rabbi randy sheinberg
The Joy of Humor
- The great comedian Robin Williams, of blessed memory, tells how when he was touring in Germany he was asked, “Why do you think there aren’t more German comedians?” He replied, “Did it ever occur to you that you killed all the funny people?”
- This issue of the Tikvah Times is devoted to Jewish Culture, and while it would be incorrect to say that Jews are the ONLY funny people in the world, it is certainly true that humor plays a large role in our culture. In a Pew Study conducted in 2014, 42% of American Jews described having a good sense of humor as “essential” to being Jewish. Telling jokes, appreciating them, and just having a good laugh have been essential to Jewish living for a long time.
- Why does humor play such a large role in Jewish culture? Many reasons have been posited. Perhaps because comedy provides solace in hard times and serves as a coping mechanism that helps us deal with trauma; and Jews have seen a lot of hard times. Or perhaps because comedy grants us license to break rules, to experiment, and be creative - and we Jews value creativity. Or perhaps because a clever joke is a source of power, a way of seizing control in a time when one feels vulnerable.
- Jewish humor certainly is not a new phenomenon. There are texts in the Torah and Tanakh themselves that, I believe are meant to be humorous even as they tackle serious subjects. In the Torah, for example, when the Israelites beg for meat to eat, they get so much that it “comes out of their nostrils”. The prophet Bilaam, who prides himself on being a visionary, cannot see as clearly as his talking jackass can. These are just a few of many examples.
- What is Jewish humor? Some might categorize it as anything that a Jew says or does that is comical. Yet others have tried to understand the unique characteristics of Jewish humor, independent of the person delivering that humor.
- Although I consider myself to be a serious person, I love and crave humor. When a new issue of The New Yorker arrives at our doorstep, the first thing I do is thumb through the pages to find the cartoons. I love watching serious drama, but equally enjoy a clever, well-done comedy.
One of our morning prayers gives us the opportunity to express thanks for being a Jew. I am grateful for the deep, rich, meaningful spiritual tradition my faith brings me - and also for its humor and delight.
Temple President ~ lisa lupo
At Temple Tikvah Our Culture Embraces Traditions & Diversity
- My niece gave birth to a beautiful baby boy this week. His father, grandfather, and great grandfather are all named Christian. Accordingly, the new baby will be Christian IV. And little Christian will have a bris.
- In my family at least, three out of the four millennials who are married are in interfaith marriages. All of them however, plan to raise their children Jewish.
- Rather than being an outlier, I believe my family is representative of the new face of liberal Judaism. Millennials and Gen Z’ers who grew up as part of a temple community are committed to (or at least feel a strong attachment to) their Jewish identities and want to pass our rich history onto their children. Yet, as each succeeding generation moves further from our immigrant (and dare I say orthodox) roots, their Jewishness becomes less of a defining character in who they are and less of a consideration in their choice of a mate.
- Most of us do not keep a kosher home or strictly follow Shabbat every week. For some, matzah is only eaten at the seders or if we follow a strict no bread rule, we may be a bit loose in our definition of chametz. Many, including me, have accommodated our non-Jewish partners by putting up Christmas trees and by having our children participate in Easter egg hunts.
- So how do we maintain Jewishness in the next generation, when we don’t feel that strongly that we need a Jewish partner and when we ourselves have accepted many of the secular aspects of Christian celebrations?
- I think the answer to that question has many parts and may be different for each family. It is certainly a plus to belong to a strong Jewish community that embraces interfaith and diverse families. Community plays a big role in creating a sense of self and in maintaining connection to others with similar beliefs. It is also important to welcome non-Jewish family members as full participants in our communities.
- It is equally important to understand the difference between religion and tradition, and to embrace the non-religious traditions that may be alien to us yet are important to our partners and their family.
- When I think back, it’s often the small, yet meaningful traditions and rituals that we build into our everyday lives that influence us the most: Reading books and sharing Jewish themed holiday stories with our children and grandchildren - Teaching them Tikkun Olam and Jewish ethics - Sharing apples and honey at Rosh Hashanah, frying latkes at Chanukah, dressing up for Purim, brises and baby namings - B’nai Mitzvahs and so much more.
