temple bnai israel’s members & friends newslettertikkun olam activities, anne willenborg...
TRANSCRIPT
“...to do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with thy God.”
TEMPLE BNAI ISRAEL’S MEMBERS & FRIENDS NEWSLETTER
NISAN - IYAR 5776
The Bulletin MAY 2016
106 Years and growing!
Board of Directors 2
President’s Message 3
Rabbinic Reflections & Weekly Readings 4
Services 5
Committee Updates 6
Temple Family News 7
Repairing our World; Healing our Souls 7
Library & Religious School 8,9
The Bat Mitzvah of Willow Golden 10
Visioning & Task Force Reports 11
In this issue
Help Celebrate Israel @ 68! 12
Traveling Dinner 14,15
THANK YOU TODD & MONA! 17
Rav J’s Adult Learning at UCONN Hillel 19
Sephardic Cooking & Culture Follow up 19, 21, 24
Yahrzeits 18, 20
Donations 23
Auditorium Rental, Thanks to our advertisers 25
May Jewry Duty, Calendar 27
JFEC 22nd Annual International Film Festival Back cover
.
Rabbi Jeremy Schwartz Office hours:
Tuesday through Friday To schedule an appointment call
860.423.3743 Ext. 0 or e-mail [email protected]
Confidential Voice Mail: 860.423.3743 Ext. 1
Affiliations: The Jewish
Reconstructionist Movement www.jewishrecon.org
Jewish Federation of Eastern Connecticut
www.jfec.com
Windham Area Interfaith Ministry (WAIM) www.waimct.org
Mazon: A Jewish Response to Hunger
www.mazon.org
Religious School Administrator Morah Dara Bowling
Email: [email protected]
Office Administrator Marlene Aulten
860.423.3743 Ext. 0 [email protected]
Monday 10am-3pm Tues/Wed/Thurs noon to 5
THE BULLETIN is a publication of
TEMPLE BNAI ISRAEL 345 Jackson Street
PO Box 61 Willimantic, CT 06226 Phone: 860.423.3743
Fax: 860.423.7594
Submission deadline: 3rd Monday of each month.
OFFICERS & BOARD OF DIRECTORS
President Immediate Past President David Golden David Stoloff
Vice President, Mishkan/Building & Operations Jim Baber
Kesher/Secretary & Communications
Marilyn Moir
Secretary-Elect Gloria Gerald
Tikkun Olam
Anne Willenborg
Brit/Community & Membership Mona Friedland
Torah/Education & Programming
Karen Drazen
Avodah/Religious Life Judy Stein
Kemah/Treasurer Glenn Blumenstein
Financial Secretary
Fran Jaffe
Members at Large: Gerry Berkowitz
Alex Nishball Ellie Shane
Doreen Simonsen
Thank you for your service to our shul.
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Shalom, fellow congregants. I hope all is well with you and yours.
I am going to keep my message very brief this month, as my daughter Willow's Bat Mitzvah is imminent and there is so much to do before she is called to the Torah as a Bat Mitzvah on Saturday, May 14th. (See page 10 for the official invitation). I hope to see you there to share in my family's joy. I’d also like to welcome Rabbi J.D. Sandberg as the newest member of our congregation. Rabbi Sandberg and his wife, Mary Ann Sandberg, reside in West Hartford, and you’ll be meeting them soon at services and events, if you haven’t already. I also have a special request this month. We are once again looking for a group to rent the Greer Auditorium. We were happy to have Weight Watches and Fit Club on board previously. Please refer to the auditorium rental information on page 25, and spread the word. Thank you!
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
Other than that, I'll see you all at services, at the Temple's many May events, and at religious school.
Take care, be well, and do good!
David Golden
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MISSION STATEMENT
Temple Bnai Israel is a welcoming Jewish community which offers a spiritual, religious, and social home for all Jews. We cherish a belief in one God, the Torah, prayer and the music and beauty of our Jewish culture. We are commanded and committed to passing these blessings on to all future generations.
We observe and celebrate Jewish traditions and laws, while remaining open to change which meets the needs of our time, and which will stand the test of time.
We intend to be a force for good and comfort as individuals and as a whole. We seek to offer justice, tolerance, and charity within the Temple Bnai Israel community, the larger Jewish community, and the non-Jewish worlds within which we live.
Our synagogue recognizes the equality of all Jews. Jewish men and women, including those Jews in interfaith marriages, are entitled to participate equally in all religious rites, and all secular and religious leadership positions. Our congregation also reaches out to all who welcome Judaism into their lives.
We believe in the ancient teaching: “to do justly, love mercy, and walk
humbly with thy God.”
