08/12/11 Temple Sholom Weekly E-Bulletin

Temple Sholom E-Bulletin August 12th, 2011 Friday, August 12th Beach Service at Tod's Point Seaside Garden Sunday, August 14th The Art of Prayer with Cantor Asa Wednesday, August 17th Youth Ice Cream at Gofer with Rav David and Reb Allison Thursday, August 18th Talmud Study: Radical Rabbis with Rav David Join us tonight for Temple Sholom's Shabbat on the Beach at Tod's Point, Greenwich Town Beach Wine & Cheese pre-oneg at 6:00pm Services at 6:30pm Don't forget to bring beach chairs! Also, please feel free to bring along a (dairy) picnic dinner to stay after and socialize with your Temple Sholom friends! Click here for directions. Please note: this will be the only Shabbat service taking place this evening. Candle Lighting Friday, August 12th 7:49pm Temple Sholom's Worship Schedule Friday, August 12th 6:30 - 7:15pm Saturday, August 13th 9:30am - 12:00pm Sunday, August 14th 8:30 - 9:15am Weekly Teaching by Rabbi Mitch At a time of year when we are beginning to think about the new Jewish year, and about tasks ahead for the fall season, when some of us are relishing those last few days of vacation, and considering, ever so reluctantly, the upcoming demands of work, school and life in general, I've been pondering a new look at the idea of a "job description." At seminary, as a young student, I don't know that a job description ever would have realistically prepared me and my colleagues for the rabbinic life that lay ahead... Click here to see the full version of this teaching. Temple Sholom Simcha Corner Mazel Tov To: Sheri and David Gellman, on the Bat Mitzvah of their daughter, Sarah. Julie and Doug Ostrover, on the Bat Mitzvah of their daughter, Olivia. Last chance! Don't miss our final Summer Study programs of the season: Radical Rabbis Rav David studies the most controversial debates, stories, and figures in the Talmud. Thursdays 7:00 - 8:30pm The last two classes will meet on August 18th & 25th The Art of Prayer There's more than one way to sing L'cha Dodi! Join Cantor Asa and get to know the weekly prayers that celebrate Shabbat. Sundays: 9:30 - 10:30am The last class will meet on August 14th. 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. Last Summer Youth Event Wednesday, August 17th, 4:30 to 6:00pm Calling all 2nd to 8th graders! Join Rav David and Reb Allison at Gofer Ice Cream on East Putnam Avenue on Wednesday, August 17th from 4:30 to 6:00pm. They will treat you to a scoop of ice cream - as we look forward to welcoming you back to Temple Sholom in just a few short weeks! For more info or to RSVP, email Rav David at RavDavid@templesholom.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

08/12/11 The Old Greenwich Topix News Message Board: There's Nothing to Be Chicken About ...

Old Greenwich - News August 12, 2011 See Old Greenwich Weather There's Nothing to Be Chicken About ... (Patch) Meet the newest addition to the menagerie at animal control, a rooster named Cluckster.... ... know is: How does a rooster wind up homeless on the streets of Greenwich? Cluckster was found in a backyard in Old Greenwich and animal control surmises he may have escaped during transport. It's anyone's guess really. Maybe someone thought ...

