Post on 25-Aug-2020
transcript
Thank you for entrusting me with the honor and
responsibility of President of Beth El.
Through the leadership and strategic vision of the
last several Board of Directors, Executive Committees
and especially the past presidencies of Gary Rosen, Andrea Steinberger,
Marty Oppenheimer and Dr. Harvey Sterns, the Congregation has sold the
building on South Hawkins, moved and built out the current location here at
the J.C.C. and has brought in a dynamic couple to lead us as our clergy.
We have accomplished many things and have made great strides with the
direction and assistance of Rabbi Elyssa and Hazzan Matt. Clearly we are on
a new spiritual path, fostered by joy and beautiful harmonies.
Here we go! Jerry B. Nelson, President
The Honeymoon
Continues
It is hard to believe that by the end of this
Bulletin’s calendar, we have completed a full year
cycle as Beth El’s clergy. We feel blessed to have
experienced a tremendous and positive response to
our “style” and way of doing things. With any
transition and new relationship, it naturally takes
time to adjust. Any honeymooning that we
have had this first year, we would like to
continue – in other words, we are both committed to keeping things fresh, to
bringing awareness to what’s happening in the larger Jewish world, and for
how we can best serve the needs of the Akron Jewish community.
In Pirkei Avot it is taught: “Rabbi Tarfon would say: ‘The day is short, the
work is much, the workers are lazy, the reward is great, and the Master is
pressing.’”
Moving into summer, the days are at their longest, but nonetheless, “the
day is short.” How might we seize these long days to do more - to learn
something from the Jewish Tradition, to participate at a Beth El program or
service, to be outside and engaging with the community? While we take some
summer vacation time, consider pitching in
President page 11
Rabbi & Hazzan page 8
Visit the
BULLETIN OF BETH EL
CONGREGATION
bethelakron.com
On-Line – Full Color!
June • July Table of Contents Rabbi & Hazzan’s Message ..... 1
President’s Message ................ 1
Thank You to ........................... 2
Milestone ................................. 2
Happy Anniversary .................. 2
Tisha B’Av Observance .......... 2
Schedule of Services ................ 2
Sisterhood ................................ 2
June Yahrzeits ......................... 3
June Calendar .......................... 3
July Yahrzeits .......................... 4
July Calendar .................... 4
Dr. Aviva Zornberg ................. 5
Jews & Brews .......................... 6
Lunch ‘n Learn ....................... 6
Memorial Plaques .................... 6
Planning an Event? ..................... 6
Observing a Yahrzeit? ............. 6
Akron Jewish Music Festival .. 7
Social Action at Beth El .......... 7
Election Results ....................... 8
Beth El in your Will ................ 8
Community Shabbat Dinner .... 9
Tisha B’Av ............................ 10
Year Book – Time to Update . 11
Upcoming Events .................. 12
Tree of Life ............................ 12
Jewish Shakespeare Festival .. 12
In Memoriam ......................... 12
Education Program ............... 13
Contribution Form ................. 13
Contributions ......................... 14
Torah, Drums, and Prayer...... 15
Shul Barbeque ....................... 16
BULLETIN OF BETH EL CONGREGATION
JUNE • JULY 2018 AKRON, OHIO SIVAN • TAMMUZ • AV 5778
Rabbi Elyssa Austerklein
Hazzan Matthew Austerklein
Page 2 BULLETIN OF BETH EL CONGREGATION
Knitzvah Resumes in September
Taste of Torah July 16, 7:00-8:30 PM
L'Chaim Cooking Club June 25, 6:00-8:00 PM at Temple Israel
July 23, 6:00-8:00 PM, Revere Rd.
Women's League for Conservative Judaism
Thank You to Sid and Andrea Steinberger for sponsoring
the bima flowers on April 14 in memory of
Inge Steinberger.
The Saferstein family for sponsoring the
bima flowers on May 5 in memory of Gerry
Saferstein.
Joy Epstein for sponsoring the kiddush on
May 5 in memory of Bart Epstein.
Rabbi Elyssa & Hazzan Matt for sponsoring
the kiddush on May 5 in honor of Georgie's
3rd birthday.
Joy Epstein for sponsoring bima flowers
on May 20 in memory of her mother,
Lillian Clayman
Milestone Mazel Tov to
Herb and Ellen Moss for their decades-long
dedication to the community as recognized by
the Jewish Community Board of Akron
Happy Anniversary JUNE YEARS 4 Donald Meltzer & Carole Lepilleur ..... 25
10 Rabbi Stephen & Judy Grundfast ......... 45
17 Michael & Linda Osherow ................... 45
19 Joseph & Diane Pryweller .................... 25
27 David & Debra Kaplan ......................... 30
JULY YEARS 1 Richard & Debbie Zelin ....................... 45
16 Dr. Arthur & Marcey Aronson ............. 40
20 David & Robin Levy ............................ 40
SCHEDULE OF SERVICES
JUNE • JULY 2018 SIVAN • TAMMUZ • AV 5778
Sunday – 8:30 AM
Wednesday and Friday – 7:30 AM
Saturday Morning – 9:15 AM
Please note: • Minyan times are Wednesdays and
Fridays at 7:30 AM. For summer months – 8:30 AM. Other times by request only.
• Friday night services will be held on the 2nd Friday of the month at 7:00 PM.
