08/18/11 Rabbi's Weekly Teaching

Weekly Teaching By Rabbi Mitchell M. Hurvitz rabbimitch@templesholom.com
Rabbi's Weekly Teaching Parashat Eikev Friday, August 19th, 2011 I had the joy of teaching at a recent gathering of the UJA-Federation of Westchester Women's Philanthropy Leadership group, the theme of which was "Family Values." Throughout the past decade, the notion of family values has shaped our national conversation about politics, education, and the system of ethical and moral behaviors that we hope, as parents, to transmit to our children. We readily accept the idea that morally grounded children, who understand the difference between right and wrong, and who fully comprehend the expectations of the society in which they live, are happy children. And thus, I made the point that in secular society if you ask a parent what they most want for their children, the most common answer received is that they would like their children to be happy. But if you ask a Jewish parent what they want most for their child, the answer is somewhat different. It is not that Jewish parents don't want happiness for their children, but what they do want most is for their child to become a mensch -- a Jewish individual who, with every act, value, and ethical behavior, embraces and embodies our full humanity. We believe that with menschlikeit comes happiness, but it begs the question: can one be happy even without being a mensch? Parents who proudly display the school bumper sticker that "My child is an Honor Student at [name of school]" should undoubtedly be proud of their child's academic achievement. But when we consider success in Jewish terms, when a person succeeds, but does so without a solid grounding in ethics or morals, any and all success -- whether academic, economic, or measured in any other terms that we would label as "fame and fortune" -- is meaningless. Of course, like every group, and every individual, Jews hope to succeed within the material world so as to enable us to take care of ourselves, our loved ones, our Jewish family, and our human family. We also understand that taking care of others is not defined just in economic terms, but framed by our attitudes of love and kindness as pervasive in everything we are, and everything we do. What we think, and how we live, can be defined in terms as essential as our body posture, language, and actions. These make it easy to see how certain people can move through the world, blind to the needs of others, involved only satisfying their own desires and drives. In other words: selfishness shows. The core value of how we live a life of menschlikeit is by cultivated the practice of Derech Eretz. This term literally means "the way of the land," but we understand this way as how we define our respectful, thoughtful, and loving behavior to all with whom we have contact. Like God, who "created order from chaos," we are responsible for bringing ethical and loving order to any circumstance of potential disorder. The mitzvah of Derech Eretz includes, but is not limited to, our respectful treatment of the elderly, showing honor to our teachers, and being loving children to our parents. Derech Eretz is also about demonstrating kindness to all living things, seeking opportunities at all times to do good, modeling good behavior for others, and integrating charity into our daily lives. Living Derech Eretz elevates us from the mundane to the menschlik. It enables us to be better people, and do what God expects of us. The golden rule of Judaism, like the golden rule of all the great religions of the world, is to love others as you wish to be loved. This fundamental teaching is understood as a core value of humanity, because all human beings are created equally in God's image. Children are not born with an implicit understanding of this core value, and so parents need to work on creating an environment that nurtures the need to possess constant compassion and concern for others. There are many steps we can take, but as with all demands on our time and attention, we have to schedule our opportunities for implementation. As you look to the days and weeks ahead, with all of the busy tasks that mark the beginning of the school year, consider making time for menschlikeit. Take a moment to schedule time in your calendar for acts of loving kindness: dropping the coins in our tzedakah boxes before going to sleep at night, setting aside food for the hungry and delivering it to a food pantry, visiting a home for the elderly to bring cheer to those who need it, or volunteering to serve food - and compassionate communication - at a soup kitchen. The best of intentions often fall to the wayside, simply because we don't concretize our intentions into a defined time and space. Family values can take shape in many different ways, but one thing unites them all: parents and grandparents are the best teachers, and the most crucial transmitters of what is important to a family. As those who teach the next generation, we can be the most effective role models when we remember that our children are always watching, always looking to us to learn how to be a mensch. Children notice how we speak to others, when we smile at someone who has done something for us, how we express gratitude to others - and they also notice when we do not make these important human contacts. If we want our children to be menschlik, we have to work as hard on this as we do to make our kids successful in school, on the athletic fields, on stage and in their daily lives. Just as importantly, we have to remember that we are their role models, and when we see our children acting in a way that we may not like, we should perhaps look to ourselves to see where they are getting their values. When push comes to shove, what do we really want for our children? If we are teaching them to aspire to greatness, then it is up to us to teach them what greatness truly is. Shabbat shalom, Rabbi Mitch
Temple Sholom 300 E. Putnam Avenue Greenwich, CT 06830 203-869-7191

