WELCOME Cantor Lauren Phillips and Rabbi Andi Fliegel!!

Jamie Steiner’s
Confirmation
Essay
Page 7
Shabbat Under
the Stars &
Talcott Mountain
Concert
Friday, July 29
Page 9
Remembrances
by Past President
Kay Lavitt
Page 14
Celebrate CBI!
Sunday, August 28
Page 15
Shabbat Service at
Hebrew Home
Saturday, August 6
Page 23
Congregation Beth Israel
West Hartford Connecticut
July / August 2016
Sivan / Tamuz / Av 5776
WELCOME
Cantor Lauren Phillips
and Rabbi Andi Fliegel!!
Read Cantor Phillips’ reflections on
page 8
Read Rabbi Fliegel’s message on
page 13
We are delighted that you have joined
our sacred community.
SAVE THE DATE
Board of Trustees of Congregation Beth Israel
invites you to a tribute in honor of
Lea and Richard Rubenstein
for their commitment to lifelong learning,
philanthropy, and community service
Sunday, September 25
5:00 - 8:00 p.m.
At Congregation Beth Israel
Look for your invitation in the mail soon
2
July/August 2016
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 bethisrael@cbict.org. Visit our website, www.cbict.org, for additional content and information.
FROM OUR PRESIDENT
Gail Mangs, President of the Board of Trustees
2016-2017 is drawing to a close. And what a year it has been! Personally, this has been a
very rewarding year as being president of Beth Israel is truly a privilege: I have had the
opportunity to interact with the wonderful people here at CBI and to be involved in all the
activities and decisions that go into making Beth Israel the spiritual home it continues to be
for all of us.
There have definitely been some surprises: I was not expecting that we would be saying
good bye to Laurie Leader as our executive director (but thankfully she has not gone far and
is still a key member of our office team as the communications director) or that we would engage in a nationwide search
for a new executive director. But to our surprise and delight, we found Tracy Mozingo right here in West Hartford. Tracy
stepped into this position with strong management skills, financial acumen, and a healthy dose of enthusiasm. She has
seamlessly become a part of our office team and has impressed and charmed the entire congregation.
Little did I know that we would also be saying good-bye to two beloved members of our clergy, Cantor Siskin and Rabbi
Shaffer. Cantor Siskin has touched the lives of every member of Beth Israel whether through her music, pastoral
care, work with our adult and children’s choirs, Purim spiels and other musical productions or SAGE. But while we will
miss her, we know that she is embarking on a well-deserved retirement. Rabbi Shaffer will also leave a hole in our hearts
although it helps to know that she is taking the next step in what will be a long and distinguished career. By moving to a
new position for which she is ideally suited, Rabbi Shaffer will experience further professional growth and have the
opportunity to influence Jewish youth and thus help to secure the future of Judaism.
Once we knew that there were clergy positions to be filled, two dedicated committees came together to search for a new
cantor and assistant rabbi. The Cantorial search (co-chaired by Beth Berinstein and Chet Zaslow) was conducted
through countless committee meetings, the review of numerous resumés, several Skype conversations with prospective
cantors and in-person interviews with the most promising candidates. The rabbinical search (co-chaired by Ruth Van
Winkle and Gary Jacobson) involved the review of still more resumés, interviewing (on two jam -packed days in
New York City) 13 individuals about to graduate from rabbinical school, and full day interviews at Beth Israel. But the
time and energy that went into these searches was worth every minute as we are now welcoming Cantor Lauren Phillips
and Rabbi Andi Fliegel to Beth Israel. While no one can replace Cantor Siskin and Rabbi Shaffer, these two spiritual and
talented young women will be bringing their own special qualities to Beth Israel. And how lucky are they to have Rabbi
Pincus as their senior rabbi, who we know will be working hard to support them as they join our clergy team! Together,
we will create new traditions and memories.
While a huge undertaking, finding new clergy was not all that went on this past year. We had the amazing concert with
Beth Israel’s own Allegra Levy. Her musical talents provided an evening of warmth and entertainment. We welcomed
Rabbi Eric Yoffie, past president of the URJ, as scholar in residence. Over the course of his weekend with us, he
provided his opinions on the current state of Reform Judaism in the world as well as his very welcome and positive
thoughts about our future.
In November, a number of us traveled to Orlando, Florida for the biennial meeting of the URJ. Over the course of several
days, we were able to meet representatives of member congregations from across the US and Canada, share creative
ideas, listen to experts in synagogue management, worship together and hear amazing music. We hope to have an even
larger Beth Israel contingent at the 2017 biennial in Boston.
Even the events that happen annually at Beth Israel were exceptional this year. The Purim Spiel and carnival, and the
high holidays were all special. Although the weather necessitated that the service in the park become an indoor
community Rosh Hashanah, we attracted hundreds of people to Beth Israel, many of whom had never before been inside
our building. The Second Night Seder, with new theme tables, was also successful with over one hundred attendees.
This year’s confirmands had an exciting trip to Washington, D.C., and the Confirmation service provided a meaningful
and spiritual celebration of the confirmands’ new status in the Jewish community. And now, you can keep track of all
these events through the new lobby video screen (thank you to Doctors Michael and Barbara Honor!).
3
July/August 2016
FROM OUR PRESIDENT (cont’d.)
But there was also much time spent on the behind the scenes work that keeps Beth Israel functioning. Through the
responsible budgets developed and managed by our very hard working executive and finance committees (including a
good deal of belt tightening!) and our generous donors, Beth Israel finished the year with a solid financial position. With
Educational Playcare beginning to pay rent this year, the finance committee was able to develop a balanced budget for
2016-2017. This budget, as passed by the Board of Trustees, will allow us to keep up with the maintenance of our
aging building and cemeteries and provide for Beth Israel in other ways that will keep us moving forward.
Many other people have been involved in making Beth Israel the synagogue we want to belong to. In the office, Cheryl
Goldberg and Michelle Meyer support Tracy and attend to our congregants ’ needs. Bunny Reynolds and Andrew
Bartley keep Beth Israel in tip top shape and work hard to prepare for every event that occurs in the building.
Our religious school director, Lauren Benthien, continues to refine and add to our curriculum and bring the religious
school to new levels of excellence. With Karen Beyard’s fine work in the library, Sunny Kagan’s successful
membership and outreach efforts and Laurie Leader stepping into her role as communications director with such great
skill, we can be confident that Beth Israel is in good hands. And we so appreciate and offer our bravos to Natasha
Ulyanovsky for providing her musical accompaniment to our worship, her work with the choir, klezmer band
and musical programs (the Purim Spiel!), and virtuoso organ concerts.
Over the course of the year, many volunteers have helped not only with
our special programming and events, but with the daily work that allows
Beth Israel to function. Each year we honor those that have gone above
and beyond; this year, we honored Scott Lewis and Bruce Badner as
our volunteers of the year. Scott's years as a trustee, as our Secretary
and as a respected counselor and advisor to several Beth
Israel presidents and Boards of Trustees (not to mention the countless
hours he has given to Beth Israel) have earned him an eternal place in
our hearts and minds. Bruce's musical talents, on display in our
Kabbalat Shabbat services and in his own, original Shabbat service, his
work on the Rosh Hashanah service in the park, his assistance in
streaming our high holiday services, and the countless other ways in
which he continues to enrich our lives at Beth Israel made him an
obvious choice as one of our volunteers of the year. Thank you both for
your devotion to Beth Israel!
