For more than 25 years, Thelma Novick has been the synagogue’s source of heartfelt messaging. Whether in times of celebration or sadness, a Sunshine Card requested by the sender, penned by Thelma, and sent to a grateful recipient always has been a welcome expression of thoughtfulness. How many of us have received messages from shul members that express sentiments so appropriate for the moment? And how many of us have sent messages that so perfectly [...]

Some of my favorite times with Stanley Rubin had to do with his responses to questions about history, language, Judaism and Christianity, and North Fork families. The Pogrom at Kishinev, Archduke Ferdinand’s last words, the roots of the Cyrillic language were among the great range of topics I asked him about. Remarkably, he was able to answer so easily and readily, always eager to share his knowledge. And, then there were the jokes. Through [...]

On July 28, about 80 guests gathered at the Halyard to enjoy a delicious lunch and to learn what inspires Corky Maul, Arden Scott, Jeanne Woelker, Vivian Eyre and Lauren Grant to make their art. Many thanks to our local merchants who donated raffle prizes, and special thanks to Roberta Garris, Joan Prager, Carol Seigel, Gayle Kaplan, Susan Meshover, Kathy Keller, Joan Cortez, Adrianne Greenberg, and Jesse Reece for filling gift bags and selling raffles. Thanks [...]

Carol and I have just returned from a six-day visit to Berlin, a city heavy with memories and history. The highlight of our visit was attending Kabbalat Shabbat services at the New Synagogue, a survivor of WWII bombings. The chapel was full (about 100 people), including German Jewish students who were graduating from two Jewish seminaries in Germany. The rabbi was a German woman who had been a Lutheran pastor, but converted to Judaism and [...]