July-August 2008 Tamuz – Av 5768 Vol

A New Haven Tradition since 1892 July-August 2008 Tamuz – Av 5768 Vol. 14 Issue 7 bulletin

A Message From Rabbi Tilsen Tisha BeAv Page 16 Page 4

Oscar & Irma Hamburger Endowment Established

The Oscar & Irma Hamburger Memorial Fund has been established by bequest of Irma Hamburger, of blessed memory. Irma Hamburger grew up in Butthard and in Karlsruhe, Germany, in the loving home of her parents Saly & Ida Hess, along with her dear sister Erna and her brother Lothar, both of blessed memory. She was a young woman when their parents died in 1933 and 1934. She left Germany early in the war and came to the United States. Irma met and married Oscar Hamburger, of Dudelsheim, in March 1945. Her in-laws died in the early 1950s. Her sister and brother-in-law, Erna & Freddy, died tragically in 1954. To her misfortune, Oscar died in 1963. Irma was a member of Temple Keser Oscar & Irma Hamburger Israel, now Congregation Beth El-Keser Israel wanted to insure that her bequest would receive professional (BEKI), for over 50 years. For Irma, synagogue membership management and strict accounting, and to insure that her was an important and essential expression of her Jewish tsedaqa would support the work of the Congregation in identity. She was a proud Jew, observing the dietary laws and perpetuity. lighting Shabbat and Hanuka candles. Irma was blessed with a clear, intelligent and active mind, She supported numerous charities. Every year she made until her final days. She had the unusual merit of living a point of contributing to support the needy at each of the independently for almost half a century, and was highly self- Jewish holidays. Her charitable giving in her estate was reliant. She was a strong woman, and through her charitable directed almost entirely to Jewish and Israeli organizations. work, in her own name and that of her husband Oscar, she has Mrs. Hamburger chose to establish an endowment at become a heroine of the Congregation. The Jewish Foundation of Greater New Haven because she BEKI Bulletin July-August 2008

BEKI Bulletin The newsletter is published monthly by Congregation Beth El-Keser Israel for the benefit of its members. Congregation Beth El-Keser Israel is affiliated with the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism. To contribute articles or for inquiries regarding membership: • Call the Synagogue office: (203) 389-2108 • Write: 85 Harrison Street, New Haven, CT 06515-1724 • Email: [email protected] • Visit our web page: www.beki.org For advertising information, call the synagogue office. Deadline for submission of ads or articles is the first of the month preceding publication. Annual subscription is $36 BEKI Bulletin © 2008 Congregation Beth El-Keser Israel. A Message from Rabbi Tilsen & Dear Rabbi © 2008 Jon-Jay Tilsen. All rights reserved.

Editor Rabbi Jon-Jay Tilsen Associate Editor Donna Levine Associate Editor Donna Kemper Associate Editor Herbert Winer Circulation Manager Saul Bell Photographer Charles Ludwig

The Shul in the News Lieberman Stands With Controversial Pastor by Ed Stannard, New Haven Register, May 29.

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2 BEKI Bulletin July-August 2008 Visit us at www.beki.org News

Tisha Be’Av

The fast day of Tisha Be’Av (“ninth sign of mourning, many refrain from day of the Hebrew month of Av”) will wearing leather shoes and ostentatious be observed on Saturday night, Aug. clothing, and do not enjoy music, in- 9 and Sunday, Aug. 10. The Shabbat timate physical relations or entertain- afternoon minha service is at its usual ment until Monday night. time, 5:45 to 6:30. The traditional Tisha Be’Av commemorates the de- Maariv service begins at 9 p.m. The struction of the first two Temples and passage Ata honantanu is included in other tragedies that have taken place the Amida, and borei meorei ha-eish is in our long history. The destruction of recited when the candles are lighted. the Temples represents the downfall of But the Havdala service is not recited the independent Jewish government, until Sunday night, and then only over the devastation of Jewish society and wine but not spices or a flame. tragic loss of life. On Tisha Be’Av in The Shaharit service on Sunday, 1290, King Edward I signed an edict Aug. 10 is from 9 a.m. to 10:20 a.m. expelling the Jews from England. The evening and morning services in- Likewise, the expulsion of Jews from clude the reading of the Biblical Book Spain occurred on that date in 1492. of Eikha (Lamentations). On Sunday The fast is the only full-day fast on the morning, according to the Ashkenazic tefillin are worn, with the recitation Hebrew calendar besides Yom Kippur. custom generally followed in our com- of their usual berakhot, and a brief Those with medical conditions that munity, tallit and tefillin are not worn Torah reading is chanted along with a require oral medications or eating are (although tallit qatan is worn). haftara. urged to consult their medical and rab- At the afternoon Minha service, The fast is observed from 7:58 p.m. binic authorities. from 5:45 to 6:30 on Sunday, tallit and Saturday until 8:43 p.m. Sunday. As a

