CBI BULLETIN YOUR SOURCE FOR ALL THINGS CONGREGATION BETH ISRAEL
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2019 • 5780
VOL. 69, NO. 1
Celebrate Chanukah with CBI Chanukah Family Celebration and Shabbat Service Friday, December 20, 6:00 PM Goodman Hall Join us for our annual Chanukah celebration! We’re a little early this year, but we will still enjoy a lively Friday evening Shabbat service and light candles together! As always, this is an incredibly fun night for families with kids of all ages. We’ll have booths with games, eat latkes, and enjoy music and Chanukah stories!
Games! Latkes! Music! Fun for all Ages!
Sharing the Light Holiday Concert Saturday, December 21, 7:00 PM Trinity Episcopal Cathedral
Sunday, December 22, 4:00 PM Congregation Beth Israel, Main Sanctuary In the spirit of our unique and beautiful holiday traditions, join us for a joyful musical collaboration between Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, Portland Community Orchestra, Pacific Youth Choir, and Congregation Beth Israel’s Kol Echad congregational choir. Tickets are $15-$55. Please visit www.trinity-episcopal.org/events.
CELEBRATIONS
Celebrate CBI’s New Chuppah Congregation Beth Israel’s new chuppah makes CBI weddings even more beautiful with its remarkably sculpted wood frame and hand painted silk covering. Created by artists Morris Jackson (a CBI congregant!) and Diane Fredgant, the first of many CBI weddings has already been celebrated under it—and here’s to generations more! Our deep appreciation to Howard and Jen Feldman for their support of this new project. Want to see our new chuppah up close? This congregational treasure will be on display at the Mittleman Jewish Community Center (6651 SW Capitol Highway) on Saturday, November 2 from 7:00 PM–9:00 PM and Sunday, November 3 from 10:00 AM–4:00 PM. Planning a wedding? Whether you celebrate on the CBI campus or farther afield, you are welcome to do so under this beautiful chuppah. Contact Emily Silverman, Senior Program Manager - Life Cycle Events, at emily@bethisrael-pdx.org for details.
CHANUKAH BEGINS SUNDAY NIGHT, DECEMBER 22 Rabbi Joseph’s Annual Chanukah Party Wednesday, December 25 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM Celebrate Chanukah with Rabbi Joseph in her new home! Light candles, eat latkes (and Chinese food!) and enjoy an evening with your CBI community. Remember, Rabbi Joseph has moved this year, so please RSVP for her new address to the CBI Main Office at (503) 222-1069.
Chanukah Care Packages The WRJ/Beth Israel Sisterhood wants to make sure your college student or active service member has a happy Chanukah with a special gift from our community. Every Chanukah and Purim, Congregation Beth Israel’s active service members, college students, and graduate students receive a festive treat from their CBI family. Students love the holiday message from Rabbi Cahana, cocoa, dreidels, gelt, and student directory that helps them keep in touch with friends from CBI. There is no cost to participants, but donations to the Urman Family College Communication Fund are always welcome. Parents, contact Kathleen Doctor by November 15 at KathleenDoctor@me.com with the following: • • • • • • •
2 |
Recipient’s name Recipient’s email address College attending or branch of service Address Year in school Permission to include name and email in student directory Any dietary restrictions CONGREG ATION BE TH ISR AEL | NOVEMBER /DECEMBER 2019
Lighting the Candles Candles are added to the Chanukiyah from right to left, but are kindled from left to right. The newest candle is lit first.
On the Shabbat of Chanukah, kindle the Chanukah lights first and then the Shabbat candles. Light the shamash - the helper candle set higher or lower than all the rest of the candles - first using it to kindle the rest of the Chanukah lights; say or sing: Ba-ruch a-tah Adonai, E-lo-hei-nu me-lech ha-o-lam a-sher ki-d’sha-nu b’mitz-vo-tav v’tzi-va-nu l’had-lik ner shel Chanukah. We praise You, Eternal God, Sovereign of the universe: You make us holy with Your Mitzvot, and command us to kindle the Chanukah lights. Ba-ruch a-tah Adonai, E-lo-hei-nu me-lech ha-o-lam, she-a-sa ni-sim la-a-vo-tei-nu/l’i-mo-tei-nu ba-ya-mim ha-heim ba-z’man ha-zeh. We praise You, Eternal God, Sovereign of the universe: You showed wonders to our fathers/mothers in days of old, at this season. On the first night only we add: Ba-ruch a-tah A-do-nai, E-lo-hei-nu me-lech ha-o-lam, she-he-che-ya-nu, v’ki-y’ma-nu, v’higi-anu, la-z’man ha-zeh. We praise You, Eternal God, Sovereign of the universe: who has kept us alive, sustained us, and enabled us to reach this season.
Check our website for recordings of the Chanukah blessings and a few favorite songs of the season! www.bethisrael-pdx.org/worship/sounds-of-cbi/
OUR LEADERSHIP
Sharing the Light by Cantor Ida Rae Cahana Senior Cantor In real estate, we know that the important thing is “LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION!” In the real estate of time, the location of Chanukah in the secular calendar changes year to year because as Jews, our holidays follow a modified lunar calendar. That means that sometimes (rarely) Chanukah has become “thanksgiv-akuh” when it pops up in late November whereas this year, Chanukah overlaps Christmas with the first night starting on Sunday, December 22. Because the dates of Chanukah usually occur somewhere close to Christmas, this minor festival holiday has attained far more significance than it really merits. The historic ignorance Jews had concerning Chanukah was widespread enough that it required the rabbis of the Talmud to ask, “Mai Chanukah? -What is Chanukah?” and proceed to give an explanation for its observance.
The reason they gave was not the history we can read in the apocrypha about the battle of Judah Maccabee and his followers, the sons of Mattathias, who rallied the Jews during the Hellenistic period to cleanse and rededicate the Temple after it was defiled. By the time the Mishnah was written (~200 C.E.), the Hasmonean dynasty had lost its luster, Chanukah was pretty much forgotten, and the rabbis chose to focus on the story of the miracle of a single cruse of oil lasting for eight days. The lasting message and answer to the rabbinic question, “What is Chanukah?” is found in the Haftarah we read during the Sabbath of Chanukah. Zechariah 4:6 exclaims, “Not by might and not by power, but by My spirit, says the Sovereign God!” It is not the victories of battle the rabbis encourage us to focus on, rather the light of the radiant soul which is planted in each one of us that shines through our relationships and actions this season. We add light each night of Chanukah just as we add hope and goodness with each lightening of some darkened spot in our world.
We can love and appreciate the light, music, and spirit of hope and redemption that our Christian neighbors share during this season of our very different, very beautiful holidays. This year, we will partner in a joyful musical collaboration of two concerts with Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, Portland Community Orchestra, Pacific Youth Choir, and our own congregational choir, Kol Echad. The first concert is Saturday night, December 21 at 7:00 PM at Trinity and the second is Sunday, December 22 at 4:00 PM in our Main Sanctuary of CBI. The concerts will each be about an hour and twenty minutes long, suitable for ages 6-7 and up. They will consist of the same first half; for the second half, two different holiday works by Handel: Messiah excerpts at Trinity and Judas Maccabeus excerpts here at CBI! Following the Sunday concert, we will have a menorah lighting and latke reception. Tickets are available at www.trinity-episcopal.org/events. A season of light, joy, and lots of great latkes to us all! Chanukah sameach! Cantor Ida Rae Cahana
CBI Religious School: Learning, Inspiration, Action by Ben Sandler, RJE Education Director Our school theme this year is inspired by a quote found in our Reform Siddur, Mishkan T’fillah; “Pray as if everything depended on God, Act as if everything depended on you.” Why this quote and why this year? Our school theme last year was “Torah Connects,” interweaving scribe visits, Torah Education letter fill-in days, classroom lessons, and the restoration of our Torah scrolls. Our students and families truly had the opportunity to connect, reflect, and celebrate each other, Torah and Jewish learning. This year, as we continue to draw from the lessons of our Torah and Jewish texts, and engage
in prayer and spiritual connection, our emphasis focuses on our partnership with God in improving our world. For example, I recently spoke with a student who was discouraged by the challenges in our world from climate change and gun violence. She was in despair over these topics, feeling that the flawed and broken world she has inherited is irreparably damaged. Her facts on climate change were extremely well researched. She had personal experience with lockdowns at her school involving actual threats of gun violence. These challenges are real and her fear totally understandable. Our students need hope, inspiration, community, imagination, and a vision of optimism to find the strength to engage in Tikkun Olam, repairing our world. For this amazing teen and for all of our students
who feel overwhelmed by shouldering the burdens of our day, we must remind them and ourselves of another important idea drawn from Pirke Avot: “You are not obligated to complete the work, but neither are you free to desist from it (2:21).” Like our ancestors before us we will continue to be inspired, imaginative, and hopeful to find light in dark places, support each other through difficult work we do together, and to make this a healthier and just world for all people. L’shalom, Ben
NOVEMBER /DECEMBER 2019 | CONGREG ATION BE TH ISR AEL
| 3
UPCOMING EVENTS ADULT EDUCATION The Prophets: An Adult Education Lunch and Learn Thursdays, November 14, November 21, and December 12, 12:00 PM Shirley and Herbert Semler Board Room Associate Rabbi Rachel Joseph will lead three in-depth class sessions on the prophets; CBI’s own Ron Silver will join her in leading the final session.
