NEWSLETTER May RYYA / ISYN

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1 NEWSLETTER May RYYA / ISYN Rabbi Moshe Adler Let s never give up on our Jewishness, or on Israel, or on God s promise. Israel, Past and Future Yom HaAtzmaut Israel Independence Day commemorates the time the UN voted to partition Palestine into two areas, one for the Arabs and one for the Jews, and the latter immediately proclaimed the establishment of the State of Israel. Although Yom HaAtzmaut falls on the 5th of Iyar, this year (5776 / 2016) we will be celebrating it on the 4th. When the 5th of Iyar falls on a Friday, as it does this year, there are concerns that the raucous festivities may spill over into Shabbat, turning celebration of independence into desecration of Shabbat. To forestall that probability, Yom HaAtzmaut is moved back to Thursday. We can then experience both kinds of joy: celebrating what we have been given, and looking ahead to what the poet Richard Fariña called the quiet joys of brotherhood when love is lord of all. Long ago, the prophet Isaiah (2:2-4) put it this way: In a time to come, the Mount of the LORD s House shall stand firm above the mountains and tower above the hills; and all the nations shall gaze on it with joy. And the many peoples shall go and say: Come, let us go up to the Mount of the LORD, to the House of the God of Jacob, that He may instruct us in His ways, and that we may walk in His paths. For Torah shall come forth from Zion, the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. Thus He will judge among the nations and arbitrate for the many peoples, and they shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks: nation shall not take up sword against nation; they shall never again know war. Until that time arrives, we must stand fast against both anti-semitism and Islamophobia; terrorists and those who train and equip them; leaders who will not negotiate in good faith; and the pain of seeing Jews buy into the relentless vilification and delegitimization of Israel. As God said to Joshua three times in one chapter (1:6, 7, 9): Hazak ve ematz, be strong and resolute. So let s live it up on Yom HaAtzmaut, and sing and dine and sip wine on Shabbat. Let s never give up on our Jewishness, or on Israel, or on God s promise. Hag sameah! Beth El - The Heights Synagogue builds vibrant Jewish community. We welcome all in participatory, traditional, egalitarian worship and learning. Rabbi Moshe Adler s Saturday Morning Services at 9:15, 3246 Desota Ave., Cleveland Hts., OH s (

2 Co-Presidents Erica New Eran Shiloh Questions? Concerns? Comments? Complaints? Please do not hesitate to contact the Presidents by or telephone Eran (440) Erica (216) Help Us Stay In Touch! Please be sure we have your current contact information. Send changes to bethelheights.org or call (216) Presidents Perspectives, May 2016 Teach Your Children Several months ago, we read in the Torah about the departure of the Israelites from Egypt. This month, we celebrate and remember that story with the holiday of Passover. What has happened in the interim, both in the Torah and in our daily lives? It may be an accident of the calendar that the reading and the holiday do not coincide, but because it happens this way, every year, there may be something to be learned here. The primary message of Passover is to REMEMBER: to tell the story to our children and to ourselves, so that we all feel that we were present at that momentous departure. And yet, as the story proceeds in the Torah, the people of Israel begin to forget, almost immediately. They complain about hunger, fear, and, most tellingly, lack of leadership. How easy it is to forget the misery of slavery, which could be described as leadership taken to its bizarre extreme: no choices, only orders given. How much do we forget, in our daily lives, the