NEWSLETTER. The Sound of Silence. Shavuot May OYDEWM HXMsL. May IWYS / RYYA. Co-Presidents

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1 Co-Presidents Robin Dubin Bud Stern Shavuot May OYDEWM HXMsL The Talmud (Kiddushin 31a; Makkot 24a) tells us that, when our ancestors heard God speaking to Moses on Mount Sinai, the only commandments the Israelites themselves actually heard were the first two: I [anochi] am HaShem your God and You shall have no other gods besides Me (Exodus 20:1, 2). The Hasidic master Rabbi Nafali Tzvi of Ropczyce carries this idea a step further. He writes (Zera Kodesh, vol. 2, p.40a), The verse One thing God has spoken; two things have I heard (Psalm 62:12) suggests that when God spoke at Sinai, we heard only the aleph of the word anochi from the Holy and Blessed One. In the silence of God s aleph we heard all of the Ten Commandments. If every word of God means more than it says, then the silence of the initial letter of the first word must mean much more than any word can say. Just as God s word y hi, let there be contained the whole of the universe potentially, so did the aleph of anochi contain the whole of the Torah potentially. Seeing that each of the Ten Commandments is cast in the singular for example, I am HaShem your God [Elo*cha], or Honor your father [avicha] and your mother [imehca] we may further conclude that in the silence of God s aleph, every Israelite heard God personally addressing him or her. NEWSLETTER The Sound of Silence Beth El - The Heights Synagogue builds vibrant Jewish community. We welcome all in participatory, traditional, egalitarian worship and learning. May IWYS / RYYA Each Shabbat and major holiday, when we pray V ten chelkenu b toratecha, grant us our share in Your Torah, we are affirming that every Jew, by virtue of his or her own abilities and propensities, has a share in God s Torah, one that is suited specifically to him or her. While all Jews are obligated to fulfill the Torah s commandments, people often tend to specialize or excel in certain mitzvot. Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi (z l) recounts that, as a student, he once saw some people helping the nearly paralyzed Rabbi Joseph Schneerson, z l, the sixth Lubavitcher Rebbe, put on his t fillin for morning prayers. Yes, the Rebbe said, that s what I am: a davener. Several Jews may be fulfilling the same mitzvah at the same time, yet the particular kavanah (mind-focus) that each brings to the act may differ from the kavanot of the others. Similarly, at the end of the personal Amidah a worshipper may sign off with a biblical verse that begins with the first letter of his or her Hebrew name, as though saying to God, I offer You this Amidah not only in the name of all my people, but also in my own name from me to You. In the divine silence of God s aleph, we hear the sound of our own names, and we answer, hineni here I am. May this come true for us on Shavuot, as we relive the transformative Sinai event. Hag sameah! Moshe Adler, Rabbi Emeritus Saturday Morning Services at 9:15 s 3246 Desota Ave., Cleveland Hts., OH s (

2 Small Change? I moved in March to a new condo apartment. This led to a series of decisions about what to take: some of my things were old, not appropriate for a new place. And I got a few new things to go with the new place. I also left a few old ideas behind. I resolved to take better care of my garden and I am! I resolved to walk more often and I do. The idea of making changes sort of like spring cleaning, but more. When we clean our houses for Pesah, we are just cleaning. At the end of the holiday, we probably put things back the way they were. I decided upon and I hope to continue changes in my life that will last. Contact Information Questions? Concerns? Comments? Complaints? Please do not hesitate to contact the Presidents by or telephone Robin (216) Bud (216) Help Us Stay In Touch! Please be sure we have your current contact information. Send changes to info@ bethelheights.org or call (216) Keep Up with the News! Join the BE-THS Lists! Send an to Mick Miller, mick@mickmill.com, if you need help with signing up. We can do the same thing at our synagogue. A couple of small examples: After many years, we had the garden around our outdoor sign cut back so we could see the name of the synagogue clearly. We recently redecorated the sanctuary and the social hall, with the expectation that these changes will last for years. We are slowly engaging in more social action efforts. Several of our members have a strong interest in this. Beginning last year, we have started efforts and actions that represent a change. I now have a rose bush growing in my living room, with a bud growing on it. What do you plan to change in your life? q Bud Stern Co-President We Need Your Input! Please join us when Rabbi Michael Ungar visits our synagogue on Shabbat B Har-Behukotei, May 12. Rabbi Ungar has been invited by the Rabbi Search Committee as a rabinic candidate. He will join us for Shabbat services, deliver a d var Torah, read from the Torah, and teach on the following topic: The Best Class on Humility You Will Ever Take: Discover what Mussar (ethics) has to Say About Being Humble. The Rabbi Search Committee has interviewed Rabbi Ungar and considered his references. Now we would like our members reactions. Is he a good fit for our congregation? Positive and negative reactions are requested. Please send your comments, in writing, to Pollywilkenfeld@gmail.com. All comments must be received by May 19 to be considered by the Committee. You may also snail-mail comments to me at 773 Franklin Boulevard, Highland Heights Polly Wilkenfeld Chair, Rabbi Search Committee Beth El The Heights Synagogue Newsletter, Vol. 20, No. 8, May 2018 Beth El The Heights Synagogue Carol Bruml, Editor Telephone , news@bethelheights.org Submittal deadline is the 7 th of each month Desota Ave., Cleveland Heights, OH Published 11 times per year. For address or mailing list change, call

