September 2021 The Bulletin Elul 5781 - Tishrei 5782 A monthly newsletter of Temple Bnai Israel 112 years strong! We are an open and welcoming community that blends Jewish traditions with modern life.

ימים נוראים

Yamim Noraim High Holidays The Days of Awe Schedule of Services 5782 2021 Over Zoom

Monday, September 6th - Erev Rosh Hashanah :

Evening Service begins at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, September 7th - First Day Rosh Hashanah : Morning Service begins at 10:00 a.m. and concludes ~12:00 p.m. Tashlich in person at Lauter Park begins at 2:00 p.m., weather permitting. Wednesday, September 8th - Second Day Rosh Hashanah : Morning Service begins at 10:00 a.m. and concludes ~12:00 p.m. Sunday, September 12th - Cemetery Service : Begins at 11:30 a.m. In this season when we face our own mortality and our relationship with the living God, we honor the lives of our community’s loved ones with this brief memorial service. Sunday, September 12th - Sounding the Call: Stop the Plant, Save the Planet As we celebrate Earth’s birth on Rosh Hashanah, we gather with friends of all faiths to defend Earth and its human and non-human inhabitants. We’re ready to cast away the sin of new fracked-gas power plants and to call with hope for a just, green future. See pages 9 and 20 for details. Wednesday, September 15th - Kol Nidrei : Begins promptly at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, September 16th - Yom Kippur : Morning Service begins at 10:00 a.m. and concludes ~12:00 p.m. Yizkor Evening Service : Begins at 6:30 p.m. If you wish, please have a picture of the loved ones you are remembering to share through your webcam. Yom Kippur Conclusion : Ne’ilah begins ~7:00 p.m., with the Final Shofar at ~7:40 p.m.

Our policy for in-person events, such as Tashlich and the Cemetery Service, is for all attendees to be masked and maintain social distancing.

If you would like to attend our High Holiday services, please contact the Temple office by email at [email protected] or call 860-423-3743 to receive Zoom links and supplemental materials.

In This Issue President’s Message 3 Rabbinic Reflections 4 September Torah Readings 5

THE BULLETIN Coming in October: Voice of the Youth Shabbat 5 is a monthly publication of September Shabbat Services and Celebrations 6 TEMPLE BNAI ISRAEL 383 Jackson Street The Holidays, Part 3: Culmination 7 P.O. Box 61 Etrog and Lulav 7 Willimantic, CT 06226 Phone: 860.423.3743 In-Person Event and Celebration Updates 7 Fax: 860.423.7594 Temple Family News 8 www.templebnaiisrael.org

Caring Committee News 8 Submission deadline: The 15th of each month. Temple Talks (On Hiatus) in September 8 The Rabbi and the editor reserve Tikkun Olam Committee News 9 the right to reject submissions due to space limitations or content. Interfaith Working Committee Summary for 2020-2021 10-11 Decisions about Jewish Explorations 12 reopening the building Looking for a Good Read? 12 are in process at time of Expanding Our Social Media Presence 13 publication. We hope to see you at our virtual, Temple Raffle Planned to Welcome Hanukkah 13 and possibly in-person, 2021-2022 Fiscal Year (7-1-2021 to 6-30-22) Donations: 14-15 celebrations! Sustainers, Patrons, Bnaifactors, and others

Jewish Gatherings and Learning Opportunities 16 ********

September Yahrzeits 17-18 Rabbi Jeremy Schwartz [email protected] September Calendar 19 Phone 860-423-3743 Ext. 1 Sounding the Call: Stop the Plant, Save the Planet Back Cover (You may leave a confidential voice mail at that extension.) Office Administrator Jackie Slorach 860-423-3743 Ext. 0 [email protected]

Office Hours: Monday 10:00A - 5:00P Thursday 10:00A - 5:00P Friday 10:00A - 3:00P

Temple Bnai Israel is an affiliate of Reconstructing Judaism ReconstructingJudaism.org

