The following is adapted from First Vice President Eileen Goldberg's Kol Nidre speech
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Shanah Tovah!
As many of you know, I'm a teacher...specifically, I'm a Jewish educator. I‟ve been a teacher at our temple for about 20 years. For the past 8 years, I've had the title of B'Nai Mitzvah tutor. During the day, I'm a prekindergarten teacher in the Day Care Division of the Suffolk Y Jewish Community Center in Commack. On Sunday mornings and Tuesday evenings, I teach the fourth grade at Temple B'Nai Torah in Wantagh.
As a Jewish educator, most Reform congregations require, or at least expect, their teachers to participate in the yearly LITE--Long Island Temple Educators--conference. At these conferences, you meet other Jewish professionals, share ideas and, hopefully, learn some-thing new to bring back to the classroom.
Most conference facilitators ask that you introduce yourself by name, school location and the grade level you teach. The first time I mentioned Sinai Reform Temple, the reaction was: "Where?"
Well, I'll tell you where. Sinai Reform Temple was founded in 1948. There is a history that can be found on our Web site: www.sinaireformtemple.org. If you haven't seen it, take a look at it. It's interesting.
I wasn't even born in 1948. I was born several years later. I had a baby naming in a Reform temple in Brooklyn. My parents made a decision that because I was a girl, they wouldn't send me to religious school. They would send only a boy. My parents were 'intrafaith'. My dad was brought up Orthodox. My mom was brought up Reform. This religious education was a compromise between them.
However, I grew up in Levittown, New York, in the 1950s. I became friends with a girl who ultimately was responsible for my parents changing their decision. We were second graders, and this seven- or eight-year-old called me a "dirty Jew" and a "Christ killer". So by the start of third grade, I started religious school at Temple Beth Avodah in Westbury, New York.
I was one of those rare students who totally loved Hebrew school. I stuck with it from third grade through my senior year of high school. I was a member of LIFTY-- Long Island Federation of Temple. I was an officer on the tri-state board. I was a student helper in the religious school. Upon graduation from religious school, I even received a one time $200 college scholarship check for all of these activities.
What I didn't know was that Temple Beth Avodah was struggling financially. While Temple Beth Avodah was my religious home in Westbury, there were at least four other Reform congregations within several miles. The temple ended up closing its doors in 1974, and, they merged with Community Reform Temple, also in Westbury.
In 1974, my husband and I had been married for a year and we wanted to belong to a temple. I called the Union of American Hebrew Congregations (UAHC), as it was then named. I told them that I lived in North Babylon. UAHC gave me the names of two congregations that they felt were in my geographic area: Temple Judea in Massapequa and Temple Beth David in Commack. Not even UAHC named Sinai Reform Temple, and, in 1974, this temple had been open for 26 years.
I found Sinai Reform Temple by accident. When my son was in kindergarten, there was an ad in the local Pennysaver for Sinai Reform Temple, 39 Brentwood Road, Bay Shore, New York. I came to the open house, felt right at home and became a member in time for my son to start first grade.
So here I am standing on the bimah having just told you about my journey to Sinai Reform Temple. This temple has been here for 62 years. It‟s seen rabbis, cantors and members come and go. It's survived a fire. And it's still here! Let's keep it that way!
As many of you know, our temple, like just about every religious organization, is financially stressed. On Long Island, in 2004, Suffolk Jewish Center, Deer Park, merged with Dix Hills Jewish Center. In 2007, Farmingdale Jewish Center merged with Wantagh Jewish Center. In 2008, Temple Judea, Massapequa, merged with Suburban Temple, Wantagh, becoming Temple B'Nai Torah. And in 2009, Temple Emmanuel of Lynbrook merged with Temple Sinai of Lawrence, becoming Temple Am Echad.
All those mergers...and Sinai Reform Temple still stands!
We are standing today thanks to the efforts of Barry Schwartz who continuously rents out the social hall. His efforts are amazing! We have a thrift shop that generates income and helps the local community. Volunteers are needed to keep it open.
We need a strong fundraising committee. We need people with ideas who can create programs for the congregation as well as for the community. We need you to be our best advertisers. We need you to tell your friends and family about our wonderful community. Invite them to a service or other event. Encourage them to become members.
We have a wonderful rabbi. Rabbi Losben-Ostrov has a contract for a part-time position, yet she works like a full-timer. We have a guest cantor. Cantor Carla Reynolds is an invested URJ cantor. She's not a cantorial soloist. The amount of money that she's making is embarrassing. Each year, we bring in Carol Whitener as our organist. She used to work for us full time. Now we see her twice a year for the High Holy Days. Wouldn't it be wonderful to be able to have a full-time rabbi, cantor and organist?
Take a look around. The carpet is 18years old. It needs to be replaced. The doors to the sanctuary need to be re-stained. The list is endless. Facility use and thrift shop income only go so far. We need your help. Every one pays dues. And our dues will not be going up!
