NHC Bulletin Mar 2021

NANUET HEBREW CENTER AFFILIATED WITH THE UNITED SYNAGOGUE OF CONSERVATIVE JUDAISM 411 S. LITTLE TOR ROAD, NEW CITY, NY 10956 (845) 708-9181 Visit us at: http://www.nanuethc.org E-mail address: [email protected] March 2021 Adar — Nisan 5781 Volume 50, Number 7 Pesach — The Celebration of Spring 10 My beloved spoke and said to me, 13 The fig tree forms its early fruit; the blossoming vines spread Arise, my darling, their fragrance. Arise, come, my darling; my beautiful one, come with me. my beautiful one, come with me. 11 See! The winter is past; The Song of Songs 2:10-13 the rains are over and gone. 12 Flowers appear on the earth; For more about the Song of Songs see p. 28 the season of singing has come, the cooing of doves is heard in our land. March Calendar Inside, p. 27

Nanuet Hebrew Center Please let the NHC office know of all important life events & occasions, including births, Published monthly by the Nanuet Hebrew Center weddings, etc., illness and deaths. CLERGY Rabbi Office: 845-708-9181 [email protected] Paul Kurland Cantor SERVICES 845-623-0407 [email protected] Barry Kanarek SHABBAT Friday evening Shabbat services at 6:00 p.m. [email protected] The 1st Friday of each month is Family Shabbat Gail Kaiser EXECUTIVE BOARD Co-President Saturday morning services at 10:00 a.m. Jeffrey Schragenheim Co-President Please call the office the Wednesday before Shabbat if you would like an aliyah on Saturday David Katz Vice President Andrew Toplitsky Vice President Nathan Schlanger Treasurer Jeffrey Tepper Financial Sec'y MINYAN Sunday thru Thursday evening at 7:30 p.m. Charyl Zweigbaum Corresponding Sec’y Jay Jaffe ARMS Recording Sec’y Wendy Spelman Ritual Comm. Chairperson Please try to attend minyan as often as possible to enable mourners and those who are observing John Fogelman Ritual Co-Chair Emeritus yahrzeits to say Kaddish. Mitchell Spiegel Men’s Club Co-President Eric Zweigbaum Men’s Club Co-President Donna Smith Sisterhood President Other Departments/Contacts Rebecca Bernstein Educational Director [email protected] Cynthia Schneider, Peggy Tepper Catering [email protected] Candle lighting times (New City area) Dates Starts Ends Estelle Eisenkraft Tree of Life/Stones Frieda Levitas Chair, Comm. of Education Esther Spiegel HAZAK Flora Silver Chesed Committee Co-Chair March 5-6 5:34 6:34 March 12-13 5:42 6:42 Marion Fuld Chesed Committee Co-Chair March 19-20 6:50 7:18 March 26-27 6:57 7:57 Gift Shop [email protected] Judy Friedlander [email protected] NOTE FROM THE EDITOR—All articles, photos, OFFICE Hours: ads or other info contributed for publication in the Bulletin must be received by the 15th of the month, Closed during the current crisis. We may be to be published the following month, subject to space reached by email or you may leave a message availability and editor's approval. Contributed on the machine. material may be edited as necessary. Please email your attached word documents, PDF files, or JPG photos as attachments to an email with the Subject line: BULLETIN.” Page 2 NHC Bulletin Adar — Nisan 5781 March 2021

In This Issue: From Co-President Gail Kaiser. . . . . . . . . . 4 Mishloach Manot . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 USY/Kadima . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 March Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27 Makom News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Cover story continued . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28 Hazak . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Life Cycle . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . .. . . . . 32 Mail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . .. . . . . . . .22 Tzedakah . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . .. . . . . .36 Getting Together, with Zoom It is encouraging to see so many participating with Zoom in Synagogue meetings and events over the last few months, including the Rabbi’s Monday Study Group, our daily minyanim, pre-Shabbat gatherings, programs for children, USY/Kadima programs, and our new Macom Hebrew School with Montebello Jewish Center. We have been able to attend funerals to mourn with our friends. This is to acknowledge the extra effort of those who have not been particularly comfortable with meeting this way, whether with computer, tablet or cellphone, and are still in the learning curve (present company included). Since on-line meetings will no doubt be an indispensable part of our activities in the short term (and who knows how much in the long term), those of you who are not yet connected are invited to join up and download the program, at Zoom.us. There is plenty of information out there, if you google Zoom, including YouTube tutorials and the like. In this issue find a page of general instructions published by the University of California and a handy page of Zoom ‘Etiquette’ for any occasion supplied by Jeff Schragenheim. If you would like someone to walk you through the download, you may call the office. Once you have the program, it is so easy: You just click on the link provided in your invitation from Rabbi Kurland at the time specified, join the meeting, et voila! March 2021 Adar — Nisan 5781 NHC Bulletin Page 3

From the Co-President In the midst of this dark time in our global community, spring will bloom and one of the most treasured religious celebrations in Judaism will begin. Passover, as we well know, is highlighted by vibrant, festival meals, the Seder, where we tell the story of how our ancestors, the Israelites, left behind a life of enslavement in Egypt and journeyed forth through danger toward physical and spiritual freedom. As it was last year, and as it will most likely be this year beginning on Saturday evening, the 27th of March, families will again celebrate the most unusual Seders of their lifetimes (each sitting with just the members of their own household), while others literally welcome the holiday alone, or in virtual community with smiles and tears on small video screens. It is easy to recognize the deep emotional and even public irony in telling the grand story of the Exodus – that is, of a “going out” – at a time when we are almost universally feeling constrained, isolated, alone, and anything but free. It is precisely at this time when Passover offers many values that feel quite applicable and relevant. At a time when society hungers for moral grounding as well as physical safety, we need to take comfort in the guidance offered by our traditions, and I would like to share some of the messages that I was able to discover in the hopes that they offer meaning to you as well. We Were Once Slaves in the Land of Egypt – the Passover story begins by recounting the oppression of our ancestors. The fact that “we were once slaves in the land of Egypt” is intended to sensitize us to the oppression of all, in every age. We’re reminded of the infinite value of each and every life, which gives us an imperative to protect everyone. Right now, that means we must care about vulnerable community members. We must care about those who continue to keep the rest of us safe, healthy, and fed. We need to care about those who are imprisoned, be it physically or within their own selves, those who live in shelters and those who are unsheltered, those who live close and those in countries far away. The pandemic and the Exodus narrative both drive home the sense that we are all in this together. If anyone isn’t safe, none of us are truly safe, and if anyone isn’t free, none of us are truly free. Opportunity to Bend the Curve – the story of the Exodus also offers hope, that even the harshest oppression can give way to freedom and opportunity. The story’s narrative arc trends upward. We tell this story in the spring, when buds, flowers, and shoots remind us of the potential that’s always present in our world. Opening the door to welcome the prophet Elijah during our Seder meal symbolizes our welcome of a better, more just and compassionate society. Our spiritual tradition promises that redemption always lies just around the corner, and it’s up to us to “bend the arc” towards justice and, in today’s case, to help “bend the curve,” too. Page 4 NHC Bulletin Adar — Nisan 5781 March 2021