It is important to establish traditions that are inclusive and make sense for everyone in your family. The same holds true for our Temple Family. We like to say that Temple Tikvah is the House of Worship That Feels Like Home. Let us know if we are living up to that ideal. Please reach out to me by clicking on the LINK below with any thoughts you have on how we can be more inclusive of all of our families - Go to About Us followed by Leadership and then my name. We can schedule some time to talk, and I would welcome the discussion.
RELIGIOUS SCHOOL
Cultivating Our Culture
Education Director
As Role Models for Our Children, We Instill in Them Jewish Rituals and Establish Jewish-Themed Routines, Where They Can Make Jewish Memories That Will Last a Lifetime (myjewshlearning.com)
- It is hard to believe how quickly the Religious School year has flown by. All parents are invited to join us in-person for our Last Day of School BBQ (cooked by Brotherhood) at Temple Tikvah on May 21st! Details will be in the Religious School Update.
- We have studied together in-person for the full school year! The students have made tremendous progress in reading, chanting prayers, and learning the meaning of the prayers. They have learned about Torah Avodah (worship) and Gemillut Chasidim (Loving Acts of Kindness).
- We have had special programs for Hanukah, Purim, and Pesach. Thank you, Cheryl Stern for all of your work with these Holiday Programs! The students have participated in specials with the Rabbi (many fun activities), Spencer Mandel (music and musical games), Cheryl Stern (Holiday and Torah related learnings and activities), and with me (book clubs on respect for diversity).
- I am grateful for the support from our parents! Thank you for giving your time, ideas, and ears to the Religious School. Thank you to my teachers - Ms. Suzanne Katz, Ms. Ellianna Brandel, Ms. Yael Lubeck, Ms. Angela Homapour, and Ms. Tikva Mousafi!
- Thank you to our madrichim - Ethan Moy, Rebecca McCorey, and Jared Wolfson! I am sad to have to say goodbye to our two graduating madrich, Alana Wolfson and Kyle Soifer, yet I wish them much mazel as they begin their college journeys. Alana and Kyle have been Madrich since their B’nai Mitzvot. They are dedicated, wise, and mature and have been a tremendous asset to our school. I will miss them! I encourage all families to attend our Celebration of Learning Family Shabbat on June 9th where we will officially bid them a fond farewell.
- Thank you to Julie O‘Donnell and April Heron for stepping up and co-chairing the Religious School Committee! It will get easier, I promise.
- Thank you to Brotherhood and Sisterhood! You always support our school - financially (our security), educationally (our special ed teachers and prayerbooks), and with your time.
- Thank you to our President, Lisa Lupo who supports the school with her ideas, time, and participation!
- Thank you, Rabbi for providing spiritual and educational support!
- We have to bid goodbye to Spencer Mandel our Music/Song Teacher. He has worked very hard with our students and the Kol Simkha Choir this year. We wish him good luck as he continues his rabbinic journey! I look forward to seeing him on the pulpit as a Rabbi in the near future.
- On Friday May 12th we will have our Family Dinner and Grades 2/3 Family Service. The following students will participate: Charles Braunstein, Charlotte Di Rico, Ethan Di Rico, Benjamin Jones, Ellis Lavoie, Aiden Miller, Luca Muto, Owen Baker, Sarah Escobar, Bailey Faulkner, Ryder Gutterman, and Leo Pitt.
- Congratulations to the Geller Family on the upcoming Bat Mitzvah of their daughter, Emily on May 6th!
- Congratulations to the Lefkof Family on the upcoming Bar Mitzvah of their son Austin, on May 20th!
Upcoming Events: May 6th - Emily Geller’s Bat Mitzvah • May 12th - Grades 2/3 Family Dinner & Service • May 13th - Jr. Congregation and Israeli Themed Havdallah & Israeli Dance • May 14th - Mother’s Day • May 20th - Austin Lefkof’s Bar Mitzvah • May 21st - Last Day of Religious School • June 9th - Celebration of Learning Family Shabbat Service including honoring Alana Wolfson and Kyle Soifer • June 10th - Justin Strobel’s Bar Mitzvah • June 24th - Benjamin Golbig’s Bar Mitzvah
Mazel Tov!
