Temple Topics October 2014 Tishrei /Cheshvan 5775

Beth El Temple of West Hartford, CT October 2014 Tishrei/Cheshvan 5775, Volume L, No. 2

Temple Topics ONLY AT BETH EL TEMPLE

Celebrate and Honor Our Beth El Friends This Month! Pictured from left to right: Judy Rosenthal, Howard Meyerowitz, Eleanore Reiner,

Jacob Kovel, Bernd Selig, Leah Goldman and Miriam Katz

Men’s Club

Distinguished

Service Award

Banquet

October 23 6:00 p.m. Honoring:

Howard Meyerowitz and Bernd Selig

Shemini Atzeret

October 16 Simchat Torah LIVE!

6:00 pm

Honoring our teens: Leah Goldman and

Miriam Katz

Simchat Torah Friday, October 17

10:00 am Festival Service

12:30 Festival Lunch Honoring: Jacob Kovel,

Eleanore Reiner and Judy Rosenthal

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

Beth El Temple of West Hartford Inc.

2626 Albany Avenue West Hartford CT 06117

Main Office:

860.233.9696 Religious School:

860.233.9891 bethelwesthartford.org

James S. Rosen Rabbi

jrosen@bethelwh.org

Ilana C. Garber Rabbi

igarber@bethelwh.org

Stanley M. Kessler Rabbi Emeritus

Joseph Ness Cantor

jness@bethelwh.org

Rabbi Howard B. Rosenbaum

Education and Program Director

hrosenbaum@bethelwh.org

Rabbi Howard Sowalsky Ritual and Executive

Director

hsowalsky@bethelwh.org

Lois Koteen President

president@bethelwh.org

Francine Stier Editor

Published monthly with a combined June/July issue

Please send bulletin information to: templetopics@bethelwh.org by the first of the month prior to publication (e.g., November 1 for the December issue. )

Editorial Most of you are not used to seeing an editorial in TT. The last number of years at Beth El have been

incredibly full of programming and activities leaving precious little space for editorializing. I first began

editing Temple Topics in February of 2001. I had never edited a newsletter and this 13 year journey has

been a wild ride of learning and more learning. When I began, I felt the need to impart things that I

observed and learned during my Jewish journey by including an editorial every month. In truth, those

editorials lasted only a few years. Of necessity, I’ve enhanced my computer skills immensely, learned new

software programs, learned a new (to me) computer language and spent numerous hours connecting with

Beth El members that I hadn’t known before. This volunteer effort has been pure joy for me – becoming

more familiar with the Jewish calendar and the significance of the holidays, having the opportunity to

interact more closely with our clergy, the office staff, our leadership, and connecting with members and

their families experiencing the joys and sorrows of life’s journey. For me, a bond of love for Beth El was

forged throughout those years.

Beth El has presented me with a gift: the responsibility of getting a newsletter out in a timely fashion

every month was a wonderful discipline. It framed my life and made planning and organizing things

simpler. Deadlines came and went, printers came and went, computers came and crashed – all life lessons

for me.

So, the December Temple Topics will be the last newsletter that I will edit for Beth El. Thank you for

your suggestions, support, help, guidance and mentoring. Thank you, thank you, thank you, for this

precious gift.

Francine Stier

Rabbi’s Report by Rabbi Ilana Garber

Our Sacred Village By the time you read this, we will have already spent time together as a sacred

village. No doubt, some of the villagers may have held a door open for you, or showed

you the page we were on at the time, or perhaps even held your child for a few

moments. Maybe you, a villager, welcomed someone new to Beth El, or greeted an old

friend, as the multi-generations of Beth El came together as a sacred village to usher in

a New Year.

We are all part of a sacred village at Beth El Temple, and thus, we are all sacred

villagers. As the saying goes, it takes a village to raise a child, and, raising our children here in the Beth El

community, Adam and I couldn’t agree more. Ironically, or maybe quite typically, our younger son who

has developmental delays and anxiety due to Fragile X Syndrome, does not attend services on the High

Holidays (too many people), but he is here every Shabbat and he considers Beth El his second home. From

reaching to kiss the Torah as it is paraded around our sanctuary to running up to the bima at the end of

services for Kiddush, my child – even with special needs – feels a great sense of belonging here at Beth El.

And it is thanks to all of you, the villagers, who have helped make this such a safe and sacred village for

him, and for many other children with special needs.

On October 19 we will host a first-ever gathering of clergy, educators, parents, and friends of all

faiths for “It Takes A Sacred Village: Welcoming Individuals With Special Needs Into Our Spiritual

Homes”. This 2-hour workshop (which is free and open to the community) will begin a conversation about

understanding hyperarousal in our children with special needs – specifically within the context of our

synagogues, churches, and mosques – and how various stimuli impact behavior. We are bringing in two

experts in the Fragile X world, Tracy Stackhouse & Sarah “Mouse” Scharfenaker, who will help us

understand what it feels like to experience hyperarousal. Please consider this a personal invitation: we

are truly blessed to have many families in our community raising children with special needs, so for all of

you who know and love someone with special needs, please join us on October 19 as we learn how to

better welcome those individuals into our sacred village.

The month of October reminds us how truly sacred – and yet fragile – we are. As we gather

together in the Sukkah (for the holiday of Sukkot) this month, we might note that while the sukkah itself is

flimsy and temporary, huddled together as a community we are strong, everlasting, and quite sacred.

Wishing you a chodesh tov, a good month, a gmar chatima tova, that we may all be sealed in the

Book of Life, and a chag sameakh, a joyous celebration of the holidays this month!

4. In b/m paras, (a) re baron, add "of" between sister and Taylor in first line, (b) delete the blank line before MD fox, (c) re Gottfried,

last sentence is very odd; in what is presumably an unstated effort to find a connec betw mitz project and parsha, they have decided

that what best sums up b'resheit is that sentence. If you have any editorial license (and if you can't just delete the sentence), perhaps

you could at least change it to say something like "in addition to the story of the creation of the world and all its creatures for which

the parsha is best known, this parsha also ties into Lucy's mitzvah project when Adam is told to respect the earth...

