1 Riverdale Temple Bulletin

Vol. 71 April 2018 (5778) No. 8

Just before Passover, Cantor Sharett-Singer and I went to Hebrew Union College, our alma mater, to attend a Thursday morning service. The occasion was the 90th birthday of our teacher, Rabbi Martin Cohen. Rabbi Cohen has been teaching at Hebrew Union College since 1955 and is still on the faculty full time. He is a professor of Jewish history and the former head of the History Department. Although Dr. Cohen has published a great deal and has led services at many synagogues and organizations, his greatest contribution to Judaism has been the education of many cantors, rabbis, and teachers of Judaism.

I have spoken to many rabbis, some of them my teachers, who have told me, “Dr. Cohen taught me how to think.” Cantor Sharett-Singer (the 113th student to have Dr. Cohen as her thesis adviser) and I were very pleased to have been at the service and the luncheon afterward honoring Dr. Cohen. We were pleased to be at the luncheon for all of the usual reasons, of course, good food, old friends, and so on, but especially glad to be there to hear Professor Cohen speak.

Many of our congregants attended the official installation of Cantor Sharett-Singer and myself, and remember the great talk that Rabbi Cohen gave then. Rabbi Cohen is a speaker who pierces through the usual boilerplate platitudes and gives an important message, with sparkling intellect and humor. This recent talk was no exception.

Dr. Cohen spoke about the main points that he tried to get across to his students, important information that he has been teaching for years. I will not write about all eight of his points, but I did want to tell you about three of them that I think are tremendously important.

First of all, Dr. Cohen said that he believes that Reform Judaism is the most authentic, most traditional, and most vibrant form of Judaism that exists today. This is not wishful thinking or a matter of personal opinion. Dr. Cohen understands the Judaism of the past as well as anyone alive. He is aware of the practice of Judaism, how it changed over time, and how it was meaningful to Jews of many different societies and cultures over time. Given his understanding of what Judaism really is, Rabbi Cohen says that Reform Judaism is the most authentic. Many other Jewish movements, he says, claim to be real Judaism, but they base themselves on an ahistoric and incorrect idea of what Judaism was. “Many of them,” said Professor Cohen, “have Jewish practices that are as authentic as a three dollar bill.”

Dr. Cohen also spoke about the power and meaning of Judaism, a term,

Worship Services (also see calendar on p. 2)Fridays

April 6 7:00 p.m. Shabbat Evening ServiceApril 13 6:30 p.m. Shabbat Evening Service

with Jr ChoirApril 20 5:00 p.m. Tot Shabbat Service 7:00 p.m. Special Israel Ruach Shabbat

Service (last of year; see below)April 27 7:00 p.m. Shabbat Evening Service

SaturdaysApril 7 10:30 a.m. Shabbat Morning ServiceApril 14 10:30 a.m. Shabbat Morning ServiceApril 21 10:30 a.m. Shabbat Morning ServiceApril 28 10:30 a.m. Shabbat Morning Service

continued on p. 3

The BulletinRiverdale Temple

From the rising of the sun unto the going down thereof, the name of the Eternal One is to be praised.

y:y} μve lL;hum] /abom] d[' vm,v, jræz]Mimi

Save the DatesRiverdale Temple’s 20th Mitzvah Day

Sunday, April 22 (p. 8)YIVO Jewish Culture Series Talk

Sunday, April 29 (p. 8)Student Sponsorship Breakfast, Sunday, May 6

The Rabbi’s Column

RUACH SHA ATCOME ALL AND CELEBRATE SHABBAT!

FRIDAY, APRIL 20RIVERDALE TEMPLE 7:00 p.m.

AN ENERGETIC SERVICE WITH OUR BAND CELEBRATING ISRAEL

FOLLOWED BY A FESTIVE ISRAELI FOOD ONEG!

Apr

il

16th of Nisan 5778Passover 2No Religious SchoolNo Junior Choir Rehearsal

1

17 of Nisan 5778Passover 3

2

18th of Nisan 5778Passover 4Noon Lunch and Learn with Rabbi GardnerNo Hebrew School6:00 p.m. Jewish Spirituality and Mysticism with Rabbi Gardner7:30 pm Liturgical Hebrew with Cantor Sharett-Singer 3

19th of Nisan 5778Passover 5

4

20th of Nisan 5778Passover 6

5

21st of Nisan 5778Passover 77:00 pm Shabbat Evening Service

6

22nd of Nisan 5778Passover 810:30 am Shabbat Morning Service with Torah discussion

7

23rd of Nisan 5778No Religious SchoolNo Junior Choir Rehearsal

8

24th of Nisan 5778

9

25th of Nisan 5778Noon Lunch and Learn with Rabbi Gardner4:00 pm Hebrew School6:00 pm Jewish Spirituality and Mysticism with Rabbi Gardner7:30 pm Liturgical Hebrew with Cantor Sharett-Singer 10

26th of Nisan 57787:00 pm WRJ General Meeting

11

27th of Nisan 57787:30 pm RT Executive Committee Meeting

12

28th of Nisan 57786:00 pm Jr Choir Rehearsal6:30 pm Shabbat Evening Service, with Jr Choir, potluck dinner

13

29th of Nisan 5778Parashat Shmini 10:30 am Shabbat Morning Service with Torah discussionExtended Kiddush after service