Building Update: Coffee and Tea in Beit Ari Nathan Levine Gas Service On Line Midrash: Java Nagila or Children’s Library News During the summer, measures were Mika Mocha The following books have been pur- taken to enable our dual-fuel boiler to Coffee, tea and hot chocolate are chased through the Ari Nathan Levine burn natural gas as well as oil. This available daily in the Beit Midrash, Fund and are available on a non-lend- gas service will enable us to ensure an free for those attending daily services ing basis in the Children’s Room: uninterrupted supply of fuel, avoid- or classes ($1 donation suggested for • It’s Israel’s Birthday by Ellen ing the recurrence of out-of-oil cold coffee or hot chocolate). Please do Dietrick weekends experienced last winter. It not operate coffee machine during • Celebrating the Jewish Year: The will also allow us to choose the least services. Use your own mug or our Fall Holidays by Paul Steinberg expensive fuel available in coming paper cups. • Shuli and Me: From Slavery to years. During the past heating season Freedom by Joan Benjamin-Farren (2007-08), heating costs exceeded $28,000, compared to $18,000 the year before (2006-07).

Visit us at www.beki.org BEKI Bulletin July-August 2008 3 LifeCycle

HaNoledet BeMazal Tov Mazal tov to Sarah Grazier-Zerbar- ini on the birth of Theresa Grazier- Zerbarini in June, and to grandparents Linden Grazier and Rabbi Lina Zer- barini, and to aunts Liora and Yael. Mazal tov to Elisabeth Bar-On on the birth of Sivan Sarah in June, and to grandparents Howard & Willa Needler; in Haifa, Israel. Mazal tov to Aliza Kuperstock, daughter of Da- vid & Darryl Kuperstock, on graduat- Baby GIrl Bar-On ing from Clark University, and on her Vicki Lane, Mendota Heights, Minn. assume the position of secular educa- plan to move to Portland, Ore. 55118 in July. Mara will be assuming tion teacher at Krieger-Schechter Day Ezra Academy graduates Lital Avni- the position of Assistant Professor of School in Baltimore. Singer, Solomon Botwick-Ries, Emma Religion at St. Olaf College. Miryam Golub and Sasha Weitzman will assume the position of Director of Shayna Weinstein, daughter of Benei Mitzva in July the Minneapolis Jewish Film Festival. Andy & Paige Weinstein, on becoming and August They can be reached at their current a bat mitzva Rigel Janette, son of Nathan & Judi email and mobile phone numbers; as Jonathan Beller on accepting a posi- Janette, will lead and participate in of Sept. 1, Mara’s email address will tion with Ivy Insiders in New Haven, services as a bar mitzva on Shabbat, be [email protected]. teaching SAT prep courses in July and July 25-26, parashat Matot. Valerie & Alexander Thaler and August. Ivy Insiders sends college Kathryn “Kate” Shragis, daughter Sabrina are moving to Reisterstown, kids who did well on the SATs back to of William “Bill” and Eva Shragis, Md., in July. Valerie will be assuming their local area to teach the SATs using will lead and participate in services the position of Assistant Professor of an innovative curriculum that treats as a bat mitzva on Rosh Hodesh Elul, American Jewish Studies at Balti- the test like a game to be beaten, with Sunday, Aug. 31, at the 9 a.m. service. more Hebrew University. Alex will impressive results. Jon can be reached at [email protected] High School graduates Max Pauker; Annie Bass; Zack Bell; Nora Gold- field; Aaron Green; Josh Levine; Daphne Lew; Hannah Rose; Sheree Sachs; Molly Sapadin; Joseph Schot- tenfeld; Max Stern; Jon Stone; Karen Sutin; Benjamin Watsky; Shira Winter. (Please let us know about others at [email protected]). LeHitraot ule-Hatslaha: Farewell to our Friends and Members Mara Benjamin & Miryam Kaba- kov and Rayzie are moving to 1710 Rigel Janette Kate Shragis

