Beth Israel Congregation’s
November 2013/5774
BULLETIN
Rabbi’s Message
Save the Date!
General Service Schedule
Friday—7:30pm; Saturday—10:00am
November
Thanksgivukkah
As 5773 was not a Jewish leap year and because the Jewish
calendar is losing time over the centuries in its relationship
to the solar year, this year the beginning of Hanukkah
coincides with the American Thanksgiving.
The
combination of the two festive occasions for American
Jews has given rise to the term “Thanksgivukkah”. A
recent Manischewitz advertisement video portrays a dreydl
in competition with a turkey until both of them agree to
break out the Manischewitz food products together. Happy
Thanksgivukkah!
However, on a more significant level, both Hanukkah and
Thanksgiving emerged as historic festivals based upon the
struggle of a religious minority for freedom of religious
expression. In the case of Hanukkah, the Jews living in the
province of Judea sought the right to be different from the
dominant Hellenistic culture of the time. In the case of
Thanksgiving, the Puritans sought religious freedom from
the Church of England. As small religious minorities, both
the Jews of the second century BCE and the Pilgrims of the
seventeenth century struggled until they were able to
establish themselves. The tension between the Maccabees
and the Syrian Greeks played itself out over many years of
political and military conflict. The relationship between the
New England Puritans and the Native Americans of the
area were far from the harmonious portrait depicted in
elementary schools. Many years with the emergence of
rabbinic Judaism in the second and third centuries, the
rabbis discussed the celebration of Hanukkah. The rabbis
transformed a military victory which occurred two centuries
earlier into a festival celebrating the freedom to practice
Judaism. Similarly, in the case of Thanksgiving, the United
States government established the official date of the
holiday under President Franklin Delano Roosevelt in 1941.
There were earlier attempts under Presidents Washington
and Lincoln to establish Thanksgiving as an official
American holiday, but the effort was only completed during
the Roosevelt era.
Continued on page 2
03rd Time Change; Set Clocks Back One Hour
04th Guest Speaker, Tonia Taitz, Author of The
Watchmaker’s Daughter—6:30pm
th
11 Veteran’s Day
24th Guest Speaker, Rabbi Peter Hyman Presents
The Art of Hebrew Calligraphy—10:00am
th
28 Thanksgiving
December
03rd Hanukkah Dinner—6:00pm
27th Homecoming Shabbat—7:30pm
Religious School Schedule
Nov. 05, 12, 19—BIRS; 4:00pm- 6:00pm
10, 17, 24—BIRS; 10:00am-12:00pm
Nov 17—Kesher Ts’irim- 12:00pm
Shabbat Candle Lighting Times
November 01 – 5:46pm
November 08 – 4:38pm
November 15 – 4:32pm
November 22 – 4:28pm
November 29 – 4:25pm
SAVE THE DATE
Sonia Taitz will be discussing her
memoir, "The Watchmaker's Daughter"
on Monday, November 4 at 6:30 pm.
Sonia's memoir reflects upon her
experiences as the daughter of
Holocaust survivors from Lithuania.
Please see the last page of this bulletin
for more information regarding this
special presentation.
Rabbi’s Message, Continued …
Both Hanukkah and Thanksgiving reflect the basic spiritual
impulse within us to express an “attitude of gratitude”. We
express thanks to G-d in overcoming adversity. The rabbis
enshrined this idea with the phrase, “A great miracle
happened there” which has been inscribed on the letters of
the dreydl. The public lighting of the menorah symbolized
the power of the spirit over the military prowess of the
Syrian Greeks. “Not by might, nor by power, but by My
spirit, says the Lord of hosts” became the embracing theme
of the festival. Similarly, Thanksgiving came to symbolize
the American will to overcome hardship and to be grateful
in the face of adversity. Both Hanukkah and Thanksgiving
center about home and hearth with the family gathered
about the table.