The Hillel Sandwich Dilemma – good religious ritual isn’t oversimplified, but rather gives us opportunity to reside in the complexity of our world. At the Seder, we eat bitter herbs (often horseradish) together with sweet charoset (made of fruit and nuts) in a special sandwich, symbolizing that in every moment in time, there is both bitterness and sweetness. For today, this means permission to grieve the losses – illness and loss of life, financial stress and missed opportunities – and also to embrace the unexpected sweetness that come with beautiful spring days, creative uses of technology, environmental benefits to our planet, and the potential for a better society to emerge as we rebuild when we reach the other side of this pandemic. Let My People Go: Moses’ Brave Leadership Lesson – finally, the Passover story draws a stark contrast between leadership styles. On one hand, we read of Pharaoh’s tyrannical rule, at once paranoid, egocentric, and greed driven. On the other hand, we see Moses’ profound humility, his delivery of clear and direct positions in the interest of the greater good of his people. We need to rise up to meet this moment and embody the strength, moral dignity, and respect as embodied by Moses. If we take this journey together, and work as one, we can believe that one day in the not-too-distant future we will all enjoy the spring of renewal together. Chag Pesach Sameach to all! Gail Kaiser, Co-President, Nanuet Hebrew Center REMINDER — TEA and PEANUT BUTTER Multiple synagogues help with the Rhoda Bloom Kosher Food Pantry and provide different types of food. NHC's responsibility is to supply TEA (boxes of tea bags) and PEANUT BUTTER to the Food Pantry families. Please drop off Kosher peanut butter and tea at the box outside of the NHC office. We are always looking for additional volunteers to support the Rhoda Bloom Kosher Food Pantry and distribute food at the JCC-Jewish Family Services. While NHC's turn to provide extra volunteers is every February, you are welcome to participate other months as well. For more information, please contact Susan Saffar at 352-1711 or [email protected]. Thanks for your help in supporting these 250 families! March 2021 Adar — Nisan 5781 NHC Bulletin Page 5

USY/Kadima News Rachel Benner, Youth Advisor February 2021 was full of fun for CenterRock USY and Kadima. Although we are still virtual, we were able to enjoy plenty of fun and lots of laughs this month! On February 21, SaftaTali taught us how to make Hamentashen. On normal years, our Co-Presidents Noy and Maya lead a Hamentashen bake using SaftaTali’s recipe. This year we were able to learn from the master herself! Some like chocolate, some like jelly, but delicious they were. Lots of fun with flour was had. On February 28, our Co-President, Harrison, led the 6th and 7th graders of Makom in Hamentashen baking. Later that day CenterRock USY & Makom had our Purim fundraiser, BINDANGO! We enjoyed MC Johnny, as he led a music bingo featuring music from movies. We played four rounds of bingo and had raffles and costume contests! Our Purim event had some amazing sponsors. THANK YOU TO THE AMAZING SPONSORS AND PARTICIPANTS THAT MADE OUR VIRTUAL PURIM CELEBRATION FUN! Page 6 NHC Bulletin Adar — Nisan 5781 March 2021

Thank you to all of our sponsors: Elijah Reichlin-Melnick — State Senator Ken Zebrowski — Assemblyman Ed Day — County Executive Harriet Cornell — Rockland County Legislator George Hoehmann — Clarkstown Supervisor Duke of Oil and Tune — New City 16 Handles – New City Colorstreet Nails with D Marcy Endlich Karsenty — Mahwah Hair on Wheels by Anna — Rockland Bobs Art and Framing — New City Trustco Bank — Airmont Find Your Fit College Advising — New City FitYou Complete - Airmont Rockland Dance & Fitness Studio — Suffern Manely Beauty Studios — Nyack, Montebello Jewish Center Men's Club Nanuet Hebrew Center Men's Club Juliette Jaymes Photography March 2021 Adar — Nisan 5781 NHC Bulletin Page 7

Our Families had a great time joining together for our pre-Purim Pizzaz, wearing funny hats and hearing a Megillah reading recorded by our students. We also enjoyed Purim songs by Cantor Kanarek. On Shushan Purim, many of our classes had fun with Purim puppets and baked Hamentashen with their teachers. A big thank you to Harrison Gerson, co-president of Center Rock USY, for demonstrating Hamentashen baking with our sixth graders. In addition, some of our students joined USY for an exciting Purim Bingo. We thank our Board chairs, Freida Levitas and Jane Sherwood for coordinating this fun event together with Rachel Friedlander Benner. All the best, Rebecca Bernstein Educational Director Page 8 NHC Bulletin Adar — Nisan 5781 March 2021

