January - Beth Sholom

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Beth Sholom Congregation
The Bulletin
The President’s Corner
by Andy Carpel
[email protected]
Shalom everyone,
It is pretty well known that the holiday season now upon us is a
stressful time of year. Rabbi Wiesenberg touched upon this in
his sermon the other night. We are forced to spend time with
family we hardly know or may not like. Some folks are pressured by the gift giving and receiving. There are many holiday
parties which change the daily routine. Throw in nightfall at
4:30 PM, atomic grade heartburn from everything you eat (or
misery and regret from the things you don’t), long lines, full
parking lots, out of stock items and…well, you get the point. It
seems like there are a million things the Board of Trustees has
to deal with, but as Rev. Martin Luther King said in a famous
speech, “Keep you eyes on the prize!” Our prize is a healthy
synagogue. Every decision has to be made with that as the goal.
Our goal is to be healthy spiritually, morally, financially, socially. With G-d’s help we’ll make more right decisions than
wrong.
Now the news from last month’s BOT meeting…
Joy Kesselman, a former member of Beth Sholom, teaches a
popular Jewish Sunday School class. It is not affiliated with our
school. She has approached Pauline asking to rent our 2nd Street
shul on Sunday mornings to teach her classes. Since this most
affects our educators, we have asked her to make a presentation
at the next Board of Education meeting. By the time you read
this, the BOE will have spoken to Ms. Kesselman in order to
make an informed determination.
The Religious Affairs Committee and the Survey Committee
are planning to meet to discuss an alternative service, a simple
proposal of enormous importance. Many people I like very much
are on both sides of the issue. We have to do what is best for the
shul. Fortunately as President, I don’t get to vote. Clearer
minds get to decide this issue. Still, there are strong feelings on
both sides.
On the subject of Religious Affairs, the Board of Trustees decided not to charge for tickets to the High Holy Days next year.
We are doing this in honor of our tenth anniversary. The revenue we get from tickets is about $10,000. This is a very small
part of our overall budget. We feel the benefit to our Frederick
Jewish community will more that offset financial loss. Morally,
it is an upright thing to do. Financially, the very opposite is
true. I think with the right press agent we could make it into
Ripley’s Believe It or Not!
Our Fundraising Chair, Andy Rosenfeld, told us he is considering doing smaller, more intimate events to promote camaderie
more than money making. We could encourage new members
to join in the planning. Activities like casino nights and minia-
ture golf outings were suggested. We talked about each BOT
member calling a new member to invite them to services and
get them acclimated to our shul. I like this idea — kind of like
Big Brothers, Big Sisters. Speaking of which, the local chapter
of BB/BS is putting out an APB calling for more mentors. They
told me they even have some Jewish kids that need mentoring.
It involves spending one afternoon per week or so with a needy
teenager. It’s the kind of one-on-one charity where you can make
a big difference in someone’s life, without having to marry them
or give them a job. If you have the time it would be a real
mitzvah.
Another fundraising proposal took root. Last week you received
a DVD copy of Fred and Ellen Berney’s production of Beth
Sholom: Then and Now. We sent a copy to all current members
with our ad book/desk calendar in the hope of receiving donations. The biggest donation was the Berneys’ time and effort in
making this terrific historical video. As if that weren’t enough,
the Berneys then donated enough DVDs to send to all of you.
As we say in Frederick, that rates an “attaboy” and our undying
gratitude. We plan to use the proceeds to fund the beginning
work on our next Tree of Life. Since the current tree has been
filled, there are fewer alternatives to place a plaque in our shul
to honor people and events. Many members have waited patiently to have their Mitzvahs recorded on a new Tree of Life.
We voted to authorize the funding to begin the next tree.
On the social scene, we are planning to have bingo worker
“raves” to thank those unsung heroes of Beth Sholom, who work
you-know-what. The goal is to make these “soirees” so hip,
everyone will be clamoring for an invite. The first one will be at
Studio 54 in New York City with Tony Bennett and the Beastie
Boys performimg. I am working on a Purim skit that can showcase all their talents. If you want to come you gotta work bingo,
otherwise eat your hearts out!
Also starting in January will be the long awaited Parlor Meetings, where small groups of members will be invited to co-mingle
and exchange views on the future of Beth Sholom and how we
can make it better. We haven’t done anything like this since the
progressive dinners of the late 1980s, but these actually sound
like fun.
At the end of our Board of Trustees meeting, I distributed documents related to Rabbi David Wiesenberg’s employment separation from Beth Sholom. He has engaged an adviser to help
him negotiate these uncharted waters, which is positively his
right. The BOT needed to read his contract and all correspondence, so that as BOT members, we may be attentive to all details, requests, and sensitivities, without compromising our objectives for a healthy shul.
Happy Hanukah,
Andy Carpel
The Bulletin
Beth Sholom Congregation
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Beth Sholom Congregation welcomes
new members:
Shari & Rusty Austin
Drs. Brenna Steinberg & Brian Rader
CHOLENT IS A FRENCH WORD
Cholent is a word in Webster=s Dictionary. Cholent is a Shabbos
treat originating in recent Eastern European history. At that time,
its cooking procedure was being in the oven all night. Today, we
use a crock pot. No one knows exactly what the ingredients are
since they change with the economics of the family. The important ingredient was meat bones when there was no meat. This
way the potatoes and beans would have a meat flavor. Most of
the households in Eastern Europe served Cholent. It was economic, it fed the whole family, and it was hot.
The writers in that era had wonderful stories to tell. The town
women would bring a pot of Cholent to be placed in the bakery
oven, the largest oven in town. With a dozen Cholent pots lined
up, there was often a Cholent pot mismatched by mistake. The
housewife knew immediately whether or not a mistake had been
made. The key, of course, was how much meat was in the pot. In
our kitchen, two crock pots stand side by side. One has meat;
the other is vegetarian. Across the beans and potatoes there is a
Kishka the full width of the crock pot.
Many years ago we had a system by which volunteers would
come to the Shul kitchen and make the Cholent. Rose Shapiro,
Carol Kosman, Beck Wolberg, Dina Erlick, Ida Ruck, Regina
Kaiktsian, Jerry Lapides, John Horowitz and Bill Selzer, to name
a few. I wonder if we could get that going again. The Cholent
ingredients can be put in the crock pot on Thursday evening and
then stored in the refrigerator. On Friday, the crock pot is taken
out, turned on and set for Shabbos. This could be big, if we got
it going again. Of course, Eileen may say, ANisht.@ - RMK
AAs a Jewish athlete I think it=s important to interact with fans,
and the Dodgers, of course, have a rich tradition with Hall of
Fame Jewish pitcher Sandy Koufax.@ - All star outfielder Shawn
Green, after he was traded from the Toronto Blue Jays to the
Los Angeles Dodgers and signed to a six-year, $84 million contract - making him baseball=s second highest-paid player - on
why he wanted to be traded to a community with a large Jewish
population.
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
I met Sharon Kuebbing at the door as we were both leaving
Sunday school. Sharon bought two Hebrew lessons at the recent auction. I told Sharon that Terri Weinstein bought lessons
with me a few years ago and we read Hebrew together for about
5 years.
The Kuebbings had given a Torah to the synagogue. I asked
Sharon, in an undefined service, is there any procedure for which
you would object to having your family Torah used. She thought
about it for a few moments.
My feeling is that the Asurvey@ sponsors and advocates who
came to the board meeting were a group of the most responsible
congregants. I would trust them to do what is in good taste. These
are modest people, sincere and worthy of being responded to.
They are leaders in whatever endeavor they set upon. The problem is the group after these. The next group… and there will be
a next group.
Sharon asked, AWhat objectionable practice do you have in
mind?@ I replied that I did not know.
Sharon pursued the question. AWhat would be objectionable?@
I replied that I=m not sure. Someone more experienced in this
than I am mentioned electronic devices. For instance, night club
effects. It sounds unlikely; however, the next group....
I know that once we entertain egalitarian and what that means
outside of Frederick, we lose four Torahs. In addition the Millers may object to their Torah being used in a service other than
normative. Shirley would have to ask her children, Regina, Bob
and Marcie.
I know that the group we=re talking about is not the electronic
device group. They are looking for a meaningful service, not a
sensational type. The major advocate of this effort wrote me
that he is removing himself from the pursuit of an extra service.
