the Shofar Jewish Treasures of the Vatican I From the Rabbi Find us on

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1 the Shofar 24 Heshvan 23 Kislev /November 2010 Inside this issue: From the Rabbi 1 Jewish Treasures 1 Calendar 2 President s Column 3 ICM Reads 4 Chanukah 5 Tikkun Olam 5 Thank Yous 6 Mazel Tov 7 Fund Definitions 9 Ma aser Sheni 9 Find us on From the Rabbi G od created the rainbow as an everlasting covenant that the earth would no longer be thoroughly destroyed by water again. Yet in our day the worlds of many gay and lesbian youth are being destroyed by their own hand. While we do not know the individual mental health of each person, we do know this: bullying has the potential to rob individuals of their dignity and perhaps their lives. This is a time when the rainbow conflates with taking action, the kind of covenantal action that we are required to take. For the rainbow is a marvelous sign of nature with its multiple hues. It is also a marvelous symbol of diversity. The sign of God s covenant, and the symbol for diversity, is why the rainbow is the symbol for the gay/lesbian community. In the gay and lesbian community, the symbol of the rainbow has been adopted for representing diversity among creation or should we say God s creation. Each human being is created, as our text tells us, b tzelem elohim, in God s image. Yet if you are a gay or lesbian youth, the fact is that for the majority of you, the world can be a pretty bleak place, at least until you leave home and go to college. In the last month alone, five children and teenagers took their own lives because of sexual orientation. Each had been bullied. Teased without mercy. Driven to hopelessness and the point continued on page 8 Jewish Treasures of the Vatican I CM s Adult Education Committee is pleased to welcome Clifford Rieders, Esq., as a guest speaker representing the Herbert Rieders Foundation on Saturday evening, November 13, at 7:30 pm. After twenty years, the Foundation is nearing the completion of a documentary on the Vatican Jewish Treasures, and believes it has the most complete information in the world on Judaica and books currently held in the Vatican and how they got there. Rumors have circulated for centuries that the valuables of the Jewish second temple in Jerusalem somehow made their way to the Vatican catacombs after the destruction of the temple. As the Christian church survived in Rome, the question of where the Jewish artifacts went became a mystery. Since then, the lines have been sharply divided in the Jewish community on the question, and only barely debated by gentile scholars. Excerpts of the film will be shown and discussed before being released to the public. Join us for a provocative and informational evening on a fascinating historical subject. Please call the ICM office if you wish to attend. Let us know how many will be in your party, as refreshments will be served.

2 Page 2 srael Congregation has about 200 I member families of diverse Jewish backgrounds, both full time and part time residents of southern Vermont. We provide weekly Shabbat and holiday services, a religious school, adult education, life cycle events, and cultural and social programming in a warm and welcoming environment. An integral part of Jewish life in the Northshire for almost 90 years, Israel Congregation has been at its current location on Rte 7A, 1.2 miles north of Rte 11/30, since Our building is ADA accessible. David Novak, Rabbi Michael Cohen, Rabbi Emeritus Karen Dreiblatt, Administrator Board of Directors John Sobel, President Cathy Kimmel, Vice President Arnold Katz, Vice President Marlene Skulnik, Treasurer Merrily Lewis, Corresponding Secretary Mark Aronowitz, Recording Secretary Morty Bunis, Immediate Past President Directors: Lynne Abcug, Mindy Bloom, Sandy Castelbaum, Ed Glazer, David Heisler, Georgette Levis, Micki Lisman, Bev Rokes, David Sischy, Rob Zeif Shofar Editorial Board: Doris Bass, Marisa Eisemann, Karen Dreiblatt, Bev Rokes, Laurie Sullivan, Cheryl Ullman Kabbalat Shabbat Service: 6:30 pm, Friday (followed by Congregational Dinner) Shabbat Service: 9:30 am, Saturday Religious School: 3:50 pm to 6:00 pm, Thursday Office Hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday Thursday 9:00 am to 1:00 pm, Friday Telephone: office@icmvt.org Website: P.O. Box 1050 Manchester Ctr. VT Heshvan 23 Kislev / November 2010 NOVEMBER Calendar of Events Nov. 4 3:50 pm Religious School Nov. 5 6:30 pm Family Shabbat Followed by our Community Potluck Dinner sponsored by Micki and Bob Horowitz in honor of Bob s 80th birthday Nov. 6 9:30 am Shabbat Worship, Parashat Toldot Nov st Annual Crafts and Arts Fair Nov. 12 6:30 pm Friday Evening Shabbat Worship Followed by our Community Potluck Dinner Nov. 13 9:30 am Shabbat Worship, Parashat Vayetzei 7:30 pm Jewish Treasures of the Vatican Nov. 18 3:50 pm Religious School Nov. 19 6:30 pm Friday Evening Shabbat Worship Followed by our Community Potluck Dinner Nov. 20 9:30 am Family Shabbat Worship, Parashat Vayishlach Nov. 23 7:00 pm Interfaith Thanksgiving Celebration at ICM Nov. 25 Office Closed Nov. 26 Office Closed 6:30 pm Friday Evening Shabbat Worship Followed by our Community Potluck Dinner Nov. 27 9:30 am Shabbat Worship, Parashat Vayeshev Dec. 1 First Night of Chanukah; Light Candle 1 Dec. 2 3:50 pm Religious School Dec. 3 6:30 pm Family Shabbat & Chanukah Celebration Followed by our Community Potluck Dinner Dec. 4 9:30 am Shabbat Worship, Chanukah 7:00 pm Havdallah and Israeli Dance Chanukah Shabbat: December 3 O n Friday, December 3, we will be highlighting our family service with an ICM tradition the lighting of family menorahs. Each family is encouraged to bring their family menorah and join in the community recitation of the prayers and lighting of the candles. After the service we will have a festive community dinner with latkes plus time to play driedel. Save the Date What: Full moon X country ski and snowshoe Where: Viking Nordic Center When: Saturday, February 19 Stay tuned for details!

3 24 Heshvan 23 Kislev / November 2010 President s Column O n Page 3 Friday evening, October 15, Israel Congregation celebrated its 25th Anniversary of being in our present location. The festive event was well attended by more than one hundred congregants, both veteran and recently new members. In my opening remarks, I commented that as I reflect over the past decade since I moved to Southern Vermont, I am beginning to realize what a vital role Israel Congregation has been to our selves and our families. We owe our deep gratitude to the numerous individuals who have dedicated themselves over the years to build a vibrant Jewish community in the Northshire. Our keynote speaker at this occasion was Bobbie Brayer, who served as president of ICM from Bobbie delivered a fascinating narrative on the origins and history of our synagogue. Bobbie was kind enough to allow her speech to be printed in the Shofar, which is as follows: Good Evening! It is an honor and privilege to be here tonight to celebrate the 25 th anniversary of this incredible building. I have very special memories here and will always consider Israel Congregation my spiritual home. I offer a special prayer for the speedy recovery of Sara Dolsky, who was unable to make the trip from NY but who is here is spirit with us tonight. It is also especially exciting for me to see how much we have grown! How did we get from there to here! For those of you who may be new to the community, you will find that we are part of a fascinating history. It all began in 1918 when two Patriarchs and their families, newly settled in Manchester, VT, were concerned about carrying on their Jewish traditions. Philip Cohen and Noah Kamenetsky conducted services around a potbellied stove in a little corner store in the Depot (now Tilting at Windmills Gallery). Along with their sons and other family members they made a minyan. In 1946, a small congregation of ten families formally organized, led by Ned Kamber, who converted a large storage space in the rear of his building (now Out to Lunch) into a suitable meeting room. For many years this was the home of Israel Congregation. It wasn t until 1962 that the incorporators each donated $200 a piece and Israel Congregation became officially incorporated. Bill Ginsburg, President of the Rutland Railroad, donated the Depot Park to the congregation, and shortly thereafter, the congregation sold the land and bought a