Vol. XLIII 7 Nissan - Iyyar 5773 April

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1 Vol. XLIII 7 Nissan - Iyyar 5773 April Our Youth Scholarship Concert Promises a Triple Treat: A Comedian, a Choir and a Cantor! Join us at the synagogue on Sunday, April 28 for an entertaining night of music and laughs during A Comedian, a Choir and a Cantor! Beth El s annual Youth Scholarship Concert. The 7 p.m. event will star celebrated comedian Joel Chasnoff, our own Hazzan Michael Krausman, and his talented Beth El choir including Diane Baum, Arnold (Tuffy) Epstein, Aliyah Jabenis, Dacia Jabenis, Lisa Lieb, Howard Marcus, Lisa Senal, Marty Shukert, Lou Wolfson, and accompanist Anna Mosenkis. Lori Kooper-Schwarz and Wayne Schwarz are serving as the program s chairmen; Shane Kotok is Beth El s scholarship chairman. Chasnoff, 39, is a stand-up comedian and writer who has performed his unique brand of smart, uplifting Jewish humor in nine countries, including TV spots in the U.S. and Israel, as well as at more than 1,000 venues in North America. He has been featured on NPR s The World, and has served as the warm-up act for The Daily Show s Jon Stewart and Lewis Black. Chasnoff s comedy is based on real Jewish experiences, such as his stint on his day-school basketball team and his tour-of-duty in a combat unit of the IDF. Audiences across the spectrum of Jewish knowledge and observance find his humor intelligent, insightful and most importantly hilarious. When he s not on tour, Chasnoff teaches standup comedy and humor writing at the 92nd Street Y in Manhattan. In addition to performing, the Chicago native is also the author of The 188th Crybaby Brigade*, a serio-comic memoir about his year as a combat soldier in the Israeli Army. (For more about this book and Chasnoff s work, visit A portion of the proceeds from Chasnoff s performances and this book are donated to his foundation, Project Elijah, which distributes money to organizations promoting humanitarian causes. Most recently, Project Elijah sent one hundred low-income New York City schoolchildren to the circus. Our Beth El s Youth Scholarship Fund is a vital resource for our congregation s youths and their connection to Jewish life. Proceeds from A Comedian, a Choir and a Cantor! will provide financial support for Jewish summer experiences for kids, including summer camps and Israel trips. (continued on page 3) Nominating Committee Presents New Slate Our nominating committee, chaired by Beverly Fellman, has announced the slate of officers and board members to serve the congregation for the upcoming year. Nominees for elected office include: President: Lloyd Roitstein Vice President: Janie Murow, Jon Jabenis and Wayne Schwarz Treasurer: Jay Gordman Secretary: Michael Schop Past President: Bev Fellman Board of Trustees nominees include: Howard Shandell, Aveva Shukert, Sharon Houchin, Caryn Scheer, Jim Zipursky, David Kotok, Sandy Passer and Kevin Saltzman. Nominating committee members are Rick Canfield, Karen Cohen, Bob Goldberg, Sandy Passer, Caryn Scheer, Scott Simon, and Jim Zipursky. The new officers and board members will be elected during Beth El s annual meeting, planned for June 7 at the synagogue.

2 After the Exodus from Egypt, which we celebrated on Pesach, the Children of Israel headed out into the wilderness on an arduous journey toward Mt. Sinai, where they would have an encounter with God and acquire the Torah. Our Torah delineates a pathway by which Judaism can be a living, vibrant, evocative, growing experience and is the key to the formation of a solid community strengthened by a close relationship with God. Thousands of years later, we still struggle to find our way to that meaningful method of Jewish living that is revealed by God through the Torah. Although we offer incredible programming and experiential and educational opportunities at Beth El, the best approach to this quest is, like our Biblical ancestors, to send our children out into the wilderness: not towards Mt. Sinai, but to a Jewish summer camp. At a Jewish camp, Judaism is not a subject in a textbook. Judaism is not practiced just on Passover or Hanukkah; Judaism is not confined to the synagogue or to the Bagel Bin; Judaism is the living, vibrant, evocative, growing experience our ancestors sought so long ago. Be it dancing or singing or eating or arts and crafts or even playing baseball everything, every part of life, is a Jewish experience at camp. More importantly, the benefits of Jewish summer camp last far beyond the summer. Children who attend summer camp retain a glow the entire year that illuminates their experience of Judaism. When they return, Jewish summer campers become ambassadors of positive Jewish living to their home communities and are very likely to become the Jewish leaders of the next generation. Sending