I suggested to Sharon that she ask Dan if he had any parameters regarding what theirs would be used with. Sharon=s response was, ADan is more sensitive about it than I am. There
probably should be some parameters.@
I repeated the adage that, Anow is not the time for another
service.@ Anyone who wants clarification on that, please call
me. - RMK
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Beth Sholom Congregation
THIS IS A STORY FOR THE BULLETIN,
SO I’M TOLD
Two congregants told me that today=s happening is a Bulletin
item. So, here goes.
Jim Lewin asked Conrad Adelman if there could be a Minyon
on Sunday, Thanksgiving weekend. Jim had Yahrzeit for his father. It is not easy to gather a Minyon on a Sunday following
Thanksgiving. People are away or people have company. Conrad
began recruiting congregants early. Of course, we counted on
the usual walk-ins and the >was in the neighborhood= bit. Like
the following, a so-called random call.
The call was from Pinchas Fleishman. He and his wife are
vacationing in the area and he has Yahrzeit on Sunday morning.
Would we be having a Minyon?
AWell,@ I began, AWe=re going to have a service but I can=t promise a Minyon.@
Mr. Fleishman countered, AYes, but you come so highly recommended....@
AWell,@ I offered, AMaybe we will have a Minyon. Sometimes
a woman joins us.
Mr. Fleishman countered, ACan=t you put up a temporary
Mechitzah (divider).@
AWell,@ I began, AI don=t know....”
ABut,@ Mr. Fleishman said, AYou come so well recommended;
your reputation....@
AWell,@ I said, AI guess we can bring in the Talis rack. We=ll use
that as a divider.@
AI am so grateful to you,@ Mr. Fleishman said, AYou come so
well recommended....@
I was telling my son Chaim this dialogue. My children are
acquainted with the works of Sholom Alechem in Yiddish. On
the phone, listening to Mr. Fleishman I felt like I had stepped
into a Sholom Alechem story, Abeing so well recommended.@
So what happened?
It was quite possible that Mr. Fleishman would not show. That
was a real possibility. However, he did come with his wife. His
wife sat in the social hall. I asked if she wanted to be closer to
the chapel, like a chair at the doorway. She said she wanted to
doven in the social hall and that she was fine.
Conrad Adelman and Jason Herman began the dovening and
then Jim Lewin took over. We followed our routine. A page in
Hebrew, a page in English. We skip parts until we get to the
Shema section. Then we include all the parts.
Mr. Fleishman asked about Tachanun; I explained that we do
not do that....yet.
At the end of the service, Mr. Fleishman asked if there could
possibly be an afternoon service, so he could say Kaddish again.
I turned it over to Conrad (who immediately began recruiting)
since Conrad too comes so Awell recommended.@
During the dovening Mrs. Fleishman saw me going back and
forth from the kitchen and asked if she could of help. She cut
the lox for me and helped with the bingo prep that was going on
in the kitchen. Don Lachman was away the for holiday weekend.
The Bulletin
At breakfast I had to defrost more bagels than were in the
oven. Mr. Fleishman told me that he was a Shaatnez Maven
(combined wool and linen expert). He was able to examine jackets and tell whether or not there was linen in a woolen garment.
Wool together with linen is called Shaatnez and is forbidden to
wear. His examination of the garment would entail small pieces
of the garment examined through a microscope.
We were all at breakfast. I encouraged Pinchas Fleishman to
address the group about the Mitzvah of Shaatnez, wool and linen
prohibition. Meanwhile, Conrad was making sure about
Minchah, the afternoon service. It would be an opportunity for
Jim and Pinchas to recite Kaddish once more, while still in the
day of Yahrzeit. I was home most of the day so Conrad and I
conferred through e-mail. I wanted to make sure that we had a
Minyon.
Beck Wolberg used to do the Minyon calling. She was relentless on the phone. When someone would say to her, “I=ll try and
make it,@ she replied, AThat=s no good. I have to know if you=re
coming or not.@ What really steamed her was the response of
one congregant. He would ask after Beck=s request, AWhy doesn=t
the Rabbi call me about the Minyon?@ For some reason that
remark, always repeated, was Beck=s block-buster. In a frozen
voice Beck would respond, AAre you coming or not?@
We do not have a problem getting a Minyon when there is
enough notice beforehand. - RMK
Beth Sholom offers
sincere
condolences
to
Caroline Treiber & Family
on the passing of her nephew, Ryan Duff
AOnly in America are there handicapped parking places in front
of a skating rink.@
AWhy is lemon juice made with artificial flavor, and dishwashing
liquid made with real lemons.@
The Bulletin
Beth Sholom Congregation
Page 5
OUR GRANDDAUGHTER==S WEDDING
TANYA - SHNEUR ZALMON OF LIADI
There are congregants who will remember our daughter Zahava.
Zahava was friends with Kay King A.H. I don=t remember how
the connection began, but Zahava would spend a lot of time
talking to Mrs. King in King=s Menswear. Mrs. King was a
business lady. Zahava was 15. Mrs. King always looked like she
just came from the beauty parlor. When I came to Frederick, the
first day, I bought a shirt at King=s Men=s Wear. I did not tell
Kay King who I was. It did not take long, maybe minutes, before I was found out. In fact, before the sale was completed
Mrs. King knew that I was the new rabbi, brand new, like one
day. At that time Zahava was 5 years old. That Zahava should
find her way to this store some ten years later is part of the
mystique of living.
Zahava, now married to Boruch Green, celebrated her fourth
child=s wedding with all of us. Their daughter, Chanee, married
Boruch Ostrozynski, a Lubavitcher. Zahava and Boruch and family are Lubavitchers. To “marry out” in Lubavitcher terms would
be not to marry a Lubavitcher. - RMK
“I speak of those who know me well, each and every one of our
faithful who lives in our country and in lands adjacent to it, with
whom words of affection have been frequently exchanged, and
who have revealed to me the secrets of their hearts and mind in
their service to G-d, which is dependent on the heart. May my
word stir them, and my tongue be as the pen of the scribe in
these teachings, which have been selected from books and teachers, whose souls are in Eden and who are renowned among us.
Their words are so as to receive moral guidance in the service
of G-d.”
LUBAVITCH - CHABAD
Lubavich is an Chassidic sect. The first Rebbe, called the AAlter,@
began his movement in the early 1800s. The AAlter@ felt that he
was a spiritual grandson of the Baal Shem Tov, ca. 1700s. The
Baal Shem Tov is the founder of the Chassidic movement, which
is comprised of many sects.
The AAlter,@ when young, moved to a vacant area near the
Ukraine. He began his family there. Other families joined him.
Soon there were enough families in the farm area to give a name
to where they lived. They called their Atown@ Luba, which means
love. Their existence at that time personified love of people,
creatures and nature. Their Rabbi and founder was the AAlter,@
Shneur Zalmon of Liadi. He is especially known for two famous works. One is a Code of Law, Shulchan Aruch. This is
known as the Rav=s Shulchan Aruch. It is somewhat different
than the Code of Law that Joseph Caro wrote in the 1400s. The
AAlter=s@ Code of Law was written 400 years later.
The second work is entitled the Tanya. The Alter is known as
the Baal HaTanya, the master of the work, Tanya. Tanya is a
work specifically known for its Kabbalistic sources and direction. The AAlter@ began a dynasty of Chassidic masters who followed the rules, the Code of Law of the Rav, and all its distinct
customs. Even the prayer book is different than the standard
prayer books we use. - RMK
“It has been taught in the volume of the Talmud entitled Nidah:
An oath is administered before birth warning, ‘Be righteous and
be not wicked; And even if the whole world tells you that you
are righteous, regard yourself as not being righteous.’
This latter needs explanation as it contradicts a teaching in
Ethics of our Fathers: For we know that one must not consider
himself as not righteous. For then, the person will be grieved at
heart and depressed, and will not be able to serve G-d joyfully
and with a contented heart. However, if he is not perturbed by
considering himself not righteous it could lead to irreverence,
G-d forbid.”
BINGO VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
PLEASE DONATE A FEW HOURS OF YOUR TIME
TO BETH SHOLOM’S BIGGEST FUNDRAISER
CALL JANET AT 301-663-3437
THANK YOU!!
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Beth Sholom Congregation
WHAT IS “TZEDAKAH”?
“In Judaism, wealth is seen as both a blessing and as a
responsibility.” - Rabbi Jonathan Sacks,
Chief Rabbi of Great Britain
No one can take their blessings for granted. This is so clear
from the Torah portion, Toldos. Approaching his old age and
apprehensive of near death, Isaac decided to bless his son Esau.
I’m sure all of you know how Rebecca, Esau’s mother, persuaded
her other son Jacob to masquerade as Esau and steal the blessing: “May Gd give you from the dew of the heavens and the fat
of the earth; and abundant grain and wine.”