small parcel in Manchester Depot. The Chairman of the Building Committee was Nathan Kamber. After extensive planning, the synagogue was dedicated on August 23, 1964, at the Depot location. Just look around fourteen hand hewn pews were donated as a gift from the Weston Priory, the Eternal light was the gift of Betty Kamber s family. The lamp had been in the Kamber family for many years. It originally came from a century old temple in Syria. There were many other gifts made, and before long, we realized that we had outgrown that space and would need to relocate. Under the dynamic leadership of Michael Adler, president, Sue Tenner, Architect, and Jerry and Arlene Wiesenberg, this triumvirate spear headed the drive for a new site. For Sue, Israel Congregation was one of her crowning achievements. Israel Congregation was a labor of love. More importantly, it enabled her to reconnect on many levels with her Jewish roots. She loved the history of her religion and was fascinated with the Hebrew language. This building, for those of you who are musicians, has perfect pitch! I am happy to see that the Manchester Music Festival continues to practice and even perform here. I think Sue would be very pleased. continued on page 12

4 Page 4 24 Heshvan 23 Kislev / November 2010 Save the Date: January 15 ICM Reads I CM Reads is back again with another stellar event with music, food and discussion based on the book, My Father s Paradise: A Son s Search for His Jewish Past in Kurdish Iraq by Ariel Sabar, which is now available at the synagogue. This gala evening of fun and exploration will take place at 7:00 pm on January 15, Come and experience the lives of Jews you have never met. If you think last year was good... this year will be even better, because ICM Reads makes books come alive! ICM Reads My Father s Paradise: A Son s Search for His Jewish Past in Kurdish Iraq by Ariel Sabar Copies available at the synagogue for $ You can take your copy on Shabbat and pay later; please contact Karen at Religious School News O ur Religious School had a great month learning and playing together! We celebrated Simchat Torah during our first Family Shabbat this year. Our younger students (Kitah Aleph) delved into learning Hebrew and all about being a mensch! Our Bat/Bar Mitzvah preparation class (Kitah Bet) delved into our study of the Shabbat liturgy, including an introduction to the Torah Service. These studies will continue during November and throughout the year. We also had our first Bʹnai Mitzvah get together for all of our exciting bar and bat mitzvahs coming up this year! This group will have get togethers throughout the year to share in the bʹnai mitzvah experience. On Friday, November 5, we will be celebrating Family Shabbat together again. Our students will be helping to lead the service with great ruach (spirit)! The next Family Shabbat will be Friday, December 3 get ready to celebrate Chanukah as a community! Thanks for your continued support of our school, Rabbi Rose Third Shabbat Morning oin our bʹnai mitzvah families on the third Shabbat morning of every month in our sanctuary J where we will be sure to have a minyan, made even more robust by your presence. Mark your calendar for Shabbat morning at 9:30 on the following dates: November 20, December 18, January 15, February 19, April 16.

5 24 Heshvan 23 Kislev / November 2010 Celebrate Chanukah with an Evening of Israeli Dance O n Saturday, December 4, from 7:00 to 9:00 pm, come to Israel Congregation with your dancing feet. We will have Havdallah followed by Chanukah candle lighting and Israeli dancing, led by Israeli dance specialist Eve Cameron. Sufganiyot and other nosheray will be provided. All levels and ages welcome. No experience necessary. Eve will teach us all we need to know. If you donʹt want to dance, come and just listen to the music, socialize and play dreidel. If you have any questions please contact Bev Rokes at or Alison Hill at Eve Cameron has been an Israeli dance instructor for 15 years. She is currently teacher and mentor for both the Hebrew Academy and BʹYachad Hebrew Schools in Albany, NY. She has taught Israeli dance programs throughout the Pittsfield Bennington Albany region. Lighting Our Outdoor Chanukah