OUR LEADERSHIP

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rabbi randy sheinberg

For Me, Music Has Always Been a Pathway to Holiness

• Here’s one of the best compliments I have ever received: Once, when I was spending the year in Israel as part of my rabbinic program, I was with my classmates out on a walk. One of the cantorial students started singing a song, one of the prayers for Shabbat I believe. Enthusiastically I joined in, as did several others. After the song ended, my classmate turned to me and said, “You have a lovely voice! You could be a cantor!”
• In truth, my singing voice is far from cantorial quality. But what my classmate picked up in my singing that day was my love of music, and the passion I put into the singing. For me, music has always been a pathway to holiness, to kedusha. Whether I am singing or playing an instrument, or listening to music made by others, music has a power to open a channel that reaches straight into my soul, that makes me feel both humbled and grand, connected to the source of life itself. I have experienced that holiness and transcendence in an array of settings, some religious, others not; some Jewish, others not.
• I’ll share just a few of those moments: ~ My Grandma Anna was a talented musician. Before she married, she had been a concert pianist, and she continued to play regularly throughout her life. During the last year of her life, she lived with my family. Although cataracts had robbed her of her sight, and arthritis made it impossible for her fingers to move the way she wanted them to, she would still sit at the piano and play. There was nothing more spiritual to me than being by her side, watching her become the music. ~ The courtyard of my college dorm was a place where many of us gathered at night to hang out and shoot the breeze. One evening a friend brought his guitar and began to play his repertoire of Beatles tunes (he knew most of them.) Soon a couple of other friends and I gathered around him and worked on the harmonies. What started out as a disparate group of people became a community, united by familiar tunes and a commitment to listen intently to one another to create beauty. ~ One evening last fall, when people were finally feeling a bit more comfortable gathering in person, we had our first sizable crowd gathered at Lake Success Jewish Center’s Sanctuary for our Friday Night Shabbat Service. When we got to the prayer for peace, which that evening was Jeff Klepper’s Shalom Rav, everybody began singing along with the Cantor. I had not realized until that moment how much I had missed the chance to hear all our voices singing together. Tears sprang to my eyes. All those hours of worship on ZOOM were beautiful and meaningful, but for me nothing could compare with the holiness, the sense of God, I felt when all our voices combined. I felt that a shalom rav, a great peace was truly possible in the world.

Shiru L’Adonai, kol ha’aretz, Shiru L’Adonai, shir hadash ~ Sing unto God all the earth a new song...May we continue to make music, and may that music lift our spirits and raise our prayers to heaven.

Bruch Haba…Welcome!

Cantor Leslie Friedlander

• In Martin Buber’s Tales of the Hasidim we read, “Rabbi Pinhas used to say: ‘What you pursue, you don’t get. But what you allow to grow slowly in its own way, comes to you.’”
• In the mid-1940s in Hungary, when my college voice teacher was beginning his opera career, he traveled to Switzerland to perform with a small opera company. He brought his wife and infant son with him for what was to be a brief visit. While he and his family were away, his entire extended family was murdered by the Nazis. My teacher and his wife and son never returned to their homeland. They traveled within their new host country, earning enough money to eventually make the journey to the United States. By then he was a celebrated opera singer and was accepted into the Metropolitan Opera Company as one of its soloists. My voice teacher always told me that those who are given an extraordinary gift must share it with others. I believe he understood something about me that I had yet to discover.
• I am told that I sang before I spoke. Music has always been integral to my life, to the way I communicate, to the very way I breathe. And yet, even with the gift of a voice and musical skills, the love of singing, and a good foothold in the professional singing world, I felt there was something missing. I was doing what I set out to do, but I did not feel altogether fulfilled. My voice teacher’s words haunted me at times – made me feel selfish when I wasn’t performing, and yet I felt incomplete when I was performing. It was when I discovered that women could serve as cantors that the pieces of my puzzle began to fall into place and my teacher’s words came to life.
• Serving a congregation as its cantor has allowed me to share my music and fully experience the joy I receive from singing; and my voice, which I had assumed was my personal gift, I now experience as an extension of my voice teacher’s legacy - its purpose is to bring people closer to their sacred, spiritual roots.
• In my years of service to URJ Congregations, one salient, personal truth has emerged - I have always tried to be the soul of the congregation in addition to being its voice. The “voice” part has always been natural for me, and I had assumed this was the gift that my voice teacher said should be shared, but this was only a piece of the puzzle. The “soul” part of me, as reflected in my role as congregational cantor has deepened through an ongoing commitment to harmonize – both literally and figuratively – with my congregants, fellow clergy, and staff. This is expressed through my role as choir director with adults and children of all ages, through my service as religious school director and educator, and through my representation of my temple within the community-at-large; the highlight of which was being selected to be a fellow in the Leadership Institute, sponsored and hosted by UJA/Federation of New York.
• The distinct paths that I have embraced on my career journey have now become fully integrated into my personal and professional self. Whether I find myself selecting comforting music for a healing service or teaching a b-mitzvah class the meaning and method of chanting Torah trop (musical cantillation), the feelings felt are the same as the feelings transmitted: we are here together to share the most inspirational and moving parts of our Jewish tradition, and it is only through doing this together that we can reap the maximum benefit that our Creator has offered to us as an opportunity to partake in the gift of life. I always look forward to this outcome in any role that I seek to fulfill.
• Little did I know, when I first assumed the position of student cantor at Temple Emanuel of New Hyde Park (now Temple Tikvah) in 1991, that I would be honored to return to my cantorial roots at Temple Tikvah many years later. I feel blessed to be able to work with Rabbi Sheinberg and the dedicated members of the congregation.

