Rabbi s Corner: How Beautiful Our Heritage

Transcription

1 Volume 30 Issue 3 Temple Talk December 2014 and January 2015 Temple Beth Israel Rabbi s Corner: How Beautiful Our Heritage By: Rabbi David Finkelstein We all know that Jews value education, but how many of us think about education in connection with Hanukkah? I'll be the first to admit that education is not one of my primary Hanukkah associations. Latkes, menorahs, Maccabees, presents, sufganiyot, and Ma'oz Tzur are all deeper Hanukkah associations in my mind. But education, one could argue, is the hidden essence of Hanukkah. Hanukkah means dedication, and the holiday is so-named because it commemorates the rededication of the Holy Temple after the Maccabees ousted Antiochus IV from its precincts in 167 B.C.E. Antiochus had outlawed Judaism in the land of Israel. He had defiled the Temple and outlawed the study of Torah. He actually outlawed Jewish education. In addition to dedication, the Hebrew root of the word Hanukkah can also mean education. On Hanukkah, then, we have good reason to celebrate that we live in the 21 st century United States, where we may legally practice our Judaism, and where we may freely study Torah. At TBI, we have been exercising our freedom to study Torah in new ways. For the past month, the shul has turned into a beit midrash (a house of study) every Thursday night from7:00 to 8:30pm. Each week, we alternate between studying the Weekly Torah portion and studying synagogue skills. In addition to receiving over one hundred high-quality, donated volumes in the shul library, the Temple has just purchased fifty copies of Judaism's 10 Best Ideas: A Brief Guide for Seekers, by my teacher Rabbi Arthur Green. It is a slim volume and a great read. We will be discussing one chapter per week after Shabbat morning Kiddush, starting on Shabbat Hanukkah, December 20 th. Come claim your free copy from the rabbi. Recently, Moshe Givental, a rabbinical student at Hebrew College came to us on Shabbat to teach about the mitzvah of Shemittah, the sabbatical year. Hands-on learning about horticulture until recently, a lost Jewish art in the United States continues to blossom from Brad Baker. (Continued on page 4) The next bulletin will be for February If you have an article that you would like to submit please get it in to the Temple office before January 15th. Kislev - Tevet - Shevat 5775 INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Rabbi s Corner 1 Dec 14th Concert/Dance 2 Dec 25th Dinner & Movie 3 Donations & Thank You s 5 Mark s Remarks 6 Upcoming Events 7 Yahrzeits 8-9 Remembering Herb Baron Classes / Candle Lighting 12 Hanukah Blessings 13 Calendar Rabbi: David Finkelstein Cantor: Ellen Band Hazzan: Yosi Weintraub President: Merrill Griff Vice Pres.: Lester Macklin Secretary: Genevieve Fosa Treasurer: Arthur Marion Membership Secretary: Ellen Macklin Editor: Andrea Baron Address 25 Harvard Street P. O. Box Waltham, MA office@tbiwaltham.org web site: (781) Office Hours Monday - Friday 9:00am - 12:00pm

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3 Looking for something to do Christmas Day.. Well look no further Join members of Temple Beth Israel for a Movie and (Kosher) Chinese Food We will be screening The Jazz Singer starring Neil Diamond and enjoying (Kosher) Chinese Food. 1:00PM food, 2:00PM movie, all for just $10 RSVP/check to Ed Brown 35 Lyme Road Dept. TBI West Newton, MA by Tue Dec. 23. Neil Diamond stars in this motion picture as Yussel Rabinovitch, a young Jewish cantor who strives to make a career in popular music. Against the wishes of his rigid father and his loving wife, Yussel travels to California to play his music. Swept up by the excitement, he meets a woman who believes in his talent and shares his dream. He grows apart from his family, and becomes confused about what he should ultimately do with his life. 3

