Purim Fun Abounds A Caring Community

Volume 156, Issue 8
MARCH’S
HIGHLIGHTS
Adar/Nisan 5775
March 2015
Purim Fun Abounds
Your Confirmation Story
B’nai Israel marks more than a century
of Confirmation classes this spring.
What is your Confirmation memory?
Details on Page 2.
One Temple! One Book!
Let’s all get on the same page! Read
Atul Gawande’s “Being Mortal,” and
join Rabbi Prosnit for a discussion on the
book on Monday, March 30, at 7:00 p.m.
Details on Page 6.
Still Time to Vote
Voting for delegates to this year’s World
Zionist Congress continues through
April 30. Make your voice heard!
Details on Page 2.
Marking a Milestone
Join us in May as we celebrate Ira Wise’s
20 years as our Director of Education
with special guest lecturers, a service and
celebration. Details on Page 2.
More Inside
Rabbi Prosnit.......................................P.3
BIFTY..................................................P.4
Adult Learning.....................................P.6
Education Center..................................P.7
Bonim Preschool..................................P.8
One of Us.............................................P.9
Donations...........................................P.10
Shabbat Services................................P.16
Share Your Seder
Passover is soon upon us, with the first
Seder on Friday evening, April 3. There
will be no Shabbat services that evening
as we celebrate in our homes. Still, not
everyone has a Seder to join, but you
can help change that. Please contact
Rabbi Prosnit, Rabbi Schultz or Cantor
Blum to invite guests to your Seder
table or if you would like to be a guest at
someone else’s.
Sgt. Prosnit’s Lonely Hearts Club Band? You never know what surprises Purim
will bring. From left, Rabbi Prosnit, Rabbi Schultz and Cantor Blum took a
Beatles-themed approach to last year’s festivities.
Grab your costume and some
Hamantaschen and join us during the
first week of March for Purim, perhaps
our most festive holiday. It’s time to
celebrate Queen Esther’s heroism in
fighting the evil Haman.
We get things started on Wednesday,
March 4 at 6:00 p.m., with a brief, all-
ages service featuring the Junior Choir.
Then, the B’nai Israel Players will present
our 2015 version of Megilat Esther: “The
Purim Story through Song, Parody and
Many Surprises.”
On Sunday, March 8, it’s time for our
annual Purim Carnival. Join us right after
the end of the Religious School session
Continued on Page 5
A Caring Community
Congregation B’nai Israel always works
at being a caring community – supportive
and helpful to each other in times of need
and recognizing each other’s occasions
of joy and sorrow. We have for many
years had Caring Committees, aiming to
be helpful in a variety of ways. And so,
we continue that tradition of concern and
care under a new name – THE CHESED
PROGRAM. Chesed connotes loving
kindness, and as our tradition teaches us,
the world stands on three things: study,
prayer and g’milut chasadim, from the
word “chesed” – acts of kindness.
Impelled by our desire to care for one
another, a small group of congregants
along with our clergy have worked to
define the scope of the program and
develop a structure to make it work.
We know we cannot be all things to all
people, but we, as a congregation, want
to be responsive to one another.
As a place to start, we will offer the
following assistance:
1) Making and delivering food (soup
or a meal) to a family when illness occurs
or when the joy of a newborn changes the
household routine.
2) Providing rides to congregants to
synagogue services/events and to healthrelated appointments.
3) Visiting those who are alone/isolated
and are unable to get out easily.
We hope you are willing to respond
Continued on Page 6
Bulletin Board
Over 100 Years of Confirmation
In early June, Congregation B’nai
Israel will celebrate the anniversary
of one of our most uplifting lifecycle
events, Confirmation. Photographs of
clergy and Confirmands dating back
to 1915 are proudly displayed on the
walls outside the Temple’s library, but
records show the event is even older.
As part of the commemoration, we are
asking you to share your memories
of that time in your life with our
congregation. Please take a moment
to contact Larry Levine at llevine@
cbibpt.org and relate thoughts of this
Sharing our Joy . . .
Congratulations to:
Frederic and Sharon West, on
the birth of granddaughter, Avery
Isla West, daughter of Kelly and
Eric West
Jerry Saunders and Elaine
Appellof, on the birth of grandson,
Harris Ligon Stewart, son of Ellie and
Philip Stewart
Judith and Bob Chessin, on the birth
of granddaughter, Madeleine Emma
Blair, daughter of Sarah Chessin Blair
and Fran Blair
Jan and Bernie Jacobs, on the birth
of granddaughter, Stella Aponte,
daughter of Dana and Jason Aponte,
sister of Amelia Aponte
Amy and Michael Moorin, on the
marriage of daughter, Samantha
Moorin to George Moore
Sincere Sympathy . . .
wonderful event in your life. Celebrate Ira Wise’s Milestone
On May 1 and 2, we will celebrate
Ira Wise’s 20th Anniversary as our
Director of Education.
We will pay tribute to Ira during
Shabbat Services Friday night May 1.
The celebration will include an Oneg,
the Junior Choir and guest speaker
Dr. Evie Levy Rotstein, Director of
the New York School of Education
at Hebrew Union College – Jewish
Institute of Religion. The evening
continues with a Shabbat dinner and
discussion with Dr. Rotstein.
On Saturday, May 2, Dr. Rotstein will
join us for Torah Study, followed by
Brunch and Learn for all past and
present Religious School teachers
If you wish to help with this event,
please
contact
Susan
Walden
at [email protected] or
(203) 338-0678.
Interfaith Seder
Congregation B’nai Israel will
Vote & Make a Difference
Here’s a simple way to make a big
difference – VOTE IN THE WORLD
ZIONIST CONGRESS ELECTION.
HOW? Go to www.reformjews4isr
ael.org to register and then vote by
April 30th. Don’t have a computer?
Forms for securing paper ballots are in
the Temple office.
WHOM DO I VOTE FOR? We
would never tell you whom you had
to vote for. BUT, if you’re looking
for a suggestion, here it is: “ARZA:
Representing Reform Judaism.”
