Congregation B’nai Shalom בני שלוםBulletin Iron Chef Rabbi: Secret Ingredient Pesach! with Passover Wine Pairings Thursday, March 15, 2018 7:00 – 9:00 PM TEMPLE BETH AM, FRAMINGHAM, & CONGREGATION B’NAI SHALOM, WESTBOROUGH, ARE JOINING TOGETHER WITH JULIO’S LIQUORS TO BRING YOU A VERY SPECIAL EVENING OF TASTINGS. Space is limited Registraon fee: $25/person Advance Registraon required by March 7 at hp://nyurl.com/ironchefpassover VENUE: Congregaon B’nai Shalom Social Hall, 117 East Main Street, Westborough, MA Congregation בניB’nai Shalom שלוםFamily-Friendly Community Seder Saturday March 31, 4 – 7 PM Join Rabbi Gurevitz and Rabbi Eiduson for our second night Passover Seder. Suitable for all ages. Seder begins at 4 PM • Dinner approx. 5:15 PM We’ll travel through the stages of the Seder on-screen with our Virtual Haggadah, adding songs, activities, and conversations as we go. Afikomen hunt for all the kids, a catered meal, Passover wines, and desserts included! Pricing, sign-up dealine, and details will be on the temple website and in the Weekly Connections. Bring your whole family for this community celebration! Logo Contest! Got graphic design skills? We need your help! We’re turning 40 and it’s time for a “face lift” — for our logo that is. So, grab your pencils and put on your thinking caps, because we need your help! See page 7 for details Purim Carnival (Sponsored by WAFTY) Sunday, March 4 • 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM CBS Social Hall Costume Parade • Games • Lunch Available
Transcript
March 2018/5778 Published Monthly Volume 34 No. 7
Congregation B’nai Shalomבני שלום Bulletin
Iron Chef Rabbi: Secret IngredientPesach! with Passover Wine Pairings
Thursday, March 15, 2018 7:00 – 9:00 PM
TEMPLE BETH AM, FRAMINGHAM, & CONGREGATION B’NAI SHALOM, WESTBOROUGH, ARE JOINING TOGETHER WITH JULIO’S LIQUORS TO BRING YOU A VERY SPECIAL EVENING OF TASTINGS.
Space is limited Registration fee: $25/person Advance Registration required by March 7 at http://tinyurl.com/ironchefpassover
VENUE: Congregation B’nai ShalomSocial Hall, 117 East Main Street,Westborough, MA
Congregation בני B’nai Shalom שלום
Family-Friendly Community Seder
Saturday March 31, 4 – 7 pm
Join Rabbi Gurevitz and Rabbi Eiduson for our second night Passover Seder. Suitable for all ages.
Seder begins at 4 pm • Dinner approx. 5:15 pm
We’ll travel through the stages of the Seder on-screen with our Virtual Haggadah, adding songs, activities, and conversations as we go.
Afikomen hunt for all the kids, a catered meal, Passover wines, and desserts included!
Pricing, sign-up dealine, and details will be on the temple website and in the Weekly Connections.
Bring your whole family for this community celebration!
Logo Contest!Got graphic design skills?
We need your help! We’re turning 40 and it’s time for a “face lift” — for our logo that is.
So, grab your pencils and put on your thinking caps, because we need your help!
See page 7 for details
Purim Carnival(Sponsored by WAFTY)
Sunday, March 4 • 11:30 am – 1:00 pm
CBS Social HallCostume Parade • Games • Lunch Available
Page 2 Congregation B’nai Shalom
Friday, March 26:45 pm Shabbat Rishon Family
ServiceSaturday, March 3Ki Tisa.. .... .... .... .... .... Exodus 30:11 - 34:358:00 am Torah and T’filah10:15 am Shabbat Morning Service –
Adam Ross Poverman will be called to the Torah as a Bar Mitzvah
Friday, March 9 7:30 pm Tefilah Band Shabbat
Saturday, March 10Vayakhel-Pekudei.. .... .... Exodus 35:1 - 40:388:00 am Torah and T’filah10:15 am Shabbat Morning Service –
Anya Kipp-McGowan will be called to the Torah as a Bat Mitzvah
Friday, March 167:30 pm Torah Shabbat Service –
celebrating the Bat Mitzvah of Israeli Emissary Tamar Melech
Saturday, March 17Vayikra .... .... .... .... .... Leviticus 1:1 - 5:268:00 am Torah and T’filah10:15 am Shabbat Morning Service –
Benjamin David Schanzer will be called to the Torah as a Bar Mitzvah
Friday, March 237:30 pm Simply Shabbat Service
Saturday, March 24Tzav .... .... .... .... .... .... Leviticus 6:1 - 8:368:00 am Torah and T’filah10:15 am Shabbat Morning Service
– Shayna Olivia Koss and Ashley Julia Sachs will be called to the Torah as B’not Mitzvah
Friday, March 30 No Shabbat Service –
1st Night of Passover
Saturday, March 318:00 am Torah and T’filah4:00 pm Community Seder
MAIN OFFICE508-366-7191 FAX: 855-780-2665http://www.cbnaishalom.orgUsually Mon–Fri 9am – 5pm, but please call first
Committee Chairs:Finance: Larry SambergInformation Technology: Steven GoldsteinMembership: Karen Rothman
Ritual: Adam WinterYouth Engagement and Lifelong Learning:
Rachel Bernzweig and Michelle Garland (School and Youth), OPEN (Early Childhood)
Social Action: Amy RosenbergSustaining our Vision Taskforce:
Gordon ManningCBS Cares • Yad b’Yad: Anita Backer
Affiliate Groups:Sisterhood: Nancy BoscoBrotherhood: Jim WilnerWAFTY: Emma Swanick and
Sarah Swanick
Our Board and Committee Chairs
Torah and T’filah • Saturdays, 8-9:30 am, LibraryAll are welcome to join this weekly study and conversation group as we continue to explore some of the later books of the Bible. No prior knowledge is necessary. This year: Ezra-Nehemiah, the return from exile and the rebuilding of Jerusalem. Join us every Shabbat morning in the library for our weekly Torah study group. We are currently studying the last books (historically-speaking) in the Hebrew canon. Come learn what happened after the exile, when the Jewish leaders were permitted to return to rebuild Jerusalem and a second Temple. More than a history lesson, we’ll be grappling with politics and power, social change, theology and ritual life, finding the common strands between the past and present.
