from the pages of Kadima, the newsletter of Congregation Adas Emuno:

From the desk of …                    

 Rabbi Barry Schwartz

    

The Gift Of Laughter

Laughter is the shortest distance between two people.

—Victor Borge

I write this column the same week as the passing of the incomparable comedic actor Robin Williams. While we are so saddened by the circumstances of his death, we can only say “thank you” for the life of the man who made us laugh so much. Back in 1992, Williams was the hysterical voice of the genie in Aladdin. My kids were young then, and they must have watched that movie a hundred times, laughing every time. He was that good. In the words of the Italian writer Rafael Sabatini, “He was born with a gift of laughter and a sense that the world was mad.”

Why is it that we laugh? The English social critic William Hazlitt wrote that, “Man is the only animal that laughs and weeps; for he is the only animal that is struck with the difference between what things are, and what they ought to be.”

Mark Twain opined that, “The human race has only one really effective weapon, and that is laughter.”

Our human propensity to laugh uniquely empowers us to face life’s adversities. When we laugh we know that not all hope is lost and that joy still exists. When we laugh we know that we are not taking ourselves so seriously. When we laugh we are creating the space for bonding with others.

One of my colleagues, Rabbi Jeffrey Salkin, wrote that Williams' incredible gift, like that of all the most gifted artists, arose not just from his prodigious talent but from the fact that he was a mensch “and a mensch only becomes a mensch because he/she struggles.” We admire what Williams accomplished all the more knowing what he battled. Would that we be inspired by his example… bringing joy to others even when our challenges are great. As we approach this Jewish New Year, let’s ask ourselves: Did I smile enough during the past year? Did I laugh enough? Did I do enough to bring smiles and the great gift of laughter to others?

When Robin Williams died I dimly recalled a poem I had quoted in a sermon by the poet Danny Siegel. I dug out the sermon (from twenty years ago) and share it with you now, not only in William’s memory, but in wishing you a new year of much laughter:

And the Lord created man

And man begot laughter

And laughter begot joy

And joy begot a multitude of children

Not the least of whom is love.

Recorder Concert Coming Up!

From the pages of Kadima, the newsletter of Congregation Adas Emuno:

Recorder Society to Perform in the Temple Garden 

on Sunday, September 14 at 4 PM

Members of the Bergen County Chapter of the American Recorder Society who meet each month in our temple social hall, will perform in the temple garden on Sunday, September 14 at 4 PM. The group, most of whom play the recorder as an avocation, will present a program of “Recorders through the Ages”, with music spanning over 500 years.

Wine and cheese will be served. This event is open to the community. Suggested donation: $5 per person.

Founded in 1939, the American Recorder Society (ARS) is a membership/service organization dedicated to meeting the needs of amateur and professional recorder players.  Since its founding, the ARS has helped to rekindle an interest in early music while also supporting and encouraging contemporary compositions for the instrument. The Bergen County Chapter of the ARS was founded in 1967.

Social Action September

From the pages of Kadima, the newsletter of Congregation Adas Emuno:


A Report from Annette DeMarco
Social Action Committee Chairperson


I want to begin this column by thanking everyone who donated food during the summer months.  By the time you read this, two deliveries will have been made to the Center for Food Action during July and August.

Our food drive is ongoing with a special one being held during the High Holy Days.  Paper bags will be given out on Erev Rosh Hashanah, along with a list of items most needed.  Please return your donations when you attend Kol Nidre services or at your earliest convenience. 

A number of other social action projects are in the works for this coming year.  Those which are coming up in the next few months are:

Sunday, November 2: Mitzvah Day--Program TBA

 November 9-23: ADULT WINTER OUTERWEAR collection  [including coats, jackets, boots, scarves, hats, gloves/mittens] 

Sunday, December 7: Cooking/serving dinner at the shelter in Hackensack [ages 14 and up to set up/ serve; no age restrictions for home cooking!]          Details to follow.

Cantor Sandy Horowitz and I have been working on projects which will involve our Religious School students; Stay tuned!

L'Shalom,   
Annette
acheryl21 at gmail.com

Religious School News

From the pages of Kadima, the Newsletter of Congregation Adas Emuno:

Religious School News 

     from


Cantor Sandy Horowitz

Religious School Director

Shalom and welcome to another year of Religious School at Adas Emuno!

As we head into September, there have been some changes going on in preparation for the new school year. First, I’m thrilled to be stepping into the role of Religious School Director. We are welcoming back some teachers from last year as well as some new teachers. There have been some curriculum changes as well, which have been done in conjunction with feedback from last year.

We are also beginning a new and exciting program, “Tot Mitzvah” for preschool age children, headed up by our own Doris White. Tot Mitzvah will meet on six Sundays during the year, the first session will be on September 21st. [See our previous post, Come Join Our New Tot Mitzvah Program!]

Do you know children who might be interested in our Religious School or Tot Mitzvah? Let us know; we’d love to welcome them into our school.

Our first day of Religious School will be Sunday September 7th. We eagerly invite parents to meet with us that day as well–beginning with Tefilah in the Sanctuary at 9:00 and followed by a brief meeting in the social hall. 

 IF YOU HAVE NOT YET REGISTERED YOUR CHILD FOR RELIGIOUS SCHOOL, PLEASE BRING YOUR FORMS ON SEPTEMBER 7th. 

