sulam beth el · 2020. 3. 10. · temple topics vol. lv, no. 4 march-april 2020 adar-nissan-iyar...

2 Beth El Temple West Hartford, CT www.bethelwesthartford.org 860.233.9696

SULAM Beth El - Seek. Understand. Learn. Act. Marvel.

Upcoming Programs and Events

MARCH Sun 8 9:00AM Gr. 5 – ADL Program Sun 15 9:00AM Gr. 6 – Bar/Bat

Mitzvah & Beyond Workshop #3

APRIL Sun 26 9:00AM PAG Parent Coffee

MAY Sun 17 9:00AM Last Day of SULAM

No SULAM April Tues-Sun 7-19 Tues 28 May Sun 10

Living life with artistry Weaving different strands

of a person’s experience into something beautiful

The importance of doing a mitzvah and helping others

Trying to live with devoted sacrifice

Speaking carefully of others so that they aren’t hurt

Striving to be holy and caring

The importance of community

The care of our environment

The power of a sincere and personalized gift

Forgiveness The support of those who

are needy Speaking up – even to

God Living the truth as we can

best understand it The incredible

significance of kindness Having patience so that

eventually one can find meaning

Bogrim We also celebrated our 7th Graders this February. Each presented their D’var Torah – interpretations and understandings of their Torah portions – to family and friends. This Torah Celebration represented a culmination of weeks of delving into Torah learning at SULAM. It was like a trial run for what each learner will share on the Shabbat of their Bar or Bat Mitzvah. Some of the virtues they associated with their portions include:

Our third graders received their very own Siddur Lev Shalem in February! The Sunday-morning ceremony was so inspiring! The learners sang prayers and songs they have learned at SULAM for their family and friends. They were amazing! Thank you Limor Shefer, Hebrew educator, and Rabbi Garber for orchestrating this memorable morning.

Our Gan learners met in the kitchen to make their own delicious challah! Mixing the ingredients, kneading the dough, and

braiding the strands – they did it all! Their challah took its spot at the table for a Shabbat family dinner for the class at Beth El!

Kindergarten

Third Grade

Temple Topics Vol. LV, No. 4 March-April 2020 Adar-Nissan-Iyar 5780 3

Breakfast, Program, and Package Yellow Candles

Sunday, March 22 8:45 AM Minyan 9:15 AM Breakfast & Program 10:30 AM Package Yellow Candles

Brian Foley is the former Chief of Detectives for the Hartford Police Department and his presentation will focus on security. He is now the Executive Assistant to the Commissioner of the Department of Emergency Service and Public Protection (DESPP) for CT.

COST: $10 ($5, MC members); no charge if you help package the candles

RSVP: by 3/18, tinyurl.com/MCYellowCandles QUESTIONS: Jacob Kovel, 860-651-9366, [email protected] NOTE: USYers and 7th graders will help package SPONSOR: Men’s Club

Musical Treasure Trove Wednesday, April 22

12:00 – 3:00 PM With performances at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center and worldwide, acclaimed classical violinist Katie Lansdale will delight us with a variety of spirited and beautiful violin solos. As a special treat, Cantor Joseph Ness will be composing an original piece for the event!

COST: $10 for luncheon and concert RSVP: by 4/17, Sue Wachtel, 860-658-2116,

[email protected]; Allan Geetter, 860-651-8022, [email protected]

SPONSOR: Chai Society

What Judaism Says about God A Panel Discussion Thursday, March 19

7:00 PM

A panel of rabbis will discuss Jewish views of God, beginning with a presentation from the perspective of each movement, followed by the opportunity for discussion and questions. Yitzchok Adler, Beth David Synagogue – Orthodox Michael Pincus, Congregation Beth Israel – Reform Seth Riemer, Temple Beth Torah – Reconstructionist Jim Rosen, Beth El Temple – Conservative

LOCATION: Cong. Beth Israel, 701 Farmington Ave, WH

A Musical Tour Through Israel with Cantor Ness

August 11-20, 2020 Enjoy the music of Israel as well as a tour including Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Tsvat, the Galilee, the Hula Valley, Golan Heights, Haifa, Akko, Masada/Dead Sea, Sderot, and so much more! 8 nights in Israel (dinner/breakfast daily) 4* hotel/kibbutz with CTO Tours Shabbat in Jerusalem Singing with Micha Biton Visiting a Gaza border community Flights on El Al Bus between Beth El and Newark Air-conditioned bus; English speaking guide

INFORMATION: travel arrangements and tour guided with Sharon Efron, 860-559-4010, [email protected]

An Evening to Celebrate our very special times with

Rabbi Ilana Garber Cocktail and Dessert Reception Sunday, May 3 ~ 5:00 – 8:00 PM

Special program at 7pm with guest speaker: Rev. gretchen N. Sausville, MDiv

Now in Denver, she previously served as the Associate Pastor at Westminster Presbyterian Church in West Hartford, where she became actively involved in interfaith work, and friends with Rabbi Garber.

Event Co-Chairs: Diane Lieberfarb, Melissa Mentzer, and Karyn Schwartzer

Send us a special experience or picture that you or your family fondly remember with Rabbi Ilana Garber. We will collect all these wonderful stories and pictures and present them at the celebration.

COST: $36/adult, age 21 and over DRESS: business casual NOTE: dietary laws observed DIRECT QUESTIONS, SEND STORIES/PICTURES: by 4/17,

Judy Rosenthal, [email protected]

Enjoying Beth El


“And the Jewish people had light, joy, gladness and happiness.” ~ Book of Esther. Quoting the above and adding: “so may it be for us,” the Havdalah service

ends Shabbat. So much of Jewish life is embodied in these statements. The task in any generation is not only to be able to say, “so might we enjoy this kind of triumph and joy” but also to find ways of making our values come alive. Three recent events highlight this path at Beth El: First, the magnificent concert held in Hannover, Germany led by Cantor Joseph Ness (see the facing page): taking music from the classical cantorial tradition, arranging it for orchestra, combining it with a narration from Eli Wiesel‘s Night, and bringing it to a very diverse audience as a way of demonstrating the power of the Jewish experience for thousands to behold. Second, as part of the recent Scholar-in-Residence program, we held a Shabbat of Gathering. Helped by wonderful facilitators, Kessler Hall was filled with conversation: people making new friends, talking

about Jewish priorities and wishes, and how they hope to share them with their own families and friends. It was deeply moving and meaningful and it was a joy to behold. And finally, a remarkable Sunday morning where learners in our SULAM Bogrim (7th grade) class presented their Torah teachings that will be a part of their Bar and Bat Mitzvah celebrations. Each delivered a theme that gives all of us joy and hope about the Jewish future; we in the audience could tell that our kids “truly get it.” Jewishness is all about how we treat others – and the world around us – with dignity. It’s about bringing God into our lives in so many different ways. You’ll find their list on page 2. Soon all of us will be sitting around Passover tables. We will have the privilege of sharing the stories and memories of our liberation. What is the feast of freedom if not an opportunity to recall the light and joy that our people has shared in the past and by finding a way of declaring so let it be for all of us, now. It is happening in our community, and I hope it will happen in each of our lives. Wishing everyone a springtime of joy and hope and a true Chag Samaech.

~ Rabbi Jim Rosen

From the Rabbi’s Desk

With the variety of sports champion-ships upon us, we at Beth El need look no further to the four

fabulous MVP’s right in our midst. Our “Superstars” are Jose Batista, Head Custodian (’99), and his team: Shawn James (’02), Pablo Lopez, (’07) and Alberto Falcon (’12). Considering the more than 500 set-ups every year for scores of different events, meetings, holidays, and SULAM, these gentlemen make it all happen 24/7. The challenges in our aging building are constant; however, “Our Gentlemen” get the work done, all to perfection and

with sheer dedication to please our members, staff, and guests. I recently interviewed them and asked what they liked about working at Beth El. Interestingly, but modestly, they all said the same thing: “Beth El is our family, the job is different every day, it is not like working in a factory; we constantly learn new skills. We love the members, and we want to make them happy.” Hands down, the “love affair” is mutual. Jose, Shawn, Pablo, and Alberto always go the extra mile to make sure every single detail of our (everchanging) requests are addressed. They make it possible for us to have everything we need when and where we need

it! They truly care about getting their assignments right. They even taught me how to move a 6-foot table across the room in a minute’s time! Their pride in being part of our family is palpable. I know our trust and love for our “Fab Four” is reciprocal. So, the next time you see one of our MVPs, be sure to say Thank You, and shake the hand of a True Superstar.

~ Judy Rosenthal

Our Fab Four!

Shawn, Pablo, Jose, and Alberto

Reflections from the President

Cherishing, Sharing and Building for the Future


The Night Holocaust Concert was performed on January 27 in Hannover, Germany, at the end of the 13th Annual European Cantor’s Association Convention, held in commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz. It had premiered, one year earlier, to the day, in Kaliningrad, Russia. At each performance, the narration is spoken in the language of the country where it is being performed. The concert sets the words of Elie Wiesel to the music of cantor and composer Leib Glantz, composed and orchestrated by our own Cantor Joseph Ness. Excerpts from an interview with Cantor Joseph Ness How did this concert come about? JN: About five years ago I was approached by Jerry Glantz. He is the son of Leibele (Leib) Glantz, one of the great cantors of the 20th century. He asked me to take his father’s melodies and “internationalize”

them while maintaining the Jewish context, so that his father’s works could be understood and appreciated by mainstream symphony concert-goers.

