INSIDE THIS ISSUE
PAGE 3 Bound and Determined
PAGE 5 Israel Day at TBE
PAGE 8 Helping Seniors
PAGE 10 Israel Bonds Honors Rabbi Katz
PAGE 13 Meet the Biers
PAGE 18 Purim Photos!
MAY / JU N E 2 0 15/IYAR-SIVAN-TAMMUZ 5775
Dedication of Sanctuary in
Honor of Cantor Shames
Sunday, June 14, 3:00-5:30 pm
Please join us on Sunday, June 14
from 3:30-5:30 pm for a very special
event to honor our beloved Cantor
Emeritus and bestow his name upon
our sanctuary. The dedication will
feature musical performances and
tributes to Cantor Shames by Rabbi
Katz, Rabbi Schwartz and others. It
will be followed by a wine and hors
d’oeuvres reception. Past President
Craig Kazin is chairing a committee
that is hard at work planning all the
details. The cost to attend is $18 per
person if paid by June 1, which will
CONTINUED ON PAGE 11
Joint Shavuot Program & Concert
Featuring
Cantabile
at
TBE
Saturday, May 23, 7:30 pm
Celebrate the holiday of Shavuot with our friends from Sinai Temple at a concert and
educational program at Temple Beth El. The evening will begin with a concert performed by
the group Cantabile. This is the group that was scheduled to perform at TBE in January but
had to cancel due to the tragic death of one of its members, Dorie Goldman, z”l. Cantabile is
dedicating this concert to her memory. They will perform the music of the Jewish Renaissance
composer Salamone Rossi, who was a musical innovator. His music was the first polyphonic
(more than one voice) used in the synagogue since the destruction of the Temple. The music is
exquisitely beautiful, and the musicians will offer explanations about the composer, style of
CONTINUED ON PAGE 11
Rabbi Katz Named
to the Forward’s List
of “America’s Most
Inspiring Rabbis”
We are delighted
that Rabbi Amy
Wallk Katz has been
included in the Jewish
Daily Forward’s list
of “America’s Most
Inspiring Rabbis.” It is
wonderful that she has
been recognized on a
national level, and we
are so fortunate to have a spiritual leader of
her caliber here at Temple Beth El.
Marian Broder, one of several
congregants who nominated her, wrote:
“Rabbi Amy Wallk Katz is inspirational in
the way she leads her congregation. She
encourages her congregation to confront
challenges such as the shrinking of Jewish
population and communal financial issues.
She pushes members of her congregation
to consider hard ethical and religious
issues such as end-of-life decisions . . . She
is an outstanding educator. What’s more,
her slogan, “Just show up,” has changed
the feeling of Shabbat morning services.
Congregants are welcome at any part they
wish to attend, dressed as they wish. Rabbi
Katz meets each individual where they
are and draws them into the synagogue
community from there.”
President Paul Farkas noted, “It was in
an early Melton class that my response to the
question of the moment came spontaneously
to mind: a great rabbi is inspiring. The
CONTINUED ON PAGE 7
MMTemple Beth El Founded 1913. In 2008 merged with Congregation B’nai Jacob (founded 1891). Devoted to seeking God, doing Mitzvot, studying Torah, and creating Community. 1
Bound and
Determined
Dr. Mark Jackowitz
It is difficult for many people to
understand why I get up at the crack of
dawn on a day when I do not have to arrive
at work early, only to join an eclectic group
of hopefully ten persons to perform a group
of rituals. If fact, many of us wrap an arm in
leather straps, carefully counting seven turns
before donning leather straps on our head,
and finishing the wrapping around our hand
and fingers to symbolize our creator’s name.
So how did I arrive at this somewhat unusual
but wonderful way to start my day?
A few years ago I was volunteered to be
on a committee to look at worship at Temple
Beth El and better understand congregant
needs. I attended Shabbat services at other
synagogues to learn how they approach the
idea of welcoming people at different places
in their lives into a synagogue community.
I was then asked to look at our morning
minyan to understand who was attending,
as well as why this service was so important
to the attendees who participate. The timing
worked out well for me as my Friday start
time at work had changed. I envisioned
Weekday Mornings
Monday through Friday........ 7:00 am
Sunday................................... 8:30 am
Weekday Evenings
Sunday, Monday, Tuesday,
Wednesday & Thursday........5:45 pm
Shabbat Worship
Erev Shabbat.........................6:00 pm
Shabbat morning.................. 9:30 am
Shabbat afternoon................6:00 pm
2
asking a lot of questions of the participants
and approaching the project like a science
experiment, using very concrete reasoning
and assessment. I figured that one or two
Friday mornings would answer all my
questions and I would be finished with this
project.
But something very different has
happened along the way. The years have gone
by, and every Friday when I am in town I
eagerly rise early to participate. During the
first two weeks, I was a bit lost in the twenty
minutes or so of prayer just figuring out the
order and mechanics of the services. But
I learned that sitting in
the back row allows you
to quickly learn when to
stand or sit, and there was
always a member to show
you where the leader was
chanting.
Rosh Hodesh Sivan
Tuesday, May 19 ........................6:45 am
The third week found me
digging out my old tefillin
Rosh Hodesh Tammuz
set, the leather straps with
Wednesday, June 17 ................6:45 pm
Thursday, June 18.....................6:45 pm
the verses inside attached
to boxes containing verses
See page 3 for our
reminding us of the
Shavuot service
Exodus from Egypt. As I
schedule.
wrapped these around my
arm and placed them on
my head, I felt the powerful connection to
our people, our history over the generations,
my grandfathers and great-grandfathers
of blessed memory who performed these
rituals and never discussed with me why.
The tension of these straps on my arm and
head actually became liberating in a strange
way, allowing me to separate myself from
the usual world and tune into a spiritual
connection to start the day.
Many days I will close my eyes as we
sing, and I can identify each of the ten to
twenty voices of the members who are
singing together. Each voice adds a tone
and energy that together reverberate off the
walls of the beautiful curved and beamed
chapel. I cannot count the times when our
song of guarding Israel has come at a time
when world events have demanded prayer,
or our prayer for how our body works so
well has mirrored a time when illness has
been a challenge, or when we describe
how the rivers rage while a catastrophic
meteorological event is occurring right
outside our windows. These prayers and
psalms are so personal, so real and relevant.
And the losses; so many people coming
to mourn the loss of a loved one, either a
recent loss or the annual remembrance called
the Yahrzeit, when they recite the Mourner’s
Kaddish. It has been painful to hear deceased
congregant names read and find that there is
no family member there to remember them.
It is painful to have a recent mourner present
and not the required ten persons to allow the
prayer to be recited.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 16
SHAVUOT SCHEDULE
Saturday, May 23
Rabbi Amy Wallk Katz
Birthdays are special. It is nice to pause
and celebrate another year of living, another
year of learning. I remember how my family
would celebrate my birthday when I was a
little girl. My mother’s parents would come
for dinner, and usually my Bubie and Zeide
would make their way from Peoria. My mom
would make my favorite foods for dinner,
and we always had a Baskin Robbins ice
cream cake for dessert. We had two parties
(and two cakes): one for family and one for
my school friends.
My parents were not the sort who
bought a special present on birthdays,
but they always tried to do something
memorable to mark the day: try a new
restaurant or have a special dinner with
family at home. As I got older, we often took
special outings, perhaps to a Cubs game,
or maybe an outdoor concert or play. The
message was clear: it isn’t about acquiring
more stuff, it is about setting aside time to be
together and celebrate.
Birthdays are special. And it is
important to celebrate them and to honor the
special people in our lives. It is for that reason
that I am thrilled to help celebrate Cantor
Shames’ birthday on Sunday June 14. See the
article on page 1 for more details.
We will honor his birthday by naming
the sanctuary the Cantor Morton Shames
Sanctuary. In honor of Cantor Shames we
will be modifying our beautiful sanctuary
to make sure it meets the needs of future
generations. Our bimah will be fully
accessible and we will be creating a beautiful
chapel-within-a-sanctuary in which we can
daven every week.
In his lifetime, Cantor Shames has
always been leading us to embrace the future.
He has never been complacent or happy with
yesterday’s laurels. He was visionary in his
cantorate and we are a stronger congregation
as a result. By naming the sanctuary in his
honor and redesigning it for the future, we,
the members of Congregation Beth El, pledge
ourselves to continue to embrace the future,
as Cantor Shames has taught us.
A NOTE FROM SCOTT ZUCKER
Editor’s Note: We received a yahrzeit donation
along with this lovely personal note from Scott
Zucker, who grew up at Temple Beth El. We are
reprinting it with his permission.
Dear Rabbi Katz,
I want you to know that I so deeply appreciate the
fact that Temple Beth El continues to remember my
father so many years after his passing. I apologize that I have not contributed to the temple
over these past years during his (or my mom’s) yahrzeit—but I have continued to remember
them (and honor them) through our work and dedications in their honor at my synagogue
in Atlanta where we live. I wish we could do both because I have tremendous fond memories
of my years growing up at Beth El, so much so that I have committed my community work to
Temple Sinai (in Atlanta) where I now serve as President of the congregation (1,400 families).
I only add that as a wonderful testament to the Rabbis, Cantor and staff at Beth El that helped
develop my love for Judaism.
Thank you for all that you do to sustain the wonderful institution and community at
Temple Beth El.
I hope that you continue to go from strength to strength.
