Sisterhood wishes all of Har Zion Temple

a Happy, Healthy, Sweet and Safe New Year.

We thank all those who contributed to our

virtual New Year's Greetings.

Shanah Tovah!

Sisterhood Virtual New Year's Greetings - 5784

We thank Sisterhood for all you do for our Har Zion community and are pleased to support this year’s Virtual New Year’s Greeting. On behalf of the Officers, Board of Directors, and Trustees, we wish you and your families a happy, healthy, safe, and sweet New Year.



Shanah Tovah Umtukah,

Lynne Landsburg, Elliot Rosen

Co-Presidents, Har Zion Temple

Dear Fellow Har Zion Members,

The High Holidays are a time of renewal and as we enter this High Holiday season, the women of Sisterhood renew our promise to support our synagogue and our larger community. In this new Jewish year, we remain committed to holding as many in person events as we can, so that we are able to be together to share our love of Sisterhood, Judaism, and our Har Zion Community. Please come join us and help us fulfill our promise.

Your generous support of the New Year's Greetings booklet is greatly appreciated. It allows us to continue to provide financial support to our Youth Department and fulfill one of our roles to promote the education of our Jewish youth. In this way, we will help raise the next generation of young adults who are committed to Jewish values.

On behalf of the Har Zion Sisterhood Officers, Board of Directors, and Trustees, I wish you and your families a happy, healthy, safe, and sweet New Year.

Shanah Tovah,

Michele S. Perlstein

President, Sisterhood of Har Zion Temple

Dear Har Zion Members and Friends,

Our unique and amazing Sisterhood engages our congregation through social, educational, and ritual programming. This year, I was thrilled to teach Sisterhood members a curriculum from JTS called “Beyond Dispute: Debates that Shape Jewish Life.” Those in the class brought wisdom, curiosity, friendship, and a deep passion for Jewish learning, practice, and community. These traits are on display at every event and distinguish our Sisterhood as one of the strongest in the nation.

As we enter this new year 5784 together, I want to express my gratitude to Sisterhood President Michele Perlstein for her leadership and enthusiasm. We look forward to all of the ways that Sisterhood will bring us closer to one another and deepen our Jewish learning and practice. May the Sisterhood of Har Zion Temple go from strength to strength and may the bonds of lifelong love and friendship among our women be an inspiration to all.

Shanah Tovah Umtukah (a Good and Sweet New Year),

Rabbi Haaz, Bonnie Rose, Sophie, Sadie and Michael

Har Zion, did you know that we are a real singing community? This first struck me, and my wife Nicole, when we came for my cantorial-search visit earlier this year, and again during our first Shabbat services this summer – the singing in this congregation has been a serious, glorious WOW. Full of ruach (spirit) and energy – very exciting. It’s the singing by which one can truly gauge the essential, core energy and spirit of a community, and I am pleased to announce that the state of our ruach at Har Zion is strong! Which means, of course … that I cannot wait for our first High Holidays together (rapidly approaching). 

Finally, all of us together, and not just singing – but singing as a community of shared values and history and spirituality, shared peoplehood, singing from our hearts and souls to the Eternal; it just doesn’t get any better than that. A plug: if at all possible, please be here in person, rather than watching Livestream. The difference being fully experiencing the High Holy Days versus observing them. If we’re not in person, we can’t feel each other’s souls – we can’t sing together!



I am so looking forward to meeting all of you, singing with you, being in Jewish community with you – here’s to an amazing New Year.

Cantor Randy, Nicole, Kaya, and Donovan Herman

Friends,

Each year, when the Sisterhood asks me to write a New Year's Greeting, I go and look over my previous greetings to see what wisdom I have shared in years past. What I noticed this time is that something has been missing.

I have often reflected on the turning of the year, and how it feels to us. Of course, I wish everyone a happy new year. But what I too often forget is gratitude for all the people who make life a worthwhile proposition. I am grateful to my wife, Sara Beth, and our children, Leora and Shulamit, for putting up with me in my ups and downs. I appreciate my mother – because that is what she taught me to do!

But I want to take some time in this message also to thank all of you for making the time I spend at work at Har Zion – at my happy place – enjoyable and fulfilling. To any of you who have read Torah, taken an aliyah, joined us for minyan, asked about a yahrzeit date, added a name to our prayers for healing, asked me a question, celebrated a BMitzvah, or attended a class, thank you for making my work here mean something. Thank you all for your participation, making our community warmer and livelier.  

