June 6, 2003
Happy Shavuot and Shabbat Shalom!
Last weekend Carla Levant got married. It was lovely!
Devon Price was there.....It seems like just the other day when they all were in kindergarten! Tammy Vener officiated! Louie was soooooo proud......Sophie and Molly were there looking very spiffy and sooooo grown up! Molly is going to be my Madricha next year.....She is amazing! Camp Beth Israel people.......remember when she was born???
I spent Monday morning with Jennifer Berton, Alison Fisher, Rachel Swimmer, Scott Glaser's wife and other preschool Moms at our family education program. Maxine Trimble was there as grandma for Michael Trimble's son!
Tammy Vener is the early childhood director, I organize the programs and Marline Gendelman does the art projects!
Must admit.....Beth Israel produces the most adorable kids and grandkids!
Shabbat Shalom!
Have a blintz filled Shavuot......Remember the 10 Commandments!
Feed the Hungry!
Love,
Eemah
Samantha Leigh Coleman finally entered the world on Monday, June 2, at 6:11 p.m. by C-Section. First photo attached. Back to the hospital to change a diaper...
Michael(Coleman), Karen, and Sam
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hi Rick,
Just thought I'd update my email address, etc. The best place to reach me
now is agreenspan@emanuelsf.org where I have become the Program Director of
Youth and Family Education. I work with Rabbi Peretz Wolf-Prusan, if anyone
remembers him from Camp Swig days. Jim Shapiro's third child Ben is good
friends
with my son Ayani. I've hired Caroline Goor (Hutchinson) to work for me!
The
San Diego connection just keeps going! My older boy will become Bar Mitzvah
in November and I'm working on a Master's Degree in Jewish Studies and
Jewish
Education through an amazing distance learning program. This is in addition
to
working full time running a school of nearly 600 students! It's great.
Hope
to hear from somebody soon.
Abra Greenspan
-----Original Message-----
From: Sfbindani@aol.com [mailto:Sfbindani@aol.com]
Sent: Friday, May 30, 2003 8:08 PM
To: ricks@car.org
Subject: more update
Abra Greenspan was in madrichim in 1971. That means Lisa Foster was also in
it that year. Jaci Greenspan would have been 1970 and Esti would have been
1973. Maybe that helps a bit....
Abra
Dear Abra -- Many thanks for your messages. Most people have not been
e-mailing me directly, so I am forwarding this (and the additional message)
to Helene as well for her to share in her next e-mail newsletter. When I
get the next opportunity to do some updating on the website, I will be happy
to add your information.
I remember Peretz and, of course, Carolyn Goor. I see Rick Goor and family
on occasion, as their girls go to the same school as our boys, and play
soccer in the same league, and sometimes we see Rabbi Don when we are at a
Bar Mitzvah at Temple Judea. Mazal Tov on the Bar Mitzvah in your family;
our oldest is now 14 and his Bar Mitzvah last year was very special.
All the best.
Rick Shumacher
Helene- I am on your mail list (even tho I am a few years older than most everyone on it!), but I thought I would let you know....
Caren and I are new first-time grandparents!! Alison ( and husband Dave Rozansky, no relation to the Rozanskys who are temple members) presented us with a beautiful baby boy, Noah Liam Rozansky, on May 21. 7 lbs. 4 oz., 20-1/2 inches long. Everyone is doing great. I am sending you this from Chicago, where Caren and I are visiting our new grandson and celebrated his bris the other night. In addition, next Friday....
Alison will graduate from medical school!! She, Dave and Noah will then be moving to Akron, OH, where she will begin her residency in orthopedic surgery. Is she going to be busy or what??
Love to all,
Larry Poster
June 13, 2003
Shabbat Shalom and Happy Fathers' Day!
The dynamic duo, Greg Temkin and Joel Gendelman met for a wild time in Las Vegas to celebrate Greg's birthday!
