Congregation B nai Israel. Kehila. Celebrating the bounty of our harvest. Thank you to our garden volunteers!

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1 Congregation B nai Israel August 2012 Kehila Av/Elul 5772 INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Celebrating the bounty of our harvest. Thank you to our garden volunteers! WORDS Rabbi David Executive Director President Education Director Gan Keshet Notes HIGH HOLIDAYS W/ RABBI DAVID LULAV & ETROG 8 HIGH HOLY DAYS SCHEDULE 9 10 HIGH HOLY DAYS FAMILY PROGRAMS HIGH HOLY DAYS REGISTRATION FORMS 11 CALENDAR 14 YIZKER FORM 16 COMING THIS FALL 17 A handful of cherry tomatoes from our own CBI Community Graden. 1 BAR MITZVAH 19 CLUB GATHERINGS AROUND VALLEY MINUTES DONATIONS YAHRZEITS

2 Rabbi Justin David Executive Director Ben Cuperman Office Manager Nanci Martine Acting Co-Education Directors Amy Wolpin & Alan Singer Preschool Director Wendy Stein Building Manager CBI/LGA Joe Niedzwiecki Kehila Editors/Designers Custodians CBI/LGA President Vice President Treasurer Secretary Esther Bean Alan Berkenwald David Berkman Peggy Besht David Cohen Joel Feldman Valerie Gintis Hanneli de Vries STAFF Brianna Maier Nanci Martine Mark Shannahan Tim Ladaucer BOARD OF DIRECTORS Norbert Goldfield Lauren Weinsier Jim Sagalyn Ellen Kaufman The CBI newsletter is published 11 times per year, monthly except in July. The next KEHILA is the SEPTEMBER 2012 issue. FIRM DEADLINE: AUG.10, 2012 HELP US TO HELP YOU. PLEASE MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO MEET THE DEADLINE. Submit entries in person or via . Pictures and ads should be submitted in.jpg format Contact Information Kevin Hale David Marlin Max Page Amy Siege Amy Wolpin Stephan Wurmbrand Nisa Zalta Adult Education John Clayton Bikkur Holim Norbert Goldfield Cemetery Edward Allen Chevra Kadisha Cleo Gorman Edward Allen Dues & Assessments Ben Cuperman Education Amy Wolpin Alan Singer Endowment Management Bruce Bromberg-Seltzer Financial Oversight Mark Brumberg Fund Raising TBD Gan Keshet Governing Comm. Leah Nestelbaum Garden Committee Emmett Leader Governance Bill Jolly Hevrei Mitzvot (Men s Club) David Goldstone davegoldstone@gmail.com 2 COMMITTEE CHAIRS/COORDINATORS House & Properties/Aesthetics Stephan Wurmbrand stephan.wurmbrand@tcsgp.com Kitchen Committee Shelley Steuer ss@noholaw.com L DOR V DOR (Planned Giving) Dorothy Nemetz djnemetz@aol.com Landscape Mark Brumberg markbrumberg@comcast.net Library Adele Steinberg adelestein@verizon.net Nancy Felton nancyfelton@verizon.net Membership Lisa Newman lisanewman4@hotmail.com Tamara Taitz-Fields columbusgang@verion.net Nominating Hanneli de Vries hanneli@childtrauma.com Personnel Carol Katz carolckatz@gmail.com Ritual Amelia Ender ameliaender@yahoo.com Sisterhood Lori Cohen Janis Levy cbisisters@gmail.com Valley Jewish Seniors Peggy Besht pjbhephurn@comcast.net Ben Cuperman cbidirector@verizon.net Congregation B nai Israel 253 Prospect Street, Northampton MA bnai.israel@verizon.net

3 From the Rabbi As August begins, we find ourselves at a precious point in the Jewish year. Just as we are immersed in the blessings of summer, so the remainder of the Hebrew month of Av and the beginning of Elul provide the welcome space to reflect on the blessings in our lives. From a ritual point of view, nothing is asked of us except to take in the messages of comfort in the weekly reading of the Haftara, some of the most beautiful poetry in the Bible. The implicit message seems to be, stop, reflect on the blessings in your life, consider the possibility of the time ahead. I treasure this time, as it gives me the opportunity to look closely at what I want to do as a person, a husband, a father and rabbi in the coming year. I reconnect with favorite stories and texts such as the stories of Genesis, teachings about teshuvah or turning to each other and to God, the grand and often challenging liturgy of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, teachings on prayer and spirituality throughout Jewish history. As I reconnect to this font of wisdom, I find myself reveling in what is familiar in its beauty, and also surprised to uncover something new maybe an insight, a turn of phrase, a spirit I hadn t encountered before. Of course, as some of this preparation is practical, I am also thinking of questions that will affect me and other people day to day. What are the ideas, messages and questions I want to address this year? What work will I pursue to express my rabbinic voice? What is my unique voice and how will I give myself the space to find it? What will insure that I will take the time I need for the loving, and even the challenging, relationships in my life? What will I do to deepen myself as a father, a husband, a friend? When we ask ourselves these and similar questions around the High Holy Days, I know that many of us feel a certain kind of awe, urgency, and even fear around them. But for now, about six weeks away from Rosh Hashanah, we can welcome these questions in the same frame of mind that we welcome a familiar blessing. So, with every fresh ear of corn, every bulging ripe tomato, moments of dipping in a lake or an early evening walk, let s give ourselves the space to welcome the great questions about our lives, ourselves and our connections to each other. Wishing everyone a season of health and joy, Rabbi Justin David 3