privileges we have worked for, the things we have to be grateful for? Change is inevitable, and often we are impatient for it. Yes, it will be nice when our Sanctuary is refurbished (coming soon!), when our debt is paid off, when new members join our community. Perhaps, though, we should pause a moment to appreciate what we have: a building of our own, in the Heights, near where the majority of us live. A learned and humane Rabbi, who will be retiring from his position as our spiritual leader, but who will always be a member of our community, and whose teachings will remain in our hearts. A kitchen and a chef who feeds us very well (no need for manna from heaven!). And each other, our community of varied souls, who don t always agree but who always come through for each other when we need it. This is a legacy to pass on to our qchildren. $33,463! ~ Erica New Just two months ago, I explained that the congregation was facing an operating deficit and asked you to close the gap. We had a matching challenge grant of $11,000 to start us off, and a goal of $25,000. 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. In two short months, we received contributions of $33,463! Your generosity will allow us to balance the budget and to begin the renovations to the sanctuary and social hall. The balance of the funds will help the Board plan for next year. Beth El The Heights Synagogue Newsletter, Vol. 18, No. 8, May 2016 Beth El The Heights Synagogue Carol Bruml, Editor Telephone , news@bethelheights.org General submittal deadline is the 7th of each month Desota Ave., Cleveland Heights, OH Published 11 times per year. For address or mailing list change, call What a wonderful community we have. Thank you! Ilene Gertman, Development Chair

3 Fostering Dialogue in the Jewish Community, a Lunch and Learn on May 14 with Rachel Eryn Kalish In the San Francisco Bay Area, when the topic of Israel threatened to rip apart the Jewish community, the leadership teamed up with visionary mediator/ facilitator Rachel Eryn Kalish, M.C. to create The Year of Civil Discourse. A little more than a year later, the area had become a model of civil discourse. At a time of so much political polarization, come and hear how it was done and learn some of the basic tools. Rachel Eryn Kalish, M.C. (Masters in Counseling Psychology), has over 30 years of experience mediating and facilitating solutions to intractable conflicts within a wide range of organizations, communities, congregations, families and global hot spots, including the Middle East. She is a pioneer in interfaith and intracommunity dialogue and the author of the Challenging Conversations training program distributed by The Ken Blanchard Companies. She was trained as a meditation trainer at Chochmat HaLev. Celebrating Civility Video: q Counting on Manna, a Lunch and Learn on May 28 with Avi Garelick As b nei Israel journeyed through the desert, they didn t make sandwiches or eat Clif bars. They were sustained by manna, a mysterious divine substance which fell from the sky. But what was manna, really, and what was it good for? And what can the doomed generation of the desert teach us about how to live? In a participatory, Beit Midrash-style program, we will study different traditions about the manna, engage in discussion, and explore these questions together. Avi is a student and teacher of Torah living in Washington Heights, Manhattan. He is Rosh Yeshiva of The Wadsworth School. He enjoys facilitating collective and participatory meals, davening, and learning events. He especially enjoys running a school in his living room, and would love to talk to you about it! Join us for Lunch and Learns May 14 with Rachel Kalish and May 28 with Avi Garelick 3

