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Union Temple of Brooklyn

Affiliated with the Union for Reform Judaism

The Bulletin
3 Friday Evening

JANUARY, 2014

TEVET SHEVAT 5774


SHABBAT BO

Vol. 165, No. 5

SHABBAT SERVICES FOR JANUARY

Mishkan Hanefesh
~ a fresh approach to the Days of Awe ~
The Central Conference of American Rabbis is compiling a new machzor - a prayer book for the High Holy Days. It reflects the changes and expansion of our community and our faith for a new generation. We invite you to participate in the piloting process for this project. Our first session will be

First Friday Family Shabbat 4:00 PM - Fridays at Four: Shabbat for Tots 6:00 PM - Snacks 6:30 PM - Kabbalat Shabbat 7:30 PM - Pot Luck Dinner

Saturday Morning

Torah: Exodus 10:1 13:16

9:00 AM - Shabbat Study Hevre 9:30 AM - Out of the Shabbox 10:30 AM - Shabbat Morning Service

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SHABBAT SHIRAH/BESHALLACH
Friday Evening

Haftarah: Jeremiah 46:13-28

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4:00 PM - Fridays at Four: Shabbat for Tots 6:30 PM - Kabbalat ShabbatPizza and Musical Presentation: Jews on Broadway

Saturday Morning

Torah: Exodus 13:17-17:16

9:00 AM - Shabbat Study Hevre 9:30 AM - Out of the Shabbox 10:30 AM - Shabbat Morning ServiceSong of the Sea Chanted

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Friday Evening

SHABBAT YITRO

Haftarah: Judges 4:4-5:31

4:00 PM - Fridays at Four: Shabbat for Tots 6:30 PM - Kabbalat ShabbatTu BiShevat Oneg

Saturday Morning

Sunday, January 26, 9:30 AM


Bagels and Coffee will be served. Copies of the piloting books are $4 each. Please RSVP so that we can order you a book for your participation.

Torah: Exodus 18:120:23

9:00 AM - Shabbat Study Hevre 9:30 AM - Out of the Shabbox 10:30 AM - Shabbat Morning Service

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Friday Evening

SHABBAT MISHPATIM

Haftarah: Isaiah 6:1-7:6; 9:5-9:6

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Fourth Friday Late Shabbat 4:00 PM - Fridays at Four: Shabbat for Tots 7:00 PM - Dinner 8:00 PM - Kabbalat Shabbat 9:00 PM - Oneg: Josephs Coat (of Many Colors)

Saturday Morning

Torah: Exodus 21:1-24:18

9:00 AM - Shabbat Study Hevre 10:30 AM - Shabbat Morning Service

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Friday Evening

SHABBAT TERUMAH

Haftarah: Jeremiah 34:8-34:22; 33:25-33:26

4:00 PM - Fridays at Four: Shabbat for Tots 6:30 PM - Kabbalat Shabbat

Saturday Morning

Torah: Exodus 25:1-27:19

9:00 AM - Shabbat Study Hevre 10:30 AM - Shabbat Morning Service

Haftarah: I Kings 5:26-6:13

Rabbis Message

Fahrklempt
Fahrklempt... That's how I felt during the Shabbat Morning Service this past December 14. Steve and I attended the service along some 5,000 other Reform Jews at the Biennial Convention of the Union for Reform Judaism, held that week in San Diego. We sat with the President and Vice-President of Union Temple (otherwise known as Bea and Abe). Why fahrklempt? I'll tell you.

