December 2020 the Rabbi’S Corner 15 Kislev - 16 Tevet 5781 by Rabbi Lynn Goldstein Vol

Congregation Beth El

“A Reform Congregation with a warm approach to tradition” Celebrating 60 years 1960-2020

December 2020 The Rabbi’s Corner 15 Kislev - 16 Tevet 5781 By Rabbi Lynn Goldstein Vol. 60, No. 6 כסלן - טבת תשפ"א

We welcome Rabbi Jeffrey Kurtz-Lendner, our Rabbinic Educator. Rabbi Kurtz-Lendner will be teaching a six week course about the Middle East. The classes will continue on Sunday December 6, December 20, January 3, January 17 and January 31; all at 1:00. We are very excited! Join us for a wonderful learning opportunity!

Congregation Beth El 2525 Mark Ave. Windsor, Ontario N9E 2W2 Join Zoom Meeting 519-969-2422 https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86942904685?pwd E-mail: [email protected] =NGNLQXZlRTdOU2hneCtDVEs5UFBlQT0 www.bethelwindsor.ca 9

Senior Rabbi: Lynn Goldstein Meeting ID: 869 4290 4685 Email: [email protected] President : Karen Rosen Past President: Lawrence Pazner Rabbi Emeritus: Jeffrey Ableser Rabbi Jeffrey Kurtz-Lendner is currently serving as a volunteer Rabbinic Educator during the Pandemic. Previously he served as the rabbi at Beth Israel Congregation in Jackson, MS. He has Inside this issue served as the Director of Jewish Learning, Engagement and Outreach at the David Posnack Jewish Community Center in Davie, Florida, the rabbi of Temple Solel in Hollywood, Florida and the rabbi of • Rabbi’s Message the Northshore Jewish Congregation in the New Orleans suburb Mandeville, Louisiana. While in • Congregational Happenings Mandeville he oversaw the congregation’s recovery efforts during Hurricane Katrina. In 2015-2016 • Birthdays, Anniversaries, Mazel he served as a Volunteer Police Chaplain for the Police Departments of Davie, FL and Hollywood, FL. Tovs, Good Health Wishes He also served as a volunteer chaplain for the Hinds County Sheriff’s Department

• Yahrzeits and Condolences

• Contributions He is a member of the Central Conference of American Rabbis and served as the treasurer of the southeast region of the CCAR (SEACCAR). • Committee information

• Community events

The event will be broadcast on Sunday, December 13th (4th Night of Chanukah), at 8pm NY | EST Time in partnership presentation with Central Synagogue on their YouTube channel.

Produced by the Tony Award winning team of Yael Silver and Carmine Entertainment, the event will feature Chanukah music and traditions from around the world, showcasing acclaimed choirs, cantors, and special celebrity guests.

With: Mayim Bialik, Cantor Evan Kent, Peter Yarrow, Elana Jagoda, Yasmin Levy, Lisa Loeb, Henry Platt, Jonah Platt, Sharon Sayeg

And speakers from Jerusalem, Paris, Modi’in, Buenos Aires Argentine, Moscow, Sydney Australia, New York City, Prague Czech Republic, Toronto, Sao Paulo Brazil, and Jakarta Indonesia Viewers everywhere will be able to watch this streamed presentation with their families and communities and come together to celebrate and support the World Union for Progressive Judaism, part of the Union for Progressive Judaism.

For more information, please go to: https://wupj.org/chanukah/ **************************************

SHARDS Saturday, December 12, 4:00 pm Cantor Evan Kent’s website: www.evankent.com

BETH EL WILL PROVIDE REGISTRATION INFORMATION THROUGH OUR UPCOMING EBLASTS and BULLETIN

Join us for a live performance from Jerusalem of Cantor Evan Kent’s one man show, live on Zoom at 4:00 pm ET on Saturday, December 12th. Evan will transport us from the streets of Jerusalem to the villages of Eastern Europe to the suburbs of Long Island in the 1960s,sharing stories of his grandparents’ immigration to the United States at the beginning of the 20th century interwoven with his own tales of his Aliyah (immigration to Israel) just a few years ago. “Shards” takes us on a poignant, often humorous journey that spans continents, decades, and generations. The theatrical adventure includes 1 actor, 21 characters, 3 puppets, 4 generations and 8 songs adding up to 1 unforgettable theatrical adventure. Ultimately “Shards” is the story of finding home, finding homeland, and along the way learning a bit more about yourself. At the end of the performance, Evan will talk to the zoom audience- giving us all a greater sense of connection. This will be followed by Havdalah and lighting Hanukkah lights together in our homes.

We are excited that other North American Reform congregations have joined us in bringing this program to our communities this Hanukkah. The congregations are Temple Concord, Binghamton New York; Congregation Beth El, Windsor Ontario Canada; Vassar Temple, Poughkeepsie New York; Congregation Shaarey Zedek, East Lansing Michigan; Temple Israel, Columbus Georgia; Temple Beth Israel, York Pennsylvania, B’nai Abraham, Elyria Ohio; and Congregation B’nai Harim, Pocono Pines Pennsylvania. For more information, watch the recordings about the show https://vimeo.com/226114959

https://vimeo.com/393270866

and you can go to Cantor Evan Kent’s website: www.evankent.com

BETH EL WILL PROVIDE REGISTRATION INFORMATION THROUGH OUR UPCOMING Eblasts and Bulletin

Shabbat Services and Tanakh Study עֲבוֺדׇ ה December 2020

15 Kislev - 16 Tevet Worship and Spirituality

Our Friday night service features the rituals, melodies and warmth of our congregation. The service features a sermon or presentation by our rabbi. During this COVID-19 time period, we are celebrating Shabbat together. We will meet in the Zoom room (information will be sent out to you to join us from your Shabbat table). We will begin each service with candle lighting. We invite you to light your own candles with all of us.

