D’var Torah – 13 January 2012

Social Action Service – “Shemot”

The Hebrew word for both the book of Exodus, and tonight’s Torah portion is “Shemot”, which translates to “Names”, which in context refers to the names of the sons of Jacob, it begins in slavery and ends in deliverance for the Jewish people. 

Powerful deeds are delivered every day, by ordinary people like you and me.
The Temple Beth Miriam Community collectively aims to stretch out its arms as far as possible in various ways to help people who are asking in their own way, for their own reasons, and not just on Rosh Hashanah, “I look to the mountains, from where comes my help?”  I am happy to tell you that via Midnight Runs, Blood Drives, Food Collections and many other methods and events; that we have answered many calls when our own community, and the community at-large has needed it.  Most times, we never hear the actual cry for help; we just sense that there is someone out there that we may never meet, that is in need of a square meal, a warm coat or a pint of blood.

Through our vibrant Kishre Halev program, we pass that sensitivity forward to our children that are becoming young adults as B’nai Mitzvah, to leverage our already existing efforts, to let them experience the amazing feeling of performing true mitzvot, and to more fully realize the becoming of a son or daughter of the Commandments.

Getting back to the Torah portion, in the context of tonight’s Social Action service, I would like to dial ahead 180 or so generations from the time of Jacob, to right now, concerning the tribes of Jacob that currently inhabit the earth, specifically in our region of New Jersey.  I would also like to further focus in on just one of the names of this tribe, “yours”.

As we have just recently celebrated another “trip around the sun” on New Year’s eve, when I am sure that we all made some additional resolutions…I am curious to know how many of us  had on our “to-do lists for 2012” to become more “socially active” in our community this year; please, don’t all raise your hands at once.  Don’t worry; it is not too late to figuratively raise your hand, as we still have 353 days left in this solar year.

I am not suggesting to you that I need you all to join the Social Action Committee tonight, although you are most certainly welcome to give me your e-mail address after services tonight, and I will add you to our mailing list, and we’ll hope to see you at a meeting in the near future.

When we hosted our last blood drive here, I learned a very interesting statistic about our blood supply.   I learned that if everyone who regularly donates blood, gave blood just once more per year, there would be no blood shortage.  We don’t need everybody over the age of 16 to give blood 6 times a year, the “promised land” at the blood bank is much nearer than that.  If you gave twice last year, and you give three times this year, that works.  If you give as often as they will let you, and you encourage a friend that has never donated before to come with you one time, that also works. 

Since my Facebook page has a peak level of activity on my birthday, for the past 2 years, I have responded to every virtual well wisher that the best gift they could give me is to donate a pint of blood at their local blood bank.  Last year, 6 people did it, and this year you better believe that I will repeat that gift request.

Here is how, and how not, to get more involved:
Please do not send me an e-mail message that says, “Social Action should do this”.  As Paula is fond of saying, “bring us a solution”; and take part of creating and delivering that solution.  “How?” you ask?

What I am suggesting to you tonight, is to “raise your hand” just once more than you did last year for a start. You can do that by joining us for a Social Action activity that you read about in E-lijah this year, or maybe sign on to be a Kishre Halev mentor for just one B’nai Mitzvah candidate this year.  I invite you to come to just one, or as many monthly Social Action Committee meetings as you can to join us in creating a plan for one of the many issues that is currently on the table, or to share your passion for a cause that means something to you with the group, and to “help us help you” find extra sets of hands to address it together.  By the way, the next meeting is Sunday, February 5^th at 10:30am.

TBM’s Social Action Committee has a new Facebook group page, and we will be posting more news items on the Temple’s main website too.

When we speak of having not just a name for ourselves, but a “Shem Tov”, a good name, there are many ways to satisfy your thirst for repairing the world very close by, and the Committee and I look forward to seeing you and hearing from you soon.

Thank you and Shabbat Shalom.

By Milt Ziment

Social Action Service

January 13, 2012

 I am so proud to be a member of the Social Action Committee of Temple Beth Miriam that it is hard to be brief (as I was requested to be) but I’ll try.

Our committee was responsible for collecting bags of food on the High Holidays and realizing that people get hungry all the time, we installed the first collection unit in the lobby which was built by Aaron Schectman. Having outgrown that small unit, we are grateful for the beautiful and more spacious unit designed, built and installed by Dan Spector.

Members of the group have also participated on Mitzvah Day by collecting donated food outside of supermarkets and sorting and delivering truckloads to the proper centers.