Ultimately, specific foods became
associated with the observance of the holidays. Both
Hanukkah and Thanksgiving have an appeal that has
survived the challenges of the contemporary world. The
lighting of the Hanukkah menorah is one of the most widely
practiced Jewish rituals – even among assimilated Jews.
Americans feel that every citizen –no matter how marginal –
deserves a decent Thanksgiving dinner. American Jews that
have made aliyah to Israel make certain they still have their
turkey. In a fascinating twist of fate, Israelis consume more
turkey per individual than any other country.
In honor of Thanksgivukkuh, our Hanukkah dinner at Beth
Israel will be observed on the Sixth Night of Hanukkah,
December 3, 2013 at 6 pm. Best wishes for both a Happy
Thanksgiving and Happy Hanukkah!
--Rabbi Bienstock
SAVE THE DATE:
HANNUKKAH DINNER
n
WHAT: Hanukkah Dinner
WHEN: December 3, 2013 from 5:007:00pm
MENU: Salmon
Latkes
Applesauce
Pasta
Veggies
COST: $8 Children under 5
$10 members, SU Students &
children over 5
$15 non-members
RSVP: By November 29th to Jackie
[email protected] or
410-742-2564
A Note from our President…
It is strange to be thinking of Hanukkah in November, but this year, we will have turkey and light the menorah at
Thanksgiving. One advantage of this unusual combination of holidays, is that when our “away kids” are home for
Thanksgiving, they can celebrate Hanukkah too! Usually Hanukkah comes after they return to school and are busy
studying for final exams.
Last Friday night, many members of our Beth Israel family and Hillel students from Salisbury University, celebrated
Shabbat together and enjoyed one of Todd Berman’s delicious and very popular dinners and a lively service conducted by
our religious school students and Rabbi Bienstock. It was a very nice evening. For those who were not able to attend, we
hope you will join us at the next event.
Watch the calendar this month for all of the upcoming events, beginning with our visiting author, Sonia Taitz, who is
coming to talk on Monday at 6:30 p.m. Put January 11th on your calendar for our winter fundraiser. We will have
entertainment by the Tufts Jewish a cappella group, Shir Appeal. It should be a fun evening.
Please join us for services and events when you can. Hope everyone will have wonderful holidays and much to be
thankful for.
-Susan Tilghman
Member-to-Member
Clay Tarpley, Robbie Tarpley Raffish, Faith and
Jason would like to thank the Congregation for all
the good wishes, offers of support and kindness
shown in the wake of Clay’s motorcycle accident.
While it has been a long road and there is more
recovery to go, Clay improves daily. Thank you for
keeping us in your thoughts and prayers.
Thank you to Ann & Roy Hansen for hosting an
Oneg in October.
Thank you for the donations of books to our library
from Mark & Lucille Rudnick.
Last month we forgot to thank Steve Schwalb for
his many years of dedication with the Sukkah
building team.
Thank you to Chef Todd Berman for preparing the
Shabbat Italian Dinner. Also thank you to the many
members who attended our dinner.
Thank you to Jason Tarpley for sharing his USY on
Wheels summer experience.
COUPON BOOK UPDATE:
Only 5 left: SHORE SAVINGS COUPON BOOKS
We currently have just a few coupon books
remaining and are offering them at a discounted
rate of $5.00 each. The coupons are “buy one/get
one free” to many local restaurants. Books are
valid until December 31, 2013. Contact Jackie at
the office if you are interested in purchasing a
book.
Feeding the Homeless
Beth Israel is once again helping those
less fortunate in our area. We have
been asked to participate in the “Feed
the Homeless” program on Sunday
January 12, 2014 at Cross Pointe
Church of the Nazarene.
Please contact Susan Tilghman at
410-742-6434 if you would like to
bring a dessert or we will happily
accept your monetary donations to
help cover the cost of food as we
anticipate feeding approximately 30
people. (Please indicate Feed the
Homeless on the memo line of your
check.)
Thank you to everyone who has
helped us in the past with this
heartwarming program.
