The Bulletin TEMPLE BNAI ’S MEMBERS & FRIENDS NEWSLETTER

“...to do justly, love mercy, and NISAN - IYAR 5776 MAY 2016 walk humbly with thy God.” 106 Years and growing!

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Board of Directors 2 Help Celebrate Israel @ 68! 12 President’s Message 3 Traveling Dinner 14,15 Rabbinic Reflections & Weekly Readings 4 THANK YOU TODD & MONA! 17 Services 5 Rav J’s Adult Learning at UCONN Hillel 19 Committee Updates 6 In this issue Sephardic Cooking & Culture Follow up 19, 21, 24 Temple Family News 7 Yahrzeits 18, 20 Repairing our World; Healing our Souls 7 Donations 23 Library & Religious School 8,9 Auditorium Rental, Thanks to our advertisers 25 The Bat Mitzvah of Willow Golden 10 May Jewry Duty, Calendar 27 Visioning & Task Force Reports 11 JFEC 22nd Annual International Film Festival Back cover OFFICERS & BOARD OF DIRECTORS

President Immediate Past President David Golden David Stoloff

THE BULLETIN is a publication of Vice President, Mishkan/Building & Operations TEMPLE BNAI ISRAEL Jim Baber 345 Jackson Street PO Box 61 Kesher/Secretary & Communications Willimantic, CT 06226 Marilyn Moir Phone: 860.423.3743 Fax: 860.423.7594 Secretary-Elect Submission deadline: 3rd Monday of each month. Gloria Gerald

Rabbi Jeremy Schwartz Tikkun Olam Office hours: Anne Willenborg Tuesday through Friday To schedule an appointment call Brit/Community & Membership 860.423.3743 Ext. 0 or e-mail Mona Friedland [email protected]

Confidential Voice Mail: Torah/Education & Programming 860.423.3743 Ext. 1 Karen Drazen [email protected]

Affiliations: Avodah/Religious Life The Jewish Reconstructionist Movement Judy Stein www.jewishrecon.org Kemah/Treasurer Jewish Federation of Eastern Connecticut Glenn Blumenstein www.jfec.com

Windham Area Interfaith Financial Secretary Ministry (WAIM) Fran Jaffe www.waimct.org

Mazon: Members at Large: A Jewish Response to Hunger Gerry Berkowitz www.mazon.org Alex Nishball Religious Ellie Shane School Administrator Doreen Simonsen Morah Dara Bowling Email: [email protected] Thank you for your service to our shul. Office Administrator Marlene Aulten

860.423.3743 Ext. 0 [email protected] Monday 10am-3pm Tues/Wed/Thurs noon to 5 2 PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Shalom, fellow congregants. I hope all is well with Other than that, I'll see you all at services, at the Temple's you and yours. many May events, and at religious school.

I am going to keep my message very brief this Take care, be well, and do good! month, as my daughter Willow's Bat Mitzvah is imminent and there is so much to do before she David Golden is called to the Torah as a Bat Mitzvah on Saturday, May 14th. (See page 10 for the official invitation). I hope to see you there to share in my family's joy.

I’d also like to welcome Rabbi J.D. Sandberg as the newest member of our congregation. Rabbi Sandberg and his wife, Mary Ann Sandberg, reside in West Hartford, and you’ll be meeting them soon at services and events, if you haven’t already.

I also have a special request this month. We are once again looking for a group to rent the Greer Auditorium. We were happy to have Weight Watches and Fit Club on board previously. Please refer to the auditorium rental information on page 25, and spread the word. Thank you!

MISSION STATEMENT Temple Bnai Israel is a welcoming Jewish community which offers a spiritual, religious, and social home for all . We cherish a belief in one God, the Torah, prayer and the music and beauty of our Jewish culture. We are commanded and committed to passing these blessings on to all future generations.

We observe and celebrate Jewish traditions and laws, while remaining open to change which meets the needs of our time, and which will stand the test of time.

We intend to be a force for good and comfort as individuals and as a whole. We seek to offer justice, tolerance, and charity within the Temple Bnai Israel community, the larger Jewish community, and the non-Jewish worlds within which we live.

Our synagogue recognizes the equality of all Jews. Jewish men and women, including those Jews in interfaith marriages, are entitled to participate equally in all religious rites, and all secular and religious leadership positions. Our congregation also reaches out to all who welcome Judaism into their lives.

We believe in the ancient teaching: “to do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with thy God.”

3 RABBINIC REFLECTIONS Rav Jeremy Schwartz

A committee I’m serving on for the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association asked its members to share a one-page statement of their “Torah” about Israel – what “is” Israel in our understanding? With Israel Independence Day (Yom Ha’atzma’ut) coming up this month the evening of May 11, I thought I’d share a version of what I wrote:

It’s hard to have a clear understanding of what Israel is because the Jewish historical experience, as well as the way the Jews have understood themselves and have been understood by others, is very unusual, and possibly unique, in the world. So the usual categories of nation, ethnicity, religion, even civilization fit their situation imprecisely. And even for groups other than the Jews, those terms are ambiguous and contested. The Zionists used to say that the Jews should have a Jewish state just like the French

have France. But who are “the French?” If one rejects racism, it’s no longer so clear.

