Congregation Beth Shalom Rodfe Zedek

The WholeMegillah

September & October 2018 21 Elul, 5778 – 22 Heshvan, 5779

Inside this issue A Story for the High Holy Days by Allan Appel pgs 10–14

Letter from our new president, Brad Jubelirer...... 4–5

High Holy Days schedule and reflections...... 6–7

Alison Miller’s journey leads her to the Holy Scrollers.....14–15

Exhibition of the underwater photography of David Zeleznik...... 17–18

Melinda Alcosser visits Guatemala...... 19–20

www.cbsrz.org

Dakota Udoff guarding the entrance to CBSRZ T H A N K Y O U IN THIS ISSUE to the following donors from 6/6/2018 to 8/3/2018

2nd Century Campaign Meg Magida: in memory of Nat Magida William & Janet Brownstein Christine & Robert Mangiafico: in memory of From Our Rabbi John Schwolsky & Elizabeth Storch: in memory of Maxine Klein's bat mitzvah 3 Evelyn and Irving Schwolsky and Alan & Florence Storch Helen McNutt: in memory of David Klar Arthur & Marcia Meyers: in memory of Linda Chesed Fund Rabbi Marci Bellows Sherman President's Letter 860-526-8920 Ray & Liz Archambault: in memory of Linda Sherman Norman Needleman: in memory of Ann Needleman [email protected] Eric & Barbara Infeld: in memory of Linda Sherman 4–5 Harvey Payton & Lori Shafner: in memory of Food/Beverage Fund Linda Sherman Cantor Belinda Brennan Eric & Barbara Infeld: in memory of David Klar Michael & Susan Peck: in memory of David and High Holy Days Cantor Educator Arthur & Marcia Meyers Miriam Klar 860-526-8920 Andrea Pollack & Bill Hankinson: in memory of 6–7 [email protected] Fund Linda Sherman David & Laura Roman: in honor of the graduating Phil & Cindy Rischall: in memory of Ruth Siedman seniors Religious Affairs Brad Jubelirer Saul & Hila Rosen: in honor of Maxine Klein's bat President Youth/Camp Schlrship mitzvah 8 860-349-2386 Eric & Barbara Infeld: in honor of the adult b'not Irene & Jeffrey Rosenbloom: in honor of Maxine [email protected] mitzvah class Klein's bat mitzvah Jewish Trivia Prayerbook Fund Herbert & Phyllis Ross: in memory of Diane Amy Conley Gibralter Vice-President Doron & Eve Ber: in honor of graduating seniors 9 Steven & Frani Ross: in memory of Barney Levine 860-434-0489 Neil Gottfried & Marilyn White-Gottfried: in memory Matthew & Hadass Rubin: in memory of Isidor Rubin of Samuel Schaffer Matthew & Hadass Rubin: in memory of Zahava Avian Repentance David Fogel Samuels Schlolarship Fund Levy 10–14 Financial Vice President Rita Fink: in appreciation of Belinda Brennan Joel & Marcy Saltzman: in memory of Daniel 860-395-4722 Ali Rosenblum & Elizabeth Jones: in appreciation of Weintraub [email protected] Rabbi Bellows and Cantor Belinda during Liz’s Joel & Marcy Saltzman: in memory of Leon Torah Study Essay bat mitzvah process Saltzman 14–15 Ali Rosenblum Art Gallery Fund Jerome & Marlene Scharr: in honor of Jeff and Secretary Karen Burzin's 25th anniversary 860-391-3231 Richard Spearrin Jerome & Marlene Scharr: in memory of David Klar Kivvun Korner Meditation Garden Jerome & Marlene Scharr: with best wishes to Rabbi Jeff Brewer Jeffrey & Karen Burzin: in appreciation of Rabbi and family in their new home 16 Treasurer Bellows for help with vow renewal Elliot & Nancy Schwam: in memory of Linda 860-663-1745 [email protected] Donations Sherman and healing wish Marilyn White-Gottfried Sandy & Andrea Seidman Zeleznik Exhibit Maureen Beurskens: in honor of Maxine Klein's Norman Shulkin: donation for purchase of grill bat mitzvah 17–18 Wendy Bayor Sharon Taubman: in memory of Dr. Louis Glickman Administrator Rebecca Blake: in memory of Newton A. Cohen Marc & Andrea Wald: in memory of Felix Wald 860-526-8920 Jeffrey & Beth Brewer: donation for purchase of grill Marc & Andrea Wald: in memory of Lillian Wald Guatemala [email protected] Laurie Caetano: in honor of Maxine Klein's bat Jacqueline Wolff: in memory of Alice Wolff mitzvah 19–20 Jacqueline Wolff: in memory of Arthur G. Wolff Samuel Chorches: in memory of Adeline Koppelman The Whole Megillah Jacqueline Wolff: in memory of Morris Wolff Chorches Published bi-monthly by David Zeleznik & Maxine Klein: in memory of Pearl Rita Christopher & David Frank: in honor of Denny Cemetery/Remem- Congregation Beth Shalom Klein Van Liew leading Holy Scrollers Rodfe Zedek Debra & Myra Zeleznik: in honor of Maxine Klein's Hyla Alcon Cohen: in memory of Hyman Salowitz brance Bus Tour bat mitzvah 55 East Kings Highway Jeffrey & Barbara Davis: in memory of Milton Davis 21 PO Box 438 Jeffrey & Barbara Davis: in memory of Stella Davis Year-End Appeal Chester, CT 06412 Stephen & Clo Davis: in memory of Gussie Davis Rita Fink Voice: 860-526-8920 Stephen & Clo Davis: in memory of Ida Hyman Rose Madnick Social Action Fax: 860-526-8918 Merito & Josephine Elmoznino: in memory of Prosper Herbert & Phyllis Ross 22–23 www.cbsrz.org Elmoznino Building Fund Sheila England: in honor of Rochelle Dauenheimer Editor Stephen Jacobs and Andi Pepper Jacobs Frances Freedman: in memory of Richard Freedman Challah/Social Media Sean Konecky Abraham & Beverly Glassman: in memory of Max Rabbi Discretionary Fund Editor Emeritus and Anna Glassman 24 Lary Bloom & Suzanne Levine: in honor of the adult Lary Bloom John & Jackie Hastings: in memory of Harry b'not mitzvah class Goldstein Rita Fink: in appreciation of Rabbi Bellows Remembrance Contributing Photographer Sidney & Adrienne Hopfer: in memory of David Klar Brad & Lori Jubelirer: in memory of James Jubelirer Deborah Rutty Bruce Josephy: in memory of Amy Sullivan Gary Klar: in memory of David Klar 25 Gene & Marilyn Kalet: in memory of Irving Editorial Assistant Michael & Susan Peck: in honor of the adult b'not Kalet and Jeffrey Reiner Wendy Bayor Carol, Sofia and Eva LeWitt: in memory of mitzvah class Calendars Dr. Abraham LeWitt Barbara Spargo: in appreciation of Rabbi Bellows Design/Production 26–27 Justin Marciano 2 From our Rabbi

By Rabbi Marci Bellows

Around the Jewish Lifecycle: How to Make a Shiva Call

• Aveilut: this is the name applied mourner most often avoids joyful Shalom, Chaverim, generally to the entire mourning social events or entertainment dur- I hope that you have had a lovely, period ing this period. This is the tradi- enriching summer, and that you look tional mourning period prescribed • Aninut: the name of the period forward to New Year 5779 with hope, for relatives other than parents. between death and burial. During optimism, and joy. My prayer for you all this time, the mourners are free • The first year: When the deceased is that your new year is filled with good from all ritual and social obliga- is a parent, a mourner recites Kad- health, good friends, good experiences, tions, other than and the dish for either 11 months or a full and good learning. arrangements for the funeral and year. To that end, I am pleased to introduce a shiva. Although it is a mitzvah to It is a great mitzvah to comfort mourn- theme for this year’s Whole Megillah col- console the bereaved, the hours ers (called Nichum Avelim in Hebrew). umns. I plan to write, each issue, about or days before burial are not the Some choose to do this with a phone call a different lifecycle event, including proper time to make condolence or a note. You may also choose to make information on vocabulary and how to calls. Interestingly, the pre-funeral a shiva visit, and there are a number of best observe the event if/when it occurs visitation that takes place in the customs that can make your visit more in your life. chapel is contrary to Jewish tradi- tion, but it has become a prevail- meaningful for you and the mourner. I figured I would begin with the event ing local custom. First, it is customary to enter the house that causes the most trepidation and without knocking or ringing the door- concern for people: making a shiva call. • Shiva: the seven days of mourning bell. Once inside, it is often hard to We are all sensitive to the needs of those following the funeral. Mourners know what to say. Simple phrases like, in mourning, and we are often afraid of stay at home during these days “I was so sad to learn of your loss,” or saying or doing the wrong thing. The and refrain from their normal pur- “My love and prayers are with you,” are CCAR Press book entitled, Gates of Mitz- suits and occupations. The first more than suitable when you approach vah, provides information on many of three days are considered the most a mourner. It’s even okay to admit, “I the commandments relating to death and intense, and in the Reform com- don’t know what to say, but I am here mourning, and I’ve included some of munity, this is the most common for you.” Your presence, even in silence, them below. duration of shiva. is important.

Jewish tradition includes several distinct • Sh’loshim: the thirty-day period Many families now choose specific shiva periods of mourning when a person has (including shiva) that follows the times each day; please be respectful of lost a loved one: funeral, and during which time these hours. It is customary to bring a normal life slowly resumes. The Continued on page 4 3 From Our Rabbi Continued from page 3

cake, food item, or homemade dish to tics, etc.). It is much more important to Hamakom yinachem etchem b'toch sh'ar the shiva house, but, in Jewish tradition, be a good listener during these visits aveilei Tzion v'Yerushalayim. May God it is not appropriate to bring flowers. It than a speaker. comfort you among the mourners of is also most helpful if you plan to make Zion and Jerusalem. your stay short but meaningful (unless While you are there, it is customary you are a very close friend or family for you to offer to bring the mourner For those challenging times when we member), as the mourners will be more something to eat or drink. The mourner have the holy responsibility of comfort- tired than usual and often have many should not have to play “host,” nor ing a mourner, I hope that these few tips guests. should they have to clean up after their make the prospect of a shiva visit more visitors. Also, please be understanding if comfortable for you. For further reading, the mourner needs private time, or even Jewish Living: A Guide to In your conversations with the mourner, I recommend a nap, during scheduled shiva times. Contemporary Reform Practice, let him/her define the tone. Share by Mark Washofsky (URJ Press). memories of the deceased, or allow the Finally, feel free to offer to the mourner, mourner to do so. Keep your voices as you leave, the customary words that L'shalom – In peace, low, and avoid loud conversations about use in times of mourning: mundane topics (sports, weather, poli- Rabbi Marci N. Bellows

President’s Letter to the Congregation: Understanding our WHY

Dear Friends and Every time I drive in from East Kings the changing needs and dynamics of Highway looking out at our beauti- our Congregation, interior modifica- Fellow Congregants: ful grounds and step into this archi- tions for more functional space are tectural wonder of a building we call necessary as well. I hope you all have been enjoying our home, I am in awe. And every your summer. For me the summer time I sit in our beautiful sacred Our Facilities Committee has been season gives me the opportunity to sanctuary to gaze up at the beams hard at work assessing what needs appreciate more intimate time with that form the Mogen David and to to be done, prioritizing the urgency my family and dear friends. I hope become entranced by the colors and of each project and getting profes- this summer has been able to offer design of our exquisite Ark, I feel sional estimates of the costs in order you the same. blessed. I delight in pride when I to advise the Board of Directors bring visiting family and friends here how to best plan ahead and make The Executive Committee and Board to “show off” our home that I love. informed decisions. of Directors has been brought up I’m sure you feel the same way. to speed to the current state of our The Board recently approved rela- Congregation, the challenges we It is now 17 years since we began tively small funds from our current face and the goals I am setting for worshipping, learning, celebrating, capital reserves to erect a new play- my presidency. As the summer winds and healing at this beautiful site. ground for our children and to cre- down and we look to our new year, I However, if we look around care- ate a larger communal flexible space would like to take this opportunity to fully we can see that the exterior for Kivuun by combining 2 class- address these challenges and goals. needs repair and restoration. With rooms. Both projects will be com-

4 pleted before the first day of Kivuun this fall. Lastly I am happy to report that with the benevolence of Debo- rah and Pamela Slater, the first phase of restoring and landscaping The Syd and Bernie Slater Meditation Garden will be underway in the late summer with plans for a Dedication/ Groundbreaking Ceremony on Sun- day September 30st.

