Our Congregation
God commands us to choose life, to walk in the path of the good and of Torah.
Prayers for Israel
The current crisis in Israel reminds us of the precarious nature of Jewish existence. Whenever Jews are unsafe in their own homeland, we are put on notice about the need for continual vigilance and solidarity.
We thank all the members of the Upstate community for their expressions of support during this difficult time. Let us pray for a quick resolution of the conflict with minimal harm, especially to the civilians on both sides.
A Message from Our President
Dear Congregation B’nai Israel Members,
Building on the energy and joy created from a magnificent High Holiday experience with Cantor Shira Ginsburg, I have some wonderful news to share with you. During High Holidays, a very generous, anonymous donor initiated a Fund-Raising Challenge!
This generous donor has pledged to match any new funds donated by our members between October 1 and November 30, 2023, which are in excess of the members’ standard 2023 Dues and Annual Appeal (Fair Share) amounts. The maximum pledge from this donor is $100,000. This means if we raise $100,000 in qualifying donations, the donor will match those funds, and the Congregation will receive $200,000.
The Temple Board has approved a motion supporting all the details of the anonymous donor’s pledge, and I am beyond thrilled to announce this Challenge for our Temple. I hope you take advantage of this opportunity to double the impact of any qualifying donation you would like to make to benefit our Congregation.
If you wish to contribute, you can do so by sending a check made out to Congregation B’nai Israel with 2023 Challenge Campaign on the memo line. If you would like to donate stock or securities, please contact Jan in the Temple Office for specific routing instructions.
Your support is key in helping our Congregation maximize this opportunity! Please consider giving generously to our 2023 Fund Raising Challenge.
Sincerely,
Tina Lyon President
News from Sisterhood!
This has been a very busy couple of weeks for Sisterhood. On September 15, we provided the Oneg for Erev Rosh Hashanah and prepared the food for Break-the-Fast. We had over 80 people attend the Break- the-Fast. It was nice to see so many old and new faces at the temple.
The bake sale is Thursday, November 2. You will find the order forms in this copy of Temple Topics on page 6. We are excited to be back in the social hall this year opening the sale for all. The plan is to offer many items that day that are not on the order form. It will be a very busy time putting everything together, so any assistance you can offer will be greatly appreciated. Some things we need help with are packaging preorders, wrapping all of the baked goods, and setting up on October 30 & 31 as well as November 1. Please bring anything you have baked for the sale by October 29. Leave your baked goods in the silver freezer off the kitchen, and be sure to mark the items so we will know what they are.
For the bake sale itself, November 2, we need the help of all Sisterhood members. Contact Peggy Buchman, Sandy Gordin, or Jan in the office, and let them know when you are available that day.
There will be some additional items available for purchase this year in the way of beautiful photographic cards with envelopes and fine art items.
This is Sisterhood’s largest fundraiser, so we really want to make it successful.
Thanks to everyone for all of your help.
Peggy Ann Buchman
Sisterhood President
High Holidays 5784 In Retrospect by Mark Packer
High Holidays 5784: In Retrospect
by
Mark Packer
Vice President and Ritual Committee Chair
For so long, it had only been a rumor. But now it’s confirmed. Music is the language of God.
Anyone who attended or watched our High Holiday services this year will agree. Along with our resident musicians (Steve Graff, Keith Jones, and Courtney LeBauer), Cantor Shira Ginsburg provided music for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur that can only be described as divine. By anyone’s reckoning, these services were among the most moving and engaging that we have ever had.
In addition to the wonderful music, our liturgy was adapted to the needs and preferences of a 21st century Reform congregation. The pace was brisk, repetition was reduced, and the meaning of the services was transparent and well-explained.
Cantor Ginsburg was a natural fit for our community. But her breathtaking musical talents were only part of the story. She is also an erudite spiritual leader, an articulate public speaker, and a deeply personable woman who was a sheer joy to be with.
Our deepest thanks go out to Tina Lyon, President of Congregation B’nai Israel, for making initial contact with Cantor Ginsburg and working with her throughout the High Holiday service schedule. As well, we are very grateful to the many participants who did readings, opened the ark, held and carried Torah scrolls, as well as lifted and dressed them, lit candles, responded to our requests for Aliyot, sounded the shofar, and provided beautiful flowers for our sanctuary. Thanks also to Jan for her hard work and flexibility, as well as the congregants who helped with technical and engineering issues, such as the fickle air conditioning. And of course, we are all indebted to the members of the Sisterhood who provided us with an exceptional meal to break the fast after services had concluded.
Most important, though, was the congregation’s intense engagement. During the Havdalah service, I was moved to tears as I stood by the side of the bema and saw our members in the fading golden sunlight singing along so joyously with the Cantor, arm-in arm, swaying with the rhythm of the beautiful music and the mood of that exquisite moment.
So thank you, each and every one, for making High Holiday services such a moving and memorable experience. The way we have started 5784 together makes me all the more eager to enjoy your company and fellowship during the year ahead.
Happy October Birthday!
10/2 Lorraine Wachter
10/4 Sandy Gordin
10/7 Ansley Lyon
10/7 Robert Nabow
10/12 Raeleigh McArn
10/14 Jon Lewson
10/14 Harry Price
10/17 Ira Greenfield
10/18 Lorie Ederr
10/18 Tom Barnet
10/23 Jeff Cohen
10/23 Robert Lyon
10/25 Paul Friedberg
10/26 Carl McArn
10/31 Cashlin Bost
10/31 Roxanne Gheorghiu
Happy October Anniversary!
10/4 Anne & Steven Graff
10/23 Rachel & Christopher Brough
10/18 Jori & Dan Falcon