Temple Topics October 2014 Tishrei /Cheshvan 5775 3

Engaging Generations

Congratulations Dora & Rabbi Howard Sowalsky, Katie & Paul Schaeffer on the

birth of grandson and son, Mickey Sowalsky Schaeffer.

Mazal Tov and Appreciation for Sponsoring an Oneg or Kiddush Taste of Shabbat Robin & David Gelles in honor of the birth & baby naming of

granddaughter, Olivia Paige Cipriano. Rayna Segelman & her family in honor of Rayna chanting the

haftarah. The Marilyn & Alan Rothstein & Marissa & Nolan Robinson

families in honor of the baby naming of granddaughter & daughter, Sydney Robinson.

Bar or Bat Mitzvah Rae Gutcheon, by Jason Gutcheon & Mina & Barry Nemirow. Olivia Rotter by the Rotter family.

A Warm Welcome to New Members Edith & George Denes

Deborah Feldman

Alison & Alan Gittleman

Elizabeth & Aaron Greenblatt

Tamar & Marc Margolis with children, Rebecca, Harrison,

Brennan, and Griffin

Barbara Messing

Evan Nadler & Ashley Perley

Tali & Oren Porat with children Yakir & Nadav

Julie & Daniel Winick

Johanna & Brian Zelman with daughter, Leila Ruth

Condolences Richard Korris & family on the loss of mother & grandmother, Carolyn Korris. Jessica Koteen & family on the loss of father & grandfather, Jack Vercelli. Bernard Schilberg & David Schilberg & families on the loss of mother, grandmother and great grandmother, Joyce Schilberg. Deborah Shoflick & family on the loss of father & grandfather, Leon Reif.

Bar/Bat Mitzvah Celebrations in October

Molly Baron

October 11, 2014 (Mincha) Molly, daughter of Marty and Nancy Baron, sister of Taylor and

William, granddaughter of Gert and Ronald Litsky of Avon and Delray

Beach, FL, and Mike and Ilene Baron of Avon and Boynton Beach, FL,

is an 8th grader at Kingswood Oxford School. For Molly’s Mitzvah

Project she has chosen to collect books for the MD Fox Elementary

School in Hartford. Molly was introduced to Fox through her school as

a community service program

Lucy Gottfried October 18, 2014 Lucy, daughter of Dr. Dennis and Nancy Gottfried, of Harwinton, CT,

granddaughter of the late Barbara and Kenneth Weil, and Ruth and

Andrew Gottfried, is in the 8th grade at HarBur Middle School in

Burlington, CT. Lucy’s Mitzvah Project is to walk 18 miles with 18

friends and relatives, and clean up litter and debris along the roadways.

The Torah portion of her Bat Mitzvah reflects her Mitzvah Project as G-

d instructs Adam to respect the earth.

Samuel Katz

October 25, 2014 Samuel, son of Michelle Bellinger and Jeffrey Katz, brother of David

and Miriam, grandson of the late Meyer and Jean Katz of Bloomfield,

CT and Paul and Rochelle Halpern and the late Norman Bellinger of

Lakewood, NJ, is an 8th grade maximum honors student at King Philip

Middle School. For his Mitzvah Project, Sam volunteered at the

Hebrew Home this past summer

Please contact the office for information about this month’s Bar and Bat Mitzvah celebrations.

First Day of Religious School September 7 Apple Picking at Belltown Orchards in Glastonbury

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

Shabbat at Beth El Temple Kabbalat Shabbat services begin at 6:00 pm on Fridays and Shabbat

morning services begin at 9:30 am on Saturdays. For up-to-date

information on Shabbat-related programming and all RSVP forms,

please check the Shabbat brochure, the weekly e-bulletin, or

www.bethelwesthartford.org, the Beth El website. Friday, 10/10

Friday Night Family Shabbat Service 5:45 pm

Saturday, 10/11 Birthday Shabbat – Is your birthday in October? Join us for a birthday aliyah (group honor) during the Torah service. Shabbat Yoga 10:30 am Junior Congregation 11:00 am Tumbling with Torah 11:00 am Shabbat Family Experience 11:00 am Friday, 10/17 PJ & Kids’ ClubShabbat 5:45 pm Saturday, 10/ 18 Children’s Playroom 9:30 am Friday 10/24 Soul Songs Friday Night Service 6:00 pm Saturday, 10/25 The Shabbat Zone 11:00 am Tumbling with Torah 11:00 am Shabbat Family Experience 11:00 am

Worshiping Together

Soul Songs Friday Night Services and Hot Hors

D’oeuvres 10/24, 6:00 pm

Soul Songs is an intergenerational Friday night service with Cantor

Ness that promotes congregational musical participation. The Beth El

Adult and Children’s choirs will grace us with occasional harmonies as

we explore traditional Friday night melodies, as well as melodies of

Jews from other lands. After services, hot hors d’oeuvres will be served.

No fees or reservations required.

The Shabbat Zone 10/25 11:00 am Come to the Shabbat Zone: the place for kids in grades

3-6 to experience Shabbat in a fun and interactive

way. Snacks, prizes, games & fun.

PJ Shabbat & Kids’ ClubShabbat 10/17 5:45 pm For our youngest children, dress them in their PJs and bring them to synagogue for stories, songs, prayers and a Torah parade led by Rabbi Garber. For children ages 5-8, join Barbara Checknoff for a parallel program of stories, songs and prayers. A chicken nugget dinner for kids and Shabbat hors d’oeuvres for parents follows for participants of both programs. There is no charge but participating families are invited to serve as sponsors in honor of their children. To sponsor this in your child’s honor, please call 860-233-9891. RSVP for planning purposes, page 9.

