Bethel-Harrisonburg.org SEPTEMBER 2013 A MESSAGE FROM OUR PRESIDENT FROM THE RABBI S DESK

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1 Bethel-Harrisonburg.org The purpose of this congregation shall be to worship God in accordance with the faith of Judaism; to cultivate a love and understanding of the Jewish heritage; to strengthen the ties within the Jewish community; to strengthen the bonds of loyalty with the Jewish people everywhere; to bring nearer the Dominion of God on earth through an emphasis on the principles of righteousness and harmony in society at large, and to engage in social action projects in pursuit of social justice and Tikkun Olam (repair of both the human and nonhuman components of the world). SEPTEMBER 2013 Simply a heartfelt thanks to all the people working with sincere dedication behind the scenes over the summer to prepare for the upcoming New Year. As we all return to Beth El, may we be appreciative of each other, knowing that in our relatively small community, we are somehow able to sustain and grow a Congregation that brings meaning, purpose and a sense of belonging that enhances the quality of all our lives, across the generations. L'Shanah Tova U'Metukah - To a good, sweet (and healthy) New Year! Ron A MESSAGE FROM OUR PRESIDENT FROM THE RABBI S DESK Dear Beth El Congregants and Friends, Although we began the regular schedule of rabbi-led services only days ago in August, September this year brings us almost immediately to the celebration of the Yamim Nora im the days of Awe, the High Holidays. These are followed within a few days by Sukkot and Simchat Torah. Simchat Torah, which immediately follows Sukkot, ushers in our annual kick off of the Torah cycle: we conclude our reading of the end of the Torah, and immediately begin again - without pause - at the start. Because we read Torah on a triennial cycle (we take three years to completely circuit the Torah reading about one-third of each weekly parashah/portion, moving through which third we will read from

2 year to year), this year we will begin again in the first year of the cycle, and focus on the first third of each weekly parashah.in short, buckle up and get ready for a bumpy ride this month there is a LOT on the books! September begins on the 26 th of Elul this year, with Rosh Chodesh Tishrei (also called Rosh HaShanah) on the 5 th of September. October 4 th and 5 th are Rosh Chodesh for Cheshvan, which runs from October 5 th to November 3 rd, with November 3 rd and 4 th being Rosh Chodesh for Kislev. The regular Torah Parashiot in August are Ha azinu and Bereshit, with special Torah and Haftarah readings for Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, Shemini Atzeret, and Simchat Torah. THIS MONTH The schedule of Rabbi-led services and special events for the upcoming period as I write this is as follows (see elsewhere for additional information and details): Friday, August 23 rd, Beth El, 7:30 pm [Shabbat] Saturday, August 31 st, Beth El, 8 pm {Selichot Service] Wednesday, September 4 th, Beth El, 8 pm [Erev Rosh Hashanah with Rabbi Sue] Thursday, September 5 th, Beth El, 10 am [Rosh Hashanah with Rabbi Sue] Thursday, September 5 th, Purcell Park (Specific Location TBA), 1 pm [Tashlikh with Rabbi Sue] Sunday, September 8 th, Cemetery, 1 pm [Yizkor Memorial Service] Friday, September 13 th, 8 pm, Beth El [Kol Nidrei Erev Yom Kippur with Rabbi Joe] Saturday, September 14 th, 10 am, Beth El [Yom Kippur morning with Rabbi Joe] Saturday, September 14 th, 3 pm, Beth El [Yom Kippur afternoon with Rabbi Joe] Saturday, September 14 th, ~4:30 pm, Beth El [Yom Kippur Yizkor service with Rabbi Joe] Saturday, September 14 th, ~5:15 pm, Beth El [Yom Kippur Neilah service with Rabbi Joe] Saturday, September 14 th, immediately following the conclusion of Neilah, Beth El [Break the Fast meal, Beth El Men s Club] Sunday, September 22 nd, 11 am, Beth El [Sukkah decorating, followed by Pizza in the Hut] Friday, September 27 th, 7:30 pm, Beth El [Shabbat, Simchat Torah, & Religious school Consecration] RABBI S MESSAGE We are trying something a little different this year for the High Holidays. The rabbi rotation will be by holiday, rather than by service. The thought behind it is that the rabbi with you will be able to follow the complete arc of the emotional and spiritual aspects of the holiday, rather than doing a hit and run by being there for only part of the cycle. This means Rabbi Sue will be at Beth El for all of Rosh Hashanah, and I will be at Beth El for all of Yom Kippur. The board wanted to try this to see how it felt. I am sure that Board members (and I) would love to hear your responses to this change. I will spare you a lengthy message - you will hear from me more than usual this month as it is. Allow me to close with wishes for you and your loved ones to be written in the book of life for a healthy, happy, sweet new year. Shana Tovah Umetukah Tikateivu. B virkat Shalom, Rabbi Joe Blair SEPTEMBER 2013/ELUL 5773 TISHREI

