(PDF, Unknown) - Congregation Beth Israel

Shabbat Shira
Pages 4 & 5
Social
Justice
Committee
Speaker
Page 9
Shabbat Dinners
Pages 6 & 16
Shabbark Shalom
Page17
Re-Jew-Vination
Page 19
Congregation Beth Israel
West Hartford Connecticut
January / February 2016
Tevet / Shevat / Adar I 5776
Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Joint Commemoration
with
Bethel A.M.E. Church
Friday, January 15, 7:30pm at CBI
Reverend Daylan Greer Sr. will speak
Sunday, January 17, 9:00am
at Bethel A.M.E. Church
1154 Blue Hills Avenue, Bloomfield
Rabbi Michael Pincus will speak
With the CBI and Bethel A.M.E. Choirs
For More Information: [email protected] or 860-233-2815
SAVE-the-DATE
Second Annual Martin Luther King Jr.
Youth Day of Service
Monday, January 18, 10:00am
The morning begins with a service led by CBI’s 8th grade students. Come partake of wonderful age
appropriate projects for your and your family. All projects benefit the moms, dads and
kids at the Community Renewal Team family shelter in East Hartford. RSVP to
Max Schwimmer: [email protected]. More details to follow!
“It’s about what can be done by us together.”
President Barack Obama
Congregation Beth Israel’s Bulletin is published six times per year, at Congregation Beth Israel, 701 Farmington Ave.,
West Hartford, CT 06119. Subscription is $36 per year, free to members of Congregation Beth Israel. The material in
this Bulletin may not be reproduced without permission. On occasion, dates, times, and details of services and events
published in this Bulletin may change. Subscribe to our weekly email newsletter, Chai Lights, for the latest information.
Contact [email protected]. Visit our website, www.cbict.org, for additional content and information.
FROM OUR PRESIDENT
Gail Mangs, President of the Board of Trustees
Why are you a Reform Jew and what does Reform Judaism mean to you and your family? Is it something you were born
into or were you searching for a meaningful spiritual path? Did you discover Reform Judaism through study or friends?
Or was Reform Judaism a compromise choice made by you and your spouse because one of you grew up in another
religion? Whoever you are and however you joined us, we hope we have made you feel welcomed, wanted and included;
for Reform Judaism is a religion of inclusion.
This was the message of the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) Biennial, which was attended by a Beth Israel delegation
comprised of clergy, CBI lay leaders and members, our youth staff and our executive director. From November 4 – 8 in
Orlando, Florida, we learned, prayed, sang and met 5000 other Reform Jews from across North America; it was an
amazing and inspiring experience (and no, I did not visit Disney!). The URJ represents and supports a vibrant movement
comprised of approximately 1.5 million people and 900 congregations. But we are not part of a monolithic union. Under
the umbrella of “Audacious Hospitality”, the URJ invites its members to put the ideas of diversity, outreach and inclusion
into daily practice. For Reform Jews are not a homogenous group of people: we are made up of families with young
children, baby boomers and empty nesters, the elderly, young singles, interfaith families, LGBTQ Jews, Jews with
disabilities or special needs and Jews of diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds. In fact, the diversity of Reform Judaism
is both our strength and our future, and why we continue to grow as a movement.
In addition to learning about how to effectively welcome and include our diverse membership at Beth Israel, members of
our delegation attended sessions on Strengthening Congregations (developing future leaders, congregational life,
financial issues and collaboration among synagogues), Tikkun Olam (we are now part of a Community of Practice around
an exciting social action project that you will be hearing more about) and Transforming (Jewish) Texts. There were more
interesting sessions offered than any of us could possibly attend. But in addition to these sessions, there were both
traditional and experimental worship opportunities each day in the morning and evening, musical performances, Shabbat
services like you have never experienced, and the opportunity to meet people from all over North America (it helps to
hear how other congregational leaders deal with the same kinds of issues that we face). But you are in luck! The next
Biennial will take place December 6 – 10, 2017, right next door in Boston, Massachusetts. Please consider this to be
your personal invitation to be a part of this remarkable experience.
Even though you might not have been able to attend the Biennial, I hope you were able to hear Rabbi Eric Yoffie, the
immediate past president of the URJ, at our scholar in residence weekend in November. His optimistic messages about
the future of Reform Judaism (we are the fastest growing movement in Judaism), the strength of Israel, Israel’s ability to
face its challenges and the slow but gradual growth of the Reform movement in Israel was fascinating and inspiring. For
those of us who attended the Biennial, Rabbi Yoffie’s words were particularly timely. In addition, Rabbi Yoffie’s visit
allowed us to put in practice one of the Biennial’s lessons: collaboration. Rabbi Yoffie’s visit was sponsored by all five of
Greater Hartford’s Reform synagogues. Their clergy participated in the Solidarity Shabbat service and their members
were in attendance at Beth Israel to hear Rabbi Yoffie.
Before closing, a couple of thank you's are due. First, to the
Tribute Committee whose hard work brought us a wonderful
evening of fabulous food and exciting music (featuring Allegra
Levy!) in support of the Rabbi's Fund for Lifelong Learning at Beth
Israel. And next, to Doctors Michael and Barbara Honor who have
sponsored the installation of the new digital display in the lobby.
Their generosity has made it possible for us to communicate with
our congregants and visitors in a vibrant and appealing (21st
century) way!
Finally, allow me to wish you and your loved ones a happy and
healthy 2016 full of blessings and joy. Whatever challenges you
may face this year, your Beth Israel family is here for you.
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January / February 2016
Upcoming Board of Trustees Meetings
All CBI Members Welcome
All Meetings take place at 7pm in Feldman Hall
January 19, 2016
April 19, 2016
February 16, 2016
May 17, 2016
March 15, 2016
Rabbi Michael Pincus
Sometimes it can be easy to forget that our synagogue is part of a larger community called the
Union for Reform Judaism with almost 900 congregations across North America. Because of the
URJ we were able to give 18 of our children an incredible Jewish summer camp experience. We
are able to take our Confirmation class this month to the Religious Action Center in Washington
DC and join with hundreds of other teens from across the nation to study what Judaism has to say
about the issues of today—and we are able to go up to Capitol Hill and find their voices. We are
able to join a community of practice and work with other synagogues on how we might be a better
“community of action.” And we can join every two years with 5,000 people and study and learn and grow together. Next
time it will be December 6-10, 2017 in Boston. I hope you will consider joining me there….
One of the teachers we were able to study with at the Biennial was Rabbi Lawrence Hoffman. He summed it up this way:
The Reform biennial offered a proud and joyous vision of a mirror image that might matter. It gave a rationale for
choosing Judaism in its Reform guise.
In times past attendees left biennials with best
practices. This year, they departed with best
principles, reasons to believe that the world
itself requires the amplified voice of progressive
Judaism. Already the largest Jewish movement
in America, and worldwide, Reform Judaism (it
was said) can yet double or triple its influence –
not by programs but by these principles:
1. Absolute commitment to the State of Israel,
but modified by the right—even the obligation—
to critique and to oppose any immoral
governmental policies;
2. The recovery of the prophetic call for justice,
righteousness, and compassion;
3. Eliminating barriers to full participation by all
who seek what Reform Judaism is;
4. Serious grappling with the vast library of
Jewish classics, to access their wisdom for our
time;
5. Responsibility to the Jewish People and its
universal mission to add light to the world; and
Members of Beth Israel’s Biennial delegation enjoying Shabbat Dinner
6. Striving, along the way, to enrich one’s own life,
personally, through spirituality, community, and commitment to what God asks.
CBI MISSION STATEMENT
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
NOMINATING COMMITTEE
The individuals serving on the Nominating Committee for
the Board of Trustees for 2016 are:
Liz Freedman
Jeff Smith
Andy Katz
Jennifer Mailly
Aaron Frank
Clare Feldman
Melissa Geller
Suggestions are welcome and can be given in person to
any member of the committee or can be emailed to
[email protected].
Our mission is to serve the lifelong spiritual and educational
needs of our congregants, within a welcoming and caring
contemporary Reform Jewish Community.
(Current Mission Statement)
Every so often it is important to review our mission
as a Congregation. The Board of Trustees is
conducting a survey for congregants to provide
input about our current mission statement. Surveys
are available in the lobby and all congregants are
encouraged to fill out these brief, one-page
surveys. Completed surveys can be put in the
labeled box in the lobby or sent to the CBI office. If
you prefer just to email us, please email Rob
Berman or Liz Freedman at
[email protected].
Thank you for your input!
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January / February 2016
“Music is the language of the spirit. It opens the secret of life bringing peace, abolishing strife.”
Kahlil Gibran
SHABBAT SHIRAH (the Sabbath of Song)
Friday January 22 at 7:30pm
WHY I SING”
With the Adult Choir of Congregation Beth Israel
‘Shiranote’ our Youth Chorale
CBI Kabbalat Shabbat Band
Music by Mozart; Schubert, Bonia Shur; Leonard Cohen and many others!
I SING BECAUSE:
It warms my heart and expands my musical knowledge. Cabaret are
special; my choir friends are special. Singing keeps me happy!
Bobbie Mindell
I Sing Because… When I was little my mother sang lullabies to me
and I was comforted.
I Sing Because… My father played the piano and sang children’s songs
to me and passed on his own love of music.
I Sing Because… In High School when a classmate passed away and
my Madrigal Group sang at his funeral, I comforted others and felt
strong emotions through singing.
I Sing Because… I’ve made music with others who have become lifelong friends through sharing the heart-felt love and joy of expressing
the inexpressible through sharing our voices with each other.