Best regards,
Scott
Erev Shavuot Services with
Sinai Temple at TBE .....................................7:30 pm
Candle Lighting..............................................8:53 pm
Sunday, May 24
1st Day Shavuot Morning Services ............ 9:30 am
2nd Evening of Shavuot/Yizkor Service
Evening Services............................................6:00 pm
Candle Lighting..............................................8:55 pm
Monday, May 25
2nd Day Shavuot
Morning Services/Yizkor .............................. 9:30 am
Evening Services ..........................................6:00 pm
Havdalah .......................................................8:55 pm
PROJECT SOLEL: CREATING
A NEW PATH TO EDUCATE
OUR CHILDREN
As we have previously shared with
you, Sinai Temple and Temple Beth El have
been engaged in serious discussions about
joining together to create a shared religious
school serving the children of both our
congregations. We are now delighted to share
that we have moved beyond if we should do
this---and are now committed to working
together on how we will make this vision into
a successful reality. Much work and detailed
planning lies ahead, but we want to share
with you the following:
• We have convened a joint task force,
named Project Solel (Hebrew for blazing
a new path forward!). Members include
Stuart Anfang, Maxine Bernstein, Beth
Chafetz, Jeff Cossin, Meredith Dragon,
Paul Farkas, Rabbi Amy Wallk Katz,
Marianne Kornblum, Lisa Levheim, Caryn
Resnick, Rabbi Mark Shapiro, Jody Smith,
Billy Snow, Esta Sobey, Heather Sullivan,
and Gloria Wald. We are consulting with
Terry Rosenberg, a nationally recognized
expert in synagogue strategic planning and
transformation.
• We are not merging congregations, nor
simply merging religious schools. We seek
to create a joint educational enterprise that
will provide a vibrant engaging education
for our children, strengthening our
CONTINUED ON PAGE 16
3
KadimaUPCOMING
Youth
EVENTS
Group
Rachel Borke Soumakis
FROM THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION
Together
Caryn Resnick
Once again,
Passover comes
into view and, just
beyond it, the end of
the academic school
year. At this time,
CARYN RESNICK
looking toward the
Festival of Freedom, I reflect on all that we
have accomplished in the year. I am grateful
to all of the staff, the parents, the congregants,
the clergy and all who have helped to
support the goal of Jewish education in our
congregation. We work together as a team
striving toward the goal of vibrant and
meaningful Jewish education for our 21st
century learners. I know we can succeed
because of the work we have been doing and
are committed to continuing to do together.
As we remember the Exodus and the journey
into the desert towards the promise of Mt.
Sinai and the Torah, I realize that we are still
on that journey and always will be – moving
ever closer towards Torah – together.
Mazel Tov to
Our Graduates
We wish a hearty Mazel Tov to all of
our graduating high school seniors, and
wish them the best of luck in their future
endeavors! They include:
Michael Anfang
Sarah Bernstein
Joshua Elfman
Jordan Hurwitz
Mallory Judson
Ezra Kaim
Andrew Katz
Emily Robinson
Max Rubin
Alexa Zippin
We would also like to congratulate the
following Heritage Academy graduates:
Joshua Peck
Kayla Weiss
Gillian Weissman
We apologize if we have omitted any
names. If you have a graduate who is not on
this list, please call the SKLC office, 737-0170,
and we will extend our congratulations in the
next issue of Tekiah.
4
Advisor
May 3
USY News
& Updates
Nora Gorenstein Advisor
Spring is here, and Temple
Beth El’s teens look forward to
ending the year with a bang!
In May and June, we focus our
attention on our wonderful
graduating seniors. We will
miss you! We are so proud of NORA GORENSTEIN
all that you have accomplished!
At Israel Lounge Night on May 2, 7:30-10
pm, Temple Beth El teens in grades 8-12 will
be preparing for our synagogue-wide Israel
Day with creative projects, fun food, and
games! This program is free for members,
and $5 for guests. R.S.V.P. with payment to
the SKLC office by Thursday, April 30.
Next, we wrap up the year with a USY
Elections & Shavuot Celebration on May
21. During the final class of B’Yahad, from
6:30-8:30 pm, our synagogue’s chapter of
USY (SCUSY) will hold its elections for the
Teen Board. If you are interested in running,
please contact the SKLC office. If you are in
grades 7-11 (this year), don’t forget to show
up and vote! Elections will be followed by a
fabulous Shavuot program!
For our final program of the year, we
have the BBQ & Graduation Party on June 7
from 12:30 – 3:30 pm. Celebrate our seniors
(and incoming 8th graders), and welcome
our new SCUSY Teen Board. Our graduating
seniors will receive special gifts to help
them get started in college. This free potluck
barbeque will be hosted by the Anfang
family; stay tuned for more details. This
event is open to Jewish teens in grades 7-12.
11:00 am Our
youth group will
spend a fun-filled day with a
variety of indoor and outdoor RACHEL BORKE SOUMAKIS
activities at Sonny’s Place in
Somers, CT. Watch your mail for details!
June 7
4:00 pm End of summer BBQ at Rachel’s
house. Watch your mail for details!
A recent Friday night Shabbat
service led by Jon Muchin
From the Hanefesh Region of United
Synagogue Youth:
MAZEL TOV TO OUR SCUSY,
SPRINGFIELD USY - NAMED
CHAPTER OF THE YEAR!
Congratulations to our teens, what a
spectacular year!
UPCOMING
EVENTS
Temple Beth El teens having a blast at
Galactic Bowling on March 14!
ISRAEL DAY AT TBE
Sunday, May 17
3:00 – 6:00 pm Visit the Shuk and purchase
Israeli products, eat at the Israeli Café, and
visit informational booths. TBE’s Judaica
Shop will be selling items made in Israel.
The café will offer an assortment of Israeli
food, including falafel, hummus, borekas,
and Israeli salad, provided by Catering by
Meital. There will be an Israeli cooking
demonstration and more.
Jennifer Belden teaches the course “God
Talk” to our B’Yahad students.
6:15 pm View the film Spirit to Freedom,
winner of the Jury Special Award for best
documentary by the Jerusalem International
Film Festival 2010. An Arab, a Jew, a
Chinese and a Philippine student all attend
an elementary school in Tel Aviv. The film
follows the class throughout one school year,
which becomes volatile as the Gaza War
upsets the social dynamics in the classroom.
The children point out basic conflicts in
Israeli society and deal with painful identity
issues. Don’t miss this film! Recommended
for adults and children in 6th grade and
above. Following the movie, a discussion will
be facilitated by Rabbi Katz. There is no fee
for this event.
For more information about these events,
contact Caryn Resnick at cresnick@
tbespringfield.org.
Our teaching staff participates in
a workshop offered by the Harold
Grinspoon Foundation.
5
Book
Discussion
Group News
Judaism’s
Ten Best
Ideas
by Dr. Arthur Green
Sundays at 9:00 am
In Cuppa Joe we are reading Rabbi
Ed Feld’s book, Joy, Despair and Hope:
Reading Psalms. You do not need a strong
background to participate in the class, just
a desire to learn. Just Show Up whenever
it is convenient. Minyan is at 8:30 am, and
breakfast and class begins around 9:00 am.
Florence Melton
School of Adult
Jewish Learning
Melton classes will begin on October
1. Tuition is $360 plus a mandatory Melton
registration fee of $75 for those who register
by July 31, and $460 plus the $75 fee for those
who register after that date. The Year I classes
will be taught by Rabbi Katz, Rabbi Jacobson,
and Dalia Davis (according to availability).
The classes include:
Rhythms of Jewish Living – What’s the point
of living Jewishly? What ideas, beliefs and
practices are involved? This course examines
a wide variety of Jewish sources to discover
the deeper meanings underlying Jewish
holidays, lifecycle observances, and Jewish
practice.
6
May 13, 20, 27, June 3, 10, 17, 24 at noon
In the age of fluid identity, many
people are honestly asking the question
“Why be Jewish?” What in this religious
and ethnic legacy is worth preserving? Does
Judaism have something unique to offer a
contemporary seeker free to choose a way of
life and a system of values?
Here is the answer of a leading spiritual
teacher who has faced these questions in
conversation with generations of students.
With warmth, humor, personal and rabbinic
stories and down-to-earth explanations,
Arthur Green presents the ideas in Judaism
that kept him loyal to the tradition passed
on to him. The result is an enticing look into
timeless Jewish wisdom that will encourage
you to explore further and search out the
riches of Judaism for yourself.
Purposes of Jewish Living – Why do Jews
believe as they do? What are the big
questions of life and how do Jewish thinkers
answer these questions? This course explores
sources both ancient and modern in pursuit
of answers to many of the major issues of
Jewish thought and theology.
We will be having informational sessions
at private homes for those who are interested
in learning more. The dates are Tuesday, May
12 and Monday, May 18. R.S.V.P. for either
date by calling the temple office at
733-4149.
Liz Marinelli Librarian
The book group will
meet on May 13 to discuss
The Lie by Hesh Kestin.
Dedicating her career to
defending wrongly accused
LIZ MARINELLI
Palestinians, Israeli attorney
Dalia Barr accepts a position
with the national police in the
hopes of ending the system’s
practices of torture, only to
find her kidnapped son’s fate
in the hands of a prisoner
who refuses to talk.
On June 17, please join us as we discuss
Norwegian by Night by Derek Miller. After
witnessing a murder
in Oslo, elderly former
Marine sniper and watch
repairman Sheldon
Horowitz flees to safety
with the newly orphaned
son of the victim. The novel
successfully combines
humor with deadly serious events and a
compelling plot, and will surely generate a
lively discussion. Both meetings will be at
10:30 in the library. Here are a few of the latest additions to
the library’s collection:
• Living The Life of Jewish Meditation: A
Comprehensive Guide to Practice and
Experience by Rabbi Yoel Glick. Specific
guidelines and practical techniques
grounded in Judaism for each stage of
the life of meditation, outlining inner
processes and likely questions.
• Three Minutes in Poland: Discovering a
Lost World in a 1938 Family Film by Glenn
Kurtz. A fragment of film discovered in his
parents’ closet sends the author on a quest
to learn about a Jewish village on the brink
of extinction.
• Eating the Bible: Over 50 Delicious Recipes
to Feed Your Body and Nourish Your Soul
by Rena Rossner. The author creates
original meals inspired by each Torah
portion, such as Milk and Honey Kugel
and Babel Vegetable Towers.
FROM THE PRESIDENT
Paul Farkas
March has been a month
of extremes . . . Is today the
day for roof rakes and snow
shovels or for umbrellas and
galoshes? Our life together at
Temple Beth El has also been DR. PAUL FARKAS
extreme, but happily so!