Children’s Playroom 10/18 9:30 am There is always something for your child at Beth El on Shabbat

mornings! On weeks when Tumbling with Torah does not meet, we have

a Shabbat playroom with the tumbling equipment. Children must be

accompanied by a parent or responsible adult.

Pizza In The Hut

10/9 6:00 pm Mincha, Ma’ariv Service

6:30 pm Dinner Join us in the Beth El sukkah on the 2nd night of Sukkot for dinner

featuring pizza, salad and make-your-own-sundaes. Wave the lulav and

hold the etrog. RSVP, page 9.

Shabbat Family Experience 10/11, 25 11:00 am For children in grades K-2, this Shabbat service is filled with

prayers, songs and stories led by Adrian Durlester. Parents are

encouraged to join their children for a meaningful Shabbat experience.

Shabbat Yoga 10/11 10:30 am Join Adriana Matozzo, a yoga teacher from West Hartford

Yoga, and Rabbi Garber for a Shabbat morning yoga

experience for all levels. Wear yoga clothes and bring a yoga

mat if you have one. This is free and open to the community. It

will include chanting of some basic Shabbat morning prayers.

This is in addition to our regular services.

Celebrating New Beth El Babies & the SSDS

Experience 10/17 10:00 am In a new Beth El tradition, all babies born during the past

year (since Rosh Hashanah 2013) will be called up to the Torah

during Simchat Torah morning services with their parents, for a

special blessing.

We will also highlight the important role that Solomon

Schechter Day School plays in our community. SSDS students

will participate in services and Andrea Kasper, SSDS

Headmaster, will give the d’var Torah.

Junior Congregation 10/11 11:00 am

At this student service, we will read from the Torah, and are

looking for students in grades 3-6 to participate. If you are able to read

Torah and are interested, please be in touch with Rabbi Rosenbaum at

860-233-9891 or hrosenbaum@bethelwh.org.

Tumbling With Torah 10/11,25 11:00 am Come see why this is a hot place for tots. Barbara Checknoff is

our Tumbling with Torah morah (teacher). Children up to age five are

invited for stories, songs and special activities followed by structured

time to tumble and climb on the special equipment.

We welcome guests!

Sukkot/Hoshanah Rabbah/

Shemini Atzeret/Simchat Torah Sukkot, also called the Feast of Tabernacles, follows the

Biblical commandment to build and dwell in a booth or tent,

recalling the experience of Jews living in the desert for 40 years

(Lev. 23:42-43). The booth or sukkah is usually decorated with

plants or leaves; the roof is covered using branches allowing a

view of the sky. Family and friends gather together to pray and

partake of meals in the sukkah. Prayers are recited using the

palm, myrtle, willow (lulav), and a special citron called an etrog

which constitute the 4 species of the lulav. The 7th day of

Sukkot is called Hoshanah Rabbah. On this day, the lulav &

etrog are held while carrying the Torah and circling the chapel 7

times. The 8th day of the Festival is known as Shemini Atzeret

when Yizkor is recited during services.

Simchat Torah, which culminates the 8 day holiday,

joyously celebrates the giving of the Torah to the Jews, and

renewing the cycle of hearing the Torah beginning with

Beresheet.

Friday Night Family Shabbat Service

(Monthly) 10/10 5:45 pm This new program is geared to students in grades 3-6. Everyone is

invited to this Friday night experience highlighting your children. All

Religious School and SSDS students will be invited to lead prayers. If

your child plays a musical instrument and wants to accompany one of

our Shabbat prayers, please contact Rabbi Garber

(igarber@bethelwh.org.) Shabbat hors d’oeuvres follow services.

Temple Topics October 2014 Tishrei /Cheshvan 5775 5

Making Connections

Food Baskets When you choose to decorate the bimah with a food

basket for the Bar/Bat Mitzvah of your child, the baskets go

directly to the Jewish Family Services Kosher Food Pantry to

help fill their shelves with much needed food. We are grateful to

the many families who have contributed and we hope that you

will consider this option in the future. Contact: Sharon Denson at

860-232-3204 or sdenson26@prodigy.net.

Men’s Club Programs:

CT Gubernatorial Candidates: A Panel Discussion Sunday 10/5 10:00 am Light Refreshments, 11:00—12:30 Panel Discussion

Join us for a discussion about the upcoming November election

with candidates. No charge. Co-sponsored by Chai Society.

Dan Malloy (D) Tom Foley (R) Joe Visconti (Tea Party)

With moderator, Dennis House, news anchor on WFSB, channel 3. RSVP to Jo LaRocco: jlarocco@jewishhartford.org or 860-727-6139

4th Annual Sukkahfest: Monday, 10/13 6:00pm Steak & Scotch In The Beth El Sukkah

Eat, Drink and Be Merry

A local expert will discuss the various scotches we’ll taste.

Come and socialize with the Beth El Community

It’s a Mitzvah to eat in the Sukkah

RSVP, page 9

Midrash Manicures: L to R: Anna Elfenbaum. Rise Roth,

Heather Fiedler, Rabbi Garber

Distinguished Service Award Banquet

Thursday, 10/23 6:00 pm Join us to honor Beth El members Howard Meyerowitz and

Bernie Selig for their many years of extraordinary service to Beth El

and the community. The evening includes a cocktail hour with hors

d’oeuvres and a catered dinner. All Beth El members should have

received an invitation along with opportunities to honor Bernie and

Howard in the tribute book. Need more information? Contact Jacob

Kovel: 860-651-9366 or eaglewars@aol.com

Women’s Network Bite of Beth El-Cooking the Jewish Classics

Sunday, 10/26 4:00 pm Go from “oy” to “joy” of cooking in a hands-on cooking

experience. This is a “make and take” demonstration where we

will learn about the basics of a Jewish classic dish before

preparing our own to take home and savor. This is for adult men

and women. Space is limited so RSVP to Rachel Leventhal-

Weiner (Rachel.leventhal@gmail.com)

Apron Anxiety Monday 11/10 8:00 pm Save the date for this exciting program with guest author

and chef Alyssa Shelasky. Her zesty novel, Apron Anxiety, is

“part memoir, part cookbook...a compelling journey of a girl

becoming her own woman.” We’ll talk about writing, Judaism,

dating, travel, and learn about some of Alyssa’s exciting

encounters with the rich and infamous. RSVP, page 9.

