Congregation Sons of Zion 378 Maple Street Holyoke, MA 01040 Phone: (413) 534-3369 Email: office@sonsofzionholyoke.org Upcoming Dates to Remember: Nov. 8: SOZ Board Meeting 7:30pm Nov. 11: Veteran s Day Kiddush Nov. 18 Cindy Vieu's Birthday Kiddush Nov. 23: Minyan is at 9:30am! Dec. 12: Light the Menorah in Holyoke Inside this issue: Thank You! 4 Calendar 6 Yahrzeits and Minyan Chairs 7 Save the Date 9 Ads from our Sponsors 14-15 From the Office 16 Sons of Zion News Volume 3, Issue 3 From Our Rabbi I d like to share two recent, related stories that make me feel so blessed to be your rabbi. Two weeks ago, a young man named Ken appeared at our morning service for the first time. His father had just died. Ken s father had asked him to say Kaddish for him, so Ken came to Sons of Zion that morning to fulfill his father s request. This was the first time that Ken had ever set foot in our shul. We did not know him; he did not know us. But our hearts went out to him. Before he left that morning, plans were being made for two evenings of a shiva meeting to be held at his home in Easthampton. November 2017 Cheshvan/Kislev 5778 Joseph Interprets Dreams in Prison (painting circa 1816 The first night we almost made a minyan, but we held a service anyway and he said Kaddish. The second night as word spread in the shul, Sons of Zion members rallied to surpass the quorum of 10 needed for Ken to say Kaddish for his father in a minyan. It clearly meant a great deal to Ken that a group of people who had been mostly strangers to him showed up to support him at a time of loss. He gratefully expressed his heartfelt appreciation to us for enabling him to say Kaddish for his father. A few days later, we heard of another death. The father of Chris Carlton, one of our newest members, had just died. When it became clear that Chris would like to have a shiva minyan at his home, we spread the word and, once again, the Sons of Zion community responded beautifully. Two shivah minyamin were planned. Both times Sons of Zion people www.sonsofzionholyoke.org
Page 2 I am so proud and so deeply grateful to be a part of such a caring, kind, welcoming, warm community. Bonnie G. (Rabbi, Continued from page 1) stepped up to make more than the 10 needed so Chris could say Kaddish for his father. We lead busy lives. There were many other things our members could have been doing at those times. But they did what one Jew can do for another be there, be counted, don t leave another alone in a time of sorrow and loss. At High Holidays this year, we talked a lot about chesed lovingkindness. The last two weeks, without fanfare, we put those words into action. I am deeply grateful to everyone who showed up with little advance notice to support Ken and Chris. And I am deeply grateful to Ken Sons of Zion News and Chris for letting us into their lives and for giving us an opportunity to do the beautiful mitzvah of supporting those in mourning. The time we spent together in their homes was profound and holy, deeply meaningful and uplifting. Bonnie Gruszecki is an SOZ member who was able to attend a minyan for Ken and for Chris. With her permission, I share with you what she emailed to me after the second minyan at Chris s: I have to say that I am so proud and so deeply grateful to be a part of such a caring, kind, welcoming, warm community. As I looked around the room today and felt the genuinely caring presence of all I was deeply moved. You May Be Interested in... Jewish Life - NEWS JLTV - Comcast Channel 196 Israeli channel in ENGLISH - 24 hours a day News, Guests, Music, Exercise every morning, Old TV shows, and much more! TRY IT, YOU LL LIKE IT! Nitza Seaver JLTV - Channel 196 on Comcast For Listings, visit www.jltv.tv
