BULLETIN OF BETH EL CONGREGATION MARCH 2021 AKRON, OHIO • 5781

Table of Contents

A Whole Year Rabbi’s Message ...... 1 President’s Message ...... 1 2020 was our last major event together Synagogue Directory ...... 2 in person. It seems almost impossible to think Fundraiser Winners ...... 2 that we have lived in a pandemic for an entire Mazel Tov...... 2 year. The Jewish equivalent I can think of is the Schedule of Services ...... 2 year of mourning that happens when a Jewish Candle Lighting, Havdalah ..... 2 person loses a parent. Unlike for any other Yahrzeits ...... 3 Rabbi Elyssa Austerklein Calendar...... 3 relation, it is a whole year of mourning (putting Hazzan’s Message ...... 4 aside the traditions to modify to eleven months). What I imagine though is Sisterhood ...... 4 that the mourning does not end once the year has concluded, but instead a Volunteers Needed ...... 5 person has learned, over the course of the year, how to cope with this Education Program ...... 6 immense loss. Tools are discovered and micro-changes are made in order to Rabbi’s “Paths to God” ...... 6 go on living. Bonnie Cohen’s Art Exhibit .... 7 Kids Pesadich Cooking ...... 8 Over this year there is no doubt that we have all experienced loss. It has Sale of ...... 8 come in many different ways. For some it has been life-loss. For others it Schedule ...... 9 has been socializing in person, not venturing out, missing Rabbi → page 4 Counting the Omer ...... 10 Mimouna Celebration ...... 11 Second Night Seder ...... 12 Back to Shul Plan Women’s Chocolate Seder .. 13 Contributions ...... 14 and Questionnaire Contacting the Office ...... 15 In Memoriam ...... 15 In the mail over the last few weeks, you Tree of Life ...... 15 should have received an especially important Beth El in Your Will ...... 15 envelope from Beth El. There was a letter and Contacting the Office ...... 15 two documents in that mailing. Lunch & Learn ...... 16 The first item, printed on two pages back-to-

Sharon Merklin back, is what the COVID-19 Committee and the President Board of Directors fondly refer to as our “Back to Shul Plan” or a 2021 Covid Reopening Plan. The Covid Committee developed these guidelines in order to give us a strategy for coming back to “in -person” events and religious services at 750 BULLETIN OF White Pond Drive. Chaired by Nicholas Hall (who holds a Master of Public BETH EL CONGREGATION Health), they put a great deal of time and effort into this document. They Inside Pages – met at least twice a month to come up with a workable strategy geared to the All-Color on the Web needs of our kehilla. The document strongly takes into consideration the Incredible. Check it out! Jewish directive of Pekuah Nefesh, that the preservation of President → page 5 bethelakron.com

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Mazel Tov SCHEDULE Congratulations to Rob and Andrea Minster, OF SERVICES who welcome their new granddaughter Sierra June Duval. She arrived on December 14th to Beth El Congregation parents Stacey and Devin Duval of Eagle, Colorado. MARCH 2021 750 White Pond Drive Akron, OH 44320 ADAR /NISAN www.bethelakron.com 5781 Office: (330) 864-2105 Fundraiser Winners [email protected]

Affiliated with Morning $2,500 First Prize Minyan

The United Synagogue of Nobil grandchildren Sunday 8:45 AM Conservative Judaism Beth El - $1,000 Second Prize

Judge Jon Oldham Wednesday & The Jewish Theological Friday Seminary of America $600 Third Prize

Rabbi Elyssa Austerklein 7:30 AM [email protected] Jacques & Esther Sardas Hazzan Matthew Austerklein [email protected] $200 Prize Winners Stephen Grundfast Rabbi Emeritus Adam Caplan family Stephen Stein Services Hazzan Emeritus Margaret Chesler Saturday 10 AM Sharon Merklin President Beth El [email protected] Diane deVegter Stacey Simonton President Elect Charlie Freeman Gregg Manes Vice President Gordon Memorial Home David Stock Treasurer Phil and Livia Kades

Susan Osherow & Debra Shifrin Shirley & Leo Katz Candle Lighting Co-Secretaries Julie Katz March 5 ..... 6:04 PM Director of Education Jerry Kusar March 12 ... 6:12 PM Jenifer Jeney March 19 ... 7:19 PM Manager of Mike's Flooring Connection Synagogue Services March 26 ... 7:27 PM [email protected] Herb Moss March 27 ... 8:28 PM Robynne McKee March 28 ... 8:28 PM Administrative Assistant Sheri Nusbaum [email protected] Laurel Gress Baalat Koreh Emily & Mike Prioletti [email protected] Leonard Rose David & Molly Stock Editor