Join us for Tanakh Study 9:30 am every Saturday unless otherwise noted. Discussion of the weekly portion is lively, informed and well- researched, Participants express a wide range of interpretations of the central text of our faith.

Shabbat Services Tanakh Study Friday, December 4 Saturday, December 5 ַו ִיּ ְשׁ ַלח Candle Lighting 4:41 pm Vayishlach Shabbat Services 7:00 pm Tanakh Study Friday, December 11 Saturday, December 12 וַיֵּשֶׁ ב Candle Lighting 4:41 pm Vayeshev Shabbat Services 7:00 pm Tanakh Study Friday, December 18 Saturday, December 19 מִ קֵּץ Candle Lighting 4:43 pm Miketz Shabbat Services 7:00 pm Tanakh Study Friday, December 25 Saturday, December 26 ַו ִיּ ַגּשׁ Candle Lighting 4:47 pm Vayigash Shabbat Services 7:00 pm Tanakh Study

Shabbat Services and Tanakh Study will be held using Zoom. Please look for the invitation to join the group and participate virtually.

All Shabbat Service and Tanakh Study dates And God blessed the seventh day and called it holy. subject to change. Details will be sent by e-Blast Genesis 2:3 and email as information becomes available. Congregational Happenings December 2020

Zoom Learning with Rabbi Goldstein

Please be sure to check the EBlast or the Temple Bulletin for all listings, including our Shabbat Celebrations, our Tanakh Studies, our Wednesday Holocaust Studies, and our Thursday Jewish Spirituality Class. There will no longer be a second reminder every week. Shabbat Celebration Every Friday night at 07:00 PM Every week beginning on Friday night until May 28, 2021 Shabbat Zoom Celebration begins every week at 7:00 https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81040937629?pwd=YUgxOUkrdm1RWTIyV2xzaUNHVkNvZz09

Meeting ID: 810 4093 7629 Passcode: 812819 Tanakh Studies 09:30 AM Every week on Saturday until May 22, 2021 Join Our Tanakh Studies by Zoom https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83700578837?pwd=VEJjdEdBeHBWQmZLNG8zV0lCemFXUT09 Meeting ID: 837 0057 8837 Passcode: 275594

Holocaust Studies by Zoom 06:30 PM Join Our Holocaust Studies Program https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84198454644?pwd=ZVBwb2p2eW9nRmwwMEtaMThUYXZwUT09 Meeting ID: 841 9845 4644 Passcode: 231202 Jewish Spirituality 02:00 PM Every week on Thu, until Apr 29, 2021 Join our Jewish Spirituality discussion, based on Rabbi Lawrence Kushner's book: God Was in this Place, and I, I Didn't Know it. https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86414178861?pwd=b1lLK3RvOUJWZi9qTG50c1ZuUGUyQT09

Meeting ID: 864 1417 8861 Passcode: 608129 Chanukah

The Festival of Lights December 10 - 18, 2020

CHANUKAH'S ORIGINS

Chanukah, one of the most widely observed Jewish holidays, is a festive eight-day celebration that for many people falls during the darkest, coldest season of the year. Also called the Festival of Lights, the holiday brings light, joy, and warmth to our homes and communities as we celebrate with candles, food, family, and friends. Light comes literally, with the lighting of an additional candle each day, and metaphorically, through a newer emphasis on charitable donations and a commitment to tikkun olam during the holiday. Hanukkah (alternately spelled Chanukah), meaning "dedication" in Hebrew, commemorates the victory of a small group of Jewish rebels (led by Judah Maccabee and his brothers, collectively known as “the Maccabees”) over the armies of Syria in 165 B.C.E. and the subsequent liberation and "rededication" of the Temple in Jerusalem. Modern celebrations of Hanukkah focus on family and friends and include the lighting of the Hanukkah menorah (also called a hanukkiyah); singing and playing special songs and games (dreidel); and eating foods prepared in oil including latkes, sufganiyot, bimuelos (fried dough puffs) and keftes de prasas (leek patties).

HISTORY

Although according to Jewish custom Hanukkah is considered a “minor” Jewish festival, today it ranks—along with Passover and Purim—as one of the most beloved Jewish holidays, full of light and joy and family celebration.

Unlike many Jewish holidays, Hanukkah (also known as the Festival of Lights) is not mentioned in the Bible. The historical events upon which the celebration is based are recorded in Maccabees I and II, two books contained within a later collection of writings known as the Apocrypha.

In the year 168 B.C.E., the Syrian king Antiochus Epiphanes sent his soldiers to Jerusalem. The Syrians desecrated the Temple, the holiest place for Jews at that time. Antiochus also abolished Judaism, outlawing the observance of Shabbat and the Festivals, as well as circumcision. Altars and idols were set up for the worship of Greek gods, and he offered Jews two options: conversion or death.

On the 25th day of the Hebrew month of Kislev in 168 B.C.E., the Temple was renamed for the Greek god Zeus. A Jewish resistance movement – led by a priestly family known as the Hasmoneans, or Maccabees – developed against the cruelty of Antiochus. The head of the family was Mattathias, an elderly man. His son, Judah, became the chief strategist and military leader of the resistance. Though outnumbered, Judah Maccabee and his fighters miraculously won two major battles, routing the Syrians decisively.