Lastly, thank you to the Sisterhood for all you do: When there is a need, the Sisterhood shows up, its members standing at the forefront of everything that goes on here.

 

I hope that each of you enjoys a year of health and contentment and gratitude, appreciating all that you have and all that you are a part of.

L'shana tova tikatevu,

Ely, Sara Beth, Leora, and Shulamit Levine

Dear Har Zion Temple,

Shanah Tovah Umtukah - Have a sweet New Year. 

May 5784 be a year rich in experiences, opportunities, and blessings. A year in which each of you is strengthened, comforted and uplifted by the many others in your life who cherish and love you. Here is a traditional Midrash on our relationship with God as the one who comforts and has mercy upon us as do our loved ones. 

May the year be sweet and fruitful.

Rabbi Shawn, Rabbi Moriah and the SimonHazani Family

Pesikta de-Rav Kahana 19:3

R. Shmuel said: It is the way for a father to have mercy “like a father who has mercy on children” (Psalm 103:13). And it is the way for a mother to show comfort “like a man for whom his mother shows comfort” (Isaiah 66:13).  

The Holy Blessed One said, “I act like a father, and I act like a mother.” I act like a father: “like a father who has mercy on children.” I act like a mother: “like a man for whom his mother shows comfort.” God said, “I am the one who comforts you” (Isaiah 51:12).

As 5784 starts, our three daughters are living in three different cities across the country. Our parents are in different cities, as are all four of my brothers and their families. Although we talk to them all the time and see them throughout the year, we do at times notice the distance that separates our family. At those times, we appreciate everyone at Har Zion who is part of our extended local community family. 



We wish all of you and your entire families, whether they are near or far, a happy, healthy and safe New Year.

Gavi, Minna, Ari, Sarah & Becca Miller

As we head into another New Year, I am reminded of the beautiful, emotional and meaningful relationship our Har Zion community maintains with our Philly Friends of Paper Clips in Whitwell, TN. As time marches on and our world changes, there are just some things that remain constants in our lives. For me personally, as well as professionally, the love, friendship and bond with the Paper Clips Project has become a north star to remind me of the importance of perspective, what matters and who matters, as well as one of my favorite sayings ‘careful what you complain about.’

This year celebrates our 10th visit to Whitwell (September 10-11). We also celebrated our first all adult trip (last April) and we look forward to the Paper Clips community visiting our community for their third Shabbat experience over the years (October 20-22).

So, you might ask, why connect the Paper Clips Project with my New Year’s greeting? Both Har Zion (especially with its approaching Centennial) and Whitwell, TN are sacred communities to me with sacred relationships that have long-lasting impact. And, to be frank, both are imperfect communities. It would not be difficult to reflect on the negative aspects of both communities if that’s where I wanted to spend my energy. But what would life be if that was constantly our focus? There is so much good, so much beauty and so much love out there to be enjoyed, savored and explored.

So, whether they’re ongoing relationships like my Whitwell and Har Zion families, or precious time with my own family at home, let’s not be distracted by all the obstacles and easy distractions thrown at us by negativity. That’s too easy!

Here’s to a year of making positive moments, going in for the extra hug, making the most of our time on this Earth, and counting our blessings.

On behalf of my wife Debbie and my kiddies Ethan and Alli, here’s to a sweet, happy and healthy New Year. L’chaim!

Norman

Dear Har Zion Community,

I greet you this year feeling very different than last year. Last year was my first at Har Zion. I was filled with nerves in anticipation of a brand-new journey. There was a lot of growth and rebirth within the Noreen Cook Center for Early Childhood Education. My family and I were welcomed by so many wonderful community members. We are delighted to feel so at home here already. In this new year, I am filled with excitement to welcome back our NCCECE families, my community. My new-kid-nerves are gone, and the love and community are here to stay.

Har Zion Temple has a long rich history of generational families belonging to our community. This history is to be celebrated, but equally important is the community’s openness to welcome new families. As a former “new kid,” it meant so much when a congregant remembered my daughter’s name or stopped to say hello. The smallest things made the biggest impact in forming true feelings of belonging. As 5784 begins, I want to thank each of you for welcoming my family into your home. I also want to ask that you keep being you! Keep welcoming in our new families and creating our community.

