November 20, 2009
A Very Successful Youth Mission & Getting Ready for the Rededication of Or Hadash
Dear Friends,
Shabbat Shalom! Tomorrow we will read from the Torah Parashat Toldot, which begins with the chronicles Isaac and Rebecca, and describes the generations of their offspring. At Or Hadash we have decided to celebrate with the “offspring” of our founding members, for our 45th anniversary on December 16th 2009, with the rededication of our newly renovated building at 55 Hantke Street. However, today, I would like to write about our 10th youth mission overseas (Our 8th to the U.S.), from which we returned on the 5th of November.
On the trip we visited many of our partner congregations together with their rabbis, cantors, educators, and community members. Below is an account of the highlights of the trip, and the beautiful people we spent time with.
Day 1 Sunday, October 25th, 2009:
After the long flight from Israel, we arrived tired but very excited to Logan Airport in Boston at 6:30 PM. There, we were picked up by our good friends, and transported to Temple Shalom in Newton for a delicious meal and warm welcome from Rabbi Eric Gurvis, Julie Vanek, and host families from Temple Shalom. I was also very moved to spend time with my dear friends Don and Sandy Perrin, who once again graciously hosted me while we were in the Boston area, as they have in previous years. Over the years, our friendship has blossomed into family-like ties, and this was shown in their excellent and warm hospitality.
Day 2 Monday, October 26th, 2009:
On Monday we visited the Temple Shalom preschool, where our youth answered the children’s questions about life in Israel. After that we were able to explore Boston with Rabbi Eric Gurvis. First we experienced a duck tour, which took us around Boston in a vehicle that went on land and water. This the kids thoroughly enjoyed. Then we went shopping at the Prudential center, had a nice lunch at Quincy Market, and spend time walking through the Holocaust Memorial there-which is always a powerful experience.
Afterwards, we spent the late afternoon with members of Temple Isaiah in Lexington, including members of the Temple Isaiah Sisterhood, and Rabbi Jaffe’s wife- Irene Jaffe, along with their Talia, who were selling clothes for donation to the needy. While I was at Temple Isaiah, the children toured some of the historical sites in Lexington with guide Jill Smillow, such as the Minute Man. Then, before returning to our host families in Newton that evening, we had dinner with Howard Brick at a Hibachi style Japanese restaurant -which amazed everyone. I was also able to see my dear friends and most generous supporters of Or Hadash, Neil and Diane Exter, who are members of Temple Isaiah, to enjoy a delicious dinner together. Neil and Diane are the main benefactors for Or Hadash’s 22 social action, social justice, and Tikkun Olam projects, that with their support have helped thousands of people over the past five years. I was very glad to be able to thank them again in person for their amazing contribution to our community, and the needy people in the city of Haifa.
Day 3 Tuesday, October 27th, 2009:
On Tuesday morning we took a trip to Coolidge Corner in Brookline, MA, to see a center of Israeli and Jewish stores in Boston. There, as in the past 8 years, we all ate at Zaftig’s- a lovely Jewish diner, with my teacher Rabbi Ronne Friedman, Cantor Roy Einhorn, and Uri Feinberg- from Temple Israel, Boston. Next, we went together to Temple Israel, where we were able to see many more good friends from the synagogue including Preschool Principal Helen Cohen and her staff, Rabbi Jeremy Morrison, Rabbi Bernard Melhman, Tanya Goldman, Dr. Elizabeth “Libi” Keller, and other friends. While there, Rabbi Ronne Friedman, with his special kindness, showed our youth the magnificent synagogue and sanctuary, with which our kids were very impressed.
From there we went back to Temple Shalom, for a special program with the synagogue’s 7th grade religious school class. I was then able to spend quality time and have dinner with more beloved friends and supporters: Jeff and Naomi Stonberg, of Temple Beth Elohim in Wellesley, and Rabbi Ronne and Irene Friedman, and Don and Sandy Perrin of Temple Israel, Boston.
