Beth El Temple Center Bulletin
September
1997
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Table of Contents
September
Worship Schedule
Special Services
Saturday, September 27th
Selichot Service 10:00 pm
(Informal pot-luck dessert at 9:00 pm)
Sabbath Services
Friday, September 5th and Saturday, September 6th
Family Service/Pot Luck 6:15 pm
(please call the office to RSVP for Pot Luck)
Regular Evening Service 8:15 pm
Shabbat Morning Service 10:00 am
Shoftim (Deuteronomy 16:18-21:9)
Bar Mitzvah of Nick Barber,
son of Rob Barber & Bonnie Neilan
Friday, September 12th and Saturday, September 13th
Shabbat Evening Service 8:00 pm
Junior Congregation (downstairs) 8:00 pm
Shabbat Morning Service 10:00 am
Ki Teytze (Deuteronomy 21:10-25:19)
Bar Mitzvah of Daniel Jerison,
son of David & Joanna Jerison
Tot Shabbat Service (downstairs) 10:15 am
Friday, September 19th and Saturday, September 20th
Shabbat Evening Service 8:00 pm
Installation of New Temple Leadership
Shabbat Morning Service 10:00 am
Ki Tavo (Deuteronomy 26:1-29:8)
Bat Mitzvah of Lauren Feinberg,
daughter of Paul & Sharon Feinberg
Friday, September 26th and Saturday, September 27th
Shabbat Evening Service 8:00 pm
September "Simchas"
Shabbat Morning Service 10:00 am
Nitzavim-Va’yelech (Deuteronomy 29:9-31:30)
Bat Mitzvah of Elizabeth Reardon,
daughter of Mark & Emily Isberg Reardon
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From the Rabbi
This is an enormously exciting time in the life of Beth El Temple Center. Our programs of Jewish learning, living and community-building continue to thrive. Our Capital Campaign shows every promise of attaining its goal as, this summer, we reached the million dollar mark. Our congregation continues to grow in membership and, even more importantly, in spirit. We have many accomplishments of which we can be proud.
This exciting time of renewal also will be reflected when we inaugurate a brand new High Holy Day machzor, Gates of Repentance. Published by the Central Conference of American Rabbis, Gates of Repentance offers us a wonderful liturgy with which to express our identity as a congregation at the traditional end of Reform Judaism’s spectrum.
What should you expect? A liturgy that is sensitive to issues of gender in prayer language; beautiful, inspiring and sometimes challenging interpretations of the traditional Hebrew prayers; a liturgy that reflects the best of Reform Judaism—one that balances deep love of Jewish tradition with a commitment to help ancient wisdom speak to contemporary experience.
What you probably should not expect (based on last year’s experiment) is that the length of services will change! But that’s because the warmth and traditional flavor which have long characterized the best of High Holy Days at Beth El also will not change.
With this new machzor, we join the new with the old. We continue to shape a future securely anchored in the best of our past. It seems a good metaphor, both for this time of the Jewish year and for this moment in our congregation’s life! Shanah tovah.
Rabbi Jonathan Kraus
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President's Message
I hope this message finds you happy and relaxed from your summer. Even though Beth El has been relatively quiet during July and August, Jonathan Miller and I, along with Rabbi Kraus and many others, have been busy these last few months preparing for a seamless transition in the Temple leadership. I am personally delighted to welcome the following people who will be working with us on the Executive Committee, bringing an inspiring level of enthusiasm and commitment to Beth El Temple Center:
1St VP: Sue Kuelzer
2nd VP Rusty Epstein
Secretary Penny Roscoe
Treasurer Lisa Rourke
The capital campaign has made great progress through the summer months, with a current total of nearly $1,000,000.
Pledged toward our $1.5 million goal. If you have not been contacted yet, please take the initiative to call one of the campaign co-chairs: Jason Cotton, Rusty Epstein, Howie Herzog, or call our capital campaign consultant, Mel Galun, to discuss your participation in the campaign. If you have already made a pledge, thank you. Please continue your support by helping us contact other members. We anticipate completing the fund-raising effort- and reaching our target goal-by early October. So please step forward and do your part to make our Temple even more special.
The building committee will meet with the architects, Leers Weinzapfel Associates, this fall, to begin the development of the schematic plans based on the comments received from congregates these past 8 months. Your input is still needed so please call me or any member of the building committee with your comments or suggestions. The completion of the construction documents is targeted for Spring 1998, and the completion of the renovation by the High Holidays, 1999. It’s an exciting goal, and one that is now within our reach.
