Temple Topics: January - February 2023

SULAM Beth El - Seek. Understand. Learn. Act. Marvel.

What is the SULAM experience? It is learners, decorating siddur covers with their parents; families, engaging in Havdallahtogether; learners and parents, studying with our clergy and celebrating Shabbat with our Beth El community. It is challenging and exciting fun for learners, navigating the lessons of the Torah, acquiring Hebrew reading skills, and discovering the history and the traditions of our heritage. It is Sunday mornings at Beth El and week-day lessons one-on-one with our SULAM educators. What is the SULAM experience? It is all of us growing together as a community and journeying Jewishly with our friends and peers.

L’Shalom , Michelle

Gan (K) learns the letter tav

1st and 2nd graders illustrated the story of Yaakov's ladder (sulam)

2nd graders learn to read and write the letters shin, bet, and tav – spelling out Shabbat.

Bogrim learners write divrei Torah

Special Programs and Events

January Sun. 15 Mitzvah Day Sat. 21 Vav & Bogrim Shabbat; Bogrim Torah Celebration Sun. 29 K-2nd Grade Learner/Parent Shema Pillowcase Activity

February Fri. 3 SULAM Shabbat Dinner Sat. 11 Vav & Bogrim Shabbat Sun. 12 B’nei Mitzvah and Beyond for Vav learners with their parents; World Wide Wrap Tefillin Experience Sun. 26 Destination Mitzvah – for Hey, Vav, and Bogrim learners and their parents

Sunday SULAM Jan. 8, 22, 29 Feb. 5, 12, 26

Gimmel learners and their parents decorate siddur covers

Daled learners braid Havdallah candles

Bogrim learners lead prayer at evening minyan

Weekday SULAM

Jan. Feb.

Tues. 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 7, 14, 28

Wed. 4, 11, 18, 25 1, 8, 15, 22

Thu. 5, 12, 19, 26 2, 9, 16, 23

Enjoying Beth El

Martin Luther King, Jr. Mitzvah Day

Sunday, January 15

10:30 AM – 1:00 PM

Beth El Temple and JTConnect are teaming up for a meaningful Mitzvah Day for all ages in honor of Martin Luther King Weekend.

We’ll start the day with an opportunity to learn about Jews and the Civil Rights Movement, including a conversation with local Civil Rights activist Bob Fishman and the viewing of a brief documentary for teens and adults, along with stories for kids.

Then, people of all ages will have the opportunity to engage in a variety of hands-on projects taking place throughout Beth El, from cooking to creating care packages and more. Help us make a difference in our community!

REFRESHMENTS: pizza lunch and snacks

COST: no charge

DONATIONS: gladly accepted to cover the costs of materials for Mitzvah Day Projects; additional donations will go to tzedakah

RSVP: by noon, 1/6, tinyurl.com/BETMitzvah2023

QUESTIONS: info@bethelwh.org

CO-SPONSOR: Men’s Club

Purim Faire Extravaganza

Sunday, March 5

11:30 AM – 1:00 PM

Purim is still a day away, but the merriment begins with our carnival. Volunteers, adult and teen, are needed to run booths.

COST: no charge; suggested donation $5/person

VOLUNTEERS: contact Liz edepalma@bethelwh.org

LUNCH: prepared by Men's Club; items available for purchase

QUESTIONS: info@bethelwh.org

Erev Purim

Monday, March 6

5:30 PM Purim Pasta Bar Dinner

6:15 PM The Story of Esther

6:30 PM Ma’ariv and Megillah Reading

7:30 PM Hamantaschen

TheStoryofEstherwill be a brief English retelling for kids 6 and under.

The evening service and Megillah Reading will include a costume parade, sing-a-long, and Kahoottrivia to test your knowledge of the Megillah !

DINNER COST: $8/age 13 and up; $5/age 3-12

DINNER RSVP: tinyurl.com/PurimPasta2023 QUESTIONS: info@bethelwh.org

We are collecting supplies to use in our Mitzvah Day projects! Please consider dropping off any of the following between now and Friday, January 6, in the designated bin at the entrance to Beth El Temple: Travel size toiletries, including toothpaste, toothbrushes, mouthwash, soap, shampoo, conditioner, small brushes or combs, contact lens containers, contact solution, deodorant, hand sanitizer, and sanitary products

Used t-shirts (any size; can be ripped or stained but must be clean)

Kosher peanut butter, jelly, granola bars, and individual bags of chips

Adult size socks, hats, and gloves

Small rolled-up fleece blankets Unexpired covid tests and packaged masks

Brown paper bags, sandwich and gallon size ziplocs

Mishloach Manot is coming!

Send Purim treats to other congregants. Ordering will open in late January.

Purim

Tuesday, March 7

7:00 AM Shacharit and Megillah Reading

12:00 PM Festive Purim Lunch and Learn

Enjoy a free festive lunch and study the Megillahwith Rabbi Rosen! All are welcome

LUNCH COST: no charge LUNCH RSVP: tinyurl.com/PurimLandL

QUESTIONS: info@bethelwh.org

Martin Luther King Jr./Exodus

It happens every year at this time. Just as our Torah readings turn to the book of Exodus, the saga of Israel in Egyptian slavery and the celebration of the Exodus, we also pause to observe the birthday of the Reverend Martin Luther King Jr.

And if that is not enough of a reminder of the link between the Jewish and Black struggles for freedom, I find myself drawn frequently to one of the most iconic pictures in the Beth El archives. It is a photograph of Dr. King and Rabbi Stanley Kessler, of blessed memories, standing together with serious intent on their faces. They are at a Hartford area protest gathering, both attired in suit and tie and fedora hats. The formal dress takes nothing away from the passion of the mission.

The recently concluded festival of Chanukah and our annual immersion in the story of the Exodus are meant to sensitize us to the evils of slavery and the power of oppression to degrade and destroy countless lives. And we have always read our past situation from slavery to freedom as a lesson for all of humanity.

The great Jewish philosopher and leader, Abraham Joshua Heschel, called King one of the greatest hopes of America. I believe that King’s legacy very much remains true to that description to this very day.

Reflections

In my mind, the success of King’s message and its enduring power for us is that he called upon America, the nation, and Americans as individuals to transcend the pettiness of hatred, to go beyond platitudes of “someday.”

King thundered with the passion of the prophet Amos, in saying that indeed, the world cannot surrender to despair. “The arc of the moral universe is long but bends towards justice,” stated the civil rights leader. He believed that ending racism in America was America simply being true to its highest values as annunciated in our Declaration of Independence and Constitution.

To live the legacy of Martin Luther King is not simply to strive for a better, more moral nation. It is to be true to the Jewish calling within our midst as well. Justice is not a nicety to quote. It is an imperative to pursue. Seeing each other as bearing God’s divine image is not a piece of poetry, but a moral demand.

