, Science Olympiad, Jazz Band, and Technovation at school. I enjoy reading, going to museums, rock climbing, sailing and camping. I have a younger sister, Simone, and a dog, Lev. I would like to thank everyone who helped me prepare for my Bar Mitzvah, especially Rabbi Mishkin, Cantor Grainer, Adam Daum, Eden R. Kasle, the staff at TBI, all my preschool and Religious School teachers, and my family. PAGE 8 TBI TABLET JANUARAY 2020

9 Give Me Seltzer: Fuggedabout the Egg and the Cream Just Milk, Spritz, Stir and, U-Bet You ll Drink It All Up! By Mark A. Schneider, TBI Past President & TBI Tablet Editor-at-Large So how are you celebrating National Egg Cream Day this year? Yes, there s a day March 15th to be exact when milk, carbonated water aka seltzer and flavored syrup come together in a stirring soda fountain fun foam fizzy fan frenzy fantasy. Of course, true egg cream aficionados know that a real New York egg creamwhich has, as we all know, no eggs and no cream can only be made from real New York seltzer and Fox s U-Bet Chocolate Syrup. But first, a bit of history, or sort of history, because there s no shortage of folks taking credit for egg cream s beginnings. There is agreement that New York s Lower East Side Jewish and Yiddish community can claim a lot of the credit. Yiddish theatre legend Boris Thomashevsky requested that a Lower East Side soda fountain reproduce a drink he had discovered in Paris but it is said, the French chocolat et creme got a different translation. Then there are those who say the name came from the words echt keem, Yiddish for pure sweetness. But the egg cream claim to fame name is a Jewish candy store owner Louis Auster who it is said sold thousands a day., He wouldn t share his secret recipe but other soda fountains looked to a Brooklyn product: Fox s U-Bet Chocolate Syrup. In fact, in 2002, former Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz hosted the Great Brooklyn Egg Cream Extravaganza saying that Fox s U-Bet Chocolate Syrup, milk, and seltzer from the bottle hitting the spoon at just the right angle to produce a beautiful, white head, will always be Brooklyn to the last sweet gulp. Of course, people throughout the city and Long Island can beg to differ. Which brings me to the day recently that as I picked up my daily dose of The Wall Street Journal to check out the front page business and financial news, what do I read below the fold? It s a front page breaking news egg cream story about about what s going on in the lobby of Manhattan s criminal courthouse! Turns out alongside the metal detectors, a gentleman by the name of Ray Lonegan sells people about fifteen of his $3 egg creams-aweek saying that it brings them back to their childhood. The Lower East Side s Gem Spa located at the corner of Second Avenue and St. Marks Place (8th Street) claims to have been selling egg creams for about 100 years. They have an advertising sign message saying NY s Best Egg Cream and reports current weekly sales of about 400 of the $5 drinks. But they have changed the recipe by offering a vegan version egg cream made with almond Milk and even Nutela. They are changes that traditional old-school customers probably cringe at. Coincidentally, The New York Times recently questioned whether Egg Creams can even save Gem Spa by deviating from the original traditional seltzer drink. A few months ago, The Los Angeles Times had a crossword puzzle clue (1 across) that read drink containing neither of the ingredients in its name. So thinking back to my childhood in Queens, my family had regular deliveries from our seltzer man named Willie Schneider (no relation). He d lug a crate of brisk and bubbly seltzer water bottles with, of course, the official siphon spritzer attached. Speaking of those wonderful seltzer bottles, it turns out they re not even made anymore. But there is one, and only one area company left. The Gomberg Seltzer Works is the last remaining seltzer factory in New York City. Third generation owner Kenny Gomberg is trying to keep their business fizzing. Most of the bottles were hand-blown in Czechoslovakia and Austria in the 1800 s. He charges up to $100 for delivery of a wooden case of 12 seltzer filled classic bottles. And you can t keep the bottles! Traditionalists know that a true original New York egg cream must be made with Fox s U-Bet Chocolate Syrup. No substitutions allowed. According to the Fox family by the way, the name dates back to the 1920s when Mr. Fox headed to Texas to drill for oil. You betcha was a term the oilmen used. Mr. Fox didn t succeed in the oil business, but he came back with a smart sounding marketing name for his family s Chocolate Syrup. Now for the most delicious part of this article: let s make an egg cream. We need: 1. Cold whole milk 2. Plain cold seltzer 3. Fox s U-Bet Chocolate Syrup. Now add about two teaspoons or an inch of chocolate syrup to a glass. Fill the rest of the glass with seltzer. Stir/mix rapidly to create a foamy top. Drink up and see if you don t feel like a kid again. L Chaim. And now to egg you on a bit if you have questions or comments, feel free to please stir em up to me in a frothy at copymark@gmail.com. TEVET/SHEVAT 5780 TBI TABLET PAGE 9