Temple President ~ lisa lupo

Happy 5783!

• First, some really good news. We received our third check from FEMA! Temple has now been reimbursed 100% for our Hurricane Ida clean-up and remediation expenses. We now have the funds in hand to start rebuilding.
• None of that work would have been possible without our Temple Tikvah miracle workers – Andrea Comerchero and Sandy Peskin! While it often seems like the building work is going at a snail’s pace, Andrea and Sandy have actually kept it moving at lightning speed (at least for FEMA). It often takes years for FEMA recipients to get to where we are today. Their work on this project is the definition of going above and beyond.
• If you attended our Rosh Hashanah Services, I am sure you noticed that we have completed our first small, yet significant rebuild project. We have rehabilitated the women’s bathrooms and created a comfortable corridor to the bathroom facilities from the Beber Auditorium with new carpeting, sheetrock, and freshly painted walls. With clear access to the bathrooms, we can host larger events in the Beber Auditorium.
• Andrea and Sandy are busy working with architects and engineers, getting bids from construction companies, and completing FEMA paperwork for the next stage(s) of the rebuild process. There is still much to do before we will have a schedule for the next phase of the work, but please be assured that things are moving forward, and information will be shared when there is more to report.
• As things move forward with the building, so does life at Temple Tikvah ~ I attended the September Sisterhood Welcome Back Brunch, and I can’t tell you how many people commented to me how wonderful it was to gather and eat together again as a group. ~ We put a lot of in-person Temple events on the calendar this year, and I am looking forward to seeing many more congregants in-person as the year progresses. ~ The virtual option will remain for those unable to attend events in-person. We are thrilled to be doing more in-person activities, but the important thing is that we continue to connect in ways that are most comfortable for us.

As always, please feel free to reach out to me at with your questions, concerns or if you just want to say hello by clicking on the LINK below.

temple-at-large

With each generation's music can be incredibly different, what they all have in common is the ability to move certain people to feel and think and - in some cases - to pray...Cantor Mary Thomas

mazel tov!

Jace NELSON hupman has arrived!!

brotherhood

Music Can Bridge the Distance Between Generations

• As a teen growing up in the 60s, I developed my love for music. It was then that music became a part of my everyday life. WABC - AM was my station. It was either on my clock radio, my larger portable radio (plug in or batteries) or my tiny transistor. Everyone had at least one of them. It wasn’t rock and roll, yet they were like our friends - the DJ's or All-Americans, I believe they were called: Herb Oscar Anderson, 6am - 10am; Ron Lundy, 10am - 2pm; Dan Ingram (“Hello Kimmo Sabe”); and Cousin Bruce/Brucie Morrow, 6pm - 10pm…Our Kings of the Airways.
• Of course the Weekly Countdown of the Top 77 Songs was a must listen. I used to keep track each week of the #1 songs. I even remember one December 31st (I think it was 1964) that I sat by my radio and listened to the Top 100 of the Year in order from 100 to 1 from the beginning to the end, when the #1 song was “She Loves You” by the Beatles.
• So by being brought up with this music, my love for Shabbat Songs was enhanced and our faith’s music became part of the tapestry of my love of music: “A Cry for Peace” (Shalom Rav) (https://reformjudaism.org/beliefs-practices/prayers-blessings/cry-peace-shalom-rav); “Hashkiveinu” (https://www.adatelohim.org/worship/prayers-and-songs/hashkiveinu/); and “Oseh Shalom” (https://genius.com/Maccabeats-oseh-shalom-lyrics.)

