Shabbat Services & Daily Minyan
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 – Friday
Kabbalat Shabbat 5:45 PM
Shabbat – Saturday
Shacharit, Torah, & 9:30 AM Musaf Services
Children’s Playroom 9:30 AM
Mazal Tots (birth-kindergarten) 11:00 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 Saturday Candle Havdallah Service
July 4-5 8:11 PM 9:09 PM 9:30 PM
July 11-12 8:09 PM 9:06 PM 9:25 PM
July 18-19 8:04 PM
July 25-26 7:59 PM 8:56 PM 9:15 PM
Aug 1-2 7:51 PM
Aug 8-9
Aug 15-16 7:33 PM 8:30 PM 8:50 PM
Aug 22-23 7:23 PM 8:19 PM 8:40 PM
Special Shabbat Programs and Events
July
Sat 5 9:30AM Birthday Shabbat
Sat 12 11:00AM Special Mazal Tots with Rabbi Zerin
Sat 12 5:30PM Exploring the Siddur tinyurl.com/ExploreatBET
Fri 25 5:30PM Shabbat Potluck tinyurl.com/BETJuly25Potluck
August
Sat 2 9:30AM Birthday Shabbat
Sat 9 11:00AM Special Mazal Tots with Dr. Eliyahu
Sat 9 5:30PM Exploring the Siddur (see above)
Fri 22 5:30PM Shabbat Under the Stars tinyurl.com/SUTS2025
Sat 23 3:00PM Playgroup in the Park tinyurl.com/ParkPlayAug23
Daily Minyan
Aug 29-30 7:12 PM 8:08 PM 8:30 PM 7:43 PM 9:02 PM 9:25 PM 8:48 PM 9:10 PM 8:40 PM 9:00 PM Office Closed Fri,July4 Independence Day Mon,Sept.1 Labor Day
Shacharit (morning service) Sun 8:45 AM Mon–Fri 7:00 AM
NOTE: Fri, July 4; Mon, Sept. 1 at 9:00 AM Ma’ariv (evening service) Sun–Thu 5:30 PM
Observing Together - Summer
The Three Weeks
An annual mourning period recalling the breach of Jerusalem’s walls and the ultimate destruction of the Temple.
It begins with Shiva Asar B’Tammuz, the Fast of the 17th of Tammuz. This is a “minor” fast (sunrise to sunset).
It ends with Tisha B’Av, the Fast of the 9th of Av. It is a “major” fast, beginning at sundown the night before. This date is also linked to many tragedies in our history, including the Bar Kochba revolt against the Romans and the expulsion of Jews from Spain.
Shiva Asar B’Tammuz
SUNDAY, JULY 13 Regular daily service times
Tisha B’Av
SATURDAY, AUGUST 2
9:00 PM Community Service, with reading of Eichah, Book of Lamentations AT BETH EL TEMPLE
SUNDAY, AUGUST 3
8:45 AM Shacharit Service (neither tallit nor tefillin worn at this service) 1:30 PM Community Mincha Service (please bring tefillin) AT THE EMANUEL SYNAGOGUE 5:30 PM Evening Minyan
3-Season
Opportunities
Jessie’s Community Garden
CONTACT: Andrew Schoolnik, 860-690-0633, andrewschoolnik@gmail.com
Created by members Michele and Dane Kostin to honor the memory of their daughter, Jessie’s Community Garden Foundation grows and donates fresh vegetables to foodbanks throughout Hartford.
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 ACCEPTED: gently used garden tools and hoses
We tend to all the plantings that surround our Temple building. We have jobs large and small, including weeding, raking, watering, planting, trimming... Noexperiencenecessary.
Both of these outdoor activities make great b’nei mitzvah projects. Volunteers are invited to come with friends, as a family, or solo.
