Anticipating Rosh Hashana Soulful Education, Intergenerational Speakers, Personal Welcomes and More…

photo by Susan Geller

Kol K .I. September 2017 l Elul 5777–Tishrei 5778 learn. inspire. grow. together.

16 Colt Road l Pittsfield, Massachusetts 01201 l 413.445.4872 l knessetisrael.org • Rabbi David Weiner l Jonathan Denmark, President

From the Rabbi: Anticipating Rosh Hashana Soulful education, intergenerational speakers, personal welcomes and more…

With Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur nearly upon us, we are • The service on Yom Kippur morning promises looking forward to a particularly moving season of com- to be special in the way it taps into the power of passion and forgiveness. multigenerational community. Our shlihei tzibbur and speakers range in age from 14 to 97. • Last year we learned just how powerfully our renewed It turns out that we do not represent only one sanctuary enriches the sound and feel of davening, espe- link in the chain of Jewish tradition but several. cially when the room is full and everyone is singing. Our What that means for our Jewish identity, and shlihei tzibbur—some returning, some new—have been for Jewish continuity in Pittsfield and beyond, working intensively on the services they are leading, and I am is inspiring. looking forward to being energized and inspired together with our congregation. I am pleased at the success of our summer sea- • During the weeks preceding Rosh Hashana, I am facilitating three workshops to son. We rolled out the red carpet for innumer- help deepen our experience of these holy days. Called ‘Prepare Your Soul,’ each able visitors to our services, providing kiddush of these classes will explore themes, symbols and stories of Rosh Hashana and luncheons each and every Shabbat morning. Yom Kippur. Using the methods of Soulful Education, we will join together for Many attended our educational programs intellectual exploration, introspection and meaningful spiritual conversation. like JTS in the Berkshires, cultural offerings like the Peter, Paul & Mary tribute concert and our • The weekend of September 16-17 includes Selihot services as well as our cem- long-running Berkshire Jewish Film Festival. etery memorial service. Both help us soften ourselves for the process of return, Thank you to all the volunteers and staff who repentance and renewal that follows. make these events possible, as well as to every- • We redouble our efforts to be welcoming. This year, in lieu of tickets, members, one who attends throughout the summer. their guests and visitors will receive name tags in advance of the holiday. Please Judith, Joe, Ari and Shira join me bring the tags with you when you come—once at K.I., you will be able to pick up in wishing everyone a good a name tag holder. These reminders will help us welcome each other, as well as and sweet new year. new people and prospective members of the congregation in a more personal way. Name tags will also help us enhance the level of security at the congrega- Shana tova umetuka, tion over the holidays. Rabbi David Weiner In This Issue Member Mitzvahs & Mazel Tovs

From the President...... 4 B’nai Mitzvah tional humanitarian project providing Rosh Chodesh/A Way to Belong...... 5 life-saving heart surgeries and treat- Calendar & Holiday Services...... 6 & 7 ments for indigent children in develop- ing countries around the world. Musical Musings...... 8 Community Memorial Service...... 12 In attendance, no doubt bursting with pride, will be Ely’s parents, Jen Sacon and Please Don’t Pet Me...... 13 Scott Hochfelder, siblings Noah Hoch- Geneology Workshop...... 15 felder, and Alexandra Hochfelder (both of Yahrzeits, Funds & Endowments.....16-19 whom were Bar/Bat Mitzvah at K.I.), and his grandparents: Carol and Stan Sacon ...... and much more! and Allen and Stephanie Hochfelder.

Ely Sacon Hochfelder Celebrate! K.I. Staff OFFICE PHONE 413-445-4872 n On September 9, 2017, Ely Zachary Sacon Hochfelder will be called to the RABBI DAVID WEINER Ext. 10 Torah as a Bar Mitzvah. n [email protected] We send a hearty congratulations to Mark Lipton, PhD., on the publication Ely’s Jewish education began at Sinai DIANA MACFARLANE Ext. 10 of his latest book Mean Men: The Perver- Academy pre-school and continued with Office Manager sion of America’s Self-Made Man. Drawing K.I. Hebrew School and CHAI programs. [email protected] on [the author’s] extensive experience Ely has particularly enjoyed learning ED ROBINSON as adviser to major corporations, start- about Jewish history from the Rabbi, [email protected] ups, government agencies, and not-for- Fred Landes, Jenny Gitlitz, Ellen Masters, profits, Mean Men synthesizes decades MYRNA HAMMERLING Ext. 16 Ed Udel and Rebecca Cook Dubin. He has of psychological research to expose Director of Adult Education also loved participating in Junior Con- what really drives America’s leaders to and Programming gregation. [email protected] leadership. The official book launch is Ely attended summer camp at Camp September 5, 2017 with an event at the CHRIS GOETZE Ext. 20 New School. The launch is free and open Facilities Director/Head Custodian Seneca Lake for two years, and this sum- to the public. Find more information at [email protected] mer he will be attending Camp Eden Vil- lage, a Jewish sleep-away “farm to table marklipton.com. Mark lives in New York EVE EDWARDS camp” in New York. City and the Berkshires. He has also au- Hebrew School Administrator thored Guiding Growth: How Vision Keeps [email protected] This fall Ely will be a 7th grader at Le- Companies on Course. ELISA SNOWISE nox Memorial Middle and High School, n Congratulations to Elaine and Lenny B’Nai Mitzvah Teacher /Coordinator where he has achieved High Honors ev- [email protected] ery term. Passionate about geography, Lipton on the bat mitzvah of their grand- Ely won the middle school Geography daughter, Ella Rose Lipton, daughter of BRANDI DAHARI Bee, and enjoys learning about every- Mark and Cindy Lipton. Youth Advisor thing from world languages and cultures [email protected] n Lara Denmark won a biathlon in Ad- to the capitals of all of the countries in ams named Pedal and Plod. She came LIZ DEMARCO, Web Administrator, the world. He also likes participating in first in the 40+ iron woman category! [email protected] in Shakespeare plays and musicals at Way to go Lara! school. Ely’s sense of humor, intellectual KNESSET ISRAEL curiosity and dynamic story telling are a n Mike Cohn has been named an Ad- 16 Colt Road, Pittsfield, MA 01201 delight to all who know him. junct Clinical Professor of Surgery at Boston University School of Medicine. 413-445-4872 Ely’s Tikkun Olam Project is to raise His duties include teaching medical stu- 413-496-9378 (fax) awareness and money for Save a Child’s dents as they rotate through Berkshire knessetisrael.org Heart (SACH), an Israeli based interna- Medical Center.

2 n KOL K.I. • SEPTEMBER 2017 • ELUL 5777–TISHREI 5778 KOL K.I.

