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A Note from the RabbiRabbi Rick Shapiro
(Continued on page 2)
In 1983 the Central Conference of American Rabbis passed a now-famous resolution concerning the children of Jewish fathers and non-Jewish mothers. That resolution, which declared that those children, if raised within a Jewish framework, were to be considered Jews,
raised a good many eyebrows, even within the Reform community. In the more than 30 years since its passage, the subject of the resolution, which we now call “Patrilineal Descent,” has continued to be the focus of virtually constant discussion and debate.
During the same thirty-plus-year period, we in the American Jewish community have been engaged in an ongoing wrestling match concerning the role of Reform Judaism in Israel in general, and the legitimacy of non-Orthodox conversions to Judaism in particular. Taken together, our consideration of these two issues has redefined the question of “Who Is A Jew?” for contemporary Jewish life. But it has also raised another, perhaps more fundamental question: “What Is A Jew?” Given the fact that we can now trace the biological fact of our Jewishness either through our mothers or our fathers, what does that say about the content of our Jewishness? This is an issue that, despite the fact that it has been on our agenda for more than three decades, we have only begun to address in any meaningful way whatsoever.
The issue can best be expressed by redefining two terms which are often used synonymously: Jew and Jewish. A person is a Jew by virtue of birth – either the child of a Jewish mother or a Jewish father – or by virtue of conversion. This is a biological fact that continues to be true regardless of any future act. But a person can be said to be Jewish only on the basis of the way in which his/her life is conducted, only on the basis of the content that the individual merges together with the biological fact of birth or the existential fact of conversion.
This distinction is an important one for the modern Jewish community, a community that exists in a free world, free to identify or not to identify with the values and traditions of past millennia. We must ask ourselves what meaning the biological fact of being a Jew possesses for us if we do not live a Jewish life, if we do not choose to bring Judaism to bear on the multitude of attitudes and activities in our daily lives. It would seem to me that without some activity in the realm of Jewish life, the biological fact of being a Jew becomes meaningless. A Jewish heart is nice, but it carries no significance without Jewish deeds. In short, to be a Jew without being Jewish is certainly possible, but not terribly significant.
Beth Torah Blood DriveWednesday, May 11th, 2:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Book your appointment today at savealifenow.org, enter Sponsor Code: Beth Torah. For additional details contact Scott Franklin at (913) 645.1036 or [email protected]. Register to donate and receive a BUY ONE GET ONE FREE coupon from Schlitterbahn Waterpark
AVisit us on the Internet at
www.beth-torah.orgThe Monthly Newsletter of Congregation Beth Torah
May 2016 Issue 300 Nissan/Iyar 5776
Congregation Beth TorahService of ConfirmationSaturday, May 28, 2016
10:30 a.m.The members of the Confirmation Class of 2016 and their families invite you to join them for this service as they celebrate their commitment
to Judaism and the Jewish people.
Benjamin AlpertBenjamin Derks
Nina GaleTess Gerson
Benjamin HansonRylee HendrikseWilliam Reicher
Sarah Shaw
Also Save the Date:
Hatikvah Sermon-in-SongFriday, May 6th, 6:30 p.m.
6th Grade Graduation and Teacher Appreciation Shabbat
Friday, May 13th, 6:30 p.m.
Note about online Tekiah: When viewing the Tekiah online, you click through the pages using the left and right arrows to view the entire document. Slide the magnifying bar to make the pages bigger. Please contact [email protected]
if you have any questions or problems.
Annual Meeting: Sunday, May 1st at 10:10 a.m.
www.beth-torah.org | Page 2
Torah Portion & Haftarah
April 29/30 22 of NissanParashat Archarei Mot I“Light a Memorial Candle for a Lost Ancestor”
May 6/7 29 of NissanParashat Achrei Mot II“Make a Sacrifice for Jewish Ideals”
May 14/15 6 of IyarParashat K’doshim“Recognize What’s Holy in You” May 20/21 13 of IyarParashat Emor“Make Your Own Challah”
May 27/28 20 of IyarParashat B’har“Remember to Make Your Curse a Blessing”
Worship(Continued from page 1)
In MemoriumElaine Hammond
Mother of Jonathan Hammond
Les SchneidermanFather of Debbie Trenton
Grandfather of Emily and Andrew Trenton
Herb Mendelsohn
Father of Sharon Altman and Barb Mendelsohn
Grandfather of Brian and Tracy Altman
Sam Fried
Father of Ed Fried
Mazel Tov to Barry and Chris Shapiro on the birth of their first grandchild
Caleb Zachary Shapiro.
This dichotomy is widened further by the tendency many of us have to be Jewish, if at all, only vicariously: to practice whatever Jewish values we do treasure through others. All too often we encourage our children to attend religious school but rarely, if ever, attend a synagogue program ourselves. All too often we watch our children doing Jewish things and get satisfaction from their performance alone, rather than by participating together with them. And all too often when we do come to the synagogue, we have an expectation that the Rabbi’s actions are sufficient for all of us; that we can sit passively by and let him/her “Jew” for us.