4 From the Executive Director My friends just came back from a trip to Israel. It was the first time for one of them. I was very interested in their impression and naturally asked about the weather. They said it was hotter than South Florida. They said Israelis are very welcoming and they start eating dinner at 10:00 pm. Everything sounded just about right. My next thought is to ask a CBI member what is their impression about CBI. I would expect to hear that it s welcoming. The a/c is too strong and kiddush is always delicious and on time. Sounds pretty much right also. Ben Cuperman Exec. Director We are just scratching the surface of course. Life in Israel is much more complicated than that. Surrounded by nations wanting to destroy it, Israelis enjoy life to the fullest and from my experience take more vacations than the average American. Israelis are also very direct and don t generally pull any punches. So now we re back in Northampton and Congregation B nai Israel. It s peaceful, no enemies threatening us. We are also trying to enjoy the good things in life. Not having to worry about any physical threat certainly helps. There is culture, and so much more. Yes, there is politics, different than in Israel but of course many opinions. When I walk through the doors of CBI, for me it s my Israel. I hear Hebrew often. During services, Israel is mentioned many times. To be a member of CBI means you care about your Jewish heritage and are proud to be Jewish. Participating as much as your pocket and time allows means that we can continue to offer to the community our Israel,. Congregation B nai Israel. The community of the brothers of Israel. Am Israel Chai. Ben KEHILA MAILING ANNOUNCEMENT One of the budgetary changes recently passed by the Board will impact the way we mail our bulletins. Effective August 2012, we will no longer mail the Kehila newsletter to the entire membership. Anyone wishing to continue receiving the newsletter will be asked for a modest donation in the amount of $50, which will cover the cost of producing and mailing for an entire year (Aug - June/ July). Seniors asking for financial assistance will be exempt from this fee. In addition, newsletters will be available on the CBI website cbinorthampton.org and in the CBI lobby at no charge. 4

5 From the President Vows and Commitments...and the CBI Religious School Parts of this brief article comes from the d'var torah I gave two weeks ago at the synagogue.* The parshah Matot begins with a detailed presentation of the laws pertaining to vows and oaths. Our Sages attached great importance to vows and oaths. There are two sides to this coin: on one hand, vows are so important and problematic that it may be preferable not to make them at all; on the other hand, if a man or a woman makes a vow, it should not be broken except in the most exceptional and well-justified circumstances. I find the following question especially intriguing: What role does a neder or vow play in helping a person perform a mitzvah that he or she is already obligated to perform? Why can t a person simply decide to do the mitzvah and carry it out without expressing the intent verbally? The reason is this: even pledging to perform a mitzvah to which one is already obligated strengthens one s commitment by moving the intention toward reality. All that remains is the purely physical act. Giving one s word, then, is not so much a point of honor as it is a sacred and binding obligation. What are the mechanics by which a vow takes effect? Life and death are in the power of the tongue, advises Proverbs 18:21. Speech is the gateway between the thoughts of the mind and the physical actions of the body. Through speech one begins the trek of turning intentions into the reality of action. It is for this reason that making a neder is so effective in binding a person into doing the right thing. I would like to highlight the vows that we make as synagogue members to our synagogue and to the community at large. In this partnership, we forego our ego, as discussed by the important 20 th century Jewish philosopher Emanuel Levinas, and our inborn desire to subjugate all facts around our ego. And, when we do not fulfill such a vow, we have the potential of bringing about neglect, discomfort and distrust to those around us. A vow can lead to a holy or unholy situation. Our goal should be to maximize the holy ones. Just about the holiest commitment I can make to the CBI community relates to our religious school, which has undergone significant stress over the past few years. I and many other people, particularly including Amy Wolpin and Alan Singer, are putting in significant effort to enhance our religious school offerings. You will be hearing about them in this issue of the Kehila directly from Amy and Alan. In addition, I can commit to you that there is more to come that will continue to strengthen our religious school. We must be on guard against making promises, commitments, and pledges that we do not intend to keep or that we may not be able to keep. Words have power, and giving one s word creates a sacred and binding obligation. Let us use our words and vows for sanctification of the holiest of our relationships, that is, those with our partners and close friends and relatives. Let us likewise use our words and vows to enhance our synagogue with a particular focus on our religious school, as it is so much a part of our past, present, and future -- as a community and as a people. B Shalom. Norbert I welcome your feedback ( or Rin @gmail.com). *In the interest of full disclosure, I acknowledge that I ve liberally used and copied portions of the many commentaries available on the internet. The opinions and tying-up of material are mine. 5

6 CBI Education News Shalom Families of CBI! We are excitedly readying CBI Religious School for the (5773) academic year. Thus far we have received more than a dozen registrations more than at this point last year! We would appreciate your completing, signing and dropping off CBI Religious School Registration forms to the CBI Synagogue front office as soon as possible to help us better prepare for the upcoming year, especially given that we both continue to juggle our professional work outside of CBI. Alan Singer & Amy Wolpin Interim Education Co-Directors To prepare for leading the education programs, Amy attended the USCJ New Directors Institute in June and Alan participated in Mitkadem training at the CAJE conference. We look forward to fully implementing the Mitkadem Hebrew curriculum as it, among other things, pares the mastery of reading the Hebrew language through the learning of both Tefillah (prayer) and the Jewish Holiday calendar cycle. The Mitkadem curriculum is widely used, especially in supplemental religious schools, such as ours. As with learning any language, repetition is a big key to successful learning. CBI Congregants who are capable of and interested in tutoring CBI Religious School students in Hebrew reading are encouraged to please contact us regarding the upcoming year. We would ask for no more than two hours of volunteer time per school week. Parents of CBI Religious School students who are interested in learning/ reviewing Hebrew together with your child(ren) are also encouraged to please contact us for needed materials and support. We encourage you to please contact us with any ideas/suggestions you might have so that we can better support your commitment to your child(ren) s Hebrew education here at CBI. Inquiries can continue to be ed to: cbieducation@verizon.net. We also will frequently check for voice mail messages at the office of the CBI Education Director: (413) #203. If you are either directly interested in teaching or subbing at CBI Religious School or can suggest others who might be, please contact us. Finally, we also welcome recommendations of people who can replace our endeared Aaron Kagan as CBI Youth Activities Advisor. We wish Aaron well as he moves on to pursue professional endeavors in the greater Boston area. Save the dates: Religious School Open House Thursday September 6 5:30-7:00pm Opening Day of Religious School and Parent Meeting Sunday, September 9 9: am Thank you and Happy Summering. L Hitraot, Alan Singer & Amy Wolpin, CBI Acting Education Co-Directors Religious School Staff Openings CBI Religious School has several positions open for the school year. Teachers are needed for combined classes of grades 2-3 and 4-5. Classes meet Sundays 9:30-11:30 and Thursdays 3:30-5:30. Applicants need knowledge of Jewish studies, holidays, prayers, and fluency in Hebrew as well as experience with children and active learning. We are also hiring music and art specialists and a youth activities advisor. Please send a cover letter and resume to: cbieducation@verizon.net 6