• Other morning and evening services will be held by request only. Please call the office one week in advance to make special arrangements.
Beth El Congregation 750 White Pond Drive
Akron, OH 44320
www.bethelakron.com
Office: (330) 864-2105 office@bethelakron.org
Affiliated with
The United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism
The Jewish Theological Seminary of America
Elyssa Austerklein Rabbi
rabbi@bethelakron.org
Matthew Austerklein Hazzan
cantor@bethelakron.org Stephen Grundfast
Rabbi Emeritus
Stephen Stein Hazzan Emeritus
Erin Katz Ford Director of Synagogue Education
educator@bethelakron.org
Jerry B. Nelson President
president@bethelakron.org
Sharon Merklin President Elect
Stacey Simonton Vice President
Marsha Friedman Treasurer
Gregg Manes Secretary
Marsha Friedman Endowment Chair
mef1035@gmail.com 330.603.1890
Robynne McKee Administrative Assistant
bethel@neo.rr.com
Laurel Gress Baalat Koreh
Leonard Rose Editor
Vol. LXXIII No. 10/11
The Bulletin is published monthly by Beth El Congregation
750 White Pond Dr., Akron, Ohio 44320
(USPS 052-100)
Periodicals postage paid at Akron, Ohio.
Postmaster: Send address changes to Bulletin of Beth El Congregation,
750 White Pond Dr., Akron, Ohio 44320
Candle Lighting
June 1 ..... 8:34 PM
June 8 ..... 8:39 PM
June 15 ..... 8:42 PM
June 22 ..... 8:44 PM
June 29 ..... 8:45 PM
July 6 ..... 8:43 PM
July 13 ..... 8:40 PM
July 20 ..... 8:36 PM
July 27 ..... 8:30 PM
Havdalah
June 2 ..... 9:43 PM
June 9 ..... 9:48 PM
June 16 ..... 9:52 PM
June 23 ..... 9:53 PM
June 30 ..... 9:53 PM
July 7 ..... 9:51 PM
July 14 ..... 9:47 PM
July 21 ..... 9:41 PM
July 28 ..... 9:34 PM
Tisha B'Av Observance
July 21
Saturday night
9:00 PM – Services
July 22 Sunday morning
9:15 AM – Services
Afternoon
1:00 PM – Paper Clips movie
and discussion followed by a
short mincha
BULLETIN OF BETH EL CONGREGATION Page 3
Sivan 5778 June 2018 Tammuz 5778
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
Services (unless otherwise noted)
Sunday 8:30 AM
Wed. & Fri. 7:30 AM
Saturday 9:15 AM
Let Us Know Rabbi Elyssa and Hazzan Matt are eager to visit congregants in the hospital but, can’t if they don't know. If you or someone you know is in the hospital or sick at home, and would appreciate a pastoral visit, please let us know.
Rose
Birth Flower for June
1 18 Sivan
2 19 Sivan
Beha’alotecha
3 20 Sivan
4 21 Sivan
5 22 Sivan
6 23 Sivan
7 24 Sivan
8 25 Sivan
9 26 Sivan
Shelach
10 27 Sivan
11 28 Sivan
12 29 Sivan
13 30 Sivan
Rosh Chodesh
14 1 Tammuz
Flag Day
Rosh Chodesh
15 2 Tammuz
16 3 Tammuz
Korach
17 4 Tammuz
Father’s Day
18 5 Tammuz
19 6 Tammuz
Board Meeting 7:00 PM
20 7 Tammuz
Jews & Brews 7:30 PM
21 8 Tammuz
Summer Begins
22 9 Tammuz
23 10 Tammuz
Chukat
24 11 Tammuz
25 12 Tammuz
L’chaim Cooking Club 6:00 PM
26 13 Tammuz
27 14 Tammuz
28 15 Tammuz
29 16 Tammuz
30 17 Tammuz
Balak
June 1-4 Betty
Paul Leventhal Gustave L. Levinson Alex Levitt Isaac Lipson Bela Lowy Rose Luck Hyman Milkman Marlene Miller William Neiman Frank Nelson Paula Cohen Padove Leo Romisher Sylvia Rosenthal Eleanore Rudick David Sapp Helen Schneier Bessie Senser Anna Shecht Louis Sherman Louis Shifrin Rose Sinder Bertha Stein Esther Wish Sarah Zwelling
June 9 - 16 Harry Auerbach Fannie Berloff Samuel Budzanover Rose Cohen Carl M. Fertel Sally Finkel Sarah Foster Ida Gergel Beatrice Glauberman Susan Glauberman Morris Kaufman Rosa Kobotsnick Sybil Kriger Sanford Levenson Harold Levin Helen Levin Alex Marks Molly Opas Irving Osherow Sol Regal Libby Schneir Milton Slavin Ben Slavin
Richard Sterns Esther Weiss James Wells Morris Zudnick June 16 - 22 Shirley Borodkin Norwin Brovitz Manuel Cohen Sy L Fischer Louis Gergis Paul Greenlick Esther Kates Mary Kodish Ruby Kodish Jerry Kodish Robert Kranitz Jennie Krupp Dave Lowy Milton Luck Sadie Ekus Manes Minnie Mirman Ruth L. Mulfelder Bernard Penner