This problem is not one that will go away by itself, nor is it one merely of semantics. The distinction between “Jew” and “Jewish” is a real one, however each of us chooses to express it. Somehow we must come to terms with the fact that being Jewish means something very real and very concrete. We must recognize that to be Jewish means to use what Judaism has to offer to guide and enrich our lives. And we must understand that we may not simply sit back and permit others to do for us; we must endeavor to practice for ourselves, however unsure or ill-at-ease we may feel at first.
If you have any doubt about the validity of my words, then I invite you to attend this year’s Confirmation Service – which will take place on Shabbat morning May 28 at 10:30 am – when eight of our Temple teenagers – Benny Alpert, Ben Derks, Nina Gale, Tess Gerson, Ben Hanson, Rylee Hendrikse, Will Reicher, and Sarah Shaw – will stand before the congregation and give us their answer to “What Is a Jew?”. They will speak to us of what it is in their own lives that they cherish and that makes them Jewish. By standing before the congregation on that morning and leading the service, reading from the Torah, and sharing their thoughts on Confirmation and their Civil Rights Journey last October, they will be making a powerful statement about the value of Jewish education and Jewish life – much more powerful and relevant than any words I could ever share with you.
This wonderful congregational service is not a private event held only for the families of these teenagers. Rather, it is a community event: a time to gather and celebrate the realization that the question of “What Is A Jew?” is far more important than the question of “Who Is A Jew?” as we listen to the answers of yet another generation, another link in the indestructible Jewish chain uniting past, present, and future. I invite each of you to join the congregation that morning not as an invited guest or an isolated individual, but as a member of a community, a community of Jews bound together by a common heritage and a common purpose; a community of Jews choosing to bind ourselves together by sharing in the peak moments of our lives. Join your fellow Beth Torah members as we honor our past, celebrate our present, and look forward to our future with confidence and pride.
OfficersPresident...................................................Linda ZappullaFirst Vice President…………………................Barry KatzVice President………………………...........Bonnie SwadeVice President……………………..........…Elisa WaldmanSecretary ........................................................ Matt HaunTreasurer ................................................. Mike GinsbergImmediate Past President.......................... Michelle Cole
Board of TrusteesJeff Altman Tom Cohen June CraneTodd Davisson Mike FineMiki Herman Bob Milgrim Frank Sterneck SueAnn Strom
BTTY President........................................... Sarah Shaw
StaffInterim Rabbi........................ Rabbi Rick Shapiro, D.D.Founding Rabbi ................ Mark H. Levin, D.D., D.H.L. Music Director..................................... Emily Tummons Director of Operations ...............................Laura Intfen Director of Education ........................... Bridey StanglerDirector of Finance ......................... Todd Janvrin, CPA Office Manager..................................... Robin O’ BryanAdministrative Assistant.........................Sharon AltmanAdministrative Assistant ............................... Cathy Nix Bookkeeper......................................................Barb KittCommunications Associate ........................ Sara Glass
BTTY Adviser: Zach ZwibelmanJYG Adviser: Rachel Bolter
© Congregation Beth Torah, Overland Park, KS
Tekiah # 300 May 2016Congregation Beth Torah
(913) 498-2212 Fax: (913) 498-1071Email: [email protected] Website: www.beth-torah.org
If you need to contact Rabbi Shapiro for a rabbinic emergency when the office is closed, he can be reached on his cell phone: 760-668-5806.
www.beth-torah.org | Page 3
President’s CornerThis is my last letter to you as president of Beth Torah. On June 1st I will take on my new role as Immediate Past President, supporting our new co-presidents, Shanna and Matt Haun.
It has been a busy two years, and a privilege to lead the congregation through so many firsts! Our first (and only) retirement of the founding rabbi. Our first Rabbi Transition Committee. Our first Interim Rabbi. Our first Rabbi Search Committee. Our first new senior rabbi to arrive shortly.
Last summer, we announced that we would include religious school fees as a benefit of membership, and invite members of the community, for a fee, to send their children to our
religious school. Our member families have expressed their gratitude, and a number of new families are checking out Beth Torah through the entryway of the Weiner Religious School.
To pay for this, we initiated the Educating our Future campaign, seeded with a challenge grant that was met by the Gloria Gershun fund and donations from Frank and Robin Sterneck, Barry and Linda Katz, Samantha and Quentin Hammontree, Eric and Shanny Morgenstern and myself. We received many donations, large and small, and are thrilled to announce that a recent donation from Donna Gould-Cohen brought us over the top for the current fiscal year. While gratifying to meet this campaign goal, overall donations to the congregation are similar to the prior year. So we must remind ourselves that Beth Torah isn’t just a place where we are members but is an organization we must support if we want it to continue. So you will continue to hear from us as we work to increase the philanthropic connection with our members.
