Shabbat Shirah to Feature Vocal Performance Beit

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PAGE 2 Our Jewish Community is Everywhere
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J A N U A RY / FEBRU ARY 2 0 16 / TE VE T-SHE VAT-ADAR I 5776
Beit Café
Shabbat Shirah
to Feature Vocal
Performance
January 30, 7:00 pm
January 23
We will celebrate Shabbat Shirah (Shabbat of
Song) on January 23 with a vocal performance with
Vera Broekhuysen. She will be joined by Cantor
Elise Barber and Beth Cranna for a couple of songs.
Our service will begin at 9:30 am, lunch will follow
at 11:30 am, and the short concert will begin at
approximately 12:30 pm.
Eilu D’vorim takes its name from a passage in the Mishna – and expanded in the Talmud
– enumerating those actions which bear fruit in the world to come. This vocal recital explores
the actions and passions that make us human: it travels from secular to sacred and back
again, including selections from the Shabbat liturgy, cabaret songs, traditional cantorial gems,
Georgian and American folksongs, and lullabies. The music is by Kurt Weill, Hanns Eisler,
Mordecai Hershman, Louis Lewandowski, Lazar Weiner, Mordecai Ze’ira, and others.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 10
Back by popular demand, our
4th annual Beit Café will be held on
Saturday, January 30 at 7:00 pm. This
delightful evening of music will
take place at the home of
Amy & Mason Rapaport.
The event will feature the
musical talents of our
members. If you sing
or play an instrument
and would like to
perform, we’d love
to add you to our list
of performers. Please contact Cantor Elise
Barber at [email protected]
or 733-4149 for more information. There
is no cost to attend, and all are welcome.
Reservations are requested so that we can
plan accordingly. Please contact the office
([email protected] or 733-4149) to
sign up.
What’s New in the New Siddur?
Rabbi Ed Feld to Speak About Siddur Lev Shalem on February 27
We are pleased to welcome Rabbi Ed
Feld, who will speak after Shabbat services
and lunch on February 27. His presentation
is entitled “What’s New in the New Siddur?” Rabbi Feld is the senior editor of Siddur
Lev Shalem for Shabbat and Festivals, the
new prayer book that will be published
soon. Rabbi Katz was also instrumental
in developing this prayer book. Following
the success of the very popular Mahzor
Lev Shalem, which TBE has been using for
several years on Rosh HaShanah and Yom
Kippur, the Rabbinical Assembly began
creating a new prayer book.
Rabbi Feld commented, “Siddur
Lev Shalem isn’t simply old wine in new
bottles, but represents the coming of age of
Conservative liturgy. Come and hear how
this new siddur was meant to speak to you.”
If you are planning to join us for lunch
with Rabbi Feld, contact the office (office@
tbespringfield.org or 733-4149) to make
reservations so we can plan accordingly.
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
Since there would be no funeral, I would
need to create the healing environment
on my own. Rabbi’s advice to me was the
importance of caring for my needs, and
not depriving myself of
being able to mourn--to
My sister, Alyce Spar-Abels, my brother, Jay Goldby and me.
This is a significant moment for us. We had just finished
help myself through
publishing a book, seen in the photo, anchored by 46 letters
this even though all
my parents wrote to each other during the year 1930. While
I did the technical work, we all participated in its creation; it
the pieces weren’t in
was a labor of love, with me working in Longmeadow and
place. She said when
my siblings working from their homes in California. A 4-year
project, it was almost complete when Jay was diagnosed. We
there is no community,
made it a priority that it be finished in time for all of us to
enjoy the results together.
Judaism provides by
giving us other options.
She shared a personal
experience that I could
relate to, and I took great
comfort in knowing that
I could make it work for
The call came on Monday, the second
me. My husband, Jerry,
day of our vacation in Hilton Head; it wasn’t
my rock, was steadfast
unexpected, but even so, it threw me. My
and constant, but I
brother, Jay, had been battling pancreatic
needed to do the work.
cancer for 16 months. He had beaten the
Jerry contacted the one
odds, and I had just come back from visiting
synagogue
in
the
area
to tell them about my
than my husband; how do I sit shiva, how do
him in California, knowing that it would be
brother and confirm they would be having a
I care for myself, how does Judaism help me
the last time I would see him. We had said
Friday night minyan. The congregation could
here? If I were home, I wouldn’t even have to
our final goodbyes, each of us knowing his
think about it--our faith prepares me for this not have been more welcoming, and my
fight was finally over. Our week’s vacation
brother’s name was included on their Shabbat
moment: call the rabbi, sit shiva surrounded
was the first stop on a planned road trip to
by the strength and love of friends and family, program. I was overwhelmed by the number
California and I, naively, was hoping I would
of people who approached us after services
attend synagogue and say kaddish. I could
be back by his side when he passed.
to convey their condolences and engage us in
allow myself to be comforted, to feel the
It was a frantic day before it was clear
open conversation. One couple hailed from
that my brother’s children would be following support--ongoing for as long as I need it to be
Longmeadow, so there was an immediate
there for me.
his wishes and there would be no funeral; a
commonality. After introductions to their
But this was different. What I knew was
celebration of his life would be held several
that I couldn’t get what I needed without help, friends and an invitation to come to their
weeks later so that the family could all be
that I couldn’t do it alone. I called Rabbi Katz, home the next time we were in Hilton Head,
together.
we left. And it hit me: I had just “sat shiva.”
and, by the time we hung up, I was crying,
After digesting the news, my second
I can’t put into words the emotions that
tears of relief and hope. With her guidance
thought was immediate: I’m in a strange
and direction, I knew that there were options. welled up inside me; I had shared my story,
place with no family and no friends other
I had met people who were genuinely sorry
about my loss; I didn’t feel alone and adrift.
Instead, I felt a deepening sense of strength,
almost palpable. I felt I was going to be okay,
a feeling I hadn’t had until that evening.
When our vacation week was over,
we headed to North Carolina to visit with
a cousin, and we spent our time together
Weekday Mornings
New Year’s Day (office closed)
Rosh Hodesh Adar I
sharing stories, connecting, being family. We
Monday through Friday........ 7:00 am Friday, January 1
Tuesday, February 9 &
Sunday................................... 8:30 am Morning Service...........................8:30 am Wednesday, February 10
next visited my nephew, my brother’s son,
Morning Service...........................6:45 am
in Asheville. He had said his goodbyes to his
Rosh Hodesh Shevat
Weekday Evenings
Monday, January 11
Sunday, Monday, Tuesday,
Presidents Day (office closed)
dad several weeks before his passing. I was
Wednesday & Thursday........5:45 pm Morning Service ..........................6:45 am Monday, February 15
able to be with him and his family, spoke
Morning Service...........................8:30 am
about the last few days of his dad’s life, and
Martin Luther King Day (office closed)
Shabbat Worship
Erev Shabbat.........................6:00 pm Monday, January 18
together we comforted each other.
Our Jewish
Community is
Everywhere
Sydney Hirsch
Shabbat morning.................. 9:30 am Morning Service...........................8:30 am
Shabbat afternoon................5:00 pm
2
CONTINUED ON PAGE 11
Rabbi Amy Wallk Katz
When I was in Chicago last November, I
visited Charles, a childhood friend, who was
about to leave for a trip to Israel sponsored by
J Street. Charles and I grew up in each other’s
homes, we celebrated Shabbat and holidays
together for most of our early years. Our
mothers played together before either knew
how to walk! Charles’ mother taught me to
bake challah and to this day, I use Norma’s
recipe. I share all this with you, because I
want you to realize — I know Charles. I
know the kind of person he is and I know he
cares deeply about the State of Israel. I wasn’t
really surprised that Charles supports J Street.
I know his politics.
The conversation that Charles and I had
about AIPAC and J Street was spirited and
lively. Imagine two old friends eating dinner,
sharing family photos, reminiscing about our
late parents and vigorously debating Israeli
politics. Both of us are well-informed and
passionate. We agree on so much, and yet
we have our differences. It troubled me that
Charles tells me that many in the American
Jewish community are disrespectful or judge
him for his politics. He said the climate
in his congregation is hostile and he feels
unwelcome on the Board of Directors. He
intends to resign before his term expires. This
is bad.
While I vigorously disagree with J
Street, I am respectful of those who support
it. Judaism is a religion that has always
encouraged vigorous debate. The Talmud
includes the minority and majority opinion
always. And there are pairs of rabbis who are
known to have disagreed with one another.
I prefer AIPAC’s approach to Israel
advocacy. Rising out of the ashes of the
American Zionist Committee, AIPAC, a
bi-partisan pro-Israel lobby, was founded
in 1954 by former AZC chairman Si Kenen.
