The CHJ Connection. Newsletter of The Congregation for Humanistic Judaism Sarasota, Florida Affiliated with the Society for Humanistic Judaism

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1 The CHJ Connection Newsletter of The Congregation for Humanistic Judaism Sarasota, Florida Affiliated with the Society for Humanistic Judaism Volume XVIII Number 8 April Saturday, April 11 at 10:30 A.M. Yom Hashoah Service & Speaker Suzanne Vromen on Debunking the Myth of Jewish Passivity during the Holocaust After our 10:30 A.M. Yom Hashoah Service, including the voices of the Humanaires, Suzanne Vromen will speak to us on Debunking the Myth of Jewish Passivity during the Holocaust. Vromen is Professor Emerita of Sociology at Bard College, where she co-founded the Women s Studies program and directed it for eight years. Her research includes social theory, gender, collective memory with emphasis on commemorations, memorial and monuments, and the identities of Jewish-American women. Vromen s articles and reviews have appeared in many journals, including the Yivo Annual of Jewish Social Science and the History of European Ideas. Recent publications include an essay on Hannah Arendt s Jewish identity in the Journal of European Political Theory, and a chapter on Maurice Halbwachs in Diverse Histories of American Sociology, by A. J. Blasi. Among her numerous publications is the book Hidden Children of the Holocaust: Belgian Nuns and Their Daring Rescue of Young Jews from the Nazis. The Program is Sponsored by Alice D Souza Friday, April 24 at 7:30 P.M. Israel Independence Day Service & Speaker Elinor Borenstine on My Father Eddie Jacobson, Harry Truman, and the Creation of the State of Israel Following our 7:30 P.M. Israel Independence Day Service and the voices of the Humanaires, Elinor Borenstine will tell us the story of how Eddie Jacobson, her father, influenced President Truman to recognize the State of Israel in My Father Eddie Jacobson, Harry Truman, and the Creation of the State of Israel. Borenstine, born in 1920, is the daughter of Eddie Jacobson, a former Kansas City, Missouri, haberdashery partner of President Harry S. Truman. She attended Kansas City Junior College and Missouri University. Borenstine was the originator of Fellowship Dolls now, The Dolls for Democracy; has been president of the PTA, Temple Sisterhood and B nai Brith Chapter. She was Guardian ad Litem in the Twelfth Judicial Circuit Court for 17 years, and retired to play duplicate bridge and is a Gold Life Master. The Oneg is Sponsored by Carol & Erwin Segal Humanistic Judaism embraces a human-centered philosophy that combines rational thinking with a celebration of Jewish culture and identity. It affirms that human beings possess the power and responsibility to shape their own lives, and that ethics and morality are not divine in origin but are human responsibilities. Our mission is to meet the needs of humanist, secular Jews as well as their non- Jewish family members/partners and friends in the greater Sarasota and Manatee area. INSIDE THIS ISSUE Page 3 Page 6 Page 10 Seder Life Cycles Special & Social Reservation Form Groups

