Cantor Alexis K. Sklar

20 Pages·2011·3.64 MB·English

Iyar - Elul 5771 May - August 2011

“Sing to God a new song” …Psalm 98

Congregation Kneses Tifereth Israel
Invites you to join us for a musical Kabbalat Shabbat
Celebrating the Installation
of
Cantor Alexis K. Sklar
Featuring our Religious School
and Early Childhood Program Students

Music by the Chai Notes

Friday, June 3, 2011
6:30 p.m.

Festive Oneg Shabbat Kiddush to follow featuring

A “Symphony of Sweet and Savory Desserts”

RSVP: [email protected] or 914-939-1004
(There is no charge to attend the Installation)

Donations in honor of the Cantor would be appreciated and will be acknowledged in the program
Page 2 K.T. Items
From the Rabbi
Not too long ago, around the Seder table, we asked the Mah Nishtanah, the Four Questions. Most of us have many more than four
questions about Jewish life and practice, but sometimes it‟s not so easy to get the answer. For this
article, and for the next few months, I will be featuring questions that you have asked (and their
answers). If you have something on your mind, please email me your question at
[email protected] and I will try to answer as many as possible.

What is the Omer, and why are we counting it?

The Omer (“sheaf”) was a harvest-offering brought to the Temple on the second day of Passover
(Leviticus 23:9-14). There is a further command that, from the day when the Omer was brought,
seven weeks were to be counted, and on the 50th day a festival was to be celebrated (Leviticus 23:
15-21). This festival was later called Shavuot, “the Feast of Weeks” (because it falls on the day after

the seven weeks have been counted).

The period of the Omer is fraught - in the Middle Ages, the Omer became one of sadness and restraint. And to this day, traditionally
observant Jews do not cut their hair or listen to live music, and weddings do not take place, with a few exceptions. For instance, on
Yom Ha‟atzmaut (Israel Independence Day), Rosh Hodesh (beginning of the new month), and Lag B’Omer, haircuts and weddings
are allowed, and many rabbis will officiate at weddings after Lag B’Omer.

The Omer isn‟t only a time of diminished joy, in fact, I would say, it is just the opposite. Counting the Omer from Passover, which
celebrates the exodus from Egypt, until Shavuot which celebrates the giving of the Torah, establishes an important link between
these two holidays. As free people, we remind ourselves of the bondage in Egypt, and count each day toward the even greater
freedom enjoyed by those who live by the Torah. The idea of counting each of these days represents spiritual preparation and
anticipation for the giving of Torah at Sinai, and for the continual receiving of Torah.

I am planning to bring my young child to Shabbat services; how can I keep him occupied without being disruptive?

By all means, please bring your young child to Shabbat services! We love having people of all ages celebrate Shabbat together! In
order to help enhance your child‟s experience, feel free to bring books to read (especially Jewish ones), or check out our PJ Library
collection outside of the sanctuary. You might also consider bringing small, nonelectric toys.

Just as we ask that all cellphones and smartphones are turned off before entering the synagogue, we also ask that you do not allow

your child to play games or listen to music on a smartphone, laptop, or other electronic device. We also ask that you leave pens,
crayons, and pencils at home. At KTI we abide by the traditional rules of Shabbat observance, while creating a welcoming,
contemporary experience.

Is there proper etiquette for making a Shiva call?

The short answer is yes. The following is Dr. Ron Wolfson‟s practical tips for making a shiva call:

Decide when to visit. Listen for an announcement at the funeral service for the times that the mourners will be receiving guests.
Usually the options are immediately after the funeral, around the minyanim (prayer services) in the evenings and mornings, or
during the day. Should you wish to visit during another time, you may want to call ahead. Some experienced shiva visitors choose to
visit toward the end of the week, when it is frequently more difficult to gather a minyan.

Wash your hands. If you are visiting immediately after the funeral, you might see a pitcher of water, basin, and towels near the
door. It is traditional to ritually wash your hands upon returning from the cemetery. This reflects the belief that contact with the dead
renders a person "impure." There is no blessing to say for this act.

