B`Yachad TogeTher

B’YachadyTogether
Volume 77, No.8 June/July 2012 – Sivan/Tammuz/Av 5772
Summer Services Return
With the warmth of June comes our return to
the Gumenick Chapel for our Summer
Services which are preceded by an Oneg
Shabbat.
The Services are somewhat abbreviated
and have a more casual, relaxed feeling
appropriate to the informal nature of the
season.
The Oneg begins at 6:00 pm and Services start at 6:30 pm.
However, on July 20th and August 17th we will
hold our annual congregational cookouts following Services in place of the Oneg Shabbat.
Summer Services are a real treat; try them
and you’ll see!
JUNE - JULY 2012
Schedule of Shabbat Worship
Friday, June 1
Shabbat Service
7:30 PM
Saturday, June 2
B’nai Mitzvah: Rachel Haft &
Hatcher Chucker
10:30 AM
Friday, June 8
Shabbat Service
w/Kasoff-Benjamin auf-ruf
7:30 PM
Saturday, June 9
B’nai Mitzvah: Ricky Williams &
Liad Eynan
10:30 AM
Friday, June 15
Shabbat Service 7:30 PM
Friday, June 22
Pre Oneg
6:00 PM
Shabbat Service 6:30 PM
Friday, June 29
Pre Oneg
6:00 PM
Shabbat Service
6:30 PM
The Schedule of Worship continues
on page 2...
Rabbi’s Message
by Rabbi Martin P. Beifield, Jr.
May and June are the months for Jewish annual meetings. We had
ours recently and this is part of what I said in my Rabbi’s Report:
“Last fall at Rosh Hashanah, I suggested that Beth Ahabah stand for
community, tradition, and spirituality. I intended to start a conversation
which directly or indirectly, formally or informally, would inform the life
of the Congregation. I continue to hope that will be the case and would
like to look at the year now ending through that lens.
“At almost every opportunity, when members of the Congregation
express what they want from Beth Ahabah, they tell us they want to
get to know other members, they want their children to get to know their classmates, and they want to feel a sense of belonging that is people-centered. This
isn’t always the first thing people say nor is it always the most important thing
on everybody’s mind. But sooner or later, people talk about community, and more
specifically wanting to be a part of a community.
“The first thing we ought to learn from this is ‘wanting more community’ means
there isn’t enough of it now. Lots of Beth Ahabah members apparently don’t feel
very close to other Beth Ahabah members and their children have few, if any,
Jewish friends. This reflects a larger problem in American life. We have become a
nation of individualists. But there has been a trade-off. We are less connected to
our groups, our collective identity. To paraphrase Robert Putnam, we are still going
bowling, but we are bowling alone not in leagues. We still come to Temple, but we
come and sit alone and leave as quickly as possible. When we reflect on this we
tend not to be happy with the trade-off. So it isn’t a surprise that our members tell
us they want more community, and by implication that they are not getting enough
of it from the Temple. We ignore this at our peril. The Family Connection is meant
to address this directly but it has implications for everything we do.
“At the same time we have to remember that we are a synagogue, and as such
have certain core responsibilities, like education, prayer and worship, and social
action. Each of these responsibilities is essential to what we are; they are Jewish
responsibilities. And they have individual and group components. Tonight I’ll suggest that addressing both our need and desire for community will help us address
these core responsibilities. People who want to be with one another and who care
about each other’s well-being will grow to be more open to a greater love of Jewish tradition and deeper Jewish spirituality.”
This month we move services from our sanctuary to the Gumenick chapel, start
at 6:30 pm instead of 7:30 pm, and move the Oneg Shabbat from after services
to before. Services are shorter than usual and definitely more relaxed. Come as
you are, and bring the children. On July 20th and August 17th we’ll have our summer cook-outs. On those nights, services still start at 6:30 pm but will be in the
sanctuary with dinner after services. Thanks to the Brotherhood, Sisterhood, and
Membership Committee for arranging the cook-outs.
iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii
The printing of all Bulletin publications has been endowed
by the generosity of Anne and Mark Sternheimer.
Page 2
The Schedule of Worship continued from
page 1...