2 From our Co-President Alice D Souza We have just passed through the season of Purim and now go into Passover, so we know the time is close when our family of part-timers will be departing for the summer. It seems they barely arrived, and now they are leaving - they will be missed by one and all. Everyone at CHJ contributes so much to make this the wonderful community it is. Each and every person is important and loved in special ways. This has been a fabulous event-filled year full of new programs, inventive services, a fabulous Chorus and the most delicious Onegs in Sarasota! All we do is done by volunteers. We have had our very cold winter and now move into the beautiful uplifting Florida Spring. It is said we don t have seasons but I disagree, we have the most magnificent introduction to Spring with the bursting of the blue Jacaranda, red Dellonix and the yellow Tabebuia. For the few weeks, before they take their green summer colors, we know it is a bright beautiful time. Please remember to make your reservations for Passover at Michael s On East for the 4th of April. We have two more services before we close our year: April 11, Yom Hashoah when Suzanne Vromen will present Debunking the Myth of Jewish Passivity During the Holocaust, and April 24, our Israel Independence Day Service with Elinor Borenstine speaking on: My Father Eddie Jacobson, Harry Truman, and the Creation of the State of Israel. A big welcome goes out to new members, Sydell Rosen, and Naomi and Bernie Gerbarg. Let s all make them feel they have come home. Last but not least, the Annual Meeting has been moved to May 9th and will be held in Fellowship Hall at 10:30 A.M., not in the Sanctuary as stated in an earlier e-blast. Shalom, Shanti, Alice March Board Action Approved presenting at the May 9 Annual Meeting a change to By-Laws Article II: Governance Section D Absence, regarding directors attendance. (Entire proposed change will appear in a letter to the Congregation.) Approved that every year, as soon as practical after the standing committee chairpersons are chosen, the Board meet with each chairperson, singly or together, to discuss the new position(s) in detail. (For further information, see copy of March 2015 Minutes.) Our Congregant Emergency Fund, created to help CHJ members at times of financial emergencies, could use a new infusion of funds. Please keep it in mind the next time you make a tribute to CHJ. To our Saturday Services Please Bring Food Bring non-perishable food for All Faiths Food Bank to our Saturday morning Shabbat Services. Board of Directors Co-President: Lois Altman Co-President: Alice D Souza Vice President: Leonard Rosen Secretary: Susan Boston Treasurer: Barney Sack Directors: Lou Altman Sandi Cooper Susan Friedman Stanley Katz Harriet Lane Terry Langlois Sheila Rosenthal Phil Silverstein The Board meets at 3:30 P.M. on the second Monday of every month at the Roskamp Center for Arts and Humanities, 1226 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. All CHJ members are welcome Board Appointed Designee to SHJ: EllieAltman

3 Passover Seder - Second Night Saturday April 4 th 6:00 PM. Michael s On East 1212 East Avenue South, Sarasota The Congregation for Humanistic Judaism (CHJ) warmly invites you to join us for a meaningful and delicious Passover Seder dinner in celebration of hope. There will be a shared reading of our Humanistic Passover Haggadah. Menu Gefilte Fish Matzo Ball Soup Choice of Entrée: Brisket of Beef with Natural Juices or Sautéed Breast of Chicken, Wild Mushrooms, Caramelized Onions, Pink Peppercorn Sauce or Marinated Grilled Portobello Mushroom All served with Smashed Plain & Sweet Potatoes, Haricot Verts & Roasted Red Pepper Platter of Mini Pastries - Coffee, Decaf & Tea Coffee, Tea and Decaf Reservation for CHJ Seder, Saturday April 4th, 6:00 PM Must be received no later than March 30th, 2015 To secure reservation, check (made payable to CHJ) must accompany form. Indicate Seder 2015 on check. $55 per member $25 (child under 12) $65 per non-member $25 (child under 12) Mail to CHJ, 3023 Proctor Rd., Sarasota, FL Name Choice of Entrée Member Non- Member Contact Phone Total Enclosed Please list the people you wish to sit with on the back of this form. Otherwise seating will be open. 3

4 Saturday, May 9, 2015 at 10:30 A.M. ANNUAL MEETING For All Members of the Congregation During the rest of the year our CHJ Board is the engine that keeps our Congregation going. Once a year, though, the Annual Meeting provides an opportunity for all members to participate in decision making for CHJ. Our 2015 Annual Meeting will take place at 10:30 A.M. on Saturday, May 9 in Fellowship Hall at Unity, and all members are urged to attend. The meeting will include the Budget for and the election of new members to the CHJ Board. The Agenda and all background material will be sent by to all members with capacity. US Post Office mail will be used for those who do not have . Plan on attending this very important meeting of Your Congregation. A Letter from Terry Langlois My fellow Congregants: I want to take a moment of your time to thank everyone for their kindness during my recent hospital stay and subsequent time of recovery. I want to thank those that contributed to various CHJ funds in my name; I want to thank those that visited me when that was possible; I want to thank all the MANY writers of cards I received encouraging me in getting well; to thank you for the flowers that were beautiful and most welcome; and, the "Jewish Penicillin" that surely brought me back in record time - delicious! I especially want to thank Len Rosen and Joe Newman who were with me through the darkest hours. Thanks for not giving up on me. Again, thank you everyone for the support and care I received, Terry Purim Service & Speaker Cliff Roles Collage by Jules Altenberg 4

