For Spring Gala honoree Philip Eliasoph, community service means more than being a good citizen, it goes to the heart of being a Jew. “One need not await Rabbi Prosnit’s Yom Kippur sermon to realize that our self-definition of being a Jew in the 21st century makes community service a way of being and the purpose of our daily existence,” Philip says. He will be honored, along with Karen Ferleger and Edward Burger, on Volume 157, Issue 10 Nisan/Iyyar 5776 May 2016 MAY HIGHLIGHTS Spiritual Growth Spring is a time for renewal. Yet, it’s not just our plants that start to grow again, but our spirit can be renewed as well. See Rabbi Schultz’ column on Page 5. Meet the Class of 2016 Confirmation is one of Reform Judaism’s most important achievements. Meet some of the impressive teens who are members of our Class of 2016. See Page 6. Every Student is Special B’nai Israel creates a learning environment where every student can learn, no matter what challenges they may have. See Page 7. Picture Perfect Bonim Preschool’s annual art auction was a great success last month, raising money for new playground equipment. See Page 10. More Inside Mitzvah Morning ........................ P.2 BIFTY ......................................... P.4 Adult Jewish Learning ................ P.4 Donations .................................... P.8 Shabbat Services ....................... P.15 Yom HaShoah ........................... P.16 Gala Honors Community Leaders Continued on Page 10 THE 2016 CONFIRMATION CLASS – Top Row: Ben Dachman, Rachel Salem, Hannah Cohen, Allie Ha- zen, Sam Ballas, Brooke Powning, Sophia Pappas, Bottom Row: Shane Carley, Melanie DelAngelo, Jenna Rosenstein, Rabbi Schultz. Missing from photo: Morgan Beck, Kaleigh Karnal, Finnley Monte, Rachel Portnay and Julia Warman Congratulations to our Confirmation Class of 2016 Join us on Sunday, June 5 at 2:00 p.m. for the Confirmation Service Samantha Ballas Morgan Beck Shane Carley Hannah Cohen Benjamin Dachman Melanie DelAngelo Allison Hazen Kaleigh Karnal Finnley Monte Sophia Pappas Rachel Rose Portnay Brooke Powning Jenna Rosenstein Rachel Salem Julia Warman
Transcript
Congregation B’nai Israel2710 Park AvenueBridgeport, CT 06604www.cbibpt.org
For Spring Gala honoree Philip Eliasoph, community service means more than being a good citizen, it goes to the heart of being a Jew.
“One need not await Rabbi Prosnit’s Yom Kippur sermon to realize that our self-definition of being a Jew
in the 21st century makes community service a way of being and the purpose of our daily existence,” Philip says.
He will be honored, along with Karen Ferleger and Edward Burger, on
Volume 157, Issue 10 Nisan/Iyyar 5776 May 2016
MAY HIGHLIGHTS
Spiritual GrowthSpring is a time for renewal. Yet, it’s not just our plants that start to grow again, but our spirit can be renewed as well. See Rabbi Schultz’ column on Page 5.
Meet the Class of 2016Confirmation is one of Reform Judaism’s most important achievements. Meet some of the impressive teens who are members of our Class of 2016. See Page 6.
Every Student is Special
B’nai Israel creates a learning environment where every student can learn, no matter what challenges they may have. See Page 7.
Picture PerfectBonim Preschool’s annual art auction was a great success last month, raising money for new playground equipment. See Page 10.
THE 2016 CONFIRMATION CLASS – Top Row: Ben Dachman, Rachel Salem, Hannah Cohen, Allie Ha-zen, Sam Ballas, Brooke Powning, Sophia Pappas, Bottom Row: Shane Carley, Melanie DelAngelo, Jenna
Rosenstein, Rabbi Schultz. Missing from photo: Morgan Beck, Kaleigh Karnal, Finnley Monte, Rachel Portnay and Julia Warman
Congratulations to our Confirmation Class of 2016 Join us on Sunday, June 5 at 2:00 p.m.
for the Confirmation Service
Samantha BallasMorgan BeckShane Carley
Hannah CohenBenjamin Dachman
Melanie DelAngeloAllison Hazen
Kaleigh KarnalFinnley MonteSophia Pappas
Rachel Rose PortnayBrooke PowningJenna Rosenstein
Rachel SalemJulia Warman
2 What’s happening at the Temple? Get Hashavua, our weekly email. Send your request to Lynn at [email protected].
Sharing Our JoyEric Newman, in honor of receiving the Denise Dougiello “Young Turk” Award given by the Fairfield DTC.Ellery Plotkin, in honor of receiving the Eunice Postol Award, given by the Fairfield DTC. Nick and Rebecca Blondin on the birth of son, Danny. Alice is so excited to be a big sister!
Welcome! Welcome!A warm welcome to our newest members. We look forward to their participation in our many programs and hope their affiliation will not only enrich their lives, but that of our congregation.
Sheila KaminskyRoberton Xing, FairfieldKaren Widdows and Emma PetrilloGay Bower Road, Monroe
Sincere SympathyWe extend our sympathy to the bereaved families of:
Merwin Blum, father of Cantor Sheri BlumArthur Soalt, father of Nina SoaltDolores Gurewitz, mother of Susan MasonUrban Silva, husband of Theresa Silva
Bulletin BoardMitzvah MorningThe next Mitzvah Morning will take place on Sunday, May 15. The activity’s details were still being finalized at press time. Congregants will gather around 9:00 a.m. at the Temple. Look for more details in Hashavua.