AM I ELIGIBLE TO VOTE? If you
are Jewish, will be 18 years or older
by June 30, and are a resident of the
United States. There is a processing fee
of $10 if you are 30 or over, and $5 if
you are under 30.
2710 Park Avenue Bridgeport, CT 06604
(203) 336-1858 • www.cbibpt.org
The Bulletin of Congregation B’nai Israel is published every month except July.
James Prosnit, D.D. ............................ Rabbi
Evan Schultz ................................... Rabbi
Arnold I. Sher, D.D. ............... Rabbi Emeritus
Sheri E. Blum, D.M. ........................... Cantor
We extend our sympathy to the
bereaved families of:
Ramon Gilbert, D.M. .......... Cantor Emeritus
Lucille
Subbiondo,
sister
of
Sylvia Askinazi
Georgiana Sandberg, grandmother of
Stacy Sheiman
Ida Pearlstein, mother of Sondra
Germain, grandmother of Stacy Berlin.
Alexa Cohen .......... Early Childhood Director
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host the Tent of Abraham Interfaith
Passover Seder on Thursday, March
26 at 7:00 p.m. For more information,
to attend or to volunteer, contact the
Temple office at (203) 336-1858.
Ira J. Wise, R.J.E. .......... Director of Education
Robert H. Gillette, R.J.E. ... Educator Emeritus
Abby Rohinsky ............... Director of Facility
Officers
Samuel J. Rosenberg ........................ President
Michael Blumenthal .......... 1st Vice President
Larry Levine ............................. Vice President
Shari Nerreau ........................... Vice President
Julie Pressman .......................... Vice President
Lori Underberger ............................ Treasurer
Jim Greenberg ................. Assistant Treasurer
Evelyn Rubak ................................... Secretary
Joe Varon .......................... Financial Secretary
Mindy Siegel ........... Immediate Past President
Affiliates
Marisa Underberger ............................................ BIFTY Advisor/Youth Engagement Specialist
Caroline DelAngelo & Harper Wise .......................................................... BIFTY Co-Presidents
What’s happening at the Temple? Get Hashavua, our weekly email. Send your request to Lynn at [email protected].
From the Rabbi's Desk
Israel Elections –Politics There! Politics Here!
March 17 may be St. Patrick’s Day around
here, but for Israel watchers, it will be a
fascinating and important election day
there. Will Prime Minister Binyamin
Netanyahu’s Likud Party receive the
support necessary to once again form
a government, or will the left-leaning
coalition of Tzipi Livini and Isaac Herzog
defeat Israel’s longstanding prime minister?
To be certain, there are major issues facing
the Israeli electorate this year:
1) The instability in the region
fueled by ISIS and Iran.
2) The desire of Palestinians to
have a state.
3) The need to reduce the
economic and social inequality between
Israel’s Arab and Jewish citizens.
4) The balancing of economic
growth and the success of “start-ups” with
the growing inequality between rich and
poor in Israel.
friendly AIPAC conference will allow
some free electioneering and a chance to
paint Herzog and Livini as bad for Israel.
While politicians do these things all the
time, and parties in power have certain
such advantages, it will be interesting to
see if his hand is not overplayed to the
consternation of the Israeli electorate.
5) The desire to ensure that Israel
remains a democratic state.
6) The willingness to address the
perennial thorny issue of religion and state.
But around here, much of the conversation
has been the breach of protocol with Prime
Minister Netanyahu accepting House
Speaker John Boehner’s request to address
the U.S. Congress without first consulting
the White House. To my mind, the
“incident”
of
protocol
has
much to do with
politics – both
there and here.
Politics there:
Netanyahu
acceded
to
S p e a k e r
Boehner
and
circumvented
President
Obama because
he
probably
believes
that
speaking
in
Wa s h i n g t o n
will help him
in
Jerusalem.
Netanyahu may
be addressing the
U.S. Congress,
but his intended
audience,
two
weeks
before
the
election,
is the voter in
Israel. Similarly,
his
presence
before
the
Politics here: Speaker’s Boehner’s
invitation was a way to challenge Mr.
Obama’s foreign policy agenda in
general and, most specifically, focus on
the intensity of sanctions on Iran. Many
Republicans in the House and Senate
(and some Democrats, too) would like to
impose harsher sanctions on Iran in view
of a possible agreement about nuclear
weapons. The Obama Administration feels
that such additional sanctions would scuttle
the interim agreement, and has pushed for
additional time for the negotiators. How
much time and when should additional
sanctions be imposed is a worthwhile
debate for Congress to have. To be sure, an
Iran with nuclear capabilities would be a
very dangerous thing for Israel, the Middle
East and us. This visit of the Prime Minister,
however, feeds into our political divisions
and distracts from the rather formidable
issue of how to prevent a nuclear Iran.
Like many, I’m dubious that the United
States and Iran will reach a deal that will
really defuse Iran’s nuclear weapons
program. Such a failure would be very
serious and could end up, one day, with
the U.S. deciding it has to use military
force to set back Iran’s program. We surely
don’t want Iran to get a bomb that sets off
a nuclear arms race in an already unstable
Middle East.
But here I agree with Thomas Friedman’s
recent assessment that “even if we do use
force, success is hardly assured and the
blowback unpredictable. That is why it is
absolutely not in Israel’s interest to give
even the slightest appearance of nudging
America toward such a military decision.
… Just lie low, Mr. Netanyahu. Don’t
play in our politics. Let America draw its
own conclusions.”
Donation Item of the Month: Cans of tuna for Spooner House in Shelton.
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BIFTY
Making new friends at the BIFTY Kindergarten Games event in January.
Getting a Broader Perspective
BIFTY is part of a larger youth group association, the National
Federation of Temple Youth, or NFTY, a youth movement
that is part of the Union of Reform Judaism (URJ). NFTY
seeks to bring Jewish teenagers together from around the
country to learn, study and have fun. Ally Underberger and
Alex Taylor are BIFTY’s NFTY Representatives.
Thank you to everyone who joined us at our Havdalah
service and Shul-In!
All events are held in the BIFTY Lounge from
7:00-8:30 p.m.:
What does being the NFTY Rep entail?