BROTHERHOOD Latkes and Vodkas Sunday, December 15, 2:00 PM Blumauer Auditorium Join Brotherhood for one of the tastiest events on the CBI calendar…and do your best to win the title of Number One Latke Chef. Brotherhood provides the basics: potatoes, onions, and oil. You provide the secret ingredients and techniques of your choice. Will this year’s victor use a recipe that’s been in his family for generations? Go a little Portland fusion and encorporate wasabi? The only way to find out is to come hungry to Latkes and Vodkas!
SISTERHOOD Sisterhood Craft Night Tuesday, November 12, 6:00 PM SW Portland Home of Sheryl Martel (RSVP for Address) Make a beautiful bracelet with your friends from the WRJ/Beth Israel Sisterhood. Sisterhood’s own Shoshanna Lansberg provides her expert guidance at the SW home of Sheryl Martel (RSVP for address). $15; bring cash or check to the event. Please RSVP by November 8 to cbisisterhoodrsvp@gmail.com
Chanukah White Elephant Party Thursday, December 19, 7:00 PM SE Portland Home of Robyn Urbach (RSVP for address) Bring a funny, fantastic, or festive WRAPPED item for the gift exchange. It must be something you already have or no longer want, with a dollar value of less than $20. The first person opens a gift. On subsequent turns, each person has the choice to either unwrap a new present or “steal” another’s. The game is over when everyone has a present. Please also bring menstruation products to donate for
4 |
those in need (no plastic applicators, please). Light appetizers, desserts and libations of all kinds will be served. There is plenty of street parking in the neighborhood. RSVP to cbisisterhoodrsvp@gmail.com
SOCIAL ACTION Immigration/Refugee Subcommittee Wednesday, Dec 4, 4:30 PM Shirley and Herbert Semler Board Room
MINI MENSCHES Tot Shabbat
Saturday, November 2 and 16, Saturday, December 7 and 21 9:00 AM Pollin Chapel Join the Mini Mensches for a joyful Shabbat celebration, complete with music, stories, crafts, and a tasty Oneg.
Please join us for our ongoing work on behalf of immigrants and refugees.
Brunch and Learn: December Dilemma
Social Action Committee Meetings
Saturday, December 7, 10:00 AM Goodman Hall
Wednesdays, Nov 6, Dec 4, 5:30 PM Shirley and Herbert Semler Board Room All are welcome at the meetings of CBI’s Social Action Committee to plan for ongoing activities.
Interfaith Alliance on Poverty Thursday, Nov 7 and Dec 5, 12:00 PM November: Rose City Presbyterian Church 1907 NE 45th Avenue December: Westminster Presbyterian Church 1524 NE Hancock Street
Directly following Tot Shabbat, we invite parents to join our clergy for bagels, schmear and good conversation! We’ll be discussing the dilemma every Jewish parent faces each December: tackling the topic of Christmas and Chanukah with your child. While parents discuss, all kids are invited for gymnastics next door! We’ll keep them busy, fed and happy while you have your time together.
CBI is a member of the Interfaith Alliance on Poverty. This group’s mission is to alleviate poverty in the Portland area. Key to this work is understanding root causes and systematic issues that are central to the perpetuating of poverty. Activities include educational programs, advocacy, and direct service. Meetings are held monthly and include educational components. This program is open to the larger Portlandarea Jewish community.
Thanksgiving Dinner for NW Towers Sunday, November 24, 10:30 AM Goodman Hall Please join the Social Action Committee and other CBI volunteers in preparing and serving a traditional Thanksgiving Dinner for our neighbors at NW Towers. There will be opportunities for donating food, cooking, dining room setup and decorating, serving and more. Cooking starts at 10:30 AM at CBI, dinner will be served at 2:30 PM. Information and details on volunteering will be available in upcoming Beneath Our Dome emails.
Lift Urban Portland Christmas Dinner Wednesday, December 25, 9:00 AM Goodman Hall In conjunction with Lift Urban Portland, CBI prepares and serves Christmas dinner for hundreds of people in need. Signup starts November 1 at www.volunteersignup.org/MMACD.
CONGREG ATION BE TH ISR AEL | NOVEMBER /DECEMBER 2019
EDUCATION Date Night Saturday, November 2 and December 7, 5:00 PM Blumauer Auditorium Go check out that restaurant you’ve been dying to try and leave the kids with us! Each month kids in grades K-5 will join us for Jewish learning, to play games, eat dinner (and dessert!) together while you get a night off. We end the fun with a family Havdalah. $15; reservations open one month in advance.
UPCOMING EVENTS Overwhelmed and StressedOut : Is that Your Teen?
OTHER EVENTS
YOUTH GROUPS
Thursday, November 14, 7:00 PM Pollin Chapel
DOR CHADASH
Today’s teenagers are faced with multiple pressures from school, extra–curricular activities, family/ social life and the culture of social media. Join Dinah Gilburd, LCSW, Community Outreach Clinician with Jewish Family and Child Services, as she presents strategies to help parents navigate through this challenging time.
Dor Chadash Goes Rock Climbing
Sixth Grade Shabbatini: Tallit Making Saturday, November 16, 10:30 AM Pollin Chapel CBI’s sixth grade families are invited to come together for the first of three family programs designed for them throughout the year. In anticipation of students’ B’nei Mitzvah, they will have a learning service and then create a tallit together that will be used to wrap the torah for each CBI student at their Bar or Bat Mitzvah service.
Seventh Grade Shabbatini: Civil Rights Sunday, November 17, 9:15 AM Goodman Hall At the first of our seventh grade’s three Shabbatinis, Ron Silver will speak with students and their families about the roles Jews played in the American Civil Rights Movement.
Fourth Grade Family Program: Why Ivrit? Sunday, November 17, 10:15 AM Goodman Hall Our Why Ivrit? program goes over basic Hebrew, explaining the beauty and background of the language as fourth graders and their families begin decoding the prayer book.
Fifth Grade Family Program: A Journey Through the Siddur
CBI Book Club
Sunday, November 3, 12:15 PM Planet Granite, 1405 NW 14th Ave Our sixth and seventh graders are invited to join us for an afternoon of challenging themselves and team building when we go climbing at local climbing gym Planet Granite. Instructors will lead teens through climbing techniques and activities to practice and learn climbing. We will eat lunch together at CBI directly following Religious School, then walk over to Planet Granite. Pick up will be at 3:00 PM at Planet Granite. The cost of this event is $15 per child and includes everythingincluding lunch. Please reach out to Chelsea@bethisrael-pdx.org with any questions.
Dor Chadash at Stone Soup PDX Sunday, December 8, 12:15 PM Stone Soup PDX, 306 NW Broadway Stone Soup PDX is a non-profit foodservice training enterprise providing life skills and hands-on culinary expertise to people who are at risk of homelessness owned by members of our congregation. Our sixth and seventh grade will support the project by eating lunch at Stone Soup, and by meeting and talking with the workers about their experiences. Building relationships and getting proximity to homelessness is an amazing way to teach teens about the importance of empathy and human connection. We will walk over to Stone Soup PDX right after Religious School to eat lunch. Pick up will be from Stone Soup PDX at 3:00 PM.
PARTY PARTY Event Sunday, November 17, 2:15: PM TBD Have fun with our Jewish Youth Group, PARTY. Open to eighth through twelfth graders; details to follow.
Sunday, December 8, 10:15 AM Goodman Hall
PARTY Chanukah Event
At our fifth grade family program, students, their families, and the CBI “Journey through the Siddur,” learning all about our prayers and why we say them.
Celebrate Chanukah with PARTY, CBI’s High School youth group.
Saturday, December 21, 6:00 PM TBD
Sunday, Nov 3 and Dec 8 9:00 AM Amy R. Goldsmith/Spear Research Library CBI bibliophiles gather monthly for coffee and lively conversation over each month’s book. November’s book will be James McBride’s The Color of Water and December’s will be Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson, who spoke at CBI last spring as part of our Oseran Family Lecture Series.
Confessions of a Jewish Couch Potato Wednesday, Nov 6 and Dec 18, 12:00 PM Goodman Hall Bring a brown bag lunch for our monthly couch potato meetup with Wendy Bocarsky in this fun, interesting look at the intersection between TV, movies, and Jewish values.