4 Learners Torah Discussions Open to All Join us to study and discuss selections from the weekly Torah portion. We consider commentaries, raise questions, and share tips for using the Chumash. Each week s lesson is self-contained so come as your schedule permits. The sessions are accessible for non- Hebrew speakers or readers and open to people at all levels of experience. We meet in the Community Room, after the Torah is taken out and the portion is introduced (about 10:20 am to 10:30 am), and rejoin the service in time for the d var Torah. The Short Stories by Jewish Authors Reading and Discussion Group will next meet on Sunday, May 1, 7:00-8:45 p.m. Selections from Sholom Aleichem s Tevye the Dairyman and The Railroad Stories will be discussed. For information, please contact Sondra Jacobs, or Questions? Contact Mia Buchwald Gelles: or miabgelles@gmail.com. Upcoming Learners Torah Discussion Dates (every other week this spring): May 14 - Parashat Kedoshim May 28 Parashat qbehar Yahrzeits, May 2016 Nisan ~ ISYN Rachel Gooch 23 Nisan 5764 Morris Harry Haskin 23 Nisan Doris Silver 23 Nisan Herman Eiffer 23 Nisan Jack Zollett 24 Nisan Pearl Gelfand 26 Nisan Esther Markowitz Kazdan 26 Nisan 5773 Harry Katz 26 Nisan 5765 Albert Paige 26 Nissan Abe Fromson 27 Nisan Bessie Wasserman 27 Nisan Leo Goldstein 28 Nisan Herman Givertz 28 Nisan Zev Peretz Bloom 28 Nisan Sylvia Auerbach 29 Nisan Dean Winslow Freed 29 Nisan 5773 Jennie Friedler 29 Nisan Iyar ~ RYYA Adolph Amsel 1 Iyar Yetta Leah Singer 1 Iyar 5765 Maurine Berman 3 Iyar 5762 John Berger 3 Iyar 5733 Jesse Cantleberry 3 Iyar Ralph Lerner 3 Iyar 5771 Helen Podgurski 4 Iyar 5774 Earon Rein 4 Iyar Sam Hemple 5 Iyar Dorothy Katz 5 Iyar 5758 George Friedlander 7 Iyar Sam Neuger 8 Iyar Sam Auerbach 9 Iyar David Shamis 9 Iyar Sarah Frumker 9 Iyar Annie Keller 10 Iyar Max David Fredman 11 Iyar 5765 Shirley Markowitz Katz 11 Iyar 5765 Chaim Gabinet 12 Iyar Rose Hemple 12 Iyar 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 Samuel Herman Katz 21 Iyar Jerome Wachter 21 Iyar 5770 Harold Saul Neuger 22 Iyar 4

5 Calendar, May RYYA / ISYN Sunday, May 1, 7:00 8:45 pm Short Stories by Jewish Authors Reading and Discussion Group will meet to discuss selections from Sholom Aleichem s Tevye the Dairyman and The Railroad Stories. Thursday, May 5 Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Memorial Day Saturday, May 7, After services Sherry Ball and Marty Gelfand are sponsoring Kiddush in memory of Marty s parents, Ernie and Ellie Gelfand z l. After Kiddush The Mishna Study Group will meet in the Community Room to discuss Gittin, Chapter 5. Zach Lerner will facilitate. Wednesday, May 11 Yom HaZikaron, Israel Memorial Day Thursday, May 12 Yom HaAtzmaut, Israel Independence Day Saturday, May 14 About 10:20 am Learners Torah Discussion Group will meet in the Community Room to discuss Parashat Kedoshim; they will rejoin the congregation in time for the d var Torah. 11:00 11:45 am Shabbat Playdate: Jewish songs, stories, and games for children ages 7 and under, in the Babysitting Room. After Services Lunch and Learn with Rachel Kalish: Fostering Dialogue in the Jewish Community. Bill and Carol Bruml and Mary and Richard Zigmund are cosponsoring an Israeli-menu Kiddush, in memory of Nili Adler z l, and in honor of Yom HaZikaron and Yom HaAtzmaut. Tuesday, May 17, 6:30 pm Greater Cleveland Congregations will show an anti-gun violence movie, Making a Killing, at Fairmount Presbyterian Church, 2757 Fairmount Blvd. A free-will offering will be collected. Thursday, May 26 Lag Ba Omer Saturday, May 28, About 10:20 am Learners Torah Discussion Group will meet in the Community Room to discuss Parashat Behar; they will rejoin the congregation in time for the d var Torah. After services: Lunch and Learn with Avi Garelick, Rosh Yeshiva of The Wadsworth School, Manhattan, Counting on Manna. Free and open to all, but non-members are asked to call the shul for luncheon reservations: Frank and