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PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Peter Malinow As we contemplate the beginning of the New Year, one can’t help but reflect on how unusual this past year has been, how it has affected us, and what impact it will have on all of us as we move forward. While it is impossible to forecast all of the long-range consequences of this era of pandemic, certain effects have already become apparent. How we work, how we relate to each other, how our children are taught and learn, have all been affected profoundly. At Bnai Israel we have carefully kept track of local rates of vaccination, Covid infections, and hospitalizations. We have begun to offer some in-person services, as appropriate, observing CDC recommendations. At the same time, we are moving forward to upgrade our technological capacities to make available the most accessible and sophisticated opportunities for remote participation in our community, without leaving the comfort of home. Greater accessibility, less interpersonal interaction. Something gained, something lost. Will the new year bring a permanent shift in patterns of participation? Can we some day anticipate a virtual synagogue? While we need to contemplate new models for the future, some of our traditional values remain the same. The need to reach out to others may be even greater than ever, and opportunities to do so are many! Attend a service. Join a committee. Volunteer at a local agency. At this time for self-reflection, contemplate and then take action. Shanah Tova

SEPTEMBER SAVE THE DATES: Sunday, September 12th at 2:00 PM - Sounding the Call: Stop the Plant, Save the Planet - see pages 9 & 20 for details Monday, September 20th at 6:30 PM - Bring Your Own Dinner in the Sukkah - see page 7 for details Friday, September 24th at 6:30 PM - Bring Your Own Dinner in the Sukkah - see page 7 for details Monday, September 27th at 7:00 PM - JFEC Simchat Torah - Details to be announced. Tuesday, September 28th at 10:00 AM - Shemini Atzeret/ Shimchat Torah Service - IF a minyan of members RSVPs to the event.

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RABBINIC REFLECTIONS Rabbi Jeremy Schwartz I’ve been using “Elul: 29 Days of Reflection,” which I asked Jackie to send out at the beginning of the Jewish month of Elul. I know some of you have been using it, too. Each day, it gives a middah (a behavioral axis or character trait) to consider as a way of taking annual stock in preparation for the Yamim Nora’im, the Days of Awe. Some of the first middot included “arrogance,” “attentive listening,” and “awe of God.” A week in as I write, I’ve found that every one of the daily reflections reveals that I have room to grow. Thank God!! Seeing room to grow is seeing further potential in my soul. Each possibility of doing better is a potential I may not have been aware was even available to my soul. Each is a revelation of a bit more of my (and every human’s) incredible divine image. The revelation of imperfection can be a holy and joyous revelation, and the growth into that revealed ‘room to grow’ is spiritual life. The same is true, by the way, of our collective life. When we discover that we have room to grow as a community or as a society, that’s a beautiful gift. To learn more about the distance yet to be covered to eradicate racism, for example, is to learn more of our potential for a just and loving society. It opens up new vistas for our society’s soul. It’s not that we should be proud of our individual or communal imperfections, of course. We should be grateful when the imperfections are revealed to us, along with the space they create for our own growth. To think we’re done growing is to accept that we’re spiritually dead. This year, instead, may we all be written in the book of life. Shanah tovah!

If you missed it, that daily reflection resource is at: https://www.centralsynagogue.org/assets/downloads/Elul_29_Days_of_Reflection.pdf

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TORAH READINGS FOR SEPTEMBER 2021 Elul 5781 - Tishrei 5782

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 4 SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 11 27 ELUL, 5781 5 TISHREI, 5782 Parashat Nitzavim Shabbat Shuva Deuteronomy 29:9 - 30:20 Parashat Vayelech This year: 29:9 - 30:20 Deuteronomy 31:1 – 31:30 Haftarah: Isaiah 61:10 - 63:9 This year: 31:1 – 31:30 Haftarah: Hosea 14:2-10, Micah 7:18-20

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 18 SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 25 12 TISHREI, 5782 19 TISHREI, 5782 Parashat Ha’Azinu Sukkot Fifth Day Deuteronomy 32:1 – 32:52 Exodus 33:12 - 34:26 This year: 32:1 – 32:52 Numbers 29:26-28 Haftarah: Isaiah 64:2 - 65:10 Haftarah: Ezekiel 39:1-10

STARTING IN OCTOBER: VOICE OF THE YOUTH SHABBAT Rabbi Jeremy Schwartz For the Young and the Young-at-Heart Many of you will be familiar with the beautiful Siddur Kol Hanoar. We’ve sometimes used it when Jewish Explorations is in session, and a few times even with only adults in attendance. In fact, adults have often praised its beauty and spiritual clarity and said how much they like davvening with it. Starting in October, we’re going to use it every second Saturday of the month. This won’t be a “children’s service.” It will be the congregation’s service, using a Siddur that’s attractive to adults and also helps integrate children. I hope you’ll join us.