I am hoping each of these new projects will bring energy to the remainder of repair, renovation, and replacement that our home desperately needs.

I strongly believe we have a more immediate goal to accomplish. I feel it is necessary to engage ourselves in understanding our collective Why. We may have a pretty good sense of what we do at CBSRZ and how we go about doing it. However, it is much more relevant in understand- ing and building our relationships with one another that we can articu- late why we go about doing what we do here and why this special place provides us with meaning. So I present this question to you:

Why does CBSRZ mean so much to Brad Jubelirer you and why would you want to preserve our Congregation and keep it running strong? pursue Tikun Olam, and to be part family L’Shana Tova—A Good New of a social and religious community Year. Please answer your phone. All I will attempt to answer my own that is genuinely and uniquely inclu- we will be soliciting is your input. question that I pose to each of you. sive, kind, and nurturing. We want to know why Congrega- When world events relentlessly tional life at CBRSZ is meaningful to I have to assume that some Con- enhance our anxiety, intensify our you and how can CBSRZ best serve gregants’ Whys will be more robust feelings of insecurity and isola- you going forward. than others, and that is OK. How- tion, and divide us, CBSRZ grounds ever, if you feel you do not have a I want to thank each and every one of us, unites us, and strengthens us strong Why, I would like to ask you you for putting your faith and trust in through Jewish values and spiritual another question. me to serve you as President of your enlightenment. Congregation Beth Congregation. I feel honored, blessed Shalom Rodfe Zedek is my and What can CBSRZ do for you to give and privileged. I wish us all good my wife’s Jewish home and it will you a stronger Why? health and peace for this coming year. always be our home. We will always feel obligated to take care of our In other words, what can the CBSRZ Strengthening our Congregation by home and the people who share this Community be to provide you more building deeper relationships with home with us. Both of our children meaning and purpose, and thus one another, seeking our purpose, were consecrated here. We cel- bring you closer CBSRZ? and preserving our holy space will ebrated their Bat and Bar Mitzvahs be our goals that I will work hard to In the weeks leading up to the High here as well as each of their confir- accomplish with each of you in 5779. mations. This is where we come to Holidays one of our directors on our worship, to learn, and to heal. We CBSRZ Board will be reaching out to L’Shana Tova come here searching for ways to you by phone to wish you and your Brad Jubelirer

5 L’Shana Tovah Tikateivu

Our Elul Speaker Series, during Erev Shabbat Services, “Shanah tovah means on the theme of “Unexpected Journeys:” August 17: Katie “Every soul needs to both a good year, and Burzin; August 31: Stephen Nardine; September 7: Marilyn express itself. Every a good change. Today White-Gottfried. heart needs to crack you can change the itself open. Every one rest of your life. It is of us needs to move never too late.” Rabbi Saturday, September 1st from anger to healing, Laura Geller 6:30 pm Service, from denial to con- sciousness, from bore- including screening & discussion of dom to renewal. These It is customary to Defending Your Life, and changing of the needs did not arise yes- clothe the Torah Torah mantles terday. They are among scrolls in white dur- the most ancient of ing the High Holy human yearnings, and Days, and to clothe Sunday, September 9th they are fully expressed ourselves in white gar- 7:30 pm Erev Rosh Hashanah service in the pageantry and ments from Erev Kol ritual of the Days of Nidrei through the end Awe, in the great jour- of . White Monday, September 10th ney we make between refers not to purity 9:30 am Rosh Hashanah Morning service, Rosh Hashanah and and unblemished per- Yom Kippur.” Rabbi fection, but to forgive- followed by Tashlich Alan Lew ness, as Scripture says, 2:30pm Rosh Hashanah Family Service “Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall “And, the Eternal said, ‘I be white as snow.” Tuesday, September 11th pardon you as asked’.” (Isaiah 1:18) 9:30 am Rosh Hashanah Service, 2nd Day Numbers 14:20.

Friday, September 14th “Like grapes in the 7:30 pm Shabbat Shuvah - Erev Shabbat “The first mitzvah in wilderness, I found Service the Torah is ‘Let there Israel; like the first be light!’ So we are fruit on the fig tree in commanded: in eve- its first season, I saw Sunday, September 16th rything you do, be a your fathers…” Hosea 1:00 pm Cemetery Memorial Service menorah, a bringer of 9:10 light. Live with honor, Fountain Hill, Deep River act with integrity, do your work with pas- 2:30 pm Cemetery Memorial Service sion – and the radi- “That we may start ance of your deeds fresh/That we may Rodfe Zedek, Moodus will live after you. come clear/That we May our ideals burn may know sweetness bright, forever unex- and peace/Through- tinguished, and may out the year/ That we We encourage you to bring your children and teenagers to we live our lives like may find love/ Where services. Parents are welcome to bring very young children into the flames we kindle we need it most/ And the Kivvun wing for a break and there will be supervision for – always stretching open our hears and children, second grade and up, also in the Kivvun wing on the upward, striving for hands/ And draw each morning of the first day of Rosh Hashanah and on the morning the good, reaching other close.” Judith of Yom Kippur. There will be an audio feed of the service in the for You.” Mishkan Kate-Friedman playroom. Teenagers are permitted to congregate in the confer- HaNefesh ence room which will be dedicated as a quiet space. 6 “In truth, You are judge and plaintiff, counselor and witness. You inscribe and seal. You record and recount. You remember all that we have forgotten. And when You open the Book of Memories, it speaks for itself – for every human hand leaves its mark, an imprint like no other. High Holy Day Liturgy

Tuesday, September 18th “God does not wish, 7:30 pm according to the words “Listen, all you who of a prophet, that man wrestle with your should build Him a fate: the intimate and Wednesday, September 19th house again, for heaven the infinite are one. 9:30 am Yom Kippur Morning is His throne and earth Trust that unity with 2:00 pm Children’s Service His footstool; it is not your whole heart, only in holiness and the doubt and all; with 3:30 pm Afternoon service height that He delights your whole soul, and with Yizkor and Neilah, followed to dwell, but with the with all the powers by our community Break-Fast contrite and lowly of at your command. spirit, to revive the spirit Remember it; repeat of the lowly, to revive it everywhere, work- Sunday, September 23rd the spirit of the contrite. ing or resting, sitting 6:00 pm Erev Service He who is infinitely or walking, night and above the domains of morning, alone and the mighty descends to all you love. See it Friday, September 28th to those who lie in the written on your hand, dust of the earth and on your brow, in 6:30 pm Hang in Potluck Dinner shares their afflictions.” every common place 7:30 pm Erev Shabbat Service Martin Buber, The Pro- and in every face.” phetic Faith. Catherine Madsen Saturday, September 29th 9:00 am Holy Scrollers in the Sukkah “Throughout the year, our actions condemn us; throughout the year Ben Azzai used to Sunday, September 30th our deeds are open say: Treat no one to blame. But on this with scorn; regard 5:15 pm Yizkor Service day we rise above our nothing as useless, 6:00 pm Erev Service human failings. Fasting, for all people have praying, wrapped in their moment, and white tallitot, we stand all things have their R. Samuel bar Nahman found in the verse, Psalms like angels, reaching for place. Diamonds, the Divine. On this one when found in the lxv 6, an allusion to the fact that repentance is day, we catch a glimpse ground, may look comparable to the sea: “Just as the sea is ever of what we could be – like worthless pieces we celebrate the better of glass. It takes an open, so are the gates of repentance ever open.” R. Yuda b. R. Simon expounded: “'Return, O angels of our nature.” expert to see the pre- Based on Midrash cious gem that is hid- Israel, unto the Lord thy God” (Hosea xiv 2) – Tehillim 27:4 den within. Become even if you have denied the primary principle of an expert in human beings. Learn to see faith.' Thereby he wished to say that there is no sin for which repentance does not atone.” E.E. “For on this day shall each one as a dia- atonement be made mond in the rough. Urbach, The Sages for you, to cleanse you Based on a teaching from all your sins…. of Rabbi Abraham and you shall be clean Twerski Sh’ma Koleinu –Hear our voice, O God; have com- before the Eternal.” passion upon us, and with compassion, accept our Lev. 16:30 prayers, High Holy Day Liturgy 7 Religious Affairs At CBSRZ

Sukkot

he Festival of Sukkot begins and welcome visitors in the Sukkah. share. This is a rain or shine event. on Tishri 15, the fifth day We hope you will join us for our If the weather is not cooperating, we Tafter Yom Kippur. Sukkot is very special Sukkot activities! will eat inside. a seven-day festival so unreservedly joyful that it is commonly referred to Erev Sukkot services will be on Shabbat services will follow at in and literature as the Sunday September 23rd at 6pm. 7:30pm with choir and piano. Season of our Rejoicing. It is during On Friday September 28th at On Saturday September 29th this holiday that we thank God for 6:30pm we will have our annual at 9am, Holy Scrollers will be the harvest food and are grateful for “Hang in the Sukkah” potluck held in the Sukkah. (weather God’s protection. It is a time to feast dinner. Please bring a dairy dish to permitting).

Help Put Finishing Touches on Our Sukkah

he majority of the work is fellow congregants. We will be starting We will also need help in disman- already done! Please come on Sunday September 23rd at 10am. tling the Sukkah on Sunday October Thelp with the finishing Please email Laura Roman if you have 14th at 10am. Please let Laura know touches! Many hands make light work! any questions….landdroman@gmail. if you can help. See contact info And it’s a fun way to get to know your com or call 860-301-9590. above.