Just walk in. Do not ring the doorbell. The front door of most shiva homes will be left open or unlocked, since all are invited to
comfort the mourners. This eliminates the need for the mourners to answer the door. On a practical level, it avoids the constant
disruptive ringing of the bell.

Take food to the kitchen. If you are bringing food, take it to the kitchen. Usually there will be someone there to receive it. Identify
the food as meat, dairy, or pareve (neither meat nor dairy). Be sure to put your name on a card or on the container so that the
mourners will know you made the gift. It also helps to mark any pots or pans with your name if you want to retrieve them later.

Find the mourners. Go to the mourners as soon as possible. What do you say? The tradition suggests being silent, allowing the
Continued on Page 3
K.T. Items Page 3
mourner to open the conversation. Simply offering a hug, a kiss, a handshake, an arm around the shoulder speaks volumes. If
you do want to open a conversation, start with a simple "I'm so sorry" or "I don't know what to say. This must be really difficult for
you" or "I was so sorry to hear about _______." Be sure to name the deceased. Why? Because one of the most powerful ways
to comfort mourners is to encourage them to remember the deceased.

If you can, recall something personal: "I loved _______. Remember the times we went on vacation together? She adored you so
much." Do not tell people not to cry or that they will get over it. Crying is a normal part of the grieving
process. And, as most people who have been bereaved will tell you, you never "get over" a loss, you only get used to it.

Spend anywhere from a few moments to 10 minutes with the mourners. There will be others who also want to speak with them,
and you can always come back. If you are the only visitor, then, of course, spend as much time as you wish.

Participate in the service. If a prayer service is conducted during your call, participate to the extent you can. If you do not know
the service, sit or stand respectfully while it is in progress. If the rabbi or leader asks for stories about the deceased, do not
hesitate to share one, even if it is somewhat humorous. The entire purpose of shiva is to focus on the life of the person who has
died and his or her relationship to the family and friends in that room.

If invited, eat. Take your cue from the mourners. In some homes, no food will be offered, nor should you expect to eat anything.
In others, especially after the funeral, food may be offered. Be sure that the mourners have already eaten the meal of
condolence before you approach the table. When attending a morning minyan, you will likely be invited to partake of a small
breakfast. After evening minyan, coffee and cake may or may not be served. In any case, should you be invited to eat, be
moderate in your consumption. Normally, guests are not expected to eat meals with the family during the shiva.

Talk to your friends. Inevitably, you will encounter other friends and acquaintances at a house of mourning. Your natural
instinct will be to ask about them, to share the latest joke, to shmooze about sports or politics. You may be standing with a plate
of food and a drink, and if you did not know better, it would feel like a party. But the purpose of the shiva is to comfort the
mourners.

You are in the home to be a member of the communal minyan. The appropriate topic of conversation is the deceased.
Reminisce about his or her relationship to the mourners and to you. Of course, human nature being what it is, we tend to fall into
our normal modes of social communication. This is not necessarily bad; however, you should be careful to avoid raucous humor,
tasteless jokes, loud talk, and gossip.

Do not stay too long. A shiva visit should be no more than an hour. If a service is held, come a few minutes before and stay a
few after. Mourners uniformly report how exhausted they are by the shiva experience; do not overstay your welcome.

Say goodbye. When you are ready to leave, you may want to wish the bereaved good health and strength, long life, and other
blessings. The formal farewell to a mourner is the same Hebrew phrase offered at the gravesite and in the synagogue on Friday
evening:
May God comfort Ha-makom yenakhem
you etkhem [many mourners]
otakh [one female]
ot'kha [one male]
etkhen [more than one female]
among the other b'tokh sh'ar
mourners a'vaylay
of Zion and Jerusalem. Tzion v'Y'rushalayim

Ha-Makom is a name of God that literally means "the place," referring to God's omnipresent nature, including at the lifecycles
from birth to death. It is only God who can grant the mourner lasting comfort. The comforter comes to remind the mourners that
the divine powers of the universe will enable them to heal and go on with a meaningful life. Ultimate consolation comes only from
the omnipresent God.

"B’tokh sh'ar avaylay Tzion v'Y'rushalayim" means "among the other mourners of Zion and Jerusalem." Once again, the
message is "we are not alone." In fact, traditional Jewish practice requires a minyan of 10 in order to recite the Kaddish prayer.
Personal bereavement is thus seen in the total context of the community.