Our Children into the Wilderness by Hazzan Michael Krausman Both of my boys have been Ramahniks since they were very young. Not only are my wife Laurel and I both products of different Ramah camps, but we spent several years with the boys at Ramah Family Camp before they were old enough to be regular campers. I recall walking to synagogue with my oldest son, Zev, who was quite young at the time. He described his relationship with Jewish summer camp in the following way: I guess Camp Ramah is the heart and each one of us campers is like a red blood cell. (Obviously he was learning about the circulatory system in school.) We get our Jewish energy at camp and give it to everyone back home, but we have to return to the heart to keep on working. Indeed if you speak to anyone who has attended a Jewish summer camp, they will have a similar reaction and, like my kids, can t wait until the summer so they can go back for a recharge. Although we can sing lively melodies, have outdoor services and hold Jewish experiential programs all of which are extremely valuable -- we cannot replicate that 24/7 love and strength of Jewish identity that comes naturally in a Jewish camp environment. It is therefore vital that we as a synagogue community make every effort to encourage our youth to attend summer camps. Moreover, it is incumbent on us as part of our commitment to ensure the future of our Jewish community by providing resources so that every child in our synagogue family will be able to attend the Jewish camping program of his or her choice without worrying about the financial burden that may ensue. Here at Beth El we take a unique approach to Jewish camp scholarships. We have established a service grant program through which all students, regardless of need, can receive a camp scholarship in return for a pledge to provide a service to the synagogue 2 when they return. The service they provide ranges from reading Torah and leading prayers to helping out with the religious school and assuming leadership roles in our youth group or other helpful tasks. Not only does this instill a sense of pride in our students, but it gives them a venue to foster the skills and values they acquired during their camping experience. Of course, the funding of this vital program is not possible without the generosity and support of you, the members of our Beth El family. On April 28, we are proudly presenting an event to raise money for our Youth Scholarship Fund. The event is entitled A Comedian, a Choir and a Cantor. We are featuring the comedic talent of internationallyknown comic, author and expert in Jewish humor, Joel Chasnoff, along with the Beth El Choir and your friendly neighborhood hazzan. The event is chaired by Lori and Wayne Schwarz and hosted by a team of parents of campers. Feel free to me at hazzankrausman@bethelomaha.org or call me at the synagogue to find out how you can become involved with this exciting effort. Also, feel free to call or me if you want any information about Jewish camp for your children or your family. Be sure to mark your calendar now for this unforgettable program. Please see the other articles in this Kol for further information. As we head toward the festival of Shavuot, where we celebrate the receiving of the Torah, we recall the journey our biblical ancestors took as they strived to establish their identity as a Jewish nation. We can ensure that identity remains strong and vibrant in our future generations by encouraging our youth to attend Jewish summer camp and by making sure that each and every student who has a desire to go to camp can have the means and opportunity to do so.

3 Men s Club Corner I will never belong to a club that would have me as a member, were words that are attributed to the great Groucho Marx, and used to be my philosophy about joining clubs as well. Then I met Beth El s Men s Club and the rest, as they say, is history. There is something to be said about being part of something bigger than yourself, and Men s Club can be that thing. The last couple of months have been busy ones for Men s Club, starting with the first annual Christmas Day Chinese Buffet, The World Wide Wrap, Men s Club Shabbat, Yellow Candle Project and kashering the kitchen for Pesach. (Whew!) I would like to thank everyone who participated in, and attended these events. Without all of you, these would not have been the successes that they were. Keep an eye out for the return of Jews n Brews and other new events; details will be listed in the KOL and on our Facebook page. This will be an exciting and busy year for Men s Club, and we would love for you to be a part of it with us. Anyone can participate in or attend any of these events whether you are a Men s Club member or not. Again, we thank you all for your support. Sisterhood Scoop Sisterhood is