Bulletin for Jan-Feb 2009

TEVET-SHEVAT-ADAR 5769 JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2009 MAZEL TOV TO OUR HONOREES CLIFTON JEWISH CENTER TESTIMONIAL DINNER HONOREES SUSAN AND STEVE GOLDBERG SUNDAY, JUNE 7, 2009 RICHFIELD REGENCY SUSAN AND STEVE GOLDBERG The Ad Journal Dinner Dance always honors a person or couple who have devoted time and energy for the enrichment of the Clifton Jewish Center. We are delighted to continue this tradition. Steve was born in Brooklyn as if you didn’t know that by his accent. He was the youngest in a family of three children. Steve at a young age was stricken with a life threatening disease called nephrosis and spent a good deal of time in the hospital. Because of this, he became interested in medicine and science at an early age. Steve however, decided to make education his profession, but he believes that his mother looks down on him proudly because he married a doctor. Steve was educated in an ultra-orthodox Yeshiva, Chaim Berlin. Though he never took to the lifestyle, he loved learning the Talmud. The questioning and the interchange of ideas is something he is still interested in. Growing up he was fascinated with the story of the Golam and since then has always been interested in the Kabbala which he still studies today but unfortunately not with Madonna or “AROD”. A big influence on Steve’s life is his oldest brother, Phillip, who is mentally disabled. Steve says about Phillip that “he has an IQ of 40, but is the smartest person I know”. Growing up with Phillip, Steve knew he would like to help children with special needs. He is currently the Principal of the A. Harry Moore School operated by New Jersey City University. Steve comes from a hard working middle class family. His mother, Ethel, of blessed memory, was born in New York City. His father, Jack, of blessed memory, was a Holocaust Survivor continued on page 2... The Bulletin Page 2 continued from page 1... THE CENTER BULLETIN 18 DELAWARE STREET CLIFTON, NEW JERSEY 07011 973-772-3131 E-MAIL ADDRESS: www.cliftonjewishcenter@verizon.net WEBSITE: www.cliftonjewishcenter.com RABBI’S E-MAIL: rabbi@cliftonjewishcenter.com Rabbi Ari Korenblit Cantor Adam Goldstein President - Steve Goldberg Executive Director - Karen Schutz Librarian - Faith Kleinfeld Secretary - Francine Schiff Editor - Shirley Kleinberg Assistant Editor - Arlette Lim VOL. XLXVV No. 3 JAN. - FEB. 2009 from Poland. Steve’s brother, Phillip currently lives in a group home in Far Rockaway. His other brother, Neil, of blessed memory, died from leukemia at the age of 35 and Steve through the years has been involved in raising money for cancer related charities. Steve has two sons from a previous marriage; Cary, who is a junior in American University and Aaron, a freshman at the College of Western Massachusetts. They are both majoring in spending their father’s money. Steve met his wife, Susan in the Catskills at the Pines Hotel. Susan was born in Queens, the daughter of Leon and Eva Zylbert and sister to Allan. She attended Queens college and then the Albert Einstein School of Medicine. She is a pediatrician at the Mount Sinai Hospital in NYC. In addition, to being part of a thriving pediatric practice, she teaches young doctors and is the Medical Director of the school based Health Center program which provides medical care to indigent children in East Harlem. Although, Susan loves being a doctor, her greatest joy in life is her family and her recently Bat Mitzvah daughter, Jessica. In 1995, the Goldbergs moved to Clifton and on October 24, 1996, Susan gave birth to their daughter, Jessica Elyse. Susan had finally made it. She was a successful career woman, a mother and a wife. When people ask her how she is able to balance being a wife and a mother with a career. She answers simply, “I ignore the husband”. When they first moved to Clifton the Goldbergs joined an Orthodox Shul, but they realized it wasn’t meeting their needs. One day about six years ago, Steve responded to an advertisement in the Clifton Journal for the High Holidays, and until this day, we believe he is the only person that has answered one of our ads. Almost immediately upon joining continued on page 10... SCHEDULE OF RELIGIOUS SERVICES Morning Minyan, Monday & Thursday..7:00 a.m. Friday Evenings..………………………...7:30 p.m. Saturday Morning………………………..9:00 a.m. Saturday Mincha…….Immediately after Kiddush Saturday Ma’ariv…………..Call Rabbi Korenblit Friday Evening………..Feb. 20….………7:00 p.m. Sunday Minyan…………………………...8:25 a.m. CANDLELIGHTING TIME Fri. Fri. Fri. Fri. Fri. Fri. Fri. Fri. Fri. Jan. Jan Jan. Jan. Jan. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. 2 9 16 23 30 6 13 20 27 4:22 p.m. 4:28 p.m. 4:36 p.m. 4:44 p.m. 4:52 p.m. 5:01 p.m. 5:10 p.m. 5:18 p.m. 5:26 p.m. The Bulletin RABBI’S MESSAGE Page 3 On Monday, February 9th, we celebrate Tu B’Shevat - The New Year for Trees. A beautiful story is told: Rabbi Aryeh Levin (called the “tzaddik of Jerusalem, 1885-1969), related how he once was walking in the fields with his mentor, Rav Avraham Yitzhak Kook (the first Chief Rabbi of Israel). In the course of their Torah discussion, Rabbi Levin picked a flower. At this, Rav Kook remarked, “All my days I have been careful never to pluck a blade of grass or a flower needlessly, when it had the ability to grow and blossom. Our sages teach that not a single blade of grass grows here on earth that does not have an angel above it commanding it to grow. Every sprout and leaf says something meaningful. Every stone whispers some hidden message in the silence -- every creation sings its song.” “These words of our great master,” Rabbi Levin concluded, “spoken from a pure and holy heart, engraved themselves deeply in my heart. From that day on, I began to feel a strong sense of compassion for all things.” Firstly we can learn to acknowledge the divinity of every aspect of nature in addition to its utility and environmental component. Secondly, if so much is invested in the existence of even a single blade of grass, how much more so our own lives. Rabbi Ari Korenblit THANK YOU: The following merchants generously contributed merchandise and gift certificates to the Tricky Tray Auction. Please show your appreciation by shopping in their stores and saying thank you in person. Kosher Nosh Organic Thai Food Styretowne Bakery Angelo’s Pizza Nails For You Lunar E-Clips Crystal Nails Hot Bagels Abroad Al’s Barber Salon Park & Orchard Restaurant Largo House Spa & Nails Kandi Distributors LLC NJ Devils Villa Roma Pizza Famous Ray’s Pizza Uno Chicago Grill Osaka Japanese Pink Orchid Dayton Chocolates Walter Bauman Jewelers The New Corral Applebees TCBY Harold’s Kosher Meat Mr. Cupcakes Bucco Ristaurante Bagel Station Tick Tock Diner NJ Jackals Avon Charming Nails Mary Ann’s Sandwich Shoppe Acme Supermarket Linen Shop Jerusalem Pizza Clearview Cinemas Fuddruckers Morre Lyons Jewelers IHOP Master Pizza Guy Anthony Salon Chevy’s Carvel Gourmet Desserts Outlet Mountainside Inn Izzy’s Place Tupperware - Annie Simon Quick Check Johnny Carino’s ISRAEL BONDS If you need information regarding the purchase of Israel Bonds, please call the Clifton Jewish Center and leave your name and phone number. I will return your call with the necessary information and forms. The bonds may be purchased in your name, or in a third party’s name, for gift purposes. Bill Frisch/Chairman, Israel Bonds The Bulletin PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Page 4 No holiday illustrates to me the meaning of what it is to be a Jew more than Chanukah. As Jews, it is our duty to spread light to the world. We are like the Shamesh candle. We try to spread our light to others. We try to illuminate the world for others to see. The story of Chanukah is one of faith and perseverance. No matter what happens in life, we as Jews, do what needs to be done. Nothing is more important than our faith and our rituals. The Temple is ransacked and almost all is destroyed. We go on. We find a little bit of oil left. We don’t save it, but we use the last of it to light the menorah so we can share the light with others. We light those last drops and miraculously the light lasts for eight days. I think of this story today as we at the Clifton Jewish Center struggle with our own survival. Though we see the reality of our diminishing membership, we continue in our mission to spread light. We pray for a modern day Chanukah miracle. Reality might tell us to cut back and perhaps do a little less. But in this time of need at the Center we do the exact opposite. We do more and want to continue to do more. To have more and more services, activities, programs - all of which celebrates who we are and our rich heritage. I wish you all a year full of light and miracles and if you want to discover the light within you, the best way to do this is to share yourself with others. Speaking of sharing I want to thank everyone who shared their gifts, time, and money in making our Tricky Tray a successful one. Please show thanks by patronizing the businesses that donated items and gift