14

30th of Nisan 57789:30 am Religious School10:30 am Social Action Committee meeting11:30 am Jr Choir Rehearsal

15

1st of Iyyar 5778

16

2nd of Iyyar 5778Noon Lunch and Learn with Rabbi Gardner4:00 pm Hebrew School6:00 pm Jewish Spirituality and Mysticism with Rabbi Gardner7:30 pm Liturgical Hebrew with Cantor Sharett-Singer 17

3rd of Iyyar 57786:00 pm Special Community-wide events

18

4th of Iyyar 57787:30 pm Board of Trustees Meeting

19

5th of Iyyar 57785:00 pm Tot Shabbat Service, with potluck dinner7:00 pm Ruach Shabbat Celebrating Israel, with special oneg

20

6th of Iyyar 5778Parashat Tazria-Metzora 10:30 am Shabbat Morning Service with Torah discussionExtended Kiddush after serviceChavurah Study Group following Kiddush 21

7th of Iyyar 5778Earth Day9:00 am Mitzvah Day 20th Anniversary 9:30 am Religious School11:00 am Mitzvah Day Concert

22

8th of Iyyar 5778

23

9th of Iyyar 5778Noon Lunch and Learn with Rabbi Gardner4:00 pm Hebrew School6:00 pm Jewish Spirituality and Mysticism with Rabbi Gardner7:30 pm Liturgical Hebrew with Cantor Sharett-Singer 24

10th of Iyyar 5778

25

11th of Iyyar 5778

26

12th of Iyyar 57787:00 pm Shabbat Evening Service

27

13th of Iyyar 5778Parashat Achrei Mot-Kedoshim10:30 am Shabbat Morning Service with Torah discussionExtended Kiddush after service

28

14th of Iyyar 57789:30 am Religious School11:30 am Jr Choir Rehearsal11:30 am KRMH food donation pickup and delivery 2:00 pm YIVO lecture 29

15th of Iyyar 5778

30

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

3 Riverdale Temple Bulletin

by the way, he does not like. “Jews are people who live in Judea,” says Rabbi Cohen, “which we do not.” The real term for our religion should be “Torah,” because that is the source of everything good that comes out of our tradition. Torah, of course, means more than just the first five books of the Bible. Torah is both our literature and the conclusions we have drawn from that literature. In a way, a Jew living a Jewish life is Torah. Torah is tremendously exciting and meaningful, and if people are not beating our doors down to try to get it, it is only because we are not marketing it right. It is only because we have a hard time explaining it, or do not understand it fully ourselves. That is my job and the cantor’s job. I know we are not perfect, but we are trying!

The final thing I want to mention is that Rabbi Cohen also said that the study of Hebrew is so important, because that is the key to

accessing Torah and all of the wisdom that Jews have created over the years. This is a plug for the cantor’s Hebrew class! Years ago I was in a Reform-Orthodox dialogue group. I had a lot of confidence in the Reform position, but I did not have the knowledge to support my view. This convinced me that I needed to study Judaism in a very serious way. It was my study, and my great good fortune, that led me to my teacher and my rabbi, Martin Cohen.

Martin Cohen taught countless students in his many years of teaching. Even so, those who learned from him are a tiny minority of Jews. However, since most of his students also went on to become teachers, his wisdom has spread. Gd willing, it will continue to spread, as his students’ students become teachers themselves.

—Rabbi Tom Gardner

The CanToR’s ColumnOn Sunday, April 22, at 11:00 a.m., on the 20th anniversary of Mitzvah Day, we will be hosting performer Elana Arian, a leading voice of our contemporary Jewish music. This concert is free and is open to the community!

Elana Arian is an active multi-instrumentalist, composer, and recording artist, who studied conducting, violin, jazz guitar, and songwriting at Yale and has performed at some of the most celebrated concert venues in the country, including Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Tanglewood, and, perhaps most memorably, the Obama White House, where she gave five performances.

She inspires communities across the country with her soulful music and has appeared with some of the leading voices in modern-day Jewish music, including Noah Aronson, Josh Nelson, Dan Nichols, and the late Debbie Friedman. Elana has been a faculty member of Shirei Chagiga and Hebrew Union College–Jewish Institute of Religion, teaching guitar at the Debbie Friedman School of Sacred Music. As well as being a guest artist in residence for congregations and communities across the United States, Elana has been in residence in the Friday worship ensemble at Central Synagogue for the past 11 years.

Some Q&A between Elana and me: Q: What drew you in to the Reform Jewish music scene?A: As a kid I grew up with parents who were both deeply involved with Reform Judaism, specifically as musicians and song leaders. I had the benefit of spending every summer surrounded by the music of the Reform movement, first as a “fac brat” at URJ Kutz Camp, and then as a camper at URJ Camp Harlam. These sounds were literally the soundtrack of my childhood, and the participatory style of music and prayer was my entry point