Lifelong Learning
Lunch & Learn TUESDAYS 12:00 – 1:00 PM SUMMER BREAK
Talmud Study WEDNESDAYS 10:15 – 11:15 AM WEEKLY
Bible & Breakfast THURSDAYS 8:00 – 9:00 AM WEEKLY
Life Cycles
Welcome to New Members
Eileen & Peter Koenigsberg
Hester Reik
Marc Siskin
Natalie & Jared Wasser with Emma and Ruth
Mazel Tov! and Appreciation for Sponsoring
Shabbat Kiddush
Cohen Family, in honor of Ethan's Bar Mitzvah
Gilbert Family, in honor of Zachary’s Bar Mitzvah
Esposito Family, in honor of Jocelyn's Bat Mitzvah
Hoffman Family, in honor of Emma’s Bat Mitzvah
Men’s Club, in celebration of Men's Club Shabbat
Of Blessed Memory
Charlotte Farber, mother of Beth Farber
Jay Harvey Ginewsky, brother of Karen Ludgin
Robert Goodman
Elaine Reisman, mother of Sharon Conway
Estelle Sherry
KNITzvah Group
MONTHLY SUNDAYS, RETURNS SEPT. 14 10:00 – 11:00 AM
CONTACT: BJ and Fran, knitzvahgrp@gmail.com
DELIVERY: let us know if you are planning a trip to Israel and can deliver some hats to IDF lone soldiers NOTE: usually meets on the same dates as Better Together
Weturnstringsintothings,one stitchatatimetobringwarmth andcaringtoothers!
Shabbat Morning Speaker Series
Our rabbis taught: Who is wise? One who learns from all people, as it is said: Fromall thosewhotaughtmeIgained understanding(Psalms 119:99)
Again this summer we will learn Torah from our Beth El members as part of our Shabbat morning services.
Congratulations
Eileen McMurrer on birth of granddaughter Cassia Lior Kaminer
Robin & Rafael Santiago and Sheila & Howard Mark on the birth of twin grandchildren/great-grandchildren
Austin Haruki Santiago and Lincoln Kenji Santiago
Lauren & Jeff Schuman on engagement of daughter
Danielle and Everett Sussman
B’nei Mitzvah Celebration
Miles Alexander Fishbein
August 23, 2025
Miles, child of Jessica Widmann & Gary Fishbein of Farmington, sibling of Lennox and Jade, grandchild of Sandra & Marcel Widmann from Lewiston, NY, and Ilana z’’l & Paul Fishbein from Morris Plains, NJ, is a rising 8th grader at Irving A Robbins Middle School. Miles is volunteering at the Anja Rosenberg Kosher Food Pantry at JFS.
Supporting Beth El
We deeply appreciate the following Thoughtful Contributions.
This list reflects contributions received and processed through May 21, 2025.
For the next edition of Temple Topics, contributions need to be received in the office by July 21, 2025.
Rabbi Rosen’s Discretionary Fund in Appreciation of
Rabbi Rosen – the Dvorin family, Marsha & Richard Lowry, Dana Opas & Tucker Whitcomb in Honor of Dr. Steven Shichman – Shelley & Michael Barker
Jeanne Elman receiving the SandraL. KravetWomanofValorAwardand her 99th birthday – Sue & Bruce Bergman Naming of daughter, Alyce Marin –Shanna & Josh Gottfried
Special birthday of Dr. Elliot Zweig –Cheryl & John Hinze in Memory of Dr. Alvin Berger, brother of Sheila Mark –Vida Barron, Sheila & Howard Mark, Vera Getz
Evelyn Dvorin – Maria & Eric Brown for the Yahrzeit of Scott Bernstein, husband – Nancy Bernstein
Toby Hoffman, mother – Herb Hoffman
Arlene Noveck, sister – Trudy Lerer
Elene Needelman, mother – Davida & Steven Needelman
George Spiegler, father – Liz & Steve Rafalowsky
Alvin Satz, father – Linda Stanger Camp Ramah Fund for the Yahrzeit of Frances & Sidney Kaplan, parents –Deborah Kaplan Polivy
Early Childhood Fund for the Yahrzeit of Mother – Nancy Bernstein Library Fund for the Yahrzeit of Lillian Nemeth, mother; Ethel Risisky, mother – Julie & George Risisky
Thank you to the Women’s Network, Men’s Club, and an anonymous donor for the refurbishment and upgrades of our main kitchen.
