BULLETIN OF BETH EL CONGREGATION OCTOBER 2018 AKRON, OHIO TISHRI • CHESHVAN 5779

Rain as a Metaphor October

Did you ever notice that after Shemini Atzeret through Table of Contents Passover we add an extra line in the Amidah - the Rabbi’s Message ...... 1 Standing Prayer? We are asking for rain. The actual Thank You to … ...... 2 geshem prayer, for rain, is recited on Shemini Atzeret, Milestones & Mazel Tovs ...... 2 making the mark that the seasons have changed. Happy Anniversary ...... 2 However, the reality of our lives in Akron, Ohio is that Beth El in Your Will ...... 2 precisely at the same time, we are starting to see leaves Schedule of Services ...... 2 fall and the ground turn barren as winter approaches. From the Sisterhood ...... 2 While the idea of asking for rain for many people is Monthly Yahrzeits ...... 3 Rabbi perplexing, and perhaps troublesome, as it directly Monthly Calendar ...... 3 Elyssa Austerklein acknowledges God’s dominion over our lives to the President’s Message ...... 4 smallest detail, we have another question which arises - what exactly do we Education Program ...... 7 mean when we are praying for something that we don’t expect to have? Cantorial Concert ...... 7 USPS Statement of Ownership... 7 In fact, a prayer that is said for no reason, is called a bracha l’vatala - a null Rabbi Gershom Sizomu ...... 8 and void prayer - like saying a blessing over bread but really eating an apple. It makes no sense, and in a way desecrates the meaning of prayer and of calling Tree of Life ...... 8 out God’s Name. Donors – US Tax Code ...... 9 Yearbook – Correct & Add ...... 10 The easiest answer is to recall our peoplehood. As part of the Jewish people, In Memoriam ...... 10 we are praying for rain in the Land of Israel. Of course, this is something that is Annual Fundraiser Reminder ... 10 definitely needed in Israel in order to ensure a good crop, and a successful Memorial Plaques ...... 10 agricultural year. Shemini Atzeret, Simchat Torah . 11 The more challenging answer is to understand rain as a symbol, or a Lev Tahor ...... 11 metaphor. The geshem prayer which is recited only on Shemini Atzeret uses the Jews & Brews ...... 12 word mayim -water - 30 times. The word rain is only used once at the very end USCJ Calendar ...... 12 of the prayer. Lunch ‘n Learn ...... 12 We cannot think that just because we have finished the High Holy Days our Observing a Yahrzeit? ...... 12 time for reflection and introspection has passed. On the contrary, having gone Finding the Woman Within ...... 13 through the High Holy Days, we are renewed people, open to the possibility of Contributions ...... 14 striving to greater improvement. This half year, in which we ask for rain, is also Mommy Shower ...... 15 about the spiritual awareness for seeing ourselves clearly. Proverbs 29:17 Name for Education Fund ...... 15 teaches: “As water reflects a face, so a person is reflected through the Contribution Form ...... 15 heart.” Just as rain comes in drops, so is the change and formation of the best Holiday Activities ...... 16 self-gradual. Hanukkah Celebration ...... 16 Please join us with the Northern Cheyenne Nation and our Clergy Intern Lex Rofeberg, on October 1 at 9:15 AM for a Creative Shemini Atzeret service BULLETIN and lunch. OF BETH EL Moadim L’simcha! CONGREGATION On-Line – Full Color! Rabbi Elyssa bethelakron.com

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Thank You to … Sid and Andrea Steinberger for SCHEDULE OF SERVICES sponsoring the Kiddush on Saturday, September 8 in honor of Sid's 65th OCTOBER 2018 birthday. TISHRI • CHESHVAN 5779 Beth El Congregation Milestones & Mazel Tovs Sunday: 8:30 AM 750 White Pond Drive Wednesday and Friday: 7:30 AM Akron, OH 44320 Mazel Tov to Kevin Minster and Lori Saturday Morning: 9:15 AM

www.bethelakron.com Ferris Minster on the birth of their daughter, Maxine Elizabeth Minster Please note: Office: (330) 864-2105 • Minyan times are Wednesdays and [email protected] (Mitsie), born August 8, 2018. Proud Fridays at 7:30 AM; Sundays at 8:45 grandparents are Rob and Andrea Minster AM. Other times by request only. and Rick and Adrienne Ferris of Asheville, Affiliated NC. Great-grandparents are Stan and • Friday night services will be held on with nd the 2 Friday of the month at 7:00 PM. The United Synagogue of Mary Ann Minster and Mel and Ruth Conservative Judaism • Other morning and evening services Temple. The Jewish Theological will be held by request only. Please Seminary of America Mazel Tov to Dan and Jessica Hurst on call the office one week in advance to the birth of their daughter, Charlotte Elyssa Austerklein make special arrangements. Rabbi Sutton Hurst. Proud grandparents [email protected] are Mark and Darla Kent and Mike and Matthew Austerklein Hazzan Carol Hurst Biggers of Arkansas. Great- [email protected] grandparents are Mel and Aline Kent of Stephen Grundfast Rabbi Emeritus Lake Worth, Florida. Candle Lighting Havdalah Stephen Stein Hazzan Emeritus Happy Anniversary Oct. 1 .... 7:49 PM Oct. 2 .... 7:47 PM Erin Katz Ford Oct. 5 .... 6:43 PM Oct. 6 .... 7:40 PM Director of Synagogue Education OCTOBER YEARS Oct. 12 .... 6:32 PM Oct. 13 .... 7:29 PM [email protected] Oct. 19 .... 6:21 PM Oct. 20 .... 7:19 PM Jerry B. Nelson 10 Jay & Deborah Schneir ...... 25 Oct. 26 .... 6:11 PM Oct 27 .... 7:10 PM President [email protected] 13 Dr. George & Judith Litman ...... 55 Sharon Merklin President Elect Stacey Simonton Vice President Marsha Friedman Remember Beth El Treasurer Gregg Manes In Your Will Secretary Marsha Friedman Endowment Chair [email protected] Sisterhood Meeting 330.603.1890 October 21, 10:45 AM Robynne McKee Administrative Assistant [email protected] Taste of Torah Laurel Gress October 15, 7:00 – 8:30 PM Baalat Koreh Leonard Rose Knitzvah Editor October 21, 9:30 AM

