We Are on Our Way Sheldon Buckler Carol Clingan Thank You for Reading Our Newsletter and My Deborah B
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Volume 21, Number 1 Spring 2015, Tishri 5775 BOARD OF DIRECTORS THE VILNA SHUL, BOSTON’S CENTER FOR JEWISH CULTURE Deborah Feinstein, President Debbie Kurinsky, Vice President Arnold Slavet, Vice President Sandy Swartz, Vice President Lawrence A. Schwartz, Treasurer David Crosby, Clerk We Are On Our Way Sheldon Buckler Carol Clingan Thank you for reading our newsletter and my Deborah B. Cohen, Emeritus Susan Cohen message here. I received an email yesterday in which Paul S. Gass, Emeritus the sender referenced “18 days until spring.” Although David Glater, Emeritus Maxine Goldberg it is hard to imagine, this winter will eventually end Joseph Grabowski and give way to warmer and longer days. For us at Kenneth Handler Elaine B. Kirshenbaum the Vilna, this spring brings an extraordinary feeling of Judith Lieberman Evvajean Mintz, Emeritus excitement and anticipation. Marilyn Okonow Even before it was officially rescued by our David Rosen Eileen Samuels organization, the goal was always to fully and Mike Samuels respectfully restore the Vilna and make it accessible to Lee B. Silverman, Emeritus Stanley M. Smith everyone. Today we are closer than ever to realizing Myles D. Striar, Emeritus this ambition. Jack Swartz Richard S. Usen, Emeritus What continues to strikes me is the amount Laura A. Wise of exciting and relevant programing that lives in ADVISORY COMMITTEE the building today. This issue of our Scribe is full Rabbi Albert S Axelrad Anne Bernays of examples of recent and planned events all designed to build community and an Ariel Burger understanding of Jewish history and culture. We can draw a straight line to how all of it Peggy Charren Kitty Dukakis relates back to our mission, specifically “…by fostering awareness and inspiring historical, Joshua Elkin David Gordis cultural, and spiritual connections, we will build community, perpetuate an enduring Jewish Arnold Hiatt identity, and create a vibrant future.” Our signature Havurah on the Hill young adult group Barbara E. Hunt Justin Kaplan, z”l fits perfectly into this mission as does our recent genealogy project to reach the descendants Judith Klau of the original Vilna Shul congregation. Education is also at our core, with tours, events, and Mayer Krochmal Gloria Lieberman programs made open to all kinds of learners from near and far. Our role as a consistent Leonard Nimoy, z”l destination for varied and unique spiritual experiences is always expanding. Bernie Pucker Jehuda Reinharz Now step back with me and visualize the additional magnetism that will be generated by Shulamit Reinharz Sharon Rivo a fully restored and accessible building. We will be an address bursting with activity and a Jonathan D. Sarna valued contributor to Jewish life and culture in downtown Boston. We are on our way. Roger A. Saunders Rabbi Sam Seicol Please look over our calendar in the following pages. We have entry points and interests S. Parkman Shaw, Jr. for each of you. I urge and welcome you to find something and join us. Cynthia B. Shulman Ellen Smith Rabbi David B. Starr Regards, Sallyann Wekstein Elie Wiesel, Honorary EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Barnet Wolf Kessel Barnet Wolf Kessel, Executive Director 1 A Universal Story Many ask me why I am so dedicated to having a Jewish Center in downtown Boston. Because I feel there must be a Jewish presence in Boston where American history and culture began. And Jews were part of that creation. I am proud of being a Jew and an American. For me, the Vilna captures the essence of vibrancy and determi- nation of the Jewish people. What I see at the Vilna is not the narrative of suffering or victimhood; instead, what I see is a story of will, purpose, and accomplishments. The Vilna’s story encapsulates the universal narrative of an immigrant who seeks a better life for themselves and their families. It shows a positive resolve to secure a strong future while still remembering formative traditions. For these immigrants, it was essential to build community; helping each other to feel that they are not alone, to see the opportunities in America, and to hear that each one of us matters. The Vilna was a starting point for these relationships we now call community. Recreating such a center for everyone matters to me, but only with community can this be accomplished. Only with each of us dedicated to restoring this building can we secure our future. The restoration of the Vilna’s front plaza and the wrought iron fence will “begin anew” this May, marking the next cycle in the Jewish future of Boston. How exciting it will be to see, once again, people congregating on the plaza to meet, to greet, and be a new community all in front of this