Monthly Bulletin
Town & Village Synagogue Bulletin www.tandv.org
February 2012 Shvat/Adar 5772 Volume 25, Number 6
Contents
From Rabbi Laurence A. Sebert: JAHSS at T&V
From Cantor Shayna Postman: A Wrap (and Music) for February
From Shanee Epstein, Educational Director: We Cannot Merely Pray
From Louise Sherby, President: Taking on a Leadership Role
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What’s Up at T&V? PUT IT IN YOUR CALENDAR NOW!
For our calendar, see center spread or go to
www.tandv.org/events/________________________________________
TOT TU B’SHVAT DINNER: FEB. 3, 5:30 PM
BIKUR CHOLIM–VISITING THE SICK: FEB. 4 AFTER SERVICES
ISRAEL FILM NIGHTS: FEB. 4 AND 11, 7 PM
WORLD WIDE WRAP: FEB. 5, 9 AM
KLEZMER CONCERT: FEB. 5, 3:15 PM
POST-ADULT BAT MITZVAH CLASS: FEB. 6, 7 PM
BOAZ RAKIA, ISRAELI FIREFIGHTER, FROM THE BIMAH: FEB. 11
MEET THE AUTHOR, ELEANOR NAUEN: FEB. 21, 7 PM
A STRANGER WITH A CAMERA–JONO DAVID: FEB. 23, 7 PM
HAZAK BABY BOOMERS ONEG: FEB. 24, 7 PM
INTRO TO ASL AND DEAF CULTURE WORKSHOP: FEB 26, 10 AM TO 12:30 PM
GLBT PROGRAM: FEB 28, 7 PM
From Rabbi Laurence A. Sebert: JAHSS at T&V
Belle Rothberg died this past November having nearly reached the century mark. She died, leaving behind no children or grandchildren of her own. Still a good number of friends gathered to remember her and she was eulogized by, among others, an eighteen year old. She was remembered by T&V member, Aron Wander who did so by reading his college application essay in which he related that “the person who has influenced me most is a 98-year-old woman who no longer knows who I am.” Aron then went on to describe the significance and beauty of what this relationship had taught him over the years.
This story seems to me emblematic of the kind of community we share – one in which there is a deeply ingrained inter-generational culture. When I arrived at T&V 20 years ago one of the things that impressed me was that people didn’t automatically retreat into groupings by age cohort at Kiddush. A parent with small children would approach an older member who would, in turn talk to a teen. I liked the openness to one another across all the usual assumed barriers of age and culture. It is what makes T&V such a welcome place to be.
As the years have progressed, and our founding generation is no longer as much at the forefront of our community, that culture has shifted a bit. As it has become more difficult for our founders to be present on Shabbat and other occasions, it is incumbent upon us to be more attentive and to continue the inter-generational link.
Through the leadership of Miriam Fridman, our Bikkur Cholim now does home visits on Shabbat afternoon bringing warmth and cheer, as well as a taste of Kiddush. Shanee Epstein and Cantor Postman have led small groups of Hebrew School students and parents on visits using music to lift people’s spirits. A number of years ago we partnered younger and older members to tell the stories of the “Faces of the Community.” A wonderful program and photographic display illustrated the importance of building those bridges. We still need to do more. And so:
ANNOUNCING: JAHSS (pronounced “jazz”) AT T&V
We are fortunate that Maura Somers Dughi and Howard Somers, who grew up at T&V, have recognized this need. In memory of their parents, longtime T&V members, they have established the Jack and Helen Somers Seniors (JAHSS) at T&V. The goal of this program, to be run in cooperation with the JBFCS Partners in Caring and with the support of UJA-Federation of NY, is to build and strengthen the bridges in our relationships with our seniors.
After months seeking the right person, we are proud to introduce Susan Richter, LCSW, who will be working with our community one day a week as the program coordinator of JAHSS AT T&V. Susan comes to us with tremendous experience working with seniors and has already begun work, meeting with seniors to assess our needs, and will typically be available at T&V on Thursdays. She can be reached at T&V at extension 27 or by email at tandvseniors@gmail.com.