Was that an easy task for you? JN: Not really, because Jerry told me that this music would be performed alongside a reading of excerpts from Night, a harrowing work by Elie Wiesel – about his experience with his father in the concentration camps at Auschwitz and Buchenwald in 1944-1945.

Why were you uncomfortable with this pairing of music and narration? JN: I have always disliked aesthetic statements about the Holocaust (Shoah). I didn’t want to use artful music or any positive event or lesson to give significance or “value” to that horrible time… Ultimately, I came to the conclusion that only two solutions were possible for me: one was to display the beauty and greatness of our Jewish culture that was,

for the most part, devastated by the Shoah; two was prayer, and that allowed me to pair the liturgy of Leibele Glantz and the reading from the Shoah.

What specifically did you do to the music of Leibele Glantz to give it more of that “international” feel as you were asked to do? JN: I changed the parameters by transposing those wonderful melodies and modes to settings for orchestra and chorus. For example, I took a prayer chanted as a solo by Cantor Glantz, and arranged it in unison and very powerfully for a choir of more than 100 voices along with the orchestra. This was, for me, a change from the solitude of the individual to the communal – using the same text and melody.

How did this concert happen in Hannover, Germany and how was it received? JN: In January of 2019 the concert was performed in Russia and Lithuania; members of the Hannover government were present and asked if it would be possible to hold this concert in Hannover. The concert hall in Hannover is the largest in Europe, holding 3600 seats, and the hall was sold out for the January 2020 performance! The narration of Night was by Sebastian Koch, a known German actor. The reaction by the audience was very strong – I was expecting polite applause, but there were over eight callbacks for those performers!

Cantor’s Corner - The Night Holocaust Concert

Cantor Ness, in Germany, addressing a crowd of

people who want to know what/how he composed

the music. Seated next to him is Jerry Glantz.

Cantor Ness with Maestro Arkadi Feldman the conductor of the music and Sasha Tzaliuk the conductor of the Moscow

Male Jewish Choir

Cantor Ness (3rd from left) taking bows with the orchestra, choir (above), soloists and conductors


Saturdays

Worshipping Together - Shabbat

Shabbat Yoga (all ages) MARCH 21 10:30 AM – NOON LEADERS: Rabbi Garber and Adriana

Matozzo An all-levels yoga class with Hebrew prayer, chanting and Jewish meditation.

Birthday Aliyah (all ages) MONTHLY: MARCH 7, APRIL 4, MAY 2

On the first Shabbat of the month, we celebrate that month's congregational birthdays with a special aliyah!

DURING THE MORNING TORAH SERVICE

Family Service & Lunch (families) MARCH 28, APRIL 25 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM NOTE: concludes with lunch and games RSVP: by noon 3/25, tinyurl.com/FamilyMarch28

by noon 4/22, tinyurl.com/FamilyApril25 SPONSOR: The Kest Family Fund, a named fund

within The Endowment Fund of Beth El Temple

We come together as a “family” for a combined service, bringing the best from Mazel Tots, Shabbat Club, and Beth El’s Community You Can Believe In to build our Shabbat family community.

Topics in Tefillah: an In-Depth Exploration of Prayer (adults)

MARCH 14 11:00 AM – NOON NOTE: this is a class, not an actual service; all

are welcome Designed for adults who wish to explore elements of Shabbat services with our rabbis.

Shabbat Club (K – 5, with parents)

WEEKLY 11:00 AM – NOON Games, puzzles, and more, plus occasional programming with our parent educators.

Mazel Tots (birth – K, with parents)

WEEKLY 11:00 AM – NOON Mazel Tots is the spot for kiddos on Shabbat mornings! Parent volunteers lead songs, prayers and stories.

Fridays

Shababa (8 & younger, with parents) MONTHLY: MARCH 20, APRIL 24 5:45 – 6:45 PM QUESTION: Rabbi Garber, [email protected] REGISTRATION: tinyurl.com/ShababaMarch;

tinyurl.com/ShababaApril NOTE: siblings and grandparents invited RSVP: encouraged for planning, not required

A fun, engaging “service” for our youngest generation. Experience the joy of Shabbat with dancing, singing, stories, prayers, and a free chicken nugget dinner.

Direct from NY: a Spirited B’nai Jeshurun-style Shabbat Service

APRIL 3 7:00 PM QUESTIONS: Cantor Ness, [email protected]

Come to an evening of singing, with guitar, clarinet, and accordion. This Erev Shabbat Service with virtuoso instrumental accompaniment will be in the style of the B'nai Jeshurun Synagogue in Manhattan. Music that hopefully brings us closer to God, to each other, and to our spiritual yearnings.

Shabbat of Gathering #2 Beth El’s first Shabbat of Gathering (SoG) was a great success. Our community came together and, with a big leap of faith, we sat with people we did not know. And while we munched on bagels, blintzes, and more, we shared, we listened, we put names and stories with faces. Even when the last notes of Birkat Hamazon were sung, many of us stayed at our tables, talking. The on-line survey reviews proved what we had seen: the vast majority loved the experience and wanted more! “Our table could have used more time. Can you push the mincha service even later?” “I loved the questions.” “The random seating led to great mixing.” “Even if you knew people, you came away with something about them you didn’t know.” We will be hosting another Shabbat of Gathering on Saturday, April 11. It’s during Pesach. If you attended our launch program, we hope you’ll come back for a festive Passover lunch and some wonderful conversation. And if you’re not a regular at Shabbat services, think about joining in. You never know who you’ll meet, and what new friends you’ll make.

INFORMATION: Lois Koteen, [email protected]; Judy Resnick, [email protected]


Candle Lighting & Havdalah Times

Shabbat Friday Saturday Mar 6-7 5:30 PM 6:29 PM Mar 13-14 6:38 PM 7:37 PM Mar 20-21 6:46 PM 7:45 PM Mar 27-28 6:54 PM 7:53 PM Apr 3-4 7:02 PM 8:01 PM Apr 10-11 7:09 PM 8:08 PM Apr 17-18 7:17 PM 8:16 PM Apr 24-25 May 1-2

7:25 PM 8:24 PM 7:32 PM 8:31 PM

Daily Minyan Shacharit Mon–Fri 7:00 AM Sun 8:45 AM Ma’ariv Sun–Thu 7:30 PM

Shabbat – Friday Kabbalat Shabbat 6:00 PM

Shabbat – Saturday Shacharit, Torah, & 9:30 AM Musaf Services Mincha Service 12:30 PM

Note: Special Minyan Time Sunday, March 22 6:30 PM

The Beth El Ritual Committee is pleased to announce our dedicated Shiva Minyan Captains and thank them in advance for embracing this meaningful initiative. Each captain will have a list of email addresses for people in their zip code. Should there be a need for a shiva minyan, they will email the information to their list. If you receive the email and can attend, simply let your Captain know and then show up at the house. You do not need to know the family to participate.

Underpinning everything we stand for at Beth El is this idea of supportive community: we lift each other up and in turn are, ourselves, lifted up. Just an hour of your time can make a real difference to someone in our community. Remember, in order to say the Mourner’s Kaddish during shiva, a minyan of 10 adults (post bar/bat mitzvah) is required; teens are welcome and invited. If you would like to become a Shiva Minyan Captain, or to confirm that you are on one of these lists, please contact Diane Lieberfarb, Ritual Chair, [email protected]. * Special thanks to Laurea Esau and Simone Upsey for their assistance!

Your Presence is the Gift of Community

06001 Avon David Diamond, Diane Lieberfarb, Russ Selzer 06002 Bloomfield Marsha Fisher, Richard Gutcheon 06032 Farmington/

Unionville Mark Schmidek, Bruce Sussman

06070 Simsbury Allan Geetter 06105 Hartford Sharon Neiberg 06107 West Hartford Sharon Efron, Sharon Gorlick, Jill Jones 06117 West Hartford Lois Koteen, Rachel Leventhal-Weiner,

Janel MacDermott, Ellen Sanders-Nirenstein 06119 West Hartford Susan Gluck

Mishloach Manot VOLUNTEER DELIVER: Sunday, March 8 REGISTER: tinyurl.com/BETPurimHelp

It's time to deliver hundreds of gifts to those who cannot pick them up. This is a fun chance to spread Purim cheer.

Purim Faire Extravaganza: A Purim Carnival with a Mitzvah Twist

SUNDAY, MARCH 1 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM SUGGESTED DONATION: $5/person VOLUNTEERS: needed to run booths, contact Liz LUNCH: items available for purchase ADULT-ONLY AREA: Pour’em Pub hosted by Men’s Club QUESTIONS: Liz DePalma, 860-233-9696,

[email protected]

Celebrating - Purim It’s a Disney Purim!

MONDAY, MARCH 9 5:30 PM Purim Pasta Bar Dinner

COST: $5/person, ages 3+ RSVP: tinyurl.com/PurimDinner2020, by 3/5, noon

6:15 PM Gantza Megillah Reading Bring boxes of pasta to shake and drown out Haman's name, and then to donate to the JFS kosher food pantry. Wear your costumes!

7:30 PM Evening Minyan

TUESDAY, MARCH 10 7:00 AM Morning Minyan, with Megillah

Reading

Worshipping Together - Shabbat & Daily


Celebrating - pre-Passover JCL Program: Walking the Passover Story

SUNDAY, MARCH 29 2:00 – 4:00 PM

Passover is the story of the Exodus of the Jews from slavery in Egypt. Nancy Rosen, with storyteller Sara deBeer, will lead our guests through different stations, including a story, Passover themed trivia, bingo, and delicious Passover nosh. All are welcome!