08/12/11 Rabbi's Weekly Teaching

Weekly Teaching By Rabbi Mitchell M. Hurvitz rabbimitch@templesholom.com
Join us tonight for Temple Sholom's Shabbat on the Beach at Tod's Point, Seaside Garden, Greenwich Town Beach Wine & Cheese pre-oneg at 6:00pm Services at 6:30pm Don't forget to bring beach chairs! Please feel free to bring a (dairy) picnic dinner to stay after and spend time with your Temple Sholom friends! Click here for directions. Please note: this will be the only Shabbat service taking place this evening.
Rabbi's Weekly Teaching Parashat Vaetchanan Friday, August 12th, 2011 At a time when we are beginning to think about the new Jewish year, and about tasks ahead for the fall season, when some of us are relishing those last few days of vacation, and considering, ever so reluctantly, the imminent demands of work, school and life in general, I've been pondering a new look at the idea of a "job description." At seminary, as a young student, I don't know that a job description ever would have realistically prepared me and my colleagues for the rabbinic life that lay ahead. A rabbi's job can be as diverse and varied as the seasons, ranging from pastoral work, counseling, and synagogue administration on one day, to visiting the sick, teaching learners of every age and background, and studying and preaching the next. Additionally, on any given day, a rabbi travels the full gamut of human experience, moving from place to place, and from person to person, confronting the joys and fears, celebrations and crises of those who face life's moments through the lens of faith, and also in the moments we all experience, when our hold on faith slips from our grasp. In the context of these faith questions, I also think about how we share the task of upholding our Jewish peoplehood, and defining our place in a world that we, as Jews, are supposed to leave just a little bit better than we found it. It made me wonder: what exactly is a Jew's "job description?" Obviously, there are many possible answers, but the one I like best is that a Jew must cultivate the ability to effectively look inward so then we can then, both as a people and as individuals, productively look outward. The primary mechanism, by which we look inward in a Jewish context, is through engaging in and with our traditional liturgy. When we truly hear words of Torah, prayer, and sacred song within our hearts, minds and souls, we try to better understand who we are, and what God expects of us. Through the contextual elements of translation from Hebrew to English (and vice versa) and by listening to sacred melodies ranging from the ancient tunes that have come down through the generations, to the modern songs our children bring home, like new friends, from summer camp, we can experience our liturgy in both old and new ways that connect us both with our Jewish past and our people's future. And finally, with our kavannah (prayerful intentionality) we can learn how to utilize the words of prayer to focus our gaze inward, and prompt ourselves to change for the better. There's a story of a young rabbi who arrived in a town to become a prophet. He stood in the town square and yelled his message out at all the people: "Repent and return to God!" For decades the rabbi took his position in the town square, and shouted out the same words: "Repent and return to God!" One day, a young child came to the rabbi and said to him: "Why do you bother with this? No one ever listens to you." The rabbi smiled at the young boy and gently replied: "When I first came to this place, I had hoped to change the world. After many years, I hoped to change the town. Then, I hoped to change just a few people. Now, I preach here only in the hope to effectively change myself." Much of our disappointment in life can result from the notion of a "job description." Without realizing it, in our minds, we often create job descriptions for all of the people in our lives. We all live with the idea of the ideal spouse and perfect children, colleagues who never make mistakes, and friendship without flaws. And when the very human people around us don't live up to the expectations we set forth for them in our minds, we end up like the rabbi in the town square, yelling our messages of change to an audience that remains unmoved by our pleas. Even when we have another person's best interest at heart in our idea of what they should be, it is too easy to get caught up in the idea of fixing someone else's faults when we don't think we need to do anything to fix our own. We spend too much wasted energy on trying to change others, and not enough spiritual energy on attempting to change ourselves for the better. I think that the rabbi who was intent on becoming a prophet was on to something very important: he knew that in the effort to ultimately change himself, he could impact the world. He narrowed his job description from the goal of changing others - a goal that comes with the probability of unmet expectations - to the goal of strengthening his own faith in himself. The fact that he could answer a child's question with wisdom and understanding signifies his potential influence on that child, and through that child, the future. Rabbinic tradition teaches that each of us "stands on the cusp between salvation and destruction." Each and every action we choose to perform - or not -- can tip the Divine scale of Judgment one way or the other: not just for ourselves, but for the entire world. Consider the impact that you may have on that Divine scale of Judgment! This Shabbat, take a moment to check in on how you are doing - as a person, as a peer, as a parent, as a partner. Clearly, our individual choices, our questions and our answers have the power, according to Jewish tradition, to not only change us, but change the entire world. We can make a positive difference only when we are unafraid to commit to careful daily self-examination - checking in to see how we are measuring up to our own job description - and making sure that we engage in appropriate follow-up with those whose lives we impact - and, of course, ourselves. As we look to a new season, may we find the courage to look inward and take a sacred self-inventory, and may we allow life and love's sweetness to help us re-write our own job descriptions, and guide us in how we wish to better perform more acts of loving kindness in the days and years to come. Shabbat Shalom, Rabbi Mitch
Temple Sholom 300 E. Putnam Avenue Greenwich, CT 06830 203-869-7191

