Temple Bulletin September 2013

Congregation B’nai Israel2710 Park AvenueBridgeport, CT 06604www.cbibpt.org

Volume 155, Number 2 Elul 5773/Tishrei 5774 September 2013

It’s midsummer, and the news is full of stories of men behaving badly. Unfortunately, several of the most prominent and most notorious of these newsmakers are Jewish. From hedge fund billionaires to steroid-abusing MVPs in baseball (no, A-Rod is not Jewish but Ryan

Braun is) to mayors and would-be mayors, there have been a lot of troubling and embarrassing headlines.

As Jews we have long had antennas up for Jewish names attached to scandal. For some reason there is sort of a corporate discomfort felt when a Cohen or a Weiner or a Strauss-Kahn is caught up in something sordid or illegal. I have this memory of grandparents perusing the paper claiming with pride the Jewish achievers—the artists, diplomats, and Nobel laureates—but if a Jewish name was attached to criminal behavior, saying “couldn’t be Jewish, must be German.” They of course feared that Jews behaving badly would fuel stereotypes and lead to backlash and anti-Semitism.

I think these days we well know that Jews are not that different from everyone else. We as a people have neither a claim on nobility nor a built-in disregard for right conduct and virtue. In addition we have a stronger sense of security than our grandparents’ generation and have come to believe that what Jews do does not create anti-Semitism. Bad behavior among Jews may give fuel to the beliefs that anti-Semites already have about us; they may draw bias out of the woodwork and reduce the filter on those who harbor prejudice, but I have never believed that such news stories give rise to new waves of anti-Jewish attitudes.

They do, however, raise some questions that are apt preludes for the Holy Day season that will soon be upon us. The arrogance and brazenness, the narcissism and ego that give some men the sense that laws count for others but not for them deviates from what our tradition demands. At this time of year, as our reflections turn inward, it’s important to turn from the more scandalous headlines and focus on the behaviors that lie within. We may not harbor any of the sordid or illegal behaviors that make the news, but we acknowledge that we have not lived up to the best that is in us.

On Yom Kippur our liturgy of atonement is purposively in the plural. There is a corporate sense of responsibility (as some have done some of these things, we must seek general forgiveness as a community), but there is also a personal acknowledgment that our fallibility is shared, and that forgiveness comes to everyone regardless of individual transgression.

May the days ahead be opportunities for all of us, no matter how far we have strayed, to find a sense of holiness, wholeness, and peace.

Shanah Tovah!Rabbi James Prosnit

From the Rabbi’s Desk

Bad Behavior—The Season of Repentance Nears

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Sharing Our JoyCongratulations to Julie Strauss and Tim Carey on their marriage; Debbie Goodman and David Abbey on the marriage of their daughter, Rachel, to John Ryan; Ellen and Stu Kovar on the marriage of their daughter, Rachel, to Allen Pham; Joshua Kestenbaum and Randi Jarrett on their marriage.

Welcome! Welcome!A warm welcome to our newest members. We look forward to their participation in our many programs and hope their affiliation will not only enrich their lives, but that of our congregation as well.

Carolyn and Michael Oppenheim, Nathaniel, Lila, and EmeryHunting Ridge Road, EastonJudith and David KochBatleson Road, Ambler, PennsylvaniaKimberly and Jason Brenner, Ryan and AlexanderMatilda Place, FairfieldLainie and Michael Perman, Matthew and AlexValley Circle, Fairfield Sylvia and John HodinCurrier Drive, OrangeTara and Bradley Kerner, Sacha and JonahEdgewood Road, Fairfield

Sincere SympathyWe extend our sympathy to the bereaved families of:

Claire Peggy Irwin, mother of Barbara SolomonJeanette Held, mother of Nancy Held Selma RosenblattMinnie Green, father of Sam Green

James Prosnit, D.D. .................................................................... RabbiEvan Schultz ............................................................................... RabbiArnold I. Sher, D.D. ..................................................... Rabbi EmeritusSheri E. Blum, D.M. ................................................................ CantorRamon Gilbert, D.M. ................................................ Cantor EmeritusIra J. Wise, R.J.E. ............................................. Director of EducationRobert H. Gillette, R.J.E. ....................................... Educator EmeritusAlexa Cohen .............................................. Early Childhood DirectorAbby Rohinsky ..................................................... Director of FacilityMatthew Rosen ............................................................. Youth Advisor