We welcome Susan to the T&V team! We look forward to reinforcing our strength as a multigenerational community. LAS
From Cantor Shayna Postman:
A Wrap (and Music) for the First Weekend of February
Shabbat Shirah is named for the Song at the Sea in Exodus 15:1-18. In this portion, Moses and Miriam lead the Israelites across the Sea of Reeds, literally going from slavery to freedom, and sing a song of praise thanking God.
The “Shirah” portion is read from the Torah twice in the Jewish year: once in parshat B’shallah, and again on the seventh day of Passover. These verses have also been incorporated into the liturgy of daily Shacharit morning services.
Town and Village Synagogue is fortunate to have among our fantastic cadre of Torah readers many who have mastered the special trop melody that paints the words of this special portion. Along with the “Shirah” melodic trop detour, we rise for this uniquely rendered portion. It is one of the very few portions in which the Torah reader and congregation chant antiphonally.
The special melody and choreography highlight this monumental transition of the Israelites that many consider the birth of the Jewish people.
Just as Moses and Miriam led the Israelites in song to mark this milestone, so too each year when we read this portion on Shabbat Shirah, we enhance our Shabbat services with song.
On Friday, February 3rd at 6 PM and Saturday, February 4th , 2012 at 9:30 am, T&V will be marking this Shabbat with the T&V choir! The choral harmonies will enhance our services and help us raise our voices together as a holy community.
The next day, please join us for the World Wide Wrap on Sunday, February 5th, 2012! All members of the T&V community are invited to come and learn how to put on Tefillin!
This includes men, women, boys and girls, those who have never worn tefillin, as well as those who are experienced.
Practicing this mitzvah will deepen our meaningful engagement in Judaism and with each other.
After the brief session on how to wear tefillin, we will have Shacharit, morning prayer services, from 9:50-10:30 AM.
Though we hope to have a couple of extra pairs of tefillin on hand, we encourage participants to please bring their own or borrow from a family member or friend.
You may also wish to purchase a set of tefillin prior to the session. They are sold in most Jewish book stores, or at the online store at the federation for Jewish men’s clubs website at www.fjmc.org.
Looking forward to sharing these experiences together the first weekend of February!
From Shanee Epstein, Educational Director
Last week Moshe and I attended a program and concert at the Hebrew Institute in Riverdale, commemorating the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Neshama Carlebach, Reverend Roger Hambrick, and members of the Green Pastures Baptist Church Choir performed.
Neshama says of her father, the late Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach, “My father is my rebbe. He taught me to bring good to the world and build bridges.” We read this prayer.
We Cannot Merely Pray by Rabbi Jack Riemer
We cannot merely pray to God to end war;
For the world was made in such a way
That we must find our own path of peace
Within ourselves and with our neighbor.
We cannot merely pray to God to root out prejudice;
For we already have eyes
With which to see the good in all people
If we would only use them rightly.
We cannot merely pray to God to end starvation;
For we already have the resources
With which to feed the entire world
If we would only use them wisely.
We cannot merely pray to God to end despair;
For we already have the power
To clear away slums and give hope
If we would only use our power justly.
We cannot merely pray to God to end disease;
For we already have great minds
With which to search out cures and healings
If we would only use them constructively.
Therefore we pray instead
For strength, determination, and will power.
To do instead of merely pray
To become instead of merely wish;
That our world may be safe, And that our lives may be blessed.
The next day, I read this prayer with our Hebrew School Students. We spoke about praying for the strength and determination to make the world better, more whole. We spoke about being active, not passive, in our faith. I told the children about Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel, an activist for civil rights in the United States, who marched in the Selma Civil Rights March with Martin Luther King and later wrote, “When I marched in Selma, my feet were praying.”
I thought about the words we read in the prayers after eating. “Blessed is the Lord our G-d, Sovereign of the universe, who sustains the entire world with goodness, kindness and mercy. G-d gives food to all creatures, for G-d’s mercy is everlasting. I have always had difficulty ‘digesting’ the words claiming that all of God’s creatures have enough food and sustenance because the reality is that many people do not have food. In 2010 it was estimated that approximately 925 million people are hungry. That is about 13.1 percent of the world population, or almost 1 in 7 people are hungry. This year’s commemoration of Dr. Martin Luther King and the values he taught moved me to look at this prayer and others, differently. I understand that this prayer is teaching me what to work and act towards. I am inspired to pray for strength to act to make our prayers materialize and I pray that we can continue, as a community, to work for justice. SE
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Simcha Catering
Reminder: Kiddush and Simcha Catering is now managed by Cheryl Gross. Same email as before: simchacatering@aol.com
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Klezmer Concert!
