shofar - Temple Beth-El

The
SHOFAR
DECEMBER 2014
Volume 91 No. 3
KISLEV/TEVET 5775
Temple Beth-El
The Temple Beth-El Shofar is dedicated
by the Chase Family Foundation.
Congregation Sons of Israel & David
BUILDING
BLOCKS
WORKSHOPS
Temple Beth-EL
CHANUKAH PARTY
Lego Extravaganza
Menorah
OPEN
to the
comm
unity
Bring your
friends!
SUNDAY
December 14th
at 3:00 PM
BUILDING BLOCKS WORKSHOPS
conducts programs using LEGO® building blocks
to teach specific subjects in Jewish History for children and their parents.
Each program has a detailed drawing of at least 400 square feet upon which
the participants build the actual model. The number of participants can vary
Hanukah
te
ra
eb
from 60 to 125 for most programs and for the Menorah we have had as
el
C
es and
tk
la
,
ng
so
many as 200 building at one time.
with
soufganiyot
/doughnuts
Funded by the Freda & Louis
Kaufman Memorial Fund
A 2- hour, hands on, model building experience
using over 50,000 LEGO® building blocks.
FREE ADMISSION
Come help
build a Gia
nt
Lego Menor
ah!
WORSHIP SERVICES
jkahu ,arp
PARASHAT VAYISLACH
Torah: Genesis 32:4 - 36:43
Haftarah: Obidiah 1:1- 1: 21
Friday, December 5
5:30 PM
Congregational Shabbat Dinner
7:00 PM
Family Shabbat Service
(led by Sixth Grade)
Children with December birthdays
will be honored.
Saturday, December 6
9:00 AM
10:30 AM
5:45 PM
Torah Study with Rabbi Elyse
Wechterman
Shabbat Service
Minyan
cahu ,arp
PARASHAT VAYESHEV
Torah: Genesis 37:1- 40:23
Haftarah: Amos 2:6 - 3:8
Friday, December 12
7:00 PM
Shabbat Service
Rabbi Sarah Mack will speak
Saturday, December 13
9:00 AM Torah Study
10:30 AM Shabbat Service
5:45 PM Minyan
.en ,arp
PARASHAT MIKETZ
Torah: Genesis 41:1 - 44:17
Haftarah: Zechariah 2:14 - 4:7
Friday, December 19
7:00 PM
Hallelu Service
Abundant & filling hors d’oeuvres will
be served at 6:30 PM followed by an
uplifting musical Shabbat featuring
Temple Beth-El Musicians and a short
D’var Torah.
Saturday, December 20
2
9:00 AM Yoga Shabbat (See detail on page 3.)
10:30 AM Shabbat Service
5:45 PM Minyan
TORAH STUDY
December 6, 2014
Guest speaker Rabbi Elyse Wechterman
RABBI ELYSE WECHTERMAN
THE BOARD OF RABBIS OF GREATER RHODE ISLAND
Rabbi Wechterman served as
spiritual leader of Congregation
Agudas Achim in Attleboro,
Massachusetts from 2001 to
June of 2014. She currently
teaches at the college and adult
level in the Attleboro area and
is available for life cycle
planning, spiritual counseling
and educational programming.
She also leads a monthly Shabbat service for children
and families with special needs and works actively to
create inclusive communities for Jews of all abilities
and backgrounds.
A graduate of the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College,
Rabbi Wechterman brings an open and inclusive
approach to teaching Jewish life and traditions. She
is committed to empowering Jews and fellow travelers
on their individual and unique Jewish journeys.
During her tenure at Congregation Agudas Achim,
Rabbi Wechterman has pursued a number of
continuing education and rabbinic growth opportunities
and was a member of the second cohort of START
PEER (Program for Excellence and Education in the
Rabbinate). She is also a graduate of the Institute for
Jewish Spirituality’s Rabbinic training program and
received the Hassenfeld Award for Jewish Service
from the Jewish Federation of Rhode Island for her
leadership work in providing social services in the
context of Jewish community.
Rabbi Wechterman is active in interfaith work in the
community, serving on the board of the Attleboro Area
Council of Churches and participating in the monthly
Interfaith Dialogues. She has been a regular
participant in discussion forums, interfaith services
and other programs that bring people together.
Rabbi Wechterman is a member of the board of the
Jewish Family Service of Rhode Island and participates
in the Board of Rabbis of Greater Rhode Island.
Rabbi Wechterman holds a BA in International
Relations and BS in Journalism from Boston University. She lives in Attleboro with her husband David
Nerenberg and their two children Avi and Sharon.
PARASHAT VAYIGASH
YOGA
SHABBAT
Torah: Genesis 44:18 - 47: 27
Haftarah: Ezekial 37:153 - 37:28
Friday, December 26
5:45 PM Shabbat Service
(PLEASE NOTE SPECIAL TIME)
Saturday, December 27
9:00 AM Torah Study
10:30 AM Shabbat Service
5:45 PM Minyan
DECEMBER 20, 2014
at 9:00AM
PARASHAT YAYECHI
Yoga Shabbat will feature a focused
Jewish theme introduced in the opening
meditation, continued throughout the class,
and culminating in the closing meditation. There will be a light snack before worship
begins at 10:30AM in the Chapel.
Torah: Genesis 47:28 – 50:26
Haftarah: I Kings 2:1 – 2:12
Taught by Vanessa Weiner, Rabbi Mack
and Cantor Seplowin
hjhu ,arp
Friday, January 2
7:00 PM Shabbat Service
“My Hopes and Dreams
for the Future”~ Lilliane Birch
For decades I’ve asked a
congregant to speak on this
theme on the first Shabbat of a
new calendar year. Lilliane Birch
and her family have been
members of Beth - El for more than
twenty-five years. She arrived in America when she
was four years old, the child of Holocaust survivors.
Her parents’ harrowing experiences move her to
speak to countless Rhode Islanders on behalf of
The Rhode Island Holocaust Education Center.
Lilliane is a thoughtful woman who makes a great
difference for good through her myriad volunteer
activities. LYG
Saturday, January 3
9:00 AM Torah Study
10:30 AM Shabbat Service
5:45 PM Minyan
WORSHIP SERVICES
adhu ,arp
All levels are welcome. We will meet in the
sanctuary classroom nearest to the parking
lot. Bring a mat, if you have one. We
recommend comfortable clothing. There will
be chairs for those who are unable to do
yoga on the floor.
Rosh Hodesh, THE START OF EACH Hebrew
month when the new crescent moon appears
in the sky, is a time for celebration and
reflection, bringing with it hope, light and
promise, growth and fulfillment, not only for
the moon but for us. Rosh Hodesh Tevet,
the start of the new month, is MONDAY,
DECEMBER 22nd. The celebration of
Chanukah concludes at the very beginning
of Tevet. As we increase the candles on
the menorah on the 7th and 8th nights, the
moon reappears in the sky reminding us of
our capacity to bring light into the world and
of the ever-present light of God even in the
darkest of times.
3
Join us for a
Congregational
Shabbat Dinner on
December 5th!
The whole community is
invited to join us for an
Israeli Shabbat Dinner
followed by a spirited
Shabbat Service led by
our Sixth Graders.
5:30 PM Shabbat Dinner
7:00 PM Shabbat Service
Yes, I would love to come to the Shabbat Dinner on December 5th!
Please make checks payable to Temple Beth-El.
RSVP on Chaverweb or fill out this form and return by November 30th.
Name of All Family Members _________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
# of Adults @ $12_________ # of children@ $8.00_________ (Maximum Family Price $40)
Phone #_______________________________________________________________________
E-mail_________________________________________________________________________
Did You Know ?
2014
Chanukah is the only significant
Jewish holiday not mentioned in
the Bible.
It is recorded in the First and Second Book
of the Maccabees which are part of the
Apocrypha, books written by Jews, but
not part of the biblical canon.
Chanukah was first celebrated as
a military victory.
The legend of the oil came later. In Israel,
today, the emphasis, once more, is on
victory and national courage and not the
miracle of the oil.
The word, Dreidel is a derivative of
the German word "top" and the
game an adaptation of an old
German gambling game.
Chanukah was one of the few
times of the year when rabbis
permitted games of chance. The dreidel,
therefore, was a natural for holiday
entertainment. Each side of the top, or
sivivon in Hebrew, bears a Hebrew letter,
nun, gimel, hei and shin. Players "ante" a
certain number of coins or nuts, then spin
the dreidel in turn, proceeding as follows:
nun, take nothing; gimel, take all; hei,
take half; shin, put in. In time, the letters
were reinterpreted to stand for Nes Gada/
Hayah Sham," A great miracle happened
there.” Thus, even a game of chance was
invested with Jewish values and served to
remind us of the message of the holiday.