meaningful historic place! And the cycle of our story continues. Deborah Feinstein, President. Board of Directors A New Year, A New Journey No matter how easy or hard the winter, knowing spring is just around the corner makes me itch with anticipation. Here in Beacon Hill, I’m imagin- ing the flowers getting ready to show off their colors. We’ve had a winter worthy of record books, but now that it’s nearly April the Vilna is getting ready to have a spring and summer for the books as well! Speaking of books, this spring we have not one, but two reading events for you. First up, on March 29th enjoy Children’s Day at the Vilna just in time for Passover. You can bring the kids and enjoy an afternoon of books, crafts, and snacks with local author Linda Marshall as she reads her award winning book, The Passover Lamb. Just a few weeks later you can switch gears and bring your adult friends to the Vilna on April 14th to hear local author Anita Diamant share her new book, The Boston Girl. She’ll be in conversation with Brandeis Professor Ellen Smith, so don’t miss this chance to learn about the birth of Jewish life in downtown Boston right where it all happened! 2015 also brings two new additions to our regular spring programs that you won’t want to miss. This season’s Judaica artifact appraisal with our friend and expert Elizabeth Kessin Berman will now include advice and discussions of books and other Jewish items. This means you’ll have the chance to bring even more of your treasures to the Vilna and learn their secrets! Details will be available on our website soon. May’s annual Remarkable Women of Boston Mother’s Day brunch will also have some fun changes. This year we’re going to explore the women of Boston’s Yiddish Theater and enjoy a new multimedia presentation, music, tours, local sweets, and fresh lox and bagels. So be sure to bring all the remarkable women in your life to this special afternoon. New this year, you can also bring the kids for mother’s day crafting while you enjoy the day with our veteran presenters, Helaine Davis and Linda Stern. After Mother’s Day we will be closed to the public until mid-summer for renovation, and we can’t wait for you to see the results. Havurah on the Hill will continue to meet for Shabbat, but at a special location here in downtown Boston. (Check out our calendar for details.) This “break” will give us an unprecedented opportunity to work on programming for the fall that will, of course, open with a party! Save the date for September 27th, because right after our High Holiday services you’re invited to the rededication of the Vilna’s front plaza complete with activities, performances, ap- petizers, and drinks. Later in the evening we will gather together to construct and decorate the Vilna’s two sukkot for the holiday. So get set for an inspiring year. I’m looking forward to seeing all of you at the Vilna as we move into a new season. Jessica Antoline, Program Manager 2 Mark. E. Atkins and Robert L. Beal to be honored at Tribute Gala The Vilna’s annual Tribute Gala, “Connecting Communities” will be held on Sunday, April 26th at 5:30PM at the Vilna. This year we are thrilled to present Mark E. Atkins with our Visionary Leadership award and Robert L. Beal with our Legacy Award. Both Mark and Robert have deep roots in Boston’s Jewish and business communities, and are strong believers in the Vilna’s mission and unique importance and history. Mark has spent 40 years in business. During 23 of them he served as chairman, CEO, and president of two entrepreneurial early stage companies, Invention Machine Corporation and Vality Technology Incorporated, which evolved into global market leading entities. He currently serves on several executive boards, including the Board of Directors for the University of Massachusetts Foundation and Hebrew College. He is very involved in philanthropic circles and serves as a volunteer advisor to a local start-up. Robert, President of Related Beal, was Vice President of The Beacon Companies, investment-builders, from 1965 to 1976. He joined the Beal Companies in 1976 (now known as Related Beal). Mr. Beal is active in professional businesses and organizations both locally and internationally, including Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Massachusetts Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Boston Zoological Society, Museum of Fine Arts, and is a Director and past Chair of Combined Jewish Philanthropies. The Gala’s honorary co-chairs are Jamie and Harold Kotler, along with Boston City Councilor Josh Zakim. The evening begins with a festive cocktail reception and hors devours followed by a program, awards ceremony, and live auction. Proceeds raised from the Gala provide critical support to our mission of filling our historic space with students, visitors, programs, music, and beauty year-round.