June/July 2012
President’s Report
by Ron Kasoff, president
Friday, July 6
Pre Oneg
Shabbat Service
6:00 PM
6:30 PM
6:00 PM
6:30 PM
Friday, July 20
Shabbat Service followed
by Congregational Cookout 6:30 PM
Friday, July 27
Pre Oneg
Shabbat Service
6:00 PM
6:30 PM
Friday, July 13
Pre Oneg
Shabbat Service
B’Yachad
Upcoming Observances:
Tzom Tammuz on Sunday, July 8
Fast commemorating the breaching of the walls of
Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzer
Tisha B’Av on Sunday, July 29
The Ninth of Av, fast commemorating the destruction of
the two temples.
Join Congregation Beth Ahabah
and St. James’s Episcopal Church for a
Joint Mission/Social Justice Trip to Cuba
~ April 10–15, 2013 ~
Beth Ahabah and St. James’s have a special relationship
as neighboring faith communities. In order to build on our legacy
of mutual trust, support, and fellowship, we will participate
in an interfaith mission/social justice trip to Cuba in April of 2013
with a focus on volunteering and spiritual dialogue.
We will build relationships with each other and in the Jewish and
Episcopal communities of Cuba through worship, discussions, and
shared community service projects. Participants should come
with open minds and a willingness to get their hands dirty.
Due to limited space and the unique character of this interfaith
trip, participants will be selected through an application process.
If you are interested, the application can be found at
www.bethahabah.org. Please feel free to contact
Rabbi Gallop at [email protected] with questions.
Applications will be due by June 30, 2012.
The following was the report
presented at the Annual Meeting on
May 11, 2012:
So how are we doing? Beth Ahabah continues to be a lively
and respected community in Richmond, Central Virginia and
the United States. We have 700 memberships, about the
same as the last few years. This is pretty good considering
the Jewish population in Richmond has declined 15% in the
last 10 years and there is a growing population of unaffiliated Jews. We continue to attract new families who have
lots of opportunities for involvement. It all starts by having a
warm and inviting atmosphere; welcoming new and potential
members or getting to know existing members better. From
there, feeling a part of something is the next step; either in
a Havurah, at the Shabbat dinners, on Sunday mornings, at
geshers, or on committees, to name a few. There is always
some way to get involved, meet new people and enjoy Judaism. We are a busy congregation and that is something we
do not want to change, but there is room for improvement
where everyone participates and feels they have a place. In
order for our membership to remain robust, we must offer
opportunities for people to find areas of interest and more
ways for people to connect and develop strong friendships.
Education is one of the Jewish principles we cherish and
Beth Ahabah continues to expand from a strong base. Our
religious school has over 250 children learning the basics of
Judaism, Hebrew language and preparing to become B’nai
Mitzvah. We have strengthened the B’nai Mitzvah preparation this year with the addition of a coordinator to improve
the consistency of preparation. We intend to further build
on the religious school through the establishment of Family
Connections, which brings together traditional learning with
non-classroom learning and involving the entire family. A
new, energetic committee has been formed and, along with
the professional staff, will help guide the development of
this initiative. The goals of the Family Connections initiative
are to further improve education, strengthen Jewish identity
and reinforce familial and community bonds.
Page 3
B’Yachad
June/July 2012
Membership at Congregation Beth Ahabah
On this day, the walls of Jerusalem were breached after
months of siege by Nebuchadnezzar and his Babylonian
forces.
Belonging to a synagogue is one of the most
rewarding decisions a Jew can make today.
When you join a congregation you share all
aspects of Judaism with friends and family.
Whether you are married or single, with or
without children, college aged or retired, a
temple’s purpose is to provide its members
with satisfying Jewish experiences. It has
often been said that a synagogue is “a window
to our faith” and a wellspring in time of need.
In 70 CE the Romans breached the walls of Jerusalem,
then spent the next three weeks ransacking the city until
they burned down the Second Temple on the night of Av.
by Russell M. Finer, FSA
On this day in 1391, more than 4,000 Jews were killed in
Toledo and Jaen, Spain, and in 1559, the Jewish quarter
of Prague was burned and looted.
http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Judaism/tammuz.html
The Origin of Tisha B’Av, July 29th
A large congregation, such as ours, is especially able to
provide for its members. By way of example, we have the
resources and capabilities, through our volunteers and
professionals, to develop a broad range of programs and
activities sensitive to our members’ desire for both intimacy
and larger concerns.