Annual Meeting on June 16Please join us on Thursday, June 16, at 7:30 p.m. in the Social Hall as we review the year at B’nai Israel, approve the operating budget, thank
outgoing lay leaders, and welcome the incoming Board of Trustees.
A Sporting MitzvahEvan Smith wants to share his love of sports as part of his mitzvah project for his upcoming Bar Mitzvah. Through early June, Evan is collecting new or gently used sports equipment to donate to Connecticut Quest for Peace, a charity that seeks to improve the lives of the poor in Nicaragua, especially women and children. A box for donations can be found in the
temple’s coat room. You can learn more about Connecticut Quest for Peace via its website at http://www.nicaragua-quest-for-peace.org/.
Confirmation Class FundraiserPlease help the Confirmation Class of 2016 raise funds for their gift to the temple. A portion of the proceeds from dining at Panera Bread on Monday, May 2nd, from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. will be donated to their fundraising efforts. Detailed flyers are available in the temple and in Hashavua.
HELPING OUR VETS – Congregants served brunch to the military veterans at Homes for the Brave in Bridgeport during the March Mitzvah Morning outing.
3
Who is honored? One who honors others. (Pirke Avot 4:1)
To this, Rashi (our most esteemed commentator) explains: “If God will honor those who honor God, how much more fitting is it that we who are merely flesh and blood should honor those who honor us.”
Our annual congregational gala celebration is more than a fundraiser. While it’s a crucial part of the synagogue budgeting process, it has theological ramifications. It is a chance to recognize and say thank you to those who go above and beyond. Following Rashi’s wisdom, if it is something God does, then we should as well! So many people these days are busy, but some just manage to find the time to do a bit more. How important it is from time to time to pause and acknowledge their work and their wisdom.
Typically when it comes to our annual gala, we honor past presidents or congregational leaders. This year, however, we decided to recognize three individuals who, while deeply committed to this synagogue, have strengthened us all through their commitment and contributions to other areas of the broader community.
Ed Burger, Philip Eliasoph and Karen Ferleger are recognizable to many here at the Temple. Ed and Karen have been part of the congregation their entire lives. And while Philip is the newbie, he and his wife, Yael, have been members for almost 30 years. All three possess amazing leadership skills and the ability to get things done. We are a stronger community because of the work they do in their engagement with the Union for Reform Judaism (Ed), Fairfield University (Philip) and the local Jewish Federation (Karen).
Elsewhere in the Bulletin, you’ll be able to read more details about their activities. But please know:
• If it weren’t for Ed Burger, our connection to the URJ would be more tenuous. He continually reminds us that this synagogue community is enhanced by its involvement and relationship to a national movement. Just as an individual’s Jewish identity is made stronger and more sacred by affiliation, so is a synagogue identity strengthened by entering a collective partnership with others around the country.
• If it weren’t for Philip Eliasoph, the cultural life of this area, (something that Jews take especially seriously) would be significantly diminished. Open Visions Forum, the Bennett Center for Jewish Studies, the positive “town-gown” connections between Fairfield University and the local community are connected to Philip’s vision and drive for excellence.
• If it weren’t for Karen Ferleger, our broader Jewish community would be far more fractious and divided. Karen had a keen sense that a vibrant and effective Jewish Federation remained essential for the good of the entire community. Her efforts went a long way in restoring faith and in securing the foundation of a thriving Jewish community in this part of Fairfield County.
Please join us in saluting these three worthy individuals by both acknowledging them with an Ad Journal “thank you” and by attending the May 26th celebration. We are honored that they agreed to be honored – and we thank them for strengthening this sacred community.
Donation Item of the Month: Household Supplies (paper goods, soap, dish detergent) for Norma Pfriem Urban Outreach Initiatives
From the Rabbi’s Desk/Rabbi James Prosnit
More than a Fundraiser
Edward BurgerPhilip Eliasoph
Karen Ferleger
4
BIFTY
Follow us on Instagram at Cbibpt.
Adult Roundtable Thursday, May 5 at 12:30 p.m.A discussion about current events for anyone who wants to go beyond the headlines. Facilitated by Gloria Katz. Join us the first Thursday of every month, and bring a sandwich, your opinion and an open mind.
Rosh Chodesh with Rabbi Suri KriegerThursday, May 12 at 7:30 p.m.
The waxing and waning of lunar cycles has been a guiding force for women through-out the ages, both literally and spir-
itually. Since the Jewish feminist move-ment reclaimed Rosh Chodesh in the 1970s, women have been gathering on a monthly basis to acknowledge and cel-ebrate. The form of this celebration has
taken on many faces, including ancient text, contemporary outreach, food and fantasy. Women are invited to join Rabbi Suri Krieger to celebrate the new Hebrew month and for spiritual growth.
