MARCH/APRIL 2020 ADAR/NISAN/IYYAR 5780 THE SHUL SHOFAR VOL. 24, NO. 4 * Congregation Beth Israel * Bellingham, WA 98229 * bethisraelbellingham.org * (360) 733-8890

FROM THE RABBI The journey makes all the difference

In the last stanza of his poem “The Road Not Taken,” Robert Frost writes, “Two roads di- verged in a wood, and I – I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference.” This is arguably one of the most familiar lines in all of American poetry. It has been used in television com- mercials for Ford and Mentos. It has been sung by musicians and there has even been a self-help book titled after this verse. And when I read it, all I can think of is Pesach. In our Exodus narrative, we read The opening acts for the Purim Spiel are: Chanting of Megillat Esther, about how the Israelites quickly costume contest (winner gets a trophy) and the second annual latke/ escaped out of Egypt only to begin hamentaschen debate (this year we’re adding sufganiyot to the mix). a 40-year wandering journey Come dressed up and ready to shake your grogger. Tasty food and through the desert en route to the beverages available for all. Promised Land. When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them by way of the Philistines, alt- INSIDE: hough it was nearer. God led the people roundabout, by way of the • Faces in our • Adult education community: classes, wilderness at the Sea of Reeds Minda Rae Amiran, page 6 (Exodus 13:17-18). Instead of tak- page 8 ing them on a direct path from • CBI/Kesher Purim point A to point B, God led our • Landscaping news, Carnival, page 12 page 4 Continued on Page 6 Page 2 The Shul Shofar March/April 2020 From the President... CONGREGATION The URJ Biennial – A once in a life- BETH ISRAEL time experience, every two years 751 San Juan Boulevard Bellingham, WA 98229

In mid-December Rabbi Samuels, Ann The plenary sessions were well done. The Shul Shofar Suloway, Melissa Schapiro, Terri Weiner, There were great speeches and music at Volume 24, Number 4 and I attended the five-day URJ Biennial in every one of these huge gatherings. Like March/April 2020 Chicago. I had been told that the Biennial in concerts, screens showed the Adar/Nisan/Iyyar 5780 was amazing, like nothing else, and life- action on the stage up close, and there changing. It was also, for me, very renewing. we got to see our own Asher Suloway, Approximately 5000 Reform Jews Naomi Schapiro, and Eian Snyder, all of gathered to learn, teach, worship, eat, whom worked at the conference, receiv- sing, and dance, reconnect with old ing honors. friends and make new ones. Before the Shabbat was the highlight. Imagine convention the five of us met for lunch feeding around 5000 people a sit-down along with Bryant Heinzelman (our local dinner! And yes, the food was good! Deadline for submission of all URJ celebrity) to go over the various of- The worship services were even better. articles and calendar events for ferings so we could attend different pro- The big screens projected the readings the May/June issue is APRIL 11. grams and choose areas of learning that and lyrics, which I liked more than I Call the office for more infor- were particularly relevant to our congre- thought I would, and I wonder if some- mation. gation and our roles here. day this might be something for us to The days started early, with t’fillah at consider at CBI. We enjoyed new melo- CONGREGATION BETH ISRAEL dies and a band for musical accompani- 7:30 and various breakfast meeting op- Rabbi: Joshua Samuels portunities. Programs ran through the day ment, with some of the notables in con- Kesher Interim Nicky Naiman and and into the evening, and in the late night temporary Jewish music creating an Co-Directors: Andrea Shupack there were concerts and a few comedy amazing amount of ruach! Cantorial Soloist: Andrea Shupack shows. We got to hear Nefesh Mountain, All in all, I was amazed at how per- Admin. Assistant: Mary Somerville who were just here at CBI, and to meet sonal a convention of 5000 people could Executive Board Eric and Doni. I ran into Rabbi Cindy feel. It was refreshing to get my mind President: Miriam Schwartz Enger, who sends her best regards to the beyond the nitty-gritty of “getting things Vice Pres: Gaby Mayers congregation, and met Rabbi Lennard done” and think bigger. Where are we Vice Pres: Josh Greenberg Thal. I caught up with friends from the headed? How can we do things better? Treasurer: Terri Weiner Scheidt Seminar that I attended in Febru- What more can we do to offer programs Secretary: Paul Blum ary for new and incoming synagogue and activities that offer meaning and Board Members presidents. It was helpful and inspiring to impact to people’s lives? In what new talk with colleagues about their experienc- ways can we continue the work of Steve Ban Jodi Litt es of leading congregational boards, and tikkun olam? I have some ideas… Steven Garfinkle Harriet Markell Isaac Konikoff Jane Relin I’ve brought home some great ideas. At the same time I was moved to see Lynn Korner David Zimmerman I went to programs on engaging fami- how much we are already doing well, Marcia Lippman lies with young children, several on de- especially in a congregation of our size. veloping leadership, one on mission and Case in point – the End of Life series Shofar Coeditors: Vermeda Fred values-driven security, and met Michael that is being co-sponsored by the Care and Nora Mazonson Smith of the Secure Communities Net- Committee and the Cemetery Commit- You can reach us at: work. I stumbled across a program by tee. I am excited to see improvements phone: (360) 733-8890 Anat Hoffman, a fabulous speaker, who to our committee structure taking shape, [email protected] opened my eyes further to the experi- to assure we move forward with a sus- Visit our website at ence of Reform Jews in Israel. A high- tainable framework for the next stage of bethisraelbellingham.org light was getting to see Bryant at one of CBI. We are on the right track! And all several sessions on diversity – he’s a of us who attended have come back Printed by Lewis Publishing Inc. in Lynden, WA great speaker! with renewed spirits and ideas. The next In the Exhibit Hall I saw gorgeous Jew- Biennial is December 2021 in Washing- ish art and connected with Claude ton, DC. Think about joining us! Beth Israel is a member of: Riedel, who makes exquisite Ner Tamids. He has since met with the Ark Design Task Force, and we may choose — MIRIAM SCHWARTZ, to work with him when the time comes PRESIDENT for that next part of the Bima project. March/April 2020 The Shul Shofar Page 3