4 Rabbi s Corner: How Beautiful Our Heritage (Continued from page 1) Torah study and Jewish education are a mitzvah, not just for children, but for everyone. We remind ourselves every time we recite the first paragraph of the Shema: You shall teach them [these words] diligently to your children. You shall recite them at home and away, morning and night (Deuteronomy 6:7). By fulfilling the mitzvah of Torah study, we open our lives to great wisdom and knowledge, and we enrich ourselves with a deep sense of the beauty of our heritage. How wonderful it is to be a Jew! As we say every morning, How good is our portion, how pleasant our lot, and how beautiful our heritage! I encourage us all to exercise our religious freedoms by studying Torah this Hanukkah, and in so doing, to contribute to the growth of our learning community. Happy Hanukkah! Rabbi David Contact Rabbi David at rabbidavid@tbiwaltham.org or MEMBERSHIP WELCOME NEW MEMBERS! Temple Beth Israel has enriched our congregation with these new members: Ann Baker Eleanor Baker Lydia Fascia Natalya Gomelskya Hella Hackerem Stan Tobias Vanessa Lefevre Ian Rosenblum Zvi Ruder and Leslie Ament Rustin Shenkman David Smith Robert and Catherine Solomon Sharon Sokoloff Jonathan Lurie and Debra Darling Roz Potter Shaun and Rachel Hayward and Leora and Isaac Condolences To Nessie Baron, Jim, Andrea and Michaela Baron, Audrey, Steven, Joshua and Jared Kennen on the loss of their beloved Husband, Father and Papa, Herb Baron. I know they will be greeted and befriended by all. That's the way it is at Temple Beth Israel, and we look forward to getting to know each family and help them settle in. Ellen Macklin 4

5 Sponsor a Kiddush Lunch The cost to provide our Kiddush lunch for our usual attendance of 30 to 40 people is about $150. To ensure that we can continue providing Shabbat lunches into the future, we are asking members, and friends of Temple Beth Israel to sponsor a Shabbat lunch once or twice between December 2014 and August It is a great way celebrate a birthday, wedding or Bar/Bat Mitzvah anniversary, or other milestone with your TBI family. You might also sponsor lunch in memory of a loved one, or just because. To sponsor a lunch, please contribute $150 to the Shabbat Kiddush fund or, if that amount is prohibitive, please consider co-sponsoring a lunch by making a smaller contribution ($36, $54, $72, or any amount you can afford). We will thank all lunch sponsors at announcements at the end of services, and list names of sponsors in the Temple newsletter. Please send your check to the office along with the date of the lunch you would like to sponsor or co-sponsor, and if there is a special occasion. We will contact you to find out your favorite Kiddush lunch foods to put on the menu. Saturday Kiddush Sponsors 12/6 - Sisterhood 12/13 - Irving and Sheila Lesnick 12/20 - Susan Holbert 1/3 - Mark Frydenberg in honor of his Bar Mitzvah Anniversary 1/10 - Sisterhood 1/31 - Ben and Caroline Nudelman in honor of Caroline s Birthday Jonathan Schiff Taubman Family To sponsor a Kiddush lunch, please contact the temple office. High Holiday Donations General Fund Donations Jessica Schwartz, in honor of Sheila Lesnick s birthday. Charles Brecher, in memory of Catherine Cantrell s mother, Maryann Bowra. Barbara Labitt, in memory of Catherine Cantrell s mother, Maryann Bowra. Irving and Sheila Lesnick, in memory of Catherine Cantrell s mother, Maryann Bowra. David Freedman, in memory of Anita Israel, Harry Baker, Ben Cohen. Alec Simon, in honor of the Temple s 100th Anniversary. Hella Hackerem, in honor of her daughter s birthday. Hella Hackerem, in memory of Stanley Heller. Jason Weiner Morris Hollender Torah Reading Fund Hellen Lewis THANK YOU Thanks to those who read Torah, Haftarah, or gave a D'var Torah in November: Cantor Ellen Band Rabbi David Finkelstein Mark Frydenberg Esther Keaney Caroline Nudelman Celia Schneider Hazan Yosi Weintraub Catherine Cantrell Genevieve Fosa Merrill Griff Rabbi Sara Meirowitz Mike Rosenberg Yaron Shragai Bruce Trager Please contact mark@tbiwaltham.org to volunteer to read from the Torah or chant a Haftarah, or susan@theindexpros.com if you would like to give a D var Torah in the coming months. 5