3 THE VEEP S CORNER Upcoming Lay Services- August 30 Ron Ornstein; September 6th Andy Kohen; September Margie Greenfield. We encourage congregants to sign up for running a lay service on a Shabbat of their choosing any time thru the year; listed on the Temple calendar thru The end of June are plenty of open dates. There is a helpful guide on the bima and onegs are optional. Just contact Eric K, the Rabbi, or any board member. What a great way to spend a Friday evening and connect with friends, family, and God! Board Members Joe Blair Rabbi Ron Ornstein President Eric Kramer Vice President Phil Renick Secretary Michelle Ornstein Treasurer Judy Freudenthal Trustee Andy Kohen Trustee Bill Ney Trustee Ronn Daniel Member at Large Joan Funston Member at Large Margee Greenfield Sisterhood President Arnie Kahn Men s Club President Sherri Alt Immediate Past President Bridge Editor Elliott Golub Elgolubret@comcast.net YAHRZEITS 02 Lena Paul Miller Member 03 Beverly Zindler 2011 Member 05 Rose Minskoff 1942 Jerry Minskoff s Mother Edythe Sanders 1959 Bill Ney s & Leo Zindler s Great Aunt 06 Arthur H. Hirsch 1940 Member Thomas Blatt 1956 Member Franklin Blatt s Uncle Dr. Alfred Agrin 2004 Cathy Brookshire s Father 08 Rabbi Stephen Levinsohn Student Rabbi at Beth El Norman Kaiser Paula Kaiser s Father 3

4 10 Lee G Loewner 1936 Member 11 Alfred Raff 1981 Irma Nemoytin s Father Gilbert Litvin 1969 Herb Rodbell s Cousin 12 Sidra Nemoytin Dubell 1993 Member 16 Fannie Myerberg Member Harry Blatt 1959 Member Frank Blatt s Father Bertha B. Kaye Ruth Clayman s Sister Barbara Clayman Callihan 1990 Harry & Ruth Clayman s Daughter Beth A. Ney 2000 Member Eddie Ney s Mother 18 Roslyn Loewner 1940 Member Solomon Loewner 1927 Member Gladys Wise 1919 Member Joseph Ney 1988 Bill Ney s Father 19 John Bud Shapiro 2008 Becky Mintzer s Father 20 Simon Marrick 1972 Samuel R. Nebelkopf 1961 Shirley Merlin s Father 21 Kattie Ney 1877 Member 23 Kalman Meyer 1964 Joyce Helbraun s Father 25 Berdie F. Ney 1942 Member Kattie Iseman 1909 Nettie Berney Theodore Weiss 1952 Member Ben Handler 1973 Lenny Handler s Father Sara Loewner 1982 Member (Sissy) 27 Samuel Fisher 1968 Alexander Nemoytin 1967 Gene Nemoytin s Father 29 Belle Neckowitz Alan Neckowitz Mother Julius Berman Lenny Berman s Father Charles Rodbell 1968 Herb Rodbell s Father 4

5 DONATIONS Beth El Beth El Congregation is grateful for the following generous donations: Gifts & Memorials Eddie Ney & Frances Stewart in memory of Larry Williams Yahrzeit Memorial Fund Eddie Ney in memory of Albert Ash Eddie Ney in memory of Irving Ney Alan Poster in memory of Rose Poster Carr & Marvin Poster Josh & Estelle Robinson in memory of Sara Rabinowitz, Henry & Ada Robinson, A.Davis & Marie Good, David, Saul & Herbert Robinson, and William & Annie Robinson. Nancy Stewart in memory of John Stewart Building Fund Jerry & Esther Minskoff in honor of Beth El s 50th anniversary of the present building Kevin & Lisa Giovanetti to go to the current renovations Additional Gifts A donation was made to The Crohn s and Colitis Foundation of America by the board on behalf of the congregation in memory of Larry Williams. 5