We continue to remember and try to help the hungry people in our community.

Representing our committee and Temple Beth Miriam, I have, for many years, conducted a bi-weekly Shabbat Service at the Atria, an assisted-living complex inTintonFalls, using theTemple’s old thin gray  prayer books.

In cooperation with the Purim Basket Committee we have provided Purim baskets to the Atria’s Jewish residents. 

At Passover, on the day of the Seder, before our own celebrations, with the assistance of the Knotts family Beth, Tim, and their children, we have organized and conducted a traditional Seder including musical accompaniment for the songs.

We have also all been there at Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur and Chanukah with appropriate worship services, music, games, etc.  On Chanukah, these have included the lighting of the menorah, providing and serving the traditional Latkes, sour cream, applesauce and apple cider, as well as,  accompaniment for singing all the appropriate songs for the Holiday. This year, the Knotts family, with Sierra and Kiralee, and the Topper family with Steven, Michael and Elliot, brought the delighted audience the combination of 2 violins, a guitar, and a saxaphone,  The residents have come to love these 2 lovely families and the sentiment is returned by the families.

I am grateful to be involved and find it very satisfying to be able to make even a small difference in the lives of people less fortunate than I.

 Every member of Temple Beth Miriam could get this same good feeling by supporting  the Social Action Committee with ongoing contributions of non-perishable food, or time, or, even (if I dare say it) money.

__________

Dear Rabbi Cy,

I was amazed at how Julia appeared so composed and confident during her cantorial experience in singing this past Friday and Saturday.
With less than an hour’s preparation, Julia went to temple with the book of music I prepared for her.  John Shaeffer, our organist, was kind enough to give Julia a short rehearsal before the beginning of services on Friday night.   I was truly in awe as a parent, watching my 19 year old college student glide through the service, leading the congregation in song, and chanting prayers in front of the Arc. How did this happen?  I watched the faces of her Religious School teachers and friends in the congregation and I came to a realization.  Julia, like so many other children at TBM, “grew up” in Temple.

Having made a family practice of coming to services at least three times a month DID SOMETHING.  Julia and Leanna both knew the service, the prayers, the songs.  Once I had the flu on a Friday night. My then 4 and 6 year olds wanted to go to Temple services, so I dropped them off at the front door.  They immediately ran into the arms of welcoming women, teachers and friends, and I knew they were safe.  I’ll never forget that night.

Attending two days a week of Religious school DID SOMETHING. I am so grateful for the vision and passion of Stella Stanway as our Principal, for the programming that made my children want to go to school.  First as students and then as a teacher’s assistants, the experience was stimulating
and a spiritual awakening for both of my girls.  They weren’t afraid of Torah, but embraced it with understanding and gained pride in reading Hebrew.  Having a Rabbi who was available to the children and believes in a child friendly Bima DID SOMETHING. Running up with a group of friends to the Bima to sing prayers during services was a regular experience all the kids.  They all gained a sense of trust and comfort on the Bima.

With your encouragement, we also had the opportunity to send our children to a URJ Summer camp.  The experience gave my children a sense of belonging, love and pride, inspiration and self confidence.  Their trip to Israel was a life changing chapter that they will have always.  Their  perspective of everything matured and they seemed to have come home with new-found wisdom, and maturity.

Last but not least, I can’t say enough about their experience in the Temple Youth Group.  We as parents have so much to be thankful for
that these Groups are thriving at TBM.  Together, with much love, passion and fun, the children learned responsibility and that to give back was a very valuable part of life.

I wanted to share all this with you because of my enormous gratitude for for everyone that makes this magic happen at Temple Beth Miriam.
We have profound memories that we can cherish beyond our wildest dreams. Thank you for giving a proud parent one more of these memories this past weekend.

Sincerely,

Sophia Spector

Go back in time with NFTY-GER on November 26th! Just a reminder, NFTY-GER Homecoming is on November 26th at Temple Emanu El in Edison, NJ. Homecoming is an awesome event for all members of NFTY-GER and NFTY-GER Alum who are Freshman in College. The event is a themed dance, this year’s theme is prehistoric times. The Dance will last from 7:00pm-10:00pm. This event costs $20.00 or $15.00 with two cans of food to donate, at the door.
Remember no NFTYites are allowed to drive themselves to this event and this rule also applies for GER Alumni. SALTY will be putting together a carpool, so if any adults would be able to drive, please respond to this email.