into my own relationship with Judaism and with God. Q: How does your understanding of art go hand in hand with the understanding of Jewish culture and religion? A: Composition allows me to approach the prayers and texts of our tradition with the eyes of an artist. The wisdom of our texts can be interpreted in as many ways as there are people, and painting the text with various sounds and melodies helps to underscore my own personal entry point into our prayers.Q: What does religion mean to you?A: To me Judaism is a link to our past, and a line to an uncertain future. There is something profoundly grounding in reenacting the same rituals and saying the same words as our ancestors have done for thousands of years. And at the same time, there is something invigorating about placing these ancient words and rites in a modern context and helping to make meaning out of our contemporary lives using words that are thousands of years old.Q: In your song “Hine Ma Tov,” you sing “shalom aleichem, salam aleikum” (peace unto you in Hebrew and in Arabic)—what does that mean to you?A: I incorporate both the Hebrew and Arabic to highlight how universal our human desire and striving are towards peace. We instinctively divide ourselves into tribes, races, countries, genders, etc., but in reality all people are one. And we are united in the desire for peace and wholeness in our world.Join us on our free Mitzvah Day Concert for this incredible

opportunity to listen to and meet Elana! I invite you to visit her page on YouTube and go to her website, elanaarian.com, for more information.

—Cantor Inbal Sharett-Singer

The PResidenT’s ColumnOne of the most important things that a house of worship must do is to care for those who are ill or grieving. To this end, Riverdale Temple has long had a Caring Committee. Our bylaws describe this committee as follows: “In consultation with the Rabbi, the Caring Committee shall be responsible for identifying and rendering support for congregants who are ill or bereaved and in need of

such caring services. The Caring Committee reports to the VP for Community.” In recent years, Beth Fertig Friedman and Robin Segal have graciously been doing the work of this committee, but they could use some help from one or two more people. If you feel that you can spend some time to work on this committee, please let Rachel Radna and me know by sending a message to

Join us for a special community-wide service here at Riverdale Temple on Wednesday evening, April 18, followed by an all-Riverdale party. The celebration continues Friday, April 20, with a special Ruach Shabbat celebrating Israel, and a special oneg.

4 Riverdale Temple Bulletin

Simcha Learning center

What a festive month it has been at Riverdale Temple and the Simcha Learning Center, in particular. The month of February was dominated by Purim. February began with all students and faculty participating in creating a human-size Megillah. Our children painted the 4 foot x 100 foot Megillah, laid out along the entire corridor of the school. In class the children learned about the importance of standing up for what you believe in, as Queen Vashti, Mordechai, and Queen Esther all did. We focused on the fun songs taught by the cantor and the engaging stories told by the rabbi. It was such a joyous occasion to see the many ages of various children and adults who attended the Purim festivities starting off with the parade of costumes followed by the Megillah reading and ending with the Purimspiel Hairspiel. On the Sunday following Purim, our 4th to 7th graders presented the story of Esther with the help of the human-size Megillah (see photo on right). The entire school, including many guests and prospective members, came to see the presentation. We ended the holiday with an extremely successful carnival run by Rebecca Sherman and Eileen Bowden. I want to thank them for organizing the carnival and the many

volunteers as well as Sherry Kassel for promoting our synagogue and school and bringing in many prospective new members to the carnival.

—Judy Weinberg, Education and Engagement Specialist

president@riverdaletemple.org. Also, if you or a loved one is ill and you feel that a visit from the Caring Committee would be appreciated, please share this information with us.

While I am on the topic of committee membership, I need to tell you that our Membership Committee is in dire need of new members. For Riverdale Temple to remain strong and vibrant in the years ahead, we have to augment our membership rolls. Not only does our financial well-being depend on membership dues and contributions, but our services, events, and projects can succeed only if a new generation of members emerges and carries on the work of the current one. Our bylaws describe this committee as follows: “The Membership Committee shall promote affiliation with the Temple and shall develop programs for the recruitment, orientation, activation, and retention of Members. The Membership Committee shall review the annual dues structure and membership categories at least once every two years and shall report the results of its review to the Executive Committee. The Membership Committee shall consult periodically with the Financial Secretary

and the two Associate Financial Secretaries as needed. It reports to the Vice President, Community Outreach.” Once again, if you are willing to join this all-important committee, please contact us at the email address given above.

Before I sign off, I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate two hardworking citizens of our temple: Carol Kassel, for writing and directing this year’s Purimspiel, an entertaining little play telling the story of Esther to tunes from the Broadway show Hair and starring the cutest group of children imaginable (cute adults, too!); and Cantor Inbal Sharett-Singer, for putting together a wonderful concert called “Sing Us to Freedom,” featuring not only our talented cantor but also Cantor Rebecca Garfein, the first cantor of our congregation, our new organist, Mollie Nichols, our vocal quartet (Iris Karlin, Erin Kemp, Adam MacDonald, and Russell Ashley), and bassoonist Gili Sharett. This concert included various types of beautiful music, and the performances were upliftingly sensational. Bravi to one and all!

—L. Michael Griffel, Co-President

Above, from left: Riverdale Temple Quartet members Erin Kemp, Iris Karlin, Adam MacDonald, and Russell Ashley, with Cantors Rebecca Garfein and Inbal Sharett-Singer (center), performing at the organ benefit concert on March 3. —Photo by Margaret Ross Griffel

Above: Purimspiel 2018. —Photo by Rob Katz

5 Riverdale Temple Bulletin

The Bulletin: Vol. 71, No. 8, April 2018. The Bulletin is published monthly by Riverdale Temple, 4545 Independence Avenue, Bronx, NY 10471, 10 times a year, September through June. The Riverdale Temple logo on p. 1 was designed by Alix Brandwein.This publication is intended for members of Riverdale Temple. Any other use or publication in whole or in part without Riverdale Temple’s prior consent is prohibited.