In Israel, the dreidels are slightly different.
The letter shin has been replaced with a
pei, transforming the phrase into Nes
Gada/Hayah Po, "A great miracle
happened here.”
Why we eat latkes on Chanukah.
A common explanation
is because they are
cooked in oil, reminding
us of the miracle of the
single cruse. A contemporary
Jewish scholar, Rabbi Freehot, suggests the
eating of latkes may have grown out of a
custom of eating dairy foods on Chanukah,
possibly because the main potato crop
became available at that time of year. No
one knows the answer for sure, but for
anyone who feasts on latkes, an historical
rationale is unnecessary.
Outdoor Candle Lighting
Outdoor candle lighting is a Beth-El tradition on the nights
of Chanukah. For many years, congregants have gathered
around the outdoor Hannukiah on Orchard Avenue to
sing songs, kindle the lights and receive treats.
Join us on the eight nights
of the festival at 6:00 PM
beginning on Tuesday evenin
g
DE CE MB ER 16t h
(please note that on Friday the
19th,
candles will be kindled at the
7:00 PM
Shabbat Service)
Have A Happy
Chanukah !
Why
8Days?
According to a Talmudic legend,
when the Maccabees went to
rededicate the Temple, they found only one bottle of purified oil for the
Ner Tamid, the Eternal Light, enough for just one day. Miraculously, it
burned for eight. The rabbis, therefore, attributed the eight days of
CHANUKAH to the miracle of the oil.
The books of the Maccabees, however, makes no mention of the legend
of the oil and it is believed the eight day holiday was originally meant
to parallel the eight days of Succot which the Maccabees could not
observe while they were in hiding in the Judean hills.
5
LIGHTING THE MENORAH
Lighting
THe Menorah
The major ritual for Chanukah is the
lighting of the menorah, which takes
place soon after nightfall, or as
soon as the household is together.
(On Friday night, the Chanukah
candles are lit first, followed by the
Shabbat candles, as, traditionally,
fire is not created on the Sabbath
itself). The lights should not be used
for any practical purpose. They
should last for at least half an hour,
during which time no work should
be done.
The menorah is placed on a
windowsill or table facing the
street to publicize the two miracles
of Chanukah: the miracle of the
ORDER OF THE SERVICE
FOR EACH NIGHT
1. Open meditation
2. Recite the Chanukah blessings
3. Light the candles
The candles are placed in the
menorah from right to left, starting
with one on the first night, then
two on the second, and so on,
until on the eighth night when
there are eight. The shamas,
which on most menorahs is set
apart from the other candles,
is always lit first, and it is then
used to light the other candles.
The candles are lit each night
starting from the left side, so that
we always light the current night’s
light first.
6
24
mothers in the days of old, at this
season.
Ubh«vk¡
¥ t ḧ§h vT̈t© QUrC̈
Night
ohX¦
¦(On
b vthe
G̈g̈First
J¤ 'o¨
kIgOnly)
v̈ Q¤kn«¤
Ba-ruch a-ta A-do-nai, E-lo-hei-nu
Ubh«,In
¥ t©
¦ kqUbh«,Ic£
¥ t©k
Ba-ruch a-ta Adonai, Eh-lo-hei-nu
Me-lech ha-o-lam, she-hecheyanu,
Me-lech ha-o-lam a-sher
/v¤
Zv© in© Z§ C©v’higi-anu
ov¥ v̈ ohnḦ
¦ C©
V’ki-y’manu,
(Each night, the following two blessings
are recited)
ki-d’sha-nu b’mitz-vo-tav v’tzi-va-nu
I’had-lik ner shel Hanukkah
Ubh«vk¡
¥ t ḧ§h vT̈t© QUrC̈
rJ£
¤ t 'o¨kIgv̈ Q¤kn«¤
Ub«Üm¦ u§ 'uh,̈um§ n¦ C§ Ub«J̈S§ e¦
/vF̈ªbj£ kJ¤ r¥b eh¦ks§ v§
©k
cruse of oil and the miracle of
Jewish survival.
Ubh«vk¡
¥ t ḧ§h vT̈t© QUrC̈
rJ£
¤ t 'o¨kIgv̈ Q¤kn«¤
W
God,
Ub«eÜmpraise
¦ u§ 'uhYou,
,̈um§Eternal
n¦ C§ Ub«
J̈S§ e¦
Sovereign of the universe: You
/vF̈ªbj£wonders
kJ¤ r¥tob eh¦
s§ v§
©k
showed
our k
fathers/
vk¡
¥ You,
t ḧ§hEternal
vT̈t©God,
QUrC̈
WeUbh«
praise
ohX¦
¦ b vG̈g̈J¤ 'o¨kIgv̈ Q¤kn«¤
Ubh«
¥vk¡
¦ kḧ§hqUbh«
¥t© QUrC̈
t©k
Ubh«,In
¥ tt©
vT̈,Ic£
/v¤Zv© in
Z¤§ C©to'o¨
v¥ kv̈Igohv̈nḦ
¦Q¤kC©n«¤
r©J£
Sovereign of the universe: You
hallow us with Your Mitzvot, and
command us to kindle the
Chanukah lights.
Ba-ruch a-ta Adonai, Eh-lo-hei-nu
Me-lech ha-o-lam, sheh-a-sa ni-sim
la-a-vo-tei-nu
ba-ya-mim ha-heim ba-z’man ha-zeh
Ub«Üm¦ u§ 'uh,̈um§ n¦ C§ Ub«J̈S§ e¦
Ubh«
vk¡
¥bj£tkJ
ḧ§¤h vr¥bT̈eh¦
t© kQUrC̈
/vF̈ª
s§ v§
©k
Ub«ḧj¡ v¤ J¤ 'o¨kIgv̈ Q¤kn«¤
g̈hDḧ§¦hv¦ vu§ T̈Ub«tn̈© H§QUrC̈
e¦ u§
Ubh«vk¡
¥Ub«t
/v¤
v© v̈in©Q¤Z©§kkn«¤
ohX¦
¦ b vG̈g̈J¤ 'o¨
kZIg
Ubh«,In
¥ t©
¦ kqUbh«,Ic£
¥ t©k
/v¤Zv© in© Z§ C© ov¥ v̈ ohnḦ
¦ C©
Ubh«vk¡
¥ t ḧ§h vT̈t© QUrC̈
la-z’man ha-zeh
Ubh«vk¡
¥ t ḧ§h vT̈t© QUrC̈
Ub«ḧj¡ v¤ J¤ 'o¨kIgv̈ Q¤kn«¤
Ub«g̈hD¦ v¦ u§ Ub«n̈H§ e¦ u§
/v¤Zv© in© Z©§ k
We praise You, Eternal One,
Sovereign God of the universe, for
giving us life, for sustaining us, and
for enabling us to reach this season.
FIRST NIGHT
The first light tells of God whose first
command was “Let there be light.”
The darkness of idol worship was
scattered when Israel brought radiant
knowledge of God. “I am the first, I
am the last,” says Adonai.
SECOND NIGHT
The second light is the light of the
Torah. Israel’s Book of Law has brought
learning and truth to all of the western
world. “The commandment is a lamp
and the law is a light.”
THIRD NIGHT
The third light is the light of justice. No
nation can endure which is unjust to
the weak. “Justice, always justice
shall you pursue” was the
commandment of Moses, our teacher.
FOURTH NIGHT
The fourth is the light of mercy. Cruelty
hardens the heart and destroys
friendship. “Do justly and love mercy”
was the teaching of Micah, the prophet.
FIFTH NIGHT
The fifth is the light of holiness. Purity
of thought, ability of action, make all
life sacred. From the Prophet Isaiah
these words have been taken into
Israel’s prayerbook, “Holy, holy, holy
is the Eternal of Hosts”.
SIXTH NIGHT
The sixth light is the light of love. When
the love which our parents give us
makes all our life beautiful, we learn
to understand the biblical words, “You
shall love Adonai, your God, with all
your heart and soul and might.”
SEVENTH NIGHT
The seventh light is the calm light of
patience. Nothing can be achieved
in haste. The spreading tree and the
human soul grow slowly to perfection.
Thus says King David, “Trust in the
Eternal, wait patiently for God“.