Simchat Torah

ollowing Sukkot comes the danc- During Simchat Torah services, we son to complete a circle and the ing and festivities of Simchat Torah, will gather, take out the Torah scrolls ritual begins anew. Rejoicing with the Torah. On Sun- and dance around the synagogue as F The hakafot we will be in the social hall day, September 30, we celebrate the people dance and sing along. The cycle of reading the Torah! dancing with the Torah is known in where we will unroll one of the Torah Hebrew as hakafot – which means with the assistance of the congrega- A yizkor service will precede Sim- to march around. There are seven tion. The children will stand in the chat Torah Services at 5:15pm hakafot, so as soon as the circle middle of the circle surrounded by the around the sanctuary is completed, Torah. If you’ve never seen the Torah Erev Simchat Torah Service will be unscrolled, you won’t want to miss it! at 6pm. the Torah is handed to another per-

8 Jewish Trivia for sepTember and ocTober courTesy of norman hanenbaum

September October 1941 Birkenau Concentration Camp September 1, 1939 Germany invades Poland, (also known as Auschwitz-Birk- beginning World War II enau) opened by the Nazis. September 5, 1972 Palestinian terrorists kill October 1, 1946 Sentences announced as the eleven Israeli athletes at Nuremberg Trials end. Sev- the Munich Olympics. Five enteen Nazi war criminals terrorists are killed. Israeli receive death sentences, warplanes retaliate against seven are imprisoned and Lebanon and Syria. three acquitted. September 9, 1965 Sandy Koufax of the L.A. Dodg- October 27, 1967 Jerusalem is reunited under ers pitches a perfect game Israeli control. against the Chicago Cubs. October 6, 1973 Yom Kippur War begins with September 15, 1934 Nuremberg Laws enacted a sneak attack on Israel by in Germany, restricting Jews Egypt, Jordan and Syria. from a wide range of busi - October 6, 1981 Anwar Sadat, Egyptian Presi - nesses and resulting in their dent, is assassinated in Cairo loss of citizenship. by a Muslim extremist. September 22, 196 4 Fiddler on the Roof opens October 14, 1994 Yitzhak Rabin, Shimon Peres on Broadway at the Imperial and Yasir Arafat are awarded Theater the N obel Peace Prize. September 24, 1950 With “Operation Magic October 25, 2009 Jared Kushner marries Ivanka Carpet” the Israeli Air Force Trump, who had converted to begins airlifting the entire . Jewish community of Yemen, numbering 50,000, to Israel. Deceased September 27, 1954 The Tonight Show makes its October 5, 1941 Louis Brandeis, Supreme debut, hosted by Steve Allen. Court Justice October 23, 1950 Al Jolson, singer Deceased October 29, 1957 Louis B. Mayer, Hollywood September 22, 1989 Irving Berlin, composer mogul September 8, 1997 Zero Mostel, actor October 16, 1981 Moshe Dayan, soldier and September 4, 1986 Hank Greenberg, baseball politician player October 26, 1990 William Paley, President of September 22, 2007 Marcel Marceau, mime CBS September 22, 2001 Isaac Stern, violinist October 21, 1994 Shlomo Carlebach, rabbi and September 29, 2009 Tony Curtis, actor musician September 22, 2010 Eddie Fisher, singer October 30, 2000 Steve Allen, television person - September 4, 2014 Joan Rivers, comedian ality September 28, 2016 Shimon Peres, politician October 3, 2004 Janet Leigh, actress October 23, 2004 Robert Merrill, opera singer October October 9, 2005 Louis Nye, actor October 13, 1843 Bnai Brith founded in New October 17, 2007 Joey Bishop, comedian York City. October 22, 2009 Soupy Sales, comedian October 6, 1927 Release of The Jazz Singer, October 24, 2010 Joe Stein, playwright the first talking picture, star- ring Al Jolson.

9 A Tale of Avian Repentance by Allan Appel

o matter how much I try, “Have a good year,” to cover the oblig- afford them. I was on a budgie budget, attending High Holiday serv- atory Rosh Hashanah niceties; and for and I was happy enough with my mod- Nices continues to be at best a Yom Kippur “Tzom Kal,” Hebrew for est purchase and as I had nearly three chore for me, something I, well, just “Have an easy fast;” and, if I got lucky months to work with the Rabbi, I didn’t must do out of a kind of inertia of grati- with my bird even “G’mar chatima anticipate any problems. tude for my late parents and general tovah,” or “May you be inscribed for a affection for my people Israel. I confess good one [in the ole book of life.]” I found a quiet corner in my office for I don’t really know enough to appre- the Rabbi, away from his cage, which ciate the significance of the holidays Such words should be full of pitch and I had located in the kitchen. I set up nor do I understand much Hebrew. moment, even dread. Yet repeated ad a simple perch for him in front of the In these regards I’m pretty much like infinitum, they become utterly tooth- bookshelf that just happened to contain, many Jews today, I suppose. less so that of all the aspects of social on the section behind it, my copy of the life around the Days of Awe, it is the 1917 Jewish Encyclopedia, a gift from Although I’ve heard lots of sermons endless repletion of these greetings, my mother’s friend, Mrs. Axelrod, before over the years and even have done especially to people I barely know or she died. some reading about Rosh Hashanah even like, that just bugs me the most. being the birthday of the world and The fact that dear Mrs. Axelrod had Yom Kippur being the holiest of them And that’s why the Rabbi came into died of throat cancer caused by being all, the Sabbath of Sabbaths or some my life. Here’s how. a three-pack-a-day Camel smoker, such, still, as some Jewish comedian and my mother had dragged me along used to say, way back in the 1950s In June I went online, and chose my on many visits to the poor woman, when I was growing up, in one era bird, a little green budgie, which was a malodorous cloth with pain-killing and out the other. duly delivered two weeks later. I opiates always clutched to her throat noticed that the parakeet was a male. in the months before she expired, and Still I can’t bring myself to declare I’m certainly advanced enough in unable to speak a word except croak atheism or to totally ignore the day my thinking that I would have called out sounds, well, all that wasn’t lost on and go to the beach. My brain is too it “Rabbi” even if it were a female, me as the Rabbi began to respond to inscribed with guilt and, frankly, even but the title seemed to fit really well my teaching and make his first guttural the term, The Days of Awe, that ten- with this little fellow, who had a tiny utterances. day period flanked by Rosh Hashanah black cap of a yarmulkah, and even and Yom Kippur – the holidays like a whisker or two of feathers beneath In fact as I repeated over and over twin lions bestriding the potentially his chin. In the late afternoon light, again Shana Tovah, Shana Tova, and doomsday gate to all that the future as I examined him, the chin feathers the budgie croaked back sounds that holds . . . life, death, illness, calamities reminded me of the goatee of one after days and days of sounding just caused by sword and famine, compu- of my Hebrew teachers from many like Mrs. Axelrod began to evolve into ter breakdown . . . the whole thing ago, a dyspeptic old man who used the shape of the Hebrew words Shanah hanging in the balance. All that, even to squeeze my ear quite painfully Tovah, well, to say it was one of the without a jot of belief in it, is with between his thumb and index finger most rewarding days of my life is pure me still; at my age I feel too weary to if I got the wrong answer, which I fre- understatement. fight it or render it meaningful in any quently did. rational sort of way. I’m not an overly excitable guy, but, I know that African Congolese parrots man oh man, was I happy. As the train- Which is why I decided this year to and cockatiels and other such exotic ing manual had instructed, I kept repeat- purchase for myself a parrot and to creatures larger than the Rabbi are sup- ing “Good Rabbi, good Rabbi” and of teach it to say “Shanah Tovah,” that is, posed to be better talkers, but I couldn’t course I generously rewarded the Rabbi

10 with choice sweet gum seeds and grains I began to come to terms with the bird phies of the Chassidic rabbis of dwin- of oatmeal. being, well, a bit like me, a lazy, one- dling lineages from no longer existent note Rabbi. academies in no longer surviving com- I’d say by the second week of July we munities; I read about the Pale of Settle- had Shana Tova totally down, and so I Not that I gave up trying to teach him ment, Poland and other countries with went to work on Tzom Kal, or “Have an the other phrases, but I was now clearly now gone Jewish communities, I read easy fast.” adjusting my expectations. When I had about Lillith and angels in the Jewish just about solaced myself that he would tradition, including someone named Here days went by without the previous say only one phrase, he surprised me: Sandalphon, who bestrided rivers in rapid progress. No matter how many The Rabbi got the little trick I’d taught Eden. hours I put in, no matter how religiously him: To say his croaky, high-pitched I followed the various online tutorials Shanah Tovah when I pulled on the little I read between dozing and training, and I now researched on how to train your leash that I’d attached to his left leg. I began to read out loud to the Rabbi. I budgie—- be excited and enthusiastic— read him about places where the borders the Rabbi just hopped around on his I’d sit in the big easy chair under the had changed a dozen times, about mas- perch, raised his wings for me to duly Rabbi’s perch and try to get him to repeat sacres in forests, about what kinds of scratch him, and rejected even trying “Tzom Kal” and “Gmar Chatima Tovah,” wood were required for arks and holy “Tzom Kal.” and Happy Holidays all of which he booths. I thought items dealing with declined to even begin to mimic. Now trees would interest a parrot. I began to wonder if the budgie, an whenever I yanked on his leash, he American-born bird after all, was rebel- always obliged with a chirpy “Shanah I’ve always liked reading encyclopedias, ling against the Hebrew as I myself Tovah, Shanah Tovah,” that to my ear not from A to Z or end to end as some had been a Hebrew school drop-out. grew more, well, heart-felt. poor obsessive souls do, but randomly It occurred to me that maybe I’d better turning the pages until something switch to English. So I canned the “Tzom I knew that I well might have confused catches my eye. All I did that was differ- Kal,” and tried to teach him instead the creature with this on-again-off-again ent now that I had the Rabbi sitting on “Have An Easy Fast;” I realized that was teaching, and I pretty much resigned my shoulder or atop my head, where he perhaps too long a phrase , so I switched myself, that is, just accepted my parroted had a bad habit of scrunching his sharp- to the simpler “Happy Holiday.” Shana Tovah, and, especially with the toed feet into my bald spot, was to read leg-pull prompt, as no mean achieve- out loud, and perhaps in a more sing- That would cover Yom Kippur as well ment, and I was okay with it. song voice than usual, that might appeal as Rosh Hashanah, although as far as to a budgie. I could recall there was nothing much I checked the temple’s newsletter to be happy about Yom Kippur except getting sure about the dates for the upcoming Here, for example, was Theodore it over with. services and I found myself counting the Herzl’s childhood, and then, when days, with real anticipation, like tearing I picked up another volume, I read By now I’d gotten to know the bird off sheets of a calendar to mark the pas- aloud of the horned headed beast as pretty well. Which is to say that while sage of time in an old movie. described in the Book of Daniel, an I did drive him hard, still I was by no apocalyptic symbol as well as an image means a terrible taskmaster. On the con- I began taking longer and longer breaks of the Greek oppressor of the Jews, trary, I regularly petted the Rabbi’s beak, from the teaching and instead I began to King Antiochus of Syria, according to I combed his feathers, I scratched him, grow curious about old Mrs. Axelrod’s the subject’s greatest scholar, back in had him perch on my finger and I took encyclopedia, which I never would have 1917 or whenever the tome was pub- him on walks about the apartment, to the paid any attention to, let alone opened lished, which in this instance was Prof. window to look out on the garden and up, had I not had to find a quiet place to R.M. Ginsberg. I read the entry about the street beyond, although I kept the locate the Rabbi’s perch. the flood, Noah and the ark, because its window, of course, always closed, lest hero, of course, was the bird, the raven the Rabbi fly away. Maybe it was my largely solitary life and that brought back a twig, a sign of land the presence of the Rabbi, but soon there and salvation. As July turned to August, and the begin- I was thumbing through the old tomes nings of September and the cooler with their tri-partite black and white I read aloud, nodded off, awoke, fed weather signaled the arrival of the holi- lithographs of Vilna, the Jerusalem of the Rabbi his dinner, and I of course days, it began to be apparent that all the Lithuania, and then in volume “JA to KR”, continued to run the Rabbi through his great hopes that I had lucked out with a old Jerusalem herself. Shana Tovah paces. I practiced with the kind of genius budgie at a discount price, Rabbi as if I were speaking to a bright a bird that was going to be a marvelously In the long breaks between our train- two-year-old in what was for me a r quick learner, an Einstein of a parakeet, ing sessions, I read whatever randomly elatively high pitched voice – and he were all just wishful thinking. came to my fingertips: archaic biogra- Continued on page 12