having an amazing year! Through the hard work and spirited dedication of our volunteers we have already completed the honey fundraiser and hamantaschen baking for the year. Another great accomplishment this year has been Sisterhood Shabbat. It was amazing to have us all there baking, leading, reading, and sharing on that day. New this year has been our Dames and Drinks. This purely social event has given the women of Beth El a time to socialize, meet new friends, and have some fun. It has been fun to watch and to be a part of this revitalization of Sisterhood. Is there more to come? Of course there is. It will be through your suggestions, involvement and innovation that these things will come to be. If you have an idea, share it with us. If there is something that s missing for you, tell us. You can find contact information for the Sisterhood Board online at Thank you to everyone who has contributed to our continuing success. Without Sisterhood membership dues, volunteering of time, and motivated individuals, we could not do all that we have done. David Finkelstein President, Beth El Men s Club Hea!er Kelln President, Beth El Sisterhood Youth Scholarship Concert Promises a Triple Treat (continued from front cover) Tickets are available now, so purchase yours today! Ticket categories include: Camp Director, $5,000; Assistant Camp Director, $2,500; Unit Head, $1,000; Waterfront Director, $500; Song Leader, $350; Counselor, $100; Counselor-in- Training, $50; First-Time Camper, $18. Supporters at the Counselor level and above who send in their donations by Friday, April 19, will have their names listed in the event program book. In addition, supporters at the Song Leader level and above are invited to a cocktail party preceding the show. Tickets may be purchased online at or by sending a check made payable to Beth El to the synagogue, c/o Beth El Cantor s Concert. Your donation (less $5 per person), is tax deductible. Tickets will also be available at the door. For more information about the evening, contact Lori at lkoops@cox.net, or Wayne at jetsmets@yahoo.com. * The 188th Crybaby Brigade will be available for purchase during the reception following the show; it is also being sold in Beth El s Judaica Shop. Thanks to the generosity of the author, a portion of the profits from books sold at Beth El will be donated to our Youth Scholarship Fund. Go Back to Nature with YAC s Playgroup Our Young Adult Committee s Parent-Toddler Playgroup is going back to nature this month, with visits to Fontenelle Forest on Wednesday, April 10, at 9:30 a.m., and outdoor fun at a participating family s home on Wednesday, April 24, 10:30 a.m. Then on Wednesday, May 8, 10:30 a.m., the group will have a wild time checking out the animals during a trip to the Henry Doorly Zoo. All families in the Jewish community are welcome to participate; for more information or to RSVP, contact Caryn Scheer at carynscheer@yahoo.com. 3

4 We Thank Our Yad Squad The following members read Torah/Haftarah in March: Bat Mitzvah BIRTHDAYS With 5-year multiples Ki Tisa Zach Stein Marty Shukert Hazzan Michael Krausman Steve Riekes Andy Greenberg Ben Shapiro Haftarah - Andy Greenberg Vayakhel-Pekudei Glen Fineman David Finkelstein Marty Shukert Steve Riekes Aaron Zipursky Alan Potash Gary Nachman Steve Denenberg Haftarah - Alan Shulewitz Vayikra Michael Gerson Steve Riekes Marty Shukert Heather Kelln Laurel Krausman Tomer Palmon Ben Shapiro Haftarah - Laurel Krausman Tzav Sharon Brodkey Hazzan Michael Krausman Alan Shulewitz Jane Murow Roni Reiter-Palmon Ophir Palmon Haftarah - Nancy Rips Megilah Readers Steve Denenberg Marty Shukert Laurel Krausman Gary Nachman Caryn Scheer Ben Shapiro Roni Reiter-Palmon April 27, 2013 Julia Raffel Daughter of Amy Tipp & Andy Raffel ANNIVERSARIES With 5-year multiples Lynn & Mark Sweet Kollectibles Ruth Goldenberg Laura Klein David Lee Lisa Lieb Patty Nogg Adrienne Zoe Riekes Mark Senal Leonard Shefren Barry Snyder Ardyne Solomon Cameron Stern Jim Wax Apologies to Joel Rich whose name was omitted in the March Kol. We Share Your Joy On the Births of: Jordyn Larissa Polikov Granddaughter of Shelia & Marv Polikov Adeline Holland Shapiro Granddaughter of Sherry & Larry Shapiro For the latest Beth El news and programs, visit Mazel Tov to Dr. Leonard Greenspoon, on his recently published ebook, The Bible in the News: How the Popular Press Relates, Conflates and Updates Sacred Writ, a compilation of his columns which have appeared in Biblical Archeology Review and Bible Review. Leonard holds the Klutznick Chair in Jewish Civilization at Creighton University, where he teaches Classical & Near Eastern Studies and Theology. Shane Kotok, Director of Admissions and Community Outreach Services at Jewish Social Services, was honored as the Association of Jewish Aging Services Professional