Congregation Beth Shalom Rodfe Zedek

The WholeMegillah

January & February 2014 Tevet 29 – Adar 28, 5774 Deb Rutty The B'not Mitzvah Class will be called to the Torah on January 11. Inside this issue Adult B’not Mitzvah Class 8

The Rabbi Talks Meet the about Silence…...... 3 Madrichim...... 12

Jesus for Jews...... 6 Second Saturday Honoree, Peg Palmer…...... 22 Introducing Stephen Davis, New Vice-President...... 7 Tu B'Shevat Celebration….....23

www.cbsrz.org T H A N K Y O U IN THIS ISSUE to the following donors from 10/2/2013 to 12/6/2013

Music & More Lois Glazer: in memory of Ed Glazer Anonymous Lois Glazer: in memory of Nathan Luchnick From Our Rabbi Rita Christopher & David Frank Harvey & Nancy Goldstein: in memory of 3 Rabbi Rachel Goldenberg Anthony & Linda Rigono Arthur Goldstein 860-526-8920 Saul & Hila Rosen Ellen Gottfried: in memory of Lawrence Gottfried, [email protected] Social Action Fund – Philippine Tornado Relief Beverly Gilman McCaffrey, Barry Gilman, and Worship Services and Steven Barasz & Shelley Sprague Helen Schreiber Gilman Jan./Feb. Events Belinda Brennan Susan & Robert Furman Henry & Elizabeth Gottlieb: in memory of Educator & Corinne Weber Nathan Gottlieb Cantorial Soloist John & Jackie Hastings: in memory of Mary Pinkus 4 860-526-8920 Tzedakah Collective Goldstein [email protected] Anonymous Laura Hesslein: in memory of Milton Braun Hesslein Bert and Rose Madnick Harvey Hoberman: in memory of Howard Kaplan From Our President Lary Bloom Elliot & Nancy Schwam: in honor of Fink Family Fund 5 President Jackie Michael's birthday Brad & Lori Jubelirer: donation 860-526-9401 Gene & Marilyn Kalet: in memory of Alana Community Garden [email protected] Hitschmann and Anna Kandell Michael & Susan Peck: in memory of Howard Kaplan Editor's Column: Jesus for Jews Gene & Marilyn Kalet: in memory of Bernard Kalet Stephen Davis Food/Beverage Fund David and Iris Klar: in memory of Miriam Klar 6 Vice-President Susan Savitt Hilary Levinson 203-245-8167 Lynne & Ric Zimmerman George & Dorothy Palmer: in memory of Nathan Sigal Introducing Stephen Davis Sandy Seidman Klezmer Band Joseph Pear: in memory of Joseph Katz Financial Vice President Rochelle Dauenheimer Michael & Susan Peck: in honor of Dahlia 7 860-399-5709 Torah Fund Goldenberg's upcoming May wedding [email protected] Rochelle Dauenheimer Michael & Susan Peck: in honor of Kay Chiat's Rochelle Dauenheimer: in appreciation of Kevin Fox birthday Adult B’not Mitzvah Henry Resnikoff Philip & Susan Fine: in honor of the aliyah during Michael & Susan Perl: in memory of Michael 8–11 Secretary Rosh Hashanah Gossner 860-767-0547 Edward & Linda Pinn: in memory of Laurette Pinn [email protected] Library Fund Edward & Linda Pinn: in memory of Marc Sherman Whole Mishpacha Rochelle Dauenheimer Linda Polomski: in memory of Adaline Barbara Kevin B. Fox Treasurer Art Gallery Fund Goodman and Ethel Goodman 12–16 860-597-6302 Rochelle Dauenheimer Regine Powell: in memory of Howard Kaplan Harvey & Justine Redak: in appreciation of all the [email protected] Meditation Garden Mishebeirach from the congregation Photo Gallery Wendy Bayor Bernard Slater: in memory of Howard Kaplan Harvey & Justine Redak: in appreciation of Sandy Administrator Donations Seidman for his kindness 17–19 Harvey & Justine Redak: in honor of Mack Goller 860-526-8920 Rebecca Blake: in memory of Rosella Berkon [email protected] Lary Bloom & Suzanne Levine: in honor of the glorious and Joey Gister for continuing the tradition of voices of Rabbi Goldenberg, Belinda Brennan, John blowing the shofar Purim Recipe DeNicola and the CBSRZ choir directed by Meg Gister Samuel & Naomi Rogers: in honor of Jackie 19 Estelle Breslow: in memory of Bella Breslow Michael's birthday Estelle Breslow: in memory of Joseph Mager and Samuel Rogers: in memory of Rita Rogers Helen Friedman Stephen Rozenberg & Michele Kleiman: in honor of Social Action The Whole Megillah Jeff & Beth Brewer: in memory of Sarah Zomback Jackie Michael's special birthday Published bi-monthly by Rita Christopher & David Frank: in honor of Jackie Stephen Rozenberg & Michele Kleiman: in memory 20–21 Congregation Beth Shalom Michael's birthday of Edna Kleiman Rodfe Zedek Rita Christopher & David Frank: in memory of Matthew & Hadass Rubin: in memory of Dorothy D. Howard Kaplan Rubin 2nd Saturday Honoree 55 East Kings Highway James & Hyla Cohen: in memory of Hyman Salowitz Charles Savitt: in memory of Howard Kaplan PO Box 438 Rochelle Dauenheimer: in memory of Larry Adler Susan Savitt and Norman Shulkin: in honor of 22 Chester, CT 06412 Eva Davis: in memory of Gloria Alcheh Jackie Michael's birthday Voice: 860-526-8920 Stephen & Clo Davis: in honor of Jackie Michael's Seidman Family: in memory of Rayann Seidman Fax: 860-526-8918 special birthday Irving & Edie Shiffman: in honor of Jackie Michael's Tu B’Shevat and Board Highlights www.cbsrz.org Stephen & Clo Davis: in honor of Miriam Swidler's birthday 87th birthday Irving Shiffman: in memory of Cynthia Shiffman 23 Editor Stephen & Clo Davis: in memory of Howard Kaplan Norman Shulkin: in honor of the marriage of Sean Konecky Philip & Susan Fine: in memory of Frances Fine Matthew Delehanty to Dr. Jennifer Lewis CBSRZ News Philip & Susan Fine: in memory of Pearl and Corinne Weber: in memory of Victor Gottfried Editor Emeritus Norman Bass Christopher George Wich 24 Lary Bloom Nancy Fischbach & Martin Wolman: in memory of David Zeleznik & Maxine Klein: in memory of Leonard and Florence Klein Photo Editors Jerome Fischbach Deborah Rutty & Susan & Robert Furman: in memory of Esther and Year-End Appeal Condolences, Paula Retsky Barney Smith Kane-Barrengos Foundation Mi Sheberach, Remembrances Richard & Debra Glassman: in memory of George and The Whole Mishpacha Norma Glassman and George Saffir Rabbi Discretionary Fund Editor Lewis & Beatrice Case: in memory of Max Case 25 Ron & Kim Glassman: in memory of Norma Glassman, Leslie Krumholz George Glassman, and George Saffir Rochelle Dauenheimer Calendars Editorial Assistant 26–27 Wendy Bayor Design/Production Mama Loshen, Oneg Sponsors Justin Marciano 28 2 From ourRabbi By Rabbi Rachel Goldenberg

write this column having just to whatever might be arising in the moment—whether returned from spending four days pleasant or unpleasant. The practice leads to cultivation Iin silence at a retreat with the of what our tradition calls, “middot,” or divine qualities Institute for Jewish Spirituality (IJS). embodied by humans, of gratitude, equanimity, compas- About thirty of us, rabbis, cantors, sion, and justice. and laypeople, spent the last four As a leader, a rabbi, a mother, a friend, this is a pow- days of Chanukah at the Garrison erful thing. I have found that when I am engaged in Institute in Upstate New York, sitting, walking, eating (and ongoing mindfulness practice, whether on an intensive sleeping!) in silence. Silent meditation and silent retreats retreat or in small moments of meditation in my daily have become the foundation for my own personal Jewish life, I am transformed in how I engage with others and spiritual practice and growth these past three or so years. with the world. When my mind is clear and settled, I And this spring, I will be taking my professional growth see more choices in how I can respond to difficult situ- in this area to a new level as I begin a Jewish Mindfulness ations or people. This practice helps me to be more Teacher Training course. aware and more skillful in my work and in my life. You might be wondering what this is all about. Why Retreating into silence is not an escape from the world silence? Why retreat? Isn’t a leader—a rabbi—supposed to or from people. In fact, these retreats give me the resil- be actively engaged with words and with the world? What ience to better approach others, to face challenges, to is she retreating from? take on issues of justice and human rights, and, I pray, to lead this community. For those of us who engage in this spiritual practice, the practice of not speaking doesn’t actually mean that it is One of the qualities that mindfulness practice and quiet at all. In fact, when we stop speaking, we quickly silence helps to cultivate is gratitude. I am deeply grate- start to notice how noisy our minds are with thoughts, ful that the Institute for Jewish Spirituality (IJS) exists— how noisy our bodies are with sensations, how very noisy this wonderful group of rabbis who have been looking our insides are with feelings. at Jewish tradition and texts through the lens of mind- fulness and the practices that lead to mindfulness. You And then, after many hours of sitting and walking medita- may remember Rabbi Sheila Peltz Weinberg, who was tion, in which we are instructed to focus on one thing— with us as our scholar in residence a few years ago. She our breath—the mind begins to settle. The thoughts and and her colleagues at IJS are transforming Jewish life sensations never stop coming, but there is enough space and Jewish leaders through their groundbreaking work. around each thought and sensation to actually notice each (To learn more about IJS, its vision, purpose, and what one. Simply allowing the mind to settle, and the nervous it has to offer all of us, ask me about it, or go to www. system to slow down is a good enough reason to practice jewishspirituality.org) Because of my involvement with silence and meditation—the sense of wellbeing is hard to Jewish mindfulness practice, I feel as though I now describe in words. have a new set of eyes with which to understand and But there is more to it than enjoying peace and wellbe- teach Torah, a new set of approaches to experiencing ing for myself. As I slow down, I feel my heart opening and leading prayer, and new ways to continually renew to each moment as it happens. I find equanimity and myself and find vision and resilience as a leader and peace, and I don’t react as quickly, as rashly, as harshly a rabbi.

3 JANUARY EVENTS FEBRUARY EVENTS

January Worship Services Wednesday, January 1, New Year’s Day (Office closed) Saturday, February 1, JOSTY Regional Shul-In (Brookline) Thursday, January 2, 7:00–8:30 PM, Adult Bat Mitzvah Sunday, February 2, JOSTY Regional Shul-In (Brookline); 8:30 Rehearsal –9:30 AM, Advanced Hebrew; 9:30–10:30 AM, Beginner Wednesday, January 1, 7:45 AM, Morning Minyan Hebrew Sunday, January 5, 8:30 –9:30 AM, Advanced Hebrew; Friday January 3, 5:45 PM, Tot Shabbat; 6:15 PM, Dairy 9:30–10:30 AM, Beginner Hebrew; 1:30–3:30 PM, Tuesday, February 4, 7:00 PM, Education Committee Potluck Dinner; 7:00 PM, First Friday Erev Shabbat Service Adult Bat Mitzvah Rehearsal Sunday, February 9, 8:30–9:30 AM, Advanced Hebrew; Wednesday, January 8, 7:45 AM, Morning Minyan Wednesday, January 8, 8:45 AM, Religious Affairs 9:30–10:30 AM, Beginner Hebrew; 10:45 AM–12:00 PM Sunday Torah Study Friday, January 10, 5:45 PM, Erev Shabbat Service Thursday, January 9, 12:00–1:30 PM, Lunch & Learn: Jewish Responses to Ethical Questions; 7:00 PM, Board Tuesday, February 11, 3:00 PM, Shoreline Soup Kitchen and Saturday, January 11, 10:30 AM, Second Saturday Shabbat Pantry Board Meeting Service and Adult B’not Mitzvah with Kiddush Lunch of Directors Meeting Wednesday, February 12, 7:00–8:30 PM, Jewish Pathways Sunday, January 12, 11:00, Tu B’Shevat Seder and Dairy Lunch Sunday, January 12, 8:30–9:30 AM, Advanced Hebrew; 9:30–10:30 AM, Beginner Hebrew; Class at Clinton Library Wednesday, January 15, Erev Tu B’Shevat; 7:45 AM, Morning Thursday, February 13, 12:00 –1:30 PM, Lunch & Learn: Minyan Tuesday, January 14, 3:00 PM, Shoreline Soup Kitchen and Pantry Board Meeting Jewish Responses to Ethical Questions; 7:00 PM, Board of Thursday, January 16, Tu B’Shevat Directors Meeting Sunday, January 19, 8:30–9:30 AM, Advanced Hebrew; Friday, January 17, 7:30 PM Erev Shabbat Service in honor of 9:30–10:30 AM, Beginner Hebrew; 4:00 PM, Beat the Sunday, February 16, 8:30–9:30 AM, Advanced Hebrew; Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Winter Blues Film Club 9:30–10:30 AM, Beginner Hebrew Wednesday, January 22, 7:45 AM, Morning Minyan; Thursday, January 23, 4:00–6:00 PM Social Action – Deep Monday, February 17, Presidents’ Day (Office closed) Friday, January 24, 5:45 PM, Erev Shabbat Service River Soup Kitchen Wednesday, February 19, 7:00–8:30 PM, Jewish Pathways Class at Clinton Library Wednesday, January 29, 7:45 AM, Morning Minyan; Sunday, January 26, 8:30–9:30 AM, Advanced Hebrew; 9:30–10:30 AM, Beginner Hebrew; 9:30 Sunday, February 23, 8:30–9:30 AM, Advanced Hebrew; Friday, January 31, 5:45 PM, Erev Shabbat Service AM, Congregational Meeting; 10:45 AM – 12:00 9:30–10:30 AM, Beginner Hebrew; 4:00 PM, Beat the PM, Sunday Torah Study; 2:00 PM, Peter Walker’s Winter Blues Film Club Photography: Walk and Talk Wednesday, February 26, 7:00–8:30 PM, Jewish Pathways Thursday, January 30, 5:30 PM, Social Action Committee; Class at Clinton Library 7:00 PM, Executive Committee Thursday, February 27, 7:00 PM, Executive Committee February Worship Services UPCOMING EVENTS 2014 Wednesday, February 5, 7:45 AM, Morning Minyan Friday, February 7, 5:45 PM, Tot Shabbat; 6:15 PM, Dairy Potluck Dinner; 7:00 PM, First Friday Shabbat Service Holy Scrollers Sunday, March 9, 5:00 PM, Music & More with Howard Fishman Saturday, February 8, Second Saturday Shabbat Service Saturday, March 15, Erev Purim; 7:00 PM, Adult Purim Spiel Wednesday, February 12, 7:45 AM, Morning Minyan Sunday, March 16, Purim; 9:30 AM, Children’s Purim Spiel and Torah Study Carnival Friday, February 14, 5:45 PM, Erev Shabbat Service Saturday March 22, Workshop on Nonviolence with CT Center for Wednesday February 19, 7:45 AM, Morning Minyan every Shabbat Nonviolence Friday, February 21, 5:45 PM, Erev Shabbat Service Wednesday February 26, 7:45 AM, Morning Minyan 9:00 –10:30 AM Friday, February 28, 5:45 PM Erev Shabbat Service