Jeanette Buchwald are co-sponsoring Kiddush in honor of their 55th wed ding anniversary. Mick Miller and Jamie Saunt are co-sponsoring Kiddush in honor of 5 years of mar riage, Yaakov s 4th birthday (May 4), Naomi s 2nd birthday (May 9), and Julian s successful return from his class trip to Israel. This is also the date of our monthly Simcha Kiddush: Join us as we celebrate many happy events that have occurred in May. Saturday, June 4, After Services Lunch and Learn with Maria Wolf, sponsored by Adam Probst in memory of Yevgenia Baron Probst z l: Yevgenia Baron Probst, a True Lifelong Learner and Friend. Shabbat Playdate May 14 11:00-11:45 am in the Babysitting Room Jewish-themed singing and stories for children 7 and younger. 5

6 News from Beth El TW$DX Condolences to: OYLBA OWXYN Miriam and Marvin Palevsky and their extended family on the recent death of their husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, Meyer Mike Hoffer z l. Refuah Sh lema to:! HMYL$ HAWPR Bernie Cantleberry Miriam Palevsky Marvin Warshay Daniel Weisberg, Marsha Weisberg s brother. Miriam Weisberg, Marsha Weisberg s sister. Mazel Tov to:! BWU LZM Cayce Felber and Nathan Kitts, who recently announced their engagement. Marvin and Miriam Palevsky, on the recent marriage of daughter Marissa to Josh Dunlap. Becky Schur and Erin Rocchio, who recently announced their engagement. Yasher Koah to:! XWK R$YY Shani Gelles, daughter of Joe and Mia Buchwald Gelles, who won first prize in her age group (18-19-yearold women) in the 21k Jerusalem Half-Marathon on March 28, with a time of 1:43 that s fast! Her time was a new personal record for her. Sharona Hoffman, who received the Case Western Reserve University School of Law 2016 Distinguished Research Award. Aviva Klein, daughter of Ari Klein and Ditte Wolin, and principal bassoonist in the Heights High Orchestra, who played a senior solo, Vivaldi s Concerto for Bassoon in e minor, in the Spring Finale Concert on April 29. Thanks for your Contributions to:! HDWT Betty Bloomfield, in memory of Selma Mayzel z l. Molly Brudnick, toward GCC membership annual renewal. Bill and Carol Bruml, to the Chesed Fund. Bill and Carol Bruml, in memory of Miriam Palevsky s father, Meyer Hoffer z l. Bill and Carol Bruml, toward GCC membership annual renewal. 6 Ilene Gertman Stephanie Gordon Sharona Hoffman and Andy Podgurski, in memory of Morry Shanker s wife, Brondy Shanker z l. Harvey and Karen Kugelman, toward decorating and building renovations. Zachary Lerner Rabbi Alan and Jean Lettofsky, in memory of Adina Davidson s father, Sam Kelman z l. Stephen Pepper and Linda Tobin, in memory of Barbara Becker. David and Judie Perelman Adam Probst Juliana Sadock Savino, to the Kiddush Fund. Shlomoh Sherman Eran Shiloh, to the Presidents Discretionary Fund. Menachem Shoham, in memory of his parents, Armin and Ella Rothstein z l. Dorothea Small, in memory of Aaron Small z l. Vicki Spalding Rosales, in honor of Rabbi Adler s retirement. Vicki Spalding Rosales Bud Stern, in memory of his wife, Helene Stern z l. Bud Stern, in memory of Nili Adler z l. Arnold and Diane Stone, in memory of Arnold s brother, Max Sonenstein z l. Laurie Ticktin, in memory of Philip Ticktin z l. Leonard Tracht, to the Kiddush Fund. Leonard Tracht Leonard Tracht, in honor of Rabbi Moshe Adler. Blanche and Jack Valancy, in memory the mother of Charlotte Saunt and grandmother of Jamie Saunt, Mary Elizabeth Mayer z l. Blanche and Jack Valancy, in memory of Miriam Palevsky s father, Meyer Mike Hoffer z l. Beth and Scott Wachter Founding members Jack and Blanche Valancy, who have forgiven the balance of their 2011 personal loan, which helped the congregation repay its building purchase debt to Sinai Synagogue. Ieda and Marvin Warshay, in memory of Nili Adler z l. Ieda and Marvin Warshay Anonymous, for Matanot La-Evyonim at Purim.