of the Year last month at the AJAS Annual Conference in Beverly Hills. This award is presented to an outstanding professional working in Jewish senior care in North America. Mazel tov! Save the Date for Our Special Shavuot Celebration Mark Tuesday, May 14 on your calendar and join us for a multi-generational Shavuot celebration at the synagogue. There will be something for everyone: For youngsters, we ll present a special Tot Shavuot and Oh Say Shalom to Shavuot; for adults in the spirit of Tikkun Leil Shavuot (nighttime learning on Shavuot) -- we will gather for a thought-provoking study session; everyone will enjoy a dairy dinner and make Shavuot Torah Cakes. Look for the evening s details in your May Kol. 4

5 President s Corner For those of us who are active congregants, we have felt the enthusiasm and the excitement emerging at Beth El Synagogue. Attendance at religious services, programs and events has grown, new members are joining, and we enjoy each others friendship. David Finkelstein said it well at Men s Club Shabbat, We are family. Success has many friends. We have congregants who volunteer for everything, great active committees, and a strong, committed Board and Executive Board. But it all starts with a committed, dedicated and enthusiastic staff. Their ability to lead, motivate, and continually generate excitement for us is contagious. Please join me in thanking our Beth El staff, giving them a pat on the back, offering our support to them when asked, and showing our appreciation for what they do to make Beth El all that it is for each one of us. A smile or simple thank you can brighten anyone s day. I look forward to seeing you soon at Beth El! Lloyd Roitstein President, Board of Trustees Beth El s Strategic Plan Moves Forward Our Board of Trustees is working hard on its vision for Beth El s future, sculpting a strategic plan that addresses how, over the next 10 years, every department of our synagogue will work together as an integrated team. This plan focuses on seven pillars: Organization, Administration, Religious, Education, Jewish Life, Finance, and Engagement. Over the next several months, the Kol will update you on the progress being made on each pillar. This month we highlight Organization. Led by Board of Trustees President Lloyd Roitstein and Vice President Janie Murow, this pillar addresses developing an annual strategic planning process that incorporates feedback from the congregation, clergy and staff; establishing a staff development plan, which will help clergy and staff to effectively implement policies set by the board; creating an organizational structure which will provide leadership development and training for clergy, staff, board and committees. In addition to Lloyd and Janie, committee members working on this pillar include Jon Jabenis, legal/bylaws; Bev Fellman, succession plan/nominating committee; Rebecca Finkelstein, organizational development and training (staff); and Sandy Friedman, organizational development and training (board). Rabbi Abraham and Larry DeBruin are serving as the lead professionals on this committee. Extra! Extra! Women s Rosh Hodesh Group to Visit The Jewish Press Our Women s Rosh Hodesh Group invites all women in the Jewish community to welcome the month of Iyar on Thursday, April 11, as we Get the Scoop on The Jewish Press. The evening will begin at 7 p.m., with a tour of the Jewish Press office (located in the Jewish Community Center), led by Editor Annette van de Kamp-Wright. Following the tour, the formal meeting will be held at 7:30 p.m. in the Blumkin Home auditorium, where van de Kamp-Wright will offer a presentation about the workings of the newspaper, its editorial policies, its relationship to the Jewish Federation, and the role it plays in the community. Refreshments will be served afterward. We hope you ll join us for this interesting and informational evening! RSVP by contacting the evening s host, Joanie Jacobson, at , or ohjoan413@aol.com; you may also call the synagogue office or programming@bethel-omaha.org. Don t Miss Jews n Brews, Final Four Edition To all men of Beth El: If you re a fan of college hoops, come to Beth El on Monday, April 8, for a special Jews n Brews, Final Four Edition! Beginning at 7 p.m., we ll eat, drink, and be merry as we watch the best college basketball teams in the country vie for the national championship. There s no charge, but Men s Club is requesting a suggested minimum donation of $5 to cover costs. And remember, you don t have to be a member of Men s Club to attend. For more information, contact Ari Kohen, at akohen2@unl.edu. Save the Date for Beth El s Annual Meeting Mark Friday, June 7 on your calendar and don t miss Beth El s annual meeting, this year to take place following a special 5:45 p.m. Shabbat-on-the-Green dinner on the synagogue s back lawn. Bring your family and friends (plus balls, Hula hoops, Frisbees, etc.) for a casual meal, then stay as we install new officers and board members, hear about the year in review, and celebrate together during Kabbalat Shabbat services. Look for more details in your May Kol. 5