10 Preschool News By Diana Snaider, Preschool Director December was an exciting month as we got ready for the celebration of Hanukkah. We celebrated in many ways. We enjoyed our big Hanukkah Celebration in the evening with all of our families here at TBI with pizza, latkes, jelly donuts, crafts, story time and candle lighting! We all had so much fun with our families and friends. In preschool we also had our own celebration in the social hall with games, crafts, music and more latkes! In each of our classrooms we made our own latkes from scratch; grating potatoes and onions. It was a latke fun during this week J In addition to all of the fun we have been having here at TBI, we feel so fortunate to have such wonderful families apart of our preschool. Many of you have made a child(ren) and/or a family very happy this holiday season by adopting them for the holiday J We appreciate all of your donations, along with the preschool classes contributing their tzedakah money! Our next Mitzvah Day in January 20th, collections are taking place up until January 19th. This is a community wide MLK Day of Service. We can t believe it is the year 2020! This school year is flying by and we are having so much fun. We are so excited to use all of our new materials that we have just received for our STEAM room. Many things that the children can use to imagine, plan, discover and manipulate! We can t wait to use our new light table too! Don t forget to sign up for First Friends. Class begins January 8th. Try our new challah making class too! All forms are on our website tbiport.org Register preschool and for summer camp 2020 now for the 2 s, 3 s and 4 s. Diana Snaider at preschool@tbiport.org or call ext. 7 Lituchy continued from page 8 first thing she does is tackle her homework from start to finish. Although she enjoys spending time grocery shopping with me, she doesn t understand why I would go down an aisle more than once. Where s your list mom? Why didn t we get the broccoli when we went down the aisle before? These are just a few of many examples of how she s focused on the task at hand. Whenever I need help with something done quickly and efficiently I call on Anna. Together we can whip up a meal, bake a tray of cookies, pack for camp, complete almost any task in no time at all. She is the yin to our yang. Some of Anna s favorite things to do include playing volleyball, shopping, baking (and tasting the batter), and listening to music. Most of all she loves spending time with her family and friends, doing just about anything. Anna has a loving and loyal heart and brightens our world with her smile and contagious laugh. I can t think of a more appropriate time for Isaac and Anna to enter the world than during the Festival of Lights. They, along with Janey, have lit up our lives in a way we could have never anticipated. They fill our home with love, laughter, and pride. As this special milestone of Isaac & Anna s B nai Mitzvah approaches, we are filled with gratitude for how they have enriched our lives over the past 13 years. How do you feel about twins? I feel like we hit the jackpot! Many thanks to Cantor Grainer for your patience, persistence, and dedication in preparing Isaac and Anna for this day. Rabbi Mishkin for his guidance and wisdom. Thank you, Jack Mish, for volunteering your time and sharing your knowledge. Many thanks to Cathy Seldin, Julie Cheevers, Narvin Kahn, and Steve Davis, for all of your hard work in helping this event all come together. PAGE 10 TBI TABLET JANUARAY 2020

11 Portrait of a RS Art Teacher My name is Shulamit Eliaz, though my family and friends call me Shula. I was born and raised in Israel on a kibbutz called Hatzor. After serving in the Israeli army and taking courses in art and drawing, I followed my husband to London for his studies. I have 3 boys, 2 of whom were born in London, while the youngest was born in Kaplan hospital in Rehovot, the same hospital where I was born. In 1987 my family made another big move, this time to New York where my husband was studying for his doctoral degree at NYU. During this time I started working as an art teacher at The Community Synagogue in Port Washington, where I still work. Until last year I also taught art at Temple Beth-El in Great Neck. I m thrilled to have recently also joined the TBI team! Beginning in 1988 I also began serving as the Director of Art at Eisner Camp, where my husband works as the camp psychologist. We ended our service at Eisner Camp in Art related to Jewish subjects has not only been my career, but it has also become my passion. I feel rewarded at the end of each art project when my students learn about Jewish holidays, Jewish symbols, Jewish culture, life in Israel, and more. Watching the children show their work to their parents with pride and be able to take a tangible piece of Jewish life home with them reminds me of the life-long benefits to their self-esteem and their deepening relationship to Jewish culture that they gain from my classes. I am truly grateful to all the schools that have given me the opportunity to fulfill my passion. President continued from page 3 Kristallnacht. A beautiful rendition of The Lonely Child, was played by Hannah Brooks on her violin. It was an amazing and emotional evening. TBI s Sisterhood had Shabbat in the Sukkah. In November we welcomed TBI s own Susan Isaacs who spoke about her book, Takes One to Know One. The book is a wonderful and funny, just like Susan. The Men s Club built the Sukkah. Later in the week they sponsored Sports Night in it!! Look for more activities from the Men s Club this winter. Tikkun Olam comes from many places within TBI. We collected bags of food for Hatzilu and gifts for children through Adopt-a-Child. Louise Cooper and Ilyse Wofse continue on with Mostly Mitzvahs celebrating 19 years of cooking and delivering food with the 6th and 7th graders of the Religious School. Allison White and the Social Action Committee continue their advocacy efforts in support of immigration and other social justice issues. TBI is a wonderful, warm and generous community full of remarkable congregants just like you! I look forward to seeing you soon, at Services or at one or more of the activities that are available to you. TBI Office Hours Monday Thursday: 9 am 4 pm Friday: 9 am 3 pm Please call to schedule an appointment with the Synagogue Director. TBI Office s Cathy Seldin, Synagogue Director cseldin@tbiport.org Julie Cheevers, Office Manager jcheevers@tbiport.org info@tbiport.org TEVET/SHEVAT 5780 TBI TABLET PAGE 11