March 12 – Purim Party!
March 19 – Mad Science Night
March 26 – B’nai Mitzvah Games
AT: I go to the NFTY events and bring ideas back to use
at BIFTY.
Like “BIFTY” on Facebook!
Follow “BIFTYPage” on Instagram!
AU: I attend all of the NFTY events, take pictures, and
encourage other BIFTY teens to come.
What is your involvement in NFTY?
AT: I have attended NFTY Leadership Institute. It was great.
I learned so much about how to become a better and more
effective leader in youth group and in the community.
AU: I have been to Fall Conclavette and Levi Leap. I attend
the programs they have and have a ton of fun. As the NFTY
Rep, I am also able to vote at NFTY meetings.
Why should other teens go to NFTY events?
AT: NFTY events give you the opportunity to meet teenagers
from all over. You get to learn while making new friends.
It is also an opportunity to reconnect with old friends and
camp friends.
AU: NFTY events are a ton of fun! You get to meet new
Jewish teens from all over the Northeast. If you attend a URJ
camp, some of your camp friends will be there as well.
4
Tell us your B’nai Israel story. See “One of Us” on Page 9 for details.
From Rabbi Schultz
The Other Holiday about Miracles
Quick word association: If I said,
“Jewish holiday about miracles …,”
how would you reply? I would guess
that most would answer “Chanukah,”
including myself. That would certainly
be the expected answer, as each year we
eat our latkes and light our menorahs to
celebrate both the miracle of the oil and
the miracle of the Maccabees defeating
the Assyrian army. As we light the
menorah each night, we recite the
blessing, “She-asah nisim l’avoteinu,
You who performed miracles for
our ancestors,” showing gratitude to
God for the miracles which lie at the
core of our Chanukah observance
and celebration.
Chanukah, however, is not the
only Jewish holiday in which we
acknowledge and celebrate miracles.
The holiday of Purim, which begins
on the evening of March 4, is also a
narrative of miracles. I don’t know if
the Maccabees hired a better branding
firm than Esther and Mordechai, but
many simply do not associate the
holiday of Purim as a celebration of
nisim, of miracles. In fact, the megillah
of Esther has a great deal to teach
us about the nature of miracles and
how we can recognize them in our
daily lives.
Let’s examine this text written by
Rabbi David Abudirham, a 14th-century
Spanish rabbi. In his piece, “Blessings
on Sightings, Praise and Gratitude,” he
First, the annulment of a royal
decree was the opposite of
the laws of Persia and Medea
(Haman issues a royal decree
to annihilate all of the Jews on
the 13th of Adar; it was later
annulled). And second, that
the king went against his own
people on account of his love
for a single woman – which is
not in the course of nature …
“THE MEGILLAH OF
ESTHER HAS A GREAT
DEAL TO TEACH US
ABOUT THE NATURE
OF MIRACLES”
attempts to answer the question
of when a person should say the
blessing over seeing a miracle.
He writes:
Rabbi Asher of Lunel
(Southern France, 12th century)
wrote that a person should say
a blessing only over a miracle
that deviates from the normal
pattern or course of nature –
such as the crossing of the Sea
of Reeds…
And if you were to say, “But
Purim was a miracle in the
normal course of nature …,”
one could argue that Purim does
deviate from the normal course
of nature, for two reasons.
For these two reasons we recite the
prayer, “Al ha-nisim, we thank You
for the miracles,” during the holiday of
Purim. The text by Rabbi Abudirham
teaches that a miracle is something
that “deviates from the normal course
of nature.” This doesn’t refer only to
miracles of nature, such as the parting
of the Sea of Reeds, but also, as we
see in the case of Esther and King
Achasueros, acting totally irrational
in the face of love, or breaking the
law to act for justice (think America
and segregation laws). These two,
according to our tradition, are miracles!
So next time you do something
completely irrational for the one you
love, or if you break the rules for a just
cause, these too are miracles, and we
recognize and bless them as such. May
we each recognize and celebrate these
miracles during the season of Purim.
Chag Sameach!
Purim Fun Abounds...Continued From Page 1
that day, from Noon to 2:00 p.m., in the
Social Hall.
There will be games galore, a cakewalk
and a fabulous Moon Bounce. Dress to
impress in your favorite costume. There will be plenty of Hamentaschen
to nosh on. Pizza, snacks and drinks will
also be available for additional purchase
by the Brotherhood.
For just $10, you’ll get you a wristband
that lets you play unlimited games so you
can win new prizes and have tons of fun.
We need volunteers to help with the
Carnival. So if you have questions or
are interested in volunteering, please
email Hallie Levine at hzlevine@
aol.com or Marla Dankenbrink at [email protected]. We want you in the Bulletin! Send your news to editor Scott Smith at [email protected].
5
Adult Jewish Learning at Congregation B'nai Israel
One Temple! One Book! “Being
Mortal,” by Atul Gawande
Monday, March 30 at 7:00 p.m.
We invite you and, if you have one,
your book group to read “Being Mortal” by Atul Gawande between now
and March 30,
and then join
Rabbi Prosnit
for a conversation about the
book.
Rabbi
Prosnit says: “This is not a book that’s
just focused on the right to die. Its concern is how best to live as we age and
how best to protect ourselves and our
loved ones when end-of-life illnesses
and diminishments approach.” This is
an enormously compelling topic and
should lead to a wonderful conversation. Last year we had a fantastic conversation with more than 60 people for
Ari Shavit’s “My Promised Land.” We
expect an equally lively meeting on
the 30th. Books are available for purchase in the Temple office.
Adult Round Table
First Thursday of Every
Month at 12:30 p.m.
Next meetings are
March 5 and April 2
A discussion about
current events for anyone who wants
to go beyond the headlines. Facilitated
by Gloria Katz. Join us on the first
Thursday of every
month, and bring a sandwich, your
opinion and an open mind.
Rosh Chodesh – Women’s Group
With Rabbi Suri Krieger
Thursday, March 19 at 7:30 p.m.
