THENEW APRIL — 5779 WAVE Feel the Difference
Minyan If You Ask Them, They Will Come: April Calendar FRIDAY, APRIL 5 Saving Evening Minyan 5:30 pm Holy Happy Hour Minyan SATURDAY, APRIL 6 Shabbat SynaplexTM 10:00 – 11:30 am Young Family Seder Workshop, RSVP required [email protected]
FRIDAY, APRIL 12 6:00 pm Kabbalat Shabbat SATURDAY, APRIL 13 Shabbat SynaplexTM (No CJE)
MONDAY, APRIL 15 7:30 pm Becky’s Book Club: Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng TUESDAY, APRIL 16 7:30 pm Men’s Club Matzah Making FRIDAY, APRIL 19 Bruce Greenfield of Needham, who was visiting a friend in Salem, was able to say Kaddish First Night of Passover for his father at evening minyan recently. Ann Segal, who decided to do her part to No Kabbalat Shabbat Service save evening minyan by learning to lead the service, now treats the congregation to her exquisite soprano voice every Wednesday at 7 pm. SATURDAY, APRIL 20 Passover-Day 1 Last year, services on Tuesday, Wednesday second week in December, he met with Passover/Shabbat Service (No CJE/Yoga/ND/Cafe) and Thursday evenings at Shirat Hayam four women — Sandy Goldstein and were in trouble. Many evenings, there Nancy Klayman (Tues.), Rita Swartz SATURDAY, APRIL 20 were not enough people present to make Buckley (Wed.) and Margery Shapiro 6:00 pm Second Night Community Seder at CSH a minyan (minimum of 10 Jewish post (Thurs.) — who volunteered to serve as Bar/Bat Mitzvah aged adults) and so those Minyan Captains and organize coverage for THURSDAY, APRIL 25 who were in mourning or were observing their nights. He then sent out an email to 6:00 pm End of Passover Evening Service (No 7:30 PM minyan) yahrzeit could not say Kaddish. the CSH community, asking congregants In November, Rabbi Michael knew to volunteer one evening a month and to FRIDAY, APRIL 26 something had to be done. “Judaism has contact one of the captains to sign up. 7:30 am Passover Service 9:00 am Yizkor Service long posited that God’s presence is found Each captain has her own special 6:00 pm Kabbalat Shabbat among the community. A minyan is a connection to minyan and a deep community capable of receiving God’s commitment to its continuation at CSH. SATURDAY, APRIL 27 Shabbat SynaplexTM presence and, in turn, praising God. Most Sandy Goldstein began attending minyan critically, one prayer of praise that is recited after her mom passed away in 2009, and WEDNESDAY, MAY 1 only in the presence of a minyan is the found it both comforting and helpful to be 10:00 am or 7:30 am Limmud (Adult Ed) The Book of 1st Samuel: A Literary Analysis Mourner’s Kaddish,” he explained. with other people who were honoring and (cont’d) with Rabbi Michael He called a congregational meeting on remembering their loved ones in the same November 28 and advised that without religious way she was. Margery Shapiro coordination and support, daily evening grew up at Temple Israel, occasionally Continued on page 3 minyan might not survive. During the Continued on page 3
NEW WAVE | Congregation Shirat Hayam | 781.599.8005 | www.shirathayam.org | 1 Shabbat Life of the Congregation Synaplex™ Hours and Info Rabbi’s Corner Shirat Hayam Takes a Big Leap Forward Join us at any time to recharge and reconnect On Thursday evening, people’s hearts were moved to donate materials 9:00 am February 28, at a special for its construction. Was it successful? Yes! The Renewal Service, Traditional Minyan and Boker Tov Café congregational meeting, Israelites “continued to bring freewill offerings the congregants of to Him morning after morning,” so much that 10:00 am Nosh & Drash (Torah discussion), Shirat Hayam approved Moses had to ask the people to stop bringing gifts Traditional Torah Service and amendments to the Bylaws for the sanctuary. (Exodus 36:3, 6) Yoga Minyan permitting the Board As the Israelites helped build the ancient 11:10 am of Directors to adopt a Tabernacle, how can today’s congregants help Healing Service followed by voluntary dues model Shirat Hayam mimic the success of the ancient Rabbi’s Talk of membership. This innovative approach to ancestors? 