Issuu

From the Rabbi’s Desk

December 21, 2025

To Shine a Light

– – -

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

Reflections from the President

–

December 15, 2025

– – –

–

Supporting our Members: Chesed (Kindness) Comm. and Meal Train

–

Beth El Strives to be Fragrance-Free

Oﬃce Closed

Thursday, January 1

New Year’s Day

CONTACT: info@bethelwh.org

Monday, January 19

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

Monday, February 16

Presidents’ Day

Temple Topics Y Vol. LXI, No. 3 Y January-February 2026 Y Tevet-Shevat-Adar 5786

Shabbat Services & Daily Minyan Shabbat – Friday Kabbalat Shabbat

5:45 PM

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).

Shabbat – Saturday Shacharit, Torah, & 9:30 AM Musaf Services Children’s Playroom 9:30 AM st th Mini-Minyan (1 -6 graders) 10:15 AM Mazal Tots (birth-kindergarten) 11:15 AM Mincha Service, includes Mourner’s Kaddish for both Saturday and Sunday 12:15 PM

(or 20 min. after morning service, whichever is later)

Havdallah

ZOOM ONLY, SEE CHART BELOW

There are no regular services, in person, on Saturday evenings.

Candle & Havdallah Times; plus Havdallah Service Time Shabbat

Friday Candle

Jan 2-3 Jan 9-10 Jan 16-17 Jan 23-24 Jan 30-31 Feb 6-7 Feb 13-14 Feb 20-21 Feb 27-28

4:14 PM 4:21 PM 4:28 PM 4:37 PM 4:46 PM 4:55 PM 5:04 PM 5:12 PM 5:21 PM

Special Shabbat Programs and Events January Sat 3 9:30 AM Fri-Sat, 9-10

Birthday Shabbat Rabbi Goldstein Weekend,

Sat 10

Havdallah and Movie Night

Wed-Sat, 28-31

Shabbat Shirah Weekend

see below

tinyurl.com/BETMovie2026 see below

February Sat Sat

7 9:30 AM 7 10:30 AM

12:00 PM Fri 20 5:30 PM

Birthday Shabbat Junior Congregation, SIGN-UP: tinyurl.com/BETJuniorFeb Shabbat Club Shababa tinyurl.com/Shababa22026

Saturday Havdallah Service 5:13 PM 5:20 PM 5:28 PM 5:36 PM 5:45 PM 5:54 PM 6:03 PM 6:12 PM 6:20 PM

5:35 PM 5:40 PM 5:50 PM 5:55 PM 6:05 PM 6:15 PM 6:25 PM 6:30 PM 6:40 PM

Scholar-in-Residence Shabbaton Healing, Resilience, and Connection with Rabbi Mikie Goldstein,

Dir. of Development, The Masorti Movement

FRIDAY, JANUARY 9 5:45 PM Kabbalat Shabbat and Ma’ariv 7:00 PM Shabbat Dinner and Discussion SATURDAY, JANUARY 10 9:30 AM Shabbat Morning Services, with guest d’var Torah

12:00 PM Congregational Lunch

Daily Minyan Shacharit

Sun Mon–Fri

8:45 AM 7:00 AM

Sun–Thu

5:30 PM

COST FOR DINNER: $20/adult; $15/ages 5-12; free/0-4 INFORMATION: BethElWestHartford.org/ScholarShabbaton

NOTE: Thu, 1/1, Mon, 2/19, Mon, 3/16 at 9 AM

Mincha/Ma’ariv

Shabbat Shirah, the Shabbat of Song Y BethElWestHartford.org/ShabbatShirah Niggun and Song Circle WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 28 5:30 – 6:45 PM RSVP: no charge, but

requested for planning purposes

Sing in Shabbat FRIDAY, JANUARY 30 5:15 PM Sing in Shabbat 5:45 PM Kabbalat Shabbat/Ma’ariv 7:00 PM Shabbat Dinner COST FOR DINNER: $20/adult; $15/ages 5-12; free/0-4

Shabbat Morning SATURDAY, JANUARY 31 9:30 PM Morning Services 12:00 PM Congregational Lunch RSVP FOR LUNCH: no charge, but

requested for planning purposes

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

Winter Holidays Tu B’Shevat Y the New Year of Trees

Purim is coming!