School is over for the summer....Can't wait for those lazy days at the Shores......You'll find us at tower 32......Saw the preschool gang at their farewell show on Wednesday.....Lisa Jacobs was there and is now on our list.....All of us grandparents (Berton, Resnick, Malkus, Trimble and Jacobs) k'vell it up at these adorable events..... The parents (Dan Schlafman, Scott Glaser, Shoshana Feher, Alison Fisher, Rachel Swimmer,Jennifer Berton, Dana Resnick and Michael Trimble) were taking photos and videoing and the kids were just being the cutest!
I'm in the middle of cooking a yummy Shabbat Dinner! Lani and Erin and Dan and the kids will all be here! Buster and Bailey, David and I love it when we all are together for Shabbat!
Have a wonderful Fathers'Day and a super Shabbat!
Love,
Eemah
Hi Helene & David:
We are in NYC (until mid-June) welcoming Lori's (Wolochow) new daughter, Stella Grace
Corenthal, born May 21st. Everyone is doing well, despite sleep deprivation.
Grace will be visiting San Diego this summer---hope you'll get a chance to
meet her!
Love, d/m
Helene--
My brother, Larry's (Rose) son, Drew, was bar mitzvahed by Rabbi Peretz at Temple Emanuel in San Francisco in January (see Abra Greenspan's note). Larry and Peretz were at Camp Swig at the same time and made some cute references during the bar mitzvah. My favorite part of the ceremony was when Rabbi Peretz referred to Rosh Hashanah as the "control-alt-delete" of your life....I really knew I was in the Bay Area (not the stiffer, more traditional Metro DC area where my husband and our two children live now). And I remembered Peretz from my Swig days, but could it really have been that long ago?
Susie (Rose) Verner
Dear all:
Last Thursday in LA a small plane crashed into an apartment building in the Fairfax district. A colleague of Andrew's and also a dear friend of our family, has very close friends Andrea and Casey Cunningham. This special couple is expecting their first baby in a few months and Casey was severely burned in the crash. As well,this couple lost all of their belongings and home.
If any one can help them rebuild their lives, thereis a fund being organized in their name. Checks can be sent to:
Casey & Andrea Cunningham Fund
601 N. Spaulding Ave.
Apt. #9
Los Angeles, CA 90036
She is also in need of Maternity clothes should anyone have that available.
Thanks, Lenie Greenspan Singer
Yiddish was their secret code, therefore I don't farshtaist, A bisseleh
maybe here and there, the rest has gone to waste.
Sadly, when I hear it now, I only get the gist.
My bubbeh spoke it beautifully; but me, I am tsemisht.
So och un vai as I should say, or even oy vai iz mir,
Though my pisk is lacking Yiddish, it's familiar to my ear.
And I am no Chaim Yonkel , in fact I was shtick naches, But, when it
comes to Yiddish, though, I'm talking "out my tuchas".
Es iz a shandeh far di kinder.... that I don't know it better (Though
it's really nisht-geferlech when one needs to write a letter.)
But, when it comes to characters there's really no contention, No other
linguist can compete with honorable mentshen.
They have nebbishes and nebechels and others without mazel, then too,
schmendriks and schlemiels and let's not forget schlemazels.
These words are so precise and so descriptive to the listener; So much
better than "a pill" is to call someone "farbissener".
Or that a brazen woman would be better called chaleria - And you'll
agree farklempt says more than ever does hysteria.
I'm not haken dir a tsheinik and I hope I'm not a kvetch, But isn't
'mieskeit' gentler than to call someone a wretch?
Mitten derinnen, I hear bubbeh say, It's nechtiker tog, don't fear, to
me you're still a maven; zol zein shah, don't fill my ear.
A leyben ahf dein keppele, I don't mean to interrupt; But you are
speaking narishkeit, And a gezunt auf dein kop!
