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BHBIRochester.org Published Monthly Vol 44/No 4 Tevet/Shevat 5770 January 2010 Editor: Stan Schaffer |
Congregation
Beth Hamedresh – Beth Israel B U L L E T I N |
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January
President’s Message Friends, December was an eventful month and there is much to look
forward to in January. We had a very busy Chanukah season. Chanukah featured
the Bar Mitzvah of Mark Toker on December 12. Mark did a splendid job reading
a long maftir portion and an even more splendid haftorah, which he read
entirely from the Navi scroll - a parchment scroll containing the books of
the minor prophets written like a Torah with no vowels or musical notations.
Mazel tov to Mark and his proud family! The bar mitzvah celebration actually
started a week earlier when Mark had his first aliyah at a joint service at
Beth Am. Rabbi Goldberg officiated at both services. This year our building saw two Chanukah parties. On Sunday
the 13th we had a joint party with Temple Beth Am. My special
thanks to Steve Teitel, Judith Mercer, my wife Nina, my nieces, and to Ami
Schmerl for food preparation and set up. Everyone enjoyed singing Chanukah
songs, both traditional ones and some modern ones. After a grueling game of
dreidl, Ami yielded his crown as dreidl champ to my daughter Hannah. Next
year Hannah must be prepared to defend her crown! On Wednesday the 16th,
the Rochester Jewish deaf community also had a party using our building. The party was organized by my sister
Beth and by Diana Pryntz. The candle lighting blessings were done in American
Sign Language. Another grueling game of dreidl, this time won by Kyle
Brossoit. Beginner’s luck! I would like to welcome a “new” member, Paula Bobb. Paula
belonged to BHBI several years ago, and it’s good to have her back with
us. In addition, we recently
gained another brand new member, Tamara Strubel. Let’s welcome them both to BHBI. We started 2009 with a disaster- the flooding of our
sanctuary. Repairs were mostly covered by our insurance, but significant
additional expenses were incurred doing long overdue major upkeep on the
building, so that we are ending 2009 with a deficit, the first one in many
years. Sales of cemetery plots, through the hard work of Arthur Mercer, have
kept the deficit from being much worse. Additional building work will need to
be done in 2010, so that we will likely have a deficit next year as well. A
significant item for 2010 will be the installation of the wheelchair lift.
That should happen in February. So far we have about $7500 in donations and
pledges towards the lift. That leaves $4000 to go. Please help with your
generous donation. Finally, on January 29th, Tu B’Shevat, the new
year for trees, falls on Shabbat this year. On the evening of January 29th,
please join us for a joint dinner and a Tu B’Shevat seder with our friends
from Temple Beth Am at BHBI, followed by evening services with Rabbi Goldberg
officiating. See the reservation
form on page 6. Have a great 2010! See you in shul. Leon
Metlay |
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HAVE YOU MADE YOUR
CONTRIBUTION TO THE WHEELCHAIR LIFT FUND YET? MAKE YOUR PLEDGE BEFORE THE LIFT ARRIVES!
SEE THE PLEDGE FORM ON THE
BOTTOM OF PAGE 2 OF THIS BULLETIN.