Rabbi Zerin’s Discretionary Fund in Appreciation of Rabbi Zerin – Marsha & Richard Lowry for the Yahrzeit of Toby Hoffman, mother – Herb Hoffman Education Fund in Appreciation of Leah Katz, Sharon Efron, Judy Borus, Judy Satlof, Chesed Leon, Korine Ferraro, and Shelley Kamins – Beth El Temple Craft Gallery (Shelley Barker & Jill Jones) in Honor of 50th wedding anniversary of Anita & Dennis Levy – Alfreda Barber, Ellen Zoref for the Yahrzeit of Toby Hoffman, mother – Herb Hoffman
Music Fund in Memory of Dr. Alvin Berger, brother of Sheila Mark –Bobby Klau
Taste Of Shabbat in Appreciation of Dr. Robert Oberstein – Linda & Henry Cohn for the Yahrzeit of Mildred (Mary) & Woodrow H. Weissman, parents; Leonard C. Rubin, father; Sidney Golfin, step-father – Jane & Gary Rubin Temple Fund in Appreciation of Rabbi Howard Sowalsky – Marsha & Richard Lowry in Honor of Special birthday of Miriam Lappen –Lorraine & Farrel Vogelhut
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.
in Memory of
Dr. Alvin Berger, brother of Sheila Mark
– Renee Janow for the Yahrzeit of Clare Cetel, mother – Alan Cetel
Joseph Kligman, father; Gertrude Keller, mother – Ina Cooper
Helene Cremer, sister-in-law; Haley Cremer, niece – Reeva Cremer
Jack Eisler – Edith Denes
Sarah Friedman, mother – Matthew Friedman & Sue Torres
Ethel Gold, mother; Carol & Arnold Rubman, parents; Anna Galbovy, Holocaust remembrance – Susan & Bob Gold
(continues)
Solomon Gillman, father – Felice Goldman
Jonas R. Leifer, brother-in-law; Stephanie L. Leifer, niece; Linda Green Beresen, sister; Stephen B. Alderman, brother-in-law –Barbara & Robert Green
Al Kadden, father – Lele & Ralph Kadden
Allen Prince, Fred Grodin, Milton Prince, Janet Prince
Rosenberg, Lillian Grodin, Sarah Katz, Warren Katz, Anita Katz, Mildred Katz, Ettie Shainfarber, and Claire Rose – Debra & Howard Katz
Joseph Robbins, father – Karen Katz
Dr. Maurine Kessler, mother; Nathalie Wertheimer, aunt; Joseph Kessler, grandfather; Arnold Kessler, uncle – Abigail KesslerHanna
Estelle Kleinman – Debbie & Steve Kleinman
Beatrice Weinberg Goldberg, mother; Rabbi Nathan Weinberg, grandfather – Miriam Lappen
Dr. Seymour Liebowitz, husband – Gilda Liebowitz
Kurt Simon, father; Helen Lindenberg, mother – Andrea & Robert Lindenberg
Mina & William Malkoff, parents; Julius Rabinowitz, uncle; Kate Rabinowitz, grandmother; Bertha & Max Glasser, grandparents; Sadie Treach, grandmother – Lynn & Joel Malkoff
Mollie Pollack, mother – Eileen & Elliott Pollack
Molly Stokolczik Schatz – Deborah Schatz Rosenfeld
Albert Rosenberg, father-in-law – Lillian Rosenberg
Anne Samberg, mother – Ira Samberg
Sylvia Roth, mother – Shari Roth
Florence & Aaron Shakun, parents – Beth Farber & Mitchell
Shakun
Bertha Raucher, grandmother – Cyral Sheldon
Dr. David Sirota; Rabbi David Shapiro – Teddy Sirota
Julius “Yuddie” Wachtel, father; Pinkas Stein, Holocaust remembrance – Sue & Stuart Wachtel
Rachel Weisinger, mother; Mary Lange, aunt – Lenore & Philip Weisinger
Esther Groman, mother – Shirley Zelman
Fay Zern, mother; Ragnar Markus, Holocaust remembrance –Hilary Freedman & Howard Zern
Janet Zimmerman, wife – Richard Zimmerman
General Unrestricted Endowment Fund in Appreciation of
Shera Golder and the Membership Committee – Marsha & Richard Lowry in Honor of
Birth of Emanuel Moshe Benadiva, grandson of Lee Ann & Claudio – Abbey Kreinik in Memory of
Evelyn Dvorin – Karen & Jeff Polinsky for the Yahrzeit of
Diana Davidovici-Florescu, mother – Alexandra Flowers
Barry Kursman, father – Pam & Barry Gordon
Siegfried Katz, grandfather – Peter Katz
Kurt Rothschild, father – Bruce Rothschild
Helen Saidel, mother – Sue & Mat Saidel
Alter Family Fund in Memory of
Arnold Greenberg, father of Dana – Marci & Jonathan Alter
Judith & David Borus Family Endowment Fund for the Yahrzeit of
Michael Borus, brother-in-law; Joseph Borus, father-in-law –Judy Borus (continues)
Supporting Beth El, cont.
