may tekiah 2015

A Note from the RabbiRabbi Rick Shapiro

(Continued on page 2)

In the course of American history, two events stand out as the essential moments in the birth of the United States. The first, which occurred on July 4, 1776, was the signing of the Declaration of Independence. That document

established the freedom of the fledgling thirteen colonies and launched them on their voyage. But, as evidenced by the subsequent 11 years of chaos and anarchy, that document alone was not sufficient to assure the survival of the American dream. The birth of freedom required more; it required a guiding hand, a framework within which it could function effectively, guaranteeing maximum liberty for all while ensuring that responsible behavior would not be abandoned. The second event which accomplished all of this took place on September 17, 1787. It was the signing of the United States Constitution. They stand in history, these two moments, as an inseparable pair: the first, daring to dream and setting the course, and the second, outlining the way in which the dream could be fulfilled.

In the course of Jewish history, too, two events stand out as the essential moments in the birth of our people. The first was the Exodus, declaring forever that freedom is the divine paradigm for human existence. No longer would anyone be able to stake a legitimate claim to God’s support for tyranny and persecution. And as Jews, we continue to celebrate that experience as the model both for our own ultimate redemption, as well as for the redemption for all peoples on earth.

But we discovered very quickly that freedom was not enough. Yes, we were free, but free to do what? Wander in the desert forever? Behave barbarically toward each other in our quest for survival? Just as our American ancestors would realize thousands of years later, we came to understand that freedom alone was not really freedom. And so, seven weeks after our departure from Egypt, we embraced a divine call to service and entered into an eternal covenant with God. We stood at Mount Sinai, listening to the thundering call to transform our lives into a holy mission: to bring freedom, justice and peace to all humanity. We heard the challenge, and we responded: “All that the Eternal has spoken we will do.”

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The Monthly Newsletter of Congregation Beth Torah

GIVE BLOOD:The Community Blood Center needs to collect 580 units of blood daily. Please share your gift of life by donating at the next blood drive on Monday, May 11th, from 2:30 to 7:00 p.m. Sign-up online: esavealifenow.org, Sponsor Code: Beth Torah. For additional details contact Scott Franklin at (913) 645-1036 or [email protected].

May 2015 • Issue 289 • Iyar/Sivan 5775

Confirmation 2015The Confirmation Class of Congregation Beth Torah invites you to celebrate with them at their Confirmation service Sunday, the 24th of May, 2015, 6 Sivan, 5775 at 10:00 a.m., and to join them for lunch hosted by their families following worship.

Jared Austin Boehm • Sarah Lynn Milgrim • Adam Joseph Levin • Dylan Benjamin Emert • Liam Nielsenshultz • Oscar Robert Chase • Sydney Harper Kitt • Jill Franklin • Blaire E. Ellenberg

Confirmation is not graduation from Religious School. It is a religious event to welcome the most recent class of students to the congregation, and listen to their religious messages.

Please plan to attend this very interesting service.

Erev Shavuot Rabbi Reice & Aaron Nielsenshultz Farewell

& Summer Camp Farewell

Saturday night, May 23rd will be a jam-packed evening!

6:00 p.m. Erev Shavuot Picnic: Join your friends

and family as you picnic on our lawn. Bring something to eat for yourself and visit with

Rabbi Reice and Aaron Nielsenshultz.

7:00 p.m. Erev Shavuot Worship and formal farewell for Rebecca, Aaron and our campers.

Special Shavuot dessert afterwards. Spend the evening at Beth Torah and celebrate all the journeys.

www.beth-torah.org |

Torah Portion & HaftarahMay 1/2 13 of IyarAcharei Mot-K’doshim. Lev. 16:1-20:27Haftarah – Amos 9:7-15

May 8/9 19 of Iyar EmorLev. 21:1-24:23Haftarah – Ezekiel 44:15-31

May 15/16 26 of Iyar B’hair-B’chukotaiLev. 25:1-27:43Haftarah – Jeremiah 16:19-17:14

May 22/23 4 of Sivan B’midbarNum. 1:1-4:20Haftarah – Hosea 2:1-22

May 29/30 11 of Sivan NasoNum. 4:21-7:89Haftarah – Judges 13:2-25

Worship(Continued from page 1)

In Memorium

Sidney KlegFather of Susie Klinock

Ira Hammond Father of Jonathan Hammond

Reggie LloydSister of Scott Goldstein

Gerean RudnickLoved one of Debbie Haith

Herbert SiegelBeth Torah member

Louie HendricksFather of Meaghan Zimmerman

Don LevineCousin of Carol Ducak

Just as we commemorate the events of the Exodus during Passover, so, too, do we commemorate the events at Sinai on the festival of Shavuot. And just as the Declaration of Independence is not complete without the Constitution, we must also realize that Passover is not complete without Shavuot, that freedom is not complete without the covenant. It is the covenant that gives our freedom its meaning; it is our mission that gives our liberty its message.

In addition, Shavuot has an additional significance for us, for it was this festival that the founders of Reform Judaism chose as the most appropriate time to celebrate the Confirmation of Jewish teenagers, as the time when young Jewish men and women could most meaningfully celebrate their Jewish education and declare their own affirmation of the covenant made at Sinai over 3,000 years ago. This year Confirmation will take place on the morning of Shavuot, which is Sunday, May 24th. Nine Beth Torah teens will stand before the congregation and affirm the eternal message of our heritage: that freedom without responsibility is meaningless; that Pesach is empty without Shavuot.

