The Park Avenue Synagogue Bulletin, October-November, 2017

2017·3.4 MB·English

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FROM THE RABBI
RABBI NEIL ZUCKERMAN
Dreaming
he describes a scene where Jews were meaning of modern Israel, Zionism,
huddled around radios waiting to and Jewish identity. As Israel prepares
about
hear the results of the vote. When it to turn seventy, we will consider topics
became clear that Herzl’s dream was like nationhood, land, sovereignty,
to become a reality, Jews took to the Jerusalem, occupation, and moral red
streets in Palestine, hugging, weeping, lines.
Israel for
dancing, and gathering in synagogues
to offer prayers of thanksgiving. The streets of Jerusalem tell stories of
our people’s past. One of my favorite
120 Years 2017 is a significant year: it is one streets is Rehov KafTet b’November,
hundred years since the Balfour November 29th Street. I often find
Declaration, seventy years since the myself there as I wander the streets
I
UN vote, and fifty years since the Six- of the German Colony. Whenever
Day War. 1917.1947.1967. These are I see the sign, I stop in my tracks,
n 1897, following the first Zionist all key moments in Jewish history, and consider the blessings and
Congress, Theodore Herzl wrote when Zionism offered us opportunities opportunities that are to be found in
in his diary: to rethink the meaning of Jewishness the state of Israel. Everything changed
for generations to come. As we look to that day in 1947. As a result of the
“At Basel I founded the Jewish state. Israel’s future, we need to engage anew vote, we had a home, we became actors
If I said this out loud today, I would with our past and explore its meanings in own historical narrative, and we
be answered by universal laughter. and consequences. would now control our own destiny.
Perhaps in five years, and certainly There are challenges, for sure. But I
in fifty, everyone will admit it.” On Sunday morning, November 12, we never lose sight of just how fortunate
begin iEngage, a monthly class that we are to live in a moment in history
Herzl, while not a prophet, was correct will provide us with opportunities to where there is a sovereign Jewish
in his analysis. On November 29, do this (check pasyn.org for all the nation. Join me on November 12
1947, Jewish history was radically dates). Partnering with the Hartman and beyond, as we study, reflect, and
transformed. The United Nations Institute in Jerusalem, I will be continue to dream about the future.
passed Resolution 181 for the Partition teaching “Israel’s Milestones and Their
of Palestine by a vote of 33 in favor, Meanings: The Legacy of the Past and
13 opposed, and 10 abstentions. Challenge of the Future.” Over the See p. 14 for an eyewitness
In Daniel Gordis’s book, Israel: A course of the year, we will grapple with account from Tel Aviv of
Concise History of a Nation Reborn, the ideas and values that shape the November 29,1947.
Park Avenue Synagogue Bulletin
VOLUME 70 ■ NO. 2 ■ OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2017 • TISHREI/HESHVAN/KISLEV 5778 ■ 1^03\'|')\Dn\>DWTl
From the Rabbi.2 Congregational School.16
Dedication of the Eli M. Black Lifelong Learning Center.3 Postcard from Camp.17
Schedule of Religious Services & Shabbat at PAS.4 Youth/RJNHS.17
Simhat Torah Honorees.6 College Connections.19
Synagogue Family.8 PAS 20s & 30s.19
From the Education Team.10 Caring Network.20
Adult Classes & Events.11 Welcome New Staff..20
Gallery, Shapiro Audio Archive & Library .14 Contributions.21
Youth Education & Events.15 Calendars.22
Young Family Education.13 A Look Ahead.Back cover
PASECC.13
2 Park Avenue Synagogue Bulletin
■HMHnMBBBBBSHnfiHiESSS
I am grateful that the
PAS community has grown
significantly enough to
require greater learning space.
Hopes
May this space befitted with
joy, education and commitment Here s to a bright
to our Jewish faith educational future for
the PAS community
Dorothy Tapper Goldman and
in the Eli M. Black Lifelong
Learning Center. Mi-dor
Vdor,from generation
to generation
Dreams
—Anonymous
T
he dedication of the PAS Eli
After 136 years we
M. Black Lifelong Learning
are a thriving community
Center is the fulfillment of
that is moving ahead with
the hopes and dreams of everyone
passion, vision, and confidence.
in our community. As we reach this
I hope we have at least another
milestone, please share your personal
136 years of engaging Jews in worship,
reflections, hopes, and dreams for
education, life cycle events, and
Park Avenue Synagogue, your family,
community building. Dedicating the
the Jewish people, and Israel. Your
Eli M. Black Lifelong Learning Center
message will appear on the video
is an important milestone in the
screens at the dedication, on digital
history of our community, which
screens inside the Eli M. Black
will hopefully inspire us all to
Lifelong Learning Center and the
dive deeper into Judaism and
87th Street building, and in future
Jewish education.