Although historians debate the causes and outcomes of the war in which Judah Maccabee and his followers defeated the Syrian armies of Antiochus, there is no doubt that Hanukkah evokes stirring images of Jewish valor against overwhelming odds. Other themes of the holiday include the refusal to submit to the religious demands of an empire practicing idolatry, the struggle against total assimilation into Greek culture and loss of Jewish identity, and the fight for Jewish political autonomy and self-determination.

Hanukkah, which means “dedication,” is the festival that commemorates the purification and rededication of the Temple following the Greek occupation of that holy place. Today, the holiday reminds Jews to rededicate themselves to keeping alive the flame of Jewish religion, culture, and peoplehood so that it may be passed on to the next generation.

THE MIRACLE OF THE OIL

Originally, the eight-day holiday was intended to parallel the eight-day festival of Sukkot. The Books of the Maccabees made no mention of the legend concerning a small jar of oil that unexpectedly lasted for eight days. Only centuries after the Maccabees’ defeat of the Syrians did the story of the jar of oil – which has come to be associated with Hanukkah – appear in the Talmud. Chanukah

The Festival of Lights December 10 - 18, 2020

Continued from Page 5

According to the legend, when the Maccabees entered the Temple and began to reclaim it from the Greeks, they immediately relit the ner tamid, which burned constantly in the Temple and has a parallel in our synagogues to this day. In the Temple, they found a single jar of oil, which was sufficient for only one day. The messenger who was sent to secure additional oil took eight days to complete his mission, and miraculously, the single jar of oil continued to burn until his return. The rabbis of the Talmud attributed the eight days of Hanukkah to the miracle of this single jar of oil.

MODERN OBSERVANCE

Although the practice of lighting the menorah (also called a hanukkiyah) was common throughout much of the 19th century, North American Jews tended to neglect most of the other traditions and practices associated with the holiday. By the 1920s, however, Jews increasingly added gift-giving to their Hanukkah celebrations, prompting some people to refer to Hanukkah as the "Jewish Christmas."

In some ways, the transformation of Hanukkah was linked to the growth of North American Jewry within its unique environment. The elevation of Hanukkah to a major holiday was partly the result of Jews acculturating themselves to a North America that was overwhelmingly Christian in population and symbols.

Although Hanukkah had become an important holiday among North American Jews by the 1920s, it would be incorrect to regard it as an imitation of Christmas with an emphasis on the exchange of presents. Rather, North American Jews use this holiday as a celebration of family, reinforcing Jewish identity in a place whose population may be overwhelmingly Christian but in which Jews feel at home. Hanukkah, therefore, is a means for North American Jews to feel a kinship with their neighbors, while simultaneously asserting their Jewish distinctiveness. Even in our restricted Covid world, some things remain the same. You can still make the 8th Night of Chanukah very special this year for a child in America.

Each 8th Night of Chanukah $36 donation you make to NACOEJ will help fund our Limudiah classes, giving Ethiopian-Israeli children the gift of education.

And a child in America will receive a beautiful personalized certificate via email before the 8th night of Chanukah.

Click here or on the "HONOR SOMEONE" button below. Even though we cannot be with each other in person as before, your 8th Night of Chanukah gift will make Chanukah meaningful for children here and in Israel.

HONOR SOMEONE

Happy Chanukah to you and yours.

Thank you and stay healthy! Let's join together on Saturday, December 12th at 8pm ET for Saturday Night Live: A Canadian Reform Community Hanukkah Experience! The online program will include an evening of music, stories, learning and candle lighting.

Donate to the program here: https://donate.ccrj.ca/give/310140/?fbclid=IwAR1kfeh8cI… Highlights of Chanukah Activities For Your Information December 2020

An Extraordinary Beth El Hanukkah

Let's start pre-Hanukkah, Hanukkah off right! Join us on Sunday, Dec 6th at Congregation Beth El from 12:00 pm to 1:30 pm! Grab a hot chocolate, coffee and Sufganyiot! Pick up some Hanukkah candles, a dreidel or some gelt. Religious school parents pick up your child's Hanukkah bag, guaranteed fun! We even have locally designed Hanukkah/Jewish themed face masks! You read it right. They are $5.00 each. There will be music and decorations to get ready for the 1st candle! Bring yourself, family or a gentle pet!

While you're here… Order LATKES! We will be selling fresh, ready to eat LATKES Thursday, Dec 10th. Pick up between 4:00 pm and 5:30 pm at Congregation Beth El. They are $10.00 a dozen or $6.00 per half dozen. Please place your order by calling the Temple at 519-969-2422 or email [email protected] by Monday, Dec 7th. Just remember to have sour cream and applesauce on hand! What’s Next Join us each night of Hanukkah at 6:00pm to light our Menorah's! Starting December 10th! Share a story about a special Menorah in your life. Watch for ZOOM information coming soon. Let’s make this year's Festival of Lights, bright and warm, for the miracle it is.

This year's Chanukah Celebration is going to be bigger and better. 2 events for you and your family. Highlights of Chanukah Activities For Your Information December 2020

JNF REGIONAL ONTARIO Join us for a special CHANUKAH VIRTUAL TOUR IN THE WESTERN WALL TUNNELS with JNF’s National Education Emissary, Yifat Bear Miller Tuesday, December 15th, 2020 at 6:30 pm

A Virtual Tour of the Western Wall Tunnels – a LIVE 360 tour. Together we will dive into the belly of the earth to the Old City of Jerusalem’s hidden treasures. The Western Wall Heritage Foundation is proud to present The Western Wall Tunnels LIVE 360 tour in the comfort of your home.

For more information, please contact Sarah Shklov: JNF Windsor [email protected] to register for this event.