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Especially during our unsettling environment, why go to a store to buy greeting cards? For just $3.00 each, you can have a personalized, handwritten Leagram sent to a member of our congregation, a relative or a friend. These can be sent for any occasion including, birthdays, anniversaries, Mazel Tovs for weddings, engagements, special events such as Bar/Bat Mitzvahs, get well and condolences. Each month, when the Bulletin is e-mailed, an additional message is sent which includes a Leagram list for the following month. If you don’t have an e-mail address, you can contact the NHC office to have a list mailed to you. Just circle the ones that you would like sent, enclose a check for the total amount and follow the instructions on the bottom of the Leagram list. In addition, you can also send Leagrams to non-members. Just write the name and address to whom it should be sent and the type of message you’re requesting. Please keep in mind that this is an NHC Sisterhood fundraiser which helps support our synagogue. You don’t have to be a member of Sisterhood to participate. Thank you and stay safe. Best regards, Diane Fishman, Leagram Chairperson Page 10 NHC Bulletin Adar — Nisan 5781 March 2021

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HAZAK We were able to hold our Zoom get-together on February 4th. Although we are still unable to go on any trips, we did get to discuss some of the exciting trips and places that we visited in the past. It made for some very interesting conversation. Don’t forget our next Zoom get-together is on Thursday, March 4th. Our next “Meet the Members of Hazak” is Richard Casper. Richard was born and raised in the Bronx. He is a graduate from City College. He worked his entire life on Long Island for Aeroflex Labs as an electrical engineer working on the space program. He was involved with numerous projects including the moon landing and the Mars Rover. All of his work was out of this world. He moved to Rockland in 1970 and has been married for 70 years to his lovely wife Marilyn. They have three children, six grandchildren and four great grandchildren. Here are a sign of the times: He: You smell great!! What hand sanitizer are you using? Me: This show is boring. My Boss: Again, this is a Zoom meeting. Have a very happy Passover. Arthur Fishman–Chief Executive Senior Staff HazakWriter, Word Processor and Proof Reader. Page 12 NHC Bulletin Adar — Nisan 5781 March 2021

FEBRUARY 2021 Program Dates: August 7, 2020 - March 13, 2021 Stop & Shop hopes everyone is staying safe and, as always, we thank you for your continued support of local schools through the A+ Program. Below is your school's combined AUGUST, SEPTEMBER, OCTOBER, NOVEMBER, DECEMBER, & JANUARY award totals. We apologize for the delay. SCHOOL: 18033 COMBINED TOTAL: $165.14 SUPPORTERS: 47 Please Sign Up If You Have Not Already Done So. March 2021 Adar — Nisan 5781 NHC Bulletin Page 13

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MINI-SEDER: SERVES 4-5 — $219.00 Sedcr Plate Simanim: Lettuce, Charoseth Marror, Bcitza, Zeroa 4 Hard-Boiled Eggs Gefilte Fish: 1 lb. Hand-Grated Horseradish Chicken Consommé 4 Matzoh Balls Sliced Beef Brisket in Sauce -1.5 lb. Lemon Herb Chicken Cutlet -1.5 lb. Yukon Gold Mashed Potatoes with Chives -1 lb. Carrot Tzimmes -1 lb. Spring Vegetable Melange: 1 lb. Chocolate Roulade Slices Raspberry Roulade Slices SEDER MENU FOR 8 — $429.00 Chicken Consommé (GF) Matzah Balls Gelilte Fish and Horseradish Sauce (GF) Chicken with Leeks, Parsley and Lemon (GF) Beef Brisket, Sliced (GF) Beef Brisket Sauce, Classic Jewish Style (GF) Yukon Gold Mashed Potatoes with Shallots & Chives (GF/VG) Matzah Charlotte with Apples & Raisins (VG) Carrot Tzimmes with Natural Honey (GF/VG) Spring Vegetable Melange: Zucchini, Yellow Squash & Red Onions au Pistou (GFIVG) Flourless Chocolate Torte (GF/VG) SEDER MENU FOR 12 — $649.00 Chicken Consommé (GF) Matzah Balls Getilte Fish and Horseradish Sauce (GF) Chicken with Leeks, Parsley and Lemon (GF) Beef Brisket1 Sliced (GF) Beef Brisket Sauce, Classic Jewish Style ((F’) Yukon Gold Mashed Potatoes with Shallots & Chives (GF/VG) Matzah Charlotte with Apples & Raisins (VG) Carrot Tzimmes with Natural Honey (GF/VG) Spring Vegetable Melange: Zucchini, Yellow Squash & Red Onions au Pistou (GF/VG) Flourless Chocolate Torte (GF/VG) March 2021 Adar — Nisan 5781 NHC Bulletin Page 15

SEDER MENU FOR 8: GLUTEN-FREE & NON-GEBROKTS — $400.00 Chicken Consommé (GF) Gcfiltc Fish and Horseradish Sauce (GF) Chicken with Leeks, Parsley and Lemon (GF) Beef Brisket, Sliced (GF) Beef Brisket Sauce, Classic Jewish Style (GF) Yukon Gold Mashed Potatoes with Shallots & Chives (GF/VC) Carrot Tzinamcs with Natural Honey (GF/VG) Spring Vegetable Melange: Zucchini, Yellow Squash & Red Onions au Pistou (GFIVG) Flourless Chocolate Torte (GF/VG) SEDER MENU FOR 12: GLUTEN-FREE & NON-GEBROKTS — $619.00 Chicken Consommé (GF) Gefilte Fish and Horseradish Sauce (GF) Chicken with Leeks, Parsley and Lemon (GF) Beef Brisket, Sliced (GF) Beef Brisket Sauce, Classic Jewish Style (GF) Yukon Cold Mashed Potatoes with Shallots & Chives (GF/VG) Carrot Tzimmes with Natural Honey (GF/VG) Spring Vegetable Melange: Zucchini, Yellow Squash & Red Onions au Pistou (GF/VG) Flourless Chocolate Torte (GF/VG) 3-DAY CHAG SHABBAT MEAL — $129 Need Shabbat dinner for the night before Pesach during this 3-day chag? Serves 4-5 Roasted Cauliflower Soup Chicken Under a Brick with Lemon and Parsley Sautéed Organic Spinach with Garlic Slow Roasted Tomatoes and Red Peppers with Onions Sicilian Eggplant Caponata with Olives Herb Roasted Sweet Potato Wedges ALA Carte Options CHICKEN CONSOMME — $15.00 1 quart of rich, flavorful, authentic broth. Matzah balls sold separately. Gluten-Free MATZAH BALLS — $10.00 4 light and fluffy matzah balls. Vegetarian GEFILTE FISH — $9.00 Premium grade and expertly cooked. 8 oz., approximately 5 slices. Delicious with our hand-grated horseradish. Please purchase horseradish sauce separately. — Gluten-Free HAND-GRATED MAROR WHITE OR RED - $6.00 Traditional, hand-grated horseradish. 8 oz — Gluten-Free / Vegetarian Page 16 NHC Bulletin Adar — Nisan 5781 March 2021