11:45 am synagogue membership has been shown to First, they can complete their Membership Ruach Rally with the increase membership and membership revenue. Commitment Form that was mailed in March. Ruach Rally Band Moreover, congregations with a voluntary Second, under this membership model, 12:00 pm commitment model laud the profoundly positive congregants have a unique opportunity to Shabbat Café for all impact on congregational culture and values. help secure Shirat Hayam’s future. This model Babysitting available, Shirat Hayam’s new membership model is radically changes how we invite friends to 9:00 – 11:45 am called T’rumot HaLev, Gifts of the Heart, and on join the congregation. No longer will peer the Shabbat morning following the historic vote, recruitment have to involve a sometimes the congregation read the very Torah verses that uncomfortable financial discussion; instead, we CSH Staff Contacts inspired this name. can now focus the conversation on the intangible personal and community benefits of joining Kehu me’itchem trumah l’Adonai kol nediv libo Shirat Hayam, and the values advanced by Phone: 781.599.8005 yevi’eha et trumat Adonai supporting our mission. Congregants are asked Rabbi Michael Ragozin, x14, Take from among your gifts to the Lord; to email the membership chair, Amy Powell, [email protected] everyone whose heart so moves him shall bring [email protected], with the names of Cantor Alty Weinreb, x12, them — gifts for the Lord — Exodus 35:5 potential members. [email protected] Stay connected with Shirat Hayam and Janis Knight, x25 Why were the people asked to bring gifts to the The New Wave to follow the implementation Director of CJE, Lord? The ancient Tabernacle, which enabled of T’rumot HaLev, the most significant [email protected] the Israelites to experience God’s presence within development since the merger of Temple Israel Andrea Bernard their camp, could only be constructed if the and Temple Beth El. Director of CEE, 781-598-3311 [email protected] Anna Hathaway, x41 Calendar (continued from page 1) Business Manager, [email protected] THURSDAY, MAY 2 7:30 pm Rosh Hodesh Group for Women Barri Stein, x11 Director of Events & Facility, FRIDAY, MAY 3 [email protected] 6:00 pm Kabbalat Shabbat Richard Kelleher, x22 SATURDAY, MAY 4 Financial Manager, Shabbat SynaplexTM [email protected] Bat Mitzvah of Jasmina Kurtovic
NEW WAV E Friday, April 5, 5:30 pm Friday Candle Lighting Times Shelley A. Sackett Bring a friend and share Shirat Shabbat Editor-in-Chief hospitality! The Holy Happy Hour Minyan April 5, 2019 – 6:51 pm Nancy Marland Wolinski April 12, 2019 – 7:04 pm Designer is a great way to introduce potential members to one of our most popular April 19, 2019 – 7:12 pm events and to T’rumot HaLev, our new April 26, 2019 – 7:20 pm voluntary dues model. May 3, 2019 – 7:27 pm
2 NEW WAVE | Congregation Shirat Hayam | 781.599.8005 | www.shirathayam.org Cantor’s News Quietude
Before the the creation First, we hear the great, loud sounds of the of light (Genesis 1:2): shofar and our communal singing. But after “The earth was formless the loud sounds, we hope our ears have been and empty” (Tohu opened, so we can hear the quietest sounds of FY2019 Vavohu) the universe. All the creative possibilities of the $300,000 Goal: Perhaps all songs are cosmos are to be found there. It is the innate $300,000 “born” out of silence. ability of each of us to be God-like, to behave $200,000 Current Pledges: When we sing together with extreme decency, and to channel an endless $182,682 at our Shabbat morning stream of life-enhancing ideas and celebratory Renewal service, we subtly move between sound sounds for the upliftment of mankind. When I $100,000 and silence. This interplay helps me ease into a surrender my desires, I hear it. From this space, I Shabbat state of mind. We’ll sing one melody feel compassion and love. repeatedly, and I let the overtones wash over I invite everyone