Finally, through meetings, phone conferences and email (so much
email!), I am proud to say that your Board of Trustees and Officers have
truly collaborated with each other to ensure that while the business side
of Beth Israel functions appropriately, it is always in support of our
Volunteers of the Year Bruce Badner (l) and Scott Lewis (r)
religious community, the true mission of Beth Israel. And in support of
with CBI president Gail Mangs. Bruce and Scott were
Beth Israel, we must recognize the Board members who are leaving the honored at the Annual Meeting in June
Board this year for their well-deserved retirements! We will miss Scott
Lewis who has so ably served as secretary for many years, Chet Zaslow who is leaving the treasurer’s position
(but will remain as a trustee) and Vice President Beth Berinstein. We will also miss Cindy Ward, a long time trustee
and Beth Israel member, and Ben Wenograd, who left earlier this year to assume a position on the West Hartford Town
Council. Our heartfelt thanks to each and every one of you for your time, energy and thoughtful participation as a
trustee. But we are also excited to welcome our new trustees: Michael Honor, Melissa Geller, Andy Katz and Amy
Klein; and I am particularly excited to announce Gary Jacobson as our first vice president, Rob Berman as
treasurer and Jeff Smith as secretary. So I would say that as we look to the future, 2016-2017 promises to be another
amazing year. I wish you all a wonderful and relaxing summer!
CBI’s new and re-elected officers and trustees of the Board were installed at the Annual Meeting.
4
July/August 2016
Friendship and Marriage
Rabbi Michael Pincus
Whenever love depends upon something and it passes, then the love passes away too. But if love
does not depend on some ulterior interest then the love will never pass away...
Pirkei Avot 5:16
It is time to examine the concept of synagogue membership and look for a new construct. The word
membership does not convey the hopes of our synagogue today - in fact it perpetuates a mentality
that is the very antithesis of community. Membership is an inherently exclusive and transactional
term. Think of where you are a member–Costco, your gym, Netflix, AAA–organizations where one
pays some sort of premium in order to receive certain benefits that are provided at no additional
cost. With all due respect to Costco (and I appreciate Costco), I will remain at Costco only for as
long as I am getting what I need. And while I love to see fellow congregants there when I shop, I feel no affinity for those
who belong to Costco. That is not what I hope those connected with our congregation feel.
Instead of being a member, I invite us to explore Rabbi Michael Knopf’s recent suggestion of being a friend. Despite
Facebook, “There are few words more evocative of a covenantal relationship than ‘friend,’ a concept virtually synonymous
with support, interdependence, and sharing, all essential elements of communal participation.” Friendship isn’t free. As a
midrash puts it, “One only acquires a friend through great effort.” (Sifre Devarim, Piska 305) Becoming a friend of a
synagogue community must thus also require active personal involvement and investment.
We belittle the relationships we have and yearn for by referring to those we are connected to as merely members. The
ancient synagogues started as chaveras, associations of friends. It is time we reclaim that language and the aspiration.
For a long time, I have been struggling with how to meet the needs of our congregants and stay true to my principles. I
wondered how I could officiate at a wedding ceremony of an interfaith couple if one of the people standing under the
chuppah did not see themselves as beholden to the tradition that was being used to unite them in marriage.
The solution I found was to become a Justice of the Peace. Now, under the right circumstances I am able to marry an
interfaith couple under the auspices that both parties recognize while at the same time using the imagery, customs, and
traditions of Judaism to bring holiness to the ceremony. I have officiated now at two of these weddings and look forward to
a few more in the months ahead.
SHABBAT SERVICE
at HEBREW HOME
Saturday, August 6 11:00am
We will hold our Shabbat
morning service, led by
our clergy, at the Hebrew
Home. Come make a
difference by reaching out
to fellow congregants who
live at the Home. The Hebrew Home is
located at 1 Abrahms Boulevard, West
Hartford. This is a wonderful Mitzvah
opportunity - please join us!
(There is no service at Beth Israel this morning)
5
July/August 2016
Annual Meeting
June 8, 2016
(More photos on page 4)
Executive Director Tracy Mozingo
addressed the congregation
Outgoing trustees were recognized (l-r) Scott Lewis (Secretary),
Ben Wenograd (Trustee), Beth Bereinstein (Vice President) and
Cindy Ward (Trustee)
Yuriy Litvin
Jennifer Ashton
Jacob Isaac Cohen
Michael Austin Neff
Please join us every Shabbat morning:
9:30am
Torah Study
11:00am Shabbat Services
6
July/August 2016
What Being Jewish Means To Me
By Jamie Steiner
I am a Jew. I come from a line of incredibly strong people. For hundreds of years, my people
have overcame constant persecution and obstacles, yet we still hold on to our customs and
beliefs. My Jewish identity is firmly rooted in a sense of belonging to the Jewish People. The
history of the Jewish people is a part of my history. For me, being Jewish means learning about
the history of the Jewish people, observing Jewish customs, and making choices that reflect
Jewish values.
Contemporary American Jews are "Jews by choice" in that their relationship with the Jewish
people, their religion, and Jewish institutions are voluntary. Like me, my ancestors were born
Jewish, but unlike me, many of them were persecuted just because they were born Jewish and it didn’t matter whether
they followed the Jewish laws or not. In today’s American society, Anti-Semitism still exists but it is less common or
more discrete in society. Modern Jews can choose if they want to
lead a Jewish life and what methods of Judaism appeal to them.
Reform Judaism is the most liberal expression of Judaism. It is the
mode that my family and I have chosen to live our lives by.
Being Jewish to me means celebrating the Jewish holidays like
Hanukkah and Passover with my family. On the Jewish holidays I get
to follow the traditions that my ancestors have followed for centuries.
For me it means celebrating Shabbat and lighting candles and eating
a meal together. We also have a group text so my extended family
around the country can wish each other well each week.
Being Jewish means I am a part of a kehila; a community. Many
people think being part of a Jewish community means joining a
temple. Yet, this is only one part of being Jewish. Being Jewish is a
culture as much as it is a religion. Often making friends with
someone Jewish is really easy and comfortable because culturally
we are so similar. Yet, for me most significant and awesome thing
about of being part of a Jewish community has been going to a
Jewish camp. At Camp Eisner I truly realized how special being part
of a Jewish community is. My camp friends are my friends for life, we
support each other, and learn from one another. We cheer on each
other's successes and lift each other up. These are all essential
Jewish values to have in a community, and part of who I am.
“The experience of becoming
a Confirmand has made me
closer with my classmates.
During this last year, we all
learned what being Jewish
means to us personally and
we learned how to not only
get along with each other, but
to really respect and become
friends with one another.”
Being Jewish means learning about Judaism and myself. I have gone to Sunday school almost my entire life. The
highlight of Hebrew School was becoming a bat mitzvah. The experience taught me not only more about the Torah,
but also it gave me the confidence to stand up in front of the congregation and chant. Of course, the party was pretty
awesome too. I chose to continue on with my learning and to become part of this confirmation class. The experience of
becoming a Confirmand has made me closer with my classmates. During this last year, we all learned what being
Jewish means to us personally and we learned how to not only get along with each other, but to really respect and
become friends with one another. On our trip to Washington D.C., we worked together to stand up for causes that
were important to us. Working together and promoting social justice causes are the essence of Judaism.
As a Reform Jew I choose to practice the customs and rituals that make sense to me because they are tangible
reminders of who I am, where I come from, who I aspire to be as a Jew, and what I hope to pass on to future
generations.
Jamie is the recipient of this year’s Dr. Robert Kramer Confirmation Essay Award.
Mazel tov Jamie! Mazel tov to all our Confirmands!
7
July/August 2016
Mourning into Dancing:
A Lesson in New Beginnings
Cantor Lauren Phillips
Amidst the joyful and carefree days of summer is one of the saddest days on the Jewish calendar.
Tisha B’Av commemorates the destruction of both the first and second temples in Jerusalem. The
ninth day of the month of Av on the Jewish calendar has also corresponded with a host of other
unfortunate events in our history. The expulsion of Jews from Iberian Peninsula during the Spanish
Inquisition, World War I, and the deportations from the Warsaw Ghetto to Treblinka all began on this
same date.
