TSTI Teens Tackle Homelessness

Saturday night our teens gathered to learn about all different aspects of homelessness, how to help those who are homeless and how to work toward putting an end to it.

Our K-2 Gather Together to Dedicate the TSTI Prayer Garden

TSTI Weekly Email for October 22, 2010

Weekly Email                                                                            
Thursday, October 21, 2010  13 Cheshvan 5771

STISY Tackles Homelessness:  Join other 9th - 12th Graders this Sat. Oct. 23, 3pm-7:30pm at Bridge's 2nd Annual Teens Tackle Homelessness: A Conference on Homelessness for High School Students.  Transportation will leave and return to TSTI.  To register or for more information, email thorwitz@tstinj.org.

TSTI'S CARING COMMUNITY NEEDS YOUR HELP!

Please join us for a training and orientation session open to all TSTI and Caring Community members on Mon. Nov. 8 at 7pm.  This is a wonderful way to learn more about the Caring Community, meet some new friends, and enjoy some tasty refreshments.  If you are interested or want more information, click here and contact Ellen Blake at citygirl15@verizon.net or Judy Epstein atJde60@@aol.com.

For more about these and other items, log on to TSTI.org.

TIKUN OLAM... REPAIRING THE WORLD

Bring One:  Hunger exists in our community every day.  Due to the great need,we will be collecting non-perishable food at TSTI  on an ongoing basis all throughout the year.  Please drop a can in our collection bins each time you come to Temple.

Clothing Needed for STISY's Annual Midnight Run on Sat. Dec. 4:  Large or extra large clothing, hats and gloves, new underwear and socks, and newtoiletries.  Collection bins are in the Religious School Lobby now through Dec. 3.

Transportation is available for congregants who need a ride to services and temple events.  Contact Alice Forman at (973)736-3467 if you need a ride or if you can offer a ride to others.


LOOKING AHEAD...

Shabbat, Scholar and Supper:  Please join us Fri. Nov. 12 when Rabbi Niles Elliot Goldstein will speak on Gonzo Judaism: A Bold Path for Renewing an Ancient Faith.  Worship services begin at 6pm, followed by dinner.  Pre-registration with fee required for dinner by Nov. 5.  To register or for more information, email Tracy Horwitz.

Women's Connection Book Discussion and Dessert:  Join us on Mon. Nov. 15 at 7:30pm.  Led by Rabbi Cohen, we will be discussing The Sacrifice of Tamar by Naomi Ragen.  This event is free to members.  RSVP to Sue Brand at suebrobj@aol.com.

Shop for the holidays while supporting our preschool! TSTI Iris Family Center's Scholastic Book Fair will feature hundreds of wonderful children's books, as well as housewares, jewelry and a raffle.  Shop Sun., Nov. 14 through Wed., Nov. 17.  Proceeds benefit cultural arts programming for preschool students. For information, contact Erica Barton: erica.barton@gmail.com.

Family Fun at the Circus:  Special discount for TSTI family and friends at the Big Apple Circus on Nov. 21.  Get ringside seats for $59 at the 4:30pm show at Lincoln Center.  To order your tickets, click on Order Online or call 888-541-3750.  Enter promotion code SHAREY.  For more information click here.
Annual TSTI Blood Drive:  The committee is now forming to organize the Irv Soloway TSTI Blood Drive, held during Chanukah Mania on Sun., Dec. 5.  To join the committee, please email by clicking on Marla Ostroff  or Jamie Ostroff.

WEEKLY PARASHA
Parasha Vayera

Genesis Chapters 18:1-22:24

This parasha contains several well-known stories in the life of Abraham and Sarah. It begins with a visit to Abraham by three "angels" who tell him that Sarah will give birth to a child despite her advanced age.  Sarah laughs at this possibility, but in time gives birth to Isaac.

God prepares to destroy the wicked city of Sodom.  Abraham fails in his negotiations with God to save the righteous people.   Lot and his wife are spared,  but Lot's wife is turned into a pillar of salt as she looks back while they are fleeing.
Sarah demands that Abraham banish Hagar and Ishmael so that Isaac will be Abraham's only son. Abraham is reluctant, but God tells him to obey Sarah. With God's help, Hagar and Ishmael survive their hardship in the wilderness.
God commands Abraham to sacrifice Isaac as an act of faith.  Abraham binds his son and is prepared to kill him, but sees a ram caught in the brambles near by and replaces Isaac with the ram.