Homiletically, grain signifies bread, the necessities of life, while
wine alludes to the luxuries. Isaac wanted his son to have both.
The famous medieval commentator, Rashi, who made the Torah
very meaningful to the layperson, explained that Isaac hinted at
an important condition: Gd would bestow the blessing only if
his son was worthy of it, but not otherwise.
Are we all completely worthy? We live in faith; yet even those
who seem the most righteous and deserving sometimes experience famine and poverty. Judaism says it is our duty to support
them.
I’d like to relate to you the profound words of Rabbi Professor
Jonathan Sacks, Chief Rabbi of the
United Kingdom and the British
Commonwealth. Rabbi Sacks was
the guest recently of the Beth Tfiloh
synagogue in Baltimore
where
he was invited to speak about his
recently published book, To Heal
a Fractured World; the Ethics of
Responsibility.
Rabbi Jonathan Sacks
Here are his thoughts on charity:
“The word tzedakah is untranslatable because it joins together
two concepts that in other languages are opposites, namely charity and justice. Suppose, for example, that I give someone $100.
Either he is entitled to it, or he is not. If he is, then my act is a
form of justice. If he is not, it is an act of charity. In English (as
with the Latin terms cantos and iustitia) a gesture of charity
cannot be an act of justice, nor can an act of justice be described
as charity. However, Tzedakah means both.
“It arises from Judaism’s theological insistence on the difference between possession and ownership. Ultimately, all things
are owned by God, creator of the world. What we possess, we
do not own—we merely hold it in trust for Gd.
The Bulletin
“If there were absolute ownership, there would be a difference
between justice (what we are bound to give others) and charity
(what we give others out of generosity). The former would be a
legally enforceable duty, the latter, at best, the prompting of
benevolence or sympathy.
“In Judaism, because we are not owners of our property but
guardians on Gd’s behalf, we are bound by the conditions of
trusteeship, one of which is that we share part of what we have
with others in need. What would be regarded as charity in other
legal systems is, in Judaism, a strict requirement of the law and
can, if necessary, be enforced by the courts.
“The nearest English equivalent to tzedakah is the phrase social
justice. Behind both is the idea that no one should be without
the basic requirements of existence, and that those who have
more than they need must share some of that surplus with those
who have less. This is fundamental to the kind of society the
Israelites were charged with creating, namely one in which everyone has a basic right to a dignified life and equal worth as
citizens in the covenantal community under the sovereignty of
G-d.”
In an interview conducted by the respected journal Religion and
Liberty, published by The Acton Institute for the Study of Religion and Liberty, Rabbi Sacks opined, “In Judaism, wealth is
seen as both a blessing and as a responsibility. The wealthy are
expected to share their blessings with others and to be personal
role models of social and communal responsibility…
“Poverty, for the rabbis, was a curse, with no saving graces.
Poverty does not ennoble; it demeans. Therefore, the poor must
be helped to escape from their poverty—through education, training, the creation of employment opportunities, and help in starting their own businesses.”
In November I attended the Ecumenical Candlelight Prayer Walk
to raise funds and awareness for the homeless and hungry in
Frederick. At this time of year most people are happily celebrating the joyous season of Thanksgiving, Chanukah, Christmas,
Kwanzaa, and New Year’s Day. It’s only too easy to forget the
unfortunate poor, single and bereaved whose misery is compounded by the sight of others having such a good time.
After the walk I heard the moving tale of an elderly woman
found sleeping under plastic bags at the edge of town in the
freezing cold who was (with difficulty) persuaded to move indoors to the Cold Weather Shelter. That saved her life!
Please open your hearts to make a donation to the Religious
Coalition for Emergency Human Needs and a prayer to Gd: “Heal
the hearts of the hungry and homeless; the miserable and lonely
at this time of year!”
Please mail your donations to:
Religious Coalition for Emergency Human Needs
420 East Patrick St., Ste. 150B
Frederick, MD 21701-5658
Tel. 301-631-2670
The Bulletin
Beth Sholom Congregation
Page 7
THE MINCHAH SERVICE
The Minchah service replaces the animal offering in the Temple.
Though the offering was at dusk, the Minchah is held any time
from noon until dusk. The Silent Prayer in the morning replaces
the morning offering in the Temple; and as stated, the Minchah
replaces the twilight offering.
Minchah is the shortest service. Psalm 145 is recited, a reader=s
Kaddish, silent prayer; repetition of silent prayer aloud only if
there is a quorum; a prayer called Tachanun, recited silently;
Readers Kaddish, Alenu and then Mourner=s Kaddish. Minchah
is short.
Minchah is the service I have trouble remembering to do. My
schedule is different daily. There is no service to go to. I=m pretty
focused in what I=m doing. Before I know it, it is dark and I did
not doven Minchah. You are allowed to make up the silent prayer
you missed. At the next service, evening, you recite two silent
prayers. It=s not the same as Minchah in its time.
Over the years I=ve had a Count-the-Omer buddy, which is
very effective. A Minchah buddy is more difficult. I don=t do the
same thing two days in a row. For Minchah, there is a deadline.
Once the sun sets it is too late. Any time-limit observance excuses women from the obligation.
A Minchah on this Sunday afternoon is a gift for me. We set
the time at 4:30 p.m. Since Jim Lewin has Yahrzeit, he was to
doven. He offered the lead to Pinchas Fleishman, who was also
observing Yahrzeit. Minchah was the last opportunity to recite
Kaddish, since the day ends at nightfall.
I=m very guarded about who leads the dovening. You just never
know what will transpire when a new voice enters the solo box.
Minchah is short, so I reasoned that Pinchas could not be too
much of a culture-shock for us. What was I afraid of? He might
doven very fast; he might doven very slow; he might elongate
words, or sing very high or sing very low or not sing or sing too
much.
However, Minchah is short. We were hosts, which in a way
obligated us to invite the guest to lead the service on his Yahrzeit.
As it turned out, he dovened beautifully. He dovenend a little
slow, probably purposely, for us, but very plain liturgy; smooth
and plain. - RMK
THURSDAY AND SUNDAY MORNINGS
Sunday morning is a great opportunity for B=Mitzvah trainees
to be up front. The service is an hour long. Thursday and Sunday mornings are opportunities for congregants who wish to
learn how to lead the service in Hebrew or English.
On both mornings, Don Lachman prepares and serves breakfast with help. We can always use an extra pair of hands and
sponsors for the breakfasts. - RMK
ADo not speak of secret matters in a field full of little hills.@
Hebrew proverb.
AWhen one dog barks, he easily finds others to bark with it.@
Exodus Rabbah
THE EVENING SERVICE
On this particular Sunday after Thanksgiving, we had formal
morning services, formal Minchah services and formal evening
service. In former years I would not do two services at the same
time. I thought it would be too much for congregants. So, if
there was a request for a Minchah service, we would doven
Minchah and return home.
I feel differently now. Congregants have left their homes and
come to the Community Center. A Minchah service is brief. Since
they came to participate in a service, Minchah is not long enough.
Congregants would feel like there was something missing. Now,
we do two services if the time is suitable, the afternoon service
followed by the evening service.
Most of us are not used to 3-times-a-day formal prayer - morning, afternoon and evening. When we do a random service it
lacks the relevance of the regularity. Instead, at our service, concentration is on the Kaddish recital. The service is secondary,
so long as the person who requested the Minyon could say
Kaddish.
Dovening is a matter of experience and exposure. A few years
ago I decided to have an evening service once a month on a
Wednesday. It is so easy to get a quorum for Yahrzeit, I thought
we might fake a Yahrzeit and have an evening service.
It did not fly. Our congregants need a purpose to come out for
a Minyon. The service itself is not reason enough.
My purpose for an evening service is to familiarize congregants
with the prayers. Wednesday night, evening service is basically
the same as Friday night service. On Friday night there are inserts for Shabbos, the service is longer, and we have refreshments afterwards. It is a full evening. Wednesday night Maariv
would be a half hour. In and out. Being present often enough
would eventually make the service a piece of cake. The evening
service is always the same, everywhere you go.
One of the difficulties in congregants attending services is that
they do not know what to expect. The Hebrew is intimidating.
Why should they put themselves in an uncomfortable situation?
It=s easier to skip it. Perhaps it is time to try for the fake Wednesday nightYahrzeit again? - RMK
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Beth Sholom Congregation
The Bulletin
BAAL HATANYA - MASTER OF THE TANYA
SISTERHOOD GIFT AND BOOK FAIR
After the third year of the social hall being needed for other
activities during their sale, Sisterhood is beginning to feel tested.