Vol. LXXIIII No. 1 The Bulletin is published monthly by For information, contact Beth El Congregation L'chaim Cooking Club 750 White Pond Dr., Akron, Ohio 44320 Marsha Friedman, October 22, 6:00 PM, Temple Israel (USPS 052-100) Periodicals postage paid at Akron, Ohio. Endowment Chair Postmaster: Send address changes to Bulletin of Beth El Congregation, 330.603.1890 Women's League 750 White Pond Dr., Akron, Ohio 44320 for Conservative Judaism

BULLETIN OF BETH EL CONGREGATION Page 3

John Schlitt Harriet Pletcher Herman Potrock Fannie Lieberman Ella Goldstein

YAHRZEITS Gussy Steinhauer Flora T. Polachek Paul Ross Jack Magilavy Morris J. Gordon Dorothy Tuchman Sarah Rapport Joseph Rubenstein Miriam Mermelstein Doris Gress October 1-5 David Weinberger Shiya Reevkis Frances Sabetay Morton Perlman Mildred Kloner George Aber Henry Weiss Marianna Rohrheimer Dora Saltzman Harry Rosenthal Abraham Krupp Miriam Berman Jacqueline Saltzman Jay Schlitt Chiena Malka Rubin Israel Leaventon Samuel Bernstein October 6-12 Anna Schneiderman Arthur Shapiro Alvin Salzman Leo Lebeau Lillian S. Cohen Guillermo Alfonso Florance Sugarberg Mary Simpson Harry Sandler Samuel Levey Sara Federman Beckey Beyer Rubin Walotsky Samuel Schneier Alex Levine Stephen Michael Gross Zalman Buksdorf October 13-19 Mildred Weiss Eileen Shanahan Alice Lewis Jack Heyman Linda Coffsky Sophie Apple Isaac Sokol Siegfried Oppenheimer Pauline Kopelson Beverly Eisele Harriet Berke October 20-26 Susan Berzon Turcotte Alvin Schlossberg Belle Kropko Bertha Geller Gerson A. Borchardt Sarah Boksenbom Harry Vigder Eva Kropko Ida Cohen Goldberg Hyman M. Ekus Rose Borodkin Chana Weinstein Karin Krueger Joseph Goldstein B. C. Fields Rae L. Cohen Eli Witt Jacob Irving Miller Mollie Hoffer Lenore Glauberman Geraldine Dachner Bernard Yonas Ben G. Milton Neil Michael Katz Sergei Kanevsky Jacob Fish Fannie Peters Alvin Korngold Mary Krupp Louis Geller October 27-31 Abraham Portnoy Freda Leubitz Milton Lichten David Gilliand Sylvia Abramson Joseph Rosenfeld Harry Liberman Dora Mermelstein Dr. Robert M. Hexter Jacob Wolf Backer Archie Rozen Florence Marcus Harold B. Miller Eda Kanner Murray Edelson Morris A. Saltzman Marvin Moss Meyer Minkin Samuel Katzovitz Sadie Farber Abe Sandler Thelma Osherow Katherine B. Morris Nathan Levin Richard Mark Friedman

Please call the Beth El office to inform us of Yahrzeit omissions or corrections.

Tishri 5779 October 2018 Cheshvan 5779 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

Services 1 22 Tishri 2 23 Tishri 3 24 Tishri 4 25 Tishri 5 26 Tishri 6 27 Tishri (unless otherwise Office Closed Bereshit June 1-4 Office Closed noted) Services 9:15 AM Betty Sunday 8:45 AM with Northern Cheyenne Simchat Torah Jr. Congregation & Mini Minyan 10:15 AM Wed. & Fri. 7:30 AM Yizkor, Shemini Atzeret Services 9:15 AM Saturday 9:15 AM Simchat Torah 6:00 PM

7 28 Tishri 8 29 Tishri 9 30 Tishri 10 1 Cheshvan 11 2 Cheshvan 12 3 Cheshvan 13 4 Cheshvan Noach Hebrew School Canadian Board Meeting Lev Tahor 7:00 PM Thanksgiving 7:00 PM Columbus Day Rosh Chodesh Rosh Chodesh

14 5 Cheshvan 15 6 Cheshvan 16 7 Cheshvan 17 8 Cheshvan 18 9 Cheshvan 19 10 Cheshvan 20 11 Cheshvan Taste of Torah Lech Lecha Sunday School Hebrew School Young Family Shabbat 7:00 PM 5:30 PM Refugee Shabbat Jews & Brews at Papa Joe’s 7:30 PM

21 12 Cheshvan 22 13 Cheshvan 23 14 Cheshvan 24 15 Cheshvan 25 16 Cheshvan 26 17 Cheshvan 27 18 Cheshvan Vayera Sunday School L’Chaim Cooking Club Hebrew School Israeli Shaliach 6:00 PM Mor Roffe to speak at services 28 19 Cheshvan 29 20 Cheshvan 30 21 Cheshvan 31 22 Cheshvan Let Us Know Our clergy are eager to visit congregants in the Sunday School Hebrew School hospital but can’t if they don't know. If you or someone you know is in the hospital or sick at home, and would appreciate a pastoral visit, please let us know. Page 4 BULLETIN OF BETH EL CONGREGATION

` I would like to ask a question. It is rhetorical, so you Yom Kippur don’t need to answer me. The question is, why? Such a Message small word, but the response to the question can be of

such magnitude that it causes the word to pale in Jerry B. Nelson, President comparison to the response that it can generate.