From the Kesher Center for Jewish Learning Kesher news

Kesher has a new leadership team that started in January. Andrea Shupack and Nicky Naiman are now the co-directors of our religious school program. Andrea brings much knowledge of Judaism and has run religious schools in the past. She is focusing on updating our curriculum, while supporting the teachers with their goals and lessons. Nicky has a background in administration and foreign language education. In addi- Then for Tu B’shevat this year, Kesher had a special tion to administrative tasks, she has school-wide program. Students went all over the building and been working with Andrea to review grounds, learning about different parts of this special environ- Hebrew language curricula. mental holiday. The youngest kids planted parsley and used As Kesher continues to grow and sensory boxes to feel various items from nature. The older thrive, we are excited by the new programming and curricu- students studied Jewish texts on the environment and spent lum we are developing. Students in grades K-2 have already time planning how we can make small yet significant im- started participating in Hebrew Through Movement, which is provements in our community. Other highlights were creating a language acquisition strategy by which students learn He- “Tree Poetree” by using images from nature and Jewish texts brew by hearing and responding to Hebrew commands. The of gratitude for prompts. Kesher celebrated this holiday by program will expand to include grades 3 and 4 in the coming experiencing, on a deep level, the wisdom of our Jewish weeks. The students are responding positively to the new teachings to protect the environment, and appreciating all the Hebrew curriculum, and we think it will be a very successful gifts we receive from nature. The day culminated in a nature addition to our Kesher program. walk where students took time to “meet” specific trees, to Kesher school had two special events in January and Feb- xperience prayer in nature, and to walk the trails. We paid ruary. First, Hillel Smith visited several classes as part of his attention to the sights, smells, and sounds around us and Scholar/Artist-in-Residence weekend. He elevated art for the used blessings to notice what is miraculous in our backyard. 3rd-6th graders, helping them create stunning challah covers. Now we’re getting super-excited for our Purim Carnival on Students thought about images to represent Shabbat and Sunday, March 8, at 12:30 pm after Kesher classes! designed stencils. Then they used spray ink to splash shades Nicky and Andrea are enjoying working together and col- of color all over the cloth around the stencils. The results laborating with the community and teachers. It’s been a suc- were something exciting and beautiful for students to take cessful and great start to 2020. Kesher Parent Committee home and use at their Shabbat dinner table. Hillel also meetings have been fun and lively, generating lots of great brought his Parashah Posters program to the B’nei Mitzvah input and ideas. We look forward to sharing future develop- class. Watching them pore over biblical texts together and ments and to hearing from you. Please contact us at then come up with creative symbols and imagery to create [email protected]. unique interpretations of scenes from the Torah was inspir- ing. The Torah came alive for these students as Hillel shared SINCERELY, his process and encouraged them to dive in. ANDREA AND NICKY

Synagogue 411

Archives: Tim Baker, (360) 305-6945 Library, Scrip: Joan Wayne, Care: Harriet Markell, (916) 207-9381; (360) 676-8939 Else Sokol, (360) 393-9618 Scholarship: Emil Hecht, Membership: Ann Suloway, (360) 733-4825 (360) 296-8220, Sue Mahar Social Action: Linda Blackwell, (360) 319-5314 (360) 647-9519

Page 4 The Shul Shofar March/April 2020 Beyond the occupancy permit: landscaping, the final frontier

BY MIRIAM SCHWARTZ

On February 4, the final documents needed for our I’ve also found out that we have a LOT of square feet permanent occupancy permit were signed, sealed and that we must landscape—many parking bays, nine biore- delivered to the Whatcom County Planning and Develop- tention cells, the area near the gate entrance and along ment Office. This completes, in an important sense, the the drive, the spaces around the building, and on the far work that was begun almost 20 years ago. However, we side of the patio. We must have all of these planted by still have some work ahead of us, as we need to com- February 10, 2021, and we have to post a bond that as- plete landscaping and stormwater work that we have sures that we keep these things alive for the next two promised and are bonded to do by February 10, 2021. It years. So we are involved in a next generation of permit is important that we all are informed about what is com- requirements until early 2023. ing in the next year. We have wonderful congregants who have kept parts When I got involved with the permitting process, I of the landscape tidy, weeded, and looking nice, and it learned that the landscaping part is more complicated has been suggested that maybe we can rely on congre- than I would have thought. For starters, landscaping is gant labor to get the planting done. This is way more actually a requirement of occupancy. This was news to than we can do ourselves. There are some noxious (and me! There has to be a county-approved plan, and we obnoxious) weeds that may pose a threat to people who have to stick to it unless we get a change to the plan ap- are hand-weeding, like poison hemlock (thanks to Kristin proved by a county reviewer. Sykes-David for pointing this one out). Several of the rain Next I found out that having rain gardens – technically, gardens have not been weeded at all and are a dense called bioretention cells – is a somewhat separate pro- carpet of robust and well-established weeds. The areas cess and comes with its own set of rules and regulations. around the building are compacted earth and gravel, The rain gardens are a good thing, expensive to put in, which are very hard to plant. This is, truly, a job for pro- but they allow us to have a smaller retention pond fessionals. (meaning more usable land), since the rain gardens HERBICIDE! Yikes! This does not sound good to my themselves help reduce stormwater runoff as well as organic gardener’s heart! But hear me out on this. Those serving a filtration function that reduces pollution in the areas, especially on the far end of the parking lot and bay and groundwater. This is tikkun olam in a very bio- along the driveway (anywhere with a notched curb is a logic sense! rain garden) would be impossible to weed effectively by One of the elements of the 2007 plan, an evergreen hand in one season. What we do plant will survive much buffer, is no longer required, as the city is not planning to better if they are not competing with a solid mat of extend San Juan Blvd. A hedge that was planned along weeds, so we will save money not having to replant the the fence where the gravel service road goes up to the whole thing in a few years. The herbicide we will be ap- patio from the Kesher roundabout would be a security plying is approved by the Washington State Department risk, and the city and county are willing to let go of this of Agriculture for use in areas that connect with ground- requirement. This is good news, as we will save a lot of water and must be applied by people who are specially money, but there is a process to go through, and this will start now. Continued on Page 5 March/April 2020 The Shul Shofar Page 5

