Bulletin September 2017 Elul/Tishrei BTS: The Learning Place Where Learning Never Stops

Transcription

1 Bulletin September 2017 Elul/Tishrei BTS: The Learning Place Where Learning Never Stops

2 From Rabbi Debra Cantor Adapted from my remarks at the League of Light Vigil on August 22 nd in Avon. My thanks to Rabbi Marshal Press for assisting me by blowing the shofar. As I m certain all of you know, yesterday thirty million Americans experienced the shadow of darkness cutting a swath over the heart of this nation. Those of us outside that band of complete darkness also experienced though not in quite as dramatic a fashion a deep darkening of the skies in the middle of the day. We all knew precisely when and where this would happen, the exact moment the darkness would swallow the light, and for how long. So we were not afraid. We were, instead, in awe. We cheered and then we were quiet, our eyes - albeit with protective glasses turned upwards toward the heavens. We were not afraid, because - at least for a few hours we focused our attention away from the political and hateful forces roiling our country, and were joined together as a nation. And we were not afraid because we knew that the darkness would not last, would not reign. Gathered here today, people of many different faiths and backgrounds, we know that light overcomes darkness, even as love eclipses hate. Tonight, I want you to look up at the skies once more. You will, perhaps, glimpse a different sort of darkness the darkness of the slender, barely visible, new moon. (Astronomers and eclipse buffs already know that solar eclipses coincide with the new moon.) Tonight, on the Jewish calendar, we mark the new lunar month. We share the religious marking of the new moon with our Muslim brothers and sisters. In the Islamic calendar, the new month is Zu lhijjah and culminates in Eid-al-Adha, the celebration of the end of the Hajj in Mecca. For Jews, this new month, Elul, is the last one of the year. At its conclusion, we will celebrate Rosh Hashanah, the start of the new year of 5778, and ten days later, Yom Kippur, the holiest day on our calendar. With Elul, Jews all over the world begin a period of teshuvah, of introspection, reflection and renewal. This month is much like Ramadan for Muslims or Lent for Christians. Each day, we recite special prayers, concluding our morning and evening services with the words of Psalm 27. Here is an excerpt from the beautiful translation by Rabbi Yael Levy: Adonai Ori v Yish i mimi irah... The Infinite Presence is my light and expanse, whom should I fear? The Infinite Presence is the strength of my life, what shall I dread? When forces come close Seeming to devour me, When narrowness threatens And opposition attacks, All that is menacing stumbles and falls. Even as an army of mistrust besieges me My heart does not fear. Even as thoughts and desires rise up against me I still have trust. One thing I ask of the Infinite, one thing I seek, To dwell in the Presence all the days of my life, To awaken to the beauty of each moment as I pass through this world. And finally, each day during Elul, we blow the shofar, the ram s horn. The ram s horn has been used since ancient times, as a summoning tool to call the people together, as an alarm in times of danger. During the month of Elul, the shofar calls us to wake up, to examine our deeds, and to choose a different, better, pathway for our lives. The notes of the shofar are not soft and pleasing; they are raucous and insistent, calling us to pursue justice and freedom, to bring light and dispel darkness. Please rise as we sound the shofar! Tekiah shevarim teruah tekiah gedolah! Wishing you and yours a meaningful, sweet new year, Cover painting entitled Third Allegory (1955) is by Ben Shahn. In This Issue Friends of Yiddish & Operation Isaiah 4 Ice Cream Shabbat 5 Free High Holiday Tickets 5 Honey Oneg 6 Community-wide Selichot Program 6 CBS Fall Cemetery Calendar 7 Mah Jongg 8 Donations 9 Calendar 11 Children s Reading Partners 12 Lulav & Etrog Orders 12 Bulletin September 2017 Elul/Tishei Page 2