Rose Pinsky Max Robinson Jack Rubens Dr. Leo Rubin Morris Sacks George Shapiro Eugene Treiber Samuel Wakser Cathy Wakser Mendel Weintraub Katie Wolfand June 23 - 29 Rebecca Albert Samuel C. Bershon Barnet Beyer Mollie Dorman Harold Garson Bernard Heller Anna Kalish Max Keane Herschel Kriger Florence Lessing Samuel Leubitz
Miriam Levenson Leah Lieberman Jerrold Lockshin Milton Pren Ruth Rakusin Zelda Rosenthal Dina Savage Rose Sholiton Sol Slavin Samuel Tucker John Waits June 30 Leonard Bernstein Minnie Roth Ida Stambor Blanche Yonas
YAHRZEITS
June 1 Norman A. Freedman Nate Mervis Arthur Winer June 2 - 8 Edith Adler Katie Backer Louis Berenson Myer Caplan Walter Cohen Goldie Cohn Helen Davidson Betty Fitterman Ann Joan Freedman Sophie T. Friedlander Erin Geller Lee Greenlick Judith Ann Helfgott Lena Heyman Phyllis Jacobson Nathan Kropko Hyman Lerner
Page 4 BULLETIN OF BETH EL CONGREGATION
Tammuz 5778 July 2018 Av 5778
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
1 18 Tammuz
Fast of Tammuz
2 19 Tammuz
Canada Day
3 20 Tammuz
4 21 Tammuz
Office Closed
Independence Day
5 22 Tammuz
6 23 Tammuz
7 24 Tammuz
Pinchas
8 25 Tammuz
9 26 Tammuz
10 27 Tammuz
11 28 Tammuz
12 29 Tammuz
13 1 Av
Rosh Chodesh
14 2 Av
Matot-Masei
15 3 Av 16 4 Av
17 5 Av
18 6 Av
19 7 Av
20 8 Av
21 9 Av
Devarim
9:00 PM Service Shabbat Chazon
Erev Tisha B’av
22 10 Av
9:15 AM Service 1:00 PM Movie, Service
Tisha B’Av
23 11 Av
24 12 Av
25 13 Av
26 14 Av
27 15 Av
28 16 Av
Vetchanan
Shabbat Nachamu
29 17 Av
Jewish Shakespeare Week
30 18 Av 7:00-9:00 PM
Jewish Shakespeare Workshop with Hazzan & OSF Actors, Greystone
Hall, 103 S High St
31 19 Av
Services (unless otherwise noted)
Sunday 8:30 AM
Wed. & Fri. 7:30 AM
Saturday 9:15 AM
Larkspur
Birth Flower for July
Let Us Know Rabbi Elyssa and Hazzan Matt are eager to visit congregants in the hospital but, can’t if they don't know. If you or someone you know is in the hospital or sick at home, and would appreciate a pastoral visit, please let us know.
Anna Stein Ida S. Waxman Benjamin Weiss Rose Ethel Winer July 7 - 13 Ruth Berloff Jacob Braunstein Sonya Buksdorf Leonard Davidson Dr. Sidney J. Eichner Rose A. Friedman Carol Gergis Israel Charles Goldberg Toby Gertrude Kaufman Morris Lieberman Phyllis Lockshin Martin Mermelstein Mayer Millman Doris Minkin Blanche Nusbaum Adolph Rabe Ida Rabinowitz Pearl Schwartz
Luba Small Bertha Weissfeld Pauline Wolman July 14 - 20 Sarah Cohen Harry Davidson Fred Finger Isidore Gergel Jennie E. Goldberg Alan Grundfast Stefan Handler Harriet Horn Rose Kahan Ida Kern Amy Lazbin Jeanette Levinson Arthur E. Lewis Gertrude Monosoff Susan A. Myers Max Neiman David Nelson Jay Nusbaum Ralph Peters
Netti Pollack Mary Potrock Benjamin Roth Jack Sarbey Janyne Sokol Heinrich Y. Steinhauer Miriam Vengrow Jacob Wolf July 21 - 27 Louis Adelman Dorothy Bloom Irving Botnick Philip Culiner Harry H. Davis Max Federhar Anna Friedman Leonard Katz Sol Katz Zella Kaufman Edward Kaufman Louis Kay Nathan Kraus Sam Liberman
Reuben B. Manes Roni Marks Hyman Ben Marks Bryan May Bessie Penner Ben Post Sylvia Post Elsie Pren Jeremy Putra Morris Ruben Ada H. Sacks Dr. William Schneider Elka Tauba Schnur Murray Schwartz Edith Shapiro Fay Siegel Lottie B. Simon Helen B. Steinreich Dorothy Woloveck July 28 - 31 Jerry Apple Etch Mary Blessing Barbara Cohen
Milton Kodish Harold Levinson Dennis Luck James Luck Selma H. Paskal Mollie Potrock Alma Reuben Lawrence Siff Louis Stile Helen Welsh
YAHRZEITS
July 1 - 6 Jacob Apelbaum Rose Caplan Bessie Klausner Federhar Martha Feingold Janka Fischmann Richard Friedman Adelle Gourse Estelle Hellman Natalee Hendler Howard Katz Nathan Katz Abraham Kodish Phillip Kodish Theodore Levenson Anna Liberman Rose K. Marks Jack Marshall Elaine Porush Henry Rubin Betty Sabetay Selma Seider Shirley Shapiro
BULLETIN OF BETH EL CONGREGATION Page 5
May 6, 2018
Learners engaged in Dr. Avivah Zornberg's talk: Moses: A Human Life
Page 6 BULLETIN OF BETH EL CONGREGATION
Returns in October
Observing a Yahrzeit
anytime soon?