Continued from Page 4 trained in its proper and safe applica- spring, again in early summer to get Sustainability tips tion. In subsequent years, we are weeds that have germinated in the BY SAMANTHA SCHWARTZ NOT planning on using herbicides. interim, and probably one final appli- Buying food and household We will be mulching and hand- cation in late summer to get anything items, (shampoo, detergent, etc.) weeding—and this will be much that has survived the first two treat- in bulk is a great way to cut back more effective if we are starting with ments, if needed. on your consumption of single- a relatively clean slate. What you can do: Sit on your use plastics. So here are our next steps: hands ’til the fall. Sign up to help with • Develop an updated planting plan weeding and mulching starting in the and get county and city approval. winter of 2021. Get a group of friends • Get bids for the planting and weed to adopt an area, as is done with the mitigation. highway. Several areas have been • Over the spring and summer, have adopted already. Look in the weekly Hillel of WWU professional application of the eNews or on the CBI website for a WSDA-approved herbicide to the link to sign up if you are interested in donor rain gardens and possibly the oth- helping. I’m trying to think of a catchy er planting areas. name for us. Let me know if you appreciation • Planting to commence in the fall, have an idea for one! Consider do- after the hot weather stops and the nating money to the Building Fund. event rains start. Mulch to be applied as At this time the cost of the landscape Thursday, April 30, 7:00-9:00 pm well. is projected at $200,000, but I am working, as noted above and in other Mt. Baker Theater Encore Room • In December have the county folks come out for a final inspection. ways, to reduce this overall cost sig- Please join us for Wonderful Wine, nificantly. Watch for some special Choice Chocolates and Decadent Dear gardening friends, read this opportunities to help with this or just Desserts (and beer and non-alcoholic next part carefully: DO NOT DO go ahead and give! beverages) from local producers and ANY WEEDING THIS SPRING OR enjoy enriching entertainment. The SUMMER! This is important. The If there is interest, I will be happy Hillel of WWU is deeply thankful for herbicide needs to be absorbed by to give a presentation on the planting all of the support from the CBI com- living plant matter! If we weed away plan and answer questions in the munity, and we welcome all past and all the green, the weed roots will not spring. You are always welcome to present donors to share in this fun be affected by the herbicide, and ask me questions by email at [email protected]. evening! Leave your checkbooks at they will just come back. The plan is home. Please RSVP to to apply herbicide when plants start Geraldine Reitz, [email protected], to come out of dormancy in the (360) 319-1942.

The Kvelling Corner Page 6 The Shul Shofar March/April 2020

FROM THE RABBI rather, I will give them the Torah, Pesach (and wait patiently to eat our and then I will bring them into the meal!), perhaps we can discuss why Continued from Page 1 land” (Exodus Rabbah 20:14). God led us on a lengthy journey in- ancestors on the road less traveled. The rabbis teach us that the Chil- stead of teleporting us to the Promised But why? dren of Israel were not ready to enter Land. Have we ever experienced The rabbis try to answer this ques- the Promised Land. In order to ap- waiting a long time for some reward? tion in classic midrashic style. They preciate freedom and all that comes Looking back, do we appreciate what teach us the following: God taking with achieving this freedom, they we had to endure? Israel on a roundabout path can be needed to go through a lengthy pro- The story of the Exodus teaches understood through the following cess and transition from their past us that taking the longer path to our parable: There once was a king who life to their new life. An instantane- desired destination just might be a had a son whom the king wanted to ous change would have backfired. more profound experience since, give an inheritance. The king said to The long, circuitous route taken was oftentimes, the harder we work for himself, “If I give my son the inher- necessary for them to ultimately form something and the longer we wait, itance now when he is still young, he a community, cleave to God, and the more opportunities there are for will not know how to look after it. Ra- accept the mitzvot. The Israelites transformation, and ultimately, ap- ther, once my son has studied and had to show why they deserved to preciation once we arrive at our des- learned, only then will I give him his enter the land. One can imagine tination. inheritance.” And this is what The God, like a parent, saying “All good May you have a joyful and mean- Holy One said, “If I bring them into things come to those who wait.” ingful Pesach. the Land of Israel now, they will still When we gather with our friends, not observe the commandments… neighbors, and loved ones on Erev — RABBI JOSHUA SAMUELS

Adult Education classes offered this Spring

• Freedom of expression, poetry style literature during the 19th and 20th centuries. Instructor: Jay S. Nahani (Braunstein) Between 1860 and 1940, Yiddish publishers Sundays: 10:30 am-12:00 pm released 3,000 different periodicals and over 50,000 March 15, 22, 29 book titles. Join David Schlitt for a three-part study Fee: $72 session on modern Yiddish literature in translation. In this class we will explore poetry that focuses on Selections will include poetry and prose from all the theme of freedom. We will reflect on a myriad of corners of the Yiddish-speaking world and material poetic voices that have come out of bondage and/or from figures both well known and overlooked . disempowerment, in their many forms, and have found a way to freedom through creative • Jewish responses to Christian questions expression. This class will be generative in nature, Instructors: Rabbi Samuels, Roby Blecker, and and for all levels, so whether you are new to poetry Geraldine Reitz or a seasoned poet, your voice will be supported Wednesdays: 7:00-8:15 pm and encouraged both on the page and out loud. April 29; May 6, 13, 20 Please bring a journal and a pen to class. Snacks Fee: $36 will be provided. Judaism and Christianity are very similar in some respects, yet vastly different in others. In a predominantly Christian country, Jews are • Modern Yiddish literature in translation Instructor: David Schlitt sometimes confronted with questions about faith Wednesdays: 7:30-9:00 pm that are rarely ever discussed in a synagogue March 18, 25; April 1 setting, yet are quite popular in Christian circles. There is no fee This four-session course will cover the following topics by looking at them through a Jewish lens: Derided for much of its history as a primitive Afterlife, Suffering, Jesus/Messiah, and Sacred “zhargon” (jargon), Yiddish, the language of Texts as Proof Texts. Ashkenazic Jewry, bloomed into a vital world March/April 2020 The Shul Shofar Page 7 From the Social Action Committee Social Action Committee news