On Tisha B’Av, we read from the book of Eicha, the Book of Lamentations. The scroll contains a
collection of poetic laments for the destruction of Jerusalem. Laments consist of crying or wailing
both in conjunction with text, or alone, as an expression of sadness, grief, and loss. They may also
be associated with individual and communal loss.
The last chapter of Eicha offers prayers of repentance and for the recovery of the people of Zion. The penultimate
verse of the section includes the same familiar words that we say each time we return the Torah to the ark: Hashivenu
adonai, elecha, ve-na-shuva chadesh yameinu kekedem (“Bring us back to you, Adonai, and we will return; renew our
days as of old.”).
The Torah service is one of the most joyful and majestic components of Jewish worship. We parade with the Torah in an
exuberant Hakafah and chant our holy words in beautiful song. We hold the Torah high, showing the congregation the
words that were just read, and dress the Torah in her elegant adornments. We always read Torah from the highest point
in the sanctuary, reminding us of how we stood to
receive Torah at Mount Sinai. The reading of
Torah is also the high point of our service.
When it comes time to put the Torah back in the
ark, the moment is bittersweet. One of my
teachers, Dr. Eliyahu Schliefer, observes that
almost all of the melodies that we sing for Eitz
Chayim and, subsequently, Hashiveinu, are
written in a minor mode. We just experienced
enlightened teaching – the climax of our worship
service has finished, and we begin to transition
from the holy to the mundane. We take out the
Torah with dancing. When we return it, we are
solemn. This parallels the words of Eicha 5:15:
“The joy in our heart has ceased; our dancing
has turned to mourning.” It makes sense that we
use words from Eicha to mark the Torah’s return:
Eicha describes moments of great struggle for
the Jewish people, and yet we were able to
overcome these challenges. This is what Torah is
all about – the Jewish people’s ability to survive
amidst hostility and oppression. Our people are
resilient, and the Torah is a testament to this fact.
PLEASE JOIN US FOR
A SPECIAL TISHA B’AV SERVICE
SATURDAY, AUGUST 13 at 7:00 PM
Likewise, the mourning we experience at the end of the Torah service is only temporary. We read Torah in a cyclical
manner, and we always come back to it. Although there is a clear beginning in Bereshit and an ending in Deuteronomy,
we connect the circle on Simchat Torah by reading the last chapter and the first chapter in one fell swoop. Our Torah is
so precious that it is without limits, and each time we read it we find new insights, teachings, and ideas. The words remain
the same, but we as individuals are never the same as we read them.
What does this teach us? It is an inherently Jewish value that with every ending comes a new beginning; a time of infinite
possibilities and growth. That’s where we stand here at Congregation Beth Israel. I am blessed along with Rabbi Fliegel
and Rabbi Pincus to join a new clergy team and a new congregational family. I look forward to writing new chapters of
Torah with each and every one of you as we experience times of both mourning and dancing.
8
July/August 2016
6:00pm Shabbat Service at Schultz Park , 921 Hopmeadow St., Simsbury
Following the Service, stay on at the park and enjoy a BYO picnic dinner
or continue on to the concert venue and dine there.
7:30pm Talcott Mountain Music Festival (Rain date: Saturday, July 30)
The Hartford Symphony Orchestra presents:
Faithfully - A Symphonic Tribute to the Music of Journey
The Performing Arts Center at the Simsbury Meadows (BYO Lawn Seating)
PURCHASE ADVANCED DISCOUNT CONCERT TICKETS ONLINE:
WWW.CBICT.ORG
$15/adult & $5/children 12 & under
AVAILABLE THROUGH JULY 7
Advance ticket purchases will be available at the Shabbat Service
After July 7, tickets may be purchased directly from the Hartford Symphony
Box Office: $20/Adult and $5/Children — http://hartfordsymphony.org/
For more information, including parking and accessibility details:
www.cbict.org, bethisrael@cbict.org or 860-233-8215
9
July/August 2016
Is your child ready?
Youth Engagement Program starts
Sunday, September 11, 2016!
Congregation Beth Israel’s Religious School creates a nurturing and creative environment, inspired
by the ritual, spiritual life, and Jewish values of Reform Judaism. We
believe that through teaching, students and their families will develop a
positive Jewish identity and an understanding of Jewish heritage that leads
to lifelong learning. The school strives to provide every family a spiritually
rich, relevant, and engaging experience.
If you are interested in starting your child in religious school this
September, please contact Lauren Benthien, Director of Youth Education,
at 860-233-8215 ex2330 or email Lbenthien@cbict.org.
Our registration form can be found on our website at cbict.org under
“Learn” / “Youth Engagement Program.”
All students who were in our program last year are automatically enrolled in the next school year.
Please let Lauren know if you have any questions about our religious school, PreK through grade 9!
Looking forward to another exciting year in YEP!
YOUTH ENGAGEMENT PROGRAM IN ACTION!
CBI's Religious School students recently presented $500, the proceeds of their tzedakah collection, to Jonathan's Dream
Reimagined playground. The funds were raised by the children during the academic year, along with the help of their
families. Through this act, students learn about the Jewish tradition of giving to those in need. Each year, students vote on
where their collection will be donated. Previous recipients have been Hebrew
Health Care, Jewish Family Services, Mazon, and The Jewish National Fund.
Our Youth Engagement Program has been recognized by CJEL, the
Jewish Federation's Commission on Jewish Education & Leadership!
YEP Director Lauren Benthien (r) provides YEP's
donation to Ronit Shoam of Jonathan's
Dream Reimagined
10
July/August 2016
Mazel tov to Grade 7 teacher,
Scott Myers, who is the
recipient of an Innovative
Program award for his
Celebrating Haiti Build project.
CJEL's Committee on Excellence
in Jewish Education was
impressed that this program
enabled students to understand
the importance of Tikkun Olam in
a creative, hands-on, experiential
manner. Scott, who participated
in CBI's Haiti Build last summer,
is commended for continuing
what was learned in Haiti and
bringing it to his students and the
entire CBI community.
Mazel tov to Jacob Ginden. He
is the recipient of an Uniquely
Effective Madrich Award. YEP
Director, Lauren Benthien,
praises Jacob for his talents in
the areas of Hebrew and
liturgy, and working with
students in grades 3-6. CJEL's
Committee on Excellence in
Jewish Education enjoyed
hearing about the unique
musical skills that Jacob
brought to the children each
week, which enabled them to
enjoy music and participate
more fully.
WHTY and Jr. WHTY - Check Us Out!
Jr. WHTY Olympics:
Sumo wrestler transformation!
WHTY and Jr. WHTY enjoying the day at Six Flags
Max Schwimmer leads a discussion after
visiting the Tenement Museum in NYC
Jr. WHTY Olympics:
Pretzel relay!
Sr. WHTY Day Trip - NYC
Our high school teens travelled by train into New York on May 14th, accompanied by Youth Programs
Professional Max Schwimmer and Rabbi Shaffer. They visited the Jewish Museum to see a special exhibit on
Isaac Mizrahi as well as the
permanent collection of
Judaic history, art, and
culture. They toured the
Tenement Museum where
they discussed and reflected
on the Jewish immigrant
experience in America, and
they ended the day exploring
Times Square. Mazel tov to
Youth Engagement Interns
Annie Tilden and Misha
Goldstein for their work on
planning this trip!
WHTY group photo at CBI before leaving for NYC
11
July/August 2016
Sisterhood
Sisterhood President’s Message
I would like to start this message by saying
thank-you. This past year our sisterhood
was so ably run by 3 of our past presidents,
Sandra Gersten, Beth Berinstein and
Paula Schenck. They stepped up to the
plate and led us through a good year. I
speak for all our members as I say thank
you and express our appreciation for all
your efforts.
