Kol K .I. March 2021 learn. inspire. grow. together. / Nissan 5781

16 Colt Road l Pittsfield, Massachusetts 01201 l 413.445.4872 l knessetisrael.org • Rabbi David Weiner l Richard Simons, President Marching On Announcements! K.I. looks for a path forward / volunteers needed / rabbi visits service times will be announced in the April Kol K.I., and in email communications. Knesset Israel has begun reopening synagogue services to in-person participation! See page 4 for details. • Because COVID guidelines change often, K.I.'s scheduling can also

change on very short notice. frankie's/Shutterstock.com Find up-to-date information at: March always strikes me as an in-between month in the Berkshires. Winter is not quite and click on over, but mud season has not yet started, never mind spring. The worst storms are knessetisrael.org over, but the snowbirds have not yet returned. We might not be snowshoeing regular- KI Central ly anymore, but we are also not hiking freely yet because of packed ice that remains (at bottom of home page) on the ground, especially in the woods. Jewishly speaking, March this year coincides with the period between ­­—the holiday whose traditional food is hametz—and­­ Updates are made every Thursday Passover, the calendar deadline by which all hamantashen must be consumed and for the following week. even the crumbs removed from the house. (Incidentally, the festival also celebrates our freedom and birthday of the Jewish people.) We are very much in between things. continued page 3 In This Issue Member & Mazel Tovs

From the Rabbi...... 1 & 3 March Calendar...... 4 & 5 March Birthdays Zoom & Livestream How To...... 4 n Ezra Sutter...... March 2 n David Bell-Deane...... March 24 Preparing for Passover...... 6 n Richard Woller...... March 3 n Andrew Geller...... March 24 Sale of Hametz & Maot Hittim...... 7 n Dana Siegel...... March 3 n Sopheap Nhim...... March 25 From the President...... 8 n Lorenzo Cook-Dubin...... March 4 n Benjamin Cook-Dubin...... March 25 BIO Annual Meeting...... 9 n Donald Simon...... March 6 n Joel Radsken...... March 26 Spotlight On: Judith Weiner...... 10 n Susan Gordon...... March 8 n William Wright...... March 26 Yahrzeits, Funds & Endowments,....13-15 n Steven Skoblow...... March 8 n Harold Shair...... March 31 In the Land of Israel Program..Back Cover n Mona Lanzer...... March 9 n Barbara Akresh...... March 31 and more!! n Michael Rosenthal...... March 9 K.I. Staff n Andrew Levine...... March 12 Celebrate! n Robert Bildner...... March 14 OFFICE PHONE 413-445-4872 n Edwin Kolodny...... March 15 RABBI DAVID WEINER Ext. 10 n John Huffaker...... March 16 [email protected] n Jane Rosen...... March 17 DIANA MACFARLANE Ext. 10 Office Manager n Cynthia Helitzer...... March17 Anniversaries [email protected] n Naomi Schwartz...... March 19 ED ROBINSON n Phyllis Lieberman...... March 19 n Richard and Sharon Sutter...... March 6 [email protected] n Lawrence Kaplan...... March 20 n Steven and Ruth Rosenthal....March 19 MYRNA HAMMERLING Ext. 16 n n Marty and Glenna Bloom...... March 23 Director of Adult Education Mia Wax...... March 20 and Programming n Michael Helitzer...... March 22 n Amy and Howard Herman...... March 29 [email protected] CHRIS GOETZE Ext. 20 Your community wants to share Facilities Director/Head Custodian in your good news! Send KOL K.I. editor, [email protected] Susan Miller the details about any happy JUDITH WEINER Ext. 15 news we can celebrate with you! Director of Families Together, and Susan Miller: [email protected] Hebrew School Administrator High resolution photographs welcome! [email protected] ELISA SNOWISE B’Nai Teacher /Coordinator [email protected] KOL K.I. PUBLICATION NOTES LIZ DEMARCO, Web Administrator, Editor: Susan Miller • Proof Reader/Editor: Ellen Rosenblatt • Photo Editor: Nan Bookless [email protected] Production: Nan Bookless • Printed by Aldam Press

We welcome submissions. Publication will be at the discretion of the editorial staff, KNESSET ISRAEL and may be subject to editing for clarity, facts, and length. 16 Colt Road, Pittsfield, MA 01201 413-445-4872 Submit articles & photographs VIA EMAIL to: 413-496-9378 (fax) Susan Miller at [email protected] knessetisrael.org

2 n KOL K.I. • MARCH 2021 • ADAR / NISSAN 5781 From the Rabbi

Marching On continued from page 1 Watch K.I. events as they happen at A Gradual Revival knessetisrael.org/livestream This year March is liminal in yet another way. The pan- Watch nearly any event or service by demic continues to loom large in our lives, restricting livestreaming at the link above. us from embracing each other and continuing to dis- The site also has links to recordings rupt everyday routines and relationships. Some of KI’s of some past K.I. events and to congregants have received their vaccine, some are in K.I. Shabbat Central. the process, and others are still awaiting their first dose. Rather than waiting for a moment of grand reopening • in the late summer or fall, KI’s leaders have decided to A ZOOM and Livestream pursue a strategy of reviving synagogue life gradually, Cheat Sheet is on page 6. staying within the bounds of public health recommen- Rabbi David Weiner dations. Our goal is to continue to protect the safety and health of our community and neighborhood while also beginning a process of heal- ing and renewal.