Rosh Chodesh in Jerusalem. . . In late December of 2006, during our congregational trip to Israel, the first day of our trip was Rosh Chodesh Tevet, which is also the seventh day of Chanukah. The women of our group, and a few men as well, joined Women of the Wall at the Kotel, the Western Wall, for the Morning Service for Rosh Chodesh. It was cold and a bit rainy, but considering the incredible snowstorm in Jerusalem this past month we got off easy. In keeping with the rules at the time, the Women of the Wall stood at the back of the Plaza in the Women's Section, and prayed the service until after the Hallel (Psalms of Praise), when we left the Plaza and went down to Robinson's Arch. There as women we donned our talitot and read from the Torah. Called to the Torah One of the women called for an Aliyah that day at the Kotel was Bea Hanks. Only two weeks earlier, Bea had stood at the pulpit during our Shabbat Morning service at the temple, and shared with us her journey to that moment, when she cast her lot in with the Jewish people. I placed the Torah in her arms, as I had placed it in her daughter Jeannie's arms several months earlier at Jeannie's bat mitzvah. Though Bea had committed along with her husband Steve to raising their daughter as a Jew, it was a longer journey for her to make the personal decision to convert. But ultimately that was her decision, and I, for one, am most grateful for it. After Bea chanted the Blessings for the Reading of the Torah so beautifully there at the Western Wall, the Gabbai recited a special Mi Shebeirach in her honor, and all the women who had come to pray with Women of the Wall that morning wished her a heartfelt Mazal Tov. The power of the moment was not wasted on any of us. Fahrklempt. . . During the Reading of the Torah at the Biennial service, one of the Aliyot was reserved for the leadership of the URJ. But in addition, all of the temple presidents in the hall were asked to rise and walk to one of the designated areas, and join in the Aliyah. At this Bea rose, and joined all the other temple presidents. And then she joined in the Aliyah, chanting the Blessings for the Reading of the Torah with complete confidence. At that moment, I thought back to Bea's Aliyah at the Kotel seven years ago. You better believe I was fahrklempt!! Reform Judaism The fact is that there were innumerable stories in that vast gathering on Shabbat of people who had found their way into the Jewish community, some of them in rather unique and unexpected ways. But the Outreach initiatives of Reform Judaism, and, I dare say, the liberal approach to religion that is emblematic of Reform Judaism, have made it possible for all of them in ways that perhaps would not have been possible in other sectors of the Jewish world. That is one of the things we remembered during our studies and sharing of ideas at this Biennial. And above all, we remembered how grateful we are to be Jewish, particularly as our tradition is interpreted by Reform. -Rabbi Linda Henry Goodman 2

Officers Column

Union Temple State of Health

As everyone probably knows, as of January 1, 2014, all Americans are supposed to have health insurance, and the new Health Care Marketplace is where small employers like Union Temple, as well as individuals, can go to obtain affordable insurance. From our standpoint, the new Marketplace is a vast improvement over the awful insurance system of the past. In October, Union Temple registered as a small employer on the New York State of Health website. Our employees as well as the officers and administrator were able to go on the site and compare options. We were able to choose the value of coverage (designated by the metals, bronze, silver, gold and platinum) and the carriers, compare the coverage lines for deductibles, co-pays, out of pocket maximums and the like, and we could link to each carrier for the network of providers. In the past, we would only receive from our insurer a premium increase, and if we wanted to try to compare, we had to find a broker, who would give us some limited information. The New York State of Health website gave us all the information we needed in one place and it was available and transparent to all, so we could make a joint decision. The officers agreed to give the employees the coverage they wanted. It is better than what we had in the past, and less costly. Unlike the troubled national site, several of the state sites, like New York's, have been able to accomplish fully what the Affordable Care Act was intended to do. Even the federal site is greatly improved, but it has a ways to go still, as it was never expected to cover as many people as it has been required to cover because of the refusal of most states to create their own exchanges. While the Affordable Care Act is a far more complicated and ambitious system than the single payer system that many would have preferred, it appears that it will accomplish most of its goals. Millions of people who could never obtain health insurance are now able to do so. And costs are decreasing. Here at Union Temple we speak a lot about Tikkun Olam, repairing the world. Our national health policy was severely broken, and now we seem to be on the path toward repairing it. And that's good news for all of us -Jeffrey Stein, Vice President

Sisterhood

Fran
Sisterhood has many exciting programs planned for the new year. Watch this space and your mail for more information about them. We have lots of surprises in store for you, and we hope youll be sharing them with us as a member. Its never too late, so if you havent yet joined or renewed your membership, just mail a check for $36 to Sisterhood of Union Temple. What better way to start the new year than by sharing in our mission of Tikkun Olam? Sisterhood wishes everyone a happy, healthy, prosperous 2014. May it be a year of joy and peace. -Barbara Brett, Secretary

