Congregation Beth David of Narragansett and South County Hebrew School

Transcription

1 Congregation Beth David of Narragansett and South County Hebrew School CBD Presents Dr. Richard Freund Dr. Freund is world renowned for his work on the archaeology of the land of Israel, Biblical studies, Jewish ethics and philosophy. He will speak about: DEAD SEA SCROLLS FOR JUDAISM, CHRISTIANITY & ISLAM Sunday, April 22, :30 p.m. Congregation Beth David, Narragansett, RI FREE for CBD Members & Students $5 for all others. You may pay at the door but space is limited so don t be late! Professor of Jewish History at the University of Hartford, director of 6 different archaeological projects in Israel, and ordained Rabbi Director of the Maurice Greenberg Center for Judaic Studies at the University of Hartford Author of eight books, including Understanding Jewish Ethics Appeared in many television documentaries, including NOVA s Ancient Refuge in the Holy Land Most recently was filmed in the new National Geographic Channel film entitled, "Finding Atlantis," which premiered on March 13, 2011 We are grateful to the Gertrude Solomon Education Fund whose generosity, in cooperation with the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island, made this event possible. For further information contact Sally at or smchorney1@verizon.net. News 5772 We thank our Post Bar/Bat Mitzvah students who recently led our Friday Evening Service. It was truly a Thrilla on the Bimah. Yasher Koach to our 4 th & 5 th graders who recently lead our Friday Evening Service. Thank you to everyone, especially Sheri Snow and Susan Axelrod, for preparing a delicious dinner, and to Lisa Ahava for a delicious Oneg. Our monthly Sunday program for 2-4 year olds meets the first Sunday of the month, 10:30 11:30 at the Center. Please spread the word, and contact Ethan if you, or someone you know, may be interested in attending. PURIM CARNIVAL SUNDAY MARCH 11 TEMPLE AM DAVID, WARWICK -- Temple Am David is hosting a Purim Carnival. We will shorten our Hebrew School day so that families can attend the carnival. SHABBAT SERVICE AND DINNER FRIDAY MARCH 23 6:15 PM TEMPLE Come join us for a special Shabbat evening and enjoy the friendship of the Congregation Beth David community. Experience the warmth of our Kabbalat Shabbat service starting at 6:15 pm, followed by a traditional Shabbat dinner at CBD. Feel free to bring your own Kosher wine. Make your reservations early as seating for dinner is limited (reservations are required). Refer to the flyer insert in the newsletter for more detail. Please contact Harris Chorney, membership committee chair, with any questions. (hrchorney@verizon.net or ) MODEL SEDER SUNDAY APRIL 1 South County Hebrew School will host a Passover Model Seder. Please watch for details. SERVICE & LUNCHEON SATURDAY, APRIL 7, :30 AM BETH DAVID - Shabbat Service, followed by a light luncheon. Please join us. If you would like to sponsor a future luncheon, please contact Ethan. The next luncheon will be held on Sat. June 2, (NEWS, continued on page 3)

2 Page 2 CBD s Social Action Committee By Bob Fricklas and Bernice Brandies The Congregation Beth David Social Action Committee has opted to address child abuse & neglect prevention as one of its primary initiatives for the current year. To implement this decision and begin the campaign in tackling this societal problem (which impacts youngsters in South County as well as every other community in RI), the committee is looking to support one or two worthy projects which target this serious issue. One project being considered is the SMHFC George N. Hunt Campus School Heal & Hope Walk which takes place on April 29 th, in conjunction with the National Prevention of Child Abuse & Neglect Week. The CBD Social Action Committee is seeking your support in this effort. Please kindly send any contributions (any amount is welcome) to the following: Congregation Beth David of Narragansett 102 Kingstown Road PO Box 3299 Narragansett, RI ATTN: Bob Fricklas Please clearly indicate in the memo section of your check that this is for the Social Action Comm. Project Thank you! Reflections By Margalit Aharon I just got back from visiting Israel, where I grew up. It has been a very rainy winter, which everybody is thankful for because of the many years of drought. My sister and I had a date to see our father. He lives in the Negev with his wife, while our mother and husband live in the heart of downtown Tel-Aviv. We were staying with our mother in Tel- Aviv. It was pouring rain, the streets were rivers, and we were supposed to meet for lunch at the Manta Ray a restaurant on the beach on the border of Tel-Aviv and Jaffa. We needed to take a taxi, because walking was simply impossible without knee high galoshes and a rain slicker. The clouds were rolling in from the west over the Mediterranean Sea, the waves were turbulent and the whole scene looked more like a storm over the Atlantic than the beautiful calm blue/green Mediterranean Sea. We sat looking at the storm out the windows, barely seeing Jaffa in the distance. Our father was in town for a meeting of the original members of Irgun Zvai Le umi (the National Military Organization, or ETZEL), and the ETZEL museum where the meeting was taking place is next door to the restaurant. While waiting for our food, our father looks out the window, and tells us to look towards Jaffa. Honor your mother and donate blood! Sunday, May 13 at The Center 9:30am 12:00pm You see over there, that s the old Jaffa port. It was July 27th 1933, our ship had just come into port. The ship couldn t dock because the port was not deep enough, and local Arabs had the job of lifting the passengers from the ship to dinghy s bobbing in the water. Large hands lifted me and my parents from the ship. My mother started weeping again. She really hadn t stopped since long before we left our home in Dresden, Germany. We found a place to stay for the night, a guest house where the owners took in lodgers. It was very hot, I had never been so hot in my life. To catch the breeze, all the windows were opened in the room which I shared with my parents. Next door to the guest house was a maternity hospital, and all night long, the moans and screams of the mothers- to- be filled the room. That was my first night in Palestine. I was terrified. I turned 5 years old four days later. My father still has his immigration document from the British Authority with his Palestinian ID.