A committee I’m serving on for the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association asked its members to share a one-page statement of their “Torah” about Israel – what “is” Israel in our understanding? With Israel Independence Day (Yom Ha’atzma’ut) coming up this month the evening of May 11, I thought I’d share a version of what I wrote:
It’s hard to have a clear understanding of what Israel is because the Jewish historical experience, as well as the way the Jews have understood themselves and have been understood by others, is very unusual, and possibly unique, in the world. So the usual categories of nation, ethnicity, religion, even civilization fit their situation imprecisely. And even for groups other than the Jews, those terms are ambiguous and contested. The Zionists used to say that the Jews should have a Jewish state just like the French have France. But who are “the French?” If one rejects racism, it’s no longer so clear.
For me, Israel represents an opportunity that I support and cherish for Jewish civilization to develop in a country where that civilization is ‘in the roots’ and ‘in the air.’ I think that the Israeli Jewish community, while it produces some civilization that I rather dislike, is also in a unique position to ‘evolve’ Jewish civilization in wonderful and fascinating ways and has often done so. I support the conditions that make that evolution possible and want to be an active partner in that evolution.
An important part of my understanding of Israel is that I feel a deep kinship with the Jewish community of Israel. They’re part of one of my concentric circles of family. I think it’s right for Jews to be particularly concerned about the half of the Jewish people that live in Israel. I think that democratic principles and Zionist principles (as I understand them) dictate that the Israeli state should largely get out of the business of Judaizing Eretz Yisrael. It should say “We did it; We created a country that’s as Jewish as France is French (whatever that means). And now we’ll get on to the business of democratically serving all the citizens of the state.” I do, however, think that a special relationship between the State and the Jews retains two areas of relevancy: First, I think that the history of anti-Semitism and the odd place of the Jewish diaspora in the world justify a special relationship between Israel and the Jewish diaspora.
I think Israel should remain a refuge and a protector when possible for Jews around the world. And I think that the traumatic history of the Jews along with Jewish claims to the right to a civilizational home justified the establishment of Israel, with its unique relationship to the Jews and that, therefore, a two-state agreement with the Palestinians, the only way I can see for Israel to continue to exist as a democracy and “Jewish country” (like France is French), is a justified and important “Judaizing” goal for the State of Israel.
RABBINIC REFLECTIONS Rav Jeremy Schwartz
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SATURDAY, MAY 7 Parashat Acharei Mot Leviticus 16:1 - 18:30 This year: 17:1 - 18:30 Haftarah: 1 Samuel: 20:18 - 20:42
SATURDAY, MAY 14 Parashat Kedoshim Leviticus 19:1 - 20:27 This year: 19:23 - 20:27 Haftarah: Amos 9:7-15
SATURDAY, MAY 21 Parashat Emor Leviticus 21:1 - 24:23 This year: 23:23 - 24:23 Haftarah: Zephaniah 1:16 - 2:3
SATURDAY, MAY 28 Parashat Behar Leviticus 25:1 - 26:2 This Year: 25:29 - 26:2 Haftarah: 2 Samuel 15:7-26
MAY READINGS
Turn to page 13
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SERVICES, BAGEL & BIBLE, T.G.I. SHABBES, DROP-IN KABBALAH
We’ll learn friendship Torah from the Slonimer Rebbe Shalom Noach Berezovsky of blessed memory, who bases his teaching partly on the story of David and Jonathan that we will read about during Shabbat services.
Drop-in Kabbalah, Thursday, May 19, 7:30pm - The Tree of Life
The “Sefirot” - Layers/Stages/Flavors/Colors of God’s Emanation/Self-Revelation and our own Spiritual Landscape.
Bagel & Bible: Saturday, May 7, 9:30am - Friendship
T.G.I. Shabbes, Friday, May 13, 6:15pm - Around The World with Jewish Music
The T.G.I.Shabbes format remains the same, with kiddush over not-your-grandmother’s wine, substantial nosh, and schmoozing while listening to tunes. Instead of a service, at the end, we learn a little about one of the songs we’ve heard ,and that provides an opportunity for kaddish. Rav Jeremy’s excited about the new ‘mix’ of tunes he’s put together, focusing on the languages other than Hebrew in which Jews have exercised substantial literary and musical creativity, including Aramaic, Arabic, Ladino, and Yiddish. Come be a part of the tour! Your presence will add to the joy!
HOST/HOSTESS NEEDED FOR MAY 27.
This is the first time since our Caring Committee formed that I cannot personally thank our leaders last month. The reason? We didn’t have any!
I am troubled by that fact. Our community relies heavily on us to help out in times of need, but we cannot do that easily when no one steps up. As it is, there are too few of us who routinely volunteer, and to put the added burden of asking those few to help out every 2 or 3 months just isn’t fair.
So my question is this: Do we want to continue as a group? Do we want to fly by the seat of our pants each month? I know we all lead busy lives but nonetheless, it’s a doable commitment. I’m uncomfortable “guilting” our members each month. Please share your thoughts about this situation with me or Ellie. If you would like to be removed from the committee, let us know that as well.
Thanks for all you have done in the past and (I hope) will continue to do in the future.