Heres a sure way to warm your heart and take the chill out of those January winds: Join Sisterhood and Brotherhood on Sunday, January 5th, at 10 AM, as we welcome you and the new year with a discussion of Fran, our own Moe Kornbluths beautiful memoir about his remarkable wife, Fran Justa. Fran was the charismatic force behind New York Citys affordablehousing movement until Parkinsons disease put an end to her career and life as she and Moe had known and enjoyed it. Moe will read from the book, show some videos, and answer all our questions. Havent read the book? Not to worry. Youll still be able to enjoy the discussion, and you will certainly enjoy this inspiring morning with good friends and good food. Its a great way to start 2014!

Any ideas for an inspired lecture, movie or other program at Union Temple? Congregants provide some of the best ideas to the Adult Education Committee. Please forward any suggestions along with sources to committee co-chairs Bob Newhouser at bnnyc1955@aol.com or Pearl Schonfeld at pks6000@gmail.com. If your suggestion is for either a movie or lecturer, identification of source and/or email or web site will help speed up event set-up.
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Preschool

Holidays and Friendship


In addition to preparing for Chanukah by doing art projects and singing songs, the Sparrows, Alex Beers' threes class, have begun exploring classic picture books to add variety to the stories they share together. So when they are not reading Chanukah stories, the class has been diving into the challenging waters of some rather complex books. Jamaicas Find, Strega Nonna, Here Comes the Train, Alfies Feet, are a few of the books the class has listened to and discussed. These are longer, more complicated stories than the ones they have shared before, and often require a second reading. But since this class of Sparrows is older and seems comfortable with all kinds of stories, Alex and Julie have pushed them to listen to and comment on more sophisticated books. There are some great picture books that move slowly and depend on an appreciation of brilliant illustrations, such as Friends and The Glorious Day, and the class has been able to sit quietly and watch these tales unfold, often holding their comments until the end of a reading the mark of a happy, settled, and curious group of children. In the next weeks, the Sparrows will delve deeply into one of these classics, Don Freemans Corduroy, incorporating observation and recording, counting and sequencing, and discussions of using new and old toys. Later they will embark on author studies on such admired writers as Robert Munsch and William Steig. Next week they will begin an All About Me unit. The children will compare and contrast similarities and differences amongst one another. They will discover what makes each of them unique! The Hummingbirds, Pam Apple's fours class and the Puffins, Caitlin Mullin's fours class have been hard at work. The combination of Thanksgiving and Chanukah kept them busy for weeks. They practiced singing Chanukah Songs including, Take a Potato, Lots of Latkes! I have a Little Dreidel, and Chanukah, Oh Chanukah! There
(Continued on page 8)

At the end of November all of our classrooms turned their attention to Thanksgiving and Chanukah. The Chickadees, Montana Vasquez-Grinnell's twos class, learned about Fall, Thanksgiving, and Chanukah. The children made turkeys, Chanukah candles, and even did a leaf project inspired by Lois Elhert's Leaf Man book. Now, in the coming weeks they will be discussing the coming season of Winter and discussing colors! Tomomi Iwamoto's twos/threes class, the Robins, have also been talking about Chanukah and Thanksgiving. They learned Chanukah songs and read books about Thanksgiving and Chanukah. They decorated paper dreidels and enjoyed lighting candles in their real menorah. They talked about gathering with family and friends to celebrate a special time together. The children made special Thanksgiving gifts to give to their grownups. They are fall- leaf collages with each of their answers to the question "what do you love to do with your family?" At circle time, the Robins started to talk about the weather each morning and recording it on their weather chart. They also added a new "counter job", where one child each day gets a chance to count how many friends are in school.

Passover Care Packages

Send a package of Passover goodies from Union Temple to your kids off at college. Just submit name, address and phone number for each young person to the office by March 28th. Make it a Chag Sameach indeed!