It’s Time For Another Kallah! Winter Kallah is the third NFTY-GER event of the year. This year it will held at Camp Harlam in Kunkletown, PA from the morning of Monday December 26th until the afternoon of Thursday December 29th. Join NFTY-GER for 3 days of fun, learning, social action, prayer, and creating life-long friendships. This is the longest NFTY-GER event of the year and my personal favorite! Early bird Registration ends December 12th and regular registration ends December 15th, this event fills up quickly and once the bus is full that’s it. To register please contact Jenna Wyatt for online sign-up info at at jmwyatt95@yahoo.com.

* I know this event is sometimes hard for everyone to get to, as it is over winter break and some families celebrate Christmas as well. Although we can definitely make it work for everyone, if you are having this conflict then contact me and I would love to help you come up with a game plan!

If you cannot make it to the this event, have no fear because there are many other events. Below is the upcoming event calendar for the NFTY-GER year 5771-5772:

Hagigah Kallah at Temple Beth Miriam in Elberon, NJ March 2nd-4th

A home hosted event, which we have the honor of hosting this year!

This event is art-focused as well as focused on a wide variety of
other topics. We will release more information about this event soon!

NFTY-GER Elections at Temple Beth-El in Spring Valley NY – April 1st

A day-long event, where the NFTY-GER regional board is elected for
the 5772-5773 year.

Spring Kallah at Camp Kutz in Warwick NY – April 27th-29th

The last event of the NFTY-GER year 5771-5772 and the last kallah
for the Class of 2012.

In case we haven’t met or spoken before I am Jenna Wyatt, the NFTY-GER Representative on the SALTY board for the year 5771-5772. My position is a recently created board position to answer any questions you may have about NFTY. So at anytime, everyone can reach me by email at jmwyatt95@yahoo.com, or by phone at (570)-647-8502 with any questions or concerns. I would love to set up a meeting with anyone interested in NFTY-GER or to answer any questions whenever it is convenient for you!

Also do not forget to become a member of SALTY, if you are not a member yet, it is never too late and a SALTY membership makes a great gift for every occasion.

Why become a member? SALTY
members often get discounted prices for events, sometimes SALTY members even come for free! Why would you want to miss that?!?!

***Visit this link to register for SALTY: bethmiriamyouthgroup.org/Membership.html

TBM Sisterhood Present Women’s REC Weekend
Relaxation - Education - Charity

WHEN IS IT?
January 27—29 2012

January 27 – 29
- Women’s REC Weekend – Click here for a Brochure or Registration
Forms

February
- Impromptu Ladies Night Out – Look for Information to come

March 8
- Purim Potluck Dinner and Megilah Reading

April -
Impromptu Ladies Night Out – Look for Information to come

May 6 -
Paid-up Sisterhood Membership Brunch

June 15
- Sisterhood Shabbat Service

September – December
- Soon To Come!

Ideas in the works:

-   Trip to the Grounds for Sculpture

-  Pie making or cake decorating class

-   Luau

-  Theater trip

-  Bowling

-  Trip to the Pinball Museum

-   Ladies of NYC Tour

Have an idea for a program or trip? Contact Debbie Gerbman – dgerbman@comcast.net or 383-8575

Every serious Reform Jew confronts this question quite often.

Rabbi Stanway is delighted to offer the course: Living Ethics – An Investigation of Reform Halacha through Case Studies.  This is a six session course, with each session lasting about an hour to an hour and a half.  It is free for members of Beth Miriam and non-members are asked to make a $36 donation to the temple. These six lessons written take learners through the process of how Reform Jewish halachah evolves. Learners study particular cases of responsa (modern questions to and answers from the CCAR Responsa Committee), addressing issues from nuclear war to abortion to plastic surgery.

This unit will prepare adult learners to continue their study of Reform responsa in an ongoing study groupParticipants should bring a binder for materials and paper for notes and writing utensils

Class Dates are all on Sunday mornings at 9:00 AM

UPDATED DATES AS OF JANUARY 20, 2012

December 11

December 18

January 22

February 12

March 11

March 25

For me, Camp Harlam is the absolute most beautiful place in the whole world. I couldn’t have loved that place more. The friends I made at Camp Harlam are irreplaceable, and I will love them forever. If I didn’t meet them, my camp experience wouldn’t have been quite as great, even though I’m sure it still would’ve been pretty awesome! I’m so glad I begged my parents to let me go, or else I wouldn’t have the opportunity to experience the most beautiful sight ever, a Camp Harlam Shabbat.