I have been involved in Akron Jewish leadership for I heard there are three secrets many years in various capacities. You can trust me to a successful High Holiday when I tell you that if you are a Jewish consumer Speech. First, have a good looking for value in any traditional cost/benefit sense, beginning and ending; second, have the two as close don’t join a synagogue. It is expensive – and you can together as possible; third, have a relevant story – so get almost all the benefits that a synagogue purports to let’s start with this one: offer to members either for free or at a much lower cost A Rabbi was traveling with an interfaith group if you buy them a la carte. to a foreign country. Before the trip, the group Think about it: you can attend Shabbat services for had spent a week together, learning about each free and even grab something to eat at the Oneg; High other’s rituals and sharing prayer together in a Holiday services are available for individual purchase; mosque, a Buddhist temple, a church, and a in any given year; you are unlikely to require a rabbi for synagogue. On Saturday morning of the trip, a wedding or a funeral; you can rent a rabbi (not ours, the Rabbi went off on his own to find a of course) for a private bar/bat mitzvah service for your synagogue for Shabbat services. The city in child. So why spend thousands of dollars every year to which the Rabbi found himself was a pay for something you can get otherwise for much less? destination location. Very few Jews actually lived in this city. The synagogue was Why? I will tell you why. What keeps us all essentially for tourists. So here he was, this renewing our memberships despite any complaints we Rabbi, in a synagogue with other Jews, none of may have is that we have found a place where we whom lived in this city, and none of whom connect to something larger than ourselves – to our knew each other. There were no organized community, to ideas that can transform our world. prayer services and the people were mostly If you join that kind of synagogue, membership praying alone and with different tunes. The dues are a bargain, not a burden. In consumer language, Rabbi felt badly that he could not focus on his they become a “value proposition.” These intangible prayer. At his home synagogue, this was never benefits of membership are the only ones that make the an issue. He had begun to feel that the prayer high dollar cost of being a synagogue member “worth he had shared with this interfaith group that it.” Anything less is a bad deal. week in a church, a mosque, and a Buddhist If I’ve learned anything, it’s that we are an temple had more meaning to him than being in incredibly diverse group of individuals. We are in every this particular synagogue. The Rabbi thought possible age bracket, every possible family situation, about why he felt that way and realized that it and everything in between. Some can read, write, and was about community. For him, for that week, speak Hebrew fluently – others not a word. Some of us his community was an interfaith group that he are Jews whose lives revolve around our affinity for had come to know and that he had shared with, Judaism while others feel challenged to relate to Jewish but what he mostly realized was how much he teachings and, in fact, may be asking “why I am here missed his synagogue at home and how much today?” Maybe some don’t see how what we do here is he missed his community. relevant to us or to our lives. We seek many different Over the last few weeks, I started to think about the things from our community. Some are at Beth El events remarks I would make today. I began to read other several times a week seeking to understand our Jewish presidents’ speeches and articles, so this speech is a heritage, identity, increase our education, observance combination of my thoughts and some words of others and spirituality, others of us come three times a year. woven together to express what I wanted to share with That pretty much sums it up. We have put out an all- you today. inclusive welcoming mat, our arms wide open to greet BULLETIN OF BETH EL CONGREGATION Page 5 you to provide a hospitable tent to accommodate all where people come together, where they congregate, who wish to join us, whenever that is. I assert that our but a community is much more than that. It is a network greatest challenge is to solicit our ever-increasing of support and relationships. The more you take part, unaffiliated neighbors. It’s about people, not programs. the more you build those relationships, the more It’s about relationships and not fee-for-service connected you feel. When we become part of the transactions. At Beth El, we want to have a big enough community, we become part of something much larger tent for everyone. That’s our goal. That’s what we’re than ourselves. It certainly has been that way for me. trying to accomplish. We want all of you to feel and to Back to why... Why do people flock to shul on the be comfortable here at Beth El and, for the most part, I holy days? Why do otherwise non-observant Jews find think you do. We want all of you to know that you’re it so important to be in a synagogue during this holy important and that you’re a welcome and valuable season? I believe the answer is both very simple and member of our community. The trick is, how do we incredibly subtle. We come because we care about accomplish this? How do we develop programs that being Jewish. We come because that’s what Jews do. appeal to such a broad range of people and experiences, We come because we are seeking God’s presence. We given how very different all of us are. I hope that some come because it is about a new year, an opportunity for of you can appreciate what a difficult challenge this is. new beginnings, and the synagogue is the place where, Most disturbing of all, is the ever-increasing for countless generations, Jews have gathered together percentage of people who identify themselves as Jews, to share these experiences as part of a vibrant but don’t affiliate with or join any synagogue at all. I community. don’t think it’s helpful to dwell on these negative So, in many respects, it’s all about connections, projections. Instead, I remain optimistic about the connections to the Jewish people, connections to our Jewish people and the future of the Jewish people. beloved community, and to the Land of Israel. Our job Why? As I’ve said before, if I were a marketer I’d tell as a synagogue is to help you and others make these you about this great product we have to offer. It can’t connections. Our job is to make the wonderful be beat. community we have here at Beth El your community, Please know, however, that membership at a one where you feel comfortable, welcome and