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VOICE The Voice of Beth El Congregation • September 2013 • Elul 5773/Tishre 5774 • Volume 60 • Number 7 WINNER OF THE 2009 USCJ I NTERNATIONAL GOLD AWARD FOR BULLETINS & P UBLICATIONS IN THIS ISSUE : MORTON H. O FFIT 3 Bereavement Support Group Forming DISTINGUISHED CHARACTER AWARD 4 Simchat Torah Honorees 13 Gilbert Sandler at Beth El hirley Offit, together with her children Paul, SPeggy and Carl and their families, have established a foundation award in memory of their husband, father and grandfather Morton Offit: a man devoted to family, strong principles, friendship, and Jewish ideals. God’s Gift of As a young man, Morton served in World War II in the South Pacific for two and a half Yom Kippur years. After returning at age 22, he pursued a college degree before joining the family busi - ness. Morton finished the University of Maryland By Rabbi Steven Schwartz in three years and was appointed Honorary Beta Gamma Sigma of the business world. abbi Loeb of blessed memory often Morton's father, Julius, was one of the origi - Rspoke of Yom Kippur as his favorite nal founders of Beth El in 1947. Beth Elʼs first day of the year. On that sacred day he official meeting was held at Mortonʼs fatherʼs and I would sit together during the afternoon home, which Morton had the honor of attending. break talking about how morning services had Due to his fatherʼs early roots and history with been, how we felt about our sermons, and Beth El and Mortonʼs interest in Jewish life and just generally reflecting on the holiday sea - tradition, Morton became involved in the syna - son. He was at his most relaxed — feeling gogue as time went on. He worked on a com - proud of what the shul had accomplished, mittee to rewrite the Daily Prayer Book, as well and grateful for what he always called “Godʼs as served with Rabbi Mark G. Loeb, z”ll on a gift of Yom Kippur.” committee for Adult Education. Morton H. Offit For many years, I did not understand Not only was Morton active in his syna - what he meant by that phrase. Then one gogue, but he was also active in his community. year in one of those Yom Kippur afternoon Morton was a member of the Big Brother The 'Distinguished Character' award will be conversations he explained it to me. “It is a League for several years. He also helped peo - day,” he said, “that takes care of itself.” It granted to a member of the Bar/Bat Mitzvah ple develop small businesses through the class each Shavuot. The winner will be decided Associated Jewish charities. by a Beth El panel to honor a student who Morton always said to his children that he THE GIFT FROM GOD IS A shows outstanding character: someone who on never cared if they got all Aʼs. All he cared was their own initiative shows interest in their Judaism, POSSIBILITY THAT WE ALL NEED that they tried their hardest and nothing less. their classmates and the larger community. We AT ONE TIME OR ANOTHER That is what the new, ʻDistinguished Characterʼ hope that this award will help a student to pur - award is all about. IN OUR LIVES : sue and select a project of his or her interest. THE CHANCE TO LET GO OF THE PAST , TO START ANEW , Dear friends: AND TO MOVE FORWARD INTO A FUTURE OF OUR OWN CREATION . I write today to let you know of a change we have decided to make in this yearʼs Yom Kippur service schedule. As you are aware, for many years Beth El has been having the Yom Kippur Yizkor service on the afternoon of that sacred day. The original intent behind this was to bring people back to the congregation for the afternoon with the hopes that they might stay through doesnʼt really matter how good (or bad) the the Neʼilah service. To a certain extent the afternoon Yizkor service helped meet this goal, but sermon is, or whether the Cantor was in good at the same time it was difficult for many people, and it was clear there was a fairly strong pref - voice or not. The day itself has a sacred erence by many to return Yizkor to its traditional slot of Yom Kippur morning, during the Torah quality that is felt by Jews, that touches our service. souls, and that we are deeply connected to. This year, after consulting with the clergy, the Religious Services Committee, and the From the beginning of Kol Nidre to the last officers of Beth El, we have decided to move Yizkor back to its regular morning place. words of Neʼilah, Yom Kippur is a day like no This means that Yizkor will be recited Yom Kippur morning in each of the three services other in our calendar. (the Rubin, the Offit, and the