March 2018 Page 3
Passover is a Jewish festival that has come to illustrate, par excellence, the ways in which
the Jewish people over the centuries have piled on many layers of sym-bolism to the one holiday. There are likely pre-biblical origins — the earth-based celebrations of Spring by nomadic sheep farmers and early grain farmers. The layer that is best known is the remembrance of the Exodus from Egypt, because the rit-ual of the Passover Seder emphasizes that layer. However, a careful reading of the Exodus text itself has Moses telling Pharaoh that the reason the Children of Israel should be let go is to go just a few days’ walk out of Egypt in order to celebrate their festival — so some kind of festival exists before the Exodus!
The Rabbis created the Pass-over Seder during the Roman era, weaving in some ritual foods that are associated with Passover in the Torah, but adding others that borrowed heavily from the culture of the Roman banquet and the rituals of a Greek Symposium — in their day the ultimate representation of freedom and the highest form of philosophy.
Over the centuries, additions were made, texts were changed, but fast-forward to the twentieth century, and we find haggadot (the book that contains the Seder ritual) with images that present the dangers of assimilation in the New World of America as the dangerous force of the early 1900s, the Nazi regime as the Pharaoh of the 1930s and 40s (see the work of Arthur Szyk, who lived from 1894 – 1951), and looked to the creation of the modern state of Israel as the Promised Land real-
ized once more. In the late 1960s and 70s, the growing sense of safety and confidence felt among American Jews led to the turning of their own freedom narrative to work toward the freedoms of others — haggadot that focused on the Civil Rights Movement, the Women’s Rights Movement, the movement to free the Jews of the Soviet Union, and more.
What we see in this brief review of the historical evolution of Pass-over and its meaning is a festival and Seder ritual that is still among the most observed holidays of the Jewish people. This is at least par-tially due to this constant layering of new meaning for our times onto the ancient rituals. Today we continue in that tradition.
During this month leading up to Passover there are multiple ways to experience and explore the meaning of this holiday with your B’nai Sha-lom community. We’ll be connect-ing contemporary issues impacting refugees with the Passover story in our Family Education morning. Our Sisterhood’s Annual Women’s Seder (March 22) will be focusing on the themes of women’s roles and acts of compassion that created freedoms for others, starting with the legacy of the midwives in the Exodus story, Shifra and Puah, onward. For many, the freedoms we enjoy today are lifted up with the care we take to create a special feast and the oppor-tunity to share it with others — our Iron Chef Passover tasting evening with wine pairings (March 15), partnering with Rabbi Sharon Sobel from Temple Beth Am, Framingham and Toni DeLuca at Julio’s Liquors, will be a fun and entertaining way to
bring some new food creativity and delicious wines to your Passover Seder, surpassing the Roman feasts that the ritual was modeled upon. Last but not least, our family-friendly Community Seder will be offered again this year on the second night of Passover, March 31. Since it occurs on a week-end this year, we will start the ritual at the earlier time of 4 pm and plan to serve dinner around 5:15 pm. Full details and online sign-ups can be found on the front page of the tem-ple website — please be mindful not to miss the deadlines for the tasting evening and Community Seder, required for catering purposes.
Finally, for those planning to host their own Seder, we are delighted to share a substantial discount on a haggadah published by the Reform movement, designed to be espe-cially accessible for families and family members who grew up in a different religious tradition to learn together as they conduct the Seder. It is called Sharing the Journey and was written by our congregant, Alan Yoffie. To order copies, go to http://sharing.ccarpress.org, add the book(s) to your cart; and use promo code PASSOVER40 at checkout to receive a 40% discount.
From Our Rabbi-Educator – Annual Senior Recognition Service
Purim ReminderReligious School will meet on Sun-day, March 4 from 9:30 to 11:30 am for all students in grades K – 5. The annual WAFTY Purim Carnival will follow Religious School beginning at 11:30 am. Parking will be limited at pick-up, so those staying for the carnival are asked to park at the Hastings School.
Shabbat Rishon on March 2Come join your fellow classmates and their families on Friday evening, March 2 for a Shabbat Rishon Ser-vice. What better way to build com-munity and celebrate Shabbat all at the very same time. We hope to wish you Shabbat Shalom on March 2.
Progress ReportsEmails from your children’s teachers regarding progress for the first half of the year were emailed home prior to February break. Please contact the school office if you did not receive a report for your child or if you would like to discuss your child’s report with a teacher.
Family Education DaysThe Gezah (Grades 2 & 3) Family Program is on Sunday, March 18, 8:30 – 11:15 am. The Anaf (Grades 4 & 5) Family Program is on Sunday, April 8, 8:30 – 11:15 am.
Tikkun OlamDuring March, our Tikkun Olam project is collecting hotel toiletries such as unopened soap, shampoo, lotions, mouthwash, and gently-used children’s books. These items will be donated to FIT (Families-in-Tran-sition). Please put items in the specially marked bins located in the hallway outside of the office. All monetary donations will be sent to JNF to purchase trees in Israel. Thank you for your support.
TzedakahAll Tzedakah (monetary) donations during the months of April and May will be donated to Jewish Family and Children Services, partially in thanks for the programs they provide to our school. Check out JF&CS at http://www.jfcsboston.org/.
Plant a Tree in IsraelIt’s not too late to plant a tree in Israel. By helping your children to plant trees in Israel through the Jew-ish National Fund, you are helping them to learn about the importance of caring for our environment, giv-ing them a direct link to the land and people of our homeland, and ensur-ing that Israel will remain green and beautiful for generations to come. Go to http://www.jnf.org/ for further information.