Cost $18 per person. Includes reception and recipe samples.

Connections and Conversations Looking to make your Beth El experience more meaningful?

Hoping to reconnect with old friends, make some new ones, or

just have an interesting conversation? We are embarking on an

initiative that aims to bring people together who have something

in common but may not know each other. If you are interested in

participating or hosting a future gathering, please be in touch with

Rabbi Garber, 860-233-9696, ext. 104 or igarber@bethelwh.org.

Midrash Manicures and more..... Pomegranates, honey bees, apples and whales are a few of the

symbols that represent the Jewish high holidays of Rosh Hashanah

and Yom Kippur. These and many others can now be found on the

fingernails of Anna Elfenbaum (Commission on Jewish Education

and Leadership of the Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford),

Heather Fiedler (Jewish Teen Learning Connection), Rabbi Ilana

Garber (Beth El Temple) and Rise Roth (Jewish Community

Foundation). All good educators try out new activities before

bringing them to their students and that is precisely what these

women were doing when they tested out what it would be like to

get Midrash Manicures.

Launched last year by Rabbi Garber, Anna Elfenbaum and

Heather Fiedler, with funding from the Lillian Fund of the Jewish

Community Foundation, Gurlz JAM is a series of unique interactive

workshops which provide middle school girls & their moms with a

time and a place to talk about the tough issues they face today. Held

in public spaces such as the mall & beauty salons, this forum

enables us to examine real-life problems through the lens of

Judaism.

Girls and their moms can sign up for Gurlz JAM programs

through Jewish Teen Learning Connection (JTConnect). For more

information about Gurlz JAM or other programs for Jewish teens,

contact the JTConnect office at office@jtconnect.org or 860-727-

6110. Join us for the first session on October 1!

It Takes A Sacred Village

Sunday, 10/19 1:00 pm This is a first interfaith community conversation about

including those with special needs in our synagogues, churches

and mosques, with the hope that we will learn together and

continue to collaborate. Open to the community, this conference

features Tracy Stackhouse, MA, OTR, and Sarah Scharfenaker,

MA, CCC-SLP, of Developmental FX: Therapy That Fits,

leading experts on children with developmental and sensory

needs. Our conversation will focus on understanding how various

stimuli impact behavior of special needs children. Free and open

to the entire community, geared toward clergy, educators, parents,

friends and anyone who knows and loves someone with special

needs. For more information, please contact Rabbi Garber:

igarber@ bethelwh.org or 860-233-9696 ext 104. Generously sponsored by: Righteous: Anonymous Sacred: Beth El

Temple, the Oremland Family Spiritual: SEPTO West Hartford,

Blessed: The Putterman Family

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

Beautification Fund

Ceremonial Court Nancy Chorney in memory of Benjamin

Chorney, son of Sally & Harris.

Lois & Chuck Koteen in memory of

Benjamin Chorney, son of Sally & Harris.

Camp Ramah Fund

Annette & Sy Gavens in memory of

Cantor Herbert Weiser, father of Jeff.

Cantor’s Music Fund

The following donations were made in

honor of the retirement of Allan Geetter:

Fredda & Jon Goldstein, Phyllis &

Stewart Lehman, Judie & Richard

Levine, Faith & Bruce Parker, Susan &

Mark Schmidek, Nancy & Dan

Weissman, Diane Zucker & Tom

Gutman. Charlotte Bazer for the yahrzeit of father,

Meyer Zwerdling; of father-in-law, Max

Bazer.

Ina Cooper in appreciation of Cantor

Ness.

Meryl & Mitchell Danitz in honor of the

naming of Olivia Paige Cipriano, daughter

of Alisha & Ron, granddaughter of Robin

& David Gelles.

Robin & David Gelles in honor of the

birth of granddaughter, Olivia Paige

Cipriano.

Sue & Matt Saidel in appreciation of

Cantor Ness for taking part in our

daughter’s wedding.

Cemetery Fund

Diana Garfield for the yahrzeit of son,

Jameson Garfield.

Bernice Wiener for the yahrzeit of father-

in-law, Edward Wiener.

Chai Society Fund

Rosalind & Joseph Rachlin in memory of

Ellen Joy Berlin, daughter of Ruth & Bert;

in memory of Cantor Herbert Weiser,

father of Jeff.

Judith & David Satlof for the yahrzeit of

mother, Martha Mae Ugelow.

Early Childhood Fund

Lois & Chuck Koteen in honor of Lydia

& Howard Lutt renewing their marriage

vows.

Education Fund

Jill & Gary Jones & family for the

yahrzeit of parents & grandparents,

Munsey Epstein Horowitz & Herbert

Epstein.

Katy & Aaron Shafer in appreciation of

Dr. Ron Buckman for the Brit Milah of

son, Matthew Graham.

Friends of Ari Santiago Temple Accessibility Fund

Robin & Rafi Santiago for the yahrzeit of

sister, Bettie Santiago.

Library Fund

Herb Hoffman for the yahrzeit of father,

Max Joshua Hoffman.

Lois & Chuck Koteen in honor of Linda

& Steve Blotner renewing their marriage

vows.

Rabbi Garber’s Discretionary Fund

Melissa & Andrew Epstein in

appreciation of Rabbi Garber.

Leah Schilberg in appreciation of Rabbi

Garber.

Rabbi Rosen’s Discretionary Fund

The following donations were received in

memory of Cantor Herbert Weiser, father

of Dr. Jeff Weiser:

Jeanne & Dan Kleinman, Diane &

Richard Lieberfarb, Susan & Michael

Schenker, Jamie, Noa & Jacob

Silverstein. Vida & Eliot Barron in memory of Anita

Saltzman, mother of Emily Rosen.

