Office Closed
Wednesday, April 1
Early close for erev Passover
Thu-Fri, April 2-3
Passover, Days 1-2
Wed-Thu, April 8-9
Passover, Days 7-8
Reflections from the President
Beth El is Composting!
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
Mini-Minyan (1st -6th 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 Saturday Candle Havdallah Service
Mar 6-7 5:29 PM 6:28 PM 6:50 PM
Mar 13-14 6:37 PM 7:36 PM 7:55 PM
Mar 20-21 6:45 PM
Mar 27-28 6:53 PM 7:52 PM 8:15 PM
Apr 3-4 7:00 PM
Apr 10-11
Apr 17-18 7:16 PM 8:15 PM 8:35 PM
Apr 24-25 7:24 PM 8:23 PM 8:45 PM
May 1-2 7:31 PM 8:30 PM 8:50 PM
Daily Minyan
Shacharit Sun 8:45 AM Mon–Fri 7:00 AM
NOTE: Mon, 3/16 at 9:00 AM
Mincha/Ma’ariv Sun–Thu 5:30 PM
See page 6 for the schedule of Passover services and programs.
Special Shabbat Programs and Events
Sat 7 9:30 AM Birthday Shabbat; Men’s Club Shabbat
Fri 13 Shababa Potluck tinyurl.com/ShababaMarch13
Fri 20 Sing-in Shabbat
Sat 28 9:30 AM Women’s Network Shabbat and Woman of Valor Award see below; 10:30 AM Junior Congregation, SIGN-UP: tinyurl.com/BETJuniorMarch; 12:00 PM Shabbat Club April
Sat 4 9:30 AM Birthday Shabbat
Fri-Sat, 17-18 Nava Tehila Weekend see facing page
Women’s Network Shabbat and Third Annual Woman of Valor Award
SATURDAY, MARCH 28
DURING MORNING SERVICES
CONTACT: Michelle Kunzman, 860-729 michellekunzman1@gmail.com
NOTE: lunch follows, sponsored by the Kravet family REGISTER FOR LUNCH: tinyurl.com/Valor2026This year we honor Jill Jones, a long time member of Beth El Temple, who has made such a difference in several areas of synagogue life and the Jewish community with her dedication and leadership.
Community Celebration
Purim
Unity Purim Extravaganza
SUNDAY, MARCH 1
1:00 – 3:00 PM
LOCATION: New England Jewish Academy, 300 Bloomfield Ave, West Hartford
REGISTRATION: free, unitypurim.eventbrite.com
A Wicked Good Musical Purim Parody
MONDAY, MARCH 2
5:30 – 8:30 PM Evening Minyan; Shababa; Purim Spiel interspersed through a full Megillah reading
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)
Mishloach Manot
If you are local and did not opt out of receiving Mishloach Manot from Beth El, please come on Monday evening, March 2, to pick up your goodies! You may also pick up during office hours, March 2-6.
Preparing - Passover
Passover Service Calendar
TUESDAY, MARCH 31 EVENING
What is Chametz?
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 1 7:00 AM 10:30 AM EVENING 6:58 PM
Search for Chametz – Bedikat Chametz
A feather and candle were included in the Mishloach Manot gift from Beth El. Please contact the office if you did not receive Mishloach manot.
THURSDAY, APRIL 2 9:30 AM 12:15 PM EVENING 7:59 PM
FRIDAY, APRIL 3 – 1st Day of the Omer 9:30 AM 5:45 PM 7:00 PM
TUESDAY, APRIL 7 – 5th Day of the Omer 5:30 PM 7:05 PM
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 8 – 6th Day of the Omer 9:30 AM 12:15 PM 8:06 PM
Transfer of Ownership – Mekhirat Chametz(continues on next page)
THURSDAY, APRIL 9 – 7th Day of the Omer 9:30 AM 12:15 PM 8:05 PM
* Sponsored by Susan & Robert Gold, in memory of Leo Gold z’’l
Beth El Temple Y West Hartford, CT Y www.bethelwesthartford.org
What is the Fast of the Firstborn?
Rabbinical Assembly Pesach Guide
COST: $6 per 5oz. bottle
PICK UP: at the Beth El Office, Mon-Tue, 3/30-31, 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM; OR Wed, 4/1, 8:30 AM - 2:30 PM
RESERVE A JAR: Temple Office or tinyurl.com/BETHorseradish5786
NOTE: place orders early; it tends to sell out!
