Dear Friends,

While we are well into 5784, we've also just entered secular 2024. I believe it is a crucial year for Israel and Jews everywhere following the Hamas attack and the ongoing war, for the United States with concerns for our safety given the significant increase in antisemitic attacks and for the sustainability of the planet's life support capabilities in the face of climate change/global warming. I mention these things because, while our religious observance focuses on our relationship with G-d, we are also called to repair the world. Let us all hope, pray, and work for a more peaceful, just, and sustainable world in 2024.

I'd like to mention that we have made significant contributions to the Jewish Federation Emergency Fund for Israel and Magan David Adom, which provides emergency response services to the soldiers and citizens in Israel who need lifesaving medical intervention. Each year we also contribute to our local fire, ambulance, police, food bank, and emergency loan fund to help support their activities in the community.

Given the more recent threats and violence against Jews, local and state police have been very supportive and cooperative by maintaining a watchful presence during our Shabbos services. We are most grateful.

Our Annual Membership Meeting will be held Sunday, April 7^th at 10:00am. We encourage our members to participate as we review the past year and discuss ideas for programs, and events, as well as to simply celebrate our small Jewish community by gathering at this time. For those members who are unable to attend in person, a zoom link will be posted in our Weekly Announcements in the weeks before the meeting. There will be Board elections for three rotating seats currently held by Bill Panitch, Izzy Singer, and myself. We are actively seeking a replacement for Bill as he needs to step away. Please let me know if you are interested in being nominated. 

Finally, I'd like to thank Derek and Rebecca for leading High Holiday services for the first time since the Covid pandemic struck. It was, once again, an honor and joy to have them with us.

Shalom,

Michael Roland

A Special Shabbat Service

Saturday, February 3^rd at 10:00am

A full Shabbat Torah Service will be conducted by our members.

Pre-pandemic, this special service had taken place annually. We are pleased to be able to offer this meaningful experience to our community once again. Please attend to show your support for our wonderful Torah readers.  Kiddush luncheon to follow.  

*Mazel Tov to Jonah Kimmelstiel and Julie Dorfman on the birth of their son, 

Levi Max Kimmelstiel לוי מאיר. Grandson of Laurie and Fred Kimmelstiel and Abbe and Jerry Dorfman. Great grandson of Jacqueline Kimmelstiel.

*Mazel Tov to Justin Tatar and Ryen Conley on birth of their daughter, Amelia Ann was born on September 10, 2023. She is the granddaughter of Pam and Mark Tatar.

We pray for all who are in need of healing, including: Cheryl Smith, Rose Ann Roth and Barry Strock

CONDOLENCES – May their memory be a blessing

To Norma Phillips on the passing of her dear son, David Phillips

Irving Paris on the passing of his brother, Alfred

To the Pollack family on the passing of Paul Ronald “Ron” Pollack 

To Carol Landess on the passing of her husband, Alfred Landess

To the Hochberg family on the passing of Arthur Hochberg

Our Connections to Israel

From David and Lynn Gross

Since the commencement of the war on October 7, the focus has somewhat shifted from mass protests about judicial reform to families of the hostages and others demanding that the government work out a deal for the hostages' release. This has become a double-edged sword because Hamas has on numerous occasions offered all of the Palestinian prisoners to be released in exchange for all the hostages. This would create mass suicide for all of Israel, as many of these prisoners are part of The Hamas and Islamic Jihad, and have already murdered many Israeli citizens. 

There is a great deal of continued support throughout Israel for the remaining hostages. People are meeting 24/7 at Hostage Square in Tel Aviv. There have been huge displays of yellow ribbons on trees and cars, as well as signs saying, “Bring them home" and the hostages' pictures are posted throughout Israel. There is great solidarity with all of the above. 

As far as the Israeli economy is concerned, many farmers, especially those close to the Lebanese border, are unable to harvest their crops due to mortar fire from Lebanon and the fact that foreign workers have left due to the danger.  Farmers who grow citrus fruits and avocados in the North have been unable to pick them, so they have fallen off the trees, rotting on the ground. Mortar fire has also affected chicken farmers such that the availability of eggs is limited. Overall, there is a shortage of these products in the markets.

People from all over the world are coming to Israel to volunteer in the areas of agriculture, food and supply distribution programs for the soldiers and evacuees as well as volunteering in hospitals, with patient transport, and feeding patients due to hospital personnel having been called up. Despite the war effort, synagogues throughout Israel continue to be protected by armed soldiers and individuals.

On another note, we, as citizens of Israel, are living in constant fear and have been emotionally impacted by this war because we do not know when we may be hit by missiles from Hezbollah and directly from Iran because their missile capability can hit most of Israel. 

Please continue to pray for Israel, the soldiers’ safety and for the release of the remaining hostages. 

From Sharon Cohen

My sister, Terry Abrahams, lives on Kibbutz Ketura in the Arava on the Jordanian border close to Eilat. The kibbutz has a population of 500 and after the attack on October 7th they welcomed 370 evacuees.  She writes as follows:

The Jewish heart in action!