BIRTHDAYS:
Nov. 2—Jacob Berman
Nov. 3—Mark Tyler
Nov. 30—Alex Paciga
Gift Shop Sale
Just in time for Hanukkah!
30% off all menorahs & candlesticks
Check out our new line of jewelry.
Kesher T’sirim Corner:
The Kesher Ts’irim Group invites all 6th –
12th graders to a Lunch and Learn on
Sunday, November 17th at 12:00pm.
Enjoy lunch and ruach while you learn all
about Kadima, USY, and our KT Group.
We’ll discuss the cost of the programs as
well as your interests. We want your
ideas on you would like to do together.
Want to go bowling? Take a ski trip? See
a concert? Have an overnight? You learn
about us and we learn about you! See
you then!!!
SOS
BIC Upcoming Events
Monday 11/04/13 @6:30pm—Sonia Taitz presents
―The Watchmaker’s Daughter‖
Sunday 11/24/13 @10:00am—Rabbi Peter Hyman
presents ―The Art of Hebrew
Calligraphy‖
Tuesday 12/03/13 @6:00pm—Hanukkah Dinner
Friday 12/27/13 @7:30pm—Homecoming Shabbat
2014
Saturday 1/11/14 @7:00pm—Performance by Tufts
University a capella group
―Shir Appeal‖
Sunday 1/12/14 – Feed the Homeless at Cross Pointe
Church of the Nazarene
Thursday 1/16/14@ TBA – Tu Bishvat
Sun 3/16/14 @10:00am- Purim Megillah Reading and
Carnival - Joint Celebration with
Bat Yam & Bnai Israel
Sun 4/06/14 @TBA – Speaker Miriam Isaacs, PH.D,
Consultant to the US Holocaust
Memorial Museum
Please do not forget to make your
financial pledge to Beth Israel. Our
SOS (Support our Synagogue)
appeal is an important way for you
to help sustain Beth Israel
Congregation. Be sure to make your
pledge and follow up with your
check. Your donation will make a
BIG difference and is greatly
appreciated. Thanks to each of
those who have made a pledge above
their initial one.
Beth Israel would like to thank the
following members who, as of
October 30, have paid their SOS
pledge. We appreciate your
generosity.
Albright
Paciga
Monday 4/14/14 – First Seder in Evening
Beatus
B Polin
Tuesday 4/15/14 @6:00pm– 2nd Congregational Seder
Friedman
Rubin
Monday 4/14 – Tues 4/22 – Passover
M Gershenfeld
Rudnick
Monday 4/21/14 @7:30 pm – Passover Yizkor Service
Gold
Scherr
Hancock
Schwalb
Hansen
Sherr
A Karten
Snyder
Land
Stivelman
A Miller
Werksman
Sunday 4/27/14 @7:00pm– Yom HaShoa Holocaust
Memorial Service
Wednesday 6/04/14 @7:30pm – Shavuot Yizkor Service
Needleman
Yahrzeits: November
BERNICE KLEGER
SERVICE DATE
Nov. 29-30, 2013
Nov.1-2, 2013
Nov.1-2,2013
IDA G. POLAND
Nov. 29-30, 2013
Esther Glushakow
Nov 29-30, 2013
NATHAN RATNER
Nov. 1-2, 2013
Shirley Ratner
Nov 29-30, 2013
HERMAN HABERMAN
Nov. 1-2, 2013
Charles Benjamin Hirsch
Nov 29-30, 2013
SEYMOUR MACHSON
Nov. 1-2, 2013
Ethel Stelzner
Nov 29-30, 2013
FRANCES L GREENBERG
Nov. 1-2, 2013
Nicholas Sivan
Nov 29-30, 2013
INA SHIRLEY COHEN
Nov. 1-2, 2013
SAUL GLICK
Nov. 1-2, 2013