The great genius of Jewish bereavement is to empower the community to be God's partner in comforting those who mourn. In
making a shiva call in an appropriate and traditional way, we are the medium through which God's comfort can be invoked. In
learning the art of coping with dying, we are, in fact, learning an important aspect of the art of Jewish living.
Page 4 K.T. Items
President’s Message
At the very outset I would like to thank all of you who have contributed to our newly established Torah Repair Fund. In just
over seven weeks we have raised more than $15,000 to help us repair our Torah scrolls. While this amount will not allow us
to repair all our scrolls, it will allow us to assure that we will be reading, both upstairs and downstairs, from a fully restored
Torah. Any unused funds and any funds that are contributed in the future will be used to repair and maintain our Torah
scrolls in a condition befitting their holiness.

A great many of you have questioned my sanity for my willingness to take on again the responsibilities of being President of
KTI, albeit a shared role this time. My response has been a simple one—I do not view being Co-President of our congrega-
tion as a burden, but as an honor. Once again you have entrusted me with a sacred responsibility and I am humbled by the
privilege. However, Sam and I need your help. We cannot do it alone.

KTI needs volunteers to chair and to work on several of its committees. The two most pressing needs we have are the Fund-
raising and Membership Committees. If you are interested or if you know someone who would be “perfect” in these roles,
please e-mail me at [email protected] or contact the KTI office. While Sam and I will try our best, we need reciprocal efforts
from all of you.

Also, do not be surprised if over the next months we ask you to donate money for a variety of KTI projects. Please do not get
angry with us. We know these are very difficult economic times; nevertheless, we must all try to make KTI a priority when-
ever possible.

I would also like to take the opportunity to wish my old friend and Co-President, Sam Barkin a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY. As I
often do, I found some quotes about getting older:
Oscar Wilde: He is old enough to know worse.
Elbert Hubbard: Boys will be boys, and so will be a lot of middle-aged men.
Art Linkletter: The four stages of man are infancy, childhood, adolescence and obsolescence.
Joey Adams: I am not interested in getting younger; I just want to get older.

Finally, enjoy the summer. Enjoy your family. Enjoy your friends. Celebrate life every day.

David Heiser, Co-President
Co-President
THE FOLLOWING PEOPLE HAVE DONATED TO OUR TORAH REPAIR FUND
AND WILL BE HONORED ON SIMCHAT TORAH
In Honor of: Mrs. Dorothy Friedman Mr. & Mrs. Theodore Marrow
*Leo Frank, on his birthday, from Elise & Mr. & Mrs. Stuart Gelbard Mr. & Mrs. Fischel Myers
George Sternman Mr. Stephen Glick and Ms. Margot Mr. Richard Newmark and Mrs. Ellen
*My 98th birthday, from Leo Frank Metzger Falb-Newmark
Deepest Sympathy and Condolences to: Mr. & Mrs. Arnold Goldstein Dr. & Mrs. Henry Novack
*Frani Rosenfield, in memory of beloved Mr. & Mrs. Edward Goldstein Mr. & Mrs. Philip Radus
mother, Marion, from Janet & David Heiser Mrs. Barbara Gotlib Mr. & Mrs. Norman Rosenbaum
In Loving Memory of: Dr. & Mrs. Bruce Greenbaum Mrs. Jean Rosenberg
*Joel Wachs, beloved friend, from David Mr. & Mrs. Steven Grossman Mr. & Mrs. Dolph Rotfeld
Heiser Ms. Edith Halpern Ms. Davida Scher
Donations were received from: Mr. & Mrs. Rudolf Hanau Mr. Ira Schuman
Rabbi Jaymee Alpert and Mr. Danny Mr. & Mrs. David Heiser Mr. & Mrs. Richard Shapiro
Kischel Mr. & Mrs. Kenneth Ingwer Mrs. Thelma Silberstein
Mr. & Mrs. Gerald Appelbaum Mr. Max Jacobowitz Ms. Helene Simon
Drs. Kenneth & Jessica Berkowitz Mrs. Ruth Jacobson Mr. & Mrs. Seth Solomons
Dr. & Mrs. David Berman Mr. & Mrs. Jack Kahan Dr. & Mrs. Don Starr
Mr. & Mrs. Arthur Brandon Mr. & Mrs. Mark Kaplow Mr. Daniel Taitz and Dr. Penny Nemzer
Mr. & Mrs. Stanley Buchholz Mr. & Mrs. Barry Konner Mr. & Mrs. Richard Tanchum
Mr. & Mrs. Hyman Charney Mrs. Ruth Krainin Mr. Roy Tumpowsky
Mr. & Mrs. Leslie Cheikin Mr. & Mrs. William Kromberg Mrs. Rita Unger
Miss Barbara Cohen Mr. & Mrs. John Landes Mr. & Mrs. Daniel Vock
Mr. & Mrs. Irving Cohen Mr. & Mrs. Howard Lavitt Mr. & Mrs. Lewis Wirshba
Mr. & Mrs. Doug Conrad Dr. Stanley Levenson Mr. & Mrs. Marvin Yasgur
Mr. & Mrs. Robert Drechsler Dr. & Mrs. Howard Levy Mrs. Jill Yolen
Mr. Arthur Joel Eisenberg Mr. & Mrs. Mark Lowenthal Mr. & Mrs. Norman Zelvin
Mr. Nate Feinman Mr. & Mrs. Henry Lowet
Dr. Steven Felder Mr. & Mrs. Bruce Lumish
K.T. Items Page 5
Cantor’s Notes