Roots | Shorashim | Judur Saturday, November 23, 7:00 PM Congregation Neveh Shalom (2900 SW Peaceful Lane) CBI is pleased to co-sponsor an evening with Rabbi Hanan Schlesinger and Shadi Abu Awwad of Shorashim/ Judur/ Roots. Rabbi Schlesinger is an Orthodox rabbi and teacher, and a passionate Zionist settler who has been profoundly transformed by his friendship with Ali Abu Awwad, a leading Palestinian activist teaching his countrymen nonviolent resistance, and reaching out to Jewish Israelis at the heart of the conflict. Shadi Abu Awwad created the Roots youth program and was its first director. Through this program, local Palestinian and Israeli teenagers, who would otherwise never met each other, learn to acknowledge each other’s humanity and become a new type of leader who can work together with the other side – and not against it – to create a better future for their peoples. Please visit www.friendsofroots.net for more information on the inspiring grassroots projects being done by these Israelis and Palestinians who share the conviction that human understanding and trust are the prerequisites for lasting justice, freedom and peace on that tiny sliver of land that they both call home.
NOVEMBER /DECEMBER 2019 | CONGREG ATION BE TH ISR AEL
| 5
UPCOMING EVENTS
SERVICES, RELIGIOUS SCHOOL, COMMITTEES, AND OTHER RECURRING EVENTS SERVICES
RELIGIOUS SCHOOL
COMMITTEE MEETINGS
Shabbat Evening Services
Sunday Hebrew Program (Pre-K - 7th Grade)
Adult Education
Friday Evenings 6:00 PM, Pollin Chapel*
Sundays, 9:15 AM- 12:15 PM Sherman Education Building
JND Shabbat
November 14, December 19, 8:30 AM Shirley and Herbert Semler Board Room
Board of Trustees
November 1, December 6 7:30 PM, Pollin Chapel
Sunday Hebrew Program (8th Grade - 12th Grade)
November 21, 6:30 PM Shirley and Herbert Semler Board Room
Tot Shabbat
Sundays, 12:15 PM- 2:15 PM Sherman Education Building
Executive Committee
November 2 & 16, December 7 & 21 9:00 AM, Pollin Chapel
Integrated Hebrew Program (IHP) Thursdays, 4:30 PM - 6:00 PM Sherman Education Building
Kabbalat Shabbat Speaker: Lt. Col. (Res.) Tiran Attia Friday, November 8, 6:00 PM Pollin Chapel
NO RELIGIOUS SCHOOL
Guest Speaker Lt. Col. (Res.) Tiran Attia is the director of Special in Uniform, a unique program, operating in partnership with Jewish National Fund (JNF) to integrate young people with autism and other disabilities into the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and, in turn, into Israeli society.
End Gun Violence Shabbat Friday, November 15, 6:00 PM Pollin Chapel At the invitation of Lift Every Voice Oregon and Ecumenical Ministeries of Oregon, CBI joins other faith communities throughout Oregon to lift our voices for a peaceful world free of gun violence. Sponsored by Social Action.
Sunday, November 10 and 24, Thursday, November 29, Sunday, December 1 DURING WINTER BREAK: December 20, 2019 - January 3, 2020
December 4, 4:30 PM Shirley and Herbert Semler Board Room
Interfaith Alliance on Poverty November 7, December 5, 12:00 PM November: Rose City Presbyterian Church (1907 NE 45th Avenue) December: Westminster Presbyterian Church (1524 NE Hancock Street)
Social Action Committee
Celebrated at: Shabbat Morning Services (10:30 AM) or Havdalah Services (5:00 PM)
WRJ/Beth Israel Sisterhood Board
B’not Mitzvah of Simone Rosen and Chloe Rosen Saturday, November 2, 10:30 AM Main Sanctuary
Torah Study Saturday Mornings 9:00 AM, Shirley and Herbert Semler Board Room
Havdalah Bar Mitzvah of Julian Seal Saturday, December 7, 5:00 PM Pollin Chapel
Shabbat Morning Services
Bat Mitzvah of Miriam Tanner-Tell Saturday, December 21, 10:30 AM Main Sanctuary
*When our community celebrates B’nei Mitzvah, and on other occasions throughout the year, these services may take place in our Main Sanctuary. Our weekly e-news or website (www.bethisrael-pdx.org) is your best source for up to the minute location details.
Immigration/Refugee Subcommittee
B’NEI MITZVAH
Bar Mitzvah of Gabriel Derner Saturday, November 30, 10:30 AM Main Sanctuary
Saturday Mornings 10:30 AM, Pollin Chapel*
November 13, December 4, 12:00 PM Shirley and Herbert Semler Board Room
The CBI server will be down for for Scheduled Server Maintainence Friday, November 22 - Sunday, November 24 Over the course of this weekend, clergy and staff will not be able to receive emails. All emails will be delivered to their intended recipients on Monday, November 25, when the new server is in place.
November 6, December 4, 5:30 PM Shirley and Herbert Semler Board Room
November 7, December 5, 6:00 PM Shirley and Herbert Semler Board Room
OTHER RECURRING EVENTS Mah Jongg Every Friday, 10:00 AM Shirley and Herbert Semler Board Room
Knit-a-Mitzvah Third Wednesday of the month, 10:00 AM Shirley and Herbert Semler Board Room
Book Club First Sunday of the month, 9:00 AM Amy R. Goldsmith/Spear Research Library
OFFICE CLOSURES November 28-29, Thanksgiving December 25, Christmas Day Jaunary 1, 2020, New Years Day
For our full calendar of events, visit www.bethisrael-pdx.org 6 |
CONGREG ATION BE TH ISR AEL | NOVEMBER /DECEMBER 2019
UPCOMING EVENTS
B’NEI MITZVAH
CHANUKAH
Gabriel Derner
Chanukah Family Celebration and Shabbat Service Friday, December 20, 6:00 PM Goodman Hall Join us for our annual Chanukah celebration! We’re a little early this year, but we will still enjoy a lively Friday evening Shabbat service and light candles together! As always, this is an incredibly fun night for families with kids of all ages. We’ll have booths with games, eat latkes, and enjoy music and Chanukah stories!
Gabriel Derner will become a Bar Mitzvah on Saturday, November 30. He is the son of Naomi Derner and Ethan Derner and has an older sister Veronica. Jacob’s grandparents are Irene Berner of New Paltz, NY, and Don and Anne (z’l) Derner of Front Royal, VA. Gabriel is passionate about technology, computer games, and computer programming. A seventh grader at Northwest Academy, Gabriel has been volunteering at Free Geek. Free Geek’s mission is to sustainably reuse technology, enable digital access, and provide education to create a community that empowers people to realize their potential. Gabriel has volunteered more than twelve hours of his time this year making a difference by disassembling computers for recycling and sorting equipment from donors. He intends to volunteer an additional twelve hours over the next few months.
Julian Paul Seal
Sharing the Light Holiday Concert Saturday, December 21, 7:00 PM Trinity Episcopal Cathedral 147 NW 19th Ave Sunday, December 22, 4:00 PM Main Sanctuary In the spirit of our unique and beautiful holiday traditions, join us for a joyful musical collaboration between Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, Portland Community Orchestra, Pacific Youth Choir, and Congregation Beth Israel’s Kol Echad congregational choir. Tickets are $15-$55. Please visit www.trinity-episcopal.org/events.
Julian Paul Seal will become a Bar Mitzvah on Saturday, December 7, 2019. The son of Lara Greenberg and Paul Seal, Julian has an older brother, Henry, and a younger brother, Isaac. Julian’s grandparents are Iris and Jay Greenberg of Irvington, NY, and Jo Ann and Paul Seal of Saratoga, CA. Julian is a seventh grader at Jackson Middle School and enjoys wrestling, playing baseball, learning tricks on his scooter, hanging out with his friends, and playing video games. For his Mitzvah Project, Julian has decided to help the Oregon Humane Society gather much-needed items for their animals. The animals at the Oregon Humane Society stay until they are adopted, which can sometimes be a long time. Julian’s goal is to make the animals in the shelter feel loved and cared for while they are there. By providing supplies like toys, rubber mats, rugs, food and harnesses, the animals will be well cared for and ready to go home to their forever family. You can assist Julian in his effort to help homeless animals at www.oregonhumane.org/donate/wish-list/.
Mazel Tov to all our November/December B’nei Mitzvah Celebrants
Rabbi Joseph’s Annual Chanukah Party!
B’not Mitzvah of Simone Rosen and Chloe Rosen Saturday, November 2, 10:30 AM
Wednesday, December 25, 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM Rabbi Joseph’s new home
Bar Mitzvah of Gabriel Derner Saturday, November 30, 10:30 AM
Celebrate Chanukah with Rabbi Joseph in her new home! Light candles, eat latkes (and Chinese food!) and enjoy an evening with your CBI community. Remember, Rabbi Joseph has moved this year, so please RSVP for her new address to the CBI Main Office at (503) 222-1069.