Sisterhood Knitting Project
Our annual meeting and installation on
May 18th was a beautiful affair. The room,
the food, and the entertainment were all so
enjoyable. I would like to thank Sunny
Kagan and her committee for making
such a memorable evening.
I am looking forward to this next year. I am
looking forward to working with our board
and all the lovely ladies on it. I am looking
forward to meeting all our members at our
different events throughout the year. Our
first board meeting was on June 7th. Our
agenda for this board meeting was planning
for the upcoming year. Our next meeting is
on Tuesday, August 2nd at 7:15pm. All our
board meetings are open and all members
are welcome.
Wishing you a healthy and happy summer.
May it be a summer blessed with peace.
Sandy Berinstein,
Sisterhood President
Next Sisterhood Meeting
Tuesday, August 2
7:15pm
12
July/August 2016
Sue DeMartino and Leslie Traubert
are leading a Sisterhood effort to
create baby blankets for the neonatal
intensive-care unit of the
Connecticut Children’s Medical
Center. Members knit squares and
then another member sews the
squares into blankets. The group has
already made five blankets. In the
photo above, Sharon Lessne shows
off one of the beautiful blankets.
Knitters at all levels are invited to
join the group — learn from each
other and enjoy your time knitting
while doing a wonderful
mitzvah! For more information,
contact Sue or Leslie through the
Temple office.
In Pursuit of Becoming
Rabbi Andi Fliegel
One Sunday this past May I stood on a very tall bima in an exceptionally ornate and historic
sanctuary as the president of the Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion ordained me
a rabbi. With hundreds of people looking on, as my classmates and I were individually and privately
ordained, I experienced that moment as if President Panken and I were the only two people in the
room. I didn’t hear the organ playing or the feel the gaze of my loved ones from a distance. He
stood there as a representative of the entire faculty and institution. Subsequently, in those few
minutes of ritual, I was ordained a rabbi. Ordination is filled with pomp and circumstance but as
incredible as the occasion was, it was a different encounter with President Panken a few days
earlier when I realized for the first time that I was a rabbi. Leading up to ordination President
Panken spent some time reflecting and learning with my classmates. His words were simple. “You
are already rabbis. Sunday just makes it official.” As abruptly and as casually as he said it, I knew it was true. On one
chilly Sunday May morning I was publicly ordained but it was years and years of becoming that made me a rabbi.
Frankly, I am not quite sure what exactly it means to be a rabbi. I have spent a lot of time – at least six years – focused
on and devoted to becoming a rabbi. After these years of preparation I feel equipped to do the tasks of a congregational
rabbi. Yet while I am confident in my ability to act, I remain curious about what it means to be. Amidst my uncertainty, I
am positive that part of being a rabbi is to constantly be in a state of becoming, of forming, of growing. As a Jew I am
obligated and as a rabbi I am dedicated to always be in pursuit of becoming.
We are all the recipients of the charge to become. Whether we are becoming a parent, becoming a partner, a
professional, a person with more patience or more drive – we are all in process. The Jewish calendar is filled with
holidays and rituals that give us the chance to check in with our progress, recharge, restart and even course correct
along the way. May we commit to cultivating our best selves while giving ourselves permission to fall short, to lose sight,
and to regain our composure. I will endeavor to carry that compassion for myself and for others as we all begin and
continue the journey of becoming in these new months of change and exploration.
A Sisterhood Evening to Remember
(l-r) Sandy Gersten, Paula Schenck, Kati Berman and
Beth Berinstein. Sandy, Paula and Beth served
together last year as Sisterhood presidium. Kati was
honored for her years of service to Sisterhood.
Past Sisterhood president, Kati Berman, Cantor Siskin
and Rabbi Shaffer were honored by Sisterhood at
their Annual Meeting in May at the Town and County
Club. The CBI Choir sang. The food was marvelous. The company
was grand. New Sisterhood
Board members were installed
and Sandy
Berinstein
began her
term as
president.
What a
wonderful
evening!
Sandy Berinstein,
Sisterhood President
13
July/August 2016
OUR PAST PRESIDENTS: KAY LAVITT
By Josh Rosenfield
From her confirmation class in the 1940s to her time as the Temple’s first female president, Kay Lavitt has been witness
to some tremendous changes. According to Mrs. Lavitt, it used to be quite different. “In those days, Reform Jews were
what we called ‘Classic Reform Judaism,’” she said. “We were not as religious as Reform Judaism is today. I grew up
celebrating one day of Rosh Hashanah, one day of Yom Kippur, and one day of Passover. We were all one-day holiday
Jews!”
Kay Lavitt grew up under Rabbi Abraham Feldman, who served as senior rabbi from 1925 to 1977. Under Rabbi
Feldman’s leadership, the Temple’s definition of Reform Judaism was quite a bit looser than it is today. “Rabbi Feldman
was a real classic Reform Jew,” said Mrs. Lavitt. “Rabbi Feldman never wore a yarmulke, and he hesitated to even
marry someone if they wanted a yarmulke.” On some things, however, the temple and its community maintained stricter
rules than they do today: “When we went to Sunday School, we did not dress in jeans or casual wear. We wore our best
clothes for Sunday School.”
Before she was the congregation’s first female President, Mrs. Lavitt was the first female member of the Board of
Trustees. “The only time a woman was on the board was when they were representing the Sisterhood. You were on the
board, but you were not considered a female member of the board,” Mrs. Lavitt said. In the mid-1960s, the board
decided that it was past time to have a woman in their ranks, and Mrs. Lavitt answered the call. “I was flattered to think
they had asked me to serve on the board because there were so many other women who had been as active as I was
or as concerned about the Temple as I was. And I readily accepted.”
CBI’s past presidents (l-r, back): Jeffrey Winnick, Victor Feigenbaum, April Haskell, Karl Fleischmann, Rabbi Michael Pincus, Richard Rubenstein,
Howard Pierce, Bernard Kosto (l-r, front) Hon. Arnold Aaronson, Kay Lavitt, Harry Davidson, Gary Greenberg. Not pictured: Robert Gross, Michael
Lipton, Alan Reisner and Clare Feldman.
Eventually, though, Mrs. Lavitt was elected to a higher position, making Beth Israel history in the process. “I’ll never
forget waking up at seven o’clock in the morning when the phone rang, and someone had called me and said, ‘You
made the front page of the Hartford Courant!’ and I said, ‘What?’ And they said, ‘You’ve been elected President-elect of
Beth Israel.’ I reached down and got the paper, and sure enough there was an article in the paper.”
Mrs. Lavitt would go on to serve as the Temple Administrator after her term as President. “I just happened to come
across it by chance because the person who was serving as the administrator was ill and she asked me to come in and
help her. I just kind of fell into it and I was elected to be administrator and I served for twelve years and loved every
minute of the time that I served.” Mrs. Lavitt describes the administrator job as quite challenging, perhaps even more so
than the congregation presidency. “I was on call 24 hours a day. A few nights, I’d get a call in the morning that the alarm
system went off, and who ran over to the temple at 2 or 3 in the morning but me!”
Mrs. Lavitt has a less active role in the running of the congregation now, but she seems comfortable leaving that role to
today’s members. Just as with the shift in Reform Judaism itself, Mrs. Lavitt sees the changes in establishment as
totally natural. “I think it’s now for the young people to run the temple, not my generation.” Still, she cherishes the
memories of her time as President and Administrator. “It was a challenging job, it was satisfying, and I loved every
minute of it. I loved the Temple, because that’s where my heritage is.”