Menorah A s the weather cools, it signals the arrival of Chanukah, one of the most joyous Jewish festivals. It comes early this year, starting on Wednesday, December 1. The Religious School students and their families will be saying the prayers and lighting our large outdoor menorah each evening. Everyone is encouraged to join them. Support N2N C ome to the Northshire Bookstore November 6 & 7 and help raise funds for Neighbor to Neighbor. Identify yourself as a friend of N2N at the register and 20% of your entire purchase will be donated to this great organization. Tikkun Olam Page 5 T he members of the Tikkun Olam Committee are well into their usual cycle of activities. Our year actually started in May, 2010, when we began preparations for the raffle that was held in conjunction with the Fourth of July celebrations. Even before the raffle was held, we were hard at work organizing our committee members and the members of the ICM community for the Annual Tag Sale that was actually held at the end of August. Things quieted down in the early part of September due to the High Holy Days but picked up again in late September, around the time that the Religious School started, when we voted to donate $2,500 for Religious School activities. This was done in order to augment the religious school budget since the Religious School program has been enhanced this fiscal year. Tikkun Olam also donated $180 to the Rutland Ditmas House, a half way house that is tax exempt and funded through private donations. There are several homes under the name Ditmas House throughout the state which offer the only alternative to full completion of a sentence. Micki Lisman Chair, Tikkun Olam Community Food Cupboard November Wish List W e are thinking Thanksgiving! Donations of nonperishables for Turkey Day will be a big help this month! Cranberry Sauce, Canned Sweet Potatoes, Stuffing Mix, Chicken Broth, Canned Pumpkin. Donations may be left in the boxes in the Israel Congregation lobby, Shaw s Supermarket or the Town Hall. Monetary donations are always welcome; please make your check payable to CFC.

6 Page 6 25th Anniversary Celebration Reflections O n October 15th ICM held a special Shabbat service to celebrate the 25 th anniversary of our building being dedicated. The service was highlighted by our guest speaker, Bobbi Brayer, a past president of ICM with a long association with the temple. The service was attended by over 100 congregants, many who had been members and leaders at the time the building was being planned and built. Some of the congregation leaders from that time who attended were Michael and Judith Adler, Jerry and Arlene Wiesenberg, Larry and Ellie Tron and of course Bobbie Brayer. Bobbie gave a delightful overview of our history leading up to the decision to build our new home in the early 1980s, which was dedicated in She spoke of the early founders and the people that spearheaded the decision, the design and the fundraising and how wonderful it was attending services and classes in the congregation s new home. An additional highlight of the service was the performance of three songs by the Shalom Rav Singers, with an especially stirring rendition of Hatikva. After the service the congregation attended our community pot luck dinner for a full and varied repast, sponsored by our past presidents. It was a fitting conclusion to a wonderful evening, and everyone left in good spirits and with full stomachs. Stan Lisman Special Thanks 24 Heshvan 23 Kislev / November 2010 High Holy Day Thanks Georgette & Albert Levis for once again generously hosting a wonderful pre Kol Nidre dinner at the Wilburton Inn Ari Rudiakov and Judy Rudiakov for their stirring Kol Nidre music Al & Ina Rubin for bimah flowers Anonymous for sconce flowers All of the people who brought the delicious baked goodies for our onegs Margaret Conner & the Hospitality Committee Stan Lisman, Arnie Katz and Rob Zeif for their tireless work as High Holy Day Chairs Gert D Eredita, Angela & Travis Wood Rabbi Novak and Cantor Waldman Ilse Fuchs for the Simchat Torah treats Lory Gitter for her donation for flowers Mike Adler, Barry Brown, Morty Bunis, Brad Myerson, Marisa Eisemann, Gary Marmer, Bob Rosenfeld, Bill Schwartz, Marlene