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Rabbi KaplanThe fifth day ofChanukah this yearwill be December25. The first day ofShavu’ot will benext May 27th. Onwhich day willmore Jews becelebrating? Theone that falls nearthe birthday that took place in thatlittle town of Bethlehem, mentionedfirst in the Torah at the end of theJoseph stories when Rachel is buriedthere. By the way, I realize howChristian sounding that little town’sname is, but almost every Jew knowswhat it means because we say the“Motzi” before we eat- HAMOTZILECHEM MIN HA’ARETZ, “Who bringsforth BREAD from the earth”. BEITLECHEM (the way that little town ispronounced in the Torah) meansHouse of Bread. It may have beenwhere the original Panera was located.Today, that ancient Jewish town,birthplace of that nice Jewish boy, isconsidered occupied Palestinianterritory, just a few miles outside ofJerusalem, which is also consideredoccupied Palestinian territory. It’s astone’s throw (or a bullet shot) fromGilo, the Jerusalem suburb that theworld thinks is standing in the way ofpeace in the Middle East because theIsraelis dare to build new apartmentsthere. Syria slaughters hundreds of itsown innocent civilians every day andthe world yawns. Israel builds anapartment in a Jerusalem suburb andthe world says it’s all Israel’s fault. ButI digress (and ramble- sorry).Back to that young fellow’s birthday.Jews will celebrate Chanukah 99%more than they will celebrate Shavu’otfor two reasons: First: Chanukah comesat Christmas time. Second: 99% of Jewshave no idea what Shavu’ot is.Writes...Chanukah is celebrated by somany Jews, and known by so manyGentiles, ONLY because of itsproximity to Christmas. Even whenChanukah falls on Thanksgiving (whichit will in 2013), we still say “HappyHolidays” instead of Merry Christmas,even though Chanukah will have beena distant memory by the timeDecember 25 rolls around that year.Chanukah is a holiday so unimportantin Jewish tradition that it is notmentioned in the Mishneh. Heck, it’snot mentioned in the Torah! And whenit is first introduced in the Talmud, itstarts with the question, “WHAT ISCHANUKAH??” Believe me, theTalmud did not have to ask “What isShabbat” or “What is Yom Kippur.”They had to ask because it wasn’tcelebrated for hundreds of years. Themilitary victory over the Syrian Greeksoldiers who defiled the Temple inJerusalem was short lived. Within afew generations the Jews had becomeHellenized into Greek culture. Judahthe Maccabee’s great grandnephewwas named Aristobulus. Now whatkind of name is that for a nice Jewishboy? All that Judah and his brothershad fought for was forgotten, and theHasmonean dynasty had fallensquarely into the hands of Rome, andultimately to the destruction of theJewish commonwealth in 70CE. Itwould not be until 1948 that Jewsonce again controlled any land at allin the region.It is noteworthy that under thedescendants of Judah the Maccabee,the size of ancient Israel swelled quitea bit. Not only did Israel include all ofthe West Bank and all of Gaza, but agood deal of what is today Syria andJordan and even a bit of Saudi Arabiawas captured by Aristobulus and hispredecessors, and their populationsoften forcibly converted to Judaism(ouch!). All this, of course, was stillhundreds of years before anyone eventhought of naming their sonMohammad, and the only Palestinianswere Jewish ones.Because of the sour turn in laterMaccabean history, the rabbis foundnothing to celebrate in therededication (in Hebrew: Chanukah) ofthe Temple that had been defiled bythe Greeks. The sages preferred toforget the period that led to theeventual burning of the Temple by theRomans. Only hundreds of years laterdid the rabbis of the Talmud“resurrect” the idea of Chanukah byincluding a story that had never beenheard of before: The oil miraculouslylasting eight days.Now Shavu’ot, on the other hand,celebrates the giving of the Torah toMoses at Mt. Sinai. If I’m not mistaken,that story does actually appear in theTorah and should be a rather big dealfor the Jewish people. So what can bedone to