Some of the privileges of membership are – seating for
worship on the High Holy Days; enrollment for school age
children in religious school and youth groups; the right to
call on clergy for pastoral counseling, visitations and guidance and the right to purchase cemetery plots. All members
are encouraged to become involved and serve on temple
committees.
Dedicated to the affirmation of Judaism as a dynamic and
motivating force in the lives of our people, our congregation exemplifies the inspiration derived from the best of our
Jewish tradition. As a Reform temple, we have remained in
the mainstream of modern Judaism starting from a strong
base and a long tradition. We continue to search for new
ways to express ourselves and our heritage that will add
meaning and depth to our lives.
Thank you for being an important part of Congregation
Beth Ahabah!
Tisha B’Av, also known as the “Ninth of Av,” is a fast day that
commemorates the destruction of the two Temples. It falls
on the ninth day of the Hebrew month of Av.
The First Temple was built by King Solomon and was the
most important place in ancient Judaism. It was destroyed
when the Babylonians sacked Jerusalem in 586 BCE. The
Second Temple was built on the site of the First Temple
and was completed in 516 BCE. Sadly, the Second Temple
was also destroyed, this time during the Roman siege of
Jerusalem in 70 CE. The destruction of the two Temples
took place on the same day – the ninth of Av – about 656
years apart. These two events were so tragic that the ancient
rabbis declared the anniversary of the Temples’ destruction
a day of mourning.
It is also the day that the Jews were expelled from England
in 1290, as well as the day that King Ferdinand and Isabella
expelled the Jews from Spain in 1492.
Remember Congregation Beth Ahabah
in Your Estate Planning
Perhaps you or a family member has benefitted from one
of Congregation Beth Ahabah’s
programs, services, clergy or staff
that or who made a difference in
your/their life. We graciously ask
that you think of Beth Ahabah
when deciding your estate plans.
The 17th of Tammuz, July 8th
The 17th day in the Jewish month of Tammuz, Jews the
world over fast and lament to commemorate the many calamities that have befallen our people on this ominous day.
During Biblical times, Moses descended Mount Sinai on
this day and upon seeing the Golden Calf broke the first
set of Tablets carrying the Ten Commandments.
A bequest or legacy in your will is
a wonderful way to express your
appreciation to the temple.
Thank you for thinking of Congregation Beth Ahabah.
To discuss your plans, please contact Executive Director,
Russell M. Finer, at 804-358-6757 ext. 302 or r.finer@
bethahabah.org.
Page 4
B’Yachad
June/July 2012
Join Rabbi Martin Beifield
& Beth Ahabah
on a memorable adventure to
ISRAEL
June 18 - July 1, 2013
$3,889.00
Land only
Per person, based on double occupancy
TOUR INCLUDES
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
2 nights at the Carlton Hotel in Tel Aviv
 1 night at Dan Carmel Hotel in Haifa
 3 nights at Kibbutz K’far Blum in The Galilee
 5 nights plus late checkout at the Inbal Hotel in Jerusalem
 All touring and sightseeing per an agreed upon itinerary in a deluxe air-conditioned motor coach
 Breakfast daily
 Dinner at Maganda
 Shabbat dinner at Or Hadash
 3 kibbutz dinners
 Shabbat dinner in a private room at the Inbal
 Farewell dinner
 Group transfers and airport assistance upon arrival
and departure
 Entrance fees as per itinerary
 Porterage
JERUSALEM
Tour the Western Wall Tunnels
 Explore the Mt. Herzl Museum and cemetery
 Tour Yad Vashem
 View the magnificent Chagall windows
at Hadassah Hospital
 Enjoy a walking tour of the Old City


THE SOUTH
Ascend Masada
Hike to the waterfalls at Ein Gedi
 Float in the Dead Sea
 Ride a camel with the Bedouins


THE NORTH
Explore Akko
See the Bahai Temple and Persian Gardens in Haifa
 View the ancient Roman ruins at Caesarea
 Kayak on the Jordan River
 Ascend the Golan Heights in a Jeep




TEL AVIV
Visit the Ayalon Institute
Tour Independence Hall
...AND SO MUCH MORE!
19 Aviation Rd. * Albany, NY 12205 * www.ayelet.com
(800) 237-1517 * (518) 783-6001 * FAX (518) 783-6003
Page 5
B’Yachad
June/July 2012
Barbara & William B. Thalhimer, Jr. Religious School News
by Ramona Brand, Director of Education
Hebrew Fun in the Summer Sun Camp
The Beth Ahabah Religious School has
concluded another fabulous year. Have
a great summer!
