Rabbi’s Corner 2 Cantor’s Notes, President’s Message 3 Reflections, Adult Learning 4 Lifelong Jewish Learning 5 Mini-U & School News 6 Family Shabbat Services 7 Tropichanukah! 8 What’s Happening 9 “Scene” at Sinai 10-13 Sinai Committees 14-18 My Sinai 19-20 Supporting Sinai 21-22 November Calendar 23 December Calendar 24 In the Sinai Family 25 Those We Remember 26 Contributions 27 SINAI NEWS Rabbi David B. Cohen • Cantor Rebecca Robins • Rabbi Emeritus Jay R. Brickman Director of Administration Karen Lancina • Program Coordinator Jen Friedman • Sinai News Nicole Sether Congregation Sinai • 8223 N. Port Washington Road• Fox Point, WI 53217 414.352.2970• 414.352.0944 (fax)• www.congregationsinai.org November/December 2010 • Cheshvan-Tevet 5771 In this issue Shabbat Toldot Genesis 25:19 - 28:9 Nov 5 Tot Shabbat 5:30 pm Congregational Dinner 6 pm Family Shabbat Service 7 pm Nov 6 Torah Study 8:00 am Morning Minyan 9:30 am Benjamin Cohn Bar Mitzvah 10 am Shabbat Vayetzei Genesis 28:10 - 32:3 Nov 12 Rockin’ Shabbat Service 6:15 pm Nov 13 Torah Study 8 am Morning Minyan 9:30 am Shabbat Vayishlach Genesis 32:4 - 36:43 Nov 19 Alan Mendeloff Adult Bar Mitzvah & Shabbat Limud Service 6:15 pm Nov 20 Torah Study 8:00 am Morning Minyan 9:30 am Amanda Jacobs Bat Mitzvah 10 am Shabbat Vayeshev Genesis 37:1 - 40:23 Nov 26 Shabbat Tikkun HaNefesh 6:15 pm Nov 27 Torah Study 8 am Morning Minyan 9:30 am Shabbat Miketz Genesis 41:1 - 44:17 Dec 3 Tot Shabbat 5:30 pm Chanukah Dinner 6 pm Shabbat Chanukah Service 7 pm Dec 4 Torah Study 8 :00 am Morning Minyan 9:30 am Shabbat Vayigash Genesis 44:18 - 47:27 Dec 10 Shabbat Service 6:15 pm Dec 11 Torah Study 8 am Morning Minyan 9:30 am Shabbat Vayechi Genesis 47:28 - 50:26 Dec 17 Shabbat Limud Service 6:15 pm Dec18 Torah Study 8 am Morning Minyan 9:30 am Shabbat Shemot Exodus 1:1 - 6:1 Dec 24 Shabbat Service 5 pm Dec 25 Torah Study 8 am Morning Minyan 9:30 am Shabbat Vaera Exodus 6:2 - 9:35 Dec 31 Shabbat Service 5 pm Jan 1 Torah Study 8 am Morning Minyan 9:30 am Shabbat Schedule A bi-monthly publication Issue 2, Volume 1 Happy Chanukah!