The waxing and waning of lunar cycles
have been a guiding force for women
throughout the ages, both literally and
spiritually. Since the Jewish feminist
m o v e m e n t
reclaimed
Rosh
Chodesh in the
1970s,
women
have
been
gathering on a monthly basis to
acknowledge and celebrate. The form
of this celebration has taken on many
faces, including ancient
text,
contemporary
outreach,
food
and fantasy.
Judaism
and
the
Afterlife
Lifelong
Learning – Fridays at
Noon, March 6 and 13
Our tradition may be
less definitive, but it
is nonetheless strong
about life after life. Learn more with
(soon-to-be Rabbi) Barbara Paris.
Israel: Living the Dream While
Grappling with the Reality
Kabbalat Shabbat: Israeli Style
Friday, March 20 following services
and an Israel Festival, around 8:00 p.m.
Rabbi Josh Weinberg is the President
of ARZA, the Association of Reform
Zionists of America. He was recently
ordained from the HUC-JIR Israeli
Rabbinic Program in Jerusalem, and
is
currently
living in New
York City. Josh
previously served
as the Director
of the Israel
program for the Reconstructionist
Rabbinical College and as a faculty
member of NFTY-EIE High School
in Israel, teaching Jewish History.
Josh is a reserve officer in the IDF
spokesperson’s unit, has hiked the
Israel-trail, and made Aliyah to Israel
in 2003.
What to Expect at …
Mondays, March 2, 9, 16, 23rd
at 7:30-9:00 p.m.,
B’nai Israel Library
This course is for anyone who has ever
walked into a Jewish ritual, service or
setting and felt alienated or curious to
know more. Together we will explore
eight Jewish rituals and customs,
from Shabbat prayer services, to a
typical Shabbat dinner, to the Grace
after Meals, to the rituals of shiva and
mourning. Each week we will focus
on two rituals. Stay posted to the
Hashavua newsletter for our weekly
topics. All are welcome! Hope to have
you join with Rabbi Schultz!
CHESED...Continued From Page 1
when someone is in need. We ask you
to speak up if you or someone in the
Congregation whom you know might
want some support or help or connection.
The Chesed Program will make the
connection between the helper and the
person needing help.
will treat each request for assistance with
the utmost discretion.
One of the cornerstones of the Program
is confidentiality. Rabbis Prosnit and
Schultz, Cantor Blum, the other members
of the Temple staff and Chesed volunteers
Our plan is to spread the helping around
so that no one feels overwhelmed.
And in the process of helping, many
of us can make connections and
6
Please contact Barbara Abraham
(203-261-6152; [email protected])
with any questions or to volunteer for
one of the activities.
relationships with one another that truly
weave the Congregation together as a
caring community.
Thank you.
Barbara Abraham, Wendy Hyman, Janet
Jurow, Liz Nigrosh, Sam Rosenberg,
Jerry Saunders and Rachel Yurdin.
Have the kids left home? Then it’s a perfect time to ReConnect with B’nai Israel. Contact Mindy Siegel at [email protected].
From The Education Center
Inside The Beltway
On the last night of Confirmation
class at Merkaz, Rabbi Prosnit and I
sometimes ask the students to write a
letter to next year’s class. We put a giant
Post-It note on the wall, and they take
turns writing a sentence of the letter. We
share it with the incoming sophomores
in the fall. These letters are filled with
lots of advice and plenty of love and
affection for the whole process of
Confirmation and for one another – as
their connection to each other and their
Jewish identity has grown so much.
Invariably, someone will write
something like “do whatever you have
to do to be able to go on the RAC trip.”
And someone else might say something
along the lines of “I didn’t make L’taken
a priority, and I regretted it all year!”
Each year we take the class to the
RAC’s – the Religious Action Center
of Reform Judaism – L’taken weekend.
L’taken means “to repair” and is the root
of Tikkun Olam – “repairing the world.”
The RAC is the Reform movement’s
lobby in Washington D.C.The staff
the laws currently under consideration
intersect. Then they pick their issues,
put on nice clothes and go up to Capitol
Hill to lobby OUR Congressmen and
their staff.
monitor bills going through the
legislative process and weigh in on our
behalf on those issues about which our
movement feels ethically compelled
to engage – issues like a woman’s
right to choose, gun safety, economic
justice, LGBTQ discrimination and
Malaria reduction, to name just a few.
It is also the place where the NAACP
and the SCLC leaders, like Dr. Martin
Luther King Jr., gathered with our
rabbis and the staff of the RAC to write
what became much of the civil rights
legislation of 1964.
Over the course of four days, students
learn how lobbying impacts the creation
of law and about how Jewish values and
One of the parents, Susan Zweibaum
Smith, said afterward: “This … was a
wonderful way for our children to bond
as classmates, meet other teens from
around the country and explore the
issues facing us in the United States.
They may look at these issues as part
of school, but through this experience,
they were able to get deeper meaning
on how we as Jews view them and why
they are important to them as citizens
and Jews.”
Her daughter, Elena, said it “was a
unique experience that allowed me to
not only better my understanding of
the world around me but also better my
understanding of how Jewish beliefs
connect to the outside world. I lobbied
to Congress about reproductive rights
and education.”
And the experience is so much more
than ideas and politics. Scott Schneider
said, “It was a lot of fun!”
I think Ally Underberger sums it up
best, saying the experience was “not
at all what I expected. It was so much
fun and worth missing school. I talked
about Violence Against Women.” As these teens make their way toward
confirming their connection to the
Jewish people and Judaism, I believe
it is safe to say that our future is in
good hands!
L’shalom,
Ira J. Wise, R.J.E.
Director of Education
Lobbying in a Congressional staffer.
What’s happening at the Temple? Get Hashavua, our weekly email. Send your request to Lynn at [email protected].
7
Journey to
New Worlds
Our B’nai Israel Library can take us
out of our everyday world and into the
hearts and minds of some of the great
Jewish writers of today! As we remember
March as Women’s Month and the month
of Purim, let’s look at a few choices
that adults and children can make from
our collection:
 Imagine spending March in Ireland. If
you read “Kaddish in Dublin,” by John
Brady, you will be immersed in the life
of a community that we rarely hear about.