The Kveller Haggadah: A Seder for Curious Kids (and their Grownups) by Elissa Strauss and Gabrielle Birkner, illustrated by Hane Grace Yagel

Welcome to the Seder: A Passover Haggadah for Everyone by Rabbi Kerry M. Olitzky

and Rinat Gilboa

In Every Generation: A PJ Library Family Haggadah

Passover Haggadah Graphic Novel by Jordan B. Gorfinkel and Erez Zadok

The Gateways Haggadah: A Seder for the Whole Family by Rebecca Redner

HIAS Haggadah by Rachel Grant Meyer, illustrated by Hillel Smith (the

artist who visited us last year!)

Preparing - Passover - Haggadot recommendations from our Rabbis


Jessie’s Garden Horseradish Horseradish, grown in Jessie’s Garden, will be prepared in-house and available for purchase.

See page 13 for details.

Passover Calendar

TUES/WED, MARCH 31 & APRIL 1 4:00 PM Horseradish preparation

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - WEDNESDAY, APRIL 8

7:00 AM Fast of the First Born Service and Study Session, followed by breakfast

9:00 AM Deadline to Sell Chametz 7:07 PM Candle Lighting EVENING First Seder @ home

(no evening services)

THURSDAY, APRIL 9 9:30 AM Festival Morning Services

12:30 PM Festival Mincha Service 8:08 PM Candle Lighting EVENING Second Seder @ home

(no evening services)

FRIDAY, APRIL 10 9:30 AM Festival Morning

Services 6:00 PM Festival Mincha &

Kabbalat Shabbat Services 7:09 PM Candle Lighting

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - TUESDAY, APRIL 14

7:14 PM Candle Lighting 7:30 PM Mincha & Festival Ma’ariv Services

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15 9:30 AM Festival Morning Services 7:30 PM Festival Mincha & Ma’ariv Services

8:15 PM Candle Lighting

THURSDAY, APRIL 16 9:30 AM Festival Morning Services

11:00 AM Yizkor (approximate time)

7:30 PM Festival Mincha, Ma’ariv, Havdalah & end of Passover

Sponsored by Susan & Robert Gold in memory of Leo Gold z’’l

Preparing - Passover A mitzvah of Passover is the removal of all chametz (leaven), both physically and symbolically, and all that has had contact with chametz. Jewish law forbids eating (or even possessing) any food that can contain leaven. According to Jewish law, instruments that are used throughout the year absorb leaven and may not be used on Passover. In traditional households, it is customary to have special dishes that are only used during the Passover festival. See the next page for the process of kashering.

Bedikat Chametz – Search for Leaven In anticipation of Pesach, it is traditional to engage in a thorough spring cleaning. Then, a formal search takes place right after sundown on the night before Pesach. A blessing is said, and the search is done by candlelight or flashlight, with a small bag to sweep up the crumbs, usually with a feather. Since the house has already been cleaned thoroughly, it is customary to put crumbs in a few places where they can be easily found. The following morning, the leaven is burned (biur chametz). No chametz is the eaten until the end of Passover.

Mekhirat Chametz – Transfer of Ownership All chametz vessels (dishes, utensils, etc., and unopened food cartons or cans stored away during the Festival) should no longer legally be in one's possession. How do we achieve this in accordance with Jewish law? An agent is empowered to enact a transaction with someone not Jewish. The sale has to take legal form, using a formal bill of sale. All chametz remains in that person's "ownership." At the end of the holiday, the agent arranges for the reversion of ownership of the now-permitted chametz. If ownership of the chametz was not transferred before the holiday, the use of this chametz is prohibited after the holiday as well. You may observe this mitzvah by completing the form on page 23, or at tinyurl.com/BETChametz. The form must be returned before 9:00 am, Wed, April 8. Please consider a contribution to Maot Chitin (Passover Fund for the Needy) or Mazon (a Jewish Response to Hunger) – indicate your preference on the form. You might also donate unopened, nonperishable chametz to FoodShare.

For any additional questions or concerns, please contact one of our Rabbis.


Kashering Utensils for Passover The process of kashering depends on how the utensils are used. According to halakhah (Jewish law), leaven can be purged from a utensil by the same process in which it was absorbed in the utensil (ke-voleo kakh poleto). Therefore, utensils used in cooking are kashered by boiling, those used in broiling are kashered by fire and heat, and those used only for cold food are kashered by rinsing. EARTHENWARE (china, pottery, etc.) may NOT be kashered. Exception: fine translucent chinaware which has not been used for over a year may be used if scoured and cleaned in hot water. METAL (wholly made of metal) Utensils used in fire (spit, broiler) must first be thoroughly scrubbed and cleansed and then made as hot as possible. Those used for cooking or eating (silverware, pots) must be thoroughly scrubbed and cleaned and completely immersed in boiling water. Pots should not be used for a period of at least 24 hours between the cleaning and the immersion in boiling water. Metal baking utensils can NOT be kashered.

OVENS AND RANGES: Every part that comes in contact with food must be thoroughly scrubbed and cleaned. Then, oven and range should be heated as hot as possible for a half hour. If there is a broil setting, use it. Self-cleaning ovens should be scrubbed and cleaned and then put through the self-cleaning cycle. Continuous cleaning ovens must be kashered in the same manner as regular ovens.

SMOOTH GLASS TOP ELECTRIC RANGES should be cleaned thoroughly, and then turn on the coils to maximum heat until they are red hot. Carefully, pour boiling water on the entire surface area. Note: Some will not be able to be kashered.

Passover MICROWAVE OVENS which do not cook the food by means of heat should be cleaned, then a cup of water placed inside, and the oven turned on until the water disappears. Note: A microwave oven that has a browning element can NOT be kashered for Pesach.

GLASSWARE requires only a thorough scrubbing before Pesach, or putting them through a dishwasher. Some also soak in water for three days, changing the water every 24 hours. Glass Cookware: After a thorough cleansing, there should be water boiled in them which will overflow the rim. Note: Glass Bakeware, like metal bakeware, may NOT be kashered.

DISHWASHER After not using the machine for a period of 24 hours, a full cycle with detergent should be run. ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES If the parts that come into contact with chametz are removable, they can be kashered in the appropriate way (if metal, follow the rules for metal utensils). All exposed parts should be thoroughly cleaned. Note: If the parts are not removable, the appliance can NOT be kashered.

TABLES, CLOSETS AND COUNTERS If used with chametz, they should be thoroughly cleaned and covered, and then they may be used. KITCHEN SINK A metal sink can be kashered by thoroughly cleaning and then pouring boiling water over it. A porcelain sink should be cleaned and a sink rack used. Dishes may NOT be soaked in a porcelain sink. CHAMETZ AND NON-PASSOVER UTENSILS Non-Passover dishes, pots, and chametz whose ownership has been transferred, should be separated, locked up or covered, and marked in order to prevent accidental use.

Guidelines for Permitted and Prohibited Items PERMITTED FOODS may require a Kosher le-Pesach label, and it may differ if purchased before or during the holiday: NO label if purchased PRIOR to Pesach: unopened packages or containers of natural coffee without cereal additives; sugar, pure tea (not herbal tea); salt (not iodized); pepper; natural spices; frozen fruit juices with no additives; frozen (uncooked) vegetables (for legumes, see Kitniyot); milk; butter; cottage cheese; cream cheese; ripened cheeses such as cheddar (hard), muenster (semi-soft) and Camembert (soft); frozen (uncooked) fruit (with no additives); baking soda. NO label if purchased PRIOR or DURING Pesach: fresh fruits and vegetables (for legumes, see Kitniyot, right), eggs, fresh fish, and fresh meat. NEED label if purchased PRIOR or DURING Pesach: all baked products (matzah, cakes, matzah flour, farfel, matzah meal, and any products containing matzah); canned or bottled fruit juices; canned tuna; wine, vinegar, liquor, oils, dried fruits, candy, chocolate flavored milk, ice cream, yogurt, soda. NEED label if purchased DURING Pesach: processed foods (canned, bottled, or frozen): milk, butter, juices, vegetables, fruit, milk products, spices, coffee, tea, and fish.

PROHIBITED FOODS include the following: leavened bread, cakes, biscuits, crackers, cereal, coffees containing cereal derivatives, wheat, barley, oats, spelt, rye, and all liquids containing ingredients or flavors made from grain alcohol. KITNIYOT: Most Ashkenazic authorities have added the following foods to the above list: Rice, corn, millet, legumes (beans and peas); however, string beans are permitted. Peanuts and peanut oil are permissible. We permit the use of legumes in a form other than their natural state, for example, corn sweeteners, corn oil, soy oil. Sephardic authorities also permit the use of all of the above. For an alternative perspective on the use of legumes, see www.rabbinicalassembly.org/sites/default/files/public/halakhah/teshuvot/2011-2020/Levin-Reisner-Kitniyot.pdf; or contact one of the Beth El Rabbis for further information. MEDICINE: Chametz binders are used in many pills, but if required for life sustaining therapy, and general medical health, they may be used. In all cases, capsules are preferable to pills.


Yom HaShoah Holocaust

Remembrance Day begins Monday eve,

April 20 We light a yellow candle and remember those who perished in the Holocaust. The full name is Yom HaShoah ve’HaGevurah – Day of Remembrance of the Holocaust and Heroism – and that is indeed what it is. May the memories of those who perished in the Holocaust always be a blessing. And may we continue to honor those who bravely stood up to those who sought to destroy us.