Shabbat Schedule

Fri., Oct. 22
Shabbat Service 6pm

Sat., Oct. 23
Torah Study 8:15am

Minyan Service
Gross Bet Midrash 9:15am

Shabbat Service Celebrating the B'nai Mitzvah of Molly Greenstone and Jake Ruderman 10:15am
Shabbat Service Celebrating the Bat Mitzvah of Hannah Gibbons 10:30am



Schedule

Fri., Oct. 22
5th Grade Shabbat Dinner 7:30pm

Sat., Oct. 23
STISY Homelessness Symposium 3pm

Sun., Oct. 24
Adult Education 9am
Preschool Pizza Party 5pm

Mon., Oct. 25
STISY Board Meeting 7pm
Finance Committee Meeting 7:30pm

Tues., Oct. 26
Preschool Board Meeting 7:30pm

Wed., Oct. 27
Jewish Meditation Group 11am
Religious School Board Meeting 7:30pm
Recognition Committee Meeting 7:30pm

TSTI Family News

Mazel Tov to...
The Greenstone, Gibbons and Ruderman families on the B'nai Mitzvah of their children
Share your family's news with our Clergy and with members of Caring Community. Please let us know of your family's life cycle events or if you or someone you know is ill or in need of assistance from Temple.  WE ARE HERE FOR YOU, BUT PLEASE DO NOT ASSUME THAT THE CLERGY HAS HEARD THE NEWS!  Contact Sunny Seglin at 973-763-4116

 
Do you have a new address, phone number, email? Let us know so we can stay in touch.
SEND A
TSTI TRIBUTE TO ACKNOWLEDGE LIFE CYCLE EVENTS
Call 973-763-4116 or email tributes@tstinj.org for information on the Funds available and for Acknowledgment Cards to be sent. It's an easy way to show you care!

TSTI Highlights...

Hebrew High begins this Tuesday, October 19: Be sure to register your high school student for an awesome year of learning and community.  To register, click here or for more information, contact Rabbi Miller.  We are also looking forward to the start of the 7th and 8th grade program that evening as well.  For more information, please contact the religious school office.

Attention all 9th - 12th Graders:  STISY MYSTERY EVENT on Oct. 17, from 12pm to 4:30pm.  Get a taste of STISY and welcome new STISY members.  ADMISSION IS FREE! Lunch, snacks and bus transportation provided.  To register or for more information email thorwitz@tstinj.org.

Do you like to sing choral music?  Then you will love the Two Towns Community Sing-In, a series of workshops lead by local, professional musicians - Oct. 19 and 26 at 7 to 9pm at Beth El and Nov. 2 and 9 at 7 to 9pm at the Baird Center - culminating in a concert on Nov. 14 at Congregation Beth El.  Contact Cantor Finn at (973) 762-6581 for more info.

STISY Tackles Homelessness:  Join other 9th - 12th Graders on Sat. Oct. 23, 3pm-7:30pm at Bridge's 2nd Annual Teens Tackle Homelessness: A Conference on Homelessness for High School Students.  No fee if registered by October 18. Transportation will leave and return to TSTI.  To register or for more information, emailthorwitz@tstinj.org.

 

Adult Education:  Please join Rabbi Cohen as he teaches "Finding Your Own Personal Spiritual Type" on Sun., Oct. 24 at 9am - 11am.  To register or for more information, emailthorwitz@tstinj.org.

TSTI Family News

TEMPLE FAMILY NEWS

Condolences to... Stephanie Tarre on the death of her mother Jessie van Vort Len Weiss on the death of his sister Rosalind Bellini Mazel Tov to...  The Schilling and Schwarz  families on the B'nai Mitzvah of their children Share your family's news with our Clergy and with members of Caring Community. Please let us know of your family's life cycle events or if you or someone you know is ill or in need of assistance from Temple.  WE ARE HERE FOR YOU, BUT PLEASE DO NOT ASSUME THAT THE CLERGY HAS HEARD THE NEWS!  Contact Sunny Seglin at 973-763-4116 or click on: Sunny Seglin, JudyEpstein or  Elaine Garrod Do you have a new address, phone number, email? Let us know so we can stay in touch. SEND A TSTI TRIBUTE TO ACKNOWLEDGE LIFE CYCLE EVENTS  Call 973-763-4116 or email tributes@tstinj.org for information on the Funds available and for Acknowledgment Cards to be sent. It's an easy way to show you care!