Brotherhood News: • A Reminder - Please join us this year if you have not yet. Send us a check for $50 made out to: Brotherhood of Temple Tikvah. • October 18th - Members-Only Brotherhood Dinner at Sangria 71 in Williston Park at 7:00pm • SAVE THE DATE - Tuesday, November 8th from 4:00pm - 8:00pm we are holding a Fundraiser at Panera Bread in Mineola. Look for the flyer in the Weekly Updates, then print it out or take a picture of it. When you show the flyer at the time of your order, Brotherhood will receive a percentage.

SISTERHOOD

Sisterhood Wishes You and Yours a L’Shanah Tovah

• This month’s Tikvah Times theme gives music the spotlight it deserves. Whether during the High Holy Days or any other day we want to feel the emotions of the time, we can always turn to a melody or song to bring a memory to life.

• These words are so true. The High Holy Days call us to be better. Listening to the familiar melodies brings me comfort, and hope that now that the new year is here we will get another chance to be our best selves. Music is such an important part of our prayers, our ceremonies, and our culture. The songs we sing connect us to the person sitting next to us, as well as the loved ones that we miss. I hope you find meaning in all our services and the music brings you joy and peace.
• Sisterhood wants to thank Leslie Kizner and Carol Reiter for organizing a lovely Welcome Back Brunch at Jonathan’s Restaurant in New Hyde Park on Sunday, September 18th. We also give them kudos for taking charge of our successful Honey Sale this year. All proceeds go directly to helping Temple. We had our biggest year ever! Thank you to everyone who participated in this fundraiser.
• We are happy to announce that Sisterhood will continue to pay for security at Shabbat Services, and this year we will also be paying for half of the security cost for Sunday School. In addition, we have made a generous donation to our Kol Nidre Fund.
• Now that we are in October, we find ourselves planning for our next event. We are reaching out to other Temples Sisterhoods to share the fun. Look for details soon! Thank you to all who have joined Sisterhood so far. Your membership always supports Temple. We welcome your energy and ideas for fundraisers and events. Come to a Monthly Board Meeting and get involved. Remember, it’s never too late to join our group and enjoy the company of women who are dedicated to Temple, Judaism, and each other!

Wishing everyone a happy, healthy New Year!!!

SOCIAL ACTION

With *Music, We Have “Hope With Our Hands”

• The theme of this month’s Tikvah Times is music and the ways in which it can connect the sacred with the secular. Music is central to worship in our tradition, as it is in just about every other religion. It appeals to our senses and makes worship more meaningful and enjoyable. Music and song are also central to modern social, cultural, and political movements, often finding expression in folk music that becomes part of who we are. Just think of the reach and impact of “We Shall Overcome.”
• Music can also serve as a bridge to connect generations. When older people join climate marches with young people, all are united in chanting “People Gonna Rise Like Water.” In fact, the climate movement provides some excellent examples of music serving as a bridge between faith and activism, between kids desperately trying to save the planet they will live on into the next century, and adults of all ages who share their fears and hopes.
• Dayenu is one of the Jewish climate groups active in our area. Their mission is “to secure a just, livable and sustainable world for all people for generations to come by building a multi-generational Jewish movement that confronts the climate crisis with spiritual audacity and bold political action.” In addition, not long ago they launched the world premiere of two new Jewish climate songs, * “Hope With Our Hands,” by Zo Tobi and “L’dor Vapor” by Rena Branson. Here is the link for your enjoyment: https://dayenu.org/songs/

• Save the Date(s): • Wednesday, October 12th - RAC (Religious Action Center of NY) Webinar: Join leaders from Reform Congregations around the state for a virtual meeting, 7:30pm - 8:30pm during the Festival of Sukkot to learn about the Clean Water, Clean Air, and Green Jobs Act provisions for infrastructure improvements, climate change mitigation, and environmental justice. It will be on our ballots in November. Register here - https://urj.tfaforms.net/596?id=7014u000001VLQH&utm_medium=email&utm_content=2022_9_8 • Friday, October 21st - Social Action Shabbat: Our guest speaker, Kate Kurera - Deputy Director of Environmental Advocacy, NY will talk about the upcoming referendum on the Clean Water, Clean Air, and Green Jobs Act and take our question.

