August 2013 Av / Elul 5773

August 2013
Av / Elul 5773
The newsletter of Beth El Synagogue
Durham’s first synagogue
FROM OUR RABBI:
A Conversation with
Something Larger Than Ourselves
August 2013/ Elul 5773
I can tell you when my trip to Israel began. It did
not begin with the lunch I ate with Sibby Sager before she
graciously gave me a ride to RDU, although we had a nice
lunch and I’m grateful she gave me a ride. It did not begin
when the flight took off from RDU to Philadelphia. It did not
begin when I stepped off the plane and into the Philadelphia
airport or even when I visited the Body Shop to purchase
some gifts for my aunt Debbie and my cousin, Smadar who
live near Tel Aviv. My trip to Israel began when I was
buying some scotch for my uncle Michael in the Duty Free
shop opposite the gate of the flight to Tel Aviv. It began
when the man at the counter said, “The people who fly to
Israel have a lot of money. They always buy more than other
people.” My trip had begun. In that moment, my identity as
a Jew could not sit quietly within me, undisturbed, my own;
whether I wanted it or not, a conversation began to churn
inside me that has not ceased since the words of the clerk left
his mouth. Was he an anti-Semite? Were his words a ‫ סיסמה‬/a
sort of “code word” for saying, “All Jews are rich,” or “The
Jews have all the money”? Was his statement empirically
correct? Here I was spending a lot of money on gifts. If it
was correct, did that make it innocent? Acceptable?
“I don’t think people on the flights to Israel spend
any more money than people on flights to anywhere else,” I
told him, and left it at that, but my trip to Israel had begun.
On the flight, I welcomed teammates and staff as
they boarded. A secular Israeli man who’s lived in Tarzana
for the past 25 years heard that I was a rabbi. After I woke up
in the middle of the night, he started a conversation with me:
“So what kind of rabbi are you?” and from there continued to
pepper me with questions about the legitimacy of women
wearing tallitot and whether halakhah has changed since the
time of Moses. On a trip to Israel, whether it’s a visit to the
duty free store, or the people you meet on the plane, or what
you wear on your head, or what you do on Shabbat; they all
become a context in which one’s Jewish identity gets pushed
and pulled, stretched, shaped, formed and informed. That’s a
powerful educational experience.
A few months ago I planned to write this article
about the United Synagogue convention in Baltimore
(http://www.uscj100.org/) where I will be presenting in
October (see Barak’s article on page 3 for more). Writing
the article here in Israel reminds me of how powerful is
the experience of being part of something larger than
ourselves; whether it’s a university or a family, a country
or a denomination. What surrounds us changes us. No
person is an island. As a Conservative synagogue affiliated
with United Synagogue, our liturgy and learning are affected
by the thought and philosophy that started in the late 1800s
in Germany. We are linked to organizations that blossomed
in mid twentieth century America and struggle to renew
themselves as American Jewry remakes itself for the future.
United Synagogue entitled its Centennial convention, “The
Conversation of the Century.” Being part of conversation that
is larger than ourselves is an opportunity: to grow, to push for
change, to listen, and to return blessed by what is beyond us.
I invite you to join me in Baltimore.
--- Rabbi Daniel Greyber
Inside this issue:
Committee Contacts…………………………...….....2
Gabbaim Schedule…………………………………....2
From Our President…………………………………..3
Naches…………………………………………...…….4
High Holidays 5774……………………………….....6
Kiddush Hosts/Sponsors……………………………...7
Meet Our Bat Mitzvah……………………………….8
Youth & Talmud Torah News…….……………...9-10
Sisterhood Kitchen Initiative………..……..…….….12
May & June Contributions………..…….…........13-14
2012-2013 Annual Fund………………………….15-16
Yahrzeit Reminders…………..……............….….…17
Letter from Valhalla………...………......…….........21
August Calendar…...….……...……...…..…….…...25
September Calendar…...….……...…….…….….....26
Community Connections………………………..….27
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Bulletin Deadline
The Beth El Bulletin is the newsletter
of Beth El Congregation. We appreciate
any feedback and input. Non-members may
request to join our mailing list for a $25 yearly
contribution to help cover printing & mailing
costs. Bulletins are also archived online three
months at a time. The online version has
some contact information omitted for the
privacy of our members.
Rabbi
Rabbi Daniel Greyber
President
Barak Richman
First Vice President
Rachel Galanter
Second Vice President
Noah Pickus
Interim Exec. Director
Ivy Wingate
Education & Youth Director
Elisabeth Alber
Publicity Assistant
Krisha Miller
Rabbi Emeritus
Rabbi Steve Sager
Bulletin Advertising Manager
Gladys Siegel
YAHRZEITS: To arrange a yahrzeit minyan, please call
the synagogue office (919-682-1238) at least one
month in advance. To receive notification of a yahrzeit
or to list a yahrzeit in the bulletin, call the synagogue
office (682-1238).
DO YOU HAVE AN ITEM FOR BETH EL BULLETIN?
All items for the bulletin MUST be submitted
by e-mail to Krisha Miller at krisha@betheldurham.org.
The FINAL DEADLINE for items for the upcoming
bulletin is the 1st workday of the preceding month.
THANK YOU.
COMMITTEE CONTACTS:
Finance
Maxine Stern
Please submit items to
krisha@betheldurham.org
Do you have news to share with your
Beth El Community?
Graduation? Award received?
Birth of a child or grandchild?
Send notices to krisha@betheldurham.org
and we’ll let everyone know by posting it in the bulletin.
Gabbai Rotation
Please contact if you'd like to
request an aliyah or help lead services.
Please do not call on Shabbat or other holidays.
8/03
Reeh
Anne Derby
8/10
Shofetim
Shula Bernard
8/17
Ki Tetzei
Diane Markoff
8/24
Ki Tavo
Sally Laliberte
8/31
Nitzavim-Vayelech
Jon Wahl
9/07
Ha’azinu Shuva
Bernie Fischer
Lifelong Learning
Sheva Zucker
Membership
Andrea Ginsberg
9/19
Sukkot I
David Rubin
Orthodox Kehillah
Sheldon Hayer
9/20
Sukkot II
Frank Fischer
Ritual
Laura Lieber
9/21
Hol Hamoed Sukkot
Shula Bernard
Social Action
Debbie Goldstein
9/26
Shemini Atzeret
Sally Laliberte
Va’ad haChinuch
Eric Lipp
9/27
Simhat Torah
Roger Perilstein
Community of Caring
Rhoda Silver
9/28
Bereshit
James Tulsky
CHEVRA KADISHA (BURIAL SOCIETY)
Contact David Klapper
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September Bulletin:
Thursday, August 1
The Gabbaim schedule is also available online at:
www.betheldurham.org/rituallife/gabbirotation.html
August 2013 / Beth El Bulletin
FROM OUR PRESIDENT:
Shul at the Pool
On October 13-15, 2013, in Baltimore, MD, the United
Synagogue of Conservative Judaism (USCJ)—the association
of congregations that affiliate with the Conservative Movement—is holding its “Conversation of the Century.” It is
USCJ’s biennial conference that marks 100 years from the time
Solomon Schechter founded the Conservative Movement.
I am delighted to report that both Rabbi Greyber and
myself are each leading one of the many “conversations” at
the Centennial. The tentative schedule of events is available
at http://www.uscj100.org/program/program-schedule/. I
encourage each of you to consider attending the Centennial.
If a delegation of us registers together, we will be eligible for a
group discount.
It is a sizeable understatement to say that USCJ has
seen healthier days. The Conservative Movement is contracting,
translating into reduced revenue for USCJ, and the organization
has for many years been accused of showing directionless leadership. Current CEO, Rabbi Steve Wernick, recognizes the
depth of dissatisfaction with USCJ and, in conjunction with
other Conservative Movement leaders, developed a strategic
plan designed to transform USCJ into being more focused on
the needs of congregations. Rabbi Wernick visited Beth El last
year and presented to the Board USCJ’s strategic plan and his
implementation plan.
Still, USCJ’s plans for transformation have not
assuaged its critics. A very interesting exchange recently took
place between a prominent rabbi at a Conservative congregation
in Berkeley, CA and a USCJ Board member. I encourage each
of you to read these postings:
“Sadly, Conservative Judaism’s Lead Ship is Sinking
Fast” [http://bit.ly/leadship]
“Despite Challenges, Conservative Judaism is on the
Right Track Toward the Future” [http://bit.ly/future_track]
To be sure, this is a moment of introspection for the
Conservative Movement and, I would argue, Jews everywhere
for whom Conservative theology is attractive. I very much
would like to engage our community in this international
conversation. Many of you know that I have voiced pointed
criticisms of USCJ’s policies, dues, and expenditures, and I
confess that I am not yet convinced that USCJ’s current efforts
at transformation will bring the rejuvenation and fiscal responsibility that the Conservative Movement so sorely needs. But I
also proudly believe that Beth El’s growth, vitality, and creativity offer lessons for congregations elsewhere. Accordingly, I’d
like to have our voices heard and to insert our community gestalt
into the national conversation.
Whether we participate in the Conversation of the
Century this October in Baltimore or whether we hold our own
conversations here in Durham, I encourage each of you to reflect
on the issues now swirling within Conservative leadership and
on how Beth El can exercise leadership in the coming years.
— Barak Richman
Friday, August 16 5:30-7:30pm
Join us at the JCC for a Pre-Shabbat Potluck at the Pool
Bring a dairy potluck item for dinner
and spend a relaxing Friday afternoon/evening
at the JCC pool.
There is no cost for this event, but we do need
RSVPs by Monday, August 12,
so that the JCC can be staffed appropriately.
info@BethElDurham.org
Playground Workday
Sunday, August 18, 8am-12pm
Help the Talmud Torah & Preschool
prepare for the new school year!
Contact Elisabeth Albert, Elisabeth@BethElDurham.org
or Lorri Gudeman, BethElOnWatts@gmail.com
to volunteer!
Family Fun Day
Sunday, August 25, 11:00am-1:30pm
See page 10 for details!
An Open Invitation to a Major Jewish Event
This October in Baltimore, United Synagogue of
Conservative Judaism will celebrate its Centennial by hosting
The Conversation of the Century – an unprecedented gathering of
21st century Jews and today’s most innovative leaders, teachers,
and performers.
Both Rabbi Greyber and Beth El’s president, Barak
Richman will be speaking at this event along with along many
great teachers and thinkers from the Conservative movement and
beyond. See an up-to-date list of speakers and register at
www.uscj100.org
October 11-12, there will be a joyous Shabbaton, including
five different services, renowned prayer leaders, and learning with
outstanding scholars. At the conference October 13-15, congregational leaders can address the major issues involved in building
thriving communities: changes in Jewish identity and affiliation,
making prayer resonant, building financial sustainability, engaging
interfaith families, and more.
The program will abound with music and performance
by leading artists. You'll leave with concrete ideas and practical
strategies for creating a kehilla – a sacred community – of
meaning and purpose.
It all takes place at the Baltimore Marriott Waterfront Hotel.
Don’t wait: Take advantage of the “early bird” pricing. There are
also special discounts for students and young adults.
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Beth El Art Gallery
Please welcome our newest members:
Ric Bobroff
Elisabeth Albert
Stanley & Jeanette Kimmel
On display now through mid August
An Israeli Photo Journal
Krisha Miller is exhibiting photos from
her 2007 trip to Israel.
This will be followed by Rabbi Sager’s collection of
Israeli photographs from the early 1900s
If you are interested in exhibiting your art work at Beth El,
please contact Susan Rosefielde.
Professionals, students and hobby artists are welcome.
Healing Yoga
to Nick Renner (son of Barbara Renner and grandson of Mavis & Herb Rochen) on his marriage to
Kimberly Fair! The wedding was held on May 12,
2013 in New Hope, Pennsylvania.
to former member Eric Woodward on
receiving his Rabbinic Ordination from The Jewish
Theological Seminary's Rabbinical School at the
2013 Commencement on May 23, 2013!
to Gladys Siegel on the graduation of her granddaughter Hanna Siegel from Harvard John F.
Kennedy School of Government on May 30, 2013!