In the Community

42nd Annual Holocaust Commemoration FRIDAY, APRIL 17, 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM LOCATION: State Capitol, 210 Capitol Ave, Hartford CONTACT: Kathy Fishman 860-808-9108,

[email protected] SPONSORS: Voices of Hope; JFACT; the United Jewish

Federation of Gr. Stamford, New Canaan, Darien The Commemoration is at 10:00 followed by lunch for Holocaust survivors and elected officials.

Community-Wide Yom Hashoah Commemoration Ceremony

SUNDAY, APRIL 26, 6:00 – 9:00 PM LOCATION: The Emanuel Synagogue,

160 Mohegan Drive, West Hartford CONTACT: Donna Goldstein,

[email protected] Reading of the Names begins at 6:00pm. Commemoration begins at 7:00pm.

Community-Wide Reading of the Names MONDAY, APRIL 27, 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM LOCATION: Mandell JCC, 335 Bloomfield Ave,

West Hartford CONTACT: Kathy Fishman, 860-808-9108,

[email protected] Light a candle to honor the memory of the six million.

Men’s Club will package candles at their breakfast program on March 22. Candles will be handed out to

SULAM families and mailed to all other families with CT addresses.

Donations can be made payable to Beth El Men’s Club; note “Yellow Candles” in the memo. All profits go directly to the Camp Ramah Scholarship Fund.

Observing Together - Modern Holidays Yom HaZikaron

Israel’s Memorial Day for Fallen Soldiers & Victims of Terror

begins Monday eve, April 27 Unlike our Memorial Day in the U.S. with parades, sales, and BBQs, in Israel it is a somber day with ceremonies to honor those who fought to protect the State and People of Israel. Everyone in Israel has lost someone in a war or terror attack, or knows someone who lost someone. Even the music on the radio is sad. Take time on this day to read about Israeli soldiers or to support a chayal boded, a “lone soldier” who made aliyah to Israel and fights for his/her adopted country.

Yom HaZikaron Memorial Serivce MONDAY, APRIL 27, 7:00 PM LOCATION: Mandell JCC, 335 Bloomfield Ave, WH

In the Community

Yom HaAtzmaut Israel’s Independence Day begins Tuesday eve, April 28

Yom HaZikaron ends in true Israeli fashion: with the beginning of this special day of parties, parades, bonfires, and more – Israelis know how

to celebrate. Wear blue and white, eat falafel, buy Israeli products, and make a donation to an Israeli charity as you celebrate Israel on this day.

Reflections & Celebration: Communal Yom HaAtzmaut Mesiba (party)

TUESDAY, APRIL 28, 5:00 – 9:00 PM

Mark the transition between Israel's Remembrance Independence days with songs, reflections, and an exciting mesiba with free food, live music, and lots more fun for the whole family!

CONTACT: Tuvia Brander, [email protected] PARTNERS: Young Israel of West Hartford, Mandell

JCC, Jewish Fed. of Gr. Hartford, New England Jewish Academy, Solomon Schechter Day School

In the Community


Updates from Israel, part 1 Latest Developments in Cancer Research, Revitalizing the Land, and teen Robotics

THURSDAY, APRIL 2 7:00 PM COST: $18 REFRESHMENTS: Israeli wines and kosher cheeses REGISTER: tinyurl.com/IsraelUpdate1 QUESTIONS: Sharon Efron, [email protected];

Robin Santiago, [email protected] SPONSOR: Israel Engagement Committee

Our guest speakers are: Dr. Mark Israel, National Executive Director

of the Israel Cancer Research Fund (ICRF) Dar Nadler, Jewish National Fund (JNF) Haim Dribin and his “Roboneer” students

from the Misgav Regional High School will demonstrate their robots and discuss life in Northern Israel

See page 15 for more information about all three organizations.

Lifelong Learning Library Corner

From Addiction to Israeli Historical Fiction Roberta J. Buland

Rabbi Richard L. Eisenberg’s Judaism, Addiction and Recovery: A Spiritual and Faith-Based Approach presents a Jewish perspective on chemical dependence. A pulpit rabbi for more than 35 years and recent guest at Beth El, Rabbi Eisenberg is a certified addiction counselor. He wrote the book as a wake-up call to the

Jewish community. His approach draws upon models that extend beyond the 12-step philosophy. His spiritual, faith-based outlook offers different ways of understanding the phenomena of addiction and recovery, allowing fresh concepts to emerge from the fog of addiction and its effects. Using Jewish texts and the author’s professional clinical experience, the book invites individuals, families and communities, whether Jewish or not, to find helpful direction in the wake of a growing personal and public health crisis. Promised Land: A Novel of Israel is by Martin Fletcher, former head of NBC TV’s Tel Aviv News Bureau. This sweeping epic, reminiscent of Leon Uris’s Exodus, is a moving story of triumph and tragedy, new love and historic hate, expertly told by a cast of unforgettable characters. Two German Jewish brothers, who lost their family in the Holocaust, are driven apart by their love for the same woman in the fledgling state of Israel. Although fiction, this page-turner reads like a historical text. Peter, the older brother, who at age 14 escaped the Nazis, earned a Silver Star with the U.S. Army during World War II and was drafted by the OSS, becomes a top undercover agent for Mossad. His sibling, Arie, who survived the German death camp to which he was sent through his SS–pleasing ability to batter fellow Jews in the boxing ring, is a wealthy but cutthroat Tel Aviv builder. The brothers grow apart after Arie woos and marries Tamara, a beautiful Jewish refugee from Cairo, with whom Peter had a brief, meaningful affair. Peter marries Diana, a British journalist he recruits as an operative for Reuven Shiloah, first director of Mossad. Fletcher knows his Middle East history and charts complicated international politics and Israel's secret campaign against Nazi war criminals. The book is available in local libraries.

Ongoing Weekly Adult Classes New participants welcome! No registration, no charge.

Lunch & Learn TUESDAYS 12:00 – 1:00 PM BYOL: bring your own dairy lunch, optional

Talmud Study WEDNESDAYS 10:15 – 11:15 AM CONTACT: Steve Stier, [email protected] NOTE: not meeting 4/15

Bible & Breakfast THURSDAYS

NOTE: not meeting 4/9, 4/16

Pirkei Avot Study SATURDAYS 8:30 – 9:30 AM

No prior knowledge necessary.

8:00 – 9:00 AM

Library Corner provides information about books in our library. Books are reviewed rather than critiqued. To request that a book be reviewed, please contact [email protected].


3-Season Opportunities

Both of these outdoor activities make great bar/t mitzvah projects. Volunteers are invited to come with friends, as a family, or solo.

Jessie’s Community Garden at BET Fresh organic produce for the Kosher Food Pantry and other Hartford-area food banks

VOLUNTERING/SCHEDULING: Betty Hoffman, 860-233-4853, [email protected]

GARDENING: Herb Hoffman, 860-233-4853, [email protected]

NOTE: no experience necessary; we teach There might be snow on the ground, but we are looking forward to working in this vegetable garden established by the Kostin family, longtime Beth El members, in memory of their daughter, Jessica. Please join us for this worthwhile project. We are looking for gardeners to weed, water, pick, and drive veggies to JFS. Whatever fits your interest and schedule will work for us. We plan to prepare the soil and plant on a Sunday in early May and are looking forward to another good gardening season with a bountiful harvest for JFS.

Garden Beautification Committee Gardening has been shown

to lengthen your life! CONTACT: Sheila Fox, 860-828-3939;

Alison Demarest, 860-810-2084, [email protected]; Robin Santiago, 860-490-7661, [email protected]

NOTE: no experience necessary DONATIONS INVITED: garden tools you are no

longer using: wheel barrows, trowels, hoses, pots, and garden decorations – in good condition please!

Spring is coming and that means garden time! We tend to the plantings and flower beds all around the building and are open to all helpers for watering, planting, weeding, and more.

Monthly Programs

Charter Oak Project MARCH 8/11, MAY 17/21

5:00 – 7:00 PM WED/THUR Serve, Burr Elementary School 400 Wethersfield Ave, Hartford CONTACT:

Cook: Adam Schuyler, [email protected]; Serve: Myra & Bill Kleinman, 860-508-3672,

[email protected], [email protected] NOTE: children 12+ are welcome with an adult NOTE: not meeting in April

9:00 – 11:00 AM SUNDAYS Cook at Beth El

We provide meals for children participating in an after-school music program and their families.

Loaves & Fishes Soup Kitchen FIRST MONDAY OF THE MONTH:

MARCH 2, APRIL 6, MAY 4 10:00 AM – 12:45 PM LOCATION: Immanuel Church, Woodland St, Hartford CONTACT: Ellen Solomon, [email protected]

KNITzvah Group SUNDAYS: MARCH 15, APRIL 26, MAY 17 10:00 – 11:30 AM CONTACT: BJ & Fran, [email protected]

If you knit or crochet, join us. We chat and schmooze while creating something useful to be donated to local charities for people who need a little “extra love.”

Jessie’s Garden Horseradish Farm-to-table horseradish is grown in our own Jessie’s Garden, prepared in our kitchen, and available for your Seder table.