Important Parent MeetingOn Sunday, April 29 there will be an important 5th Grade Parent Meeting from 10:30 – 11:30 am in the Sanctuary. We will be discussing the Gesher Program and sharing important information regarding the 2018 – 2019 school year.
Our annual Senior Recognition Shabbat Service will be on Friday, May 4, 2018 at 6:45 pm. Every senior who is present will receive a Graduation Certificate and a special gift from the temple. Please
contact Lori in the school office at [email protected] or 508-366-7191 and let her know that your graduate and your family can join us for the service. Seniors must RSVP so that we may prepare the gifts and the certifi-cates for the graduates.
It is customary for our students currently in eleventh grade to usher for the service and for the parents of our students in eleventh grade to provide desserts for the Oneg Shabbat following the service. Parents of students currently in eleventh grade — please contact Lori in the school office at [email protected] and indicate your ability to usher and what you would like to bring for the Oneg Shabbat following the service.
Religious School News
Please Note
Religious school on Sundays begins at 8:30 am.
Please help your child be on time for school.
March 2018 Page 5
As I write this, Rabbi Gurevitz and I are with our 10th grade Confirmation class at the
Religious Action Center’s L’Taken Seminar in Washington DC. Our students are with five hundred other Jewish teens from all over the coun-try, learning about a variety of public policy issues, exploring the Jewish values surrounding these issues, and learning the skills of being an effec-tive advocate.
They will write speeches on Sun-day, and then on Monday they will speak at the offices of our Senators and Representatives on Capitol Hill. I know they will make us proud. Equally important is the friendship and camaraderie that is growing stronger between them. Not only are they talking and laughing, but they are also taking care of one another. They have saved each other seats,
made sure everyone had enough to eat, and shared advice and encour-agement and plenty of high fives when we went bowling. They are also treating everyone they meet with great kindness.
Just two weeks ago, Rabbi Gure-vitz and I took twenty-six Post-Con-firmation students to Philadelphia. We attended Shabbat services at a Reconstructionist temple, and Torah study at a Jewish Renewal temple. We learned about US History at Independence Mall, and US Jewish History at the National Museum of American Jewish History. We enjoyed lunch at Reading Terminal Market and dinner at Rooster Soup Company where 100% of the profits go to support vulnerable Philadel-phians. And we got a unique look at Philadelphia on the Mural Mile
Walking Tour. Throughout the weekend, our students were respectful, engaged, and so much fun to be with, and although these students have known one another for quite some time, they bonded even more, and new friendships developed.
These are just our two most recent examples of experiential education at its best. Our students participated in hands-on learning while strength-ening their class community bonds. What more could a Youth Educator ask for?
From Our Youth Educator – Experiential Education At Its Best
L’Taken Seminar in DC Post-Confirmation in Philly
Play and Learn SchoolThe Play and Learn School at Congregation B’nai Shalom will not be launching this year as planned. However, the team has determined while doing the preschool legwork that there is a strong desire for Jewish early childhood enrichment in the area for children from birth through pre-kindergarten age, some of whom the preschool would not have served. Over the next few months, we will be working to determine how we will support our congregation and our community — and in particular those families with small children looking for Jewish experiences. This may take a number of forms, including offering additional early childhood programs and services. If you would like to be involved in our next phase of work focused on early childhood programming, please reach out to Steven Goldstein, VP of Education, or Rabbi Joe Eiduson.
Page 6 Congregation B’nai Shalom
Dear congregants:During March, many of us start to take a look
at our personal finances as we review the year behind us and finalize our annual tax reporting. At the same time, a number of us at Congregation B’nai Sha-lom have started looking ahead and digging in to our medium- and long-term financial planning.
First of all, I am pleased to share that the Congrega-tion B’nai Shalom endowment has moved under the umbrella of the Jewish Federation of Central Massachu-setts. The funds, which are maintained as a subaccount within the Federation’s portfolio, are being profession-ally managed by State Street Bank. With our participa-tion in the Life & Legacy program, the timing was right to take advantage of this opportunity for management of our growing endowment fund.
Financial planning strategy sessionsWith the fortieth-year planning underway, we have three financial planning teams assembled to evaluate three possibilities for future fundraising. One group is looking at “burning the mortgage” to understand what that may mean for our congregation’s ongoing finances. Another is tackling a related topic and investigating building our endowment, and the resulting financial opportunities. Lastly, a group will evaluate a social hall renovation, and what that might mean for us in terms of facility rental — in addition to spiffing up the space.
We have three great task group chairs — Andy Feld-man leading burn the mortgage, Andy Shaw leading build the endowment, and Simon Davis leading renovate
the social hall. I anticipate the teams will meet over the course of the next few months, with the intent of creating proposals to be considered for go-forward activities.
This is a very important next step in the financial future of Congre-gation B’nai Shalom. I am pleased at the number of people who have already said they’d like to be a part of the evaluation. If you would like to be involved in this short-term task force, please let one of the chairs know so that they can invite you to the next meetings or conference calls on the topic.
Gala thank you!I want to thank our annual Gala team, led by Robin Baer and Tracy Kaufman, and joined by Ruth Lubitz, Joelle Orloff, Nicole Jacobs, Jennifer Shotkin, Carolyn Lieber-man, Stacey Wein, and Steve Winer. We warmed up the night with a tropical-themed gala, including umbrella drinks and leis for all. Bidding got heated for a couple of big ticket items — with Hamilton in Boston leading the night. It is all for a great cause, helping to meet the annual budget goals for Congregation B’nai Shalom.
If you’d like to put our fundraising goals over the top, please consider a donation www.cbnaishalom.org/2018gala/.
From Our President – Financial Planning Strategy Sessions
From Our Family Educator
Our 2/3 WAFTY had a blast at our ‘Faux’ shul-in this past January! We enjoyed Big Joe,
an engaging and interactive story-teller, along with many other shul-in components (without the actual sleepover).
Not to be outshined, a whopping 43% of our Anaf students had a blast participating in our annual WAFTY Lite shul-in event in February. It started off super cold as we enjoyed
snow tubing at Ward Hill in Shrews-bury. We all warmed up quickly enough with lots of games, activities, Shabbat prayers and crafts, food and hot chocolate when we returned to temple for our sleepover.
