November 2015 Kol Shalom - Congregation Beth Shalom
Transcription
November 2015 Kol Shalom - Congregation Beth Shalom
November 2015 Cheshvan / Kislev 5776 Photos from our September Open House taken by Donna Harlev and our Hebrew School Classes in the Sukkah taken by Ed Sobel Marla Covin Cooper PRESIDENT Edward Sobel PRESIDENT-ELECT Steven Bernhardt VP ADMINISTRATION Karolin Lipman VP MEMBERSHIP Jodie Pezzner VP PROGRAMMING Linda Sigman VP EDUCATION Peter Hazen VP FUND RAISING Barney Kantar TREASURER Jeffrey Ledger ASSISTANT TREASURER Frances Ratner SECRETARY Anita Sobel RELIGIOUS LIFE Michael Sigman YOUTH PROGRAMMING Ralph Downard PAST PRESIDENT BOARD OF DIRECTORS Brian Appelbaum Bob Berman Carol Einhorn David Fruchtman Debbie Nachlis Mara Raskin Andrew Rosen David Rosengarten Hayim Weiss ——————————1801 Baynard Boulevard Wilmington, DE 19802 302.654.4462 info@cbswilmde.org www.bethshalomwilmington.org 2 | KOL SHALOM DO YOU HAVE THAT SHABBAT FEELING ALL OVER YOU? Then join Congregation Beth Shalom on Friday, November 6 at 5:30pm for a dairy / pareve pot luck dinner followed by a family friendly Tot Shabbat Service. Children of all ages and those young at heart are welcome. Bubbes and Zaydas, this is a great way to spend Shabbat with your grandchildren!! See you on Shabbat! DO A MITZVAH…VOLUNTEER! Join your fellow congregants in an annual tradition. Volunteer at St. Francis Hospital on Friday, December 25, 2015. Two shifts available: 7:00am-10:30am AND 10:30am-2:00pm St. Francis will feed you during your shift. All child volunteers must be at least 16 years old. To volunteer for a shift, contact Ellen Meyer at 302.652.6663 or ellenmeyer19806@gmail.com. Sign up no later than December 1, 2015. The St. Francis employees who will be able to spend Christmas Day with their families because of you will be most grateful. Thank you! FROM OUR RABBI MODIM ANACHNU LACH : WE ARE GRATEFUL BEFORE YOU a lesson from the opening of the 18th Benediction of the Amidah A s Jews living mostly free of anti-Semitism, in a country where our rights have been protected by law for more than 239 years, we American Jews take a lot for granted. This month of November, or Mar Cheshvan in Hebrew, has two important dates which might refine our Jewish souls, and help us achieve a greater level of gratitude or hoda’ah which can lead to greater joy throughout the year. blackening Germany before the world could outdo the tale of burnings and beatings, of blackguardly assaults on defenseless and innocent people, which disgraced that country yesterday.” Jews had lived in Germany for almost 2,000 years before Kristallnacht. If Jews feel at home in America after the majority Is it Night or Day? (Read more at www.fernshumberchapman.com). Ms. Schumer-Chapman’s feel-good story about the courage of young people to overcome hardship, and for today’s youth to work together and create a small modern miracle, is perfect for a student audience. This program will create an opportunity for young people to ask questions about the Shoah. If weather permits, all are invited to come to the Garden of the Righteous Gentiles, in front of the Siegel JCC, for a brief service activity. Everyone will be invited to plant spring daffodils bulbs. November 9th and 10th marks the 77th Anniversary of Kristallnacht – which I Please also note that Ms. often refer to as “the Schumer Chapman will gateway to the also be presenting a Holocaust.” True the second FREE public Nuremberg Laws, Nazi lecture also on November Germany’s version of 8, from 2:00-4:00pm at Southern Jim Crow Laws, the Brandywine had already been in effect Hundred Library. for five years. But Kristallnacht was on an We will be able to also entirely different level. It express our gratitude for 1938 Interior of a Berlin synagogue after Kristallnacht, courtesy Wikipedia was a state-sponsored our freedoms – and all our pogrom against Jews other blessings, at our throughout Nazi Germany and Austria and of us arrived in the years 1881-1924, just annual 9th Ward Interfaith it was pervasive. In fact the name imagine how much MORE comfortable Thanksgiving Celebration on Tuesday, Kristallnacht comes from the shards of Jews must have felt in Germany with such November 24th, the Tuesday just before broken glass that littered the streets after a long history living in one place? Thanksgiving. We will gather across the the destruction was over. More than 1,000 Marking the anniversary of Kristallnacht street at Hanover Presbyterian Church synagogues were burned (95 in Vienna is both a call for us to be truly grateful for at 5:30pm for a fellowship vegetarian / alone) and more than 7,000 Jewish what America has given to us – as well as dairy potluck dinner. At 7:00pm, we businesses were destroyed or damaged. serve as a cautionary tale that we must will be treated to a musical celebration, Although early reports put the death toll at ever be vigilant and NEVER take our featuring synagogue and church choirs 91, scholars now believe the numbers to freedoms, or the freedoms of other from our neighborhood, as well as be much higher. Additionally, 30,000 minorities, for granted. uplifting spiritual readings from our Jews were arrested and incarcerated in sacred texts. You are welcome to bring Nazi concentration camps. For the very first time, thanks to the canned food items for the Hanover’s Food Halina Wind Preston Holocaust Education Pantry, to feed those less fortunate than Historian Martin Gilbert writes that no Committee, 6-12th grade students, ourselves. This event is always a feelevent in the history of German Jews teachers and families will be good experience, addressing the very heart between 1933 and 1945 was so widely commemorating Kristallnacht as a united of the Thanksgiving season – although for reported as it was happening, and the Jewish community on Sunday, Jews, every day is Thanksgiving. accounts from the foreign journalists November 8 from 10:30am – 12:15pm, working in Germany sent shock waves at the Siegel JCC. This FREE Rabbi Michael Beals around the world. The Times wrote at the educational and inspirational program will time: "No foreign propagandist bent upon feature Fern Schumer Chapman, author of 3 | KOL SHALOM