For me, Israel represents an opportunity that I support and cherish for Jewish civilization to develop in a country where that civilization is ‘in the roots’ and ‘in the air.’ I think that the Israeli Jewish community, while it produces some civilization that I rather dislike, is also in a unique position to ‘evolve’ Jewish civilization in wonderful and fascinating ways and has often done so. I support the conditions that make that evolution possible and want to be an active partner in that evolution.

An important part of my understanding of Israel is that I feel a deep kinship with the Jewish community of Israel. They’re part of one of my concentric circles of family. I think it’s right for Jews to be particularly concerned about the half of the Jewish people that live in Israel. I think that democratic principles and Zionist principles (as I understand them) dictate that the Israeli state should largely get out of the business of Judaizing Eretz Yisrael. It should say “We did it; We created a country that’s as Jewish as France is French (whatever that means). And now we’ll get on to the business of democratically serving all the citizens of the state.” I do, however, think that a special relationship between the State and the Jews retains two areas of relevancy: First, I think that the history of anti-Semitism and the odd place of the Jewish diaspora in the world justify a special relationship between Israel and the Jewish diaspora.

I think Israel should remain a refuge and a protector when possible for Jews around the world. And I think that the traumatic history of the Jews along with Jewish claims to the right to a civilizational home justified the establishment of Israel, with its unique relationship to the Jews and that, therefore, a two-state agreement with the Palestinians, the only way I can see for Israel to continue to exist as a democracy and “Jewish country” (like France is French), is a justified and important “Judaizing” goal for the State of Israel. Turn to page 13 MAY READINGS

SATURDAY, MAY 7 SATURDAY, MAY 14 Parashat Acharei Mot Parashat Kedoshim Leviticus 16:1 - 18:30 Leviticus 19:1 - 20:27 This year: 17:1 - 18:30 This year: 19:23 - 20:27 Haftarah: 1 Samuel: 20:18 - 20:42 Haftarah: Amos 9:7-15

SATURDAY, MAY 21 Parashat Emor SATURDAY, MAY 28 Leviticus 21:1 - 24:23 Parashat Behar This year: 23:23 - 24:23 Leviticus 25:1 - 26:2 Haftarah: Zephaniah 1:16 - 2:3 This Year: 25:29 - 26:2 Haftarah: 2 Samuel 15:7-26

4 SERVICES, BAGEL & BIBLE, T.G.I. SHABBES, DROP-IN KABBALAH

HOST/HOSTESS NEEDED FOR MAY 27.

Bagel & Bible: Saturday, May 7, 9:30am - Friendship We’ll learn friendship Torah from the Slonimer Rebbe Shalom Noach Berezovsky of blessed memory, who bases his teaching partly on the story of David and Jonathan that we will read about during Shabbat services. T.G.I. Shabbes, Friday, May 13, 6:15pm - Around The World with Jewish Music The T.G.I.Shabbes format remains the same, with kiddush over not-your-grandmother’s wine, substantial nosh, and schmoozing while listening to tunes. Instead of a service, at the end, we learn a little about one of the songs we’ve heard ,and that provides an opportunity for kaddish. Rav Jeremy’s excited about the new ‘mix’ of tunes he’s put together, focusing on the languages other than Hebrew in which Jews have exercised substantial literary and musical creativity, including Aramaic, Arabic, Ladino, and Yiddish. Come be a part of the tour! Your presence will add to the joy!

Drop-in Kabbalah, Thursday, May 19, 7:30pm - The Tree of Life The “Sefirot” - Layers/Stages/Flavors/Colors of God’s Emanation/Self-Revelation and our own Spiritual Landscape.

5 COMMITTEE NEWS TIKKUN OLAM ACTIVITIES, Anne Willenborg DAUGHTERS OF ABRAHAM BOOK CLUB [email protected] 860.429.8725 Carol Kraus [email protected] PLEAE NOTE: Our next meeting is May 15 at 9:30. Our next book club meeting will be: Tuesday, May 17, at 7:00pm at Right Trac (office of Gail & Joe While we do not have a report this month, stay tuned Petrowsky) 110 Main Street, Manchester, CT for one in the June edition of our Bulletin, and thanks to all who attended our Climate Change Conversation and Brunch! Our book discussion will be The Jew Store by Stella Suberman

CARING COMMITTEE Fran Jaffe Ellie Shane Caring for each other in times of need 860.228.2390 860.423.7418 [email protected] [email protected] This is the first time since our Caring Committee formed that I cannot personally thank our leaders last month. The reason? We didn’t have any!