Don’t Be Afraid of CBSRZ’s Social Media: Facebook, Blogs, and Twitter Just the words alone can cause tremors for some but, like it or not, they are here to stay. CBSRZ is using one or more of these sites and invites members to come along, it’s really not hard, and explore the joys of cyberspace. Begin by clicking on www.cbsrz.org to bring up the Synagogue’s site and then click away at any of the colorful sites that you want to access. Click on the Facebook icon at the bottom of the page and you will be directed to the CBSRZ Facebook page and a treasure trove of information beginning with Ellen Nodelman’s blog about what it is like to be an adult B’nai Mitzvah. Click on the Like icon so you can be counted as a Friend of CBSRZ and thus receive postings as quickly as they are sent. Charles Savitt has launched a Twitter site. Be sure to follow us on Twitter @CBSRZ. Follow Rabbi Goldenberg on Twitter @rabbirg.

4 From our and many others. The former U.S. presidents without board Peggy Tunick rule, support. The president I had in mind however, was we had was Jimmy Carter, who had just writ- President to be finished by 10 ten a controversial book on Israelis and p.m., so we could all Palestinians in which he accused Israel "Boarding" School watch “E.R.” of a form of apartheid. That night at the Donna’s Triumph. meeting, I explained my idea, and then, By Lary Bloom Maybe the most dif- after a heated discussion, the board ficult tenure of all in gave the plan overwhelming approval: the presidency was by a vote of 9-8. However, Jimmy that of Donna Moran, Carter declined my invitation. because it came at A Tragic Board Night. It had been an decision-making points “ordinary” board meeting in our new about a new building and how to raise shul. We all went home thinking we ver most of the last twenty funds for it. She nevertheless carried it had done our best. The next morn- years, I knew where I’d be off with thoughtfulness, patience, and a ing, though, at 6 a.m., my phone rang. on the second Thursday O willingness to do what all congregational Jackie Michael was at the other end night of every month: in a seat at presidents must do: listen to dozens of of the line. “Donna. Our Donna was our CBSRZ board table. This will opinions. killed last night.” In the next few sec- change in July, when my present onds, details emerged. Donna Moran, term expires. Idle Thursday nights Persistence and Homework. In our literally groundbreaking former will seem odd to me, I know, and yet 1997, the board hired an architect who president, had forgotten her laptop at there is no doubt that younger lead- had a lot of experience designing syn- the meeting and went back to get it. As ership must emerge and develop, and agogues to work on plans for a new she drove, and as her husband George I’m gratified that’s happening. CBSRZ home. But his design seemed uninspired, ordinary—and the board Amarant waited for her at home, her In the meantime, I thought I’d offer dismissed him. I received a note a car was hit head-on by a truck driven younger leaders the benefit, if that’s couple of weeks later from Sol LeWitt, by a man who was inebriated. what it is, of what I have learned at the who said that he had a model of what A Presidential View. At the time of table of decision over these decades. our new place could look like, and did Donna’s death, I was in awe of all she The Vision Thing. My first presi- I want to come over and take a look? had done for us and as time has passed, dent was Harriet Fellows. She had Of course I wanted to. The model my regard for her accomplishments has an uncommon way of communicat- was like nothing I had seen before: only expanded. I’d like to pay tribute ing. She got right to the point, and a synagogue as a work of art. He to all of my predecessors: the people with authority. One night in 1994, explained that it was inspired by east- who carried the weight of this position, she invited all board members to her ern European wooden synagogues. It including Bob Woolf, Susan Peck, Jon house instead of our humble little shul was stunning, but I knew that those Samburg, Sandy Seidman, Louise Ross, in Deep River. We sat in her living of us who liked Sol’s idea had a chore Jo-Ann Price, Debbie Mueller, Bruce room as she showed us her own draw- in front of us. Sol was, of course, an Josephy, Martin Nadel, Harvey Redak, ing of “a barn”—a new home for our internationally admired artist, not an and ... of course, Donna Moran. congregation. “We’re going to build it,” architect. The board would need con- And So… I look around the table on she said. I remember gasping. Where vincing. The night of the board meet- Thursday nights and know that I am are we going to get the money? How ing, I stood in front of the mirror in the in the company of the strongest board will we do this? It’s only us, after all. men’s room at the newspaper office, of directors I’ve ever seen at CBSRZ. Little us, with about 50 families. and I practiced the speech I would These members present innovative The Caring Quotient. Early board deliver that night. “This is an uncom- ideas, ask probing questions, take very meetings provided lessons for would-be mon opportunity,” I would say, etc. As seriously their fiduciary responsibili- leaders. As chair of the Program Com- it turned out, I needn’t have worried. ties on behalf of the congregation, and mittee back then, I asked board approval There was an instant embrace of the sometimes even pretend that the idea for our first Books & Bagels program. idea, and an experienced architect, I have put forward is a good one. This Afterwards, the more seasoned member, Stephen Lloyd, was hired to help turn board has produced reports and recom- Reuven Clein, advised that I didn’t need Sol’s beautiful plan into reality. mendations for senior and community board approval for that kind of thing, On the Other Hand. As I learned care, for the future of our school, and and that issues that rose to board level from Reuven, getting board approval other vital matters. With the tireless and tended to be ones that required solving for speakers was not necessary. How- wise help of the Nominating and Gov- by group effort. Among the members of ever, a few years ago, one plan for a ernance Committee, it has prepared the group who put a great deal of effort speaking engagement rose to board for the future. So, as I head toward my into solving problems in those days: level—I knew I needed buy-in. That’s Thursday Night Retirement date, I am Peggy Tunick, Si Taubman, Jon Joslow because you can’t go around inviting satisfied that we’ll all be in great hands.

5 acknowledge the extraordinary women—sets a powerful example From our nature of the Gospels as literary for modern progressive Jews to works. Written at a time when follow. Still what are we as Jews only the deeds of rulers were to make of Jesus’ own messianic Editor considered to be worth memori- claims? The question is not an easy alizing, they provide an account one. Even leaving aside John, the of the life and acts of a Jewish Gospels are unambiguous: Jesus is JESUS peasant in unprecedented detail. the Messiah. It is true that in the Gos- That is not say that they are bio- pel of Mark he refuses to publicly FOR JEWS graphical in any modern sense. accept this title, preferring to speak By Sean Konecky All of the Gospels are didactic and of himself as the ‘Son of man’ (an concern themselves with Jesus’ appellation from Daniel). Nonethe- teachings, healings, miracles, and less he does acknowledge it during standing as the messiah. his interrogation by the Sanhedrin. And in his transfiguration, Mark The Jesus of the synoptic gospels reports God’s voice saying, “This is am convinced that historical exi- is, however, first of all a Jew. He is my son.” In Matthew’s and Luke’s gencies have deprived the Jewish deeply familiar with the Tanakh: he accounts Jesus is more forthcoming Ipeople of one of its greatest proph- is addressed as Rabbi by his follow- about his role. However, an early ets: Jesus of Nazareth. Christian anti- ers and the crowds that flock to him; Judeo-Christian group, the Ebionite Judaism is deeply rooted. As Rosemary he recites the shema; disputes fine sect, about whom most of what is Ruether, a provocative Catholic theolo- points of the law; and the trajectory known comes from Church Fathers, gian, makes the case in her book Faith of his life story leads him to the tem- who condemned it as heretical, and Fratricide, it arose out of what ple and Jerusalem where one of his denied Jesus’ divinity. According to the early Christians perceived as an last free acts is to celebrate Passo- Wikipedia they are “described as existential threat and became one of ver. More than this his teaching is emphasizing the oneness of God and the principal elements upon which the explicitly directed to the Jews. Mark the humanity of Jesus as the bio- new religion was founded. 7:24-29 recounts a gentile woman’s logical son of both Mary and Joseph, request that Jesus exorcise a demon From its beginnings Christianity who by virtue of his righteousness, possessing her daughter: attacked Judaism. This is apparent in was chosen by God to be the mes- the later Gospels, especially in John. He said to her, ‘Let the children be fed sianic ‘prophet like Moses.’” That John’s gospel, the last to be written, first, for it is not fair to take the chil- such alternate interpretations of provides an extended Christological dren’s food and throw it to the dogs.’ Jesus’ life and mission by his con- argument rather than an account of But she answered him, ‘Sir, even the temporaries would have clearly run Jesus’ life and teachings as is found dogs under the table eat the children’s afoul with the proselytizers of early in the synoptic gospels (Mark, Mat- crumbs.’ Then he said to her, ‘For say- Christianity, is understandable. In thew and Luke). The strongest case ing that, you may go—the demon has fact, the history of the early Church against the Jews is made by Paul, left your daughter.’ So she went home, dogma is to a large extent a proc- whose Pharasaic background made found the child lying on the bed, and ess of calibrating the exact nature of him thoroughly conversant with the the demon gone. Jesus and the ruthless excision of dif- terms of Jewish devotion. In chap- ferent, “heretical” versions. Matthew elaborates on this episode ter nine of Romans, he makes what adding his initial response to her On the other hand the Gospel became for Christianity a formative (15:24): account may accurately reflect Jesus’ distinction between carnal and spir- self-appraisal: he may have thought itual Israel, denuding Judaism of any But He answered and said, "I was sent that he was the Messiah. Even so value of its own and setting the stage only to the lost sheep of the house of what he may have meant by this is for the typological interpretation of Israel." by no means certain. And from the Hebrew scripture that sees them as I don’t see the need to go into portrait that the synoptic Gospels primarily an allegorical prefiguring details of his teaching here. But to provide, it is extremely difficult to Christ. my way of thinking his criticisms of credit that he saw himself as “Christ, But Jesus is not Paul. Though I do contemporary practices and rigid the Son of God made man…the not believe that the accuracy of the doctrine deserve a prominent place Father's one, perfect and unsurpass- Gospel account of Jesus’ life can ever in our prophetic tradition. And his able Word. In him he has said eve- be determined, even those who want invitation to those marginalized by rything; there will be no other word nothing to do with Jesus have to society—tax collectors, bar owners, than this one” (from the Catechism