reading this to give yourself me. At some point the song is brought to a close the beautiful gift of Shabbat repose at our weekly and I’ll listen carefully to the quiet. Often, after Renewal service @ 9am. A Shabbat Soul Spa for singing together with fellow congregants, I can you. You deserve it. hear what I didn’t know existed before the song We’re delighted to announce that the USCJ began. Slowly, I start releasing the running and (United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism) doing of the work week. Ahhhh…. I feel a sense has chosen to showcase Shirat Hayam’s Renewal of solidarity, gathering, coming close together, service at this year’s Biennial convention in physically, and sharing energy, spiritually. Boston, MA on December 7, 2019. Join us, as we take our glow on the road. CSH Vision Statement “And the Great Shofar is sounded and the still B’shalom, small voice is heard”— from the Unetaneh Tokef Cantor Alty CSH offers multiple prayer pathways to Jewish life, learning and prayer. We will deliver Evening Minyan with the Divine, if only briefly, through ritual and the most fulfilling spiritual prayer. Attending minyan gives me a rewarding experience and the Continued from page 1 way to stay connected to community and perform best childhood and a mitzvah,” she said. teen education on the going with her parents when they were observing The response to the Rabbi’s email seeking North Shore. yahrzeits. When her husband died in 2013, she volunteers was overwhelming. Just two months went daily for 11 months and developed an later, the numbers are in: February 2019 had Every encounter with appreciation for how vital minyan is. “Saying twice as many services with a minyan and a 50% our congregation leaves Kaddish is a personal experience, but it is also a increase in average daily attendance over February you feeling welcomed, time when community support is very important. 2018. connected and enriched. As a bereaved person, the last thing you should None of the captains are surprised by the have to worry about is whether or not there will be numbers of volunteers. “I have happily found that We embrace our enough people to have a minyan,” she said. people feel the same way about minyan that I do,” responsibility to invest Nancy Klayman, who started attending after her Goldstein said. “I have been thanked for my efforts in strengthening our father passed away, feels it’s imperative to make and the efforts of all those involved in saving the Jewish community for minyan a daily, not a weekly, occurrence. “Little by evening meeting. People just needed to be asked generations to come. little, certain traditions are being dropped, and this for a specific commitment and they responded.” was one I hoped could be revitalized. We are there Nonetheless, with vacations, snowbirds, the not just for our members, but also families in the flu and the weather, more volunteers are always community with perhaps no affiliation elsewhere. needed, especially on Thursday evenings. All of A very good feeling comes from that,” she said. the minyan captains would love to hear from you. Rita Swartz Buckley started attending after her Contact them by email or just show up at 7 pm, father’s death in 1996 and 23 years later, minyan any Tues. ([email protected] or nk211@ is still a part of her life. “It’s a safe place in a world comcast.net), Wed. (rbuckley@buckley-swartz. that can be harsh and unforgiving, a quick way to com) or Thurs. ([email protected]). remember who I am and why I’m here, to connect
Congregation Shirat Hayam | 781.599.8005 | www.shirathayam.org | NEW WAVE 3 Life of the Congregation
Interfaith Conversations Programs Draw Crowds