EIGHTH NIGHT
The eighth light is the light of courage.
Let truth and justice be your armor and
fear not. Live by the words Moses
spoke to Joshua, “Be strong and of
good courage.”
CHANUKAH IN OUR TIME
From The Jewish Way
by Rabbi Irving Greenberg
The question is: What model
of Chanukah can speak to this
generation? Several important
issues in Chanukah’s origins remain
central in contemporary culture.
One theme is the clash of the
universal with the particular.
Hellenism saw itself as the universal
human culture, open to all. But
Mattathias, Judah Maccabee
and the brave people who saved
Judaism, were not fighting for a
pluralist Judea. They were fighting
against the state’s enforcement of
Hellenist worship because they
believed it was a betrayal of Israel’s
covenant with God. When, after
decades of fighting, they liberated
Jerusalem and purified the Temple,
they established a state in which
Jews could worship God in the
right way – not in just any way.
Chanukah is not a model for total
separation of church and state.
On the other hand, the Maccabee
victory saved particularist Judaism.
It preserved the stubborn Jewish
insistence on “doing their own
thing” religiously – never mind the
claims of universalism that only if all
are citizens of one world and one
faith will there be one humanity.
CHANUKAH
The following may be recited to give
special significance to each night
before lighting the candles.
By not disappearing, Jews have
continued to force the world ~
down to this day ~ to accept the
limits of centralization.
Jewish existence has been a
continued stumbling block to
whatever political philosophy,
religion or economic system has
claimed the right to abolish all
distinctions for “the higher good
of humanity.” [Because] the
centralizing forces often turned
oppressive or obliterated local
cultures and dignity, this Jewish
resistance to homogenization has
been a blessing to humanity and
a continuing source of religious
pluralism for everybody, not just
the Jews.
The Maccabee revolution made
clear that a universalism that
denies the rights of the particular
to exist is inherently totalitarian and
will end up oppressing people
in the name of one humanity.
Universalism must surrender its
overweening demands and accept
the universalism of pluralism.
Only when the world admits that
oneness comes out of particular
existences, linked through
overarching unities, will it escape
the inner dynamics of conformity
that lead to repression and cruelty.
7
CHANUKAH
8
The Menorah
The Dreidel
The central
symbol for
Chanukah is
light. Menorah is
a Hebrew word
meaning candelabrum.
In relation to Chanukah, it refers to
the nine-branched ceremonial lamp
in which the Chanukah candles
are placed and then blessed.
But the menorah is not unique
to Chanukah. It originated as a
religious symbol in biblical times.
The Torah records how the great
artist Bezalel fashioned a sevenbranched menorah for the desert
tabernacle in fulfillment of a Divine
commandment (Exodus 25:31-40;
37:17-24). Such a seven-branched
menorah adorned the Temple in
Jerusalem.
The nine-branched Chanukah
menorah or “Hanukkiah” was a
modification of the biblical model
and seems to have originated in
the first century C.E. It had eight
branches, one for each day of the
holiday, and a ninth branch for the
shamas or “servant” light.
In ancient times, oil was used in the
menorah. Over time, candles were
substituted for oil. Some scholars
believe that the use of small candles
for the menorah was a deliberate
choice, designed to distinguish
Chanukah lights from Christmas
votive candles.
The menorah can be made from
almost any nonflammable material
~ glazed ceramics, copper, silver,
brass, stone, glass, pewter ~ and
can vary in size and shape. The
actual lighting of the Hanukkiah is a
beautiful ceremony, and the kindling
of the Chanukah lights is a mitzvah.
The most popular of all Chanukah
activities has always been the
dreidel. As the name from the
German “dreihen,” to spin, implies,
this is a spinning top (in Hebrew,
sevivon). This top was popular in
medieval Germany; its letters
in Latin characters stood for the
directions of the game: N-nisht
(nothing); G-ganz (all); H-halb (half);
and S-shtel (put), referring to coins
or tokens put into the kitty or
taken out.
These
letters
were then
translated into
the Hebrew
letters nun, gimmel, heh, and shin,
and interpreted as an acronym
for the phrase, “Nes gadol hayah
sham,” “A great miracle happened
there.” In Israel the shin is usually
changed to a peh, the peh stands
for po (here): “A great miracle
happened here.”
To justify the gambling, many
interpreted the game as a disguised
form of studying. When the Jews
were not allowed to engage in
the study of the Law, they would
assemble to play the game and
at the same time discuss the Law
orally.
Symbolically, the top recalls the
“turnover” of events when Judah
Maccabee’s meager forces
vanquished the much larger Syrian
army. The natural sequence of
events was overturned: the strong
were spun into the hands of the
weak, as enunciated in the “Al
Ha-nissim” prayer of Chanukah.
Through Jewish history it has been
stressed that the world is like a
dreidel. Everything is set forth in
cycles: things change and spin
but all emanate from one root. The
dreidel reflects the game of change
in life as an on-going event.
Chanukah Foods
The single constant in Chanukah
cuisine around the world is fried
food. It is traditional to eat foods
fried in oil in remembrance of the
miracle in which one day’s supply
of oil lasted for eight days. Further
evidence of the appropriateness of
using oil derives from the fact that
the Hebrew words for Hasmoneans
(Hashmoniam) and for eight
(shemoneth), the number of days
of the festival, contain the Hebrew
letters for oil (shemen)!
Among Ashkenazic Jews, latkes
(potato pancakes) are the traditional
Chanukah food. (The word latke
means pancake in Yiddish.)
According
to at least
one source,
the symbolism
behind pancakes
is threefold. Made initially of
flour and water, they remind us
of the food hurriedly prepared for
the Maccabees as they went to
battle. The oil in which they are
fried symbolizes the cleansing and
rededication of the Temple after
it was defiled by the Syrians. The
third meaning, added in medieval
times, was that latkes symbolize
the cheesecakes the widow
Judith served the Syrian general
Holofernes before she cut off his
head, thus delivering the Jews from
the Syrians ~ in another assault
against the Jewish people during
Among Sephardic Jews, fried
a sweet, spongy cookie popular
The use of potatoes in the pancakes
sweets are more common. In Israel,
throughout the Mediterranean area
is relatively recent, since potatoes
sufganiyot (jelly doughnuts), are
since the time of the Maccabees.
were first brought to Europe from
traditional on Chanukah. They
The Hebrew word sufganiyot comes
South America in the 16th century
are similar to doughnuts made
from the Greek sufgan, meaning “
and eventually became a staple in
throughout Germany and Austria,
puffed and fried.”
the diet of Eastern European Jews.
but they are also reminiscent of
CHANUKAH
the Hasmonean era.
THE
CHANUKAH
STORY
In 168 B.C.E., the Syrian tyrant, Antiochus Epiphanes, sent his soldiers to Jerusalem. They
desecrated the Temple and Antiochus declared that Judaism be abolished. He offered the
Jews two options: conversion or death. Altars and idols were set up throughout Judea; the
observance of Shabbat and festivals and the practice of circumcision were outlawed.
On the 25th of Kislev in that year, the Temple was renamed for the Greek god Zeus; pigs
were sacrificed and the Torah splattered with their blood and then burned. Thousands of
Jews chose to die rather than commit idolatry.
Slowly, a resistance movement developed, led by a priestly family of Hasmoneans or
Maccabees. The family head, Mattathias, and his five sons left Jerusalem and took up
residence in Modi'in, a small town north of the city. When Syrian soldiers appeared and
commanded the inhabitants to offer sacrifices to Zeus, Mattathias and his sons refused.
Mattathias killed one Jew who had begun to sacrifice to Zeus. His sons then turned on the
Syrians and slew them.
It was the turning point in the struggle. The Maccabees became instant heroes. They fled to
the hills with their followers and began a campaign of guerrilla warfare against the Syrians.
Mattathias' son, Judah, known as "The Hammer'; became their chief strategist and military
leader.
Furious, Antiochus sent an army to destroy the Jews. Though outnumbered, Judah and his
soldiers won two major battles, routing the Syrians decisively. By 165 B.C.E., the terror of
Antiochus had ended. The Jewish people had regained their freedom and retained their
faith.
The idols were torn down and, on the 25th day of Kislev, in 165 B.C.E., three years to the
day after its original defilement, the Temple was re-consecrated. In celebration, the people
marked their deliverance with an eight day festival, Feast of Lights, the Feast of Dedication,
or simply, CHANUKAH.