Robin & David Gelles in honor of the

birth of granddaughter, Olivia Paige

Cipriano.

Dr. Morton Goldberg in memory of Ellen

Berlin, daughter of Ruth & Bert.

Leslie & George Friedland in honor of

the 95th birthday of Dr. Abraham

Weinberg.

Fredda & Jon Goldstein in honor of the

50th wedding anniversary of Judie &

Coleman Levy; in memory of Sylvia

Novarr, mother of Susan Schenker.

Karen & Richard Korris & family in

memory of Carolyn Korris.

Diane & Richard Lieberfarb in honor of

the special birthday of Karen Polinsky.

Sue & Matt Saidel in appreciation of

Rabbi Rosen for the marriage of daughter,

Jessa to Avi Katan.

Andrea & Ron Saxon in honor of the 50th

wedding anniversary of Judie & Coleman

Levy.

Carolyn & Jeff Weiser in appreciation of

Rabbi Rosen.

Elinor Welson in appreciation of Rabbi

Rosen.

Taste of Shabbat Fund

Robin & David Gelles in honor of the

birth of granddaughter, Olivia Paige

Cipriano.

Temple Fund

Louise Belkin in memory of Miriam Platt.

Elizabeth Ehrlich in honor of Rayna

Segelman.

Gerri & Dudley Watkins in memory of

Lois Isaacson, wife of Herb.

Carolyn & Jeff Weiser in memory of

David deCastro Robles, father of Esther

Aronson; for the yahrzeit of grandparents,

Charlotte & William Mostel.

Yahrzeit

Bobbe Basch for father, Joseph Rosenblatt.

Barbara & David Brown for father, Louis

Illions.

Janice Cartin for father, Merrill

Lieberman.

Linda & Henry Cohn for father, Harold

Cohn.

Meryl Danitz for brother, Brian Ducker.

Nancy Erman for father, Robert

Stevenson.

Hilary Freedman for mother, Freda

Freedman.

Sarah Friedman for sister, Ethel Corash.

Betty Garber for Holocaust remembrance,

Katarzyna Galka.

Nan Glass for grandfather, Louis Mass; for

brother-in-law, Norton Glass.

Susan Gluck for grandmother, Fanny

Gluck.

Nancy & Dennis Gottfried for

grandmother, Pearl Orlofsky.

Leonard Guthart for wife, Bette Guthart.

Ralph Kadden & family for mother &

grandmother, Frieda Kadden.

Robert Karasik for mother, Minnie

Karasik.

Trudy Lerer for father, Solomon Noveck.

Beatrice Levy for mother, Grace Sicklick.

Ellen Margolis for father, Norman

Glasband.

Eileen McMurrer for Holocaust

remembrance, Emil Curylo.

Seymore Newman for sister, Tillie

Newman.

Morris Papernik for father, Bernard

Papernik.

Bruce Parker for father, Harry Parker.

Eleanore Reiner for sister, Irene Gerst

Keen.

Andi & Lance Rothstein for parents,

Mickey & David Rothstein.

Edith Sherman for mother-in-law, Molly

Sherman; for Holocaust remembrance,

Claire Alexandrowicz.

Charlotte Simonovitz for mother, Sarah

Stoltz.

Irwin Singer for father, Nathan Singer.

Thoughtful Contributions (received through 9/1/14) Supporting Beth El

Temple Topics October 2014 Tishrei /Cheshvan 5775 7

Marilyn Steinmetz for son, Steven Steinmetz.

Edythe Sussman for husband, Paul Sussman.

Lorraine & Farrel Vogelhut for aunt, Edna

Turkenitch.

Shirley & Julius Wachtel for mother, Dora

Wilensky.

Morton Ward for mother, Bella Rosenfeld

Ward.

Patti & Howard Weiner for father, Solon

Weiner.

Youth Activities Fund

Lisa Levin & Tom Greenebaum for the

yahrzeit of brother, Scot Levin.

Endowment Funds

General Endowment

Annette & Sy Gavens in honor of the 65th

wedding anniversary of Jeanne & Marshall

Elman; in honor of the birth of Cooper

Maxwell Glass, grandson of Nan.

Lois & Chuck Koteen in memory of Cantor

Herbert Weiser, father of Jeff.

Abbey & Stephen Kreinik in memory of

Cantor Herbert Weiser, father of Jeff.

Friends Fund for Members in Need

Judy & David Rosenthal in memory of

Cantor Herbert Weiser, father of Jeff. Anna Heineman Fund

Francine & Steven Stier for the yahrzeit of

mother, Anna Heineman.

Koteen Family Fund

The following donations were received in

honor of birth of Samuel Tilden Barr,

grandson of Lois & Chuck Koteen:

Marci & Jonathan Alter, Linda & Steve

Blotner, Judy & David Borus, Sharon &

Bob Efron, Annette & Sy Gavens, Beth &

Dan Papermaster, Leslie & Bruce Silvers. Lois & Chuck Koteen in memory of David

deCastro Robles, father of Esther Aronson; for

the yahrzeit of mother, Lillian Levitsky.

Kreinik Family Fund

Abbey & Stephen Kreinik for the yahrzeit of

father, Arthur Kreinik.

Roland-Berkowitz Family Fund

Lenore & Roxanne Weisinger in memory of

Robert Cushing.

Albert & Mickie Schoolnik Endowment Fund

Rita Schoolnik & Howard Zisserson in

honor of the 30th wedding anniversary of

Linda & Steven Blotner. Mort Shechtman Men’s Club Fund

Susan Shechtman in honor of the birthday of

Joy Mankoff.

Sowalsky Gabbai Rishon Endowment Fund

Shirley S. Brody for the yahrzeit of parents,

Clara Sowalsky Borden & Isadore Sowalsky.