Josh Rosenfield, who has been interning at Beth Israel, interviewed Mrs. Lavitt for this interview in April as part of a new
series on CBI’s past presidents.
14
July/August 2016
Celebrate CBI!
Sunday, August 28
9am to noon
As summer comes to an end, connect and celebrate with the
CBI community as we prepare for the High Holy Day season.
Enjoy a morning filled with music,
friendship,
an Israeli Brunch,
and activities for all ages!
Chat with Rabbi Pincus and meet our new clergy,
Rabbi Andi Fliegel & Cantor Lauren Phillips.
Meet & Greet
our Religious School director and lay-leaders.
Participate in a study session
Tour our historic temple
Learn about our committees
Check out our Youth Engagement
West Hartford Temple Youth
Program
&
(WHTY) groups.
ENTERTAINMENT FOR ONE AND ALL!
Please join US! Everyone is welcome!!
9:00-10:00am
10:00am -Noon
Adult Study Session with the Rabbis
Meet and Greet, food and entertainment
For more info:
Sunny Kagan, 860-233-8215 ext. 2240 or skagan@cbict.org
15
July/August 2016
BE A MITZVAH MAVEN
We would love to continue Cantor Pamela Siskin's legacy of the
Mitzvah Mavens (our Caring Committee). Therefore, we will be
heading it up in the future.
Through the Mitzvah Mavens, we take care of each other in our
CBI community. This past year, we have welcomed new babies,
helped out fellow congregants during sickness, offered comfort
to those in need, provided shiva meals, and driven congregants
to Shabbat services.
As our needs continue we hope to expand and grow. But we
need more help! We would so appreciate your time. If you can
join us, you determine the amount and kind of commitment you
Jane Zande and Lorrie Wexler, Mitzvah Mavens
would like to give.
Please find out how you can help with these important mitzvot
by contacting Jane, jane.zande@gmail.com, or Lorrie,
lorriewexler@yahoo.com. Or you can learn more by meeting us
at Celebrate CBI, on Sunday, August 28! We welcome you and
your ideas.
Jane Zande and Lorrie Wexler
WANT TO LEARN ADULT HEBREW?
If you are interested in an adult beginning
Hebrew class starting this September, please
contact Lauren Benthien: lbenthien@cbict.org
or 860-233-8215 ext. 2330.
Happy Birthday! The congregation celebrated with
Morton Fine on the occasion of his 100th birthday at
Shabbat Services in June. Mazel tov Morton!
The Mitzvah Mavens would so
appreciate your time. If you can
help, you determine the amount
and kind of commitment you
would like to give.
CBI Book Group
Our CBI Book Group is open to anyone
interested in discussing books of Jewish
interest. Come and join us! We meet on the
first Wednesday of the
month, September
through June. Our next
meeting is Wednesday,
September 7 at 7pm. We
will be discussing Boys in
the Boat : Nine Americans
and their Epic Quest for
Gold at the 1936 Berlin
Olympics by Daniel
James Brown. Sunny
Zelman will lead the
discussion.
A New York Times bestseller, this is the
story of the University of Washington’s 1936
eight-oar crew and their epic quest for an
Olympic gold medal, a team that
transformed the sport and grabbed the
attention of millions of Americans.
For more information, contact Edee Tenser
through the Temple office.
16
July/August 2016
Have you heard about SEFER SUMMER,
our reading program for K-6 kids?
Sefer Summer, our new program for children in Kindergarten through Grade 6,
launched Sunday, May 22, the last day of religious school. But there is still plenty
of time for your young “person of the book” to participate. Stop by the library to get
a packet of information (available when the building is open) and check out the
display of great kid-friendly books OR go to CBICT.org and click on Sefer
Summer. You can link to handouts from the packet including a form for
submitting title and making sure your young reader is eligible for a prize.
There will be a prize in the fall for every child who reads (or listens to someone
else read aloud) 3 or more Jewish-themed books. Deadline for submitting the form
(and being eligible for a prize!) is Sunday, September 18. We especially hope
the children of YEP, our religious school, will participate. Our program is also open
to any other child who is interested. Be a mensch and tell your niece and nephew,
your neighbors, your grandkids, and your friends.
Librarian Karen
Beyard hopes our
CBI family has a
Sefer Summer!
Throughout the summer, Sefer Summer information
packets and recommended books (including many
new books purchased with a generous grant from
Friends of the Library) will be on display and
available for checkout in the Ellen Jeanne Goldfarb
Community Learning Center. It’s easy: Put your
name and phone/email on the card in the back of the
book and leave the card for Karen. She is in the
library most Tuesdays and Thursdays. If you want to
see her another time, email kbeyard@cbict.org.
Wonder how your gifts to the library are
used? Check out our collection of new
and award-winning books!
When you give a gift to the library in memory of a loved one, or in honor of someone’s special event, your gift helps
keep our collection vital and interesting. Karen has been using donations to fill gaps in our collection by selecting
National Jewish Book Award winners
(www.jewishbookcouncil.org/awards/njba-list), Sami Rohr
Prize winners (www.jewishbookcouncil.org/awards/sami-rohrprize.html), Wallant Award honorees (http://
uhaweb.hartford.edu/greenberg-center/wallant.html), and
books listed in 100 Great Jewish Books by Rabbi Lawrence
Hoffman and the Association for Jewish Library’s Creating a
Collection: A Basic Book List for Judaic Libraries. Karen also
buys new books of Jewish interest that get good reviews in
the New York Times Book Review, the New York Review of
Books, Tablet, and Forward. She tries for balance: fiction and
non-fiction, memoirs and biographies, important books about
the great ideas of Judaism, and, yes, guilty pleasures and
best sellers.
During the summer, some of our award winners will be on
display. Look for a display of books with bright chartreuse
labels which are available for self-check-out before and after
Tools of the trade for our librarian.
services and whenever our building is open. There are books for
mature young readers/young adults (good for grown-ups too!) and an adult section. These specially selected books are
available for self-check-out before and after services, and at other times when our building is open. Karen is in most
Tuesdays and Thursdays. You can also email requests and suggestions to kbeyard@cbict.org . If funding permits and
your request is a good fit for our library, Karen will order a copy.
17
July/August 2016
S.A.G.E.
The Dr. Robert A. Kramer Fund / Beth Israel Seniors Group S.A.G.E:
Beth Israel Seniors for Arts, Growth & Education
JULY AND AUGUST EVENTS
RSVP: By 3PM on Sunday of the week you wish to attend:
Jan Glass, 860-675-9105 or janiceglass@att.net
Tuesday, July 5
11:15am Discussion with Bob Wolf
12:15pm Lunch $8
1:00pm
Rabbi’s Forum
Tuesday, August 9
No S.A.G.E.
Tuesday, July 12
No S.A.G.E.
Tuesday, July 19
11:15am Discussion with Sandy Corwin
12:15pm Lunch $8
1:00pm
Meet CBI fiddler Dan Monyak and enjoy a
sing-along with our new cantor, Cantor Lauren Phillips!
Tuesday, July 26
No S.A.G.E.
Tuesday, August 2
11:15am Discussion with Roberta Tansman
12:15pm Lunch $8
1:00pm
Short Story Study with Karen Beyard:
“Minyan” by David Bezmozgis. Once again, Karen has
chosen a story by a contemporary and award-winning
Jewish writer. David Bezmozgis was just 6 when his
family left Riga in Latvia and brought him to Canada.