Over the next few months, we intend to focus primarily on strengthening our con- nections with each other and with and offering mutual support. We intend for everything else – exactly which services, programs and classes we schedule online or in-person, how KI staff allocate their time, what we ask of volunteers and donors, how we prioritize for budgeting purposes—to follow from that. That may mean that familiar programs are a little different, services continue to evolve, and the summer turns out to be unique, distinct both from last year and the year before. As has been the case over the last several months, some of the experiments along the way will work out brilliantly, while others will not gain traction. We are just going to keep try- ing and eventually figure out what works. About the Month Nissan…

Resuming hospital and home pastoral visits: The 1st month but not the new year! Nissan is the first month on the Jewish With this goal in mind, I hope to resume hospital and home pastoral visits this month, calendar. Before the left Egypt, on assuming the public health situation in the Berkshires is conducive and risks can be the first day of the month of Nissan, God managed appropriately. I know this will not work for everybody yet. Feel free to reach told Moses and Aaron: “This chodesh out by phone or email and let us know that you are interested in my dropping by in (new moon, or month) shall be to you person one afternoon to listen and chat (with masks and distancing). Diana will also the head of months.” be able to answer questions about why we think this is feasible and give you a sense of if, when and how we might responsibly arrange a house call. Especially if a visit Thus the peculiarity of the Jewish calen- would really make your day, please pick up the phone and let us know. dar: the year begins on , the first day of (the anniversary of Maybe you can help… the creation of Adam and Eve), but Tish- It is exceedingly difficult to look forward because we are, in a way, still standing on the rei is not the first month. Rosh Hashanah Egypt side of the Red Sea. The crossing will take a few months and only after person- is actually referred to in the as “the ally arriving at the other side will we be able to really visualize a path forward. Though first day of the seventh month.” things are still unclear, I think we will be looking for people to help out in all sorts of ways – person-to-person connection, programming ideas, service attendance and renewal, hospitality and kiddush, outreach to new residents of the Berkshires, inter- faith opportunities, gatherings to mourn the losses of the last year and to celebrate a homecoming. Anyone interested in helping rebuild is welcome to join in.

KOL K.I. • MARCH 2021 • ADAR / NISSAN 5781 n 3 Clip & Save! March 2021 Calendar Zoom & Livstream Cheat Sheet for Services, Classes, and Programming Knesset Israel makes every effort to keep ZOOM numbers consistent. The most reliable updates go to knessetisrael.org and click on KI ShabbatCentral. Because COVID guidelines change often, Updated announcements will be in our weekly E-news, K.I.'s scheduling can also change on very short notice. on our website calendar & K.I.’s "COVID-19 Response” page. For up-to-date information go to: The majority of our members and visitors will participate in knessetisrael.org and click on Knesset Israel services, classes, and programming through their computers and devices (Zoom & Livestreaming). A few KI Shabbat Central (at bottom of home page) people, when allowed by COVID guidelines & through advance arrangement only, will gather in person in the sanctuary. Updates are made every Thursday for the following week. HOW TO ZOOM ADULT EDUCATION CLASSES n 1. Go to Zoom.us at the announced time. n 2. Click “join a meeting” n TORAH PORTION OF THE WEEK n 3. Enter the Zoom ID number with Myrna Hammerling n 4. If asked, give Zoom permission to use Every Tuesday in March...... 10:30 AM Study the Torah Portion of the Week through the lens of schol- your camera and microphone. ars and commentaries. Myrna Hammerling continues her in- HOW TO LIVESTREAM sightful approaches to seeking wisdom for our own day from these ancient stories and laws. Try it! You may really like it!! Option 1 ZOOM ID: 851-6320-8966 n Download the Boxcast app in your Roku, AppleTV or Kindle Fire TV n BEYOND DISPUTE Rabbi's Adult Education Class n Open the app and search for the Knesset Israel channel. March 4, 11, 18 You may view current and past recordings. No class March 25 or April 1 Option 2 Every Thursday morning...... 10:45 AM–NOON n Go to knessetisrael.org/livestream at the announced time. ZOOM ID: 863-269-457

n You may need to press the “play” button n MUSSAR that appears onscreen. with Rabbi Pamela Wax n On that page you will find suggestions Sundays...... 9:30-11 AM to improve your experience. For registered participants only. Since the class is at capacity, and is not not accepting new students at this time. n Watch and sing along. March 14, April 11, May 16, June 13, July 11, Aug. 8 * HOW TO ATTEND SERVICES IN PERSON IN THE K.I. SANCTUARY You're Invited! If you are comfortable periodically joining in prayer in Hebrew School the K.I. sanctuary, but have not yet done so, please get Passover Party!! in touch with Diana or Rabbi Weiner. n You may sign up to attend weekend services (Friday evening, Saturday Families Together invites you to join and Sunday morning) up to three weeks in advance at us on Sunday, March 21 for Moses our knessetisrael.org website—click on KI Shabbat Cen- and Aaron’s Excellent Exodus and tral (bottom of home page) n You do not need to sign Passover Party! The festivities begin up in advance to attend, but it helps ensure a minyan. at 2:30pm on the field of Knesset Questions? Please contact Rabbi Weiner or Stu Masters. Israel. More details are on page 11 in the Families Together update!

4 n KOL K.I. • MARCH 2021 • ADAR / NISSAN 5781 March 2021 Calendar

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT!! Passover Service times Knesset Israel began reopening synagogue services to will be announced in the April Kol K.I., in-person participation on February 12! Livestreaming of these services will continue. Should things and in email communications. change, we will keep you informed through email updates. HOW TO attend services in person, as well as how to ZOOM AND LIVESTREAM appear on PAGE 6. Also see the email sent on February 10 at 12:48 pm answering your questions about in person attendance.