2012-2013 Religious School
Registration is Now Open.
Questions? Contact Ramona Brand,
Director of Education at 804-358-6757
or [email protected]
•
Regular Registration: May 1 - August 15
Register and pay in full.
•
Late Registration: August 16 - September 9 (does
not apply to new family registrations). Register and
pay in full plus a $25 late fee.
You can register on line by following
this link:
https://www.formstack.com/
forms/?1202707-BiXoaZqQrt
or contact Ramona Brand for
a paper registration form.
Last summer 26 kids in grades 1-7 enjoyed what many of
them and their parents called “the best week of the summer”.
Grade-level Hebrew review was integrated into fun camp
activities such as arts & crafts, music & drama, nature, and
special events such as Israel Day, Mayim (water) Day, and
Color Wars. This program, sponsored by the Richmond
Council for Jewish Education, drew campers from four
different Religious School programs.
By popular request this coming summer we are again
offering Hebrew Fun in the Summer Sun and anticipate
that it will be even bigger and better!
For whom?
All rising 1st - 7th grade Jewish students
When?
Monday, August 13 - Friday, August 17,
10am-2pm
Where?
601 N. Parham Rd. (Beth-El Religious
School)
Goals?
See you on September 9th for Opening Day 2012-2013.
To review, refresh, and enhance Hebrew
& prayer skills
To meet students from other schools
That YOu'll Remember me:
TO HAVE FUN through outdoor activities,
music, crafts, games, etc.
Jewish voices of the civil War
The Story of the Richmond Jewish experience
during the American Civil War
Staff?
Education Directors and teachers from
the participating schools and teen aides
Cost?
$50 for all 5 days Final Registration
Deadline July 15, 2012
For more information, contact Ramona Brand at r.brand@
bethahabah.org
This program sponsored by the Richmond Council for
Jewish Education and subsidized by the Jewish Community
Federation of Richmond.
Sunday - Thursday, 10:00 am to 3:00 pm
804.353.2668 • www.bethahabah.org
[email protected]
For your convenience, a camp registration form follows
on page 6.
Page 6
B’Yachad
June/July 2012
Summer Camp registration form continued from page 5...
Hebrew fun in the summer sun...
Registration Form
Monday, August 13th – Friday, August 17th
10am – 2pm daily
At the Beth-El Religious School Campus
601 North Parham Road
A specialty camp for the enrichment of Hebrew skills
for ALL rising 1st-7th grade Jewish students
Hebrew fun in the summer sun...
Registration Form
Please return this to Ramona Brand
Camper’s Name:
First:Middle:Last:
Nickname:
Hebrew Name (if known):
Parent(s) or Guardian(s):
Address:City/StateZip:
Home Phone:Cell phone:Email Address:
Emergency Contact:
Name:Relationship to child:
Emergency phone number:
Does your child have any allergies? Yes
No
If yes, please list here:
In the event your child needs medical care, please list your hospital preference here:
Your Child’s pediatrician’s name:Phone mumber:
I give permission for my child to participate in the Hebrew Fun in the Summer Sun specialty camp August 13-17, 2012.
Signature of Parent or Guardian: Cost: $50) Final Registration Deadline: July 15, 2012
Date:
Attach registration with check in full (made out to your congregation with “Hebrew Specialty Camp” noted) and return it to Ramona
Brand at 1111 West Franklin St., Richmond VA 23220 or e-mail to [email protected] or fax to 804-358-3451
Page 7
B’Yachad
June/July 2012
B’nai Mitzvah
Rachel Elizabeth Haft
Rachel Haft will be called to the Torah
as a Bat Mitzvah on June 2nd, 2012.
Rachel is the daughter of Elizabeth
and Kenneth Haft and sister of Joshua
and Jacob. She is the granddaughter
of Mary and Robert Chase of Durham,
North Carolina, and Florence and
Lawrence Haft of Boca Raton, Florida.
Rachel is a rising 8th grader in the International Baccalaureate
program at Moody Middle School. She plays basketball for
the AAU Virginia Elite Wildcats and Glen Allen league.
