Adath Israel Tradition

Home , Ellie Greenwich, Jeff Barry, The Raindrops

Serving the Adath Israel Chavurah since 1904 Newtown, Monroe, Bethel, Brookfield, Southbury, Trumbull, Oxford, Danbury

(The Little Synagogue that Could: First building: 1919, First rabbi: 1923) Ritual: Conservative Social: Progressive Oneg Shabbats: Priceless

May 5 Iyar - 6 Sivan 2017 5777

Adath Israel Annual Meeting - Sunday May 7 at 9:00am

Celebrate SHAVOUT Tuesday May 30

More information on page 6 7:00 PM

Hear the Ten Commandments and Tell your Friends… the story of Moses. The Nezvesky School of Congregation Enjoy some Blintzes! Adath Israel is currently accepting new student registrations for the 2017-18 More info on pages 3 & 9 academic year. Grades K thru 7. Contact: [email protected]

End of School Year Celebration Our page has weekly postings and events. Sunday May 21 Check it out and say 9:30—11:30 AM hello to our new facebook editor, Jonathan Nahmias. https://www.facebook.com/congadathisraelnewtown Watch your school email for more information

In This Issue

Announcements 1 Just For The Record 5 Community Programs & Events 10 From the Rabbi’s Study In Memoriam 2 The Nezvesky School 6, 7 11 President’s Message Contact Information Donations Ritual 3 Clubs and Committees 8 12 Hosting an Oneg / Kiddush D’Var Torah 4 Upcoming Activities and Events 9 May Calendar 13

From the Rabbi’s Study

The Third Meal of the Sabbath

There is a tradition in Talmudic Judaism that there should be 3 spiritual food related events on the Sabbath. They are called the three Feasts of the Sabbath. The definition of "feast" however, is simply a blessing over the bread and the prayer after the meal. In between, it is not the food that matters, it is the study, discussion and religious, mystical singing which particularly characterizes the late afternoon Sabbath event.

The event is known as the Seudah Shleesheet (Hebrew for third meal) or in Yiddish "Shalashudis”. I would like to introduce this spiritual event to our Adath Israel religious pro- gramming. There is no requirement as to number of people participating. Even, as the Tal- mud says, if only 2 people are discussing Torah, the spirit of God is at the table with them.

On Saturday, June 17, at 5 pm, I will lead the opening Third Feast of Sabbath event. I ask anyone interested in participating to let me know either personally or by phone or text at (860)227-0912. I look forward to some of you participating with me in this experience. ~ Rabbi Barukh Schectman

President’s Message

Dear Congregants,

It is good to be back and in full swing. April has been an exciting month. Our calendar has been filled with many special activities.

Congratulations to Tracy Benham, Ival Kovner and Jim Arena. They completed their B'nai Mitzvah studies and under the guidance of Rabbi Schectman performed brilliantly on the bema. Thank you to all who worked with them these past two years.

An exciting program was initiated earlier this month. Shabbat Before Bedtime was well received by the parents and children who attended. This short learning service has music, dance, and engaging personalities as Katherine Kohrman and Yossi Kohrman-Glaser lead the service. This does not preclude us from having our regular Friday night service at 7:30 pm.

It was rewarding to attend the Seder on the second night of Pesach. Rabbi Schectman led us with the very able as- sistance of his son Yaakov. The meal was very well prepared by the Rabbi and brought to the synagogue. His presentation was educational and entertaining. The Seder lasted approximately one hour and all who were there, I believe, enjoyed the spirit of Pesach and the pleasant congregants they engaged with. Florence and I are looking forward to next year’s second Seder with our friends here at Adath Israel.

Last but not least was the delightful Bar Mitzvah of Harrison Silverman. I had the opportunity to chat with the Sil- verman family and found them most engaging. Congratulations to Harrison, and his dad, Mark, as well as Theo- dore, Isaac, and their grandparents.

