Temple Topics Cheshvan-Kislev-Tevet 5780€¦ · Temple Topics Vol. LV, No. 2 November-December...

Temple Topics Vol. LV, No. 2 November-December 2019 Cheshvan-Kislev-Tevet 5780

2 Beth El Temple West Hartford, CT www.bethelwesthartford.org 860.233.9696

SULAM Beth El - Seek. Understand. Learn. Act. Marvel.

Field Trip: Geniza

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 10 9:00 – 11:30 AM LOCATIONS: Beth El Cemetery, 10 Jackson Street, Avon QUESTIONS: Rabbi Garber, [email protected]

Our 5-7th graders will spend the morning on a field trip to the Beth El Cemetery to participate in the holy act of burying sacred Jewish texts and ritual items, and to learn about the newly dedicated monument to victims of the Holocaust. All are invited to join us! But, please keep any items you'd like to bury at home for now. We are not able to accept more items at this time.

3rd Grade Siddur Decorating

We had a wonderful time with our SULAM third graders as they decorated their siddur covers! Our learners and their parents designed beautiful covers for the new siddur they will receive in February.

Celebrating Sukkot at SULAM Classes visited our Beth El sukkah to learn and practice three mitzvot of the holiday:

A few classes designed and constructed LEGO sukkot.

Grade 4 learners creating a sukkah out of Lego blocks

Remembering by Bruno Lucchesi,

Gifted by Ann Rosow-Lucchesi

Temple Topics Vol. LV, No. 2 November-December 2019 Cheshvan-Kislev-Tevet 5780 3

Enjoying Beth El Veterans Day Shabbat Saturday, November 9

9:30 AM Salute the veterans of our Beth El Temple family alongside an honor guard, a tribute to our honored veteran Rabbi Stanley Kessler z’’l, the powerful Roll Call, and a patriotic sing-along.

Veterans! Register for the Roll Call: tell us when and where you served; wear your service hat and bring your memorabilia.

FOLLOWED BY: Kiddush luncheon RSVP: none REGISTER: Veterans, Honey Sue Springut,

860-302-3484, [email protected] QUESTIONS: [email protected] SPONSOR: Chai Society

Temple Trivia Throwdown Saturday, November 16

8:00 PM Back by popular demand! A fun, interactive Trivia Night with cash and other prizes, featuring Rob Guilmette, professional trivia master and DJ running the game.

Teams of 6-8 people will compete by answering a wide range of questions. Sign up as a team, or ask us to assign you to a team.

COST: $30/person (as of 11/1) QUESTIONS: Sharon Neiberg, 860-857-2020,

[email protected] REFRESHMENTS: beer, wine, snacks, and desserts INFORMATION: tinyurl.com/NovTrivia CO-SPONSORS: Men’s Club and Women’s Network


Not having much of a commute to work, given that I live just around the corner from the synagogue, I feel like I’m the last person to discover the benefit of listening to podcasts. But in the past few months I have carved out time and space to listen to some of the

leading Jewish podcasts and I have learned and laughed so much. Jewish Women’s Archive hosts a podcast called, “Can We Talk?” One week we “met” Holocaust survivor and author, Irene Butter, who, like Anne Frank, fled Nazi Germany with her family, settled in Amsterdam, and was eventually deported to concentration camps. The next episode introduced us to Sarah Hurwitz who was a White House speechwriter for President Barack and First Lady Michelle Obama and then wrote a book about her journey into Jewish learning and observance. Kveller (the Jewish parenting website) hosts “Call Your Mother.” The most recent episode that I listened to was “The Mikvah was Hilarious” where the hosts interview Juju Chang, ABC’s anchor for Nightline, mom to three boys and a Korean-born woman who came to Judaism later in life. In another episode, host Jordana Horn also interviewed Sarah Hurwitz. It was great to hear her again.

But my favorite podcast is “Unorthodox,” a smart, fresh, fun weekly take on Jewish news and culture hosted by Mark Oppenheimer (who grew up in Springfield, and has Hartford connections), Stephanie Butnick, and Liel Leibovitz. They are all writers for Tablet Magazine, and I love how their show includes current stories (“News of the Jews”), hot topics (they recently interviewed Bari Weiss, the NY Times Op-Ed writer and editor whose book “How to Fight Anti-Semitism” is a must-read), and community building (each show concludes with “Mazal Tovs”). Becoming part of the “J-Crew” has made each week – especially Thursdays, when new episodes “drop” – more meaningful. Whether you are catching up on the news, hearing the many rabbis who share words of Torah, or listening to the shows I’ve mentioned, I hope you are enjoying, learning, and laughing a bit more each day. I’d love to hear what your favorite podcasts are and why. It’s interesting to think about how we get information today and how we create community. Do you think this can happen from a podcast? Wishing you a season of joy, light, dedication, and community.

~ Rabbi Ilana Garber

Lunch and Book in the Sukkah

The Women’s Network had a wonderful time with author Dani Shapiro (far right with Marilyn Rothstein) at this annual event!! We couldn’t be in the sukkah – but we were

close! There are a few first-edition copies of her

book, Inheritance, for sale in the office for $20. (Some are even signed! They make great gifts!)

Thank you to Beth Papermaster, chair, Nancy Baron, Laura Kinyon, and Caryl Goldberg for running the program.

From the Rabbi’s Desk

Women’s Trip to Israel Recap

Travel to Israel with Rabbi Garber Sunday-Friday, March 15-27

Highlights for this tour include:

and personal time with Rabbi Garber!

DETAILED INFORMATION and PRICING: bethelwesthartford.org/gotoisrael


Reflections from a Very Grateful President Consider a time when someone helped you discover a spark inside yourself. Was it a teacher, a coach, a parent, a friend, your Rabbi?

Recall who that person was for you, and then recall the joy of that new idea, the thrill of a new skill, making a new connection, or receiving a helping hand from someone you least expected. Each opportunity is a chance for us to find the sparks inside ourselves and grow them into deep passions that nourish our souls. And then

the questions arise, how do we care for our souls? These past few months have been transformative for how we bring to life our core Beth El Community values and nourish our souls for the New Year. Our Fall holiday celebrations were filled with spirituality and expanded opportunities for personal growth. We discovered new singing talents among our children and the return of our favorite singers and choir performing the holiday melodies we all have come to love and enjoy. We watched as so many of you participated in all of our different services.

As I plan for the upcoming year with our Board of Trustees, I will continue to work diligently and purposefully never forgetting to ask why and always being grateful for your continued support and sacred partnerships. Thank you for all that you bring to our congregation, and I look forward to many new volunteer connections as we work together to continue making Beth El: Community You Can Believe In. I can never say thank you enough! Happy Thanksgiving.

