B’YACHADYTOGETHER Volume 77, No.4 February 2012 – Shevat/Adar 5772

Introducing Rabbi Rick Jacobs FEBRUARY 2012 by Rabbi Martin P. Beifield, Jr. Schedule of Shabbat Worship

About fifteen Beth Ahabah members were among the five thousand Friday, February 3 or so people who attended the ’s (URJ) Shabbat Shirah Service w/Adult biennial convention in December. This meeting is always among Choir and Musicians 7:30 PM the largest gathering of Jews in North America and this year’s was no exception. The URJ is the parent organization of the more than nine-hundred Reform synagogues in the United States and Canada, Friday, February 10 congregations which count over a million and a half members. Today Family Shabbat Service the Reform movement is the largest of the branches of Judaism in w/Etz Chayim 7:00 PM America. Beth Ahabah has been a member of the “Union” for more (please note time of service) than a century. Two of our members, Mike Eisenman and Earl Ferguson, both past-presidents of Beth Ahabah, sit on the Union board.

Friday, February 17 Over the past several decades, the URJ has been in the forefront of pro- Shabbat Service 7:30 PM gressive Judaism in the United States. It has supported the movement for the equality of women in religious and congregational life. It recognized the reality of intermarriage and the importance of welcoming intermarried Friday, February 24 couples into our synagogues. It fought against discrimination of gays and Shabbat Service 7:30 PM lesbians in Jewish life and in the wider society. It placed the study of Torah and spiritual renewal at the center of Reform Jewish identity. It supports a vibrant summer camp movement for thousands of Jewish youth. It operates a much envied program for American teen travel to and involvement in Israel.

Being the largest and most active of the synagogue movements does not mean that the URJ doesn’t face significant challenges. Like our and other Tu B’shevat synagogues around the country, the URJ was hit hard by the economic re- Wednesday, February 8 cession, the effects of which it is still dealing with. It caused a retrenchment THE NEW YEAR OF THE TREES of both staff and programs. It also forced a reexamination of its priorities, a process which is still going on and will take several years to unfold. Arbor Day

Over the past seventy-five years the URJ has enjoyed the leadership of sev- eral remarkable and visionary presidents. Rabbi Maurice Eisendrath led the URJ through its post-World War II period, a time marked by suburbanization of the American Jewish community and the tumultuous years of the civil rights movement and the Vietnam War. Rabbi Alexander Schindler guided the URJ during a period when the percentage of Jews who intermarried rose from ten or fifteen percent to about fifty percent and inspired the Re- form movement to welcome and embrace intermarried couples and their children rather than cast suspicion upon them. During Rabbi Eric Yoffie’s tenure, the American Jewish community embraced more traditional aspects of Jewish practice and engaged in considerable spiritual experimentation, and Rabbi Yoffie made a place for both in the Reform world.

Plant a Tree, spend a day in the park The Rabbi’s Column continues on page 2... celebrate nature’s bounty iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii The printing of all Bulletin publications has been endowed by the generosity of Anne and Mark Sternheimer. Page 2 B’Yachad February 2012

The Rabbi’s Column continued from page 1... B’ruchim Habaim – Welcome to the New Members of Congregation Beth Ahabah At this Biennial, Rabbi Rick Jacobs became the new presi- June 1 – December 31, 2011 dent of the URJ. He is faced with formidable challenges if the Reform movement is to remain a strong force in Erika Schiff DeWitt & Alexander DeWitt and their American Jewish life. Rabbi Jacobs is an able leader with a children Emma & Hannah respected career as a congregational rabbi. He knows well the currents which are shaping contemporary Jewish life Irene & Matt Montero and is committed to a strong Jewish future. We wish him Limor Glazer & Gary Schwam and their children great success and offer him our support for the task ahead. Carly & Briana Amy & Seth Leibowitz and their children Jordan & Taly Vicki & Eric White Emily O’Connor & Jacob White Millie Becker & Alan Schulman and their children Eli, Leo & Charlie Zhanna & Yevgeniy Dolganski and their children Oleg & Emily Sylvia & Steve Farbstein and their children Brooke & Brandon Carolyn & Ronald Goldenberg A Great Way to Start the Weekend Peter Goldin & Brian Hollis by Ron Kasoff, president Cheryl Miller & Steven Grossman and their children I have to confess, I haven’t always been a regular attendee at Samantha & Madeline Shabbat Services. There often seem to be many hurdles to overcome to make it to Temple on Friday night: schedules, Dianne & Sherman Master travel, weariness, etc. I have learned there are many more Kerry & Adam Peskin good reasons to make the effort. As my kids were growing up, they were encouraging us to attend more frequently and Anne & Murray Schwartz were often reminding us why we wanted to be there. Jason Klinghoffer Growing up in a Conservative Temple, the services were Karen & Steven Gross and their children Jordan longer, a bit stiff, had less singing, but were mandatory. The & Asher saving grace was seeing my friends. But the services at Beth Jennifer & Jeffrey McCabe and their children Ahabah are light years ahead of my old temple’s services, plus Madison & Taylor I can still see my friends. Having the opportunity to socialize before and after service, with new and old acquaintances, is Sydney Robinson & Michael Huberman and their a nice way to end the work week. The music alone is enough child Joseph to me excited about services. I love the melodies, the Mya Anitai variation of selections, participation of the congregation and the leadership of our professionals and the choir. Sometimes Michelle & Joseph Anderson I just sit and listen to enjoy it all, other times I sing loudly. The Victoria Gross & Daniel Coelho and their children prayer selections and the intellectual stimulation of the D’Var Audrey & Beatrice Torah always remind me why we are there in the first place and bring me out of the mundane activities to think about the Lisa & David Solodar and their children Eli & Max big picture. And how can you not be in awe to look around Clare Sisisky & Zachary Sisisky and their child Eva our magnificent sanctuary while the music and prayers are going on and melt into your seat in the pew. It’s a fabulous Genevieve Okuma & David Sella-Villa setting to pull all the effects together and unwind, time after Michele & Samuel Asher time. I hope to see you there on Friday nights. Marna Kalman Page 3 B’Yachad February 2012

FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR... Memories by Russell Finer, FSA By Cantor Annie L. Bornstein