5 THE HUMANAIRES CONCERT Collage by Jules Altenberg OUR LIVES IN MANY LANGUAGES The Humanaires! What a fabulous concert it was. We were offered the combined power of the Humanaires' voices, led by conductor Robert Lischetti, as they gave us songs in Yiddish, Italian, English and Hebrew: a duet in Hebrew by Susan Gordon and Carol Segal; Tatev Baroyan s professional rendition of Armenian songs; accompanist Zara Baroyan's beautiful solo; Robert Lischetti s choice of four delightful Ladino pieces; and, the excellent narration by Ceci Katz. We experienced a gamut of emotions from joy, to nostalgia, from laughter, to sorrow, and a finale that brought an enthusiastic audience of 141 people to its feet. This fundraising concert also happened to be very successful at the Box Office: CHJ grossed almost $1700. Ladies and gentlemen of the Humanaires bravo! And the Sign Said... Sign over a Gynecologist's Office: "Dr. Jones, at your cervix." In a Podiatrist's office: "Time wounds all heels." On a Septic Tank Truck: Yesterday's Meals on Wheels At an Optometrist's Office: "If you don't see what you're looking for, you've come to the right place." 5

6 LIFE CYCLES April Yahrzeit Irma Appenzeller, mother of Ernie Kent Gladys Cahn, mother of Robert Cahn Saul Cohen, loved one of Shirley Rifkin-Cohen Erwin Eckstein, father of Susan Friedman Marvin Eichenblatt, brother-in-law of Irv Horowitz Carmyle Farber, wife of Bernard Farber Dora Gelewitz, mother-in-law of Sandra Siegel Joe Glassman, father of Susan Boston Ruth S Gluck, mother of Carol Rickard W. Howard Gluck, father of Carol Rickard Sidney Haimes, loved one of Adrienne & Howard Feltman Judy Hollander, wife of Marty Hollander Louise Kabcenell, mother of Martin Kabcenell Regina Kast, mother of Harriet Lane Shirley Kast-Josephs, sister of Harriet Lane Eli Lane, husband of Harriet Lane Judith Levinson, wife of Jerry Levinson Rae Marder, mother of Ann Orkin Harry Paskovitz, father of Jerry Paskovitz Mary Pollay, loved one of Ellie & Ben Chemerow Ida Rabinovich, mother of Alla Rabinovich Michael L Robinson, son of Sandy Cadman Sam Sack, father of Barney Sack Stan Vendeland, brother of Jack Vendeland Morris Weiss, father of Sandy Weiss April Anniversaries Sheila Rosenthal & Phil Silverstein April 4 22nd Ellie & Ben Chemerow April 10 66th Sylvia & Kenneth Stock April 13 57th Fay & Sam Kaplan April 20 63rd April Birthdays Arnold Factor April 1 Norman Ferber April 1 James Moore April 1 Madeline Oelbaum April 2 Betty Weiner April 4 Helene Gupp April 5 Barnet Sack April 7 Rhoda Schepart April 7 Beverly Peterman April 8 John Zimmer April 8 Abraham Epstein April 10 Marvin Rosenstein April 10 Nancy Kaplan April 12 Herbert Karol April 12 Ann Orkin April 12 Sarah Sabinson April 12 Ronald Sheff April 12 Irwin Stupack April 12 Donna Ellman April 13 Michael Hirsh April 13 Sybil Berkwits April 14 Joan Bornstein April 14 Sima Lesser April 14 Alice Jaray April 15 Marilyn Friedman April 17 Barbara Shapiro April 18 Ellen Vandernoot April 19 Martin Friedman April 23 Gladi Meyerson April 25 Jack Wayne April 25 Charlotte Popper April 26 Ethel Blum April 27 Lois Friedman April 27 Jules Altenberg April 30 Milton Herman April 30 Arlene Horowitz April 30 Welcome New Members Naomi and Bernie Gerbarg 1400 Cedar Bay Lane Sarasota, FL Phone: ngerbarg@mac.com Secondary address: 546 Oxford Rd. Bala Cynwyd, PA The Bread of Affliction The bread of affliction makes a very tasty breakfast. Dip two sheets in hot water and squeeze them dry. Mix the pieces into three beaten eggs with two pinches of salt and one tablespoon of sugar. Fry the mixture in hot oil until it sets. Put the frying pan under a hot grill and quickly brown the top. Scatter the matzah omelette with sugar and cinammon. Rabbi Lionel Blue 6