His short stories and novels focus on the experiences
of immigrants with roots in the former Soviet Union
because, “it was always fascinating to me that these
people had given up their lives without really knowing
where they were going.” “Minyan”, which won a
silver medal in the 2003 National Magazine Awards for
Fiction, portrays a recently widowed man who moves
into an apartment complex for seniors. Bezmozgis,
who received the 2014 Wallant and 2015 National
Jewish Book awards for The Betrayers (a novel that
was a CBI Book Group choice), has been published in
the New Yorker which named one of the top 20
writers under 40 in 2010. Join us for another great
discussion and the opportunity hear a YouTube
interview and see the trailer for Bezmozgis’s new
18
movie based on Natasha, the short story collection
that includes “Minyan”. Copies of the story will be
available at SAGE and in the library beginning June 14.
July/August 2016
Tuesday, August 16
11:15am Discussion with Laura Deutsch
12:15pm Lunch $8
1:00pm
Join us as we view a recording of NYU
Speakers on the Square presents Rabbi Lord Jonathan
Sacks and David Brooks in Conversation. Rabbi Lord
Jonathan Sacks serves as the Rennert Global
Distinguished Professor of Judaic Thought, New York
University, and the Kressel and Ephrat Family
University Professor of Jewish Thought, Yeshiva
University. He is a global religious leader, philosopher,
the author of more than 25 books. He was recently
named as the 2016 Templeton Prize laureate. Until
September 2013 he served as Chief Rabbi of the
United Hebrew Congregations of the Commonwealth,
having held the position for 22 years. David Brooks is
an American political and cultural commentator who
writes for The New York Times and serves as
commentator on PBS News Hour. He has worked as an
editorial writer and film reviewer for The Washington
Times; a reporter and later op-ed editor for The Wall
Street Journal; a senior editor at The Weekly Standard
from its inception; a contributing editor at Newsweek
and The Atlantic Monthly; and as a commentator on
NPR. All are welcome to explore the exhibit of Rabbi
Sachs’ books in the Learning Center.
Tuesday, August 23
No S.A.G.E.
Tuesday, August 30
No S.A.G.E.
SAGE honored Cantor and Jerry
Siskin in May. What a marvelous
afternoon of merrymaking and
memories! Check out these photos of
a celebration not to be forgotten!
19
July/August 2016
In May we honored Rabbi Dena Shaffer at a fabulous luncheon. We raised our
glasses in celebration, applauded an awesome JewDo demonstration, and
cheered Cantor Siskin’s rousing musical tribute to Rabbi Shaffer featuring Jeff
Smith and Rabbi Pincus playing kazoo!
20
July/August 2016
By Joe Dix
Shelach (“Send” Numbers 13:1-15:41) - July 2, 2016
“They shall make fringes on the corners of their clothes through their
generations. And they shall put a blue string on the fringe of the corner. And
you shall have the fringe so you will see it and bring to mind all of the Lord’s
commandments.” 15:37-39. This is the scriptural basis for the tallis. How
would wearing the tallis help to remember God’s commandments?
Four threads are taken, of which one (the shammash) is considerably longer
than the rest, for each of the four corners of the tallis. The four threads are
drawn together through a small hole and the ends brought together. A
double knot is tied close to the margin of the tallis; the shammash is then
twisted tightly 7 times around the remaining 7 threads, and another double
knot is tied; then around 8 times, and a double knot; then around 11 times,
and a double knot; and finally around 13 times, and a double knot. 7 and 8 = 15, the numerical value of yud hey, 11 =
vav hey, and 13 = echad meaning “YHVH is One.” Further, the numerical value of tzitzit (fringes) is 600, with which the 8
threads and 5 knots makes a total of 613, the total number of commandments of the Torah. This explains the Talmudic
statement that wearing of the tzitzit is of equal merit with the observance of the whole Torah (Nedarim 25a). [From
the Daily Prayer Book, Hebrew Publishing Company]
Mattot (“Tribes” Numbers 30:2-32:42) - August 6, 2016
God commands Moses to “get revenge for the children of Israel from the Midianites. After that you’ll be gathered to
your people.” (31:2). Verse 3 has Moses do as God instructed. Even knowing it would be his last task, Moses was
faithful to obey God. The people wage war on Midian and kill the men and take the women and animals captive. They
bring the spoils of war to Moses and Eleazar the priest. Instead of praising them, Moses is wrathful. Why have you
spared the women? Kill the males among the infants and kill all the women, sparing only the virgins. What are we to
make of such an order?
Richard Elliott Friedman, in his Commentary on the Torah writes:
“Remarkably, the fearful order to kill the women and children comes from
Moses himself. The text does not say whether it originates from God. To
conceive of Moses’ thoughts, perhaps we must go back to the point of the
Midianite seductions at Ball Peor and start with the question of what Moses
might feel when he learns that women of his wifes people are seducing the
Israelites into heresy: shock, embarrassment, betrayal, fury…. Moses’
command to eliminate the Midianite women can be conceived of as coming
from the depths of his outrage and pain…. Another point: the text never
reports that Moses’ order was carried out! There is a mention of retaining the
virgin women as captives (31:35) but no mention of the execution of the
women who have known men or of the male infants. It is possible to imagine
that they are released or allowed to escape-and that Moses acquiesces in
this.”
David Chase – husband of Rhoda;
father of Arnold Chase and his wife
Sandy, and Cheryl Chase and her
husband Stuart Bear; grandfather of
William and Lauren, Dara and Ross,
Sara, Allison, Melissa, and Landon;
and great grandfather of Dylan, Riley
and Samuel
Beatrice Greenberg — wife of
Sidney Greenberg z"l; mother of
Gary Greenberg and his wife Joan,
grandmother of Adam and Alex
Naum Protas — father of Ella
Tkachuk and Slav Protas
21
July/August 2016
T houghtful D onations
Caring Committee
In memory of Phyllis Nussbaum
by Gale Dyer
Cemetery Beautification
In memory of Rachel Berman, our
beloved mother
by Miryam & Oscar Birman
In memory of Milton Krevolin, my
husband
by Judi K. Krevolin
In memory of Walter Singer, my
brother-in-law
by Beverly Singer
In memory of Benjamin Markun
by Jackie Weisenberg & family
In loving memory of Moysey A.
Slepchenko
by Mariya D. Slepchenko
Dr. Robert Allyn Kramer/
Seniors/SAGE
In memory of Mildred "Mickey"
Tucker
In memory of Elaine Weinstein
by Libby & Julian Adler
In memory of Bessie & Mitchell
Glass
by Jan Glass
In honor of Rabbi Fuchs’ 70th
birthday
In memory of Dr. Robert
Allyn Kramer
In memory of Anna Vener
Alderman
by Nancy A. Kramer
In memory of H. David Leventhal
by Ann Leventhal
In memory of Rachel Marcus
by Martha Reingold
In memory of Abraham Reiter, my
beloved husband
by Phyllis Reiter
In memory of Carl Ricketts
by Barbara Ricketts
Foodshare
Wishing Rabbi Fuchs a speedy
recovery
by Jan Glass
In honor of Rabbi Fuchs’ 70th
birthday
by Sunny & Jeff Kagan
by Ruth Solomkin
by Jeanne & Jordan Tobin
In memory of May Schoenfeld
by Linda Schoenfeld
In memory of Eva Silverman
In memory of Shirley Haas
In memory of Alex Haas
by Leslie & Sam Silverman
General Charitable
In memory of Ronni Singer, my
mother
by Meredith Chandler
In honor of Carol Fine’s special
birthday
In memory of Benjamin Shapiro
In honor of Rabbi Fuchs’ special
birthday
by Libbian & Jerry Cohen
In memory of Ita-Bacy Frenkel, my
mother
by Roza Frenkel
In memory of Geny Ruditser, my
mother
by Raisa Fridkin
22
In memory of Paul Weinstein
In memory of Jack Michaelson
In memory of Amy Glickman
In memory of Frances Michaelson
by Bette Glickman
In memory of Jules Hollander
by Ross Hollander
In memory of Isaac Kagan
by Tatyana Kagan
In memory of Peter Kamenskiy
by Valentin & Nellya Kamenskiy
In memory of Benjamin Shapiro
by Lillian Kezerian
In memory of Boris Komissar
by Grigoriy Komissar
In memory of Edith Silber
by Judy Levy
In honor of Rabbi Fuchs’ 70th
birthday
by Barbara & Howard Nair
In memory of Eileen Weiblen
by Janet & Jon Roe
In memory of Hilda Schenck, Sol
J. Schenck and Frances B.
Schenck, my parents
by Paula Schenck
In memory of Khaya Mirochnik
by Simon Shelkov
In memory of Paul Weinstein
In memory of Anna & Doni
Sosensky
In memory of Riva J. & Paul
Shipman
by Sonia Shipman
In memory of Eileen Weiblen
by Community Solutions, Inc.