Congregation Sinai Milwaukee Newsletter - November - December 2010
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Transcript
Rabbi’s Corner 2
Cantor’s Notes,
President’s Message
3
Reflections,
Adult Learning
4
Lifelong Jewish Learning 5
Mini-U & School News 6
Family Shabbat Services 7
Tropichanukah! 8
What’s Happening 9
“Scene” at Sinai 10-13
Sinai Committees 14-18
My Sinai 19-20
Supporting Sinai 21-22
November Calendar 23
December Calendar 24
In the Sinai Family 25
Those We Remember 26
Contributions 27
SINAI NEWS
Rabbi David B. Cohen • Cantor Rebecca Robins • Rabbi Emeritus Jay R. Brickman
Director of Administration Karen Lancina • Program Coordinator Jen Friedman • Sinai News Nicole Sether
Congregation Sinai • 8223 N. Port Washington Road• Fox Point, WI 53217
Shabbat Toldot Genesis 25:19 - 28:9 Nov 5 Tot Shabbat 5:30 pm Congregational Dinner 6 pm Family Shabbat Service 7 pm Nov 6 Torah Study 8:00 am Morning Minyan 9:30 am Benjamin Cohn Bar Mitzvah 10 am Shabbat Vayetzei Genesis 28:10 - 32:3 Nov 12 Rockin’ Shabbat Service 6:15 pm Nov 13 Torah Study 8 am Morning Minyan 9:30 am Shabbat Vayishlach Genesis 32:4 - 36:43 Nov 19 Alan Mendeloff Adult Bar Mitzvah & Shabbat Limud Service 6:15 pm Nov 20 Torah Study 8:00 am Morning Minyan 9:30 am Amanda Jacobs Bat Mitzvah 10 am Shabbat Vayeshev Genesis 37:1 - 40:23 Nov 26 Shabbat Tikkun HaNefesh 6:15 pm Nov 27 Torah Study 8 am Morning Minyan 9:30 am Shabbat Miketz Genesis 41:1 - 44:17 Dec 3 Tot Shabbat 5:30 pm Chanukah Dinner 6 pm Shabbat Chanukah Service 7 pm Dec 4 Torah Study 8 :00 am Morning Minyan 9:30 am
Shabbat Vayigash Genesis 44:18 - 47:27 Dec 10 Shabbat Service 6:15 pm Dec 11 Torah Study 8 am Morning Minyan 9:30 am Shabbat Vayechi Genesis 47:28 - 50:26 Dec 17 Shabbat Limud Service 6:15 pm Dec18 Torah Study 8 am Morning Minyan 9:30 am Shabbat Shemot Exodus 1:1 - 6:1 Dec 24 Shabbat Service 5 pm Dec 25 Torah Study 8 am Morning Minyan 9:30 am Shabbat Vaera Exodus 6:2 - 9:35 Dec 31 Shabbat Service 5 pm Jan 1 Torah Study 8 am Morning Minyan 9:30 am
Join our 1st & 5th Grade Religious School Classes for a Shabbat celebrating the teaching
Friday November 5, 2010 5:30 PM: Minyan Katan
Children and their families through 1st grade come welcome Shabbat in song!
6:00 PM: Congregational Potluck Shabbat Dinner
A great start to Shabbat for everyone…planned by our 1st and 5th grade classes!
Help us start Shabbat with a mitzvah! We’ll bring the main dish. You bring: A-F: Salad & One non-perishable ingredient from your salad to donate!
G-R: Side Dish & One non-perishable ingredient from your side dish to donate! S-Z: Dessert & One non-perishable ingredient from your dessert to donate!
*please bring vegetarian dishes only…thanks!
*If you are bringing peas and carrots as a side (one of Cantor Robins’ faves!), please bring a can of peas for us to donate.
Join Rabbi Cohen and Cantor Robins for a song and story filled Shabbat service celebrating our community’s commitment to tzedakah!
Lifelong Jewish Learning
Family Shabbat Services
One Mitzvah Leads to Another (Pirkei Avot)
Traffic Patterns, Carpool Lane and Safety of those precious shayna punim!!!
I am grateful that I never learned to drive. Oy, it’s a jungle out there. I really admire those of you who
MUST schlep your children to religious school week after week after week. That’s dedication!
To make sure that our most precious ones are safe, the Sinai staff has spent HOURS (this is no exaggera-
tion….hours) trying to figure out how to keep you and your children safe when entering and exiting the
building. Look, the fire inspector has informed us that our building is just not equipped for a carpool lane.
BUT, the traffic patterns have changed to help improve safety and reduce the chaos.
Therefore,
Please follow those orange cones
Do NOT park in the fire lane (the space along the side of the building ALL the way to Port Washington Road)
If there is no place for you to wait in your car you have a few choices:
○ Park your car in the lot. Come into the building where it’s warm. It’s not so far to walk. Even in the cold.
○ Park your car in the lot and your child can walk across the crosswalk and meet you at your car.
Remember it’s for the safety of our children and future generations.