With the incredible rise in bigotry, racism, antisemitism, and hatred of all kinds, King’s message has never been more powerful or necessary. The book of Exodus says: We are here to let all go forth from the yoke of slavery. The journey continues and the holiday marked by King’s birth is vivid as a reminder that we still have a long way to go.

~ JimRosen

from the President

The days are getting longer, and we are starting a new year. It is a time of reflection and anticipation. Of renewal. Of hope. Of looking forward.

Beth El has just completed eight focus groups as part of our search for a new cantor. A substantial number of congregants,

representing many different constituencies, participated. I want to express my appreciation to the search committee and to the individuals who took time to share their thoughts with us. Your input is vital to our success.

The results will be analyzed in depth in January. We heard many recurring themes as well as a few opposing desires. The adage about bringing two Jews together and

getting three opinions held true. This was expected and is as it should be. Beth El is a melting pot. It is home, and I believe a welcoming home, to many points of view. Each is important. During the next 18 months, we will consider all that we heard as we strive to serve Beth El’s best interests.

What was most significant to me was the civil way everyone

Under the White Mantle (Winter Solstice)

When chanting the Kol Nidrei on the eve of Yom Kippur, the cantor is wrapped in a white kittel , suggesting the possibility of purity as he or she prepares to pray to the Creator. At this time, the cantor asks for a renewal of life, a chance to “start over again,” a reprieve so that an ethical life can proceed without the weight of past times.

Rabbi and teacher Abraham Joshua Heschel. I greatly enjoyed those visits as we inevitably would talk of music, and she would show me some of her husband’s poetry. I did set a few of those poems to music. Below is one of that describes so beautifully and mysteriously the quiet and peaceful movement… drifting… soundless process of purification and renewal.

~ JosephNess

ShneeOyfFelder – Snow On the Fields

Abraham Joshua Heschel

Come,letusacknowledge,saystheLord.If yoursinsprovetobelikecrimson,theywill becomewhiteassnow… (Isaiah 1:18) …as white as snow…

Winter approaches and joins our daily lives. How can we make meaning of the cold and darkness of this season?

Consider that the snow – and what comes with it –reminds us of a kind of beginning. Much of life suspends itself under that blanket, that mantle of white, that crystal of glimmering pureness, in order to create a rebirth, a renewal of life, to “start over… again,” a reprieve…

In my time at the Jewish Theological Seminary, I would occasionally visit Sylvia Heschel on Riverside Drive. She was a pianist and the wife of the great

expressed their viewpoints and listened to others. To me civil discourse is a core value. It is grounded in Jewish tradition. The debates of Shammai and Hillel are classic examples we can learn from.

We live in interesting times. Polarization has made some communication difficult. It needn’t be so. Vigorous debate is the foundation of sound organizations and relationships.

Derroymizroy The space is raw, Dibeymerschtum’fn. the trees---stumps. Eszegtdarvint The wind saws Ein falkn vald. in the cloud-forest. Vizegactsfalt The gentle snow der eidleshnei. Falls like sawdust. Shtil vi heelikeh nomad’n, Still, like holy wanderers, Meine verters kamerad’n.

comrades of my words. Muz’n zichtzu erd genen’n,

It must get close to the earth, break its habit of not being seen.

Fun umzebarkeit opgeven’n. Faint noises, flakes…

I recently had lunch with a gentleman whom I respect on the one hand and often disagree with on the other hand. What was significant about the lunch was the civil tone and our mutual willingness to hear each other’s ideas. We agreed on some issues. We agreed to disagree on others. It meant we could leave the lunch as friends.

Beth El is like that. We welcome multiple points of view. We are

blessed with a strong, thoughtful and diverse Board of Trustees and Clergy. Our membership is large and multifaceted. I am thankful for that. It is through honest and civil discourse that we can make the wisest decisions.

As we enter a new year, let’s agree to listen better, to find common ground where we can and to show respect for each other’s perspectives.

~SteveRabb

Family Program

Shababa

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 24 Breakfast for Dinner!

5:30 PM Snack and Activity

5:45 PM Service

6:15 PM Dinner

GEARED TO: children 0-8 and their families

COST: free; opt. suggested donation $18/family REGISTER: by preceding Tues at noon, tinyurl.com/ShababaFeb24 to enable us to plan for dinner

QUESTIONS: Rabbi Zerin, rzerin@bethelwh.org; Jason Kay, engagement@bethelwh.org Experience the joy of Shabbat with dancing, singing, stories, prayers, community, and Shabbat dinner for all.

Saturday – monthly

Birthday Shabbat all ages!

SATURDAYS, JANUARY 7, FEBRUARY 4, MARCH 4

DURING TORAH SERVICE

On the first Shabbat of the month, all those with a birthday in that month are invited to the bima for a group birthday Aliyah.

Candle Lighting & Havdallah Times; plus Havdallah Service Time

Shabbat

Friday Saturday Candle Havdallah Service

Jan 6-7 4:18 PM 5:17 PM 5:40 PM

Jan 13-14 4:25 PM 5:24 PM 5:45 PM

Jan 20-21 4:33 PM 5:32 PM 5:50 PM

Jan 27-28 4:42 PM 5:41 PM 6:00 PM

Feb 3-4 4:51 PM 5:50 PM 6:10 PM

Feb 10-11 5:00 PM 5:59 PM 6:20 PM

Feb 17-18 5:09 PM 6:08 PM 6:30 PM

Feb 24-25 5:17 PM 6:16 PM 6:35 PM

Mar 3-4 5:26 PM 6:25 PM 6:45 PM

New Havdallah program added. See page 8.

Friday – weekly Kabbalat Shabbat

6:00 PM Zoom and in person

Saturday – weekly

Shabbat Morning & Torah Service

9:30 AM – 12:00 PM Livestream and in person

A traditional service; may include b’nai mitzvah or special programming.

Children’s Playroom up to age 5

9:30 AM – 12:00 PM

A place to take a break with your energetic child. NOTE: children must be supervised by a grownup

Youth Shabbat Services

11:00 AM – 12:00 PM no Virtual Options

QUESTIONS: Jason Kay, engagement@bethelwh.org Mazel Tots

Featuring songs and stories geared for children 6 and under with their families. Shabbat Club Prayers, games, and activities for students in grades 1-5.

Shabbat Mincha Service

12:15 – 12:45 PM Livestream and in person

The brief afternoon service, complete with Torah readings, has returned to the Levine-Shein Chapel. Mourner’s Kaddishwill be recited for Sunday yahrzeits .

Havdallah

LOCATION: Home Zoom only NOTE: see chart for timing; it follows sunset We transition from Shabbat to the new week with this brief service using the traditional symbols of a burning candle, a spice box, and wine. This will not include an evening service; Mourner’s Kaddishwill not be recited.

Worshipping Together - Daily Minyan

Mincha & Ma’ariv

Zoom and in person

SUNDAYS-THURSDAYS 5:30 PM

Our daily minyan(prayer service with at least 10 Jewish adults) includes Kaddishfor those in mourning or observing yahrzeit(the anniversary of a person’s passing).