Sunday-Monday, February 1-2 ~ 15 Shevat

Monday-Tuesday, March 2-3 ~ 14 Adar

Four Mitzvot of Purim Y Hear the Megillah Y Eat a Festive Meal Y Give to Those in Need

(matanot l'evyonim)

Y Send Food Gifts to Friends

(mishloach manot)

Watch your emails for details about services and deadlines for sponsorship of Mishloach Manot (send Purim treats to other congregants).

Mitzvot Opportunities KNITzvah Group

MONTHLY SUNDAYS, JAN. 25, FEB. 22 10:00 – 11:00 AM, REGULAR TIME 9:30 – 11:30 AM, FEB. 22, ONLY 4:00 – 5:30 PM, DROP-IN, TUESDAYS IN MARCH

CONTACT: BJ and Fran, knitzvahgrp@gmail.com NOTE: usually meets on the same dates as Better Together RSVP: tinyurl.com/BETHatsforIDF SPECIAL PROJECT: Feb 22 program co-sponsored by Women’s Network.

3-Season Opportunities Returning in the Spring

Jessie’s Community Garden CONTACT: Dane Kostin, dkostin@comcast.net

Garden Club News

CONTACT: Sheila Fox, 860-828-3939, sheilaf33@icloud.com; Alison Demarest, 860-810-2084, alisonsupermom@comcast.net; Robin Santiago, 860-490-7661, robin@rsantiagodmd.com

Both of these outdoor activities make great B’nei Mitzvah projects. Volunteers are invited to come with friends, as a family, or solo.

Temple Topics Y Vol. LXI, No. 3 Y January-February 2026 Y Tevet-Shevat-Adar 5786

Family Engagement Derech SULAM

CONTACT: Dr. Jared Wasser, chair, jareddwasser@gmail.com NEXT MEETING: March 15, 9:30 – 10:30 AM Shira Nagar, Israeli Shlichah (emissary) to our community, ran a recent Professional Development workshop. Only one spot left in the Masa Program for 8th-12th graders. Next up is Newport in February and NYC in May.

Programs for Teens and Young Adults United Synagogue Youth

College Connection

CONTACT: Marisa and Max Beede, Advisors, whusyadvisor@gmail.com AGES: grades 6-12 NOTE: cost should not be a barrier for attending; reach out to Marisa and Max about scholarships

JTConnect TUESDAYS AT BETH EL TEMPLE

INFORMATION: www.JTConnect.org CONTACT: Emma Strumpf, Executive Dir, oﬃce@jtconnect.org AGES: grades 8-12 6

Stephanie Kudler, Chair collegeconnections@bethelwh.org The generosity of the Gavens Family College Youth Fund makes this project possible.

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

Life Cycles B’nei Mitzvah Celebrations Rose Felicity Goldfarb

Mazel Tov! and Appreciation for Sponsoring Shabbat Kiddush

January 10, 2026

Welcome to New Members Congratulations Aubrie Koteen

January 24, 2026

Of Blessed Memory

Lily Friedman

February 28, 2026 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.

Temple Topics Y Vol. LXI, No. 3 Y January-February 2026 Y Tevet-Shevat-Adar 5786

Upcoming Events & Programs Book Talk with Laney Katz Becker, author of In the Family Way

TUESDAY, JAN. 20

7:00 pm – 8:30 pm

No charge; Zoom only

Temple Trivia Throwdown!

