For Immediate Release: October 18, 2007
On Friday evening, November 16th, Professor John Robert Greene of Cazenovia College will be the guest speaker at Bet Havarim's November Shabbat Service. Cantorial Soloist, Hanita Margulies Blair, will lead the service assisted by Shabbat Committee members, Frann Albert, Helen Marcum and April Rando. Bet Havarim's November 16th Shabbat Service begins at 7:30 PM in the social hall of St. David's Church on Jamar Drive in Dewitt. An Oneg Shabbat reception will follow the service to which all members of the community are invited.
Dr. Greene, having been awarded the college's first endowed chair, is the Paul J. Schupf Professor of History and Humanities at Cazenovia College. He also serves as History and Government Director of the Social Sciences Program and College Archivist. He has been a faculty member of Cazenovia College for the past 28 years and, in the time, has written or edited fifteen books. Dr. Greene's teaching and writing specialty lies in American Political History focusing, particularly, on the American presidency. Dr. Greene, in 1993, was chosen by the faculty as Distinguished Faculty Member. Professor Greene's most recent book is Presidential Profiles: The Nixon and Ford Years (2006). Among the other fifteen books he has written are The George H. W. Bush Administration (2006), Betty Ford: Candor and Courage in the White House (2004), and The Presidency of George Bush (2000). His political commentary is regularly featured in both print and broadcast media, nationwide. Dr. Greene's many appearances include, nationally, The History Channel, MSNBC, National Public Radio, as well as appearances on regional and local radio & television stations coast to coast. He provided analysis for the funeral of Gerald R. Ford in Dec. 2006/Jan. 2007. His print media interviews and articles include, among others, U.S. News and World Report, United Press International, and The Washington Post. Locally, Dr.Greene is a panel member on the locally produced and televised program, "The Half Hour From the Ivory Tower," on Public Television station, WCNY, Channel 24, on Friday evenings at 8:00 PM. The program is moderated by Dean David Rubin of Syracuse University's Newhouse School and other panel members include members of college and university academia from throughout Central New York. "This will be the second time that we will welcome Dr. Greene to Bet Havarim and we look forward to his joining us for our November 16th Shabbat Service," said Mel Shindler, Bet Havarim's Shabbat Committee Chairman. "His vast knowledge of Presidential History is most important as we approach the 2008 Presidential Elections and I think his message for November 16th, 'Politics at this Moment: Some Thoughts', will resonate with all members of the audience regardless of political affiliation," added Shindler. Bet Havarim recently received a grant from the Pomeranz Trust for the construction of a portable Torah Ark. Syracuse Artisan, John White, designed and constructed the Ark for Bet Havarim and it was dedicated at the recent Rosh Hashanah Services by Rabbi Deborah Waxman. At the dedication a Torah Scroll, on loan from Temple Beth El, was presented to the congregation. "We wish to thank the members of Temple Beth El for the loan of the magnificent Torah, and, in addition, wish to express our sincere thanks to the Trustees of the Pomeranz Trust", said Shindler.
Bet Havarim is organized to promote and cultivate a love and understanding of our Jewish heritage, teachings, and values, and to ensure the continuation of the Jewish people. Our common strength is through communal worship, celebration, study, a commitment to Israel and its people, and the practice of mitzvoth by applying the principles of Judaism to the values and conduct of the individual, family and the society in which we live for the betterment of humanity.
For information about Bet Havarim, service schedules, D'vrei Torah, etc., visit Bet Havarim's web site at http://www.BetHavarimSyr.org, send email to info -at- BetHavarimSyr.org (please make the obvious change in the address), or phone Marty Morganstein at 637-5390 or Mel Shindler at 478-6856.
St. David's Church is located on Jamar Drive. From the intersection off Maple Drive and E. Genesee St. in Dewitt (across from Wegman's) drive south on Maple Drive and take the third right turn on to Jamar Drive. The Church is located at the end of Jamar Drive with off-street parking available. St. David's is handicapped accessible.