Beverly Silver
I sing because I never lose interest; there is always room for me to improve. Each time I sing it is an opportunity for
me to grow as a person as well as an artist, I choose to sing at a synagogue because here the music is about something much
larger than me. Through music, I express and celebrate my personal faith at the same time that I join together with others as
we develop our Jewish identities, however we came to them. Emily Forman
I sing because I have to. Music pours out of my mouth from my soul. Singing makes me happy and has made me weep
with joy; I do not sing because I am happy, I am happy because I sing. I intend to sing my whole life, because my life would
not be whole without singing. Sheryl Simoni
I sing because it gives me immense joy which I am then able to share with others. I also feel that each of us has a
sacred and joyful obligation to use the talents and gifts which God has given to us. That's why I sing. Mary Silverberg
I sing because when I feel the music my spirit soars to wonderful heights and I only feel love and joy. Music fills my
soul like no other thing I can describe, and, hopefully, it makes those who listen feel the same joy . June Schweitzer
Why do I sing?
Why do I breathe?
One supports life,
The other living.
Fred FitzGerald
4
Why do I sing?
Because I must!
Because I am alive,
Because I LIVE!
(Con’t. next page…)
January / February 2016
I sing because music is my peace. My escape from all the madness and craziness that's around us.
Katherine Peacock Jones
I sing because I love the feeling of creating something beautiful when I sing; It is hard to put into words, because it
doesn’t last, like a drawing or painting, but because it is my body that is my instrument, that sound that I create is my
SELF flying in the Universe. To sum up, I SING BECAUSE I CAN, and I MUST. It is for me the oxygen and water without
which I am not able to live.
Claire Katz
I sing because I feel singing is spiritual and I always feel uplifted. It is so joyful to sing in CBI. Singing helps to make
me stronger. It is building my lung capacity and possibly will help me breathe easier. I do love singing with the choir and feel
like the members are part of my extended family. I like to sing anywhere and almost all sorts of music. Judy FitzGerald
I sing because my father Joseph Zaslow shared his love for music with me and my siblings. The highlight of my
week is our adult choir rehearsal. It would be very difficult for me to choose between my love of art and my love of singing.
I sing to express myself in the same way I express myself through my artwork. I have been able to use both of these gifts to
express and share my faith. “Those who sing, pray twice. “ Barbara Friedman
I sing because singing makes my spirit grow, the biggest it can be. It is my best gift. When it comes to a way of
connecting with living beings and things, including animals and plants, singing provides me with a universal opening for
connection and communication because I sing for God. Nothing provides me a greater honor. Faith Furst
I sing because when I sit in services after a hectic week, music helps wash away all the stress and worries about
what still needs to be done, and helps me make a sacred space for Shabbat to fill. I don't want to think about the words, I
want to feel them and music does that for me. It makes me feel as though the unknown prayers in my soul have a vehicle to
heaven...this is why I sing. Michelle Meyer
I sing because it provides an opportunity for me as a choir member to create together, and to experience the shared
ensemble of musical expression and prayer. Jewish music, historic and contemporary reflects the varying themes, nuances
and energy of our Reform Movement, and the essence of human variables emotionality and meaning.
Dianne Friedman PhD
Back in 1974, Elton John wrote a big hit for Kiki Dee called "I Got the Music in Me". I guess I could say that for me, it has
always been about the music. I just love to sing, whether solo or with others, and when I sing, I move to that place where I
have always been most comfortable inside myself. Why do I sing? I have to sing. It is who I am. Mitch Cohen
PRAYER BOOK ANGELS NEEDED
We are in need of additional Mishkan
T’Filah and are looking for some angels
interested in helping with this important
work. Please consider honoring a parent,
grandparent, child, teacher, mentor, or
event through a donation of $36 per prayer
book. If you can help, please contact the
synagogue office (860-233-8215;
[email protected]) or Scott Myers
([email protected])
SEEKING TOY DONATIONS
Sam Frank is collecting toys for his Bar
Mitzvah project: "Please help collect new
toys for children at Hartford Hospital who
have gone through surgery. These toys
will help them feel a little bit better before
they can go home. Toys should be new
and fairly small. Examples of the kind of
toys we are looking for are: crayons with
coloring books, stuffed animals, or toy
cars. Please no used toys!!! Thank you!"
Sam Frank. The collection box is located
in the Synagogue's main office.
5
January / February 2016
Richard and Andrea Balogh
Haley & Jacob
Abiya-Dov Epstein
Byron Fisher and Janice Cohen
Eliot and Leah Bassin
Bryce
Boris and Dolli Ginzburg
Leland Brandt and Lynne Tapper
Eli & Sophie
Richard and Kathryn Liburdi
Tasha, Ariel & Dario
Charlotte Croog
Max Wax-Krell and Carrie Field
Grady & Cooper
Paul Deleeuw
Joseph & Halley
Kerry Wiland
In November, Congregation Beth Israel was privileged to host
a solidarity Shabbat service with the Reform synagogues in
our area. Immediate past president of the URJ, Rabbi Eric
Yoffie, was our scholar in residence. A special thank you to
Ruth Mellion for her help in sponsoring this weekend in
memory of her brother Bruce Mellion.
Spirituality
KOL SHABBAT
Youth Engagement
Program Update
Lauren Benthien, Director of Education
Friday, February 5, 6pm and 8pm
Kol means both “voice” and
“all”. We have a camp-style
service at 6pm with a song
leader playing guitar,
designed especially for
elementary school age
children. Our Kindergarden
will participate in the service
this month. At 8pm, join us for
a service with emphasis on
introspection and reflection
Our Youth Engagement Program is busy each week
with exciting programming and engaging experiences.
We are so fortunate to have an amazing teaching staff
that is dedicated to creating these enduring lessons in
and out of the classroom!
Enjoy photos from many of our programs on this and the
next page, and thank a teacher when you see them!
They are hard working, dedicated, and passionate about
their Judaism---and it shows each week when they work
with our children!
In between, we host a community dinner.
Please reserve your Kol Shabbat meals by the
Monday before the event. The cost is $10 per adult,
$5 per child. If you sign up after Monday, the cost
goes up to $15 per adult and $10 per child.
Sign-up here:
http://www.cbict.org/events-3/kol-shabbat/.
You may pay cash or check at the door. Questions?
Contact [email protected] or
860-233-8215.
First grade enjoys a visit from our Israeli Emissary, Edo, with
teacher Bonnie Schneider and madricha Jenna Gershman.
KABBALAT SHABBAT
January 29 & February 26 at 6:30pm
Kabbalat Shabbat means to
welcome Shabbat
Shabbat. The Mystics of Sfat
in the 15th century introduced
to Judaism the power of
music to welcome in the
Sabbath. Come experience
our own special service in
song
SAVE-The-DATE
Dinner Following the February Service
Watch for details in February and RSVP by Monday,
February 22nd. $20/ adults and $12/ seniors and
children. The cost goes up to $25/ adults and $17/
seniors and children after the reservation deadline.
For a complete listing of our Shabbat Services,
see the calendar on pages 24 & 25.
6
January / February 2016
Kindergarten students learn about balloons and colors with a
story from our Israeli Emissary, Dona, and teacher Amy
Rosenfield.
We Thank the following donors who purchased
new SCHOOL DOORS with enhanced security
features for our classrooms:
Estate of Marc Abrahms
Brotherhood
Gail and David Mangs
Sisterhood
Ruth and Ron Van Winkle
Anonymous
Our 5th & 6th grade Ruach Judaic Studies class about Life
Cycle events learns about Jewish weddings under the chuppah
with Lisa Berman.
4th Grade students working in small groups in Hebrew class
with teacher, DJ Fortine.
Family Participation mornings with Rabbi Pincus:
Our 5th & 6th grade Ruach Judaic Studies class about Social Justice
creates their own Maimondes Ladder with Max Schwimmer.
8th Grade Journey Onward students visit the Humane Society
and make a donation of pet food, with teacher Naomi
Scheinerman.
7th Grade Journey Onward students consider the idea of a
silver lining with Rabbi Shaffer and Co-Teacher Jordan Sicklick
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January / February 2016
6th & 7th Graders prepare to leave for their Shabbaton at Camp
Eisner with Rabbi Shaffer.
Joe Dix
Shemot (Names) Exodus 1:1-6:1
The Children of Israel multiply in Egypt. Threatened by their growing numbers,
Pharaoh enslaves them and orders the Hebrew midwives, Shifrah and Puah, to
kill all male babies at birth. When they do not comply, he commands his people
to cast the Hebrew babies into the Nile.
A child is born to Yocheved, the daughter of Levi, and her husband, Amram, and
placed in a basket on the river, while the baby’s sister, Miriam, stands watch
from afar. Pharaoh’s daughter discovers the boy, raises him as her son, and
names him Moses.
As a young man, Moses leaves the palace and discovers the hardship of his brethren. He sees an Egyptian beating a
Hebrew, and kills the Egyptian. The next day he sees two Jews fighting; when he admonishes them, they reveal his deed
of the previous day, and Moses is forced to flee to Midian. There he rescues Jethro’s daughters, marries one of them
(Tzipporah), and becomes a shepherd of his father-in-law’s flocks.
G-d appears to Moses in a burning bush at the foot of Mount Sinai, and instructs him to go to Pharaoh and demand: “Let
My people go, so that they may serve Me.” Moses’ brother, Aaron, is appointed to serve as his spokesman. In Egypt,
Moses and Aaron assemble the elders of Israel to tell them that the time of their redemption has come. The people
believe; but Pharaoh refuses to let them go, and even intensifies the suffering of Israel.
Moses returns to G-d to protest: “Why have You done evil to this people?” G-d promises that the redemption is close at
hand. (From Chabad.org)
Mishpatim (Judgments) Exodus 21:1-24:18
This is a fairly lengthy parsha. It contains 53 mitzvot. There are laws concerning Hebrew servants, personal injuries,
protection of property, social responsibility, justice and mercy, and festivals. 21:1-23:19. God then warns the people to
obey His angel and to follow all His commands and He will
bless and protect them and establish their borders. 23:20-31.