There is a huge outpouring of volunteering time, help and resources from all over the country. Our local council (responsible for the kibbutzim and communities of the southern arava) established an open line for people seeking asylum. They had hundreds of requests, and everybody was accepted and given a place. Ketura absorbed 370 people. They received furnished accommodation in every space that could be made available as well as our entire tourist guest house complex. Many arrived with nothing and were given clothes, toys for their children, anything they needed. We hosted them in our dining room for all their meals, arranged activities for the children during the day and gave the families quiet gathering space in our clubhouse in the evening.

Once schools started opening again, many of them returned to their homes. At present we have 55 people with us and have absorbed the children into our educational framework, both our children & #39;s houses and our local school.

The survivors of the communities opposite Gaza that were decimated by the Hamas massacre were relocated to hotels in Eilat and the Dead Sea. The survivors of Kibbutz Nirim for example (where I had been a volunteer when I first came to Israel) were moved to one hotel in Eilat where they are doing their best to maintain community cohesion. Many

Ketura members – teachers, social workers, and counselors in particular, volunteer in Eilat too.

People from all over the country have also been volunteering to do the necessary agricultural work in the fields of the devastated kibbutzim. Ethan, my 15-year-old grandson, woke up at 4 in the morning to join a group from Ketura being taken there to pick peppers.

 By the time you receive this newsletter, our member, Danny Nerenberg, will be in Israel as a volunteer. He made his own arrangements through his Facebook and What’s App connections. He plans to help in any capacity where he may be needed. He intends to stay for about 3 weeks. Danny is pleased to represent the Nassau Synagogue in this capacity, and we are appreciative of his efforts both on our behalf and on behalf of the people of Israel. 

Richard Hochberg is the son of Arthur Hochberg who passed away in November, 2023. His grandparents were founding members of the Nassau Synagogue, and he agreed to provide us with the following article in which he shares his personal memories of the shul back in the day.

In Memory of Arthur Hochberg November 18, 1929-November 19, 2023.

Written by Richard Hochberg, son of Arthur and Eleanor Hochberg.

My father, Arthur Hochberg, son of Oscar and Mildred Hochberg passed away at the age of 94 this past November. Oscar was Ukrainian born and emigrated to the United States with his parents when he was a boy escaping the Russians. My grandmother Mildred was born in the United States.

 My Grandparents moved north to Nassau from Williamsburg, New York, when my father was a young boy around 1935. The Hochberg family became involved with the Nassau Synagogue almost immediately. Oscar and Arthur began attending Shabbat Services. The Hochberg’s became part of the Jewish business community in Nassau.

Arthur and Oscar were involved in the Nassau Synagogue and were always available to work at the Synagogue. Arthur and Oscar erected the brick facade and steps that are still on the front of the building. As I was growing up in Nassau I always remember my Dad and Grandpa working on the Synagogue. They built the original kitchen and I tagged along to help them even though I was just a young boy. As a family we went to all of the Hanukkah and Purim Parties and other events and we were always there for the High Holidays. My mother, Eleanor, and Grandmother Mildred were always helping prepare food in the kitchen with the other women in the Synagogue.

My father and I spoke about the Nassau Synagogue often and the many memories of the people that were always there. Morris Gross better known as Moisha Nuta and his son David, Dr. Panitch and his son Billy and many other people were always in the Shul. We spent many happy times together. 

Around 1962, my father moved our family to Albany. I returned throughout the years to take my grandfather to services after he was no longer able to drive. One of my favorite memories was of Moshie Nuta always greeting me as the returning son. He would wrap his huge arm around my shoulders and guide me to the Ark for an Aliyah whenever I visited the Synagogue.

I will always enjoy the memories of growing up at the Nassau Synagogue.

Thank you for your generous donations!

*Maida Bogoslofsky in memory of her father, Isidore Bogoslofsky

*Elizabeth Scheer in memory of Larry Scheer

*Ben & Sharon Cohen in honor of their grandchildren, Amit, Ravi, Aviva & Nom Cohen

*Claire Pollack Falik in memory of Rita Pollack Septer, Linda Ann Septer, Herman  

   Pollack, Mildred Pollack, Abraham Pollack, Bella Ashkenas, and beloved father Nathan

   Pollack

*Martha & Arnold Pollack in memory of Paula & Harry Polack, Rita, David & Linda Septer, 

   Sharon Wishengrad

*Mindy Pollack Norman in memory of Nathan Pollack

*Irving and Myrna Paris in memory of Anna Paris

*George Sarachan in memory of Ann Beth Deily

*Elaine Axler

*Mark Baker

*Rita Marokko

*Rhonda Rosenheck

*Faith Schottenfeld in memory of Sidney Schottenfeld and Alan Markowitz

*Sid Markowitz 

*Larry Salzman & Trudi Roth

*Edward Edelstein in honor of Bill Panitch

*Irving & Myrna Paris

*Judith Bloom

*Laura Schoenholt

*Rachel Lauber

 *Judith Vener

*Tiara Jaron

*Norma Phillips in honor of Fred Rheingold

*Sandra Adelman in memory of Joseph Adelman

*Judith Fisher & Marc Ehrlich

* Elaine Rubenstein

*Richard Hochberg in memory of Arthur Hochberg

*Richard and Carol Altewerger

* Nancy Lord in memory of David Phillips

* Sharon Cohen in memory of Rhona Abrahams Bornstein 

*Roberta Berko in memory of Sidney Schottenfeld

*Harvey and Linda Strickon in honor of the Honorable Nancy Hershey Lord

*Susan Levine 

* Alice Swersey in memory of Esther and Frank Swersey

Thank you for your generous donations!