Riverdale Temple Telephone Extensions (718-548-3800)Temple Office 0 or 1Bookkeeper 2Nursery School 3Rabbi 4

Cantor 5Simcha Learning Center 6Emergencies 7General Information 8Other 9

Visit our new and improved website at www.riverdaletemple.org. Join Us on Facebook!Did you know that Riverdale Temple has a Facebook page? Find us by searching for “Riverdale Temple Bronx, NY” on Facebook and join this page by clicking on “like.” This is a space where we can exchange ideas, blog, discuss events, share photos, etc., and strengthen our bonds as a community. Join and make our numbers grow.To Send a Contribution to Riverdale TempleSend your donation to Riverdale Temple, 4545 Independence Avenue, Bronx, NY 10471. Please make your check payable to Riverdale Temple. Give the name/category/event to which your donation applies. We now accept payment by credit card; call the office (718-548-3800, ext. 0) or go to www.riverdaletemple.org. You can support Riverdale Temple by buying a mug for just $10.

If you need transportation to and/or from services at the temple, please call the office at 718-548-3800, ext. 0 or 1, to make arrangements.

Registry of Holocaust SurvivorsIf you are a Holocaust survivor or a family member of a survivor, you can register to be included in the Benjamin and Vladka Meed Registry of Holocaust Survivors, at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C. For more information and to download the Survivors’ Registry Form, go to ushmm.org/resourcecenter, click on Holocaust Survivors and Victims Resource Center to complete the form. Contact information: Holocaust Survivors and Victims Resource Center, United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, 100 Raoul Wallenberg Place, SW, Washington, DC 20024–2126; tel: 202-488-6112; fax: 202-314-7820; email: resource-center@ushmm.org.

AprilSpecial Events for Israel’s 70th Birthday April 18Special Ruach Shabbat for Israel’s 70th April 2020th Annual Mitzvah Day and Concert April 22YIVO Jewish Culture Series Talk April 29

Upcoming Events in MayStudent Sponsorship Breakfast May 6WRJ Lay-Led Service May 12

Dates subject to change. Check www.riverdaletemple.org for updates.

Riverdale Temple House CommitteeOur mission is to ensure that the building and grounds of our synagogue best respond to the spiritual, educational, cultural, and social needs and activities of our congregation. We are concerned about safety, cleanliness, comfort, and appearance and maximizing the functionality of our facilities. The committee works closely with the maintenance staff to ensure that the facilities are well managed and meet the needs of our community efficiently and economically. The committee benefits from members with varied experience in facilities management, engineering, construction, and related fields. Please volunteer to serve on this committee by writing to rivtemple@aol.com or president@riverdaletemple.org.

Bulletin Board

Copy for the next issue of the Bulletin is due by April 16. You can email it directly to

rivtemple@aol.com (put “Bulletin” in subject line).

Riverdale Temple is now part of the organics/compost pilot program in the Bronx. We can now recycle our food scraps. Please observe the different signs on the garbage receptacles and put throwaways in the proper container. We are pioneers in a wonderful program—please join the effort in caring for our environment. Thank you!

Recapture the joy of reading through the JBI Library for visually impaired, blind, and reading-

disabled individuals, all provided free of charge and delivered to your doorstep. Call 1-800-433-1531 or visit JBI’s website at www.jbilibrary.org.

6 Riverdale Temple Bulletin

nurSery SchooL newS

Children from the Twos and Threes gather around the mezuzah brought back from Israel by Judy Zucker. —Photo by teacher Kathleen Melvin

Please come and look at our Peace Bulletin, right at the entrance to our school, and share your ideas about how to make the world more peaceful and kind! There are Post-its, markers, and push-pins to put up your ideas. The children created pinwheels and then shared their ideas about kindness.

Please come and see our beautiful new mezuzah that Judy Zucker brought back from Israel (above). Rabbi Gardner put it up and led the children, teachers, and Judy with the blessing. It was a very special day for all of us!

Every Monday, we have Story Time in our Riverdale Temple Nursery School Library, from 3:00 to 3:45 p.m. Linda reads a few stories, then we all have cookies and juice! All are welcome!!

On March 1 we sang Happy Birthday for Dr. Seuss Day. All the classes read a lot of Dr. Seuss’s books and had delicious green eggs.

On March 29, we had our wonderful Passover/Spring celebration. The children sang songs with our incredible music teacher, Shara Yolkut. And, of course, we ate and celebrated together.

The Twos and Threes made bags for their afikomen, Seder plates to be used for Passover, and boxes for matzos. We have been noticing frogs all over our school.

Please visit our Four-Year-Old Classes.

The children in Ms. Melia and Ms. Anna’s class are each creating an incredible solar system. Those in Ms. Ali and Ms. Virginia’s class have created constellations out of toothpicks and marshmallows, and children are flying into space in their space station in their dramatic play area. The children in Ms. Sandi and Ms. Claire’s class have been studying dinosaurs. They have been digging for dinosaur bones and creating fossils.