Day 4 Wednesday, October 28th, 2009:
On Wednesday morning we were scheduled to head to Sharon, MA to spend time with our friend Rabbi Joseph Meszler at Temple Sinai and at Patriot Place to experience American shopping, but because of the rain we had to cancel, and instead the group enjoyed a movie at the IMAX theater at Jordan’s furniture with Rabbi Eric Gurvis. At this time, I enjoyed visiting with Rabbi Jay Perlman at Congregation Beth Shalom in Needham, MA, where I also saw Rabbi Michelle Lenke. I also enjoyed visiting Margot Einstein at her home, and talking with Bruce and Elyse Balder.
In the afternoon the group and I headed to Temple Shir Tikvah in Wayland for afternoon and evening visit with the Shir Tikvah Hebrew School (Grades 3-7), and to spend time with Rabbi Neal Gold (who had his birthday!) and Deena Bloomstone. Following a wonderful dinner, the youth returned to Newton to our host families there. Then, I had the privilege to talk to Arlene Remz and see the wonderful work of Gateways.
Day 5 Thursday, October 29th, 2009:
On Thursday morning, I had the chance to see many colleagues at Temple Shalom, among them: Rabbi Jody Seewald from Chayai Shalom in Easton, MA; Rabbi Ira Korinow of Temple Emanuel in Haverhill, MA; Jeffrey Wildstein of Temple Beth David in Westwod, MA; and Alan Teperow, Executive Director of the Synagogue Council in Boston.
After that, we took a trip to beautiful Cambridge and Harvard Square, where we met Rabbi Jonathan Kraus of Temple Beth El Temple Center in Belmont, MA for a spicy Mexican lunch. Afterwards, we were able to visit Harvard Square, the Harvard Museum of Natural History, and the Boston Museum of Science for the highly anticipated Harry Potter Exhibit, which my kids loved! (And me too!)
Following this, we returned to Temple Shalom for downtime in the youth lounge-during which we played many games of foosball. Then we had a farewell Dinner with Rabbi Eric Gurvis, Educational Director Julie Vanek, and the students and families of Temple Shalom, including my good friends Henry Lerner, Phyllis Scherr, Stephanie and Fred Cohen, and the host families. During dinner we also had a memorial tribute to Yitzhak Rabin, and a presentation from the Temple Shalom students who will be visiting us in Haifa on a youth mission in December. This was followed by a meeting for the Temple Shalom Israel Committee, after which we returned to our gracious Newton host families for the night.
Day 6, Friday October 30th, 2009:
On Friday we sadly left our friends in Boston, to continue on to our next destination-New York City. On the way, we stopped at Temple Israel, in Westport, CT for a short activity with good friend of Or Hadash, Rabbi Robert Orkand, who is also the president of ARZA. There he explained to us about the organization, his community, and their achievements.
Next, we continued on to visit with Rabbi David Posner of the magnificent Temple Emanu-El in Manhattan. As is the case every year, my Israeli kids were surprised to realize that the biggest synagogue in the world is Reform, and not Orthodox. For this we were all very proud, especially since in Israel Reform Judaism is the minority in comparison to the Orthodox community. There, we also met Rabbi Leon Morris for a short time. Next, we walked a bit in Central Park, after which we visited the amazing Temple Shaarey Tefila with Rabbi Jonathan Stein, and Director of Youth and Informal Education-Hope Chernak. Together they made us feel at home for our first Shabbat ever in New York City. After Kabbalat Shabbat services and a lovely dinner, the youth went to spend the night with our wonderful New York hosts- the Waltcher Family (Barri and Dan, David, and Sarah), while chaperone Shai Itvsan and I were graciously hosted by Susan and Jonathan Stein, in their home.
Day 7, Saturday October 31st, 2009:
On Saturday we were able to spend the morning at the Steven Wise Free Synagogue with Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch and Cantor Daniel Singer. First the group met withRabbi Gary Bretton-Granatoor- Vice President of the WUPJ, and then after the service we went to spend some time with Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch in his study.
