Temple Talk. Rabbi s Reflections: Mazal Tov, Hadassah (Judith) Mutono! - Welcome to the Family! Volume 33 Issue 9. June 2018

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1 Inside this issue: Rabbi s Reflections Rabbi: David Finkelstein Cantor: Ellen Band President: Mark Frydenberg Vice President: Lester Macklin Secretary: Susan Baron Treasurer: George Isaac Membership Secretary retary: Ellen Macklin Office Manager: Andrea Baron Temple Beth Israel 25 Harvard Street Waltham, MA (781) office@tbiwaltham.org Office Hours Monday - Friday 9:30 am - 12:30 pm 1 Mark s Remarks 2-3 Coming Events 4 Yahrzeits 5 Calendar 6-7 Donations and Thank Yous Active Bystander Training 8 9 Shabbat Dinner 10 Rabbi s Classes 11 Donate Now 12 A year and a half ago, in February 2017, I received a call from Jewish Family & Children s in Waltham. They had received a call from a Ugandan woman who was seeking a Jewish Shabbat community in Waltham. The caller from JF&CS wanted to know, could she send this woman (then called Judith) to Temple Beth Israel. Yes! I said. Of course! For a year and a half, Judith has prayed with us, sang with us, studied Torah with us, celebrated holidays with us, and she has become a beloved friend in our community. After much study and preparation, on Tuesday afternoon, May 15th, 2018, Hadassah sat down with a rabbinic court at Mayyim Hayyim Living Waters Community Mikveh in Newton, to be welcomed to the Jewish family in the manner prescribed by our ancient sages. The rabbis invited her to immerse in the mikveh, which she did. Judith took the Jewish name Hadassah, which is how she now prefers to be called. We sang Siman Tov umazal tov, and ten friends from Temple Beth Israel celebrated with Hadassah. Many of us were brought to tears. There was food, singing, some photos, and great joy all around. As others have done before her, Hadassah has found deep truth and great beauty in Jewish life, so much so that she has been moved to become a Jew herself. We congratulate her, and we thank her for being an inspiration and a friend. Let it be known: Hadassah is now one of us in all ways. She is a daughter of Abraham and Sarah, a bearer of their covenant with the Source of life and freedom, Hashem, the God of Israel. All rights and privileges of membership in Temple Beth Israel are now hers. Here are Hadassah s own words of thanks to what she calls the Temple Beth Israel team : Dear Rabbi, Your guidance has been so important in shaping my Jewish Journey, words cannot express how grateful I am for the love, compassion and empathy you and the community at Temple Beit Israel show towards me. Thank you for being the most inspiring, encouraging, warm & kind team I have ever come across in my years of living. I especially appreciate the team for taking off time to come celebrate with me, for the hospitality, for the gifts and most importantly for the too much Love I received. I will forever be grateful, and I pray that Hashem continue to give us the strength to continuously be one community. (Please tell the Community how grateful I am.) Kind regards, Hadassah Temple Talk Volume 33 Issue 9 Rabbi s Reflections: Mazal Tov, Hadassah (Judith) Mutono! - Welcome to the Family!