My name is Emily and my Bat Mitzvah is on May 6th. I am writing this so you can learn a little about me. For example, my Bat Mitzvah means a lot to me, because it shows how hard I've been working to become an adult in our community. It also means all of my work has finally paid off! Another thing to know about me is some of my favorite things are my friends, La La Land, cookies & cream ice cream, my family, and my pets. And because my pets are one of my favorite things, I have decided my Bat Mitzvah Project is going to be helping animal shelters in my area by donating food, blankets, and toys; because they are always getting more animals to take care of, and they will always need help so they can help those animals find their forever homes. And...I thank my parents for giving me this opportunity.
- Hello, my name is Austin Lefkof...In a few weeks from now, on Saturday, May 20th one of the most significant moments in my life will be taking place. I recognize the importance of this event personally and culturally. I really enjoy learning about history, my ancestry, and my heritage. I am very inspired by what my people have overcome and how their legacy still lives on. This has led me to have a B’Nai Mitzvah with a child that passed away in the Holocaust. His name was Joseph Wolff and I am very inspired by his life and his story, especially because his surname is the same as my Mom's maiden name. It is a heartbreaking coincidence.
- While learning about my history I cannot forget about the future. For my Mitzvah Project, I volunteered at the New Hyde Park Challenger Baseball League. I helped adults with developmental disabilities play baseball. I found it really fun and it felt really great to know that not only was I helping people in the present, but I was leaving a mark for the future. I also helped out at one of their tournaments in Massapequa, where I helped them by preparing them for their game, pitching, and fielding. I also cleaned up the majority of our area. I really hope more people get to experience what I did, so that we can have a more inclusive society and be more understanding of everyone's differences.
TIKVAH TOTS
Believing, Behaving, and Belonging
- Routines are important to everyone, yet they are especially important to families with young children. They make children feel safe and let parents know that at some point in the day, they can count on a nap break. I could not have survived the early years without all those schedules I created and recreated. My mother-in-law couldn’t believe the details I would list, including the need to play the song, “Laila Tov” before putting my daughter to sleep. By adding this simple song to the daily routine, it started my child’s connection to Judaism and Jewish culture.
- Later adding a bedtime PJ Library book and lighting Shabbat candles on Friday nights with a taste of challah, gave security in knowing my daughters were connected to something bigger than their tiny selves.
- So how can you make those connections for your children? Consider what ways you can impart Jewish culture into your child’s daily lives. Establish it as a consistent ritual and hopefully, those memories will take hold, along with the comfort your child gains from knowing that this will happen each day, each week, each year.
The hope being that your child will associate that comfort with Jewish culture and always come back to their faith as they grow older.
let's share our traditions together!
temple-at-large
Jewish Culture & Traditions Involve An Element of Religion Alongside That of Practice & Life (aboutjewishpeople.com)
TEAM TIKVAH!
Dear Temple Tikvah Congregants & Friends,
- Each year I reach out to family & friends to ask for support for those living with Multiple Sclerosis. MS does not appear to be inherited in an age group or family. MS can appear as double vision, fatigue, pain, numbness, tingling, bladder and bowel control, sexual disfunction, dizziness, and weakness - among other issues to one’s body. Although many treatments have been developed, we are NOT THERE YET! So, once again I am asking for your continued philanthropic generosity.
- Please make checks payable to: MS Society and mail to: Mindy Daniels / 14 - 51 212th Street / Bayside, NY 11360 or click on the LINK below to make a donation.
WITH GRATITUDE, MINDY
Mazel Tov
Elaine Brooks & Anthony Kolios!
sisterhood
The Sisterhood Scoop
- This month’s theme is Jewish Culture. What does it mean to us? As a Reform Jewish woman, I am proud of the traditions and practices I live by today. Growing up, girls were just beginning to be recognized as worthy of Bat Mitzvah. I did not go to Hebrew School and religion was taught by my family celebrating the holidays, learning the stories in the Torah, and listening to my grandmother tell stories of her country. Her cooking, her songs, her speaking Yiddish all made me want to learn about our Jewish culture and internalize its important values. It made me feel responsible to do my best to keep our traditions alive. I feel comfortable knowing that I have passed down the knowledge and pride of being Jewish to my children. Hopefully, the generations to come will go on to cherish our culture. We may be small in numbers; however we are truly mighty in our strength and determination to be a light for the world.