You can still help. Sponsor an oneg. You don't need a special reason. If you like to bake, bake extra and bring it to the temple. Baked goods can be frozen and used at a later date. If you see bargains for apple juice, for example, buy it and donate it. Donate those little Box tops for Education certificates. Last year, we raised $65. This year, let's do more. Bring them to the temple office and leave them in my mailbox.
Along with your High Holy Day tickets, you received a pledge card. Those of you who are fortunate enough to give generously, we thank you and encourage you to, maybe, dig a little deeper and do more. Those of you who struggle financially with day-to-day bills, give what you realistically can. Don't feel embarrassed if all you can give is a small amount. Every dollar helps us to stay open! I don't know about you but I really like Sinai Reform Temple. I want to stay here in this building.
I have one more story to tell you. Last November, I was at the annual LITE Conference. I was taking a workshop with the director of Education at Temple Am Echad in Lynbrook. When I told him that I was a member of Sinai Reform Temple, he looked at me and asked, "Isn't that the temple where Rabbi Emily is?"
Well, we finally made the Jewish map of Long Island. Let's work together to keep it that way!
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More Information About the Trip to see Fyvush Finkel Live!
The National Yiddish Theater on Sunday, Oct 24th at 2pm.
(There is a free Yiddish lesson at 1:15pm for ticket holders)
Baruch Performing Arts Center
55 Lexington Ave
(25th St. between Lexington and 3rd Ave.)
$39 for Orchestra seats.
A True Living Legend's Musical Journey through his Remarkable Career! In English and Yiddish with English and Russian Supertitles Starring Fyvush Finkel with his sons Ian Finkel and Elliot Finkel with Guest Stars Merwin Goldsmith and June Gable Star of the Yiddish and English stage, the Emmy and OBIE Award-winning actor takes us from the rich heyday of Second Avenue to mainstream stardom on stage and screen with laughter from beginning to end.
Fyvush Finkel Live!
For three weeks only (23 performances), from October 17 to November 7, it's the rarest of all rare treats, as the Emmy Award-winning Fyvush Finkel offers a first-hand account of an incredible career spanning English and Yiddish roles, from Second Avenue to modern-day television stardom. A musical celebration of a life on stage, "Fyvush Finkel Live!" stars Fyvush Finkel and his sons Ian Finkel & Elliot Finkel. The guest stars are Merwin Goldsmith & June Gable. Directed by Motl Didner with choreography by Shorey Walker. In Yiddish and English.
Filled with songs, stories, jokes and ample evidence of Finkel's undiminished mastery of showbusiness razzle dazzle, "Fyvush Finkel Live!" brings us this close to one of the last living links to the Yiddish theatre's rich heyday on Second Avenue. But it also introduces us to one of a very select group of actors who are active and successful in both the Yiddish and mainstream worlds. Very few indeed have straddled the tradi-tions of Second Avenue and mainstream entertainment as convincingly as Finkel.
Born in Brooklyn Finkel began his career in the Yiddish theatre as a teenager. After a long stint touring in "Fiddler on the Roof," directed by Jerome Robbins, he starred in the Off-Broadway hit "Little Shop of Horrors" for five years, earned an Obie in "Caf' Crown" (which moved to Broadway), and teamed up with his sons Ian and Elliot, and grandson Abbot in two musical revues: "Finkel's Follies" and "From Second Avenue to Broadway." A beloved television star, Finkel earned an Emmy Award in 1994 for Picket Fences and he starred from in the acclaimed series Boston Public, which ran from 2000 to 2004. His most recent appearance Off-Broadway was in "New Jerusalem" by David Ives three seasons ago.
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A Bus trip in conjunction with the Bay Shore Jewish Center is being planned for Sunday, October 31st. The trip will include transportation and a guided tour of historic East Broadway, including the Jewel in the Crown, The Bialystoker Synagogue, 19th century shtiebel, Forward Building, Henry Street Settlement House and more. This will be a full day trip with a stop for lunch and time to shop in the area. The cost is $65 / person. If you are interested contact David Ellner at sinaireformtempl@aol.com or the temple office - 631-665-5755.
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An Evening of Art & Music
Art Exhibit and Auction
We are looking for all kinds of artists, who work with all kinds of mediums and are from any age group. If you are an artist or musician and would like to participate in the evening, please contact Rabbi Losben-Ostrov.
We are asking each artist to donate one piece of work to be auctioned off during the evening. Artists are also invited to sell their work or simply display/showcase their work.
If you would like to help out with the planning of the event, please also contact the Rabbi.
Feel free to invite your family and friends to participate in our Evening of Art!
More information to follow.
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Special Program coming to Sinai Reform Temple (date to
be announced). Join us for a special cooking demonstration/lecture and
supper presented by a local Executive Chef. We will learn how to eat healthy throughout the forthcoming cold winter months. Marian Kent, Joy
O'Brien & Susan Ziegler will be contacting you very soon with the
date and time.
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