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

08/12/11 The Raw Old Greenwich News Feed

A Recently Updated Web Page About Old Greenwich, CT

Old Greenwich art takes over Flinn Gallery | Greenwich Post The Flinn Gallery in Greenwich Library is featuring the work of the Art Society of Old Greenwich through Aug. 12. Each summer the Flinn committee takes a ... www.greenwich-post.com/.../98495-old-greenwich-art-takes-o...

08/11/11 Save the Date: David Harris at Temple Sholom - September 15th

SAVE THE DATE: SEPTEMBER 15th, 2011 at 7:30pm AJC's David Harris at Temple Sholom

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

08/02/10 Vote for Rick: Independence Caucus Quote

Vote RICK TORRES for CONGRESS on AUGUST 10 IMAGINE the POSSIBILITIES with a Congressman who Pledges to Stand with Us WHAT THE INDEPENDENCE CAUCUS SAYS ABOUT RICK TORRES “In this election the very fabric of our freedoms is under direct assault. Rick Torres is running for Congress to preserve and restore our freedoms.” Rick has lived through socialism twice, once in Cuba and once in Bridgeport public housing. He is the only Congressional candidate who understands tyranny, how it erodes a society, and hijacks our liberties. Rick is a man of principle who will fight against the current trend toward a socialist United States government and act independently of any political pressure. Rick Torres is the man we must send to Congress from the 4th Congressional District. His background, his principles, his knowledge of our Constitution, his determination to preserve our liberties, and his impressive list of endorsements are all reasons to support Rick. But there is more. He intends to be a citizen legislator, one of us. He will not do anything to allow himself to become one of the political elite. No other candidate has made that pledge. RICK'S ENDORSEMENTS The Independence Caucus: (The largest endorsing body in CT outside the convention.) http://www.icaucus.org/ Ron Paul:http://www.ronpaul.com/2010-07-29/ron-paul-endorses-peter-schiff-and-rick-torres/ Republican Liberty Caucus: http://www.rlc.org/endorsed-candidates-2010/#9 Change the Congress in 2010: http://www.changethecongressin2010.com/ The Libertarian Party: http://www.lpct.org/Party.html The Conservative Party: http://www.conservativepartyct.org/ The 9-11 Family Foundation: http://www.911families.org/links.html Star Parker: http://www.starparkerforcongress.com/ T.R. Rowe: http://reptrrowe.com/ Peter Schiff: http://schiffforsenate.com/ Mark Greenberg: http://greenberg2010.com/ Jeff Cheney A FEW OF RICK'S VIDEOS To see Rick's bio click here: http://www.youtube.com/watch? v=SCrzFs-l1FE To see Rick's socialism video click here: http://www.youtube.com/watch? v=zfrkEtjIddQ To see Rick's call with Mark Levin click here: http://www.youtube.com/watch? v=cpJqngSWouI&feature=channel To see Rick on Judge Napolitano click here: http://www.youtube.com/watch? v=f3vogoJt2Cs To see why the Trumbull Ladies for Liberty support Rick click here: http://www.youtube.com/watch? v=7C1ixKOthk4&feature=channel

08/02/10 BREAKING NEWS: Hearst Newspapers Chooses Michael Fedele Over Greenwich Resident Tom Foley In The Republican Primary For Governor

Photo: Republican gubernatorial candidate and Lt. Gov. Michael Fedele

Connecticut Post Says Fedele The Choice Among Republicans

Lt. Gov. Michael Fedele has the combination of government and business experience that, given the chance to serve in the No. 1 seat, would be good for the state of Connecticut.

The Connecticut Post endorses his candidacy in the Aug. 10 Republican three-way primary.