Shavuot has become a neglected and often ignored festival among Reform Jews. This year let’s make a statement that we can all be proud of. Let’s proclaim our commitment to the quintessential moment of Jewish life: the experience at Sinai. Let’s proclaim our commitment to use our newly acquired freedom responsibly, to bring peace and justice to the four corners of our badly battered globe. And, most importantly, let’s proclaim the importance of community as we join together with our Confirmation class and their parents in celebrating a special and unique moment in their lives.

The events of Shavuot, like those of Pesach, are those of a community, united in their quest for identity. This is a unique opportunity for us to demonstrate that Confirmation, too, is not just a private event for the families of those teenagers. Rather, it is a community event: a time to gather and celebrate the proclamation of freedom and responsibility to be made by yet another generation, another link in the indestructible Jewish chain uniting past, present, and future. Let’s all stand together as we did at Sinai years ago and once again utter the words that commit us to our sacred journey, a preordained rendezvous with redemption: “We will observe our covenant and we will hearken to our God.”

Come hear all the news at Congregation Beth Torah:

Annual MeetingBudget, Bylaws, Staff, Lay Leadership, Membership and Rabbi news

Come to share your views, hear the news and vote.Sunday, May 3rd, at 10:10 a.m.

(right after morning worship) Check your mailbox for your packet!


LeadershipPresident’s Corner

May is always a busy month at Beth Torah. Sunday, May 3rd is our Annual Meeting, where I hope to see many of you. In addition to approving the slate for Board of Trustees and the annual budget, this year we will be approving an update to our bylaws, which last took place in 2007. As always, we will acknowledge some of our many Beth Torah volunteers, recap some of the activities from the past year, and discuss the status of our search for our new rabbi, as well as a new director of education.

In May, we celebrate our mothers, Shavuot and Confirmation. This year, Saturday, May 23rd, is Erev Shavuot, and we are taking the

opportunity to wish a fond farewell to Rabbi Reice and Aaron Nielsenshultz that evening. On Sunday morning, May 24th, we will join in honoring our Confirmands. I look forward to celebrating both events with you.

I would like to thank Chuck Cantor, Dan Davidson, David Spizman and Margo Hellman for their dedication as they leave their board positions this year. I also want to thank you for your continued support of me, our Board of Trustees, and of Beth Torah. This unique place that we call our spiritual home is important to us. It takes time, energy, money and commitment to make it work. With the changes we have seen this year, it also takes patience and perseverance. Our members continue to step up as leaders, volunteers, idea generators, and donors of time and money. This is a community effort, and you make all the difference.

In gratitude,

Linda Zappulla

Linda Zappulla, Board President [email protected]

Planned GivingSecuring Our Future . . . .

By now you have probably seen the display in the Ulam that recognizes our members who have chosen to make a legacy gift to Congregation Beth Torah. These gifts are critical to fortifying our endowment and securing our financial future. Gifts to Beth Torah are, of course, their own reward. But, for a short time there is an additional incentive to add your name to the Planned Giving Board. The Bushman Community Endowment Program has been offering grant money to local Jewish organizations that are successful in getting their planned giving programs off the ground. We have already received $12,000 for what we have accomplished so far. And we can add another $12,000 with only a few more gifts.

There is no current cost to you in making a gift like this today. It simply involves making a commitment now that will not take effect until well into the future. A brochure with more detailed information is available on the display board. If you have any questions regarding this program or how to be a part of it, please e-mail Barry Katz at [email protected] or call (816) 274-4054 (daytime) or (913) 451-1174 (evenings or weekends). And check out our “Planned Giving” quote of the month on this page.

Barry Katz, chairDor L’dor Planned Giving Committee

Mazel Tov to:Heidi Boehm on the birth of her

daughter, Carly.

From Generation to Generation….Planned Giving Quote from a member:

Samantha and Quentin Hammontree:“Participating in Beth Torah’s Legacy Gift program was a simple decision. For our lifetime and our children’s, CBT has been a part of our lives from the beginning, a whole bunch in the middle all the way till hopefully the end. It’s important to our family to show Tzedekah in many forms. Leaving a Legacy Gift allows us to be a part of this community while we are here and for future generations when we are long gone!”


From Egypt to Sinai: Join us for Confirmation & Shavuot

From the second night of Passover, Jews all around the world begin to count the omer.

As Americans, we are very familiar with the concept of a countdown. I especially think about New Year’s Eve as the clock is ten seconds away from midnight. However, this omer count is quite the opposite; it is a count up. You could say that we count up to Mount Sinai from one to 49. We count the days from the Exodus from Egypt—which we celebrate on Passover—to the revelation of the Torah on Sinai—which we celebrate on Shavuot.

And this year, we will be counting through most of the month of May, as Shavuot falls over Memorial Day weekend. At Beth Torah, the Sunday of Memorial Day Weekend is our traditional day to celebrate Confirmation. This year, that Sunday falls on the Festival of Shavuot itself. As our Confirmands speak about what they can confirm about their Jewish lives, we as a whole community will be receiving the Torah at Sinai. It is a fitting mix of a long-standing Beth Torah tradition with

an ancient Jewish tradition. After all, Shavuot is a holiday on which Jews eat dairy foods, hear the ten Commandments read from the Torah, and celebrate Jewish learning. Some people even observe the tradition to stay up all night and study Jewish ideas. This year, with Confirmation at 10:00 a.m., Sunday morning, I’d advise you to study wisely, and not too late.