3 Page 3 (NEWS, continued from page 1) ESSEN & LESSON WEDNESDAY MARCH 7, :45 PM AT BAGELZ, WAKEFIELD - (Essen is Yiddish for eating ) - an opportunity to get together during lunchtime and discuss Jewish matters. This is offered the first Wednesday of every other month. (We order from the menu) If planning to join us, please call Ethan. The following Essen & Lesson will be on Wed, May 2, BOOK CLUB MONDAY, MARCH 12 7 PM SALLY S Kaaterskill Falls by Allegra Goodman. Read the book, don t read the book - but all are welcome & the conversation is lively! Dead Sea Scrolls for Judaism, Christianity & Islam SUN- DAY APRIL 22, :30 PM CBD See pg. 1 for details! PURIM MEGILLAH READING WEDNESDAY MARCH 7, :00 PM TEMPLE Be sure to join us for a fun-filled evening, celebrating the story of Mordechai and Esther; and of course, Haman. (Boo!) Costumes, noise makers, hamentachen, prizes and more. No Hebrew School that afternoon so that families can **********SAVE THE DATE********** Sunday, MAY 6, :00 9:00 p.m. CBD S ANNUAL SPRINGFEST ENTERTAINMENT PROVIDED BY join us in the evening. We would love to see you all in costume! PASSOVER YIZKOR SATURDAY, APRIL 14 9:30 AM TEMPLE. This is a special time of year, when we gather to say Kaddish for our loved ones. Please be sure to join us. KADDISH FOR SIX MILLION SUNDAY, APRIL 15, :00 PM - TEMPLE Please join us for our 4 th annual program commemorating the years of the Holocaust. Special readings, songs and poetry will highlight the observance. SOUTH COUNTY FAMILY SERVICE FRIDAY, APRIL 27, :30 PM BETH DAVID Please join us as students in grades K-3 help conduct our Friday Evening Service. As they say, Shep Nachas (Receive joy) as you participate in this special service. On Sunday, April 29, we will celebrate Israel s Independence Day. Families will be participating in our Cities of Israel display. More details to follow. OUR DEEPEST CONDOLENCES TO: Len Paster and his family, upon the recent passing of his mother, ELAINE PASTER, And to all who have recently suffered a loss. May they all find comfort in the memory of their loved ones. Nikki M. Parness CFP(R), MBA LIVE AUCTION DELICIOUS DESSERT & COFFEE Bonnet Shores Community Center WATCH YOUR MAIL FOR THE INVITATION, AND DON T FORGET TO TELL YOUR FRIENDS