Vol. LXXVI No. 5 Randy Stone & Larry Triola The Bulletin is published monthly by Beth El Congregation Kevin Tucker Havdalah 750 White Pond Dr., Akron, Ohio 44320 March 6 ..... 7:13 PM (USPS 052-100) Alan Woll Postmaster: Send address changes to March 13 ... 7:21 PM Bulletin of Beth El Congregation, March 20 ... 8:28 PM 750 White Pond Dr., Akron, Ohio 44320 Laurie Zuckerman Periodicals postage paid at Akron, Ohio. BULLETIN OF BETH EL CONGREGATION Page 3

March 1-5 Sidney Levine Sam Borodkin YAHRZEITS Edward A. Lieberman Helen Culiner Betty Nobil

Mary Fischer Eva L. Palazzo Mildred Fogel March 6-12 March 13-19 Sherwin Ruben Elsie Regal Elizabeth Fuchs Irwin Bertram Apple Dolly Berger Sylvia Simon Albert Rosenthal Jean Glauberman Esther Cooper Rose Bloch Ruth M. Skall Arthur Rosenthal Gustave Goldstein Annie Dorman Blanche Finkel Louis Small Hyman Rosenthal Manny Iczkovitz Milton Dorman George Gilman Louis Vigder Sophie Rubin Patricia Zarych Jeffers JoAnn Glickman Benjamin Goldberg Adeline Weiner Jennie Rulnick Paul Kanfer Ike Gold Elizabeth Gordon William Weintraub Nathan Sandler Karl Koch Goldie Goldman Samuel Gross Wayne Whigham Eric Scheinbart Spencer R. Koch Ben Goldner Joseph Hendler Vera Sholiton Jerome Lippman Sheindel Kamenir Gilbert Katz March 20-26 Louis Waxman Ada Marks Donna Kriger Hyman Katz Charles Berenson Esther Weisberg Abe May Blanche Leubitz Lillian Katz Pauline Bleiman John Moyer Gertie Levy Lillian Kay Anne Braunstein March 27-31 Anna Paskal Rhonda Lee Medoff Magda Litt Jean Cooper Bertram Adler Nathan Pinsky Norman Milstein Louis L. Manes Ettabelle Davidson Milton Cohen Morris Rosenthal Barbara Oveson Ben Marks Louis Davidson Irwin E. Cohn Dave Ruben Samuel Polachek Sam Marks Rachel Dennis Chana Marks Bertha Rubenstein Leonard Rudnick Ethel Mirman Louis Dorman Rachel Marks Dr. Harold Schleider Daniel Smith Gertrude Moritz Gertrude Gold Shmeryohu Marks Edith Schlossberg Sidney Sugarberg Jack Moskovitz Geraldine Goldstein Sonie Marks Charles Sinder Ben Winer Celia Newman Elsie Kodish Harold Miller Seena Treiber Sam Winer Bill Rapport Louis Kodish Nellie Rubin Rachel Weintraub William Wolfe Lola Reiss Helen Kolkey William Sholiton Florence Yablon Esther Slavin Please call the office to inform us of Yahrzeit omissions or corrections.

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Adar 5781 March 2021 Nisan 5781 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

Services 1 17 Adar 2 18 Adar 3 19 Adar 4 20 Adar 5 21 Adar 6 22 Adar (unless otherwise noted) Ki Tisa Sunday 8:45 AM Hebrew School 4 PM Wednesday 7:30 AM Jr. Congregation Friday 7:30 AM Saturday 10:00 AM 7 23 Adar 8 24 Adar 9 25 Adar 10 26 Adar 11 27 Adar 12 28 Adar 13 29 Adar Paths to God 10 AM Lunch & Learn 12 Noon Vayakhel-Pekudei Hebrew School 4 PM Mini Minyan 9 AM Board Meeting 7 PM

14 1 Nisan 15 2 Nisan 16 3 Nisan 17 4 Nisan 18 5 Nisan 19 6 Nisan 20 7 Nisan Paths to God 10 AM Taste of Torah 7 PM Hebrew School 4 PM Women’s Vayikra

Chocolate Seder 7 PM

21 8 Nisan 22 9 Nisan 23 10 Nisan 24 11 Nisan 25 12 Nisan 26 13 Nisan 27 14 Nisan L’Chaim Cooking Club Hebrew School 4 PM Chametz Sale Deadline Tzav 6 PM Taanit Bechorot Lay led Service Fast of the First Born Erev Pesach 1st Seder 15 Nisan 16 Nisan 17 Nisan 18 Nisan Let Us Know 28 29 30 31 Our clergy are eager to talk to congregants in the Service 9:30 Service 9:30 Kids Pesadich hospital but can’t if they don't know. If you or Cooking 5:30 PM someone you know is in the hospital or sick at home, Pesach Day 1 and would appreciate a pastoral phone call, please 2nd Seder Pesach Day 2 Chol Hamoed Pesach Chol Hamoed Pesach let us know.

