Wholemegillah
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Congregation Beth Shalom Rodfe Zedek The WholeMegillah May & June 2018 16 Iyyar – 17 Tammuz Inside this issue Amy Bloom reads from her new book at Books & Bagels pg 5 Andrew Shiva / Wikipedia / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Wikipedia / CC BY-SA Shiva Andrew Southern aerial view of the Temple Mount, Al-Aqsa Mosque in the Old City of Jerusalem. Annotated in the foreground is Al-Qibli Chapel. Al-Aqsa Mosque is considered to be the third holiest site in Islam after Mecca and Medina. Behind are The Dome of the Rock and to the right, The Dome of the Chain, constructed during the Umayyad Caliphate, which served as a model for the building of the Dome of the Rock. The Temple Mount is considered to be the premier holy site in Judaism as it is the place where the first and second Temples stood. Our Rabbi on Confirmation Hopeseed, An Original Story and Shavuot........................................3 by Annika Liss................................16–17 Camera Club Art Exhibit...................6–7 Social Action Committee’s www.cbsrz.org Outward Reach..............................18–19 T H A N K Y O U IN THIS ISSUE to the following donors from 2/6/2018 to 4/5/2018 2nd Century Campaign Stephen & Clo Davis: in memory of Aryeh Stein-Azen Rita Christopher & David Frank Stephen & Clo Davis: in memory of Saul Davis From Our Rabbi Edward & Linda Pinn Philip & Susan Fine: in appreciation of Shabbat 3 Saul & Hila Rosen Across America Rabbi Marci Bellows Irving & Edie Shiffman Rita Fink: in honor of Gene Kalet's 90th birthday Shavuot/Picnic/ 860-526-8920 Rita Fink: in memory of Ben Bernstein and [email protected] Social Action Fund Seymour Krechevsky Congregational Meeting Michael & Susan Peck: in memory of Beth Gottlieb Ellen Friedman: in memory of William Baer Cantor Belinda Brennan Friedman 4 Cantor Educator Youth/Camp Scholarship Irving Friedman: in memory of Irene Fielding 860-526-8920 [email protected] Steven & Carole Riccardi: in memory of Bert Madnick Norman Hanenbaum: in honor of the birth of Books & Bagels Ari Solomon Price Maxine Klein Joseph & Lillian Friend Fund Revalyn Klein Hickey: in memory of Helen Frances Amy Bloom Rosenkrantz President Sheila Friend Byrne: in memory of Lillian and 5 860-346-2399 Joseph Friend Joan Horton: in memory of Sidney Horton [email protected] Barry Ilberman: in memory of Debra Mellion Prayerbook Fund Prastien Camera Club Brad Jubelirer Eric & Barbara Infeld: in memory of Julian & Karen Evans: for new family siddur - Vice-President Irwin Braverman 860-349-2386 in honor of Maddy Evans' graduation 6–7 Jacobi, Case & Speranzini PC: in memory of Dr. Lewis Case Sandy Seidman Religious School Fund Gene & Marilyn Kalet: in memory of Ira Kalet Kivvun Korner Financial Vice President Jeffrey & Karen Burzin: in memory of Philip Burzin and Max Hitschmann 860-399-5709 8–10 [email protected] Lorraine Klappholz: in memory of Dora Zarchin Piano & Music Fund Peter & Vicki Levinson: in memory of Dr. Lewis Case Elizabeth Pear: in memory of Joel Pear Ali Rosenblum Carol, Eva and Sofia LeWitt: in memory of Sol LeWitt Photo Gallery Secretary Meg Magida: in memory of Laura Hesslein 860-391-3231 Development Meg Magida: in memory of Louise Ross 11–13 Lori Shafner: in honor of Harvey Payton's b’day Edward & Linda Pinn: in appreciation of the Zemmel Kevin B. Fox family for their generous contribution of food for Jewish Meditation Treasurer Minyan Fund our Shabbat Across America service 860-597-6302 Rita Fink: in memory of Sydney Slater, Bernie Slater Jerome & Marlene Scharr: in honor of 14 [email protected] and Joel Pear Sandy Seidman's 70th birthday Susan & Michael Schenker: in memory of Wendy Bayor Holy Scrollers Lunch and Learn Administrator Dr. Lewis Case 860-526-8920 Dana Dixon John Schwolsky & Elizabeth Storch: in memory 15 [email protected] Rita Fink: in memory of Beth Gottlieb and of Allen Storch Howard Baran John Schwolsky & Elizabeth Storch: in memory The Whole Megillah Stephen Nardine Hopeseed of Irivng and Evelyn Schwolsky Published bi-monthly by Peter Schwolsky: in memory of Evelyn Schwolsky 16–17 Congregation Beth Shalom Philip Scheffler Peace and Justice Sandy & Andrea Seidman Rodfe Zedek Linda Scheffler: in memory of Philip Scheffler Edward Stewart: in memory of Dr. Lewis Case 55 East Kings Highway Sharon Taubman: in memory of Si Taubman Social Action PO Box 438 Donations Christopher George Wich Chester, CT 06412 Anonymous Donations (5) Jacqueline Wolff: in memory of Daniel Wolff 18–19 Voice: 860-526-8920 Fax: 860-526-8918 Jacqueline Zwillinger: in memory of Dr. Lewis Case Stuart Baker & Mar-C Peraza-Baker: in memory of www.cbsrz.org Frank Baker Jewish Trivia David and Sharon Bender: in memory of Dr. Lewis Rabbi Discretionary Fund Editor Case ANONYMOUS - in honor of the birth of Elisa Ruby 20 Sean Konecky Sindy Berkowitz: in memory