Last Shavuot was our first opportunity, as a community, to celebrate reading from our new “25th Anniversary of Beth Torah” Torah scroll. This year, I will read from that scroll on Erev Shavuot, Saturday night, May 23th and our Confirmands will read from it on Shavuot morning, May 24th. When we read, it will be after a year of Shabbat and Festival readings; a year of baby namings at the Torah, b’nai mitzvah students reading from this Torah, new converts proclaiming their Jewish identities while holding this Torah, anniversary blessings given over the Torah and funeral eulogies read before the Ark, housing this Torah. After one full year of reading, the letters of our Torah still shine with the honey used in the ink to write them. After one full year, our Torah is still borrowing clothes from her sister, Aleph, who lives in the Sader-Shimkin Library now. After one full year, our Torah continues to hold her honored place in our community, living life with us through all of our successes, transitions, and new beginnings.

This, too, is part of the holiness of Jewish time: it just keeps going and we keep counting up. May we walk this path from Egypt to Sinai, from Passover to Shavuot with joy. I look forward to seeing you at Sinai and at Shavuot!

Rabbi Rebecca Reice, Associate Rabbi [email protected]

Rabbi Search CommitteeThe search for our new permanent Pulpit Rabbi is now under way. A core group from last year’s search committee remains on board and has been joined by nine new members. The committee has developed the following timeline:

Through Mid-June—Develop our process and our URJ job posting Mid-June—Submit job posting to URJ inviting resumes Mid-June through September—Review resumes (we expect 25-30) and continue to refine process October—Conduct Skype interviews with best-fitting candidates November-December—Best candidates visit us and we visit them December-January—Search committee recommends candidate to the Board and, if Board approves, candidate is submitted to the full congregation for approval July 1, 2016—New Rabbi joins Congregation Beth Torah

Throughout this process the congregation will be kept informed of our progress and solicited for input. Please find a list of the committee members on the insert included this month.

Feel free to contact any member with questions or concerns. This is an exciting time to be at Beth Torah and we hope you will engage in this process to the fullest extent possible.


Connections Laura Intfen, Director of Community [email protected]

Meaningful Jewish Vision Artist’s Statement:I was given this quote since it had not been chosen by anyone else. What is interesting is how it is personal to me, in the way that it sums up some of the challenges I have faced in life. I chose the colors of the spectrum in the background to represent the beauty of life, and chose the solid black for the figures (with no details) to represent every man and woman.

A thank you from Henri Goettel - Project Coordinator: We initiated the Meaningful Jewish Vision project on Erev Slichot, 2013, as a stimulus for thinking about Jewish texts as we prepared to celebrate our 25th anniversary as a congregation and to write our own Torah. To inspire our thinking, we adorned the ulam through Simchat Torah with eighteen professional posters commissioned by the Harold Grinspoon Foundation. Congregants, staff and other visitors were invited to share their thoughts about the prints, and also to submit their own favorite Jewish quotations. Twenty-six of these statements, suggested by eighteen students, adult congregants and staff were then illustrated by artists, young and young at heart, within the Beth Torah community. Their creative works were displayed in the ulam throughout November, 2013, our 25th anniversary month. You can revisit them on the Facebook page, Meaningful Vision at CBT. My deep gratitude to Rabbi Reice for her leadership with this initiative, to Ellen Taylor for her inestimable skills and guidance, and to everyone who contributed a quotation or created a poster for the project.

Investments. We all have them. Some people invest money, some people invest time and some people invest faith. Some people invest all three. When the results of these investments are contingent upon other people, the human tendency is to reach out to those people to connect. What can we do to affect the results of these investments?

If we send our children to school, we attend parent/teacher conferences. We connect to these teachers to check on the investments of faith in the teacher, time we spent overseeing homework, and money we spent on our taxes that pay for our schools.

If we vote, we check the voting records of the people we vote into office. Another check on the investment of our faith and money.

I work out. I watch what I eat. I don’t own a scale, but carefully monitor how my clothing fits. This is a check on my investment of the time that I put into taking care of my body.

The month of May offers you multiple opportunities to check up on your Beth Torah investments. Whether you are the underwriter of a scholarship fund, or someone who makes contributions when you can, you invest your money. Whether you are a volunteer who I have teased about getting a cot for you, or someone who makes a point of coming to Yom Kippur once a year, you invest your time. Whether you read the Tekiah and our E- News from cover to cover and circle ideas, events and links or someone who meets a fellow member at the grocery store and asks “Hey, what’s going on at Beth Torah?”, you invest your faith in the staff, lay leadership and the membership here. So why wouldn’t you check on these investments? It’s only human.

Sunday, May 3rd, is our Annual Meeting. This is a great time to check up on your investments. Join us for bagels at 9:00 a.m. and then worship at 9:30 a.m. You will want to see how wonderful our family worship is. Then stay and hear about the work our staff and lay leadership, and our congregation as a whole, have done this past year as we have swum the waters of change and transition. There have been budget adjustments, transition workshops and committee startups. There have been programming additions and personnel changes. Why should you attend? To check up on your investments. You owe yourself that.

Saturday evening, May 23rd, is Erev Shavuot and our farewell to Rabbi Reice and Aaron Nielsenshultz. They have handled your investments well. Come for the picnic, for the friends and to say “thanks” to Rebecca and Aaron.

Sunday, May 24th, is Confirmation. I can’t think of a more satisfying way to check on your investment as our Confirmation service. These teenagers go through this year of education, self-analysis and bonding because they WANT to. To hear these young adults report on their year is an affirmation of every dollar spent, every minute volunteered, and every gesture of faith done.