Camp Harlam Shabbats are something I will never forget. Sitting on the benches on the Chapel on the Hill and seeing the whole camp from there was truly amazing. Talking to my best friends before the service started, and hearing the music dance into your ears, and feeling just, so happy, those are the feelings I miss every day I’m not there. I remember everyone in my unit holding hands as we walked up to the Chapel on the Hill, and hearing the music getting louder and louder as you get closer. I remember my first Camp Harlam Shabbat, it poured. We had to have the service inside, but it was still beautiful.

Shabbat of course wasn’t the only thing I absolutely loved at camp, I remember the night I got really homesick, and my bunk all surrounded me to make sure I was okay. I remember pretending that I knew the words to the songs we sang at my first song session. I remember hearing the Birkat Hamazon for the first time, and wondering when it would end. I still find it hard to believe that I know that prayer by heart now. I still remember the smile that I smiled from ear to ear as we pulled up to camp. I remember me and my mom trying to figure out where to go on the first day, and then when we finally found my bunk, all of my counselors coming out to help us unpack.

I have never loved a place as much as I love Camp Harlam. I love the family that I made. I love walking hand in hand up to the Chapel on the Hill. I love color war. I love the stories that I heard about the past years. I love how I was welcomed into the big family. The only thing I would’ve changed is starting to go there a lot earlier in my life. Camp Harlam is a place I will remember for my whole life. And I will also never forget each one the friends I made. They’re really not kidding when they say “it’s where friends become family.”

For the third summer I spent 4 weeks at Camp Harlam.  Between friends becoming family and all the activities that camp provides it is one of the best parts of summer that I have.  As an 11 year old boy, I never would have thought that I would look forward to Friday night and Saturday morning services, but the services at camp are so spiritual.  When our bunk got to lead services I had the chance to stand up in front of hundreds of campers and staff and talk about the meaning of Shabbat with friends.  Friday afternoons are a chance for us to relax and play gaga (Israeli dodgeball), before showering and changing into our Shabbat whites.  Each unit has its campers hold hands and walk to the Chapel on the Hill for services.

One of my favorite activities at camp is a bunk activity that brings us to the giant swing, which is located next to the outdoor wall.  On the swing you are pulled up by your bunk to 50 feet and then let go to swing back and forth.  Another activity that I enjoy is the tower.  The tower is a log climbing tower that you get to climb 50 feet to the top and look out and see all of camp and the mountains beyond.  I enjoy camp very much and hope that I have the chance to go back next summer and get to introduce my little sister to Camp Harlam.

“Dio está mirando siempre, mama. Disfrute tu juventud.” God is al ways watching, mama. Enjoy your youth.
Marta’s bony hands shook in mine, and her slightly transparent skin was cold to the touch. Her eyes were a glassy navy blue, with almost an urgency to them. Her chapped lips revealed crooked, yellowing teeth.

“Sí, Marta. Yo se.” Yes, Marta. I know.

I smiled at her with glossed lips and straight teeth perfected by years of braces. I looked at her with young eyes covered in contacts, my vision near flawless.

“Necesito salir, Marta. A las cuatro. ¿Pero vamos a hablar mañana, sí?” I need to leave, Marta. It’s four o’ clock. But we will talk tomorrow, okay?

She nodded her head, her scraggly gray hair moving up and down.
I leaned over, still holding her hand, and kissed her cheek. She held my hand to her mouth and kissed it, smiling.

“Adios,” we said to each other. With a bounce in my step, I left.

I spent the last three weeks of my time at Urban Mitzvah Corps working at Regency, a Jewish nursing home. Most of our time was unstructured, leaving us free to visit the rooms of the residents, building relationships with them. Marta was one of the many residents with whom I spent my time. I heard her stories; she was forced to give up all her possessions when she left Cuba, her husband died in his twenties, and she is the only living member of her family. “Solita”.

Alone. I used my little knowledge of Spanish to converse with her; I tried to take in her advice and hear her pain. I juxstaposed my youth and privileges to her age and hardships.

My talks with Marta were broken. Some things were lost in translation. At times, her words were laced with confusion. But I tried to soak in as much as possible, and enjoy the time we shared.

Throughout this past summer, I had many conversations with a variety of people. Sometimes I didn’t agree with the opinions of others. But if I have learned anything, I have learned to take what I can out of those talks. I have learned to respect words other than my own; I value the feelings of those around me. And I will try to take the advice given to me.

“Disfruta tu juventud.” Enjoy your youth.

I will try my best, Marta. Muchas gracias.