9
Shabbat Hallelu 2014-2015/5775
A Service in Song
Fri, Dec 19, 2014
Fri, Jan 16, 2015
Fri, Feb 20, 2015
Fri, Mar 20, 2015
Fri, Apr 17, 2015
Fri, May 15, 2015 (Shabbat Hallelu
Service & 82nd High School Graduation)
A service in song, featuring Temple Beth-El musicians.
Light refreshments served at 6:30 pm
Services at 7:00 pm
Funded by TBE Benefactors
K’TANTAN 2014-2015
at Temple Beth-El
Funded by The Frances & David Friedman Family Fund
K’tantan is a wonderful way to celebrate
Shabbat and Holidays with children aged birth - 5
We gather for joyful singing and community dinner.
All are welcome!
Join us for a brief service at 5:30 pm
followed by dinner
January 23
March 27
April 24
For more info please email TBEK’Tantan@temple-beth-el.org or
RabbiMack@temple-beth-el.org
Holiday and Special Events
December 14 Lego Hanukkah Celebration 4:00 pm
February 7 Pajama Havdalah 5:30 pm
March 4 Purim Carnival, Celebration &
Costume Parade 5:30 pm
May 16 Havdalah & Dinner 5:30 pm
Temple Beth-El
70 Orchard Ave
Providence, RI 02906
401-331-6070
BE
D
ER
H
UN
A FO
IN
GN
OO
D
TH-EL
BRO
TH
OD OF TEM
PL
TH
ATIONAL BRO
Brotherhood NEWS
DECEMBER events
As the year wraps up, the Brotherhood of Beth - El can take pride in some outstanding achievements
from 2014, including $2500 we had the good fortune to donate to local charities, as well as
providing three $1,000 scholarships to outstanding graduates of Beth - El’s Religious School.
We look forward to 2015, and a full calendar of events.
Brotherhood Breakfast
BROTHERHOOD
HO
E
ER
SUNDAY, JANUARY 25th at 9:00 AM
Our first Brotherhood event of the year will be a special Brotherhood Breakfast on
Sunday, January 25th at 9:00 AM. Our guest speaker will be David C. Lewis M.D.
Dr. Lewis is a Professor Emeritus of Community Health and Medicine and the Donald
G. Millar Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Alcohol and Addiction Studies at Brown
University. Dr. Lewis will speak about the unique culture of the active military that
sustains and worsens these problems, as well as the changes the armed forces need to
make so our military fosters a healthy environment for the young men and women who
serve. Watch your mail and TBE Live for all the information to reserve your space.
Royal Flush
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 28th
Get ready to laugh off the worst that Winter can throw
at you on Saturday, February 28th, as Brotherhood
presents Ace Aceto’s “Royal Flush” Comedy Show to
our own Temple Beth - El. You’ll see five of Southern
New England’s funniest comedians in one hysterical
evening. More info to follow. (See ad on page 13)
"Person of the Year"
SATURDAY, APRIL 18th
Brotherhood is proud to announce that this year’s Charles Lindenbaum
“Person of the year” is Rabbi Leslie Y. Gutterman. We’ll celebrate the
presentation of the award along with this year’s college
scholarships to our outstanding graduating students on
Be sur
Saturday, April 18th. This will be an evening that
e to ma
rk you
r
Temple Beth-El will never forget.
calend
ars now
.
As you
can se
e
,
2
015 is
going t
BROTHERHOOD CALENDAR ADDITIONS
o be ve
ry exci
ting.
PATRONS
PROFESSIONAL
Gloria & Martin Feibish
David N. Cicilline U. S. Congressman
Robert A. Glashow
Dr. Robert Ducoff Dentist
Mark Gunning
George M. Goodwin, Ph.D.
Liz Hollander
David
L. Kitzes, M.D. Cardiology
Edward Katz
Law
office
of
Stephen
G.
Linder Family Law & Personal Injury Law
David & Mary Kitzes
Dr.
Michael
Rubinstein Dentist
Leonard C. Mandell
Dean Weinberg, CPA Certified Public Accountant
Ken Orenstein
Samuel D. Zurier, Esq.
Laurence & Lynn Pohl
Samuel D. Zurier
11
SAVE THE DATE
RELIGIOUS SCHOOL
Upcoming Fall 92Y Broadcasts
Program ~ 8:00 PM
$5 per member & $10 per non member
OPEN HOUSE
FAMILY DAY
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2014
AT 9:00 A M
Our Religious School Open House this year
begins with a breakfast sponsored and prepared
by our Temple Brotherhood.
Please join Rabbi Mack, Anita Steiman and
members of our School Board at this
wonderful opportunity to meet each other,
schmooze, and learn about our school.
Dalia
Rabin
Dennis
Ross
Ethan
Bronner
Following the breakfast, teachers will welcome
you to your children’s classrooms.
America and Israel:
The Way Forward
THURSDAY
DECEMBER 4, 2014
8:15 PM
CollegeBreakfast
Join Dalia Rabin, the former Israeli Deputy Minister
of Defense and current chairperson of the Yitzhak
Rabin Center, and Ambassador Dennis Ross,
who played a leading role in shaping US
involvement in the Middle East peace
process, for an enlightening discussion
on the future of Israel.
January 4th, 2015
at 10:00AM
To Register online go to www.temple-beth-el.org
and sign in to Chaverweb or call Temple Beth-El
at 401-331- 6070.
12
REUNION
Come reunite with your classmates from
Temple Beth-El during Winter Break.
Join us for brunch in the Meeting Hall where you
can catch up with all of your old Religious School
friends, Rabbis, Cantor, Principal and teachers !
We look forward to seeing
you & catching up !
RSVP to Mrs.Steiman at afsteiman@temple-beth-el.org.
February 28th, 2015
ACE ACETO’S
ROYAL FLUSH
sa
Comedy Show
Mayer & J
A ‘Scand
An Even
star o
Ace Aceto’s Royal Flush Comedy Show
is a fast moving, talent-packed show that
brings tons of laughs a minute!
This very special show brings together three
of New England’s favorite headlining comics,
joined by one new fresh face of comedy,
all hosted by a charismatic, audience
engaging, professional host!
You’re guaranteed to be
dealt a winning hand!
The Joker ~ John Morris
The Jack ~ Jeremy Furtado
savethedate
12 | 7 | 2014
Event Co-Chairs
Mayer & Judy Levitt and Edward & Susan Odessa
invite you to
•
A ‘Scandalous’ Campaign Finale:
An Evening with Joshua Malina
•
star of “The West Wing” and “Scandal”
The Queen ~ Mary Ellen Rinaldi
The King ~ Rockin Joe Hebert
The Ace ~ Ace Aceto
TEMPLE BETH-EL'S BROTHERHOOD
13
SISTERHOOD
SISTERHOOD
news
HELLO from Sisterhood
This month marks the arrival of
our highly anticipated Donor
Event "Right off the Runway"
on DECEMBER 7 at 3:00 PM to
6:00 PM at Temple. This dazzling
red carpet runway fashion show
is a professional affair, put on by
LIGHTS/FASHION/PHILANTHROPY,
a ‘fashion event’ production and
entertainment company, and
Donahue Models. The event includes
an enticing pop-up boutique of
local up-and-coming designers, a
silent auction, entertainment, hors
d'oeuvres, “mocktails” and the reveal
of a lucky woman's total makeover.
Don’t miss this opportunity to
raise money to benefit our Temple
programs. The planning committee
has been working tirelessly to make
this a sensational event. Our heartfelt
thanks go to Event Co-Chairs Cheryl
Greenfield and Joie Magnone and to
committee members Leslie Chazan,
Sherry Cohen, Amanda Deaner,
Carol Desforges, Carol Friedman,
Donna Kimmel, Nancy Kirsch, Laura
Levinson, Donna Marks, Nancy Riffle
and Jan Weiner.
Giving back to the Beth-El
community is at the heart of what
Sisterhood does, along with building
community among the women
in the congregation. We do this
through fundraising efforts like the
Donor Event, our largest effort, and
New Year’s Greetings, bake sales,
Chanukah sales, Passover raffle
and candy sales. The money helps
to support the Religious School and
various efforts for the Temple annually. We hope to see many faces on
December 7th! Don't miss this last
chance to reserve your seat at the
fashion event of the season by calling
Rona at Temple at (401) 331- 6070.
Ticket prices for the fundraiser: $45,
$75, $100 or $180.