Now that the school year is winding down, I can begin to reflect on the past months and my entrée to
KTI. I have been blessed to join this wonderful community, and I am so proud to be a part of it.

I would like to share with you some of the highlights of my year so far:
High Holidays: This warm, spiritual introduction to this vibrant community was the perfect
way to begin here at KTI.
Shabbat and Festival Services: It is such a joy to observe the Jewish holidays among such a warm and wonderful
crowd here at KTI.
Religious School: I have enjoyed working with the children of KTI as they increase their music knowledge and
become more educated Jews. We have had lots of fun making music together—singing, dancing, and learning
about our liturgy and our heritage.
ECP: It has been a joy to sing and play with our preschool-aged children. From our weekly Shabbat celebration to our
times of singing both secular, Jewish, and holiday songs, I have had a blast, and am loving seeing their bright
faces!
B’nai Mitzvah: Since my start here in August, I have had the pleasure of working with so many talented students as
they prepare for their Bar and Bat Mitzvahs. They continue to impress me with their knowledge and enthusiasm,
and I love to impart my knowledge to them.
Special Programs in the Community: Celebrating Hannukah with Hadassah, volunteering in downtown Port
Chester, coordinating with other area syngagogues, connecting with other area clergy and community—all of
these events make my life here at KTI so exciting and fulfilling.
Torah Readers: I have also had the pleasure of working with many of our talented Torah readers of all ages and, in
the coming year, I hope to expand this. I started teaching trope to a group of adults, and I would love to further
this effort over the summer. Please email me or call the office if you are interested.

Also, the coming year will see the formal return of the Yad Squad. This group of KTI members and recent B‟nai
Mitzvah will take the synagogue by storm! So what does it mean to join the Yad Squad? If you join, I will regularly
offer you the opportunity to take on short Torah portions for our Shabbat and Holiday services. Don‟t worry, it‟s
completely voluntary, and I will never give you a portion that is longer than you can handle. Besides being a BIG
MITZVAH, the Yad Squad is a great way to grow your Torah reading skills and gain confidence on the Bimah.
Please email me ([email protected]) or call the KTI office to sign up or to ask any questions. I look forward
to hearing from you!

I hope to see you at my upcoming installation on Friday, June 3, so that we can celebrate together!