The book contains all of the elements of
an excellent mystery, with contemporary
issues woven into a fascinating plot.
 “The Invisible Bridge,” by Julie
Orringer, opens the window to Paris,
Budapest and a group of people who
coped with the tragedies that marked the
1930s and ’40s.
 For a new approach to the Civil War,
Dara Horn’s historical novel “All
Other Nights” highlights the lives and
complex roles that some Jews played in
that conflict.
We also have some great selections for
our younger readers:
 Sharon Baker’s beautifully written and
illustrated “All Kinds of Strong” honors
the strength of women who were part of
the large wave of Jewish immigration
to the United States during the late
19th century.
 To celebrate both women and Purim, we
have Barbara Diamond Goldin’s “Cakes
and Miracles: A Purim Tale,” a moving
story of a gifted blind boy who, with the
inspiration of the angel who comes to
him in his dreams, helps his mother and
in doing so helps his whole village.
 “The Mystery Bear: A Purim Story,” by
Leone Adelson, is an enchanting tale that
weaves traditional elements of fairy tales
with the fantastic costumes and hoopla
of Purim.
Procedures for borrowing and returning
books are posted on the desk in
the library.
The Library Ladies
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Bonim Preschool
Bonim preschool students celebrate Tu B’Shevat with a Seder last month.
Celebrating The Winter Holidays
As the snow begins to melt (we hope) and
thoughts of spring fill our heads, we take
the time to celebrate the last two Jewish
winter holidays before Passover.
Tu B’Shevat
In most of North America, it is still a little
too cold for outdoor planting, so we are
planting seeds inside instead. Planting a
tree in Israel through the Jewish National
Fund is a wonderful way to honor
someone or pay tribute to someone’s
memory. A tradition on Tu B’Shevat is to
taste new fruits, especially fruits native
to Israel, such as almonds, figs, carob and
dates. Some people have a Tu B’Shevat
Seder, tasting fruits and drinking wine in
different shades to represent each season.
Here at Bonim Preschool we celebrated
with a school-wide Seder led by
Rabbi Schultz.
Tu B’Shevat reminds us that it is our
responsibility to care for the earth.
Brainstorm with your child ways you can
recycle and save energy in your home.
Plant seeds at home – nothing grows
faster (and is more rewarding to a child
with limited ability to delay gratification)
than birdseed on top of a sponge in a pan
of water. You can also plant parsley now
and use it at your Passover Seder.
Purim
The holiday of Purim is fast approaching.
The children have begun to hear about
the wicked deeds of Haman and how a
gentle man named Mordechai and his
lovely cousin Queen Esther saved the
Jewish people. We have been retelling
the story of Purim to the children in class
as well as in music with Cantor Blum.
We have also been busy making yummy
hamentashen. Stop by to see us, and we
will be sure to share a cookie or two
with you.
We will be celebrating Purim in school
on Wednesday, March 4 and Thursday,
March 5. It is a tradition that children
dress up in costumes for Purim. They
always enjoy parading through the
hallways and visiting the front office to
show off their costumes. The children will
be participating in an in-school carnival
as well on those days. The culmination of
the holiday will be during Purim services
on March 4, including a sure-to-be funny
spiel as well as the synagogue-wide
Purim Carnival on March 8. Join us if
you can.
Alexa Cohen
This spring, help us celebrate Ira Wise’s 20th anniversary as our Director of Education. See Page 2.
One of Us: Sandi Michaelson
A Steady Relationship Amid Constant Change
From childhood to parenthood, from job
search to international career distinction,
from religious school student to Torah
reader and Temple leadership roles,
Sandi Michaelson says her relationship
with Judaism has not changed much.
“I question more today, but I have
questioned things since I was 13,”
she says.
call from Rabbi Prosnit.
“He said, ‘We want you to know there’s
room at the Temple for both of you
here,’” Sandi said. Indeed, today both
Sandi and her former husband remain
B’nai Israel members who continue to
attend services and programs.
Sandi Michaelson
For Sandi, a guiding Jewish value
that remains constant is Tikkun Olam,
Hebrew for repairing the world.
As the kids got older, she worked parttime as a freelance writer and editor, but
the Temple also drew her.
Today, very comfortable with being
60, marking her 10th year with Save the
Children, working on the global relief
organization’s resource development
(fundraising) team, Sandi describes
herself as “a working professional,
a mom with three children who for
the most part are launched from my
home. I’m single. I have a wonderful
job. I have wonderful friends. I
feel fortunate.”
She joined the Social Action Committee
and then, along with Elaine Chetrit and
Andrea Goodman, started the Mitzvah
Connection program, which invited
congregant families to help the needy
in Bridgeport at Chanukah and other
holidays. They made small gifts for
kids, collected toiletries to distribute to
families, and became the nucleus of a
larger Temple effort that restored or built
housing in poor neighborhoods with the
Habitat for Humanity program. Together
with Elaine and Andrea, her leadership
helped make B’nai Israel the first Jewish
congregation in Connecticut to form a
working partnership with the Christianbased organization.
Her first Jewish-related memory – sitting
on the floor of an aunt’s house, playing
dreidel with cousins at Chanukah. It was
that same kind of warmth that made
her feel at home at Congregation B’nai
Israel when she first went “synagogue
shopping” with her former husband in
1989, arriving in Fairfield with small
children in tow.
“As soon as I walked into the sanctuary
and sat down, I started to cry. It was the
warmth. I looked around and saw people
who looked like they were like me. I felt
at home,” she says, adding that other
places she had visited felt too much like
“a fashion show.”
Initially, she was “the typical parent with
kids in religious school. I dropped my
kids off. We celebrated holiday events
with the school, met other families
some of whom to this day include my
best friends.”
Sandi served a three-year term on the
Temple’s Board of Trustees, leading
the Family Education Committee. She
would often read at High Holy Day
services. She led the Merkaz Steering
Committee, which guided creation
of the regional Hebrew high school.
Her growing children must have been
watching. Ultimately two of her sons,
Eric and Kyle, would become BIFTY
co-presidents, and her daughter Julie
would go to Eisner Camp for a number
of years and travel to Israel during
high school.