2 Mark's Remarks: Holy Rollers By Mark Frydenberg It all began when we were replacing the broken Torah roller (or eitz hayyim) on our large Torah scroll last December. I found three old, unused wooden eitz hayyim in a closet in the basement of the synagogue, all different sizes. I had hoped one of them might be the same height to replace the wooden roller that was broken. The rollers we had were not the same size as the broken one, so we ordered two new ones. We now had five beautifully carved but no longer needed wooden Torah rollers. It didn't seem right to discard these decorative poles that for years carried the parchment of the Torah. What might we do with them other than put them back in the basement for another 50 years? I had an idea. Let's use them to make a tallis rack, on which to hang our prayer shawls. I discussed the idea with a few friends and congregants, none of whom have ever heard of such a thing. I shared this idea with my father, Bernie Frydenberg. As a wood craftsman, his profession was making cabinets and bookcases and vanities. I wasn't sure if he would be up for building this cabinet himself at age 92, but when he started drawing sketches, it was clear he would enjoy the challenge. "I'm delighted with the idea to make this one of a kind tallis rack for your synagogue," he said. I took him up on the offer. We refined the sketches and together, my dad and I planned and designed this unique piece of sanctuary furniture. He bought the oak in February so he could build the cabinet in his basement workshop. When I was visiting in early March, he had resized all the old eitz hayyim poles to make them the same length, extending the shorter ones with additional pieces cut from a wooden dowel. We shopped on Amazon.com to find brass hooks to hold the eitz hayyim poles on the finished cabinet. At my Passover visit, I saw that my dad had cut the two pieces of oak that form the sides and base of the cabinet. When I returned a few weeks later, the cabinet was assembled, and laying on its side, ready for staining. I received a photo when it was completed, and a friend helped with its delivery from Connecticut to Waltham, so we'd have it in time for Shavuot. I am presenting the tallis rack to Temple Beth Israel in honor of my parents, Phyllis and Bernie Frydenberg. We have repurposed these eitz hayyim from being wrapped by words of Torah to carrying the tallesim in which we wrap ourselves for prayer. In doing so, we fulfill the teaching of Rav Kook, the first chief rabbi of the State of Israel, who said "The old shall be new, and the new shall be holy." Page 2

3 Mark's Remarks: Update on Sanctuary Renovations By Mark Frydenberg At a series of community conversations held during the past three years, many TBI members expressed the feeling that improving the appearance and flexibility of the sanctuary and social hall would better reflect the innovation and vibrance found at Temple Beth Israel now and into the future. In January, we shared visions for creating a sacred space including improved natural light, a brighter space, inclusive, comfortable seating; and a welcoming, connected atmosphere with soothing colors and décor. I formed a committee to review these requirements and determine an implementation plan which was presented to the Board of Directors. Watch for these improvements over the summer months: We have completed restoring and cleaning the sanctuary and social hall windows, which now fill the sanctuary and social hall with fresh air and natural light. Window treatments will filter the glare, and oak millwork around the windows will add contrast and create a lighter feeling in the space. Flexible seating will provide an intimate setting for Shabbat and holiday services, celebrations of lifecycle milestones, and community events. Placing the reader s table at the floor level will bring those leading services closer to congregants, and enable everyone to participate for an Aliyah or honor. New carpeting in the sanctuary, a refinished wood floor in the social hall, and a repainted ceiling will brighten the space and enhance the sense of warmth that visitors and congregants find at Temple Beth Israel. Renovations will continue throughout the summer months. may be held elsewhere in the synagogue on some Saturday mornings in July or August so that the work can be completed in time for Rosh Hashanah. Watch for opportunities to help fund these renovations for the future of Temple Beth Israel. ANNUAL MEETING, NOMINATIONS, AND ELECTIONS This announcement serves as notice of the Temple Beth Israel annual membership meeting, Sunday August 26 at 10 am. Join us for breakfast before the meeting. Please contact the Temple office to let us know you are planning to attend. The agenda will include updates on synagogue renovations, officer and committee reports, financial reports, and updates from Rabbi Finkelstein and Andrea Baron, office manager. We will hold elections for the offices described below. Notice of Nominations and Elections 2018 The office of Membership Secretary (and chair of the Membership Committee) is open for nomination and election at the annual meeting on August 26, as we appreciate and thank Ellen Macklin for her service over the past six years. The office of secretary (Susan Baron) is up for re-election this year. All other officers were elected for two-year terms last year. Board members at large were elected in 2017 and two director-at-large positions will be up for election or re-election in For more information, to express your interest, please contact Mark Frydenberg at mark@tbiwaltham.org or by phone or through the Temple office I will share your interest with the nominating committee. This announcement also serves as notice of the following milestones regarding the nominations and elections process, with dates determined by the Temple Beth Israel bylaws: Slate of nominees will be sent to the membership by July 12, 2018 Last day for members not on the slate presented by the nominating committee to place themselves on the ballot by notifying the nominating committee July 27, 2018 General Membership and Election Meeting August 26, 2018 Thank you for your interest in recommending, serving on, or voting for future members of the Temple Beth Israel Board of Directors. Page 3