PAS publications. We encourage
every member of our community7
—Art Penn
to participate! Please submit your
Hopes and Dreams at pasyn.org/
hopesanddr earns.
Tours
Take a docent-led tour of the new building. Learn about the design, art installations, and innovative
technology that make the Eli M. Black Lifelong Learning Center a one-of-a-kind space that will serve
this generation and those to come. There are morning, afternoon, and evening tours available on four
different dates. Space is limited. First come, first served. Please register at pasyn.org/tours or contact
the Development Office at 212-369-2600, X138.
Register to attend the Dedication atpasyn.org/DedicationRSVP.
www.pasyn.org 212-369-2600 Ocfober/November 201 7 Tishrei/Heshvan/Kislev 5778 3
■ Shabbat at PAS
Every 7th day. 52 weeks a year. Since Creation.
Schedule of Religious Services
For a full listing of Young Family Education (YFE) programs, see p. 15.
For Congregational School (CS) Shabbat programs, see p. 16.
For Teens, see p. 17-18.
Visit pasyn.org for all worship information. Wednesday, October 4 • 14 Tishrei
Erev Sukkot
6:30 pm | Festival Evening service
7:00 pm | Dinner in the Sukkah $ RSVP
From Friday evening SHAHARIT & PARASHAT HASHAVUA I
Thursday, October 5 • 15 Tishrei
EVERY SHABBAT
through Saturday evening,
-
An engaging study of the morning's Torah
Shabbat at PAS includes Sukkot, Day 1
portion and light Kiddush, ending in time to
7:30 am | Hashkamah Minyan
lively communal worship in
join the community in the Sanctuary for the
9:15 am | Festival Morning service
the Sanctuary, alternative Torah service. When there is a Havurah,
20 minutes after services | Minha
services, parashah study, this service merges with that one.
6:30 pm | Festival Evening service
music, dinners, and other
7:00 pm | BYO Dinner in the Sukkah
RAMAH MINYAN I OCT 6, NOV 3
programs to refresh your
A spirit-filled service for any and all young
spirit. See below what is
adults, followed by drinks, snacks, and
happening each Shabbat. oneg Shabbat. Friday, October 6 • 16 Tishrei
Check pasyn.org/shabbat
Sukkot, Day 2
PRELUDE TO SHABBAT I NOV 10
and the “This Week at
7:30 am | Hashkamah Minyan
Ease into Shabbat with wine, cheese,
PAS” email for each week’s and the choral music of Salamone Rossi, 9:15 am | Festival Morning service
programs. presented by Music Director Colin Fowler 11:00 am | Day School Community
and performed by the Synagogue Quartet. Family Service
DAILY MINYAN 20 minutes after services | Minha
Shaharit Monday-Friday at 7:1 5 am. HAVURAH I OCT 7, NOV 11 6:15 pm | Kabbalat Shabbat
Sundays, Columbus Day, Thanksgiving, and A lay-led, child-friendly, informal Torah
7:00 pm | Dinner in the Sukkah (with
the day after at 9:00 am. Oct 10 and 1 1 at reading, discussion, and musaf service
advance reservation)
7:00 am for Hoi HaMoed Sukkot. for all ages and skill levels. Contact Rabbi
7:15 pm | Ramah Minyan
Minha/Ma'ariv Sunday-Thursday at 5:45 Witkovsky at [email protected] or
pm, except where noted. Shabbat minha xl 23.
20 minutes after the end of morning
Saturday, October 7 • 17 Tishrei
services. HEALING SERVICE I OCT 28
Poetry, prayer, and music to heal the body,
Shabbat Hoi HaMoed Sukkot
KABBALAT SHABBAT AND SANCTUARY soul, and spirit, whether one is praying for
7:30 am | Hashkamah Minyan
SHABBAT MORNING SERVICE 1 EVERY oneself, loved ones, our community, or the
9:00 am | Shaharit & Parashat
SHABBAT world.