Shacharit

SUNDAYS

Zoom and in person

8:45 AM

MONDAY-FRIDAY 7:00 AM

NOTE: Mondays, Jan 16 and Feb 20 @ 9:00 AM

The morning minyanalso includes reading Torah on Mondays, Thursdays, and RoshChodesh .

THE JEWISH CALENDAR, CHAPTER 5:

So many Torah portions, so few weeks – The Solution  Jason Kay

Last issue, in Chapter 4, we explored a simple problem. In a non-leap year, there are either 50 or 51 Shabbatot . In a leap year, that number increases by a few. And in every year, some of those Shabbatot may fall on holidays for which special Torah readings are assigned. But every single year, there are 54 parashiot(Torah portions), 53 of which must be read on Shabbat as the weekly reading (the last parasha , V’zotHa’beracha , is read on Simchat Torah). We also looked at some of the “rules” that must be followed. We’ll get to some of those again shortly.

Before jumping to the solution to this puzzle, I would like to thank the brilliant Rabbi Miles Cohen for his help in guiding me on this topic. And as we start exploring the world of double portions, we should realize that, as with so many other topics, we don’t have lots of information about the process that determined how it all works. What were the rationales? Why was it done this way? For so much in Judaism, we simply don’t know and use our best sleuthing skills to figure it out. So, here we go. In a given year, how do we determine which Torah portions to join together? In a non-leap year (12 out of every 19-year cycle), there are always five pairs of double portions:

Vayakheil/Pekudei(last two portions in Exodus)

Tazria/Metzora(4th and 5th portions in Leviticus)

Achrei-Mot/Kedoshim(6th and 7th portions in Leviticus)

Behar/Bechukotai(last two portions in Leviticus)

Matot/Massei(last two portions in Numbers)

While the first two pairs seem to share a theme, the last three do not clearly do so. It seems as though the original goal may have been to pair up the last two portions in the various books. That is not an option for Deuteronomy because the last portion is read on Simchat Torah as noted above, and it’s unclear why that wasn’t done for Genesis. The other two pairs, those from Leviticus, help us navigate around Passover. As many b’nai mitzvah know, length was not even remotely considered when choosing which parashiotto pair up.

A leap year typically adds four additional Shabbatot , in which case the first four pairs are read separately. If, however, the additional month adds five extra Shabbatot , the fifth pair from the list is also split. This is a relatively infrequent occurrence. It last happened nine years ago in the year 5774 (it’s currently 5783), and it won’t happen again for 12 more years (although it happens again just three years after that…calendar math is fun). It’s also possible that the additional month of a leap year adds only four Shabbatot , but that Passover falls over two Shabbatot(first and eighth days). In this case, we have to make up the extra week by splitting the fifth pair as well.

In fact, this situation with Passover happened just this past April, when the eighth day fell on Shabbat. In Israel, there is no eighth day of Passover, and therefore, in Israel, they read the regular weekly parashawhile we continued to read the special holiday reading. For the next three months, Jews in Israel read a different weekly portion than Jews in the diaspora until we come to the fifth pair and read that as a double portion (there is no double portion in Israel, allowing us to catch up).

A similar thing can occur on Shavuot. Regardless of whether we are in a leap year, if the second day of Shavuot falls on a Shabbat (in Israel, Shavuot is one day only), then Jews in the diaspora combine the portions of Chukatand Balak(the 6th and 7th of Numbers) to quickly fix the offset. Why is there no quick fix for the Passover situation? It’s unclear. And finally, we come to the last piece of the puzzle. The Talmud gives us a rule mandating that the portion of Nitzavim(8th of Deuteronomy) be read prior to Rosh Hashanah. We also know that V’zot Ha’berachamust be read on Simchat Torah making it so that Ha’azinu , the second-to-last portion must be read on the last non-holiday Shabbat before Sukkot. To ensure this happens, Nitzavimand Vayelechare read either as a pair or separately.

And there we have it. A simple challenge with a very complicated solution. What I would have given to be a fly on the wall listening to people figure this out. Then we would know why we do what we do. Of course, knowing the how and needing to figure out the why always leads to great discussion and many lessons learned.

Making Connections

Lights, Camera, Action! Havdallah, Dinner, and Movie Night

SATURDAY, JANUARY 21

6:00 – 8:00 PM

SUGGESTED DONATION: $5/family; $15 family maximum

Note: geared to families with children ages 13 and under; all are welcome

REGISTER: by 1/16, tinyurl.com/BETMovieNight

QUESTIONS: engagement@bethelwh.org

Glow stick Havdallah? Pizza bagels and popcorn? Movie with your Beth El friends? What more could you want! Join us as we say goodbye to Shabbat and welcome the new week with a lightfilled musical Havdallah, dinner, and a movie.

The Vast Potential of Israel’s Diverse Society, with Gadeer Kamal Mreeh

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 7

7:00 – 9:00 PM

COST: no charge

REGISTER: information TBD

QUESTIONS: Deb Howson, 860-727-6103, dhowson@jewishhartford.org

CO-SPONSORS: Israel Engagement Committee, Jewish Community Relations Council

Gadeer Kamal Mreeh will share her personal story and highlight Israel’s potential for growth as a diverse society, propensity to overcome challenges, and resilience. She served as the first Druze woman to anchor a Hebrew-language news program on Israeli television, the first female Druze member of Israel’s legislature (April 2019-April 2021), and now, as the first Druze to serve as an Israeli emissary for the Jewish Agency.

Book Discussion with Lynda Cohen Loigman: The Matchmaker's Gift

MONDAY, MARCH 13

7:00 – 9:00 PM

COST: no charge for WN members; $18 for others REGISTER: tinyurl.com/BETLoigman

QUESTIONS: Michelle Kunzman, 860-729-4201, michellekunzman1@gmail.com

SPONSOR: Women's Network

Ms. Loigman discussed one of her earlier novels, The WartimeSisters,at a WN event a few years ago, and we are very excited to welcome her back as our Women's History Month guest speaker.

United Synagogue Youth

Shabbat Around the World

FRIDAYS: JAN 20, MAR 17, APR 21, MAY 19

COST: $15/dinner

Explore the culture and cuisine of Jewish communities around the world in this series of Shabbat dinners throughout the upcoming year. This program is made possible through the generosity of the Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford.

Shabbat Morning Hangouts

SATURDAYS, TBA

COST: no charge

Monthly Shabbat morning programming with games, activities, discussions, and more.

LOCATION: both Shabbat programs alternate between Beth El Temple and The Emanuel Synagogue

Regional Winter Convention

JANUARY 27-29

LOCATION: Camp Ramah New England, Palmer, MA REGISTER: usy.org/hanertzafon23

Calling all USYers! Come together for a weekend of Ruach and special programs. Watch for details.