4 Events Coming Up Thank You Ellie Handel and Ed Kaufman! Saturday June 2 at and Lunch Please join us for a special Kiddush lunch after Shabbat on Saturday morning, June 2nd when the Temple Beth Israel community offers appreciation to Ellie and Eddie for their many years of service to Temple Beth Israel. Ed worked at Bingo for many years, was on the building committee, assisted in the kitchen, and served as Treasurer over the years. Ellie s attention to detail and décor have beautified our building for many years. She has also set up more tables and chairs than anyone! We hope you can attend to celebrate Ed and Ellie for all they have done for Temple Beth Israel. Come Meet Our Neighbors at the Community Day Center TBI has been building a relationship with our neighbors a The Community Day Center of Waltham, the only drop-in day center for homeless people in Metrowest Boston. Many of us contributed to the ten deliveries of clothes and other cold weather items that we delivered there over the winter. Now, TBI congregants have two opportunities to learn first-hand about the Center's great work, by taking a brief tour. Choose between: Wednesday, June 20, 4:00 pm -- while the Center's clients are on site Wednesday, June 20, 7:00 pm -- after-hours, without clients on site Each tour should take no more than an hour. The Community Day Center is at 16 Felton Street in Waltham. If you plan to attend, please socialjustice@tbiwaltham.org by Sunday, June 17, with the following information: Name of attendee(s) Your choice of tours Do you plan to: Meet us at the Community Day Center Meet at TBI for a ride to the Center Meet at TBI to walk to the Center Sunday July 29: Whale watching trip Sunday August 19: Day trip to Castle in the Clouds Consider This Temple Beth Israel Brotherhood in Concert with The American Red Cross, wish to conduct a blood drive, here at our Temple sometime this summer. Before we can do this, we must have an idea of how many volunteers can assist with the event. Right now all we need to know is your name and willingness to help. Step 1 in this process is to call or Paul Smith at paul_smith135@aol.com or The Brotherhood and each and every recipient sincerely give our heartfelt thanks. Page 4

5 June Yahrzeits Miriam Beecher Sivan 18 1-Jun Frieda Simmons Sivan 19 2-Jun Anna Goldstein Sivan 20 3-Jun Louis Sulkin Sivan 20 3-Jun Abigail Cotton Sivan 20 3-Jun Harry Klein Sivan 20 3-Jun Ethel Cohen Sivan 21 4-Jun Samuel Stanley Stoeger Sivan 21 4-Jun George Mikelbank Sivan 23 6-Jun Sarah Greenblott Sivan 23 6-Jun Jennie Shapiro Sivan 24 7-Jun Jacob Ginsburg Sivan 24 7-Jun Samuel Lawrence Webb Sivan 25 8-Jun Anna Wolk Sivan Jun Harold Resnick Sivan Jun Nathan Freedman Sivan Jun Dora Rouffe Sivan Jun Samuel Chorney Sivan Jun Samuel Kaitz Sivan Jun Herbert Phillip Dane Sivan Jun Gertrude Riseberg Sivan Jun Hyman Benjaminson Sivan Jun Irma Salus Tamuz Jun Barbara Griff Kappitt Tamuz Jun Elizabeth Berman Tamuz Jun Max Wolk Tamuz Jun Elizabeth Barack Tamuz Jun James Cohn Tamuz Jun Louis Rouffe Tamuz Jun Ephraim Burofsky Tamuz Jun Benjamin Kaitz Tamuz Jun Bernard Wolf Tamuz Jun Russell Scott Macklin Tamuz Jun Louis Kaswell Tamuz Jun Joseph Norman Tamuz Jun Harry Baker Tamuz Jun Sumner Ginsburg Tamuz Jun Rubin Mallick Tamuz Jun Jack Bloom Tamuz Jun Harry Marion Tamuz Jun Manuel Greenblott Tamuz Jun Alex Greenbaum Tamuz Jun Manuel Shlager Tamuz Jun Manehan Snyder Tamuz Jun Ben Goldstein Tamuz Jun Frank Milesky Tamuz Jun Elsa Stux Tamuz Jun Morris Joel Tuchfeld Tamuz Jun Benjamin Cohen Tamuz Jun Louise Goldman Tamuz Jun David Koocher Tamuz Jun Philip Merowitz Tamuz Jun Annie Margolis Tamuz Jun Aaron Mendelsohn Tamuz Jun David Freedman Tamuz Jun Harry Smith Tamuz Jun Mark Nudelman Tamuz Jun Irving Altman Tamuz Jun Moishe Simon Tamuz Jun Louis Goldstein Tamuz Jun Philip Fischer Tamuz Jun Dora Levine Tamuz 18 1-Jul Hannah Canter Tamuz 18 1-Jul Beatrice Bloom Tamuz 19 2-Jul Bessie Levine Hauser Tamuz 19 2-Jul David Bronfman Tamuz 20 3-Jul Harry Joseph Rosenfeld Tamuz 20 3-Jul Marc David Marion Tamuz 20 3-Jul Morris Canter Tamuz 21 4-Jul Bessie Gordon Tamuz 22 5-Jul Charlotte Cohen Tamuz 22 5-Jul Ruth Milesky Tamuz 23 6-Jul Max Sulkin Tamuz 23 6-Jul Mason Griff Tamuz 24 7-Jul Rebecca Wolk Tamuz 24 7-Jul Irma Frank Orovitz Tamuz 24 7-Jul Charlotte Pearl Shlager Tamuz 26 9-Jul Bella Larks Tamuz Jul Father of Richard Goldberg Tamuz Jul George Lesnick Tamuz Jul Andrew Wolf Decker Tamuz Jul Esther Canter Tamuz Jul Abraham Caplan Tamuz Jul If you would like to add a name to our yahrzeit list or purchase a plaque for the Memorial Wall, please contact the temple office by phone or office@tbiwaltham.org. Page 5