~ Judy Rosenthal

If I were to utter the words Shema Yisrael, I would guess that a melody would present itself in the inner ear of many of you. How about Adon Olam or Sim Shalom? Can you hear a melody associated with the titles that I just mentioned? What about the Kol Nidrei? Do you

hear a melody for those opening words? Each of these melodies carries with them the purpose “time” plays in our services. Time in this sense would include dividing the day, month, and year into moments where these melodies would tell us “we are now at the end of the Shabbat service” or “we are now starting the liturgy for Yom Kippur.” If we hear the melody for Kol Nidrei, that melody, as much as the text, alerts us to the time of Yom Kippur. It is a melody that “belongs” to the Kol Nidrei service! It is not done at any other time of the year. If I were to put the melody of “We Are Champions” to the words of Kol Nidrei, we would be confused and I am sure would say “stop, those words don’t go with that melody.” Famous melodies are not the only musical way that we can distinguish time. The musical motifs in the Friday evening Kabbalat Shabbat service are strikingly different from those in the Shabbat morning or weekday services. Famous melodies usually carry the day, but just as muscle is connected by the tendons,

those famous melodies are supported by those sections that connect one melody to the other. That is called Nusach. Nusach is the way that a cantor, in an improvisational way, creates a rhythm for the service that ultimately is designed to fashion a dialogue between the cantor and the congregation. The cantor uses the Nusach (musical motifs and rhythms) and the congregation answers with the melodies. Both highlight the liturgical time of the day, holiday, and year!

~ Cantor Joseph Ness

Adult Choir OPEN TO: all members, post Bar/Bat Mitzvah CONTACT: Cantor Ness, [email protected] REHEARSALS: evenings, varies by day before concerts.

Do you sing? A few members have retired and with the High Holidays behind us, we can focus on finding more voices before our next concert or service. Make a date for Cantor Ness to hear your vocal range.

Children’s Choir OPEN TO: all members in grades 3-7 CONTACT: Debbie, [email protected] REHEARSALS: Sundays, 11:30 AM – 12:15 PM, when

SULAM is in session Our community is blessed with the beautiful voices of many children. And there is room for all of them in our choir. Please join us!

Cantor’s Corner - Nusach: What’s That?


Worshipping Together - Shabbat

Daily Minyan Shacharit 7:00 AM Mon–Fri 8:45 AM Sun Ma’ariv 7:30 PM Sun–Thu

Note: Special Minyan Times Thursday, November 28 9:00 AM Wednesday, December 25 9:00 AM Tuesday, December 31 5:00 PM Wednesday, January 1 9:00 AM

Shabbat – Friday Kabbalat Shabbat 6:00 PM

Shabbat – Saturday

Pirkei Avot Study 8:30 AM Shacharit, Torah & Musaf Services 9:30 AM Children’s Playroom 9:30 AM Mazel Tots & Shabbat Club 11:00 AM Mincha Service 12:30 PM There are no regular services (Ma’ariv & Havdalah) on Saturday evenings.

Saturdays

Shabbat Club (K – 5, with parents) WEEKLY

LEADER: volunteer parents Games, puzzles, and more, plus occasional programming with our parent educators; in our redesigned Youth Lounge.

11:00 AM – NOON

Birthday Aliyah (all ages) MONTHLY: NOVEMBER 2,

DECEMBER 7, JANUARY 4

On the first Shabbat of the month, we celebrate that month's congregational birthdays with a special aliyah!

DURING THE MORNING TORAH SERVICE

Mazel Tots (birth – K, with parents) WEEKLY

Mazel Tots is the spot for kiddos on Shabbat mornings! Parent volunteers lead songs, prayers and stories.

11:00 AM – NOON

Family Service & Lunch (families) DECEMBER 14

NOTE: concludes with lunch and games RSVP: by noon 12/12, tinyurl.com/FamilyDec SPONSOR: The Kest Family Fund, a named fund within

The Endowment Fund of Beth El Temple We come together as a “family” for a combined service, bringing the best from Mazel Tots, Shabbat Club, and Beth El’s Community You Can Believe In to build our Shabbat family community.

11:00 AM – NOON

Topics in Tefillah: an In-Depth Exploration of Prayer (adults)

DECEMBER 21

NOTE: this is a class, not an actual service; all are welcome

Designed for adults who wish to explore elements of Shabbat services with our rabbis.

11:00 AM – NOON

Fridays

Shababa MONTHLY: NOVEMBER 22 (not Dec) 5:45 – 6:45 PM QUESTIONS: Rabbi Garber, [email protected] REGISTRATION: tinyurl.com/ShababaNov TARGET AGE: children 8 & younger (and siblings,

parents, and grandparents) RSVP: not required, but are encouraged to enable

us to better plan for dinner. A fun, engaging “service” for our youngest generation. Experience the joy of Shabbat with dancing, singing, stories, prayers, and a free chicken nugget dinner.

Candle Lighting & Havdalah Times

Shabbat Friday Saturday Nov 1-2 5:28 PM 6:24 PM Nov 8-9 4:20 PM 5:16 PM Nov 15-16 4:13 PM 5:10 PM Nov 22-23 4:07 PM 5:05 PM Nov 29-30 4:04 PM 5:02 PM Dec 6-7 4:02 PM 5:00 PM Dec 13-14 4:03 PM 5:01 PM Dec 20-21 Dec 27-28

4:05 PM 5:03 PM 4:09 PM 5:08 PM


Chanukah Family Fun

Family Chanukah Party (all ages) SUNDAY, DECEMBER 15 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM COST: no charge

REGISTER: by 12/6, tinyurl.com/BETDecParty QUESTIONS: Sharon, [email protected];

Janel, [email protected] CO-SPONSORS: Parent Action Group and Men’s Club

Light lunch, games, and mitzvah opportunities. Please bring cereal boxes to help us build a giant menorah!

Observing at Home - Chanukah Lighting the Chanukiah

(Chanukah Menorah) A Chanukiah takes nine candles, eight at the same level and one shamash (guardian) that stands taller and is used to light all the others. Place the candles in the Chanukiah right-to-left (as Hebrew is written and read), but light them left-to-right so that the new candle is lit first. Each night, you say the first two blessings below, and on the first night you add the third blessing. After you say the blessings, you light the candles.

Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu melech ha’olam... asher kid'shanu b'mitzvotav

v'tzivanu l'hadlik ner shel Chanukah.

she-asah nisim la’avoteinu (v'imoteinu) ba’yamim ha’haim bazman ha’zeh.

shehecheyanu v'kiy'manu v'higianu laz'man hazeh.

Praised are You, Lord our God, Ruler of the universe... who made us holy through Your

commandments and commanded us to kindle the Chanukah lights.

who performed wondrous deeds for our ancestors in those ancient days at this season.

for giving us life, sustaining us, and enabling us to reach this season.

The 1st night of Chanukah this year is Sunday, December 22.

A Historical Refresher In 168 BCE, Syria’s King Antiochus

marched into Jerusalem to end Jewish worship in his kingdom.

His soldiers desecrated the Temple and killed thousands of people.

Three years later, Judah, a son of Mattathias the Kohen (priest), led a

rebellion and re-took Jerusalem. His search for pure, untainted olive oil to

light the menorah – thus rededicating and returning Jewish practice to the

Temple – netted enough for only one day. Miraculously, it lasted for eight.

The four Hebrew letters stand for Nes gadol haya sham, “A great miracle occurred there.”