7 Thanks for Operating Fund Campaign Contributions to:! HDWT Janice Carrick Ilene Gertman Stephanie Gordon Craig and Janet Hoffman Sharona Hoffman and Andy Podgurski Becky Schur Amit and Shlomo Shuck Mary and Richard Zigmund Thanks for Kiddush Sponorships to:! HDWT May 7 Sherry Ball and Marty Gelfand, in memory of Marty s parents, Ernie and Ellie Gelfand z l, on the 100th and 98th anniversaries, respectively, of their births. May 14 Bill and Carol Bruml, in memory of Nili Adler z l, and in honor of the holidays she loved, Yom HaZikaron and Yom HaAtzmaut. May 28 Frank and Jeanette Buchwald are co-sponsoring, in honor of their 55th wedding anniversary. Mick Miller and Jamie Saunt are co-sponsoring, in honor of 5 years of marriage, Yaakov s 4th birthday (May 4), Naomi s 2nd birthday (May 9), and Julian s successful return from his class trip to Israel. Zach Lerner is co-sponsoring, in honor of the Lunch and Learn that day. A Word of Thanks Thanks for Simcha Kiddush Sponsorships to:! HDWT March Bruce and Polly Wilkenfeld, in honor of Bruce s birthday. April Joe and Mia Buchwald Gelles, in honor of Jeanette Buchwald s 80th birthday. Joe and Mia Buchwald Gelles, in honor of Shani Gelles win in the Jerusalem half-marathon. Becky Schur, in honor of her engagement to Erin Rocchio. Linda Tobin, in honor of Stephen Pepper s birthday. Thanks to all who read portions of the M Gillah on Purim:! HDWT Joe Buchwald Gelles Nan Hecht Rabbi Shula Izen Miriam Palevsky Becky Schur Barry Starr Thanks, to our April newsletter mailing helpers:! HDWT Bill Bruml Carol Bruml Richard Krueck Teri Tomberg Beth Wachter Scott Wachter Miriam and Marvin Palevsky, and their family, would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to all the members of Beth El The Heights Synagogue, for everything they did following the recent passing of Miriam s father Meyer Mike Hoffer. Miriam says, We can t thank you enough for coming to the funeral, making shiva calls, making sure we had more than enough people for a minyan each night, and for the wonderful food tray that was sent in. My mother, Betty Hoffer, was very impressed with what an amazing congregation we belong to. 30 Dozen Hamentaschen for Purim! Thanks to Marvin Palevsky, Sherry Ball, Cayce Felber, Eden Gelfand, Miriam Giardina, Nathan Kitts, Adam Probst, Erin Rocchio, and Becky Schur. Photos submitted by Sherry Ball. 7

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9 FRI 20 MAY invites you to celebrate shabbat with a service and dinner. Friday, May 20, 6:30 p.m. Kabbalat Shabbat 6:30, Dinner at about 7:40. Dinner includes fish, vegetarian-friendly menu. Teacher TBA. Price: $10.00 per person. Prepaid reservations requested by Monday, May 16. RSVP: Go to Bethelheights.org & click on the link or you can call Joe, Location: beth El The Heights Synagogue 3246 Desota Avenue Cleveland Hts., OH This is a membership event a great time to introduce potential members to our community, a little less formal and a lot shorter than Shabbat morning. So bring a friend don t be shy about asking!