The Israelites are not to make a treaty with the people living in
the land or worship their gods. 23:32-33. The Lord then
Lisa Wenig, partner of Glenn Gilman
summons Moses, Aaron, Nadab, Abihu and 70 elders to come
up to Mount Sinai but only Moses is allowed to approach God.
24:1-2. There are sacrifices; the people affirm their willingness Betty Salner, mother of Andrew Salner and his
to accept the covenant “
wife Patricia
We will do everything the Lord has said; we will obey”(24:7);
Moses, Aaron, Nadab, Abihu, and the seventy elders go up
Mount Sinai and behold the God of Israel. 24:9-11. Then
Moses alone is summoned up the mountain to meet with God.
Aaron and Hur are left behind to answer the people’s disputes.
And the glory of the Lord covers the mountain. 24:12-18.
The parsha begins ve-eleh ha’mishpatim (and these are the
judgments). What is the significance of starting the parsha with
‘and these’? To show that this parsha is connected with the
previous parsha. Just as the Ten Commandments were given
at Sinai, so too were these commandments given at Sinai.
They carry the same weight and authority as the Ten. They
expound on the Ten given in chapter 20. The people of Israel
have to learn how to set up their own society and live as a free
people. They will need a system of laws and punishments for
transgression of those laws. Being free does not mean
everyman for himself. The poor, the widow, the orphan, and the
stranger would be left helpless. But God demands that we take
care of such people. 22:21-27 23:6, 9.
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January / February 2016
Phyllis Katz, wife of Sherman Katz; mother of
Nancy Rossler and her husband Donald
Debra Levy, wife of Jim Levy; mother of Emily
and Stephanie
Susan Block, beloved CBI member
Isabel Northrop, beloved CBI member
Merton Honeyman, beloved CBI member
Gloria Breitman, beloved CBI member
Ilya Gostomelsky, beloved CBI member
S ocial J ustice
"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere."
"Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter."
"We may have all come on different ships, but we're in the same boat now."
Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Social Justice Speaker
Sunday, January 10. - 9:30 Am
Professor Cheryl Greenberg
Paul E. Raether Distinguished Professor Of History
Trinity College
"WHY 'BLACK LIVES MATTER' SHOULD MATTER TO JEWS"
Dr. Greenberg holds an A.B. from Princeton University, summa cum laude, and an M.A., M. Phil. and Ph.D.
from Columbia University. She teaches courses in African American history and the history of race in the United States,
as well as courses on many social and cultural history topics, including crime and protest movements. Her research
interests range from African American communities during the Great Depression to grass-roots organizing in the Civil
Rights movement, and from postwar liberalism to Black/Jewish relations.
Professor Greenberg has been a Fulbright Distinguished Lecturer at Nankai University, Tianjin, P.R. China and a Fulbright Distinguished Chair at the University of Helsinki, Finland. She has received numerous honors, awards and fellowships, and her books include "To Ask for an Equal Chance: African Americans in the Great Depression" and "Troubling
the Waters: Black-Jewish Relations in the American Century." Dr. Greenberg's current projects include Editor: "A Day
I Ain't Never Seen Before,” a community oral history and memoir of a civil rights worker in Marks, Mississippi; African
Americans and the Politics of Gay Marriage; and Civil Liberties and Civil Rights: The Case of Hate Speech. Dr. Greenberg has served on the Trinity College faculty since 1986.
SOUTHERN JEWISH CIVIL RIGHTS JOURNEY
By Jim Friedman
Following the Union For Reform Judaism Biennial Convention in early November in Orlando, Dianne and I joined a
group of 30 people of varying ages from the World Union for Progressive Judaism for a remarkable Jewish Civil Rights
Journey. From Atlanta we traveled by bus to Montgomery, Alabama to the Rosa Parks Museum, the Southern Poverty
Law Center, the Freedom Riders Exhibit at the Greyhound Bus Station and a local Reform synagogue. The next day
was at Selma and a talk by a woman who, as an 11 year-old child, had marched across the Edmund Pettus Bridge and
experienced being beaten by the police and state troopers, we then walked across that infamous bridge, then on to Birmingham, the Civil Rights Institute, Freedom Park and the 16th Street Baptist Church, where the four little girls were
killed in the bombing. Back to Atlanta and a visit to the Names Project/AIDS Quilt, the King Center and Ebenezer Baptist Church, the National Human and Civil Rights Museum, and a visit to The Temple, which was bombed in 1958.
The Journey was led by a superb Jewish trip leader/educator from Atlanta, and included three Reform Rabbis, two from
London and one from Israel, young World Union Fellows from Budapest, Belarus, Israel and the US and people from
England and the US.
We strongly recommend the Journey for Jews of all ages, for those who want to re-experience the Civil Rights struggles
of the 50s and 60s, for those who want to see up-close the history of the Civil Rights struggle in America, and for teens
to be exposed to the historic Black-Jewish relations of that challenging time in our country.
Please contact me if you would like information about creating such an experience for your group. I can be reached at
860-236-0580 or [email protected]
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January / February 2016
Finding Youth Engagement
Under The Table\
Rabbi Dena Shaffer
[Originally printed in The Union For Reform Judaism’s Inside Leadership]
There’s an old Hassidic story about a prince who is convinced that he is a rooster, and therefore
takes off all his clothes and refuses to eat unless he may do so from underneath the king’s
table. After inviting many experts in child rearing (whose advice fails to make an impression on the prince), the king
finally calls upon the local rabbi. Much to everyone’s surprise, the rabbi too crawls under the table and eats a meal there
with the prince. After some time he says to the prince, “hey, did you know that roosters can wear clothes if they want?”
“Oh good,” replies the prince and pulls his sweater over his head, “I was getting cold under here.” After a few more
minutes the rabbi continues, “Did you know that roosters, too, can eat at the table if they want?”
“Oh good,” replies the prince, crawling out and climbing into a chair. “My back was starting to hurt sitting under there.”
And thus the rabbi succeeds in bringing the prince back to the king’s table.
The story is an allegory, and one that has profound implications for those of us who work with teens. It hits upon the
lesson we have been learning and repeating for years. As a Jewish professional, the rabbi knows that he may never
convince the prince that he is not a rooster, but he also understands that this is not his job. Instead, his job is to crawl
under the table and simply be with the prince wherever he happens to be.
This idea of “meeting them where they are” is one that drives us in youth engagement and has become our mantra in
recent years. We know that when we do this, we are successful, even when it is difficult and accompanied by a sense of
sacrifice and loss. When we don’t, we are typically less successful. We are left wondering why, though we lead the
proverbial horse to water time and time again, he never takes a drink. We talk about this adaptability in youth leadership
all the time, but it is so much harder to follow in action. I suspect there are a few reasons for this gap from theory to
practice.
First, we get stuck in the rut of trying to replicate what worked for us when we were young. We know that those methods
are tried and true; clearly they were powerful strategies of engagement, or else we wouldn’t be doing the work we are
doing today. And yet, we forget that a teenager’s world today is so vastly different than our own was. Even aspects that
remain unchanged, such as the value of youth group programming, have to be re-interpreted for this new generation.
Secondly, we get caught between competing values in our profession: The first, to act like that rabbi in the story who is
unafraid to go out on limb and try something completely crazy in order to prove the relevancy of Judaism to our youth.
And the second, to protect and safeguard the authenticity and sanctity of Jewish life. This conflict often makes it easy to
talk about revolutionary change – but much, much harder to implement it.
This past year, the youth culture in my community – Congregation Beth Israel in West Hartford, Connecticut – found
itself in the midst of these competing values. We had watched as our traditional youth group, WHTY, dwindled to a mere
fraction of what it once was. Our participation in regional events had, over time, become nearly non-existent, and our
young leadership was nowhere to be found. By May of 2014, we were at a point of no return. Only one teen, a rising
high school senior expressed an interest in “running” for a position on what was an effectively defunct youth group
board.
So what were we to do? As you might imagine, in the months leading up to this demise, my youth programmer and I
spent many hours re-hashing what went wrong and what we could have done better. These conversations were largely
unproductive. There was a feeling of “what was done was done.” We then spent time with that rising senior, teaching
him about engagement and strategic conversations, role-playing with him so he could replicate these experiences with
his friends and try to subtly prompt them into becoming active members of the youth group. But it was to no avail – he
simply, as teenagers often do, did not follow though.
We were at an impasse, and plagued with the challenge that our youth group would not look like it was “supposed to.” In
my mind, we had two choices: fold up the entire operation, shift our efforts to our 6th, 7th, and 8th graders, and hope
that in a few years’ time we would create the culture we envisioned (and hope also, that suddenly the secular high
school experience in our community would be different). Or, we could run our youth group ourselves with no student
board, using a model traditionally reserved for much younger cohorts, and thus disenfranchising the very population we
were hired to empower.
(Con’t. next page…)
10
January / February 2016
But perhaps there was a third option. Instead of following either of these paths, we did something that was, for us,
revolutionary. We listened to the kids themselves. Over a few weeks, we had dozens of impromptu, completely
informal conversations with teens. These were not forums. They were not organized by the synagogue. They were offthe-cuff dialogues that took place in hallways, in the car, over the phone, and through texting.
We simply asked kids, with no judgment – “Where are you? “ We asked them questions like, “How come we never see
you? Do you know that this programming is going on? Why don’t you ever want to come?” And what we got were
honest answers that confirmed none of our worst fears. It wasn’t that teens thought youth group was lame or that they
weren’t receiving communication about it. Instead, their answers clustered around one central theme: college.
What our students cared about more than anything else was getting into a good college. They were thoughtful and
careful about their activity choices with this end in mind. They weren’t stepping up as leaders in WHTY programming
because they did not see it as serving this goal. We were not meeting them where they were; we had failed to get
under the table! We knew how youth group was “supposed” to be run, so instead of listening – we were trying to fit a
square peg into a round hole.