In memory of Moses Stashevsky
In memory of Fanay Stashevsky
by Raisa Stashevsky
In memory of Benjamin Shapiro
by Norma Jean &
Robert Sternschein
by Dorothy Rosenberg
In memory of Ida Maron Toubman
In memory of Louis Maron
by Doris M. Toubman
In memory of Emil Zheleznyak
by Tamara Zheleznyak
In memory of Josef Gorokhovsky
In memory of Yakov Gorokhovsky
In memory of Boris Gorokhovsky
In memory of Sheyna
Gorokhovskaya
by Faina Sorokin, Meri Gitelman &
Larisa Bochenkova
In memory of Michael Podolsky,
my brother
by Raisa Margolin
In support
by Rabbi Stephen & Vickie Fuchs
In memory of Sarra Rogovaya, my
mother
by Yelizaveta Lurye
In memory of Mikhail Rokhman
by Maria Rokhman
In memory of Sofia Piatetskai
In memory of Semen Piatetskiy
by Anonymous
Generations Capital Campaign
In memory of Beatrice Greenberg
by Lauri & David Miller
July/August 2016
Judith & Harvey Goldstein
Music
To commemorate the 90th
birthday of Bill Goldstein
by Mark Goldstein
Legacy for our Future
In memory of Bennett Pearl
In memory of Celia Savitt
by Libby Pearl
In memory of Beatrice Greenberg
by Jane Zande & Jeff Smith
by Barbara Mindell
Library Fund
In loving memory of Irene Galinsky
In memory of my mother Tillie
Elman
by Evelyn Sandel
In memory of Nathan Levy, Jr.
by Mrs. Nathan (Billie) Levy, Jr.
In memory of our brother-in-law,
Robert Goldstein
by Frankie & Bob Goldfarb
In memory of my husband, Paul
Morris Palten
by Joy Palten
In memory of Ruth and Al Pardes
by Sandy Pardes & MJ Lanzillotta
In memory of Lois Levitan
by Michael Wilder
In honor of Carol Fine’s special
birthday
by Jane Zande & Jeff Smith
In honor of Harriet Kei’s special
birthday
by Michelle Meyer
In memory of Benjamin J. Abrams
by Ruth Berman Mellion
In memory of Paul Weinstein,
father of Dr. Nancy Weinstein
In memory of Abram Giddon
by Pamela & Roger Freedman
In memory of Richard Gellman
by Rona & Barry Gelber
Louis Antupit Youth
In memory of Ben Shapiro
In memory of Dick Fox
by Loretta & Bunny Antupit
In deep appreciation
by the Antupit Family
Music Fund
In memory of Elihu Isaac Mantell
by Patti Broad
In memory of Evgenia
Eydelshteyn, my wife
by Yefim Eydelshteyn
In memory of Beatrice Greenberg
by Rosalind & Alan Leibowitz
by Roseann Gorin
New Americans
In memory of Meir Tandeitnik, my
father
by Yeva Berlinsky
In memory of Dora Fortel
In memory of Fania Krivinsky
In memory of Bronia Tuninsky
by Mariya & Leonid Fortel
In memory of Dmitry Tulchinsky
In memory of Anton Tulchinsky
In memory of Zoya Petrova
In memory of Eva Petrova
In memory of Anatoly Shvarts
by Inna Gurary & Igor Budyansky
In memory of Leyzer Levitan, my
husband
by Anna Levitan
In memory of Sarra Lifchits, my
mother
by Yakov Lifchits
In memory of Tanya Strongin
In memory of Samuil Strongin, my
husband
by Bella Strongin
In memory of Philip Yelevich, my
husband
by Lina Yelevich
Prayer Book Fund
Mazel tov to April Haskell and
Jerry Passman on becoming
grandparents of Asher Phillip
Passman
by Sunny & Jeff Kagan
In honor of the Bar Mitzvah of
Isaiah Jacob Meyer, my son
by Michelle Meyer
In memory of Sarah Elizabeth
Donahue Peterson
by Kim Peterson
In honor of the marriage of Paula
Schenck & Bruce Badner
by Marjorie & Paul Schneck
In memory of Phyllis Nussbaum
by Seth Nussbaum
Rabbi Pincus Discretionary
In memory of Lewis Cohn
by Roger Cohn & Family
In memory of John Michael Harvey
by Clare & Barry Feldman
In memory of Helene Glantz
by Suzy & Stan Glantz
In memory of Colette Erica Lane,
my great granddaughter
by Janice Glotzer
In memory of Ben Shapiro
by Linda & Lawrence Hyde
In memory of Marion Sachs
by Sherman Katz
With appreciation for prayers for
David Kramer
by Dyan & David Kramer
In memory of Melvin Laschever
by Shirley, Steven & Robert
Laschever
by Diane Salm
In memory of Ben Rosenthal
by Maxine Moncini
In memory of Yaakov Mori
by Rafael Mori
In memory of Larry Selwyn
by Leonard "Buddy" Rich
In memory of Jack Title,
my grandson
by Sally Title
To honor the return to good health
of David Ginden
by Betty & Alan Weintraub
In memory of Paul Weinstein
by Ronnie McNamara
In memory of Joan Wise Kaufman
by Sara & Marvin Lapuk
In memory of Florence C. Garber,
our beloved mother and
grandmother
by Ellen & Andrew Stokoe & Adam
Rosow
In memory of Donald Schreiber,
my brother
In memory of Thelma Schreiber,
my sister
by Ruth Feinberg
T houghtful D onations (cont’d.)
In memory of Miriam Wachtel
In memory of Minnie Warshaw Dick
In memory of Mimi Wachtel
by Rona & Barry Gelber
In memory of Paul Weintstein
by Weinstein Mortuary
In memory of Harold Rothstein
by Marilyn Rothstein
In honor of Justin Callis' marriage
In honor of Leah Persky's
engagement
In honor of Lauren Persky's Bat
Mitzvah
by Carol Fine
In honor of the naming of Sydney
Rose Plotkin
by Eileen & Nathan Plotkin
In memory of Sara Rosenberg
by Gene Rosenberg
In memory of Max Siegel, our
beloved father & grandfather
by Judy & Edward Siegel
In memory of Lee O. Franklin
In memory of Marcus I. Franklin
In memory of Isadore Glotzer
by Janice F. Glotzer
In memory of Philipp Wintjen
by Gayle Wintjen
In memory of Bessie Koppell, my
mother
by Marty Koppell
In memory of Laura Max Rapport,
my mother
by Z. Riki Rapport Brodey
Rabbi Pincus Lifelong Learning
In honor of the 105th birthday of
Henry Seltzer, my husband
by Shirley Seltzer
In support
by Lois Hilliard and Michael
Thompson
Rabbi Shaffer Discretionary
Mazel tov on your rabbinic journey
In honor of Rabbi Shaffer
by Bette Glickman
In memory of Bennett Pearl
by Libby Pearl
In honor of the marriage of my
daughter, Emily Dara Levy, to
Benjamin M. Stoner
In memory of Beatrice Greenberg
In loving memory of Debra L. Levy,
loving wife & mother
In loving memory of Samuel & Ethel
Tulin Levy, my parents
In loving memory of Doris &
Herman Liebman, my in-laws
by Jim Levy
Rebecca K. & William H.