A History of the Jewish People: Journeys through AustriaLifelong Learning, Fridays at Noon, May 6, 13, 20, 27, June 3 and 10
Jews have lived in what is today Austria since the expulsion from the Holy Land by the Romans in the 1st century C.E. Our exploration of Jewish history will focus on our people’s experiences in Austria
and its historical precursors. Like most of Europe, when things were good for us there, they were very good. When they weren’t … Come learn with Ira Wise in the latest installment of this long-running class!
CBI Talks
Our first two sessions were well received, and we have learned some things about how to make them even better. The cal-endar is too full for another session this spring, so look for us to begin again in September. If you think you might have something to share that would interest others, contact Ira Wise at [email protected].
May Events
We only have four events left!
Join us on May 12, 19, 26, and June 9 for the final events of this school year! BIFTY meets every Thursday from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. in the BIFTY lounge.
Friday, May 20, is our annual Shabbat Beach Service. We will begin at 6:00 p.m. at Lake Mohegan on Morehouse Highway in Fairfield. We look forward to seeing you there!
BIFTY Board applications are due on Monday, May 23. You can find information on our Facebook page. Email your application and any questions to [email protected].
Need some reasons to join the BIFTY board or attend a final BIFTY program? Here are a few reasons from BIFTY’s teens:
1. Mall Hunt!!!!!! 2. Birthday Party Extravaganza3. Making new friends4. “lit programs”5. To have fun!
Adult Jewish Learning at Congregation B’nai Israel
BIFTY members filled the Temple halls with fun on a recent evening.
5
For our family, and I know for many of yours, springtime means opening up our garages and sheds, taking out our shovels and gardening gloves, and planting our springtime gardens. I know many of our community members love to plant veg-etables and fruits, whether in a pot on the balcony or in a garden plot in the back-yard. Many also take advantage of the many local farms, driving out to Easton and other towns to purchase fresh pro-duce from the local farmers or participat-ing in Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) programs with local farms.
Jews have a long history and connection with farming and growing produce. In the Torah, before entering the Promised Land, Moses and God gave the Israelites very specific instructions on how to tend to their fields. In recent history, many of the early Jewish immigrants to Palestine in the 1920s and 1930s were farmers, building kibbutzim and agricultural com-munities to support the large influx of im-migrants at the time. Even today in the
United States, more and more American Jews are opening “Jewish Farms” and learning the laws of tending to the land.
There is one Jewish law about farming that I thought might be interesting for you to study individually or as a family as you prepare your spring gardens. In Leviticus 19:23, it states:
And when you come to the land and you plant every fruit tree, then you shall count its fruit as forbidden. Three years [beginning with the time of its planting] shall it be to you as forbidden; it shall not be eaten.
The question is: Why should one wait three years before eating the fruit of a new tree? As you can imagine there is no one answer (shocking!). Some rab-bis believe that before three years, the tree was somehow considered not yet ready or even impure (in Hebrew these laws are actually called “orlah” meaning uncircumcised). Some connect the ritual of waiting three years to cut a child’s hair with this law of fruit trees; that like a child, it takes three years for a tree to reach a certain level of maturity (not that three-year-olds are in any way mature, unless I suppose you compare them to a two-year-old).
As I think about this enigmatic text, I think there may be a sense of spirituality in the waiting for the fruit to fully blos-som. We can be rather impatient some-times; we want to eat the literal fruits of our labor as soon as they seem ready, or even before they are ready, because we don’t want them to be too bitter or be-come spoiled.
Certainly I don’t advocate waiting three years before eating the fruits and veggies you’ve grown. But there is opportunity to turn the waiting into a spiritual moment. To really watch and observe the growth of this food. To practice waiting and self-control. To marvel in the mix of God’s creation and our hard work. To sit with our families and even name three things we love about spring, or nature, or each another, while we wait. Happy spring, and may both your waiting and eating be spiritual moments!
We are on Twitter now! Follow us via @cbibpt. We’ll follow back!
From the Rabbi’s Study/Rabbi Evan Schultz
The spirituality of waiting (for those veggies to grow)
Graphic Credit: Source: ClipArt Panda.com
James Prosnit, D.D. ............................ Rabbi
(203) 336-1858 • www.cbibpt.orgThe Bulletin of Congregation B’nai Israel is published every month except July.
AffiliatesMarisa Underberger ............................................ BIFTY Advisor/Youth Engagement SpecialistBecky Molinoff & Caroline DelAngelo ..................................................... BIFTY Co-PresidentsScott L. Smith ........................................................................................................ Bulletin Editor
6
This is our second installment with our 2016 Confirmands.
Did you see some of them at the Purim festival? They were busy selling their baked goods to raise money for their gift to the synagogue. Their goal is to raise enough money to provide the camera equipment for the new streaming system at B’nai Israel so that congregants who are unable to physically attend services will still be able to pray and remain connected with our synagogue. Please help the Confirmands reach their goal by participating in the upcoming fund-raisers, including May 2 at Panera Bread (details on Page 2).
Here are more of our exceptional young congregants that will become Confirmands on Sunday, June 5. We invite you all to join them as they reach this important milestone in their Jewish lives.
How would you explain Confirmation to a member of our congregation?