AIPAC’s original goal was to secure $150
million in US aid for the then-fledgling State
of Israel. The request was rejected by the
State Department on the grounds that such
a move would offend the Arab states. After
much lobbying Israel received $15 million in
US foreign aid that year.
More than half a century later, AIPAC
continues to make a difference for Israel. For
example, AIPAC lobbied congress to provide
close to one billion dollars over the years to
develop and deploy Iron Dome, which has
saved thousands of lives by shielding Israeli
citizens from rocket attacks. Thanks in part
to AIPAC, Israel receives over 3.1 billion
dollars each year in military aid essential to
Israel’s safety and security.
I am very comfortable with AIPAC’s
mission statement “The mission of AIPAC
is to strengthen, protect and promote
the US-Israel relationship in ways that
enhance the security of Israel and the
United States.” AIPAC urges all members
of Congress, working with both Democrats
and Republicans, to support Israel through
foreign aid, government partnerships, joint
anti-terrorism efforts and the promotion of a
negotiated two-state solution.
Over the years AIPAC has had its
challenges. And some, perhaps many, in the
American Jewish community became critical
of AIPAC. I have often heard accusations
that AIPAC is too far to the right. Less
frequently AIPAC is accused of being too far
to the left. The fact remains that progressives,
conservatives, Democrats, Republicans, Jews
and non-Jews make up the membership and
leadership of AIPAC.
I also do not always agree with AIPAC’s
tactics and sometimes I disagree with a
particular position AIPAC takes. Still, I
fully endorse AIPAC’s basic premise. It is
important for our politicians to learn about
Israel and support American policy that is
in Israel’s best interest. It is for this reason
that I have decided to attend this year’s Policy
Conference.
I am excited to announce that TBE will
send its first official delegation to join 16,000
other friends of Israel in Washington DC for
the 2016 AIPAC Policy Conference MARCH
20-22, 2016. I hope you will seriously
consider joining us. Normally, registration
can run as high as $599. However, TBE
has purchased a limited number of heavily
discounted tickets. Cost: You pay $399
directly to TBE. Please contact Rhoda at the
TBE office if interested.
AIPAC’s Policy Conference is the
pro-Israel community’s preeminent
annual gathering. Participants experience
unparalleled opportunities to advocate for
Israel with our elected representatives in
Congress. Over three jam-packed days,
Policy Conference participants choose from
hundreds of informative sessions led by
heads of state, members of Congress, and
world-renowned experts. Participants unite
from all walks of life and every political
persuasion to make the case for a strong USIsrael alliance during face-to-face meetings
with members of Congress on Capitol Hill.
To learn more, email me (rabbikatz@
tbespringfield.org) and we can talk about the
Policy Conference or Israel advocacy more
generally.
About J Street
J Street is a nonprofit liberal advocacy group
based in the United States whose stated aim is
to promote American leadership to end the ArabIsraeli and Israel-Palestinian conflicts peacefully and
diplomatically. J Street often finds itself embroiled in
controversy when it comes to issues concerning Israel.
Although J Street describes itself as a proIsrael, Zionist organization, many of its actions and
statements have raised concerns among American
Jews.
Upcoming
Shabbat Zimrah
Services
Our popular series of Friday night
services, called Shabbat Zimrah, featuring
Cantor Elise Barber and guest musicians,
continues in 2016. Each service begins at
6:00 p.m. and, except when dinner is served
as noted below, is followed by an appetizer
buffet. Please be sure to put these dates on
your calendar and join us when you can. It’s
a lovely way to let your cares from the week
melt away and to begin the weekend. The
dates are as follows:
• Friday, January 8
• Friday, February 12
• Friday, March 11
• Friday, April 8
• Friday, May 13, featuring Nava Tehila,
followed by dinner
• Friday, June 10
3
FROM THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION
From
NYC
Caryn Resnick
This fall, both
our children and
adults enjoyed
trips to New York.
Some of our 7th
and 8th grade students went
CARYN RESNICK
to Manhattan and the adults
toured Brooklyn. A special thank you to Mike
Henderson for leading the Brooklyn trip –
relational Judaism, community building and
experiential learning at its best! A good time
was had by all. Here are some comments:
Mike timed our trip so that we managed
to avoid Sunday traffic, especially during
the Mets/Cubs playoff game, and arrive
home safely at the appointed hour. From
Brooklyn-born natives to first-time visitors,
this trip received rave reviews. The main
question on most people’s lips was: where are
we going next?”
– Phyllis Levenson
Chair of the Adult Education Committee
The Brooklyn experience:
“Our outing to Brooklyn was beyond
fabulous! Mike’s passion for Brooklyn and
his knowledge of every bend in the road
enhanced our experience and made me
want to take another such tour in the near
future.”
– Carol Resnick
“The trip to Brooklyn was just fabulous!
Every minute of it was just wonderful! We
need to do more trips like this!”
– Norma Feder
“From the minute we got on the bus, our
entertaining tour guide filled us in on the
history and local trivia of the areas we
were passing. Mike was able to blend his
knowledge of history, trivia on Brooklyn
celebrities and famous locations with his
remarkable sense of humor. Looking out at
the magnificent scenery of lower Manhattan
from the Promenade at Brooklyn Heights,
we learned about the history of the area on
both sides of the river including the Battle
of Brooklyn. Our narrated excursion to
Midwood brought us an enjoyable kosher
lunch as well as a ‘taste’ of the Jewish
character of the area. A highlight for most
first-time visitors to Brooklyn and a feeling
of nostalgia for those who grew up in the
area was our stop at Coney Island. As we
returned home, many of us enjoyed our
delicious meals from a local Brooklyn deli.
4
USY NEWS & UPDATES
SKLC ANNUAL
RETREAT
The Manhattan experience:
“I really enjoyed learning more about Anne
Frank at the Anne Frank Center in New
York.”
– Rose Gevanthor
“I liked the Holocaust Museum’s display of
the photos of 2,000 people who died in the
Holocaust.”
– Rachel Cranna
“New York was really fun even though
there was too much walking. I really liked
seeing the trumpet that a man played in
the concentration camp to stay alive at
the Holocaust Museum. The M&M store
in Times Square was fun and I’ll always
remember my first Starbucks Frappuccino.”
– Asher Zive
“The trip to the Jewish Heritage Museum
was a memorable event that I will definitely
always remember.”
Our students in grades 6-12
will experience a full Shabbat
away from home the weekend of
January 8. They will participate
in services, learn, play, eat good
food, make new friends and most
importantly, build community.
We are especially excited to have our Israeli
emissaries, Tal and Naama, joining us!
FAMILY SHABBAT
PROGRAMS
Friday, January, 22, 6:00 pm
Temple Beth El and Sinai Temple join
together to host a Family Shabbat for families
with children in fourth grade and younger.
The evening will feature a Kabbalat Shabbat
service, dinner and music. Watch your mail
for the invitation.
February 26, 6:00 pm
Families with children of all ages are
invited to this evening of prayer led by
musician Jon Muchin, a student-led Shabbat
Seder, and dinner. Watch your mail for your
invitation.
BAR & BAT MITZVAH
FAMILY MEETING
Wednesday, February 3, 7:00 pm
The staff looks forward to meeting with
the families who have children preparing to
become Bar or Bat Mitzvah in the next year.
It is an informational meeting where the
professional staff will review all of the details
of the families’ simcha. Watch your email for
your invitation.
Nora Gorenstein &
Jenn Belden, Advisors
KADIMA YOUTH GROUP
Becky Tucker, Advisor
Shalom! My name is Becky Tucker
and I am thrilled to introduce myself as the
new Kadima Youth Advisor at Temple Beth
El. I recently moved to the Pioneer Valley
from Boston, and have loved getting to
know this wonderful area and community.
My full-time work is as a Healing Arts
Therapist, practicing massage therapy
and other bodywork modalities, and also
studying herbalism. I love nature and being
outdoors, hiking, biking, kayaking, cooking,
dancing, and traveling to new places. I am
originally from New York and have very fond
memories of participating in Kadima events
while growing up there. It is so exciting to be
joining the Beth El community as a youth
leader and I can’t wait to get to know all of
you! I look forward to hearing all about your
interests and what you love to do, and to all
the fun activities we’ll do together!
Our next Kadima event is scheduled
for Sunday, February 28. We’re planning an
afternoon in Northampton with a special gettogether at Dobra Tea. Watch your mail for
details.
As the calendar year begins, Temple Beth
El’s teens and our Springfield Chapter of
United Synagogue Youth (SCUSY) continue
to collaborate with other local groups for
innovative programs, led by our Teen
Board, Conservative Youth Educator Nora
Gorenstein, and Youth Advisor Jennifer
Belden! In January, the annual Sandi
Kupperman Learning Center Retreat for
grades 6-12 will include a “teen track,”
with special activities and options for our
participants in grades 9-12. Keep an eye out
for more information and this year’s theme!