11 A Tale of Avian Continued from page 11 repeated Shanah Tovah and then ate and And what a huge parking lot, an institu- yet as birds have no sphincters, did I repeated, and ate again. tion in and of itself. want to risk an “accident”, especially on the high holidays? For what if the Rabbi Have I mentioned that Rabbi was always It was as if our community had been on flew to the holy ark and let loose there? hungry, and that in the course of our the verge of losing its collective mind learning together, his lime-green breast contemplating creating the country’s first So perhaps I should split the difference fattened visibly, as if he were as proud drive-in synagogue. I kid you not. Such between the parking lot, where there of his achievement as I was. And so the has been tried in other communities, in was of course serious danger the Rabbi days passed and the holidays neared. the Midwest, I think, where there is more could fly away, and the safer, yet poten- real estate. tially more transgressive precinct of the I now had to think about just what the sanctuary itself? Rabbi and I were going to do. That is, But fortunately, at the last minute, after would I perch him on my shoulder, as space for the 500th vehicle had been I settled on bringing the Rabbi in, but some of the manuals suggest, or on the slotted in and painted yellow, our con- I would go no farther than our sanctu- index finger, which gives more control? gregational leaders voted that erecting ary lobby. There, as people entered, we More to the point, was I going to take the various kiosks and even an outdoor could Shanah Tovah to my heart’s con- the Rabbi physically into services within ark the size of a movie screen and an tent, maximize my point while minimiz- the sanctuary for him to offer greetings outdoor platform or bimah appropriate ing the danger of the Rabbi taking off or on my behalf, or rather do the greetings for a Super Bowl halftime, might all just committing other offenses. deed in the parking lot? be going a tad too far. So, having trained The Rabbi to sit I’m sure some scholar will be able to find Still the facility today is well maintained patiently on the dashboard of my Volvo references in one of our many revered and well painted, although the lot still and receive seeds and broken up shards books and their commentaries written dwarfs the squat steel and glass layer- of Saltines as his reward, on erev Rosh perhaps by a ninth century bird-watch- cake of a temple building that sits on its Hashanah, I drove over, parked quite ing Talmudist pertaining to whether avi- far western edge. close to the main door of the temple ans are allowed in the synagogue, and, with its shining wooden reliefs of Moses if so, on all or only some holidays? And Apart from the worship of Parking, theo- leading our people through the Red Sea how might their behavior in the syna- logically the temple floats somewhere – no petrels, albatrosses, gulls, or other gogue be regulated? between Reform and Reconstructionist sea birds, I must point out, are part of and Name Your Own Form of Judaism, that composition. Yet to find such items or argue such a which maybe is why I thought to bring point was not in my portfolio. a parakeet to services this year would be Rows upon rows of cars were already no big deal, would even amuse my fel- in place, and so, having found a spot in I simply wanted the Rabbi to say Shanah low shilly-shally co-religionists. the third row from the temple entrance, Tovah for me, and so the key question I attached the leash I had fashioned to now became where at the synagogue or So it began to occur to me that the most the Rabbi’s right leg, wrapped the other in its purlieus to attain that achievement? appropriate place for the greetings to be end around my index finger, placed delivered and, along with them – it will The Rabbi on my shoulder, and made My synagogue, temple really, is one of not surprise you to hear – the implicit for the lobby. those big affairs built in the early 1960s criticism of the lot and other such sym- when I was just coming of age, and Juda- bols onto which our faith seems to have Before we had loped half way across, I ism, having survived World War Two, landed, I began spied Mort and Sally Resnick, the nice was flexing its newly secure muscles in folks who own the hardware store. They suburban America. to think it most appropriate to have were angling, as I was, toward the main the Rabbi do his trick outside in the lot entrance. We met near the steps, when It features an immense parking lot, area near the synagogue, but before Mort, after giving me a pleasant greeting distinguished by lane dividers that people enter. of hello suddenly shifted his gaze. were always, always so well painted and regularly touched up a bright And yet the parking lot was so vast, as I “You have a bird on your shoulder.” canary yellow, that, I maintained, raced from one car to the next, would I astronauts, who had recently circled not miss a lot of friends for whom I really “Don’t you want to wish me something?” the earth, might see them from their did want, well, I admit it, to show off my orbits. They were especially cheery at Hebrew-speaking bird. “Yeah, I wish to know why the hell you high holiday time when they were far have a bird on your shoulder.” brighter, to my eye, than even the ner Then again, my mind see-sawed in this tamid, the allegedly ever-burning can- argument: Wasn’t the point really to “His name is Rabbi.” dle, on the temple dais inside. bring the bird into the synagogue? And “Hello, Rabbi,” said Sally.

12 Sally Resnick has a twinkle in her blue “His first time at shul,” I said, and I gave he was excited. I tightened my finger eyes, and I’ve always liked dealing with the Rabbi an encouraging tug crossed around his leash as Sally leaned close her more than Mort, who always struck with the evil eye. to me, just inches from my face, and me as having an imagination limited took her shapely index finger, painted to wishing he were anywhere else but “Come on, honey,” said Sally sweetly. light blue at the nail, and stroked the behind his counter, so it’s with Sally I’ve “Shanah tovah. Shanah tovah.” Rabbi’s cap. “Nice, rabbi, nice rabbi,” dealt when I go in to buy duct tape and she murmured. various other items that I’d used to fix up “I was nervous the first time too,” said the Rabbi’s cage and perch. Mort, with a wink to his wife. “Wish him Shanah Tovah now, Sally,” I said and commenced to pull gently on “Cute Rabbi.” “He does just fine wishing me a Shanah the leash. “Now.” Tovah,” and I proceeded to say it now “The real rabbi’s not going to like this.’ using a little kid’s lilt, in the high pitch “Shanah Tovah,” she said, “Shanah that I used in the training. Tovah, little Rabbi” she cooed again in a “Oh, I’m not going in, Mort. I mean the voice so hushed and sexy it was if Mari- bird isn’t.” “Shanah Tovah, Shanah Tovah, Shanah lyn Monroe, a brief convert to Judaism, Tovah,” I repeated. if I remember correctly, were suddenly “No?” being channeled. Still the Rabbi only hopped around my “Just hanging with the bird?” shoulder, bobbed his head around, tak- And yet the Rabbi said nothing at all. ing in the temple and the environs with “He’s not an ordinary bird.” evident interest and curiosity. I won- All the while other people were enter- dered if it was Sally’s verdant perfume. I ing the synagogue all around us. Several “Of course not,” said Sally. “He’s a rabbi.” loved it, and it was strong, but you never were curious, of course, especially the can tell with birds. kids. They neared and checked out the “He’s a high holiday parrot. Wish him a Rabbi, who, despite the ruckus around happy new year.” I took a slight step backwards to remove him, remained impassive. Several slightly from the influence of her scent. wished each other Shanah Tovah’s, of “Okay, happy new year,” said Mort. I I repeated the command, and this time course, as they passed us. As they were pulled the rabbi’s leg, but he did not the Rabbi paused and seemed to look within earshot of my hearing, I knew respond. not at me but directly at Sally. Who could the Rabbi heard them as well. Yet he blame the Rabbi, but speak he did not. no more responded to those passers-by “Maybe he doesn’t like me.” He did not utter a sound. than he did to Sally Resnick’s gentle min- istrations. “No, he likes you fine. You just have “Here, maybe give it something to eat,” to say it with more meaning, and in said Mort, as he reached into his jacket “Bummer,” she said. Hebrew. Try Hebrew.” pocket and came up with two red-and- white round peppermint candies. “I’m “The thing is,” said Mort, “either you “He knows Hebrew? saving these here for Yom Kippur, but haven’t trained him well enough, or he I’m happy to share with the bird.” knows something you don’t.” “Of course.” “Birds don’t eat candy.” “What do you mean?” I asked. “Okay then.” “Yeah, but if he’s a high holiday par- “Well, technically, it’s not the New Year “Shanah Tovah,” said Mort. rot like you say, maybe he’ll make an until the sun sets, and you see there it exception.” Mort quipped and extended hasn’t quite, and until after the services it Still the Rabbi didn’t respond. his hand toward us. “Here, candy for doesn’t become the New Year, right?” birdie, birdie, nice birdie.” “Maybe you’ve got a deaf parrot there.” “You got a point there.” I backed away from Mort whose little “Maybe you try,” I said to Sally. joke didn’t please Sally any more than it “Bird’s too smart for you.” had me. She seemed to sense my upset. Sally offered her greeting, I pulled the As she approached, I smelled her per- “But he’s been saying Shanah Tovah to Rabbi’s leg again, yet the Rabbi didn’t fume again, and I wondered if the Rabbi, me for months now. At home.” respond. with his far more exquisite sense of smell, was finding it attractive or upset- “Well, that’s all I’ve got to say on the mat- “He’s a little nervous, I guess.” ting. ter. Good luck. Let’s go, honey.” “Seems to be,” said Mort. His nails dug into my finger; I could tell Continued on page 14