More than 40 people attended the “Future of Shirat Hayam Interfaith Conversations” program held on March 3 and March 5. The program was designed to provide a forum for members to discuss what Shirat Hayam needs to do to become the congregation of choice for intermarried/interfaith couples and families. Rabbi Jillian Cameron, the Director of Adult Learning at Combined Jewish Philanthropies (CJP), along with two staff members from CJP’s Leadership Development Institute, facilitated the discussion. Those attending the Interfaith Conversations program, among other things, expressed the values they believe make for a good and strong community. Values such as “welcoming” and “accepting” were some of the more common values expressed. Attendees also spoke of their hopes and concerns with respect to interfaith/ intermarriage issues. Members and would-be members of Shirat Hayam shared at times quite personal stories that underscored a Above, Front: common theme: Many people are affected John Gilberg, by demographic changes in the Jewish Anne Selby; community and are looking for ways to back: Sean and Jessica Nimkar, express themselves and connect with others Bethani Hipsh, on the topic. One member, for instance, Lori Kreevoy and expressed his hope that children of interfaith Hal Schwartz attended the couples would raise their children Jewish. Interfaith Shirat Hayam’s Interfaith Committee, Conversations whose members include Anne Selby, Robert program on March 3. Powell and Maria Samiljan, organized the program. That committee was established by Rabbi Michael Ragozin in the wake of failed efforts to pass a temporary Bylaw change that Front: Marsha Rubin, David and Susan Kauder; back: Jessica Blake, would allow a non-Jewish member of Shirat Emily Wiese, Amy and Fred Gold, Bethani Hipsh, Lori Kreevoy, Hal Hayam to serve on the board. Schwartz attended the Interfaith Conversations meeting on March 3.
From time to time, as space allows, The New Wave will publish original recipes submitted by Shirat Original Recipes Shirat congregants. This month, we feature Doris Villa’s Lox Kugel. Lox Kugel 12 oz. pkg. medium noodles Method: Use 1/4 stick of butter to grease a 9x13 deep-dish casserole. 1 lb. cream cheese Boil and drain the noodles. Turn noodles into the buttered dish. 1 pt. low fat sour cream Sauté onions in ½ stick of butter and salt until translucent. Spread 1 cup low fat milk onions over the noodles, then the lox. Add the peas and scallions. Set 4 eggs aside. With a mixer, beat cream cheese until creamy. Then add one 1¾ sticks butter egg at a time, beating after each one. Add sour cream and milk on 1½ teas. salt low speed, mixing well. Combine with noodle mixture. 4 c diced onions Refrigerate overnight. When ready to bake, melt 1 stick of butter and A 14 oz. pkg. lox (chopped) mix with panko. Spread over the kugel. Bake 1 hour @ 350° or until a ½ c chopped scallions knife inserted in the center comes out clean. ¾ c frozen peas 2 c unflavored panko crumbs
4 NEW WAVE | Congregation Shirat Hayam | 781.599.8005 | www.shirathayam.org Life of the Congregation
Voluntary Dues Update CEE & CJE
At the February 28 congregational meeting, the amendment to the Bylaws was voted on and approved. The final votes were: 92 in favor, 1 no, and 1 abstained. Reneée Sidman, President of the Board, explained that amendment approval meant that Congregation gave the Board and Voluntary Dues committee the authority to move forward with the voluntary dues model. Since the congregational meeting, the Board approved an updated member definition and benefit handout. “We will begin communicating with our members and start a marketing campaign for new members. This is when the big work begins,” she said. “This is the most monumental change at Shirat since the merger. We are opening the doors to the unaffiliated. We are taking away the barrier of cost and allowing people to give whatever they want within Learning through play! CEE preschoolers learned about the story of Purim during their own means. This is huge,” she added. Hebrew classes with Morah Rachel Jacobson. Rabbi Michael Ragozin is equally enthused. “Now we begin membership renewal and new member recruitment in earnest. We would love for people to continue to give what they were previously giving — and consider increasing their donation,” he said.