Other amazing USY programming, including regional programs and conventions, local social and social justice activities, and more will be announced throughout the year.

CONTACT: whusyadvisor@gmail.com AGES: grades 6-12

Beth El Temple  West Hartford, CT  www.bethelwesthartford.org  860.233.9696

Making Connections , cont.

College Connection

Every year, Beth El sends MishloachManot to our college-age students. Let us send a Purim gift to your student whether they are away at school, at home, or are participating in another post-high school endeavor. Please provide contact information for this initiative and potential additional holiday well wishes throughout the year. All are invited to help assemble the packages.

RSVP: by 2/19, with your student’s cell phone number, email, and their mailing address for early March

PACKING: TBD, in mid-late February

CONTACT: Mina Nemirow, betcollegeconnections@gmail.com

SPONSOR: the generosity of the Gavens Family College Youth Fund makes this project possible

Men’s Club

Lunch Program with

Hartford Yard Goats

Mascot Chew Chew and Shawn Perry

SUNDAY, JANUARY 8

11:30 AM

COST: $5/MC members; $10/others; no charge for children or teens; late replies or walk-ins accommodated at the discretion of MC and subject to an additional $5/person RSVP: required by 1/4, tinyurl.com/BETandYG

CONTACT: Arthur Freedman, 860-716-8384, drart@aol.com

Shawn Perry, Senior Account Executive with the Hartford Yard Goats, will bring one of the Yard Goats mascots, Chew Chew, to our program!

Save the date: Sunday, June 11, 1:10pm: Hartford Yard Goats play the Somerset Patriots

World Wide Wrap and Breakfast

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 12

8:45 AM Morning Minyan

9:30 AM Breakfast & Speaker

COST: no charge

RSVP: for breakfast, required by 2/8, tinyurl.com/BETWWW23

CONTACT: Phil Schulz, 860-651-0072, philschulz@sbcglobal.net

Join us for the mitzvah of wrapping tefillin in a minyan service. Minyan attendees are encouraged to bring their own set of tefillin, but extras will be available if needed. Then stay for breakfast and enjoy Cantor Ness as our guest speaker.

Breakfast Program with Doron Sheffer

Retired Israeli Professional Basketball Player

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 26

9:15 – 11:30 AM

COST: $5/MC members; $10/others; no charge for children or teens; late replies or walk-ins accommodated at the discretion of MC and subject to an additional $5/person RSVP: required by 2/22 tinyurl.com/MCwithDoron CONTACT: Michael Bloom, 860-983-3476, michaelbloom820@gmail.com

NOTE: his book will be available for purchase; signing will follow program Co-Sponsors: Men’s Club, Israel Engagement Committee

In his most recent book, TheGameofLife , Doron Sheffer, former UConn Husky, demonstrates the connection between body and mind; the physical and spiritual worlds; the basketball game and the world of the Torah; and past, present and future. In his own unique manner, Doron uses the basketball game as an allegory for life and utilizes it as an educational and therapeutic tool that can help us win a much greater, more significant game than the one played on the basketball courts – a game he refers to as The Game of Life.

TheGameofLifewill be available for purchase. Book signing will follow the program.

Walk Around the Reservoir

TUESDAYS & THURSDAYS

9:15 AM

LOCATION: Reservoir on Route 44, Albany Ave; meet in parking lot CONTACT: Stu Bernstein, 860-232-2012, scbernste@aol.com

Lifelong Learning

All services and classes can be accessed directly from the weekly e-blast to members (no login necessary); or by following the links on our website, login required.

Ongoing Weekly Adult Classes

New participants welcome! Come occasionally or come weekly. No registration, no charge. Classes are both on Zoom and in person, unless otherwise noted.

Lunch & Learn

TUESDAYS

12:00 – 1:00 PM

Now in its 29th year, Rabbi Rosen invites you to join us as we explore the Hebrew Bible together. Having completed the entire Bible last year, we are back at the beginning as we study B’reisheet.

Talmud Study

WEDNESDAYS Zoom

10:15 – 11:15 AM only

We are a self-guided group of learners currently studying the tractate Sanhedrin . The only prerequisite is a desire to learn Torah as explored by our great sages.

Bible & Breakfast

THURSDAYS

8:00 – 9:00 AM

QUESTIONS: Michael Schenker, msschenker31@gmail.com

Guided by our rabbis, participants share their viewpoints and insights about the weekly parsha. We all learn by listening, thinking, and sharing. People with all backgrounds are welcome; an ability to read Hebrew or knowledge of Hebrew text is not needed.

Pirkei Avot Study

THURSDAYS

1:30 – 2:30 PM

This small book of wisdom has been a source of inspiration for centuries. Rabbi Rosen leads us as we explore the nature of the good life from an ancient (and still very relevant) Rabbinic perspective.

Ongoing Monthly Adult Class

Musical Chat with Cantor Ness

MONDAYS, 1:00 – 2:00 PM Zoom

JAN. 30 Poems and Songs

APR. 24 Night (7:00 – 9:30PM) Watch, then discuss Ness’s Holocaust Project concert recorded in 2019.

Dirshuni – Israeli Women's Midrash and the Missing Half of the Jewish Bookshelf with Rabbi Zerin

(most) 1st and 3rd WEDNESDAYS, JANUARY 4 – JUNE 7

5:30 PM Minyan

6:00 PM Dinner & Class Zoom option available

COST: $10/class, includes a light dinner (contact Rabbi Zerin if cost prevents you from registering) REGISTER: tinyurl.com/BETDirshuni QUESTIONS: Michelle Kunzman, 860-729-4201, michellekunzman1@gmail.com

CO-SPONSORS: Women's Network, Israel Engagement Committee

NOTE: not meeting 1/18, 4/5

What can we discover if we read between the lines of the Torah? What were the people in the Torah thinking or feeling? What backstories were we never told? And how can we bring new insight to these ancient texts?

Rabbi Rachel Zerin continues the discussion based on midrashimfrom Tamar Biala's new book Dirshuni–ContemporaryWomen'sMidrash.This book, published by the Brandeis University Press, is the first-ever English edition of a historic collection of midrashim (imaginative interpretations of the Torah) composed by Israeli women.

The women writers, from all denominations, of all political stripes and ethnic backgrounds, express their religious and moral thoughts and experiences through innovative interpretations of scripture. This book reflects dramatic changes in the agency of women in the world of religious writings and helps fill the missing half of the sacred Jewish bookshelf. Join us to discuss these voices we have been missing for 2000 years!

No previous knowledge or background necessary. All are welcome to these classes; join us for one or more classes – each stands on its own & enhances the others.

Beth El Temple  West Hartford, CT  www.bethelwesthartford.org  860.233.9696

Chesed (Kindness)

Committee

Supporting Our Members

COORDINATOR: Leah Katz, mitzvahbethel@gmail.com

Whether it's due to an illness, the loss of a loved one, or some other challenge, your Beth El community is prepared to help. Our members can assist with meals (Meal Train), friendly phone calls, or some basic errands for groceries or other essentials.