I look forward to serving you for the next 2 years as co-president with Jonathan Miller. I encourage you to speak with us if there are issues that concern you about our Temple…and to join us through your active participation
.
-Liz Karp, Co-President
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From the Director of Education
It’s back to school time. I’m sure that you have been busy buying all the necessary equipment: backpacks, notebooks, paper etc. It’s part of the end of the summer ritual. It is also time to get ready for another year of Religious School. The process has some similarities, however, there are elements that go far beyond purchasing materials.
It is not just your child who is going to Religious School. You, the parent, are going as well. Your attitude about Religious School attendance has a direct impact on your child. Your interest in what is happening in the classroom and participation in temple events has a direct impact on your child. Ask your child questions about what he/she learned. Look at the materials being brought home. If you are able to read Hebrew, practice for a few minutes with your child. If you are not able to read Hebrew, listen to your child read and have them teach you a little - they love having the tables turned! Put practice into what your child is learning through family rituals for Shabbat and the holidays or attendance at family services. Take an adult education class or be part of a committee. If Jewish learning and living is important to you, it will be to your child too.
Religious School education seeks to develop a sense of Jewish identity but Jewish identity doesn’t occur only for a few hours each week To accomplish that goal, we need parents to be our partners. We are all students. Learning about and practicing Judaism is a life-long pursuit. Welcome back, I’m looking forward to a great year with all of you.
Toby Koritsky
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From the Preschool Director
PRE-SCHOOL
After a discussion about the holiday of Shavout, the preschoolers wrote their own version of the Ten Commandments:
- Share your toys and books
- Be a good friend and like your friends
- No fighting
- Help clean up
- Share with brothers and sisters
- Use nice words like Thank you
- Take turns
- Listen to teachers and follow rules
- Don’t be too messy at school
- Do not hit or push
It seems impossible that another school year has come to an end, and another is just beginning. So much physical, social and intellectual growth has taken place. From a teachers’ point of view, the work has been a labor of love.
-Rolene Karp, Director
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In the Beth El Family . . .
Mazal Tov to…
Nick Barber
…will be called to the Torah as a Bar Mitzvah on September 6th, 1997. He is an 8th grader at the Fayerweather School in Cambridge, where he served as a student member to the Board of Directors last year. He also took part in a school performance of Romeo and Juliet, and worked weekly for a meals program for homeless people in Canbridge.
Nick is an avid in-line skater and snow boarder, and continues to excel in Babe Ruth League baseball. His brothers Ben and Alexander, his parents Bonnie Neilan and Rob Barber are very proud of him.
Daniel Jerison
… will become Bar Mitzvah on September 13th, 1997. He is the son of David and Joanna Jerison. Daniel is an eighth grader at Chenery Middle School in Belmont, where he is a mainstay of the math team, which won its league title last year! He was also on the four-member Chenery MathCounts Team, which won the state championship last year. Daniel plays piano, and clarinet in the school band and woodwind quintet, and participated in the Chenery Science Olympiad team. In his so-called spare time, he likes to climb mountains (he’s aiming to join the AMC 4,000 footer club), play squash, read and space out.
Lauren Feinberg
…will become Bat Mitzvah on September 20th, 1997. Lauren is an eighth grader at the Ottoson Middle School in Arlington. She is the daughter of Sharon and Paul Feinberg, and sister of Rachel. She loves music, dancing, gymnastics, and children. Her baby-sitting jobs keep her quite busy when school doesn’t. Lauren always tries to help others, whether it be at school, the Temple, or the neighborhood. She ha asked guests for her Bat Mitzvah to bring 1-2 canned goods so that she may bring them to the Pine Street Inn to help those in need. She has helped her Mom make the centerpieces for her reception, which she plans to donate to a children’s group. Lauren hopes to someday follow in her parents’ footsteps by taking a leadership role in the Temple.
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OFFICER INSTALLATION
During Shabbat services on Friday, September 19th, we will formally install the new leaders of our congregation. This service offers us an opportunity to acknowledge the crucial contributions of our volunteer leaders. Please be sure to join us to say Thank you to our outgoing Temple leadership and to wish our new leaders well as they begin their new task.
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HIGH HOLIDAY USHERS WANTED
Call for Ushers for High Holidays to facilitate Beth El’s High Holiday Services. Please consider volunteering so that we may have a reasonable number of ushers to help out. When the holiday information packet arrives, please fill out and return the ushering form as soon as possible. Thank You!