BHBI CALENDAR OF EVENTS – JANUARY 2009
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Friday |
Jan 1 |
7:00 PM |
Shabbat Evening Service at Heather Heights in Pittsford Light candles at 4:27 PM |
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Saturday |
Jan 2 |
10:00 AM |
Joint Shabbat Morning Services with Temple Beth Am at Beth Am Torah: Vayechi |
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Sunday |
Jan 3 |
9:00 AM |
Service, Breakfast and Discussion |
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Friday |
Jan 8 |
8:00 PM |
Joint Shabbat Evening Service with Temple Beth Am at Beth
Am Light candles at 4:34 PM |
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Saturday |
Jan 9 |
9:30 AM |
Joint Shabbat Morning Service with Temple Beth Am at BHBI Rabbi Goldberg officiating Blessing for the new month. Torah: Shemot |
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Sunday |
Jan 10 |
9:00 AM |
Service, Breakfast and Discussion |
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Monday |
Jan 11 |
7:30 PM |
Monthly Meeting of the BHBI Board of Trustees |
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Wednesday |
Jan 13 |
7:30 PM |
Small Shul Collaborative Torah Study Session at BHBI |
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Friday |
Jan 15 |
8:00 PM |
Joint Shabbat Evening Service with Temple Beth Am at BHBI Light candles at 4:42 PM |
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Saturday |
Jan 16 |
9:30 AM |
Shabbat Morning Service
Torah: Vaeirah |
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Sunday |
Jan 17 |
9:00 AM |
Service, Breakfast and Discussion |
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Friday |
Jan 22 |
8:00 PM |
Shabbat Evening Service Light candles at 4:51 PM |
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Saturday |
Jan 23 |
9:30 AM |
Shabbat Morning Service
Torah: Bo |
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Sunday |
Jan 24 |
9:00 AM |
Service, Breakfast and Discussion |
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Friday |
Jan 29 |
6:00 PM 8:00 PM |
Joint Tu B’Shevat Dinner and Seder with Temple Beth Am at BHBI Shabbat Evening Service with Rabbi Goldberg officiating
Light candles at 5:00 PM |
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Saturday |
Jan 30 |
9:30 AM |
Shabbat Morning Service
Torah: Beshalach |
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Sunday |
Jan 31 |
9:00 AM |
Service, Breakfast and Discussion |
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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! |
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FROM THE RABBI’S DESK By RABBI GEOFFREY GOLDBERG January 2010 |
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Anything to relieve the long
and cold winters to Rochester is to be welcomed and on the last Shabbat of
January we will be blessed indeed. First, this Shabbat is no ordinary
Shabbat, but is known as Shabbat Shirah, “the Sabbath of Song,” so named because of the Torah portion’s (Beshalaḥ) inclusion of Shirat Ha-Yam, “the Song of the Sea” (Exodus 15), sung by
Moses, Miriam and the Israelites following their miraculous crossing at the
Sea of Reeds. Second, this Shabbat coincides this year with the minor
festival of Tu B’Shevat.
(“Tu” is merely the numerical value of the letters Tet (9) and Vav (6), which
together make 15, festival falling on the 15th of the Hebrew month
Shevat.). Tu B’Shevat is known as Rosh ha-Shanah la-Iylanot “The New Year of the Trees.” In ancient times
the tithing of produce from trees was calculated from this date. In Israel today Tu
B’Shevat is marked by the
planting of trees. Throughout the country thousands of Israelis, especially
schoolchildren, participate in the planting of trees. Years before the recent
international concern with the environment Israel always understood the
importance of reclaiming and preserving the land through afforestation. Quite some years ago I
lived for six months in Arad in the northern Negev, situated half-way between
Beer Sheva and the Dead Sea. At that time it was a new town and had a
frontier quality to it. In the winter the winter rains and storms would fill
up the near-by wadis and streams that were otherwise dry most of the year. On
a chilly, windy and rainy winter’s day we all planted trees. I often wonder
if my tree took root. Many years later, I went back to Arad, saw how the town
had grown quite considerably, and was pleased to see the verdant vegetation
and trees in this modern oasis in the desert. Minor as Tu B’Shevat might be, it illustrates in a powerful way that
Judaism is not just concerned with matters of prayer and ritual, but is
concerned with every aspect of human concern, including the environment, for
Judaism teaches that is our obligation to preserve the world that God has
given to us. After the Exile
from Israel, Tu B’Shevat
became a day on which to commemorate our connection with Eretz Yisrael, and this was performed by eating eat fruits
associated with the Land of Israel. A tradition based on Deuteronomy 8:8
holds that there are five fruits and two grains associated with it, “a land
of wheat and barley, of vines, figs and pomegranates, a land of olive trees
and honey,” eretz ḥittah
u- se’orah, ve-gefen ut’enah ve-rimon, eretz zeyt shemen ve-rimon [Honey is date honey, rather than bee honey].