3 From President Janna Gross The President s message for the New Year s bulletin would normally start out with all the wonderful things we have to look forward to at BTS in the year ahead. But this time, I'm going to talk about something that has already happened. As you know, BTS had the misfortune in July of losing its oldest active member, Alexander Al Cohen, age 99, a mainstay of the Friday night minyan and our Friends of Yiddish maven. Most of us met Al when he was already advanced in age. We didn t know him when he served in the Army Air Force in WWII in the Canadian Arctic, North Africa and Okinawa, or when he was an amateur radio operator at the age of 14, or when he worked for the Hartford Times radio station WTNT as a sales manager. But we did know the Al of Friday night services and the Yiddish Club. We planned to honor Al at a big celebration of his 100 birthday at the synagogue. Sadly that celebration will not take place. So what can you do to honor him? You can, of course, donate to BTS in his memory. Even more so, you can honor him with a living gift. In the November 2016 bulletin, I quoted from a piece Al wrote about why he went to Friday night services. He wanted to see all our members there. So I would suggest that you join us at Friday night services and at Friends of Yiddish (and at Saturday morning services, too.) You know Al would love to see you there. And our first September Friday night services on September 8 th comes complete with lots and lots of ice cream. and Sisterhood Sabbath on May 4. We hope you will be able to join us for these events and more! In addition, I hope you will support our annual New Year s Greeting Card. This fundraiser is one of the ways we can send good wishes to our community, while helping Sisterhood with its mission to support the Synagogue. We also send FREE shalach manot packages every Purim to college students and shut-ins. And please consider buying Torah Fund cards for your simchas and other lifecycle events this supports Conservative Jewish seminaries around the world. In addition, BTS Sisterhood was one of the participants in isupport The Girls, which collected over 5000 new and gently-worn bras at Women s League Convention, which were donated to homeless shelters. If you have been a Sisterhood member in the past, please rejoin this year, and consider volunteering your time to help out at our events. If you have never been a Sisterhood member, we welcome you becoming part of this wonderful group. Your dues statement is in the mail; please mail your check promptly. I look forward to seeing you at Sisterhood events! With best wishes for a Happy New Year. I hope to see you at services, both then and at High Holidays and at all our programs in the months to come. From Sisterhood President Ellen Leonard Have you noticed the four beautiful new chairs in the Synagogue lobby? And so comfortable! They were this past year s donation to the Synagogue by Sisterhood. B nai Tikvoh-Sholom Sisterhood s mission includes supporting the synagogue and serving the larger community as well as fostering Jewish life among our members. This year s Sisterhood calendar includes a Wine Tasting/Paid Up Membership Event on the evening of October 18; A reprise of Latkes and Lights with storytelling on December 16; Charoset Making and Tasting on March 18; a day with a Docent at the New Britain Museum of American Art on April 15; Rabbi Debra Cantor cantordebra@gmail.com President: Janna Gross jsg144@sbcglobal.net Office/Business Manager: Maria dacunha mdacunha@btsonline.org B nai Tikvoh-Sholom 180 Still Road Bloomfield, CT FAX office@btsonline.org Bulletin Editor: Shari J. Cantor RABBI S OFFICE HOURS: Wednesday 2:00 5:00 pm Tuesday and Thursday by appointment: Please call the office to arrange an appointment. OFFICE HOURS: Monday-Tuesday-Thursday; 10:00am-4:00pm Wednesday: 2:00-5:00pm Friday: 9:00am-12:00pm NEXT BULLETIN DEADLINE: WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 18TH Bulletin September 2017 Elul/Tishei Page 3

4 Kumen baheftn aundz (come join us). Friends of Yiddish Sunday, September 10th at 10:30 am At the Mandell JCC It s an informal, mostly English, bi-lingual drop-in social group which meets to hear a guest speaker or discussion & maybe absorb a Yiddish word or two. For more information, contact Barabara Katzman at barbaralenore@yahoo.com.. Shabbat Morning Torah Study Saturday mornings at BTS Services begin at 9:30 Torah Study at 10:30 am Join us each week for an engaging interactive exploration of the Torah portion and its relationship to our lives today. Operation Isaiah This Yom Kippur help make sure that there is food on someone else's table. Operation Isaiah is undergoing a transformation this year at BTS. We ll be giving the Anja Rosenberg Kosher Food Pantry at Jewish Family Services what it needs the most CASH. The advantages for you there s no schlepping, no buying extra items at the supermarket, no ransacking your cupboards for items to donate, and no worrying about whether items are kosher. The advantages for the food pantry the money can be used to purchase exactly what is needed on sale. Just bring your check made out to Jewish Family Services with Food Pantry on the memo line to Kol Nidre Services or mail it in or drop it off any time up through Friday, October 6th. Any cash that you put in the tzedakah container in the chapel through that date will also be donated to the food pantry. We ve made it easier for you. Now please help make life easier for your neighbors in need. Bulletin September 2017 Elul/Tishei Page 4