Volume 3, Issue 3 Page 3 Inside Story Headline From The President Shabbat, 6 Cheshvan, 5778, (October 28, 2017) Congregation Sons of Zion thanked Dr. Stephen J. Levine for all he has done for us and all he continues to do. His devotion to our synagogue was expressed in many ways including the more than 60 people in attendance. Family and friends from the Muslim community, the political community, the cultural community and, of course, the Sons of Zion community expressed their appreciation. Among so many other accomplishments, Rabbi Perlmutter particularly thanked Steve for revitalizing the Monday morning minyan. Steve introduced the idea of congregation members reading 3 lines of Torah each Monday and organized a group of 4 to begin the readings. September 11th was the first Monday and it was successful and we had a minyan present for the occasion. All involved are working hard to improve their skills and enjoying the support of doing it together. The goal is to someday read directly from the Torah with the trope. One reader is there, one almost there and two trying hard. New readers are happily welcomed!! Through the process of rebuilding the morning minyan we have learned some things. To the best of my knowledge, we are the only synagogue in the Valley with an 8:00am weekday morning minyan, and we attract people from other communities who like the time and want to say Kaddish. (Other congregations meet around 7:00, if at all in the morning.) Achieving a minyan does not happen simply because Torah reading is restored. Why are minyanim important? Why did women struggle for centuries to be counted in a minyan along with the men? The minyan is a pillar of our tradition. Our ancestors discovered that there is comfort and spiritual power in praying together and established the minyan in response. For 11 months after a close family member passes away, tradition directs us to recite the Kaddish in the presence of a minyan. Sadly, at some time in our lives, each of us will need a minyan and the support that the minyan provides. Please give some serious thought to your ability to join the minyan even one day a month. We will be assembling a new minyan list in the near future and approaching congregants for help. Say yes!! Joan To Max Roth Congratulations on your very special event -- The 75th Anniversary of Your Bar Mitzvah! Yasher Koach!! With Love from us all at Congregation Sons of Zion!
Page 4 Sons of Zion News Thank You! Donations to the General Fund From the Herbert and Barbara Goldberg Foundation, in honor of Steve Levine From Steve Levine, with love and thanks for the special Kiddush in his honor on 10/28 From Joan and Michael Rosner, in memory of Chris Carlton s father, Thomas "Tim" Carlton From Joan and Michael Rosner, wishing Rhoda Wernick a speedy recovery! From Joan and Michael Rosner in honor of Dr. Stephen J. Levine From Gerald and Roberta Goldman From Deborah Levine From Steve and Joan Levine, in honor of Max Roth on the 75th anniversary of his bar mitzvah From Abby and Ken Jaffe, in honor of the High Holidays Donations to the Cemetery Fund From Sidney Paul Donations to the Rabbi s Discretionary Fund Bonnie Gruszecki, in memory of her grandmother, Fanny Gruszecki From the Herbert and Barbara Goldberg Foundation Challah Baking Club Watch for Details! Cindy Vieu is interested in starting a Challah Baking Club called Chesed Challah Chavurah. Anyone that s interested in baking or learning to bake Challah is welcome! The recipe will yield three loaves of Challah; One for everyone to bring home and the other two will be donations for homebound or infirmed community members that we will deliver to. Also, one or two loaves will be for Shabbat Services at SOZ. If you know of anyone who needs a challah delivered, please get in touch with Cindy Vieu!
Volume 3, Issue 3 Page 5 A Special Thank You to Our Sustaining Members Andrew Barowsky Steve and Linnea Constant Herb (z"l) and Barbara Goldberg Steve and Lois Levin Sidney Paul Buddy and Margie Resnic Michael and Joan Rosner Please consider joining our generous Sustaining Members at any time!