Brotherhood

Start the New Year with Mo and Fran


We hope that you will be joining us on January 5th at 10 AM, when Brotherhood and Sisterhood team up again to host a very special program featuring Union Temple member Moe Kornbluth. Moe will be speaking about his book FRAN, a memoir about his wife, Fran Justa, a respected leader in the affordable housing movement. The book speaks movingly about their life together and her struggle after being diagnosed with Parkinsons Disease. Of course there will be bagels and other goodies. It will certainly be a warm and wonderful event, and a great start to the new year. -David Rapheal, Secretary

Please join us Friday January 10th for a special Shabbat of Song, Shabbat Shirah! Union Temple Singers will perform, followed by a special presentation by Student Cantor Emma Goldin on "The Jewish Characters of Broadway!"

January 3 10 17 24 31

Fridays at Four: Shabbat for Tots

Education Corner

A Tree-mendous Holiday Celebration

Chanukah came a little early this year. On November 24, 2013, the Union Temple Religious School had a Chanukah celebration. We started the celebration with a Chanukah song session. Check out the picture below of our students leading some songs. After the singing we enjoyed jelly doughnuts and played games of dreidel. It was a festive celebration! Tu BiShevat falls this year on January 16, 2014! This holiday is also known as The New Year for the trees. We have many different ways of celebrating this holiday. Some plant trees, other hold TuBishevat seders. Here are some resources so you can celebrate this holiday with your family! www.jnf.org http://www.reformjudaism.org/jewish-holidays/ tu-bishvat On behalf of the Union Temple Religious school I would like to wish you and your family a Happy New Year! -Mindy Sherry, Director of Youth and Family Engagement

First Friday Family Shabbat on Friday January 3 rd A great way to welcome the New Year! Our schedule for the evening: 6:00 Snacks 6:30 Shabbat Service 7:30 Potluck Dinner and Music Food requests for this month's potluck dinner (Please bring serving for 8-12 people and remember take out is just fine): A F- Main Course Q - S Side Dish G - P Salad T - Z Dessert Side

We are looking forward to celebrating Shabbat with you! Please RSVP to Mindy Sherry at educator@uniontemple.org 7

Preschool
(Continued from page 5)

were art projects galore! They made Pilgrim and Indian hats, turkeys out of pinecones and paint, dreidels out of paper and paint, menorahs out egg cartons and menorahs out of clay and mosaic tiles for each child to take home and light with their family to commemorate the holiday. They also made special gifts for their parents. They painted Stars of David magnetic picture frames which they wrapped and brought home as special holiday surprises. In addition to all of the celebrations in school and at home the fours classes were part of a social service curriculum. It is hard for young children to think of others at any time, but in the fours classes the teachers work with the children to make them aware that there are many children who are less fortunate. As part of this project they read, Too Many Toys by David Shannon and The Berenstein Bears Think of Those in Need. They discussed how many parents can not afford to purchase toys for their children and that many children do not even have a roof over their heads. These are difficult concepts for children to understand but after many conversations, they did begin to comprehend the plight of others. The children made cards to accompany the gifts that they brought in. Each child wrote their own special message in the card that they wrote and decorated. After weeks of preparation and parties we are about to close for our winter break. We will return in January to meet the new year with renewed vigor. Warmly, -Susan Sporer, Preschool Director 8

Tzedakah
UNION TEMPLE MEMORIAL FUND
Donated by .................................................................................... in memory of
Arlene Greendlinger ................................................................................ Sylvia Ebner Erica J. Shatz-Spry................................................................................... Kopel Shatz Alla Gerich .............................................................................................. Z. Feldman Rabbi Linda Henry Goodman .................................................................. Jeanette Henry Joyce M. Charles ..................................................................................... Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson

HAPPY DAY FUND


Donated by .................................................................................... in honor of
Sylvia and Charles Walowitz ................................................................... Union Temple

SISTERHOOD HATTIE NEWMAN HAPPY DAY FUND


Donated by .................................................................................... in honor of
Linda and Howard Simka ......................................................................... Susanne and Henry Singer's 50th Wedding Anniversary

