Shul News & Notes
Congregation Approves New Slate of Officers; Judith K. Weiner Honored
The Congregation meeting of Sunday, June 11, offered a joyous beginning to the shul’s new Board of Directors which, with no opposition, was elected according to the bylaws of the shul with a single vote cast by Recording Secretary Joanna Paulsen.
At the conclusion of the vote, outgoing president Judith K. Weiner turned over the agenda to the new president, Sara M. Bloom, who had been vice president for all three terms of her presidency, and instructed her to complete the remaining agenda items.
The new president thanked the congregation for its vote of confidence; offered praise to Madelyn Rothman and Alan Garmise, who are retiring from the board; acknowledged members continuing on the board, and welcomed new board members Ellen Buchbinder, Caren Demel and Gordon Henry.
The new shul president directed most of her remarks to her predecessor, Judith Weiner, noting her three years of superb leadership, observing how skillfully she had met shul issues head-on, and also the creative ways she had initiated programs and events to engage the membership. On behalf of the board and congregation, Sara Bloom thanked Judith Weiner for her leadership and, speaking personally, she acknowledged her love and appreciation for their friendship.
A gift to Judith Weiner turned out not to be a waffle iron, as Sara Bloom had fibbed prior to the Sunday meeting, when she presented Judith with a wrapped package. The Zoom meeting, the new president explained to the congregation, had precluded an in-person presentation, which called for the deception. True to her word, Judith did not open the package until Sara had concluded her remarks and had instructed the outgoing president to do so. Surprise! The gift was not a waffle iron after all; it was a richly illustrated Mark Rothko monograph, an artist favored by Judith Weiner. The book was inscribed to her, “…with grateful appreciation, from the board of directors and the membership of Congregation Tifereth Israel, June 2023.”
In acknowledging the gift, a welcome selection based on her effusive thank you, Judith Weiner said, to the amusement of all, that she was not disappointed that the gift was a definitive Rothko volume and not a waffle iron.
The new Board of Directors
Joining Sara Bloom on the newly-elected board of directors are: Ellen Buchbinder, Vice President; Joanna Paulsen, Treasurer; Nancy Torchio, Financial Secretary; Suri Lan Brown, Recording Secretary; Elaine Goldman, Corresponding Secretary; Elizabeth Adams, Caren Demel and Gordon Henry, Members at Large; Adrianne Greenberg, Sisterhood President; Men’s Club President TBD; Immediate Past President, Judith K. Weiner (nonvoting) and Rabbi Gadi Capela (nonvoting).
CAST Invitation Thanks Our Shul For ParentChild+ Program Support
Among the graduation ceremonies that took place in June is one of noteworthy interest to our shul. On Wednesday, June 14, North Fork ParentChild+ held a ceremony that paid tribute to the families that had signed on to the program that, among other benefits, introduces literacy to the families and helps to prepare children for success in school.
The invitation to the ceremony named and included the logo of Congregation Tifereth Israel as one of five sponsors of the program, offered by CAST.
The ParentChild+ program was originally brought to the attention of the shul’s board of directors by the Tikkun Olam Initiative group, which supports many CAST activities, including the fall School Supplies Drive, the Personal Care Items Drive, and donations of vegetables from two Common Ground Garden beds that are maintained by the group. This year, the TOI, on behalf of the shul, donated $1,100 to the ParentChild+ program.
Shavuot Events Included Services, A Special Oneg, Planting A Pear Tree
Charles Bogen Remembered; Ann Hurwitz Saluted On Her 90th
Our shul ushered in the holiday of Shavuot on Thursday, May 25, with a gathering in Andrew Levin Park, where Ann Hurwitz’s grandson, Andrew, acknowledged his grandmother’s 90th birthday by planting a pear tree in her honor. Nestled near the southern property line of the park, where good soil and plenty of sunshine will nourish the tree, just as “my grandmother has nourished children’s thirst for knowledge,” he said of the shul’s chair of the Education Committee. A plaque installed at the site reads: In honor of Ann Hurwitz’s 90th birthday, this tree symbolizes a lifetime commitment to nourishing young minds. From the many classrooms to our synagogue, her dedication to learning has impacted beyond measure.
Participants in the traditional Shavuot all-night (maybe not ALL night) learning that followed in the social hall were treated to cheese cake, ice cream and talks by Ann’s grandson, shul member Chuck Simon, and Rabbi Gadi.
Services continued in the sanctuary Friday morning and also Friday evening followed by an Oneg Shabbat hosted by Nancy Torchio to observe the first yahrzeit of her father, Charles Bogen. It was the also the first Oneg held at the shul since the onset of Covid, and the social get-together was appreciated by all. Services continued Saturday morning, May 27, including Yizkor.
Photos AGreenberg and SMBloom
“Whiskey” Players Score Big Hit With Shul Audience And Guests
“We Call It Whiskey,” a one-act comedy by shul member Chuck Simon, scored a big hit with the shul crowd and guests — online and in-person — when the play was performed in the community room on Sunday, June 11. From opening lines to the final “Lechayim,” it was a fun and talent-filled afternoon. Cast: top row, from left, Stephen Meshover, producer-director-playwright-actor Chuck Simon, Helaine Teperman; middle row, from left, Andrea Blaga, Adrianne Greenberg, Ron Rothman; bottom row, Tom Byrne and Rosa Lee Emerson. And thanks to Chuck Simon for stepping in as actor for a cast member suddenly called away.
SMBloom screen shot
At May 2023 Meeting, Board of Directors Approves Raise In Annual Dues
Shul president Judith K. Weiner announced to the congregation at its June 11, 2023 meeting that the Board of Directors had approved an increase in annual synagogue dues at its May meeting. She pointed out that the raise was a modest 17%, which translates to $650 for a single membership, up from $550, and $1,000 for a family membership, up from $850.
The president informed the congregation that synagogue dues had not been adjusted since August 2013. In the face of rising costs and elimination of the virtual journal and accompanying virtual silent auction in the coming year, the shul’s Fundraising Committee — Sara Bloom, Caren Demel, Elaine Goldman and Chuck Simon — had recommended a 28% increase to offset a possible shortfall in revenue; however, after protracted discussion, the Board of Directors modified the committee’s recommendation.
The new rates will be effective when dues notices are mailed for the year beginning January 2024.
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