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YIZKOR BOOK REMINDER
YIZKOR BOOK REMINDER
All requests for names to be added to the Yizkor Book
Must be in by Friday, Sept. 12th
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FOR YOUR INFORMATION
For Your Information…
Did someone in your family graduate from somewhere and make plans to go on to something new? If so, we’d like to share your news with the rest of the Temple family. Please send information…who graduated? when?…where?…etc., to the Bulletin Editor care of the Temple office. We hope to print a listing in future bulletins…
Each year we try to keep in touch with Beth El students at college. You can help us by forwarding names, new addresses, E-mail addresses and phone numbers to the Temple office…
Please consider helping us defray the cost of our new High Holy Day prayerbooks by donating a machzor in honor or memory of someone special. Books are only $16/volume. For further information contact Rose at the office…
Tennis Partners are needed for weekly doubles games
(mornings!)…Intermediate level players…Call Sheila Doctoroff.…
Hospital volunteers : Brigham and Women’s Chaplaincy Services, in the Longwood Medical Area, announces a new 10 week training program for orienting lay volunteers in basic skills for visiting patients and families effected by illnes. No experience is needed. The course is being offered twice : Oct 13 – Dec 19,1997, and, Mar 1 – May 7, 1998. Openness to other religions necessary. Specialized training and support provided. Minimum commitment : 8 hours/week. Cost : $50.00. Parking provided. Please contact Rev. George Winchester, (617) 732-7480, for more information/application.
CJP Mission to Israel, Nov 2-10 : Combined Jewish Philanthropies invites you and your adult children to join a special community mission, November 2-10, 1997, to celebrate Israel’s 50 years of statehood. "Boston Celebrates Israel!" will be led by Cynthia and Bill Marcu, Co-Chairs of CJP’s 1998 Annual Campaign. Highlights include home hospitality with Israeli families in Haifa, evenings out in Tel Aviv, a traditional Shabbat in Jerusalem, a Jeep tour through the Golan Heights and special programming for interfaith couples. This will be an unforgettable experience. For details, call Betsy Winnick-Melamed, CJP Missions Director, at (617)457-8548.
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ADULT BNAI MITZVAH CLASS
Adult B’Nai Mitzvah Class
Never had the opportunity to become Bar/Bat Mitzvah? Now is your chance! Become a member of our Adult B’nai Mitzvah program. No previous knowledge of Hebrew is necessary. First class is Thursday, September 11th at 7:30PM. Please register ahead of time by calling Toby at the Temple. 484-6668.
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SAY YOU'RE SORRY
Say You’re Sorry
Selichotare penitential prayers traditionally recited in the days leading up to Rosh Hashanah. Ideally, these prayers help us to begin the process of self-examination by which we prepare ourselves for the spiritual work of the Days of Awe.
This year, we will hold our Selichot service on Saturday night, September 27th. The service itself (traditionally held at midnight!) will begin at 10:00 pm. It will be preceded at 9:00 pm by an informal, pot-luck dessert gathering. Please join us and make a meaningful start to the Days of Awe.
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TEMPLE CLEAN UP DAY
SUNDAY,SEPTEMBER 21, 1997
9AM TO 1PM
TEMPLE CLEAN UP DAY
Members of all ages are invited to participate in clean up projects and doing minor repairs to our Temple.
The day starts with a prayer service and ends in the early afternoon with a cookout.
NEEDED: 4 Hours, unlimited # of volunteers!!!
Contact Jonathan Jacoby or Naomi Ellenberg-Dukas.
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Sisterhood Rosh Chodesh Group
This years first meeting of the Rosh Hodesh group will meet on Monday, Sept., 29th, at 7:30 PM, at the home of a temple member in Belmont.
We will welcome in the month of Tishre. Our theme will be Teshuvah (Repentance). We will read the story of Lillith, Adam’s wife before Eve, and discuss better communication between the sexes.
We will end with a short ritual of purification so we may enter the New Year free of the impediments of the last one.
Please join us to meet new friends and old as we explore the role of women in the Jewish community.
To RSVP, or for any questions, please call the temple for information.
Sheila Doctoroff
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Sisterhood Book Discussion Group
The Moor’s Last Sigh
By Salmon Rushdie
Monday, Sept. 15th at 7:30 PM
At the home of:
a member in Belmont
Call the temple for more information
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BEFTY and JR BEFTY: Beth El Federation of Temple Youth
BEFTY
The youth committee seeks new members. This committee acts as a liaison between BEFTY and Jr. BEFTY, and the congregation. We are looking for representatives from diverse facets of the congregation: parents of teens, sisterhood and brotherhood representatives, parents of school age children who will be coming into one of the Temple youth groups, parents of past BEFTY graduates, individuals with an interest in education, or any other Temple member interested in our youth.