Finally, I am pleased to announce that Rabbi Barukh Schectman has agreed to extend his contract for the coming year. He has become a fine member of our community and has fulfilled all the obligations requested. He is knowl- edgeable and pleasant to be with.

PLEASE JOIN US FOR OUR ANNUAL MEETING ON SUNDAY MAY 7 AT 9:00 am.

With Blessings of Shalom, Bob Rubinstein

From The Ritual Committee B’NAI MITZVAH SEASON AT ADATH ISRAEL

In April we celebrated with four families in their B’nai Mitzvah ceremonies. First, on April 1, three adult congregants read Torah and Haftarah and became sons and daughters of the commandments. This was an exciting and moving morning in our Sanctuary. We congratulate Jim Arena, Tracy Benham, and Ival Kovner. This group ceremony was the culmination of over two years of study together, a rather profound choice they each made to invest so much of their precious time and energy in becoming full-fledged Jewish adults. Mazal Tov to the three of you and to your families. We will be printing their three D’var Torahs in our newsletter so that you can hear what it meant to each of them, personally.

The fourth Bar Mitzvah of the month of April, and another joyous ceremony, was that of thirteen year old Harrison Silverman who read from Parshat Shemini on Saturday April 22. He chanted Haftarah as well. Mazal Tov to the Silverman family.

In May, we look forward to two more ceremonies. Seventh grader Rachel Arena will be celebrating her Bat Mitzvah on May 20, chanting from Parshat Behar-Bechukotai. And on May 27 we have another adult Bar Mitzvah scheduled. Congregant David Smith, known to many as the Chair of our Education program at Adath Israel, will be chanting from Parshat BaMidbar, the opening verses of the Book of Numbers. All are invited to share in these simchas (joyous occasions).

EREV SHAVUOT

On the Eve of the holiday of Shavuot, Tuesday May 30, we will be gathering in the synagogue for a festive meal and a short Torah service. On Shavu- ot we celebrate the giving of the Torah at Mt Sinai. It is traditional to eat dairy products, and most particularly to eat blintzes on Shavuot. Our dinner will be showcasing some of the finest in blintzes that our congregation has to offer. It is also traditional to read the verses of Torah that include the Ten Commandments and the story of Moses bringing the tablets down from the moun- tain top. So we will hear the Ten Commandments being chanted. The potluck dinner will begin at 7:00. The service will begin at 8:00.

ADULT EDUCATION

We are beginning to gather a list of those who would like to join the next class of adults who want to study together with Rabbi Schectman. The class will begin with mastering Hebrew literacy. It will then move on to learning some of the prayers in the Shabbat services. The end goal for some will be to learn to chant Torah and Haftarah and to celebrate a group B’nai Mitzvah ceremony. The class will start in the fall or winter and will be held on Tuesday evenings at 6:30. If you are interested or know someone else who might be interested, or you would just like more information, please contact Katherine Kohrman at [email protected]. Non-members are welcome to join this class.

For those of you who couldn’t attend the adult B’nai Mitzvah service on April 1, we’d like to share with you the D’var Torah by Jim Arena...

Today’s Torah reading is Vayikra and it begins the book of Leviticus, the third of the five books of the Torah. The book is also known as Torat Kohanim, a name which refers to the priests (the Kohanim), who were descended from the house of Levi. Vayikra literally means “He called” and is the first word of the book.

The book of Leviticus is filled with detailed instructions for the priests of biblical times on how to worship. It includes many details for all the kinds of sacrifices that are to be offered, who should offer them, and how the sacrifices are to be performed.

We no longer do animal sacrifices at our services (thankfully!), but today we have our own set of rituals, some modern, some ancient, blended together in a form that has meaning to us. In today’s world, I think many of us are challenged at one time or another to justify even these modern practices. Why do I devote energy to learning to read an ancient and very foreign language or to learning to chant ancient prayers? Why do I devote precious time to coming to services at the synagogue on a regular basis? Why do I even have to leave my house to worship? Isn’t God everywhere? Movie theaters are being killed by home theaters - shopping malls are replaced by Amazon Prime - nobody leaves their house any more if they don’t have to! Can’t I just say my prayers or study Torah there?