HaShavua
Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove, Rabbi Neil
9:00 am | Havurah
Zuckerman, and Rabbi Ethan Witkovsky HAZZAN’S TISCH I NOV 18
9:45 am | Sanctuary service with Bar
preach and conduct the service together Schmooze, snack, sing, say Ma’ariv, and
with Cantor Azi Schwartz, Cantor Shira end with Havdalah. RSVP on pasyn.org. Mitzvah of Don Kaplan
Lissek, and Cantor Rachel Brook, with Music 11:15 am I YFE Sukkot service
Director Colin Fowler and the Synagogue ALL ARE WELCOME I ALWAYS 20 minutes after services | Minha
Ensemble: Elisa Singer Strom, soprano; PAS is an inclusive community. To discuss 5:00 pm | Minha with the Bat Mitzvah
Yonah Gershator, alto; Alex Guerrero, any accommodations you might need of Sloane Mayman
tenor; Tim Krol, bass; Gil Smuskowitz, to make your visits and involvement
double bass; Mike Cohen, woodwinds; more comfortable, please contact Rachel
Ronen Itzik, percussion. Cantor Eric Wasser Benichak, Membership Manager, at
Wednesday, October 11
is our ritual director and Torah reader. [email protected] or xl 95.
Hoshana Rabbah, last day of Sukkot
HASHKAMAH (EARLY RISERS) MINYAN I Can't make it to the synagogue? 7:00 am | Minyan with Hallel, Torah
EVERY SHABBAT AND FESTIVAL Park Avenue Synagogue services are
reading, musaf, hoshanot, and beating
A service with repetition of the Amidah livestreamed. Visit pasyn.org/webcast.
of willows
and annual cycle Torah reading, all in
Hebrew, at a pace that is comfortable for
experienced daveners, and a Kiddush
afterwards.
4 Park Avenue Synagogue Bulletin
October/November
• 'i^tnxyivmvnon
Thursday, October 12 • 22 Tishrei Friday, October 27 • 8 Heshvan Saturday, November 11 • 22 Heshvan
Shemini Atzeret 5:30 pm | CS Shabbat Dinner for Hayyei Sarah
7:30 am | Hashkamah Minyan Families, Gr K-2 7:30 am | Hashkamah Minyan
9:15 am | Festival service 6:15 pm | Kabbalat Shabbat 9:00 am | Shaharit & Parashat
5:15 pm | Quiet Simhat Torah HaShavua
5:45 pm | Minha 9:45 am | Sanctuary service with Bar
6:00 pm | Simhat Torah Celebration Saturday, October 28 • 9 Heshvan Mitzvah of Jackson Winthrop
10:00 am | CS Family Shabbat Exper,
Lekh L’kha
Gr 3-6
7:30 am | Hashkamah Minyan
Friday, October 13 • 23 Tishrei 20 mins after services | Minha
9:00 am | Shaharit & Parashat
5:00 pm | Minha with Bat Mitzvah of
Simhat Torah HaShavua
Madeline Kaufman
7:30 am | Hashkamah Minyan 9:45 am | Sanctuary service with Bat
9:15 am | Simhat Torah service (p. 6) Mitzvah of Lillyster Lise de Vreeze and
6:15 pm | Kabbalat Shabbat Bar Mitzvah of Simon Wolf Schackner
Friday, November 17 • 28 Heshvan
10:00 am | CS Shabbat Exper, Gr 3-6
11:00 am | CS Family Shabbat Exper, 6:15 pm | Kabbalat Shabbat
Saturday, October 14 • 24 Tishrei Gr K—2 7:30 pm | Dinner/Rabbi Mike Uram
20 mins after services I Minha
B’reishit
7:30 am | Hashkamah Minyan
Saturday, November 18 • 29 Heshvan
9:00 am | Shaharit & Parashat
Friday, November 3 • 14 Heshvan
HaShavua Tol’dot
9:45 am | Sanctuary service with Bar 5:00 pm | YFE Kabbalat Shabbat (p. 7:30 am | Hashkamah Minyan
Mitzvah of Jack Lipschultz 15) 9:00 am | Shaharit & Parashat
20 mins after services | Minha 6:15 pm | Kabbalat Shabbat HaShavua
4:00 pm | Parent/Teen Shabbat Study 7:15 pm | Ramah Minyan 9:00 am | Window on Israel
5:00 pm | Minha with Bar Mitzvah of 9:45 am | Sanctuary service
Ryan Will Berkowitz 10:00 am | CS Shabbat Experience,
Saturday, November 4 • 15 Heshvan Gr 3-6
11:00 am | CS Family Shabbat
Va-yera
Friday, October 20 • 1 Heshvan Experience, Gr K-2
7:30 am | Hashkamah Minyan
Immediately after services | Minha
Rosh Hodesh 9:00 am | Shaharit & Parashat
12:30 pm | Post-Kiddush Learning
6:15 pm | Kabbalat Shabbat HaShavua
4:30 pm | Hazzan's Tisch
7:30 pm | Dinner/Marty Baron 9:45 am | Sanctuary service with Bar
5:00 pm | YFE Havdalah (p. 15)
Mitzvah of Gavin Alexander Perkin
10:00 am | CS Shabbat Exper, Gr 3-6
Saturday, October 21 • 2 Fleshvan 20 mins after services | Minha
Friday, November 24 • 7 Kislev