Havdalah Bar Mitzvah of Julian Seal Saturday, December 7, 5:00 PM Bat Mitzvah of Miriam Tanner-Tell Saturday, December 21, 10:30 AM
NOVEMBER /DECEMBER 2019 | CONGREG ATION BE TH ISR AEL
| 7
COMMUNITY
Todah Raba, CBI Ushers! Congregation Beth Israel congregants surely saw many familiar faces over the recent High Holidays, but the first to greet most of them was likely usher Steve Forman, who has been volunteering in that role for over fifty years. As he moved up in the “ranks,” beginning as a volunteer in the balcony, graduating to the side doors, then up by the Bimah, then the main entrance, and then finally to prayer book distribution, he has witnessed many changes: the CBI usher corps used to be exclusively comprised of men—and those men were encouraged to wear dark suits! Steve recalls that “in the past we did have to collect tickets from each attendee for each service which were mailed out by the TBI office (that is before we were re-named CBI).” While much has changed, the warm, welcoming spirit of CBI has been consistent. Steve was not alone as the welcoming face of CBI for the 5780 High Holiday Season. Organized by CBI Brotherhood President Eric Flamm, this year’s Greeters included Aaron Korach, Benjamin Ariff, Bob Winthrop, Brad Tonkin, Bruce Melzer, Connie Yanakiev, Craig Gerard, David Abrams, David Braymer, David Goldwyn, David Lewin, Gary Martel, Harley McWatters, Jeff Capen, Judah Garfinkle, Marc Carver, Matthew Rosenberg, Michael Anton, Nathan Brydn, Page Mesher, Randy Geller, Ron Silver, Sheryl Martel, Steve Bilow, and Susan Milstein. This wonderful crew of dedicated volunteers helped our full schedule of services run smoothly and comfortably, and we are always ready to welcome new greeters for the High Holidays and other major CBI events; contact Communications and Program Coordinator Tracy Manaster Alifanz at Tracy@bethisrael-pdx.org to sign up! Steve in particular hopes that at least one of our readers takes this as a personal challenge and is inspired to match—or exceed!—his fifty years on the job. He points out that while “the pay is not so good, there are ‘fringe benefits’ – join us and find out for yourself.”
A Sweet Start to 5780! Our Rosh Hashanah Reception was particularly sweet, thanks to the homemade confections of: Bonnie Barg, Janice Slonecker Berman, Susan Berniker, Ellen Bick, Debbie Braymer, Becky Cambreleng, Risa Colton-Feldman, Julia Daigneault, Bonnie Davis, Kathleen Doctor, Leslie Geller, Elana Guiney, Louis Guzman-Woldrich, Judith Hochhauser Schneider, Keren Hoover, Lindsey Horenblas, Morrie Jackson, Jaime Keane, Arlene Koenigsberg, Shoshana Lansberg, Diane Lowensohn, Susan Milstein, Leslie Robinson, Sally Rosenfeld, Tiffany Rosenfeld, Rachel Segal, Abby Segal, Stephanie Siegel, Shayna Sigman, Karen Stavis , Bobbi Swerdlin, Joanne Treuhaft, Terri Warren, Janet Weil, and Jean Wright. Thank you for the time and effort you put in to making our holiday gathering warm, welcoming... and delicious!
Social Action IN Action
8 |
CONGREG ATION BE TH ISR AEL | NOVEMBER /DECEMBER 2019
SOCIAL ACTION
Social Action at CBI
End Gun Violence Shabbat
Brit Olam, Covenant with our World
Friday, November 15, 6:00 PM Pollin Chapel
As we begin our new Jewish year of 5780 we are a few months into our participation in Brit Olam, our commitment with other Reform Congregations to bring strength and urgency to our social justice work. A key strategy for “Brit” effectiveness is to find partners and allies, and to share knowledge, skills and resources. In September, two partners found each other at CBI, linking two of our Brit Olam cohort groups. This happened when Ron Silver came to the Immigration/Refugee Subcommittee meeting to ask if we could help with menstrual supplies which were much needed by local Somali refugees. He was connected to Susan Berniker and Robin McAlpine, Sisterhood Social Action Chairs and Brit Olam Reproductive Justice Cohort Leaders. Susan and Robin were involved with the plan to collect menstrual supplies at Sisterhood’s Membership Brunch earlier this fall. As a result of this connection, CBI delivered over sixty boxes of supplies to the Somali American Council of Oregon. Also in September, Rabbi Cahana spoke about accompanying Senator Wyden to the southern border areas of El
Paso and Ciudad Juarez. His disturbing report provided important information about the reality migrants face. Our understanding provides motivation for our actions going forward. In the coming year, we will be continuing to expand work in our three Brit Olam focus areas: Immigration Justice, Gun Violence Prevention and Reproductive Justice. Our efforts will include education, direct service, and advocacy. Ongoing activities include our support of an Eritrean Refugee family, continued partnership with Lift Every Voice Oregon to advance gun safety legislation, and involving CBI’s youth group, PARTY, in the Reproductive Justice cohort’s activities.
NW Towers CBI volunteers continue to be at NW Towers on a regular basis. Our afterschool “Homework Club” provides students with weekly tutoring sessions with dedicated tutors including Ilene Davidson, Paul Goldman, and Ruth Whitham. We would like to be able to consistently provide one on one assistance, and to add a second tutoring day each week. If you are interested in helping please contact SAC@bethisrael-pdx.org.
At the invitation of Lift Every Voice Oregon and Ecumenical Ministeries of Oregon, CBI joins other faith communities throughout Oregon to lift our voices for a peaceful world free of gun violence.
High Holidays Funds for Food While final numbers were not available at the time of printing, preliminary accounting shows that our drive this year was very generously supported by our congregation. Thanks to all who participated, and a sincere thanks to Robert Peltz for his continued leadership in this effort.
Social Action Content on CBI website Please check the CBI website for updates on Social Action activities; we update our page regularly. Participation in the Social Action Committee and Subcommittees is open to all members of the CBI community. Sally Rosenfeld Social Action Chair SAC@bethisrael-pdx.org
Social Action Allocations Subcommittee: Supporting Our Community Partners Congregation Beth Israel has long been known for Social Action and speaking out on timely issues. Our Social Action Committee is committed to supporting community programs, both in our immediate neighborhood and the greater Portland community, through our volunteer efforts and monetary donations. The Social Action Committee receives donations from congregants, friends, and family for the Social Action General Fund and the Social Action Food Fund (that includes the High Holiday Funds for Food). Our donations to community organizations average $1,000. The Social Action Committee recently formed an Allocations Subcommittee to process donation requests.
The subcommittee will consider requests for donations from the two funds: applications received by February 28 for June distribution and applications received by August 31 for December distribution. In addition, the subcommittee will consider time sensitive requests. Subcommittee recommendations will be reviewed by the Social Action Committee and then sent to Congregation Beth Israel’s Board of Trustees for final approval. Many Beth Israel congregants have ties to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations that provide important services in our greater Portland community. Lift Urban Portland, which “aims to reduce hunger and improve lives of low-
income residents of Northwest and Downtown Portland”, is an excellent example—CBI was one of LiftUP’s founding organizations, congregants have served on their board, and the Social Action Committee donates through our Food Fund. Lift Urban Portland is also a major recipient of our High Holiday Funds for Food drive. The Social Action Committee is very interested in hearing from our congregants about other organizations and their needs. Details on donation requests and the application process can be found on the bethisrael-pdx.org website under Community/Social Action.