FEBRUARY SHABBAT & WEEKDAY SERVICES n KABBALAT SHABBAT MARCH CANDLE LIGHTING: Fridays...... LIVESTREAM OR IN PERSON* ...... 5:45 PM Friday, March 5, 2021...... 5:30 PM March 5—Musical Minyan Friday, March 12, 2021...... 5:38 PM March 12 & 26—Traditional Service Friday, Mar 19, 2021...... 6:46 PM March 19 —Shirei Shabbat Friday, March 26, 2021...... 6:54 PM Saturday, March 27, 2021...... 7:56 PM n SHABBAT MORNING SERVICES Sunday, March 28, 2021...... 7:57 PM Saturdays...... LIVESTREAM OR IN PERSON*....9:30-11:30 AM APRIL CANDLE LIGHTING: n HAVDALA & SOCIAL PROGRAMS Friday, April 2, 2021...... 7:02 PM Saturdays 6, 13, & 20...... ZOOM ...... 7:00 PM March 27 is first seder – no havdala program Saturday, April 3, 2021...... 8:04 PM ZOOM ID # 556-224-391 n MORNING DAVENING Sundays...... LIVESTREAM OR IN PERSON *...... 8:45 AM March 7, 14 & 21 March 28 is the first day of Pesah – service schedule tba Knesset Israel Statement of Purpose Welcome. n EVENING DAVENING (includes mourner’s kaddish) We are here to nourish mind, heart, and soul. Tuesdays & Thursdays.....ZOOM ...... 7:00 PM We are here to inspire through word and deed. ZOOM ID # 934-910-554 We are here to accompany each other on life’s journey. We are here to celebrate in community. We are here to bring life to the wisdom Schedule of Observances for the and values of Torah. Week Before Passover, Sale of Hametz and We are here to transform our world. Maot Hittim Passover Fund Drive ON PAGES 8 & 9

KOL K.I. • MARCH 2021 • ADAR / NISSAN 5781 n 5 Passover 5781/2021

It Was the Week Before Passover Preparation for Pesach —by Rabbi David Weiner

When Passover begins on a Saturday night, the customs of the Burning of Hametz week leading up to the holiday change somewhat. For the most part, the descriptions below follow traditional Jewish practice. Burning of Hametz should take place before 10 a.m. on Friday, Knesset Israel families have developed a variety of ways to honor March 27. Traditionally we destroy what we “found” during the the holiday. The information offered here, are meant to be sug- search for Hametz. This is the last time we eat Hametz until after gestions of additional ways congregants might connect with the Passover, even though the holiday does not start until Saturday wider Jewish world through the distinctive rituals of Pesah, across night. No blessing or formula is recited. space and time. Candle Lighting Cleaning the House Light candles on Friday, March 27 night as usual, with only the Those cleaning and shopping for Pesach might be looking for shabbat blessing, before 6:55 p.m. (in Berkshire County). For the a refresher. The new Rabbinical Assembly Guide for Pesach was most traditional observance, add a long-burning candle, such not yet available before the bulletin deadline. For now, an older as a yahrzeit candle, so that on Saturday and Sunday nights you version may be found at rabbinicalassembly.org/pesah-guide; may transfer its flame to your holiday candles.The holiday can- changes from year to year are usually minor. Updates will ap- dles on Saturday and Sunday nights—with the holiday bless- pear in the weekly email. ing and shehechiyanu, are lit no earlier than 8:04 p.m. Fast of the Meals on March 27 & 28 The Fast of the Firstborn falls one day earlier than usual, on We eat neither hametz nor matza from midmorning Friday, Thursday, March 26. We will not be holding a special service or March 27 through seder on Saturday night, March 28. Use your study session at Knesset Israel to help firstborns avoid the fast. Passover dishes for these meals, and use egg matza (2 “loaves”) Instead, those interested can join a group that is celebrating the for each shabbat meal. completion of study of a tractate of online. Ideas and Zoom information will be provided in the weekly email. Nullification of Hametz Nullification of Hametz should take place before 11 a.m. on Search for Hametz shabbat morning. We will incorporate this declaration into ser- Marking the end of the cleaning that prepares us for the holi- vices at Knesset Israel that morning. You may find the traditional day, the candlelight search for Hametz takes place after dark on formula (kol hamira) in any alongside a description Thursday, March 26. Recite the blessing before, and the formula of the ritual of burning Hametz. after (kol hamira), as usual (see any Haggadah for the text). continued next page

Everything we do to prepare for and to celebrate Passover is imbued with substantial spiritual significance.