14
14
26
Cheryl Greenfield & Karen Isenberg
Co-Presidents
READING CIRCLE
The group had a surprise visitor at
its October meeting at the lovely
home of Sherry Cohen. As we gathered to
discuss the book,
“The Ice Cream Queen
of Orchard Street,”
author Susan Jane Gilman joined
us via Skype conference call. It
was exciting to be able to give her
feedback and have her answer
questions directly. Susan talked about her writing
process and the training involved
in honing her skills. She told us she
loved doing the research about the
history of ice cream and developing
her complex characters. Ice cream
treats, of course, were served.
We welcome any and all members
to our monthly reading circle. Our
next gathering is at 7:30 PM on
December 1, to discuss
The World to Come
by Dara Horn. Because
the meeting locations
change, women must
call Rona at Temple to
learn the location and
to RSVP, at (401) 331- 6070.
Thank You
Huge thanks to Ellen Kasle,
Nancy Kirsch and Nancy Riffle who
graciously volunteered to clean
out and organize our Sisterhood
closet (a much-needed task, as
anyone who saw our closet before
knows!). Their organizing prowess
did amazing wonders for this tiny
space. Thank you so much!
CHANUKAH
& BAKE SALE
Our next bake sale is for Chanukah
on SUNDAY, December 7, from
10 AM to 1PM. We'll be calling
and emailing Sisterhood members
to bring an item, such as cookies,
brownies and cupcakes, perhaps
with a Chanukah theme! Your
attractive and yummy donations,
either homemade or bought, are
always much appreciated!
We’re also holding our annual
Chanukah sale on December 7 and
December 14, in the Temple lobby,
from 9AM to 1PM. As always,
make us your shopping destination
for wrapping paper, candles,
menorahs, dreidels, toys, books,
tablecloths, napkins and more.
RONALD
MCDONALD HOUSE
Sisterhood and Brotherhood
members joined together on
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 2, to
prepare a delicious hot meal for
the families at the Ronald
McDonald House whose
children are being treated
at local hospitals. Huge thanks to chefs Paula
Annenberg, Dave Yopak, Steve
Kahan, Jan Weiner, Elaine Sandy,
Lisa Davis and Laurie & David Sholes.
Job well done! The families and
staff were very appreciative of our
efforts.
Look for
more
in 2015 exciting events
,
Family E such as our
vent in Ja
Membe
r Event in nuary,
and Ma
rch Ann February
ual Mee
ting.
Once again, it’s easy to join Sisterhood online, where you can
join and pay membership dues by credit card through ChaverWeb at: http://www.temple-beth-el.org/community/sisterhood/join-sisterhood
RIGHT OFF
THE RUNWAY
SUNDAY
December 7, 2014
3:00PM
Temple Beth-El
• Professional
Runway Fashion Show • Pop-Up Boutique of Local Designers •
• Glamorous
Red Carpet Entrance • Silent Auction & more!
Watch your mail for the invitation
to this spectacular event!
One lucky lady will win a complete makeover including hair cut,
color, styling, makeup and an outfit to wear to the event!
Nominate a deserving woman in your life (or even yourself!)
Nominations are being accepted now at janmweiner@hotmail.com
or mailed to: Jan Weiner at 112 Sayles Avenue, Pawtucket, RI 02860
PLEASE RESERVE YOUR TICKET
$45 Glamour
$75 Bazaar
$125 “W”
$180 Vogue
7
15
2014 YEAR-END GIFT IDEAS
A s you consider your year- end tax planning, we hope you will make
good use of the income tax charitable deduction. Your 2014 year - end
gift to Temple Beth - El can significantly reduce your income taxes while
providing meaningful support for our beloved temple. *
HERE ARE SOME OF THE BEST 2014 YEAR-END GIFT IDEAS
JOIN THE PREMIUM
SUPPORT PROGRAM
GIFTS OF LIFE INSURANCE
policies that are no longer
needed make perfect charitable
gifts. Your insurance broker can
assist you with this transaction.
Enhanced levels of annual support
will ensure that the temple can
welcome individuals and families
who cannot afford to pay some
or all of the basic membership
dues. The program also ensures
the continuation of high quality
and essential programs and
services the temple provides.
CHARITABLE REMAINDER
TRUSTS AND CHARITABLE
GIFT ANNUITIES
ESTABLISH A NAMED FUND
in honor or in memory of loved
ones. With a minimum gift, you
may establish a named fund and
the purpose for such a fund. Add
to existing special funds. Temple
Beth-El has more than 25 named
funds. Gifts in honor or in memory
of a loved one are often directed
to one of these funds.
INSCRIBE A MEMORIAL
TABLET OR HONOR THY NAME
PLAQUE
Consider inscribing a memorial
tablet for display in the Rosalie
and Norman Fain Sanctuary or
purchasing an Honor thy Name
plaque for display on a chair in
either the Rosalie and Norman
Fain Sanctuary or the Herman L.
Bennett Chapel.
16
12
16
6
There are many vehicles for
you to make your charitable
contribution to Temple Beth - El,
some of which are listed here:
GIFT OF CASH
is the easiest method of earning
a tax deduction for the year.
GIFT OF APPRECIATED
SECURITIES
may allow you to avoid capital
gains tax as well as earning a
deduction on your personal
income tax.
GIFTS OF REAL ESTATE
or other property, may allow you
to deduct the full fair market
value of the property.
Partnering with either the
RI Foundation or the Jewish
Federation, a gift made during
your lifetime to this partnership
may allow you or a loved one to
receive income during your lifetime
while designating Temple Beth - El
as the beneficiary of your gift in
the future.
BEQUESTS
With the advice of your attorney,
you may make a bequest to
Temple Beth- El by preparing a
new will or adding a codicil to
your present will. Notifying the
temple of your intentions allows
us to recognize your gift during
your lifetime.
Please consult your tax advisor
regarding year-end gifts.
*
To help you prepare for your
year - end gift to Temple Beth-El,
or to discuss the myriad
opportunities for charitable giving,
please call Ruby Shalansky or
Judy Moseley at 331- 60 70.
LD SERIE
S
L
BETH-E
LE
P
TE
M
WINNERS
Best Nosh
PEOPLE’S Choice
Bob Sandy, Ruby Shalansky, Jill Tobak
Brendan Weiner ~ 2nd runner up,
Michael Chazan ~ 1st runner up,
Kim Chazan Zwetchkenbaum ~ Winner
of the
of the
Award
& RUNNERS UP
Announcing the Winners
Karen Borger & Paula Boda
COMMITTEE
FIRST ROW: Susan Dressler, Karen Borger, Jan Weiner,
SECOND ROW: Susan H. Kaplan, Adrienne Uffer,
THIRD ROW: Tara Demyan, Ruby Shalansky,
Michelle Miller, Elyse Rotondo, Dianne Isenberg,
Kim Chazan Zwetchkenbaum
ES
WINNERS
SH
Grand SLAM!
JEWISH NO
World Series of Noshes
OR
W
F
O
Temple Beth-El
LEFT TO RIGHT:
JUDGES
Deb Norman (owner of Rue De L’Espoir),
Anita Solomon (former owner of Lloyds), Josh Willey
(owner of Catering Gourmet & The Pizza Gourmet)
179
16
12
Grand SLAM!
World Series
of Noshes
19
82nd Consecration
Class of Temple Beth-El
Please join
Bonnie and Donald Dwares
for
Rabbi Leslie Y. Gutterman’s
Retirement
Florida Brunch
Sunday, January 11, 2015
12:00 Noon
Palm Beach Country Club
760 N Ocean Blvd
Palm Beach, FL 33480
Please call or email Rona Nachbar
for details
401-331-6070 or
RNACHBAR@TEMPLE-BETH-EL.ORG
20
PROVTY
2014-2015
DecemBER 2014
6th ~
Chopped. Arrive in the
kitchen and get your mystery
basket of ingredients. You will
have a limited amount of time
to cook your best dish with the
given ingredients. Judges still
to be determined. 7:30 PM at
TBE.
1 3th ~
PROVTY Chanukah Dinner.
We will go out to a special
dinner. More details as the
date gets closer.
26th - 30th ~
December Institute. A 5- day
winter event for teens in
grades 9 -12, December
Institute is planned and run
by leaders from the region.
Enjoy amazing programs,
song sessions, prayer
experiences, new friends,
and more! A regional board
meeting occurs during this
event.
Find more information on
www.nfty.org/ne/events
as the date gets closer.
If Not Now, When?
's role in Freeing
SovietJews
by Rachel Mersky Woda
Growing up in a Reform Jewish household
meant that you learned at an early age the
value of tikkun olam, repairing the world.
