Congregation Sons of Zion 378 Maple Street Holyoke, MA 01040 Phone: (413) 534-3369 Email: sonsofzionoffice@gmail.com Upcoming Dates to Remember: Torah Study, June 5 11am Tikkun Leil Shavuot, June 11, 8:30pm Pot Luck at the Saltmans, June 24 at 6:30pm Annual Meeting June 26 at 11am Inside this issue: Calendar 4 Yahrzeits and Minyan Chairs 5 Refuah Sh lema 5 Thank You! 7 SOZ Activities 7 From our Sponsors 12 Volume 1, Issue 11 From Our Rabbi Last month I ended my newsletter article with a request for your questions and feedback. I am delighted to report that Buddy Resnic responded with a series of thoughtful questions about the Torah and its relationship to other works of Jewish religious literature. With the holiday of Shavuot -- which celebrates the giving of the Torah starting on Saturday night, June 11, the timing of his inquiry was perfect. Thank you so much, Buddy! Here are some of his questions: When/over what period of time was the Torah created? If Torah is the 5 books of Moses, which is part of the ancient Hebrew bible, why is Torah a June 2016 Iyar/Sivan 5776 document separate from the Bible? Other than historical erudition, what is the purpose and function of Torah today? In true Jewish fashion, let s start answering these questions by asking another question: What is Torah? The word Torah means teaching or instruction. In its largest sense, it refers to all Jewish sacred literature: the Bible, the Mishnah, Talmud, and even the teaching that we continue to do today. When we speak about The Torah, in its most limited sense, we are usually referring to the Five Books of Moses: Bereishit (Genesis), Shmot (Exodus), Moses by Rembrandt (Oil, 1659) Vayikra (Leviticus), B midbar (Numbers), and Devarim (Deuteronomy). The Hebrew Bible consists of three main sections: the Torah (also referred to as the Chumash, meaning the Five Books [of Moses]), Nevi im (Prophets, such as Isaiah, Jeremiah, etc., considered by tradition as eight books), and Ketuvim (the Writings, such as Psalms, Proverbs, the Scroll of Es-
Page 2 What is the purpose of Torah? Why study Torah today? (Rabbi, Continued from page 1) ther etc., eleven books in all) for a total of twenty-four books. These three sections together are the first compendium of Jewish sacred literature known as the Hebrew Bible or Tanach, which is an acronym for Torah, Nevi im, and Ketuvim. The Torah (as in Five Books of Moses) is thus not separate from the Bible (Tanach); it is the first of its three key components. In terms of function of the Tanach/ Hebrew Bible (all of which is considered Torah/ teaching in its wider sense), we may be most familiar with the Torah (more narrowly defined as the Five Books of Moses), because it is divided into sections that we read every week in synagogue. We also encounter Nevi im (Prophets) regularly because the haftarah that is also part of synagogue worship is selected from Nevi im. Psalms from Ketuvim (the Writings) are part of our prayers, and several of the scrolls from Ketuvim are associated with a specific holidays. What is the purpose of Torah? Why study Torah today? Torah is the heart and soul of the Jewish people. It is our narrative as a people, the source of our values, the foundation of Jewish practice. It is our history book, our constitution, our poetry, our holiday calendar, our source of wisdom, our bedrock our connection with Something timeless, beyond ourselves. Torah is our guidebook that helps us make and find meaning in our journey through life. The title of a book by Barry Holtz is instructive in this regard. Finding our Way: Jewish Texts and the Lives We Lead Today is one of so many books that show how our classical Jewish literature continues to be so relevant to our lives. We don t have read Holtz s book or be great Torah scholars to learn how Torah can touch our lives. Right here in Holyoke at Congregation Sons of Zion we have a very special evening of Torah study, called Tikkun Leil Shavuot every year on the holiday of Shavuot. Members of the congregation volunteer to select in advance a book of the Hebrew Bible and present something personally meaningful or en- (Continued on page 3)