6 n KOL K.I. • MARCH 2021 • ADAR / NISSAN 5781 Seder Preparation Sale of Hametz & Seder preparation does not supplant Moat Hittim: Passover Fund Drive Shabbat observance. Preparation, espe- Consider donating Hametz to local food pantries! cially the transformation of ingredients into food using heat, should pause be- Although we make every effort to rid our homes of hametz for Passover, Jewish fore sundown on Friday night (6:53 p.m.) tradition is aware that this discipline might prove financially prohibitive or wasteful. and resume at nightfall on Saturday (af- When feasible, make donations of unopened boxes of hametz to a local food pantry ter 7:55 p.m.). —South Congregational Church in Pittsfield, for example—and discard open boxes or containers of hametz. Some food (or drink, or pet) that is considered hametz might First Seder Timing remain in your home, with or without your knowledge, and this needs to leave your The mitzvot of seder—eating matza and possession to enable a full experience of the holiday. To empower Rabbi Weiner as , enjoying a festive meal, drinking your agent for selling of your hametz, please fill out the form below and mail it to the four cups of wine—apply on the first synagogue no later than Monday, March 22 or (even easier) click through the link that night of Passover, not the day before. will be provided in the weekly email as Passover draws closer. Seder is meant to coincide—literally— Our tradition mandates that those who are financially able help Jews who are in need with the anniversary of the first seder celebrate Passover—“Maot Hittim”. As you empower Rabbi Weiner as your agent for our ancestors celebrated, which took the sale of hametz, please enclose a donation to help all Jews eat matza, the bread of place at night, on the eve of their de- freedom, this year. parture from Egypt. Those seeking this layer of meaning might begin seder after 8 p.m. on Saturday night, March 28. Seder I hereby authorize Rabbi David Weiner as agent for Congregation Knesset meals should conclude before the mid- Israel, Pittsfield, Massachusetts, to act on my behalf to sell, transfer and assign dle of the night, i.e., approximately 1 a.m., all hametz of whatever kind and wherever situated in my residence or my busi- though the songs at the end of the seder ness or any other place without reservation or limitation. may continue well into the wee hours. All the aforesaid hametz is to be sold to a non-Jew who is to have free access to the hametz acquired by him or her. I further state that the hametz covered First Seder Start Time by the agreement will be stored away and not used by me during the period Compromise commencing no later than 10:00 a.m. on Friday,March 26, 2021 and ending no Many seders include young participants earlier than 9:04 p.m. on Sunday, April 4, 2021. or elders who find a late-night seder to n be physically uncomfortable. Those in Enclosed is my (our) contribution of $______to the Maot Hittim Drive, such a situation looking for a compro- Congregation Knesset Israel. Please distribute these funds in my (our) behalf mise might time the seder so that the to individuals in need and to organizations which are helping our fellow Jews second cup takes place after nightfall. observe Passover with dignity and joy and to help alleviate the distress of hun- Food preparation and warming should ger from all those in need. still not begin until after nightfall. For The authorization is legalized by my signature on this ______day of more ideas about how to modify the rit- ______. uals and meal to suit, please speak with Rabbi Weiner. Name(s):

Address(es):

Please fill in and mail this form to: Congregation Knesset Israel, 16 Colt Road, Pittsfield, MA 01201 Email is even easier! — [email protected] with name and address(es).

KOL K.I. • MARCH 2021 • ADAR / NISSAN 5781 n 7 From the President

The Night the Rabbi Called Thank you Creating a post-Covid community…together

I recall it as if it were yesterday. March 12, 2020. It was in the evening and I was at a meet- ing. My cell phone lights up and I see that it’s Rabbi Weiner. I excuse myself to take the call. Thank you to the many people who re- “I think we have to cancel services this week”, he blurted out. spond to my requests for support for K.I. families in need. “What?”, I answered somewhat incredulously. In my mind, we were being careful about the virus. People were starting to re- I am so grateful for an amazing “Dream frain from shaking hands during services and we were serving Team” that has been so responsive to re- individual plates at Kiddush. quests for meals, shopping, and errands in answer to the needs of our congre- “I attended a meeting last night with public health officials. gants. The families are extremely appre- It’s much more serious than we are currently appreciating”, he ciative of your help at a time when not continued. just food, but also the message of a car- ing congregation was obvious in a tan- “Ok, go on”, I said feeling my heart sink. Richard Simons gible way. The rest is as we say, “history”. We are still in the middle of the pan- It is hard to believe it has been a year since we have been responding to this pandemic. demic. I may be calling upon you again To be sure, we have lost a great deal. Family members lost the ability to hold the hand to help those who are still in need or are of their loved ones who lay dying isolated in a critical care unit. Mourners lost the ability alone. to be physically embraced after experiencing a tragic loss. Parents, grandparents and My sincere thanks to all of you for being children have been separated by a computer screen. And holidays where traditionally so special!—Fran Wolk families gathered have been celebrated alone.

The isolation this pandemic has caused has been a great challenge to us all. But as this month marks the first anniversary of the “life with COVID”, we have news that provides some hope and optimism. We are in the process of distributing an effective vaccine to Emergency Contacts our community. With the widespread administration of the vaccine, we can envision a PASTORAL CARE. day when we can gather together and rebuild what has been lost. If you are in need of emergency pasto- We have worked hard to maintain a shul community in spite of the COVID restrictions es- ral care for any reason, please contact tablished to keep us safe. The experience has forced leadership to prioritize what is really Rabbi Weiner, 413-445-4872, ext. 10. important about a shul. As we begin to plan for our future, we start to ask the questions FUNERALS. of “what changes must we make”, “how to we effectively create the bridge from a COVID world to a post-COVID world”? Knesset Israel’s funeral arrangements are handled with Flynn-Dagnoli funeral These are not easy questions, but ones we shall embrace as we move forward. Your home. Please call 413-663-6523 or 413- thoughts and ideas are always welcome. 442-1733. You can also email flynndag- [email protected]. As always, I wish all of you continued health and safety during these times. CARE COMMITTEE. If you or another K.I. member you know is experiencing serious illness requiring support, please contact the Care Com- mittee by calling the main office of Knes- set Israel, 413-445-4872, ext. 10 and we learn. inspire. grow. together. will be in touch with you.