It was a true test when it was discovered that one of the important sale days was also the last Wednesday night bingo for the
Early Childhood Center. Through some fancy footwork the conflict was resolved by the flexibility of Sisterhood, specifically
Denys Louderback and Sylvia Elfman. President Andy Carpel
greased the wheels with his offer of help from some of his employees. Eileen Marcus thought of using the round tables so
that while bingo tables were in storage, Sisterhood loaded up
the round tables with the merchandise to be sold. On bingo night,
the round merchandise-laden tables were carried into the sanctuary, and moved back Thursday morning by Andy, his men,
and Jose.
Our Shul cannot go from Aleph to Bais without Sisterhood.
Sisterhood=s yearly contribution to the building fund is close to
$20,000. That is huge, but that is not Sisterhood=s most important contribution. Sisterhood does kitchen duty at every Simcha
as well as at every Friday night and Shabbos morning. Sisterhood “rules” and we=re very grateful for it. Sisterhood meets
the first Thursday of each month at 12:00 noon. Call President
Beate Frankel (301-898-7699) for membership and meeting
information. - RMK
Commit
Random Acts of
Chesed
Some years ago a Lubavitcher moved into Frederick. He was a
doctor at Ft. Detrick. He asked me if we had ever published
volumes of the Tanya in Frederick. I told him, no. With that
question I knew what was coming next. Of course, we=ve never
published the work called, ATanya.@ Nor have we published any
other work.
He told me that the ARebbe@ advised that every town with a
Jewish community should publish the first Rebbe=s work, the
Tanya.
AAlright,@ I said. AWhat would you like?@
He said, AI took care of it. Here are the copies.@ He offered to
give a class in Tanya which he did until he moved.
The copies of Tanya are in our dining room, as we speak. RMK
THE DYNASTY
I don=t know the names of each descending Rebbe until the 1940s.
I know that the names have always been around me. My grandchildren and great grandchildren bear the names of some of the
dynasty. My grandfather=s name was Menachem Mendel and
one of the Rebbe=s names was Menachem Mendel. I have a grandson and a great grandson whose name is Menachem Mendel.
Ron Segall=s Hebrew name is Shneur Zalmon which is the exact
name of the AAlter.@ I have a new great grandson whose name is
Yaakov Yosef. That is the name of one of the Rebbes.
I have a granddaughter and great granddaughter whose name
is Mushke which is the name of one of the wives of the Rebbishe
dynasty.
Each Lubavitcher Rebbe from the 1800s had children, one of
whom was able to assume the leadership. Rabbi Schneerson was
a son-in-law to the previous Rebbe. Rabbi Schneerson did not
have children. Before he was acclaimed as the Rebbe, or maybe
he was already acclaimed as the successor, he was hiding in
Germany with his retinue of 17 people right at the beginning of
the Holocaust.
Suzanne Markowitz told me that her grandmother was a cousin
to the secretary of Rabbi Schneerson, the last Lubavitcher Rebbe.
That cousin was one of the 17 in hiding in Berlin. - RMK
The Bulletin
Beth Sholom Congregation
HINDSIGHT UNDERSTANDING
The Lubavitcher movement today is dynamic and super effective. It is a Kiruv (bringing Jews close) movement. The movement is widespread covering most corners of the world. Whatever there is today is a result of the last Lubavitcher Rebbe,
Rabbi Menachem Schneerson, ZtzL. I cannot describe sufficiently the effectiveness of this movement. Rabbi Schneerson
has been dead for ten years. His writings, the music and the
Lubavitcher structure continues in its strength. Here is the pintele
(the dot) of Hashgacha Protis (singular supervision) that saved
what we have had and still have today.
The entire Lubavitch movement in America lay in the success
of a half-Jew German Lieutenant whose task was to find the
Rebbe and his group. The group was hiding in Berlin. Imagine
the slim possibility of success. The Lieutenant knocked on Jewish doors in a Nazi uniform claiming that he was here to save
the Rebbe, but he can=t find him.
The history of the half-Jewish Nazi Lieutenant is also the beginning of G-d=s intervention in ultimately saving the Rebbe,
which resulted in the movement we have today. Hitler, Yemach
Shemom, (may his name be wiped out) favored the Lieutenant
and declared him to be totally German. A Hitlerian saying was,
AWhom I say is Jewish, is Jewish and whom I say is German, is
German.”
In America, rabbis, politicians and dignitaries met with congressmen to save the life of the Rebbe and his group. The Nazis
agreed for political reasons. Now, the Lieutenant had to convince Jewish people that he was sincere and was instructed to
find the rabbi and secure him and his group safe passage to a
port city.
The Lieutenant was successful. He found the group and secured them safe passage. The Rebbe and the Aseventeen@ opened
offices in Brooklyn. Our congregant=s grandmother=s cousin, the
Rebbe=s secretary, was among them. - RMK
Page 9
Some years later I had another appointment with the Rebbe,
B=Yechidus. B=Yechidus means when you are alone with the
Rebbe. The point of my seeing him was in regards to livelihood.
I don=t remember what he said or if there was a blessing. The
Rebbe gave me two new $10 dollar bills and told me to include
these when I pay bills. I walked out, backwards, of course. RMK
THE 2ND FLOOR APARTMENT CURTAIN
Lubavitcher weddings, whenever possible, are held outside at
770 Eastern Parkway. The particular spot is beneath the 2nd
floor apartment window where the Rebbe lived. I have attended
a few weddings on that spot. The Rebbe was living when my
brother-in-law and sister-in-law married. We assumed that when
the Chupah (ceremony) took place the Rebbe was watching from
the window. Someone said that he saw the curtain move. Since
then there have been many weddings on that spot. Many times
someone has said, AI saw the curtain move.@
Now, there we all were, in 20 degree weather - most of the
grandchildren and all my children except Avi and Miriam Raisel,
who are in B=nai B=rak, Israel. There were a few lines read from
the Rebbe. No speeches under the Chupah. Six relatives were
called to recite the seven blessings. I looked up at the curtain by
the second floor window. Did it move?
That=s not the point. The point is that another wedding by the
window of the Rebbe=s apartment took place. The complete scene
reenacted again and again with the dynamics of a dynasty in
place. A dynasty touching the third century of its existence. A
dynasty whose future is as real as its past. The curtain is a reminder.
Another wedding. The Rebbe considers these his children. RMK
THE BLESSING
Fourteen years or so after the Rebbe came to America, Carol
and I became engaged. Carol=s brother, Kahos Weiss, Z.L. was
a staunch Lubavitcher. I might add I never met one who wasn=t
staunch. Kahos arranged an appointment with the Rebbe for
Carol and me. The purpose was to receive the Rebbe=s blessing.
I remember our waiting in the hall. At the proper time we were
ushered in. Beforehand I was told that we wait until the Rebbe
asks us to sit. When leaving we do not turn our back to him but
walk out backwards. No problem. That was easy.
When we sat before the Rebbe, the only thing I remember is
that he asked me what I wanted to do.
I said that I wanted to teach children. He told me that I should
study Chasidus. I don=t remember the blessing or anything else
he told us. Now, you know the rest of the story, but there is
more.
THE RAV==S SHULCHAN ARUCH (CODE OF LAW)
An Excerpt: It is good to read every day the section of the Binding of Isaac to remind ourselves of the merit of our Patriarchs. It
is good to read the section of the Manna to have faith in G-d that
He will send us our bread daily as the Manna came down daily.
The Ten Commandments should also be read daily. The section
describing the bringing of offerings would be a very good thing
to read daily. Reading a description of each type of offering is
favorable. It is as if we brought the offering.
If one feels that he or she has done an act that would obligate
bringing a specific offering in the time of the Temple, then, it
would be very beneficial to recite that particular offering which
he would have been obligated to bring. - RMK
Page 10
Beth Sholom Congregation
ART SALE COMETH
I don=t think that there will be an art sale this year but the art
keeps arriving. Two handsome lithographs just arrived. Ida
Ruck=s Hammond organ can be purchased at any time, as we
speak.
Life-cycles occur all the time. Please remember someone will
love purchasing art objects which now no longer have a place
with you. Now that you=ve bought objet d=art from last year you
can bring them back for resale. I=ve been working on one
congregant to let us resell her picture she bought. MC loves her
Italian painting and so far will not give it up for resale. AYou can
always buy it back,@ I offered. Remember our art sale. Bring in
the objets d=art. - RMK
The Bulletin
WANTED: YOUR OLD CHANUKAH CARDS
Happy
ah!