08/19/11 Temple Sholom Weekly E-Bulletin

Temple Sholom E-Bulletin August 19th, 2011 Thursday, August 25th Talmud Study: Radical Rabbis with Rav David Candle Lighting Friday, August 19th 7:31pm Temple Sholom's Worship Schedule Friday, August 19th 6:30 - 7:15pm Saturday, August 20th 9:30am - 12:00pm Sunday, August 21st 8:30 - 9:15am Weekly Teaching by Rabbi Mitch I had the joy of teaching at a recent gathering of the UJA-Federation of Westchester Women's Philanthropy Leadership group, the theme of which was "Family Values." Throughout the past decade, the notion of family values has shaped our national conversation about politics, education, and the system of ethical and moral behaviors that we hope, as parents, to transmit to our children. We readily accept the idea that morally grounded children, who understand the difference between right and wrong, and who fully comprehend the expectations of the society in which they live, ... Click here to see the full version of this teaching. Temple Sholom is going Apple Picking Sunday, September 4th, 11:00am Meet at Silverman's Farm in Easton, Ct Fun for all ages! Pick Your Own Hay Rides Petting Zoo Picnic Area (bring a dairy or vegetarian lunch) RSVP to Michele Strauss (203) 542-7161 or michele.strauss@templesholom.com Click here for more information about Silverman's Farm. Join the Sisterhood! Women of Temple Sholom! Join us for these exciting programs - just a taste of an exciting year ahead: Neshama Yoga, Friday, September 16th, 9:15am Sisterhood will be offering a trial class of Neshama Yoga in Temple Sholom's Youth Lounge. Neshama Yoga, developed by Jackie Tepper, RYT, is a fusion of Kundalini Yoga and Jewish spirituality. It accesses the healing and elevating effects of Kundalini Yoga within a Jewish context. Click here for information about this unique form of Yoga. Mahjonng, Monday, September 19th, 7:00pm Sisterhood will begin its monthly Mahonng evenings for experience and beginner players.Temple members and nonmembers are welcome! Our teacher, Stephanie Buckley, will be available monthly if needed. To play with Stephanie, fee is $10 - limited to 16 new players. You must rsvp to be insured a spot at a table. Please let us know if you can bring a mahjonng set! Look for further information on these and other Sisterhood programs online and in the mail soon. If you have any questions regarding any of Sisterhood programs, please call Phyllis Shapiro at (203) 637-7809 or email her at wigini@gmail.com. AJC Westchester and Temple Sholom present Turmoil and Transformation in Israel and the Middle East Thursday, September 15th, 7:30pm Featuring David Harris, AJC National Executive Director American Jewish Committee Executive Director David Harris offers an insider's perspective on the current climate of change in the Middle East, and its impact on our Jewish homeland. Do not miss this opportunity to hear a compelling and charismatic speaker discuss issues crucial to the life of our Jewish state. Reserve your spot now by contacting Alice Schoen at alice.schoen@templesholom.com or call (203) 542-7165. This event is co-sponsored by AJC Westchester and Temple Sholom in partnership with the Westchester Jewish Council, the UJA-Federation of NY, and the UJA-Federation of Greenwich. Informational Meeting Temple Sholom's Israel Mission Tuesday, September 20th, at 7:00pm Temple Sholom leads a mission to Israel every year. This year's trip will take place in association with The Sholom Center in February 2012. Spaces for the trip are filling up quickly - so don't miss out on this chance to be part of a fascinating and timeless exploration of the Holy Land. If you're interested in finding out more about the mission, please come to our Israel Mission Informational Meeting on Tuesday, September 20th, at 7:00pm. Click here to find out more about Temple Sholom's Israel Trip - February 9th - 19th, or contact Lori Baden at (203) 542-7172 or Lori.Baden@templesholom.com. Don't miss our final Summer Study program of the summer: Radical Rabbis Rav David studies the most controversial debates, stories, and figures in the Talmud. Thursdays 7:00 - 8:30pm The last class will meet on August 25th Join us at the Jewish Network of Young Couples (JNYC) Fall Program Cafe 5772 Gathering to honor the Jewish New Year Saturday evening, September 17th, 8:00pm An evening of music and socializing with friends hosted by Jennifer and Alon Kutai at the home of Elliot and Ruth Bier. To RSVP or for more information, please contact Sarah Fradkin at (203) 204-2567 or email her at jnycgreenwich@gmail.com. In and Around the Community... Florence Melton Adult Mini School in Greenwich, CT is now open. Classes are held on Tuesday mornings, beginning on September 13th, 2011. For further information call 203-552-1818 or register on line at JCCGreewwich.org. Jewish Committee on Scouting - Open House for Cub and Boy Scouts, Sunday, September 18th at 7:00pm, at Hebrew Institute of White Plains, 20 Greenridge Avenue, White Plains. Let your son join in the fun, adventure and skill-building of the Scouts in an environment supportive of Jewish values and traditions from Westchester's only Jewish Boy Scouts Troop and Pack. For more information, visit at www.westchesterscouts.org. Bamitbach means "in the kitchen" and is a kosher food and recipe blog by Irene Saiger, mother of our very own Rav David Saiger. Featuring delicious, seasonal kosher recipes (and some truly delightful writing), Bamitbach is a great resource for cooks and foodies who want to create healthy and delectable dishes for the kosher table. Find out more at http://bamitbach.wordpress.com.

