Rabbi's Weekly Teaching

Weekly Teaching By Rabbi Mitchell M. Hurvitz rabbimitch@templesholom.com
"Keep the Lights Burning" FIDF Musical Ensemble Concert & Community Chanukah Celebration Sunday, Dec. 12th, 3:30 pm
Parashat Vayeshev November 26, 2010 Teaching by Rabbi Mitch rabbimitch@templesholom.com Chanukah is coming early this year. Fortunately, it lets us have a head start on the holiday season. When we take the time to participate in the mitzvah of lighting the Chanukah menorah we are rekindling God's light amidst a world that too often appears to us gloomy and dark. With each light lit, we Jewishly reaffirm our faith in a world that will never lose hope and never give into despair. Chanukah recalls our story of the victorious Maccabees who defeated the much more powerful Greeks. When we recall the miracle of the oil that was enough for one day, yet lasted eight, the greatest miracle of all is the Jewish heart that would have lit the oil knowing there wasn't enough to last, but, believing in the possibility of miracles nevertheless. Chanukah comes during the darkest time of the year. Winter is setting in. The sun's presence has been shortened during our awakened hours. So, we bring the light and warmth back into our lives with our Festival of Lights. The Jewish reality is we do this miraculous ritual behavior each and every week; when we light our Shabbat candles to begin the Sabbath, and our Havdallah candle to end the sabbath. God's day of rest; our utopian 24 hour island in time; is a day bookended by God's light being present in our lives. Lighting a candle for each day of the week during Chanukah, and then one extra day for good measure, is a reminder that we should never go anywhere without living up to our moral spiritual charge by God: "Be a light unto the nations". This Chanukah, rekindle our light and help make brighter the divine lights of all others. I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Shabbat Shalom & Happy Chanukah!! -Rabbi Mitch
Temple Sholom 300 E. Putnam Avenue Greenwich, CT 06830 203-869-7191

The Raw Byram News Feed

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Developer moving forward on Port Chester apartments The Journal News | LoHud.com Developer Phoenix Capital Partners has begun demolition to make way for The Mariner, a 100-unit building on the Byram River, and The Castle, ...

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Temple Sholom Weekly E-Bulletin