Page 6 Sons of Zion News NOVEMBER 2017 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 2 13 Cheshvan 3 14 Cheshvan 4 12 Cheshvan 15 Cheshvan Minyan 8am Shabat Begins at 5:23pm Vayera 5 16 Cheshvan 6 17 Cheshvan 7 18 Cheshvan 8 19 Cheshvan 9 20 Cheshvan 1021 Cheshvan 11 Turn Clocks Back at 2am Minyan 8am 1223 Cheshvan 13 24 Cheshvan 14 25 Cheshvan 15 26 Cheshvan 16 27 Cheshvan 17 28 Cheshvan 18 Major General Noam Tibon at Springfield JCC, 4:00-5:30pm Minyan 8am 19 20 2 Kislev 21 3 Kislev 22 4 Kislev 23 5 Kislev 24 6 Kislev 25 Rosh Chodesh Activities & Fundraising Meeting 7:30, Vieu Home Minyan 8am Last Day for Chanukah Candy Order 26 8 Kislev 27 9 Kislev 28 10 Kislev 29 11 Kislev 30 Minyan 8am SOZ Board Meeting 7:30pm Minyan 8am Hebrew Reading Class 9:30 Minyan 8am Yom Kippur Katan Minyan 9:30am Thanksgiving Day Minyan 8am Shabat Begins at 4:15pm Shabat Begins at 4:09pm Shabat Begins at 4:04pm Chaye Sarah Veterans Day Kiddush Toldot Vayetze 22 Cheshvan 29 Cheshvan Shabbat Mevarchim Cindy Vieu s Birthday Kiddush Singing After 1 Kislev 7 Kislev Prof. J. Schneer, Balfour Talk, CBI, N'hamp., 3:00-4:30 pm Tikkun Olam @ Kate's Kitchen, 11:45am- 2:00pm 12 Kislev
Volume 3, Issue 3 Yahrzeits and Minyan Chairs Oct. 29 Nov. 4: Ken Vieu Oct. 29 Max Speiser Nov. 1 *Hyman R. Bernstein *Myer Goldenberg Nov. 2 *Jacob L. Barowsky *Selma Weiss Nov. 3 *Lillian Halpern Nov. 4 *Armand Paperno Nov. 5 11: David Carmen Nov. 5 Katie Becker *Joseph Saltman Nov. 8 Kate Paul *Clara Weinstein Nov. 11 Ethel Carlinsky Nov. 12 18: Larry Carmen Nov. 13 Samuel Cohen Nov. 14 *Nathan Wilson *Bess Kaplinsky Nov. 16 *Fannie Saex Robert Saex *Max Stein Nov. 18 *Constance K. Barowsky Beatrice Rose Nov. 19 25: Joe Cohen Nov. 19 Isaac Eskenasy *Beatrice Palmer Nov. 21 Jay Posnik Nov. 22 *Stanley Saex Nov. 23 Samuel Cohen Nov. 25 *Rose Alperin Nov. 26 Dec. 2: Andrea Fox Nov. 27 Benjamin Paul Nov. 39 *Murray Horn Dec. 2 Jacob Paul Lena Seamon *Nathan Solomon Page 7
Page 8 Committee Reports From the Tikkun Olam Committee Homework House needs volunteer tutors to help transform the lives of Holyoke children. Homework House strengthens our community by providing free, individualized tutoring and mentoring for atrisk K-6th graders. The program fosters a culture of success for children in a safe, nurturing environment that builds on their inherent strengths and resilience. Children who attend Homework House come to view themselves as positive role models capable of shaping their own future and that of their community and the world. Frances Welson is a member of the Board of Directors and would be happy to answer any questions you might have, or you can just call the Homework House office at 413-265-1017 to start the process of becoming a tutor. You will attend an orientation program before beginning as a tutor. Check out the Homework House website: www.homeworkhouseholyoke.org Sons of Zion Book Club: Next meeting on December 3, 2017, 9:30am I've found a book that seems timely for our book club: House of Stone by Anthony Shadid. We ll have the usual bagels, lox and coffee etc. ~ Joanne Sons of Zion News In 2006, Shadid, an Arab-American raised in Oklahoma, was covering Israel's attack on Lebanon when he heard that an Israeli rocket had crashed into the house his great-grandfather built, his family's ancestral home. Not long after, Shadid (who had covered three wars in the Middle East) realized that he had lost his passion for a region that had lost its soul. He had seen too much violence and death; his career had destroyed his marriage. Seeking renewal, he set out to rebuild the house that held his family's past in the town they had helped settle long ago.... Coming to terms with his family's emigrant experience and their town's history, the homeless Shadid finds home and comes to understand the emotions behind the turbulence of the Middle East. In a moving epilogue, Shadid describes returning to this house after a nearly disastrous week as a prisoner of war in Libya along with the first visit of his daughter. Combining the human interest of The Bookseller of Kabul and Three Cups of Tea with the light touch of an expert determined, first, to tell a story, Shadid tells the story of a reconstruction effort that would have sent Frances Mayes to a psychiatric hospital as he brings to life unforgettable characters who lives help explain not just the modern Middle East but the legacy of those who have survived generations of war. Amazon.com