4 BEKI Bulletin July-August 2008 Visit us at www.beki.org Kadima & USY

16 Teens, 2 Parents, 2 Emissaries, and 2 College Students: The Annual BEKI / BJ USY Chapter Shabbaton

As a culmination of our year’s lead- portunities for running programs and graders to 12th graders. Old and new ership activities, our 5-member USY for leading services, or for simply be- members grouped and re-grouped in Board planned and executed a chapter ing a ‘dugma’ (‘setting an example’). all different ways. Everyone partici- Shabbaton for the last week in May. There should be as little ‘drama’ as pated, no one complained, everyone We piled on a bus to Camp Laurel- possible – the environment should be acted responsibly, no one strongly wood, settled ourselves into 3 cabins, safe and warm where teens can freely countered authority, and, at some point and began with a beautiful Qabbalat express themselves. And, as it is writ- or another, each of the kids revealed Shabbat by the lake. ten (somewhere) – there will be little themselves to be incredibly clever, Have you ever been to a Shabba- sleep, there will be plentiful food, and funny, good leaders, hard-working, ton at a camp, either as a teen or as it will be good. and / or highly charismatic. Are these an adult? If so, you know that a good As a parent chaperone, I had a teens, you may wonder?! Yes, they are Shabbaton should provide all of these wonderful view of just how great the our teens and I was incredibly proud elements for its participants – it should kids were at the Shabbaton. We had of them! be educational, spiritual, restful, and 16 kids, which was a reasonable and Parents – thank you for helping fun. It should provide leadership op- manageable group, ranging from 8th your teens to prioritize Jewish youth

Continued on Page 6

Visit us at www.beki.org BEKI Bulletin July-August 2008 5 Kadima & USY

Continued from Page 5 group activities in their busy lives. To our Youth Commission, now or in the Kadima and USY Overnight all the BEKI members who have sup- future, please be sure to let me know.) Camp, August 20-24 ported our Youth Programs throughout Interestingly, in May, Rabbi Adam Kadima and USY Encampment is a the year with a Yom Kippur Youth Kligfeld from Congregation Eitz wonderful mini-camp from Aug. 20-24 at Camp Ramah in the Poconos for kids Program pledge or via our Deli Box Chaim in Monroe, N.Y., didn’t bring entering grades 6-12. If your child hasn’t fundraiser, thank you for your mon- his USYers to a camp for their an- attended our youth programs yet, have etary support. nual Shabbaton – he brought them to them grab a friend and attend the highly Please remember that it is at these BEKI! In a thank-you note, he wrote, popular Encampment. For more informa- types of activities that short-term and “We are so grateful to BEKI’s warm tion, contact Regional Youth Director long-term bonds are formed for our welcome of our group last Shabbat. Marcus Fink at 860.563.5531, fink@uscj. org. Synagogue subsidies are available; kids – with friends who aren’t afraid The shabbaton was fabulous, and met contact Rena Cheskis-Gold, r.cheskis- to be Jewish, in developing a personal our goal of immersing our kids in a [email protected]. statement of what it means to be Jew- new Shabbat community to see what ish amongst one’s peers, and in learn- Jewish life is like outside the Monroe Congratulations to Our New ing to become a leader in one’s Jewish ‘cloister.’ The kids had a blast, and USY 2008-09 Board community. felt fully comfortable and at home… Co-Presidents: Maya Sutin and Yedidya If your kids aren’t old enough yet Thank you, again, for your commit- Ben-Avie IA VP: Avital Sokolow Silverman for our youth groups (Kadima: 6th to ment to hakhnasat orhim.” th th th Rel/Ed VP: Tsvi Benson-Tilsen 8 grades; USY: 9 to 12 grades), tell B’shalom, SATO VP: Myia Shoshan them about it now so that they know Rena Cheskis-Gold Mem / Kad VP: Esther Bogorov what they can look forward to! (And Chair, Joint BEKI / BJ Youth Co-Comm VP: Carmi Cheskis-Gold and if you’re interested in working with Commission Dan Ben-Chitrit

BEKI PRESIDENT BEHIND BARS: Corinne Blackmer and Synagogue President Jay Sokolow scrape and paint on a sweltering day in June. The work crew led by Eric Dunsker also included Adam Glass, Dan Jacoby, Alex Shragis, Pilar Stewart and John Weiser. Working inside on renovations were Coby Ben-Chitrit, Nathan Janette and John Weiser. Alex Shragis scrapes a railing.