13 A Tale of Avian Continued from page 13

I wish I could say that Sally was reluctant look, he pecked at and then ate what In the Rabbi’s silence, I realized that to go into the sanctuary with her hus- I offered. while I was disappointed, I was not band and wanted instead to linger with sad. Not really. The bird had brought me and the Rabbi. Then through my bird, I couldn’t decide whether to drive home me to the synagogue, well, at least as her affection for me grows, she divorces or leave the Rabbi in the car and go into far as the parking lot and lobby, and Mort, marries me and we live happily services. I knew I’d be bored in the serv- I knew that without him, I would not ever after running a pet store together. ices, but I’d be bored at home as well, be even here; without the bird and and wasn’t being bored among peo- my lessons for him, I would have defi- Are such fantasies permitted on the high ple a preferable condition? Jews don’t nitely stayed away, completely. holidays? On their eve? speak much about boredom. Nor do they speak much about despair, which And I told the bird. I expressed my Alas, she did not linger. Nor did I. is boredom’s dangerous dark cousin, as appreciation. When I had finished, he Christians do, but we suffer from it as hopped away, and seemed to find some- Maybe there was something about the much as other faiths, to be sure. thing interesting to peck at the far corner lobby that was disturbing Rabbi. of the dash over the glove compartment. I think that’s another reason I had gotten I thought the openness of the darken- the Rabbi, not just to prank my co-reli- I stared at his busyness for a few seconds ing sky might relax the budgie enough gionists but because I’m an isolated guy and decided that as I had paid my mem- so he could speak to folks perhaps as and I needed a friend, and an activity to bership this year, why not? they pulled into the lot. So, risking his focus on, and it seemed easiest to pur- flight, I did just that. I went out and cir- chase one in this manner. I rubbed my face with my hands, culated up and down the rows of the grabbed my comb and fussed a bit with cars. I talked to several people, some I So, in the midst of such gloomy thoughts, my sparse, thinning hair, in a manner knew but most I did not, as they parked, as contemplating home or shul, both that, frankly, reminded me a little of how extracted their talit bags, fetched out grievous alternatives, the Rabbi hopped the Rabbi neatened his own feathers, scarves against our sanctuary’s excessive up onto the steering wheel, cocked his often after he ate. air conditioning, and other parapherna- head to the side so that he could look lia from out the back seats. me, as it were, right in the eye. “I’ll see you a little later,” I said to the bird, and then, sliding half way out Honesty compels me to report, how- “So what do you have to say for yourself? the car door, I added, “By the way, ever, that the Rabbi remained as mute Shanah Tovah? Shanah Tovah?” Shanah Tovah.” with these folks as he had been with the Resnicks. He was silent, but somehow his pres- “Tzom Kal,” he replied. “Tzom Kal. ence was there. He was not ignoring me. Tzom Tovah. Shanah Kal. Gmar Cha- I went back to my Volvo, placed the tima Kal Tovah.” Rabbi on the dash beneath the rear view I tried again. “Shanah Tovah. I know mirror and balefully put a few seeds and you’ll do it in private, right? Or maybe Allan Appel's most recent novel is shards of a Saltine on my finger tip. Mort’s right. You want me to go in, and The Book of Mormon, a comedic pray, and come back out, and you’ll say send-up of Jewish-Mormon relations He hopped toward me and then it then? You’re an orthodox bird, maybe? (MandelVilar, 2017) away and after giving me a strange Waiting to make it kosher?”

TORAH STUDY: SWIMMING IN A RIVER OF GOD’S WORDS by Alison Miller hen a friend of mine recently with the delight of a child imagining 30s. I had grown up within the Uni- Wdescribed what studying Torah Disneyworld. versity of Chicago community at a time is like for her, she waxed poetic. “Oh when intellectualism was the only true Alison,” she said in her thick Ethio- I readily admit I’ve never been that “religion” and the New York Times, the pian accent, “when I study Torah, it eloquent in my descriptions of what Bible. Those who were observant in is like swimming in a river of God’s studying Torah is like for me. But I any religion were immediately deemed words. I feel so close to Him. There is cannot deny that I share her sense of inferior in intellect. (This is a belief my nothing else like it!” she said shaking joy and wonder. 88-year-old father still holds, although her head with an exuberant laugh. I think he encounters a bit of cognitive “If I could,” she lowered her voice I came to this particular party later than dissonance when faced with his own conspiratorially, “I would quit this job many I know. My first experience in daughter’s theism.) When I tentatively and study Torah all day!” She giggled studying Torah was when I was in my began to explore the magnetic pull of

14 Judaism, which I once heard described bers!) we were able to get through a the surrounding environs; everything as the whisper of God’s daughter, I had couple of pages. exuded a sense of serenity and peace. to do so in secret. My parents would have been OK with my being gay, but It took us five years to get through But I knew in my bones that I had my being a theist was, shall we say, not every word of the Torah. As one might found my home when Rabbi began well received. expect, even with five years of study, describing how dynamic Torah Study I felt I had nothing more than a pass- at CBSRZ had become over its many Thirty years ago, my husband and ing acquaintance with the messages years, how the group had started to I decided to sign up for a weekend embedded there. include the into the week’s retreat up at Olin-Sang-Ruby Union readings and how she had to prepare Institute (OSRUI) in Wisconsin with Twelve years after that family retreat herself each week for the intellec- our new synagogue. Everything was weekend, my husband had become my tual workout this group gave her. It carefully planned, including enrich- ex-husband, my in-laws had become sounded like heaven to me. ing and fun children’s programs, with strangers, and our beloved synagogue the much adored high school kids community had become a battle- If the expression “Torah Study” brings as counselors, allowing us to attend ground. My relationships there, my up the image from one of those old the adult programs unburdened. We friendships there, were all worth fight- paintings of the bearded elder, tefillin thought it’d give us a chance to get to ing for…but I was unwilling to wage a in place, bent over an enormous tome, know more folks in our shul. public war in that sacred space I loved lost in his search for the Truth within so much. So I quietly admitted defeat, the text, just toss that image into the I had no idea how much fun being in retreated and ultimately disappeared. back seat. It bears no resemblance a camp environment, studying Torah, to the energetic, sometime humor- could be. Sure, the Shabbat intergener- The sages say that when we stop ous, always thoughtful discussion this ational softball game with the Rabbi as studying Torah, Judaism disappears. group routinely engages in. It’s intel- pitcher was a hoot. And the -led For me, this was absolutely true. Dur- lectually stimulating, spiritually enrich- songfest after dinner reminded me of ing the ensuing decade, I tried out other ing, and sometimes even emotionally my own wonderful camp experiences. synagogues, but none of the other com- evocative. But it’s never dull. But nothing prepared me for the joy I munities offered the feeling of beit mid- found in studying Torah. rash—a House of Study—that I yearned Here’s an understatement if ever there for. I wanted a place where I could was one: I am no Torah scholar. But I began to understand finally why it is deepen my identity as Jew through the there are several people in our group, that studying Torah is considered to study of my religion’s laws and precepts. in addition to Rabbi, who (in my book be the most important of all the mitz- at least) qualify as such. The context vot; it is a covenant and a conduit, a Slowly, I stopped attending services. they contribute, the insights they share, promise and a pipeline. It is through I stopped lighting Shabbat candles. and questions they ask sometimes blow Torah that I felt a growing closeness I stopped wearing my Star of David me out of my seat. There are moments to God and began to grow as a Jew. necklace. Slowly, with children now where I feel I am drinking from a fire As I studied, I became more observ- grown and gone, part of my identity hose, the discussion is so layered. ant, and as I became more observant, simply faded away, and I felt a painful I found that I liked myself better and I emptiness that not even the joy of my But even in those moments, I feel I was, well, happier. wonderful new marriage could fill. am exactly where I am meant to be, even that I belong there, studying Our Rabbi, I quickly discovered, was By the time Marc and I decided to hard, sometimes studying things that a brilliant scholar with a dry, often move from Florida to the Northeast, I are over my head. Rabbi reminded hilarious sense of humor. Discussing, was, I now realize, at a point of spir- us recently that Torah is meant to be dissecting, exploring important con- itual starvation. I wasn’t looking for a not only inspirational, but also aspi- cepts from the text was intellectually particular living space. I wasn’t look- rational. It is meant to bring us up, to and spiritually nourishing in a way I’d ing for a particular job. My focus was strengthen our resolve to do better never experienced before. on finding a synagogue where I could each day. So I keep coming back. stop feeling like the Wandering Jew, After that weekend, I began attend- lost in the wilderness of non-Jewish I cannot overstate how enriching ing our rabbi’s Torah Study group that life. I wanted a place where I could studying Torah with my fellow “Holy met every Shabbat morning. Instead of finally rest, finally settle. Scrollers” has been for me, even studying the week’s parsha and mov- in the few short months I’ve been ing through the Torah in sync with the When I met with Rabbi Bellows, a attending. I do indeed feel I am swim- week’s services, we studied it line by quick “game” of “Jewish Geography” ming in a river of God’s words when line. Some weeks we were only able revealed many overlaps we had, I study Torah with this group. It has to get through three sentences, the including her aunt and uncle hav- reawakened my identity as a Jew, text was so rich with meaning. Some ing been friends of mine many years for which I am profoundly grateful. I weeks (like when we were in Num- ago. I loved the CBSRZ sanctuary and have missed that part of me.

15 Kivvun Korner

s of this writing, even amidst the We will continue with the same Sun- 5:15 – All in Holy Scrollers Jr. with Ahigh heat, the days are beginning day schedule as last year: Rabbi Bellows to get ever so slightly shorter. When 9:30 – Kehillah-T’fillah (Community we begin again in September, we will Prayer0 In addition, with huge thanks to Erica be returning to a new Quest! With 10:00 – Ivrit (Individualized Hebrew Eudoff, Chair of Facilities and Debbie our focus last year on exploring our instruction with Madrichim) St. John, Admin. Asst., we will be com- immediate Kivvun community, our ing back to some very fun changes in 10:30 – Chatiff – Snack to Go next Quest will focus on the whole our school wing. I don’t want to give community of CBSRZ as we consider Limmud – Judaica Content (two the surprise away though before the “Why is CBSRZ important?” This will groups, as last year) opening of Kivvun, so come in any be a wonderful opportunity to teach 11:10 – Chugim (Club Projects) Sunday morning to see our space and our students about everything that 11:45 – Siyyum (Recap of the morning) what our children and families are up happens in our building. This will Our Wednesday schedule will also be to! The energy in the building is elec- include brief reviews of holidays (not the same as last year: tric, fun, and contagious! at same level since they were covered 4:15 – Communal Snack in depth last year), Life-Cycle Events, Wishing everyone Shana Tova – look- the work that our Committees and 4:30 – Kehillah T’Fillah (Community ing forward to seeing everyone soon. Board do for us, along with Values, Prayer) Hebrew, and Prayer. 4:45 – Ivrit (Hebrew) —Morah Belinda

Spencer Lindenman and Benjamin Rosenblum-Jones at Crane Lake Camp. Rabbi Bellows and Alex Infeld at Camp Eisner

CONSECRATION Please join us for consecration on Sept 30 as we welcome our newest learners to the Kivvun community. This ritual marks the formal start of a young learner's . We will celebrate with a ceremony where the students will receive a certificate, mini Torah scroll and a taste of honey to symbolize the sweetness of studying Torah.

Happy Birthday! Yom Huledet Sameach!

September October Benjamin Rosenblum-Jones Sept. 8 Jacob Randall Oct. 1 David Crair Sept. 11 Aria Sinnappen Oct. 4 Cole Merriam Sept. 22 Rachel Gelven Oct. 13 David Bixon Sept. 27 Phin Merriam Oct. 17 Moreh Eric Infeld Oct. 29 16 “IMAGES SOUS-MARINES”: A N EXHIBITION OF THE UNDERWATER PHOTOGRAPHY OF DAVID ZELEZNIK by Linda Pinn

avid Zeleznik developed a love Dof photography at the age of thirteen, spurred by an SLR cam- era he received from his aunt as a bar mitzvah gift. It allowed him to express a creative side of which he was previously unaware. Because of his creative over-exposures and intentional blurred focus photos, he quickly learned to shoot only slides so there was no way for the lab to change the colors or fail to develop his prints. In middle school his father helped him create blackout panels for the windows and door of a downstairs utility room that became his darkroom. By high school he realized that this was a great place to bring a girl for a makeout session since his par- ents could not enter as long as the red light outside the door was lit! David's first ribbons were won at the Durham Fair photo contest for Grand Cayman Diving: French Angelfish Stare Down impressionist flower photographs.