Congregational Happenings December 2020

The practice of hand washing dates all the way back to the time of the First Temple period when the Israelites made special offerings on Shabbat. In order to make these offerings, they needed to cleanse their hands with fresh water then raise up their hands and recite a blessing before eating.

Washing Hands

After Kiddush and before the meal, each person in the household should wash hands by filling a cup with water and pouring it over the top and bottom of the right hand and then the left hand. Some say that it is to be done three times. Before wiping the hands dry on a towel, the following blessing should be recited: Congregational Happenings For Your Information December 2020

Office Closures in December The building is closed until further notice, based on the local and provincial guidelines. You will be Thursday December 24, 2020 notified of the opening in the eblast and the Friday, December 25, 2020 bulletin and after the building has been sanitized. And Friday, January 1, 2021 Maccabi Update The Maccabi Sports Club is encouraging all former and potential Office hours athletes and artists to continue training throughout this pandemic. Open Mon-Fri. 9-12 Hopefully we will be competing again in the near future. By appointment in the afternoon We wish to thank Breakaway Gaming Centre for the funds they have provided to keep our programs going. I hope everyone stays safe and we will get through this together.

Board of Directors Meeting

7:00 pm

Our Anniversary Tree will soon be installed in the social December 22

hall. Leaves are available for purchase and can be by Zoom inscribed for many occasions – celebrating family simchas, to remember a loved one or adding a permanent dedication to this milestone in our congregation’s history

Please remember that outstanding balances need to be paid by December 31 for a 2020 Tax Receipt. “And you Shall Teach Them Diligently To Your Children” Religious School News ושננהם לבניף ודברה בם

A NEW Spin on an OLD Dreidel

In 175 BCE, King Antiochus Epiphanes took control of the area including present-day Syria, Lebanon and Israel and instituted harsh decrees against Jewish life. Under his rule, Jews were forbidden from keeping core beliefs such as: Shabbat, Holy Days, and studying the Torah. Getting caught keeping these core aspects of the Jewish faith would lead to death. Even children knew the importance of maintaining their faith in spite of the decree of the Greeks. In comes the dreidel or spinning top. If the children saw the Greek soldiers approaching to raid these secret schools, they quickly took out their spinning tops and some coins and explained that they were just playing a game of gambling. These children were not willing to gamble away their heritage and faith. In commemoration, we still play with the dreidel on Chanukah. On the surface, the dreidel's four Hebrew letters - nun, gimmel, hey and shin ("nes gadol haya sham") stands for "a great miracle happened there". On a deeper level, rabbinic mystics point to a symbolic way of looking at the dreidel's Hebrew letters as representing the divine in every human being: NUN means Nefesh, Hebrew for “soul”; GIMEL means Guf, Hebrew for “body”; SHIN is Sechel, “Hebrew for “mind”; and HEY stands for "Hakol", which means “entire” in Hebrew. You need all three elements - mind, body and soul to make up the entire person. This has become extremely significant in our lives today. Dr. Deepak Chopra describes it best in his article “The Coronavirus and the Need for Spiritual Well-being”. There are three levels of response to the COVID-19 outbreak: how it affects us physically, mentally and spiritually. The physical response came first, and by now everyone knows about self-isolation, social distancing and testing. The second effect, on our psyches, is being experienced personally but with only fitful answers and advice. But it is the third area, the spiritual effect of the outbreak, that is being neglected, even though the presence of death, whether we want it to or not, evokes concern about the state of our souls. Spiritual well-being is alien to many people’s daily lives, and with the decline of organized religion, millions of people experience a sick soul, however you want to define it — weariness of heart, existential dread, a sinking feeling that nothing really matters — without finding a way out. Dr. Chopra provided suggestions on how one can improve the state of their soul: · Having a sense of meaning and purpose. · Self-esteem, a sense of your own worth. · Tapping into inner peace and joy. · Being of service to others. · Generosity of spirit. We don’t just need mind. We don’t just need body. We don’t just need soul. We need all three in perfect harmony which brings us to the fourth letter – HEY or "hakol". This Chanukah, as we light the candles, spin the dreidel, and eat oil fried treats, let's sit with our children and talk about the miracles we've experienced in the last several months - our health, happiness, and the hearts of our loved ones around us so that we can heal our souls and bring harmony to our entire selves and our entire community - our "hakol". Chag Chanukah Sameach!

Mazel Tov and Best Wishes Mishpacha-Our Congregational Family December 2020

To those celebrating anniversaries in December

12 Cheryl & Michael Blacher To those celebrating birthdays in December To Phil and Brenda Cohen 14 Dr. Gerald & Andrea Silverman on the occasion of their 20 Barrie & Maureen Rubin 50th Wedding Anniversary 1 Sally Goldhar 24 Larry & Judith Polsky 1 Dr. Elise Milrod 26 Bill & Rochelle Tepperman

6 Freya Zaltz 28 Peter & Fern Miller 6 Asaf Klein 30 Sam & Mary Zaltz 13 Boris Zaltsman

16 Brett Malowitz Good Health Wishes - 17 Marley Pazner Refu’ah Sheleimah 20 Jordana Strosberg

21 Maria Belenkova Dorothy Buckhalter Hannah Levin Suzanne Selby Tony Lee Mildred Silver Cindy Jeris 22 Bill Tepperman Ed Levitt Pat Routliffe Valerie Horner Nel Chelsky Mark Vruble 25 Maxwell Abraham Nina Zlotnik Annette Teich Rona Paquette Dr. Milton Cohen 27 Jaclyn Zaltz Sidney Chelsky Jackie Farrell Miriam Schnayer Avigail Sarah Bat Devorah 30 Marni Lyons Louise Ziff Wayne Katz Robin Martin Duttman Marilyn Guss

Brenda Kay Avraham Labe Morton Kaplan Peter Winagar Kenneth Karp Marla Rivard Samantha Lock Sheldon Indig Richard McGuinty Jenna Whisitt

Thank you to all our members who contribute to our many funds. A gift of $18 to the Temple is a very meaningful way to congratulate a friend or family member on happy occasions or to express get wells or condolences. Please remember Beth El with your donations. All donations are eligible for a tax receipt.