It has been a joy to work closely with our staff. Laura Intfen has risen to the challenge of overseeing day to day operations of Beth Torah, to the point where she recognized the need to change her title to reflect her work as Director of Operations. Emily Tummons continues to outdo herself as Music Director, introducing us to new instruments accompanying worship, bringing our members into a musical connection with Beth Torah in many ways, and most recently, saluting the Jewish composers from Beth Torah and the community, with the first ever Spring Session. Rabbi Shapiro and Bridey Stangler will be leaving us, but leaving a legacy of transition and creativity. Todd Janvrin and Barb Kitt manage our finances, and Robin O’Bryan, supported by Sharon Altman and Cathy Nix, manages administrative needs for our staff and school, and for the congregation.
It has also been a pleasure and an honor to lead the Board of Trustees. I have made new friends, and gained respect and appreciation for their dedication and hard work. I have learned from each board member, and we can feel confident that this group of smart, dedicated and hard working women and men have Beth Torah’s best interests at heart.
I am grateful to all of them, and to all of you.
Linda Zappulla
Where in the world is Todd Janvrin?If you have tried to call and/or Email our Finance Director, Todd Janvrin lately, we apologize for any frustration you may have felt, as you did not receive a response. Todd has incurred a long term illness and although he is feeling stronger every day, his recovery time is just not predictable, although a full recovery is on the way. In the meantime, please direct any questions about your bill to our book keeper, Barb Kitt at [email protected], and any other questions regarding your account to our Director of Operations, Laura Intfen at [email protected]. We know you join our entire staff in wishing Todd a complete and quick recovery.
Linda Zappulla, Board President [email protected]
www.beth-torah.org | Page 4
Welcoming Rabbi CattapanYOU GUYS. I have to tell you, I am so excited for July 1st, the day that Rabbi Cattapan officially starts at Beth Torah. It’s no secret that the past several years have been a time of transition for us. We were lucky to have had the leadership of Rabbi Shapiro, the stability of some of our long-standing staff members, and to be able to enjoy the solid foundation laid by our previous leadership. But now what? Well, it’s time to start our integration – or welcoming - activities! And not just for Rabbi Cattapan. For you, and you, and you! And for US. We are welcoming a new chapter of Beth Torah’s decades-long commitment to innovation of excellence. We have a lot to be excited about. As the Rabbi Integration – or Welcoming – lead, I’d like to share the goal of this committee:
· Ensure Rabbi Cattapan’s long-term success· Energize and engage you, the members· Quickly move into business as usual, so that Beth Torah can focus on providing meaningful Jewish experiences and create more of the sense of community we love.
I have been asked – why did we choose Rabbi Cattapan? While we each have our unique take, what we heard again and again was that folks were drawn to his warmth, his ability to connect with congregants. He is smart and passionate about Judaism and is a hands on, collaborative leader. His commitment to music and social justice are well aligned with our congregation’s strengths. Rabbi Cattapan’s first 100 days will be quite busy. During those early days, he will be meeting congregants and temple leadership, he’ll review our strategic plan and will prioritize Beth Torah’s most critical needs. To do that, we’ll need your help! First – write this date down – July 8th, 2016. It will be his first time leading services from the bimah, and will be a Potluck Shabbat. The whole congregation is invited, please bring a dish for your family and some to share. More details later. Second, it is our goal that ALL members have the opportunity to attend a small group event with Rabbi Cattapan. Some of these will be coffees, lunches or dinners. We hope that when asked, you will say yes. And lastly, we hope you will extend to Rabbi Cattapan and his husband Kris the warmest of Beth Torah welcomes. They are excited to move to Kansas City from Indiana, and your kind words and gestures will go miles. Thank you and please don’t hesitate to reach out to me at [email protected] with questions.
-Karen Loggia
Save the Date for Saturday night, June 18th,
Kansas City Jazz legend Dan Thomas will be offering a special blend of Jazz and Fiddler on the Roof here at Beth Torah. You will not
want to miss this.
Look for more information coming soon.
Stay Connected at Beth Torah:
Visit our Website:www.beth-torah.org
Follow us on Twitter: @BethTorah
Join us on Facebook:
Congregation Beth Torah
or Email us at: [email protected]
and we’ll send you the links!
www.beth-torah.org | Page 5
Connections Laura Intfen, Director of [email protected]
After an exhaustive Internet search, I cannot find an author for this quote:
“The past is where you learned the lesson and the future is where you apply the lesson.”
If you know who uttered this line and would like to enlighten me, shoot me an Email. It is one that I have taken to heart.
In April, our staff was blessed to have a day with Rabbi Cattapan. He and Kris were in town house hunting and the staff got together to do some calendaring, some discussing, and of course, some learning about each other.
Rabbi Cattapan set a great tone for this meeting by reminding us how we learn from everybody we meet. So as May comes rolling in and the upcoming changes are actually closer than they appear in any mirror, I want to put into practice that tidbit of knowledge. Here is what I have learned from the people that have surrounded me the past year (or two) and where in the future, those lessons will be applied.