On January 30, teens from Temple
Beth El and Sinai Temple in grades 8-12
will come together for a special film night at
TBE, featuring the instant hit, “Touchdown
Israel.” This film festival favorite focuses on
American tackle football in Israel, which
began in 1988, is sponsored by the Kraft
family, and has over 90 teams today. Join us
for this fusion of Israeli culture and American
athletics!
PURIM CELEBRATION
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23
This year’s theme is Mardi Gras. Start
thinking about your costume!
THE SANDI
KUPPERMAN
LEARNING CENTER
BI-ANNUAL FUNDRAISING
EVENT COMING SOON!
Honoring our Director of Education,
Caryn Resnick. Date to be announced.
The Sandi Kupperman Learning Center PTO!
A special thank you to our PTO for organizing
our annual raffle baskets at the Hanukkah party.
The fundraiser supports several programs and
special treats for our students and their teachers.
Adult Brooklyn trip was a wonderful day
– Will Rome
“It was different and fun to be with my
friends from Hebrew school in New York
City. Everything was fun! The museums,
walking the streets to Ground Zero, eating
at Grand Central and especially the Times
Square M&M store!”
– Max Horowitz
STUDENT-LED SERVICE
March 5
Please join us as our students in
the religious school participate and take
leadership roles in the Shabbat morning
service. It’s a time for our congregation
to come and kvell at our children’s
accomplishments. A very special Kiddush
lunch will follow!
Our 7th & 8th grader’s trip to NY
5
Book
Discussion
Group News
Liz Marinelli, Librarian
February 3, 10, 24
Sundays at 9:00 am
Cuppa Joe will meet on
January 10, 17, 24, 31, and February 7,
14, 21, 28. We are continuing our reading
of Rabbi Ed Feld’s book, Joy, Despair and
Hope: Reading Psalms. In this book, Rabbi
Feld analyzes 15 psalms, showing how each
provides a different perspective on faith.
You do not need a strong background to
participate, just a desire to learn. Minyan is
at 8:30 am, and breakfast and the class begin
around 9:00 am. Just Show Up whenever it’s
convenient.
Jewish Poetry of
Faith and Doubt
Lunch and Learn will
not meet in January.
When we resume in
February, we will discuss
Jewish Choices, Jewish
Voices: War and National Security by Elliot
Dorff and Danya Ruttenberg. Is it morally
acceptable to use surveillance and profiling
to protect national security? Should war only
be used in self-defense? Is torture in times
of war morally acceptable? Contributors
present hypothetical cases on specific topics,
followed by traditional and contemporary
sources. Supplementing these are brief essays,
written by contributors of various ages,
backgrounds, and viewpoints to provoke
lively thought and discussion. These voices
from Jewish tradition and today’s Jewish
community present us with new questions
and perspectives, encouraging us to consider
our own moral choices in a new light.
Please bring a dairy lunch and join us on
Wednesday, February 3, 10, and 24 at noon.
Wednesday, March 2, 9 & 16,
7:30-9:00 pm
From biblical times to
the present, Hebrew poetry
has expressed both belief
in God’s protection and
struggled with that belief,
expressing anguish and anger
RABBI ED FELD
over God’s absence. We will
engage in a close reading of biblical, medieval
and modern poems that wrestle with faith.
Rabbi Ed Feld will teach this 3-session
class, which is co-sponsored by Sinai
Temple and Temple Beth El. This class will
be held at the Springfield JCC. The cost is
$25 for members of TBE, Sinai Temple, and
Congregation B’nai Torah, or $50 for nonmembers. To register, TBE members should
contact the temple office at 733-4149.
6
The book group will
not meet in January and
February; check the next
Tekiah for information about
our March meeting. Long
winter evenings are perfect for watching a
DVD – here are some of the newest that are
available to borrow from the library:
The Red Tent. Based on the novel by Anita
Diamant, a sweeping tale that takes place
during the times of the Old Testament, told
through the eyes of Dinah, the daughter
of Leah and Jacob. Starring Minnie Driver
and Debra Winger.
Woman in Gold. Sixty
years after she fled Vienna
during World War II, an
elderly Jewish woman starts
her journey to retrieve
family possessions seized
by the Nazis, among them Klimt’s famous
painting, Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer.
Deli Man. A documentary exploring 120
years of culinary tradition, served up by
deli owners, operators, and fanatics.
Welcome to Kutsher’s: The Last Catskills
Resort. Following the rise and fall of one
of the legendary Borscht Belt resorts, this
documentary offers a glimpse of a lost
world.
Dedicate a New Siddur
In February, we will hopefully be receiving the new Siddur Lev
Shalem for Shabbat and Festivals. A committee, including Rabbi
Amy Wallk Katz and Rabbi Ed Feld (see article on page 1), has
been working to create this new prayer book for the past two years.
If you enjoy our Mahzor Lev Shalem, which we have been using for the High Holy Days since 2010, you will
like this siddur. It incorporates the same wonderful features, including expanded transliterations, thoughtful
explanations and additional readings on each page. If you’ve attended our Friday night services, you have
already had the opportunity to worship using a draft copy for the Kabbalat Shabbat service.
We need your help to cover the cost of the 400 books we’ve ordered. You can dedicate one or more copies
of Siddur Lev Shalem in honor of or in memory of anyone or any occasion you would like. A book plate will be
placed in the front of each siddur with your name and message. It’s a wonderful way to remember someone
you’ve lost or to commemorate a special event, such as a wedding, birthday, or birth of a child or grandchild.
The cost is $36 per book. Please visit our website, www.tbespringfield.org, to make your purchase online, or
stop by the office.
FROM THE PRESIDENT
Paul Farkas
As I am reading through
the pages of our last Tekiah, I
find myself strangely moved
by this reflection of our lives
together. As when turning
DR. PAUL FARKAS
the pages of an old-fashioned
family picture album or reading entries from
a diary, the feeling and mood, the warmth
and friendship of our lives together somehow
floats off these pages. Such a variety of words
and pictures swirl together--messages about
daily events or coming holidays tossed
about with spiritual reflections and general
Yiddishkeit.
When last I wrote a message for these
pages it was not yet Yom Kippur. I never
imagined then the Sukkot party ahead of us,
where excited religious schoolers and parents
and other helpers planted the mitzvah
garden, where we all lined up for lessons
from Reverend Aminia on lulav- and etrogshaking, where we hung the newly-made
decorations in our festive new Sukkah. The
fun just revved up as we filled the sukkah for
dinner in the crisp fall air.
That Shabbat morning of Sukkot,
Reverend Aminia sang the Hoshanot
prayer to a haunting melody... he sang,
we repeated... some scholars think this
prayer dates back to the time of the Temple.
Reverend Aminia learned this melody
from Cantor Shames, whose teacher was a
very distinguished member of a long line
of teachers and students. In the rarefied
atmosphere of the small chapel, we try to
picture this line as it leads into the mists, and
we can only wonder how far back it goes...
Also impossible to foresee on Rosh
HaShanah were the many moving lines and
wild tangles of dancing children and other
folks, intoxicated with the joy of celebrating
Simhat Torah! People filled the room, we
danced, twisted and clapped along. Our
37 honored volunteers grouped together
in a bulging row to take their turns, a
few or several at a time, chanting Biblical
verses amidst the wild Torah parades.
We later listened to the final verses of the
entire Torah scroll, chanted beautifully by
Reverend Aminia and Bluma Bier, whose two
grandsons added to the tumult.
Twice, not so far after Simhat Torah,
we’ve had the pleasure of welcoming the
entire Jewish community through our
doors. Members of all three congregations
gathered here, first to hear an Israeli speaker
after Kiddush lunch, and later to enjoy
Friday evening services and Shabbat dinner
together. Both times our social hall was
filled. In keeping with tradition, Temple
Beth El is indeed a House of Gathering, for
small groups and large. As our friends from
B’nai Torah and Sinai Temple arrived, I
couldn’t help but think about our next Purim
costumes!
Cantor Barber’s Shabbat Zimrah
(Shabbat of Song, usually the second Friday
night of the month) brings ever-increasing
rhythm, melody, and energy as Cantor sings,
as we follow and sing along and clap away,
and as our instrumentalists help her fill the
room with amazing music. In November,
she asked us to think about our intention,
to think about what we wished to come
away with, to perhaps dedicate the service to
someone or something. The next morning,
our announcements of upcoming events
were almost too long to even enumerate.
Temple Beth El: so much to do and so much
to think about.
Not all of our great moments happen
within our walls. Mike Henderson’s trip to
Brooklyn is already a colorful folk legend,
from megaphone to pickles, from Brooklyn
Heights and Flatbush to Midwood and Coney
Island! Also from afar, in Worcester and
Boston and Israel, Elina DeAngelis has spent
two years of study as our On-Board Fellow.