BY LINDA BLACKWELL

The Social Action Committee will at www.interfaith-coalition.org/get- be accepting food donations for the involved/hope-auction/ or contact Bellingham Food Bank during the Geraldine Reitz. months of March and April. Chametz Mitzvah Day is May 3 at 10:00 am! will be collected until April 1. Please While this is a Kesher event, it is also do not bring any food into the syna- intended for the wider CBI communi- gogue after that date, or during ty. Everyone can participate, not only Passover. families with children! Bagels and Volunteers from CBI continue to nosh will be available. This year care for the homeless of Bellingham. Mitzvah Day will be during Kesher, Our congregants worked for one and projects will begin with children week in December cooking meals and their parents after t’fillah. This is and staying overnight with families at a family participation day. We hope a local church. We shared responsi- to have each class working on pro- purchases, or take-outs from your bilities with First Christian Church. jects that interest and energize them. favorite restaurants that you will re- The Interfaith Coalition Family Promise There will also be opportunities for all fuse to use for one month (and hope- Program has served families for two to participate with the cemetery clean- fully, into the future). The challenge years this April. Most families were up and/or the Blood Drive. The Blood is to refuse and reduce plastic con- able to transition to permanent hous- Drive will be held between 10:00 am sumption instead of just recycling. ing. We will be participating again and 4:00 pm in the library. A link will Our discussion also centered on how March 15 through 21 and would en- be available soon in the eNews for we can write letters, vote, and pres- joy help from more volunteers. appointment times, or you can sign sure our vendors to reduce plastic Please contact Andrea Shupack for up now at the Bloodworks Northwest packaging. For example, there is a training information. Linda Blackwell website, bloodworksnw.org. petition on change.org to reduce and Gloria Lebowitz can also share In February the Social Action Book packing material from Amazon. One information. Congregant knitters are Group discussed How to Give Up of our members made contact with making hats every Tuesday for Plastic: A Guide to Changing the the CEO of Costco to voice the need Project Warm-Up. Hats are distribut- World, One Plastic Bottle at a Time for less plastic packaging and alter- ed through shelters and the CAST by Will McCallum. This book is a natives. Of note, the statewide plastic program. really practical, nonjudgmental guide bag ban is up for vote again during The Interfaith Hope Auction will be describing how to systematically re- this Washington State legislative held on Saturday, March 28. It is nice duce single-use plastics in your own session. This bill has passed the when CBI congregants sit together life. Going room by room through senate before and now must pass in as a group. Tickets are $70 each. your home and workplace, you can the House. Contact your state repre- You can sign up online, and please take it step by step. An easy way to sentatives and let them know you note that you would like to sit with start is picking one plastic item from support it. other CBI guests. Buy tickets online your grocery list, your household Page 8 The Shul Shofar March/April 2020

BY LINDA HIRSH After sixth grade in 1940s Mexico City, middle-class girls could proceed to the American School which had a so-so reputation, as well as to a Catholic school where French nuns taught secretarial Minda Rae, her son and daughter-in-law skills. Neither of these options suited Minda Rae Amiran, whose family Rachel — was born in Gary, Indiana. a second language, as well as ad- lived there at the time. So she contin- At age two, she and her family vice on negotiating city bureaucracy. ued her education in Chicago. And moved to Chicago where her father At Hull House Minda Rae ran a sum- what an education it was! worked as a civil engineer. World mer play group for children from five War II meant fewer jobs for civil engi- to seven years of age. After her sophomore year of high neers, so the family headed to Mexi- school, she took a test to see if she However, she discovered she did qualified for a novel early-entrance co City, where her father was put in not have the temperament for social program. College began at age16 charge of building a power station. work. It was too disheartening. when she entered the halls of the Living there from 1942 to 1946, the Much later, here in Bellingham, University of Chicago. Its radical pro- family learned Spanish. she returned to those early roots by gram exposed small classes of teens She returned to the USA for 7th joining Congregation Beth Israel’s to great books, Socratic dialogue, and 8th grades, then graduated from Social Action Committee. Chairwom- comprehensive exams — a general high school and university. Trouble an Linda Blackwell said of her, education without textbooks. was, no graduate school would accept “Minda Rae has dived into the social “It was the best education, the students who didn’t have a major. So action projects with great energy and most stimulating education” she said, a professor directed her to Swarth- commitment. She has researched “and I lucked into it.” more College near Philadelphia, groups that help refugees and partic- where she majored in psychology to ipated in county-wide meetings. She Thus began a pedagogical history prepare for social work. Her educa- that produced a professor of modern has stepped up to provide Family tion included two seminars per American literature. From Mexico to Promise Program meals. I appreciate semester and two papers to write the United States to Israel, she col- her enthusiasm.” and discuss each week. lected languages and cultivated her Always a reader, Minda Rae love of learning. During summers she worked at switched her major to modern Ameri- Hull House, one of the country’s first Minda Rae — Minda from her pa- can literature. Harvard University settlement houses, where residents seemed an appropriate place for a ternal grandfather, Mendel, and Rae got classes in health and English as from her maternal grandmother, Continued on Page 13 March/April 2020 The Shul Shofar Page 9 MEMBERSHIP EVENT IN FEBRUARY 2020

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1. Steve Spitzer with Becki and Bruce Van Glubt. 2. Craig Brand, Tim Baker. 3. Robin Curtis, Tammy Dixon, Sarah Witte. 4. Marta Brand, Ann Suloway, Sarah Witte. 5. Marv Wayne, Isaac White with son Zev, Todd Witte. 6. Membership co-chairs Ann Suloway and Sue Mahar. 7. Kristin Sykes-David, Joan Wayne, Sarah Witte, Becki Van Glubt, Michelle Beller- Siegfried, Rita Spitzer, Marta Brand, Ann Suloway, Sue Mahar. 8. Rabbi Samuels and Miriam Schwartz.