1. Each player starts with the same number of game pieces (buttons, gelt, m&ms, anything!)

2. At the beginning, and whenever the center “pot” is empty, each person puts one piece in the middle.

3. Each turn, spin the dreidel once, and give or take according to the letter landing face up.

4. Play until one person has all the pieces.

Nun נdo nothing

Gimel גtake all

Hey הtake half

Shin ׁשput in 3

Chanukah Candle Lighting Weeknights (Sun-Thu) after dark; Friday before Shabbat candles; Saturday after Havdalah.

PreSchool PALS Play And Learn @ Synagogue Parents and Preschoolers (up to age 5)

SUNDAYS, MONTHLY: DECEMBER 15 – Chanukah 10:00 – 11:30 AM QUESTIONS: Rabbi Garber, [email protected] COST: no charge RSVP: for supplies and snacks, tinyurl.com/DecPALS

This holiday-focused exploration provides a “Taste of SULAM” with songs, stories, art, creative play, and more…


Making Connections West Hartford United Synagogue Youth

Shabbat Through the Decades Series

FRIDAYS: DECEMBER 6 1950s JANUARY 24 1970s

Following last year’s successful series Shabbat Around the World, this year, we prepare to celebrate six amazing decades with delicious food from the Crown Market and a variety of themes to make each a fun night.

LOCATIONS: TBA COST: $13/student/dinner,

(included with Premier membership)

Men’s Club

Walk Around the Reservoir TUESDAYS & THURSDAYS 9:15 AM LOCATION: Reservoir #6 on Route 44,

meet in parking lot CONTACT: Dave Klau, 860-651-8962,

[email protected]

To help sponsor a breakfast/dessert program:

MINIMUM CONTRIBUTION: $36 CONTACT: 860-677-8300,

[email protected]

Axe Throwing Outing THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14 7:45 – 10:00 PM LOCATION: Montana Nights

Axe Throwing, 80 Fenn Road, Newington

COST: $25 REFRESHMENTS: provided;

beer/wine available for purchase

RSVP: by 11/7, David Finitsis, 860-790-7195, [email protected]

Join us for a fun evening enjoying the latest craze – Axe Throwing! Like darts, but with an axe.

Blowin’ in the Wind & Other Adventures in Writing

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 3 8:45 AM Minyan 9:15 AM Breakfast & Program

RSVP: Jacob Kovel, 860-651-9366, [email protected] COST: no charge SPONSOR: Family of Stanley Wiesen, in his memory

Our kickoff breakfast program features Avon’s Joel Samberg, an author and journalist. His writings include Jewish themes for books and magazines.

Judaism, Addiction and Recovery: A Spiritual and Faith-Based Approach

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5 7:30 – 9:00 PM COST: $5 RECEPTION: dessert and book signing follow CO-SPONSOR: Jewish Family Services RSVP: by 12/2, Jacob Kovel, 860-651-9366, [email protected]

Rabbi Richard Eisenberg stepped down from the pulpit to become a certified addiction counselor, hoping to aid in the fight against chemical addiction in the Jewish community. He will discuss the social, medical, and spiritual crisis of addiction Jewish texts and sources are interwoven throughout.

Membership $25 Jr. USY $40 USY $90 USY Premier, inc. Shabbat Series ADVISORS: Jason Kay,

[email protected]; Tamar Mor, [email protected]

JOIN: tinyurl.com/whusymembership

Teens at Summerwood DATES: TO BE DETERMINED INFORMATION MEETING: TBA

This new, year-long program will connect pairs of teens with residents of the Hoffman Summerwood community. Visit with the same resident throughout the year and get to know them while bringing fun and excitement. This is a great opportunity for community involvement, social action, and more.

LOCATION: Hoffman Summerwood, 160 Simsbury Rd, West Hartford

Jr. USY Wednesdays MONTHLY: NOVEMBER 20, DECEMBER 18, JANUARY 15

6-8 graders are invited for fun, engaging programs – always with a side of social action and food.

LOCATION: The Emanuel Synagogue 2:45 – 3:45 PM


Making our High Holidays services enjoyable for all takes a true community with many volunteers: tasks big and small, visible and behind the scenes. But all are important to keep things running smoothly.

We thank those listed below. If we inadvertently left you off the list, please let us know. We try to cover everything, but don’t always get there.

Todah Rabah. Thank you very much.

Recognizing our Volunteers

Preparing the Sanctuary Tending to our ritual objects by cleaning the silver adorning our Torahs. Ellie Jainchill Diane Lieberfarb

Ellen Sanders-Nirenstein

Esther Aronson Sari Eisen Branden Kaufmann Dan Kulakofsky Simon Levy Tovah Lowy

Jacob Yontef Mathog Noah Yontef Mathog Maya Oberstein Maya Patt Nancy Rosen Miles Satlof

Russ Selzer Eliana Simmons Samm Smith-

Rapaport Sophie Tulchinsky

Torah Readers, Teens and Adults We continue our tradition of teens reading the majority of the Torah portions during the Holy Days. They receive a portion after their bar/bat mitzvah, and it is theirs until they go to college. In the past, there were enough teens to have separate readers in each service, but, this year, most read in more than one service.

Susan Gold, chair Stephen Aronson Judy Borus Ron Buckman Meryl Danitz Sharon Efron

Len Eisenfeld Loren Gelber Bob Gold Sharon Gorlick Jill Jones Bill Kleinman

Sharon Kochen Neil Kochen Michael Schenker Bruce Stanger Francine Stier Bruce Sussman

Honors Coordinators

Ushers Sharon Levine-Shein & Steve Rabb,

co-chairs Steve Aronson Stu Bernstein Michael Bloom Ron Buckman Meryl Danitz Alison Demarest David Diamond Scott Dolin Spencer Erman

Tom Falik David Finitsis Arthur Freedman Josh Gottfried Harley Graime John Hinze Jeremy Kempner Jacob Kovel Abbey Kreinik Dan Kulakofsky Jerry Leshem Diane Lieberfarb

Richard Order Deborah Rosenfeld Judy Rosenthal Ron Salm Phil Schulz Marshall Shakun Bruce Shein Gary Starr Robert Sternschein Stu Wachtel David Weiner Carolyn Weiser

Adult Choir Dan Cohen Diane Dolin Bruce Freedman Allan Geetter Harold Geetter Robin Gelles Susan Gold Joel Goodman Eva Kaplan Melinda Kaufmann Peter Levine Richard Lieberfarb

Lance Reiser Shelly Rosenberg Joshua Rosenfeld Mat Saidel Theodora Sirota Elisa Wagner Children’s Choir Jacob Barash Maya Bourke Ilana Brown Lila Brown Tessa Brown Gabby Goldfarb

Davyn Gottfried Sarah Neiberg Ella Nemirow Eliana Simmons Soloists Alyssa Barzach Leah Bolles Ilana Brown Ella Brown, flute Davyn Gottfried Noah Kabakoff Sadie Margolis Sydney Weiser

Choirs and Cantorial Soloists

Jonathan Alter Sheila Diamond Lois Koteen Diane Lieberfarb Sharon Neiberg

Steve Rabb Judy Rosenthal Ellen Sanders-

Nirenstein

Greeters

Jeffrey Bourke Ron Buckman

Noah Yontef Mathog Lance Reiser

Shofar Blowers

Yizkor Booklet The staff produces the booklet, but this very important list of names is carefully proofread by members under a very tight deadline. Shelley Langer, chair Ava Geetter Betty Hoffman Sharon Levine-Shein

Deborah Rosenfeld Gale Shapiro Francine Stier

Lay Service Leaders We are blessed to have many congregants capable of leading our services and allowing us to offer different options. Susan Gold Jason Kay

Peter Levine

Lake Norden Badger Lunch A specially-themed lunch for Shabbat Shuvah to accompany Rabbi Rosen’s annual story. Howard Meyerowitz,

chair Beth Brumberg Tom Falik Susan Gold

Harley Graime Michal Klau-Stevens Susan Meyerowitz Gary Rubin Jane Rubin

Bima Decorations for Sukkot Alison Demarest


Garden Beautification Committee CONTACTS: Sheila Fox, 860-828-3939;

Alison Demarest, [email protected]; Robin Santiago, 860-490-7661, [email protected]

We are open to all helpers – whatever you can do is always welcome as there is always something to, do from watering to planting to weeding and more.