She looks forward to continuing templegift-giving on Purim, Rosh HaShanah, and
Hanukkah, as well as applying her studies
as she serves on the Board and on our new
Governance Committee.
Every Shabbat morning we have the
opportunity to think about everything that’s
happening in the context of readings from
the Bible. After finishing our scrolls on
Simhat Torah, we have rewound them to the
beginning, reading stories of early people and
the struggles and joys of Abraham’s family.
During our Shabbaton, with spaces in the
temple filled with many alternative services
and activities and even a Starbucks café, we
all celebrated as Isaac came to love Rebecca
in that week’s reading. More recently, as
Thanksgiving approached, Rabbi Katz
wondered about what made Leah turn away
from the negative feelings she had at the
births of her first three sons, and turn toward
recognizing her blessings when she had her
son, Judah.
The large and the small. When we
gather, it isn’t always in a filled-to-bursting
social hall. At minyan one night, we gathered
again, as we may gather every night, for a
short evening service, for a short pause in
the day with a few prayers and a few friends
(including some we may be meeting for the
first time). We all applauded and cheered
when I gave Elina DeAngelis her diploma
and award and book of photographs from
her Israeli journey. Then Heidi Thibodeau
led the service magnificently in her
beautiful crystalline voice. Afterwards Mike
Henderson, just back from an exploratory
journey, filled us in on some of his research
for his next temple trip to New York. Heidi
and Elina and Mike. Just three of our leaders
who help make life at Temple Beth El so rich
and vibrant and warm.
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, January 20 and Wednesday, February
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,
January 24 and Sunday, February 28 at 4:45 pm.
Food can be cooked at home or purchased.
7
Nechamen/Chernick New Melton Winter Graduate Classes
Breakfast
to Honor
Dan Plotkin
We are pleased to announce the following lineup of graduate classes that will be offered
this winter:
Sunday, March 6
8
The 8th annual
Nechamen/Chernick Breakfast will be
held on Sunday, March 6, sponsored by
the Program Committee. The breakfast
will begin at 9:15 am, following minyan
at 8:30 am. This event raises funds for the
Nechamen/Chernick Scholarship Fund,
which provides scholarships for member
children to attend Jewish educational and
summer programs.
Named in memory of two dedicated
members of Congregation B’nai Jacob, David
Nechamen and Chet Chernick (of blessed
memory), the breakfast honors members
of our merged congregation for their
exceptional dedication to TBE. This year, we
are honoring Dan Plotkin. Dan grew up in
Longmeadow as a member of Sinai Temple.
He and his wife, Mollie, were married at
Temple Beth El on April 7, 1990. They joined
the temple with their children, Sam and
Sophie in 1999. Dan became the Chair of
our House Committee shortly thereafter, a
post he has held ever since. In that time, he
has amassed an encyclopedic knowledge of
the inner workings of our 65,000 square foot
facility. He has spent countless hours in the
building and was a daily presence last winter
when we suffered a loss of heat for several
days as a result of a burst pipe and flooded
boiler room. Dan’s behind the scenes help in
dealing with all house matters makes him
a valuable member of our leadership team.
His leadership also extends beyond TBE. He
also is currently president of the Board of
Jewish Family Service. He is a truly deserving
recipient of the Nechamen/Chernick Award.
The Program Committee will prepare a
delicious hot breakfast for the nominal cost
of $8 per person in advance ($10 if paid at
the door). Please make your reservations
by calling the temple office at 733-4149 or
visit www.tbespringfield.org. Contributions
in Dan‘s honor will be accepted to the
Nechamen/Chernick Fund for future
scholarships.
Why Do Good People Suffer: The Book of Job and Other Jewish Responses – We will read
selected chapters from one of the most provocative and interesting books of the Hebrew Bible,
the Book of Job. We will also study other Jewish responses, including contemporary writers, as
we explore the age-old question—why do bad things happen to good people? This class will be
taught by Rabbi Devorah Jacobson. A minimum of 12 students is required to hold the class.
Dates: Tuesday, January 12, 19, 26, February 2, 9, and 16
Snow date February 23 (6 sessions)
Time: 9:00 - 10:30 am
Place: JGS Lifecare, 770 Converse Street, Longmeadow, MA
Tuition: $175 (purchase JPS Hebrew-English Tanakh on your own)
– financial subsidies available upon request. Please call or email
Rabbi Katz at 733-4149 or [email protected].
Jewish Book Group – We will be reading 3 books related to contemporary Jewish concerns:
Killing a King: The Assassination of Yitzhak Rabin and the Remaking of Israel by Dan Ephron,
Once Upon a Country: A Palestinian Life by Sari Nusseibeh, and Not in God’s
Name: Confronting Religious Violence by Rabbi Jonathan Sacks. This class
will be taught by Rabbi Devorah Jacobson. A minimum of 12 students is
required to hold the class.
Dates: Monday, February 22, March 14, 21,
28, April 11, 18 and 25 (7 sessions)
Time: 6:30 - 8:15 pm
Place: JGS Lifecare, 770 Converse Street, Longmeadow, MA
Tuition: $200 (purchase books on your own) – financial
subsidies available upon request. Please call or email Rabbi
Katz at 733-4149 or [email protected].
Talmudic Tales – The Talmud is full of fascinating, humorous, preposterous, and thoughtprovoking stories, otherwise known as aggaditah. This course will look at 10 of these Talmudic
tales, and seek to find meaning through text study and discussion. We will look at stories that
delve into the personal relationships of the ancient rabbis, as well as those that seem to be
beyond the natural world, all while gaining a deeper understanding of Jewish tradition. No
previous Talmudic experience necessary. This class will be taught by Dalia Davis. A minimum
of 12 students is required to hold the class.
Dates: Monday, January 11, 25, February 1, 8, 22, 29, March 7, 14, 21, 28
(10 sessions)
Time: 9:30 - 11:00 am
Place: Heritage Academy, 594 Converse Street, Longmeadow, MA
Tuition: $225 + $25 mandatory materials fee – financial
subsidies available upon request. Please call or email Rabbi
Katz at 733-4149 or [email protected].
For more information or to register for these classes, please contact Lisa in the temple
office at 733-4149 or [email protected].
Executive
Valet Parking
Planning a trip? We can help you save money with parking near Bradley Airport.
We have discount parking cards, pre-loaded for 7 days of parking for just $40,
including tax and fees. They’re a great deal for you, and for us, as we receive $15
for each month we sell 10 or more cards. Stop by the TBE office to purchase a card.
Who’s in Charge of this
Service Anyway?
How You Can Help the Bottom Line at TBE
Cantor Elise Barber
Have you ever been to a Wednesday
5:45 pm service, which I, the cantor, usually
lead, and I’m right there in the room, but I’m
not leading? Well, chances are the person
leading instead of me (even though I’m in
the room) is in a period of mourning or
observing a yahrzeit. This could happen any
other day of the week, too. Even though I’m
the cantor and Reverend Aminia is the ritual
director (and Adele Miller leads minyan
regularly on Tuesdays – thank you Adele!),
the person who gets priority in leading the
minyan is actually someone who is in a
period of mourning or observing a yahrzeit.
In Judaism, it is preferred that someone who
is in these states leads the service.
What can this mean for you? Maybe
you want to challenge yourself to learn a
weekday afternoon or evening service. It’s
an incredible way to honor someone you
have lost, learn about our tradition, and
help the community. You don’t have to limit
yourself to leading only when in mourning
or observing a yahrzeit. You can volunteer to
lead other times and help the regular leaders
out when they are not available. It’s a great
mitzvah.
If you would like to learn how to lead
any service, weekday or Shabbat, Reverend
Aminia and I are happy to work with you. We
love empowering our members. As I write
this, we have recently entered the month
of Kislev, the month when we celebrate
Hanukkah. Hanukkah is a time of dedication
and rededication. Learning to lead a service
is a great way to dedicate your entire being to
your lost loved one, yourself, your tradition,
and your synagogue.
By now, you should have received your
dues bill for 2016. We appreciate those
who have already paid their dues and look
forward to receiving payments from the rest
of our members when they are able to send
them. You will notice that we have held the
line on dues, which were last raised in 2011.
As much as we rely on dues, they barely
cover half of our annual operating budget.
Therefore, we count on the generosity of our
members to make additional donations to
help defray the cost of some of the events we
offer.
Food is always a big part of many events
at TBE. Think about emulating Paul and
Esta Farkas who have provided the popular
refreshment tent on Rosh HaShanah or
Fred Brownstein who subsidizes the cost of
our congregational Break Fast. Many have
stepped forward to sponsor High Holy Day
bimah flowers which enhance the beauty
of our sanctuary. The cost of speakers and
entertainment are other items which can be
sponsored.
