From the Reb's Desk...
 
Reb Irwin Huberman
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October 31, 2008
MMMMM... Challah!!!
Everyone is invited to join in on Sunday as our Hebrew School students braid challah for next Shabbat.
This is CTI's latest program aimed at strengthening Mishpachot (families). Starting at 10:00am, we will be meeting in the CTI kitchen where we will be braiding dough into challot.
Children and adults will then take their bread home to freeze for next Friday, when it will be ready to thaw, rise, and pop into the oven to produce the tastiest of all Jewish foods - the Shabbat challah.
This is a Hebrew School program but all children, parents, grandparents, couples, and singles are invited to attend.
We will also be baking some samples for everyone to take home.
111 Years Old
So, how does Long Island's "oldest" congregation celebrate its 111 birthday?
We do it with a fabulous dinner dance to be held Saturday night, November 15. That's only two weeks away.
CTI's 111th year birthday bash will feature live music and dancing, along with a buffet and some additional entertainment.
The gala raffle will also include a television, laptop, cameras, and much more. Come raise money for CTI, and help us usher in our 112th year.
Tickets are $60 per person. Cocktails at 7:30pm and dinner is at 8:00pm.
Check our web site or call the office to order your tickets.
Group Bat Mitzvah
A remarkable thing happened last week which I'd like to share with you.
During Wednesday's Simhat Torah service, we were joined by two residents of the Regency at Glen Cove seniors home. Simhat Torah is the day we celebrate reading the end of the Torah, and is marked by singing and dancing with the scrolls.
For one of the two residents, it was the first she had ever been called to recite the blessings over the Torah. It was also the first time she held or danced with the Torah.
The experience was so moving that, after she returned to the Regency "on cloud 9," we began discussing the possibility of her celebrating a bat mitzvah at CTI.
By the way, Mrs. Goldblatt is 92 years old.
As word of Mrs. Goldblatt's impending bat mitzvah circulated around the Regency, other women began to step forward. As a result, two weeks from this Saturday, CTI will hold a group bat mitzvah for five women, ages 82 to 95.
Cantor Gustavo and I will be teaching the five during the next two weeks, and as you can imagine, everyone is very excited.
The Parashah (weekly portion) in two weeks will be Vayera, where Sarah conceives at age 90.
Within Judaism, anything is possible.
CTI Hebrew Lessons
CTI's five week Beginners Hebrew class starts this Monday at 7:00pm.
There has been tremendous interest in this program, so we ask that in order that we begin on time, those attending arrive a few minutes early - let's say 6:45pm - so that we can properly register you and ensure that you have the materials you need.
Again, this is a free program although we will accept donations. There will be no pressure to do so.
The Crash Course for total beginners starts at 7:00pm; Level Two class begin at 8:30pm.
I have a preliminary list of those who are interested. Please e-mail me if you would like to be added to the list.
Concentration Camp Party?
A number of parents expressed profound concern this week over rumored plans by a group of high school students to hold a "Concentration Camp Party" as part of their Halloween Party festivities.
According to the rumor, some students were being encouraged to dress up either as Nazis or concentration camp prisoners. As word spread of these plans, so did the outrage among students.
I contacted North Shore Schools superintendent Dr. Ed Melnick who told me the following.
Upon hearing the rumor, the parents of the alleged students involved were contacted and this ensured that the party plans were dissolved. The school system also enhanced its classroom discussions and course content on the Holocaust and on the topic of tolerance and understanding.
As a follow-up, the North Shore Schools' Board of Education has established the North Shore Schools Community Diversity Task Force that will involve parents, faculty, students, administrators, and community members. Its main goal is to ensure that all cultural, ethnic, and religious groups within the school system and beyond are treated with respect.
Cantor Gustavo and I have been invited to serve on this task force, and we will report back to you on an ongoing basis.
Dr. Melnick deserves tremendous credit for his firm and unambiguous response to this issue.
Twin Congregation?
Last Sunday, Avery Jochnowitz, past president of a fledgling Conservative congregation in Kfar Vradim came to CTI and shared with us photos of what could become CTI's twin congregation in Israel. Our idea is to share occasional holidays and discussions with adults and children in this community, located in northern Israel, via webcam.
Being a twin congregation will also provide us with ongoing "friends" in Israel to visit, and with whom to share ideas.
We are now looking for volunteers to serve on a steering committee to identify ways in which we can interact with our Israeli friends. Please e-mail me if you are interested in working on this important project.
This ‘n That
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We are looking for a volunteer to drive our Adult Hebrew School teacher to CTI from her school in Merrick at 6:00pm. Please let me know if you can help on one or more Mondays.
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There's a very interesting program that CTI will be working on with local churches as the Christian holiday season approaches. We are making local churches aware of a holiday catalogue called Gifts of Peace, which includes ways for Jews and Christians interested in supporting Israel to do so by diverting some of their gift giving money to assist those in "the holy land." Such ways include buying a package of meals for Russian immigrants, holocaust survivors, those at risk from terror, and other individual in need. It's a positive way to work with our Christian friends at this time of the year and I would encourage you to click on www.giftsofpeace.org for more information.
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One couple took me up on the offer to take home four of the synagogue's etrogim (citrons) used at Succoth to make etrog marmalade. I'm expecting a sample any day now. There are still three or four etrogim left for anyone wanting to make jam or marmalade from this "exotic" Israeli citrus fruit.
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Don't forget to mark November 9 at 10:00am as CTI's women's group launches its year with a showing of "Half the Kingdom." The filmmaker has won world wide acclaim for her depiction of Jewish women "behind the curtain." Please stay tuned for more next week.
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The Seven Commandments
Before there were ten, there were seven.
We all know of the Ten Commandments that the Jewish people received on Mount Sinai. But in this week's Torah reading, after the Great Flood, before we are introduced to Abraham or Moses, we read about the Seven Commandments.
What are these commandments, and how are they different from the famous Ten?
There are some surprises this week as we discuss the Seven Commandments for all Humanity.
Music services begin 8:00pm on Friday evening. Week by week, the number of people attending this joyous service has been increasing. If you've never attended, please come and bring a friend.
Saturday morning services begin a 9:00am.
Shabbat shalom, v'kol tuv (with all goodness,)
Reb Irwin Huberman
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