7 Gan Keshet Summer Program Explorers Helping in the garden 7

8 High Holy Days 2012 Slichot Four Communities, One Service Please join us as we join with Beit Ahavah, the Jewish Community of Amherst and Temple Israel for an evening of prayer, song and meditation to mark Slichot. Traditionally, Slichot is a spiritual preparation for the teshuvah, the turning inward, toward each other, and to God, that is central to the High Holidays. In this service, led by Rabbis Justin David, Riqi Kosovske and Benjamin Weiner, we will thoughtfully combine the creative range of traditional and contemporary practice for an evening that we hope will draw us more deeply into the Days of Awe. Saturday, September 8, 8:30 pm At Congregation B nai Israel 253 Prospect St, Northampton, MA (413) ALL ARE WELCOME!! Lulav & Etrog Order your Lulav & Etrog for Sukkot $40.00/Set (Israeli) Name Phone # or # of Sets Amount Due Please send checks to: CBI, 253 Prospect St., Northampton, MA Payment must be made at time of order PLEASE NO EXCEPTIONS Orders Due By Wednesday, September 5 8

9 High Holy Days 2012 Service Schedule Selichot Saturday, September 8 CBI/Beit Ahavah/ 8:30 pm JCA/Temple Israel (to be held at CBI) Erev Rosh Hashanah Sunday, September 16 Evening Services 7:30 pm Rosh Hashanah Monday, September 17 Morning Services 8:30 am Tashlich at Mill River 4:00 pm Mincha & Ma ariv 6:00 pm Rosh Hashanah Tuesday, September 18 Morning Services 8:30 am Shabbat Shuvah Saturday, September 22 Morning Services 9:30 am Kever Avot Sunday, September 23 Cemetery Service 11:00 am Kol Nidre Tuesday, September 25 Evening Service 6:15 pm Yom Kippur Wednesday, September 26 Morning Services 9:00 am with Yizkor Mincha & Ne ila 5:00 pm Sukkot Monday, October 1 Morning Services 9:30 am Sukkot Tuesday, October 2 Morning Service 9:30 am Shemini Atzeret Monday, October 8 Morning Services 9:30 am with Yizkor Erev Simchat Torah Monday, October 8 Evening Service 6:30 pm Simchat Torah Tuesday, October 9 Morning Services 9:30 am 9

10 High Holy Days 2012 Family & Teen Programs ROSH HASHANAH DAY 1 MONDAY SEPTEMBER 17 Young Children (up to 6) with Adult 10:00 am - 10:30 am Holiday Service (CBI Library) Family Minyan 10:30 am - Noon Creative Interactive Service (LGA*) Teen Talk 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm What s up with the Holidays? (LGA*) Tashlich for CBI Community is at the Mill River at 4:00 pm ROSH HASHANAH DAY 2 TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 18 Young Children (up to 6) with Adult 10:00 am - 10:30 am Holiday Service (CBI Library) Junior Congregation 10:30 am Noon 1st - 3rd Grade (CBI Classroom) 10:30 am - Noon 4th 6th Grade (CBI Library) At noon all students will then go to the Sanctuary to hear the shofar and meet their families YOM KIPPUR WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 26 Young Children (up to 6) with Adult 10:00 am - 10:30 am Holiday Service (CBI Library) Family Minyan 10:30 am - Noon Creative Interactive Service (LGA*) Teen Talk 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm What s up with the Holidays? (LGA*) For more information on Family and Teen Programs, please check our website at or contact Amy Wolpin and Alan Singer, Acting Co-Education Directors cbieducation@verizon.net or , ext. 203 * (LGA is the Lander Grinspoon Academy across the CBI parking lot) 10

11 High Holy Days 2012 Guest Registration Form All are welcome to attend the 2012 High Holy Days services on Rosh Hashannah and Yom Kippur at CBI. We ask that non-members purchase tickets for $100, which will be checked at the door. Please submit this registration form and payment by September 6th. Although no one will be turned away, we will ask those nonmembers who arrive without tickets to share contact information so that we may send them a reminder about making a donation. This ensures that we all do our part to support the Jewish community. Wishing you all a sweet New Year, CBI Board. Non-members (families and guests) : $100 each Number of guests: Students are free Number of guests: PLEASE REGISTER ALL GUESTS Name: /Phone: Address: Name: /Phone: Address: Name: /Phone: Address: Name: /Phone: Address: Name: Address: Total Amount Enclosed: $ (Make check out to CBI with HH Guest in memo line Return this form and donation to: CONGREGATION B NAI ISRAEL 253 PROSPECT STREET NORTHAMPTON, MA Form and payment must be received by September 6, 2012 THE HIGH HOLY DAYS GUEST REGISTRATION FORMS ARE ALSO AVAILABLE IN THE CBI LOBBY 11

12 High Holy Days 2012 Honors Registration The High Holy Days are a sacred and joyful part of our Jewish calendar. One part of the holiday observance is having many members of the congregation participate in some way in the conduct of the prayer services. We hope that YOU will volunteer to participate (accept an honor). Please include the following information and respond by SEPTEMBER 10. to: cbiritual@verizon.net or return to the CBI Office 1. Name: Phone: 2. On which day would you like an honor? Rosh Hashanah Day 1 Rosh Hashanah Day 2 (On the second day of Rosh Hashanah, we especially encourage people between the ages of 13 and 20 to volunteer for an honor. Parents - you are encouraged to raise this mitzvah opportunity with your son or daughter Kol Nidre Yom Kippur AM Yom Kippur PM Other (please specify) 3. What time of day will work best for you? RH1 before 10:30 am RH1 after 10:30 am RH2 before 10:30 am RH2 after 10:30 am Yom Kippur Kol Nidre Yom Kippur Before 10:30 am Yom Kippur After 10:30 am Other (please specify) 4. What type of honor would you like? Opening the Ark Carrying the Torah Scroll Aliyah during Torah reading Other (please specify) THANK YOU! ~ CBI RITUAL COMMITTEE 12