Everything comes to an end. Everything I would like to share this author unknown except for the memories we have. reflection which I recently came across and MEMORY is our ability to store, retain found to be particularly moving: and restore information and past experi- ence in the human brain. Think of how BE THANKFUL many songs you know that have chosen the words “memory” or “remember” in Be thankful that you don’t have everything their titles or themes. Remember Barbra you desire. If you did, what would there be Streisand’s “Memories…light the corners of our to look forward to? minds…misty water colored memories…of the way we were…” Even CATS focused on memory! “Try to remember Be thankful when you don’t know something for …” Memory is an essential piece of the puzzle that is the it gives you the opportunity to learn. human condition. Judaism traditionally emphasizes memory Be thankful for the difficult times; during these times you in the recounting of the Torah and in liturgical texts. The word grow. zachor – remember – appears in the Bible at least 167 times Be thankful for your limitations because they give you op- including in the Ten Commandments: “Zachor et yom ha- portunities for improvement. Shabbat l’kadsho” – Remember the Sabbath Day to keep it Holy”. “Remember the Day on which you went free from Be thankful for each new challenge because it will build your Egypt, the House of Bondage, how God freed you from it strength and character. with a mighty hand” (Exodus. 13:3). “I will remember my covenant which is between Me and you and every living Be thankful for your mistakes; they will teach you valuable creature among all flesh” (Genesis 9:15). Without memory, lessons. we would live only in the present unaware of all the people, Be thankful when you’re tired and weary because it means experiences and lessons whose influence has helped to mold us into the people we are today. We have tried to you’ve made a difference. strengthen our communal memory, those experiences upon which we have built our Jewish existence. Memory is not It’s easy to be thankful for the good things. history; memory is much more powerful because it gathers A life of rich fulfillment comes to those who are also thankful from various parts of our brains the experiences, events for the setbacks. and different time periods that allow us to construct our Gratitude can turn a negative into a positive. “now.” The phenomenon of personal memory reflected in thoughts of those whom we have loved and who have died Find a way to be thankful for your troubles and they can - is perhaps the most meaningful. We remember beloved become your blessings. family and friends, heroes and freedom fighters because they have touched our lives with love, sharing, lessons and experiences that cannot be exchanged or replaced by any other person. Memory is the tribute we pray to those who have influenced us, who have changed our lives and have helped us to define our humanity. Those whom we honor Israel Study Group with live on in our memories and we give thanks for the times Rabbi Beifield that we have shared with them. Memory is the essence of experience. It represents a change in who we are because it The 2nd Tuesday of each month is predictive of who we are to become. What we remember In the Markel Room from the past has a lot to do with what we can learn in the at the Joel House future. In April we will commemorate Yom haShoah – or (The 2nd floor conference room) Yom haZikaron, the Shabbat set aside for remembering those who lost their lives in the Holocaust. The overwhelming Temple members are invited to join a monthy discussion theme is that of remembrance - We need to remember the of issues related to Israel. Rabbi Beifield, who leads the Holocaust so that it will never again happen to any People. group, sends out a short reading which forms the basis It is part of our collective Jewish memory; it is part of our for each session. The next session is February 14th at personal memory and it is part of the memory of the entire 12:00 pm. For more information contact Rabbi Beifield, civilized world. Please check the Temple mailings and join [email protected]. with us in April…as we remember… Page 4 B’Yachad February 2012

Encountering Beth Ahabah: social and political causes centered around the welfare of Reflections and Impressions the Jewish people, with a particular emphasis on the State Steven Windmueller, Ph.D. of Israel. I think my communal service reflected a commit- ment to prophetic Judaism, a core value of our movement. As one of the historic congregations in our nation, Beth Ahabah has played key roles in shaping and contributing I don’t think that it was by chance that many of my peers, the to American Jewish history. One of those special chapters sons and daughters of this wave of New Americans, selected involves a generation of “new Americans” who found their careers in the helping professions and allied fields. This religious home and community at Beth Ahabah. Fleeing Nazi would serve as their statement of appreciation to this nation Germany in the late 1930’s, these German Jewish families for having rescued their parents from the hand of the Nazis. would eventually play key roles within the congregation and within the larger Richmond Jewish community. Today, as a faculty member of the College-Institute, I have occasion to teach about the American Jewish experience My family was certainly no exception. Aunts, uncles and which affords me the opportunity to offer some reflections cousins would join my parents in forming their Jewish con- on growing up in Richmond as a marker of how congrega- nections at Beth Ahabah. My father in particular became tions and communities change, reminding them that in the enthralled with Virginia Jewish history and the significant end however we are forever linked to our respective stories. role that Beth Ahabah had played in that story. This led to involvement in creating the archives that has served to docu- ment and celebrate this chapter in Virginia and American Jewish history. In turn, my mother for many years served as Dr. Steven Windmueller is the Rabbi Alfred Gottschalk a religious school teacher. Their engagement with Jewish Emeritus Professor of Jewish Communal Studies at life would serve as the framework for my later connections. Hebrew Union College, Los Angeles campus. My exposure to the congregation came in multiple forms. I would be the first bar mitzvah (1955) in some fifteen years. During my high school years our rabbis, Ariel Goldburg and Saul Rubin, would often encourage me to consider the rab- binate as a career option, and in turn, they were instrumental in my initial acceptance to Hebrew Union College and the University of Cincinnati, once I had decided to pursue this path. Obviously in the end my education and career took a significantly different direction; yet interestingly enough that journey would ultimately bring me back to HUC some Tu B’Shevat twenty years ago. Tu B’Shevat is the fifteenth day of the Hebrew month One needs to remember the events surrounding the late Shevat. It is a celebration of trees and nature and the cycle 1950’s and especially the early 60s. The drama of the civil of renewal. It is sometimes referred to as Chag HaIlanot rights movement would impact and define the role that – the Festival of the Trees. It is customary to plant trees, Southern Jewry would play, and in more direct terms, it was either in Israel or anywhere in the world, in celebration of a moment in time during which my generation could observe Tu B’Shevat. On this day, we remember that all the trees, the important but often “silent” work of key heroic figures plants, seeds and fruits were given to us by God. within our community and congregation to advance social equality and political rights. Through the temple’s youth God said: (Genesis 1:29-31) “See, I give you every seed group and other activities, we were confronted regularly bearing plant that is upon all the earth and every tree that with this defining reality of our times. is upon all the earth, and every tree that has seed bearing fruit; they shall be yours for food. And it was so.” Beyond the impact of the times, classical reform was a And God saw that it was done and that it was very good. dominant feature of Beth Ahabah’s liturgy and religious culture. In addition, many of the congregation’s leaders dur- ing this era were closely aligned with the American Council for Judaism with its anti-Zionist bias. In some measure I had great difficulty with both of these ideologies as neither of them seemed compelling or appropriate for the second half of the 20th century. As a result my graduate studies at the University of Pennsylvania in political science and my professional involvement with the American Jewish Com- mittee and the federation system, I became associated with Page 5 B’Yachad February 2012 Barbara & William B. Thalhimer, Jr. Religious School News