synagogue is not like membership at a country club. It important. is not goods for services. We join a synagogue because As you can imagine, this is a daunting, but worthy we believe in supporting Jewish institutions. We join a challenge, but we have all the ingredients: an exciting synagogue because we care about the future of Judaism young clergy team and a building which is part of the in our community. We understand that you may decide JCC Campus because we want people to know that our not to come to the synagogue much during the course commitment to the campus is a core value. of the year. However, despite your lack of attendance, your membership truly supports the institution. There We are so blessed to have you, our congregants, will come a time when you need the synagogue. more so our congregants, more so our family and Perhaps not this year, but the next. And you know what? friends, who have steadfastly been the backbone and the Because you were there for Beth El, Beth El will be able source of our community. to be here for you. It is intangible. You can’t touch it, but you can feel We’ve all chosen to be part of the Beth El it. If you can’t, maybe try coming more often. I promise community. So, why make the choice to belong to a you that you will feel it. Jewish community? Again, why? I think it is because What we have here is truly special – Beth El we are looking for a place that is welcoming, a place provides a safe haven from the pressures of the world, where we can build intimate relationships, a place a place where you can develop close friendships, a where we are supportive of each other, a place that spiritual life, and a way to infuse your life with a addresses profound spiritual yearnings, and a place richness not found any other way. where we can connect with Jewish tradition. We are Underlying everything we do is a set of values and looking for a place to call home, a community. beliefs, a sense of connection, a belief that Jewish I believe that Beth El is that place. A community is continuity matters, and that transmitting Judaism to the different than a congregation. A congregation is a place next generation is important. We believe that taking Page 6 BULLETIN OF BETH EL CONGREGATION care of each other is essential and that we can help gone on auto pilot and forgotten that we have choices change the world and make it a better place. Like we make every day. We have a choice about how we family, we’re here to help each other celebrate happy want to act and how we want to think, and how we want times and life cycle events, be it a new baby, a Bar or to live our lives. May we all choose well. Bat Mitzvah, a graduation, or a wedding. And we’re I thought about coming here today and telling all of also here to help and support each other in times of you the things that I wanted to do during my term as sorrow or tragedy. president, but I’d prefer my actions to speak louder than The High Holy Days are the time in which we my words. What I do want to tell you is what I want you reflect on the past year and renew our spiritual to do while I am president. Everyone in this room is on attachment. We also renew our commitments to the Beth El membership committee. Congratulations! ourselves, families, friends, synagogue, and We don’t need everyone to go get a new member today, community. Now is the time to renew our commitment and I don’t know if it will be you or the person on either to Beth El. side of you who will be the next person to do that. Go Over the course of the high holidays, take a few tell your friends about us. Better yet, bring them here! moments to look at the various ways you can contribute We don’t want to grow to the point where we lose any to Beth El. If there’s something you feel that you can of the characteristics that make us a community. But, contribute, please feel free to contact me after the more members to strengthen our community would holidays so that we can discuss it. And, since we rely surely serve us well. on volunteers, if for some reason you’re not contacted, I hope that you do not think you just heard another please just assume that we made a mistake and contact synagogue president droning on about why you should me or someone in the office so that we can correct it. come to shul more often. If that’s what you heard, then It would be impossible to thank everyone involved I did not do my job well or you weren’t listening. To in the preparations for our High Holy Day services. recap, I am telling you that if for any reason you don’t Sending out the letters and tickets, planning for feel the community, and I would be surprised to find security, organizing ushers and greeters, preparing for that you feel that way, maybe it’s our fault, maybe it’s youth programming and babysitting, setting up seating yours. We’ll try harder and I want you to as well. – this all happens because of our incredible volunteers I want you to bring your friends – that is what helps and our professional staff. To all of them we owe a debt us grow and strengthen this community to make it even of gratitude for making all of this happens. Better yet, better. I can assure you that it will be worth the effort. in addition to thanking them, become a volunteer Why? Because this is our community, my community, yourself. my family that I have chosen. I don’t know if you were This is your synagogue. This is your community. counting, but I have said the word community 30 times There is no better way to integrate yourself into your in this speech, and hopefully now you know why. community than by getting involved. We have On behalf of the Board of Directors, my fellow numerous volunteer opportunities throughout the year. officers, and my wife Cindy and our wonderful children We have many diverse committees for you to get and their spouses and significant others, may the year involved with as well. These committees help shape the 5779 be a year of greater peace and security in Israel, direction of our programs. Beth El is a dynamic place throughout the Middle East, and the world over; And with energized people who want to make things happen. for all of us, our families, the State of Israel, and Jewish I encourage all of you to step forward to become more people everywhere, a very happy, healthy, and sweet involved, even if it’s only doing one more thing this New Year. year than you did last year. With your help, we will be able to not only carry on the fine traditions that have been established by those who have come before us, but L’Shana Tovah we will be able to reach new and greater heights. These “Days of Awe,” from Rosh Hashanah to Yom Jerry Kippur, are a gift to us – a chance to step back and look at our lives, a chance to examine the ways that we have