The Temple has been there for her in
difficult times too, Sandi says. After her
marriage came to an end, she received a
In 2005 Sandi began work for Save
the Children, where she is now acting
associate vice president, Strategic
Foundation Partnerships. She travels
extensively, building and managing
relationships with private foundations
that make major donations to the
organization to fund important childfocused programs. Her last trip was to
Zambia, where she met with a donor
to finalize details of a program to help
children living on the streets return to
their families. She was planning a trip
to Jordan in connection with a Save the
Children program in a camp for Syrian
refugees that employs the arts to help
with emotional healing for children
devastated by the horror of civil war.
B’nai Israel becomes a comfortable
place to return to.
“I feel at home when I go to services.
I think I want to find a way to do more
at Temple now, but I haven’t found just
what that is at this point,” says Sandi,
who struggles, like many, to find the
time to balance work and non-work
pursuits. “But maybe I will.”
She adds with a big smile, “Here’s
something to add to that description
about me I gave you when we
started talking. …. I would say I’m a
Jewish woman.”
By Don Hyman
We want to know what makes each of
you One of Us. Please share with us
your Congregation B’nai Israel story.
Email the B’nai Israel Storytellers at
[email protected].
Donation Item of the Month: Cans of tuna for Spooner House in Shelton.
9
Donations
Please note that only contributions of $10.00 or more will be acknowledged with a card and Bulletin listing.
Rabbi Prosnit Discretionary Fund
The August Family, with thanks to Liz Nigrosh
and Bob and Ellen Sheiman; with thanks to Stewart
Gross for his kindness.
Gregory and Nicole Barrato, in appreciation of
Rabbi Prosnit.
Stacey and Duane Berlin, thank you for
mentioning our parents, Joan and Werner Berlin,
at Yahrzeit.
Bari Dworken, in memory of Cindy Dworken.
Elaine and Bob Friedman, in memory of Cindy
Dworken, wife of Jeffrey Dworken.
Janet Jurow, in memory of Ellen Kadden, wife of
Jack Kadden.
Alice and George Kelly, in memory of Pat
Marchetti.
Geoffrey and Melanie Kooris, thank you to Mark
Schiff.
Carol Krim, in honor of the late Rabbi Harold
Schulweis.
Dee, Lou, Adam, Brian and Melissa Landman,
in memory of father and grandfather, Jerry Dachs.
Beth Lazar, in loving memory of great aunt,
Esther Epstein.
Aleksey and Raisa Ledvich, in memory of
grandparents, Sarah Ledvich and Menashe
Goldenfarb.
Nora Mayerson, in loving memory of dear
husband, Kenneth Mayerson.
Renee Noren, in recognition of Rabbi Prosnit.
Beth and Randy Reich and Family, in memory
of our fathers and grandfathers, Sidney Loewith
Goldstein, Harry Burchman and Stanley Reich.
Patti and Samuel Rosenberg, in appreciation of
Rabbi Prosnit.
Gloria and Richard Sheiman, in memory of
Georgiana Sandberg, grandmother of Stacy and
Lee Sheiman, great-grandmother of Alexa and
Owen Sheiman; in memory of Ida Perlstein,
mother of Sandy Germain.
Steven Soberman and Suzanne Phillip, in honor
of Rabbi Prosnit and Wendy Bloch on the birth of
grandson, Ezra Jules Gleeson Prosnit.
Twody and Bob Schless, in appreciation of Rabbi
Prosnit.
Miriam Spero, in memory of beloved husband,
Robert Spero.
Gail and Peter Weinstein, in memory of Jacob
Sher, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.
Michael Wittman, in memory of wife, Jill Tarlov.
Larry and Adele Zuckerman, in memory of
Adele’s parents, Lottie and Philip Burack; in
memory of Larry’s parents, Minnie and Max
Zuckerman, and in memory of Larry’s brother,
Paul Zuckerman.
Rabbi Schultz Discretionary Fund
Jill Dachman, in loving memory of father, Lester
Rand.
Maxine, Stewart and Jenna Gross, in memory of
mother and grandmother, Jean Shafrank.
Debbie and Jeff Hazen and Family, in memory
of Betty Fink.
Beth Lazar, in loving memory of Aunt Roz and
Aunt Janet Greenberg.
10
Laura and Dudley Orr, in memory of Stanley
Rosoff, father-in-law of Ellen Rosoff.
Selma Rand, in loving memory of brother, Lester
Rand.
Twody and Bob Schless, in appreciation of Rabbi
Schultz.
Music Fund
Barbara Abraham, in memory of Janice Blum,
mother of Cantor Sheri Blum.
Nancy and Robert Altchiler, in memory of Janice
Blum, mother of Cantor Sheri Blum.
Claire Baker, in memory of Janice Blum, mother
of Cantor Sheri Blum.
Brian and Linda Barlaam, in memory of Janice
Blum, mother of Cantor Sheri Blum.
Carol and Nate Barsky, in memory of Janice
Blum, mother of Cantor Sheri Blum.
Judi and David Beier, in memory of Janice Blum,
mother of Cantor Sheri Blum.
Jeffrey and Wendy Bender, in memory of Janice
Blum, mother of Cantor Sheri Blum.
Lori, Ken, Ryan, Arielle and Darcy Berger, in
memory of Janice Blum, mother of Cantor Sheri
Blum.
Carson and Robert Berkowitz, in memory of
Janice Blum, mother of Cantor Sheri Blum.
Stacey and Duane Berlin, thank you for
mentioning our parents, Joan and Werner Berlin,
at Yahrzeit; in memory of Janice Blum, mother of
Cantor Sheri Blum.
Michael and Judy Green Blumenthal, in memory
of Janice Blum, mother of Cantor Sheri Blum.
Martin and Alayne Burger, in memory of Janice
Blum, mother of Cantor Sheri Blum.
Elaine and Juda Chetrit, in memory of Janice
Blum, mother of Cantor Sheri Blum.
Ellen and Lawrence Dinkes, in memory of Janice
Blum, mother of Cantor Sheri Blum.