Glossary
Farshtaist = Understand
Bisseleh = A little
Tsemisht = Confused or mixed up
Och un vai = Alas and alack
Oi vai iz mir = Woe is me
Pisk = mouth
Naches = Joy, gratification
Shandeh far di kinder = A pity/shame for the children
Nishtgeferlech = Not so terrible
Nebbishes = Nobodies or simpletons
Nebechels = A pititful person or someone playing the role of being one
Schlemiel = Clumsy bungler, an inept person, butter-fingered; a dopey person
Schmendrik = Nincompoop; an inept or indifferent person; same as schlemiel
Schlemazel = Luckless person. Unlucky person; one with perpetual bad
luck (it is said that the shlemiel spills the soup on the shlimazel!)
Farbissener = Embittered; bitter person
Chaleria = Evil woman. Probably derived from the word for cholera.
Farklempt = Too emotional to talk. Ready to cry.
Haken dir a (kein) tsheinik = Don't get on my nerves. (Literally - don't bang my teapot.)
Kvetch = To whine, complain; a whiner, a complainer.
Mieskeit = Ugly
Mitten derinnen = All of a sudden, suddenly
Nechtiker tog! = He's (it's) gone! Forget it! Nonsense! (Literally, a yesterday's day)
Zol zein shah! = Be quiet. Shut up!!
Lieben ahf dein keppele = Words of praise like; Well said! Well done!
(Lit., A long life upon your head.)
Narishkeit = Nonsense
June 20, 2003
Well this is a first!
Tonight JEFF SILBERMAN will be installed as PRESIDENT of Congregation Beth Israel....This is definately a Madrichim event... Jeff is married to Karen Foster and is the very first (of many, I'm sure) Madrichim to become president of our temple!
Current temple board members include Eddie Goldberg and Todd Bloom....Alison Fisher and Anne Goldberg have also served in the past......and Ken Jacobs is president of the Men's Club!
I spoke with Rabbi Sternfield this week. Robin just graduated from law school and will be getting married this summer....Didn't she just finish preschool?
Marc is a producer for a radio station in Denver......Where does the time go???
Next week we leave for Hawaii......We are looking forward to spending time with Becky Barth.....Our little CBI camper is now completing her internship in Honolulu!
Hope all is well with all of you and your families!
Remember to click on to our website Madrichim.homestead.com ...... enter the contest......and send in old photos!
Thanks again Mr. Rick for all your hard work......
Shabbat Shalom!
Love,
Eemah
ENJOY!
Hi Eemah,
We celebrated Emily's bat mitzvah on Purim. That's Emily in the
middle, and her older sister Natalie and me-- we all took part in the
megilah reading. Then we partied in King Ahashverosh's palace, where
we had Persian dancers, drummers, calligraphers, oud players, perfume
makers....all masterminded by my friend Joyce Klein, whom I know from
Camp Swig! (She wouldn't let us eat with utensils, since they had none
in the days of the megilah.)
Emily learned a tremendous amount in preparation, and gave a wonderful
talk that evening....Mommy and Abba were very proud and happy.
Hope to see you this summer when we are in San Diego for my cousin
Anna's wedding.
Much love to you--
Jenny (Lewis)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hi all
Just wanted to let you all know that my amnio results are back and Mike and I are having a girl! All is well so far and will keep you posted on any new developments. See you all soon
stacey (Coleman)
The following is from Buster and Bailey Schlafman:
"Arf arf...hope you enjoy the people quotes..."
I wonder if other dogs think poodles are members of a weird
religious cult."
-- Rita Rudner
"My dog is worried about the economy because Alpo is up to 99 cents a can.
That's almost $7.00 in dog money."
-- Joe Weinstein
"Some days you're the dog, some days you're the hydrant."
-- Unknown
"If I have any beliefs about immortality, it is that certain dogs
I have known will go to heaven, and very, very few persons."
-- James Thurber
"You enter into a certain amount of madness when you marry a person
with pets."
-- Nora Ephron
"Don't accept your dog's admiration as conclusive evidence that you
are wonderful."
-- Ann Landers
"Women and cats will do as they please and men and dogs should relax
and get used to the idea."