3 Noam Zion Is Returning Noam Zion is returning to BE-THS! Last here in 2009, Noam is an American-Israeli who has taught for over 30 years at the Shalom Hartman Institute in Jerusalem. And as anyone who was here for his S.I.R. weekend in 2009 will tell you, he is an amazing teacher. This time, we are sharing Noam with B nai Jeshurun. He will speak at BE-THS twice, on Friday evening May 18, and Saturday morning May 19. And then he will be the keynote speaker at B.J. s community Tikkun Leyl Shavuot on Erev Shavuot, the evening of May 19. On Friday evening, Noam will be the teacher at our regular Kabbalat Shabbat service, which begins at 6:30 p.m. He will teach for a brief time during the service, and then a longer time after dinner. His topic is Gender and Generosity: Mar Ukba versus Ms. Ukba The Ethic of Dignity versus the Ethic of Hospitality. The topic is taken from his recently-published 9-book series on Talmudic Marital Dramas. On Saturday, Noam will teach at BE-THS both during the d var Torah slot in the service, and after lunch. His topic is The Troubling Family Triangle of Abraham, Sarah and Hagar and its National and Religious Legacy: From Bible to Midrash to Modern Poetry. q On Saturday night, he will be the keynote speaker at B nai Jeshurun s community Tikkun Leyl Shavuot, on A Tale of Two Cities: David s Jerusalem and George s Washington. His teaching will be at about 10:15 p.m. The Saturday night event will begin at 6:00 with Mincha, followed by a light Seudah Sh lishit dinner. Teaching, by an all-star cast of dozens, will start at 7:15 pm; each slot will last 45 minutes, with many choices. Ma ariv will be at 9:45, followed by Noam s keynote teaching. At 11:00 p.m. there will be a dessert grand buffet followed by teaching all night. You can come and go at any time you please; the entire event is free. B.J. s flyer, attached, lists the full program. For the BE-THS sessions and meals, the cost is $40 for both or $25 for a single event. Register at the shul s website, bethelheights.org. If you d like to help with cooking and cleanup, call Joe Buchwald Gelles at There will be a walking caravan from Joe and Mia Buchwald Gelles s residence to B nai Jeshurun, some time late Saturday afternoon. Let Joe or Mia know if you d like to join in the five-mile trek. Frank and Jeanette Buchwald will be offering overnight hospitality Saturday night; contact them at Learners Torah Discussion Group Join us to study and discuss selections from the weekly Torah portion. We meet in the Community Room, after the Torah is taken out and the portion is introduced (about 10:20 to 10:30 a.m.), and rejoin the service in time for the d var Torah. Annual Spring Cemetery Cleanup The annual Spring Cemetery Cleanup is April 29 The Jewish Federation of Cleveland s Jewish Volunteer Network and the Commission on Cemetery Preservation are seeking volunteers from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. on Sunday, April 29, at Chesed Shel Emeth Cemetery, 3740 Ridge Road, Cleveland Volunteers are asked to bring weed trimmers, shovels, clippers, hedgers, rakes, gloves, wheelbarrows, and other gardening tools, to help prune, rake, and spruce up the cemetery grounds. All ages can participate. To register, visit jewishcleveland.org, volunteer@ jcfcleve.org, or call We will not meet during May, due to the heavy schedule of other events. The last session for this season will be on Saturday, June 2, when we will discuss Parashat Beha alotcha. 3