- On that note, Sisterhood Shabbat is here! On Friday, May 5th, Sisterhood members will lead the service with meaningful words and music. Many thanks to Lynn Moser for organizing this special night! There will be a wonderful oneg to follow, so please try your best to come in-person.
- Please look for information about our Annual End of Year Dinner. It is set for June 6th at Jonathan’s Restaurant. We are looking forward to an evening of good food, good company, and good cheer! We will be honoring our outgoing President and showing her our appreciation and love for her excellent work these past 3 years.
- We will also be presenting our new slate of officers and trustees at this dinner. We are so blessed to have a group of dedicated women who we can count on to keep our Sisterhood strong. We support Temple Tikvah both with our spirit and with our financial help. We welcome all Temple women to see what we are all about.
We wish everyone a beautiful blooming May filled with all that makes you happy ~
our annual women's seder
social action
What is Jewish Culture?
- Think about your way of life, beliefs, values, and ideology. How do they reflect Jewish culture, as you understand it? What are your links to Israel, Jewish texts, and history? Do these manifest multiple sources or versions of what you understand Jewish culture to be?
- As members of the Social Action Committee of Temple Tikvah, we try to put into our actions the Jewish concept of Tikkun Olam/Repairing the World. There are many ways to act on this concept and its values: we practice Chesed (kindness or love between people) by collecting food, clothing, and other items for people in need; we strive to reduce single-use plastics which choke the earth and oceans; and we speak up when we perceive harm being done to ourselves and others. We have also joined with other organizations to strengthen the effect of our voices. How do you think of yourself as “Jewish” or not?
- This month is an opportunity to take time to reflect on the ways being Jewish has influenced your life, thoughts, and actions. Where have your values come from? What prompts you to speak up or act? How do you feel when you read newspapers, see actions of others or recognize that someone else you are interacting with is also Jewish? What do you know about Jewish traditions and customs, music, art or literature? What do you know about Jewish history, not just in the United States or Israel? As we move from Passover to Yom HaAtzmaut (April 26th), Lag BaOmer (May 9th), Yom Yerushalayim (May 19th), and into Shavuot (May 26th - 27th), what do each of these commemorations mean to you as a person, as a member of a larger community? Or if they do not have meaning for you, what might explain that? How might you help facilitate ending the conflict in Israel or how do you feel about the divisions among Jews there or here in the U.S.?
There are many ways to “be Jewish”. How do you experience Jewish Culture and how do you express that in your life? We hope you find multiple ways to enjoy that aspect of yourself through our Temple Tikvah Community.
caring Community
Our Heritage Highlights Our Culture
- We give thanks to President George W. Bush who on April 20th 2006 established May as Jewish American Heritage Month, recognizing the more than 350 year history of Jewish contributions to American culture, which certainly reinforces our Jewish culture.
- Jewish American Heritage Month celebrates and reminds others of the achievements of Jewish Americans, fosters pride among the American Jewish Community, and aims to educate, enlighten, and engage a larger audience about the achievements of Jewish Americans and spotlights our culture.
- Here is a review of some facts and reading suggestions for your reading and learning pleasure: FACTS - Louis Dembitz Brandeis was the first Jew appointed to the Supreme Court in 1916. • Edna Ferber was the first American Jew to win the Pulitzer Prize in fiction in 1925. • Brandeis University was founded in 1948, as the first nonsectarian Jewish sponsored institution of higher education. • Hebrew Union College ordains Sally J. Priesand as the first woman rabbi in 1972. • Mark Spitz, an American swimmer won the second most gold medals, 7 golds at the '72 Munich Olympics. • Shari Lewis, born Sonia Phyllis Hurwitz was the original puppeteer for the beloved children’s character Lamb Chops. Her father, Abraham Hurwitz was a founding member of Yeshiva University. • READING: The Landsman by Peter Melan - This page turning work of historical fiction tells the story of Elias Abrams, who leaves his sordid New Orleans home to enlist in the 3rd Louisiana Infantry, leaving behind a murder that threatens to unravel his world. • The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay by Michael Chabon - This NY Times bestselling novel follows the lives of the title characters, a Czech artist named Joe Kavalier and a Brooklyn born writer names Sam Clay, who are both Jewish - before, during, and after WW II. Kavalier and Clay become major figures in the comics industry during the "GOLDEN AGE". • Books by Chaim Potok who was a Jewish American writer, rabbi, and scholar who wrote nine novels, five plays, three children's books, and three works of nonfiction. His novels explore the tension between tradition and modernity, and the clash between Jewish culture and contemporary Western civilization.