OfficersMindy Siegel ......................................................................... PresidentSamuel Rosenberg ....................................................1st Vice PresidentMichael Blumenthal ...................................................... Vice PresidentShari Nerreau ................................................................ Vice PresidentRichard Walden ............................................................ Vice PresidentLori Underberger .................................................................. TreasurerLawrence Levine ................................................... Assistant TreasurerJulie Pressman ....................................................................... SecretaryDonna Tauss .......................................................... Financial SecretaryMark A. Kirsch ............................................. Immediate Past President

AffiliatesJim Greenberg ................................................. Brotherhood PresidentMaia Butterfield & Hannah Greenhall .............. BIFTY Co-Presidents

2710 Park Avenue Bridgeport, CT 06604(203) 336-1858www.cbibpt.org

The Bulletin of Congregation B’nai Israelis published every month except July.

What’s happening at temple? Get Happenings, our weekly email! Send your request to [email protected].

B’nai Israel Seniors Brunch (you can self-select as to when you become a “senior”)

Join us for a special festival brunch Friday, September 20, following 10:00 a.m. Yizkor and Festival services on the morning of Simchat Torah.

RSVP to [email protected] or 203-336-1858. We look forward to seeing you!

Correction to the August bulletin:Sincere Sympathy to the bereaved family of David Schine, uncle of Barbara Rifkin.

3See p. 4 to learn what the Sukkah Squad can do for you!

**Two Family Services will run simultaneously. For families with elementary school–age children, Rabbi Prosnit will lead an age-appropriate service in the sanctuary. For families with preschoolers, Rabbi Schultz will lead a service designed for them in the tent.

High Holy Days Services 5774/2013

Erev Rosh Hashanah—Wednesday, September 4 6:00 p.m. Alternative Family Service at Jennings Beach (no ticket required; weather permitting) 7:30 p.m. Service at Temple

Rosh Hashanah—Thursday, September 5 10:00 a.m. Morning Service: Sanctuary 10:00 a.m. Morning Service: Tent 10:00 a.m. Youth Program: Grades K–6 (advance registration required) 3:00 p.m. Family Service** (no ticket required)

Rosh Hashanah 2nd Day—Friday, September 6 10:00 a.m. Service 12:30 p.m. Tashlich (on Brooklawn Parkway near Stratfield Road)

Kol Nidre—Friday, September 13 6:30 p.m. Early Service (this service will be broadcast on WVOF 88.5 FM) 8:45 p.m. Late Service

Yom Kippur—Saturday, September 14 10:00 a.m. Morning Service: Sanctuary 10:00 a.m. Morning Service: Tent 10:00 a.m. Youth Program: Grades K–6 (advance registration required) 1:00 p.m. Adult Learning (see p. 9) 1:30 p.m. Family Service** (no ticket required) 2:45 p.m. Afternoon Service 4:45 p.m. Yizkor Service (no ticket required) 5:45 p.m. Neilah Concluding Service (no ticket required)

4For our High Holy Day Food Drive, please fill the bag you received at Rosh Hashanah (or any other paper bag)

with nonperishable items and bring it to Yom Kippur services. Thanks in advance for your generosity!

Fall Festivals—Sukkot and Simchat TorahWednesday, September 18Sukkot Festival5:00 p.m. Sukkah decorating6:00 p.m. Erev Sukkot service6:30 p.m. Potluck picnic supper

Thursday, September 1910:00 a.m. Sukkot morning service

(including program with Young Families Havurah and B’nai Israel Early Childhood Education Center)

Wednesday, September 25Simchat Torah Festival5:15 p.m. Flag-making

Design your own colorful flags and banners for the service and procession of Torah scrolls.

6:00 p.m. Simchat Torah serviceDance, sing, and be enveloped by the Torah as it is completely unrolled before your eyes!

Thursday, September 26Shemini Atzeret/Simchat Torah10:00 a.m. Festival service and Yizkor memorial

service A brunch for seniors will follow the

service.