4 News from Beth El Condolences to: Cayce and Nathan Kitts Cayce s mother, Elyse R. Sloane-Felber passed away in late March. Congratulations to:! BWU LZM Naomi Klarreich and Daniel Shapiro, whose daughter, Ida, is celebrating becoming a bat mitzvah. Yasher Koah to:! XWK R$YY Robin Dubin, who is retiring at the end of this school year from her position as University Marshal and Professor and Chair of the Department of Economics in the Weatherhead School of Management of Case Western Reserve University. Thanks for Contributions to:! HDWT Rabbi Moshe Adler, in memory of his wife, Nili Adler z l. Adi and Judith Gerblich, in memory of Jacob Chassis z l, Michael Chassis z l, and Jacob Gerblich z l. Philip Kazdan, in memory of Esther Kazdan z l and Leslie Kazdan Rolle z l. Stephen Pepper and Linda Tobin, in memory of Barbara Becker z l. Adam and Samantha Probst Menachem Shoham, in memory of Ella and Armin Rothstein and Dan Shoham. Leonard Tracht, in honor of Frank and Jeanette Buchwald. Leonard Tracht TW$DX OYLBA OWXYN q 4 Eran Shiloh, to the Presidents Discretionary Fund. Beth and Scott Wachter, in memory of Jerome Wachter z l. Marsha Weisberg, in memory of her mother, Bertha Weisberg z l. Thanks for Kiddush Sponsorships to:! HDWT March 24 Sherry Ball and Marty Gelfand, Bill and Carol Bruml, Janice Carrick, Stephen Pepper and Linda Tobin, and Beth and Scott Wachter, in honor of Molly Brudnick. April 26 Bill and Carol Bruml, in honor of Yom HaAtzma ut (Israel Independence Day) and in memory of Nili Adler z l. May 5 Naomi Klarreich and Daniel Shapiro, in honor of their daughter, Ida Shapiro, who is celebrating becoming a bat mitzvah. May 12 The BE-THS Board, in honor of our visiting rabbinic candidate, Rabbi Michael Ungar. Thanks for Simcha Kiddush Contributions to:! HDWT Joe and Mia Buchwald Gelles, in honor of Jeanette Buchwald s April birthday. Joe and Mia Buchwald Gelles, in honor of Frank and Jeanette Buchwald s May wedding anniversary. Thanks for April Newsletter Mailing Help to: Joe Buchwald Gelles Bud Stern Marsha Katz Lenny Tracht Richard Krueck Beth Wachter Seventh Annual Musicale The seventh annual Beth El The Heights Synagogue Musicale and pot-luck supper returns in May! While several pianists will be performing solo works that span centuries and genres, we will also be featuring a couple of trios by Cleveland-area composers on the jazz scene and what might be the Cleveland premier of a major quartet by a Holocaust victim. Truly an event you won t want to miss! The Musicale will be on Sunday, May 6, at 5:00 p.m. It will be hosted once again by our gracious member, Saul Genuth, in Shaker Heights. Enjoy being serenaded by our talented amateur musicians and stay for a wonderful vegetarian-dairy potluck supper. (At least one of the performers cooks better than he plays.) The event is free, but reservations are requested by April 30; seating is limited. Please call Nina Sobel at or her at nrsol954@yahoo.com to reserve your space. The address and directions will be given upon confirmation of your reservation. Please bring a vegetarian dairy dish to share.

5 Calendar, May IWYS / RYYA Saturday, April 28 10:20 am The Learners Torah Discussion Group will meet in the Community Room to study Parashat Achrei Mot-Kedoshim. David Kazdan will give the d var Torah. After services Lunch and Learn with Dr. Ellen Posman, Comparative Religion Professor at Baldwin Wallace University: Buddhism and Judaism. See April newsletter. Adam Probst and Leonid and Mariya Baron are sponsoring the Kiddush in memory of Yevgenia Baron Probst z l. We will also have our monthly Simcha Kiddush. Sunday, April 29, 9:30 to 11:30 am Annual Spring Cemetery Cleanup at Chesed Shel Emeth Cemetery, (3740 Ridge Road, Cleveland), also known as Ridge Rd. #1. Shabbat Playdate Saturday, May 5 We will celebrate Ida Shapiro becoming a bat mitzvah. Her parents, Naomi Klarreich and Daniel Shapiro, are sponsoring a Kiddush luncheon after the services. May 6, 5:00 pm Musicale, followed by a vegetarian/dairy potluck dinner. See article on page 4, or flyer. Saturday, May 12 11:00 am Shabbat Playdate: Jewish-themed stories and songs for children 7 and under in the Childcare Room. Guest Rabbi Michael Ungar will give the d var Torah and will also lead a Lunch and Learn after services. The BE-THS Board is sponsoring Kiddush in honor of Rabbi Ungar s visit. Sunday, May 13 Yom Yerushalayim, Jerusalem Reunification Day Scholar in Residence weekend with Noam Zion: Friday, May 18, 6:30 pm: Kabbalat Shabbat services, with teaching by Noam Zion, followed by a vegetarian friendly dinner and more teaching. Saturday, May 19 Noam Zion will give the d var Torah and will also lead a Lunch and Learn after services. See flyer for further information. Erev Shavuot, 6:00 pm BE-THS is co-sponsoring the Tikkun Leyl Shavuot at B nai Jeshurun, where Noam Zion will be the key speaker. See flyers attached. May 12 11:00-11:45 am in the Childcare Room Jewish-themed singing and stories for children 7 and younger. Sunday, May 20 Shavuot I 10:00 am Morning services. Monday, May 21 Shavuot II 9:15 am Morning services, including reading of the Book of Ruth and Yizkor. Saturday, May 26 Michael Steklof will give the d var Torah. 5