NOVEMBER /DECEMBER 2019 | CONGREG ATION BE TH ISR AEL
| 9
IN REMEMBRANCE ~ MAY THEIR MEMORY BE FOR A BLESSING November 1 and 2 Ida Arnoff Abe Bercovitz* Richard Bernheimer Bertha Blauer E. D. Cohen Thelma Ruth Crabb Raoul De Leeuw Ronald Edelman Claudia V. Fenton* Eileen Fenton Ophelia Foster Sam Freedman Michael Gladson Marilyn Goldman Matthew Gould Jane E. Green* John Grossman Baruch David Kahana Paula Lauterstein* Silvan Lidovitch Ruth McBride Devora Mittleman Sadee Muzikant Anna Renee Nagel Lisa Niebauer Joseph Papka Samuel S. Parker Morris Platt* Sally Ricks Nancy Rosenberg Louis Roshberg Peter Royston Sidney Schlesinger* Irvin L. Schwartz Gretchen N. Seethoff Dr. Harry Semler* Harry Shafer Rose Shevach Barbara Singer Edward Tonkin* Edward E. Weinstein* Marjorie Weiss November 8 and 9 Leona Berlow Mack Berman A. Victor Bizer Bertha Blauer Ethel Levitt Blumenthal Ilo Bonyhadi Isidor C. Brill Ruth L. Brill Bernard Carr Jennie Crystal Ida Delman* Mike Donnell Maurice Donnell Liane Donnell Jacob Driesen Dorothy Elconin Estelle Ellner Sadie Finkelstein Lawrence Ellis Friedman Cynthia Greenberg Paul Augustus Halupowski
10 |
Arline Hasman Benjamin Heller Reva Kailes Kenneth Kaufman Virginia Kendall Nettie Kleinberg Al Koch Marian G. Krantz* Howard Lane Alan Lazarus Mollie Schnitzer Levin Celia Lieppman Irving L. London Henry Maiuri Albert Mandelbaum Aaron Margolin Alfred N. Marshall Morton Mayer Leah Savage Mendelssohn Mae Pike* Jerome Raim Seymour Robinowitz Berenice Rosenberg Yetta Levin Rubenstein Marion Savage Anna Semler Daniel Jerome Sennett Dale Shaw Valerie Simon Ron Singer Lillian S. Steinberg Marion Stoner Sheldon Stanton Vidgoff Rolaine Vines Copeland Ronnie Wood Josef Young Alan Zell Rose Zugman November 15 and 16 Joseph Aarons Jacob Asher Rose Rosenbaum Baron Marcia Berniker Ruth Blauer David J. Bloom Herman Cohen Judy Cron Robert Paul Cunneen Betty Donoghue Doris Etlinger Leon Feuerstein Sydney Mitchell Finegold Vicki Friedlander Abe Friedman Thomas T. Georges III Sidney Ginsberg Nathan Goldberg Benjamin Goldberg Ruth Goodman Michael Green* M. David Heims Jeffrey Hupert Sarah Kaplan Miriam Kellner Adelle Kohn
CONGREG ATION BE TH ISR AEL | NOVEMBER /DECEMBER 2019
Jeffrey Kramer Hyman Kravitz Elayne Kutner Richard Lehman Reuben Lenske Enrico Levi Leo Levison Leon Lieppman Louis Margulis* Rose Ostomel Anne Ostomel David Ostomel Maurice (Maurie) Ostomel Harry Ostomel Charles Pitkin Aaron Plotzker Betty Polsky Ira Rosenfeld Irving Rotenberg Sara Sadis Richard See* Ruth Shleifer* Norah Solomon Abraham Spivak Rebecca Swerdlik Miriam Anna Vidgoff Stanley Weiss William Wolfstone M. David Zugman November 22 and 23 Jane Beber Abramson Renee Bergman Marian Black Leonard I. Blank* Jacob Block Edward Brounstein Benjamin Brown David H. Byer Charles Joseph Cantor Maurice Dayan Herman Dickstein Ira Dickstein Betty Feder Adele Feingold* Maye Fischer Amy Lichtgarn Freedman* Leonard Garber Maria Gelbshteyn Burton Gevurtz Alan Green Jan Horovitz Rachel Ingber Mary A. Jackson G. Isadore Kaufman Estelle Kobin* Bess Kopen Robert Layton* Dora Link Loudelle Lundberg* Virginia MacDougall Sylvia Miller Gladys Netboy Lillian Newman* Milly Platman Janet Popick
Rose Puziss Herman Richman Gary Romain Henrietta Rosenblatt Ben Rosenfeld* Rae W. Samuelis Harriet Schatz Nancy Scheiner Gilber Schnitzer David Schultz Marilynn Segal Cantor William Sharlin Simon C. Shifman Helen Shimshak Sima Silverman Frances F. Simon Lona Stone Thelma Tobin Abe Weintraub Herbert Weiss Nathan S. White November 29 and 30 Lois Adler Celia Silver Adler Julia Adler Valerie Alia Miriam Aronson Rachael Gross Baer Sol Baker Harry Lewis Baron Sally Bilow Sylvia Wurmser Blanc* Bessie Blank Ernest “Ernie� Bonyhadi Belle T. Brounstein Sherry Caplan Samuel Chaimov Allison Bari Cohen Regina Cohen Spencer Daniels Theodore B. Davidson* Arnold Dayan Alan Robert Duhnkrack David Ellman Jennie Y. Enkelis* Sylvio Ferrera Andrew J. Frank Pearl Friedman Herbert B. Galton Boris Gelfer Ann Granger Isaac B. Holzman Babette Baruh Horenstein Samuel Joseph Ruth Lieberstein Milton Babe Liman Bev Lindemann Nettie Margolis Leonard Meeker Robert J. Neuberger* Barney Papkin Abe Pollin Lorraine Popowich Lydia Pugliese Anna Saltzman
IN REMEMBRANCE ~ MAY THEIR MEMORY BE FOR A BLESSING Nathan Shapiro Rachel Shaw Stephen Solomon Marvin S. Swire Janice Tews Yvette G. Weil* Morris Weitman Leonore Weston Margie Winkler Frances Utay Wolf Rose Rita Wurmser Arthur Zacks December 6 and 7 Lettie Adler Dorothy Baruh Arthur Bergman Robert Blank James D. Bromberg Nancy Caplan William Cohen Adrienne Darnell E. Frieda Dobrow David Eisenberg David Finkelstein* David Frisch Betty V. Goldman Bertha Grenley Matthew Henkin Bertha Mayer Holtzman* Leslie Dell Hughes Beth Israel Daniel Kivel Selma Lindberg David J. Lipman Paul Matusow Hyman B. Nudelman Samuel Oldstein Rita Kantor Pearlmutter* Barbara Prebish Oscar Asher Rosen Wilma (Billie) Rosenblum Miriam F. Rosenfeld* Bess Shavzin Harry Shleifer* Joan Sitwell Minnie Spivak Hilda Steinbock Eleanor Stern Erick Thompson Dorothy Warner Stella Weiss Lawrence Winthrop Albert A. Woolach Elynor Zusman December 13 and 14 Dorothy Goldberg Anker Marilyn Blaushild Rose Bloom Barbara L. Bloom Alice Lok Cahana Elizabeth Canter
Fred Carr Della Cohen Fannie Director Marjorie Easton Alfred Edelman Mindy Elman David Exposito Ryan Ferrante Charlotte Friend Evelyn Galen Ann Goldsmith Barr Harry Gross Lily Grover Rosebelle Himelstein* Cecilia Hobin Frank Hochfeld Robert Stuart Joseph Mollie Katz Morris Korach Adele Labow Hannah R. Lang Herbert H. Lauterstein* Moses Mark Leo L. Matin John May James Donald Monteith Josef Neuberger Phillip Leo Nudelman Elsie K. Payne Mary Frances Peters Milton Reiter Jerrold (Jerry) Richard Lottie Roffe Rabbi Abraham J. Rose* Nathan Rosen Jean Moss Rustin Louis Sandoz Jack Schneiderman Samuel N. Shleifer* Jacob Solomon Ladislao Mordechai Soltesz Ladislao Mordechai Soltesz Lucille Almeleh Spring Morton Steinhorn Erwin Tanne Milton Tenzer Rosalind Waltzman Ethel Young Mildred Zell December 20 and 21 Robert Adams Miriam B. Aiken Herbert Alexander Joseph Alkalay* Charles Berne Rebecca Bilow Rose R. Black David Bloom Howard Cohen Eugene R. Cohn Booth Colman Irene Crane
Frank Director Herman Fagin Anna Feves* Hilda Finger Esther Fishman Mara Rosanne Forsythe-Crane Samuel G. Gilbert* M’Liss Gilbert Gregg Goldstein Mary E. Greenberg* Thea Grunbaum Ethel Harrison Mae Hasman Lena Holzman Maureen Horenstein Homer Kiser Ruth Kullman Ben Meyer Levin* Anne Levitt Olga Lewin Rose Lyman Evelyn Mandelbaum Judith Meller Morton Mills Robert Arthur Nagel Stanley B. Nagel Fannie Oldstein Lillian Opper Jacob Ovetz Morris Pollin* Anna Press Anita Reinhorn Shirley Rickles Larry Ringer Charlotte Rosen Bernice Rosencrantz* Charles L. Rosenthal Harry Rubin Jack Ruby Sidney Salenger Ruth Saul Adele Savinar Sol Sax Milton Schatz Theodore Schoenfeld Cynthia Sherman Alan E. Shevach* Nisa Menashe Shleifer Anne Siegel Flora Spaiser Jerome Stern Gertrude Sussman Joseph Munroe Thom Harriet Packouz Towne Robert Waters Elise F. Wendel Gilda Wexler* Jack Winkler Sophie Jean Wolf Harry J. Yurman Daniel Zell Norman Zimmerman
December 27 and 28 Dorothy Asher Edwin I. August Josephine August Dorris Backus Pearl Baskin Maxine Bauer Sara Bazelon Henry (Bialistok) Billys Eve Black Sidney Cohen Alfred J. Davis* Berta Delman Nathan Dickson Ian Douglas Judith Epstein Victor Feibelman Jerome Freiberg Dorothy Friedberg Anna Geller Leonard Geller Thomas T. Georges, Sr. Bluma Goldberg Abraham Goldstein Rhonda Beth Goldstein Joseph Greenwald Michael R. Grunbaum Goldie Hammel Sherie Hildreth David Hudesman Lynette Felton Jamerson Seymour Kaufman Morris Klein Janice Alexander Levy Morrie Mink Erna Neuberger* Matthew Neuwelt Augusta Newmark Burton Nudelman Olive Owen Michael Price Sr. Reva B. Reingold* Ruth Romoff Morris H. “Mish” Rosencrantz* Max Schlesinger Edith Schnitzer Myra Scholnick Gregory Shapiro Herbert Shapiro Irving Steinbock Max J. Swerdlik* Ralph Tannenbaum Sy Waltzman Stanley Wand Roza Willer Corinne “Corky” Zelinka
(*) next to a name indicates a memorial plaque has been purchased to ensure the beloved departed is remembered in perpetuity. For information about memorial plaques in the Temple, please contact Emily at (503) 222-1069 or emily@bethisrael-pdx.org. NOVEMBER /DECEMBER 2019 | CONGREG ATION BE TH ISR AEL
| 11
VERY THOUGHTFUL PEOPLE
YOUR DONATIONS AT WORK: CBI Campus Security
Thanks in part to the support of the WRJ/Beth Israel Sisterhood, CBI has purchased six “Stop the Bleed Kits.” These kits allow bystanders to act as first responders to quickly control life-threatening bleeding in emergencies. The Main Sanctuary, Sherman Education Building, and Schnitzer Family Center will all have kits in place, and we will schedule training sessions for their use. If you have specific questions about these kits, please reach out to Josh Kashinsky, CBI’s Executive Director, at Josh@bethisrael-pdx.org or (503) 222-1069.