Also donations welcome: garden tools you are no longer using – from wheel barrows to trowels, from hoses to pots and garden decorations. In good condition please!

Added plus: Gardening has been shown to lengthen your life!

An extra Thank You for the extra efforts before

the High Holidays! Sheila Fox ~ Alison Demarest Robin Santiago ~ David Silver

Joanne Bienstock

Monthly Programs

Charter Oak Project NOV 17/19, DEC 8/9, JAN 13/14

5:00 – 7:00 PM MONDAYS/TUESDAYS Serve at Burr Elementary School 400 Wethersfield Ave, Hartford CONTACT: Cook: Adam Schuyler,

[email protected]; Serve: Myra Kleinman, 860-508-3672, [email protected]

9:00 – 11:00 AM SUNDAYS Cook at Beth El

We provide meals for children participating in a special after-school music program, and their families. No experience necessary.

KNITzvah Group SUNDAYS: NOVEMBER 3, DECEMBER 8, JANUARY 5 10:00 – 11:30 AM CONTACTS: Annette Gavens,

[email protected], Norma Jean Sternschein, [email protected]

If you knit or crochet, this is a fun way to spend 90 minutes. We chat and schmooze while creating something useful to be donated to local charities for people who need a little “extra love.”

Loaves & Fishes Soup Kitchen FIRST MONDAY OF THE MONTH: NOVEMBER 4,

DECEMBER 2, JANUARY 6 10:00 AM – 12:45 PM LOCATION: Immanuel Church,

Woodland St, Hartford CONTACT: Ellen Solomon,

[email protected]

Thank you to our Volunteers!

Dr. Bert Berlin Sharon Efron Nancy Gershman Karen Later Wendy Lyon Sheila Ment Dr. Harold

Moskowitz

Nancy Myerson June Rosenblatt Sara Rosenblatt Ronit Shoham Ruth Stern Steve Szafman Susan Wachtel

The Anja Rosenberg Kosher Food Pantry at Jewish Family Services

LOCATION: JFS of Greater Hartford, 333 Bloomfield Avenue

CONTACT: Susan Fried, [email protected]

There is need within our community, all year long. Please consider donating food, hygiene products, and/or cleaning supplies. There is a collection bin outside the Community Room.

Sharon Levine-Shein, chair

Stu Bernstein David Diamond Tom Falik

Ava Geetter Betty Hoffman Herb Hoffman Shelley Langer Diane Lieberfarb

Deborah Rosenfeld Robin Santiago Lonni Schulz Gale Shapiro Bruce Shein

Report on our Annual Kol Nidrei Food Drive 203 bags collected 155 sorted boxes delivered to JFS 15 sorted boxes delivered to a non-kosher food pantry 1 4-gallon bin of expired food to compost LOTS random empty containers to recycle 2.5 hours to get it all done

Food was collected as people arrived for Kol Nidrei services, and on the morning after Yom Kippur, an amazing group of volunteers gathered to sort, box, and deliver the food. To join our group next year, please reply to the notice in Temple Topics or to the shul-wide e-blast.

Annual Turkey Drive SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 24 8:30 AM – NOON

Drop a frozen (kosher or not) turkey at the front entrance! Checks/cash also accepted.

Doing Mitzvot


Lifelong Learning

Library Corner provides information about books housed in our library. Books are reviewed rather than critiqued. To request that a book be reviewed, please contact [email protected].

Library Corner World War II and a Modern-Day Judaic

Challenge Roberta J. Buland

Drawing on eyewitness accounts and extensive interviews, author Daniel M. Cohen presents Single Handed, the inspiring true story of Tibor “Teddy” Rubin for the first time in its entirety. It is a stirring portrait of a hero, which begins in 1944 when

the 13-year-old Hungarian was captured by the Nazis and sent to the notorious Mauthausen concentration camp. He endured its horrors for more than a year. After surviving the Holocaust, he arrived penniless in America, barely speaking English. In 1950, Tibor volunteered to serve in the Korean War. After acts of heroism that included single-handedly defending a hill against an onslaught of enemy soldiers, braving sniper fire to rescue a wounded comrade, and commandeering a machine gun after its crew was killed, he was captured. As a POW, Tibor called on his experience in Mauthausen to help fellow GIs during their 2½ years of captivity. At age 76 Tibor was invited to the White House where he received the Medal of Honor from President George W. Bush, recognizing him for acts of valor that went “beyond the call of duty.” The former Hungarian refugee became the only survivor of the Holocaust to have earned America’s highest military distinction.

In Risa Miller’s new novel, My Before and After Life, Mr. Black, an elderly successful but secular Jew, visits Israel and finds a kind of observant faith that his two non-religious daughters don’t understand. They fly to Jerusalem to convince him to

return to America but find it hard to communicate their concerns. Likewise, their father finds little success trying to educate them on the finer points of religious life and the peace of mind he has found. Honey, the novel’s narrator, feels abandoned and angry. But the anger turns into an emotion she is challenged to identify or accept as it becomes increasingly difficult for her to figure out exactly why she has condemned her father’s choice.

Introduction to Ethics Mini-Course with Rabbi Jim Rosen

MONDAYS, NOVEMBER 11, 18, 25 6:30 PM

Our world has changed dramatically since the beginning of the century and even the last decade. Our public and private lives are challenged by new issues that were previously unimaginable: accountability in public life vs forgiveness; identity, nationalism, and the individual, private morality in public service; and more!

REGISTER: tinyurl.com/RosenEthics, for planning purposes

2021 Bar/Bat Mitzvah Meeting WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 13 10:00 AM OR 6:30 PM

Parents are invited as we officially kick-off your journey to your child’s Bar/Bat Mitzvah & Beyond!

RSVP: Liz , [email protected]

Ongoing Weekly Adult Classes New participants welcome! No registration, no charge.

NOTE: Classes will not meet November 28, nor December 22 through January 2.

Writing Workshop TUESDAYS 10:30 – NOON CONTACT: Betty Hoffman,

860-233-4853, [email protected]

Lunch & Learn TUESDAYS 12:00 – 1:00 PM BYOL: bring your own dairy lunch, optional

Talmud Study WEDNESDAYS 10:15 – 11:15 AM CONTACT: Steve Stier, [email protected]

Bible & Breakfast THURSDAYS 8:00 – 9:00 AM

Pirkei Avot Study SATURDAYS 8:30 – 9:30 AM

No prior knowledge necessary.