5:00 pm | Minha with Bat Mitzvah of
Noah
Alexa Turteltaub 6:15 pm | Kabbalat Shabbat
7:30 am | Hashkamah Minyan
9:00 am | Shaharit & Parashat
HaShavua
Friday, November 10 • 24 Heshvan Saturday, November 25 • 8 Kislev
9:00 am | Window on Israel
9:45 am | Sanctuary service with Bat 5:30 pm | Prelude to Shabbat Va-yetzei
Mitzvah of Julia Gutwillig 6:15 pm | Kabbalat Shabbat 7:30 am | Hashkamah Minyan
10:00 am | CS Shabbat Exper, Gr 3-6 9:00 am | Shaharit & Parashat
11:15 am | TotTefillah HaShavua
20 minutes after services I Minha 9:45 am | Sanctuary service with Bar
Mitzvah of Samuel Korff
20 mins after services I Minha
www.pasyn.org 212-369-2600 Ocfober/November 201 7 Tishrei/Heshvan/Kislev 5778 5
Craig
raised their children here: daughter the gut renovation of the building that
Marissa celebrated her Bat Mitzvah, will be dedicated this month as the Eli
Solomon
graduated from our high school, and M. Black Lifelong Learning Center.
was married by Rabbi Cosgrove and Not one to rest on his laurels, Craig is
Cantor Schwartz. She and her husband also overseeing the renovation of the
Hatan Jake are now members, too, and they 87th Street building. Construction will
look forward to soon welcoming their not begin until late spring of 2018, but
first child into the PAS community. design and planning are already well
Craig and Diane’s son Evan also underway.
Torah
attended PAS religious school and
became a Bar Mitzvah here. Craig is proud of what PAS has been
able to achieve with the Eh M. Black
Craig had decided to engage more fully Lifelong Learning Center, and he is
Make Me a sanctuary that I may with Jewish philanthropy in general excited to prepare 87th Street for its
dwell among them. and with the PAS community, so he transformation. He appreciates having
—Exodus 25:8 readily said yes when he was asked to been asked to be a small part of a
C
assist in evaluating space alternatives once-in-a-generation reimagining of
for the congregation nearly five years the PAS campus.
raig Solomon has been leading ago. His work on that project led to
the expansion of Park Avenue his becoming an Advisory Council Park Avenue Synagogue salutes Craig
Synagogue’s campus for close member and then a member of the Solomon, Hatan Torah.
to five years, from the moment that it Board of Directors. Trained as a real
became apparent that the congregation estate attorney and the co-founder
had outgrown its space. and CEO of real estate private equity
firm Square Mile Capital, Craig has
Members since 1989, Craig and broad expertise in all facets of the real
Diane joined Park Avenue Synagogue estate arena. His focus at PAS has
as a young couple because they continued to be on the space projects.
were looking for a Conservative As co-chair of the Space Committee,
congregation similar to the one where he led the purchase of the 89th Street
Craig grew up in Massachusetts. They building and then went on to oversee
Simhat Torah at PAS
• Quiet Simaht Torah | Thu | Oct 12 | 5:15-5:45 pm
• Evening Celebration | Thu | Oct 12 | 6:00-7:00 pm
• Simhat Torah Morning | Honoring Craig Solomon,
Hatan Torah, and Pauline Zablow, Kallat B'i’eishit |
Fri | Oct 13 | 9:15 am | Festival Morning Service
6 Park Avenue Synagogue Bulletin
SIMHAT TORAH HONOREE 5778
Pauline
his basherte Cory; and the birth of to understand, to remember, and
grandson Mason, the joy of her and to retell these stories so they’re not
Zablow
Milt’s life. forgotten as the last of the survivors
reach the end of their lives. Pauline’s
Living in California when her Bnei Mitzvah “Pen Ceremony”
Kallat children were young, Pauline teaches students the difference
volunteered as a shadow for students between having fun and being happy
with special needs and served on - learning not what offers short-term
the board of The Friendship Circle amusement, but what nourishes their
B’reishit
(a program which pairs teenage souls. She awards each a special gold
volunteers with children who have pen as a reminder of those values.
