BSBI’S Chai Lights
Vol. 5779 No. 6
February 2019
World Wide Wrap Sunday February 3, 9:00 am
TEMPLE
TOPICS
Updates from Clergy & President RLWRS Update Social Action BSBI Community Library Corner Sisterhood Speaks Brotherhood Corner Celebration Dates Community Seder Leave a Legacy The Endowment Foundation Contributions from Thoughtful People Evening Minyan Calendar Activity Calendar Support BSBI Ads from Our Sponsors
3-4 5 6 6 7 8-10 11 12 13 14 15 16-17 18 19 20 21-23
On Sunday, February 3rd, Jews around the world will be celebrating the Mitzvah of Tefillin at their Sunday morning minyan. The BSBI Brotherhood will be sponsoring World Wide Wrap at BSBI where we will discuss how to Wrap Yourself with God.
Beth Sholom B’nai Israel, 400 East Middle Turnpike, Manchester, CT 06040 (860)643-9563 www.myshul.org 1
BETH SHOLOM B’NAI ISRAEL
Upcoming Events!
400 Middle Turnpike East, Manchester, CT 06040 (860) 643-9563 www.myshul.org Clergy Rabbi: Randall J. Konigsburg Cantor: Sarah Bolts Rabbi Emeritus: Richard J. Plavin Staff Office Manager: Judy Sawtelle Marketing Coordinator: Tova Haley Bookkeeper: Eileen Kean Maintenance Specialist: Dave Pastula BSBI Board of Directors President: Phil Margolis Co-Executive Vice Presidents: Dawn & Jack Steigelfest Vice President of Administration: Sally Ivaldi Vice President of Finance: Alan Igdalsky Vice President of Fundraising: Ken Wichman Co-Vice Presidents of Membership: Bea Brodie & Ellen Frankel Vice President of Ritual: Steve Cohen Vice President of Education: Debbie Benblatt Vice President of Properties: Ed Reilly Vice President of Memorial Park: Liza Mandel Brotherhood Co-Representatives to Board: Steve Cohen & David Alter Sisterhood Representative to Board: Brina Abrahams Chair, Social Action: Carol Hatch Chair, Personnel: Debbie Cinquemani Co-Chairs, Youth Activities: Teri Norman & Ilene O’Neil Recording Secretary: Spin Zucker Board of Trustees Representative: Marshall Grodofsky Immediate Past President: Ron Abrahams Legal Counsel: Bruce Beck Services Monday through Thursday: 7:00 PM Friday: 6:30 PM Saturday: 10:00 AM All service times are as listed above unless otherwise noted in the calendar. The entire community is welcome to attend any of our services. Our Saturday morning service is followed by a community Kiddush. This would be
an excellent opportunity to meet our congregation and clergy. You may contact us via e-mail at: Rabbi Konigsburg: rabbenu@myshul.org Cantor Bolts: cantor@myshul.org Judy Sawtelle: admin@myshul.org Tova Haley: programming@myshul.org Eileen Kean: accounting@myshul.org AFFILIATED WITH THE UNITED SYNAGOGUE OF CONSERVATIVE JUDAISM
For full service and program schedules, see calendar on page 20 Saturday, February 2 10:00 am: Brotherhood Shabbat Service Sunday, February 3 9:00 am: World Wide Wrap 9:30 am: Brotherhood Breakfast & Speaker 11:00 am: Parent-Child B’nai Mitzvah Class Monday, February 4 7:30 pm: Winter Lecture Series Friday, February 8 6:30 pm: Family Shabbat Saturday, February 9 7:00 pm: Sisterhood Film Night Sunday, February 10 11:00 am: Parent-Child B’nai Mitzvah Class Monday, February 11 7:30 pm: Sisterhood/Hadassah Book Club Tuesday, February 12 1:30 pm: Knit & Kvetch Saturday, February 16 Meditation Service with Rabbi Konigsburg Sunday, February 24 9:00 am: Brotherhood in Action Community Breakfast 9:30 am: Sisterhood Adventure Walk Thursday, February 28 7:30 pm: Sisterhood Board Meeting Looking Ahead: Friday, March 1 6:30 pm: Shabbat Across America Service & Dinner Saturday, March 2 10:00 am: Learner’s Minyan with Michelle Konigsburg Sunday, March 3 9:30 am: Brotherhood Breakfast & Speaker Tuesday, March 5 6:00 pm: Sandals Lecture
Condolences to:
Call the Rabbi! Rabbi Konigsburg visits the local hospitals on a regular basis. An important part of his duties is to bring comfort and healing to those who are sick. Due to privacy laws, the hospitals can’t tell him if one of our members has been admitted. He could be just down the hall, but if he doesn’t know someone is there, he will not know to make a visit. Please call the Rabbi if you or someone you know is in the hospital so a timely visit can be made: 860-643-9563 ext 101 2
Teri & Sam Norman Bonnie & Michael
Norman and their entire family on the loss of their son/grandson, Benjamin Norman Lewis Segal and his entire family on the loss of
his brother, Ronald Segal Robert Levy and Marla Kay and their entire
family on the loss of their mother, Priscilla Levy
Faithcraft Rabbi User Manual: How to Use Your Rabbi Part 1: Rabbi is always happy to see you and always interested in all that you do. Feel free to ask any question (although the answer will always be the same: “It Depends”). The only way to make your rabbi unhappy is to say these forbidden words … “Rabbi, did you know that Mr. X has been in the hospital for two weeks? Someone MUST have told you.” First of all, nobody told the rabbi. But if you knew, then you needed to tell the rabbi. NEVER assume that someone else has done it. It is far better to have ten people tell the rabbi than to have all ten assume that someone else did it. If ten people knew and did not tell the rabbi, all ten are in trouble. One can not excuse oneself by saying, “They told me not to tell anyone.” The rabbi is not “anyone” and must know. Rabbi has ways of ensuring that the patient will never know who told the rabbi to make the hospital visit. Rabbi will not tell anyone else. But the rabbi MUST be told. In all probability, he has been to the hospital several times visiting someone else and would have made the additional visit if only he knew. The hospital is not allowed by Federal Law to tell the rabbi who is in the hospital. They can only answer if someone in particular is there right now. If they are not there, the hospital can’t even tell the rabbi where they have gone (to another hospital? rehab? home?) It is every member’s responsibility to let the rabbi know someone is in the hospital AND which hospital they are in. A member must call or text this information; never email or snail mail it to the rabbi. Synagogue staff implores you not to make the rabbi angry. Let Rabbi know who is in the hospital. Part 2: How a Rabbi Scores a Shiva call 2 points – bringing cookies to Shiva house 5 points – bringing food to a Shiva house for family to eat 10 points – bringing food to a Shiva house for family to eat after asking family what they want to eat. 25 points – bringing something other than food that the family needs and asks you to bring. 25 points – Staying for the service to help make the minyan (no matter how many people are there). 100 points – For showing up at a Shiva house to comfort the mourner. You don’t even have to say a word (do not hug anyone without their permission). Extra 50 points for showing up AND either telling a story to the family that you know about the deceased OR if you don’t know a story, letting the family share a story with you. Extra 50 points for calling ahead and making a Shiva call (with permission) when nobody else is there. 50 Points for sitting with the family in services at the synagogue after Shiva is over. Lose 50 points if you talk about your own Shiva when you are at someone else’s Shiva without being asked. Rabbi Randall Konigsburg
This Month in Jewish History By Rabbi Konigsburg 26 Shevat – 23 Adar 1 28 Shevat – Rabbi Alexander Goode, one of the four chaplains who surrendered their lifejackets to soldiers, perished on the USS Dorchester as it sank after being attacked by a German submarine in 1943. (A US postage stamp commemorated the 4 chaplains.) 29 Shevat – Yahrzeit of Henrietta Szold, founder of Hadassah, died in 1945. 30 Shevat – The book, “The Jewish State” by Theodor Herzl was published on this date in 1896. 1 Adar – The Baron de Hirsch Fund was established on this date in 1891 to subsidize Jewish agricultural and trade instruction. It led to the establishment of several area synagogues in Connecticut by Jewish farmers who were beneficiaries of this fund.