March is proving to be just as exciting with Family Education programs scheduled for Gezah families on Sunday, March 18 and Anaf families on April 8 and more 2/3 WAFTY and WAFTY Lite
events sched-uled during the month as well. Be on the look-out for more details in your weekly CBS Parent Connec-tions.
The expression goes — “It’s Adar – Be Happy! The Hebrew month of Adar marks the tra-
ditional beginning of spring — with Purim and Passover coming during the next few weeks. At Congrega-tion B’nai Shalom, it’s time to say, “It’s Adar — Be Busy!” We start the Bar/Bat Mitzvah season in earnest, plan and execute our Purim and Passover events, finish up the budget process for the next fiscal year, and get ready to start the cycle of mem-bership renewal, school registration, and prep for the High Holy Days. Yes, the seasons they go round and round.
To bring you up to date on our post-flood reconstruction — we are
just waiting now for the insurance company and adjuster to finish their work, and then we can go ahead and begin closing up the walls and repairing the damage. I’d hoped that we would be well on our way by now, but sometimes it takes longer than expected to get all the t’s crossed and i’s dotted. I am also working with congregants who have a mechanical engineering and building management background to try to put things in place to make sure we correct whatever systematic issues exacerbated the problem in the first place, as well as putting together a long-term building main-tenance plan.
Also, as I mentioned last month,
we are well on our way to rolling out a new synagogue management sys-tem. The expecta-tion is to deploy it in April, and it should take us a long way toward better being able to serve the needs of our community. Stay tuned. Details to follow.
Got graphic design skills? We need your help! Logo Time!
We’re turning 40 and it’s time for a “face lift” — for our logo that is. So, grab your pencils and put on your thinking caps because we need your help!
What: A logo design contest open to the entire congregation.Why: After many years with our current logo (sketch of the building), which has served us well, our congregation has evolved and we are looking to create a new logo to reflect who we are today. When: Submissions will be accepted until April 14.Where: Please submit a digital file (PDF, JPG, or PNG) with your logo design ideas to [email protected]. How: It’s a blank canvas — all ideas are welcome! Think community, inclusion, rituals, faith, spirituality, diversity and social action. Read more about our vision at
Please note, all submissions will be considered property of B’nai Shalom upon receipt. The committee reserves the right to use some, none, or all of the logos submitted. Credit will be given to the artist of the final selected logo. Please contact [email protected] with any questions. We look forward to receiving your submissions!
Congregation B’nai Shalomבני שלום
Previous Logo
Current Logo (Ark on homepage)
Congregation בני B’nai Shalom שלום
Page 8 Congregation B’nai Shalom
Member Activities
Learn to chant Torah!Thursdays: March 8, 15, 29 April 5, 12, 26; May 3, 10
7:30 – 9:00 pm
You’ve watched other people chant Torah at a Friday night Torah service. They make it look easy, you think. I could never do that. But you can. If you can read Hebrew, you can chant Torah. Torah cantillation uses trope, a system of symbols organized into families. Using the V’ahavta and other passages, you will learn to decode the symbols, and chant Torah text. The class will begin with a brief look at the history of trope, its function, and its structure. We will then jump right in and start chanting. To register, email Cantorial Soloist Sharon Brown Goldstein at [email protected].
YELL — Youth Engagement & Lifelong LearningOur next Meeting is Sunday, March 11 at 8:30 am in the Library. Old and new members are invited to attend.
Manageable Mitzvah: YELL is looking for volun-teers to staff the reception desk on Sunday mornings. Parents can volunteer for part or all of any Sunday morning. Lori, the temple’s receptionist, will provide training when you arrive. There is an outlet for plugging in a laptop (and free wi-fi) so you can be productive at the same time. Sign up at http://bit.ly/YELL-signup. New dates have been added online.
Early Childhood ActivitiesEarly childhood would like to send a yasher koach (good job) to the Lisa Elaine Feingold Memorial Fund for their generous donation for the February Farm Animal Tot Shabbat.
Purim Carnival on March 4Young families are invited to participate in the Purim Carnival on March 4 from 11:30 am to 1 pm.
Annual PJ Havdalah on May 12Save the date: Saturday, May 12, 4 – 6 pm, Early child-hood will be holding our Annual PJ Havdalah.
Looking for HostsWe are also looking for host(s) for two events, one in May (PJ Havdalah) and one in June (Early Child-hood Picnic Meet-up). Please email Michelle at [email protected] if interested.
Rachel BernzweigMichelle GarlandCo-Chairs
Scientists in Synagogues Salon:Invasive and Pervasive Collection of Data — Big Data and its Effect on Our Lives
March 12, 2018 • 7:30 – 9:00 pm
Community RoomAn informal presentation and conversation around contemporary scientific issues and their interface
with Jewish philosophical questions
Big Data is the name for very large databases that hold terabytes and petabytes of data. These databases can be used to find relationships in geological data, population data, weather data, and health data that we were not aware of before. They can also be used
to create vast libraries of personal data on whole populations of people. These storehouses of data can
be used to find ways to manipulate us to buy products, change our minds on issues, and support candidates
who may not be in our best interest. Algorithms exist that can predict the best message to override
the logical thought processes on an individual basis. They pose a danger to our society. We need to
be cognizant of these messages and how they are used. Come to the salon and find out how this is done.
Northborough Meals — Next Meal Wednesday, March 14The sixty-five guests at our dinner on Wednesday, January 24, thoroughly enjoyed the meal and entertainment. As always, we had a wide variety of delicious dishes. Many of the attendees had seconds and took food home. We deliv-ered the additional leftovers to the Worcester Veterans’ Shelter. Shir Joy and Jonas Goldenberg provided beautiful music.