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Rabbi from page 1 play-dates for children. We cannot measure, nor is it fruitful, to account for the many ways in which losses have occurred. At the same time, we have also gained new technology - not just in the sense of ZOOM and use of computers, but in the sense of forging ahead with new knowledge. Perhaps we have grown closer with our families, found out that long lost friendships from other states can really be maintained across distance. Maybe we have reconnected with nature WOMEN’S or considered how our time is best spent. LEAGUE FOR CONSERVATIVE Though the Jewish year is cyclical, it is going in an upward spiral. JUDAISM

We experience again, but we also experience the old as new. Judaism

asks us to find meaning with what we are confronted with in this very moment. As we say to mourners, HaMakom yinachem etchem - “God is  Taste of Torah the Place of your comfort.” We make our way through grief by turning Monday, Mar. 15, 7 PM to God and knowing that wherever we are - physically or emotionally, God waits for us there.  L’chaim Cooking Club Monday, Mar. 22, 6 PM For many of us, this Passover will be the second year that safety compels us to be physically isolated. At the same time, we have gone I hope everyone is well. leaps and bounds with accepting computers at our tables. What seemed Sisterhood and the Beth El impossible last year, is more than doable this year, as Beth El gathers on Caring Committee are ZOOM for our Second Night Seder. If you haven’t joined us yet online over the pandemic, now is the time. The memory of what was before forming a Sunshine does not depart, but together we can create new memories of what may Committee to reach out to come ahead. I hope to see you at my Pesach table. our members. It may be for A Zissen Pesach! illness, good news or just to say hello. Sandy Schneier Rabbi Elyssa has agreed to be our point person with the help of Music to Feed your Soul Passover Edition Music to Feed your Soul Passover Edition JoEllen Kodish. They will Just search the words in quotations on YouTube need your help. We can’t Just search the words in quotations on YouTube make contact if we don’t • “The Moishe Oysher Seder” -- Yiddish theatre • “The Moishe Oysher Seder” – Yiddish theatre know of situations so please personalitypersonality and and sometime sometime cantor cantor Moishe Moishe Oysher’s Oysher’s PesachPesach LP LP is is still still a a classic classic -. Eenjoynjoy it with contact Sandy at (330) commentary from my colleague Cantor Jonathan Hazzan commentary from my colleague Cantor Jonathan Matthew 867-5700. We are also AngressAngress at at another another Beth Beth El El (Pho (Phoenix,enix, AZ)!AZ)! Austerklein looking for volunteers to • “Broken Hearted by Shir Yaakov” - As we gather in new • “Broken Hearted by Shir Yaakov” – As we gather in new make calls or deliver food. ways,ways, enjoy enjoy this this soulful soulful Psalm Psalm setting setting by by Rabbi Rabbi Shir Shir Yaakov Yaakov Feit thatFeit sings that sings of God of asGod healer as healer and gatherer. and gatherer. Sisterhood is also helping • “, Coming Home” -- Israeli arts group “The • “Dayenu, Coming Home” – Israeli arts group “The to sponsor a Chocolate Fountainheads”Fountainheads” cover cover C C--LOLO Green Green fo forr a a new new spin spin on on “dayenu” “dayenu” Seder on Wednesday, • “Libavtini Epichorus” -- The is traditionally read • “Libavtini Epichorus” -- The song of songs is traditionally on Passover. Enjoy this verse put to rich harmonies by The March 17. Look for further read on Passover. Enjoy this verse put to rich harmonies by publicity. Epichorus”The Epichorus” • “V'hi sheamda razel” -- Yonatan Razel’s melody for this • “V'hi sheamda razel” -- Yonatan Razel’s melody for this Shalom Hagaddah text has been performed countless times, from Hagaddah text has been performed countless times, from Andrea Rabinovitz rock/poprock/pop take take to to choral choral settings. settings.