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Fran Jaffe Ellie Shane 860.228.2390 860.423.7418 [email protected] [email protected]
TIKKUN OLAM ACTIVITIES, Anne Willenborg [email protected] 860.429.8725
DAUGHTERS OF ABRAHAM BOOK CLUB Carol Kraus [email protected]
CARING COMMITTEE Caring for each other in times of need
COMMITTEE NEWS
Our next book club meeting will be: Tuesday, May 17, at 7:00pm at Right Trac (office of Gail & Joe
Petrowsky) 110 Main Street, Manchester, CT
Our book discussion
will be The Jew Store
by Stella Suberman
PLEAE NOTE: Our next meeting is May 15 at 9:30. While we do not have a report this month, stay tuned for one in the June edition of our Bulletin, and thanks to all who attended our Climate Change Conversation and Brunch!
Hope you’re enjoying this taste of
THIS JUST IN -- THANK YOU to Jane Schreiber for
volunteering for the month of May!
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TEMPLE FAMILY NEWS
Welcome new member
Rabbi J.D. Sandberg
ברוכים הבאים
REPAIRING OUR WORLD/HEALING OUR SOULS OUR TIKKUN OLAM VaNEFESH SERVICE, THE 3rd FRIDAY of EACH MONTH
As we come out of Egypt, Miriam calls on us to sing.
On our march through the wilderness to the promised land of freedom and justice and peace,
she offers us a well of healing waters.
You’re invited to wash your hands in Miriam’s well if you wish.
We do not wash out hands of responsibility.
As Heschel taught, in a democracy, “some of us are guilty; all of us are responsible.”
But we wash our hands of enslavement to our traumas.
We wash our hands to purify our intents and our deeds.
We free our hands to work for tikkun olam, the healing of the world.
From the Tikkun Olam VaNefesh service on the third Friday night of the month.
If your soul could use a little refreshing as you try to live your life in a way that makes the world a little better, come join us.
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Yay! Brenda has returned from her winter sojourn! Now you will see some cleaning going on in the library!
We have just completed cataloging many new additions (two of them are noted below) so come on in and take a look.
What We Talk About When We Talk About Anne Frank: Stories by Nathan Englander. Yes, we wrote about another of his books last month (For the Relief of Unbearable Urges). Mr. Englander has received extensive notoriety for his short stories. This one was a starred review from Booklist. Eight new stories described as “thought provoking,” “some of my favorite short stories ever.” This book, like his others, encourages reflection on modern life.
Black Earth: The Holocaust as History and Warning by Timothy Snyder. Amazon says “A brilliant, haunting, and profound portrait of the defining tragedy of our time.” Mr. Snyder is the Housum Professor of History at Yale University. He is a member of the Committee on Conscience of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, a fellow of the Institute for Human Sciences, and sits on the advisory council of the Yivo Institute for Jewish Studies. Perhaps prophetic to our times (my words), one reader said “The author shares interesting views on the Holocaust that begin as thought-provoking. However, he quickly shows a ‘political’ agenda promoting progressive ideology.” This book was kindly donated to our library by the Hochberg Holocaust and Human Rights Committee.
Most of you must know that there is a Reconstructionist Press. Have you browsed through their selections lately? They frequently offer books at greatly discounted prices. If you register as a member of our Reconstructionist Community, you can get a 10-40% reduction on prices.
As of this writing, there is a sale on Siddur Kol Ha’noar : A Voice of Children, the beautifully written and illustrated Siddur that we use. It has been reduced from $31.00 to $13.00! Also, the notecards from this book’s illustrations are on sale for $9.00. Who cannot smile when looking at the Lion and the Lamb adoring each other? The “Press” has added many other titles including Siddurs and contemporary Jewish thought and more for our children.
That’s all for this month. Please contact Sue-Ellen or Brenda with any questions or requests you may have. We look forward to seeing you in the library!
SARAH RATNER LIBRARY - YOUR LIBRARY - a wonderfully quiet space to sit, read, and
reflect. Sue-Ellen Kirkham [email protected] & Brenda Rosen, [email protected]
RELIGIOUS SCHOOL Morah Dara Bowling: [email protected]
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This time of year always stumps me. We begin in September, and the pencils are sharpened and the clothes are new and the workbooks are still shiny...we have Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, and then BAM! Next thing you know, Pesach is here and it's almost time to pack up another school year. I've no idea how it happens. Or why I keep feeling such amazement since it does, in fact, always happen.
The religious school had a wonderful visitor this past month--Rabbi Kevin Hale (event pictured below), who spent a couple hours with us, teaching us about Pesach songs and traditions, as well as his work as a sofer! He showed us instruments that he's made and let us try our hands at writing--we couldn't imagine the focus and skill it takes to write a whole Torah. Thank you so much for coming, Rabbi Kevin!
Thank you to those of you who participated in the Passover chocolate fundraiser. We are awaiting our report from Miss Chocolate and next month, we can let you know how much we raised for our School. We deeply appreciate your support!