Birthdays Anniversaries n Ian Woller...... September 1 n Boris Saltanovich...... September 11 n Galina Sirota & Georgiy Rabinovich n Linda Edelstein...... September 2 n Jennifer Sacon...... September 12 ...... September 1 n Laura Rosenthal...... September 3 n Miriam Kauderer...... September 13 n Deborah August & Aaron Sardell n Stephen Schwartz...... September 3 n Robert Thistle...... September 13 ...... September 1 n Avi Snowise...... September 3 n Alison Lamm...... September 15 n Karen & Bruce Jacobs...... September 1 n Nelia Blyankman...... September 4 n Lynda Galler...... September 16 n Lesley Cambel Herzberg & n Caleb Duffy...... September 5 n Samuel Karlin...... September 16 Matthew Herzberg...... September 2 n Karen Rettner...... September 5 n Reese Cook-Dubin...... September 17 n Jessica Fried & Benjamin Strauss n Robin Slick...... September 5 n Judith Katz...... September 17 ...... September 7 n Andrew Spinrad...... September 5 n Susan Zuckerman...... September 18 n Gertrude & Norman Moskowitz ...... September 9 n Elaine Epstein...... September 6 n Noah Yurfest...... September 19 n n Mariah Strattner...... September 6 n Sonia Lebowitz...... September 20 Jennifer Sacon & Scott Hochfelder ...... September 13 n Myrna Hammerling...... September 7 n Harriet Shair...... September 20 n Cynthia & Edwin Helitzer n Jeffrey May...... September 7 n Andrew Snyder...... September 27 ...... September 21 n Rebecca Cook-Dubin...... September 8 n Richard Simons...... September 28 n Judy & Mark Usow...... September 21 n Connor Hayford...... September 8 n Hanna Yurfest...... September 28 n Anna & Alec Yantovsky. September 29 n Susan B. Lipton...... September 8 n Lisa Green...... September 29 n Colby Lederman...... September 9 n Nancy Lipton...... September 29 n Mark Lipton...... September 9 n Scott Samuel Widitor..... September 29 n Yefim Kurchenko...... September 10 n Shiffra Perlmutter...... September 30 Knesset Israel Statement of Purpose • How-to Share Graduation & Scholastic Honors • Welcome.

If your child, grandchild or other family member has graduated We are here to nourish from high school or college, or they have received an honor during the mind, heart, and soul. scholastic year and you would like their names printed in the KOL K.I. bulletin, please send their names to your editor, Susan Miller. We are here to inspire through word and deed. We are so proud of all of our young people. We are depending on your submissions to note their accomplishments. We are here to accompany each other on life’s journey.

KOL K.I. publication notes We are here to celebrate in community. Editor: Susan Miller • Production: Liz DeMarco • Photo Editor: Nan Bookless • Printer: Aldam Press We are here to bring life to the DEADLINE: THE FIRST OF EVERY MONTH wisdom and values of Torah. Copy will not be accepted after that date to ensure our publication date. Bulletin material and photographs will be accepted VIA EMAIL ONLY and sent to: We are here to Susan Miller at [email protected] transform our world.

KOL K.I. • SEPTEMBER 2017 • ELUL 5777–TISHREI 5778 n 3 From the President The Glue of Community Plans and programs to connect our members

Knesset Israel was filled with family programming, and a strong sense of communi- teen events. Our adults and ty this summer. There were seniors are heavily involved so many events and services with adult education, devel- to choose from. Everywhere opment, film festival, and I went, people commented programming. The com- to me that they felt a sense mon offerings of Shabbat of belonging. Visitors wrote and holiday Tefillah, Shirei me letters explaining how Shabbat and social action much the warm welcome are the glue that connects meant to them. “Inspired” our segments of the popu- was a word I heard often. Jonathan Denmark lation. I believe it is import- We certainly have a special ant to build our community community here. You can hear it in the thinking about these segments, and al- Rabbi’s thoughtful teachings or through ways make sure that our programming is Key K.I. Contacts the music that fills the sanctuary during accessible and flexible for all attendees. Shirei Shabbat, and you can see it with This will aid in attracting and maintain- CEMETERY the scores of people who attended the ing members to our special Synagogue. Don Sugarman...... 413-499-4478 Berkshire Jewish Film Festival. We are in- [email protected] deed, a warm, welcoming, special com- As we transition from summer to the munity. High Holidays, I look forward to seeing DEVELOPMENT FUNDRAISING many of you around K.I. Bobbi Cohn...... 413-443-6128 In July & August, I shared with the Board Congratulations to Ely Hochfelder and FACILITIES/EQUIPMENT of Directors my strategic vision for the Don Sugarman...... 413-499-4478 synagogue. Rabbi Weiner and I are work- his family as Ely is called to the Torah on ing together to build upon our sense of September 9 for his Bar Mitzvah! MEMBERSHIP Jan Zimbler...... 413-448-8443 community with coordinated program- Lara, Levi, and Noah join me in wishing ming that is geared toward segments of you all Shana Tova Umetuka, a good and MARKETING Kara Thornton...... 413-684-2298 our population. We have observed that sweet year! our families are concentrated on Hebrew MUSIC COMMITTEE school, Bat/Bat Mitzvah planning, camps, —Jonathan Denmark Phil Coleman...... 413-329-9224 MUSIC DIRECTOR Sherri Buxton...... 413-243-2709 Wanted: Canned Corn! Thanksgiving Angels need our help ADMINISTRATION Diane Weinstein...... 413-442-7143 By November 17, our congregation is respon- sible for delivering 1,000 cans of corn for PROGRAMMING food insecure Berkshire families who will re- Stuart Masters...... 413-443-4386 ceive the fixings for their own home-cooked RITUAL, GABBAIM, MINYAN meals on Thanksgiving Day! This charitable Alan Metzger...... 413-443-4217 community event is once again being orga- TREASURY, FINANCE AND BUDGET nized by the Thanksgiving Angels. Edwin Helitzer...... 413-499-1202 Please be generous and give more than just YOUTH one time! Receptacles will be found near the Amy Abramovich...... 413-499-6388 piano—except during Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur due to space limitations.

4 n KOL K.I. • SEPTEMBER 2017 • ELUL 5777–TISHREI 5778 KOL K.I. A Way To Belong K.I. women connect through Rosh Chodesh —by Maxine Bookless, co-chair Rosh Chodesh

When I made the decision to retire, Rosh Chodesh means “head of the I also decided to move from Bos- month.” A minor holiday, it is believed ton (where I had lived for 15 years) that it was a reward given to the women back to my hometown of Pitts- of Israel because they refused to surren- field, Massachusetts. At the time, der their jewelry for the creation of the I thought I needed to touch base golden calf. For their righteousness, the with the familiar…to regain a sense women were excused from working on of place. The reality check arrived Rosh Chodesh. For many reasons, Rosh a few months later when I realized Chodesh has taken on a renewed and not very much was familiar at all. I special resonance with Jewish women. had few friends, no real community, and even a sense of place/home Jan and I made a date to talk in depth eluded me. I had to start making about starting our own K.I. Rosh Ch- things happen! odesh group. There is no one way to celebrate Rosh Chodesh and no rules In an effort to create new meaning in establishing a group. It basically is a and purpose in my life, I attended group of women who gather (not meet) events, classes, cultural offerings, on a monthly basis to celebrate the new concerts, and groups at Knesset month (and new moon), and our lives as Israel and in the larger communi- Judy Nishman, Beth Radsken, and Ev Bastow light candles at the end of a Rosh Chodesh meeting. Jewish women. It is a group that works to ty. I volunteered whenever I was create a special experience of communi- asked, but in the back of my mind ty and connection in a safe and respect- I wondered why (and honestly was disappointed that) no one from K.I. had reached ful space. Almost immediately, we knew out. I asked to attend a K.I. Membership Committee meeting, where I met people who we needed Judith Weiner to help us in- remembered my family, and a few who remembered me. I discovered that they just corporate the stories, the traditions, the assumed I knew everything there was to know about the area and K.I. With that rev- mysteries of Judaism into our thinking… elation, we talked about membership recruitment, and the challenges others like me and with her help we got started. face, when their lives do not provide them traditional pathways into community life. We approached the community with Committee members Jan Zimbler and Carol Siegel “got it” immediately. As one ap- flyers and ads asking three questions: proach to address-ing the problem, I mentioned that other congregations had Rosh Are you new to the KI congregation? Do Chodesh women’s groups that filled certain membership needs, and the idea gained you participate but feel you don’t be- traction. long? and Are you interested in a deeper connection to other K.I. women, to the community and to Judaism itself? The I’m always looking for new ways to connect with people and decided response was more than gratifying! to give The Rosh Chodesh group a try. I found a special group of wom- This month, September (Elul) 2017 is K.I. en who open themselves spiritually, personally, and emotionally. Just Rosh Chodesh’s one year anniversary! We are 33 members and growing. Some a bunch of women talking, but there is warmth—personal stories and of the many topics we have discussed memories, friendship and belonging. Is it religious? Not in a formal are: Not feeling good enough • Our dif- way but sometimes our meetings and viewpoints are informed by our ferences and common ground as single, religion. A spiritual atmosphere often fills the space, never more than widowed, divorced, or married women • Our Hebrew names and what they mean when we conclude, as we each light a candle with a wish that relates to that meeting’s theme. — Ev Bastow continued on page 11