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

08/19/11 CT NEWS ALERT: End Appears Near For UConn AD Jeff Hathaway

UConn AD Jeff Hathaway: End Appears Near

Embattled UConn athletic director Jeff Hathaway and the school are in negotiations to end his tenure with a buyout.
A source told The Courant that "there are negotiations going on and they appear to be coming to a conclusion," but the source would not say when that might happen. The source indicated that it could go into next week.

08/19/11 The Greenwich First Selectman Report

A News Report About Greenwich First Selectman Peter Tesei

GHS suspends student parking privileges to start school year Greenwich Time First Selectman Peter Tesei referenced Winters' letter Thursday at a meeting of the Board of Selectmen. A GHS graduate who is the town's chief elected ...

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08/19/11 Will Our Town Get More Press Now That GHS Seniors Are Not Allowed To Use The Parking Lot, Because Of The BOE's Auditorium Project Disaster?

VIDEO: Remember the last time there were parking restrictions at Greenwich High School?

This is what happened.....

The Daily Show
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08/19/11 Obituary: John Benjamin Evans And More From The Greenwich Topix News Message Board

Greenwich - News August 19, 2011 See Greenwich Weather Obituary: John Benjamin Evans (Manhasset Press) John Benjamin Evans (Ben), son of Flora (nee Walther) and William H. Evans, died Saturday, Aug. 6, 2011, at Greenwich Hospital of complications from pneumonia at age 87. Born July 19, 1924 in New York City, he resided in Plandome, New York and attended the Manhasset Public Schools. He was an Ensign in the Navy and achieved Veteran’s status as a Second Mate in the Merchant Marine during World War II. He served on tours of France, India, East Africa and South America. He attended Johns Hopkins University after the war, and went to work in textiles for Leslie and Co., Mill Agents, and Burlington Industries in New York City. Ben resided in Riverside and Greenwich, CT from 1961-2004...... FROM BYRAM ROUNDUP: Was Superintendent of Schools Sidney Freund Good For Byram Children (greenwichroundup.blogspot) This week, three months after he stunned the town by announcing his resignation, Superintendent of Schools Sidney Freund will spend his last days in Greenwich. Now that the initial shock has worn off, Board of Education and Byram officials, along with parents and other stakeholders have started to reflected on Freund's two years as Greenwich schools chief. Freund's tenure may have been brief, but it was filled with challenges, as well as significant achievements. Debates about expanding the International Baccalaureate program into Western Middle School in Byram. People in the Byram community have long called for cuts to the number of administrators and to this goal not much was accomplished by Freund. Many Byram parents and teachers odds with the superintendent, but they seem to take a somewhat balanced look at Freund's impact on Greenwich overall. The feeling Generally is that in certain respects he left the district better than he found it. But, in many other respects, however, he left the district much worse than he found it. The school district's credibility with the public was compromised by the manner in which the superintendent undertook International Baccalaureate program, and his unprofessional handling of issues surrounding his abrupt voluntary resignation. Greenwich Board of Education member Marianna Ponns Cohen has repeatedly accused Freund of committing the town financially to the IB program without the authorization of the full school board. When explaining his decision to resign, Freund cited his increasingly tense relationship with Ponns Cohen and school board member Peter Sherr, who both voted against starting negotiations on a two-year contract extension for the superintendent a few days before he made his announcement. Many Byram parents answer to the question about Freund's tenure lies with Byram's scores on state exams, which have fallen in many areas. Many parents think that speaks for itself...... Metro-North Takes Heat From Commuters (The Daily Greenwich) Delays on Metro-North's New Haven Line on Thursday evening made railroad President Howard Permut at least 20 minutes late to a public forum where the railroad's