-- Robert A. Heinlein
"In order to keep a true perspective of one's importance, everyone
should have a dog that will worship him and a cat that will ignore him."
-- Dereke Bruce
"There is no psychiatrist in the world like a puppy licking your face."
-- Ben Williams
"When a man's best friend is his dog, that dog has a problem."
-- Edward Abbey
"Cat's Motto: No matter what you've done wrong, always try to make it
look like the dog did it."
-- Unknown
Hebonics...!
NEW YORK - The New York
City school board has
> officially declared Jewish English - now dubbed
> Hebonics - as a second language. Backers of the move
> say the city's School District is the first in the
> state to recognize Hebonics as a valid language and
> significant attribute of New York culture.
>
> According to Howard Schollman, linguistics professor
> at New York University and renowned Hebonics scholar,
> the sentence structure of Hebonics derives from middle
> and eastern European language patterns, as well as
> Yiddish.
>
> Prof. Schollman explains, "In Hebonics, the response
> to any question is usually another question-plus a
> complaint that is implied or stated. Thus 'How are
> you?' may be answered, 'How should I be, with my
> feet?'"
>
> Schollman says that Hebonics is a superb linguistic
> vehicle for expressing sarcasm or skepticism. An
> example is the repetition of a word with "sh" or
"shm"
> at the beginning:
> "Mountains, shmountains. Stay away. You want
a nosebleed?"
>
> Another Hebonics pattern is moving the subject of a
> sentence to the end, with its pronoun at the
> beginning:
> "It's beautiful, that dress."
>
> Schollman says one also sees the Hebonics verb moved
> to the end of the sentence. Thus the response to a
> remark such as 'He's slow as a turtle,' could be:
> "Turtle, shmurtle! Like a fly in Vaseline he walks."
>
> Schollman provided the following examples from his
> textbook, Switched-On Hebonics.
>
> Question: "What time is it?"
> English answer: "Sorry, I don't know."
> Hebonic answer: "What am I, a clock?"
>
> Remark: "I hope things turn out okay."
> English response: "Thanks."
> Hebonic response: "I should BE so lucky!"
>
> Remark: "Hurry up. Dinner's ready."
> English response: "Be right there."
> Hebonic response: "Alright already, I'm coming. What's
> with the 'hurry' business? Is there a fire?"
>
> Remark: "I like the tie you gave me; wear it all the
> time."
> English response: "Glad you like it."
> Hebonic response: "So what's the matter; you don't
> like the other ties I gave you?"
>
> Remark: "Sarah and I are engaged."
> English response: "Congratulations!"
> Hebonic response: "She could stand to gain a few
> pounds."
>
> Question: "Would you like to go riding with us?"
> English answer: "Just say when."
> Hebonic answer: "Riding, shmiding! Do I look like a
> cowboy?"
>
> To guest of honor at his birthday party:
> English remark: "Happy birthday."
> Hebonic remark: "A year smarter you should become."
>
> Remark: "A beautiful day."
> English response: "Sure is."
> Hebonic response: "So the sun is out; what else is
> new?"
>
> Answering a phone call from son:
> English remark: "It's been a long time since you
> called."
> Hebonic remark: "You didn't wonder if I'm dead yet?"
> It's so simple to be wise. Just think of something
stupid to say and then
don't say it.-- Sam Levenson
June 27, 2003
Shabbat Shalom!
Jeff Silberman's "inagural address" was so impressive......I asked him for a copy to include this week...
We will return from Hawaii in mid July....from then on you can find me at tower 32 at the shores.....
Have a super sunny summer!
Love,
Eemah
INSTALLATION REMARKS
As I began to prepare my remarks for this wonderful occasion, I first considered my goals and objectives for my two-year term. I revisited our past accomplishments and assessed the considerable challenges that lie ahead.