4 Page 4 Tree of Life Dedication On Friday evening, Feb. 10, 2012, members of Congregation Beth David gathered after Kabbalat Shabbat services to help dedicate an amazing piece of artwork. The beautifully crafted Tree of Life was generously donated to the Temple by Dr. Gary Light, in loving memory of his late wife, Jeannine Light. The artwork depicts a tree with golden leaves that can be purchased and engraved in memory or honor of loved ones. Several leaves have already been purchased, and this will remain a community-wide project. Dr. Light s children, Jason, Marissa and Shannon were students at the South County Hebrew School, and have celebrated their Bar/Bat Mitzvah at the Temple. The Tree of Life was a legacy that will continue to reflect the Light family commitment to Tzedakah, Acts of Righteousness and Tikkun Olam, making this world a better place for having been in it. In unveiling the Tree of life, Rev. Ethan Adler, spiritual leader of Beth David, said, Jeannine will remain within the hearts of those who knew her and loved her; in memories of her kindness and goodness, and her special ways; memories that will not just be faint echoes, but ones that will resonate each day. Jeannine s memories will be reflected in tenderness with each other, in loyalty to family, and to friends. Nothing noble dies with death. Warm embraces, hugs and kisses do not evaporate into the air. Jeannine will continue to be present wherever her family gathers together to celebrate special days; whenever her memories bring a smile, or a tear; whenever special occasions serve as a reminder of how much she is missed. Dr. Light added that As we think of the blooms and the beauty that a tree provides, we think of Jeannine's beauty both inside and out. And when leaves fall off in the winter and it appears that the tree goes dormant, we know that it is still very much alive just as Jeannine is very much alive in our hearts. Robert Babat, president of the Temple, thanked Dr. Light and his children for choosing to honor the memory of his wife and their mother with such a meaningful and lasting gift. Anyone wishing to purchase a leaf should contact Harris Chorney at hrchorney@verizon.net or Paste icopy ad here

5 Page 5 A SPECIAL SHABBAT EVENING March 23, :15 p.m. Kabbalat Shabbat Service ( ote special start time of service) Shabbat Dinner follows service Come join us for a special Shabbat evening and enjoy the friendship of the Congregation Beth David community. Experience the warmth of our Kabbalat Shabbat service followed by a traditional Shabbat dinner at CBD. Feel free to bring your own Kosher wine. $15 for CBD members; $20 for non-members Seating for dinner is limited and reservations are required. Because this is a catered dinner we cannot accept reservations or give refunds for cancellations after March 15. Please return form with your check no later than March 15, 2012 to: Congregation Beth David P.O. Box 3299 arragansett, R.I ame Allergies # of Vegetarian umber of Adult $15 each umber of Adult $20 each Total enclosed

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7 Page 7 Donations Tree of Life: In Memory of Jeannine Light Dr. Gary Light and Family Tree of Life Leaves Lorrie and Ethan Adler Robert and JoAnn Babat Harris and Sally Chorney Nancy Chorney Tom and Debra Gotthelf Edward and Ann Grossman Myron and Rosalie Guttin Raymond and Marion Irizarry Gladys Jacober Jacober, Pierce, Kaufman William and Meri Kaufman Nancy Lieberman Arthur and Sara Little Peter and Stephanie Malinow Robert and Marilyn Moskol Carole Robrish Kenneth and Roberta Sherman Ethel and Arthur Ginsberg David Gesualdi Ken Soscia Donation to the Dr. Richard Freund Lecture in April Gertrude Solomon Education Fund by Jane Kondon and Harvey Solomon Donation to the Touro Synagogue SCHS Field Trip Gertrude Solomon Education Fund by Jane Kondon and Harvey Solomon In Honor of Gladys Jacober's Bat Mitzvah Milton and Zita Brier Helene and Brian Goldstein * Jeanne and George Feldman * David Jacober In Honor of Meri Kaufman's Bat Mitzvah Ed and Linda Friedman Helen and Brian Goldstein In Honor of David Pierce's Bar Mitzvah Helene and Brian Goldstein Jan and Rick Karnes In Memory of Jackie Teverow Hope and Martin Zawatsky * corrections I m Glad You Asked by Ethan Adler Q What is an Upsherin ceremony? A Upsherin is a Yiddish word that means to cut off. It is a hair-cutting ceremony observed when a Jewish boy reaches the age of three - a popular tradition among Hasidic Jews, which has spread in recent years to other Jewish groups. In essence, the upsherin marks a male child s entry into the formal educational system and the beginning of Torah study. The upsherin also means that the young boy will now begin to wear a yarmulke and tzitzit. After the upsherin, the boy will officially begin to learn how to read Hebrew, and to become familiar with basic prayers. There are several reasons why an upsherin is performed. According to Leviticus 19:23, one is not permitted to eat the fruit that grows on a tree for the first three years. Hasidic Jews apply this principle to cutting a child's hair. Thus little boys are not given their first haircut until the age of three, in the hope that the child, like a tree that grows tall and eventually produces fruit, will grow in knowledge and good deeds. Another interpretation holds that the upsherin is the third in a series of "cuts" symbolizing a child's movement away from his mother and into the world. First the umbilical cord is cut after the birth, and then there is another cut during circumcision. The third cut, the upsherin, marks the beginning of the child's movement into society. Thus, at three, a child is ready to be less dependent on his mother and to interact more independently with other adults and friends. There are interesting customs associated with this ceremony. Sometimes the hair that is cut off in the upsherin ceremony is weighed, and charity is given in that amount. If the hair is long enough, it may be donated to a charity that makes wigs for cancer patients. Other customs include having each of those attending the ceremony snip off a lock of hair, and encouraging the child to put a penny in a tzedakah box for each lock, as it is cut. Sometimes the child sings a Hebrew song based on the Biblical verse: "Torah tzivah lanu Moshe, morashah kehilat Yaakov" ["Moses commanded the Torah to us, an eternal heritage for the congregation of Jacob.) In Israel, many boys get their first haircut on Lag B'Omer (a special day celebrated 33 days after Passover), at the tomb of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai in Northern Israel. It's an incredibly joyous scene as thousands of boys receive their first haircut there all in one day!