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SEPTEMBER SHABBAT SERVICES AND CELEBRATIONS Please note Zoom and In-person availability for each week! Friday, September 3, 2021 7:30 PM Shabbat Service - In-person & by Zoom Jewry Duty Participant(s): NONE Please sign up and help us make minyan!

Bagel & Bible - The Stranger Within You Camp, Saturday, September 4, 2021 9:30 AM From Woodchopper to Water Drawer - Zoom Only Jewry Duty Participant(s): Faye Ringel Two more Jewry Duty participants appreciated.

Friday, September 10, 2021 6:15 PM T.G.I. Shabbes! - In-person (Weather Permitting) Jewry Duty Participant(s): Ellie Shane Jill Marocchini One more Jewry Duty participant appreciated. Saturday, September 11, 2021 10:00 AM Shabbat Service - Zoom only Jewry Duty Participant(s): NONE Please sign up and help us make minyan!

Friday, September 17, 2021 7:30 PM Tikkun Olam VaNefesh Service - Zoom only Jewry Duty Participant(s): NONE Please sign up and help us make minyan!

Saturday, September 18, 2021 10:00 AM Shabbat Service - Zoom only Jewry Duty Participant(s): NONE Please sign up and help us make minyan!

Friday, September 24, 2021 6:30 PM Bring Your Own Dinner in the Sukkah - Details pg. 7 Jewry Duty Participant(s): NONE Please sign up and help us make minyan!

Saturday, September 25, 2021 10:00 AM Shabbat Service - Zoom only Jewry Duty Participant(s): NONE Please sign up and help us make minyan!

Are you able to fill any of the Jewry Duty openings listed above? Please sign up on LOTSA ( lotsahelpinghands.com ) or email the office: [email protected]

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THE HOLIDAYS, PART 3: CULMINATION Rabbi Jeremy Schwartz The celebration and work of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur can bring us to a place where we’re open to utter joy; the kind of joy that is unperturbed by our existential position as finite, mortal beings. To be more blunt, we can be happy even though we’re going to die - that is the joy of Sukkot, the Festival of Booths. We eat or even live in temporary shelters. We wave plants and fruits that, in Israel’s climate, are lush and have made it through the dead, dry season, and promise a new cycle of rain and fruitfulness. Finally, on Simchat Torah, we dance with abandon as we defy death. We read of Moses’ death and immediately, the Earth is created. We celebrate the powerful tool of Torah in its broadest sense – Torah as the process of discovering truth and love in dialogue with each other and our ancient and living wisdom. Please join us for this culminating joy: Monday, September 20th at 6:30 PM: For those who are vaccinated, there will be a first night of Sukkot Bring Your Own Dinner (BYOD) celebration in the Temple Sukkah, weather permitting. We’ll Zoom parts of the festivities for those who can’t make it in person. In bad weather, we will celebrate by Zoom only. Friday, September 24th: A second Sukkot Bring Your Own Dinner (BYOD) celebration in the Temple Sukkah, weather permitting. Monday, September 27th: Eastern Connecticut Simchat Torah celebration – watch for details. Tuesday, September 28th at 10 AM: If a minyan of you RSVP, we’ll have Simchat Torah/ Shmini Atzeret morning services on Zoom, including Yizkor prayers.

ETROG AND LULAV Please plan to pick up your Etrog & Lulav on the first night of Sukkot (Monday, September 20th) or by arrangement (contact Jackie at [email protected] or 860-423-3743). Donations are appreciated!

IN-PERSON EVENT AND CELEBRATION UPDATES Temple Bnai Israel In-Person Event Attendance Policy: In order to attend any event in person at the synagogue, individuals over 12 years of age must be vaccinated; if children under 12 are present or if we are indoors, all participants should be masked. Individual events may have increased requirements; please pay attention to event listings. There have also been a couple of minor updates to our Friday in-person gatherings: 1st Friday Shabbat will continue to meet inside and require all individuals to wear masks. T.G.I. Shabbes will continue to meet outside in good weather, but will return to Zoom-only in bad weather.