13 High Holy Days Childcare 2012 Sign Up Now to Get a Slot! (Drop-ins are not an option) The Shabbat Children s Programs Committee is pleased to offer childcare for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur services. Childcare is available for children between 6 months and 6 years old: Rosh Hashanah (Day 1) September 17 9:30 am 2:00 pm Rosh Hashanah (Day 2) September 18 9:30 am - 2:00 pm Kol Nidre September 25 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm Yom Kippur September 26 9:30 am - 2:30 pm 5:30 pm - end of service A mid-morning, substantial snack will be provided. If your child is staying past lunchtime, an additional snack will be offered. In order for the Program Committee to plan for adequate staffing and age-appropriate curriculum, we ask that you register your children by Thursday, September 6th. Please remember that for planning and safety purposes, we are unable to accommodate drop-ins. Safety laws limit our numbers, so we will accept registrations on a first come, first serve basis. Return your registration form below to the synagogue office or mail it to: Shabbat Children s Programs, 253 Prospect St., Northampton, MA The Committee aims to make childcare as affordable and accessible as possible. At the same time, quality childcare providers cost money! We are asking for $10 per family per session, regardless of the number of children. If you can pay more, please do. While the synagogue provides some crucial financial support for childcare, the Committee must raise additional funds necessary to provide the quality child care throughout the year. Please support this important service if you can. If the required fee poses a barrier to your family, please contact the synagogue office to make other arrangements. HIGH HOLY DAYS CHILDCARE REGISTRATION FORM Please submit your form by Thursday, SEPTEMBER 6th, 2012 (and sooner is even better!) Parent(s): Address: Phone: Number of children listed on this form: Please check when to reserve a spot for the child(ren) listed below: Rosh Hashanah (Day 1) Rosh Hashanah (Day 2) Kol Nidre Yom Kippur am Yom Kippur pm Names of child(ren) and ages: Cost per family per session: $10.00 Additional donation to support Shabbat Childcare throughout the year: $ Enclosed is a check for: $ (payable to CBI with Children s Programs in the memo line) 13

14 Month of August (Av/Elul) SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY ROSH CHODESH :15 PM: GAN KESHET PARENT INFORMATION NIGHT GAN KESHET FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL 14

15 Month of August (Av/Elul) THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY 2 8:00 AM: LECHA DUMIYAH TEHILLA MEDITATION 3 5:30 PM: SHABBAT UNDER THE SKY AT LOOK PARK (NO EVENING SERVICE AT CBI) 7:49 PM: SHABBAT CANDLE LIGHTING 4 9:30 AM: SHABBAT MORNING SERVICES IN THE SANCTUARY Parashat Va etchanan IAN FISHMAN BAR MITZVAH 8:53 PM: SHABBAT ENDS 9 8:00 AM: LECHA DUMIYAH TEHILLA MEDITATION 10 6:00 PM: KABBALAT SHABBAT EVENING SERVICE 7:40 PM: SHABBAT CANDLE LIGHTING 11 9:30 AM: SHABBAT MORNING SERVICES IN THE SANCTUARY Parashat Eikev 8:43 PM: SHABBAT ENDS 16 8:00 AM: LECHA DUMIYAH TEHILLA MEDITATION 17 6:00 PM: KABBALAT SHABBAT EVENING SERVICE 7:30 PM: SHABBAT CANDLE LIGHTING 18 9:30 AM: SHABBAT MORNING SERVICES IN THE SANCTUARY Parashat Re eh 8:32 PM: SHABBAT ENDS 23 8:00 AM: LECHA DUMIYAH TEHILLA MEDITATION 24 6:00 PM: KABBALAT SHABBAT EVENING SERVICE 7:19 PM: SHABBAT CANDLE LIGHTING 25 9:30 AM: SHABBAT MORNING SERVICES IN THE SANCTUARY Parashat Shoftim 8:20 PM: SHABBAT ENDS 30 8:00 AM: LECHA DUMIYAH TEHILLA MEDITATION 7:30 PM CBI Board Meeting 31 6:00 PM: KABBALAT SHABBAT EVENING SERVICE 7:08 PM: SHABBAT CANDLE LIGHTING 15

16 YIZKOR BOOKLET 2012 Dear Members, It is a long-standing custom on Yom Kippur to memorialize loved ones at the Yizkor Service. Again this year, we plan to publish a Memorial Booklet in conjunction with the Yizkor service in which the names of our loved ones are recorded and remembered. In order to be included in the booklet, it is important that you send in such names no later than MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 10 in order to arrange publication. This list of names will be read silently from the Bimah during the Yizkor Service. WE URGE YOU TO RESPOND TO THIS NOTICE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. PLEASE PRINT NAMES FOR THE YIZKOR BOOK VERY CLEARLY - THANK YOU Suggested Contribution: $10.00 per name Name: Phone/ Total Amount Enclosed: $ Make checks payable to CBI with Yizkor Book in the memo line, and mail with this form to: Congregation B nai Israel 253 Prospect Street, Northampton, MA REMEMBER, PLEASE RESPOND NO LATER THAN SEPTEMBER 10 PAYMENT MUST BE RECEIVED BY THE ABOVE MENTIONED DUE DATE THE MEMORIAL BOOKLET FORM IS ALSO AVAILABLE ON OUR WEBSITE 16

17 Coming this Fall Shira Chadasha Kabbalat Shabbat Join us on Friday, September 14 At 6:00 pm (and each 2nd Friday Evening of the month throughout the year.) for a very special, monthly Kabbalat Shabbat Service. Led by Rabbi Justin David with David Weidenfeld on guitar! We ll enjoy a beautiful and spirited celebration of Shabbat together! All are welcome. Held in the CBI Library. Kol Shabbat: A Shabbat of Voices With Felicia Sloin & her ensemble of inspiring singers Friday evenings at 6:00 pm 9/14 or 10/12 (tbd), 11/30, 1/25, 3/22, 5/24, 6/14 Please join us as we weave new musical offerings with traditional prayers and Psalms for a unique Shabbat experience. Felicia Sloin has developed a reputation as someone who invites us to join together in stirring and soulful melodies. These services will be designed to engage those of us who are new to Jewish prayer and Hebrew as well as those of us for whom Jewish prayer is a familiar practice. ALL ARE WELCOME 17