Build Your Own Sukkah! The Ultimate Jewish Arts and Crafts Project!

Building a sukkah is an easy and fun mitzvah! And with Sukkot falling on September 18 this year, dining and spending a night or two in your own sukkah is the ultimate Jewish family campout! Many members of B’nai Israel build sukkot each year, and we want to help you to build one too!

Contact Ira Wise at 203-335-0745 or [email protected] by Tuesday, September 3 to place your order! You can pick up a box containing the instructions and hardware for your sukkah in early September. The lumber will be delivered to your home. And on Sunday, September 15, members of our Sukkah Squad will come to your home (by appointment) to help you build your sukkah! You will need to take care of decorations and s’chach (the natural covering—we recommend corn stalks, easily purchased at places like Silverman’s Farm in Easton).

The cost of a small 8’ x 8’ sukkah, delivered, is $350.00. That is not a small amount of money, but it will last for years! If you would like to just get the hardware kit and get the lumber yourself, that is also an option! The hardware kit is $65.00, and we’ll give you the lumber list! Other dimensions are also available. Just talk to Ira!

Order your Lulav and Etrog!

If you would like your own lulav and etrog, we are delighted to get them for you. They will be available for pickup at B’nai Israel on Tuesday, September 17. (Please call before coming in, as they will be delivered that day!)

The basic set is $33.00 and includes the etrog and the six branches that make up the lulav (one palm, two myrtle, and three willow).

Please bring or mail your check made out to Congregation B’nai Israel to the office no later than Wednesday, September 4, by close of business. Call Ira at 203-335-0745 if you have questions.

Sukkah Squad Assemble! We are looking for people with basic building skills to help congregants build their sukkot! All building will take place on Sunday, September 15. Timing will be based on your availability and that of the family you will be helping! Training ahead of time is available. Please contact Ira at 203-335-0745 by Thursday, September 11 (earlier if you need some training!).

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The holiday of Sukkot begins this year on the evening of September 18. We of course encourage everyone to join us for Sukkot activities either at the synagogue (sukkah decorating, services) or participating in your home (have the Sukkah Squad come help you build a sukkah). I thought it also might be helpful to share with

you just a few interesting texts on the topic of Sukkot for you to read and think about either on your own or with your family around the dinner table. My hope is that these texts may serve as an additional or alternate portal into Sukkot, which is filled with some fantastic ideas, symbols, and opportunities for introspection and thought.

Text: from Moses Maimonides, Mishnah Torah, Book of Seasons, Chapter 6.

The Mishnah Torah is a set of books of Jewish law and practice. In this text Maimonides lays out the laws concerning the building of the sukkah.

If a sukkah has many doors and windows in its walls, it is nevertheless valid—provided that none of the doorways is more than ten cubits wide—even if the total of open space exceeds the total of boarded space. If, however, one of the openings, be it even an opening with “the shape of a doorway,” is more than ten cubits wide, the total of open space may not exceed the total of boarded space.

The key piece of this text is that when building a sukkah, one must construct more wall than open space. Why do I love this text? I think we can view the sukkah as a metaphor for either our community or ourselves. As a

synagogue community, we strive to create open borders, that all should feel welcome to enter into our space. But we also must be able to define who we are; we in a sense need some symbolic “walls” that represent our core values and beliefs in the world. This is a tension that any community striving to understand itself on a deeper level must struggle with. The same is true for us on an individual level. Apathy seems to be on the rise in the world; in effect, for many people, there is more open space than wall. According to Maimonides, this is a cause for concern. Something to think about on Sukkot is the question “what defines us personally?” What are our “walls,” our core values that we are not afraid to stand up for at the end of the day?

One more text to consider, also from Maimonides, this time discussing the roof of the sukkah:

If a sukkah is covered with something which did not grow from the soil, or has not been detached from the soil…the sukkah is invalid.

This text is a great follow-up to the previous discussion. The material on the roof of the sukkah must be pulled from roots. Similarly, when we think about what defines us, the follow-up question to that is, “how did we arrive at those conclusions?” This text pushes us to think about the roots of our beliefs, and not to simply pull them from thin air. It charges us to make the statement, “I believe in X because….” We need to stand for something, and what we stand for needs to be firmly rooted in a set of values (Jewish values are great ones…).