2 Adar – The first armed street battles between Jews and Nazi soldiers took place on this date in 1943 on the streets of the Warsaw ghetto. 3
Notes from the Cantor In my role as a cantor, a word that I hear a lot is "traditional." "Cantor, can we sing the traditional melody for this prayer?" To which my response is always, "Which melody is the traditional one for you?" When I ask this question I am not being flippant; in most cases, I genuinely want to know. If five years studying at a pluralistic cantorial school taught me one thing, it's that "traditional" means different things to different people. Traditional melodies vary between Conservative Jews and Reform Jews; between Sephardic Jews and Ashkenazic Jews; and even between individual congregations. In school I was constantly surprised to discover that a melody I thought was an absolute standard was completely unknown to some of my classmates, and vice versa. What does "traditional" actually mean? Does it mean it’s a melody whose origin we don't know? It's true that a lot of our common melodies are attributed in books to the prolific composer "Trad." – meaning that we really don't know who wrote these melodies. But in many cases, we know exactly where our well-known melodies come from. The commonly sung melody for the Shema, for example, was written by Salomon Sulzer, a 19th-century Viennese cantor. The Friday night kiddush melody also comes from a 19th-century cantor, Louis Lewandowski of Berlin. In fact, you might be surprised to know just how many of the melodies that we call "traditional" were written by one of these two cantors. Is a traditional melody one that is very old? Sometimes, yes. The Ashkenazic melody for Kol Nidre, for example, is one of the oldest extant pieces of Jewish music we know of, dating back to around the 16th century. But some of our "traditional" melodies were actually written within the lifetimes of many of the people singing them. For example, the melody that we typically sing for M'chalkeil Chayim (the second blessing of the Amidah) on Shabbat mornings was written by my "grand-teacher," Cantor Max Wohlberg. Cantor Wohlberg taught nusach to my own teacher, Cantor Brian Mayer, when the latter was in cantorial school at JTS. The truth is that "traditional" really means "the melody that's familiar to me." Traditional melodies are the ones that are in our kishkes, the ones that we grew up with and that resonate in our souls. I have my own set of traditional melodies that I would find it hard to give up, as I'm sure you do too. But I'm also aware that not everyone's traditional melodies are the same as mine. And that's why if you ask me for the traditional melody, I will always ask which one you mean. What I am really asking is: What music is in your soul? It may be the same as mine, but it may be different. And that variation is part of the beauty of Jewish musical traditions. Cantor Sarah Bolts
Words from the President Please feel free to contact me directly at philipmargolis@icloud.com or at 860-657-9951. Since taking this role, I’ve been trying to use this space to provide some insight into the workings and oversight of BSBI. While I plan to continue that approach, I’m deviating a bit this month. My wife Sue and I went to Southern California at the end of December to visit friends and attend a family wedding. A few times, I caught myself half-jokingly complaining because the temperature was between 40-60 degrees, not quite what I expected. It may surprise you, but I hear my share of “comments” in my BSBI role. I actually appreciate them because they give me a view into the thoughts of the congregation, and often, we may need to address something. (So, it’s ok, keep them coming.) We live in the U.S., and most of us are fortunate enough not to have to worry about having a meal to eat or a place to sleep. Many of our complaints focus around such problems as why our technology doesn’t work or an issue with a retail store. These grumblings have been given a name: “first-world problems.” These include things like bad cell phone reception, late deliveries of online orders, robocalls to our phones or long lines at the coffee shop where we buy our lattes. Continued on page 7 4
RLWRS Update Upcoming Events: Sunday, February 3 World Wide Wrap Friday, February 8 Family Shabbat Dinner Wednesday, March 20 Purim Pizza Party/Costume Parade/Megillah Reading As promised, we held an engaging Tu B'Shevat experience on Sunday, January 13. Thank you to all the families that participated in growing and learning within our community. We celebrated on many levels including historically with text study while we filled up on the various fruits the land gave us agriculturally during a seder. Yes, we even had four glasses of wine (grape juice). We broke into class groups to make pine cone bird feeders, discuss how we can support our environment, and expand our vocabulary with a special Bingo game. We expressed ourselves in a theater chug with a holiday readers theater and compared and contrasted our characteristics with those of trees. What do you think you are most like? Finally, we ended with rousing songs. Thank you so much to Jane Zimmerman, Sarah Poutre, Aviv Rau, Jacob Beilenson, Emma Finer, and Jordanna Benblatt for all their hard work. We are proud to share that we now have all upper school students reading out of our siddur. They are gaining real confidence and proficiency in their skills. Each class is studying a different prayer that they will be able to read and understand. K-1 is working on the Sh’ma, Grades 3-5 is preparing Ashrei, and Grades 6-7 has learned Aleinu. Feel free to practice with your student. The K-1 class is preparing a Hebrew aleph-bet book while the upper grades are preparing Jewish History Projects. Students are also learning how the service works and discussing Torah Stories. Finally, we are looking forward to an exciting purchase of 10 tablets through a generous grant by the Schwedel Fund. This grant can be used only towards educational enhancements and will be withdrawn if not used. This will greatly enhance our students' ability to research, have fun while learning vocabulary, even explore Israel with virtual tools, just to name a few of the myriad (delete) uses we look forward to implementing. Scholarship Opportunities for BSBI Youth Beth Sholom B’nai Israel is fortunate to have a number of scholarships to support a broad range of activities that enhance and support Jewish activities of young people in our synagogue. These scholarships provide our youngsters with opportunities for exciting summer programs in a Jewish setting. We offer need-based scholarships to applicants who might otherwise be unable to participate in these experiences. In addition, we offer incentive scholarships to encourage all of our young people to participate in such programs. We encourage everyone who might be interested to apply, especially those who have not previously received such support. Our scholarships provide funding for a number of programs within the Conservative movement that offer invaluable experiences in Jewish living and education. These programs include Camp Ramah, other Jewish overnight camps, USY Summer Programs, summer courses at the Jewish Theological Seminary of America, and the USY Year Course in Israel. Continued on Page 11 5
BSBI Community “Thank you for your recent donation of 199 lbs of various items to go towards our food pantry. Your contribution will go a long way in helping the community. Your willingness to help our neighbors in need, whether the crises in their lives is just temporary due to a recent job loss, or loss of a spouse, and having trouble making ends meet. Your support goes a long way in helping HVCC help” The HVCC Food Pantry is an emergency food source for residents of Vernon, Tolland, and Ellington. The food is free to individuals who meet income and residency requirements. HVCC Basic Needs Program provides assistance to individuals and families in a manner which promotes independence while ensuring basic needs are met in a dignified manner, regardless of ability to pay, to prevent hunger and homelessness. No donation is too small, and all donations are greatly appreciated!
Zamir Chorale concert set for February 24! The Zamir Chorale of Boston, named “America’s foremost Jewish choral ensemble” by the American Record Guide, will be giving a rare local concert on Sunday, February 24, 4 pm, at the Charter Oak Cultural Center in Hartford (Connecticut’s oldest synagogue building). I have had the privilege to sing with this group of dedicated and talented musicians for the past ten years, and highly recommend this concert to anyone interested in Jewish music. We bring to our audiences a great variety of works, from exotic rhythms of the Middle East to the majestic anthems of 19th-century European synagogues, from the romances of Spain to the chants of Yemen, and from contemporary American jazz to the much-loved Yiddish tunes of Jewish musical theater, all narrated and explained by our founder and conductor, Dr. Joshua Jacobson. I hope to see you there! Abba Caspi
Social Action News The Social Action Committee met on January 13 to plan our winter and spring activities. Social Action Shabbat will be held on March 9 . We will have speakers who will address the issue of refugees in our communities and efforts to help them. Further information will be available in the upcoming BSBI announcements. Thank you to all who participated in our book collection for children! Our member, Hanna Marcus, invites you to the new exhibit, "Sidonia's Thread: Crafting a Life from Holocaust to High Fashion," mounted at the Windham Textile and History Museum in Willimantic, CT, from February 8 thru April 28, 2019 every Friday to Sunday, 10-4pm. Sponsored by Eastern Connecticut State University, the exhibit, based on her books, Sidonia's Thread and Surviving Remnant, will showcase garments made by her mother, Sidonia, over her fifty-seven years in America. If you have read the books, here is your chance to see the garments up close! The exhibit will also follow Sidonia's journey from a small village in Hungary through the Holocaust, a displaced persons camp, and finally to Springfield, Massachusetts. How did a woman succeed in America? Through her wits, her imagination, and above all, her hands. 6
Rabbi Richard Plavin Library Corner
Words from the President Continued
David Alter, Librarian
Amos Oz – Israeli writer, novelist, journalist, and intellectual — died December 28, 2018. Born Amos Klausner in Jerusalem, he changed his last name to Oz, Hebrew for strength. He is regarded as one of "Israel's most prolific writers and respected intellectuals.” He was also a professor of Hebrew literature at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev. He was the author of 40 books, including novels, short story collections, children's books, and essays, and his work has been published in 45 languages, more than that of any other Israeli writer. He was the recipient of many honors and awards. Oz was one of the first Israelis to advocate a two-state solution to the Israeli–Palestinian conflict after the Six-Day War. In 1978, he was one of the founders of Peace Now. He did not oppose the construction of an Israeli West Bank barrier, but believed that it should be roughly along the Green Line, the 1949 Armistice line between Israel and Jordan. He advocated that Jerusalem be divided into numerous zones, not just Jewish and Palestinian zones, including one for the Eastern Orthodox, one for Hasidic Jews, an international zone, and so on. He was opposed to Israeli settlement activity and was among the first to praise the Oslo Accords and talks with the PLO. In his speeches and essays he frequently attacked the non-Zionist left and always emphasized his Zionist identity. He was perceived as an eloquent spokesperson of the Zionist left. We have several of his works in our library: They are as follows: “THE SLOPES OF LEBANON”, “UNDER THIS BLAZING LIGHT: ESSAYS”, “ISRAEL, PALESTINE, AND PEACE: ESSAYS, A TALE OF LOVE AND DARKNESS”, “A PERFECT PEACE”, “SOUMCHI”
I shouldn’t need a reminder of what is important in life. Yet, like most people, I find myself annoyed by “first world” and other minor problems. I’m writing, however, during a week when I’ve been smacked over the head about what is important. On Friday after New Year’s, I woke to a text that my Uncle Herbie had died. He was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer only five weeks before. In addition to his children and grandchildren, he left my Aunt Faye, his wife and friend for nearly 60 years. My uncle was a kind man who never spoke badly about people. He would chat with anyone, particularly about the weather. He served with the Army in Germany during the Berlin Airlift. Together with my aunt, they fostered a young girl and cared for animals. He was the definition of a mensch. My uncle was 78. Just a few hours later, I attended the funeral of a member of our congregation, Ben Norman. By all accounts, Ben was a kind and caring man. He also was at ease talking with all sorts of people. He served our country in the Navy and was selected for an elite nuclear propulsion training program. Ben left his parents, Teri and Sam Norman, his siblings, grandparents and fiancée. Like my uncle, he exemplified the word mensch. Ben, however, was 20; he was far too young to leave us. Both funerals were overflowing with more people than each venue could accommodate. They were tributes to these good men who served as examples to others. Our “first world” and other problems are often trivial in the grand scheme of things, and too often it takes a tragedy to remind us of this fact. When we lose a loved one our worlds stop. When someone we care about experiences a life-threatening illness or event, it puts things in perspective.