Making Horseradish
DATE/TIME TBD
ONTACT: Dan Kulakofsky, dpk18@hotmail.com
For any additional questions or concerns, please contact one of our Rabbis.
Marking - Passover to Shavuot
Counting the Omer
This card for Counting the Omer was included in the Mishloach Manot gift from Beth El. Please contact the office if you did not receive Mishloach manot.
Observing Together - Modern Holidays
Yom HaShoah Holocaust Remembrance Day –
An Evening of Music, Memory, and Celebration Under the direction of Cantor Emeritus Joseph Ness
TUESDAY, APRIL 21 7:00 PM
LOCATION: Beth David Synagogue, 20 Dover Road, West Hartford
COST: $20/adult, $10/child under 18
REGISTRATION: watch your email for link
SPONSOR: Kol Zahav is a program of the Mandell JCC
Yom HaAtzma’ut Israel’s Independence Day 3 Iyar ~ begins Wed. evening,
Mitzvot Opportunities
KNITzvah Group
MONTHLY SUNDAYS, MAR. 22, APR. 26 10:00 – 11:00 AM, REGULAR SUNDAY TIME 4:00 – 6:00 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
3
-Season
Opportunities
Spring is around the corner
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
Special Trip to Israel
Both of these outdoor activities make great B’nei Mitzvah projects. Volunteers are invited to come with friends, as a family, or solo.
Family Engagement
Matt Spector and family helped with the Havdallah Movie Night in February. Great to watch the movie on their big screen with surround sound.
Challah My Way
SUNDAY, MARCH 29
9:30 – 10:30 AM
COST: $12/family for remaining 2 sessions
REGISTER: tinyurl.com/Challah5786
delicious challah, guided by Jeremy Kempner. Families learned why we bake challah and also made challah covers.
Grandparents are always invited to join us for SULAM and family programming.
s Club hosted the Build a Pair Workshop as part of the World Wide Wrap. 3rd and 4th graders designed their own Build a Pair Tefillin, and 5th to 7th graders learned about and practiced wearing real Tefillin.
Better Together
SUNDAYS, MARCH 29, APRIL 26
10:30 – 11:30 AM
Cost: no charge
REGISTER: tinyurl.com/BET5786BT
Programs for Teens and Young Adults
United Synagogue Youth
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
College Connection
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
Olivia Jordyn Goldstein
Mazel Tov! and Appreciation for Sponsoring Shabbat Kiddush
Welcome to New Members
Emma Lorin Wasser
Congratulations
Of Blessed Memory
Stella and Albert Nahmias April 25, 2026
Matthew Benyamin DeSesa
May 2, 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.
Upcoming Events & Programs
Hats for IDF Soldiers
Men’s Club Shabbat
Breakfast and Yellow Candle Packaging for Yom HaShoah
Breakfast Program with Professor Ghassan el-Eid
North Atlantic Region Spring Conference
Honoree: Alison Demarest
Interviews from Israel: Mishkan Museum in Afula
Technion Movie (rescheduled)
Women's Network Shabbat and Annual Woman of Valor Award
Honoree: Jill Jones
Keeper of the Flame Brunch Honoree: David Sabino
TUESDAYS IN MARCH 4:00 PM –6:00 PM No charge; see page 9
SATURDAY, MAR. 7 9:30 AM –12:00 PM No charge
SUNDAY, MAR. 8 9:15 AM –11:30 AM No charge
SUNDAY, MAR. 15 9:15 AM –11:30 AM
Walk Around the Reservoir
TUESDAYS & THURSDAYS
9:15 AM
LOCATION: Reservoir on Route 44, Albany Ave; meet in parking lot
CONTACT: Stu Bernstein, 860-2322012, scbernste@aol.com
Women’s Network and KNITzvah
Men’s Club
tinyurl.com/YellowCandle2026
SUNDAY, MAR. 15 11:00 AM –6:00 PM At Camp Ramah New England
Men’s Club
Women’s Network
MONDAY, MAR. 16 7:00 PM Zoom only Israel Engagement
tinyurl.com/MishkanTour
TUESDAY, MAR. 24 7:00 PM in person only Israel Engagement
tinyurl.com/Technion102atBet
SATURDAY, MAR. 28 9:30 AM –12:00 PM No charge. See page 4 Women’s Network
tinyurl.com/WNShabbat2026
SUNDAY, APR. 26 10:30 AM
Beth El Softball
SUNDAY MORNINGS, LATE APRIL – 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 -
Men’s Club
Lifelong Learning for Adults
Reading
The Women of
series with Rabbi Zerin
the Bible study
1ST AND 3RD WEDNESDAYS OF THE MONTH (mostly)
MARCH 4, 18; MAY 6/20
5:30 – 5:55 PM Minyan
6:00 – 7:15 PM Class
COST: no charge; in-person and Zoom
REGISTER: tinyurl.com/BETReadingWomen
NOTE: not meeting in April
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 III
TUESDAYS, WEEKLY, MARCH 10 – MAY26; no class 3/31, 4/7, 4/21
Embracing Judaism
WEDNESDAYS, BEGINNING JANUARY 7, FOR 18 SESSIONS 6:00 – 7:45 PM
COST: $180 for series; $90 for full-time students and IBJ alum (may be pro-rated)
INFORMATION: Rabbi Richard Plavin, 860-573-4503, riplavin@gmail.com
6:00 – 6:45 PM Chanting the Torah: An Introduction to Torah Trope, with Rabbi Zerin. Learn the system used to indicate the melody and punctuation in the Torah. No musical skills necessary. Basic ability to sound out Hebrew words is required.