I wish you a wonderful Sukkot and hope these texts will foster some thoughtful discussions in your lives. Chag Sameach!

Rabbi Evan Schultz

From Rabbi Schultz

Try This Sukkah On for Size

Please join us for High Holy Days services—see p. 3 for the schedule.

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From the Early Childhood Center

New Full Day Program at B’nai Israel Early Childhood Education Center Opens With Great Success!

By the time you read this, we will have already completed one full week of our new program. We are so excited to be able to offer this new option for our temple members and local Jewish community members!

The Early Childhood Education Center operates 7:30 a.m.–6:00 p.m. each day, serving children ages 18 months to 5 years old. I invite you to stop by one Friday morning and join us for a special Shabbat snack.

Fondly,Alexa Cohen, Director

High Holy Days for Gan (K)–Kitah Vav (6th grade)

Get on the High Holy Day Express! For Students in Gan–Kitah Gimel (K–3rd)This is a wonderful and meaningful program for kids while parents are in the morning service! Join us for lots of fun and learning, including art, music, snack, and games. We will meet upstairs in the school wing. Please bring a smock or an oversized T-shirt to protect your clothes during the special art project we will be doing each session. Reservations are required! There is no charge. Please send the names and grades of students and whether they will be joining us for Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, or both to Theresa Silva at [email protected].

Join Us for the High Holy Day Experience! For Students in Kitot Daled–Vav (4th–6th)Children will have the opportunity to participate in special High Holy Day Youth Services. We will also play interactive games that will help in understanding the High Holy Days, how we might connect to God, and what this all might mean. We will meet in the chapel. Reservations are required! There is no charge. Please send the names and grades of students and whether they will be joining us for Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, or both to Theresa Silva at [email protected].

For our High Holy Day Food Drive, please fill the bag you received at Rosh Hashanah (or any other paper bag) with nonperishable items and bring it to Yom Kippur services. Thanks in advance for your generosity!

Brotherhood NewsShanah Tovah!! We are all looking forward to worshiping as a community as we transition from summer mode.

And at Brotherhood it is time to get back to work…

Our first event is the annual Fall Sunday School BBQ and Picnic on Sunday, September 8. We will soon plan some Sunday movie events, a speaker, and some social events to be announced.

To our dues-paying members, thank you for renewing in 2013-2014. Your contributions have funded a variety of events, thousands of dollars of charitable gifts to the Religious School Scholarship Fund, Operation Hope, Jewish Family Services, Gala Journal ads, and, of course, our weekly Shabbat Brotherhood Breakfast.

If you are not a member and wish to join Brotherhood, please send a $40.00 check made out to B’nai Israel Brotherhood to:

B’nai Israel Brotherhood2710 Park AvenueBridgeport, CT 06604

May this New Year be sweet for you and your loved ones.

L’shalom,Jim Greenberg, Brotherhood [email protected]


From the Education Center

New Beginnings at the Beginning of the Year There has been a lot of talk around the temple about the timing of the holy days. Some of us joke that Rosh Hashanah is the same as always—on the first of Tishrei! While true, the jest discounts the potential impact of new beginnings. For teachers and students, the start of the new school year is filled with promise (tinged

with sadness at the ending of summer break). Elsewhere in this bulletin and on our Web site (www.cbibpt.org/hihopage.html) you can learn all about the High Holy Days, the Birthday of the World (Rosh Hashanah), and t’shuvah (repentance). I would like to focus on some other things that are getting started.

We begin our second year of Etgar, the program that integrates Hebrew and Judaic studies. The demand was so strong that we will have two sections in Kitah Daled (4th grade) joining the chalutzim (pioneers) from the pilot year who are now in Kitah Hey (5th grade). Bonnie Appel, Sylvie Neigher, and Susan Walden will be their teachers—and the process is a fresh start for them as well.