certificates. There is a list of them elsewhere in the Bulletin. When you are patronizing them please tell them thanks for giving. Lastly speaking of thanks, I want to thank everyone for sharing with my family the Simcha of my daughter Jessica “Yael Esther’s” Bat Mitzvah. The joy and “nachas” we felt when our daughter was called to the Torah was increased because of all the people who shared in our happiness. This is what being Jewish is - sharing and celebrating together. This is what the Clifton Jewish Center is. We hope that you take advantage of it and bring your friends and help us make a modern day miracle happen here. Keep the Center alive for eternity. Come and experience the Clifton Jewish Center and yes “we’re keeping the light on for you”. Steve Goldberg, President CANTOR’S MESSAGE I hope all of you had a wonderful Chanukah with mishpacha, friends and with us at Shul. Although it is cold out and the trees are bare, a beautiful holiday comes to us in the winter months called Tu B’Shevat. The holiday of the celebration of new trees on the 15th of Shevat has included with it a Kabbalistically inspired Seder with stories, brachot and music to enhance our thanks for trees and first fruits. In the Religious School, I will be teaching music for Tu B’Shevat and we will have a school seder.. I look forward to seeing all of you at services and other functions at the Center. Please let me know if you would like to read from the Torah or do a Haftorah. I will be offering a two week course in Jewish music in the coming months, so please watch your mail for dates. Cantor Adam Goldstein THE FAST OF THE TENTH OF TEVET On Tuesday, January 6th, we will observe a fast day called the Tenth of Tevet marking the onset of the siege of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar, the King of Babylonia (in the year 3336 from creation, 425 B.C.E.), and the beginning of the battle that ultimately destroyed Jerusalem and the Temple of Solomon, and sent the Jews into the 70-year Babylonian Exile 30 months later. The fast begins at sunrise and concludes at sundown. The Bulletin RELIGIOUS SCHOOL Page 5 The month of December has been a very busy month for the students of the CJC Hebrew School. They have been working on a “mitzvah sea” on the front wall of the classroom. It is an underwater scene that will display fish, turtles and frogs with mitzvoth they have done for the week. The object is to get as many fish, turtles and frogs hung up as possible. They did a great job last year and I look forward to this year as well. This is the time of year that darkness overrides the light. We look forward to the Chanukah lights to brighten our evenings. .The students also lit up the season. The first of several Chanukah concerts was for the residents of the Daughters of Miriam. The residents were delighted as they listened to the students sing in English, Hebrew and Yiddish. We hope to make this an annual event. Their voices once again lit up the holiday season as they performed their Chanukah songs at the CJC Chanukah Party and at the lighting of the Menorah at Clifton City Hall. Their Jewish pride shone through as they sang the traditional melodies along with original songs by Cantor Goldstein and Peter Yarrow. As February approaches, we see the trees barren of leaves and covered with snow, but we imagine them in full bloom with flowers, green leaves and fruit. When we celebrate Tu B’Shevat, we will gather together for a seder to eat the sweet fruits of the trees, sing songs and celebrate the Birthday of the Trees through prayer, learning and fun. With Tu B’Shevat, we know that spring is around the corner and the darkness of winter will soon melt away to light. Cantor Rebecca Zwiebel: Head Teacher TEMPLE TALES Our “distinguished” CJC member , Joe Frost, was born on January 1, 1905 and will be celebrating his 104th birthday on January 1st, 2009. He has many recollections of his long life. He grew up in Clifton with his parents , Phillip and Bertha, four sisters and 3 Joe & Great-niece Maurianna brothers (one brother died early in his life). His parents had a food store on Van Houten Avenue. When his beloved parents died, Joe and his brother, Harry continued to run the store for 60 years! They were excellent cooks and were well-known for their kielbasi, potato salad, cole slaw and mouth-watering meats. During World war II, Joe entered the Navy and was stationed on the island of Guam where he worked in the medical division as a dental technician. When the war ended, Joe came back to Clifton, joined his