Fast forward to 1989 when David gave Narragansett Pier anymore, and I Underwater photography marries two in to peer pressure and dove into the didn't have to wear thick wetsuits, of David's passions, photography and murky waters of Long Island sound hoods and gloves to battle the cold! the scuba diver's sense of explora- and then the cold waters of New Eng- The itch to capture what I was seeing tion. "I am constantly in awe and land where he discovered that "...there grew so strong that I purchased my wonder at being able to experience was actual stuff to see besides broken first underwater camera during my first a part of our planet that remains hid- beer bottles and horseshoe crabs, and trip to Grand Cayman, a Nikonos V den to the vast majority of people. I even lobsters to catch." He took his rangefinder with an underwater flash like to say that it is the closest I will first diving trips in Curacao and Grand which I had no idea how to use. This ever get to visiting another planet in Cayman where he was "...blown away prompted me to take my first under- my lifetime, and I feel privileged to by the color and the vibrant life in the water photography class of many to be able to share it in some small way beautiful clear waters. This wasn't follow. I was hooked." through my photographs. Scuba div- Continued on page 18

17 Images Sous-Marines Continued from page 13 ing is a very peaceful and weightless experience, extremely Zen and relax- ing when done with skill. Contrary to popular belief, most of the exertion in diving happens on the surface, either prepping to get in the water or get- ting out at the end of the dive. Once below the surface, all of that falls away, and it is just the sound of your own breathing as your eyes widen to soak in the view."

"The more I photograph underwater, the more I learn. The art of camou- flage, the ability of critters to change color or decorate themselves and hide in plain sight is endlessly fasci- nating. The symbiotic relationships that have developed between differ- ent species is also amazing. Turtles will have defined cleaning stations: on top of the reef where they hover like spaceships to have tangs and other fish nibble algae and parasites from their shells. Moray eels will open their mouths to allow small banded shrimp to enter and clean food particles from between their teeth. The list goes on and on. Sixty per cent of the human body is water, and seawater covers more than seventy per cent of the earth's Rainbow Reef: Upward-Facing Honu surface. We came from water and are made of water. Water is life, and life is water. I hope my photographs inspire you to appreciate this treas- ure that is often overlooked."

David Zeleznik opens his color- filled and exciting water world to us in his CBSRZ Main Street Gallery exhibit that runs from late August to the end of October. There is an opening reception on Sunday, August 26, from 5pm – 7pm. Wine and appetizers will be served. Admission is free and open to the entire shoreline community. The exhibit can be viewed Mon–Fri, 10am – 3pm. Zeleznik will donate 35% of all work sold to CBSRZ. Koloa Landing: Dragon Moray

18 A Guatemala Story, Lives on Film by Melinda Alcosser s a recipient of a scholarship We visited Antigua and Lake Atitlán, and media arts teacher Michael Her- from the Friendship Fund, two places frequented by both tour- nandez, who has made many award- AI was recently fortunate to ists and many others, who after expe- winning films of his own, as well as travel to Guatemala with a group of riencing Guatemala decide to stay guided student work. He provided educators on a Digital Storytelling pro- and form, or become part of, one of me and the other educators insight gram run by Peaceworks Travel. This the many NGOs (non-governmental and personalized hands-on training on organization was founded by a history organizations) that do solid work how to utilize digital technology to get teacher just after 9/11, who felt it to foster sustainability within these to know the people and culture and vital to find a way to build bridges, indigenous communities. Guatemala develop questions to bring out per- not walls. Peaceworks’ mission — went through genocide in the ’70s sonal stories. The only tools required –’80s (why this is still little known is were our mobile phones, iPads, and/ to enable travelers to engage in a whole other story) and much of the or computers. The idea was for us as meaningful adventures designed population is still recovering. educators to learn the techniques of “to foster critical thinking, empathy, filmmaking on these devices and to and innovative solutions for a more Our Digital Storytelling instructor was then bring this knowledge back to use peaceful world” — is close to my heart! Los Angeles documentary filmmaker with our own students.

Students and teachers at the David Lamotte Preschool in Santiago de Atitlàn Continued on page 20

19 Guatemala Continued from page 19

We met and interviewed a variety of people, some pre-arranged, and others spontaneously based on the day’s itiner- ary. We met and toured coffee fields, interviewed farmers who worked with De La Gente Coffee, a farmers’ coopera- tive that creates economic opportunity and improves the lives of these famers and their families. Not only did we visit the fields, but also after picking coffee beans, we prepared the beans, roasted them over a fire, ground them using mortar and pestle, and then drank a cup — literally the freshest cup of a most delicious coffee one could ever have! We visited a small elementary school in Santiago de Atitlán and were able to meet with students and teachers. The students were learning in both their native Mayan language Tzu’tujil (Tzoo-tu-hil) and in Spanish. Literacy rate in Guatemala is improving but is still one of the lowest in the world. The Mayan population suffered dur- ing the almost four-decade civil war. Much of the work now is focused on youth and improving lives so that next generations can prosper. Students at this school are engaged, yet have little. When the teacher wants her students to write, each is called to retrieve his or her own pencil, one at a time, from a personal backpack. Seeing this, we obtained a supplies list from the teacher, which we filled at a local store before leaving the town. A little help, but certainly our hearts were touched. Melinda standing with Sarah after a Digital Storytelling interview. Standing out side Sarah’s shop and home, sharing We also spent time with a group of her embroidery, downtown Santiago de Atitlàn women who run a women’s weaving cooperative in San Juan de Atitlán. These women use plants to make cal devices are not going away; to use will be using with my own students, in their own dyes and grow the cotton them purposefully in the classroom the classroom and out in the world. to later weave fibers on hand-made without their being simply a distrac- tion is a teacher’s dream! Digital This year at the school where I am co- looms, all to create brilliantly colored founder and educator, CT Experiential scarves, clothing, handbags, and much Storytelling is a brilliant concept that takes advantage of the positive aspects Learning Center (CELC) Middle School more. The cooperative, according to in Branford, our theme is Heritage, those we interviewed, brings greater of this technology, accessing many areas of learning, including journalism, Ethnicity, and Quest for Freedom — a income, as there are now sales directly rich avenue for digital storytelling! If from weaver to consumer. filmmaking, communication skills, and artistic expression. anyone at CBSRZ would like to share As one of many educators who did stories of your heritage with my stu- not grow up using digital technology, As someone who has traveled quite a dents, please make contact; we would it can be a challenge as to how, and bit, yet not very savvy with technol- love to document it on film! ogy, I am thrilled to have this new whether, to incorporate these modern If you have stories for Melinda devices into the classroom. Digital skill. It adds depth to travel and the ability to capture real stories about real you can contact her at: Storytelling provides a framework to [email protected] address this issue. These technologi- people. This is definitely something I 20 Announcement from the Cemetery Board by Stu Baker

pproximately two-hundred He approached Rich Forrestal of the The cemeteries in Deep River and in new grave sites in a beautifully Fountain Hill Cemetery Association Moodus are both under the auspices Alandscaped addition with handi- requesting a donation of land from of the newly created CBSRZ Cem- capped accessible entry is being built them so that we might expand again. etery Association, Inc. The Cemetery in the very near future onto the CBSRZ Mr. Forrestal, working with his board, Board is comprised of congregants: cemetery within the Fountain Hill Cem- was able to grant our request. He has Stuart Baker, president, Bruce Jose- etery of Deep River. This project has been patient, gracious and supportive phy and Ellen Friedman-Smith, been a long time in planning and devel- of our project from its inception. vice presidents, Henry Resnikoff, opment and is now ready to begin. secretary, Sandy Seidman, treasurer, To develop this plot of land requires and Martin Nadel, member at large. The historic Fountain Hill Cemetery special permits from the Town, engi- Ex-officio members include CBSRZ is located one block east of route 154 neering the layout and the fill needed, Board President Brad Jubelirer and in Deep River. The “Jewish Section” and aesthetic planning. Henry Res- Rabbi Bellows. Wendy Bayor serves there dates to the Samuels family plot, nikoff has taken the lead through this as administrator. which was expanded and became the entire process. We would not be at this original Beth Shalom burial ground. exciting juncture without his knowl- Congregants may contact Wendy Shortly after the building of our edge, determination and hard work. Bayor at the Temple Office to new Temple in 2001, that space was inquire about acquiring plots and expanded using fill from the excava- The Deep River Cemetery accepts view plans of the Cemetery. Plots tion for our new building. This cem- Members in good standing both Jewish may be obtained by signing up for etery space was quickly taken and has and non-Jewish as well as Cremains of a Long Term Care Agreement at been “filled” for many years. Members in good standing. All burials two thousand dollars ($2,000) per in Fountain Hill Cemetery are “green” Agreement for Members in good Seven years ago our then Temple in that they are done without the use standing and three thousand dollars President, Bruce Josephy, saw a need of a vault and with wooden caskets, ($3,000) for non-members of the for more burial sites in Deep River. under purview of the Rabbi. Jewish faith.

DON’T FORGET CBSRZ Heritage Tour, Take 2 Resorts, Synagogues and Farms of Chester, Deep River and Moodus Sunday, October 14, 2018 9:30 – 1:30

id you miss the historic 2015 East Haddam Historical Society. After tour? Here’s your chance to lunch, we’ll make our way back to Dmake up for that. Join us on Chester and Deep River where the Sunday, Oct. 14, at 9:30 am, when a JCC, later Beth Shalom, grew up, ulti- tour bus will pull out of the CBSRZ mately joining with Rodfe Zedek to driveway and make the rounds of create today’s CBSRZ. Retracing our the places where CBSRZ history had roots will give us a sense of –the unu- been made, the sites in Moodus, sual factors and founders that make Chester and Deep River where our CBSRZ such a distinctive place. unusual and unique congregation had its beginnings: farms, resorts and Lunch, plus snacks and beverages, (former) synagogues. Old Rodfe Zedex Synagogue on Union Street in Moodus will be included in the $50.00 price. Reserve your place for this trip back We will make our way to Moodus first, into time and place: call CBSRZ (860- wending our way through the farms the (former) synagogues they created 526-8920) and make your reservation. and resorts of our founders and (Rodfe Zedek) before lunching at the See you on October 14th!