All of our teachers will begin the next level of professional learning as we focus a great deal of our time this year on experiential learning. We will teach ideas, facts, and skills as we always have. We will continue to speak to both the cognitive and affective aspects of learning. But we will expand our teaching repertoire to create more experiences—large and small—that get the learners out of the books and away from their desks, and then help them make meaning of those activities.

Finally, I want to share a new project of the URJ (the Union for Reform Judaism). I am writing this article at Eisner Camp. Most of you have heard me promote Eisner and Crane Lake camps as an outstanding Jewish summer experience. And we send more campers there than all but one other synagogue. Now we have a third camp, and it is for kids with a different need. I met with

Eric Lightman, the director of the new 6 Points Sci-Tech Academy summer camp, where scientific inquiry meets fun.

Campers entering grades 5–9 spend two weeks exploring topics such as robotics, video game design, environmental science, digital media, and a host of other fun activities in a friendly setting with boys and girls who share similar interests. Throughout their experience, campers explore what it means to be Jewish—and be passionate about science and technology. The 6 Points Sci-Tech Academy is the Reform Jewish camp that curious minds have been waiting for! You can learn more at www.urj6points.org/scitech. Eric will be coming to visit us later in the year. If you think this might be the right experience for your child, please let me know and we can arrange a meeting!

There are many more things getting started this fall! I look forward to getting something started with you!

L’shana tova!Ira J. Wise, Director of Education

Important Religious School Information

Opening days for Religious School are:

Sunday, September 8 Monday, September 16 Tuesday, September 17

If you have not yet enrolled your child(ren) in Religious School, time is running out!Information is available and forms may be downloaded at www.cbibpt.org/RSForms.html. Questions? Feel free to call us at 203-335-0745.

8 Please join us for High Holy Days services—see p. 3 for the schedule.

New to Jewish Prayer? Nine Tips for BeginnersAs we approach this period of the New Year and our new plans, aspirations, and goals, both returning and new congregants may appreciate some guidance in one of the more straightforward-seeming activities at temple: prayer. The following is adapted from a piece by Rabbi Ruth Adar, a Reform rabbi and a member of the Central Conference of American Rabbis. Visit www.reformjudaism.org for more information.

So, you’ve been to Shabbat services once or twice, and found them mystifying. Or perhaps you have been invited to a bar mitzvah and you have no idea what to do.

Some questions may have crossed your mind: What are people getting out of this? Does everyone here understand the Hebrew? What if I do something wrong?

Here are some ways to get something out of the experience as a beginner. There is no wrong way to be in a service. Some work for one person, some for another. Your experience will be unique to you.

1. Relax. You are not the only person:

• who doesn’t understand Hebrew.• who wonders what the prayers mean.• who feels funny about all the choreography (standing,

facing the back of the sanctuary, etc.).• who doesn’t sing very well.

Jewish communal prayer is not something Jews are born knowing how to do. It’s a learned art. You may or may not want to learn the classical approaches to it, but there are ways to have a very satisfying experience as a beginner.

2. Ask for help. It is OK to ask for help. The first thing you may want to ask for is a prayer book with translations in it, if the one you get is all in Hebrew. If you get lost and don’t know what page you should be looking at, it’s OK to quietly ask a neighbor for help.

3. Don’t worry. If there are English responses, and you are in the right place in the book, mazel tov! But if you are lost, it is OK to let the rest of the congregation take care of responses. If you become a regular you will learn them, but remember, no one is born knowing this stuff. One nice thing: if you say Amen at the end of a blessing, you get credit for saying the whole blessing.

You may not know any of the music. You may know some of it. Sing what you know, sit back and listen to the new things. Let the music wash over you. When the cantor introduces a new piece, you are in luck: no one knows what they’re doing!

As for standing, sitting, etc., if you stand and sit with everyone else, you’ll be fine. If you are disabled or injured,

or if it’s difficult to stand and sit, take care of yourself and do what works for you.

4. Let the prayers and music flow. Let the words and the music flow over you. If something is interesting or sticks in your mind, let your mind play with it. Words and music may bring up emotions for you: let those flow, also. If the book is in your way, put it down (on the bench or in a rack or in your lap—do not put a prayer book on the floor.)