If you plan on attending an evening Minyan and
want to make sure that someone is there to open
the synagogue and/or lead the service, please call
at least one week in advance, especially during the
summer months.
We will always do our best to get someone to lead
the service, however, we ask that you invite some
friends to join you to ensure that we have the
required Minyan.
Memorial Plaques The Memorial Plaques in our Sanctuary constitute a
permanent record of the names of men and women
departed from this earth. To cherish and keep alive their
precious memories is a sacred Jewish tradition. The
contribution for an individual plaque is only $250. For
further information, please call Beth El, 330-864-2105.
June 20, 7:30 PM So Far, July is Dry
A discussion group with drinks for the men of Beth El Congregation. Hazzan Matt leads this monthly men's discussion group on wide-ranging topics of interest to those in our community and the Jewish world. Have a drink and share the brotherhood with others.
Papa Joe's in the Valley 1561 Akron Peninsula Rd, Akron, OH 44313
Planning a Bar/Bat Mitzvah,
a wedding, a Kiddush, or another event at Beth El?
Call Erin at the synagogue office:
330-864-2105 ext. 118.
She will help you with arrangements.
BULLETIN OF BETH EL CONGREGATION Page 7
6 PM
SOCIAL ACTION AT BETH EL
Sharon Merklin, Rebecca Lieb, Rachel Osherow, Andrea Steinberger, Laurel Gress, Fred Weisberg, Bob Cohen, and Hazzan Matthew Austerklein
Akron Jewish Music Festival Beth El Choir
Join Others at Beth El Get Involved Bring Friends
So much has been done and there is so much more to do.
Thank you to Julie Katz for arranging volunteers for JCBA Spring Cemetery Clean up at Sherbondy Cemetery on White Street. Of course, thank you to Beth El volunteers for helping out!
Contact Bunny Rose to get involved: 330-836-4043, brose139att.net
Thank you Beth El volunteers for helping on
Sunday, June 3 at Mitzvah Day!
As summer begins, please do not forget to drop off food for Akron/Canton Regional Food Bank
in the Food Basket in Beth El entryway. Food Basket is courtesy of Dick Rossen.
Hazzan Matthew Austerklein and Martha Chestnut
Rebecca Lieb, Rachel Osherow, Tim Borham, and Hazzan Matthew Austerklein
Page 8 BULLETIN OF BETH EL CONGREGATION
Congregation Beth El
2018 Election Results
Officers Board of Trustees
Jerry B. Nelson
President
Martin Belsky Susan Osherow
Art Benson Marsha Rabe
Sharon Merklin
President Elect
Diane Caplan Andrea Rabinovitz
Leora Cohen Myron Rabinovitz
Stacey Simonton
Vice President
Morgan Domokos Bunny Rose
Sarah Greenblatt Jerry Schneier
Marsha Friedman
Treasurer
Julie Katz Andrea Steinberger
Marc Merklin Anthony Sterns
Gregg Manes
Secretary
Scott Newman Harvey Sterns
Debra Shifrin Newman Tom Trieber
Martin Oppenheimer Irving Kauvar, Trustee for Life
at services.
“The work is much.” Over the course of this year, our congregation has lost beloved community members to death, and we have blessed new life with brises and baby namings. As the clergy, we have reached out with dozens of emails, phone calls and visits each month - both in times of illness and of happiness.
We have joined Sunday School & Hebrew school, adding music, presence, and content. In May, we celebrated Beth El’s first consecration in several years, on Shavuot. And we are excited for the first bat mitzvah of our tenure, coming this August (Abigail Litt).
“The workers are lazy.” Sometimes people are satisfied with simply fulfilling the requirements – just checking off a list. But life is so much richer when we are able to imagine outside the box and push beyond the status quo. This past year, the Rabbi led a Yoga Seder as an alternative to the Second Day Pesach service, which had 16 participants. She has also established herself as a Jewish voice in Akron, giving blessings and invocations at Akron City Council, Holocaust Memorials, the city-wide MLK Commemoration, and others. The Hazzan has been a regular at the Preschool’s Granny Group program providing Jewish music to our youngest audience. This year’s concert weekends (MeshugaNotes Shabbat, Daniel Asia, and the Akron Jewish Music Festival) have added to the new musical vibrancy of
Rabbi & Hazzan, from page 1
the congregation, empowering and honoring both diverse talent from our local universities and from our own Jewish community.
As you probably remember, our High Holy Day services were quite different from years past and were found to be meaningful and fulfilling for a huge swath of our synagogue population. This style of service also led to our once a month Lev Tahor service, which is an uplifting, heart-opening and musical take on the Kabbalat Shabbat service.
“The reward is great.” We can both say without any doubts that coming to Beth El and Akron, Ohio, was the right move for us and our family. We are excited about the relationships we have begun to build, and the work we have started and accomplished. One year is a long time, and it is also a very short time. We have only begun. If you still haven’t met us, please reach out and let’s have a cup of coffee together. Let’s not let another year disappear before we connect - we need your help in reaching out, too.