I remain thankful for my wife, family and friends, that I have a job that I enjoy, that I have a warm home, and that I don’t have to worry about having food in our refrigerator. I am also thankful If you are planning an event, you MUST contact Judy to for our BSBI community, for the values we share and the coordinate Dave and other staff. Your cooperation is comfort we bring each other during challenging times. greatly appreciated and will help alleviate confusion.
If we find ourselves annoyed and complaining, I hope we’re inspired by the kind spirit that inhabited my Uncle Herbie and Ben Norman.
Phil Margolis, President https://www.facebook.com/ myshul/ 7
Sisterhood Speaks Mimi Kalman, Editor
Torah Fund Cards
What’s Ahead for Sisterhood? Saturday, February 9 7:00 pm Film Night, Tuesday, February 12 1:30 pm Knit & Kvetch Sunday, February 24 9:30 am - 11:00 am Sisterhood Adventure Walk Thursday, February 28 7:30 pm Sisterhood Board Meeting Tuesday, March 5 6:00 pm Sandals Memorial Dinner and Lecture
Cal and Elaine Vinick; get well to Diane Wasser, sympathy card to Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Sykes in memory of Jerry's mother, Jean Sykes. Lynn and Jack Cohen; mazel tov to Cantor Sarah Bolts and Michael Chernicoff on the birth of their daughter, Julia Shoshanah. Mimi Kalman; get well to Diane Wasser. To order cards for all occasions contact our Torah Fund Chairperson Lynn Cohen at (860-298-0457) or lynnbcohen@att.net
Saturday, February 9, “The Band’s Visit” Save the date: Saturday, February 9, at 7:00 pm! Coming soon to the Silverstein Center’s "Movie Theater.” Join us for a magical evening of music and merriment as the "The Band's Visit" hits the neighborhood! This is a delightful film about an Egyptian Band on a bus tour that makes a wrong turn and ends up stranded in an Israeli town. At first the Egyptians and Israelis view each other with much suspicion that then gives way to surprising friendships. The story is so special that a Tony awarded Broadway Musical is now playing in NY based on the film. Donations greatly appreciated, so that we can build our video library, but not required. For more information contact Rima at: at 860 649 8507, rimarainbow@cox.net Rima Riedel & Ann Labb Programming Knit & Kvetch We will be meeting this month in the BSBI library on Tuesday, February 12 at 1:30 pm. Would you like to make something small? How about some mittens? We’ve received a request for children's mittens. We will be happy to share instructions. Remember, we can always use yarn or monetary donations to continue our mitzvah. It doesn't have to be a huge amount, $5.00 goes a long way towards buying yarn. We do appreciate all donations of yarn, however please no wool. Our items need to be machine washable so we can only accept 100% acrylic. Please make sure that all donation checks are made out to BSBI Sisterhood and marked "Knit and Kvetch" on the memo line. They can be left in the BSBI office for us. Any questions, call me at 860-649-6551 or at IRANNEFINK@AOL.COM. Anne Fink 8
Sisterhood Speaks Continued Hadassah/Sisterhood Book Group We will meet at 7:30 on February 11 in BSBI's Silverstein Center. Our read this time is Promised Land by Martin Fletcher. Because PROMISED LAND is a new book, the library is not able to reserve multiple copies for us at this time. However, books are available in Manchester and surrounding towns’ libraries for individuals to hold/borrow. It is also available on Kindle. 'Promised Land is the sweeping saga of two brothers and the woman they love, a devastating love triangle set against the tumultuous founding of Israel. The story begins when fourteen-year-old Peter is sent west to America to escape the growing horror of Nazi Germany. But his younger brother Arie and their entire family are sent east to the death camps. Only Arie survives. The brothers reunite in the nascent Jewish state, where Arie becomes a businessman and one of the richest men in Israel while Peter becomes a top Mossad agent heading some of Israel’s most vital espionage operations. One brother builds Israel, the other protects it. But they also fall in love with the same woman, Tamara, a lonely Jewish refugee from Cairo. And over the next two decades, as their new homeland faces extraordinary obstacles that could destroy it, the brothers’ intrigues and jealousies threaten to tear their new lives apart. Promised Land is at once the gripping tale of a struggling family and an epic about a struggling nation.’ Scheduled meetings (all at BSBI, 7:30PM): Monday, February 11, Promised Land Monday, April 8 Monday, June 17 We hope you will join us! Maxine Lerman Myrna Spector
George and Lillian Sandals Memorial Dinner and Lecture Beth Sholom B’nai Israel, BSBI Sisterhood, and Manchester Hadassah will present the annual George and Lillian Sandals Memorial Dinner and Lecture on Tuesday, March 5, 2019 at 6:00 pm. Our guest speaker will be Rabbi Edward Feld, the senior editor of the new Siddur Lev Shalem and its sister volume Mahzor Lev Shalem, published by the Conservative Movement’s Rabbinical Assembly. He is listed as one of the Forward 50 - the 50 outstanding American Jews. Of his new book, Joy, Despair and Hope: Reading Psalms (Cascade Books) one reviewer wrote, “Rabbi Feld has a profound understanding of the pathways to spiritual striving,” and another wrote, “It invites readers to see the psalms as windows into the human condition.” In his distinguished career, Rabbi Feld has served as Rabbi-in-Residence at the Jewish Theological Seminary of America functioning as an advisor and mentor to rabbinical students, Rabbi of the Society for the Advancement of Judaism, and Hillel Director of Princeton University. He is a noted teacher, lecturing throughout North America. Rabbi Feld has published widely on halachic and ethical issues, on Jewish theology and on biblical themes and along with his book on Psalms is the author of The Spirit of Renewal: Faith After the Holocaust (Jewish Lights). Currently, Rabbi Feld resides in Northampton, MA with his wife, Merle, a noted poet, playwright and mentor to rabbis and cantors. Recently, he and his wife have begun a new virtual teaching venture, Derekh: Pathways to the Heart and Jewish Tradition. His lecture is entitled “The Making of a Mahzor and a Siddur.” The dinner will be held at 6:00 pm; minyan will be at 7:00 pm and lecture and dessert at 7:30 pm. The charge for dinner is adults - $20, under 18 - $15 and dessert and lecture only $5.00. To RSVP, by February 25, send your check, made out to BSBI Sisterhood,with your dinner choice (chicken, fish, vegetarian) to Mimi Kalman, 163 Scott Drive, Manchester, CT 06042 or mimrk524@gmail.com. For further info contact Susan Goodwin at 860-646-3200. 9
Sisterhood Speaks Continued Come Walk With Us, Again and Again
Share an Oneg On Shabbat, February 2, the Kiddush luncheon will be sponsored by Brotherhood in honor of Brotherhood Shabbat.
Join us for some fresh air and some invigorating exercise together. Meet us in the BSBI parking lot on Sunday, February 24, at 9:30 am and we’ll decide where to go, we will be back about 11:00 am.
Would you like to enhance our services in honor of a special occasion of yours? Call either of us, we’d be happy to help you; Stacey Poutre (860)432-7083, stacey@poutres.com Kiddush (Desserts only) Chairperson Mimi Kalman (860-649-3890), mimrk524@gmail.com Pulpit Flowers Chairperson
Check out our pictures from December’s walk around Risley Dam.