6 of the Catholic Church). Perhaps producing Music & More, our biggest Governance and Performance and as Jews we can look upon him as a fundraising and cultural initiative. Lecturer on the SOM faculty. man, imperfect and mistaken, but Of this change, Board President Lary Davis served on the SEC’s Investor also as a powerful voice that insists Bloom says, “I’m grateful to both Advisory Committee, where Chair upon being heard. Miriam, who has solved so many con- Mary Schapiro appointed him chair It was the task of Paul, the early gregational problems over many years, of the Investor as Owner Subcommit- Christian Fathers and generations of and to Stephen, who in short order has tee. He is a board member and former Christian thinkers and dogmatists to helped establish procedures based on chair of Hermes EOS, the shareowner aryanize Jesus. I know a non-Jew who best practices culled from his experi- engagement arm of Hermes Pensions expressed shock and disbelief when ence and then adapted them to the Management, the UK’s largest retire- I informed her that Jesus was Jewish. congregation.” ment fund; trustee of ShareAction, the But does this mean that we as critically London-based advocate for responsi- In the last year or so, as a board mem- minded modern Jews need to be com- ble investment; co-organizer of Brook- ber, he has produced highly regarded plicit in their act of appropriation? ings’ World Forum on Governance in reports on community care for our Prague; Member of the World Eco- I look forward to receiving your com- most vulnerable congregants, and on nomic Forum Global Agenda Council ments, criticisms, and suggestions on how we have followed through on on the Future of Long Term Invest- my editorials or on any of the article our long-term strategic plan. Stephen ing; Member of the advisory board of in The Whole Megillah. Please email and his wife Clo, our Program chair, Cartica Capital; Member of the Private them to [email protected]. have been great supporters of many Sector Advisory Group of the Global CBSRZ initiatives. Their son Gabriel Corporate Governance Forum; and became a bar mitzvah here and member of the advisory boards of the remains active in youth activities. Centre for Corporate Governance in Clo’s mother Miriam is a CBSRZ mem- Africa at Stellenbosch University and ber. And Stephen’s parents, Jack and Stephen the Center for Corporate Governance Helen, are longtime leaders in the at Handelshochschule Leipzig. Davis shoreline Jewish community. Davis, is also a senior advisor at Teneo, presi- our New VP “CBSRZ’s caring community, welcom- dent of consultant Davis Global Advi- ing culture and spiritual curiosity are sors, and founder-editor of the Global unique strengths which drew me in Proxy Watch newsletter. from the start. I am honored to take up Winner of the 2011 ICGN Award for responsibilities under Lary’s leadership Excellence in Corporate Governance, and look forward to ideas and feed- Davis co-authored The New Capital- back from congregants. Jewish institu- ists: How Citizen Investors are Reshap- tions are, I believe, at a tipping pojnt, ing the Corporate Agenda (Harvard requiring us again — as we’ve done Business School Press, 2006), which for 5,000 years — to adapt in order was named by the Wall Street Jour- to thrive. You only have to sit in our nal, Financial Times and Australian inspiring sanctuary to know that we Financial Review as one of the best have everything we need to secure our business books of 2006. The book has spiritual and financial future.” been translated into Japanese, Portu- Stephen is a Madison native. Some guese, Complex Chinese and Korean. Stephen Davis highlights from his official CV: A sequel published by Yale Press is due in 2014.He is also the author of eginning in January, Stephen Stephen Davis, Ph.D. is associate “Mobilizing Ownership: An Agenda Davis, an internationally rec- director of the Harvard Law School for Corporate Renewal,” published ognized corporate governance Programs on Corporate Govern- B by Brookings in May 2012. Davis expert, becomes the new CBSRZ ance and Institutional Investors, and contributed to Corporate Governance board vice president. a senior fellow at the Program on in the Wake of the Financial Crisis Corporate Governance. He is also a Put forward by our Nominating and (UNCTAD, 2011) and The Origins of nonresident senior fellow in govern- Governance Committee and approved Shareholder Advocacy (Palgrave Mac- ance at the Brookings Institution. by the board at the November meeting, millan, 2011). He received his doctor- From 2007–2012 he was executive Stephen fills out the final six months of ate at the Fletcher School of Law and director of the Yale School of Manage- the term of Miriam Gardner-Frum, who Diplomacy, Tufts University. has decided to devote her efforts to ment’s Millstein Center for Corporate

7 Introducing the Adult Retsky Paula Bat Mitzvah Class of 5774 By Ellen Nodelman Whatever made you decide to become bat mitzvah?’ That’s the ques- “tion we’ve all been asked (with the unspoken addition: at your age?). And a very good question too. We all have different answers, and some of us are still searching for the final, and most sat- isfying, answer…which probably won’t come until Shabbat Morning, January 11, 2014, when each of us will be called to B’not Mitzvah candidates at the Save the Train benefit concert with Anne Wernau of Safe Futures the Torah, the pinnacle, although not the sons, but by midwinter eight of us, all shared desire in a very particular way. conclusion, of that special day. women, had committed ourselves to the So here is a short glimpse of each of us, Some of us can trace it back to begin- process, not without some trepidation. introducing ourselves: ning Hebrew class with Evelyn Foster I remember the phone call I received Sandee G: The decision to participate in the fall of 2012. We sat in the confer- from the rabbi on the eve not just of in the Adult B'not Mitzvah class symbol- ence room, a few absolute beginners, a Shabbat but of the huge winter storm izes to me a homecoming, a return to few continuing from the year (or years) that paralyzed so much of the shoreline. a spiritual home that I feel I have been before, a few, like me, hoping to renew I was in New York, preparing for the journeying towards my whole life. In fast fading familiarity with Hebrew. storm there, in a tiny cottage near the 1954 my parents married, my mother, Rabbi Rachel was there to greet us as small independent school where I am a Jewish woman, marrying a non-Jew. we started our study and then, quite the part-time college counselor. I told My very conservative grandparents casually, mentioned that she would be the rabbi that I was interested in being could not accept the marriage. It was holding two series of mini-courses later part of this programme but was unsure not until 1960 that my mother recon- in the year, one on the prayer book, of my qualifications for doing so. Was ciled with her parents. Sadly my mother one on Torah, aimed at connecting my Hebrew up to the task? Would I be was not welcomed back to her religion. us with ‘The Jew you’d like to be’, an in Connecticut enough to be able to Growing up I was fortunate to be very intriguing title. And…oh, yes…she was participate meaningfully? Would I have connected to my grandmother. She was hoping to put together a group of peo- the time to prepare? As she did with the my window into what I thought as a ple who were interested in adult bar or others, the rabbi both encouraged and child was a mystical world. I learned bat mitzvahs. reassured me, letting me know that she about my family, Russian Jews. My would be assessing everyone’s Hebrew For the moment we focused on grandmother came to America in 1916 and helping us decide what we could acquainting (or re-acquainting) ourselves with one of her brothers at 16 years old. and could not do. with the Hebrew alphabet and working My great grandmother was a midwife. our way through elementary Hebrew So we found ourselves, that first Bat I grew up with a mother who by her phrases, all with Evelyn’s intrepid guid- Mitzvah—or as we later learned to call example believed in service to others; ance—now there’s a woman who it B’Not Mitzvah—class in April, meet- she lived Tikkun Olam, beginning with doesn’t get discouraged. When the rabbi ing with each other and the rabbi and her family. My mother was a nurse, and started her first mini-course, a number explaining who we were and why we her dedication to her profession and to of us were in attendance and followed were there. those she cared for touched many lives up on the second. That was the moment over the years. I too acknowledge and It was apparent immediately that differ- when some of us really began to think strive to live a life that values the impor- ent as we all were, we all shared some- about becoming bat mitzvah—a tangible tance of service to others. thing very important in common: the step towards becoming the Jew we each desire to advance our Jewish learning I am honored to have this opportunity wanted to be. and become truly contributing members to read from the Torah. When I do it will Each one of us made the final decision of our particular Jewish community, be for my mother, grandmother, and all at different times and for different rea- CBSRZ. But each of us had come to that the females that came before me. 8 lenge. So far it has been very reward- committee and the choir. Through those ing, especially with all the help from experiences, and a long-standing con- Rabbi Rachel and Belinda. I am very nection to Judaism, I decided to convert. glad to have my seven classmates trav- And in 1998, I became a Jew. Even elling this path with me. then, I hoped that I would someday be able to become a daughter of the com- Sandy H: I began my Bat Mitz- mandments, knowing that I would find vah journey by studying beginning it rewarding and important. What I Hebrew with Evelyn Foster, a master didn’t know then is just how rewarding teacher and extraordinary human it would be. Going through this proc- being. I had always been interested in ess with seven remarkable women has languages. I attended Workman’s Cir- deepened this experience for me. I’m cle school as a child where I learned nervous about January 11th, but really to read and write Yiddish. I remember can’t wait. the wonderful smell of the text when I first received it. I loved Latin and Span- Deb: For me, my adult Bat Mitzvah is ish when I was in high school. Later, I a logical and emotional completion studied Russian at Brown University’s of a circle. I grew up in Bridgeport in night school. So, learning Hebrew was the 50s and 60s, attending an Ortho- another challenge. But this challenge dox shul where the atmosphere was of learning languages turned into very somber, women and men sat Mentors for the B’not Mitzvah class: Belinda Brennan, something else in my life. When asked separately, and the services were all in Evelyn Foster, and Rabbi Goldenberg if I would be interesting in obtaining Hebrew. I had little understanding of my Bat Mitzvah, I hesitated but then the depth and beauty of the prayers. decided it was something I would be By the time I went to college at age 17, Pamela: After being drawn to Judaism interested in pursuing. I had disassociated myself from Jew- for over twenty-five years, I finally com- ishness, although I never abandoned pleted my formal conversion in April, I think my decision again had roots in my internal identity of being a Jew. 2012. During these past few years, I my childhood. I remember and can I stayed away for forty-five years..... attempted several times to learn to picture my mother lighting the candles until three years ago when I decided read the Hebrew Alphabet in Evelyn’s every Friday night and her pious mur- to become a member of CBSRZ after Hebrew class. While in the midst of murings of the prayers. I always felt she attending all of the Rosh Hashanah this process yet once again, the oppor- was in a different place and in a differ- and Yom Kippur services. I was emo- tunity arose to take this final step of ent time. There was a simplicity in those tionally overwhelmed by their beauty, becoming an Adult Bat Mitzvah. When moments which I feel I now would like meaningfulness and humanity. The Rabbi Goldenberg asked me if I was to capture and make my own. beauty of the synagogue and the interested, I thought, “Why not?” At the The experience of working with seven music moved me, and I felt the com- same time, as a new Jew, I felt a great lovely women has been a very rich munal energy. responsibility to carry on our traditions experience, full of compassion and further by learning to lead a service and By becoming a Bat Mitzvah, I am filling encouragement of each other. Rabbi chant from the Torah. The experience a void in my life. I am embracing my Goldenberg provided unprecedented ended up deepening my connection identity in a new and meaningful way spiritual guidance in her gentle, nur- to Judaism in a way I never could have which also honors my parents and their turing manner, encouraging each of imagined! predecessors. I stand each time the Kad- us to discover our inner strengths. I dish is read to make up for the years that Linda: My twin brother Lynn and I thank her profusely for her guidance. I didn’t. And I am adopting the name of went to religious school and Hebrew My journey along this road helped me my great-grandmother, “Chayah Sarah,” school in Brooklyn. After three years make that connection to my parents as my Hebrew name. he became bar mitzvah. I didn’t, and I and their parents and to those other didn’t think much about it. We joined ancestors from the past. I know that “We are shaped by those who came this synagogue when my son Aaron my parents, especially would ‘kvell’ before us. As an acorn is formed by the started religious school, and David in my achievement and I dedicate this tree that preceded it, yet gives rise to a Hayes was in his class. It was the first moment to them. tree uniquely its own, so we are formed time I realized that an adult could by our ancestors, yet give rise to a Juda- Polly: My husband, two children and I become a bar or bat mitzvah. About ism uniquely ours.” Rami Shapiro**, became members of CBSRZ in the mid a year ago I started taking Hebrew Mishkan T’filah, p. 245 1990’s. We were looking to join a syna- classes with Evelyn Foster. Soon after gogue and felt at home at CBSRZ the Johanna: I recently felt the need to that Rabbi Rachel announced that she moment we walked into the old shul. reconnect with Judaism and a Jewish would be starting an adult b’nai mitz- And I’ve felt at home ever since. In the community. I found myself attending vah class. I thought it was time to take early days, I was involved in a number services at CBSRZ. It only took one advantage of this opportunity and chal- of things: the kids’ school, the Finance service to be totally convinced that this 9 Adult Bat Mitzvah Class (Continued from page 9) is where I needed to be. As I listened to mittees and love being involved and Mitzvah. Rabbi Goldenberg formed the Rabbi Goldenberg and Cantor Belinda feeling connected. All the people in Adult B’not Mitzvah study group. I am a Brennan lead the service, I was person- this community are wonderful. I think I very proud member of this great group ally touched by the words, prayers, and have found a second family. But I also of women as we continue on our study singing. I felt an instant connection. felt a longing to continue my Jewish that will lead us to this joyous day. The warmth and welcome that I felt studies, so I embarked on a learning Ellen: I spent my first ten years in New was and still is so comforting. I joined track for me. I started and I am still York City, in a family that was not simply the congregation as a member a little going the Adult Hebrew class led by the secular but quite anti-religious. Then at over a year ago and find myself totally wonderful Evelyn Foster. I was in the ten I found myself in India and in a mis- submersed in the synagogue’s activities. mini-Torah class led by Rabbi Golden- sionary boarding school, where I was I have also joined some of the com- berg where I decided to pursue my Bat confronted with fiercely held, born-again religious beliefs and informed by my mission- ary children classmates that I was a heathen. Coming into contact with Islamic, Hindu and Buddhist traditions during my vacations in Delhi tempered Please celebrate that influence and sent me on with our a search for something I could believe in. I turned to Judaism Adult Bat Mitzvah Class first in high school and then in college, attracted by its ethical framework, its emphasis on Pamela3DPHOD&UDLU3DPHOD&UDLU Crair ¹¹¹¹¹¹¹DXYE¹MDXA@¹ZA¹RAYIL@¹LGX¹¹¹¹¹¹¹DXYE¹MDXA@¹ZA¹RAYIL@¹LGX questioning and searching 3DPHOD&UDLU3DPHOD&UDLU3DPHOD&UDLU3DPHOD&UDLU¹¹¹¹¹¹¹DXYE¹MDXA@¹ZA¹RAYIL@¹LGX¹¹¹¹¹¹¹DXYE¹MDXA@¹ZA¹RAYIL@¹LGX¹¹¹¹¹¹¹DXYE¹MDXA@¹ZA¹RAYIL@¹LGX¹¹¹¹¹¹¹DXYE¹MDXA@¹ZA¹RAYIL@¹LGX¹¹¹¹¹¹¹DXYE¹MDXA@¹ZA¹RAYIL@¹LGX rather than passively accepting Sandy6DQG\+HU]RJ6DQG\+HU]RJ Herzog ¹¹¹¹¹¹DX&AC%¹XI@N¹ZA¹LRCPIIY 6DQG\+HU]RJ6DQG\+HU]RJ6DQG\+HU]RJ6DQG\+HU]RJ¹¹¹¹¹¹DX&AC%¹XI@N¹ZA¹LRCPIIY¹¹¹¹¹¹DX&AC%¹XI@N¹ZA¹LRCPIIY¹¹¹¹¹¹DX&AC%¹XI@N¹ZA¹LRCPIIY¹¹¹¹¹¹DX&AC%¹XI@N¹ZA¹LRCPIIY¹¹¹¹¹¹DX&AC%¹XI@N¹ZA¹LRCPIIY¹¹¹¹¹¹DX&AC%¹XI@N¹ZA¹LRCPIIY doctrine, and, especially after Sandee6DQGHH*HOYHQ6DQGHH*HOYHQ Gelven ¹¹¹XZQ@¹ZA¹D@L¹DXY¹¹¹XZQ@¹ZA¹D@L¹DXY my childhood exposure to mis- 6DQGHH*HOYHQ6DQGHH*HOYHQ6DQGHH*HOYHQ6DQGHH*HOYHQ¹¹¹XZQ@¹ZA¹D@L¹DXY¹¹¹XZQ@¹ZA¹D@L¹DXY¹¹¹XZQ@¹ZA¹D@L¹DXY¹¹¹XZQ@¹ZA¹D@L¹DXY¹¹¹XZQ@¹ZA¹D@L¹DXY sionary ardor, its welcome rejec- 3ROO\.LSS3ROO\.LSS¹¹¹¹¹¹¹¹¹¹¹DXYE¹MDXA@¹ZA¹DEG¹¹¹ 3ROO\.LSS Polly3ROO\.LSS3ROO\.LSS3ROO\.LSS Kipp¹¹¹¹¹¹¹¹¹¹¹DXYE¹MDXA@¹ZA¹DEG¹¹¹¹¹¹¹¹¹¹¹¹¹¹DXYE¹MDXA@¹ZA¹DEG¹¹¹¹¹¹¹¹¹¹¹¹¹¹DXYE¹MDXA@¹ZA¹DEG¹¹¹¹¹¹¹¹¹¹¹¹¹¹DXYE¹MDXA@¹ZA¹DEG¹¹¹¹¹¹¹¹¹¹¹¹¹¹DXYE¹MDXA@¹ZA¹DEG¹¹¹¹¹¹¹¹¹¹¹¹¹¹DXYE¹MDXA@¹ZA¹DEG¹¹¹ tion of exclusivist claims to The (OOHQ1RGHOPDQ(OOHQ1RGHOPDQDXYE¹MDXA@¹ZA¹DPIA¹XZQ@DXYE¹MDXA@¹ZA¹DPIA¹XZQ@ Right and Only Way. I made it (OOHQ1RGHOPDQ Ellen(OOHQ1RGHOPDQ(OOHQ1RGHOPDQ(OOHQ1RGHOPDQ Nodelman DXYE¹MDXA@¹ZA¹DPIA¹XZQ@DXYE¹MDXA@¹ZA¹DPIA¹XZQ@DXYE¹MDXA@¹ZA¹DPIA¹XZQ@DXYE¹MDXA@¹ZA¹DPIA¹XZQ@ official, becoming a Jew in my /LQGD5LJRQR/LQGD5LJRQR¹¹¹¹¹¹¹¹WGVI¹ZA¹D@L early 20’s. I attended Hebrew /LQGD5LJRQR Linda/LQGD5LJRQR/LQGD5LJRQR/LQGD5LJRQR Rigono ¹¹¹¹¹¹¹¹WGVI¹ZA¹D@L¹¹¹¹¹¹¹¹WGVI¹ZA¹D@L¹¹¹¹¹¹¹¹WGVI¹ZA¹D@L¹¹¹¹¹¹¹¹WGVI¹ZA¹D@L¹¹¹¹¹¹¹¹WGVI¹ZA¹D@L¹¹¹¹¹¹¹¹WGVI¹ZA¹D@L 'HERUDK5XWW\'HERUDK5XWW\¹¹¹¹¹Z%XE¹¹QI%L¹ZA¹DXY¹DIG¹¹¹¹¹Z%XE¹¹QI%L¹ZA¹DXY¹DIG and adult education classes in 'HERUDK5XWW\ Deborah'HERUDK5XWW\'HERUDK5XWW\'HERUDK5XWW\ Rutty¹¹¹¹¹Z%XE¹¹QI%L¹ZA¹DXY¹DIG¹¹¹¹¹Z%XE¹¹QI%L¹ZA¹DXY¹DIG¹¹¹¹¹Z%XE¹¹QI%L¹ZA¹DXY¹DIG¹¹¹¹¹Z%XE¹¹QI%L¹ZA¹DXY¹DIG¹¹¹¹¹Z%XE¹¹QI%L¹ZA¹DXY¹DIG my temple in Nyack, NY while -RKDQQD6FKDHIHU¹¹¹XZQ@E¹CEC¹ZA¹DPY&7 -RKDQQD6FKDHIHU-RKDQQD6FKDHIHU-RKDQQD6FKDHIHU-RKDQQD6FKDHIHU-RKDQQD6FKDHIHU¹¹¹XZQ@E¹CEC¹ZA¹DPY&7¹¹¹XZQ@E¹CEC¹ZA¹DPY&7¹¹¹XZQ@E¹CEC¹ZA¹DPY&7¹¹¹XZQ@E¹CEC¹ZA¹DPY&7¹¹¹XZQ@E¹CEC¹ZA¹DPY&7¹¹¹XZQ@E¹CEC¹ZA¹DPY&7 my children were in religious -RKDQQD6FKDHIHU Johanna Schaefer¹¹¹XZQ@E¹CEC¹ZA¹DPY&7 school but never had the oppor- tunity to deepen my study as I would have liked to. So when, as they lead our Second Saturday service ‘semi-retired’ in Connecticut I and are called to the Torah became part of CBSRZ, I found the lure of finally deepening my Jewish experience impos- January 11, 2014 / 10 Sh’vat 5774 sible to resist. CBSRZ’s services, 10:30am Evelyn’s Hebrew classes, the Rabbi’s classes, Holy Scrollers, Parashat B’shalach plus the welcome feeling of truly belonging to a remarkable community—for perhaps the Kiddush luncheon to follow—please bring a first time in my entire life —all dairy/veggie dish or dessert to share. Bagels, these made me decide that it was time for me to step up and lox and spreads are provided. become an active participant in my own Jewish life. Being called to the Torah will be the beginning of a whole new stage of my Jewish journey—and a very exciting one.