by Ramona Brand Religious School Director Tot Shabbat Pray and sing with the Rabbis and Cantor! Crafts and stories with Ramona! Tu B’Shevat Gala Celebration at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden Saturday, February 25th at 9:15 am Sunday, February 5, 2012 Service – 9:15 am in the chapel 10:00am -12:00 noon Snack, crafts and social time follows in the Joel House Theme: Miztvot For the Eternal your God is bringing you into a good land…of wheat and barley, of vines, figs and pomegranates, a land of olive oil and honey. ~Deuteronomy 8:7-8 4th Grade Gesher and Beth Ahabah Family Learning Academy: In Israel, it is the month of Shevat and the sea- February 12, 2012 son of spring. Tu B’Shevat marks the time of year Theme: Getting ready for when the fruits began to form. By contrast, February in North America is often dreary and cold. Plants are still All adults are welcome to join the Rabbi at 9:30 am in the dormant and we are months away from budding fruits. chapel. Grade level parents then join their students and How then to celebrate a holiday which commemorates teachers at 10:30 am for more learning and a hands-on the traditional crops of Israel (the seven species) and project. has an ecological focus? By bringing the community to the trees!!!

On Sunday, February 5, 2012 the entire community is invited to celebrate Tu B’Shevat at the Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden. This gala event will include activities for the whole family. Taste the first fruits of Israel; experience a walk-through Seder; go on a tree Scavenger hunt in the Conservatory; participate in a docent tour of the Lewis Ginter grounds. Learn about ways to be more YOUTH NEWS: ecological at home and in nature.

Surround yourself with the sights, sounds, smells and tastes of nature!!

This is an activity for the whole family!! There will not be regular Sunday School classes at Beth Ahabah on that day.

February Religious School Calendar Ruach Chadash!! A New Spirit! Performs at the Sunday: 5 (at the Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden),12, 26 Mondays: 6, 13, 27 Tu B’Shevat Gala Midweek Hebrew Wednesdays: 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 First Steps: 12, 26 February rehearsals: 12, 26 Play Group: 5 (at the Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden)

Religious School News continues on page 6... Page 6 B’Yachad February 2012

Religious School News continued from page 5... All programs are open to both members and non-members of Congregation Beth Ahabah.

Jr. Youth Groups: Chaverim and Jr. JeRAFTY A FUN AND WELCOMING SACRED COMMUNITY FOR FAMILIES WITH YOUNG CHILDREN Tot Shabbat PLAYGROUP FUN • FAMILY • FRIENDS • WORSHIP Sunday Mornings • 9:30am A playgroup for parents and their Friday Evenings • 5:30pm children (five years old and younger), begins with a FREE dinner where we focus on time to meet in the Joel House, and service one another, build community, at 6pm in the Sanctuary and playtime for the kids! January 20th Rabbi Gallop will help the group March 30th to develop activites together, April 20th involving field trips and playtime at Beth Ahabah. We will meet in the First Steps NEW!!! Lego Club classroom on the second floor of Let your imagination soar as you build fantastic creations the Religious School building. January 15th April 29th with Legos! For students in grades K - 5. Fee: $5 for pizza. Saturday Mornings 9:15am • Gumenick Chapel February 5th May 20th February 12th from 12:00 - 1:00 pm in Room 108. February 25th Mitzvot Theme March 4th Please RSVP to [email protected]

NEW!!! Art Club with Sarah Bradsher Calling all artists! Art Club will help design, build, and paint the set for Purim Shpiel. Sunday, February 12th ; and Sunday, February 26th from For more information, contact Lori Lacy at [email protected] or 358-6757. 12:00 - 1:00 pm, meet in Room 202. Congregation Beth Ahabah • 1111 W. Franklin St. • Richmond, VA 23220 No fee but please RSVP to r.brand@ bethahabah.org Free 10-Day Israel Experience For more information about Lego Club and Art Club contact Give the gift of a lifetime. Sign-up your 18-26 year-old Ramona at [email protected] or 804.358.6757. to join tens of thousands of others for a free, fun and

adventure filled Israel experience. The Union for Reform Judaism, an official Taglit-Birthright Israel program sponsor, offers a free 10-day trip to Israel for all Jewish 18-26 year olds. The Taglit-Birthright Israel: KESHER Trip

provides young adults with the opportunity to explore the will be for me? If I am only for myself, what am I? And, if cobblestone alleyways of ancient Jerusalem, camp in a not now, when? ~ Hillel Bedouin tent, experience modern Israel’s vibrant nightlife, travel with new friends and connect with Israel.

To date, more than 250,000 young adults have taken advantage of Taglit-Birthright Israel. Birthright inspires participants to explore their Jewish identity, to deepen engagement in Jewish life and to feel a personal con-

If I am not for myself who If I am not for myself nection to the land and people of Israel. Congregation Beth Ahabah Midrasha Retreat • February 24-26, 2012 Don’t miss out on providing your 18-26 year old the op- Midrasha Retreat portunity of a lifetime. February 24–26, 2012 To apply for the free KESHER 10-Day Taglit-Birthright Israel experience visit http://www.kesherbirthright.org/. for 8th–10th Grade Students Preference can only be given if you sign up for the Contact Rabbi Gallop KESHER trip. at 358-6757 or [email protected] for more information. Page 7 B’Yachad February 2012