The 55-yearold Fedele brings 10 years of legislative experience, serving in the state House of Representatives from 1992 to 2002, and three years in his current position.

But Fedele is also a self-made businessman and understands that job creation is the top challenge to the state.

Fedele understands in no uncertain terms that improving the atmosphere in Connecticut for small business is essential to turning around the state's economy.

His stand against any new taxes speaks to his understanding of the situation.

We compliment him for his position.

Given his experience, Fedele is confident solutions to the state's problems of spending and borrowing can be resolved through good management, and not through new taxes.Though Fedele has been part of the Rell administration ... well, that in some respects sums it up.

It was indeed the Rell administration, and if anyone can name a Connecticut lieutenant governor who shaped policy from that office, we'd be curious to know who it was.

Fedele rightly says he can be held accountable only for those areas in which he had authority.

He's been an effective ambassador for the state, recruiting business and reaching out to the Henkel Corporation, manufacturer of Loctite adhesive products and successfully encouraging them to consolidate operations in Rocky Hill.

Fedele also figured in the move of Columbia Elevators from New York to Bridgeport.

We also applaud Oz Griebel, another candidate in the GOP primary, for his passion and clear commitment to improving the business climate in the state.

And Tom Foley brings a business background as well. But he also brings some unpleasant baggage to the race.

But Fedele earns our endorsement. We believe he's the best of the three choices to lead the state.

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08/02/10 Make 10 Calls for 10 Days to Send Rick Torres to Congress

Sunday, August 1 IMAGINE the POSSIBILITIES with RICK TORRES as your CONGRESSMAN Make 10 CALLS for 10 DAYS to send RICK TORRES to CONGRESS We are in Election Countdown, and your help during the next week is critical. Please go to Rick's website at ricktorres2010.com and click PHONE BANK FOR RICK in the news column on the left hand side of the page. Its easy, fast, and painless. Ten calls will take you 15 minutes. Please help. Your support is important.

08/01/10 CT PRIMARY CANDIDATE ROUNDUPS: State Comptroller

Photo: Kevin Lembo On The Campaign trail

Lembo And Jarjura Battle In The Democratic State Comptroller Primary

A week from Tuesday, Aug. 10, registered Democrats will go to the polls to narrow the field in a number of contested races, but even after that, there are so many contenders in so many races that it's really hard to keep track.

People shouldn't complain about their elected representatives if they don't at least cast an educated ballot first.

Do a little homework first. Visit the candidates' websites and study their positions on issues that you care about.

The battle to be comptroller, is very important given the state's nearly $3 billion deficit.

Many wonder why this seat is contested in such hard times. One would think that it would be more fun to be the money person when the state is flush rather than broke. But this hasn't deterred Democrats Kevin Lembo and Michael Jarjura from battling for the democratic nod.

The winner of that race will face Republican Jack Orchulli and Green candidate Colin Bennett.

Democrat Kevin Lembo, who served as assistant state comptroller to Nancy Wyman, is the party-endorsed candidate running against Michael Jarjura for the state comptroller seat.

Lembo is nationally recognized for his expertise in health care systems and consumer protection, according to his campaign website. He currently leads the Office of the Healthcare Advocate for the state. He lives in Guilford with his wife; they have three children.

Today the Harwinton Democratic Town Committee is hosting a meet and greet so voters can meet candidates. The event will be held at the Harwinton Senior Center, 209 Weingart Road, from 2 to 4 p.m.

Mr. Lembo has confirmed that he will attend.

Mike Jarjura is the mayor of Waterbury. He worked as a state representative in the 1990s and as an assistant attorney general. He has a B.S. in management from Post College and a J.D. from the University of Bridgeport School of Law.

This weekenday, with Waterbury Mayor Jarjura was on the ropes after Lembo came out with three body blows.

First, a YouTube video surfaced of the Democrat speaking at a Tea Party rally.

"We needed a spark, and you're the spark that is going to be the change. So don't give up. Don't get discouraged because this country is worth fighting for and you're fighting for it," Jarjura said at the rally in Waterbury last September.

