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Beth Israel- the West Temple BULLETIN April 2004 -Nisanliyar 5764

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Beth Israel- the West Temple BULLETIN April 2004 -Nisanliyar 5764 r Beth Israel- The West Temple BULLETIN April 2004 -NisanlIyar 5764 Our Mission * A Message From Rabbi Lettofsky * To be a center of worship Dear Friends, and vital community life where Jews and their As I write this letter, it is snowing (again), but it is my fervent hope that when you read it we will be rejoicing in the coming of families from Cleveland's spring, and spring, as you know, brings with it the holiday of western communities learn Passover with its beautiful customs and rituals. Jewish traditions and values, The traditional custom of reading the biblical scroll of Canticles develop their Jewish identity, (Song of Songs) during the week of Passover is very precious; and assure the continuity the loss of familiarity with this beautiful love song in contemporary Reform and Conservative congregations because ofJewish life. we have eliminated its chanting is truly regrettable. The love of youth - even infatuation - is celebrated in this unusual biblical book, and many have wondered how such a work was included in the Bible. This Month * The broadly accepted answer is that the rabbis, and particularly Rabbi Akiba, read this love song as an allegory of the love of the Rabbi's Message ............ 1 People of Israel and God. How invigorating and exciting it President's Message ........... 2 would be if we could infuse our prayers and studies of Torah with the strong energies of the love of youth! Education Notes ............. 3-4 Torah Talk ......................... 4 Passover celebrates not only the beauty and hope of spring, but The Book Comer ............... 5 also the joy and excitement of the love of our people's youthful relationship with God in Egypt. That is where the relationship of April Celebrations ............. 6 God and His young people began. That was over three thousand Yahrzeiten ......................... 7 years ago - a long time for a "marriage" to remain exciting and Condolences ...................... 8 vibrant. Contributions ..................... 8 Every year on Passover we "relive" and recall the excitement of Maze! Tov ......................... 9 that early relationship. Just as a couple who has been married for Community Notes ........ 9-10 many years looks back and remembers their first meeting and first date with great fondness, so we, as a people, look back to Editor's Notes .................. 11 our first meeting with God. May we all recapture some of the joy Honors Schedule ............. 12 and energy of "young love" as we celebrate Passover again this April Calendar ................. 13 year. Hag Sameach! Rabbi Lettofsky President's Message: Plan to be there for the Big Night - and bring friends! We rely on the support of all our. Gala =Fun 'and Fundraising' * , \ , members and look forward to another fun and ... .. ~ _ ,6.' ... On Saturday evening, May 1, Beth Israel's memorable Gala evening. members, friends, neighbors, and supporters will all gather for our bi-annual Gala Fund­ Shalom, Raising event - an elegant evening filled with Maryellen Cudney fun, laughs, entertainment, raffles - all in all, President, Board of Trustees the most enjoyable opportunity to support our congregation in a big way. The hard work of Gala chairs Linda Schertzer and Laura Green Stout and the members of The entire Congregation is invited to join in their committee will result in a special event celebration and worship as that is elegant, entertaining, and delicious. BRIANNE ELLIS We'll start the evening with a cocktail hour is called to the Torah as a Bat Mitzvah featuring gourmet wine and snacks. Everyone will have a chance to schmooze while we bid 10:30 am. Saturday, April 17 on an array of gorgeous theme baskets and silent auction items. Of course, the centerpiece of the evening will be the newest Feldman-Rosen Production­ A kiddush will follow in Ratner-Hall The Zion King! If you've never experienced after the service. the wonderful musical parodies that spring from the amazing imagination of Charlotte ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Feldman, you are in for a super treat. Her CHANGE OF LUNCHEON LOCATION shows are always a wonderful amalgam of touching and true balanced with plenty of fun and nonsense - all to the tune of delightful, Due to circumstances beyond our control, the memorable songs. With Rhoda Rosen Luncheon following Brianne's Bat Mitzvah directing, assisted by Diana Strongosky, all of service has been moved to the Park our great homegrown talent gets a chance to PlazalRadisson Hotel, 7230 Engle Road, shine. After each new production everyone Middleburg Heights. It is just off 1-71 and says, "This was the best one yet!" So get Bagley Road. ready for a NEW best with this year's show. The Burlee-Ellis Family The Zion King promises to be another big hit -' not to be missed. ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• BRIANNE'S TZEDAKAH PROJECT After the show, we'll round out the evening with heavenly desserts prepared by our own Brianne is c~llecting old cell phones 'to benept a talented members and many generous donors. batter:ed wom~il's shelter. Ifyou'would like:to rhe, Gala-is al~~ys a llnique and eleg'ant donate your old c.ell phone, it would be ' :- evening, providing all enjoyable way to keep appreciated. , Beth Israel running smoothly and debt free. ,2 Education Notes exciting experience ... just ask the Neumanns (David and Holly), Levins (James and Jill, Dayenu ~ ll.t Would Have Been Enough! Trevor, Frankie, and MJ), Kellers (Joel and . Linda), Atzenhoffers (Mark-and Lynn, Mara and This past winter, the.students.in our ' Eli), Kramers (Keith and Sandy, Kevin and religious school and members and families of Ashley), Roches (Robyn, London and Dylan), r - our congregation went on some amazing Jacobs (Rick 'and' Brooke, Chandler, Brianna, Journeys ... and Max), Foxes (Allan and Judy and Sarah), Had we just gone to New York - Rands (Michael and Tamara, Ed and Dan), and Dayenu! Pat Outlaw. In January, along with Rabbi and Jean Had we just gone to Washington, D. C. - Lettofskyand Brian Friedman, I had the Dayenu! privilege of taking our high school seniors on a And while we were in Huron, Ken trip to "Jewish New York". Over the course of Cooper and four members of our Confirmation two and a half [bone-chilling] days (!) we visited Class were in Washington, D.C. attending Panim the Lower East Side, attended Erev Shabbat El Panim: Institute for Jewish Leadership and Services at B'nai Jeshuran on the upper west side Values. Ask Alex Keller, Tori Belanger, Ken with about 800 other Jews, enjoyed Shabbat Robinson, and Dennis Gold about their journey dinner with another group of students from to the office of Rep. Dennis Kucinich, the U. S. Boston at Shapiro's restaurant, took the ferry to Holocaust Memorial and Museum, American Ellis Island, found family names on the wall of History Museum, hearing the stories from D.C. 's immigrants, toured the NBC Studio and walked street people, learning with Jewish students and the halls framed with photos of [Jewish] leaders from around the country ... entertainers, laughed as an improv troupe acted And add to all of these special trips and out scenes from a "character's" life as he experiences the fact that they were made possible struggled with his American and Jewish identity, with grant monies from Federation's Fund for stood at Ground Zero while Rabbi Lettofsky the Jewish Future, JECC's Congregational chanted the Eil Mole; Racham;m for those who Enrichment Fund and Retreat Institute, and Beth perished, and walked the halls of the Museum of Israel- The West Temple ... Dayenu! Jewish Heritage awed by the collection of Judaica and the view from afar of Ellis Island. Enid C. Lader, Director Ask Matt Friedman, Joel Pendery, Dan Chait, Congregational & Family Education Megan Abady, Becki Cooper, Laura Folkman, Community Funded Position and Jessica Schecter about their journey ... Had we just gone on a wonderful * * * * * * * congregational retreat - Dayenu! "Let all who are hungry come and eat n In March, members of the congregation journeyed to The Lodge at Sawmill Creek in At Pesach time, the Haggadah reminds us to Huron, to reflect on and learn about ''Being "open the door of our home and let all who are Jewish in a Gentile World". While the adults hungry come and eat." We can do this in two discussed issues of Jewish identity and what it ways: means t.o be part of a Jewish family, the children , 1- As 'you clean your cupboards to ~e learned about the journey in 1654 that brought . way forth~ special foods for Passover, collect 23 Jews to New York. With special thaDks to ' that unopened chametz' :- crackers" cereat ,. Rabbi Lettofsky, Donna Sweet, Susan'Wa"gner, cookies, beans, rice, past~ etc:· ~ and bring it to and Linda Schwin ... this was a spirit-filled and 3 the temple for the West Park Community Food experiences. We'll complete this celebration of Cupboard ... and/or ... Israel's birthday with cake for all! 2 - What is the cost of an extra place at your seder table? Send a contribution to MAZON: The Jewish Response to Hunger, 1990 S. Bundy Dr., Suite 260, Los Angeles, CA Shabbat Morning Torah Study continues' in 90025-5232, so that all who are hungry can April as we read the book of Leviticus. All are " .' come and eat. invited to join the discussion on Shabbat mornings from 10:00 to 10:45 a.m. * * * * * * * April 3 - Tzav Lev. 6:1-8:36 rd Tot Shabbat - Saturday, April3 - 10:30 Offerings are described, as well as the a.m. - Parents with infants and toddlers are consecration of the priests and the tabernacle invited to come for a morning filled with Pesach which begins the institution of formal communal preparations, Shabbat songs and stories, and worship in ancient Israel.
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