6 BESTT Shabbaton Presents 10 Top Reasons We LOVE Being Jewish! Our students in grades 3 7 will have the best of times during BESTT s upcoming Shabbaton, themed, 10 Reasons We LOVE Being Jewish! planned for Friday, May 3 to Sunday, May 5, at the 4-H Camp in Gretna. This fun-filled weekend is open to all Jewish kids in the Omaha, Lincoln and Sioux City Jewish communities. Drop-off will be at Beth El on Friday at 4:30 p.m., and pick-up will be Sunday at 11:45 a.m. The full schedule of activities and online registration can be found at cost to attend is $35. Questions? Contact Eadie Tsabari at , or at etsabari@bethel-omaha.org. Beth El's staff, along with a group of congregants, spent a recent morning volunteering at Food Bank for the Heartland. The group worked in concert, assembling packets of food for area children. Join Us for Some Family Fun at Sempeck's Bowling, go-karts, laser tag and arcade games are just some of the activities we ll enjoy during Beth El s Family Fun Day on Sunday, April 14 at Sempeck s Bowling & Entertainment, Cumberland Rd., in Elkhorn. From 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., kids and adults alike will have a ball at this indoor entertainment center. BESTT Kibbutz Chaverim students will also join in on the fun. Cost for Beth El members is $12 for adults and $8 for children under age 12; for non-members, $15 for adults and $10 for children (fee includes bowling and shoes). Reservations are required by April 11, and may be made at or by sending a check made payable to Beth El -- to the synagogue, attention Family Fun Day. For more information, contact event chairmen Caryn Scheer, carynscheer@yahoo.com, or Shira Abraham, shira.abraham@gmail.com. 6

7 BESTT Wedding a Joyful Celebration for Students and Families Last month s BESTT 3rd and 4th grade wedding was truly a cause for celebration! The bride and groom vowed to be friends for the rest of the day, all participants shared what they ve learned about Jewish wedding rituals, and afterward, there was, what else? Wedding cake! The morning was also made special by the attendance of special guest, retired BESTT teacher Margo Riekes. Margo is responsible for creating the wedding event 20 years ago, and for coordinating the celebration until her retirement last spring. Rabbi Abraham and Hazzan Krausman officiated during the nuptials. The wedding party included: Julia Weill, bride; David Kay, groom; Lindsey Kader, mother of the bride; Ari Finkelstein, father of the bride; Dina Saltzman, mother of the groom; Isaac Dennison, father of the groom; Melanie Schwarz, maid of honor; Ben Kutler, best man; Chaeli Spivack, flower girl; Ethan Finkelstein, ring bearer; Emily Kirk, Veronica Dubov and Sophia Mavropulous, bridesmaids; Michael Denenberg, Phoenix Mavropulous and Isaac Clark, groomsmen. Many thanks to organizers Naomi Zipursky and Sarah Kutler with assistance from Eadie Tsabari -- for planning this heartwarming and memorable morning! Minyannaires Thanks to these members of Beth El who attended at least one daily service between February 15 and March 14: Rabbi Abraham Diane Axler Baum Ann Belmont Wendy Berenson Marshall Berg Jason Blair Devra Bram Zachary Bram Sharon Brodkey David Cooper Sarita Cooper Hanna DeBruin Larry DeBruin Beverly Fellman Richard Fellman Glen Fineman Joseph Frank Gail Friedman Heidi Friedman Jeremy Friedman Morris Friedman Sanford Friedman Michael Gerson Sherman Golbitz Donald Goldstein Dolores Goodman Michael Goodman Miriam Gottlieb Sherri Green Andrew Greenberg Barton Greenberg Caryl Greenberg Cary Grossman M'Lee Hasslinger David Herzog Aliyah Jabenis Dacia Jabenis Jon Jabenis Ilse Kahn Marcel Kahn Howard Kaiman Howard Kaplan Beatrice Karp Judith Katskee Milton Katskee Larry Kipperman Shane Kotok Laurel Krausman Hazzan Krausman Zev Krausman Larry Kronick Carole Lainof Wayne Lainof Steven Levy Joan Marcus Myron Marko Lynda Mirvish Anna Mosenkis Igor Mosenkis Jane Murow Steve Pitlor Marvin Polikov Merle Potash Ruth Potash Deborah Rennard Stephen Rennard Steven Riekes Gary Rifkin Helen Rifkin Nancy Rips Lloyd Roitstein Sidney Rosenblatt Dorothy Rosenblum Carol Schneider Edward Schneider Benjamin Shapiro Stanley Silverman Tootie Simon Scott Simon Nancy Skid Jake Spivack Beth Staenberg Cynthia Stern Edith Tsabari Judith Tully Stewart Tully Esther Wax James Wax Steven Wees 7