Manhattan Cooper Post 1, Jewish War Veterans of the USA
presents its eighth annual free and open to the public Klezmer Concert
featuring the internationally acclaimed
Strauss/Warschauer Duo
Columbia University Klezmer Band
Workmen’s Circle Klezmer Workshop
Sunday February 5, 3:15 pm at T&V (doors open at 3)
One dollar per person donation requested
Contact the Jewish War Veterans (212)477-3131 or alperstein300@aol.com
From Louise Sherby, President: A New Vision for T&V
As I write this, we are in the process of forming the Nominating Committee to select the 2012-2013 slate of officers and members of the Board of Trustees to be presented to the membership at our congregational meeting in June. In my experience as a member of T&V, the Nominating Committee members have always taken this responsibility seriously and truly look at the needs of our congregation in putting forth the slate of officers and trustees. We have been fortunate over the years to have found wonderful members to take up the mantle of leadership when asked to do so.
I always knew on one level how wonderful the T&V community is, but during my 18 months in office I have discovered what that really means. One of the most satisfying things about taking on a leadership role in our congregation is the incredible opportunity to meet our members and work with them in ways I had never anticipated. The opportunity to build a team of leaders on behalf of our community has been a great joy. People have stepped up to take on tasks large and small, visible and behind the scenes, some obviously important and others less obviously so, but all helping us to maintain a warm, inviting, welcoming community.
My hope is that if you receive a call from the Nominating Committee to consider taking on a leadership role, you will seriously consider their request. Yes, it takes time, time that you could use doing other things, but I can assure you it is time well spent and provides a level of satisfaction that, for me, was totally unexpected but at the same time enormously gratifying. Although the call to ask me to serve as President was totally unexpected, I am glad that I decided to accept the challenge. My fervent hope is that you, too, if called, will accept the same challenge for whatever position it may be. Building, maintaining and growing our Town & Village community is an honor, privilege and responsibility that we all share. I look forward to presenting the slate of officers and trustees in June for your vote. LS
NEW MEMBERS’ CORNER
Susan and Michael Malbin are longtime friends of Susan Abramowitz and Aaron Gurwitz and Hasia and Steve Diner, all of whom they knew from Tiferith Israel in Washington, DC, which they had all joined as young parents. Additionally, the Malbins sat behind Roz Kolodny’s niece (and near Roz’ sister) at TI. So their joining T&V was sort of beshert. Susan is the Director of Library & Archives at the American Jewish Historical Society, a job she took three years ago, prompting her move from DC. Michael has recently caught up with Susan, having finally moved to New York City, a convenient commute from his academic position at SUNY Albany. A political scientist, Michael studies campaign finance. The Malbins have three grown children: Rachel, who occasionally attends the Young Adult Friday night Programs; David and his wife Abby who are living in Shanghai for the next year; and Josh and his wife Rachel, who live in Brooklyn.
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HAZAK COMMITTEE UPDATE
The Beat the Winter Doldrums party was held on Sunday, January 29th. Special thanks to everyone who came and for all the records you brought. Thanks also to Hedy Alban and Phyllis Harbus for their hard work. Future events are being planned for 2012 but we urge anyone 55 years old and up to join and help plan them.
Thanks, Marcia Goldstein __________________________________________________________________
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February Kiddushim: With Thanks
We thank the wonderful people who are sponsoring our kiddushim this
month.
February 4: Louise Sherby is sponsoring in celebration of her 65th birthday.
February 11: Rita Moskowitz is an angel for her birthday.
February 18: Sponsored by the T&V New Kiddush Fund.
February 25: Simcha shabbat, sponsored by the T&V New Kiddush Fund and February simcha celebrants.