I am troubled by that fact. Our community relies heavily on us to help out in times of need, but we cannot do that easily when no one steps up. As it is, there are too few of us who routinely volunteer, and to put the added burden of asking those few to help out every 2 or 3 months just isn’t fair.

So my question is this: Do we want to continue as a group? Do we want to fly by the seat of our pants each month? I know we all lead busy lives but nonetheless, it’s a doable commitment. I’m uncomfortable “guilting” our members each month. Please share your thoughts about this situation with me or Ellie. If you would like to be removed from the committee, let us know that as well.

Thanks for all you have done in the past and (I hope) will continue to do in the future.

THIS JUST IN -- THANK YOU to Jane Schreiber for

volunteering for the month of May!

Hope you’re enjoying this taste of

6 TEMPLE FAMILY NEWS

Welcome new member ברוכים הבאים

Rabbi J.D. Sandberg

REPAIRING OUR WORLD/HEALING OUR SOULS OUR TIKKUN OLAM VaNEFESH SERVICE, THE 3rd FRIDAY of EACH MONTH

As we come out of , Miriam calls on us to sing. On our march through the wilderness to the promised land of freedom and justice and peace, she offers us a well of healing waters. You’re invited to wash your hands in Miriam’s well if you wish. We do not wash out hands of responsibility. As Heschel taught, in a democracy, “some of us are guilty; all of us are responsible.” But we wash our hands of enslavement to our traumas. We wash our hands to purify our intents and our deeds. We free our hands to work for tikkun olam, the healing of the world.

From the Tikkun Olam VaNefesh service on the third Friday night of the month.

If your soul could use a little refreshing as you try to live your life in a way that makes the world a little better, come join us.

7 SARAH RATNER LIBRARY - YOUR LIBRARY - a wonderfully quiet space to sit, read, and reflect. Sue-Ellen Kirkham [email protected] & Brenda Rosen, [email protected]

Yay! Brenda has returned from her winter sojourn! Now you will see some cleaning going on in the library!

We have just completed cataloging many new additions (two of them are noted below) so come on in and take a look.

What We Talk About When We Talk About Anne Frank: Stories by Nathan Englander. Yes, we wrote about another of his books last month (For the Relief of Unbearable Urges). Mr. Englander has received extensive notoriety for his short stories. This one was a starred review from Booklist. Eight new stories described as “thought provoking,” “some of my favorite short stories ever.” This book, like his others, encourages reflection on modern life.

Black Earth: The Holocaust as History and Warning by Timothy Snyder. Amazon says “A brilliant, haunting, and profound portrait of the defining tragedy of our time.” Mr. Snyder is the Housum Professor of History at Yale University. He is a member of the Committee on Conscience of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, a fellow of the Institute for Human Sciences, and sits on the advisory council of the Yivo Institute for Jewish Studies. Perhaps prophetic to our times (my words), one reader said “The author shares interesting views on the Holocaust that begin as thought-provoking. However, he quickly shows a ‘political’ agenda promoting progressive ideology.” This book was kindly donated to our library by the Hochberg Holocaust and Human Rights Committee.

Most of you must know that there is a Reconstructionist Press. Have you browsed through their selections lately? They frequently offer books at greatly discounted prices. If you register as a member of our Reconstructionist Community, you can get a 10-40% reduction on prices.

As of this writing, there is a sale on Siddur Kol Ha’noar : A Voice of Children, the beautifully written and illustrated Siddur that we use. It has been reduced from $31.00 to $13.00! Also, the notecards from this book’s illustrations are on sale for $9.00. Who cannot smile when looking at the Lion and the Lamb adoring each other? The “Press” has added many other titles including Siddurs and contemporary Jewish thought and more for our children.

That’s all for this month. Please contact Sue-Ellen or Brenda with any questions or requests you may have. We look forward to seeing you in the library!

8 RELIGIOUS SCHOOL Morah Dara Bowling: [email protected]

This time of year always stumps me. We begin in September, and the pencils are sharpened and the clothes are new and the workbooks are still shiny...we have Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, and then BAM! Next thing you know, Pesach is here and it's almost time to pack up another school year. I've no idea how it happens. Or why I keep feeling such amazement since it does, in fact, always happen.

The religious school had a wonderful visitor this past month--Rabbi Kevin Hale (event pictured below), who spent a couple hours with us, teaching us about Pesach songs and traditions, as well as his work as a sofer! He showed us instruments that he's made and let us try our hands at writing--we couldn't imagine the focus and skill it takes to write a whole Torah. Thank you so much for coming, Rabbi Kevin!

Thank you to those of you who participated in the Passover chocolate fundraiser. We are awaiting our report from Miss Chocolate and next month, we can let you know how much we raised for our School. We deeply appreciate your support!