These are very personal questions that each of us has to answer for ourselves. For me, one of the big reasons that I see for coming together on a regular basis for these shared rituals is that it builds community.

I didn’t expect this when I started coming to services here 7 years ago. I did not join Adath Israel looking for community. I joined looking for education in Jewish religion and culture and identity for my children - an education neither Marina nor I could give them, each of us for different reasons that will have to be a story for another time.

And in the beginning, education is entirely what we got - or so we thought. We are not especially social people. Yet, slowly, so slowly that I didn’t even realize it was happening in the beginning, we found ourselves being drawn in to the Adath Israel community.

The rituals we practice together are, on their face, mostly about strengthening our connection to God. It turns out they are also about strengthening our connection to each other. The shared knowledge and skills that we each need to fully participate in these rituals gives us a common foundation that makes it easier to relate to each other, to respect one another. Coming together to practice these rituals on a regular basis binds us together with an unexpected power. The book of Leviticus is set just after Exodus and delivers a set of rituals that would bring the Jewish people together as a nation in the land of Israel. I think the descendants of the rituals described in today’s reading have been holding the Jewish people together ever since, across the millennia and through all kinds of adversity.

7 years ago, we came in the door every week knowing only the Rabbi and our kids’ teachers and being completely satisfied with that. We were customers receiving a service. Now, years later, I can come here and feel like everybody knows me and I know them. I can see that people care for each other, help each other, respect each other, and depend on each other. They share in the highs and lows of each other’s lives. And I see that it makes us all stronger. Today I feel fortunate to be a part of this very special community.

I also want to take a moment to thank a few people who made this day possible. First, our teachers: Rabbi Praver who started this journey with us and Rabbi Schectman who took us across the finish line, and Katherine Kohrman who led us through the desert when our congregation was in-between Rabbi’s and has organized the adult education program throughout. I’d like to thank my classmates: Ival, Tracy, and David who became good friends over the last 2+ years and always made our classes something to look forward to. I’d like to thank our Gabbaim today: Katherine Kohrman and Steve Bamberg – they did a great job. I’d like to thank my family for their love and support, and inspiration – I wouldn’t be here if you guys hadn’t led the way. Lastly, I’d like to thank all of you for coming today and sharing in this special occasion with us.

JUST FOR THE RECORD Lesser Known Jewish Recording Artists

~ Contributed by Charles Berger Back in 1964, a husband/wife songwriter duo had 17 of their compositions reach the Billboard pop charts and several reached #1! Remember “Chapel of Love”, “Leader of the Pack”, and “Do Wah Diddy Diddy”? Actually, over the years, 25 of their songs went gold (500,000 copies sold) or platinum (2 million copies sold). Yet, many people are still not familiar with their names. The husband was Jeff Barry (born Joel Ad- elberg) and his wife was Ellie Greenwich.