5 Sisterhood Shabbat It s not Friday, September just for Sisterhood members. 8th It s for anyone who is a 7:00 p.m. woman or who knows one Welcome back from summer & Ice Cream!! Kabbalat Shabbat Services Summer may be almost gone, but it s never too late to eat ice cream in New England. Lactose free ice cream available for the lactose free among us. SWEETEN UP YOUR NEW YEAR FREE HIGH HOLIDAY TICKETS AT B NAI TIKVOH-SHOLOM Erev Rosh Hashanah September 20th 1st Day of Rosh Hashanah September 21st 2nd Day of Rosh Hashanah September 22nd Reservations Required. To reserve, contact the BTS office at: or office@btsonline.org. B nai Tikvoh-Sholom is located at 180 Still Road, Bloomfield, on the West Hartford/Bloomfield line, at the intersection with Mountain Road. Bulletin September 2017 Elul/Tishei Page 5

6 You re cordially invited to the BTS Annual International Honey Oneg Featuring honey from forty-eight locations, including Brazil, Germany, Greece, Hawaii, India, Italy, New Zealand, Portugal, Spain, Turkey, Vietnam, and the United States (all honey does not look or taste the same) with symbolic Rosh Hashanah holiday foods: challah, apples, pomegranates, wine, juice, dates and whitefish salad. Sponsored by: Judith Bramson, in memory of her husband Harvey Bramson and parents Gerald and Mildred Friedman; Lynn Kaplan-Goldberg and Barry Goldberg, in memory of their parents and in memory of their late spouses Alan Kaplan and Adie Goldberg; Barbara Katzman, in memory of her husband Murray Katzman; and special friends of BTS in memory of their loved ones. Following Rosh Hashanah Evening Service B nai Tikvoh-Sholom Wednesday, September 20th, Services start at 6:30 pm From Marion Pava Dear Rabbi Cantor and BTS family, We want to thank you for all the love and support you gave us at our greatest time of need. Marian Pava and Family Marion has moved to Massachusetts (outside of Northampton) to be near her son Joe and his family. She would love to hear from you! Marion Pava 308 Bassett Brook Drive Easthampton, MA Community-Wide Selichot Program & Service The Emanuel Synagogue will host this year s community-wide Selichot service on Saturday evening, September 16th. Refreshments will be served at 8:30 p.m., followed by a 9:00 p.m. lecture by Professor Benjamin Sommer, Ph.D., of the Jewish Theological Seminary. He will speak on High Holiday themes in the Psalms. At 10:00 p.m., the Selichot service will be led by Rabbi David Small and Cantor Sanford Cohn and other area cantors; it will feature the Afro-Semitic Experience, a unique, jazz-based band. The Emanuel Synagogue is located at 160 Mohegan Drive, West Hartford. For more information, please call , Bulletin September 2017 Elul/Tishei Page 6

7 Friday Night Onegs & Saturday Morning Kiddushes Let s face it schmoozing over food afterwards is one of the best part of services on Shabbat. To help make this happen, you can: 1. Volunteer to shop, set up and/or clean up; or 2. Sponsor an oneg or kiddush. To volunteer or to sponsor, either alone or with friends, to honor a birthday, anniversary, special event, your family, a yahrzeit, or just because it s a mitzvah, please contact the office. Available dates for September and October are: Friday nights: September 1st Saturday mornings: September 9th, 16th, 23rd October 13th, 20th, 27th October 14th, 21st, 28th Mazal Tov to Barbara and Sol Cantor, parents of Shari J. Cantor, on their 66th wedding anniversary, August 21st Marian Pava, on her move to Northampton. Myrna and Allen Kruh on their recent move to Florida. Refuah Shelemah to Gloria Bein, Arthur Cassel, Bill Fabian, Barry Gordon, Arlene Herzig, Burt Miller, Irv Sediman, Marian Warner Condolences to The family of Alexander Cohen Roslyn Elston and her daughter Sari, on the death of Roslyn s son-in-law, Paul Trzepacz. Minyanim Weekday minyanim are held regularly on Wednesdays and Thursdays at 7:15 p.m. at BTS, unless otherwise noted. If you wish to ensure a minyan for a yahrzeit or kaddish, please contact the minyan captains shown below. Sunday Tuesday Minyan Call the office at Wednesday Minyan Call Julie Shifreen at Thursday Minyan Call Barbara Katzman at Shabbat Services are held: Friday night Services are at 7:00 pm, followed by an Oneg Shabbat. Saturday morning Services are at 9:30 am, followed by a Kiddush luncheon. From Barbara Katzman & Jean Vitale, Caring/Social Action Committee Co-Chairs Anja Rosenberg Kosher Food Pantry at Jewish Family Services See information about Operation Isaiah on page 2 of the bulletin. Loaves & Fishes in Hartford Chair Lois Galinsky extends her thanks to Miriam Fleishman, Al Oppenheimer, Judy Cramer, Milt Fried, Al Viner and Harvey Jassem who helped serve lunch on August 3rd. You re invited to join our committee or suggest programs. We provide a shiva meal to our members who have lost a member of their immediate family. We also send notes of condolence or good wishes, thanks to Jean Vitale on behalf of BTS and Andrea Zitomer on behalf of Sisterhood. CONGREGATION B NAI SHOLOM CEMETERY, INC. CALENDAR FOR FALL 2017, In accordance with custom, the CBS Cemetery will be open on the following days for visitation for Fall 2017: Sunday, September 3, 2017 Monday, September 4, 2017 Labor Day Sunday, September 10, 2017 Sunday, September 17, 2017 Sunday, September 24, 2017 Memorial Service 12 PM / Rain or Shine Sunday, October 1, 2017 Weather Permitting: The Gates Will Be Open From 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Should you desire to visit at other times, there is a walk-in entrance to the right of the gate. Please be aware that our Cemetery is in an isolated area, and although there have been no incidents, it would be prudent not to go alone. If you would like to visit a member who needs some face time with friends, contact one of our co-chairs. Bulletin September 2017 Elul/Tishei Page 7