Sharon & Bob Efron Family Fund in Honor of
Bar mitzvah of Zachary Gilbert, grandson of Sharon & Bob Efron
– Marci & Jonathan Alter, Meryl & Mitchell Danitz, Abbey Kreinik, Deborah & Glen Rosenfeld
Birth of Emanuel Moshe Benadiva, grandson of Lee Ann & Claudio – Sharon & Bob Efron in Memory of
Rebecca Wajncymer, mother of Lee Ann Benadiva – Sharon & Bob Efron for the Yahrzeit of Harold Moses, father; Charlotte Efron, mother; Irene Moses, grandmother; Micha Axelrod, friend; Alex Akimow, Holocaust remembrance – Sharon & Bob Efron
Friends Fund for Members in Need in Memory of
Arnold Greenberg; Rebecca Wajncymer, mother of Lee Ann Benadiva – Judy & David Rosenthal
Beverly & Arnold Greenberg Endowment Fund in Memory of Arnold Greenberg – Karen & Jeff Polinsky
Richard & Debbie Gutcheon Family Endowment Fund for the Yahrzeit of Mildred L. Gutcheon, mother; Ann Gutcheon Chase – Debbie & Richard Gutcheon
Anna Heineman Memorial Fund for the Yahrzeit of Fanny Anshel, grandmother; Barbara Checknoff, friend –Francine & Steve Stier
Kagan/Silverman Endowment Fund for the Yahrzeit of Eugene M. Kagan, father – Tammy Kagan Levine
Leah Goldschmidt Katz Endowment Fund in Memory of Rebecca Wajncymer, mother of Lee Ann Benadiva – Leah Katz for the Yahrzeit of Eugene Herz, grandfather – Leah Katz
Ruth & Harry Kleinman Endowment Fund in Memory of
Arnold Greenberg, father of Dana – Jeanne & Dan Kleinman
Koteen Family Fund in Honor of Bar mitzvah of John Bear Barr, grandson of Lois Koteen – Marci & Jonathan Alter, Abbey Kreinik 50th wedding anniversary of Anita & Dennis Levy – Lois Koteen for the Yahrzeit of Chuck Koteen, husband – Lois Koteen
Kreinik Family Endowment Fund for the Yahrzeit of Belle & Arthur Miller, parents – Abbey Miller Kreinik
Diane & Richard Lieberfarb Endowment Fund in Honor of Jeanne Elman receiving the Sandra L. Kravet Woman of Valor Award – Diane & Rich Lieberfarb in Memory of
Eliane Strip, mother of Lynn Bender – Diane & Rich Lieberfarb for the Yahrzeit of Nathan Risisky – Julie & George Risisky
Santiago Family Fund in Memory of
Dr. Alvin Berger, brother of Sheila Mark – Hedyth Fishman
Sandra L. Kravet Woman of Valor Endowment Fund in Appreciation of Michelle Kunzman – David Kravet in Honor of
Jeanne Elman receiving the Sandra L. Kravet Woman of Valor Award – Judy Borus, Jeanne El man, Elaine & Howard Smith
Special birthday of Marcy Kravet – David Kravet in Memory of
Dr. Alvin Berger, brother of Sheila Mark; Britt Leite, mother of Richard – David Kravet
Wishing a Complete Return to Good Health to:
Marshall Rulnick – David Kravet
Sisterhood-Women’s Network Endowment Fund in Appreciation of Michelle Kunzman – Lois Koteen for the Yahrzeit of Marguerite Zumbado, mother – Esther & Stephen Aronson
Beth El Temple Wof West Hartford Inc. 2626 Albany Avenue West Hartford, CT 06117 bethelwesthartford.org