Sisterhood Gift Shop - Your Source for All Your Simchot Come on over and see what's new for the New Year! It's not too soon to plan for Purim, and don't forget all those upcoming B’nei Mitzvah. On a sad note, we offer a wide variety of permanent yahrzeit lights both candle and electric. And remember, we have books, CDs and gifts for every occasion! Coming soon Video Judaica section. Don't see what you want? Just call and I'll break out the catalogues. Still looking for a few volunteers. For more information or to schedule an appointment, Call or Email Rima at 860 649 8507, rimarainbow@cox.net
Ann Labb and Margie Partney, Co-Chairs
Important: Update Your Contact Information!
Have a new cell number or gave up your landline? Want to be added to our e-mail list to get our bi-weekly announcements, sad news notifications and other important information related to the congregation? Think you signed up to get e-mails but haven’t received any? Planning on moving or getting a new e-mail address? Have a child who has gone off to college and would like to keep up to date with life at BSBI? Please notify Tova Haley directly regarding ANY changes or issues by calling 860-643-9563 ext. 100 or by sending an e-mail to programming@myshul.org. REMEMBER: We cannot reach you if our records are not up to date!
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A Look Ahead in Brotherhood Events
Brotherhood Corner Carl Mandell, Brotherhood President
With the “New Year” behind us, we take off into our annual springtime activities. But first, we extend our thanks to Judge Henry Cohn who gave us deep insight into the history of civil rights in CT with a focus on Jewish History. February will be an exciting month starting with Brotherhood Shabbat on February 2, followed by the World Wide Wrap on the rd 3 . We always enjoy having our students join us as we teach them about the wearing of Tefillin. Many thanks to our organizers, especially Manny Lerman and Maury Luxemburg.
February 2019
2/2/19 Brotherhood Shabbat Service, including Lunch 2/3/19 World Wide Wrap and breakfast meeting/speaker
March 2019
3/3/19 Breakfast 3/15/19 Kabbalat Shabbat service and dinner
April 2019
4/7/19 Breakfast
May 2019
5/1/19 Yom HaShoah Program 5/5/19 Breakfast Meeting 5/19/19 Cooking for last day of Hebrew School
June 2019
6/2/19 Breakfast
Our next Brotherhood Breakfast Meeting will take place on March 3. 6/12/19 AAMGT (golf tournament) As always, Shacharit service at 9:00 followed by the breakfast meeting at approximately 9:30. Our presenter portion is open to everyone and follows the breakfast meeting. Our next speaker is Victor Dorobantu who will share with us his experience in the IDF. Also watch for information on our second Kabbalat Shabbat Service and Dinner, which is always well attended. Finally, a number of us participated in a CT Region Brotherhood event: Casino Bus Trip to the MGM Springfield Scholarships Continued We can also support programs outside the Conservative movement that have a daily prayer component, provide Jewish education, are governed by the laws of Shabbat and kashrut, and meet the other guidelines set by the synagogue’s Scholarship Committee. These programs must offer living experiences away from home; day camp programs, for example, do not currently qualify for support. The Scholarship Committee also selects the recipients of the Cantor Israel and Irene Tabatsky Scholarship, which provides two merit-based annual awards to college undergraduates who are furthering their Jewish education. We also partner with the Federation-sponsored Hartford Passport to Israel Program. Any temple member in good standing may apply for scholarship funding. Please get your applications in by the end of the month (Friday, February 8th). For those attending Camp Ramah, the camp is pushing to get all scholarship information from us as soon as possible, so we’re accelerating our timetable. The Scholarship Committee will meet soon thereafter to review all applications and make decisions. You can get a scholarship application from the synagogue office. You can also download an application form from the synagogue’s web site at this link: http://www.myshul.org/resources/forms/. Finally, I’d like to call to your attention the Jewish Federation program called “One Happy Camper,” which awards grants (up to $1,000) for first-time campers entering grades 1-12 (after camp), who attend a non-profit Jewish overnight summer camp for at least 19 consecutive days. You can find a list of the eligible camps and additional information at the following web site – http://www.jewishcamp.org/one-happy-camper. Sincerely, Aaron S. Bayer, Scholarship Chair, asbbayer@gmail.com, 860-716-5336 11
Celebration Dates in February
Birthdays Deb Carlson-1 Susan Mendelsohn-17 Renny Resnick-2 David Riedel-17 Herb Koenig-3 Thomas Mastronarde-18 Joseph Howell-4 Susan Goodwin-18 Manny Lerman-5 Adam Zimmerman-20 Ted Lloyd-6 Anne Herman-20 Jay Bigman-6 Kristen Hauer-21 Miriam Schwartz-7 Barbara Bayer-22 Lawrence Marks-9 Jody Gross-22 Maxine Lerman-9 Michelle Konigsburg-23 Edward Reilly-9 Trudy Singer-24 Sarah Cinquemani-10 Elijah Blumenstein-25 Neil Ellis-10 Robert Caplin-26 Wendy Videll-12 Ruth Heller-28 Andie Tardif-13 Linda Howell-28 Phil Stein-15 Zachary Aaron Filkoff-28 Lisa Plavin-16 Andrew Benjamin Filkoff-28 Donna Caplin-17 Barry Haight-28 Ira Fink-17 Doris Adler-29 Joel Lang-17
Anniversaries Harvey & Elaine Kahaner-2 James & Marcia McGee-7 Alex Feinstein & Cara Taback Feinstein-8
Lorin Pasternak & Scott Brennan-17 Peter & Emily Buch-17
Have a simcha you want to share with the congregation? Make sure to notify Tova at programming@myshul.org so she can include it in the bulletin!
If we have overlooked a special date please contact us at: 860-643-9563 ext. 100 so that we may celebrate it in the future. 12
BSBI Community Seder 5779 The second night of Passover, Saturday, April 20, 2019 Join the BSBI Community as we celebrate Passover together! Seder will start at 7:30 pm, and dinner will be served by 9:30 pm
Gourmet Kosher Meal: Beef Brisket, Chicken, or Vegetarian. Join us as we celebrate the second night of Passover together as a community! Traditional rituals, prayers, and contemporary discussion led by Rabbi Konigsburg. Register and pay by March 31st to get $36 per person price. VIP seating available – Reserve your actual seats in advance (on a first come, first served basis) for an additional $5 per person. ALL reservations close on April 7, 2019. To reserve your seat, register and pay online at myshul.org or complete the enclosed flyer and mail with a check payable to BSBI to: Dawn Steigelfest, 26 Tamarac Drive, Glastonbury, CT 06033 Questions? Contact Dawn Steigelfest at 860-659-4029
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Leave a Jewish Legacy
The BSBI Endowment Board of Trustees has periodically published Bulletin articles about Legacy Giving and our collective obligations to sustain, nurture and grow current programs and institutions for ourselves and for future generations. As we move from 2018 to 2019 in the secular calendar, the BSBI Endowment Board of Trustees thanks our prior, present and potential donors and supporters. Prior Bulletin articles have discussed our collaboration with the Jewish Community Foundation. This collaboration allows us to offer charitable annuities and charitable remainder trusts as other options for our donors. The Jewish Community Foundation can also provide continuity of philanthropy to support Jewish causes in the future. Our working relationship with the Jewish Community Foundation has never been better and will continue to strengthen as we moved forward together.