insure that Jews will celebraterevelation at Sinai with the same fervorthey do for Chanukah? My suggestionis to move Christmas to the end ofMay. The weather would be nicer andthink of how much time everyonewould have to shop if they still beganaround Thanksgiving! It would be ahuge boost to the economy as well.We could still light our Menorahsin December and eat latkes and spindreidels. I don’t see a downside toChanukah, and I personally enjoy itvery much. But maybe if Christmaswere actually in May, we could getourselves to celebrate the giving of theTorah too!Happy Chanukah, and (a bit early)Happy Shavu’ot!Rabbi Larry KaplanWe CareWant to attend services or Temple events, but have notransportation? Just call the Temple office a few days in advanceand we will try to arrange a ride for you.Page 2

SCHOOL NOTESHappyDecemberBirthdayto OurStudentsDecember 1 Jessie MillerDecember 6 Zeke BergerDecember 14 Ash KornfeldDecember 15 Kaci KransonDecember 15 Madison KransonDecember 16 Abigail WintersDecember 17 Ataliah DresslerDecember 18 Bailey FendlerDecember 29 Isabelle ClarkChanukah Hints:• We light candles each nightfor eight nights, starting thisyear on December 20. Candlesare placed in the Chanukiah(menorah) starting on the rightside. The number of candlesfor each day corresponds tothe number of the day beingcelebrated ( first day 1 candle,second day 2 candles, etc.)• Candles are always lit by a separate candle called theShammash (we are not allowed to use one Chanukahcandle to light another). The shammas is lit first, theblessings are said, then the candles are lit, beginningwith the candle representing the newest day first.(example: #3 then #2 then #1).• We sing 3 b’rachot on the first night (the third isShehechiyanu) and 2 on each successive night of theholiday.• Both men and women are obligated to light Chanukahcandles because all benefited directly from the miracle.The Chanukah Blessings and a selection of Chanukahsongs will be available on “The Cantor’s Page” of ourwebsite templewb.org.People in the NewsTemple Israel member, Sheldon Mermelstein, recentlyreceived the Legion of Honour award from the Frenchgovernment – that country’s highest honor – signed byFrench President Nicolas Sarkozy, during a Veterans Dayceremony at Miami Memorial Park. Sheldon and his wife,Deborah, now reside in Key West, Florida. The 88 year oldarmy veteran received the award for his action duringWorld War II at the Battle of the Bulge, the Siege ofBastogne and the Saar River crossing. Mazel Tov and bestwishes to Sheldon on receiving this very prestigious award,which he accepted on behalf of his fallen comrades. Formore information, go to http://keysnews.com/print/35849.HavdallahBat Mitzvahof Lily DrakLily Drak, daughter ofAlexander and Tali Drak, will becalled to the Torah for aHavdallah Bat Mitzvah at TempleIsrael on Saturday, December 10,2011 at 5:15 p.m. Lily has a sister, Ilana, and is a studentat United Hebrew Institute.We wish a hearty Mazel Tov and best wishes to Lilyand her family as they celebrate this very special occasionwith their friends and family.Condolences to:• Lisa Grossman on the passing of her father,David Mitchneck• Maxine Libenson on the passing of her husband,Arnold Libenson• Robert Libenson on the passing of his brother,Arnold LibensonFor those of you who expressed an interestin purchasing the Debbie Friedman video,A Journey of Spirit,which was shown on Yom Kippur afternoon,here is the information.Ann Coppel Productions, LLCPO Box 17144Seattle, WA 98127www.ajourneyofspirit.comWhen you order, please indicate that you sawthe DVD at Temple Israel, Wilkes Barre.Page 4