10 BETHS Celebration to honor Rabbi Moshe Adler Rabba Rahel Berkovits Rahel Berkovits was ordained in 2015 as an Orthodox rabbi, one of the first women to achieve that status. She is a founder of Shira Hadasha, an Orthodox, Feminist congregation in Jerusalem. She is the granddaughter of Rabbi Eliezer Berkovits z l, Rabbi Adler s mentor and inspiration. Lecture Dessert Reception Thursday, June 16 at 7:00 P.M. Siegal Facility, Shaker Blvd., Beachwood SCHOLAR-IN-RESIDENCE Rabba Berkovits will speak on Darkhei Shalom: The Path to Building Community Rabba Berkovits will use text study to look at issues such as: How important is it to compromise the letter of the law for the sake of peace amongst people? Whom do the Rabbis consider to be part of an average Jew s concentric community? How are the disabled, the THU 16 JUN poor, and non-jews viewed? How should one interact with others who observe Judaism differently than one s self? Which areas in life do the Rabbis feel most cause fighting and unrest in communities? (Don t be surprised when the synagogue is first on the list!) Moshe Adler is retiring this year as the beloved rabbi of Beth El-The Heights Synagogue, which he has served since He has also taught at Siegal College, Agnon, Schechter, Akiva, and Pardes schools, and was a longtime Hillel rabbi before moving to Cleveland. This event is co-sponsored by the Laura and Alvin Siegal Lifelong Learning Program at Case Western Reserve University FRI 17 JUN Kabbalat Shabbat, Dinner and Teaching Service at BETHS, 3246 Desota Ave., begins at 6:30. Dinner at about 7:40. At 8:30, Rabba Berkovits will speak on Torat Hayyim/A Living Torah: The Status of Women in the Thought of Rabbi Professor ז ל Eliezer Berkovits What is the interplay between Torah and real life situations? How do ancient texts apply to modern times? Can and should Jewish law change throughout history? Can law adjust and adapt and yet still be eternal? The philosophy of R. Berkovits will be examined through the lens of his writings on women and Jewish law. SAT 18 JUN Morning Service, followed by Kiddush/Lunch and Teaching Service at BETHS, 3246 Desota Ave., begins at 9:15. Lunch at about 12:15. At 1:15, Rabba Berkovits will speak on Sexuality and Sanctity Physical Connection vs. Emotional Connection What does Judaism have to say about issues surrounding sexuality? What values and challenges can the rabbinic texts impart for us living with the modern sexual norms of the twenty first century? In this session we will examine, analyze and openly discuss rabbinic texts from the Torah and Talmud through to the modern responsa on issues related to sexual intercourse, specifically how does tradition view sexual desire, personal pleasure and different positions and sex acts? What does tradition say about sex without consent, while drunk or when the partners are fighting? What should be the appropriate balance between lust and love? This session will be a safe space for participants of diverse backgrounds, orientations, and practices. Registration and tribute ad information on other side.

11 FULL PAGE AD 4.5 x 7.5 GOLD $2000 SILVER $1000 REGULAR $500 Tribute Book sizes and rates QUARTER PAGE AD 4.5 x 1.75 or 2.17x3.67 $150 HALF PAGE AD 4.5 x 3.67 $250 QUARTER PAGE AD 4.5 x 1.75 or 2.17x3.67 $150 ONE OR TWO-LINE LISTING $50 Ad copy or camera-ready art, or name listing, should be ed to jbgelles@gmail.com, or mailed to Beth El-The Heights Synagogue, 3246 Desota Ave., Cleveland Hts., OH Deadline is Thursday, June 9. REGISTRATION If you are registering for the Thursday event only, register online at Or by phone, Or send check (payable to CWRU) to Laura & Alvin Siegal Lifelong Learning Program, Shaker Blvd, Beachwood, OH This event is part of a larger Shabbaton, including programs Friday night and Shabbat afternoon at BETHS. For the entire weekend, or shabbat events only, use the form below and send check to BETHS. Name Address Phone/ Entire weekend $100 per person Synagogue events/dinners only $75 per person Send check for entire amount registration plus ad/listing to Beth El-The Heights Synagogue, 3246 Desota Ave., Cleveland Hts., OH TRIBUTE AD BOOK Full page gold $2000 Full page silver $1000 Full page regular $500 Half Page $250 Quarter Page $150 Listing $50 Please send ad information and art to jbgelles@gmail.com