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Congregation Bnai Israel 90 Anniversary Celebration Fleischmanns, NY 12430
September 6, 2009
David Schneiderman – Welcoming Address

It is an honor & privilege to welcome everyone to the 90th Anniversary celebration

of Congregation Bnai Israel. Bruchim Habaim. Welcome!

The truth be told we had a small dilemma in deciding on the date when the
Congregation should be officially considered 90 years old. Bnai Israel was
incorporated on August 6th 1918 but our original synagogue constitution & bylaws
were adopted on October 7th 1920. So, we took the middle road & decided on the
2009 date.

• In addition to our synagogue members, in the audience today, we are joined

by many friends & neighbors as well as

From the Clergy we have- The Very Reverend Father Bob Purcell – formerly of
the Sacred Heart Church of Margaretville, the Reverend Ralph Darmstadt
formerly of the Methodist Church, Reverend Hayden Walsh formerly of The
Advent Christian Church, Mr. Jim Campone of the Interfaith Council, Pastor
Kevin Beutel of the Catskill Mountain Christian Center, Pastor Peg Van Siclen
from the Roxbury & Halcott Methodist Churches, Mrs. Shirley Davis Lay leader
of the Presbyterian Church of Margaretville & of course Congregation Bnai
Israel’s Honorable Rabbi Moshe Pomerantz & our master teacher of all ages
Kay Pomerantz

• Kathleen Moore is present & she is the Special Assistant to NYS

Assemblyman Clifford Crouch

• From the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism Empire Region we

have President elect Bernie King-Smith, & Howard Goldberg the
Executive Director

• Our Fleischmanns Village- is represented by Mayor Dave Morrell &

Village Trustees Martin Martinez & Fred Woller & The Village Clerk
Lorraine DeMarfio. Also, our former Village Mayor John Granito is
present

• Mr. Len Utter the Supervisor of the Town of Middletown is with us today
• From the Fleischmanns First organization- Officers:
Rob Alverson Winifred Zubin & Paula DeSimone are in attendance
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• At this point I ask Gil Rubin of our synagogue to read a letter* that we
received from New York State Senator John Bonacic addressed to our
Congregation.

(*copy of the letter is not in this version of speech)

It is important to remember how we came to this Ninety Year milestone in our

synagogue’s history. What is very clear is that each generation has contributed
their unique efforts to this achievement. We acknowledge all those who preceded
us and are grateful to their vision, hard work and dedication to our Jewish
continuity.

Ninety years after our Jewish ancestors conceived of & persevered in the creation
of this wonderful synagogue, we the descendents follow in their footsteps by
holding Shabbat services throughout the summer months, as well as services on the
High Holidays. I can say with great pride that very often, we have congregants
from three generations of the descendants of our founders who come from near and
far as participants.

Over the past years we have had many memorable congregational events &
activities in this building. For example:

• Back in the year 2000 we hosted a Torah dedication program & inaugurated
two new Sifrei Torah for our regular use.
• In 2001 & 2007 many of our adult women members and others studied here
& achieved the honor of becoming a Bar and Bat Mitzvah in our sanctuary.
• In 2003 our building was nominated to & received the distinction of being
listed on the New York State & National Register of Historic Places.
• Last summer we commemorated the 60th anniversary of the establishment of
the State of Israel with a special program.
• We have also greatly improved the Hebrew literacy of many of our members
with the Hebrew classes we offer on Sunday mornings throughout the
summer.
• In addition our own Bnai Israel Singing Group and Dance Group which are
both destined to become national & international successes will be
performing for us today.

As we sit here in this handsome sanctuary, I would like to point out a few of its
unique details.

First & foremost is our Holy Ark (or in Hebrew Aron Kodesh), which houses our
Torah scrolls. This neo-classical style ark is hand carved in solid golden oak & is
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designed in the Eastern European motif that had a formidable influence in
synagogue interiors on the lower East Side of New York City in the late 19th &
early 20th Centuries. We have been advised that it is likely, that no ark remains
from this period with an equally high level of craftsmanship & in the original
pristine condition as this one.

Note the hand carved figures, symbols & architectural details that are preserved on
this Aron Kodesh here, in our small country synagogue in Fleischmanns. Up top
are the two tablets of The Ten Commandments which are inscribed with incuse
gilded letters in Hebrew. Also, note the realistically carved lions with their large
manes, articulated fur & musculature, flanking, supporting & protecting the tablets
with their raised paws. The Lion is a common Jewish symbol as it was the insignia
of the Israelite tribe of Judah in the Book of Genesis. Today the lion is also used as
the emblem for the unified city of Jerusalem.

