to Spring Bulletin - ahavas

Congregation
Ahavas Achim
Serving The Jewish Community of Greater Newburyport
Rabbi Avi Poupko
www.ahavas-achim.org
53 1/2 Washington Street, Newburyport, MA 01950
Spring 2013 - Sh’vat 5773
Rabbi’s Message
T
he Midrash teaches us that when the People of Israel miraculously
crossed through the Red Sea on dry land, they actually walked on 12
separate paths. A distinct path for each of the 12 Tribes of Israel. Most
of us think of the great miraculous moments of the Biblical period as happening
to an indistinguishable mass of people; they all experienced the same event and
they all drew the same conclusions. This beautiful Midrash makes us rethink this
assumption. There were indeed multiple paths twisting their way through the
ocean on that extraordinary day - both literally and metaphorically.
This image of the “aquatic multi-lane highway” has been used by
various Jewish thinkers throughout our history to emphasize the infinite
pathways to God and the myriad manifestations of what can be considered
a “Jewish Way of Life.” In the words of the Talmud, “Just as each human
face is unique, so is every human consciousness unique.” Elsewhere in the
Talmud in reference to debates that take place regarding various aspects
of Jewish Law and Practice, we are told, “These and these are the words of
the Living God.” In other words, both the opinion that says the Sabbath is
over 42 minutes after sunset and the opinion that says its over 60 minutes
after sunset, are correct. Every voice is a unique manifestation of God’s
word and will in this world.
differently by spiritual
communities. And then
myself, hailing from a long
line of Orthodox Rabbis,
born in New York, raised
in Montreal and then lived
for more than a decade in
Israel. Ilene, Cole, John and myself - an almost implausible rainbow of
Jewishly involved individuals; and all under the same roof!
This Jewish communal diversity is clearly something to celebrate.
But it also a challenge. It challenges us to strengthen, and not weaken,
the “multi-lane spiritual highway” that is our community. Yet even more
importantly, the diversity challenges us to maintain unity, or a center of
gravity, with an ever-growing community. The Midrash that I mentioned
earlier goes on to tell us something extraordinary about those 12 paths
through the sea. Each path was walled in on both sides by “walls of water,”
yet those “walls of water” were in fact transparent. As the Tribe of Judah
walked on their path, they were able to look to their left and see the Tribe of
Levi. If they then looked to their right they could see the Tribe of Yissachar.
No tribe ever lost sight of their fellow tribe! We at Ahavas Achim are
journeying down a trail that contains a myriad of pathways and tribes - but
they all lead to the same “Promised Land” of a Jewish Community filled
with spirituality, acts of kindness and the study of Torah.
Unfortunately, many Jewish communities struggle with actually
living and putting into practice this kind of worldview. It’s a very nice thing
to talk about on the theoretical level but the moment this talk of “diversity
and a multiplicity of voices” wishes to enter real life, things start to get
sticky.
We are truly blessed in our small Jewish community with remarkable
diversity - just take a look at this issue’s contributors. Ilene Harnch-Grady,
born in Newburyport, with strong roots in our Jewish community dating
back to a time when our Synagogue was clearly identified as Conservative.
Cole Olson, a brilliant and passionate Jewish 5th grader who has recently
moved here with his family from Texas. The Olsons were members of a
vibrant Texas Reform synagogue. John Geesnik, husband of Bonnie
Sontag, born and raised by a very religious Christian family in Haarlam,
Amsterdam. John, who currently works as a full-time artist in Newburyport,
has spent his life contemplating the Divine and how God is understood
Spring 2013 - Sh’vat 5773
1
- Rabbi Avi Poupko
rabbi@ahavas-achim.org
Kol Hamayim - Volume 1 No. 2
President’s Message
Ilene Harnch-Grady, President
Board of Directors
Congregation Ahavas Achim
How can we possibly have recently rung
in the traditional New Year when it seems like
only yesterday we were welcoming our New Year
with warm L’shanah tovah wishes? This actually
speaks volumes to the continued excitement and
momentum at Congregation Ahavas Achim.