KOL K.I. • SEPTEMBER 2017 • ELUL 5777–TISHREI 5778 n 5 Holiday Service Schedule

• Rosh Hashana, Yom Kippur, Sukkot & Simhat Torah 5778 • September – Ooctober, 2017 •

Saturday, September 16–Selihot Friday, September 29–Erev Yom Kippur K.I. Hebrew School...... 9 AM–12 PM Minha (Sanctuary)...... 6 PM Shaharit (Sanctuary)...... 9:30 AM Instrumental Kol Nidre/Kol Nidre/Maariv (Sanctuary).... 6:10 PM Minha/Selihot Study Session (Sanctuary)...... 6:30 PM Candle Lighting / Fast Begins...... 6:18 PM Maariv/Havdala/Selihot (Sanctuary).Approximately...... 7:45 PM Saturday, September 30–Yom Kippur Sunday, September 17 Shaharit (Sanctuary & Social Hall)...... 9 AM Shaharit (Sanctuary)...... 8:45 AM Babysitting, by reservation Cemetery Memorial Service (K.I. Cemetery)...... 10 AM (Nursery School & Social Hall)...... 9:30 AM – 1 PM Maariv (Chapel)...... 7 PM Torah Service/Yizkor...... After 10:30 AM Programming/Services for Families & Children, Ages 5-12 Monday, September 18 (Chapel & Classrooms)...... 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM Maariv (Chapel)...... 7 PM Minha (Sanctuary)...... 4:30 PM Wednesday, September 20–Erev Rosh Hashana Neila (Sanctuary)...... 5:55 PM Tekiah Gedolah/Maariv/Havdala (Sanctuary)...... 7:18 PM Minha/Maariv (Sanctuary)...... 6:15 PM Candle Lighting...... 6:34 PM Sunday, October 1 Thursday, September 21–First Day of Rosh Hashana Shaharit (Sanctuary)...... 8:45 AM Maariv (Chapel)...... 7 PM Shaharit (Sanctuary/Social Hall)...... 8:15 AM Torah Service/Shofar...... Approximately 9:45 AM Tuesday, October 3 Programming/Services for Families & Children, Ages 5-12 ( Maariv (Chapel)...... 7 PM Chapel & Classrooms)...... 9:30 AM –12:30 PM Wednesday, October 4–Erev Sukkot Babysitting, by reservation (Nursery School & Playroom)...... 9:30 AM – 1:00 PM Festival Maariv (Chapel) with Hebrew School & TAA...... 5:30 PM Tashlikh (Pomeray Avenue Bridge)...... 5:30 PM Candle Lighting...... 6:10 PM Candle Lighting...... No earlier than 7:40 PM Thursday, October 5–First Day of Sukkot Friday, September 22–Second Day of Rosh Hashana Shaharit / Lulav & Etrog (Sanctuary)...... 9:30 AM Shaharit (Sanctuary/Social Hall)...... 8:15 AM Candle Lighting...... No earlier than 7:08 PM Torah Service/Shofar in Main Service.... Approximately 9:45 AM Friday, October 6–Second Day of Sukkot Programming/Services for Families & Children, Ages 5-12 Shaharit / Lulav & Etrog (Sanctuary)...... 9:30 AM (Chapel & Classrooms)...... 9:30 AM –12:30 PM Minha / Kabbalat Shabbat Maariv (Chapel)...... 5:45 PM Babysitting, by reservation Candle Lighting...... No later than 6:06 PM (Nursery School & Playroom)...... 9:30 AM – 1:00 PM Minha/Kabbalat Shabbat/Maariv (Chapel)...... 5:45 PM Saturday, October 7–Shabbat Hol HaMoed Sukkot Candle Lighting...... No later than 6:31 PM Hebrew School (Chapel & Classrooms)...... 9 AM – 12 PM Saturday, September 23–Shabbat Shuvah Babysitting (Playroom)...... 9 AM – 12 PM Shaharit (Sanctuary)...... 9:30 AM No Hebrew School Classes Minha / Study Session / Maariv / Havdala (Chapel)...... 6 PM Babysitting, by reservation (Playroom)...... 9 AM – 12 PM Havdala...... No earlier than 7:06 PM Shaharit (Sanctuary)...... 9:30 AM No Minha/Maariv Service this Afternoon Sunday, October 8–Hol HaMoed Sukkot Shabbat Ends...... 7:30 PM Shaharit / Lulav & Etrog (Sanctuary)...... 8:45 AM Sunday, September 24 Tuesday, October 10–Hol HaMoed Sukkot Shaharit (Sanctuary)...... 8:45 AM Maariv (Chapel)...... 7 PM Maariv (Chapel)...... 7 PM Wednesday, October 11–Hoshana Rabba & Erev Shemini Tuesday, September 26 Atzeret Maariv (Chapel)...... 7 PM Candle Lighting...... 5:58 PM

continued next page

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Prepare Your Soul Deepen your experience of the holy days SHABBAT CANDLE LIGHTING REGULAR SERVICE SCHEDULE: Rabbi Weiner will facilitate three Friday...... September 1...... 7:08 PM LABOR DAY THROUGH PASSOVER workshops to help prepare our souls for the approach of Rosh Ha- Friday...... September 8...... 6:56 PM Sunday...... 8:45 AM & 7 PM shana and Yom Kippur and deepen Friday...... September 22...... 6:31 PM Tuesday...... 7 PM our experience of these holy days. Friday...... September 30...... 6:18 PM Friday...... 7 AM & 5:45 PM Each class will explore themes, Saturday...... 9:30 AM symbols and stories of Rosh Ha- n No Shirei Shabbat in September shana and Yom Kippur. Using the methods of Soulful Education, n No evening service on Friday, Septem- those gathered will engage in in- ber 21 or Saturday, September 2 tellectual exploration, introspec- n Saturday evening service on tion and spiritual conversation. September 9...... 6:45 PM KOSHER MEAT DELIVERY n Classes will be in the K.I. Library. No orders for September due to Saturday evening service on the Holidays. September 16...... 6:30 PM Tuesday, September 5 & 12...... 7:30 PM Saturday, September 16 Mincha...... 6:30 PM CLASSES Prepare Your Soul Study Session...... 7:30 PM Prepare Your Soul (Library...... Tue., September 5, 12...... 7:30 PM Havdalah followed by Selichot...... 8 PM Torah Portion of the Week (Library)...... Tue., September 5, 12*...... 10–11:30 AM