Shabbat Mishnah Study
Saturday Mornings at 8:45am in the Freedman Center
(currently suspended—resumes August 17.)
Feel free to attend at anytime! Join Rabbis Sager and
Greyber for coffee and discussions on text from the
Mishnah. People new to Mishnah study are especially
welcome.
You are invited to join
Gentle Movement, Meditation, Relaxation
10:00–11:00am in the Freedman Center
• August 10
• November 16
• September 21
• December 14
• October 12
Who Should Come?
• Anyone who is looking for healthy ways to relieve the
physical and mental stresses of illness – yours or that of a
family member
• Those who are grieving
• Those with and without yoga experience (mats/props are
available for your use)
Benefits of Healing Yoga:
• Helps the recovery process; addresses fatigue, soreness,
stiffness, anxiety, and depression; deals with balance, bone
loss, immunity, and flexibility; brings peace of mind.
For additional information about the class, contact
Margie Satinsky, RYT, 919 383-5998 or msatinsky@nc.rr.com
Participants should wear comfortable clothing.
After the class, all are welcome to join the Beth El worship
service and /or Kiddush lunch.
With generous support, Beth El has raised the funds to purchase
yoga mats, straps, foam blocks, blankets, bolsters, and eye bags.
These props help participants feel comfortable as they sit, move,
and meditate. Please join us, or if you know someone who might
benefit from healing yoga, consider coming as a buddy.
Rabbi Steve & Sabina Sager
on Saturday, August 17
as they celebrate their
40th wedding anniversary
during services
& a light kiddush lunch following.
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All are welcome.
Mahzor Lev Shalem
Dedication opportunities are still
available for our new mahzor, Lev Shalem.
Just contact info@BethElDurham.org for
information on donating & dedicating copies
for our sanctuary.
August 2013 / Beth El Bulletin
MoB at the ballgame!
Sunday, August 11, 5:00pm
Men of Beth El (MoB) is heading out to see
the Durham Bulls vs Charlotte Knights
We have 30 reserved tickets (first claimed, first served).
These tickets have been donated and we ask that attendees
give Beth El a donation of at least $10 donation per ticket.
Contact Isaac Price (isaac@isaacprice.org) to claim tickets.
Please send all donations directly to Beth El with "Bulls
game" noted in the memo line.
Egalitarian Chavurah Service
Saturday, August 31, 9:00am
We will hold a chavurah service on Shabbat NitzavimVayeilech in the Beth El Freedman Center. The service is
traditional and egalitarian, and participants are able to take
an active part in it. The chavurah uses the modern Orthodox
Koren-Sacks siddur but families sit together, and women
participate in leading the service. Pesuqei de-zimrah will
begin at 9:00; Torah service about 10:00. At the end of the
services, about 11:30, the chavurah will join the Orthodox
Kehillah for kiddush. If you'd like to lead or have an honor
or have any questions regarding this service, please contact
Malachai Hacohen
Food & Toiletry Drives
Remember: our food & toiletry drives
are ongoing year-round!
Saturday morning B'nei Mitzvah tutoring
is suspended through August 24.
Film Screening & Discussion at Members’ Home
September 11, 2013
Unetane Tokef
The story of Yom Kippur on Kibbutz Beth Hashita.
What happens to a small close-knit community when 11 of
its members are buried in one day? What forms of mourning
and meaning are available to this community, when religion
is foresworn? And when the 11 young men all died fighting
for Israel in the Yom Kippur war, how should their secular
kibbutz now relate to Yom Kippur?
Beth El is hosting a screening of this moving film
along with a discussion led by Rabbi Greyber
Wednesday, September 11th at 7:30 pm
at the home of Adam & Beth Goldstein.
There is no charge for this program, but for
planning purposes, please
RSVP to ivy@betheldurham.org by September 3rd.
Please note that the Open House
and Apples & Honey Brunch will be rescheduled
for a new date to be announced soon.
Watch for updates.
Almost everyday, people come to Beth El in need of food.
Your donations are much appreciated!
Examples of wanted items (Please remember that items
need to be non-perishable and in non-glass containers.):
Canned pastas, soups & vegetables (low sodium)
100% fruit juice pouches or juice boxes
Raisins or other dried fruit
Granola Bars
Pudding Cups
Animal/Graham Crackers
Trail Mix
Peanut butter (plastic jars)
Canned tuna, chicken or salmon
Beans, peas & lentils (canned or dry in bags)
Canned fruits (packed in 100% juice)
Rice
Oatmeal or other hot & cold cereals
Macaroni and cheese
Popcorn
"A double-mitzvah": Link your HT VIC card to our school and
earn money for the Talmud Torah while helping others in need.
VIC cards need to be re-linked each school year & can be linked
to more than one school.
Together we CAN help end hunger!
Knitting Chevra
The Beth El Knitting Chevra meets on the second
Sunday of each month from October through April in
the Beth El library from 10 to 11:30. We welcome new
members of all knitting levels. Our project for 2013-2014
will be knitting hats and scarves for people currently
homeless. These will be distributed through the Chapel Hill
Police Department. Susan Leeb suggested this project after
discovering this need through her participation last year’s
D-CH Jewish Federation’s Mitzvah Day.
In addition to our knitting project we are also
continuing our year-round clothing drive . We collect
quality used clothing for A Second Bloom, a second hand
clothing store owned and operated by the Family Violence
and Rape Crisis Center which is based in Chatham County
but serves people through-out the Triangle. We accept
clothing of all sizes for men, women, babies and teens.
Many thanks to Pearl Levine for her large yarn
donation to our group!
For further information, to get a hat pattern and to
donate clothing contact Hunter Levinsohn
5
Eazkz daFh dpWl
Yamim Nora’im / High Holidays 5774
Unless otherwise noted, services will begin at the same time
in the Main Sanctuary & the Orthodox Kehillah
S’lihot Saturday, 8/31
Havdalah: 8:30pm
Shiur/Study with Shalom Goldman: 9:00pm
Services: 10:00pm
Erev Rosh HaShannah Wednesday, 9/4
Babysitting starts at 6:45pm (pre-registration required)
Evening Service: 7:00pm
Rosh HaShannah Thursday, 9/5
Morning Service: 8:30 am
Tashlich: 4:30pm in Chapel Hill / 5:30 in Durham
Afternoon/Evening Service: Main Sanctuary, 7:30pm
Orthodox Kehillah, TBD
Rosh HaShannah II Friday, 9/6
Morning Service: 8:30 am
Shabbat Shuva Saturday, 9/7
Morning Services in the Orthodox Kehillah: 9:00am
Morning Services in the Main Sanctuary: 9:15am
Rabbi Greyber will lead a study/community conversation
on the topic of tefillah/prayer
between the Torah Service and Musaf in the main sanctuary.
Cemetery Visitation Sunday, 9/8
Durham Hebrew Cemetery: 9:00am - 11:00pm
Erev Yom Kippur Friday, 9/13
Pre-fast dinner 5:15-6:15pm (advance reg. & payment required)
Babysitting starts at 6:15pm (pre-reg. required)
Kol Nidre: 6:30pm
Yom Kippur Saturday, 9/14
Morning Service: 8:30am / Yizkor: 11:30am (approx.)
Afternoon Study: 4:15pm
Mincha: 5:15pm / Ne’ilah: 6:45pm
Children's Services for Rosh HaShannah and Yom Kippur
Jr. Congregation (3rd—6th grade) will be held in the Freedman Center 10:30 am — 12:00 pm
Jr. Jr. (Pre-K—2nd grades) and Tot (< 4) will be held in the main building classrooms #6 & #7 10:30-11:15 am
(Babysitting for ages 2-7 following children's services both days of Rosh HaShannah & Yom Kippur—advance reg. required.)
Details regarding S’lichot Program, Babysitting Registration, Tashlich Services, Pre-Fast Dinner,
and other holiday resources: www.betheldurham.org/calendar/highholidays5774.html
Pre-Fast Community Dinner
Open to both members & non-members of Beth El
With Erev Yom Kippur falling on a weeknight,
why have a rushed dinner at home?
Beat the parking crowd, save yourself the work, and enjoy a
relaxed dinner just steps away from Kol Nidre services.
Friday, September 13
5:15 pm - 6:15 pm in the Freedman Center
COST: $28 per adult / $10 per child (ages 10 & under)
Maximum attendance is 120. You must RSVP and pay for the
dinner by Tuesday, September 10th to be guaranteed a space
and to allow time to prepare enough kosher brisket. We can not
offer refunds for cancellations made after September 10.
Meat & Fish Entrees: Slow-cooked Brisket and Baked Salmon
with Raspberry Chambord sauce
*Vegetarian Entree: Asian Lettuce Boats (red quinoa, edamame,
tofu, bean sprouts, ginger), Portabello Mushroom Frittata
*Children’s Entree: Pasta, fish sticks, kernel corn
All meals are served with: hearts of romaine tossed salad,
yellow rice primavera, red pepper stuffed with roasted
vegetables, sodas, iced teas and water, parve sorbet bar with fresh
strawberries
Please indicate if you have food allergies so that we can
accommodate these needs as possible.
*Vegetarian & Children’s entrees will be prepared only if
pre-ordered. Please provide us with the name of the person
ordering this option so that we can guarantee availability.
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Community Card
THE MOST USEFUL
NEW YEAR GREETING YOU CAN SEND
Happy New Year! Soon, we’ll all be saying it.
Save yourself the effort of buying cards, envelopes and
stamps and support your synagogue at the same time.
It's easy, thanks to the efforts of the
Synagogue Life Committee.
Calculate what you would spend, plus the time you’re
saving, and send a donation for that amount to Beth El
(make sure to note that it is for the Community Card &
how you’d like your family’s name to appear.)
Your name will be included on the poster-sized Community
Shana Tova Card. The card, with artwork by young artist
Rachel Evenson, will be prominently displayed in the
synagogue lobby beginning August 15.
We’ll continue to accept donations and add names to the
greeting card throughout the Fall Holidays. All donations
will be directed to the Beth El General Fund.
For more information, please contact Mardi Zeiger
August 2013 / Beth El Bulletin
Shabbat & Weekday Holiday Kiddush Hosts and Sponsors
August 17 Kiddush hosted by Rabbi Steve & Sabina Sager in
honor of their 40th wedding anniversary
August 24 Kiddush hosted by Jeff & Lynne Koweek in honor of
their daughter, Rebecca, becoming a Bat Mitzvah
August 31 Kiddush hosted by
Phil & Leigh Zaleon, Edward & Sharon Lunk, and Harry &
Helen Rosenberg in honor of the Aufruf of Daniel Lunk and
Jessie Zaleon
Errol & Mardi Zeiger in honor of their 50th wedding
anniversary
September 7 Shabbat Shuva Kiddush sponsored by:
Michael & Meytal Cohen-Wolkowiez
David Dreifus & Jennifer Sosensky
Harold Kohn
Arthur & Judith Marks
Jon & Sean Meltzer
Herb & Mavis Rochen
September 19 & 20 Sukkot I & II Kiddush hosted by:
Alison Aucoin
Rachel Galanter
Josh Granek & Daphne Friedman
Hinda Lind
Lynnette Samuel
Aviva Starr & Sherry Samuels
September 21 Sukkot III (C'HM) Kiddush hosted by:
Jim & Sandy Fangmeier
Melanie Mintzer
Edy August Parker
Robert & Merle Schwartz
Margaret Sachs
Scott Snyder & Rachelle Bienstock
High Holiday Liturgy
with Dr. Eric M. Meyers, Cantor
In this 2 hour DVD, Beth El member, Eric Meyers
presents and explains highlights of the various
Rosh HaShannah and Yom Kippur services.
Available through the Sisterhood Giftshop for $18.