About Tu B’Shevat from URJ... biblical text is replete with trees, both literal and metaphori- cal. And Torah itself is often called etz chayim, a Tree of Tu B’Shevat or the “New Year of the Trees” is Jewish Arbor Life, following a passage in Proverbs. Day. The holiday is observed on the fifteenth (tu) of Shevat. Scholars believe that Tu BiSh’vat was originally an agricul- How did our ancestors observe Tu B’Shevat? tural festival, marking the emergence of spring. Today, Tu After we were exiled from the land of Israel, the tithing sys- B’Shevat has also become a tree planting festival in Israel, tem came to an end. Tu B’Shevat lingered on as a minor in which both Israelis and Jews around the world plant trees festival and harbinger of spring, a day when fasting and in honor or in memory of a loved one or friend. penitential prayers were prohibited. Some marked the 15th of Shevat by eating fifteen different types of fruits on that Though the observance of Tu B’Shevat has a long and varied day. Fruits from Israel such as olives, dates, grapes, figs, history, the theme most commonly ascribed to the holiday and pomegranates were highly valued for such meals. Of today is the environment. It is considered a festival of nature, special note is the carob. Carob trees take many years to full of wonder, joy, and thankfulness for God’s creation as bear fruit, so they remind us of our obligation to plant for we anticipate the renewal of the natural world. During this our children and grandchildren. We must take good care festival we consider our obligation to care for God’s world, of the earth so that we leave a healthy world to those who of which we are the custodians, and our responsibility for will come after us. sharing the fruits of God’s earth with all. Where does the Tu B’Shevat seder come from? Many Jewish communities observe this holiday by focusing With the revival of Jewish mysticism—kabbalah—in the on social justice programs with an environmental focus, sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, Tu B’Shevat received hosting seders, and planting trees. renewed attention and importance. The kabbalists created a special ritual, modeled after the Pesach seder, which cel- Seders ebrated God’s presence in the natural world. This ceremony The Jewish mystics of the 17th century, the Kabbalists, focused on eating several varieties of fruit and drinking four created a special ritual modeled after the Passover seder, different colors of wine. As the rituals and readings for the to celebrate God’s presence in nature. As with the Passover Tu B’Shevat seder developed, they were eventually collected seder, the Tu B’Shevat seder evolved to include four cups into a book, Pri Etz Hadar, (The Fruit of the Goodly Tree), of wine, but in varying shades of red. Various fruits are also which was published in 1753. eaten. Many of our contemporary Tu B’Shevat haggadot draw on Why do trees get a New Year? its rituals. Often we group the fruits into three types: fruits Tu B’Shevat is first mentioned in the Mishnah, the code of with tough outer shells and edible interiors (melons, peanuts, Jewish law that dates back to around 200 CE. There, in pomegranates, coconuts, citrus, etc), fruits with edible exte- Rosh Hashanah 1:1, the text speaks of four new years, all riors and inedible pits (dates, olives, plums, peaches, apples, of which are connected to an ancient cycle of tithes (much etc) and fruits that are entirely edible (berries, figs, grapes, as we have different fiscal and tax years). Each year, the etc). These are said to represent different seasons and/ Israelites were expected to bring one-tenth of their fruits to or ways of being in the world, often following kabbalistic the Temple in Jerusalem, where they were offered to God categories. and also helped sustain the priestly class and the poor. Since fruit from one year could not be used to tithe for another, Is there a connection between Tu B’Shevat and plant- the Rabbis had to determine when a crop year would begin ing trees in Israel? and end. They chose the month of Shevat as the cut-off Tu B’Shevat was also nourished by the rise of the Zionist date, for this is when, in Israel, the sap begins to run and movement in the late nineteenth and twentieth centuries, the trees start to awaken from their winter slumber, before which re-emphasized the Jewish people’s connections with beginning to bear fruit. The school of Shammai argued for the land and the natural world. The Zionist pioneers did the first of Shevat, but, as usual, the opposing school of a remarkable job of re-foresting the land of Israel, largely Hillel, which suggested the 15th, prevailed. under the auspices of the Jewish National Fund (Keren Kayemet l’Yisrael). This effort was strongly supported by Is Tu B’Shevat in the Torah? the contribution of Diaspora Jews, who often donated trees Technically, no. Like Chanukah, Tu B’Shevat is a post-biblical on special occasions such as births, weddings, and Bar and festival, instituted by the Rabbis. However, the holiday Bat Mitzvahs. The JNF continues to promote Tu B’Shevat, certainly has biblical roots. The tithing system dates back and the re-forestation of Eretz Yisrael—which is especially to the Torah, and, furthermore, Torah is deeply concerned important in the wake of the recent terrible fires. with trees, harvests, and the natural world—all of which are at the heart of Tu B’Shevat. From the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil in the Garden of Eden to Deuteronomy’s injunction against destroying fruit trees in times of war, the Page 8 B’Yachad February 2012

Tell Me a Bubbe Mayse: The Art of Jewish Storytelling A Four-Part Lecture and Participation Series Sponsored by the Adult Education and Programming Committee Congregation Beth Ahabah • Goldberg Auditorium • 7:30pm Please join us for four evenings of insight into the Jewish tradition of storytelling: scary, funny, sacred, heretical, and most importantly, personal. This series stretches from biblical times, through the Middle Ages, into the 21st Century and from the Garden of Eden to your own back yard. February 14: A Valentine’s Day Look at the World’s First Love Story Julie Galambush, Professor of Religious Studies, College of William and Mary “Adam and Eve: Retelling the Story Throughout History and What it Means Now” February 21: Freaks and Monsters of Jewish Legend Jerry Smith, Professor Emeritus of Modern Languages and Literatures, College of William and Mary “Elia Levita Bachur’s Bovo Buch: Our Earliest (1507) Written Example of Popular Yiddish Fiction” Brian Meyer, Congregation Beth Ahabah “Superhuman Figures in Jewish Storytelling: from Samson to the Golem to the Incredible Hulk” February 28: Grandma, Tell Me a Story About When You Were Little Laura Pershin Raynor, renowned storyteller, leads us in a workshop about the structure and character of Jewish family stories. March 7: Once, Long Ago and Far Away... Ramona Brand, Congregation Beth Ahabah Stories from the Congregation: workshop participants try their hands at delivering the quintessential bubbe mayse.

coffee and dessert will be provided during the the lecture

Important Milestones in the Life of Jewish Children Consecration•Bar/Bat Mitzvah•Confirmation Sunday, February 26th • 10:30am OurHome A Safe Environment for All Types of Jewish Families to Discuss, be Supported, and Explore Together

A Simchah Opportunity

Mazal Tov! Happy Birthday and/or Happy Anniversary! We encourage you to come celebrate with your Beth Ahabah family as well as give you the opportunity to sponsor an Oneg Shabbat or the bimah flowers.