12 Donations THE BUILDING FUND Ronnie Peshkin in loving memory of Henry Kahn, her beloved father. Ronnie Peshkin in loving memory of Ethel Peshkin, beloved mother of Donald Peshkin. Sylvia Mermel in loving memory of her beloved father Nikolas Sivan. The Shevrin family in loving memory of Joan Diane Shevrin beloved mother of Scott Shevrin. Susanne and Seth Diamond in loving memory of Seymour Orenstein, beloved father of Susanne Diamond. Joan and Daniel Konas in loving memory of Michael Konas, beloved brother of Daniel Konas. THE CANTOR S DISCRETIONARY FUND The Jackman family in honor of Cantor Grainer...thank you for all your help preparing Nathan for his Bar Mitzvah. THE KIDDUSH LUNCH FUND Mindy and Sean Mintz in loving memory of Sarah Huppert, beloved grandmother of Mindy and great grandmother of Sean. Susan and Bob Kass in loving memory of Henry Schickler, beloved father of Susan. THE LIBRARY FUND Best wishes to Diane Greenlick for a speedy recovery and continued good health...nancy and Jay Feldman, Mazel tov to Susan and Richard Levin on Nathan s Bar Mitzvah...Nancy and Jay Feldman. Mazel tov to Annette and Dan Kasle on the birth of their granddaughter Eliza, Nancy and Jay Feldman. Mazel tov to Shirley Levinson on the birth of her great granddaughter Eliza, Nancy and Jay Feldman. Mazel tov to Hilton and Irene Silver on the marriage of their grandson Max to Melissa. Mazel tov to Nancy and Jay Feldman on their wedding anniversary, Susan and Richard Levin. Mazel tov to Bob Epstein on his retirement, Susan and Richard Levin. In memory of Adele Klein, Judy and Morton Sloan THE MORTGAGE REDUCTION FUND Mazel tov to Annette and Dan Kasle on the birth of their granddaughter Eliza, Susan and Richard Levin. Susan and Richard Levin in loving memory of Ruth Lyons Menzer, beloved mother of Susan. THE RABBI S DISCRETIONARY FUND Mark and Kori Schneider in loving memory of Gertrude Schneider, beloved mother of Mark. The Jackman family in honor of Rabbi Mishkin...thank you for all your help preparing Nathan for his Bar Mitzvah. Ellen Erhardt in honor of Rabbi Mishkin thank you. Beverly Taubel in loving memory of her beloved mother Sarah Huppert. Judith and Al Siegel in honor of Rabbi Mishkin...thank you. Judith and Al Siegel in celebration of Al s birthday. Suzanne and Peter Grabiner helping to support programing activities. Judy and Morton Sloan in honor of Rabbi Mishkin for his support, comfort and kindness when Morton was ill. Celebrate a Special Shabbat with Temple Beth Israel FRIDAY, JANUARY 7:00 PM with BNAI MITZVAH OF ANNA & ISAAC LITUCHY Pray, sing & celebrate! PAGE 12 TBI TABLET JANUARAY 2020

13 Sisterhood Contributions Honor someone s simcha, express sympathy, or wish someone refuah shlema by making a contribution to Sisterhood, and a card will be sent on your behalf. For a minimum contribution of $10.00, you can choose from the Building Beautification Fund (BBF), Flower Fund (FF), School Equipment Fund (SEF), Torah Repair Fund (TRF), or the Women s League Torah Fund Campaign (WLTF). JNF Tree certificates are available for a minimum contribution of $ Please Deborah Brooks at deborahnaomi@aol.com and send your contribution (payable to TBI Sisterhood) to TBI, c/o Deborah Brooks. Mazal tov to Sheryl and Daniel Gordon on their son Benjamin becoming a Bar Mitzvah Board and Officers WLTF Eleanor and Victor Himel FF Joan Hulkower BBF Sisterhood WLTF Mazal tov to Gina Ezratty and Eric Lituchy on their daughter Anna becoming a Bat Mitzvah and their son Isaac becoming a Bar Mitzvah Board and Officers WLTF Eleanor and Victor Himel FF Joan Hulkower BBF Sisterhood WLTF Alex Himel Certified Dog Trainer/Sitter Veterinarian recommended All training aspects covered Will come to your residence Excellent references Old World Craftsmanship With New Age Technology SANDS POINT AUTO BODY, ltd. State of the Art Facility Phone (516) Fax (516) S. Bayles Ave Web: Port Washington, NY TEVET/SHEVAT 5780 TBI TABLET PAGE 13

14 Temple Drive Port Washington, NY Non-Profit Org. US Postage PAID Flushing, NY Permit No RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED 3-Part Lecture Series on Antisemitism Begins January 16