LOUIS KLEGER
Nov. 8-9, 2013
CARL NEGRIN
Nov. 8-9, 2013
LENA "LEE" BRESNER
Nov. 8-9, 2013
ROBERT BRESLAU
Nov. 8-9, 2013
VICTOR MILLER
Nov. 8-9, 2013
HERMAN NAGEL
Nov. 8-9, 2013
CLARA NAGEL
MORTON SUSSKIND
HAYES
Nov. 8-9, 2013
GERALDINE A WEISS
Nov. 8-9, 2013
MOLKA BAS ZEV GINCHER
Nov. 15-16, 2013
SARAH ROSE KAMANITZ
Nov. 15-16, 2013
HELEN BRENT
Nov. 15-16, 2013
NEDDA RUDOFF
Nov. 15-16, 2013
MARTHA G. ROSS
Nov. 15-16, 2013
MAE LEVY
Nov. 15-16, 2013
JOSEPH MASARSKY
Nov. 15-16, 2013
Yahrzeits
LEONARD SCHER
Nov. 15-16, 2013
Sharon Ferger
Yahrzeit of Paul Kaye
ROBERT B. BALTER
Nov. 15-16, 2013
Jeff & Joanne Sherr
Yahrzeit of Bernice Sylvia Sherr
MURIEL FOLKOFF
Nov. 15-16, 2013
Selma Bilofsky
Yahrzeit of Howard Bilofsky
J WILLIAM BENJAMIN
Nov. 22-23, 2013
DAVID ROSENBERG
Nov. 22-23, 2013
Steve & Laurie Schwalb
Yahrzeit of Nathan Ratner
WILLIAM KLEGER
Nov. 22-23, 2013
FLORENCE ROTH KLEGER
Nov. 22-23, 2013
J EDWARD BOGAGE
Nov. 22-23, 2013
MARTIN DATTELBAUM
Nov. 22-23, 2013
M. CHARLES ROSS
Nov. 22-23, 2013
SHEVA LERNER
Nov. 22-23, 2013
LILLIAN STEINBERG
Nov. 22-23, 2013
SHIRLEY KAHN
Nov. 29-30, 2013
HERBERT D. BRENT
Nov. 29-30, 2013
CHANA STEIN
Nov. 29-30, 2013
HYMAN GORDON
Nov. 29-30, 2013
ANNA L COHEN
Nov. 29-30, 2013
YAHRZEIT NAME
CHAIM KUTZIN
MYER J PLUM
Nov. 8-9, 2013
Feeling gratitude and not expressing it, is
like wrapping a present and not giving it.
–William Arthur Ward
Donations for October 2013
In Memory
Karen & Andy Karten
In Memory of Alfred Spieler
BIC General Fund
JG Townsend Jr. & Co.
For Rabbi Services
Beth Israel Staff
Rabbi: Arnold Bienstock
Office Manager: Jackie Middleton
NOW OPEN!
Board of Governors
President: Susan Tilghman
Vice President/House: Todd Berman
Secretary: Andy Karten
Treasurer: Susan Land
Youth: Shari Silbert and Sara Stivelman
Membership: Robbie Tarpley Raffish
Religious: Jaimi Hall
Social: Arlene Miller
Lifetime Member: Albert Berger
Contact Us
600 Camden Avenue, Salisbury, MD 21801
Phone 410-742-2564 Fax 410-742-2697
www.bethisraelsalisbury.org
General Information: [email protected]
Office Hours: Tuesday - Friday 10:00 a.m.—2:00 p.m.
Shabbat Services: Friday, 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, 10:00 a.m.
Affiliated with United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism
The mission of this Congregation shall be to establish and
maintain a Synagogue and such educational,
religious, social and recreational activities as will help
further the cause and objectives of
the Synagogue and Conservative Judaism.
63rd Street & Coastal Hwy
Ocean City, Maryland
21842
(410) 520-0283
www.RosenfeldsJewishDeli.com
AMPLE PARKING ON 63rd STREET and
IN OUR MARKED PARKING LOTS
Established 1926
CHECK OUT OUR NEW JEWELRY!! CHECK OUT OUR SALE
ITEMS!! NOW AVAILABLE!!