Next month ends the school year with an exciting Special Wednesday, a Yom Ha'Atzma'ut celebration in New London (May 11, see page 12), and our end-of-year picnic, Sunday, May 22, Memorial Park. Stay tuned for the highlights! Until then, I wish you a wonderful and renewing spring. Kol tuv, Morah Dara
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VISIONING REPORT
The next phase of our community Visioning project is finally up and running! Namely, as was said in the fall report to the community, “actualizing what we have discussed in the Visioning process, including new and exciting ventures. We want to implement that which is clearly implementable, prioritize ideas, and move toward our purpose of formulating a vision that provides ‘the best way to sustainably foster and serve the Jewish community in Northeast Connecticut (including the non-Jewish participants in the community) for the coming several decades.’” As you know, that work will be taken up by various task forces and a Long Term Planning Committee, in addition to the standing committees of the Temple (and all of us!).
The Long Term Planning Committee (LTPC) had its first meeting in April and will continue to meet monthly. Its members are Rav Jeremy, David Golden, Glenn Blumenstein, Rita Pollack, Judy Stein, Joan Sydney, and Merle Potchinsky. The first meeting was largely devoted to orienting the group toward its task. Namely, the LTPC will research some of the “big ideas” of structural change that came out in last summer’s discussions, learning enough to bring them back to the community for further consideration where there seems to be sufficient interest and practical potential. The LTPC will also coordinate and prioritize the input from the task forces, including understanding how their priorities impact our physical plant needs. And the LTPC will be the address for miscellaneous aspects of the Visioning process that don’t fit elsewhere.
At the first LTPC meeting, we heard reports from three of the Task Forces. The Spirituality & Ritual Task Force noticed something we all agreed with: the community’s vision is a holistic one, with spirituality, for example, intertwined with culture and tikkun olam and the need to engage children. With that in mind, they arranged for April’s Earth-themed T.G.I. Shabbes celebration as a lead-in to the Tikkun Olam committees climate change program the following Sunday. They’re working on several more ideas based on community input.
The Children and Families Task Force reported that its first meeting discussed the need to create a strong community of families with children within the Temple, perhaps as a prerequisite to major efforts at outreach and engagement.
The Culture Task Force reported being awash in ideas. They will work on prioritizing and on trying to formulate a vision (or some potential vision options) of what the increased role of culture in our community (as was clearly desired by participants in last summer’s small groups) means in the big picture of our community vision. The fourth Task Force, Intellectual Opportunities Task Force, hasn’t met yet. We considered merging it with the Culture group, but have decided to try to keep them separate. Although we heard quite a bit of interest in expanded intellectual opportunities in last year’s discussions, this Task Force is currently quite small. If you would be interested in serving on it, please let David Golden or Rav Jeremy know.
Onward!
TASK FORCE REPORTS
Beginning with the June issue of our Bulletin, each Task Force will receive their own section.
Rav Jeremy’s Visioning column will continue to report on the work of the Long Term Planning Committee.
TASK FORCE CHAIRS:
Please be sure to cc Marlene, [email protected], on all of your Committee’s e-mail correspondence, and keep her up-to-date on meeting dates, times, and changes.
By the 3rd Monday of each month, please send Marlene a brief report of your Committee’s discussions, activities, future plans, etc., which she will place in your section of The Bulletin. Thank you.
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One of my questions about Israel (and questions are part of Torah) concerns the relationship between the new thing the Zionists created, “Israeli” and the old thing, “Jew.” Sometimes I think that Zionism is so revolutionary, so wants to transform the status of the Jewish people, that it actually aims to replace “Jew” with “Israeli.” That would be being ‘normal’ like the French. And “Israeli” is a new identity that includes all Israel’s citizens, although it has important roots in Judaism. If that’s right (and I’m not convinced it is), then it would be obvious that the state has no business Judaizing; only “Israeliizing.”. I’m very curious about what that would mean and about the Arab and Jewish negotiations with Israeliness. That ‘negotiation’ is ongoing, sometimes disastrously and sometimes wonderfully. I take it as wonderful, for example, that some Arab and left-leaning Jewish members of Kenesset have suggested that Israel adopt as a second/alternative National Anthem the poem “I Believe” by Shaul Tchernichovsky. Tchernichovsky (1875-1943) was one of the most important poets of the revival of Hebrew and early Zionism. His poem grows out of the Jewish and Zionist roots that established Israel and yet it expresses the Zionist yearnings in such universal language that Israeli Arabs could sing it as “their” song as Israelis, something that’s hard to do with the very Jewish language of Hatikvah. Here’s the whole poem in my translation (usually only a few verses are sung):
RABBINIC REFLECTIONS continued from page 4
Laugh, laugh about the dreams I, the dreamer, lay in view. Laugh that I believe in humanity, that I still believe in you. That my soul still yearns for freedom, I’ve not sold it for a calf of gold. That in humanity I still believe - the human spirit, a spirit bold! That spirit will cast off senseless shackles, and raise us up to highest heights. The worker will not die of hunger: Bread and freedom - each soul’s right. Laugh that I believe in friendship, I believe I’ll find a heart again- a heart whose hopes are also my hopes, that feels joy and also pain.