Chanuk
Instead of throwing them away,
consider donatingyour cards to
the Early childhood Center,
c/o Margie.
Thanks!
THE HEAVY VEIL, THE COAT, THE SHIRT, A NEW
CUSTOM
YOU DON==T HAVE TO BE JEWISH TO LIKE KOSHER
Do you remember the signs in the New York City subways?
AYou don=t have to be Jewish to like rye bread.@ The title line in
a Barron=s periodical article was similar. AYou don=t have to be
Jewish to like Kosher.@ The article stated that although Jews
constitute 2% of the United States population, the Kosher food
market has grown by 15%. The survey found that 21% of Americans knowingly buy Kosher food - 58% of them occasionally with younger people driving much of its popularity.
Nearly 40% of those who buy Kosher are vegetarians. The
Mintel analyst notes that people associate Kosher products with
being healthier and safer. Indeed, supermarkets often place Kosher and organic foods near each other. Albertsons, which has
separate Kosher departments in 1500 of its stores, recently
opened a flagship Kosher destination store at Jewel-Osco in
Chicago.
The Kosher market is huge and growing. One hundred and
eighty five billion of the $500 billion of U.S. food sales last
year was Kosher-certified. A store=s Kosher section today is not
a liability but a money maker.
I=m always reminded of the Chinese restaurant that was closed
because the health inspectors found dog bodies hanging in the
cooler, or did I dream that? - RMK
The heavy veil covering the face of the bride is Rabbi
Schneerson=s wife=s veil. When you reserve the use of the veil a
$5,000 deposit is given. After the wedding the deposit is returned when the veil is returned.
The grooms at the weddings use the Rebbe=s shirt and coat.
These are promptly returned after the ceremony.
Here is a new custom I noticed. When the bride and groom
sipped from the glass cup, the remainder of the wine was drunk
by a grandson who stood by. I asked the father of the bride, my
son-in-law, AWhy?@ He told me that the same cup they drink
from is the cup the groom smashes at the end of the ceremony.
Therefore, the glass cup now had to be empty. Can we use the
custom? We=d have to give up the light bulb. - RMK
Bulletin
Angels
Cindi & Barry Diamondstone
What is a Bulletin Angel? YOU are, when you give a gift to
Beth Sholom of $18 per issue to help defray the costs of publishing Beth Sholom’s Bulletin. Angels’ names are published in each
issue. Send your check, earmarked for Bulletin Angels, to the
Community Center. @
The Bulletin
Beth Sholom Congregation
Page 11
WHAT DOES IT MEAN?
When I attend a Lubavitch wedding, whether at 770 Eastern
Parkway or elsewhere, a mist of some substance enters my being. It=s like I=ve been here before. At every wedding ceremony
there is a message read from Rabbi Schneerson. The frock coats
and the worn-looking black hats transport me to a different time
zone. I don=t understand my feelings enough to be able to write
about it. Did you ever wake up in a dark room trying to recognize the furniture which is familiar, somewhat, but also strange.
That=s how I feel in Chassidic surroundings.
At the entrance to the wedding hall there is a full size portrait
of Rabbi Schneerson. There is an ongoing video in the hall. The
video shows Lubavitch celebrations at which the Rebbe was
present. As far as I could tell, every room had a portrait of the
Rebbe gazing out to the occupants of the room.
The wedding hall itself is unique. The painted ceiling frescoes, designs only, remind me of the Sistine Chapel, pardon the
comparison. I saw in the grandeur expressions of Chassidism aristocratic, untouchable and yet fostering humanness. The men
and women were separate, no surprise. But even the bride did
not venture into the men=s room. That is probably Lubavitch
custom. Chana Segall of Frederick married a Satmar Chassid,
another sect. At her wedding her father danced with her minimally and with a handkerchief between their joined hands. The
reciprocity there was different.
But getting back to me, what does it mean when I feel like I=ve
been there before? Remember me? I=m from Frederick. We=re
always talking about this kind of service, that kind of service or
the full gamut of what our identities are. We=re like the pizza
dough the chef throws up into the air. The dough stretches one
way and then another and then a third totally incongruous way,
though keeping to its form eventually. Chassidism?
Why should I feel like Chassidism is my thing? - RMK
SUNDAY SCHOOL - SUCH FUN
On this particular Sunday, Shoresh had arranged a speaker at
10:00 a.m. The speaker was an author, a rabbi who has spoken
to our group before, Rabbi Doron Kornbluth. He was well received.
His talk centered around the need for Jews to see through Jewish glasses in order to be influenced by Jewish knowledge and
strengthen our resolve of Jewish commitment.
I brought the 6th and 7th graders to be part of the audience. I
warned them that it might be somewhat uninteresting at times
but it would pick up. And there would be refreshments. I thought
the change was good for them and that they would hear something from the lecture. I told them it would be good training to
listen quietly even though it was not entertaining. One of the
youngsters offered, ALike college.@
After the lecture, while the 6th & 7th grade classes were enjoying doughnuts, I led the assembly for the grades 1 through 4.
We ended assembly with our song, ADon=t walk behind me, I
may not lead, don=t walk in front of me I may not follow, just
walk beside me and be my friend and together we will walk to
the Holy Land.”
Teachers help during assembly.
At 11:30 a.m. formal class resumes for the 6th and 7th graders. They have heard a lecture, had refreshments, had Hebrew
practice sessions and now their last hour would be in class with
Richard Haber and me. We did Hebrew singing from the primer
and then Friday night practice from the prayer book. Before we
knew it there was no time for a story.
At 12:30 the 12th graders came. I began reviewing some of
the recent current events. We then did a poem by Yehuda Amichai
followed by a story by Isaac Bashevis Singer. Singer talks about
writers meeting in the Horn and Hardart Cafeteria in Manhattan. I had to explain to the children what Horn and Hardart was.
That was amazing to me. I wonder if the H&H cafeterias still
exist. We did not finish the Singer story, which I thoroughly
enjoyed, probably more than the students. - RMK
Page 12
Beth Sholom Congregation
The Bulletin
FEDERAL RESERVE CHAIRMAN
The phenomena of Jewish advisors to government royalty is an
eye opener. I won=t say that Joseph Ben Yaakov was the first
Federal Reserve Chairman to the house of Pharaoh. I won=t say
that because I=m sure there were Hebrew advisors before the
“Joseph to Pharaoh” period. In three instances Sarah and Rivkah
found themselves prisoners in the house of the royalty. Both
Avrohom and Isaac became very wealthy as a result of their
connections to the houses of royalty.
Abarbanel was the comptroller for Queen Isabella and King
Ferdinand of Spain. Queen Isabella wanted Abarbanel to remain through the Spanish Inquisition. She promised to protect
Abarbanel but he followed his fellow Jews expelled from Spain.
D=Israeli to Queen Victoria; Metternich in Germany, the
Rothschilds in Europe, the Sassoons in India, Henry Morganthau
and Bernard Baruch in our country, Robert Ruben in President
Clinton=s administration and Alan Greenspan for the last 18 years.
Mr. Greenspan=s retirement brings in Ben Sholom Bernanke.
We=ll probably hear the first name only, Ben.
I especially like listening to Mr. Greenspan. He read from his
prepared paper. He reads very slowly like a great Chassidic Rabbinical Master. The audience listens to every word as from an
oracle. He has the gift of verbiage. He can say the smallest remark using the most amount of words in a beautiful way. I will
miss that scene of Mr. Greenspan, so intent, speaking directly
into the microphone, word for word, slowly and precisely as the
world turns. Month after month we heard him lower the rate,
lower the rate, and lower the rate and then month after month
we heard him hike the rate and hike the rate and hike the rate.
The pictures of him crossing the street with the camera focused
on his paper-stuffed briefcase. The commentator guessing by
the bulge of his briefcase whether or not Mr. Greenspan was
hiking the rate or lowering the rate or no change.
Fortune Magazine reported that Alan Greenspan resembles
Mr. Magoo and that Mr. Greenspan’s key quote is, Aif I turn out
to be particularly clear, you=ve probably misunderstood what
I=ve said.@ - RMK
Rabbi,
Just a quick thank you for letting us use your room this past
Shabbos. I love the library!
Sholom Alechem Rebbe,
I find we are co-residents in the CJE directory vis-a-vis Mame
loshon (Yiddish). I would like to invite you if you are free to see
our reader=s theater production of Sholom Alechem=s material
including Chanukah Gelt, Kasrelevke Restoration and Menahem
Mendl on Dreyfus - Monday the 19th at the JCC Park Heights.