Check on your investments. “It is not in the stars to hold our destiny but in ourselves.” William Shakespeare

Laura Intfen


Adult Education & Special ProgramsAaron Nielsenshultz, Director of Youth, Education, and [email protected]

Bringing Adult Education to YouWisdom on WednesdaysStudy sacred texts with other Beth Torah members on Wednesdays at noon in the Bride’s Room. The Wisdom on Wednesdays crew is reading and discussing Pirke Avot, a tractate of the Mishna that contains short sayings of the sages of the Rabbinic Period. We eat and schmooze from noon to 12:30 p.m., and study from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.

Discussion on the Writings of the TorahJoin the community in discussion on Shabbat morning, 9:00 to 10:15 a.m. in the Library.

Jewish Book ClubContact Rabbi Shapiro to be a part of our new Jewish Literature discussion group. On Monday, May 25th, at 7:00 p.m., we will discuss: My Michael by Amos Oz. Call the Beth Torah office for more information at (913) 498-2212.

Saturday Night at the MoviesJoin your community for an exploration of the Jewish experience in America as portrayed in feature films of the past 50+ years. Each film will begin at 7:00 p.m. in the Beth Torah Ulam and be followed by a discussion led by Rabbi Shapiro. Join us on Saturday, May 16th, for a viewing of “Crimes & Misdemeanors”. Refreshments will be served.

Ray Davidson Yiddish CircleIf you haven’t yet visited the wonderful “Yiddish Circle for Learning” at Congregation Beth Torah, you’re missing a treat. Come to Beth Torah each Friday at noon until 1:30 p.m. Bring your lunch if you’d like.

Interfaith Programming CommitteeBeth Torah is putting together a new committee to design and implement programming for interfaith families and Jews-by-Choice both in our congregation and in the Jewish community at large. There will be an informational meeting to explore this idea in more detail and enlist the support of Beth Torah members to serve on the committee. The meeting will take place on Sunday, May 3rd, after the Annual Meeting in the Bride’s Room of Beth Torah. If this is a topic of interest to you, please plan on attending. If you are unable to attend but would be interested in participating, please contact the committee chairs, Amy & Shawn Kane, at [email protected].

PJ LibraryLooking for a way to make Fridays a little special? Why not come to PJ Library at Congregation Beth Torah! On the second Friday night of each month, you can sing along with FamJam from 5:50 to 6:05 p.m., and then we’ll share a PJ Library book and a craft or other fun project from 6:10 to 6:25 p.m. Enjoy a snack at the nosh before worship, and you’ll still be able to get your kiddos home in time for bed. We’d love to see you on Friday, May 8th.

PJ Library, a program of the Harold Grinspoon Foundation, is brought to you in partnership with Jewish Federation of Greater Kansas City. PJ Library is also generously supported by Jewish Community Foundation Legacy Fund, Jewish Heritage Foundation, Lowenstein Family Supporting Foundation and Menorah Legacy Foundation.

Lunch with the Rabbi

Join Rabbi Shapiro this month for some lunch and some learning at our next Lunch with the Rabbi on Thursday, May 21st, 12:00-1:30 p.m. in the library. Bring your own lunch or call the office at (913) 498-2212 to

order a sandwich.


Joel Winston Social Justice ProgramJoel’s RideJoel’s Ride is set to take off on Sunday, June 7th. We’ll have our usual lengths of 10, 25, 40, and 62 miles, and we’re thrilled to be partnering with Jewish Family Services this year. Watch this page for more details.

CBT Is.... Looking for a few good people to advise us on options open to us to increase our computer speed and broadband. Contact Laura in the office if you can help: (913) 498-2212.

Caring Connection TeamCaring Connection Team Announces “Care & Compassion Request” Cards

The Caring Connection Team continues to serve Beth Torah congregants in a variety of helpful ways as they gain new partners - some of whom have requested weekly visits from a CCT volunteer while others request a ride to a doctor’s appointment or a hot meal for their family.

CCT recently learned about other methods for connecting with congregants when visiting with Cheryl Greenough and Toni Sanders from the Church of the Resurrection. CCT members were quite impressed with COR’s efforts to serve their community of more than 23,000 members and left the in-service session with numerous ideas, which the team is pleased to share with the Beth Torah community.

Starting in May congregants will notice “Care and Compassion Request” cards on tables, pews and in displays at CBT. The purpose of these cards (see facsimile to the right) is to provide an additional method for congregants to request assistance or share the name of someone they know who may appreciate a call or visit from a CCT volunteer. Please pick up one or more cards to have on hand, should you or a friend need assistance from the Caring Connection Team. Cards can be returned to the CBT office.


Weiner Religious School Aaron Nielsenshultz,Director of Youth, Education, and Engagement

[email protected]

I walked into the Weiner Religious School for the first time on a Sunday morning in May of 2007; I was just getting ready to start working at Beth Torah as the part-time Director of Informal Youth Education, and while I was familiar with our Friday night and Saturday morning culture, I had never seen the school in full-swing before. My first impression was one of awe and excitement: families and children chatted and walked all over the Ulam, teachers and madrichim discussed lesson plans, the rabbis greeted people and answered questions. I was overwhelmed by how much energy filled the room—how much energy, and how much love.

Throughout my eight years of work here at Congregation Beth Torah, that sense of deep love has stayed with me. This is a community that welcomes people, brings them in, and makes them feel loved. That is a very special trait, and it’s one that I wanted to emulate and perpetuate. As I taught TAG and fifth grade at Beth Torah, and as I worked in youth programming, then social justice, and finally as director of the school, I’ve tried to maintain that sense of love and warmth. With your help, G-d willing, I’ve been successful.

