Published Monthly

BHBIRochester.org

Published Monthly

Vol 40/No 4

Tevet/Shevat 5766

January 2006

Editor:

Stan Schaffer

Congregation Beth Hamedresh – Beth Israel

B U L L E T I N

January Presidentís Message

Friends,

As I write this just before erev Chanukah, I am looking forward to the party that members of our shul are preparing. Much thanks in advance to Janet Grable and her team for doing the preparations. Iím really looking forward to the karaoke. After all, we all have a little ìhamî in us. (Oy vey.)

I also want to thank those who helped the shul this past Autumn. Nature gave us our usual display of color, only to be followed by the season living up to its other name of Fall. The following people helped over several weekends with the arduous work of raking leaves: Art Mercer, Leon Metlay, Matt & Noah & Aline & Harris Honickman, Esther Vogelstein, and Yacob Deng. Thanks also to Aline for painting the back porch steps.

Jeff Nidetz recently stepped down as chair of the Kiddush committee. We thank Jeff for the many savory onegs that he prepared. For now, Aline Honickman will prepare the kiddushim. Please feel free to tell her of your preferences and offer suggestions. We also thank Janet Grable for continuing to sponsor and prepare the special birthday and anniversary kiddushim.

As you know, the change in dues structure was ratified at the Special Meeting on December 11. If any member has difficulty meeting their dues obligations, please meet with me or our Treasurer, Art Mercer.

I look forward to seeing you all at shul.

Harris Honickman

Are you inspired by a good, in-depth discussion of a topic of interest?

If so, join friends from BHBI, Temple Beth Am and Temple Beth David for an evening of Torah study at BHBI

on January 1^st at 7:30 P.M.

We will be discussing parshat vayigash, which describes Judahís plea before Joseph for His brother Benjaminís safety and Jacobís reunion with Joseph in Egypt.

BHBI CALENDAR OF EVENTS – January 2006

Sunday	Jan. 1	9:00 AM 7:30 PM	Service, Breakfast, Discussion Small Conservative Shul Collaborative Torah Study Session at BHBI
Friday	Jan. 6	8:00 PM	Shabbat Evening Services Light candles at 4:32 PM.
Saturday	Jan. 7	9:30 AM	Shabbat Morning Service Torah: Vayigash
Sunday	Jan. 8	9:00 AM	Service, Breakfast, Discussion
Monday	Jan. 9	7:30 PM	Board Meeting
Friday	Jan. 13	8:00 PM	Joint Shabbat Evening Services with Congregants from Temple Beth Am at Beth Am Light candles at 4:40 PM.
Saturday	Jan. 14	9:30 AM	Shabbat Morning Service Torah: Vayechi
Sunday	Jan. 15	9:00 AM	Service, Breakfast, Discussion
Friday	Jan. 20	8:00 PM	Shabbat Evening Services Light candles at 4:48 PM.
Saturday	Jan. 21	9:30 AM	Shabbat Morning Services Torah: Shemot
Sunday	Jan. 22	9:00 AM	Service, Breakfast, Discussion
Friday	Jan. 27	8:00 PM	Shabbat Evening Services Light candles at 4:57 PM.
Saturday	Jan. 28	9:30 AM	Shabbat Morning Service Torah: Vaeirah Blessing for the new month
Sunday	Jan. 29	9:00 AM	Service, Breakfast, Discussion

SAVE THE DATE – FEBRUARY 11^TH

CUB SCOUTS, BOY SCOUTS AND VENTURERS FROM THROUGHOUT THE ROCHESTER REGION WILL COMMEMORATE SCOUT SHABBAT THIS YEAR DURING SERVICES AT BHBI ON SATURDAY MORNING, FEBRUARY 11^TH, WHICH IS ALSO WHEN BHBI WILL HOST FEBRUARYíS JOINT SHABBAT MORNING SERVICES WITH TEMPLE BETH AM. PLEASE PLAN TO ATTEND AND JOIN THE SCOUTS AND OUR FRIENDS FROM BETH AM ON FEBRUARY 11^TH.