In our home, we were surrounded by
opportunities for activism, and the one that
occupied us for years was the plight of the
Jews in Russia.
In the early 1980s, those of us preparing
to become b’nai mitzvah were paired with
a “twin,” a Russian refusenik (one who
was refused a visa to exit the USSR) who
didn’t have the opportunity to achieve this
milestone. It was up to us to prepare for this
important day with our twins standing on
our shoulders so we could enter the Jewish
community as young adults in their honor as
well. If I am not for myself, who will be for
me? But if I am only for myself, what am I?
And if not now, when? ~ Rabbi Hillel
We wore silver bracelets etched with the
names of Russian refuseniks so that we had
a daily reminder of our brothers and sisters
who could not live freely as Jews in their
home country.
Leaders in our communities traveled to
Russia in a show of solidarity. We helped
them smuggle in siddurim (prayer books),
tallitot (prayer shawls), and other tangible
Jewish items to allow the refuseniks to have
a tangible connection with our people and
our heritage.
You sustain life through love, giving life to
all through great compassion, supporting
the fallen, healing the sick, freeing the
captive, keeping faith with those who sleep
in the dust. ~ G’vurot prayer
In NFTY, resolutions about the plight of
Soviet Jewry and our obligation to help
began in 1980 and continued for a
decade until the fall of the Iron Curtain.
Temple Youth Groups were encouraged to
welcome new Russian teen émigrés into
youth groups at no cost and the NFTY
Board made a special board position
“in absentia” in honor of the teens still in
Russia. We sang songs about Anatoly
Sharansky ~ the most famous refusenik
who served time in prison for his “crimes”
of being a Jew, who now serves as the
Chairman of the Jewish Agency. He was
released from Russia in 1986, immediately
made aliyah (emigrated) to Israel and
changed his name to Natan. As long as
you’re not free, neither are we. ~ from Anatoly by Doug Mishkin
And we marched for their freedom.
In December, 1987, two days after I
turned 14, I boarded a bus with my
fellow members of WeFTY (Westchester
Federation of Temple Youth) in Westchester,
NY, and drove to Washington, D.C., to
make history. We joined Jewish teens from
all of NFTY that night at theWashington
Hebrew Congregation for a special
concert by Peter Yarrow of Peter, Paul and
Mary, after which we camped out in the
social hall. The next morning, we braved
the cold to join 250,000 people on the
National Mall in protest. We held signs
and sang at the top of our lungs calling for
the USSR president, Mikhail Gorbachev,
to put an end to the forced assimilation of
Soviet Jews. We begged for them to be
granted their freedom. At the time, it was
reported to be the largest Jewish rally ever
held in Washington. It occurred only 24
hours before Gorbachev was scheduled to
arrive in Washington to meet with President
Reagan. Natan Sharansky was there,
along with Peter, Paul and Mary, members
of Congress and prominent leaders of
the Jewish community. The voice behind
the curtain who kept the day moving
was Leonard “Leibel” Fein z”l, a leader in
social justice and the intellectual light of our
generation. Justice, Justice you shall pursue.
~ Deut. 16:20
Looking back now, that rally was the
turning point in the struggle that led to the
release of more than one million Soviet
Jews over the next several years. It was an
extraordinary time when we saw the direct
result of our advocacy. We felt as if we
were truly changing the world, because
we did.
21
IN OUR SYNAGOGUE
A Blessing On Your Head
Mazal Tov, Mazal Tov
YIZKOR ELOHIM
The sympathy of the congregation is
extended to the family of:
Judy & John Moseley on the engagement of their daughter,
Erin, to Aji Mussafeer.
Marilyn & Glenn Shealey on the marriage of their daughter, Leslie Ann
Friedman, to Evan Michael Harvey on November 8, 2014.
MILESTONE ANNIVERSARIES & BIRTHDAYS IN
OUR FAMILY FOR THE MONTH OF DECEMBER
We are pleased to honor members who are celebrating their
100 th birthday, and beyond, as well as anniversaries of those who are
celebrating their first, fifth, tenth, twenty - fifth, and fifty plus celebrations.
Milestone Anniversaries
Jaine & Jeffrey Feibelman ~ 5 years
Dixie & Barry Josephson ~ 50 years
Avis & Malcolm Goldenberg ~ 52 years
Janet & Lewis Miller ~ 53 years
Lotta & Norman Jagolinzer ~ 56 years
Helene & Larry Gates ~ 57 years
Patricia & Aaron Wold ~ 57 years
Tovia & Jason Siegel ~ 60 years
Ellen & Kenneth Steingold ~ 60 years
Beverly & Banice Bazar ~ 63 years
Mildred & Gerald Moverman ~ 64 years
Sheila & Irving Troob ~ 65 years
Paula Libby & Melvin Feldman ~ 67 years
ALLAN FINE
13 Cheshvan 5775
6 November 2014
ABBOTT DRESSLER
23 Cheshvan 5775
6 November 2014
HONOR THY NAME
PLAQUES
Honor Thy Name Plaques continue to
provide members with an opportunity
to remember a loved one or to honor
someone dear. Inscribed plaques are
affixed to a seat of your choice in either
the Rosalie and Norman Fain Sanctuary
or the Herman L. Bennett Chapel.
Donations to establish a plaque
enhance the Temple’s Endowment.
The Temple is grateful to:
Rona & Milton Nachbar in loving
memory of Roberta Nachbar
Rona & Milton Nachbar in loving
memory of Evelyn Nachba
Milestone Birthday
Dorothy Nelson ~ 101 years old
IN OUR FAMILY
Rachel Mersky Woda is a TBE Board Member and Chair of our Youth Committee.
Rachel’s words appeared on the Reform Judaism blog a few weeks ago.
NEW MEMBERS
Let us welcome our new members. May your membership in our
Congregation bring you spiritual peace and joy.
Melissa Alberg and David Buchalter and
Spencer Alberg of Smithfield.
Ashley Frost and James Ostendorf of Providence.
Ashley Frost & James Ostendorf
22
18
70 Orchard Avenue
Providence, RI 02906-5402
Office: (401) 331-6070
Fax: (401) 331-8068
www.temple-beth-el.org
Temple Beth-El
Congregation Sons of Israel & David
November 2014
Temple Beth-El
70 Orchard Avenue
Providence, RI 02906
Dear Congregants:
In my last congregational letter and email, I introduced you to the members of our Rabbinic Search Committee and
described the processes and timeline the Committee expects to follow in carrying out its sacred mission of selecting
a Senior Rabbi. I’m writing to you now to bring you up to date on where we stand as we approach the Thanksgiving
Holiday.
Let me recap what you may already know: Rabbi Gutterman will become Rabbi Emeritus in June 2015. In preparing
for this transition, our Search Committee is using the professional rabbinic placement services of the Central Conference
of American Rabbis (the “CCAR”). Last month, the CCAR posted our Senior Rabbinic position on its online site through
which all candidates must apply. In terms of timing, by late December, we expect to narrow the field down to those few
candidates we wish to interview in person and invite to Providence. We expect to make our choice and extend an offer
by early to mid-February. If all goes as planned, we will announce our choice in the spring and with the approval of our
Executive Committee, our Board of Trustees and members at our Annual Meeting in May, our new Senior Rabbi will be
in place on July 1, 2015.
So far, so good. Given our history, stability, financial strength and location, it is not surprising that our position has
attracted considerable interest. To date, we have received resumes from 28 eligible Rabbis with the deadline to receive
resumes set for the end of this month. According to the CCAR, this is a very good response. In the next few weeks,
we expect to move forward with several of these candidates by beginning conversations with them through Skype
interviews. We will then focus our attention and invite to Providence the top few candidates emerging from those
interviews and our due diligence processes.
The Search Committee’s job has been made clearer by members who responded to the objective and subjective
questions contained in our recent survey or who otherwise shared their thoughts and aspirations with members of
the Search Committee. Thank you for participating in this process. Your congregational voice regarding leadership,
congregational goals and challenges will be strong considerations as our search continues. In our next communication,
we will send to you a summary of the compiled data along with our analysis.
As the Search Committee moves forward, it will keep you apprised of its progress. In the meantime, please feel free
to call or email me at 401-272-7171 and fredjfranklin@gmail.com, respectively. Members of the Search Committee
are listed on the side. Of course, you are also welcome to reach out to any committee member.
The Search Committee is humbled by its task and is working diligently to honor both the Temple and
Rabbi Gutterman’s legacy.