If you are in need of some assistance or would like to be part of the corps of helpers, please contact us.

KNITzvah Group

SUNDAYS, JANUARY 15 * 11:15 AM – 12:30 PM

SUNDAYS, FEBRUARY 12 10:00 – 11:00 AM

CONTACT: BJ, 860-523-4918, and Fran, knitzvahgrp@gmail.com

The knitters and crocheters of our KNITzvah group continue to create beautiful lap afghans, baby blankets, and hats for people who need a little extra warmth and to let them know they are not forgotten. We donate these items through various local and Israeli organizations that help others.

We welcome all knitters and crocheters of all skill levels to join us. We continue to work at home on our projects and gather monthly at Beth El!

* Part of Mitzvah Day (see page 3) – come put squares together to create a lapghan; no knitting or crocheting involved.

Ourmotto: Wemakestringsintothingsonestitch atatime,togivecomfortandwarmthtoothers!

Recognizing

3-Season Opportunities

Jessie’s Community Garden

CONTACT: Dan Kulakofsky, 860-214-0881, pk18@hotmail.com

Our work is on hold until Spring when we will once again need volunteers. Please join us then as we perform an important mitzvah: the fresh vegetables are donated to food banks throughout Hartford.

Jessie’s Garden was established by the Kostin family, longtime Beth El members, in memory of their daughter, Jessica. Every year our volunteers grow lettuce, tomatoes, onions, horseradish, beans, and other vegetables to feed the hungry through the Anja Rosenberg Kosher Food Pantry at Jewish Family Services.

Garden Club News

CONTACT: Sheila Fox, 860-828-3939; Alison Demarest, 860-810-2084, alisonsupermom@comcast.net; Robin Santiago, 860-490-7661, robin@rsantiagodmd.com

DONATIONS: gently used garden tools or the funds to purchase them are gratefully accepted

The season has ended and we will resume in early spring. See you in the garden!

Both of these outdoor activities make great b’nai mitzvah projects. Volunteers are invited to come with friends, as a family, or solo.

our Volunteers

- Part I

Beth El Supports Children's Reading Partners Program

Spearheaded by the Women's Network, a group of our members assisted Ronni Breiter, Director of Children's Reading Partners, on November 1 with preparing packets for the participating schools and volunteers to kick off this year's reading program for K-5.

Michelle Kunzman, EJ Greenspan, Jessica Borden, Dana Greenberg

EJ Greenspan, Ronni Breiter, Jessica Borden, Dana Greenberg

Engaging Generations

Congratulations

Marlene & Jeffrey Alfin, on birth of grandchild Lincoln Adam Alfin

Stephanie & Geoffrey Brown, on birth of child Julian Mitchell Brown

Meryl & Mitchell Danitz, on birth of grandchild Estelle Billie Steinhardt

Nancy & John Jacobson, on birth of grandchild

Claire Campbell Caruso

Drs. Ellen & Jeffry Nestler, on the birth of grandchild Noa Jeanne Nestler

Welcome to New Member

Jeffrey Solomon

B’nai Mitzvah Celebrations

Avery S. Lang

February 25, 2023

Mazel Tov! and Appreciation for Sponsoring Shabbat Kiddush

Waynik-Fried family in honor of Lila’s Bat Mitzvah Chai Society in honor of Beth El’s veterans Berger family in honor of Lexi’s Bat Mitzvah Men’s Club in honor of Men's Club Shabbat 3rd grade families in honor of Siddur presentation Carolyn Bernstein in honor of Stu’s 80th birthday

Of Blessed Memory

Susan Apter, mother of Ronald Apter

Martin Berman, husband of Irene Berman, father of Carrie Berman

David Bernstein, brother of Richard Bernstein

Yetta Charness, mother of Joanne Bienstock

Samuel Cohen, father of Daniel Cohen and Jonathan Cohen

Avery, child of Lauren & Jason Lang of West Hartford, sibling of Jordan and Parker, grandchild of Helene & Gary Fechter, from Boynton Beach, Florida, Catherine, of blessed memory, and Robert Lang from Guilford, and Dorothy Lang from Madison, is a 7th grader at King Philip Middle School.

Information on Bar and Bat Mitzvah celebrations is available from the Temple Office.

Iliana Liora Sugarman

March 4, 2023

Illy, child of Risa & Ken Sugarman of West Hartford, grandchild of Arlene & Larry z”l Sugarman and Rosalind & Norman Finkelstein, all from Massachusetts, is a 7th grader at Solomon Schechter Day School. Illy is creating art on canvases to donate to Connecticut Children’s Medical Center where they will be displayed in rooms to cheer up the children who are ill.

Beth El and Inclusiveness

Inclusiveness is one of our core values at Beth El. We do everything feasible to allow those with disabilities or special needs to participate in Services, classes and programs. Examples include the synagogue elevator, hearing devices, and periodic special services for those with disabilities. These days, we're also focusing on those with fragrance sensitivities. This represents a significant group

David Federman, father of Brian Federman

Barbara Fidler, step-mother of Mina Nemirow Irene Fromson

Rhoda Grossman, mother of Jordan Grossman, partner of Avram Berger Morton Katz, father of Annette Levine

Carolyn Kulakofsky, mother of Dan Kulakofsky Estelle Landy, mother of Frederick Landy Nouri Levy, father of Edna Levy Dr. Gerald Palter, father of Marc Palter Merna Robbin, mother of Bruce Robbin Malka Singer, mother of Elena Shichman Marcia Wolman, mother of Mark Wolman

If you would like to share your Simchas and Sorrows with the Beth El Community, please send your Life Cycle announcements to: info@bethelwh.org

which includes Beth El members, staff, and, undoubtedly, visitors. Fragrance sensitivity is a very common problem which causes a wide variety of health concerns; e.g. difficulty breathing. Many institutions and businesses and a growing number of houses of worship have enacted Fragrance Free policies. In order to assure that affected individuals are able to participate and enjoy Beth El, we request that you avoid wearing any scented products.

Let'skeeptheairwesharehealthyandfragrance-freeforall.

Beth El Temple  West Hartford, CT

Israel Engagement Committee

Exploring Israel  Robin Santiago

Sharon and I have both recently returned from Israel, enjoying the land and people in all its wonderous variety. Here’s a brief taste!