At that meeting we will distribute the Religious School Calendar and discuss other important information, including ways for parents to be involved–we can’t do this without you. I personally hope each of you will be there so that I will have the chance to meet you!

Important Religious School-related dates to note during September and October:

Sunday September 7 
     First Day of School 9 AM
     Parent Meeting 9:45 AM

Saturday September 20
     Bat Mitzvah of Ula Goldstein

Sunday September 21
      Tot Mitzvah 9-10 AM
 
Thursday September 24
      Rosh Hashanah Children’s Service 2 p.m.

Saturday October 4
      Yom Kippur Children’s Service 2 p.m.

Sunday October 12
      Special Sukkot program in the Religious School

Wednesday October 15
      Consecration of new Religious School students 
      at Erev Simchat Torah service 7 PM
      “Pizza in the Hut” (sukkah) at 6 PM 

Sunday October 19
       Tot Mitzvah 9-10 AM

Friday October 24
       First Family Shabbat of the year,featuring 
       the Seventh Grade students 7:30 PM

Labor Day

On this Labor Day holiday, it's worthwhile to reflect upon the role that Jewish-Americans have played in the labor union movement and the struggle for workers' rights that this day officially commemorates. While recognizing that there are many issues involved, and many sides to those issues, there is no question that the Torah places enormous emphasis on social justice, including fair treatment of workers. And that powerful ethical message reverberates throughout the millennia of Jewish history, and is especially central to the Reform movement.

Whether you agree or disagree with the sentiments expressed in this song, I think we can recognize how Bob Dylan's "Union Sundown" from his 1983 album, Infidels, is rooted in Jewish ethical tradition and the Jewish-American experience:





And here are the lyrics:

Well, my shoes, they come from Singapore
My flashlights from Taiwan
My tablecloths from Malaysia
My belt buckles from the Amazon

You know, this shirt I wear comes from the Philippines
And the car I drive is a Chevrolet
It was put together down in Argentina
By a guy makin' thirty cents a day

Well, it's sundown on the union
And what's made in the U.S.A
Sure was a good idea
Till greed got in the way

Well, this silk dress is from Hong Kong
And the pearls are from Japan
Well, the dog collars from India
And the flower pots from Pakistan

All the furniture, it says "Made in Brazil"
Where a woman, she slaved for sure
Bringin' home thirty cents a day to a family of twelve
You know, that's a lot of money to her

Well, it's sundown on the union
And what's made in the U.S.A
Sure was a good idea
Till greed got in the way

Well, you know, lots of people complainin' that there is no work
I say, Why you say that for
When nothin' you got is U.S.-made?
They don't make nothin' here no more

You know, capitalism is above the law
It say, "It don't count less it sells."
When it costs too much to build it at home
You just build it cheaper someplace else

Well, it's sundown on the union
And what's made in the U.S.A
Sure was a good idea
Till greed got in the way

Well, the job that you used to have
They gave it to somebody down in El Salvador
The unions are big business, friend
And they're goin' out like a dinosaur

They used to grow food in Kansas
Now they want to grow it on the moon and eat it raw
I can see the day coming when even your home garden
Is gonna be against the law

Well, it's sundown on the union
And what's made in the U.S.A
Sure was a good idea
Till greed got in the way

Democracy don't rule the world
You'd better get that in your head
This world is ruled by violence
But I guess that's better left unsaid

From Broadway to the milky way
That's a lot of territory indeed
And a man's gonna do what he has to do
When he's got a hungry mouth to feed

Well, it's sundown on the union
And what's made in the U.S.A
Sure was a good idea
Till greed got in the way

Again, acknowledging that there are differing opinions on these issues, on this Labor Day we should also stand together in agreement on the basic principle of social justice for all!

Amazing Israeli A Cappella

Another video circulating on social media features the Israeli a cappella group, The Voca People:







Here's the write-up from YouTube:

The Voca People is an international vocal theater performance combining vocal sounds and an acapella singing with the art of beat-box. WWW.VOCA-PEOPLE.COM Artistic Director: Lior Kalfo Music Director: Shai Fishman Producers: Revital & Lior Kalfo. Performers: Eyal Cohen, Oded Goldstein, Liraz Rahmin, Adi Cesare, Adi Kozlovsky,, Naama Levi, Boaz Ben David, Inon Ben David Video Photographer: Shlomi Albo, video editing: Peleg Netanel, Light design: Roy Milo

We think they're pretty amazing! How about you?

The IDF Choir Performing Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah" in Hebrew

Maybe you've seen it, it's been all over the internet and social media lately. This recording made by the official choir of the Israeli Defense Forces is five years old, but as moving and haunting today as it was then. And many are suggesting that it's the best version of the song that was written by Leonard Cohen, and recorded by a multitude of artists—there are over 300 known recorded versions according to Wikipedia!  Or maybe it's 301? Anyway, is this version better than all the rest? You decide!





Whatever the verdict, I think we can all agree that it's a great rendition of what Rolling Stone magazine called one of the greatest songs of all time.

Leonard Cohen will turn 80 next month, and will celebrate with the release of his 13th studio album, entitled Popular Problems. In addition to being a songwriter and recording artist, Cohen is a widely respected literary figure, as a poet and a novelist. And not surprising, he is especially popular both in his native Canada, and in Israel, where he has performed many times.