21 and Bridgeport. Natalicia gave a heart- town, and further work may be done felt talk on growing up with the chal- with other families directly through Inte- lenges of being a woman in a “man’s grated Refugee and Immigrant Services SOCIAL world” as well as the difficulties of (IRIS) in New Haven. being an immigrant, domestic worker in the United States. Natalicia’s ac- The first family, which came from Iraq, ACTION complishments since those early years has been very successful in settling have been truly inspiring. Since educa- into the community and is living to- COMMITTEENEWS tion is her focus, she has earned both tally independent of the coalition vol- a bachelor’s and master’s degree. She unteers. The father of the family has praised UACT for their social justice a permanent job in the IT department UACT Annual work. UACT has been collaborating at Wesleyan University, the mother has with the Brazilian Worker Center and come very far in her English language Dinner several other groups on a campaign to skills, and all four of the children improve home health care by advocat- are successful in school. Their old- On Wednesday, June 6, 2018, United ing for domestic worker’s rights and est daughter is beginning the college Action Connecticut (UACT) held its fair wages. search process and hopes to enter Annual Justice Celebration at St. Fran- into the bio-medical fields. The family cis of Assisi’s Parish Center in Middle- has created important friendships and town. As is the tradition at UACT’s feels a part of the community. celebration there was a homemade Middletown ethnic food buffet. The theme for 2018 The second family came from Syria was “It Takes A Community.” Johanna and had a much more complicated Schaefer, long-time leader of social Refugee Reset- situation. Because of the extreme action activities at CBSRZ, currently challenges faced by them, the coali- serves as board president of UACT tlement Coali- tion decided to extend the support and delivered her annual remarks of them for a second year instead of focused on the need for community in resettling a third new family. It didn't these trying times. tion Ends After feel right to the volunteers to stop after year one when they were not Father Russell Kennedy of St. Francis Successes adjusted well enough to be successful. and congregant Ivan Godoy provided The mother of the family is learning the musical entertainment and UACT After three years of working to settle English and the school-aged children Health Care task force chairperson refugee families in the Middletown area, are getting the support that they need Ocean Pellett provided an activity for the Middletown Refugee Resettlement in the Middletown Schools. all attendees to “build a community” Coalition has agreed to disband. Two at their individual tables. families have been resettled in Middle- A group of about 20 volunteers will The highlight of the evening was the presentation of the 2018 Social Justice Honoree award, which was given to Rev. Jan Carlsson-Bull and the Chalice Sanctuary Team of the Unitarian-Uni- versalist Church in Meriden. The U-U Church has been providing sanctuary to Sujitno Sajuti and his wife Dahlia since October, 2017. Sajuti came to the United States from Indonesia in 1981 as a Fulbright Scholar and earned a master’s degree at Columbia University and later earned a Ph.D. at the University of Connecticut. Sujitno was ordered to return to Indone- sia but sought sanctuary in the U-U Church.

This year’s keynote speaker was Na- talicia Tracy, Executive Director of the Members of the Universalist Unitarian Church in Meriden, which has provided sanctuary for nearly a year to an Brazilian Worker Center in Boston immigrant who has been in the U.S. and actively involved with United Action Connecticut (UACT) for years.

22 continue to help the Syrian family; these volunteers will now be affiliated with IRIS (in New Haven), which will also serve as the fiduciary agent. Any remaining funds will be transferred to IRIS; these funds will be disbursed to continue to subsidize the Syrian fam- ily's rent.

The coalition has done great work and our congregation has been an integral part of it. Thank you to everyone!

The Social Action Committee contin- ues to seek to assist refugee families in New Haven through IRIS, including helping relocate the Syrian family of Haitham and Shiyam Dalati, who vis- Members of CBSRZ attended the annual meeting of United Action Connecticut (UACT) on June 6 in Middletown. Johanna ited with CBSRZ in January. If you are Schaefer, far left, is the board president of UACT this year. interested in getting involved, please contact [email protected] or 860-202-2690. • Canned vegetables, canned fruit, Learn more about Habitat for Humanity instant potatoes at habitat.org and about Raise the Roof, its shoreline connection, at raisetheroofct.org. We Need A Ton • Meals in a can: ravioli, spaghetti, hash, chili The Social Action Committee seeks to work with other area faith communities of Help! • Baking mixes, muffin or bread mix, on projects and thanks TBT for including Please start putting aside food for the baking basics us in this project. CBSRZ High Holiday Food Drive. • Diabetic foods, “open-and-eat” If you are interested in joining the effort, For many years, CBSRZ has collected and foods (flip top cans) please contact [email protected] donated over 2000 pounds of food to - 860-202-2690. SAC will provide bags for the food Shoreline Soup Kitchen & Pantries. We during Rosh Hashanah and collect can be proud that our collection is one of bags stuffed with food during Yom the largest single annual community food Kippur, but please feel free to bring Upcoming Meal drives benefitting SSKP. food to CBSRZ sooner and drop it off Sites Although all non-perishable food is in the entryway. Some of the food col- welcome, the following staples lected will go to the Chesed Commit- In addition to our annual food drives, CB- are especially necessary: tee to distribute to our own members SRZ hosts meal sites each calendar quarter who are struggling to make ends meet, in both Deep River (on Thursdays) and • Canned soups including families who live in areas not Chester (on Sundays). We prepare a healthy covered by SSKP. meal and serve it to 20-50 people on behalf • Cereal & oatmeal of Shoreline Soup Kitchens & Pantries. • Instant milk, powdered milk Help Build Come be a part of the team–you’ll feel good • Fruit juice and help us with an important mitzvah.

• Baby items: baby food, disposable Affordable Our next Deep River meal is Thursday diapers, etc November 15 at Deep River Con- Housing gregational Church (we just hosted a • Tuna fish CBSRZ members will join with Temple meal there in August). Please contact Teri Fogel at [email protected]. • Peanut butter Beth Tikvah of Madison in helping build a house in New Haven through Habitat The upcoming Chester Meal Site dates • Canned tomatoes, all types of spa- for Humanity. The date of the build this are Sundays, September 16 and De- ghetti sauces autumn has yet to be determined, but un- cember 16 at United Church of Ches- like most Habitat builds, which are set for ter. Please contact Johanna Schaefer at • Rice and pasta – all kinds, a Saturday, this effort will be on a Sunday. [email protected]. 23 CHALLAH CHEDER WITH SAM

BSRZ is happy to announce So now we are going to learn how challah making can avail themselves more baking opportunities with to make equally perfect challah… of the Sous Chef Opportunity. With CSam Kantrow--not just our round…oval…three braids or even a donation of $36.00, individuals can exceptional meteorologist but pastry more! On October 21, 2018, at 10:30 join Sam earlier in the kitchen and chef extraordinaire! in the morning, Sam is holding The learn the challah baking business Challah Workshop and letting us from beginning to end. But we have Last time around, Sam taught us how to into all of his challah baking secrets. to limit this opportunity to 18 people make real New York bagels. On May 6 Your Shabbat (or holiday) dinners will because of the size of the kitchen. We 2017, he introduced CBSRZ denizens, never be the same after this. will let anyone who signs up for this including adults of all ages AND Kivvun special experience know exactly what kids, into the mysteries of creating real The fee for the event will be $18.00 per time to show up. bagels from scratch. You saw people person, and all monies received will twirling ropes of dough between the benefit CBSRZ. Make your reservation The Adult Education Committee is palms of their hands, dropping hastily as soon as possible so we can plan thrilled to be able to offer yet another formed bagels into boiling water and properly. Families who wish to take culinary learning experience. Special timing them carefully before flipping, part in this are invited to use the double thanks to Sam for offering this and to then extracting, them and choosing a Chai rate of $36.00 for the entire family. Melissa Lieberman, his Very Special topping of their choice before finish- Assistant. Bring your aprons and pre- ing them off in the oven. Everyone was Once again, those interested in delv- pare to plunge your hands into that ecstatically happy and very well-fed. ing even deeper into the mysteries of wonderful dough.

CBSRZ Social Media Policy And Social Action

hether we like it or not social become new ways we communicate and by the board of directors and is in place. media is in our lives. Con- engage with one another. Congregation We want you to know what it is and why Wnecting with people through Beth Shalom as a community and organi- it’s important to all of us. The new social social media platforms like Facebook, zation has developed a social media media policy can be found on our mem- Instagram, Snapchat and Twitter have policy. This policy has been approved ber’s portal – cbsrzmembers.org.

Social Media Meets Social Action

here is an easy way for you CBSRZ Community on Facebook for the CBSRZ Community while on to let our CBSRZ community you can post events and social jus- Facebook and request to become a Tmembers know about social tice organization activities you are member. Once you are a member you justice rallies, vigils, forums, solidar- involved with to encourage involve- can post away on happenings related ity events and more. By joining the ment. All you need to do is to search to social justice.

24 REMEMBRANCE Memorial Plaques Rose Leiwant Melville S. Wein Sondra Burzin Ida Levinson Ann Samuels Levine Pauline Weinstein Aaron Diamond Bernard LeWitt Elul 21, 5778 to Tishrei 21, 5779 Sidney LeWitt Jennie Young Samuel Elkin Bettie LeWitt Louis Alcon Clara Mager Morris Zelvin Hyman Fink Nathan Luchnick Kate Baron Nat Mason Max Frankel Morris Mackover Belle Birnbaum Rodkin Esther Miller Memorial Plaques Bertram Friedman Elaine Mellion David Bockstein Leah Katz Pear Elizabeth Friedman David Miller Herbert Breslow Tishrei 22, 5779 to Heshvan 22, 5779 Ida Polstein Daniel Alan Altman Anna Gelper Emma Oppenheimer Theodora Chaimovitz Jean Polstein Solomon Ginsberg Sadie Palmer Min Chiat Leo Amarant Tillie Polstein Bella Astrove George Glassman Michael Pear Anna Cirulnick Morris Rotfuss Norma Glassman Libby Peck Milton Davis Harry Baron Ida Sacks Isaac Baron Edward Glazer Paul Peck Phyllis G. Diamond Ada Sager Sol Goldstein Irving Pivnick Tom Doyle Isidore Baron Max Schulman Celia Baum Anna Needle Joseloff Rita Ruzansky Joseph Friedman Adele Siker Louis Joseloff Sara Schulman Hindie Gall Celia Benson Morris Sprecher Victoria Bernstein David Joslow Frances Siedman Murry Goldstein Sophia Starr Rose Kabatznick Louis Steinberg Mortimer Hays Denise Berwick Sidney Swadosh Philip Berwick Jacob Lake Irving Strom Sam Krupnikoff Robert A. Tobis Lena Lake Matthew Wartel Benjamin Lake Abraham Blecher Marie Waldinger Abraham Breitman David Levine Harry Zack