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The Education Committee has been busy planning a few congregational learning experiences. On Saturday, October 27, we will be joined by our new Israeli Shaliach, Mor Roffe. Mor will be speaking during services. We hope you can join us as we welcome him to Beth El. Education The committee is also looking forward to planning a spring trip to the Maltz Museum Program to view the upcoming exhibition, Israel: Then & Now.

Beyond Fiddler: Sunday, February 24, 2019 Jews and Akron/Canton Cantorial Concert Judaism in Song Featuring Beth El’s Hazzan Matt Austerklein, Cantor Bruce Braun (Canton, OH), three JTS cantorial Sponsored by students, and Cantor Nancy Abramson, Dean of the H.L. Miller Cantorial School. Location and time to be determined. Free & Open to the Public.

United States Postal Service Statement of Ownership, Management, and Circulation (Required by 39 U.S.C. 3685) 1. Publication Title: Bulletin of Beth El Congregation 2. Publication No.: 0521-00 3. Date of filing: September 15, 2018 4. Frequency of issue: Monthly 5. Number of issues published annually: 11 6. Annual subscription price: 0 Beth El Congregation 750 White Pond Dr. Contact Person: Erin Katz Ford 7. Complete mailing address of known office of publication: (Summit County) Akron, Ohio 44320 Telephone: (330) 864-2105 x 118 8. Complete mailing address of the headquarters of general business offices of the publisher: 750 White Pond Dr., Akron, Ohio 44320-1128 9. Full names and complete mailing address of publisher, Publisher: Beth El Congregation 750 White Pond Dr. editor, and managing editor: Editor: Len Rose Managing Editor: As above Akron, Ohio 44320-1128 10. Owner: Beth El Congregation • 750 White Pond Dr., Akron, Ohio 44320 11. Known bondholders, mortgagees, and other security holders owning or holding 1 percent or more of total amount of bonds, mortgages or other securities: None 12. Tax Status: The purpose, function and nonprofit status of this organization and the exempt status for federal income tax purposes has not changed during preceding 12 months. 13. Publication Title: Bulletin of Beth El Congregation 14. Issue date for circulation data below: September, 2018 Average No. copies each issue No. copies of Single issue 15. Extent and nature of circulation: 16. Publication of Statement of during preceding 12 months published nearest to filing date Ownership will be printed in the a. Total number copies (net press run) 306 300 October issue of this publication. b. (1) Mailed outside-county Paid Sub. Stated on PS Form 3541 45 48 b. (2) Mailed inside-county Paid Sub. stated on PS Form 3541 226 222 Paid distribution outside the Mails including sales dealers and carriers, 18. I certify that all information b. (3) 0 0 street vendors, counter sales, and other paid distribution outside USPS® furnished on this form is true and b. (4) Paid distribution by other classes of mail through the USPS 0 0 complete. I understand that anyone c. Total Paid Distribution 271 270 who furnishes false or misleading information on this form or who d. (1) Free or Nominal rate outside-county copies included on PS Form 3541 0 0 omits material or information d. (2) Free or Nominal rate inside-county copies included on PS Form 3541 0 0 requested on the form may be d. (3) Free or Nominal rate copies mailed at other classes through the USPS 0 0 subject to criminal sanctions and/or d. (4) Free or Nominal rate distribution outside the mail 15 15 civil sanctions. e. Total Free distribution outside the mail 15 15 f. Total distribution 286 285 g. Copies not distributed 20 15 h. Total 306 300 9/15/2018 i. Percent paid and/or requested circulation 94.75% 94.73% I certify that all information on this form is true and complete. I understand that anyone who furnishes false or misleading information on this form or who omits material or information requested on the form may be subject to criminal sanctions (including fines and imprisonment) and/or civil sanctions (including civil penalties). Page 8 BULLETIN OF BETH EL CONGREGATION

Rabbi Gershom Sizomu came He talked about the politics in to Akron in August with a warm Uganda and how his neighbors heart and a gentle spirit. He came voted him as a representative from from Uganda from a community the district into the parliament. He called Abayudaya. There are explained how he was granted the 2,000 Jews living in this small right to wear his kippa in the town. Their history of this parliament where it is usually community is remarkable. It forbidden to wear a headdress. began with a tribe who rejected Even the community’s soccer the New Testament from Rabbi fans, not all Jewish, wear kippot as a missionaries 100 years ago, it symbol of allegiance to their survived the reign of Idi Amin and Gershom Sizomu soccer team. became a strong Jewish By Toby Rosen However, the poverty of their community with a synagogue. He community was of great concern. came to tell us not only of their Lack of food is a severe issue. The existence and but their vibrancy. strangers in the land of Egypt. undependability of water causes When I met him at the airport, And finally, the one we know the the food they grow locally to be of I saw his wonderful smile and I best is when we say V’ahavta et little nutritional value. My knew I would love him from the Adonai Elohecha, b’chol l’vavcha daughter-in-law Erin, and her start. He stayed at our home for uv’chol nafsh’cha uv’chol organization Drink Local Drink two nights and I could feel his m’odecha after the Shma. It Tap, is bringing clean drinking neshama fill it. means, love the Lord your God water to the community, but more He spoke three times and I with all our heart, with all your is needed for irrigation. They have had the pleasure of hearing all soul, and all your might. It comes limited resources for medical three speeches. Friday night he from Deuteronomy. supplies and educational needs. The infrastructure is weak, and the spoke of the word V’ahavta. This He explained that since the government provides little word, he explained, is found three first two have to do with the assistance. times in the bible as a people around us, they were very commandment. In Leviticus important. He then explained how He came to ask for assistance 19:18, it says you shall love your the community in which he lives and prayers. He asked us to visit. He neighbor as yourself and it begins is made up of Jews, Muslims and left an indelible impression on our with the Hebrew word V’ahavta. Christians. When his community community. He can be reached at He explained there are two received mosquito nets from the [email protected] and other commandments which also Jewish community in America, he you can read more about the include this word. In Leviticus made sure to share them with all village and the ways you can help 19:34 it says you shall love the his neighbors to follow these at bechollashon.org – attention or stranger because you were commandments. donations for Abayudaya.