Since our last bulletin, we welcomed record
attendance over the High Holidays, and were
all enamored by the beauty of our Youngman
Center filled with brand new tables and chairs at
a nearly sold out break-the-fast sponsored by the
Board of Directors. Our Membership Committee
hosted a very successful Membership Brunch
with upcoming “Bagels and Schmooze” dates
planned as well.
Shortly after the High Holidays, our new
Hebrew School program entitled “Jewish
Learning through Jewish Doing – The Shabbat
Experience” began with a record number of
students ranging from Pre- K to the ever-popular
Teen class hosted by our very own Rabbi Avi.
Not only did the Hebrew School registration far
exceed our expectations, we quickly recognized
the need to bring on a new teacher to assist
with the Anafim classes. My deepest thanks to
our amazing education staff: Rabbi Avi Poupko,
Carina Poupko, our Rabbinic intern Jordan
Braunig, teachers Elaine Ber, Margie Casper,
Joan Nagler, Karen Glansberg and Education
Committee Chair Ben Scherz. In addition to
providing an innovative and exemplary new
program for our kids, we also offered sold-out
adult education classes covering topics on Jewish
Parenting, Modern Dads and Jewish Meditation
to name a few. How wonderful to see the entire
family involved in Jewish learning followed by a
hearty Kiddush for all to enjoy sponsored by our
loyal members and friends.
Thanks to the tireless efforts of Rabbi
Avi and House Committee Chair Ron Rutchik,
Ahavas Achim spearheaded the first ever
“Menorah in Market Square.” Each night of
Synagogue Contact Information
Rabbi Avi Poupko
General Information
Hebrew School Membership Finance What an exciting year and time for our
growing congregation. With an amazing Klezmer
band celebration in store for February coupled
with dynamic programming around Purim,
Passover and Shavuot, I personally feel obliged
to continue to give thanks to our wonderful
Rabbi and his family, the Board of Directors, our
countless volunteers, and our vibrant Jewish
Community. My best wishes to you all for a year
filled with much health and happiness.
See you in shul!
SYNAGOGUE TRIP TO ISRAEL
rabbi@ahavas-achim.org, 978-518-1504
info@ahavas-achim.org, 978-462-2461
school@ahavas-achim.org
membership@ahavas-achim.org
treasurer@ahavas-achim.org
Interested in traveling to Israel?
Maybe for the first time? A Synagogue trip
to Israel is currently in the planning stages
for February 13, 2014-February 24, 2014.
The trip will be led by Rabbi Avi Poupko.
Email Contacts for Board of Directors
President: Ilene Harnch-Grady
Vice-President: Daryl Colden
Treasurer: Kim Gobbi Secretary: Ilise Wolpert
Sheryl Blair Barrie Paster Barbara Ann Paster Peter Shactman Jayne Underwood Skaff David Wolpert Jill Gross Mel Nagler
Chanukah our beautiful menorah shone bright
as we welcomed Mayor Donna Holaday and
the community to share in various Chanukah
celebrations. Rabbi Avi, Carina, Judah and
Moses were all recently featured in a spectacular
article in Newburyport Magazine written by our
very own Board of Director and Contributing
Writer, Jill Gross. Thanks to the hard work of
the Education Committee, the yearly Chanukah
breakfast drew more than 160 people eager to
enjoy latkes and share in Chanukah songs and
an exciting silent auction.
Please email the Rabbi
rabbi@ahavas-achim.org
if you are interested!
info@ahavas-achim.org
dgc46@comcast.net
treasurer@ahavas-achim.org
ilisewolpert@comcast.net
blair.rs@verizon.net
barrie_paster@lahey.org
baptales@comcast.net
pshactman@yahoo.com
andyjayne@comcast.net
moonlightlimo@comcast.net
jillalexandra@yahoo.com
mjnagler@verizon.net
Avi Poupko and Jill Gross, newsletter editors;
Mark Antinoro, graphic designer
Spring 2013 - Sh’vat 5773
2
Kol Hamayim - Volume 1 No. 2
School Side News from the Hebrew School
A Student’s Reflection My name is Cole, and I moved
from Texas to Newburyport at the end
of summer. I was a little nervous about
moving to a new synagogue because I
didn’t know any of the kids. I also didn’t
know how the lessons would be taught and
if I would like how the teachers gave us the
lessons.
how the lessons are presented. In Texas we learned from an activity
book. It had lessons that taught us to read, write, and learn what
Hebrew words mean. Here, the teachers have us read the weekly
Torah text and ask us questions about the text.