Bari Dworken, in memory of Janice Blum, mother
of Cantor Sheri Blum.
Barbara and Mark Edinberg, in memory of
Janice Blum, mother of Cantor Sheri Blum.
Herbert and Ruth Feinberg, in memory of Janice
Blum, mother of Cantor Sheri Blum.
Bob Ford, in memory of Janice Blum, mother of
Cantor Sheri Blum.
Joni and Michael Greenspan, in memory of
Janice Blum, mother of Cantor Sheri Blum;
in memory of Cindy Dworken, wife of Jeffrey
Dworken, mother of Stephanie, Benjamin and
Jared Dworken.
Barbara and Steve Gersen, in memory of Janice
Blum, mother of Cantor Sheri Blum.
Ellen Hyde Phillips, in memory of Janice Blum,
mother of Cantor Sheri Blum.
Jack Kadden, in memory of Janice Blum, mother
of Cantor Sheri Blum; in memory of Sophie
Varon, mother of Joe Varon; in honor of the 10th
anniversary of Ronnie and John Dubrowin.
Gloria Katz, in memory of Janice Blum, mother
of Cantor Sheri Blum.
Alice and George Kelly, in memory of Janice
Blum, mother of Cantor Sheri Blum.
Sally, Maddy and Michael Kenler, in memory of
Janice Blum, mother of Cantor Sheri Blum.
Geoffrey and Melanie Kooris, in memory of
Janice Blum, mother of Cantor Sheri Blum.
The Kortmansky Family, in memory of Janice
Blum, mother of Cantor Sheri Blum.
Joanne and Richard Krantz, in memory of
Janice Blum, mother of Cantor Sheri Blum.
Arlene Kaminsky and Family, in memory of
Janice Blum, mother of Cantor Sheri Blum; in
memory of Stanley Rosoff, father of Renee Noren.
The Karnal Family, in memory of Janice Blum,
mother of Cantor Sheri Blum.
Janice, Marc and Matthew Katz, in memory of
Janice Blum, mother of Cantor Sheri Blum.
Lisa Knicos, in appreciation to Cantor Blum, and
in memory of Janice Blum, mother of Cantor Sheri
Blum; in loving memory of Ellen Kadden, wife of
Jack Kadden.
The Kochman Family, in memory of Janice
Blum, mother of Cantor Sheri Blum.
Dianne and Lou Landman, in memory of Janice
Blum, mother of Cantor Sheri Blum.
Beth Lazar, in memory of Janice Blum, mother of
Cantor Sheri Blum.
Judith and Stanley Lessler, in memory of Janice
Blum, mother of Cantor Sheri Blum.
Lawrence Levine and Alison Bonds, in memory
of Janice Blum, mother of Cantor Sheri Blum.
Jeff, Jackie, Josh and Rachel Madwed, in
memory of Janice Blum, mother of Cantor Sheri
Blum.
Nora Mayerson, in memory of Janice Blum,
mother of Cantor Sheri Blum.
Alan and Sylvia Neigher, in memory of Janice
Blum, mother of Cantor Sheri Blum.
Shari Nerreau, in memory of Janice Blum, mother
of Cantor Sheri Blum.
Alan and Joan Newman, in memory of Janice
Blum, mother of Cantor Sheri Blum.
Karin Newman, in memory of Janice Blum,
mother of Cantor Sheri Blum.
Liz and Mark Nigrosh, in memory of Janice
Blum, mother of Cantor Sheri Blum.
Renee Noren, in honor of Cantor Blum.
Barbara Panisch, in memory of Janice Blum,
mother of Cantor Sheri Blum.
David and Judith Pressler and Theresa Vas
Nunes, in memory of Janice Blum, mother of
Cantor Sheri Blum.
Julie and Steve Pressman, in memory of Janice
Blum, mother of Cantor Sheri Blum.
Rabbi James Prosnit and Wendy Bloch, in
memory of Janice Blum, mother of Cantor Sheri
Blum.
Nina and Ken Rabine and Family, in memory of
Janice Blum, mother of Cantor Sheri Blum.
Barbara Rifkin, in memory of Janice Blum,
mother of Cantor Sheri Blum.
Richard Rosen, in memory of Janice Blum,
mother of Cantor Sheri Blum.
Brad and Linda Rothbaum, in memory of Janice
Blum, mother of Cantor Sheri Blum.
Myrna Rubenstein, in memory of Janice Blum,
mother of Cantor Sheri Blum.
Jerry Saunders and Elaine Appellof, in memory
of Janice Blum, mother of Cantor Sheri Blum.
We want you in the Bulletin! Send your news to editor Scott Smith at [email protected].
Donations
Please note that only contributions of $10.00 or more will be acknowledged with a card and Bulletin listing.
Twody and Bob Schless, in appreciation of Cantor
Blum.
Laurie and Daniel Schopick, in memory of Janice
Blum, mother of Cantor Sheri Blum.
Caren, Bill, Jon and Emily Schwartz, in memory
of Janice Blum, mother of Cantor Sheri Blum.
Serena and Arnie Sher, in memory of Janice
Blum, mother of Cantor Sheri Blum.
The Silberman/Weisman Family, in memory of
Janice Blum, mother of Cantor Sheri Blum.
Elaine and Marc Silverman, in memory of Janice
Blum, mother of Cantor Sheri Blum.
Connie Simon, in memory of Janice Blum, mother
of Cantor Sheri Blum.
Steven Soberman and Suzanne Phillip, in
memory of Janice Blum, mother of Cantor Sheri
Blum.
Esther Spiegel, in memory of Janice Blum, mother
of Cantor Sheri Blum.
Steve and Ellen Tower, in memory of Janice
Blum, mother of Cantor Sheri Blum.
Joseph and Leslie Varon, in memory of Janice
Blum, mother of Cantor Sheri Blum.
Debbie, Dan, Matthew and Jaime Viens, in
memory of Janice Blum, mother of Cantor Sheri
Blum.
Enhancement Fund
Jeffrey and Wendy Bender, in memory of father,
Fred Bender.
Beatrice Berger, best wishes always.
