Beth El Temple Center Bulletin
April
1997
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Table of Contents
April
Worship Schedule
SPECIAL SERVICES
Monday, April 21st-Tuesday, April 22nd
Brief Erev Pesach Service 6:00 pm
Pesach Festival Morning Service 9:00 pm
Sunday, April 27th-Monday, April 28th
7th Day Pesach Evening Service 7:30 pm
7th Day Pesach/Yizkor Service 9:00 am
WEEKDAY SERVICES
Every Monday and Thursday in April, 7 a.m, except Monday
April 21st (Patriots' Day), when services are at 9 a.m.
Every Sunday in January at 9 a.m.
SHABBAT SERVICES
Friday, April 4th and Saturday, April 5th
Family Service/Pot Luck 6:15 pm
(please call the office to RSVP for Pot Luck)
Regular Evening Service 8:15 pm
Torah Study, 9 a.m.
Shabbat Ha'chodesh Service 10:00 am
Shemini (Leviticus 9:1-11:47)
Bar Mitzvah of Samuel Calvanio,
son of Ronald Calvanio and Minna Levine
Friday, April 11th and Saturday, April 12th
Social Action Shabbat 8:00 pm
Torah Study, 9 a.m.
Shabbat Morning Service 10:00 am
Tazria (Leviticus12:1-13:59)
Bar Mitzvah of Jacob Kalos,
son of Stephen Kalos and Deborah Kahan
Friday, April 18th and Saturday, April 19th
Shabbat Evening/Torah Service 8:00 pm
Torah Study, 9 a.m.
Shabbat Ha'gadol Morning Service 10:00 am
Metzora (Leviticus 14:1-15:33)
Bar Mitzvah of Gregory Michnikov,
son of Michael and Olga Michnikov
Friday, April 25th and Saturday, April 26th
Shabbat Pesach Evening Service 8:00 pm
Torah Study, 9 a.m.
Shabbat Chol Ha'moed Pesach 10:00 am
Chol Ha'moed Pesach (Ex. 33:12-34:26)
Bat Mitzvah of Laura Stern,
daughter of Robert Stern and Frances Arnold
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From the Rabbi
Remembering is hard. Forgetting comes much more
easily. The test of long-term commitment and personal
integrity is a test of remembering. Remember that we are
judged by how well we translate our promises into
actions. Remember what we have promised to do and do
it. That's the "simple" test of our integrity.
Every spring, we are summoned to one of the most
painful and crucial acts of Jewish remembering possible.
On Saturday evening, May 3rd, we mark Yom Ha’shoa
(Holocaust Remembrance Day). This modern Jewish
observance is still taking shape. Every year, our
community continues to grapple with what we should
remember about the Shoa and how we should remember
it.
There are no simple answers. We worry lest our
observance say too much or too little. Finding words and
music and ritual adequate to this remembering is a huge
responsibility. Still, we feel the urgency of the task
growing as more and more survivors are taken from us.
We know that there are dangers in trite or inadequate acts
of remembering. But we know that there are far greater
dangers in allowing ourselves to forget.
Remembering--especially this remembering-- is hard.
Forgetting comes much more easily. Together, we must
resist the tide of denial and willful amnesia that can
afflict even our community. Together, we must do the
hard work of finding a way to remember. We have made
a promise.
Please plan to join us on Saturday evening, May 3rd, for
our annual Yom HaShoa observance beginning at 8:00
p.m. in the sanctuary.
Rabbi Jonathan Kraus
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From the Director of Education
This past month I had the special privilege of witnessing the
conversion ceremonies of two women. Each ceremony was a
unique representation of the individuals. However, what was true
of both was the commitment and emotional involvement
experienced at this special milestone.
People who convert, Jews by choice, make a conscious choice to
be Jewish. Our students don’t have to go through this process - or
do they? While they have been born Jewish and you, their
parents, have decided to raise them as Jews, ultimately the choice
of how involved in their Judaism they will be is theirs. What we
can do is try to influence that choice. We do that by the models
we provide both in school and at home. We try to live in a way
that makes Judaism a complete part of us and not make it a
separate segment of our lives. We try to provide children with a
range of Jewish experiences. Does this guarantee the outcome?
Unfortunately not, but it gives students the chance to be Jews by
choice. If, in the process of the choice, it comes to mean as much
to them as it did for the two women I observed, they will be truly
blessed by their choice.
Toby Koritsky
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From the Preschool Director
Our emphasis this past month has been on good health.