- REMEMBER TO MARK YOUR CALENDARS: The Afternoon Book Club will next meet on Thursday, May 4th at 1:30pm to review Signal Fires by Dani Shapiro (Division Street is full of secrets. An impulsive lie begets a secret - one which will forever haunt the Wilf family. And the Shenkmans, who move into the neighborhood many years later, bring secrets of their own...Spanning fifty kaleidoscopic years, on a street - and in a galaxy - where stars collapse and stories collide, these two families become bound in ways they never could have imagined...barnesandnoble.com) • The Writing Group will next meet on Tuesday, May 9th at 7:30pm • The Evening Book Club will next meet on Monday, May 22nd at 7:30pm to review Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus. (Chemist Elizabeth Zott is not your average woman. In fact, Elizabeth Zott would be the first to point out that there is no such thing as an average woman. But it’s the early 1960s and her all-male team at Hastings Research Institute takes a very unscientific view of equality. Except for one: Calvin Evans; the lonely, brilliant, Nobel Prize nominated grudge-holder who falls in love with - of all things - her mind. True chemistry results...barnesandnoble.com).
HOPING THAT AN ABUNDANCE OF LOVE AND CARING IS CONTAGIOUS
lifelong learning
The Culture of Our Community Plays a Big Role In Creating a Sense of Self and In Maintaining a Connection to Others with Similar Beliefs
- Rabbi’s Course: Our next Lunch & Learn will be the Rabbi’s Course, entitled: The Rest of the Story: Scripture Beyond the Torah. We often tend to concentrate on the Torah portion while ignoring the weekly Haftarah portion. In this course we will sample some of the writings of the prophets as seen in the Haftarah portions. Using the new CCAR publication - Prophetic Voices: Renewing and Reimagining Haftarah we will find relevance in these ancient words.
- Lunch & Learn will be on Saturday, May 13th following an in-person (and hybrid) Torah Study at 9:30am in the Harris Beber Auditorium. Look for further details in the Weekly Update. An RSVP would be much appreciated so that we can plan for food.
- Forest Bathing: Forest Bathing is not a hike, nor is it a nature walk. It is a slow walk through nature where you focus on taking in the forest environment with your senses. Last summer’s Forest Bathing was well attended and we would like to do it again. Join Rabbi Sheinberg on Monday, May 8th from 10:00am - 12:00pm. Details about where we will meet will be in the Weekly Update.
- Torah Study: Torah Study continues as always on Saturday mornings at 9:00am with Rabbi Sheinberg on ZOOM. We have been meeting once a month in-person at Temple Tikvah at 9:30am. The next in-person meeting will be on May 13th. There is also always a ZOOM LINK for these days. The LINKS are in the Weekly Updates. We hope to see you there.
The Blessings of Adult Education ~ Far More than Knowledge
brotherhood
Hey It’s May!
- Our Tribe’s culture is part of our way of life, beliefs, values, and ideology. Jewish Culture also connects us to the land of Israel, to the teachings of Jewish text, and to our history; through literature, art, beliefs, and practices, as well as social customs. Brotherhood’s ongoing commitment to Temple Tikvah incorporates these customs and traditions in its Mission Statement: A fraternal organization whose goals are fostering a sense of comradery and supporting the Temple community.
- We hope everyone participated in April’s Fundraising Events - Yellow Memorial Candles for Yom HaShoah and Ben’s Deli in Bay Terrace; and we thank those who did.
- This month - Brotherhood plans to hold a Sunday Morning Bagel Breakfast in the Beber Auditorium on May 7th at 9:30am for our members, and we request that you R.S.V.P. • In addition, on Sunday, May 21st the Brothers will BBQ for the Religious School on its last day. This is an annual event. All members of Brotherhood are welcome to assist.