COST: $6/5oz. bottle, available beginning April 1, while supplies last

RESERVE A JAR: Temple office or tinyurl.com/HorseradishBET

Making Horseradish TUESDAY & WEDNESDAY, MARCH 31 & APRIL 1 4:00 – 5:00 PM

CONTACT: Dan Kulakofsky, [email protected] NOTE: limited space for adults, check with Dan

Come cry with us! SULAM Learners prepare our horseradish and connect with the Passover holiday. They gain a different appreciation for the bitterness of slavery as everyone sheds tears. (goggles optional)

Doing Mitzvot


Engaging Generations Mazal Tov! and Appreciation for Sponsoring a Kiddush or Lunch Eisen family, in honor of Jeremy's Bar Mitzvah Gavens family, in honor of Annette & Sy z’’l Gavens’ 68th wedding

anniversary Wachtel & Chessari families, in honor of Shirley Wachtel's 96th

birthday Debbie & Richard Gutcheon in honor of Richard's chanting Bar

Mitzvah Haftarah Leigh Newman & Gary Starr, in honor of Gary's special birthday Schuyler family, in honor of Ari's Bar Mitzvah “Shabbat Club” & “Mazel Tots”

Congratulations Sarah & Lucas Benchaya, on birth of daughter, Rachel Bobby & David Klau, on birth of grandson, Levi Starr Klau Libby & Matthew Wentworth, on birth of daughter, Sylvie

If you would like to share your Simchas and Sorrows with the Beth El Community, please send your Life Cycle announce-ments to Laurea in the Office: [email protected].

Of Blessed Memory Barbara (Bobbe) Basch Warren Brook, husband of Sandra, father of

Sherri Brook Robert Coppa, son-in-law of Doris Konover Seymour Gavens, husband of Annette Gavens Maxim Icaak Kovel, father of Jacob Kovel Adam Leshem, husband of Alice, father of Jerry

Leshem, Ed Leshem, and Steve Leshem Annette Rosin Levine Rochelle Silver Lurie, sister of Andrea Hotes Ronald Bertram Meyer, brother of Debbie

Kleinman Anita McGuire, mother of Loren Gelber Fannie Noveck, mother of Trudy Lerer Muriel Poriss, mother of Karen Rosen Judith Rosen, mother of Bobbie Schilberg Marilyn (Devorah) Rubin, wife of Herman Ethel Siegelbaum Leonard Wasserman, husband of Janice

Wasserman

Bar and Bat Mitzvah Celebrations Sari Rachel Goldstein March 7, 2020 Sari, daughter of Deborah & Scott Goldstein of West Hartford, sister of Samantha and Olivia, granddaughter of Brenda & Gerald Canter from Longmeadow, MA, Deborah Goldstein & Keith Ahronheim from Palm

Beach Gardens, and Stewart Goldstein from West Hartford, is a 7th grader at King Philip Middle School. Sari has been volunteering at the Hebrew Center as her Mitzvah Project.

Sam Maxwell Shefsky March 14, 2020 Sam, son of Deena Samberg-Shefsky & Doug Shefsky of West Hartford, brother of Jordan, grandson of Barbara & Ira Samberg from West Hartford, Natalie & Lloyd Shefsky from Highland Park and Boca Raton, and Joyce

Levy Shefsky z’’l, is a 7th grader at King Philip Middle School. Sam collected “wish list” gifts for the Jewish Family Services holiday gift drive and along with several friends, sorted, wrapped, and delivered almost 100 gifts for JFS clients.

Alexander Ethan Braunstein March 28, 2020 Alex, son of Meryl & Scott Braunstein of Avon, brother of Koby and Hallie, grandson of Joyce & Andrew Mandell from West Harford, Marcia Lederberg of Sun City, FL, and Robert Braunstein of Avon, is a 7th

grader at Kingswood Oxford School. Alex is raising money to support kids fighting cancer by participating in PJ Day for the Kids, a fundraiser where all proceeds benefit the Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders at Connecticut Children’s Medical Center.

Davyn Isabel Gottfried April 4, 2020 Davyn, daughter of Michele & Daniel Gottfried of Avon, sister of Elijah and Avi, granddaughter of Deborah & Irwin Meslin from West Palm Beach, Nancy & Dennis Gottfried from

Harwinton, CT, and Diane Blake Gottfried z’’l, is a 7th grader at Avon Middle School. She is playing guitar and singing around Hartford ("panhandling") to raise money for Journey Home, a non-profit that is committed to ending chronic homelessness in the Greater Hartford area.

Benjamin Frank DiBella April 25, 2020 Ben, son of Kimberly & Jason DiBella of West Hartford, brother of Kayla, grandson of Dorie & Randy z’’l Bobrow from West Hartford and Nancy & Frank z’’l Shuch from West

Hartford is a 7th grader at King Philip Middle School. For his mitzvah project he is raising money and collecting supplies and necessities for a homeless shelter.

Tessa Brown May 2, 2020 Tessa, daughter of Betsy Brown and Sara Goldfarb & Seth Brown, sister of Ella, Gabrielle, and Rose, granddaughter of Karen & Sid Kaye and Barbara & David Brown, all from

West Hartford is a 7th grader at King Philip. Her mitzvah project is a Book Drive for Journey Home.

Information on Bar and Bat Mitzvah celebrations is available from the Temple Office.


Established in 1975, the ICRF supports cancer research in Israel. It has provided nearly

2500 grants to outstanding researchers in leading research institutions, universities, and hospitals across Israel. Israel has become a major source of innovation in the understanding and treatment of cancer. ICRF-funded researchers have developed improved chemotherapies, advanced techniques in bone marrow transplantation, and an enhanced understanding of tumor suppressor genes.

The ICRF arose from the vision of Dr. Daniel G. Miller who observed the exodus of talented Israeli scientists, due to a severe lack of funding….and the opportunity to stem that exodus by providing financial support to those brilliant women and men to enable them to remain in Israel and harness her rich resources for cancer research. Backed by a group of American and Canadian medical researchers, oncologists, and lay people who shared that commitment, the ICRF was born. www.icrfonline.org

The JNF is much more than planting trees! Unique, strategic, and visionary, JNF was founded in 1901 and is dedicated to building a

prosperous future for the land and people of Israel. Its long term vision has grown to include building new communities in the desert, expanding the scope of river and rehabilitation and water research, exploring energy production, increasing the population in northern Israel, and providing new economic development opportunities for tourism, employment, education, and housing.

Every project, initiative, and campaign of JNF is integral to their vision of building and connecting to the land. JNF plants trees, builds houses and parks, sources water solutions, and buys fire trucks. Through a variety of initiatives and partnerships, JNF is providing state-of-the-art rehabilitative services, special education, and medical care in areas where they were previously unavailable. Beyond the medical, they are also ensuring that recreational facilities, including forests, parks, picnic areas, playgrounds, and nature trails, are inclusive for visitors of all ability levels.

Last year, Emek HaShalom, a fully accessible nature preserve that’s completely wheelchair friendly, welcomed one million visitors – including many of the 35,000 citizens with special needs. jnf.org

Israel Engagement Committee

COMMITTEE CO-CHAIRS: Sharon Efron, [email protected] Robin Santiago, [email protected]

Hosting Israeli High School Students for the Annual Robotics Competition at Trinity College

TUESDAY-MONDAY, MARCH 31-APRIL 6: Hosting FRIDAY-SUNDAY, APRIL 4-5: Competition

Beth El and Emanuel families will again be hosting Israeli high school students and their teachers from Misgav, including Haim Dribin who just won Teacher of the Year in Israel! All are encouraged to come support these teens at the competition; they have been successfully participating for many years. They are the wave of the future. Good luck team Israel! trinityrobotcontest.org At the April 2 program, they will explain the Robotics competition and demonstrate their robots. They will also talk about life in Northern Israel and preparing to join the army in a year.

CONTACT: Sharon Efron, 860-559-4010, [email protected]

Aaron Ciechanover, MD, DSc (right) and Avram

Hershko, MD, PhD (left) became the first Israelis

to win the “Nobel Prize in Chemistry” in 2004 for

discovery of the Ubiquitin System, the body’s

method of removing damaged proteins.

Passionate about the inclusion of people with disabilities and

special needs into the fabric of life in Israel.

JNF has built 250 reservoirs in Israel for

recycled and runoff water.

Come learn more about all three on April 2. See page 12 for details.

Updates on Israel, #1


X-mas Day Mitzvah Day 2019 It was a wonderful day that brought smiles to many people. Many thanks to all our wonderful volunteers. Looking forward to X-Mas Day Mitzvah Day 2020!