The preschoolers have been learning a lot about taking good care
of their teeth and bodies. We discussed the four food groups and
planned healthy meals. For fun, we all tasted foods while keeping
our eyes closed, emphasizing that our taste buds help us to
discriminate flavors. We also used edibles in other ways- such as
creating collages with raw spaghetti, and making peanut butter
playdough that could be eaten after playing with it.
In keeping with our nutrition theme, the class visited the
Belmont Star Market. This was no ordinary shopping trip! The
children went behind the scenes, to see what it really takes to
stock and run a supermarket: A walk in the freezer, a chance to
pet a lobster, a ride on the freight elevator, a lesson on how meat
is cut and wrapped, and so much more.
Another good time was during our teddy bear week.
Everyone brought their stuffed animals to “model” and receive an
appropriate award. The group made bear puppets and hats.
Teddy bear jewelry and even bears to be eaten. Lots of role
playing was enjoyed as we acted out The Three Bears .
The Temple Preschool has just received its license renewal from
The Office for Children, which means that we meet all the criteria
set by the state for operating a private preschool for children ages
2 years, 9 months to 5 years of age.
Rolene Karp
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In the Beth El Family . . .
Mazel Tov
To Our Bat/Bar Mitzvahs...
Laura Stern, daughter of Fran Arnold and Bob Stern, she is in
7th grade at BB & N. She lives in Cambridge with her parents
and 8 year old sister, Diana. Her 25 year old sister, Jennifer lives
close by. Laura loves skiing, hockey, and spending time with her
friends. Her favorite subject in school is English.
Jake Kalos, is the son of Deborah Kahan and Steve Kalos, and
older brother of Noah and Joel. He is in the seventh grade at The
Fenn School in Concord. Jake enjoys playing and watching
sports. Hr ran on the varsity cross country team at Fenn this fall
and plays basketball and baseball. Jake plays drums and loves
music.
Between socializing with his old friends in Belmont, and his new
friends at Fenn, Jake somehow manages to find time for his school
work and Hebrew lessons. Like most boys his age, he enjoys
video and computer games. Jake likes animals of all kinds and is
especially fond of his cockateil, Jesse, and the family dog, Greta.
He is a devoted big brother and has rock-star status with the under
three-year old crowd in the neighborhood.
Gregory Michnikov will have his Bar Mitzvah at Beth El
Temple Center on April 19th, 1997. Please join us to celebrate
this joyous occasion.
Gregory was born on July 8th, 1984, in Marblehead, MA. He
moved to Belmont with his mother Olga and father Michael, in
1987. Gregory attended A Learning Experience nursery school
in Belmont, and then the Mary Lee Burbank School. He is now in
Chenery Middle School.
Gregory is an excellent student, and is in an advanced math class,
He is a part of Chenery's math team, and is on Chenery's
MATHCOUNTS team. He plays basketball, tennis, and soccer,
and is very interested in sports statistics. His other hobbies
include reading, and playing the clarinet.
Gregory is also a very nice person admired not only by his
parents, but by his friends and neighbors. Two of his latest
achievements: taking SAT and getting a perfect 800 at Math, and
coaching his 84 year old grandmother Dora, for the US citizenship
exam (which she successfully passed).
Sam Calvanio is the son of Minna Levine and Ron Calvanio.
Sam attends the Chenery Middle School in Belmont, where he is a
member of the seventh grade band. He is an avid sportsman,
particularly interested in mountain biking and baseball. He likes
playing the saxophone and listening to Jazz. He likes to cook and
build things. He has participated in projects for Boston's City
Year.
To new additions...
Mazel Tov to Stephen, Abigail and Jamie Fisher on the
arrival of Valerie Rachael Lynn Fisher.
and new beginnings...
Mazel Tov to Karen Woodrow, daughter of Lorraine
Woodrow, and the late Sumner Woodrow, on her
engagement to Lawrence Michel.
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!!!!!!We Need Your Participation!!!!!!
In last month's Bulletin, I wrote about the extraordinary
learning opportunity we have as we welcome Rabbi
Lawrence Kushner to our synagogue. The opportunity to
study with a creative and inspiring Jewish teacher should be
sufficient incentive for most of us.
However, I also urge you to sign up in order to show support
for this new, ambitious program of our Adult Education
committee. Many of you have asked that we offer a more
sophisticated level of adult Jewish learning. With this
program, we begin to do so. But we will only be able to
continue welcoming high quality teachers to Beth El if our
community responds enthusiastically. Please join us!