So, at this milestone point in NFTY’s history, we abandoned the sacred structure. We no longer have programming
vice presidents (PVPs) or membership vice presidents (MVPs). We painstakingly threw all of that away in an effort to
get under the table. This year, for the first time, our youth group is being run by three incredible Youth Engagement
Interns. They will spend the year building their resumes and learning skills that will benefit them in the college and
professional worlds. They are being paid a stipend, being supervised rather than advised, and have partnerships with
both professional staff, and key lay leaders in our community. They have portfolios, not positions; an office, not a
lounge.
We cut the programming calendar down to just three events that they will plan and execute for their peers; and the rest
of the time they will be managing projects in the fields of development, member relations, and communications –
projects that impact the entire congregational landscape, not just their own WHTY corner of the map. We know that it
may be harder for them to relate to their peers in NFTY-North East (regional events are now “professional development
opportunities,” by the way) and only time will tell whether this change will be as successful as it predicts on paper. But
for now, the view from under the table looks pretty good!
CBI TEENS ATTEND NFTY NEW ENGLAND FALL CONCLAVETTE
CBI high school teens recently attended the National Federation of Temple Youth’s New England Fall Conclavette in
Newton, Massachussets. This three-day event featured programming for and by Jewish teens, including Shabbat
services, leadership and spiritual development, singing, dancing, and lots of fun. Over 300 teens from the northeast
attended!
CBI's Youth Programs Professional Max Schwimmer and Rabbi Shaffer also attended the event, and collected the
following feedback from CBI teens:
Favorite part of NFTY-NE Fall
Conclavette
_______: “Meeting all the kids and
creating relationships that I can look
forward to if I do again. When I first got
here I didn’t know anybody, but once I
met my hosts I felt comfortable.”
_______: “The host families, getting to
know new kids that I’ll definitely make
friends with. I even saw kids I already
knew from camp.”
Big Takeaways
_______: “Being Jewish you are part of
a diverse community. Everyone is very
different, but we all have one thing in
common.”
_______: “Everybody wants to be your
friend, so I learned to approach people
with kindness.”
(Con’t. next page…)
11
January / February 2016
Israel Activism 101: Youth Israel Advocacy Program
January 5, 2016, 5:30 pm - 9:45 pm
Beth Sholom B’nai Israel
400 Middle Turnpike East, Manchester, CT 06040
Calling all Jewish youth ages 17-27! Participants in this free
program will share a vegetarian meal and engage in dialog
about identifying anti-Semitism on college campuses, what is
BDS and how to combat it, and how youth can participate in
Israel advocacy. This workshop will be led by Rena Nasar,
the Tri-State Campus Coordinator at StandWithUs, an
international, non-profit organization dedicated to educating
the public about Israel to combat the extremism and antiSemitism that often distorts the issues.
If you would like to receive more information about this
program, please send an e-mail with your contact information
to [email protected]. Non-members are warmly
welcome to participate. There is no cost to participate
although registration is required: http://www.myshul.org/
events/youth-israel-advocacy/.
Mazel tov to Elliot Donn who was recently inducted into
the Connecticut Veterans Hall of Fame. Elliot was
honored for his service to veterans and their families. He
is pictured here (right) with CT Lieutenant Governor
Nancy Wyman and Sean Connolly, Commissioner of the
CT Department of Veterans’ Affairs.
We welcome Julia Elise
Kerns, granddaughter
of Jeff Smith and Jane
Zande. Julia was born
on November 24th. Her
parents are Rachel and
Matthew Kerns.
Mazel tov Jeff and Jane!
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January / February 2016
NFTY NEW ENGLAND FALL
CONCLAVETTE (Con’t.)
To CBI Teens Considering a Future NFTY Event
_______: “You should come because it’s fun and you
meet new people and you learn a lot…you’re
representing your temple and it’s really fun.”
Samantha: “It’s worth your time! You have to put
yourself out there in order to have a good time. Just go
for it!”
_______: “It’s such a great experience. I will go with
you so you won’t feel awkward! I will introduce you to
people! It’s worth going because it creates connections
with people and you never know if you’ll see them
again in college!”
_______: “I would definitely recommend going. You will
meet cool Jewish people you never knew existed.
Make a friend. Make friends with their friends!”
NFTY-NE's Spring Conclavette is coming up! It's a
similar event from April 1st through 3rd at a Boston
area congregation. More information and registration is
available at northeast.nfty.org. To learn more, contact
Max Schwimmer at [email protected]
Rabbi Pincus leads Havdallah at a Chai gathering in
November at the home of April Haskell and Jerry
Passman.
Ben Wenograd has been
elected to the West Hartford
Town Council.
Mazel Tov Ben!
CHECK US OUT...
The Ellen Jeanne Goldfarb Community
Learning Center/Deborah Library
Long winter nights? Snowy home-bound days? Librarian Karen Beyard suggests:
Great Company
Thanks to a generous friend and benefactor, our library now owns the complete Yale Jewish Lives
Series. Named “Book of the Year” by the Jewish Book Council (the first time a series has been honored),
these expertly written short biographies are perfect introductions to the Jewish greats: King David and
Rav Kook, Freud and Einstein, Peggy Guggenheim and Leonard Bernstein, Trotsky and Moshe Dayan,
Hank Greenberg and Kafka, and more. Coming soon: Groucho Marx, Barbara Streisand, and Louis
Brandeis.
Something Yummy
Karen is drooling over two gorgeous cookbooks that combine personal journeys with great food: Zahav,
A World of Israeli Cooking by Michael Solomonov with Stephen Cook (partners in America’s best Israeli
restaurant and a mini-empire of other great Philadelphia eating) and Amelia Saltsman’s The Seasonal
Jewish Kitchen: A Fresh Take on Tradition, a farm fresh, year-long culinary journey. For people who prefer
reading to cooking, there’s Stir: My Broken Brain and the Meals that Brought Me Home – a beautifully
crafted memoir by Bob Fechtor’s granddaughter Amy, and Falafel Nation: Cuisine and the Making of
National Identity in Israel by Yael Raviv.
Guilty Pleasures
Yes, we have the newish and Jewish bestsellers you crave. Interested in Who Do You Love, the latest by
Simsbury native Jennifer Weiner? In the Unlikely Event by children’s author turned adult writer Judy
Blume? Or Book of Joan, Melissa Rivers’ memoir of mom, mirth, mischief, and manipulation? What about
Joseph Kanon’s Leaving Berlin (Alexander McCall Smith called it “a combination of Le Carré and
Graham Greene”) or Marriage of Opposites, Alice Hoffman at her “resplendent best in a trenchant and
revelatory tale of a heroic woman and her world-altering artist son” (Booklist starred review)? And don’t
forget On the Move, A Life, the last book by the late great Oliver Sacks. Is that him with the leather jacket
on a motorcycle? There’s a lot we didn’t know.
Food for Thought
Can it be 20 years? We just received Killing a King: The Assassination of Yitzhak Rabin and the Remaking of
Israel by Dan Ephron. Or you can watch the You-Tube video of a recent memorial at https://
www.youtube.com/watch?v=yGgJMZ71Amg . We also have Ally
by Michael Oren, Doomed to Succeed: The US-Israel Relationship from
CBI BOOK GROUP
Truman to Obama by Dennis Ross, and Believer: My Forty Years in
Politics by David Axelrod.
Wednesday, January 6, 7pm
We will be reading The Paris
E-mail [email protected] or call 860 233 8215, x2300 to have a book
Architect by Charles Belfoure
saved or to let Karen know what you would like to read. Normal
&
library hours are 10-3 Tuesdays, 10-1 Thursdays, and 8:45-12
Wednesday, February 3, 7pm
Sundays when religious school is in session; other times by
Book to be announced
appointment. Karen is part-time, so it’s best to call ahead. Karen is
also thinking about making some winter deliveries to people who
For more information, contact:
cannot get out so everyone can curl up with a great book this
Edee Tenser, [email protected]
winter.
13
January / February 2016
PURIM! PURIM!
PURIM!
Are you feeling lonely? Listless? Left out of the loop?
Never fear! Purim is almost here! Well, Purim rehearsals, anyway!
This year, after the resounding popularity of our Beatles-inspired spiel, ACROSS THE JEWNIVERSE,
CBI will present another rocking and rolling Purim extravaganza:
GOOD CHAI-BRATIONS!
featuring the music of THE BEACH BOYS
with all new lyrics by congregant Pattie Weiss Levy!
Our Purim players, from ages 8 to 80+, report that Purim helps lower their blood pressure,
weight, and bad cholesterol and helps raise their grade point average and SAT scores!
So please JOIN US! Join the FUN! Join in the JOY!
Rehearsals will be held Sunday afternoons, beginning
Sunday, January 10, 2016 from 2 – 5 p.m.
(Auditions—and we use the term loosely— also will be held that day.)
All are welcome—no experience necessary!
For more info, contact Cantor Pamela Siskin,
[email protected] or 860-233-8215 x2340.
Performance date: Sunday, March 20, 2016
14
January / February 2016
S.A.G.E.
S.A.G.E. Snow Policy: When West
Hartford Public Schools close due to
inclement weather, S.A.G.E.
Activities are cancelled.
The Dr. Robert A. Kramer Fund / Beth Israel Seniors Group S.A.G.E:
Beth Israel Seniors for Arts, Growth & Education
January and February Events
RSVP: By 3PM On Sunday of the Week You Wish To Attend:
Jan Glass, 860-675-9105, [email protected] or Nancy Kramer, 860-243-8558
Tuesday, January 5
11:15am Discussion with Fred Corwin
12:15pm Lunch $8
1:00pm Rabbi’s Forum
Tuesday, January 12
11:15am Discussion with Martha Reingold
12:15pm Lunch $8
1:00pm Rabbi Stephen Fuchs will discuss
his exciting ten-week experience in Germany.