Bridey Stangler: Bridey has taught me to not prejudge the chicken. Ever. My mind’s eye has pictured chickens as dirty, noisy beings. And yet, they bring Bridey so much joy. I’m not sure why, but that is ok. I have learned from Bridey that I do not need to understand a source of joy. It is enough that joy is experienced. She has brought an unbridled energy to our office daily. Her laughter is an “on” switch for a smile from whoever is in earshot of it. She wants to include everyone in her joy and offer her joy to everyone. Her ideas, love of her own faith and upbringing and empathy towards every one (and every chicken) have taught me volumes over the past year. The lesson going forward? With Marcia Rittmaster’s experienced hand guiding the school, I look for a Program Coordinator that is ready to put a new stamp on programming. I learned that new programming is, according to Bridey, “Great” and “Oh my gosh” and “Fun.” Looking forward, our programs should be inclusive of everyone and full of “what ifs” and not “yes buts”. Our community deserves, and should expect new and exciting programs as we have learned the lesson of programming outside the box from our past. Lesson learned. Lesson applied.
Rabbi Shapiro: Rabbi Shapiro has taught me, and the entire community, not to fear change. We hadn’t been through anything like this before. Not only did we have the task of finding a new spiritual leader, but we had to take a look at ourselves in the process and see if the reflection in our mind’s eye matched who we really were. I learned that teetering on one foot is still standing and in fact, with a little flexibility, a great position to start a leap of faith from. The lesson going forward? I am confident in who we are as a community. We have changed and yet kept our inner core true to being a modern, welcoming, diverse community. We have chosen the right rabbi because of our new self-awareness and I will use the lesson learned from Rabbi Shapiro to make decisions in regards to my job from a place of heart, mind and experience, not from a place of fear. Lesson learned. Lesson applied.
Linda Zappulla: I save Linda for last not because gleaning the lesson from her is hard, or because it is illusive, but because it is the easiest and most usable. She taught me that I could. And I did. Not better than anyone else could have, or with any kind of flair or grace, but I did more than I ever thought I could possibly do. I have traveled next to her such a long distance that only now, looking back, do I see what a poke this journey was. I am a different person looking at the journey ahead. I will use the lessons of thought, compassion, acceptance, and confidence that I learned from her every day of my working life, and even beyond.
Beth Torah and the community that bears that name have learned from all three of these amazing people. We look forward with enthusiasm and optimism to programming, fun, spirituality, worship, learning, and leadership. New things? New people? Bring it on!! We have learned the lessons and are ready to apply them. And whoever said that, we thank you.
www.beth-torah.org | Page 6
The CBT 2016
Golf Classic
11:00 a.m. Registration Opens
11:00 a.m. - end of tournament Silent Auction
11:00 a.m. - end of tournament Putting Contest
11:00 a.m. - 12:45 p.m. Boxed Lunch
12:45 p.m. Orientation “Round Up”
1:00 p.m. Shot Gun Scramble
Post Golf Awards Ceremony & Light Meal
Schedule of Events
• Hole Contests• Putting Contest• Team Prizes
Silent Auction and more:
Monday, August 15, 2016
8223 W 103rd St,
Overland Park, KS 66212
13th Annual Golf Classic
Join us at the 13th Annual Golf Classic. If you are unable to
play in the tournament sponsorships are greatly appreciated.
Beth Torah is dedicated to creating an
inclusive caring community and providing
opportunities for lifelong learning and
social justice involvement. The monies
raised through a sponsorship of our CBT
Golf Classic will help further our efforts to
contribute to our community in supporting
programs such as: Community Blood
Center, Harvester’s BackSnack, reStart,
Thanksgiving & Christmas at Pleasant
Green Baptist Church and Kansas City area
food pantries.
Photographed from 2015 Beth Torah Golf Classic: congregants, Roger Sommi, Larry Krakow, Larry
Altman and Bob Flappan
GOLFERS NEEDED!Contact Sharon Altman to Sign Up! [email protected]
For more information, click here to visit the Beth Torah Website Beth Torah Golf Classic page and
you can download the entire brochure!
www.beth-torah.org | Page 7
Silent Auction and more:
Adult Education & Special ProgramsBringing Adult Education To YouDiscussion on the Writings of the TorahJoin the community in discussion on Shabbat morning, 9:00 to 10:15 a.m. in the library.
Saturday Night at the MoviesJoin your community for an exploration of the Israeli feature films of the past 50+ years. Each film will begin at 7:00 p.m. in the Beth Torah ulam and be followed by a discussion led by Rabbi Shapiro. Join us on Saturday, May 21st, for a viewing of “A Borrowed Identity”.
Ray Davidson Yiddish CircleIf you haven’t yet visited the wonderful “Yiddish Circle for Learning” at Congregation Beth Torah, you’re missing a treat. Come to Beth Torah each Friday at noon until 1:30 p.m. Bring your lunch if you’d like.
Stay-N-Play Board Games At Stay-N-Play following Services on Friday evening, May 20th, you can stay to play board games with our community. Bring your friends and any games you want to play or just come and learn some new games. Thank you to Stu Lewis and Andrea Zwibelman for stepping up to be the new coordinators of this growing group.