If you wish to have your birthday or a family member's birthday or your anniversary listed in the bulletin, please contact the Beth El office at 519-969-2422.. To ensure that you receive your bulletin, please call us if you have a change of address or if you wish to receive your bulletin by e-mail.

Yahrzeits May their memories always be for a blessing December 2020 Zichronam L’vracha - We remember זייל

To be read December 4 To be read December 18-continued To be read January 1, 2021 1 Diane Botton 14 Robert M. Rosen 31 Freda Joffe 2 Melita Silverman 14 Harry Hoffman 31 Joseph Tencer 3 Aaron Katzman 15 Hyman Lasky 3 Jenny Shklov 15 Dr. Harvey Atin 4 Lucille Askin 16 Helen Halpert 4 Sarah Rubenstein 17 Eva Selby 4 Harold Bush 17 Jahiel Papo 4 Lilian Gold 17 Sam Goren 18 David Rosenthal To be read December 11 18 I.B. (Butch) Meretsky 5 Mabel Burstyn 18 Stuart Orman 5 Catherine Remsing 5 Sante Levine To be read December 25 5 Fanny Shanbaum 19 Esther Sperber 6 Eva Sionov 20 Hy Muroff 8 Marvin Katzman 21 Maria Beliakina (Pevzner) 9 Irwin Fisher 21 Ephriam Frank Lyons 9 Gertrude Rudover 21 Simon Schnayer 10 David Lesansky 22 Harry Gollan 10 Faye Hechtman 22 Nathan Rotman 10 Sophy Levine 23 Norman Lesansky 24 Priska Linges To be read December 18 25 Robin Zlotnik 12 Esther Cheifetz 12 Manya Shklov To be read January 1, 2021 13 Ann Nosanchuk 26 Audrey Blacher 13 Dr. Lee Brown 26 Dr. Morton Hochman 13 Bertha Fishman 26 Doreen Silver Bricker 13 Isaac Alexis 27 Jane Freed 13 Jack Chelsky 27 Joseph M. Cohen 13 Dorothy Hume 27 Emerson Cole 29 Melvin Rosenberg 29 Robert Rosenberg

In Memoriam Condolences are extended

To Diana Orman and the entire Orman & Freed families on the loss of

their beloved husband, father, and grandfather Alan R. Orman.

For Your Information The Beth El Cemetery Zichronam L’vracha - We remember זייל

It is never an easy topic to discuss, but at some point we are all touched by the death of loved ones. For some of us this is the first time we need to make decisions, and many people have questions to ask, so here are the answers to a few of the most common ones.

Where is the Congregation Beth El Cemetery?

The Congregation Beth El Cemetery is located to the south of the Congregation Shaar Hashamayim cemetery at 2720 Pilette Rd.

The cemetery land was originally part of the Shaar Hashomayim Cemetery property, but was eventually severed so that Congregation Beth El has its own cemetery.

Who can be buried in our cemetery?

Anyone of the Jewish faith can be buried in our cemetery whether Jewish from birth, or someone who has gone through an Orthodox, Conservative or Reform conversion.

Do you have to be a member to be buried in our cemetery?

No, you do not. However, the cost for plots is considerably less for members. There is a minimum time you must be a member of the congregation before you are allowed to purchase a plot at a reduced rate.

Can cremated remains be buried in our cemetery?

No, our cemetery does not allow the burial of cremated remains.

When a plot is purchased, what happens to the money?

By the laws of the Province of Ontario, 40% of the sale of each plot must be kept in a trust fund for the upkeep of the cemetery. Only the interest earned on this trust money can be used for cemetery maintenance expenses.

What if that interest is not enough to cover the maintenance costs?

At this point, the general funds of the congregation must be used to subsidize any shortfall.

What are the annual maintenance expenses?

The most obvious is groundskeeping – regular lawn cutting and trimming around headstones.

We pay a monthly fee for water service in the summer (just a tap – there is no sprinkler system).

New graves also require leveling and seeding. But annually we also have to spend money trimming trees, having weeds pulled, and other minor maintenance like the upkeep of the walkways.

What are future plans for our cemetery?

As more graves are occupied we are expanding to the back (east) and at some point will need to extend the walkway. The fence should also be replaced before too many more years. A suggestion has been made that the rows be marked so it would be easier to look for a headstone, and that we photograph and put those photos online for genealogy purposes. To make these project possible we have started a Cemetery Improvement Fund to which donations can be made.

Who makes decisions about the cemetery?

There is a volunteer committee of congregants who meets a few times per year. They then make recommendations to the Board of Directors. Currently Anne B. Winograd is the Chairperson of this committee, and we are looking for a few more interested congregants to help out!. Please call the office if you would be interested in helping on this very important committee. Thank you to those who have given generously to Congregation Contributions Beth El this month. Gifts are a wonderful way to celebrate a birthday, an anniversary, the arrival of a child, or to remember the life of someone who has passed away. Your donations to צ ד ק ה December 2020 these Temple funds are greatly appreciated.