CHOPPED LIVER — $13.00 We are rightly famous for our chopped liver, mixed with caramelized onions and just the right hint of black pepper. This is a standout! 8 oz Gluten–Free CHAROSET: ASHKENAZI-STYLE — $10.00 Apples. walnuts, grape juice. cinnamon. 8 oz. Gluten-Free / Vegetarian CHAROSET: SEPHARDIC-STYLE — $10.00 Aromatic Yemenite recipe from the home kitchen of an Ember chef. A blend of dried fruits, wine and honey, and fragrant spices. 8 oz. Gluten-Free / Vegetarian BRISKET, JEWISH-STYLE — $42.00 Tender. moist and delicious. 1 lb. Gluten-Free BRISKET SAUCE — $10.00 This sauce brings out the magic in our brisket. I pint SEARED CHICKEN BREAST — $19.00 1 lb. Gluten-Free LEEK4 PARSLEY & LEMON SAUCE — $10.00 Perfect with gril1ed chicken. 1 pint Gluten-Free / Vegetarian DUCK A L’ORANGE — $49.99 Half duck expertly cooked with a homemade orange sauce. Gluten-Free WHOLE SMOKED TURKEY — $149.00 — A whole turkey. 14-16 lbs raw weight. expertly smoked. Carved with white meat separate from dark meat. Gluten-Free HALF SMOKED TURKEY — $89.00 Half a turkey. 7- 8 lbs. raw weight, expertly smoked. Carved with white meal separate from dark. CHICKEN SC1ITZEL — $23.00 —The kids love it. Adults love it. We love it. Everyone loves it! 1 lb. ROASTED SALMON WITH LEMON & DILL — $44.00 For a healthier, lighter option. 1 lb. Gluten-Free PORTOBELLO MUSHROOMS AUX DUXELLE, VEGETARIAN ENTRÉE — $19.00 2 pieces. Portobello mushrooms stuffed with mushrooms, onions, celery, onions, garlic and parsley, and finished with white wine. Perfect as a vegetarian entrée. Vegetarian ROASTED SWEET POTATOES IN TOMATO, LIME & MIl)I)LE EASTERN SPICES, VEGETARIAN ENTRÉE — $16.00 This satisfying vegetarian dish is redolent of Middle Eastern spices and flavors. Serves 2 people as a main course. 1 lb. MATZAH CHARLOTTE — $20.00. Sweet matzah charlotte with apples. raisins and cinnamon. 8 x 8 pan — serves about 8. Vegetarian MASHED POTATOES — $14.00 Silky smooth mashed potatoes. 1 quart. Gluten-Free Vegetarian MATZAH FARFEL MUFFINS — $12.00. 6 muffins. Joe’s mother’s recipe for easy and satisfying Pesadik muffins. Perfect for breakfast, a sandwich, or with a little chopped liver. SPRING VEGETABLE MELANGE — $14.00. Zucchini. Yellow Squash & Red Onion au Pistou. 1 lb Gluten-Free / Vegetarian CARROT TZIMMES — $14.00 Sliced carrots, prunes, ginger, honey. 1 lb. Gluten-Free Vegetarian continued March 2021 Adar — Nisan 5781 NHC Bulletin Page 17

Yummy Dessert Options LEMON MERINGUE TART — $35.00 Pesadik but you’d never know it. CHOCOLATE MOUSSE — $6.00 Silken decadence, made from premium dark chocolate. Not your typical Pesadik dessert. 3 oz. individual serving. Order 1 per guest Gluten-Free / Vegetarian CHOCOLATE ROULADE — $22.00 Sponge cake rolled around our mousse and “cream.” Serves 8. Vegetarian MATZAH CRACK — $16.00 Matzah, toffee and chocolate. 1 lb. CHOCOLATE-DIPPED COCONUT MACAROONS — $10.00 Large and fluffy, perfect for the Seder table. 6 macaroons. Gluten-Free / Vegetarian JELLY ROLL — $22.00 — Sponge cake rolled around premium raspberry jam. Serves 8 Please be sure to visit, like and share Nanuet Hebrew Center's Facebook page: www.facebook.com/nanuethc This page is open to all NHC members, family, friends and potential new members. We also welcome you to post information and photos on this page that are appropriate to Nanuet Hebrew Center. Page 18 NHC Bulletin Adar — Nisan 5781 March 2021