brother, Harry in “Frost’s Market”. They continued to work together till the magic word of “Retirement” entered their lives. Joe was so happy to be able to go fishing! The building was sold and now belongs to a real estate company. At present, Joe has some physical disabilities but his memory is very good. He likes sports, baseball and football games and goes for medical check-ups. His doctor told him he is in good health because “he never married and never had a mother-in-law”! Today, most amazingly, he lives in his sister’s home (she died awhile ago) by himself, cooks, his own meals, and his nephew, Bill Frisch takes him food shopping, etc. How lucky, how blessed and loved is Uncle Joe! All his friends and relatives do agree! Submitted by Rhoda M. Frisch PLEASE LET OUR RABBI KNOW If you know that a member of our congregation is in the hospital or at home with a serious illness, please call the Center to let Rabbi Korenblit know. The only way we know that you or a family member is in the hospital is if we are informed. The hospital or nursing home does not notify the Center. Thank you for helping us keep in touch. The Bulletin TU B’SHEVAT - NEW YEAR OF TREES Page 6 Tu B’Shevat is the new year for the Trees celebrated on Monday, February 9. The word “Tu,” pronounced “too” is constructed from the Hebrew letters “tet” and “vav”. “Tet” is the ninth letter in the Hebrew alphabet; “vav” is the sixth. Nine + Six = Fifteen. B’Shevat means in the month of Shevat. The custom on Tu B’Shevat is to eat fruits from the seven species for which the Land of Israel is praised: ...a land of wheat and barley and (grape) vines and fig trees and pomegranates, a land of olive trees and (date) honey (Deut. 8:8). The proper blessing before eating the fruit is: Baruch Atah Ado-nai Elohai-nu Melech HaOlam boray pri ha-aitz. Blessed are you God, King of the Universe, Who creates the fruit of the tree. On Tu B’Shevat, it is also customary to eat a new fruit (a seasonal fruit that you have not yet tasted this season), and to say the following blessing: Baruch Atah Ado-nai, Elohai-nu Melech HaOlam, sheh-he-che-yanu vi-kee-yimanu vi-hee-gee-yanu laz-man ha-zeh. Blessed are You God, King of the Universe, Who has kept us alive, sustained us, and brought us to this season. The earliest-ripening fruit is the shekadiah (the almond), in honor of which the following famous song was composed: “HaShekadiah Porchat”, “Tzipporim MeRosh kol Gag” The Almond has blossomed Birds from Every Roof-Top “VeShemesh Paz Zorachat” And the Sun is Shining Brightly “Mevasrot et Bo Ha Chag” Welcome the Arrivak of the Holiday SISTERHOOD Shalom from Sisterhood! By the time that you read this article, the Clifton Jewish Center/Sisterhood Chanukah Party will have been celebrated. We were delightfully and musically entertained by Cantor Rebecca Zwiebel and her accompanist. The six foot deli heroes made a great hit and the latkes were the best ever! It was a fun-filled afternoon. Sisterhood will be having a paid-up membership program on Sunday, January 11th at 11:30 am with Marty Alboum speaking to us about U.S. Presidents, their wives and mistresses. Refreshments will be served. If you have not already done so, please send in your membership dues to Ruth Hahn at 84 Kensington Terrace, Passaic, 07055. Dues are $25.00 per person and $30.00 per couple. As always, don’t forget Sisterhood for your Golden Book needs, please contact Barbara Klausner at 973-471-0151. We the Sisterhood presidium and our families wish all of you and your families a happy, healthy and prosperous 2009. L’Hitraot, Arlette, Elinor and Fran Sisterhood Presidium The Bulletin HEBREW SCHOOL ALUMNI NEWS Page 7 This month’s column is about two of our alumni. We knew them as Donna and Michael Astion. Their parents are Adele and Julian. Below is an update on Donna and Michael’s lives now. Donna received a B.S. in Physical Therapy from Boston University’s Sargent College and her M.D. from the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York. She completed an Orthopedic Surgery residency at the University Hospital of Cleveland (Case Western Reserve in Cleveland, OH) and a Foot and Ankle Orthopedic Surgery Fellowship at the Hospital for Special Surgery and Roosevelt Hospital (New York, NY). She recently stopped practicing medicine and obtained a Masters in Public Health from the Mailman School at Columbia University. Presently, she is working Jaimee, Donna, Shanna, Michael, Gabriella and Genevieve on a business venture related to physician education. She and her