bad service was the topic of discussion. ... the worst experience I've ever gone through on Metro-North," said Stratford resident Dot Crosby, who commutes to Greenwich. "The conductors did nothing to help people. Metro-North is useless. They should be ashamed of themselves." At the beginning ... Darien resident puts Start U Up back in business (The Hour Online) DARIEN -- Jeffrey Glick is ready to Start U Up -- again.The Darien resident and CPA has relaunched his compliance, financial and human-resources service company. ...in 2004, but due to the economic meltdown in 2008, took a full-time CFO job with one of his clients, the Greenwich firm Sagard. Now Glick is getting back in the entrepreneur game. He has been working in the financial field since the 1980s and .... Please send your comments, news tips and press releases to GreenwichRoundup@gmail.com Angie Needs a Loving Home in Greenwich (The Daily Greenwich) Greenwich's pet of the week is Angie, a 5-year-old spayed German shepherd who was transferred to our shelter in June from a local municipal shelter along with her four puppies. Forget About A TEA Party Downgrade - They Are Talking About A Greenwich Downgrade !!!!!! (greenwichroundup.blogspot) The Greenwich First Selectman Report .... News And Commentary About Greenwich First Selectman Peter Tesei First The Mill Rate goes Up And Now This ...... Moody's Threatens To Downgrade Greenwich's Tripple-A Credit Ratting Greenwich First Selectman Peter Tesei And The BET Finally Start To Put Long Over Do Financial Controls In Place Greenwich could be in danger of losing its AAA bond rating from Moody's, which recently put the town on a negative outlook list Moody's, a member of the big three credit ratings agencies, put on notice Aug. 4 that their top borrowing status could be at risk. Greenwich has a negative outlook, which basically means there's a risk of downgrade over the next year or two. Greenwich been consistently rated triple-A in recent decades. If Greenwich was downgraded, the immediate impact would be higher interest costs. Bonding had been commonplace up until 1933, when the town, saddled with debt, decided to go in a new direction of pay-as-you-go. For decades, Greenwich never went to the bond market with the exception of sewer debt. Greenwich turned to short-term borrowing to augment tax revenues to pay for capital items in recent years, resorting to long-term bonds for sewer improvements and other projects in which the town will get a guaranteed return on its investment through fees. The town is currently carrying $129 million in debt, a total that excludes $17 million in potential borrowing for a new music instruction space and auditorium at Greenwich High School and $15.6 million in potential borrowing for other projects...... Patch Pets (Patch) Last fall animal control was alerted to a litter of kittens discovered living outdoors. Patch Picks: Six Great Date-Night Destinations (Patch) Looking for a great spot to take your date on Saturday night? Some of the best eateries and activities are just around the corner.

08/19/11 Who's Helping The Dogs Out ?

Old Greenwich resident Emma Beinstein, 9 and her brother Connor Beinstein, 6, are selling lemonade this summer with their neighbor Kendall Gregory, 12.

They are raising funds for Lick the World, a charity Kendall founded with friends Caity Sushon and Nell Cameron to help local shelter dogs.

To find out when the stand will be open again this summer, or to make a contribution to Lick the World, email helpdognow@gmail.com.

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08/19/11 Report: Ruth Madoff To Divorce Bernie In Effort To Reconcile Contact With Her Children

Photo: Ruth Madoff In Happier Times

Ruth Madoff will divorce her husband, Ponzi schemer Bernard Madoff, in order to reconcile with her son, a Madoff biographer said.

Ruth Madoff, 70, reportedly has not gone to prison to visit her husband of 52 years since their son Mark, 46, committed suicide last December, according to Diana Henriques, author of “Bernie Madoff: The Wizard of Lies.”

Doesn't Anyone feel sorry for poor Bernie sitting in that jail down south?

BUT RUTH IS STILL IN THE DOG HOUSE .....

Another son, Andrew, reportedly has not had contact with his mother since the suicide, and turned her away from a memorial service for Mark at his home in Greenwich, Conn., the New York Post reported.