In the arid and rocky Negev and Arava areas, green oases surprise you, springing seemingly out of nowhere, refreshing the spirit. Carmei Avdat is a winery that’s one of those green surprises. From the hilltop hot tub, we watched the full moon sail across the desert sky, as we toasted it with a crisp white wine from the vineyard. Nary a soul disturbed the rocky deserted terrain. Heading south to Sderot, we got our first glimpses of the new national bird of Israel – the construction crane. In 50 years, the population has more than quadrupled, despite frequent rocket attacks from Gaza. The landscape is dotted with beautifully painted bomb shelters at every bus stop and playground along with the mandatory safe rooms (mamads) required for all new construction since 1951. Nearby Maktesh Ramon is the world’s largest erosion hollow, measuring 40 km by 2-10 km. It is Israel’s largest national park. Ibex stroll the grounds. Khan Saharonim of the Nabateans bears witness to the ancient Incense Route that crossed this terrain. The new visitor’s center tells the story of Ilan Ramon, the Israeli astronaut who perished during re-entry of the 2003 Columbia space mission.

The center of the country is the most densely populated, with matching traffic. Tel Aviv is abuzz with life, tall buildings, more cranes, great restaurants, and shopping. Jerusalem gleams softly gold. The

Temple Mount and Western Wall pull you to her ancient heart, and history unfolds at your feet. From minarets comes the call to prayer for Muslims, black frocked men hurry to the wall to pray, while the Armenian quarter showcases beautiful pottery, friendly shopkeepers, and quiet streets. Many churches dot the landscape and the world’s oldest Jewish cemetery covers the slopes of the Mount of Olives. This is the Israel we are most familiar with.

Heading north into the Galilee and Hula Valleys, Israel here is greener and more mountainous. Views from the Carmel and the Golan afford glimpses of the Mediterranean Sea, Lebanon, Syria and Jordan, bringing home her small size. The nature reserves in the Hula Valley are known for the over 500 million birds from more than 400 species, who fly through here, migrating twice a year from Africa and Europe. It was gray crane season; the sky and resting areas were gray with their bodies, the air echoing with their distinctive calls. From Tel Dan to Megiddo to Crusader and Mameluke ruins, to Akko and more, these sites attest to the longevity of settlements in this region. This is the area of the

– Druze,

Bahais and Jews. A small business consortium out of Akko brings close to 100 enterprises together to promote their mutual success and increase tourism to the area. There is so much to explore!

CO-CHAIRS: Sharon Efron, sgredancer@yahoo.com; Robin Santiago, Robin@rsantiagodmd.com

greatest diversity

Muslims, Christians,

The incredible landscape of the Negev

Mt. of Olives, Jerusalem, the oldest Jewish cemetery in the world dates back about 5,000 years,

The “national birds” gather in Tel Aviv

Hula Valley Bird Sanctuary, with actual birds

The stark difference between

Supporting Beth El

This list reflects contributions received and processed through November 17, 2022. For the next edition of Temple Topics, contributions need to be received in the office by January 17, 2023.

Camp Ramah Fund

in Honor of Bar mitzvah of Noam Berkowitz, son of Rabbi Ilana Garber & Adam Berkowitz –Shera & David Golder in Memory of Carolyn Kulakofsky, mother of Dan –Meryl & Mitchell Danitz, Bonnie & Paul Lewis

Cantor’s Music Fund in Appreciation of Cantor Ness – Nancy & Marty Baron, Michael Karasik & family, Vicki & Michael Konover, Muriel Sokolow, Lori Yontef & family in Honor of Bar mitzvah of Noam Berkowitz, son of Rabbi Ilana Garber & Adam Berkowitz –Shera & David Golder

Birth of Wesley Aiden Sowalsky, grandchild of Dora & Rabbi Howard Sowalsky – Jeanne & Dan Kleinman Leila Zelman – Ellen & Steven Zelman in Memory of Harriet Cohen Haggerty, mother – Lori Yontef & family Edward Kligman – Ina Cooper Carolyn Kulakofsky, mother of Dan –Barbara & Robert Green Barbara Karasik, wife of Robert – Susan & Alan Solinsky for the Yahrzeit of J. Kim Buland, husband – Roberta Buland Jewish Continuity Fund in Honor of Sophie Kruger, daughter of Dr. Riva Lewinter & Dr. David Kruger, making Aliyah to Israel – Meryl & Mitchell Danitz

Simchat Torah honorees Sharon Gorlick, Dan Kulakofsky, Barbara Green – Leah Katz

Chai Society

in Honor of Barbara Green – Judith Satlof in Memory of Dr. Norman Mann – Eliane Freund, Susan & Michael Schenker, Stephen Sherry Denese & Norman Mann – Roz Rachlin & family Nancy Goodman, wife of Robert – Sandy & Marc Friedman

Education Fund in Honor of Dr. Ron Buckman for the Brit Milah of grandson Julian Brown, son of Stephanie & Geoffrey – Marcia & Bruce Brown

Wishing a Complete Return to Good Health to Phyllis Lehman – Lorraine & Tom Barber Prayer Book Fund in Memory of Aaron Dubitzky – Ann & Bernie Cope

Rabbi Zerin’s Discretionary Fund in Appreciation of Rabbi Zerin – Barbara & Robert Green, Ruth Yancovich, Lori Yontef & family in Memory of Harriet Cohen Haggerty, mother – Lori Yontef & family Tsedakah/Chesed Fund in Appreciation of Leah Katz – Barbara & Robert Green The Kel Malay Rachamim for Jacob Noll, Mildred Noll & Anne Zimmer – Marylin & Arthur Noll in Memory of Carolyn Kulakofsky, mother of Dan; Nouri Levy, father of Edna – Sharon & Neil Kochen

There are two ways to make a donation:

Go to the Beth El website: www.bethelwesthartford. org/giving

Mail it in Please be sure to include:

the name of the fund

whom you wish to honor/ remember and your relationship to the person

their address for an acknowledgment card

your address/phone/email

Print clearly – or submit the information typed.

Every dollar contributed can and does make a difference and will be acknowledged.

The minimum donation for each listing is $10

Unrestricted funds support the timely needs of Beth El Temple. Restricted funds benefit specific purposes and objectives. For a complete list of funds and any specific designations, please visit our website.

Youth Activities Fund in Honor of B’nai mitzvah of Samantha and Benjamin Cohen, children of Georgianne & Jonathan – Dr. Jay Smith

Rabbi Rosen’s Discretionary Fund in Appreciation of Rabbi Rosen – Nancy & Marty Baron, Patricia Cronin, Debbie & Rich Gutcheon, Michael Karasik & family, Vicki & Michael Konover, Bernice Matty, Janet & Harold Moskowitz, Muriel Sokolow, the Talmud Class, Lori Yontef & family Nancy Rosen – Helen Schwartz

We deeply appreciate the following Thoughtful Contributions.

Support Beth El just by shopping at Amazon!

Go to smile.amazon.com , type in Beth El Temple, and shop as you normally would!

Amazon will donate a portion of the purchase price to Beth El.