8 MAH JONGG AT BTS Next Date: September 6th 12:30 to 3:00 p.m. Mah Jongg and light snacks. RSVP to Marsha Lowry at or Donations as of 8/15/2017 GENERAL FUND Louise Belkin, in honor of the yahrzeit of Miriam Platt Roslyn Elston, in honor of the yahrzeit of Barney Millstein Roslyn Elston, in honor of the yahrzeit of Yetta Millstein Karen Freilich & Jennie Freilich, in memory of Al Cohen Milton Fried, in honor of the yahrzeit of his mother Bertha Fried Judith Goldsmith, in honor of the yahrzeit of her father Irving Angowitz Dr. Thomas Graf, in honor of the yahrzeit of his father Hans Graf Dr. Thomas Graf, in honor of the yahrzeit of his mother Joanna Hellman Allen Kruh, in honor of the yahrzeit of his sister Hannah S. Schaeffer Judy & Jerry Lubusky, in memory of Alex (Al) Cohen Ursula Marx, in honor of the yahrzeit of Hedwig Strauss Al & Barbara Oppenheimer, in honor of the yahrzeit of Burton Harmin Harry & Eva Pick, in memory of Simon Pava Irving & Betty Seidman, in memory of Alexander Cohen KIDDUSH FUND Norma K. Fienman, in honor of the yahrzeit of her husband Herbert S. Fienman Susan & Allan Viner, in memory of Alexander Cohen Steven Warner, speedy recovery to Glen Herzig s mother Arlene Steven Warner, speedy recovery to Dale Osborn RABBI S DISCRETIONARY FUND Ruth Brainin, in memory of Alexander (Al) Cohen Michael & Shari Cantor Louis & Katherine Chiapetta, in memory of Simon Pava Dale Osborn, with gratitude for Rabbi Cantor Employees of South Windsor Public Library, in memory of Simon Pava BEAUFICATION FUND Charlotte & Herb Hankin, good health wishes to Art Cassel Charlotte & Herb Hankin, in memory of Alex Cohen Charlotte & Herb Hankin, good health wishes to Dale Osborn BUILDING FUND Cindy & Joe Cohen, in honor of the yahrzeit of Larry Cohen Cindy & Joe Cohen, get well wishes to Dale Osborn Dale & Brian Osborn, in memory of Alexander Cohen Steven Warner, speedy recovery to Rabbi Press Bulletin September 2017 Elul/Tishei Page 8