Until next month, take some time to participate in any and all Temple Activities, and learn and enjoy our wonderful culture.
delivering passover wine
HAKARAT HATOV - הַכָּרַת הַטּוֹב
TODA RABA – תודה רבה
DONATIONS:
- RABBI’S DISCRETIONARY FUND: Jack & Arline Cazes in appreciation of Rabbi Sheinberg for the beautiful blessing she gave Jack & me on our 50th Anniversary • Bess Friedman in memory of Arleen Degen • Paula Schaap and Andrew Kadel in memory of Arleen Degen • Robert Wechsler in memory of Arleen Degen
- TEMPLE TIKVAH GENERAL FUND: Gloria & Larry Konstan in memory of Arleen Degen
- TEMPLE TIKVAH MEMORIAL FUND: Robert Bader in memory of Pearl Bader • Judith Brenner in memory of Laurette Friedman • Doris Brown in memory of Steven Philip Brown • Brotherhood in memory of Henry Bloch and Arleen Degen • The Chirel Family in memory of Dr. Elba Chirel • Mindy & Mark Daniels in memory of Marilyn Daniels • Gayle & Joel Feinstein in memory of Mary Malkin and Bernard & Frances Rubin • Dean Hernan in memory of Sophie Hernandez and Joseph Hernandez • David Herz in memory of Frank Herz • Phyllis & Joseph Horne in memory of Solomon Horne • Anthony Kolios & Elaine Brooks in memory of Nikos Kolios and Mortimer Brooks • Patrice Kolomer in memory of Yetta Lipchonsky and Sydney Lipchonsky • Gloria & Larry Konstan in memory of Harry Konstan • Cheryle & Steve Levine in memory of Abbey Bonnie Passariello, Alison Werner Levine, Jack Leitenberg, Laura Passariello, and Paul Passariello Sr. • Jacqueline McCorey in memory of Diann Mills • Michael & Gigi Newman in memory of Matilde Gutierrez • Julius & Amy Mendel in memory of Arleen Degen • Lee Newman in memory of Irving Newman • Edward & Margery Orenstein in memory of Joseph Orenstein • Sandra & David Peskin in memory of Arleen Degen • Helaine & Ed Schachter in memory of Samuel Levine • Charla Schnupp in memory of Steven Putzer • Marilyn Schwartz in memory of Janet Newman Schwartz and Lt. Marvin Newman • Jack & June Schwarz in memory of Ludwig Schwarz • Barbara Silberman in memory of Dorothy Kellner and Sylvia Miller • Martin & Susan Siroka in memory of Harold Siroka • Merry Slone in memory of Benjamin Hurwood • Janet & Barry Spool in memory of Edward Spool • Joyce Braun Stoner in memory of Aaron Braun • Nicole & Keith Taylor in memory of Arleen Degen • Sarah Valle in memory of Arleen Degen • Jeffrey & Teresa Weisbrot in memory of Esther Graff and David Weisbrot • Gale & Howard Zeidman in memory of Leon Zeidman • Irene & Stanley Zorn in memory of Evelyn Kamberg
~ IN MEMORIAM ~
One of the Very Greatest of the Greatest Generation
- When I saw the Lifecycle Notice from Temple Tikvah about Henry Bloch's passing, I was surprised and saddened. Yet perhaps I shouldn't have been surprised. It may not be common knowledge, but Henry had turned 109 on March 11th (yes, you read that correctly). Henry was originally a member of a synagogue in Queens that closed and merged with Temple Tikvah.
- I first got to know Henry right before Covid. There was an announcement in the Tikvah Times that caught my eye. It read something like this: "Elderly gentlemen looking for dinner companion." I learned that due to Henry's failing eyesight, he could no longer drive. He wanted to be able to go out and enjoy a nice dinner and would treat whoever was willing to drive him. It seemed like such a lovely arrangement and I figured that his announcement would get a lot of responses, but when I saw the announcement run for a second month in the Tikvah Times, I felt that I had to reach out. I connected with Henry through Helene Schonhaut of the Caring Committee. When I got Henry on the phone, it was March, and he told me that his son was in town, so he would call me back in a few weeks. Well, a few weeks later it was Covid. I didn't get a chance to meet Henry in person until July of 2020, however in the meantime, we spoke on the phone and I learned a lot about him.