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TEMPLE FAMILY NEWS

מזל טוב !Mazal Tov - Congratulations To Tom Peters on celebrating his 70th birthday. To Josie Torres and Ashley Robinson, welcome to the Jewish people! To Paul & Annette Shapiro on their new home in West Hartford (We’re so happy you’ll still be a part of our community!) To Glenn & Tiffany Blumenstein on their new home in West Hartford (We’re so happy you’ll still be a part of our community!)

המקום ינחם Hamakom yenachem - Condolences

David Brodie on the passing of his sister Linda Zaretzki Dara Bowling on the passing of her mother Annie Climan May their memories be a source of strength and a blessing.

רפואה שלימה Refuah Shleyma - Get Well To Marc Kronisch, who is recovering from back surgery

CARING COMMITTEE - Caring For Each Other In Times Of Need Fran Jaffe Ellie Shane 860.228.2390 860.428.5392 [email protected] [email protected] Thanks to Carol and Merle for their leadership in August. September’s leaders are Sheila and Susan. As always the committee is here to help with any needs our members might have. If you or anyone you know needs some help, you can contact the monthly leaders, the committee co-chairs (Fran Jaffe and/or Ellie Shane) or Rav Jeremy. We would like to wish everyone Shana Tovah! Ellie and Fran

TEMPLE TALKS - A ZOOM Group focused on bringing us together and lifting spirits. In deference to the High Holidays, Temple Talks will be going on hiatus for the month of September. Keep an eye out for Temple Talks to resume in October! Call Hillary at 860-208-8519 if you have any questions or concerns, or email her at [email protected].

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TIKKUN OLAM COMMITTEE Merle Potchinsky, Chair The Tikkun Olam Committee has jumped into working on the climate crisis with renewed vigor as we turn to our new year. We invite the entire congregation to join us on September 12th at 2:00p.m. for SOUNDING THE CALL: STOP THE PLANT, SAVE THE PLANET, part of our work with the national organization Dayenu: A Jewish Call to Climate Action. We will meet at Congregation B’Nai Shalom, located at 125 Church Street, Putnam, Connecticut. We are depending on all of our membership to support this critical action for Mother Earth and the effort we will continue to make to prioritize the work of mitigating the global climate crisis. Our committee members have been reaching out to each of you and asking you to both prioritize joining this action and ask at least two other people to come along with you. We are being endorsed by local and regional environmental and religious organizations and expect to have a strong showing. We will be reconstructing the Tashlich ritual (casting away our sins in a body of water), singing, and leveraging our strong eastern Connecticut voices to ask Governor Lamont to halt the construction of the fracked gas plant in Killingly. Killingly is an old mill town/city like Willimantic, home to people of diverse backgrounds who deserve the opportunity to host clean energy development and well-paying jobs in their own community. There is much at stake here and stopping the Killingly plant could help set the precedent for elsewhere. Our imperative as Jews is to be stewards of the land and this is our time to act. Please join us! During Sukkot, we are planning a COVID-safe dinner for the guests at the Covenant Soup Kitchen. You are invited to help us provide food for this special Sukkot meal. We are expecting the date to be Sunday, September 26th, with details coming soon. Sukkot is such a wonderful holiday on multiple levels and speaks to a great many issues near and dear to this congregation and this Tikkun Olam Committee. Please join us for this wonderful tribute to the earth and our hospitality to those less fortunate. For additional information on the work of our committee and these events specifically, please contact Merle at [email protected].