8 Page 10 The Shul Shofar March/April 2020 Get to know BAY! Bellingham Area Youth

BY WILLOW COREY-DUBOW

Hey all! We are BAY (Bellingham Area Youth), a group If you want to get involved, or know someone high- of high-school-aged Jewish teens in the Bellingham area. school-aged and Jewish who would want to participate, This year so far we have been working on recruiting email us at [email protected]. You members and getting more community involvement. We can also follow us on Instagram at @bethisraelbay. BAY have had five events so far, including game night, Friends- is youth led, and we have an active board of three teens: giving with havdalah, a Chanukah party with latke making, Willow Corey-DuBow is our marketing and communica- and a pumpkin-carving event. Recently we have been tion vicepresident, Adin Sokol is our fundraising vice- incorporating more social justice projects into our plans for president, and Orly Lindner is our religious and cultural this coming year. For our March event we are making help vicepresident. bags to distribute to our extended community, who may Social action is important to all of us and is something not be as fortunate as we are. We are trying to get more we work on together. Please feel free to chat with any of involved in our CBI community, and one way we are doing our board members if you want to learn more about that is by helping run the Purim Carnival. BAY.

appetizers. Early bird price $15 Bellingham Bay Cruise! 24” Vizio Taste of the (after May 1, $18) Smart TV, and more! 6:00-8:00 pm Main Event: taste Participating restaurants, Town and sip (includes 12 sip tickets). wineries, and breweries: Early bird price of $34 (after May Fork at Agate Bay, Fairhaven Sunday, June 7, 2020 1, $36) Poke, Hilltop Restaurant & Catering, Congregation Beth Israel Games and Prizes: Marketstreet Catering, Bagelry, Join us for this Hawaiian-themed Pepper Sisters, Community Co-op, • Game tickets are $5 each. FUNdraising party! Dress casual or Westside Pizza, Fools Onion Hawaiian. Enjoy food that will be Prize table includes gift cards from Mt. Bakery, CasaQuePasa, Catering, Evolve Chocolate & Café, multiple choices of veggie-dairy-fish Panda Palace, My Rancho, Goji selections. Adults 21 and older. Colophon Café, Pizzazza, and more! Bistro, Boundary Bay, Café Akroteri, Onsite childcare available. Delille Cellars, Dunham Cellars, and • 52 Card Game ($50) We will be showcasing 20 of the more! “Best of the Best” restaurants, Prize: Two Seahawks Club Level wineries, and breweries in Whatcom Seats with Lounge privileges and Buy now to get an early bird and Skagit counties. Sample tastes separate entrance! $600 value. discount and SAVE! Tickets now and sips while enjoying pay-to-play • Play Heads and Tails (tickets available online with a credit card or games including Giant Jenga, Wine between $15-$25) for a chance to check at bethisraelbellingham.org and Beer Ring Toss, Balloon Pop, win: Two $400 Merry Maid gift Questions? Email or call Lynn Giant Dice game, Plinko, and more! certificates! Luxury Condo in Korner, [email protected] California near Long Beach State (360) 671-2607 or Candace Kiersky 5:00-6:00 pm Pre-event: VIP University for 7 and 4 nights! at [email protected], wine and beer tasting with Whatcom Symphony tickets! (360) 420-1279. March/April 2020 The Shul Shofar Page 11

Special fund donations

Camp & Youth Rabbi’s Discretionary General Fund New Synagogue Fund Activities Fund Fund

IN HONOR OF: IN APPRECIATION TO: IN HONOR OF: IN APPRECIATION TO: The Sisterhood of Rabbi Samuels, for his High Teacher Ahuva Scharff Rabbi Samuels, for the brit Congregation Beth Israel Holy Days drashes From: Anonymous milah of our grandson Ander From: Phyllis & Shelly Mazur From: Richard Widerkehr Laurence Bainter-Spiegler The birth of Elias Leo From: Jan & Bruce Spiegler CONTRIBUTION FROM: Rabbi Samuels, Andrea Sussman Allen (Oak Harbor) Anne Pollack & Shupack, and Mary From: Deborah Finkel Bob Kuenzel Somerville (Phoenix AZ) Rabbi Samuels, for the 4th Greg Peterson From: Mark & Nancy Luster Night Hanukkah festivities IN MEMORY OF: From: Ann Buzaitis & DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO: My beloved brother-in-law, Dena Petersen Kesher Fund Steve & Rita – in memory of Chuck Collins Steve’s sister, Leslie Spitzer From: Mary Somerville Rabbi Samuels, for the baby- IN APPRECIATION TO: From: Steve Globerman naming of my grandson Elias Sagit Hall – in gratitude Joan & Marv Wayne Leo Sussman Allen From: The Balton Family Cantorial Assistance From: Barbara Sussman Jodi Litt – in memory of her Fund (Santa Fe, NM) father, Stanley Litt Rabbi Gartner From: Nancy & Don Davis Scholarship Fund IN APPRECIATION TO: Linda Hirsh – Thank you Joan & Marv Wayne From: Phyllis & Shelly Mazur Rob Lopresti – thanks for playing your Nachson song at IN HONOR OF: Kay Silverstein & Family Kesher! Todd, Remy, Gabe & Nate Debbie Adelstein – (Beverly Hills, CA) – in From: Xavier Sommers Witte – Thanks for your help congratulations on your memory of your beloved with a mitzvah retirement husband and father, Rabbi CONTRIBUTION FROM: From: Linda Hirsh From: David & Carol Harry Silverstein David Goldman & Robinson From: Bernice Loober Linda Blackwell IN HONOR OF: Shlomis Waters Peter & Rhoda Samuels COMMEMORATING THE (Rancho Mirage, CA), for Rabbi’s Proffessional YAHZEIT OF: their 50th Anniversary Development Fund My husband, Phil Miller Care Committee From: Cookie & Michael From: Eileen Miller

Goldman DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO: (St. Louis Park, MN) IN HONOR OF: Steve & Rita Spitzer – CONTRIBUTION FROM: Fran Levy The Committee condolences on the loss of Amanda Robins & (Carmichael, CA) From: Phyllis & Shelly Mazur Steve’s sister, Leslie Spitzer Daniel Zagnoli

From: Jay & Shelley Wolfman COMMEMORATING THE COMMEMORATING THE YAHZEIT OF: YAHZEIT OF: *Fred Graff *Dr. Burton Jay *Isadore Graff, beloved father *Elly Kraus From: Phyllis & Shelly Mazur From: Susan Jay

CONTRIBUTION FROM: DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO: Jerry & Marilyn Eisner *Harriet Fine – in memory of Shlomis Waters her brother, Dick Eigen Jean Wharton *Jodi Litt – in memory of her (La Conner) father, Stanley Litt Bonnie & Fred Zell From: Dan & Debbie Raas