You see, Beth Torah has never been a job for me. It’s been a calling, my vocation. I’ve laughed through baby-namings, cried through funerals, celebrated simchahs, and observed yahrzeits and loss, and all along, Beth Torah has been my home as well as my office. Each of you has embraced me as a friend or as a member of your family, and I’ve been so happy to be here.

That sense of love will go with me as I leave at the end of this month. While I am leaving Beth Torah, I am also taking Beth Torah with me, by carrying with me the energy, the welcome, and the love that I’ve come to expect of this fantastic place. And just as much as I’m taking a little Beth Torah with me, know, too, that I am leaving a part of my heart with you. So no matter where each of us is in the years to come, let us continue to welcome and celebrate and love, and whether we be near or far, that piece of Beth Torah that we’ve created together will bring our hearts and our souls together in warmth.

Trope starts again in JulyOur next trope class begins on Sunday, July 26th, and it’s open to bar or bat mitzvah students who have started tutoring and are no more than four months away from their bar/bat mitzvah date. If your child’s bar or bat mitzvah is in September, October, or November, this is the class they should take. Cost for the class is $75, and it includes the textbook as well as a copy of the student’s Torah trope. RSVP with payment to the Congregation Beth Torah office no later than July 20th to reserve a spot for your child today. Trope classes will be offered quarterly.

Joel’s RideJoel’s Ride is set to take off on Sunday, June 7th. We’ll have our usual lengths of 10, 25, 40, and 62 miles, and we’re thrilled to be partnering with Jewish Family Services this year. Proceeds from the ride will benefit JFS. RegistrationRegistration for the ’15-’16 school year has begun at the Weiner Religious School! And if your child is already in school, registration is really easy: just make sure the information on your forms is correct, sign them, and turn them in to the front office. If you need forms for a new registration, that’s no problem, too. You can meet a YAEC representative on any Sunday morning to pick up your forms (for current students or for new ones), or swing by the office during the week. If you know someone who’s looking for a great religious school, send ‘em our way—we’d love to have them!


May 2015 B’nai MitzvotBar Mitzvah of Samuel ReicherSamuel Malone Reicher, son of James and Elizabeth Reicher, will celebrate his Bar Mitzvah at Shabbat services on Saturday, May 2nd, at 10:30 a.m. Samuel is a seventh-grade student at Raymore-Peculiar East Middle School. He loves music, theater, computers, video games, and socializing with friends. He is a patrol leader in Boy Scout Troop 32, and has sung in the Beth Torah Youth Choir for the past five years. Samuel is the brother of William Reicher, the grandson of Philip and Nancy Reicher of Kansas City, MO, and the grandson of Fred and Lola Fairchild of Manhattan, KS.

Bar Mitzvah of Ethan HermanEthan Herman, son of Stephanie and Jeff Herman, grandson of Marsha and Eddie Herman and Sheila and Shelby Kanarish, and younger brother to Lexie Herman, will celebrate his becoming a Bar Mitzvah on Saturday, May 2, 2015, at 6:00 p.m. Ethan is a seventh-grader at Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy where he enjoys participating in soccer, student council, and middle school plays. Ethan loves spending time with his friends and especially his cousins. We welcome the Beth Torah community to join us for worship.

Bar Mitzvah of Jared CambierJared Daniel Cambier will celebrate his Bar Mitzvah at Shabbat services on Saturday, May 9, 2015, at 10:30 a.m. Jared is a high honor roll student in the 7th grade at Pembroke Hill Middle School. He plays on a travel hockey team and also has competed in swimming, tennis, and other sports. Jared plays both contemporary and classical music on the piano and enjoys playing computer and video games. His parents, David and Linda, invite the congregation to join in the celebration.

Bar Mitzvah of Jackson CraneJackson Crane, son of Adam and Amie Crane, will celebrate his Bar Mitzvah at Shabbat worship on Saturday, May 16th, at 10:30 a.m. Jackson is a seventh-grade student at Lakewood Middle School. He enjoys playing competitive soccer and basketball; he loves the Denver Broncos. He is the brother of Jonathan and the grandson of Herb and Susan Crane. The family looks forward to seeing the Beth Torah community at worship, and invites them to a Kiddush luncheon following services.

Bar Mitzvah of Ben WolterBen Wolter will be celebrating his Bar Mitzvah on May 30, 2015, at 10:30 a.m. with a Kiddush luncheon to follow the service. Please join the Beth Torah congregation to celebrate with Ben and his family after the worship.

Wow, I can’t believe I’m writing the May Tekiah article. It’s so cliche, but this year really has flown by. We’ve had such a successful year by focusing more on our younger participants so we can build for the future. Our only scheduled event this month is our Spring Chavurah, which will be May 1st-3rd. Senior Function will be taking place on April 30th. This is our last event of the year so all of us should be heading out to Omaha that weekend. Then the next important part of May would be elections which will happen on Sunday, May 17th. Lastly, I’m really honored that I could be a part of BTTY this year, so thank you again to our continuously supportive parents and everyone else who was involved in some way with BTTY this year. With that being said, I would like to speak on behalf of all of BTTY and our JYGers by giving a GIANT shout-out and heartfelt thank you to our adviser Hannah Michelson and our fearless leader Aaron Nielsenshultz. This year could not have happened without you guys to lead the way. We love you and we’re really going to miss Liam and Aaron next year, although I’m sure you guys won’t be able to stay away from Beth Torah for too long without visiting. Thanks again! -Margo Hellman

