June 2019, 27 Iyyar to 27 Sivan 5779 Volume 201906 Congrega- tion Etz Chaim Monroe Township Jewish Center OUR MISSION: TO EDU- CATE, TO MOTIVATE, TO ACTIVATE, TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES WE TOUCH INSIDE THIS ISSUE 2 From The Rabbi 3 Schedule of Services 4Life Cycle/Donations 10 Events 15 Committee Updates (Fun)draising Events 16Tree of Life Order Form/ Donation Form/Signup Forms/ 20Directory/Submitting to Roots/Advertising Rates/Office Hours 21Calendar Office: 732-251-1119 UPCOMIG EVETS Etz Chaim Roots Coming Events Jerusalem Day June 2, 2019 Simcha Shabbat Hebrew School Graduation & Awards June 7, 2019 Shavuot service & pot luck dinner June 8, 2019 Shavuot service @ Beth Ohr June 10 , 2019 Social Action Movie ight June 13, 2019 Bat Mitzvah—Carly orth June 15, 2019 Sisterhood meeting June 18,, 2019 Shannon Longmore Confirmation June 22,, 2019 OFFICERS 2019-2020 PRESIDENT Laura Steinberg EXECUTIVE VP open TREASURER Ann Scholar FINANCIAL SECRETARY Marilyn Saeiwitz BOARD SECRETARY Rhoda Jacobs CO BUILDING VP Alan Friedrich CO BUILDING VP Rick Estrin EDUCATION VP Liz Rothman FUNDRAISING VP Lynne Singer MEMBERSHIP VP open RITUAL VP Robynn Mann SOCIAL ACTION VP Jerry Yochelson
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Etz Chaim Roots - ShulCloud...2 The Reform movement in an effort to recall and better experience the meaning of Shavuot, one of the three great pil-grimage festivals of the Torah,
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June 2019, 27 Iyyar to 27 Sivan 5779 Volume 201906 Congrega-
tion Etz Chaim Monroe Township Jewish Center OUR MISSION: TO EDU-
CATE, TO MOTIVATE, TO
ACTIVATE, TO MAKE A
DIFFERENCE IN THE
LIVES WE TOUCH
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
2 From The Rabbi
3 Schedule of Services
4Life Cycle/Donations
10 Events
15 Committee Updates
(Fun)draising Events
16Tree of Life Order Form/
Donation Form/Signup Forms/
20Directory/Submitting to
Roots/Advertising Rates/Office
Hours
21Calendar
Office: 732-251-1119
UPCOMI8G EVE8TS
Etz Chaim Roots
Coming Events Jerusalem Day
June 2, 2019 Simcha Shabbat
Hebrew School Graduation & Awards
June 7, 2019
Shavuot service & pot luck dinner
June 8, 2019
Shavuot service @ Beth Ohr
June 10 , 2019
Social Action Movie 8ight
June 13, 2019
Bat Mitzvah—Carly 8orth
June 15, 2019
Sisterhood meeting
June 18,, 2019
Shannon Longmore Confirmation
June 22,, 2019
OFFICERS
2019-2020
PRESIDENT Laura Steinberg
EXECUTIVE VP open
TREASURER Ann Scholar
FINANCIAL SECRETARY Marilyn Saeiwitz
BOARD SECRETARY Rhoda Jacobs
CO BUILDING VP Alan Friedrich
CO BUILDING VP Rick Estrin
EDUCATION VP Liz Rothman
FUNDRAISING VP Lynne Singer
MEMBERSHIP VP open
RITUAL VP Robynn Mann
SOCIAL ACTION VP Jerry Yochelson
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The Reform movement in an effort to recall and better experience the meaning of Shavuot, one of the three great pil-
grimage festivals of the Torah, instituted the practice of Confirmation. Originally conceived as a substitute for Bar/Bat
Mitzvah, Confirmation stands as a public testimony of faith.