Shabbat Schedule

SCHEDULE FOR SHABBAT

Fri., Oct. 15 Kabbalat Shabbat 6pm Shabbat Service 7:30pm Sat., Oct. 16 Torah Study 8:15am Shabbat Storytime 9am Minyan Service- Gross Bet Midrash 9:15am Shabbat Service-Celebrating the Bar Mitzvah of Matthew Schilling 10:15am Shabbat Service Celebrating the Bat Mitzvah of Willa Schwarz- 10:30am

Tikun Olam/Social Action

TIKUN OLAM... REPAIRING THE WORLD

To find a list of Mitzvah Opportunities on our website, click on: MITZVAH OPPORTUNITIES Bring One:  Hunger exists in our community every day.  Due to the great need,we will be collecting non-perishable food at TSTI  on an ongoing basis all throughout the year.  Please drop a can in our collection bins each time you come to Temple.    Clothing Needed for STISY's Annual Midnight Run on Sat. Dec. 4:  Large or extra large clothing, hats and gloves, new underwear and socks, and newtoiletries.  Collection bins are in the Religious School Lobby now through Dec. 3. Transportation is available for congregants who need a ride to services and temple events.  Contact Alice Forman at (973)736-3467 if you need a ride or if you can offer a ride to others.

Looking Ahead...

LOOKING AHEAD...

Shabbat, Scholar and Supper:  Please join us Fri.Nov. 12 when Rabbi Niles Elliot Goldstein will speak on Gonzo Judaism: A Bold Path for Renewing an Ancient Faith.  Worship services begin at 6pm, followed by dinner.  Pre-registration with fee required for dinner by Nov. 5.  To register or for more information, email Tracy Horwitz.  Women's Connection Book Discussion and Dessert:  Join us on Mon. Nov. 15 at 7:30pm.  Led by Rabbi Cohen, we will be discussing The Sacrifice of Tamar by Naomi Ragen.  This event is free to members.  RSVP to Sue Brand at suebrobj@aol.com. Shop for the holidays while supporting our preschool!  TSTI Iris Family Center's Scholastic Book Fair will feature hundreds of wonderful children's books, as well as housewares, jewelry and a raffle.  Shop Sun., Nov. 14 through Wed., Nov. 17.  Proceeds benefit cultural arts programming for preschool students. For information, contact Erica Barton:erica.barton@gmail.com. Family Fun at the Circus:  Special discount for TSTI family and friends at the Big Apple Circus on Nov. 21.  Get ringside seats for $59 at the 4:30pm show at Lincoln Center.  To order your tickets, click on Order Online or call 888-541-3750.  Enter promotion code SHAREY.  For more information click here.  Annual TSTI Blood Drive:  The committee is now forming to organize the Irv Soloway TSTI Blood Drive, held during Chanukah Mania on Sun., Dec. 5.  To join the committee, please email by clicking on Marla Ostroff  or Jamie Ostroff.

Weekly Torah Portion Summary

WEEKLY PARASHA

Parasha Lech Lecha Genesis Chapters 12:1-17:27 In this parasha, God commands Abram (at age 75) to"Go forth from your land, your birthplace, your father's house, to the land that I will show you.  I will make you a great nation.." (12:1-2) Abram, Sarai and Abram's nephew, Lot, begin their journey to Canaan. Abram and Sarai are childless and Sarai offers her Egyptian slave, Hagar, to Abram.  Hagar conceives, but Sarai is unkind to her.  An angel appears to Hagar and tells her that she will give birth to a son, Ishmael, who will someday become the father of a great nation.  God promises Abram and Sarai that they, too, will have a son - even in their old age. Their names are changed to Abraham and Sarah.  The ritual of circumcision is commanded in this parasha.