Ellie (Eleanor Louise Greenwich) is the daughter of non -Jewish father William and Jewish mother, Rose. Ellie was born on October 23, 1940 in East Flatbush, Brook- lyn, NY. However, the family moved to Levittown, LI, NY in 1951. Her early musical background came from hearing her father’s balalaika and her learning to play the accordion. She did get an English degree at Hofstra University, but after a month of teaching, she went to New York City. At the Brill Building on Broadway she Baby” as Ellie Greenwich, her only other Top 100 hits began to write pop songs with other writers. were as part of the group “The Raindrops” in 1963 and 1964. Ellie and her then husband Jeff Barry with Ellie’s Over the years, she wrote and produced recordings for younger sister Laura had five singles on the Jubilee other artists including Dusty Springfield and even Neil label range from 17 down to 97. Diamond. She also sang in the background and provided vocals and arrangements for such artists as Bobby Darin As previously indicated, Ellie was married to Jeff Bar- and Frank Sinatra. In 1984, a show based on her life ry, although only briefly from 1962—1965. No chil- “Leader of the Pack” opened at the Bottom Line cabaret dren were born during that time and, in fact, she never in New York City. It featured her hits and she even ap- had children, which was a disappointment for her. In peared as herself. In 1985, it opened in New York at the August 2009, she was admitted to a New York hospital Ambassador Theater. It was nominated for a Tony with pneumonia. However, she suffered a fatal heart Award for Best Musical and a Grammy Award for the attack on August 26 at the age of 68. cast album. The musical continues to be performed all over the world. She and Barry, in 1991, were inducted Ellie Greenwich did not think that highly of herself. At into the Songwriter’s Hall of Fame and the Rock and times she had said she did not consider herself a good Roll Hall of Fame in 2010. musician, she was reluctant to record in her later years, and did not believe she had a good voice. Despite her Ellie’s recording career included several singles under beliefs, she remains one of pop music’s greatest song- pseudonyms. She recorded as Ellie Gaye in 1958, as writers and according to the great Brian Wilson of the Ellie Gee & The Jets in 1961 (featured), as Kellie Doug- Beach Boys, “she was the greatest melody writer of all las in 1962 and as Lorrie Darnell in 1963. Although she time”. did not have a single in 1967 “I Want You To Be My

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THE NEZVESKY SCHOOL

We are coming now to the ending of the year and we will be celebrating with our children on Sunday, May 21 with a graduation and moving up ceremony followed by a luncheon. Join your children and their teachers on this special day! The children will also be taking part in a special event for Lag B'Omer on Sunday, May 14. We will have a bonfire with s'mores and talk about Lag B'Omer and how it is celebrated.

In addition, we want to congratulate Rachel Arena on the occasion of her Bat Mitzvah which will take place Saturday, May 20. Mazel Tov to Rachel and her family. The Bar Mitzvah service is always an enjoyable time for both children and adults and we encourage you to bring your children to experience it.

Registration has begun for the 2017-18 school year so if you know people who would be interested our little schul let them know they can call the office at 203-426-5188 or email me.

David Smith Education Chair 203-364-1788 Ima Abba v’Ani [email protected] Pre-School Playgroup For children ages 2, 3, 4, and 5 (not yet in school)

Join us on the following Sundays for Jew- ish learning, songs, and crafts. All children MUST be accompanied by a parent or care- giver. This program is open to both members and non-members and is FREE!

DATES & topics are as follows:

• May 7, 2017 – Israel Independence Day, Lag B’Omer, Shavuot • May 21, 2017 – graduation / end of year festivities TIME: 9:30 – 10:30 AM

A “themed” snack will be provided. If your child has allergies, you may want to provide a Kosher (dairy/pareve) snack for your child.

Teacher: Mrs. Mardi Smith

For further information or to register for this class, please call Adath Israel at 203-426-5188 or Email us at: [email protected]

MODEL SEDER

Photos by Leslie Murray

CLUBS & COMMITTEES

Men’s Club Now Forming

Contact Steve Vine [email protected]

SISTERHOOD Sisterhood met on April 20th at Carl Anthony's in Monroe. We dis- cussed ideas for a Summer Sisterhood event. Look for details to follow. Join today! Contact Bonnie Goldstein [email protected]

MAH JONG MADNESS

Mondays 7:00 PM at Adath Israel

For both experienced and beginner players

Adath Israel Community Care and Share Committee Women’s Book Club The Community Care and Share Committee recently met. Linda Wishko and Cara Tingley are home recuperating from recent knee surgeries. The next meeting of the Adath Israel Book Club will be We wish them a speedy recovery. Our commit- on Monday May 22nd at 7:30 P.M. at the home of Lynn tee will help with the Oneg for David Smith’s Wiener. We invite all members to join our club. We upcoming Bar Mitzvah. We have just completed choose a variety of genres of literature to discuss. The our second year and look forward to meeting current book we are reading is: again in the Fall. We are looking for a teenager in our congregation to join our committee. If The Women in the Castle, anyone is interested, please contact Sue Morse. by Jessica Shattuck In the meantime, we are always there to assist any congregant who would benefit from our Even if you haven’t read the book, consider joining us services. Please contact Sue Morse at: and helping to choose our next book. We usually meet [email protected]. bimonthly. If interested, please email Amy Greenfield at [email protected]. Susan Littlefield, Secretary

UPCOMING ACTIVITIES & EVENTS STOP PROCRASTINATING! LEARN HOW TO CREATE CHALLAHS ON JUNE 4TH!