FROM OUR PRESIDENT MILLENNIALS ARE TAKING OVER THE WORLD Board of Directors explores the impact of changing demographics to program engagement Y es that’s right, according to the Pew Research Center, in 2015, the “Millennial” generation, 18-34 year olds, will surpass the Baby Boomer generation as the nation’s largest living generation, according to the population projections released by the US Census Bureau in December, 2014. So it certainly seems wise to make sure we are doing all we can as a congregation to understand this generation and try to meet their needs. To this end, our Board of Directors at its October meeting focused discussion on an article entitled, Synagogue Engagement: Building Brides to Young Adults, an article resulting from the 2014 UJA-Federation of New York sponsored SYNERGY research project. This particular aspect of the SYNERGY project focused on 14 synagogues nationwide that received funding and were subsequently followed and reported on in this article. The study focused on adults in their 20s and 30s as it is found to generally be an underrepresented group in synagogues. The article opens with a discussion of critical changes taking place in our culture and the lifestyle patterns of these young adults in contrast to previous generations. They often delay getting married, having children and may even vacillate between living at home and with friends while exploring a variety of jobs before deciding on a career. Often times this phase lasts well into the 30s. Since established Jewish organizations, such as synagogues, have always tended to focus on families with children, it is not surprising that this group has developed different ideas and definitions of community and belonging which often don’t include traditional synagogues. In the past 10-15 years North America has been flooded with innovative organizations seeking to provide these young adults with meaningful entry points into Jewish life by focusing on their wide range of interests…social justice, the environment, arts and culture, spirituality, and more. In a 2010 study by Jack Wertheimer of the AVI CHAI Foundation, he found this group is not necessarily less interested in connecting to the Jewish community…it’s just they do so in different ways than we are used to. Many young adults find the idea of joining a single institution limiting and are hesitant to put down seemingly permanent roots at the outset. Congregations can benefit in the long run by working to understanding the needs and interests of this new generation and how they want to connect. As a Board, we acknowledged our desire to attract this age group to our congregation. What was less clear was how to do that which we discussed by trying to answer the following questions… questions that need to be answered if we want to go beyond our desire and effectively launch a program: What are our expectations? Is our congregation interested in engaging young adults despite recognizing that membership cannot be an expectation or necessarily a marker of success? What is our vision? Given that this 20s - 30s group is not homogenious…they are not all in a similar phases of life and therefore programming will appeal to some and not others…who are we most interested in attracting? Some are single and some in committed relationships, some have children and some do not…beyond Shabbat dinners what other Jewish experiences are most fitting for what cohort? What does success look like and how will we measure it? If we understand membership cannot be a goal in targeting this age group, what do we hope to accomplish and how will we know if we are successful? What is our congregation’s capacity? Can we afford to devote time and resources to a project that may not deliver an immediate financial return on investment? What leadership structure are we willing to support? The study found that the majority of successful synagogue programs for this age group were guided by committees of volunteer leaders in their 20s and 30s which operated largely independently from the Board and/or other synagogue volunteer groups. Among the Board of Directors there was definitely consensus on one thing…we must find ways to engage this age group. While connecting to a synagogue might not be the only way these young adults participate in Jewish life during their years of exploration, engaging with a synagogue can be an important and meaningful stop along the way. We hope to make CBS a part of this journey. What do you think? Email (mcooper1024@gmail.com) or text (610-348-4035) and making sure to include your name. Thank you and I look forward to continuing our “conversation” next month. ■ B’shalom, Marla Covin Cooper, President Congregation Beth Shalom CONGREGATION BETH SHALOM | 4 FROM OUR CANTOR FASCINATED BY THE JEWISH CALENDAR a look at how the calendar can shape one’s journey I have always been fascinated by the Jewish calendar. Each Rosh Chodesh, “head of the month” or new month, I try to step back, take a breath, take account of my life, where I am at on my journey, make wishes for the future month, and share blessings with those around me. Although the Gregorian year brings with it beautiful holidays and seasons, I am partial to the Hebrew calendar, because each month, our tradition teaches that we should stop and celebrate the minor holiday we call Rosh Chodesh. Even before the new month arrives, we are fixated on the night sky, observing the cycle of the moon, waiting for the very first sign of the new moon. And on the Shabbat before each Rosh Chodesh, we gather as a community and stand with our Sifrei Torah to sing a blessing for the new month, Birkat HaChodesh. In this blessing, we ask God for life, peace, joy, abundance, love of Torah, and happiness, among other things. This text reminds us of our mortality and that God is really in control of the bigger picture. At the very core of this blessing is the idea of renewing ourselves each month. We hear the root for renew, Chadesh, wdx, in the word for month, Chodesh. What does it mean to renew something? How can we renew ourselves each month? How can we renew our relationships to those around us and to God? What fascinates me the most about the Jewish