Women's League ofTemple IsraelMahjong Party,December 4, 2011.Women’sLeague of TempleIsrael is hosting aMahjong Party onSunday, December4, 2011 from 1-4p.m. at the JCC.Please bring yourown mahjong set.Everyone iswelcome to attend.Entry fee is $10 perperson. Makechecks payable toTemple IsraelSisterhood. ToRSVP, please callthe Temple officeat 824-8927.Book ClubThe next Book Club will meeton Sunday, December 11, 2011 at 7p.m. at the home of Sandie Lefkowitz. Theselection is Caleb’s Crossing by Geraldine Brooks.Synopsis:In 1665, a young man from Martha’s Vineyardbecame the first Native American to graduate fromHarvard College. Upon this slender factual scaffold,Brooks has created a luminous tale of love and faith,magic and adventure. The narrator of Caleb’s Crossing isBethia Mayfield, growing up in the tiny settlement ofGreat Harbor amid a small band of pioneers andPuritans. Restless and curious, she yearns after aneducation that is closed to her by her sex. As often asshe can, she slips away to explore the island’s glisteningbeaches and observe its native Wampanoag inhabitants.At twelve, she encounters Caleb, the young son of achieftain, and the two forge a tentative secret friendshipthat draws each into the alien world of the other.SHABBATSCHEDULEVAYETZEFriday, December 2Candlelighting time....................................4:17 p.m.Saturday, December 3.......................................9:30 a.m.Haftarah will be chanted by Atty. Jerry CharitonMinchah ....................................................5:15 p.m.✡ ✡ ✡ ✡VAYISHLACHFriday, December 9Candlelighting time....................................4:16 p.m.Saturday, December 10 ...................................9:30 a.m.Haftarah will be chanted by Scott BeckerMinchah ....................................................5:15 p.m.✡ ✡ ✡ ✡VAYESHEVFriday, December 16Candlelighting time....................................4:17 p.m.Saturday, December 17 ...................................9:30 a.m.Haftarah will be chanted by Cantor Ahron AbrahamMinchah ....................................................5:15 p.m.✡ ✡ ✡ ✡MIKETZHANUKKAHFriday, December 23Candlelighting time....................................4:20 p.m.Saturday, December 24.....................................9:30 a.m.Haftarah will be chanted by Robert IsaacsMinchah ....................................................5:15 p.m.✡ ✡ ✡ ✡VAYIGASHFriday, December 30Candlelighting time....................................4:25 p.m.Saturday, December 31.....................................9:30 a.m.Haftarah will be chanted by David BravmanMinchah ....................................................5:15 p.m.Page 5

DECEMBER YAHRZEITSWeek of December 1 – December 8: Evelyn S. Crames, Frederick Dunner, Isadore Finkelstein, Sarah Fortinsky, JosephGeorge, Mary Gold, Selma Gordon, Ceil Harrison, David W. Izenberg, Deborah Kline, Michael Lisnov, Edna Meyer,Ethyle Naveen, Esther Savitz, Ethel Schnabel, Anna Schonfeld, Albert Stein, Pearl Thalenfeld, Sylvia Valen, Jane Walter,Miriam WeissWeek of December 9 – December 15: Isaac Burnat, David Celender, Gussie Cohen, Norman Coplan, Harry Fendler,Blanche Frank, Sondra Ginsberg, Cantor Saul Z Hammerman, Gwen Harris, Harry Kornblau, Ben Kurlancheek, AaronLisses, Hilda Lubin, Nathan Meyer, Samuel Moskow, Abe H. Popky, Irving Post, Steven Rifkin, Samuel Rosenbaum, BeaRuttenberg, Harold Salsburg, Hannah Schiffman, Ruth Silverstein, Paula Singer, Mae H. Smulyan, Wilbur TroyWeek of December 16 – December 22: Helen Amdur, Bernard Bergman, Joseph N Coplan, Gilbert Feinstein, SaulFelder, Louis Frank, Marvin Friedman, Pauline Friedman, Max Goldberg, Alan Herschenfeld, Samuel Kluger, PaulineKorn, Jack Lach, David Melletz, Harry Mertz, Fred Miscimarra, Martin Nelson, Jack L Newirth, Sophie Sagenkahn, AnnaSare, Sarah Savitz, Pearl Seeherman, Anne Sumner, Morris Vilensky, Joseph WasserstromWeek of December 23 – December 31: Sydney Berman, Samuel Birnbaum, Florence Bleyer, Miriam Esther Block,Nancy Dempsey, Martin D. Feit, William Feldstein, Fritzie Frank, Lena Gershen, Joseph Goldberg, Helen Gross, DoraJacobs, Leo Levey, Sarah Bergman Levy, Bruce Linzer, Margaret Novzen, Ida Pollock, Leo Shuman, David Skolnik,Morris Smith, Leonard Sten, Anna Strauss, Jack Sugarman, Lillian Sugarman, Gladys Fogel Tannenbaum, C. Carl Weiss,Irving Winkler, Ida ZatcoffPlease note the following local members who are observing yahrzeits during the month of December and try to attendminyan with them in order