RACHEL S.: Confirmation is confirming my faith to Judaism. This is important to me because I like being actively involved in my synagogue community as well as continuing to explore my Jewish identity.SAM: Confirmation is an important milestone for me as I reaffirm my connection to Judaism and to God.MELANIE: Confirmation is understanding your connection to Judaism and figuring out what you believe as well as promising myself that I’ll continue to practice my faith.JENNA: Confirmation is reconfirming
your choice to be Jewish. It is a way of promising to be Jewish and to keep the traditions of my ancestors alive.JULIA: Confirmation is confirming my Judaism and confirming that I will continue my Jewish education.RACHEL P.: Confirmation is learning about Judaism with your peers since preschool.
What has been the most interesting conversation you have had thus far in Confirmation class?
RACHEL S.: I enjoy our conversations about God and discussing our Jewish identity.SAM: The most interesting conversations in our class have been on God concepts because it was really eye-opening and allowed me to develop different way to thing about my religion.MELANIE: The God concept topic was the most intriguing conversation because it was interesting to hear about other
people’s views.JENNA: My favorite topic we’ve talked about is the concept of God. It is really interesting to hear the different perspectives of people I’ve known most of my life.JULIA: The most interesting conversation we have had so far was talking about who is a true Jew and what defines being Jewish.RACHEL P.: I found the conversation about Brother Daniel most interesting because we got to debate and discuss how you can become an Israeli citizen. (NOTE: Brother Daniel was a Holocaust survivor who converted to Catholicism and later led the Carmelite monks in Haifa. His fame came almost four decades ago when he immigrated to Israel and asked to be listed as a Jew under the Law of Return. The case highlighted the bizarre twists and turns of Jewish identity politics.)
Like Us on Facebook. Visit the Congregation B’nai Israel page and join us online.
Confirmation Corner
Rachel Salem and Sam Ballas
Melanie DelAngelo and Jenna Rosenstein Julia Warman and Rachel Portnay
7Marlins Reel in B’nai Israel alum: Craig Breslow will pitch for the Miami Marlins this season.
From the Education Center/Ira J. Wise
Taste the Rainbow
Moses may have had a disability, He claims he is “slow of speech” when God taps him to confront Pharaoh and lead the Israelites to freedom. I love this text. God tells him to do it anyway. God provides an accommodation – Aaron will go with Moses – but the task and the responsibility are the same. To look it at it from an educator’s perspective (how else can I see it?), every learner has a place in our school. And every such place needs to be custom fit to the needs of the learner.
I am proud of our congregation’s track record over the past two decades of finding those places for our students. And those services fall under a program name we call Keshet, which means rainbow. Keshet describes a wide-ranging program that responds to our children at B’nai Israel who have special learning needs. This includes children on the autism spectrum, with Tourette’s, ADD, ADHD, physical disabilities and other challenges that impact how they learn.
Keshet began as a standalone program for 3- to 5-year-olds and their parents. It now includes inclusion services in our Religious School as well as the option of a separate class for students in K through 8th grades, if that is what their parents feel will work best. The whole point is to find ways to meet our children where they are so they may have a Jewish education AND be part of a community of peers that is open and accepting.
If you know of a Jewish child who would benefit from this approach, please tell their parents about Keshet and tell me
about the family. We can’t help the child we don’t know.
I want to recognize and express gratitude to Probus Club of Bridgeport. It is a service organization for PROfessionals and BUSiness leaders (get it?), serving people who are intellectually and physically challenged in the Greater Bridgeport area. They have long supported Kesher – the community’s program for developmentally disabled Jewish adults which we host at B’nai Israel. And when we developed Keshet as a program a dozen years ago, they stepped up and have continued to do so. Their contributions help us to employ a special needs coordinator, in class paraprofessional aides as well as teenagers who have worked with individual students.
We have several temple members who have been active in Probus for many years, and it is thanks to them that we have developed this relationship. If you think Probus might be right for you – if you would like to be involved in rais-ing funds to support programs like Kes-het – contact Artie Weissman at [email protected] or Gary Felber-baum at [email protected]. They are the co-Presidents of the Bridgeport chapter and members of B’nai Israel.
If you would like to make a contribution to support Keshet, Kesher, or any other aspect of Jewish learning at B’nai Israel, contact me at [email protected] or go to www.cbibpt.org and click on the donate button.
L’shalom, Ira J. Wise, R.J.E. Temple Educator
Two of our children putting on a Purim puppet show. We do not point out children with special needs to others; they are simply members of our learning community whose needs we address.
THANK YOU – My family and I wish to thank everyone for all the support, caring and generosity you have shown through this very difficult time. Having the B’nai Israel family by
my side means the world to me. – Theresa Silva and Family
8 Reach more than 700 families. Advertise in the Bulletin. Contact Sam Rosenberg at [email protected].
Rabbi Prosnit Discretionary FundDavid Abbey and Deborah Goodman, in memory of Irving Abbey.Mark Abrams, in memory of mother, Sara Abrams.Bonnie Alterman, in memory of Sidney Alterman.Daniel Bass and Anna Lawrence, in honor of the Bat Mitzvah of Emma Bella Bass-Lawrence.The Elbaum Family, in appreciation of Rabbi Prosnit for all of his support.Bennett Hersch, in memory of mother, Rhoda Hersch.Jan and Bernie Jacobs, in memory of Benjamin and Mary Jacobs.Marc, Janice and Matthew Katz, in memory of Arnold Katz; in memory of Arthur Soalt, father of Nina Soalt.Carol and Peter Mack, in memory of Sylvia and Edwin Klein, parents of Carol Mack. Beth and Randy Reich, in honor of Fred Zinn’s special birthday.Roberta and Christopher Tatulli, with thanks for Rabbi Prosnit’s kind support over the past several months in preparation for our son Zachary’s Bar Mitzvah.Judy Yasser, in memory of Florence Yasser, beloved mother and grandmother.