Thursday, March 28th Maddie Gelb, CJE Director Janis Knight, Janis and Samara Gelb make tissue flowers 6:30 pm to decorate the table for the CJE Chicken Soup Shabbat. The purpose of the Women’s Seder at Shirat Hayam, led by CJE Director Janis Knight, is to offer a space where the women of our community can come together and prepare for Pesach Young Family Seder Workshop emotionally and spiritually even before we Saturday, April 6th 10 – 11:30 am prepare physically for the holiday. Bringing out the hidden in our lives and reconnecting with it is RSVP required to [email protected], no walk-ins, part of the spiritual preparation for Pesach. please. No charge but all adults must be accompanied Our seder is a dairy/vegetarian potluck meal with by at least one child aged 3 – 6. food assigned by the letter of your last name. An The Passover seder is the ultimate opportunity to make lasting and joyful upcoming flyer will provide more information on Jewish memories. Our workshop will offer a selection of stations designed reservations and assignments. Volunteers to help for parents and children to learn more about the holiday together and to shape the evening are most welcome. Space is pick up some new ways to deepen your understanding and increase the fun limited. Please contact [email protected] or at whatever Passover experience your family may have. 781-599-8005, ext. 25.
Congregation Shirat Hayam | 781.599.8005 | www.shirathayam.org | NEW WAVE 5 Donations / Condolences Received February 1 – 28, 2019
Mother, Sarah Glazer In memory of Marilyn Fishman, In honor of Marilyn Stoll’s 2 new Condolences by Myles Glazer mother of Robin Godine, Rhonda great‑grandchildren Fishman, and Harriet Fishman by Lois Ogan Our deepest condolences to those Father, David Goldberg by David and Harriet Moldau; who have passed away. by Herb Goldberg Eunice Strager; Barbara Vinick; In honor of the birth of our MEMBERS: Christopher and Jennifer Hockert great‑granddaughter, Emilia Grace Mother, Tillie Handis Jeffries Marilyn Fishman 2/9/2019 by Bernard Handis In memory of Barbara Gannino, by Harvey and Helaine Cotton Wife of Cy Fishman, z”l mother of Leslie Harsip Great-grandfather, Max Kramer by Keith MacDonald In memory of RELATIVES OF MEMBERS: by Deborah McWade Mary Valle 3/1/2019 In memory of Margery Schwartz, Grandfather, Samuel Newman Mother of Susan Goldberg Nephew, Jonathan Ogan mother of Sheila Rich by Robert Cashman Mother, Judith Ogan by Barbara Vinick by Bob Ogan Brother, Carl Zidel Donations In memory of Brother, Marshall Zidel Sister, Sarah Liberty by Linda Dubinsky RABBI’S DISCRETIONARY by Ann Segal Mother, Lillian Cohen FUND by John Cohen Grandfather, Harry Goldstein Father, Jerry Ogan by Marsha Feffer In memory of Saul Kraft, brother of by Margery Shapiro Husband, Sidney Lipsky Frances Pearlman by Beatrice Lipsky Father, Bernard Kaplan by Edye Baker Father, Louis Spector by Marlene Goldberg by Ben Spector Brother, Larry Pressman In memory of Mother, Mary Pressman Father, David Goldberg Aunt, Rose Kohn Father, Sam Pressman by Roz and Marty Goldberg Father, Leo Cohen Mother, Margaret Stark by Florence Pressman by Mike Cohen Grandfather, Siegfried Stark Mother, Fay Bonfeld by Madeline Stark Brother, Barry Rosen by Roz Goldberg Husband, Ralph Kaplan Wife, Arlene Rosen by Harriett Kaplan and the Mother, Anita Ouellette by Jerry Rosen Mother, Fayga Goldman Kaplan Family by Doris Villa by Larry Goldman Father, Shepard Salinsky
