Shul News & Notes
“A Swan Song”
This is my farewell column as President of Congregation Tifereth Israel. It is the closing of a powerful three-year journey that officially concludes on June 11. What a privilege and honor it has been to work with an extraordinary Board of Directors, and an amazing and dedicated Vice President and Treasurer.
Who can string words together better than Sara, turning out prose at a moment’s notice? She will correct every misplaced bit of punctuation, devote herself to every task that suddenly emerges, and is undaunted by any challenge.
I daresay it would be impossible to find a more dedicated numbers guy than Alan, someone who can manage projections and contracts and plans with such accuracy. His uncanny ability to analyze and assess proposals often positions him as a soothsayer.
And of course, let me not overlook Elaine, who will always tell it like it is, unabashedly direct and honest. And she is always right. And look no further for a model of volunteerism than Adrianne, who never quits, is always there to do any crazy job, and is unflinchingly dedicated to the shul.
I was planning to go on with a detailed inventory of activities and programs and successes. But it is really the list of intangibles that have truly impacted my life in this role as President. The return on investment has been far greater than I could have anticipated, although I admit there are moments when June 11 seems so far away. As Rabbi Gadi warmly encourages me in those moments, I am paying it forward. His wisdom and warm enthusiasm, coupled with his wit, makes our weekly discussions endlessly interesting and innovative.
The love and friendship I have discovered at CTI nourishes my soul and will, I suspect, last a lifetime. My experiences as President have fueled my creative spirit, buoyed and animated my energy, even as the tasks sometimes have challenged my political prowess.
Of course, in my new role as a past president, I will continue to keep my eye on the prize, the funding that makes this shul hum. The small budget that goes so far because we are so careful and so frugal. As we move into the future, we must assess our needs for growth, and for the enhancement of our physical plant and programmatic innovation for children and young people.
Where am I going from here? Back to my children and grandchildren. Back into my studio. Back to my life-long love of making art. My passions have been short changed these past three years, so I am thrilled to be able to jump back in, fully engaged to work on an upcoming one-person show and add to my paintings on view at Ilon Art Gallery in New York City.
Going out requires going in to draw upon new resources.
—Judith Kaufman Weiner
Sunday Afternoon at the Art Show
Sunday Afternoon at the Art Show
Wine & Cheese Opening Reception
Sunday, April 23, 2023
from 3-5 p.m.
Join us as we celebrate the talent of our shul members.
Meet the artists and delight in conversations about their work, and the energy that
inspires each artist’s creative process.
Browse more than 30 works of art currently on display in the shul’s community room.
Explore the variety of themes the artists have expressed,
and discover how medium influences how the artists articulate their ideas.
Surprises abound.
Bring friends and family to share in the pleasure of the art — and enjoy the refreshments.
A project of the CTI Judaism and Art group
The Yellow Candle Project
The Yellow Candle Project
A Holocaust Remembrance
Please join us on Monday, April 17, at 7:30 p.m., on Zoom,
when we will light our candles together
In memory of the six million.
The Sisterhood and the Men’s Club of Congregation Tifereth Israel have joined together again this year to co-sponsor the Yellow Candle Project, to be observed on Yom Ha’Shoah. This year, the shul has invited the members of the North Fork Reform Synagogue to join this moving tribute to the six million. Each family in both congregations will receive a Yellow Candle, to be lighted at home on the night of April 17, when all will join together on Zoom to share this solemn experience. Attached to each candle is the name of a child who died in the Holocaust. Please remember this child in your prayers.
The Yom Ha’Shoah Yellow Candle Project was initiated by the Federation of Jewish Men’s Clubs, in cooperation with the Men of Reform Judaism and the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism. The candle’s flame and the enclosed meditation can serve as moving rituals and reminders of the horrific acts of vengeance that vanquished Jewish populations in major cities and in peaceful villages alike, all across Europe. This commemoration also provides an appropriate opportunity to discuss with your children and grandchildren the events that led to the Holocaust and the evil effects of hatred.
Should you wish to acknowledge your gift candle with a charitable donation, we suggest an amount or multiple of $18, the number that represents life — chai. Donations can be made through the Tifereth Israel Website (www.tiferethisraelgreenport.org).
This year, your donations to the project will be used to support an upcoming field trip to the Museum of Jewish Heritage-A Living Memorial to the Holocaust for Greenport High School 10th graders. Studying the events that led to the Holocaust are part of the Social Studies curriculum at that grade level. It is our hope that schools throughout the East End of Long Island will embrace the Yellow Candle Project, and that we will be able to underwrite this experience for other high school students in the future.
Let us remember the past while we celebrate life — life that assures the future of Judaism here in our neighborhoods and the world over. We welcome and appreciate your support of our efforts in this Shoah commemoration, and in our ongoing education programs.
We look forward to participating with you in this night of remembrance — Monday, April 17, at 7:30 p.m. on Zoom. For more information, call Congregation Tifereth Israel at (631) 477-0232.
B’Shalom,
Adrianne Greenberg, President of the Sisterhood
Tom Byrne, President of the Men’s Club
Making A Seder At Home? The Gift Shop Has The Needed Accouterments
If you decide to make a Seder at home, you need to search no further than the shul’s Gift Shop for the accouterments you’ll need to make a beautiful Seder plate to grace your Seder table.
Pictured are two Seder plates, one with a matching serving platter. And for fun, the Gift Shop recommends the package that offers an apron, an oven mitt, and a pot holder — in a matza pattern. Always good for a chuckle, and so practical.
For a tour of the Gift Shop’s array of items for holidays, gift-giving, and home décor, email ctigreenport@gmail.com with a message for Sara Bloom.
Happy Passover. May your holiday be meaningful and delicious.
Shabbat Kids’ Service Delights Shul Goers And Energizes The Kids
It was only the second session of the Shabbat Kids’ Service, but Ann Hurwitz, coordinator of the program, issued a glowing report to The Shofar.
“The children seemed to enjoy being in the synagogue on Shabbat. In fact, they clearly wanted to remain in the sanctuary much longer than I and Dawn Teyuca, the children’s teacher, had expected.
“They are responsive to each other and to whatever plans Dawn makes. Currently, they are learning Moses’s life story and are planning for Passover. They especially enjoy the LCD tablets, which are okay for use on Shabbat since nothing on them is permanent. The children are hopeful that the parsley seeds planted earlier in the week will sprout in time to add to their Seder plates.
“During the March 18 session, one of the children suggested adding a challah and the Hamotzi blessing in addition to the Saturday morning Kiddush. Challah crumbs in the sanctuary didn’t disturb any of the adults, who appeared to be delighted by the children’s presence and responsiveness,” she said.
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