8 This Kol lists contributions received by March 19, Donations received after that date will be listed in the May Kol. Contributions to Named Endowment Funds 21st Century Endowment Fund Yahrzeit of: Ben Miller Alan S. Kulakofsky Endowment Fund In Memory of: Randy Endelman Ann Goldstein Endowment Fund In Memory of: Stuart Simon Yahrzeit of: Ben Gershun Arnold Stern Endowment Fund In Memory of: Randy Endelman Yahrzeit of: Arnold Stern, Seymour Cohn Celia & Ben Schwartz Transportation Endowment Fund In Memory of: Florence Davis, Jacob Rosenberg Dave & Lill Cohn Endowment Fund In Memory of: Louis Blumkin David & Ida Potash Endowment Fund Yahrzeit of: Esther Kaplan, Gordon Cherwitz, Sadie Michnoff David & Idell Itkin Endowment Fund In Memory of: Louis Blumkin, Randy Endelman, Sam Epstein Dr.Leon Fellman, Scholar in Residence Program Fund In Memory of: Jacob Rosenberg Drazen Family Summer Experience Endowment Fund In Memory of: Louis Blumkin, Sam Epstein Esther Zorinsky Rice Endowment Fund In Honor of: Blanche Wise General Endowment Fund In Memory of: Irving Krutter, Jay Chasen, Louis Blumkin, Maurice Gordon, Sam Epstein, Stuart Simon Yahrzeit of: Nelle Goodman Harold J. & Frances P. Gottlieb Endowment Fund In Honor of Anniversary of: Sarita & David Cooper Ilse & Marcel Kahn Endowment Fund In Honor of: Thanks to Phyllis Wasserman In Memory of: Dave Shkolnick, Edith Comisar, Jacob Rosenberg, Jay Chasen, Louis Blumkin, Randy Endelman, Sam Epstein, Steve Sokolof Yahrzeit of: Philip Goodman Isaac H. and Ruth S. Friedman Endowment Fund In Honor of Anniversary of: Larry Kavich In Memory of: Evert June Culling, Louis Blumkin, Randy Endelman, Sam Epstein, Steve Sokolof Recovery of: Bill Cohen Jacob & Ida Bernstein Endowment Fund In Memory of: Jay Chasen, Louis Blumkin Recovery of: Morley Zipursky Yahrzeit of: Robert Wagner Jerold I. Rosen Endowment Fund In Honor of Birthday of: Sheila Rosen Yahrzeit of: Abe Pradell, I.B. Ziegman, Jerold Rosen Lee Jane Parsow Endowment Fund In Memory of: Irving Krutter, Jay Chasen, Louis Blumkin, Randy Endelman Lucille White Kitchen Endowment Fund In Memory of: Gertrude Ambrose, Jay Chasen, Randy Endelman, Sam Epstein Magda Fried Endowment Fund In Memory of: Irving Krutter, Louis Blumkin, Randy Endelman Meyer Green Endowment Fund In Memory of: Randy Endelman Milton Marcus Instrumental Music Endowment Fund In Honor of Birthday of: Larry Roffman In Honor of: Thanks to Hazzan Michael Krausman In Memory of: Dave Shkolnick, Edith Comisar, Jacob Rosenberg, Jay Chasen, Mercedes Willis, Randy Endelman, Sam Epstein, Susan Landow Yahrzeit of: Harry Epstein Rabbi Alexander Katz Educational Fund In Memory of: Jacob Rosenberg, Randy Endelman, Stuart Simon Rita & Harold Novak Endowment Fund In Memory of: Sam Epstein Rose Blumkin Endowment Fund In Memory of: Louis Blumkin, Marian Abramson. Sam & Ann Epstein Endowment Fund In Memory of: Louis Blumkin, Sam Epstein Sara and Eli Zalkin Endowment Fund Yahrzeit of: Phyllis Crandell Saul Z. and Lorri Anne Davis Fund In Honor of Birthday of: Rose Davis In Memory of: Florence Davis, Jay Chasen, Randy Endelman, Stuart Simon Yahrzeit of: David Davis, David Milstein, Nathan Milstein Stephen R. Skid Endowment Fund In Memory of: Florence Davis, Jacob Rosenberg, Randy Endelman, Sam Epstein Willis Epstein Endowment Fund In Memory of: Dave Shkolnick Zeffren Alter Scholarship Fund In Memory of: Roz Zeffren Contributions to Named Synagogue Funds Bert and Ruth Render Fund In Memory of: Florence Davis Yahrzeit of: Ruth Render Stein Beth El Scholars' Fund In Memory of: Jacob Rosenberg In Honor of: Thanks to Rabbi Steven Abraham Blanche Wise Education Fund In Honor of: Blanche Wise In Memory of: Jay Chasen, Marian Clayman Abramson Building Fund In Memory of: Sam Epstein Yahrzeit of: Sarah Taub Cantor Berkovits Music Fund In Honor of Birthday of: Richard Jacobson In Honor of: Thanks to Hazzan Michael Krausman In Memory of: Irving Krutter Yahrzeit of: Doris Shukert Cemetery Improvement Fund Yahrzeit of: Lois Stern Early Childhood Fund In Memory of: Edith Comisar General Fund In Honor of Birth of: Lola Sam Aryal In Memory of: Eve Katskee, Florence Davis, Irving Krutter, Jacob Rosenberg, Jay Chasen, Louis Blumkin, Randy Endelman, 8

9 BESTT Seder Full of Fun & Ruach Ruth Skolnik, Sam Epstein, Stuart Simon Yahrzeit of: Al Lavin, Ben Miller, Gersh Kosinovsky, Harriet Kutler, Isadore Olesh, John Faier, Lou Bernstein, Morton Schwarz, Robert Faier, Rose Lavin, Sam Frank, Sam Siporin, Shevel May, Yegudes May BESTT students celebrated Passover during a spirited Seder last month, led by Eadie Tsabari. Guests included Rabbi Abraham and Hazzan Krausman, who offered holiday words of wisdom and shared personal Pesach memories. The story of the exodus was told, matzoh ball soup, charoset, maror were eaten, the afikomen was hidden (and found by Lauren Dietrich), and all of the plagues were wellrepresented by plastic toys, animals and ping pong balls. A great time was had by all, thanks to Eadie and her staff! Jessica