We give special thanks to all our wonderful volunteers: Risa Abrams; John Anderson; Anita and Mike Backer; Shari Bedar; Jori Berger-Greenstein; Stacey and Rob Blumberg; Jessica and Alexis Bruce;
Alyssa and Max Cleveland; Judy and Stu Deane; Phyllis and Harvey Douglas; Susan, Parker, and Nathan Glueck; Fran Habib and Steve Petlock; Carolyn Lieberman; Leah Litin; Risa Litman; Susan Lubner; Arnie Nadler; Joelle Orloff; Judy Palken; Andrea Rosenthal and Scott Gore; Mark Sebell; Ted Shoemaker and Natalie Rudolph; Phyllis and Tony Simas; Kair and Megan Tucker; Stacey Wein; Karen Weiner and Jonas Goldenberg; Carol Wein-stock; Sherry, Josh, and Ari Zetlan; Sisterhood; and Religious School.
Our next scheduled meal is Wednesday, March 14. Please
contact Phyllis and Tony Simas at [email protected] or [email protected] if you wish to take part in this gratifying family mitzvah. As usual we will need main and side dishes, salads, and desserts, as well as help setting up, serving, and cleaning up.
Thank you so much to everyone who participates in the program. We appreciate your generous support and look forward to welcoming additional new volunteers.
Bobbi and Joel Feinblatt
Navigating Jewish Ritual
A series of Thursday nights, 7 – 9 pm. Sign up for individual sessions or for the the entire series.See full list of topics and dates at https://tinyurl.com/navigatingritual.
March 1: The function of ritual in Jewish life in the home and the community. (Suitable for all.)March 8: The Torah service: rituals, roles, hagba (the art of lifting the scroll) and the blessing over the read-
ing of the Torah (coming up for an Aliyah). (Suitable for all to come and learn; some roles in a Torah service, such as lifting the scroll and reciting a blessing over the Torah, are performed only by Jews.)
March 15: Pre-passover — masterchef and wine-tasting evening. (Separate registration and cost for this joint program with Rabbis Gurevitz, Eiduson, and Sobel.)
March 22: Women’s Seder. (Free of charge; separate advance sign-up required.) March 31: Community Seder. (Separate registration and cost with advance sign-up required.)April 5: Yizkor at 6:30 pm. Class at 7 pm — Rituals for death and mourning. (Suitable for all.)
Membership Social ClubsHave you signed up for our Membership Social Clubs yet? To sign up, and to learn how the clubs work and how to initiate an event, go to www.cbnaishalom.org/lets-have-fun/.Current groups:Come away with me (Day Trips)Walk / Hike with Me Go Climb a Wall What’s Playing (theater/movies)
Let’s eat at my/your house Let’s Make ReservationsParty Bridge Learn / Teach me…
Ski With Me Mom’s Time Out Come Dance with Me Easy Riders (biking)
Those who sow (gardening) Gluten Free and Me Wine With Me (& beer and
Sisterhood Action – Seder, Girls’ Night Out, Women’s Kallah
CBS Sisterhood is having a wonderful year. You are invited to join us this spring for more great programming. All women of Congregation B’nai
Shalom and friends of CBS are welcome.
Annual Women’s Seder on March 22The Annual Women’s Seder is on Thursday, March 22, 6:00 – 9:00 pm at CBS. This is always a meaningful evening of music and reflection led by Rabbi Gure-vitz and coordinated by Sisterhood. Our theme this year is Women Saving the World. We encourage you to invite your mothers, sisters, daughters (fifth grade and older), and friends to share this inspiring experience with you. This event is open to all women and there is no charge. For our potluck dinner, please bring a non-dairy main dish, side dish, salad, or dessert, if you are able. We will need volunteers for set-up at 5:15 pm and clean-up at the end of the evening. RSVP by March 17 at http://www.cbnaishalom.org/annual-womens-seder/.
Girls’ Night Out on March 6Girls’ Night Out is Tuesday, March 6, 7:00 – 9:00 pm. The night includes dinner, drinks, con-versation, and good company, location TBD. Contact Nancy Bosco at [email protected] if you would like to join us.
Women’s Kallah on April 28The Women’s Kallah is on Saturday, April 28, 12:30 – 5:00 pm at CBS. We are looking forward to a wonderful day, including a buffet lunch and afternoon tea, featuring our guest speaker Tziporah Salamon, author of The Art of Dressing. She will share her personal story while showing us how to put together unique
outfits. She has a style all her own and is quite enter-taining. Check out Tziporah Salamon on YouTube (try https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=05YlYRKAQAw). Mark your calendar.
Yiddish Book Center on April 8We will visit the Yiddish Book Center in Amherst on Sunday, April 8 , 10:00 am. Are you interested in the his-tory of the Yiddish language? We will be given a tour of the center and then have time to look around ourselves. More details to follow.
Drop-in Mah JonggThank you to Rickey Lopatin for leading Mah Jongg learn/re-learn. We have several new players. Mah Jongg continues every Tuesday from 11:15 am – 1:15 pm at CBS. Do you enjoy playing Mah Jongg or would you like to learn? Join us for Drop-in Mah Jongg every Tuesday. Let Nancy Bosco know if you plan to join us. We do cancel for inclement weather.
A big thank you to Judy Palken for presenting The Art of Good Nutrition at our February gathering. Everyone enjoyed Judy’s informative presentation accompanied by beautiful artwork.
Contact Nancy Bosco at [email protected] with any comments, questions or suggestions about these events. I look forward to hearing from you.
All are welcome as we continue this year’s monthly reflections on the sephirot of the Kabbalistic tree of life.
En–CHANT–ment CIRCLETuesday, March 27 • 7:30 pm
Hebrew chanting heals the mind, body, and soul. It lights the flame in words of prayer through beautiful melodies. It creates energy while allowing for inner
contemplation. No musical background needed.