George & Rosanne Agree Endowment Fund

In memory of Bonnie Kowal, beloved sister of Brenda Kovinsky by: Marcey & Fred Katzman. Arthur & Brian Barat Memorial Fund

In memory of Judge Carl Zalev, beloved husband of Vicky Zalev by: Nancy Barat.

In memory of Alan Orman, beloved husband of Diana Orman by: Nancy Barat. The Building Maintenance Fund

Mazal tov to Brenda & Philip Cohen on their 50th Wedding Anniversary by: Michael & Penny Lander. The Friendship Circle Fund

In memory of Sid Walman by: Stu & Sue Selby. Cheifetz Family Memorial Fund

In memory of Alan Orman, beloved husband of Diana Orman by: Selma Cheifetz & family. Joseph M. & Florence Cohen Endowment Fund

In memory of Alan Orman, beloved husband of Diana Orman by: Jim & Betty Cohen. Sam & Jane Freed Memorial Fund

In memory of Alan Orman, beloved husband of Diana Orman by: Cheryl & Michael Blacher; Bill & Rochelle Tepperman; Michael & Sandi Malowitz; Nels Katzman; Anne B. Winograd; Lawrence Pazner & Jori Rosenberg & family. Ted Hochberg Memorial Fund

In memory of Alan Orman, beloved husband of Diana Orman by: Sharon Hochberg. Larry Kaiman Memorial Fund

Honouring Yale Levin on his 80th birthday by: Enid & Fred Schatz.

In memory of Larry, beloved brother of Sylvia Pawer by: Enid & Fred Schatz.

Thank you to those who have given generously to Congregation Contributions Beth El this month. Gifts are a wonderful way to celebrate a birthday, an anniversary, the arrival of a child, or to remember the life of someone who has passed away. Your donations to צ ד ק ה December 2020 these Temple funds are greatly appreciated.

Aaron & Fran Katzman Endowment Fund In memory of Sheldon Reinsilber by: Fred & Marcey Katzman. Mazal tov to Enid & Fred Schatz on the bar mitzvah of their grandson by: Fred & Marcey Katzman. In memory of Alan Orman, beloved husband of Diana Orman by: Fred & Marcey Katzman.

Religious School Fund Honouring Brody Bain on the occasion of his bar mitzvah by: Dr. Ron & Joanne Polsky. In memory of Alan Orman, beloved husband of Diana Orman by: Andrew & Tina Tepperman; The Lesansky Family. In memory of Judge Carl Zalev, beloved husband of Vicky Zalev by: Andrew & Tina Tepperman. Good health wishes to Lorna Shulman by: The Lesansky Family.

Harold Taub Scholastic Memorial Fund In memory of Alan Orman, beloved husband of Diana Orman by: Paula Taub. In memory of Judge Carl Zalev, beloved husband of Vicky Zalev by: Paula Taub.

Dorothy & Max Weingarden Endowment Fund In memory of Alan Orman, beloved husband of Diana Orman by: Art & Madie Weingarden.

"It is a tree of life to all who grasp it, and whoever holds on to it is happy; its ways are ways of pleasantness, and all it paths are peace." (Proverbs 3:17-18)

Jacob] Sent Genesis 32:4-36:43 December 5, 2020] ַו ִיּ ְשׁ ַלח Vayishlach

Jacob prepares to meet Esau. He wrestles with a "man," who changes Jacob's name to Israel. (32:4-33) Jacob and Esau meet and part peacefully, each going his separate way. (33:1-17) Dinah is raped by Shechem, the son of Hamor the Hivite, who was chief of the country. Jacob's sons Simeon and Levi take revenge by murdering all the males of Shechem, and Jacob's other sons join them in plundering the city. (34:1-31) Rachel dies giving birth to Benjamin and is buried in Ephrah, which is present-day Bethlehem. (35:16-21) Isaac dies and is buried in Hebron. Jacob's and Esau's progeny are listed. (35:22-36:43)

Jacob] Settled Genesis 37:1-40:23, December 2, 2020] וַיֵּשֶׁ ב Vayeishev

Jacob is shown to favor his son Joseph, whom the other brothers resent. Joseph has dreams of grandeur. (Genesis 37:1-11) After Joseph's brothers had gone to tend the flocks in Shechem, Jacob sends Joseph to report on them. The brothers decide against murdering Joseph but instead sell him into slavery. After he is shown Joseph's coat of many colors, which had been dipped in the blood of a kid, Jacob is led to believe that Joseph has been killed by a beast. (Genesis 37:12-35) Tamar successively marries two of Judah's sons, each of whom dies. Judah does not permit her levirate marriage to his youngest son. She deceives Judah into impregnating her. (Genesis 38:1-30) God is with Joseph in Egypt until the wife of his master, Potiphar, accuses him of rape, whereupon Joseph is imprisoned. (Genesis 39:1-40:23)

After [Two Years] Genesis 41:1-44:17 December 19, 2020 מִ קֵּץ Mikeitz

Joseph interprets Pharaoh's two dreams and predicts seven years of prosperity followed by seven years of famine. (41:1-32) Pharaoh places Joseph in charge of food collection and distribution. (41:37-49) Joseph marries Asenath, and they have two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim. (41:50-52) When Joseph's brothers come to Egypt to buy food during the famine, Joseph accuses them of spying. He holds Simeon hostage while the rest of the brothers return to Canaan to retrieve Benjamin for him. (42:3-42:38) The brothers return to Egypt with Benjamin and for more food. Joseph continues the test, this time falsely accusing Benjamin of stealing and declaring that Benjamin must remain his slave. (43:1-44:17)

And [Judah] Approached [Joseph] Genesis 44:18-47:27 December 26, 2020 ַו ִיּ ַגּשׁ Vayigash