18 Friday Family Jams with Felicia!! New this fall, we re excited to announce Friday Night Family Jams with songstress-extraordinaire, Felicia Sloin 6:00-6:30 pm at CBI with potlucks to follow at LGA Our Friday Night Shabbat Family Jam Sessions are geared toward families with young kids, with a minute service and potluck to follow at LGA.! OCTOBER 26, DECEMBER 14, FEBRUARY 15 AND APRIL 26 All are welcome! Be there, or be square Know Judaism Temple Beth El, Lander-Grinspoon Academy and the Jewish Federation are proud to announce a new year of The Florence Melton Adult Mini-School. Give us two hours a week and we ll give you 5000 years of Judaism CLASS SCHEDULE: Length: 30 weeks, 2 hours per week Start Date: Week of October 17, 2012 Cost: $360 (financial aid available) Location: Lander-Grinspoon Academy CLASSES OFFERED: -Ethics of Jewish Living -Dramas of Jewish Living Throughout the Ages *New students are welcome to enroll in this course **Our own Rabbi David will lead some classes If you have any question about this program please contact Rabbi Katz at: rabbkatz@tbespringfield.org or (413) or Shoshana Zonderman at: srz35@comcast.net or For more detailed information please pick up a flyer at CBI 18

19 Calendar BAR MITZVAH IAN FISHMAN AUGUST 4, 2012 Bar & Bat Mitzvah s Cont. Hello, my name is Ian Fishman. I am twelve (almost thirteen), and my family has belonged to CBI for as long as I can remember. I go to JFK Middle School and will be starting 8th grade in the fall. I started going to Hebrew School when I was in third grade. I like to play tennis, ping-pong, baseball, badminton, pickleball, and really any sport with a net, besides basketball. I love to play and listen to jazz. I particularly like to improvise on piano, but I also do so on bass and trumpet. Son of Bob & Mary Anne Fishman For my tzedakah project, I have volunteered at the CBI garden, participating in Sunday work parties. Usually, on Mondays, people that help out at the garden bring the fresh produce to the survival center right next door. I am also helping to start an apple orchard there and have donated the first two trees, so they can pollinate and bear fruit. I am looking forward to my Bar Mitzvah, and I plan to continue my journey through Judaism. SEPTEMBER MEETING Date: Monday, Sept. 27, 7:30pm Place: home of Carol Jolly 330 Main Road, Chesterfield Sisterhood Book Club OCTOBER MEETING: Book: State of Wonder by Anne Patchett Date: Monday, Oct. 22, 7:30pm The books and dates for the rest of 2012 are: Nov. 19 Story of Edgar Sawtelle by David Wroblewski; Dec. 17 Art of Fielding by Chad Harbach. Serene Rubin will be called to the Torah as a Bat Mitzvah in honor of her 75th year Saturday, September 1, 2012 Please join her for the services at 9:30 am followed by a Kiddush CBI Sisterhood More information on our Fall 2012 events will be available in the September Kehila! Have a wonderful end to the summer! 19

20 LGA ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS Around the Valley Lander~Grinspoon Academy will be accepting applications for K-3rd, 5th, and 6th grades throughout the summer. Contact Marla Shelasky at or call the school at More information is available on the LGA website, www. LGASchechter.org. HADASSAH OPENING MEETING SAVE THE DATE: OCTOBER 3, 2012, 7 P.M. AT CBI HADASSAH S OPENING MEETING: BEFORE ISRAEL: THE JEWS WHO WERE ALWAYS THERE GUEST SPEAKER: PROFESSOR LINDA DITTMAR This talk is co-sponsored by the Greenfield and Northampton-Amherst Chapters of Hadassah. The public is cordially invited to this very interesting program. Linda Dittmar is Professor Emerita of English from the University of Massachusetts, Boston. She has also taught at Tel Aviv University and at the University of Paris. Dr. Dittnar is a descendent of the old Jewish Yishuv community, in what was then Palestine. Refreshments will be served. Meeting will be held at CBI SISTERHOOD ALL OCCASION FUND Let Sisterhood be CBI s Town Crier Do you know someone who just had a baby or grandchild, celebrated a birthday, received a special honor, graduated, got published or enjoyed another milestone? Would you like to send condolences or wish someone well? Announce an event in your own family? An easy mitzvah a community builder...an inexpensive and really nice thing to do: With just two simple steps, your announcement will be in CBI s monthly newsletter, Kehila, and a card with your message will be sent to the recipient of your choice. 1. Call Cleo Gorman at with your information. She will take care of this process for you and even remind you when your account needs topping up. Whenever a new event comes up that you would like to commemorate, a card will be waiting just for you. Buy one at a time, or buy ahead for more savings. 2. Send your check (made out to Sisterhood All Occasion Fund) to Cleo Gorman, 32 Winthrop Street, Northampton, MA, $5.00 buys one card $18.00 buys four cards $36.00 buys eight cards That s it. The card will be sent and your sentiments will appear on the donations page in Kehila. 20