September 25 Sukkot VII/Hoshanah Raba Kiddush hosted by:
Nathalie Goodrich
Hillel & Charlotte Koren
September 26 Shmini Atzeret Kiddush hosted by:
Donald & Sheila Goldstein
Thomas & Annette Kronmiller
Rhoda Ann Silver
September 26 Erev Simchat Torah Kiddush sponsored by:
Esther Lederman
Edward & Florence Goldblatt
Norman Veis & Laura Meglin
Edward & Sharon Halperin
Peter & Nancy Perault
Harold & Susan Kudler
September 27 Simchat Torah Kiddush sponsored by:
Stuart & Ann Kaplan
Stanley & Diana Levy
Simon & Barbara Shane
Michael & Evelyn Reed
Jerry & Valerie Schreiber
September 28 Kiddush hosted in honor of
Rabbi Fischer’s birthday by:
Frank & Pat Fischer
Jay & Hunter Levinsohn
Roger Perilstein & Kathy Bartelmay
David Reed & Diane Markoff
Steven & Sabina Sager
Lulav & Etrog sets for Sukkot
If you would like to purchase a Lulav & Etrog
for Sukkot, please contact the office at 919-6821238 or info@BethElDurham.org. Orders will be
accepted until noon on Tuesday, September 3.
The price per set is $45.
Sukkot Celebration
Sunday, September 22
12:30pm
Sisterhood Gift Shop
Check out summer clearance items and all our new
merchandise: yadayim, mezzuzot, jewelry, tallitot,
candles, & more! Open during office hours,
select special events, & by appointment.
If you are interested in shopping outside of office hours,
in helping staff the Gift Shop or with shop related projects,
please contact GiftShop@betheldurham.org.
Join us for a celebration in the Beth El sukkah
featuring live Klezmer music performed by our very own
Watts Street Band!
Dinner honoring our Chevra Kadisha
Wednesday, September 25
An annual dinner is a longstanding tradition of Chevrot
Kadisha all around the world. Beth El’s Chevra Kadisha is
acknowledged to be the oldest, organized Jewish society in
the Durham/Chapel Hill area. We honor this special Chevra
each year on Erev Shemini Atzeret. Watch for details.
7
Meet our Bat Mitzvah
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August 2323-24, 2013
HI! My name is Rebecca Koweek, and I will be turning 13 on August 14th, 2013. My Bat Mitzvah is on August 23 and 24 of
2013. I attend Triangle Day School in Durham and I will be entering 8th grade. I play tennis as a school sport and with my
family on the weekends. My main interest is jump roping. I am a member of the Bouncing Bulldogs, an international jump
rope team in Chapel Hill. With the team, I have competed at the Apollo Theater in New York City, Washington, DC and
Florida against other teams from around the world. I have also performed in several places in North Carolina such as the
men’s and women’s ACC basketball tournaments and at the Special Olympics. While I have never been out of the country,
I hope to visit Israel and other countries one day. I love spending time with my family and friends and enjoy meeting and
talking with new people.
Beth El – Durham/Chapel Hill
Israel Community Experience
February 16-26, 2014
Led by Rabbi Daniel Greyber
Beth El and the Israel Center of the Durham-Chapel Hill Jewish Federation are sponsoring an Israel mission in February,
2014. We invite everyone to join our Living and Learning Community, led by Rabbi Daniel Greyber. Upon arrival, we
travel to the Negev and our base at the Ramon Inn & Spa at the edge of the Ramon Crater (Israel’s Grand Canyon). We
explore Israeli agriculture, renewable technology, a contemporary approach to Succah living, and an open-air Bedouin
market; perform mitzvot in innovative ways; challenge ourselves physically and spiritually; explore culinary passions; and
learn about modern approaches to dessert pioneering. Then, we head north to Jerusalem and Tel Aviv to engage multiple
perspectives of Israeli learning and living, studying ancient and modern social issues with leading rabbis and diverse
scholars. This trip is perfect for those returning to Israel for a new perspective or for adults looking for a first experience
in a supportive group. We will create new friendships and deepen our relationships with Israel.
For more information, to see the itinerary, and fill out an application, please see:
http://www.betheldurham.org/docs/beth-el_israel_feb14.pdf. (brochures are also available in the synagogue lobby.)
For any questions, contact Adam and Beth Goldstein at aog@med.unc.edu or 919-929-2086.
8
August 2013 / Beth El Bulletin
Talmud Torah
FROM OUR EDUCATION & YOUTH DIRECTOR
Shalom Chaverim!
Ma Tovu—How good is it that:
While you are all still in the midst of summer vacation, we’ve
been busy busy busy over at the Freedman Center preparing
for the upcoming year. I arrived in Durham in mid-June and
immediately headed over to Beth El to start settling in.
...our community is blessed with a devoted and
passionate Rabbi
The year will be one of many new beginnings as we welcome
several new members to our teaching faculty in addition to
many veterans. I am thrilled to be a part of Beth El
Synagogue and to spend the year learning, playing and
experiencing Judaism together.
I often get asked what I do over the summer. Many people
assume that summer is a quiet time for educators since
students are all on vacation. Well, I can tell you that it is quite
the opposite. Summer is for cleaning, organizing, planning,
hiring teachers, updating curriculum, creating the calendar,
ordering supplies, making lists and doing a million little things
to make sure that when our students arrive on the first day of
school, we will be ready to hand them the key to an amazing
year!
Many years ago, I was blessed with the opportunity to
participate in USCJ’s New Directors’ Institute—a weeklong
leadership seminar designed specifically to energize, engage
and educate people in positions just like mine here at Beth El.
I learned and collaborated with rabbis, teachers, mentors and
colleagues from all over the country. We spent a great deal of
time discussing how there is no need to “reinvent the wheel”
but sometimes a new coat of paint can help us see the wheel’s
true potential.
Rabbi Stuart Seltzer teaches us that we can use the prayer,
“Ma Tovu” to frame our year at Beth El. This is one of the
first prayers we recite in the morning as part of the Shacharit
service. This prayer sets the tone for an individual and helps
them see each day through a positive and optimistic lens. Ma
Tovu is a prayer about inspiration and graciousness,
appreciation and awe, and should aid all of us in transforming
life’s challenges into blessings.
...our Talmud Torah runs smoothly with the guidance and
support from a dedicated Va’ad HaChinuch
...we will have a mix of new and returning teachers who
will learn together and use each other as resources as they
plan and implement creative, interactive, unique lessons
over the year.
...we have a resource room overflowing with books,
videos, and other materials our teachers can use to
engage our students.
...we have tons of wall space to display student work
throughout the year!
...our community supports the education and growth of
our children from day one, eagerly awaiting the day when
they stand on the bimah as a Jewish adult.
Ma Tovu—How good it truly is to be at the Beth El
Talmud Torah.!
B’Shalom,
Elisabeth Albert
Don’t forget to turn
in Talmud Torah
Registration Forms!
Due by July 31st
for early-bird special!
1st da
y
Sunda of Talmud
y, Sep
T
temb orah is
er 8th
!!!
9
High Holiday Children’s Programs!
FaMIlY
fUn daY
WHEN:
WHERE:
TIME:
WHAT:
Sunday August 25, 2013
Beth El Synagogue
11:00 AM—1:30 PM
Fun activities including a
waterslide!
Lunch will be provided.
Please let us know
if you have any food allergies/restrictions.
Everyone always jokes that the holidays are either “early”
or “late” (are they ever “on time?”) I think we can all agree
that this year they are most definitely EARLY! Register
your children now for children’s services* and babysitting
by filling out this simple online form: http://tinyurl.com/
k542ruo (*even if your children will not be attending babysitting, we ask that you please use this form to let us know
they’ll be attending services.)
Thursday, September 5th
Friday, September 6th
Saturday, September 14th
Junior Congregation (3rd-6th grade):
Enjoy fun interactive services, which include games,
drama, and discussion. Pre-registration requested.
Alef Bet / Jr. Jr. Congregation (PreK-2nd grade):
Join us for singing and dancing activities in our Alef Bet
High Holiday service, followed by participation in special
afternoon activities. Pre-registration requested.
Tot Tefillah (ages 2-4):
A special “service” for Beth El’s youngest members and
their parents. Tot Tefillah will include singing, stories, and
more! Pre-registration requested.
Free for everyone - bring your friends!
Please RSVP to Elisabeth by August 19
elisabeth@betheldurham.org
Remember to wear your swimsuit!
Come meet our new Education and Youth Director,
Elisabeth Albert!
Swing by the lower level of the Freedman
Center Tuesdays-Fridays during the summer and
say hi! I love visitors! Or feel free to drop me a
note…
Phone: 919-682-1238 x170
Email: Elisabeth@betheldurham.org
Facebook: Elisabeth Albert Beth El
10
Ages 0-1:
Enjoy our “parenting lounge” - a quiet room set aside for
parents & babies to relax during the service.
**Babysitting (ages 2-7):
Activities/childcare available following Alef Bet and Tot
Tefillah services on both days of Rosh Hashanah and
Yom Kippur. Additionally, babysitting is available on Erev
Rosh Hashanah, Erev Yom Kippur and during Ne’ilah.
**Registration
is required to attend babysitting and
requested for all children’s services. Please complete the online
form (http://tinyurl.com/k542ruo) & send payment to Beth El
(attn: babysitting,1004 Watts Street, Durham, NC 27701.)
YOUTH GROUPS!
Calling all kids! Get ready for a year full of fun activities!
Each of our 4 youth groups (USY, Kadima, Pre-Kadima,
and Alef Bet) will have special events each month.
Stay tuned for specific dates and news from our new Youth
Advisor. **Teens interested in planning USY and Kadima
events and parents willing to help chaperone should be in
touch with Elisabeth.
August 2013 / Beth El Bulletin
Watch for updates on these programs
& more through-out the year!
www.betheldurham.org/calendar/index.html
What’s Not To Like?
October 6, 3:00pm
A Yiddish Songfest to Benefit Urban Ministries of Durham.
Info: 919-682-7468 or yiddishsongfest@aol.com
Sisterhood Welcome Brunch
October 13, 2013
Beach Shabbaton
December 20-22, 2013
(early arrival option available for Thursday night, 12/19/13)
The annual Beach Shabbaton near Emerald Isle, NC, provides
a unique community building experience while we immerse
ourselves in Shabbat without the distractions of our busy
day-to-day lives. It is a wonderful way to visit with friends,
old and new. There are many opportunities to daven, learn
and socialize.
Chanukkah Bazaar & Klezmer Concert
November 17, 2013
Sisterhood invites you to shop for Chanukah candles, gelt,
books, presents and more while helping support our
Talmud Torah. Once again this year Beth El’s very own
Watts Street Band will perform klezmer music!
Synaplex Shabbat
November 23, 2013,
February 8, 2014 & April 12, 2014
Come to "Synaplex Shabbat" at Beth El and find Jewish
experiences that speak to your heart. In addition to our weekly
Mishnah study led by Rabbi Emeritus Steve Sager, our engaging
and participatory egalitarian and traditional Shabbat morning
services and our children's programming for kids of all ages,
Synaplex Shabbat offers options such as a yoga experience based
on the morning prayers, an in-depth Torah discussion with a local
scholar, creative services with more gender sensitive language, a
learner's minyan, a tefillah hike, meditation, storytelling and more.
Our community then comes together for a Dvar Torah by Rabbi
Greyber followed by a communal lunch where all are welcome.
If you're interested in helping us with this exciting initiative,
contact Rabbi Greyber at rabbigreyber@betheldurham.org.
Synaplex Shabbat is an inclusive program. In an effort to ensure
that everyone can participate successfully, buddies will be available
through the Federation's BRIDGES program to help anyone with
special needs. Please contact the office in advance if your family
would like to be partnered with a "buddy".
Shabbat 25
Our Shabbat 25 programming gives the community a chance to
connect with Beth El from Friday evening through Havdalah on
Saturday night. We begin with Shabbat Shirah - a joyous Friday
night service led by Rabbi Greyber using the melodies of the late
Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach plus a separate service for our youngest
members & their families (both services begin at 6:00pm).
These services are followed by a community Shabbat dinner.
Our celebration continues on Saturday with Shabbat Morning
Services, including Jr. Congregation (designed for grades 2-6,
however, all ages are welcome). Saturday services are followed
by a kiddush lunch. During the winter months, as Shabbat
wanes, we return in the evening to study with Rabbi Greyber,
enjoy a seudah sh'lishit, singing, and havdalah together. When
Havdalah comes much later, our studies are moved to earlier in
the afternoon. Shabbat 25 represents two important values:
Welcoming and Tradition. By creating many moments throughout Shabbat to come to Beth El, we hope to welcome everyone
giving as many people as possible a chance to participate in our
community.