Here are some specific suggestions as to
how you can help for as little as $50 (the cost
of a minyan breakfast). All donations will be
included in the publicity for the event being
sponsored or subsidized.
• Join the Kiddush Club for $136 per
year. This helps us cover the cost of the
unsponsored lunches we serve each
Shabbat.
• Sponsor a Kiddush lunch or consider
joining with others to sponsor a lunch.
• Sponsor the appetizer buffet following our
Shabbat Zimrah services for $100.
• Subsidize the cost of Shabbat and holiday
dinners. In order to encourage attendance,
we don’t charge the full cost of our dinners.
There are many costs, in addition to
food, which go into our dinners. These
include servers, napkins, centerpieces, etc.
Consider making a donation to help us
break even on these meals. Sponsorships
are available for as little as $200.
• Sponsor a minyan breakfast for $50 in
honor of a yahrzeit, birthday or other
special occasion.
• Sponsor or subsidize the Nechamen/
Chernick Breakfast, so that all money
raised can go towards scholarships for our
children.
• Sponsor refreshments for our Beit Café for
$150.
• Sponsor a speaker for one for our Adult
Education programs or a Shabbat morning
speaker. Costs range from $250-500.
• Sponsor the cost of our Selihot film and/or
refreshments.
• Sponsor or subsidize our Purim
celebration.
• Sponsor refreshments following Sukkot or
Shavuot services.
• Sponsor refreshments for our Erev Shavuot
program.
• Sponsor our musicians on Selihot or
Simhat Torah.
• Subsidize one of our Program Committee’s
social nights, such as dinner and a movie.
Please contact Rhoda Peskin at 733-4149
or [email protected] to discuss
these or other ideas you may have to help us
cover the cost of our events.
9
Mishloah
Manot
Celebrate Purim with a Wonderful Gift-Giving Tradition
Orders Due
March 1, 2016
Price: $5.00/each
(12 for $50)
The mitzvah of giving
Mishloah Manot delivers from
the Book of Esther. It is meant
to ensure that everyone has
enough food for the Purim
festival.
We encourage you to join
us again for our festive TBE
Mishloah Manot project!!!!!
Please call or email Elina
DeAngelis with any questions:
In January all members will receive a list of the members of our synagogue.
Please take a moment to select all the families to whom you would like to send Purim
greetings and mishloah manot. There is a charge of $5 per recipient selected, and
each member selected will receive a basket of goodies. Multiple members may send
to the same person. In this case, the recipient will receive one basket accompanied
by a Purim greeting that will acknowledge each of the families that sent the basket.
Children may also like to send baskets to their friends, or to Grandma and Grandpa, or
a favorite Beth El teacher.
If you would like to send Purim Baskets, fill out the order form which will come
with the mailing and submit it with check payable to Temple Beth El - Attn: Purim
Baskets. Order forms are due by March 1. Recipients will be contacted by phone and
invited to pick up their baskets the week of March 21 – 25, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. or at
the Megillah reading on Wednesday, March 23.
Email: [email protected]
Tel# 567-2919
Basket include: Candy, Fruit
& Nuts, Hamentaschen, Other
Goodies
Holiday Card from
Sender(s)
ORDER NOW!!!
COMMUNITY
EVENTS
INTERFAITH BOOK CLUB INVITATION
Monday, February 1, 7:00 pm
10
The Women’s Fellowship Club of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church at 335
Longmeadow Street in Longmeadow invites women of all faiths to read and join the
discussion of the book, The Faith Club: A Muslim, A Christian, A Jew – Three Women
Search for Understanding by Ranya Idliby, Suzanne Oliver and Priscilla Warner, on Monday, February 1 at
7:00 pm in the St. Andrew’s Room. There is ample parking behind the church.
The Faith Club is a memoir of spiritual reflections, weaving the stories of three women, their three
religions, and their quest to understand one another. What began as a collaboration to write a children’s
book highlighting the connections between their Abrahamic religions ended up as a journey to search for
deeper meaning in their own faith, confront what divided them, and ultimately unite them in profound
friendships.
For more information, contact Liz Woolsey at [email protected].
MISHLOAH MANOT
FOR OUR COLLEGE
STUDENTS
For the last several years we have
been sending Purim baskets to our
member children who are away at
college as our gift to them. We are told
that they were thrilled to receive this
reminder of home. If you would like
your child to receive a basket, please
send their snail mail address to
[email protected]. Since
students move from year to year, even
if you sent us addresses last year, we
ask that you submit them again, so
that we can be sure that we have
current information on file.
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
SHABBAT SHIRAH TO FEATURE
VOCAL PERFORMANCE
Vera Broekhuysen is a
cantorial student at Hebrew
College in Newton, MA, whose
expected ordination will be this
June. Vera has served as cantorial
soloist, ba’alat t’fillah (someone
who reads the liturgy during the
worship service) educator and
professional leyner (a person
who chants Torah, Haftarah, or
megillah) at Reconstructionist,
Reform, Conservative and
unaffiliated congregations. She
served as the High Holy Day
cantor at TBE in 2012.
With a strong choral
background spanning classical,
Renaissance and world folk
music, Vera thrives on creating
communal singing experiences
in the services that she leads. She
has had the blessing of studying
drumming for the past year with
sacred drummer Mitch Gordon,
and enjoys incorporating
drumming into liturgy. Vera
lives in Cambridge, MA with her
husband Mike and small son
Jonathan. Visit Vera’s website at
http://verabroekhuysen.com for
recordings, original poetry, and
more information.
There is no charge, but
kindly R.S.V.P. to 733-4149 or
[email protected] so we
can plan accordingly.
Additional High
Holy Day Appeal
supporters
Responses to the High Holy Day Appeal
continue to come in. Since October 2, the
following generous members have added
their names to our list of donors. We are
grateful to them and to all who gave to the
appeal. Thanks to all of you, we have nearly
$65,000 in pledges, 25% of which will be
matched by our anonymous donor.
Brad & Jane Albert
Eric Barker &
Sharon Cohen
Peter Benjamin &
Liz Bramson
Sheila Blum
Neil & Claire Brittman
Steve & Amy Dane
Eric & Melinda Elman
Ben & Adena Falk
Jack Goldberg
Thelma Goldberg
Jonathan & Susan
Goldsmith
Boris & Olga Gorfinkel
Richard & Susan Halpern
Steve & Alisa Korn
Alexander & Tatyana
Kurbanov
Michael & Joy Leavitt
William & Jean Licht
Charlotte Meyer
Robert & Susanne
Osofsky
Adam Peck & Rhonda
Goldberg
Stan & Sue Polansky
David & Deborah Poppel
Carol Resnick
Caryn Resnick
Steve & Betty Ross
Alan & Laurie Seigel
Leonard & Susan Shaker
Ellen Shankman
Richard Sirkin &
Sue Heller
Joseph & Nancy Sklar
Jody & Tina Smith
Jonathan & Kimberly
Starkman
Etta Temina
Carol Halpern Wernick
Bruce Wintman &
Jonna Gaberman
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2 OUR JEWISH
COMMUNITY IS EVERYWHERE
We reached California on a Friday. That
night we attended services at my daughter’s
synagogue in Los Angeles. I found a similar
supportive atmosphere, not as effusive as that
in Hilton Head, but I didn’t need more than
what they offered. Each experience brought
me comfort. With each experience I was very
much aware of how my body was reacting;
aware of how both emotionally and viscerally
I was being affected. The healing had started.
It has been just one month since Jay’s
passing, and, while my healing journey isn’t
over, I feel I am on the way to becoming
whole.
Meet the Cayens
Jill Cayen
It was an honor to be asked to introduce
my family to the congregation. We are the
Cayens: David, Jill and Amelia. We live
in Chicopee; David works at the USPS in
Easthampton and I work at UMass Amherst
in Information Technology.
About 5-6 years ago, we were looking to
join a temple as Amelia was close to starting
Hebrew school. Coming from an interfaith/
blended family, it was important for us to
find the right temple for us. I grew up in
Brookline, MA, and my family were active
members of Temple Emeth. My parents were
involved in the brotherhood and sisterhood
as well as youth directors of the USY. My
sister and I were also involved in USY, serving
as officers as well as on the volleyball team
for many years. Temple Emeth was our
“home away from home.” My husband was
baptized as a baby but was not brought up
with any formal religious background. Not
having any family, on either side, closer than
an 1½ hour drive away, we were looking for a
temple to teach our daughter about Judaism,
but also to make the connections of having
a community, like a family here in Western
Massachusetts.