6 RELIGIOUS SCHOOL L Shanah Tovah! The new Religious School year begins on Sunday, August 25 th. If you need any information, please contact Dara Hall, Principal, at mddhall@verizon.net or see the Beth El webpage for details including our information letter and the calendar of religious school events at I look forward to seeing you all soon! L shalom, Dara NOTES FROM THE BOARD At our August 19th meeting, the Board of Beth El: heard reports from the Rabbi, the treasurer and various auxiliary groups and committees designated the Buildings and Grounds committee to decide on which artwork and plaques get hung on the new social hall walls. designated Ashley Renick and Leslie Ney to shop for furnishings for a comfortable seating area in the social hall and propose their findings to the building committee for approval. heard and approved a proposal for a significant fundraising event; the first annual Temple Beth El Bazaar, 6

7 to be held later this coming spring reviewed a High Holiday checklist to be sure everything we'll need for smooth services is in place... and we believe it will be. approved a donation to the Crohns and Colitis Foundation in memory of Larry Williams, a member of our congregation, who passed away recently. reviewed upcoming events to be sure someone will be responsible for each event, acknowledged the recent 50th anniversary of Clarence and Barbara Ashburn with a gift card and our best wishes on behalf of the congregation identified future agenda items to discuss including; followup feedback on the High Holidays (Sept.), how to encourage more people to participate on committees and to do specific tasks (Sept.), continue developing the Bazaar proposal (Oct.) and think of ways to increase attendance at Shabbat services, both Rabbi-led and lay (Oct.), and develop a newcomers guide for how we do what we do at Beth El(eventually). If anyone would like to help out with any of these projects, let Ron (or any board member ) know. Congregants are of course welcome to attend Board meetings and contribute ideas to our discussions. Our next meeting will be September 16, at 7 PM. SISTERHOOD The Sisterhood year has arrived, while we were out making other plans! We'll not get a meeting in before the holidays. Please watch for info about your oneg date, the Rosh Hashanah oneg, a meeting schedule and dues. We're still waiting for the Men's Club to settle on a date for the bowling challenge.the social hall and kitchen are looking amazing! Wait till you see the changes!! Can't wait to see you. 7

8 ANNOUNCEMENTS Is Rabbi leading services this week? What time does Pizza in the Hut begin? Will there be religious school after Thanksgiving? FIND THE ANSWERS! Visit the calendar on our website: Bethel- Harrisonburg.org Like us on Facebook: "Congregation Beth El Harrisonburg" LEADING UGANDAN JEWISH WOMAN TO SPEAK HERE Shoshannah (Susan) Nambi, a woman from Uganda who works with an organization that helps women in her region with previously unmet health needs, will present her perspective on the roles of women in her community, and of the many challenges they face. Shoshannah is a member of the 1,000-person Abayudaya Jewish community established in For several years since its creation by the Abayudaya's medical officer, Shoshannah has worked with RAIN-UGANDA. 8

9 Without regard to religion, RAIN conducts HIV testing and cervical and breast cancer screening, crucial services for hundreds of rural women who previously went undiagnosed. An integral part of this young organization's management team, Shoshannah works both as an HIV counselor and as RAIN's accountant. Until recently, she also worked as an administrator at the Tobin Health Center in the nearby city of Mbale, an important resource for the treatment of malaria and other diseases of children and adults among the Abayudaya and their Christian and Muslim neighbors. SAVE THE DATE SUNDAY OCTOBER 6 4 PM 9

10 September 2013 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat NO RELIGIOUS Eve of Rosh Labor Day 7pmChoir Practice Rosh Hashanah Rosh Hashanah SCHOOL Hashanah 8pmService- 10amRabbi Sue 7:30pmLay Service Rabbi Sue Service 1pmTashlikh Rabbi Sue Fast of Gedaliah 7pmChoir Practice Patriot Day 7pmChoir Practice Eve of Yom Kippur Sunset-Break fast 11:30amRel School Rosh Hashanah/Yom Kippur 1pmYizkor Service at cemetery 7pmChoir Practice 8pmRabbi Joe Service Yom Kippur 10amRabbi Joe Service 3pmRabbi Joe Service 9:30amReligious School :30pmBoard Mtg Eve of Sukkot Sukkot NFTY JELLO Sukkot Sukkot 7:30pmLay Service Shemini Atzeret Simchat Torah NFTY JELLO Sukkot Sukkot Sukkot (Israel: Simchat (except Israel) Torah) Sukkot 9:30amReligious School 11:30amPizza-inthe-Hut 7pmConsecration :30amRS/Simchat 7:30pmRabbi Torah Service 10