Margo HellmanBTTY President 2014-2015


Music Program NotesEmily Tummons, Music [email protected]

The musical landscape of Beth Torah is rich, diverse, and inexhaustible. There is space for every single one of us. From time to time over the next year, we are inviting various folks to share their musical Beth Torah experiences with you all. We’re calling this feature, “Spotlight on a Music Maker.” Each experience is unique to the individual. Through these spotlights, you’ll have a chance to get to know your fellow music makers a little better. We hope you’ll be inspired to carve out your own ways of connecting through music here at Beth Torah.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

Spotlight on Tim Intfen:“I joined Congregation Beth Torah in the summer of 1997 and joined the choir in the fall of that year. I have sung in community choruses throughout my adult life, but the CBT choir was my first Jewish choir. In about 1999 or 2000, I was invited to co-lead music on Friday nights, and that opportunity along with my participation in the choir exposed me to a wide variety of Jewish music. It provided a completeness to my Jewish life that might not otherwise have occurred.

“While I am passionate about many genres and styles of music, I discovered something unique to the Jewish music I was learning. For me, Judaism is about connections: spiritual, personal and inter-personal. I have found a way to make all three types of connections simultaneously through performing Jewish music. When I sing Jewish music, prayer becomes meaningful to me, and singing is how I fully realize the prayer experience. When I sing with the choir, with Emily, and with the other musicians at Beth Torah, I connect with them Jewishly--together we are creating this spiritual and musical intimacy that enriches us as musical partners and fellow Jews, and, hopefully, enhances the worship experience of the congregants. Finally, when I lead music from the bimah and look out at the congregants, I think about their personal stories and I look for a way to connect the music to them and the personal events going on in their lives.”

SAVE THE DATE! CBT 12th Annual Golf Classic

Monday, August 17, 2015at Brookridge Golf & Fitness

Participate as a golfer, a sponsor, a donor or a volunteer! More information to follow on the Beth Torah website or contact Sharon

Altman at [email protected].


Hi, Scott,

I just read the article you wrote in last month’s Tekiah and I am humbled by your words. First of all, I want to thank you for taking on Beth Torah’s tradition of being reStart’s chair. As you know, with your hard work and dedication the rewards are endless. And now with the help of Kate as your co-chair the responsibilities are not as great as by doing it yourself. Second, with Beth Torah’s month at reStart you are seeing multiple generations volunteering, which shows us what an impact reStart means to so many. Not just for the residents and staff at reStart but for our members. You mentioned I was on the ground floor of this project and believe me it was a lot of hard work. Yes, I did all the things you mentioned but I did it out of love and pride and with the congregation’s support. Without that support and caring we’d be just another group feeding the hungry, with no compassion, no respect, no understanding. How can we not smile when a child pleads to sweep and mop the floor on a late Sunday evening. It is members like you, Scott and Kate, who provide the leadership and who keep this amazing social justice project moving forward. I knew when I left CBT that new ideas, new menus, new friendships, new shenanigans would continue. And for that, I am truly blessed. Now you can breathe a sigh of relief that January is over until 2016. Sincerely,Steve Siegel - [email protected]

reStart Report

Yeah!! Just in time for of all our gift needs, the Gift Shop is having our annual “end of the year” May sale. From May 3rd through May 17th, everything in our shop will be 25% off. The Gift Shop has a variety of delightful and unique gifts for B’nai Mitzvah, Mother’s Day, Conversion, Confirmation, Teacher gifts, graduation gifts or gifts for any special occasions.

The Gift Shop wishes to thank all of our customers and volunteers for another successful year. It is our goal to have a wide variety of items at reasonable prices. Your support of the Gift Shop is another way you show support for our Beth Torah community. The Gift Shop at Congregation Beth Torah hopes you will think of us as your one-stop shopping place for all your needs.

Over the summer, we will be open on Monday 4:00-6:00 p.m., and Wednesday and Friday 10:00 a.m.-noon. Please stop by to see all our new items or shop online. You can reach our online shop through the Congregation Beth Torah homepage at the bottom by clicking on “World of Judaica”.

Remember, The Gift Shop at Congregation Beth Torah is raising funds for our congregation!

Shalom, Kelly and all our volunteers

The Gift Shop at Congregation Beth Torah


ContributionsBeth Torah General Fund Bob & Marcia Wolff

In Memory Of:Joyce Kartch Alice Capson Linda & Barry Katz Janette & Mike Krupsaw Nolf Zeolla Deborah Ruth Levitt Harry LevittJoseph Weneck Rhonda Brown & FamilyDiane Fine Sharon & Jeff Altman Dan & Karen Davidson Cathy & Gary LevinBernice Daniels Alice Capson John & Jennifer IsenbergRay Davidson Samantha HammontreeHerb Siegel Dr. & Mrs. Kurt Kabanaugh

In Appreciation Of:Congregation Beth Torah Lewis and Shirley White Donor Advised Fund of the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Kansas City

Rabbi Shapiro Discretionary FundIn Memory Of:Joyce Kartch Jane GolubNadine Helen Agron Kevin & Karen Agron FlatteryIsabelle Irene Childers Ron & Jo Ann Ginson

In Appreciation Of:Rabbi Shapiro on the occasion of Jonah’s Bar Mitzvah Julie Kaplan