As always, this comes from a place of love,
Bubbe
Page 8 November-December 2010
Lifelong Jewish Learning
Sinai Sizzles this Chanukah– tropical style! Wear your Hawaiian shirt if you’d like and join us for a Chanukah Dinner filled with a tropical
inspired menu with Latkes and Mitzvah Crafts.
Friday, December 3rd, 2010 5:30 PM Tot Shabbat - The perfect Chanukah service for children through first grade and their families!
6:00 PM Shabbat/Chanukah Dinner $10.00 - Adults, $7.00 - Children twelve and under. FREE for children three and under.
7:00 PM Family-Friendly Chanukah Service Special blessing for our newest member families
Bring a small gift for the children of the SDC shelter this holiday season. Children will decorate gift bags and make cards for our friends at the SDC shelter.
RSVP by Monday, November 22nd at: http://chanukah2010.eventbrite.com
And don’t forget the famous…
Design-Your-Own Chanukiyah Contest!
Bring your Chanukiyah to Sinai on Friday night, December 3rd in time for Shabbat/ Chanukah dinner at 6 PM to display in the foyer.
It must have 9 candle holders (one for each night of Chanukah and a shamash).
It must be useable in some way and made by your family (one entry per family please)!
Cool family prizes award to 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place!
Good luck and be creative!
For children through 2nd grade, we'd love for you to
start your Shabbat with us!
Our Tot Shabbat is a great
way to come sing and pray and get
ready for Shabbat together! We'll
play our instruments and march
with the Torah together.
Join Rabbi Cohen and
Cantor Robins on the steps of the
bima at 5:30 pm on November 5th
and December 3rd. Bring your
moms, dads, grandparents and
your singing voice for a great Shab-
bat together!
Stay for dinner, too! Join us for Shabbat dinner begin-
ning at 6:00 pm - right after Tot Shabbat finishes!
Every Tuesday with Susan Solvang 8:45 am, Worship & Learning Space Join us for a high quality, friendly, and accessible yoga class. 10 class pass is $100 or pay per class @ $11/class. Please arrive 15 minutes early. Yoga mats and props are provided. Don't miss the fun!!
Check out Sinai’s
Communication Corner
First we had the Sinai News, then the Sinai Enews, NOW the Sinai Communication Corner. Another way to
inform you about all the wonderful and exciting things that are going on at Sinai located right in our
beautiful foyer.
This new addition is the brain child of the Sinai Committee and Group Chairs and several
other caring congregants affiliated with the interior design of the building.
Many thanks to the Women of Sinai for their generosity in underwriting this project and making our
Sinai All-School Social Action Day at the SDC Shelter, Chai Point & Sarah Chudnow
Bella and Harrison Gollin at the Milwaukee Jewish Home and
Care Center
Sinai's 3rd-6th graders, their parents and teachers joined residents at the SDC Family Shelter on October 10th for a
Fall Activity Day. Activities included putting together felt tied blankets donated and prepared by Sinai's Brit Nashim Rosh Cho-
desh group, decorating pumpkins, creating over 50 toiletry kits for residents, decorating cookies, and playing on the play-
ground. It was a spectacular day full of fun and interaction. Thank you to all congregants for their donations and their on-
going participation in this endeavor.
Idy Goodman
Carmel Sweet and Jennifer Halaska help the children at SDC
decorate pumpkins.
Sinai teacher Aggie Goldenholz helps with cookie
decorating at SDC. Maya Goldbaum enjoys a cuddle.
Page 13 November-December 2010
“Scene” at Sinai
Larry and Jack Glussman, and residents of SDC help
make blankets.
Fifth graders assemble hygiene kits for residents.
Jennifer Halaska making music with SDC
children. It's parachute play at SDC.
Robin Buzzell helps the children dance.
Sinai All-School Social Action Day at the SDC Shelter!
Brotherhood News
Page 14 November-December 2010
Sinai Committees
Upcoming Brotherhood Events
Sinai Brotherhood has an interesting calendar of
events planned for the 2010-2011 year. As always these
events are open to all members of Congregation Sinai and
are supported through donations and brotherhood dues.