year is this idea of starting over each month. It’s so easy to get caught up with work and life, and forget about the passage of time and where life is taking us. Perhaps what I find most fascinating is the special story each month brings with it. I was recently reading a midrash, a story, about Tu B’Av by Rabbi Jill Hammer, called “Dance of the Twelve Sisters,” and was captivated by her description of the twelve months of the Jewish calendar. In her words, Rabbi Hammer imagines the twelve sisters, or twelve months of the Jewish year coming together to celebrate Tu B’Av, the Jewish day of love, when women would dress in white and dance in the vineyards and find their true love. I thought I’d share her captivating words as an inspiration and to help guide our prayers as we travel from month to month. As you read Rabbi Hammer’s words, notice how each of the months of the Jewish calendar bring with them a beautiful story. What is your midrash? How can the story of each month help to guide your journey? Cantor Elisa Abrams 5 | KOL SHALOM “Dance of the Twelve Sisters” By Rabbi Jill Hammer On Tu b’Av, the twelve ancestor-sisters gather to dance. On other days it is the Maiden who leaps on the hills and runs circles in the orchards, but on this day all the sisters come to the vineyards of Shiloh to celebrate. On this day, the sisters share their joy with one another and all creatures. Adar, the Fool, is playing her pipe and leading the children all through the streets and squares, each one with an instrument or a song to share. She is reminding all those who have lost their way that it is possible to find one’s innocence again. And she is taking the children on ahead, for theirs is the future, and their running will bring us to gates and doors we do not know. Shevat the Lover, is dancing at the Heart of the Universe, and her Beloved is entwining with her as if they are the grapevines. All who see them are transfixed. In an instant, Shevat sets mystics, devotees, and poets afire with love. All who hear her voice are filled with a radiant oneness. All who see her throw away everything to follow her and watch her dance. Tevet the Seeker has come home. Maybe it is a temple in the mountains she has come to, or the gate-shrine of her own beloved city, or maybe it is the porch of her mother’s house. It does not matter where she is. She is home, and that is all she needs to know. She leaves her begging bowl and puts on the white dress the Shrinekeeper left for her. She goes in to get the embrace she has been wanting during all those long journeys. At the center of the vineyard, wild-haired women and men are dancing in ecstatic trance. Around them are the spirits of the ancestors, who love to be among the joyful living. The Prophetess and the Shamaness have switched dresses, and no one knows what is past and what is future, what is now and what is forever. Now and then someone whispers in the ear of Kislev, the Shamaness—maybe a spirit, maybe a living person, maybe a voice from the Messianic age. She puts the words into her dance. There will be time for books later. Marcheshvan, the Mourning Woman, is telling a sad story of passion and eternal love. Even though it makes everyone cry, everyone wants to hear the story over and over. Though on all other days she cannot be comforted for the suffering of the world, today her sorrow is lessened, for she knows that all the suffering on earth cannot quench love. At the height of the story, the Mourning Woman looks up and sees the one she most wants to see. Love and violence share the same world. Long ago, this festival was marred by violence toward the women dancing. So today, Tishrei the Warrior-Queen steps forward with her companions and forms a circle around the revelers. They will stand guard all night and all day, until the last straggler goes home to bed. But around midnight, for a moment, Tishrei steps into the center of the circle and performs the most beautiful sword dance ever seen. When she leaves the circle, the awed farmers begin beating their swords into plowshares. (Continued on page 17) S E C O N D F R I D AY S H A B B AT A HISTORY OF THE JEWS OF WILMINGTON GUEST DARSHANIT, TONI YOUNG FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2015, 8:00PM By Marv Cytron Y ou move to a new city, get connected to the Jewish Community and at some point you may wonder “How long have Jews lived here?” In our many moves Sue and I explored the history of the Jewish communities of Utah and Alaska, hence a bit of Jewish history of these Western and far-North states: Utah- Founded by the Church of Latter Day Saints (Mormons) in 1847, Utah became a territory in 1850 and a state in 1896. Utah is the rare place on earth where Jews are considered as “gentiles,” in this case as non-Mormons. The first Jews were trappers as early as 1826. In 1881, in Salt Lake City, Reform German Jews incorporated Congregation B’nai Israel on land loaned by Brigham Young, President of LDS. In 1890 the Orthodox Synagogue, B’rith Sholem, was founded in Ogden and today is the oldest Synagogue in the state. In 1909, three hundred Jewish farmers moved to Clarion and formed a Jewish colony. Jews have been prominent in business, the professions, education and Utah politics: Simon Bamberger-Governor 1903-1907, Louis Marcus, and Salt Lake City Mayor 1932-1935. Today nearly 6000 Jews live in Utah primarily in Salt Lake City, Ogden, and Park City. Utah has four synagogues, a vibrant JCC, and a close knit Jewish community. Alaska- Jewish trappers and traders accompanied Vitus Bering during the period of Russian rule of Alaska, 17301867. In 1868 two Jewish merchants in San Francisco formed the Alaska Commercial Company and established steamboat and commercial trading in Alaska. Jewish residency started in Haines in1884, Solomon Rapinski was a law clerk, postmaster and U.S. Commissioner to Alaska. In 1884 Robert Gottstein and his wife formed a trading business and moved later to Anchorage to form Carr’s Grocery, today the largest supermarkets in the state. The gold rush of the 1890’s brought over 200 Jews as traders and miners. Synagogues were established in Nome, Fairbanks, and Juneau. Today the Jewish population of