Phoebe’s Story...

I moved to Huntington in 1959. One of my first projects was to find a synagogue, as my parents always did.  I decided on the Huntington Jewish Center, as Conservative was always my parent’s choice.  One day, before I had time to do anything, my doorbell rang and there was a familiar looking man who wanted to come in.  Fortunately, I recognized him as Rabbi Schatz of the Hillel House at Queens College when I was s student there. He spent quite a bit of time telling me about Temple Beth El.  I told him that I decided on the Huntington Jewish Center and he replied that I wouldn’t be happy there as that is where all the money was.  That did it!  I joined Temple Beth El.  

 

At that time, TBE services were in a church on New York Avenue and what is now Woodhull Road.  I was aware that this was just temporary, as a building fund was on my dues bill.  After some time, the new building was opened and there was a beautiful small sanctuary.  There were three more building funds after that. First, the Social Hall and enlargement of the sanctuary; second, the downstairs classrooms; and finally, the Great Room (which I thought was completely unnecessary; ha ha).

The next experience I had was a Sisterhood lunch, which was held at Bonnie Gettinger’s house on Dunlop Road.  (So much for all the money being at the Huntington Jewish Center.)  Over the years I got involved in many projects.  The first was Bulletin Editor.  Believe me, it didn’t look like today’s bulletin.  It was typed on a manual typewriter and it was printed just like it looked when it was brought to the printer.  I joined the choir and was in it for 36 years. There were at least 30 singers at that time.  I left the choir when I couldn’t stand up anymore and I wouldn’t sing sitting down. (I met Sandy when we both were in the choir).  When we had BINGO as a fund raiser, I sold the cards; Sandy was the caller.

 

After my daughters were Bat Mitzvahed in 1972 and 1975, I decided I wanted to be also.  Girls did not have a Bat Mitzvah when I was that age, although my sister who was four years younger was one of the first in Queens. So the Principal of the Religious School (Helene Shein) got a class together and taught us Hebrew.  In March of 1978 I was Bat Mitzvahed  along with a few other people who stuck with the class.

 

The last activity I was involved with was the founding of the Chai Club.  In 1975, several long-time members thought it would be nice to form a group of long-time members.  They asked anyone who was a Temple member for 18 years to get together and form a club.  I wasn’t eligible until the next year.  After a few years it was changed to anyone who was a member of any synagogue for 18 years was eligible. I’ve been active since.  Along the way, Sandy and I served for 2 years as co-presidents.

As you can see, the Temple has been a big part of my life for the 64 years that I have lived in Huntington. I am particularly happy that one of my grandsons got married in the Temple and joined the Temple.  I am looking forward to going to my great-granddaughters having their Bat Mitzvahs here in about eleven years.

 

 

Back in the day, I also worked the temple’s Bingo nights, as a server. Later, I became a Bingo caller. (Note the pattern:  get involved, get promoted.)  As a caller, you take your life into your own hands. Everybody blames the caller when they don’t win. A great philosopher once said, ‘never argue with stupidity, cause stupidity always wins.’

 

I also worked as a volunteer for the temple’s Social Action Committee, picking up and driving less fortunate people and taking them to the temple for a gift lunch. Many times, I stayed and helped serve the meals. Then I would drive them back home. I was also in some shows.  I played Chico Marx to Charlie Mayer’s Groucho Marx on Purim for many years.  Charlie and I always managed to write the Rabbi and Cantor into our skits.  I even took a Hebrew reading course with Cantor Sherry, which ended with me becoming a re-Bar Mitzvah.  The course was great, and she was great. 

 

Finally, Phoebe and I both served as Chai Club co-presidents.  Actually, though, Phoebe did most of the work.  My self-acquired job was public relations and listening to the Chai Club members’ complaints; and then relaying the information to Phoebe.

 

Temple Beth El is a place where most people are extremely nice and very helpful.  It has been my second home for more than 40 years.  In life, we all experience a few downs, but we can count on TBE to provide the needed ups. One thing of special note is that in Temple Beth El, you can be as Jewish, or as non-Jewish, as you need to be, or want to be.  At TBE, we feel great ties to Judaism, and that we can interpret it in many ways.  My years at TBE has made me a more involved and better person, something I probably would not have felt at another Temple.