Michael & Susan Schenker Endowment Fund for the Yahrzeit of Harriet Novarr, sister – Susan & Michael Schenker Clara & Mickey Sowalsky Gabbai Rishon Endowment Fund for the Yahrzeit of Toby Hoffman, mother – Herb Hoffman
Leigh A. Newman & Gary S. Starr Family Fund in Memory of Arnold Greenberg, father of Dana – Leigh Newman & Gary Starr
Sussman Families Fund for the Yahrzeit of Mollie & Abe Leichman, grandparents; Dorothy Berkowitz, aunt – Lisa & Bruce Sussman
I. Milton Widem Adult Education Fund in Memory of Ron Ruckle, friend – Susan Widem for the Yahrzeit of Selma Widem, mother – Susan Widem
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
Leah Katz, 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
Send Life Cycle announcements to: info@bethelwh.org 1/25 for March-April 3/25 for May-June 5/25 for July-August 7/25 for September-October 9/25
Upcoming Events & Programs
Chai Society Picnic with music by Walter Mamlok and Michael Schiano
Red Cross Blood Drive
Schedule appointment: 800-733-2767 or www.redcrossblood.org and enter WeHa
Outing to the Hartford Yard Goats
Family Fantasy Football League Draft
First day of SULAM AND Back to Beth El Block Party
TUESDAY, JULY 29 11:30 AM $10/person; rain or shine Chai Society
SUNDAY, AUGUST 10 8:30-1:30 PM Call the office to volunteer for registration table
SUNDAY, AUG. 31 12:00 PM Lunch/ Socializing 1:10 PM Game Time Men’s Club
WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 4 7:00 – 9:00 PM $10/team; for parents and kids together Men’s Club
SUNDAY, SEPT. 7 9:30 AM SULAM 11:30 AM Block Party
Beth El Softball Season is in Full Swing!
SUNDAY MORNINGS, NOW – EARLY FALL
9:30 – 11:30 AM
LOCATION: CIGNA fields (in Bloomfield off Simsbury Rd.)
CAPTAINS: Alan Cetel, 860-232-9515, acjctc@aol.com, Jacob Kovel, 860-651-9366, eaglewars@aol.com
Walk Along the Reservoir Path
TUESDAYS & THURSDAYS 9:15 AM
LOCATION: Reservoir on Route 44, Albany Ave; meet at rear parking lot CONTACT: Stu Bernstein, 860-830-1901, scbernste@aol.com
Recognizing our Volunteers
Serving performers and their families at the Charter Oak Spring Concert
Myra Kleinman & Bill Kleinman, co-chairs
Esther Aronson
Carolyn Bernstein
Stuart Bernstein
Judy Borus
Sharon Efron
Tom Falik
Caryl Goldberg
Women’s Network Craft Gallery
Shelley Barker & Jill Jones, co-chairs
Judy Borus
Sharon Efron
Leah Katz
Judy Satlof
Len Goldberg Harley Graime
Ruth Anne Graime
Michael Isko
(l-r) Carolyn, Myra, Judy, Bill, Arthur, Esther, Stuart
Janel MacDermott
Kevin MacDermott
Lily MacDermott
Will MacDermott
Roberta Moss
Ella Nemirow
Mina Nemirow
Arthur Rome
David Rosenthal
Shavuot Decorations
Alison Demarest Cindy Krish Michelle Kunzman
Marge Swaye
Ricky Swaye
(l-r) Harley, Tom, Ruth Anne, Brenda, Mike, Roberta
(l-r) Tara, Caryl, Len
Judy Rosenthal
Tara Rothstein
Brenda Sutter
Women’s Network, May 8 Shred Sisters Event
Michelle Kunzman, chair
Rena Citron
Rivka Dvorin
Deborah Rosenfeld
Sandy Rulnick
Lonni Schulz
Diane Lieberfarb led the final session of Challah My Way
Rhona Roffer, Francine Stier, presenters