L’shalom,
Cantor Alexis K. Sklar

The Congregation Extends Heartfelt Condolences to:

Bill Alper, on loss of beloved mother, Miriam Alper
Les Cheikin, on the loss of beloved mother, Evelyn Cheikin
Ruth, Barbara & Steven Cohen, on the loss of beloved husband and father, Clifford Cohen
Leslie Dubin, on the loss of beloved father, Eugene Dubin
Nori Goldsmith, on the loss of beloved father, Harry Goldsmith
Amir Leshem, on the loss of beloved father, Jacov Leshem
Margot Metzer, on the loss of beloved father, Seymour Metzger
Larry Rand, on the loss of beloved wife, Madelon Rand
Family of Marion Rosenfield, on her recent passing
Martha Schiller, on the loss of beloved husband, Harvey Schiller
Karen Simon, on the loss of beloved father, Max Rosen
Eugene Strum, on the loss of beloved father, Edward Strum
Page 6 K.T. Items

DATES TO REMEMBER

Tisha B’Av

Monday, August 8
Services, 7:30 p.m.

Twenty-five hour fast marking the
anniversary of the destruction of the First
Temple by the Babylonians in 586 B.C.E.,
and the Second Temple by the Romans in
70 C.E; the Roman capture of Betar, the last
Jewish hold-out in the Bar Kochba revolt
against Rome in 135 C.E.; the day the Jews
were expelled from England in 1290; and
the date in 1492 by which un-baptized Jews
had to leave Spain. Mourning customs are
observed. The Book of Lamentations is
read.

Schedule of Shavuot I would like to thank my many friends
Services at KTI for their condolences and donations
in memory of my beloved husband, Harvey.

Erev Shavuot
Tuesday, June 7
Community support has been a great source
Candlelighting, 8:07 P.M.
of comfort to me during this very

difficult time.
First Day Shavuot
Wednesday, June 8
Morning Services, 7:30 A.M.
I thank everyone from the bottom
Candlelighting, 9:16 P.M.
of my heart.

Second Day Shavuot
With Love, Martha Schiller
Thursday, June 9
Morning Services, 9:30 A.M.
Yizkor Service, 10:45 A.M.
K.T. Items Page 7
Please Join Us For Services
Saturday Morning, June 11, 2011,
at 9:30 a.m.

As we honor KTI’s Torah, Haftarah & Megillot readers,
College, High School, Middle and Elementary school
graduates, Kitah Zayin and ECP graduates,
and students who will be away for the summer with a
group aliyah and special blessing from Rabbi Alpert.

A Festive Kiddush will follow.

Please call the KTI office at 939-1004 or email
[email protected] by Monday, June 6
if you plan to attend.

CONGRATULATIONS
TO ALL!
Page 8 K.T. Items
KTI Religious School

We had so many wonderful programs, events, and learning experiences over the course of this school year. Class
Shabbat morning services, Dalet Got Shabbat!, Hei J-Time, the model Passover seder, the Passover Plague
Room, the Purim carnival, the Chanukiyadah, Rosh Hodesh It‟s a Girl Thing, The Brotherhood (new pilot program
for 8th grade boys), the Bet/Gimel Friday Night Dinner, Vav Nosh and Drosh with the Rabbi and Music/Tefillah with
the Cantor.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank our wonderful faculty; Jeff Siegel, Ayala Rybak, Talia Marcus, Yona
Ashany, Karen Stamatis, Jennifer Killingsworth, Helene Wurtzel, Rabbi Alpert and Cantor Sklar for their tireless de-
votion in educating our children.

I would also like to thank our Religious School Board; Len Blum, Bethany Engle, Bruce Greenbaum, Sandi Korn-
blum, Julie Leshem, Alyce Mariam, Susan Naveran, Joanie Rosenbaum, Missy Sternthal, and our Religious School
co-Chairs- Nancy Kansler and Andrea Neuman for their guidance and sense of responsibility to ensure that our
children receive the best education possible.

I would also like to thank Missy Sternthal and Sandi Kornblum, our PTO co-Chairs, for their support and work when-
ever we needed them. Thank you for being behind-the-scenes and making events and programs run smoothly.

I would also like to thank Emily Conrad for another fantastic year of being an aide in the Dalet class. Emily-thank
you for your hard work and dedication to the Dalet kids!

Enjoy your summer vacation. Recharge your “batteries”, have fun either away at camp, on vacation, or simply in
the backyard! I look forward to next school year, to the many special events we have planned and those yet to be
planned.