Contact Executive Director, Russell Finer, to make ar- rangements. Page 9 B’Yachad February 2012

Living Judaism

Sofie Stahl Award for 2012: Cooking with Nominations being sought for an Outstanding Volunteer Rabbi Goodman Each year in May, Gila Chapter of Jewish Women Interna- Space is limited, so please RSVP to Lori Lacy tional and the Stahl family proudly honor a Jewish woman at [email protected] or 358-6757 who has demonstrated a life long commitment to helping as soon as possible. Reservations will not her community by awarding the Sofie Stahl Memorial be final until payment is received. Award. The award is presented during a dessert recep- tion. Plans are for the 2012 presentation to take place Spring classes, grouped before Passover, on Wednesday, May 23rd at the Weinstein JCC. will help us explore the possibilities of kosher for Passover cooking that is creative, gourmet, and, most importantly, delicious: Jewish Women International, founded in 1897 is an orga- nization of 75,000 members and supporters, committed Sunday, February 12th, 9:15am – Passover 1 to pursuit of tikkun olam — repairing the world — locally, Creative takes on Traditional Foods nationally and internationally. Its mission is summed up Sunday, March 4th, 9:15am – Passover 2 through the tag line of “safe homes, healthy relationships, Gourmet, Worldly, and Kosher for Passover strong women.” Sunday, March 25th, 9:15am – Passover 3 Desserts! Nominations are now being accepted for an exceptional Jewish woman who possesses outstanding qualities dem- onstrated through her history of volunteerism. This award is being sought from all of the Richmond area Jewish organizations and synagogues. In addition, any individual in the community may nominate someone. Please send a nominating letter that includes the following: nominee’s volunteer/community organizations (Jewish and secular) and years of service, outstanding achievements in busi- ness or professional associations, and a short description of how the nominee’s leadership participation has made significant contributions to the Jewish community. An electronic nomination form may be requested by emailing [email protected].

Letters will be accepted via USPS or email and should Acts of Faith be sent to: Jewish Women International, Gila Chapter, c/o Meryl Bernstein, 2806 Burrard Street, Henrico, VA 23233 or [email protected]. For questions, please call (804) 360-3131 or email Meryl. The deadline for these nominations is January 31, 2012.

A Note About Hospital Visits

Our Clergy makes visits to congregants who are in hospitals, care facilities and hospices. With new privacy The HAT Theatre on Sunday, March 11 laws in effect, this information is no longer released by Rabbi Jesse Gallop will moderate a discussion fol- the hospitals. To ensure that members are visited, please lowing the showing of the movie. For more details call the temple to notify us of the following information: visit theactsoffaith.org or hattheatre.org or call member’s name, health care facility, patient room number 804.343.6364 or 804.513.8211. and expected length of stay. Page 10 B’Yachad February 2012

Our Congregants Lives... CBA’s Adult Education Committee presents: IN SYMPATHY TO THE FAMILIES OF… HEBREW FOR BEGINNERS Elsa Marks An eight-week class teaching basic Hebrew reading mother of Jeffrey Marks, Edward Marks, & Debra Fitzgerald All serious students will be reading prayer book Hebrew grandmother of Mark Novey by the end of class. Henry Stern brother of Dina Boettcher Basic Jewish vocabulary and Religious concepts uncle of Sydney Fleischer Eleanor Friedenberg Team Teachers: Rabbi Beifield and Ina Ginsberg mother of Peggy Friedenberg sister-in-law of Lorraine Friedenberg Perfect for those with little or no prior knowledge of Mary Elizabeth LePage Hebrew. mother of Todd LePage Nancy Glaser Class will be held in the Joel House 7:30 - 9:00 pm CONGRATULATIONS TO… Robert Freed receiving the Brotherhood’s Sam Troy February 7, 14, 21, 28 Award. March 6, 13, 27 April 3 Beryl & John Ball on the engagement of their daughter Rachel Ball to Simon Wicks. Cost: Beth Ahabah members – $30 per person or couple THANK YOU... Non-members – $60 per person or couple Susan Hill & Linda Hall and their families wish to thank all those who made donations in memory of their father, For more information contact Andrea Shiflett Edward Meyer. Their generous donations to Beth Ahabah at the Temple office, 804.358.6757. or are truly appreciated and would have touched their father [email protected] deeply.

Education_family_ad2:Layout 1 6/24/11 1:05 PM Page 1 We’re looking for a Cantorial Soloist

LISTEN Parents are their children's most powerful Jewish teachers. When you learn with LEARN your children, you are a model for lifelong Jewish learning. The URJ has resources designed for all age LOVE groups, to help you learn as adults and as a family:

• Jewish Parenting Podcast • Bedtime Rituals • Berit Mila Program Congregation Beth Ahabah has begun the process of • Family Shabbat Table Talk seeking a cantorial soloist to begin summer, 2012. If you • Got Shabbat • Holiday Happenings know of an individual who may be qualified and interested, • Morning Rituals please pass along the following information. Duties • The Jewish Parent Page • Chai Family Eduat ion include: leading the congregation in song, 40 weeks an- • RJTeen nually (Friday night and Saturday morning services); sing- • Resources for Parents ing for holiday services; assisting with music selections; of Adolescents • Significant Jewish Books participating in rehearsals with accompanist and choir. • URJ Camps Required skills include: knowledge of Reform Jewish and more… services; ability to read Hebrew. Preferred skills include: ability to read music and play guitar. Travel reimbursement www.urj.org/parents and salary negotiable. Email resume to Katie.Roeper@ gmail.com along with links to music and/or video. Page 11 B’Yachad February 2012