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President → from page 1 Volunteers Needed Jewish life takes precedence over all other commandments. The Committee used guidelines The Caring Committee is looking for volunteers to help us with the many ways we have been engaging with from the Center for Disease Control, United our Beth El Family. Synagogue for Conservative Judaism, and the Summit County Health Department among other Some of what we have done, continue to do, and our future projects: agencies. Nick spent his winter break from medical school explaining the committee’s work Spring 2019 through winter 2020 to the officers and the Board of Directors and Caring bags delivered to members in the hospital, those finalizing the document. Thank you very much to sick at home, in isolation. the Committee members who worked diligently Dec 25, 2019 – Caring Day on this issue: Gary Rosen, Micah Beree, Dr. Families came together to decorate/make cards, fill bags Sidney Steinberger, Dr. Marissa Levine, Rabbi and then deliver to our seasoned members for Chanukah. Austerklein, and Joe Pryweller. If you have not Spring 2020 already done so, please carefully read the “Back Phone calls. We reached out to all Beth El families to to Shul Plan.” check in with them to see how they are doing with the new stay-at-home orders for COVID-19. The second item in the envelope was a 2020 questionnaire that our office staff would like to Along with Sisterhood we put together bags for Rosh have filled out for every household. This would Hashanah and distributed to the entire (in-town) include our full members, as well as associate membership. members. As I mentioned in the cover letter, we December 2020 found that office records are out of date. Even if Phone calls were made to our senior members to check in you do not have a phone number or piece of with them. information published in the 2019-2020 Beth El Yearbook (the last one we published), our office February 2021 staff, lay leadership, clergy, or educational director Sponsoring along with Sisterhood Shaloach Manot bags for the entire (in-town) membership. may need to contact you. We will not share this information with anyone and when we publish our Continuously, throughout the year next yearbook, we will only print what you • Along with Sisterhood, we have provided numerous request. I would also like to thank Susan Osherow meals to members. for all her help with this project and coordination • Coming home from hospital • Those who have a need for a hot meal. of the office over the last several months. • We have been calling to check in with several of our I write this column as the Super Bowl and members who needs a bit more contact. Beth El Raffle are this coming weekend. Thank • We have also been in contact with Jewish Family you all for supporting this virtual raffle! A huge Service for when we identify that a member needs debt of gratitude to Rob Minster, Andrea Minster, additional help. These are often discovered during our Sherry Hellman, Debbie Shifrin-Newman, Steve phone calls, when we deliver bags, or meals. Newman, Susan Osherow and Toby Rosen who • When Jewish Family Service is working with one of our worked very hard to make this fundraiser a members whom they feel wishes more contact from success. Beth El, we provide them with phone calls and meals. L’Shana Haba’ah! With hope in my heart, I We need volunteers to: pray that we will be together for this event next • Make phone calls. year. • Fill bags. • Deliver bags/meals. • Send out Thinking-of-You Happy cards. Sharon • And any other needs for our members. Page 6 BULLETIN OF BETH EL CONGREGATION

What we need more than anything else is not textbooks but text people. It is the personality of the teacher which is the text that the pupils read; the text that they will never forget. The modern teacher, while not wearing a snowy beard, is a link in the chain of a tradition. He/She is the intermediary between the past and the present as well. Yet he/she is also the creator of the future of our people. He/She must teach the pupils to evaluate the Education past in order to clarify their future. (Rabbi Joshua Heschel “Jewish Education,” in The Program Insecurity of Freedom.)

Beth El Religious School has fabulous teachers. They are not only there just to teach our children but their personalities and their obvious care for our students shines through. When children have positive Jewish role models, they want to become active Jewish adults. Conversely negative Jewish experiences can turn people off to practicing their Julie Katz Judaism. Our Beth El Religious chool students have warm and positive experiences Director because our teachers are great role models. of Education This year is like no other and some of the nonverbal aspects of teaching and caring about students is diminished online. However, we do our best to chat with students before class and let their personalities come through on the screen. We too have had to reconfigure how to teach online and every teacher has done additional training to use our online curriculum, ShalomLearning. Good teachers are students as well, always perfecting their craft. In fact, we learn from our students as well. Rabbi Chanina said, “I have learned much from my teacher. I have learned more from my colleagues than my teachers. But I have learned more from my students than from all of them.” Please give a big thank you to our religious schoolteachers: Leora Cohen, April Sharrock and Ellen Moss. March’s Jr. Congregation will bring back the extremely popular Harry Potter Havdalah on Saturday evening, March 6th. We will be off on March 30th and April 6th for Passover break.

Rabbi’s Adult Education Program PATHS TO GOD

Join us for the EIGHT PATHS two remaining TO GOD A curriculum based on the sessions. teachings of Rabbi Sacks

March 7 & 14

An 8-session course on Judaism and Jewish identity based on traditional sources and the teachings of Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks will be taught on Sunday mornings at 10 AM by Rabbi Elyssa. Please register on . BULLETIN OF BETH EL CONGREGATION Page 7

Bonnie Cohen’s Art Selected as “Best Architectural Mosaic” for 2021 International Exhibition of Contemporary Mosaic Art