Wisdom on WednesdaysTo honor the memory of Rabbi Eugene Borowitz - Reform theologian, philosopher, author, and teacher - the Wisdom on Wednesday crew will be exploring some of his many writings. Join us any Wednesday at noon in the Bride’s Room for lunch and conversation; or from 12:30-1:30 p.m. for study and discussion.
Lunch with the RabbiJoin Rabbi Shapiro this month for some lunch and some learning at our next Lunch with the Rabbi on Thursday, May 19th, 12:00-1:30 p.m. in the library. Bring your own lunch or call the office at (913) 498-2212 to order a sandwich.
Congregations Help Feed the Hungry Jewish Family Services, in partnership with the Rabbinical Association of Greater Kansas City, has teamed up with area congregations in response to the ever-growing need for food assistance in Kansas City. Our congregation has been asked to collect donations of canned fruits and vegetables and food scrubbing sponges during the month of May. These items will be stocked in the JFS Food pantry and will provide food for more than 200 households in our community. Please drop off your food donations in our collection barrels located in the foyer of the building. If you have any questions please contact Phyllis Goldberg at [email protected]. If you would like information regarding the JFS Food Pantry, or would like to become a JFS Food Pantry recipient, volunteer, or donor, please contact Jo Hickey, Director, Food Pantry/Community Projects, Jewish Family Services 913-327-8257 or [email protected].
www.beth-torah.org | Page 8
Religious SchoolThe Baal Shem Tov, the 18th Century founder of Hasidism said this of Pesach:Forgetfulness leads to exile, while memory is the secret of redemption.
As May barrels down on us right on the heels of Passover, we are aware of how much we wish to retain of the past which created our future. We feel it all the more keenly as we prepare our children for the closing of one chapter, the beginning of another. Some of our children (in high school for another month) are about to embark on their last truly free summers. I’m not the only one who wants to help them understand how much they should relish it.
Also in the month of May, we will see the matriculation of our 6th graders as they stand on the cusp of b’nai mitzvah. In graduating from the Weiner Religious School we hope, and are confident, that the gentle hands of our teachers have worked in tandem with yours, the parents’, to prepare our community’s children for what comes next: taking on the full weight of the mitzvot. The 6th Grade Graduation and Teacher Appreciation Shabbat (for how could one happen without the other?) will be at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, May 13th.
In the weeks, months, and years following b’nai mitzvah, these young adults – who are as yet only children – will make a very important choice. They, with the aid of their parents, will determine whether they consider their Jewish education complete.
As adults, we can appreciate the sheer absurdity that anyone’s education can ever be complete. But in the mundane everyday that is, indeed, important in the moment, it is easy to lose track of the simple fact that Judaism is what defines us and distinguishes us. It is easy to think that soccer, orchestra, and honors courses are more important. As the parent of a child that I hope to be both educated and well-rounded, you will never hear me suggest that these things are not important. But in the post-b’nai mitzvah age, we must help our children remember: our spirit is as vital an endeavor as any college application accolade.
But it is not only our spirits, but that of the community. The collective spirit that is the Jew, from today back through the ages, requires preening, polishing, reliving and re-memorizing. And why? Because it is through this study and exercise that we maintain our freedom, our history, our uniqueness. Without it close attention, we will forget ourselves and our past, and find ourselves inadvertently self-exiled from the warmth of Am Yisrael.
So we each must consider carefully how we maintain the Jewish communal and individual spirit. In the weeks to come, we will take time to specially recognize those young adults who chose to keep the light and spirit of Jewish learning and identity: the Confirmands of 5776. We hope you will join them and their parents for a ceremony and worship in their honor at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 28th.
May at Beth Torah is not only a celebration of the end of another great year – and it has been another great year – it is a celebration of things continued. We will continue to learn, to practice, to exercise our redemption.
Bridey Stangler, Director of [email protected]
www.beth-torah.org | Page 9
Special Events
Annual Yom HaShoah/Holocaust Memorial Commemoration to be held on May 1, 2016
The community-wide 2016/5776 Yom HaShoah/Holocaust Memorial Commemoration will take place on Sunday, May 1st, at 1:30 p.m. at the Jewish Community Campus at 5801 West 115th Street, Overland Park, Kansas.
The commemoration will feature a moving candle lighting ceremony including Holocaust survivors, children of survivors, grandchildren of survivors, Jewish War Veterans, a youth from our community, and a representative of the entire Jewish community. Six candles will be lit in memory of the six million Jews who perished. The service also honors those who survived the Nazi genocide.
This event is coordinated by the Midwest Center for Holocaust Education, Jewish Community Center, and Jewish Community Relations Bureau|American Jewish Committee. Local Jewish organizations are co-sponsors. The entire community is invited to attend at no charge.
Our Outdoor Worship Area Gets a Facelift. Just in time for spring!!
Eagle Scout Candidate Dean Ziegelman and Troop 61 built us some benches for outdoor worship area. Next time you are here, check them
out. Thank you Dean and Troop 61!
www.beth-torah.org | Page 10
CloudBursT Jewish Poetry ReadingWould you like to read?