6 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 6:30 pm Shabbat Service 7:57 pm Candle lighting 2 Kiddush in Honor of Ed Kaufman and Ellie Handel Parashat Beha'alotcha 8:58 pm Havdalah (42 min) :00 pm Board Meeting 7 8 8:02 pm Candle lighting 9 Parashat Sh'lach 9:02 pm Havdalah (42 min) 10 2:30 pm Active Bystander Training Rosh Chodesh Tamuz 10:30 am Weekday Morning Torah Study 14 Rosh Chodesh Tamuz 15 6:30 pm Shabbat Service and Dinner 8:05 pm Candle lighting 16 Parashat Korach 9:06 pm Havdalah (42 min) 17 Father's Day 18 7:30 pm Program Committee :00 pm Mussar Group :07 pm Candle lighting 23 Parashat Chukat 1:30 pm Jewish Singing Circle 9:07 pm Havdalah (42 min) :15 pm Brotherhood Meeting 29 8:07 pm Candle lighting 30 Parashat Balak 9:07 pm Havdalah (42 min) Page 6

7 July 2018 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 Tzom Tammuz Independence Day 5 6 8:06 pm Candle lighting 7 Zelman's sponsored kiddush in honor of Lester and Ellen's Birthdays. Parashat Pinchas 9:05 pm Havdalah (42 min) Rosh Chodesh Av 6:30 pm Shabbat Service and Pot Luck Dinner at Brad and Dina Baker s home 8:03 pm Candle lighting 14 Parashat Matot- Masei 9:02 pm Havdalah (42 min) :58 pm Candle lighting 21 Erev Tish'a B'Av Parashat Devarim Shabbat Chazon 8:57 pm Havdalah (42 min) 22 Tish'a B'Av in the evening Tisha B Av :15 pm Brotherhood Meeting 27 Tu B'Av 7:51 pm Candle lighting 28 Parashat Vaetchanan Shabbat Nachamu 8:50 pm Havdalah (42 min) 29 Whale watch trip Page 7