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February at The Jewish Museum
The Salo W. Baron Lecture
Alibis: Essays on Elsewhere, with Andre Aciman, City University Graduate Center
Aciman, a master of the personal essay, shares stories from his luminous series about time, place, identity and art. Pieces about memory and scent, meditations on cities like Barcelona, Rome, Paris, and New York. Considerations of his Jewish identity.
Thursday, February 2, 6:30 pm
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ISRAEL ACTION COMMITTEE
Israel Film Festival – Documentary Series: Pivotal Points in Israel’s History
February 4 and February 11, 7 pm
Admission Free, Discussion to Follow, with Julian Resnick
Julian Resnick is the Central Shaliach to the Habonim Dror Youth Movement in North America. He was born in South Africa and made Aliyah in 1976. Since 1987, the Resnick family–Julian, his wife Orly, and their three children–have been members of Kibbutz Tzora. Julian has a BA in Psychology and English Literature from the University of Cape Town. He has had extensive experience as a guide in organizations such as JCCA, NFTY and Netzer Olami, where he also served as director.
Shabbat services, February 11
Celebrate Tu B’Shvat with the Israel Action Committee. Through a partnership with the Jewish National Fund, Boaz Rakia, an Israeli firefighter involved in fighting the Carmel Forest fires, will speak from the bima and be available at Kiddush to answer questions
Boaz Rakia began his career as a firefighter at age 15, when he participated in the fire scouts volunteer program. After his first year, he requested to continue volunteering and when he finished his army service he became a full-time firefighter. Boaz has held every possible position in the fire department, including firefighter, officer, spokesperson, fire investigator, fire prevention inspector, and HAZMAT officer. He lives with his wife Eti and their three children in Givataiim.
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Adult Education News
CONTROVERSIES CONCERNING THE TALMUD, with Richard Claman
Shabbat afternoons after Kiddush,
February 11 and 25
Beginning around 1000 C.E., in various places, during various periods – and continuing to our own day – the Talmud became virtually the exclusive subject of study, and was regarded as the sole source of halakha. These three sessions are intended to provide background to the current scholarly debate as to how and why this occurred, by trying to imagine ourselves in the position of various different commentators in Sepharad and Ashkenaz, at different times.
Background readings will be posted on the website in advance; the study texts will be distributed at each session.
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Save the Date
Friday, March 2, 2012, 6 pm and Saturday, March 3, 1 pm
THE HEBREW REPUBLIC: A SHABBATON
With ERIC NELSON, Professor of Government, Harvard University
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New York Women’s League Institute: Spring 2012
Session I: Dr. David Fishman, Professor of Jewish History, JTS
“The Shtetl: World of Our Ancestors”. Using film, slides, music, and memoirs, we will explore the culture and way of life of small-town East European Jews in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Topics include:
1. Social history: Jews and gentiles; rich and poor in the shtetl; gender and family; the cheder
2. Yiddish: language, folklore and popular literature
3. Modernity comes to the shtel.
Session II: Dr. Anne Lapidus Lerner, Professor of Jewish Literature, JTS
Short Stories by Women: “Jewish Women: What Do We Share? Where Do Our Lives Diverge?” We will read and discuss short stories by Israeli and American Jewish women. Joyce Antler’s America and I: Short Stories by American Jewish Women Writers will be provided to attendees.
Continuing dates: February 6, 13, 27, March 5, 12, 19, 26, April 16.
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Introduction to ASL & Deaf Culture Workshop
Sunday, February 26, 10-12:30 am
We’re thrilled to announce a workshop that will introduce you, your family, your
friends, and even your colleagues to a form of visual communication, and the
culture that values it so highly.
Christopher Tester, CDI, Presenter
$20 for T&V Members, $25 for Non-Members
To register: * Enroll via PayPal to townandvillage@aol.com (Please specify “ASL Workshop”)
* T&V Members may use Chaverware
* Send check noted “ASL Workshop” payable to Town & Village Synagogue”, or send money order, or bring cash.
Registrations are first-come, first-served. Walk-ins will be accommodated if possible. For additional information, please contact Bram Weiser at bramweiser@usa.net or (212) 677-0368.
(Schedule is subject to change.)