by Richard Salinsky Grandfather, David Gartz BRODY MINYAN FUND BURT AND BECKY SHEPARD by Karen Hirsch In memory of Margery Schwartz, SCHOLARSHIP FUND Mother, Marion Freedman by June Salny Mother, Mamie Cohen mother of Sheila Rich In memory of Margery Schwartz, by Doris Villa by Miriam Kaplan mother of Sheila Rich Grandmother, Marion Freedman In memory of Marilyn Fishman, In memory of by Stephen Salny Husband, Martin Harris mother of Robin Godine, Rhonda Mother, Rose Bluestein Fishman, and Harriet Fishman Father, Eli Barnett by Janice Kelley by Herbert Goldberg by Jodie Barnett KIDDUSH FUND Sister, Linda Kerr In memory of In honor of Lois Ogan’s special Mother, Edna Bornstein by Judith Marder birthday by Helaine Cotton Father, Harold Weiner by Harvey and Helaine Cotton by Lawrence Weiner Sister, Janice Weinstein MacCallum Mother, Eva Hurst by Ellen McKeough In memory of Marilyn Fishman, by Phyllis Dinerman mother of Robin Godine, Rhonda GENERAL FUND Father, Louis Levine Fishman, and Harriet Fishman Parents, Chana and Beno Dodyk by Frances Mendelsohn by Marsha Gerber by Elizabeth Dodyk In honor of the birth of Marilyn Stoll’s great‑granddaughter Mother, Goldie Karp In memory of Shirley Kessler, sister Brother‑in‑law, Eugene Poster by Harvey and Helaine Cotton Mother‑in‑law, Bertha Ogan of Bob Myerson Mother‑in‑law, Phyllis Dunn Father‑in‑law, Nathan Ogan by Stephen and Helyne by Linda Dunn In honor of Bernard Handis’s 90th Husband, Jerry Ogan Hamelburg birthday by Lois Ogan Sister‑in‑law, Ruth Goodman by Tamar and Ken Frieze; Sloane, Father, David Grover Marin and Avery Frieze; Tom and Son, Louis Patkin Mother, Rose Grover Tess Salter; James and Ronnie by Phyllis Patkin by Thelma Gibbs Salter
6 NEW WAVE | Congregation Shirat Hayam | 781.599.8005 | www.shirathayam.org Donations, continued
Father, Josef Strulovici PRAYERBOOK PURCHASED In appreciation of Shir Chesed by Robert Sanford during our mother, Estelle Halpern’s In memory of Stanley Gordon recent passing Mother, Eugenia Zissu by Ellen Gordon, Larry and by Ira and Diane Rubtchinsky Make a by Bery Sanford Marsha Feffer, and the extended and Judy Halpern Zoll Family Donation Cousin, Dave Stern In memory of by Arthur Schwartz To make a donation, SHIR CHESED FUND Father, Leonard Gold please visit Grandmother, Anna Needle In honor of Judi Simmons — a real by Fred Gold by Rosalyn Shapiro mensch shirathayam.org/ by Edye Baker Mother, Rose Alfond Father, Bert Korson Sister, Harriet Mack Donate or mail your by Mark Korson In honor of Carla Greenberg’s 3rd by Bette Shoreman donation with grandson, Griffin Father/Father‑in‑law, William by Arnold Bergman and Rand a check made TORAH FUND Greenblatt Foreman‑Bergman; Moshe and out to CSH or by Stephen and Judi Simmons Bethany Roditi In memory of Congregation Mother, Vivian Weisman In memory of Margery Schwartz, Husband, Robert Garfinkel Shirat Hayam. by Ellen Weisman mother of Sheila Rich Grandfather, Harry Osattin by Ron and Shari Pressman; Sister‑in‑law, Barbara Freedman Please specify the Bette and Dan Shoreman by Marion Garfinkel and family LEV INITIATIVE fund to which your In memory of Marilyn Fishman, In memory of Marilyn Fishman, donation should be mother of Robin Godine, Rhonda mother of Robin Godine, Rhonda TREE PLANTED IN ISRAEL Fishman, and Harriet Fishman Fishman, and Harriet Fishman allocated. by Arnold and Sandi Shuman In memory of Marilyn Fishman, by Larry and Susan Goldberg mother of Robin Godine, Rhonda Fishman, and Harriet Fishman by Mark and Karen Meyer
Come enjoy the warmth of Passover Second Night Seder at Congregation Shirat Hayam
Saturday, April 20, 6 pm with Rabbi Michael, Cantor Alty and the Ruach Band
Seder includes... CongregationFull Traditional Shirat DHayaminner Catered | 781.599.8005 by Becky Beckman | www.shirathayam.org | NEW WAVE 7 and Maria Torres of Maria’s Gourmet Adults, $60 Kids ages 2 – 8, $25 Under 2 and sharing a meal with parent – free Vegetarian option by request only. Please RSVP by April 16th. Space is limited. Reservations must be made by returning the form below.