Skulnik & Carol Schoenwetter for sponsoring ICM s 25th Anniversary Dinner Alan Bloom, Marty & Sandy Castelbaum, Fran & Mark Aronowitz, Marisa Eisemann, Marilyn & Ed Rice, Susan Cole, Bob Alper, Ivy Schwartz, Diana Bass, Sheila Mills, Barbara Friedman, Judy Hirschberg, Cathy Kimmel, Margaret Connor, Ina Katzman, Loretta Reisman, Vicki Greene, Irene and Ed Glazer, Alison Hill, Deanne Gilman, Elinor Katz, Stan & Micki Lisman, Ruth Rosenfeld, Elaine Ross, Ruth Gilbert, Ruthie Ellenbogen, Merrily Lewis, and Valerie & David Heisler for staffing the CFC Merrily & Frank Lewis for sponsoring our Shabbat Dinner on September 24 Rosalie & Lee Fox for sponsoring our Shabbat Dinner on October 1 Jane & Doug Kleinfeld for sponsoring our Shabbat Dinner on October 22 Mindy & Alan Bloom for sponsoring our Shabbat Dinner on October 29

7 24 Heshvan 23 Kislev / November 2010 Page 7 Sponsor a Shabbat Dinner W e encourage members to support our communal Shabbat Dinner by sponsoring a dinner in honor of a life cycle event, achievement, anniversary, birthday, or for any other simcha. The cost to sponsor a dinner is $180, which covers the food, serving, and clean up expenses regularly provided by the synagogue. Attendees are still expected to augment the meal by bringing a potluck dish. Please contact Karen in our office at for more information, to request a FAQ sheet or to schedule a sponsorship. Sign up sheets are also available on our lobby bulletin board. Mazel Tov! Sara & Chuck Michelsen on the birth of their daughter Ruth Maia, September 26 Lil and Herb Kalish on their 60th Anniversary, October 15 Linda & David Sischy on the marriage of their son Adam Merrily & Frank Lewis on the marriage of their son Jason to Jennifer Estelle Schwartz on receiving the Healthy Aging Award, presented by Governor Douglas George Kalinsky on receiving the Photography Committee of the National Arts Club Medal of Honor in recognition of his extraordinary accomplishments and body of work as a photographic artist and author Book Amnesty C heck your closets, night stands, offices and cars for any books you may have borrowed from ICM and forgot to return. Maybe it was a library book, or maybe it was a ritual book (i.e., prayerbooks or copies of Torah commentaries). Either way, if you are through, kindly bring your borrowed books back to us.

8 Page 8 24 Heshvan 23 Kislev / November 2010 From the Rabbi, continued from pg. 1 where each of them broke. Each of them engaged in self destruction, and the world is a poorer place because their gifts will go unrealized. The root cause of this is senseless cruelty that our children inflict on other children. Gay is an epithet. Bullying is rampant throughout our school systems. And most unfortunately we do not have in place a structure where adults, including clergy, allow our children to know it is okay to approach us, to talk with us, and to be allowed to be cared for. Fortunately technology is allowing our children the opportunity to connect with people who engage in suicide prevention, who do listen, who do respond, and who do let our kids know that it does get better. Dan Savage, a columnist from Seattle, launched with his partner a YouTube campaign: It Gets Better. Hundreds of people are recording videos to let our children know that it does get better. Both Dan and his partner went to Christian parochial schools where the teasing was relentless. Fortunately they survived and went on to adopt a child and live a good life. Look for this campaign on YouTube. The second way is The Trevor Project This is an amazing website, and a robust way to connect people aged during one of the most vulnerable times in their lives. This is an outstanding organization developed to specifically work with children who are at their breaking point, to pull them back from the edge, and help them get the help that they need. They operate a 24 hour suicide prevention line, as well as an array of opportunities to improve the mental health of our gay and lesbian children. There is one more uniquely Jewish way we can help: It is called Do Not Stand Idly By: A Jewish Community Pledge to Save Lives. It reads as follows: As members of a tradition that sees each person as created in the divine