P.S. ASL interpreters are available at T&V when requests are made in advance.
Please contact Bram (bramweiser@usa.net) for more information.
Giving at T&V: The Generosity of Our Community
Memorial Fund
Arthur Sellner in memory of his mother, Lillian
Arthur Sellner in memory of his sister, Gladys Goldstein
Avi Golan in memory of his parents, Rachel and Yechiel Goldenberg
Bea Beder in memory of her sister, Phyllis Schwartz
Carol Rosen in memory of her cousin, Jay Gottesman
Chester Berschling in memory of his father, Elias
Cynthia Golan in memory of her parents, Barbara and Louis Landowne
Edna Rosoff in memory of her mother, Beatrice Oppenheim
Francine Smilen in memory of Bob Brown’s father
Francine Smilen in memory of Jocelyn Soffer’s grandparents
Goldie Pollack in memory of her husband, Charles
Goldie Pollack in memory of her parents, Louis and Dina Kalish
Harriet and Paul Lutzker in memory of Paul’s mother
Jo Renee Fine in memory of her mother, Tillie
Judith Davidson in memory of Adele Davidson
Judith Dawson in memory of her mother, Sara Freedland
Karen Segal and David Green in memory of Ernest Green
Karen Segal in memory of her father, Ellis
Kenneth Karan in memory of his aunt, Sandy Fine
Larry Cohen in memory of his mother, Vella
Lesli Cutler in memory of her father, Saul
Louise Sherby in memory of Bob Brown’s father
Louise Sherby in memory of Bonnie Silverman’s mother
Louise Sherby in memory of her aunt, Sara Fisher
Louise Sherby in memory of Jocelyn Soffer’s grandparents
Louise Sherby in memory of Sylvia Katkin’s brother, Alvin Sobel and daughter Caryn Palley
Louise Sherby in memory of Beth Ranell’s father, Neil
Louise Sherby in memory of her father, David
Marian Fish in memory of her grandmother, Sophie Spunt
Marilyn Levin in memory of her mother, Celia Chudnovsky
Marjorie Wiener in memory of her friend, Belle Paulan
Marjorie Wiener in memory of her grandfather, William Klings
Mona Weiss in memory of her mother, Dorothy Adams
Patricia Schatt in memory of her father, Isadore Shapiro
Phyllis Rifield in memory of her brother, Lewis
Rena Kasdan in memory of her father, Harry Zeiger
Rick Taffer in memory of his father, Milton
Rita Moskowitz in memory of her father, Morris Schechtel
Riva Touger-Decker and Brian Decker in memory of Ben and Mirel Touger
Sheldon Moline in memory of his father, Jack
Sheldon Moline in memory of his sister, Sonia Weitzman
Sherman Sussman in memory of his father, David
Susan Amighi in memory of her aunt, Lillian Shapiro
Simcha Fund
Elisa and Larry Cohen in honor of the birth of their grandson, Logan Daniel
Louise Sherby in honor of Bina Mozell’s 90th Birthday
Louise Sherby in honor of Cynthia Weber and Lew Freedman’s wedding anniversary
Louise Sherby in honor of the 50th anniversary of Bob Winograd’s Bar Mitzvah
Louise Sherby in honor of the 50th anniversary of Carol Green’s Bat Mitzvah
Louise Sherby in honor of the Bat Mitzvahs of Elmina David and Theodora Terracina
Marjorie Wiener in honor of the 50th anniversary of Carol Green’s Bat Mitzvah
Marjorie Wiener in honor of the 50th anniversary of Bob Winograd’s Bar Mitzvah
Michelle and Howard Sander in honor of Roz and Ed Kolodny
Kiddush Fund
Bea and Sy Beder
Bina Mozell
Bob Winograd
Carol Green
Ellen Tabor
Esther Brody in honor of Bina Mozell’s birthday
Gamaliel and Anita Isaac
Judy and Stanley Broadwin
Mel Salberg
Mort and Trudi Weinstein
Phyllis Rifield
Richard Claman and Elizabeth Clark