The New Year is an opportune time to review some of the ways you can give to the BSBI Endowment. It is also a good time to be certain that your Will reflects your wishes and values with regard to the disposition of your assets at the time of death. A bequest to the BSBI Endowment can be made in your Will either as a specific dollar amount or as a percentage of assets. The BSBI Endowment may be the beneficiary of an existing paid up life insurance policy. Alternatively, a new life insurance policy can be purchased with the BSBI Endowment named as the beneficiary. Under certain circumstances the premiums for such a policy may be deductible to the extent provided by law. Loved ones can be memorialized with gifts to the Endowment. In the past we have reviewed the use of QCDs [Qualified Charitable Distributions] from IRAs, Keogh, 403B or 401K plans if the owner of the assets is over 701/2 years of age. It is also possible to leave IRA assets to the Endowment at the time of death regardless of age. The residual of an estate can also be bequeathed to the Endowment. During the last calendar year the BSBI Endowment provided periodic educational opportunities about charitable giving and how you can help us sustain the institutions and programs that have helped enrich Jewish life east of the river. The tax regulations are complex and in constant flux. If you are considering leaving a legacy or retirement assets to the Endowment Foundation of BSBI please reach out to Jeff Wasser [jeffreywasser@sbcglobal.net] or Roy Filkoff [royfilkoff@altmanandco.com] or BSBIEndowment@myshul.org. Sincerely, Jeff Wasser, MD President of the BSBI Endowment 14
The Endowment Foundation Rabbi Leon Wind Religious School
Adult Education
Community
General Endowment Fund
Max and Sally Glaiber and Joseph and Gertrude Snider Fund
Bayer/Davison Fund
Sylvia A. Cheikin Fund
Berkman Family Fund
Howard Gold Fund
David Sherman Foster Fund
Clare-Kramer Fund
Ann and Emanuel Hirth Fund
Israel and Lillian Abramovitz Fund
Hochberg Family Fund
Ruth and Sidney Cohen Fund
Klemens-Wiener Fund
Religious
Bernard and May Kahn and Eli and Rose Lerman Fund Rubinow-Schwolsky Fund Rebecca Ann and Herman Seidman Fund Irene and Henry Springer Fund Diane and Barry Weinbaum Fund
Jacobs Family Fund
Jack Goldberg Fund*
Rose Jaffe Fund
F. Ruth and S. I. Kummer Fund
Katz-Robbins Fund Ruth Podrove Melton Fund
Rabbi Leon Wind Fund Irene and Abraham Zimmerman Fund
Barney, Jean, Rachel, and Sarah Moses Education Fund Gertrude and Abraham Podrove Fund Podrove - Resnick Fund Martin L. Rubin Fund Nat N. and Gertrude Sturm Schwedel Fund Berdine Spector Stoltz Fund
Fay and Benjamin Levy and Max Mandel Fund* Aida S. Nesselroth Educational Enhancement Fund* Saul and Carol Nesselroth Fund for Israel Advocacy George and Lillian Sandals Fund Ruth and Jack Sandals Fund Rabbi Jeshaia and Hilde Schnitzer Fund Saul and Rebecca Silverstein Fund
Gordon Barshay Lassow and Jay Joshua Lassow Fund Esther Margulies Lessner and George C. Lessner Fund Jerome and Louise Nathan Fund Ella and Herman Plavin Fund
Rhoda Goldstein Fund
Leonard Seader Fund
Edith Gottlieb Fund
Shapiro Family Fund
Leo and Shirley Juran Fund
Program Enhancement Beth Sholom B’nai Israel Operating Fund
Anna Brita Chilberg Fund
Bayer-Marlow Fund
Maxine & Efrem Jaffe Fund Seymour B. Kaplan Fund Sonia and Max Karp and Anita Karp Treston Fund Joseph Kopman Fund
Nellie Katz Cohen Fund Murray H. and Celia D. Novins Fund
Memorial Park
Elaine and Leo Charendoff Fund David S. and Norma C. Garber Fund Miriam Barshay Lassow and Herman Lassow Fund Capital Improvement Fund
Anne and Leon Kramer Fund
A. Elmer Diskan Fund
Rita and David Schmerler Fund
Continuity Fund
Emanual Hirth Fund
Nathan Chesler Fund
Morris and Ann Firestone Fund
Blanche and Robert Stone Fund
Maintenance/Capital Improvements
Raymond Bernstein Fund
Jay E. Rubinow Fund
Elliott and Eveleen Zimmerman Library Fund
Temple Beth Sholom Memorial Park Fund Congregation B’nai Israel Memorial Park Fund
Kahaner Family Fund Ethel and Nathan Kasowitz Fund Marcus Family and Bula Family Fund Irving and Ethel Mehlman Rose Fund Irma and Merwin Meridy Fund Rita Oshinsky Fund Phair Family Fund Reichlin Family Fund
Gloria and Robert Weiss Fund
Laurie Margolis Fund Cantor Israel and Irene Tabatsky Fund Marsha and Samuel Yules Fund
Endowments are an opportunity for each of us to provide for our synagogue on a continuous basis by creating a permanent tribute to our values and principles. Our synagogue is here for you as you experience life’s greatest joys and greatest challenges. The Endowment Foundation
Pauline and Nathan Rubin Fund Israel and Shirley Snyder Family Fund
Max Lundy Fund
The Need is Great!
Clare and Herbert Bernstein Fund
Ruben Fialkoff Fund
Eileen & Fred Stern Family Fund
Youth
Louis and Sadye Apter Family Fund
Plepler Family Fund
Weil-Braunsberg Fund*
Scholarships
Sheldon and Doris Adler Fund
The Time is Now,
Edythe and Abraham Zubrow Fund
*These funds can also be used in Rabbi Leon Wind Religious School
Max Zucker Fund
Pauline and Isadore Zackin Fund
For information about establishing an Endowment Fund or leaving a bequest, contact Dr. Jeffrey Wasser BSBIEndowment@myshul.org or Rabbi Konigsburg 860-643-9563 x101. 15
Contributions from Thoughtful People Thank you to those who support BSBI by remembering and honoring friends and loved ones with generous contributions. Donations appearing in the newsletter may not reflect all donations received prior to publication. Listings are as current as the newsletter deadline allows.
BERDINE SPECTOR STOLTZ FUND
Kupfer, Shirley Konigsburg from Dr. Kenneth Wichman In loving memory of Robert Wyman on the In memory of Marvin Weil from Ernest Dehaas occasion of his yahrzeit, from Mr. & Mrs. In memory of Marvin Weil from Marvin Smith Kenneth Spector In memory of Rabbi Konigsburg's mother, Shirley In loving memory of Sarah Wyman on the Konigsburg from Mr. & Mrs. Arnold Zackin occasion of her yahrzeit, from Mr. & Mrs. In memory of our son David from Jonathan & Kenneth Spector Linda Kaplan In memory of Berle Cantor, wife of Yale Cantor CANTOR'S DISCRETIONARY FUND from Mr. & Mrs. Ronald Abrahams In memory of Marvin Weil from Mr. & Mrs. Steven In honor of the birth of Julia from Dr. Richard Leshin Ketai & Dr. Laura Levine In memory of Marvin Weil from Mr. & Mrs. In honor of the birth of Julia Shoshana from Mr. Theodore Zupnik & Mrs. Theodore Zupnik In memory of Marvin Weil from Mrs. Sandi Phair Mazel Tov on the birth of your daughter, Julia In memory of Marvin Weil from Philip Klein Shoshanna from Tanya Macher Mazel Tov on the birth of Julia Chernicoff-Bolts from David & Ellen Neuhaus EDITH GOTTLIEB FUND Mazel Tov to Cantor Bolts and Michael Chernicoff on the birth of their daughter from Dr. & Mrs. In memory of Joseph Gottlieb, beloved father, on Ronald Scherick the occasion of his yahrzeit from Lori Gottlieb In memory of Alvin Miller on the occasion of his yahrzeit from Charlotte Miller GENERAL FUND In memory of Misza Neuhaus on the occasion of her yahrzeit from David & Ellen Neuhaus Speedy recovery to David Engelson from Dr. & In memory of Sidney Scherick on the occasion of Mrs. Ronald Scherick her yahrzeit from Dr. & Mrs. Ronald Scherick Yahrzeit from Mr. & Mrs. Robert Stone In memory of Yetta Osher on the occasion of her In loving memory of Steven Ross from Ms. yahrzeit from Joan Cushman Blanche Ross In memory of Lillian S. Rubin on the occasion of Thank you for the aliyah from Samuel Zwillich her yahrzeit from Mimi Cohen Get well wishes to Josh Stern from Dr. & Mrs. In memory of Evelyn Bigman on the occasion of Carl Mandell her yahrzeit from Mr. & Mrs. Jay Bigman Get well wishes to Diane Wasser from Dr. & Mrs. In memory of Dr. Leon Kaplan on the occasion of Paul Norman his yahrzeit from Jonathan & Linda Kaplan Get well wishes to Josh Stern from Mr. & Mrs. In memory of Abraham Stone on the occasion of Ronald Abrahams his yahrzeit from Mr. & Mrs. Robert Stone Get well wishes to Marilyn Lassow from Mrs. In memory of Henry Snider on the occasion of his Sandi Phair yahrzeit from Mrs. Rebecca Snider Miller In honor of Greg and Debbie Kupfer from Bret In memory of Anna Singer, grandmother of Sally and Emily Kupfer Ivaldi, on the occasion of her yahrzeit from Mrs. In memory of Marvin Weil from Annette McCall Sally Ivaldi In memory of Marvin Weil from Dr. & Mrs. In loving memory of Simon Lipton on the occasion Gordon Brodie of his yahrzeit from Ms. Eleanor Lipton In memory of Marvin Weil from Dr. & Mrs. In memory of Joseph Prant on the occasion of his Manuel Lerman yahrzeit from Peter Patten In memory of Julius Friedman from Dr. & Mrs. In memory of Benjamin Cohen on the occasion of Matthew Friedman his yahrzeit from Roseanne Solomon In memory of: Marvin Weil, James Ryan, Frieda 16