husband, Michael live in New York City with their two young daughters. Her two step-daughters are in college. Michael is an executive and lawyer for an entertainment company. Donna studied at the Clifton Jewish Center religious school and was confirmed with the girls in her class. She was also very active in the Clifton Jewish Center chapter of United Synagogue Youth. This past summer Donna celebrated her Bat Mitzvah and is looking forward to joining her daughters at the Torah when they become Bat Mitzvah in the future. Michael Astion is Donna’s younger brother. Michael received a B.S. with honors in Biology from Cornell University in Ithica, NY. He also received his MD from the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, Pa. and his PHD in Neuroscience from the University of Pennsylvania. Michael’s complete career has been with the University of Washington. Michael holds an MD and PHD Degrees and is a Professor and Director of Reference Laboratory Services at the University of Washington, Department of Laboratory Medicine. Michael and his wife, Jennifer live in Seattle, Washington with their two daughters Amy, 8 and Kate, 6. Although Michael and his family live on the west coast, they still have ties to Clifton and the Center. Michael has fond memories of the Clifton Jewish Center and Hebrew School as well as his Bar Mitzvah. The Bulletin SINGLES NEWS Page 8 It has been nearly a year that our Center has opened its doors to the North Jersey Jewish Singles Meetup Group. Under the guidance of Martine Jaffe, this singles group provides a monthly Sunday Brunch called “Bagels and Conversation” which meets from 12 Noon to 2:30 pm in the CJC Ballroom. Singles in their 30’s, 40’s, 50’s, 60’s + are invited to meet other singles in a friendly and non-threatening atmosphere. This group was initiated to encourage new membership to our Synagogue and to provide a much needed service for our community. It has become a very popular venue for singles to meet. A typical Sunday brunch will have 50 attendees from all over the Metropolitan Area. Some of the members drive over an hour to get here! The Singles group also runs a “book group” which meets monthly on Tuesdays in the Werksman Library. The books are chosen with Jewish themes or Jewish authors in mind. These Book Group meetings usually have an attendance of 10-12 members. We welcome all CJC members who are interested in joining us to come to our next meeting on Tuesday, January 13th at 7:00 pm to discuss the book “The Ghost of Hannah Mendes” by Naomi Ragen. The meetings for “Bagels and Conversation” are scheduled around the availability of the CJC. Our next two meetings are: January 25th and February 22nd at noon. An “ice-breaking” activity called “musical tables” is used to get everyone talking and getting to know each other. Guests have great fun and we would welcome our CJC members to take advantage of this group at reduced rates. If you would like further information, please call the Center and leave a message for Martine Jaffe. YAHRZEIT DONATIONS (THROUGH DECEMBER 14, 2008) The following have remembered their loved ones by donating to the Clifton Jewish Center. Florence & Isadore Fienstein Rose & Aaron Rabkin Gracey & Charlie Oksenberg Paula & Isaac Hertzberg Grace & Norman Rosenblum Greta & Zaki Tamman Shirley & Yale Shifrin Judy & Joel Fields Joseph Tatz Barbara & Ira Zucker Estelle & Sam Krantzow Bernice & Leonard Rockower Florence & Mel Schoem Rebecca & Jack Perricone Marlene Rogolsky Dr. Arnold Klein Laurie & Lawrence Loeber Lillian & Karl Solomon Sylvia Roth Gladys Feinman Paul Berko Florence Levine Natalie Mintz Mitzi A. Kramer Vivian Steinberg May Lazer Jerold Blustein Robin Knee Ralph A. Levy CHANUKAH RAFFLE WINNERS Randy Aaron - $300 American Express Gift Certificate Susan & Steve Goldberg - $200 American Express Gift Certificate Jill & Eric Rosenberg Lisa Antelman Ruth Kesseler - $100 American Express Gift Certificate - Restaurant Gift Certificate - Restaurant Gift Certificate Donation Made In Appreciation of Aaron Toledano’s Fascinating Life Story By Ruth & Burt Kleinfeld The Bulletin Page 9 SPECIAL LECTURES AND PROGRAMS LED BY RABBI KORENBLIT Sundays at 9:30 am Jan. 11 Feb. 1 Feb. 8 HOW TO CHANT THE HAFTORAH: Learn to chant the Haftorah It is not difficult. You’ll be surprised how well you can do. REINCARNATION: THE SOUL’S “SECOND CHANCE”. What happens after death? Who and what ‘comes back’? What’s a dybbuk? WHY DO BAD THINGS HAPPEN TO GOOD PEOPLE? A “no-holds barred” discussion of understanding G-d’s role in a