7 Tikkun Olam Service & Speaker Robert Gary Collage by Jules Altenberg 7

8 Chavurah CHJ s initial attempt at forming Chavurah groups has been successful. Suggested by Renee Crames, this merry band of nine formed several months ago and has met half a dozen times. Our format has evolved thusly: we gather at the host house early in the evening, converse over wine, cheese and assorted goodies for about an hour and move on to the dining table for the hostess best culinary efforts and further conversation. By the time dessert and coffee are served we are usually discussing some CHJ matter or, at the very least, a subject of a more serious nature. By 10:00 P.M. we say our good-nights and go home to digest the food and subject matter in the comfort of our own homes. THINK ABOUT GETTING A GROUP TOGETHER AND STARTING YOUR OWN CHAVURAH! Start a group of no more than 8 or 10 congenial, like-minded (?) CHJ members. You really get to know the people in your little group and, who knows, maybe even solve the problems of the world. Contact Renee Crames at Reneecrames@yahoo.com for help in setting up a Chavurah of your own RITUAL COMMITTEE New Ritual Committee forming for the season. Interested?? Call Sandi: or cooper2120@yahoo.com 8

9 WE SAIL TO AMERICA! by Ernie Kent The SS Serpa Pinto was an 8,000-ton, twin-screw passenger ship that had been built in Ireland in It had been acquired by a Portuguese shipping company and, by 1941, together with its sister ship SS Niassa, were the only available transportation from Lisbon to New York. The ship had been built for about 100 passengers; however, to make money, the shipping company crowded in more than 300 passengers. The women and children were bunked in the hold, and the men, mostly on makeshift bunks, in the cargo hold. By the summer of 1941, the North Atlantic was infested with German U-boats, and to avoid them, the ship took a course through the South Atlantic, so it took ten days for a trip that would normally take four days. The conditions were deplorable. Almost everyone was seasick, there were inadequate toilet facilities, and the smell was overpowering. To this day I am uncomfortable on a ship because of that trauma. Somehow we survived. I do not remember many details such as where did we have our meals, and how did we keep clean. Everyone who could, spent the daytime on the third class deck to get fresh air. It was always very crowded. There was a small first class, mostly occupied by American missionaries returning home. Portuguese sailors guarded the entrance to first class. However, some were intrigued by a little eleven-year old girl who could speak Portuguese, so sometimes they would permit me to go and sit in the first class for a little while. Finally, on Sunday June 22, 1941, we steamed into New York Harbor. Everyone was on deck. The American missionaries started singing when the Statue of Liberty came into view. I assume it was the Star Spangled Banner. I remember my mother started crying, I don t know whether it was relief or apprehension. Since it was a Sunday and the immigration bureaucrats were not working, we sat in the harbor all day looking toward Manhattan. A small boat must have come out because newspapers were passed around. The big headlines announced that Germany had just invaded Russia. This resulted in much discussion and speculation among the refugees of what this would mean for the war. The next day we landed in Staten Island and began the process of disembarkation. Ellis Island was still operating at that time, so we had no problem going through immigration. However, if someone picked you up directly from the ship you were not sent to Ellis Island. Knowing this, the Hebrew Immigration Aid Society (HIAS) met the ship and vouched for any passengers who were not met. We were part of that group. Until all the passengers had disembarked and the luggage unloaded, we had to wait alongside of the ship. Since we were among the first to get off, it was a long wait. I became very hungry. There was a wagon with a sign Sandwiches 5 cents. I begged for a sandwich, but my mother had no money. On the bench where we were sitting was a lady who was waiting for relatives. It must have been difficult for my mother to do it, but she asked if she would give me five cents. I bought the sandwich and found out it was an ice cream sandwich! Finally we left. We were a sad looking bunch, carrying our belongings and trekking behind the man from the HIAS. We went on the Staten Island Ferry to Manhattan and to the HIAS building in Lower Manhattan. Everyone was exhausted; but, dinner was waiting for us, and afterwards we were assigned beds. Most were assigned to either male or female dormitories; however, we were lucky and given a small room. We stayed in the HIAS for the next six weeks. By then, my father had found a job as a stock room clerk in a button business; he was 58 years old and spoke no English. My mother found a job as a cleaning woman; she was 48 years old, and spoke a little English. We had also found a place to live, namely renting a room in the apartment of a refugee family that had been in New York for a number of years. The Langs were from Germany and had come over in the mid-30s. They had a large apartment and rented out two rooms, we were in one, and another family had the other one. We all shared the kitchen and bathroom. The Langs had two daughters, one was a couple of years younger than I was, and the other was a teenager. Mrs. Land spoke English with a heavy New York accent. When we arrived, she asked me my name, I replied, Erna and she said, now you will be called Oiny. I shrank from the thought that for the rest of my life I would be called Oiny. The family was very nice to us, and even helped me to earn my first American money. Mrs. Lang and her mother worked at home threading elastics in hair nets. The pay was fifty cents per dozen. They let me work with them. We had begun our new lives in America. 9