I believe, still, in the future. Though it’s far off, nonetheless it will come and then each nation every nation with peace will bless. My nation then will blossom, too and our land will see the sight: A generation with no shackles, eye-to-eye they’ll see the light. Living, loving, working, making, a generation truly alive; not in the future, not in heaven - spirit-life will not suffice. Then a poet will sing a new song, whose heart to beauty will be awake. For that young man, from o’er my grave let them pick flowers for a bouquet.
Perhaps you have, or might develop, your own “Torah” about Israel. I’d be interested in hearing it.
I’d also love to have you join me and all the others in our Eastern Connecticut community with our various and relationships to Israel at the:
Community Yom Ha’atzma’ut celebration May 11th, 5:45 PM at Beth El in New London.
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THANK YOU Todd & Mona Friedland and your many helpers!
A TREMENDOUS THANK YOU to Mona & Todd Friedland, and their many helpers, for
making our well-attended Sephardic Cooking and Culture Shabbat Dinner a unique, uplifting, educational, and delectably delicious experience!
If you were not able to attend the event, please turn to pages 19, 21, and 24 for a Sephardic history primer as well as some great recipes!
NOTE: There are no pictures of the event itself, as it was Shabbat.
The beginnings of Moussadekos (Borekas)! (thanks Margie, Ellie, Todd & Marlene)
AND THE DELECTABLE
END RESULT!
Thank you Jim, Marsha,
Brenda, and Lettie for your
help in creating many other
gastronomic delights! You rock!
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YAHRZEITS FOR THE MONTH OF MAY
Remember to light your Yahrzeit candle on the night before the date shown. It is also appropriate to come to shul to say Kaddish on the Shabbat when your loved one’s name is read, and to give tzedakah in your loved one’s memory. May their memory be a blessing.
The following Yahrzetis will be read on May 6 and May 7
Ida Fannie Weinstein Grandmother of Carol Colombo 29 Nisan May 7
Aaron Stein Father of Steve Stein 29 Nisan May 7
Annie H. Sandler Aunt of Jeanne Morascini 30 Nisan May 8
Rose Winter Sherman Aunt of Janet Miller 30 Nisan May 8
Abraham Krug Great Uncle of Jeanne Morascini 2 Iyar May 10
Sylvia Marmon Mother of Stefan Marmon 2 Iyar May 10
Ena Bell Grandmother of Tammy Hunter 2 Iyar May 10
Sarah Russian 3 Iyar May 11
Nathaniel Weinshel Father of Marla Hauslaib 3 Iyar May 11
Ya'akov Dardick Brother of Ken Dardick 3 Iyar May 11
Lidia Nepor Mother of Nina Rosen 3 Iyar May 11
Robert Kenneth Blumenstein Father of Glenn Blumenstein 3 Iyar May 11
Arthur Berkowitz Father of Gerry Berkowitz 5 Iyar May 13
The following Yahrzetis will be read on May 13 and May 14
Jennie Israel Horwitz 7 Iyar May 15
Shirley Bader Mother of Jane Moskowitz 7 Iyar May 15
Blanche Potchinsky Grandmother of Merle Potchinsky 8 Iyar May 16
Morris Kerachsky 9 Iyar May 17
Joseph Anthony DeLuca Stepfather of Grace Adams 10 Iyar May 18
Leopold Gottlieb 11 Iyar May 19
Samuel Horn Uncle of Roberta Schwane 11 Iyar May 19
Carl Zenchoff 12 Iyar May 20
David Isaac Hochberg Brother of Jeanne Morascini 12 Iyar May 20
Lester Foster 12 Iyar May 20
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RAV JERMEY’S ADULT LEARNING WITH BETH EL
SUNDAY, MAY 8, 10:00am, at UCONN Hillel Come learn (and of course nosh) with us! All are welcome!
In honor of the New Moon, we’ll delve into a wonderful nature poem traditionally associated with the New Moon, Psalm 104. It’s a very rich Psalm with lots of nature imagery that brings up issues of theology, liturgy, and even how to relate to evil or evil-doers.
SEPHARDIC CULTURE - A PRIMER
History
Reliable historical data is scarce, but it can legitimately be assumed that from earliest times Jews settled in the commercial ports of the Mediterranean coast and other Jews came as refugees in the first century CE following the destruction of the second temple in Jerusalem. Jews were well-integrated with the Christians in the fourth century, however, the Council of Elvira prohibited mixed marriages. Difficulties began in the Visigoth period, (seventh century) when the crown changed the state religion from Aryanism to Catholicism. Jews were forbidden to hold public office and around 612-621 King Sisebut proclaimed a law ordering Jews either to convert to Christianity or leave the kingdom (Council of Toledo). This is probably the first occurrence of the conversion problem in the Iberian Peninsula.