of Dr. Lewis Case Peck Sara Bernstein & Joseph Shortall: in memory of Laurie Bauchman Editor Emeritus Dr. Lewis Case Gene & Marilyn Kalet: in memory of David Kalet Remembrance Lary Bloom Roni Berson Weiner: in memory of Morton W. Weiner Elizabeth Pear: in appreciation of Rabbi Bellows 21 Contributing Photographer Estelle Breslow: in memory of Anna Mager and CBSRZ Deborah Rutty Estelle Breslow: in memory of Max Mager Michael & Susan Peck: in honor of the birth of Lewis Case: in honor of my 101st birthday Susana Amelia Quintana Calendars Editorial Assistant Wendy Bayor Samuel Chorches: in memory of Louis Chorches Steven & Carole Riccardi: in memory of 22–23 Michael & Pamela Crair: in memory of Rose Crair Bert Madnick Design/Production Arnold & Barbara Davis: in memory of Irving Davis Justin Marciano 2 From our Rabbi By Rabbi Marci Bellows C o n f i r m a t i o n : What’s it All About? hope you are having a lovely spring. ian celebration of Jewish youth. The first Whereas bar and bat mitzvah ceremonies I This time of year brings a special confirmation ceremony in the United focus on an individual child becoming a ceremony to our congregation. On Sat- States took place in 1846. Rabbi Isaac Jewish adult, confirmation ceremonies urday night, May 19, the students in our Mayer Wise officiated over this confirma- focus on a community of young adults Makom 10th grade class will be “Con- tion service in a Reform temple in Albany, confirming their commitment to Judaism New York. By the end of the nineteenth and Jewish living. firmed.” As we Jews mark the pilgrimage century, the ceremony had become wide- festival of Shavuot, and its celebration spread in Reform communities. Reform leaders drew a parallel between of the gift of Torah, our students will the Jewish people’s acceptance of the be leading the evening festival serv- Eventually, Bat Mitzvah (now celebrating Torah at Mount Sinai and Jewish con- ice, surrounded by family and friends. its 96th anniversary) was created, and Bar/ firmation students accepting the role They will read from the Torah and the Bat Mitzvah celebrations were reintroduced of Judaism in their lives. Thus, it has Haftarah, and we will shower them with into Reform congregations. Confirmation become customary to hold confirmation accolades and Mazel Tovs. The students remained as the next milestone along the services close to, or on, the celebration who remain part of Kivvun through the Jewish learning timeline. Here at Congrega- of Shavuot, which celebrates the anniver- 10th grade year take part in intensive, tion Beth Shalom Rodfe Zedek, Confirma- sary of receiving the Torah. The graduat- personalized years of learning, designed tion is celebrated at the end of 10th grade. ing class stands in front of the ark just as the Israelites once stood at Mount Sinai. to help them articulate who they are as An important component of the curricu- Jews and as young adults. lum involves encouraging the students I hope you will consider joining us on to develop their own opinions about Saturday, May 19, for this moving and Many wonder: when did this educational current events, hot topics, and contro- distinctive service. I also hope you will milestone become part of the Jewish versial subjects — all while viewing lovingly remind your children or grand- lifecycle? Confirmation began in the mid- them through a Jewish lens. We examine children that Jewish learning does not 1800s in Germany in early Reform Jew- issues such as gun control, discrimina- end at Bar or Bat Mitzvah. As our teens ish communities. These leaders believed tion, sexuality and relationships, advo- will tell you, as well as countless adult that a 16-year old was better equipped cacy, and more. I feel privileged to work learners: there is always so much more to confirm his/her Jewish identity than a with so many of our Kivvun students, to come! 13-year old. Additionally, Bat Mitzvah did but there is something quite special not yet exist as a ritual for Jewish girls, about guiding our Makom students L'shalom, so Confirmation allowed for an egalitar- through these important conversations. Rabbi Marci N. Bellows 3 n Saturday May 19 at 7:30pm the giving of the Torah at Mt. Sinai, Erev Shavuot our Makom (10th grade) stu- namely The Ten Commandments Odents will be affirming their (Exodus 20) and The Book of Ruth. dedication to Jewish life as young Throughout the service, our students adults by participating in their con- will also be sharing their thoughts on & : Confirmation firmation service with Rabbi Bellows the larger Jewish world and their role and Cantor Belinda. Throughout this within it. We will conclude the evening year these young adults have met with with a Yizkor Memorial service. Affirming the Rabbi Bellows to discuss, debate and ponder ethical questions in relation to We warmly invite the entire Beth Sha- Centrality of being a Jew in our modern world.