Published Monthly

BHBIRochester.org

Published Monthly

Vol 44/No 2

Cheshvan/Kislev 5770

November 2009

Editor: Stan Schaffer

Congregation Beth Hamedresh – Beth Israel

B U L L E T I N

November President’s Message

Friends,

As we enter November, we can all breathe a little easier. Late September and October were full of holidays. Now we’re back to a more normal schedule. It is natural to want to lay back and take it easy, but don’t take it too easy! We still have our full schedule of Shabbat services and we need your participation. Elsewhere in this Bulletin is reprinted a letter from one of our members, Cathy Block. Cathy came to Rochester last year to help take care of her grandchildren. You can read the nice things she has to say about us. The point I want to make is that our homey welcoming atmosphere and our participatory services can make a difference in someone’s life. We’ve got no way of knowing when the next person will come along whose life we can improve, but with all of your help it will happen.

The one big event for November will be the second Finkelman Lecture. This special lecture is an annual event, in memory of Simon Finkelman, in recognition of his enthusiasm for adult education. This year we have selected Rabbi Goldberg to present the lecture, which will be given after the kiddush luncheon on November 14^th. See the announcement below for more details. This is our major adult education event of the year, so please bring along your friends and come, enjoy, and learn!

Our plans for a lift to provide access to the building for our disabled members are proceeding. We have received $3,500 in pledges and donations so far towards the project (which is expected to cost a total of $11,700) and are seeking additional donations, so please fill out the pledge form on the bottom of page 2 of the bulletin and send your donation in today. In addition to the wheelchair lift several other building projects are underway. We have finished repairs in the kitchen and repairs to our roof. We also hope to have our front columns repainted before the snow flies. It’s not too late to make a donation to the Yom Kippur Appeal to help with this work.

On sad notes, we want to send our sincerest condolences to our associate member, Leon Katzen, on the recent passing of his dear wife, Betty, and to our long-time member, Esther Vogelstein, on the passing of her mother, Ingeborg Vogelstein. They will be sorely missed by everyone who knew them. In addition, just as this bulletin was going to press, I was notified that another of our members, Dianne Hooker, has also passed away. Unfortunately, Dianne had been ill for some time and her passing had not been unexpected. Our thoughts go out to all of our members and friends who are in mourning. May G-d comfort them together with all the other mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.

As the leaves fall and the weather changes, come spend some quality time at services and events at BHBI. I look forward to seeing you in shul.

Leon Metlay

PLEASE JOIN US FOR OUR ANNUAL FINKELMAN LECTURE

PRESENTED BY RABBI GEOFFREY GOLDBERG

FOLLOWING SERVICES ON SHABBAT MORNING, NOVEMBER 14^TH

The Title of Rabbi Goldberg’s Talk Is

‘Exploring Our Jewish Musical Past and the Music of the Present’

Please See Rabbi Goldberg’s Message on Page 3
BHBI CALENDAR OF EVENTS – NOVEMBER 2009

Sunday	Nov 1	9:00 AM	Service, Breakfast and Discussion
Friday	Nov 6	8:00 PM	Shabbat Evening Service at BHBI Light candles at 4:37 PM
Saturday	Nov 7	10:00 AM	Joint Shabbat Morning Services with Temple Beth Am at Beth Am Torah: Vayeirah
Sunday	Nov 8	9:00 AM	Service, Breakfast and Discussion
Monday	Nov 9	7:30 PM	Monthly Meeting of the BHBI Board of Trustees
Wednesday	Nov 11	7:30 PM	Small Shul Collaborative Torah Study Session at BHBI
Friday	Nov 13	8:00 PM	Joint Shabbat Evening Service with Temple Beth Am at Beth Am Light candles at 4:29 PM
Saturday	Nov 14	9:30 AM	Joint Shabbat Morning Service with Temple Beth Am at BHBI with Rabbi Goldberg officiating, followed by the Finkelman Lecture at 1:30. Blessing for the new month. Torah: Chayei Sarah
Sunday	Nov 15	9:00 AM	Service, Breakfast and Discussion
Friday	Nov 20	7:00 PM	Shabbat Evening Service at Heather Heights in Pittsford Light candles at 4:23 PM
Saturday	Nov 21	9:30 AM	Shabbat Morning Service Torah: Toldot
Sunday	Nov 22	9:00 AM	Service, Breakfast and Discussion
Friday	Nov 27	8:00 PM	Shabbat Evening Service Light candles at 4:19 PM
Saturday	Nov 28	9:30 AM	Shabbat Morning Service Torah: Vayeitzei
Sunday	Nov 29	9:00 AM	Service, Breakfast and Discussion

HELP SUPPORT OUR EFFORTS TO IMPROVE ACCESS TO BHBI FOR OUR DISABLED MEMBERS – MAKE A DONATION TODAY TO HELP US BUY A WHEELCHAIR LIFT!