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WINDHAM REGION INTERFAITH WORKING GROUP SUMMARY FOR 2020-2021 In March 2020 the Covid pandemic hit us all suddenly, shutting down commerce, meetings, and social gatherings, and had us scrambling to find new ways of virtual social connection. Throughout this extraordinary and difficult time, the Windham Region Interfaith Working Group has continued to be active and involved. With Zoom as our helper, with emails, phone calls, and valiant efforts by many, we have taken action, worshiped together, and directly addressed the needs in our communities. The following is a summary of what the Interfaith Working Group has worked on and carried out over the last 18 months: Helped raise funds for the Neighbor Safety Net Fund at WAIM—many people lost their jobs, and were faced with limited funds to sustain themselves and their families. The Safety Net Fund has been an underpinning for help when no other help is available. Earth Day 50th Anniversary - April 22, 2020, and Earth Day of Environmental Racial Justice Observance - April 22, 2021 - Thanks to Marc Kronisch who led two successful virtual Earth day celebrations. Scriptural Sharing on Fasting in the three Abrahamic Traditions - May 3, 2020 Participation in NAACP Rally for Racial Justice, and remembering George Floyd - June 5, 2020 Interfaith Thanksgiving Service - November 2020 “Listening Courageously” discussions led by Jane Fried—how do we talk with people with whose views we don’t agree and find objectionable? Can we open a dialogue and bridge the gap of understanding? These discussions were held in May and June 2021, and Jane is open to providing other discussions for those who are interested. Raising money for the No-Freeze Project by selling a second round of PEACE T-Shirts. We began this new initiative right before the pandemic hit. Pam Roberts has done an extraordinary job marketing the T-Shirts and the Hochberg Fund for Human Rights and Holocaust Education at Temple Bnai Israel is also to be thanked for contributing funds to buy the shirts. Continued next page

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WINDHAM REGION INTERFAITH WORKING GROUP SUMMARY FOR 2020-2021 Our on-going work continues to focus on: Messaging—Rhonda Kincaid has been working with a group of public relations specialists on a targeted message promoting understanding which the Interfaith Group may use in their messaging. The Working Group is also determining if we will revive our “Welcome the Stranger” campaign. Refugee storytelling/Music/Building Bridges—Originally planned for the spring of 2020, the Refugee event committee has continued to be active. Working with ECSU, there have been two videos produced which will help promote the live event of Storytelling and Music in April 2022. The Building Bridges exhibit on Refugees’ experiences will be launched this fall and travel to various locations in our area. Homelessness and Housing Insecurity—An active subcommittee of the Working Group held a Forum to highlight what homelessness and housing insecurity look like in the Windham Region, and what steps we can take to address it. The committee is planning another Forum this fall that will focus on concrete actions that we each can take in our towns to help those who face loss of their homes or have no home. Covid Memorial—Rabbi Jeremy Schwartz is leading a multi-town effort hosted by the Interfaith Working Group to hold a Covid Memorial Observance on October 3, 2021, and also is looking into a permanent memorial. The Interfaith Working Group thanked two of its founders, Pastor Matt Emery and Pastor Rick Haverly, who have left the area. Their compassionate and inspired leadership has been a gift that has helped to propel the Interfaith Working Group to carry out its mission: Promote understanding and knowledge about the cultures and beliefs of our diverse communities, recognizing our shared values and respecting our differences. Sheila Amdur has helped lead the Interfaith Working Group over the past 5 years. Rebecca Stearns is assuming the leadership post for the Working Group, and Sheila will continue to be active, along with Rav Jeremy and many other Temple members. If you are interested in being a part of this group, please contact Sheila at [email protected].

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JEWISH EXPLORATIONS Rabbi Jeremy Schwartz

The Jewish Explorations parents in the crowd will be unsurprised that this pandemic has unfortunately left some details about Jewish Explorations a little up in the air. We’ll be meeting with you in September to nail some of that down. We do know that we’ll start the program the morning of September 26th. We’ll meet on Wednesdays, as well as continuing the monthly Friday evening gatherings the first Friday of the month. The second Shabbat of the month, we’re introducing “Voice of the Youth Shabbat.” The first hour, 10-11, will be a service for the whole congregation using the “Kol Hanoar”(“Voice of the Youth”) Siddur, which is popular with many adults as well as children. We ask that Jewish Explorations parents attend these services with their children. If/when we meet in person, we’re cooking up some good, creative Shabbat activities for kids and adults for the second hour. Other Shabbatot, the students will spend the morning with Morah Stephanie. Of course, parents are encouraged to make shul a family affair on those weeks as well. Finally, we continue to search for a Director of Youth Programming and Outreach to develop, supervise, and grow all our youth programming.