“The Master is pressing.” God requires a lot of us. For us, this is a reminder and a feeling of how valued we are as human beings and as individuals. We hope that the summer gives us all a chance to reflect on what’s pressing the most - what project do I want to start, what group do I want to join, what joy do I want to partake in? Talk to God, and God might just give you the answer you are seeking…
Rabbi Elyssa & Hazzan Matt
Remember Beth El
in Your Will
For information, contact
Marsha Friedman Endowment Chair
330.603.1890
BULLETIN OF BETH EL CONGREGATION Page 9
Page 10 BULLETIN OF BETH EL CONGREGATION
z
Tisha B’Av, the ninth of the month of Av, is a day of mourning for Jews. It is the day we remember the
destruction of both Temples that once stood in Jerusalem as well as a number of other tragedies that have
befallen the Jewish people over the course of history.
In the synagogue, the lights are dimmed; congregants remove their leather shoes and do not greet each
other. At the evening service, Megillat Eicha (Lamentations) – which is a lament for the destruction of the
First Temple – is chanted along with several kinot, elegies or dirges written at different periods of Jewish
history. The kinot speak of the suffering and pain of Jewish tragedy through the ages.
Tallit (prayer shawl) and tefillin (phylacteries), usually worn during morning services, are instead worn
during Minchah (the afternoon service). This year, we will watch the movie Paper Clips (about a school in
Tennessee which created a project to help students understand the scale of the Holocaust) in the Mercaz,
before the mincha service.
Tisha B’Av is a full fast day. The last meal before the fast is often comprised of round foods like eggs or
lentils, which symbolize mourning in Jewish tradition because they evoke the cycle of life. In addition to
abstaining from food or drink during Tisha B’Av, Jewish tradition also mandates refraining from wearing
leather, engaging in sexual relations, washing one’s body, and using perfume or other such ointments.
Visiting cemeteries on this day is encouraged, as if to heighten the sadness.
The meal ending the fast traditionally omits meat and wine, in acknowledgment of the fact that the
burning of the Temple continued until the next day. Finally, the sorrow that began on the 17th of Tammuz
comes to a halt and the Shabbat immediately following Tishah B’Av is called Shabbat Nahamu (Shabbat of
comfort) because the Haftarah begins with the words “nahamu nahamu ami” (“comfort, comfort my
people”). This begins a period of consolation and comfort leading up to Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year.
עה באב ש ת
Tisha B’Av
BULLETIN OF BETH EL CONGREGATION Page 11
Re` The continued shrinking Jewish population in Akron is an issue of concern.
All these positive activities, getting out of the old building and relieving that financial burden, joining the
JCC campus and hiring new clergy, were critical steps towards a future on which we need to focus , with
particular attention to two specific words:
Those words are ENGAGEMENT and INCLUSION.
ENGAGEMENT – We are thrilled with our increased participation as motivated by our clergy. The next
step is to engage the balance of the congregation who have had the pleasure to interact with Rabbi Elyssa and
Hazzan Matt. A major reason we hired Rabbi Elyssa and Hazzan Matt was to attract a broader demographic to
our congregation. We are relying on clergy and their fresh perspective to grow our congregation & facilitate
more involved participation from the congregation as a whole.
INCLUSION – We need to further define the needs and desires of our Entire Congregation, which will
help us identify how we can best serve those needs and make a higher percentage of our members feel
welcome in order to provide a totality of Services that span the Life Cycle and resonate to today’s
Conservative Jew. We must review and update our rules and regulations relative to Beth El burial rights and
responsibilities, and support our local funeral home to make certain that when out of town members are buried
in the Beth El Section, Beth El Rules and requirements of being a member in good standing are met. In the
spirit of Inclusion, it is important to review the current rules regarding funerals at Beth El and consider
opening up Beth El to all members, not just Past Presidents of the congregation.
Engagement and inclusion are nice terms, but without true relationships with give and take, we cannot
achieve a higher level of activity for all.
INCLUSION must take on a broader meaning – we need to expand our religious dialogue to all of the
congregation, not just those who have regularly supported programs and services in the past.
It is imperative that we broaden the discussion, determine what motivates the balance of membership that
we only see the first Day of Rosh Hashanah and during Yizkor on Yom Kippur. We need to INCLUDE the 31
family units we lost in the last years, before our new clergy took office and change the narrative from
disenfranchisement to engagement.
One goal I have is to get to know all of you much better, so a legitimate relationship can develop. I would
challenge both clergy and our membership to get to know each other better. It is only with a true relationship
that we can be transparent and move forward together.
I appreciate this opportunity to serve in this role, work on behalf of the congregants in order to work
closely with our Clergy and Board so that we may enhance the spiritual, organizational and religious needs of
our soon to be growing Beth El family.
My best,
Jerry
President, from page 1
Time to Update Yearbook forms are due!
Please send your form to the Beth El Office by June 11.