world seemingly full of injustices. SHABBAT LUNCH AND LEARN - following services Jan. 31 Feb. 21 CONSERVATIVE, ORTHODOX, REFORM, RECONSTRUCTION, ETC. The origin and philosophy that guides these movements. WOMEN IN JEWISH HISTORY: Meet the women who shaped our history and tradition. HAVDALAH - SAYING GOODBYE TO THE SHABBAT: Participate in the beautiful ritual that helps us part with the Shabbat. The Shabbat is our honored guest and referred to as the Shabbat Queen. When she leaves, we bid farewell using light, incense, wine and song. SHABBAT SHIRA - THE SHABBAT OF SONG. MELODY AS PRAYER: Tu B’Shevat New Year for Trees Celebration. Join us for Services and Tu B’Shevat celebration. SPECIAL SHABBAT SERVICES Jan. 10 5:00 pm Feb. 7 9:00 am TODAH RABAH The following members went above and beyond in helping to make the Tricky Tray Auction a success. Thank you all. Paula & Isaac Hertzberg Barbara Klausner Arlene & Sol Solomon Elayne Eisenstein Jackie Schein Betty Gochman Grace & Norman Rosenblum Rebecca & Shane Zwiebel Clarice & Sam Silverstein Daniela & Rabbi Ari Korenblit Jill & Eric Rosenberg Rhoda & Jack Scheiner Miriam & Henry Poller Elly & Eli Marco Arleen & SY Greenstein Max Birnbaum Shirley Kleinberg Buddy Macy Paul Berko Elinor & Marty Alboum Arlette Lim Bea & Meyer Silver Fran & Gerald Friend Ellen & Arthur Friedman Lisa Antelman Iris & Mal Gang Sarah Sternick Aaron Toledano Gene Rabinowitz Shari Goldstein Pauline & Stanley Grossel Herb Sorkin Luisa Safir Rose & Stewart Paul Yvette & Hal Streit Jacky & Herb Klein Martine Jaffe Ellen Hersh Alan Prostick Susan & Steve Goldberg Pearl Prostick Faith Kleinfeld Ethel Stein The Bulletin Page 10 continued from page 2… Steve was pushed through the ranks at the Center, first on the Board and then Vice President and President. Steve’s goal as President has been to create an atmosphere of mutual respect and enjoyment for all members. Steve and Susan remember how important the synagogue was to them, when they were growing up. It was their social hub, and Steve in the last two years has tried to create that here at the CJC. Steve and Susan are not only involved in Center politics but many other city events as well, such as organizing the Israeli Flag raising as well as the Holocaust Remembrance event. Steve hosted a telethon on local television where he helped raise over $200,000 to build a handicapped accessible park named after Officer John Samra, a Clifton Police officer killed in the line of duty. He was also appointed to the Clifton Action committee and is the chairperson of the Advisory Committee for the Handicapped. He served on the Site Selection for the Board of Education and sits on the Board of the YMHA. The family has been involved in community theatre and has acted in numerous local productions. Steve is outspoken and over the years has written and spoken out on many issues including Anti-Semitism, racism, and terrorism as well as environmental causes and park preservation. His work has been published in local papers including The Bergen Record and Herald News and is one of the Bloggers on City Scape for the Herald News. He hopes to one day publish his book “Where Have All The Hippies Gone?” You can see Steve cares about a lot of causes, but Susan believes he will do just anything not to clean the house. One can’t talk about Susan and Steve without talking about their daughter Jessica, who has grown up to love her religion because of the CJC. Jessie has learned the concept of Midots and for her Bat Mitzvah project raised $7,000 for a young girl with medical problems. Jessie reads Hebrew beautifully and loves to join in the singing during services. The Goldbergs are newer members to the Clifton Jewish Center and it shows how the Clifton Jewish Center can still be vital and important to a Jewish family and can add so much to a family’s life. We hope you will join us for the dinner where we celebrate and honor not only the Goldberg family but the Clifton Jewish Center. It promises to be an exciting and fun day and Steve will be giving out shares of Washington Mutual Stock as party favors. Many people who know Susan and Steve, know they love to laugh and have fun and they believe that Judaism is a joyous religion, so let’s all celebrate together at the Annual Dinner Dance. CJC WELCOMES NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Welcome to Karen Schutz, our new Executive Director. Karen comes to us from Congregation Oheb Shalom in South Orange, where she was a head teacher and storyteller in the Mickey Fried Nursery School