It is no wonder that oppressed Jews gladly joined with the Muslim, Moorish invaders in 711 who tolerated the Jewish religion. In the caliphate of Cordova the Jewish community reached its peak in the 10th century, a period in which Hebrew science and letters flourished, and the children of Israel achieved political eminence. The situation changed radically at the end of the 11th century with the arrival of Muslim fundamentalists in Moorish Spain. A massive exodus of Jews to Christian realms resulted. But, what did they find there?
In 10th century Catalonia, Jews were largely involved in agriculture and by the 11th century there was a sizable urban community in Barcelona made up mainly of tailors, cobblers, silversmiths and gold-smiths.
Turn to page 21
In the 12th century, there was evidence of interreligious cultural activity, and the Spanish Jews contributed to the cultural and scientific enrichment of Castile. In fact, they actively collaborated on the consolidation of the Castilian language as a vehicle for artistic and technical expression.
From the end of the 13th century, hostility toward the Jews continued to grow in the Christian kingdoms due in part to the concentration of Jews in unpopular professions related to moneylending and tax collecting and a financial scandal involving some of Alfonso X’s Jewish courtiers.
Finally in 1391, an extensive wave of killings and assaults against the Jewish communities resulted in the destruction of entire communities i.e. the one in Barcelona. While the 15th century was a time of contrasts for the Jewish communities in Spain, on March 31, 1492, Ferdinand and Isabella signed the decree that gave the Jews four months to leave Spain. It is estimated that 100,000 exiles left Spain and went to countries which were open to them at the time, but from which they would soon have to flee again: Portugal, Italy, the Low Countries, southern France, North Africa and the eastern Mediterranean, where the then-powerful Ottoman Empire welcomed them gladly.
The exiles called themselves Sephardim, meaning people from Sepharad, the Hebrew name for their native Spain. They have retained Hispanic cultural characteristics, and especially the Spanish language in their own dialect-Judeo-Spanish.
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YAHRZEITS FOR THE MONTH OF MAY
Remember to light your Yahrzeit candle on the night before the date shown. It is also appropriate to come to shul to say Kaddish on the Shabbat when your loved one’s name is read, and to give tzedakah in your loved one’s memory. May their memory be a blessing.
The following Yahrzetis will be read on May 20 and May 21
Sidney Morris Polivy Father of Denise Polivy 13 Iyar May 21
Hyman Seplowitz 13 Iyar May 21
Florence Stoloff Mother of David Stoloff 13 Iyar May 21
Marian Solotaroff Sherman 15 Iyar May 23
Minnie Rudof Grandmother of Marilyn Moir 16 Iyar May 24
Regina Lauter 17 Iyar May 25
Annie Segal Mother-in-Law of Annie Segal 17 Iyar May 25
Irving Golden Father of Marjorie Golden-Mossberg 17 Iyar May 25
Jacob Holin Great-Uncle of Sheridan Vernon 18 Iyar May 26
The following Yahrzetis will be read on May 27 and May 28
Minnie Berkman Grandmother of Eleanor Shane 20 Iyar May 28
Gertrude Chus Stone 20 Iyar May 28
Solomon Flaum 21 Iyar May 29
Rachel Rabinowitz 22 Iyar May 30
Estelle Mossberg Mother of Sheldon Mossberg 22 Iyar May 30
Chester Nessel Father of Marsha Hilsenrad 22 Iyar May 30
Jacob Brettschneider Second Cousin of Bruce Brettschneider 23 Iyar May 31
Norman Drazen Father of Karen Drazen 23 Iyar May 31
Isaac Moskowitz 24 Iyar June 1
Norman H. Prague Brother-in-Law of Edith Prague 24 Iyar June 1
Sophie K. Nessel Mother of Marsha Hilsenrad 24 Iyar June 1
Abraham I. Rubinstein 25 Iyar June 2
Martin Shapiro 25 Iyar June 2
Helen Berkman Mother of Eleanor Shane 25 Iyar June 2
Leon Brettschneider Great-Uncle of Bruce Brettschneider 26 Iyar June 3
Dorothy G. Kirkham Mother of Sue-Ellen Kirkham 26 Iyar June 3
Henry Berman Father of Gary Berman 26 Iyar June 3
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While this period represented the first stage of expulsions and ran into the middle of the 17th century, the Second Diaspora occurred toward the end of the 19th century and through both world wars. This new crisis, which was political, economic and cultural pushed the Sephardim to seek new surroundings: the Americas, Western Europe and Israel.
1800s - 1900s+
The Alliance Israelite Universelle, opened its first school for Eastern Sephardim in Salonika. More than 40,000 students received their education there in French- Jews, Greeks and Armenians.
Jewish intellectuals came out of Alliance classrooms, which resulted in profound cultural changes in the Sephardic world. These schools were both a vehicle for progress and modernization where Sephardim became acquainted with Western culture. While initially only the upper classes attended these schools, by the 1920s, education had spread to the children of the lower middle class (small businessmen and artisans), as well as workers in the tobacco factories ( the newly formed Sephardic proletariat).