Rabbi Schultz Discretionary FundLawrence and Ellen Dinkes, in appreciation; in honor of Sonya Schopick’s birthday.Bruce Feldman, in memory of Doris Feldman and Julian Feldman.Lee Lester, in appreciation.Shari and Scott Pearlman, in memory of Judie Spitz, mother of Shari Pearlman, grandmother of Lilly.Nancy, Jonathan, Geoffrey and Alex Rosenthal, in memory of Arthur Soalt, father of Nina Soalt.Deanna Spartachino, in honor of the Bat Mitzvah of Ava Spartachino.
Music FundDonations in memory of Merwin Blum, father of Cantor Sheri Blum, were made by:
Barbara AbrahamClaire BakerBrian and Linda BarlaamCarol and Nate BarskyEdie BaumJudi and David BeierLori and Ken BergerStacey and Duane BerlinThe Bindelglass FamilyMichael and Judy Green BlumenthalMarty and Alayne BurgerElaine and Juda ChetritAlexa Cohen and Elicia KusnitzLinda and Barry DiamondEllen and Larry DinkesMark and Barbara EdinbergLinda, Mike, Jill and Danielle EpsteinStacy and Rob GigliettiThe Greenbaum FamilyJim and Lisa GreenbergMaxine and Stewart GrossJan and Bernie JacobsMilton JacobyJack KaddenJanice, Marc and Matthew KatzGeoffrey and Melanie KoorisBeth LazarIlse LeviSandi Michaelson The Montagna FamilyAlan and Sylvia NeigherJoan and Alan NewmanThe Nerreau FamilyKarin NewmanAmy and Jeff PressmanRabbi Jim Prosnit and Wendy BlochBeth and Randy Reich and FamilyAmy and Glenn RichBecky and Rich RosenBrad and Linda RothbaumDavid and Judith PresslerJulie, Steve, Justin and Kayla PressmanRianne and Matt SappernCaren, Bill, Jon and Emily SchwartzElaine and Marty SchwartzEllen and Robert SheimanSerena and Arnie SherWilliam and Lorraine SmithJonathan and Cleo SonnebornRoberta and Christopher TatulliDebbie, Dan, Matthew and Jaime ViensDebbie and Michael WeismanAudrey and Ira Wise
Brian and Linda Barlaam, in memory of Arthur Soalt, father of Nina Soalt.Daniel Bass and Anna Lawrence, in honor of the Bat Mitzvah of Emma Bella Bass-Lawrence; in appreciation of Cantor Blum.Edie Baum, in memory of mother-in-law, Sadye Baum.Ilse Levi, in loving memory of sister, Betty May.Sandi Michaelson, in memory of Fran and Jack Michaelson. Judy Rankell, in loving memory of husband, Al Rankell; in appreciation to all of our clergy.Deanna Spartachino, in honor of the Bat Mitzvah of Ava Spartachino.Roberta and Christopher Tatulli, in appreciation of Cantor Blum’s work and encouragement in helping our son, Zachary Tatulli, make his Bar Mitzvah.
Enhancement FundHenry Diamond, in memory of Albert Madwed; get-well wishes to Charles Needle.Sylvia Engelson, in memory of husband, David Engelson.Joan Frankel, with blessings.Joel, Iris, Julian and Miriam Goldfield, in memory of Gloria Sacks, mother of Debbie Viens.Stephen and Molli Hourihan, a donation.Janet Jurow, in memory of Rosalind Gordon; in memory of Gerd Weindling, husband of Myrna Weindling.Martha Kern, in memory of Jeannette Goldreyer.Stanley Lessler, in memory of Claire Lessler.Theodore and Sue Levy, in memory of Dr. Edward Kamens, husband of Anne Kamens; in memory of Sarah Shumofsky, mother of Allan Shumofsky; in memory of mother, Augusta Gerstner.Alice Madwed, in memory of husband, Albert Madwed; in memory of Jack Madwed. Ruth Madwed, in memory of husband, Jack Madwed; in memory of brother-in-law, Albert Madwed.Irving Mark, in memory of mother, Anna Metz Mark.The Rosenbaum Family, in memory
DonationsPlease note that only contributions of $10.00 or more will be acknowledged with a card and Bulletin listing.
9Donation Item of the Month: Household Supplies (paper goods, soap, dish detergent) for Norma Pfriem Urban Outreach Initiatives
of Merwin Blum, father of Cantor Sheri Blum.Ellen Hyde Phillips, in memory of Mickey Frankel, mother of Jill Elbaum.Patti and Samuel Rosenberg, in memory of Merwin Blum, father of Cantor Blum; in memory of Michael Rosenberg.Helen and Bernard Schwartz, in memory of Sarah Shumofsky, mother of Allan Shumofsky.Matilde Simmons, in memory of husband, Bernard Simmons; in memory of friend, Michael Rosenberg.