TRIBUTE FUND DONATIONS FROM DAVID AND ANITA AUGUST In memory of Edwin August In memory of Josephine August Cantor Cahana Discretionary Fund FROM LYNDA BAKER In memory of Ronnie Wood Social Action General Tribute Fund FROM LESTER AND HEATHER BASKIN In general support General Administrative Tribute Fund FROM MICHAEL BERGMAN In memory of Shirley Bergman Nettie Director Library Fund FROM LEN AND BETSY BERGSTEIN In memory of Leonore Weston General Administrative Tribute Fund FROM LESLIE BERMAN In memory of Larry Semler Rabbi Cahana Discretionary Fund FROM LEE BERNE In memory of Ronnie Wood In memory of Charles Berne In memory of Adele Feingold Social Action Food Fund
FROM MARIAN CREAMER In memory of Ruth Romoff Social Action General Tribute Fund FROM DAVID COHEN AND LEE ANNA JONES In General Contribution General Administrative Tribute Fund
FROM DIANA AND GREGORY CORNELL In memory of Lloyd G. Miller I Have a Dream Fund through Social Action In honor of Beverly Jeanne Miller Ruth and Larry Semler Youth Activity Endowment
FROM JESSICA FELDMAN In appreciation of Rabbi Joseph Rabbi Joseph Discretionary Fund
FROM NICOLE GULLISH In memory of Berta Delman General Administrative Tribute Fund
FROM NOAH FELDMAN In honor of Nelson Feidelson’s Bar Mitzvah May Georges Studies in Israel Scholarship Fund
FROM DODIE HARRISON In honor of Gerry Jackson’s Birthday In honor of Michael Harrison’s Birthday Social Action General Tribute Fund
FROM ANGELA DALFEN In memory of Joel Aronowitz Social Action General Tribute Fund
FROM FLOYD BLACK In memory of Marian Black Cemetery Beautification Fund
FROM KENNETH DAVIS In memory of Alfred Davis In memory of Anne Davis In memory of Nathan Dickson In memory of Sarah Davis Heims Family Youth Fund
FROM BARRY AND BARBARA CAPLAN In memory of Herman Friedman In memory of Bernard Caplan Rabbi Cahana Discretionary Fund FROM HOWARD, BARBARA AND SUSAN COHN In memory of Booth Colman Social Action Food Fund
12 |
FROM BOB AND LESLEY GLASGOW In memory of Joseph Glasgow Rabbi Cahana Discretionary Fund
FROM BUNNY EDELSON In memory of Sally Stolzoff Social Action Food Fund
FROM CAROL DANISH In honor of Eve Rosenfeld’s Complete Recovery Social Action General Tribute Fund
FROM HERBERT BLACK In memory of Rose Black In memory of Eve Black Cemetary Beautification Fund
FROM HELEN DUEWEL In memory of Iris Avedovech Rabbi Cahana Discretionary Fund
FROM BARBARA GLAZER In memory of Richard Daniels In memory of Daniel Cassell In memory of Isabelle Daniels Social Action General Tribute Fund
FROM MARCIA COLTON, RISA COLTON-FELDMAN, LOUIS FELDMAN, JACOB FELDMAN, AND NOAH FELDMAN In memory of Dorothy Wheatley WRJ Service to the Blind Fund In memory of Ray Veltman May Georges Studies in Israel Scholarship Fund
FROM STEVEN AND PATRICIA BILOW In memory of Iris Avedovech Rabbi Joseph Discretionary Fund
FROM LARRY AND SUSAN BLACK In memory of Rose Black In memory of Elise Wendel General Administrative Tribute Fund
FROM RABBI SHELTON DONNELL AND WENDY BOCARSKY In memory of Samuel Bocarsky General Administrative Tribute Fund
FROM STUART AND NIKKI DIRECTOR In memory of Shirley Fromer Mark In memory of Sam Rosen In honor of Susan Shleifer’s 70th Birthday In honor of Barbara Durkheimer’s 75th Birthday In honor of Nolan and Pat Newman’s son’s Marriage In honor of Robert Glasgow’s 75th Birthday Nettie Director Library Fund
CONGREG ATION BE TH ISR AEL | NOVEMBER /DECEMBER 2019
FROM HOWARD AND JEN FELDMAN In honor of Eve Rosenfeld’s Speedy and Pain-Free Recovery Social Action General Tribute Fund
FROM RISA, LOUIS, JACOB, AND NOAH FELDMAN In memory of Iris Avedovech Social Action General Tribute Fund FROM MARLENE FEVES-WEINER In memory of Anna Feves General Administrative Tribute Fund FROM JAMES CRANE AND KARLA FORSYTHE In memory of Irene Crane and Mara Forsythe-Crane Social Action General Tribute Fund FROM RANDY AND DEBBIE GELLER In memory of Benjamin Geller General Administrative Tribute Fund FROM SUSAN GERSON In memory of Theodore Gerson In memory of Hanna Gerson In memory of Samuel Gerson Social Action Food Fund FROM JOHN AND MYRA GEVURTZ In memory of Carol Meisels Rabbi Cahana Disctretionary Fund
FROM HARRY AND JOANNE GLICKMAN In memory of Bessie Glickman General Administrative Tribute Fund FROM GINGER GREENBERG In memory of Samuel L. Greenberg General Administrative Tribute Fund
FROM HERBERT HOCHFELD AND FAMILY In memory of Norm Rickles Early Childhood Education Tribute Fund FROM JASON AND CHRISTINE HOROWITZ In honor of Rosh Hashanah Social Action General Tribute Fund FROM MORRIE AND GERRY JACKSON In memory of Mary Jackson Social Action Food Fund FROM JOSH AND MICHELLE KASHINSKY In honor of Rabbi Sam and Dori Joseph’s Birthdays General Administrative Tribute Fund FROM LINA KONE AND JACK SHAPIRO In memory of Gregory Shapiro In memory of Lucy Shapiro In memory of Maria Gelbshteyn General Administrative Tribute Fund
VERY THOUGHTFUL PEOPLE FROM BARBARA AND GEOFFREY KOTIN In honor of Kathryn Miriam Kotin’s Baby Naming Ceremony Rabbi Joseph Discretionary Fund FROM MICHAEL AND DEBORAH KOVSKY In honor of Susan Shleifer’s 70th birthday Rabbi Cahana Discretionary Fund FROM TAMMY KRAMER In memory of Barbara Bloom Social Action General Tribute Fund In memory of Betty Donaghue Rosenfeld Family Associate Rabbi Fund In memory of Bernard and Nancy Caplan In memory of Bernie and Anese Klein Prayer Book Fund FROM DAVID KNUDSON In appreciation of Stuart Director Nettie Director Library Fund FROM JOEL AND SUE KRANE In memory of Bessie Krane Altar Flowers and Oneg Fund FROM STUART AND BARBARA LANG In memory of Carol F. Lang General Administrative Tribute Fund FROM EVELYN AND JERRY LESHGOLD In honor of Jerry and Bunny Sadis’ 54th Wedding Anniversary In honor of Barbara Durkheimer’s Birthday In honor of Rabbi Rose’s speedy recovery In memory of Max Swerdlik Rabbi Cahana Discretionary Fund In memory of Shirley Mark General Administrative Tribute Fund FROM GLEN AND LISA LEVY In general support Jenat Feldman Leadership Development Fund FROM STAN AND JOYCE LOEB In memory of Lila Goodman In honor of Eve Rosenfeld’s Recovery Social Action General Tribute Fund In memory of Amy Freedman In memory of Elias Lichtgarn In memory of Allan Lichtgarn Caring Community Fund FROM DAVID LOONEY In memory of Rosebelle Himelstein Social Action General Tribute Fund FROM ANDRA MAKLER In memory of Alvin Hess May Georges Studies in Israel Scholarship Fund
FROM JERROLD AND GERI MATIN In memory of Sherie Hildreth Early Childhood Education Tribute Fund
FROM MARK AND RANDIE PETERSON In memory of Charlotte Friend Social Action General Tribute Fund
FROM BOB AND ROBIN MESHER In memory of Sheldon Vidgoff Sally Vidgoff Camp Kalsman Scholarship Fund
FROM HAROLD POLLIN In Memory of Abe Pollin In Memory of Morris Pollin General Administrative Tribute Fund
FROM ALAN AND LANA MILLER In memory of Nancy Rosenberg In honor of Barbara Durkheimer’s Special Birthday Miller Room Refurbishment Fund
FROM STEPHEN PRESS In memory of Anna Press In memory of Edward Press In memory of Louis Press In memory of Ruth Press In memory of David Scheffer In memory of Sadie Scheffer In memory of Sol Scheffer In memory of Howard Lane In memory of Shirley Lane Social Action General Tribute Fund