In Yiddish, Natirlech (naturally).
Are you a native Yiddish speaker? See my profile as well. We
should get together and see what we can do to elevate the profile of Yiddish in this region.
Hi,
Attached is a digital version of a very rare recording - Al Jolson
singing Hatikvah. Notice that the lyrics used were the original
words of the Hatikvah, before they were changed.
Hi,
This is to remind everyone that we will be hosting the Va Study
Group on Sunday, December 18th at 7P.M. Please let us know if
you will be able to attend.
Dear Rabbi,
Hope this e-mail finds you and Carol doing well. Could you
please tell me how to spell Chotchkiez. You know, like Astuff.@
Dear Rabbi,
I have Yahrzeit for my dad on the 18th of Kislev, beginning
Sunday evening, December 18th. I would like to know if there
is a Maariv service that evening, same day as the Shoresh
Chanukah party and if there will be enough for a Minyon. If so,
what time would the service be and where?
Rabbi,
It=s official. Kosman Alley signs are up. Can we get a picture of
rabbi standing under/next to the sign?
LETTERS
Hi Rabbi and Carol,
A congregant of yours was a speaker at the Hadassah program
on Jewish women in the army. This was held at the Duke Jewish
Freeman Center. She did a wonderful job and mentioned her
fond memories of spending time at Beth Sholom. She especially
spoke warmly about growing up in the Frederick Jewish community.
Hi Rabbi,
Marshall Botkin, Don Lachman, Richard Haber, Mike Kaplan,
Warren Better, you and me gives us a count of 7 confirmed for
Sunday as of 3:45 PM today, Tuesday. And, most of the men
will not read the e-mail until they arrive at home. Also, I would
expect Jeff and, if he=s in town, Morrie, which means we=re very
close to 10, as we speak. @
The Bulletin
Beth Sholom Congregation
Page 13
Congratulations
to
David & Racheli Mitnick
on the birth of their daughter,
Shira Bracha
September 27, 2005
Beth Sholom Early Childhood Center
Kindergarten Open House
Wednesday, January 4, 2006*
7:00 p.m. in the kindergarten classroom
and
Alon & Erica Dek
on the birth of their son,
Meir Simcha
September 27, 2005
•
•
•
•
all-day program 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
small classes
individual attention
Specials: art, music, physical education,
science & sign language
Registration begins Tuesday, January 3, 2006
Children must be five years old by
September 1, 2006 in order to enroll.
Questions: Contact Jill Brenner at the
Community Center, 301-663-3437
*Snow Date—January 11, 2006
Tree of Life
Our existing Tree of Life has bloomed to its
full capacity, and we are currently seeking a donor (or donors) to underwrite the creation of
a second tree, to be crafted by our own Sid
Kandel. A gift of $25,000 will enable
congregants of Beth Sholom to mark the milestone events of their lives in a meaningful way,
as well as support the congregation financially.
Lifetime membership, as well as admission to
all future synagogue events, will be bestowed
upon the donor. If two or three families would
like to go in together to underwrite this project,
we are open to discussing benefits! If you are
interested in supporting this worthwhile endeavor, please contact Pauline at the synagogue
office.
Beth Sholom’s Tree of Life
Page 14
Beth Sholom Congregation
Horseback Riding
Nature Hikes
The Bulletin
Lasting Friendships
Karaoke
Kings Dominion & Hershey Park
Woodworking
Jewish Heritage
High & Low Challenge Courses
C.I.T. Program
Arts & Crafts
Sports
Session I: July 3 - July 23, 2006 Ƈ Session II: July 24 - August 13, 2006
Transportation available from Frederick, Baltimore, Potomac, Gaithersburg,
Silver Spring, Columbia, Olney, and Harrisburg
Call or email today for more information or to receive an application.
301-874-8150 Ƈ 410-358-8571 Ƈ [email protected] Ƈ www.shoresh.com
The Bulletin
Beth Sholom Congregation
Pillar of Torah Leaf
Jack & Marlene Daniel
Searle & Deborah Mitnick
Mrs. M. Leo Storch
Diamond Leaf
The Cotliar Family
Platinum Leaf
Joe & Karen Ashwal
Chai Leaf
Lenny & Ellie Kinland
Earl & Judy Nelson
Paul Kessler & Elizabeth Nicholas
Ray & Sue Melcher
Marc & Terri Weinstein
Gold Leaf
Conrad Adelman
Shimmy & Joely Bernstein
Larry & Lorraine Brown
Albert & Etta Cohen
Josh & Jennie Fine
Terry & Vicky Finkelstein
Greg & Penina Gershman
Joshua & Marion Gutman and Children
Alice Haber
Shlomo & Shevi Jacobowitz
Sherman & Katie Kahan
Slava Katz
Heshy & Toby Kaufman
Alan & Peggy Lazerow
Rachi & Devorah Messing
Michael Patchen
Jason & Shani Reitberger
Jeff and Susan Rossio
Tom & Jill Sacks
Shabsi & Sima Schneider
William Selzer
Gregory & Marina Shmunis
Marc & Esther Ward
Stuart & Ayala Weinberg
Silver Leaf
Heshie Baldinger
Jeffrey & Caren Cohen
Ellen Glickman
Chana Herskovitz
Jennie Klapper
Mayer & Shani Kohen
Lanie Lazerow
Mel & Judy Pachino
Frank & Susan Schuster
Evonne Segall
Ron & Kathy Segall
Bronze Leaf
David & Gayle Bromberg
Meyer & Ann Chertoff
Robert & Marge Edelman
Marvin & Ruth Edelman
Adam & Phran Edelman
Brian & Randi Eisenberg
Martin & Marianne Erlichman
Binyomin & Helene Field
Sam & Dvora Finkelstein
Richard & Joyce Franklin
Ira Friedman
Kenny & Marla Friedman
Hirsh & Gail Goldberg
Shraga & Perri Goldenhersh
Willie & Sherry Greenfield
Yaakov & Melissa Guttman
Dovid & Renee Heyden
Chanoch & Ilana Hoenlein
Barney & Rebecca Kandel
Sid & Michelle Kandel
Howard & D’vorah Klein
Dan & Gitty Kosack
Morrie & Norma Kelsey
Michael & Aviva Kelsey
David Kelsey
Irving & Diane Kirsch
Tzvi & Toby Klein
Maier & Adinah Kutoff
Bernard & Susan Leibtag
Jeff & Marcie Miller Lerner
Howard & Ibby Levine
Page 15
Harvey Levy
Josh & Amy Marlow
Barry & Judy Nabozny
Eli & Kara Neuman
Pam Oginz
Yaakov & Sarah Ottensoser
Dr. & Mrs. Jerry Reed
Jeff & Renee Reches
Chaim & Sora Rochel Rosenberg
Matthew & Fay Kaufman Sanders
Yanki & Rochel Schnur
Paul & Chani Schuster
Netanel & Ina Schwob
Tamara Shapiro
Mitch & Faythe Small
Asher & Charna Stein
Chaim & Rebecca Spero
Richard Stern
Roger & Donna Strong
Michael & Brenda Tainsky
Chaim & Aviva Wealcatch
Sylvia Weinberg
Ari & Diane Weintraub
Alan & Sandy Winter
Nelson & Celia Zahler
Eddie Zebovitz
Eugene & Marion Zebovitz
Joe & Pearl Zoiman
Aron Kodesh
Donated by Jonathan & Gila Zelinger
Ner Tamid
Henry & Frances Reitberger,
Howard & Shirley Blumenfeld, and Jean Schreibman
Aron Cover
Donated by David & Debbie Finkelstein
2 Torah covers and 2 yads
Dovid Gutman
Torah Crown
Rebecca Mark
Mezuzah
Elisheva and Shani Finkelstein
Page 16
Beth Sholom Congregation
The Bulletin
SHORESH TAKES NY
Doron Kornbluth Lecture
By the time you read this, we will be
reliving through memories the Shoresh
Adult Education and Teen Torah Center
trip to the Big Apple..
We hope to post pictures from our
visits to Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum,
Museum of Television & Radio, Empire
State Building, Bialystock Synagogue,
Tenement Museum, China Town, Ground
Zero, Fiddler on the Roof and so much
more.
A highlight of the trip was being
together and planning for SHORESH
ISRAEL 2007
On December 4th 2005, many Shoresh
adults and teens were privileged to hear
famed lecturer, Rabbi Doron Kornbluth. This
event, sponsored by Marc and Esther Ward,
was very well attended,
by both adults and
several of Beth Sholom’s
teenage Hebrew School
classes.