May You Have a Good and Sweet New Year!

LIFELONG LEARNING

• Lifelong Learning: Please join us for our first Lifelong Learning Program of the year when Nelson Schwartz comes to Temple Tikvah to discuss his book, The Velvet Rope Economy: How Inequality Became Big Business, published by Doubleday in 2020 on Saturday, October 22nd at 11:00am for coffee and cake. The program will be at 11:30am in-person and on ZOOM. Please RSVP by clicking on the LINK below ONLY if you are attending in person.
• The Velvet Rope Economy: How Inequality Became Big Business tells the story of inequality in America and grew out of Nelson’s reporting in the New York Times, where he worked from 2007 to 2021. It focuses on how consumers and citizens are divided and tiered more and more - nine different lines to board a plane, different entrances in the ballpark, special lanes where you can speed by slower and poorer drivers on the highway by paying more, and a ship-within-a-ship for wealthy cruise goers. He also examined the education world, where the Velvet Rope determines the trajectory of future generations. Nelson wrote the book in response to widening divides in American life, and the increased divisiveness and rancor this has spawned.

• Torah Study: Torah Study continues as always on Saturday mornings at 9:00am with Rabbi Sheinberg on ZOOM and in-person at Temple Tikvah

L’Shanah Tovah!

caring Community

If You Want to Give Yourself a Lift ~ Lift Up Someone Else

• As September closed, we started the Jewish New Year. During the Days of Awe we reflected on the past year, and what we can do going forward to enrich our lives and how we can pay it forward. We present to you a quote from a classic novel that speaks volumes regarding our mission and goals.

• REMINDER: If you need an assist or know someone that needs an assist, please leave a message for either Andrea or Helene in the Temple Office.
• MARK YOUR CALENDARS: The Afternoon Book Club will next meet on Thursday, October 6th at 1:30pm to review Honor by Thrity Umrigar (Fiction - In this riveting and immersive novel, bestselling author Thrity Umrigar tells the story of two couples and the sometimes dangerous and heartbreaking challenges of love across a cultural divide…goodreads.com) • The Writing Group will next meet on Tuesday, October 11th at 7:30pm • The Evening Book Club will next meet on Monday, October 24th to review Yellow Wife by Sadeqa Johnson (Historical Fiction - A harrowing story follows an enslaved woman forced to barter love and freedom while living in the most infamous slave jail in Virginia...goodreads.com)

Let Us Make Our Lives a Blessing

TODA RABA – תודה רבה

• CARING COMMUNITY FUND: Judith Todtfeld in memory of Susan Feinblatt
• HELEN BADER SPECIAL PROJECT FUND: Robert Bader in memory Howard Cohen, Marion Goldschmidt, and Jillian & Lindsay Wiener
• RABBI’S DISCRETIONARY FUND: Martin & Susan Goldschmidt in memory of Marion Goldschmidt
• SIMCAH FUND: The Fastow/Alexander/Jones Families in honor of the birth of Jace Nelson Hupman
• SPECIAL EDUCATION FUND: Sisterhood in honor of the 50th Wedding Anniversary of Lynn & Jay Beber
• TEMPLE TIKVAH MEMORIAL FUND: Lynn & Jay Beber in memory of Miriam Goldschmidt, Susan Feinblatt, and Jillian & Lindsay Wiener • Brotherhood in memory of Dr. Hiram Chirel • Elaine Farber in memory of Joseph Roth, Sigmund Roth, and Shirley M. Roth • Sharon Fogelman & Jason Greenfield in memory of Susan Feinblatt • Sharon Fricano in memory of Henry Fink and Manfred Fink • Lucy Girard in memory of Susan Feinblatt • Dean Hernan in memory of Lee Hernan • Phyllis & Joseph Horne in memory of Susan Feinblatt • Lois & Richard Howard in memory of Jillian & Lindsay Wiener and Marion Goldschmidt • Andrea King in memory of Joseph Barach and Jack Siegel • Gloria & Lawrence Konstan in memory of Susan Feinblatt • Cheryle & Stephen Levine in memory of Susan Feinblatt • Andrew & Marilyn Mandell in memory of Dr. Ira Gold • Lynn Moser in memory of Ivy Jacobsen and Bess Okun • Susan & Kent Moston in memory of Susan Feinblatt • Joanne & Martin Neff in memory of Pearl Neff • Lee Newman in memory of Ira (Bob) Newman • Don & Lori Panetta in memory of Mike Schoener, Al Freeman, and Harry Schoener • Suzanne Plastrik in memory of Rhea Markus • Barbara Rosenthal in memory of Phyllis Rice • Barbara Silberman in memory of Susan Feinblatt • Doris & Irving Silberman in memory of Marion Goldschmidt • Joyce Braun Stoner in memory of Shirley Braun • Nicole & Keith Taylor in memory of Dr. Hiram Chirel • Temple Board of Trustee in memory of Susan Feinblatt • Elaine & Howard Weiss in memory of Susan Feinblatt • Jack & Linda Zaffos in memory of Hana Lustig and Salvatore Zaffos