special needs). She also studied
Torah weekly, spending thirteen Pauline shadows fourth graders
Her mouth is full of wisdom, her
years reading from the start of with special needs and engages
tongue with kindly teaching.
B’reishit to the giving of the Torah at their classmates to befriend them,
—Proverbs 31:26 Mount Sinai! to become their pals. That was the
forerunner of the Teen Food Pantry
P
When Pauline and Milt moved back “PALs - Park Avenue Leaders”
to NYC, she wanted to volunteer and program, which enables all teens to
auline Zablow is devoted to
to continue her studies. Friends told participate in Food Pantry.
sharing her love for the Jewish
her, “take Melton,” which was only
people and culture with the next
given at PAS. But another Melton Pauline’s desire to be part of an
generation and to enabling young Jews
1 class wasn’t starting for a year inclusive Jewish community that
to own our sacred heritage.
and a half, so Pauline volunteered offers values-based education to all
with seniors at another synagogue ages has led her to serve as co-chair
Pauline’s first language was Yiddish,
and continued her search for a of the PAS Membership Committee
and Yiddish still shapes her thoughts.
synagogue to call “home.” Then, and to volunteer on the Inclusion
Growing up in Washington Heights
on the first day of Melton, Pauline Committee and the Education
and Brooklyn, she attended both
met Rabbi Cosgrove, who also came Committee. She also serves on the
Yeshiva Soloveichik and Rambam.
from California, and they discovered Advisory Council. She continues to
From her parents, both Holocaust
that her daughter Shanna was good study in Melton, Women in the Bible,
survivors, she absorbed the values of
friends with the rabbi’s brother Midtown Lunch & Learn, and many
education, tzedakah, and hakhnasat
Jason. It was bashertl other classes.
orhim (welcoming guests).
Now a PAS member for eight years, Park Avenue Synagogue salutes
Pauline believes in the Yiddish
Pauline volunteers with seventh Pauline Zablow, Kallat B’reishit.
concept of “bashert, ” whatever
graders in the Congregational
happens is meant to be. Her stories
School. She launched “Coffee Talk,”
of how “bashert” has played out in
where students hear the stories of
her life include meeting her husband
her parents and other Holocaust
Milt; having two wonderful children,
survivors. She wants the students
Shanna and Mark; Mark’s marrying
www.pasyn.org 212-369-2600 October/November 2017 Tishrei/Heshvan/Kislev 5778 7
m BNEI MITZVAH
Don Kaplan Simon Wolf Schackner
October 7 | Shabbat Hoi HaMoed Sukkot October 28 | Lekh L’kha
Son of Irene & Erik Kaplan Son of Allison Wiener & Jeffrey Schackner
Sloane Mayman Gavin Alexander Perkin
October 7, minha | Vzot ha-B’rakhah November 4 | Va-yera
t
Daughter of Alana Serota & David Son of Candace & Jonathan Perkin
Mayman Grandson of Joan & William Felder
Jack Lipschultz Alexa Turteltaub
October 14 | B’reishit November 4, minha | Hayyei Sarah
Son of Jennifer & Marc Lipschultz Daughter of Lauren & Adam Turteltaub
Ryan Will Berkowitz Jackson Winthrop
October 14, minha | Noah November 11 | Hayyei Sarah
Son of Meredith & Phil Berkowitz Son of Susan & Marc Winthrop
Julia Gutwillig
Madeline Kaufman
October 21 | Noah
November 11, minha | Tol’dot
Daughter of Michele Green & Steven
Daughter of Samantha & Neal Kaufman
Gutwillig
Lillyster Lise de Vreeze Samuel Korff
October 28 | Lekh L’kha November 25 | Va-yetzei
Daughter of Jessica & Menno de Vreeze Son of Nancy & Joshua Korff
Park Avenue Synagogue Bulletin
mu> tnn mazaltov D>N1D DOIID WELCOME NEW MEMBERS
Rabbi Charlie Savenor on being selected to Theodora & Robert Dorf
participate in Qushiyot, a year-long program Melissa & Andrew Farber
connecting elite educators around a comprehensive, Joseph Hury