- Henry was born in 1914 in Germany. If I am remembering correctly, he grew up in or near Mannheim. When he was in college in Germany, things started getting difficult for the Jews. At one point, he was drafted into Hitler's Army. Henry saw the writing on the wall before the rest of his family and in the 1930s, he was able to come to America, where he lived in Newburgh with some distant relatives. Once the United States entered World War II, Henry was drafted a second time - this time into the American Army. He was one of the Ritchie Boys, famously known for their multi-lingual interrogation and intelligence gathering skills. The military recruited the Ritchie boys in order to send them back overseas (from where most of them had recently arrived as immigrants). Many of them, like Henry, were European Jews. Henry, who already spoke German, English, and French fluently was now being trained to learn Russian.
- Henry's experience in the war reminds me of an earlier version of the movie "Forrest Gump." Henry's exploits included landing on the beaches of Normandy five days after D-Day, seeing action during the Battle of the Bulge, unintentionally stumbling across the chateau in which King Leopold of Belgium and his family were being held prisoner and freeing them, and serving as an American Liaison under General Leclerc of France. Henry told me that he had been given the choice between the rank of a commissioned or non-commissioned officer. He went the NCO route so that he could have more autonomy and not have to answer to anyone (maybe not so true in today's Army). Of his time on the beaches of Normandy, he told me that it was the most miserable experience of the war for him. His first night there, it rained all night. He thought he could find shelter under the branches of a tree, but the water just poured everywhere and he was soaked. Henry's unintentional liberation of the King of Belgium stemmed from having a lieutenant who always wanted to be at the tip of the spear and would seek out opportunities to get ahead of the pack; Henry had no choice but to follow. And, most notably, Henry's dedication to the French general earned him the esteemed Légion d'Honneur. There is no higher award.
- I would try to ask Henry about his military experience and his youth in Germany whenever I had a chance. He didn't sugarcoat anything. He did a lot of interrogating and told me that one of the most effective ways to convince the German POWs to divulge military intelligence was to threaten to turn them over to the Russians. I asked him if he ever had to use his weapon (he had a side-arm), and he told me that he once had to fire it into the air to intimidate a German officer. He had been able to convince one of the German prisoners to give up his cyanide capsule, which Henry brought home as "war trophy" until his wife convinced him to throw it out (probably a wise decision).
- Another unbelievable feat that Henry achieved - and I still do not understand how this happened because it must have been nearly impossible - is that he was able to use diplomatic connections to secure the release of his parents from a concentration camp in France and bring them to the United States. He told me that he had the help of a senator. I know he was also able to bring his older brother and his brother's wife to the USA. Henry was a real hero on both sides of the Atlantic.
- By the time I got to know Henry, he had already lived about two lifetimes. His children were grown and lived out of town, and he had grandchildren and great-grandchildren. His beloved wife had passed away about five years earlier. Henry was happy to discuss politics and current events during our many dinners out and enjoyed learning about what was going on in my life as well. He was no-nonsense, but also had a great sense of humor. I was once fretting about the cold weather, and he told me matter-of-factly (in his German accent), "Vell, it's vint-uh." We had a common tie to Germany, as I had been stationed there during my time in the military. Henry was extremely proud of being German and anytime I mentioned one of the finer points of German culture, such as the national pastime of being five minutes early to everything in order to be considered "on time," he would puff up with pride. He loved lebkuchen, the German gingerbread often sold around the winter holidays, and was dismayed when Covid-related logistics made it difficult to get his hands on imported lebkuchen. I think he even called one of his contacts at the German consulate to complain.
- Henry only ate at the finest restaurants and considered himself to be "fussy." He would say, "only the best." We frequented The Jolly Fisherman quite often - a restaurant in Roslyn that I had only been to a few times in my life before that. The manager knew him well, and when I made our reservation, all I had to say was "I'm making a reservation under Mr. Bloch," and they would tell me that they would seat us at Mr. Bloch's usual table, T9. Henry was not able to see his food; I would cut it for him and make sure it was firmly on his spoon or fork. He had quite the appetite and was a very discerning - and - demanding customer. We had many lovely dinners together and I made sure to always thank him for treating me.
- Henry led such a full and interesting life, and I only came into it at the very end, but I am grateful that I had that time with him. There was a difference of about 70 years between us, and I felt like I was walking alongside living history when I had the opportunity to visit with Henry. He was truly one of the greatest of the Greatest Generation. May his memory be a blessing.
- A United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Oral History Interview with Henry from 2017 can be found by clicking on the LINK below - Type Henry's name into the Search Bar and there you will find: Oral History Interview with Henry Werner Bloch.