Alaska is 6000 with synagogues in Anchorage, Fairbanks and Juneau. In Anchorage congregation Beth Sholom’s website is known as “The Frozen Chosen.” In Fairbanks, Or Ha’TzafonLight of the North is the world’s farthest north synagogue and organizes the “Farthest North Jewish Film Festival.” And, on a personal note, our son, Michael, is the first Jew born in the State of Alaska (1959). Delaware- Ever wonder about the first Jews of our First State? Join us Friday, November 13th at 8:00pm as our own Toni Young takes us on a journey of` the history of our Jewish Community. Toni is no stranger to Congregation Beth Shalom or our Jewish Community. In addition to being an accomplished author of several books on Delaware history, she has served on many community boards and numerous leadership positions. Toni will share with us highlights of her book: Becoming American, Remaining Jewish: The Story of Wilmington, Delaware's First Jewish Community, 1879-1924. Coming up in December... Coming next month, a bit of Chanukah froelich (merriment). We welcome Rabbi Michael Kramer as he discusses Jewish Humor In America! Most notably, Solomon Rabinovitch, perhaps the first Jewish-American Humorist. So! One may ask whom? The first CBS member that sends me the pen name of Mr. Rabinovitch and the comment Mark Twain was to have said about Solomon Rabinovitch will receive a copy of the recently published “Jewish Jokes.” Email only to marvcyt@gmail.com. ■ …………………………………………. Marv Cytron is a member of our Programming and Second Friday Shabbat Committees. CONGREGATION BETH SHALOM | 6 I N O U R C O N G R E G AT I O N DR. NORMAN H. ERTEL: LECTURE NAMED IN HIS HONOR By Ruth Hochheiser O n September 19th of this year, congregant Dr. Norman H. Ertel presented a paper entitled "An Update on Adrenal Diseases" at the Annual Meeting of the New Jersey Chapter of the American Association of Clinical Endocrinology (AACE), the successor to the Endocrine Society of New Jersey. To his surprise, he was informed that this lecture was the first in a planned yearly series of lectures to be named in his honor:"The Norman H. Ertel Lecture" of the NJ Chapter of AACE. Dr. Ertel has been a tenured Professor of Medicine at the Rutgers New Jersey Medical School (R-NJMS) since 1971 when he was also appointed as the first Chief of the Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism. He is currently Professor Emeritus at R-NJMS. He also served as Chief of Medicine at the VA New Jersey Healthcare System from 1971 until 2003. He is a Magna cum Laude graduate of Harvard College and an honors (AOA) graduate of the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons. He did his Medical Residency at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Steroid Biochemistry Research Fellowship at Columbia P&S and Endocrine Fellowship at the CornellNY Hospital Medical Center, where he developed the first test for urinary free cortisol- a principal test for the diagnosis of Cushing's Disease. He also developed and published methods of testing for Plasma Cortisol and Urinary Colchicine, a drug used in the treatment of gout. He is a founder and past President of Congregant, Norman Ertel both the Endocrine Society of New Jersey and the American Diabetes Association-New Jersey Affiliate. He is the author of more than 200 published papers, book chapters and abstracts and has received numerous research grants from the NIH, the Veterans Administration and other agencies. He was the Chief Editor of several Textbooks of Endocrinology and Diabetes. ■ NEW FACES… MEET THE SLOMICHS AND THE BARTKOWSKIS J osh is originally from Boston. He graduated from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and Suffolk Law School in Boston. Hope is from Upper Dublin township, just west of Philadelphia. She graduated from Lehigh University and Hahnemann School of Medicine. Her residency was in emergency medicine at Christiana Hospital. Josh is currently employed at Forex Capital Markets in New York City. Previously he was in the U.S. Air Force JAG Corps, stationed at Dover Air Force base. Hope works at Kent General hospital in The Slomich Family Dover. They met on JDate in 2002. They moved to Garnet Valley in 2007. Hope and Josh have two young sons, Benjamin, 9, and Ilan, 4. Ben is in the fourth grade at Garnet Valley Elementary, and attends Hebrew School at CBS. Ilan is in pre-K at the JCC preschool. The boys enjoy riding their bikes and their scooters. When I asked Hope and Josh if they had any hobbies they enjoyed, I thought to myself, how could they have time? But it appears that they have invented the 28 hour day!! Hope and Josh are scrabble aficionados and play regularly. Hope enjoys gardening and watching cooking shows. Josh loves to read and enjoys politics, the NFL and science fiction. The Slomichs are looking forward to participating in CBS programs and activities. When they left the Yom Kippur havdalah service, they were filled with the feeling of being "home" at CBS. We are delighted to welcome you home!!! 7 | KOL SHALOM By Ruth Hochheiser I liza was born and raised on Long Island, New York and Eric was born and raised in Bear, Delaware. Both Iliza and Eric received a Bachelors degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Delaware (Iliza in 2013 and Eric in 2011.) Iliza received her Masters in Education in the areas of Secondary Special Education and Social Studies Education from Hofstra University. Eric received his Masters of Science in Management (MSM) from Wilmington University and is currently finishing his MBA there as well. The two met in Delaware during their time at UD and upon marriage moved back to Delaware from New York. The Bartkowskis Iliza is a Special Education teacher for Harford County Public Schools in Maryland. Eric is a Credit Analyst for Sallie Mae in Newark. This accomplished young couple enjoys being with friends and family, travel, and trying new things. They began their marriage with a honeymoon adventure in Italy, touring Venice, Florence, Rome and the beautiful Amalfi Coast. Thank you, Iliza and Eric, for joining our CBS family. We know you look forward to taking advantage of what CBS has to offer, and we look forward to getting to know