10 What has the process been like? Chal- slaying by Jael, of Sisera, Israel’s enemy. We will be addressing some of the lenging for sure. We’ve had to muster It also features the usual grumbling of the issues raised in our portion, and per- whatever Hebrew skills we have to the Israelites, the requisite addressing of those haps squeamishly avoiding some of point that we could finesse the prayers, issues by G_d via Moses (making brackish the more problematic, warlike and handle our portions, and feel confident water sweet, providing quail and manna to gory, aspects, in our divrei torah. in doing so—maybe.... eat) and the (temporary) defeat of Amalek, We will also be reading or chanting Israel’s untiring nemesis, just as Sisera was Torah, leading prayers and celebrat- We’ve had the support of some phe- dealt with in a more definitive way. We ing together, just as the women led nomenal people here at CBSRZ: Rabbi liked the musical emphasis, the song that by Miriam celebrated after escaping Rachel Goldenberg who has been our drew together a community, the role of from Egypt. We all feel very fortunate mentor, supporter, cheerleader and, strong women and the way in which food, to have this wonderful opportunity when necessary, tough love dispenser, that necessity for life, was provided to all to do so. Please join us on January who organised the b’not mitzvah proc- fairly, equitably, without favouritism. 11, Shabbat Shira. ess and introduced us to it, kept us on schedule and de-mystified everything for us, making us believe that we could REALLY DO THIS; Belinda Brennan who took us through a crash course on trope, gave us recordings of the prayers and met with us to go over both prayers and torah portion until she was satisfied that we had them under control; Evelyn Foster, our incredible Hebrew teacher who started most of us off and who is seeing us through to the end; and then, of course, each other—a group of rela- tive strangers in the beginning who have gathered strength from each other as we have gotten increasingly closer to each other and to our common goal. We began our preparations in the spring. Our summer break gave us a chance to catch up on whatever we needed to do before starting in earnest this fall, after the holidays. And in the fall, we started with a vengeance. We were divided into two groups, Green and Purple, and assigned certain prayers for each group to lead on The Big Day. We got serious about our Mitzvah Project, support for Safe Futures, the shelter in New Lon- don that not only works with battered women (and their children) but works against domestic violence through edu- cational programmes in the schools. And we attended regular services and bat mitzvah services, studied our Hebrew, chanted our portions, practiced our prayers, ordered our tallot, all in prepra- tion for the Big Day: January 11, Shabbat Shira, or the Sabbath of Songs. Our portion includes the song of triumph sung, first sung by Moses, then taken up by Miriam who drew the other women into the musical rejoicing, after crossing the sea and escaping Pharoah’s armies. The Haftorah also features a song, the song of Deborah after the defeat, and

11 The Whole Religious School & Family Activities

Religious School and Meet the CBSRZ Why I spend my Sunday mornings teach- Family Calendar ing at CBSRZ? I enjoy the camaraderie of Adults who teach the the teaching staff, the positive energy of the CBSRZ Kids school and the extra time with my teenage January 2014 Editor’s Note: There are many adults in daughters, who continue to come with me 1st No School: Holiday Break each Sunday. 5th Sunday Session our congregation who spend time with Breakfast with the Rabbi (Grade 5) our kids, as teachers and advisors. This is- My favorite part of the day (or year): I Confirmation sue is mostly devoted to these very special love working on arts and crafts projects 8th Wednesday Session individuals in our congregation. with the little ones and to see their cre- 12th Sunday Session Tu B’Shevat Seder (11:00 am) ative take on the various lessons. 15th Wednesday Session CBSRZ Religious The most important goal I have set for 19th No School: MLK School Teachers: 22nd Wednesday Session my students this school year: I want 26th Sunday Session Name: my students to love coming to Religious Gesher & Confirmation Lynn Coville School and to be in a teaching environ- Sunday Torah Study (10:45 am) Length of time ment that is open and allows them to 29th Wednesday Session teaching at creatively express themselves. CBSRZ Religious February 2014 School: This is Name: 2nd Sunday Session (Jr Youth Shul-in weekend) my first year! Marjorie Lander Community Gathering (led by Grade 5) Present grade: Length of time Confirmation teaching at 5th Wednesday Session Latkes/Aleph combined class CBSRZ Religious 9th Sunday Session School: A long Gesher & Confirmation (K-1) Sunday Torah Study (10:45 am) time, happily, I 12th Wednesday Session I have been teaching young children for would say for- 16th No School: Winter Break many years. I taught Jewish Montessori ever? 19th No School: Winter Break at Garinim at BEKI in New Haven and Present grade: 23rd No School: Winter Break 26th Wednesday Session received my Montessori credentials in Kitah Bet and 2010. I lived in New Haven for over 30 Gimel (2-3) years and moved to Westbrook last Octo- Happy Birthday! ber, a week before Hurricane Sandy. I am Why I spend my Sunday mornings teach- thrilled to be living in this area. I have been ing at CBSRZ: My Judaism has given me Yom Huledet Sameach! inspired by the warmth of the CBSRZ comfort in times of need, provided a lot community and am amazed at how quickly of joy and wonderful memories in my life. January I have come to feel at home. I look for- I was unable to have children to pass on ward to deepening my relationships within our traditions and beliefs so I pass on these Moreh Stu Baker January 2 the community and bringing my genuine traditions and beliefs to other people's Rabbi Goldenberg January 9 children. I, like most people in America, Amina Goldenberg January 12 love of learning and children. Morah Lynn Coville January 15 have a very stressful job, Religious school is Gloria Conley ` January 23 Name: my therapy and the only time of the week Debbie Guss that my work stress goes far away. I do not February Length of time consider it work to be with the wonderful teaching at children of CBRSZ!!! I just hope that they Jack Conley February 7 Ziv Goldenberg February 8 CBSRZ Religious glean as much from me, as I do from them. School: 10 years Max Gill February 9 My favorite part of the day: My favorite Joe Mercier February 13 Present grade: Madricha Dana Foley February 14 Latkes/Aleph part of the day? Truthfully all of it, but I do Kaitlyn Burzin February 22 combined class get a great deal of satisfaction, when I see (K-1) the children realize that they do know how to read Hebrew. I continually get to learn new things about Judaism with our stu- 12 Mishpacha Compiled by Leslie Krumholz