Respectfully, Ramona Jones
yahrzeits
*MAY 2023 calendar
IYAR - SIVAN 5783
- MONDAY, MAY 1st - FIRST DAY OF ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH / Brotherhood Meeting at 7:00pm
- TUESDAY, MAY 2nd - Sisterhood Board Meeting at 7:30pm
- WEDNESDAY, MAY 3rd - Choir Rehearsal at 7:00pm
- THURSDAY, MAY 4th - Afternoon Book Club at 1:30pm & On the Marc Sports Talk at 4:00pm
- FRIDAY, MAY 5th - CINCO DE MAYO / Sisterhood Shabbat Service with Choir at 7:30pm (Shabbat Candles Lit at 7:38pm)
- SATURDAY, MAY 6th - Torah Study at 9:00am via ZOOM & Emily Geller’s Bat Mitzvah at 10:30am
- SUNDAY, MAY 7th - Kol Simkha Rehearsal at 9:00am; Religious School at 9:30am; and Brotherhood Bagel Breakfast at 9:30am
- MONDAY, MAY 8th - LAG BA OMER / Forest Bathing: Hosted by Lifelong Learning from 10:00am - 12:00pm
- TUESDAY, MAY 9th - Writing Group at 7:30pm
- WEDNESDAY, MAY 10th - Choir Rehearsal at 7:00pm
- THURSDAY, MAY 11th - On the Marc Sports Talk at 4:00pm
- FRIDAY, MAY 12th - Family Shabbat Dinner at 5:30pm & 2nd/3rd Grade Shabbat Family Service at 7:00pm (Shabbat Candles Lit at 7:45pm)
- SATURDAY, MAY 13th - Torah Study at 9:30am to be held in-person; Junior Congregation at 10:00am; Lunch & Learn at 11:00am; and Israeli Dance at 5:00pm
- SUNDAY, MAY 14th - MOTHER’S DAY / Kol Simkha Rehearsal at 9:00am & Religious School at 9:30am
- WEDNESDAY, MAY 17th - Choir Rehearsal at 7:00pm
- THURSDAY, MAY 18th - On the Marc Sports Talk at 4:00pm
- FRDAY, MAY 19th - Tikvah Tots at 6:30pm & Shabbat Service at 7:30pm (Shabbat Candles Lit at 7:52pm)
- SATURDAY, MAY 20th - Torah Study at 9:00am via ZOOM & Austin Lefkof’s Bar Mitzvah at 10:30am
- SUNDAY, MAY 21st - Religious School at 9:30am / Brotherhood BBQ to Celebrate the LAST DAY!
- TUESDAY, MAY 23rd - On the Marc Sports Talk at 4:00pm
- THURSDAY, MAY 25th - SHAVUOT / Tikkun Leil Shavuot Learning (time & location to be announced)
- FRIDAY, MAY 26th - Shabbat Service with Shavuot Festival Service & Yizkor at 7:30pm (Shabbat Candles Lit at 7:58pm)
- SATURDAY, MAY 27th - Torah Study at 9:00am via ZOOM
- MONDAY, MAY 29th - OFFICE CLOSED / MEMORIAL DAY
- WEDNESDAY, MAY 31st - Choir Rehearsal at 7:00pm
* PLEASE REFER TO THE WEEKLY UPDATES & THE LINK BELOW (CLICK ON NEW EVENTS, THEN CALENDAR) FOR THE MOST UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION *
OUR LEADERSHIP
TIKVAH TIMES STAFF
Editor - Alene Schonhaut; Assistant Editor - Madeleine Wolf; and Jay Beber - Cover Design & Consultant
*EDITORIAL NOTE...You can click on any article, picture or image to enlarge it...A picture/screenshot can be taken of anything by holding down the shift & command keys and the #4 & outlining the picture or article...The image will then appear on your desktop and you can click on it & print it.
Credits:
Created with images by Pixel-Shot - "Stylish workplace with modern computer on table near color wall" • Rymden - "Vintage bouquet of beautiful different flowers. Floral background." • Amarievikka - "Frame for the text of congratulations with natural flowers of Alstroemeria on a wooden background. Design greeting card with natural colors. Background for text with alstromeria. Flat lay, top view."