image, we respond with anguish and outrage at the spate of suicides brought on by homophobic bullying and intolerance. We hereby commit to ending homophobic bullying or harassment of any kind in our synagogues, schools, organizations, and communities. As a signatory, I pledge to speak out when I witness anyone being demeaned for their actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity. I commit myself to do whatever I can to ensure that each and every person in my community is treated with dignity and respect. Children wanting to kill themselves must end. Bullying must end. Support must continue to dramatically increase for our children. And it is important for the children of this community who may have questions about their sexuality to know that we at Israel Congregation offer a safe place for them. Rabbi David Novak

9 24 Heshvan 23 Kislev / November 2010 Page 9 ICM Ma'aser Sheni Fund/Account Definitions The Board of Directors at Israel Congregation of Manchester is grateful for the many donations our congregants give both in honor of joyous occasions and in memory of beloved family and friends. Once a year, we publish a full list of the funds among which congregants and friends may choose to designate their donations. Donors and the people in whose honor donations are made are acknowledged both in the Shofar and through personal acknowledgment cards. Please remember, acknowledgment cards are sent for contributions of $10 or more. A listing will appear in the Shofar for any donated amount. General Operating General Fund: Helps subsidize our day to day operating costs. Tikkun Olam: Supports local and international charitable activities. Endowment Fund: Investment income helps subsidize day to day operating costs. Ritual Shabbat Dinner Fund: Pays for our communal Shabbat Dinners. Goldsmith Prayer Book Fund: Provides for new prayer books and Torah texts. Rabbiʹs Discretionary Fund: Allows the Rabbi to subsidize or contribute to efforts as necessary. Education Hebrew School Fund: Helps subsidize our Religious School operating costs. Bob & Micki Horowitz Childrenʹs Education Fund: Provides cultural and educational enhancements to the Religious School Program. Cultural Affairs Fund: Pays for guest scholars, and helps subsidize adult education and cultural programming. Fred and Susan Merkado Library Fund: Provides books and materials for our library. Teen Activity: Supports educational, social, and cultural programs. Buildings & Grounds Building Improvement Fund: Pays for major repairs and updates to the building. Peter Jannke Maintenance Endowment: Provides for the on going strength and integrity of the facility. Scholarship Betty Kamber Fund: For individuals pursuing Judaic studies. Martha Lyon and Lynne Andreen Israel Fund: For children visiting Israel. Marilyn Glatt Lingley Fund: For a graduating congregant going to college.

10 Page 10 Ma aser Sheni When the Temple functioned in Jerusalem, the Jewish community supported it and its priests with a system of tithes in the form of food and/or money. Today we feed our communal needs by offering financial gifts that strengthen and enhance Jewish religious and communal life in the Northshire. GENERAL FUND Claire Ellinger Sylvia & Carl Dolitsky in honor of Melissa Sachs, Phil Landman and Klara Landman Lynne & Les Abcug wishing Mindy Bloom s daughter a speedy recovery and with condolences to Carole & Billy Gold on the loss of their good friend Stuart Simon and wishing mazel tov to David & Linda Sischy on their sonʹs wedding Barbara & Charles Sachs Fran & Mark Aronowitz in honor of the marriage of Linda & David Sischy s son Ilse Fuchs commemorating Simchat Torah Ruthie & Norm Ellenbogen in honor of the marriage of Linda & David Sischy s son and in memory of Ruthie s mother, Mildred Roth Jane & Doug Kleinfeld in honor of the marriage of Merrily & Frank Lewis son Jason Lynne & Les Abcug in honor of the marriage of Merrily & Frank Lewis son Jason Marjorie & Michael Weiss in honor of the marriage of Merrily & Frank Lewis son Laney & Larry Davis in honor of Bob Horowitz birthday and in honor of the marriage of Merrily & Frank Lewis son Jason Norma & Marvin Rappaport in honor of the marriage of Merrily & Frank Lewis children