I am so glad I made the decision to create the fund after Marc passed away. The support and comfort I have received from the entire Beth El community have been overwhelming, touching and so helpful. An endowment fund helps ensure our amazing temple survives and thrives. ~ Tammy Levine

Like Tammy, 100+ individuals and families have heeded the call of the Talmud, “I did not find the world desolate when I entered it, and as my ancestors planted for me, so do I plant for my children.” That number includes Rabbi Jim and Nancy Rosen.

This past year, endowment funds generated about 7% of the Temple’s annual budget, or $133,000. In addition, over $50,000 from restricted funds provided money to underwrite special events that could otherwise not occur. Some funds are restricted for specific purposes, while others, unrestricted, are available for general use. “We work with donors to create a fund that supports something meaningful to them while being able to be used yearly,” notes Endowment Fund President Abbey Kreinik.

We wanted to donate to Beth El because we felt we had found our place to belong that had other young families. We chose to start our fund to be able to offer special programs for young families now and in the future. ~ Tali & Stephen Kest

Funds from the Kest Family Fund are helping to underwrite a series of Shabbat family programs.

Other funds have supported: the artist-in-residence weekend last

February with Hillel Smith; mini-mitzvah day in SULAM; replacement of a major heating/air

conditioning system;

Purim mishloah manot to our college students;

scholarships to help Beth El’s Solomon Schechter 8th grade students visit Israel as well as those to Beth El students for their trips to Israel.

You can make a real difference to Beth El’s present and future. Establishing a named endowment fund can be done over three years and can be financed in a variety of ways, including through the Required Minimum Distribution.

An endowment enhances stability because it continues to pay out over time. I created a fund because I want to make sure Beth El has resources to survive difficult times. It is a way to give back to the Temple, which has been a spiritual and social home for me. ~ Steve Rabb

Why Endowment? Honor the Past. . . Cherish the Present. . . Assure the Future. . .

The Endowment Fund of Beth El Temple

You are invited to learn more about establishing a Fund and donating to one of our 100+ existing Funds.

CONTACT: [email protected], or call the Temple office, 860-233-9696 and ask to have an Endowment Trustee contact you

FUND LIST: bethelwesthartford.org/giving/ways-give

Endowment Trustees

Abbey Miller Kreinik, President

Joshua B. Gottfried Lois Koteen Jerry Leshem Judie Levy

Frank Resnick Marc Sussman Naomi Lerner Tussin Stuart Wachtel Howard Weiner

Special thanks for a special gift.

Bud & Charlotte Jason and family for sponsoring our new Kitchen Refrigerator, and to Women’s Network & Men’s Club for co-sponsoring.

Supporting Beth El


Rabbi Garber’s Discretionary Fund for the Yahrzeit of Max Hoffman, father – Herbert Hoffman

Rabbi Rosen’s Discretionary Fund in Appreciation of Rabbi Rosen – Philip Post Rabbi Rosen for the naming of

granddaughter, Julianna Stella Goldman – Karen Katz

Rabbi Rosen for officiating at the marriage of son, Matt to Amanda Cohen – Sharon & Neil Kochen

in Honor of The marriage of Sam Garfinkel, son of

Marcia & Michael, grandson of Vida & Eliot Barron to Sarah Kranz – Felice Goldman

The marriage of Matt Kochen, son of Sharon & Neil to Amanda Cohen; the marriage of Jenna Binkhorst, daughter of Karen & Gordon, to Laurent – Linda & Alvin Levin

Our wedding ceremony – Lisa & Scott Levine

Birth of granddaughter, Isabella Clare Trujillo – Cheryl Rodrick

The marriage of Rivka Dvorin & Arthur Freedman – Ronny & Al Siegel

in Memory of Dr. Irving Rosenthal, husband of Shirley –

Ruth & Bert Berlin, Morton Goldberg, Felice Goldman, the Pliskin family, Janet & Steven Selden

Bernard Matlaw, brother of Sybil Golden – Judith Katzman

Dr. Joseph Starr, husband of Selma, father of Gary – Tracy King, Marge & Ricky Swaye

Alfred Factor, father of Jeffrey – Andi & Lance Rothstein

Bernice Veroff, aunt of David Rosenthal – Robert Veroff

for the Yahrzeit of Paul Gartner, father – Bill Gartner Max Hoffman, father – Herbert Hoffman David Lyon, father – Wendy Lyon

Beautification Fund in Honor of 50th wedding anniversary of Susan &

Michael Schenker – Norma Jean & Robert Sternschein

for the Yahrzeit of Sanford Chorney, father – Sally & Harris

Chorney Chai Society

in Memory of Theodore Dubitzky, brother of Ann Cope –

Roz Rachlin & family Rabbi Stanley Kessler, father of Abby

Hanna – Satlof family for the Yahrzeit of Mae & Philip Ugelow, parents – Judith

Satlof

Cantor’s Music Fund in Honor of Our wedding ceremony – Lisa & Scott

Levine in Memory of Dr. Irving Rosenthal, husband of Shirley –

Felice Goldman Elaine Halper, mother of Phyllis Grinspan

– Robin & David Gelles Gerald Gelles, father of David – Tammy

Levine Sandra Bloom, sister of Marlene Passman;

Carole Gornish, sister of Morris Banks – Sandra & Marshall Rulnick

for the Yahrzeit of Max Hoffman, father – Herbert Hoffman

Friends of Ari Santiago Temple Accessibility Fund

for the Yahrzeit of Bettie Santiago, sister; Dr. Brian Mark,

brother – Robin & Rafi Santiago Temple Fund

in Appreciation of Beth El Temple – Adam Cohen in Honor of Marci & Jonathan Alter receiving the

Men’s Club Distinguished Service Award – Bella & Judd Fink

Judy Rosenthal’s installation as President of Beth El Temple – Sandra & Marshall Rulnick


Hermia & Arnold Aronson, Center for Policy Research at Syracuse University, Department of Economics at the Maxwell School at Syracuse University, Farmington Woods Summer Bowling Boys, Sandra & Paul Gandel, Amy & Jim Goldman, Beverly & Tony Halpin, Gilda Liebowitz, Arlene & Lenny Lippman, Irene Loretto, Ann Luby, Eileen McKeon, Eileen & Elliott Pollack, Marlene & Jerry Scharr, Florence Shakun, Ruth Stern & Gerald Tober, Lydia & Michael Wasylenko, Muriel & William Zeldis

Theodore Dubitzky, brother of Ann Cope – Cheryl & David Epstein

Alfred Factor, father of Jeffrey – Amy & Jim Goldman, Karen & Jeff Polinsky

Meyer Ginsburg – Elaine & Harry Lane Helga Rome – Joyce & Richard Leibert,

Joanne, Arthur & Harry Rome Bernard Matlaw, brother of Sybil Golden –

Evelyn & Howard Nirenstein, Jittra & Joel Werthman

Gerald Gelles, father of David – Syma Lapides & Kevin Spier, Reba & Alden Stock

Edith Bloom, sister of Annette Gavens – Sandra & Marshall Rulnick

Rabbi Stanley Kessler, father of Abby Hanna – Marlene & Jerry Scharr, Reba & Alden Stock

Benjamin Dworetsky, father of Michael – Reba & Alden Stock

We deeply appreciate the following Thoughtful Contributions.