Page 12 The Shul Shofar March/April 2020 Birthdays

MARCH 2020 3/22 Sonorah DesRosiers (12th) 4/10 Jeffrey Feld 3/22 Sue Mahar 4/10 Susan Katz 3/1 Tannia Hecht 3/22 Roy Shankman 4/10 Asher Nathanson (10th) 3/1 Brenda Miller 3/23 Camille Keefe 4/11 Lilah Blum (19th) 3/2 Nadia Mazonson (15th) 3/23 Rachel Lowenstein 4/12 Cora Boothby 3/4 Renee Elder 3/24 Ruth Ingberman 4/12 Sarah DesRosiers 3/4 Nancy Luster 3/24 Michael Korner 4/12 Jonah Velsher (13th) 3/4 Talya Sanger (19th) 3/25 Tami DuBow 4/13 Steve Ban 3/5 Lev Cornwall (14th) 3/27 Kevin James 4/13 Karen Fisher 3/5 Lyra Davis (2nd) 3/27 Debbie Raas 4/14 Jeffrey Probst 3/6 Christoph Reitz 3/27 Marybeth Taranow 4/16 Mia Clarke (14th) 3/6 Mary Somerville 3/27 Aviva Weinstein (13th) 4/16 Elizabeth Witte (8th ) 3/7 Jay Braunstein 3/28 Celt Schira 4/17 Paul Blum 3/7 Sara Geballe 3/28 Nancy Thomson 4/17 Benjamin Sommers (14th) 3/8 Norman DesRosiers 3/29 Rick Romito 4/18 Navah DesRosiers (15th) 3/8 Deborah Oksenberg 3/30 David Kiersky 4/18 Ian Horton 3/8 K.C. Sulkin 3/30 Samantha Konikoff 4/18 Liza Jane Price (12th) 3/9 Bert Curtis 3/31 Lynn Korner 4/18 Linda Read 3/9 Leeya Shoshana Genut (7th) 3/31 Jeffrey Margolis 4/18 Alexandra Verkh 3/9 Ryan Goldman (15th) 3/31 Gabriel Witte (11th) 4/19 Orly Ravitsky 3/10 Mark Steinberg 4/23 Lindsay Roberts (10th) 3/11 Samuel Pomerantz (5th) APRIL 2020 4/24 Leah Lippman 3/12 Sivan Wells-Langley (9th) 4/24 Aniel Wells-Langley (11th) 3/13 Rebecca Orloff 4/1 Amy Kraham 4/25 Margaret Bikman 3/13 Joan Sager 4/1 Amy Margolis 4/25 Shemaia Kountouros 3/13 Steve Schwartz 4/2 Sherry Baron 4/25 Ian McCurdy 3/14 Jordan Verkh-Haskell (18th) 4/3 Ethan Oliver (18th) 4/25 Jason Stoane 3/15 Yaniv Attar 4/3 Alisa Sachs 4/26 Spencer Jantzen (15th) 3/15 Esther Horton (8th) 4/4 Daniel Feller 4/27 Alan Kendal 3/15 Chanan Suarez 4/4 Mary Jo Lewis 4/28 Joel David 3/18 Jessica Cohen 4/6 Tammy Dixon 4/28 Andrew Orloff 3/19 Carol Robinson 4/6 Katie Edelstein 4/28 Shoshana Samuels (8th) 3/20 Jody Meltzer 4/6 Hank Levine 4/29 Abigail Comstock (12th) 3/20 Matthew Schall 4/6 Daniel Zagnoli 4/29 Richard Widerkehr 3/21 Naomi Pomerantz 4/7 Lisa Balton 3/21 Bonnie Quam 4/7 Samuel Donner (13th) 3/22 Jonah Attar (10th) 4/10 Katie Comstock Annual CBI/Kesher Purim Carnival

12:30-2:30 pm, Sunday, March 8 ages will be available for purchase Purim is a time for all ages to dress with carnival tickets. up in silly costumes, eat hamantash- Tickets for activities and food are en, and be merry. This year’s two for $1 at the door. Or purchase a Purim Carnival will feature carnival FAMILY DISCOUNT CARD (25% games with prizes, a costume pa- off) by March 3: Includes 1 whole rade, face-painting, henna art, a cheese pizza, 1 salad, 4 drinks (non- fortune teller, balloon animals, two alcoholic), and 40 tickets — good for jugglers who do magic, chair mas- games, activities, and food. Order sage, and a teen ping pong/game your Family Discount Card online at room. bethisraelbellingham.org/purim- PLUS: Adults-only casino room family-discount-card/ with beer and wine available for purchase. Pizza by the slice, salad, sundaes, popcorn, hamanatashen, and bever- March/April 2020 The Shul Shofar Page 13 Your vote counts in Israel until March 11 — Vote now in the World Zionist Congress election

BY ANN SULOWAY Voting is open now until March 11, 2020 in the World Pay $7.50 with a card or PayPal. This is the “tax” that Zionist Organization election, held every five years. Now supports this election. is your chance to have your voice heard and make a dif- Use the code to vote REFORM: ARZA representing the ference in Israeli society. A vote for the Reform slate is a Reform Movement and Reconstructing Judaism. vote for the values we care about: religious freedom, The World Zionist Congress is the World Zionist Or- equality for women and minorities, for LGTBQ people, ganization’s legislative body that meets every five years and many more. in Jerusalem. The Congress is the only body in which all Every Jew 18 years and older living anywhere in the of world Jewry is represented democratically, and, there- world can vote. It only takes a few minutes and it’s easy fore, your only democratic opportunity to influence Israeli to do: Go to ARZA.org. Click the blue VOTE button. Click society. It determines policy in Israel, designates the on Register to Vote. course of action, and chooses the leadership of three It will ask you for a user name (email address) and to important institutions (the World Zionist Organization, the set a password. It will send you a personal code in your Jewish National Fund, and the Jewish Agency for Israel) email right away. with a combined budget of more than $1 billion! Vote to- day and tell your friends.