brew Specialist, I work with small groups dents from our Rabbi, the Israeli emissaries, that with the identification comes respon- and individuals from various classes on my fellow teachers, and Morah Belinda. sibilities, through mitzvoth, to that commu- Hebrew. I work with various classes on nity, and the community back to them. The most important goal I have set for assorted art projects as they arise. my students this school year: To embrace Name: Jim Talbott Why I spend my Sunday mornings and our values and traditions, take them with Length of time Wed afternoons teaching at CBSRZ: Two you out in the world, be kind and be teaching at CB- of my favorite aspects of Religious School: proud of who you are. Know that you are SRZ Religious watching friendships grow among the kids part of a community that will be there for School: This is and seeing kids mature through their b'nai you in times of joy and sorrow. my 4th year. mitzvah process. Present grade: Name: Eric Infeld Kitah Hey (5th), My favorite part of the day (or year): It's Length of time Sunday mornings been more than a year now that Adult He- teaching at brew has been added to Sunday mornings. CBSRZ Religious Why I spend my Sunday mornings teach- There is an Advanced Adult Hebrew class School: 10 years ing at CBSRZ: I'm not planning on having that meets at 8:30 and a Beginning Adult Present grade: on having any more of my own children, Hebrew that meets at 9:30. One project Kitah Dalet (4th) so this is a way I can contribute to the in particular has become a tradition for at continuity of the Jewish people and avoid least ten years. Each year, the B'nai Mitzvah Why I spend my night wakings, changing diapers, etc. class creates a painting that represents Sunday mornings My favorite part of the day: I like reading what's been important to them as a class and Wed afternoons teaching at CBSRZ: primary Jewish texts with my students. during their years of Religious School. I look forward to coming to CBSRZ on Over the course of the year, they read both Sunday mornings, and on Wednesday The most important goal I have set for Torah, NaKh (prophets and writings), Mish- afternoons. I find that working with our my students this school year: I'm always nah, Rashi, and midrashim (usually from the children is one of the high points of my looking for better ways to engage the Bialik/Ravnitsky collection). week. They give so much to me with their kids in whatever we're learning. Different enthusiasm, joy, questioning, and love. They The most important goal I have set for approaches work for different individu- make me think, cause me to reflect, and my students this school year: My primary als and groups. I'm partial to teaching or have initiated new study to answer their goal is fostering attachment to Judaism. The reinforcing through hands with art and questions. Their wanting to be here makes way I'm personally best able to foster that drama. me want to be here, and this is one of the attachment is by sharing my love of Jewish Name: Debby ways I feel a part of our community. It is study and Jewish text. The class may seem Trautmann a way that I am able to give back. It opens cerebral, but underneath the intellectual- Length of time space in my heart and soul allowing me ism is love. teaching at to have the potential to receive back from Name: CBSRZ Religious them, and the community. Evelyn Foster School: 19 years My favorite part of the day (or year): Length of time Present grade: Whether Hebrew, prayer, holidays, Tanakh, teaching at Kitah Vav (6th) or life cycle, I enjoy integrating all of the CBSRZ Religious things we learn together. Our lives are School: I've lost Why I spend my woven together like a tapestry, each thread track of how Sunday mornings on its own is important. Weaving them many years I've and Wed afternoons teaching at CBSRZ: together into a whole creates our tapestry, been teaching Although I hate getting up in the morning, our Jewish life. at our Religious I do it to be with the kids, to share my love School. I know I for Judaism, and hope that they too will My most important goal I have set for my began a few years before 2001. We were still feel a connection and love for this special students this school year: in the annex. I'd guess maybe sixteen years. community and religion. For each student as an individual, and the class as a whole, to identify as a member Present grade: Kitah Hey (5th), Wednes- My favorite part of the day (or year): When of a Jewish community, and understand day Afternoons and on Sundays as He- we visit the various houses of worship. 13 The Whole Mishpacha (Continued from page 13) The most important goal I have set for cause I wanted a new challenge, and wanted what would it be? To see how much fun my students this school year: I want to become more involved in the religious and exciting being part of youth group is. the students to see and understand that education at the temple. I am looking for- Name: although there are many differences ward to working with a new age group and Belinda Brennan between us, we all share a common tenet, delving into content that I hope to make Position: Re- to respect one another as we would like to interesting and relevant to 7th graders. ligious School we respected and be treated. Name: Director/Canto- Name: Tracy Sandy Herzog rial Soloist and Kleinberg Length of time facilitator of Rosh Length of time teaching at Hodesh: It's a teaching at CBSRZ Religious Girl Thing. CBSRZ Religious School: Just be- Email: edcant@ School: 3 years gan in November. cbsrz.org (I used to teach Present grade: Why did you want to be the Religious some of the K’neidlach – Birth School Director? Wednesday cur- through Four I think of myself as part of the "bridge riculum but now Why I spend my generation". I come from family who I am teaching Sunday mornings teaching at CBSRZ: I survived the Holocaust, and was raised in Sundays where we are learning about the am a former primary grade teacher, having an environment that folks sometimes call Holocaust) taught in Union City, New Jersey, Portland, "conservadox". As an adult, I am in a posi- Present grade: Olim (7th-Sundays) Oregon, Honolulu, Hawaii and Hartford, tion to have experienced the "old world" Connecticut (for 12 years). I spend my traditions, and in this role, now have an Why I spend my Sunday mornings teach- Sunday mornings (once a month) teaching opportunity to creatively help others ing at CBSRZ Religious School: I enjoy at CBSRZ because I truly enjoy working blend the best of the "old ways" with con- teaching because I like being around the with ‘little people”! The K’neidlach group temporary "new ways" to explore, prac- kids and teaching keeps me more connect- has that innocence that toddlers bring to tice, and experience Judaism and all of the ed and engaged with the synagogue, since I the world. Everything is new and exciting. riches it has to offer. have to be there at least once a week. It will be fun seeing them grow as they My favorite part of the day (or year): acquire a ‘flavor’ of Judaism. My favorite part of the day (or year): It's My favorite part of the year is the Con- hard for me to say what my favorite thing My favorite part of the day: When I see firmation Service. It is where you see the to teach is for two reasons: 1. This is the first the children engaged in the various activities; fruits of what has happened in the lives time I have taught the Holocaust, and 2. It's sometimes working along with their parents. of students up to that point, and all of the the Holocaust, not the easiest or most fun possibilities yet to come. The most important goal I have set for conversation to have on a Sunday morning. the program this school year: To have the I also really treasure working directly with The most important goal I have set for my children develop a favorable association our 8th/9th Grade Gesher girls, as facilita- students this school year: I just hope the with CBSRZ and become familiar with tor of Rosh Hodesh: It's a Girl Thing. In this kids get some of their questions answered Jewish traditions and history. I hope that program, through a Jewish lens, we ex- about the Holocaust. It's confusing to un- they will have such a good time that they plore issues around relationships, self- derstand how something like this could have will want attend class every month. esteem, courage, caring for ourselves, and happened, especially confusing for a child so much more. Utilizing discussion, visual or teen. I hope they learn more about the Extracurricular arts, music, and social bonding, we apply dangers of stereotyping, prejudice, discrimi- Advisor/Mentors: Jewish teachings directly to the issues most nation and scapegoating. Ultimately, I hope Name: Marc Fink important to our young teens today. that by studying the Holocaust they will be Position: Youth The best part of being the Religious able to define their own role as responsible Group Advisor School Director: Is being a part of the citizens of the world. Email: marckdf@aol. lives of our children and our families from Name: Karen Evans com the time they come to us perhaps as little Length of time Why did you want Latkes all the way through to their Confir- teaching at CBSRZ to be the Youth mation ceremonies. Every single student Religious School: Group Leader for has been a joy to know, with each and This is my first year! CBSRZ? I enjoy every one growing into an amazing young Present grade: Olim helping teens explore their connections to adult. I love to talk with them, and I love to (7th - Wednesdays) Judaism and the Jewish Community. work with them in our classrooms. The most important goal I have set for I will be teaching Olim What is the best part of this posi- the program this school year: Each year, half of the Wednes- tion? Working with our teens! I hope that the kids take away a feeling days only. This is my first year teaching at the If there is one thing you hope kids in the of pride about their Jewish identity, an temple (though I am a 4th grade teacher Youth Group take away from this year, understanding that they are a continuing full time). I decided to take the position be- 14 part of the stories in Torah, and to respect issue they care about, and they reach out we will be having a magical afternoon event themselves and others. to organizations, inviting them to apply for including a magician and a potion-making grants. It is such a fulfilling project, and I love contest! Name: facilitating the group process. I also love get- Stuart Baker The first weekend in February, our 7th ting to know each Olim class so well as the Position: Shevet and 8th graders will be participating in the students are growing into Jewish adulthood. Achim facilitator annual JOSTY Shul-In held each year in Every other Sunday afternoon I teach Email: smbak- Brookline, MA! The theme for the Shul-In is our Confirmation class. By the time our er1152@gmail. “What About God”. Ask any of our youth teens reach 10th grade, we can engage on com who have attended in the past and they will a high intellectual level as well as a deep tell you about the fantastic time they had! Why I lead the spiritual level as we explore ideas about Shevet Achim and experiences of God. It is always stimu- Attention 11th–12th graders: Thinking (the Brother- lating and meaningful to hear their insights about an experience of a lifetime? March hood of Young Men): and questions. We really share special time of the Living, a two-week experiential This is an interesting question. Belinda together—holy time—as we discuss per- journey for high school students from April Brennan approached me about leading this sonal questions of faith and meaning. 24–May 8, 2014 is a great program to look group of young men. She and I had been I also spend a lot of time teaching into! Join teens from around the world for speaking about the groups I lead with men parents and parents and their children an extraordinary educational trip to Poland in my work as a counselor, and she thought together on Sunday mornings. Through and Israel that honors and celebrates our I’d be a natural for the job. It helped that Breakfast with the Rabbi, I get to learn Jewish past, present and future. For more I already knew one the guys and felt like with each grade and their parents over information, check out www.motl.org. I might have an ally. I went to the train- the course of the year. And this year I have Another experience of a lifetime is spend- ing and found that I really related to the added some parent education classes on ing the summer in Israel on a NFTY pro- material and enjoyed being with the other the mornings of school holiday programs. gram! It is never too early to start thinking trainers from around the country. More than twenty parents have been com- about a NFTY experience to Israel! NFTY ing to study texts with me about the High The best part of this position is: Watching offers many great summer experiences Holy Days and Chanukah, and we'll have these young men mature. They have great including NFTY Adventure, four weeks another class about Passover. Ultimately, senses of humor and genuinely care for and in Israel, NFTY L’Dor V’Dor, one week in our educational programs need to be respect one another. I enjoy their company. Prague, Warsaw & Krakow, four weeks in Is- engaging whole families in learning and rael and EIE Summer Semester, six weeks in The most important goal I have set for deepening understanding about Judaism Israel for high school credit. Teens must be the program this school year: I have two and what it can mean for us. I love being at least 15 years old in 2014 to participate hopes. My hopes are that they come to a part of that journey of a family towards in one of the NFTY Israel programs. There an understanding of what it means to be finding greater connection and meaning. is an Early Bird Discount if you register by a good man and how that relates to an Lastly, a large part of my teaching is January 1, 2014—you will receive a $400 understanding of Jewish values – and that leading the prayer experiences on Sunday discount off any NFTY Israel program. For they have formed strong bonds of friend- mornings and Wednesday afternoon for more detailed information about NFTY ship with one another. all of our grades. I hope that we give our Israel programs, check out www.nftyisrael. students a strong foundation, not only in Name: Rabbi G. org. Scholarships are available for both being familiar with our prayers and how Length of time NFTY Israel and March of the Living. to say them in Hebrew and English, but in teaching at knowing that prayer is there for them as If you have any questions about any of CBSRZ Religious a way to connect to something beyond the programs mentioned above or Youth School: 6 1/2 themselves throughout their lives. Group in general, please contact me at years! [email protected]. Present grade: YOUTH NEWS Olim (7th grade), Confirmation -Marc Fink, Youth Advisor (10th grade), On Sunday, November 10th, Rachel Fink Marc Family education/ Angle and I joined JTConnect Breakfast with the Rabbi, Parent education, (Jewish Teen Learning Connec- and Prayer for all grades tion) on their day in New York City. I love teaching all ages, but especially Highlights of the day included a visit adolescents. On Wednesday afternoons, I to the Eldridge Street Synagogue, a work with the Olim class mostly on their walking tour of the Lower East Side, Tzedakah in Action project in which they Kosher Lunch and Dinner, a visit to become the Board of a Foundation and the 9/11 Memorial, and shopping in give grants to worthy organizations. They Times Square. It was a great day! put the money they would otherwise be using to buy each other Bar/Bat Mitzvah In December, our youth group en- gifts into a class fund, they choose a justice joyed an afternoon of bowling fun in Rachel Angle (first from left) with teens from JTConnect at the 9/11 Memorial Old Saybrook and on January 12th in NYC. 15 The Whole Mishpacha (Continued from page 15) BOOKS & BAGELS way. After the book is read, there will be Bulletin Board to work on, in and out of an activity that will help listeners think the classroom, reporting back on their COMES TO THE about what they can do to change the journeys to the Madrichim. They can also RELIGIOUS SCHOOL world, and then, just like our adult B&B, expect to be inspired by a very special ON FEB 9TH there will be a chance to meet Josh and Super Hero, the Super Tzaddik, who will purchase a signed copy of the book. be making unannounced appearances Exciting history is being made on Twenty percent of all proceeds are do- at school, dressed in his signature blue February 9, when the Religious School nated to the synagogue. costume and adorned by a cape with the hosts its first Books & Bagels, where our The themes presented in Change the flag of Israel. One never knows when a children in grades three and below will World before Bedtime mesh perfectly “sighting” will occur. hear author Josh Chalmers read from his with this year’s religious school curricu- With this event we begin to intro- book Change the World before Bedtime, lum. Throughout the year, students will duce programs that have been available written with Mark Kimball Moulton and be working on repairing themselves and for our adults, such as Books & Bagels Karen Good. the world through Tikkun Olam. Under and Movies & Munchies, to our youngest The book is an award-winning tale, the guidance of our Madrichim (Teaching members and their families. If you are written in rhyme, of how the little things Assistants) they will be choosing “mitzvot” interested in being part of this initiative in life like a smile, a kind word, a simple (good deeds) and “middot” (character or have suggestions, please contact karen deed can help change the world in a big traits/values) from their Super Hero burzin at [email protected].