SATURDAY, JAN. 24

8:00 PM

See cover

Better Together

SUNDAYS, JAN. 25, FEB. 22

10:30 AM – 11:30 AM

No charge; RSVP required

MONDAY, JAN. 26

7:00 PM

No charge; Zoom only

the Gaza War, and Their Impacts on Our Lives

TUESDAY, JAN. 27

6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

$5/members; $10/others

Book Chat with Natalie Segal, author of Heroes of the Middle Ages

SUNDAY, FEB. 1

9:15 AM – 11:00 AM

No charge

World Wide Wrap, followed by Men’s Club Breakfast Program

SUNDAY, FEB. 8

9:00 AM – WRAP 10:30 AM – PROGRAM

No charge for the Wrap; Breakfast: $5/MC; $10/others

Big Game Watch Party

SUNDAY, FEB. 8

5:00 PM – 11:00 PM

$5/member; $10/other adults

Program with Cantor Ness Hearing Men’s Voices: Antisemitism,

Women’s Network

tinyurl.com/LKBatBET

tinyurl.com/TempleTrivia2026

tinyurl.com/BET5786BT

Chai Society

tinyurl.com/BETNess126

Men’s Club w/dinner

tinyurl.com/HMVJanuary

Women’s Network

tinyurl.com/SegalBETChat

tinyurl.com/BET2026WWW

Men’s Club; food/drink included

tinyurl.com/BETWatchParty2026

Challah My Way Hats for IDF Soldiers

SUNDAY, FEB. 22

9:30 AM – 10:30 AM

$36/family for the series of 6

SUNDAY, FEB. 22

9:30 AM – 11:30 AM

No charge; see page 5

tinyurl.com/Challah5786

Women’s Network and KNITzvah

tinyurl.com/BETHatsforIDF

Men’s Club Shabbat

SATURDAY, MAR. 7

9:30 AM – 12:00 PM

No charge

Men’s Club

Breakfast and Yellow Candle Packaging for Yom HaShoah

SUNDAY, MAR. 8

9:15 AM – 11:30 AM

No charge

Men’s Club

Interviews from Israel: Mishkan Museum in Afula

MONDAY, MAR. 16

7:00 PM

Women's Network Shabbat and Annual Woman of Valor Award

SATURDAY, MAR. 28

9:30 AM – 12:00 PM

tinyurl.com/YellowCandle2026

Israel Engagement No charge.

Women’s Network

Contact to participate in the service (torah reader or Aliyah): MichelleKunzman1@gmail.com. 8

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

Lifelong Learning for Adults Great Jewish Works That Have Changed Rabbi Rosen (with Rabbi Rosen)

Reading The Women of the Bible study series with Rabbi Zerin

WEDNESDAYS, JANUARY 14, 21, 28 7:00 – 8:00 PM Zoom only

1ST AND 3RD WEDNESDAYS OF THE MONTH (mostly) FEBRUARY 4, 18; MARCH 4, 18 5:30 – 5:55 PM Minyan 6:00 – 7:15 PM Class COST: no charge; in-person or Zoom REGISTER: tinyurl.com/BETReadingWomen NOTE: not meeting in January SPONSOR: Women's Network

–

No previous knowledge or background is necessary. All are welcome to these classes; join us for one or more classes. Each stands on its own and also enhances the others.

Adult B’nei Mitzvah Program, Part II TUESDAY, WEEKLY, JANUARY 6 – FEBRUARY 24 6:00 – 6:45 PM The Rhythm of Jewish Life:

a deep dive into holidays, values, and more, with Rabbis Rosen and Zerin and Dr. Krigel 7:00 – 7:45 PM Intro to Reading Hebrew, Part II: reading the greatest hits from the siddur, with Lois Koteen COST: $180 for the entire program; $36/each mini-class in Part II; cost should not be a barrier, contact Rabbi Zerin to make other arrangements REGISTRATION REQUIRED: tinyurl.com/AdultBneiMitzvah2526

Embracing Judaism

WEDNESDAYS, BEGINNING JANUARY 7, FOR 18 SESSIONS 6:00 – 7:45 PM

Exploring the Siddur

COST: $180 for series; $90 for full-time students and IBJ alum INFORMATION: Rabbi Richard Plavin, 860-573-4503, riplavin@gmail.com

