From The President...

On January 15, the shul held it's sixth annual Family Scrabble Festival. In attendance were "Scrabble maven" regulars from our shul family, our community, Nassau County, and even one player from Massachusetts. Of the 50 people playing, a great range of ages and skill levels were represented, from 10 to senior citizen, from beginner to advanced. A number of brave and daring players challenged the National Scrabble Association director, John Williams. During one round, Williams played against six opponents at the same time.  John and Jane Williams were exceedingly generous with the

number and quality of the prizes they provided, which certainly enhanced the festival.
The success of an event such as this requires the cooperation and assistance of many shul members. Phil and Elaine Goldman and Aaron and Thelma Novick worked at the door, and sold 50/50 tickets and raffles; Paula Shengold took care of

the refreshments; Marian Friedmann, David Judlowitz and Mary Gabriel were in charge of setting up the social hall before the event, and restoring it after; Carol Seigel assisted with the raffle. Thanks also to all of the Scrabble players for their spirit and competition, which contributed to making this day special.
Congregation Tifereth Israel is catching up with the Skype phenomenon. Marian Friedmann has been investigating Skype and its function within the shul. Skype would enable snowbirds and other travelers to attend and participate electronically at meeting of the Board of Directors and the Congregation. Additional work needs to be done before this becomes a reality.
If you would like to be part of our Skype family, to "attend meetings" on Skype, please contact Marian Friedmann. She will assist you in loading Skype into your computer and will answer questions. Isn't technology amazing?
A Tu B'Shevat Seder will be held right after the Saturday morning kiddush on February 11. Admittedly, Tu B'Shevat and a Seder other than those at Passover are new ideas to me. But I have learned that this "new holiday," from the 13th century, is somewhat like our secular Earth Day in that we acknowledge the various fruit and nut species on Earth, and are reminded to replant forests. It's a nice little Seder, focusing on eating fruits and nuts, drinking wine, and singing. Please join us. I'm sure you'll enjoy it.
Mary and I will be in our new home in Florida through March 22. However, we will not forget our shul family. We will be only a phone call, email, or a Skype call away. Please feel free to contact us with shul questions or problems, or just to say hello. We'd love to hear from you: agreenberg825@optonline.net/. We promise not to tell you the Florida temperature.

--Adrianne Greenberg

519 Fourth St.
P.O. Box 659
Greenport, NY 11944
Ask for the new-member brochure.