A Request For Input On Our Participation in the JFS Synagogue Social Work Consultation Program

Dear Friends,

As you may know, our synagogue has been one participant in a pilot project for the last three years which has placed a social worker from Jewish Family Service of MetroWest on site here at TSTI.

Our social worker, Beth Sandweiss, has been involved in number of different areas, providing support, education and guidance to members of all ages, as well as to synagogue staff and clergy. Beth has been in the building on Wednesdays but has been available to us whenever needed, as well.

The funding for this project has come from a grant from the Healthcare Foundation of New Jersey, along with matching funding from our synagogue (thanks to some generous members of the community who have asked to remain anonymous) and administrative supervision from Jewish Family Service of MetroWest. 

At this point, we are looking to assess the impact of this project to help us to better meet the needs of our synagogue and determine the degree to which the social work function has enhanced the quality of life within our synagogue community.

I am asking for your assistance in take a moment to complete a brief, anonymous survey.  The survey can be found on line by simply clicking this link.   Paper copies are also available in the synagogue office for those who do not have access to a computer.   A summary of the survey results will be shared with our synagogue later in the year. 

Thank you, in advance, for your participation and your input!

Rabbi Cohen

Religious School Pick-Up: Ensuring the Safety of Our Children

Dear Parents,

Thank you for your patience during Sunday school pick-up. The children in particular were terrific at finding their lanes and cars. Parents, you also did well.  We wanted to take this opportunity to provide a couple of tips and gentle reminders for the children's safety. 

School starts at 9:00am on Sundays and the children should be in their classrooms at that time.  Avoid the drop-off traffic by bringing your kids a few minutes early so they are in their classrooms at 9:00am.  A few minutes makes a huge difference.  

 

• Drop off kids along the entire length of the building, all the way from the Sanctuary doors to the Religious School doors. Have your kids exit left, not on the right.

• If you need to park before 11:00am please use the first row clsoest to the fence as you enter off Scotland. The rest of the parking lot is for Queuing Lanes. Of course, if you're walking your child into school before start time, and then plan to leave immediately, you can park anywhere.

• When the children are released at 11:30am the parking lot is "Locked Up" for safety reasons. If you arrive at that time or later, you'll have to wait until the entire lot clears.

• Stay in your lanes. In the past (not this past Sunday) we had parents jump into the moving lane in the back of the lot. The other parents tell us this gets them upset since they are waiting patiently. 

• No cell phone use while driving.  It is both dangerous and against the law, particularly in a crowded parking lot. 

• Turn off your engines when waiting.

• There are many cars, many children, and parent volunteers and teachers in the parking lot. Be alert. Drive safely.

 

Finally, we appreciate your patience with the parent volunteers.  First and foremost, they are there to protect the safety of YOUR children.  As a reminder, the following are the lane designations:

Lane 1 - Last name beginning  A - B

Lane 2 - Last name beginning  C - F

Lane 3 - Last name beginning  G - I

Lane 4 - Last name beginning  J - K

Lane 5 - Last name beginning  L - M

Lane 6 - Last name beginning  N - R

Lane 7 - Last name beginning  S

Lane 8 - Last name beginning  T - Z

 

 

 

TSTI President Hope Pomerantz: INSTALLATION 2010-2011

INSTALLATION 2010-2011

Change is good.

  Change is hard.

Change is important.

Change is uncomfortable.

Change is necessary.

Change is uncertain.

Change invites creativity.

Change is risky.

Change is inevitable.

This is not the same congregation we joined 16 years ago.  It’s not the same community it was when either of our children became a bar mitzvah here.  It’s not the same temple it was even a year ago, when I stood here for the first time as president of this amazing congregation.  And I am so very glad.

For as much as my family and I were drawn to the temple we met 16 years ago, as proud as we were of the community of which we were a part at the boys’ bar mitzvahs; as wonderful as this synagogue was last year at this time – each year, each month, each week, each day poses new opportunities  – and I am so proud that we are a community open to those ideas.

Some of the changes we have experienced are huge- others smaller and more subtle.  Each brings with it the prospect of criticism, the risk of failure and the excitement and reward of potential success.