The brothers, who turned in their father, broke off contact with their mother after she chose to support her husband during legal proceedings. Henriques told CBS’ “The Early Show” that “there are good signs of reconciliation” between mother and son.

Bernard Madoff bilked investors out of approximately $20 billion and is serving a 150-year sentence at the federal prison in Butner, N.C.

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08/19/11 PRESS RELEASE: ONS Foundation Receives $300,000 Donation To Support Research Laboratory

The ONS Foundation for Clinical Research and Education Inc, a nonprofit organization in alliance with Greenwich Hospital

The ONS Foundation for Clinical Research and Education has announced the receipt of a $300,000 donation from Milton Sender of Stamford, CT and Middleburg, VA. The funds will go towards the operations support for the Foundation's new laboratory for arthroscopy, surgical skills and biomechanics research.

Milton Sender is a co-founder and former-CEO of Daymon Worldwide, a marketing company of private-brand products. He became interested in the Foundation after being treated by physicians at ONS who are also involved with the ONS Foundation. "I met (Drs.) Mark Camel and Seth Miller when I needed surgery on my neck and shoulder after a fall from a horse. I was very impressed with the competence of the doctors at ONS. I heard about the Foundation and I wanted to do something to help people in my own community who have helped me so much. The Foundation was a natural choice. I believe that if you are good at what you do, you shouldn't have a ceiling over your head. I hope my gift will help stimulate others to support the Foundation, so it may continue to advance research on treatments for bone and joint conditions into the future." Mr. Sender added that his own experiences with injuries and treatments have made him acutely aware of the potential for orthopedics and neurosurgery to have a major impact on peoples' lives.

The $300,000, which will be distributed over five years, will go towards operating the ONS Foundation Laboratory for arthroscopy, surgical skills and biomechanics that is under development and expected to open in January 2012. Research projects currently underway using outside labs include a comparison study of open and minimally invasive spinal fusion procedures, a comparative outcome and cost analysis for treatment of unstable odontoid fractures in the elderly, an evaluation of intra-articular rotator cuff repair and an examination of the pathenogensis of rotator cuff tears.

"It is an honor to have Milton's support," said Vicki Leeds Tananbaum, Vice President to the Board of Directors of the Foundation. "To be recognized by someone of Milton's stature and reputation is a real complement to the Foundation. We look forward to working closely with him."

The ONS Foundation for Clinical Research and Education Inc. was established in 2008 by a group of orthopaedic surgeons, neurosurgeons, concerned individuals and community leaders who realized the importance of improving patient results through research and education. Foundation research projects aim to improve patient care by furthering the development of minimally invasive techniques and other treatments for injuries and conditions of the shoulder, elbow and knee, and spinal disorders. The office is located at 6 Greenwich Office Park, 10 Valley Drive, Greenwich, CT.

For further information about the ONS Foundation, visit www.ons-foundation.org or call (203) 869-3131.

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07/14/11 Miles of Memories [Video] and more from Greenwich Patch

Today 80° 64° Tomorrow 84° 66° August 19, 2011 Your News Miles of Memories [Video] Barbara Heins | Aug 19, 2011 | 0 Comments Hundreds of motorcyclists remember victims of Sept. 11 attacks with memorial ride starting in Greenwich. Malloy, Unions: It's a Deal! [Video] David Moran | Aug 19, 2011 | 0 Comments State employee unions reach deal on concession agreement with Gov. Dannel P. Malloy to close $1.6 billion budget gap, avoiding massive layoffs and facility closings. Body Pulled from Lake in Fairfield; State Employee Unions OK Deal John Davisson | Aug 18, 2011 | 0 Comments A roundup of headlines from across the region. Greenwich Police Make Arrests for Car Theft; Drug Possession; Domestic Violence Barbara Heins | Aug 18, 2011 | 0 Comments Information supplied by Greenwich Police and does not reflect guilt or convictions. New Haven Line Trains Halted by 'Power Control Problem' Sheryl Shaker | Aug 18, 2011 | 0 Comments All New Haven Line trains were ordered to stop at the nearest station after a "power control problem" occurred in Manhattan, a Metro-North spokeswoman said. See more News » Opinion Get Out Around Greenwich This Weekend Sue Rogers | Aug 19, 2011 | 0 Comments There are many ways to feast and enjoy summer nights. See more Opinion »