Final Reminder
Page 12 BULLETIN OF BETH EL CONGREGATION
In Memoriam
Beth El Congregation notes with sorrow the passing of
Rhoda Gordon Mother of Barry Saferstein,
Bonnie Wakefield, and Sue Saferstein
Rolinda Schneiderman Wife of Ted; mother of Toby, Karen, Nancy,
and Amy; grandmother of Adam, Sam, Jacob,
Allison, Claire, and Joanna; sister of Randell
Dr. Robert Stone Husband of Rochelle; brother of Don;
father of Cynthia, Randall, and Jeffrey;
grandfather of Daniel and Samantha
Vivian Witt Mother of Evan and Ellen;
grandmother of Sophia, Julie, and Brian
Tree
of Life The magnificent Tree of Life was created to record
the happy events in the lives of Beth El members and
their families.
A birth, a wedding, a Bar/Bat Mitzvah, a
confirmation, an anniversary – all are among the
milestones that can be remembered on the leaves of
the Tree of Life.
The cost of a leaf is $125. You may use 3 or 4 lines
with up to 23 letters in each line. To order, call Sherri
Leubitz, 330-867-0364.
This is the newest leaf on Beth El’s Tree of Life:
Herb and Ellen Moss
Tribute by the JCBA
June 18, 2018 Mazel Tov!
Love, Dear Friends
Dec. 2, 2018
Celebrate Jewish Akron’s First Night of Hanukkah, at Beth El, with Jewish Music, Dance, & Food! Stay tuned for next month’s announcement of our musical guest artists.
Feb. 24, 2019
Akron/Canton Cantorial Concert, sponsored by the Jewish Theological Seminary of America (and featuring Beth El’s Hazzan Matt Austerklein, Cantor Bruce Braun (Canton, OH), three JTS cantorial students and Cantor Nancy Abramson, Dean of the H.L. Miller Cantorial School (The Jewish Theological Seminary). Free & Open to the Public.
Jewish Shakespeare Week!
Ohio Shakespeare Festival & Beth El
Monday July 30 at 7:00-9:00 PM
Jewish Shakespeare Workshop
Join Hazzan Matthew Austerklein and two
leading actors from the Ohio Shakespeare
Festival for drinks and dessert as we examine
Jewish themes in this week’s play, All's Well
that Ends Well, and workshop to connect to
Shakespeare's text through theatre games,
scene study, and fun that will demystify
Shakespeare's text and bring it to life.
Thursday August 2 at 7:30 PM
Come with our congregation to see
Shakespeare's romantic tragicomedy, All's Well
that Ends Well, live on the grounds of Stan
Hywet. Tickets discounted to $10 for participants.
BULLETIN OF BETH EL CONGREGATION Page 13
______________________________________________ Donation for (name/occasion)
______________________________________________ Send card to
______________________________________________ Address
___________________________ _______ ________ City State Zip
______________________________________________ Your name(s) as you wish them to appear in Bulletin
______________________________________________ Card is to be signed
______________________________________________ Your address
___________________________ _______ ________ City State Zip
Special Gift Funds • Aaron Kranitz Memorial Fund
• Alexander and Lillian Medoff Memorial Music Fund
• Edward Abramson Memorial Fund
• Eleanore and Jerry Lippman Bar/Bat Mitzvah Book Fund
• Gress Torah Fund
• Lisa Botnick Memorial Fund
• Luck Holocaust Fund
• Max M. Federhar Memorial Fund
Education Funds • Beth El Foundation for Jewish Education
• Hakoah Education Fund
• Irving Botnick Education Fund
• Kloner Family Fund
• Jacob Reich Memorial Fund
Office Use: Card Sent _______
Beth El
Congregation
Date: _____________
Minimum ($10)
Chai ($18)
Double Chai ($36)
Triple Chai ($54)
I am enclosing $__________
Contributions to Funds
______ In Memory of
______ For the Recovery of
______ In Honor of
______ In Appreciation
______ Other
Send your contributions to: Beth El Congregation • 750 White Pond Dr. • Akron, OH 44320
Congregational Funds • Cantor’s Discretionary Fund
• Education Fund
• Floral Fund (Shabbat Flowers, $36)
• Kiddush Fund
• Knitzvah Fund
• Rabbi's Discretionary Fund
• Synagogue Fund
Scholarship Funds • Frieda Weinberger
Memorial Scholarship Fund
• Lenore Gordon Scholarship Fund
• Lola Salzman Scholarship Fund
• Louis Lockshin Scholarship Fund
• Marks and Goldfarb Youth Fund
• Max and Regina Schneier Memorial Fund
• Reverend Phillip Salzman Scholarship Fund
• Simon Kopelson Memorial Scholarship Fund
• Stephen M. Gross Memorial Fund
Please use this form to mail in your contributions.
Learning Opportunity Thursdays, July 12 – August 2, 10 AM – Noon Social Justice as a Spiritual Practice: Jewish Perspectives Instructor: Stephen Grundfast
Landmark Centre
25700 Science Park Dr., Suite 100
Beachwood, OH 4412
In this course, we will examine a range of Jewish sources
that address the issue of social justice. Using selections
from the Bible, Talmud, early rabbinic sources and
commentary of modern rabbis, we discuss the ethical
impulse in Judaism and the spiritual endeavor to make
our world more just, compassionate and godly.
For more information or to register, please
visit case.edu/lifelonglearning.
Education
Program
Sunday School students learning with teacher Andrea Rabinovitz
Mazel Tov to our consecrants: Noa Beree, Kaitlyn Domokos, Taylor
Domokos, Liliana Moskovitz, Emily Shkolnik, Jacob Shkolnik, and Ellie York.