Volume 3, Issue 3 Page 9 Upcoming Events and Activities Thursday, Nov. 9, at 9:30am: Hebrew reading skills class. Open to all. Saturday, Nov. 11: Special Veterans Day Kiddush Saturday, Nov. 18: Special Kiddush in honor of Cindy Vieu s Birthday. Saturday, Nov. 18, after Kiddush (approximately 1:00 pm): Song session for chorus and anyone who likes to sing, led by Caroline Mazel-Carlton and Rabbi Perlmutter. We'll learn new songs as well as some old favorites. Thursday, Nov. 23, Thanksgiving Day: minyan is at 9:30 am. Sunday, Nov. 26: Join Tikkun Olam at Kate s Kitchen (see below). Tuesday. Dec. 12 at 5:30pm: First Night of Chanukah. Come light the Big Menorah at Holyoke City Hall! Volunteer Opportunity The Tikkun Olam committee invites anyone who is interested to participate in serving a meal at Kates Kitchen in Holyoke. You can volunteer monthly or whenever you are able. We are looking to have a core group and then those who rotate as they can. We will be serving next on Sunday, November 26 from 11:45 am to 2:00 pm. It has been a very rewarding experience for everyone who has participated so far. For more information or to volunteer please contact Deb Levine at dlevine123@gmail.com.
Page 10 Sons of Zion News If you know of a Veteran who would like to be part of the Shabbat Service, please contact Cindy Vieu at 413-335-1377, or just join us!
Volume 3, Issue 3 IN HONOR OF THE 100 th ANNIVERSARY OF THE SIGNING OF THE BALFOUR DECLARATION The Israel Committee of Congregation B'nai Israel is privileged to welcome to our community Page 11 Professor Jonathan Schneer, Ph.D. Giving a talk entitled The Making of the Balfour Declaration PROFESSOR OF MODERN BRITISH HISTORY at Georgia Institute of Technology. He is a coeditor of two books, and the author of six more, including The Balfour Declaration: The Origins of the Arab-Israeli Conflict, which won a 2010 National Jewish Book Award. Sunday, November 19, 2017 at 3:00-4:30 pm Congregation B'nai Israel 253 Prospect Street, Northampton Light Refreshments will be served Co-sponsored by:
Page 12 My Jewish Star By Andrea Fox When my sister and I were little, a friend of my mom s - or maybe it was someone in my family - brought us each a beautiful gold Jewish star that rested upon a twisted gold rope chain. My star had the word Tzion spelled out in Hebrew in the center. (When I joined Sons of Zion, I saw that as a sweet coincidence, that this would be the spiritual home for my family.) My sister s star was identical to mine, except hers had a Chai in the middle. For many years the star sat in my jewelry box and within the last many years I started wearing it regularly. Ironically, I removed it when I took my trip to Israel because I was worried that I could lose it while traveling. When I returned to the States, I put it back on and one day while I was out for a short run, my star and the special chain fell off and became lost forever. When I sadly mentioned it to my mom, she had my sister s star still at her house, and offered to replace my beloved star with the one in her possession. My sister didn't mind and in fact says it was never hers anyway. There were days I would wear a star of David to work, and others that I did not. There wasn't a reason for it, until one day I was working at a Catholic run organization (where everyone knew I was the only one in the room who had not gone to Catholic school) and a member of the management team, thinking he was funny, made a comment my way, and then he then took his hand and made the sign of the cross in the air in my direction. In that moment I did not know how to respond. I felt disrespected and angry. It took me a while to think about how to address his Sons of Zion News inappropriate behavior. It was at that time, I vowed to myself, to always wear a star of David to work. In addition to that treasured gold star, I had accumulated a small collection of other gold and silver stars, and a sparkly hamsah from Israel. I always tried to wear something to identify me as Jewish. The idea that we as Jews are invisible or irrelevant troubles me deeply. More recently however, with the resurgence of pro-nazi and Klan visibility and violence, I have been rethinking when to wear a star. I am not proud of this conversation that goes on inside my head, and I have many feelings about the need to even have such a conversation. However, I decided, it is important for me to feel and be safe. So last week, I was at work (and I did not have my star on) and someone announced that they were planning a big work event on Rosh Hashanah. Did I hear that correctly? I went to my calendar to dou-