Rosenfeld Religious School
In memory of Benjamin Shapiro
In memory of Rebecca Kemler
Rosenfeld
In memory of Bernice Kemler Wise
In memory of R. Leonard Kemler
by Jacqueline R. Werner
Religious School
In memory of David Gelber
by Robert & Andrea Lindenberg
In memory of Melvin Naboicheck
by Sandra Corwin
Silver Courtyard Fund
In memory of Arline Goodman
by Barbra & Sam Chester
Social Justice
In honor of the 90th birthday of
Carol Fine
by Dianne & Jim Friedman
In memory of Harry Druckman, my
father
by Judy Gruskay
In memory of Jacob Linoff, our
father
by Willa & Elliott Rosenworcel
In honor of the B'nai Mitzvah of Ben
& Isaac Levine
by Jane Zande & Jeff Smith
FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY
Friends
Paul Deleeuw and Susan Shuman (new members)
Yefim Eydelshteyn
James and Phyllis Tierney
Patrons
Nancy A. Kramer
Alan Reisner (new member)
Kelly and Shasta McLaughlin
Elijah, Zion, and Yael
DO YOU HAVE A SIMCHA TO SHARE?
A birth? A wedding? New job? Other joyous occasion?
Share your news with us!
Board of Trustees
Meeting Schedule
All CBI Members Welcome
7:00pm in Feldman Hall
Tuesday, July 19, 2016
Tuesday, August 16, 2016
Tuesday, Sept 20, 2016
Tuesday, Oct 18, 2016
Tuesday, Nov 15, 2016
Tuesday, Dec 20, 2016
Tuesday, Jan 17, 2017
Tuesday, Feb 21, 2017
Tuesday, March 21, 2017
Tuesday, April 18, 2017
Tuesday, May 16, 2017
23
July/August 2016
BABIES!!
Contact Laurie Leader at lleader@cbict.org. or
860-233-2815 ext. 2320.
Beth Israel’s Administrative Coordinator, Cheryl Goldberg, and her husband
Neal are grinning from ear to ear following the births of four
grandchildren all within the last 20 months!!
Anya Esme and Corbin Victor Hirsch were born on March 23. Their big brother
Isaiah Anton was born in October, 2014. Their parents are Jennifer & Matthew
Hirsch, Cheryl and Neal’s daughter and son-in-law.
The newest arrival is Ilana Marie Goldberg, born on June 8. Her parents are
Jessica and Evan Goldberg, Cheryl and Neal’s son and daughter-in-law.
Mazel tov Cheryl and Neal!
July 2016
SUN
3
Sivan / Tamuz 5776
MON
TUE
4
Independence
Day
Office /
Building
Closed
WED
THU
FRI
SAT
1
6:30pm
Shabbat Services in the
Silver Courtyard (weather
permitting) followed by
bring-your-own picnic
dinner
2
9:30am Torah Study Sh’lach
10:30am Tot
Shabbat
11:00am Shabbat
Service
5
11:15am SAGE
7:15pm
Brotherhood
6
7
5:30pm
Minyan
8
1:00pm Foodshare Truck
7:30pm Shabbat Services
in the Silver Courtyard
(weather permitting)
followed by Oneg
Shabbat
9
Bar Mitzvah of
Yuriy Litvin
9:30am Torah Study Korach
11:00am Shabbat
Service
10
11
5:30pm
Minyan
12
(NO SAGE)
13
14
5:30pm
Minyan
15
7:30pm Simcha Shabbat
Service the Silver Courtyard
(weather permitting)
followed by Oneg Shabbat
16
Bar Mitzvah of
Jacob Balogh
9:30am Torah Study Chukat
10:30am Tot
Shabbat
11:00am Shabbat
Service
17
18
5:30pm
Minyan
19
11:15am SAGE
7:00pm Board of
Trustees
20
21
5:30pm
Minyan
22
7:30pm Shabbat
Service the Silver Courtyard
(weather permitting)
followed by Oneg Shabbat
23
Bar Mitzvah of
Jacob Cohen
9:30am Torah Study Balak
11:00am Shabbat
Service
24
25
Soup
Kitchen
(offsite)
26
(NO SAGE)
27
28
5:30pm
Minyan
29
5:30pm Lay-led Shabbat
Service at CBI
6:00pm Shabbat
Service with FVJC-Emek
Shalom at Schultz Park,
Simsbury, followed by bring
-your-own-picnic dinner and
optional concert
30
9:30am Torah Study Pinchas
11:00am Shabbat
Service
5:30pm
Minyan
31
Please join us at Shabbat Services
in our lovely Silver Courtyard
this summer!
24
July/August 2016
August 2016
SUN
7
Tamuz / Av 5776
MON
TUE
WED
THU
FRI
SAT
1
5:30pm
Minyan
2
11:15am SAGE
7:15pm
Sisterhood
7:15pm
Brotherhood
3
4
5:30pm Minyan
5
1:00pm Foodshare
Truck
6:30pm
Shabbat Services in
the Silver Courtyard
(weather permitting)
followed by bring-your
-own picnic
dinner
6
9:30am Torah Study Matot-Masei
10:30am Tot Shabbat
11:00am
Shabbat Service at the
Hebrew Home
(no Service at CBI)
8
5:30pm
Minyan
9
(NO SAGE)
10
11
5:30pm
Minyan
12
7:30pm Shabbat
Services in the Silver
Courtyard (weather
permitting)
followed by Oneg
Shabbat
13
Erev Tisha B’Av
Bat Mitzvah of
Jennifer Ashton
9:30am Torah Study Devarim
11:00am
Shabbat Service
7:00pm Tisha B’av
Program
14
Tisha B’Av
15
5:30pm
Minyan
16
11:15am SAGE
7:00pm Board of
Trustees
17
18
5:30pm
Minyan
19
7:30pm Simcha
Shabbat Services in
the Silver Courtyard
(weather permitting)
followed by Oneg
Shabbat
20
Bar Mitzvah of
Michael Neff
9:30am Torah Study Veatchanan
10:30am Tot Shabbat
11:00am Shabbat
Service
21
22
5:30pm
Minyan
23
11:15am SAGE
24
25
5:30pm
Minyan
26
6:30pm
Shabbat Services in
the Silver Courtyard
(weather permitting)
followed by Oneg
Shabbat
27
9:30am Torah Study Eikev
11:00am
Shabbat Service
28
29
Soup
Kitchen
(offsite)
5:30pm
Minyan
30
(NO SAGE)
31
9:00am - 12:00pm
Celebrate CBI
25
July/August 2016
Cele
Celebrate CBI!
August 28
Congregation Beth Israel
701 Farmington Avenue
860-233-8215
bethisrael@cbict.org
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.
NONPROFIT ORG
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
HARTFORD, CT
PERMIT NO. 840
Our mission is to serve the lifelong spiritual and educational needs of our congregants, within a welcoming
and caring contemporary Reform Jewish Community.
Celebrate CBI!
Sunday, August 28
9am to noon
Connect and celebrate with
the CBI community!
Join us for a Shabbat Service at
Schultz Park in Simsbury, a
BYO picnic dinner and a Talcott
Mountain Music concert with the
Hartford Symphony Orchestra
Advance discount concert
tickets available on our
website through July 7:
www.cbict.org
Read more on page 9
Enjoy a morning filled with
music
friendship
an Israeli Brunch
activities & entertainment
for all ages!
Read more on page 15