The magnificent Tree of Life was created to record the happy events in the lives of Beth El members and their families. Tree of A birth, a wedding, a Bar/Bat Mitzvah, a confirmation, an anniversary – all are among the milestones that can be remembered on Life the leaves of the Tree of Life. The cost of a leaf is $125. You may use 3 or

4 lines with up to 23 letters in each line. To order, call Sherri Leubitz, 330-867-0364. BULLETIN OF BETH EL CONGREGATION Page 9

Donors and Changes to the US Tax Code ejewishphilanthropy.com

By David M. Reff, CPA Past president and treasurer of Temple Beth Hillel, Valley Village, CA The change in the US Tax Code has brought many challenges to United States taxpayers and nonprofits. This article is about practical actions that can be taken as well as understanding the changes that will impact both donors and nonprofit charities. It surprises me as a practicing Certified Public Accountant how many people I run into that think that charitable donations are no longer deductible for anyone. They are still deductible, but only if the taxpayer (donor) has enough deductions so that their itemized deductions exceed their standard deduction. Before the change in the tax law approximately 30% of all taxpayers itemize their deductions as opposed to taking the standard deduction. Depending on the study you are looking at it is estimated that only between 4% and 10% of all taxpayers will now itemize their deductions. The standard deduction now ranges from $12,000 for a single taxpayer under age 65 to $26,600 for a married couple that are both 65 or older. All taxpayers ,are generally limited to $10,000 of state and local taxes, commonly referred to as SALT. Besides the SALT deduction there are basically two categories of itemized deductions left, medical expenses in excess of 7½% of the taxpayer’s adjusted gross income (AGI) and qualified mortgage interest. Assuming your donor is a high-income taxpayer that pays over $10,000 in state and local taxes, has no mortgage interest deduction or allowable medical expenses the first $2,000 of charitable donations would not be tax deductible to them assuming they are a single taxpayer under age 65. If they are a married couple both over 65 the first $16,600 of charitable donations would not be tax deductible to them under the same scenario. In my accounting practice, the item that seems to be the driving force if my clients will be itemizing for 2018 or not is if they still have a home mortgage. Surprisingly there are older people of means that still have mortgages, so one should not make any assumptions as to who will be itemizing and who will not be. I am only going to discuss four practical actions from a tax point of view. I am not going to discuss donor relations in general; it is certainly also a subject that is more important than ever because of the new tax law, however there are others much more qualified to discuss it. The first action is to educate your donors over age 70½ that if they have a taxable IRA they can have their IRA trustee make their distribution checks out to charities up to the amount of their required minimum distribution (RMD), not to exceed $100,000. The taxpayer does not have to report this amount as income. The second action is encouraging your donors that don’t have enough deductions to itemize to group their donations in certain years so that they are able to get some tax benefits in some years. There are many ways to encourage this. For member based organizations such as synagogues, put into place a multi-year membership and easily allow your members to pay dues for more than one year at a time. Consider when talking to donors that in the past you would ask for a large donation payable over multiple years that it actually may make more sense for them to pay it all in one year. Another way for your donors to group their donations is through the use of a donor advised fund. Most of the Jewish community foundations have these funds. In Los Angeles, we have the Jewish Community Foundation of Los Angeles, New York City has the Jewish Communal Fund, even in New Mexico you can set up a donor advised fund with a local fund, the Jewish Community Foundation of New Mexico. I personally encourage my clients to check with their local community foundation first when setting up a donor advised fund as the profit of the advisor will end up in their community instead of a for profit advisor. Most investment firms also have donor advised funds. The third action is to ramp up your legacy/planned giving program. From a donor point of view my favorite is naming a charity as a beneficiary or contingent beneficiary of a taxable retirement such as an IRA or 401K. No trip or bill from the attorney to change their will or trust, merely a form to fill out with the trustee of the retirement plan. This is money that their beneficiaries would have to pay income taxes on if they received it. It may also relieve the donor of the worry that their heirs won’t receive enough money when they die because this is in a separate pot than their house and other assets. The fourth action item is to continue convincing your donors that your mission is still more important than ever. Even though the government might not be subsidizing their donation they probably received a tax decrease under the new law so there is no need for them to reduce their support. Time will tell what the change in the tax law really has done for charitable donations. In the meantime, we need to keep talking to our donors and helping them understand the best strategies available.

Page 10 BULLETIN OF BETH EL CONGREGATION

 In Memoriam 

Beth El Congregation Corrections & Additions notes with sorrow the passing of

Board of Trustees: Marty Belsky Friedman, David & Judy Denise Bellis 2034 Stratford Lane, Akron, OH 44313 Mother of Ari, Abigail, Emily, and 330-864-9990 • 330-714-7995 (David) • 330-714-7996 (Judy) Rebecca; daughter of Dave and Becky; [email protected] • [email protected] sister of Dave Oppenheimer, Kenneth & Emily, Jacob & Evelyn 1907 N. Medina Line Rd., Akron, OH 44333 330-283-3104 Janice Golden [email protected] Mother of James, Debra, and Kathy; Rotbard, Deborah sister of Norma; grandmother of Rachel, 301 N. Hawkins Ave., Akron, OH 44313 Arielle, and Kayla; great-grandmother of 330-836-1419 • 330-863-1619 (cell) Aleena and Lucca Rotbard, Renee 301 N. Hawkins Ave., Akron, OH 44313 Sheldon Saferstein 330-836-1419 • 330-863-4464 (cell) Husband of Deborah; father of Robert, Siff, Alan & Patsy Jennifer, Sarah, and Cheryl; 1012 Bunker Dr #100, Fairlawn, OH 44333 brother of Sharon 330-836-3535 • 330-655-7894 • 330-655-5964 (cell) Spector, Rick & Lisa; Corey & Madison 2201 Firestone Trace, Akron, OH 44333 330-714-8040 (Rick) • 330-607-6533 (Lisa) [email protected] • [email protected] Spector, Martin & Sue 1799 Brookwood Dr., Akron, OH 44313 Only months October 1-April 1 – 6318 42nd St. E., Sarasota, FL 34243 until our 330-289-2842 (Martin) • 330-328-8634 (Sue) [email protected] th Zezter, Sid & Shirley 38 Annual 2083 Stillwood Ln, Akron, OH 44313 330-835-0599 Fundraiser 23571 Sandycreek Terrace #1210, Bonita Springs, FL 34135 239-495-6655

Memorial Plaques The Memorial Plaques in our Sanctuary constitute a permanent record of the names of men and women departed from this earth. To cherish and keep alive their precious memories is a sacred Jewish tradition. The contribution for an individual plaque is only $250. For further information, please call Beth El at 330-864-2105.