Judah pleads with Joseph to free Benjamin and offers himself as a replacement. (44:18-34) Joseph reveals himself to his brothers and forgives them for selling him into slavery. (45:1-15) Although the famine still rages, Pharaoh invites Joseph's family to "live off the fat of the land." (45:16-24) Jacob learns that Joseph is still alive and, with God's blessing, goes to Egypt. (45:25-46:33) Pharaoh permits Joseph's family to settle in Goshen. Pharaoh then meets with Jacob. (47:1-12) With the famine increasing, Joseph designs a plan for the Egyptians to trade their livestock and land for food. The Israelites thrive in Egypt. (47:13-27) Events and Announcements For Your Information

YOUR CONGREGATIONAL RABBI- Rabbi Lynn Goldstein is available for all congregants for all life cycle events, including funerals and unveilings. She will also visit those in hospital, nursing homes or homebound. She is also available if you are struggling with an issue, if you would like to talk or if you would just like to say “hi”. If you know of someone who would appreciate a visit; or would like more information, please call or email the Temple office.

SIMCHAS- Please notify the office by the 15th of each month, if you wish to have a special event in your life (simchas, life-cycle events, etc.) published in your bulletin.

STONE DEDICATIONS & UNVEILINGS- Rabbi Goldstein is available to perform Unveilings and Stone Dedications. Please contact her to make arrangements. We kindly request that you advise the Beth El office of any Unveiling dates to be announced in the Beth El bulletin (please advise us if you wish the unveiling to be private and unpublished). The office will contact the Cemetery Caretaker to make the necessary preparations at the Cemetery before the unveiling.

SPECIAL NOTICE- When scheduling a simcha, a Bar/Bat Mitzvah, Wedding, or Kiddush, please schedule your date first with the Rabbi, and then, after talking with the Rabbi, please confirm arrangements with the Beth El office. When holding such events please advise the office of catering details, deliveries, set-up of tables, number of guests expected, etc. so that we may avoid any misunderstandings and your event will be a pleasant one for all. Thank you for your consideration.

SUPPORTING CONGREGATION BETH EL- A donation to Beth El is a wonderful way to congratulate friends and family on simchas, as well as a thoughtful and meaningful way to extend condolences. A contribution card will be mailed to the recipient (minimum donation $18). You can phone the office at 969-2422 or the office can take your requests for donations on-line (or any other request, such as names to be included on our Mi Sheberach list, yahrzeits to be read, reservations for events) through our email address: [email protected].

NOTICE- We would like to recognize the achievements of all our members, from our youngest children to our seniors. Whatever your achievement, we would like to send a hearty mazal tov to you in the Bulletin so everyone will know of your efforts! If you have a simcha, please call and provide us with details! Thank you for your cooperation. BAR/BAT MITZVAH- Please contact the Rabbi to set a date for your family's simcha (joyous event) a year in advance. After the Rabbi and family set the date, please notify the office so your special event will be on the community calendar as well as our Temple calendar. CANNABIS POLICY- As our Members will be aware, the recreational use of Cannabis has been legalized by the Provincial Government as of October 17th, 2018. The Board of Directors considered the impact of this new legislation at their Board Meeting convened October 16th, 2018. At that time, the Board agreed that not only would the recreational use of Cannabis on Beth El property not be in keeping with the family values that Beth El aspires to, but the recreational use of Cannabis in public places is still prohibited, despite the new legislation. The Board accordingly unanimously agreed to prohibit the use of Cannabis on Beth El property, at all times. The Board asks that Members and their guests respect this decision and adhere to it fully.

CEMETERY NOTICE LET US KNOW WHO IS IN THE HOSPITAL

The Beth El Cemetery gates are open on Privacy laws do not permit the hospital to call and advise Beth El when Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday from 8:00 our congregants are hospitalized. a.m. - 5:00 p.m., with the exception of Jewish Holidays. Please Note: even though Please remember that we cannot identify Jewish patients in the hospital the gates are open on the days and hours unless our Rabbi is notified they are there! Rabbi Goldstein very much stated above, you will notice that there are chains wrapped around wants to visit with any of our members who are hospitalized or the gates and they appear to be locked. In the past few years, due to homebound. Please call her and let her know. If you are calling during youths in the area gathering at the cemetery on occasion, the care- business hours, please call the Temple. In an after-hours emergency, taker had closed the gates with a chain to make it appear they were please call our Rabbi on her cell phone at 314-591-8559. locked. Unfortunately at times this chain and lock were difficult to remove by our members, and has now been removed on the above Bikkur Cholim or “Visiting the sick, is a very important Jewish value. In mentioned days when the cemetery will be open. addition to the calls and visits to your ill family and friends, you can help our rabbi to perform this mitzvah too. Call the Rabbi Goldstein so that she can help perform this mitzvah. Jewish Book Club Sponsored by Congregation Beth El