Kneidlach Program

16 PICTURE GALLERY Paula Retsky Paula

Gathering of Jewish war veterans for Veterans’ Day and commemoration of Kristallnacht. From let to right: Bernie Slater, Norman Hanenbaum, Larry Herrman, Harvey Redak, Roger Rubinow (Post Commander), Kevin B. Fox, Stonton Lipson, Michael Needle, Morty Pear. Paula Retsky Paula Paula Retsky Paula

Youth group attendees at the Children’s Chanukah celebration

Young artisans concentrating during Children’s Chanukah celebration.

17 Blessing of the Animals hosted once again by Joel and Marcy Saltzman with Rabbi Goldenberg presiding. Deb Rutty

Save the Train. Left to right: Dave Tiezzi, Norm Rutty, Roger Goodnow, Ted Phillips. In the background, Jo Nazro, on sound.

18 Deb Rutty

Suzanne Levine hosts a meeting of the Mavens, formerly known as the Women of CBSRZ

Wally Lamb signing We Are Water for Lisa Connelley Deb Rutty

Wally Lamb attracts a record crowd to Books & Bagels

19 school-based mental health services, and even modern-day slavery conditions expand mental health services and access in the tomato industry. Then, on Sunday to medications for young adults, and afternoon, eighteen CBSRZ members SOCIAL establish initiatives to promote wellness, delivered dozens of letters to the manager self-determination and self-sufficiency, of the Wendy’s in Guilford, urging Wendy’s while fighting discrimination and propos- to sign on to the Fair Food Program. ACTION als that would restrict civil rights (which Of the five largest fast food corpora- was a problem with many of the “mental tions in the country—McDonald’s, Subway, COMMITTEENEWS health” proposals that emerged in the Burger King, Taco Bell (Yum! Brands) and immediate aftermath of the Sandy Hook Wendy’s—Wendy’s is the only one not tragedy). For more information about participating in the Fair Food Program. ACTION ON NAMI-CT, please go to www.namict.org. Wendy’s CEO, Emil Brolick, was the Presi- This may be a real opportunity to dent of Taco Bell in 2005 when that chain MENTAL HEALTH effect meaningful change. Stay tuned! became the first to sign a Fair Food Agree- ment. He announced that agreement by ISSUES—DEMYSTIFYING stating, “We are willing to play a leadership CBSRZ Members Take role within our industry to be part of the LEGISLATIVE ACTION Action to Highlight Wendy’s solution,” and added, "We hope others in the restaurant industry and supermarket In response to the significant interest of Restaurants’ Refusal to retail trade will follow our leadership.” the CBSRZ community on mental health Join Acclaimed Social Eight years later, despite those words, and issues—as evidenced by the turnout and now with eleven corporations and 90% sharing at events the past few months— Responsibility Program of the Florida tomato industry on board, the Social Action Committee and the Con- Wendy’s, now under Brolick’s leadership, necticut chapter of the National Alliance On Sunday, November 10, Congrega- tion Beth Shalom Rodfe Zedek (CBSRZ) refuses to participate in the Program. on Mental Illness (NAMI-CT) will hold “As Wendy’s celebrates Founder’s legislative training for CBSRZ members on members and their children took action at Wendy’s, located in Guilford, to call on Week and champions such values as January 30 at 4:00 PM at CSBRZto learn ‘Treat People with Respect,’ ‘Give Some- about the process of legislative action with the restaurant chain to support human rights in its tomato supply chain by join- thing Back,’ and ‘Do The Right Thing,’” a focus on mental health issues. We may stated Gerardo Reyes of the Coalition of also hold a “lobby day” at which many ing the internationally-recognized Fair Food Program (FFP). The FFP is a ground- Immokalee Workers, “we are calling on CBSRZ members can meet with our Wendy’s to use this week as an oppor- elected leaders in Hartford to urge legisla- breaking social responsibility program that ensures a humane workplace and tunity to turn the values it claims to tive and administrative action. Details will support into a reality by ensuring that as be forthcoming in CBSRZ weekly emails. increased pay for over 30,000 Florida farmworkers and has won the praise of farmworkers our basic human rights and Several events focused on mental dignity are respected.” health have already taken place. The first, a human rights observers from the White House to the United Nations. Coinciding Guilford resident Holly Starkman, a “Books and Bagels” presenting a personal participant in Sunday’s action, explained journey through mental illness and mental with Wendy’s Founder’s Week—a week- long celebration of Wendy’s Founder her participation saying, “I am united health, led to a sharing of personal stories with my fellow congregants today to and a recognition that these issues affect Dave Thomas’s core values—the action was part of a series of protests in dozens support human rights for farmworkers many of our families. Lynne Zimmerman, who are not currently receiving fair treat- a psychologist and member of CBSRZ’s of cities nationwide that week. On Saturday, November 9, CBSRZ ment. The Fair Food Program enforces Chesed Committee, organized a well- fair treatment through adequate wages attended follow-up for congregants with Religious School parents and their chil- dren learned about the problem of abuse and working—it's the right thing to do.” interest and expertise in mental health Rabbi Golden- issues. Discussion focused on the ways to berg commented increase CBSRZ’s educational and sup- on Wendy’s recent portive programming for individuals and response to con- families touched by mental illness, addic- sumer demands that tion ,and other chronic diseases. Janet the company join the Brownstein, a CBSRZ member who works Fair Food Program closely with NAMI-CT, then set up a con- saying, “Claiming your ference on December 22 to introduce company is already NAMI-CT to CBSRZ. working to respect NAMI-CT is gearing up for the 2014 farmworkers’ rights, Legislative session. With the final report while refusing to of the Sandy Hook Advisory Commission commit to the only due soon, there is a sense that diverse leg- proven, verifiable, and islative and administrative action might be transparent solution, possible. Among other initiatives, NAMI- the Fair Food Pro- CT is seeking to strengthen and expand November 10 demonstration at Wendy’s in Guilford. gram, misleads your 20 customers and tarnishes Wendy’s brand. As anyone willing to give a helping hand in Social Work, provides knowledge of—and twenty-first-century consumers, we want any way is also much appreciated. For training in—Kingian nonviolence and to know the story behind our food, and information about Middlesex Habitat seeks to spread Peace through Education this means we expect and demand that the for Humanity of Connecticut, see http:// and the Arts. For more information about farmworkers who pick your tomatoes be www.habitatmiddlesex.org. CTCN, please see http://www.ctnonvio- treated with dignity and respect.” “This was a great feeling of accom- lence.org/about. Explaining the participation of a syna- plishment, a satisfying and fun mitzvah to On March 22, at CBSRZ, CTCN (and gogue in this action, Rabbi Goldenberg fulfill,” said Debby Trautmann, a member Christgau) will also conduct a more continued, “As Jews we learn from our of the Social Action Committee who extensive conference and training on sacred teachings that all human beings supervised the CBSRZ participation. Kingian nonviolence. Details about this are created in the Divine image and Please watch for next Habitat volunteer event will be in the March Whole Megillah must be treated with dignity—from the opportunity to be announced – or con- and the weekly emails, but it is expected citizen, to the immigrant, to the destitute tact [email protected]. to last from 11am to 4pm; please hold laborer. This is a moral issue, and we that date. must not be silent.” A FOCUS ON NONVIOLENCE – The Coalition of Immokalee Work- Listening Campaign Progressing ers’ Fair Food Program is an historic January 19 and March 22 partnership among farmworkers, Florida “Enlightening,” “inspiring,” and “unfin- The Social Action Committee will focus tomato growers, and eleven leading food ished” were just a few of the words used on nonviolence in two events planned corporations. By committing to the FFP, to describe the experience of a group to celebrate the life and memory of Dr. participating corporations demand more of volunteers who reported in Novem- Martin Luther King Jr. humane labor standards from their Florida ber and December on their experience Please join us Friday evening, January tomato suppliers and purchase exclusively interviewing congregants this fall. This 17, for a special addition to the Shabbat from those who meet those higher stan- “Listening Campaign” was conducted by service (which will start that evening at dards, which include requiring time clocks, twenty congregants under the direction 7:30). In honor of the memory of Martin health and safety protections, and a zero of Claudia Epright of United Action of Luther King Jr., the Social Action Com- tolerance policy for slavery and sexual Connecticut (“UACT”), a group of faith- mittee has invited Victoria Christgau, assault. Participating corporations also based organizations of which CBSRZ is Executive Director of the CT Center for pay a “penny-per-pound” premium which a member. Nonviolence (CTCN), to collaborate with is passed down through the company’s Although the individual responses our choir, led by Meg Gister, and lead the supply chain and paid out to workers by by congregant interviewees are kept congregation in freedom songs (particu- their employers. The FFP was heralded in confidential, summaries of interviews are larly appropriate as we are in the midst of the Washington Post as “one of the great being evaluated at this time by Epright, our annual exploration of the Exodus and human rights success stories of our day” the CBSRZ Board of Directors, and the Ten Commandments). Christgau will and in a White House report concerning Andy Schatz, chair of the Social Action also speak about Dr. King and the interna- global efforts to combat human trafficking Committee, which originally proposed, tional movement on nonviolence. as “one of the most successful and innova- and was asked to coordinate, the Lis- CTCN, tive programs” to that end. Since 2011, tening Campaign. A full report will be founded by buyers have paid over $11 million through completed and shared with the con- Christgau in the Fair Food Program. gregation over the next few months. 2007, stems from Follow-up, including addressing areas for the work of Ber- which improvements were suggested, is CBSRZ Helps Build a House nard Lafayette Jr., expected to take place throughout the On November 16, CBSRZ helped to build who participated rest of 2014. More detailed information a house in Middletown under the super- with Dr. King in should be available in the March issue of vision of Habitat for Humanity. Debby non-violent civil The Whole Megillah. Trautmann, Ann Louise Rosensohn, Sergey disobedience in The interviews were able to garner the 1960s and Kleiman, and Stephen Rozenberg painted, Victoria Christgau a wide variety of perspectives from cleaned, cut wood, and installed insula- worked closely congregants, but we were not able to tion. Although there is still much work for with the Student reach all congregants in this round Habitat to finish the house, the CBSRZ Nonviolent Coordinating Committee of interviews. Under guidelines set team advanced the project, as many and the Southern Christian Leadership by UACT, and generally used in these groups had done in the months before. Conference. At the urging of Dr. King (in types of studies, each interviewer was We plan to help build another Habi- a last conversation with Lafayette the asked to interview only five congregants tat house in the spring. By that time, this day before Dr. King was assassinated), (each from different families), so only house will be home to a family. How Lafayette, long based in Rhode Island and about half of all CBSRZ families were satisfying is that? now in Georgia, has sought to interna- interviewed. Although the plan calls We hope to recruit a larger crew of tionalize the movement for nonviolence, for other families—and any remain- volunteers next time around. Experience which he has pursued with work in Africa, ing individuals—to be interviewed at a is desirable but unnecessary; people with South America, and the Middle East. The later date, anyone who would like to be experience in electrical work, plumbing, CT Center for Nonviolence, based at interviewed at this time should contact and all areas of building are needed, but the University of Connecticut School of [email protected]. 21 Second Saturday Honoree: Peg Palmer By Rita Christopher ust don’t call her Margaret—it’s not understanding her name. It’s Peggy, often a of our religious Jnickname for Margaret, but not traditions—from for Peg Palmer, who will be honored the Shabbat prac- at CBSRZ’s Second Saturday Service on tices to our holiest February 8 at 10:30. When she was a days,” she notes. child, teachers regularly assumed Peg’s “Being able to given name was Margaret and some- see how the rabbi times listed her that way. approaches these traditions, under- And there was often another assump- stands them, and tion as she grew up with the name shapes them, has Peggy Palmer: that she wasn’t Jewish. been amazing “I always found that insulting,” Peg for me.” says. “I always made it clear that I was Jewish. I’ve always felt a deep connec- After trying piano tion to Judaism. ” and clarinet, Peg persuaded her She was not, however, always a syna- parents to buy her gogue member. She and her husband a guitar when she Rick Hornung came to CBSRZ when was ten years old. their son Gabriel was interested in reli- She took a few gious school to become a Bar Mitzvah. months of lessons At the beginning, Peg thought after her but taught herself son’s ceremony, she and Rick would many of the rudi- likely drift away from the synagogue. ments of playing. That’s not what happened. Friday In fact, after gradu- night services and Saturday morning ating from Trinity Torah Study had become not simply College in Hartford, a part of their schedule, but a part where she met of their spiritual identity. “After we Rick, Peg sup- started going on Friday night and ported herself by Peg Palmer and her son Gabe Saturday morning, we never looked a combination of back,” Peg recalls. playing in a band larly chant Torah. She has chanted and waitressing. “My poor father. At CBSRZ, Peg has served as chairper- Torah at CBSRZ, the first time just after I think he probably thought to him- son of the Religious Affairs Committee a snowstorm. Nervous about chant- self, ‘For this she went to college,’’’ (RAC) and also accompanies Belinda ing, she was pleased the weather had she says. Brennan, as well as other soloists, lowered attendance at the service. But on guitar at various services, among As the band began to disintegrate, Peg among those who did come were her them the family-oriented First Friday got a job at a school for the blind in brother, a surprise to Peg. And she had services. In addition she plays for Hartford. She had already considered a question for him about the time-hon- the religious school. “I was never a teaching as a career, and ultimately ored Bar Mitzvah gift. “I asked if he kid who dreamed of soloing in front she returned to school at Columbia had brought a fountain pen,” Peg says. of crowds,” she says. “To be able to University for a program to become The Second Saturday service will be accompany Belinda has been a dream a teacher for the blind and visually followed by a dairy potluck lunch. come true for me. Sometimes listening impaired. Today Peg works for the The synagogue provides lox, bagels to her sing, I have to pinch myself at State of Connecticut’s Bureau of Edu- and cream cheese, but worshippers my good fortune.” cation and Services for the Blind as a are encouraged to bring salads, side pre-school teacher and consultant. Peg says that working with Rabbi dishes and deserts to share with other Goldenberg made her time as chair of As a youngster, Peg had a Bat Mitzvah, congregants. RAC a particularly rewarding experi- but her Conservative synagogue in Second Saturday honoring Peg Palmer, ence. “I was able to gain a deeper Wethersfield did not let women regu- February 8 at 10:30