Next month ends the school year with an exciting Special Wednesday, a Yom Ha'Atzma'ut celebration in New London (May 11, see page 12), and our end-of-year picnic, Sunday, May 22, Memorial Park. Stay tuned for the highlights! Until then, I wish you a wonderful and renewing spring. Kol tuv, Morah Dara

9 10 VISIONING REPORT

The next phase of our community Visioning At the first LTPC meeting, we heard reports from three project is finally up and running! Namely, as was of the Task Forces. The Spirituality & Ritual Task said in the fall report to the community, Force noticed something we all agreed with: the “actualizing what we have discussed in the community’s vision is a holistic one, with spirituality, for Visioning process, including new and exciting example, intertwined with culture and tikkun olam and ventures. We want to implement that which is the need to engage children. With that in mind, they clearly implementable, prioritize ideas, and move arranged for April’s Earth-themed T.G.I. Shabbes toward our purpose of formulating a vision that celebration as a lead-in to the Tikkun Olam committees provides ‘the best way to sustainably foster and climate change program the following Sunday. They’re serve the Jewish community in Northeast working on several more ideas based on community Connecticut (including the non-Jewish participants input. in the community) for the coming several The Children and Families Task Force reported that decades.’” As you know, that work will be taken its first meeting discussed the need to create a strong up by various task forces and a Long Term community of families with children within the Temple, Planning Committee, in addition to the standing perhaps as a prerequisite to major efforts at outreach committees of the Temple (and all of us!). and engagement.

The Long Term Planning Committee (LTPC) had The Culture Task Force reported being awash in its first meeting in April and will continue to meet ideas. They will work on prioritizing and on trying to monthly. Its members are Rav Jeremy, David formulate a vision (or some potential vision options) Golden, Glenn Blumenstein, Rita Pollack, Judy of what the increased role of culture in our community Stein, Joan Sydney, and Merle Potchinsky. The (as was clearly desired by participants in last summer’s first meeting was largely devoted to orienting the small groups) means in the big picture of our group toward its task. Namely, the LTPC will community vision. research some of the “big ideas” of structural change that came out in last summer’s discussions, The fourth Task Force, Intellectual Opportunities learning enough to bring them back to the Task Force, hasn’t met yet. We considered merging it community for further consideration where there with the Culture group, but have decided to try to keep seems to be sufficient interest and practical them separate. Although we heard quite a bit of interest potential. The LTPC will also coordinate and in expanded intellectual opportunities in last year’s prioritize the input from the task forces, including discussions, this Task Force is currently quite small. understanding how their priorities impact our If you would be interested in serving on it, please let physical plant needs. And the LTPC will be the David Golden or Rav Jeremy know. address for miscellaneous aspects of the Visioning process that don’t fit elsewhere. Onward!

TASK FORCE REPORTS

Beginning with the June issue of our Bulletin, each Task Force will receive their own section.

Rav Jeremy’s Visioning column will continue to report on the work of the Long Term Planning Committee.

TASK FORCE CHAIRS:

Please be sure to cc Marlene, [email protected], on all of your Committee’s e-mail correspondence, and keep her up-to-date on meeting dates, times, and changes.

By the 3rd Monday of each month, please send Marlene a brief report of your Committee’s discussions, activities, future plans, etc., which she will place in your section of The Bulletin. Thank you.

11 12 RABBINIC REFLECTIONS continued from page 4

One of my questions about Israel (and questions are part of Torah) concerns the relationship between the new thing the Zionists created, “Israeli” and the old thing, “Jew.” Sometimes I think that Zionism is so revolutionary, so wants to transform the status of the Jewish people, that it actually aims to replace “Jew” with “Israeli.” That would be being ‘normal’ like the French. And “Israeli” is a new identity that includes all Israel’s citizens, although it has important roots in Judaism. If that’s right (and I’m not convinced it is), then it would be obvious that the state has no business Judaizing; only “Israeliizing.”. I’m very curious about what that would mean and about the Arab and Jewish negotiations with Israeliness. That ‘negotiation’ is ongoing, sometimes disastrously and sometimes wonderfully. I take it as wonderful, for example, that some Arab and left-leaning Jewish members of Kenesset have suggested that Israel adopt as a second/alternative National Anthem the poem “I Believe” by Shaul Tchernichovsky. Tchernichovsky (1875-1943) was one of the most important poets of the revival of Hebrew and early Zionism. His poem grows out of the Jewish and Zionist roots that established Israel and yet it expresses the Zionist yearnings in such universal language that Israeli Arabs could sing it as “their” song as Israelis, something that’s hard to do with the very Jewish language of Hatikvah. Here’s the whole poem in my translation (usually only a few verses are sung):

Laugh, laugh about the dreams I believe, still, in the future. I, the dreamer, lay in view. Though it’s far off, nonetheless Laugh that I believe in humanity, it will come and then each nation that I still believe in you. every nation with peace will bless.

That my soul still yearns for freedom, My nation then will blossom, too I’ve not sold it for a calf of gold. and our land will see the sight: That in humanity I still believe - A generation with no shackles, the human spirit, a spirit bold! eye-to-eye they’ll see the light.