With a little help from your friends you, too, can make yummy CHALLAHS! Katherine Kohrman is opening up her kitchen at 32 Huntingtown Rd. in Newtown.

Katherine will be demonstrating, teaching and encouraging the latest CHALLAH bakers. So on June 4 from 9:45AM-2:00PM you'll be able to eliminate something from your Bucket List and if you're generous enough to share your own CHALLAH production, you'll bring joy to others!! FALL FUNDRAISER Please RSVP to this invitation or if you have any questions contact: The Edwards Twins, world famous Rosalie Newman celebrity impersonators from Las [email protected] or (203) 426-6679 Vegas, will be entertaining us on November 4th. We are looking for Event Sponsors and Program Ads.

Everybody’s help is needed to make this a successful fundraiser. Please ask places you frequent: stores, coffee shops, restaurants, doctors, etc. to place an ad in our program booklet.

Contact Bob Goldstein for more information.

[email protected]

COMMUNITY PROGRAMS & EVENTS

ADVERTISING YOUR BUSINESS IN THE NEWSLETTER

Business card size: $10 monthly / $90 yearly 1/4 page: $15 mo. / $135 yr. 1/2 page: $25 mo. / $225 yr. Full page: $45 mo. / $405 yr.

Email: [email protected]

444 Main Street North Southbury, CT 06488 203-267-3177 www.jfed.net

IN MEMORIAM Yahrzeits: May 2017 CONTACT INFORMATION

Office Phone: 203-426-5188 1 May 5 Iyar Myron Nowes, Brother of Gilda Slomka 1 May 5 Iyar Neil Morse, Husband of Susan Morse Rabbi Barukh Schectman [email protected] 5 May 9 Iyar Arlene Goldstein, Mother of Laura Goldstein 7 May 11 Iyar Harvey Buckwald, Father of Lauren DiMartino Administrative Assistant: Susan Rubin [email protected] 7 May 11 Iyar Sylvan Philip Herbst, Father of Bill Hillman

12 May 16 Iyar Gita Shifrin, Grandmother of Marina Arena 2016 – 2017 Officers of the Board 13 May 17 Iyar Ann Zank, Mother of Susan Morse President: Bob Rubinstein 13 May 17 Iyar Charles Weiner, Father of Madalyn Henry [email protected] 15 May 19 Iyar Aaron B.Z. Silver, Father of George Silver Vice - President: Amy Greenfield 25 May 29 Iyar Henry Kirschblum, Father of Rosalie Newman Vice - President: Rosalie Newman 27 May 2 Sivan Martin Agines, Brother of Bernice Ullmann Vice - President: Susan Wilson 28 May 3 Sivan Gertrude Ravitz, Mother of Sybil Blau [email protected]

28 May 3 Sivan Ronald Bogdanoff, Father of Tod Bogdanoff Treasurer: Dan Greenberg 30 May 5 Sivan Sylvia Kovner, Mother of Ron Kovner [email protected]

Secretary: Jim Arena … and let us not forget [email protected]

3 May 7 Iyar Rebecca Bernstein Member at Large: Lauren DiMartino Member at Large: Jessica Sachs 3 May 7 Iyar Shia Goosman