Brotherhood

Once again our Brotherhood members, along with members from Sisterhood, deserve a standing ovation for the fantastic job they did in bringing you the annual Hanukkah latke fest. Our crew, lead by Stanley Ullman, Sisterhood worked for 4 hours to prep and cook what congregants by Meg Marshak, president declared as the best latkes yet! The Brotherhood also cooked for the annual Sisterhood Shabbat and I want to Sisterhood has been very busy. We just completed Sister- extend my thanks to all for teaming up to do such great hood Shabbat with a wonderful service, with many partici- mitzvahs for our congregation. pants. The dinner, cooked by our own Brotherhood preceded services, and was yummy and enjoyed by all. The women’s The Purim Carnival will be held at the JCC on March choir sang with heart and meaning. Natan always has a way 4th. There are many different roles that need to be filled. of inspiring us to ‘mean what we sing’. Please contact John Marshak at [email protected] or Alan Corbett at [email protected]. Before we embarked on Sisterhood Shabbat, six women represented Beth Ahabah at the Biennial Assembly. Beryl Dads, you must check out this first time event…. Holzbach, Katie Roeper, Linda Ferguson, Bonnie Kasoff, Brotherhood has planned a special day for Fathers and Rachel Schmidt and myself all attended meetings and their children to spend some time together. On February workshops, to learn how to improve our Sisterhood and our 12th after Sunday school we will gather at The Beth programming. We gathered new ideas and were ‘psyched’ Ahabah Museum and Archives at noon for lunch and an to learn about what is in store for Beth Ahabah and the informative presentation by members of the museum staff. Women of Reform Judaism in the coming 2 years. From there we will get in our cars and drive to Wintergreen Resort for snow tubing from 4:00 - 6:00 PM. We have a While we were there another one of our Sisters was installed limited number of tickets available at a special group rate on the National Board of Women of Reform Judaism. Linda of only $20 per head. This also includes the lunch! This Ferguson will serve a term on the board as Katie Roeper event will likely sell out fast and tickets are available on a moves on to other work at the national level. first come first serve basis. Please contact me ASAP for details. I can be reached at 782-2013 or at martinjmiller@ Starting now your two Centennial Ambassadors, Beryl comcast.net. Holzbach and I will be learning about Beth Ahabah Sister- hood’s past and planning for its future. We will share with The Brotherhood will be sponsoring two adult education you our findings and look forward to inspiring in our women workshops. On February 26th Cantor Annie will lead a the passion of the past and dedication to the future. . Stay presentation about “The Feminist View of Purim.” On tuned for more about the WRJ-Centennial March 11th Rabbi Beifield will moderate a panel on “Zionism: Why is it so Difficult to Discuss?” Both will be We got a glimpse of the past and the present but most of held at 9:30 AM in the Goldburg and a delicious brunch will all I came away with the overwhelming feeling that Reform be served. A special thanks to Demis Stewart for arranging Judaism is alive and well. Personally, my aha moments these programs. were singing in the 120 member Biennial Choir and look- ing out at over 6,000 fellow Jews during Shabbat morning Thanks to all for your continued support of our programs. If services. It was a spine tingling morning. (not to mention you have any ideas or thoughts please feel free to contact that you knew that your face was on the JUMBOTRON me at [email protected]. for those 6,000)

Yours in Brotherhood, The other moments came when after a short wait, on Fri- Martin J. Miller, president day afternoon, President Barak Obama stepped on to the stage and delivered a speech that included Hebrew and an understanding of the Torah portion for that Shabbat. As he gave a ‘shout out’ to the NFTY participants, the adults knew that the Union of Reform Judaism’s new focus on the ‘Engagement of Youth’, is a direction needing all of our attention. Sisterhood has always supported our own JeRafty, but we are now called to push beyond and support other ventures to keep post B’nai mitzvah teens involved in Temple life and activities.

Sisterhood continues on page 12... Page 12 B’Yachad February 2012

Sisterhood continued from page 11... KOL SASSON IS COMING

A CALL FOR THE PAST AND HOPE FOR THE FUTURE. TO RICHMOND!!! If anyone among our women is passionate about history and Saturday, February 18 would love to help us search the archives for our Sisterhood 7:30 PM history, please let me know. I you know of someone who has Congregation Beth Ahabah a past story to tell, we want to get it recorded. If anyone is good at seeing prospects for the future in terms of new programming or ways to honor the Beth Ahabah women, give me a shout out, as we can always us ideas and hands. We will need all of you to put forth a Centennial Celebration that our sisters (past, present, and future) deserve.

Reminders: Anyone is welcome to attend our Board Meet- ings held the third Tuesday of each month, somewhere at the Temple. (None in February) We are working for you and need your mind and strength to continue our activities. If you can’t make it to a Board meeting then give me a call 746-2918 or an e-mail at [email protected]. All Please join the community for a Havdallah Ser- suggestions will be welcome. vice led by Reform, Conservative and Orthodox Rabbis followed by a free concert and dessert at As I savor the moments that I spend as your Sisterhood Congregation Beth Ahabah, 1111 West Franklin President, I hope that the women of Beth Ahabah set a Street beginning at 7:30 PM on Saturday, Febru - standard in terms of programming, fellowship, and mitzvot ary 18, 2012. as we continue to know that WE ARE STRONGER TOGETHER as Women of Reform Judaism. Kol Sasson has brought rich and unique enter - Meg Marshak, president tainment to local and national communities since 1 9 97. Founded by college students who wanted to share their love of music with the local Jewish community, Kol Sasson has performed around the country for audiences ranging from religious school children to senior citizens, and provided music at What’s the Alternative? functions spanning Jewish celebrations to govern - How about Alternating ment agency events. Most notably, Kol Sasson has Weeks of Torah Study performed for the National Security Agency, for and Advanced Hebrew the 2008 International Hillel Summit, for former We couldn’t decide, so, Governor of Maryland Robert Ehrlich, and in the we decided to offer both White House. Torah Study AND Hebrew! (they work really well together) Enjoy Kol Sasson’s performance with their diverse repertoire of songs including traditional Jewish, On Tuesdays from 7:30pm until 8:45pm we will study: American pop, and Israeli pop. Parshat HaShavua (Torah portion of the week) on: January 31 Also, please join Kol Sasson and Jewish teens from ? February 14 across the city for a 10:00 AM Sunday morning and Advanced Hebrew on: February 19th breakfast at Congregation Keneseth February 7 ? Beth Israel, 6300 Patterson Avenue, followed by Come to all or choose one set! ? Kol Sasson’s males only acapella performance at ? the KBI food festival. Please RSVP to 358-6787, Lori Lacy at [email protected], or to Cantor Bornstein at [email protected]. Page 13 B’Yachad February 2012

ible range of activities, and most certainly required many thousands of hours of volunteer effort each year.