*Maida Bogoslofsky in memory of her father, Isidore Bogoslofsky

*Elizabeth Scheer in memory of Larry Scheer

*Ben & Sharon Cohen in honor of their grandchildren, Amit, Ravi, Aviva & Nom Cohen

*Claire Pollack Falik in memory of Rita Pollack Septer, Linda Ann Septer, Herman  

   Pollack, Mildred Pollack, Abraham Pollack, Bella Ashkenas, and beloved father Nathan

   Pollack

*Martha & Arnold Pollack in memory of Paula & Harry Polack, Rita, David & Linda Septer, 

   Sharon Wishengrad

*Mindy Pollack Norman in memory of Nathan Pollack

*Irving and Myrna Paris in memory of Anna Paris

*George Sarachan in memory of Ann Beth Deily

*Elaine Axler

*Mark Baker

*Rita Marokko

*Rhonda Rosenheck

*Faith Schottenfeld in memory of Sidney Schottenfeld and Alan Markowitz

*Sid Markowitz 

*Larry Salzman & Trudi Roth

*Edward Edelstein in honor of Bill Panitch

*Irving & Myrna Paris

*Judith Bloom

*Laura Schoenholt

*Rachel Lauber

 *Judith Vener

*Tiara Jaron

*Norma Phillips in honor of Fred Rheingold

*Sandra Adelman in memory of Joseph Adelman

*Judith Fisher & Marc Ehrlich

* Elaine Rubenstein

*Richard Hochberg in memory of Arthur Hochberg

*Richard and Carol Altewerger

* Nancy Lord in memory of David Phillips

* Sharon Cohen in memory of Rhona Abrahams Bornstein 

*Roberta Berko in memory of Sidney Schottenfeld

*Harvey and Linda Strickon in honor of the Honorable Nancy Hershey Lord

*Susan Levine 

* Alice Swersey in memory of Esther and Frank Swersey

You can convert your loved one’s date to the Gregorian calendar at www.hebcal.com.

Please consider making a donation to the shul in memory of your loved one.

And may their memory

be for a blessing.

1^st Night of Chanukah Open Mic Event at the Shul

   Congregants and friends gathered for a joyous first night of Chanukah together at the Shul. After candle lighting and a latke dinner, we enjoyed an open mic hosted by Izzy singer. The participants included Izzy, Rhonda Rosenheck, Joyce Baum, Bruce Huttner, Danny Nerenberg, Maida Bogoslofsky, Margo Singer, Maxine Bogash, and Richard Altwerger’s grandson, Aryea, joined in on percussion.  It was a very well- attended and very festive event.  

Saturday, February 3^rd - Special Shabbat Torah Service

Sunday, April 7^th – Annual Membership Meeting

The Nassau Synagogue tradition is that one need not be a member to attend Shabbat services or to participate in our events and programs.  We do not sell seats for the High Holidays, nor do we auction aliot. How have we been able to do this over the years and still keep membership dues so very low?  It is through your continued support that is essential to keeping us strong.  The Nassau Synagogue relies almost exclusively on the contributions of its supporters and on our membership dues.  So please, help us with a donation, and/or consider becoming a member.  

NAME_________________________________________________________

ADDRESS______________________________________________________

PHONE NO._______________________E-MAIL_______________________

MEMBERSHIP

Please note that at least one adult member of a membership unit must be Jewish by matrilineal descent.

Family Membership $300  ******** Individual Membership $200

________I would like to renew membership in the Nassau Synagogue

________I would like to join the Nassau Synagogue

________If you are joining or renewing your synagogue membership, please check here if you would like your personal information included in the Membership directory.  By checking here you are agreeing to the terms and conditions as follows: that the main purpose of the directory is to make personal contact with other members to encourage social interactions, acknowledgement of celebrations and other meaningful events, and to encourage the promotion of shul related activities among those on the list.  The list may not be shared with anyone who is not on the list, given to any organization without the prior consent of the Board, or used to promote political ideas or platforms.  

CONTRIBUTIONS

To the General Fund:  $_________    To the Kiddush Fund:   $___________

In Honor of____________________________________________________

In Memory of___________________________________________________

PLEASE MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO THE NASSAU SYNAGOGUE and mail to:  PO Box 670, Nassau, New York   12123