In our search, we came across a program
called “Try a Synagogue.” This is where
we met Rabbi Katz and other members of
Temple Beth El. We got there and right away
people from TBE introduced themselves
to us. We felt the sense of community and
family we were looking for. In speaking more
in depth with Rabbi Katz, one thing that
stood out to us was the emphasis of family
and acceptance. It just felt like the right fit for
our family, and we joined.
As much as the temple, through our
involvement with The Sandi Kupperman
Learning Center, is giving to us, we try to give
back where we can. David’s work schedule
prevents him from participating in a lot of
events, but he supports my involvement
by staying home with Amelia so I can be a
member of the SKLC Board of Education and
serve as the Coordinator of the SKLC PTO.
Whenever I am in the temple building
(mostly for SKLC classes and events), I get
the feeling of community and family like I
had when I was little. It was important for us
to share this same experience with Amelia.
That is why you can usually find me at the
temple on Mondays and Wednesdays while
Amelia is participating in the SKLC 3rd
grade and most Shabbat mornings, if we are
not traveling to see family. We look forward
to continuing the goal to teach Amelia
about being Jewish and the traditions,
as well as continuing to meet and make
more connections in the TBE and SKLC
community.
11
This list includes all donations of
at least $10 received between
September 19 - November 20, 2015.
IN OCTOBER & NOVEMBER
Aileen & Cliff Kramer, Debbie Polep,
Jeff Polep, and Sheila Goodless on
the birth of their granddaughter/greatgranddaughter, Harper Anne Kramer.
The baby was born on October 14 in
Springfield, and the proud parents
are Adam and Rachael Kramer of
Longmeadow.
Hy & Meryl Darling on the birth of their
grandson, George Samuel Darling. He
was born on October 15 to Steven and
Alison Darling of New York City.
Abbie & Meyer Weiss and Merton
Peck on the birth of their grandson
and great-grandson, Benjamin Reid
Stambovsky. The baby was born on
October 20 to Melissa and Jayson
Stambovsky of New York City.
Laura & David Hirsh on the birth of
their grandson, Zoli Benjamin, born
on October 24. The proud parents are
Andrea and Karen Weissman of Red
Bank, NJ.
Susan Weiss Firestone on being
installed on the Jewish Federations of
North America’s Executive Committee.
Susan will represent intermediate size
communities.
Myra & Jerry Gold on the Bat
Mitzvah of their granddaughter Molly
Samantha Gold, which was held
on November 7 at Temple Israel in
Westport, CT. She is the daughter of
Mark & Jennifer Gold, and sister of
Alex.
Paul & Esta Farkas on the
engagement of their daughter,
Melanie, to Douglas Stark. A June
wedding is being planned.
WINTER READING SUGGESTIONS
FROM RABBI KATZ
This is a great time of year to curl up with a good book. Here are
some recommendations by Rabbi Katz, along with a brief synopsis:
The Hare with Amber Eyes: A Hidden Inheritance by Edmund De
Waal. Edmund de Waal is a world-famous ceramicist. Having spent
30 years making beautiful pots, he has a particular sense of the
secret lives of objects. And so begins this extraordinarily moving
memoir and detective story as de Waal discovers both the story of
the netsuke and of his family, the Ephrussis, over five generations.
A Bride for One Night: Talmudic Tales by Ruth Calderon. Ruth
offers a fascinating window into some of the liveliest and most
colorful stories in the Talmud. She rewrites talmudic tales as richly
imagined fictions, drawing us into the lives of such characters as
the woman who risks her life for a sister suspected of adultery and a
humble schoolteacher who rescues his village from drought.
12
The Gratitude Diaries: How a Year Looking on the Bright Side Can
Transform Your Life by Janice Kaplan. Janice Kaplan spends a year
living gratefully and transforms her marriage, family life, work and
health. She brings readers on a smart and witty journey to discover
the value of appreciating what you have.
TEMPLE FUND
To our Torah Readers: Rose
Gevanthor, Max Chorowski, Mark
Sherman, Charlie Blumberg, Laura
Broad
To our Haftarah Readers: Mark
Sherman, Dennis Gordan, Max
Chorowski, Rose Gevanthor, Debbie
Lieberman, Adele Miller, Steve Weiner,
Gillian Weissman, Eugene Baker, Ellen
Ratner, Stanley Light
To our Service Leaders: Nina Katz,
Howard Hausman, Harlan Wahrman,
Bluma Bier
BREAKFAST SPONSORS:
In honor of the minyannaires
Herb Cohen
In honor of Rosh Hodesh
Mark Sherman
In gratitude for his recent
recovery from illness
Eugene Baker
In memory of Reverend David
Aminia’s mother, Hannah
Sharon Aminia
If you would like to sponsor a breakfast,
please contact Reverend Aminia at the
temple office at 733-4149.
KIDDUSH SPONSORS:
In honor of the Bat Mitzvah of their
daughter, Rose Gevanthor
Robert & Rebecca Gevanthor
In honor of the Bar Mitzvah of
their son, Charlie Blumberg
Mark & Jenny Blumberg
On the Yahrzeit of Rabbi’s
Mother, Charlotte Wallk
Rabbi Amy & Ken Katz
On the Yahrzeit of Mason’s
Mother, Therese Rapaport
Mason & Amy Rapaport
In honor of Suzanne’s 70th Birthday
Max & Suzanne Chorowski
A warm welcome to our new members:
Steve, Betty & Elyse Ross
Oleg & Alina Kogan and Family
We mourn the loss of the following
from October 1 through November 30.
Marlene (Micki) Rubin
Wife of Martin Rubin
Joseph Illouz
Father of Joel Illouz
Jay Albert Goldby
Brother of Sydney Hirsch
Sidney S. Goldberg
Brother of Shirley Levitz
Bernard Jellinger
Father of Robert Jellinger
Janet Weiss
Mollie Marcus
Helen Lapidus
Mother of Marcy Mekler
Joyce Burstein
Sister of Norman Burstein
Dorothy Berger Snapper
Sister of Toby Feinstein
The deadline for the March / April
issue is Friday, January 15. Please
email all articles or photos to
[email protected].
In memory of Janet
Aronson Weiss
Virginia N. H. Dodge
Bea Keene
Hal Rosenthal
Marc & Beth Andler
Richard M. Trepp
Sue, Jon, Jessica & Jordan Yorks
Richard & Meryl Weiss
Jan Shifren
Anne & Robert Selby
Harriet & Ralph Kaplan
Judy & Bill Mishkin
Roz & Brian Moore
Ruth Lunder
Amy & Adam Forman
Susan M. & William Lloyd
Steve & Joan Rosenthal
Roz & Sandy Levy
Susan Snyder
Joan & Michael Finn
Leslie & Mitchell Schwartz
Debra Ankeles & Robert Freedman
Rebecca N. Murphy
Ellen & Barry Turkanis
Doug, Claudia, Barry, Craig
& Sydney Rodenstein
Carol Resnick
Marion & Larry Kepnes
Shirley Akerman
Peyton Katz & family
Karen & David Rosenberg
Jane & Barry Shulman
Roz & Marty Goldberg
Toby M. Sloane
Ira & Judy Rosenberg
Deborah Wolfe & Jayne
Antonowsky
In memory of Phyllis Barr Lutz
Cindy & Louis Kornet
In memory of Sidney Goldberg
Marty Shepro
In memory of Joseph Illouz
Alan & Charlotte Zeller
Steven Lepow & family
In memory of Marlene Rubin
Tara & Steve Wolman
In memory of Jay Goldby
Tara & Steve Wolman
In memory of Joseph Casden
Elliot & Anne Bloom
In memory of Bernie Rubin
Elaine & Gary Fialky
Jane & Barry Shulman
In memory of Sidney Goldberg
Rae & Howie Davis
In memory of sister-in-law of
Mr. & Mrs. Marvin Levinson
Florence Gurwitz
In appreciation of receiving
Rosh HaShanah honor
Suzanne Rosenberg
Wishing Debbie Lieberman
a speedy recovery
Steven Lepow
In honor of baby naming
of Zara Linson
Alan & Bette Gerstein
In honor of aufruf of son of
Phyllis & Elliot Altman
Alan & Bette Gerstein
Mazel tov on Melanie
Farkas’ engagement
Phyllis Levenson
KIDDUSH FUND
In honor of Jason Altman’s
wedding to Danielle
Dorita & Mike Henderson
Happy special birthday
to Melvin Lavin
Mitzi & Larry Mackler
In gratitude to Mike Henderson
& Phyllis Levenson for great trip
Carol Resnick
Ruth Burstein
In honor of Max & Suzanne
Chorowski’s birthdays
Alan & Bette Gerstein
MINYAN FUND
Wishing Eugene Baker
a speedy recovery
Debbie Lieberman
In appreciation for Rev.
