“Moses came and summoned the elders of the people and put before them all that the Eternal had commanded him. All the people answered as one, saying, “All the Eternal has spoken we will do!” -- Exodus 19:7-8

When I served as cantor with Rabbi Rick Jacobs at the Brooklyn Heights Synagogue in the 1980’s, I learned that he was a man of his word, a man who didn’t just talk the talk, but walked the walk. And so I had great expectations that as president of the Union for Reform Judaism, he would have a bold vision that he would back up with action. From the start, specifically at his installation at the Biennial in Washington, D.C., Rick demonstrated how he would increase engagement of member congregations. As Eric Platt, Yvette Pomeranz, Amy Dattner-Levy and I prayed, sang and danced with over 5,000 Reform Jews gathered at the Biennial, the events were live-streamed. Fifty PTBAS members were able watch Erev Shabbat services projected in our own PTBAS social hall. Since Rick’s tenure began, the URJ has redesigned their websites and blogs for far greater congregational participation and presented numerous study webinars for clergy, leadership and all members. On Yom HaAtzmaut, Israel Independence Day, the URJ invited everyone in our movement to a special conference call about the events surrounding access to the Kotel. Those who dialed in heard Rabbi Jacobs speak with Anat Hoffman, Director of the Israel Religious Action Center and Chairwoman of Women of the Wall, and Gilad Kariv, Director of the Israeli Movement for Progressive Judaism, both of whom were hopeful that the proposal of Natan Sharansky for access to the Wall will finally make it possible to fulfill the Israel Declaration of Independence which guarantees freedom of religion. Through the efforts of progressive Jews in Israel, North America, and around the world -- truly the “movement” part of “Reform movement” as Rabbi Jacobs said during the conference call -- finally, “All the people” will be able to answer as one.

This is the vision of Sinai that Shavuot celebrates, and so it is fitting that this year we will honor our five new members on Erev Shavuot. 21^st century lives are filled with choices and distractions, so in this day and age it is indeed the exceptional person who chooses to affiliate formally with the synagogue. Ellen Sostek Birch, Joselyn Josephs, Bambi Polk, Barbara Weiss and Celeste Wiseblood have strengthened PTBAS by joining, so let’s be sure to thank them.

The month of May will have great opportunities for us to gather together with “all the people”: the Shabbaton at Temple Israel Reform Congregation of Staten Island, Shavuot evening and morning services, and our festive musical gala with special guest, Cantor Robert Abelson, who is my beloved teacher and the cantor of Temple Israel of New York City. Details on all are found in this issue of the Voice.

May we celebrate our sacred days and gatherings of fellowship with love and joy, so that all Israel, hallowing Your name, may have cause to rejoice. Chag sameach!

Cantor Suzanne Bernstein, Spiritual Leader

Cantor Suzanne Bernstein, D.Mus.

Spiritual Leader

July 2012

Dear Friends,

Once again, our Synagogue is printing a Memorial (Yizkor) booklet so that your beloved deceased will be remembered. This beautiful and inspiring booklet is dedicated to the sacred memories of those whom even death cannot take from us.

These booklets will be distributed and will be yours to keep. They may be used at Yizkor services on Yom Kippur, Shemini Atzeret, Passover, and Shavuot, and also when visiting the cemetery.

In addition to the traditional Yizkor and Kaddish prayers, the Memorial booklet contains many inspirational passages, as well as beautiful poems, commentaries, psalms and selected readings.

Our Temple’s well-being depends on the participation of the entire congregation and friends of the congregation in this Memorial booklet. Listings are available at various prices, depending upon the size of your Memorial ad. Please complete the attached order form and return in the enclosed envelope.

We MUST have your response and payment in full by: August 20, 2012. Make checks payable to Progressive Temple Beth Ahavath Sholom (PTBAS). This is a firm deadline. Please be sure to return your information on time. DO NOT DELAY!!

Sincerely,

Yizkor Book Committee

NOTE: If you are unable to attend our Synagogue during the High Holy Days or are out of the city, a copy will be mailed to you at your request.

Cantor Suzanne Bernstein, D.Mus.

Spiritual Leader

YIZKOR MEMORIAL BOOKLET 2012-2013

RATES

______ Name Only......................................... $ 5

______ 1/4 Page [Maximum 5 names]............ $ 25

______ 1/2 Page [Maximum 10 names].......... $ 50

______ Full Page [Maximum 20 names]......... $100

Your Name________________________________________________________________________

Address___________________________________________________________________________

City, State, Zip_____________________________________________________________________

Telephone_________________________________________________________________________

PRINT EXACT COPY BELOW

(Do you want the same ad as last year? Please make note below.)

____ Please mail my copy of the booklet to me.

Cantor Suzanne Bernstein, D. Mus.

Spiritual Leader

July 2012

Dear Friends,

Subject: MUSIC SPONSORSHIPS FOR OUR HIGH HOLY DAY SERVICES

Music is an integral part of any religious service, and with the High Holy Days, it is even more important.

Thus, we are pleased to offer you the opportunity to support the Temple’s musical services and other High Holy Day traditions with one or more sponsorships of your choice.

(*) There may be multiple sponsorships for Patrons of Accompanist and the Yom Kippur Study Session. There may be multiple sponsorships for any of the other services only if every service is sponsored.

.

* Patrons of Accompanist – Maxine Feldman.............................................…… 150

Selichot Services - Saturday evening, September 8th..............................…. 175

Erev Rosh Hashanah Service...................................................................…… 200

Rosh Hashanah Service - First Day...........................................................….. 200

Rosh Hashanah Service - Second Day.....................................................….. 175

Kol Nidre Service...................................................................................…….. 500

Yom Kippur Morning Service (Shachrit)..................................................……. 250

* Yom Kippur Study Session………………………………………………………….150

Yom Kippur Afternoon Service (Mincha)...................................................….. 250

Yom Kippur Closing Service (Ne’eila.).......................................................…. 250

Friends of the Choir…………………………………………………..offering of the heart

General Music Fund.....................................................................offering of the heart

Contributions, at your discretion, are also requested for the following:

Break-the-Fast

Bimah Flowers

Your name will be listed in the High Holiday Booklet along with the service you chose to sponsor provided that we receive your sponsorship by August 20, 2012.

The cost of a sponsorship may be shared. If more than one person is participating in a particular sponsorship, please make sure to indicate all names.

Checks should be made payable to PTBAS and sent to:

Progressive Temple Beth Ahavath Sholom

Send to: 1515 46^th Street

Brooklyn, NY, 11219

With hope for the New Year and a bright future,

B’Shalom,

The Ritual Committee

Charlotte Russell, Chair