It’s that simple!

in Honor of Barbara Green – Judith Alderman Bar mitzvah of Max Bergman, great grandson of Jeanne Elman – Sue & Bruce Bergman Beth El Temple, opening its doors to the community for Neilah service – Carin Buckman

Judy Rosenthal and all the work she does for Beth El – Sharon & Bob Efron Baby naming and first birthday of Noa Jean Roth, daughter of Elisabeth Kostin & Doran Roth – Joanne & Arthur Rome 80th birthday of Bonnie Weiner – Susan & Jesse Samuels

Birth of Raya Sowalsky, grandchild of Jan Glass & Joel Sowalsky – Linda & Bruce Stanger Sharon Gorlick, Kallat Torah; Dan Kulakofsky, Chattan Beresheet; Barbara Green, Kallat Mafteret – Francine & Steven Stier in Memory of Carolyn Kulakofsky, mother of Dan –Carolyn & Stuart Bernstein, Judy & Richard Levy, Joanne & Arthur Rome Nouri Levy, father of Edna Levy – Cindy & Adam Cohen Barbara Karasik, wife of Robert – Amy & Jim Goldman Marcia Wolman, mother of Sharon Mann – Sharon Gorlick Dr. Norman Mann – Linda & Bruce Stanger Harriet Cohen Haggerty, mother – Lori Yontef & family

Continue using E-GIFT CARDS to Support Beth El

(just a little bit differently – namechange)

Buy good-as-cash e- gift cards, online , for your own shopping and dining, and for gifts.

Pay face value, spend face value, and Beth El gets a donation, up to 12% from some retailers.

Note: Physical cards will no longer be available in the office (once the current stock is used up).

for the Yahrzeit of Sidney Needelman, father; Edith & Samuel Kuperstein, parents – Davida & Steven Needelman

Hy Gloth, father – Joanne Gloth Rome Kalman Satz, grandfather – Linda & Bruce Stanger

Taste Of Shabbat for the Yahrzeit of Miriam & Harold Cohn, parents – Linda & Henry Cohn

Temple Fund

in Appreciation of Barbara & Robert Green – Loretta Levy Dr. Ron Buckman for the Brit Milah of grandson Julian Brown, son of Stephanie & Geoffrey – Stacey & Mark Gendal in Honor of 60th wedding anniversary of Naomi & Michael Cohen – Vida Barron Marriages of granddaughter Carlye Gilson and Dr. Max Vaickus, and granddaughter Nicole Dunoff and Adam Parish – Harriet & Jerome Gilson Barbara Green’s Simchat Torah honor –Robert Green

Marriage of Gina & Dennis Koppel’s son –Loretta Levy Marriages of Carlye Gilson and Dr. Max Vaickus, and Nicole Dunoff and Adam Parish, granddaughters of Harriet & Jerome Gilson; birth of Wesley Aiden Sowalsky, grandchild of Dora & Rabbi Howard Sowalsky – Gilda Liebowitz

in Memory of

Stanley Sokolow, husband of Muriel – the Beth El Softball Team

Nancy Goodman, wife of Bob – Judy & Richard Levy, Bonnie & Jay Roston

Dr. Norman Mann – Gilda Liebowitz

Malka Singer, mother of Elena Shichman –Karen & Jeff Polinsky

David Bernstein – Susan Shechtman for the Yahrzeit of Florence & Lester Wasserman, parents; Edith Barker, mother – Shelley & Michael Barker Moses Berkowitz, father – Howard Berke

Sylvia & Walter Cook, parents – Beth Cook

Fanny Smith – Reeva Cremer

Fishel Zev Liberman – Pat Cronin

Jeannette Mandell, mother – Harriet Dannhauser

Arthur Epstein, husband – Mary Epstein Ben Silverstein, father; Yetta Silverstein, aunt – Korine Ferraro

Mildred Friedman Lukash, mother; Thelma Lutin Gold, mother; Stephen Friedman, brother – Sandy & Marc Friedman

Samuel Markman, grandfather – Matthew Friedman

Esther Oren, mother; Bertha Gilson, mother – Harriet & Jerome Gilson

Sybil Golden, wife; Doris & Nathan Golden, parents – H. Donald Golden

Sydney Green, father – Barbara & Robert Green

Temple Fund

for the Yahrzeit of, cont .

Ruth & Arthur Goldschmidt, parents – Leah Katz

Evrett Evenen, uncle – Dr. Abigail Kessler Hanna

Benjamin Kleinman – Steven Kleinman

Gladys & Sam Kruger, parents – Riva Lewinter & David Kruger

Jack Goldberg, father; William Goldberg, grandfather – Miriam Lappen

Fay Noveck, mother; Sam Lerer, father – Trudy & Andre Lerer

Gloria Finkel, aunt – Peter Levine

Betty & Irving Adler, parents – Gilda Liebowitz

Harriet Treach, mother – Lynn & Joel Malkoff

Harry Mark – Sheila & Howard Mark

Sheldon Meyer, husband; Helen & Bernard Soref, mother & stepfather – Jean Meyer

Ruth Moskowitz, mother – Harold Moskowitz

Florence Post, wife; Rose Post, mother; Larion Cweithikow, Holocaust remembrance – Philip Post

Lud Rosenberg, husband; Gertrude & Lottie Rosenberg, in-laws –Lillian Rosenberg

Cecil B. Schatz – Deborah R. Rosenfeld

Muriel Bartnick, mother – Bonnie & Jay Roston

Irving Kellner, father; Louis Samberg, father – Barbara & Ira Samberg

Ruth & Dr. David Krongold, mother & step-father; Dr. Edward Emmanuel Sheldon, father; Louis Cohen, father; Sidney D. Raucher, uncle – Cyral & Richard Sheldon & family

Morris Wachtel, father-in-law; Henrietta Slonim, sister-in-law; Julio Stennberg & Miriam Sternfeld, Holocaust remembrance –Shirley Wachtel

Morrie Wachtel, grandfather; Henrietta Slonim, aunt; Frances Barnhardt, cousin – Susan & Stuart Wachtel

Albert Zern, father – Howard Zern

Nora Zimmerman, mother – Richard Zimmerman

General Unrestricted Endowment Fund in Honor of Bar Mitzvah of Noam Berkowitz, son of Rabbi Ilana Garber & Adam Berkowitz – Judy Borus

Sharon Gorlick, Kallat Torah on Simchat Torah – Meryl & Mitchell Danitz, Helen Schwartz Simchat bat of daughter, Calista Mendolia – Samantha KaplanMendolia & Dominic Mendolia

Barbara Green, Sharon Gorlick & Dan Kulakofsky honors on Simchat Torah – Lois & Chuck Koteen

Birth of Wesley Aiden Sowalsky, grandchild of Dora & Rabbi Howard Sowalsky – Carolyn & Jeff Weiser in Memory of Nancy Goodman, mother – Beth & Jeff Goodman & family Nouri Levy, father of Edna; Carolyn Kulakofsky, mother of Dan –Abbey Kreinik

Barbara Karasik, wife of Robert – Wendy & Howie Levinbook for the Yahrzeit of Berta Goldsmith, grandmother – Peter Katz