During these last days of winter, our
recent Purim celebration comes right to
mind as BIG. The crowd in front of the
movie screen and the “gondolier’s” reading
table kept growing, as did the buzz of
excitement, the roar of the groggers, the
length of the truly-all-ages costume parade,
the imagination of our many (teenage and
up) Megillah-readers. Moments later, we
were among so many revelers that Iris Linson
thought there were more people in the social
hall than on Rosh HaShanah! Among the
crowd were our friends from Congregation
B’nai Torah and Heritage Academy. We hope
that our tradition of celebrating together also
grows. It should not have been surprising
that Caryn Resnick, with Marie Sampson,
starts planning this party in July!
Adding to the excitement was each
small colored bag of mishloah manot, the
“Purim baskets”, all around the room! We
asked for “forty-five” people to volunteer for
an estimated 450 Purim phone calls . . . and
forty-seven of you said “yes”! To be a “fortyfiver” next year, please write!
Our Nechamen-Chernick Breakfast
started small. Perhaps a half dozen members
of our program committee were grating
cheese and slicing onions that Thursday
evening before . . . and by 9:15 Sunday
morning, the aroma from the cheese filled
the room. So did our many members, as well
as family and extra friends of Craig Kazin,
many in clown noses! In front of this big
crowd, Craig modestly urged us to give freely
of ourselves . . . saying that he was “accepting
congratulations for something that enriches
my life no end . . .” Thank you again, Craig,
for all the ways that, in your words, you are
an “energy giver”!
The many rows of boots in the front
hall of Susan and Rich Halpern’s house in
February confirmed that Cantor Barber’s
Beit Café was big! We delighted in a different
kind of time together as we enthusiastically
applauded our young and not-so-young
performers – singers and instrumentalists,
soloists and duets and one quintet.
Hard as some of us practiced for the Beit
Café, and much as we love Purim, such times
won’t return until next year. Shabbat brings
us together every week in many different
ways.
Some of our Shabbats begin with flute,
guitar, and drums accompanying Cantor
Barber to tunes old and new, from strong
beats to haunting melodies. In January, this
“musical Shabbat” was followed by dinner
together and Klezmer music. Soon another
Shabbat featured a “pre-Pesach” dinner and a
wonderful speaker.
A recent Shabbat began in the chapel
with Cantor Barber’s magnificent singing,
Rabbi Katz’s Shabbat thoughts, and davening
from Rev. Aminia. In the social hall, SKLC
families were gathering for prayers and
dinner. Afterwards, with puzzles and songs,
we began to feel like one very large family.
On Saturday mornings Shabbat services
are here for us, each one special, whether
or not special programs are added. In
February, one such morning included our
first-graders, then Kiddush lunch as usual,
and a discussion with Cantor Shames and
our architect Scott Cohen. It’s becoming
typical to find new people joining our muchappreciated leaders of many years. One
February morning found Andy Shemesh
chanting her second Haftarah, Beth Cranna
her first Torah reading, Bluma Bier chanting
Torah, Rachel Cranna leading her first Torah
service, Sarah Cranna her first Ashrei, and
Maxine Bernstein leading Musaf (in her
words) “for the first time since the Carter
Administration.”
On March 14, (“Pi” day, as Mike
Henderson reminded us), Rabbi Ed Feld
spoke after Kiddush lunch. He caught us in
his web as he explained the special voices in
many psalms, voices of common people with
many of the same concerns and doubts that
we have today. The chapel was full, as it had
been for the morning service, with a partially
overlapping crowd. Rabbi Feld also spoke
about his fondness for our congregation,
where he is always so warmly welcomed
when he comes to say Kaddish.
The group led by Rabbi Katz the
next morning was comparatively small,
a group crowded about the tables in the
conference room over coffee and bagels,
finding understanding in psalm #1 of Rabbi
Feld’s new book. Please join us at Cuppa Joe
anytime. Wednesdays, again every week,
come and read a Talmudic tale together at
noontime.
Every week – Friday nights and
Saturdays for Shabbat, Sunday mornings and
Wednesday noontimes for extra learning –
you may find us. Every day, morning and
evening, we are here. A few minutes, a few
prayers, a few friends. Sometimes small can
be so special.
Very Big is what Sunday June 14 may
become, Cantor Shames’ birthday, a day
when we all hope to celebrate naming our
sanctuary in his honor. Please be ready to
help out Craig Kazin and his committee.
Among all these special times was
the Annual Meeting. I thank you again for
the privilege of leading this congregation
for another year. I thank all of you for your
help, and with that help I hope that we can
continue to face our problems, to move
toward our visions, and to enjoy the warmth
and friendship, spirituality and learning, that
we so love here at Temple Beth El.
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1WRABBI KATZ
NAMED TO THE FORWARD’S LIST OF
“AMERICA’S MOST INSPIRING RABBIS”
teacher who so effortlessly inspired that
answer was, of course, Rabbi Katz.”
Mazel Tov, Rabbi Katz, on this most
deserving honor! To read
the article, please visit
our website at
tbespringfield.org
and click the link in
the News & Events
menu.
7
No Longer Jewishly Homeless
Esta Farkas, Membership Chair
I carry a picture with me, but it is not
one that I can ever submit to the Tekiah. I
am standing in the basement of Temple Beth
Israel in Danielson with my two sisters, my
mother at the head of the line. My mother
is the Sisterhood President; my sisters and I
are all in Hebrew School. We are looking on
as some man is successively dialing number
after number on the wall phone, pleading
with some “man” at the other end of the line
to come and make the minyan on this Friday
night.
Our family never discussed this scene,
and I can only wonder if this night was
related to a definite downturn in my mother’s
enthusiasm for schlepping to Friday night
services, many miles away on country roads.
I wonder how many of us -- and our
parents and our friends -- have had similar
experiences at Conservative synagogues.
I wonder how many of us “stopped
schlepping.” How many
other features of timesgone-by have discouraged
us? Perhaps years ago?
My message today
is that it’s not like “that”
anymore! There are no
more reproachful glances
at wristwatches as we walk
in, and no more need to
dress up . . . Just Show Up! There is no reason
to ever feel Jewishly homeless if you live
anywhere near Temple Beth El!
My first response to that first (for us)
Beth El Hanukkah party was that I hadn’t
thought that places like this still existed! We
do! Minus the wall phone and minus the sad
line in front of it.
Tell yourselves . . . and please tell your
non-affiliated friends: We are not Jewishly
homeless.
Helping Seniors
with Transportation
Needs
Rabbi Amy Wallk Katz
Some of our elderly members have told
me they would love to attend an evening
program or Shabbat service but they are
no longer driving. I have to know what our
seniors’ needs are in this regard so I can
work with JFS, JCC, JGS, and Sinai Temple to
determine the kinds of services that can be
provided to them. Everyone should to be able
to attend programs and services and be safe.
Thankfully the Jewish Community Center
has a van service, but it is limited in scope.
It currently runs from 9:00 am - 2:00 pm on
Tuesday through Friday. Any senior adult or
person who is disabled at any age can ride it.
They can pay per ride or by a punch ticket.
Each ride costs $2.00. Their catchment area is
the general surrounding area, including the
towns just across the border in Connecticut.
The JCC is working on adding Monday
into the schedule, as well as including
nearby towns in Connecticut. Their service
transports people to the JCC, the senior
center in Longmeadow as well as shopping,
doctors’ appointments, hospitals, beauty
parlors, etc. They are currently not available
for Friday night or Saturday morning
services, but if there was a significant need
In March I took Gabriel to the
Department of Motor Vehicles to get his
driver’s permit. It is hard for me to believe
that he is 16 years old and will soon be taking
the car to run errands, go to the movies
and drive himself not only around town
but on highways as well. Like every other
parent, I am excited to be relieved of my role
as chauffeur but I am also nervous. It is a
big responsibility to drive a car, but I know
Gabriel will be a careful driver and I know
that independence is an important step in
growing up.
Being able to drive gives all of us some
independence. It is for just this reason that,
understandably, elderly people are loathe
to give up that driver’s license. However,
sometimes it is dangerous for seniors to be
driving.
8
And the more we come, the more we
want to come, as the shlep-factor disappears.
We forget that we ever thought twice before
shutting off the oven to come out to minyan,
before setting an alarm clock to make
services on Shabbat morning or Cuppa
Joe on Sunday morning, before explaining
to bosses and co-workers that we couldn’t
schedule anything beyond certain hours.
Because we want to – need to – come to
our precious Jewish home.
for transportation to the synagogue, they
would consider adding these times to their
schedule.
I’d like to hear from you if you have
transportation needs that are not being met.
Would it help if there were a van or private
driver available at other times? Please email
or call me at 733-4149 and tell me what you
need. Together, perhaps we can try to create
a solution. Thank you in advance for your
input and suggestions.
Hadassah
Shabbat
Friday, May 8, 6:00 pm
Professor Richard Freund to Speak at
Annual Sisterhood Torah Fund Luncheon
Wednesday, May 6
The annual Sisterhood Torah Fund
Luncheon will be held at Temple Beth El on
Wednesday, May 6 at 11:30 am. Both women
and men are invited to attend.
The keynote speaker is Dr. Richard
Freund, Director of the Maurice Greenberg
Center for Judaic Studies and Greenberg
Professor of Jewish History at the University
of Hartford. A rabbi, archaeologist and
author, he has directed archeological projects
in Israel and Europe, including a research
project at the extermination camp in Sobibor,
Poland. Dr. Freund is the author of six books
on archaeology, two books on Jewish ethics,
over 100 scholarly articles. and has appeared
in 15 television documentaries. The topic
of his presentation, which will include a
slide presentation, is “Did the Exodus Really
Happen—New Insights from Archaeology.”
Archaeologists have had questions about
A Temple Beth El member
who lives in Enfield needs
transportation to Shabbat services
and programs. This need is particularly
acute in the summer, but continues
throughout the year. If you would like to
offer rides to this person, or anyone else
who needs transportation, please call
Rhoda at the temple office, 733-4149, or
email her at [email protected].
whether the Exodus really happened.