The Society of American Mosaic Art by the Ohio Arts Council, and the CSU The(SAMA) Society has of Americanselected Mosaicthe work Art of(SAMA) has selectedCollege the of work Engineering of Bonnie committee.Cohen, of Akron, OhioBonnie as Best Cohen, Architectural of Akron, Mosaic Ohio for as the Best 2021 MosaicThe 55 Arts ft. Internationalx 8 ft. mosaic Exhibition. installation This is in competitiveArchitectural annual Mosaic exhibition for features the 2021 innovative design and masterful technique as explored by some of the best international artists working in the themedium. lobby of the Washkewicz College of Mosaic Arts International Exhibition. This Engineering and took 18 months to Fiftycompetitive-four total annualworks were exhibition selected features including workscomplete. from artists Itfrom includes throughout over the 80,000 United piecesStates, Australia,innovative Cana designda, Greece, and masterful Spain and the United Kingdom.of glass, The and fully laser interactive cut steel exhibition made can in be viewed at https://mosaicartsinternational.americanmosaics.org/2021arch/bonnie-cohen/ technique as explored by some of the Cleveland. Bonniebest international Cohen’s artwork artists titled working “CONNECT in the” was commissionedCohen’s design, and funded titled by“CONNECT” Cleveland State Universitymedium. and the Ohio Percent for Art Program. following a competitive national search by the Ohio Arts Council, and the CSU College of Engineeringillustrates commi ttee.the idea that engineers Fifty -four total works were selected improve people’s lives by connecting Theincluding 55 ft. x works8 ft. mosaic from installation artists from is in the lobby ofpe theople, Washkewicz concepts, College materials, of Engineering energy, andthroughout took 18 months the United to complete. States, It Australia,includes over 80,000formulas, pieces patterns, of glass, andand laser systems. cut steel The made inCanada, Cleveland. Greece, Spain and the United simple but powerful geometric design Kingdom. The fully interactive exhibition includes seven monumental letters Cohen’s design, titled “CONNECT” illustrates the idea that engineers improve people’s lives by connectingcan be viewed people, at concepts, materials, energy, formulas,which patterns,evoke the and intersection systems. The of simple math, but powerfulhttps://mosaicartsinternational.american geometric design includes seven monumental science, letters and which art. evoke the intersection of math,mosaics.org/2021arch/bonnie science, and art. -cohen/. Cohen’s award-winning commissions .Bonnie Cohen’s artwork, titled enhance public spaces throughout the Cohen’s award-winning commissions enhance public spaces throughout the United States. This project“CONNECT, was funded” was through commiss the “Ohioioned Arts and Council PercentUnited forStates. Arts Program” This project is Cohen’s was fundedfourth “Percentfunded byfor Arts”Cleveland commission State in Ohio.University through the “Ohio Arts Council Percent and the Ohio Percent for Art Program for Arts Program” and is Cohen’s fourth following a competitive national search “Percent for Arts” commission in Ohio. Page 8 BULLETIN OF BETH EL CONGREGATION

March 30th at 5:30 PM A Pesadich cooking experience!

Kids cook in the kitchen to prepare Passover dinner. Ingredients will be delivered to your home. Parents will guide their chefs! Stay tuned for details.

The Sale of Chametz, 2021 • 5781 The sale of one’s chametz is an important component for traditional Pesach preparations. It is a symbolic affirmation of one’s desire to follow the strict kashrut traditions for the Passover holiday. The Torah expressly prohibits both the consumption and ownership of leavened products/ chametz during the eight days of Pesach. We try our best to eliminate our chametz prior to the holiday as we clean and prepare our homes. This is the ideal, but the rabbis understood that it may be impossible to remove every speck of chametz – so they established the custom of “selling” one’s chametz, called Mechirat Chametz. Rabbi Austerklein may act as your agent in this transaction so you will, according to Jewish law, not own any chametz that might be in your home. At the conclusion of Pesach, the sale becomes null and void and all chametz reverts back to its original owners. The sale of chametz must be completed by 5 PM, Thursday, March 25, 2021. You must e-mail Rabbi Elyssa at [email protected]. It is also an ancient tradition to make a contribution for Maot Hittim. The words literally mean, “wheat money” and the funds collected would be used for Jewish individuals and families who require financial assistance at this time of the year. As you “sell” your chametz, please consider abiding by this mitzvah and make a contribution to the Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund online or by check to the office, which will be distributed to the needy. BULLETIN OF BETH EL CONGREGATION Page 9

Passover Schedule

Thursday, March 25

• Siyyum Bechorot • Bedikat Chametz (Search for Chametz)

Saturday, March 27

• Erev Pesach, First Seder • 8:28 PM – Yom Tov Candles

Sunday, March 28 (First Day)

• 9:30 AM – Creative Passover Family Friendly Service led by Rabbi Elyssa on ZOOM and YouTube • 8:29 PM – Yom Tov Candles • 5:30 PM – Second Seder

Tuesday, March 29 (Second Day)

• 9:30 AM – Passover Service on Facebook led by Hazzan Matt

Friday, April 2

• 7:34 PM – Yom Tov Candles

Saturday, April 3

• 9:00 AM – Mini Minyan – Passover edition with Miss Becca • 10:00 AM – Shabbat Passover Meditation and Chanting led by Rabbi Elyssa on Facebook • 8:36 PM – Yom Tov Candles

Sunday, April 4

• 9:30 AM – Passover Service, Yizkor led by Hazzan Matt on ZOOM • 8:37 PM – Pesach Concludes, Havdalah Candles