you! ■ SISTERHOOD MARK YOUR CALENDARS! PAID-UP MEMBERSHIP BRUNCH Featuring AWARD-WINNING STORYTELLER Peninnah Schram Sunday, November 8, 2015 10am -12pm Peninnah will be discussing her latest book, “Jewish Stories of Love and Marriage: Folktales, Legends and Letters.” January 23 February 6 February 20 March March 26 Wine & Cheese Tu B’Shevat Seder Sisterhood Shabbat Community Game Night CBS sponsoring Mishloach Manot – gift selection and assembly Hamantashen Baking Purim Dance Brunch is complimentary for all paid Sisterhood members Basic Membership: $36 Contributory Membership: $72 Guests are Welcome: $18 Checks made payable to CBS Sisterhood RSVP by November 1 to sisterhood@cbswilmde.org TRADITIONS, TRADITIONS … Have a family recipe to share? In the spirit of this year’s Family Legacy theme at CBS, if you have a favorite recipe that has been passed down in your family or a recipe that has become a favorite tradition, we would love for you to share it with us. Please let us know by e-mailing our Sisterhood at sisterhood@cbswilmde.org. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! We would love your help with any of our events. If you are interested in volunteering, please e-mail at sisterhood@ cbswilmde.org. The help you give is always greatly appreciated. ROSH CHODESH SCARF MAKING Make a silk scarf for yourself or for that special person at Hanukkah time. WHEN: TIME: WHERE: COST: Thursday, December 10th 7:00 PM CBS $40 for Members, $45 for Non-Members PLEASE RSVP BY DECEMBER 2 To reserve your spot, please send a check made payable to CBS Sisterhood to the Synagogue Office. Credit card payment is also available through the Sisterhood website. CONGREGATION BETH SHALOM | 8 M E N’S C L U B This event is open to the entire community, and not just men. Enjoy a delicious, complimentary pancake breakfast. Mimosas will be served. Guest speaker will be renowned sex therapist and author, Dr. Debra Laino. Admission is FREE for Men’s Club members. $10 for non-members. This is a NEW engaging, informative presentation. All those in attendance will be eligible for a raffle for a FREE session with Dr. Laino. G U E S S W H O ’ S C O M I N G TO S H A B B A S There’s a new program getting started at Congregation Beth Shalom and you’re already included! “Guess Who’s Coming to Shabbas,” a program that partners congregants with one another for Shabbat dinners in their own homes and our program kicked off on Friday, October 16. Dinner were held at two homes and included nine CBSfamilies. We already have 13 hosts for our upcoming November 20th date! The program, which began last year in a suburban congregation outside Philadelphia, has two goals: 1. 2. To strengthen the synagogue community To help families build meaningful memories Our hope is to grow the program exponentially, with invited guests then serving as hosts in subsequent months, leading to 100% inclusion of our members by the end of the year. So don’t be shy. Let us know if you can host! We want more of us to get to know one another outside the walls of the synagogue. The dates we have designated for the program are: November 20, January 22, February 26, and April 8. Send an email to shabbaswithcbs@gmail.com to sign up to host or let us know if you would like to attend a dinner. You can also call one of our committee members, which include Jodi Cohen, Barbara Epstein, Stacy Horowitz and Debbie Nachlis. 9 | KOL SHALOM Top left to right: Jerome Nachlis and Ivy Harlev. Bottom left to right: Alan Horowitz, Phil Epstein (host), Stacey Horowitz, Debbie Nachlis and Laura Kaplan. Not pictured: Barbara Epstein (host and photographer). THE KUTZ HOME 2015 FORGET-ME-NOT GALA The Auxiliary of the Milton & Hattie Kutz Home requests the pleasure of your company for the Forget-Me-Not Cocktail Reception on Saturday, November 7, 2015, from 7:0010:00PM at the Brantwyn Estate on Rockland Road. The Forget-Me-Not Reception is the major fundraiser for the Kutz Auxiliary’s efforts to improve the quality of life and support the activities for residents at the Kutz Home. This much anticipated event features a fabulous classical guitarist, Hanan Harchol. Mr. Harchol was the inhouse guitarist at the Tavern On the Green for fifteen years, and is currently performing for both private and corporate functions across the Tri-State area. Reservations requested for the luscious cocktail buffet and open bar. Cocktail attire. All contributions welcome, however a minimum established contribution is required to attend. For contribution levels and additional information, contact either of this year’s Gala chairpersons: Helene Weinberg at heleneweinberg@ gmail.com or Joyce Shtofman at jshtofman@potteranderson.com. 10 | KOL SHALOM I N O U R C O N G R E G AT I O N LES RACHLIN CONCERT AT THE SIEGEL JCC By Jodie Pezzner On Saturday, October 3, congregants and community members braved the projected Hurricane and attended a wonderful concert by Les Rachlin at the JCC. Les told us trivia about many singer and song writers. Did you know Elvis had a Jewish grandmother and often wore a star of David? Did you know Bob Dylan was Jewish? Members of Kiss? Jewish song writers did songs for commercials? Most singers/song writers receiving awards are Jewish? We were surprised at some of the trivia presented. Les sang a variety of folk songs and many joined him in singing. Some of the younger members of the audience danced to the tunes. All enjoyed a dessert of s'mores, cupcakes, fruit and cider and chocolate treats. Thank you to all who attended! ■ CONGREGATION BETH SHALOM’S OPEN HOUSE OFFERS SOMETHING FOR EVERYBODY By Ellen L. Weingart From familiarizing congregants with initiatives affecting people thousands of miles away to those right around the corner, Congregation Beth Shalom’s open house offered the perfect opportunity for a newcomer like me to learn about the many programs the synagogue has to offer and to become acquainted with the faces behind them. For longer-term members, it was a chance to re-familiarize themselves with Beth Shalom’s offerings and to learn about new programs. More than 75 members attended. Hebrew School Teacher Dan Metz and CBS Youth Advisor Josh Rudley Overseen by Jodie Pezzner, Vice President