8 n KOL K.I. • MARCH 2021 • ADAR / NISSAN 5781 Kol K.I. Berkshire Interfaith Organizing (BIO) Annual Meeting Annual Meeting Report

On January 24, 2021, Berkshire Interfaith Organization held their Annual Meeting. The meeting was, of course, virtual, bilin- gual, and very successful. It was attend- ed by 75 BIO members, with K.I members Maxine Bookless, Rabbi David Weiner, Merle Ferber, Nancy Cook, Carole Siegel, and Myrna Hammerling among them.

Stories shared.

Rabbi David Weiner and Dondie Dean, the Lead Organizer for BIO, began by sharing their personal stories of the power of or- ganization. Dondei Deam, Lead Organizer, Berkshire Interfaith Organizing n Rabbi Weiner reported that he was not immediately comfort- necessarily the best way to impact change in our community. able with the BIO setting until he got to know fellow religious She is now translating her own personal discovery into major leader Reverend Sloan Letman, IV. They both had gone to Jew- changes for the organization. ish pre-schools, lived in Chicago and were coming together at BIO events. Rabbi Weiner didn’t quite know what was expected More Buisness. of him and was simply slowly absorbing the aura of the orga- nization. He learned that just showing up, thinking more, and n An amendment was presented at the meeting reflecting listening rather than talking was a way to bring change. Dondei’s understanding of how change takes place: the group will now be composed of regional communities of faith and val- It was at the “Together We Breathe” march from City Hall to Du- ues. It was approved unanimously. rant Park after the tragic murder of George Floyd that he felt his commitment and leadership come to the surface. The mutual n Two new members were accepted into the BIO community: respect with his new friend Sloan, who used Exodus imagery in Ark Community (Dalton) and Zion Lutheran Church (PIttsfield). his inspiring pre-march speech, also had deepened significant- Other groups interested in joining BIO include members of ly. Rabbi Weiner was finding his way within the organization. Kripalu and some labor unions.

n n Dondei Dean, hired straight out of college as BIO assistant Some of the values that members are sharing: food projects, leader, now holds the organization's helm as Lead Organizer. environmental projects, donating services, helping agencies in She imagined herself in this position, winning battle after battle other cultures (Tanzania was mentioned), acts of kindness and against power holders on behalf of the under-served—achiev- random kindness. eing victory after victory. By developing an understanding of n Other meeting business included: budgets, inspiring messag- what constitutes an interest group, she has been able to broad- es from incoming and outgoing officers, and minutes accepted. en her approach to her goals. An informal group has been meeting at a local coffee shop; the members informally call it n New President Rev. Sloan Letman, IV spoke inspirationally Cafecito. The group shares their various issues with education, about working together. Rabbi Weiner closed with a recitation communication and community struggles. Dondei has come of “Lift Every Voice” by James Weldon. to realize that the big battles she imagined tackling are not

Tikkun Olam ~ Heal the World

KOL K.I. • MARCH 2021 • ADAR / NISSAN 5781 n 9 Spotlight On

Judith Weiner An experienced, creative, engaging leader—by Phil Coleman

Welcome to my column this month Judith! daic values. Now with COVID and a pro- It's great to catch up with you. It's difficult found disruption of normal learning, how to believe you and your family have been do we reimagine traditional after-school here 10 years. You are deeply ingrained in Hebrew classes for the modern world, creat- our community, yet you've had a real inter- ing vitality and long-term commitment? national life, living in Hungary, Australia, Is- rael, and the U.S., including my hometown Judith: Re-imaging Hebrew School class- of Jacksonville, Florida. What are some of rooms is an ongoing process that we at K.I the differences you've experienced in Jew- have been doing for many years. All of our ish life and practice around the world? teachers bring their amazing skills and experi- ences into the classroom to help our students Judith: I can’t speak of Jewish life in Hunga- engage with Judaism to create that lifelong ry, as I was five when we left. Australia has a connection At K.I., one of our strengths is vibrant Jewish community that draws from having students of different grades and ages around the world. Australia is a country of migrants—the Jew- spending time together, whether in Junior Congregation, as tu- ish community reflects that with people who can trace their tors or as teachers’ assistants. These connections, alongside the roots back to Hungary, Poland, South Africa and a few who have whole K.I. community, and combined with family involvement in been in Australia since before WWII. My experiences of commu- the community are the bedrocks of the future. We have adapted nity in Jerusalem and New York are the experiences of a student to our new circumstances by moving our Judaic teaching to after community My experience in Jacksonville was as an introduc- school online, instead of Saturdays. Our largest change has been tion to the American south. In all the places that I have lived, in skills development. We have exchanged a regular Hebrew there have been more experiences that were similar than differ- class with individual Hebrew tutoring. ent. Food is often different, but sharing meals is the same. Per- sonalities are different, but being in a community is the same. Tell us about the Families Together program at K.I., and how we might be able to leverage that to attract new families who One of the key issues in contemporary Jewish education are moving to the Berkshires. A lot of folks don't know much is keeping young people excited about Judaism and Ju- about it.

Judith: Our "Families Together" program is a place for families of all ages, but primarily those with kids, to be together and do “Jewish” together in a variety of programs. With the generous support of the Harold Grinspoon Foundation, many of our pro- grams focus on issues and mitzvot that are about service and social justice. We have baked for the Thanksgiving Angels, part- nered with the Berkshire Jewish Film Festival, and also with K.I.’s Adopt-a-Family project. This year, we have focused on meeting in person outdoors (safely, masked, and social distanced) to al- low families to see each other. We have hiked on Jewish scaven- ger hunts, played in the snow, and we are looking towards more outdoor fun in the future!