In 1908 the Young Turks’ revolution dethroned the last sultan and the old Ottoman Empire was partitioned. Southern Greece had seceded from the empire, and after the outbreak of World War I many of the Sephardim emigrated to North America.
The Jews In Turkey had to adapt to the considerable reforms undertaken by Ataturk, resulting in a loss or deterioration of many specifically Sephardic characteristics, including language. After World War II, most of the Eastern Sephardim were either exterminated or resettled.
The majority of Sephardim settled in New York, a city with one of the largest Jewish populations in the world. But life was not easy for them as they were severely lacking in education and knew no English. To make matters worse, the Sephardim, so proud of their heritage, discovered that not even the American Jewish world received them cordially. They found that the culture, rites, customs and food of the central Europeans were already considered the only authentic Jewish manifestations in North America.
SEPHARDIC CULTURE - A PRIMER
The result was that at this time, the Sephardim formed a kind of “spiritual ghetto” within American Judaism. Until 1928, with the creation of the Union of Sephardic Congregations, American Sephardim had no stable, unifying organization. With the passage of time, however, other institutions were established, from homes for the aged to centers for Sephardic study.
Language and Culture
In centuries past the Jews lived in physical isolation, which led to developing their own ways of speaking. This was also a method of self defense as it allowed them to communicate without non-Jews being able to understand them. Thus, the Judeo-languages developed representing variants of the language of the dominant culture that the Jews used in their social and family life.
There were many languages that evolved, and Ladino, derived from the Spanish latino, was used to describe any medieval Moor or Jew who spoke Romance, the Christian language. Ladino is really a calque-language of Hebrew, used to put Hebrew liturgical texts into Spanish words. It was never a real language for everyday communication. However, older generations identified being Jewish with speaking Spanish and the Sephardim believed that the Spanish they spoke was theirs, the inalienable heritage of their people. Judezmo is another name used to describe the spoken language of the Sephardim and has come to be used as a synonym for Ladino. Recent scholars also use the name Judeo-Spanish.
Since there has been no systematic collection of data, estimates of the number of people who currently speak Judeo-Spanish is between 150,000-300,000. Samuel Toledano states,” Judezmo is a jewel, but it should not be perpetuated as a vehicle of communication. Spanish-speaking Jews need to learn modern Spanish. One must live in the present, conscious of the past, but it is impossible to live in the past. “ Not all Sephardim think alike and since the Sephardim are scattered throughout the world, there is interest in the preservation, study, and the revival of the Sephardic culture.
Excerpts taken from “Sephardim: The Jews of Spain” by Paloma Diaz-Mas, translated by George K. Zucker
Kenneth R. Dardick, M. D.
Nelson C. Walker II, M.D
Ayaz T. Madraswalla, M.D.
Ross L. Winakor, M.D.
Sandra Hughes, M.D.
Maura E. Baker, MSN, APRN
Tammy M. Gendron, PA-C
CELEBRATING OVER 35 YEARS!
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My home or yours 590 Ash St. Willimantic
FUNDS :
Rabbi's Discretionary
Capital Improvement
Beautification
Endowment
Library
Good & Welfare
Cemetery
Religious School
High Holiday Cantor
Tikkun Olam
Anne & Meyer Russian Youth Fund
Mini Berkowitz Lighting Fund
Habonim Board
Donor ($500-999)
Patron ($I,000-2,499)
Benefactor
($2,500-4,999)
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Your legacy
Our future
Please consider
the Temple in your
estate planning.
DONATIONS - THANK YOU!
Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund Eleanor Shane in memory of her grandfather Joseph Berkman
General Fund Sheila Amdur & Marcy Neff in honor of, and with a big THANK YOU to, Mona & Todd Friedland for their work on our wonderful Sephardic event!
Hochberg & Human Rights Fund Rav Jeremy and Merle Potchinsky
Other Opportunities for Giving
Humashim
(Torah & Haftarah Books)
$75 each for a bookplate
Siddurim (prayer book)
$30 each for bookplate
Mahzorim
(High Holiday Prayer Books)
$30 each for a bookplate
Sanctuary Seat Plaques &
Yizkor Board Plaques
$250 each
Tree of Life
in Greer Auditorium
$90 for a leaf
$180 for a branch
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SAVE THE DATES SEPHARDIC COOKING SAMPLER
Cebollas Con Fruta - Onions with Fruit Serves 4-6
1 lb. Small white onions 2 TBSP. tomato sauce
2 TBSP. oil 1/2 c. water
Juice of 1 lemon 1/2 TBSP. sugar 8 dried prunes 6 dried apricots
Preheat oven to 300 degrees. In a small, fireproof casserole, combine onions, tomato sauce, oil, water, lemon juice and sugar; bring to a boil. Cover and simmer approximately 10 minutes. Add prunes and apricots; cook 5 minutes longer. Bake, uncovered, approximately 30 minutes or until dried to taste. (Dora Olivebaum, Jerusalem, Israel, and Iderne, Turkey)
Huevos Haminados - Jewish Eggs Serves 4-6
6 raw eggs in shell, at room temperature 1 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. pepper 1/2 tsp. tea leaves
1/2 tsp. coffee grounds 3 or 4 onion skins for color
1 tsp. corn oil 1 tsp. vinegar
Put everything in a pan and cover the eggs well with water. Bring to a boil, cover the pan, reduce the heat to low, and cook for at least 5 hours, preferably 6. Add water now and then as it evaporates. Then drain, rinse the shells, and refrigerate until ready to eat. Remove the shells and serve!