* OCTOBER 2022 calendar

• SATURDAY, OCTOBER 1st - Torah Study at 9:00am
• TUESDAY, OCTOBER 4th - KOL NIDRE / KOL NIDRE SERVICE at 7:30pm in the Beber Auditorium
• WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5th - YOM KIPPUR • YOM KIPPUR MORNING SERVICE, including a Memorial Prayer at 10:00am • Study & Meditation (in-person only) at 2:00pm • Family-friendly Afternoon Service (appropriate for adults & families with grade school children) at 3:30pm • YIZKOR at 5:15pm • NEILAH/CONCLUDING SERVICE at 6:00pm
• THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6th - Wise Aging Meeting at 10:30am; Afternoon Book Club at 1:30pm; On the Marc Sports Talk at 4:00pm; and Sisterhood Board Meeting at 7:30pm
• FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7th - Sukkot Tikvah Tots Shabbat at 6:30pm & Shabbat Services at 7:30pm
• SATURDAY, OCTOBER 8th - Torah Study at 9:00am & EREV SUKKOT SERVICE at 7:30pm
• SUNDAY, OCTOBER 9th - SUKKOT / NO RELIGIOUS SCHOOL / SUKKOT EXPERIENCE AT TEMPLE JUDEA at 10:30am
• MONDAY, OCTOBER 10th - COLUMBUS DAY
• TUESDAY, OCTOBER 11th - Brotherhood Board Meeting 7:00pm & Writing Group at 7:30pm
• WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12th - Choir Rehearsal at 7:00pm
• THURSDAY, OCTOBER 13th - On the Marc Sports Talk at 4:00pm
• FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14th - Family Shabbat Services at 7:30pm
• SATURDAY, OCTOBER 15th - Torah Study (Tefilah)at 9:00am
• SUNDAY, OCTOBER 16th - EREV SIMCHAT TORAH • Family Pizza Event at 6:15pm • EREV SIMCHAT TORAH/CONSECRATION at 7:00pm
• MONDAY, OCTOBER 17th - SIMCHAT TORAH / FESTIVAL SERVICE WITH YIZKOR at 10:30am
• TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18th - Members-Only Brotherhood Dinner at Sangria 71 in Williston Park at 7:00pm
• WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19th - Choir Rehearsal at 7:00pm
• THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20th - On the Marc Sports Talk at 4:00pm
• FRIDAY, OCTOBER 21st - Social Action Shabbat Service at 7:30pm
• SATURDAY, OCTOBER 22nd - Junior Congregation at 9:30am; Lunch & Learn at 11:00am; and Blessing of the Animals Havdalah at 5:30pm
• SUNDAY, OCTOBER 23rd - Parent Workshop at 9:45am & Commonpoint Event at 12:15pm
• MONDAY, OCTOBER 24th - Evening Book Club at 7:30pm
• TUESDAY,OCTOBER 25th - Family B-Mitzvah Meeting for Grades 5 & 6 at 7:00pm
• WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26th - Choir Rehearsal at 7:00pm
• THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27th - On the Marc Sports Talk at 4:00pm
• FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28th - Shabbat Services at 7:30pm
• SATURDAY, OCTOBER 29th - Torah Study at 9:00am
• MONDAY, OCTOBER 31st - HALLOWEEN

* PLEASE REFER TO THE WEEKLY UPDATES & THE LINK BELOW (CLICK ON NEW EVENTS, THEN CALENDAR) FOR THE MOST UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION *

TIKVAH TIMES STAFF

Editor at Large - Alene Schonhaut, Assistant Editor - Madeleine Wolf & Jay Beber - Cover Design & Consultant