Clara Sowalsky for the yahrzeit of in-laws,

Clara Sowalsky Borden & Isadore Sowalsky.

Sussman Families Fund

J. Bruce Sussman for the yahrzeit of father,

Paul G. Sussman.

Supporting Beth El

2014/5775 High Holiday Appeal

Just Say Yes! To Families. To Values. To Community. To Beth El

Creating a vibrant multi-generational synagogue does not come without a cost.

Our high holiday appeal letters are in the mail! By saying “yes” you are investing in our children,

our community and our Jewish values.

Howie, Jack, Lydia & Rory Lutt

Roberta Buland

Dara, Lucy, Hannah & Lilly

Dave & Alex Heilbrunn

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

Lifelong Learning Enjoying Beth El

BEMA-Beth El Music & Arts

On behalf of Cantor Joseph Ness and the entire Beth El

Music and Arts committee, we thank YOU, our loyal subscribers

and concertgoers in advance for making the 2014-15 Music

Series at Beth El so successful. Please watch your mailboxes and

the Temple website for exciting 2014-15 Music Series

subscription information and plan to join us as series subscribers.

Four concerts are planned for this season on: Thursday, 12/4;

Sunday, 12/14; Sunday, 3/29/15 and Sunday, 6/ 7/15 which

will highlight the music of Israel, operatic favorites, little known

works of 20th century Jewish composers and folk music

traditions from around the world. Reserve your seat now and plan

to join us. Without YOU, there would be no music!

PLEASE NOTE: Due to rising concert production costs,

we are raising the price of tickets purchased at the door. For our

Subscribers, purchasing season concert tickets in advance, the

package price will remain the same for one last time. As in past

years, a reduced bonus concert ticket will be included. Tickets

purchased at the door will now be $20; $15 Seniors/Students.

Children 12 and under will continue to be our guests.

Beth El Softball Team

Finishes Season on High Note

The Beth El Softball Team completed another successful

season making the playoffs for the 8th consecutive year in the

Greater Hartford Synagogue Softball League. The season had

some bumps along the way but the team held together and

persevered. Unfortunately our season ended a game short of the

Finals.

We again led the league in enthusiasm, if not talent on the

field. To culminate a great season, a team BBQ was again

hosted by the Kempners and good food and fun was had by all.

The team is always looking for new players to fill the ranks, so

if you or anyone you know, wish to extend their playing career

in our Slow-Pitch co-ed league contact the Captains. It’s not too

early to sign up for next season. Captains Alan Cetel 860-232-9515

Duane Schwartz 860-297-1738

Top Row Left: Dave Heilbrunn, Jeremy Kempner, David Weiner,

Seth Winkleman, Corey Robertson, Co-Captain Duane Schwartz.

Middle Row Left: Captain Alan Cetel, Murry Wellner, Andy

Feingold, Jake & Shari Kovel, Josh Goldman, Lauren Hubert.

Bottom Row: Future Stars of Beth El Farm Team

Chai Mitzvah

While this group of women has already begun their journey toward

“Growing Their Judaism,” new groups are forming ( men invited!) to

pursue the next step of Jewish learning, engagement and involvement.

Chai Mitzvah is a national program which meets once a month—class

size is limited. To register or for further information: Rabbi Garber,

igarber@bethelwh.org

Hebrew Reading Crash Course This 5 week program will be offered for two levels of Hebrew

knowledge.

Level 1 for those with no Hebrew background.

Section A: Tuesdays 1:00-2:30 pm 10/21, 28, 11/4, 11, 18

Taught by Rabbi Rosenbaum

Section B: Wednesdays 7:00-8:30 pm 10/22, 29, 11/5, 12, 19

Taught by Barbara Checknoff

Level 2 for those who want to strengthen their fluency in Hebrew

reading comprehension and increase vocabulary.

Thursdays 12:00-1:30 pm 10/23, 30, 11/6, 13, 20

Taught by Rabbi Garber

Sponsored by the National Jewish Outreach Program

RSVP to the Temple office: 860-233-9696

A Bisl Yiddish with Dr. Avi Patt Fridays, 10 weeks 10:00 am

Begins 10/24 Professor Patt will acquaint students with the Yiddish language

and its roots-the Eastern European world where Yiddish was an integral

part of life. Students are introduced to basic grammar, vocabulary and

reading, including excerpts from Yiddish literature, poetry, prose,

folklore, music and film. The history of Yiddish culture and the

development of the Yiddish press, literature and cinema will also be

explored.

Tuition: $150 for Beth El members; $180 for non-members.

Make the check out to Beth El Temple.

Torah for Skeptics Wednesdays, 4 weeks 8:00 pm

Begins 10/29 We often hear about the Torah as the source of our religious

heritage as a people. Yet, as moderns, how might we relate to a text

that is filled with miracles, difficult ethical episodes and claims in

contrast to both science and history? What if we question the very idea

of God and a God-given text? Is it possible to appreciate such a book

with these doubts? Is it possible to find value in the Torah if we are

skeptics? The answer is a resounding yes. This course is about the

“how” of uncovering the Torah’s value in the very light of modernity

and our doubts. Join us for a lively explorationwith Rabbi Rosen where

skeptics and non-skeptics alike are invited.

Write your Story: Memoir Workshop Mondays: 11/3, 10, 17, 24 and 12/1 at 10:00 am

in the Beth El Library. Are you interested in preserving your life story? The Beth El

Library is sponsoring a five-week memoir-writing workshop. This

informal group will explore different methods of writing personal and

family histories. Anthropologist/Oral Historian Betty Hoffman, who

has taught writing for many years, will facilitate the workshop. Sign up with Betty Hoffman, 860-233-4853 bhoffman3@comcast.net

Temple Topics October 2014 Tishrei /Cheshvan 5775 9

Men’s Club Steak & Scotch Sukkahfest 10/13 6:00 pm Checks paid to "Beth El Men's Club" must be received no later

than October 6

Men’s Club members: $15; Non-members: $18

RSVP: Info: Joe Springut at 860-676-9878

dr.EyesJoe@gmail.com

Total $____

Distinguished Service Award Banquet 10/23 6:00 pm

Honorees this year: Howard Meyerowitz and

Bernie Selig. Make check out to Beth El Temple Men’s Club.