Temple Beth-El
RABBINIC SEARCH
COMMITTEE
Chairman
Fred J. Franklin
Susan Bazar
Mel Blake
Joseph Chazan
Kit Haspel
Daniel Kertzner
Warren Licht
Layne Mayer
Martha Fain Roberts
Rochelle Rosen
Alan Rosenberg
Neil Steinberg
Gail Solomon
Rachel Turner
Ted Winston
Rachel Mersky Woda
Respectfully Submitted
Fred J. Franklin
Chair, Rabbinic Search Committee
23
DONATIONS
OCTOBER 1, 2014
to
OCTOBER 31, 2014
“...who donates much to charity
becomes the richer for it...”
BERNICE & SANFORD WHITE FUND
Enhances adult and family education
Kenneth, Sharon & Sophie
Waitsman
In Memory of
MORRIS WAITSMAN
In Memory of
MADELINE GOODWIN
CANTOR’S DISCRETIONARY FUND
In Honor of
Phyllis Fleisig
CANTOR SEPLOWIN
In Memory of
Bobbie & Bob Andreozzi
HELEN TRINKLE
Phyllis Fleisig
CELIA FLEISIG and MAURICE FLEISIG
Jeanne Gottfried
JERRY GOTTFRIED
CEMETERY BEAUTIFICATION FUND
Enhances the Temple cemetery’s landscaping
In Appreciation
Sandra Priest Rose and
Frederick P. Rose
DOROTHY & JAY ISENBERG FUND
Supports music and cultural programs
Lillian Golden
In Memory of
BELLE TICHMAN
ENDOWMENT FUND
Helps to establish financial security for the Temple
Dr. Lewis Lipsey
Fred Franklin
Marjorie Lee Sundlun
Bari & Alan Harlam
Ginny & Tom Ricci and Mr. & Mrs. Ernest Ricci
Shira & Rob Goldberg
Lisa & Carl Weinberg
Martha Burrill St. Jean and Peter St. Jean
Trudy Katz
The Rashi School
Dr. & Mrs. Robert Luber
Deborah & David Jacobson
Carolyn & Sonny Botvin
Judy & Rob Mann
Sylvia Strauss
Robbie & Steven Lasser
24
Funds small torahs as gifts to students who are consecrated at Temple
Elaine & Burton Goldstein
In Memory of
LOUIS GOLDSTEIN
For purchase and maintenance of fine art and Judaica
Purchases Judaic materials for the William G. Braude Library
Lori & Steven Kahan
FAY GOLDSTEIN MEMORIAL FUND
FINE ARTS FUND
BERYL SEGAL FUND
Zohar, iii, 110b
In Appreciation
Phyllis Goldberg
Phyllis Goldberg
Phyllis Goldberg
Robert Berman
In Honor of
marriage of LAUREN FRIEDMAN
and RICHARD KOBLICK
RABBI GUTERMAN on his birthday
In Memory of
NORMAN GOLDBERG on his birthday
PHILLIP BERMAN
FRANCES & DAVID FRIEDMAN FUND
Enhances program opportunities for very young families (K’Tantan)
Pat & Mel Blake
In Honor of
birth of JOSHUA AUSLANDER
GENERAL OPERATING FUND
In Appreciation
Richard Shieldhouse
In Honor of
Ellen & Stephen Fine
RABBI GUTTERMAN
HELEN & AARON CASLOWITZ FUND
For studies in Jewish philosophy, literature and art
Gloria Feibish
Dr. Jodi L. Glass
In Memory of
brother, MARTIN ZIAS
CORINNE BERNSTEIN GLASS
HINEINU
Temple Beth-El's caring community
In Memory of
CAROLE MILLMAN
RUTH KAPLAN
ROBERT KRASNER
LILLIAN BERNSTEIN
ROBERT KRASNER
ELWIN ROSENBAUM
beloved aunt, LILLIAN BERNSTEIN
ELWIN ROSENBAUM
ROBERT KRASNER
SAMUEL SOLOMON BLOCK
CHARLES H. JACOBSON
HATTIE BOTVIN
ELWIN ROSENBAUM
Speedy Recovery to
EVELYN SALTZMAN and
MICHAEL RUBINSTEIN
MICHAEL RUBINSTEIN
Dorothy & Howard Lampal
In Memory of
her mother, SELMA BENNETT
JULES P. GOLDSMITH FUND
Supports the beautification of Temple grounds
Gussie Baxt
Gussie Baxt
In Memory of
VICTOR J. BAXT, SAMUEL WEINBERG
and ROSE WEINBERG
GEORGE WEINBERG, MOLLY G.
HALPERN and JOSEPH CHUSMIR
LARRY H. FRIEDMAN FAMILY FUND
Supports arts enrichment in the Religious School
Sondra Price
Mr. & Mrs. Glenn Shealey
Mr. & Mrs. Glenn Shealey
Diane & Bob Ducoff
In Memory of
JULIUS B. RUSS
Speedy Recovery to
SUSAN ODESSA and JAMES PIQUETTE
MICHAEL RUBINSTEIN
MICHAEL RUBINSTEIN
LOUIS & PHYLLIS DRESS YOUTH SCHOLARSHIP FUND
Provides need-based assistance for youth and travel to Israel
Karen Borger
In Honor of
RABBI REBECCA GUTTERMAN
on her installation at Congregation
B'nai Tikvah
In Memory of
LEONARD FIERMAN
YEHUDA NEEMAN
MAX I. MILLMAN FUND
Provides awards for outstanding Religious School teachers
In Honor of
Emily Shine and Jose Mercado ALLAN SHINE on his birthday
MINYAN FUND
John Zeltin
Laurie Sholes
Marian & William Golditch
Harriet Samors
Sandra S. Waldman
Anne & John Oakley and Family
Pat & Barry Waldman and Family
Helen Ginsberg
Arlene Goldstein
Linda & Bruce Weisman
Gertrude & Morton Fine
Karen Shuman
Linda & Richard Silverman
Barbara Goldstein
Bess Lindenbaum
Phyllis Potash
Edith Rosenbaum Shambon
Carole & Bob Cornell
Helen Ginsberg
In Memory of
CAROLE MILLMAN
father, MORRIS BLOOM
CAROLE MILLMAN
JULIUS Z. HILLSON
CAROLE MILLMAN
CAROLE MILLMAN
CAROLE MILLMAN
CAROLE MILLMAN
CAROLE MILLMAN
CAROLE MILLMAN
CAROLE MILLMAN
CAROLE MILLMAN
BEATRICE DAVID KRAKOFF and
SIDNEY SILVERMAN
ELWIN ROSENBAUM
CHARLES LINDENBAUM
ELWIN ROSENBAUM
beloved brother-in-law,
ELWIN ROSENBAUM
ELWIN ROSENBAUM
beloved husband, HARRIS GINSBERG
NATHANIEL SUGERMAN MEMORIAL FUND
Supports the outdoor Spiritual Garden
Lynn & Stephen Dressler In Memory of
dear mother, ISABELLE TOMBELLO
NORMAN MYRON FAIN FUND
For Religious School scholarships
Phyllis Stambler In Memory of
MARION SYDELL
PAULA GOLDEN MEMORIAL FUND
Flowers for the High Holy Days
Barbara Fine and David Golden
Barbara Fine and David Golden
Barbara Fine and David Golden
In Honor of
MATTHEW LEWISS on his 75th birthday and FLORENCE LEWISS becoming
a Bat Mitzvah
In Memory of
HELEN TURETZ
Speedy Recovery
MICHAEL RUBINSTEIN
PRAYER BOOK FUND
For purchase of prayer books for worship
services including High Holidays
Linda & Nat Baker
In Memory of
ELWIN ROSENBAUM
Toby Garten
Ivy & Howard Rabinowitz
Jane S. Nelson
Dorothy Rosen
Selma Stanzler
Jill & Michael Thaler
Daniel Sheff and Laura Sherman and Family
Hannah & Jack Feibelman
Beverly & Banice Bazar
Avis Goldenberg
Randi & Stephen Wasserman
Ann Rollins
Beth & Steven Zipin
Marilyn F. Schlossberg
Beth & Steven Zipin
Edward Spindell
Avis Goldenberg
Marilyn Schlossberg
Marilyn Schlossberg
In Appreciation
In Honor of
RABBI GUTTERMAN
In Memory of
CAROLE MILLMAN
STACEY FEIBELMAN
MYER BAZAR
ROSALIE STRAUSS
EVERETT SCHIFFMAN
MINNIE SALOMON
BEA SHERWIN
brother, JOSEF N. FOGEL
CLAIRE SCHWARTZ
father, SIMON SPINDELL
JOSEPH STRAUSS
husband, HARRY SCHLOSSBERG
RUTH SAUBER, PHYLLIS STAMBLER, MORTON MEYERS and HYMAN
JACOBSON
RABBI MACK'S DISCRETIONARY FUND
In Appreciation
Helen & Fred MacDonald
Nancy Rosenbaum
RICHARD & EVELYN SEIGLE RELIGIOUS SCHOOL