We are inviting poets of all ages to sign up to read their original poems on Jewish themes on Sunday, May 22nd, from 2:00-4:00 p.m. at CloudBursT, the first-ever Jewish Poetry Event held at Congregation Beth Torah in Overland Park. The event, to be held in a traditional coffeehouse format including refreshments, is open to everyone in the community. Poets may read two short original poems or one long original poem to ensure a wide and diverse experience for the audience. Poet and performance artist Sara Nicole Glass, also known by the pen name MissConception (www.themissconception.com), named the 2015 Best Poet in Kansas City by The Pitch, will kick off the event as featured guest poet. Community members of all ages and all faiths are invited to Email [email protected] by May 1st to sign up to read at CloudBursT. All forms of poetry are welcome, including traditional verse, free form, Haiku, sonnets, spoken word, and slam poetry. The only requirement is that each poem touch on a Jewish theme.
Also during the June 17th worship, welcome our new Board of Trustees as we include the installation of our 2016-2017 leadership in our evening service.
www.beth-torah.org | Page 11
Yeah!! Just in time for of all our gift needs, The gift shop is having our annual “end of the year” May sale. From May 1st through May 20th, everything in our shop will be 25% off. The gift shop has a variety of delightful and unique gifts for a B’nai Mitzvah, Mother’s Day, Conversion, and Confirmation, Teacher gifts, Graduation gifts or gifts for any special occasions.
The gift shop wishes to thank all of our customers and volunteers for another successful year. It is our goal to have a wide variety of items at reasonable prices. Your support of the gift shop is another way you show support for our Beth Torah community.
The gift shop at Congregation Beth Torah hopes you will think of us as your one stop shopping place for all your needs.
Over the summer, we will be open on Monday 4:00-6:00 p.m., and Wednesday and Friday 10:00 a.m.-noon. Please stop by to see all our new items or shop on-line. You can reach our on-line shop through the Congregation Beth Torah homepage at the bottom by slicking on “World of Judaica”. Remember, The gift shop at Congregation Beth Torah is raising funds for our congregation!
The gift shop is the place “Where Shopping Turns into a Mitzvah!”Shalom, Kelly and all our volunteers
The Gift Shop at Beth Torah
J CampJ Camp at the Jewish Community Center of Greater Kansas City
The Jewish Community Center has two summer day camp options. The Child Development Center (CDC) Camp provides activities for children 2 years to 5-years-old, and J Camp is open to youth entering 1st through 8th grade. The day camp sessions are Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. from June 6th through August 5th. Extended care is available. Exciting summer activities include swimming, sports, drama, crafts, archery, tennis, field trips and special events. Barney Goodman Camp offers a variety of summer camp fun. Specialty camps include Sports, Theatre, Art, Dance, LEGO and Triathlon Camp. Youth do not have to be members of The J to attend, but we do have Member pricing and summer memberships. J Camp programming infuses Jewish values, the love of Israel and a sense of Jewish heritage in campers. In addition, the J Camp Shlichim (Israeli Emissaries) enrich the camp experience with Israeli cultural activities. Many of our staff were once campers at The J, so they understand the long-term impact of positive role models, fun activities and unbeatable Camp ruach (spirit). J Camp is accredited by the American Camp Association. Enrollment is underway and an 8% early enrollment discount is available through April 1st. Find out more and enroll online at www.JcampKC.org or call (913) 327-8079.
Kelly SombergJ Camp Administrative Assistant - Jewish Community Center of Greater Kansas City
Gift Shop Spring Hours are: Sunday 9:00 to 12:30 p.m. (during religious school),
Monday 4:00 to 6:00 p.m.,Wednesday and Friday 10:00 a.m. to noon
or by appointment: call Kelly at (913) 498-1474.
www.beth-torah.org | Page 12
Music Program Emily Tummons, Music [email protected]
The future of contemporary Jewish music looks bright. And we all got a front row seat to that future last month, when our Beth Torah music program hosted its first “Spring Session.”
In this concert, which was the first of its kind in the region, 80 performers presented 22 Jewish songs, written by 14 Kansas City-based composers. The songs were spectacular in their diversity of style and richness of texts, ranging from new settings of Talmudic texts, liturgy, blessings, and prayers, to new settings of modern Israeli poetry and stories.
One of the concert-goers wrote Beth Torah with these words: “Today was a memory, a historic event in Kansas City Jewish history, a vision accomplished. I never dreamt that so many congregations, so many different composers, so many people could be brought together. Who knew there were so many composers producing such high quality Jewish music in just our city?”
The fourteen Spring Session composers deserve an outlet to share their songs of pure gold with the community around them. It’s the hope of the Beth Torah music program that this concert has ignited an excitement about the homegrown talent right here in Kansas City, and a new commitment to supporting the hard work of these songwriters whom we cherish. The composers have given the Jewish world a huge gift by writing these songs to elevate and enrich our souls.