What’s going on in the world of adult study at the synagogue, and how are you involved with it?

Judith: Myrna Hammerling, together with Rabbi Weiner, coor- dinate adult learning at K.I. With luck, I am sometimes able to continued top of next page A "Families Together" virtual event

10 n KOL K.I. • MARCH 2021 • ADAR / NISSAN 5781 Kol K.I. Studying and Celebrating…Together An update from the Hebrew School

Hebrew School Update the classroom. The Bar Mitzvah program and the Rabbi’s Teen class are now meet- March brings exciting events to the He- ing in person at K.I. again. brew School as we are preparing for the Passover holiday. Families Together Invites you… Families Together… As teachers, we join with our students K.I. Families Together invites you to join looking forward to the Seder. Their en- us on March 21 for Moses and Aaron’s At Home thusiasm is gratifying as they engage Excellent Exodus and Passover Par- with materials in their Hebrew Studies. ty! The festivities begin at 2:30pm on A special website, full of fun Each week that Hebrew tutoring contin- the field of Knesset Israel. There will be —just for YOU! ues, we are seeing great improvement in Passover themed games, and fun for the the writing and reading skills of all the whole family. With an imposing title like A place filled with fun ideas, information students. that, you know that wonderful fun is and activities for families and kids of all planned. ages. A site where you can stay connect- As the weather becomes warmer, we an- ed with your K.I. friends and share your ticipate that some classes will be back in RSVP: Judith at [email protected] experiences. A place to go to learn what is happening in the K.I. Families Together community. Check it out at padlet.com/ KnessetIsrael/KIHS2 Our Thriving Women's Group Looking back and ahead—by Jan Zimbler

Pre-pandemic, had been gathering Spotlight On (continued) at Knesset Israel for the past 6 years in the syna- participate either by attending or occa- gogue library and in individual homes. It is hard to sionally teaching. believe 6 years have passed! From the beginning we have been enjoying each other and evolving in so many ways. Here’s a fun question. How did you meet David? Our meeting agendas have ranged from Jewish music, developing a woman’s Seder, family rituals and traditions, spirituality and healing, and more. We have had mem- Judith: David and I met at Hebrew Uni- bers present singing klezmer music, Ethical Will guidance and an introduction to the versity in Jerusalem while we both took Chevra Kadisha experience. We have gone on a field trip to Mayyim Hayyim Living a year abroad. Waters to educate ourselves in Mikveh tradition—which culminated in one of our members being able to participate in her own immersion. The meditation garden at We have terrific programming at K.I., Mayyim Hayyim also influenced our Rosh Chodesh group—Ev Bastow in particular— thanks in no small part to you, Myrna, to revive the Braun Memorial Garden so that once again it can be a space for reflection David, and the staff. Of course much of and celebration. that has now gone virtual, too. How can we improve what we do, keep our mem- Life in the time of the COVID pandemic has been challenging but it has not curtailed bers engaged, and plan for the future? our “getting together”. We continue to meet via zoom to share our thoughts stemming from isolation. We voice our hopes, our frustrations, as well as nourishing our Jew- Judith: That is a question for the rabbi!!!!!! ish awareness. These meetings have allowed us to gather and remind ourselves that women at Knesset Israel are not alone. No matter where you are quarantined you can Thanks so much Judith, this was a fun be part of a warm, welcoming, supportive group of women. interview and I know our readers will enjoy getting to know you! continued top of page 15

KOL K.I. • MARCH 2021 • ADAR / NISSAN 5781 n 11 Advertisers

Of Interest

Local Leaders and Trusted Partners

Jonathan Denmark President & COO, MountainOne Insurance

North Adams | Pittsfield | Williamstown Quincy | Rockland | Scituate mountainone.com

INSURANCE PRODUCTS ARE NOT A DEPOSIT, NOT FDIC-INSURED NOT INSURED BY ANY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AGENCY, NOT GUARANTEED BY THE BANK, MAY GO DOWN IN VALUE

Advertise in KOL K.I.! One very low yearly rate promotes your business and ensures a printed bulletin gets to all members. Messaging and underwriting opportunities available, too! • Email Nan Bookless at [email protected]

12 n KOL K.I. • MARCH 2021 • ADAR / NISSAN 5781 Yahrzeits • March 2021 • Adar / Nissan 5781