4 May 8 Iyar Benjamin Bernstein 2016 – 2017 Committee Chairpersons 5 May 9 Iyar Morris Redalje Birthday Books: Mardi Smith 6 May 10 Iyar Eli Brier 13 May 17 Iyar Doris Mapen Education Chairperson: David Smith [email protected] 25 May 29 Iyar Rose Molmod Nezvesky 26 May 1 Sivan Max Schimelman School Parent Coordinator: Cara Tingley [email protected] 27 May 2 Sivan Dora Chernoff 28 May 3 Sivan Heidessa Schimelman Teen Volunteer Coordinator: Stacey Schumer

29 May 4 Sivan Rose Nezvesky Care & Share Committee: Susan Morse 31 May 6 Sivan Abraham Nezvesky Fundraising: available 31 May 6 Sivan Jacob Goosman [email protected]

Honorarium: Susan Rubin [email protected] In Sympathy House: Mark Silverman [email protected] Our condolences to Tracy Benham on the passing of her mother, Natalie Fine Newman Membership: Leah Newman [email protected]

Men’s Club: Steve Vine [email protected] CEMETERY PLOTS BRONZE Newsletter: Susan Rubin AVAILABLE [email protected] MEMORIAL FOR FAMILIES OF CAI MEMBERS Programs: Jodi Markowsky [email protected] NAMEPLATE Adath Israel Cemetery Publicity: Karen Klein If you wish to install a (a division of B’nai Israel Cemetery) [email protected]

memorial nameplate in the 472 Moose Hill Road, Monroe, CT Ritual: Katherine Kohrman [email protected] sanctuary, please contact Susan Rubin at Information packets are available. Safety: David Wiener Please contact Susan Rubin at [email protected] 203-426-5188 or by email [email protected] [email protected] Sisterhood: Bonnie Goldstein or call 203-426-5188. [email protected]

DONATIONS HOST

We gratefully acknowledge the following contributions to temple funds: AN ONEG

General Fund OR KIDDUSH Diane Gamse in memory of her mother, Sue Shapiro Tracy Benham Katherine Kohrman in memory of Marc Rubin's father Hosting a Friday Oneg or Saturday Kid- Alan Schupack in honor of Tracy Benham's Bat Mitzvah dush is performing a Mitzvah for our Susan Rubenstein in memory of Helen Rubenstein community. After services is a time Vangel & Diana Michael in memory of David Rubenstein when we have a chance to slow down Bernice & Bud Ullmann in memory of Martin Agines and catch up on the weekly events Rita Frost in honor of Bonnie & Bob Goldstein with our fellow congregants.

It’s not only a Mitzvah, but a way for Building Fund you to celebrate an event in your fami- Bernie & Debbie Baer in memory of Marc Rubin's father ly and share the good news with our Elaine & Ralph Schwartz in memory of Marc Rubin's father congregation. Many people host to commemorate birthdays, anniver-

Caring Community Fund saries, engagements, awards, gradua-

Michelle & Steve Tenenbaum in memory of Seymour Naidich tions, victories and other happy occa- Susan Morse in memory of her mother, Ann Zank sions. You may also host in memory of a loved one. Of course, you don’t need a reason to host and you may also buddy up and host with a friend. THANK YOU If you wish to participate in this Mitz- TO OUR APRIL ONEG & KIDDUSH SPONSORS vah or for more information, please e-mail the office at Saturday April 1— The Adult B’nai Mitzvah class [email protected] Friday, April 21—The B’nai Mitzvah class in honor of Harrison’s Bar Mitzvah Saturday, April 22— The Silverman family in honor of Harrison’s Bar Mitzvah Friday Oneg Dates Available

Friday, April 28—Sisterhood in honor of Bonnie & Bob Goldstein May 5, 12 June 2, 16, 23, 31 August 11, 25

“LEAVE YOUR LEGACY Saturday Kiddush Dates Available

ON THE TREE OF LIFE” June 24

A great way to honor Celebrate a special day with us!

past and present Honor a special milestone: family members and friends achievement, birthday or anniversary. Large Leaf—$1800. each; Small Leaf—$180. each Do a mitzvah!

Sponsor an Oneg or Kiddush this year.

Order forms available at the synagogue or by emailing [email protected] Reserve your date now!