Enhanced Prayer Study...... Wed., September 6, 13**...... 10–11:30 AM The David Story (Teens only)...... Sat., September 9, 16...... 8:40–9:30 AM Tuesday, October 12 Shemini Atzeret & Erev Simhat Torah Walking with Mitzvot (w/Judith Weiner)...... Sat., September 9, 16...... 9:30–10:30 AM Shaharit (Sanctuary)...... 9:30 AM Hebrew School...... Sat., September 9, 16...... 9 AM–12 PM Yizkor (Sancturary)...... 10:45 AM CHAI Community School (Temple Anshe Amunim...... Maariv / Hakafot / Ice Cream (Sanctuary/ Front of Social Hall...... 6:30 PM ...... Wed., September 13, 27...... 4–6 PM Candle Lighting.....No earlier than 6:58 PM Exodus Inspirations...... Sat., September 9, 16.....Sundown/Times vary Friday, October 13–Simhat Torah Shaharit / Hakafot, Special Aliyot * Torah Portion of the Week to resume October 17. (Sanctuary)...... 9:30 PM ** Enhanced Prayer Class to resume October 18. Minha / Kabbalat Shabbat / Maariv (Chapel)...... 5:45 PM Candle Lighting...... No later than 5:55 PM Saturday, October 14–Shabbat Bereshit EVENTS & MEETINGS Hebrew School (Chapel & Classrooms)...... Lunch and Museum Tour...... Wed., September 6...... 11:45 PM ...... 9 AM – 12 PM Cemetery Committee Meeting...... Tue., September 12...... 7:30 PM Babysitting (Playroom)...... 9 AM – 12 PM Shaharit (Sanctuary)...... 9:30 AM K.I. Board Meeting...... Wed., September 13...... 7:30 PM Minha / Study Session / Maariv / Cemetery Service (K.I. Cemetery)...... Sun.,. September 17...... 10 AM Havdala (Chapel)...... 5:45 PM Havdala ...... No earlier than 6:55 PM

KOL K.I. • SEPTEMBER 2017 • ELUL 5777–TISHREI 5778 n 7 KOL K.I.

Musical Musings Spotlight On…Colin Ovitsky Spotlight on Knesset Israel’s musical members

by Phil Coleman, Chairman K.I. Music Committee

Hello everyone. I hope your summers have been filled with wonderful music everywhere. This has been a phenomenal season for Tanglewood and many of our other Berkshire concert venues. Speak- ing of music and great venues to hear it, was it my imag- ination, or was the Shabbat Across the Berkshires we hosted at K.I. in June just simply wonderful? One hun- dred and seventy five eager attendees experienced the Colin Ovitsky performing with his band hi8us in Los Angeles. (2010) idea of collaborative music with instruments and voices in full flower in our glorious new sanctuary space. I could not have Greetings K.I. Friends: I am pleased to present our third “Spot- been more proud of the K.I. effort for the entire event! We were light On” column, and I want to tell you how kind many of you standing room only as every available seat was taken. Thanks have been with your feedback and interest. Seems we have to all our band members for a superb effort and thanks to the really “struck a chord,” and this month I am very excited to pres- other participants including Rabbi Josh and Alan Gold from ent my recent interview with our very own Colin Ovitsky—K.I. Temple Anshe Amunim, who helped make this a very memo- board member, father of four bright and energetic youngsters, rable evening. bass player extraordinaire, and wonderful all-around guy!

Immediately after the service, and for a full week after that, Tell me about your musical training and background. I’m sure Rabbi Weiner, Jonathan Denmark and I heard multiple kudos you heard lots of drumming growing up but you picked up from some of you who were in attendance, asking if we can do the bass. things like this again with other musicians and synagogues. I would like to tell you the answer is a resounding “YES!” I will Colin: Actually, my dad didn’t start getting into Latin and African be meeting with Rabbi Weiner and a representative of Anshe percussion until I was in high school, so my early years of ex- Amunim so that we can plan at least one or two joint Kabbalat posure to instruments at home were a bit more traditional and Shabbat services in the coming year. primarily involved the piano. I started out with piano lessons around age 7, then added saxophone when it was offered in The momentum for this is growing, and I am very pleased to school starting in 4th grade. I added guitar to my list when I was see our own Conservative synagogue recognizing the value of 13, using my dad’s old Epiphone 12-string acoustic, and with my instrumental music. There is no doubt that this brings folks to first lessons coming from none-other-than Jonathan Denmark. the synagogue, and it is our intention to further advance this within our own worship services. And by the way, in case any I landed on the bass in college; I just loved the role of the bass in of you missed it, we had a wonderful Shirei Shabbat this spring the music. There is so much understated power in the bass, how where a large number of our Hebrew school students played it ties the rhythm and harmonic structures together, and how and sang along with the K.I. band. We are really excited about you can completely change the feel of a song just by making a their potential and musical growth. The body of Jewish music subtle change in your syncopation or note selection. I’ve never is extremely diverse and it is great that K.I. has embraced this actually taken a bass lesson, although I still would love to do so concept. and to learn more about what is possible on the instrument, refine my technique, etc. So far, I’ve just applied what I knew Lastly, don’t forget our next Shirei Shabbat on Friday August from playing guitar, and then learned as much as possible from 25th, and our K.I. Coffeehouse coming up on Sunday Novem- listening to and watching other bassists, trying to absorb what- ber 12. I will see you all at K.I. very soon! ever I can along the way. continued next page

8 n KOL K.I. • SEPTEMBER 2017 • ELUL 5777–TISHREI 5778 Kol K.I.

What were some of your early influenc- ally Jon’s vision for the Purim band that to create this special concert experience es, bands, and genres of music that you helped bring me back into some level of for the entire community to enjoy. Ev- were listening to? involvement here at K.I., so he deserves a eryone works really hard and brings a lot of credit in inspiring my lifelong mu- unique talent to the table, and it’s shown Colin: As with most kids, my parents de- sical journey. in the improvements we’ve made in our fined my musical interests for the first performances each year decade or so of my life. They had a great Where do you see Jewish music fitting vinyl collection with lots of folk mu- into your repertoire? What about Jew- What can we do or offer at K.I. that sic and other great ‘60s/’70s stuff... The ish music (such as what we play) do would enhance the musical experience Beatles, Stevie Wonder, Jimi Hendrix, Cat you like? for both the players and listeners? Each Stevens, Crosby, Stills & Nash, Simon & year we seem to be raising the bar so Garfunkel, etc. My dad also had a great to speak, but there is always room for collection of jazz and classical albums. improvement…how can we make this He also instilled a love of live music in me even better? at a very early age, and by the time I was 12, he had taken me to see Miles Davis, Colin: One of the great things about Dizzy Gillespie, Leonard Bernstein, John music, like any other artistic or athletic Williams, Billy Joel, Elton John, Santana endeavor, is that you can always con- and several other legendary perform- tinue improving and there is no ulti- ers... having Tanglewood down the road mate pinnacle of achievement. We can sure helped, of course! all keep striving for it, both as individu- als and as a congregation. I think we’re Around middle school I started getting poised to have a very fulfilling variety of interested in more “world music,” such musical experiences at K.I. for years to as African, Brazilian, Afro-Cuban, reggae, come. Bringing the Hebrew School kids etc. By 8th-9th grade, I started discover- Colin and Soheap Ovitsky into the Shirei Shabbat service has been ing more music on my own and through really fun and rewarding for everyone, friends. I was really into Pearl Jam, some Colin: My experience with Jewish music especially with some of the older kids of the other grunge and alternative has been relatively limited to what I grew now playing their instruments as well, bands in the early ‘90s, then got into up hearing as liturgical music at K.I. and and having Colby Lederman do such an Phish, the Grateful Dead and the explod- through my involvement in USY. I didn’t awesome job on the drums for Purim ing jamband scene. Nowadays, I have a hear a lot of Israeli music, klezmer or oth- this year was amazing! wide range of musical interests, but if I er more contemporary forms of Jewish had to pick one artist as my favorite, it music until later as we didn’t have much Music is the bridge that will continue would be Stevie Wonder. of that in our house growing up. I really to make those connections as it can be enjoy Shirei Shabbat, and look forward enjoyed and performed by all of the age You and Jon Denmark must be really to continuing my involvement in Jewish ranges represented in our congregation. close, and I can hear that interaction music, primarily in the context of what So, to you and Jon, my deepest gratitude when the two of you are playing to- it will mean as my children grow older for including me and for all of your ef- gether. Tell me about your musical and start becoming more familiar with forts to make music an integral part of journey with Jon from when you were both the children’s songs and the prayer the K.I. experience, and my advice is sim- youngsters to where you are now. music. Of course, the Purim band is my ple...keep up the good work and keep Jewish musical highlight every year. The everyone involved! Colin: He and I have been musical part- music itself isn’t Jewish at all, but the ex- ners ever since in various forms, through Thanks Colin, you really have spoken perience completely is. So, even if we’re high school, college, our young adult with passion. We are very glad to have not playing Jewish music in the Purim years and now as parents. It’s so much you! band, we’re adding lyrics about a Jewish fun for us to now have everything com- story, and more importantly, I’m collab- ing back full circle with our own young To be considered for a profile, please con- orating over a period of several months children, and to be making music to- tact Phil at [email protected]. with my fellow members of Knesset Isra- gether at KI for both Shirei Shabbat and el and members of other congregations Purim. Before I had children, it was re-