BIC GIFT CERTIFICATES FOR THE JUDAICA SHOP
If you are looking for a great gift for teachers, Bar/Bat
Mitzvahs, birthdays, etc., the BIC Judaica Shop is now
offering gift certificates in any denomination. Contact
Susan Lewis Paciga or Jackie Middleton.
Do you love ONEG?
Who doesn’t? So come celebrate a simcha,
remember a yahrzeit or just make it a great
end to a long week by hosting one! It’s easy
and quick. Call Jackie in the BIC office for
details. 410-742-2564.
Open Every Day Year-Round.
Now Serving:
Daily Lunch Specials $8.99(soup of the
day and either a large salad or featured
sandwich of the day)
Friday Shabbat Dinner $12.99
(complete from soup, brisket, challah, veg.
and dessert)
Sunday Evening Dinner Special
$14.99 (soup or salad, stuffed cabbage,
brisket or turkey, choice of veg. choice of
dessert and beverage)
A TRADITIONAL JEWISH DELI
RESTAURANT. . .
THE FOOD YOU REMEMBER . . .
FINALLY, HERE AT THE
SHORE!
Beth Israel Cards
OPEN Mon-Thurs 11:00am-6:00pm
Appropriate for every occasion and affordable,
BIC Cards can be purchased in the Office.
Friday 11:00am-8:00pm
Sat & Sun 8:00am-8:00pm
Join us at Beth Israel Congregation on Monday
November 4th at 6:30pm as we welcome Sonia
Taitz, the author of “The Watchmaker’s
Daughter”.
Meet and greet the author after her presentation.
Enjoy the opportunity to purchase her book and
have it personally autographed.
The cost is free for this event.
Light refreshments will be served.
Contact Beth Israel Congregation at 410-742-2564
for more information.
THE WATCHMAKER’S DAUGHTER begins with the story of the child of two refugees, a watchmaker
who saved lives within a Dachau prison, and his wife, a gifted concert pianist about to make her debut
when the Nazis seize power. Growing up under the shadow of catastrophe, their child, Sonia, is driven to
achieve the highest peaks of worldly success. Her daring ambitions take her from Barnard to Yale’s Law
School to Oxford University, where she meets a man outside her faith who will change her life, and her
family’s, in ways she would have never imagined. Taitz’s coming of age takes place in the heyday of the
youth revolution in New York: sexual freedom, political rebellion, and cultural experimentation run up
against the deep caution and conservatism of Taitz’ parents and the immigrant community in which she
lives.
We first meet Sonia living in a small, dark apartment in an immigrant community in Washington Heights
with her brother, parents, and grandmother. Sonia grows up speaking Yiddish and learning the lessons of
her faith. Nonetheless, as a young girl, the “American Dream” she learns about every day on the
television enthralls her, even while it baffles her parents.
Sonia’s parents could hardly be more different. Her father is a stoic, pragmatic and mechanical, running
the household as a “strict officer.” He starts, without any means, a watch repair business across from
what will one day become Lincoln Center, only to see it rise to success, and later broken, when a robbery
leaves him once again bereft of everything he’s earned. Taitz’s mother, a dutiful housewife, is still a child
in many ways: hoping to be romanced, filled with memories of the past, both heartbreaking and joyful,
quixotically encouraging her child into a more traditional feminine role despite all resistance. Working as
an able assistant in her husband’s shop, the only thing that seems to unite the couple is their constant
arguments and fighting; their struggle to maintain the values of old Europe despite the uncertainty and
changing circumstances of their new American freedom.
It is with the final passing of her parents that Taitz’s story comes full circle. She now has a beloved family
of her own, providing a different sort of fulfillment from her successful career. As her parents pass on, we
can still see those complicated emotions of longing to please, an effort to understand, and a final
appreciation of both her parents’ teachings and how far she has ventured, happily, to form a life of her
own.