ToursTours continue for the 2018–2019 school year. If you have friends who are interested, please tell them to call the school at 718-796-0335 or email nsdirector.rtns@gmail.com.

We have only a few spaces left in our Three-Year-Old classes.

CampWe are very excited about our second year of summer camp. It is for five weeks for two- through five-year-olds. It is open to

families who attend Riverdale Temple Nursery School and outside families. It will begin July 2 and run through August 3.

The Two-Year-Olds will go from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., and the Three-, Four-, and Five-Year-Olds from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

There will be lots of projects, water, and planting. And pizza and ice cream every Friday! We think it will be great fun!

If you are interested, please contact Linda Herman at nsdirector.rtns@gmail.com.

We are opening a new Three-Year-Old Class for next year. If you are a wonderful Lead Early Childhood Teacher, or you know a wonderful Lead Early Childhood Teacher, please have them contact Linda Herman at 718-796-0335 or at nsdirector.rtns@gmail.com.

EventsSchool is closed from March 30 to April 8 for Spring Break

April 9: School reopens.

May 11: Truck Day

May 18: Grandparents/Special Person Day and Bake Sale!

Just a lovely quote from Fred Rogers: “When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’”

—Linda Herman, Director

Tot Shabbat ServicesDuring the school year, Tot Shabbat services usually take place twice a month on Friday (see the calendar on p. 2, as times and frequencies vary). These special services are led by Rabbi Gardner and Cantor Sharett-Singer and include singing and guitar playing. For potluck dinners, we try to make every possible accommodation for food allergies and kashrut observance (all dishes will be labeled). This month’s service is on April 20 at 5:00 p.m., followed by a potluck dinner in the playground.

Performers at the March 16 Ruach Shabbat service. —Photo by Margaret Ross Griffel

A special Ruach Shabbat celebrates Israel on April 20 (see p. 1).

7 Riverdale Temple Bulletin

women of reform JudaiSm (SiSterhood)The weather is not going to stop WRJ!! A very special and heartfelt thanks to Rachel Radna for all of her hard work and dedication to Mishloach Manot. We also, wanted to thank Carol and Sherry Kassel, Fay Statsky, Sherrill Spatz, and Susan Birnbaum for supplying the yummy treats. If we have left out your name, we do apologize. (We imagine you will let us know!). And, of course, our Women’s Seder! On March 14, close to 80 women came to celebrate. It was multigenerational; it was uplifting, full of dancing, and music, and next year we will celebrate its 20th year. We cannot thank Cantor Inbal Sharett-Singer enough for her leadership, her music, and her dedication. Nothing stops her, and we are very lucky to have her. Every year the Seder gets better and better, and one of the reasons is because of Susan Birnbaum. Susan throws a party like nobody else! In addition, by unanimous cheering, we have decided to rename the Women’s Seder in memory of Elaine Katz. Although we may not see her smiling face anymore, her wisdom

and dedication to the temple live on. It was a great evening, and we are thankful that many of you joined us.

Our next event is the WRJ lay-led service on May 12. Please let me know if you would like to participate. As you know and can imagine, there is so much happening at WRJ. We need your help. We need volunteers. Whether it’s stuffing bags, preparing Seder plates, or boiling eggs for the Seder (a special thanks to Dorothy Feldman, Ronna Weber, and Sylvia Gottlieb), we need your help. We can’t do it alone.

As always, we are still looking for volunteers to sponsor our Friday night onegs—this is a great way to share your joys and special dates with the congregation. If you are interested, please let us know.

—Eugenia Zakharov and Joanne Heyman, Co-Presidents

SociaL action

Join our Mitzvah Day ConCert on SunDay, april 22, 11:00–11:45 a.m., with elana arian (see Cantor’s Column, p. 3)

The Mitzvah Day events are listed on the next page.—Frances Segan, Ph.D., Chair, Social Action Committee

8 Riverdale Temple Bulletin

aduLt education

Rabbi Gardner’s Classes Lunch and Learn meets every Tuesday at noon and continues all year long.Jewish Spirituality and Mysticism meets on Tuesday at 6:00 p.m. and continues through May 15.

Remember that the stories you will hear about at our YIVO event on April 29, “though irreverent and unvarnished, these too represent a true glimpse into the lives of people who are also part of our historical past. We are so pleased that Eddy Portnoy took the time to add them more formally to our historical record.” (J. Hoberman of The New York Times)

—Dr. Yvette Marrin, Chair, Adult Education Committee

The Chavurah will meet on April 21, following our Shabbat service and communal lunch. The Torah reading for that week is the double portion Tazria-Metzora. While the Book of Leviticus has many troubling passages, Tazria-Metzora has to take the cake. Pity the poor bar or bat mitzvah who has to grapple with it. Many of the laws in the Torah are concerned with our spiritual and moral development. These portions show the concerns the priesthood had with bodily purification. Rules are laid out for dealing with all sorts of discharges, rashes, and molds. The rabbis wrote tomes on this, and you can give your opinion, too. All are welcome to participate. No prior knowledge necessary.