Sylvia Prosnit Adult Education FundCarmela D’Aquila, in appreciation of Rabbi Prosnit.The Elbaum Family, in memory of Arthur Soalt, father of Nina Soalt.Beth Lazar, Happy Birthday to a great friend and a real mensch, Bob Ford.Carole Rubin, a donation.
Nursery School Enrichment FundElaine and Juda Chetrit, in memory of Urban Silva, beloved husband of Theresa Silva.
Nursery School Scholarship FundThe Bindelglass Family, in memory of Arthur Soalt, father of Nina Soalt. Connie and Ray Evans, in honor of Kayla Pressman’s Bat Mitzvah.Jessica, David, Harrison and Benjamin Goldberg, in memory of Urban Silva, husband of Theresa Silva.Gail and Peter Weinstein, Mazel Tov to Amy and Seth Gordon, on Harrison’s Bar Mitzvah; in memory of Murray Edelstein, father of Helen Garritty; in memory of Molly Cohen, mother of Arlene Meyers.
Rabbi Martin Library FundDale and Jerry Demner, in honor of Judy and David Pressler, on the Bat Mitzvah of granddaughter, Aviva; in memory of Joseph Greenfield, father of Dale Demner; in memory of Anna and David Slive, grandparents of Dale Demner; in memory of Theodore Slive, uncle of Dale Demner.
Prayer Book FundCarol and Nate Barsky, in memory of father, Rubin Barsky.
George and Chris Markley, in memory of Merwin Blum, father of Cantor Sheri Blum.Cleo and Jon Sonneborn, in honor of Beth Lazar for receiving an award by Al Aziz Islamic Center for outstanding humanitarian work in the community.
Slepian Floral FundBarbara Panisch, in memory of mother, Julia Slepian.
MazonCleo Sonneborn, in memory of sister, Shirley Agbannawag.
Religious School Scholarship FundJessica, David, Benjamin and Harrison Goldberg, in memory of Merwin Blum, father of Cantor Sheri Blum.Stephen and Molli Hourihan, a donation.Samuel Miller and Family, in memory of Jennie Kot.Audrey and Ira Wise, in memory of Arthur Sloat, father of Nina Sloat.
Religious School Enrichment FundElaine and Juda Chetrit, in memory of Urban Silva, beloved husband of Theresa Silva.Jim and Lisa Greenberg, in memory of Urban Silva, beloved husband of Theresa Silva.William and Lorraine Smith, in honor of the Bat Mitzvah of Eden Shane, granddaughter of Sue Shane and Barbara Abraham.Roberta and Christopher Tatulli, with gratitude to Ira Wise for his support to our son, Zachary, and his work on his D’vah Torah in preparation for his Bar Mitzvah; with sincere appreciation to Claire Baker for her work and assistance in preparing our son, Zachary, for his Torah Portion, and making his Bar Mitzvah.
Rabbi Arnold Sher Social Action FundBarbara Abraham, Mazel Tov to Beth Lazar on receiving the IJLAL MUHAMMAD Humanitarian Award.Dale and Stewart Barcham, in memory of Robert Greenberg, uncle of Dale Barcham.
Michael and Judy Green Blumenthal, in memory of Arthur Soalt, father of Nina Soalt.Shari and Brian Nerreau, in memory of Arthur Soalt, father of Nina Soalt.The Pearlman Family, in honor of Shari Nerreau’s Meatloaf Mitzvah.Laurie and Daniel Schopick, for the speedy recovery of Richard Krantz.Serena and Arnie Sher, in memory of Sarah Shumofsky, mother of Allan Shumofsky; in memory of Arthur Soalt, father of Nina Soalt.Francine Stein, in memory of Sarah Shumofsky, mother of Allan Shumofsky.
Jim Abraham Education Fund for Jewish LeadershipRandy Dorfman and Richard Post, in honor of the Bat Mitzvah of Eden Shane, granddaughter of Barbara Abraham.Marsha and Bob Gillette, in honor of of the Bat Mitzvah of Eden Shane, granddaughter of Barbara Abraham.Samuel Miller and Family, in honor of Eden Shane celebrating her Bat Mitzvah.Laurie and Daniel Schopick, in honor of the Bat Mitzvah of granddaughter, Eden Shane.Serena and Arnie Sher, in honor of Barbara Abraham, on granddaughter Eden Shane’s Bat Mitzvah.
Lee & David Lester Kesher FundLee Lester, in memory of my dear, devoted mother, Rose Adel Lavitsky; in memory of my sweetest, devoted son, David Lester; in memory of sister, Ruthie Lovett; in memory of brother, Nelson Lovett; also, never to be forgotten, in memory of my dearest friend, Captain Dr. Hy Brier.
Charles Fried Keshet FundDenise Fried, in memory of Merwin Blum, father of Cantor Sheri Blum.Denise Fried, Marc Fried and Family, and Shari Fox and Family, in memory of Charlie Fried.