Temple Sholom E-Bulletin November 25, 2010 Friday, November 26 The Temple is closed Sunday, November 28 The Religious School is closed Monday, November 29 The Selma Maisel Nursery School Bookfair Begins Wednesday, December 1 Toy Drive Begins Thursday, December 2 Blessings of the Skinned Knee, A Celebration of Light Candle Lighting Friday, Nov. 26 4:11 pm Temple Sholom's Worship Schedule Friday, Nov. 26 6:30- 7:15 pm Saturday, Nov. 27 9:30 am - 12:00 pm Sunday, Nov. 28 8:30 - 9:15 am Temple Sholom Simcha Corner Mazel Tov to: Josh Handler, for being selected to participate in the New York State School Music Association's All State Band. Adam Sands, on signing a letter of intent to play lacrosse at Lehigh University. Warren & Rebecca Bradley on the birth of a son, Henry Anthony. Chanukah at Temple Sholom 1st Night of Chanukah is Wednesday, December 1st Toy Drive Wednesday, December 1st - Tuesday, December 21 "Celebration of Light" Candle Lighting/Tree Lighting Thursday, December 2nd, 6 pm at Christ Church Selma Maisel Nursery School Class Parties Thursday, December 2nd & Friday, December 3rd YCFS Latkes & Pajamas Friday, December 3rd, 5:30 pm Religious School Creative Arts Program (CAP) Exhibition Sunday, December 5th,10 am - 11:30 am USY Party Sunday, December 5th, 3 - 6 pm Story Time and Music with Rabbi Mitch & Cantor Asa Wednesday, December 8th, 4:30 pm "Keep The Lights Burning" Community Post-Chanukah Party Sunday, December 12th, 3:30 pm For more information about any of these programs, contact Alice Schoen at 203-542-7165 or at alice.schoen@templesholom.com Sisterhood's Mahjongg for the Masses Monday, December 10th and the 2nd Monday of EVERY month. RSVP required: Phyllis Shapiro at 203-637-7809 or wigini@gmail.com Rabbi Mitch's Thanksgiving Teaching Many of you know that my favorite slogan is, "Cultivate an Attitude for Gratitude!!" Our attitude for gratitude molds and shapes our lives. Our spiritual ancestors understood this, and this is why they offered their daily sacrifices of Thanksgiving. The Psalmist was correct when he noted it is "good for us to give thanks!!" (Psalm 92) Click here to see the full version of this week's Teaching by Rabbi Mitch. Selma Maisel Nursery School Bookfair Monday, November 29th thru Friday, December 3rd, 8:45 am - 2:00 pm and 4 - 6 pm on Tuesday, November 30th Lots of books for everyone, pre-school age to adults. Come and buy some Chanukah gifts and support the Selma Maisel Nursery School at the same time. Holiday Toy Drive Wednesday, December 1st - Tuesday, December 21st Bring new, unwrapped toys to our collection bins. All gifts will be donated to the Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty. The Toy Drive is in conjunction with UJA Federation of New York/Westchester and UJA Federation of Greenwich. Celebration of Light Thursday, December 2nd, 6 pm at Christ Church Co-sponsored with The Sholom Center, a joint project between Temple Sholom and Christ Church. Come enjoy some hot cider and holiday cheer. We will sing some holiday songs, led by our choir and Christ Church's choir, light a menorah and help our friends next door light their Christmas tree. YCFS Latkes and Pajamas Friday, December 3rd, 5:30 pm Join us for a special Chanukah edition of Young Children's Family Service with Reb Allison and special guest, Sheldon Low. Kids should come in their pajamas! Come sing songs, celebrate Chanukah & Shabbat and enjoy home-made latkes. To rsvp, contact Alice Schoen, 203-542-716 or alice.schoen@templesholom.com Using Jewish Teachings to Raise Self-Reliant Children Wenesdays, December 2nd, 9th, & 16th 9:30 - 10:30 am Join Reb Allison for a parenting discussion series based on the book, "The Blessing of the Skinned Knee" by Wendy Mogel, PH.D. To rsvp, contact Alice Schoen at (203) 542-7165 or alice.schoen@templesholom.com "Keep the Lights Burning" a Post Community Chanukah Celebration, December 12th 3:30 pm Come dance, sing and enjoy a special concert with the FIDF (Friends of the Israel Defense Forces) musical ensemble. Then its party time! We will have a DJ, food, games & arts & crafts and more... All of the local Jewish organizations have been invited to participate, so invite your friends! For more information, call Alice Schoen, (203) 542-7165. In and Around the Community... Birthright Israel & Friends - Dessert reception, Tuesday, December 7th, 7:30 pm at the home of Alice Baron and Michael Delikat, 5 Cooper Beech Rd, Greenwich. Come hear how you can pass on the extraordinary gift of a Birthright trip to more of Greenwich's Jewish young adults. RSVP to Beth Dindas at 212-457-0045 or Alice Baron at alicebaron2@gmail.com. AJC Westchester's "Israel...New Perspectives", Saturday, December 11th, 8:00 pm. An elegant evening featuring Israeli wine tasting, Israeli snacks and an exciting discussion of the award winning Israeli wine industry. Tickets are $36 pp, limited to 50. Event is being held in Port Chester at Congregation KTI. For more information contact, AJC at 914.948.5585 or westchester@ajc.org Discover Schechter Westchester, Tuesday, December 14th at 8 pm. at the home of Steve & Elizabeth Katz. For more information and to rsvp, call Diana Schutt at 914-948-3111 ext. 4370 or email her at dschutt@solomon-schechter.com