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Zoom Meeting Etiquette With this new era of video conferencing and online meetings, many have found that there are a new set of guidelines to follow. Let’s face it: attending meetings and minyanim from home is difficult. So here are some suggestions, compiled from Zoom’s own website as well as other sources, which will help you navigate your way through this new technology. Use the video option when possible. It lets people see you and confirm you are not some computer-generated voice. This is particularly important if you are the one hosting the meeting or a speaker, and slightly less so if you are an attendee, Dress appropriately, or Do not wear your pajamas. Times are tough for those sequestered at home, and wearing sweatpants all day, every day is one of the few silver linings. But if you are in a position where you can put on something you would usually wear;it is probably a good idea. You might also find it makes you feel a little more normal. Stage your video area. Keep in mind that people are not just seeing you, they are also seeing whatever the camera is pointed at behind you. Maybe arrange it so that your camera is not facing towards a pile of unfolded laundry? More light is better. Video quality is dramatically improved with more lighting. And don’t you want everyone to see your beautiful face, now that you have gone to all of the trouble to put on actual clothes and stuff? An extra nearby lamp is usually helpful. Just make sure the light is in front of you, not behind you - being backlit makes you harder to see. Try to look into the camera. If you are speaking to the group, looking into the camera will give the appearance of eye contact with whoever you are talking to. It is also definitely better than being forced to stare at your own face and realizing how badly you need a haircut. Do your own tech support before you start. Make sure you do a test run at some point, and that you are aware of your audio and video settings before you start. Most video conference services allow you to see a test of what your camera is recording before you start broadcasting it to everyone else, so have it arranged the way you want it. Zoom, for instance, has a feature that lets you test your settings before your meetings begin: just go to zoom.us/test. You can also usually decide if you come in with audio hot or muted before you accidentally broadcast whatever is on the TV in the next room. And speaking of sound … Stay on mute if you are not talking. Background noise can be really distracting. If you are not sharing anything at the moment, go ahead and hit mute until you do. That way, no one has to listen to the car alarm that goes off in your neighborhood or your neighbor’s perpetually barking dog. Do not eat during the meeting. It can be a little gross to watch other people eat sometimes. Or listen to them chewing, for that matter. Hold off if you can, or if not, maybe turn off the video and audio. Do not do other private things while on a meeting. Having a side conversation with someone in your house, especially if you are unmuted, can be a enormous distraction to others. Stay focused. Keep unnecessary conversations to a minimum. It can get very hard to be productive when several people are all talking at once, and even more so when overlapping audio and shuffling video screens are involved. For more details on how Zoom operates, check out their website and their FAQ page. March 2021 Adar — Nisan 5781 NHC Bulletin Page 21

In Our Mailbox Hi Peggy and Cynthia, I was pleasantly surprised to receive the financial donation from NHC Catering for the Rhoda Bloom Kosher Food Pantry. We definitely need to buy peanut butter and tea for Food Pantry, since actual food donations have been limited in the past months. We now have approximately 250 families pick up food each month at Food Pantry — and you can imagine that is a lot of peanut butter to obtain and distribute. Thanks so much for the donation! We really appreciate it. Thanks, Susan Saffar Hello Estelle, Kari, On behalf of the Melamed, Jaron, Hest and Haas families, I wanted to thank you for your efforts in making Nanuet Hebrew Center's celebration of Frances' 100th birthday such a rousing success. From the amalgamation of the information about France's history with the temple, to coordinating the details for both the leaf and the brick and to arranging a special mention with the Rabbi, all of the efforts were very much appreciated. Frances was very moved by the Saturday Shabbat service. So much so, I'd love to email the Rabbi himself and share with him what an impact it made. If you would be so kind as to either share his information or pass this message along, that would be wonderful, though I'm hesitant to ask for anything more considering how much effort you ladies put forth to make our beloved Frances feel so very loved. Again, on behalf of all the families involved, we thank you for your time, consideration and general love for Frances. Shalom, Allyson Dear Rabbi Kurland, On behalf of the very special children and families whose lives will be changed by your donation, I would like to thank you for your recent contribution. All year long, seriously ill children and teens look forward to the fun and friendship they find at Camp Simcha and Camp Simcha Special. These wonderful camps offer children an environment where they are no longer “sick kids” and are free to just be themselves. From swimming and boating to athletics and arts and crafts, Camp Simcha and Camp Simcha Special offer kids the combination of “regular” summer camp and activities and experiences that build resilience and lasting friendships with counselors and other campers that help them through the rough times in the months and years ahead. . We are grateful for your partnership, which makes it possible to provide wonderful experiences that bring so much joy and hope to sick children and their families. Sincerely, Rabbi Simcha Scholar Chief Executive Officer Page 22 NHC Bulletin Adar — Nisan 5781 March 2021

Dear Rabbi Kurland, Thank you for your generous contribution to The Koby Mandell Foundation. Your support helps us provide programs that encourage those struck by the tragedy of terror and other trauma to cope with their pain and sorrow, and to heal. Our programs use a unique combination of fun, formal and informal therapy, and community building to foster an environment of emotional support. Participants learn to draw strength from each other and create long-lasting bonds of friendship and a community of survivors. As you know, my wife Sherri and I established the Foundation in 2001, shortly after our oldest son Koby, of blessed memory, was murdered by terrorists near our home in Israel. Your gift helps us bring blessing to the world in Koby’s name, and provides us with the necessary resources to help other survivors cope with their pain, heal from their grief, and use the power within tragedy to grow beyond previous limitations. Thank you again for your partnership and generosity. Sincerely Yours, Rabbi Seth Mandell President March 2021 Adar — Nisan 5781 NHC Bulletin Page 23

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Mishloach Manot Helene Kornstein Hi Everyone, and a big shout out to all of our masked warriors packing mishloach manot. Hopefully next year, we can save the masks for the schiepl and not for the packing. All of these volunteers did a great job packing quickly and efficiently! We thank you all. Our masqueraders include: Helene and Ira Kornstein; Diane and Arthur Fishman; Melissa Schlanger; Paul Rice; Allison Steingart and Lori and Stu Binder. Gail and Michael Kaiser arranged the bags for delivery. Page 26 NHC Bulletin Adar — Nisan 5781 March 2021

