October 2009

Be a Torah Fund Benefactor!
Support our conservative Jewish leaders of tomorrow by joining the Torah Fund Campaign today!

Proudly wear the distinctive pin you will receive in appreciation, designed by Israeli artist Eytan Brandes called To Plant and Preserve – Le’avdah ul-shamrah. In Genesis 2:15, after God completed the Creation and placed humans in the garden, the first commandment was “to plant and preserve” their bountiful home.  This divine directive to protect the environment is just as appropriate today!  And resonates with us who want to be ‘green’!

Your $180 special gift goes entirely to Torah Fund and ensures the solid and healthy future of Conservative Judaism by supporting scholarships for students at:  The Jewish Theological Seminary, Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies, Schechter Institute of Jewish Studies and Seminario Rabinico Latinoamericano.

Contact Torah Fund Chair Abbey Rasnick at 244-8554 and receive your pin at the very special Benefactor’s Appreciation Brunch at the home of Michelle Cohen on Sunday, October 18. Benefactors, watch the mail for your special invitation!

Save the Date!
January 15-17, 2010
Sisterhood Shabbat and Artist in Residence Weekend
With Mordechai Rosenstein
World-renowned Jewish Artist of Emes Editions

Do a Mitzvah
As we count our blessings during the High Holiday season, let’s remember those in need.  Our collection barrel for toiletries and baby needs for Alternatives for Battered Women (ABW) and the School #1 Book Box are there for you to help those who are not as blessed.  Please help.


Join the Sisterhood Kiddush Crew!
Kiddush Crew meets in the kitchen Thursday afternoons at 4 PM to set the tables for the weekly Kiddush, 9 AM Friday mornings to prepare pastry platters and food, and Saturday mornings at 9 AM for an extended Kiddush when sandwiches are made.  Join the Kiddush Crew and receive a weekly email with the schedule.  Respond only when you have time to help!  To be on the Kiddush Crew email list please contact Gail Finkelstein at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .  Or to be on the Shopping Committee please contact Susan Zauderer at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .


Planning has begun for our next
Sisterhood Shabbat
January 16, 2010
If you would like to participate,
please contact
Terry Schwartz, 248-5828

Sisterhood sends a special thank you to…
Marvin Miller for helping us to purchase brand-new faucets for the kitchen.  These industrial quality faucets will help us bring you wonderful kiddushim for many years to come.  Warren Simon of Simon Plumbing & Electrical volunteered his time to install the faucets, a donation we will continue to appreciate.  Thank you, Marvin!  Thank you, Warren!

This year's frozen food drive for the Ronald McDonald House was well received. On August 2 our Sisterhood members dropped off numerous food items to the home of Sharon Brodsky. Donations ranged from homemade soup to ice cream sandwiches. We filled up their freezer and cupboards. Another great Sisterhood project. Thank you to all who participated.

Carolyn Nussbaum        
Judy Schulman        
Merle Markus    
Tillie Levinson
Gloria Cohen            
Helene Newman        
Abbey Rasnick    
Annette Eisenstein
Anna Eisenberg        
Jennifer Goldenberg    
Amy Ressel        
Shoshana Germanow
Kathy London            
Terri Rosenhouse        
Dorothy Proskin    
Molly Panner

Sisterhood Volunteer Spotlight on Dvorah Kolko

Dvorah Kolko has always provided an excellent role model for living a full Jewish life.  Many of our children (and some of our adults) fondly remember her as their Hebrew School Teacher or Storyteller at Temple Beth El and the JCC.   Others recall Dvorah and Mike’s participation twenty years ago in our “How to do Shabbat” program where they opened their home to others to share how Shabbat is celebrated in their home.   They continue to open their home not just to members of the Rochester community, but visiting scholars, rabbis and others.

Dvorah and Mike are both natives of Rochester.  They have belonged to Temple Beth El for all their 61 years of marriage and raised four sons encouraging their participation in Judaism including the Hillel Day School and TBE.  They are, also, the proud grandparents of 7 wonderful grandchildren.

Jewish education for herself and others is just one area of interest for Dvorah.  She supports the Hillel Community Day School (Dvorah and Mike’s parents were both founders) and Ora Academy, where the Kolkos have been honored for their involvement.  Dvorah is a life long learner graduating from the Melton program and continuing her education with a weekly Friday afternoon study session with her learned friend, Miriam Weidenfeld (usually over the telephone!).

Another passion for Dvorah is Israeli dance.  You can find her each Sunday evening perfecting her folk dancing steps.  In the past she supported Molly Rutzen’s Rochester Israeli Dance Festival housing dancers from other cities.

Each Friday morning Dvorah volunteers her time with our Sisterhood Kiddush Crew preparing our lovely platters for Shabbat Kiddush.   In addition, she volunteers each week at a local soup kitchen to ensure that those less fortunate in our community have a healthy meal.

Dvorah’s Jewish involvement extends to Hadassah.  Not only is she a “life member”, but she presented each of her daughter-in-laws with “life memberships”.

Dvorah’s son, Simeon, explains that his Mom’s approach to Judaism is that she receives more by reaching out and sharing with others.  We are most fortunate that she has taken that approach - so many in our community have benefitted from her generous spirit.

You will find Dvorah each Shabbat at TBE.  When you see her please wish her a “Shabbat Shalom” and “Thank you” for all that she does.

Sisterhood Calendar

October 19 Mon.  Sisterhood Monthly Meeting @ 7:00 PM   youth lounge
November 16 Mon.  Sisterhood Monthly Meeting @ 7:00 PM   youth lounge
December   tba Mitzvah Yomit    youth lounge
December 20 Sun.  Sisterhood Monthly Meeting @ 10:00 AM   youth lounge
January 15-17 Sisterhood Shabbat Weekend featuring artist in residence Mordechai Rosenstein
January 16 Sisterhood Shabbat @ 9:00 AM    sanctuary
February 14 Sun.  Sisterhood Monthly Meeting @ 10:00 youth lounge
March 10 Wed.  Seder Smiles Program @ 7:00 Pastoral Conference room
March 15 Mon.  Sisterhood Monthly Meeting @ 7:00 youth lounge
April 14 Wed. Sisterhood Monthly Meeting @ 7:00 youth lounge
April 23 & 24, 2010 Spring Conference in Toronto Save the date!
May 24 Mon. Sisterhood Annual Meeting @ 5:00 garden room