(continues)

You can make a donation in a variety of ways: Mail it in Go to the Beth El website www.bethelwesthartford.org/

give-now Come to the Beth El office and fill

out one of our convenient forms

Please be sure to include: the name of the fund who you want to honor/remember your relationship to the person their address for an

acknowledgment card your address/phone/email

Print clearly – or even better, submit the information typed.

= = = = = = = = = = = This list reflects contributions received and processed through

September 24, 2019. For the next edition of Temple Topics, contributions need to be

received in the office by November 19, 2019. The minimum donation for each listing is $10.

Every dollar contributed can and does make a difference and will be acknowledged. Unrestricted funds support the timely needs of Beth El Temple. Restricted funds benefit specific purposes and objectives. For a complete list of funds, and any specific designations, please visit our website. Your gift may be mailed to the Temple office or submitted online.


Temple Fund (cont.) for the Yahrzeit of Jerrold Basch, son; Joseph B. Rosenblatt,

father – Barbara Basch Robert Bazer, husband – Charlotte Bazer Miriam Platt, mother – Louise Belkin Sherman Bercowetz, husband; Joelle &

Jack Levin, parents – Sharon Bercowetz Jean & Robert L Blumberg, parents –

Leslie & Harold Blumberg Mimi Aleng, Holocaust remembrance –

Judy Borus Rebecca Brody, mother – Shirley K. &

David Brody & family Louis Illions, father – Barbara & David

Brown Muriel H. Bubbs, mother – Roy Bubbs Harold Cohn, father – Linda & Henry

Cohn Bernie Reisman, father – Sharon & Steve

Conway Fanny Smith Cremer, mother – Reeva

Cremer Robert Stevenson, father – Nancy &

Spencer Erman Freda Z. & Isadore J. Freedman, parents;

Michael L. Freedman, brother – Hilary Freedman

Seymour Gold, father – Sandy & Marc Friedman

Marion & Harry Gelber, parents – Loren & Joel Gelber

Sarah Weinberg, mother; Jack Weinberg, brother – Beatrice Goldberg

Stuart Prince, father – Deborah Prince & David Goldberg

Ida Gillman, mother – Felice Goldman Della Buchman, mother – Fredda

Goldstein Bruce Gordon, father – Pam & Barry

Gordon Pearl Orlofsky, grandmother – Nancy &

Dennis Gottfried Scot Levin, brother; Edward Levin, father

– the Levin-Greenebaum family Tillie P. Redlus, mother; Joel Dreese,

Holocaust remembrance – Judith & Al Greenspoon

Rose Gruskay, mother – Bob Gruskay Bette Guthart, wife – Leonard Guthart Max Spiegel, father – Cheryl Hinze Hyman Hutensky, father – Lois & Allan

Hutensky Max Janowsky, brother – Bud Jason Frieda Kadden, mother – Ralph Kadden

& family Ruth Katz, mother – Peter Katz Benjamin Kleinman, father – Debbie &

Steve Kleinman Solomon Noveck, father – Trudy Lerer Gloria Finkel, aunt – Peter Levine Albert Davis, father – Diane Lieberfarb Benedikta Drabik, Holocaust

remembrance – Andrea & Robert Lindenberg

Harriet Treach, mother; Irving Treach, grandfather – Lynn & Joel Malkoff

Jacob Noll, father – Arthur Noll Rachel Ann Order, daughter – Denise &

Richard Order Harry Parker, father – Bruce Parker Michael Levy, father – Randi Piaker Seymour Poles, husband & father – Fay

Poles & family Mollie G. & Samuel B. Pollack, parents –

Elliott Pollack Stuart Prince, father – Andrew Prince Raymond B. Poriss, father – Karen &

Michael Rosen Cecil B. Schatz, grandfather – Deborah

Schatz Rosenfeld Anna & Morris Rubin, parents; Irving

Rubin, brother – Devorah & Herman Rubin

Israel Rutenberg, father – Gideon Rutenberg

Nathan Singer, father – Irwin Singer Hilda Lamkin Satz, mother; Ruzena Stern,

Holocaust remembrance – Linda Stanger

Teppy Shein, mother; Jerry Levy, brother – Regan & Barry Stein

Steven Steinmetz, son – Marilyn Steinmetz

Augusta Maron, mother – Reba Stock Dona & Samuel Wilensky, parents; Morris

Wachtel, father-in-law; Henrietta Slonim, sister-in-law; Miriam Sternfeld, Holocaust remembrance; Julio Sternberg, Holocaust remembrance – Shirley Wachtel

Charlotte Simonovitz, mother; Sarah Stoltz, grandmother; Dionyz Stein, Holocaust remembrance – Susan & Stuart Wachtel

Rose Abkowicz, grandmother – Mandy Wainscoat

Solon Weiner, father – Patti & Howard Weiner

Betty Berkowitz, mother – Lenore Weisinger

Anna & Joe Abkowicz; Rachel & Leib Zielenic, grandparents – Ann Wolf

Anne Fleischman LaVine, mother – Doreen Fundiller-Zweig

Shop at AMAZON SMILE!

Amazon will donate a portion of the purchase price to Beth El. Go to smile.amazon.com, type us in, and shop as you normally would!

It's no charge to you!

GOODSEARCH We search, They give!

Change your default search engine to GOODSEARCH.COM and select Beth El as the non-profit you wish to support. It is powered by YAHOO.COM, and they donate to Beth El for every search you do!

Scrip = Gift Cards Buy good-as-cash GIFT CARDS from Beth El. Visit www.shopwithscrip.com for a six-page list of participating stores, restaurants, entertainment, and more. The Office stocks commonly requested cards, and can order others. It costs nothing to participate, and Beth El benefits from purchases you were going to make anyway!

Plus, they make great gifts!

Exceptional House Cleaner

Maria is meticulous and reliable, and she has a few

openings!

Maria has worked for me for years and I highly recommend her. Please call me for more

information.

Sherry Lohr, 860-983-4643, long-time Beth El member

Supporting Beth El, cont.