9 Please discard all previous donation forms and use this one. B nai Tikvoh-Sholom Donation Form (Revised 1/1/2017) Donation From: Name Telephone # Donation For: Fund: Minimum Donation for General Fund or Specific Fund is $10 each or for other see listed below: If applicable, acknowledge to: Please check other donation you wish to order and attach with specific instructions for: Chumash, Machzor Bookplate $35 Prayer Bookplate $25 Memorial Plaque $300 Sanctuary Seat Plaque $350 Foyer Tree of Life: Gold $360 Silver $250 Bronze $125 Stone $1,500 Hallway Tree of Life: Gold $125 Provide additional information if necessary: Beautification Fund To further enhance the beauty of the synagogue Building Fund To offset the costs of operating the building General Fund To support the operation of the synagogue Kiddush/Ritual Fund To provide food for Shabbat and Holidays Mandell Israel Program Fund To subsidize teen trips to Israel Rabbi s Discretionary Fund To be used at the Rabbi s discretion Torah Fund To maintain integrity of the Torahs Education Fund To fund education Youth Fund To subsidize attendance at youth events Sol Ackerman Fund To provide outstanding achievement award (school) Justin Bernheimer Award For a Congregational Service Award FUNDS Cantor Wilfred Birnbaum Fund for Religious Enhancement Arlyn and Myrna Baller Cohn Fund To fund the Hebrew School Bob Guggenheim Memorial Fund To support the operation of the synagogue Meier & Rachel Katten Memorial To be used for Hebrew school scholarships and financial aid Phyllis Margolin Memorial Music Education To provide music for the Hebrew School Alyssa Suzanne Roy Memorial Fund To provide gifts to bar and bat mitzvah students Ilse & Manfred Stein Memorial Fund Malcolm M. Snyder Memorial Fund To support the operation of the synagogue Bulletin September 2017 Elul/Tishei Page 9

10 1155 Silas Deane Highway, Wethersfield, CT Tel Fax Bulletin September 2017 Elul/Tishei Page 10

11 September 2017 SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT 1 10 Elul 7:00 Shabbat Services 7:05 Candle Lighting 2 11 Elul Ki Teizei 9:30 Shabbat Services 3 12 Elul 4 13 Elul 5 14 Elul 6 15 Elul 1:00 Mah Jongg 7:15 Minyan 7 16 Elul 7:15 Minyan 8 17 Elul 6:53 Candlelighting 7:00 Welcome Back-Ice Cream Social Shabbat 9 18 Elul Ki Tavo 9:30 Shabbat Services Elul 10:30 Friends of JCC Elul Elul Elul 7:15 Minyan Elul 7:15 Minyan 7:30 BTS Board Meeting Elul 6:41 Candle Lighting 7:00 Shabbat Services Elul Nitzavim-Vayeileich 9:30 Shabbat Services 8:30 Selichot Emanuel Synagogue Elul Elul Elul 20 1 Tishrei Erev Rosh Hashanah 6:30 Evening Service, followed by Honey Oneg 21 2 Tishrei Rosh Hashanah 9:00 Morning Service 22 3 Tishrei Rosh Hashanah 9:00 Morning Service 11:00 Community Text Service 6:28 Candle Lighting 7:00 Shabbat Services 23 4 Tishrei Shabbat Shuva Ha Azinu 9:30 Shabbat Services 24 5 Tishrei Memorial Services 12N CBS Cemetery Wethersfield 2:00 BTS Tower Avenue, Hartford, Cemetery 3:00 BTS Clubhouse Road, Windsor, Cemetery 25 6 Tishrei 26 7 Tishrei 27 8 Tishrei 7:15 Minyan 28 9 Tishrei 7:15 Minyan Tishrei Erev Yom Kippur 6:00 Kol Nidre Service 6:16 Candle Lighting Tishrei Yom Kippur 9:00 Morning Service 5:00 Mincha/Ne ilah

12 B nai Tikvoh-Sholom Debra Cantor, Rabbi 180 Still Road, Bloomfield, CT Phone: FAX: Office Rabbi s cantordebra@gmail.com B nai Tikvoh-Sholom BTS: The Learning Place Lulav & Etrog Orders Children s Reading Partners Help at-risk students improve their reading skills Attend a training session, then choose a 30-minutes-per-week time slot to read to a K-5th grade student during or after school. RSVP Today! read@jewishhartford.org or call Training Sessions Thursday, September 14th, 6:30 p.m. Congregation Kol Haverim 1079 Hebron Avenue, Glastonbury Monday, September 18th, 6:30 p.m. Community Services Building 333 Bloomfield Ave., West Hartford Tuesday, September 26th, 10:30 a.m. Community Services Building 333 Bloomfield Ave., West Hartford If you wish to have BTS order your Lulav & Etrog sets, please contact the office at or office@btsonline.org by Friday, September 15th. Please specify adult or children size sets.