2013-2014 Schedule:
November 8-9, 2013 with Scholar-in-Residence
Dr. Walter Herzberg
December 6-7, 2013
January 24-25, 2014
March 7-8,2014
April 4-5, 2014
11
Sisterhood Kitchen Initiative: August Update
The fundraiser that Sisterhood launched in early 2013 to invest in new supplies, storage and
organization for our kitchen has gone very well. As of time of press, over $2,500 has been raised.
Congregants have recommended specific purchases to facilitate our comfort, safety, and ease of
cooking, baking, and cleaning. Donors have honored special events and loved ones. We are grateful
for everyone’s input and support.
Since our bulletin report last spring, we have purchased more utensils and service ware. There are new
knife sets for meat, dairy, and pareve. There is a new toaster to toast bagels at morning minyanim and
other weekday gatherings. We received a gift of high quality rolling pins and new cookie cutters are
coming soon.
Apart from the Sisterhood initiative per se, but equally important to the kitchen were several recent
activities. First of all, a dedicated team of volunteers -- Meg Anderson, Jennifer Greyber, Ilana Saraf,
and Michelle Shrott -- tackled kitchen storage and cleaning. Their organization of the dairy closet is
very much appreciated. If you haven’t stepped in to admire their work there, you should!
Next, Beth El contracted its janitorial service to perform a long overdue deep cleaning. It was a big job
and required a large crew an entire day. We expect this will need to be repeated several times a year to
maintain the condition.
Finally, Abby Zarkin led a discussion group to discuss priorities for our kitchen. Several key themes
emerged: the need to hire a part time kitchen manager, making the kitchen more earth friendly, proper
cleaning, better appliances, documentation of rules and procedures, and meeting commercial kitchen
standards. Stay tuned for more news on these fronts from our synagogue leadership.
Beth El Sisterhood Kitchen Initiative Pledge Form
Stocking and maintaining the kitchen is critical for weekly Kiddushim as well as other religious and
social functions held at Beth El. Please help improve the kitchen by making a financial contribution to
Sisterhood. The funds we collect will purchase professional quality knives, bowls, utensils, service
ware, shelving, signage, minor servicing of equipment, and more.
This fundraiser will last through the year 5773, but we hope pledges can be filled soon to facilitate our
early purchase of important kitchen items. Please make checks payable to Beth El Sisterhood
and write “Kitchen Initiative” in the memo section. Thank you.
Yes, I want to support kitchen improvements and can pledge…
__________________________
Your Name
$54 ________
$72 ________
$90 ________
$180 _______
Other amount $________
____________________
________________
E-mail
Telephone
___________________________________________________________________________________
Address (if not in Beth El Directory)
I am interested in volunteering in the kitchen to implement improvements.
12
____
August 2013 / Beth El Bulletin
May & June Contributions
Beth El Congregation gratefully acknowledges all contributions. Please send donations & dedications to Sandy Berman, our
corresponding secretary, at the Beth El address. Donations may be made via check, cash, stock transfer, or Paypal. A full
list of funds, donation forms & the direct Paypal link are available on our website’s development page & through the office.
When making a donation to the Rabbi's Discretionary Fund, please write a separate check payable directly to that fund.
2012-2013 Annual Fund
donations/dedications are listed on pages 15 & 16.
Building and Maintenance Fund
Sheila and Sol Levine in memory of Reba Levine
Donald and Sheila Goldstein in memory of Annette
Kronmiller's mother
Donald and Sheila Goldstein in memory of Harlan Gradin's
father
Donald and Sheila Goldstein in Donald Goldstein's father,
Abe Goldstein
Donald and Sheila Goldstein with refuah shleymah for
Corey Gradin
Cemetery Fund
Rachel Bienstock and Scott Snyder in memory of Annette
Kronmiller's mother
Rachel Bienstock and Scott Snyder in memory of Rebecca
Rhode's brother
Chevra Kadisha
Phyllis Dworsky in memory of Harlan Gradin's father.
Earl and Gladys Siegel Endowment Fund
Gladys Siegel in honor of Carol Haynes
Gladys Siegel in honor of Susan and Jonathan Breitzer's
15th wedding anniversary
Gladys Siegel in memory of Annette Kronmiller's beloved
mother Marilyn Lubar
Gladys Siegel in memory of Bernie Most's brother
Gladys Siegel in honor of Mike and Jacki Resnick's 50th
wedding anniversary
Carrie and Daniel Goldman in honor of Dr. Arthur
Axelbank performing the Bris on our son Max Goldman
Alan and Maxine Stern in memory of Theodore Gradin,
Harlan Gradin's father
Alan and Maxine Stern in memory of Marilyn Lubar,
Annette Kronmiller's mother
Education and Youth Director's Fund
Jared and Jennifer Resnick in honor of Elisabeth Albert
Rachel Bienstock and Scott Snyder in honor of Julia B.
Snyder's graduation from East Chapel Hill High School
Eric Pas Jewish Camp Scholarship Fund
Sharon Joffe in honor of Michele Pas
Phyllis Dworsky in honor of the Evans award for
outstanding service to the Jewish community
Phyllis Dworsky in honor of Robbie Schultz being
presented the Most Outstanding Service Award from the
NC College Foundation
Phyllis Dworsky with get well wishes for Corey Gradin
Michele Pas, Barry Poss and family in honor of Sydney
Kirsch's Bat Mitzvah
Michele Pas, Barry Poss and family in honor of Susan and
David Kirsch at Sydney's Bat Mitzvah
Michele Pas, Barry Poss and family in honor of Jean and
Mark Kirsch at Sydney's Bat Mitzvah
Michele Pas and Barry Poss in honor of Laura Pas
receiving her PhD in Clinical Psychology
Michele Pas, Barry Poss and family in honor of Ashley
Jowell graduating from DA as salutatorian and being
accepted to attend Stanford.
Michele Pas, Barry Poss and family in honor of Amanda
Jowell graduating from DA as student body president and
being accepted to attend Harvard
Michele Pas, Barry Poss and family in honor of Chris
McKenna receiving his Ph.D in English at UNC
Michele Pas and Barry Poss in honor of Greg & Michelle
Tayrose and their new baby girl
Michele Pas and Barry Poss in honor of Sue and David
Klapper's new grandson
Michele Pas in honor of the engagement of Michaela
Davidai's daughter Na'ama
General Fund
Sheila and Sol Levine in memory of Harlan Gradin's
father, Theodore
Jonathan and Susan Breitzer in honor of Randi Smith for
that wonderful cake at their anniversary kiddush
Carol and Jimmie Haynes in honor of the marriage of
Seth Grossman and Lauren Aboulafia
David & Carrie Goldman in celebration of the birth of our
son, Maxwell Fitzgerald
Lifelong Learning Fund
Deborah and Erwin Kahn in memory of Annette
Kronmiller's mother
(Continued on page 14)
13
(continued from page 13)
Mitzvah Fund
Scott and Randi Smith in memory of Harlan Gradin's
father, Theodore Ira Gradin
Orthodox Kehillah
George and Sue Fishman in memory of Gertrude
Popovsky, George's mother
David Gorelick and Naomi Feldman in honor of David's
aliyah on June 1
Rabbi's Discretionary Fund
David and Susan Kirsch in appreciation of Rabbi Greyber
Margie Satinsky in honor of the marriage of Seth
Grossman and Lauren Aboulafia
Issac and Lois Price
Sharon and Neil Freedman for officiating and Tom and
Rebecca's wedding
Anonymous
Kenneth & Meryl Grant in appreciation of Rabbi Greyber's
hospitality to their son, Mitchell
Brian & Meredith Risk in appreciation of Rabbi Greyber
officiating at the Brit Milah of their son, Maxwell
David & Carrie Goldman in appreciation of Rabbi Greyber
officiating at the Brit Milah of their son, Max
Martin & Barbara Poleski in memory of their mother and
mother in law, Teresa Poleski
Beth El Funds
Judaism mandates us to give tzedekah. It is our tradition
to honor special occasions and the memory of loved ones on
the occasion of death and on the anniversary of a death.
As you can read in the Beth El bulletin, many people
continue that tradition by giving to the various special Beth
El Funds. Most of those funds have been around for years,
and some people don’t know their original purposes. The
Beth El website contains descriptions of some of them and
others — like Lifelong Learning or the Orthodox Kehillah —
are self-explanatory. Some funds were created to honor an
individual by supporting something important to their lives,
like the Gibby Katz Religious School Scholarship Fund.
These funds support worthwhile activities at Beth El and
we rely on them. However, many have been depleted over
time. During the coming year, we will run a series of articles
about the various funds, many written by those who helped
start them or who remember the honorees. As you read these
articles please consider directing donations to these worthy
causes to honor those who we’ve loved, but not forgotten.
Let’s make sure through the programs supported by our
special funds that Beth El remains a “heart of many rooms.”
Sam and Jeannette Fink Programming Fund
Jonathan and Susan Breitzer in appreciation of the healing
yoga classes
“Tzedaka is equal in importance to all other commandments combined” — Talmud
I am pleased to make a contribution to Beth El Synagogue
My name
Address
City/State/Zip
In Memory of
In Honor of
phone
Please send acknowledgement to:
Name
Address
City/State/Zip
Your gift is tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.
Speedy Recovery
Best Wishes
Happy Birthday
Happy Anniversary
Mail To: Sandy Berman, Corresponding Secretary 1004 Watts Street
Please apply my contribution to:
_____ Building Maintenance Fund
_____ Cemetery Fund
_____ Chevra Kadisha (burial society)
_____ Education & Youth Director's
Discretionary Fund
_____ Sam & Jeannette Fink Programming Fund
14
Bar/Bat Mitzvah
Other
Durham NC 27701
_____ General Fund
_____ Gilbert Katz Scholarship Fund
_____ Landscape Fund
_____ Sandra Lazarus Youth Activity Fund
_____ Library Fund
_____ LifeLong Learning Fund
_____ Mitzvah Fund
_____ Orthodox Kehilla
_____ Eric Pas Jewish Camp Scholarship Fund
_____ Elaine Perilstein Memorial Fund
_____ Prayer Book Fund
_____ Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund (please write a
separate check for this fund)
_____ Earl and Gladys Siegel Endowment Fund
_____ Synagogue Art Fund
August 2013 / Beth El Bulletin
2012-2013 Annual Fund
Thank you to everyone who contributed to this year's record-breaking campaign!