The small notebook we now have because of the concern by David Farris shown by Roger Francis and the Adolf family contains Executive Director minutes of the Executive Board of Neighborhood House for the period 1918-1924. In it we find names we have come to associate with selfless volunteerism – Thalhimer, The Written Word Survives. Binswanger, Levy, Myers, Whitlock, and others. We will take The spoken word does not always do so, which the steps necessary to preserve this valuable record of may be a good thing. the past, and will add it to the significant treasure trove of information we already possess on Neighborhood House. Back when I was a contract wrangler for the City of Austin, Texas, my boss used to Our files on Neighborhood House fall into another category remind me that if you get into an argument we have come to recognize in our Archives. It belongs to a with someone the one with the best records body of knowledge that is the foundation of much future usually wins, even though those records research and, hopefully, a few master theses and doctoral may only be a few notes on the back of a dissertations. We must preserve that information, of course, table napkin. That illustrates the power of the but perhaps just as importantly we must find a way to let written word over oral history, as the former lives researchers, graduate students and other scholars know into the future as it was created while the latter that it is here to be seen. Maybe we can accomplish that begins to change with each retelling and can eventually lose on our new website. its resemblance to the truth. Here’s a bit of unrelated wisdom that came to me recently Things sometimes become lost, however, and valuable and in a fortune cookie. I liked it so much that I want to share it. interesting writings can vanish from sight for many years. We “We judge others by their actions. We judge ourselves are always happy when something related to Beth Ahabah by our intentions.” A good thought in spite of the unusual is rediscovered and brought to us for study and safekeeping. delivery system. No further comment needed. Around 1971, a Richmond sign maker (Roger Francis of Spirit Visit us at 1109 West Franklin Street any time between 10 Signs) bought a house in the older part of town. In the house and 3, except on Fridays and Saturdays. We will arrange to he found a trunk, and among the items in the trunk was a be open at other times to accommodate your out-of-town notebook of board minutes which he carefully preserved. He visitors if you will give us a call in advance. Our number is realized that it was related to the Jewish community by the 353-2668, and you can email me at d.farris@bethahabah. names he saw in it and years later gave it to Ronnie Adolf, org. who gave it to Susan Adolf, who brought it to our Museum & Archives for preservation and study.

Here’s a little background history. Throughout the country non-resident settlement houses were created to assist with That YOu'll Remember me: immigrant adjustment to America. In 1912, the Richmond Jewish voices of the civil War section of the National Council of Jewish Women established The Story of the Richmond Jewish experience th Neighborhood House at 19 & Broad Streets. There a program during the American Civil War of social, recreational, and religious activities was provided for the children of recent immigrants. Neighborhood House Sunday - Thursday, 10am to 3pm was eventually funded by the Richmond general community, offering activities for all immigrant children and their families. In April of 1945, after attendance had declined, Neighborhood Did you know? Sir Moses Ezekiel, the interna- House was closed. tionally renowned sculptor, was the first Jewish cadet to attend The programs offered there were quite varied. The Annual VMI. He fought alongside his Report for 1916 – 1917 lists the Camp Fire Group, Debating classmates at the Battle of Society for Boys, Lee Pleasure Club, Weekly Dance for Young Newmarket. Girls and Boys, Games, Sewing School, Play Hour, Manual Training Class, Piano Instruction, Cooking Class, Scout Troop, Mother’s Club, Jolly Worker’s Literary Society, Crochet Class, Robert E. Lee Club, Raffia Work, Embroidery Class, Deposits 804.353.2668 • www.bethahabah.org for Penny Savings Bank, Paper Doll Class and Story Hour, [email protected] Library, and a repair service for books. This was an incred- Page14 B’Yachad February 2012 Contributions

TEMPLE FUND Eleanor Friedenberg Henry Stern IN HONOR OF: Katy & Jimmy Yoffy Anne Meyers Russell Finer’s special birthday Janice & Robert Freed Thelma Shapiro Karen, Steven, Jordan & Edward Meyer Sheldon & Shirley Shapiro Asher Gross Milton M. Meyer, Jr. & Mildred B. Steve & Dorothy Bernstein Meyer Foundation CANTOR GOLDMAN’S Katie & Ken Roeper Frances Burlock & Alice Riegel MUSIC FUND Selma Mann’s 100th birthday Annie Lawver IN APPRECIATION: Katherine Shapiro Wootton Joseph R. Sugerman Bernard Levey IN MEMORY OF: Heidi S. Levinson IN HONOR OF: Jacob Grossman & Fern I. Jackson Cantor Annie Bornstein’s Rose Goldstein Babs & Larry Jackson Ordination as a Rabbi Judith & Isaac Koziol Laurie & Adam Nelson Robert Goodman THE RABBI’S IN MEMORY OF: Harold Goodman PHILANTHROPIC FUND Hannah Berenshteyn William B. Potash These contributions were Valeria & Natan Berenshteyn Babs & Larry Jackson received in response to the Arthur Abrams Annual Appeal: JERRY BERNSTEIN Ruth Gordon Marilyn & Jay Weinberg BROTHERHOOD FUND Harry Yaffe & Louis Weiner Lisa & Seth Kaplan IN APPRECIATION: Russell Finer Eileen & Michael Katz Robert Freed Eric Blumenthal Joanne & Edward Billowitz IN HONOR OF: Lynn B. Stevenson Amy & Richard Thalhimer Rachel Finer & Aaron Levy’s Gail & Harold Straus Claire & Bob Rosenbaum engagement Robert Woo Janice & Robert Freed Kimberly & Martin Miller Ita Brandman & Rachel Gorbaty Ellen & Brian Glass IN MEMORY OF: Ita & Alex Berenshteyn Nancy Meyer Edwin Paul Moldof Jayne G. Gross Demis Stewart Dr. Steven Morse Pam & Sandy Norman Elise & Irving Scherr Kimberly & Martin Miller Doris George Heidi Levinson Floyd Loebman Katie & Ken Roeper IN HONOR OF: Kimberly & Martin Miller Elinor Bloom Marshall Bob Reinhard’s special birthday, Connie & Larry Bloom Mazel Tov HEBREW CEMETERY FUND Elsa Marks Harry Cohn IN MEMORY OF: Margaret & John Jones Alexander Charles Pinkham’s Dr. Maurice S. Vitsky & Sandra & Jimmie Ryals baby naming Dr. Meyer Vitsky John Harrison Julia & Jamie Pinkham Betty J. Vitsky Nancy Meyer IN APPRECIATION: Ellen & Fred Ende Milton M. Meyer, Jr. & CHAI FUND Kay & Dave Wilberger Mildred B. Meyer Foundation IN MEMORY OF: Grace C. Kay Judy & Rick Grossberg Elsa Marks Katie & Ken Roeper The Marks, Fitzgerald & Novey Millie & Herb Heltzer Claude Harrison Families Stephen & Brenda Browder IN MEMORY OF: ETERNAL LIGHT FUND Irving & Rhona Blank Ruth Lee, my mother IN MEMORY OF: John,Tonya, Jonathan & Richard Lee Elsa Marks Sydney Paul Edward Goldman Joyce Rosenbaum Minnie Hirsch, Anne Zeichner & Jean Goldman Morris Zeichner Elsa Marks MT. MORIAH FUND Terry & Jerry Hirsch Betty J. Vitsky Barry & Elaine Ackman Barney Webber Peter Blumberg, Peter Pauly & IN MEMORY OF: Arlyn Webber, Adrienne, Joe, Lily Blumberg Henry Stern Michael & Stefany Fisher Judy Blumberg Daniel & Ann Stern Henry Stern Sandra Rose Tucker, my mother Ann Bendheim Cantor Frances Goldman Katy & Jimmy Yoffy Eleanor Friedenberg Claire & Bob Rosenbaum Eileen & Ed Kitces Contributions continue on page 15... Page 15 B’Yachad February 2012