Please see your invitation for Tribute opportunities.

RSVP: Jacob Kovel 860-651-9366 or eaglewars@aol.com

Banquet $40/person Total $____

PJ & Kids’ ClubShabbat 10/17 5:45 pm (suggested for planning purposes)

Adult Oneg no charge #____

Child Nuggets no charge #____

Mail to: Beth El Temple, 2626 Albany Ave.,

West Hartford, CT 06117 Name____________________ Email_______________

Address__________________ Phone____________

Grand Total $ ________

RSVP

Charter Oak Project Sunday 10/19 9:00 am Cook at Beth El Monday 10/20 5:30 pm Serve at Charter Oak Cultural Center

In cooperation with the Charter Oak Cultural Center, we prepare

(Sunday morning at Beth El) and then serve dinner to Hartford

schoolchildren and their families at the Charter Oak Cultural

Center. For information, contact Craig Diamond at 860-461-0263,

craigpdiamond@yahoo.com, or Kerry Rausch at 860-232-3591,

rausch.kerry@gmail.com.

Loaves & Fishes Monday 10/6 10:00 am

On the first Monday of each month, a group of Beth El

volunteers meets at this soup kitchen in the Immanuel Church in

Hartford. The group prepares and serves lunch to approximately

70-90 clients. For more information, contact Ellen Solomon

gingy81434@hotmail.com.

KNITzvah Group 10/19 10:00 am

The award winning KNITzvah Group will be starting its 13th

year. With yarn, knitting needles and smiles they have created

lovely lap-afghans, hats, scarves and other items, all to be shared

with folks who appreciate a package of love. If you love to knit,

join us. We usually meet once a month on a Sunday morning.

Check with the office for actual location and for future dates and

bring a # 10 needle. Annette, Cipie & NormaJean

Doing Mitzvot

At the Western Wall

Our new Tzedakah Box—handcrafted and donated by, Justin

& Don from Integrity Custom Woodworking in Berlin, CT.

Two New Chai Mitzvah Groups beginning their 10 month journey.

(See page 8.)

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

10/11—you have both MMH and the b/m in there--??

Temple Topics October 2014 Tishrei /Cheshvan 5775 11

Ongoing Weekly Programs, no registration required

Tue 12:00 pm Lunch & Learn 1:00 pm Level 1 Hebrew Reading Course begins 10/21 Thu 8:00 am Bible & Breakfast Only on 10/2, 10/23, 10/30

Wed 10:00 am Talmud Study 10/1,10/8 No Class on 10/15, 10:30 am on 10/22 12:00 pm Level 2 Hebrew Reading Course begins 10/23

7:00 pm Level 1 Section B Hebrew Reading Crash Course Fri 10:00 am Beth El Babies Exploring (bebe) with parent supervision

Daily Service Schedule Mornings 7:00 am Monday—Friday, 8:45 am Sunday Evenings 7:30 pm Sun. -Thurs.

Shabbat שבת Friday 6:00 pm Kabbalat Shabbat Saturday 9:30 am Shacharit-Torah Service Musaf, Mincha-Ma’ariv-Havdalah (MMH) SEE BELOW

Note: When a Saturday evening B/M is listed, there will be a concurrent service in the Chapel.

SUNDAYSUN MON TUES- WWEDNES- THURS- FRIDAYFRI SATURDAYSAT

1 7 Tishrei

6:30 pm

Gurlz JAM

2 8 Tishrei 3 9 Tishrei

Erev Yom Kippur/Kol

Nidrei No bebe

6:00 pm Sanctuary &

Chapel Services

Light Candles BEFORE

6:11 pm

4 10 Tishrei

8:00 am Yom Kippur

Service Sanctuary

9:30 am Yom Kippur Svce

Kessler Hall 4:15 pm

Mincha 5:25 pm Neilah

6:00 pm Neilah for children

7:10 pm Final Shofar Blast

5 11 Tishrei

9:00 am Yom

Kippur Food Drive

Sorting; Hai

Program with JCL

11:00 am Men’s

Club Program:

Political Forum

6 12 Tishrei

10:00 am Loaves

& Fishes

7 13 Tishrei

9:00 am Women’s

Network Sukkot

Decorating

9:30 am Chai

Mitzvah

7:00 pm Ballroom

Dancing

8 14 Tishrei

Erev Sukkot

No Religious

School

6:00 pm Mincha/

Festival Ma’ariv

6:03 pm Light

Candles

9 15 Tishrei

First Day Sukkot

9:30 am Sukkot

Service

6:00 pm Festival

Mincha/Ma’ariv

followed by Pizza In

The Hut

6:59 pm Light

Candles

10 16 Tishrei

Second Day Sukkot

No bebe

9:30 am Sukkot Service

5:45 pm Family Service

6:00 pm Kabbalat Shabbat

6:00 pm Light Candles

11 17 Tishrei

Birthday Aliyah

Chol Hamoed Sukkot

9:30 am Shabbat Service

10:30 am Shabbat Yoga

11:00 am Tumbling; Jr.

Cong.; Family Shabbat

Experience; 6:05 pm MMH

6:05 pm B/M of Molly

Baron; 8:00 pm NextGen

Sukkah Party

12 18 Tishrei

Chol Hamoed

Sukkot

2:00 pm New

Member Sukkah

Open House

7:00 pm Kadima

Movie Night in the

Sukkah

13 19Tishrei

Columbus

Day

Chol Hamoed

Sukkot

6:00 pm Men’s

Club

Sukkahfest

14 20 Tishrei

Chol Hamoed

Sukkot

7:00 pm Board of

Trustees

15 21 Tishrei

Hoshanah Rabbah

5:52 pm Light

Candles

6:00 pm Mincha/

Festival Ma’ariv

16 22 Tishrei

Shemini Atzeret

9:30 am Services

Yizkor Recited

12:30 pm Festival

Mincha 6:00 pm

Festival Ma’ariv

6:15 pm Simchat

Torah LIVE!