Then in typical fashion, I began to make a list. In my family, I am known for compiling lists. As a young boy, this used to worry my parents quite a bit. The child psychologists assured my parents that this was just a phase I would eventually get over. Some 40 years later, I found myself staring at my computer at my agenda of "Temple Open Issues"-a list of 24 items, of varying importance, that I would discuss with Rabbi Kamin.
The Rabbi politely reviewed my list and assured me that I had all bases covered. I assumed that my list would form the basis for my remarks tonight. Then, the Rabbi challenged my thinking and direction in a very personal way. He asked me why I had been involved in Beth Israel leadership for so long. What was it about this place that sustained my interest and commitment?
As I further thought about the content of my remarks, the Rabbi's questioning led me to think about more personal questions. Why am I standing before you this evening? What caused me to assume this sacred responsibility to serve as your Temple President? Why now and not later?
As I reflected on my path to this moment, I realized that I have had many privileges and opportunities in my life, including the rare privilege of my life-long connection to Congregation Beth Israel. Their are very few of us-including my wife-who have been raised and nurtured in the Congregation from birth through religious school, Hebrew school, bar mitzvah, and confirmation-to receiving wedding blessings from our clergy. As you can see, Congregation Beth Israel is a core part of my Jewish roots and my Jewish evolution.
But there is truly one great privilege that I have received that begins to answer my personal questions and has helped better define my personal commitment to our Congregation and my faith.
I have been uniquely blessed to have been surrounded my entire life, in the same community, with Jewish role models-my grandparents, parents, in-laws, close relatives, colleagues and my spouse. These modest and humble people have all shaped my life and helped me understand my need for an ongoing connection to our Congregation.
My family's commitment begins well before I was born. In the 1940's, my great-grandfather Henry Weinberger served our Congregation as President for 5 years-a record that I will definitely not challenge. From my own earliest memories as a little boy, I will always remember the daily Temple involvement of my grandfather Isadore "Papa" Silberman-whether it was organizing the ushers on behalf of the Men's Club or helping out in the Temple office, Papa was my shining example and reminder of the importance of our synagogue and our obligation to stay involved. Whenever Papa was involved in Temple life, he had that infectious smile on his bearded face and made those around him feel better--no matter his or their circumstances at the time. Beth Israel particularly sustained my grandfather in his later years of his life-in many ways it gave him the daily strength and will to walk those few blocks from his home to our Third and Laurel synagogue. I will always cherish the fond memories of our family generational aliyah at the High Holy Days that I was able to share for so many years with my grandfather, father and brother.
My parents always preached the importance of service to our Jewish and secular communities and led by deeds and actions, not just words. I learned at a young age that it was good, noble and our responsibility to be passionate about our Congregation and our Jewish community. I also began to experience that we truly get back so much more than we give. Whether it was my father raising or donating money for Jewish or secular causes or advocating for Israel, or my mother teaching at our Beth Israel religious school or playing piano at Sisterhood functions, I had the privilege of being taught the importance of commitment to our Jewish community.
Later in life, I was blessed to witness the philanthropy of my wife's grandmother, Anne Ratner-who is especially in our prayers this evening-her motto is that "we must give to all who ask, because the one person we turn down could be the person most in need of our help." I have also been privileged to observe the unparalleled commitment of my in-laws, Stan and Pauline Foster, to our Jewish and secular communities and in particular, this Congregation-they too led by countless deeds, contributions and involvement-setting more examples for my generation and our children. I will forever cherish the smile on my father-in-law's face when, during the last days of his illness, I was able to show him a video of our Temple dedication. For a brief moment, I know his pain was eased and his heart swelled with the pride and satisfaction that he would be leaving a lasting legacy for his family, his people and his community.