Volume 1, Issue 11 (Rabbi, Continued from page 2) lightening that they discover from reading all or part of the book. Usually they pick a book that they have not read previously. This is a very special sharing. We learn from each other, and get to know one another better, through Torah. Please join us for this Torah study accompanied by delicious ice cream on Saturday night, June 11, at 8:30 pm. To volunteer to make a presentation (usually about 5 minutes more or less), contact Laura Marks in the synagogue office at 534-3369 or Michael Rosner. This year we are selecting from Nevi im (Prophets), Ketuvim (Writings), or, for the first time, the Mishnah, which was compiled around 200 CE by Rabbi Yehudah HaNasi. Laura and Michael have a list of the names of the books and can help you make your choice. After this commercial, let s return to the first question: When/over what period of time was the Torah created? Ask three Jews and you re likely to get at least four opinions. Some early rabbis taught that the Torah preceded the creation of the world and was actually the blueprint for God s acts of creation. According to other Talmudic interpretation, when Moses received the Ten Commandments at Mount Sinai, God taught him the entire Torah, including the future Books of the Prophets and Writings. (Berachot 5a, as quoted in the Stone Edition of the Tanach) Avot, a section of the Mishnah, provides further details: Moses received Torah at Mt. Sinai and transmitted it to Joshua, Joshua to the elders, the elders to the prophets, the prophets to the men of the great assembly. Just to confuse us further, many modern Biblical scholars maintain that the Torah as we know it today is actually a product of human editing, interweaving several independent strands of tradition over a period of hundreds of years. I love the story that describes God allowing Moses to visit the study hall of the great teacher Rabbi Akiba, who lived well over a thousand years after Moses. Moses takes a seat in a back row and listens to their discussion of Torah, but it seems strange to him. He doesn t understand what they are talking about. He becomes greatly distressed until he hears the students ask Rabbi Akiba where he learned this. Rabbi Akiba responds: this is a law given to (Continued on page 6) Page 3 Please join us for Torah study followed by delicious ice cream on the Evening of Shavuot Saturday night, June 11 at 8:30 pm.
Page 4 JUNE 2016 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 2 25 Iyar 3 26 Iyar 4 24 Iyar 27 Iyar Shabbat Begins 8:03pm BeChukotai Omer 39 Omer 40 Omer 41 Omer 42 5 6 7 8 2 Sivan 9 3 Sivan 10 4 Sivan 11 28 Iyar 29 Iyar 1 Sivan 5 Sivan Shabbat Begins BeMidbar 8:08pm Torah Study Tikkun Leil 11am Shavuot 8:30pm Rosh Chodesh Sivan Omer 43 Omer 44 Omer 45 Omer 46 Omer 47 Omer 48 Omer 49 12 13 7 Sivan 14 8 Sivan 15 9 Sivan 16 10 Sivan 17 11 Sivan 18 6 Sivan 12 Sivan Shabbat Begins 8:11pm Naso Shavuot Day 1 Shavuot Day 2 19 20 14 Sivan 21 15 Sivan 22 16 Sivan 23 17 Sivan 24 18 Sivan 25 13 Sivan 19 Sivan 26 27 21 Sivan 28 22 Sivan 29 23 Sivan 30 20 Sivan 24 Sivan Shabbat Begins 8:12pm Shabbat Pot Luck with the Saltmans BeHa alotcha Count the Omer the evening before!
Volume 1, Issue 11 Yahrzeits and Minyan Chairs May 29 Jun 4: William Robbins May 29 *Alvin Koufax William Shirley May 30 *Sheila Halpern Anna Goodman Samel May 31 *Rachel Saltman June 1 *Lloyd Everett Stein June 2 *Harold Haley June 4 *Russell Bernstein June 5 11: Burton Resnic June 7 Jacob Orlen June 8 *Annie Welson June 12 18: Lois Levin June 13 Theodore Freyman Harry Hirsch Nathan Kahan *Louis Marks June 15 Leo Halpern June 12 18: Lois Levin June 16 *Sophie Mekler June 18 *Etta Goldberg June 19 25: Michael Rosner June 21 *Mary Garber Harry Pincus June 24 *Isadore Schepps June 25 *Abraham Hirsch Israel Seamon June 26 July 2: Joanne Saltman June 26 Harold David Fox June 27 *James Samuel Hirshon Sadie Rothchild *Stanley G. Weiss June 29 *Milton Bernstein June 30 Louis Weiner July 1 *Solomon Harmetz *Fannie Weiss Refuah Sh lema Page 5 A Donation to Congregation Sons of Zion was made by Mitchell Brecht in appreciation of Joe Boucher's bar mitzvah tutoring. Mitchell would like to honor Joe Boucher as thanks for his help in preparing his Torah and Haftarah portions. We pray that healing is at hand for the following members of our congregational family: Irene Bernstein Barbara & Herb Goldberg Bobbie Levin Rhoda Wernick Richard Wernick Marc Levine Mimi Arculio All others in need of healing.