KOL K.I. • SEPTEMBER 2017 • ELUL 5777–TISHREI 5778 n 9 Gala Gallery

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1. Bobbi Cohn, Alexandra Warshaw • 2. Seated: Carole Siegel, Marvin Smith, Kitty Levitan / Standing: Bonnie and Alvin Edelstein, Glenna and Marty Bloom • 3. Jonathan Denmark, Michael Albert • 4. Judy Seaman, Merle Ferber • 5. Seated: Rachel Zuckerman, Chris Peifer Standing: Carol Silverman, Shlomo Silman • 6. Seated: Shelley and Bob Berend, Stu Masters / Standing: Nina and Rabbi Yaakov Rone • 7. Cindy and Ed Helitzer

10 n KOL K.I. • SEPTEMBER 2017 • ELUL 5777–TISHREI 5778 Rosh Chodesh participants explore Jewish prayer. Counter clockwise left to right: Nan Bookless, Maxine Bookless, Beth Radsken, Jan Zimbler, Myrna Hammerling. Ruth Rosenthal Gail Weis, Beth Abramson, Dee Griswald, Ev Bastow, Judy Seaman, Judy Nishman

A Way to Belong continued from page 5

• Jewish women through history • Am I unique? Where do I fit in? • Our role in carrying on Jewish traditions • The “What is Prayer?” essence of prayer—and so much more.

Exploring the communal and personal nature of prayer At the end of every gathering each —by Myrna Hammerling, Director of Adult Education and Programming of us lights a candle, says our Hebrew name, our mother’s Hebrew name, our Knesset Israel’s Rosh Chodesh women’s group meets monthly around topics mem- grandmothers’ Hebrew names along bers generate with the goal of personal sharing and creating connection. The gath- with a thought or reflection on the top- erings have drawn many participants, and the bonding is palpable. What a wonder- ic of the evening. It is always a moving ful addition to the diverse social and educational offerings of our congregation! and illuminating experience.

At one of the sessions I attended, the women showed an interest in an exploration For me, Rosh Chodesh has provided of Jewish prayer. Since I have been conducting my “Enhanced Jewish Prayer” class an opportunity to share on a deeper year-round for three years, facilitators Jan Zimbler and Maxine Bookless thought I level; it has broken down barriers and qualified for the job! So, on June 25th—the first day of the month of Tammuz, which preconceptions and allowed me to see coincidentally was actually Rosh Chodesh—we gathered on the lovely porch of host each woman as an equal traveler. Now Ruth Rosenthal’s Becket home. The setting overlooked a tranquil pond and set the when I see a fellow member I do feel mood for our program. connected, I do feel I belong. So much so, I walk right over, share a happy hel- We discussed individual attitudes towards prayer, the difference between prayer lo, and a get a big smile—and often a and poetry, choosing the appellation for “G_d” that resonates with each individual, hug—in return. and defining the four attitudes that prayers usually express: Wow, Gimme, Oops, or Thanks. We then did an exercise creating prayers—some participants created their New members are always welcome! own verse, some worked as a group to combine their thoughts. The following are a Please consider joining us. few examples of the results:

• Our Spirit, help me to achieve strength, inner peace and purpose. I am so grateful for this group • Compassionate One, bestow upon us the tools for creativity. • Adonai, help me to know inner calm, love, togetherness, and safety. because I enjoy getting to know, • Higher Energy, I am humbled, and I appreciate the ability to be renewed by and sharing with other women replaceable parts. in a non-judgmental, supportive, • Source of Power and Creation, we feel grateful for family and for life. and relaxed environment. We • Inscrutable One, are our prayers landing on deaf ears? are all growing and evolving as • Energy of the Universe, please guide our journey to peace of mind and joy. women and it’s nice to feel you • Inscrutable One, why do our brothers and sisters suffer; why are our brothers and are not alone in whatever you sisters in pain? are experiencing. • Myrna’s class “Enhanced Jewish Prayer” meets Wednesdays, and welcomes new participants. — Kara Thornton

KOL K.I. • SEPTEMBER 2017 • ELUL 5777–TISHREI 5778 n 11 KOL K.I.

A Simple, Powerful Ceremony My experience at the Cemetery Memorial Service —by Nan Bookless

Every year during Rosh Hashana We visit the cemetery at this sea- and Yom Kippur our sanctuary is son to set our priorities straight, filled to overflowing. And yet, the to remind ourselves about what holiday that inspires such high at- truly matters, what remains long tendance, begins with a ceremony after we have left this earth: the that attracts a very small crowd. good we did, the words we shared, the comfort we offered, the rela- Usually scheduled for the Sunday tionships we nurtured, the acts of before Rosh Hashana, the Ceme- kindness we performed, the times tery Memorial Service is a time to we asked forgiveness, the times honor and reflect on the life and we forgave, the love we freely gave influence that loved ones have had and received.” on our lives. That is why we visit. To reconnect, I was unaware of this service until to remember and to go forth on after my mother died. My father, our journey towards this fresh New who had attended for years, asked me to Year, determined and inspired to live bet- community anymore. How could one accompany him. I had no idea what the ter lives.” ceremony was about and no idea what to not be moved? expect. Milling about the upper portion The Knesset Israel Cemetery Memorial Ser- I do not think have missed this service of the cemetery were about 15-20 famil- vice will take place on Sunday September since. This year I wanted to share this ex- iar faces. Most attendees were elderly 17 at 10 am at the K.I. cemetery. perience with you, and encourage you with a few baby boomers. Everyone was to attend this powerful gathering. In kibbitzing, and despite the small crowd, my opinion this is a ceremony for young it was an effort to quiet everyone and and old. The most important thing I get Israel Association begin. Eddie Skoletsy handed out a small from being a member of K.I. is a sense of paper booklet with an admonition that community. This short, shared service, for Ethiopian Jews it must be returned afterwards. “Memo- not only supports others, but brings us rial Prayers at the Cemetery…Personal closer together. Ongoing support needed! Meditations and Community Memorial For the past 30 years, the Israel Asso- Service”. Somehow I ended up with one n In researching how the Cemetery Me- ciation for Ethiopian Jews (IAEJ) has on my bookshelf! morial Service relates to the Holy Days, been providing assistance to more than I came across this wise observation by The small crowd gathered around the 140,000 Ethiopian Jews in Israel and Rabbi Debra Cantor, B’nai Tikvoh-Sho- rabbi as he began the prayers—some re- Ethiopia with education, housing, job lom, Bloomfield, Connecticut: cited by him, others read in unison. And training, advocacy and community em- then he paused, and asked those who “The fact is, we do not need to come to powerment. wished to do so, to say their departed the cemetery to remember our loved To all who are able to donate to this im- loved ones names aloud. Some lists were ones. We think about…them every day. portant fund, we thank you in advance short, others long; some said one name, We come to…remind us of what our for participating in this holy endeavor. another ten. But in that moment, as we loved ones stood for, what values they spoke their names with the breath they cherished. Your generous, tax deductible contri- gave us—for others to hear—it was not bution will make a difference. For in- surprising that many of our voices broke. And we wonder, as we prepare [for] the formation, contributions or to join the Our grandparents, parents, aunts, uncles, High Holy Days, what will be our epi- mailing list, please contact the IAEJ at friends, relatives…names that except on taph? What will be our legacy? How will Friends of Ethiopian Jews, Box 960059, their Yahrzeits were not said aloud in we be remembered? Boston, MA 02196.