Aminia’s hard work during
the High Holy Days
Dorita & Mike Henderson
In memory of Judy Gerstein
Edward Gerstein
Donation made by
Elizabeth Stessel
In honor of the birth of Abbie
& Meyer Weiss’s grandson
Karen & Stan Winer
SANDI KUPPERMAN LEARNING
CENTER FUND
In honor of the Bat Mitzvah
of Rose Gevanthor
Shirley & Alan Levitz
In honor of Jordan
DiTusa’s Bat Mitzvah
Caryn Resnick
YAHRZEIT FUND
Kalman Lutz, beloved father
Arthur Lutz
William Bean, beloved father
Sue Bean Kline
Harry I. Morchower,
beloved father
Bea Loevy
Samuel Resnic, beloved father
Harold Resnic
Ruth Raker, beloved mother
Marcia Raker
Elliot Michaelson, beloved brother
Saul Michaelson
Celia Perlman, beloved mother
Sharon Rosenberg
Bernard Ginsberg, beloved father
Harlene Ginsberg
Doris Levine, beloved mother
I. Murray Levine
Marion Rubin, beloved
mother-in-law
Claire K. Rubin
Samuel D. Plotkin, beloved father
Daniel Plotkin
Seena Corn, beloved mother
David B. Corn
Nathan Winer, beloved father
Earl Winer
Adele Kaufman, beloved sister
Carol & Harvey Gloth
Naomi Goldberg, beloved mother
Linda Brenerman
Jay Posnik, beloved brother
Barbara P. Fishman
Isaac Shames, beloved father
Cantor Morton Shames
Naomi Goldberg, beloved mother
Ellis Goldberg
Jay Posnik, beloved husband
Laura Posnik
Dora Goldberg, beloved mother
Shirley Levitz
Judge Lawrence B. Wernick,
beloved husband
Carol Halpern Wernick
Harold Fine, beloved husband
Ina Fine
Fannie Shapiro, beloved mother
Anne Shapiro
Sheri Mandra, beloved sister
Alan Seigel
Morris Chain, beloved father
Shirley Shepro
Lucille Mackler Gonet,
beloved sister
Larry Mackler
Larry Malitz, beloved father
Leslie M. Kaim
David Gurwitz, beloved
father-in-law
Florence Gurwitz
Morris Keller, beloved
father-in-law
Frederic Brownstein
Ida Goldstein, beloved
grandmother
Sara Horowitz
Leonard R. Skvirsky,
beloved father
Paul S. Skvirsky
Merrill Robbins, beloved husband
Myrna Robbins
Roza Cherndbrov, beloved mother
Marina Pen
Kenneth Weinstein,
beloved father
Rochelle Hodes
Dorothy B. Katz, beloved wife
Morton Katz
Morris Leitzen, beloved father
Dolores Leitzen Hutner
Gertrude Lichtenthal,
beloved mother
Linda Spitz
Eli Rubin, beloved father
Roberta Goldberg
Max Leiter, beloved husband
Roslyn Leiter
William L. Levine, beloved father
I. Murray Levine
Philip Weiner, beloved father
Nancy Sklar
Hyman J. Kantrowitz,
beloved father
Allan Kantrowitz
Goldie Haase, beloved
mother-in-law
Carol Haase
Herman Polansky, beloved father
Stan Polansky
Herman G. Kinsler, beloved father
Claire K. Rubin
Jack Cohen, beloved father
Paul Cohen
Eva Gorodisher, beloved mother
Vladimir Gorodisher
Gedaliy Gorodisher,
beloved father
Vladimir Gorodisher
Dr. Edward Levitz, beloved father
Alan Levitz
Jonas Beck Heit, beloved father
Betsy Heit Gaberman
Reva Broder, beloved mother
Martin Broder
Rebecca Lavin, beloved
mother-in-law
Florence Lavin
Shirley Irving, beloved mother
Dr. Philip Irving
Dr. Oscar Resnick, beloved
brother-in-law
Carol Resnick
Sylvia Stein, beloved mother
Barbara Winer
Albert Bassell, beloved father
Robert Bassell
Beatrice Henderson,
beloved mother
Mike Henderson
Esther Silverman, beloved mother
Laurie Seigel
Ethel Wolkoff, beloved
grandmother
Stuart Anfang
David Irving Katz, beloved brother
Morton Katz
Jeannette Fleischner,
beloved mother
Robert Fleischner
Joel M. Greenfeld, beloved brother
Suzanne Rosenberg
Samuel Gold, beloved father
Jerry Gold
Grace Fingeroth, beloved mother
Rick & Harriet Fingeroth
Jeannette Skvirsky,
beloved mother
Gail Skvirsky-Bohn
Leonard Skvirsky, beloved father
Gail Skvirsky-Bohn
George Lichtenthal,
beloved father
Linda Spitz
Nancy Barr, beloved cousin
Bill Caplin & Mary Jenewin-Caplin
Joseph S. Lavin, beloved husband
Florence Lavin
Anna Binsky, beloved mother
Barbra Binsky
Helen Elbaum, beloved mother
Susan F. Corn
Ruth Shames, beloved mother
Cantor Morton Shames
Carole Katz Sirkin,
beloved sister-in-law
Callie Katz
William Silverman, beloved father
Laurie Seigel
Joseph G. Allen, beloved father
Carole & Harvey Gloth
Henry Sadow, beloved husband
Gladys Sadow
Bessie Posnick, beloved
mother-in-law
Freda Posnick
Dora Goldberg, beloved mother
Sam Goldberg
Alexander Goldberg,
beloved father
Sam Goldberg
Mendel Hurwitz, beloved father
Stuart & Joan Hurwitz
Phyllis Slone, beloved sister
June Gordenstein
Bernard Blum, beloved husband
Sheila Blum
Ethel Auerbach, beloved
mother-in-law
Ruth Auerbach
Herbert Feder, beloved husband
Norma Feder
Mary Feder, beloved
mother-in-law
Norma Feder
Rhoda Rosenberg, beloved mother
Glenn Rosenberg
Min Diamond, beloved mother
Bette Gerstein
Herman Baron, beloved
father & grandfather
Shirley, Howard & Lawrence Uman
Elizabeth Danforth,
beloved mother
Gary Danforth
Nathan Zellon, beloved uncle
Anne Shapiro
Tessie Goldberg, beloved mother
Jack Goldberg
Irving Sher, beloved father
Arthur Sher
Rose Metter, beloved mother
Freda Posnick
Barbara Levin, beloved mother
Maxine Bernstein
Morris Lewis, beloved brother
Florence Barowsky
Ruth Hirsch, beloved mother
Sydney & Jerry Hirsch
Leonard Vinick, beloved father
James E. Vinick
Norman Gurwitz, beloved husband
Florence Gurwitz
Rose Kramer, beloved
mother-in-law
Albert Goldberg
Sam Pincus, beloved father
Susan Burk
Hy Gloth, beloved father,
grandfather & great grandfather
Gloth Family
William F. Katz, beloved father
Morton Katz
William Katz, beloved father
Mildred Kitchener
Harry Jackowitz, beloved father
Herbert Jackowitz
Helen Robinson, beloved mother
Jan Draymore
Michael Feinstein, beloved father
Toby & Abe Feinstein
Adolph Katten, beloved father
Myra Gold
Michael Grodsky, beloved brother
The Grodsky Family
Benjamin Burk, beloved father
Susan & Ray Burk
Merrill Robbins, beloved father
Craig Robbins
Leala Okun, beloved wife
Harold Okun
David Goldberg, beloved husband
Thelma Goldberg
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Beatrice Henderson,
beloved mother
Mike Henderson
Mildred Cantor, beloved mother
Eugene Cantor
Max Cantor, beloved father
Eugene Cantor
Eleanor Cowen, beloved mother
Janice Cantor
David Cowen, beloved father
Janice Cantor
Florence Salvage, beloved mother
Paul Salvage
Howard Salvage, beloved brother
Paul Salvage
Manya Ruvinskaya,
beloved mother
Sofya Beylina
Paul Levenson, beloved
father-in-law
Phyllis Levenson
Harry Levine, beloved father
Phyllis Levenson
A. Neurick Goodman,
beloved father
Daniel Goodman
Roz Reiter, beloved mother
Charles Reiter
Bernard Broder, beloved father
Martin Broder
Herman Portney, beloved brother
Norma Feder
Frances Trager, beloved sister
Cantor Morton Shames
Abraham Firestone,
beloved father
Maxine Goldberg
THE SARAH & MAX OSOFSKY
NEHAMA (COMFORT) FUND
In honor of the special birthday
of Dr. Robert Osofsky
Andrea & Jonathan Chasen
Susan & David Porter
HESED FUND
In memory of Janet Weiss
Steven & Ellen Frankel
KATZ FAMILY LIBRARY FUND
Wishing Fred Spindler
a speedy recovery
Lewis B. Katz
In appreciation of Rhoda Peskin
Callie Katz
SANCTUARY RENOVATION FUND
Wishing Susan & Bill Firestone
a healthy & happy new year
Albert Goldberg & Miriam Lieff
LINDY P. FEINSTEIN MEMORIAL BOOK
FUND
In memory of Janet Weiss
Michele Feinstein
In honor of Andrew
Wernick’s engagement
Michele Feinstein
In memory of Edythe Scott
Scott Feinstein &
Michele Feinstein
ALAN GOLDBERG YOUTH FUND
In memory of Sidney Goldberg
Shelley Hodes & Steven Lepow
Mazel tov to Meyer & Abbie Weiss
on becoming grandparents
Shelley Hodes & Steven Lepow
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Mazel tov to Hyman &
Meryl Darling on becoming
grandparents
Shelley Hodes & Steven Lepow
In memory of David Lawrence
Shelley Hodes & Steven Lepow
WEINBAUM CHAPEL FUND
Mazel tov on the birth of
Benjamin Reid Stambovsky
Joyce Weinbaum
PHILIP & MIRIAM ZELLER
CHILDREN’S EDUCATIONAL FUND
In memory of Milton Birnbaum
Alan & Charlotte Zeller & family
CINDY JO KLIGERMAN YOUTH FUND
In memory of Irving H. Levine
Lillian Levine & family
In memory of Esther Millman
Lillian Levine & family
BERNARD & SARAH ALTMAN ISRAEL
SCHOLARSHIP MEMORIAL FUND
Mazel tov on Phyllis & Elliot
Altman’s son’s aufruf
Tara & Steve Wolman
RABBI’S DISCRETIONARY FUND
Thank you for a memorable
service. It was most inspiring.
