Etz Hayim Holds a Special Meeting

Sunday  December 14, 2014 at 10 AM

Rabbi Peter Levy opened the session with a D’var Torah :recounting the story of Joseph’s famous  interpretations of the Pharaohs’ dreams concerning the seven fat, then seven thin cattle, and the need to plan wisely.  President Steve Soreff welcomed the group and noted all of our love and commitment to Etz Hayim synagogue and its future as well as the many neat things happening at the synagogue. . The Treasurer Laurie Medrek presented a detailed and very understandable review of our current fiscal situation and initiatives to solve it.  She was aided by a power point presentation Jay Madnick developed and a giving tree created by Arlene Agosto.

The Treasurer Laurie Medrek  reviewed our current fiscal situation and initiatives to solve it.

We had a super and very effective meeting today-thanks to the Board and it's collective brilliance and participation.    Laurie gets four Jewish stars by  NY TIMes for her superb presentation; Jay neat power point; Arlene great tree; Dina great job on  checking all in and the notes; all for the food.  Another big step in Etz Hayim's future.

Happy Hannukkah

Steve

Men's Group Visits the NH Supreme Court

              

Under the guidance of one of the men’s Group’s members , Robert Lynn toured the New Hampshire on December 11, 2014.   Robert Lynn is one of the five NH Supreme Court judges.  The group saw a very informative video depicting the place of the Supreme Court and the organization of the NH Judicial system.   They visited the actual Supreme Court  room where the judges work when in session.  They also visited the individual judges’ chambers and the building’s Law Library. Afterwards, they dine at the Red Blazer in Concord.

FAB Women Visit Coolidge Corner

We had a great day in Coolidge Corner, wandering around Harvard Street, checking out the beautiful Jewish artwork and eating real Jewish deli.  

Ladies at Zaftigs in Brookline, Massachusetts.

Future Adventures:

Please email us ASAP and let us know if you can join in any of them:

1.  September 28 at 2 PM.  Capitol Center for the Arts. Menopause the Musical . Balcony tickets are available at $40.00. More information at  http://www.ccanh.com/event/menopause-musical.  If you are interested, please email Laura and fabwomen@etzhayim.org.   

2. October 26. Wine tasting tour.  A walk around Hollis, and then wine tasting at Fulchino Vineyard. Sounds like a blast.  $10 a person.  Please let us know ASAP so we can determine if we have enough people to reserve a spot at the Vineyard.

3. November 23. Apple Recipe Tasting at Laura Aronson's house.  2:00 on Sunday. In a nutshell:  We share recipes, and eat them too. So, please bring your favorite apple dish and copies of your recipe to share. Laura will provide coffee and tea.

Please RSVP to Laura and fabwomen@etzhayim.org.

Men's Group Tool Auction

  The Men’s Group Holds a Patriots’ Game, Poker Tournament and Tool Auction.

                

As summer fades into autumn, the Men’s Group of Etz Hayim had a fascinating, fun  filled afternoon on Sunday, September 7, 2014.   For the ten dollar admission price, each participant received a number of poker chips.  They then used the chips in a huge game of poker as pictured below.  During the poker game, they watched the New England Patriots play the Miami Dolphins.   Although the football game proved disappointing with New England sustaining a 20 to 33 loss, the poker game was quite enjoyable  as most everyone went on to be a winner.  At half time, the crew feasted on kosher hot dogs and vegetarian beans.

                After the football game, the members then used their poker chip winnings to bid on  shop tools which each member had brought to the event.  Items included a LED light, a socket wrench  set,  two 25 foot measuring tapes, a rope, paint brushes, a set of Allen wrenches and a large screw driver variety pack.

                It was a fun and enjoyable day at Etz Hayim.

Etz Hayim at Lake Pawtuckaway

Peggy Tucker and Steve Soreff hosted the 2014 Etz Hayim Synagogue Havdallah service and informal welcome to Rabbi Levi and his lovely wife Amy. 

 Kayaking and canoeing around the lake.

 A boat tour of Lake Pawtuckaway

Havdalah service and sparklers vis Al Sandler. Rabbi Levi and Amy leading us in song.

Empty Basement

Etz Hayim Basement Cleared!

Yes, for several years much stuff has been accumulating in the Etz Hayim basement. We have been looking for ways to remove with little success.   Then things came together. Newly elected Board member Stephen Landau volunteered to do the job.  He and his family have been very active in Chester’s Boy Scout troop 163.  It turns out the troop holds a huge two day yard sale annually.  It happens to be this weekend June 21 and 22, 2014.  So this Thursday afternoon, June 19, 2014 Stephen brought some youngsters including one troop member to clear the basement.  They did a marvelous job.  Thanks!

Stephen Landau moving our basement to Chester.

Memory Garden

On June 15th, Jacob Riese, with the help of his mother, Eva Bak and his Aunt Deborah Litvin, planted a memory garden in honor of his grandmothers:  Zofia Bak and Sylvia Riese. Both of Jacob's grandmothers died last year just before his Bar Mitzvah. Jacob did a mini-bar-mitzvah service in Sylvia's hospital room a week before she died. Seeing him Bar Mitzvah was one of her last wishes and this helped her to pass peacefully when the time came. Here are Jacob and his mom, Eva Bak, with the finished product.