6 TEMPLE TALK P AGE 6 Mark's Remarks: The Rabbis of Waltham By: Mark Frydenberg At the last ritual committee meeting, I proposed that we invite our former rabbis (and our current one, and our cantors, too!) of TBI to return to TBI for a Shabbat of community, memory, and celebration in honor of our 100th anniversary. With the support of the ritual committee, I invite you to mark your calendar for March 6 and 7, 2015, for this weekend of to honor the spiritual history of TBI. The event is in the beginning planning stages. We are contacting Rabbis Stanley Dreifuss, Rim Meirowitz, Reuel Karpov, Jeff Foust, and Tracy Nathan to join with Rabbi David Finkelstein throughout the weekend. Rabbis Meirowitz and Foust, both local to the Boston area, are scheduled to attend. As others confirm their ability to attend, we will keep you posted. We will ask those from out of town who can't make it in person to send in a video or written greeting. We will gather for Friday night services and dinner, then again for services and lunch on Shabbat morning, and finally, for Havdallah, a short teaching, and a casual reception and reminiscing on Saturday night. The rabbis in attendance will participate in services throughout the weekend, either sharing their memories of their times in Waltham, giving a D'var Torah, or other remarks. As we plan the event, there are many ways you can become involved: Contribute photos from TBI's past with these rabbis that can be included in a slide show Assist with publicity or creating the slide show Assist with airport transportation or Shabbat hospitality for any out of town guests Make a donation to co-sponsor the special Kiddush lunch on Saturday, March 7 in honor of our rabbis Offer to help with shopping, schlepping, or anything else Mark your calendar and plan to attend! Please contact me or the Temple office if you are able to help with any of these. We look forward to this special occasion in honor of TBI's 100th anniversary, and hope you will join us. 6

7 Chanukah Friday December 19th Baked Chicken, latkes, apple sauce, salads and sufganyot Shabbat Service and Dinner Friday, December 19, 6:30pm Friday, January 9, 6:30pm Sign up on our website at Friday January 9th Vegetarian lasagna, baked eggplant, garlic bread, salads and dessert Service begins at 6:30pm Dinner begins after services around 7:30pm $15 per adult, $36 per family if paid by the Wed. before the dinner $18 per adult, $45 per family for late reservations Please notify us of any dietary requirements when you sign up. OPPORTUNITIES TO PARTICIPATE IN THE WORSHIP SERVICE Interested in learning, teaching, or improving your skills in leading the service, reading Torah, chanting Haftarah, giving a Torah talk, or helping out in some way with the service? We are thinking of offering classes if there is enough interest. Let us know! Please contact Susan Holbert (781) for more information. Friday February 6th Tu B shvat Seder and Fish Dinner with a variety of fresh fruits, red and white wine and grape juice Beth Israel Cemetery The cost for a single grave is $2,200 for Temple members. Non-members are charged an additional $400 to become members of the Temple. The total for non-members is $2,600 per grave. Two graves together are considered a lot. For members a lot costs $4,400 and for nonmembers it costs $5,200 Do you like to cook? Can you help with food shopping? We re looking for a few volunteers who can help with food shopping or meal preparation for Shabbat lunches and dinners once or twice a month. Please call Marge Marion at if interested. Please contact Jay Trilling of Menorah Cemetery Management Corporation, at (857) for further information. Jim Baron Cemetery Chairman 7