The early Reformers placed much importance upon faith. They saw Bar/Bat Mitzvah as lacking in that they considered
the Bar Mitzvah ceremony a mere demonstration of Jewish skill while failing to address a deep faith in the G-d of Israel
and the mission of spreading ethical monotheism to the inhabitants of the world. They felt fifteen year olds better
equipped to understand and make these faith statements and commitments than thirteen year olds.
Although Bar/Bat Mitzvah has remained very popular among the Jewish people, Confirmation continues as a religious
practice among liberal Jews. And we still tie Confirmation to Shavuot. And the combination of Confirmation and Sha-
vuot does indeed speak to us of faith.
What is the nature of this faith?
Shavuot reenacts and celebrates the Revelation on Sinai, the giving of the Ten Statements and the Torah. This Torah
stands as the basis, the sourcebook for Judaism. Traditionally Jews have faith the Torah contains revelations from G-d
and hence, eternal religious truth. However one may conceive the origins of Torah; to break with faith in Torah’s special
status to guide, teach and command us would produce a Judaism cut from its moorings, values set adrift in a sea of rela-
tivism.
The early Reformers may have proven radical in their efforts to modernize Judaism, but they remained strong in their
faith in a divine Torah that informs our lives as Jews, and in the continuing presence of the Eternal that we may access
through Torah. May we this upcoming Shavuot reaffirm and confirm our faith in Torah and Mitzvot and the lifestyles of
goodness, morality and spiritual elevation inherent in this sacred decision!
Chag sameach!
From The Rabbi
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Do you want to learn the songs of our Kabbalat Service? Have you ever wanted to practice the torah bless-
ings or learn the blessing for the Haftorah reading in Hebrew?
Now you can hear our own Rabbi Levy chanting these prayers and blessings from our website. https://
etzchaimmtjc.org/learning/learn-blessings-songs
LEARN TORAH BLESSINGS WITH RABBI LEVY
Are you interested in joining a new Adult Bar/Bat mitzvah class. Please call Rabbi Levi or the Office if
you are interested.
ADULT BAR/BAT MITZVAH CLASS
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Schedule of Services – לוח זמני תפילה
DATE TIME SERVICE
Saturday, June 1 9:30AM Torah Study 9:30
Worship at 10:15
Friday, June 7 6:30 PM Junior Choir
Simcha Shabbat
Hebrew School Grad & Awards
Kabbalat Shabbat
Saturday, June 8 9:30AM
6:30 PM
Torah Study 9:30
Worship at 10:15
Shavuot Service & Pot Luck Dinner
Friday, June14 6:30 PM Kabbalat Shabbat
Saturday, June 15 9:30AM Bat Mitzvzh -Carly 8orth
Torah Study 9:30
Worship at 10:15
Friday, June 21 6:30 PM Kabbalat Shabbat
Saturday, June 22 9:30AM
Shannon Longmore Confirma-
tion
Torah Study 9:30
Worship at 10:15
Friday, June 28 8o Service
Monday, June 10 9:30 AM Shavuot Service @ Beth Ohr
Saturday, June 29 9:30 AM Torah Study 9:30
Worship at 10:15
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Bikur Cholim means “visiting the sick”.
Some authorities maintain that Bikur Cholim is one of the 613 commandments of the Torah, while others hold it as a rabbinic command, derived from “Thou shall love thy neighbor as thyself.” (Lev. 19:18)
A group of your fellow congregants would like to visit you or your loved one if homebound or ill.
If you are interested in arranging a visit, contact Rabbi Levy or Margery Estrin at 732 251-1119.
SHOPPI�G FOR SHABBAT
We need helpers (men/women) for the Friday & Saturday services.
Please call the Office 732-251-1119
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Donations
Thank you for contributing to:
.