Merrily & Frank Lewis in honor of Rabbi Novak for his guidance Lili & Herb Kalish in celebration of their 60th Anniversary Irwin Robinson in memory of Rae Slavin Judith & Michael Adler in memory of Edith Adler Gail Zimmer in memory of Sylvia Zimmer & Leonard Wallach Barbara & George Polifka in memory of Karl Polifka and Ruzena Polifka Marjorie & Michael Weiss in memory of Jarvis Weiss Julie & Benjamin Levin in memory of Anne Gilbert Dianne & Bruce Murtaugh in memory of Dianne s beloved father Norman Tinkle Marilyn & Ed Rice in memory of Abe Steinhorn SHABBAT DINNER FUND Robin Dolsky Bach Barbara Wingrove Marion & Justin Mueller Carol & Phil Goldsmith in honor of the marriage of Merrily & Frank Lewis son Jason Belle Rita Novak in honor of the congregation for taking such good care of Rabbi Novak and Yuval Sela Micki & Stan Lisman Marlene & David Skulnik in honor of the marriage of Merrily & Frank Lewis children Karen & Michael Dreiblatt in honor of the marriage of Merrily & Frank Lewis children Sasha Kent & Arnie Katz in memory of Phil Morris CHILDREN S EDUCATION FUND Rosalind Compain in memory of Mark Klamkin Marion & Justin Mueller Ellen & Jerry Alpart in memory of Jessie Dubow, beloved mother, grandmother and great grandmother Barbara & Martin Donner in memory of Roz Miller Sylvia & Carl Dolitsky in honor of the marriage of Merrily & Frank Lewis son Jason to Jennifer Barbara & Lee Silver in memory of Anne Silver and Murray Silver TIKKUN OLAM Roberta & Al Michaels in honor of Abby Marmer s bat mitzvah and in honor of John Sobel PETER JANNKE MAINTENANCE ENDOWMENT Marion & Justin Mueller 24 Heshvan 23 Kislev / November 2010

11 24 Heshvan 23 Kislev / November 2010 Ma aser Sheni, continued Page 11 MERKADO LIBRARY FUND Ellen & Raymond Lipshutz in memory of Jeanette Lipshutz and Philip Lipshutz Roberta & Al Michaels in honor of Gail & George Glanzberg s 50th Anniversary Maddie & John Sobel in memory of Ron Weiss mother, Beatrice Rabbi Michael Cohen & Alison Hill in memory of Beatrice Weiss RABBI S DISCRETIONARY FUND Leah Sperber in memory of Julia Harrison and Joseph Harrison Justin & Marion Mueller Ann Cole & Allan Besbris in memory of Deborah Brawerman Edith Greenberg in honor of Susan Bergstein Sandy & Marty Castelbaum in memory of Rae Weinberger Ilse Fuchs in memory of Henry Fuchs and Rose Mangot Garry Berlin in memory of Margrit E. Berlin Ina & Al Rubin in memory of Sam Freed Susan & Michael Kreitzer in honor of the marriage of Merrily & Frank Lewis son Jason MARILYN GLATT LINGLEY FUND Deborah Peretz in memory of Mary Peretz and Jules Peretz Marilyn & Raymond Starker in memory of Ann Reiter MICKI & BOB HOROWITZ CHILDREN S EDUCATION FUND Micki & Bob Horowitz in honor of the marriage of Merrily & Frank Lewis s son Jason to Jennifer Ruth & Bob Rosenfeld in honor of Bob Horowitz birthday MARTHA LYON AND LYNNE ANDREEN ISRAEL FUND Lynne Andreen & David Lyon in honor of Rabbi Novak s clear MRI and in honor of Cheryl Ullman *Please Note: Donations received after the 15th of the month will appear in December s edition of the Shofar. Thank You High Holy Day Donors: Ellen & Raymond Lipshutz, Carol & Paul Miller, Vicki & Steve Greene, Don & Evelyn Mayerson, Helene & Al Feldan, Lynne & Richard Mazer, Rosalind Compain, Judith and Mike Adler, Marion & Justin Mueller, Margaret Conner, Norma & Paul Waters, Beth & Jason Rosenthal, Doris Bass, Murrie & Michael Polifka, Susan & Michael Kreitzer, Rachel Richman, Merrily & Frank Lewis, Susan & Sydney Katz, Paula & Harvey Alpart, Estelle Schwartz, Eric Zinner, Marilyn & Edgar Rice, Ann Cole & Allan Besbris, Miriam Hyman, Lil & Evan Ginsberg, Lila Weissman, Ruth & Stanley Gilbert, Elaine Eisenbraun, Lilli & Gary Mayerson, Barbara & George Polifka, Fran & Mark Aronowitz, Linda & David Sischy, Norma Rosenblatt, Karen & Michael Dreiblatt, Ellen & Jerry Alpart, Miriam & Marvin Bostin, Sandy & Marty Castelbaum, Elinor & Joel Katz, Jeanne & Eric Berger, Jessica & Rob Meyer, Karen Ganz, Jodi & Richard Stark, Abby & Tibby Ross, Carrie & Aaron Rubenstein, Glenn Firestone, Deborah Peretz, Marlene & David Skulnik, Norman Goldman, Jeffrey & Barbara Finder, Ruth & Bob Rosenfeld, Mindy & Allan Bloom, Gail & George Glanzberg, Lynne Andreen & David Lyon, Carol & David Buchdahl, Laurie & Jeff Sullivan, Earl Winthrop, Eleanor Rosenthal, Miriam & Steven Hyman, Jeffrey Novak, Phyllis & Steve Gottdiener, Betsy & Ralph Hallac, Donna & Philip Goldin, Bart Eisner, Melanie & Charles Salzman, Rosalie & Lee Fox, Judy Rudiakov, Laney & Larry Davis, Arnie Katz & Sasha Kent, Franci & Tom Carieri, Lynne & Les Abcug, Dianne & Bruce Murtaugh, Ruthie & Norm Ellenbogen, Carole & Billy Gold, Jackie Haft & Carl Yackel, Rob & Loree Zeif, Brad Myerson, Miriam Hyman, Loretta & Stan Reisman, Jackie & Bob Borella, Miriam & Steven Hyman