SATURDAYS, JAN. 17, FEB. 21 5:00 PM – 6:15 PM

COST: $10/session; included in Adult B’nei Mitzvah program REGISTRATION REQUIRED: tinyurl.com/Exploring2526 NOTE: all are welcome to attend for part or all of the evening, whether or not part of the Adult B'nei Mitzvah program

Weekly Adult Classes Lunch & Learn

TUESDAY

12:00 – 1:00 PM

Talmud Study

WEDNESDAY

10:15 – 11:15 AM

Bible & Breakfast

THURSDAY

8:00 – 9:00 AM

NO CLASS 1/1

Temple Topics Y Vol. LXI, No. 3 Y January-February 2026 Y Tevet-Shevat-Adar 5786

Supporting Beth El We deeply appreciate the following Thoughtful Contributions.

There are two ways to make a donation:

Y Go to the Beth El website:

Y This list reﬂects contributions

received and processed through November 18, 2025. Y For the next edition of Temple Topics, contributions need to be received in the oﬃce by January 19, 2026.

www.bethelwesthartford. org/giving Y Mail it in

We would like to thank an anonymous donor for the new livestreaming capabilities.

Beautiﬁcation Fund

Please be sure to include: à the name of the fund

Jewish Continuity Fund –

à whom you wish to honor/

remember and your relationship to the person à their address for an acknowledgment card à your address/phone/email

–

Prayer Book Fund

Ceremonial Court

–

Print clearly – or submit the information typed.

Rabbi Rosen’s Discretionary Fund

Cantor Joseph Ness Concert Fund

–

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

–

Chai Society

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.

–

– – –

–

Early Childhood Fund

–

Education Fund

–

– –

Roﬀer Mental Health Challenges Initiative Fund –

- -

–

Taste Of Shabbat –

–

– – –

Rabbi Zerin’s Discretionary Fund

Joseph Springut Security Fund - -

– –

–

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

Temple Fund –

CT Mohel

–

– –

Ron Buckman,

– –

–

– –

–

www.CTMohel.com Brit Milah Y Simchat Bat

– –

–

– –

–

– –

–

Tsedakah/Chesed Fund – –

Alter Family Fund –

Judith & David Borus Family Endowment Fund – Temple Topics Y Vol. LXI, No. 3 Y January-February 2026 Y Tevet-Shevat-Adar 5786

–

(continues)

Supporting Beth El General Unresticted Endowment Fund – – – – –

–

Ann & David Brandwein Family Fund –

Edward & Susan Chestler Family Endowment Fund –

Naomi & Michael Cohen Endowment Fund -

–

Ann & Bernie Cope Endowment Fund –

Sharon & Bob Efron Family Fund - -

–

Jane & Nathan Field Memorial Fund –

Friends Fund for Members in Need – –

Goldberg Endowment Fund for Education –

Golder Family Fund –

Leah Goldschmidt Katz Endowment Fund –

Ruth & Harry Kleinman Endowment Fund – –

– 12

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

Kochen Family Fund –

Koteen Family Fund – –

Sandra L. Kravet Woman of Valor Endowment Fund – –

–

Marc S. Levine & Tamara Kagan Levine Family Endowment Fund –

Diane & Richard Lieberfarb Endowment Fund – – – –

–

Arthur & Stella Mostel Fund for Adult Education –

Roland-Berkowitz Family Fund –

Marshall & Sandra Rulnick Endowment Fund – –

Santiago Family Fund –

Lonni & Philip Schulz Endowment Fund –

Laurie & Marshall Shakun Family Fund – Temple Topics Y Vol. LXI, No. 3 Y January-February 2026 Y Tevet-Shevat-Adar 5786

(continues)

Supporting Beth El, cont. Michael & Susan Schenker Endowment Fund

BETH EL TEMPLE CRAFT GALLERY

– –

Clara & Mickey Sowalsky Gabbai Rishon Endowment Fund –

We have items for holidays: seder plates, matzoh plates and covers, apples and honey dishes We have items for your home: challah boards and challah covers, mezuzot, candles and candlesticks, kiddush cups We have tallitot and kippot: for regular use or your child or grandchild's bar/bat mitzvah

–

Sussman Families Fund

We have gifts for any occasion: jewelry, toys, books We aim to help you ﬁnd the perfect item for yourself or for a gift.