12 n KOL K.I. • SEPTEMBER 2017 • ELUL 5777–TISHREI 5778 Of Interest

Berkshire Interfaith Please Don’t Pet Me Organization (BIO) Rules of engagement with Merle’s service dog, Ziva —by Nina Rone

Update After the passing of Miller, our dear Annual Micah Dinner friend Merle Ferber’s helper and service dog of many years, Merle is now in the “…what the Lord company of her beautiful new service requires of you: only dog, Ziva, who at the tender age of a to do justice and to year-and-a-half is still a pup—big as she love goodness, and is! We can see by her frisky behavior that to walk modestly she still has a way to go in her training with your God.” and understanding of her new job. —Micah, 6:8 Many of us feel proprietary about Merle On October 15th, and her helper dogs, because we love BIO will hold its annual Micah Dinner. All her and them. My daughter, who took of the member organizations, including a course so that she could help in a ser- Knesset Israel, will celebrate together the vice-dog-training program, frequently third year of organizing to help the invis- asks about Ziva, and frequently has to remind me to refrain from petting her as service ible part of Berkshire County: the people dogs are not pets, and treating them as such can undermine their training. who labor for and maintain inns, restau- While we all miss Miller, it seems to me that the best way to repect his life is is to do rants, artistic organizations while visitors everything possible to help Ziva learn her job, to respect her as a professional, and to and residents of means enjoy the cultural avoid confusing her about her role. Only then we can truly say, “Rest in peace, noble and natural wonders of Berkshire Coun- Miller. You led a great life whose memory we will continue to honor.” ty. Unable to feed families, afford extras, have adequate housing and consistent means of reasonably priced transporta- tion, many Berkshire County residents, A Note of Thanks… sadly, are not “living the dream.” “It is an honor to receive an award for my years work- At this dinner, each congregation nomi- ing with the Berkshire Jewish Film Festival. My name will nates an individual who exemplifies the be displayed on the plaque with other truly wonderful above-quoted passage from the book of people who have given so much of themselves to this Micah. If any of you have a KI nominee congregation. to recommend to Rabbi Weiner, please Working with the film festival allowed me the oppor- do so. Our previous honoree was Cindy tunity to give back to KI for the excellent education my Tatalovich; several tables full of KI sup- children received at Knesset Israel’s Hebrew School. The porters attended to express our appreci- congregation provided a haven for my daughters who ation for Cindy’s commitments to com- were a distinct religious minority throughout their pub- munity in January of 2016. (We miss her!) lic school years. At K.I. they felt at home and embraced We are hoping that, after there is a defi- with a strong Jewish identity. nite honoree, lots of support will again be shown at this event which has been It is my hope that parents of Hebrew School students, both past and present, continue re-scheduled to take place in the fall. to appreciate the richness of the education and support that KIHS provides. Since the Berkshire Jewish Film Festival is such a fun event which raises considerable funding for This is the largest fundraising campaign the school, I urge parents to actively volunteer with and contribute to this event which of their year; supported chiefly by grants, is near and dear to my heart.” BIO is hoping that this year’s honorees will draw generous participation from all Thank you, 16+ member religious institutions! Margie Metzger photos of Shofar; Margie Metger by Susan Geller

KOL K.I. • SEPTEMBER 2017 • ELUL 5777–TISHREI 5778 n 13 Peter, Paul & Mary Tribute

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1. Alexandra Warshaw, Elaine Padilla, Laura Rosenthal • 2. Jesse Cook-Dubin, Phil Coleman, Len Schiller • 3. Gayle Rotenberg, Alice Schiller 4. Madyson Miller, Susan Miller • 5. Jonathan Denmark • 6. The band! – Alan Gold, Paul Bernstein, Rabbi Josh Breindel, Stephanie Bennett, Jerry Link, Jonathan Denmark, Steven Skoblow, Lesley Herzberg, Jesse Waldinger, Jackie Shayer

14 n KOL K.I. • SEPTEMBER 2017 • ELUL 5777–TISHREI 5778 Education Workshop: Research Your Geneology Yefim Kogan to present hands-on workshop

On September 17th at Congregational Due to requests of many at the April Knesset Israel, Yefim Kogan will present session, Yefim has generously offered to a hands-on workshop to help develop return and encourages previous as well research skills for individual genealogy new participants to bring their laptops, quests. At his April 28th presentation, tablets or iPads to learn, first hand, how “An Introduction to Jewish Genealogical to navigate the voluminous collections of Research,” Yefim addressed the following on-line genealogical data now available. questions: what is genealogy, what are the myths about Jewish genealogy and A three-page list of genealogical resourc- how can we begin searching our Jewish es was the handout provided at the con- family trees? clusion of the introductory session. This is now available online. (See link below.) Yefim Kogan When his parents felt pressed to depart Attendees of this coming workshop will from their homeland in Kishinev, Mol- be able to download the material in Yefim suggests a little homework as- dova, more than thirty years ago, Yefim signment prior to the class, if possible. Access the resource pages in the link accompanying this article or in emails publicizing the program. Then navigate to www.jewishgen.org. Begin with the section GET STARTED/First Timer. This will give you the opportunity to experi- ment and to develop real questions that Yefim will be happy to answer at the Sunday session.

The class will begin at noon and light refreshments and beverages will be available. There is a suggested donation of $10.

Those planning to attend should notify Myrna Hammerling by September 14th at [email protected] or 413-445-4872 x 16.

asked them to draw a The wider community is also welcome. family tree. This ignited his genealogy passion! How many of us truly know the Yefim’s downloadable resource guide is details of our ancestors’ treks and tribu- available by typing the following link into lations? We often develop the curiosity your web browser: bit.ly/2u28mKD long after the passing of these genera- tions. Discovering traces, tracking them (Note: Jewish ancestry photos–the Bass fam- down and studying the historic context advance of September 17 and explore ily and Menush Samuels–courtesy of Lazerus/ can be personally eye-opening. Some- BEFORE coming to the K.I. social hall. Bookless family archive.) where in this process, we may also get This time, attendees will have their own in touch with appreciating the strength electronics in front of them plus Yefim’s of those whose varied journeys enabled guidance through a projector and our presence in this very place today! screen! O

KOL K.I. • SEPTEMBER 2017 • ELUL 5777–TISHREI 5778 n 15 Yahrzeits • September 2017 • Elul 5777 – Tishrei 5778