—Dr. Ronna Weber

Please join us in performance of G’milut Chasadim, acts of loving-kindness, in Riverdale Temple and in our neighboring communities. Rain or shine! Donations are needed for:1. KRMH Food & Hunger Project, Inc.: donation of boxed cereals, canned soups, fruit, fish, pasta, rice, and evaporated milk (please check expiration dates)2. Big Brothers/Big Sisters of America: gently used, clean clothing for men, women, and children—all seasons3. Midnight Run and Zicklin Hospice: small travel-size toiletries: shampoo, deodorant, combs, mouthwash, soap, toothbrushes, and toothpaste; donations accepted until April 154. AFYA Foundation: collection for Puerto Rico hurricane relief: canes, stethoscopes, crutches, walkers, blood pressure cuffs, current glucometersMorning Projects at the Temple1. POTS (Part Of The Solution), 9:30–11:30 a.m.: parents and children—prepare bagged lunches of sandwiches, cookies, and fruit at the temple

2. AFYA Foundation, Puerto Rico hurricane relief: assist in receiving donations of canes, walkers, crutches, blood pressure cuffs, stethoscopes, and current glucometers3. Big Brothers/Big Sisters Clothing Drive, 9:00 a.m.–noon: receive and sort gently used clean clothing; maintain list of donors; bag and label items4. Plants for Zicklin Hospice and Schervier Nursing Home: prepare individual potted plants for residents5. Midnight Run and Atria Hospice, 9:30–11:30 a.m.; create grooming kits for homeless men and Atria Hospice residents6. Kosher Troops, 9:30–11:00 a.m.: write letters to current U.S. Jewish military troops; draw pictures for current U.S. Jewish military troops

Afternoon Projects7. Earth Day at Van Cortlandt Park (children, teens, and adults): meet at Friends of Van Cortlandt garden/compost inside of park (Broadway and Mosholu Ave.); wear long pants and closed shoes, since will work in forest area; bring water and snack

8. Schervier Nursing Home, 1:00–4:00 p.m. (up to 4 adults); bring potted plants and meet residents in designated areas; assist with afternoon social activity and help serve refreshments9. Zicklin Hospice (4 healthy adults; bring potted plants to residents; visit with available residentsRegistration:Name ____________________________Age ________ Phone: _______________Email ____________________________Please pick 3 projects:

1.

2.

3.Register by April 8, 2018, by: email: administrator@riverdaletemple.org. MAIL OR DROP OFF registration information at temple. Pick up form at temple.You will be notified by email or phone of your placement.

RIVERDALE TEMPLE 20TH ANNIVERSARY MITZVAH DAY 2018: IT’S EARTH DAY! Sunday, April 22, 2018, 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.

Come learn with YIVO and Riverdale Temple!

SUNDAYAPRIL 29, 20182:00 p.m.Dr. Eddy Portnoy, senior researcher and exhibition curator at the YIVO Institute for Jewish Research, presents chronicles about the infamies of urban Jewish life as seen through the pages of the Yiddish press prior to WWII. One part Isaac Bashevis Singer and one part Jerry Springer, these irreverent, unvarnished, and frequently hilarious stories provide a window into an unknown Yiddish world that was.

Admission: $5.00

Jewish Culture Serie s 2017-2018y IVidishe kultur-seryeSTRANGE BUT TRUE STORIES

FROM THE YIDDISH PRESS

9 Riverdale Temple Bulletin

ConTRibuTions The following funds are represented in the entries below: Bible and Prayer Book Fund, Jean P. and Francis J. Bloustein Camp Scholarship Fund, Cantor’s Special Fund, Decorating Fund, Jacob-Fogel Program Fund, Rabbi Stephen D. Franklin Music Fund, General Fund, Dorothy and Joseph Kay Prayer Book Fund, Leon and Beatrice Bereano Pulpit Flowers Fund, Rabbi’s Special Fund, Religious School and Nursery School Parents Associations, Soviet Émigré Fund, Charles Tenenbaum Fund, Torah Repair Fund, Youth Activities Fund.

Shelley Ast Rabbi Gardner, for my aliyah on Shabbat Parah

Shelly Clark Cantor Sharett-Singer and her beautiful concert

Arnold Cohen Sarah Ann Cohen

Dorothy Feldman Rabbi Gardner, for organizing a fabulous trip to Israel

Sherry Kassel Our clergy, for their countless good works

Helen Meltzer-Krim Cantor Sharett-Singer; your work and art are greatly appreciated!

Cristin and Michael Rabbi and Alina Gardner Messinger

Renee Spath Rabbi Gardner, for my aliyah on Feb. 24, 2018

Irving Weiler Rabbi Gardner, for assisting in my preparation for Torah reading at the Sephardic Synagogue in Havana, Cuba

Judith Zucker “Rabbi Tom,” for organizing a wonderful trip to Israel

Donor in MeMoryShelley Ast Joan Ast, beloved

mother

Dorothy Baer Thea Griesheimer

Ruth W. Friendly Fred W. Friendly

Jackie Gardner Steve Gardner

Constance Gerzog Ell T. Crocker Katie Sanders

Donna, Jim, and Kira Katie Sanders Goldsmith, Howard and Yemina Rosenberg, Linda and Neil Rosenberg

L. Michael and Margaret Joseph Griffel, beloved Griffel father and father-in-law

Alan Kaplan Dorothy Kaplan, beloved mother

Craig L. Katz and Linda Louis Karpf Chokroverty

The Kay Family Joseph Kay, beloved husband, father, and grandfather

Leah Kurtz Ethel Fisher, beloved mother

Helen Madow Stanley Madow

Paul R. Pops Maxwell Rothman

Jill Shaifer George J. Harren Rose Shaifer

Deborah Simmons Hyman Siminowitz

Donor in honor Donor in MeMory

RABBI GARDNERLunch and Learn: The ProphetsTuesdays—Noon Conference Room

Jewish Spirituality and Mysticism Tuesdays—6:00 p.m. Conference Room

April 10, 17, 24 May 1, 8, 15

All year long, free Through lively and thought-provoking discussions, learn about Joshua, Judges, Samuel, Kings, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel,

and some of the 12 minor prophets.