for Programming, and Karolin Lipman, Vice President for Membership, with input from members of the Programming and Membership Committees, the morning featured a variety of tables where attendees could pick up information and chat with the people behind the activities. The Tikkun Olam Committee, chaired by Faith Silver, connects congregants with people in the greater community who may need a helping hand. Connections include providing nutritious meals through the support of the CBS Sisterhood in preparing and serving meals at the Emanuel Dining Room and food drives for the Hanover Church Pantry. The Committee, in collaboration with other faith-based congregations, also works with homeless families that have children. Congregational volunteers and Family Promise, an organization that provides sleeping accommodations, meals, transportation, activities and most importantly, friendship, assists these families on their path to independence. Finally, they work with Warner Elementary School mentoring a student. MAZEL OF THE MONTH Congratulations to Congregation Beth Shalom congregant Nate Zahn on his recent installation as Most Worshipful Grandmaster of the Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of Delaware. Mazel Tov! Congratulations to Congregation Beth Shalom congregants Dr. Evan H. Crain and Dr. Neil G. Hockstein for being named among the “TOP DOCs” in Delaware Today’s Top Doctors issue for 2015. In the survey physicians were asked who they would most recommend to a loved one. Only three nominations were allowed for each category. Dr. Crain was selected in the Orthopedics category and Dr. Hockstein was selected in the Otolaryngology category. Mazel Tov! ■ Also this year, Peace Drums, a steel band composed of Jewish and Arab children living in the Galilee, will be visiting in April, with northern Delaware serving as host. Harvey Price, a University of Delaware music professor, began organizing a band consisting of Jewish children from Haifa and Arab children from Ibillin in 2013 with a goal of building trust among them that will lead to peace in the future. Price led a breakout session on Peace Drums that in addition to providing background on the group, included enjoyable—and inspiring— video clips of the band playing Volunteers will be needed to house the visitors. A second breakout session was held on the Traditions! Program, led by Caryl Marcus-Stape (pictured), who chairs the committee. Based on the Talmud (Avot3:1)—“Know whence you came and where you are going and to whom you have to give account in the future”— Traditions will offer a monthly program delving into how our ancestors left their homes in Europe to become part of the American and Delaware story while passing their traditions down through the generations. Newcomer or native, Traditions! Will provide a deeper understanding of the area’s Jewish history and how it influences us today. There were tables for the Book Club, Cabaret Committee, the choir and klezmer band, CBS Youth Groups, gift shop, Girl Scouts, Hebrew School, Sisterhood, “Guess Who’s Coming To Shabbas,” where congregants celebrate Shabbat in each other’s homes, Chesed, and much more. For those who sought a more hands-on experience, congregant Rachel Harad did a craft session to create a chain of good wishes for the congregation’s sukkah. If you were seeking tummy-satisfying experiences, congregant Vered Nohi demonstrated how to make palooda, a traditional Iranian break(Continued on page 17) CONGREGATION BETH SHALOM | 11 CONGREGATION BETH SHALOM | 12 B I RT H D AY S A N D A N N I V E R S A R I E S November 1 Steven Edell Roy Finkelman Constance Lipson November 10 Herman Stein Gerald Turnauer Seth Walter November 3 Samuel Caplan Susan Ebner Jack McDermott Joshua Slomich November 11 Ilene Guzik Cindy Imber Claire Kantar November 4 Bill Adelman Alaina Walter Corinne Wiley November 5 Steven Weiler November 6 Caryl Marcus Stape November 7 Donna Miller November 8 Robert Cohen Ruth Ger Stanley Ross Michael Sigman Nathan Zahn November 9 Anne Glass November 12 Nigel Caplan Rebecca Harrison Bret Morris Rachel Rodriguez November 13 Daniel Berkowitz Ethan Cooper November 14 Jacob Adelman Susan Spitzer November 15 Leslie Dukart Norman Ertel Alex Felzer Linda Saccomando November 16 Pam-Sue Schwartz Edward Sobel November 17 Bernice Tomases November 18 Peri Berman Ethel Gorenstein David Kerner Alan Levin November 19 Beverly Cloud Jason Kutz November 20 Melissa Stanley November 21 Howard Barth Hope Slomich November 23 Brent Saliman November 24 Donna Harlev Lecia McDermott Sophie Winaker November 26 Samantha Lipson Jack Markell Ruth Siegel November 27 Kim Ginsberg Berta Kerr Jill Liebling November 28 Brian Appelbaum Alan Horowitz November 29 Lori Barbanel Momilani Budner Rachel Davidson Ralph Downard, Jr. November 30 Barbara Felzer Jamie Rosengarten November 25 Suzanne Adelman Gary Gold Hali Muldoon Kelsey Muldoon Celina Riebman ANNIVERSARIES November 1 Jennifer & Mark Furman Katie & Michael Glazier November 2 Ann & Michael Dukart November 8 Jennifer & Gregg Fink November 9 Amie Baker & Robert Hronsky November 19 Rhea & Stanley Levy November 20 Osnat & Ofer David Vicki & Avrim Topel November 25 Linda & Michael Saccomando November 26 Danna & Roger Levy November 11 Karen & Michael Ballard November 12 Jennifer & Gregg Goldstein November 13 Ali Mendelson & Jeremy Winaker CONGREGATION BETH SHALOM | 13 M AY T H E I R M E M O R I E S B E A B L E S S I N G 19 Heshvan (11/1/2015) Edith Bucholtz David S. Burcat Van Wie Clyde Abraham Levinson Gerald Burr Hyman Katz Louis Pell Faye Rubin Anna Sklut 20 Heshvan (11/2/2015) Tevye Dektor Zachary Slomovitz 27 Heshvan (11/9/2015) Harriet Bleier Rose Cutler Tibor Forray Freida Kleinbard Manette Newstat Sara Smeyne 21 Heshvan (11/3/2015) Herbert Cohen Jacob Garfen Linda Goldstein Max Hochman Harriet Kaufman Fannie Knopf Dorothy Pollett Jacob Sadowsky Henrietta Schwartz Morris Sommers Louis Tobin 22 Heshvan (11/4/2015) Lillian Balick Jacob Becher Morris Perry Arthur Schuster Marilyn Spiegel Katherine Waterland 23 Heshvan (11/5/2015) Herman Greenbaum Betty Hembree Harold Levy Benjamin Markovitz Harry Ploener Bessie Schagrin Bernice Sobel Lillian Zeid 24 Heshvan (11/6/2015) Abraham Morris Gertrude Rudman Julius Turnauer 25 Heshvan (11/7/2015) Anna Levin Abraham Ploener Mollye C. Sklut 26 Heshvan (11/8/2015) Miriam April Howard Barton Sarah Ashley Burns 14 | KOL SHALOM 28 Heshvan (11/10/2015) Rose Metzker John Rosbrow James Strauss 29 Heshvan (11/11/2015) David Cytron Max Goldberg Abe Simmens Judith Strauss 30 Heshvan (11/12/2015) Nathan Edell 1 Kislev (11/13/2015) Barnet Belfint Bertha Cutler Sylvia Goldberg Clara Herman Hyman Reiver Ann Rudman 2 Kislev (11/14/2015) Ida Cohen Morris Forman Bessie Lewis Ruth Siegal Arnold Silvers 3 Kislev (11/15/2015) Sabina Kowlowitz Sara Rosbrow 4 Kislev (11/16/2015) Sima Aserkoff Anna Braunstein Samuel Jacoby Jennie Krichevsky 5 Kislev (11/17/2015) William Kaplan Anna Lehrfeld Helen Likover Alex Pollack Ida Schutzman 12 Kislev (11/24/2015) Ida Edell Mark Harris Esther Jacobs Alan Shapiro Morris Zucker 6 Kislev (11/18/2015) Herman Dolinger Samuel Drowos Ruth Finger Gordon Irving Kessler Helen Levy Ignatz Roth Bernard Schaffer Morris Seltzer Harry David Zutz 13 Kislev (11/25/2015) Morris Eisenman Rebecca Frank Lena Hirsch Rose Moskowitz 7 Kislev (11/19/2015) Irene Abramowitz Phyllis Baylson Murray Cohen Abram Ettinger Joseph Laiken 8 Kislev (11/20/2015) Morris Davidoff Emanuel Ehrenfeld Helen Feldman Ruth Leskiwec Louis Sherby Bertha Shusterman Harry Stone Harold Wexler 9 Kislev (11/21/2015) Samuel Berlin Lewis Raphaelson 10 Kislev (11/22/2015) Leo Keil Lionel Lipschultz Jerry Singer 11 Kislev (11/23/2015) Robert Ackerman Bernard G. Greenberg Melvin Himber Una Rose Eric Rotholz Esther Schwebel 14 Kislev (11/26/2015) Max Bucholtz Helen Weiner 15 Kislev (11/27/2015) Lillian Bellman Charles Ginns Daniel Lewis Alfred Mendelsohn Albert Raivy 16 Kislev (11/28/2015) Jacob Garber Halina Preston Barbara Weiner 17 Kislev (11/29/2015) Norman W. Grant 18 Kislev (11/30/2015) Rae Fink Harry Freedman Lisa Gross CONTRIBUTIONS Congregation Beth Shalom raises funds to support synagogue activities, programs and projects. To make a donation to any of our existing funds, please email or call our synagogue accountant, Marlene Greenberg, at 302.654.4462. The minimum contribution to send a tribute card is $12. To establish a new fund or learn more about contributory opportunities, please call our synagogue President, Marla Cooper. We appreciate your generosity. AL BERLIN MINYAN FUND CAPITAL CAMPAIGN Speedy Recovery: In honor of: In honor of: Noa Becker’s Bat Mitzvah Diane Wolf & Lewis Bennett Barney Kantar’s Simchat Torah Honor Diane Wolf & Lewis Bennett Anita & Ed Sobel Anita Sobel’s Simchat Torah Honor Diane Wolf & Lewis Bennett Nancy & Jay Blumberg’s Grandson’s Bar Mitzvah Ellen & Robert Meyer Shelly & Martin Mand’s Special Anniversary Adele & Stanley Ross Anita Sobel’s Simchat Torah Honor Anita & Ed Sobel Marilyn & Samuel Weiner Charles Kaufmann The Cabelli Family Dicey Sklut In memory of: Michael Berman Debra & Robert Berman Theodore W. Berman Debra & Robert Berman Bruce Cohen Debra & Robert Berman Shirley Cohen Debra & Robert Berman Jennie Dwares Ellin & Leonard Dwares Haim Solomon Sandi & Ethan Solomon BRIAN DOMBCHIK FUND Speedy Recovery: Charles Kaufmann Rhoda & Steven Dombchik Speedy Recovery: Charles Kaufmann Marilyn & Samuel Weiner Mazel Tov: Joyce & Charles Kaufmann on Gregg’s Engagement Marilyn & Samuel Weiner In memory of: Beatrice Goldstein Ann & Larry Klein Benjamin Goldstein Ann & Larry Klein CHUMASHIMPERSONAL FUND In honor of: Richard Miller Danna & Richard Levy & Family Shelly & Martin Mand’s Special Anniversary Frances & Steven Klein CAMP RAMAH FUND CONGREGATION FUND In memory of: In honor of: In appreciation of: Sydney Glazier’s Honor on Yom Kippur Katie & Michael Glazier In honor of: CANTOR’S DISCRETIONARY FUND In appreciation: Lillian Balick In honor of: Our High Holy Day Honor Anita & Ed Sobel Our High Holy Day Honor Judy Dolinger & Ed Squire In memory of: Bruce Cobin Ellen Cobin Freireich & Gordon Freireich Barbara & Bruce Parker Leatrice Weinstock Mamie Ertel Bobbi & Norman Ertel Samuel Greengold Florence Budovitch Cynthia Imber The Imber Family Isaac Lewin Alfred Kessler Sylvia Mass Phyllis & Alan Fink Lillie Rappaport The Rappaport & Fieldman Families Edna Fisher Riebman Celina & Ronald Riebman Harriet & Marvin Sachs Clara Stein Anita & Herman Stein Miriam Westrich Betty & Barry Diznoff, Jennifer Matzner, Emily Diznoff Janet Westrich Leon Wolpert Linda Seidenstat GLADYS ARIFF KITCHEN KLUB In appreciation of: Barney Kantar’s Simchat Torah Honor Celina & Ronald Riebman Anita Sobel’s Simchat Torah Honor Karen & Arthur Moss Celina & Ronald Riebman Sara Del Goldstein’s Baby Naming Kiddush Bette & George Neuman In memory of: Faye Goldstein Janet & Abe Bailis CONGREGATION BETH SHALOM | 15 HIGH HOLY DAYS HONORS LINDA GOLDSTEIN FUND In honor of: In memory of: Barney Kantar’s Simchat Torah Honor Alan Bleier Anita Sobel’s Simchat Torah Honor Alan Bleier Harry Atlas Frances Stein & Family Eric Dolinger Judy Dolinger & Ed Squire Faye Goldstein Donna & Richard Armstrong Rhoda & Steven Dombchik Elite PT Beverly & Bill Fales, Walt Fales & Amanda Shaw, Christine Wiebe Otto Ruth & Martin Hochheiser Phyllis & Doug Hopper Judith & Jeffery Lewis Violet Mansky Marlene & Larry Ornston Celina & Ronald Riebman Sharon & Jordon Rosen Judy & Leonard Seltzer Nancy Selzer Faith & Paul Silver Anita & Ed Sobel Frances Stein Judy Dolinger & Ed Squire In appreciation: Marla & Ross Cooper Frank Levy Rosalie & Peter Popper KRAFT EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION FUND In memory of: Beatrice Goldstein Ann & Larry Klein Benjamin Goldstein Ann & Larry Klein Shyer Harowitz Harriet & Jay Harowitz Paul Kessler Lilliam Kessler, Steven, Alan & Susan Paikin Joseph Vederman Elizabeth & Zach Platsis LEWIS - GREENBAUM FUND In appreciation of: Allen Friedland’s Kindness Judith & Jeffery Lewis RABBI’S DISCRETIONARY FUND In appreciation: Jim Little In honor of: Sara Del Goldstein’s Baby Naming Shelley & Larry Goldstein Bette & George Neuman In memory of: Mildred Alderson Felisha & Gary Alderson Bruce Cobin David L. Freireich & Family Faye Goldstein Felisha & Gary Alderson Roberta Marcus Felisha & Gary Alderson Harry Ross Adele & Stanley Ross RAMAH FUND In honor