5. Listen to the music of the Hebrew language. When prayers are in Hebrew, often they are prayers that have been said in just that way for hundred or thousands of years. Some people are moved to listen to the Hebrew and simply reflect upon how many generations have said those prayers in that way. Think of the people who have listened to those sounds at some point in their lives: Maimonides, Jesus, Ruth Bader Ginsberg, Albert Einstein, Hank Greenberg, Alan Greenspan, Ann Landers….

6. Sit quietly and let your own thoughts flow. For some people, the prayers are a framework within which their minds are set free, almost a kind of meditation. It is fine to let that happen. Your mind may open in unexpected ways.

7. Pray. If there is a way you are accustomed to praying, you are welcome to pray in your own mode: have a conversation with God, say familiar prayers quietly, etc. The words of Jewish prayer may also lead you into a dialogue with or a meditation about the Holy.

Jewish prayer has fixed words, words we say every time, but they are there as a framework, so that our spirits can be free to find the Holy. Some of the prayers may even be troubling in their wording, but that’s part of it, too: those prayers push us into thinking deeply about what we believe and the choices we make.

8. Listen to the voices around you. Jewish communal prayer happens in community, with a minimum of 10 participants—a minyan. Some voices will be sweet and clear; others may be out of tune or mumbled. Some may be rather loud; some may be soft. Some clearly know all the responses; some stumble. This is what a Jewish community is: a group of disparate voices, all united by the activity of saying the prayers and singing the songs.

9. Simply be. If all of this is overwhelming, try simply being where you are. Feel the weight of your body sitting in the pew or chair. Feel your feet on the floor. Feel the air moving in and out of your lungs, feel your heart beating. Feel the emotions that come through, including boredom, if that is what you feel. Judaism teaches that all of creation is good, and that our bodies are good. This, too, is legitimate Jewish prayer.

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Yom Kippur and The Art of WelcomingSaturday, September 14 at 1:00 p.m.Join Ira Wise for our annual Yom Kippur afternoon adult learning session. T’shuvah (repentance) is all about repairing our relationships—with one another and with God—and atoning for the ways in which we have missed the mark. This year let’s look not just at the year just finished, but also at the one just beginning. As part of our t’shuvah, let’s explore resolving to welcome new relationships.

We will use as our text The Jewels of Elul IX: The Art of Welcoming. It is a booklet filled with short, inspirational insights from some of the most impressive, famous, and under-the-radar names influencing our global community. The group of contributors includes music legend Quincy Jones, CEO of the Ritz-Carlton Hotels Herve Humler, and activist Anat Hoffman, to name just three.

We will have copies of the booklet available at the session on Yom Kippur, but you can receive each of the articles—one each day in the month of Elul, which begins on August 6—via e-mail. That way you can have a real sense of where we are going before we get there. And it is a great way to welcome the new year! Enter http://bit.ly/YKWelcome into your Web browser

and click “enter.” Fill out and submit the form and you will receive the e-mails each day beginning August 6! Questions? Contact Ira at [email protected] or 203-335-0745.

The ProphetsFridays, October 4, 11, 18, and 25, and November 1 at noonThe prophets are some of the most fascinating figures in the Hebrew Bible. Each bears a unique message from God, seeking to share it with the Jewish people. But does anyone want to listen? Does their message resonate with us as contemporary Jews? Many of the tenets of Reform Judaism are based on the teachings and words of the prophets. Join us for this class in which we delve into the writings of these extraordinary Biblical figures. With Rabbi Schultz.

Adult Jewish Learning at Congregation B’nai Israel

For our High Holy Day Food Drive, please fill the bag you received at Rosh Hashanah (or any other paper bag) with nonperishable items and bring it to Yom Kippur services. Thanks in advance for your generosity!

Widows and Widowers GroupSaturday, September 21 at 2:00 p.m.Please join us at the home of Lee Attenberg, 51 Morn-ing Glory Drive in Easton. Michael Wechsler, congre-gant and film editor, will speak of his experience as a Film Editor. Call Lee at 203-374-9688 to RSVP and get directions.