Goodbye for a while

This is the ninth month since Covid19 changed all our lives and put an end to personal meetings, whether worship services, boards of directors – or our Beth El Book Club. We don’t know when it will be possible for us to meet again, or if we will ever resume this group which has been meeting since its founding inspired by the Synagogue 2000 initiative. I have been acting as the group’s facilitator for a long time now, and it has been my privilege and pleasure to take on that task. But until the future is more certain, I am not going to continue to create a Book Club page for the monthly Bulletin; we will see what will become of us in the future. This last page, at least for a while, is about Our Town Atheist by Victoria Buck, a book I found searching randomly on the Cloud Library for something with a Jewish element, easy to read, and whose title attracted me. It turned out to be “Christian fiction” and it was easy to read, but in a genre I had never chosen to read. It surprised me in that the author, a committed Christian herself, was as open to her atheist Jewish protagonist as she was, and kept me reading to see how she portrayed her Jewish hero. Someone else’s précis of the plot reads: “the story of a small, Southern town banker, who turns into a hero when a robber threatens the people in his bank, but his “secret” of being an atheist is revealed. He is one of the most likeable, moral people around …Adam Bender, a man brought up by a Jewish father and a Christian mother left faith of any kind behind when he became an adult. Yet, he seems drawn to religious people. He was happy with his life until he thinks he has seen a ghost wearing a pork pie hat at a major automobile accident. His permission for a writer to interview him ended with a column called, “What the Atheist Saw,” that should’ve satisfied even the most curious citizens of the small town… The town preacher’s position [on all beliefs] is that ‘People are going to believe what they want, even if they have to deny the evidence.’” While the author is open to all forms of belief and unbelief, and Adam is a thoroughly positive character, his father, a noted university professor in Atlanta, is Orthodox and brilliant but cold and closed, which I could only see as an embodiment of the common Christian characterization of Judaism as “a religion of law” as against Christianity as “a religion of love.” And, of course, the unexplained vision at the auto crash is pushing a supernatural element into an otherwise explainable universe. The people of the town are benign and neighbourly beyond belief, but comforting to read about in these difficult days. Just like the dozens of Jewish books we have read these past 20 years because a fellow-reader recommended it, this book was a choice I made because I have become more open to a wider interpretation of “a book of Jewish meaning” – and while I am glad I read it, I am not recommending it to anyone unless you are curious about Christian fiction. Congregational Happenings For Your Information December 2020 חֲבּורָ ה Community Events December 2020 Save the date, attend the event and support your community

Due to the Coronavirus Covid- Cineplex Odeon Theaters 19 outbreak, the The 18th Annual Windsor Jewish Devonshire Mall Ruth & Bernard Film Festival has Enjoy the films and Friedman been tentatively rescheduled for become a 2021 sponsor to Windsor Jewish Spring 2021. support our 18th (chai) year! Film Festival

For a Vibrant Jewish Windsor Today and Tomorrow...

Even with the WJCC closed and events cancelled in 2020... we are proud to say that new community outreach initiatives & creative new programs have been developed!

Now, as we re-open and find our new normal, the need for your support continues - and is perhaps greater than ever!

Your 2020 UJA donation will ensure that we are able to continue running quality Jewish programs and activities.

This is an investment in our future and the continued stability of the community.

If you have not received your UJA information for 2020, please visit www.jewishwindsor.org or call 519-966- 5522 and speak to Sandi or Mike Malowitz for further information. We look forward to speaking with you. חֲבּורָ ה Community Events December 2020 Save the date, attend the event and support your community

2020-2021 Board of Directors Congregation Beth El Special Fund List

Executive Rabbinic Chair George and Rosanne Agree Endowment President Karen Rosen Arthur and Brian Barat Memorial

Vice President Julie Tepperman Building

Vice President Camp George Scholarship Cemetery Improvement Secretary Dr. Michael H. Malowitz Cheifetz Family Memorial Treasurer Charles and Ethel Cohen Endowment

Past-President Lawrence Pazner Joseph M. and Florence Cohen Endowment Sam M. and Celia Cohen Scholastic Endowment Faye, Morris and Harvey Duke Memorial Directors Saul and Marion Fainstein Memorial Aron Fink Endowment Dr. Zoia Sherman Jane and Sam Freed Memorial

Friendship Circle

Golden Book Maurice and Esther Goldstein Endowment Hochberg/Kaplan Memorial Ted Hochberg Memorial Trustees Ethel and Harry Hoffman Memorial Cantor Sidney Resnick Memorial Music Michael Blacher Stephen Lutvak Larry Kaiman Memorial Audrey Bondy Dr. Michael H. Malowitz Fran and Aaron Katzman Endowment William Botton Dr. Reuben Schnayer Ronald Meretsky Memorial Rabbi Dr. Jonathan V. Plaut Memorial Brenda S. Cohen Paula M. Taub Rabbi W. Gunther and Elizabeth S. Plaut Memorial Carl S. Cohen, Q.C., LL.D. Al Teshuba Rabbi’s Discretionary James L. Cohen Arthur B. Weingarden Religious School William Goldstein Harry and Dora Rosen Memorial

Marc S. Katzman Joani Rosenthal Nursery School William Silver and Doreen Silver-Bricker Memorial

Social Action Projects Harold Taub Scholastic Memorial What better way to celebrate, honor, or remember loved ones, Dorothy T. & Max Weingarden Endowment special occasions or friends through a generous tax-deductible Joyce Weingarden Memorial donation. Minimum donation is $18. Golden Book and Mitzvah Fund Yahrzeit donations are $36.00. New prayer books are now available for plating with the cost remaining $54.00. Thank you for making a culture of giving to Congregation Beth El an integral part of your Jewish life.

Tree of Life

Inscribe your family “Simchas” on our synagogue’s Tree of Life. An inscription is a permanent dedication to the happy meaningful events that touch our lives. Leaf inscriptions are $150.00 and stone inscriptions are $1000.00 Please call the Beth El office to order Golden Book

The Golden Book in the Beth El lobby may be inscribed for Simchas for any occasion for a donation of $36.00.

Memorial Plaques

To honour your loved ones who have passed away, a memorial plaque shows a genuine sign of religious feeling. It bears the individual’s name with the Hebrew and secular dates of death. A contribution of $450.00 to the Temple secures this memorial inscription. Please call the Beth El office 519-969-2422 to order.