Dr. Freund assesses the evidence and adds
new insights, based on his work at what is
thought to be the “real Mount Sinai,” and it is
not where you think. Copies of Dr. Freund’s
books will be for sale at the event.
This program is open to everyone,
and you do not need to be a Sisterhood
member to attend. The cost to attend is $30,
which includes the luncheon couvert and
a donation to the Torah Fund. Please send
checks, payable to Beth El Sisterhood Torah
Fund, to Vickie Donovan, Temple Beth El,
979 Dickinson Street, Springfield, MA 01108.
Our support of the Torah Fund helps the
students at the Jewish Theological Seminary
and its many schools in their pursuit of
knowledge of Jewish history, tradition and
heritage. The fund helps these students
with needed buildings, resources, special
programs and scholarships.
The Board and Staff
of Temple Beth El wish
you and your family a
Happy Shavuot.
Hag Sameah!
During our Shabbat Zimrah service on
May 8, we will honor the wonderful work of
women everywhere, especially the women
of Hadassah. The Shabbat before Mother’s
Day is the most perfect time to celebrate the
Hadassah and the “Women who DO.”
Members of the Greater Springfield
Chapter of Hadassah will be on hand to
explain the wide scope of Hadassah’s work.
Check out Hadassah Medical Organization’s
newest addition, the Sarah Wetsman
Davidson Tower, with its most modern
operating rooms and 8 floors underground,
so that services will always be provided in
the safest way. Hadassah was there to serve
all of the civilian and military casualties from
the war last summer, and will continue to
be there for all medical needs in the future.
Hadassah’s hospitals in Ein Kerem and
Mount Scopus serve people of all walks of
life, Jews, Arabs, and Palestinians alike. In
addition, Hadassah funds Hadassah College,
several Youth Aliyah programs and many
services to help men, women, and children
return to work, school, and healthy lives.
Hadassah is the largest Jewish women’s
organization in the U.S., with members
and representatives in every state and
voting district in the country. Hadassah has
sponsored a national program promoting
women’s heart health, since heart attacks are
the leading cause of death among women in
the U.S. Hadassah empowers young women
who will become future leaders in the U.S.
and in Israel. In addition, it promotes a
large variety of educational and advocacy
programs that focus on personal growth and
political activism, such as gender equality
and stopping human trafficking.
Hadassah members will be participating
in the service and are sponsoring
refreshments to follow. Please join us for this
special service.
The deadline for the
July-August issue is Friday,
May 22. Please email all
articles or photos to
[email protected].
9
Shabbat Zimrah –
Sabbath
of Song
Cantor Elise Barber
Since June 2012 I have been blessed to
share “musical” Shabbat services with you at
Temple Beth El one or more Friday evenings
per month. All this time we’ve been using
the name “Musical Shabbat Services,” which
I never found very descriptive. Therefore, we
are renaming this special Friday night service
Shabbat Zimrah meaning “Sabbath of Song.”
The word zimrah can be found in its root
form zayin-mem-reish (z-m-r) throughout
our siddur and Tanach. For instance, every
morning, we begin prayer with the P’sukei
D’Zimrah, usually translated as “Songs of
Praise.” Also, many of our psalms begin with
the words Mizmor Shir which is trickier to
translate. It can be understood as “Song of a
Poem,” “Song of a Psalm,” “Song of a Song,” or
simply “Psalm.”
The root zayin-mem-reish (z-m-r)
is interesting because while it is usually
associated with music and song, it is also
related to the verb zamar, meaning “to cut
or prune.” In the Shulchan Aruch, we are
told that both meanings of zimrah, “song”
and “pruning,” make sense together because
music can help us cut away and get rid of any
obstacles we might have to meaningful prayer.
Indeed, song can be an incredible conduit to
spiritual experience. The Lubavitcher Rebbe
stated that unadorned melody is the purest
and highest form of human expression and it
is in song that we approach the level of angels.
Also in Chassidism, melody is understood as
the soul speaking, and through song we can
experience d’veykus, fusion with God.
10
I hope you will come experience
Shabbat Zimrah for yourself. In the coming
months we will be pruning and shaping it
and we welcome your feedback. We also
hope to create a CD and put recordings on
our website so that you can become more
familiar with the tunes.
Beginning in August, we will be having
this service every 2nd Friday of the month.
We will be taking off July because so many
are on vacation and September due to the
busy High Holy Day season. Now that you
know it’s the 2nd Friday of every month
(except July and September), go ahead and
mark your calendars! Please remember every
service is followed by hors d’oeuvres which
are great to eat and give us a nice chance to
talk to each other. This is a short service-only an hour long. It is also a powerful service
made more powerful by your presence and
your zimrah, your song.
Upcoming Shabbat Zimrah dates are:
May 8, June 12, and August 14.
Musical Kabbalat Shabbat Performers
Caption: Shabbat Zimrah musicians include
(left to right) Amy Rose, Cantor Elise Barber,
Anna Sobel, and Robbie Roiter.
JOINT LUNCH FOR TBE
SENIORS AT SINAI TEMPLE
All TBE members ages 70 and above
are invited to a combined lunch for senior
members of Sinai Temple and Temple Beth El
on Tuesday, June 16 at noon at Sinai Temple.
The lunch will feature a special program with
Rabbis Katz and Shapiro, and Cantors Barber
and Levson.
The cost is $8.00 per person. Please
make your reservation online at www.
tbespringfield.org, or send in your check to
the TBE office.
COMMUNITY
EVENTS
RABBI KATZ HONORED
BY ISRAEL BONDS
Tuesday, June 9, 6:00 pm
The Israel Bonds
Dinner will be held
on Tuesday, June 9 at
6:00 pm at Chez Josef
in Agawam. This
annual event honors
congregational
leaders from Western
Massachusetts. We
are delighted that
Rabbi Amy Wallk
Katz will be our honoree this year.
Rabbi Katz first visited Israel in July
of 1973, and she has returned many times
over the years. She studied in Israel during
her junior year in college in 1981-82, and
returned to study there in 1984-85. Besides
personal visits, she has led more than a dozen
trips to Israel (mostly Melton seminars and
one Federation mission). She has participated
in the Israel Ride six times, riding her bike
across the country to raise money for the
Arava Institute and Hazon.
“I am proud to say that all three of
my kids have been to Israel. I love Israel
and feel really lucky to be alive and to be
witnessing the miracle of Jewish homeland,”
she commented. “I love being in Israel. A
part of me exudes there in a way that words
can’t describe. I can’t really believe I am so
fortunate to have been born at a time in
history when there is a Jewish state and I am
so grateful that I have been able to send all
three of my kids to Israel to study or travel.”
The keynote speaker is Gil Tamary, the
Washington bureau chief for Israel’s Channel
10 News. Gil covers a wide range of Middle
East issues from the U.S. and conducts
interviews with many dignitaries and
political figures. The cost to attend this event
is $65 per person. For reservations and more
information, please contact Barbara Starr at
(860) 656-2110.
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1WDEDICATION OF
SANCTUARY IN HONOR OF CANTOR SHAMES
YOUNG PROFESSIONALS
INITIATIVE OPENING EVENT
Saturday, May 30, 9:30 pm
Temple Beth El has recently commenced
a brand new program to identify young
Jewish people in our community in their
20s-30s, and promote their connection to
and involvement in synagogue life. There
is a place for everyone in the Temple Beth
El community, and we look forward to
further expanding to meet the needs of
young singles, couples, and families, within
the wider local area. You do not need to be
a member of Temple Beth El to take part in
this exciting social group.
Our first major social event is planned
for May 30, 9:30 pm, at Temple Beth El,
watch your mail for details! If you would
like to receive an invitation to this event,
or know of any young professionals (ages
21-39) in our area who might be interested
in Jewish life—socially, academically, or
religiously—please pass along their names
and contact information to Nora Gorenstein,
at [email protected].
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1WJOINT SHAVUOT
PROGRAM & CONCERT FEATURING CANTABILE
AT TBE
of music, old instruments, vocal style,
etc. Members of the group will be playing
instruments that many of us have never seen
and that were used during the Renaissance.
The concert will be followed by a
short service led by the clergy of both
synagogues, and the evening will conclude
with a delicious dessert buffet. The program
is sponsored by a generous grant from the
Harold Grinspoon Foundation. This event
is open to the entire community, so please
invite your friends to join you for this
wonderful evening. No reservations required,
no cost to attend – Just Show Up!
include a 3-line greeting in a keepsake gift for
Cantor Shames. The cost is $25 per person
if paid after June 1, which does not include
the greeting. To R.S.V.P., please send in your
check, call the temple office at 733-4149, or
visit our website, www.tbespringfield.org.
Please consider helping us underwrite
this once-in-a-lifetime occasion. There are
three sponsor levels:
• Maestro - $500
• Chorus - $360
• Orchestra - $180
Underwriters will receive two tickets
to the event, their 3-line greeting in Cantor
Shames’ keepsake and will be acknowledged
in the program. Please watch your mail for
your invitation and use the response card to
indicate your greeting.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR
SOCIAL ACTION EVENTS
Loaves and Fishes, Christ Church Cathedral,
35 Chestnut Street, Springfield—We serve
lunch on the third Wednesday of the
month. Join us on Wednesday, May 20, and
Wednesday, June 17 at 11:45 am. Please bring
a gallon of whole milk with you.
Shiloh Seventh Day Adventist Church, 797
State Street, Springfield – We prepare and
serve dinner to approximately 50 hungry
adults on the fourth Sunday of the month.
Please meet us on Sunday, June 27 at
4:45 pm. Food can be cooked at home or
purchased.