Rachel also volunteers with Bandit Adoption Rescue Kennel
(B.A.R.K.).
For her Mitzvah Project, Rachel created and shipped care
packages to members of the United States armed forces
serving in Afghanistan.
George Hatcher Chucker
George Hatcher Chucker is 13 years
old and finishing his seventh grade
year at Collegiate School. He is the
son of Bart and Michelle Chucker
and the older brother of Easton
and Jordan Chucker. He played
football and basketball for Collegiate,
basketball for the Bon Air league and
currently plays for an AAU basketball team in Richmond
who will play in the AAU national tournament in Memphis,
Tennessee this summer. Hatcher’s Mitzvah Project was
volunteering for Connor’s Heroes, an amazing organization
that supports children with cancer and their families. He was
honored to meet so many heroes when he volunteered. He
continues to participate in this organization.
mazAl tov!
Ricky Williams
Ricky Williams will be called to
the Torah as a Bar Mitzvah on
June 9, 2012 at 10:30 am. He is
the son of Nello and Cheryl Anne
Williams, loving brother to Rebecca
and grandson to Frank Williams &
Alice Perisho of Riverside, CA; Nancy
Williams of Sacramento, CA and
Philip & DeAnne Winters of Richmond.
Ricky is a 7th grade honor roll student at Falling Creek
Middle School in Chesterfield. He enjoys many activities
some of which include musical theatre and choral groups
through SPARC, Etz Chayim, FCM Chorus and Beth
Ahabah’s Purium Spiel , football and Tae Kwon Do in which
he is currently a 1st degree black belt. For his Mitzvah
Project, he has spent many hours assisting the younger
students within several Tae Kwon Do classes with their
forms, kicks and punches.
Our family is very proud of Ricky and we look forward to
sharing this special occasion with our friends, family and
the Beth Ahabah Congregation.
Liad Eynan
Please join our family and friends
when our son Liad will be called to
the Torah as a Bar Mitzvah on June
9th 2012, at 10:30 am.
Liad is a 7th grader at the IB program
in Moody Middle School. He likes
spending time with friends and family
and enjoys many activities. He has a passion for video game
design and music. He plays trombone and piano in his school
band as well as Ruach Chadash. For his Mitzvah Project
Liad is collecting and organizing gently used books for the
Massey Cancer Center at MCV.
Liad is the son of Miri and Amit Eynan, loving brother to
Libey, and grandson of Sara and Avraham Weinstein and
Bruria and Zvi Eynan of Israel.
We are very proud of Liad and we look forward to sharing
this special day with family, friends, and the Beth Ahabah
congregation.
The deadline for submitting information to the August issue of B’Yachad is July 1
Page 8
B’Yachad
June/July 2012
Brotherhood
Sisterhood
A time for reflection…and many thanks.
The Latke party, brunches related to the Adult Education
Series, Mitzvah day lunches, Brotherhood sponsored
brunches (with expanded menu) with speakers, ushering
for Friday nights and High Holy Day services and the Sing
Out For Freedom Concert, volunteering and providing
new games for the Purim Carnival, Brotherhood Shabbat
service, summer cookouts, the Congregational picnic, VCU
Ram’s basketball game and dinner, raising the Sukkah,
Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre, many Board meetings,
father/child lunch at BAMA followed by snow tubing at
Wintergreen, Men’s Seder, cooking dinner for Sisterhood
Shabbat, supporting the Religious School with a furniture
donation, all done while having fun!
The year is rolling to a close and Sisterhood has been
busy planning for the upcoming year. As we approach
our Centennial year, we begin to look back on all that has
gone before. Our Sisterhood has been a vibrant and hard
working group of women for decades. As we approach this
milestone we are looking for tidbits of information and stories
from the past. If you know of any pieces of information,
please let me know. We would like to include the tidbits
in a Centennial booklet that we hope to create. We are
particularly interested in photos. Any and all photos shared
with us will be returned to the owner when we are finished
with our publication. Please label the back of the photos
with the event and names(if known). Please mail them to
me or put them in the Sisterhood mailbox at Temple. Be
sure to let me know to whom to return them.
