The TBI Bulletin April 2019 Temple B’nai Israel, the Reform Jewish Congregation of Kalamazoo
This month, we reach the celebration of Pesach, “passover” and it is my personal, favorite holiday. Growing up, I was lucky to celebrate first night at home Rabbi Simone Schicker with family and second night with family friends who were Modern Orthodox. This meant that the seder was long, [email protected] especially for a kid, but I feel blessed to 269-350-1825 this day that from those long seder nights I gained a great appreciation for participating in the seder. There was an expectation by the hosts that their guests In This Issue of would bring something relevant to share during the course of the seder meal. The TBI Bulletin Sometimes it was an article, sometimes it was a book or an item, sometimes it was another way of looking at tradition. Page The first time I brought something, it was an orange. I shared what I Rabbi’s Column 1 now know was the wrong origin for why we should include an orange on the seder plate, but I brought something to be discussed OKCJS News 3 which was not known by many at the time. I shared that it had to do TBI Calendar 4 with a woman’s place in Judaism, though that story has been proven false by Dr. Susannah Heschel, who first made it popular. The real TBI Staff, Board 10 story is as follows: and Committees
In the early 1980s, the Hillel Foundation invited me to speak Temple B’nai Israel on a panel at Oberlin College. While on campus, I came 4409 Grand Prairie across a Haggadah that had been written by some Oberlin P.O. Box 19666 students to express feminist concerns. One ritual they Kalamazoo, MI 49019 devised was placing a crust of bread on the Seder plate, as a 269-342-9170 sign of solidarity with Jewish lesbians, a statement of [email protected] defiance against a rebbetzin’s pronouncement that, “There’s www.templebnaiisrael.com as much room for a lesbian in Judaism as there is for a crust of bread on the seder plate.”
(continued on page 2)
Rabbi’s Column (cont’d from pg. 1)
At the next Passover, I placed an orange on our family's Seder plate. During the first part of the Seder, I asked everyone to take a segment of the orange, make the blessing over fruit, and eat it as a gesture of solidarity with Jewish lesbians and gay men, and others who are marginalized within the Jewish community.
Bread on the Seder plate brings an end to Pesach — it renders everything chametz. And it suggests that being lesbian is being transgressive, violating Judaism. I felt that an orange was suggestive of something else: the fruitfulness for all Jews when lesbians and gay men are contributing and active members of Jewish life. In addition, each orange segment had a few seeds that had to be spit out — a gesture of spitting out, repudiating the homophobia of Judaism.
When lecturing, I often mentioned my custom as one of many new feminist rituals that have been developed in the last twenty years. Somehow, though, the typical patriarchal maneuver occurred: my idea of an orange and my intention of affirming lesbians and gay men were transformed. Now the story circulates that a man said to me that a woman belongs on the bimah as an orange on the Seder plate. A woman's words are attributed to a man, and the affirmation of lesbians and gay men is simply erased.
Isn't that precisely what's happened over the centuries to women's ideas? And isn’t this precisely the erasure of their existence that gay and lesbian Jews continue to endure, to this day?” Excerpted from an Email from Professor Susannah Heschel
Though I shared the wrong interpretation as a teenager at the seder, I was hooked on the idea that we still have much to learn and much to change in our world, and that the Passover Seder is an excellent place to have those conversations. I have also taken to sharing the real story at every seder I attend.
This year, I look forward to learning your family traditions as well as sharing some of my favorites with you at our Community Seder on Saturday, April 20, at Temple B’nai Israel. Sign-up will be coming your way soon!
Please note that there will be no Shabbat Services on Friday, April 19, as it is first night seder. If you are looking to host or be hosted for seder, please look out for the sign-up organized by the Member Connections Committee.
L’shalom, Rabbi Schicker
From ReformJudaism.org Do we do anything special because first night Seder falls on a Friday evening this year? • When the seder falls on Friday evening, we acknowledge both Shabbat and the holiday of Passover. We recite a slightly different candle blessing that includes the words “yom tov” (festival). The Kiddush too, is different, and is sung to a special melody. The Kiddush sung when the seder falls on Saturday night includes a special addition for Havdalah. • This url (copy and paste), from ReformJudaism.org includes both the Hebrew text/transliteration as well as a recording of the special Kiddush blessing. https://reformjudaism.org/practice/prayers-blessings/passover-evening-blessings-kiddush-blessing-over- wine-shabbat-version
______https://www.haggadot.com/clip/susannah-heschel-explains-orange
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I have used this column several times to write about the Hebrew curriculum at OKCJS. This month I would like to tell you about our Judaism curriculum. Our students in PreK through High School study Judaism every Sunday.