DonationsPlease note that only contributions of $10.00 or more will be acknowledged with a card and Bulletin listing.
10 We want you in the Bulletin! Send your news to editor Scott Smith at [email protected].
ART CLASS – On Saturday night, April 2, Bonim Preschool hosted its annual Art Auction in the Social Hall. Sushi was served, wine was drunk, children’s artwork was bid on, and raffle tickets were purchased! The Art Auction raised $3,000 for new playground equipment. A huge thank-you goes out to Nicole Bush, Sarah
Fridman, Jocelyn Kramer and Stephanie Horwitz for their hard work.
Thursday evening, May 26, at the temple. The Spring Gala will feature food and beverages in a more informal setting than past years. The goal is to entice more people to take part in this important annual temple fundraiser and, more importantly, celebrate three outstanding congregants.
To join the celebration, make a reservation by contacting Lynn in the temple office at (203) 336-1858 or [email protected]. Also, check out the insert in this month’s Bulletin or Hashavua for ways you can contribute to gala program.
Philip Eliasoph is a pioneering professor of Art History at Fairfield University, where he founded the popular Open Visions Forum.
“Teaching for over 40 years at a Jesuit Catholic university, one needs to thoughtfully appreciate that a Jewish faculty member is entrusted with a special obligation to demonstrate – in word and
deed – what makes us proud as Jews in our troubling times,” he says.
Still, one need not venture outside the Jewish community to make a deep impact, as Ed Burger and Karen Ferleger demonstrate.
“I’ve always felt that you have to give back to your community. And people are always saying, ‘Well, why are you giving back to Jewish causes?’ And I say, ‘Well, that’s pretty much my community,’” Ed says.
He serves on the Board of Trustees for the Union for Reform Judaism, the central organization for Reform Judaism in North America. He helps guide the URJ’s Membership Engagement Ambassador Committee and Membership Committee. He chaired the 2013 URJ Biennial in San Diego and served as vice chair for the 2011 event that President Obama addressed.
Ed has been active on the B’nai Israel Board of Trustees, the Probus Club of Greater Bridgeport, Jewish Family Services and the Federation for Jewish Philanthropy over the years.
Karen Ferleger just finished a stint as co-chair of the Federation for Jewish Philanthropy of Upper Fairfield County, helping guide a merger between the Bridgeport and Westport chapters. She previously helped engineer the sale of the former Jewish Community Center on Park Avenue to Jewish Senior Services, which will open its new facility there this summer.
“I feel like there’s finally positive energy. So many people were so angry and so disheartened when we sold the JCC, even though we didn’t really have a choice,” she says. “I think that the programming the Federation does for our community really brings the Jews together, whether it supporting Merkaz or the Young Emissary program.”
GALA ............................................ From Page 1
Continued on Page 15
11
Please Support Our Advertisers
Celebrate Deliciously
G&H
G a r e l i C k & H e r b sT H E E x c l u s i v E c a T E r E r f o r
Contact our Events Specialists at 203.972.4497 • garelickandherbs.comWestport • Southport • New Canaan • Greenwich
MORA MORAthe SPOT FOR PARTIES
3,200sq.ft of Creative Ballroom Space
Sunday Brunch Dedicated Event Coordinator
Attractive Rates for Your Next Event / Room Block!
Call or Email for more details P: 203.557.8124 | Email: [email protected]
Your future. Our focus Dean H. Gaugler, CFP® Sr Vice President--Wealth Mgmt Wealth Advisor 203-602-6934 [email protected] FDG Group UBS Financial Services Inc. 750 Washington Blvd 11th Floor Stamford, CT 06901 203-357-0700 800-942-2045
What’s happening at the Temple? Get Hashavua, our weekly email. Send your request to Lynn at [email protected].