Name(s): ______________________________ Donation Amount: $________

Send this form to BHBI, 1369 East Ave., Rochester, NY 14610 along with your special donation for the wheelchair lift today!

AppleMark

RABBI’S MESSAGE

RABBI GEOFFREY GOLDBERG

From the Rabbi’s Desk

November 2009

Our lives connect to two cycles of times. The first is that of the Jewish liturgical year. Here, the holy is separated from the ordinary (or the “not yet holy”) in which Sabbath and Festivals are marked off from the ordinary working days of the week. In Modern Hebrew this yearly liturgical cycle of time is called maḥazor ha-shanah, “the yearly cycle.” Most of our liturgy, as put together in our siddurim and maḥzorim, is for the purpose of observing, commemorating and celebrating, this daily and yearly cycle of time. The second cycle of time is that of our own lives, from birth to death. In Modern Hebrew this is called maḥazor ha-hayyim, the cycle of life.

Judaism endeavors to integrate both cycles of time. I was very much aware of this while writing an article which will be published this month in AJS Review: the Journal of the Association of Jewish Studies, which I entitled, “Maḥazor ha-hayyim: Life-Cycle Celebration in the Song of the Ashkenazic Synagogue.” Traditionally it was the custom for a b’rit milah to be performed in the synagogue after the shaḥarit service. (Many synagogues have a special chair for the ceremony, known as kisei shel eliyahu, “the chair of Elijah”). Parts of the service are chanted responsively by the moheil and the sandak in which certain sections are chanted to a special melody, similar to the melody used for the blessings at the b’rit itself. This strikes me of a wonderful way of integrating the daily prayers that belong to maḥazor ha-shanah with the life-cycle occasion of the b’rit milah that belongs to maḥazor ha-hayyim. Here, music plays an integral role in synchronizing the two cycles of time by which we live our lives.

The power of ritual in maḥazor ha-hayyim came across strongly at the recent interfaith seminar I attended on the theme of pastoral counseling for reproductive loss hosted by the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice. Situations such as miscarriage, stillbirth, adoption or abortion carry with them a wide range of emotional feelings and the advice and sympathetic ear of religious leaders are often called upon. Sometime some form of religious closure is needed, in which ritual can play an important role. (By the way, I often felt more than a tinge of regret on behalf of some of the Christian clergy that they had no ritual comparable for our shivah in times of loss).

In the Conservative Movement there has recently been a concerted effort to address some of these painful life-cycle situations and provide then with some means of liturgical and ceremonial expression. For example, Moreh Derekh, the Rabbinical Assembly’s Rabbi’s Manual, provides liturgies for a miscarriage, a memorial ceremony for neonatal death and burial, a grieving ceremony following the termination of pregnancy, and for coping with infertility. With respect to neonatal death, the Conservative Movement has taken a far-reaching decision. Traditionally there was no burial or mourning for a child who died before the thirtieth day of life. In earlier times, when child mortality was very high, this was perfectly understandable, rational and compassionate. But nowadays, when child mortality is much less common, the rationale behind the traditional ruling no longer makes sense. Accordingly, the Rabbinical Assembly has now provided guidelines for burial and it has stated that “the family…. may be comforted through the traditional rituals of mourning….” I welcome the decision of my rabbinical organization.

Rabbi Geoffrey Goldberg

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.

November 6-7

Cheshvan

November 13-14

Cheshvan-

Kislev

November 20-21

Kislev

November 27-28

Kislev

Bessie Schnidman*

Louis Gastel*

Emanuel Koveleski*

Nathan Strom*

Harriet Snyder

Mary Jaffey*

Harvey Sanow*

Fannie Stern*

Abraham Friedman*

Jacob Marker*

Rose Nidetz

Eva Shulman

Pauline Hobel

* Denotes name memorialized on BHBI Memorial Plaque

Sam Morris*

Israel Schriba*

Jacob Smilack*

Dorothy Lewis Cohen*

Mark H. Keyfetz*

Ilse Beutler

Natalie Glickman

Meyer Kovelski*

Nathan Bernstein*

Beatryce Cohen*

J. Louis Shapiro*

Feist Hess*

Eleanor Teitel

Dr. Mark Blue

Wolf Schild*

Rachel Olkes*

Jack Soble*

Rebecca H. Nusbaum

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.