Bernheimer-Lincoln Insurance Group, Inc., in
memory of Ellen Kadden, wife of Jack Kadden.
Elaine Chetrit, in memory of Sophie Varon,
mother of Joe Varon.
Joan Frankel, in memory of Ida Perlstein, mother
of Sandy Germain.
Florence Germaine, in memory of Stanley Rosoff,
husband of Elaine Rosoff.
Victor and Irma Gurvits, in memory of Dora
Geiman.
Kristin Jacobi, in memory of Ellen Kadden, wife
of Jack Kadden.
Andrea and Irving Kern, in loving memory of
Charlotte and David Miller.
Eli and Katerina Kharaz, a donation.
Alida and Al Kleban, in memory of mother,
Elizabeth Shulkin.
Geoffrey and Melanie Kooris, in honor of the
naming of Barbara Rifkin’s grandson.
Sylvia and Wallace Lebowitz, in appreciation of
Patti and Samuel Rosenberg’s contributions to the
synagogue.
Lawrence Levine and Alison Bonds, in honor of
Ellen Kadden, wife of Jack Kadden; in honor of
Sophie Varon, mother of Joe Varon.
Irving and Wilma Mark, in memory of father,
Hyman Mark.
George and Chris Markley, in memory of Pat
Marchetti.
Liz and Mark Nigrosh, in memory of Bob
Appleton and Anne Nigrosh.
Laura and Dudley Orr, in memory of Leon
Rosenthal, stepfather of Ronnie Dubrowin.
Patti and Samuel Rosenberg, in memory of
Janice Blum, mother of Cantor Sheri Blum.
Twody and Bob Schless, in appreciation of Janet
Jurow.
Esther Spiegel, in memory of beloved husband,
Jerry.
Paul and Elaine Wunder, a donation.
Sylvia Prosnit Adult Education Fund
Beth Lazar, in loving memory of mother, Shirley
Lazar, and uncle, Robert Lazar.
Steven Soberman and Suzanne Phillip, in honor
of Rabbi James Prosnit’s special birthday.
Nursery School Enrichment Fund
Alan and Joan Newman, in memory of Ida
Perlstein, mother of Sandy Germain, grandmother
of Stacey Berlin; in memory of Georgiana
Sandberg, grandmother of Stacy Sheiman.
Nursery School Scholarship Fund
Melanie Kooris, in memory of Dora Fialk.
Gail and Peter Weinstein, in memory of Richard
Lichtenstein; in memory of Phyllis Fox, mother of
Rosanne Ain.
Rabbi Martin Library Fund
Samuel Miller and Family, in memory of Harriet
Kot Miller.
Barbara Rifkin, in memory of brother, Daniel E.
Postol.
Prayer Book Fund
Chris and George Markley, in memory of Janice
Blum, mother of Cantor Sheri Blum.
Rabbi Arnold Sher Social Action Fund
Ellen and Lawrence Dinkes, in memory of
Betty Fink.
Continued on page 13
This spring, Congregation B’nai Israel commemorates more than 100 years of Confirmation classes. See Page 2.
11
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Continued from page 11
Judith and Stanley Lessler, in memory of
father, Nathan Bretholtz.
Liz and Mark Nigrosh, in memory of Ellen
Kadden, wife of Jack Kadden.
Steven Soberman and Suzanne Phillip,
in honor of Daniel Burger’s engagement to
Randi Martin.
Charles Fried Keshet Fund
The Kochman Family, in memory of Sophie
Varon, mother of Joe Varon.
BIFTY Greenwald Scholarship Fund
Anne and Jon Postyn, a donation.
Gillette Judaic Enrichment Fund
Serena and Arnie Sher, in memory of
beloved brother-in-law, Stanley Israelite.
What’s happening at the Temple? Get Hashavua, our weekly email. Send your request to Lynn at [email protected].
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14
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SHABBAT SERVICE SCHEDULE
(Fridays at 6:00 p.m. where indicated, preceded by an Oneg Shabbat at 5:30 p.m.)
Friday, March 6
6:00 p.m. Service
Torah Portion – Ki Tisa,
Exod. 30:11-34:35
Haftarah – 1 Kings 18:1-39
Prayer Stories #3
Saturday, March 7
8:00 a.m. Service
9:00 a.m. Brotherhood Breakfast
9:30 a.m. Torah Study
9:30 a.m. Young Families Havurah
11:00 a.m. Bat Mitzvah of Ella
Diamond, daughter of
Steven and Jennifer
Diamond
Friday, March 13
5:30 p.m. Mishpacha Shabbat
6:00 p.m. Service
Torah Portion –
Vayak’heil-P’kudei,
Exod. 35:1-40:38
Haftarah – Ezekiel
36:22-36
Saturday, March 14
8:00 a.m. Service
9:00 a.m. Brotherhood Breakfast
9:30 a.m. Torah Study
9:30 a.m. Young Families Havurah
11:00 a.m. Bat Mitzvah of Danielle
Hazelton, daughter of
Ron Hazelton and Lynn
Drasin
Friday, March 20
6:00 p.m. Service with the
Emissaries (Details
on P.3)
Torah Portion –
Vayikra, Lev. 1:1-5:26
Haftarah – Ezekiel
45:16-25
Saturday, March 21
8:00 a.m. Service
9:00 a.m. Brotherhood Breakfast
9:30 a.m. Torah Study
9:30 a.m. Young Families Havurah
10:30 a.m. “Rabbi’s Table”
Shabbat Service with
Rabbi Schultz in the
Library
11:00 a.m. Bar Mitzvah of Jacob
Schwartzstein, son of
Adam and Christine
Schwartzstein
Friday, March 27
6:00 p.m. Service with the Band
Torah Portion – Tzav,
Lev. 6:1-8:36
Haftarah – Malachi
3:4-24
Saturday, March 28
8:00 a.m. Service
9:00 a.m. Brotherhood Breakfast
9:30 a.m. Torah Study
9:30 a.m. Young Families Havurah
1:00 a.m. Bar Mitzvah of Alex
Wiggetman, son of
Joseph and Michelle
Wiggetman