THANK YOU TO OUR ADVERTISERS
Dear Friends, we have many advertisers who support us through the ads they place in our yearly Directory, and in this, our monthly newsletter, The Bulletin. Please consider doing business with them when you are in need of what they have to offer. Thank you.
Sheila Amdur, Antiquarian Books Page 18 in your Directory, page 16 of this Bulletin
James Baber, Fine Carpentry Page 37 in your Directory
Crown Market Page 26 in your Directory
Judaica Store Page 16 in your Directory
Landon’s Tire Page 18 in your Directory
ProHealth Physicians Page 13 in your Directory
Rosner-Czarnowski DMDs Page 26 in your Directory
Scott’s Cyclery, Inc. Page 18 in your Directory
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GREER AUDITORIUM RENTAL
We are currently seeking organizations who are in need of a meeting place for their weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly meetings, classes, workshops, staff training, exercise classes, etc. We can accommodate a wide range of needs, and can set up the auditorium to the specific needs of the group (number of chairs, tables, etc.) prior to each event.
We would appreciate it if you could mention this availability to your network via social media and any in-person meetings you may be attending. Below is a sample “ad” to use on your social media sites. Thank you, and give us a call if you have any questions.
Does your organization need a meeting place? Temple Bnai Israel has a large, airy auditorium for rent. Great for exercise/yoga classes, and regular meetings (weekly, bi-monthly, monthly). Can also be rented on as as-needed basis for special events. We will set up chairs and tables to your specifications. Ramped entrance and handicapped accessible bathrooms. Space not available on Fridays, Saturdays or Jewish holidays. Call Marlene at 860-423-3743 or e-mail her at [email protected] for further information or to schedule a showing.
Would you like to see your ad here?
Do you know of a local business who would like to see their ad here?
Contact Marlene at
VERY reasonable advertising rates.
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9:30am The Bat Mitzvah of Willow Golden
10:00am Shabbat Service
9:30am Bagel & Bible - Friendship
10:30am Shabbat Service, Shabbat Experience
BULLETIN ARTICLES DUE
10am Shabbat Service
7:00pm Spirituality Task Force/Ritual Comm. Mtg.
9:30am Tikkun Olam Comm.
7:30pm JFEC Film Festival: Dough: Garde Arts Center
6:15pm T.G.I. Shabbes, wine, cheese, music and celebration
10am Shabbat Service
10:00am Sandwich Making
7:30pm Shabbat Service
9:30am Hevra Kaddisha mtg
10:30am Mussar Va’ad
4:00 JFEC Yom Hashoah
7:00pm TBI Yom Hashoah
7:30pm Drop-in Kabbalah
4:30pm Religious School
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Jewry Duty 6th: CAPTAIN(S): G. & J. Petrowsky; team: Grace Adams; 2 more needed. 7th: CAPTAIN(S): Rochelle Marcus; team: Gerry Berkowitz, Lisa Finkelman. 13th: CAPTAIN(S): Doreen Simonsen; team: Renee Kraus; 1 more needed 14th: No Jewry Duty; Willow Golden’s Bat Mitzvah 20th: CAPTAIN(S): The Mossbergs; team: Leanne Rand, 2 more needed 21st: CAPTAIN(S): G. Berkowitz; team: the Stoloffs, 2 more needed 27th: Shabbes Dinner: HOST/HOSTESS NEEDED 28th: CAPTAIN(S): L. Loomer; team: Jim Baber, Karen Drazen, Peter & Carol Golden
4:30pm Religious School Special Wednesday
11:30am State of CT Yom Hashoah Observance at Capitol
12:30pm Long Term Planning Comm. Mtg.
10:00am Study Session at UCONN Hillel with Rav Jeremy
5:45pm Yom Ha’atzmaut at Congregation Beth El, New London
7:00pm Daughters of Abraham
7:00pm Board Mtg.
7:30pm Tikkun Olam VaNefesh Service
4:30pm Traveling Dinner
6:30pm Shabbes Dinner HOST, HOSTESS NEEDED
7:30pm JFEC Film Festival: Harvesting Stone Garde Art Center
7:30pm JFEC Film Festival: Son of Saul: Mystic Luxury Cinemas
7:30pm JFEC International Film Festival
ALSO ON THE 22nd - Last Day of Religious School. 7:30pm JFEC
Film Festival: Deli Man: B.P. Learned Center
Memorial Day
Holiday Banks &
Post offices closed