SCHOLARSHIP FUND
For Religious School scholarships
Evelyn & Richard Seigle
Richard & Evelynn Seigle
Gloria & Sam Jarcho
Gloria & Sam Jarcho
Lisa & Daniel Brosofsky
In Honor of
TED LOEBENBERG on his special birthday
YEHUDA LOWENTHAL
becoming a Bar Mitzvah
In Memory of
BOB HERSKOWITZ and ANNA KLEIN
ROBERT JARCHO
CAROLE MILLMAN
SOCIAL ACTION FUND
Provides funds for social action or social concern
Marion Goldsmith
Elaine & Robert Sandy
In Memory of
beloved daughter, DOROTHY
GOLDSMITH JANSMA
GABOR SANDY
STRAUSS VIDEO FUND
Purchases videos for William G. Braude Library
Sandy & Alan Samdperil
Sandy & Alan Samdperil
Sandy & Alan Samdperil
In Memory of
NATHAN CHAIKEN
ELWIN ROSENBAUM
Speedy Recovery to
MICHAEL RUBINSTEIN
SUMNER MARSHALL SAKLAD BOOK FUND
Purchases children’s books for the William G. Braude Library
Pat & Mel Blake
In Memory of
ROBERT KRASNER
TORAH FUND
PROVTY
Temple Beth-El Youth Group
RABBI GUTTERMAN'S DISCRETIONARY FUND
DONATIONS
Sondra Price
Shlomo Neeman
Supports purchasing and repairing Torahs
In Memory of
GERTRUDE KATZ
CARL E. BUSCHNER, SR
Lynn & Stephen Dressler
In Memory of
RUTH DRESSLER
25
DONATIONS
WILLIAM G. BRAUDE LIBRARY FUND
For purchase of new library books
Judy & John Moseley
Helen Salzberg
Pat & Mel Blake
Sylvia Moubayed and Alvin Stallman
Renate Sandgren
Evelyn Shatkin
In Memory of
MADELINE GOODWIN
CHARLES GINSBERG and FRED GINSBERG
MADELINE GOODWIN
SARAH BARCILON, TRICIA LOVETT STALLMAN and EMILY STALLMAN
JAN SANDGREN and ALICE BUD
mother, MOLLIE LAMBERT BERGMAN
Robert Berman
BESSIE HOOD
Elizabeth Berger
ROBERT ABEL
Valerie, Louis & Devorah Long SIDNEY LONG
Jill & Jim Tobak
MADELINE GOODWIN
ZURIER FUND
Supports the Temple’s archives and museum
Anne & Gerald Sherman
Janet & Mel Zurier
Janet & Mel Zurier
In Memory of
DAVID LEROY HANSON
LILLIAN BERNSTEIN,
ROBERT KRASNER and MADELINE GOODWIN
RABBI JOEL BRAUDE
PLEDGE TO VOTE TODAY
Dear Congregant,
Please help strengthen Reform Judaism in Israel. All of us have the right to vote in the upcoming World Zionist
Congress Election. The Congress makes decisions which affect the status of Reform Jews in Israel and the
funding available to Progressive Jewish institutions.
We intend to cast our vote for ARZA, the Association of Reform Zionists of America, an affiliate of the Union
of Reform Judaism. ARZA is the vehicle for the collective participation of American Reform Jews. It champions
activities that foster Israel as a pluralistic, just and democratic Jewish State.
Join us by going to https://www.reformjews4israel.org/take-the-pledge/ or pick up your postcard at
the Temple Beth-El office to cast your vote. Information will then follow.
With every good wish along with prayers for peace and safety in Israel.
Ever sincerely,
Rabbi Leslie Y. Gutterman
26
Rabbi Sarah E. Mack Rabbi Judith A. Seplown
OUR LEADERSHIP
2014 ~ 2015 Officers & Members of the Board of Trustees
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
TRUSTEES
President
Jill Fox Tobak
President@temple-beth-el.org
Paula Annenberg
Neil Benharris
Lilliane Birch
Lesley Bogad
Andrew Bramson
John Catania
Fred Franklin
Jason Freedman
James Galkin
Suzanne Gilstein
Nathaniel Ginsburg
Cheryl Greenfield
Nikki Hamburger
Robin Homonoff
David Isenberg
Karen Isenberg
Jamie Manville
Andy Matt
Layne Mayer
Beth Mazor
Alan Moskoff
Lynn Rakatansky
Rochelle Rosen
Andrew Rosenzweig
Deborah Salinger
Robert Sandy
Gary Schine
Jennifer Schnirman
Gail Solomon
Vice-President, Planning & Development
Lewis Weiner
VPPresidentPlanning&Development@
temple-beth-el.org
Vice-President, Community
Relations & Programs
Stuart Feldman
VPCommunityRelations&Programs
@temple-beth-el.org
Vice-President, Worship
Practices & Lifelong Learning
Robert Stolzman
VPLifelongLearning&Worship
@temple-beth-el.org
Treasurer
Dean Weinberg
Treasurer@temple-beth-el.org
Secretary
Tonya Glantz
TGlantz@temple-beth-el.org
Temple Beth-El
Congregation Sons of Israel & David
70 Orchard Avenue
Providence, RI,
02906-5402
SENIOR RABBI
CONTROLLER Leslie Y. Gutterman ext.112
rabbigutterman@temple-beth-el.org
Study: (401) 521- 0343
Steven Dulude ext.104
sdulude@temple-beth-el.org
HONORARY TRUSTEES
Stuart Aaronson
David B. Casten
Joseph A. Chazan
Rosalea Cohn
Carl Feldman
Judge Richard J. Israel
Kenneth Kirsch
Lee Krasner
Nan Levine
Frederick Levinger
Susann Mark
Melvin Zurier
Office: (401) 331-6070
Fax: (401) 331-8068
www.temple-beth-el.org
ASSISTANT to Clergy & Religious
School Communications
Judith Gilson ext.113
jgilson@temple-beth-el.org
RABBI ASSISTANT to Controller/
Social Media Coordinator Sarah E. Mack ext.106
rabbimack@temple-beth-el.org
Latoya White ext.102
lwhite@temple-beth-el.org
Rona Nachbar ext.100
rnachbar@temple-beth-el.org
CANTOR SCHOOL ADMINISTRATOR BUILDING MANAGER Judith A. Seplowin ext.118
jseplowin@temple-beth-el.org
Anita F. Steiman ext.107
afsteiman@temple-beth-el.org
George Hetu ext.119
ghetu@temple-beth-el.org
PRESIDENT
FUNDRAISING & DEVELOPMENT Jill Fox Tobak
president@temple-beth-el.org
Ruby Shalansky ext.110
rshalansky@temple-beth-el.org
FACILITIES
Toly Magidin ext.119
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ASSISTANT to the Executive Director
Judy Moseley ext.105
jmoseley@temple-beth-el.org
Kim Campbell ext.109
kcampbell@temple-beth-el.org
OFFICE MANAGER/RECEPTIONIST CONTACTS
Vice-President, Operations
Ellis Waldman
VPOperations@temple-beth-el.org
Scott Turner
Lauren Weinstock
Max Winograd
Rachel Mersky Woda
The Shofar is published
by the Harold A.Winstead
Charitable Trust in his memory.
27
The
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
PERMIT No. 863
Providence, RI
SHOFAR
Temple Beth-El
Congregation Sons of Israel & David
70 Orchard Avenue
Providence, RI 02906-5402
The Shofar is published by the Harold A. Winstead Charitable Trust in his memory.
Because of REGULATIONS PROTECTING PATIENT PRIVACY, hospitals no longer provide patient lists.
If you want a visit from the Cantor or Rabbis, please inform the Temple Office, 331- 6070.
MY HOPES & DREAMS
FOR THE FUTURE
LILLIANE BIRCH
Lilliane
Birch
FRIDAY
January 2, 2015
7:00PM