Plaques were recently affixed in the Sanctuary in memory of: Idelle Kodish Stanley B. Scheiderman Rolinda Schneiderman

BULLETIN OF BETH EL CONGREGATION Page 11

October 1 at 9:15, Followed by Lunch Creative Shemini Atzeret services with the Northern Cheyenne Nation and our Clergy Intern Lex Rofeberg (his first weekend with us!) We will do the Geshem Prayer and have a meaningful exchange with the Cheyenne.

October 1 at 6:00 PM Joyous Simchat Torah service with dancing, with dinner and milkshakes. We will read the very end of the book of Deuteronomy and start again in Genesis. Afterwards, we will unfurl the entire Torah around the room - we need you to hold up a piece of Torah!

October 2 at 9:15 AM Traditional Simchat Torah services. Our clergy intern Lex Rofeberg will deliver the Dvar Torah.

Friday Night Services @ 7 PM Oct. 12, Nov. 9, Jan. 11, Feb. 8, Mar. 8, Apr. 12, & May 10 followed by sweet treats

A Service of the Heart, in-the-round, with Musicians Page 12 BULLETIN OF BETH EL CONGREGATION

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October 15, 7:30 PM A discussion group with drinks for the men of Beth El Congregation. Lay leaders and Hazzan Matt leads this monthly men's discussion group on wide-ranging topics of interest to those in our community and the Jewish world. Have a drink and share the brotherhood with others. Papa Joe's in the Valley • 1561 Akron Peninsula Rd, Akron, OH

Tuesday October 9 Noon - 1 PM L&L Returns!

At the Law Offices of Goldman-Rosen 11 S. Forge St., Akron, OH 44304 Lunch is $12 per person. To RSVP, please contact Karen James at [email protected].

Observing a Yahrzeit anytime soon? If you plan on attending a morning or evening Minyan and want to make sure that someone is there to open the synagogue and/or lead the service, please call at least one Not viewing the Bulletin online, and week in advance, especially during the summer months. cannot Click Here? Use this Web address: We will always do our best to get https://crm.uscj.org/civicrm/contribute/transact?reset=1&id=4 someone to lead the service, however, we ask that you invite some friends to join you to ensure that we have the required Minyan. BULLETIN OF BETH EL CONGREGATION Page 13

Finding the Woman; through the Jewish Holidays

Torah, Art, and Reflection - Mixed Media By Sheryl Aronson Sarah, Hagar, Hannah. We read their stories every year during the High Holidays, but have you ever thought about them as people? A series of three classes, one on each of them, has let women look into their lives, and relate to them in creative ways. The classes are facilitated by Rabbi Elyssa Austerklein and Jen Yensel LPCC-S of Akron ArtWorks. Rabbi Elyssa leads a discussion using a few lines from Torah or Haftorah, and commentary related to those lines from traditional and more recent sources. Jen introduces the therapeutic art experience complementary to our discussion. She presents a question to ponder, media to use, and general instructions. What makes an art experience therapeutic is the intention that goes into making the art, and the thought processes about the art as/after it is done. Rather than planning the outcome, allow your hands and the media to interact. If there are choices to make, try to let it happen naturally. At some point, you may begin to 'see' a shape, or color, something symbolic to you. You don't have to be an artist, it doesn't have to be pretty, or perfect, or meet anyone's expectations. For example, the second session was about Hagar and her relationship with Sarah. The art experience was putting strips of tape on paper, painting the paper, and removing the tape. We were to think about a situation that appeared different looking back than it did at the time. While putting the tape on, I saw a house shape, and a path leading to it. The spaces around the house became yard, garden, sky. The house represented the home my husband and I created raising his two sons, and the changing emotions over time that made them our sons. Torah study, art, and reflection: the ultimate in mixed media.

September 13 participants at Finding the Woman Within; through the Jewish Holidays (second of three sessions) at Akron ArtWorks. Page 14 BULLETIN OF BETH EL CONGREGATION