I wish you all a sweet new year filled with new and old friends.

Shanah Tovah Umtukah,

Sandi, Aaron, Ezra, and Michaela Toben

May this New Year be filled with peace, health and joy

Len Auritt

May this New Year be filled with peace, health and joy

Robyn and Michael Barrett and Family

Warm wishes for you and your loved ones on Rosh Hashanah

Lisa and Arthur Berkowitz and Family

Wishing everyone a happy healthy and sweet New Year

Sheree and Wayne Bloch, Alison and Seth Samuels, Kayla and Sam Bloch

May this New Year be filled with peace, health and joy

Barbara Boroff

May this New Year be filled with peace, health and joy

Lita and Stanley Cohen

Wishing everyone a happy healthy and sweet New Year

Sid and Ken Geller

Warm wishes for you and your loved ones on Rosh Hashanah

Ruth and Mort Gleit

Wishing everyone a happy healthy and sweet New Year

Nanci Goldman and Steve Bergstein

May this New Year be filled with peace, health and joy

Gwen Goodman and Family

Wishing everyone a happy, healthy and sweet New Year filled with

peace and joy

Cris Grad and the canine kids

May this New Year be filled with peace, health and joy

Shanah Tovah Umetukah

The Haaz Family

May this New Year be filled with peace, health and joy

The Herling Family

Wishing everyone a happy healthy and sweet New Year

Marc, Sara, Ella and Drew Horowitz

Wishing everyone a happy healthy and sweet New Year

Madelyn, David, Andrew and Michael Karasick

Wishing everyone a happy healthy and sweet New Year

Dorene and Stephen Karasick and Family

Wishing everyone a happy healthy and sweet New Year

Barbara Kardon and Family

Warm wishes for you and your loved ones on Rosh Hashanah

Joy and Bennett Keiser and Family

May this New Year be filled with peace, health and joy

Sheila and Barry Kliger and Family

May this year be filled with peace, health and joy

Susan Kochman

Wishing everyone a happy, healthy and sweet New Year

Lynne, Bill and Mitchell Landsburg

Shanah Tovah Umetukah

Michele, Robert, Jake, Sammi and Andrew Levin

May this year be filled with peace, health and joy

Marian Levine

May this year be filled with peace, health and joy

Gary and Meryl Littman and Family

Wishing everyone a happy, healthy and sweet New Year

Lisa, Ronald, Luke and Drew Maslow

May this New Year be filled with peace, health and joy

Charlotte Muchnick and Family

May this New Year be filled with peace, health and joy

Michele, Michael, Rachel, Abby, Leo and Emma Perlstein

May this New Year be filled with peace, health and joy

Michael and Ellen Pries and Family

May this New Year be filled with peace, health and joy

Meryl S. Raskin and Family

May this New Year be filled with peace, health and joy to you and your family

Maxine and Elliot Rosen

May this New Year be filled with peace, health and joy

Sheila and Lou Schafer

Warm wishes for you and your loved ones on Rosh Hashanah

Robin and Alan Seeherman and Family

Shanah Tovah Umetukah

Judy Shrager

Warm wishes for you and your loved ones on Rosh Hashanah

Jeffrey, Paige, Robert and Evan Silver

May this New Year be filled with peace, health and joy

The Specter Family

May this New Year be filled with peace, health and joy

Bonnie Squires and Sami Ouahada

May this year be filled with peace, health and joy

Rachel, David and Alix Steerman, Jessica, Akiva and Riley Goldstein

and Phyllis Weinstock

Warm wishes for you and your loved ones on Rosh Hashanah

Ivan, Etta, Leah Julia and Jarrett Szeftel

Wishing everyone a healthy, happy and sweet New Year

Maxine and Jay Waxman

May this New Year be filled with peace, good health and Joy

Reisel and Ellis Weinberger

Wishing everyone a healthy, happy and sweet New Year

Elana Weinstein, Ken Brownstein, Maddie and Noah

May this New Year be filled with peace, health and joy

The Willner Family

Warm wishes for you and your loved ones on Rosh Hashanah

Debby Wolff and Family

Wishing everyone a happy, healthy and sweet New Year

Judy and Alan Workman and Family

May this New Year be filled with peace, health and joy

Shanah Tovah Umetukah

Robin Zatuchni, Ellie, Dustin and Luca

List may be incomplete at time of publishing.

We apologize for any errors or omissions.