8 TEMPLE TALK P AGE 8 December and January Yahrzeits Plaque Loc. Name Date 5-1 Eva Baron 25-Nov Kislev Bessie Griff 27-Nov Kislev Morris Goodman 27-Nov Kislev Mildred Perlmutter 28-Nov Kislev John F. Kennedy 28-Nov Kislev 06 Samuel Orovitz 28-Nov Kislev Nathan Weiner 29-Nov Kislev Abraham Shecktman 29-Nov Kislev Margret Fassberg 29-Nov Kislev Helen Norman 30-Nov Kislev Milton Portnov 1-Dec Kislev Sylvia Moldoff 1-Dec Kislev Eileen Moses 1-Dec Kislev Blanche Weinstein 2-Dec Kislev 10 Abraham Werblin 2-Dec Kislev Max Canter 3-Dec Kislev Edward Rosenburg 3-Dec Kislev Miriam Goldman 3-Dec Kislev Alexander Abraham 3-Dec Kislev Blanche Kaufman 3-Dec Kislev Donald Marc Merowitz 3-Dec Kislev Barney Geller 4-Dec Kislev Joseph Finstein 4-Dec Kislev Simon Greenberg 4-Dec Kislev Henry Milesky 5-Dec Kislev Mollie Fine 5-Dec Kislev Rose Bloom 5-Dec Kislev Becky Mankowich 6-Dec Kislev Louis Gould 6-Dec Kislev Benjamin Caplan 7-Dec Kislev Jacob Mankowich 7-Dec Kislev Rose Grater 7-Dec Kislev Bella Weiner 7-Dec Kislev Abraham Ginsburg 7-Dec Kislev Mary Rosenfeld 8-Dec Kislev Meyer Rosenfeld 8-Dec Kislev Lipman Simmons 8-Dec Kislev Elaine Kaplan 9-Dec Kislev Sadye Leyton 9-Dec Kislev Lana Blackstone 9-Dec Kislev 17 8 Plaque Loc. Name Date 2-2 Jennie Fine 10-Dec Kislev 18 Sadie Kaitz 10-Dec Kislev Jack Marcou 10-Dec Kislev 18 Morris Bootin 10-Dec Kislev Paul Meyerovitz 11-Dec Kislev Tillie Klayman 11-Dec Kislev Samuel Blackstone 11-Dec Kislev Shiphrah Goldberg 11-Dec Kislev Eva Rebecca Tauber 12-Dec Kislev Sarah Harris 12-Dec Kislev Philip Leavy 12-Dec Kislev Edward Rubin 13-Dec Kislev Ida Canter 14-Dec Kislev 22 Anita Israel 15-Dec Kislev 23 Rebecca Sechter 15-Dec Kislev Bertha Lebowitz 15-Dec Kislev Harry Cotton 16-Dec Kislev 24 Fanny Meiselman 16-Dec Kislev Dr. Ludwig Kubin 16-Dec Kislev Ida Mendelson 17-Dec Kislev Charles Mendelsohn 17-Dec Kislev Charles Goldstein 17-Dec Kislev Dr. Joseph Jacobs 19-Dec Kislev Dora Posner 20-Dec Kislev Jennie Elkins 20-Dec Kislev Louis Sheer 20-Dec Kislev Carl Simon 21-Dec Kislev Joseph Berman 21-Dec Kislev Chana Chosed 21-Dec Kislev Benjamin Greene 22-Dec Kislev Leah Freedman 22-Dec Kislev Blume Pill 22-Dec Kislev Aaron Wolk 23-Dec Tevet Simon Canter 23-Dec Tevet Hugh Greenblott 24-Dec Tevet Isadore Ingber 24-Dec Tevet Samuel Horenstein 24-Dec Tevet Alan Goldberg 24-Dec Tevet Marcus Bern 24-Dec Tevet Joseph Drapkin 24-Dec Tevet 02