LOOKING FOR A GOOD READ? Submitted by Sue-Ellen Kirkham A Review of Beneath A Scarlet Sky by author Mark Sullivan If you have not yet read Beneath A Scarlet Sky by Mark Sullivan, I would recommend it. I feel a responsibility to have some knowledge of the Shoah, so I have read a few books about our horrible history. This book really captured my interest. It is about a teen in Italy, Pino Lella, who uses his knowledge of the Alps to take Jews over the Alps into safety in Switzerland. His parents ask him to return to Milan, then they encourage him to join the German Army for his safety. He joins, and after meeting Gen. Hans Leyers (Hitler’s man in Italy) he becomes his personal driver and “Observer” for the Allies. I really could not put this book down, even through tears. Bruriah

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EXPANDING OUR SOCIAL MEDIA PRESENCE Sheila Amdur Rochelle Marcus has enthusiastically agreed to be our "Communications Facilitator". She will work with all of us to expand content on our social media sites to reach not just our members but also a broader audience. All information can be sent to Rochelle at: [email protected] Rochelle will act as a "clearinghouse" for posting resources and websites that have Jewish inter- est -spiritually, socially, culturally, historically, and/or educationally. These postings can be family oriented, events, environment, human rights, humor, poetry, etc. Time sensitive postings and regular program postings will go directly to Jackie Slorach, the Temple office administrator, as they do now. Rochelle's role will be to expand the information we are receiving and sharing to help draw peo- ple to our sites. The way most people seek information is through social media. Our goal is to expand how we communicate and connect with those who are looking for a Jewish connection. If you have any ideas, please share them with Rochelle.

TEMPLE RAFFLE PLANNED TO WELCOME HANUKKAH Sheila Amdur The Fundraising Committee is planning an exciting limited edition raffle this fall. Usually, we would be planning an auction, but with the uncertainties of the times, we will have the next best thing with some wonderful prizes. We already have an offer of a stay at a Gloucester vacation home, and we are looking for donations of gift certificates of $100 or more from Visa, Mastercard, American Express or some other widely used merchant. Also donations of a new cellphone, TV or similar digital goodies would be popular prizes. Other vacation opportunities are also popular. We will only sell 500 tickets at $25 each, so the better the prizes, the more people will want to buy the tickets. If you can help with donations of prizes, and/or selling tickets, please contact Sheila Amdur at [email protected]. We also welcome more members of the Fundraising Committee. Happy New year to you and yours!

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2021-2022 FISCAL YEAR DONATIONS (JULY 1, 2021 TO JUNE 30, 2022) Donations received through August 27, 2021.

SUSTAINER Sheila B. Amdur

PATRON Harry & Honey Birkenruth Martin & Randee Berliner Judy Stein & Ken Dardick Carol Colombo Stuart & Joan Sidney

BNAIFACTOR Rav Jeremy & Merle Potchinsky Peter & Stephanie Malinow Grace Adams Gerry Berkowitz Rita Pollack Arthur Kirschenbaum Anne & Michael Willenborg Tony & Jeanne Morascini Bruce & Sharon Brettschneider Jerome & Nina Rosen Robert & Jane Moskowitz

Discretionary Fund Joan Sidney, in honor of Stu’s 80th birthday Bruce & Sharon Brettschneider, in memory of Eric Goldberg

General Fund Mona & Todd Friedland Fran Storch Sharen & Tom Peters Carol & Yves Kraus Gloria Gerald Ada Mitlitsky Mitzi Horowitz

5782 Yizkor Memorial Booklet Gerry Berkowitz Harry & Honey Birkenruth Bruce & Sharon Brettschneider Carol Colombo Ken Dardick & Judy Stein Carl & Elaine David Mona & Todd Friedland Gloria Gerald Marla & Mark Hauslaib Mitzi Horowitz & Jeff Benoit Sue-Ellen Kirkham The Kraus/Newman Family Leanna Loomer & Joe Loy Peter & Stephanie Malinow