Page 6 When we turn to Torah with open minds and open hearts, we are renewed. (Rabbi, Continued from page 3) Moses at Sinai; and Moses feels better. On the one hand this story is funny: Moses himself can t recognize the teaching that is credited to him. On the other hand, it underscores that, while Torah at its source may be what was revealed or ascribed to Moses, our understanding of its message continues to develop over the ages. Through our people s ongoing interaction with Torah, we can continue to find new meaning and inspiration in its message, even as we help shape that message for our own time. Whether through individual study, our lively Torah discussions during Shabbat morning services, or the Tikkun Leil Shavuot on June 11, we can each find our own way to Torah. The eitz chaim prayer that we recite in services as we return the Torah to the ark reminds us: I have given you a good teaching; do not forsake my Torah. It is a tree of life for those who hold grasp it, and those who uphold it are blessed. Its ways are ways of pleasantness, and all its paths are peace. The Torah is always there for us. When we turn to it with open minds and open hearts, we are renewed. Thanks again to Buddy Resnic for suggesting this topic. I hope you found it informative. Please send me your feedback, questions, and ideas for future articles at saulp@external.umass.e du. Warm wishes for a Happy Shavuot, the festival of the giving of the Torah, Rabbi Saul Perlmutter SAVE THE DATES! Friday Night Shabbat Potluck Dinners June 24, 2016 at the home of Bill and Joanne Saltman, Juckett Hill Rd., Belchertown July 22, 2016 at the home of Jordan and Laura Marks in Belchertown August 19, 2016 at the Tree House Community in Easthampton, hostess Rachel Henderson Contact the Office for directions and suggestions. Joanne Saltman
Volume 1, Issue 11 Thank You for Donations received From Steve Kappel, in memory of Charles Kaplinsky, to the Cemetery Fund. From Joan and Michael Rosner, in memory of Lillian Thorn and in honor of Joan s birthday. From Herb Goldberg, in honor of Barbara s and Albert s 88th and Bill Robbins s 97th birthdays. From Gary and Susan Bernstein, in memory of Shorrie Bernstein From Ann and Ben Marcus, in memory of Rhoda Wernick s sister Esther Budgar. From Jordan and Laura Marks, in memory of Susan Marks, and in honor of Mitchell Brecht s becoming bar mitzvah. From Ellen Shapiro, in honor of her father s yahrzeit, to the Cemetery Fund. From Gloria and Jordan Koltz, in memory of Rhoda Wernick s sister Esther Budgar. From Amy Bernstein, to the Cemetery Fund. From Carol Halpern Wernick and Richard Wernick, in memory of their beloved mother Shirley Halpern, to the Cemetery Fund. From Marilyn Kincaid From Stephen and Lois Levin Page 7 Special Thanks to Those Who Responded to our Special Appeal Ozzie and Rhoda Wernick Richard Wilson Andrew and Lynda Levin Alfred Hutt Tom and Lois Schwab Sidney Paul Steve and Joan Levine Barry and Diana Hirsch Richard Stone Laura Hilf Ken and Marion Stein Activities in Need of Participants! Contact the Office for Information Visiting the Sick: If you are in need of a visit or would like to visit, contact Jacqueline Brecht. Movie Night at SOZ: What night would be best for you? Any movie suggestions? We will probably start up on Friday afternoons over the summer. Movies geared toward ages 12 and up, but special SOZ Kids movies may be planned as well. Child Care possible! Musical Kabbalat Shabbat: Coming very soon! Contact Lori Goldner if you play an instrument and are a quick study. Beautiful melodies and haunting harmonies will create a service you will crave monthly. Friday Night Come as you Are Kabbalat Shabbat: For the young and young-at-heart. No preparation needed. Service to be held directly after Movie Night, to last approx. 30 mins. Knitting/Crocheting Group: If you are interested, contact Rachel Henderson or Laura Marks Walking for Exercise and Fun: If you are interested please contact Lois Levin