Every year your Brotherhood continues its efforts to
enhance your overall experience at Beth Ahabah. Many
of you have supported the Brotherhood with donations of
time and money. We thank you. Our success depends on
the efforts of many and I am fortunate to have the privilege
of working with such an enthusiastic group. We have four
new members who have joined our board. Please join me
in congratulating Steve Burman, Jeffrey McCabe, Nello
Williams and David Sella-Villa. We look forward to seeing
you at the summer cookouts. Please feel free to contact
me at [email protected] as I welcome your input.
Again, thanks.
Yours in Brotherhood,
Martin J Miller, president
Our Congregants Lives...
IN SYMPATHY TO THE FAMILIES OF…..
Stuart Silverman
father of Joanne Silverman
David Raine, Sr.
father of David Raine, Jr.
Rhoda Sternheimer
Bennett Sukonick
husband of Shirley Sukonick
father & father-in-law of Steve & Ellyn Sukonick
Pearl Stern
by Meg Marshak, president
Your Sisterhood is working hard on programming for
next year and dates for next year have already been set.
Your Sisterhood is going to present you with some great
opportunities for fun, learning, and a chance to know how
Beth Ahabah Sisterhood has come to be what we are.
Below are a few of the important dates for next year:
October 27, 2012 COOKING THROWDOWN
November 18, 2012 JOINT BRUNCH WITH
BETH EL SISTERHOOD
March 1, 2013 SISTERHOOD SHABBAT
March 2, 2013
SISTERHOOD PROGRAM
March 16, 2013
CENTENIAL TEA
April 14, 2013
SISTERHOOD BRUNCH
May 18, 2013
SISTERHOOD/
BROTHERHOOD GALA
Please mark your calendar and make plans to join us
for these and other programs. If you have any ideas for
programs or things you would like to see Sisterhood do,
please contact me at [email protected]. Also ,any
member of Sisterhood is welcome at our meetings which
occur on the second Wednesday of each month. We meet
at Temple; just ask where we are.
I want to wish all of you a warm and restful summer. If you
are traveling be safe and if you are staying home, I will see
you at Summer Services.
Page 9
B’Yachad
More than 200 volunteers came out Sunday, May
6, to give blood, bake meatloaf, make pillows, send
letters to U.S. soldiers, and take part in many other
projects for Congregation Beth Ahabah’s annual
Mitzvah Day.
June/July 2012
Cemetery and Belle Isle cleaned up; and countless
food items assembled, along with handwritten
letters, for U.S. troops overseas.
Mitzvah Day 2012 also included these projects:
Hard work by adults and children alike, including the students
of Beth Ahabah’s Religious School, made Mitzvah Day a
success. The day’s achievements included: 20 pints of blood
donated; a dozen new bone marrow donors registered; 80
lunches prepared and handed out to the homeless at Monroe
Park; 60 pounds of meatloaf and dozens of brownies baked
and packaged for Hospital Hospitality House of Richmond;
dozens of comfort pillows stuffed for young patients at
Massey Cancer Center; 3,000 Pink Ribbon cards assembled
for breast cancer awareness; 50 flower pots decorated to
distribute with Meals on Wheels; many tomato and pepper
plants planted at William Byrd Community Garden; Hebrew
• An evening performance by Beth Ahabah’s youth choir, Etz
Chayim, at Parkside Assisted Living at Beth Sholom.
• Dusting the exhibits at the Virginia Holocaust Museum.
• Sprucing up Binford Middle School.
• Assembling 200 snack bags for Richmond Friends of the
Homeless.
• Weeding the grounds of Beth Ahabah.
Mitzvah Day is part of Congregation Beth Ahabah’s ongoing
tradition of tikkun olam. It was co-chaired this year by Karen
Olshansky and Heather Dinkin and would not have been
possible without the hard work of all the project leaders and,
of course, so many wonderful volunteers.
Scenes from Mitzvah Day 2012
Page 10
B’Yachad
June/July 2012
Oh Jacob, where art thou?
A clue about the first Jew in Virginia
by David Farris, executive director
One of the fastest ways to get into trouble at our Museum
& Archives is to throw something away without giving lots of
thought to whether or not it has any value. Just because a
document or object has no discernable connection
to anything going on at present doesn’t mean
that it lacks future value, so we think carefully
before discarding anything.
We have just learned that an old map
that has been in the British Museum for
almost 150 years may provide a clue about
the fate of the so-called “Lost Colony”
of Roanoke Island. This is particularly
interesting to us because among the settlers
was the first Jew known to have visited Virginia,
Joachim Gaunse, aka Jacob Gans (even in the 16th century,
people changed their names when beginning new lives
in new places). He was a metallurgist from Prague, and a
member of the 1585 expedition led by Sir Walter Raleigh.