–

Swaye Family Fund

HOURS: Sundays, 9:00 – 11:30 AM

–

Chanukah Bazaar, Dec. 7 (l-r) Brenda Sutter, Jill Jones, Judy Borus, and Lonni Schulz, not pictured: Michelle Kunzman

–

(when SULAM is in session)

APPOINTMENTS AVAILABLE: Rivka Dvorin, 860-710-6090; Lonni Schulz, 860-651-0072 NOTE: proceeds beneﬁt the synagogue, and we are staﬀed We are pleased to accept Venmo, cash, through the generosity of our and personal checks for purchases. volunteers

Camp Ramah – more than a summer camp!

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

Recognizing our Volunteers

Fashion Show

Turkey Drive for the Anja Rosenberg Kosher Food Pantry

Planners, greeters, runway models, and photographer.

Thanks to all the generous Beth El and community members, we collected 246 turkeys, of which 42 were kosher – our highest kosher collection to date. Plus, we collected $10,260!

Kristallnacht Commemoration Program and Concert

* the younger generation actively involved!

Beth El hosted this community program, for a sold-out crowd of 600 people, with the Kol Zahav Chorale and Orchestra. Under the direction of, and conducted by, Cantor Emeritus Joseph Ness, Rabbi Rosen served as the narrator and guest soloists included Rabbi Zerin. Among the many performers and volunteers for this concert were the following BET members:

MC/WN Breakfast Program -

Beth El Temple Wof West Hartford Inc. 2626 Albany Avenue West Hartford, CT 06117

bethelwesthartford.org

@BethElWH

Main Oﬃce: 860.233.9696

@BethElWH

Fax: 860.233.9892

beth.el.temple.wh

Jim Rosen, Rabbi JRosen@bethelwh.org Rachel Zerin, RZerin@bethelwh.org Associate Rabbi & Interim Cantorial Soloist Dr. Eliyahu Krigel, EKrigel@bethelwh.org Director of Education and Family Engagement Rabbi Howard Sowalsky, HSowalsky@bethelwh.org Chief Operating Oﬃcer Joseph Ness, Cantor Emeritus Stanley M. Kessler z’’l, Rabbi Emeritus Lydia Lutt, Marketing@bethelwh.org Social Media and Marketing Coordinator Jason Kay, Engagement@bethelwh.org Engagement Coordinator Phil Schulz, President President@bethelwh.org Deborah R. Rosenfeld, Editor TempleTopics@bethelwh.org

Published every two months. Following the deadline schedule below, please submit articles to:

TempleTopics@bethelwh.org 1/25 for March-April 3/25 for May-June 5/25 for July-August 7/25 for September-October 9/25 for November-December 11/25 for January-February Send Life Cycle announcements to:

info@bethelwh.org

Oﬃce Hours 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM 8:30 AM - 2:30 PM

Mon-Thurs Friday

Temple Topics Y Vol. LXI, No. 3 Y January-February 2026 Y Tevet-Shevat-Adar 5786

Israel Engagement Committee The Jews of Singapore Y Robin Santiago

The Jewish Compound, from Waterloo Street

–

Robin on the bima

Kosher Market

Raﬁ entering the sanctuary

Y Y

Y Y Y

Maghain Aboth Synagogue CO-CHAIRS: Sharon Efron, sgredancer@yahoo.com; Robin Santiago, Robin@rsantiagodmd.com 16

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