GORDON BARSHAY LASSOW & JAY JOSHUA LASSOW FUND In memory of my beloved sister, Marilyn Fried, on the occasion of her yahrzeit from Mrs. Gail Freedman
RABBI'S DISCRETIONARY FUND from Mr. & Mrs. Neil Brooks In memory of Rabbi Konigsburg's mother, Shirley Konigsburg from Dr. & Mrs. Paul Norman In memory of Rabbi Konigsburg's mother, Shirley Konigsburg from Mr. & Mrs. Richard Schiller JEROME & LOUISE NATHAN FUND In memory of Rabbi Konigsburg's mother, Shirley In memory of Ida Coddon on the occasion of her Konigsburg from Mrs. Mary Leon yahrzeit from Mrs. Louise Nathan In memory of Rabbi Konigsburg's beloved mother, Shirley Konigsburg from Mrs. Milly Malkin KAHN-LERMAN TRUST FUND In memory of Shirley Konigsburg from Mrs. Sandi For the speedy recovery of Carol Lewis and of Phair Arthur Lassow from Dr. & Mrs. Manuel Lerman In memory of Carole Littman Feir on the occasion of her yahrzeit from Mr. & Mrs. Alan Feir LEONARD SEADER FUND In memory of Rabbi Konigsburg's mother, Shirley RITA & DAVID SCHMERLER FUND Konigsburg from Mr. & Mrs. Herbert Byk R’fuah sh’leimah to Josh Stern from Dr. & Mrs. In memory of Lenny Seader from Ms. Sissy Alan Schmerler Seader R’fuah sh’leimah wishes to Diane Wasser from Dr. & Mrs. Alan Schmerler LIBRARY FUND Get well wishes to Sandy Phair from Dr. & Mrs. In memory of Judy Krutt from Mr. & Mrs. Alan Schmerler Theodore Zupnik Get well wishes to Carol Nesselroth from Dr. & Mrs. Alan Schmerler NICHUM AVAYLIM FUND In memory of Marvin Weil from Dr. & Mrs. Alan Best Wishes to Diane Wasser for good health Schmerler from Mr. & Mrs. Stephen Donnell SHABBAT LUNCHEON FUND RABBI LEON WIND RELIGIOUS SCHOOLGet well wishes to Diane Wasser and Josh Stern SPECIAL FUND FOR EDUCATION from Elly and Steve Cohen In memory of Harry & Mollie Kovensky on the In honor of the birth of Julia Chernicoff-Bolts from occasion of their yahrzeits from Mr. & Mrs. Neil Dr. & Mrs. Gordon Brodie Kovensky In memory of Marvin Weil from Anne and Ira Fink In memory of Moses Abrahams & Jacob Mazel tov on the birth of Julia Shoshana from Dr. Rubenstein on the occasion of their yahrzeits & Mrs. Alan Schmerler from Mr. & Mrs. Richard Abrahams
Donation Submission Guidelines Clearly print or type the following information and enclose it when you send in your donation payment: Your name and address as you want it to be printed Which fund(s) you would like your donation applied to The purpose of the donation, including the full name of the person you are honoring and your relation to them (parents, siblings, etc.), if applicable The name and address of who you would like to receive the acknowledgement Please note: If you are including multiple dedications on one check, each dedication should be at least a minimum of $10, and please specify how much you would like to go to each fund. All checks should be made out to BSBI and sent to the synagogue at 400 East Middle Turnpike, Manchester, CT 06040. If you are donating to an Endowment fund, note the name of the fund on the memo line. Please allow some time for the donations to be processed and receipts sent out. If you have any questions regarding donations, please contact Judy Sawtelle at admin@myshul.org. 17
February 2019 Evening Minyan Schedule Please Note: Services will begin at 7:00 PM except where noted. * Special credit to our twice a month (or more) Jewry Duty members MONDAYS (7:00 PM)
TUESDAYS (7:00 PM)
WEDNESDAYS (7:00 PM)
THURSDAYS (7:00 PM)
First Monday –2-4 Bloostein, Saul & Susan* Creem, Jerry* Delaney, Bill & Deb* Schmerler, Alan & Lea
First Tuesday – 2/5 Banks, Craig Baron, Barry & Joan Bayer, Aaron & Laurie Dashefsky, Arnold & Sandy Schiller, Richard & Amy Stern, Alfred & Eileen Vinick, Cal
First Wednesday – 2/6 Axler, Phil* Brodie, Gordon & Bea Karasik, Gail Keyser, Arnold & Diane* Lerman, Manny & Maxine Pasternak, Lorin* Rubin, Donna
First Thursday – 2/7 Burstein, David* Caplin, Bob & Donna* Luxemburg, Maury Mandell, Carl & Cruz Poutre, Stacey Riedel, Rima
People Needed
People Needed
Second Monday – 2/11 Bayer, Bill & Barbara Beck, Bruce Creem, Jerry* Delaney, Bill & Deb* Flink, Herb & Ellie* Ketai, Richard & Levine, Laura Partney, Philip & Margery
Second Tuesday – 2/12 Breslau, Bill or Susan Carter, Irma Cohen, Jack & Lynn Grad, Howard & Linda Kalman, Mimi* Lerner, Brenda Norman, Mike & Bonnie Phair, Sandi* Singer, Trudy
Second Wednesday – 2/13 Axler, Phil* Gamzon, Bill* Gottlieb, Joe Keyser, Arnold & Diane* Leshin, Steven & Barbara Pasternak, Lorin* Resnick, Barry & Renny* Sussman, Aaron* Zucker, Spin
Second Thursday – 2/14 Burstein, David* Caplin, Bob & Donna * Finkelstein, Paula Goldstein, Alan & Carol Norman, Sam & Teri Resnick, Barry & Renny* Sussman, Aaron* Zupnik, Ted & Barbara*
Third Monday – 2/18 Creem, Jerry* Delaney, Bill & Deb* Linner, Abe & Iris Ludlum, Cathy Milzoff, Joel & Irene Rubin, Paul
Third Tuesday – 2/19 Abrahams, Richard & Leslie Gross, Michael & Susan Ivaldi, Sally Meyer, Harold Meyer, Judy Orringer, Nelson & Stephanie
Third Wednesday – 2/20 Axler, Phil* Filkoff, Roy Gamzon, Bill* Igdalsky, Alan & Hope Kaplan, Jonathan & Linda Keyser, Arnold & Diane* Pasternak, Lorin* Plen, Donna Stoppelman, Julian & Susan Sussman, Aaron*
Third Thursday – 2/21 Borgida, Edward Burstein, David* Caplin, Bob & Donna* Klein, Phil Kovensky, Neil McGee, Marcia Murray, Becky* Phair, Sandi*
Fourth Wednesday – 2/27 Axler, Phil* Keyser, Arnold & Diane* Margolis, Phil & Susan Murray, Becky* Pasternak, Lorin* Shamash, Rahim & Sherry Sussman, Aaron* Zucker, Spin
Fourth Thursday – 2/28 Burstein, David* Caplin, Bob & Donna* Krutt, Sam Lassow, Marilyn Pearlson, Stan & Sue Sussman, Aaron* Zimmerman, Jane
Fourth Monday – 2/25 Bloostein, Saul & Susan* Creem, Jerry* Delaney, Bill & Deb* Pasternak, Lorin* Rubin, Susan Spiegel, Eugene Zimmerman, Eveleen*
People Needed
Fourth Tuesday – 2/26 Beede, Harriet Kalman, Mimi* Lassow, Jeff & Liza Mandel Plavin, Lisa & Rabbi Richard Turk, Mike or Maddy* Zimmerman, Eveleen*
People Needed
People Needed
People Needed
Fifth Monday – 12/31 Fifth Tuesday – 1/29 Fifth Wednesday – 1/30 Fifth Thursday – 1/31 Creem, Jerry* Abrahams, Ronald and Brina Burstein, David* Cole, Daniel & Florence We are looking for members to add to this Minyan List! Delaney, Bill & Deb * Axler, Phil* Caplin, Bob & Donna * Ellis, Joel & Susan Flink, Herb & Ellie* Cohen, Steve & Elly Goldstein, Alan & Carol Kloehn, Ed & Ellen Kovensky, Neil Feir, Alan & Donna Lerman, Manny If you have volunteered for Krutt, one night, would you consider committing for two per month? Please call Rabbi KoJoel & Tobi Ladue, Beverly Pasternak, Lorin* Leshin, Steve nigsburg at 860-643-9563 Ext. 101 or email rabbenu@myshul.org Weil, Marilyn Nesselroth, Saul & Carol Sussman, Aaron* Zupnik, Ted & Barbara* Poutre, Stacey Turk, Mike & Maddy* Zimmerman, Allan & Jennifer Zubrow, Barbara
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February 2019 Calendar 1 (26 Shevat)
4:47p Candle Lighting
3 (28 Shevat) 9:00a Morning Minyan 9:00a RLWRS Grades K-7 9:00a World Wide Wrap 9:30a Brotherhood Breakfast & Speaker 11:00a ParentChild B'nai Mitzvah Class
10 (5 Adar I)
4 (29 Shevat)
5 (30 Shevat)
6 (1 Adar I)
Rosh Chodesh Adar I
Rosh Chodesh Adar I
12:00p Lunch & Learn 7:00p Maariv
7:00p Maariv
7:30p Winter Lecture Series
7:30p BSBI Academy
11 (6 Adar I)
12 (7 Adar I)
7:00p Maariv
13 (8 Adar I)
7:30p Sisterhood Book Club
7:00p Maariv
18 (13 Adar I)
19 (14 Adar I)
No Religious School
Presidents' Day
Purim Katan 12:00p Lunch & Learn
24 (19 Adar I) 9:00a RLWRS Grades K-7 9:00a Brotherhood in Action Community Breakfast 9:30a Sisterhood Adventure Walk
25 (20 Adar I)
9 (4 Adar I) 10:00a Shabbat Services
4:30p RLWRS Grades 2-7
4:56p Candle Lighting
5:49p Havdalah
7:00p Maariv
6:30p Kabbalat Shabbat
7:00p Sisterhood Film Night
14 (9 Adar I)
Sunset: 5:14p 15 (10 Adar I)
5:05p Candle Lighting 7:00p Maariv
7:00p Maariv
20 (15 Adar I)
21 (16 Adar I)
7:00p Maariv
7:00p Maariv
4:30p Journeys Teen program 4:30p RLWRS Grades 2-7 7:00p Maariv
7:30p BSBI Academy
7:30p Board Meeting
26 (21 Adar I)
27 (22 Adar I)
12:00p Lunch & Learn
7:00p Maariv
8 (3 Adar I)
Sunset: 5:15p 16 (11 Adar I) 9:30a Meditation Service with Rabbi Konigsburg 10:00a Shabbat Services