for 20 years. Along with her teaching credentials, she is a licensed real estate agent and has administered her own real estate investment company. She is a member of N.A.E.Y.C. (National Association for the Education of Young Children) and of N.A.R. (National Association of Realtors). She lives with her husband, Michael in Springfield, NJ. They have a son, named Jamie, who is a television and movie producer. Jamie resides in Manhattan. The Bulletin MAZEL TOV Page 11 BAT MITZVAH ARDEN DANIELLE POLLER FEBRUARY 28, 2009 On February 28th, 2009 we will be celebrating the Bat Mitzvah of Arden Danielle Poller, Divorah Regina, the daughter of Iris and Glen Poller, granddaughter of Miriam and Henry Poller. Arden attends Solomon Schechter Day School of Bergen County where she takes advanced placement courses in Hebrew and mathematics. She scored in the top four percent of the country on the Standardized Terra Nova Test for the past two years. Arden is fluent in Hebrew, and enjoys her hobbies of art, dance and fashion. Most recently, she played the role of Chava in her school’s production of Fiddler on the Roof. Arden and her parents are very excited to celebrate her Bat Mitzvah at the Clifton Jewish Center, where her father and his brothers had their Bar Mitzvahs and attended services as youngsters. CHANUKKAH PARTY PICTURES THE WERKSMAN LIBRARY CALLING ALL READERS!! CALLING ALL READERS!! The Werksman Library is available to all Center members. We have a wonderful selection of fiction and nonfiction available for your reading pleasure. The Bulletin ONEG SHABBAT & KIDDUSH Once again we would like to thank our generous congregants for sponsoring an Oneg Shabbat or a Kiddush. It is a wonderful way to celebrate a simcha or a yahrzeit. November-December hosts: Miriam & Henry Poller, Ethel Stein, David Malka, Barbara Klausner, Steve & Susan Goldberg, Peggy & Alan Berko, Florence & Melvin Schoem, Elinor & Marty Alboum, Arlette Lim, Herb Sorkin, Faith Kleinfeld and Estelle & Sam Krantzow. Hosting an Oneg Shabbat or Kiddush is a wonderful way to celebrate family simchas or yahrzeit. If you are interested in any special date, please call me at 973-772-0853. Ethel Stein Page 12 MISHA BEYRACH One of the main functions of the Clifton Jewish Center is to hold Religious Services. There are times when someone near and dear to us is ill. A spiritual uplift can be very meaningful. This is done in Jewish tradition by making a “MiSha Beyrach” on the days we take out the Torah. The Torah is taken out on Saturday morning, Monday and Thursday mornings and on all holidays. This is a good reason to attend a Monday or Thursday morning minyan or a Saturday service. If you are not able to attend a Service, call the Center office at 973-772-3131. We need you to leave the person’s Hebrew name and their mother’s Hebrew name, and a prayer will be made for them. HOW YOU CAN REACH RABBI KORENBLIT TREE OF LIFE If you need to speak with Rabbi Korenblit, when he is not in the Shul, you can reach him by calling the number listed below: Cell number is 917-309-6318 DEDICATE A PRAYER BOOK A wonderful way to honor or memorialize someone you hold dear. Cost is $50.00. Are you aware of the Tree of Life in the Esther K. Sussman Lounge? Each leaf holds the treasured memory of a happy event in the life of a Synagogue family member. If you would like to commemorate a special event, please call the Center office. 2009 ENTERTAINMENT BOOKS HAVE ARRIVED!!!!! PLEASE CONTACT THE OFFICE FOR YOUR COPY 973-772-3131 THE PRICE IS $25.00 ADULT EDUCATION I hope all of you had a wonderful Chanukah and New Year with your families. A film will be shown on January 25th at 2:00 pm. A flyer will be sent with more details. Bill Frisch/Chairman Adult Education Committee MEMORIAL PLAQUES A Beautiful Way to Memorialize a Beloved Family Member The cost for a bronze plaque in memory of a loved one is $350.00 for members. Every name on our Memorial Board is remembered in perpetuity on the appropriate yahrzeit. For further information, please contact the Center office. The Bulletin Page 13 CLIFTON JEWISH CENTER TESTIMONIAL DINNER HONOREES SUSAN AND STEVE GOLDBERG SUNDAY, JUNE 7, 2009 12:00 NOON at RICHFIELD REGENCY The undersigned hereby agrees to sponsor space in the Clifton Jewish Center Ad Journal. A check in the amount of $_________is enclosed. PLEASE CIRCLE AD SIZE DIAMOND PAGE…...$1,000 PLATINUM PAGE….$ 500 GOLD PAGE…...……$ 300 SILVER PAGE………$ 200 FULL PAGE…...……...$150 HALF PAGE…………..$100 QUARTER PAGE……..$ 50 EIGHTH PAGE……….