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What is Counting the Omer? In the Book of Leviticus, it says, “You shall count… from the day that you brought the Omer as a wave offering” (23:15). The Omer was a measure of barley (approximately two quarts) that Jews brought as an offering to the Temple in on the second day of Passover. The Biblical injunction is to count the forty-nine days from the second day of Passover until the eve of the holiday of . Although we no longer bring barley to the Temple, these seven weeks are still known as the “the Omer” and the ritual of counting each night is known, not surprisingly, as “Counting the Omer.” Passover celebrates the liberation from Egypt, and Shavuot celebrates the receiving of Torah at Sinai. By counting the Omer, we symbolically mark the time between liberation to the assumption of responsibility in the acceptance of law, making a collective commitment to living an ethical, rule-governed life of divine purpose. The Hebrew word for Egypt is mitzrayim, a word that can also be translated as “the narrow place” (from the word tzar or “narrow”). Mitzrayim can represent all forms of conformities and definitions that restrain, inhibit, or otherwise restrict our free movement and expression. In retelling story on Passover, we are symbolically birthed from the “narrow straits” through the miracle of the parted waters into freedom, but we are not yet sufficiently mature to receive the Torah at Sinai – neither as a people nor as individuals. The period between Passover and Shavuot was designated as an opportunity for personal growth and character refinement. Counting the Omer is an exercise in the discipline of mindfulness. Counting each of the days from Passover until Shavuot sounds deceptively simple, but it is not an easy task. It requires a consciousness – or a mindfulness – to remember to count each night. (Traditionally, anyone who misses a day altogether may pick up the count when she or he remembers, but without the blessing. This omission is because the blessing recognizes the commandment to do the whole counting – or to practice mindfulness for 49 days straight.) Like learning a new language, practicing an instrument, or starting an exercise routine, counting the Omer is demanding. However, just as these other disciplines reward us in both expected and unexpected ways, so too the counting for 49 days stimulates a sense of accomplishment, new awareness, and mindfulness. Adapted from Carol Ochs The first day of counting the Omer, which is on the second night of Pesach, is Hesed she'b'Hesed, lovingkindness within lovingkindness. We begin the journey after redemption with a reminder of the flow of pure, Divine love, a flow that is ever available to us, yet only when we open to receiving the flow. How do we open the channel to Divine love? Given how quickly we can become constricted and closed off, the way to open the flow often seems mysterious and unreachable. Yet, it can also be quite simple. The first step is believing that it’s possible to open to the flow. The second step is to open the channels from below and above. Omer → page 11

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April 4th at 1 PM Mimouna Celebration and Learning with Hadar Frey, in Ra'anana,

For Children, Families, and Adults alike on Zoom!

Mimouna is a feast celebrated by Sephardic Jews at the conclusion of Passover.

Join us to learn more!

Omer from page 10 Try This Exercise: 1. Stand upright, as you are able (if you are not able to stand, use your imagination to align yourself). 2. Close your eyes. Feel the soles of your feet connecting with the earth and imagine that a root is connecting the soles of your feet to the heart of the earth. 3. With your imagination, allow the flow of nurturing earth energy (which you may see as light) to enter your feet and rise up through your legs, pelvic area, abdomen, heart, throat, and head. You have just received Earth energy. 4. Now open to receiving Heaven energy through the crown of the head (the point at the top center of the head where babies have a soft spot). Imagine that a line is connecting from this point to your unique star directly above you in the Heavens and open to receiving the flow from this star, down to the crown of your head and then around the outside of your body, curving below the feet like an upside-down heart, and then rising up and entering through the midline of your body. 5. Place your hands on your lower abdomen and notice how you feel. Now you are ready to say the blessing and count the Omer! Adapted from Rabbi Malkah Binah Klein Page 12 BULLETIN OF BETH EL CONGREGATION

Pesach Second Night Seder Join us March 28, 5:30 – 7:00 PM Join our Beth El community to celebrate Passover together for a virtual, family friendly Seder. Special readings, songs, and fun for everyone.

• Seder and • Eat your meal in a breakout room or with music • Seder blessings and conclusion

Stay for an optional Passover Study Group 7:00 – 7:30 PM If you would like to read a part or sing a song, please contact Joe Pryweller [email protected]

Free and open to all ages!

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This event features a special retelling of the Passover story through chocolate while highlighting the roles of women.

$10 Suggested donation for Zoom attendance. $18 for Zoom attendance and Chocolate & Wine Seder Bag. (For pickup only, details shared after Registration.) Registration required by March 10. RSVP: (330) 864-2105 ext. 118 or online at https://www. bethelakron.com/event/womens-chocolate-seder.html If you would like to participate, but are experiencing financial hardship, please call the office.