Contributions continued from page 14... ENDOWMENT FUND is back IN MEMORY OF: “Tell Zel” Henry Stern Don’t be shy! Share your news with friends Fannie & Gilbert Rosenthal and family: [email protected] SADIE KIRSH R.S. FUND or 741-0403 IN MEMORY OF: Elsa Marks Dianne & Sherman Master Looking for a way to share your Nachas? MUSEUM & ARCHIVES IN HONOR OF: Allan Creeger’s 90th Birthday Celebrating a milestone in your life such as an anniver- Nancy Meyer sary, birthday or new birth in the family? How about hon- Shirley & Bob Reinhard oring a past achievement such as your Bar/Bat Mitzvah Bonnie & Mike Eisenman or Religious School Confirmation? Judy & Sheldon Markowitz Mikki Evens Congregation Beth Ahabah would love to help you honor Sara Belle & Neil November these occasions or any others that you may wish to cel- Russ Finer’s Special Birthday ebrate by inviting you to say an Aliyah during a Friday Martin & Kimberly Miller night service. Harry Cohn Mike & Bonnie Eisenman’s It’s okay if you can’t read Hebrew. The transliterated text Special Anniversary will be provided to you before the Service so that you Sophia Fleischer have plenty of time to practice. Your participation will help IN MEMORY OF: to make our Friday night Shabbat Services even more Dr. Edward Meyer glorious! Please call the Temple office at 804 358 6757 Shirley Markhoff to request a date for an Aliyah. Bernice Slipow Janet & Stanley Meyers Shirley & Bob Reinhard Sara Belle & Neil November Jane Rubens Evelyn Eisenberg Katie & Ken Roeper David & Ruby Jo Hiller David & Susan Farris Meyer Greentree II Jeffrey & Denise Greentree Dr. Susan Porter-Levy . Mikki Evens Eleanor Friedenberg Mikki Evens Edith Brenner Betty Sue & Todd LePage Hebrew Cemetery Elsa Marks of Congregations Beth Shalome & Beth Ahabah Steven Nine Rosalie Nachman Henry Stern Mikki Evens Allan & Louise Creeger The deadline It’s never too early to be prepared. Rosalie Nachman for submitting Edith Brenner For more information please call Russell information to IN APPRECIATION the March issue Finer or Bill Thalhimer, III at 358.6757. Laura C. Potter of B’Yachad is

February 10th. Congregation Beth Ahabah 1111 West Franklin Street Richmond, Virginia 23220 Telephone: (804) 358-6757 email: [email protected] Temple Fax: (804) 358-3451 Successor to K.K. Beth Shalome...1789

Board of Managers Karyn Andersen, Carol Ann Callahan, Robert Davidson, Jeannie Decker, Linda Ferguson, Adam Nelson, Brian Meyer, Laura Savage, Jim Schuyler, Joshua Silverman, Lori Skiles, Demis Stewart, John Sternlicht and Mark Wolfsheimer

TEMPLE STAFF Martin P. Beifield Jr. Sophia and Nathan DATED MATERIAL Gumenick Senior Rabbi* Jesse Gallop Assistant Rabbi* Annie L. Bornstein Cantor* Tu B’shevat Gala Celebration Russell M. Finer Executive Director* Ramona Brand Education Director* Come Find Your Roots and Dr. Jack D. Spiro Rabbi Emeritus Celebrate the Birthday of the Trees Frances T. Goldman Cantor Emerita Sunday, February 5, 2012 • 10:00am-12:00pm Natan Berenshteyn Choral Director Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden TEMPLE OFFICERS Ron Kasoff President* 1800 Lakeside Avenue • Richmond, Virginia 23228 Charles Rothenberg 1st Vice President* b—— Fun Activities for the Whole Family —— a Katie Roeper 2nd Vice President* Seder • Music • Torah Study • Storytelling Michael Mendelson Treasurer* Taste Testing • Refab Jewelry Making • Trees for Israel Nancy Belleman Past President* Parsley Seed Planting • Scavenger Hunt TEMPLE AUXILIARIES Harlan Loebman Museum & Archives Chair David B. Farris Museum & Archives Director William B. Thalhimer III Hebrew Cemetery Chair Meg Marshak Sisterhood President Martin Miller Brotherhood President For the Eternal your God is bringing you into a good land... TBD JeRAFTY President of wheat and barley, of vines, figs, and pomegranates, * Executive Committee Member a land of olive oil and honey. ~ Deuteronomy 8:7–8

Congregation If you have any matter that you wish to discuss with an Sponsored by Beth Ahabah officer of the Congregation, please contact our president, 1111 West Franklin Street • Richmond, VA 23220 • 804-358-6757 • www.bethahabah.org Ron Kasoff, at [email protected] or at 804.674.5827