SHABBAT ONEG
Donated by
Howard and Linda Simka Susanne and Henry Singer Dennies Gajadhar Henry Ehrlich

Memorial Plaques
Pfc. Leon Meyer Mack ........................................................................................... January 2, 1945 Tena S. Solomon ..................................................................................................... January 2, 1993 Rose B. Zimmerman ............................................................................................... January 2, 1997 Zissel Davidson ....................................................................................................... January 3, 1903 Justine Goldschmid ................................................................................................. January 3, 1914 Anna Fogel .............................................................................................................. January 3, 1936 Dr. George Freiman ................................................................................................ January 3, 1947 Elizabeth Marienhoff .............................................................................................. January 4, 1943 Carrie Dreyfuss ....................................................................................................... January 4, 1944 Sidney S. Silverman ................................................................................................ January 4, 1947 Leah D. Elman ........................................................................................................ January 4, 1963 Mildred D. Newman ............................................................................................... January 5, 1963 Solomon Markowitz ............................................................................................... January 6, 1928 Selma U. Newman .................................................................................................. January 6, 1973 Mary Nadler ............................................................................................................ January 6, 1988 Richard Zimmerman .............................................................................................. January 6, 1998 Abraham Klein ........................................................................................................ January 7, 1946 Geraldine F. Isaacs .................................................................................................. January 7, 1980 Jacob Baar ............................................................................................................... January 8, 1916 Daniel Newman ....................................................................................................... January 9, 1963 Miriam L. Heimberger .......................................................................................... January 10, 1981 Sylvia Wolfson Fried ............................................................................................ January 10, 1991 Betsy Nias .............................................................................................................. January 11, 1924 Maurice Goldschmid............................................................................................. January 11, 1938 Frederick D. May .................................................................................................. January 11, 1989 Philip H. Lustig, Hon. President .......................................................................... January 12, 1937 Mabel H. Gross ..................................................................................................... January 12, 1945 Pauline May ........................................................................................................... January 12, 1944 Morris Wolburg..................................................................................................... January 12, 1944 Rosa S. Schey ........................................................................................................ January 12, 1947 Annie Wax ............................................................................................................. January 12, 1960 Adolph Schiff, Hon. Trustee ................................................................................ January 13, 2000 Anna Eis ................................................................................................................ January 14, 1920 Florence Sasuly Weiner ........................................................................................ January 14, 1986 Isidore Kauffman .................................................................................................. January 15, 1947 Caroline B. Hirsch ................................................................................................ January 15, 1950 Lillian Cohen ......................................................................................................... January 15, 1968 Ruth Schoenfeld .................................................................................................... January 15, 1985 Rose Danziger ....................................................................................................... January 16, 1983 Clara Kleinberg ..................................................................................................... January 17, 1971 Esther Lopato ........................................................................................................ January 17, 1998 Herbert P. Quartin ................................................................................................. January 18, 1991 Vivian Z. Karlitz ................................................................................................... January 18, 1998 Joseph Lax ............................................................................................................. January 18, 1968 Hattie Sasuly ......................................................................................................... January 19, 1963 Joshua Davidson ................................................................................................... January 20, 1939 Bonnie Sue Levine ................................................................................................ January 21, 1999 Jacob Baum ........................................................................................................... January 22, 1937 Louis L. Rosenberg, Hon. Trustee ....................................................................... January 23, 1998 Emma Lee Min Minkin ........................................................................................ January 23, 2000 Manice Hymes ...................................................................................................... January 24, 1952 Frieda Landes ........................................................................................................ January 25, 1934 Abraham and Henriette Blum .............................................................................. January 25, 1949 Pauline Van Raalte ................................................................................................ January 25, 1976 Annie Woronock ................................................................................................... January 26, 1958 Herman Feinstein .................................................................................................. January 26, 1967 Robert T. Levitt ..................................................................................................... January 27, 1958 Charles Frank ........................................................................................................ January 28, 1902 Helen R. Peters ...................................................................................................... January 28, 1945 Annie Rockmore ................................................................................................... January 28, 1934 Frederick S. David ................................................................................................ January 30, 1996 Bessie F. Schwartz ................................................................................................ January 30, 1955 Selma Manheimer Rosenwasser .......................................................................... January 31, 1943