9 TEMPLE TALK P AGE 9 December and January Yahrzeits Plaque Loc. Name Date 4-4 Ethel Potash 24-Dec Tevet Shlome Pincus Freedman 25-Dec Tevet 03 Mary Bloom 26-Dec Tevet Sarah Feingold 26-Dec Tevet Milton Blackman 26-Dec Tevet Sam Schectman 26-Dec Tevet Ralla Blackstone 27-Dec Tevet Beverly Fine 28-Dec Tevet 06 Marilyn Mallick 28-Dec Tevet Philip Shriberg 28-Dec Tevet Howard Kaplan 28-Dec Tevet 06 Gail Tushin 31-Dec Tevet Sadie Cumenes 1-Jan Tevet Daniel Wolk 1-Jan Tevet Jennie Sulkin 2-Jan Tevet Rudy Seigler 2-Jan Tevet Harry Rosenthal 3-Jan Tevet Ida Hollicker 4-Jan Tevet Nafthali Shapiro 5-Jan Tevet 14 Joseph Sherman 5-Jan Tevet Jerry Resnikoff 5-Jan Tevet Harriet Lietzky 5-Jan Tevet 14 Dolores Simon 6-Jan Tevet Archie Sudhalter 7-Jan Tevet Harry Kniznik 8-Jan Tevet 17 Steven Cantrell 9-Jan Tevet 18 Richard Cotton 9-Jan Tevet Dora Geller 9-Jan Tevet Bertha Creveshay 9-Jan Tevet Irving Etkind 10-Jan Tevet 19 Abraham Alper 10-Jan Tevet Eva Wolf 10-Jan Tevet Harris Posner 10-Jan Tevet Harold Levison 11-Jan Tevet Joseph Pill 13-Jan Tevet Newell Goldberg 13-Jan Tevet Aaron Tushin 13-Jan Tevet Frank Rosenburg 14-Jan Tevet 23 9 Plaque Loc. Name Date 5-3 Sarah Rachel Greene 15-Jan Tevet Harry Levison 15-Jan Tevet Abraham Kennen 15-Jan Tevet Nathan and Rae Sudhalter 15-Jan Tevet Samuel Cron 15-Jan Tevet 24 Nathan Goldstein 16-Jan Tevet Rose Tatelman 17-Jan Tevet Dr. H Myer Bloomenthal 20-Jan Tevet Sidney Tushin 22-Jan Shevat Esther Kniznik 23-Jan Shevat Pearl Portnov 24-Jan Shevat Sadie Shay 24-Jan Shevat Lillian Wigod Stroum 25-Jan Shevat Anita Kaitz 25-Jan Shevat Clara Loewy Lustig 25-Jan Shevat Richard Lustig 26-Jan Shevat Louis Perlmuter 26-Jan Shevat Esther Weiner 26-Jan Shevat Julius Handel 27-Jan Shevat Benjamin Freeman 28-Jan Shevat Samuel Seskin 28-Jan Shevat Sylvia Kurtzman 28-Jan Shevat Sarah Kennen 29-Jan Shevat Rubin Elkins 29-Jan Shevat 09 Sophie Koocher 29-Jan Shevat Joshua Mikels Webb 30-Jan Shevat 10 Julius Bootin 31-Jan Shevat Beril Novick 1-Feb Shevat 12 Edythe Simon 2-Feb Shevat Molly Hauser 2-Feb Shevat Morris Katz 2-Feb Shevat 13 Bessie Goldberg 2-Feb Shevat Louis Kniznik 2-Feb Shevat 13 If you would like to make a donation in memory of a loved one, please send it to the Temple Office along with a brief note of who you would like to be remembered. Please call if you will be attending a weekday morning minyan to say Kaddish so we can help you ensure that 10 people are present.

10 More Mark's Remarks: Remembering Herb Baron By: Mark Frydenberg Remember the old joke about Schwartz who comes to shul to talk to God, and Goldberg who comes to shul to talk to Schwartz? Herb Baron was both Schwartz and Goldberg. He took his davenning seriously, and enjoyed his synagogue camaraderie as well. He sometimes gathered enough people in the back of the social hall that he could have held committee meetings while services were still going on in the sanctuary. Herb Baron was one of those people who always meant well and wanted the best for everybody. Around the synagogue, he gave people nicknames. Morris Hollender was Shlepseleh, I was Marco Polo. Merrill Griff was Mister President. He pronounced every vowel in the name of his granddaughter Mi-cha-e-la. With his passing is the end of a spirited weekday nusach that only Herb could chant. Nobody lead Psukey D'zimrah quite the same way as Herb did on Sunday mornings. He belted out the Baruch's of the morning blessings and hailed each Halleluyah, with the psalm's opening and concluding verses, like a melodic conductor on the Davenning Express. Herb's dedication to the synagogue was evident throughout his life. He served as president of Temple Beth Israel for several years, and chaired the Temple's Cemetery Committee for decades. He was proud of the way our cemetery was managed, and the way it looked. He was helpful to congregants and their families as they selected their plots and ordered their grave stones. Herb was never afraid to share his ideas or opinions at board or ritual committee meetings. He often made the suggestion that we should hire a youth director for the synagogue, at a time when the synagogue did not have many kids in attendance. When asked where the youth would come from to direct, he would reply "That's their job." More often than not, when someone made a proposal with which he disagreed, he'd be first to say "I disagree" and explain his reasoning before others shared their opinions. More often than not, he would come around to agreeing. Occasionally he'd approve immediately, and say "Now that's a good idea. I agree." The High Holy Days were always special to Herb. He wore his dark suit and donned his fancy tallis, the one he set aside for special occasions such as the B'nai Mitzvah of his grandchildren. For many years, Herb served as an usher, and also chanted one of the Haftarah readings. He kept impeccable records of who had which aliyahs on the holidays for years. One of the things he looked forward to the most was sitting with his entire family in their reserved row of seats in the sanctuary. He was always proud of his sister Ina Moses, of blessed memory. When she had her adult Bat Mitzvah, he cheered her on. We learned the news of Herb's death shortly after it happened on Shabbat afternoon. The Zohar teaches us that Joseph, Moses, and King David also died on Shabbat afternoon, and that those who pass from this world to the next on Shabbat afternoon are considered righteous. In their memory, the Shabbat afternoon service includes three verses from psalms, each beginning with the word "Tzidkatcha" (Your righteousness). For Joseph, "Your righteousness is as great as the mighty mountains." (Psalm 36:6). For Moses, "Your righteousness, God, reaches to the heavens, you who have done great things. Who is like you, God"? (Psalm 71:19), and for King David, "Your righteousness is everlasting and your law is true." (Psalm 119:142) The Zohar explains that when Joseph died, springs dried up and the tribes fell into exile. When Moses died, the sun darkened at noon and the Written Torah was locked up. When King David died, the moon withdrew her light. With Herb Baron's death, the spirit of Temple Beth Israel also will be diminished. Perhaps the most fitting final blessing to offer in Herb's memory at this time of transition are the words he would say as he made his transition from completing morning prayers to starting the day: "Ok boys and girls. Play ball!" May the memory of Herb Baron, and of all the righteous, be a blessing. 10