22 ADAR I - 3/6 27 ADAR I - 3/11 There are stars whose light Rebecca Levine Nathan Lazerus reaches the earth only after they Beth Anne Zocchi Ruth Kalman Sugarman Ira Bender Erna Gilbert themselves have disintigrated. Joyce Abecassis Dora Nelson And there are individuals whose Sylvia Ende Julius Freed Linda Robbins Sandra Abeles Braun memory lights the world after they Minnie Maislen Myron Shindler have passed from it. These lights Naftuly Vinshteyn Rosalind May 17 ADAR - 3/1 Sophie Steinman Cynthia Bercowetz shine in the darkest night Lillian Cohen Harold Palefsky and illumine our path…. Jules Kerbel Walter Sturm 23 ADAR - 3/7 —Hannah Senesh August Rossomando Gail Mindlin Rosalyn Baron Sol Smuckler Gussie Rod Abram Kogan Ioshua Shmerelevich Elsie Marmulstein Kirshteyn 3 - 3/16 8 NISAN - 3/21 18 ADAR -3/2 Goldie Stein Morris Broder Joseph Robinson Harry Shenker Rachel Samel Bernard H. Starr Dorothy Klein Harab Jacob Kirsch Eva Metropole Abraham Adelson Benjamin Brown Philip Bass Israel Bialor Ben Cohen 9 NISAN - 3/22 Rose Berkowitz Leib Garbowitz Morris Berkwitz Max Kaplan Joseph Schaitkin Harry Wasser Anna Cohn Willy Benari Barnett Cotton Sarah Deborah Katz 24 ADAR I - 3/8 28 ADAR - 3/12 4 NISAN - 3/17 Lillian Jaffe Joseph Sherman Esther Mayer Dr. Lester H. Sugarman Lester Sugarman Anna R. Goodman 19 ADAR - 3/3 Fannie Leibowitz Dr. William Rosenthal Elliott Lubin Rose Rudnick Jack Galler Harold Frisch Paul Rich Minnie Schiller Polly Shapiro Norman Seidler Isidore Cohen Jerry Sussman Liuba Benari Rose Wood Gruberg Jack J. Daniels Dr. Stanley Simkin Zipora Bril Rose Foster Ruth Gutmann Eva Kaye Marjorie Goldman Abraham Schottenfeld Gerald H. Goodman Mollie Jacobs 10 NISAN - 3/23 Max Goodman Pauline Mass Adolph Berger Alex Cohen Fanny Novick Peter Marvin 25 ADAR - 3/9 29 ADAR - 3/13 5 NISAN - 3/18 Esther Weisberger Vicki Lebenbaum Lillian Farber Seymour Haft Harry Schatsky 20 ADAR I - 3/4 Sara Fribush Louise Clark Natalie Holland Stanley David Mary Weiser Rebecca Savitz Bessie F. Lippman Morgenstein Esta Gallant Kornfield Greenspan 11 NISAN - 3/24 Walter B. Samek Benjamin Novick Arthur Levinson Robert Martin 1 NISAN - 3/14 Sally Schatsky Ruth Goldin Rhea Kaetz Edelstein Hilda Dunaieff Jennie Staskin Maurice Cutler Bernard Dondey Clinton William Samuel Teitelbaum Fannie Simkin Abraham Deutch Edelstein Sidney Gilbert Mollie Goldstein 6 NISAN - 3/19 Mollye Hoffman- Samuels Leavitt Edelstein 26 ADAR - 3/10 Shirley J. Bookless Shirley Starr Irving Rosenbaum Nathan Bass 2 NISAN - 3/15 Sylia Simme Frank 21 ADAR I - 3/5 Anne Green Phil Kruvant Samuel Lebovitz Celia Sumberg Anna S. Bookless 7 NISAN - 3/20 Samuel Mones Robert Green William Wortman Ethel Taubin Rose Freed Betty Braun 12 NISAN - 3/25 Edward Pincus Robert S. Friedman Sol Toscher Sophie Feller Samuel Weiss Ruth Golos Machla Weis Neil Talcove Abraham Benny Israel Aron Grende Sonia Weiss Nathan Haft Myra Miller Groobert Lena Markowitz continued next page

KOL K.I. • MARCH 2021 • ADAR / NISSAN 5781 n 13 March Funds & Endowments Yahrzeits (continued from page 13) ADULT EDUCATION FUND CEMETERY FUND In memory of In memory of 13 NISAN - 3/26 Alan Ginsburg Herman B. Perlman Pearl London Stuart Marks Diana Geller & Andy Geller Jane Perlman Carole Schiller Krauss In memory of BOBBI COHN Gertrude Schwartz HERBERT AND CELIA REVITALIZATION Gerald Goodman Maxwell Cutler FISHMAN ENDOWMENT ENDOWMENT Lynne Goodman-Leary Dorothy Lerman Weiss In memory of Dorothy Levine In memory of In honor of Celia Fishman Murray M. Samek Edward Pincus The unveiling of Mrs Irving Herbert Fishman Rebecca Hirsch Rosenbaum's headstone Marcia Fishman 14 NISAN - 3/27 Zelda Toler Stephen Rosenbaum Shelly, Joel and Bobbi and Mike Cohn Theresa Pill Ben Fishman Frank Udel CEMETERY GATE AND Esther Lubin BOOKLESS FAMILY ROADS FUND ENDOWMENT BEN AND SARA FRIBUSH Pincus Rosenfeld In memory of ENDOWMENT In memory of Ruth Kalman Sugarman In memory of Sara Fribush Nathan Lazerus 15 NISAN - 3/28 Phoebe and Don Sugarman Joanna and Ellis Fribush Samuel Bookless Nanette Rosenthal Florence Horn Sanford Bookless CHANUKAH CONCERT HARRY AND ENID Libby Perlman Nan Bookless In memory of FUHRMAN FUND Rose Weiss and Maxine Bookless Elie Hammerling In honor of Gabrielle Sam Karlin Cooper's acceptance to BRAUN MEMORIAL medical school 16 NISAN - 3/29 GARDEN Thomas Cooper In memory of Florrie Solomon In memory of Marjorie Rosenthal Evelyn Promisel Rabbi Morris Fuhrman Joel Bastow Get well wishes to Bertha Rosenblatt Meryl and Richard Cooper Mary Temple Ellen Brodbar Joanna and Ellis Fribush Janet and David Rothstein Maxine Bookless GENERAL DONATIONS Harvey Lehrer 17 NISAN - 3/30 In memory of Ethel Taubin CAMERA FOR and Susan Frisch Lehrer Harry Weinberger LIVESTREAMING Morton Taubin and Rochelle Leinwand Jacob L. Becker Alexandra Warshaw CHESED FUND Hyman Bitensky Bobbi and Mike Cohn In appreciation of In memory of Ferenc Glattstein Brenda and Fred Landes Manefa Shelomentseva Sol Goldman Ellen and Stu Masters Rabbi David Weiner for Sam Murray Mandel Karlin's funeral Nina Shelomentseva In appreciation of Joel, Sharon and Eric Karlin In memory of Leizer Tryster Ed and Cindy Helitzer and all In memory of Ronald Haft Rochelle Leinwand 18 NISAN - 3/31 their work on behalf of KI and Morton Taubin David Siegel Fran and Joel Wolk Sheila Donath Anna Herman Julius Kramer ELIE HAMMERLING ENDOWMENT Elliott Krancer Minimum donation to funds is $5. Stella Goldberg In honor of LeVine Endowment fund minimum is $10. Myrna Hammerling for all Alice Weeks her good teaching and all Bradley Jay Medney We welcome contributions in any amount. her good deeds Anne Levy Contributions of less than $5 not publicized. Diana Geller and Frieda Rosenthal Andy Geller