Rabbi Reice Discretionary Fund In Memory Of:Raymond Davidson Jim & Kelly KaplanJoyce Kartch Tina Shea

Herb Siegel CEI Electrical and Mechanical Fifth District Dental Society of Kansas

In Honor Of:Bar Mitzvah of Jackson Crane Herb & Sue Crane

Hunger FundIn Memory Of:Mother, Marlene Gutterman Esther MarkusJoyce Kartch Harriet & Ron JacobsonMiki Christophersen Henri GoettelHarry Gorsky Doug Greenwald

Choir FundIn Memory Of:Adele Zimmerman Johnette & Shel ZimmermanJoyce Kartch Becky & Ron Sandhaus

In Honor Of:The speedy recovery of Barbara Gustin Jeff & Sharon Altman Robin O’Bryan

Social Justice FundIn Honor Of:80th Birthday of Judy Hellman Sharon & Jeff Altman Robin O’Bryan

In Memory Of:Ray DavidsonDiane FineJoyce Kartch Boyd & Laura Bolter Edis ParkansHoward Naster Arnie & Diane BalanoffTeresa Estrada Barbara Gutierrez

Rabbi Levin Discretionary Fund In Memory Of:Joseph Shnayerson Bernice Daniels, z”l Jack WeinsteinFrances WeinsteinRaymond Wolf Larry & Debi WeinsteinHugo Holland Fred HollandJoyce Kartch Maureen & Sandy Salz Steve & Valinda WestmanGeorge Kaplan Alice KaplanSteve Abend Esther & Joseph AbendFather, Louis Glazer Patsy Dunn ShanbergDolores Minkin Harold & Rita Olsen

In Honor Of:Michelle Goldstein & Tyler Anderson Scott & Sara Goldstein

Rabbi’s Fund For Social Justice ProjectsIn Memory Of:Ray DavidsonJoyce Kartch Steve Siegel & Robert Koch

In Appreciation Of:Katie Cohen as reStart co-chairScott Franklin as reStart co-chair Steve Siegel & Robert Koch

CBT Fund For Families In NeedIn Memory Of:Bernard EichlerDiane FineJoyce Kartch Jim & Kelly Kaplan Jennifer PhillipsBernice Daniels Ed & Donna WarrenSamuel Freed Lynne & Morris FaimanSusan Choucroun Becky & Ron Sandhaus

(Continued on page 13)


Community EventsTHE MITZVAH GARDENEven through wintertime, the warm weather hints at garden season and the Kansas City Mitzvah Garden has opportunities blooming for volunteering by any groups/havurahs or individuals. The garden provides produce to local food pantries. Volunteers are needed for planting, weeding, harvesting, and deliveries. Our usual workday is Sunday, but volunteers are needed Monday-Friday as well. For teens looking to accumulate community service hours, the garden is perfect. Contact the Mitzvah Garden Volunteer Coordinator, Gabrielle Rhodes Handler, at (913) 345-1118, or at [email protected].

50/50 The Israeli-German Relationship: the Next 50 yearsMonday, June 22, 2015 - 7:00 p.m. - Jewish Community Campus2015 marks the 50-year anniversary of German-Israel diplomatic relations. The relationship began based on historic circumstances, but has become one of Israel’s key political and diplomatic connections. The Consul General of the Federal Republic of Germany, the Honorable Herbert Quelle, and the Consul General of Israel to the Midwest, the Honorable Roey Gilad, will discuss the 50 years of historic friendship, as well as what the future may bring. There is no charge to attend, but reservations are appreciated by contacting (913) 327-8129 or [email protected]. Sponsored by the Jewish Community Relations Bureau|American Jewish Committee in cooperation with the Midwest Center for Holocaust Education.

Stay and Play at Beth TorahFriday, May 15th, 7:45 p.m., come for services then stay to play board games with our community (or just come for the games at 8:00 p.m.). We will be teaching new games you may never have heard of or bring your favorite and find others to play with. Games appropriate for ages 12 and up. Do a search for “Tabletop Pandemic” and see what these new games are like. Contact Matt Haun at [email protected] for more information or check Beth Torah’s Facebook for the Evite.

Our fiscal year 2016 budget was approved by our Board of Trustees on April 6, 2015. It covers the 12 months of July 1, 2015, through June 30, 2016. This budget will be presented to the congregation at the annual meeting on Sunday, May 3rd, and I cannot stress how important it is that all members be there for the presentation. It is your chance to ask questions and to get a better understanding of how Congregation Beth Torah operates. All members attending that Annual Meeting will be asked to vote on that budget. Please send in your proxy card if you cannot attend. Following that congregational meeting, we will be sending the Membership Commitment Forms for this new upcoming year. Our goal is to get a 100% return rate so please return that form to us by Monday, June 1st. If we don’t have your form back we will call or contact you as a reminder. On the Commitment Form you will be able to indicate how you want to make payment – check, electronic transfer of funds or by credit card. While we will accept your credit card, please make note that Beth Torah pays a fee to the credit card company of approximately 3% of each transaction. We are budgeting an expense of $7,000 to cover credit card fees. The most efficient way for you to make a payment to Beth Torah is the electronic transfer of funds. The Commitment Form will explain how to make that happen. You will also be asked how frequently you want to make a payment – one single payment, quarterly, or monthly. When you receive your first statement from Beth Torah in July you may notice a change, particularly if you are a monthly giver. All of your Dues Commitment will be charged to your Membership Management account on July 1, 2015. As you make payments throughout the next year you will see the balance due declining. But at any time you will be able to see what your full outstanding obligation is for the remainder of the fiscal year. We truly think this will make the monthly statements a little less confusing. When you receive your Membership Commitment Form in the very near future, please make every effort to return it to us before Monday, June 1st. If your personal situation allows you, please try to pay as much of your Dues Commitment up front as possible. It makes projecting our cash flow needs much easier.