DO YOU KNOW SOMEONE WHO IS NEW TO THE ROCHESTER JEWISH COMMUNITY?

The Jewish Community Federation is sponsoring Shalom Rochester, an opportunity for newcomers to learn about the Rochester Jewish Community at 6 p.m. on Sunday, January 22^nd at the JCC. The event is free and dinner is provided. Reservations are required – those wishing to attend should call Wendy Strauss at 461-0490 or e-mail her at wstrauss@jewishrochester.org

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE RESCUE OF ETHIOPIAN JEWRY

The Jewish Community Federation and the JCC are sponsoring an appearance by Rikki Rosen, a photojournalist who documented the daring rescue of Ethiopian Jewry and their integration into Israeli life, and Mazi Melesa, who came to Israel from Ethiopia as part of Operation Solomon. They will appear on Monday evening, February 6^th at 7:30 p.m. at the JCCís Hart Theatre as part of the Koreh Rochester series. Call the JCC at 461-2000 for further information.

So far our TOPS Gift Card fundraiser has been quite successful. Remember,

TOPS Gift Cards are now available through BHBI in $50 denominations.

To purchase TOPS Gift Cards, contact Stan Schaffer

at 473-8072 or by e-mail at the_schaffers@juno.com

JEWISH WISDOM

ìMy idea of an agreeable person is a person who agrees with meî ---Benjamin Disraeli

ìItís so simple to be wise. Just think of something stupid to say and then donít say itî

--- Sam Levinson

ìDonít be humble; youíre not that greatî --- Golda Meir

ìI have enough money to last the rest of my life, unless I buy somethingî --- Jackie Mason

ìA committee is a group that keeps minutes and loses hoursî --- Milton Berle

ìI donít want any yes-men around me; I want everybody to tell me the truth, even if it costs them their jobsî --- Samuel Goldwyn

THANK YOU TO OUR KIDDUSH SPONSORS

FOR THE MONTH OF DECEMBER

December 3 The Congregation

December 10 Nina Klionsky and Leon Metlay in memory of Nelli Metlay on her birthday

December 17 Steve Teitel in memory of his mother, Eleanor Teitel

December 24 Janet Grable in honor of members with November/December birthdays and anniversaries

December 31 Nina Klionsky and Leon Metlay in honor of Shabbat Hanukkah

TO OUR DONORS -- THANK YOU FOR YOUR GENEROSITY!

GENERAL FUND

Congratulations to Lenny Lutsky on the birth of his twin grandsons

Charles and Laura Levinson

THANKS TO ALL THOSE WHO HELPED WITH THE HANUKKAH CELEBRATION AND DINNER:

Janet Grable who organized and prepared the dinner and donated all of the food and items that were auctioned, Judith Mercer, Esther Vogelstein, Aviva Schaffer and Jeff Nidetz who helped in the kitchen, Stan Schaffer who helped Janet, Judith and Esther set up the tables, Muriel Hobel who confirmed reservations and collected money at the door, Leon Metlay and Ira Cohen who were the proprietors of the Cohen Cantina, and auctioneer extraordinaire, Art Mercer. A wonderful time was had by all.

BHBIíS INTERNET WEB SITE

Did you know that in the few short months since Steve Teitel designed and set up BHBIís internet web site, we have already gotten 493 hits on the site? Ours is by far the best synagogue web site in Rochester, much to Steveís credit. The web site has sections describing our congregation, relating its long and distinguished history, listing our service times, displaying photos from BHBI events like the picnic and the sukkah set-up, referencing previous BHBI Bulletins, showing how to get to BHBI on a map, and even listing melodies that can be used for Adon Olam. Steve updates the web page frequently and always makes it interesting. Kol ha-kavod Steve ! To access the BHBI website, go to www.BHBIRochester.org

OTHER WEBSITES FOR THE ROCHESTER JEWISH COMMUNITY

Jewish Community Federation – www.JewishRochester.org

JCC – www.JCCRochester.org

Haruthís Jewish Rochester -- www.haruth.com/JewsRochesterNY.html

YAHRZEITS

At the following Shabbat Services, we will read the names of our late loved ones whose Yahrzeits will occur on that Shabbat or during the following week.