The Bulletin
Union Temple of Brooklyn
17 Eastern Parkway, Brooklyn NY 11238 (718) 638-7600 Fax (718) 783-9151 E-mail: uniontemple@uniontemple.org Website: Uniontemple.org
Dr. Linda Henry Goodman Rabbi Emma Goldin Student Cantor Shinae Kim Temple Musician Susan Sporer Preschool Director Mindy Sherry Director of Youth and Family Engagement Beatrice Hanks President Abe Barnett Ellen Kolikoff Jeffrey Stein Vice Presidents Steven Segall Secretary Leonard Shiller Treasurer Mike Baron Hortense R. Hurwitz Doris Klueger Honorary Presidents David Rapheal Bulletin Editor John Golomb Temple Administrator Martin Kasdan Funeral Director (800) 522-0588

A memorial plaque is a lasting tribute to a loved one. If you wish more information regarding obtaining a plaque in memory of a loved one please e-mail the temple at uniontemple@uniontemple.org or leave a message with the temple office. 10

Union Temple suggests that its members contact our Funeral Director Martin D. Kasdan of Boulevard-Riverside Chapels 1895 Flatbush Avenue Brooklyn, NY 1-800-522-0588 Proudly maintaining more than 50 years of Temple involvement

January 2014 ~ Tevet-Shevat 5774


Sun Mon Tue Wed 1 Thu 2
Rosh Chodesh Shevat

Fri 3
4:00 PM Friday at Four First Friday Family Shabbat 6:00 PM Snacks 6:30 PM Kabbalat Shabbat 7:30 PM Pot Luck Dinner

Sat 4
9:00 AM Shabbat Hevre 9:30 AM Out of the Shabbox 10:30 AM Shabbat Service

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9:30 AM Religious School 10:00 AM Brotherhood/ Sisterhood Rosh Chodesh Breakfast with Moe Kornbluth

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4:00 PM Friday at Four Shabbat Shira 6:30 PM Kabbalat Shabbat Dinner & Concert The Jewish Characters of Broadway

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9:00 AM Shabbat Hevre 9:30 AM Out of the Shabbox 10:30 AM Shabbat Service

6:15 PM Officers

6:30 PM Union Temple Singers 7:30 PM Anshei Mitzvah

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9:30 AM Religious School

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Tu BiShevat

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4:00 PM Friday at Four 6:30 PM Kabbalat Shabbat Tu BiShevat Oneg

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9:00 AM Shabbat Hevre 9:30 AM Out of the Shabbox 10:30 AM Shabbat Service

6:15 PM Board of Trustees

6:30 PM Union Temple Singers 7:30 PM Anshei Mitzvah

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Religious School Vacation

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4:00 PM Friday at Four Fourth Friday Shabbat 7:00 PM Dinner 8:00 PM Service 9:00 PM Oneg Josephs Coat

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9:00 AM Shabbat Hevre 10:30 AM Shabbat Service

6:30 PM Union Temple Singers 7:00 PM Anshei Mitzvah

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9:00 AM 9:30 Religious Membership School Committee 10:00 AM Membership 9:30 AM Religious Committee School 9:30 AM Piloting for new Holy Day Machzor

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NFTY Winter Kallah

6:15 PM Religious School Committee

6:30 PM Union Temple Singers 7:30 PM Anshei Mitzvah

4:00 PM Friday at Four 6:30 PM Kabbalat Shabbat

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SAVE THE DATE

Prospect Park Health and Racquet Association


In Union Temple Building at 17 Eastern Parkway 718-789-4600 Ask about Special discounts for Union Temple Members

Union Temple of Brooklyn 17 Eastern Parkway Brooklyn, NY 11238 (718) 638-7600 Uniontemple@uniontemple.org

JANUARY 2014 UNION TEMPLE OF BROOKLYN BULLETIN

Happy New Year!

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