Tuesday, January 19
10:30pm Martha Reingold is a movie buff par
excellence. She will present a movzie in
commemoration of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King
that we will all watch together on our “big screen,”
and discuss over lunch. Please arrive by
10:15am so we can begin promptly by
10:30am.
12:15pm Lunch $8
Tuesday, January 26
11:15am Discussion with Karen Beyard
12:15pm Lunch $8
1:00pm Jerry Siskin presents ‘They Call Me
Barbra’ Barbra Streisand, a woman of enormous
talent and moral conviction! Come hear Jerry
Siskin’s take on this great singer!
Tuesday, February 2
11:15am Discussion with Lenore Blank
12:15pm Lunch $8
1:00pm Rabbi’s Forum
Tuesday, February 9
11:15am Discussion with Rabbi Stephen Fuchs
12:15pm Lunch $8
1:00pm Dr. Roberta Tansman will outline
CBI 's new social justice initiative in
association with URJ and the RAC. We will be
talking and working with you about ways our
community can engage in sustainable, effective
social justice especially as it relates to global
health.
15
January / February 2016
Tuesday, February 16
11:15am Discussion with Tracy Mozingo (CBI
Executive Director) and Sunny Kagan (CBI
Membership Coordinator
12:15pm Lunch $8
1:00pm
Trivia Pursuit
Tuesday, February 23
11:15am Discussion with Merv Strauss
12:15pm Lunch $8
1:00pm Karen Beyard has chosen “Purim
Night” from Edith Pearlman’s Binocular Vision, a
2011 National Book Award Finalist. The 79 year
old author may be the most famous writer you
haven’t read yet: She won the National Book
Critics Circle Award, Wallant Award, Mary
McCarthy Prize, and PEN/Malumud Award for
Excellence, and Oprah listed Honeydew,
Pearlman’s fifth collection, as one of “19 books to
read right now.” Set in a Displaced Persons
camp in 1947, “Purim Night” brings our holiday
survival story to vivid life. Pick up your copy at
SAGE (January 5 on) or in our library, and join
the discussion!
BETH ISRAEL’s
PARKING & SNOW POLICIES
Please note that no overnight parking is
permitted at CBI. Our parking lot is now
monitored at night by a towing company to
ensure the lot is clear for plowing this
winter. Cars left overnight will be towed.
We post weather-related cancellations on the
home page of our website,and on CBS, NBC
and ABC (television and internet). You can
also call the synagogue office at 860-2338215 for a recorded update.
For more information, contact Tracy Mozingo
at [email protected] or 860-233-8215.
Brotherhood and Sisterhood
The Brotherhood & Sisterhood Are Sponsoring A
Family Pasta Dinner
and
YOU’RE INVITED!
Friday, January 29th at 7:30 PM
Following Kabbalat Shabbat Services
Cost is $18 per adult, $6 per child with a family cap of $42.
But sign up now! If you sign up after Wednesday,
January 26, 2016, the cost will go up to $20 per adult
and $8 per child with a $48 family cap.
Sign up by email only to [email protected].
More From Sisterhood
SISTERHOOD BOARD MEETING
Tuesday, January 5th at 7:15pm
Feldman Hall
You have paid your membership dues and attended Sisterhood events,
now come and see what we are all about. Please join us!
Meet your Board Members
Learn more about our organization
Hear about upcoming events.
Dessert and coffee will be served.
DO YOU KNOW HOW TO KNIT OR CHROCHET?
Do You Want to Learn to Knit?
Join us on Sunday, January 10 at 10am
In the AV room at the back of the Library
Bring a size 8 pair of knitting needles and we will explain the easy project
we are doing for the babies at Connecticut Children’s Medical Center.
Questions? Call Sue DeMartino at 860-521-6807
16
January / February 2016
Sisterhood is now on
Facebook. You will
be able to find out the
latest news and
events.
Mah Jonng
Tournament is
returning this Spring
more details to
follow…
TU B’SHEVAT:
THE NEW YEAR OF THE TREES
Rabbi Dena Shaffer
After Hanukkah we always feel a little sad, thinking that we have to wait until
Purim for another opportunity to celebrate. But then we remember…Tu
B’shevat is almost here! Tu B’shevat, which literally means the 15th of the
month of Shevat follows just a few short weeks after Hanukkah (this year on
January 24-25). It’s a fascinating Jewish experience that reminds us that even
the most mundane activities can be elevated to heights of joy and holiness. Tu
B’shevat originated as an agricultural practice, a sort of biblical tax day. You
see, back in the day, our ancestors who were fruit farmers were taxed in the
form of tithes. In order to tithe your orchard, you needed to know if your fruit
belonged to last year’s harvest or this year’s. And since most fruit ripens in the
summer, a winter day, Tu B’shevat, became the agreed-upon day when the fruit
tax would be collected and the new tax year would begin. This is why Tu
B’shevat is often referred to as the “new year of the trees!”
Like most Jewish festivals with agricultural/cultic origins Tu B’shevat had to be
reimagined after the destruction of the Temple, further evidence of the vitality
and plasticity of Jewish tradition. Each generation added its own meaning and
relevance to this Jewish arbor day. The kabbalists (Jewish mystics of the 16th
century, mainly in the ancient Israeli city of Sefat) invented a Tu B’shevat seder. Using Passover as their guide, the
mystics would bless and taste the seven species of the land of Israel (wheat, barley, pomegranates, vines, figs, honey,
and olive oil – based on Deuteronomy 8:8) in between four cups of wine. Later, in the early days of the Zionism, young
pioneers and immigrants celebrated Tu B’shevat in the context of the return to our homeland and the need to make the
dessert bloom. The tradition of planting trees in Israel on this holiday stems (pun intended!) from this time (learn how
you can do this by visiting www.jnftrees.com). In contemporary North America the theme of living with the earth and the
obligation to protect the natural world dominates this holiday. We live in an unprecedented age of climate change and
we face a wide array of environmental problems. Tu B’shevat has emerged as a chance to both celebrate God’s
creation and do teshuvah as we think about our collective behaviors that threaten to destroy the natural world that
sustains us.
I know I’m not alone when I admit that, while, I find entry points to God in many places, one of the most powerful paths
for me is spending time in nature. Indeed many of us experience deep spirituality, a connection with the forces greater
than ourselves, and the seemingly endless holiness, when find ourselves in God’s sanctuary. Tu B’shevat hence
becomes a sacred and important opportunity to consider how we celebrate and protect God’s great gift, our life-giving
planet.
“SHABBARK SHALOM:
A CBI MEET-UP
Saturday, January 30, 3:00-4:00PM
Nodbrook Wildflife Management Area, Simsbury
If you are feeling cooped up, join Rabbi Shaffer and
her dog Darby for a walk, hot chocolate and short
Havdalah service. Bring your dog, kids, and friends
for a fun outing to beat the winter blues!! Dress warm!
Nodbrook Wildflife Management Area, Simsbury is off
Route 10, in Tower Business Park. Meet in the
bottom of the parking lot. For more details and
directions, call Sunny Kagan 860-233-8215, ext. 2240
or email [email protected]
17
January / February 2016
GETTING TO KNOW US:
CBI’s ADMINISTRATIVE TEAM
TRACY MOZINGO, Executive Director
Phone: 860-233-8215 ext. 2250 / E-mail: [email protected]
See Tracy About: Lay leader and committee needs, event planning and business matters.
Tracy moved to West Hartford 5 years ago with her husband Chris and two young daughters Josie and
Coco. She enjoys spending time outdoors walking, biking and relaxing and capturing nature with her
novice photography skills. Much of her free time is spent enjoying her daughters' many activities
including basketball, lacrosse, swimming and 4H.
KAREN BEYARD, Librarian
Phone: 860-233-8215 ext. 2300 / E-mail: [email protected]
See Karen About: All your library needs including assistance locating or reserving books and reading
recommendations.
Karen and her husband, professor and author Don Ellis, have been part of the CBI community since
1987. If she isn’t in our library or spending time with SAGE, she is in California with Allie or Vermont with
David, Alison, and grandson John; enjoying opera, theater, and museums in New York; or cooking
something up somewhere. Israel is always on the horizon. She loves to read. And talk!
CHERYL GOLDBERG, Administrative Coordinator
Phone: 860-233-8215 ext. 2230 / E-mail: [email protected]
See Cheryl About: B’nai Mitzvah administration, scheduling an appointment with Rabbis Pincus and
Shaffer, yahrzeits and general reception needs
Cheryl is amazed that she has worked at CBI for nearly 10 years! When not at work, Cheryl can usually
be found attacking any number of DIY projects. Though the completion of these provides a great deal of
satisfaction, she much prefers to be sewing, gardening, hiking and reading.
SUNNY KAGAN, Membership Coordinator
Phone: 860-233-8215 ext. 2240 / Email: [email protected]
See Sunny About: Membership, increasing your engagement and connection with the CBI community,
volunteer opportunities, Shabbat dinners and outreach events.
Sunny has been a member of CBI for nearly 30 years, with her husband Jeff. Her free time is spent
walking their dogs, enjoying their grandchildren, traveling and boating.
LAURIE LEADER, Communications Coordinator
Phone: 860-233-8215 ext. 2320 / Email: [email protected]
See Laurie About: Submissions to our weekly e-news, Chai Lights, and the CBI Bulletin, questions about
our website, and inquires about publicity.
Laurie has been a member of CBI for 15 years. She enjoys singing, swimming, walking in the woods and
by the ocean, traveling and cultural pursuits, and spending time with her husband, Robert.
MICHELLE MEYER, Operations Coordinator
Phone: 860-233-8215 ext. 2270 / Email: [email protected]
See Michelle About: Billing questions, reserving space for a meeting or event, cemetery information,
and memorial plaques.