This committee will meet approximately 8 times per year. Our first task is the hiring of a Jr. BEFTY Group Advisor. Flyers have been sent to various groups and Hillels. BEFTY (grades 9-12), will begin its’ year by sending its Board members and advisors to Executive Board Week-END on Sept. 12th. This week end will help our board to set goals, strengthen their leadership skills, and get psyched!
Jr. BEFTY (grades 6-8) will begin its programming after an advisor is hired. If you would like to become a member of the Youth Committee or know of a potential candidate for Jr. Advisor, please call me at 484-7774.
-Robin Sagarin, Chairperson
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Adult Education
Monthly Monday Morning Midrash
Last year, Rabbi Kraus was our teacher for a very wonderful class. Midrash and Meaning. The class whet our appetites for more Torah study. As we read passages and bible stories, we thought about and posed more question of these readings, and "What does the Bible mean to us?; How may we interpret its stories and its teachings to help us live and create our own lives to reflect a clearer understanding of our own humanity." As a follow up, our committee, and Rabbi Kraus are organizing what we hope will be a very special study group. On Monday, Sept. 22nd, we will meet from 7:45-8:45AM (the 4th Monday morning of each month), with Rabbi Kraus to continue our study.
Yom Kippur Study Afternoon
Following in last year’s tradition, we will begin gathering together to sustain one another in an afternoon of study. The topic this year will be on the nature of Kedoshim, the religious codes of Judaism. Our study leaders will be Toby Koritsky and Mike Wolfson. We hope you may want to be with us.
Early Hasidism
Beginning on Oct. 20, and continuing on Mondays through Nov. 24, we will be sponsoring an evening class on Early Hasidism. We will explore the background of Hasidism, and its early spiritual leader, the Ba’al Shem Tov—his ideas of faith and hope, the movement’s ethical and spiritual teachings, and the role of contemplative prayer in this heartfelt and important branch of Judaism. Our teacher and Guide will be Mickey Khazam. Mickey holds a Master’s Degree in Judaic Studies from Hebrew College. She teaches privately and at Adult Ed programs in synagogues in the area. Tuition for this class will be $36 for Beth El members. We would like to enroll a minimum of 12 to help towards the cost of our excellent teacher.
REMINDERS:
Torah Discussion
: Saturday mornings at 9:00AM
Lunch with the Rabbi: Thursday, September 11th at NOON
Jewish Philosophy Study Group: Wednesday, Sept. 10th at 7:30PM
High Holiday Workshop: Sunday Sept. 14th at 9:30-11:00AM
-Arlene Feinberg
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MEMBERSHIP COMMITEE
Welcome!…To all of our members who have been on vacation—welcome back from what we hope has been a restful and restorative summer. And to all of our new members, welcome to the Beth El Temple Family.
The membership committee’s primary goals are to bring Beth El Temple Center to the attention of people who may wish to join our congregation, to welcome and integrate new members, and to work with Rabbi Kraus and other Temple committees to ensure that Beth El is a warm, comfortable and satisfying community for all of our members, new and old.
There are three things that you can do to help…
First, you can help attract new members. The membership committee has been busy organizing a series of open houses for prospective members. These events give people an opportunity to meet Rabbi Kraus and some of our friendly congregates, learn about our programs, schmooze, and enjoy delicious refreshments (of course!). The remaining dates are Sunday, September 14, 10:00 to noon, at the Temple; and Sunday September 21, 7:30 to 9:30 PM, at a member’s home in Cambridge. Call the Temple for directions at 484-6668. If you know of anyone interested in learning about Beth El, tell them about the congregation, invite them to an open house, and, if possible, accompany them to it.
Second, you can help enhance Beth El’s sense of community by welcoming and getting to know Beth El people you haven’t met (you might find out that they have been here for years!). You might set a goal of meeting one new Beth El’er per month. Be a Beth El Ambassador!
Finally, you can join in some of the membership committee’s activities. We would particularly welcome recent members and members of long term standing, to help us address both ends of the congregational spectrum. Call me.
The vitality of the congregation depends upon each and every one of us. Act now!
-Ed Mattison, Chair
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Outreach Committee
L’Shana Tova! We have an exciting year planned, starting with our annual workshop on the meaning and challenges of the High Holidays. Please join us on Sunday, September 14 at 9:30 a.m. as the Rabbi and the Cantor lead us through the highlights of ritual and music featured at both Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur.
Please mark your calendars for our annual Sukkot celebration and pot-luck dinner at the home of Paula Lerner and Thomas Dunlap. This will be held on Sunday, October 19 at 3:00 p.m.