8 Beth Israel Memorial Park The cost for an individual grave in Temple Beth Israel Memorial Park for members is $2,200. The cost for non-members is $2,775, which includes one year of membership ($575). Graves in the Kulanu interfaith section are sold in lots of two, at a total cost of $4,400 for members. The cost for non-members is $7,550 for a lot of two, which includes one year of family membership ($1,150). Please contact Jay Trilling of Menorah Cemetery Management Corporation, at (857) for further information. Jim Baron, Cemetery Committee Chair Mazal Tov! Congratulations to Rabbis Tracy Nathan and Scott Slarskey on the Bar Mitzvah of their son Hanan Nathan-Slarskey. Hanan celebrated his Bar Mitzvah at Congregation Kol Rinah in St. Louis on Saturday, May 12. Rabbis Tracy and Scott, and Hanan send their best regards to all of us at Temple Beth Israel. Yellow Candle Fund: Erika Cohen Donations Rabbi s Discretionary Fund Diana Korzenik in honor of Bernie Frydenberg THANK YOU To Caroline Nudelman for her many years of service as chair of the ritual committee and gabbai on Shabbat. While Caroline is taking a well-deserved break from these responsibilities, Phyllis Werlin will be the acting chair of the Ritual Committee. Please contact Phyllis for any ritual committee related issues. To Jim Baron, the Waltham Veterans and Stanley School 5th graders for putting out flags at Beth Israel Memorial Park, in honor of our veterans. Saturday Kiddush Sponsors June 2 - In honor of Ed Kaufman and Ellie Handel July 7 - In honor of Ellen and Lester Macklin s Birthdays - Sponsored by the Zelman s, friends of Lester and Ellen FROM THE CHESED / CARING COMMITTEE If you are saying kaddish and would like us to notify congregants to attend a Monday or Thursday minyan, p l e a s e c o n t a c t S u s a n H o l b e r t a t susan@theindexpros.com or call at least one week ahead of time. While we can't guarantee a minyan of ten will be present, we can work together to spread the word! Page 8

9 Learn What to Do When You Witness Harmful Treatment Active Bystander Training Workshop Comes to Waltham, MA In the current climate, harassment and assaults on racial and religious minorities, the disabled, and others who may be perceived as different have become increasingly frequent. If you witness a harmful situation, you have choices to make. Should you do something? How do you decide? If so, what should you do? The Boston-area Active Bystander Training Team, trained by Quabbin Mediation, brings its Active Bystander Workshop to Temple Beth Israel in Waltham, MA to help you answer these questions. The Social Justice Committee at Temple Beth Israel and Waltham Immigrant Solidarity Committee have joined forces to co-host this event. WHEN: Sunday, June 10, 2018, 2:30 PM 5:00 PM WHERE: Temple Beth Israel, 25 Harvard Street, Waltham, MA RSVP: Open to the public, but space is limited. Register at WHAT: Participants age 12 through adult will review examples of harm in our communities, analyze the roles of people involved in a bystander situation, discuss the inhibitors and promoters of being an active bystander, and brainstorm effective ways to take action. WHO: The Boston-area Active Bystander Training Team. questions to TAB.NE.Request+Boston@gmail.com. COST: The Training Team requests a $10 donation at the door, to defray costs. If you require babysitting, socialjustice@tbiwaltham.org, and we will try to arrange it. Co-hosted by Temple Beth Israel s Social Jus ce Commi ee Waltham Immigrant Solidarity Commi ee