21 Minutes MAY 17, 2012 MINUTES Present were: Ellen Kaufman (President); Gillian Kendall; Hannili de Vries, Stephan Wurmbrand, Henry Simkin, Lois Dubin, David Cohen; Peggy Besht; Amy Wolpin; Neil Kudler; Jane Trigere; Jim Sagalyn. Guests: Ben Cuperman (Executive Director); Rabbi Suzanne Brody (candidate for Education Director position); Mark Brumberg; Bill Jolly; John Eckstein; Phyllis Eckstein. In the absence of Rabbi Justin David, Rabbi Suzanne Brody, applicant for the Education Director position, gave the d var Torah. Rabbi Brody noted that we often have a goal for our learning, but there is also the learning of Torah for its own sake. Rabbi Brody gave a blessing, stating that as we go through our work, we find learning for its own sake. The Board asked Rabbi Brody a number of questions: about her experience in preparing budgets, about her willingness to relocate and about her journey from neuroscience to becoming a rabbi. Rabbi Brody noted that she had worked within the budget she had been given in the past, although she did not have the option of changing what she was given; she stated a willingness to relocate. Rabbi Brody noted the intersection between science and Judaism and gave, as an example, the question of whether or not a genetically modified tomato were kosher or not (it is). Rabbi Brody said she realized how much of life is based in Torah and that wherever we are, we are living Torah. Questions ensued about how to deal with the issue of students moving away from CBI and to the Schechter school and the question of how to keep families in CBI after the bar/bat mitzvah process. Amy Wolpin asked what Rabbi Brody would do to foster team-work among the teachers and the madrachim. Rabbi Brody responded to each of these questions, noting that we need not compete with Schechter but could, instead, be clear as to what each institution is providing; she stated that if children (and parents) are taught early on that Torah is a life-long learning process, they will be less likely to leave CBI after the bar/bat mitzvah experience. Rabbi Brody reported an anecdote about her experience at Camp Alonim in answer to the question about fostering team-work. She then left the meeting. Amy Wolpin moved that the Board approve that the Education Director Search Committee be given the authority to make an offer either to Chaya Oliver or Rabbi Suzanne Brody. Stephan Wurmbrand seconded the motion. Discussion about the two candidates for the position of Education Director ensued. Initially, there were questions as to whether or not either candidate were desirable. Later, there were strong endorsements of Rabbi Suzanne Brody. The discussion was peppered with reminders of the motion on the table. The Board voted on the motion. There were ten yeas and one abstention. The minutes were approved as amended. Ben Cuperman, Executive Director, gave his report. He noted that he hoped to get the new synagogue Calendar ready for August. The Sisterhood has given $2,000 for a kosher kitchen wish list. Alan Seewald will, pro bone, represent us in Small Claims Court as we pursue justice as regards the asbestos issue. There are 358 memberships. Ellen thanked Ben Cuperman and the Kiddush Corps and noted that Ben Cuperman s work with the lay leadership has been highly effective. David Cohen and Peggy Besht agreed. David Cohen noted that we ve never been this on top of dues and that we can pass the budget with more confidence that the funds will be there. There was also a big thank you given to Bianca Cuperman for her Kiddush volunteering. Jim Sagalyn gave the Treasurer s Report. Jim Sagalyn noted that we are doing a better job of collecting dues and that the money spent for utilities was below that spent last year. He states that although we have a surplus this year, we have operated in the hole for six years, and that one year s surplus should not make us feel we should spend it. Ellen Kaufman thanked Jim Sagalyn for his quiet and confident work as Treasurer. Ellen Kaufman announced that the Chair of Fundraising, Norbert Goldfield, will be the incoming President of the Board of Directors and thanked him for his service. There was applause. Ellen Kaufman made several announcements. The Gala Event honoring Rabbi Justin David s ten years at Congregation B nai Israel and 21

22 Minutes ten years of community, caring and connection will be on Sunday, May 20. The Israel Bond Dinner honoree is Richard Fein. The dinner is on June 13: please sign up to attend. Ellen Kaufman announced that the Kehila will now be available online only unless by subscription, which will be $50 a year. Seniors will receive the Kehila in the mail for free. Paper Kehilas will also be available in the Office. Ellen Kaufman announced that the High Holy Days Hazzan will be Felicia Sloin in conjunction with Rabbi Justin David. Mark Brumberg gave a report on the budget. Mark Brumberg noted that the year presents many challenges. Harsh demographics combined with a decline in fundraising have resulted in this budget. Fundraising was 25%. Now it is 10%. Mark Brumberg stated that he looked forward to leaving this meeting with the budget approved. He noted that should anyone wish to add to one account, that person need also state what account the money was coming from. Discussion ensued. Gillian Kendall made a motion to accept the budget. Stephan Wurmbrand seconded the motion. Discussion ensued. Gillian Kendall called the question. The vote to call the question passed. The Board voted on the motion to pass the budget. The motion passed with yeas and one abstention. Bill Jolly discussed proposed amendments to the By-Laws. These changes include problematic punctuation and the bringing of synagogue By-Laws into synchronicity with the way we actually do things in the synagogue. Bill Jolly explained that any time we have twenty signatures to the proposed amendments, the amendments can go forward to be voted on; By-Laws are to be examined no less than every five years we are doing it early. All present approved of the changes and fourteen signatures were affixed to the proposed amendments, leaving six signatures to be accounted for soon. Amy Wolpin gave a report for the Education Committee. The Education Committee wants to move forward with the hiring of a full time Education Director. The Education Committee raised issues to do with complaints. Amy Wolpin noted that there is no complaint policy in place and proposed a formal complaint policy. A complaint is something that may lead to disciplinary action or a note on a staff member s dossier. Whatever the complaint, it should be made available to the person involved in the complaint within five days. Ellen Kaufman stated that she had received a communication from the Eretz Israel Committee that the Committee be put on hold in short, suspended. The next Board meeting will be on June 21, The meeting was adjourned at 9:15. Respectfully submitted, Gillian Kendall 22

23 ADULT EDUCATION FUND Nicholas Fleisher and Phoebe Fiddler Ernest Charron ANNUAL FUND In loving memory of my Beloved father Robert Federman. From Barry Federman To Janet & Al Chevan, Happy 55 th Anniversary and for all the years of volunteer service you have given to CBI. From Barry and Julie Federman To CBI, we very much appreciate your support of Hadassah last year and in the past. We wanted to take this opportunity to show our thanks. From Nomi Peleg, Henny Lewin & Barbara Goldstein Hadassah Presidium. ERETZ ISRAEL FUND To Margo & Bill Cooley, in memory of Margo s brother, Stanley Levitt, who passed away at his home in Israel. With love, Marcia Burick & Ed McColgan GALA DONATIONS Martha Ackelsberg Mallory & Alan Caplan Debbie Charren & Tim Diehl Adam Garretson & Stephanie Silverman Jewish Community of Amherst (Rabbi Ben Weiner) Joann Kobin Neil Kudler & Nancy Flam Eric Roth & Anne Werry Wayne Schweitzer, in honor of my father Michael Schweitzer Shoshana Sokoloff & Jeff Rubin Julie Steiner Donations GARDEN FUND Gillian Kendall CBI Office Staff HEVREI MITZVOT FUND Noach & Margaret Hopkins In honor of Mitzvah Men. From John Clayton KURIAN KIDDUSH FUND Jane Kaufman Ellen Kaufman Jane Trigere Peggy Besht Dorothy Nemetz Gillian Kendall & Robert Dorit Lou Davis Lois Dubin Kevin Hale Jim Sagalyn Esther Bean Stephan Wurmbrand Henry Simkin & Maxine Stein Hanneli de Vries Norbert Goldfield Amy Wolpin Neil Kudler David Cohen Lauren & Steven Weinsier Noach & Margaret Hopkins John & Lois Schieffelin In memory of Harry Aaron Dubin. From Lois Dubin and Ben Braude In honor of Shirley Garmaise Dubin. From Lois Dubin and Ben Braude (please note that this is a correction from the June/July Kehila.) In memory of Marlene Finch, mother of Leah Finch. From Marilyn, Paul, Larry & Amy Entis In memory of Ruth Arbeitman. From Lauren Brener & Jeff Demain 23 In appreciation of the lovely Shabbat services, a delicious Kiddush and a warm welcome during my recent visit. From Terri Ginsburg-Ann Arbor, MI To Rabbi Nancy Flam, with gratitude for your generosity in offering us bi-weekly prayer and meditation groups. They are precious gifts. From Ellen Kaufman To Cleo Gorman, wishing you a speedy recovery and ease of mind as you heal. With affection, Ellen Kaufman To Ellen Kaufman, Mazal Tov on completing your presidency. You have done wonderful service to our community. From Penina & Mickey Glazer To Leah Finch & Family, our deepest condolences on the loss of your beloved mother/wife/ grand-mother. Our thoughts are with you. From Randi Klein and Scott Barton In memory of Julian Steuer. From Shelley Steuer & Jeffrey Korff PULPIT FUND Hannah Blau RABBI'S DISCRETIONARY FUND Stephen & Shirley Colodny Robert Cohen In celebration of our 65 th wedding anniversary. From Dan & Shirley Goldlust To Justin & Ben, thank you so much for making Jonah & Aviva s B nai Mitzvah so