Nine inter-faith families are now participating in the Havurah and have met three times. Our first meeting focused on getting to know one another and determining how we wanted to structure the group. The second meeting was near the time of Passover and Easter. The topic of discussion was the differences and similarities of these two holidays. The third gathering focused on the topic of whether or not Reform Rabbis should perform inter-faith marriages. All three meetings included a pot-luck dinner and a lot of socializing. Our next gathering is scheduled for October 11 to break the fast.
The Havurah has been a great way for inter-faith families to meet one another and to share their experiences in maintaining an inter-faith home; as well as to make new friends at the Temple. Because of its size, we feel this group is unable to accept new families. If you are interested in forming a second havurah, please let me know and I will help you get started.
The Outreach Committee is committed to creating opportunities for Jewish learning and encouraging Jewish choices in one’s personal and family life. We welcome singles, married couples and families who may not fit the traditional model of a Jewish family to explore with us the beauty of living a Jewish life. If you are interested in participating on our committee or for more information, please call Cindy Rubin.
-Cindy Rubin
(General information is available on-line about the
Reform outreach program, and
regional
outreach programs.)
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Religious School Committee
Another school year is getting underway. We have many returning staff, as well as a number of new teachers to complete our teaching group this year.
The first meeting of the School Committee will be held on September 8th. All meetings this year are scheduled for the first Monday of each month. As a professional educator, I know that education is a cooperative effort between home and school. As the new chair of the School Committee, I would like to welcome and encourage parent participation on the committee.
I look forward to a productive year at the Religious School.
-Ronda Brenner
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SOCIAL ACTION COMMITTEE
Shalom!
Hope you all had a good summer and are ready for another year of enjoyable and rewarding events sponsored by the Social Action Committee. Members of the committee have been working through the summer to make available opportunities for you to offer some service or material goods to those in need. And you’ll have fun doing it! So, we hope you all will take advantage of one or more activities that will really make you, and others feel good!
On Rosh Hashanah, please pick up bags at the Temple for the High Holiday Food Drive. Fill the bags with non perishable food items and return them to the Temple on or before Yom Kippur. The food will be donated to the Greater Boston Food Bank, and to the Belmont Food Pantry. For more information, please contact Anne Emmerich at 729-5341.
This year the social action committee is producing a brochure of Volunteer Opportunities, along with a schedule of Social Action Committee events. When you receive it, you will see an overview of many options available to do some tikkun olam, improving the world around us, one mitzvot at a time.
The Social Action Committee meets on the 2nd Sunday of each month at 9:30 AM, at the Temple. All members of the Temple community are invited to attend and participate. Come help plan and coordinate events to make them even more enjoyable and rewarding for all participants! We look forward to seeing all of you at one or more of this year’s events. Happy New Year!
-Anne Emmerich
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Sisterhood
Women of Reform Judaism
Sisterhood
Swimming, sunning, and Shabbat. Can you imagine celebrating Shabbat on the beach? Thanks to Sheila Doctoroff, a reunion for women who took part in the March retreat was held in Gloucester. It was a perfect day. The sun set on one edge of the horizon while the full moon rose on the opposite edge of the ocean. Plan to join us for our next event.
Anyone who knows anything at Beth El, knows that Alice Salamon is a fabulous cook and a warm, wonderful hostess. The last board meeting of the year was held at Alice’s Cambridge home. Eighteen members enjoyed a gourmet dinner, wonderful company, and interesting discussions for our future projects.
Who’s Who Here??? While some of our committees will keep their present crews, we are pleased to welcome those women who have volunteered for new positions. Paulette Black and Tami Kaplan join Jill Tapper as vice-presidents of Sisterhood. Penny Roscoe is planning a Membership Dinner for Sept. 18th. All of our members are invited, so plan to meet your old friends there and make new friends, too! Monique Candee has taken charge of the Mom’s and Babies Group. Annie Fantasia has agreed to become our new treasurer. Charlotte Millman and Shelley Rubin are about to begin work on our Fall Rummage sale fundraiser. (Please give them your time and your attic contents!) Our pre-school program, Cradle Roll is ready to go led by Merle Kummer and Abbie Fisher. Linda Levin-Schertz is planning lunch with the Rabbi, and Liz Malsky will be taking you on another Mystery Dinner. We can’t wait to share these events with you.
Your ideas, suggestions, question and comments are welcome. Call me at 489-0203. Keep posted for our "Going to Dallas" update!!!
-Myrna Robinson-Weiner
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