~ Marci Alter & Ronit Shoham

Recognizing our Volunteers

Jonathan Alter Avi Bluestone Noah Bluestone Marcia Guzy Diane Lieberfarb

Marvin Sperling

Sidra Sperling Honey Sue

Springut

Hebrew Center for Health &

Rehabilitation West Hartford

Lewis Cohen Jay Cudrin Rae Gutcheon Gilda Liebowitz Mina Nemirow Amy Raider David Rosenthal Judy Rosenthal Scott Shoham

Holiday Meals Delivery Program,

Salvation Army, Hartford

USY Regional Winter Kallah February 7-9

Leah & Rabbi Steve Chatinover

Beth Polebaum & Cantor Sanford Cohn

Myra Emrick Barbara & Jonathan Fink Carolyn & Andrew Ganeles Rabbi Ilana Garber &

Adam Berkowitz Rachel & Spencer Glantz Andrea Cheatham Kasper

& Jacob Kasper Beth & Bernard Kavaler

Arielle Kay Allen & Judy Kronick Stephanie & Justin Kudler Lisa & Mike Lenkiewicz Janel & Kevin MacDermott Natalee & Erik Martin Becca & Eric Maurer Regina & Don Miller Tamar Mor Barbara & Mark Nachtigal Mina & Barry Nemirow Bethany & Gil Peri Marjorie Rednor

Jane Wadler & Marc Resnick

Nancy & Rabbi Jim Rosen Judy & David Rosenthal Karen & Phil Schlossberg Elizabeth & Adam

Simmons Debbie Chamides &

Rabbi David Small Linda & Bruce Stanger Reesa Olins &

Robert Teitelman Gayle & Steve Temkin

Karen & Alan Tuvin Joe Ward Sarah Willen &

Sebastian Wogenstein

Debbie & Paul Bettan and their staff at Joy of Food

Our hosts at The Emanuel Synagogue:

Kitchen Crew Custodial Staff Mel Simon and Lay Staff Joyce and professional staff

Waste Not Want Not South Congregational Church, Granby

Becky Azia Jeff Azia Sherri Brook Jeff Factor

Lauren Factor Susan Factor Clare Gatta Allyson Storch Jessica Storch

Abigail Tulchinsky Amir Tulchinsky Gabriella Tulchinsky Sophie Tulchinsky

The Retreat Assisted Living, Hartford

Bill Kleinman Lois Koteen Len Oremland

Matthew Oremland Rachel Oremland Robin Oremland

Hilary Silver Marge Swaye Ricky Swaye

USY thanks all the adult volunteers and hosts that helped make this event such a success!


West Hartford United Synagogue Youth

Shabbat Through the Decades Series FRIDAYS: MARCH 6 1920s APRIL 3 1980s (with the Israeli teens visiting

for the Robotics Competition) MAY 15 Future!

This year, we are celebrating six amazing decades with delicious food from the Crown Market and themes to make each a fun night.

LOCATIONS: TBA COST: $13/student/dinner (inc. with Premier)

Jr. USY Wednesdays MONTHLY: MARCH 18, APRIL 22, MAY 13

6-8 graders are invited for fun, engaging programs – always with a side of social action and food.

LOCATION: The Emanuel Synagogue 2:45 – 3:45 PM

Package Yellow Candles SUNDAY, MARCH 22 10:30 AM

We will assist the Men’s Club in packaging the Yellow Candles for Yom HaShoah

Making Connections

Men’s Club

To help sponsor a breakfast program: MINIMUM CONTRIBUTION: $36 CONTACT: Bruce Shein, 860-677-8300, [email protected]

Men’s Club Shabbat SATURDAY, APRIL 18 9:30 AM – NOON NOTE: luncheon follows; sponsored by Men’s Club

Men’s Club members will lead services, read Torah, and chant Haftarah.

Walk Around the Reservoir TUESDAYS & THURSDAYS 9:15 AM LOCATION: Route 4 Reservoir, meet in parking lot CONTACT: Stu Bernstein, 860-232-2012,

[email protected]

Spotlight on a Member We know Myra Stanfield as an outstanding SULAM learner. Her friends at Norfeldt know her as a smart and kind fifth grader, friendly to all. Her brother Simon knows her as a partner in shenanigans. Her moms, Beth El board member Sandy Stanfield & Laurie Stanfield, and Cindy

Stanfield, know her as a thoughtful, compassionate, often hilarious daughter. Now the rest of Connecticut knows her as the state’s 2020 Kid Governor. On January 17, Myra was officially sworn in to her new role by Secretary of State Denise Merrill, with Governor Ned Lamont, Lieutenant Governor Susan Bysewicz, West Hartford Mayor Shari Cantor and multiple other luminaries looking on. Myra ran on a platform against animal abuse and wants to make an imprint on the value of kindness to and protection of animals, giving a voice to those who

don’t have their own. Myra will be raising awareness and funds for animals in need during her year as the 2020 CT Kid Governor. One of the high points of the year will be a statewide pet adoption that will take place this August at the Old State House, where Myra has her office. In this year’s election for CT Kid Governor, multiple candidates ran and over 6,000 fifth grade students across CT voted. Six other finalists in the race make up Myra’s cabinet. They are kids from different towns across CT, all with different philanthropic platforms. Myra and her cabinet will meet every other month. Look for Myra to share her ideas as a Shabbat morning guest speaker on June 20 and look for her out in the community, standing up for animals in need.

Myra Stanfield, CT Kid Governor


Cantor’s Music Fund in Appreciation of Cantor Ness – Vicki & Leonard Eisenfeld,

Barbara & Robert Green, Michele & Dane Kostin, Joanne & Saul Pasternack, Marilyn & Herman Rubin, Larry Scherzer, Susanne Shrader, Pamela & Kenneth Simon

in Honor of Engagement of Stephanie Belsky, daughter

of Patti & Howard Weiner, to Rabbi Jeff Stombaugh – Shelley & Michael Barker

Special birthday of Elisa Wagner – Barbara & David Brown, Alison & Alan Gittleman

Cantor Ness’ participation in the Emanuel Cantor’s Celebration – Janet & Steve Selden

Cantor Ness and his music team for their great work – Julie & Mark Wolman

in Memory of Maxim Kovel, father of Jacob – Barbara &

David Klau Gerald Gelles, father of David – Annette &

Jack Levine Charlotte Bazer – Roberta & Marvin

Smith Leonard Wasserman – Jan Wasserman &

Family for the Yahrzeit of Sarah Vogelhut, mother; Della & Leo

Diamond, parents – Lorraine & Farrel Vogelhut

Education Fund in Appreciation of Rabbi Sowalsky – Barbara Barshay in Memory of Michael DeRosa, husband of Marlene;

Marcia Goldberg, mother of Leonard – Barbara Barshay

Rochelle Lurie, sister of Andrea Hotes – Barbara & Robert Green

Camp Ramah Fund in Honor of 100th birthday of Elsie Farber, mother of

Nancy Rosen – Barbara & Robert Green in Memory of Barbara Basch – Georgianne, Jonathan,

Benjamin & Samantha Cohen for the Yahrzeit of Ben Hittleman, father; Edward Hittleman,

brother; Arlene Lewis, mother – Bonnie & Paul Lewis

Sidney A Kaplan, father – Deborah Kaplan Polivy

Friends of Ari Santiago Temple Accessibility Fund

in Memory of Dr. Arnold Eisenfeld, brother of Leonard;

Jean Weil, mother of Michele Kostin – Sheila & Howard Mark

for the Yahrzeit of Harry Mark, grandfather – Robin & Rafi

Santiago Rabbi Garber’s Discretionary Fund

in Appreciation of Rabbi Garber – Gerry Garfield & Whitney

Whitaker, Susan & Paul Goldberg, Barbara & Robert Green, Janel & Kevin MacDermott

Taste of Shabbat Fund in Honor of 85th birthdays of Michael Cohen & David

Klau – the Cohen & Klau families Yom Kippur Aliyah – Sarah Willen &

Sebastian Wogenstein in Memory of Anita McGuire, mother of Loren Gelber –

Meryl & Mitchell Danitz Youth Activities Fund

Wishing a Speedy Recovery to Alan Rothstein – Patricia deWolfe

Rabbi Rosen’s Discretionary Fund in Appreciation of Rabbi Rosen – Lauren Beck & Brett

Heimov, Barbara & Robert Green, Michele & Dane Kostin, Jane & Andrew Schachter, Jed Schulman, Judith & Joel Weisman

Dr. Scott Dolin, Dr. Mark Shekhman & Dr. Steven Shichman – Shelley & Michael Barker

in Honor of 100th birthday of Elsie Farber, mother of

Nancy Rosen – Jeanne & Marshall Elman

Birthday Aliyah – Marcia & David Waitzman

in Memory of Randy Bobrow – the Bobrow family, Kim

& Jason DiBella, Mindy & Jeremy Jason Warren Brook, husband of Sandra – Jan &

Syd Elkin, Annette & Seymour z’’l Gavens, Gerri Gold, Meryl & Elliott Rosenberg, Judith & Joel Weisman

Irma Golfin, mother of Gary Rubin – Nancy & Spencer Erman, Cheryl & John Hinze

Charlotte Bazer – Korine & Ron Ferraro, Phyllis & David Klaben

Dr. Arnold Eisenfeld, brother of Leonard; Jean Weil, mother of Michele Kostin – Barbara & Robert Green

Wendy Schulman, wife of Jed – Karen Katz

Rochelle Lurie, sister of Andrea Hotes – Arlene & Lenny Lippman, Joanne & Arthur Rome, Lorraine & Farrel Vogelhut

Leonard Wasserman, husband of Jan – Meryl & Elliott Rosenberg

Herschel Howard Mattes, brother of Estelle Sherry; Beatrice Margolis, mother of Jerry, grandmother of Scott, sister of Florence Shakun & Joel Weisman – Sandra & Marshall Rulnick, Deborah Schimel

Maxim Kovel, father of Jacob – Shirley Wachtel

Leonard Wasserman – Jan Wasserman & family

for the Yahrzeit of Ruth Gartner, mother – Bill Gartner Alice Kleinberg, mother – Maura

Nemirow Danielle Rothstein, daughter – Andrea &

Lance Rothstein Tsedakah/Chesed Fund

in Honor of Craig Diamond for his many years of

leading the Charter Oak Cooking Initiative – Beth El Charter Oak Group

in Memory of Rochelle Lurie, sister of Andrea Hotes –

Michelle, Josh, Emma & James Vogelhut

We deeply appreciate the following Thoughtful Contributions.