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2021-2022 FISCAL YEAR DONATIONS (JULY 1, 2021 TO JUNE 30, 2022) Donations received through August 27, 2021. 5782 Yizkor Memorial Booklet continued Rochelle & Alan Marcus Jill Marocchini Susan Meisler Jeanne & Tony Morascini Jane & Robert Moskowitz Lex & Ramona Nishball Sharen & Thomas Peters Rita Pollack Edith Prague Ilene Reiner Jerome & Nina Rosen Sandra Roth Beth & Bernie Schilberg Bernie & Jane Schreiber Rav Jeremy & Merle Potchinsky Ellie Shane Paul & Annette Shapiro Stuart & Joan Sidney The Simonsen Family Fran Storch Anne & Michael Willenborg Michelle Prunier Wittstein

5782 Chai Appeal Bruce & Sharon Brettschneider Carol Colombo Mona & Todd Friedland Gloria Gerald Carol Kraus Jill Marocchini Susan Meisler Ilene Reiner Faye Ringel Samuel L. Schrager & Terry L. Gellin Ellie Shane Doreen & Bill Simonsen Beverly Sims & William Okeson Judy Stein & Ken Dardick Hillary Stern & Marc Kronisch

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JEWISH GATHERINGS & LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES

You are welcome to submit short notices about upcoming, non-partisan Jewish gatherings or opportunities for Jewish learning that you think would be of interest to other members of the congregation. Please keep listings to 100 words or less. Disclaimers: This column reflects submission and so is not unbiased or comprehensive and does not reflect the endorsement of the Temple or the rabbi. We reserve the right to edit submissions or to not include sub- missions that conflict with important Temple events or with the Temple’s officially stated values, (although if you don’t think it conflicts, we’ll probably publish it).

The Depot for New Play Readings brings "The Birthday Party" by Judah Skoff to Zoom on Sunday, September 19, 2021 at 2:00 PM. The reading is free. For more information and to sign up for the Zoom link, contact [email protected]. "The Birthday Game" is a romantic epic about American Jewish life at the turn of the twenty-first century. Set during the summer of 2000, against the backdrop of the presidential race between Bush and Gore, at the dawn of reality television, when the Twin Towers stood proudly over Manhattan, and when there was real hope for Palestinian- Israeli peace, "The Birthday Game" is a love story about two people and a nation on the knife’s-edge of a new century. The Depot was founded by Temple Bnai Israel member Anne Flammang.

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SEPTEMBER YAHRZEITS Kaddish will be said for the following Yahrzeits on September 3rd and September 4th Pauline Frimitt 27 Elul September 4 Great-Grandmother of Esther Brettschneider Bruce Brettschneider 28 Elul September 5 Celia Stutz Israel 1 Tishrei September 7 Frances Reiss Seliger Mother of Joan Seliger Sidney 1 Tishrei September 7 Carlman Frankel Grandfather of Michael Lassow 3 Tishrei September 9 Dora Kronisch Grandmother of Marc Kronisch 3 Tishrei September 9 Jesse Greer 3 Tishrei September 9 Father of Sima Lessner and Abraham Kesslbrenner Ada Mitlisky 3 Tishrei September 9 Kaddish will be said for the following Yahrzeits on September 10th and September 11th Abraham Paster Uncle of Sharen S Peters 5 Tishrei September 11 Anna G. Brockell Mother of Jesse Brockell 5 Tishrei September 11 Harry Heller 6 Tishrei September 12 Sigismund Lauter 8 Tishrei September 14 Geraldine Brownstein Sister of Gene Mittelman 8 Tishrei September 14 Sydney Berliner Mother of Martin Berliner 8 Tishrei September 14 Benjamin Waingrow 9 Tishrei September 15 Hyman Rabinowitz 11 Tishrei September 17 Kaddish will be said for the following Yahrzeits on September 17th and September 18th Eugene Feigelstock 13 Tishrei September 19 Jeanne Hauslaib Mother of Mark Hauslaib 13 Tishrei September 19 Helen Rothblat 14 Tishrei September 20 Hyman Reiner 14 Tishrei September 20 Florence Warner Chasen 15 Tishrei September 21 Abraham Zenchoff 15 Tishrei September 21 Stephen W. Schuster Step-father of Glenn Blumenstein 15 Tishrei September 21 Daughter of Jeanne and Marianne Morascini Tony Morascini 16 Tishrei September 22 Tillie Moskowitz Mother of Robert Moskowitz 16 Tishrei September 22 Irving Schretter 17 Tishrei September 23 Bertha Schupack 18 Tishrei September 24 Shirley Lenore Wrubel 18 Tishrei September 24

September Yahrzeits are continued on the next page May their memories be a source of strength and a blessing.