CBT Camp Scholarship FundIn Honor Of:Ann Shepherd, winner of the Social Justice Contest The Gift Shop at Congregation Beth Torah

In Memory Of:Duanna Linville DralusHoward Naster Maureen & Sandy SalzRay Davidson Becky & Sandhaus

Weiner Religious School FundIn Memory Of:Ira Hammond Maureen & Sandy Salz

Library fundIn Honor Of:Hedy Goldman, “Stories with Hedy” Maureen & Sandy Salz

Youth Activities FundIn Memory Of:Father, Arthur Chapman Paul Chapman

In Memory of Dr. Seth Robert Reice

Alan & Shari BookBoyd & Laura Bolter

Jeanine L. DukeStephanie, Adam, Sarah & Jonah Elyachar

Dr. Richard & Jean Fetterman Ed & Sandi Fried Sheila Ginsberg

Dr. Daniel Neal Graham & Sally Carol ZimneyKarin Schmitz Griffiths

Dr. Albert Harris, Jr. & Elizabeth HarrisJo-Ann Harris

Lloyd & Judy HellmanEd, Marsha, Jeff & Stephanie Herman

Timothy & Ellen HolodyDr. Leslie A. KalishJim & Kelly Kaplan Linda & Barry KatzHarry & Peg Levitt

William & Joan McCormick IIIJoan Pellettier

Marcia & Larry RittmasterThe Shafran Family

Kolbe P. SmithEva & Marv Steiner

(Continued from page 12)

Finance Report Todd JanvrinDirector of Finance

[email protected]


Calendar May 2015

Sponsorships:May 1-2: Nosh sponsored by Elizabeth and Jim Reicher in honor of the bar mitzvah of their son, Sam Reicher. Pulpit flowers sponsored by Stephanie and Jeff Herman in honor of the Havdalah bar mitzvah of their son, Ethan Herman. May 8-9: Pulpit flowers and Nosh sponsored by Linda and David Cambier in honor of the bar mitzvah of their son, Jared Cambier. May 16: Kiddush luncheon sponsored by Adam and Amie Crane in honor of the bar mitzvah of their son, Jackson Crane.May 22: Nosh is sponsored by Linda Zappulla in honor of her birthday.


Non-Profit Org.U.S. POSTAGE

PAIDShawnee Mission, KS

Permit No. 721

Congregation Beth Torah6100 W. 127th Street

Overland Park, Kansas 66209www.beth-torah.org

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

Tekiah # 289, May 2015Congregation Beth Torah

(913) 498-2212 Fax: (913) 498-1071E-mail: [email protected]

Web site: www.beth-torah.org

If you need to contact Rabbi Shapiro for a rabbinic emergency when the office is closed, he can be reached

on his cell phone: 760-668-5806.

OfficersPresident................................................Linda ZappullaFirst Vice President...................................... Barry KatzVice President............................................... Matt HaunSecretary ............................................... Bonnie SwadeTreasurer ................................................ Mike GinsbergImmediate Past President........................ Michelle Cole

Board of TrusteesJeff Altman Chuck CantorTom Cohen June CraneTodd Davisson Mike FineMiki Herman Bob MilgrimDavid Spizman Frank Sterneck SueAnn Strom

BTTY President................................... Margo Hellman

StaffInterim Rabbi........................ Rabbi Rick Shapiro, D.D.Associate Rabbi ............... Rebecca R. Reice, M.A.J.E.Founding Rabbi ................ Mark H. Levin, D.D., D.H.L. Music Director..................................... Emily Tummons Director of Community Connections...........Laura Intfen Director of Finance ......................... Todd Janvrin, CPA Director of Youth, Education, and Engagement...................................................... Aaron NielsenshultzOffice Manager..................................... Robin O’ BryanAdministrative Assistant.........................Sharon AltmanAdministrative Assistant ............................... Cathy Nix Bookkeeper......................................................Barb Kitt

BTTY Adviser: Hannah Michelson JYG Advisers: Rachel Bolter & Zach Zwibelman © Congregation Beth Torah, Overland Park, KS

Please join us for this year’s Joel’s Ride: Wheels for Meals on Sunday, June 7th. The race begins and ends at Congregation Beth Torah, and riders get to enjoy a beautiful day’s bike ride through southern Johnson County. Our event supports community organizations that provide services to feed the hungry, so not only do you get to enjoy a great ride, you’re doing a mitzvah while you’re at it! We offer a 10-mile family ride, a 25 -mile ride, a 42-mile ride and a metric century (62 mile) ride that are all SAG-supported and radio-monitored.

The family ride is ridden mostly on Johnson County bike paths so it is safe and easy for anyone. Starting times are staggered so that hungry and thirsty riders can join the after-event celebration in the back of the building where Spin! Neapolitan Pizza, Liberty Fruit, and Steve Ellenberg just to name a few, are offering food and fun. Log on to Beth Torah’s website OR find Joel’s Ride: Wheels for Meals on Facebook for more updated information. Registration opens soon!

What’s that you say? You’re not a rider? Then we’d love to have you join us as a volunteer! We need lots of support to make sure that the ride happens, so send a note to Aaron at [email protected].

may tekiah 2015

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