Email Eva Friedner for more information: [email protected] 27 will be led by Rabbi Rachel Gurevitz
March 2018 Page 11
Member Activities
Brotherhood News – Brotherhood Breakfast on March 11
The Passover season began early this year with a wonderfully attended program on February 11, led by our invited guest speaker Dr. Murray
Spiegel. Following our Brotherhood Breakfast, Murray presented his program 300 Ways to Create an Unfor-gettable Seder, featuring ideas from his book 300 Ways to Ask the Four Questions, to over forty Brotherhood men and other congregants. If you were not able to attend but would like to see some of his creative sug-gestions, go to http://SedersForYou.Tripod.com, and http://WhyIsThisNight.com. Also mentioned at this event was our congregant Alan Yoffie’s new Haggadah, Sharing the Journey – the Haggadah for the Contemporary Family; CBS members are entitled to a 40% discount in 2018 by visiting the publisher’s website, sharing.ccarpress.org, adding the book(s) to your cart, and using the promo code passover40 at checkout.
Next Brother Breakfast on March 11Our next Brotherhood Breakfast is on Sunday, March 11 at 9:00 am in the Social Hall. Our own member, Mark Sebell, who for over forty-five years has helped com-panies large and small add value through innovative
techniques, will discuss what he believe are the Three Skills for Becom-ing a More Creative Thinker and Prob-lem Solver. RSVP to Jim Wilner at [email protected]. The cost is $5 for Brotherhood members (free to members who joined at the Sponsor and Benefactor levels), and $12 for non-Brotherhood members/guests.
Brotherhood is always looking for new members. You do not need to be a CBS member or Jewish to partici-pate in Brotherhood events or become a Brotherhood member. To join or renew, go to www.cbnaishalom.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/SisterBrotherFY18-Fillable.pdf, or contact one of the officers. See the Brotherhood page at www.cbnaishalom.org/community/brotherhood for the list of officers.
B’nai Shalom Book Group for March and MayOn Monday, March 26, please join us to discuss And After the Fire, winner of the 2016 National Jewish Book Club Award, by Lauren Belfer. Marsha Nourse will join us as Guest Facilitator. This book, set in three time periods, offers us a provocative, engaging discussion that merges threads of Jewish and music history. In America 2010, the main character, Susanna, is struggling to rebuild her life and unfold the mystery behind a musical composition she finds in her late Uncle Henry’s home. In Germany 1945, Henry takes a Bach masterpiece from a deserted mansion. In Berlin 1783, Sara Itzig Levy, a renowned musician, conceals the score of an anti-Jewish Bach cantata. Interweaving past and present, story reveals more than 200 years of history, both real and imagined. It is about the charac-ters themselves and the mysterious choral masterpiece that changes their lives. To add to our discussion, we will listen to Bach music selections to help us under-stand how they connect with the text.
On Monday, May 14, we will discuss Suddenly, Love, a story of a unique friendship by Israeli author Aharon Appelfeld. Ernst, a Ukrainian Red Army veteran, dis-claimed his Jewish roots when he was a young commu-nist who persecuted Jews. Now 70 and in failing health, he is writing his memoirs, coming to the terms with his past beliefs, and seeking forgiveness. He engages Irena, age 36, whose deceased parents were Holocaust survi-vors, as his caregiver. Ernst and Irena form an inspiring bond that expands our understanding of forgiveness (excerpted from www.goodreads.com).
Both meetings will be held at B’nai Shalom at 7 pm. All B’nai Shalom members are welcome. For more information, please contact Barbara Barry at [email protected].
Todah rabbah to our oneg hosts, oneg captains, and ushers since the last issue:
Hosts:Lynne and Adam Winter, Risa and David Abrams, Julie and John Anderson, Lisa and David Antoine, The Abramowitz Family, Caroline and Eric Alper, Wendy Ascher, Peter and Nancy Young, Rachel and Matthew Abrahams, Melissa and Nathaniel August, Lynn and David Auslander, Sherry and Joel Weinstein, Michelle Weinstein and Daniel Garland, Edie and Mitchell Bam-berger, Emma Swanick.
Please send announcements and news toEileen Samberg at [email protected].
We Could Use Some Help with the Bulletin
We now print the Bulletin in-house. Once it’s printed, we put together a small group to fold, tab, and label the Bulletins for mailing. We could use some more volunteers. This task is a couple of hours during the day usually the third week of the month. We will send out an email specifying day and time, and if you can make it, you let us know. If you are willing to get asked, please email Lori Zembruski at [email protected].
CBS CaresCBS Cares, formerly Yad b’Yad, is here to help out our congregants in times of need, offering rides, helping those sitting shiva, and making visits to the sick. If you would like to learn more about CBS Cares or perhaps become more involved in this most worthwhile commit-tee, or, if you know of someone who is in need of help, please contact Anita Backer at [email protected].
Adam Ross Poverman will be called to the Torah as a Bar Mitzvah on March 3, 2018. Adam is the son of Susan Janfaza and Harold Poverman, and has an older brother, Max, age 16. Adam lives in Marlborough and attends Whitcomb Middle School as a 7th grader. His interests include playing basketball and baseball, and being with friends.
Anya Kipp-McGowan will be called to the Torah as a Bat Mitzvah on March 10, 2018. Anya is the daughter of Sarah Kipp and Chad McGowan, and has an older sib-ling, Jay, age fifteen. Anya lives in Worcester and attends the Macomber Center in Framingham. Anya enjoys performing in plays and landed the role of Scar last sum-mer in a local production of The Lion King, Jr. She also loves singing and recently began learning how to play the drums. Anya delights in caring for young children and assisting with the Northborough Community Meals program.
Benjamin David Schanzer will be called to the Torah as a Bar Mitzvah on March 17, 2018. Ben lives in Southborough and is the son of his proud parents, Andrea and Andy Schanzer. He has two siblings, Danny Schanzer, who is 10 years old, and Emily Schanzer, who is 4 years old. He is in 7th grade at Trottier Middle School and enjoys skiing, soccer and hanging out with friends. Of all his Bar Mitzvah projects, he particularly enjoyed his experiences volunteering at a free medical clinic in Shrewsbury and serving dinners at Northbor-ough Meals. He has been active in the temple youth group and looks forward to celebrating with his friends from WAFTY and Crane Lake Camp.