Beth Torah would not have been able to host this event were it not for the generosity of the Supporters Circle. All concerts have costs, like security officers, sound engineers, video equipment, custodial services, printings, and many other things. These donors listed below were the champions of the Spring Session. We owe them a big debt of gratitude for having underwritten this delightful concert. The next time you see one of these folks, please say a heartfelt “Thank you.”
Make Music With UsThere are gateways galore for you to get involved in the Beth Torah music program. Call or Email Emily if you play an instrument or like to sing: [email protected]. Our Men’s Group, Women’s Group, and Kids Choir rehearse seasonally on Sunday mornings, and our Adult Choir, under the direction of Carmen Dieker, rehearses seasonally on Wednesday evenings. All are welcome.
Featured ComposersRachel Black
Carmen DiekerColeen Dieker
Steve GreenbergTim IntfenStu Lewis
Rabbi Jonathan RudnickLinda Salvay
Steve ShapiroRabbi Jeffrey ShronRoberta SolomonEmily Tummons
Rabbi Scott WhiteLezlie Zucker
Supporters CircleTom M. Cohen
The gift shop of Beth TorahJo-Ann Harris
Jim and Kelly KaplanEric and Shanny
MorgensternDavid and Nina Shik
SueAnn StromEmily Tummons and Hunter
ChristophersenJay and Andrea Zwibelman
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ContributionsBeth Torah General Fund Judith Evnen
In Memory Of:Herbert Mendelsohn Matthew & Gloria Elyachar Nanci & Steve Hirschorn Judy & Doug Rope Barry & Linda Katz Bob & Cathy WylanEdward Serlin Tina SheaJoannie GeifmanDelmar Levy Margie & Steve CooperAlvin Sloofman Pam, Bill and Mark Kanter
Rabbi Shapiro Discretionary Fund In Memory Of:Isabelle Childers Ron & Jo Ann GinsonMark Shaw Radine ShawLaura Bram Alan BramHelen & Marvin Shalinsky Linda Rubin and familyJoseph StarkDorothy Kreitman Howard & Rita Stark
Religious School FundIn Appreciation Of:The Interim Director of Education, Marcia Rittmaster Maureen & Sandy Salz
Music & Choir FundIn Honor Of:Barbara & Fred Gustin’s new granddaughter, Ila Mae Gustin Ronni & Eric Udoff
CBT Camp Scholarship FundIn Memory Of:Herbert MendelsohnDuana Linville DralusElaine Hammond Maureen & Sandy Salz
Joel H. Winston Social Justice FundIn Memory Of:Alma Baskin Barbara GutierrezRonald Wohlner Terry Wohlner
Youth Activities FundIn Memory Of:Arthur S. Chapman Paul Chapman
Rabbi Levin Discretionary Fund
In Memory Of:Rose Skikne Barry SkikneSarah Riseman Jay RisemanL. Janice Eichler Jim & Kelly KaplanGeorge Kaplan Alice Kaplan
In Honor Of:Our first grandchild, Caleb Zachary Shapiro Barry & Chris Shapiro
CBT Fund for Families in NeedIn Memory Of:Seymour Zipper Ron ZipperSamuel Freed Lynne & Morris FaimanRose Sarah Klopper Karen Agron FlatteryHerbert Mendelsohn Jim & Kelly Kaplan
Hunger FundIn Memory Of:Herbert Mendelsohn Jim & Kelly Kaplan Bill & Pam KanterLeonard Klein Stephanie Elyachar II & Lesly OzarDorothy Kreitman Bobbie & Joe Levy
Shabbat Sponsorships:
Friday, May 6th: Nosh sponsored by SueAnn Strom in appreciation of the Caring Connections Team and friends that helped out during her recovery.
Remember: you can make your donations easily on line in our Member’s Only section of www.beth-torah.org. And look for changes in this section
this month as we add a special place for members to view By Laws, Policies and agendas and minutes of meetings of the Board of Trustees.
What ceLebrations do YoU have coming Up at beth torah?
spread the Joy:sponsor a breakfast or some fancy shmancy creamers for our sunday morning breakfasts.
purchase a leaf on our tree of Life in the ulam.sponsor a nosh for an erev shabbat Friday night worship.
Contact the Beth Torah office to take an opportunity to spread the joy!
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Community EventsMELTON -- BERESHIT I - FROM ADAM TO ABRAHAM: THE FIRST 20 GENERATIONSThis ten-lesson course is from the renowned Melton Scholars Curriculum. It will be taught at Village Shalom, using traditional texts, historical documents, interactive discussion, and engaging insights from Rabbi David Glickman. Feel free to pick up lunch from Rachel’s Café or bring your own dairy sack lunch. This class explores the stories that take us from the universal creation of the world, to themes of family and faith, honor and dishonor, passion and power which provide a rich exploration of our people and ourselves. Date: March 17-June 2, 2016 (10 sessions) 1:00-2:30 p.m. at Village Shalom, 5500 W. 123rd Street, Leawood, KS 66209. Tuition: Thanks to the generosity of Congregation Beth Shalom, this course is offered at a special rate of $150/student + materials for the first 15 students enrolled. Limited scholarships available. A collaboration of Congregation Beth Shalom, Melton@HBHA, and Village Shalom. Register at www.events.org/MeltonKansasCity, or contact Melton Director, Annie Glickman, with questions at [email protected]. The Melton School in Kansas City receives funding from Menorah Legacy Foundation, Jewish Heritage Foundations and the Jewish Federation of Greater Kansas City-Circle of Chai Group. The Melton School is also generously supported by Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy, along with consortium partners Congregation BIAV, Congregation Beth Shalom, Village Shalom and a number of individual donors who have pledged to support Melton at HBHA. The Melton School is a department of HBHA.