He is mentioned in our exhibit entitled “Commonwealth and
Community” in the back gallery.
I remember the story from my early schooldays. After having
been on the island for awhile, the ship went back to England
for supplies and to bring back additional settlers. When they
finally arrived back at the island, everyone had vanished and
the only clue was the word “Croatoan” carved on a tree.
That was the name of the local Indian tribe, giving rise to
speculation that perhaps the Indians had killed the settlers,
or maybe even convinced them that they should join forces
and move elsewhere.
That was how things rested for many years, until an observant
scholar from the University of North Carolina took a more
careful look at the old map. There are two patches on it, both
made of the same paper and indicating that they had been
made at the time the map was created. One patch corrected
the drawing of part of the shoreline, but the other covered a
symbol showing a fort, and itself bore a slightly different
fort symbol. The location of this mystery fort was at
the confluence of two rivers on a piece of land easily
accessible by boat from Roanoke Island. This location
was far enough inland to provide shelter from storms,
tides, and other natural inconveniences common in a
seaside location.
Today’s map shows that the more southern of the two
rivers is much smaller than the 16th century mapmaker
showed it to be. The site where the fort symbols appear
is now the location of a golf course on the western end
of Albemarle Sound, a few miles south of where Rt. 17
crosses a bridge not far from Edenton, NC. It would be
interesting to ask the builders of the golf links if they
found any artifacts during construction, and whether those
artifacts were preserved. No doubt today’s history detectives
will do just that.
So, does this tell us anything about what happened to
Joachim Gaunse (or Jacob Gans)? Since captains are
careful to write down the names of everyone on their ships,
it should be possible to learn whether or not Gans was on
the ship that went back for supplies. If he was not, he must
have been among those who stayed and met their fate in
the new world.
It is truly fortunate that museum people in all countries
are pack rats at heart. They know that something with no
apparent value today may become very important tomorrow
as additional information comes to light, or when new eyes
look at old information and see things not noticed before.
That is why we store things so carefully at our Museum &
Archives.
Come and see what we are saving for future generations,
and we will be happy to share our secrets of preservation
with you. Remember that now, in 2012, people come to
learn about their ancestors of 100 years ago. In 100 years,
people will be coming to research you. Bring us your family
histories! We are located at 1109 West Franklin St., and
are here from 10 AM to 3 PM Sunday through Thursday.
Above: The old map
found at UNC; Below:
The same area today.
Page 11
B’Yachad
June/July 2012
Contributions
TEMPLE FUND
Philip W. & Nathalie L. Klaus Fund of
the Community Federation
IN HONOR OF:
Rosalie Nachman’s special birthday
Marjorie Gunst
Judy Markowitz’s special birthday
Marjorie Gunst
IN MEMORY OF:
Minnette Bernstein
The Schmidt Family
Morris Hirsch
Terry & Jerry Hirsch
Thomas King
Florence Spinner & Family
Lillian Feibish
Edith Brenner
Martin Miller & Family
Katie & Ken Roeper
Mrs. Elsa B. Marks
Lynda Howell Weston
Rebecca “Billye” Michael, my mother
Sherlee Michael Ginsberg
Joseph Burlock
Anne Lawver
Charles Salken
Kenneth Salken
THE RABBI’S
PHILANTHROPIC FUND
IN HONOR OF:
Rabbi Gallop’s unveiling for
Hannah Rapp
Sheri Cox & Harold Rapp
Ethan Smartt’s baby naming
ceremony
Elizabeth & Ryan Smartt
IN MEMORY OF:
Nathan Sternheimer &
Mark Sternheimer, Jr.