6:48 pm Light

Candles

17 23 Tishrei

No bebe

10:00 am Festival Service

Simchat Torah

Celebrating New Beth El

Babies & SSDS Experience

5:45 pm PJ & Kids’ Club-

Shabbat

5:49 pm Light Candles

6:00 pm Kabbalat Shabbat

18 24 Tishrei

Parsha Beresheet

9:30 am B/M of Lucy

Gottfried

5:55 pm MMH

19 25 Tishrei

9:00 am Cook for

Charter Oak; Daled

Class BBM Work-

shop; Hai Class

Family History Day;

USY/Kadima

Regional Opening

Event

10:00 am KNITzvah

1:00 pm “It Takes A

Sacred Village”

Workshop

20 26 Tishrei

5:30 pm Serve

Dinner at Charter

Oak Cultural

Center

21 27 Tishrei

10:30 am Chai

Mitzvah Group A

1:00 pm Hebrew

Reading Crash

Course, level 1

Section A

6:30 pm

Executive Comm.

7:00 pm

Connections &

Conversations

22 28 Tishrei

10:30 am Talmud

Class

7:00 pm Hebrew

Reading Crash

Course, level 1

Section B

23 29 Tishrei

10:30 am Chai

Mitzvah Group B

12:00 pm Hebrew

Reading Crash

Course, level 2

6:00 pm Men’s Club

Distinguished

Service Award

Banquet

24 30 Tishrei

Rosh Chodesh

10:00 am “A Bisl Yiddish”

with Dr. Avi Patt

5:38 pm Light Candles

6:00 pm Soul Songs

Service & Hors D’Oeuvres

25 1 Cheshvan

Rosh Chodesh

Parsha Noach

9:30 am B/M of Samuel

Katz; 11:00 am Tumbling

The Shabbat Zone; Family

Shabbat Experience

5:45 pm MMH

26 2 Cheshvan

10:00 am Rel. Sch.

Medura (Bonfire)

Program

4:00 pm “Bite of

Beth El” Cooking

the Classics

27 3 Cheshvan 28 4 Cheshvan

7:00 pm Create

your own

Chanukiah with

Karen Rossi

7:30 pm Men’s

Club Board

29 5 Cheshvan

8:00 pm “Torah for

Skeptics” with

Rabbi Rosen

30 6 Cheshvan

8:00 pm Ritual

Committee

31 7 Cheshvan

5:28 pm Light Candles

6:00 pm Kabbalat Shabbat

11/1 8 Cheshvan

Parsha Lech Lecha

9:30 am B/M of Claire

Peikes

5:35 pm MMH

Multi-Week Classes, registration &/or payment required Mon 7:00 pm Hebrew Ulpan, Int./Adv.

Fri 10:00 am A Bisl Yiddish

October 2014

Tishrei/Cheshvan 5775

תשרי/חשון

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

Upcoming Events

NON PROFIT ORG

U.S. POSTAGE PAID

Hartford, CT

PERMIT No. 4331

2626 Albany Avenue West Hartford, CT 06117

A Veteran In Our Midst Martin A. Schulz

Private First Class Martin A. Schulz

served in the U.S. Army during the Korean

War between 1952-54. In 1949, through the

efforts of the Joint Distribution Committee,

the 19 year-old Holocaust survivor immigrated

to Hartford via Boston, from the Lansberg Am

-Lech Displaced Persons’ Camp in Germany.

He had wanted to accompany friends to Israel

in 1948 to fight in the War Of Independence,

but was too young to be considered. In 1952,

after completing a total of four months of basic training first

in Fort Devens, Ma. and then in Fort Dix, N.J., the U.S.

Army assigned Mr. Schulz to the Warner Kaserne Camp on

the outskirts of Munich as his knowledge of the German

language and culture were deemed very valuable assets

during America’s Cold War with Russia. Moreover, since he

was a survivor with no immediate family members in

America, the Army did not want to send him into combat in

Korea. He was trained at a radio signal school in Stuttgart,

Germany for four months and became proficient at radio

operations on maneuvers that lasted for up to a week at a

time to places as far as Salzburg, Austria.

On one fateful excursion with his lieutenant as his

passenger, the Jeep he was driving turned over in a muddy

bog pinning him head down in the mud under the vehicle

and ejecting his passenger. He took quick action and dug an

air hole so he could breathe until he and his lieutenant were

rescued. Mr. Schulz credits the army for giving him valuable

life skills, chief among them, a good command of English,

which served him very well upon his return to Hartford

where he became gainfully employed in industry jobs and

later in jewelry sales and service as he and his late wife,

Judith, raised three children. Mr. Schulz is the proud

grandfather of five grandchildren.

Beth El Temple of West Hartford

Proudly Presents Veteran’s Day Celebration Sunday 11/9 11:00 am In partnership with other West Hartford synagogues, join us as

we salute the veterans of our Jewish community.

Music, a distinguished speaker, an honor roll and a reception will

mark this date.

Calling All Veterans! Register and participate in the Roll Call.

Let us know when and where you served. Wear your service hat and

bring your memorabilia.

Contact Marcia Slotnick by Thursday, November 6th

To register: 860. 236.2630 or herbandmuriel@sbcglobal.net

BEMA 2014-2015 Season Sundays, 7:00 pm

Evening of Opera 12/14/14

Heartstrings 3/29/15

A Folk Festival 6/7/15

Bonus Concert!

A Celebration of Israel

Thursday, 12/4/14 7:00 pm