Michelle lives in the West End with her son Isaiah and two crazy cats Teddy and Junior. She loves
watching Isaiah play sports, singing with the choir, walking the Reservoir and puttering in the garden.
Tracy, Karen, Cheryl, Laurie and Michelle welcome you to stop by the office to
say hello and will be happy to assist you with anything you may need.
18
January / February 2016
SAVE THE DATE - TUESDAY FEBRUARY 23
7:00PM - 8:30PM
THIS IS THE DAWNING OF THE AGE OF
Re-Jew-Vination
Calling All Women!
LET'S SAY PHOOI TO WINTER!
Join us for an evening of
Meditation; Music; Healing and Harmony
(And a smoothie / glass of wine - or two!!)
Admission: $10
For reservations or more information contact
Cantor Pamela Siskin - [email protected] or Sunny Kagan - [email protected]
Pre-K Family Program!
Events for Parent with child 2-4 years old
Let’s explore Jewish holidays and rituals in a fun,
hands-on educational and social environment!
Events will include arts and crafts, snacks and stories.
Time: SUNDAYS, 9:00-10:30 am (during religious school hours!)
Where: Downstairs in one of the Educational Playcare classrooms
When: See dates below, come to one, come to all!
January 24th
Shabbat & Havdalah (January 17th snow date)
February 21st
Discover Purim (March 6th snow date)
March 27th
Discover Passover
May 1st
19
Story of Noah’s Ark
January / February 2016
Giving
AN UPDATE ON THE AIM CHAI CAMPAIGN
By Clare Feldman
Over the last several years the Jewish Community Foundation through the Aim Chai Endowment Campaign has raised
over $30 million to support and sustain Jewish organizations in our area including Beth Israel.
Our leadership set a goal of raising $3 million in legacy and cash pledges through the Aim Chai Campaign to insure our
wonderful community will be here for years to come.
A number of generous individuals have already helped us by their commitment of cash pledges and legacy gifts made to
the Foundation for the benefit of Beth Israel. An example of one of those gifts would be a fund Ron and Judy
Schlossberg created at the Foundation that supports CBI’s religious school by funding a first grade teacher each year.
You have an opportunity to be part of this generous group of people in one of several ways:
1) by establishing a named fund at the Foundation for the benefit of CBI. Named funds require a minimum cash
donation of $5,000 which can be done all at once or by contributing $1,000 per year for 5 years. Of course you can
contribute more than $5,000. This is something my husband Barry and I, along with others, have chosen to do.
2) by making a legacy gift through a bequest in your will.
I, along with Jeff Winnick, Gary Greenberg, David Miller and Richard Rubenstein, am leading the Beth Israel campaign
to raise $3 million to help support our wonderful synagogue. We will be working with individuals to support those
things that are important to them at Beth Israel through gifts to the Foundation. Please call me @ (860) 416-4794 if I
can answer any questions or help you support the Aim Chai campaign.
Congregation Beth Israel Gratefully Acknowledges The Following Fund Distributions In Support of Beth Israel
Libbian & Jerry Cohen Fund
CBI Tots Fund by David and Lauri Miller
Dr. Nathan Lewis Dubin Rabbinic Chair Fund
Stanley & Susan Fellman Fund
Carol Gabrielson Fine Fund
Bruce & Debra Fischman Fund
Four Devoted Deborahs Fund (by Elaine Lowengard)
Ida and Milton Gladstein Fund
Aaron Hollander Fund
Simon Hollander Fund
Rose Hurowitz & Anna Hurowitz Lublin Fund
Johnston Family Fund
Mailly Family Fund
David & Lauri Miller Family Fund
David & Lauri Miller Family Fund II
Bennett & Libby Pearl Fund
Sharon & Alan Reisner Family Fund
Schlossberg Teaching Chair for First Grade
Amy Selzer Memorial Fund
Silberman Chapel Fund
Mark & Ruth Solomkin Fund
Linda Bland Sonnenblick Fund
Ruth Tupper Fund
Genevieve & Joseph Weinstein Fund
20
January / February 2016
For programs not included in Synagogue budget
For the Tots Program
To Underwrite the Senior Rabbi's compensation
For general support
For general support
For general support
The Library
For general support
For the Library, SAGE, Youth Education Special Learners
Program, and general support
For the Library, SAGE, Youth Education Special Learners
Program, and general support
For the Youth Education Program and SAGE
For general support
For general support
For cantorial and music programs
For general support
For the Youth Education Program
For general support
For the Youth Education Program
For the Rabbi's Tribute for Lifelong Learning
For the repair and Maintenance of the Silberman Chapel
For general support
For general support
For general support
For general support
Giving
The SECOND ANNUAL TRIBUTE to Rabbi Pincus on October 24th to benefit educational programs was very
successful. Over 130 people gathered for a beautiful Havdalah service in the Sanctuary, followed by a wonderful
reception and a concert by CBI's own Allegra Levy. Allegra is receiving rave reviews and she and her band were
outstanding. Thanks go to many people for supporting this event in honor of Rabbi Pincus:
BETH ISRAEL BENEFACTOR
Sue Fulleton
CHARTER OAK CHAMPION
Sandra and Arnold Chase
Gail and David Mangs
SANCTUARY SUSTAINER
Clare and Barry Feldman
Lea and Richard Rubenstein
CLERGY CIRCLE
Sandy and Aaron Gersten
Corinne and Michael Johnston
Adlyn and Ted Loewenthal
Ira Spar
Ruth and Ronald Van Winkle
Lorrie and Randy Wexler
PRESIDENT’S CLUB
Karen Beyard and Donald Ellis
Barbara and Jack Blechner
Riki and James Brodey
Mary-Jane Eisen and Robert Yass
Susan and Stanley Fellman
Liz Freedman and Trey McPherson
Melissa and Ari Geller
21
PRESIDENT’s CLUB (con’’t.)
Sunny and Jeff Kagan
Pat and Michael Kazakoff
Judy and Stuart Levy
Jennifer and Todd Mailly
Lauri and David Miller
Paula Schenck and Bruce Badner
Judy and Ron Schlossberg
Eve and Gerald Tarre
Michael Wilder
Margie and Jeff Winnick
CONGREGANT CONTRIBUTOR
Lauren and Ross Benthien
Beth Berinstein
Sandra Berinstein
Renee Dubin
Ruth Feinberg
Jan Glass
Jill and Barry Goldberg
Barbara and Mike Honor
Libby Pearl
Gwen and Chet Zaslow
January / February 2016
DONOR
Meg and Michael Aronow
Suzy and Stan Glantz
Claire and Bob Katz
Ellen and Robert Lerman
Billie Levy
Mari and Stephen Maidman
Susan and Thomas Reich
Albert Rosenfield
Sonny and Mark Shipman
Leslie and Samuel Silverman
Ari and Howard Steinberg
Joseph Streltsov
Cindy and David Ward
EVENT COMMITTEE
Sue Fulleton & Lorrie Wexler, Co-chairs
Clare Feldman
Judy Levy
Gail Mangs
Paula Schenck
Mark Steier
Ruth Van Winkle
SPECIAL THANKS TO
Pattie and Harlan Levy
Bruce Badner
T houghtful D onations
CANTOR SISKIN DISCRETIONARY
With gratitude to the Caring Committee
by Bette Glickman
In honor of Lucia’s Bat Mitzvah
by Denise Padilla and Andy Katz
In memory of Dorothy Nathan
by Leslie and Lynne Nathan
In honor of Ashley’s Bat Mitzvah
by Rona and Barry Gelber
In memory of Phyllis Katz
by Barbara and Jack Blechner
With gratitude for the Temple
by Ruth Solomkin
In memory of Janet Feinstein
by Andrea Labinger
DR. ROBERT ALLYN KRAMER /
SENIORS/SAGE
To wish a speedy recovery to
Julian Adler
by Phyllis Cherlin
In memory of Stanley Freifeld
by Marvin Freifeld
In memory of Norton Glass, my
beloved husband
In memory of Stephen Reitman,
my dear brother
by Janice Glass
In memory of Robert Gordon, my
husband
by Fayette R. Gordon
In memory of Irving Kramer, my
beloved father-in-law
by Nancy Kramer
In memory of Isabel Northrop
by Laurie Reynard
by Irma Schoen
by Natlee & Morris Steinberg
by Jennifer & Thomas Marshall
GENERAL CHARITABLE
In memory of Abram Tsvok
by Lyusya Blekhman
In memory of Edythe GerstenScott
by Bernard Bodine
In memory of Isabel Northrop
by Arlyn & Marc Brierre
by LorraIne Bulba
by Sandy & Jerry Cohn
by Jean & William Gourley
To honor the birth of Samuel John
& Riley Ashton
by Faye Cohen
In memory of Harold M. Cohn, my
father
by LInda & Henry Cohn
In memory of Igor Gitelman, my
son
by Meri Gitelman
In memory of Khaya Gitelman, my
mother-In-law
by Meri Gitelman
In memory of Edythe GerstenScott
by Carmen Holzman
In memory of Hannah Kholodner
by Tatyana Kagan
In memory of Maria Stolberg, my
mother
by Nellya Kamenskaya
by Asya Reyngold
by Roza Ofengeym
In memory of Nathan Lerman, my
father
by Bob Lerman
22
In memory of Eva Lerman, my
mother
by Bob Lerman
In memory of Betty Hartman
In memory of Jerry Lowengard
by Elaine Lowengard
In memory of Yakov May, my
husband
by Shifra May
In memory of Brocha Ofengeym
by Roza Ofengeym
In memory of Mikhail Ofengeym
by Roza, Alla & Igor Ofengeym
In memory of Dr. Leo P. Reiner
by Jeffrey Reiner
In memory of Maryam
Gorodinskaya, my mother
by Lilya Rozenberg
In memory of Nuta Rudyak
by Sima Rudyak
In memory of Norma Belle
Beatman
In memory of Max Rogers
In memory of Edythe GerstenScott
by Paula Schenck
In memory of Mark Tsvok, my
grandson
by FaIna Sorokin
In memory of Lev Sorokin, my
husband
by Faina Sorokin
In memory of Edythe GerstenScott
by Ruth & Ron Van Winkie
In memory of Yakov Zheleznyak,
my brother
by Lidiya Volodarska
In memory of Edythe GerstenScott
by Carmen & Stephen Witt
In memory of Isabel Northrop
In memory of Susan Block
In honor of Dominic Figueroa
by Jane Zande & Jeff Smith
In memory of Yakow Zheleznyak
by Tamara Zheleznyak
In support
by Leeann & David Zubrow
LOUIS ANTUPIT YOUTH
In memory of Phillip Antupit, my
father
by Bunny Antupit
ABRAHAM J. FELDMAN
MUSEUM
In memory of Gerald F. Aronson
by Arnold Aronson
MUSIC
In memory of Phyllis Katz
by Joan & Dan Fine
GOLDSTEIN MUSIC FUND
In memory of Judy Goldstein
by Jill and Mark Goldstein
NEW AMERICANS
In memory of Sarah Puritz, my
sister
by Gusta Budyansky
In memory of Michael Zaretsky,
my father
by Mariya Burshteyn
In memory of Samuel Burshteyn,
my father
by Semen Burshteyn
In memory of Fanya Shafir
by Inna Gruarary &
Igor Budyansky
January / February 2016
In memory of Khasya Kagan, my
grandmother
by Vladimir Zalozhin
Rabbi Fuchs’ Foodshare
Transportation Fund
In memory of Hon. Robert L.