6 Ida Shapiro Becomes Bat Mitzvah Ida is a twelve-year-old seventh grader at Heights Middle School who is a passionate environmentalist, walkout organizer, and firm believer in all human rights. She is on a mission with all of her friends to make the world a better place by getting rid of negativity and spreading happiness as much as possible. Ida is also a passionate singer, writer, and YouTube watcher. She will share her bat mitzvah celebration with us on Saturday, May 5. Ida s parents, Naomi Klarreich and Daniel Shapiro, are sponsoring a Kiddush luncheon for the congregation, following services. q Yahrzeits, May 2018 Iyar ~ RYYA Bernard Century 17 Iyar 5777 Sarah Friedman 17 Iyar Sari Rivkah Herzig 18 Iyar 5771 Ethel Eisman 19 Iyar Jacob Gutterman 19 Iyar Sylvia M. Lavine 19 Iyar 5735 Yevgenia Probst 19 Iyar 5773 Stanley Donald Stone 19 Iyar 5776 Samuel Herman Katz 21 Iyar Jerome Wachter 21 Iyar 5770 Harold Saul Neuger 22 Iyar Gerson Carr 24 Iyar 5770 Florence Schlinger 24 Iyar Al Glaser 25 Iyar Aaron Schneider 26 Iyar Nathan Valancy 26 Iyar Irving Markowitz 27 Iyar 5740 Miriam Zaremsky 27 Iyar Mollie Davis 28 Iyar Rachel Savino 28 Iyar Rachel Barazone 28 Iyar Bessie Stashower Fredman 29 Iyar 5726 Anna Weinberger 29 Iyar Clara Kord 29 Iyar Isaac Genuth 29 Iyar Elka Genuth 29 Iyar Allen Goldstone 29 Iyar 5764 Goldie Lederer 29 Iyar 6 Ernest Gelfand 29 Iyar 5759 Donna Williams 29 Iyar Sivan ~ IWYS Bernard Goldstone 1 Sivan 5772 Rachel Leah Tavill 1 Sivan Anna Krasny 2 Sivan Anna Gutentag 2 Sivan Celia Jacobs 3 Sivan Sadie Rocker 3 Sivan Violet Saunt 4 Sivan Anna Davidson 4 Sivan Abe Morris Abelkop 4 Sivan Louis Mayzel 7 Sivan 5745 Reuben Schutz 7 Sivan Aviva Hoffman 8 Sivan 5773 William Citron 9 Sivan Arthur Janes 10 Sivan 5738 Clara Newman 10 Sivan Adolph Stern 11 Sivan Esther Frumker 11 Sivan Arnie Swertloff 11 Sivan Anna Miliniski 12 Sivan Naomi Wolin 12 Sivan 5764 Henry Lipoff 14 Sivan Clara Dick 15 Sivan 5771 Jennie Zavell 15 Sivan Max Naiman 15 Sivan Minnie Russack 16 Sivan 5745 Jacob Haskell 17 Sivan