Page 14 BULLETIN OF BETH EL CONGREGATION
ELEANORE AND JERRY LIPPMAN
BAR/BAT MITZVAH BOOK FUND
In Memory of
• Dr. Robert Stone from Jacques and Etty Sardas
FLORAL
FUND
In Memory of
• Inge Steinberger from Sidney and Andrea Steinberger
GRESS
TORAH FUND
In Memory of
• Rachel Hexter from Larry and Esther Hexter
HAKOAH
EDUCATION FUND
In Memory of
• Sherwin Ruben from Steve and Ellen Winer
KIDDUSH
FUND
In Memory of
• Bertha Iczkovitz from Kevin Tucker
• Louis Yablon from Warren and Joie Yablon
KNITZVAH
FUND
In Memory of
• Rhoda Gordon from Dr. and Mrs. George Litman
• David Recht from Dr. and Mrs. George Litman
• Rolinda Schneiderman from Dr. and Mrs. George Litman
• Vivian Witt from Dr. and Mrs. George Litman
LENORE GORDON
SCHOLARSHIP FUND
In Memory of
• Dr. Robert Stone from Dr. and Mrs. George Litman
LISA BOTNICK
MEMORIAL FUND
For the Recovery of
• Susana Afonso from Jacques and Etty Sardas
LOUIS LOCKSHIN
SCHOLARSHIP FUND
In Memory of
• Rhoda Gordon from Jim and Susan Osherow
• David Recht from Jim and Susan Osherow
• Rolinda Schneiderman from Jim and Susan Osherow
• Dr. Robert Stone from Jim and Susan Osherow
AARON KRANITZ
MEMORIAL FUND
In Memory of
• Rolinda Schneiderman from Joe and JoEllen Kodish, Jeff and Susan Kodish, Alvin and Rochelle Lieberman
• Dr. Robert Stone from Joe and JoEllen Kodish
ALEXANDER AND LILLIAN
MEDOFF MEMORIAL MUSIC FUND
In Memory of
• Rhoda Gordon from Mrs. Donna Geller
• David Recht from Mrs. Donna Geller
• Rolinda Schneiderman from Mrs. Donna Geler
• Dr. Robert Stone from Mrs. Donna Geller
• Vivian Witt from Mrs. Donna Geller
CANTOR’S
DISCRETIONARY FUND
In Memory of
• Bernard Friedman from Rabbi Joan Friedman
For the Recovery of
• Marty Hellman from Joe and JoEllen Kodish
EDUCATION
FUND
In Memory of
• Hyman Finkelstein from Burt and Lois Nobil
• Rhoda Gordon from the Crane family, Mr. and Mrs. Jacques Sardas
• Reuben Katz from Ann Rosenthal family
• Lillian Katz from Carl Lieberman
• David Katz from Carl Lieberman
• Edward A. Lieberman from Carl Lieberman
• Allan Lieberman from Carl Lieberman
• David Recht from the Crane family, Mr. and Mrs. Jacques Sardas
• Rolinda Schneiderman from the Crane family, Larry and Esther Hexter, Carl Lieberman, Mr. and Mrs. Jacques Sardas
• Sam Schneiderman from Ted Schneiderman
• Dr. Robert Stone from the Crane family, Mr. and Mrs. Jacques Sardas
• Vivian Witt from the Crane family, Laurel Gress, Dr. John and Patty Saks, Mr. and Mrs. Jacques Sardas
For the Recovery of
• Marty Hellman from Jerry and Sandy Schneier
In Honor of
• The birth of Benjamin, grandson of Steve and Debra Shifrin Newman, from Dr. John and Patty Saks
• The birth of Benjamin, son of Scott and Meghan Newman, from Larry and Esther Hexter
• Jerry Nelson becoming president, from the Crane family
Contributions • Vivian Witt from Jim and Susan Osherow
In Honor of
• The birth of Maddy, granddaughter of Todd and Michelle Willen, from Jim and Susan Osherow
• The new home of Ed and Alice Schneider from Jim and Susan Osherow
LUCK
HOLOCAUST FUND
In Memory of
• Harvey Winer from Hope Winer
RABBI'S
DISCRETIONARY FUND
In Memory of
• Robert Bloch from Harry and Ilene Shapiro
• Bernard Friedman from Rabbi Joan Friedman
• Rhoda Gordon from Joe and JoEllen Kodish, Eileen Schneir
• Manny Iczkovitz from Kevin Tucker
• Eugene Meyer from Arnold Bleiman
• David Recht from Joe and JoEllen Kodish, Eileen Schneir
• Rolinda Schneiderman from Eileen Schneir, David Shapiro, Edna Shapiro
• Dr. Robert Stone from Eileen Schneir
• Shirley Wagan from Ted and Rolinda Schneiderman
• Vivian Witt from Joe and JoEllen Kodish, Eileen Schneir
• Bella Zetzer from Sid and Shirley Zetzer
In Appreciation
• Rabbi Elyssa from Herb and Ellen Moss
REVEREND PHILLIP SALZMAN
SCHOLARSHIP FUND
In Memory of
• Rhoda Gordon from Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Newman
• Julia Liberman from the Nusbaum family
• David Recht from Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Newman
• Rolinda Schneiderman from Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Newman, Herbert Weiss and Dana Karon
• Dr. Robert Stone from Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Newman
• Rose Recht Weinberg from Charlotte Heisler family