Temple Sholom | 300 East Putnam Avenue | Greenwich | CT | 06830

Giving Thanks for Property Rights

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November 25 2010 Giving Thanks for Property Rights Yesterday I wrote an OP-ED in the Connecticut Post about our shared libertarian philosophy. I outlined many of the reasons why I am today so thankful for our country and the values we as liberty loving people share. You see, on this Thanksgiving I think about my friends and family who do not share in our free America; my family still stuck in totalitarian Cuba and my friends from childhood still suffering in the false benevolence of the inner-city welfare state. Today I am thankful to having escaped both fates. I am thankful for the freedom that I now have to run my own business, be with my family and practice my faith. But I would have no way to enjoy those great things or any of my life without my right to property. For that right, I am most thankful. I ask that you please take a moment to read my OP-ED and to remember why it is our right to property, above all else, that keeps us free. What is the purpose of government? To a liberal the purpose of government is to "justly and fairly" shape society and its inhabitants. To a libertarian the purpose is to provide for the mutual lawful defense of life, liberty and property and to allow people to freely and lawfully do as they wish. These views are diametrically opposed; the former is dictatorial and requires a large government, the latter celebrates individual freedom, which includes success, failure, philanthropy and hoarding, and needs limited government. Liberalism insists on making laws that favor some groups at the expense of others. Libertarians insist that laws apply to everyone equally. On Nov. 15, David Horsey wrote a lengthy attack against the notion that laws affect everyone equally ("New libertarians exhibit myopic selfishness"). In his column, Mr. Horsey describes libertarians as selfish and rich blockheads who resist the "just" taking of their property by the humanitarian tax collectors who work for a benevolent government that wishes nothing more than to "liberate" the poor. Really? How many of you see the IRS or the local tax collector in that light? Horsey's ideological tome merits a response as his world view is shared by so many, especially in Connecticut. We have gone far astray from our founding in 1776 when we stated clearly and loudly that our government was instituted to secure for all persons their inalienable rights to life, liberty and property. And although we failed to protect all Americans at that time, we righted that wrong with the largest amount of bloodshed in American history. Regrettably today, many people like Mr. Horsey occupy all layers of government, experimenting with social-engineering programs forcing government to increasingly plunder the working population, especially the rich. Taking from some because you can is wrong. Taking from some because they can afford to be robbed is wrong. Taking from some because the government is doing the taking is a perversion of the Constitution's intent. No longer are we a nation that protects all Americans from injustice. Now we use the law to justify theft from some to give to others. This action will not assure our survival, but it will continue to pave our demise. To add insult to unjust injury, the money unjustly taken from the rich and others is used by an incompetent government to do nothing well. Mr. Horsey's claims to the opposite flies in the face of our vision. Witness: the 2008 financial sector meltdown driven by subprime mortgages, the Communities Reinvestment Act, Katrina, Fannie Mae, Freddy Mac, the Fed, public housing, welfare, the bankrupt Social Security system, Medicare and Medicaid, the VA, etc., etc., etc. The list of governmental failure delineated by both the left and the right is so vast as to fill an encyclopedia. Governments by their structure, being able to tap into a never-ending feed bag (taxation), have no incentive to do anything well and they never do. However, government has been "successful" in keeping whole segments of the population poor and uneducated; this is quite an achievement. My disdain for government is balanced by my superior respect for the 325 million individuals that comprise our nation. We are great. We the people are great. President Lincoln affirmed that our government was "a government of the people, by the people and for the people." That government was successful and we prospered. Mr. Horsey and others like him have inserted the word "some" into this most effective concept. Horsey would say: a government of some people, by some people and for some people. This is neither natural nor just. An unjust nation must fail as we failed once before. Injustices must be righted so that our great nation may prosper once again. Pragmatically speaking, freedom means being able to keep what you honestly earn. Without this feature, freedom is a naked joke. John Adams warned us that property rights are more important than any other right that man could contrive. What good is freedom of speech if you're hungry? What good is the 2nd Amendment if you can't buy a gun? What good is working hard and innovating if the government is our greedy partner? I take great pride in the rising to prominence of so many libertarians nationwide. I pray that they stay true to our adoration of our founding principles and that there is time to restore the great gift to freedom that our country has been to the world since our founding. _________ Thank you for taking the time to read my article. I wish you and your loved ones a very Happy Thanksgiving. In Liberty,

Rabbi's Special Thanksgiving Teaching

Weekly Teaching By Rabbi Mitchell M. Hurvitz rabbimitch@templesholom.com
Please join us for Sholom Center's 30 minute "Celebration of Light" Thursday, December 2nd, 6:00 pm in front of Christ Church. Come enjoy some hot cider and holiday cheer as each respective religion shares in their ritual of refracting God's light into our world. The Sholom Center is a joint project between Temple Sholom and Christ Church, dedicated to further enriching our interfaith programming and fellowship within our communities. We will also be collecting new, unwrapped toys to donate to the Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty, at the Celebration of Light. Our toy drive is in conjunction with UJA Federation of New York/Westchester and UJA Federation of Greenwich. November 25, 2010 Teaching by Rabbi Mitch rabbimitch@templesholom.com Many of you know that my favorite slogan is, "Cultivate an Attitude for Gratitude!!" Our attitude for gratitude molds and shapes our lives. Our spiritual ancestors understood this, and this is why they offered their daily sacrifices of Thanksgiving. The Psalmist was correct when he noted it is "good for us to give thanks!!" (Psalm 92) When we are successful in the mitzvah to be grateful, we help both ourselves and others feel the presence of God within their lives. Our living a life of gratitude firmly anchors our faith. Whether we are grateful or not for the daily blessings within our lives is one of the leading spiritual indicators to our own spiritual condition. There are many ways we can express our thanks: · Be audibly thankful; say thank you out loud and often; and mean it!! · Offer prayers of gratitude on a regular basis: Before you eat, when you are kissing your children, wearing a warm coat before going outside in the cold, waking up in the morning, laying down to sleep, etc. · Sing with a grateful heart; particularistic music and universalistic music; all can inspire. · Smile. Live a life with joy and share this joy with others. When someone gazes upon a smile, they are witnessing God's mirror within their lives. · Be grateful both privately and publically. Never miss an opportunity to count a blessing, say thank you, and appreciate a blessing. We should try to cultivate our attitude for gratitude in every circumstance possible. Gratitude should be constant and habitual. Be Thankful: · For Kindness and Mercy · For safety and sustenance · For holiness and faith · For the wonders of creation and life. · For truth and justice. · For Physical and Spiritual health. · For the evidence of God's wonders in our lives, and God's spirit within others and ourselves · For Love · For all spiritual gifts; wisdom, freedom, free-will, etc. · For answering of prayers, and for just listening. · For everything in our lives. The secret to a successful attitude for gratitude is to find contentment. Daily and constant acknowledgements of thanksgiving will train the content heart, mind, and soul. Happy Thanksgiving!! -Rabbi Mitch
Temple Sholom 300 E. Putnam Avenue Greenwich, CT 06830 203-869-7191