$112,176.80 (102 % of financial goal) from 197 families (60% of participation goal)
Paul & Liz Gilson Aaron
Joel & Adele Abramowitz
Anonymous (x3) in honor of the Gutman's anniversary
and in memory of a beloved mother
Ya'akov & Rachel Ariel
Arthur Axelbank & Susi Lieff
Steven Bachenheimer
Robyn & Stephen Bagg
Ed Balleisen & Karin Shapiro
Harold Baranger & Meg Anderson
Nathan & Rachel Bearman
Sheldon Becker & Rita Lichtman
Fred Behrends in honor of the birth of Phyllis Dworsky’s
first great grandchild
Lisa Berley in honor of Dorothy Rutherford, beloved
friend
Sandy Berman
Stephen & Shula Bernard
Shelah Bloom
Jacob & Ruth Blum
Howard Bomze & Laura Quigley
Jonathan & Susan Breitzer
David Bronstein & Carla Fenson
Steve & Sally Brown
Eric Cohen & Sandra Kronick
Harvey & Sandra Cohen
Richard Cramer & Jane Gabin
Michaela Davidai in memory of Mollie Fridovich
Ian & Naomi Ornstein Davis
Jeff & Anne Derby
David Dreifus & Jennifer Sosensky
Phyllis Dworsky
Ruth Dzau
Stuart & Karen Factor
Jim & Sandy Fangmeier
Paul & Anita Farel
Members of the Finance Committee in honor of Carol
Haynes's 11 years of service as Financial Secretary
Bernard & Shari Fischer
Rabbi Frank & Pat Fischer
Joel Fleishman
Laura Flicker
Michael Frank
Kurt Franzen & Miriam Cohen Franzen in honor of
Jim & Sandy Fangmeier's grandson
Neil & Sharon Freedman
Rachel Galanter
Sue Gidwitz & Gail Freeman
Kevin & Andrea Ginsberg
Ronald & Pilar Goldberg
Susan Cohen & Peter Goldberg in honor of Estelle
Cohen
Edward & Florence Goldblatt
Lane Golden
David & Carrie Goldman
Shalom Goldman & Laurie Patton
Adam & Beth Goldstein
Don & Sheila Goldstein
Galia Goodman & Meredith Emmett
Philip Goodman & Mary Butler
Lawrence & Stephanie Greenberg
Ruth M. Greenberg in memory of Bernard G. Greenberg
Henry Greene & Marilyn Telen-Greene
Rabbi Daniel & Jennifer Greyber
Rob & Erica Rapport Gringle in honor of Artie Axelbank
& Rabbi Greyber for their participation at the Brit Milah of their
grandson, Maxwell Dean Risk
David & Amy Gross
Hudi Gross
Grossinger-Donnelly Family in honor of Laura Quigley
for everything she does for the Beth El community
Lynne Grossman in memory of Will Grossman
Steve & Gail Grossman
Ron Grunwald & Lorisa Seibel
Eric Guajardo & Rachel McCarthy
Bruce Guild & Linda Convissor
Robert & Laura Gutman
Jeff Spinner & Elyza Richmon Halev
Edward & Sharon Halperin in honor of Michele Pas &
Jeff Koweek for the Federation awards that they received
Richard Hart & Sally Hicks in honor of Michele Pas
Martha Hauptman
Sheldon Hayer
Jimmie & Carol Haynes
Steve & Judith Herman
Michael Hershfield & Susan Rosenthal
Samuel & Marsha Horowitz
Barrie & Jean Hurwitz
Doris Iarovici in memory of Larry Katz
Mindy Oshrain & Stephen Jaffe
Sharon Joffe
Irwin & Deborah Kahn in memory of Leon & Bernice
Kahn and William & Dolores Ginsburg
Ann & Stuart Kaplan
Jill Kaplan
John & Joy Kasson
Sandy Kessler & Sheva Zucker
Tom Keyserling & Alice Ammerman
David & Susan Kirsch
Annette Kirshner
David & Susan Klapper
Stephen & Lauri Klein
Harold Kohn
Louis & Claire Kolman
Hillel & Charlotte Koren
Jeff & Lynne Koweek
Jeffrey Krolik & Michelle Shrott
Thomas & Annette Kronmiller
Harold & Susan Kudler
Musia Lakin
Itzik Lebovich & Celia Schreiber
(Continued on page 16)
15
2012-2013 Annual Fund Continued
(Continued from page 15)
Esther Lederman
Joel & Susan Leeb
Bernard & Sylvia Leibel
Kevin & Ann Leibel
Steve Lerner & Sharon van Horn
Pearl Levine
Sol & Sheila Levine in memory of their grandparents
Isaac & Rose Levy
Stanley & Diana Levy in honor of Robert & Laura
Gutman on their 50th anniversary
Arie & Anita Lewin
Hinda Lind
Jonathan Lovins & Florence Briones in memory of
Norma Lovins
Shawn MacDuff
Mort & Cheryl Malkin
Alan & Mary Joan Mandel
Lee & Elaine Marcus
Larry & Rebecca Margolese-Malin
Connie Margolin
Lew Margolis & Linda Frankel
Arthur & Judith Marks in honor of the wedding of Alex
Marks & Liz Berger on the 20th of January, 2013.
Jon & Sean Meltzer
Lori Bernstein & Doug Merrill
Eric Meyer & Erica Brody
Eric & Carol Meyers
Ram Miller & Gili Bethlehem
Sydney & Krisha Miller in honor of Grandma Edna's
90th birthday
Elliott & Sandy P. Mills
Eric Mlyn & Judy Byck
Lorraine Morley
Marc Moskovitz & Barb Carter in honor of our
president, Barak Richman
Andree Allen in memory of Menachem Drucker
Peter & Marilyn Ornstein
Barry & Lois Ostrow
Dale & Diane Pahl
Edy August Parker
Michele Pas
Roger Perilstein & Kathy Bartelmay
Noah Pickus & Trudi Abel
Barbara & Martin Poleski
Gerald Postema & Leslie Winner
Mark & Diane Pozefsky
Isaac & Lois Price
Steven Prince & Deborah Goldstein
Gordon & Faye Davis Rapp
David Reed & Diane Markoff
Barbara Rochen Renner
Jared & Jennifer Resnick
Michael & Jacqueline Resnick
Barak & Laura Richman
Ruth Riddle in memory of her grandparents, Max &
Paula Meiselman
16
Herb & Mavis Rochen
Howard & Claire Rockman in memory of Israel & Yetta
Rockman
Steve & Susan Rosefielde
Robert & Deborah Rosenstein
Caryn Rossi
David & JoAnn Rubin
Rabbi Steven & Sabina Sager
Hal Sandick & Barbra Roberman
Les & Cheryl Saper
Marjorie A. Satinsky
Steven Schauder & Leora Gardner-Schauder
Karen Pearlmutter
Doug Schiff & Karen Sindelar
Roy Schonberg & Cheryl Marcus
Jerry & Valerie Schreiber
Bob & Merle Schwartz
Richard & Ann Shachtman
Simon & Sheila Shaffer
Simon & Barbara Shane
Herbert & Eunice Shatzman
Cynia Shimm
Yonat Shimron
Gladys Siegel
Lewis & Judith Siegel
Philip & Ellen Singer
Scott & Randi Smith
Judith Snyderman
Michael Spiritos & Sarah Stahmer
Matt & Susan Springer
Chuck & Marlene Spritzer
Alan & Maxine Stern
Albrecht & Nancy Strauss
Betsey Strauss
Sue Slatkoff & Ronald Strauss
Ilana Saraf & James Tulsky
Charles van der Horst & Laura Svetkey
Jonathan & Deborah Wahl
David & Laura Brody Weaver
Howard Weinberg
Norman Weiner & Rabbi Laura Lieber
Jim Wells
Ivy & Vince Wingate
Eric & Tal Lewin Wittle
Barry Yeoman
David & Aimee Zaas
Gary & Abby Zarkin
Errol & Marion Zeiger
Matt & Lisa Zerden
Every effort has been made to ensure that all those
who have participated are included.
Please inform the office if your name is
mistakenly missing from this list.
August 2013 / Beth El Bulletin
Yahrzeit Reminders
Av
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August
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August
Harriett Borman
7
Philip Joffe
7
Monty Ginsberg
8
Nitzan Tzidkiyahu
8
Marcia Kudler
9
Solomon Rosenberg
9
Ida (Chaika Candeub) Snyderman 9
Shirley Neuman
10
Pearl Ackerman
11
Harry Brown
11
Eve Feldman
11
Frank Malin
11
Pearl Siegel
11
Lucille Kux Anderson
12
Shirley Kresses
12
Rebekah Resnick
12
Florence Satinsky
12
Margot Katz
13
Freda Abramowitz
14
Ruth Berman
14
Walter Japert Broadwell
15
Nathan E. Siegel
16
Seymour Kirschenfeld
17
Meyer Yakov Liberman
17
Sadie Sitron
17
Judith Evans
18
Esther Gordon
18
Bernard Katz
18
Isaac H. Parkey IV
18
Morton Plesser
18
Robert Breitzer
19
Ethel Bridges Carrington
19
David Engel
19
Ida N. Fisher
19
Ruth Seligman Malin
19
Melvin Shimm
19
Abraham Fischer
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Martin Fischer
21
Selma Fischer
21
Arthur Gross
21
Emma Hirsch
21
Karl Hirsch
21
Edward J. Murphy
21
Nettie Shapiro
21
Shirley Convissor
22
Carol Bernard Hart
24
Adele Kaplan
24
William King Keyserling
24
Lee Ray Bergman
26
Esther Kaplan
26
Hazel Rosenthal
26
Yissachar Dov Abosch
27
Jeanne Dinsmore Dreifus
27
Eugene Friedman
27
Sondra Gevarter
27
Malvina Markman
27
Anne Levinsohn
28
Ruth Diamond Berman
Bennett Frankel
Anita Rubin
Ralph Schonberg
Ira Nathan Wagner
Dorothy Cassell
Traditionally, we light a
memorial candle
on the evening before
the anniversary of a
loved one's death.
Elul
22
23
24
24
24
24
25
25
25
Elul
26
26
26
28
29
29
29
29
Tishrei
1
1
1
2
2
3
3
4
4
4
August
28
29
30
30
30
30
31
31
31
September
Anna Grossman
1
Mollie Liptzin
1
Jacob A. Ornstein
1
Clarence Berman
3
Bonnie Jacobson
4
Robert Lubovsky
4
Sidney Mandel
4
David Alexander Rosefielde 4
September
Sarah Bessie Murnick
5
Abraham Roskin
5
Rebecca Stadiem
5
Harry Diamond
6
Rhea Fishman
6
Betty Bleier Erdberg
7
Ben Kafka
7
Rebecca Emenitove
8
Polly Gutman
8
Roberta Morris
8
Julius Weinstein
Goodman Cohen
Nora Barth
Carrie Gladstein
Norma Lovins
Leon Slavin
Jill Goldstein LaFrance
Arthur Rapp
Debra Fink Windsor
Tishrei
September
4
Sam Sonnenberg
8
4
Heinz Speier
8
5
Sydney Back
9
5
Lottie Samuel
9
5
Leveritt A. Wallace
9
6
Rifkie Kresses Birnbrey
10
7
Pearl Cohen
11
7
Israel Gutman
11
8
Jacob Katz
12
9
Saul Bernstein
13
9
Louis Silver
13
10
Aryeh Dov Daniel
14
10
Rachel Daniel
14
10
Norma Soforenko
14
11
Morris Becker
15
11
Melvin Gladstein
15
11
Philip Greenberg
15
12
Bernice Kahn
16
13
Herbert Herzfeld
17
13
William Jacob Jackson Jr. 17
13
Anna Lipschitz
17
14
Nathan R. Wolff
18
16
Lilla Dale Fuerst
20
16
Nathan Lieberman
20
16
Sadie Rosenberg
20
16
Henry Schlanger
20
18
Sam B. Guyes
22
18
Harry Harrison, Jr
22
18
Morris Kaplan
22
18
Annie Sher
22
19
Julius Grossman
23
19
Marya Kirshner
23
20
Benjamin Bane
24
20
Deborah Rosenblum
24
20
John G. Ullman
24
21
Oscar Klevansky
25
22
Hanna Rachel Koren
26
22
Edward Seligman
26
22
Lawrence Singer
26
23
Israel Meyer Frohman
27
23
Robert Strauss
27
24
Henry Bane
28
24
Susana Levy
28
25
Halina Gutman
29
25
Rose Gutman
29
25
Kurt Schreiber
29
26
Jeannette Fink
30
26
Nancy Goldberg
30
Barukh Dayan Ha-emet
“Blessed is the Judge of Truth”
Beth El congregation extends condolences to
Harlan Gradin on the death of his father, Theodore Ira Gradin
Bernard Most on the death of his brother, Sam Most
Rabbi Steven Sager on the death of his mother's husband, Eugene Stevens
Edward Halperin on the death of his sister, Eleanor Brooks
May the Ever Present One comfort them among
the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem
17
B’nai B’rith
Institute of Judaism
at Wildacres
Little Switzerland, NC
Sicha, Hebrew for "conversation," is an organization that
promotes the vital ongoing dialogue between classical Jewish
texts and modern life. Essays engaging modern and classical texts
in conversations can be found on our website:
www.sichaconversation.org.
The 6th annual SICHA SHABBATON IN THE MOUNTAINS
will take place August 8-11, 2013 at Wildacres in the mountains
of western NC. Spaces may still be available, so act quickly if
you want to come! This year’s theme is “The Binding of Isaac,
Abraham, Sarah, and the Rest of Us” as we approach the holiday
season. Information and online registration can be found here:
http://tinyurl.com/Shabbaton2013.