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Contributions

AARON KRANITZ For the Recovery of RABBI'S • Rabbi Stephen Grundfast from Martin and MEMORIAL FUND DISCRETIONARY FUND Sherry Hellman In Memory of In Memory of • Richard Rossen from Patricia Davidson, ELEANORE AND JERRY LIPPMAN • Sara Borodkin from Joe and JoEllen Kodish Jeff and Susan Kodish, Rick and Perach BAR/BAT MITZVAH BOOK FUND • Clare Greenbaum from Albert and Jack Kodish, Joe and JoEllen Kodish In Memory of Greenbaum ALAN AND JANICE WOLL • Sheridan J. Herzberg from John and Judy • Sam Marks from Leona Pollock EDUCATION FUND Herzberg Hoffman • Richard Rossen from Amy, Steve, Mara, Eli, and Gregory Berg, Naomi Grunzweig, GRESS In Memory of Joe and JoEllen Kodish, David Kornbluth, • Richard Rossen from Ron Lederman, TORAH FUND Sandra Levenson, James Rossen, Caryn Marcia Bachman In Memory of Schuman, Lois Simon, Daryl Sponseller, ALEXANDER AND LILLIAN MEDOFF • Raphael Sardas from Etty and Jack Sardas Hope Winer and family MEMORIAL MUSIC FUND HAKOAH REVEREND PHILLIP SALZMAN In Memory of EDUCATION FUND SCHOLARSHIP FUND • Sara Borodkin from Donna Geller In Memory of In Memory of • Richard Rossen from Donna Geller • Richard Rossen from Paula and Eric Taylor, • Rabbi Moshe Ulmer from Joe and JoEllen • Rabbi Moshe Ulmer from Donna Geller Wendy Weisman-Dermer Kodish BETH EL FOUNDATION FOR • Sara Borodkin from Mr. and Mrs. Herbert KIDDUSH Newman JEWISH EDUCATION FUND • Evelyn Cheplowitz from Jay and Mary In Memory of In Memory of Cheplowitz and Family • Richard Rossen from Laurel Gress • Fradel Haber from Art and Laura Grundfast • Helen Miller from Paula Miller CANTOR'S KNITZVAH • Richard Rossen from Mr. and Mrs. Herbert DISCRETIONARY FUND Newman FUND In Memory of • Paula Salzman from Joe and Myrna • Harry Geller from Laurel Gress In Memory of Salzman • Sara Borodkin from Dr. George Litman • Rabbi Moshe Ulmer from Mr. and Mrs. EDWARD SCHNEIDER • Richard Rossen from Dr. George Litman Herbert Newman EDUCATION FUND • Rabbi Moshe Ulmer from Dr. George • Dora Weiss from Herb Weiss In Memory of Litman • Hy Weiss from Herb Weiss • Sarah Ash from Lois Nobil LISA BOTNICK • Jay Weiss from Herb Weiss • Sara Borodkin from the Crane family, Marty • Mark Wolff from Ethel Wolff MEMORIAL FUND and Joyce Oppenheimer, Mr. and Mrs. SAFERSTEIN Jacques Sardas, Alice Schneider In Memory of CARING FUND • Harold Fletcher from Dr. John and Patty • Raphael Sardas from Etty and Jack Sardas In Memory of Saks LOUIS LOCKSHIN • Marcia Giterman from Randy and Julie Katz • Israel Borodkin from Elinor Borodkin and SCHOLARSHIP FUND • Edith Katz from Carl Lieberman family • Audrey Koch from Carl Lieberman In Memory of • Sara Borodkin from Dr. Steve and Tricia • David Krosner from Lois Nobil • Sara Borodkin from James and Susan Crane • Mae Lieberman from Carl Lieberman Osherow • Len Weiss from Evelyne and Marvin Manes • Burton Nobil from Lois Nobil and Family • Richard Rossen from James and Susan • Stephen M. Gross from Tricia Crane, • Richard Rossen from Sid and Faye Glick, Osherow Deborah Saferstein Martin and Sherry Hellman, Randy and Julie • Rabbi Moshe Ulmer from James and Susan • Paul G. Martin from Elinor Borodkin and Katz, Martin and Joyce Levin, Marty and Osherow Family Joyce Oppenheimer, Dr. John and Patty LUCK • Richard Rossen from Dr. Steve and Tricia Saks, Mr. and Mrs. Jacques Sardas, Alice Crane, Emily O'Brien, Deborah Saferstein, HOLOCAUST FUND Schneider Jerry and Sandy Schneier • Rabbi Moshe Ulmer from the Crane family, In Memory of • Raphael Sardas from Etty and Jack Sardas Marty and Joyce Oppenheimer, Mr. and Mrs. • Richard Rossen from Joel and Marilyn Zaas • Rabbi Moshe Ulmer from Dr. Steve and Jacques Sardas, Alice Schneider • Herbert Skall from Hope Winer and family Tricia Crane, Deborah Saferstein BULLETIN OF BETH EL CONGREGATION Page 15

Contributions In Memoriam

STEPHEN M. GROSS Sue and Marty Spector, Lisa Star, Sid and Andrea Steinberger, Rochelle Stone, Gloria Beth El Congregation notes MEMORIAL FUND and Tom Treiber, Jay Weisman, Don Zaas, with sorrow the passing of