7:00 – 7:45 PM Parashah Study, with Rabbi Rosen and Dr. Krigel. A deep dive into Parashat Toldot (11/14) and Parashat Vayigash (12/1919), including a study of traditional and contemporary commentators. This will lay the groundwork for writing your own D’vrei Torah (lessons or reflections on the Torah portion).
COST: $36/Chanting the Torah only; both classes included in the Adult B’nei Mitzvah Program NOTE: cost should not be a barrier, contact Rabbi Zerin to make other arrangements REGISTRATION REQUIRED: tinyurl.com/AdultBneiMitzvah2526 -
Weekly Adult Classes
& Learn
Talmud Study WEDNESDAY 10:15 – 11:15
3/3, 3/31, 4/7
Supporting Beth El
We deeply appreciate the following Thoughtful Contributions.
Y This list reflects contributions received and processed through January 19, 2026
Y For the next edition of Temple Topics, contributions need to be received in the office by March 17, 2026.
Beautification Fund Ceremonial Court
Camp Ramah Fund
Cantor Joseph Ness Concert Fund
Chai Society
There are two ways to make a donation:
Y Go to the Beth El website: www.bethelwesthartford. org/giving
Y Mail it in
Please be sure to include:
à the name of the 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
Print clearly – or submit the information typed.
Mental Health
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.
(continues)
Supporting Beth El
Judith & David Borus Family Endowment Fund
Naomi & Michael Cohen Endowment Fund
Friends Fund for Members in Need
Richard & Debbie Gutcheon Family Endowment Fund
Leah Goldschmidt Katz Endowment Fund
Arthur & Stella Mostel Fund for Adult Education
David Pearl Memorial Fund for Children with Special Needs
Lois & Alvin Reiner Family Fund
Rosen Family Kehillah Kedosha Fund
Michael & Susan Schenker Endowment Fund
Lonni & Philip Schulz Endowment Fund
Clara & Mickey Sowalsky Gabbai Rishon Endowment Fund
Supporting Beth El, cont.
Santiago Family Fund
Sharp Family Fund
Leigh A. Newman & Gary S. Starr Family Fund
Swaye Family Fund
Nathan & Ruth Sweedler Family Endowment Fund
Amy E. Toyen Endowment Fund
I. Milton Widem Adult Education Fund
Passover Bazaar Sunday, March 22 9:00 – 11:30 am
Everything you need for your seders: seder plates
matzah plates and matzah holders matzah and afikomen covers dishes for charoset and horseradish kiddush cups and Miriam cups
As always, other Judaica items available: challah boards and challah covers candles, and candlesticks menorahs tallitot and kipot mezuzot, jewelry, books, and toys for any occasion
We strive to assist you with your individual needs!
bethelwesthartford.org/Giving
Mekhirat Chametz Transfer of Ownership
Name
Address
City, ST, Zip
Phone
Maot Chitin (Passover Fund for the Needy)
Mazon (a Jewish Response to Hunger)
Beth El Temple Wof West Hartford Inc. 2626 Albany Avenue West Hartford, CT 06117 bethelwesthartford.org
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
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 for November-December 11/25 for January-February
Israel Engagement Committee
The Jews of Curaçao Y Robin Santiago
Western Facade of the Mikve IsraelEmmanuel synagogue in Willemstad Curacao
Oldest Jewish cemetery in New World oldest grave dates to 1664