•November 7th - First coffee of the fall/winter sea-
son. Rabbi David Begoun will lead us in a discussion of the
afterlife and the perspectives offered through Kabbalah in
the Worship and Learning Space. Free coffee, bagels, and
various other treats will be offered to those attending.
•December 12th - Dave Meltzer looks back at "Sinai-
now and then". Join Dave as he chronicles the history of
Sinai from its inspired beginnings to the present day. This is
a MUST especially for those who want to better understand
the "sacred past" of Sinai which is our spiritual home.
•January 9th – Join us for ―Looking at Brotherhood –
2011‖ followed by Rabbi Jay Brickman for a hands on ses-
sion on ―How To Read and Write Poetry Doodles.‖
•February 27th - Hobby In The Lobby! Ellis Brom-
berg shares his power point presentation of stamps and Ju-
daica and kicks off the congregation-wide Hobby Festival at
Sinai. Stamps tell an amazing story of the history of Judaism
around the world!
•March 27th - Damien Jaques , local theater critic
and columnist, asks the essential question of "Do you like
Milwaukee theater"? Please join us for an update on the
many changes that have taken place over the past season in
Milwaukee theater! As always discussion will be a vital part
of this program as we share our "thumbs up and thumbs
down" views of the seasons performances.
•May - Softball season begins! Games are held
each Tuesday night at either 6 PM or 7 PM from May through
early August. This is a part of the JCC softball league and last
year 14 teams from different Jewish organizations partici-
pated. There is a $20 team membership fee in addition to
being a member of the Brotherhood. Last season was a
huge success as Congregation Sinai won their division. We
need new team members and encourage you to call Marc
Kartman (Team Captain) to let him know of your interest.
All Brotherhood coffees begin at 10:30 am. Looking
forward to seeing all of you!
SAVE THE DATE: FEBRUARY 27, 2011
EVENT: HOBBY IN THE LOBBY
What? Sinai Brotherhood is sponsoring a "Hobby Festival" at Congregation Sinai! •10:30 am—12:00 pm - Kick-off event: Ellis Bromberg presenting some of his own special
"collections" and discussing the hobby of collecting stamps. •12:00 –2:00 pm - Congregants ages 5 to 100 are invited to reserve a table space in the
social hall, display their own collections and to talk to other interested congregants about their own personal interests.
Why? Jim Stillman has been personally inspired by the "science fairs" at MJDS. So many of us are collectors of something and yet we don't ever get a chance to share those collections with others. Rocks, match books, baseball cards, coins, stamps, etc. are just a few possibilities. Your collections don't need to be big nor
do they need to be "important". The day is just an opportunity to get to know more about our congregants in a more personal way. If you don't want to dis-play your hobby please come to view what others have brought to share.
Food? Of course, what event at Sinai doesn’t have snacks!
Cost? $5.00
Who do I contact? Jen Friedman , in the Sinai office, will make your reservation to either display or to attend as a spectator. RSVP's are requested so that we can determine how much food to have available.
Questions? Contact Jim Stillman, Brotherhood President. 414-963-2116 (H)
Women of Sinai News
Ritual Committee
―Eshet chayil mi yimtza - A woman of valor, who can
find? Her domestic skills are unmatched, her worth is invalu-
able, and her beauty immeasurable (Proverbs, Mishlei).‖
How do we define ourselves as Jewish women? How do we
celebrate our Jewish womanhood? We laugh together and
learn together. We cry together, bake together, sing to-
gether and celebrate together. We are friends, family, col-
leagues and neighbors. We are the Women of Sinai (WOS)
and we are a sisterhood.
Women of Sinai is a valued and essential organiza-
tion in our community. Under the leadership of Laura Wais-
bren, Women of Sinai has led the charge in helping us to
become a healthier congregation; bringing Weight Watchers
and yoga into the building. WOS is a funding body; providing
our synagogue with regular and necessary contributions to
the b’nei mitzvah program, our religious school, community
events for seniors, and congregation-wide programming.
Without the generosity of Women of Sinai, and your mem-
bership, our congregation would not be able to offer the
same level of programming to our members.