I’ve learned a lot of things in this synagogue, but the most
important thing that I’ve learned is how to find the message in the
stories, convert the message into everyday life, and to explore my
Jewish self to find out the role that Judaism has in my life.
It turns out there was nothing to be
worried about. The kids are nice and I like
Cole Olson, age 10
A Teacher’s Reflection
Having grown up in a small Jewish community in Louisiana,
I learned a long time ago that sacred space is not determined by the
size of the kahal- congregation, but by the dedication of its members.
So, it has been no surprise for me to find in Congregation Ahavas
Achim a community that lives its Jewishness through warmth,
kindness and a commitment to the education of its children.
run the community Chanukah celebration, people come to Ahavas
Achim with offerings that represent who they are.
The rabbis, using the best of their Midrashic imaginations,
make a link between the construction of the mishkan and the
creation of the world. It is not until humanity has embraced its
full creative potential, they argue, that the world experiences a
true yom rishon – first day. There is something radical about the
rabbis attempt to link our human creativity with the creativity of
the ultimate Creator. Yet, the rabbis want every story to be relevant
and they seemed to know that the story of the creation of the world
was meant to be illustrative and to show us how holy the act of
creation can be. For all of us, engaged on some level in the building
of community, it is a much needed reminder that our work is in the
image of the Divine.
As we approach the end of Shemot - Exodus, the second book
of Torah, we are given the ultimate example of creating holy space.
The construction of the mishkan or tabernacle, that wild, portable,
desert sanctuary, offers a model for communal creative endeavor.
Each person, we are told, gives according to the generosity of her/
his heart. During my time working with Rav Avi and the community
here in Newburyport, I have witnessed so many people giving
according to their own hearts. Whether that means providing
snack for the Hebrew School, leading a part of services or helping
Jordan Braunig, CAA Rabbinic Intern
This Year’s B’nai Mitzvah
Mazal Tov to all our B’nai Mitzvah. We are so proud of you!
Amy Wolpert, Parshat Tazria-Metzorah,
Shabbat Morning, April 13th, 2013
Rebecca Black, Parshat Acharei Mot-Kedoshim,
Shabbat Morning, April 20th, 2013
Dustin Koocher, Parshat Behar-Bechukotai,
Shabbat Morning, May 4th, 2013
Dustin Koocher
Rebecca Black
Amy Wolpert
Eli Gobbi, Parshat Nasso,
Shabbat Morning, May 18th, 2013
Eli Bernstein, Parshat B’halotcha,
Shabbat Morning, May 25th, 2013
Eli Gobbi
Spring 2013 - Sh’vat 5773
Eli Bernstein
3
Kol Hamayim - Volume 1 No. 2
Photo Highlights
Newburyport Magazine Featuring the Poupkos*
Mrs. Shapiro (aka Barbara Ann
Paster) and Saul Katz
Mikvah outing at Packers Falls, NH
Visit to Strawbery Banke
Challah Baking
at Zac and Ani’s Bakery
Teen Class in the Sukkah
Newburyport Magazine
featuring CAA members and torahs*
Public menorah lighting
with Rabbi Avi Poupko in Market Square
Photo: Newburyport Daily News
Spring 2013 - Sh’vat 5773
Mikvah outing at Packers Falls, NH
Inside Mrs. Shapiro’s House
at Strawbery Banke
Building the Sukkah
on Washington Street
4
*Photos: Jim Vaiknoras
Kol Hamayim - Volume 1 No. 2
February 2013 - Ahavas Achim Community Calendar
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday Thursday
Friday
4:39pm -Shabbat
Candle Lighting
3
10
10:00am -CAMP
ACHIM-Hebrew
School Outing
Rosh Chodesh
Adar I
7:00pm -Movie
Night at the
Synagogue
17
24
9:00am -Megillah
Reading
PURIM
4
11
6:45am -Rosh
Chodesh Adar
Morning Minyan
Rosh Chodesh
Adar II
PRESIDENT'S
DAY
18
25
6:00pm -Teen
Class
Shushan Purim
Spring 2013 - Sh’vat 5773
4:00pm -Hebrew
School-My
Jewish World
5
12
4:00pm -Hebrew
School-My
Jewish World
26
7
13
14
7:30pm -Adult Ed
with Rabbi Avi
Poupko
19
4:00pm -Hebrew
School-My
Jewish World
6
7:30pm -Adult Ed
with Rabbi Avi
Poupko
20
27
7:30pm -Adult Ed
with Rabbi Avi
Poupko
5
FAST OF
ESTHER
21
4:48pm -Shabbat
Candle Lighting
5:30pm - Teen
Friday Night
Dinner at the
Rabbi's House
1
8
15
4:57pm -Shabbat
Candle Lighting
22
5:06pm -Shabbat
Candle Lighting
Saturday
2
8:45am -Shabbat
Morning
Services
9:00am - The
Shabbat
Experience
9
8:45am -Shabbat
Morning
Services
9:00am - The
Shabbat
Experience
16
9:00am -Shabbat
Morning
Services
23
9:00am -Shabbat
Morning
Services
6:00pm -PURIM
PARTY!