Krechevsky, my husband
by Phyllis Krechevsky
RABBI SHAFFER DISCRETIONARY
In memory of Samuel Dolinger
by Sheldon Dolinger
In memory of Debra Levy
by Joan & Dan Fine
In support
by Jeff Smith & Jane Zande
In memory of Helen Rosenfield
by Lorrie & Randy Wexler
With appreciation
by Edith & Bob Whitman
In memory of Norman Zeldis
by Martin Zeldis
LIBRARY
In memory of my father, A. Arthur
Giddon
by Pam and Roger Freedman
RABBI PINCUS DISCRETIONARY
With appreciation for your comfort
and in memory of Susan Block
by Lisa & Peter Block
by Julie & Ken Saffir
In memory of Rosalind Rose, my
mother
by Debbie Blotner
In memory of Gloria S. Breitman
by Richard Breitman
To honor the birth of Ayelet Leora
Glantz, our granddaughter
by Lorry & Martin Clayman
For all the help to Ashley for her
Bat Mitzvah
by Rona & Barry Gelber
In memory of Harry Gerber
by Mollie Gerber
In memory of Edythe GerstenScott
by Aaron Gersten
To honor the birth of Ayelet Leora
Glantz, great-granddaughter
by Suzy & Stan Glantz
In memory of William B. Glotzer,
my beloved husband
by Janice F. Glotzer
In appreciation
by Janis & Michael Green
In memory of Glenn Johnston
by Corine & Michael Johnston
In support
by Jodi Lynn & Bruce Kanner
As a thoughtful donation
by Vera Karchov
In support
by Elizabeth Kaslusky
In memory of Kate Weinman
by Estelle Laschever
In memory of Bruce LeVine
Mellion, my son
by Ruth Mellion
Mazel tov Henry and the Mandell
family
by Lauri & David Miller
With appreciation for a beautiful
ceremony
by Julie Miller & Mark Sperl
In memory of Marge Rosenthal
by Maxine Moncini
In memory of Isabel Northrop
by Steven Northrop
To celebrate the Bat Mitzvah of
Lucia Katz
by Denise Padilla & Andrew Katz
In memory of Morris M. Roisman
by Gerald Roisman
In memory of Harold L. Rothstein
by Marilyn Rothstein
In memory of Sidney Kittredge,
beloved father and grandfather
by Rachel & Bill Shipman and
family
In memory of Evelyn Rosenstein
by Rachel & Bill Shipman and
family
In memory of Gertrude Siegel,
beloved mother and grandmother
by Judy & Ed Siegel and family
In memory of Milo Levin, beloved
grandfather and great-grandfather
by Judy & Ed Siegel and family
In memory of Dr. David Weinstein,
my husband
by Mildred Weinstein
In memory of Debbie Levy
by Lorrie Wexler
With appreciation
by Edith & Bob Whitman
In memory our mother, Elinor
Tannenbaum
by Ruth, Susan and Lewis
With thanks for Rabbi’s guidance
of Hailey as she prepared for her
Bat Mitzvah
By Lauren Fine, Michael Singer
and family
SOCIAL JUSTICE COMMITTEE
In memory of Florence Fisher, my
beloved mother
by Arlyn & David Bamberger
In memory of Solomon Breslau
by Claire Breslau
In memory of Janet M. Friedman
by Jim Friedman
In memory of Anne Rosenworcel
by Elliott & Willa Rosenworcel
FOODSHARE YOM KIPPUR
COLLECTION
In memory of Meyer Goffman, my
father,
by Phyllis Reiter
ROBERT FALK MEMORIAL
SCHOLARSHIP FUND
In memory of Robert Rosenthal
by Helen & Howard Falk
SILVER COURTYARD
In memory of Susan Block
by Karen Beyard
by Libby Pearl
Thoughtful Donations
(con’t.)
HIGH HOLY DAY APPEAL DONATIONS
Victoria and Leonard Albert, Nancy Beth Alisberg, Michael & Margaret Aronow, Scott and Amanda Aronson, Bruce Badner, Cheryl Chase and Stuart
Bear, Bethany Berger, Michael and Kati Berman, Harry & Honore Birkenruth, Lenore Blank, Jack & Barbara Blechner, Lyusya Blekhman, Larisa
Bochenkova, Martin and Sharon Brezner, Barry and Ellyn Broden, James and Riki Brodey, Gusta Budyansky, David and Bev Carillo, David & Suzanne
Chaletsky, David and Rhoda Chase, William Chase, Edward Cheffetz, Phyllis Cherlin, Samuel and Barbara Chester, Martin and Lorry Clayman, Adam
and Cindy Cohen, Jerry and Libbian Cohen, Margaret Cohen, Sydney and Phoebe Croog, Donald Davidson, Rachel Davis, Peter & Joanne Deich,
Lauren Deich, Robert and Laura Deutsch, Caren Dickman, Alexander and Maya Dobrynin, Sheldon Dolinger. Elliott and Elissa Donn, Renee Dubin,
Carol Dunn, Karen Beyard & Donald Ellis, James Elsner, Yefim Eydelshteyn, Janice Falkin, Barry and Clare Feldman, Michael and Lyudmila Feldman,
Stanley and Susan Fellman, Carol Fine, James and Marcia Fine, Morton Fine, Norman and Cheryl Fine, David and Linda Fishman, Boris and Tamila
Flaksman, Karl and Muriel Fleischmann, Leonid and Mariya Fortel, Joe and Beth Fox, Elizabeth Freedman and Clifton McPherson, Roza Frenkel,
Vladimir and Raisa Fridkin, James and Dianne Friedman, Sue Fulleton, Stuart and Donna Ganslaw, Barry and Rona Gelber, Mike & Susan German,
Aaron and Sandy Gersten, David and Sheri Ginden, Meri Gitelman, Jonathan and Alisha Glaser, Janice Glass, Bette Glickman, Janice Glotzer, Barry
and Jill Goldberg, Roman and Sarra Goman, Fayette Gordon, John and Norma Green, Robert and Cynthia Gross, Judith Gruskay, Sylvia Heiman, Gary
and Judy Herman, Jonathan and Amy Herzog, Edwin and Lisa Hoberman, Carmen Holzman, Michael and Barbara Honor, Gary and Linda Jacobson,
Jeffrey and Sunny Kagan, Aleksandr and Yuliya Kalika, Edward Kane, Samuel Kanell, Leonid and Maya Kaplan, Robyn Kaplan-Cho, Leonard and Rita
Katz, Roberta Kaufman, Seth and Sharon Kaufman, Gerald Kent, Polina Klimovich, Khanan and Liza Kloyzner, Martin Koppell, Bernard and Gale
Kosto, Anthony and Margaret Kotin, Nancy Kramer, Judi Krevolin, Andrea Labinger, Marvin and Sara Lapuk, Andrew and Genevieve Lattimer, Laurie
Leader, Gary and Amy Levin, Billie Levy, Stuart and Judy Levy, Scott and Heidi Lewis, Todd and Elizabeth Liebman, Michael and Roxana Lipton,
Elaine Lowengard, Steven Madonick and Gayle Wintjen, Anna Malitsky, David and Gail Mangs, Yulis and Raisa Margolin, Esther Markman, William
and Lisanne Markowitz, Leta Marks, Nicole Mcguire, Dina Plapler and Earl Mcmahon, Ruth Mellion, Anna Metelitsa, Michelle Meyer, David and Lauri
Miller, Barbara Mindell, Adele Murray, Howard and Barbara Nair, Alan and Merri Nathan, Leslie and Lynne Nathan, Jerry Passman and April Haskell,
Kevin and Kathy Pasternack, Libby Pearl, Scott and Sue Piccone, Howard and Patricia Pierce, Dorothy Plant, Thomas and Susan Reich, Barbara
Ricketts, Gerald A Roisman, Jace and Soamy Rosenbluth, Elliott and Willa Rosenworcel, Lilya Rozenberg, Richard and Lea Rubenstein, Karen and
Fred Rubin, Andrew and Patricia Salner, Evelyn Sandel and Sandy Rosenberg, Paula Schenck, Ron and Judy Schlossberg, Bonnie and Eric
Schneider, Alan and Linda Schoenfeld, Steven and Karen Schutzer, Leonard and Freda Schwartz, Burt and June Schweitzer, Richard Seidman, Henry
and Shirley Seltzer, Gerard and Judith Selzer, Benjamin and Joan Shapiro, Mark and Sonia Shipman, Wilma Sicklick, Edward and Judith Siegel,
Alexander Silver, Mary Silverberg, Samuel and Leslie Silverman, Michael Singer and Lauren Fine, Jeffrey Smith and Jane Zande, Ruth Solomkin, Linda
Sonnenblick, Faina Sorokin, Ira Spar, Frank and Joan Spector, Dan and Lisa Steier, Michael Steinberg and Felice Heller, Analee Stone, Mervyn