that they may say Kaddish:December 1 Gladys Weisberger, Jesse Izenberg,Robert PrashkerDecember 2 Sally ConnorDecember 3 Charles FortinskyDecember 4 Colleen Kranson, Sally Sagenkahn,Debra SchonfeldDecember 5 Jesse SavitzDecember 6 Rabbi Larry Kaplan, Tweedy CohenDecember 7 Nancy JuddDecember 9 Maxine LibensonDecember 10 Harold Frank, Lynn Gonchar,Ronne KurlancheekDecember 11 Julius Coplan, Roz FriedmanDecember 12 Bruce FendlerDecember 13 Dr. Samuel Hammerman,Dr. Michael Harris, Diane Rabinowitz,Sidney Friedman, Linda WilliamsDecember 14 Shirley Schoenholtz, Nancy Judd,Irving Moskow, Janet PopkyDecember 15 Iris Levy, Charlotte Cutler, Lynnette Kislin,Sheldon Lubin, Terry Nelson,Richard Salsburg, Deborah Troy, Jane TroyDecember 16 Stuart Abrams, Rosalind Duncan,Robert Friedman, Sidney Friedman,Judy Gelb, Brenda VilenskyDecember 17 Dr. Peter FeinsteinDecember 19 Harold Frank, Ina Lubin, Carole Abraham,Atty. Joseph J. SavitzDecember 20 Brian Newirth, Irwin SagenkahnDecember 21 Bruce Fendler, Sheldon NelsonDecember 22 Julius Coplan, Roz Friedman,Joan Rittenberg, Sandra Herschenfeld,Rosalyn Salsburg, Linda Cohen,Ruth Mertz, Stephen Seeherman,Brenda VilenskyDecember 23 Nancy Freedman, Ruth StenDecember 24 Arthur Shuman, Lois MayDecember 25 Ruth LeveyDecember 26 Ina Lubin, Howard Sugarman, Judy MoskowDecember 27 Barbara RappaportDecember 29 Elizabeth BartolaiDecember 30 Dr. Irvin Jacobs, Ruth LeveyDecember 31 Dr. Richard Levy, Allan Nachlis,Beverly NachlisPage 6

From Our President. . .Temple Israel is enjoying amemorable fall season! Between Octoberand November, our Temple celebratedfive Bat Mitzvahs: Lainy Goldstein,Lauren Greenwald, Elizabeth Abraham,Alexis Soifer and Olivia Winters. Each ofthese outstanding students is unique intheir own way. I want to extend myFred Levycompliments to each young woman; totheir parents for their support and encouragement; to RabbiKaplan; to Cantor Abraham, their instructor; and to GerriKaplan, Hebrew School Principal, for providing the properacademic environment to prepare these students to meet thechallenge of completing the Bat Mitzvah requirements.The Annual Pulpit Exchange between Temple Israel andFirst Presbyterian Church was once again well-received. Rev.Dr. Robert Zanicky spoke eloquently at Temple on Shabbat,November 5th and on Sunday, November 20th at FirstPresbyterian Church, Rabbi Kaplan’s sermon and the music ofRabbi Kaplan and Cantor Abraham provided an inspirationalservice, followed by a delicious luncheon. Please don’t missthis annual event next year. The only thing that could havemade the Pulpit Exchange better would be greater participationby our members.Barbara and I want to wish everyone a Happy Chanukah!I look forward to seeing you on Shabbat!Fred LevyWomen’s League of Temple Israel:Become InvolvedCookies for Kids: The Rabbi has encouraged donations from the congregation to the Dinners for Kids programfounded by Dave Tevet of Ollie’s. Women’s League is complementing the Rabbi’s request for donations by asking forcookies to provide dessert for the children in this program. We had hoped to bake cookies but insurance issues haveprevented us from going this route, so instead, we are asking for store bought cookie donations (preferably SMALLchocolate chip). Donate one bag or a bag monthly (by the 15th of each month), or send a $5 check or more and wewill purchase the cookies for you. Drop off is at the Temple Israel School Building or 205 Joseph Drive, Kingston.Bedonna Mitchneck and Anne Rappaport are coordinating this project. This community service activity is a valuableWomen’s League contribution to the many children in our community who are ‘food insecure’.Mahjong Party: Mahjong players come out and enjoy an afternoon of Mahjong with your friends and supportWomen’s League. This year the party will be held on 12/4/2011 from 1-4 p.m. at the JCC in conjunction with the JCCHoliday Boutique Sale (12-4 p.m.). Come early and shop, and then join us for Mahjong. There is a $10 entry fee. Lightrefreshments will be served. RSVP to the Temple