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SEPTEMBER YAHRZEITS (continued) Kaddish will be said for the following Yahrzeits on September 24th and September 25th Peter R. Lessler Cousin of Judy Stein 19 Tishrei September 25 Gertrude Frankel Feldman 19 Tishrei September 25 Grandmother of Marc Kronisch and Goldie Nishball 19 Tishrei September 25 Grandmother of Lex Nishball Rebecca Kaplan Mother of Roberta Schwane 20 Tishrei September 26 Pauline Ballon 20 Tishrei September 26 Anna Eisenberg Gibson 20 Tishrei September 26 Raphael Glass 20 Tishrei September 26 Joseph Horn Grandfather of Roberta Schwane 20 Tishrei September 26 Seymour Hochman 21 Tishrei September 27 Mary Mangino Mother of Annette Shapiro 22 Tishrei September 28 Adam Brown Cousin of Rochelle Marcus 22 Tishrei September 28 Martha Saunders Mother of Marjorie Golden-Mossberg 22 Tishrei September 28 Estelle Weiner 23 Tishrei September 29

May their memories be a source of strength and a blessing.

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Temple Bnai Israel In-Person Event Attendance Policy: In order to attend any event in person at the 7:00pm 7:30pm 9:30am synagogue, individuals over 12 years of age must be Ritual Comm. Shabbat Service Bagel and Bible, vaccinated; if children under 12 are present or if we followed by an are indoors, all participants should be masked. abbreviated Individual events may have increased requirements; Shabbat Service please pay attention to event listings.

10:00am 10:00am 5:30pm First Day Second Day Jewish 6:15pm 10:00am 7:30pm Rosh Hashanah Rosh Hashanah Explorations T.G.I. Shabbes, Shabbat Service Erev Rosh Service Service Parent Meeting wine, cheese, and Hashanah music celebration Service 2:00pm Tashlich at Lauter Park

9:30am Tikkun Olam Comm. Mtg. 10:00am Yom Kippur 7:30pm 10:00am 11:30am 6:30pm Service Tikkun Olam Shabbat Service Cemetery Kol Nidrei 6:30pm VaNefesh Service Memorial Service Service Yizkor Service ~7:00pm 2:00pm BULLETIN Ne’ilah Sounding the DEADLINE ~7:40pm Call Final Shofar

7:00pm 6:30pm Interfaith 10:00am BYOD in the Working Group 6:30pm Shabbat and Sukkah - See BYOD in the Sukkot Service pg. 7 for details Sukkah - See pg. 7 for details

10:00am 4:30pm First Day of 10:00am Jewish Explorations Jewish 7:00pm Shemini Atzeret/ Explorations JFEC Simchat Simchat Torah Torah Service (?) - 7:00pm See pg. 3 Board Meeting

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temple bnai israel

SOUNDING THE CALL: STOP THE PLANT, SAVE THE PLANET

Join our call to stop the Killingly Fracked Gas Plant and pass September 12, 2021 A Just, Green Recovery for 2:00 PM EST America! at Congregation B’Nai Shalom 125 Church Street Putnam, CT

On Rosh Hashanah, we blow the shofar in a call to action. Join us as we call out for Climate Justice in this beautiful outdoor space along the Quinebaug River near the proposed site of an unwelcome fracked gas plant. We'll call for an end to the fracked gas plant, and for the passage of a Just, Green Recovery! This action is hosted by Temple Bnai Israel in Willimantic, Dayenu: A Jewish Call to Climate Action, and endorsed by Jewish, Justice and Environmental organizations, including: Congregation B’nai Shalom & Rabbi Eliana Falk ▪ No More Dirty Power Killingly ▪ CT Sierra Club Interreligious Eco-Justice Network (IREJN) ▪ Jewish Federation of Eastern Connecticut (JFEC) Windham Region Interfaith Working Group ▪ B’nai Tikvoh-Sholom ▪ Congregation Mishkan Israel Windham/Willimantic NAACP ▪ Temple Habonim ▪ and many more!

Ready to Join Us? Visit d.aye.nu/ct-sept12

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