of: Sydney Glazier’s Honor on Yom Kippur Katie & Michael Glazier NOW IN THE ATRIUM THE TREE OF LIFE In honor of: Barney Kantar’s Simchat Torah Honors Judith & Jeffery Lewis Anita Sobel Simchat Torah Honors Judith & Jeffery Lewis LIBRARY FUND In honor of: Toni Young’s Being Honored by the American Associates, Ben-Gurion University Diane Wolf & Lewis Bennett In memory of: Doris Louick Felicia Tannenbaum & Family Tree of Life plaques are the gift for the person who has everything! Honor a loved one or commemorate a special occasion with the purchase of a plaque. A variety of giving opportunities are available, leafs: $250, acorns: $1,000 and doves: $1,800. A note of acknowledgement will be sent to the person or family for whom the gift was made. 16 | KOL SHALOM (Continued from page 5, From Our Cantor) (Continued from page 11, CBS Open House) The Shrinekeeper is treading the grapes. Elul, who watches over sacred space, has let down her red hair, and borrowed a white dress from the Lover. Her feet are stained with the juice of the season as she dances each grape into a dark red ocean. She is loving the earth, breaking its body into the ecstasy of merging. On every other day, she pours out water for the pilgrims and washes their feet, but today she is pouring out the blood of the harvest, and the deep is rising in all the worlds. the-fast drink. And the Men’s Club displayed its falafelmaking abilities while the klezmer sounds of the Chai Notes welcomed attendees. Av the Wise Woman is moving through the crowd with her staff, and all show her reverence. She is matchmaking. She knows which lover needs to meet with whom, and she also knows which person on a train platform needs to meet an old friend, and which desperate person needs to find which photograph, and also she knows to send the child a dream just before a parent must draw the last breath. She presides over all encounters in the world, over all moments when meeting is revelation. Mother Tammuz cannot hear the music. She is looking into the eyes of a single child. For her, this is the dance of the tree of life, and the finding of perfect peace. She knows that one day the infant will learn to say “Mama,” and the seed of love, love’s possibility, will be reborn. She knows this love will be betrayed, and yet it will also remain true and perfect, as real as the soil and the sea. The drums are sounding, and the dancers’ feet pound on the earth. The prophetess Sivan is pounding the drum, a drum the size of the moon. Sound comes from the place of nothingness: from the drumhead, being arises again and again. Sivan’s braid has come undone, and the fabric of things also comes undone, and that which was not possible becomes possible. Sivan is pounding the anvil of time, and making new shapes for love. Iyar the midwife is throwing pots and blowing glass vases. She is weaving baskets and she is painting wooden boxes. She is giving away these containers to everyone, crying: “Fill them! Fill them!” Iyar is slurring her words. She is drunk on the ether of the grape harvest. Creativity runs in her veins and arteries; she cannot stand because of the glorious weight of it. All the babies she has delivered pass before her eyes. She curls up on the ground and laughs herself to sleep. And the Maiden, Nisan, is dancing. She is not doing anything but dancing. She does not worry about how she looks or who she will meet or what her mother thinks. She does not know how old she is or how much she weighs or whether she is talented or what her net worth might be. With crocuses and roses in her hair, she is dancing, she is dancing in perfect presence, and no one in the world does not want to be her. In fact, everyone is her, and on this one night of the year, they know it. “ An orientation for Congregant Vered Nohi parents of Hebrew School students was also held while the children attended the opening day of school. Rabbi Michael (pictured), manning his “Ask the Rabbi” desk with a bowl of chocolate kisses close at hand, and President Marla Cooper and President-Elect Ed Sobel greeted visitors and answered questions. Attendees also received their 2015-2016 calendar and membership directory, both loaded with more information on upcoming happenings. The morning was a wonderful way to become re-energized for the New Year and an opportunity for both new and established members to feel the warmth of the strong friendship that develops as all are welcomed into the CBS family. Special thank you to our very own CBS Photographer, Donna Harlev. Please support our advertisers, as they support us. For more information about how you or your organization can advertise, email: kolshalom@cbswilmde.org. For content submissions, please send content in plain text (maximum 300 words) word document, and include captioning and credits with all photos. All submissions are due by the 10th of the month. CONGREGATION BETH SHALOM | 17 IN OUR COMMUNITY 18 | KOL SHALOM NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE PAID Wilmington, DE Permit No. 77 CONGREGATION BETH SHALOM 1801 Baynard Blvd • Wilmington, DE 19802 PHONE: (302) 654.4462 / FAX: (302) 543.7150 www.bethshalomwilmington.org ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ NEXT KOL SHALOM DEADLINE IS NOVEMBER 10, 2015 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The Kol Shalom is the monthly newsletter of Congregation Beth Shalom, an egalitarian-Conservative congregation affiliated with the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism. To submit articles, photos, and announcements, please e-mail: kolshalom@cbswilmde.org or mail them to the address noted above. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ RABBI Rabbi Michael S. Beals rabbimichael@cbswilmde.org CANTOR / EDUCATION DIRECTOR Cantor Elisa Abrams Casuto eabrams@cbswilmde.org EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Sam Nussbaum snussbaum@cbswilmde.org PRESIDENT Marla Covin Cooper president@cbswilmde.org SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT THE TRADITIONS PROGRAM SLATED FOR NOVEMBER 1 HAS BEEN POSTPONED. WATCH FOR DATES AND TIMES FOR FUTURE EVENTS. CONGREGATION BETH SHALOM | 20
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