This is a very special year for our Judaism curriculum in grades PreK-7. It is most likely the first year in at least several decades that our teachers have been able to teach an entire Judaism curriculum. Prior to our two congregational schools joining together, neither congregation had enough students to have one grade per class, so the school committees had to choose which lessons were most important and many had to be left out. After the two schools joined, we had two courses of study for Judaism for the first two years (Holidays and the CHAI Curriculum). Since the CHAI Curriculum, as well as our Music and Library curriculums, include the holidays, this year we dropped the additional holiday curriculum, and for the first time in many years, each of the 27 lessons are being offered to the students. The school schedule was structured so that even when we have special events such as Mitzvah Day or Noah Aronson’s visit, we always have our Judaism lesson and our Hebrew lesson. They are the main building blocks of Jewish education and we make sure not to miss them.
We have used the CHAI Curriculum for grades 1-7 for the last three years. Before that, TBI used this curriculum for many years, so we have a lot of experience with it. It was originally published by the URJ Press, and an addendum for Conservative Synagogues was recently developed by Rabbi David J. B. Krishef of Congregation Ahavas Israel in Grand Rapids for use at their combined Reform/Conservative school. Most of the lessons are identical from the Reform and Conservative perspective, but when there are differences, both are taught.
The curriculum leads students on an exploration of key values and principles of Torah, worship, and acts of loving kindness that build both Jewish identity and community with the help of this comprehensive, spiraling curriculum. (A spiral curriculum can be defined as a course of study in which students will see the same topics throughout their school career, with each encounter increasing in complexity and reinforcing previous learning.)
The CHAI Curriculum is built on three strands - Torah, Avodah, and G’milut Chasadim - using the principles of back- ward design outlined in Wiggins and McTighe’s Understanding by Design (UbD). It focuses on the enduring under- standings we want students to take with them in order to establish a strong basis for later Jewish learning and living.
CHAI articulates enduring understandings for each of its core strands: • Torah is an ongoing dialogue between the text and its students. It is real in our daily lives and goes with us wherever we are. Developing the skills to study Torah is essential to integrating Torah into our lives. • Avodah is the work we do to find sacred connections to God, community, and self. Engaging in the work of avodah can bring order, beauty, meaning, and insight to our lives and our community. • G'milut chasadim is our way of being personally responsible for making the world a better and holier place.
Each strand features a spiral curriculum core that grows through seven levels, guided by age-appropriate, enduring understandings for each level. Each core level is designed to allow teachers broad flexibility in adapting to student needs.
Because we think it is important that parents and families help us to reinforce what is learned at school, each Sunday parents receive age appropriate questions to ask their children about their Judaism lesson. We call them “Questions for the Ride Home,” and it is hoped that these questions will spark meaningful Jewish conversations between parents and children so that everyone can enjoy and feel connected, and a part of Am Yisrael (the People of Israel).
(continued on p. 4)
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OKCJS News (cont’d. from pg. 3)
If you would like to try your hand at teaching our children, but you think your Hebrew skills aren’t strong enough, we will be offering Judaism-only positions next school year. Each teacher will be supported by detailed curriculum materials, teacher education, and guidance from consultants skilled in curriculum, classroom management, and teaching strategies. You can share your Judaism with the children and watch them learn and grow. At the same time, you will be learning and growing as well! Think about it. Join us to teach one 45-minute lesson a week or the whole school day, without having to know any Hebrew. For more information, email [email protected].
As always, thank you for the honor of teaching our children.