11 Remembering Herbie Baron By: Cantor Ellen Band Herbie had a big presence at Temple Beth Israel. When I asked Jim and Andrea how long Herbie had been president of the shul, they said they could not remember because, they said, Herbie was always here. He was a board member from the time he joined the shul in 1957 after he married Nessie. He also served as a Vice President. He served as chair of the cemetery committee for 20 years. Jimmy told me that when Herbie found out the location of his cemetery plot, he was delighted to know that he would be, at the corner by the entrance, the greeter of the cemetery. Many of you were greeted by Herbie on the High Holy Days when he served as an usher along with Eddie Kaufman, Harry Baker z l, and Sam Weinstein z l. He passed this tradition on to Jimmy who began as an usher with his father. Herbie chanted the haftorah on the second day of Rosh Hashanah up until a few years ago. He was also a member of the program committee during which time he programmed the following events: Sunday morning breakfasts with, among others, a magician, an Elvis impersonator, and a monkey grinder; Selichos Flickos (a Jewish themed movie for S lichot evening); and he and Nessie along with Thelma and Yukie Kennen planned New Years Eve parties in the 70 s. Apart from his family and work as a school principal, Herbie s life revolved around the Temple. He was a model of a devoted member. Near the end of the movie The Wizard of Oz, the Tin Man is about to get a heart. The Wizard tells him that he s lucky not to have one since, without a heart, he can t experience heartbreak. When the Wizard hands the ticking heart to the Tin Man, he tells him that a person is measured not so much by how much he loves, but by how much he is loved by others. Herbie Baron was a well-loved man, deeply loved by his family, friends, members of Temple Beth Israel, and by all who knew this kind and loving man. Donations in memory of Herb Baron Annette Manasse George and Jan Barry Anita D Angio Rabbi Ari Lev Fornari Charles Papandreou Flora D Angio Heidi and Alisa Kellner Claire Flynn Ellie Kasden Ellie Handel Irving and Sheila Lesnick Ed Kaufman Lillian Etkind David Kaufman Edie Rosenberg and Robert Gross Erika Cohen David Freedman Rhoda Abramson Myrna Epstein Nancy and David Solomont Marilyn Tracy Morty and Sandra Padulsky Judy Dideo Caroline and Jack Simensky Maida Rubin 11