Strauss, Eve and Gerald Tarre, Edee Tenser, Fred Tilden and Lisa Namerow, Sally Title, Richard Tulman, Ron and Ruth Van Winkle, Hugh and Lydia
Vine, Lidiya Volodarska, David and Cindy Ward, Marsha Weber, William and Eileen Weiblen, Stanley and Esther Weiner, Paul Weinstein, Robert and
Irene Weiss, Pamela Weltman, Benjamin Wenograd and Shannon Wegele, Marlene Wenograd, Jeffrey and Marjorie Winnick, Andrew and Denise
Winokur, Robert Yass and Mary-Jane Eisen, Diane Zucker
FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY WELCOMES:
Friends
Beth Berinstein (new member)
Phyllis Cherlin (new member)
Yefim Eydelshteyn
Richard Fichman (new member)
Lionel S. Jackowitz (new member)
Claire and Bob Katz
Billie Levy
Judy and Stuart Levy (new members)
June Mandelkern (new member)
Lynn Rappaport
Bonnie Schneider
Irma Schoen
Judith and Gerard Selzer
Kathy Smiley (new member)
Mark and Claudia Teitelbaum (new members)
Richard Tulman
David and Cynthia Ward (new members)
Marlene Wenograd
Mara Whitman, Marc Edrich and Family
23
Patrons
Lisa and Rob Berman
Jack and Barbara Blechner
Devida Botwick
Sheri Caplan & Ken Merkatz (new members)
James and Marcia Fine (new members)
Aaron and Sandy Gersten
Janice Glass
Michael and Pat Kazakoff (new members)
Jen & Todd Mailly (new members)
Libby Pearl
Renee Samuels
Wilma Sicklick
Ruth Solomkin
Ira Spar
Mervyn Strauss (new member)
Edee Tenser
Beverly Thomas (new member)
Jane Zande and Jeff Smith
Shirley Zelman (new member)
January / February 2016
Benefactors
Hermia and Arnold Aronson
Sheldon Dolinger (new member)
Morton Fine
Jeffrey and Sunny Kagan
Robert Kirschbaum & Jacqueline Metheny
Martin Koppell
Elaine Lowengard
Gail Mangs
Bill Markowitz (new member)
Marilyn Rothstein
Richard and Lea Rubenstein
Ed and Judy Siegel (new members)
Linda Bland Sonnenblick (new member)
Michael Wilder
January 2016
SUN
MON
Tevet / Shevat 5776
TUE
WED
THU
4
FRI
SAT
1
New Year’s Day
Office Closed
6:30pm Shabbat
Service
(NO 6pm or 8pm
Service / NO
Dinner)
2
9:30am Torah
Study - Shemot
10:30am Tot
Shabbat
11:00am Shabbat
Service
3
NO Youth
Engagement
4
5:30pm Minyan
5
11:15am SAGE
5:00pm YEP in
Farmington
7:15pm
Sisterhood
7:15pm
Brotherhood
6
4:30pm Youth
Engagement
Program
7:00pm Intro to
Judaism
7:00pm Choir
7:00pm Book
Group
7
4:00pm YEP at
JCC
5:30pm Minyan
8
7:30pm Shabbat
Service
7:30pm Jr.
Congregation
9
9:30am Torah
Study - Va’eira
11:00am Shabbat
Service
10
8:30am
Community Coffee
9:00am Youth
Engagement
Program
9:30am Social
Justice Committee
Speaker
10:00am
Sisterhood Knitting
Group
2:00pm First
Purim Spiel
Rehearsal (Audition)
11
5:30pm Minyan
12
11:15am SAGE
5:00pm YEP in
Farmington
13
4:30pm Youth
Engagement
Program
7:00pm Intro to
Judaism
7:00pm Choir
14
4:00pm YEP at
JCC
5:30pm Minyan
15
7:30pm
MLK Joint
Commemoration
Shabbat Service
with Bethel A.M.E.
Church / Simcha
Shabbat
16
9:30am Torah
Study - Bo
10:30am Tot
Shabbat
11:00am Shabbat
Service
17
8:30am
Community Coffee
9:00am Youth
Engagement
Program
9:00am MLK Joint
Commemoration
Service at Bethel
A.M.E. Church
18
Martin Luther King
Day
Office Closed
10:00am MLK
Youth Day of
Service
5:30pm Minyan
19
11:15am SAGE
5:00pm YEP in
Farmington
7:00pm Board of
Trustees
20
4:30pm Youth
Engagement
Program
7:00pm Intro to
Judaism
7:00pm Choir
21
4:00pm YEP at
JCC
5:30pm Minyan
22
Foodshare Truck
7:30pm Shabbat
Shira Service
23
9:30am Torah
Study - Beshalach
11:00am Shabbat
Service
24
8:30am
Community Coffee
9:00am Youth
Engagement
Program
9:00am Pre-K Family
Program
25
Tu B’Shevat
Soup Kitchen
(offsite)
5:30pm Minyan
26
11:15am SAGE
5:00pm YEP in
Farmington
6:30pm Spiritual
Committee
27
4:30pm Youth
Engagement
Program
7:00pm Intro to
Judaism
7:00pm Choir
28
4:00pm YEP at
JCC
5:30pm Minyan
29
7:30pm
Kabbalat Shabbat
Service followed by
community dinner
30
9:30am Torah
Study - Yitro
11:00am Shabbat
Service
3:00pm Shabbark
Shalom Walk
Time TBA - PJ
Havdalah Family
Event
31
8:30am
Community Coffee
9:00am Youth
Engagement
Program
24
DAILY MINYAN
Following a break last month, our weekday Minyans are resuming in January on
Mondays and Thursdays at 5:30pm. The Silberman Chapel is also available for
those seeking a quiet, contemplative place outside of scheduled Minyan times.
January / February 2016
February 2016
SUN
Shevat / Adar I 5776
MON
TUE
WED
THU
FRI
SAT
1
5:30pm
Minyan
2
11:15am SAGE
5:00pm YEP in
Farmington
7:15pm
Sisterhood
7:15pm
Brotherhood
3
4:30pm Youth
Engagement
Progam
7:00pm Intro to
Judaism
7:00pm Choir
7:00pm Book
Group
4
4:00pm YEP at
JCC
5:30pm
Minyan
5
6:00pm
Kol Shabbat
Followed by
Community
Dinner
8:00pm
Meditative
6
9:30am Torah
Study Mishpatim
10:30am Tot
Shabbat
11:00am
Shabbat Service
7
8:30am
Community Coffee
9:00am Youth
Engagement
Program
8
5:30pm
Minyan
9
11:15am SAGE
5:00pm YEP in
Farmington
10
4:30pm Youth
Engagement
Program
7:00pm Intro to
Judaism
7:00pm Choir
11
4:00pm YEP at
JCC
5:30pm
Minyan
12
7:30pm
Shabbat Service
7:30pm Jr.
Congregation
13
9:30am Torah
Study - Terumah
11:00am
Shabbat Service
14
NO Youth
Engagement
Program
15
5:30pm
Minyan
16
11:15am SAGE
5:00pm YEP in
Farmington
7:00pm Board of
Trustees
17
4:30pm Youth
Engagement
Program
7:00pm Intro to
Judaism
7:00pm Choir
18
4:00pm YEP at
JCC
5:30pm
Minyan
19
Foodshare Truck
7:30pm Shabbat
Service / Simcha
Shabbat
20
9:30am Torah
Study - Tetzeveh
10:30am Tot
Shabbat
11:00am
Shabbat Service
21
8:30am
Community Coffee
9:00am Youth
Engagement
Program
9:00am Pre-K Family
Program
22
Soup
Kitchen
(offsite)
5:30pm
Minyan
23
11:15am SAGE
5:00pm YEP in
Farmington
5:30pm Minyan
6:30pm Spiritual
Committee
7:00pm
Re-Jew-Vination
24
4:30pm Youth
Engagement
Program
NO Intro to
Judaism
7:00pm Choir
25
4:00pm YEP at
JCC
5:30pm
Minyan
26
6:30pm
Kabbalat Shabbat
followed by
Community Dinner
27
9:30am Torah
Study - Ki Tisa
11:00am
Shabbat Service
28
8:30am
Community Coffee
9:00am Youth
Engagement
Program
29
5:30pm
Minyan
25
January / February 2016
Congregation Beth Israel
701 Farmington Avenue
860-233-8215
[email protected]
West Hartford, CT 06119
FAX: 860-523-0223
www.cbict.org
A Reform Congregation founded in 1843 and affiliated with the Union for Reform Judaism since 1877.
The Synagogue Bulletin is published with the kind cooperation of the Solomon and Katie Wohl Foundation.
Our mission is to serve the lifelong spiritual and educational needs of our congregants, within a welcoming
and caring contemporary Reform Jewish Community.
PAJAMA HAVDALAH
FAMILY EVENT
Co-Sponsored by PJ Library
and
CBI Friends of the Library
Join us at Congregation Beth Israel for
Havdalah (“separation” of Shabbat”) stories,
PJ Library family activities, snacks and more!
Free and open to public, bring a friend!
Saturday, January 30th, Time TBA
Look for details on our Website in January
NONPROFIT ORG
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
HARTFORD, CT
PERMIT NO. 840