(continues)


CT Mohel

Ron Buckman, MD

www.CTMohel.com

Brit Milah Simchat Bat


Camp Ramah Fund for the Yahrzeit of Naomi Charlip, mother – Judy & Dan

Kulakofsky Education Fund


Jay Smith for the Yahrzeit of Munsey & Sandy Horwitz, grandparents;

Nettie & Herbert Epstein, grandparents – Jill & Gary Jones

Library Fund For the Yahrzeit of Mona Newburger, mother – Betty

Hoffman Tsedakah/Chesed Fund


Linda & Ari Silverman

Alter Family Fund in Honor of Marci & Jonathan Alter receiving the

Men’s Club Distinguished Service Award – Abbey Kreinik, Barbara Messing, Ronit & Scott Shoham

in Memory of Alfred Factor, father of Jeffrey – Marci &

Jonathan Alter

General Unrestricted Endowment Fund in Appreciation of Emmy & Steve Fast for their kindness &

generosity – Ava & Harold Geetter Myra & Bill Kleinman for their kindness &

generosity – Eileen M Marks Beth El Temple Office Staff, Liz DePalma,

Laurea Esau, Simone Upsey, and Stacey vonRichtofen, for celebrating my birthday – Deborah R. Rosenfeld

in Honor of 50th wedding anniversary of BJ & Lenny

Diamond; 50th wedding anniversary of Ruth Ann & Harley Graime – Annette & Seymour Gavens

in Memory of Marguerite Zumbado, mother of Esther

Aronson – Annette & Seymour Gavens Dr. Irving Rosenthal, husband of Shirley –

Risa Sodi Wishing a Speedy Recovery to Rabbi Howard Sowalsky – Annette &

Seymour Gavens Debbie Prince – Abbey Kreinik

Lewis A. Steinberg Family Fund in Honor of Rabbi Ilana Garber; Rabbi Jim Rosen;

grandchildren, Max, Hannah, Abby, Arielle, Sydney & Simone – Paula D. Steinberg

in Memory of Phyllis & Zachary Burton – Eric Burton “Papa” who made everything possible –

Paula D. Steinberg

Friends Fund for Members in Need in Appreciation of Robin & David Gelles – Patti & Howard

Weiner in Honor of Engagement of Stephanie Belsky, daughter

of Patti & Howard Weiner, to Rabbi Jeff Stombaugh – Tammy Levine

Special birthday of Paul Shapiro – Judy & David Rosenthal

in Memory of Donald Lehrer, father of Marci Alter;

Bernice Veroff, aunt – Judy & David Rosenthal

Roslyn Hahn, wife of Howard – Sandra & Marshall Rulnick

Theodore Dubitzky, brother of Ann Cope; Gerald Gelles, father of David; Dr. Irving Rosenthal, husband of Shirley; Bernice Veroff, aunt of David Rosenthal – Patti & Howard Weiner

Wishing a Speedy Recovery to Ellen Roth; Rabbi Howard Sowalsky – Judy

& David Rosenthal Gavens Family College Youth Fund

for the Yahrzeit of Frances Kasdan, sister – Annette Gavens Erna Alexander, Holocaust remembrance –

Annette & Seymour Gavens Anna Heineman Memorial Fund

for the Yahrzeit of Anna Heineman, mother; Evelyn & Dr.

Manuel Stier, parents – Francine & Steve Stier



Beth El Temple of West Hartford Inc. 2626 Albany Avenue

West Hartford, CT 06117 bethelwesthartford.org

Jim Rosen, Rabbi [email protected] Ilana C. Garber, Rabbi [email protected] Director of Lifelong Learning & Community Engagement Joseph Ness, Cantor [email protected] Stanley M. Kessler z’’l, Rabbi Emeritus Rabbi Howard Sowalsky, [email protected] Ritual & Executive Director Judith Rosenthal, President [email protected] Michelle Konigsburg, [email protected] SULAM Director Lydia Lutt, [email protected] Social Media and Marketing Coordinator Deborah R. Rosenfeld, Editor [email protected]

Published every two months. Following the deadline schedule below, please submit articles to: [email protected] Send Life Cycle announcements to: [email protected]

1/25 for March-April 3/25 for May-June 5/25 for July-August 7/25 for September-October 9/25 for November-December 11/25 for January-February

@BethElWH @BethElWH beth.el.temple.wh

Note: The calendar grid is a separate document and can be downloaded from our website. Each month is a separate page, designed for legal-sized paper (8.5”x14”). Copies are also available in the office.

Koteen Family Fund for the Yahrzeit of Lillian Levitsky, mother – Lois & Chuck

Koteen Kreinik Family Endowment Fund

for the Yahrzeit of Arthur Kreinik, father-in-law; Hannelore

Dreifuss, Holocaust remembrance – Abbey Kreinik

Lois & Alvin Reiner Family Fund in Memory of Rabbi Stanley Kessler, father of Abigail

Hanna; Izzy Case; Arthur Epstein; Edward D. Kane; Sandra Later; Bernie Lieberman; Merrill Lieberman; Bernard “Bernie” Matlaw, brother of Sybil Golden; Lenny Saffer; John Robert Suisman; Bob Yellen, Mark Yellen – Alvin Reiner Laurie & Marshall Shakun Family Fund


Laurie & Marshall Shakun Sussman Families Fund

for the Yahrzeit of Paul G. Sussman, husband – Edythe

Sussman Paul G. Sussman, father – J. Bruce

Sussman Amy E. Toyen Endowment Fund

in Memory of Amy Toyen, daughter of Dorine & Marty –

Meryl & Mitchell Danitz, Alison & Alan Gittleman, Marilyn & Alan Rothstein

Judith & David Borus Family Endowment Fund

in Appreciation of Judy Borus – Lois & Chuck Koteen in Honor of Marci & Jonathan Alter receiving the

Men’s Club Distinguished Service Award – Judy Borus

Naomi & Michael Cohen Endowment Fund

for the Yahrzeit of Sarah Kurnitsky, mother – Naomi &

Michael Cohen Ruth & Harry Kleinman

Endowment Fund in Memory of Gerald Gelles, father of David; Roslyn

Hahn, wife of Howard; Rabbi Stanley Kessler, father of Abby Hanna; Dr. Joseph Starr, husband of Selma, father of Gary – Myra & Bill Kleinman

Diane & Richard Lieberfarb Endowment Fund

in Appreciation of Special birthday of Richard Lieberfarb –

Caryl & Leonard Goldberg Special birthday of Laura Sullivan – Diane

& Richard Lieberfarb Arthur & Stella Mostel Fund

for Adult Education for the Yahrzeit of Charlotte Mostel; William Mostel –

Carolyn & Jeff Weiser (continues)

BETH EL TEMPLE CRAFT GALLERY

Come browse our collection of hand-selected items from some of Israel’s top artists as well as artisans throughout the United States. From menorahs to mezuzahs, jewelry to Judaica, tallit to tzedakah boxes, the Craft Gallery is here to support your needs.

OPEN: Sundays, 9:00 – 11:30AM (when SULAM is in session)

NOTE: proceeds benefit the synagogue and we are staffed through the generosity of our volunteers

APPOINTMENTS: Shelley Barker, 860-232-6468; Jill Jones, 860-236-7895

Main Office: 860.233.9696

SULAM: 860.233.9891

Fax: 860.233.9892


COMMUNITY, PRAYER, BIBLE, AND FOOD

Rabb Family Fund for the Yahrzeit of Virginia Rabb, mother – Steve Rabb

Marshall & Sandra Rulnick Endowment Fund

in Appreciation of Sandra & Marshall Rulnick – Avra Novarr

Michael & Susan Schenker Endowment Fund

in Honor of Marriage of Matthew Kochen, son of Sharon & Neil, to Amanda

Cohen; marriage of Samantha Weiser, daughter of Carolyn & Jeff, to Sam Bell; marriage of Alison Goldberg, daughter of Debbie Prince & David Goldberg, to Zach Ellis – Susan & Michael Schenker