$ 25 Name ______________________________________________ Address ____________________________________________ City___________________State_______Zip Code__________ Phone#_______________Solicitor_______________________ CANDLE LIGHTING CEREMONY AT CLIFTON MUNICIPAL CENTER On Monday, December 22nd, the Clifton Jewish Center Hebrew School children, led by Cantor Adam Goldstein sang their hearts out to an audience comprised of Mayor Anzaldi, CJC members, municipal employees, and Clifton residents. After the children sang a medley of Chanukah songs, the Hebrew School children lit the City Hall Menorah. Mayor Anzaldi and Steve Goldberg hosted a party for our students and their families after the program. The Bulletin Page 14 SHABBAT ACROSS AMERICA ******* TENS OF THOUSANDS OF JEWS ACROSS AMERICA WILL COME TOGETHER TO EAT, DRINK, RELAX, DANCE, ENJOY, DEBATE, AND CELEBRATE ON FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2008 SERVICES 6:30 P.M. DINNER TO FOLLOW ADULTS $20.00 MEMBERS CHILDREN 13 & under No Charge (CHILDREN MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY AN ADULT) IN APPRECIATION Thank you all for your warm and generous welcome to the Clifton Jewish Center. You have made me feel like one of the family. I would like to take this opportunity to especially thank Steve Goldberg, Jim Barta, Henry Poller, Max Birnbaum, Stu Paul, Shirley Kleinberg, and Fran Schiff for their guidance and patience in teaching me “the ropes”. I sincerely appreciate all the creative work of Arlette Lim in helping to design the many flyers and her tireless assistance in the office. Looking to the future. Fondly, Karen Schutz Executive Director To the ancient Israelites the earth itself was alive. The environmental laws in the Torah are based on this wisdom. Three thousand years ago, Jews did not have words for the environment and ecology. What they had was the belief that a good life depended on preserving the land and the trees. This was a central theme in Judaism which we express today when we celebrate Tu B’Shevat. PLANNED GIVING Planned giving is an essential part of income tax, estate and financial planning. Please consider the Clifton Jewish Center as a beneficiary. REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE The Bulletin Page 15 TRIBUTE PAGE THE CLIFTON JEWISH CENTER 18 DELAWARE STREET CLIFTON, NJ 07011 NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION CLIFTON, NJ PAID PERMIT NO. 149 U.S. POSTAGE JANUARY 2009 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 New Year’s 2 Services 7:30 pm 3 Services 9:00 am Day Mincha after Kiddush Light Candles 4:22 pm Parsha: Va-Yigash 4 5 6 Executive Bd Mtg 7:00 pm General Bd Mtg 8:00 pm 7 8 9 Services 7:30 pm 10 Services 9:00 am Mincha after Kiddush Special Havdalah Service 5:00 pm Light Candles 4:28 pm Parsha: Va-Yechi 16 Services 7:30 pm 17 Services 9:00 am Mincha after Kiddush 11 Rabbi’s Lecture “How to Chant the Haftorah” 9:30 am Sisterhood Paid-Up Membership Party 11:30 am 18 12 13 Singles Book 14 Club 7:00 pm All CJC Members Invited “The Ghost of Hannah Mendes” 21 15 Light Candles 4:36 pm Parsha: Shemot 22 24 Services 9:00 am Mincha after Kiddush Light Candles 4:44 pm Parsha: Va-Era 31 Services 9:00 am Mincha after Kiddush Rabbi’s Lecture “Lunch & Learn” Light Candles 4:52 pm Parsha: Bo 30 Services 7:30 pm 23 Services 7:30 pm 19 Martin Luther 20 King, Jr. Day 26 Rosh Chodesh 27 25 Singles Group “Bagels & Conversation” 12:00 Noon Adult Ed 2:00 pm 28 29 FEBRUARY 2009 Sunday 1 Rabbi’s Lecture 2 “Reincarnation: The Soul’s Second Chance” 9:30 am 8 Rabbi’s Lecture “Why Do Bad Things Happen to Good People?” 9:30 am Hebrew School Tu B’Shevat Seder 10:30 am 15 Hebrew School Closed Monday Tuesday 3 Executive Bd Mtg 7:00 pm General Bd Mtg 8:00 pm 4 Wednesday 5 Thursday Friday 6 Services 7:00 pm Hebrew School Children will lead Services Light Candles 5:01 pm 13 Services 7:30 pm Saturday 7 Services 9:00 am Mincha after Kiddush Rabbi’s Lecture “Lunch & Learn” Parsha: Be-Shallach 14 Services 9:00 am Mincha after Kiddush 9 Tu B’Shevat 10 11 12 Lincoln’s Birthday Light Candles 5:10 pm Parsha: Yitro 16 President’s Day 17 18 Hebrew School Closed 19 20 Services 7:30 pm 21 Services 9:00 am Mincha after Kiddush Rabbi’s Lecture “Lunch & Learn” Parsha: Mishpatim Light Candles 5:18 pm Shekalim 27 Services 7:30 pm 28 Services 9:00 am Mincha after Kiddush Arden Poller Bat Mitzvah 22 Singles Group “Bagels & Conversation” 12:00 Noon Washington’s Birthday 23 24 Rosh Chodesh First Day Flag Day 25 Rosh Chodesh Second Day 26 Light Candles 5:26 pm Parsha: Terumah