6 BEKI Bulletin July-August 2008 Visit us at www.beki.org Torah for the Hungry Mind - Adult Studies

Shabbatot Darshanim in July

Robert Oakes Steven Fraade A special guest will serve as darshan on Shabbat morning 5 Av, parashat Huqat. Robert Oakes will serve as darshan on Shabbat morning, July 12, parashat Balaq. Rabbi Lina Zerbarini will serve as Kulanu participants maintaining the Holocaust Memorial darshanit on Shabbat morning, July 19, parashat Pinhas. Kulanu Discussion Group Mondays Steven Fraade will serve as darshan Adults who take part in the Kulanu Rashi Study Group on Shabbat, Aug. 2, parashat Masei, Friendship Circle and the Saul’s Circle Each Monday morning from 7:45 to Rosh Hodesh Av. outreach programs are invited to par- 8:30 adults meet in the Library Chapel ticipate in a Shabbat morning discus- to read Rashi’s commentary on the Shabbat Shalom Learners’ Torah. It is possible to join the study Minyan sion group which meets on selected Shabbat mornings from 10:45 to 11:45 group for a single meeting or to begin The “Shabbat Shalom Learners’ with Dr. Lauren Kempton. For infor- at any time. Knowledge of Hebrew Minyan,” which meets every other mation, contact Lauren at 389-2108 is not necessary. Rashi purported to Saturday morning at 10:45 in BEKI’s x33 or [email protected]. explain the peshat of the text, i.e., the Library Chapel, is an ideal setting for meaning in its historical, literary and veteran and novice shul-goers alike to Sundays linguistic context. Visitors and new become more comfortable and pro- participants are welcome. The Rashi ficient in the Shaharit (morning) and New: Sum- Study Group meets immediately fol- Torah services in a supportive setting. mer Talmud lowing the 7 a.m. shaharit service. Expertly led by Steven Fraade, Rabbi with Moshe Jump into the New participants are welcome. Alan Lovins, Rabbi Murray Levine Sea of Talmud (or and others, the Shabbat Shalom Learn- hike in the forest ers’ Minyan is a nurturing explora- New: The Entire Hebrew of Talmud) with tion of practice and theory presented Language in One Easy Moshe Meiri on Moshe Meiri in a participatory, non-threatening Lesson five Sunday mornings (July 6 to Aug. and multi-generational setting. Many Learn the entire Hebrew language 3) in the amply air-conditioned Beit members who take advantage of this in one lesson. An overview of the Midrash. Suitable for people at all lev- unique offering feel a deeper sense history and structure of Hebrew els, texts in Hebrew / Aramaic / Greek of awe born of increased understand- language that presents guideposts to and English supplied. From 9:30 to ing and appreciation for the services. further learning. With Jon-Jay Tilsen, 11:15 (following morning services). Everyone is welcome to participate Monday, July 14, 6 p.m. to 7:25 p.m. Free for members and guests. Free regardless of religious status or back- Library. coffee. ground. Continued on Page 11