Dorothy Rischall – mother of Phil Rischall Susan Hellerman – friend of Jon & Doreen Elul 21, 5778 to Tishrei 21, 5779 Yahrzeits Harold Rischall - father of Phil Rischall Joslow Louis Alcon - father of Hyla Alcon Cohen Morris Savitt – grandfather of Charles Savitt Rachel Ickovics – mother of Jeannette Ickovics Joseph Belport – father of Barbara Davis and Susan Savitt Simon (Sy) Indianer – brother of Marcia Beatrice Bixon – mother-in-law of Rebecca Saly Scharer – grandmother of Belinda Meyers Bixon Brennan David Joslow – father to Liz Archambault and David L. Bixon – father-in-law of Rebeca Bixon Philip Sprague – brother of Shelley Sprague Jon Joslow Anna Cirulnick – grandmother of Ellen Dale Taylor – father of Scott Taylor Rose Kalet – mother of Gene Kalet Friedman Robert A. Tobis – father of Justine Redak Howard Kaplan – husband of Pauline Kaplan Dorothy Cohen – loved one of Solomon Tilles Rose Weintraub – mother of Marcy Saltsman Jean Koster – mother of Cindy Rischall James L. Cohen – husband of Hyla Cohen and Aaron Weissman – grandfather of Laura Max Krasner – father of Roni Berson Weiner cousin of Sol LeWitt Roman Barbara Krohn – cousin of Melanie Marcia Cohen – sister of Hila Rosen Edith Weissman – grandmother of Laura Greenhouse Irwin Davidson – father of Shari Foley Roman Lloyd Levin – father of Stephanie Arbige Milton Davis – father of Jeffrey Davis Bruce White – first husband of Marilyn White- Maria Lopez – wife of Juan Carlos Lopez Tom Doyle – husband of Jane Doyle and friend Gottfried Nathan Luchnick – father of Lois Glazer of Carol LeWitt and Bruce Josephy Martin Zwerdling – uncle of Melissa Lieberman Nat Mason – father of Stephen Mason Henry Drobiarz – father of martin Drobiarz Elaine Mellion -mother of Eileen Ilberman Esther Farber – mother of Beverly Glassman Yahrzeits Tishrei 22, 5779 to Heshvan 22, 5779 David Miller – grandfather of Ellen Friedman Harriett Feldmar – grandmother of Tracy Libby Nevas – mother of Jo-Ann Price Leo Amarant – father of George Amarant Kleinberg Libby Peck – mother of Michael Peck Mendel Bloch – grandfather of Michael Crair Beatrice Fischbach – grandmother of Nancy Paul Peck – father of Michael Peck Sondra Burzin – mother of Jeffrey Burzin Fischbach Harriet Pepper – mother of Andi Pepper Marie Cassen – mother of Lois Nadel Harry Fischbach – grandfather of Nancy Jacobs Annette Farber Rechtschafer – sister of Beverly Fischbach Marvin Radom – father of Debra Landrey Glassman Adele Fox – stepmother of Kevin Fox Elinor Reiner – wife of Irving Reiner Lester Feld – father of Gail Feld Carol Ruth Goodman – sister of Linda Polomski Rita Ruzansky – mother of Susan Bush Nathan Fink – father of Hyman Fink Beatrice Gottfried – mother of Corinne Weber Martin Saykin – father of Adele Saykin Hyman Fink – husband of Rita Fink Edward Koster – father of Cindy Rischall Harry Schwartz – father-in-law of Irving Rhoda Ginsberg Patkin – sister of Marlene Caral Lebworth – mother of Alva Greenberg Shiffman Scharr Doris Levin – mother of Stephanie Arbige Frances Seidman – mother of Sandy Seidman George Glassman – father of Ron Glassman Ann Samuels Levine – relative of Steven & Nathan Sigal – grandfather of Peg Palmer and Richard Glassman Frani Ross Herbert Small -grandfather of Lisa Connelly Norma Glassman – mother of Ron Glassman Sidney LeWitt – father of Jim Cohen Charles Spindler – step-father of Lynda Wilkes and Richard Glassman Nat Mason – father of Stephen Mason Charles Thorpe – father of Tyler Thorpe Edward glazer – husband of Lois Glazer Esther Miller – grandmother of Ellen Friedman Sam Tilles – son of David Tilles and grandson Albert Goller – father of Ethan Goller Rita Nirenstein – mother of Nancy Schwarz of Sol Tilles Beth Gottlieb – wife of Henry Gottlieb Z. Robert Patkin – nephew of Marlene Scharr Milton Weintraub – uncle of Marcy Saltzman Nathan Gottlieb – father of Henry Gottlieb Celia Pear – mother of Joel Pear Harry Zack – father of Sylvia Zack Jane White Gwillim – mother of Liz Gwillim Leah Katz Pear – mother of Sidney and Sarah Zomback – mother of Beth Brewer Adrienne Hopfer Leonora Hays – wife of David Hays

Condolences are extended to: Please remember to inform either Beth Brewer or Shelley Sprague, co-chairs of the Chesed Committee, if you or someone you know is ill, in need of help, or has Michael Crair on the loss of his father Morton Crair experienced a death in the family... Iris Klar on the loss of her father David Klar Arthur Sherman on the loss of his daughter Linda Sherman ...Our Chesed Committee is here to help. 25

21 Elul, 5778- SEPTEMBER 21 Tishri, 5779 2018

SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY

1 21 ELUL SELICHOT 9:00am Torah Study 6:30pm Selichot Program with Choir: Havdalah, Film Screening and Discussion of "Defending Your Life," Snacks and Worship

2 22 ELUL 3 23 ELUL 4 24 ELUL 5 25 ELUL 6 26 ELUL 7 27 ELUL 8 28 ELUL LABOR DAY 3:00pm SSKP 5:30pm Religious Affairs 7:30pm 1st Friday Erev Shabbat No 2nd Saturday Service this Office closed 5:30pm Facilities Meeting Committee Service Elul Speaker #3 month 7:00pm Choir Rehearsal 9:00am Torah Study

9 29 ELUL 10 1 TISHRI 11 2 TISHRI 12 3 TISHRI 13 4 TISHRI 14 5 TISHRI 15 6 TISHRI EREV ROSH ROSH HASHANAH ROSH HASHANAH 7:00 pm Board of Directors 7:30pm Erev Shabbat Shuvah 9:00 am Torah Study HASHANAH Office closed Office Closed Service - Lay Led 7:30 pm Erev Rosh Hashanah 9:30am Rosh Hashanah Morn- 9:30am Rosh Hashanah Service Service- ing Service - Day2 2:30pm Children's Service

16 7 TISHRI 17 8 TISHRI 18 9 TISHRI 19 10 TISHRI 20 11 TISHRI 21 12 TISHRI 22 13 TISHRI EREV YOM KIPPUR YOM KIPPUR 9:30am - 10:15am Hatchala 5:30pm - 8:00pm Social Action 7:30 pm Erev Shabbat Service 9:00 am Torah Study 9:30am - 12:00pm Kadima No Kivvun Committee 12:00pm - 1:30pm Gesher 7:30 pm Kol Nidre Office Closed 1:00pm Cemetery Service at 9:30am Yom Kippur Morning Fountain Hill Service 2:30pm Cemetery Service at 2:00pm Children's Service Rodfe Zedek, Moodus 3:30pm Afternoon Service with 4:00pm - 6:00pm CBSRZ at Yizkor and Neilah, followed by Chester Meal Site (UCC) Break-the-Fast

23 14 TISHRI 24 15 TISHRI 25 16 TISHRI 26 17 TISHRI 27 18 TISHRI 28 19 TISHRI 29 20 TISHRI EREV SUKKOT SUKKOT SUKKOT SUKKOT SUKKOT SUKKOT SUKKOT 9:30 am-12:00 Kadima 6:00 pm Erev Sukkot Service Office closed 7:00pm Choir Rehearsal 4:15pm - 5:45pm Kadima 7:00 pm Executive Committee 6:30pm Hang in Sukkah (Gr 4-7) Potluck Dinner 9:00 am Torah Study 7:00pm N&G Committee 7:30pm Erev Shabbat Service 30 TISHRI 21 Meeting with Piano EREV SIMCHAT TORAH SUKKOT 9:30am - 10:15am Hatchala 9:30am - 12:00pm Kadima (Gr K-7) 10:30am Slater Meditation Garden Ground Breaking 6:00pm Erev Simchat Torah Service

26

22 TISHRI,- OCTOBER 22 HESHVAN, 2018 5779

SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY

1 22 TISHRI 2 23 TISHRI 3 24 TISHRI 4 25 TISHRI 5 26 TISHRI 6 27 TISHRI SIMCHAT TORAH Office closed 5:30pm Facilities Meeting 4:15pm - 5:45pm Kadima 5:30pm Religious Affairs 7:30pm 1st Friday Erev Shabbat 9:00 am Torah Study 6:30pm Communications (Gr 4-7) Committee Service Committee

7 28 TISHRI 8 29 TISHRI 9 30 TISHRI 10 1 HESHVAN 11 2 HESHVAN 12 3 HESHVAN 13 24 HESHVAN COLUMBUS DAY No Kivvun 5:30pm Facilities Meeting 4:15pm - 5:45pm Kadima 12:00pm - 1:00pm Lunch 7:30pm Erev Shabbat Service 9:00 am Torah Study 7:00pm Choir Rehearsal (Gr 4-7) and Learn with Choir 10:30 am Second Saturday 7:00pm Board of Directors Shabbat Service

14 5 HESHVAN 15 6 HESHVAN 16 7 HESHVAN 17 8 HESHVAN 18 9 HESHVAN 19 10 HESHVAN 20 11 HESHVAN

9:30am - 2:30pm CBSRZ 7:00pm Choir Rehearsal 4:15pm - 5:45pm Kadima 7:30pm Erev Shabbat Service 9:00 am Torah Study Heritage Bus Tour (Gr 4-7) 9:30am - 10:15am Hatchala 9:30am - 12:00pm Kadima (Gr K-7) 12:00pm - 1:30pm Gesher (Grades 8-9)

21 12 HESHVAN 22 13 HESHVAN 23 14 HESHVAN 24 15 HESHVAN 25 16 HESHVAN 26 17 HESHVAN 27 18 HESHVAN 9:30am - 12:00pm Kadima 11:00am - 1:30pm Jewish 4:15pm - 5:45pm Kadima 7:00pm Executive Committee 7:30pm Erev Shabbat Service Congregational Trip to Israel (Gr K-7) Historical Society Bus Trip to (Gr 4-7) with Piano; 9:00 am Torah Study 9:30am - 10:30am Rabbi's CBSRZ 10:30am Shabbat service and Book Club 7:00pm Choir Rehearsal bat mitzvah of Bella Fishman 10:30am Challah Workshop with Sam Kantrow

28 19 HESHVAN 29 20 HESHVAN 30 21 HESHVAN 31 22 HESHVAN Congregational Trip to Israel 9:30am - 10:15am Hatchala Congregational Trip to Israel Congregational Trip to Israel Congregational Trip to Israel 9:30am - 12:00pm Kadima 7:00pm Choir Rehearsal 4:15pm - 5:45pm Kadima (Gr K-7) (Gr 4-7) 10:30am Education Committee Meeting

27 55 East Kings Highway PO Box 438 Chester, CT 06412

The Whole Megillah may be viewed in color on the web at www.cbsrz.org

Many thanks to these recent Oneg sponsors:

Adult Education Committee – in honor Harvey Payton and Lori Shafner – Melinda Alcosser – in memory of of the Adult B’not mitzvah class in memory of William Payton Lois Alcosser Gelven Family – in honor of Orr Teva’s Jonathan and Michelle Fishman – Rochelle Dauenheimer – in memory bar mitzvah in honor of Michelle’s conversion of David, Dora and Lawrence Adler

Mama Loshen By Marilyn Kalet

A kasheh Lantsman (plural, lantsleit) Confusion (mach me nisht un kasheh) Countryman, neighbor, fell ow from the old country Shtikel A small bit; a morsel Gribbenes (plural, greeven) Fried chicken skin or fat Katz-in-kop Forgetful

Monarch Butterfly, I know your last name used to be Caterpillarstein — From Haikus for Jews