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 stanschaffer@frontiernet.net

THANK YOU TO OUR KIDDUSH SPONSORS

FOR THE MONTH OF OCTOBER

October 4	Leon Metlay, Nina Klionsky and Katie Metlay in memory of Leon Titof
October 10	Janet Grable in honor of Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah
October 17	The Congregation
October 24	The Congregation
October 31	The Congregation

TO OUR DONORS -- THANK YOU FOR YOUR GENEROSITY!

GENERAL FUND

In memory of Stanley Toker

Peg Toker

In memory of Steve Teitel’s father

Harris and Aline Honickman

In memory of David Israel, Celia Israel and Bernard Israel

Paul and Rose Israel

In memory of Sofya Kaminnik

Nelly Vishnagorsky

HIGH HOLY DAY APPEAL

Cathy and Winston Block

Jill Clark

Ira Cohen

Phil and Annette Garver

George and Debbie Kornfeld

Robert and Rise Levine

Charles and Laura Levinson

Art and Judith Mercer

Katie Metlay

Leon Metlay and Nina Klionsky

Stan and Elaine Schaffer

Sherwood Snyder

Ruth and Steve Teitel

Peg Toker

Annette and Malcolm Weinberg

Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y YY Y Y Y Y Y Y Y

AMAZON.COM

The next time that you want to buy something from Amazon.com go to the BHBI web page at www.BHBIRochester.org and click on the Amazon.com link. Each time you make a purchase after linking to Amazon.com from our web page, BHBI gets a percentage of the purchase. Buy gifts or something for yourself or your family and support BHBI at the same time!!

Do You Know Anyone Who is Unaffiliated and Interested in Joining a Congregation?

Let them know about BHBI’s special free 3 month trial membership (available to prospective first-time new members only). Have them contact BHBI at 244-2060 or BHBI@frontiernet.net and we will be happy to give them information about BHBI and this great offer!!

THE RABBI GOLDBERG FUND

We have recently started a Rabbi Goldberg Fund to enable us to engage Rabbi Goldberg to lead additional services at BHBI during the year in addition to the previously scheduled 16 joint services that he will be leading for BHBI and Temple Beth Am. Whenever the funds in the Rabbi Goldberg Fund reach a predetermined level, we will schedule an additional service with Rabbi Goldberg. To contribute to the Rabbi Goldberg Fund, please send a check in to BHBI with a notation that the contribution should be used for the Rabbi Goldberg Fund.

A MESSAGE TO THE CONGREGATION FROM CATHY BLOCK

Dear BHBI friends,

I cannot adequately express how much being with you has added to my life. I have been brought further into the faith in my scant year with this congregation than I have since my conversion. My cousin, Barbara received her first honor ever while visiting here. She was so excited to learn her Hebrew name, to be drawn into the family, so to speak. I have quit shaking violently when called for a Torah reading (though still chant sans regard to gutteral h's). I appreciate deeply your gracious welcoming, taking us "from where we are" (even if it should, perhaps, be further along), showing Winston there is a congregation in existence he can look forward to attending - on and on. I will miss you dreadfully between visits to New York.

With appreciation,

Cathy Block

Don’t Miss the Prince of Kosher Gospel at

Temple B’rith Kodesh on November 15th

Get ready for a moving experience – spiritually and physically – at the Joshua Nelson Concert, Sunday November 15^th at 7 p.m. and help BHBI at the same time!

Joshua Nelson’s cultural and religious background and extensive travels through Israel influenced him to pioneer a new form of music he has termed KOSHER-GOSPEL MUSIC - Hebrew/Jewish music with a soul feeling. Growing up in a black Jewish synagogue, Joshua decided to use the soul Hebrew sounds prominent in many black synagogues and take them to the outside world, blending Jewish Liturgical and African American musical styles. Through his unique talent, electrifying performances and profound commitment to spiritual music, Joshua is transforming new listeners everywhere. “I want to let people hear it and realize that it is not just good to listen to - it is good for the soul," said Nelson.

Nelson has spread the joy of spiritual music to audiences from New Jersey to Jerusalem, performing in concert halls, synagogues and churches, both solo and with such musical luminaries as Wynton Marsalis, Billy Preston, Aretha Franklin, and Stephanie Mills. Most recently, Joshua embarked on an extensive European tour that included stops in Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Holland and Germany, where he performed to standing-room-only audiences.

Tickets for the Joshua Nelson concert are priced as follows:

· Student $15

· General Admission $20 in advance, $25 at the door

· Family of 4 $50

· Patron $50

· Champion $100

· Benefactor $250

BHBI retains 20% of the purchase price of all tickets sold through our congregation. Tickets can be purchased and/or donations made by writing or calling the BHBI office at (585) 244-2060. Please order your tickets soon!