That spirit will cast off senseless shackles, Living, loving, working, making, and raise us up to highest heights. a generation truly alive; The worker will not die of hunger: not in the future, not in heaven - Bread and freedom - each soul’s right. spirit-life will not suffice.

Laugh that I believe in friendship, Then a poet will sing a new song, I believe I’ll find a heart again- whose heart to beauty will be awake. a heart whose hopes are also my hopes, For that young man, from o’er my grave that feels joy and also pain. let them pick flowers for a bouquet.

Perhaps you have, or might develop, your own “Torah” about Israel. I’d be interested in hearing it. I’d also love to have you join me and all the others in our Eastern Connecticut community with our various and relationships to Israel at the:

Community Yom Ha’atzma’ut celebration May 11th, 5:45 PM at Beth El in New London.

13 14 15 Glenn Blumenstein and Brian Romanowski Where service is friendship in action

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16 THANK YOU Todd & Mona Friedland and your many helpers!

A TREMENDOUS THANK YOU to Mona & Todd Friedland, and their many helpers, for making our well-attended Sephardic Cooking and Culture Shabbat Dinner a unique, uplifting, educational, and delectably delicious experience!

If you were not able to attend the event, please turn to pages 19, 21, and 24 for a Sephardic history primer as well as some great recipes!

NOTE: There are no pictures of the event itself, as it was Shabbat.

The beginnings of Moussadekos (Borekas)! (thanks Margie, Ellie, Todd & Marlene)

AND THE DELECTABLE END RESULT!

Thank you Jim, Marsha, Brenda, and Lettie for your help in creating many other gastronomic delights! You rock!

17 YAHRZEITS FOR THE MONTH OF MAY

Remember to light your Yahrzeit candle on the night before the date shown. It is also appropriate to come to shul to say Kaddish on the Shabbat when your loved one’s name is read, and to give tzedakah in your loved one’s memory. May their memory be a blessing. The following Yahrzetis will be read on May 6 and May 7 Ida Fannie Weinstein Grandmother of Carol Colombo 29 Nisan May 7 Aaron Stein Father of Steve Stein 29 Nisan May 7 Annie H. Sandler Aunt of Jeanne Morascini 30 Nisan May 8 Rose Winter Sherman Aunt of Janet Miller 30 Nisan May 8 Abraham Krug Great Uncle of Jeanne Morascini 2 Iyar May 10 Sylvia Marmon Mother of Stefan Marmon 2 Iyar May 10 Ena Bell Grandmother of Tammy Hunter 2 Iyar May 10 Sarah Russian 3 Iyar May 11 Nathaniel Weinshel Father of Marla Hauslaib 3 Iyar May 11 Ya'akov Dardick Brother of Ken Dardick 3 Iyar May 11 Lidia Nepor Mother of Nina Rosen 3 Iyar May 11 Robert Kenneth Blumenstein Father of Glenn Blumenstein 3 Iyar May 11 Arthur Berkowitz Father of Gerry Berkowitz 5 Iyar May 13 The following Yahrzetis will be read on May 13 and May 14 Jennie Israel Horwitz 7 Iyar May 15 Shirley Bader Mother of Jane Moskowitz 7 Iyar May 15 Blanche Potchinsky Grandmother of Merle Potchinsky 8 Iyar May 16 Morris Kerachsky 9 Iyar May 17 Joseph Anthony DeLuca Stepfather of Grace Adams 10 Iyar May 18 Leopold Gottlieb 11 Iyar May 19 Samuel Horn Uncle of Roberta Schwane 11 Iyar May 19 Carl Zenchoff 12 Iyar May 20 David Isaac Hochberg Brother of Jeanne Morascini 12 Iyar May 20 Lester Foster 12 Iyar May 20

18 RAV JERMEY’S ADULT LEARNING WITH BETH EL

SUNDAY, MAY 8, 10:00am, at UCONN Hillel Come learn (and of course nosh) with us! All are welcome! In honor of the New Moon, we’ll delve into a wonderful nature poem traditionally associated with the New Moon, Psalm 104. It’s a very rich Psalm with lots of nature imagery that brings up issues of theology, liturgy, and even how to relate to evil or evil-doers.