6:30p Kabbalat Shabbat
5:58p Havdalah
Sunset: 5:23p 22 (17 Adar I)
Sunset: 5:24p 23 (18 Adar I)
7:30p BSBI Academy
17 (12 Adar I)
7:00p Maariv
5:41p Havdalah Sunset: 5:07p
4:30p RLWRS Grades 2-7
Learn
7:00p Maariv
6:30p Kabbalat Shabbat Sunset: 5:05p 4:30p Journeys Teen program
1:30p Knit & Kvetch 11:00a ParentChild B'nai Mitzvah Class
Shabbat Mevarchim 10:00a Brotherhood Shabbat Services
6:30p Family Shabbat
12:00p Lunch & 9:00a RLWRS Grades K-7
7 (2 Adar I)
2 (27 Shevat)
7:00p Maariv
5:14p Candle Lighting
10:00a Shabbat Services
6:30p Kabbalat Shabbat
6:07p Havdalah
Sunset: 5:32p
Sunset: 5:33p
28 (23 Adar I) 4:30p RLWRS Grades 2-7
7:00p Maariv
7:00p Maariv 7:30p Sisterhood Board Meeting
Please note that calendar times are listed as posted in the office as of the date Chai Lights goes to print. Any schedule changes after this time will be posted on the online calendar at https://www.myshul.org and included in the bi-weekly announcements. These sources will have the most up to date information on events. 19
BSBI has been given the opportunity to accept donations of vehicles through a partnership with Vehicles For Charity to process donated vehicles. Consider donating your unwanted vehicle in support of BSBI. It is easier and faster than selling it on your own, and you may qualify for a tax deduction! Donors say it is a satisfying way to make a larger donation than they normally could. Other vehicles accepted by this program include: unwanted car, truck, boat, motorcycle, RV or recreational vehicles. For more information go to: https://www.vehiclesforcharity.org
We have now made the switch to the new Siddur Lev Shalem! Similar to the Machzor Lev Shalem we use on Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur, Siddur Lev Shalem includes informational side notes and extra readings on each page to help everyone get more out of Shabbat tephillot (prayer). We are now offering opportunities to dedicate these siddurim in honor of people or events in our lives or in memory of loved ones. A siddur can be dedicated for just $50 a book. If you would like to see a copy of the new siddur, they are available for inspection at the synagogue.
Beth Olam Cemetery
Don’t Forget to Check Out MyShul.org!
The lock at Beth Olam has been replaced and now Our website has all the latest information on upcoming events, class and event registration, secure online no key is required. The combination is 1818. donations, and shopping opportunities that support BSBI! There is a reminder near the lock in case you have If you would like to send in any pictures, videos, or forgotten the combination. upcoming event information, please email programming@myshul.org.
Support BSBI with AmazonSmile! AmazonSmile is a simple and automatic way for Please follow the directions below to use the new you to support BSBI every time you shop, at no cost to you. When you shop lock: at smile.amazon.com, you’ll find the exact same • The lock is located under the black weatherproof low prices, vast selection and convenient cover shopping experience as at Amazon.com, with the • Pull the lock over the black weatherproof cover added bonus that Amazon will donate a portion • Turn the number to 1818-line them up with the red line of the purchase price. For detailed instructions • Lock will pull apart for how to sign up, visit our website at: • When done, reattach the cable to lock it www.myshul.org. •
Turn at least one number to secure lock
•
Replace the lock under the black weatherproof cover 20
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See Your Ad Here and Support BSBI! For more information, contact Tova Haley at programming@myshul.org or call 860-643-9563 x100
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Beth Sholom B’nai Israel 400 Middle Turnpike East Manchester, CT 06040
Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Permit No. 89 Hartford, CT 06101
Address Service Requested
Time Sensitive Material Please Do Not Delay
Place Label Completely Over This Box
THE MARCH CHAI LIGHTS DEADLINE IS
FEBRUARY 7TH
PLEASE SEND ALL ARTICLES TO PROGRAMMING@MYSHUL.ORG
The new year for ads in Chai Lights will begin with the March edition. If you or somebody you know is interested in placing an ad, please contact Tova at Programming@myshul.org or 860-643-9563 ext 100. The deadline for ad submissions is February 11th.
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FAMILY SHABBAT DINNER February 8, 2019 Service 6:30pm, Dinner 7:30 pm
JOIN US FOR OUR WINTER FAMILY SHABBAT DINNER Our students will be participating in the service SPECIFIC RSVP REQUIRED (See form below). RSVP due by Friday, February 1st. A generous donation from the David and Dorothy Sherman-Foster Family Fund will help subsidize the cost of these events. Adults: $8 Children 5 and over: $5 Children under 5: Free -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Please cut out this portion and mail with your check and reservation to: Beth Sholom B’nai Israel, 400 Middle Turnpike East, Manchester, CT 06040 Please make out checks to Beth Sholom B’nai Israel and write “Family Dinner” in the memo line. Name: _________________________________ # of Adult meals _____ Vegetarian? Y/N_____ # of children’s Meals ____ Vegetarian? Y/N___ Address:________________________________________________________________ Phone #: _______________________________ Email Address: ____________________________________________________________ Can you help with set-up or clean up? Y/N ___________ Questions? Please contact Ilene O’Neil: oroio517@yahoo.com, 860-202-2572 or Debbie Benblatt: dbenblatt@gmail.com
Sisterhood Film Night Saturday, February 9 7:00 PM Free Event-Suggested Donation The 8 men of an Egyptian band arrive in Israel having been booked to play at an Arab Cultural Center only to find out they have arrived in the wrong town in the middle of the Negev Desert with no transportation out until the following day. Watch as they are taken in by the Israeli townspeople, form bonds, and share a sense of unspoken longing and loneliness.
“The Band’s Visit” has not provided any of the narrative payoffs we might have expected, but has provided something more valuable: An interlude involving two “enemies,” Arabs and Israelis, that shows them both as only ordinary people with ordinary hopes, lives and disappointments. It has also shown us two souls with rare beauty.
~Roger Ebert
For more information contact Rima at: rimarainbow@cox.net, Phone- 860 649 8507 or Ann at: anlabbpro@aol.com, Phone-1413 244 8184.
Shabbat Across America 2019 Friday, March 1, 2019 Jews across the U.S. and Canada will come together in celebration of Shabbat Join us at BSBI for a Kabbalat Shabbat service at 6:00 pm Our students will participate in the service. Followed by a Shabbat dinner at 7:00 pm Be a participant in this opportunity to share Shabbat with thousands of Jews across North America! All are welcome. Send form & check, payable to BSBI, by February 22 to: BSBI, 400 Middle Turnpike East, Manchester, CT 06040 Or register online at: www.myshul.org/form/shabbatacrossamerica If cost is a concern, please contact the Rabbi. Subsidies may be available.
We will be coming to the Shabbat dinner on March 11h. A check payable to BSBI is enclosed.
Names_________________________________________________________________
Phone_____________________ Email: _______________________________ # attending
cost
Please indicate the number of vegetarian or gluten free meals required:
Adults
______ @ $ 12 =
$__________
Kids 5 & up
______ @ $ 6 =
$__________
_____ Vegetarian (adult or child)
Kids under 5
______ @FREE
Total
______
$__________
_____Gluten Free (adult or child)
In conjunction with the National Jewish Outreach Program, 989 Sixth Ave. 10th floor, New York, NY 10011 www.njop.org
Beth Sholom B’nai Israel...BSBI Sisterhood...Manchester Hadassah
George & Lillian Sandals
Tuesday, March 5, 2019 6:00 PM Dinner 7:00 PM Minyan 7:30 PM Dessert & Lecture
Rabbi Edward Feld is senior editor of the new Siddur Lev Shalem and of its sister volume Mahzor Lev Shalem, published by the Conservative Movement’s Rabbinical Assembly, for which he was listed as one of the Forward 50 – the 50 outstanding American Jews. Of his new book, Joy, Despair and Hope: Reading Psalms (Cascade Books) one reviewer wrote, “Rabbi Feld has a profound understanding of the pathways to spiritual striving,” and another wrote, “It invites readers to see the psalms as windows into the human condition.”