For more information on Joshua Nelson, visit www.joshuanelson.com

MEALS ON WHEELS SURVEY

The Meals on Wheels Organization in Rochester is trying to determine the current and future demand for pre-prepared kosher meals to be sent to seniors in the Jewish community. In order to assist them with this task, you will find a short survey about Meals on Wheels in the BHBI lobby. The next time that you’re in shul, please take one home, fill it out, and send it back to Meals on Wheels.

EVENTS IN THE COMMUNITY

The Lane Dworkin Jewish Book Festival will be held at the JCC from November 1^st – 8^th. Many excellent books will be available. Speakers include:

Erin Arvedlund discussing her book, Too Good to Be True: The Rise and Fall of Bernie Madoff on Sunday evening, November 1^st at 7:30 p.m. in the JCC’s Hart Theatre.
3 mystery writers, Gabriel Cohen, Daniel Levin and S.J. Rozan will discuss their latest books on Tuesday evening, November 3^rd at 7:30 p.m. at the JCC’s Hart Theatre.
Rabbi Harold Kushner discusses his latest book, Conquering Fear: Living Boldly in an Uncertain World on Wednesday evening, November 4^th at 7:30 p.m. at the JCC’s Hart Theatre.
Lily Koppel tells the story of the young New York City woman in the 30s who wrote a diary that was found a half-century later, as explained in the book, The Red Leather Diary: Reclaiming a Life Through the Pages on a Lost Journal on Thursday evening, November 5^th at 7:30 p.m. at the JCC’s Hart Theatre.
3 authors, Matthew Aaron Goodman, Joanna Smith Rakoff and Jonathan Tropper will discuss their latest works of fiction at the 8^th annual fiction luncheon to be held on Friday, November 6^th at noon in the JCC auditorium. Tickets for this event must be purchased by November 2^nd.
Children’s writer, Mark Shulman will give a presentation to children of all ages on Sunday, November 8^th at 2 p.m. in the JCC Auditorium
Ted Kennedy biographer, Edward Klein, will present his biography of the late senator, Ted Kennedy: The Dream That Never Died on Sunday, November 8^th at 7:30 p.m. at the JCC’s Hart Theatre.

Tickets for all of the book festival events can be purchased at the JCC, by calling 461-2000 ext. 235, or on-line at www.rjbf.org

Kristallnacht Commemoration at MCC on November 4^th at 7 pm – The Holocaust, Genocide and Human Rights Project at MCC together with CHAI – The Center for Holocaust Awareness and Information present Rebecca Erbelding, archivist for the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum, who will speak on “Anne Frank: The Person vs. The Icon” at the MCC Theatre, Building 4 (parking in Lot F). For more information call 292-3321.

“Yours, Anne” an intimate and compelling musical that retells the story of Anne Frank’s life, hiding from the Nazis in war-torn Amsterdam during World War II will be presented on Friday and Saturday, November 13^th and 14^th at 7:30 p.m., on Sunday, November 15^th at 2 p.m., on Friday and Saturday, November 20^th and 21^st at 7:30 p.m. and on Sunday, November 22^nd at 2 p.m. at the MCC Theatre, Building 4 (parking in Lot F). Tickets are $10 for the general public and can be purchased at monroecctickets.com, the Brighton MCC Campus R. Thomas Flynn Campus Center Service Desk, or at the MCC Damon City Campus bookstore. For more information call 292-2534.

Rabbi Skopitz Memorial Concert – November 22^nd

Temple Beth David will be hosting the 3^rd annual Rabbi Laurence Skopitz Memorial Concert on Sunday, November 22^nd at 2 p.m. The concert will feature Farah, a band dedicated to the introduction and continuity of Middle Eastern Jewish music. Come enjoy the powerful rhythms and the enchanting melodies from Sephardic cultures and modern Israel. In addition, this year’s concert also features the University of Rochester Gospel Choir, directed by Jason Alexander Holmes, performing pieces taken from Jewish liturgy written by Cantor Sam Asher. There will be a $10 suggested donation at the door.

Many of the items in Rabbi Skopitz’s extensive book collection including books about literature, history, art and other topics will be sold at the concert as a fundraiser for Temple Beth David.

OFFICE: The synagogue office is checked regularly for mail and messages. The synagogue phone is 244-2060. For urgent issues, call Steve Teitel at 473-5741 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 making a donation to any one of our funds (General Operating, Kiddush, Library, Torah, Rabbi Aaron Solomon Scholarship, Our Youth, Special Events, Rabbi Goldberg Fund 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. A standard sponsored kiddush at BHBI costs just $40 while a larger enhanced kiddush is just $50.

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?

Don’t 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 Stan Schaffer at: stanschaffer@frontiernet.net

Congregation Beth Hamedresh-Beth Israel

1369 East Avenue

Rochester, NY 14610