10 BEKI Bulletin July-August 2008 Visit us at www.beki.org Torah for the Hungry Mind - Adult Studies

Continued from Page 9 Wednesdays sion, or wishing to begin a systematic office of attorney Isaiah Cooper for Rabbis’ Study Group study and practice of Judaism. Topics Talmud study. The Group has met Wednesdays with Murray is a week- include The Torah, Halakha (Jewish weekly since 1999. For some partici- ly study group exclusively for rabbis, Law), The Mitzva System, 3,600 Years pants, this is their first direct experi- facilitated by Rabbi Murray Levine. of Jewish History, The God of Israel, ence with Talmud text. The Group The Wednesday study group affords Fundamental Observances, Conserva- focuses on the issues raised in the local rabbis an opportunity to pursue tive & Other Judaisms, Messiah, Eter- Talmud, with less attention to the tech- their own talmud torah (Torah study) nal Life, Talmud Torah, The Sabbath, nical aspects of the text. Knowledge of in a “safe” setting and with opportuni- and more. The series meets on Thurs- Hebrew or Aramaic is helpful but not ties to learn from each other’s experi- day nights Aug. 7, 14, 21 and 28, and required. For location or information, ence and insight. The study group is Sept. 4 and 11, from 6 p.m. to 7:30 contact Isaiah Cooper at 233-4547 or on summer break and will resume after p.m. in BEKI’s Rosenkrantz Library. [email protected]. Labor Day. For more information, call The class immediately follows the New: Hebrew Alphabet in Rabbi Murray Levine at 397-2513. 5:45 afternoon and evening service. One Easy Lesson Learn or review the Hebrew Al- New: Principles of Judaism: Thursdays Torah on One Foot Sanhedrin Talmud Study phabet in one lesson. Discover the “Principles of Judaism: Torah on Group secret for accurate decoding of the One Foot” is for adults wishing an alef-bet. Thursday, July 10, 6 p.m. The Sanhedrin Talmud Study Group overview of the Principles of Jewish to 7:45 p.m. with Jon-Jay Tilsen in meets weekly on Thursdays during thought and life. It is ideal for people the Beit Midrash. Free for members the lunch hour (12:30 to 1:30) at the new to Judaism, considering conver- and guests. downtown New Haven professional

Sisterhood News Torah Fund Mitzvah from Barbara Cushen, Adele • Edith Cooper to Willa Needler from the At the close of our BEKI year I Tyson Hesed Committee th want to thank everyone who so gener- • Violet & Charlie Ludwig on their 55 • Jerry Gross to Ruth Gross from Donna anniversary from Barbara Cushen & ously gave to Women’s League for & Sid Levine Stanley Saxe, Sylvia Zeid Conservative Judaism’s Torah Fund • Henrietta Forman to Meyer Forman • Steve & Sherry Rothman on Mara’s Bat from Gladys Lipkin Appeal. Your donations and purchase Mitzvah from Violet & Charlie Ludwig of cards brought us to our 2008 goal: • Katie Tuchinski to Dr. Nicholas Rachcotes from Louis Petrillo $2,500. In Memory of • Faige, sister of Norma LeVine from Please continue to purchase cards • Sloan, daughter of Marcia Thompson for all occasions and Save Gas! No from Barbara Cushen Ruth & Morris Olmer need to shop – just call me (407-0314) • Paul Lopatin to Ruth Lopatin from the Get Well to Hesed Committee, Helen Miller and your card goes out promptly. $4 • Michael Zamkov from Anna Goldberg per card includes the stamp. • Ruth Heydemann to Lynn Brotman from the Hesed Committee, the Lew Family, • Margot Roten from the Hesed Barbara Cushen Mikki Ratner Committee Torah Fund Chair • Alex Heisler to daughter Diane Wechsler • Irving Weinstein from the Hesed from the Hesed Committee Committee, Violet & Charlie Ludwig Thanks to those who • Jean May to C.J. & Becky May from the • Stanley Saxe from the Hesed purchased cards last month: Hesed Committee Committee, Reeva & Gary Lynes, Violet • Howard Sugarmann to Richard & & Charlie Ludwig, Sylvia Zeid, Harriet Mazel Tov to Marcie Sugarmann from the Hesed & Jack Kitavitz • Linda & Joel Cohen on Naomi’s Bat Committee • Jim Carloni from the Hesed Committee