24 Donations from Justin Time fabulous. All of your help was so appreciated. From Eve Weinbaum and Max Page To Irv Rothberg, in loving memory of Irene Rothberg. From Janet & Al Chevan To Irv Rothberg, in memory of Irene Rothberg, mother of Adam Rothberg. From the CBS Corporation To Adam Rothberg, in memory of your mother, Irene Rothberg. From the CBS Corporation To Gerald Podhurst and family, in memory of Irene Podhurst Rothberg. From Michael & Donald Siegendorf-Davie, Fl To Irving Rothberg, in loving memory of your dear wife, Irene. From Adele Oppenheim SAM & MILDRED WOLF BAR/BAT MITZVAH FUND In honor of Elaine Whitlock. From Julie & Jerald Feinland SHABBAT CHILD CARE FUND Eve Weinbaum and Max Page In honor of Amalyah, Jonah & Sam. From Joshua Roth & Beth Notar SISTERHOOD ALL OCCASION FUND Cleo Gorman and Ron Ackerman To Michelle Kaskey, Mazal Tov on your marriage to Michael. May you both be blessed with many, many years of simcha. From Sheron Rupp To Sari Merrill, Mazal Tov upon the occasion of your grandchild s wedding in California. From Esther Budgar To Sari Merrill, a big Mazal Tov upon the occasion of your greatgrandchild s arrival in Maryland. From Esther Budgar. To Harriet Weinroth, we will always remember you lovingly. From Cleo and Ron TIKKUN OLAM FUND Myron & Penina Glazer Michael & Gail Perlman Jonathan Kahane Kathy Goos & Barry Werth Carolyn & Stephen Dashef In memory of Alexander Gluckman. From Greta Kessler In honor of Julius Menn in recognition of sharing his story with my students. From Jeff Stoloff TZEDAKAH FUND In memory of Sidney Michelman. From Mara Michelman In memory of Sara Rosenthal. From Jane Stein In memory of Louis Rabin. From Monroe Rabin In memory of Rhoda Michelman. From Mara Michelman In memory of Ethel Colodny. From Stanley Greenberg VALLEY JEWISH SENIORS In memory of Cesia Swing. Adele Oppenheim 17 MONTH CALENDAR DONATIONS: Asher-Zimmerman Burick, Marcia & Ed McColgan Caplan, Jeff Cohen, David & Doris Davis Financial Group Dorit, Robert & Gillian Kendall Dunn, Seth & Jennifer Luddy Eckstein, Phyllis & John Ender, Amelia & Arnold Marion Feldman, Joel & Pamela Schwartz Florence Savings Bank Fox, Andrea & Maureen Carney Glazer, Mickey & Penina Goldfield, Norbert & Sandra Matthews Goldlust, Daniel & Shirley Greenwald, Ricky & Hanneli de Vries Herrell's Ice Cream Corp. Hasenbush, Henry & Torrie Trattner Hott, Larry & Diane Garey Kaskey, Michelle & Michael Cutler Katz, Carol and Brad Kaufman, Ellen Klein, Randi & Scott Barton Lewin, Henny Moving Mentor Rupp, Sheron Schaffer, Joan & Alan Berkenwald Schieffelin, John and Shelley Simkin, Henry & Maxine Stein Singer, Alan & Cynthia Lawton Singer Steinberg, Peter Wolpin, Amy & Barry Rothenberg Zonderman, Shoshana & Saul Perlmutter 24

25 Yahrzeits, August 2012 August 1 / Av 13 Evelyn Hecht Bernard Kadinoff Theodore Kessler* Ira Jay Udes August 2 / Av 14 Sunny Bat-or Ymkje Boer Helen Cohen Irving Fishman Daniel Giber Israel A. Prouser Eleanor Tabor* Marilyn Vogel August 4 / Av 16 Benjamin Migdal Milton Weinroth* David Wolff August 5 / Av 17 Albert B. Landis* August 6 / Av 18 Sara Allen* Irving Bittman August 7 / Av 19 Morris Bean Jonathan Klein Max Sticker Liliana Goldfield August 8 / Av 20 Elly Halprin August 9 / Av 21 Sarah Gould* Dora Weber August 10 / Av 22 Esther R. Freedman* Irving Kaplan Sarah Silverman August 11 / Av 23 Sarah Arbeitman Moses Kamel Ann Miller* August 12 / Av 24 Michael Hillel Rothman* Leon Tunkel August 13 / Av 25 Morris Weiss August 14 / AV 26 Herbert Eckstein Jennie Greenbaum Hansi Tenenbaum* Minnie Udes August 15 / Av 27 Harry Cohen Ruth Prince Federman* Esther Perlmutter August 16 / Av 28 Victor D Lugin Adolf Emmerich Jack Norden Betty Oppenheim* August 17 / Av 29 Saul B. Rorrey Saul Torrey August 18 / Av 30 Fannie Barger* August 19 / Elul 1 Simon Seewald August 20 / Elul 2 Mollie Greenfield* Alex Zimmer August 22 / Elul 4 Scott Bacherman Simon Geilich Frank Shapiro* August 24 / Elul 6 Bessie A. Allen* Joseph W. Gelfman* August 25 / Elul 7 Leonard Siegel* August 26 / Elul 8 Morris Black Harry Haffer Harry Schachter August 27 / Elul 9 David Cohen Harriett Hutter August 28 / Elul 10 Maurice Greenfield* August 29 / Elul 11 Gustav Piermont August 31 / Elul 13 M. Abraham August* **Denotes plaque on Yahrzeit Board High Holiday Dates for Fall 2012 Sunday, September 16, 2012 Erev Rosh Hashanah Monday, September 17, 2012 Rosh Hashanah Day 1 Tuesday, September 18, 2012 Rosh Hashanah Day 2 Tuesday, September 25, 2012 Kol Nidre Wednesday, September 26, 2012 Yom Kippur Sunday, September 30, 2012 Erev Sukkot Monday, October 1, 2012 Sukkot Day 1 Tuesday, October 2, 2012 Sukkot Day 2 October 3-7, 2012 Sukkot Chol Hamoed Monday, October 8, 2012 Shemini Atzeret Tuesday, October 9, 2012 Simchat Torah 25