Rabbi Gardner will look at the hidden history of Jewish mysticism, its different forms, and how they affected mainstream Judaism. We will learn how some of our practices have their roots in Jewish mysticism, and what that means for our own Jewish practice.

Free—Registration not required

CANTOR SHARETT-SINGERLiturgical Hebrew Class

Tuesdays—7:30 p.m. Conference Room

April 3, 10, 17, 24Designed to enable our congregants to read the prayers and blessings of our

services and rituals. For Hebrew readers of all levels.

Tuition: $125.00 / 6 sessions

To register, email the Cantor at cantorsharettsinger@riverdaletemple.org

10 Riverdale Temple Bulletin

1 Chas. A. Becker 1 Dr. Herman R. Cohn 1 Edmund Fox 1 Esther Shulman 2 Steven A. Katz 2 Joseph Mendlinger 3 Leo Fass 3 Minnie Silverman 3 Sylvia Zwickel 4 Meyer Franklin 4 Clara Horn 4 Max Jacobson 4 Dr. David I. Nalitt 6 Minna Haber 6 Louis Resnik 7 Solomon Aronson 7 Fannie Grunbaum 7 Rose Kaplan 7 Myrna Turtletaub 7 Lillian S. White 8 Andree Bachenheimer 8 Bert Feinberg 8 David W. Haber 8 Joseph Schlesinger 9 Dr. Judith Brooke Elman 9 Irving Hamada 9 Vincent Joyce 9 Lester J. Kovar 9 Martin Richman

9 Helen A. Saxe10 Ronald Braddish10 David Froehlich10 Max Kantor10 Dora L. Shaifer11 Louis Denker11 Meyer Fritz12 Batsheva Fain12 Irving Grossbard12 Bertha Hamada12 Mort Roberts12 Fannie Rosenblum12 Sydell Samalin12 Hilda Weiler13 Evelyn Fenster13 Elsie Gerber13 Edna Kaplin13 Sylvia Meyer13 Ralph Ripps13 Eugenia Rozenfeld13 Alf Salvesen14 Sheila Abbott14 Malcolm Brenner14 Alice Carmody14 Daniel Fischel14 Esther Hirschberg14 Camilla Roger14 Abraham Rozenfeld14 Annie Sager

14 Max Strunin16 Seymour Shmuel Katz16 Richard M. Kronman17 Mario Badiali17 Frank Ginsberg17 Daniel Kerness17 Alice L. Phillips17 Frank Schlesinger18 Meyer Propper18 Roslyn Socolof19 Max Faro19 Oscar Kay19 Ethel B. Liebowitz19 Albert J. Solomon20 Jack Bernstein20 Sara A. Gilman20 Molly Friedman20 Herbert J. Knopping20 Charles D. Landow21 Eva Dilloff21 Joseph Fettman21 Ruth L. Krisiloff21 Harold I. Newman21 Dr. Julius G. Parker22 Yetta Kaplan23 Barnet Bennett23 Irene Bodenchuck23 Bruno Bruck23 Bertha Isaacs

23 Joseph Silverstein23 Isidore Weiss24 Steven Harris24 Elaine Maxin24 Daniel J. Pinsky25 Lillian Friedman25 Helen N. Kabak25 Hyman H. Kramer25 Dr. Bezalel Levi25 William Levitt25 Herta Pollack26 Bernard A. Guenzig26 Nathan Halpern26 Arnold Kideckel26 Julius Pargh27 Harry Ast27 Arthur London27 Dr. Henry Poster27 Claire Sackstein28 David L. Morris29 Rose Egel29 Jacob Gleichman29 Samuel Miller29 Margaret Sertner30 Mildred Feren30 George J. Kasloff30 Anna Lerman30 Betty Lett30 Joseph Schoen

The Departed Whom We Now Remember: April Yahrzeit Observances

CondolencesTo On the loss of

Connie Gerzog Ell T. Crocker, beloved friend

Hilda Stewart Melvin Stewart, beloved husband

To the Riverdale Temple Family,It is with profound sadness that we inform you of the passing of Dr. Lawrence Gardner, z"l, beloved brother of Rabbi Thomas Gardner and Sarah Gardner, and son of Jacqueline Gardner. Lawrence is also survived by his beloved daughter Evie Sanders Gardner.We grieve with the Gardner family, who are still mourning the recent loss of their beloved Katie Sanders, the late wife of Lawrence Gardner. We mourn together with Rabbi Gardner, Alina, and their children Runia and Israel and the entire Gardner family.