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Rabbi Raj Featured in New Book
Former Beth El Rabbi, Ferenc Raj and his brother,
Tamas, are featured in a new book, “A Hole in the
Heart of the World: Being Jewish in Eastern Europe”
by journalist Jonathan Kaufman (Viking Press). In the
book, Kaufman examines the fate of Jews and Jewish
culture in postwar Eastern Europe as reflected in the
experiences of five families, including Rabbi Raj's
family.
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Adult Learning At BETC
Books Available in Gift Shop and Temple Office!!!
The Spirit of Renewal: Finding Faith After The
Holocaust,
by Rabbi Edward Feld,
and many titles by
Rabbi Lawrence Kushner,
including Invisible Lines of
Connection.
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MEN'S BOOK CLUB
MEMBERS WANTED!!!
Club Members interested in a variety of fiction and non-fiction.
Monthly meetings in members' homes.
Books read include:
All The Pretty Horses, Deliverance, Who Stole Feminism,
Snow Falling on Cedars, Midnight in the Garden of Good
and Evil, The Fifties, The Mind of God, and Poems by
Pablo Neruda.
- Entry Fee and Background check waived for this
month only.
- Members must be able to microwave popcorn.
- Strong background in hors d'oeuvres desirable.
- Must possess library card, ability to stay up past
9:00PM, and a good sense of humor.
- If interested, please call Ted Dukas at 484-9268
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MYSTERY DINNER
Thursday, April 3rd; 7-10PM
Prepaid reservations to Liz Malsky
$20/Person
For Women Only
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Beth El Community Seder
Second Night of Passover
Tuesday, April 22, 1997
6:30 p.m.
Conducted by Rabbi Jonathan Kraus
- Traditional, strictly "Kosher for Passover" meal catered by Larry Levine.
- "Kosher for Passover" pot luck desserts.
- We encourage the participation of the children, but babysitting, if desired
will be available.
- Adults $25, Children 5-12 $15, Under 5 no charge.
- Registration and payment required in advance.
Lecture and Dinner
Sunday April 6, 6:00 p.m.
Zonis Auditorium
$8.00
Babysitting by reservation only
484-6668
Speaker: Joshua Rubenstein, author of Tangled Loyalties: The Life and
Times of Ilya Ehrenburg
Topic: Ilya Ehrenburg... the legendary russian jewish journalist... whose
career flourished under Stalin... should he have been trusted?
Come to Lunch with Rabbi Kraus
Topic: Feminism and Judaism; Mismatch or Remarriage Made in Heaven?
Thursday, April 10th at noon
Beth El Zonis Auditorium
Lunch will be provided by the Adult Education Committee
Jewish Philosophy Study Group
The Jewish Philosophy Study Group will next meet on
Wednesday, April 9th, 1997 at 7:30 PM, at the Temple.
We will discuss Einstein and Religion. There will be readins
available in the Adult Education box at the Temple office. Anyone can
come and join the group, and new members are always welcome. You
need no prior knowledge. If you have any questions, please call Julian
Harlowe.
Julian Harlowe
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Sisterhood Book Discussion Group
Stones From The River
by Ursula Hegi
Monday, April 14th at 7:30 PM
at the home of a member
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BEFTY: Beth El Federation of Temple Youth
BEFTY is having a great year this year. The Conclavette, at
the beginning of the year, started BEFTY off well, and we
feel it was a great success. We are looking into the
possibility of holding a Shul- In in the Spring, and we hope it
goes as well as the Conclavette.
Last month's BEFTY event was going to see the movie
Shine, and then we had dinner at the S & S. We sent a
couple of people from BEFTY to February Institute, during
February vacation. The people who went had a great time.
Rachel Harrison, President of BEFTY, went to the NEFTY
Convention. In the upcoming weeks, there is a Social Action
Conclavette for NEFTY-NE, hosted by RYFTI, from Temple
Israel in Boston. We hope many BEFTYites will attend!!!
Rebecca Huey, Corresponding Secretary
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Religious School Committee
The Religious School has been enjoying a very busy
winter. We have continued with our Grade 3 Family Education
Gesher program. The Grade 3 parents attended an adult study
session where they learned about Cain and Abel, trying to catch
up with their children!
Junior Congregation services keep getting bigger and
better. The attendance has risen, and the students are gaining
invaluable experience in leading services.
The second annual pre Bar/Bat Mitzvah retreat was held
in March. This retreat builds great enthusiasm for the activities of
the year ahead.
The Religious School staff attended a workshop about
teaching and working with students with learning disabilities and
special needs. They all agreed it was very interesting and helpful
interms of teaching all students.