12 BEKI Bulletin July-August 2008 Visit us at www.beki.org News

New Siddur Sim Shalom for and edifying commentary on the reli- Minyan Seekers / Minyan Weekdays and New Siddur gious themes, historical background, Makers Mailing List Or Hadash for Weekdays and literary context on the traditional If you would like email notifica- Copies of the new Siddur Sim Ashkenazic prayerbook. The com- tion when BEKI members are seek- Shalom for Weekdays will be added mentary appears in the margins around ing additional participants for a daily this summer to the George G. Posener Siddur Sim Shalom for Weekdays, re- service in order to insure a minyan, Daily Chapel for daily use, with ad- taining the smaller work’s pagination, and might like to request that others making this volume both familiar and ditional copies available for weekday attend on a specific date on which usable in public worship. events such as bar- and bat-mitzva ob- you seek a minyan, send a message to Dr. Hammer addresses exegeti- servances, baby namings and brit mila [email protected]. You can cal and homiletic issues raised by the celebrated in the sanctuary. This new unsubscribe by sending a message to text. He comments on words, phrases, prayerbook, published by the Rabbini- [email protected] and ob- cal Assembly and United Synagogue themes and structure, and adds point- ers on generally accepted practice. tain additional instructions at minyan- of Conservative Judaism, incorporates [email protected]. a relatively user-friendly layout, se- A concise and informative introduc- lected transliterations, gender-sensitive tion, commentary on Pirqei Avot, Service Leaders’ language, weekday Torah readings, and a glossary are a bonus. This is a Rotation List corrected text, and intelligible direc- “must have” for the student of classi- The “Master Rotation List” for tions, all in a handy volume. cal traditional Judaism and a great aid Shabbat & Festival service participa- This Siddur was edited by Rabbi to the worshiper in the contemporary tion was mailed in late June to one synagogue. Avram Israel Reisner, et al., based on hundred households. (Additional cop- These volumes are a gift of William the earlier editions of Sim Shalom by ies are available in the lobby literature & Eva Shragis. Rabbi Jules Harlow. Large-print copies rack, from the office and atwww.beki. Copies of the first edition ofSim of the same volume are also available org/rotate.html). The list is the compi- Shalom that are in good condition will for those who prefer larger type, and lation of parts to be led by those who for service leaders. be retained for use at shiva minyans, at youth and adult retreats, and in other volunteered for the services listed. If Or Hadash — A Commentary on you would like to lead a children’s or Siddur Sim Shalom by Rabbi Reuven settings. adult service, or learn to do so, or if Hammer is also part of this series, and Those wishing their own copies you would like to request a specific will be available in our Beit Midrash may purchase them at the Sisterhood date between January and June 2009, for members’ use as well. In Or Ha- Giftshop, from Amazon.com, or wher- contact Rabbi Tilsen at 389-2108 ext. dash, Rabbi Hammer offers extensive ever fine Judaica is sold. 10 ([email protected]). Registration for Religious School Registration packages will be mailed in July for returning BEKI Religious School (BRS) students. Registration is ongoing and we always welcome new students and their families. If you have any questions please contact office manager Peggy Hackett at 389-2108 x14 ([email protected]) or school director Ina Silverman at 389-2108 x13 ([email protected]).

Visit us at www.beki.org BEKI Bulletin July-August 2008 15 A Message from Rabbi Tilsen A Community of Conformists

My Grampa Ed, of blessed memory, spoke several English. It helps that my wife shares this commitment, languages – his native Yiddish, German, Russian, Polish, and that my in-laws Evelyn Benson (may she live and be English and a little Hebrew. In the 1920s, he was hired well) and polyglot Morton Benson (of blessed memory) by a church in a small town in wrote lexicons. We go so far as to North Dakota to teach Sunday insist that the children pronounce school, because the local the letter “t,” which many of our German-speaking immigrants native Nutmeggers glottalize. wanted someone who could Standard American English speak English to their children. does have its drawbacks. It can They did not realize that Grampa be less colorful, less spontaneous, Ed had a profound accent and a and in short, necessarily non-standard syntax – Yiddish constrained. Nevertheless, I grammar with English words. believe it is the most useful form Nevertheless, he was a very of the language. successful communicator, For some of the same reasons, because he was respectful, I insist that my children learn persistent and ingenious in the standard Jewish liturgy. With expressing things in non-standard the exception of the recitation language. of the Shema and a few other As an educational principle, passages, there is no claim that the I insist that my children learn wording or requirement of prayer Standard English. There is is divinely commanded, and with nothing sacred about English, the exception of a few passages, nor does it embody any inherent most was not voted on by anyone. principle of justice or logic. Rather, it “evolved” however it It was not handed down from evolved; and ultimately it has the On High, designed by a great advantage of being a standard. gathering of scholars, or voted on Of course, there is no single by the masses. It is not the most precise official or authentic rich, subtle, complex, simple, representation of the Siddur. original, structured, consistent, But there is a “common euphonic or adaptive language. version” that has been largely It does not reify my hope for shared by the Jewish world for the continuing unity of English- many generations, and for this speakers, or even a hope that my children will remain in an purpose, minor variations in wording (whether incidental English-speaking country. Rather, its value derives from the or meaningful) are no more significant than similar fact that it is standard; it is purely a matter of practicality. disagreements about usage or grammar in English. The Slang or jargon is fine in informal or local settings, but Siddur Sim Shalom that we use is, at least with respect once the children go out into the wide, wide world, they to the words, an excellent representation of that common need communication skills, and nothing beats good liturgy.