Contribution s

AARON KRANITZ • Janice Golden – from Dr. and Mrs. George SYNAGOGUE Litman MEMORIAL FUND • Dr. Irving Kauvar – from Dr. and Mrs. George FUND For the Recovery of Litman In Memory of • Ed Regal – from Joe and JoEllen Kodish • Denise Bellis – from Dr. and Mrs. Lawrence LOUIS LOCKSHIN Richman, Mr. and Mrs. Sheldon Saferstein, In Honor of Alice Schneider, Mrs. Rochelle Stone, Mr. and • The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Sam Rosen – SCHOLARSHIP FUND Mrs Sidney Zetzer from Joe and JoEllen Kodish In Memory of • Marvin Cohen – from Randy and Bonnie Cohen ALEXANDER AND LILLIAN MEDOFF • Denise Bellis – from Jim and Susan Osherow • Janice Golden – from Dr. and Mrs. Lawrence • Janice Golden – from Jim and Susan Richman, Mr. and Mrs. Sheldon Saferstein, MEMORIAL MUSIC FUND Osherow Alice Schneider, Mrs. Rochelle Stone, Mr. and In Memory of • Dr. Irving Kauvar – from Jim and Susan Mrs Sidney Zetzer • Denise Bellis – from Mrs. Donna Geller Osherow • Harriet Horn – from Steven, Justin, and Logan Horn • Janice Golden – from Mrs. Donna Geller In Honor of • Dr. Irving Kauvar – from Howard and Arlyne • Dr. Irving Kauvar – from Mrs. Donna Geller, • The birth of Maxine Minster – from Jim and from Laurel Gress, David and Robin Levy, Botchnek, Randy and Bonnie Cohen, Larry and Susan Osherow Esther Hexter, Marilyn Mirman, Dr. and Mrs. Libby Portnoy • The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Sam Rosen – Lawrence Richman, Stephen Robbins, Mr. and For the Recovery of from Jim and Susan Osherow Mrs. Sheldon Saferstein, Alice Schneider, • David Halpern – from David and Robin Levy Jerome and Sandra Schneier, Mrs. Rochelle RABBI'S CANTOR’S Stone, Mr. and Mrs Sidney Zetzer DISCRETIONARY FUND • Ed Schneider – from Michael and Linda DISCRETIONARY FUND In Memory of Jacobs, Marilyn Mirman, Leonard and Ruth Sweet, Sally Woliver In Memory of • Denise Bellis – from Joe and JoEllen Kodish, • Janice Golden – from Joe and JoEllen Kodish • Stanley Schneiderman – from Laurel Gress, Eileen Schneir Michael and Linda Jacobs, Marilyn Mirman, EDWARD SCHNEIDER • Janice Golden – from Eileen Schneir Norma Hirsch Palmer, Leonard and Ruth Sweet • Dr. Irving Kauvar – from Joe and JoEllen In Honor of EDUCATION FUND Kodish, Marty and Joyce Oppenheimer, Eileen • The engagement of Jared Spector and Ilyssa In Memory of Schneir – from Dr. and Mrs. Lawrence Richman Denise Bellis – from the Crane family, Mr. and • • Stanley Schneiderman – from Marty and • The birth of Foster T. Kay grandson of Alan Mrs. Jacques Sardas Joyce Oppenheimer and Teddi Kay – from Dr. and Mrs. Lawrence • Janice Golden – from the Crane family, Mr. Richman and Mrs. Jacques Sardas REVEREND PHILLIP SALZMAN • The Bat Mitzvah of Alexandra Newman – from Dr. and Mrs. Lawrence Richman • Dr. Irving Kauvar – from the Crane family, Carl SCHOLARSHIP FUND Lieberman, Mr. and Mrs. Jacques Sardas, Mort • The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Sam Rosen – Sobel In Memory of from Dr. and Mrs. Lawrence Richman • Belle Nobil – from Burt and Lois Nobil • Denise Bellis – from Mr. and Mrs. Herbert • Leora Cohen receiving the "12 Under 36" • Jacob Nobil – from Burt and Lois Nobil Newman Award – from Dr. and Mrs. Lawrence Richman • Marc Merkln being named to the Benchers • Marjorie B. Robbins – from Carl Lieberman • Janice Golden – from Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Newman Society of CRWU – from Dr. and Mrs. • Ed Schneider – from David and Kathy Unger Lawrence Richman • David Halpern – from Sandra Levenson • Dr. Irving Kauvar – from Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Newman, Herb Weiss For the Recovery of In Honor of • Dianne Newman – from Harold and Greta • Hyman Kodish – from Roslyn Thingelstad • The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Sam Rosen – Foster, Dr. and Mrs. Lawrence Richman from the Crane family • Ed Schneider – from Lynn Cohen HANK • The birth of Daphne Livshin – from the Crane SIMON KOPELSON T family YOU • The birth of Maxine Minster – from the Crane MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP FUND Thank you for all the Leagrams for our 45th family In Memory of Wedding Anniversary • Leora Cohen receiving the "12 Under 36" • Dr. Irving Kauvar – from Gloria Slavin ~ Marty and Sherry Hellman Ron and I would like to thank everyone for all Award – from Dr. John and Patty Saks TEPHEN ROSS S M. G their good wishes for our 55th wedding GRESS MEMORIAL FUND anniversary. We appreciate the thoughtfulness. TORAH FUND In Memory of ~ Ron and Sue Nusbaum In Memory of • Denise Bellis – from Mr. and Mrs. Scott Thank you for all the Leagrams and good wishes • Faith Stahl – from Alan Horn Gross for our anniversary. Sixty is nifty! ~ Sandy and Jerry Schneier. • Janice Golden – from Mr. and Mrs. Scott KNITZVAH Gross Your thoughtful and generous contributions are appreciated. FUND • Dr. Irving Kauvar – from Mr. and Mrs. Scott

In Memory of Gross Contributions received before the first of

• Denise Bellis – from Dr. and Mrs. George Litman • Stan Schneiderman – from Marcia Magee the month usually appear one month later. BULLETIN OF BETH EL CONGREGATION Page 15

Sunday, October 7, 3:00 PM Fund Renamed At the September Board All women of the congregation Meeting, the Board of Trustees unanimously are invited to participate in a voted to rename the Rosh Chodesh Mommy Shower Education Fund to the for the Rabbi. Edward Schneider Education Fund. Come be a part of this new ritual and The purpose of the bless the Rabbi as she prepares to give birth. Education Fund will not change; rather the new RSVP a must: [email protected] or by calling the office. name will reflect the If you have sniffles or are not feeling well, please choose to stay home. ongoing memory, appreciation, and honor Please, no baby gifts. of Ed Schneider.

Page 16 BULLETIN OF BETH EL CONGREGATION ETH L ONGREGATION PERIODICALS B E C 750 WHITE POND DRIVE POSTAGE PAID AKRON, OHIO 44320 AKRON, OHIO

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Beth El’s First Night of Hanukkah Celebrate with Jewish Music, Dance, & Food! Sunday, December 2, 2018 Our special musical guest artists are Case Western's collegiate Klezmer Music Ensemble, under the direction of Steve Greenman. Come dance, groove, sing, and support our local college students as they perform this nd A 2 band, but still not Case Western students. Jewish soul music.