Goldstein Fund In Memory of: Irving Krutter, Lilah Frankfort Phillips Liturgical Book Fund In Honor of Birthday of: Margo Riekes In Memory of: Aunt of Rochelle Lewis, Irving Krutter, Jacob Rosenberg, Louis Blumkin, Randy Endelman, Sam Epstein Yahrzeit of: Bruce Bloom, Harold Bloom, Norman & Anna Shulewitz Mitzvah Meals Fund In Memory of: Edith Comisar, Jay Chasen Yahrzeit of: Martin Barron Programming Fund In Honor of: Shane Kotok receiving the Professional of the Year Award In Memory of: Gertrude Ambrose, Sam Epstein Rabbi s Discretionary Fund In Honor of: Thanks to Rabbi Mordechai Levin, Thanks to Rabbi Steven Abraham In Memory of: Dave Shkolnick, Irving Krutter, Louis Blumkin, Sam Epstein Yahrzeit of: Joseph Levine Ritual Fund In Honor of: Judy Tully Scholarship Fund In Memory of: Florence Davis, Irving Krutter, Jacob Rosenberg, Jay Chasen, Louis Blumkin, Maurice Gordon, Randy Endelman, Sam Epstein Yahrzeit of: Geisha Tannenbaum, Ida Lagman, Mace Jabenis, Marshall Zalkin, Morris Cooper, Sol Handler Transportation Fund IN MEMORIAM In Honor of Birthday of: Cynthia Schneider Beth El extends profound sympathy to the families of: USY Fund Yahrzeit of: Bruce Abrahamson Louis Blumkin Edith Comisar Sam Epstein Marjorie Lincoln Bob Perelman Sylvia Swartz Youth Education Fund In Honor of Birthday of: Margo Riekes In Memory of: Florence Davis, Jacob Rosenberg, Jay Chasen, Louis Blumkin, Sam Epstein, Steve Sokolof Yahrzeit of: Maurice Weiss, Sarah Silver, Sarah Taub, Thelma Gordon May the All-Merciful comfort and sustain them in their sorrow. 9

10 Making Beth El the Best That It Can Be By Eadie Tsabari, Director of Congregational Learning As we approach the end of the school year, I asked my BEST students help me write this article, which reflects their thoughts and feelings. In early May we are going camping with 3rd-7th graders, along with our 8th-12th grade madrechim (student leaders), who will help create our final Shabbat s Cool weekend at the 4H Camp. I asked the high school kids the following questions, which is the theme of our weekend (some answers are funny, others are serious): What are the top 10 reasons you love being Jewish? I love teaching younger generations about being Jewish. I love learning about our unique history: the good, the bad, and the weird. I love that each Jewish holiday has an interesting back story. I love that my parents, grandparents, great-grandparents, etc., have their own stories about being Jewish and always love to re-tell them. I love that it's a religion that most people know about, but not as many people are part of. I love knowing a beautiful language that used to be dead but is now back. Hanging with clergy, teachers & staff, hanging with friends after Hebrew school. Judaism brings balance to my life: ways to engage in all aspects of being, actions, prayer, spiritual, celebrate/mourn, be alone & in groups, studying/meditating. Judaism is a maayan (body of water) without a bottom, with never-ending supply of water: you can study the same thing year after year and it seems different; or you can study something new every single day. And now the thoughts and feelings of the BESTT 5th-6th grade class: How is your study of Hebrew different this year from previous years? It s more focused than it s been in the past. We spend more time on a topic. What is a favorite thing you have learned so far this year? My favorite thing is the Shul-In with my friends. I like making the tallit. I like hanging out with my class and laughing and making inside jokes and really getting to know the people at Hebrew school. Learning trope with Hazzan. He makes sure we have fun and makes us laugh. I like when we bake and have special activities for the holidays. I like Kibbutz Chaverim activities. What do you enjoy the most at Hebrew school? I like that our class participates together and leads tefillah (prayers) together. I enjoy the interesting history and mini Shabbat service we have on Wednesday. We have a very funny and very smart teacher on Sunday. BESTT Calendar April BESTT Hebrew School 4:15-6:15 p.m. BESTT High School Dinner & Classes 6:00-8:30 p.m. 5 Oh Say Shalom to Shabbat 6:00-7:00 p.m. 6 Junior Congregation 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. 7 BESTT Hebrew School 9:45 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. Yom Hashoah 10 BESTT Hebrew School 4:15-6:15 p.m. Yom Hashoah High School Program 5:30 p.m. - Temple Israel 13 Shabbat s Cool Israel Edition 9:45 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. 14 BESTT Hebrew School 9:45 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. 3rd & 4th Grade Consecration 11:45 a.m. 17 BESTT Hebrew School 4:15-6:15 p.m. BESTT High School 6:45-8:30 p.m. 20 Junior Congregation 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. 