10 THE HUMANAIRES SUNSETTERS DIGITAL IMAGING GROUP (DIG) SPECIAL & SOCIAL GROUPS The Humanaires concert held on March 15 was a great success. It was well worth all of our hard work to see the tremendous response by the audience. On March 24 we had our end-of - the year party so we could celebrate with our snow birds before they headed north, and now we're focusing on music for Yom Hashoah and Israel Independence Day services in April. If you love to sing and are willing to attend weekly rehearsals at Unity on Wednesdays from 2:30 to 4 P.M. and sing at about 11 CHJ services, please do check us out. We'd love to have you join us. For more information, contact Sandy Cadman s.g.cadman@hotmail.com or JEWISH HISTORY SEMINAR Ours is always an open group that can accommodate an infinite number of people. We meet on the 3 rd Sunday of every month on Lido Beach in front of the pavilion. Our only agenda item is the sunset. It is very informal and casual. We arrive about 1-1/2 hours prior to sunset. Bring your own picnic dinner (something you can grasp, like a sandwich, because the seagulls are pretty hungry.) Bring chairs, of course. If you d like to join us contact Barbara Shapiro at ms.shappy@verizon.net or We meet at 1:30 P.M. on the 3rd Tuesday of every month at The Fountains Cinema, Parking Lot #4. An assignment is made and members their required pictures, along with the best picture taken during the past 30 days. Photos are projected onto a large screen and editing software is applied to demonstrate possible enhancements. In addition, tutorials are presented with some guidance for the next month s assignment. Camera functions and general photography tips are addressed. New members are welcome. For further information contact Jules Altenberg at jules@altenberg.com. CHAVURAH It has been said that the best weapon in the fight against anti-semitism is knowledge of our history and culture. That is why our Jewish History Seminar was started nearly a year ago. We meet monthly on the 2 nd and 4 th Wednesday from 1:00 2:30 P.M. For information call Stan Katz at We have two Chavurah groups embarked on new friendships and experiences. Become involved in starting the next Chavurah and enjoy the fellowship, intellectual contact and pleasure of sharing with fellow CHJ members. Contact Renee Crames at Reneecrames@yahoo.com to join or for information. BIKERS Kudos to Steve Brown and Craig Harris for planning and leading a splendid bike ride in the Meadows and Benderson Park. We even witnessed part of the International Bike Races in Benderson Park and enjoyed lunch after the bike ride. Please send any suggestions for our next ride to Sandy Siegel at or sndrsgl@aol.com. All are welcome. 1 st row: Joe Boston, Steve Brown, Amy Eliezer, Carol Heckert, Sandy Siegel 2 nd row Peter Woodall, Diane Schulman, Linda Purves, Marty Hollander, Ken Heckert, Craig Harris. 10