Vo1 201906 June, 2019 ETZ CHAIM ROOTS
General Fund
Sharon Lentchner in memory of Etta & Edward Spivack
Sharon Lentchner in memory of Toby Rosofsky
Judy Cohen in memory of Allen Cohen
Sandy & Lawrence Richek in memory of Gertude Silverstein, Sandy’s mother
Elaine Levine & Sylvia Tannenbaum in memory of Frank Edelstein
Rochelle Swercheck & Harry Frankenberg in memory of Daisy Frankenberg
Janet Streit in memory of Fred Streit
Amy & Dr. Ives Tucker in memory of Karl Tucker
Mr. & Mrs. Danzer in memory of Elliot Drobbin
Cheryl D’Altrui in memory of Elliott Drobbin
Maxine & Alan Kleiman in memory of Eliot Drobbin
Lisa & Mitchel Zimmel in loving memory of Elliott Drobbin
Amy Appleman in honor of Baby Naming
Michael & Marilyn Linsky in honor of Dr. Norman Blumenstock’s birthday
Education Fund
Jay & Marsha Sincoff & Family in memory of Stanley Leavitt’s Beloved wife Marcy
Marsha & Jay Sincoff & Family for Mrs. Tobin Bertick & Family. Sorry for the loss of your husband, dad & grandpa.
CO8DOLE8CES TO:
Jay Drobbin and family in memory of his beloved father, Elliot
May his memories be for a blessing and may he be comforted by his family.
PLEASE �OTE: All donations for Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund MUST be made out to Rabbi’s
Discretionary Fund
Rabbi's Discretionary Fund
Amy Appleman in honor of Rabbi Levy’s birthday
Amy Appleman in memory of Sidney Appleman, Amy’s husband & Max Poris, Amy’s father
Rashe Farber in honor of Amy Appleman’s great-grand daughter.
Talia Marcus for Norman Blumenstock’s birthday
Doris Kadish Thank you for your generous loan of your sweater & shawl.
Sandy Levine in memory of Evelyn Levy’s brother, Samuel
Sandy Levine in support of the Buyer/Katz/Herschbein Lecture Series
Judy Cohen in support of the Buyer/Katz/Herschbein Lecture Series
Beverly Freid & Steven Herschbein in memory of Ira Herschbein
Sylvia & Leon Deutch in memory of Ira Herschbein
Gladys Nahmias in support of the Buyer/Katz/Herschbein Lecture Series
Gladys Nahmias in honor of the naming of Amy Appleman’s great-granddaughter
Len Smollen in honor of the naming of Amy Appleman’s great-granddaughter
Hariet & Bruce Fleisig in honor of Pesach
Sylvia & Leon Deutch in memory of Ira Herschbein
Meredith Blumentstock in honor of the congregation
Donations
Vo1 201906 June, 2019 ETZ CHAIM ROOTS
Cornerstone Foundation
Rhoda Jacobs
Renee Dragona in memory of Elliott Drobbin
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We Remember Our Loved Ones
Vo1 201906 June, 2019 ETZ CHAIM ROOTS
6/1/2019 Morris Kazdon Father of Harriet Fleisig
6/1/2019 Nathan Loss Father of Stuart Loss
6/3/2019 Theresa Schenkman Mother of Judy Cohen
6/4/2019 Justin Mayo Nephew of Hope Fisher & Sharon Merli
6/5/2019 Samuel Davis Father-in-law of Claire Davis
6/5/2019 Sara Koslow Mother of Janet Streit
6/6/2019 Morris Friedman Father of Bernie Friedman
6/8/2019 Evelyn Bergson Mother of Rabbi Leslie Bergson
6/10/2019 Irving Bergson Father of Rabbi Leslie Bergson
6/10/2019 Joseph Posner Father of Bert Posner
6/10/2019 Kate Ginsberg Mother of Frances Saiewitz
6/10/2019 Pauline Maher Mother of Harriet Katz
6/10/2019 Sadie Bodack Grandmother of Marcia Sincoff
6/11/2019 Arnold Diamond Father of Karen Harris
6/11/2019 Ching Hsun Chou Mother of Margaret Fox
6/11/2019 Rosa Katz Mother of Marta Martinez
6/12/2019 Claire Sidney Sister-in-law of Claire Davis
6/13/2019 Harry Friedrich Father of Alan Friedrich
6/14/2019 Dorothy Leibowitz Mother of Michael Leibowitz
6/14/2019 Margaret Panahi Daughter of Jerry Yochelson
6/23/2019 Solomon Spivack Father of Sharon Lentchner
6/24/2019 Rose Wolf Mother of Claire Davis
6/27/2019 Donald Niederman Father of Susan Cohen
6/27/2019 Elsie Posner Mother of Bert Posner
6/29/2019 Mollie Solomon Mother of Rhoda Jacobs
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Birthdays Anniversaries
Vo1 201906 June, 2019 ETZ CHAIM ROOTS
Note from Webmaster & Financial secretary
If you are sometimes missing the emails from Etz Chaim and your billing invoices,
please make sure to add ‘etzchaimmtjc.org’ and ‘intuit.com’ to your safe senders list
in your email software.