SEPHARDIC CULTURE - A PRIMER

History In the 12th century, there was evidence of

Reliable historical data is scarce, but it can interreligious cultural activity, and the Spanish Jews legitimately be assumed that from earliest times contributed to the cultural and scientific enrichment Jews settled in the commercial ports of the of Castile. In fact, they actively collaborated on the Mediterranean coast and other Jews came as consolidation of the Castilian language as a vehicle for artistic and technical expression. refugees in the first century CE following the destruction of the second temple in . From the end of the 13th century, hostility toward Jews were well-integrated with the Christians in the the Jews continued to grow in the Christian fourth century, however, the Council of Elvira kingdoms due in part to the concentration of Jews prohibited mixed marriages. Difficulties began in in unpopular professions related to moneylending the Visigoth period, (seventh century) when the and tax collecting and a financial scandal involving crown changed the state religion from Aryanism to some of Alfonso X’s Jewish courtiers. Catholicism. Jews were forbidden to hold public Finally in 1391, an extensive wave of killings and office and around 612-621 King Sisebut proclaimed assaults against the Jewish communities resulted in a law ordering Jews either to convert to the destruction of entire communities i.e. the one in or leave the kingdom (Council of Toledo). This is Barcelona. While the 15th century was a time of probably the first occurrence of the conversion contrasts for the Jewish communities in , on problem in the Iberian Peninsula. March 31, 1492, Ferdinand and Isabella signed the It is no wonder that oppressed Jews gladly joined decree that gave the Jews four months to leave with the Muslim, Moorish invaders in 711 who Spain. It is estimated that 100,000 exiles left Spain tolerated the Jewish religion. In the caliphate of and went to countries which were open to them at Cordova the Jewish community reached its peak in the time, but from which they would soon have to the 10th century, a period in which Hebrew science flee again: Portugal, Italy, the Low Countries, and letters flourished, and the children of Israel southern France, North Africa and the eastern achieved political eminence. The situation changed Mediterranean, where the then-powerful Ottoman radically at the end of the 11th century with the Empire welcomed them gladly. arrival of Muslim fundamentalists in Moorish Spain. The exiles called themselves Sephardim, meaning A massive exodus of Jews to Christian realms people from Sepharad, the Hebrew name for their resulted. But, what did they find there? native Spain. They have retained Hispanic cultural In 10th century Catalonia, Jews were largely involved characteristics, and especially the Spanish language in agriculture and by the 11th century there was a in their own dialect-Judeo-Spanish. sizable urban community in Barcelona made up mainly of tailors, cobblers, silversmiths and gold- Turn to page 21 smiths.

19 YAHRZEITS FOR THE MONTH OF MAY

Remember to light your Yahrzeit candle on the night before the date shown. It is also appropriate to come to shul to say Kaddish on the Shabbat when your loved one’s name is read, and to give tzedakah in your loved one’s memory. May their memory be a blessing.

The following Yahrzetis will be read on May 20 and May 21 Sidney Morris Polivy Father of Denise Polivy 13 Iyar May 21 Hyman Seplowitz 13 Iyar May 21 Florence Stoloff Mother of David Stoloff 13 Iyar May 21 Marian Solotaroff Sherman 15 Iyar May 23 Minnie Rudof Grandmother of Marilyn Moir 16 Iyar May 24 Regina Lauter 17 Iyar May 25 Annie Segal Mother-in-Law of Annie Segal 17 Iyar May 25 Irving Golden Father of Marjorie Golden-Mossberg 17 Iyar May 25 Jacob Holin Great-Uncle of Sheridan Vernon 18 Iyar May 26 The following Yahrzetis will be read on May 27 and May 28 Minnie Berkman Grandmother of Eleanor Shane 20 Iyar May 28 Gertrude Chus Stone 20 Iyar May 28 Solomon Flaum 21 Iyar May 29 Rachel Rabinowitz 22 Iyar May 30 Estelle Mossberg Mother of Sheldon Mossberg 22 Iyar May 30 Chester Nessel Father of Marsha Hilsenrad 22 Iyar May 30 Jacob Brettschneider Second Cousin of Bruce Brettschneider 23 Iyar May 31 Norman Drazen Father of Karen Drazen 23 Iyar May 31 Isaac Moskowitz 24 Iyar June 1 Norman H. Prague Brother-in-Law of Edith Prague 24 Iyar June 1 Sophie K. Nessel Mother of Marsha Hilsenrad 24 Iyar June 1 Abraham I. Rubinstein 25 Iyar June 2 Martin Shapiro 25 Iyar June 2 Helen Berkman Mother of Eleanor Shane 25 Iyar June 2 Leon Brettschneider Great-Uncle of Bruce Brettschneider 26 Iyar June 3 Dorothy G. Kirkham Mother of Sue-Ellen Kirkham 26 Iyar June 3 Henry Berman Father of Gary Berman 26 Iyar June 3

20 SEPHARDIC CULTURE - A PRIMER

While this period represented the first stage of The result was that at this time, the Sephardim expulsions and ran into the middle of the 17th formed a kind of “spiritual ghetto” within American century, the Second Diaspora occurred toward the Judaism. Until 1928, with the creation of the Union end of the 19th century and through both world of Sephardic Congregations, American Sephardim wars. This new crisis, which was political, economic had no stable, unifying organization. With the and cultural pushed the Sephardim to seek new passage of time, however, other institutions were surroundings: the Americas, Western Europe and established, from homes for the aged to centers for Israel. Sephardic study.