12 24 Heshvan 23 Kislev / November 2010 President s Column, continued from page 3 One of my fondest memories about this building was the fact that the front door was never painted. During my tenure as president, we would come to the Board meetings and debate what color to paint the door. Finally, I asked our building chairman, Perry Green, to paint the doors before the next board meeting. Yes, you guessed correctly, the doors were painted Vermont GREEN! Our building was multi functional. We held classes in the basement, the rabbi s office and administrator s office were upstairs. We were bursting at the seams. High Holiday services had people standing outside facing the rear wall of the building because we were so crowded! We had adult education classes in the library an extension of the vestibule. We also provided the space for Beginnings, a very successful and respected pre school founded by Judy Cohen Meyerson. One of my fondest memories is of Julius Isaac s chanting, his voice rising above all others in a melody unlike anyone else s. It made the sanctuary resonate like the Tower of Babel; everyone praying according to their own customs! I remember the planters in the front of the original building and the group of women who lovingly tended them. I remember the community garden we planted in the backyard, the Tashlich services where we walked down to the creek with our bread to cast away our sins. I remember the security alarm being set off by Sara Dolsky, who could never remember the entry code. I remember the matzoh baking at Laney s and Stuart Strauss making latkes in the kitchen for the Chanukah parties. I remember the Sofer who came to inspect and fix our Torahs and how he shook all the men s hands but not mine until I learned he doesn t touch women other than his wife, his mother and his daughter! I remember my daughter s wedding as she recited poetry to her awestruck husband, right here where I am standing surrounded by her two brothers and two brothers in law. We had so many members who contributed their talents, their time, their energy and their enthusiasm to make it all work. Nevertheless, we knew that an expansion was on the horizon. The Board conducted numerous needs assessments, parlor meetings and surveys. It was inevitable we needed more space. And so began the long process of raising money, selecting the proper design, furnishing it and VOILA! Look what we have achieved. We can all be proud of this beautiful building, reminded of our founding patriarchs desire to retain the integrity and values of their Jewish heritage. There is a whole army of people who worked tirelessly to accomplish this expansion. They should be commended for their efforts. Yet, this physical plant is not just a building; it represents a warm and welcoming community. It is our family nurturing, loving, compassionate, and respectful. It is our spiritual home where we can learn, laugh, cry and share communal and family simchas. The spirit of Israel Congregation is a reflection of the best that is in all of us. Let us keep that spirit alive! Our greatest challenge today is how we retain the pristine charm of a thriving Jewish community, striving to achieve its identity in rural Vermont, and yet struggling to meet the needs of a diverse membership rich in traditions and practices which encompass all branches of Judaism. This challenge will be our greatest test and our most noteworthy achievement! The entire congregation of ICM would like to take this opportunity to express our sincere appreciation to Bobbie for preparing this narrative and delivering it on the occasion of our 25th Anniversary. Thanks, Bobbie! John Sobel