28
7:30pm
-KLEZMER
CONCERT AT
THE
SYNAGOGUE
WITH THE
BOSTON
JEWISH MUSIC
FESTIVAL
Kol Hamayim - Volume 1 No. 2
March 2013 - Ahavas Achim Community Calendar
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday Thursday
Friday
5:15pm -Shabbat
Candle Lighting
5:30pm -FRIDAY
NIGHT LIGHTS
3
4
10
11
10:00am -Hebrew
School Outing to
Jewish Boston
and Brookline
4:00pm -Israeli
Folk Dancing
with Fran Kaplan
7:00pm -Movie
Night at the
Synagogue
17
24
6:00pm -Teen
Class
18
25
6:45am -Erev
Pesach Morning
Minyan-Siyum
for the Firstborn
FIRST SEDER AT
NIGHT
5
4:00pm - Hebrew
School-Pesach
Shelanu
12
6:45am -Rosh
Chodesh Nisan
Morning Minyan
4:00pm -Hebrew
School-Pesach
Shelanu
Rosh Chodesh
Nisan
19
26
7
13
14
20
21
7:30pm -Adult Ed
with Rabbi Avi
Poupko
4:00pm -Hebrew
School-Pesach
Shelanu
9:00am -Pesach
Morning Minyan
6:00pm
-COMMUNITY
SEDER
PASSOVER-DAY
1
6
7:30pm -Adult Ed
with Rabbi Avi
Poupko
27
PASSOVER-DAY
2
28
PASSOVER-DAY
3
5:23pm -Shabbat
Candle Lighting
1
8
15
6:31pm -Shabbat
Candle Lighting
22
5:30pm -Friday
Night Lights
6:40pm -Shabbat
Candle Lighting
29
6:48pm -Shabbat
Candle Lighting
PASSOVER-DAY
4
Saturday
2
9:00am -Shabbat
Morning
Services
9
8:45am -Shabbat
Morning
Services
9:00am -The
Shabbat
Experience
16
8:45am -Shabbat
Morning
Services
9:00am -The
Shabbat
Experience
23
9:00am -Shabbat
Morning
Services
30
8:45am -Shabbat
Morning Sevices
9:00am -The
Shabbat
Experience
PASSOVER-DAY
5
31
10:00am -Terezin
Children of the
Holocaust
Perfomance at
the Synagogue
PASSOVER-DAY
6
Spring 2013 - Sh’vat 5773
6
Kol Hamayim - Volume 1 No. 2
April 2013 - Ahavas Achim Community Calendar
Sunday
Monday
1
8:00am -Shevi'i
Shel Pesach
Morning Minyan
with YIZKOR
PASSOVER-DAY
7
YOM HASHOAH
7
14
7:00pm -Movie
Night at the
Synagogue
10:00am
-Synagogue
Bowling
Championship
Lag b'Omer
21
8
15
YOM
HAZIKARON-ISR
AEL MEMORIAL
DAY
6:00pm -Teen
Class
28
Spring 2013 - Sh’vat 5773
22
29
Tuesday
2
Wednesday Thursday
3
4:00pm -Hebrew
School-Pesach
Shelanu
PASSOVER-DAY
8
4:00pm -Hebrew
School-Yom
Ha'atzmaut and
Yom Ha'Zikaron
9
Rosh Chodesh
Iyar
16
YOM
HA'ATZMAUT-IS
RAELI
INDEPENDENCE
DAY
23
4:00pm -Hebrew
School-Matan
Torah
10
4
11
6:45am -Rosh
Chodesh Iyar
Morning Minyan
Rosh Chodesh
Iyar
17
18
24
25
7:30pm -Adult Ed
with Rabbi Avi
Poupko
Pesach Sheini
Friday
6:56pm -Shabbat
Candle Lighting
5
12
7:04pm -Shabbat
Candle Lighting
19
7:12pm --Shabbat
Candle Lighting
26
7:20pm --Shabbat
Candle Lighting
Saturday
6
8:45am -Shabbat
Morning
Services
9:00am -The
Shabbat
Experience
7:30pm