Many of my predecessors at the conclusion of their terms have thanked their spouses for the sacrifices that they have made and the tremendous morale support that they have provided. Many of you know my extraordinary wife Karen, without whom I would not be standing before you tonight. I want to begin my presidency by thanking Karen. Although we had known each other as children, from the moment we reacquainted at a Temple board meeting, Karen has constantly instilled in me and modeled the importance of Judaism in our relationship, family and our home. She has epitomized for me the way to be a loving and caring Jewish spouse, parent, sibling, child and committed member of our community. From the day we decided to get married, she has encouraged and embraced my service to our congregation. She has constantly reminded me of our responsibility to continue the precious legacy of commitment that has been handed down to us by our families. Karen, I have no doubt that I will have much to thank you for at the conclusion of my term-I thank you today for helping me live every day as a committed and involved Jew.
As I prepared my remarks for this evening, some of the answers to my questions have become more clear. I realize that in practically every facet of my personal and professional life, I have been privileged to be touched by so many true Jewish leaders and role models, who selflessly give so much of themselves to their family, friends and community. In Judaism, we call this "Gemilut Chasaidim"- which is an obligation of Jewish living to engage in acts of loving kindness and good deeds on behalf of others, and especially our sacred Jewish institutions.
Many scholars suggest that the key event in Moses' life was his encounter at the Burning Bush-a barren bush that was aflame and yet not consumed. On the one hand, Moses had a vision of his people aflame in slavery and oppression-yet somehow managing to survive. On the other hand, Moses envisioned his people in a land flowing with milk and honey, where his people could not only survive, but also prosper. Moses was a great leader because he had a clear vision of the past, the challenges of the present and his hopes for the future.
As we have moved from our beloved Third and Laurel site to our own little Jerusalem in UTC, we can proudly reflect on our own past and "kvell" about meeting our own extraordinary challenges of daily synagogue life. Under the leadership of our dedicated clergy and staff in collaboration with our board of directors, we will strive to continue leading our Congregation with fiscal responsibility and a humble awareness and appreciation of the work of our predecessors.
I am truly grateful that I have the privilege to serve as your President. I am particularly thankful for my colleagues on the executive committee, the board of directors, and the numerous members of our Temple committees for their past and continuing service and commitment. Without these dedicated individuals, we would not be able to lead this Congregation in a Jewishly meaningful way. It is my goal that together, all of us will meet and even exceed the expectations that we each have for the future of this great institution.
Wonderful things are happening at Beth Israel-the board, clergy and staff have become true partners in every sense of the word. We hope to enter our next fiscal year and all future years with a balanced budget, without compromising the quality programming and experiences that are congregants have come to expect. We have revitalized our endowment efforts to secure the future of our Congregation. We will continue to offer more worship opportunities. Many of you have already enjoyed our monthly musical Friday Night Chai Shabbat experience and you will soon be hearing about our "Destination Shabbat" program, which will combine a Shabbat worship experience with other enjoyable activities. We are committed to enhancing our superb student and adult education programming. We will remain at the forefront of social action and our support for Israel. We have begun the process through our long-range financial planning committee to coordinate our membership, operational and endowment needs to better secure our future.
As it is written in our mission statement:
Al sh'loshah d'varim ha'olam omeid: al ha Torah, v'al ha'avodah, v'al g'milut chasadim.
"The world stands on three things: Torah, worship, and deeds of loving-kindness."
Our synagogue is supported by the pillars of God, Torah and Israel. We rely upon the foundation of our teachings, values and beliefs to guide our actions and decisions on the path of "derech eretz" kindness, justice and integrity.
I hope you will accept the challenge of joining with us, your Temple volunteer leaders, and in your own personal way contribute to the further development of an even better Temple, ensuring the continuity of our institution for our children and grandchildren.
It is a true privilege to assume the presidency of the congregation and I do so with great enthusiasm and hope. As far as my list of 24 agenda items, the task would seem more daunting if it were not for the sage counsel of Rabbi Tarphon who, in the portion of the Mishnah, Pirke Avot, said, "It is not ours to finish the work but neither are we free to desist from it." The work is great and each of us has a part in it. Perhaps, you will explore answers to your own personal questions as you participate with us in the 4,000 year unbroken chain that connects our people.
Kein Y'hi Ratzon.
"Be this God's will."
Shabbat Shalom!