Shayna Olivia Koss will be called to the Torah on March 24, 2018. Shayna lives in Grafton and is in 7th grade at Grafton Middle School. She lives with her par-ents, Steven and Michelle, her brother Hayden, and her pets, Sparta and Apollo. Shayna is on a travel basketball team, and enjoys soccer and hanging out with friends. For Shayna’s mitzvah project, she will be collecting donations for the Pajama Project. Each pajama/book set will go to a local preschool run by YOU, Inc in Worces-ter that allows teen moms to continue their education. We would like to thank the rabbis, cantorial soloist Sharon Goldstein, and Shayna’s Hebrew school teachers for their warmth and dedication in helping Shayna reach this milestone.
Ashley Julia Sachs will be called to the Torah as a Bat Mitzvah on March 24, 2018. Ashley is the daughter of Joy and Adam Sachs, and has a brother, Andrew, age 10, and a sister, Abigale, age 8. Ashley lives in Ash-land and is in 7th grade at Ashland Middle School. She enjoys scholastics and piano, and is actively involved in dance at Annemarie’s Dance Centre. Ashley also enjoys lacrosse and has qualified to play goalie for the past three years for Bay State Bullets Club Lacrosse.
B’nai Shalom Oneg SponsorsCelebrate s’machot (happy events) and remembrances with your temple family by sponsoring an oneg.
Steven T. Sager, Esq. E-mail: [email protected]: (508) 898-9900 ext 101 www.sagerlegal.com2 Mount Royal Avenue, Suite 330 Marlborough, MA 01752
PARK STREET DENTALJonathan Hoffman, DMD
Cosmetic, Implant and Family Dentistry
Tel (508) 366-5028www.Westborodental.com
210 Turnpike Road, Westborough, MA
Award Honored Realtor
Best Choice
Robbi RubensteinProud member and sponsor since 1994! Award Honored RealtorSRES, CBR, Marketing & Negotiation SpecialistHall of Fame, Buyers & Sellers Representation
March 2018 Page 15
Trusts and Estates LawMarvin S. Silver, Esquire
2017 Trusts & Estates “Lawyer of the Year” Best Lawyers in America, Worcester County, MA
42 Magill Dr., Grafton, MA 01519 • www.HighfieldsGolfcc.com
Mazel TovHighfields Golf & Country Club would like to extend our sincere appreciation to our past families who have given us the honor of hosting their event at our Coun-try Club. We look forward to meeting our new families from the congregation and hope you, too, will share the same amazing experience at Highfields. Please contact AnnMarie in our Sales Department at (508)839-1945 ext. 222 to book your upcoming event.
Want to make 2018 your best year yet? If getting on top of your health & wellness goals seems like a monumental task, I’m here to help! You’re more likely to succeed if you work with a coach. Schedule a 1-on-1 apt. with me to fast-track your health journey.
Marsha Beals, Health Coach Certifications in Holistic Health, Healing, Nutrition, & Autoimmune
of Worcester and Worcester Countryis now affiliated with
Miles Funeral Directorsof Holden
508-829-4434
Taharah (religious preparation) is performed on-site by the Worcester Chevra KadishaRichard S. Mansfield, Funeral Director • www.milesfuneralhome.com
Contact Richard Perlman • Cell: 508-769-7017
Our Sponsors
JF&CS is proud to serve Central MA, including Westborough,
Shrewsbury, Northborough, Marlborough, Worcester, and Holden.
Waltham Headquarters | Brighton | Canton | Central MA | North Shore
To learn more, visit jfcscentralma.org or call 508-755-3101.
OF CENTRAL MASSACHUSETTS
The Young Adult Division (YAD) of the
Jewish Federation of Central Mass
Geared for adults between the ages of 22 and 45, the Young Adult Division of the Jewish Federation of Central Masschusetts plans events of outreach, social engagement, social action, philanthropy, and education.
To see events, visithttps://jewishcentralmass.org/yadand https://www.facebook.com/groups/centralmassyad/.
For more information, contact Mindy Hall, JFCM Director of Outreach, [email protected].
March 2018 Page 17
March 2018Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
Adar Nisan/
1 2 3
4 5 6 7 8 9 10
11 12 13 14 15 16 17
18 19 20 21 22 23 24
Purim400p Hebrew700p NavigatingJewish Ritual
Shushan Purim645p Shabbat RishonFamily Service
Parashat Ki Tisa800a Torah and T'filah1015a ShabbatMorning Service(Poverman)
930a Religious School1130a WAFTY PurimCarnival
1115a Drop-in MahJongg330p Hebrew andGesher600p Chai School
Building Maintenance Fund EileenandLarrySamberginhonorofthebirthofJohnathanHarleyMontagueWiner
General Fund BarbaraAdamsinmemoryofHarryGoldsteinAlisonAkardinmemoryofPaulaBlumAnitaandMikeBackerMazelTovtoEileenandLarrySambergonthebirthoftheirnewgrandson,Morrie
Jennifer Lee Levine Fund AllanandPennyLevineinmemoryofThomasMamosAllanandPennyLevineinlovingmemoryofMarionLeftonLandscape Improvement Fund FayandParvizJanfazainhonorofAdamPovermanbeingcalledtotheTorahasaBarMitzvah
Rabbi Debra R Hachen Caring Fund PhyllisandHarveyDouglasinhonorofthebirthofJohnathanHarleyMontagueWiner
RabbiRachelGurevitzLyndaandCharlesNelsoninmemoryofBeaZuckermanRabbi’s Discretionary Fund RosalynFoxinmemoryofIdaFoxGlennandJeanKesslerinmemoryofSamuelChafetzLoisandMichaelWollininmemoryofRitaWeberYad b’Yad Fund SteveandLoriWinerinmemoryofLouisJeromeMillerYouth Fund MerylandBobWidmaninmemoryofCeliaWidman
Pleasesenddonationsto: Attn: DonationsCongregation B’nai ShalomPO Box 1019, Westborough, MA 01581-6019In order for an acknowledgement to be sent, the donation must
be at least $10, and must include the name of the fund, the name and address of the person(s) to whom the acknowledge-ment is to be sent, and your name and address.