office at 824-8927.Chanukah Raffle: Rosemary Chromey has volunteered once again to coordinate our Chanukah raffle. Thank youto the Greenwald Berk Agency for underwriting the ticket costs. Please watch your mailbox for your tickets. Thisfundraiser benefits the Temple and religious school, so please consider giving generously.Torah Fund: It has been several years since Women’s League of Temple Israel has been involved with Torah Fund.Thanks to the coordination by Sally Connor, Women’s League members will be asked to consider giving once again tothis important cause. Our dollars provide vital support to the Jewish Theological Seminary and the Ziegler School ofRabbinic Studies, the institutions that provide our future Rabbis, Cantors, Synagogue Administrators, Hebrew SchoolEducators, Jewish Family Social Workers and lay leadership. Watch your mailbox in early January for the details on thisopportunity to strengthen and preserve Conservative Judaism throughout the United States, Israel and the World.Women’s League Shabbat: Mark your calendars for Saturday, February 4th, 2012. Plans are underway. Ourtheme will celebrate prominent Jewish women of the 20th and 21st centuries. Our older religious school students willbe researching and presenting on these contemporary women. Additionally, recognition will be given to Torah Fundcontributors. Women’s League members are invited to actively participate in the service so if interested, please e-mail(sisterhood@templewb.org) or call Marsha Lebenson (287-1028). Lynn Keiser will be adding to the celebration bypreparing the Kiddush.Page 7

Temple Israel236 S. River St.Wilkes-Barre PA 18702Change Service RequestedHebrew SchoolNon-ProfitOrganizationU.S. PostagePAIDWilkes-Barre, PAPermit No. 105December 2011Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday SaturdayShabbat services,1 2 9:30 a.m. 3Family service,10:30-11:30 a.m. inthe VestryWomen’s League ofTemple IsraelMahjong Party, 1-4p.m., JCCHebrew SchoolHebrew SchoolShabbat services,4 5 6 7 8 9 109:30 a.m.Board of Trusteesmeeting, 7:30 p.m.Book Club at thehome of SandieLefkowitz, 7:00 p.m.Hebrew School Hebrew School Shabbat services,11 12 13 14 15 16 179:30 a.m.Havdallah service,5:15 p.m.Hebrew SchoolHebrew SchoolShabbat services,18 19 20 21 22 23 249:30 a.m.Erev ChanukahCommunity ChaunkahDinner & SisterhoodRaffle, JCC, 5 p.m.Shabbat services,25 26 27 28 29 30 319:30 a.m.Temple Israel FundsThe following is a listing of Temple Israel funds to which donors may contribute for memorials, simchas, recoveries, etc.Minimum contribution is $5.00 unless otherwise noted.DR. AND MRS. HAROLD BERSON FUNDTHE MURIEL BRAVMAN MEMORIAL FUNDBUILDING FUNDBIBLE FUND ($10)CHAI CONTRIBUTIONS ($18)SALLY & RALPH CONNORHIDDUR MITZVAH FUNDJOSEPH N. COPLAN PRAYER BOOK FUNDCHARLOTTE & JOE CUTLER FUNDETZ CHAIM BIBLE ($118)FEED THE HOMELESS FUNDFRIEDMAN INTERFAITH ENDOWMENTROBERT FRIEDMAN LITURGICAL MUSIC FUNDIRWIN H. GELB EDUCATIONAL FUNDHAPPY DAY FUNDENID HERSHEY KIDDUSH CUP FUNDHIGH HOLIDAY PRAYER BOOK FUND ($7.50)LAWRENCE HOLLANDER B'NAI MITZVAHPRAYER BOOK FUNDMARION & JACOB ISAACS ENDOWMENTDORIS & SIDNEY KEISER KERUV FUNDEMIL & NATALIE KELLNER HEBREW SCHOOL FUNDESTHER & NATHAN KLEINPASSOVER ENDOWMENTRALPH & MURIEL KLEIN MEMORIAL FUNDHANNAH & WILLIAM S. KLINE LIBRARY FUNDLANDAU PAVILION FUNDLEVY CHAPEL FUNDBEN LIBENSON MEMORIAL ART FUNDFRANK & HILDA LUBINFEED THE HOMELESS FUNDLYONS EDUCATION FUNDMINNIE MORRELL MUSIC FUNDMINYAN FUNDBARBARA NEWSBAUM MILLERPRAYER BOOK FUNDSAM NELSON CARE PACKAGE FUNDDORIS & JEROME NEWMANEDUCATIONAL ENRICHMENT FUNDPASCALE/KAPLAN EDUCATIONAL FUNDPRAYER BOOK FUNDRABBI’S DISCRETIONARY FUNDRABINOWITZ TALLIT FUNDJOAN F. & HERBERT L. RITTENBERG FAMILYENDOWMENTSALLYANNE, HAROLD & FRANK SCOTT ROSENNCOMMUNITY SERVICE ENDOWMENTSAIDMAN-GREENWALD TORAH FUND($18 MINIMUM)SANCTUARY FUND ($25)SHAFFER SHABBAT KIDDUSH FUNDSHAFFER SUKKAH ENDOWMENTSIDDUR HADASH ($36)SILBERMAN MEZUZZAH FUNDSIMS ENDOWMENTMARK SLOMOWITZ MEMORIAL ENDOWMENTHAROLD R. SMITH HEBREW SCHOOL FUNDUSY/KADIMA FUNDMORRIS VILENSKY MEMORIAL FUND