open approach to Israel education. The program is run Patrice & Joseph Jacobs
in partnership by The Jewish Education Project in NYC Alexandra & Brett Kasner
and Makom, the education lab of the Jewish Agency in Jennifer & Jonathan Lax
Israel. Patricia Levey
♦ Phyllis Lusskin
Sogol Somekh & Daniel Mesznik on their Stacey Mayrock
engagement, and to Daniel’s parents Lynne & Joel Lauren Nadan
Mesznik Judith & Lawrence Platkin
Rachel & Jesse Podell
Logan & Jeffrey Fedder on the birth of a son, Danielle & Evan Rosen
Gideon Benjamin Fedder, and to grandparents Elissa & Jill Rosenberg
Harry Bromer Howard Rotblatt
Allison & Jeffrey Schulman
Daniella & Marc Porzecanski on the birth of a Faina Savich & Daniel Schwartzman
daughter, Sophia Arielle Porzecanski, and to big sister Nicole & Ariya Waxman
Emma Julie & Michael Witkovsky
Amy Martin & Yosi Cirlin on the birth of a son,
Matan Pe’er Cirlin
om> oipnn
condolences
Audrey Rosinberg on the birth of a son, Ezra Rah
Rosinberg
Corinne & Ernest Maginsky on the loss of her mother,
Annette Zimmerman
Stefanie Wool & David Turetsky on the birth of a
daughter, Eliza Paule Turetsky
Roslyn & Robert Haber on the loss of his mother, Faye
Haber
Liza Shabetayev & Garrett Smith on the birth of
twin daughters, Emily and Daliah Smith, and to older
Jody Gorin, Allie Gorin, Matthew Gorin, and Gail &
siblings Aaron and Ariella
David Furman, on the loss of their husband, father,
and brother, William Gorin
Alicia & Maurice Horwitz on the birth of a
daughter, Annabelle May Horwitz, and to big brother
Donna & Yale Fergang on the loss of her father, Warren
Julian and grandparents Madalyn & Richard Kravitz
Brown
Cantor Azi Schwartz on singing at Carnegie Hall
Phil Lustbader and Jamie & Loren Easton on the loss
with the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra on October 25
of Phil’s wife, Jamie’s mother, Randy Lustbader
www.pasyn.org 212-369-2600 October/November 2017 Tishrei/Heshvan/Kislev 5778
FROM THE EDUCATION TEAM
PAMELA B. SCHWARTZ, DIRECTOR OF THE EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER
Joy,
in learning. Gan Aluma principal Eti Our continuing partnership with
Schusek and I are familiar with such Gan Aluma offers children of all ages
firsthand
joy from our frequent communication and their families the opportunity to
and sharing. Now we saw this joy learn about Israel by connecting with
permeate through everyone in the Israeli children and teachers. Consider
room. Many PAS adults later said this yourself invited to visit Gan Aluma on
visit was a highlight of the trip for your next trip, and experience the joy
he vision of lifelong learning
them. firsthand.
at Park Avenue Synagogue
embraces teaching about Israel
beginning in babyhood. To meet the
challenge of making a faraway place
real for our young students, the ECC
has formed a partnership with Gan
Aluma on Kibbutz Afek in Israel.
During last summer’s Young Family
Trip to Israel, we actually visited this
kindergarten where we had created
bonds of friendship through our
yearlong exchange of letters, photos,
and gifts.
Travelers who did not have an ECC
student in their family may have been
skeptical about the value of visiting
Gan Aluma. But as soon as we arrived
and were met by enthusiastic 5-year-
olds carrying Israeli flags and proudly
showing us their classrooms and the
rest of their kibbutz, everyone was on
board with hands-on Israel education
for preschoolers.
Although the Israeli kindergarteners
do not speak English, and most of our
students do not speak Hebrew, we
were invited to dance, sing, and eat
together. And the children played!
Children all the way up to age 11
reveled in the opportunity to play in
the “junkyard” at Gan Aluma.
As the children had fun, it was clear
that their common ground was joy
10 Park Avenue Synagogue Bulletin