22 Congregation Beth The committee composed of Evelyn Foster, Rabbi, Sandy Seidman, Stephen Davis Shalom Rodfe Zedek and Miriam Gardner-Frum reviewed the IT'S A November 14, 2013 2010 plan and assessed what has changed in three years. Board of Directors Highlights The strategic plan report is based on the BIRTHDAY Seidman moved and Fox seconded October theme “Inside/Out.” ‘Inside’ refers to the task minutes approved unanimously of tapping resources and assets that lie with- PARTY FOR Seidman: 25 families not renewed as of this in our community; ‘Outside’ refers to the date. Kevin Fox and the membership commit- challenge of taking advantage of resources tee are contacting each family. Otherwise in external to CBSRZ, such as URJ, Federation TREES! good shape, pressure comes in March or April. etc. And “Inside-Out’ suggests the need to Fox: Presented the Legacy Program again re- think afresh about current practices. n Israel, Tu B’Shevat, the minding the Board if we get ten pledges we get Recommendations: recruiting leaders and Birthday for Trees, is cel- $7,500 and up to $11,000 to the general fund volunteers. Board needs to name one person Iebrated at the time of year from a private donor outside of CBSRZ. This to create a plan to recruit volunteers. when, drawn from the roots by potential donation is also available next year Development: create development commit- the warmth of the sun, sap starts if we sign up ten new pledges in 2014. As of tee that is active running up the trees, just under this meeting five pledges are in hand. Minimum Outreach: continue the success of the com- the bark, carrying nutrients to the pledge $10,000 typically payable at death. munity outreach and increase the diversity of branches. In appreciation of the Rabbi’s Report: The Rabbi thanked Laura our congregants and community gifts given us by trees, we hold a Roman and Ali Rosenblum for focusing on the Innovations in education: good start, creativ- seder during which we celebrate Friday night and other events greeter program. ity is front and center this return of life, the promise of The United Action facilitator will report to Getting to know one another: more social a fruitful year. It is a treat to the the Board in December on the outcome of events; strengthening Chesed. senses. We celebrate with typical the listening campaign. Process: A final presentation of the stra- Israeli fruits and nuts, juices and The Rabbi asked that congregants “like” tegic plan should be made at the Congrega- wines which are exquisite and CBSRZ on Facebook stating that CBSRZ is tional meeting in January that will integrate varied in color, taste, aroma and getting a lot of positive likes and feedback from the results of the listening campaign that are texture. The fruits have strong that social media page. to be presented at the December Board skins we must peel or break, The New Haven Federation is co-sponsor- meeting. stones we do not swallow, and ing a course “Introduction to Judaism” at the Nominating and Governance Committee there are those that we can eat Clinton library starting in February which the Report: nominated Stephen Davis for Vice in their entirety. The tastes, the Rabbi will be co-teaching with Rabbi Stacy Off- President as 1/1/14 to replace Miriam Gardner- Frum on a motion Seidman seconded by Fox blessings, the narratives, the ner of Temple Beth Tikvah. This is the first time and passed unanimously. songs, the company we share at the Federation produced a flier and is provid- this seder table bring us joy in ing PR for such a course involving CBSRZ and Facilities Report: the shoreline community. themselves as well as in anticipa- Windows: the facilities committee has au- tion of the coming spring. President’s Report: Report from Italy – thority to expend an amount not to exceed Bloom thanked the board members who $20,000 for window replacement. This The Tu B’Shevat seder program have helped research, write and refine the program will replace at least 21 windows will begin at 11:00 on Sunday, extraordinary reports delivered over the last and renovate 10 windows. Three bids were January 12 and last approxi- few months. The result of all this work is that it obtained for the window materials and three mately one hour. The Religious makes it possible for the Board to make deci- labor prices. School will be participating and sions based on strong input from the Congre- Keys: New master keys and new key cyl- supplying many of the delicious gation and consider a wide range of options. inders will be installed. New entry codes will fruits and nuts. All congregants This is a template for going forward. issued on an “as needed” basis. are welcome and encouraged Center piece: Started strategic planning Roofing consultant: the facilities committee to participate. Just so we have process November 14 2010. was authorized to expend an amount not to enough food and drink for all, exceed $15,000 to engage a third party pro- Stephen Davis reported on the plan: if you plan to attend and are fessional to do a systematic study of the roof, not part of the Religious School, When the plan was put together as well as structure, and siding, such funding to come please call Wendy at the syna- the 2013 update no specific dates were set to from the Capital Fund. gogue office or add your name achieve specific goals. The Board went into executive session to to the sign up sheet on the Main Rather the Board is charged with the discuss the draft report from the Ad Hoc Street front table. responsibility of the implementing the general Committee on Secular Staffing, which, after guidelines of the Strategic Plan. discussion, was passed.

23 be donated to Safe Futures' “Violence is during office hours, at no charge. The show Preventable” Education Programs. will remain up through January. Of special CBSRZ NEWS Great music, worthy cause, happy interest will be a Sunday, January 26, "Walk audience! and Talk" during which Walker will regale David Hays Elected to Many thanks to Save the Train who do- congregants and their guests with the per- Theater Hall of Fame nated their time and music (Norm Rutty, Dave sonal stories behind these thought-provoking Tiezzi, Roger Goodnow, and Ted Phillips). photos. Meet in the Main Street Gallery at David Hays 2:00PM and enjoy a glass of wine, etc., as you holding a 1963 Bereavement Support Groups join Walker on this photo tour. photograph. David at the far left Every first and third Monday DEMOCRACY IN THE stands next to 5:00 to 6:30 pm MAKING: THE OPEN (from left to right) Conference Room A or B the conductor Middlesex Hospital FORUM MOVEMENT Robert Irving, Mr. Balanchine, Every second and fourth Thursday COURAGEOUS RABBIS, and the great 6:30 to 8:00 pm CIVIL DISPUTE costume designer, Shoreline Medical Center Book Talk presented by Arthur Meyers Karinska. 260 Westbrook Road, Essex Sunday, January 12, 10:00 AM at the Nestor Every second and fourth Wednesday Center, 16 Broad Street, New London (next 10:00 to 11:30 am to Adath Israel). One MacDonough Place Brunch will follow. Please join us for an informative and enjoyable morning. On January 27, our own David Hays will be Please sign in at front desk and receive among eight theatrical legends inducted into directions for the meeting area. the Theater Hall of Fame. Every first and third Tuesday Wally Lamb and the The ceremony will be held at the 2:00 to 3:00 pm Perfect Math Gershwin Theatre on Broadway and, aside Essex Library from David, will honor producer Cameron 33 West Avenue, Essex

Mackintosh, actors Ellen Burstyn and Cherry Deb Rutty Jones, playwright Lorraine Hansberry, and BEAT THE WINTER directors Jerry Zaks, George C. Wolfe, and BLUES FILM CLUB Lynne Meadow. CONTINUES David, among his many other triumphs, After screening two Israeli films, our winter was the designer of more than 50 Broad- series moves to stories of life in Jewish way plays, including the revival of the work America with two classics. of Eugene O’Neill. He was also set designer for George Balanchine at the New York City January 19, 2014 at 4pm: Ballet and the Metropolitan Opera. For more A Stranger Among Us (Sidney Lumet, 1992) than 30 years, he was head of the company he The story revolves around the shocking Wally Lamb with Program Committee Chair, Clo Davis, Lary Bloom, founded, the National Theatre of the Deaf. (To murder of a young chasid who works in New and Rabbi Goldenberg. York’s Diamond District and the investiga- be sure, he was also on the design committee When the Program Committee booked nov- when we built our new synagogue.) tor who infiltrates the Rebbe’s community in order to discover the truth. elist Wally Lamb for our Books & Bagels series, We’d all like to go of course to the there was no practical method of anticipating ceremony—but we can’t. Tickets are by invi- February 23, 2014 at 4pm: crowd size or the number of copies of his tation. But we’ll be there in spirit, to offer a Gentlemen's Agreement (Elia Kazan, 1947) new book, We Are Water, that would be sold. congregational Bravo, David! A drama with Gregory Peck as a journalist Clo Davis, the head of the commit- who goes undercover as a Jew to conduct tee, worked with R.J. Julia Booksellers in SAVE THE TRAIN research for an exposé on anti-semitism in Madison, our usual partner, to provide the BENEFIT CONCERT New York City and the affluent community of copies. The bookstore thought 50 would On Sunday December 1, Save the Train en- Darien, Connecticut. be enough, but Clo argued that many more tertained an audience of one hundred plus For further information or to suggest movies, likely would be needed, and in the end the at a Benefit please contact Gay Clarkson at gaywil2@aol. bookstore packed up 74. Concert for com or Clo Davis at [email protected]. The Meanwhile, Wendy Bayor, who had taken Safe Fu- films are free and open to the public; refresh- many phone calls from Wally fans about tures. Or- the December 8 event, arranged with our Paula Retsky Paula ments will be served. ganized by maintenance crew to set up 240 chairs in the awesome "WALK AND TALK" the social hall. eight Adult Through the lens of his camera, actor, singer, So, guess how many people came, and how B'not Mitz- lyricist, Peter Walker takes us through seven many copies of We Are Water were sold? Right. vot group, decades of his amazing career. Enjoy the Attendance: 240. Books sold: 74. The congre- ticket sales more than fifty photographs that make up gation’s cut of the profits came to nearly $500. generated the CBSRZ exhibit, which is open to the The perfect math helped make a perfect over $1800, Anne Wernau, Supervisor of Violence is shoreline community Monday through Friday, cultural experience for all—including several Preventable Programs at Safe Futures, which will prospective new members of CBSRZ. at Save the Train Benefit Concert 24 REMEMBRANCE William Levine Ann Siege Irving Davis Ursula Schurman Miller Memorial Plaques Bella LeWitt Esther Simson Evelyn Diamond Isaac Oppenheimer Tevet 29 - Shevat 30, 5774 Boruch LeWitt Harry Sockut Sylvia Diamond Samuel Palmer Sara Leah Abramowitch Rose Mackover Louis Sockut Celia Elson Esther Peckeroff Albert Alcosser Louis Mager Yale Sockut Louis Feingold Isidore Peckeroff Jacob Benson Meyer Mazer Nathan Stein Mollie Frankel Leah Price Meyer Bernstein Charles H. Myers Sarah Stein Lillian Friend Samuel Resnek Abraham Birnbaum Rebecca Needelman Raymond Truska Wiliam Ginburg Miriam Rosenberg Dorothy Bockstein Meyer Needleman Harry Weinstein Mitzi Goldstein Louis Sacks Scheindel Breitman Bertha Pear Rose Goldstein Yetta Schreiber Charles Breslow Searah Pear Benjamin Greenwald Evelyn Schwolsky Pauline Breslow Jack Peck Memorial Plaques Israel Hanenbaum Paul Simon Carl Davis Katherine Peckeroff Adar 1, 5774 – Adar 28, 5774 Frieda Jaffee Syd Slater Fannie Etta Eisenstein Betty Plotnick Rosa Amarant Anna Katz Helen Sockut Charlotte Fine William Price Luba Appell Samuel Kleinberg Annette M. Sollins William Freed Eva Rebecca Proctor Anna Axelrod Sheldon Kutnick Henry Sprecher Wilhelm Furst Max Rogow Helen Baron Shirley Lander Jack Trepel Sarah Glazer Joseph Samuels Hyman Baron Morris Levine William Weiner Bertha Harris Sayre Samuels Ann Beizer Sarah Levine Esther Wilkes Isidore Klar Esther Sandberg Oscar Benson Dorothy Luchnick Ira Wolmer Saul Klar Helen Schneller Klein Clara Breslow Max Mager Stephen (Seth) Wright Rose Klubes Julius Schneller Morris Breslow Irving Mallis Rose Zavadnick Pearl Levine Richard Schneller Lawrence Chaplick Celia Milavsky