Nora Chaus, Director Okun Kalamazoo Community Jewish School
Upcoming Temple and Worship Events
Wednesday, April 3 Sunday, April 14 Wednesday, April 24 4:30 PM: Religious School at TBI 9:15 AM: Religious School at COM 4:30 PM: Religious School at TBI 12:30 PM: Serve meal at Ministry 7:00 PM: TBI Monthly Board Friday, April 5 with Community Meeting 7:00 PM: Shabbat services Wednesday, April 17 Thursday, April 25 Saturday, April 6 4:30 PM: Religious School at TBI 7:00 PM: Bookclub at This is a 10:00 AM: Minyan Milamed Bookstore 7:00 PM: Rosh Chodesh Group: Nisan Friday, April 19 First night of Passover—no Friday, April 26 Sunday, April 7 Shabbat services (seders at homes) 7:00 PM: Classical Reform Shabbat 9:15 AM: Religious School at COM services Saturday, April 20 Wednesday, April 10 10:00 AM: Minyan Milamed Saturday, April 27 4:30 PM: Religious School at TBI 6:00 PM: Community Passover 10:00 AM: Minyan Milamed Seder at TBI Friday, April 12 Sunday, April 28 6:00 PM: Tot Shabbat Sunday, April 21 9:15 AM: Religious School at COM 6:45 PM: Oneg for All 9:15 AM: Religious School at COM 7:30 PM: Musical Shabbat services
Saturday, April 13 10:00 AM: Minyan Milamed
Join your TBI Family on Friday, April 26, 7:00 p.m. for special Shabbat services
It's a celebration of Rabbi Isaac Meyer Wise's 200th birthday. Rabbi Schicker will be speaking about his life, followed by a service in the classical, Reform tradition.
Hope you can make it!
4 Garden News
It's the "Get Ready for Passover" Garden Day on Saturday, April 13! We need all hands on-deck, even if you don’t have gardening experience. Passover starts at sundown on April 19, so we will be cleaning the outdoors at the temple to get ready. This is the big spring clean-up!
Please leave a message on the TBI voicemail letting us know if you are available, or call Lynn at 269-929-8201.
We plan to start at 10:00 a.m. The more people, the quicker we finish!
TBI Bookclub
Our April book is “Judas”, by Amos Oz. We will meet at This is a Bookstore on Thursday, April 25, 7:00 p.m. The bookstore has ordered 10 copies and they should be arriving by Wednesday, April 3 (cost is about $13)
Amos Oz was an Israeli author who passed away this past December. He is a prolific writer with over 40 books. The book, “Judas” was published in 2014.
(From Harvard Review)-Amos Oz, one of Israel’s most acclaimed writers and liberal thinkers. In this superb novel, Oz manages not only to consider the history and reception of Judas, but also offers a thorough and eminently readable examination of the complex nature of betrayal and faithfulness in religion, politics, and Israeli history. With much of the world now convulsed by the recrudescence of communal hatred and violence, Oz, an implacable moralist, has written a book worthy of answering the hard questions about faith, nation, loyalty, and justice that plague our times.
Rosh Chodesh Adar II
Rosh Chodesh feminine spirituality group
Open and welcoming to all who seek to deepen their connection to the divine, indwelling presence of God (Shekinah).
We will meet at the temple to celebrate the first month of the year, Nisan, on Saturday, April 6, from 7:00-8:30 p.m.
We’ll discuss Miriam and her role in the Passover seder and the Kabbalistic ritual of counting the Omer. For more information about Rosh Chodesh traditions for the month of Nisan, go to: https://www.ritualwell.org/ritual/essence-nisan
Please email Terra at [email protected] with questions or to RSVP.
5 Member Interview—Bruce Cohen by Rebecca Pollens
Bruce Cohen, born and raised in New York, came to visit northern Michigan in the 1980’s at the invitation of a close friend. His first visit was in February, and he returned a few more times before deciding to move to Gaylord in the fall of 1984. Two years later, he relocated to Grand Rapids. Living in Michigan was a big change from living in NY, but he was drawn to this area and it grew to be home. After retiring from a career in nursing, and then attending and graduating from the Culinary Arts School in Detroit, Bruce moved to Kalamazoo about two years ago. He finds it to be a good home base for him as his daughter lives in Kalamazoo and his son lives in Holland.
When Bruce moved to this area, he wanted to get back to his Jewish roots. He looked at both Congregation of Moses and Temple B’nai Israel, and he contacted Rabbi Matt, they met, and found a nice connection. Rabbi Matt encouraged Bruce to jump in and get started on areas of interest at the temple. He first attended a Saturday morning service at which there were only three people; the small group surprised him, but he was comfortable with it. He returned, and over time got to know some of the regular attendees, and he also came to some of the larger events at TBI. Bruce enjoyed the Passover seder and found people to be open and welcoming. This was not always the case at Jewish events he had attended in the past at other places. Bruce felt very comfortable at TBI and became a member, and as Rabbi Matt suggested, he jumped right in. He liked the variety of classes offered by Rabbi Matt, so he took the Hebrew class. He actively participates on the Member Connections Committee, helping out at every event he can make it to. He feels a sense of community at TBI, and has made friends to meet up with outside of temple functions.