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16 BEKI Bulletin July-August 2008 Visit us at www.beki.org A Message from Rabbi Tilsen

Continued from Page 16

The value of the common liturgy is that anyone trained reasoning. However, there is only one specific wording in it can feel at home in any synagogue in the world that for the Avot blessing that is formally approved, and that uses this liturgy, insofar as familiarity with the service is is the wording as it appears in our Siddur Sim Shalom. central to that feeling. While the décor and music may Some shelihei tsibbur have improvised, with results that vary considerably, this verbal dimension establishes a have included some syntactic oddities or errors, omitted connection among communities throughout time and, most matriarchs (“three out of four ain’t bad”), and in any importantly, around the case represented a globe today. It means lack of consistency, that children who grow which introduces an up in our congregation unnecessary element and who eventually of confusion to some establish their families worshipers trying elsewhere in the world to follow along in can feel at home Hebrew or to learn the in another Jewish Avot blessing. While community. there may be some In contrast, merit to the alternative individuals who grew wordings, the value of up experiencing the standardization is given beauty and relevance of priority, and in any case, a highly idiosyncratic synagogue etiquette (or service are left without halakha, if you will) a liturgical familiarity that can transfer or translate to other requires the shaliah tsibbur to “use the version of the text communities. They walk into another synagogue and don’t placed before him or her.” We allow the shaliah tsibbur to recognize the service. choose either the “a” or “b” version of the Avot blessing One area where I have argued for strict conformity is in as printed in our Siddur, while we teach our benei mitzva the opening blessings of the amida, which are not only a the version that names the matriarchs with an eye toward central part of all daily services, but are also recited aloud what is becoming a standard. In this instance, even a minor at most services. While in general halakha and tradition variation of wording (such as placing Leah before Rachel) allow for variation and elaboration in the middle blessings – whether incidental or meaningful – is confusing and, in of the amida, the formulation of the first three and last my opinion, should be avoided. three berakhot are standardized and it is not considered None of this impinges on the individual’s right to pray permissible to alter those formulations. (The variations in his or her own way as an individual, nor does it deny that occur in these berakhot on Yamim Noraim such as the right of a community to set its own language and style “zokhrenu lahaim” are considered an exception to this rule.) of public prayer. Even less, this does not preclude all other The inclusion of the matriarchs by name in Avot (the manner of religious expression, whether verbal, musical or first blessing of the amida) is also an exception to this otherwise, as long as that does not supplant the standard general rule that has been approved by the Committee on service. Rather, it argues for a “conservative” approach to Law and Standards of the Rabbinical Assembly and is liturgical change, and most centrally, for the preference for based on thoughtful religious consideration and sound legal the standard service as represented in our Siddur.

Visit us at www.beki.org BEKI Bulletin July-August 2008 17 July 2008 28 Sivan 5768 - 28 Tammuz 5768 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 2 3 4 5 Rosh Hodesh I Rosh Hodesh II Darshan: TBA Guest 12:30pm Talmud Study Office 10:45am Children's Group (off-site) Closed/Independence Programs Day 10:45am Learner's 9:00am Shaharit Minyan 8:10pm Candle Lighting Qiddush: Gerber

28 Sivan 29 Sivan 30 Sivan 1 Tammuz 2 Tammuz 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 9:30am Talmud with 7:45am Rashi Study 5:00pm Benei Mitzva 12:30pm Talmud Study 8:08pm Candle Lighting Darshan: Robert Oakes Moshe Group Program Group (off-site) 10:45am Children's 6:00pm Hebrew Alphabet Programs in One Easy Lesson Qiddush: Cummings