In Memory of Mr. and Mrs. Sidney Zetzer

• Sara Borodkin from Mr. and Mrs. Scott • Eva Schneiderman from Ted Schneiderman Gross • Miriam Schultz from Lea Schuldiner Rabbi • Richard Rossen from Mr. and Mrs. Scott • Rabbi Moshe Ulmer from Dr. Larry and Gross Harriet Richman, Sid and Andrea Moshe Ulmer • Rabbi Moshe Ulmer from Mr. and Mrs. Scott Steinberger, Rochelle Stone, Mr. and Mrs. Husband of Rivka; Gross Sidney Zetzer, Marcy and Mark Ungar SYNAGOGUE In Honor of father of Mitzi

FUND • The birth of Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Groden's In Memory of great-grandson from Dr. Larry and Harriet Richman • Sara Borodkin from Dr. Larry and Harriet • Miriam Hexter's new apartment from Dr. Richman, Sid and Andrea Steinberger, Tree of Life Larry and Harriet Richman Rochelle Stone, Mr. and Mrs. Sidney Zetzer • The birth of Bodhi Shir, grandson of Mr. and • Harry Geller from Dr. Larry and Harriet Mrs. Joseph Kanfer, from Dr. Larry and Richman Harriet Richman • Simon Gottlieb from Sheila and Marty • The engagement of Gabrielle Meles, son of Gottlieb Mr. and Mrs. Vic Meles, to Avi Green from • Fradel Haber from Rabbi Stephen and Judy Our magnificent Tree of Life was Dr. Larry and Harriet Richman Grundfast created to record the happy events in • The Bar Mitzvah of Evan, grandson of • Bertha Handler from Susan Alfonso the lives of Beth El members and their Harriet Schneiderman, from Dr. Larry and families. A birth, a wedding, a bar/bat • Harriet Horn from Alan Horn Harriet Richman mitzvah, a confirmation, an anniversary • Jack Kent from Sidney and Shirely Zetzer • The birth of Ellis Heksch, grandson of – all are among the milestones that can • Betty Krakauer from Marty and Joyce Douglas and Janis Weintraub, from Dr. Larry be remembered on the leaves of the Oppenheimer, Dr. Larry and Harriet Richman and Harriet Richman Tree of Life. The cost of a leaf is $125. • Bernice Rabinovitz from Myron and Andrea You may use three or four lines with up • The birth of Madden Blair, grandson of Mr. to 23 letters per line. Rabinovitz and Mrs. Doug Weintraub, from Dr. Larry and • Isadore Rabinovitz from Myron and Andrea Harriet Richman To order, call Sherri Leubitz at Rabinovitz • The marriage of Jeff, son of Mr. and Mrs. 330-867-0364. • Ella Rein from Sheila and Marty Gottlieb Steve Winer, to Sara McNeil from Dr. Larry

• Richard Rossen from Kate Waits and Marty and Harriet Richman This is the newest leaf on Beth Belsky, Rachel Fix and Max Eichner, Scott El’s Tree of Life UNITED SYNAGOGUE Eichner, Joy Epstein and family, Hal and th Greta Foster, Stuart Freedman, Sue Pliskin YOUTH FUND Happy 70 Birthdays and Jeff Garfield, Alan and Carol Garren, In Memory of Sherry and Dennis Helmuth, Phil and Livia Kades, Karyn • Richard Rossen from Marcy and Mark Ungar Marty Hellman Remember Beth El and Steve Katz, Neal and Cathy Kodish, from The Cruise Group Diane and Anne Lazzerini, Sandra in Your Will Levenson, David Levin, Barbara Lewis, Beth Margolis, Mindy and Rusty Miller, Bruce Marsha Friedman,

Mills, Marilyn Mirman, Helene Norin, North Endowment Chair East Ohio Balloon Pilots Association, Libby Contributions received before the first of the For information, Portnoy, Dr. Larry and Harriet Richman, month will appear the next month. Contributions may be submitted by mail or via Beth El’s website. call (330) 603-1890 Martin and Debra Rosenthal, Rhoda Shapiro, Trying to get in touch with the office? Due to Covid-19, our staff is working from home and not keeping regular hours in the office. At this time, we also cannot allow any visitors – even though we miss everyone so much! The best way to reach us is by email; phone messages take a little longer for replies. Robynne: [email protected] • Jenifer: [email protected] Page 16 BULLETIN OF BETH EL CONGREGATION

BETH EL CONGREGATION PERIODICALS 750 WHITE POND DRIVE POSTAGE PAID AKRON, OHIO 44320 AKRON, OHIO

On Rosh Chodesh Nisan, we honor Miriam haNevia, Miriam the Prophetess. Lunch & Learn Tuesday, March 9, Noon Rosh Chodesh Nisan Adult Coloring Class After registration, folks will receive their coloring page to print at home 24 hours in advance. Find the link to register on ZOOM in our weekly e-mail blast.