This summer, a group of women - mothers, grand-
mothers, great-grandmothers, single and married, working
and retired - got together over some wine and chocolate and
discussed what Jewish women want and need in their busy
lives. Based on this conversation, I am excited to lead an ex-
pansion of Women of Sinai’s role in our congregation and I
hope you’ll join me in these new and unique opportunities:
• Mother’s Meeting group - discussing and dealing with the
challenges and humor of raising Jewish children in 2010
• Women’s Book Club - reading interesting and relevant works
of fiction and non-fiction and enjoying the company and wis-
dom of other women at Sinai
• Caberet Evening: ―Songs of the Female Condition,‖ a sam-
pling of Broadway’s greatest (and most humorous!) expres-
sions of the female character.
Whether you first experienced sisterhood through
your group of best friends in high school, your college sorority
or study group, your monthly lunch bunch, or children’s play-
group - you know how powerful it can be. I hope you’ll sin-
cerely consider becoming a member of Women of Sinai this
year, 2010-2011/ 5771. Membership is $36.00, or you can
be honored as a Woman of Valor at $72.00. Your member-
ship contribution will enable Women of Sinai to support Sinai
and create new opportunities for women to join together.
In sisterhood,
Cantor Rebecca Robins
Page 15 November-December 2010
Sinai Committees
All good things must come to an end. When one
door closes, another opens. These saying have been float-
ing in my mind for the past few weeks. I am writing to let you
know I will be stepping down from the leadership position of
the Women of Sinai (WOS). As a former social worker, I
have enjoyed my tenure at the helm of this group organizing
programs, fundraising, communicating and getting to know
so many of you.
Our congregation is blessed with talented, warm
and generous women of all ages. During these past 12
years we the Women of Sinai, have helped to lead our con-
gregation into the 21st century. We have demonstrated the
power a group of women can have to change and support a
community. Together we have shared our knowledge, cele-
brated simchas, and supported each other and the congre-
gation in times of happiness and loss.
Your participation both through volunteering and fi-
nancially have provided numerous opportunities for all of us to
experience speakers, programs, help our children celebrate
religious milestones and have added to the beauty of our
synagogue.
Whether we identify ourselves as the Women of Sinai
or Sisterhood, the mission remains the same: to provide an
opportunity for women of all ages who enjoy working together
to enhance and enrich their lives, and to help nurture the spiri-
tual needs of our synagogue.
It is my hope that a new group of women will want to
become involved in this committee and new leadership will
right to left? Left to right? The answer tells us something
about the nature of Jewish tradition. Two thousand years ago,
there was a debate as to whether the First night should have
one candle or eight. Those who thought the numbers should
diminish over the week were following a pattern set out for
the sacrifices during Sukkot. Others argued that in the dead
of winter we should be increasing light, not diminishing it,
night after night. As a compromise, both views were repre-
sented: the candles are lighted in as-
cending order, but the last night is
lighted first. So, one lines up the first
candle on the right, the second to its,
left. When one lights the candles, one
lights the last night first, in essence
lighting from left to right. In this way,
the virtue of compromise is built right
into the ritual itself.
Page 16 November-December 2010
Sinai Committees
Mah Jongg Friend’zy Community Wide Mah Jongg Event and Raffle
Sunday December 12, 2010 1:00 PM- 4:00 PM
Congregation Emanu-El B’ne Jeshurun 2020 W. Brown Deer Road Serlow Hall - Cost $15
~ Join us for an afternoon of social play and sisterhood ~ Co-Sponsored by the Sisterhoods of
Beth El Ner Tamid Synagogue, Congregation Beth Israel, Congregation Emanu-El B’ne Jeshurun, Congregation Shalom, Congregation Sinai, Temple Menorah,
Congregation Emanu-El of Waukesha and KOACH
Non-perishable food donation for the Jewish Community Food Pantry will be collected. Proceeds of this event will benefit KOACH- an education and social program for adults.