Sandy Zisser
Education Director

The KTI Religious School is participating
WJCS Sponsors Concerts for
in an ongoing fundraiser with Loveable
Persons with Developmental
Labels. Twenty percent of every sale gets Disabilities
donated back to the religious school.
WJCS Havorah Program is co-hosting a concert
Parents can “cut & paste” the following for persons with developmental disabilities:

li nk to place an order:
--Spring Concert by Kol Rinah, Westchester's
www.KTIreligiousschool.lovablelabels.ca
Jewish Community Chorus, will be held on May 25
at 7:00 PM at the Richard G. Rosenthal JCC, 600
Please contact Missy Sternthal at Bear Ridge Road, Pleasantville.

[email protected] if you have any
All are welcome. Admissions is free. For more info,
questions.
contact Carol Williams at 761-0600, X107 or
[email protected].
K.T. Items Page 9
Page 10 K.T. Items
K.T.I. Early Childhood

KTI's PJ Library Program

Program
We are very happy to report that KTI had a
very successful first launch of The PJ Library
Program. The launch program was held in
conjunction with the KTI ECP Bookfair Pajama
We have been very busy at the early childhood program. The
Night on May 10. The event was well attended
children no sooner finished their Passover projects when we
by families with young children. At the start of
began our preparations for a very busy May. Mother‟s Day
the event, all the children attendees, dressed
luncheons for the 4‟s, Tot Shabbat, the book fair and art show,
in pajamas, gathered around Rabbi Alpert and
and our annual Trike-a-thon were just some of our events.
listened to her read the very timely PJ Library
Springtime and all its wonders kept us busy with planting flowers
book, "It's Israel's Birthday!" The children and
and watching caterpillars turn into butterflies. We also cele-
parents then joined Rabbi Alpert in singing
brated Israeli Independence Day in May. The children “boarded
an airplane” to Israel and arrived in the land of Milk and Honey. "Yom Haledet Samaech" to Israel. After, the
There they visited a kibbutz to plant flowers; Eilat, to play on the children enjoyed musical entertainment and
beach; Safed, to design jewelry; and Jaffa to make orange juice. milk and cookies while parents had a chance
The classes also visited the Kotel in Jerusalem where they to sign up their families for the free PJ Library
placed their notes in the Wall. Along the way, they enjoyed par- subscriptions to receive Jewish Bedtime
ticipating in the Maccabee games coached by our very own Stories and Songs mailed monthly to their
Steve Stone. They snacked on blue and white cupcakes at the home. Each child went home with free sticker
Ben Yehuda Street Café where they sang happy birthday to Is- book plates for their soon to arrive PJ library
rael. It was a wonderful „trip‟ to Israel for all! books and a smile! A great time was had by
all. KTI would like to extend our heartfelt
As I watched the children enjoy all the events and projects at
gratitude to congregants Belle and Jules Harris
KTI ECP, I thought to myself what a fantastic 28 years this has
for their generous donation which enabled KTI
been. I have had the opportunity to meet so many wonderful
to make The PJ Library Program happen.
families. It has been an honor to be part of the early education of
their children. How lucky I have been to work with adorable chil- Shari B. Kibel,
dren, a fantastic staff of dedicated teachers, and a most terrific The PJ Library Program Coordinator
co-director, Karen. I have loved coming to work every day!

I want to thank Rabbi Alpert for her support and guidance of our
religious education; Cantor Sklar for her musical work with our
children; our past liaisons and Shari Kibel, our present liaison,
for her constant unending hard work for the ECP (no job is too
big or too small for her); the Board of Trustees for their support;
Bruce Lumish, our patient and understanding treasurer; the of-
fice staff, Rita Unger and Nancy Mustacato, for their help
(especially on the computer!); and Brian and Kevin, who do a
great job of keeping the building in proper working order. They
are all part of a wonderful team that makes KTI Early Childhood
Program a great place to be.

Although I will miss you all, I am delighted and totally confident
that Robin Goldberg and Karen Schek will maintain the excellent
standards of education and caring that is KTI ECP.

All the best always,
Eileen Stein, Director
KTI Early Childhood Program