Sushi in the Sukkah!Monday, September 23 at 6:00 p.m.One of the mitzvot during Sukkot is to dwell in the sukkah. Some of us may very well sleep in one. But we can all dine in one! You are welcome to bring a meal to the temple sukkah at your convenience (no pork or shellfish please). You can also join some of us for what has become an annual ritual on the Monday of Sukkot. A group of us will gather at 6:00 p.m. (in time for those who have religious school or an Adult Jewish Learning class at 7:00) for a light sushi meal! We will have an assortment of rolls, wasabi and ginger, water and soda.

Please contact Lynn at 203-336-1858 or [email protected] to let us know how many are coming. Cost per person is $10.00. Please send in a check (or call 203-336-1858 to use a credit card) by Friday, September 20. Please remember, the office closes early on Wednesday, September 18 and is closed on Thursday, September 19 for Sukkot.

10 What’s happening at temple? Get Happenings, our weekly email! Send your request to [email protected].

Rabbi Prosnit Discretionary FundKen Berger in memory of father, Jerome Berger.Carol Krim in loving memory of my husband, Michael.Aleksey and Raisa Ledvich in memory of mother, Emilia Ledvich, and grandmother, Adel Dovolskaya.Peter Mack in memory of mother, Fanne Pelavin, and father, Howard Mack.Eileen and Howard Tolk in loving memory of sister, Helen Cramer.

Rabbi Schultz Discretionary FundRichard and Karen Preminger in memory of our father, Marvin Preminger, and as an expression of our deepest gratitude and appreciation of kindness, comfort, and support given by Rabbi Schultz.

Music FundAleksey and Raisa Ledvich in memory of uncle, Yuri Sotnik.Ilse Levi in honor of Beth Lazar’s beautiful Bat Mitzvah.Samuel Miller in memory of father-in-law, Joseph Kot.Richard and Rebecca Rosen in honor of Evan Warner’s Bar Mitzvah.Jon and Cleo Sonneborn in appreciation for Mark Edinberg’s many musical contributions to our worship services.Eileen and Howard Tolk in loving memory of father, Samuel Tolk.

Enhancement FundJeffrey Bender in memory of our mother, Ruth Bender, and our other relatives who died in the Holocaust.Luise and Ed Burger in memory of Claire Peggy Irwin, mother of Barbara Solomon.Grace Damio and Randall Semagin in honor of Beth Lazar.David (Skip) and Billie Fairman in honor of Harvey Levine’s 90th birthday.Diane Fried in honor of Beth Lazar’s Bat Mitzvah.

Edna Hoffman in honor of Estelle Baer’s 90th birthday.Alida and Al Kleban in loving memory of our father, Joseph Shulkin.David and Judith Pressler for the “Endowment Fund” in honor of Rabbi Sher.Selma Rosenblatt in memory of Harry Rosenblatt, and Bert and Sybil April.Eileen and Howard Tolk in memory of Lois Zeisler, mother of Steve Zeisler.Frederic and Sharon West in memory of Abner West.

Sylvia Prosnit Adult Education FundBarbara Abraham in memory of Claire Peggy Irwin, mother of Barbara Solomon.Bobby Ray and Elsie Bonds in honor of Harvey Levine’s 90th birthday.Andrea Goodman and Jeff Ackerman in memory of Claire Peggy Irwin, mother of Barbara Solomon.Paula and Bob Herzlinger in memory of Claire Peggy Irwin, mother of Barbara Solomon.Edward, Adam, and Daniel Levine in honor of Harvey Levine’s 90th birthday.Barbara Panisch in memory of Claire Peggy Irwin, mother of Barbara Solomon.

Nursery School Enrichment FundDebbie, Dan, Matthew, and Jaime Viens in memory of Elaine Bakhash, mother of Eddy Bakhash.

Nursery School Scholarship FundAlexa and David Cohen in honor of Brittany O’Connell’s graduation; in honor of Jamie Bernstein’s graduation.Gail and Peter Weinstein in memory of Nancy Held’s mother, Jeanette.

Sylvia Prosnit Adult Education FundDavid and Judi Beier in memory of Claire Peggy Irwin, mother of Barbara Solomon.

Bari Dworken in memory of Claire Peggy Irwin, mother of Barbara Solomon.