3 Tammuz 4 Tammuz 5 Tammuz 6 Tammuz 7 Tammuz 8 Tammuz 9 Tammuz 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 9:30am Defibrillator 7:30am Rashi Study 5:00pm Benei Mitzva 12:30pm Talmud Study 8:04pm Candle Lighting Darshanit: Rabbi Lina Training with Dr. Steve Group Program Group (off-site) Zerbarini Wolfson 6:00pm The Entire 10:45am Children's 9:30am Talmud with Hebrew Language in One Programs Moshe Easy Lesson 10:45am Learner's Minyan Qiddush: Perkal/Graham

10 Tammuz 11 Tammuz 12 Tammuz 13 Tammuz 14 Tammuz 15 Tammuz 16 Tammuz 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 Fast of Tammuz 17 7:45am Rashi Study 5:00pm Benei Mitzva 12:30pm Talmud Study 6:00pm Rigel Janette Bar Rigel Janette Bar Mitzva 9:30am Talmud with Group Program Group (off-site) Mitzva 10:45am Children's Moshe 7:58pm Candle Lighting Programs Qiddush: Janette's

17 Tammuz 18 Tammuz 19 Tammuz 20 Tammuz 21 Tammuz 22 Tammuz 23 Tammuz 27 28 29 30 31 9:30am Talmud with 7:45am Rashi Study 12:30pm Talmud Study Moshe Group Group (off-site)

24 Tammuz 25 Tammuz 26 Tammuz 27 Tammuz 28 Tammuz

Service BEKITimes for Events Spring / Summer Sundays Mondays Tuesdays Wednesdays Thursdays Fridays Saturdays 9 a.m. Shaharit 7 a.m. Shaharit 7 a.m. Shaharit 7 a.m. Shaharit 8:15 a.m. Shaharit 7 a.m. Shaharit 9:15 a.m. Shaharit 5:45 p.m. Minha-Maariv 5:45 p.m. Minha-Maariv 5:45 p.m. Minha-Maariv 5:45 p.m. Minha-Maariv 5:45 p.m. Minha-Maariv 6 p.m. Minha-Maariv 5:45 Minha August 2008 29 Tammuz 5768 - 30 Av 5768 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 2 7:51pm Candle Lighting Rosh Hodesh 10:45am Children's Programs 10:45am Learner's Minyan Qiddush: TBA

29 Tammuz 1 Av 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 9:30am Talmud with 7:45am Rashi Sudy . 12:30pm Talmud Study 7:42pm Candle Lighting 10:45am Children's Moshe Group Group (off-site) Programs 6:05pm Principles of Qiddush: TBA Judaism: Torah on One Foot

2 Av 3 Av 4 Av 5 Av 6 Av 7 Av 8 Av 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Fast of Tisha BeAv 7:45am Rashi Study 5:00pm Benei Mitzva 12:30pm Talmud Study 7:33pm Candle Lighting Tu B'Av Group Program Group (off-site) 10:45am Children's 6:05pm Principles of Programs Judaism: Torah on One 10:45am Learner's Foot Minyan Qiddush: Membership Committee

9 Av 10 Av 11 Av 12 Av 13 Av 14 Av 15 Av 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 7:45am Rashi Study 5:00pm Benei Mitzva 12:30pm Talmud Study 7:22pm Candle Lighting 10:45am Children's Group Program Group (off-site) Programs 6:05pm Principles of Qiddush: TBA Judaism: Torah on One Foot

16 Av 17 Av 18 Av 19 Av 20 Av 21 Av 22 Av 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 7:45am Rashi Study 5:00pm Benei Mitzva 12:30pm Talmud Study 7:11pm Candle Lighting Darshan: Nadav Sela Group Program Group (off-site) 10:45am Children's 7:45am Rashi Study 6:05pm Principles of Programs Group Judaism: Torah on One 10:45am Learner's Foot Minyan Qiddush: TBA

23 Av 24 Av 25 Av 26 Av 27 Av 28 Av 29 Av 31 Rosh Hodesh I

30 Av