• Betty Weiss from Herb Weiss
• Vivian Witt from Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Newman
SIMON KOPELSON
MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP FUND
In Memory of
• Esther Slavin from Daniel and Marilyn Slavin
BULLETIN OF BETH EL CONGREGATION Page 15
STEPHEN M. GROSS
MEMORIAL FUND
In Memory of
• Rhoda Gordon from Mr. and Mrs. Scott Gross
• Rolinda Schneiderman from Mr. and Mrs. Scott Gross
• Dr. Robert Stone from Mr. and Mrs. Scott Gross
• Vivian Witt from Mr. and Mrs. Scott Gross
SYNAGOGUE
FUND
In Memory of
• Mike Codell from Dr. and Mrs. Robert Stone
• Louise Cohen from Randy and Bonnie Cohen
• Walter Cohen from Randy and Bonnie Cohen
• Rhoda Gordon from Dr. and Mrs. Lawrence Richman, Mr. and Mrs. Sheldon Saferstein, Edward and Alice Schneider, Mrs. Rochelle Stone, Mr. and Mrs. Sidney Zetzer
• Ruth Gottlieb from Marty and Sheila Gottlieb
• Harriet Horn from Stacey, Rachel, and Sarah Simonton
• Pauline Katz from Ann Rosenthal family
• Julia Mermelstein from Mel and Nancy Mermelstein
• Ethel Mirman from Marilyn Mirman
• Oscar Mirman from Marilyn Mirman
• Selma Paskal from Randy and Bonnie Cohen
• Martin Polsky from Leona Pollock family
• David Recht from Dr. and Mrs. Lawrence Richman, Mr. and Mrs. Sheldon Saferstein, Edward and Alice Schneider, Sidney and Andrea Steinberger, Dr. and Mrs. Robert Stone, Mr. and Mrs. Sidney Zetzer
• Rolinda Schneiderman from Randy and Julie Katz, Sandra Levenson, Andy and Judy Moyer, Charles and Ilene Parke, Dr. Lawrence and Harriet Richman, Dick and Arlene Rossen, Mr. and Mrs. Sheldon Saferstein, Ed and Alice Schneider, Dr. and Mrs. Robert Stone, Dorothy Thomas, Hope Winer, Mr. and Mrs. Sidney Zetzer
• Dr. Marvin Sommerfeld from Dr. and Mrs. Robert Stone
• Dr. Robert Stone from Dr. and Mrs. Lawrence Richman, Mr. and Mrs. Sheldon Saferstein, Ed and Alice Schneider, Steve and Ellen Winer, Mr. and Mrs. Sidney Zetzer
• Vivian Witt from Sandra Levenson, Debra Shifrin and Steven Newman, Libby Portnoy, Dr. and Mrs. Lawrence Richman, Dick and Arlene Rossen, Mr. and Mrs. Sheldon Saferstein, Edward and Alice Schneider, Dr. and Mrs. Robert Stone, Mr. and Mrs. Sidney Zetzer
For the Recovery of
• Marty Hellman from Sidney and Andrea Steinberger
• Maxine Levy from Dr. and Mrs. Robert Stone
In Honor of
• The 80th birthday of Mel Mermelstein from Barbara Lewis, Libby Portnoy
• The birth of Benjamin, grandson of Steve and Debra Shifrin Newman, from Sandra Levenson, Sidney and Andrea Steinberger
• Joe Kodish receiving the Public Service Award from The Akron Bar Association from Dick and Arlene Rossen
• Marc Merklin becoming President of Akron Chamber of Commerce from Dr. Lawrence and Harriet Richman
• The new home of Alan and Irene Adler from Sidney and Andrea Steinberger
• The new home of Ed and Alice Schneider from Sidney and Andrea Steinberger
• Madison Spector's graduation from O.S.U. Magna Cum Laude from Edward and Alice Schneider
In Appreciation
• Sandra Schwartz from Dr. and Mrs. Robert Stone
Your thoughtful and generous contribut ions are appreciated.
Contr i but ions are usual l y publ ished one month af ter receipt . Due to a
combined June/July Bu l le t in , cont r i but i ons received before Jul y 1
wi l l appear i n the August Bul l et i n .
Torah, Drums, and Prayer
Sarah Greenblatt
On April 15, a group of women had a truly unique and meaningful experience connecting through Torah
study, instruments, prayer, rhythm and song. The Drumming Workshop, called “A Drum in Her Hand,”
at Beth El, was led by Rabbi Elyssa Austerklein and drumming specialist, Christin Green.
The Torah study focused on Torah and Midrash texts about Miriam, finding new meaning in Miriam’s
role in the Torah. Although most of the attendees were not musicians in any way, they found themselves
creating music together, that not only helped them relax, connect to each other and to the Torah, but to
also have fun!
Page 16 BULLETIN OF BETH EL CONGREGATION `
PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID AKRON, OHIO
BETH EL CONGREGATION 750 WHITE POND DRIVE AKRON, OHIO 44320
Shul Barbeque – August 10 at the Camp Pavilion
6:00 PM Dinner • 7 PM Lev Tahor Details and prices will be mailed.