Almonds are also given prominence. Bokser, carob or St. John’s Bread, was given
prominence since it could survive the long journey from Israel to the Jewish
communities in Europe, the Middle East and North Africa. In the sixteenth
century, the Kabbalists, the Jewish mystics, infused new meaning into Tu B’Shevat.
For them, trees were symbols of human beings, as it says in Deuteronomy
20:19, “For a human is like a tree of the field,” ki ha-adam etz ha-sadeh. In line with their devotion to tikkun olam, spiritually repairing the world, the
Kabbalists regarded eating a variety of fruits on Tu B’Shevat as a way of improving our spiritual selves.
More specifically, they believed that eating fruit was a way of expiating the
first sin, eating of the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge in the Garden of
Eden. Similarly, trees were symbolic of the tree, the Tree of Life, which carries divine
goodness and blessing into the World. To encourage this flow and to effect tikkun
olam, the Kabbalists of Safed
created a Tu B’Shevat seder
loosely modeled after the Passover seder. It involved drinking four cups of wine and eating many different
fruits while reciting appropriate verses. Temple Beth Am and BHBI
will be continuing this tradition by observing a Tu B’Shevat dinner and seder on Erev Shabbat, January 29. I know it will be
a joyous and meaningful occasion, a perfect way to celebrate Shabbat, the
Sabbath of Song and the New Year of the Trees. And of course, a wonderful way
of triumphing over the Rochester winter! Rabbi Geoffrey Goldberg |
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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.
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January 1-2 |
Tevet |
January 8-9 |
Tevet |
January 22-23 |
Shevat |
January 29-30 |
Shevat |
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Nathan Garver Dorothy Lapides Henry Orbach Fannie Sablowsky* Philip Sanzel* Joseph Schiff* Hannah Senzel* Jeannette Fink Snyder Louis Bernstein* Carl Kleinstein* Rose Needler* Estelle Hirsch* Shie Schnidman* Anna Buff* Benjamin Dvorkin* |
16 16 16 17 17 17 17 17 18 18 18 19 19 21 21 |
Goldie Simon* Leah Keyfetz* Joseph Morris* Esther Sanzel* Samuel Meilstein* Ida Boyarsky* Philip Hershkowitz Jack Glazer Joe Lazarus* |
23 24 24 24 26 27 27 28 28 |
Max Springut Herman Strauss* Dvora Brodie* Samuel Goldman* Daniel Hirsch* Hyman Aaron Nusbaum* Miriam Weinberger Abraham Newell* Anna Sanow Rose Salzberg |
8 8 9 9 10 10 12 13 13 14 |
Gidda Strauss* Morris Gurian* Stanley Clark Samuel Spencer Gitla Perkal* Bessie Gold Benjamin Lapides* Alexander Phillips Simon Pogal* Jacob Rubinstein* * Denotes name memorialized
on BHBI Memorial Plaque |
16 17 18 18 18 20 20 21 21 21 |
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January 15-16 |
Shevat |
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Jean Spencer Morris Weinstein* Etta Levinson* Ida Silver* Sidney Appelbaum* Jacob Komenski* Morris Suskind* |
1 2 4 4 6 6 7 |
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.
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!!
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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 |
TO OUR DONORS -- THANK YOU FOR
YOUR GENEROSITY!
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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.
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!!
Volunteers are needed to assist members of the community who want to complete the 2010 survey of the Jewish community but need help with the computer data input. The Federation needs volunteers who are willing to interview survey respondents over the phone and input their responses using a home computer; and volunteers with laptops who are willing to meet with respondents at pre-arranged times and input their responses face to face. If you can volunteer during a 6-8 week period in January – February 2010, please contact Susan Gagnon at the Jewish Community Federation, 461-0490, ext. 242 or sgagnon@jewishrochester.org.
TORAH STUDY
Join
congregants from Temple Beth Am, Temple Beth David and BHBI for our monthly
Small Conservative Shul Collaborative Torah Study session at BHBI on Wednesday
evening, January 13th at 7:30 p.m. The discussion is always lively and engaging!