Beyond Belief: Join Rabbi Sager and Sicha for a series of conversations this fall that explore Jewish identity. The first session
of Beyond Belief: Belonging Among the Worshipers and the
Transgressors will be held at the Levin JCC on Sunday, September
8 at 3:30pm. This program occurs during the days between Rosh
Hashanah and Yom Kippur -- a time when religious rhythm and
language shape our identity, pushing us into traditional categories
with which we have to make our peace, even if we don't accept
them. Visit the Sicha website in late August for more information.
B’almah sessions are also being planned for the fall. Watch for
more information at www.sichaconversation.org.
College Application and Essay Boot Camp
Student Workshop
August 20-22, 1-4PM
Learn how to craft a winning college application and essay!
During this intimate three-day workshop, Premium Prep college
counselors will work closely with students, introducing them to
the intricacies of the college process and providing concrete
instructions on how to produce a topnotch application. Students
will: analyze examples of successful college essays and applications; begin writing their own personal essays; complete a draft
of the Common Application; and discover how to make their
application stand out from the pack. This workshop will provide
essential training for rising high school seniors.
Location: The Levin Jewish Community Center, 1937 West
Cornwallis Road. Durham, NC 27705
Cost: $270 JCC members, $300 non-members
Space is limited!
To register, email info@premimumprep.com
or call 1-800-560-8760.
For information about Premium Prep College Counseling,
visit www.premiumprep.com.
18
The 66th Annual Wildacres B’nai B’rith Institute of Judaism
will be August 12 - 15, 2013 in North Carolina's Little Switzerland, aptly named for its spectacular beauty. A $10 per person
discount applies to payments received by June 15. Full kosher
meals, two bedded rooms with private bath, live Blue Ridge Mt.
music, hiking, card table games and three outstanding speakers
are included in the cost: $360.per person, double occupancy, add
$140. for single occupancy.
Three outstanding speakers will cover a variety
of Jewish topics:
Eli Groner, Israel’s Minister to the US for Economic Affairs,
Washington DC, was born in the US, Eli emigrated to Israel with
his family as a teenager. He holds a BA in Political Science from
Bar-Ilan University and an MBA from New York University.
His topics include: • Israel Confidential • Israel at the UN: the
Challenges Facing Israel Today • The Secret Sauce for a Start-Up
Nation
Joel Hoffman has lectured on translation, Hebrew, and Torah at
Brandeis and at Hebrew Union College. He writes a bi-weekly
column for the Jerusalem Post. Joel is a National Jewish Book
Award winner, and the author of And God Said: How Bad Translations Conceal the Bible’s Original Meaning. His topics include:
• On the Bible’s Cutting Room Floor • The Bible Doesn’t Say
That • 3,000 Years of Jewish Continuity through 3,000 Years of
Hebrew
Jeffrey Morton, professor of Political Science at Florida Atlantic
University, Boca Raton, Florida, is a designated Master Teacher,
the 2004 University Researcher of the Year, and the 2012 College
Distinguished Teacher of the Year. Jeffrey teaches international
law, diplomacy and American foreign policy. His topics include:
• Iranian Nuclear Threat • The Role of International Law in
American Foreign Policy • Confronting Terrorism
Checks for $360.per person, double occupancy (add $140. for
single occupancy) should be made payable to B'nai B'rith Institute
for Judaism and mailed to Sandra Apple, 4200 Stratton Village
Lane, Wilmington, NC 28409. Remember to deduct $10 per
person when payment is received by June 15.
For information about needs based scholarships contact Karen
Shectman, (919) 533-8032
For more information contact Bill Carr at bcarr@ipass.net or (919)
781-4207 or go to www.wildacres.org for on line registration.
Spend a week in the mountains!
Sicha Shabbaton in the Mountains at Wildacres
is the previous weekend, August 8-11. (see upper left.)
August 2013 / Beth El Bulletin
2013 BIKE MS:
HISTORIC NEW BERN RIDE
September 7-8, 2013
You can celebrate a simcha, honor a loved one,
or send “get well” wishes by contributing to Beth El.
GREATER CAROLINA’S CHAPTER,
NATIONAL
MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS SOCIETY
You may donate via our secure PayPal link
or by check using the printable form online or on page 14.
www.betheldurham.org/development
Bike MS is a 2-day cycling event that raises funds
to support people living with multiple sclerosis in North
and South Carolina and throughout the United States.
Money raised through this event funds MS research,
programs, services, and advocacy. In 2012, over 2,100
participants raised $1,714,476 to create a world free of
MS. This year, our goal is to raise $1.8 million!
Bike MS cyclists enjoy two full days of riding
through rural eastern North Carolina. Each day, cyclists
can choose to ride 30, 75, 50 or 100 miles on fully
supported routes. At the conclusion of each day's ride,
cyclists are greeted by cheerful volunteers, a delicious
hot meal, ice cold beverages, and live entertainment. It's
a great time, you should join us!
Bike MS will take you further than you’ve ever
gone before. It’s not the miles that matter — it’s the
unforgettable journey. Join us for an event that’s more
than a ride — it’s anticipation, camaraderie, personal
accomplishment, and the knowledge that you’re changing
lives… making every mile that much sweeter.
Please consider joining the Beth El Team this year.
We’re called Joanne’s Rolling Rs. If you sign up to ride
with us we’ll be there to support you every mile with tools
to help you train and fundraise. This is year 22 for the
Rolling Rs (lots of Beth El members you know!). Come
share the fun with us. Pedal along beautiful scenery in
New Bern, NC. Your ride will be fun and inspirational. It
will be the most rewarding journey you will ever make.
Registration Fee: $35
Fundraising Minimum: $300
Route Options: 30, 50, 75, 100
Age Minimum: 12 years
Your gift is tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.
Todah Rabah! Thank You!
Join Ramah Darom
for fun and inspiring programs
and retreats year-round for all ages!
Visit www.ramahdarom.org/programs
for registration & more information on these
& other programs year-round.
Camp Yofi
August 7-11
Camp Yofi is a nationally-acclaimed program for Jewish families
with children with autism. Single parents, grandparents and
siblings are all invited to be a part of this life-changing experience.
Jewish Women's Getaway
October 20-22
Grab your mom, daughter and best friends and join us for a
memorable week of girl time! No cleaning, no working - our
chef and staff will take care of you as you relax and participate
in fun and inspiring programs. Take advantage of Early Bird
Registration before August 5 and pay last year's rates!
Winter Break Family Camp
Please contact Sharon Halperin for more information:
sharonhalperin88@gmail.com
December 27-January 1
Enjoy relaxation, recreation and an array of classes while children
participate in fun and engaging camp activities. What could be
better than s'mores under the stars with your kids?
Take advantage of Early Bird Registration before October 10
and pay last year's rates!
Jewish Meditation at the Levin JCC
1st and 3rd Sunday of each month. 10:45am-12:00pm
No charge & no experience needed to attend. Long standing
meditation group. Always open to new participants. Sometimes
a participant leads a guided meditation; other times it is a silent
practice. Levin JCC, 1937 W. Cornwallis Road, Durham.
Phone: 919-354-4936, info@levinjcc.org
Detours near Beth El Through September
The section of West Main Street that runs along Duke’s East
Campus between Buchanan Boulevard and Swift Ave./Broad St.
is closed throughout the summer for a state bridge replacement
project.
More at: http://today.duke.edu/2013/04/mainstreetclosed
19
Jewish Story Time
Celebrate the New Year with hands-on fun! Join us for stories,
crafts and a light snack on August 25 at 10:30am at Barnes &
Noble, New Hope Commons. Sponsored by the Lerner School.
Free! RSVP at rsvp@lernerschool.org.
Come hear
THE MAGNOLIA KLEZMER BAND!
Bring a blanket or chair, picnic, or buy food.
Dance, shake, or listen.
All shows are free.
Thursday, Sept. 19th, 7-9pm, Pittsboro Roadhouse General
Store, 39 West St., Pittsboro, www.pittsbororoadhouse.com
Sunday, Sept. 22nd, Watts St. Band (including some
members of MKB), 12:30pm Sukkah party at Beth El
Sunday, Sept. 29th, Carrboro Music Festival, Carrboro, NC,
Time and venue TBA
Tuesday, Oct. 8th, 7:30pm, "Havurah", Fearington Village,
Chapel Hill, NC
www.magnoliaklezmerband.com
Interested in reading the Haftarah or Torah
during an upcoming Shabbat service?
Congregants who do this regularly/semi-regularly/
every-once-in-awhile are greatly appreciated! Even if
you've never chanted a Haftarah, if it's been a long
time, or you have thought it would be a meaningful
way to commemorate an occasion, you like the sound
of the trope, or you would just like to learn this as a
new skill, please contact Randi Smith -
Nazo Landscaping, Inc.
COMMERCIAL and RESIDENTIAL
Agricultural Engineering Since 1983
Landscape Design & Installation • Landscape Lighting
Water Features • Sprinkler Systems • Sodding
Patios, Walkways & Stepping Stones • Retaining Walls
Drainage & Ditches • Snow Removal
Providing services to Durham, Wake & Orange Counties
If you would like to read a Torah portion, please
contact Jeff Derby -
The Community of Caring
is here for YOU!
Anyone who is in need of a meal due to illness, surgery,
grief or other special circumstances.
We are here for YOU!
Anyone who needs a ride to/from a doctor's appointment,
to the hospital or nursing home
so you can visit a friend or loved one.
Wide variety of plants, bushes, trees,
perennials and fruit trees
Retail and wholesale
Landscape supplies and natural stone
For professional service you can trust,
call Philip Nazo, owner.
Mobile: 919-524-8878 • Office: 919-309-2620
Mon.-Fri. 8am-6pm • Sat. 8am-4pm • Sun.10am-4pm
www.NazoLandscaping.com
20
We are here for YOU!
Anyone who would like a friendly visitor
to see you at home or in the facility where you live.
We are here for YOU!
Anyone who would like to be a part of this wonderful
organization by participating in any of the above.
Please call or email Rhoda Silver at:
919-688-0077 / Rhoda.Silver@gmail.com
August 2013 / Beth El Bulletin
Letter from Valhalla
Two Museums and a Minyan – II
In last month’s column I regaled you with stories of our trip
to the Jewish museum in Miami Beach and my efforts to launch a
daily minyan at New York Medical College. I now owe you the
story of my trip to the new Jewish museum in Philadelphia.
In 2012, I received an invitation to give a lecture to The
College of Physicians of Philadelphia. I wasn’t quite sure who or
what that was, but the man phoning was very nice and I figured it
shouldn’t be a total loss, I would take the train from New York to
Philadelphia, give a lecture, do a fundraiser with Philadelphiaregion alumni of New York Medical College, and then head back
to New York. I accepted the invitation.
I learned that The College of Physicians of Philadelphia,
founded in 1787, is the oldest professional medical organization in
the United States. Twenty-four physicians of eighteenth-century
Philadelphia gathered "to advance the science of medicine and to
thereby lessen human misery." Today, nearly 1,500 Fellows
(elected members) continue to convene at the College and work
towards serving the public.
Throughout its 225-year history, the College has provided
a place for both medical professionals and the general public to
learn about medicine. Nowadays the College goes about its mission
by running multiple programs. The College’s elegant downtown
Philadelphia building houses the Mütter Museum and the Historical
Medical Library. Their outreach programs include a History of
Vaccines website and the Junior Fellows Program for students.
The topic I chose to speak about was “The Rise and Fall
of the American Jewish Hospital”. I discussed the origins of Jewish
hospitals, the role of institutional anti-Semitic admissions quotas
in medical schools and how that contributed to a response by the
Jewish community, why a minority of U.S. medical schools defied
the Jewish quota system, the definition of a “Jewish hospital”,
why Jewish hospitals have largely disappeared, and the modern-day
implications of discriminatory quotas for medical school admissions
for Asian-Americans. The lecture took place in a large and elegant
meeting hall at The College of Physicians of Philadelphia before
an audience of about seventy-five people and an equal number of
serious looking men in oil portraits staring down at me from the
walls of the hall.
The night before my lecture I hosted a New York Medical
College fundraiser at a downtown Philadelphia hotel. We solved
the kosher problem (New York Medical College functions are all
kosher) by getting a local caterer to do an Israeli vegetarian buffet:
hummus, roasted vegetables, stuffed grape leaves, and baba
ganoush. One of the alumni talked my ear off but I didn’t mind – I
was too busy eating.