Your billing invoice comes from quickbooks and has this as the sender:
Our weekly emails, messages from Rabbi Levy and other announcements come
from Constant Contact using our etzchaimmtjc.org domain as the sender.
If, at any time, you unsubscribed from one of our emails, you will need to go to our
webpage, www.mtjc.org to re-sign up for the newsletters. Anti-spam rules prevent
us from re-activating your account.
Message from Financial Secretary
Please note our new policy: We will no longer be accepting cash for payment. Please send only checks and be sure to put the reason for the check on the memo line. You may pay cash for events at the door, such as the Bimah Players show, but the person running the event will be expected to provide a consolidated personal check in lieu of all cash collected.
We can not accept Ink cartridges unless they are from the
original manufacturer; ex: HP, Brother, Cannon. No one ac-
cepts them and the secretary has to take them to Staples. Sta-
ples only takes 20 per month and there is an abundance of
these cartridges in the office.
6/3/2019 Gloria Heyers
6/4/2019 Jeff Brown
6/6/2019 Garrett Petruska
6/6/2019 Alison North
6/7/2019 Lana Shuty
6/10/2019 Phil Kaufman
6/11/2019 Matthew Goldstein
6/15/2019 Stuart Loss
6/16/2019 Andrew Abere
6/16/2019 Elaine Levine
6/16/2019 Bertrand Kossoff
6/17/2019 Cantor Jack Kusher
6/21/2019 Nathan Santay
6/23/2019 Matthew Sorkin
6/24/2019 Susan Bosin
6/26/2019 Ethan Saiewitz
6/28/2019 Karen Schwartz
6/1/2019 Matthew & Gail Sorkin
6/2/2019 Michael & Sharon Bekas
6/6/2019 Neil & Phyllis Bloom
6/6/2019 Margery & Rick Estrin
6/9/2019 Mark & Rochelle Swercheck
6/10/2019 James & Marsha Peck
6/13/2019 Michael & Judy Leibowitz
6/25/2019 Debbie & Neil Yivrakes
6/27/2019 Myrna & Philip Bolstein
6/27/2019 Ellie & Milton Yong Yow
6/28/2019 Jay & Karen Harris
6/30/2019 Laurie & Jason Faigin
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Vo1 201906 June, 2019 ETZ CHAIM ROOTS
Easy ways to earn money for Etz Chaim
Bring us your old inkjet and toner cartridges. We’ll send them to a recycler who will pay us for each
one. We cannot accept damaged or re-manufactured cartridges.
Use our Amazon link on our webpage. If you go to Amazon via our website, mtjc.org, we will receive
a percentage of your purchase. We do not have visibility to what you purchase or who is purchasing, so
your privacy is intact.
From the office manager:
If anyone leaves cash in the box or on my desk, please let me know who
you are and what the money is for. Otherwise, the money will be en-
tered under anonymous donor and you won't get credit for it.