Page 8 Our Members Summer Reading compiled by Andrea Fox Summer is a great time to relax and enjoy a good book. This year we asked our members to recommend either a favorite book, a book they're hoping to read, or one that they are currently involved with. Below are some of the responses: Jacqueline Brecht: A Hatred for Tulips by Richard Lourie Jim Eisenstock: Warrior: a Memoir by Theresa Larson and Alan Eisenstock (Jim's son) Andrea Fox: The Maytrees by Annie Dillard, What We Say Matters: Practicing Nonviolent Communication by Judith and Ike Lasater Lori Goldner: The Red Tent by Anita Diamant SOZ Book Club We have a meeting scheduled for June 5 at 2:00pm. However the book suggested for reading: "FDR and the Jews" is in my opinion a poor choice. It is pedantic and very hard to Steve Levin: Anti-Semite and Jew by Jean-Paul Sartre Steve Levine: God Is Not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything by Christopher Hitchens Laura Marks: Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow, Look Me in the Eye by John Elder Robison Bill Robbins: Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom Joan Rosner: Ship fever or anything by Andrea Barrett Michael Rosner: The Emperor of All Maladies: A Biography of Cancer by Siddhartha Mukherjee, A Soldier of the Great War by Mark Helprin, Lawrence in Arabia by Scott Anderson, Eleven Blue Men by Berton Roueche, The Polish Officer by Alan Furst read. I have been slogging through it but find it impossible to read more than a few pages at a time, and I am usually a very fast reader. So I have looked at best seliing Jewish related books of all time and found one I think is very appropriate for this time in our lives: "My Grandfather's Blessings" by Rachel Naomi Ramen. It is a book of short stories so should be easy to Joanne Saltman: The Atomic Weight of Love by Elizabeth J. Church, Everyone Brave is Forgiven by Chris Cleave, The Mathematician's Shiva by Stuart Rojstaczer, Everybody's Fool by Richard Russo, Why Be Jewish?: A Testament By Edgar Bronfman Gellya Shulman: Reagan: The life by H.W. Brands, FDR and the Jews by Richard Breitman and Allan J. Lichtman Cindy Stone: Cornflakes with John Lennon by Robert Hillburn Brielle: Someone for Mr. Sussman by Patricia Polacco, The Hare and the Tortoise Race Across Israel by Lara Gehl, Bagels for Benny by Aubry Davis read and uplifting also. For more information about the SOZ Book Club, contact Joanne Saltman.
Volume 1, Issue 11 Page 9 Minutes of The SOZ Religious Committee Meeting held on Sunday, May 22nd (Taken by Rachel Henderson) (Included are comments made by Religious Committee Members as well as SOZ members who chose to attend.) 1.First Issue Discussed: Whether or not to return to the former model of Services held for Rosh Hashanah prior to last year's less traditional services. Rich Freyman read out the results of responses to the first question on the survey sent out after last year's services. From the surveys returned, a majority of respondents indicated that they would prefer to return to more traditional Erev Rosh Hashanah service. Dr. Max Chorowski suggested we begin this year's upcoming Oct. 2, 2016 Erev Rosh Hashanah service half an hour earlier, at 5:30 PM. The Committee agreed with this suggestion in hopes that the time change would facilitate greater attendance. Jessica Bloom suggested that we have a short "Meet & Greet Nosh" prior to the service. Rabbi Saul Perlmutter liked this suggestion, especially in light of attracting new membership. He suggested that we try out the idea. A consensus was reached. 2.The Second Issue Discussed: Whether or not people enjoyed last year's first day of Rosh Hashanah Service. Rich Freyman read out the results of the responses to this question on returned surveys. These answers revealed that the majority of respondents did, in fact, enjoy last year's service. 3.The Third Issue Discussed: Whether or not to continue the "Group Aliyot" we introduced last year. Nitza Seaver voiced her concerns regarding the matter of those called to the Bima for Aliyot. She took the traditional view that only Cohanim and Leviim be called. Others, however, including both Dr. Chorowski and Rabbi Perlmutter, felt that the service should accommodate all those in attendance who have a special desire participate in a particular Aliyah. There was much discussion about this matter and it was ultimately decided Rabbi Perlmutter should explain the concept of "Group Aliyot" and introduce the theme of each aliyah as he did last year. In addition, he will invite Cohanim and Leviim to the first and second aliyot respectively and invite congregants to join them in a Group Aliyah. 