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Continued from Cover Allegorical Interpretation of the Song of Songs D'var Torah (Pesach) By Rabbi Leah Richman -- www.reconstructingjudaism.org Today I would like to talk about lessons from the Passover story as can be learned from the Song of Songs. First, though, I would like to give a brief introduction to the book itself. The Song of Songs or the song of Solomon which it is also called, is one of the five scrolls read on various holidays throughout the year. The entire book is a series of love songs in poetic form. This book is unique in the books of the Bible in that not only does it not mention G-d, it also doesn’t deal with religious themes explicitly. While the book of Esther also fails to mention G-d, the spirit of nationalism and the Jewish people pervades the book in a way which is lacking here. Although this book is unique in the Bible, its genre is common among literature of the Ancient Near East. There is a long history of love poetry in Egypt and Mesopotamia, and Israel was probably no exception. The song has many of the common features of Hebrew poetry but does seem to have been redacted given its different types of Hebrew. Despite how short the book is, more has been written about it than any other Biblical book of its size. Part of the reason for this is that people feel compelled to explain why it is included in the Bible in the first place given its seemingly secular nature. Around the close of the 1st century CE there were great debates about whether or not it should be included in the Biblical canon. Even with all the discussion and scholarship, there is still a great deal of debate about the book’s unity, origin, purpose, date, how many characters are speaking and who they are. But back to our topic: why do we read this book on Passover and what can we learn from the Passover story by reading the Song of Songs? One explanation is that the Song of Songs is really an allegory for the love of G-d for the people Israel. Since the story of the Exodus is also the beginning of the love relationship between G-d and Israel, Passover is an appropriate time to learn about this love. The lover in the song is taken to be G-d, and the beloved is the people Israel. This allegorical reading was widespread among the rabbis in our tradition by the 1st century CE. The song was ascribed to King Solomon because of the few times his name is mentioned in the book and because of its references to a king. The strongest support for the allegorical interpretation comes from Rabbi Akiba who said this book was the holiest among all of the writings. The song has also been variously interpreted through the Christian church, as a drama, as a cultic liturgy, or on its literal level as a secular love song. In the allegorical interpretation however, we can learn more deeply about the love of G-d for Israel which is our connection to the Passover story. Rashi’s introduction to the Song puts the book in perspective by comparing it with other allegories in the bible. He says that King Solomon had a type of inspiration from G-d, or ruach hakodesh (the divine spirit) where he could foresee the many exiles Israel would undergo in the future. He also foresaw that Israel would lament the situation which had been caused by her own sin and want to return to G-d. For example, Hoshea 2:9 says that Israel is like a wife who has Page 28 NHC Bulletin Adar — Nisan 5781 March 2021

strayed, saying, “I shall return to my first husband for it was better with me then than it is now.” Hoshea was not the only prophet who described the relationship between G-d and Israel as that of a faithful husband and a straying wife. According to Rashi, the Song of Songs is this same type of allegory. In its poetry we see that G-d has not forgotten Israel, but rather that Israel is still G-d’s beloved. This message of hope and consolation can be interpreted in each generation as needed. In times when it seems that G-d has left us, the allegory of G-d’s love found in the Song of Songs can help us remember the G-d who began by saving us from Egypt with miracles and who continues to love us even in exile. As we read Song of Songs today, I encourage you to think about this love and how it can be relevant to our times and lives today both on the national level and the personal level. Tzedakah Kari Warren For those of you who are not sure of how Tzedakah works — It is really very simple.... The minimum donation is $5.00 (and the dollar amount is NOT included on the card). Pick a fund — General, Rabbi's Discretionary Fund, Cantor's Discretionary Fund, Building Fund, Shabbos Club, Hebrew School, Prayer Books or Bonnie Lynne Scholarship. You can call, mail or e-mail your donation to the office. This is a great way to help your shul and acknowledge life cycle events in someone's life. Nanuet Hebrew Center will send a card to the person letting them know that you made a donation in their honor or sending them condolences. We also will list your donation in the Bulletin. You may also make a donation to someone that is not a member of the shul. They will also receive a note as well, as long as you supply us with their address. If you have any additional questions, please call or e-mail me @ [email protected] March 2021 Adar — Nisan 5781 NHC Bulletin Page 29

Page 30 NHC Bulletin Adar — Nisan 5781 March 2021

Please tell our Carlson Craft, Checkerboard New Trends, Pioneer and others advertisers you Acrylic Sign-Book or Board, Favors saw their ad in Kipot, Wedding Gown Heirloomed the Bulletin. Their generous support helps pay for about 80% of the cost of the Bulletin. March 2021 Adar — Nisan 5781 NHC Bulletin Page 31

March Yahrzeits /‫יזכור‬ 1 Bertha Seidenstein 6 Rose Strauss 13 Esther Wachtel Leah Chadick Steven Blau Aron Winer Lillian Markowitz Stanley Blumenthal Martin Adolf Judy Rosenfeld 14 Florence Hecker Herbert Gordon Mathew Wunsch Kail Housman Shirley Maggin Jacob Zuckerman Benjamin Fogelman Jane Geller Harold Friedman Lena Luftig Norman Friedman Herta Weintraub Hannah Kayem Gussie Reichner H. Peter Gasman Rachel Haleo Kail Housman 2 Barbara Harap 7 Max Brown William Kimmel Harry Ackerman 15 Sol Adamsky Frances Alpert Saul Borakove Stuart Meltzer David Chadick Max Pester Benjamin Hurwitz 16 Max Schweid Davidd Levy 8 Lucille Issak Freida Asinofsky Hannah Schoenberg Katie Litwin Fred Gottschalk Fannie Gordon Jon David Irving Cooper Victor Slote 17 Irving Horowitz Jack Levey Morton Max Levine Monte Melamed Sol Chernoff Barbara Elba Rose Landsman Audrey Roth Hartglass Sylvia Casale 3 Abraham Silverman Louis Reiter 9 Benjamin Krieg 18 Louis Moskowitz Elias Schwartz Oliver Canton Michael Flaster Sol Abrams Elliott Kleinberg Samuel I. Coopersmith Beatrice Bula Peter Schneider Elka Karel Betty Bloomfield 19 Ehood Bash Meda Newhouse Ricardo Rabinovich Jolan Scwarcz 10 Celia Olitsky Benjamin Silberman Louis Bassik Herbert Engel Victor Adler Betty Solomon 4 Bertha Morenberg 11 Harry Rubinstein Harry Karel Clement Rose 20 Ann Stein Moe Schwartz Isidore Mintz Joseph Newhouse Beverly Green Myrna Schultz Naomi K. Newman 12 Anna Gordon Menie Sid Roberta Kaplan Beckie Kupchik Barry Hoffman Samuel Reich 21 Lily Guinat Edith Pesner Shirley Low Jack Waldman Lina Schragenheim Leon Schertzer Sheila Schertzer Anna Bernanke Albert Siegel William Casper Eleanor M. Bragman 22 Muriel Rifkin Marvin Hillman 13 Helen Schwartz Frances Rostholder Hilda Reutlinger Page 32 NHC Bulletin Adar — Nisan 5781 March 2021