Thank you, Rose
President’s Message
Hello Congregation Etz Chaim Monroe Township Jewish Center,
I want to take this opportunity to thank the community for the opportunity that has been given to me as president of the con-
gregation that my family and I are so proud to be a part of.
We are in a trying time financially and I will do my best to insure that we remain fiscally responsible, while providing the
same spiritual and community needs as always.
I will be available to help out in any way I can and encourage everybody to reach out to let me know what you can do to help,
give me any feedback or advice, or to just say hello.
Michael J. Fisher
732-895-7793
Celebrate Israel this spring!
June 2 | Celebrate Israel Parade: “Only in Israel – Rak B’Yisrael”
Join members of this community as we march down Fifth Ave in NYC celebrating 71 years of Israeli inde-pendence. Buses will leave from Middlesex and Monmouth County locations.
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Vo1 201906 June, 2019 ETZ CHAIM ROOTS
Volunteers 8eeded!!!
Our beloved Congregation Etz Chaim is in need of... YOU. Our house of worship, our family of
families is run by volunteers. A very small number of volunteers.
I believe if you want to feel good then you should do good. For quite a while volunteering at our
Temple helped me feel good. Lately it’s been harder because with so few of us, it can feel
overwhelming. Just a few more volunteers would make a huge difference. I know other
volunteers share this sentiment.
Our small group is committed to Congregation Etz Chaim, and will continue to work for our
community. But it is getting very hard.
I love that I found the only full service synagogue in Monroe. I need Congregation Etz Chaim. I
need it to nourish my spirit, to help me raise my children Jewish, to learn and teach rituals, and
to be there for celebrations and times of mourning.
Please think about why you need Congregation Etz Chaim as I am writing to tell you that
Congregation Etz Chaim needs you.
If you have any questions, call me at 908-812-8959 after 4 pm M-F, all day Saturday and
Sunday.
Laura Steinberg, Vice President and Treasurer
ISABEL A8D HOWARD A8D IRA
Their shared bond was an unquenchable thirst for learning. The BUYER/KATZ/HERSCHBEIN EDUCATION SERIES is this congrega-tion’s vehicle for acknowledging their dedication to fulfillment of our legacy as “People of the Book.” We represent pro[grams designed to enrich participants’ understanding of the Jewish world so that they may more fully engage in making it a better place. Our offerings are diverse; films, lectures, workshops, expert panels – and always include food for the body as well as the mind and soul (sometimes brunch, sometimes lunch).
What better way to memorialize or honor a loved one than to help make the gift of Jewish learning more affordable for all. Your contribu-tion to the BUYER/KATZ/HERSCHBEIN EDUCATION SERIES will help defray costs of future events. If you choose to help us in our endeavors to bring Jewish knowledge to this community, please make your check payable to Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund with designation to EDUCATION SERIES. And do plan on attending our next presentation, which will take place in the fall.
Remember: “The more you know, the more you grow.” Thank you.
Harriet Katz and Rabbi Benjamin Levy
Co-Facilitators
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Join the Etz Chaim
Matmidim
Adult Education Group
Make your Torah study
A regular thing!
Tuesday afternoons, 3:00 PM
Vo1 201906 June, 2019 ETZ CHAIM ROOTS
COR�ERSTO�E FOU�DATIO�
Dear Congregants,
When writing a check for the Cornerstone Foundation, make it out to Monroe Twp Jewish Center. You must put Cornerstone in the memo section of the check. I know this is different from what you were originally told, that was my mistake. I went to 1st Constitution to double check how checks should be written.
I apologize for any inconvenience.
Sincerely,
Laura Steinberg, Treasurer and Vice President
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COMMU8ITY WALKWAY
Inscribed Paving Bricks
Placed Permanently at
Congregation Etz Chaim – Monroe Twp Jewish Center
$100 each
A fitting opportunity to give tribute or memorial to a special person or
family
Letter count includes spaces and punctuation marks. Maximum 13 letters/spaces/punctuation
marks per line. 3 lines per brick. Please print clearly, one character, space or punctuation per