Reflections from the President
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
May 1-2 7:31 PM 8:30 PM 8:50 PM
May 8-9 7:39 PM 8:38 PM 9:00 PM
May 15-16 7:46 PM
Special
Shabbat Programs and Events
May Fri 8 5:45 PM Shababa; tinyurl.com/May8Shababa Fri 15 5:45 PM Mental Health Services and Dinner; see below June Fri 12 5:30 PM Pride Shabbat Sat 13 5:30 PM Playgroup in the park
Mental Health Shabbat Dinner
FRIDAY, MAY 15
5:30 PM Services 7:00 PM Dinner and Speaker
REGISTRATION FOR DINNER IS REQUIRED: $20/adult, $12/child (age 5-18), free for kids under 4; $55 household max; tinyurl.com/May15BETDinner
CO-SPONSORS: Roffer Family Mental Health Challenges Initiative Fund, Women’s Network and Men’s Club. -
Pride Shabbat
Featuring poet and author Sarah L. Young
FRIDAY, JUNE 12
May 22-23 7:53 PM 8:52 PM 9:15 PM
May 29-30 7:59 PM
Jun 5-6
Jun 12-13 8:08 PM 9:07 PM 9:30 PM
Jun 19-20 8:11 PM 9:09 PM 9:30 PM
Jun 26-27 8:12 PM 9:10 PM 9:40 PM 8:04 PM 8:45 PM 9:05 PM 8:58 PM 9:20 PM 9:03 PM 9:25 PM
Daily Minyan
Shacharit Sun 8:45 AM Mon–Fri 7:00 AM
NOTE: Mon, 5/25 at 10:00 AM
Mincha/Ma’ariv Sun–Thu 5:30 PM
See facing page for the schedule of Shavuot services and programs.
5:30 PM Services
7:00 PM Dinner and Speaker
REGISTRATION FOR DINNER IS REQUIRED: $18/person, 13 and older, $12/child (age 4-12), $54 household max for members. $25/non-member adult, $15/non-member child. free for all kids under 4. tinyurl.com/2026PrideShabbat
UNDERWRITER: Diane & Richard Lieberfarb Fund
Playgroup in the Park
SATURDAYS, JUNE 13 tinyurl.com/613Playgroup
JULY 25 tinyurl.com/725Playgroup
AUGUST 22 tinyurl.com/822Playgroup
3:00 – 5:00 PM
LOCATION: Eisenhower Park
AGES: 0-5, with their grown-ups
REGISTER: for planning and weather purposes
Worshipping Together - Spring Observances
Counting the Omer
16 Nissan - 5 Sivan ~ April 2 - May 20
Lag Ba’Omer
33rd Day of the Omer 18 Iyar ~ begins Monday, May 4
Shavuot ~ 5-7 Sivan
Thursday-Saturday, May 21-23
Shavout Calendar
THURSDAY, MAY 21 5:45 PM 7:52 PM
FRIDAY, MAY 22 9:30 AM 12:00 PM tinyurl.com/BETShavuotShabbat 5:30 PM 6:15 PM 7:00 PM 7:53 PM
SATURDAY, MAY 23 9:30 AM 12:00 PM 12:30 PM 8:52 PM
Observing Together - Modern Holidays
Yom Yerushalayim – Jerusalem Day 28 Iyar ~ begins Thursday evening, May 14-- -
Mitzvot
Opportunities
KNITzvah Group
SUNDAYS, MONTHLY, MAY 17, 10:00 – 11:00 AM last meeting until September
TUESDAY DROP-INS, WEEKLY, 4:00 – 5:30 PM through May 12
CONTACT: BJ and Fran, knitzvahgrp@gmail.com
NOTE: usually meets on the same dates as Better Together
Working together to create hats for IDF soldiers.
3
-Season Opportunities
Jessie’s Community Garden: Let’s Plant!
SUNDAY, MAY 17
10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
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.
Marilyn Goldberg, Joanna Rothstein, BJ Diamond.
Cindy Krish, Chelsea Eshevarria
Israel Engagement Committee
The Art Studio – Love and Shelter Robin Santiago
Shai, Rabbi Ervin Birnbaum z’’l and Hadassah, Gal (their granddaughters)
Sharon Efron with Tovi and Axelrod families in their mamad in Misgav Am
2 kids bunking down in their mamad in Haifa
Family Engagement
Challah My Way led by Karen Tuvin
Teens enjoying the Masa trip to RI
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
Recognizing our Volunteers
Stephanie Kudler, Chair collegeconnections@bethelwh.org
Kitchen Renovation Project
Women’s Network Shabbat
Purim Mishloach Manot Distribution
Author Talks
Craft Gallery
Manot Packing
Mishloach Manot ready to be packed
Mishloach Manot ready to go!