1800s - 1900s+ Language and Culture

The Alliance Israelite Universelle, opened its first In centuries past the Jews lived in physical isolation, school for Eastern Sephardim in Salonika. More which led to developing their own ways of than 40,000 students received their education there speaking. This was also a method of self defense as in French- Jews, Greeks and Armenians. it allowed them to communicate without non-Jews

Jewish intellectuals came out of Alliance being able to understand them. Thus, the classrooms, which resulted in profound cultural Judeo-languages developed representing variants of changes in the Sephardic world. These schools were the language of the dominant culture that the Jews used in their social and family life. both a vehicle for progress and modernization where Sephardim became acquainted with Western There were many languages that evolved, and culture. While initially only the upper classes Ladino, derived from the Spanish latino, was used attended these schools, by the 1920s, education had to describe any medieval Moor or Jew who spoke spread to the children of the lower middle class Romance, the Christian language. Ladino is really a (small businessmen and artisans), as well as calque-language of Hebrew, used to put Hebrew workers in the tobacco factories ( the newly formed liturgical texts into Spanish words. It was never a Sephardic proletariat). real language for everyday communication.

In 1908 the Young Turks’ revolution dethroned the However, older generations identified being Jewish last sultan and the old Ottoman Empire was with speaking Spanish and the Sephardim believed partitioned. Southern Greece had seceded from the that the Spanish they spoke was theirs, the empire, and after the outbreak of World War I inalienable heritage of their people. Judezmo is many of the Sephardim emigrated to North another name used to describe the spoken language America. of the Sephardim and has come to be used as a synonym for Ladino. Recent scholars also use the The Jews In Turkey had to adapt to the name Judeo-Spanish. considerable reforms undertaken by Ataturk, resulting in a loss or deterioration of many Since there has been no systematic collection of specifically Sephardic characteristics, including data, estimates of the number of people who language. After World War II, most of the Eastern currently speak Judeo-Spanish is between 150,000- Sephardim were either exterminated or resettled. 300,000. Samuel Toledano states,” Judezmo is a jewel, but it should not be perpetuated as a vehicle The majority of Sephardim settled in New York, a of communication. Spanish-speaking Jews need to city with one of the largest Jewish populations in learn modern Spanish. One must live in the present, the world. But life was not easy for them as they conscious of the past, but it is impossible to live in were severely lacking in education and knew no the past. “ Not all Sephardim think alike and since English. To make matters worse, the Sephardim, so the Sephardim are scattered throughout the world, proud of their heritage, discovered that not even the there is interest in the preservation, study, and the American Jewish world received them cordially. revival of the Sephardic culture. They found that the culture, rites, customs and food of the central Europeans were already considered Excerpts taken from “Sephardim: The Jews of the only authentic Jewish manifestations in North Spain” by Paloma Diaz-Mas, translated by George America. K. Zucker

21 Kenneth R. Dardick, M. D. Nelson C. Walker II, M.D Ayaz T. Madraswalla, M.D. Ross L. Winakor, M.D. Sandra Hughes, M.D. Maura E. Baker, MSN, APRN Tammy M. Gendron, PA-C

CELEBRATING OVER 35 YEARS!

My home or yours 590 Ash St. Willimantic

22 DONATIONS - THANK YOU!

Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund Eleanor Shane in memory of her grandfather Joseph Berkman

General Fund Sheila Amdur & Marcy Neff in honor of, and with a big THANK YOU to, Mona & Todd Friedland for their work on our wonderful Sephardic event!

Hochberg & Human Rights Fund Rav Jeremy and Merle Potchinsky

Please consider Your legacy the Temple in your Our future estate planning.

Other Opportunities for Giving

FUNDS : Habonim Board

Donor ($500-999) Rabbi's Discretionary Patron ($I,000-2,499)

Capital Improvement Benefactor

($2,500-4,999) Beautification

Endowment Humashim Library (Torah & Haftarah Books) Good & Welfare $75 each for a bookplate Siddurim (prayer book) Cemetery $30 each for bookplate Religious School Mahzorim High Holiday Cantor (High Holiday Prayer Books) $30 each for a bookplate Tikkun Olam Sanctuary Seat Plaques & Anne & Meyer Russian Youth Fund Yizkor Board Plaques $250 each Mini Berkowitz Lighting Fund Tree of Life in Greer Auditorium $90 for a leaf $180 for a branch 23 SEPHARDICSAVE THE DATES COOKING SAMPLER

Cebollas Con Fruta - Onions with Fruit Serves 4-6 1 lb. Small white onions 2 TBSP. tomato sauce 2 TBSP. oil 1/2 c. water Juice of 1 lemon 1/2 TBSP. sugar 8 dried prunes 6 dried apricots

Preheat oven to 300 degrees. In a small, fireproof casserole, combine onions, tomato sauce, oil, water, lemon juice and sugar; bring to a boil. Cover and simmer approximately 10 minutes. Add prunes and apricots; cook 5 minutes longer. Bake, uncovered, approximately 30 minutes or until dried to taste. (Dora Olivebaum, Jerusalem, Israel, and Iderne, Turkey)

Huevos Haminados - Jewish Eggs Serves 4-6 6 raw eggs in shell, at room temperature 1 tsp. salt 1/8 tsp. pepper 1/2 tsp. tea leaves 1/2 tsp. coffee grounds 3 or 4 onion skins for color 1 tsp. corn oil 1 tsp. vinegar

Put everything in a pan and cover the eggs well with water. Bring to a boil, cover the pan, reduce the heat to low, and cook for at least 5 hours, preferably 6. Add water now and then as it evaporates. Then drain, rinse the shells, and refrigerate until ready to eat. Remove the shells and serve!