12 Classes Continue at TBI Parashat Hashavuah The Weekly Torah Portion meeting on alternate Thursday evenings 7-8:30pm at the Temple - Dec 11, Jan 8, Jan 22 In this class, we will investigate selections from the weekly Torah portion with the help of classical Jewish commentators, Talmud, midrash, Jewish mystical texts, modern scholarship, and anything else that can help us understand and connect to our precious heritage. Come join this latest iteration of our 3,000+ years-old book club and lend your voice and your life experience to the discussion! Synagogue Skills Workshop meeting on alternate Thursday evenings 7-8:30pm at the Temple - Dec 18, Jan 15, Jan 29 Whether you want to work on your Hebrew reading skills, comprehension of the siddur, Torah chanting, prayer leadership, the art of the gabbai, or any other synagogue skill, this workshop will be for you. Come as you are or bring a study buddy. The rabbi will be hopping from table to table or sitting nearby, ready to help you develop your synagogue skills for the betterment of our community locally and worldwide. Hanukkah Candle Lighting December 18th - 4:30pm Join us at City Hall in the City Council Chambers for our annual candle lighting with Mayor Jeanette McCarthy Sisterhood News Did you know that Temple Beth Israel has a Sisterhood? The Sisterhood is open to all female members of Temple Beth Israel. Dues are $10/year or $150 for a lifetime membership. The Sisterhood holds several breakfasts each year and will also be helping the Temple celebrate its 100th year. Contact Nessie Baron or the Temple Office to join. 12

13 Hanukkah Blessings Before kindling the Hanukkah lights on the first night of Hanukkah, Tuesday, December 16th, recite all three blessings. On every subsequent night only the first two are recited. 1. Ba-ruch A-tah Ado-nai E-lo-he-nu Me-lech ha-olam a-sher ki-de-sha-nu bemitz-vo-tav ve-tzi-va-nu le-had-lik ner shel Ha-nu-kkah. 2. Ba-ruch A-tah Ado-nai E-lo-he-nu Me-lech Ha-olam she-a-sa ni-sim la-avo-tenu ba-ya-mim ha-hem bi-zman ha-zeh. Recited only on the first night (or the first time lighting this Hanukkah): 3. Ba-ruch A-tah Ado-nai E-lo-he-nu Me-lech Ha-olam she-heche-ya-nu ve-ki-yima-nu ve-higi-a-nu liz-man ha-zeh. Translation: 1. Blessed are You, Adonai our God, Ruler of the universe, Who made us holy through Your commandments and commanded us to kindle the Hannukah lights. 2. Blessed are You, Adonai our God, Sovereign of the universe, Who performed wondrous deeds for our ancestors in those ancient days at this season. (First Night Only) 3. Blessed are You, Adonai our God, Sovereign of the universe, Who has given us life and sustained us and enabled us to reach this season. 13

14 December April Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat :54pm :54pm Vayishlach Candle Friday 19 Class and Concert 12-5pm Candle #1 Candle :59pm Candle #6 Candle #7 Candle # Chapter 31 #2 Lighting at City Hall 4:30pm Candle #3 Minyan 8:00am Night Service and Dinner 6:30pm Candle #4 Numbers on Saturday refer to the book Judaism s 10 Best Ideas Vayeshev 20 Ch. 1: Simhah--Joy Miketz Candle #5 Ch. 2: Creation in God's Image Vayigash If not specified, Minyan - Monday and Thursday is at 7:00am and on Saturday at 9:00am 14

15 January 2015 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 Minyan 8:00am 2 4:05pm 3 Ch. 3: Halakhah Vayechi :12pm Friday Night Service and Dinner 6:00pm 10 Ch. 4: Repairing the World Shemot :19pm 17 Ch. 5: Shabbat :28pm 24 Va era Ch. 6: Tshuvah :37pm 31 Bo Ch. 7: Torah Beshallach Shabbat Shirah If not specified, Minyan - Monday and Thursday is at 7:00am and on Saturday at 9:00am 15

16 Temple Beth Israel stamp 25 Harvard Street P.O. Box Waltham, MA Phone: Website: December 2014 and January 2015 Donate on the web at General Fund High Holiday Donation Rabbi s Discretionary Fund Carl Goldstein Siddur Memorial Fund Morris Hollender Torah Reading Fund Children s Services and Programming Other, please specify: Temple Beth Israel Donation Form For your convenience, please use this form to make your donations and send to: Temple Beth Israel, P O Box , Waltham, MA I have chosen the fund indicated at the right: (Please use a separate form for each fund. Minimum donation: $10) Attached is my check in the amount of: $ The 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 16