Yahrzeits Tevet 29 - Shevat 30, 5774 Yahrzeits Adar 1, 5774 – Adar 28, 5774 Albert Alcosser – father of Melinda Alcosser Rosa Amarant – mother of George Amarant Charles Breslow – husband of Estelle Breslow Irwin Braverman – father of Barbara Infeld Isadore Case – brother of Lewis Case Morris Breslow – father of Charles Breslow Marguerite Conley – mother of Kevin Conley Mania Chiat - mother of Maia Chiat Leo Denette – father of Kay Chiat Renee Davidson – mother of Shari Foley Sophie Drobiarz – mother of Martin Drobiarz Irving Davis – husband of Eva Davis Herman Elkin – father of Steven Elkin Evelyn Diamond – mother of Barbara Mason Gene Freeman – father of Andy Freeman Sylvia Diamond – aunt of Ellen Friedman David Gilman – father-in-Law of Betty Gilman Helen Feldbauer – grandmother of JimTalbott Arthur Gottlieb – father of Robert Gottlieb Lillian Friend – mother of Shelia Byrne Lani Hajogos – niece of Hyman Fink Benjamin Greenwald – dear friend of Maxine Leichtman George Horowitz – uncle of Sheila Byrne Pasquita Guttman – mother of Evelyn Foster Morris Indianer – father of Marcia Meyers Israel Hanenbaum – father of Norman Hanenbaum Hedwig Rook Kelly – Mother of Jerry Kelly Raymond Hickey – former husband of Revalyn Klein Hickey Joseph Levy – father of Ruth Levy Anna Katz – mother of Leah Pear Louis Mager – husband of Rita Mager; brother of Estelle Breslow Sheldon Kutnick – son of Ann Kutnick Martin Malakoff – father of Rona Malakoff Shirley Lander – mother of Marjorie Lander Ruth Meschman – grandmother of Rachel Goldenberg Dorothy Luchnick – mother of Lois Glazer Meyer Needleman – father of Norman Needleman Max Mager – brother of Estelle Breslow Bertha Pear – mother of Marty Pear; loved one of Mickey Pear Irving Mallis – father of Linda Rigono Sarah Pear – mother of Joseph Pear Clara Confino Michael – aunt of Evelyn Foster Lee Radom – mother of Debra Landrey Ursula Schurman Miller – step-mother of Sue Levine Marvin Ruzansky – husband of Rita Ruzansky; father of Susan Bush Ruth Mitnick – wife of Howard Mitnick Philip Scharr – father of Jerry Scharr Bernard Nirenstein – father of Nancy Schwarz Helen Schneller Klein – mother of Dick Schneller Jean Pardo – grandmother of Dan Pardo Julius Schneller – father of Dick Schneller Deborah Mellion Prastien – sister of Barry Ilberman Richard Schneller – husband of Mary Schneller William Mitchell Roberts – brother of Justine Redak Nat Scholer – father of Peggy Tunick Helen Frances Rosenkrantz – sister of Revalyn Klein Hickey Edith Schwartz – mother-in-law of Irving Shiffman Evelyn Schwolsky – mother of John Schwolsky; Judith Shapiro – aunt of Debra Trautmann mother of Peter Schwolsky Ruben Shiling – father of David Shiling Brenda Udoff – mother of Erica Udoff Anna Slater – mother of Bernie Slater Fred Wackenhut – father of Lynda Wilkes Florence Subit – mother of Sydney Slater William Weiner – father of Eva Davis James Talbott – grandfather of Jim Talbott Esther Wilkes – mother of Dan Wilkes Rose Ziff – mother of Barbara Edelson Nathan Zomback – father of Beth Brewer

Mi SheBeirach List Condolences Linda Thal Our heartfelt condolences are extended to: Marilyn Buel Jo Watanabe Rabbi Goldenberg and Family on the recent loss of her cousin, Stephen Schindler and also the recent loss of Louise Ross her great aunt, Anny Lester. Jill Nadler The Sherman family on the recent loss of Erwin Kahn, uncle of Linda and brother-in-law to Art. Noah Lourie-Mosher Regan Konecky Barry Ilberman on the recent loss of his beloved wife, Eileen Ilberman, and also for the recent loss of his Sol Tilles uncle, Mel Ilberman. Marc Gilden Charles Savitt on the recent loss of his friend, Jatin Desai. Peg Palmer Peggy Tunick Terry and Howard Baran on the recent loss of Terry’s brother, Robert Russ Pelletier.

Please remember to inform Linda Sherman, chair of the Chesed Committee, if you or someone you know is ill, in need of help, or has experienced a death in the family. Our Chesed Committee is here to help.

29 Tevet- JANUARY 30 Shevat, 2014 5774

SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY

1 29 TEVET 2 1 SHEVAT 3 2 SHEVAT 4 3 SHEVAT NEW YEAR'S DAY 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm Adult Bat 5:45 pm Tot Shabbat 9:00 am Holy Scrollers Mitzvah Rehearsal 6:15 pm Dairy Potluck Dinner No Religious School 7:00 pm First Friday Erev Shab- Office Closed bat Service 7:45 am Morning Minyan

5 4 SHEVAT 6 5 SHEVAT 7 6 SHEVAT 8 7 SHEVAT 9 8 SHEVAT 10 9 SHEVAT 11 10 SHEVAT 8:30 am - 9:30 am Advanced 7:45 am Morning Minyan 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm Lunch & 5:45 pm Erev Shabbat Service 9:00 am Holy Scrollers Hebrew 8:45 am Religious Affairs Learn: Jewish Responses to 9:15 am - 10:30 am Breakfast 10:30 am 2nd Saturday Shabbat 4:15 pm Religious School Big Ethical Questions Service and Adult B'not Mitzvah with Rabbi (Grade 5) 7:00 pm Board of Directors 9:30 am - 10:30 am Beginner with Kiddush Luncheon Hebrew 9:30 am Religious School 11:30 am - 1:00 pm Confirmation 1:30–3:30 pm Adult Bat Mitzvah Rehearsal

12 11 SHEVAT 13 12 SHEVAT 14 13 SHEVAT 15 14 SHEVAT 16 15 SHEVAT 17 16 SHEVAT 18 17 SHEVAT 8:30 am - 9:30 am Advanced TU BISHVAT Hebrew 3:00 pm SSKP Board Meeting 7:45 am Morning Minyan 7:30 pm Erev Shabbat Service 9:00 am Holy Scrollers 9:30 am - 10:30 am Beginner 4:15 pm Religious School in honor of Dr. Martin Luther Hebrew King, Jr. 9:30 am Religious School 11:00 am Tu B'Shevat Seder and Dairy Lunch 12:30 pm - 4:00 pm Youth Group program

19 18 SHEVAT 20 19 SHEVAT 21 20 SHEVAT 22 21 SHEVAT 23 22 SHEVAT 24 23 SHEVAT 25 24 SHEVAT Martin Luther King Day No Religious School 7:45 am Morning Minyan 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm SAC - 5:45 pm Erev Shabbat Service 9:00 am Holy Scrollers 8:30 am - 9:30 am Advanced 4:15 pm Religious School Deep River Soup Kitchen Hebrew 9:30 am - 10:30 am Beginner Hebrew 4:00 pm - Beat the Winter Blues Film Club

26 25 SHEVAT 27 26 SHEVAT 28 27 SHEVAT 29 28 SHEVAT 30 29 SHEVAT 31 30 SHEVAT 8:30 - 9:30 am Ad. Hebrew 9:30 10:30 am Begin Hebrew 7:45 am Morning Minyan 5:30 pm Social Action 5:45 pm Erev Shabbat Service 9:30 am Religious School 4:15 pm Religious School 4:00 pm Legislative Training 9:30 am Congregational Focusing on Mental Illness Meeting 7:00 pm Executive Committee 10:00 - 10:45 am K'neidlach 10:45 - 12:00 pm Torah Study 11:30 am - 1:00 pm Confirm 11:30 am - 1:30 pm Gesher 2:00 pm Peter Walker's Photography (Walk and Talk)

26 1 Adar- FEBRUARY 28 Adar, 2014 5774

SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY

1 1 ADAR JOSTY Regional Shul-In (Brookline) 9:00 am Holy Scrollers

2 2 ADAR 3 3 ADAR 4 4 ADAR 5 5 ADAR 6 6 ADAR 7 7 ADAR 8 8 ADAR JOSTY Regional Shul-In 7:00 pm Education Committee Megillah Deadline (Mar/Apr) 5:45 pm Tot Shabbat 9:00 am Holy Scrollers (Brookline) 7:45 am Morning Minyan 6:15 pm Dairy Potluck Dinner 10:30 am 2nd Saturday Shabbat 8:30 am - 9:30 am Advanced 8:45 am Religious Affairs 7:00 pm First Friday Erev Service Honoring Peg Palmer Hebrew 4:15 pm Religious School Shabbat Service Followed by Kiddush Luncheon 9:30 am - 10:30 am Beginner Hebrew 9:30 am Religious School 11:30 am - 1:00 pm Confirmation

9 9 ADAR 10 10 ADAR 11 11 ADAR 12 12 ADAR 13 13 ADAR 14 14 ADAR 15 15 ADAR Books & Bagels - time TBD 8:30 –9:30 am Advanced 3:00 pm SSKP Board Meeting 7:45 am Morning Minyan 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm Lunch & 5:45 pm Erev Shabbat Service 9:00 am Holy Scrollers Hebrew 4:15 pm Religious School Learn: Jewish Responses to Big 9:30 –10:30 am Begin Hebrew 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm Jewish Path- Ethical Questions 9:30 am Religious School ways Class at Clinton Library 7:00 pm Board of Directors 10:00 –10:45 am K'neidlach Program 10:45 am - 12:00 pm Sun Morning Torah Study 11:30 am - 1:00 pm Confirmation 11:30 am - 1:30 pm Gesher

16 16 ADAR 17 17 ADAR 18 18 ADAR 19 19 ADAR 20 20 ADAR 21 21 ADAR 22 22 ADAR No Religious School Office closed No Religious School 5:45 pm Erev Shabbat Service 9:00 am Holy Scrollers 8:30 am - 9:30 am Advanced 7:45 am Morning Minyan Hebrew 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm Jewish Path- 9:30 am - 10:30 am Beginner ways Class at Clinton Library Hebrew

23 23 ADAR 24 24 ADAR 25 25 ADAR 26 26 ADAR 27 27 ADAR 28 28 ADAR

No Religious School 7:45 am Morning Minyan 7:00 pm Executive Committee Olim Class Trip 8:30 am - 9:30 am Advanced 4:15 pm Religious School 5:45 pm Erev Shabbat Service Hebrew 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm Jewish 9:30 am - 10:30 am Beginner Pathways Class at Clinton Hebrew Library 4:00 pm - Beat the Winter Blues Film Club

27 FIRST CLASS U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO. 415 NEW HAVEN, CT

55 East Kings Highway PO Box 438 Chester, CT 06412

Return Service Requested

The Whole Megillah may be viewed in color on the web at www.cbsrz.org

Many thanks to these recent Oneg sponsors

Michele Kleiman and Stephen Rozenberg Sharon & Robert Goldberg Membership Committee Shelley Sprague & Steven Barasz Maxine Klein & David Zeleznik Johanna Schaefer Clo & Stephen Davis Holy Scrollers

Mama Loshen by Marilyn Kalet

Tsatskeleh der mamehs! Mother's favorite; Mother's pet A sac tsu reden, vainik tsu herren A lot to tell, little to hear A shandeh un a charpeh A shame and a disgrace Er kert iber di velt! A person who does everything wrong or in reverse Azoy zugstu? Is that so?