11 Riverdale Temple Bulletin

Robert and Valerie Adelman

Mark and Amy Alter

Cary and Linda Aminoff

Nadine Andre

Shelley Ast

Irene Badiali

Dorothy Baer

Henry and Amy Bensen

Howard and Susan Birnbaum

Steven and Ilona Brandeis

Irene Brenner

Bernice Brier

Steven Cahn and Marilyn Ross Cahn

Andrew Cohen and Heather Erhard

Arnold Lewis Cohen

David and Joyce Currier

Jean Daniels

Jeffrey Dinowitz and Sylvia Gottlieb

Marcia and Jamie Farkas

Dorothy Feldman

Ruth Feliciano-Fried

Stanley and Barbara Ferber

Gwen Fisher

Rabbi Stephen D. and Karen S. Franklin

Steven Ian Froot and Mary Ann Doyle

Jacqueline Gardner

David and Gerri Glickenstein

Stuart and Jean Goldshein

Joseph Greene and Joanne Heyman-Greene

David and Rochelle Greenfield

L. Michael and Margaret Ross Griffel

Martin and Helena Hoffman

Julie Hyman

Stephen and Linda Kaplin

Sherry and Carol Kassel

Craig L. Katz and Linda Chokroverty

Robert Katz and Sherrill Spatz

Dorothy Kay

Linda Kleinman

Martin J. Kleinman and Ronni P. Stolzenberg

Guy and Ellen Knafo

G. Oliver Koppell and Lorraine Coyle Koppell

Olivia Koppell

Henry and Leah Kurtz

Jared L. Landaw and Christina M. Black-Landaw

Andrew and Trang Leftt

Sandra Lerner

Margaret Levine

Martin and Donna Linda

Joyce Liskin

Ruth A. Loebmann

Andy Mandel and Susan Brown

Yvette Marrin

Harriet Martin

Dora Mejicovsky and Miriam Ruth Foley

Helen Meltzer Krim and Tom Krim

Audrey Ott

Rita Pochter-Lowe

Emil and Marilyn Propper

Jennifer Raab and Michael Goodwin

Claude Rabinowitz

Richard and Rachel Radna

Rudolf B. and Carrie Radna

Renee Renner

Andrew Resnik

James Resnik

Daniel and Kathleen Roger

Steven and Lori Rosenfeld

Peter Sack and Anne Nucci-Sack

Cordell Schachter and Jacqueline Kuhls

Bruce M. Schwartz and Beth A. Greenberg

Frederick Schweitzer

Robin Segal

Frances Segan

Jack and Jill Shaifer

Arnold and Roberta Shapiro

Barbara Silber-Weinstock

Lydia Silverman

Peter Alan and Lynne Silverstein

Brian and Marcia Siper

Michael S. and Lisa M. Sirkin

Scott Sirkin and Fay J. Statsky

Jeff and Jennifer Sklar

Michael Smith

Renee Spath

Ronna Weber

Irving and Evelyn Weiler

Joyce White

Vladimir and Eugenia Zakharov

Bruce and Risa Zayde

Steven Zelkowitz and Amy Samuelson

Judith Zucker

Many thanks for your Kol Nidre donations. To those members who haven’t responded yet, please do your share to be part of the whole! We would love to have 100 percent participation! No donation is too small!

Kol Nidre Donors 2017–2018

THANK YOU TO MY FELLOW CONGREGANTS! I am happy to say that after an unexpected illness recently, I am recovering nicely and looking forward to coming back to the temple very soon. The temple family were with me all the way. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your support, good wishes, cards, and encouragement. It helped me through a rough time, but that is now behind me, and I look forward to seeing you again soon. I wish you and your families a sweet Pesach. —Dorothy Kay

12 Riverdale Temple Bulletin

RiveRdale Temple4545 INDEPENDENCE AVENUE

BRONX, NY 10471

ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED

RiveRdale Temple 4545 Independence Avenue

Bronx, NY 10471 affiliated with the Union for Reform Judaism,

patron of the Hebrew Union College–Jewish Institute of Religion

Telephone: 718-548-3800 Fax: 718-543-1492 Email: rivtemple@aol.com

Web Page Address: www.riverdaletemple.org

Rabbi of the Congregation Thomas A. Gardner, B.A., M.A., M.A.H.L.

Cantor of the Congregation Inbal Sharett-Singer

Rabbis Emeriti of the Congregation Stephen D. Franklin, D.D., D.H.L.

Judith S. Lewis

Co-Presidents of the Congregation Dr. Rachel Radna

Dr. L. Michael Griffel

Nursery School Executive Director Linda Herman

Religious School Education and Engagement Specialist Judy Weinberg

Bulletin Editor Margaret Ross Griffel, Ph.D.

Bulletin Proofreaders Shelley Ast, Susan Birnbaum,

Sylvia Gottlieb, L. Michael Griffel, Olivia Koppell, Ruth Loebmann

1 Worship Schedule 1 The Rabbi’s Column 2 Monthly Calendar 3 The Cantor’s Column 3 The President’s Column 4 Simcha Learning Center 5 Bulletin Board

6 Nursery School News 6 Tot Shabbat Services 7 Women of Reform Judaism 7 Sponsoring an Oneg Shabbat/ Extended Kiddush 7 Social Action 8 Mitzvah Day 2018

8 Adult Education 9 Contributions10 Condolences 10 Yahrzeit Observances 11 Kol Nidre Donations

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