14 n KOL K.I. • MARCH 2021 • ADAR / NISSAN 5781 Funds & Endowments Funds & Endowments Rosh Chodesh (continued from page 1) The January meeting focused on “Surviving the Pandemic”. Women shared their feelings about zoom exhaustion, lack HEBREW SCHOOL FUND In memory of David Gersh of sunlight and not being able to hug the ones we love. We In memory of Miriam Maduro and Family also commiserated and laughed about how much money we Ann Klein In appreciation of are saving on clothes, cosmetics and travel. It was evident to Bobbi and Mike Cohn Meals of consolation all that showing up and seeing each other felt positive and Brenda and Fred Landes reassuring. Sharon, Joel and Eric Karlin Ellen and Allen Rosenblatt Karen and Bruce Jacobs In memory of Lois Gottlieb Thanks to a volunteer group of Rosh Chodesh members we have planned the themes for this coming year. Len and Alice Schiller Suellen Havsy Marcia and Charles Mandel Karen Ruderman In memory of Robert Staskin Here is a look ahead at the next few months: Phoebe and Don Sugarman Susan Staskin The February meeting will focus on Tu Bishvat and the signif- Rebecca and icance of trees in our ecosystem. Jesse Cook-Dubin RABBI SANFORD In memory of Louise Clark SHANBLATT ENDOWMENT The March meeting will brain storm ideas for a meaningful In honor of Kermit Goodman Pesach during a pandemic. How do we make it more than a Brenda and Fred Landes In memory of 40 minute zoom gathering? In memory of Rabbi Sanford D. Shanblatt April’s meeting will discuss the meaning of Tikun Olam. How August Rossomando Charlotte Shanblatt does this have meaning for you personally? Janet and David Rothstein and Family In memory of Sam Karlin In May we will highlight women we admire and how they OVEN REPLACEMENT have affected our lives and our world. Charlotte, Jonathan Brian In memory of and Neal Shanblatt In the June meeting we will share our experiences of how Bernard Helitzer life “hacks” have made your life easier. Puzzled? Join us and JOSEPH AND PAULINE Jerome Goldman find out what this is about. Ed and Cindy Helitzer SIEGEL ENDOWMENT In honor of It is important to note that these meeting themes are flexi- RABBI'S Mindy Stein's 65th Birthday! ble. We strive to be relevant and current. We want to stress DISCRETIONARY FUND Larry Siegel that it does not matter where you live at this moment. The In memory of blessing of zoom is that being in Florida, New York or out Archie Snyder SHARON AND IRA SIEGEL of the country, you can easily join us. This is an open group. Therefore, we welcome all female members of KI. We would Bernard Snyder ENDOWMENT In memory of be especially delighted to welcome any new members. We Ruth Lubin hope everyone will participate, using Rosh Chodesh to reach Andrew, Sandra, Anna David Sacks out, listen and know that we are a community and support and Rosie Snyder Lillian Sacks each other. Sharon Siegel In memory of Martin Gelber If you have any questions or comments please feel free to Beth and Roger Kruvant ARTHUR AND SYLIVA contact Jan Zimbler [email protected] or Maxine Bookless In memory of STEIN ENDOWMENT [email protected] Nathan H. Winter In memory of Sam Karlin Florence and Steven Winter Clyde and Lorita Decorie Dave Pill In memory of Garret and Suzanne Dubois Irving Rosenfeld Jerome, Sherry and Janet Rosenfeld Kramer Beth Kaiman Remember a loved one, honor a Margaret and special occasion, a friend, or In memory of Morris Goldner Alexander Williamson family member, by a donation Marian and Marshall Raser Reanne Palmer to the Bima Flower Fund. Ron and Judy Moriarty • Call Naomi Schwartz at 413-841-0006 •

KOL K.I. • MARCH 2021 • ADAR / NISSAN 5781 n 15 Non-Profit Org. U.S. POSTAGE PAID Pittsfield, MA 01201 Permit # 70

learn. inspire. grow. together. •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 16 Colt Road l Pittsfield, MA 01201 knessetisrael.org