The Byram Sewing Club Gathers Weekly In The Basement Of St. Paul Lutheran Church

Photo: Members of the Byram Sewing Club gather weekly in the basement of St. Paul Lutheran Church to sew lap robes for veterans - including left to right, Antoinette Trartaglia, Rosemarie Nasr, Emma Tattar, and Mary Zalman. Photo by Anne W. Semmes / Heart Newspapers - Greenwich Citizen and Greenwich Time

Blanket Statement - Greenwich Time
Published: 12:30 p.m., Tuesday, November 23, 2010

On a recent Tuesday afternoon, 97-year-old Emma Tattar was leaning over a sewing machine and pushing a swatch of calico beneath the pulsating needle. Taking shape as her hands worked steadily was a lap robe, destined for a veteran, confined somewhere to a wheelchair.

Tattar is one of four women who make up The Byram Sewing Group, which meets every Tuesday afternoon in the basement of St. Paul Lutheran Church. The women make lap robes for veterans in wheelchairs to keep them warm. Tattar, the group's senior member, has been with the group almost from its inception, which dates back to World War II. "I've been doing it for 60 years at least," she said.

She figures the women have sewn more than 1,000 lap robes during that time.

"We're only here one-half day a week," said Tattar. "If it snows, we don't come. We don't sew in summer -- it's too hot. We start after Labor Day."

Tattar explained how the group addresses the needs of veterans through their handiwork. "We send them to different veteran hospitals," she said. The lap robes find their way to hospitals in Connecticut, New York and Rhode Island. "We used to send them to local nursing homes, too. When we had four or five people running the (sewing) machines, we made more. We try to get them to the veterans by Christmas."

On an adjacent sewing machine was Antoinette Tartaglia, 90, who comes to Byram each week from her home in New York. "I learned to sew in grammar school," she said. "I made my daughter's marriage gown, (my children's) prom dresses. I had five children. I keep busy all the time. That's what you have to do. Before I come here, I do Tai Chi."

"Last spring, we had made 20 lap robes," added Rosemarie Nasr, who is considerably younger than Tattar and who joined the group five years ago. "Since September, we've made 12 or so," she said. "It's not difficult. You just have to put things together. People donate the material, or we get the fabric from the church (St. Paul Lutheran Church) -- they donate the money, and we buy the material. We've made beautiful ones."

"The men enjoy them," said Mary Zalman, 83, who was busy working thread through a needle. She says the robes are warm, look great and that the veterans love them.

Tattar agreed and said some of the veterans send thank you notes, which makes it all worthwhile.

"You just feel so good doing this for them, you know," said Tattar.

Drug Bust At 10 Byram Road

George Ramirez, 19, of 231 Hamilton Ave., and Peter Cavini, 18, of 4 Mianus View Terrace, were arrested and charged with conspiracy at possession of marijuana and criminal attempt at possession of marijuana. Both men were apprehended after they called an undercover narcotics officer seeking to buy drugs.

Byram Watershed Coalition

Jack Stoecker, coordinator of the Byram Watershed Coalition, welcomes a $725,000 grant awarded to Port Chester, N.Y., to improve its storm water runoff system. Stoecker is shown standing on the Mill River Bridge over the Byram River. The bridge connects the Byram section of Greenwich and Port Chester.