Flora Smithline
In appreciation to Rabbi Katz
Michael & Dorita Henderson
Elliot & Anne Bloom
Albie Goldberg & Miriam Lieff
Wishing Rick Ratner a
speedy recovery
Martha Finkel
In honor of Sue’s aliyah
on Rosh HaShanah
Sue & Stan Polansky
For Yizkor at Yom Kippur
Sue & Stan Polansky
In appreciation for the
beautiful service at Jason
& Danielle’s wedding
Elliot & Phyllis Altman
In memory of Jay Goldby
Sue & Stan Polansky
Martin & Marion Broder
TREE OF LIFE
A leaf on the Tree of Life was
recently purchased:
In honor of the birth of
our granddaughter,
Harper Ann Ryan
Born November 26, 2014
Steven & Donna Feldman
A stone was purchased:
In honor of Nancy N. Cole’s
80th Birthday
Edward, Michelle & Jade Bettigole
David, Ellen & Eric Redden
Lisa R. Nathan
Leaves for the Tree of Life may be
purchased for $250 and stones
may be purchased for $2,500 to
honor a friend or family member.
Please contact Rhoda Peskin at
733-4149 if you would like to
order a leaf or stone.
YAHRZEIT PLAQUES
Yahrzeit plaques are a 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.
DO WE HAVE YOUR
EMAIL ADDRESS?
Sometimes Temple Beth El
news needs to reach you fast. Tekiah
is only published bi-monthly, so to
keep our congregation up-to-date,
we rely on email. Whether it’s our weekly Shabbat-aGram, a message about a death in our congregation,
an invitation to a special event, educational and
provocative messages from Rabbi Katz, or Mazel
Tov announcements about births, engagements and
marriages, we need your email address to deliver this
information to you.
If you are not already receiving this information,
please call the temple office at 733-4149 or email
[email protected]. We will never
share your email address with anyone outside of our
congregation.
ANNUAL MEETING
March 8
Temple Beth El’s annual meeting will be held on
Sunday, March 6 at 10:30 am. Members will have the
opportunity to vote on the slate of Officers and new
Trustees. There will also be reports on the temple’s
activities over the past 12 months, as well as plans for
the upcoming year. The slate of officers and Trustees
will be disseminated before the meeting. Please plan
to be there.
CAMP SCHOLARSHIPS
As we do every year, Temple Beth El is proud
to be able to provide scholarships to our member
children to attend Jewish summer camps as well as
summer programs in Israel. Some of the scholarships
are need-based and others are open to everyone.
The deadline for applications is Friday, January 29.
Please call the temple office at 733-4149 or e-mail us
at [email protected] to request an application
form.
2018 B’NEI MITZVAH
TO BE SCHEDULED
Attention all families with children who will
be turning 13 in 2018. Cantor Elise Barber will be
sending you a letter in January about selecting a date
for your child’s Bar/Bat Mitzvah. The children whose
names we have are: Samuel Blumberg, Leo Chiz,
Noa DiTusa, Harry Gevanthor, Anna Gorfinkel, Dora
Mehlman, Talia Rapaport, Jake Ratner and Reece
Robbins. If your child’s name does not appear on this
list, please call Cantor Barber at 733-4149 so that we
can be sure to include him or her in our planning.
What’s happening at Temple Beth El
Adult Education Programs
Cuppa Joe – Sundays, January 10, 17, 24, 31,
February 7, 14, 21, 28 at 9:00 am
Lunch & Learn – Wednesdays, February 3, 10,
24 at 12:00 pm
Programs for Children
SKLC Classes – Mondays, January 4, 11,
25, February 1, 8, 22, 29 and Wednesdays,
January 6, 13, 20, 27, February 3, 10, 24 at
3:00 pm
Adult Social
Events
Dinner & Movie Night –
Wednesdays, November
18 & December 16 at
7:00 pm
January 29 – Kabbalat Shabbat 6:00 pm
Candle Lighting 4:43 pm
January 30 – Shabbat Yitro
Havdalah 5:43 pm
February 5 – Kabbalat Shabbat 6:00 pm
Candle Lighting 4:52 pm
February 6 – Shabbat Mishpatim
Havdalah 5:52 pm
February 12 – Shabbat Zimrah 6:00 pm
Candle Lighting 5:01 pm
February 13 – Shabbat T’rumah
Havdalah 6:01 pm
Board Meeting
February 19 – Kabbalat Shabbat 6:00 pm
Candle Lighting 5:10 pm
Tot Shabbat – February 6 at 11:00 am
Board of Trustees – Wednesdays, November
18 & December 16 at 7:00 pm
February 20 – Shabbat T’tzavveh
Havdalah 6:10 pm
Babysitting – January 9,
February 6 & 13 from 10:00 am
to end of services
Shabbat Information
February 26 – Kabbalat Shabbat 6:00 pm
Candle Lighting 5:18 pm
B’Yahad – Thursdays, January 7, 14, 21, 28,
February 4, 11, 25 at 6:30 pm
SKLC Annual Retreat for 6th - 12th Grade
January 8 & 9
Family Shabbat Program at Sinai Temple for
Kindergarten - 4th Grade – Friday, January 22
at 6:00 pm
TBE/Sinai Teen Film Night at TBE for 8th - 12th
Grade – Saturday, January 30 at 6:30 pm
Family Shabbat for Kindergarten - 7th Grade –
Friday, February 26 at 6:00 pm
Programs for All Ages
Beit Café – Saturday, January 30 at 7:00 pm
Social Action Events
Loaves and Fishes – Wednesday, January 20
& February 17 at 11:45 am
Shiloh Seventh Day Adventist Church –
Sunday, January 24 & February 28
at 4:45 pm
January 1 – Kabbalat Shabbat 6:00 pm
Candle Lighting 4:11 pm
January 2 – Shabbat Sh’mot
Havdalah 5:11 pm
January 8 – Shabbat Zimrah 6:00 pm
Candle Lighting 4:18 pm
January 9 – Shabbat Va-era
Havdalah 5:18 pm
January 15 – Kabbalat Shabbat 6:00 pm
Candle Lighting 4:25 pm
January 16 – Shabbat Bo
Havdalah 5:25 pm
January 22 – Kabbalat Shabbat 6:00 pm
Candle Lighting 4:34pm
January 23 – Shabbat B’Shallah –
Shabbat Shirah Performance with
Vera Broekhuysen
Havdalah 5:34 pm
February 27 – Shabbat
Ki Tissa with
Speaker Ed Feld
Havdalah 6:18 pm
Office Closings
January 1 – New Year’s Day
January 18 – Martin Luther King Jr. Day
February 15 – Presidents Day
Sandi Kupperman Memorial Event & Hanukkah Show
Temple Beth El
(413) 733-4149 (413) 739-3415 Fax [email protected] www.TBESpringfield.org
NON-PROFIT
ORGANIZATION
US POSTAGE
PAID
SPRINGFIELD, MA
PERMIT NO. 327
979 Dickinson Street, Springfield, Massachusetts 01108
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]
Sandi Kupperman Memorial
Event & Hanukkah Show
16