-Havdallah and
Yom Hashoah
Program
13
9:00am -Shabbat
Morning
Services
AMY
WOLPERT'S BAT
MITZVAH
20
8:45am -Shabbat
Morning
Services
REBECCA
BLACK'S BAT
MITZVAH
27
8:45am -Shabbat
Morning
Services
9:00am -The
Shabbat
Experience
30
4:00pm -Hebrew
School-Matan
Torah
7
Kol Hamayim - Volume 1 No. 2
May 2013 - Ahavas Achim Community Calendar
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday Thursday
1
2
8
9
7:30pm -Adult Ed
with Rabbi Avi
Poupko
5
6
4:00pm -Israeli
Folk Dancing
with Fran Kaplan
12
6:00pm -Teen
Class
19
10:00am - SIYUM
HASHANAH-HEB
REW
SCHOOL-END
OF YEAR
CELEBRATION
26
13
8:00pm
-Community
Shavuot
Learning
7
14
20
21
27
28
MEMORIAL DAY
Spring 2013 - Sh’vat 5773
4:00pm -Hebrew
School-Matan
Torah
7:30pm -Adult Ed
with Rabbi Avi
Poupko
15
8:00am -Shavuot
Morning Minyan
with YIZKOR
SHAVUOT-DAY 1
22
23
29
30
7:30pm -Adult Ed
with Rabbi Avi
Poupko
7:30pm -Adult Ed
with Rabbi Avi
Poupko
8
16
SHAVUOT-DAY 2
Friday
7:28pm -Shabbat
Candle Lighting
3
10
6:00pm -Friday
Night
Lights-COMMUNI
TY SHABBAT
DINNER
7:36pm -Shabbat
Candle Lighting
Rosh Chodesh
Sivan
17
7:43pm -Shabbat
Candle Lighting
24
7:50pm -Shabbat
Candle Lighting
Saturday
4
9:00am -Shabbat
Morning
Services
DUSTIN
KOOCHER'S
BAR MITZVAH
11
8:45am -Shabbat
Morning
Services
9:00am -The
Shabbat
Experience
18
9:00am -Shabbat
Morning
Services
ELI GOBBI'S
BAR MITZVAH
25
9:00am -Shabbat
Morning
Services
ELI
BERNSTEIN'S
BAR MITZVAH
31
7:56pm -Shabbat
Candle Lighting
Kol Hamayim - Volume 1 No. 2
A Member’s Point of View
My wife Bonnie Sontag and I recently joined the congregation,
and during my first conversation with Avi he asked me how I felt
during services. His question surprised me. I, as a non-Jew married
to a Jew, had expected questions about my beliefs, not about my
feelings. The words “very good” came out of my mouth before I had
time to think about it. The fact is that I do feel comfortable and
in the right place because of the spirit of openness and acceptance
of the congregation, and I am very
thankful for it.
By John Geesnik
the dramatic skies and everything that lives there. Nature’s beauty
can be as dramatic as a sunset or as subtle as the flash of a firefly.
Searching for this beauty is an adventure and finding it is a personal
experience that often comes as a surprise. When we see something
truly beautiful we experience a deep sense of satisfaction, awe and
harmony. It seems as if time has been suspended and we briefly
feel the fresh wind that blew over the earth as God created nature.