MENTAL HEALTH MONTH IN MAY FEATURES SPECIAL EVENT MAY 6The Greater Kansas City Mental Health Coalition (GKCMHC), based at Jewish Family Services, is partnering in May to mark Mental Health Month with an event in conjunction with several partner organizations. “Mental Health: Make the Connection” will take place on Friday, May 6, at Cerner Corporation’s Vision Center, 2800 Rockcreek Parkway, North Kansas City, Missouri. The event is free and offers options for morning (Mental Health in the Workplace), afternoon (Mental Health in the Home and Community) or all-day. There are keynote speakers as well as 14 different breakout sessions focusing on Mental Health in the Workplace and Mental Health at Home and in the Community. Breakfast and lunch will be provided. To register for the event, visit maketheconnectionkc.org. For more information, please contact Kim Romary, GKCMHC coalition coordinator, at [email protected].
ONE CALL TO VOLUNTEER!Jewish Family Services has centralized its volunteer opportunities! JFS recruits new volunteers throughout the year – and we want you to sign up. YOU can make a difference in someone’s life by volunteering as little as once a month. All you need to do is send an Email to [email protected] or call (913) 730-1410. JFS has numerous volunteer opportunities in its various programs and services including older adult programs like JET Express and Help@Home, the food pantry and holiday projects. Give just a little and get so much in return. LINK: http://www.jfskc.org/volunteer/
WANTED: DRIVERS FOR JET EXPRESSA program of Jewish Family Services, JET Express provides rides for older adults who no longer drive, taking them to the places they need to go. Whether it’s to the doctor’s office, shopping, to synagogue or church, or to meet a group of friends for a social outing, JET Express is helping older adults stay independent longer, and the volunteers who help them feel like they make a difference in someone’s life. Because of increased demand, JET Express is looking for new volunteer drivers. Becoming a volunteer is convenient, flexible and rewarding. Volunteer drivers choose when, where and who they drive. Volunteer drivers choose how often they want to provide rides whether it’s once a month or every week. Volunteer requirements are minimal: you must be 21, have your own vehicle to drive and hold a valid driver’s license and have current auto insurance coverage. Drivers participate in a short training before they begin driving.If you’re interested in volunteering for JET Express, please call (913) 730-1410. LINK: http://www.jfskc.org/recruiting-drivers-for-jet-express/
JEWISH FAMILY SERVICES SPONSORS WORkSHOP FOR CAREGIVERSWhether doing their job professionally or personally for a loved one, caregivers often experience a high level of stress. Caregivers are at an increased risk for depression, excessive use of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs. They often suffer with sleep deprivation and poor eating habits. And caring for themselves is often put on the back burner. To help caregivers, Jewish Family Services and VITAS Healthcare – a partner with JFS’ Chaplaincy program - will present a special program to help caregivers. VITAS is a leading provider of end-of-life care, working in cooperation with hospitals, physicians, nursing homes, assisted living communities, insurers and community-based organizations throughout the nation. “Taking Care of Me: Managing Stress While Providing Quality Care” will take place on Wednesday, April 27, 9:30 -11 a.m. in the Social Hall of the Jewish Community Campus, 5801 W. 115th St., in Overland Park. The program is free and open to family caregivers, as well as professional caregivers with continuing education credit. Those attending the program will receive information on how to deal with stress as well as resources to connect with for help. Presenters for the program are Laura Gilman, LMSW, JFS Care Management Team Manager, and Rev. Daneake J. White, chaplain and bereavement manager with VITAS Healthcare.“Self-care is an important skill for everyone to cultivate - particularly those of us caring for others,” Gilman said. “JFS is committed to supporting self-care practice for our employees and our fellow colleagues in the social service community. We are thankful to VITAS facilitating this opportunity,” she said. While this program is free, reservations are requested by contacting Susie Hurst, JFS Director of Family Life Education, at (913) 327-8259 or Email her at [email protected].
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Beth Torah members supporting one another through life’s health care challenges.
To make a referral or to volunteer, contact: Beth Torah (913) 498-2212 or Email:
CliCk here to see the May Calendar on our
website: www.beth-torah.org
s a v e t h e d a t e
Beth Torah's Got Talent!CBT's Summer Fundraiser, produced by Lezlie Zucker
August 20th, 4-7pm cook! * write! * dance! * stand on your head! * paint! * sing! * whatever you've got!