Jane Sternheimer
Martin T. Lee & Helen C. Boustany
Richard & Helene Lee
Lillian Cohen Feibish, our mother
The Feibish Family
CANTOR GOLDMAN’S MUSIC FUND
IN MEMORY OF:
Lillian Cohen Feibish, our mother
The Feibish Family
JERRY BERNSTEIN
BROTHERHOOD FUND
IN HONOR OF:
Ionel Kahn receiving the
“Frozen Bagel” Award
Katie & Ken Roeper
RELIGIOUS SCHOOL TUITION
ASSISTANCE FUND
IN MEMORY OF:
Maurice Brown
Susan E. Griffith
SADIE KIRSH RELIGIOUS SCHOOL
FUND
IN HONOR OF:
Our granddaughter,
Mandi Andersen’s Bat Mitzvah
Barbara & Harry Fried
HEBREW CEMETERY FUND
Philip W. & Nathalie L. Klaus Fund of
the Community Federation
MUSEUM & ARCHIVES:
IN MEMORY OF:
Joseph L. Rosenbaum
Joyce Rosenbaum & Family
“Tell Zel”
is back
Don’t be shy!
Share your news with
friends and family:
[email protected]
or 741-0403
.
Hebrew Cemetery
of Congregations Beth Shalome & Beth Ahabah
It’s never too early to be prepared.
For more information please call Russell
Finer or Bill Thalhimer, III at 358.6757.
Take Steps for Crohn’s & Colitis
June 3rd Walk at RIR
Seeking a Cantorial Soloist...
Beth Ahabah is currently seeking
a Cantorial S oloist to lead the
congregation in song, approximately
40 weeks annually (Friday night and
Saturday morning services); Required
skills include: knowledge of Reform
Jewish services; ability to read music;
proficient in Hebrew. Ability to play
guitar would be a plus. Email letter
of interest and/or resume to Katie
Roeper at [email protected].
If you know someone who may enjoy
this opportunity, please pass along this
information.
Looking for a way to share your
Nachas?
Celebrating a milestone in your life
such as an anniversary, birthday or
new birth in the family? How about
honoring a past achievement such
as your Bar/Bat Mitzvah or Religious
School Confirmation?
Congregation Beth Ahabah would
love to help you honor these occasions or any others that you may wish
to celebrate by inviting you to say an
Aliyah during a Friday night service.
It’s okay if you can’t read Hebrew. The
transliterated text will be provided to
you before the Service so that you
have plenty of time to practice. Your
participation will help to make our
Friday night Shabbat Services even
more glorious! Please call the Temple
office at 804 358 6757 to request a
date for an Aliyah.
A 2-mile walk and festival on June 3, 2012, at the Richmond International Raceway. Registration and entertainment will begin at 2:00 PM, the Program starts at
3:00 PM with the walk to follow. For more information, visit www.cctakesteps.org/
richmond, contact Joslynn Broun at 646-717-6208, [email protected] or Russ Finer
at [email protected].
Congregation Beth Ahabah
1111 West Franklin Street
Richmond, Virginia 23220
Telephone: (804) 358-6757
email: [email protected]
Temple Fax: (804) 358-3451
Successor to K.K. Beth Shalome...1789
Board of Managers
Karyn Andersen, Carol Ann Callahan*, Robert Davidson*, Melissa Demlein, Linda Ferguson, Dana
Isaacoff, Brian Meyer, Adam Nelson, Lawrence Salzman*, Laura Savage, Jim Schuyler, Lori Skiles,
Demis Stewart, John Sternlicht and Mark Wolfsheimer
Temple Staff
Dated Material
Martin P. Beifield Jr.
Sophia and Nathan Gumenick Senior Rabbi*
Jesse Gallop Associate Rabbi*
Russell M. Finer Executive Director*
Ramona Brand Education Director*
Dr. Jack D. Spiro Rabbi Emeritus
Frances T. Goldman Cantor Emerita
Natan Berenshteyn Choral Director
Congregational
cookout
Temple Officers
Ron Kasoff President*
Charles Rothenberg 1st Vice President*
Katie Roeper 2nd Vice President*
Michael Mendelson Treasurer*
Nancy Belleman Past President*
Temple Auxiliaries
Harlan Loebman
Museum & Archives President
David B. Farris
Museum & Archives Director
William B. Thalhimer III
Hebrew Cemetery Chair
Meg Marshak Sisterhood President
Martin Miller Brotherhood President
* Executive Committee Member
If you have any matter that you wish to discuss with an
officer of the Congregation, please contact our president,
Ron Kasoff, at [email protected] or at 804.674.5827
Following Shabbat services
Friday, July 20th @ 6:30 pm
Dinner is free, dress is casual and conversation is easy!
Please come enjoy the summer evening with new friends
and learn more about Congregation Beth Ahabah.