I was born in Holland and in 1958
came to America to study at Gordon
College. At that time I wanted to
become an evangelical preacher,
but that desire faded over the years.
I did graduate work in literature
and eventually got my degree in
organizational
psychology.
An
irresistible job offer took me to
Switzerland, where I lived and
worked for a total of 25 years. During
a business trip to the U.S., I met
Bonnie, who worked for the same
company. We married and lived in Geneva for 15 years. In 1997,
we were on our way to Maine for a vacation when we had a flat tire
in Newburyport. We fell in love with the city, bought a house and
moved here in January 1999.
When I experience such a moment
of beauty I use my camera to take
pictures of the scene. Unfortunately
I cannot turn the camera around
and take a picture of my emotional
response to the beauty. But once
home I can use my computer to
edit the photograph and bring out
the features that spoke most clearly
to me. My image is successful if it
speaks to the viewer.
The picture of the barred owl is one
example. I found it sitting in a tree
next to the main road in the refuge on
Plum Island. The owl was not afraid of me and looked straight into
my eyes. It was as interested in looking at me as I was in looking
into its big, black eyes. For a moment it seemed as if we were back
in paradise where everything was good. The experience seems
RIVER VALLEY worthy of the blessing: Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the
INFECTIOUS DISEASE SPECIALISTS
Now that I am retired I focus much of my energy on my lifelong Universe, who has such beauty in his universe.
hobby of photography. I take most of my photographs
Plum
JOSEPH W. on
GROSS,
MD
Island. I love the visual beauty of the ocean, the dunes, the marsh,
21 HIGHLAND AVENUE, SUITE 1A • NEWBURYPORT, MA 01950
978-499-3810 • WWW.RIVERVALLEYID.COM
Happy
New
year
RIVER VALLEY
Mark Antinor
INFECTIOUS DISEASE SPECIALISTS
JOSEPH W. GROSS, MD
Pl
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978-499-3810 • WWW.RIVERVALLEYID.COM
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Caring for YOUR
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as part of your
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Community
Dr. Daryl Colden,Vice President
Congregation Ahavas Achim
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Spring 2013 - Sh’vat 5773
Congregation Ahavas Achim9
53 1/2 Washington Street
Kol Hamayim - Volume 1 No. 2
If
in
jillale
Thank You and Todah Rabah!
To our members, volunteers, Board members, and the countless donors who have contributed to our Jewish
Community and to the betterment of our Synagogue, we thank you! We couldn’t do it without you. We would like
thank the following individuals who have made contributions to our Synagogue over the last number of months:
Abby and Don Ferguson
Andy and Jayne Skaff
Anna Shenker
Bonnie Sontag and John Geesnik
Brenda Rich and Matt Einson
Carrie Lavalee
Charles and Lillian Densen
Chris and Rhonda Keith
Dara and Jeff Carrol
Daryl Colden and Kristin Tallman
Estelle Israel
Francine Hirsch
Scott Boches
Margie Casper
Scott and Allison Cohen
Marilyn Trebach
Sherrie and Alison Linsky
Mark Coltin
Sigall and Pete Bell
Michael Fried
Stanley Berg
Michael Pearlman
Stephen Shapiro
Michael Sales
Stuart and Paula Boxer
Michael and Ann Strem
Sue and Bruce Burrows
Michele Sasmor
Sue and Glen Crawford
Jan and David Rooney
Michelle Geller
and Robert Naftoly
Susan and Michael Steinberg
Janice Epps
Mike Kulfan
Janice Kay
Mitchell Wallman
Tammy Bottner
and Daniel Carlat
Jay Roaf
Myrna Harnch