Passover is on its way! We have a K-2 Passover family
program planned, a Grade 3 Family Education program planned,
and we will be holding an Aleph class model seder.
The School Committee has also been very busy
revoewing our policies on discipline, attendance, tutoring as well
as budget issues and curriculum. Our next meeting will be April
7, 1997 at 7:30 P.M. in the Sloan Bride’s Room. We look
forward to seeing you there. -
Hildy Dvorak, Chairperson
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SOCIAL ACTION COMMITTEE
Spring comes this month, along with many Social Action
events. A family concert will be held on Sunday, April 6th
(CAUTION! Some dates in the previous bulletin were incorrect),
at 3 PM at Beth El. Light modern music by our own Cantor Fine
will be complemented by instrumental music in the mood of the
season. Proceeds benefit the Medenica Institute for Special
Education and Child Development, located in
Bosnia/Herzgovinia. This institute celebrates its 50th anniversary
this year, helping in education and rehabilitation of retarded
children and teens. We ask your generous support, whether you
wish to attend the concert as a Patron or simply wish to offer
tzedakah in support, through a check payable to the Social Action
Committee, marked, Spring Benefit Concert.
Please join us on the heels of our spring concert for the
Socail Action Shabbat on Friday, April 11th. During this service,
Paula Lerner and her colleagues will offer a slide presentation
highlighting the daily experiences of women who receive welfare,
who you will find to be just like us in all the ways that matter. In
addressing this reality, Paula points out strikingly different are the
true lives of the women she has come to know, compared to the
stereotyped media images of lazy African-American mothers
watching TV and living on food stamps. We plan to move
beneath the surface of these media misrepresentations, as well as
to understand why such distortions occur.
Social Action Shabbat will be followed by Mitzvah Day
on Sunday, April 12th. We will expand on last year’s theme by
serving our greater Boston community during this year’s Mitzvah
Day activities. We will be delivering food to the Jewish families
served by Family Table, where cereal and apple juice donations
are requested. We will also be involved with the food preparation
for the community lunch program for Pilgrim Church (also the site
for Project Ezra on Christmas Day.) For Transition House, a
battered women’s shelter, we will provide office assistance.
Please call Sharon Rich, or Ariel Kohn
for more information.
We hope you will consider joining us for these events.
The betterment of the world, Tikkun olam, comes one mitzvah at a
time, through every one of us.
Sharon Rich and Ariel Kohn, Co-Chairs
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Sisterhood
Neither snow, no sleet, nor rain (and we had it
all) could keep ten of us from joining Hia Dubin in
Falmouth for the Sisterhood's First Annual
Retreat. A weekend that started with lighting the
Shabbat candles and sharing dinner, progressed
to include Shabbat services both Friday night and
Saturday morning, Torah study, Havdalah
service, many discussions and creative projects,
and of course eating and schmoozing. We met
new friends and became closer to friends we
already knew. Parting on Sunday and returning
to a normal life was difficult for all of us, however,
we returned home refreshed and renewed. To
Myrna Weiner, Sheila Doctoroff, and Hia, our
sincere thanks. A job well done ladies. Next
year, plan to join us. You won't regret it.
From this weekend, we went right on to a
wonderful Sisterhood Shabbat creative service.
WRJ's first vice president, Judy Silverman, was a
delight to have as guest speaker. We wish her
much success in her upcoming position as
President of Women of Reform Judaism,
Federation of Temple Sisterhoods. Thank you
also to the women of the choir: Eva Adler,
Paulette Black, Florence Cooperstein, Joanna
Jerison, Paula Lerner, Debby Nager, Karen Pike,
Leslie Saul, and to Amy Kraus for her teaching
and patience. Thank you to Ariel Kohn for the
contributions to the service readings, and also to
Rabbi Kraus for his help in putting the service
together as well as the musical accompaniment.
Did you see all those costumes and children on
March 23rd? What a great way to spend Purim.
Our carnival is always a success and a great way
to bring in other families to our Temple. Thank
you to Ronda Brenner, Miriam Weil, Debby
Nager, BEFTY, and Jr. BEFTY for a terrific day.
Also thanks to all those who donated items and
time to make it a success.
Be sure to send your reservations in for the
Mystery Dinner, the Community Seder, and the
Pops. Boy are we ever busy! I hope we have
found something in all of our events that you can
participate in. If there is something you would like
to see started or changed, feel free to call me.
See details of Sisterhood events on our ad
page elsewhere in this bulletin.
Sharon Feinberg, Sisterhood President
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