The growth and sustainability of this congregation is integrally linked to its ability to change—to constantly examine where we are, who we are and who we want to continue to be.  These are signs of strength, not weakness.  They are an indication of health and forward thinking.  They are the only road to continued stability and success.

At the core of this congregation is a foundation of warmth, inclusion, faith, spirituality and education.  At the core of this congregation is a wide base of kindness, social consciousness, volunteerism and devotion.  At the core of this congregation and throughout our community, there are so many talented, dedicated and generous people willing to lend their minds, time and resources to Temple.  Our mission, our identity, our character all lead us to look for and make improvements, to explore and incorporate new tools and ideas, in order to protect and adhere to our incredible foundation.

When I stood before you last year at Sukkot and Installation, I delineated our goals.  And to be honest, this year, they are no different.  For our work in these areas is ongoing.  We strive to remain fiscally prudent; to find innovative ways to attract and retain our membership; to embrace more and better technology; to become ever more environmentally conscious and to move our congregation forward in thought, prayer and social action.  

As you know from my annual meeting report, we achieved all of these things in great measure last year and, completed our long-term construction and a community-wide Torah project. 

This year, our efforts toward these same objectives will include many activities.  We will excel in the GreenFaith Certification pilot and continue to improve environmental awareness in our community.  We have commissioned and will implement recommendations that grow out of our retention and organizational effectiveness committees.  Our continued devotion to life-long learning; more and varied political and social action will lead us down a satisfying and successful path.  The launch of a new initiative with Big Brothers/Big Sisters; continued work with the homeless, interfaith food pantry and Mazon will all increase our contributions to the larger community and engage an even broader base of volunteers.  The programs and initiatives of our clergy, caring community and social worker enhance the lives of our members and enable them and us to reach out more readily to others. And our spiritual leaders continue to challenge us, push us and expand our scope on religious, ecumenical and secular issues.

We are a wonderful, albeit imperfect congregation - lucky on so many levels. Ours is a tradition of diverse thought, inclusive debate and the richness of multiple levels of leadership working together at every turn.  

We are fortunate to have such a dynamic and engaged clergy team, such a talented Executive Director and such a devoted senior staff.   So lucky to have a board comprised of folks with incredible experiences, skills and abilities—who offer us the benefit of their time, effort and counsel.

On page 258 of our prayer book, there is a blessing for our congregation that sums up my hopes for this year perfectly.  It says: 

May the children of this community learn these passions from us:

Love of Torah, devotion in prayer, and support of the needy.

May we guide with integrity, and may our leadership be in Your service.

May those who teach and nourish us be blessed with satisfaction, and may we appreciate their time and their devotion.

Bless us with the fruits of wisdom and understanding.

Change is hard.  

Change is good. 

Change is inevitable.  

Let us all move through this year of change and challenge and blessing together.

TSTI's First Run/Walk/Roll This Sunday!

TSTI's first 5K Run/Walk/Roll is this coming Sunday. You can find details HERE on the TSTI Web site.

Every participant will receive a TSTI Run.Walk.Roll T-Shirt and a water bottle.
In addition, we will be raffling off T-Shirts and Hats from SCOTTEVEST and gift certificates from RoadID. (We thanks Scottevest and RoadID for their support.)

Some Important details for participants...

     

 - Please be at Temple between 9:15am and 9:30am.   Volunteers - please arrive by 9am.

-  Please park your car against the fence on your right when you enter the parking lot or on a side street. 

 - This is an untimed event. 

 -  Bring a check, payable to TSTI, if you haven't paid yet ($36 for adults, $18 for those under 18)

  -  After a few brief announcements, the runners/walkers/rollers will head out of the parking lot no later than 9:45am  

 - No rain date. The weather forecast looks good and we only plan on canceling this event if it is POURING.  If you are registered, you will be sent an email early Sunday morning if the event is cancelled.

  - There will be a few volunteers along the route to direct you and there will be plenty of signs. If you have a personal cheering squad, please invite them!

When everyone has returned to the Temple, we will celebrate together.

We're Getting Ready for the TSTI Run.Walk.Roll 5K 2010

We're Getting Ready for the TSTI Run.Walk.Roll 5K 2010

Join us October 10th for a TSTI first. Our Run TSTI 5K.
More information here.