11 TRIBUTES Speaker/Program Fund For Renee Crames - "Speedy return to health," from Amy Eliezer For Terry Langlois - "Speedy return to health, from Edith and Barney Sack Education Fund For Harriet Lane - "With love on her birthday," from Edith and Barney Sack For Barb and Gerry Shapiro: "Anniversary greetings to a great couple, "from Edith and Barney Sack For Carol and Craig Harris - "Happy 46!" from Edith and Barney Sack For Arlene Pearlman - "With love on her birthday as always, "from Edith and Barney Sack Berman Music Fund For Terry Langlois - "speedy and successful recovery," from Ruth Weinberg We Will Remember Him Dennis Gotthelf Dennis Gotthelf, son of Shirley and the late Gerald Gotthelf, died unexpectedly but peacefully in his sleep on March 8, Past President, Arlene Pearlman recalls, Dennis was a member of CHJ for several years... and probably our youngest, and that whenever we needed someone to shlep, Dennis was front and center. He made many runs to Bradenton to deliver donated clothing and footwear to Project Light. When CHJ had end of year and welcome back snowbirds parties, where everyone brought food to share, I could always count on Dennis to pick up and deliver the chicken from Publix and get it to us still hot, and always with a smile. A big guy, with a big heart and gone much too early. He will be missed. He was a longtime volunteer at Safe Haven where he rescued and found new families for so many homeless dogs. We are sure he was mobbed when he got to the Rainbow Bridge! The rescue world has lost a Gentle Giant. He is survived by his sisters Gail and Beth (Steven Miesowicz), nieces Dana and Sarah DeWitt and grand nieces and nephew. A Celebration of Life service was held for family and friends in Sarasota. Memorial donations may be made to Safe Haven Animal Rescue. A tribute is a wonderful way to recognize any occasion and benefit CHJ. Fill out this coupon and send your check for $10 or more made out to CHJ. Please circle the fund in which your donation should be placed: General Berman Music Congregant Emergency Education Speaker/Program Person/s to be recognized Occasion Donor A lovely card will be sent to the honoree and a notice will be placed in the next newsletter. Checks should be made out to CHJ noting the specific funds to which they are donated. Send all tributes to the Congregation for Humanistic Judaism, 3023 Proctor Rd., Sarasota, FL

12 CHJ Calendar April August 2015 Day Date Time Event H Sponsor (P) Program (O) Oneg Sat Apr 4 6:00 PM* 2 nd Night Seder, Michael s On East * Sat Apr 11 10:30 AM Yom Hashoah Service. Suzanne Vromen, Professor Emerita, Bard College: Debunking the Myth of Jewish Passivity During the H Alice D Souza (P) Holocaust Fri Apr 24 7:30 PM Israel Independence Day Service. Elinor Borenstine: My Father Eddie Jacobson, Harry Truman, and the Creation of the State of Israel Sat May 9 10:30 AM Annual Meeting Sat Jun 27 4:00 PM Movie TBA Sat July 11 4:00 PM Movie TBA Sat Aug 8 4:00 PM Movie TBA *=Not at Unity H=Humanaires sing (P)=Program (O)=Oneg GREAT SUMMER PROGRAMS Save the Dates: June 27, July 11 & August 8 Let s Go To the Movies! Perfect opportunities to catch up with friends Look for s with all the details they ll be sent out very soon. Florida Synagogue Defaced by Swastika Vandals I'm Watching You Scrawled at B nai Sephardim in Hollywood. Excerpt from The Forward, March 19, 2015 Vandals defaced a synagogue in Hollywood, Fla. Hate messages and cryptic warnings including I m watching you, and [expletive] Jews appeared on B nai Sephardim, a Sephardic synagogue. The Hollywood incident joins a string of hate-inspired vandalism in the area. On March 8, a 24-year-old man was arrested after police say he yelled at the son of a rabbi in front of a Miami Beach synagogue in Arabic and then threatened to cut his head off. In February, hate messages appeared on homes, mailboxes and fences in Miami Gardens. Last year, in September, a swastika and the letters KKK appeared on a temporary sign at Temple Emanu-el, the oldest Conservative Jewish congregation in Miami Beach. The Congregation for Humanistic Judaism 3023 Proctor Road, Sarasota, FL Deadline is April 15 for May-June Issue Editor: Jo Arora Editorial: Sandy Cadman, Carol Rickard, and Edith Sack Photography: Jules Altenberg and Barney Sack Send Groups information, articles and other information to Jo Arora at tajdurbar@yahoo.com Website: chjsarasota@hotmail.com Office: H Carol & Erwin Segal (O) 12