Prayer Book FundGloria Katz in memory of Claire Peggy Irwin, mother of Barbara Solomon.

Rabbi Arnold Sher Social Action FundDeborah Goodman and David Abbey in memory of Harriet Abbey.Sandra Michaelson in memory of Claire Peggy Irwin, mother of Barbara Solomon.

Jim Abraham Education Fund for Jewish LeadershipBarbara Bresler in memory of Jim Abraham.Luise and Ed Burger in memory of Jim Abraham.Kim and Thomas Hanson in memory of Jim Abraham.Linda and Gene Koski in memory of Jim Abraham; in memory of Claire Peggy Irwin, mother of Barbara Solomon.Richard and Rebecca Rosen in memory of Jim Abraham.Jon and Cleo Sonneborn in memory of Jim Abraham.

Daniel Smith Cemetery FundPaula and Bob Herzlinger in memory of Daniel Smith.

DonationsPlease note that only contributions of $10.00 or more will be acknowledged with a card and Bulletin listing.


SHABBAT SERVICE SCHEDULE

Friday, September 6 6:00 p.m. Service

Torah Portion – Haazinu, Deut. 32:1-52 Haftarah – Hosea 14:2-10, Micah 7:18-20, and Joel 2:15-27

Saturday, September 7 8:00 a.m. Service 9:00 a.m. Brotherhood Breakfast 9:30 a.m. Torah Study 9:30 a.m. Young Families

Havurah 11:00 a.m. Bat Mitzvah of Allison

Hazen, daughter of Jeff and Debbie Hazen

Friday, September 13 and Saturday, September 14—pls see the front cover for Kol Nidre and Yom Kippur services


Torah Portion – Shabbat Chol Hamoed Sukkot, Exod. 33:12-34:26 Haftarah – Ezekiel 38:18-39:7


Havurah 11:00 a.m. Bat Mitzvah of Isabel

Fromme, daughter of Richard and Marisol Fromme


Torah Portion – Bereshit, Gen. 1:1-6:8 Haftarah – Isaiah 42:5-43:10


Havurah 11:00 a.m. Bar Mitzvah of Justin

Pressman, son of Steven and Julie Pressman

(Fridays at 6:00 p.m. where indicated, preceded by an Oneg Shabbat at 5:30 p.m.)

B’nai Israel Is Looking to CONECT This Fall! B’nai Israel has partnered with CONECT (Congrega-tions Organized for a New Connecticut), a faith-based organizing initiative, to identify and act on key social justice issues that matter most to our congregation. Our first step in this initiative will be a community organiz-ing campaign through the months of August, Septem-ber, and October. During this campaign, a core team of B’nai Israel lay leaders and clergy will host small “house meetings,” in which congregants will have an opportunity to both build deeper relationships with one another and identify their common values, concerns, and passions. Based on the conversations at these house meetings, our core team will work with Matt McDer-mott, lead organizer at CONECT, to identify a key is-sue for our congregation to organize around this year. This is a new path that we as a community are taking to fulfill our Jewish obligation to pursue justice and repair the world.

Our core team will contact many of you in the coming months to join up for a house meeting. We really want to hear your voices! In addition, if you are interested in participating in or hosting a house meeting, or if you have any questions, please contact either Anne Watkins ([email protected]) or Janet Jurow ([email protected]) to learn more. You can also contact either Rabbi Prosnit or Rabbi Schultz to learn more about social justice opportunities and how to get involved with CONECT. To learn more about faith-based community organizing, check out CONECT’s Web site, www.weconect.org.

12

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B’nai Israel Kids Make It to Broadway!On Sunday, June 2, Cantor Blum continued a lovely tradition and brought the Junior Choir to Broadway! Our kids rode a coach bus into New York City, where they picnicked in Battery Park and then headed uptown to see Matilda, the musical based on Roald Dahl’s noted children’s book. Everyone had a super time! Lots of thanks to Cantor Blum and all our volunteers for helping our young singers to experience the bright lights and action on Broadway!

Enjoying ice cream in Battery Park

B’nai Israel boys on Broadway!

The choir crew in the park

Documents

Temple Bulletin September 2013