Bruce’s career of 35 years in nursing took him to a variety of healthcare settings. After retiring from this fulfilling work, he found himself bored. He loves to cook, so he decided to go to the Culinary School at Schoolcraft College in Livonia, MI. The work involved was a lot more difficult than he had imagined, but he graduated, and since moving to Kalamazoo has worked as a Chef at Martell’s and The Beacon Club. Now Bruce is trying to start his own business doing private cooking: going into homes and preparing meals, or cooking for private dinner parties. Nursing and cooking have been very important to Bruce; he is drawn to the nurturing component of both, and really gives all of himself to these activities. Bruce also enjoys camping, music concerts, and taking rides on his motorcycle. He recently traded in his two-wheeler for a three-wheeler as it’s easier to handle. Bruce spends a lot of time with a friend who lives in Rockford, and he has a black cat named Shadow, and a rescue dog named Sadie. He is now enjoying his retirement, with plenty of time to do lots of interesting things.
Warm welcome to you, Bruce!
Social Action News
Each month at the People's Food Coop, they 'round up' their receipts to give to the month's identified organization. This is the one for April: Tiny Houses of H.O.P.E.
According to the ACLU, if people newly in recovery or returning to communities after prison have access to housing and employment within the first 30 to 45 days of re-entry, the likelihood of repeat offenses (recidivism) and or relapse are lowered by 72%. This spring, a village of tiny houses will be built on Kalamazoo's Northside by Tiny Houses of H.O.P.E. to provide housing for people struggling to find housing. All money collected during April will be donated to this organization....and if you go to http://www.secondwavemedia.com/southwest-michigan/features/Northside-Tiny-Houses-of-H-O-P-E-to-help-the- homeless-1025.aspx in your browser, you can read more about this.
Or contact People's Food Coop for more information, 507 Harrison Street, Kalamazoo, 269-342-5686.
6 TBI Community Seder/Second Night, April 20, 6 PM
Get ready to part the sea of crowds to get to the good nosh! The Annual TBI Community Passover Potluck Seder is on Saturday, April 20, from 6-9:00 p.m.
It may be night two… but It’ll be number one in your heart, as we share plagues, lotsa matzah, and gefilte fish, with your TBI family. Not to mention the hunt for the Afikomen!
Please RSVP (by Wednesday, April 17) at https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1SW- womgwP34_pgevmWoXTmwnV_qZGbnE5gCA69XWMec/edit#gid=1094315818 (copy and paste link).
This is a sit-down dinner with limited space so we MUST have an RSVP for everyone. Guests are welcome, so make sure they RSVP, too.
Meat will be served, so do not bring any dairy items or items with dairy ingredients. In keeping with Passover guide- lines, other than matzah or matzo meal, please do not use grain products containing wheat, rye, spelt, oats, or barley. Kitniyot (rice, legumes, and corn), which were traditionally not eaten during Passover, are approved for Passover consumption by both the Reform and Conservative movements. Feel free to bring dishes that contain rice, beans, peas, lentils, quinoa, and corn. For more information, copy and paste this url: https://reformjudaism.org/ jewish-holidays/passover/guide-eating-passover for a Guide to Eating on Passover. If you have more questions about the ingredients you plan to bring, ask Cary Mannaberg or Rabbi Schicker for clarification.
Last, but certainly not least, your help is needed to make this event a success! Consider volunteering to help with table setup on Thursday before the seder or to help with food setup on Saturday. Serving Questions? Contact Cary Mannaberg at [email protected] or (269) 303-1628. Don’t miss this opportunity to celebrate Passover together!
Home Seders for First Night Seder, April 19 If you are a host with extra seats at your home seder table or if you want to attend a home seder, contact Cary. Would you like to attend a family seder but don’t know anyone who is hosting one? The Member Connections Committee can connect you with a family. Is your family planning a home seder for Passover? If so, do you have room at your table for one or more guests? It does not matter what type of seder your family enjoys. What is important is that you share your family’s traditions with others, if you can. Our community has many single people and others whose families do not celebrate the Jewish holidays. We want to make sure that everyone in our community has an opportunity to participate in a family seder. Let us know the time and location of your seder, how many you can accommodate, and what (if anything) you would like your guests to bring.