4.The Fourth Issue Discussed: First Day of Rosh Hashanah Services, to be held on, Monday, Oct. 3, 2016. Dr. Max suggested that we begin services at 9:30 AM in order to complete services in a timely fashion and encourage people to stay until the service ends. Several people suggested that beginning at 9:30 AM for a First Day "Meet & Greet Nosh" might encourage people to arrive early to "schmooze" and the service could actually begin at 10:00 AM. Ultimately, a consensus was reached to Meet & Greet at 9:30 A.M. and begin the service at 10:00A.M. There was much discussion concerning whether or not to have Tashlich on the First Day, or wait until the Second Day, as we did last year. 5.The Fifth Issue Discussed: The Second Day of Rosh Hashanah, Tuesday, Oct. 4th, 2016. Our goal was to: "Broadly define the elements of the service and the interactive activities." Rich Freyman read the responses to the survey questions returned and the results were (Continued on page 10)
Page 10 (Continued from page 9) mixed and inconclusive. Fran Welson voiced her desire for a more contemplative Second Day Service than the interactive conversations we had last year. Rabbi Saul asked her to define her idea of "contemplative." Fran said she would articulate it as "trying to create a sacred space." At this point Lori Goldner described her yearning for a "Neo- Hassidic" service experience, stressing the joy of music. Andrea Fox described her love of the outdoors and suggested using the SOZ outdoor area. Dr. Steve Levine suggested incorporating the sound of shofar in the Second Day Service. Rich Freyman noted that we were not coming to a consensus. Rabbi Saul suggested we decide the issue of when to hold Tashlich by suggesting that it be held on both the First and Second Days of the holiday. Monday, Oct. 3, 2016 and Tuesday, Oct. 4th, 2016. Consensus was reached. A" Mini-Kiddush" at the close of services each day was discussed. Joan Rosner asked for volunteers to welcome any strangers who might attend post-service "Mini- Kiddushes". Also, for help with prep and clean-up for these "Mini-Kiddushes." Rabbi Saul suggested that new visitors be offered a card on which they can, if they choose, after the holiday, write their contact information and send it back to us. Lori Goldner suggested that we enclose a donation envelope in every Mahzor (High Holiday Prayer Book). The ideas of cards and envelopes were well received. 6. The Sixth Issue Discussed: Whether or not people felt comfortable with last year's Kol Nidre service and the possibility of music before sundown. Rich Freyman read survey results which were predominantly positive. Lori Goldner asked about the possibility of having a cello accompany Kol Nidre. Rabbi Saul pointed out, much to everyone's surprise, that "prior to sundown" musical instruments are allowed in a synagogue and Sons of Zion Mission Statement For over 112 years, Congregation Sons of Zion has celebrated Judaism through education, prayer and community. Within our warm and caring egalitarian setting, we practice and strengthen the shared values of family, friendship and community. Our door is always open to all. Dr. Max agreed. No objections were noted and it was decided that the SOZ Kol Nidre prayer, chanted before sunset, on Tuesday, Oct. 11th 2016 may include the tones of a cello. 7.The Seventh Issue Discussed: Whether or not people felt comfortable with last year's Yom Kippur Service. Rich Freyman read responses from the surveys which indicated, again that 100% of the responders liked the service. Dr. Max noted that this High Holiday service should begin at 9:30 AM. Rabbi Saul would like to hold Pre-Rosh Hashanah activities at the Library, repeating a program he introduced before Passover, targeted to unaffiliated Jews. Jessica Bloom, helped at Passover and would like to participate in Rosh Hashanah. Publicity for the Passover event was hampered by our inability to get on the Holyoke's cable channel although Mayor Morse recommended it. Saul and Andrea (Continued on page 11)