The following members of the medical community join together in their support of the B’nai Israel Bulletin:
Dr. Andrea Hagani
Dr. Robert D. Chessin
Dr. David F. Bindelglass
Dr. Alan M. Nelson
Dr. Glenn M. Rich
Dr. Michael Sonick
Dr. Lawrence Dinkes
Dr. Kenneth Rabine
Dr. George P. Kelly
Dr. Howard B. Twersky
Dr. Martha Yepes Small
Dr. Jeffrey D. Small
Dr. Peter A. Small
Dr. Edward Portnay
Dr. Michael Connolly
Dr. Kenneth Kingsly
Dr. Mark J. Hotchkiss
Dr. Andrew Levi
Dr. Jared Selter
Dr. Geoffrey Gladstein
Dr. Rachel E. Sheiman
Dr. Brian King
Dr. Abraham Fridman
Dr. Katherine J. Pesce
14
The Harry and Jeanette WeinbergCampus on Park Avenue
* W A I T L I S T S F O R M I N G N O WFor questions and information on current or future services: www.jseniors.org • 203-365-6400 • [email protected]
O P E N I N GJ U N E 2 0 1 6
Skilled Nursing* (The Jewish Home)
Goldstein Assisted Living Residences* Kuriansky Family Residence – 1-bedroom apartments
Saturday, May 7 8:00 a.m. Service 9:00 a.m. Brotherhood Breakfast 9:30 a.m. Torah Study 9:30 a.m. Young Families Havurah 11:00 a.m. Bar Mitzvah of Jordan
Verchin, son of Scott and Lisa Verchin
Friday, May 13 6:00 p.m. Service, with special
guest Ross Levy and the Levites, “Sabbath for the Soul”
Torah Portion – Kedoshim, Lev. 19:1-20:27
Haftarah – Amos 9:7-15 7:00 p.m. Community Shabbat pizza
dinner
Saturday, May 14 8:00 a.m. Service
8:00 a.m. Bar Mitzvah of Isaac Hendler, son of Noah Hendler and Nancy Lefkowitz
9:00 a.m. Brotherhood Breakfast 9:30 a.m. Torah Study 9:30 a.m. Young Families Havurah 10:45 a.m. Acoustic Shabbat Service
with Rabbi Schultz in the Library, with special guest, the Rosh Hashanah Beach Band
11:00 a.m. Bar Mitzvah of Benjamin Bronstein, son of Herb and Debbie Bronstein
Friday, May 20 6:00 p.m. BIFTY-led service at Lake
Mohegan, Morehouse Highway, Fairfield
6:00 p.m. Service at B’nai Israel Torah Portion – Emor, Lev. 21:1-24:23 Haftarah – Ezekiel 44:15-31
Saturday, May 21 8:00 a.m. Service
9:00 a.m. Brotherhood Breakfast 9:30 a.m. Torah Study 9:30 a.m. Young Families Havurah 11:00 a.m. Bat Mitzvah of Sophia
Hurwitz, daughter of Scott and Laura Hurwitz
Friday, May 27 6:00 p.m. Service
Torah Portion – Behar, Lev. 25:1-26:2
Haftarah – Jeremiah 32:6-27
Saturday, May 28 8:00 a.m. Service 9:00 a.m. Brotherhood Breakfast 9:30 a.m. Torah Study 9:30 a.m. Young Families Havurah 11:00 a.m. B’not Mitzvah of Emma
Hotchkiss, daughter of Mark Hotchkiss and Marcia Cohen, and Eva Wallis, daughter of Bruce and Jennifer Wallis
Shabbat Service Schedule(Fridays at 6:00 p.m. where indicated, preceded by an Oneg Shabbat at 5:30 p.m.)
CONSIDERING BIG QUESTIONS – Religious School students study a large version of the Four Questions in preparations for Passover last month in the chapel.
Both Ferleger and Burger have lifelong ties to B’nai Israel. Each grew up in the congregation, celebrating their B’nai Mitvahs and Confirmations. Burger’s wife, Luise, is a past temple president, and their daughter, Aly, teaches in the religious school. Ferleger’s mother, Jane Pressman, taught in the religious school.
“It’s home, it’s been absolutely home. It’s comfortable,” Burger says.
Philip Eliasoph, a New York native, has called B’nai Israel home for several decades. “Our congregation is like a medieval mosaic composed of many individuals, each integral to the overall ‘big picture’ of why we are proudly affiliated with B’nai Israel,” he says.
Come out for the Spring Gala on May 26 and help show the trio we are proud they are affiliated with our congregation.
GALA ... From Page 10
Congregation B’nai Israel2710 Park AvenueBridgeport, CT 06604www.cbibpt.org
Non-Profit Org.U.S. POSTAGE
PAIDPermit No. 171Fairfield, Conn.
Join the community for a series of events marking Yom Hashoah, as we remember the Shoah.
The Jewish Community Yom HaShoah Holocaust Commemoration will take place at 7:00 p.m. at Congregation Beth El, 109 East Avenue in Norwalk.
A service will feature testimony from Holocaust survivor Agnes Vertes, who now resides in Fairfield County. A program on Architecture and Memory will follow, led by Dr. Gavriel Rosenfeld, Holocaust historian and Fairfield University professor. The event is sponsored by the Federation for Jewish Philanthropy of Upper Fairfield County.
On Thursday, May 5, from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m., the Town of Fairfield holds its Holocaust Commemoration ceremony at the First Church Congregational, 148 Beach Road in Fairfield. The guest speaker will be the Most Reverend
Frank Joseph Caggiano, bishop of the Bridgeport diocese.
Yom Hashoah occurs on the 27th day of the month of Nisan — a week after the end of Passover and a week before Yom Hazikaron (Memorial Day for Israel’s fallen soldiers). It marks the anniversary of the Warsaw Ghetto uprising.
Remembering The Shoah
Sabbath For The Soul
On May 13
Graphic Credit: Artist: Kristina A. Lutes/Source: Free-Bitsela.com
The Shabbat service on Friday, May 13, will take an even more soulful approach than usual. “Sabbath for the Soul” will feature Ross Levy and the Levites, it will combine elements of soul, rock, jazz and folk music into one service that is both spiritual and joyful.
The service will start at 6:00 p.m., with an Oneg preceding the event at 5:30 p.m.
Following the service, at 7:00 p.m., there will be a Shabbat pizza dinner. The cost is $20 for adults and $10 for children. If you wish to stay for dinner, RSVP to the temple office at (203) 336-1858 or by emailing Chris Rocha at [email protected].
You can learn more about Ross Levy and the Levites at https://kenesethisrael.org/worship/sacred-music-ki/ross-m-levy-and-levites