24 GREER AUDITORIUM RENTAL

We are currently seeking organizations who are in need of a meeting place for their weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly meetings, classes, workshops, staff training, exercise classes, etc. We can accommodate a wide range of needs, and can set up the auditorium to the specific needs of the group (number of chairs, tables, etc.) prior to each event.

We would appreciate it if you could mention this availability to your network via social media and any in-person meetings you may be attending. Below is a sample “ad” to use on your social media sites. Thank you, and give us a call if you have any questions.

Does your organization need a meeting place? Temple Bnai Israel has a large, airy auditorium for rent. Great for exercise/yoga classes, and regular meetings (weekly, bi-monthly, monthly). Can also be rented on as as-needed basis for special events. We will set up chairs and tables to your specifications. Ramped entrance and handicapped accessible bathrooms. Space not available on Fridays, Saturdays or Jewish holidays. Call Marlene at 860-423-3743 or e-mail her at [email protected] for further information or to schedule a showing.

THANK YOU TO OUR ADVERTISERS

Dear Friends, we have many advertisers who support us through the ads they place in our yearly Directory, and in this, our monthly newsletter, The Bulletin. Please consider doing business with them when you are in need of what they have to offer. Thank you. Sheila Amdur, Antiquarian Books Page 18 in your Directory, page 16 of this Bulletin

James Baber, Fine Carpentry Page 37 in your Directory

Crown Market Page 26 in your Directory

Judaica Store Page 16 in your Directory

Landon’s Tire Page 18 in your Directory

ProHealth Physicians Page 13 in your Directory

Rosner-Czarnowski DMDs Page 26 in your Directory

Scott’s Cyclery, Inc. Page 18 in your Directory

25 Would you like to see your ad here?

Do you know of a local business who would like to see their ad here?

Contact Marlene at [email protected]

VERY reasonable advertising rates.

26

9:30am 4:30pm 9:30am Hevra Kaddisha mtg 12:30pm Bagel & Bible - Religious School 11:30am State of 10:30am Special Long Term Friendship Planning Comm. CT Yom Hashoah Mussar Va’ad Wednesday Observance at 10:30am Mtg. 4:00 JFEC Yom Capitol Shabbat Service, 7:00pm Hashoah Shabbat Spirituality Task Experience 7:00pm TBI Yom Force/Ritual 7:30pm Shabbat Hashoah Comm. Mtg. Service

9:30am The Bat Mitzvah of Willow 10:00am Golden Study Session at

UCONN Hillel 5:45pm 10:00am Yom Ha’atzmaut 6:15pm T.G.I. with Rav Jeremy Shabbes, wine, Shabbat Service at Congregation Beth El, New cheese, music and London celebration

7:30pm 10am 9:30am BULLETIN 7:00pm Drop-in Shabbat Service Tikkun Olam 4:30pm ARTICLES Daughters of Religious School Kabbalah Comm. DUE Abraham 7:30pm JFEC 7:30pm JFEC Film Festival: Film Festival: 7:30pm 7:30pm JFEC 7:00pm Son of Saul: Dough: Garde Tikkun Olam Film Festival: Board Mtg. Mystic Luxury Arts Center VaNefesh Service Harvesting Stone Cinemas Garde Art Center

10:00am ALSO ON Sandwich Making THE 22nd - 10am Shabbat 6:30pm Shabbes Service 4:30pm Last Day of Dinner HOST, Traveling Dinner Religious HOSTESS School. 7:30pm JFEC NEEDED 7:30pm JFEC International Film Festival: Film Festival Deli Man: B.P. Learned Center Jewry Duty 6th: CAPTAIN(S): G. & J. Petrowsky; team: Grace Adams; 2 more needed. 7th: CAPTAIN(S): Rochelle Marcus; team: Gerry Berkowitz, Lisa Memorial Finkelman. Day 13th: CAPTAIN(S): Doreen Simonsen; team: Renee Kraus; 1 more needed Holiday 14th: No Jewry Duty; Willow Golden’s Bat Mitzvah 20th: CAPTAIN(S): The Mossbergs; team: Leanne Rand, 2 more needed Banks & 21st: CAPTAIN(S): G. Berkowitz; team: the Stoloffs, 2 more needed Post offices 27th: Shabbes Dinner: HOST/HOSTESS NEEDED closed 28th: CAPTAIN(S): L. Loomer; team: Jim Baber, Karen Drazen, Peter & Carol Golden 27