Jarjura, a Democrat, defended his attendance at the ultra-conservative rally.

Jarjura claimed he was there at the request of Waterbury citizens and he wasn't there to advocate for any political group," he said. "Every one is trying to do a 'gotcha' in these campaigns and manipulate things to something you don't even represent."

Lembo isn't buying it.

"It's an odd choice for a Democratic mayor to be attending a Tea Party rally," he told the press.

The second blow to Jarjura's campaign was the Waterbury teachers union endorsing Lembo, following the lead one week ago of the local police union.

Jarjura's response: it's backlash from the tough contract negotiations between the city and the unions as a result of the tight economy.

Finally, Lembo launched a television advertisement attacking Jarjura for hiring former Gov. John Rowland, a Republican forced to resign by a corruption scandal.

"Jarjura hired Rowland to a $100,000 dollar a year job after he got out of prison -- calling him the best governor Connecticut has ever had," the 30-second advertisement says.

Jarjura backed the hiring of John Rowland, the disgraced former Republican governor, in an economic development job partly funded with city money.

Jarjura has responded with mailings touting his negative web site, called Lembo Lies, and filed a lawsuit attempting to block Lembo's ability to spend public financing money.

Jarjura's mailer to registered Democrats, accusing Lembo of being a secret conservative. The mailer directed Democrats to a web site created by Jarjura's campaign.

“Some of my opponents’ claims are just bizarre. But let me be clear – I have never ever lied to the people of Connecticut or distorted my record," Lembo said.

The Lembo campaign responded by saying that Jarjura is a cultural conservative who opposes abortion rights.

A Superior Court judge Tuesday rejected Michael Jarjura's effort to block Kevin Lembo from using public financing in their Democratic contest for state comptroller.

The terse order by Judge James T. Graham frees Lembo to begin spending the $375,000 awarded to him last week for his Aug. 10 primary with Jarjura, the mayor of Waterbury.

Jarjura, who also has received $375,000 in public financing.

This legal challenge is the second of two attempts by Jarjura to deny public financing to Lembo.

08/01/10 2010 ELECTIONS - CT CANDIDATE ROUNDUPS: Secretary of the State (Jerry Farrell Jr, Gerry Garcia, Denise Merrill

Photo: Connecticut Republican Candidate Secretary Of State

Jerry Farrell Jr

Even the politically astute of Connecticut have got to be preparing scratch sheets to keep track of who is running for what this political season.

It is a tough job to try and keep track, but it is a job that needs to be done.

People shouldn't complain about their elected representatives if they don't at least cast an educated ballot first.

Do a little homework first. Visit the candidates' websites and study their positions on issues that you care about.

Not sure who is running? Then go to the secretary of the state's website (ctgov.org will get you started) and find out the candidate's names, political parties and offices that they are seeking.

Speaking of the secretary of state, did you know that Gerry Garcia (yes, that's really his name) could get bumped in next week's primaries in his bid to be Connecticut's new secretary of the state?

The Democrat is vying for the seat against party endorsed candidate Denise Merrill in what will be a three-way race Nov. 2 pitting either Garcia or Merrill against Republican Jerry Farrell Jr. and Green Party contender S. Michael DeRosa.

It's an important job, overseeing the state's elections, so we'd all do ourselves a favor by brushing up on the candidates' qualifications and platforms so we can make informed decisions come November.

Department of Consumer Protection (DCP) Commissioner Jerry Farrell Jr, nominated at convention for Secretary of State, reiterated the calls for fiscal conservatism, even through the Secretary of State's office.

Farrell just qualified for public campaign financing.and submitted his paperwork to the State Elections Enforcement Commission in preparation of the November general election.

Farrell’s campaign raised over $75,000 from over 900 contributors who were limited to a maximum of $100 per person.

Once approved, Farrell will receive a grant of $750,000 to compete with a Democratic opponent who will receive the same grant.

Farrell and Democratic attorney general candidate George Jepsen are the only statewide candidates without a primary election to receive public funding.