March Yahrzeits (continued) / ‫יזכור‬ 22 David Klinger 27 Betty Hillman 30 Joseph Kornstein David Groder Peter Weintraub Howard Reitzes Boruch Eliscu Baruch Tuttle Sylvia Feldman Benjamin Schwartz Samuel Applebaum 23 Julius Reutlinger Irving Eisenkraft Jack Berman Frances Weinstein 31 Nathan Oberman Melvin Fliss 24 Tillie Riess 28 Jeffrey Ruff Milton Levine Rhoda Gerbitz Julius Lieser Bernard Farber Mark Ruff Rachel Reichner Nathan Schnur 29 Kenie Mittleman 25 Sara Blumenthal David Guttman Milton Reitzfeld Charles William Klein Abraham Pesner Alfred Morris Hofferman Abe Watstein Philip Kalmis Milton Bressler May Roher Evelyn Darvin Herman Zweigbaum Fanny Friedman 26 Anna Cohen Louis Pollack April Yahrzeits /‫יזכור‬ 1 Sandra Chasworth 4 Rita Dranow 8 Eugene Price Saundra Steinberg Joseph Segall Israel Klinger Gerald Klein 5 Mordechai Wacksman Sally Felfand Fred Markowitz Cynthia Metz Sheldon Fay Levine Herbert Joseph Schwartz Max Aronson Benjamin Schneider 2 Joseph J. Darvin Frances Levy Beatrice Marshall Herman Weiner Fagel Eliscu 9 Edith Edelman Sophie Cohen Adele Borakove Rose Losev Lena Alexander 6 Mary Newhouse 10 Leo Karpfen Harvey Gilston Gershon Spiegel 11 Frances (Fannie) Cozcewith Gertrude Schuler Andrew Gross Shep Geller Sol David Gladstone Jack Kayem Edythe Fisher 3 Willaim Bernanke 7 Bertha Noble Mac Fox Anne Weinger Mollie Burten Elsie Engel Leon Aarons Abraham Berman 12 Esther Rudnick 4 Beatrice Melzer Samuel Lifshitz Esther Borenstein Georgia Berger Jack Chalfin Ingrid Braun Leonard Chalfin 8 William Leib Harry Benjamin Max Picarsky Lenore Amir Meyer Schwartz Archie Borkon March 2021 Adar — Nisan 5781 NHC Bulletin Page 33

13 Meyer Halfond 20 Beatrice Gartenlaub 26 Marian Taub Ethel Rogow Morris Redalje Raymond Reich Herman Lang Samuel Kupferberg Harriet Rubin Albert Budak Charlotte Plotch Nadtali Farkas Anna Rogozyk 14 Bella Gottschalk 21 Sara Atias Hasson Sari Casper Irwin Schwartz Abraham Kshonz Florence Gordon Sophie Lieser Howard Kshonz Gussie Rosenfeld Anna Vogel Jean Balaban Scott Newhouse 15 Anna Gerbitz 22 Joel Wechsler 27 Sol Lomita Edward Reiback Arthur Newfield Bess Green Herbert Sheiman Ludwig Heilbronn Etta Benjamin Abe Bigelisen Herman Cozcewith 23 Martin Freedman 16 Fanny Lieberman Charles Zuckerman 28 Philip Myerson Lawrence Spiegel Ruth Fogelman Pauline Gliner Jerry Israel Daisy Glassmen Lillie Blassberg William Besselman Hannah Yokell Ida Patsner Gizi Binder 29 Lee Reiter Howard Lieber Morris Chalupsky Mary Berkis 17 Esther Kantor 24 Fay Wacksman 30 David Wanger Marvin Pollack Anna Levine Barbara Kleinberg Samuel Karp Bertha Gersh Theodore Schulman Julius Schragenheim Robert Stark 18 Abigail Diane Bergling Bernard Packer Joseph Issak Jennie Beck Monroe Kantor Joseph Schwartz 25 Al Abrams Harold Klarfeld Joel Silver Philip Kurland Vivian Abrams Ann Guttman Minora Levine 19 Ronald Silver Regina Watstein Bella Greiman Lorelei Mack Karl Leib Joseph Wexler Estelle Spindel 20 Joseph Kaplan Rhea Chalfin Jack Karp March Anniversaries Mazal Tovs / ‫מזל טוב‬ 9 Anton & Joy Klein 19 Steven & Shari Winkler 13 Jason & Rachel Meltzer 24 Kieran & Wendy Spelman 17 Lawrence & Amy Fox 25 Charles & Joy Slater 18 Joseph & Sybil Weingast Helene & Ira Kornstein Howard & Rochelle Kowlowitz 26 Bruce & Renee Schnur 31 Amy & Barry Kanarek Page 34 NHC Bulletin Adar — Nisan 5781 March 2021

April Anniversaries Mazal Tovs / ‫מזל טוב‬ 2 Arthur & Phyllis Tuttle 15 Kevin & Joyce Ryan 8 Craig & Carol Rudnitsky 17 Gregory & Elena Liberov 9 Murry & Marilyn Wolf 22 Ralph & Amy Marchese 10 David & Pat Postrion 29 Gerald & GloriaLevitus 12 Arthur & Diane Fishman Bar/Bat Mitzvah Mazal Tovs / ‫טוב‬ Claire & Joel Gondelman on the bat Mitzvah of their granddaughter Hadassah Shoshanna Gondelman Diane & Arthur Fishman on the Bar Mitzvah of their grandson Isaac Roy Shatsoff Birth Mazal Tovs / ‫מזל טוב‬ Ilse & John Lang on the birth of their great granddaughter Olivia Voycik Condolences/ íéîåçðú Scott Bandremer on the death of his mother, Paula Tenenbaum March 2021 Adar — Nisan 5781 NHC Bulletin Page 35