FROM ROGER MOMENT In memory of Jeanne Moment General Administrative Tribute Fund FROM JANE NETBOY In memory of Gladys Netboy Social Action Food Fund FROM ROSALYN NEUBERGER In memory of Erna Neuberger General Administrative Tribute Fund In memory of Hans Neuberger Temple Improvement Fund In memory of Josef Neuberger Cemetery Beautification Fund In memory of Robert Neuberger Social Action General Tribute Fund FROM PATRICIA NEUBERGER In memory of Erna Neuberger In memory of Hans Neuberger In memory of Josef Neuberger In memory of Robert Neuberger Social Action Food Fund FROM ED AND JILL NEUWELT In memory of Martin Neuwelt General Administrative Tribute Fund FROM JACKIE NUDELMAN In general support Rabbi Cahana Discretionary Fund FROM HENRY AND NANCY OSERAN In general support General Administrative Tribute Fund In memory of David Finkelstein In memory of Sadie Finkelstein Oseran Family Endowment Fund FROM LINDA OSTOMEL In memory of Charlotte Ostomel, Anna Chusid, and Morris Chusid Social Action Food Fund FROM LESLIE AND ROBERT PELTZ In memory of Anne Peltz In memory of Theodore Kleinrock Social Action Food Fund FROM RAY PACKOUZ In memory of Harriet Towne Rabbi Cahana Discretionary Fund FROM MARK AND JUDY PETERMAN In appreciation of Rabbi Cahana In appreciation of Rabbi Joseph In appreciation of Cantor Cahana Family Associate Rabbi Fund
FROM JIM AND MICHAEL RICHMAN In memory of Sara Bazelon Hal Ruthizer Cultural Arts Fund In memory of Herman Richman Cantor Cahana Discretionary Fund FROM MIMI RICHMAN In memory of Sara Bazelon Social Action General Tribute Fund FROM CHUCK AND SELENE ROBINOWITZ In memory of Samuel Greenberg In memory of Seymour Robinowitz General Administrative Tribute Fund FROM JAMES ROSENBAUM AND SANDRA LEWIS In appreciation of Rabbi Joseph Rabbi Joseph Discretionary Fund FROM ROBERT AND JOAN ROSENBAUM In memory of Theodore Gerson May Georges Studies in Israel Scholarship Fund FROM ERIC AND TIFFANY ROSENFELD In memory of Evelyn Galen In memory of Miriam Rosenfeld In memory of Ben Rosenfeld In memory of Robert Layton Lloyd B. Rosenfeld Youth Leadership Fund FROM EVE AND ALAN ROSENFELD In memory of Lila Goodman In memory of Estelle Winthrop Social Action Food Fund FROM ROSEMAIRE ROSENFELD In memory of Lila Goodman In honor of Eve Rosenfeld’s Recovery Social Action Food Fund FROM ROBERT ROWE AND NANNETTE HASMAN-ROWE In Memory Of Arline Hasman Cemetery Beautification Fund
FROM DICK AND DEANNE RUBINSTEIN In memory of Dennis Seinfeld Rabbi Joseph Discretionary Fund In memory of Judith Fawkes Hal Ruthizer Cultural Arts Fund FROM JERRY AND BUNNY SADIS In honor of Eve Rosenfeld’s recovery Altar Flowers and Oneg Fund In memory of Lila Goodman Temple Endowment Fund In honor of Susan Shleifer’s Birthday Lloyd B. Rosenfeld Youth Leadership Fund In honor of Georgia Van Ness’ Bat Mitzvah Rabbi Joseph Discretionary Fund FROM BOB SCHATZ In memory of Howard Schatz In memory of Bernadine Brenner General Administrative Tribute Fund FROM LOIS SCHNITZER In memory of Lila Goodman Social Action Food Fund FROM JACK AND BARBARA SCHWARTZ In honor of Susan Marcus’ Speedy Recovery General Administrative Tribute Fund FROM ARDYTH SHAPIRO AND DAVID AND DIANE ROSENCRANTZ In memory of Herbert Shapiro General Administrative Tribute Fund FROM MARGO SERCU In memory of Betty V. Goldman Prayer Book Fund FROM STUART AND SUSAN SHLEIFER In memory of Ida Shleifer Social Action Food Fund FROM NORMAN AND NORMA SILVER In honor of Ted and Davia Rubenstein’s 65th Wedding Anniversary Social Action Food Fund FROM JILL SLANSKY In memory of Miriam Newman In memory of Lillian Newman In general support Jill Slansky Early Childhood Leader Fund FROM MARTHA SOLTESZ In memory of Edward Soltesz Rabbi Cahana Discretionary Fund FROM DON SPIEGEL AND DEBORAH DAVIS-SPIEGEL In honor of Barbara Durkheimer’s Special Birthday In memory of Eloise Spiegel Social Action Food Fund continued on p. 14
NOVEMBER /DECEMBER 2019 | CONGREG ATION BE TH ISR AEL
| 13
VERY THOUGHTFUL HEADER HEREPEOPLE FROM JAMES SPIVAK In memory of Gilda Wexler In memory of Anna Semler In memory of Ethel Blumenthal In memory of Abraham and Minnie Spivak In memory of Helen and Henry Spivak In memory of Alysmae and Victor Nudelman In memory of Dr. Larry and Ruth Semler In memory of Jacqueline Roy Spivak Cemetery Beautification Fund FROM KEITH AND PAULA STANOVICH In honor of Mark Mitshkun Brotherhood Scholarship Fund FROM LANCE AND MARISELA STEINBERG In memory of Harriet Towne In memory of David Bloom General Administrative Tribute Fund
FROM RON AND BOBBI SWERDLIN In memory of Herman Swerdlin In memory of Miriam Swerdlin May Georges Studies In Israel Scholarship Fund FROM DAVID AND SALLY SWIRE In honor of Rabbi Joseph officiating Sam Swire’s wedding Rabbi Joseph Discretionary Fund FROM MICHAEL TANNENBAUM In memory of Loudelle Lundberg Cemetery Beautification Fund FROM CHERYL TONKIN In memory of Alan Barren Tonkin In memory of Fannie Tonkin In memory of Ethel Tonkin In memory of Edward Tonkin Cemetery Beautification Fund FROM PEARL TRACHTENBERG In memory of Mollie Katz Social Action Food Fund
FROM NATHAN AND EDIE VAN NESS In honor of Rabbi Joseph Rabbi Joseph Discretionary Fund FROM ELDON AND CAROLYN WEXLER In general support General Administrative Tribute Fund In honor of Avrel Nudelman Tzedakah Fund In memory of Gilda Wexler In memory of Phillip Wexler In memory of Marian Krantz Holzman Family Religious School Fund
FROM LEONARD AND MARIETTA ZELL In memory of Harry Zell May Georges Studies in Israel Scholarship Fund FROM MARTIN AND BEVERLY ZELL In memory of Lillian Zell Social Action Food Fund
FROM ROBERT ZELINKA In memory of Corinne Zelinka Rabbi Cahana Discretionary Fund FROM JANET ZELL In memory of Lillian Zell Oseran Family Endowment Fund
COMMUNITY
Our Community Continues to Grow Since last Rosh Hashanah, CBI has welcomed seventy-six new households to our community. If you know someone looking to connect with a warm, welcoming Jewish community, please put them in touch with our Senior Program Manager-Membership Shoshanna Pro-Richards at Shoshanna@bethisrael-pdx.org, or invite them to services, holiday celebrations, or our many cultural and educational programs. Dan and Ellie Albert Mike and Jill Andreyuk Ben Bach and Cambria Matlow Julie Berman Patrick Vennebush and Nadine Block Janet Bronitsky and Mark Suprenand Tara Brookshire Jonathan and Adrienne Buhacoff Rebecca Cambreleng Aaron and Heidi Cantor Amy Cantor and Scott Ambruster Karl Von Frieling and Patricia Cliff Barry Cohen Adrienne Davenport Paul Manson and Claire Dennerlein Manson David and Harriet Dietz Jarrod and Lori Ditmore Dmitry and Stephanie Dukhovny Ed and Rita Effros Shawn Flynn and Jessica Elkan Jonathan Tucker and Julie Falender Rimon Frucht and Rachel Young Nathan Goldberg and Talia Gad Stephen Gelber Lorin and Robyn Gelfand Karen Gilden
14 |