A warm welcome to our new members:
Leah Barr & daughter, Anya Jordan
Mitchell and Emily Clionsky
Ray Possick
MONDAY, MAY 11
HERITAGE ACADEMY
SCHOLARSHIP DINNER
WEDNESDAY, MAY 13
CITY OF HOMES
NETWORKING EVENT
THURSDAY, MAY 28
HAROLD GRINSPOON
FOUNDATION
EDUCATOR’S GALA
ALL EVENTS TO BE HELD AT TBE, WATCH FOR
DETAILS FROM THESE ORGANIZATIONS
“When God gave the Torah to
Israel, God’s voice was heard
from one end of the word to
the other.” –TALMUD
11
IN FEBRUARY & MARCH
Leah Gorfinkel
JUNE 6
PARASHAT B’HAALOT’KHA
Jack Suher
Rachel Cranna
Jack Schacher Suher is the son of
proud parents Hilary and Frank Suher
and the younger brother of Emily. He
is the grandson of Robert and Sharon
Schacher of Rye, New York, and of Betty
Suher and the late Albert Suher of
Holyoke, Massachusetts.
Jack is a seventh grader at Williams
Middle School in Longmeadow. He
enjoys playing tennis and lacrosse and
skiing. He also plays guitar and sings in
the men’s chorus and plays in the Jazz
Ensemble, an audition-based band. Jack
has spent the last 4 summers at Camp
Chipinaw in Swan Lake, New York.
Jack’s mitzvah project has two
parts. Jack has helped prepare and serve
meals to the homeless through the
Open Pantry at the Shiloh Seventh Day
Adventist Church in Springfield.
The second part of his mitzvah
project is that he will be donating money
to the National Tourette Syndrome
Association. Jack became interested
in this worthy cause after seeing the
movie, Front of the Class: How Tourette
Syndrome Made Me the Teacher I Never
Had, which tells the true story of Brad
Cohen. Brad’s positive attitude and
determination enabled him to conquer
the many difficulties he faced. Even
though there is no history of Tourette
Syndrome in his family, the movie’s
theme had a profound effect on Jack.
Rachel is the daughter of Beth &
Mark Cranna, and older sister to Sarah.
She is the granddaughter of Tom Cranna
(of blessed memory) and Barbara Bisset
and of Helene and Richard Karasick (both
of blessed memory).
Rachel is in the 7th grade at MBA
Middle School in Somers, CT, where she
plays trumpet and euphonium in the
school band, and is a member of the
Robotics team and the ski club. She is an
avid sports fan, playing travel soccer and
basketball. Other interests include math
and science, reading, art, and anything
outdoors. She enjoyed three summers
at Camp Ramah New England, and this
year is looking forward to doing some
interesting science and technology
camps.
Although she has many passions,
Rachel’s first love is soccer. She decided
for her mitzvah project to share this love
by volunteering with Special Olympics,
helping out at the state games in
Connecticut and playing on a unified
team in Springfield. It was an amazing
experience for her to get to know the
players, and to help give them the
opportunity to enjoy the pride, fun and
camaraderie of team sports that many of
us take for granted. She looks forward to
volunteering again.
MAY 9
PARASHAT EMOR
12
MAY 16
PARASHAT B’HAR – B’HUKKOTAI
Leah Gorfinkel is a daughter of
Boris and Olga Gorfinkel, and an older
sister to Anna. Leah’s grandparents are
Yakov and Rita Gorfinkel, as well as Elena
Glembovski. She attended Heritage
Academy from kindergarten to 6th
grade and currently attends 7th grade at
Glenbrook Middle School.
One word to describe Leah would
be “passionate.” Leah approaches
everything in her life with passion, from
her relationships with her family and
friends, to her after-school activities. She
plays piano and also is on the volleyball
team. Leah is very good with languages.
She speaks fluent Russian and Hebrew.
She is also learning Spanish in her new
school.
The most important part of Leah’s
life is her relationships with other people.
She is a loyal friend and enjoys people’s
company. Ever since she was a little girl,
one of her most frequent questions is
“Are we going to someone’s house or is
someone coming over?”
Becoming a Bat Mitzvah is very
important to Leah. She takes her studies
of the Torah very seriously. For her
mitzvah project, Leah is helping to feed
the hungry at the Seventh Day Adventist
Church.
To our Torah Readers: Emily Robinson,
Bluma Bier, Beth Cranna, Dr. Mark
Sherman, Madison Goodman, Adam
Goodman, Ellen Ratner, Adele Miller,
Ellen Ratner, Sue Kline, Sadie Kaim
To our Haftarah Readers: Dr. Mark
Sherman, Andy Shemesh, Dr. Stuart
Chipkin, Dr. Max Chorowski, Nathan Pen,
Adele Miller, Sadie Kaim
To our Service Leaders: Steve Weiner,
Dr. Dennis Gordan, Maxine Bernstein,
Harlan Wahrman, Sadie Kaim
Megillah Readers This Past Purim: Dr.
Mark Sherman, Bluma Bier, Michael
Anfang, Emily Anfang, Emily Robinson,
Glenn Baevsky, Gabby Zeller
BREAKFAST SPONSORS:
In memory of his father
Dr. Mark Sherman
In honor of her family
Lori Barowsky
In memory of his wife, Sylvia
Fred Brownstein
In memory of his father, Bernard
Dave Grant
Please call Reverend Aminia at 733-4149
to sponsor a breakfast.
KIDDUSH SPONSORS:
In honor of the Bat Mitzvah of
their daughter, Madison
Adam & Tracy Goodman
In loving memory of her
mother, Eva Brin Kagan
Rhoda Peskin
In honor of the Bat Mitzvah
of their daughter, Sadie
Steven & Leslie Kaim
Please call Rhoda Peskin at 733-4149 to
sponsor a Kiddush lunch.
A Message of Gratitude
Reverend David Aminia
I want to personally thank each and every one in my
Temple Beth El family at large who reached out to me at the
passing of my beloved sister, Shoshana, on March 5th
(Adar 15).
Thank you for attending all the minyanim, your kind
notes, emails, phone calls, and your generous donations to various funds and charities.
Since the volume of notes was so overwhelming, please accept this article as my
sincere acknowledgement of your kindness.
Zikhronah livrakha, may her memory be for a blessing.
We mourn the loss of the following from
February 1 through March 30.
Judith Sherman
Sister of Phil Wacks
Lynne Meltzer
Alan Katz
Husband of Callie Katz
Anita Kruger
Shoshana Klatian
Sister of Reverend David Aminia
Archie Shapiro
Husband of Sally Shapiro
Father of Debbie Cohen
Brother of Anne Shapiro
Donald Evans
Husband of Marjorie Evans
Harold Kootchick
Father of Rebecca Gevanthor
Dinah Hausman
Mother of Dr. Howard Hausman
Barbara Albert on becoming a
grandmother! Her grandson, Jace
Michael Geroux, was born on March 12
to Erica and Michael Geroux of Killeen,
TX. The baby’s grandfather is David Albert.
Proud great-grandparents are Marcia and
Howard Albert and Shirley Bergman.
Meet Rabbi Moshe
and Bluma Bier
Bluma Bier
Moshe and I met in New York, married and
moved to Israel 10 days after we were married. We
lived in Israel for 11 years. Moshe was studying for
smicha (rabbinic ordination) which he achieved
twice. He also taught Torah to young adults and
trained in Jerusalem for elementary school teaching.
During those Israeli years I was lucky enough
to stay home with our children, Rivka, Devorah,
Yaakov, Yehoshua and Naomi. I love to create: in
the kitchen, with knitting and crochet needles, with
the sewing machine, with clay or with charcoal and
colors. I spent many hours doing arts and crafts with
our children and taught the older two to read and
write in English. Whenever we could, we spent time
outdoors, often visiting Park Leumi near Tel Aviv.
Rabbi Moshe and Bluma Bier on the
birth of their granddaughter, Madeleine
Zoe. She was born on March 5 weighing
8 lbs., and joins her big sister, Shiloh, in
the household. Proud parents are Yaakov
and Stefanie Bier of Silver Spring, MD.
We moved to Los Angeles in 1990. Moshe and
I taught Judaica at Yeshiva Rav Isaacsohn. Dikduk
Yesodi, a Hebrew grammar workbook, originated
in my fourth grade classroom. And we discovered
the joy of camping and hiking in the raw majestic
beauty of California.
In 1993 we moved our family to Baltimore
and lived there for almost 20 years. Moshe taught
elementary school at Yeshiva, and I fulfilled the
lifelong dream of nursing school. I worked in
nursing--first in child psychiatry, followed by
eight years in the emergency room, and finally
ambulatory care at the University of Maryland
Medical Center, in Baltimore City. I gardened avidly
and we took our family camping and hiking all
along the Mason-Dixon Line. Labrador retriever
Kody and I volunteered with Pets on Wheels,
visiting children at a hospital and the elderly at
a nursing home. K9 Tanner and I trained for
Wilderness Search and Rescue and volunteered to
find the lost and missing for a few years.
Bea Loevy on being honored at the Rose
Luncheon by Women’s Philanthropy of
the JFWM.
Elaine Geha on the birth of a grandson,
Malcolm Connor, on March 24. The
parents are Marla Geha and Matthew
Polly of New Haven, CT.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 15
Dr. Steven and Tara Wolman on
the engagement of their daughter,
Samantha, to Michael Ambrose. The
future groom is the son of Thomas
and Debra Ambrose of Somerdale,
NJ. An August wedding is planned in
Philadelphia.
13
This list includes all donations of at
least $10 received through March
20, 2015.