Supporting Beth El

BETH EL TEMPLE CRAFT GALLERY Come browse our collection of hand-selected items from some of Israel’s top artists as well as artisans throughout the United States. From menorahs to mezuzahs, jewelry to Judaica, tallit to tzedakah boxes, the Craft Gallery is here to support your needs. We also offer Seder Plates in a wide variety of styles and materials.

OPEN: Sundays, 9:00 – 11:30AM (when SULAM is in session)

NOTE: proceeds benefit the synagogue and we are staffed through the generosity of our volunteers

APPOINTMENTS: Shelley Barker, 860-232-6468; Jill Jones, 860-236-7895


Chai Society in Memory of Dr. Arnold Eisenfeld, brother of Leonard

– Roberta & Marvin Smith Temple Fund

in Appreciation of Rabbi Rosen – Vicki & Leonard Eisenfeld Rabbi Rosen, Rabbi Garber, Rabbi

Sowalsky & Cantor Ness – Debbie & Richard Gutcheon

Rabbi Rosen, Rabbi Garber, Rabbi Sowalsky & Cantor Ness for their time and patient guidance in preparing Ethan & Ava for b’nei mitzvah – the Leshem family

in Honor of 68th wedding anniversary of Annette &

Seymour z’’l Gavens – Joyce Flescher, Matthew Friedman

Special birthday of Farrel Vogelhut – Miriam Lappen

70th birthday of Uzi Lior – Diane & Richard Lieberfarb

60th wedding anniversary of Harriet & Jerry Gilson – Gilda Liebowitz

Nancy & Rabbi James Rosen and family – Bernice Matty

in Memory of Jonathan Daniel Schulman – Marjorie &

Bruce Abel Herschel Howard Mattes, brother of

Estelle Sherry – Betty Garber Gerri Sack – Faith Gay Dr. Arnold Eisenfeld, brother of Leonard

– Shera & David Golder Charlotte Bazer – Renee Janow, Rhoda &

Fred London, Lea Sherman Rochelle Lurie, sister of Andrea Hotes –

Janet & Joel Miller

Allen Thomson – Denise & Richard Order

Maxim Kovel, father of Jacob – Susan & Stuart Wachtel

Gerald Gelles, father of David – Maryanne Waldman

Wishing a Speedy Recovery to Leonard Lippman – Phyllis & Sheldon

Nova for the Yahrzeit of Edith & Joseph Barker, parents – Michael

Barker Betty Cohen Rosenbloom, mother –

Jackie Rosenbloom Bazzano Samuel Blitzer, father – Roz-Lynn

Beckenstein Toby Beckenstein, mother; Esther

Beckenstein, great-grandmother – Julie Beckenstein

Belle Bober, mother – Shery & Stewart Bober

Ruth Blecher, sister – Shirley K & David Brody & family

Sadie Sternstein, mother; Frank S. Bubbs, father – Marilyn & Roy Bubbs

Brian Philip Bander, son – Carin Buckman

June Lieberman, mother – Janice Cartin Jack Cetel, father – Alan Cetel Rita Helfand Cohen, mother –

Georgianne & Jonathan Cohen Rita Helfand Cohen, wife; Abe Cohen,

father; Esther Cohen Ogens, sister; Bertha Schulman, sister; Hattie Helfand, mother-in-law – Sam Cohen

Marvin Cremer, brother – Reeva Cremer George Denes, husband; Lilly Eisler,

mother; Matilda & Isadore Denes, in-laws; Bandi & Pista Denes, brothers-in-law – Edith Denes

Shop at AMAZON SMILE!

Amazon will donate a portion of the purchase price to Beth El. Go to smile.amazon.com, type us in, and shop as you normally would!

It's no charge to you!

GOODSEARCH We search, They give!

Change your default search engine to GOODSEARCH.COM and select Beth El as the non-profit you wish to support. It is powered by YAHOO.COM, and they donate to Beth El for every search you do!

Scrip = Gift Cards Buy good-as-cash GIFT CARDS from Beth El. Visit www.shopwithscrip.com for a six-page list of participating stores, restaurants, entertainment, and more. The Office stocks commonly requested cards, and can order others. It costs nothing to participate, and Beth El benefits from purchases you were going to make anyway!

Plus, they make great gifts!

(continues)

You can make a donation in a variety of ways: Go to the Beth El website:

www.bethelwesthartford.org/give-now Mail it in Come to the Beth El office and fill

out one of our convenient forms

Please be sure to include: the name of the fund whom you wish to honor/remember

and your relationship to the person their address for an

acknowledgment card your address/phone/email

Print clearly – or even better, submit the information typed. = = = = = = = = = = =

This list reflects contributions received and processed through January 21, 2020.

For the next edition of Temple Topics, contributions need to be received in the office by March 17, 2020.

Every dollar contributed can and does make a difference and will be acknowledged.

The minimum donation for each listing is $10.

Unrestricted funds support the timely needs of Beth El Temple. Restricted funds benefit specific purposes and objectives. For a complete list of funds, and any specific designations, please visit our website.


Temple Fund for the Yahrzeit of (cont.) Tessie & Joseph Deutsch, parents – Gail &

Barry Deutsch Alvin Diamond, father – David Diamond Alice Philips, sister; Frieda Donshik,

mother – Ellen & Peter Donshik Doris & Ralph Ferraro, parents; Ben

Silverstein, father; Yetta Silverstein, aunt – Korine & Ron Ferraro

Mildred Friedman Lukash, mother; Stephen Friedman, brother – Sandy & Marc Friedman

Esther & Hyman Gellin, parents – Irene Fromson

Edward McGuire, father – Loren & Joel Gelber

Barbara Gluck, mother – Susan Gluck Shirley Rosenfield, mother – Sandra

Goldberg Kenneth Weil, father – Nancy & Dennis

Gottfried Sydney Green, father – Barbara & Robert

Green Maurice Greenberg, father – Arnold

Greenberg Alvin Gutcheon, father – Debbie &

Richard Gutcheon Leonard Sholes, uncle – Leonard Guthart Elsie Hutensky, mother – Lois & Allan

Hutensky Max Javit, husband – Rachel Javit Bertha Sundel, aunt – Carol Johnson

Joseph Isaac Silver, father; Sheldon Karasik, father – Barbara & Robert Karasik

Arthur Goldschmidt, father – Leah Katz Rabbi Stanley M. Kessler, father – Dr.

Abigail Kessler-Hanna Gusta Fischer, mother – Renee Holden Frances & Benjamin Hershik, parents;

Kenneth Hershik, brother – Joyce & Wallace Kirschner

Glady & Sam Kruger, parents – David Kruger

Sally Lerer, mother – Andre Lerer Harry Mark, father – Sheila & Howard

Mark Arthur Messing, husband – Barbara S.

Messing Clara & Harold Miller, parents; Erwin

Hirsh, father – Janet & Joel Miller Harold Moss, husband – Ellen Moss Hilda Parker, mother; Rose Richman,

grandmother – Bruce Parker Mitchell Platt, father – Joel Platt Beulah Posnak, mother – Rhona & Joel

Roffer Herman M. Leavitt, grandfather –

Deborah R. Rosenfeld Leonard Bartnick, father – Bonnie & Jay

Roston Ellen Roisman, mother – Kim Roth Albert Rothstein, father; Rebecca

Horbund, aunt – Marilyn & Alan Rothstein

Miriam Miller, mother; Fannie Cohen, grandmother – Gloria Rubin

A Melvin Laschever, father – Diane & Ron Salm

Irving Kellner, father; Louis Samberg, father – Barbara & Ira Samberg

Marcia & Leo Satlof, parents – David Satlof

Leo Novarr, father – Susan & Michael Schenker

Sherwin Schloss, father – Sharon & Michael Schloss

Dr. Emanuel Roth, father – Dr. Shari Roth Julius Shapiro, husband; Gussie Drapel,

mother – Edith Shapiro Wilfred Shapiro, father – Larry Shapiro Israel Raucher, grandfather – Cyral &

Richard Sheldon & family Goldie Portman, mother; Louis Siegal,

father – Phyllis & Gerald Siegal Irene Goldberg, step-mother – Judy Singer Louis Sandow, father – Theodora Sirota Jennie & Leo Lamkin, grandparents; Dora

& Kalman Satz, grandparents – Linda Stanger

Janice Stern, wife – Allan Stern Max Maron, father – Reba Stock George Denes, father – Marge & Ricky

Swaye Rose Newman, sister; Dan Aronie, great-

nephew – Shirley Wachtel

CT Mohel

Ron Buckman, MD

www.CTMohel.com

Brit Milah Simchat Bat

Supporting Beth El, cont.