Featuring: Rabbi Edward Feld Lecture: “The Making of a Mahzor and a Siddur”
In his distinguished career, Rabbi Feld has served as Rabbi-in-Residence at the Jewish Theological Seminary of America functioning as an advisor and mentor to rabbinical students, Rabbi of the Society for the Advancement of Judaism, and Hillel Director of Princeton University. He is a noted teacher, lecturing throughout North America. Rabbi Feld has published widely on halachic and ethical issues, on Jewish theology and on biblical themes and along with his book on Psalms is the author of The Spirit of Renewal: Faith After the Holocaust (Jewish Lights). Currently, Rabbi Feld resides in Northampton Massachusetts with his wife, Merle, a noted poet, playwright and mentor to rabbis and cantors. Recently, he and his wife have begun a new virtual teaching venture, Derekh: Pathways to the Heart and Jewish Tradition.
RSVP by February 25th! E-mail Mimi Kalman at mimrk524@gmail.com or at (860) 649-3890 For further information contact Susan Goodwin at 860-646-3200
To register for the Sandals lecture and dinner, return this portion of the form to Mimi Kalman, 163 Scott Drive, Manchester, CT 06042. Please make out your check to BSBI Sisterhood.
Names ____________________________________________________________________ Address ___________________________________________________________________ Phone ______________________________ Need a ride? _________________________ Adults .............................. $20 = _______ Youths under 18 .............. $15 = _______ Dessert & Lecture only ..... $5 = _______ Total Enclosed = _______
Please indicate the number of each entrée : ____ Chicken ____ Fish ____ Vegetarian Total Number for Dinner: _____ Number for Dessert & Lecture ONLY: ______
Friday, March 15, 2019 Service: 6:30 PM Dinner: Approximately 7:30 PM Ru’ach to follow a traditional “Shabbas” dinner Gluten Free Option Available.
Questions? Call Maury Luxemburg at 860-798-1869 or Dave Alter at 860-729-6803 Reservation Form for Brotherhood Kabbalat Shabbat & Dinner Return this form by March 8th along with a check made payable to BSBI Brotherhood. Mail to Dave Alter, 5 Eleanor Street Extension, Vernon, CT, 06066
Name/s:___________________________________ Email:_______________________________ Address: _____________________________________ Phone nos.:________________________ City: _________________________ State: _______
Individuals ___
@ $20 = $__________
Zip:________
___ I have enclosed a check
Please indicate your meal selections: ______ Chicken
Family (3+) ___
______ Fish
@ $50 = $__________ Total = $__________
Please let us know if you need a gluten free meal option.
11th Annual
BSBI Community Seder 5779 The second night of Passover, Saturday, April 20, 2019 400 Middle Turnpike East, Manchester, CT Gourmet Kosher Meal: Beef Brisket, Chicken, or Vegetarian
Seder begins at 7:30 pm Dinner served by 9:30 pm
Join us as we celebrate the second night of Passover together as a community! Traditional rituals, prayers, and contemporary discussion led by Rabbi Konigsburg. Register and pay by March 31st to get $36 per person price. VIP seating available – Reserve your actual seats in advance (on a first come, first served basis) for an additional $5 per person. ALL reservations close on April 7, 2019. To reserve your seat, register and pay online at myshul.org or complete the form below and mail with a check payable to BSBI to: Dawn Steigelfest, 26 Tamarac Drive, Glastonbury, CT 06033 Questions? Contact Dawn Steigelfest at 860-659-4029 If interested in babysitting, please call! If cost is an obstacle, contact Rabbi Konigsburg 860-643-9563 x101 or rabbenu@myshul.org I/We will attend the Seder at BSBI on April 20th. A check is enclosed. Name(s)___________________________________________________________________________________ Phone _____________________
Please indicate number of each:
E-mail ___________________
Beef Chick Veg
VIP
Adults
______
@ $36
+5
= $__________ before 3/31
____
____
____
Adults
______
@ $45
+5
= $__________ 4/1 – 4/7
____
____
____
Teens 13-19
______
@ $10
+5
= $__________
____
____
____
Kids under 13
______
FREE
____
____
____
Total $___________
Family Camp Weekend at Camp Ramah Join Camp Ramah in New England for an unforgettable Family Camp weekend from May 24th-27th! General scholarship funds are available from BSBI for families to attend
We offer a whole array of camp activities, like sports and arts, a ride on our Alpine Tower Swing, rafting on our agam (lake), and an unforgettable Ramah Shabbat.
Throughout Family Camp we provide childcare for children of all ages from toddler on up and have babysitting at night, so the adults can go experience camp on their own.
There will be programs for adults, children, grandparents, and the whole Family! Family Camp is always a blast, and we’d be thrilled if you’d join us!
We hope you can join us! Email Simon Luxemburg at simonl@campramahne.org with any questions! Learn more at our website: https://www.campramahne.org/current-families/year-round-programs/family-camp/, sign up here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CRNEFamilyCamp2019 .
BSBI Endowment in collaboration with the
Bequest Intention Form Beth Sholom B’nai Israel If it is your intention to provide Endowment Foundation of Beth Sholom B’nai Israel (BSBI) with a bequest or other future gift, we would like to include you in our Etz Chaim Society and properly thank you and acknowledge your gift during your lifetime. Please complete this form and return it to the Endowment Committee of BSBI by mail at 400 East Middle Turnpike, Manchester, CT 06040 or e-mail a copy to Jeff Wasser at jeffreywasser@sbcglobal.net or Roy Filkoff at royfilkoff@altmanandco.com. Both can also be reached at BSBIEndowment@myshul.org. This is a confidential record. This Bequest Intention Form is not a legal document. It simply serves as a way for us to appreciate and recognize your generosity. I have already included the Beth Sholom B’nai Israel Endowment in my estate plan. I intend to include Beth Sholom B’nai Israel Endowment in my estate plan. If you are willing to provide us with the details of your plans, we thank you. MY BEQUEST WILL BE: A PERCENTAGE OF MY ESTATE
A SPECIFIC DOLLAR AMOUNT
THE RESIDUE OF MY ESTATE
A SPECIFIC ITEM OF VALUE
LIFE INSURANCE
RETIREMENT PLAN PROCEEDS
THE APPROXIMATE VALUE OF MY BEQUEST WILL BE: ____________________________________ MY BEQUEST IS UNRESTRICTED IT IS MY INTENTION THAT MY BEQUEST BE USED FOR THE FOLLOWING PURPOSES: _______________ _______________________________________________________________________ INFORMATION ABOUT YOU: YOUR NAME: __________________________________ DATE OF BIRTH: ____________ ____ SPOUSE NAME: _________________________________DATE OF BIRTH: ____________ ____ MAILING ADDRESS: __________________________________________________________ PHONE: (HOME) __________________________(WORK) ____________________________ EMAIL: _________________________________FAX: _____________________________ Unless you indicate otherwise, a member of committee will call you. I look forward to talking with you about this gift intention. I understand that listing this gift may be an incentive for others to give and I am willing to be publicly acknowledged. I understand you would like to contact me and I would be happy to discuss this with you, but I prefer not to be listed or acknowledged publicly. I understand you would like to contact me, but I prefer to remain anonymous and request no contact or acknowledgment. SIGNATURE:_______________________ SIGNATURE: _______________________ DATE: ____________ Endowment Committee of BSBI, 400 East Middle Turnpike, Manchester, CT 06040
BSBIEndowment@myshul.org
BSBI Endowment in collaboration with the
LETTER OF LEGACY INTENT I/We want to help ensure the continuity of Beth Sholom B’nai Israel (BSBI) and provide for future generations. Therefore, I/We have made a provision in our will or estate plan to leave a legacy for ___________________ through the Endowment Committee of BSBI in collaboration with the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Hartford, Inc. This letter of intent represents my/our commitment to leave a legacy for BSBI. It does not constitute a legacy obligation and may by altered by me/us at any time. ****************************************************************************** Name: ________________________________________________________________________ Address: ______________________________________________________________________ Telephone: ____________
Fax: ____________ Email: _______________________________
Signature: ________________________________ Date: _______________________________
OPTIONAL It is my/our intent to leave a legacy through my/our: ❐ Will ❐ Retirement Plan Assets ❐ Life Insurance Policy ❐ Living Trust ❐ Charitable Gift Annuity ❐ Charitable Remainder Trust ❐ Other _____________________ It is my/our intention to update our estate plan at the next available opportunity, with the following provisions: ❐ Provide a gift of ____ percent of the estate. ❐ Provide a gift of a specific dollar amount ($__________ if known) to be specified in the estate plan. I/We plan to designate my/our gift to support the following: ______________________________________________________________________________ You may mention and/or print my (our) name where it may serve as an encouragement to others to make a similar commitment. If yes, please initial here: _____________________ Thank you for helping to secure a bright future for the Jewish community. Endowment Committee of BSBI, 400 East Middle Turnpike, Manchester, CT 06040
BSBIEndowment@myshul.org