TEMPLE FUND
In memory of Charlotte Wallk
Ellen & David Ratner
Florence Gurwitz
Beatrice Kelberman
Steve & Judy Weinberg
In memory of Fran Borowsky
Bob & Patti Bassell
In memory of Judith Sherman
Carol Wernick & family
In memory of Kathy Goodman
Michelle & Stuart Anfang
James Vinick
Donna Frankel & family
Mr. & Mrs. Michael
Horowitz & family
Esta & Paul Farkas
In memory of William Migden
Roberta & Bern Goodman & family
Michelle & Stuart Anfang
Mr. & Mrs. Michael
Horowitz & family
Esta & Paul Farkas
Suzanne & Max Chorowski
In memory of Rose Beren
Phyllis Levenson
Esta & Paul Farkas
In memory of Shoshana Klatian
Linda & George Spitz
In memory of Paul Bloom
Mason & Amy Rapaport
Esta & Paul Farkas
In memory of Archie Shapiro
Rae & Howie Davis
Joline Odentz
In memory of Anita Katz Kruger
Kitty & Jay Berger
In memory of Selma Siegel
Gloria Ray
In memory of Alan Katz
June & Walter Gordenstein
In memory of Mark Braginsky
Esta & Paul Farkas
In appreciation to Rabbi Katz
Ann Koenig
In honor of the granddaughters of
Margo Grodsky
Esta & Paul Farkas
In honor of Phyllis Levenson’s
grandson
Esta & Paul Farkas
KIDDUSH FUND
In memory of Shoshana Klatian
Dr. Alan & Bette Gerstein
In honor of Craig Kazin
Donna Frankel
MINYAN FUND
In memory of Shoshana Klatian
Albie Goldberg & Miriam Lieff
Debbie & David Peskin
Mitzi & Larry Mackler
Sheila Blum
Myra & Jerry Gold
Joe Lieberman
Susie Rosenberg
Phyllis Levenson
Dorita & Michael Henderson
14
Eugene Baker
I. Murray Levine
Bill Caplin & Mary Jenewin-Caplin
Beth, Gary & Lindsay Danforth
Harlene Ginsberg &
Jerry Schreibstein
Donna Frankel
Mila Miazga
Shelley Pleet
Carol Resnick
Norma Feder, Kevin &
Andrea Zeller
Carol Wernick & family
In memory of Archie Shapiro
Joe Lieberman
In memory of Shaindel Menuchah
bas Reb Yitzak Fischel
Susan Burk
In memory of William Migden
Abby & Gary Goodman
In memory of Paul Bloom
Karen & Stan Winer
Yahrzeit of Michael Nitka, beloved
cousin
Bill Caplin
SANDI KUPPERMAN LEARNING
CENTER FUND
In memory of Charlie Nirenberg
James Vinick
Ellen & David Ratner
Ruth Auerbach
In memory of Shoshana Klatian
Charlotte Meyer
In honor of Jenna Barr, Etai
Dragon, Mischa Hartnell, Lillian
Lieber, Chloe Raker, Alana Zak
Morah Helene Shapiro, Samantha
Rubin, Caryn Resnick, Rabbi
Katz and Cantor Barber on
Consecration Day
George Hartnell & Julia
Gates Hartnell
YAHRZEIT FUND
Abraham Salvage, beloved father
Paul Salvage
Marvin Goldman, beloved brother
Susan L. Radding
Ida Berger, beloved mother
Toby & Abe Feinstein
Henry Schiffman, beloved father
Susan L. Radding
Barbara Hassett Lavalle, beloved
special friend
Jack Goldberg
Louis Gelb, beloved father
Susan Porter
Eileen L. Greenfeld, beloved
mother
Susie Rosenberg
Henry Binsky, beloved father
Barbara Binsky
William Gurwitz, beloved brotherin-law
Florence Gurwitz
Dorothy Schecter, beloved
mother
Myrna Metz
Simon Kramer, beloved fatherin-law
Albert Goldberg
Louis Gloth, beloved father
Carole & Harvey Gloth
Stanley Zucker, beloved father
Scott Zucker
Matthew Green, beloved son
Barbara Corcoran
Louis Umansky, beloved
grandfather
Larry & Howard Uman
Louis Umansky, beloved fatherin-law
Shirley Uman
Louis Gloth, beloved father
Phyllis Gloth Feldman
Louis L. Reisz, beloved father
Judith Bullock
Samuel Chase, beloved father
Marian Chase Broder
Elliot R. Allen, beloved husband
Sylvia F. Allen
Nathan Kramer, beloved father
Sara Horowitz
Albert Suher, beloved father
Frank & Hilary Suher & family
Dr. William Stein, beloved father
Callie Katz
Sam Ratnowsky, beloved father
June Gordenstein
Micah Jermyn, beloved father
Isadore Jermyn
Hyman G. Saxe, beloved father
Joyce Weinbaum
Bertha Rudek, beloved mother
Ellen Alpert
Ida Epstein, beloved stepmother
Roslyn Leiter
David Schaffer, beloved brother
Frances Jackowitz
Sophie Goodless, beloved
grandmother
Jeffrey Goodless
Edythe Levine, beloved mother
Phyllis Levenson
Jack Michaelson, beloved brother
Saul Michaelson
Ruth Hurwitz, beloved mother
Joan & Stu Hurwitz
Harry Solomon, beloved father
Joan & Stu Hurwitz
Hyman G. Saxe, beloved
grandfather
Lynn W. Cartwright
Simon J. Katz, beloved fatherin-law
Callie Katz
Judge Frank H. Freedman, beloved
husband
Eleanor Freedman
Pearl Sternberg, beloved aunt
Ted Ingis
Ida Gitlin, beloved mother
Eleanor Freedman
Harry Labinger, beloved father
Eleanor Freedman
Jacob Cohen, beloved father
Gladys Sadow
Benjamin Wagman, beloved
father
Charlotte Bergman
Max Goldstein, beloved
grandfather
Sara Horowitz
Morris Wineck, beloved
grandfather
Peter Leavitt
Merwyn J. Burstein, beloved
husband
Ruth Burstein
Lillie Lefelstein, beloved
grandmother
Beth Danforth
Ida Rebecca Smith, beloved
mother
Carol Resnick
Milton Dolnansky, beloved dad
Dorita Henderson
Doris Cantor, beloved mother
Esta Farkas
George M. Radner, beloved father
Norma Vinick
Joseph Shames, beloved brother
Cantor Morton Shames
Ruvin Novofastovsky, beloved son
Boris Novofastovsky
Leonard Silverstein, beloved
father
Diann Cohen
Barry Sherman, beloved son
Marjorie Sherman
Samuel Peskin, beloved father
David Peskin
Helen Bernzwig Kessner, beloved
mother
Debbie Peskin
Shepard Weinbaum, beloved
father-in-law
Joyce Weinbaum
Samuel Price, beloved fatherin-law
Seymour Frankel
Lee Price, beloved mother-in-law
Seymour Frankel
Agnes Kaufman, beloved mother
Myrna Robbins
Harvey Koenig, beloved husband
Ann Koenig
Eva & Louis Ray, beloved parents
Gloria Ray
Hy Goldsmith, beloved uncle
Gloria Ray
Paulina Goldberg, beloved mother
Marcia Albert
Louis Michaelson, beloved father
Saul Michaelson
David Harold Sherman, beloved
father
Mark Sherman, M.D
Joseph B. Zippin, beloved father
Al Zippin
Louis Pava, beloved father
Abby Austern
Lillian Reback, beloved mother
Sally Ann Resnic
Florence Ratnowsky, beloved
mother
June Gordenstein
Stuart Alpert, beloved husband
Ellen Alpert
Eddie Rubin, beloved father-in-law
Claire K. Rubin
Frank Uman, beloved husband
Shirley Uman
Frank Uman, beloved father
Howard & Larry Uman
Sanford Alpert, beloved fatherin-law
Ellen Alpert
Sylvia Sher, beloved mother
Arthur Sher
Frances Rubin, beloved mother
Roberta Goldberg
Edwin Schecter, beloved father
Myrna Metz
Annie Akerman, beloved motherin-law
Shirley Akerman
Eugenia Elfman, beloved aunt
Joseph Lieberman
Robert S. Meyer, beloved brotherin-law
Charlotte Meyer
Agnes Kaufman, beloved mother
Judith Shelasky
Sandra Maltz, beloved mother
Janis Maltz Green
Martha Fritz, beloved sister
Freda Posnick
Beatrice Berg, beloved mother
Gerald Berg
Shmuel Milman, beloved father
Lev Milman
Frances Gelb, beloved mother
Susan Porter
Samuel Poppel, beloved father
David Poppel & family
Seymour Brisk, beloved husband
Harriet Brisk
Bruce Baron, beloved cousin
Craig Robbins
Harry Berger, beloved father
Toby & Abe Feinstein
Dora Barr, beloved mother
Thelma Goldberg
Dora Barr, beloved mother
Phyllis Barr Lutz
Edythe Gordenstein, beloved
mother
Walter Gordenstein
Joseph F. Solomon, beloved father
Marshall Solomon
Anna Lasker Rosenberg, beloved
mother
Shirely Akerman
Fay Bloom, beloved mother
Irene Beron
Richard Mark Portnoy, beloved
husband
Caryl Portnoy
Mort Polep, beloved father
Jeff Polep
Anna Kimball, beloved motherin-law
Marlene Kimball
Roslyn Sherman, beloved sister
Max M. Shepro
Sarah Lutz, beloved mother
Arthur Lutz & Ruth Kimmell
Serena Stein, beloved mother
Callie Katz
Jeanette Steinberg, beloved
grandmother
Steven Lepow
Louis Akerman, beloved fatherin-law
Shirley Akerman
Betty Frager, beloved motherin-law
Myer Ezrin
Eileen Sadolf, beloved wife
Saul Michaelson
John Shabel, beloved father
Anita Finkel
Beatrice Schwartz, beloved
grandmother
Randi Travis
Max Lipovsky, beloved
grandfather
Steven Lepow
Nathan Frankel, beloved father
Beatrice F. Kelberman
David Brooks, beloved father
Berry Brooks
Paul Akerman, beloved husband
Shirley Akerman
Abraham Posnick, beloved fatherin-law
Freda Posnick
Sara Shrage, beloved mother
Harvey Shrage
Harry Berger, beloved father
Toby & Abe Feinstein
Irving Slossberg, beloved father
Marilyn Rosenthal
Charlotte Wernick, beloved
mother-in-law
Carol Halpern Wernick
Irving Greenberg, beloved
grandfather
Carol Halpern Wernick
& Richard Halpern
Isadore Ingis, beloved father
Ted Ingis
Jack Anfang, beloved father &
grandfather
The Anfang Family
Leonard Cohen, beloved father
Jeffrey Cohen
Sam Poppel, beloved husband
Ruth Poppel
Alexander Henderson, beloved
father
Michael Henderson
Pearl Mackler, beloved mother
Allen Mackler
Lillian Slade, beloved mother
Sanford Slade
Pauline Goldberg, beloved mother
Ellen Fieldstein
Sylvia Brownstein, beloved wife