Volume 3, Issue 3 Page 13 (Star, Continued from page 12) ble check the date and sure enough this plan was made on our high holiday. Angry and feeling incredulous, I blurted out something like, You need to change that, you cannot have that event on the Jewish High Holiday!" The room got silent, peoples gaze looked down at the table. I immediately recognized that I was reacting to something bigger than just an oversight in scheduling. I apologized, and owned that my response was less about the discussion that was happening in that very room, and more to the bigger conversation that is happening out in the world. Sighs of relief were audible by some people, I calmed down and the staff agreed to look into correcting the problem. When I left work that day, I was in touch with how invisible I felt as a Jew, and also how anxious and uncomfortable I have been feeling during a time some people feel empowered to publicly express hate for the others. I know that this kind of anger and violence has always existed, however today it feels so much closer than it had been. Another day, I woke and was feeling excited to put on my beautiful gold star to work. During a different meeting, it was announced that an event was scheduled for Erev Rosh Hashanah. OK, I thought, honest mistake, maybe people didn't know our holiday starts the night before. However, I learned that two of the members of the planning committee were Jewish and they "decided (for the rest of us) that it would be OK to hold this evening event. During this meeting, I felt like my star was glistening like the ring of a superhero, and I politely spoke up and pointed out the problem with the date. After the meeting I continued my conversation explaining the need for us to do the right thing, despite the fact that two Jews on their committee thought otherwise. Gratefully, my message was received and acted upon, and this particular activity was also rescheduled. - - - In the best of worlds, people who are not Jewish might be informed and willing to speak up and take on the role of making sure that we are culturally competent for all members of our community. However, because it did not happen in these two situations, I am grateful that God put me in the right place at the right time with enough confidence to have spoken up and have had these two matters corrected. It feels hard to me when Jews appear invisible in our very own community. It also feels risky - to where it may require a little courage - to wear my star, patiently speak up, and follow through in addressing concerns in a peaceful way. I am grateful that God helps guide me every day to make the right decisions for me. May we all find divine guidance and human support as we try to make decisions that are right for each one of us. ~A.F.
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Volume 3, Issue 3 Page 15 Ads from Our Sponsors Please Patronize our Sponsors. They Make our Newsletter Possible! BUSINESS CARD ADS: $180 / YEAR PLEASE CONTACT THE SYNAGOGUE OFFICE (413) 534-3369 OR office@sonsofzionholyoke.org
I am grateful for what I am and have. My thanksgiving is perpetual. - Henry David Thoreau Congregation Sons of Zion 378 Maple Street Holyoke, MA 01040 Phone: (413) 534-3369 Email: office@sonsofzionholyoke.org Submission deadline for next issue: November 22. Note early deadline due to Thanksgiving! 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 www.sonsofzionholyoke.org From the Office There s something about Autumn that always helps me feel closer to Gd. The chill in the air opens my senses; the brilliant, fleeting beauty of the changing leaves puts me in awe of Creation; and the change in routine back to school and back to shul for the High Holidays ushers in a sense of reflection about what details are important in my daily life and which might be reconsidered. For a very concrete example, I decided that my kids, ages 9 through 14, are more than capable of doing their own laundry, no sorting needed! (Those little laundry pods make this especially easy, since they don t even need to measure detergent!) Changes like this remind me that as wonderful or as difficult as life may be at the moment, nothing is forever. Children grow and learn, leaves light the sky on fire one day and are on the ground the next, people I love enter and leave my life, and Gd s presence can feel as near as a baby s breath or as distant as the mist-shrouded moon on a chilly night. Dear Gd, Thank You for the opportunity to experience all of these miracles, and cherish even the hard times. ~LM