Dan Gilner Gerald and Nancy Green Ginger Greenberg Joe and Gail Greenman Jesse and Leah Gronner Oren Haker and Meghan Sercombe Kyle Busacker and Rachel Hall Matt Harad and Annie Stone Jonathan and SarahRose Henkin Cindy Hiles Mark and Melissa Himmelman Josh and Kerri Hoffman Nate Hoffman Jamie Hogland Jonathan Horowitz and Justine Collins Sam and Danielle Jacobson Matthew Kahl and Kathleen Voboril Victoria Lachmann Deborah Levine Harlan and Lucia Levy Keith Linn and Lisa Ludwig Linn Bryan and Katie Lunduke Ernesto and Rachel Manzo Eddie and Suzanne Medina Anita Mention Greg and Joselyn Merrill Charlie and Anya Mezak
CONGREG ATION BE TH ISR AEL | NOVEMBER /DECEMBER 2019
Corey and Andrew Morris-Singer Steve Noveshen and Jenn Aubert Sean and Aubrey Orenstein Pete Hammerschmidt and Judith Pakosinski Daniel Papkin Suzanne Pikoos Ben and Shoshanna Pro-Richards Michael Weihs and Emily Quinn David and Lesley Raphael Marty and Iris Ricks Robert Symms and Danelle Romain Howie and Roz Rosen Matthew Rubenstein and Caroline Davidson Rob Schneider and Judith Hochhauser Schneider Jonathan Singer Amy and Paul Snyder Karen Stavis Ed Meshberg and Sylvie Tarro Jeremy and Allison Tobin Nik Wylde and Elissa Wald John and Janet Weil Neal and Kim Weingart Jacob and Edith Winkler Jean Wright
HEADER HERE L’DOR V’DOR ~ FROM GENERATION TO GENERATION
Mazel Tov to Joseph Sleven and Jackie Hendrickson on their wedding! Joseph is the son of CBI members Rodger Sleven and Marcella Flores. Sara Epstein and Nate Morelli on the birth of their second child, and to big sister Miriam on the birth of her brother, Emanuel Ruben Epstein Morelli. Emanuel was welcomed into the world on July 25. May he grow in health and wisdom and be a source of strength to his family and all humankind. CBI musician Michael Barnes for being featured in Bridgeliner as the “minister of loud noises”. Michael Allen Harrison for the honor of being inducted to the Oregon Music Hall of Fame. We are blessed to hear him play on Yom Kippur and once a month for our Shir Shabbat services. Ben and Shoshanna Pro-Richards who were married on Sunday, September 22 at Abigail’s Garden, Abernethy Center in Oregon City. The couple met while working in CBI’s preschool and were married by Shoshanna’s sister, Rabbi Sarah Rensin. Shoshanna is currently CBI’s Senior Program Manager - Membership.
Condolences to Karen Steinbock and Kathy Steinbock on the loss of their mother, Rachel Saslow and Heather White on the loss of their grandmother, and the extended Steinbock family (including four great-grandchildren), on the loss of Edythe Steinbock, who passed away at age eight-seven on April 21. Joyce Loman on the loss of her partner, Marisa (Ron) Brown and William (Jessica Corr) Paley on the loss of their father, Abigail Brown, Sylvan Paley, Eleanor Brown, and Gray Paley on the loss of their grandfather, and the extended Paley family on the loss of Howard Paley, who passed away on July 7 in New York City. Eileen Fromer, Marty (Mary Jo Cook) Fromer, and Jim (Arlene) Fromer, on the loss of their mother, Emily (Robbie) Aldworth, Jake Fromer, Danielle (Blake Borgeson) Fromer, and Aaron Fromer on the loss of their grandmother, and the extended Fromer family on the loss of Shirley Ann Berenson Fromer Mark who passed away on July 30 age ninety-six. Katherine Meier on the loss of her brother, Jordan Lenkin and Grady Lenkin on the loss of their uncle, and Dennis, Steven, and Robert Shank on the loss of their stepbrother, Eliot Meier, who passed away at age sixty-eight on August 11. Bruce (Susan) Winthrop on the loss of his mother, and the extended Winthrop family on the loss of Estelle Winthrop, who passed away on August 14 at the age of 104. Gwen Avedovech (Robert Meek), Ian (Fransavie) Avedovech, Greg (Ruth) Avedovech, and Shona (Erik) Hamlin on the loss of their mother, Hayden Meek, Eli Meek, Joshua Avedovech, Christopher Avedovech, Kai Avedovech, Shayla Avedovech, Paul Gordon, and Myra Hamlin on the loss of their grandmother, and the extended Avedovech family on the loss of Iris Avedovech, who passed away on August 29. Iris was a beloved teacher at Congregation Beth Israel for many years. Sarah Kinder, Katrina Backman, and Dawn Stevens, on the loss of their aunt and the extended Kiser family on the loss of Bee Kiser, who passed away on October 2.
Congregation Beth Israel 1972 NW Flanders Street, Portland, OR 97209 Office: (503) 222-1069 • Fax: (503) 274-1400 Beth Israel Cemetery, 426 SW Taylors Ferry Road
CBI Team
Administrative Assistant/ Clergy Support Beeta Neshati beeta@bethisrael-pdx.org
CLERGY Senior Rabbi Michael Z. Cahana
Receptionist and Tributes Coordinator Sara Hernandez sara@bethisrael-pdx.org
Senior Cantor Ida Rae Cahana Associate Rabbi Rachel L. Joseph Rabbi Emeritus Emanuel Rose, D.H.L., D.D. Cantor Emerita Judith Blanc Schiff Contact any of the clergy at clergy@bethisrael-pdx.org EDUCATION DEPARTMENT Education Director Ben Sandler, M. Ed., R.J.E. ben@bethisrael-pdx.org Senior Program Manager Youth and Family Chelsea Ferguson chelsea@bethisrael-pdx.org Senior Program Manager Life Cycle Events Emily Silverman emily@bethisrael-pdx.org Education Coordinator McKenna Means mckenna@bethisrael-pdx.org CBI ADMINISTRATION Executive Director Josh Kashinsky josh@bethisrael-pdx.org
Finance Director Melissa Bordine melissa@bethisrael-pdx.org Accounts Payable Linda Bridges linda@bethisrael-pdx.org Facilities Managers Dallas Van Winkle Susie Young facilities@bethisrael-pdx.org Facilities Staff Bea Anderson Kevin Larkin Fatima Osborne Daniel Whalen CATERING PANEL Alfresco Catering by Sheraton 503-335-2853, Julia Deuchler Art of Catering 503-231-8185, Eric Sandstrom Aviv Israeli Vegan Cuisine 906-236-2834, Biz Lyons Century Catering 503-849-2605, Allen Levin Devil’s Food Catering 503-233-9288, Dan Sullivan
Senior Program Manager Membership Shoshanna Pro-Richards shoshanna@bethisrael-pdx.org
Kenny & Zuke’s 503-222-3354 Lisa Glickman, Private Chef 541-728-6678 Vibrant Table Group/ Food In Bloom 503-297-9635, 503-944-6820 Karen Rich
Communications and Program Coordinator Tracy Manaster Alifanz tracy@bethisrael-pdx.org
Board of Trustees, FY 2019/2020 Officers
Trustees
Glen Levy President
Naomi Derner At Large
Tony Urdes Vice President/ President-Elect
Robin McCoy At Large
Sally Rosenfeld Secretary Stacy Friedman Treasurer Auxiliaries Kathleen Doctor WRJ/BI Sisterhood President
Eric Flamm Brotherhood President
Jeff Capen Bonnie Davis David Goldwyn Dan Hurwitz Janet Hoffman Bill June Christie Moore David Sarasohn Libby Schwartz
Anna Epstein JND President
NOVEMBER /DECEMBER 2019 | CONGREG ATION BE TH ISR AEL
| 15
Congregation Beth Israel
NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE PAID PORTLAND, OR PERMIT NO. 594
1972 NW Flanders Street Portland, OR 97209-2097
SAVE THE DATE FOR OUR ANNUAL
Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Shabbat Service Friday, January 17, 2020 6:00 PM, Main Sanctuary A highlight of our year, celebrating the legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the deepening bonds between the Jewish and African American communities. With the NW Freedom Singers, Kol Echad congregational choir, and guest speaker Rev. Dr. T. Allen Bethel.
Affiliated with the Union for Reform Judaism since 1879