Hats for IDF Soldiers
Upcoming Events & Programs
Mi Sheberach: Judaism, Prayer, and Mental Health
Hearing Men’s Voices: Humor Night & Deli Dinner
SUN, MAY 3 OR THU, MAY 7 9:30 AM ($10) 6:00 PM ($18)
TUESDAY, MAY 5 6:00 PM –8:00 PM
Challah My Way SUNDAY, MAY 17 9:30 AM –10:30 AM
Better Together SUNDAY, MAY 17 10:30 AM –11:30 AM
Coffee with President Phil Schulz SUNDAY, MAY 17 9:30 AM –10:30 AM
10th Annual Hartford Jewish Playwriting Contest – Meet-up SUNDAY, MAY 17 6:00 PM Reception 7:00 PM Readings
Day Trip to the Bellamy-Ferriday House and Garden
Men’s Club Annual Membership Dinner
Men’s Club Retreat
Outing to the Hartford Yard Goats
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
Roffer Family Mental Health Challenges Initiative Fund, Men’s Club, Women’s Network
tinyurl.com/BETMiSheberach
$10; no charge for members Men’s Club
tinyurl.com/HMV-Humor
tinyurl.com/Challah5786
tinyurl.com/BET5786BT
Open conversation about Rabbi Rosen’s retirement
tinyurl.com/CoffeewithPhil
tinyurl.com/PlayhouseMay17
THURSDAY, MAY 21 9:30 AM –5:00 PM $15/person Women’s Network
tinyurl.com/WNDayTrip
MONDAY, JUNE 1 6:00 PM –8:00 PM $5 registration Men’s Club
THUR-SUN, JUNE 4-7
tinyurl.com/MCDinner2026
Camp Jori, Wakefield, RI Men’s Club
tinyurl.com/2026MCRetreat
SUNDAY, AUG. 23 12:00 PM Lunch/ Socializing 1:10 PM Game Time
Beth El Softball
SUNDAY MORNINGS, THROUGH 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
Beth El Temple Y West Hartford, CT Y www.bethelwesthartford.org Y 860.233.9696
Lifelong Learning for Adults
Reading The Women of the Bible study series with Rabbi Zerin
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
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 – MAY 26
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 (12/19), 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
Weekly Adult Classes
Lunch & Learn TUESDAY 12:00 – 1:00 PM 6/16, last class before summer break
Talmud Study
WEDNESDAY 10:15 – 11:15 AM
Bible & Breakfast
THURSDAY 8:00 – 9:00 AM
REGISTRATION REQUIRED: tinyurl.com/AdultBneiMitzvah2526- -
-
Women’s Network
In attendance (l-r): Jill Jones, Lonni Schulz, Alison Demarest, Ellen Leonard, Michelle Kunzman, Sharon Efron, Barbara Feivou.
BETH EL TEMPLE CRAFT GALLERY
Thank you to all of you who shopped at the Craft Gallery throughout the year, either on a Sunday morning, during our Grand Re-Opening last September, at the Chanukah or Passover Bazaar, or at another mutually arranged time.
Gary Rosenthal was a prominent designer of Judaic Art for over 40 years. He created functional Judaica with copper, brass, steel, and colorful fused glass. He passed away in 2023 and his son, Reuben, along with a team of talented craftspeople, continued producing menorahs, mezuzot, candlesticks, tzedakah boxes, and matchboxes. The Gary Rosenthal Studio closed last October, but we do have several of these beautiful and distinctive pieces available for purchase.
Contact us for summer shopping!
HOURS: Sundays, 9:00 – 11:30 AM (when SULAM is in session, through May 17)
APPOINTMENTS AVAILABLE: Rivka Dvorin, 860-710-6090; Lonni Schulz, 860-651-0072
NOTE: proceeds benefit the synagogue, and we are staffed through the generosity of our volunteers
PAYMENT OPTIONS: Venmo, cash, and personal checks
Gary Rosenthal Judaica available for sale
Life Cycles
nei Mitzvah Celebrations
Elle Taylor Fox
May 9, 2026
Emma Isabelle Borer
May 16, 2026
Benjamin Paul Zeisler
Daniel Schenkel
Harris Eric Carillo
June 13, 2026
Ryan Jordan Harris
June 20, 2026
Mazel Tov! and Appreciation for Sponsoring Shabbat Kiddush
Congratulations -
Welcome to New Members
Of Blessed Memory
Supporting Beth El
We deeply appreciate the following Thoughtful Contributions.
Y This list reflects contributions received and processed through March 17, 2026
Y For the next edition of Temple Topics, contributions need to be received in the office by May 19, 2026.
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.
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.
Supporting Beth El
Supporting Beth El, cont.
Arthur & Stella Mostel Fund for Adult Education
Lois & Alvin Reiner Family Fund
Resnick Family Fund
Rosen Family Kehillah Kedosha Fund
Santiago Family Fund
Michael & Susan Schenker Endowment Fund
Laurie & Marshall Shakun Family Fund
Clara & Mickey Sowalsky Gabbai Rishon Endowment Fund
Sussman Families Fund
Swaye Family Fund
I. Milton Widem Adult Education Fund
DEATH DOULA RABBI
You are not
Rabbi Ilana Garber Death Doula Rabbi, LLC hello@deathdoularabbi.com deathdoularabbi.com
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
Notice of Annual Congregational Meeting
TUESDAY, JUNE 9
7:00 PM
In person only
Officers continuing to serve their term through June 2027
Trustees to continue their terms through June 2027
Trustees nominated to serve new terms, July 2026 through June 2028
Nominating Committee, 2025–2026
Past Presidents, eligible to serve Auxiliary Board Members
Friday, July 3 July Fourth Weekend-
We thank the following Trustees as they leave the Board upon completing their terms -
Office Closed
Monday, May 25 Memorial Day
Friday, June 19 Juneteenth