9/1 -10 ELUL Stanley Howard David Goldenberg Liba Rothenberg 9/29 - 9 TISHRI Chaim Witkowski Oransky Morris Meirowitz Mac Sturm Anne Lipton Henry Voremberg Walter Rosenzweig Rachel Shindler Mary Sidransky Charles Rose Marvin Gersh Vivian Rosenberg Meyer Rothenberg Israel Bloom 9/9 - 18 ELUL Mitchell Dworkin Minnie Cohen 9/16 - 25 ELUL Lena Schreck Nathan Kaplan David Mindlin Nathan Dworkin Max Levine Philip Turetsky Henry Stern Elyse Newson Ralph Radsken Rose Spiegel Sadie Kobritz Mera Berman Spencer Norman Prose Shimon Davidoff 9/2 - 11 ELUL 9/10 - 19 ELUL 9/17 - 26 ELUL 9/22 - 2 TISHRI Irving Siegel 9/30 - 10 TISHRI Samuel Akresh Ann F. Imhoff Abraham Cutler Anna Gorfinkle Benjamin Shusterman Samuel Gold Carol Greenwald Dr. Elihu Isadore Klein Janey R. Alper Bonnie Prives Hochfelder Edward Skoletsky Jean Marks Carl Linker 9/3 - 12 ELUL Eleanor Kaplan Esther Bookless Jerold B. Spitz, M.D. Celia Linker Benjamin Cohen Hanan Berlin Schechter Rose Spitzberg Esther Cutler Louis Zemmel Isadore Staskin Jack Linker 9/18 - 27 ELUL 9/23 - 3 TISHRI Maurice Hyman Joseph Schecter 9/4 - 13 ELUL Goldstein Edward Handelman Charlotte Shusterman Max Nissenbaum Anna Chesney Philip Rothenberg Fainya Levina Elesheva Brookner Milton Freadman Eliezer Samel Rose Secunda Morris Schiller Joseph Green Nathan Budnick Harry Albert Samuel Pill Ronald Albert Siegfried Karl Ron Mandler Henry Golub Saul Leo Tauber Yakov Blyankman Ruth Scherr 9/19 - 28 ELUL Tillie Cohen William Adelson Sarah Linker Abraham Pincus 9/24 - 4 TISHRI 9/11 - 20 ELUL Solomon Fox 9/5 - 14 ELUL Charles Louis Klein Dorothy Ann Wolfe Arno Altmann Fannie Goldstein Fein Edith Zuckerman Estelle Sarah Kolman 10/1 - 11 TISHRI Philip Alberts Bernard Bressler Evans Esther Bloom Ben Herman Sylvia Weisberg David Marks Hyman Golos Jacob Sandler Sarah Altmann 9/20 - 29 ELUL Lillie S. Abeles 9/13 - 22 ELUL Murray H. Ike Tillie Sandler Esther Rose Savitt Norma Spungen Chaim Goldin 9/25 - 5 TISHRI Samuels Rose Ginsberg 9/6 - 15 ELUL Dijon Green Joseph Gruberg Anna Bernice Greenspan Bess K. Rosenthal Judith Lipschutz Lawrence E. Selkowitz Martin Feldman 10/2 - 12 TISHRI Mae Fuhrman Dora Levin Lillian Bernstein Mary Apkin Levine Anna S. Greenwald Miriam Samuels Gloria Leavitt Sylvia Gluck Miriam Geller Green Nathan Bookless Hannah Green Robert Kerbel Asher Prives Rose Dworkin Silver 9/21 - 1 TISHRI Tillie Metropole Rose Honigbaum Doris Kriger Arlene Margolis Ruth Adelson Katz 9/7 - 16 ELUL 9/14 - 23 ELUL Cong. B’Nai Abraham Ruth Gorfinkle Bernstein Florence Frankel Irving Goldberg Sandisfield Yulia Chernova Rachel Albert jill Weiner Eleanor Stern Zeita Genesina Rubin Marmulstein Martin Moss Friedl Sturm Reva Curran George Lober 9/27 - 7 TISHRI 9/8- 17 ELUL 5777 Samuel Joseph Pill Gussie Jean Prose Minnie Haimson Abraham Rosenblum Howard Fishman 9/15 - 24 ELUL Edith A. Reder Ida Soifer Dworkin 9/28 - 8 TISHRI Helen Fellner Ben Ortenberg In Memory of All Cecille Radsken John Feldman Benjamin Perlman Unremembered Jews Rosie Levine Morris H. Kane Boris London Joseph Klein Tanhele Kuskin

Knesset Israel Cemetery gates will be open on Sunday, September 10 and Sunday, September 17 from 9 am to 5 pm.

16 n KOL K.I. • SEPTEMBER 2017 • ELUL 5777–TISHREI 5778 Funds & Endowments

Ellen and Stuart Masters ADULT EDUCATION FUND GENERAL DONATIONS Gertrude Moskowitz In appreciation for Myrna Hammerling Mildred Novick In honor of Michael Albert and Laurie Brenner Beth and Joel Radsken Susan Merrill on the occasion of their Marian and Marshall Raser engagement. ARTHUR & SYLVIA STEIN Viktor Rashkes Robert and Elaine Baum ENDOWMENT FUND Beatrice Selig In memory of Mara Blumina In memory of Arthur Stein Marty, Roberta, Michael, Alexander Blumin Carole Siegel and Perri Shindler In appreciation of Yizkor service Elaine Shindler Pincus and Gloria Boms Marilyn Simons BOBBI COHN REVITALIZATION Loretta, Louis & Barry Skoletsky In memory of Bernard Poretz ENDOWMENT Phoebe and Don Sugarman Dale and Richard Charkow In memory of Edward Pincus Jan and Harvey Zimbler For Shavuot In memory of Selma Cohn Brenda and Fred Landes Patricia Goldman Roberta Cohn Michael and Barbara Ende In appreciation of the KI Band members and cooks who always make Shirei SAMUEL & ANNA BOOKLESS Shabbat a wonderful experience ENDOWMENT CEMETERY FUND Margo Golos In memory of Benjamin Bookless In memory of Marjorie Goldman Maxine Bookless and Nan Bookless Susan and Steven Baum In memory of Phillip Dolinger In memory of Beatrice Dichner Lisa and Paul Green BUBBE & ZAYDE SHINDLER In memory of Sam Landa In memory of Ethel Suskin ENDOWMENT FUND The Landa Family Gerald Hayden In honor of Alice and Marty Jonas on In memory of Martha K. Rivlin In memory of Lila Holland the occasion of their 60th wedding Robin Sue Landsburg Richard Holland anniversary and Samuel Schwartz In memory of Bertha Jacobs Feingold Elaine Shindler In memory of Liya Berlin Thank you to all who purchased Inna, Boris and Julia Saltanovich mishloach manot for us in celebration CEMETERY GATE CONTRIBUTIONS In memory of Henry Simkin of Purim In memory of Sophie Goldner Barbara Simkin Karen and Bruce Jacobs Marian and Marshal Raser In memory of Howard Kanner In memory Arthur and Sylvia Stein CHESED FUND Ellen Kanner Maxine, Mindy and Joyce Stein For prayers of healing for Susie Fienberg In memory of Henry Krawet In memory of Vera Gangel In memory of Ralph Goodman Ann and Dave Krawet Barbara Gershen Swartz Kermit Goodman In memory of Fanny Tryster In memory of Martha K. Rivlin Rochelle Leinwand CEMETERY GATE CONTRIBUTIONS Robin Sue Landsburg For a welcoming experience on Shabbat IN MEMORY OF EDDIE SKOLETSKY and Samuel Schwartz Robert and Carol Levine Amy Abramovich In honor of Rachel Zuckerman’s Elaine Epstein DEBRA DEROTHSCHILD engagement to Chris Peifer Lori, Bruce, Larry and Alexander Fish ENDOWMENT FUND Thank you to KI members who sent Enid Fuhrman and Family In honor of Ileen and Leonard Cohen on Michloah Manot Diana Geller and Andy Geller the occasion of their special anniversary Elaine Loveman Miriam Gesserman Carol and Alan Cohen Alice and Martin Jonas In memory of Charles Flasher Lawrence, Sarah, Jacob, Barbara Mandler ESTHER & SAMUEL COHEN and Kaetah Klein In memory of Ida Milstein ENDOWMENT FUND Cecily Levine David and Nancy Milstein Nan and Allan Lipton In memory of Esther Geller Cohen Elaine Loveman In memory of Samuel B. Cohen Ileen and Lenny Cohen continued on page 18