Fred Brownstein
Aliza Shammash, beloved mother
Jacob Shammash
Ann M. Levine, beloved wife
I. Murray Levine
Judith K. Goldberg, beloved wife
Albert Goldberg
Jeffrey Marc Vinick, beloved son
James E. Vinick
Charlotte Glushien, beloved
mother
Jay Glushien
Morris Glushien, beloved father
Jay Glushien
Neal Fagin, beloved nephew
Patti Bassell
Morris Lieberman, beloved father
Joseph Lieberman
Milton B. Leinwander, beloved
father-in-law
Joseph Lieberman
Estelle Goldby, beloved mother
Sydney & Jerry Hirsch
Ida Freedman, beloved motherin-law
Eleanor Freedman
Alvin Freedman, beloved fatherin-law
Eleanor Freedman
Ellis Nadelman, beloved father
Richard Nadelman
Michelle Groothuis, beloved
daughter
Stephen Sherman
Leslie Grodsky, beloved father &
grandfather
The Grodsky Family
Dr. Lester P. Goldsmith, beloved
father
Heidi Goldsmith
Sylvia & Sydney Goodman,
beloved parents
Marion & Joel Bessoff
Phil & Lillian Bessoff, beloved
parents
Marion & Joel Bessoff
Calman Smith, beloved brother
Carol Resnick
Rebecca Resnick, beloved
mother-in-law
Carol Resnick
Leah Slove, beloved grandmother
Al Zippin
Nathan Frankel, beloved father
Seymour Frankel
Ida Olitsky, beloved mother
Jean Licht
Milton Olin, beloved brother
Jean Licht
Robert Olin, beloved brother
Jean Licht
Helen Gloth Stein, beloved mother
Phyllis & Irving Feldman
Julius “Hooky” Feldman, beloved
brother
Phyllis & Irving Feldman
Sally Shrair, beloved mother
David Shrair
Samuel Blassberg, beloved father
Steven Blassberg
Jerry Simon, beloved father
Gary & Abby Goodman
Ilean Simon, beloved mother
Gary & Abby Goodman
Ellis Nadelman, beloved soulmate
Martha Nadelman
Judy Kantrowitz, beloved
daughter
Ruth Auerbach
Bertha Horn, beloved cousin
Max Shepro
BERNARD S. ALTMAN & SARAH
ALTMAN MEMORIAL ISRAEL
SCHOLARSHIP FUND
In memory of Rabbi David
Edelman
Steven & Sunny Schwartz & family
Yazhrzeit of Sarah Altman,
beloved mother
Melvyn Altman
Elliot Altman
In memory of Lillian Sperber
Melvyn Altman
In memory of Alan Suher
Elliot & Phyllis Altman
In memory of Shoshana Klatian
Elliot & Phyllis Altman
In memory of Archie Shapiro
Elliot & Phyllis Altman
YAHRZEIT PLAQUES
Yahrzeit plaques were recently
purchased in memory of:
Bernard Vinick
Shirley L. Smith
Louis Beron
Yahrzeit plaques are fitting way to
remember a loved one’s yahrzeit
in perpetuity. They are displayed
in the temple lobby each year
during the week of the yahrzeit.
The cost is $375. If you would
like to purchase a plaque, please
contact Reverend David Aminia at
733-4149.
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 13WMEET RABBI MOSHE AND
BLUMA BIER
And then in July of 2012, Moshe was newly retired
and I was in between nursing jobs. It was at that time
that I spent “a few fabulous days” with a friend in
CANTOR MORTON SHAMES CULTURAL
New Hampshire and Maine and fell in love with New
ARTS FUND
In great appreciation to Jeffrey
England. The USA is a big country and the landscape
Grodsky
varied, but New England and then Springfield
Cantor & Mrs. Morton Shames
had chosen us. I simply looked at a map, chose
Mazel tov to Russell Finer on the
birth of his new granddaughter
Massachusetts and began sending out resumes (with
Cantor & Mrs. Morton Shames
no knowledge at all about the tax rates). When Baystate
In memory of Kathy Goodman
Ruth Auerbach
Medical Center called, I “checked out” the JCC, met with
Rabbi Davis of B’nai Torah, and the rest is history.
WEINBAUM CHAPEL FUND
In memory of Kathy Goodman
How lucky we are to be living in the backyard of
Joyce Weinbaum
TBE. It’s a short walk through the woods to Squirrel
In memory of Anita Kruger
Joyce Weinbaum
Road, to our “big enough” rented home on the edge of
Yahrzeit of Shepard Weinbaum,
conservation land. I spent time getting to know Western
beloved grandfather
Massachusetts and Vermont; camping and hiking, coLynn W. Cartwright
ops and CSA in the Hilltowns and Berkshires, maple
THE KATZ FAMILY LIBRARY FUND
sugar shacks, farm visits, snow shoeing, dog sledding,
In memory of Alan Katz
Connie & Richard Golber
and even a Native American Pow Wow in North Adams.
Sheila Budnick
Amateur photography has always been my hobby
Marlene Kimball
Dick Sirkin & Sue Heller
and hundreds of pictures of the New England people
RABBI’S DISCRETIONARY FUND
and landscape are testimony to just how beautiful and
In memory of Rose Beren
interesting this part of the country is.
Bill Caplin & Mary Jenewin-Caplin
I came to TBE on Yom Kippur of 2013 and knew I
In
appreciation
to
Rabbi
Katz
CINDY JO KLIGERMAN YOUTH FUND
Ruth
Auerbach
could find a “shul home” at Temple Beth El. Just at that
Yahrzeit of Minnie Sugarman,
Mollie Plotkin
beloved mother & grandmother
time I also met Heidi Thibodeau at a Melton class. Heidi
Alan Baskin
Lillian Levine & family
Ann Koenig
invited me to Kabbalat Shabbat where I met “Minyan
In memory of Charlotte Wallk
ALAN GOLDBERG YOUTH FUND
Mom” Esta Farkas, and the rest of that is history, too.
Steve & Judy Weinberg
In memory of Archie Shapiro
I love participating in minyan. My day begins or
Karen & Stan Winer
Steven Lepow & Shelley Hodes
Martin & Marian Broder
Marge & Sid Chase
ends so much better with minyan. I am continuing my
Linda Weiss
CANTOR’S DISCRETIONARY FUND
grandfather’s tradition of chanting Torah. I am learning
In memory of Shoshana Klatian
In gratitude for Cantor Barber’s
Steven Lepow & Shelley Hodes
to lead services and have come to TBE for community,
continued support and
In memory of Selma Siegel
encouragement
both in sorrow of losing my mother, as well as in joy of
Carol Haase & Mace Shapiro
Heidi Thibodeau
our granddaughter’s birth, and everything in between.
Congratulations to Robert &
Candace Kahan on the birth of
When our daughters and grandsons visit they come to
TREE OF LIFE
their grandson
TBE, too, and find joy in “Grandma’s shul.”
Sora Torff & Jack Goldberg
In memory of the mother of Rabbi Leaves for the Tree of Life may be
I am so grateful to the clergy of TBE and to my new
purchased for $250 to honor a
Gary Greene
friends at TBE. I did not even know what I had been
friend or family member. Please
Sora Torff & Jack Goldberg
contact
Rhoda
Peskin
at
733-4149
missing all these years!
Mazel tov to Carol & Peter Max on
if you would like to order a leaf.
the marriage of their daughter
Moshe is teaching Torah and is an active member
Sora Torff & Jack Goldberg
of B’nai Torah. We are warmly welcomed at both
LINDY P. FEINSTEIN BOOK FUND
shuls, and are grateful and blessed to have found the
In memory of Miriam Rodar
Springfield Jewish community. We are indeed lucky to
Michele Feinstein
In memory of Anita Katz Kruger
be here!
Michele Feinstein
15
Over $4,000 Raised at
Nechamen/Chernick Breakfast
LIVING WITH LOSS:
BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT
GROUP AT JEWISH
FAMILY SERVICE
Have you lost a loved one recently? The
first 12 months are the most difficult. You
don’t have to go it alone…join the JFS Living
with Loss Support Group with a focus on the
loss of a spouse or partner.
This free support group allows you to
share your experiences, strength and hope
with others in similar circumstance. The
group, facilitate by JFS Clinical Director,
Donna Gordon, meets Tuesday mornings
from 11:00 am – 12:00 pm at the main office
of JFS at 15 Lenox St., Springfield. For more
information, call Donna at 455-1936, x 103 or
email her at [email protected].
Living with Loss is offered in
cooperation with the Jewish Federation
of Western Mass, the Springfield Jewish
Community Center, Temple Beth El, Sinai
Temple, Congregation B’nai Torah and Jewish
Geriatric Services.
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2WBOUND AND
DETERMINED
16
The added bonus of the minyan is the
breakfast following the service allowing us
a casual opportunity to share a meal and to
get to know each other before starting our
otherwise busy days.
After attending these gatherings, I must
tell you that I could never get myself to ask
any members why they attend, what got
them to cross the threshold of the chapel, and
what they derive from being a participant.
It is simply too personal and too powerful
a feeling to be part of this, to be the tenth
person allowing the Torah to be read or
Kaddish to be recited. Each of us has a special
connection to the group and we all wish
others could give one morning or afternoon
each week or even each month to help others.
Please come and join with me. I will show
you where we are in the book, and I promise
not to ask you why you are attending.