Shoresh first met
Rabbi Kornbluth on our
recent trip to Israel where
all participants were truly
inspired by his eloquent
and powerful words. So
much so, that when we
learned of his planned
speaking tour in America we excitedly
booked the event.
Once again, Rabbi
Kornbluth expertly captivated the audience
with his meaningful stories and practical ideas
on spirituality. Attendees left with renewed
Jewish inspiration and commitment.
Rabbi Kornbluth personalized his
lecture with his warm feelings for Frederick
and its wonderful Jewish community.
We
have already received much positive
feedback about this wonderful event as well
as about our previous
speaker, Rabbi
Yissocher Frand, who wowed our audience
with heartfelt messages of achieving
happiness and growth in Judaism.
Chanukkah at Shoresh
Great food, games, prizes, stories, an award
winning mentalist. All of these were found at
the Beth Sholom Community Center in
Frederick on December 18, 2005. Over 100
people enjoyed Sufganiyot, traditional Israeli
doughnuts (fried in oil because of the obvious
connection to oil in
th e
Ch an u k ah
story.
The
mentalist, Alain NU,
wowed us with his
pierci ng insig hts
and a great time
was had by all.
Don’t miss the next
SHORESH event!
Log on to www.shoresh.com and
check out the calendar page.
There is something
for everybody.
The Bulletin
Beth Sholom Congregation
A FAITH IN THE FUTURE
A BELIEF IN ACTION
Page 17
Sisterhood News
by Sylvia Elfman & Denys Louderback
by Irene Stephen
Happy New Year to all! I would like to say thank you to everyone who helped out at the Frederick Soup Kitchen in November. A record 23 volunteers worked Sunday, and those who
couldn’t make it sent homemade desserts. At the Kitchen helping were: Marcy Taylor (who also did an amazing job of coordinating efforts, shopping and cooking), Ed Hollander (who for
the third year in a row donated the chicken we served), Joyce &
Milt Gordon, Margie Barber, Margie and Andrew Cantor, Eileen
Ebert, Elizabeth Ebert, Perri Slosky and her mom, Grace
Pokorney, Sara Levine, Lisa Barber, Nina Lazerow, Kevin
Dwyer, Owen Levine, Julia Diaz, Greg Dwyer, Susan Dwyer
and Lisa and Randy Grove. Special thanks to Randy – his wife
dragged him there and then we asked him to supervise the teenagers in getting the dishes done. After that, he proceeded to
mop the floors!
In January and February, we will be collecting for the cold
weather shelter again. Every person who uses the cold weather
shelter is given a cup of hot soup (the kind that comes in the cup
and you just add the hot water) and hot chocolate. Once again
we are requesting both of those items – especially the soup.
Flyers will be handed out to all of the early childhood and religious school students with additional items needed. Please drop
off your donations in the lobby of the Community Center.
In late January or early February, we will be hosting a No-Show
Tea to benefit the Ruth Tick Memorial Nursing Scholarship.
Watch the mail for your invitation. On February 11 (snow date
February 25), NCJW and Sisterhood are sponsoring Family
Bingo – a special family night out which is steadily growing in
popularity. Keep March 4 open for our second annual Talent
Show. We are also working on rescheduling the Jewish Genetic
Disease program, which had to be canceled because of the
weather. Our speaker, Dr. Adele Schneider, is very much looking forward to presenting her program in Frederick and we’ll let
you know as soon as we can find a date that she can come. $
KOSHER ADVISORY:
Watch Duncan Hines cake mixes some are now dairy.
We would like to thank everyone who came out to support our
Hanukkah Gift and Book Fair. It was very successful. Thanks
go to Tina Prensky, Karen Ashwal, Cherish Epstein and Irene
Stephen for assisting Denys Louderback and Sylvia Elfman in
setting up the fair. However, we are sorry to announce that this
Hanukkah Gift Fair will not be occurring next year. Sisterhood
will still be offering as big a variety of holiday items as the size
of our shop will allow.
Just a reminder that the Family Bingo sponsored by Sisterhood and NCJW will take place on February 11, 2006. This is
a fun evening for the entire family.
Sisterhood would like to thank the following people for sponsoring Onegs for the month of December: Jason & Robin
Herman, Larry & Marianne Hornstein, Sylvia Elfman/Denys
Louderback, Eric and Eileen Marcus and Carl and Naomi
Lazerow. We had twelve smiling face at the meeting this month
and hope that it will continue. If you have any comments or
ideas for Sisterhood please come to our meeting or call Beate
Frankel, President of Sisterhood.
Our next meeting will be at the Community Center on Jan. 12h
starting at 12 noon.
SUPPORT YOUR SISTERHOOD BECAUSE SISTERHOOD
SUPPORTS YOU!
BETH SHOLOM SOCIAL CLUB
Welcome 2006 with laughter and smiles,
Come to a meeting and schmooze a while Discussions on politics, books, travel and movies;
Religion, music, and of course our families.
Friendship, support, understanding too,
We help you to cope with whatever ails you.
So bundle up and bring a dairy lunch,
You may surprise yourself by joining our happy
bunch.
Thursday mornings at 11 a.m.
January meetings: 1/5, 1/12, 1/26
Lunch out - 1/19
For more information call president Bessie Pollicove,
301-845-6682
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Beth Sholom Congregation
The Bulletin
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We have many wonderful events planned. Join us
for any or all! We can’t wait to share memories!
Friday January 27: 6pm Shabbat dinner. Pre-registration
required.
Friday January 27: 8pm Friday night service in the synagogue.
Saturday January 28: : 9:15am Saturday morning service in the
synagogue.
Saturday January 28: ~12noon Saturday lunch following
services
Saturday January 28: 6pm Deli dinner and a movie,
featuring a separate movie for the adults and children.
Popcorn will be served! Pre-registration required.
Sunday January 29: 12:30pm Blintz and bagel lunch, with
background CD music by Robin Helzner. Simple crafts for
children will be provided. Pre-registration required.
For more information, contact Norma Kelsey at
301-874-2187 or Gayle Bromberg at 301-662-6914
For pre-registration events, please complete the form
on the following page, and return with payment to
the Beth Sholom office, 1011 N Market Street
by Sunday January 22.
The Bulletin
Beth Sholom Congregation
Page 19
Pre-registration form for Beth Sholom/UJC’s
Shabbat Family Weekend Events
One God, One People – Jews Around the World
Shabbat dinner
Friday January 27, 6pm
Number attending:
____ adults
____ children
Total dinner cost
Deli dinner and movie
Saturday January 28,
6pm
Number attending:
____ adults 11 & older
____ children 10 & under
Total dinner cost:
($7/person or $25
maximum per family):
($5 children 10 &
under, $10 adults)
$ _______
$ _______
Total deli order:
_____ Corned beef
_____ Pastrami
_____ Turkey
_____ Peanut butter/jelly
Blintz and bagel lunch
Sunday January 29,
12:30 pm
Total lunches: _______
Lunch cost
($2/person)
TOTAL COST:
$ _______
$ ____________
Name: ________________
Address: ______________
______________
Tel. #: ________________
Return form with payment to the Beth Sholom office
1011 N Market Street
by Sunday January 22
Page 20
Beth Sholom Congregation
The Bulletin
Images from the Religious School
Music
Teacher Andy Rosenfeld and students discover the joy of
music. The Beth Sholom Music Education program is
made possible by the generosity of the Paul & Rita
Gordon Music Education Fund.
Teen Club’s first outing
Bowling at Terrace Lanes, 11/6/05 - Left to right:
Jarad Kopciak, Benny Ebert-Zavos, Matt Kuebbing,
David Hornstein, Owen Levine, Andrew Cantor.
Kneeling: Michael Dwyer.
