Shul News & Notes

Tikkun Olam Group Heads Candle Packaging and Distribution

Our shul will join with members of the North Fork Reform Synagogue in a joint program to honor the six million lost in the Holocaust. We will participate together in the Yellow Candle Project on Sunday, May 5, at 7:30 p.m., on Zoom. Rabbi Gadi Capela and one of the NFRS rabbis will lead participants in commentary and prayers to honor those who were lost amid the horrific acts of aggression that vanquished Jewish populations in major cities and peaceful villages across Europe.

Veronica Kaliski, one of the leaders of the shul’s Tikkun Olam group, gathered volunteers to package the yellow candles and mail or hand deliver one to each family in our shul. Susan Bloom of the NFRS will see that candles are distributed to her synagogue families.

This is the third year that our shul has participated in this worldwide candlelighting event that takes place annually on Yom HaShoah. It is a moving experience and a powerful communal event. In addition, the Federation of Jewish Men’s Clubs that originally developed and introduced the project to the global Jewish community, recommends that families discuss with their children and grandchildren the events that led to the Holocaust, and the evil effects of hatred. The federation points out that young people may think it is not possible that such events occurred, yet we know they did.

And when the last of those who survived the Holocaust are gone, who will speak of it? Who will honor those who died? Who will say their names? We must, the Yellow Candle Project says, and our children and grandchildren, too, must keep alive the memory of the events that occurred more than a half-century ago. Our lighted candles are powerful symbols that can open the door to discussion, education and interaction — the paths that fight the antisemitism that continues to build in the world.

Join us on this night of remembrance: Sunday, May 5, at 7:30 p.m., on Zoom.

[Pictured, from left, Cookie Slade, Tom Byrne, Vika Bloom, Veronica Kaliski and Elaine Goldman.]                                                                                                                                         Andrea Blaga photo

Should you wish to acknowledge receipt of your candle with a charitable contribution, we suggest that you consider a gift in a multiple of $18, the number that represents life — chai — to Congregation Tifereth Israel, and designate it for the Yellow Candle Project. The shul will, in turn, donate the full amount of all the contributions to Greenport High School to help finance a visit to the Museum of Jewish Heritage, a fitting conclusion to the 10th-graders’ unit on the Holocaust.

You can contribute online at our website — www.tiferethisraelgreenport.org — or by sending a check to the shul at P.O. Box 659, Greenport, NY 11944.

Tikkun Olam members Veronica Kaliski, center, and Madelyn Rothman, right, deliver purchases and contributions of men’s clothing to Alex Zimardo, coordinator of John’s Place at St. Agnes Church in Greenport. In a thank-you letter to the group, the coordinator wrote, “Having other organizations willing to support our efforts with this vulnerable population is truly a blessing. We are grateful to be a part of a community that cares.”

John’s Place provides a safe, warm and dry place to sleep, also hot showers, nourishing meals, and warm winter clothing for homeless men.

Tikkun Olam spearheaded a February campaign at our shul, seeking contributions of men’s clothing for the shelter housed within the church.

Many Tikkun Olam campaigns throughout the year benefit CAST’s charitable work. When the group learned about the need at John’s Place, they added that charity to their work in the community on behalf of our shul.

Members of Tikkun Olam are Veronica Kaliski, Susan Rosenstreich, Madelyn Rothman and Cookie Slade.

For more information about the group, email ctigreenport@gmail.com with a message for Veronica Kaliski.

John’s Place photo