Temple Topics Vol. LV, No. 4 March-April 2020 Adar-Nissan-Iyar 5780 21 (continues)

Temple Fund for the Yahrzeit of (cont.) Elaine Kass Mesnick, mother; Samuel Waitzman, father – Marcia &

David Waitzman Max Berkowitz, father; Louis Berkowitz, grandfather – Lenore

Weisinger Dorothy Lindenberg, mother – Judith Weisman Yetta Werner, mother – Herbert Werner Calvin Zieky, husband – Sandra Zieky Gustav Zimmerman, father – Richard Zimmerman Martin Fleischman, step-father – Doreen Fundiller-Zweig & Elliot

Zweig

General Unrestricted Endowment Fund in Appreciation of Rabbi Rosen, Rabbi Garber, Rabbi Sowalsky & Cantor Ness for

enhancing our 68th wedding anniversary celebration – Annette & Seymour z’’l Gavens

in Honor of The marriage of Ali Goldberg, daughter of Debbie Prince & David

Goldberg, to Zach Ellis – Lisa & Michael Lenkiewicz in Memory of Bobbe Basch; Ina Beizer Berson – Annette & Seymour z’’l Gavens Anita McGuire, mother of Loren Gelber; Jean Weil, mother of

Michele Kostin; Bobbe Basch; Irma Golfin, mother of Gary Rubin – Lois & Chuck Koteen

Jean Weil, mother of Michele Kostin – Judy & Frank Resnick Warren Brook, husband of Sandra – Susan & Marshall Seidman Rabbi Stanley Kessler, father of Abigail Kessler-Hanna – Francine &

Steve Stier for the Yahrzeit of Jane & Walter Wertheim, parents – Marsha & Warren Fisher Harold Moss, father – Roberta Moss & Michael Isko

Judith & David Borus Family Endowment Fund for the Yahrzeit of David Borus, husband; Beatrice & Irwin Krams, parents – Judy Borus

Dolin-Etscovitz Family Endowment Fund in Memory of Charlotte Bazer – Carolyn & Stuart Bernstein

Leonard & Vicki Eisenfeld Endowment Fund in Memory of Dr. Arnold Eisenfeld, brother of Leonard – Naomi & Michael Cohen,

Meryl & Mitchell Danitz, Sharon & Bob Efron, Jeanne & Dan Kleinman, Lois & Chuck Koteen, Abbey Kreinik, Susan & Michael Schenker, Dorine & Marty Toyen

Jane & Nathan Field Memorial Fund in Appreciation of Emmy & Steve Fast for being such open hearted and loving friends –

Leny Cohen Goldberg Endowment Fund for Education

in Memory of Marcia Goldberg, mother of Leonard – Judy Borus

Koteen Family Fund in Appreciation of Lois & Chuck Koteen – Francine & Steve Stier for the Yahrzeit of Josefa Alic, Holocaust remembrance – Lois & Chuck Koteen

Kreinik Family Endowment Fund for the Yahrzeit of Stephen Kreinik, husband – Abbey Kreinik


(cont.)

Supporting Beth El, cont.

77

Friends Fund for Members in Need in Appreciation of Lois Koteen’s dedication – Judy & David

Rosenthal in Honor of Our children & grandchildren – Fran &

Frederick Landy in Memory of Linda Blum, cousin of Fran Landy – Alys

& Jack Krichavsky Rochelle Lurie, sister of Andrea Hotes –

Alys & Jack Krichavsky, Andi’s Book Club, Judy & Frank Resnick

Jean Weil, mother of Michele Kostin; Harry Sklar; Wendy Schulman, wife of Jed – Joyce & Richard Leibert

Dr. Arnold Eisenfeld, brother of Leonard – Judy & David Rosenthal

for the Yahrzeit of Robert Narins, husband – Nina Narins Robert Rosenfield, father; Alfred

Rosenthal, father – Judy & David Rosenthal

Anna Heineman Memorial Fund for the Yahrzeit of Fanny & Aaron Anshel, grandparents;

David Anshel, uncle – Francine & Steve Stier Rosen Family Kehillah Kedosha Fund

in Honor of 100th birthday of Elsie Farber, mother of

Nancy Rosen – Carolyn & Stuart Bernstein, Judy Borus, Lois & Chuck Koteen

Irving & Shirley Gutcheon Congregant Assistance Fund

in Honor of First birthday of grandsons, Simon & Zeke

Bluestone – Paulette & Jim Lotstein in Memory of Richard Samuels, brother of Jesse; Steven

Gutcheon, brother of Richard; cousin, Barry Gutcheon; Abby Weiner, husband of Bonnie, father of Gayle Temkin; Rabbi Stanley Kessler, father of Abigail Kessler-Hanna; Roz Hahn, wife of Howard – Paulette & Jim Lotstein

for the Yahrzeit of Shirley & Irving Gutcheon, parents –

Paulette & Jim Lotstein Ruth & Harry Kleinman

Endowment Fund in Appreciation of Myra & Bill Kleinman – Lois & Chuck

Koteen, Francine & Steve Stier in Honor of Special birthdays of Dan Kleinman,

Michael Cohen, David Klau; wedding anniversary of Naomi & Michael Cohen; birthday of Stuart Bernstein – Myra & Bill Kleinman

in Memory of Marcia Goldberg, mother of Leonard;

Beatrice Margolis, mother of Jerry, grandmother of Scott, sister of Florence Shakun & Joel Weisman; Wendy Schulman, wife of Jed – Myra & Bill Kleinman

Alter Family Fund in Memory of Maxim Kovel, father of Jacob – Marci &

Jonathan Alter Gavens Family College Youth Fund

in Honor of 68th wedding anniversary of Annette &

Seymour z’’l Gavens – Leny Cohen, Joan Goodman, Barbara & Robert Green, Bobby & David Klau, Lois & Chuck Koteen, Abbey Kreinik, Fran & Paul Weinberger

for the Yahrzeit of Ida Labinger, sister; Helen Rosker, mother

– Annette Gavens Jack Gavensky, father – Seymour z’’l

Gavens Susan Stein Gavens, daughter-in-law –

Annette & Seymour z’’l Gavens Diane & Richard Lieberfarb

Endowment Fund in Honor of Special birthday of Elisa Wagner; 75th

birthday of Kenneth Schwartz – Diane & Richard Lieberfarb

in Memory of Margaret O’Connor – Diane & Richard

Lieberfarb for the Yahrzeit of George Michael Davis, brother – Diane

Lieberfarb Lois & Alvin Reiner Family Fund

in Memory of Selma Kaye – Alvin Reiner


Beth El Temple of West Hartford Inc. 2626 Albany Avenue

West Hartford, CT 06117 bethelwesthartford.org

Jim Rosen, Rabbi [email protected] Ilana C. Garber, Rabbi [email protected] Director of Lifelong Learning & Community Engagement Joseph Ness, Cantor [email protected] Stanley M. Kessler z’’l, Rabbi Emeritus Rabbi Howard Sowalsky, [email protected] Ritual & Executive Director Judith Rosenthal, President [email protected] Michelle Konigsburg, [email protected] SULAM Director Lydia Lutt, [email protected] Social Media and Marketing Coordinator Deborah R. Rosenfeld, Editor [email protected]

Published every two months. Following the deadline schedule below, please submit articles to: [email protected] Send Life Cycle announcements to: [email protected]

1/25 for March-April 3/25 for May-June 5/25 for July-August 7/25 for September-October 9/25 for November-December 11/25 for January-February

@BethElWH @BethElWH beth.el.temple.wh

Note: The calendar grid is a separate document and can be downloaded from our website. Each month is a separate page, designed for legal-sized paper (8.5”x14”). Copies are also available in the office.

Main Office: 860.233.9696

SULAM: 860.233.9891

Fax: 860.233.9892

Arthur & Stella Mostel Fund for Adult Education

for the Yahrzeit of Stella Mostel, mother; Sam

Krampf, grandfather – Carolyn & Jeff Weiser

Muriel G. & Morton L. Schenker Fund for the Arts

in Honor of Muriel Schenker, mother –

Susan & Michael Schenker Sisterhood-Women’s

Network Endowment Fund in Memory of Wendy Schulman, wife of Jed

– Debra Harvey Charlotte Bazer – Francine &

Steve Stier Mort Shechtman Men’s Club Fund

in Memory of Maxim Kovel, father of Jacob

– Annette & Seymour z’’l Gavens

Lewis A. Steinberg Family Fund

in Memory of Phyllis & Zachary Burton –

Eric Burton “Papa,” the best grandfather –

Paula D. Steinberg

I. Milton Widem Adult Education Fund

in Memory of Shirley Seltzer; Herbert

Rubinstein – Susan Widem for the Yahrzeit of Peter Widem, grandfather –

Susan Widem

Clara & Mickey Sowalsky Gabbai Rishon

Endowment Fund in Appreciation of Rabbi Sowalsky – Barbara &

Robert Green in Memory of Robert Nemeroff – Cheryl

Rodrick Nathan & Ruth Sweedler Family Endowment Fund

in Honor of 100th birthday of Ruth

Sweedler – Lois & Chuck Koteen, Abbey Kreinik, Judy & Frank Resnick, Ronit & Scott Shoham

Birth of Alden Shoham-Marquez, grandson of Ronit & Scott Shoham – Lois & Chuck Koteen

Mekhirat Chametz Transfer of Ownership

Send this form to the Beth El Office, attn: Laurea, or complete the online form at tinyurl.com/BETChametz. I hereby transfer to an agent, Rabbi Jim Rosen, all Chametz in my possession located at my home, from 9:00 am on April 8, 2020, through the end of Passover.

Name

Address

City, ST, Zip

Phone

E-mail

Please consider a contribution to Maot Chitin (Passover Fund for the Needy) or Mazon (a Jewish Response to Hunger). ________ Maot Chitin (Passover Fund for the Needy)

________ Mazon (a Jewish Response to Hunger)

2626 Albany Avenue West Hartford, CT 06117

Presorted First Class

U.S. Postage Paid Hartford, CT

Permit No. 4331

Enjoying Beth El

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