8 Congregation Beth David of Narragansett P.O. Box 3299 Narragansett RI SERVICE SCHEDULE SAT MAR 3 9:30 AM Bracha LeZichronam Service WED MAR 7 12:45 PM Essen & Lesson - Bagelz, Wakefield WED MAR 7 7:00 PM Purim Megillah Reading FRI MAR 9 8:00 PM Kabbalat Shabbat SAT MAR 10 10:00 AM Jammin Juniors Center FRI MAR 23 6:15 PM Shabbat Service and Dinner SAT APR 7 9:30 AM Shabbat Service / Luncheon FRI APR 13 8:00 PM Kabbalat Shabbat / Passover SAT APR 14 9:30 AM Passover YIZKOR SAT APR 21 10:00 AM Jammin Juniors Center FRI APR 27 7:30 PM SCHS FAMILY SERVICE GR. K-3 SAT MAY 5 9:30 AM Shabbat Service HEBREW SCHOOL SCHEDULE Sun Mar 4 Regular session 9:00 AM Center Wed Mar 7 No School Wed Mar 7 Megillah Reading 7:00 PM Temple Sat Mar 10 Jammin Juniors 10:00 AM Center Sun Mar 11 Shortened session 9:00 AM Center Wed Mar 14 Regular Session 4:00 PM Center Sun Mar 18 Regular session 9:00 AM Center Wed Mar 21 Regular Session 4:00 PM Center Sun Mar 25 Regular session 9:00 AM Center Wed Mar 28 Regular Session 4:00 PM Center Sun Apr 1 Model Seder TBA AM Center Wed Apr 4 Regular Session 4:00 PM Center Sun Apr 8 No School Passover Day 2 Wed Apr 11 Regular Session 4:00 PM Center Sun Apr 15 No School Spring Vacation Wed Apr 18 No School Spring Vacation Sat Apr 21 Jammin Juniors 10:00 AM Center Sun Apr 22 Regular session 9:00 AM Center Wed Apr 25 Regular Session 4:00 PM Center Fri Apr 27 Family Service: GR K-3 7:30PM Temple Sun Apr 29 Israel Program TBA AM Center Ethan Adler's Office Hours: Wednesdays, from 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM. Please call Ethan at to schedule a meeting. CONTACT US CBD and SCHS Newsletter Please send articles to: Ella Davis, editor ellamdavis@msn.com Walter Horowitz, mailing list walter@mardovar.com Congregation Beth David (CBD) 102 Kingstown Road P.O. Box 3299 Narragansett, RI Rev. Ethan Adler, Rel. Leader Robert Babat, President rbabat@yahoo.com Meri Kaufman, Vice Pres. mskaufman@verizon.net Harris Chorney, Vice Pres. hrchorney@verizon.net Robert Fricklas, Recording Sec. Shelley Parness, Cor. Sec. shelleyparness@verizon.net Robert Curhan, Treasurer Stan Barnett, Minyan Coord The Center 375 Kingstown Road (Narragansett Rotary) South County Hebrew School (SCHS) The Center Ethan Adler, Director eadler3@cox.net Eric Axelrod, Chair, School Comm eaxelrod@ransomenv.net