KOL K.I. • SEPTEMBER 2017 • ELUL 5777–TISHREI 5778 n 17 Funds & Endowments (continued)

In memory of Kirk R. Phillips In memory of Barbara Rose Snyder In honor of Stuart Masters on the Vickie Phillips and Kim Phillips Ruth, Robert, Nicole, occasion of his retirement In memory of Marcia Rosenthal and Alyssa Waldheim Margo Golos and Leon Horwitz Laura Rosenthal In memory of Elliot Harvey Stahl In memory of Kenneth Schwartz ISRAEL & THERESA PILL Karen and Bruce Jacobs ENDOWMENT FUND Maxine Schwartz Thank you to Michael Albert, Stu and In memory of David Goldenberg In memory of Rose Siegel Ellen Masters, Judith Weiner and the In memory of Ida Pill KI Congregation for their wonderful Sharon Siegel In memory of Israel B. Pill haymishe hospitality when we visited In memory of Estelle Skole David Pill your shule June 30, July 1 and 2. In memory of Jacob Skole In memory of Israel B. Pill Jackie and Norman Kahn Carol and Donald Skole Theresa Pill In honor of Marcie Greenfield Simons In memory of Fannie Shalett In honor of Stu Masters In memory of Jacob Shalett JOSEPH & PAULINE SIEGEL Nan and Allan Lipton Barbara Snyder ENDOWMENT FUND In honor of Ira Lieberman’s 75th In honor of Jonathan Denmark being In memory of Irving Siegel Birthday! named President of Knesset Israel The Karlin Family Ellen and Stuart Masters In honor of Lynn and Gerry Denmark on the occasion of their 45th wedding In memory of Sidney Metzger anniversary KENNETH & ELAINE LOVEMAN In memory of Gerald Mass Carol and Stan Tickton ENDOWMENT FUND Margery and Alan Metzger In memory of Margaret Goodman In memory of Pauline Weinstein Happy Anniversary wishes to Alan In memory of Sidney Goodman and Margie Metzger Eileen and Harry Weinstein Elaine Loveman Happy Birthday wishes to Ellen Masters In memory of Ruth L Wininger Ellen and Allen Rosenblatt Jon & Iris Wininger KIDDUSH CHALLENGE In memory of Bruce Rossomando With gratitude Phyllis and Ira Lieberman In memory of Martha Rothstein Joseph Sklav In honor of Len Schiller for the amazing Janet and David Rothstein With gratitude job he did as president Get well wishes for Ellen Masters Adele and Len Lewis Beth and Bernie Abramson Carole Siegel For a warm Welcome on Shabbat In appreciation of honor received and In memory of Barbara Snyder Gail and Myron Griffel warm welcome from KI Andrew, Sandra, Ann , In memory of Gertrude Finger David and Nancy Bayer and Rosie Snyder Gerald Hayden In memory of Audrey Schlanger In honor of Ira Lieberman’s 75th In memory of Natalie Holland In memory of Roslyn G. Citrin birthday! Richard Holland In honor of Harold Saltzman on the Diana Geller and Andy Geller occasion of his 95th birthday! HEBREW SSCHOOL DONATIONS Diana Geller and Andy Geller MAX & HINDA FISHELSON In memory of Walter Epstein In memory of Jeannette Geller ENDOWMENT FUND Elaine Epstein Ellie and Mike Geller In memory of Max Fishelson Laura and John Frankenthaler

Donation guidelines: Minimum donation to funds is $5. Endowment Fund contribution minimum is $10. We welcome contributions in any amount. Contributions of less than $5 are not publicized.

18 n KOL K.I. • SEPTEMBER 2017 • ELUL 5777–TISHREI 5778 Funds & Endowments

Who occupies [her] himself with the needs of the community Professional Headstone is as though s/he occupies [her] himself with Torah. Cleaning Available… —Talmud Yerushalmi, Berakhot At a discount!

The K.I. Cemetery Committee has ar- MORRIS & RACHEL HARRIS In memory of Ralph Goodman ranged with our cemetery services con- ENDOWMENT FUND Myla Blum tractor for a quantity discount on monu- In memory of Dr. Morris Harris In gratitude to Len Schiller ment cleaning. The cost per monument Joanna and Ellis Fribush In honor of. and all good things to will be $65. When the committee has MURRAY & CECILY LEVINE Jonathan Denmark cleaning requests for 25 monuments, ENDOWMENT FUND Maxine Bookless and Nan Bookless we will schedule the contractor. Please e-mail Diana ([email protected]) In honor of Marty and Alice Jonas on In memory of Larry Dubin with the name(s) on the monument(s) the occasion of their 60th wedding Nancy Cook you would like to have cleaned. anniversary. In memory of Connie Lister In memory of Max Lenhoff In memory of Sidney Landes Cecily Levine and Amy Levine Brenda and Fred Landes In honor of the presidency of together. RABBI’S DISCRETIONARY FUND Jonathan Denmark In memory of Audrey Schlanger Nan and Allan Lipton Joyfully stuff envelopes Jan and Harvey Zimbler In memory of Ida C. Loveman with other mailing mavens! Ileen and Lenny Cohen In memory of Joseph F. Loveman Be a GLEE star at Shriei Shabbat Yvette Bastow Elaine Loveman Joel and Phyllis Curran Comfort a loss with Chevra Kaddisha Rose Foster In memory of Abraham B. Nathanson • Myrna and Elie Hammerling Bennett Nathanson visit Brenda and Fred Landes In memory of Liya Uskolovskaya knessetisrael.org Margery and Alan Metzger Viktor Rashkes for opportunities! Arlene and Gary Schiff In appreciation of Rabbi David and Len and Alice Schiller Judith Weiner for their warmth and Naomi Schwartz hospitality and for worship at KI In memory of Irving Lerner Rabbi Arthur and Adrienne Rulnick Emergency Contacts Geraldine and Robert Becker In memory of Minna Schlanger PASTORAL CARE. In memory of William Bender Martin Schlanger If you are in need of emergency pasto- Lillian Bender In memory of Dr. Douglas Levy ral care for any reason, please contact In memory of Merrill Silverstein In memory of Rabbi Avraham Soltes Rabbi Weiner, 413-445-4872, ext. 10. Helene Berke Marcia Soltes FUNERALS. In memory of Joan Bildner In memory of William Bender Knesset Israel’s funeral arrangements Robert Bildner and Karen Weingarten are handled with Flynn-Dagnoli funeral Elisa Spungen Bildner In memory of Marsha Weltman home. Please call 413-663-6523 or 413- Edward Weltman 442-1733. You can also email flynndag- [email protected]. CARE COMMITTEE. If you or another K.I. member you know Remember your special event or a loved one is experiencing serious illness requiring support, please contact the Care Com- by a donation to the Bima Flower Fund. mittee by calling the main office of Knes- Call Naomi Schwartz at 413-841-0006. set Israel, 413-445-4872, ext. 10 and we will be in touch with you.

KOL K.I. • SEPTEMBER 2017 • ELUL 5777–TISHREI 5778 n 19 Non-Profit Org. U.S. POSTAGE PAID Pittsfield, MA 01201 Permit # 70

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