Tzedakah / ‫צדקה‬ Tzedakah received and recorded by the 10th of the month or the first business day after, will be acknowledged on these pages. If the office is closed because of holidays falling on these days, only donations received before the holiday will appear. Please also note that acknowledgment or lack thereof on these pages does not constitute an official receipt of your donation by the shul. In the event that acknowledgment of your donation does not appear, please let the synagogue office know and we will print it in the next issue of the Bulletin. Planning Ahead Now is the time to start the planning that enhances the work of the congregation by raising the necessary funds so dues need not be raised. Our ongoing fundraisers include the Rabbi's Walk and the Tree of Life. To reserve a brick on the Rabbi’s Walk or reserve a stone or a leaf on the Tree of Life, call Estelle Eisenkraft in care of the office at 845-708-9181. Donations to General Fund Ronnie Drachman Condolences to Arthur Fishman, and family on the passing of his cousin Condolences to Myrna Price on the passing of her nephew Diane & Arthur Fishman Condolences to Carole Rothman on the passing of her husband, Matthew Rita & John Fogelman Get well wishes to Bernetta Gordon Marion & Milton Fuld In memory of son, Jay Gregory Fuld Mazal Tov to Arlene Hecker in honor of her birthday Milton Fuld In memory of father, Gustave Fuld Robert Garfinkel In memory of mother, Eleanor Garfinkel Jane & Richard Gordon Mazal Tov to Frieda & Mark Levitas on their son Noah’s Bar Mitzvah Arlene & Myron Hecker Get well wishes to Bernetta Gordon Mazal Tov to Ilse and John Lang in honor of their anniversary Myron Hecker In honor of my Arlene Joy, my love, my life, my wife, Happy Birthday! In memory of mother, Lillie Hecker Sandra Heilbronn In memory of mother, Regina Himmelbrand Elinor Kantrowitz In memory of mother, Helen Bonn Michelle Kezner In memory of husband, David Kezner Mazal Tov to Frieda & Mark Levitas on their son Noah’s Bar Mitzvah Page 36 NHC Bulletin Adar — Nisan 5781 March 2021

Helene & Ira Kornstein Mazal Tov to Sharyn and Rob Ippolito on Michael and Preston's B’nai Mitzvah Martin Leffler In memory of father, Max Leffler Renee & Martin Leffler Condolences to Carole Rothman on the passing of her husband, Matthew Renee Leffler In memory of mother, Celia Kimmel Levitus Family In memory of Marsha Levitus Fran Melamed In memory of mother, Sara Sperber Sid Moskowitz Mazal Tov to Kari Kleinberg in honor of her birthday Mazal Tov to Rhoda Patsner in honor of her birthday Mazel Tov to Myrna Schenkel in honor of her birthday Mazal Tov to Myrna Schenkel on the birth of her great granddaughter, Rachel Leah Henny & Werner Neuburger Mazal Tov to Fran Melamed in honor of her 100th birthday Nancy & Philip Newfield Mazal Tov to Fran Melamed in honor of her 100th birthday Anne Pinzow In memory of Ruben Pinzow Marion Reichner Condolences to Carole Rothman on the passing of her husband, Matthew Hani Sandler In memory of David Kezner Myrna Schenkel In memory of father-in-law, Oscar Schenkel Melissa & Nate Schlanger In honor of Phyllis Benjamin winning the Schlanger football pool In honor of Phyllis Benjamin diligently saying Kaddish for her mother Cynthia Schneider In memory of mother, Josephine Weiner Michele Seboek In memory of mother-in-law Jolan Schwarz Flora Silver Mazal Tov to Fran Melamed in honor of her 100th birthday Arthur Tuttle In memory of mother, Adele Tuttle Phyllis Tuttle In memory of brother, Richard Klinger Marilyn Wechsler Mazal Tov to Fran Melamed in honor of her 100th birthday Morris Yarjovski In memory of father, Isaac Yarjovski March 2021 Adar — Nisan 5781 NHC Bulletin Page 37

Helene Gottlieb Cantor’s Discretionary Fund In memory of father, Jacob Zuckerman Sid Moskowitz Mazal Tov to Cantor Barry and Amy Kanarek in honor of their anniversary New Building Fund Phyllis & Kenneth Benjamin Condolences to Arthur Fishman, and family on the passing of his cousin In honor of Rabbi Kurland for his continued efforts during these difficult times In honor of Nir Kantor for his efforts leading evening Zoom minyans Thank you to Rose & Bruce Pollack for allowing us to be heard on Zoom minyans Ellie & Alan Farber Condolences to Sheila Pozensky on the passing of her husband, Lee. Ilse & John Lang Condolences to Bernice Beckerman on the passing of her husband, George. Condolences to Carole Rothman on the passing of her husband, Matthew Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund Michael Brandenburg In memory of father, Robert Brandenburg Estelle & Allan Eisenkraft Condolences to Bernice Beckerman on the passing of her husband, George. Condolences to Sheila Pozensky on the passing of her husband, Lee Jeff Mittleman In memory of grandmother, Sarah Mittleman Rhoda Patsner In memory of husband, Sherwin Patsner Ingrid Sheiman In memory of mother, Liesel Leib Mark Sheiman In memory of mother, Rhoda Roberts Todd Steingart In memory of father, Herbert Steingart Michael Taraboulos In memory of father, Henry Taraboulos Shabbos Club Jessica Gottlieb In memory of mother, Shirley Low Tillie Schwartz In memory of mother-in-law, Sarah Schwartz High Holiday Prayer Book – Mahzor Lev Shalem Ilse & John Lang In honor of Fran Melamed's 100th birthday Phyllis & Ken Benjamin Minyan Prayer Book In honor of Zoom Minyan Regulars Page 38 NHC Bulletin Adar — Nisan 5781 March 2021

Now you can pay your membership dues using VISA, MasterCard American Express or Discover card [email protected] Teaching Is Available Upon Request Don’t forget — You can help support the Synagogue at no cost to you — PURCHASE SCRIP — It’s easy: Contact NHC Office @ 708-9181 E-mail - [email protected] Mail - 411 South Little Tor Road, New City, NY We have gift cards for Shop Rite • Stop & Shop • DeCicco Wegmans You can make purchases by cash or check. March 2021 Adar — Nisan 5781 NHC Bulletin Page 39

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