January 6-7

Tevet

January 13-14

Tevet

January 20-21

Tevet

January 27-28

Tevet/Shevat

Meriam Jossem*

David Goodman*

Selma Kauffman Lansky*

William Silverstein*

Maurice Bloom*

Manuel Miller*

Sadie Aberman*

Sol Lazarus*

Fannie Osband*

Celia Suskind*

Dora Rogovin*

Nathan Garver

Dorothy Lapides

Henry Orbach

Fannie Sablowsky*

Philip Sanzel*

Joseph Schiff*

Hannah Senzel*

Louis Bernstein*

Carl Kleinstein*

Rose Needler*

Estelle Hirsch*

Shie Schnidman*

Anna Buff*

Benjamin Dvorkin*

Goldie Simon*

Leah Keyfetz*

Joseph Morris*

Esther Sanzel*

Samuel Meilstein*

Ida Boyarsky*

Philip Hershkowitz

Joe Lazarus*

Jack Glazer

Jean Spencer

Morris Weinstein*

Etta Levinson*

Ida Silver*

* Denotes name memorialized on BHBI Memorial Plaque

We pray that our mourners will be comforted among all the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem and that the memory of the deceased continues to be a blessing to all who knew them.

TU BíSHEVAT

This year, Tu bíShevat, the New Year of the Trees, falls on February 13^th. How better to commemorate Tu bíShevat than by purchasing a tree or trees to be planted in Israel. To do so, go to the Jewish National Fund web site at www.jnf.org or call the JNF at 888-JNF-0099.

ISRAELíS ELECTIONS

There will be elections for Israelís parliament, the Knesset, this coming March. Test your knowledge about Israelís government in the following quiz, then check your answers on page 6:

1. How many members does the Knesset have?

a. 100 b. 120 c. 150 d. 200

2. The name of Israelís first Prime Minister was:

a) Chaim Weitzman b)Menachem Begin c)David Ben-Gurion

3. When Israelis vote, they submit a ballot for:

a) A specific candidate for the Knesset b) A political party c) A candidate for prime minister

4. The name of Israelís President is:

a) Moshe Katsav b) Shimon Peres c) Golda Meir

OFFICE HOURS: The shul office is checked regularly for mail and messages. The shul phone is 244-2060. For urgent issues, call Harris Honickman at 271-5145 or Stan Schaffer at 473-8072. You can also e-mail us at BHBI@frontiernet.net

WANT TO REMEMBER OR HONOR SOMEONE OR A SPECIAL OCCASION?

Consider sponsoring a kiddush or make a donation to any one of our funds (General Operating, Kiddush, Library, Torah, Rabbi Aaron Solomon Scholarship, Our Youth, Special Events, or the Sam Malina Memorial Fund) please indicate which fund you would like your donation to go to and we will send out an acknowledgement card as you indicate and print an announcement in this bulletin.

BULLETIN CONTENT

What do you enjoy reading in the BHBI Bulletin? Is there something that you would like added (or taken out)? If so, please let Stan Schaffer know. We always appreciate feedback.

DID YOU MISPLACE YOUR BULLETIN?

Donít worry. BHBI Bulletins going back several months can now be found on our web page: www.BHBIRochester.org

WANT TO GET YOUR BULLETIN HOT-OFF-THE-PRESS? Consider having us e-mail it to you! Contact Elaine or Stan Schaffer at: the_schaffers@juno.com

ANSWERS TO THE QUIZ ABOUT ISRAELíS ELECTIONS ON PAGE 5: 1)B 2)C 3)B 4)A

Congregation Beth Hamedresh-Beth Israel

1369 East Avenue

Rochester, NY 14610