I had a free afternoon before my lecture so I hopped the
Philadelphia subway to see America’s newest Jewish museum. The
National Museum of American Jewish History, on Independence
Mall, claims as its mission to present “educational programs and
experiences that preserve, explore and celebrate the history of
Jews in America. Its purpose is to connect Jews more closely to
their heritage and to inspire in people of all backgrounds a greater
appreciation for the diversity of the American Jewish experience
and the freedoms to which Americans aspire.”
This is a museum of American Jewish history. Unlike, say,
The Jewish Museum in upper Manhattan or the Museum of Jewish
Heritage in lower Manhattan, the Philadelphia museum has no
exhibits on the Holocaust or the rituals of Jewish life. Instead, this
is a museum of the American Jewish experience: colonial Jews,
the role of Jews in the Revolutionary War, 19th century Jewish life
in America, Jews fighting on both sides in the Civil War, Jewish
immigration in the late 19th and early 20th century, and Jewish life
in the 20th century in America.
The original copy of George Washington’s letter to the Jewish
congregation of Newport, Rhode Island was on display:
“The Citizens of the United States of America have a
right to applaud themselves for giving to Mankind
examples of an enlarged and liberal policy: a policy
worthy of imitation. All possess alike liberty of
conscience and immunities of citizenship. It is now
no more that toleration is spoken of, as if it was by
the indulgence of one class of people that another
enjoyed the exercise of their inherent natural rights.
For happily the Government of the United States,
which gives to bigotry no sanction, to persecution
no assistance, requires only that they who live under
its protection, should demean themselves as good
citizens.”
“…May the Children of the Stock of Abraham, who
dwell in this land, continue to merit and enjoy the
good will of the other Inhabitants; while every one
shall sit under his own vine and fig tree, and there
shall be none to make him afraid.”
“…May the father of all mercies scatter light and not
darkness in our paths, and make us all in our several
vocations useful here, and in his own due time and
way everlastingly happy.”
An enormous museum guard walked over to talk with me as
I was studying Washington’s letter. He showed me how to use the
interactive video screens to study the letter and we joked about
what good handwriting Washington had and how, nowadays, you
wouldn’t get a handwritten letter from the President. I couldn’t help
thinking, this must be the quintessential American experience:
an African-American museum guard and a Jewish tourist from
North Carolina passing the time discussing a letter from George
Washington in a Philadelphia museum.
After a few hours in the museum I walked over the
Philadelphia jewelry/diamond district for lunch at Hamfigash
Glatt Kosher Grill (811 Sansom Street); a longtime favorite of
mine.
In next month’s column I will begin the tale of our most
recent trip to Israel and then offer a few words about our visit to
the Jewish sites of Johannesburg, South Africa.
Until then,
Regards from Valhalla,
Edward Halperin
If you are not receiving Beth El’s weekly e-mail
announcements and would like to,
please contact the office
and ask to be added to our listserve.
21
Foundations of Jewish Family Living
with Master teacher Rabbi Jennifer Solomon
Jewish Sparks is a public access television program which is
broadcast in Raleigh, Chapel Hill and Durham, NC. This program
presents videos of major Jewish educational and artistic events
together with interviews and recordings of Jewish scholars and
important Jewish leaders. Our goal is to promote a better understanding of key Jewish concepts and issues within both the Jewish
and non-Jewish communities.
Recent program topics have been: performances of the
Triangle Jewish Chorale, State of North Carolina Holocaust
Commemoration, A Holocaust Survior's Daughter Searches for
Family, an interview with Rabbi Greyber, the What’s Not To Like
Yiddish Songfest, & much more.
The Jewish Sparks 30 minute weekly broadcast schedule
is listed in the table below:
Chapel
Hill (CH)
Tues. 9:00PM
Peoples
Channel
Time Warner Cable
Channel 8
Durham
(DR)
Tues. 7:30PM
Durham
Community
Media
Time Warner Cable
Channel 18
Raleigh
(RTN)
Wed. 7:00PM
& Thurs.
8:00 PM
RTN
Cable Channel 10
What are the Jewish Values you want your child to know?
Foundations of Jewish Family Living is a new learning
opportunity for parents that provides a thought-provoking
encounter with the core values of Judaism. At a time in a
family’s life when a child experiences their own Jewish
education, this rich learning experience provides you with the
learning, the language and the confidence to be a teacher to your
own children and support Jewish Learning at home.
Classes are divided into two 10-week sessions held on
Wednesday mornings at the Lerner School, 8:15-9:45am.
Session 1 entitled A Year of Values - Teaching Values through
Jewish Holidays begins on October 2 and concludes on
December 18. Session two entitled Day to Day Values Teaching
Values through Jewish Family Living begins on January 8 and
concludes on March 12, 2014.
Tuition for each session is $150 plus a $36 materials fee which
covers both sessions.
The latest program schedule is on the Jewish Sparks Website:
www.jewishsparks.net.
Ellen Singer
Week of July 29 :
“In Tune With Your Real Estate Needs”
Frank Stasio, Rabbi Sager - “The State of Faith - Part 2” (CH, DR)
Marcie Cohen Ferris - “Matzoh Ball Gumbo” (RTN)
Jewish Sparks maintains a large archive of program material.
If you miss a live broadcast, or do not have Cable, you can watch
the programs on the internet site (www.jewishsparks.net.) The
website also provides an excellent source of educational material,
which includes early lectures from the Carolina Center for Jewish
Studies.
Additional information is available from the website,
or email the Jewish Sparks producer, Sheldon Becker, at either
jewishsparks@yahoo.com or stbphoto@yahoo.com.
Triangle Jewish Chorale
Down Home: The Cantata
Over 32 years
as a full-time
real estate broker
serving the Triangle Area,
including Chapel Hill,
Carrboro, Durham,
Orange and Chatham County
▪ Resident of Chapel Hill/Durham since 1973
▪ Graduate Realtors Institute
▪ Member of Beth El Congregation
▪ Member of the Chapel Hill Kehillah
▪ Life Member of Hadassah
▪ NC Hillel Board of Directors
▪ Board of Directors Durham/Chapel Hill Federation
In April & May of 2013, the Triangle Jewish Chorale presented
three performances of a newly composed piece, “Down Home:
The Cantata”, exploring the Jewish immigrant experience in North
Carolina. Jewish Sparks was very fortunate to be able to record
several of the major movements of the Cantata. There is a link to
"Down Home - The Cantata" on the main Jewish Sparks webpage www.jewishsparks.net - at the top center of the page.
22
August 2013 / Beth El Bulletin
Join Carolina Jews for Justice
Carolina Jews for Justice (CJJ) is a newly formed non-partisan
group that has come together to provide Jewish citizens of North
Carolina the opportunity to carry out our Jewish ideals through
participation in the public sphere. We seek to fulfill the justice
tradition of the Jewish community, through advocacy, action,
communications, and educational events around issues affecting
our home state. We are volunteer led and our agenda is defined
by the participants. To get our updates, click on the “Newsletter”
section of our website at carolinajewsforjustice.org.
Torah Scrolls Destroyed by Hurricane Sandy
Finally Buried in Long Island
When Hurricane Sandy struck last October, people all over the
world sat riveted in front of their television screens trying to take
in the extent of the disaster—the loss of life, the loss of property,
the disruption of lives. Another major loss that not covered in
most of the international stories was the destruction of a dozen
Torah scrolls from devastated synagogues in five Long Island
towns. Volunteers and professionals alike tried unsuccessfully to
dry out and restore the scrolls, but the damage to parchment and
ink was too extensive. The only thing left was to lay the scrolls
to rest, never to be used again. Judaism provides for the ritual
burial of religious items that are no longer usable. So, on May
26, representatives of more than forty New York synagogues
gathered outside Far Rockaway’s Congregation Knesset Israel
to bury the Torah scrolls. Approximately 1000 congregants and
rabbis participated.
(919) 489-0433 — FangmeierCatering@frontier.com
23
The Jewish Heritage Foundation of North Carolina
Chapel Hill-Durham Hadassah
Our website lists Jewish events occurring from the mountains to
the coast. Check us out at www.jhfnc.org . Our site has a blog
about Jewish life in North Carolina. We invite you to post a
memory, share a Jewish story, or recount how your family
celebrates an upcoming holiday. JHFNC seeks volunteers who
can email us Jewish events happening in their region.
Not a member? Why not?
Everyone is welcome (yes, men too).
Libi Eir Mikveh Art Gallery
One of Libi Eir's seven founding principles is Hiddur Mitzvah /
Beautifying the Mitzvah. Exhibiting the work of local artists is
one of the ways they take this mandate seriously - and joyfully.
Exhibits change every three to four months.
Artists: If you'd like to feature your work at Libi Eir, please
contact Rabbi Jenny Solomon at battorah@bethmeyer.org.
Beth El is a partnering synagogue of our community mikveh,
Libi Eir, which opened in September of 2011.
Community Events are listed on our website at:
www.betheldurham.org/calendar/announcements.html
For information, contact please contact
Cheryl Solow at ccsslp@gmail.com
or you may join online at
www.hadassah.org (Chapel Hill/Durham branch).
Was your family's property taken during the Holocaust?
If you or your family owned movable, immovable or tangible
property that was confiscated, looted, or forcibly sold in countries
governed or occupied by the Nazi forces or Axis powers during
the Holocaust era and you or your relatives received no restitution
for that property, you may be eligible to participate in the
Holocaust Era Asset Restitution Taskforce project (Project Heart).
Call 800-584-1559 for more information
or visit www.heartwebsite.org.
Please patronize our sponsors
and let them know
you saw their ads here.
Michael Aaron Cohen, CPA, CFE
∗ 1981 Duke Graduate
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24
August 2013 / Beth El Bulletin
BETH EL SCHEDULE OF SERVICES
Tue
Friday night services:
Held only in conjunction with other programming or special events.
Talmud Torah 7th grade meets 5:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m. when services are held.
Saturday morning services:
Services in the Orthodox Kehillah begin at 9:00 a.m.
Services in the main sanctuary begin at 9:30 a.m.
Mon
Weekday minyanim in the main sanctuary:
Wednesdays 8:00 a.m. (7:45 a.m.-Rosh Chodesh)
Sundays (suspended through Sept.1, resumes Sept.8)
Sun
Beth El members cook and serve lunch at the IFC shelter in Chapel Hill
the First Wednesday of every month. Contact Gladys Siegel to help.
Beth El members cook and serve dinner at the IFC shelter in Chapel Hill
the second Tuesday of every month. Contact Meyer Liberman to help.
26/ 20th of Elul, 5773
19/ 13th of Elul, 5773
12/ 6th of Elul, 5773
5/ 29th of Av, 5773
27/ 21st of Elul, 5773
20/ 14th of Elul, 5773
13/ 7th of Elul, 5773
6/ 30th of Av, 5773
Rosh Chodesh Elul
Beth El members serve Tuna Casserole Dinner at the Durham Community Kitchen
the fourth Sunday of each month. Contact Erica Gringle to help prepare and/or serve.