later, she met their son Nahum while the army, or move to the USA. They MINDA RAE AMIRAN he was visiting the United States as returned to America in 1976. Now Continued from Page 8 a tourist. The two married in 1956. Edoh teaches mathematics at West- Meanwhile, all she had left of her ern Washington University, and Eyal doctorate. Harvard’s Ph.D. program Ph.D. were orals and her disserta- teaches comparative literature at the requires students to pass language tion. But “I was learning Hebrew, University of California at Irvine. tests — either Greek or Latin and a adjusting to a new world, running a Minda Rae landed a teaching spot choice of German, Italian, or French. household, so it didn’t compute that I at State University of New York at She taught herself Latin from a would go back to Harvard,” she said. Fredonia, where she became aca- friend’s textbook and took Italian, While in the Israeli Defense Force, demic dean and taught classes in because it was close to Spanish, the Nahum worked on a degree in geolo- her specialty. She retired in 1999. language she had learned in Mexico. gy at Hebrew University. Minda Rae Nahum died in 2010. She moved to After her rarefied education, Harvard finished her doctorate and taught there Bellingham in May 2019 because “I was a shock. “It was very ‘old school,’” from 1956 to 1966. She taught at Tel felt it was time to be near my sons, she said. “Not terribly satisfying.” Aviv University from1966 to 1976. the most important people in my life,” Harvard had just absorbed stu- In 1959 Minda Rae returned to the she said. dents from its sister school, Radcliffe. states with Nahum. He took a mas- In the wake of this, Minda Rae found ter’s degree in business at the Uni- Remembering the rampant sexism. One professor versity of Chicago. This seemed an wouldn’t even allow women in his appropriate time to start a family. Tetiev pogrom class. “When he was asked ‘why?’ They wanted two children and got ‘because’ was the answer,” she said. them, both at once! Edoh and Eyal Saturday, April 4, 1:00 pm She started her Ph.D. at age 21, were fraternal twin boys. She found it Following the 10:30 am Contem- but it was interrupted by a fortuitous fascinating that they were “different plative Shabbat service and lunch- visit to Israel in 1955. She saw grand- from the start.” eon on April 4, congregants are wel- father Mendel, who had fled Belarus The family returned to Israel in come to gather to commemorate the in the 1880s to work in a vineyard 1961 when the twins were 11 months 100th anniversary of the Tetiev pog- there. “It was an egalitarian society,” old. Minda Rae hired a dedicated rom in Kiev. Congregant Shlomis she said. “He lived with meager helper and went back to work. When Waters, whose family lived in Tetiev means, but did important work, as I the twins reached age 15, their par- at the time, will briefly share some saw it.” ents wanted them to choose whether history of the event before welcoming She also met her future husband’s they wanted to stay in Israel, in everyone to join in a sing-a-long in parents on that visit. A few months which case they would need to join memory of those who perished. Page 14 The Shul Shofar March/April 2020 Anniversaries Yom HaShoah Ve- Mar. 15 Isaac & Samantha Konikoff (# 12) Hagevurah: Holocaust Mar. 18 Nancy & Don Davis (# 36) Mar. 19 Robert & Jody Meltzer (# 20) Mar. 24 Alan & Susan Kendal and Heroism Mar. 24 Laura & Cassandra Wolfson (# 16) Mar. 26 Leah & Jeffrey Grossman (# 9) Remembrance Day Mar. 29 Joel David & Kristin Sykes-David (# 39) Apr. 2 Harold & Susan Katz (# 53) Monday, April 20, 7:00 pm Apr. 5 Marty & Kim Moskowitz (#39) Please join us for our annual Yom HaShoah Service Apr. 6 Kristan & Mike Brennan (# 24) of Remembrance. This intergenerational event will Apr. 15 Aline & Sid Wanne (# 57) include music led by our cantorial soloist, Andrea Apr. 16 Michael & Jay Braunstein (# 20) Apr. 20 Danny & Marla Finkelstein (# 34) Shupack, as well as remarks from Ray Wolpow and Apr. 21 Mel Velsher & Adam Regan (# 2) Toby Sonneman. Apr. 26 Howard Sharfstein & Mary Francell-Sharfstein (# 33) Did we miss your anniversary? Call the office at (360) 733-8890 or email [email protected] with Yom Ha’Atzmaut: the month, day & year of your special day. Israeli Independence Day Save the date for teens Tuesday, April 28, 6:00 pm Please join your CBI community as we sing, dance, NFTY NW Spring Kallah and eat in celebration of Medinat Yisrael. Our evening April 17-19 at Camp Kalsman will begin with a Yom HaZikaron (Israeli Memorial Day) Consider sending your teen to the final NFTY Northwest siren and moment of silence, followed by “Hatikva.” event of the year! NFTY (formerly the North American Rabbi Samuels will lead the third annual Hidon Federation for Temple Youth) events are fun, energetic haTanakh (Torah Trivia), so brush up on your Hebrew gatherings when Jewish teens can be together in commu- Bible! Please bring an Israeli dish to share. nity with over 100 others from the region. At this final action-packed event of the year, we will be welcoming 8th graders and saying goodbye to seniors. On Friday, April 17, at 6:00 pm, attend Asefah to help elect our new Interfaith Coalition regional board! For more information and to register, please visit: Annual Hope Auction northwest.nfty.org. Registration opens February 26. Saturday, March 28, 5:30 pm Four Points by Sheraton For over 25 years, Interfaith’s Hope Auction has brought fellowship, inspiration, and hope to our commu- nity while raising awareness and support for our neigh- Annual Shabbaton at bors in need. Please join us for an evening that pulls Camp Kalsman together heart and effort in eliminating family homeless- ness and poverty. There are many ways to participate: Join us May 8-10 for our seventh annual CBI Shabba- donate an auction item, purchase tickets, or consider ton at the lovely URJ Camp Kalsman in Arlington. sponsorship of the event. Call or go to our website for Accommodations for adults and families include private more info or to purchase tickets: 360-734-3983, rooms and bathrooms. Activities will include: Shabbat www.interfaith-coalition.org. services in the outdoors, five meals, child and adult pro- gramming, morning yoga for adults, sports, climbing the tower, campfire and s’mores, evening wine and cheese, talent show, and havdalah. Cost: $100 per person. Registration is open through our website or by contacting the office. Space is limited. March/April 2020 The Shul Shofar Page 15

Observances follow the Hebrew calendar, unless the secular date is requested, and Yahrzeits are read on the Shabbat prior to the observance date.