7 No Good Deed Goes Unpunished The congregation s excellent response to the year-end campaign has the Board confident that we will cover our operating expenses for Fiscal Year 2017/2018. Consequently, we are again asking for financial support. For the past two years, Beth El The Heights Synagogue has met a generous challenge from the Cedars Legacy Fund to prepare for the repayment of principal on our loan from the City of Cleveland Heights. The Fund donates $7,500 if the congregation raises $15,000. Currently, $45,000 (plus accrued interest) sits in the bank for use when the balloon payment of about $110,000 on the loan comes due in If we continue to meet the Fund s challenge, we will be in position to pay off in full. In each of the last two years, three individuals have come forward with contributions of $5,000 apiece to Social Action q 7 meet the challenge. Contributions can be in the form of either gifts or loans, but the terms of the challenge are that the money must be in the designated bank account by June 15 and remain there. Now three times five has and will continue to make 15. But so does six time 2.5. And seven times 2 plus one. And lots of other combinations that do not require an advanced degree in number theory to arrive at. I won t object if three of you call to tell me you re prepared to make $5,000 donations, and I then tell the fourth person to call to put the money into operating funds that the Board can transfer to next year s Cedars Legacy challenge if warranted. But I enjoy having an excuse to call lots of congregants and will be doing so if a few wonderful angels do not call me. Please help out as best you can. Where Do We Want to Go and How Do We Get There? Joel Genuth Development Chair Help! I am BE-THS Social Action Chairperson. How did this happen? Can t say, but I ve taken this on and a slacker I am not. So far, we as a synagogue have taken some actions. Every year we have a Martin Luther King Day food drive. We heard from representatives from Us Together and Carla Bailey, Heights Highs High School s refugee support person. We have supplied winter coats and other warm winter wear to Noble Road Elementary School s clothing pantry. We have made connections at Boulevard Elementary School. We have participated in an Earth Day clean up. One member, Molly Brudnick, represents us regularly at Greater Cleveland Congregations. This is a fine start! The question I am left with is, who wants to continue working in a more sustained fashion on social action issues and what issue/issues do we wish to make our own? There are so many issues of merit to choose from: immigration/ refugee support, gun control, poverty, education, the environment, voting rights... I could go on and on, and I am sure that I have left out issues near and dear to not only you, reader, but also to me. We need to decide together where we want to put our efforts. What area feels both important and yet one in which we can make a positive impact? To that end, you are invited to a meeting at my house on Thursday, June 7 at 7:00 p.m. You bring the ideas and I ll supply the wine. If you are interested but can t make that night, your ideas to me so we can include them in our discussion. My address is 1618 Wood Road, Cleveland Heights My is robinkoslen@gmail.com. If you d rather send a text, my phone number is Looking forward to the discussion, Robin Koslen Social Action Chair

8 Beth El-The Heights Synagogue proudly presents Musicale 2018 Our annual chamber music concert and potluck dinner Sunday, May 6, 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. Enjoy a lovely evening of music and a meal. Join our musically talented members and amazing guest musicians as we perform an engaging, mostly-classical program of solo piano and chamber music works on a spring evening. Sit back and relax: just enjoy the music we ll do the work! After the recital stay and schmooze while enjoying a fabulous vegetarian potluck supper. (Bring a dish to share!) Reservations strongly recommended by April 30! Location given with reservation. Seating is limited! Contact Nina at or at nrsol954@yahoo.com

9 & Present a Shavuot Scholar-In-Residence Weekend with NOAM ZION of the Shalom Hartman Institute, Jerusalem Friday Evening, May 18, starting at 6:30 Kabbalat Shabbat service and dinner at BE-THS, 3246 Desota in Cleveland Hts. Gender and Generosity Mar Ukba versus Ms. Ukba The Ethic of Dignity versus the Ethic of Hospitality Noam will teach during the service and after dinner. Saturday Morning, May 19, starting at 9:15 Shabbat morning service, lunch, and teaching at BE-THS The Troubling Family Triangle of Abraham, Sarah and Hagar and its National and Religious Legacy: From Bible to Midrash to Modern Poetry Noam will teach during the service and after lunch. Saturday Evening, May 19, starting at 6:00 Tikkun Leyl Shavuot at B nai Jeshurun, Fairmount Blvd., Pepper Pike Tale of Two Cities David s Jerusalem and George s Washington Mincha at 6:00; Seudah Sh lishit at 6:45; teaching begins at 7:15 and goes all night, with an amazing all-star cast of teachers. Noam s keynote is at 10:15. $40 for BETHS events includes 2 hot meals. Register at bethelheights.org. To help out at BE-THS, call Saturday evening Tikkun Leyl Shavuot at BJ is free. FRI 18 MAY 6FEB SAT FRI 19 MAY 6FEB Noam Zion is an American-Israeli (made aliyah in 1973) who teaches at the Shalom Hartman Institute in Jerusalem. He is an outstanding teacher funny, full of insight who combines his knowledge of (and commitment to) traditional Judaism with a grasp of what s missing in most North American Jewish homes. He takes on unexpected topics and addresses questions you may never have even asked providing answers that will leave you enriched, and wondering why you had never asked the question! Rabbis and rabbinical students travel to Jerusalem to learn with this guy and he s coming here May to teach us.

10 AM SHALOM Mentor, Ohio Akron, OH Friends of Noam Zion TEMPLE AM SHALOM The Little Congregation That Could

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