4/ 28th of Av, 5773
11/ 5th of Elul, 5773
5:00pm MoB—Bulls’ game
18/ 12th of Elul, 5773
Playground workday
25/ 19th of Elul, 5773
11:00am-1:30pm Family
Fun Day
cal
August
2013
Listed Havdalah Times are 42 minutes after sunset
Beth El event calendar online:
29/ 23rd of Elul, 5773
22/ 16th of Elul, 5773
15/ 9th of Elul, 5773
8/ 2nd of Elul, 5773
1/ 25th of Av, 5773
Thu
www.betheldurham.org/calendar/index.html
Wed
7/ 1st of Elul, 5773
Rosh Chodesh Elul
14/ 8th of Elul, 5773
7:30 Board Meeting
21/ 15th of Elul, 5773
28/ 22nd of Elul, 5773
Mon. through Thurs.: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Office Hours:
Office
Fri.: Hours:
9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Monday through Thursday: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Fridays: 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
(resumes 8/17)
Mishnah Study: Sat. 8:45 a.m. suspended 6/22-8/10
Sat
3/ 27th of Av, 5773
Parashat Re'eh
No mishnah study
Fri
2/ 26th of Av, 5773
9:01pm Havdalah
8:28pm Havdalah
31/ 25th of Elul, 5773
Parashat NitzavimVayeilech
9:00am Egalitarian Chavurah Orthodox Service
(FC)
8:37pm Havdalah
24/ 18th of Elul, 5773
Parashat Ki Tavo
Rebecca Koweek
Bat Mitzvah
8:46pm Havdalah
17/ 11th of Elul, 5773
Parashat Ki Teitzei
8:54pm Havdalah
10/ 4th of Elul, 5773
Parashat Shoftim
No mishnah study
10:00am Healing Yoga
8:02pm
9/ 3rd of Elul, 5773
7:55pm
16/ 10th of Elul, 5773
Shul @ the Pool (Levin
JCC) Pre-Shabbat pot-luck
& swim party
7:47pm
23/ 17th of Elul, 5773
Rebecca Koweek
Bat Mitzvah
6:00pm services in the main
sanctuary
7:38pm
30/ 24th of Elul, 5773
7:29pm
25
26
BETH EL SCHEDULE OF SERVICES
2/ 27th of Elul, 5773
Office Closed
9/5th of Tishrei, 5774
16/12th of Tishrei, 5774
23/19th of Tishrei, 5774
Sukkot V (CH''M)
30/26th of Tishrei, 5774
8/4th of Tishrei, 5774
Tzom Gedaliah
-1st day Talmud Torah Fall
Semester
-9:30am Morning minyan
resumes
-Cemetery Visitation
15/11th of Tishrei, 5774
-No Talmud Torah
-10:00am Israel Trip info.
session
22/18th of Tishrei, 5774
Sukkot IV (CH''M)
-9:45am Simchat Tot
-Sukkot celebration with
Watts Street Band
29/25th of Tishrei, 5774
-Talmud Torah Open House
Mon
1/ 26th of Elul, 5773
No minyan
Sun
24/20th of Tishrei, 5774
Sukkot VI (CH''M)
17/13th of Tishrei, 5774
10/6th of Tishrei, 5774
3/28th of Elul, 5773
Tue
Weekday minyanim in the main sanctuary:
Wednesdays 8:00 a.m. followed by text study (7:45 a.m.-Rosh Chodesh)
Sundays 9:30 a.m.
Saturday morning services:
Services in the Orthodox Kehillah begin at 9:00 a.m.
Services in the main sanctuary begin at 9:30 a.m.
Friday night services:
Held only in conjunction with other programming or special events.
Talmud Torah 7th grade meets 5:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m. when services are held.
Community Dinner
honoring Chevra Kadisha
6:51pm Candle lighting
No Talmud Torah
25/21st of Tishrei, 5774
Sukkot VII (Hoshana Raba)
Erev Sukkot
7:01pm Candle lighting
No Talmud Torah
Office Closes at 3:00pm
18/14th of Tishrei, 5774
-7:30pm Unetane Tokef film
screening at members’ home
11/7th of Tishrei, 5774
Erev Rosh HaShannah
7:22pm Candle Lighting
4/29th of Elul, 5773
Wed
6:48pm
27/23rd of Tishrei, 5774
Simchat Torah
Office Closed
Young Adult Dinner at
Greyber Family Home
6:59pm
20/16th of Tishrei, 5774
Sukkot II
7:09pm
13/9th of Tishrei, 5774
Erev Yom Kippur
7:19pm
6/2nd of Tishrei, 5774
Rosh HaShannah II
Fri
Mishnah Study: Sat. 8:45 a.m.
7:47pm Havdalah
28/24th of Tishrei, 5774
Parashat Bereshit
-Children’s Services
(JC,JrJr,TS)
7:57pm Havdalah
-USY & Kadima event
21/17th of Tishrei, 5774
Sukkot III (CH''M)
10:00am Healing Yoga
8:07pm Havdalah
14/10th of Tishrei, 5774
Yom Kippur
8:18pm Havdalah
7/3rd of Tishrei, 5774
Parashat Ha'Azinu
Shabbat Shuva
Sat
Sun.: 9:30a.m.-12:30p.m. preK-7th grades
Tue., 5:00p.m.-6:00p.m. Optional Hebrew for grades 3-6
Wed.: 4:15p.m.-6:00p.m. 2nd-6th grades
Sat.: 9:00a.m.-9:45a.m. & select Fri. 5:00-7:00p.m. 7th grade
Talmud Torah:
Beth El members serve Tuna Casserole Dinner at the Durham Community Kitchen
the fourth Sunday of each month. Contact Erica Gringle to help prepare and/or serve.
Beth El members cook and serve dinner at the IFC shelter in Chapel Hill
the second Tuesday of every month. Contact Meyer Liberman to help.
Beth El members cook and serve lunch at the IFC shelter in Chapel Hill
the First Wednesday of every month. Contact Gladys Siegel to help.
Erev Simchat Torah
26/22nd of Tishrei, 5774
Shmini Atzeret
Office Closed
19/15th of Tishrei, 5774
Sukkot I
12/8th of Tishrei, 5774
5/1st of Tishrei, 5774
Rosh HaShannah 5774
Thu
www.betheldurham.org/calendar/index.html
Listed Havdalah Times are 42 minutes after sunset
Beth El event calendar online:
2013
September
Mon. through Thurs.: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Fri.: 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Office Hours:
Cal.
August 2013 / Beth El Bulletin
Community
JFS volunteers needed:
Shabbat Outreach volunteers are needed to lead a short
Shabbat service on Fridays for Jewish residents of an assisted
living facility in Chapel Hill.
Friendly Visitors are needed for isolated older adults living
in the community. Not appropriate for volunteers who want
to visit someone with their child. Friendly visitors will
spend time with the person as friends do- talking, exploring
common interests, or going for a walk. Minimum time
commitment: 2-4 hours per month.
For more information on these volunteer opportunities,
please contact JFS Social Worker Jenny Schwartz at
919-354-4923 or jschwartz@shalomdch.org
JFS Gift Card Program: JFS seeks gift cards to shops,
movies, restaurants, shows, hair salons. Your gift will be
apreciated by those in need. To make a donation or for more
information, contact Jenny Schwartz at 919-354-4923 or
jschwartz@shalomdch.org
Tzedakah in Bloom
Tzedakah in Bloom is a project started by the
Jewish Family Service to raise money for local
community members in need and food banks.
JFS offers 13 different silk flower arrangements
for use at your simcha.
(on the bimah, at a reception or as a centerpiece).
New arrangements are added periodically.
Each arrangement rents for $150.00.
Please call the Federation office at
919-489-5335 if you have questions about the project.
Photos of the arrangements
as well as a reservation form is online at:
www.shalomdch.org/blooms.htm.
To reserve an arrangement,
contact Sandy Fangmeier, Project Coordinator:
919-489-0433 or sandyfang@frontier.com
Jewish Family Services at the Levin JCC
1937 Cornwallis Road, Durham
919-354-4936
info@levinjcc.org
www.levinjcc.org
Contact Jenny Schwartz
at 919-354-4923 or jschwartz@shalomdch.org
for information on these & other JFS programs.
Visti the JCC website for dates & details
on these ongoing events & more:
JFS Mitzvah Corps
Bubbes and Zaydes
Job & Networking Group
Caregiver Support Group
Chronic Connections
Memory Café
Chaverim
JFS Clinical Connections
Women’s & Men’s Groups
BRIDGES Sensational Sundays
Connections
We need Beth El volunteers at the Chapel Hill
Community Kitchen to cook lunch on the first Wednesday
of each month from 9:30-12:30. Anyone able to help please
contact Gladys Siegel (gladys5@earthlink.net)
Servers & Tuna Casseroles Needed for Durham
Community Café Dinner the fourth Sunday of each
month! Several casseroles are needed for the Community
Café dinner that is served on the fourth Sunday of each
month. For your convenience, the recipe is printed below.
Please deliver the casseroles to Judea Reform before the
fourth Sunday of each month during their regular office
hours. If you are unable to deliver the casserole, please
contact Erica Gringle to make alternate arrangements.
This mitzvah is an easy one in which to involve children.
Besides making casseroles, Beth El's commitment is to
provide servers for the community meal on the fourth
Sunday of each month (5:45 PM - 7:15 PM). If you are
interested in participating in this community service project,
please contact Erica Rapport Gringle. Pre-teens through
adult can serve so this too is great mitzvah to do with your
older kids.
TUNA NOODLE CASSEROLE
(use a very large rectangular or oval disposable tin)
Please note changes for pasta & vegetables
—2 lbs. of rotini (other pastas get mushy after being frozen,
thawed and baked)
—about 42 ounces of water packed tuna, drained
—7 cans of cream of mushroom soup (about 70 ounces and
low sodium, if possible)
—8 carrots and 8 stalks of celery, diced
—Boil the noodles in a large pot of water until al dente or
almost done. Drain and place in casserole.
—Add all other ingredients and mix well.
—No need to cook. Just cover tightly with lots of foil and
transport it to the Judea Reform freezer.
Help our Jewish Elderly: Jewish Family Services
provides a program and lunch for seniors in our community
(Chaverim). This is a wonderful opportunity for our elderly
seniors to get together on a regular basis, spending time
together chatting over a good lunch. We are looking for
small groups of friends, such as a family or two, a Hebrew
school class or a B’nei Mitzvah student to consider preparing
or sponsoring ($100 donation) a lunch in honor or memory
of someone or just for the fun of it, for between 15 - 20
seniors. This is an easy and wonderfully rewarding mitzvah
opportunity. For more information please contact Michele
Pas at mjbpas@aol.com or 919-493-3175.
Volunteer as a Guardian ad Litem: Help change the
life of Durham's abused and neglected children. For more
information or to volunteer, contact Stephanie Kelly at
564-7289 or stephanie.l.Kelly@nccourts.org. Sandy Kessler
can also give you information on what it is like to be a
Guardian ad Litem.
Duke Hospice Volunteers Needed: If you or anyone
you know is interested in becoming a hospice volunteer for
Duke Hospice, please contact Carolyn Colsher at 919-6203859, ext. 235 or Carolyn.colsher@duke.edu. For more
information on programs visit www.dhch.duhs.duke.edu.
27
BETH EL SCHEDULE OF SERVICES
Friday evening services:
Services are held on Friday evenings only in conjunction with other programming or special occasions.
See monthly calendars for noted dates and times.
Saturday morning services:
Services in the Orthodox Kehillah begin at 9:00 a.m.
Services in the Main Sanctuary begin at 9:30 a.m.
Weekday minyanim in the Main Sanctuary:
Sunday minyanim are suspended through Sept.1 (resume Sept. 8)
Wednesday mornings at 8:00am
*Please let the office know in advance if you need to say Kaddish, even if a minyan has already been scheduled.
OFFICE HOURS:
Monday through Thursday: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. / Fridays: 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Office
Rabbi Daniel Greyber, Rabbi
Ivy Wingate, Interim Executive Director
Elisabeth Albert, Education & Youth Director
Krisha Miller, Publicity Assistant
Rabbi Steve Sager, Rabbi Emeritus
Bulletin Advertising Sales Manager
(voice) 919-682-1238 (fax) 919-682-7898
919-682-2491
RabbiGreyber@betheldurham.org
919-682-1238 ext. 110
Ivy@betheldurham.org
919-682-1238 ext. 170
Elisabeth@betheldurham.org
919-416-1397
Krisha@betheldurham.org
919-682-1238 ext. 195
Ssager18@gmail.com
919-942-5369
Gladys5@earthlink.net
If the office phone is in use or no one is in the office, please leave a message on the voice mail.
Your call will be returned in a timely manner.
BETH EL WEBSITE:
Barak Richman
Rachel Galanter
Noah Pickus
Roy Schonberg
www.betheldurham.org
President
1st Vice-President
2nd Vice-President
Financial Secretary
The deadline to submit items for the Beth El Bulletin is the first workday of the preceding month.
The deadline for the September issue is August 1; for the October issue, September 2.
Send bulletin items and calendar dates via e-mail to krisha@betheldurham.org.
Dated Material
Beth El Synagogue
1004 Watts Street
Durham, NC 27701