21 BESTT Hebrew School 9:45 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. Aside from Hanukkah, what is your favorite Jewish holiday and why? Torah Tots Passover, because it is really fun and people always want to know about my 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. religion and I try to explain it to them. Passover. This holiday resembles how Jewish people are brave and stay 24 BESTT Hebrew School strong with God leading us. 4:15-6:15 p.m. Passover. I like the prayers and the FOOD! I also like being with family. Passover because I enjoy the story it s a page turner. BESTT High School I like Purim, because you get to have a carnival and bake hamantaschen. 6:45-8:30 p.m. Yom HaAtzmaut, because we get to do lots of fun things. 27 No Junior Congregation As teachers, we learn the most from our students. Thank you to all of those who participated! 28 No BESTT Hebrew School 10

11 1 PASSOVER DAY 7 2 PASSOVER DAY 8 7 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 9:00 am - Shacharit Service 9:45 am - BESTT 10:00 am - Torah Study 10:00 am - Controversial Laws of the Torah 11:00 am - Adult B nait Mitzvah Class 14 9:00 am - Shacharit Service 9:45 am - BESTT 10:00 am - Torah Study 11:00 am - Adult B nai Mitzvah Class 11:45 am - Consecration 1:00 pm - Family Fun Day & Kibbutz Chaverim at Sempecks 21 9:00 am - Shacharit Service 9:45 am - BESTT 10:00 am - Torah Study 10:00 am - Controversial Laws of the Torah 10:30 am - Torah Tots 11:00 am - Adult B nai Mitzvah Class 28 9:00 am - Shacharit Service 10:00 am -Torah Study 11:00 am - Adult B nai Mitzvah Class 7:00 pm - Youth Scholarship Concert 9:30 am - Shacharit Service 8 10:00 am Wrestling with the Rabbis 7:00 pm - Jews N Brews Final Four Edition 15 10:00 am Wrestling with the Rabbis 22 10:00 am - Wrestling with the Rabbis 29 10:00 am - Wrestling with the Rabbis 9:30 am - Shacharit Service 7:45 pm - Minha/Ma ariv ( (Yom Tov ends at 8:31 pm) 9 7:00 am - Shacharit Service 16 7:00 pm - BESTT Board Meeting 23 7:00 pm - Board of Trustees Meeting 30 9:00 am - Shacharit Service 3 4:15 pm - BESTT 6:45 pm - Hebrew High 10 9:30 am - YAC Playgroup 10:30 am - Study Session at Remington Heights 4:15 pm - BESTT 5:30 pm Yom HaShoah Teen Program at Temple Israel 7:00 pm - Yom HaShoah Commemoration at Temple Israel 17 4:15 pm - BESTT 6:45 pm - Hebrew High 24 10:30 am - Study Session at Remington Heights 10:30 am - YAC Playgroup 4:15 pm - BESTT 6:45 pm - Hebrew High :00 pm - Women s Rosh Hodesh Group at the JCC 18 7:00 pm - Dames & Drinks :00 pm - Kabbalat Shabbat 6:00 pm - Tot Shabbat & Oh Say Shalom to Shabbat 12 6:00 pm - Kabbalat Shabbat Evening - Our Shabbat Tables Dinner in the Home 19 6:00 pm - Kabbalat Shabbat 7:00 pm - Dinner and Drash 26 2:30 pm - Celebrate Shabbat at the Blumkin Home 6:00 pm - Kabbalat Shabbat 6 9:30 am - Shabbat Services 10:00 am - Jr Congregation 7:30 pm - Minha/Ma ariv 13 9:30 am - Shabbat Services 9:45 am - Shabbat s Cool 7:45 pm - Minha/Ma ariv 20 9:30 am - Shabbat Services 7:45 pm - Minha/Ma ariv 27 9:30 am - Shabbat Services 12:00 pm - Podbilewicz- Schuller Family Kiddush 8:00 pm - Minha/Ma ariv & Raffel Bat Mitzvah April

12 Beth El Staff Mordechai Levin... Senior Rabbi Steven Abraham... Assistant Rabbi Myer S. Kripke... Rabbi Emeritus Michael Krausman... Hazzan Larry DeBruin... Executive Director Eadie Tsabari... Director of Congregational Learning Margie Gutnik... Program Director Steven Meyer... Youth Advisor Jill Belmont... Publicity Melissa Massey... Comptroller Laura Bair... Kitchen Manager Judy Tully... Office Manager Cait Leff... Secretary Jeanne Shechet... BESTT Secretary Officers Lloyd Roitstein... Beth El President Jon Jabenis... Vice President Janie Murow... Vice President Wayne Schwarz... Vice President Jay Gordman... Treasurer Michael Schop... Secretary Bev Fellman... Past President Joel Rich... BESTT Chair David Finkelstein... Men s Club President Heather Kelln... Sisterhood President Aaron Zipursky... U.S.Y. President The Jewish Family Service Food Pantry Needs Our Help The Jewish Family Service Food Pantry is especially looking for the following items to provide for the community in need: Sugarless Foodstuffs (jams, pasta sauces, fruits, etc.) for our diabetic clients Items should be brought to the collection bins at Beth El Synagogue s Community Court in April. Friday Evening Candle Lighting Times: April 5...7:35 p.m. April :43 p.m. April :50 p.m. April :58 p.m. Minha/Maariv Service Schedule: April :30 p.m. April :45 p.m. April :45 p.m. April :00 p.m. Weekday Services at 7:00 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Sunday Services at 9:00 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. The KOL is Sponsored By the Beth El Judaica Shop Visit Beth El s Judaica Shop Online Website Judaica Shop Hours: Wed. 2:30-5:00pm & Sun. 10:00am - 12:15 pm (when BESTT is in session)