Rita Moskowitz in honor of her birthday
Sara and Gerald Alperstein in honor of Bina Mozell’s 90th birthday
The Stern family
Susan Abramowitz and Aaron Gurwitz in honor of the Bat Mitzvah of Theodora Terracina
Susan Abramowitz and Aaron Gurwitz in memory of Nancy Schwartz’s brother
Susan Abramowitz and Aaron Gurwitz in memory of Bob Brown’s father
American Sign Language Donations
Bina Mozell in honor of Theodora Terracina and Elmina David’s Bat Mitzvahs
Marcia Weiser
Mark Weiser in honor of Judge Michael Stallman
Mr. and Mrs. Leo Koppell
Richard Claman and Elizabeth Clark
The Stern family in honor of Michelle Fraticelli and Dina Weintraub’s twins
Cantor Moss Fund
Francine Smilen and Tod Ensign in honor of Elmina David’s Bat Mitzvah
Francine Smilen and Tod Ensign in memory of Flora Solarz
Harriet and Paul Lutzker and Mike and Beth Levick in honor of Cantor Postman
Steve Jacobson Camp Ramah Fund
Bea and Sy Beder:
For a Refuah Shelema to Jackie Berkowitz and Marianna Gersch
In memory of Beth Ranell’s father, Neil
Rabbi’s Tzedakah Fund
Riva Touger-Decker and Brian Decker
The Lutzker and Levick families in honor of Rabbi Sebert
Elisheva Jackson
Shirley Weintraub in honor of Ruth Harwayne’s birthday
Mi Sheberach Fund
Ellen Tabor for Marianna Gersch
Louise Sherby for Jackie Berkowitz
Elsie Tabakman Bikur Cholim Fund
Diane Tabakman in memory of her aunt, Henrietta Shapiro
Diane Tabakman in memory of her aunt, Leonore Nager
Diane Tabakman in memory of her father, Nathan
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Giving Opportunities
Dedicate a Chumash- $72
A Simcha Leaf to commemorate special occasions- $72
A memorial plaque in the main sanctuary- $450 members ($500 nonmembers)
Cemetery plots are available in the T&V area in Beth David, Elmont, NY. Contact Lew Freedman (lewis_freedman@yahoo.com or (917) 859-0083) or Hugh Pollack (doctzvi@aol.com).
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Reminder: Pay bills
Update your membership information
Sign up for events
with a click of your mouse at www.tinyurl.com/tandvcw.
Contacts at T&V:
Adult Education: Nina Lehman (nvlehman@gmail.com)
American Sign Language (ASL): Bram Weiser (bramweiser@usa.net)
Bulletin Editor: Claire Zuckerman (clairebird@me.com)
Building Committee: Leon Ashner (leonashner@gmail.com)
Bikur Cholim: Miriam Fridman (miriamjfridman@hotmail.com)
Capital Campaign Projects: Cynthia Weber (cynweber525@yahoo.com)
Catering: Cheryl Gross (simchacatering@aol.com)
Chesed (Social/Community Action): Helena Ross (family6000@gmail.com)
Chevra Chesed Shel Emet: Rabbi Sebert (rableibel@aol.com)
Dues Setting Circle: Lew Freedman (lewis_freedman@yahoo.com)
Education Director: Shanee Epstein (tv.hebrew.school@gmail.com)
Finance Committee: Yakov Zvi (yjzvi@yahoo.com)
Hebrew School: Sara Corello (scorello@POBOX.com)
Israel Committee: Susan Abramowitz (susan.abramowitz@nyumc.org)
Jewish War Veterans: Jerry Alperstein (alperstein300@aol.com)
Luach Editor: Michelle Shostack (m_shostack@yahoo.com)
Membership Task Force: Susan Abramowitz (susan.abramowitz@nyumc.org)
New Kiddush Fund: Henry Condell (hcondell@gmail.com)
Personnel: Sarah Gurwitz (sgurwitz@optonline.net)
President: Louise Sherby (lsherby@rcn.com)
Ritual: Sharon Steinberg (sps3@columbia.edu)
T&V Together: Elinor Nauen (Elinor@elinornauen.com)
Young Adult Synaplex: David Pasteelnick (sondheim4reek@yahoo.com
T&V Vision Fund: David Issroff (Issroff@verizon.net)