Volume 1, Issue 11 (Continued from page 10) are working on this problem. The committee concurred with giving this another try with good publicity. Dr. Max reminds us that the Sukkah is "getting cramped" and needs to be expanded because each year more people are attending. Michael Rosner asked to have folks specify what they wish to read at Shavuot on June 11, 8:30 p.m. Selections from Mishna and Talmud have been added to the Tanach list. Many signed up. Lori Goldner describes her satisfaction with seeing the steady growth of music and singing at SOZ. She is hoping to have a Musical Friday Night Service sometime in the Fall. Rabbi Saul describes the growth as "organic," commenting on how pleased he is also. Friday Potlucks: We have scheduled Friday Potlucks for June 24 (Saltman), July 22 (Marks), August 19(Henderson). The group concurred that we should continue to schedule Friday Potlucks as congregants volunteer for them even if the number exceeds the 3 or 4 a year we've had previously. Page 11 Some of these will be led by others, rather than the Rabbi Perlmutter. Sukkot Pot Luck is tentatively scheduled for Monday, Oct. 17 Thanksgiving Minyan will start at 9:30A.M. We will celebrate the 6th Night of Hanukah at the Rosner's (8th Night is New Year's Eve) Next Meeting of the Religious Committee to be held on August 21st, 2016, from 10:00 AM until Noon. This meeting will organize the people needed to run the High Holiday activities described above from Kiddushim to ushering. PRH Mazal Tov to Mitchell Brecht, on becoming Bar Mitzvah! On May 14th, I was called to the Torah for my Bar Mitzvah. I am grateful to Joe Boucher, Laura Marks, and Rabbi Perlmutter for helping me prepare, and grateful to Nitza Seaver, Jimmy Eisenstock, Bill Robbins, and the rest of the congregation for all the support they have given to me as I worked towards this. Thank you also to my mom and dad for driving me to my lessons. I practiced my prayers and readings for my Bar Mitzvah between doing homework, running, doing Boy Scout stuff, drawing maps, and coming up with a plan to fix the United States government. Volunteering at Jewish Geriatric Services was my Mitzvah project. I met interesting residents who seemed very nice, though I couldn t always hear them, and when I did hear them, they usually told me to cut my hair After JGS Friday night services, I was happy to volunteer to eat the leftover Challah! Service participants included my 100-year-old Great- Grandfather, Dr. Sam Bender; Sons of Zion President Dr. Steve Levine, and Marty Kanovsky, and Ellen Teller. Dr. Chorowski, who gave my mom the idea of us joining the congregation, will be one of the Torah readers. I was happy to have my friends and family, like my cousins Danielle and Noah, there with me on May 14th. -MB
Page 12 Page 12 Pot Luck at Nancy and Dave Carmen s House, May 20 Mitchell Brecht Bar Mitzvah, May 14
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Congratulations to all Graduates! Congregation Sons of Zion 378 Maple Street Holyoke, MA 01040 Phone: (413) 534-3369 Email: sonsofzionoffice@gmail.com Submission deadline for next issue: June 27. Reminder: next month includes July and August. Discover the wide range of Jewish arts and culture around western Massachusetts. Enjoy the rich fabric of Jewish community in the Pioneer Valley, Berkshires, Southern VT, and beyond at Jewish Culture Connect! www.jewishcultureconnect.com From the Office A thunderstorm approaches. I hear the rumble in the background of my life and peer out the window. It s a little cloudy, but the blue sky is still visible. Another rumble. Should we close the windows? The wind is picking up and the sky has gone completely grey, almost duskdark. A bright flash, another clap, and the sky opens up. I am transported. The wind, the thunder, the lightning. Imagining the Voice of God, speaking to me, to all of us, as we gather around a humble mountain in the desert, thirsty yet quenched, fearful yet eager, we open our ears to hear and do, we open our hearts to take in the message of love, peace, prayer and service. I was there. You were too. Let s get together again for a reunion and celebrate the amazing gift of Torah on Saturday evening, June 11 at 8:30pm in the Social Hall. There may be moments of awe and wonder this time too, but there will definitely be ice cream! - LM