Hanging just below the two tablets of the Ten Commandments is the Ner Tamid or
Eternal Light. This light which is on 24 Hours a day & 365 days a year – today we
would say 24/7 - represents the Menorah or Candelabra of King Solomon’s
Temple in Jerusalem, as well as the continuously burning fire on the altar of burnt
offerings in front of the ancient Temple. This practice would then be over 2,800
years old. More importantly it symbolizes God’s eternal presence & is therefore
never extinguished. There are also interpretations showing that the use of the
Eternal Light is commanded in the Book of Exodus of the Torah which would
make it a Biblical custom dating back over 4,000 years.

So here we are, proud of our 90 year old congregation & even prouder that our
synagogue is a part of our ancient Jewish heritage.
Please note that our stained glass windows & our ark have the six pointed Star of
David, a symbol used as the centerpiece of the national flag of Israel.

The end caps of the pews that you are sitting in repeat the theme of the two tablets
as an additional reminder of the original Ten Commandments and the 613
Commandments or mitzvot we are bound to keep. There is also a suggestion of the
tablets with the other arches on the ark & on the two adjacent arm chairs.

Formerly the seating arrangement of our synagogue was men on this side & the
center (point to my left & center). Women sat in this section (point to my right).
In the early years, the role of women in our synagogue was limited, & men were
responsible for leading all parts of the service & administering the congregation.
However, as the years progressed not only did the seating barriers disappear, but
we have emerged into a fully egalitarian synagogue with both women & men
sharing in all responsibilities & aspects of the prayer service & the running of the
congregation. We are members of The United Synagogue of Conservative
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Judaism, having officially joined this international organization in 1989. As
mentioned earlier, representatives of the USCJ’s Empire Region, which is the
geographic district our congregation is part of, are here with us today.

By the way, in the center of the sanctuary, (point) against that interior wall, there
used to sit a wood burning stove which was used for heating purposes. That was
replaced back in the 1960’s with our oil burning furnaces. At the same time the
adjacent community room was added when a section of this main sanctuary was
shortened and adapted for that purpose.

This was all accomplished, courtesy of the Ladies Auxiliary which consisted of a
group of dedicated and innovative synagogue women. Between 1951 & 1983 they
labored to support the congregation, give their children a Jewish education & were
also committed and active in helping the general community. This included
support of and donations to Margaretville Memorial Hospital and other local
organizations to which our members are still very much involved with today.

Coincidently, & to verify my point, in this week’s Catskill Mountain News on page
4B of its “Yellowed Pages”, there is a recap of local news & events of 25 years
ago. This is from the Aug. 30, 1984 edition & talks about two of our very devoted
synagogue members. Its title is “Toward the Goal”: (read copy)

You will notice by perusing the time lines in your program, that over the past
ninety years we have had many committed members & leaders who worked to
keep the congregation to the highest of standards. We have a beautiful sanctuary
which has been preserved for us & in turn we are preserving it for future
generations. Today, as in the past, we also have a wonderful and dedicated
congregation. Although the players, names and people have changed, for over 90
years our synagogue has maintained its goals.

Then, as well as today, our goals have been to uphold our Jewish faith, customs,
history & traditions & at the same time continue to be concerned & involved in the
general community. We hope to continue with these noble causes, and are
reminded of the saying of Rabbi Hillel who lived in Jerusalem in the 1st Century
BCE. Hillel who was the head of the Sanhedria or Jewish Supreme Court wrote in
the Pirkei Avot or Ethics of the Fathers:

‫ ֵאיָמַתי‬,‫שיו‬
ָׁ ְ‫ ָמה ֲאִני? ְוִאם ֹלא ַעכ‬,‫שֲאִני ְלַעְצִמי‬
ֶׁ ‫ ִמי ִלי? ּוְכ‬,‫?ִאם ֵאין ֲאִני ִלי‬

“If I am not for myself, then who will be for me? But if I am only for myself, what
am I? And if not now, then when?”
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Over the years I have learned that when I speak from this podium I should
sometimes avoid enumerating the names of people who have helped or assisted in
a synagogue project, for fear of leaving someone out. Often I break my own rule &
mention the individuals.

However, today, with 90 years of experience I will not break any rules & I extend
a general Thank You - Todah Rabah & Congratulations - Yashe Koach to everyone
who helped & worked so hard to put this memorable event together.
In addition, I thank everyone in the audience for attending and we look forward to
your joining us for our centennial celebration in the year 2019. So save the date!

Please enjoy the rest of the program! Thank you & Shalom.