Tammy Gluck
Jeff Barry and Beth Pfefferle
Noa Bourke
Jerry Skaff
RIVER
Paul and Randye Kerstein
Harvey Rothman
Howard Wolpert and Pearl Conte
Ilise and David Wolpert
Carolyn and Howard Ledewitz
Ellen McQueeny
Saul Bornstein
Marcelle Greenbaum
Ilene Harnch-Grady
Carol Baum
Elizabeth Hatch
Ruth Kletnick
Marc and Kathy Davidson
Howard Zimmern
Bruce Parks
Elaine Litcofsky
Lorraine Daniluk
Harry Zeltzer
Bob and Ellen Karelitz
Elaine Kaplan
Russ and Rhonda Bernstein
Harriet and Aaron Turchin
Beverly Shapiro
Elaine Backler
Rosalyn and Alan Geller
Lorraine Adelman
Harold and Judi Cohen
Ben Scherz and Sue Latham
Ed and Adrianne Mavragis
Lori and Mike Levans
Harold Edelstein
Suzanne Barry Salloway
Dennis and Priscilla Eigen
Ronna Rosenblatt
H. Gerstein
Barbara Harnch
Debbie and Thomas Szabo
Rhonda and Neil Wilson
Loretta and Stephen Dietch
Glenda Donovan
Barbara Ann and Barrie Paster
David and Susan Glassberg
Gary Karelis
George and Lisa Hamblen
Arlene Siegel
David and Nancy Shactman
Ron and Paula Pressler
Lois Mann
Gene and Sharon Wintner
April Harnch-Ruane
David Lebwohl
Kristine and Stu Steinberg
Gary Lubarsky
Anne Emily Kaplan
David Kessel
Gary Gastman
and Laura Goldberg
VALLEY
Happy
New
year
DISEASE SPECIALISTS
Jess andINFECTIOUS
Mike Olson
Peter Goldberg
Jill and Joe Gross
Rabbi Melissa Wenig
Joan Steinberg
Ramona Cohen
JOSEPH W. GROSS, MD
Sylvia Coltin
Joan and Mel Nagler
Richard Salus
Joel and Sheila Grossman
Richie and Barbara Weiner
John and Holly Saville
Rick and Emily Durbin
Judy and Irwin Miller
Robert Nelson
Julie Benson
Robert and Fran Kaplan
Julie and Sean Hopkinson
Robert and Monica Nelson
Karen Reback and Scott Howard
Robert and Susan Friedburg
Kim and David Gobbi
Robin and Sheryl Blair
Kim and Keith Sherwood
Ron and Chris Rutchik
Kincade and Betsy Webb
Ronald and Sheila Trieff
21 HIGHLAND AVENUE, SUITE 1A NEWBURYPORT, MA 01950
978-499-3810 • WWW.RIVERVALLEYID.COM
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A special thank you goes out
to Bonnie Sontag and Sheryl
Blair who have been so helpful
and instrumental in making the
Shabbat Morning Kiddushes over
the few months such a success!
Thank you!
And last but not least, a huge
thank you to our President, Ilene
Harnch-Grady, and Treasurer,
Mark Antinoro
Kim Gobbi, for going above and
beyond their responsibilities over
the last few months. Ilene and
Kim have both spent countless
hours on Synagogue and we
cannot thank them enough.
Plum I
www.plumisla
The Journeyman Press
Fine Commercial Printers
11 Malcolm Hoyt Drive • Newburyport, MA 01950 • 978-465-8950
Visit us on the web at www.jpress.com
Spring 2013 - Sh’vat 5773
Congregation Ahavas Achim
10
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jillalexan
Kol Hamayim - Volume 1 No. 2
Four Big Events You Don’t Want to Miss!
Purim Party with Megillah Reading,
Entertainment, Chinese Food Buffet
and Costume Contest
Saturday, February 23rd at 6:30pm
SPECIAL NORTH SHORE PREVIEW:
Boston Jewish Music Festival
Klezmer Buenos Aires with Lerner &
Moguilevsky
Congregation Ahavas Achim, Newburyport,
MA Thursday, February 28th at 7:30pm
By popular demand, BJMF is proud to
present a special festival preview concert
for the North Shore Jewish Community
featuring Lerner & Moguilevsky, two master
musicians and improvisers from Argentina.
César Lerner and Marcelo Moguilevsky
use klezmer as a springboard for intense,
original improvisation.
Presented in partnership with Congregation
Ahavas Achim and Peabody’s Temple Ner
Tamid and made possible with support
from the North Shore Jewish Federation.
Community Second Passover Seder
at the Synagogue!