10 Future Shabbat Evening with Dinner: July 13 (at a member s home) Friday Night Service and Dinner June 15th begin at 6:30 pm. Dinner begins after services, around 7:30 pm. Vegetarian option available on request. Please let us know if you have any other dietary requirements when you sign up by contacting the Temple office. $18 per adult, $42 per family if paid by the Weds. before the dinner. $21 per adult, $45 per family for later reservations Register online at or contact the Temple office to sign up. Kabbalat Shabbat 6:30 PM June 1st Come together to welcome Shabbat, to sing, to pray, and to hear a story or a brief D var Torah. Social Justice Shabbat and Pot Luck Dinner Friday, July 13, 6:30 pm Hosted by Dina and Brad Baker, 97 Hamilton Road, Waltham It's a great chance to worship together, socialize and enjoy each other's good food. Plus, we'll make it a special Social Justice Shabbat; joining us will be staff from: Community Day Center of Waltham, the only drop-in day center for homeless people in Metrowest The Right to Immigration Institute, a Brandeis student-founded nonprofit that trains undergraduates to become DOJ-accredited representatives so no one faces the immigration process alone They'll briefly tell us what they do, and why, and they will stay for dinner to mingle and answer any questions you may have about their organizations' work. RSVP by Friday, July 6 to Dina Baker at dinab1@verizon.net Please bring a vegetarian, dairy, or pareve (non-meat) main dish or dessert to share, or bring packaged foods with a heksher (kosher certification). Thanks to those who read Torah, Haftarah, or gave a D'var Torah Rabbi David Finkelstein Rabbi Sara Meirowitz Susan Kane Phyllis Werlin Mike Rosenberg Celia Schneider Mark Frydenberg Yaron Shragai Merrill Griff Scott Tepper Catherine Cantrell Susan Holbert Please contact readtorah@tbiwaltham.org to volunteer to read from the Torah or chant a Haftarah, or contact susan@theindexpros.com if you would like to give a d'var torah in the coming months. Page 10

11 Rabbi s Classes Interfaith Bible Study: The Book of Judges Co-taught by Rabbi David Finkelstein and Pastor Tom Maehl Once a month on -12:00pm June 13 at Temple Beth Israel Subject of study: The Book of Judges With the guidance of a multi-faith clergy team, come study stories that are sacred to all Abrahamic traditions about a time of great political instability after the death of Moses and before the first king was anointed in ancient Israel. Rabbi David Finkelstein and Pastor Tom Maehl will be co-teaching these Bible study sessions on the Book of Judges. NOTE: Please bring your own copy of the text. Participation is free and open to all. Mussar Group: Character & Jewish Values facilitated by Rabbi David Finkelstein MEETING TIMES: Wednesday Evening June 20 always 7:00-8:45 pm at Temple Beth Israel With Spring TBI s Mussar Group returns. Come be supported by your neighbors and by your friends, by your friendly neighborhood rabbi and by Jewish tradition, as we all try to listen to the teacher within. In our pursuits of closeness to God, spiritual and emotional balance, and wholeness, the Jewish tradition of Mussar can be a great help and a superb source of sustenance. All are welcome to explore a new attribute (like humility or gratitude) every month with the spiritual technology of Mussar on the table. Jewish Singing Circle a new initiative by Rabbi David Finkelstein MEETING TIMES: Saturday Afternoon June 23 always 1:30-2:30 pm at Temple Beth Israel We ve explored Hasidic melodies from Bobov and from twentieth century composers and family melodies from Morris Hollender z l (may his memory be for a blessing). We ve sung waltzes, marches, lullabies, and meditative tunes. In the coming months, we will explore Sephardic melodies, more Hasidic melodies, and who knows what else! The name of the game is exploration and experimentation with Jewish music. Come join the team. Use the voice and the breath God gives you to explore the musical and emotional possibilities of wordless Jewish melodies (niggunim). Participation is free and open to all. Page 11

12 Temple Talk The Newsletter of Temple Beth Israel of Waltham 25 Harvard Street Waltham, MA Phone: Website: Facebook: facebook.com/tbiwaltham Help us save on postage! Pick up your copy of Temple Talk at the synagogue or view it online at General Fund High Holiday Donation Rabbi s Discretionary Fund Goldstein Prayerbook Fund Morris Hollender Torah Fund Children s and Programming Other, please specify: It is never too late to Donate! Temple Beth Israel Donation Form For your convenience, please use this form to make your donations and send to: Temple Beth Israel, 25 Harvard Street, Waltham, MA I have chosen the fund indicated at the left: (Please use a separate form for each fund. Minimum donation: $10) Attached is my check in the amount of: $ This donation is being made: In Honor Of In Memory Of Other This donation is made by: Name: Address: City/State/Zip Please send acknowledgement to: Name: Address: City/State/Zip