Beth Sholom thanks the following donors to November’s silent auction,
which was held at the Annual Awards Gala and benefited the early childhood Center:
Janis & Gregory Light
Marc and Terri Weinstein
Jill and Robert Brenner
Maryland Ensemble Theater
Joanna Sieger for Tastefully Simple
Ilisa Oman for Discovery Toys
Shayne Stratyner Decorative Painting
Mamma Lucia
California Tortilla
Applebees
Ledo’s
Uno Chicago Grill
Red Lobster
Weis
A.C. Moore
Giant Eagle
Zi Pani
Candy Kitchen
Giant
Glade Valley Golf Club
Catoctin Wildlife Preserve and Zoo
Toby’s Dinner Theater
Strausburg Railroad Company
The Maryland Symphony
Carroll County Dance Center
Dr. Ian and Susan Newman
The Dutch Plant Farm
Flights of Fancy
Governor Robert Ehrlich
Thomas Scott Salon and Day Spa
Renaissance Salon and Spa
Colonial Jewelers
Washington Capitals Charities
Beth Sholom Early Childhood Center
Parent Organization
Baltimore Ravens
The Weinberg Center
The Orchard Restaurant
Perkins
Stanley Salon
24/7 Dance Studio
Paolo Vista Fine Menswear
Andy & Shurron Carpel
The Washington Redskins
Dawn Stein
The Bulletin
Beth Sholom Congregation
Page 21
YAHRZEITS
Beth Sholom Congregation
Board of Trustees
President, Andy Carpel
First Vice President, Carl Lazerow
Second Vice President, Stephanie Egly
Treasurer, Richard Stern
Secretary, Cindy Diamondstone
Ken Berkowitz
Sanford Blum
Robert Brenner
Sharon Edelstein (BOE representative)
Beate Frankel (Sisterhood representative)
Sid Kandel
Michael Kaplan
Rabbi Kosman
Don Lachman
Eric Marcus
Andy Mekelburg
Marty Potash
Andy Rosenfeld
Terri Weinstein
Rabbi Wiesenberg
Bruce Zavos
Celebrate!
With cards and
invitatations
In addition to our B/Mitzvah invitation album,
the office now has three additional books -- two
wedding albums and one book of birth announcements, “The Baby Book.”
TEVES/SHEVAT 5766
JANUARY 2006
January 6*
Bessie Satlof
John Warren
Claymus Francis Harlowe
Edward Stern
Elbert Parker
Sam Needle
January 13*
Egon Gartenberg
Morris Mandelowitz
Esther Spielman
A. D. Glushakow
Nicholas Joseph
Sarah Davis
William Simbaliski
Alec Meyer
Harriet Goldstein
Anna Isaac
Marion Kandel
Leib Aryeh Frisher
January 20*
Sam Trachtenberg
Lottie Markowitz
Sadie Fleisher
Bernice Markowitz
Fannie Piasetzky
Charles Pearlman
Iris Pieniek
Goldie Stein
Bess Wolfson
January 27*
James Feeney
Lois Moss
Blanche Salod
Minnie Stern
H. Michael Blum
Samuel Solomon Brown
Michael Halper
Samuel Chado
Bettye Freehof
Anna Lazerowitz
Melvin Shochet
Please stop in the office any time to take a look,
or call Janet for information at 301-663-3437.
* indicates Friday on which name will be read from the Bima.
Page 22
Beth Sholom Congregation
DONATIONS
Building Fund
Ricki & Denny Deragisch for the Yahrzeits of Albert Potash
and Samuel Potash
Shana Potash for the Yahrzeit of Albert Potash
Martin & Martha Zweig for the Yahrzeits of George Rosen and
Louise Zweig
Morty & Leah Reitman for the Yahrzeits of Bernard Mlavsky
and Elizabeth Reitman
Marty & Marianne Erlichman for the Yahrzeit of Saul
Kochonin
Shirley Miller for the Yahrzeits of Martin Miller, Saul Miller
and Peshe Leah Miller
Sylvia & Marvin Elfman for the Yahrzeit of Jack Dorris
David & Paula Nathanson in memory of Shirley Patchen
David & Paula Nathanson in honor of the birth of Zachary
Benjamin Strong
The Bulletin
Rabbis’ Discretionary Funds
Marilyn Smith for the Yahrzeits of Joseph B. Goldblatt and
Celia Pearl Smith
Daniel Weil & James Dronenburg
Steven Pickert for the Yarhzeit of Eric Pickert
Eric & Patty Towler
Leslie & Jeff Williamson for the speedy recovery of Stephanie
Mizell’s father
Brian & Erica Finkelstein Parker in honor of Rabbi Kosman
Torah Fund
Daniel Pearlman for the Yahrzeit of Bertrand Pearlman
Glenn & Myra Treiber for Prayers for the Sick and Aliyahs
Sidney & Michelle Kandel for the Yahrzeit of Gussie Becker @
Chesed Fund
Bill & Tina Prensky for the Yahrzeit of Clara Blatt
Cultural Enrichment
Bill & Tina Prensky for the Yahrzeit of Louis Prensky
Early Childhood Center
Sylvia Sclar for the Yahrzeit of Stanley Brandorff
Evelyn Brandorff for the Yahrzeit of Stanley Brandorff
Shirley & Harold Neufeld for the Yahrzeit of Alexander
Lazerowitz
Myla & Keith Roberson in memory of Ryan Duff
Education Fund
Sally Pincus for the Yahrzeit of Bess Pincus
Elaine Spritzer in memory of Shirley Patchen
Shirley Block in honor of Rabbi & Carol Kosman
General Fund
Kim & Ray Goldstein for the Yahrzeit of Howard Goldstein
Marty & Janet Potash for the Yahrzeit of Samuel Potash
Don Lachman
Esther Fromer for the Yahrzeit of Neil Fromer
Bruce Zavos and Eileen Ebert for the Yahrzeit of Bernard
Zavos
Rose & Jules Shapiro G’Mach Society
Sylvia Sclar for the speedy recovery of Stan Schnieder
Prayer Book Fund
Jim Lewin & Carolyn Snyder in memory of Joseph Lewin
Alvin & Judith Simon for the Yahrzeit of Solomon Simon
Memorials Mean Continuity
Have you included Beth Sholom in
your will? The congregation is grateful to those who have done so, and encourages all members to consider this
worthy possibility. It is a way of perpetuating congregational activities and
ensuring a strong Jewish future.
The Bulletin
Beth Sholom Congregation
Resthaven Funeral Services
Skkot Cody, P.A.
301-898-1577
Garden of
Solomon
Page 23
Complete, affordable funeral
services for Beth Sholom
congregants.
$ Beth Sholom’s “official” cemetery since 1966
$ Located at Resthaven Memorial Gardens (5 minutes from downtown Frederick)
Pre-planning your own cemetery and/or funeral arrangements is one of the most important things you can do for your family.
It is also one of the most difficult things to think about. We have gently and sensitively guided members of Beth
Sholom Congregation through the steps of pre-planning for 35 years. Protect your family now from the added
anxiety and financial burden of making these decisions in a 24-hour time frame.
Please mail coupon to:
Richard F. Cody
Garden of Solomon
P. O. Box 150
Frederick, MD 21705-0150
Or call 301-898-7178
Yes, I want to plan ahead. Please send me a free Emergency Record Guide.
Name__________________________________________________
Street__________________________________________________
City___________________________State______Zip____________
Telephone_______________________________________________
Page 24
Beth Sholom Congregation
The Bulletin
Dangerous roads. Slippery sidewalks.
No milk in the fridge.
Soon you’ll be wishing Mom lived with us.
At Sunrise Assisted Living, residents never
need to contend with Mother Nature. They
have our professional, caring staff with them—
along with friends, great dining, activities,
even a full service beauty/barber shop on-site.
stimulating activities, and scheduled group
outings. Our resident-centered approach
to senior living puts residents first, giving them
options to meet their individual needs and
wishes.
Before the next storm hits, find out what
Visit or call Sunrise of Frederick to see what we
Sunrise has to offer—a variety of living
do to make our community into a place seniors
arrangements, personalized assistance and care, can call home.
amenities and services, delicious meals,
Sunrise of Frederick
301-663-9500 990 Waterford Drive, Frederick, MD (off Baughman's Lane)
Offering Assisted Living and Alzheimer’s Care
www.sunriseseniorliving.com • [email protected]
Visit Sunrise
Assisted Living of
Frederick today to
experience our warm,
comforting, home-like
environment.
The Bulletin
Beth Sholom Congregation
Page 25
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Beth Sholom Congregation
The Bulletin
The Bulletin
Beth Sholom Congregation
Page 27
Non-Profit Organization
U. S. Postage
BETH SHOLOM CONGREGATION
1011 North Market Street • Frederick, MD 21701
Look inside for:
Advertisements.........................................................22-26
Board of Trustees...................................................................21
Bulletin Angels...................................................................10
C a l e n d a r. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 7
Condolences....................................................4
Congratulations................................................13
Donations.............................................................22
NCJW President’s Message............................................17
New Members..........................................................................3
President’s Corner................................................................2
Schools...................................................................................10, 20
Shoresh....................................................................14-16
Sisterhood........................................................17
Social Club...............................................................................17
Special Events.............................................................18-19
Yahrzeits.......................................................................21
PAID
Frederick, MD
21701
Permit No. 162