26 Ads 26

27 AESTHETICS FUND Funds will be used to beautify the synagogue. Please send donations to CBI. ANNUAL FUND Funds will be used for the synagogue s most pressing needs. Enhanced dues are a part of this fund. Please send donations to CBI. BENJAMIN GOLDSMITH FUND BIKKUR HOLIM FUND Donations for this fund are used for gifts from the whole congregation for members of the congregation who are fighting illness. Checks may be made payable to CBI with Bikkur Holim in the memo line. CEMETERY FUND CHEVREI MITZVOT FUND Funds used towards gemilut hasadim, to honor Bar and Bat Mitzvot, and fund worthy endeavors. Please send donations to CBI. COMMITTEE FOR JEWISH CONNECTIONS Funds provide for programming to celebrate and promote the practice of Judaism. Please send donations to CBI. DANIEL & SHIRLEY LEVIN EDUCATION FUND Money will assist qualified families with Religious School Tuition. Checks made payable to Levin Education Fund should be mailed to CBI. DIVINE FUND An endowment used to attract and retain outstanding religious school educators for our Religious School. Please send donations to CBI. EDUCATION FUND Donations help support all educational activities and programs for children and adults at CBI. Please send donations to CBI. ENDOWMENT FUND Minimum Contribution is $ A $600 contribution or more is necessary for a plaque to be affixed in the main lobby. Principle stays intact; interest earned is used to defray general operations of the synagogue. Please send donations to CBI. GARDEN FUND Sustains the CBI communal garden for multi-generational learning & Tikkum Olam, CBI events and food for the Survival Center. Funds also used for purchase of materials for garden. May also be utilized to pursue matching grants, engage expert support & allow for future growth. HEVREI MITZOT FUND CBI Funds THE ISRAEL FUND Funds used to support CBI sponsored trips to Israel, Yom Ha atzmaut events and other activities in celebration of Israel. Please send donations to CBI. KITCHEN FUND Donations for this fund will be used for purchases and maintenance of CBI s Kosher Kitchen. Please send donations to CBI. LANDSCAPE FUND Funds used to beautify and maintain synagogue grounds. Please send donations to CBI. LEONARD AND BERNICE ALBERTS PRESCHOOL SCHOLARSHIP FUND $10.00 minimum contribution. Fund assists qualified families with Preschool tuition. Please send donations to CBI with Alberts Fund in the memo line. LIBRARY FUND Money in this fund will go towards the purchase of CBI library books. Please send donations to CBI. PRESCHOOL EDUCATION FUND Money from this fund will go to the preschool for equipment and teaching materials. Make checks payable to CBI with Preschool Fund in the memo line. PULPIT FUND Funds used to procure necessary items that are not covered by the operating budget. These funds will be used to enhance our services. Please send donations to CBI. RABBI S DISCRETIONARY FUND Please send donations to CBI. SANDRA GOLDSMITH ENDOWMENT FUND Donations are used to endow activities for Tikkun Olam. Please send donations to CBI. SAM & MILDRED WOLFE BAR/BAT MITZVAH FUND All students studying for Bar/Bat Mitzvah require a private tutor. This fund offsets tutoring costs for families. We encourage all families, friends and relatives to contribute. Minimum contribution is $ Make checks payable to CBI with Wolfe Fund in the memo line. SHABBAT CHILD CARE FUND Money from this fund will go towards providing quality child care to all who need it (at no charge) during Shabbat services. Please send donations to CBI. SISTERHOOD ALL OCCASION FUND Minimum contribution is $5.00. Money is used for specific synagogue needs voted upon by the Sisterhood membership. Mail checks made payable to CBI Sisterhood to Cleo Gorman, 32 Winthrop St., Northampton, MA 01060, A card will be mailed for any occasion. SUE KURIAN KIDDUSH FUND Donations will be used to enhance our Shabbat services with festive Kiddushes. Please send donations to CBI. TIKKUN OLAM FUND Funds are used to benefit programs that help people in need in the Northampton Amherst area, in Israel, and occasionally, when catastrophes strike, in other parts of the world. Please send donations to CBI. TORAH CHAI FUND Donations to this fund assist the restoration and repair of Congregation B nai Israel s existing Torah scrolls, and have made possible the purchase of a new Torah. Please send donations to CBI. TZEDAKAH FUND Fund for engaging in acts of tzedakah (charity and generosity) for the benefit of CBI members. Please send donations to CBI. VALLEY JEWISH SENIORS Fund to help support seniors activities through CBI. Please send donations to CBI. WOMEN S FUND The CBI Women s Fund is for the purpose of helping CBI women members who are in dire financial need. To make a donation to the CBI Women s Fund, make your check out to B nai Israel Sisterhood and indicate that it is for the Women s Fund. Mail the check to Michelle Kaskey, 130 Prospect Ave., Northampton, MA ( ). Minimum donation of $5.00. YOUTH FUND Donations will be used to help fund activities for our youth programs. Please send donations to CBI. YAHRZEIT (MEMORIAL) PLAQUE $200 donation for each name. Please make checks payable to CBI Cemetery Fund and mail to CBI. 27