You can also donate at www.cbnaishalom.org/donate/.
Abby Brown EducationUsed for special school projects and materials such as films and records, speakers and field trips.
Adult EducationUsed for Adult Education Programs and Leadership Training Programs.
ArtUsed to purchase and display artwork to beautify the synagogue.
Building Improvement Fund Used for special projects on the interior of the Congregation B’nai Shalom building including maintenance, repairs, security, and furniture.
Early ChildhoodUsed for Early Childhood programming.
GeneralUsed to support the congregation’s current budget.
High Holy DayUsed to arrange our High Holy Day Services.
Jennifer Lee Levine Youth Supports cultural and educational programs to benefit out preteen and teen members.
Joel I. SilversteinUsed to refurbish the temple kitchen.
Landscape ImprovementLibraryUsed to purchase books for children and adults for our circulating library.
Lisa Elaine Feingold MemorialUsed for the annual children’s Hanukkah celebration and for media or cultural projects to benefit our Pre-K to Grade 1 students.
MusicUsed to augment the congregation’s musical programs.
Donations
New Leaf for our Tree of Life
ashley Julia sachs
Bat mitzvah
march 24, 2018
March 2018 Page 19
Prayer Book and RitualUsed to purchase items needed in the sanctuary, religious observerance, and copies of our High Holiday prayerbook and our regular prayerbook, Mishkan T’filah. A donation of $36 for Mishkah T’filah is acknowledged with a bookplate on the inside cover of the prayerbook.
Rabbi Debra R. Hachen CaringUsed to offer emergency assistance to congregants in times of need.
Rabbi’s DiscretionaryUsed by the rabbi for Tzedakah (charity) and special projects.
Rabbi-Educator’s DiscretionaryUsed by the rabbi-educator for Tzedakah and special projects.
Social ActionUsed for social action and mitzvah programs, including “Mitzvah Day”, educational activities and speakers, and to assist worthy non-profit causes selected by the Social Action Committee.
Steve Meltzer Memorial Summer Camp ScholarshipUsed to defray some of the costs of attending summer programs offered by nonprofit Jewish organizations. Qualifying programs include Jewish overnight nonprofit summer camps and other programs for students sponsored by nonprofit Jewish organizations.
CBS Cares • Yad b’YadUsed by the CBS Cares committee to prepare and deliver meals to congregants who are ill or caring for a family member; making friendly visits to congregants with various needs; sending cards etc.
YouthUsed to further the work of all of our youth groups, and provide subsidies for retreats, conclaves, and conferences.
2 March, 2018 Adar 16, 5778JeannetteBergerIrvingCohen*MichaelD.Cooper*JeremiahDanbergBeatriceErenbergArnoldFox*AliceFriednerCaroleGarland*SamuelGelfandHarryGoldsteinSiegmundHamburgerSidneyHarris*DorisHershIrvingHurwitz
9 March Adar 23AaronBlumMurrayBoykin*LeonaBreezeAlbertBrodySamuelCohenShirleyDavidoffClaraDouglasCharlesFriedMylesGattermanGaryHamos*ArnoldHeapsHerbHoffmanFlorenceHymowitzGertrudeIsaacsonBettyJaffeeNewmanKopaldRonKramerShirleyKramerLeaKraus
16 March Nisan 1BonnieBassukRobertBerkowitzRozBessellBurtonCohenSylviaEhrlich*SaulEpsteinStanleyEpsteinMichaelFederman*HaroldFeldmanHenryGattermanSampsonGrunesRobertLevineRichardMack*
23 March Nisan 8LeonAntarsh*EdnaCutter*PhyllisD’Andrea*LawrenceFinn*BernardGoldbergGregoryGustafsonEdithIsraelMartinIsraelCherylJacobsonAaronJaffeeShoshanaRoseWeissLevowPaulPeitavino
The congregation extends its condolences to the following families on the deaths of their loved ones.
• Sondra and Michael Bloch and their children Jared, Max, and Zachary, on the death of Sondra’s father, Seymour Shimkowitz•
• Jesse and Sharon Goyette and their children Shane and Lydia, on the death of Jesse’s step-father, Robert Denehy•
• Carolyn Lieberman and family on the death of her grandfather, Herbert Schwartz •
• Cheryl and RickPouliot and family on the death of Rick’s mother, Laura Pouliot •
• Elaine and Mark Rosen and their children Evan and Olivia, on the death of Elaine’s mother, Simonne Landry •
Zichronam Livracha, may their memories be a blessing.
זכרונם לברכה
Features
Iron Chef Rabbi on March 15 ....................................................... 1 Community Seder on March 31 ................................................... 1Purim Carnival On March 4 .......................................................... 1Got graphic design skills? Logo Time! ........................................ 7YELL — Youth Engagement & Lifelong Learning ................... 8Learn to chant Torah! ..................................................................... 8Scientists in Synagogues Salon ..................................................... 8Navigating Jewish Ritual ................................................................ 9Northborough Meals ...................................................................... 9Membership Social Clubs .............................................................. 9Sisterhood Action .......................................................................... 10Spiritual Journey Group: .............................................................. 10En–CHANT–ment CIRCLE ...................................................... 10Brotherhood News ....................................................................... 11B’nai Shalom Book Group for March and May ....................... 11CBS Cares ....................................................................................... 12
Congregation B’nai Shalom Bulletin
NON-PROFIT ORGUS POSTAGE
PAIDWestborough, MA
Permit No. 93
117 East Main Street PO Box 1019 Westborough MA 01581-6019
Member of the Union for Reform Judaism
Congregation B’nai Shalom
The Congregation B’nai Shalom Bulletin is published 12 times a year (11 monthly issues and a High Holy Days Supplement) by Congregation B’nai Shalom, PO Box 1019, 117 East Main Street, Westborough, MA 01581-6019.
All content is the responsibility of Congregation B’nai Shalom. Comments and submissions should be e-mailed to [email protected]. The deadline is the 10th of the month.