Tuesday, March 26th at 6:00pm
Terezin - Children of the Holocaust
Sunday, March 31st at 10:00am, Anna
Smulowitz present for the first time
at the Synagogue her award-winning
performance. We are looking for sponsors
for this important event. Please email
info@ahavas-achim.org if you are
interested in being a financial supporter of
this event. Thank you!
Welcome New Members!
A huge Bruchim Ha’Ba’im-Welcome to
all the new families that have joined our
Synagogue over the past summer and last
few months.
Jennifer Groskin-Spurling and Daniel
Spurling and their son Sawyer
Michelle and Robert Anderson and their
children Jacob, Benjamin and Matthew
Lori and Michael Levans
and their son Oliver
Rhonda and Russ Bernstein
and their children Zac, Eli, and Eva
Zahava Fisch
Ruth and Doug Black
and their children Rebecca and Zachary
Steve Bloom and Calli Towne
and their children Ari and Aren
Sheryl Knopf and Robert Grower
Danielle Levy and Craig Genualdo
and their children Drew and Logan
Gladys and Fred Pack
Suzanne and Barry Salloway
Iris and Brian Schwartz
and their daughter Marissa
Kim and Keith Sherwood
Kristine and Stuart Steinberg and their
children Andrew, Hannah and Jade
Madeleine Nathan and her son Sam
Jason Wanatick and his children
Casey and Jessica
Jessica and Michael Olson
and their children Caelin and Cole
We are so happy that you are all part
of our growing Jewish Community!
Mar 1
Mar 5
Mar 6
Mar 8
Mar 9
Mar 9
Mar 11
Mar 11
Mar 12
Mar 14
Mar 18
Mar 22
Mar 23
Mar 27
Mar 27
Mar 28
Mar 29
April 18
April 21
April 23
April 25
April 29
April 29
April 30
2013 Yahrzeits
Feb 1
Feb 2
Feb 10
Feb 10
Feb 11
Feb 12
Feb 13
Feb 13
Feb 19
Feb 20
Feb 22
Feb 24
Feb 25
Feb 25
Feb 26
Feb 27
Feb 23
Feb 24
Feb 25
Martin Abkowitz
Benjamin Katz
Arthur Reich
Pearl Reich
Pearl Acker
Helen Blair
Jacob Cohen
Rebecca Bornstein
Lesley Bunim Heafitz
Fay Harnch
Fanny Feigenbaum
George Blair
Rose Traister
Louis Boxer
Norman Espovich
Benjamin Feigenbaum
Ethel Wexler
Richard Goldberg
Harry Dym
Spring 2013 - Sh’vat 5773
April 3
April 7
April 15
April 16
Jacob Charney
Joseph Goldman
Aaron Miller
Celia Cohen
Irving Fram
Ciral Cohen
Samuel Morrison
Esther Cetlin
Mollie Dym
Gladys Katz
Benjamin Fisher
Israel Heafitz
Mitchell Wexler
Harry Marcus
Esther Rubin
Sarah Shoreman
Alec Scott
Aileen Greenberg
Yom Ha Shoa
Lilian Cohen
Sally Bullard
11
May 5
May 15
May 16
May 18
May 24
May 27
May 27
May 29
May 29
May 31
Rose Hirsch
Rose Cohen
Herbert Rubin
Milton Rand
Sol Harker
Louis Acker
Milton Laufer
Eva Checkoway
Eugene Paster
Maximilian Langer
Max Dick
David Herman
Saul Belinsky
Paul Bornstein
Fannie Densen
Charles Hirsch
Norman Wilson
Contact Mel Nagler for Yahrzeit information,
mhnagler@verizon.net
Kol Hamayim - Volume 1 No. 2
Congregation Ahavas Achim
53 1/2 Washington Street
Newburyport, MA 01950
Don’t miss these special events!
Purim Party – Feb. 23
Klezmer Concert – Feb. 28
Community Second Seder – March 26
Mark Your Calendars!
The High Holidays come early this
year. The first day of Rosh Hashanah
is Thursday, September 5th, 2013
and Yom Kippur Day is Saturday,
September 14th, 2013.
Community Shabbat Dinner – May 10
Hebrew School
End-of-Year Celebration – May 19
Special calendar inside
pages 5-8!!
Mark Antinoro
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