Yes! I/We look forward to the second night seder! Adult $60 X ______(# of tickets) = $______Please include all names and ages of children in your party: Kids 2 – 8 $25 X ______(# of tickets) = $______Under 2 sharing a meal X ______( ______# of highchairs required) Indicate number of vegetarian option requested: ______, Name(s): ______Check Enclosed: (payable to CSH/Seder) Please bill my credit card (below) I/We would like to help underwrite the cost of the seder in the amount of $______
Your Name
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Card Number Expiration Visa Amex MC Discover Please seat us with ______. We will do our best to honor seating requests. For more information call 781-599-8005. The Interview
Congregational Spotlight Meet Sara Ewing
In every issue, The New Wave spotlights resonated with me, although I knew if I a congregant as a way to help us get to know decided to convert I would need to figure each other better by putting a face with a out a way to make the traditions my own. name. This month, JCCNS Adult Program Jay and I took an Intro to Judaism class Director Sara Ewing shares the path that led at Temple Emanuel in Newton with an her to conversion and Shirat Hayam. amazing teacher, Rabbi Michelle Robinson, and made many friends along the way Where did you grow up? What was who were in interfaith relationships. The your religious upbringing like? decision to convert was full of emotional I grew up in the small college town of ups and downs and a lot of questioning Swarthmore, PA, about 15 miles outside of my theology, motivation, and purpose, Philadelphia. I attended the local Presbyterian but I was happy to find that these struggles Church sporadically with my Mom and were always met with understanding two siblings, but never felt connected to and openness and my questions never the theology or service (although I did love discouraged. After my conversion, I felt I being part of the hand bell choir, which was still had more to learn, so I joined a Bat ironically led by a Jewish college student). My Mitzvah program and ultimately had my Bat Sara Ewing and Jay Mahler with their children Nathaniel and Kay in Fort Myers, FL last April. Dad is an atheist, so I give a lot of credit to my Mitzvah at age 31. mother, who tried to raise us with a sense of spirituality and community. What resonates with you about will become a Bar Mitzvah next year and his CSH? How do you choose to sister Kay is just three years behind him. I What brought you to Judaism? Can participate? chaired the search committee to hire the you describe your journey from There is so much about CSH that I love. amazing Janis Knight a few years ago, and my that first spark to today? Hebrew school is on Shabbat, so we can all be husband plays in the Ruach Rally Band and Many of my close friends growing up there as a family. Shabbat Synaplex™ offers occasionally in the Renewal service, and also were Jewish, so I was invited to B’nei Mitzvot me different pathways to engage – yoga, nosh sits on the board. and Passover Seders, and always felt more and drash, renewal, or just catching up with comfortable in that setting than at church. friends that I don’t see during the week. I Anything else you want to add? When I met my husband (Jay Mahler) in enjoy the laid back, inclusive and progressive Outside of Shirat, you will find me my 20s, he made it clear from the start that atmosphere. I feel so blessed to have found a enjoying the outdoors and beach, creating his Jewish identity was very important to synagogue that values the power of music as pottery, reading, socializing with friends and him. As we started getting serious, I began to much as I do and added the unique renewal family, and running adult programs at the
read and learn more about Judaism, which service to its offerings. My son Nathaniel JCC.
at Lynn, MA Lynn, at
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