Friday, March 6 Eliezer Spiro 3/25 Friday, April 10 and Jessie Edinger 3/7 Amy Louisa Blank 3/26 Saturday, April 11 Fred Fragner 3/7 Loren Lund 3/26 Harry M. Eisner 4/11 Irwin Weiner 3/7 Louis Sloss 3/26 Sue Ohms 4/11 Paul Zentner 3/7 Myron Fink 3/27 Arnold Somers 4/11 Carole Bajema 3/8 Lucia Mastbaum 3/27 Dennis Scharff 4/13 Alice Duckworth 3/8 Herbert Sulkin 3/27 Marcelo Lindner 4/14 Jack Eigen 3/8 Friday, March 27 Jack Mazur 4/14 Joseph Sonneman 3/8 Leonard Price 3/28 Yochevad Katz Zimmerman 4/14 Archie Fine 3/9 Megan Guppy 3/29 David Alper 4/15 Gea Goldfeder 3/9 Barry Evans 3/30 Esther Suloway 4/15 Elsa Zentner 3/9 William A. Gordon 3/30 Jennie Shuster 4/16 David Boman 3/10 Lou Mazel 3/30 Emanuel M. Lindheimer 4/17 Phyllis Goldin 3/10 Zelda Schuman 3/30 Glen Myers 4/17 Ida Chia Kahn 3/10 Arthur Koplowitz 3/31 Friday, April 17 and Jack Kahn 3/10 Naomi Stone 3/31 Gilbert Orlik 3/10 Fred Oscar Wigren 3/31 Saturday, April 18 Floyd Pritchett 3/10 Martin Spigelman 4/1 Violet Shaw 4/18 George Schwartz 3/10 Norma Edwards 4/2 Manuel (Manny) Emanuel 4/19 Harold Shepard 3/10 Beatrice Lazaroff 4/2 Samuel Midwood 4/19 Celia Strang 3/10 David Benjamin Miller 4/2 Ethel Berger 4/20 Monica Zderic 3/10 Joyce Zvenia 4/2 Norma H. Bernstein 4/20 Max J. Schwartz 3/11 Fred Heller 4/3 Morris Fischél 4/20 Thomas Josiah Boothby 3/12 Robert Korner 4/3 Fragner Family 4/21 BJ Elder 3/12 Harold Jules (Hal) Kaplowitz 4/21 Harry Skinner 3/12 Friday, April 3 Selma Lebovich 4/21 Saul Faber 3/13 Leah Rachel Shapiro 4/4 Benjamin Shapiro 4/21 Colleen Koplowitz 3/13 Justin Scharff 4/5 Hy Zimmerman 4/22 Corey Skelton 3/13 Manfred Vernon 4/5 Leila Shavelson 4/23 Walter von Hollander 3/13 Jose Weill 4/5 Lena Horwitz 4/24 Lois Oksenberg 4/6 Joanne M. Lund 4/24 Friday, March 13 and Curt Jay Alper 4/7 Saturday, March 14 Michael Tabak 4/7 Friday, April 24 Max Lazarus 3/14 Burl Ives 4/8 Max Swartz 4/25 Charles Baron 3/15 Ray Schapiro 4/8 Thelma Weiner 4/25 Charles Blackwell 3/15 Max Wolfman 4/8 Rabbi Frederick S. Gartner 4/26 Marcia Landau 3/15 Naomi Lazarus Barnes 4/9 Edward Stone 4/26 Emma Gartner 3/16 Arnold Behrstock 4/9 Helen Victoria Richmond 4/27 Benjamin Goldberg 3/17 Dorothy M. Fine 4/9 Rose Sondik 4/27 Sol L. Shure 3/17 Sam Strang 4/9 William Deas 4/28 Felicia Elizabeth Romito 3/18 Arthur Feld 4/10 Karleen Press 4/28 Elaine Fox Suloway 3/18 Angus Campbell Walker 4/10 Eliezer Strich 4/28 Shirley Boman 3/19 Sharon Gordon Greer 4/30 June Krauzer Mazonson 3/19 Rachel Kaplan Tartak 4/30 Muriel Anzman 3/20 Elayne B. Weiner 4/30 Mary Widerkehr 4/30 Friday, March 20 and Leonard Halpern 5/01 Saturday, March 21 Manly Spigelman 5/01 Mabel Berman 3/21 Charles B. (Bud) Koplowitz 3/21 Raymond DeVries 3/22 Lylyan Wick 3/22 In Memoriam Dorothy Brody 3/23 Zichronam l’vrachah ~ May their memories be for a blessing Nathan Landau 3/23 Marcelline Naparty 3/23 Our congregation offers heartfelt condolences to the following individuals and Bernice Rappaport 3/23 their families: Helen Sharfstein 3/23 Steve Spitzer on the loss of his sister, Shirley Spitzer, who passed away on Norma Soode 3/23 Gordon Eli Stolzoff 3/23 December 29, 2019 in Forest Hills, New York. Harry Zemel 3/23 Jodi Litt and sons Elliott and Max Johnson on the loss of father/grandfather, Anna Kushner 3/24 Stanley Litt, who passed away on January 13, 2020 in Seattle. He was 87 Ben Zderic 3/24 years old. Morrie Feller 3/25 Esther Katz 3/25 Mary Somerville on the loss of her brother-in-law, Chuck Collins, who Frank McKelvey 3/25 passed away on February 1, 2020 in Bethesda, Maryland, two weeks before his 69th birthday. THE SHUL SHOFAR NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE Congregation Beth Israel PAID 751 San Juan Boulevard BELLINGHAM, WA Bellingham, WA 98229 PERMIT NO. 180

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COMMUNITY PASSOVER SEDER ON APRIL 9, 2020

Register by Thursday, March 26, for the Community Seder. Space is limited.

Join us for a fun, lively and upbeat retelling of the Exodus story. This event has been popular for all ages… from babies to bubbes. The seder will include a dinner buffet with vegetarian, gluten-fee, and dairy-free options, as well as plenty of singing and the great afikomen search.

You can register now online at bethisraelbellingham.org. We welcome donations to help cover catering costs. Thank you!

BETHISRAELBELLINGHAM.ORG * 360.733.8890