PLEASE VISIT OR CALL OUR
ELDERLY MEMBERS!
Many of our elderly
members are no longer able to come to shul and would love to hear from their
BHBI friends. Please call or visit
them.
MEMORIAL PLAQUES
Memorialize a friend or
loved one by purchasing a BHBI memorial plaque. For more information, contact Stan Schaffer at 473-8072 or stanschaffer@frontiernet.net
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
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THANK YOU TO OUR KIDDUSH
SPONSORS
FOR THE MONTH OF DECEMBER
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December 12 |
Jeff Nidetz
and Leslie Toker in honor of Mark’s bar mitzvah |
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December 19 |
The
Congregation |
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December 26 |
Leon Metlay
and Nina Klionsky in honor of Hannah’s 16th birthday |
JOIN US FOR THE JOINT BHBI –
BETH AM
TU B’SHEVAT SEDER AT BHBI ON JANUARY
29th
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The
dinner starts at 6 p.m. followed by the seder and service. Cost
$10 for adults and children age 13 and over; $6 for kids under 13 Family
max = $30 Reservations
required by Wednesday, January 27th |
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Make
your reservation now! Name(s):
________________________________________ Number
Attending: _______ adults; _______ children Amount
enclosed: $________ Send
your reservation to BHBI, 1369 East Avenue, Rochester, NY 14610 |
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UPCOMING EVENTS AT THE JCC
International Dining
Visit local eateries with an international flair and then
critique your experience. Order from the menu or choose from a list of
pre-selected dinner options. Spaces are limited at venues. Pre-register at the
JCC Main Desk. Each participant covers the cost of their lunch and tip. This
event is not kosher.
Saturday, January 23 at 6pm
The King and I
1455 E. Henrietta Road, Rochester NY (585.427.8090)
Saturday with the Classics
FREE and open to the public. Registration is required at
the JCC Main Desk.
Saturday, January 9 at 7pm
An evening of violin concertos with Julia Siegl, MA, BA,
Eastman School of Music. Enjoy the works of Mozart, Haydn, Beethoven, and
Brahms.
Saturday, February 20 at 7pm
Enjoy exciting classical guitar sounds in a Spanish
Flamenco tradition with duo Mathew Colbert and Ryan Carey.
Classical Music Appreciation
Mondays, January 11 - 25: 7pm- 9pm
In this three-part series, you will learn to listen to
classical music the way a musician does. Each evening the group will focus on
one "great work" and compare it to a modern piece. No musical
background is needed.
Instructor, Dave McCarthy holds music degrees from McGill
University in Montreal, the Eastman School of Music and Houghton College. He
teaches music history at RIT and ear training and theory at Nazareth College.
Register at the JCC Main Desk. JCC Members $30,
Non-Members $40.
American Jewish History - The Series
Tuesdays, January 12 - February 9: 7pm- 8:30pm
This class will offer an in depth examination of the
American Jewish experience, looking at major themes, events, and personalities.
We will look at the contribution of American Jews to all aspects of our
society. We will also seek current trends and future challenges likely to
confront American Jewry. JCC Members $35, Non Members $40
January 12: Humble
Beginnings, Massive Achievements
January 19: Tragedy,
Tribulation and Triumph
January 26: American
Jewish Religious Movements
February 2: Jews in American Society
February 9: Assimilation:
Blessings and Burdens
About the Instructor:
Rabbi Simeon Kolko is a native of Rochester, NY and graduated from Oberlin College graduating with a dual degree designed to prepare students for careers in Jewish Communal Service. He received an MSW from the University of Maryland School of Social Work and a Masters in Jewish Studies from the Baltimore Hebrew University.
OTHER EVENTS IN THE JEWISH
COMMUNITY
An
Informal Look at the Q’uran and the Torah
Free and
open to the community.
Sunday, January 17
Moses
Rabbi Matt Field and Dr. Muhammed
Shafiq
3:30-4:30 PM
Jewish Community Federation
441 East Avenue
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.
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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