50th wedding anniversary of Susan & Michael Schenker – Your children & grandchildren

in Memory of Rabbi Stanley Kessler, father of Abby Hanna – Pamela Friedeberg

Sowalsky Gabbai Rishon Endowment Fund

for the Yahrzeit of Max Hoffman, father – Herbert Hoffman

Leigh A. Newman & Gary S. Starr Family Fund in Memory of Dr. Joseph Starr, husband of Selma, father of Gary – Joanne &

Art Rome


77

Taste of Shabbat

Bible & Breakfast

Myra & William Kleinman

Michelle & Randall Konigsburg

Sheila & Howard Mark Sherri Pliskin Michael & Susan

Schenker

Arlene Talcove Blum & Jerold Blum

Ann & David Brandwein Barbara & David Brown Shelley & Alan Cetel Jo Cohen Linda & Henry Cohn Korine & Ronald Ferraro Annette & Seymour

Gavens Michelle & Eric Gladstein Leah Katz

Beth & Bernard Kavaler Tracy King Barbara & David Klau Deborah & Steven

Kleinman Sharon & Neil Kochen Michele & Dane Kostin Lois & Charles Koteen Linda & Joel Malkoff Sheila & Howard Mark Constance Mindell

Beth & Daniel Papermaster

Stephen Rabb Rosalind Rachlin Nancy & James Rosen Deborah & Glen

Rosenfeld Lois Saffer Rachelle Saffran Susan & Matthew Saidel Erika & Ari Santiago

Robin & Rafael Santiago Susan & Michael

Schenker Laurie & Marshall Shakun Hilary & David Silver Theodora Sirota Susan & Alan Solinsky Leigh Newman & Gary

Starr Marcia & David

Waitzman

There’s nothing like food to help build community. Thank you to these Taste of Shabbat and Bible & Breakfast donors. All are invited to these community-sponsored programs, and all are encouraged to sponsor, or co-sponsor with friends, a Taste of Shabbat lunch or Bible & Breakfast. General contributions for both funds are welcome by check to the Beth El office. With your support, great things can happen!

CONTACT: Rabbi Sowalsky, [email protected]


Engaging Generations New Members Mark & Billie Alberts Lucas & Sarah Meira Benchaya, with Shlomo Irene Zalevsky & Edward Bolles, with Leah, Maya,

Adam Elaine Bursack Mollie Churchill, with Zeke Adam & Cindy Cohen Matthew Cohen & Min Song, with Noah, Hannah,

Leah Sam & Sarah Kranz Garfinkel Ross Hart David & Alex Heilbrunn, with Parker, Landon,

Mackenzie Matt & Amanda Kochen Amanda Kushner & Ran Zhao Todd & Satoko Rubin, with Miya Hannah Dan & Elina Tannenbaum, with Evetta Moshe & Lauren Zutler, with Talia, Asher

Mazal Tov! and Appreciation for Sponsoring a Kiddush or Lunch

Marcia & Michael Garfinkel, in honor of Aufruf of son Michael with Sarah Kranz

Taste of Shabbat The Lang family in honor of Jordan’s bat mitzvah The Harris family in honor of Joel’s bar mitzvah The Golder family in honor of Pauline’s bat mitzvah

If you would like to share your Simchas and Sorrows with the Beth El Community, please send your Life Cycle announcements to Laurea in the Office: [email protected].

Congratulations Marcia & Michael Garfinkel, marriage of son Sam to Sarah

Kranz David Goldberg & Debra Prince, marriage of daughter Alison

Goldberg to Zach Ellis Tammy Levine and Patti & Howard Weiner, birth of grandson

Evan Max Miller Ronit & Scott Shoham, birth of grandson Aiden Shoham-

Marquez Carolyn & Jeffrey Weiser, marriage of daughter Samantha to

Sam Bell Kara & Alex Zablotsky, birth of daughter, Maya Carmen

Zablotsky Jessica & Eric Zachs, Judith Zachs, and Henry Zachs, birth of

grandson/great-grandson, Louis Hiro Zachs

Of Blessed Memory Madison Georgann Arias, newborn granddaughter/great-

granddaughter of Suzanne & David Goldberg and Marilyn & Louis Goldberg

Elaine Halper, mother of Phyllis Grinspan Israel Hechter, father of Lester Donald Lehrer, father of Marci Alter 1st LT. Herschel Howard Mattes, brother of Estelle Sherry Beatrice Margolis, mother of Jerry Margolis, sister of Florence

Shakun and Joel Weisman, grandmother of Scott Margolis Bertha Rosenfield, mother of Howard

Bar and Bat Mitzvah Celebrations Owen Zachary Ludgin November 9, 2019

Evan Samuel Berey November 16, 2019

Joelson Ty Krulewitz December 7, 2019

Beth El and Torah Values You shall not curse the deaf nor place a stumbling block before the blind... (Leviticus 19:14).

This Mitzvah (commandment) also applies to the issue of fragrance sensitivity. Many people are affected and some even have an allergic reaction. Exposure to scented products of any kind (not just perfumes) can cause serious health effects, and make it impossible for them to attend services, classes, and other functions. So, next time, before you apply a fragranced material, please think of Torah and its implications for Jewish values and behavior.

Let's keep the air we share healthy and fragrance-free for all.

Information on Bar and Bat Mitzvah celebrations

is available from the Temple Office.


2626 Albany Avenue West Hartford, CT 06117

Presorted First Class

U.S. Postage Paid Hartford, CT

Permit No. 4331

Annual Mitzvah Day

Xmas Day Mitzvah Day Wednesday, December 25

Please join us for another day of giving at this year’s Xmas Day Mitzvah Day. It is a rewarding way for the members of our Beth El Family to demonstrate their ongoing support for our surrounding communities.

RSVP: by 12/16, [email protected] NOTE: volunteer spots are limited and tend to fill

up early. Please reply as soon as possible to get your first choice.

QUESTIONS: Marci Alter, [email protected]; Ronit Shoham, [email protected]

Register: include top 3 choices and names of all participants (and ages of children)

Additional locations waiting to be confirmed. Please check the Shabbat leaflet and watch your mail for more information.

Waste Not Want NOT South Congregational Church 242 Salmon Brook St., Granby

8:00 AM – NOON: 4 volunteers NOON – 4:00 PM: 10 volunteers

Provide entertainment, serve a meal, visit with diners, and help clean-up.

The Hebrew Center for Health & Rehabilitation 1 Abrahms Blvd, West Hartford

15 volunteers Time: 1:00 PM

Socialize with the residents, play games, do arts and crafts. Families encouraged.

Holiday Meals Delivery Program Salvation Army 123 Sigourney St., Hartford

Unlimited volunteers Arrive: 8:00 – 9:45 AM to receive your

route Help deliver a fresh Christmas meal to families in need throughout the Greater Hartford area!

The Retreat Assisted LIving 90 Retreat Avenue, Hartford

5-10 volunteers Time: 10:30 AM – 1:30 PM

The Retreat, part of the Hartford Assisted Living Limited Partnership, Inc., an affiliate of the Community Renewal Team, Inc., is an affordable assisted living facility for low income seniors. Help serve a delicious Christmas meal.

Temple Topics Cheshvan-Kislev-Tevet 5780€¦ · Temple Topics Vol. LV, No. 2 November-December...

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