That afternoon we spent quality time with Roger, and Jerry Tilles who were amazingly nice to us, for a tasty lunch, a wonderful and unforgettable tour of Manhattan, and then a lovely Halloween dinner.
Day 8, Sunday November 1st, 2009:
On Sunday morning, we went to the beautiful Beth El Synagogue in Great Neck, NY, where we learned about their community’s history. We were very impressed by the great help that Roger and Jerry Tilles have given to their community. Then we made the trip to visit a good friend Rabbi, Irwin Zeplowitz, at The Community Synagogue in Port Washington, NY. There we also met with Brad and Lauren Egna and their family, as well as two other families. This time we did not visit with Cantor Theodore Aaronson of Temple Sharey Tefilo-Israel, in South Orange, New Jersey, and Temple Emanuel in NJ, because of the tight timeline of our trip. I was disappointed to not be able to see them after visiting them in the past and becoming good friends of ours.
Then, we departed for Philadelphia, PA, where we headed to Temple Beth David in Gladwyne, PA, for an American football experience at the synagogue, and later a potluck dinner at Adam and Naomi Shapiro’s house with Steve Rosard, Beth David Sisterhood President-Barbara Frank, Rabbi James Egolf, and our many loyal and wonderful Beth David friends. There, I met Educator Susan Levey, and Cantor Lilia Kazansky, who celebrated her 25th year of song leadership this year. Kol HaKavod! Afterward I spent the evening with my hosts and good friends, Marjorie and Neil Peskin.
Day 9, Monday November 2nd, 2009:
The next morning, I was able to eat breakfast with David Edman, before the group toured around Philadelphia, stopping to see such important landmarks as the world famous Liberty Bell and National Constitution Center. The Morning tour of the city was then followed by lunch in the city with Susan Golboro and Steve Rosard, after which we sadly left our Beth David friends for Baltimore, MD.
In the afternoon, we arrived at Baltimore Hebrew Congregation to meet with Rabbi Andy Busch, (who was the Rabbi at Beth David in Gladwyne, PA for many years before Rabbi Jim Egolf). Then, in the evening we met our own shaliach Tal Perelman, along with Rabbi Danny Zemel, Bob and Celia Dorfman, Ilan Scharstein, Bill and Sara Bramble, Joe Youcha, and Jesssica Kaplan from Temple Micah in Washington, D.C.
Day 10, Tuesday November 3rd, 2009:
On Tuesday morning, we took an emotional tour of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, before touring the National Mall in Washington D.C. There we saw the White House, Pentagon, Lincoln Memorial, and Air and Space Museum. Then I had the chance to visit with Rabbi Amy Schwartzman of Temple Rodef Shalom, in Falls Church,VA together with Rabbi Danny Zemel, for a short meeting about the relevance of theAbraham Yehoshua Heschel message to the Reform Jew Today.Afterwards, we spent the afternoon and evening participating in youth activities at Temple Micah.
Day 11, Wednesday November 4th, 2009:
On Wednesday, we toured more in Washington, D.C. Then I also had the chance to speak with Andi and Geoffrey Zola, of Washington Hebrew Congregation, before leaving in the evening for our flight back to Israel. We said a heartfelt goodbye to all of our friends and lovely hosts, and thanked them for their warm hospitality. We were all very sad to leave America, after such a wonderful trip, but left with many great memories, experiences, and friends.
Back in Israel we returned to the busy routine of three or more different Bar/Bat Mitzvah ceremonies every Shabbat, 5 different classes of Jewish studies, 20 social action projects, community life, conversion to Judaism classes, social justice projects, etc. While it was hard to leave our friends in America, I was happy to return to my home in Haifa and Israel. Sometimes it looks like it is harder to live everyday life here, but it is also a great privilege, and I am very proud that I can be the spiritual leader of such a vibrant and growing congregation as Or Hadash. I hope that with this newsletter, I will be in touch with you all again each week. Wishing you all good health and a peaceful Shabbat.
In Friendship,
Edgar