Copy and paste this link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1TUM0bRM7zXbAE48ZFBi3UwOH70sIASI8YVuq04Y_Buo/ viewform?edit_requested=true. Our Member Connections Committee will match you with people seeking an invitation to a Seder. You will be doing an important mitzvah!
Holocaust Days of Remembrance Events
Temple Beth El is pleased to announce the following events in connection with Holocaust Days of Remembrance 2019:
This year’s keynote address for the Holocaust Remembrance Observance at the Hart-Dole-Inouye Federal Center in Battle Creek will be given by survivor, Irene Miller, on Wednesday, April 10, 1:00 p.m. Mrs. Miller will also give a talk at Albion College on Tuesday, April 9, 5:00 p.m., in the Bobbitt Auditorium.
Holocaust survivor, Dr. Irene Butter, will speak at Lakeview High School in Battle Creek on Friday, April 26, 9:40 a.m. She will then be part of a ‘Lunch and Learn’ event at 12:00 noon at the Helen Warner Branch of Willard Library.
Please contact Temple Beth El member Gigi Lincoln for further details: ([email protected] or 269-979-4336).
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8 Donations made April & May in February and Oneg Hosts
Early March 2019 April 5 Eash & Pesti
Endowment April 12 Davis, Harrington & Levin Henry and Ellen Winter April 19 Passover First Night Seder at home
April 26 Schultz/Horvitz & Mayer/Fainsinger
April 2019 Birthdays
Ethan Agay Alyson Miller May 3 Joint Services at TBE Jonathan Davis Charles Nutting May 10 Shapiro/Damashek & Shina Nora deBruler Rebecca Nutting May 17 Kirsch & Denenfeld Ray deBruler Scott Nykaza Marlene Denenfeld Sue Odom May 24 4th Friday—no services
Rachael Gallap Asher Saltzman May 31 Lewandowski, Goudie & Alex Goldenberg Sam Sefton Conner/Silverman
Sue Goldenberg Buffy Silverman
Matt Hurwitz Judi Silverman
Cary Mannaberg Zach Strongin Contact Sue at [email protected] Alan Messinger if you can help as an oneg host. Thank you.
April Perpetual Memorials (Yahrzeits)
DAVID BERG WILLIAM GOLDEN MADELINE LEWIS BENJAMIN SILVERMAN AARON GOLDFARB ARNOLD D RALPH CONNER JACK GOLDFARB GEORGE RITMAN MARK DENENFELD EVA KAPLAN MOLLIE SIMON ALICE ERNST GOLDIE KLEIN CARL STEIN MYER FISHMAN RUTH KLUGER FRANCELIA STEVENS LEO FONSTEIN BLANCHE LEVINE SID TANOFF MARSHALL GARDNER CHARLES DAVID LEWIS OSCAR WINTER
9 Temple B’nai Israel Staff, Board, and Committees
Rabbi Caring Circle Simone Schicker Cochairs Ellen Winter & Morry Edwards
Synagogue Associate Cemetery Committee Chair Dr. Michael A. Tanoff Kristi Arntzen
Okun Kalamazoo Community Jewish School Communications Committee Chair Director Nora Chaus Cheryl Pesti Treasurer Brandt Lubratich Member Connections Committee Administrative Assistant & Newsletter Editor Cochairs Cary Mannaberg & Nora Chaus Julie Lewandowski Finance Committee Chair Rick Rodbard Temple Board of Trustees President Sharon Wittenberg Fundraising Committee Chair Open Vice President of Operations and Programs Rose Kirsch Vice President of Membership Randy Lubratich Religious Activities Committee Chair Mike Tanoff Recording Secretary Hayley Wasser Corresponding Secretary Steve Klein Joint Religious School Committee Treasurer Abby Miller Brandt Lubratich, Paulette Thompson, Eric Siskind Members at Large Marlene Denenfeld, Brian Horvitz, Jacob Hurwitz, Social Action Committee Jenn Odza, Raye Ziring Cochairs Sue Goldenberg & Robin Pollens
Immediate Past President Joan Hawxhurst Webmaster Randy Lubratich
Building Committee Chair Dave Goldenberg
Temple B’nai Israel, founded in 1866, is a thriving congregation that actively engages all its members in Reform Jewish cultural, spiritual, and educational growth, individually and as a diverse and welcoming community.
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