Gorn) after the chanting of the haftara, at approximately Why is this? First of all we know that the 11:15 a.m. We feel that this will not at all diminish our afternoon services and activities, as day comes with a great gift, the blessing of Neʼilah has in and of itself become a popular and well attended service. At the same time, we Godʼs forgiveness. What an astonishing thing feel the morning service, with all of its emotion and sacred feeling, will be enhanced by the it is that we can stand before Godʼs presence, recitation of Yizkor. with all of our human flaws, our mistakes and Yom Kippur is a day when we look forward to the beginning of a new year and it is also a limitations, our mundane thoughts and con - day when we remember the past - our tradition, our history, and our ancestors. I sincerely hope cerns, and God listens to us. God senses the you will be pleased with this change in the service schedule, and that the entire day will be cares and worries we carry in our hearts, and filled with meaning for you and those you love. when we truly regret the mistakes that weʼve May you be inscribed in the Book of Life for a year of health and happiness. made and the sins that weʼve committed, God forgives us. In that gift from God is a possibili - —Rabbi Steven Schwartz Continued on page 4 THE VOICE 1 OUR DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO: Dr. Lisa Abrams on the loss of her beloved father, Dr. Y BAR BAT William Dvorine. Mrs. Geraldine Cohen on the loss of her beloved sister, Minnie Frankel. Mrs. Jayne Engorn on the loss of her beloved mother, L MITZVAH Gloria Karasik. Mrs. Miriam “Mimi” Garfield on the loss of her beloved & husband, Norman Garfield. BAR MITZVAH Mrs. Marcia Gellis on the loss of her beloved husband, IHarold Gellis. Jared Isaac Rosen , son of Gail Rosen and Mr. Stephen Golaner and Mr. David Golaner on the loss of Ari Rosen will be called to the Torah as a their beloved wife and mother, Roseann Golaner. Bar Mitzvah Sunday, September 22, 2013. Mr. Izzy Goldscher, Mr. Kenneth Goldscher, Mr. Joseph Goldscher and Dr. David Goldscher on the loss of their beloved wife and mother, Shirley Goldscher. M Ms. Vicki Kahn and Mrs. Carol Engelman on the loss of their beloved mother, Sarah Kappelman Harris. BAR MITZVAH Mrs. Elsie Koenigsberg on the loss of her beloved hus - band, David Koenigsberg. Ryan Seth Downing , son of Lori and Scott Mr. Ira Oring on the loss of his beloved mother, Myra Downing will be called to the Torah as a AOring. Bar Mitzvah Shabbat, September 28, 2013. Dr. Michael Schultz on the loss of his beloved mother, Geraldine Schultz. Mr. Paul Speert on the loss of his beloved father, Robert F A. Speert. Mrs. Susan Treff on the loss of her beloved mother, Doris BAR MITZVAH Henning. Jordan Bart Schwartzberg , son of Stacey A SPEEDY RECOVERY TO: Needle and Michael Schwartzberg will be called to the Torah as a Bar Mitzvah Geraldine Cohen Shabbat, September 28, 2013. OUR HEARTIEST MAZEL TOV TO: L Ms. Michele Cagan on the Bar Mitzvah of her son, Ethan BAR MITZVAH Paul Flanagan. Mr. and Mrs. Scott Downing on the Bar Mitzvah of their Ethan Paul Flanagan , son of Michele Eson, Ryan Downing; grandparents are Mr. and Mrs. Marvin Cagan will be called to the Torah as a Bar Satisky. Mitzvah Shabbat, October 5, 2013 Mr. Stephen Golaner on the birth of his grandson, Declan James Cohn. Mrs. Stacey Needle and Mr. Michael Schwartzberg on the Bar Mitzvah of their son, Jordan Schwartzberg; grandparents are Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Schein. Ms. Gail Rosen and Mr. Ari Rosen on the Bar Mitzvah of their son, Jared Isaac Rosen; grandparents are Mr. and Mrs. HRoy Deutschman. SEPTEMBER MILESTONE ANNIVERSARIES Rachel Lewkowicz and Matthew Cohen on their 1st I want to give my sincerest appreciation for Amanda & Dennis Weinman on their 5th all of the generous expressions of sympathy T Nancy & David Epstein on their 10th from my friends at Beth El on the passing of Sara & Joel Fidler on their 10th my brother, Ellis Fader. Remembering me at Marla & Donald Goldman on their 10th such a time is so meaningful. Jessica Cohen-Lubeck & Joshua Lubeck on their 10th Thank you, E Debra & Victor Ciufo on their 15th Esther Berelowitz Marni & Todd Hyatt on their 20th Lynda & Steven Zuckerberg on their 20th Barbara & Elliot Schlanger on their 35th Jane & Sanford Siegel on their 35th B Marcia & Kenneth Aaronson on their 50th Rosalie & Alvin Book on their 65th HOTLINES IN MEMORIAM Service Schedules: 410-580-2727 RICHARD M.

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