Please bring your Mah Jongg sets. Direct any questions to one of our sponsors
Send your reservation and $15 payment made out to Mah Jongg Friend’zy by December 6th to:
Mah Jongg Friend’zy CEEBJ, 2020 W. Brown Deer Rd.
Milwaukee WI, 53217 Name- ______________________________________________________________________ Phone-______________________________________________________________________ Address/ZIP_________________________________________________________________ Please make a table for me. I am a ____Beginner _____Intermediate _____Fast player
I have a foursome, please seat me with ________________________________________
pizza and soda. Roller blades can be rented for an
extra $1.00.
My Sinai
The Membership Committee is looking for families interested in serving as Mentor Families to our new
members. The commitment is small--but the impact is enormous! Help us make our new Sinai families feel
welcome. Bring your new family a gift from the temple, attend two Sinai events with them (such as Shabbat
services, holiday celebrations or an affinity group event) and let them know that they can call you with questions
about our synagogue.
We will try to match families up based on children's ages and/or mutual interests. Fulfilling this mitzvah is a
wonderful way to start the New Year!
If you are interested in becoming a Mentor Family, please contact Elyse Cohn at [email protected]
or 414-247-1201.
Tween Tribe is for families
with children between 4-7th
grade. We hope you can make
it! Details to follow as we get
closer.
To register log onto eventbrite at:
http://tweentriberollerskating.eventbrite.com
For the past two years, a group of eight Sinai men have gathered twice a month to play bridge. The degree of bridge knowledge varies from members with 40 years’ ex-perience (and many ACBL Masters points), to beginners and all levels in between. The games are very friendly and filled with sterling play and “teachable moments”. As every-one’s lives are busy, we generally only get 4 or 5 players at
one time, so we can only play one table. We meet at the members’ homes on a rotating basis. How-ever, we would like to expand our meetings to a two table game and possibly (or not) start playing a two table duplicate format. Are you in-terested in joining us? If so, please contact Ted Fine ([email protected] or 414-807-5105).
Tween Tribe
Mitbach Sinai (Sinai Cooks!) Men’s Bridge Club
Mentor Families Wanted
Sinai Cooks for TropiCHanukah!
Join for us as we prepare for our Chanukah! We need
help making latkes and creating a tropical inspired Cha-
nukah dinner. Look to the enews for cooking dates and
times.
Save the Date: Sinai "Souper Bowl" Feburary 13th 11:30 am—1:00 pm
Enter your favorite soup for tasting in our Social Hall and
bring a quart to freeze for when we need to offer a little
healing for someone in the Sinai community. This will be
Congregation Sinai 8223 N. Port Washington Road, Fox Point, WI 53217
Member of the Union for Reform Judaism
Board of Trustees, 2009-2010 Judi Ketten President Marc Kartman Vice President John Mann Vice President Nick Padway Vice President David Cobb Treasurer Sandy Saltzstein Secretary Marlene Lauwasser Past President Patti Levy Past President Jim Salinsky Past President Dan Elias Membership Jenni Goldbaum Youth Education Andy Gollin, Brotherhood Rob Golub Outreach Idy Goodman Social Action Toots Hassel Hugh Hoffman Finance Craig Johnson Social Action Ruth Lebed Rofes Steve Moglowsky Finance Bobbi Rector Fundraising Tom St John Finance Beth Shapiro Communications Susan Solvang Gift Shop Jim Stillman Brotherhood Mark Sweet Young Families Jill Weinshel Celebrations
CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED
The form below may be used when submitting your donation. Those remembered will be promptly informed of your thought-fulness. Please return form to the Sinai office. Please make checks payable to Congregation Sinai.
Note: Suggested minimum donations is $5.00.
□Adult Programming & Education Endowment Fund
□Andy Brickman Museum Fund
□Barbara Eiseman Memorial Fund for Spiritual Growth
□Cantor’s Discretionary Fund
□Chesed (Caring) Fund
□Floral & Oneg Fund
□Jacob M. Fine & Family Library Fund
□Janet Greenebaum Scholarship Fund
□Landscape Fund
□Lieberman Memorial Arts Fund □Miriam Miringoff Kitchen Fund □Music Fund