Alter Family Fund in Memory of Carolyn Kulakofsky, mother of Dan; Malka Singer, mother of Elena Shichman – Marci & Jonathan Alter Naomi & Michael Cohen Endowment Fund in Honor of 60th wedding anniversary of Naomi & Michael Cohen – Bobby & David Klau

Judith & David Borus Family Endowment Fund in Honor of Barbara Green, Kallat Mafteret; Sharon Gorlick, Kallat Torah – Judy Borus for the Yahrzeit of Rosalie Borus, mother-in-law – Judy Borus

Sharon & Bob Efron Family Fund in Honor of Sharon Efron receiving the Men’s Club Distinguished Service Award – Shera & David Golder in Memory of Carolyn Kulakofsky, mother of Dan; Barbara Fidler, step-mother of Mina Nemirow – Sharon & Bob Efron for the Yahrzeit of Sam Moses, grandfather; Wendy Schulman, friend – Sharon & Bob Efron Leonard & Vicki Eisenfeld Endowment Fund for the Yahrzeit of Dr. Samuel Lyon, father – Wendy Lyon Frances & Philip D. Feltman Fund in Honor of Rabbi Rosen – the Feltman family Jane & Nathan Field Memorial Fund in Memory of Joni Suppin – Emmy & Steve Fast Goldberg Endowment Fund for Education in Honor of Bar mitzvah of Noam Berkowitz, son of Rabbi Ilana Garber & Adam Berkowitz –Caryl & Len Goldberg

Friends Fund for Members in Need in Honor of David Rosenthal’s Rosh Hashanah Aliyah – Whitney Whitaker & Gerry Garfield Bat mitzvah of Lila Brown, daughter of Maria & Eric, granddaughter of Barbara & David – Alys & Jack Krichavsky Baby naming of Noa Jean Roth; Alisha Cipriano’s recitation of the Yom Kippur Haftorah – Judy & David Rosenthal in Memory of Hilda Landerman Clark – Joyce & Richard Leibert for the Yahrzeit of Lillian V. Rosenfield, mother; Hilda V. Rosenthal, mother – Judy & David Rosenthal

Garfield Family Fund in Honor of Gerry Garfield’s Yom Kippur Aliyah –Judy & David Rosenthal

Gavens Family College Youth Fund in Memory of Seymour Gavens, husband – Annette Gavens for the Yahrzeit of Helen Rosker, mother; Jacob O. Gavensky, father-in-law – Annette Gavens

Richard & Debbie Gutcheon Family Endowment Fund for the Yahrzeit of Alvin Gutcheon – Debbie & Rich Gutcheon

Marc S. & Tamara Kagan Levine Family Endowment Fund for the Yahrzeit of Marc S. Levine, husband – Tammy Levine

Anna Heineman Memorial Fund in Honor of Bat mitzvah of Sydney Stier, granddaughter of Francine & Steve –Lois & Chuck Koteen

Ruth & Harry Kleinman Endowment Fund in Appreciation of Myra & Bill Kleinman – Lois & Chuck Koteen in Memory of Denese & Norman Mann – Jeanne & Dan Kleinman

Jennifer Glickman Steinmetz, daughter-inlaw of Marilyn – Myra & Bill Kleinman

Koteen Family Fund

in Honor of Lois Koteen receiving the Men’s Club Distinguished Service Award – Shera & David Golder

for the Yahrzeit of Boris Levitsky, father – Lois & Chuck Koteen

Kreinik Family Endowment Fund in Appreciation of Abbey Kreinik – Lois & Chuck Koteen Levine-Shein Endowment Fund in Appreciation of Sharon Levine-Shein & Bruce Shein – Lois & Chuck Koteen

Diane & Richard Lieberfarb Endowment Fund in Honor of Bat mitzvah of Elissa Schwartz, granddaughter of Diane & Richard Lieberfarb – Barbara & Robert Green

Ludgin Family Endowment Fund in Memory of David H. Bernstein – Karen & Rob Ludgin Mann Family Temple Organ Fund in Memory of Dr. Norman Mann – Myra & Bill Kleinman, Arlene & Daniel Neiditz Marshall & Sandra Rulnick Endowment Fund

Wishing a Complete Return to Good Health to Marshall Rulnick – Abbey Kreinik, Judy & David Rosenthal

Santiago Family Fund for the Yahrzeit of Lila Santiago, mother – Robin & Rafi Santiago Muriel G. & Morton L. Schenker Fund for the Arts for the Yahrzeit of Muriel “Mim” & Morton Schenker, parents; Julius Gold, grandfather; Samuel Schenker, grandfather – Susan & Michael Schenker Susan & Michael Schenker Endowment Fund in Memory of Carolyn Kulakofsky, mother of Dan – Susan & Michael Schenker

Laurie & Marshall Shakun Family Fund for the Yahrzeit of Michael J. Plaut, father – Laurie & Marshall Shakun

Bruce Shein & Sharon Levine-Shein Endowment Fund in Honor of Special birthday of Andrea Goldberg; Sharon Efron & Lois Koteen receiving the Men’s Club Distinguished Service Award – Sharon Levine-Shein & Bruce Shein in Memory of Denese & Dr. Norman Mann; Jerrold Lipman, husband of Joan; Ellen Berson, sister-in-law of Rikki & Geoffrey Weiner – Sharon Levine -Shein & Bruce Shein Wishing a Complete Return to Good Health to Sandy Kornheiser, Honey Sue Springut –Sharon Levine-Shein & Bruce Shein

Clara & Mickey Sowalsky Gabbai Rishon Endowment Fund in Appreciation of Rabbi Sowalsky – Janet & Harold Moskowitz in Honor of Birth of Wesley Aiden Sowalsky, grandchild of Dora & Rabbi Howard Sowalsky – Cheryl & John Hinze, Michele & Dane Kostin, Lois & Chuck Koteen, Sheila & Howard Mark I. Milton Widem Adult Education Fund in Memory of David H. Bernstein; Irv Resnick – Susan Widem

BETH EL TEMPLE CRAFT GALLERY

Our Craft Gallery has been busy meeting the needs of our community. Shoppers have been able to come into our safe environment, by personal appointment, and find items for their particular occasions. Customers remark that seeing and touching tallitot, kippot, and special gifts, before purchasing, is a much more satisfying experience. If you have a Bar or Bat Mitzvah, wedding, or religious holiday to shop for, please call us to schedule your time to visit the gallery.

Please come see our new tallitot, recently acquired from two of our favorite Israeli artisans!

HOURS: Sundays, 9:00-11:30 AM, when SULAM is in session, see page 2.

APPOINTMENTS AVAILABLE: Shelley Barker, 860-232-6468; Jill Jones, 860-922-7300 VOLUNTEERS: contact Jill to sign up NOTE: proceeds benefit the synagogue, and we are staffed through the generosity of our volunteers