Temple Beth El is pleased to announce
the success of the 7th annual Nechamen/
Chernick Breakfast. Our Program
Committee, chaired by Marge Robinson,
prepared a wonderful breakfast. Thank
you to Maxine Bernstein, Andrea Brinnel,
Anne Chernick, Judy Cohen, Beth Danforth,
Paul and Esta Farkas, Norah Kazin, Eileen
Rutman, and Jody and Tina Smith for
shopping, cooking, serving and checking
guests in; Emily Robinson for selling raffle
tickets; Judd Peskin for emceeing; Gillian
Weissman for speaking so beautifully about
what attending Jewish summer camp means
to her; Paul Farkas for his presentation to the
honoree; and Anne and Michael Chernick for
donating, as they do annually, our raffle prize
– this year a Samsung Galaxy Tab.
It was a fabulous morning full of warmth
and humor. The 135 people in attendance,
representing a wide range of ages, were a
testament of the appreciation and affection
that many in our community hold for our
honoree, Craig Kazin.
Special thanks go to Ellen and David
Ratner for their generous annual donation of
$1,000 – this year in honor of Craig. At the
breakfast, David offered an additional $1,000
as a match for up to $1,000 of new donations.
The following made or pledged donations of
$100 each, enabling us to secure the $1,000
match: Stuart and Michelle Anfang, Bob and
Yvonne Baevsky, Lori and Mark Barowsky,
Cantor Elise Barber, Paul and Esta Farkas,
Jon and Susan Goldsmith, Craig and Norah
Kazin, Ed and Sue Kline, Eric and Marianne
Kornblum, Iris and Marc Linson, Judd and
Rhoda Peskin, Danny and Mollie Plotkin,
Rick Ratner and Ann Guttman, and Robert
Skerker. In addition the following people
made donations to the Nechamen/Chernick
Fund in Craig’s honor:
Gene Baker
Susan Burk
Max & Suzanne
Chorowski
Estherae Davis
Michael & Janis Green
Arnold Greenhut &
Adele Miller
Mike & Dorita Henderson
Marcia Kahn
Marlene Kimball
Steve Lepow &
Shelley Hodes
Sharon & Mark Levy
Allen & Wendy Mackler
Mitzi & Larry Mackler
Jeff & Sherry Mandell
Debbie & David Peskin
Shelley Pleet
Carol Resnick
Marge, Mike and
Emily Robinson
Susie Rosenberg
Heidi Thibodeau
The Elfant-Weiss Family
Donations can be made to the
Nechamen/Chernick Fund throughout the
year, so please remember this important fund
whenever you need to have a card sent out for
any occasion. With your help, need will not
be an obstacle to our member children who
want to attend Jewish summer camp. Photos
from the event are on the adjacent page.
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3WPROJECT SOLEL: CREATING A NEW PATH TO EDUCATE OUR CHILDREN
community while maintaining the individual identities and traditions of each synagogue.
• There is no definitive start date for the new school. The earliest possible date would be
Fall 2016; however, we are all strongly committed to a thoughtful, sensible, and unrushed
process, and will take the time necessary to launch this program successfully. We expect that
many of our current teaching staff will be actively involved with the new program.
• We will keep our community updated on our progress and plans. If you have specific
questions or comments, please feel free to contact Stuart Anfang, Paul Farkas, or Rabbi Katz.
SINAI TEMPLE
Jeffrey Cossin, President
Beth Chafetz, Project Co-Chair
Rabbi Mark Shapiro
TEMPLE BETH EL
Paul Farkas, President
Stuart Anfang, Project Co-Chair
Rabbi Amy Wallk Katz
PREVIOUSLY
@
TBE
The Nechamen/Chernick Breakfast
The beautiful photos from our Temple Beth El events are courtesy of Paul Farkas, Ken Katz, Bert Krasner and Debbie Peskin.
17
PREVIOUSLY
@
TBE
Purim!
TBE Hosts Over 300 for a Spectacular Purim!
Temple Beth El was pleased to host
members of Congregation B’nai Torah and
families from Heritage Academy at this year’s
wonderful Purim celebration. It was truly a
feel-good event for the whole community.
Kudos go to Caryn Resnick, Marie Sampson
and Marie’s son, Michael Sampson, for
planning and decorating every detail with
their usual flair and decorating the social hall
with flags and booths from around the world.
In addition to Rev. David Aminia and
Cantor Elise Barber, this year’s Megillah
readers included: Emily Anfang, Michael
Anfang, Glenn Baevsky, Bluma Bier, Max
Chorowski, Emily Robinson and Gabby
Zeller.
This year, Elina DeAngelis headed a
committee which took orders and assembled
nearly 500 Purim bags (misloah manot).
Assisting Elina in assembling the bags were
Lynne Aronson, Maxine Bernstein, Jill and
Amelia Cayen, Beth, Rachel and Sarah
18
Cranna, Yelena Litvinov, Jeff and Sherry
Mandell, Irina Mikhlin, Marina Pen, Nathan
Pen, Rachel Pen, Carol Resnick, Linda Spitz,
Joan Wahrman and Josh Zak. Seymour
Frankel delivered bags to Glenmeadow and
Andrea Goldstein did the same for the Jewish
Nursing Home and assisted living recipients.
Thank you to everyone who purchased
mishloah manot and exchanged greetings
with family and friends. This year’s project
raised much-needed funds for the temple,
due to your generosity and the hard work of
our volunteers.
SUNDAY, JUNE 14
SANCTUARY
DEDICATION
IN HONOR OF
CANTOR SHAMES
3:00-5:30 PM
19
Temple Beth El
979 Dickinson Street
Springfield, MA 01108
NON-PROFIT
ORGANIZATION
US POSTAGE
PAID
SPRINGFIELD, MA
PERMIT NO. 327
(413) 733-4149 • (413) 739-3415 Fax • [email protected] • TBESpringfield.org
Office Hours Monday - Thursday: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm, Friday: 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
OFFICERS
STAFF
Dr. Paul Farkas, President
Maxine Bernstein, Vice President
Susan Firestone, Vice President
Dan Plotkin, Vice President
David Ratner, Vice President
Rick Ratner, Treasurer
Jeremy Powers, Financial Secretary
Rhonda Goldberg, Recording Secretary
Stuart Anfang, Immediate Past President
Rhoda Peskin, Executive Director
[email protected]
Caryn Resnick, Educational Director
[email protected]
Lisa Laudato, Administrative Assistant
[email protected]
Alexandra Espinal, Comptroller
[email protected]
Marie Sampson, Administrative Assistant
[email protected]
Debbie Peskin, Communications Coordinator
[email protected]
Nora Gorenstein, USY Advisor
[email protected]
Liz Marinelli, Librarian
[email protected]
CLERGY
Amy Wallk Katz, PhD, Rabbi
[email protected]
Elise Barber, Cantor
[email protected]
Reverend David Aminia, Ritual Director
[email protected]
Herbert Schwartz, Rabbi Emeritus
Morton Shames, Cantor Emeritus
[email protected]
MAJOR EVENT – BLUE
BAR/BAT MITZVAH –GREEN
Rabbi Katz and her
husband Ken cleared
for take-off at Purim!
MAY 2015
1
2
3
4
6
Kabbalat Shabbat 6:00 pm
Candle Lighting 7:31 pm
Shabbat Aharei Mot/K’doshim
SKLC Student-Led Service 9:30 am
Havdalah 8:31 pm
Cuppa Joe 9:00 am
SKLC Classes 3:00 pm
Sisterhood Torah Fund
Luncheon 11:30 am
SKLC Classes 3:00 pm
7B’Yahad 6:30 pm
8 Shabbat Zimrah 6:00 pm
Hadassah Shabbat
Candle Lighting 7:38 pm
9 Shabbat Emor
Bar Mitzvah Jack Suher
Havdalah 8:38 pm
10 Cuppa Joe 9:00 am
11 SKLC Classes 3:00 pm
13 Katz Family Library Book
Club 10:30 am
Lunch & Learn 12:00 pm
SKLC Classes 3:00 pm
14B’Yahad 6:30 pm
20
15 Kabbalat Shabbat 6:00 pm
Candle Lighting 7:46 pm
16 Shabbat B’har/B’hukkotai
Bat Mitzvah Rachel Cranna
Havdalah 8:46 pm
17 Cuppa Joe 9:00 am
Israel Day 3:00 pm
Film—Spirit to Freedom 6:15 pm
18 SKLC Classes 3:00 pm
20 Lunch & Learn 12:00 pm
SKLC Classes 3:00 pm
21B’Yahad 6:30 pm
22 Kabbalat Shabbat 6:00 pm
Candle Lighting 7:53 pm
23 Shabbat B’midbar
Shavuot Program & Service
with Sinai Temple 7:30 pm
24 Shavuot 1st Day Morning
Service 9:30 am
Evening Service/Yizkor 6:00 pm
25Shavuot/Memorial
Day – Office Closed
Shavuot 2nd Day Morning
Service/Yizkor 9:30 am
Evening Service 6:00 pm
Havdalah 8:55 pm
27 Lunch & Learn 12:00 pm
30 Young Professionals
Event 9:30 pm
JUNE 2015
3
5
6
7
9
Lunch & Learn 12:00 pm
Kabbalat Shabbat 6:00 pm
Candle Lighting 8:04 pm
Shabbat B’haalot’kha
Bat Mitzvah Leah Gorfinkel
Havdalah 9:04 pm
Cuppa Joe 9:00 am
Israel Bonds Event Honoring
Rabbi Katz 6:00 pm
10 Lunch & Learn 12:00 pm
12 Shabbat Zimrah 6:00 pm
Candle Lighting 8:08 pm
13 Shabbat Sh’lah L’kha
Havdalah 9:08 pm
14 Cuppa Joe 9:00 am
Cantor Shames Dedication
Event 3:00 pm
16 Senior Lunch at Sinai 12:00 pm
17 Katz Family Library Book
Club 10:30 am
Lunch & Learn 12:00 pm
19 Kabbalat Shabbat 6:00 pm
Candle Lighting 8:11 pm
20 Shabbat Korah
Havdalah 9:11 pm
21 Cuppa Joe 9:00 am
24 Lunch & Learn 12:00 pm
26 Kabbalat Shabbat 6:00 pm
Candle Lighting 8:12 pm
27Shabbat Hukkat
Havdalah 9:12 pm
28 Cuppa Joe 9:00 am