Wholemegillah
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Congregation Beth Shalom Rodfe Zedek The WholeMegillah September & October 2017 10 Elul, 5777 – 11 Heshvan, 5778 Inside this issue Reflections and Schedule for the High Holy Days pg 6–7 Rabbi Bellows’ Teaching for Sukkot................................3 Editorial on the Sh’ma by Andy Schatz...................4–5 Ellen Nodelman Presents House of Peace and Justice, the History of CBSRZ at Books & Bagels.................10–11 News from the Kivvun Korner...................12–13 Baruch Zvi Ring, Memorial Tablet and Omer Calendar, Jewish Museum, New York City (Google Art Project) www.cbsrz.org T H A N K Y O U IN THIS ISSUE to the following donors from 6/6/2017 to 8/6/2017 2nd Century Campaign Carol, Sofia and Eva LeWitt: in memory of From Our Rabbi Rita Christopher & David Frank Dr. Abraham LeWitt & Nellie LeWitt Edward & Linda Pinn Carol LeWitt & Bruce Josephy: in memory of 3 Rabbi Marci Bellows Michael Roth & Kari Weil Phil Burzin, Bernie Slater, Bennett Millstein and 860-526-8920 Andy Schatz & Barbara Wolf Harvey Redak [email protected] Natalie Lindstrom: in memory of Lee Marcus Sh’ma Editorial Tzedakah Collective Norman Needleman: in memory of Ann Needleman Cantor Belinda Brennan Cantor Educator Sophie & Maurice Khaski Norman Needleman: in memory of Karen Joy 4–5 Berfond 860-526-8920 Harvey Payton: in memory of William Payton [email protected] Food/Beverage Fund Saul & Hila Rosen: in memory of Susan Cohen Ethan Goller & Rona Malakoff High Holiday Maxine Klein Glassberg, Harry Rosen, Mildred Rosen and President Debra Landrey Frances Rosen 860-346-2399 Daryl Meninsky 6–7 Steven & Frani Ross: in memory of Barney Levine [email protected] Edward & Linda Pinn Matthew & Hadass Rubin: in memory of Hadass Rubin Brad Jubelirer Matthew & Hadass Rubin: in memory of Isidor Rubin Religious School Fund Sukkot Simchat Torah Vice-President Joel & Marcy Saltzman: in memory of Alice Saltzman 860-349-2386 Eric & Barbara Infeld: in honor of Debby Trautmann Joel & Marcy Saltzman: in memory of Daniel Weintraub and Leon Saltzman 8 Sandy Seidman Minyan Fund Adele Saykin: in memory of Harvey Redak Financial Vice President 860-399-5709 Michael & Susan Peck: in honor of Joel Pear Jerome & Marlene Scharr: in memory of Selichot [email protected] Michael & Susan Peck: in memory of Sarah Dole Harvey Redak Sydney Schulman: in memory of Harvey Redak 9 Ali Rosenblum Elliot & Nancy Schwam: in memory of Alan Schwam Donations Secretary Elliot & Nancy Schwam: in memory of Frances Rickard 860-391-3231 Ray & Liz Archambault: in memory of Hazel Elliot & Nancy Schwam: in memory of George Ulrich Archambault Books & Bagels Elliot & Nancy Schwam: in memory of Henry Schwam Kevin B. Fox Rabbi Marci Bellows & Seth Lindenman: in honor of Elliot & Nancy Schwam: in memory of Raymond Treasurer Spencer’s 1st birthday 10–11 860-597-6302 Rickard Doron & Eve Ber: in memory of Joseph Ber [email protected] Elliot & Nancy Schwam: in memory of Reba Schwam Mr. and Mrs. Alan Berman: in memory of Sandy & Andrea Seidman Wendy Bayor Harvey Redak Sharon Taubman: in memory of Blossom Glickman Kivvun Korner/B’nai Mitzvah Administrator Rebecca Blake: in memory of Newton Cohen Christopher George Wich 860-526-8920 Lary Bloom & Suzanne Levine: in memory of Jacqueline Wolff: in memory of Alice Wolff 12–13 [email protected] Tops Miller Jacqueline Wolff: in memory of Arthur G. Wolff Samuel Chorches: in memory of Adeline Chorches David Zeleznik & Maxine Klein: in honor of the William & Mary Cutler: in memory of Harvey Redak The Whole Megillah URJ Biennial Photo Gallery Published bi-monthly by Jeffrey & Barbara Davis: in memory of Milton Davis David Zeleznik & Maxine Klein: in memory of Congregation Beth Shalom Jeffrey & Barbara Davis: in memory of Stella Davis Pearl Klein 14–15 Rodfe Zedek Stephen & Clo Davis: in memory of Emily Boro Stephen & Clo Davis: in memory of Ida Hyman 55 East Kings Highway Year-End Appeal PO Box 438 Stephen & Clo Davis: in memory of Sam Davis Social Action Chester, CT 06412 Martin & Elizabeth Drobiarz: in memory of Henry & Elizabeth Gottlieb Voice: 860-526-8920 Howard Gold Gene & Marilyn Kalet Fax: 860-526-8918 Weymouth & Gloria Eustis: in memory of Harvey Redak Alan & Beth Laites 16–18 www.cbsrz.org Myra Fishman: in honor of the marriage of Marc and David & Laura Roman Julie Pinn Patrick Smith & Melinda Alcosser Editor Sean Konecky Ellen Friedman: in memory of Adele and Murray Miller Miriam Swidler Biennial Gister Family: in memory of Ronald Samuel Gister Editor Emeritus Abraham & Beverly Glassman: in memory of Anna Building Fund 20 Lary Bloom and Max Glassman Daryl Meninsky Harvey Hoberman: in memory of Burton Karp Edward & Linda Pinn: in memory of Louis Sherman Photo Editor Deborah Rutty Harvey Hoberman: in memory of Joan Hoberman Andy Schatz & Barbara Wolf Remembrance Stephen Jacobs & Andi Pepper Jacobs: in memory Contributing Photographer of Richard Pepper Rabbi Discretionary Fund 21 Paula Retsky Bruce Josephy: in memory of Amy Sullivan Lisa Cohen: in memory of Richard Cohen Brad & Lori Jubelirer Kivvun Photo Editor David & Iris Klar: in memory of Miriam Klar Brad & Lori Jubelirer: in memory of James Jubelirer Ben Rosenblum-Jones Andrew & Amy Wolf: in appreciation of Rabbi Marci Calendars Lorraine Klappholz: in memory of Meyer Zarchin Bellows’ support and guidance during the Editorial Assistant Alan & Beth Laites: in memory of Sarah Dole conversion process 22–23 Wendy Bayor Gladys Lavine: in memory of Jacqueline Michael Design/Production Justin Marciano 2 From our Rabbi Shalom, Chaverim —Hello, friends, By Rabbi Marci Bellows wish for you all to have a good and Second Night: On this night, we welcome sea, and was also punished for spreading Ihealthy New Year, and that 5778 brings Isaac and Rebecca, who teach us Gevurah, gossip about her sister-in-law. Aaron was you much blessing and joy. This busy strength. Isaac is an exemplar of powerless- Moses’ spokesperson, standing up to Phar- season always reminds me of a humorous ness – one who was passive and had no will aoh and helping the Israelites find freedom. moment many of us experience just after of his own. On the other hand, Rebecca, by How do we use our speech – to hurt or Yom Kippur. Just when we think to our- causing Jacob to take his brother’s birthright, demean others, or to make the world a bet- selves, “We got through the High Holidays! is an exemplar of proactivity, taking control ter place? How can we use communication We can take a break from going to temple,” over the future of her people. When might it to create change? What are some specific a few days later we have ANOTHER holiday be best to sit back and subdue ourselves, and ways we can raise our voices to speak out on our hands: Sukkot. Our children spend when is it important to take action for what for social justice? time building or decorating the holiday’s we believe in? What are examples of actions Booths, or Sukkot, but when do we, as that we can be taking in order to ensure a Sixth Night: Tonight we welcome Joseph adults, take time to appreciate the themes better future for humankind? and his Egyptian wife, Osnat. After suffer- and teachings of this beautiful holiday? ing injustice and servitude, Joseph became Third Night: Tonight, we welcome Jacob quite powerful in the land of Egypt. Both During a rabbinical internship at the Union and Rachel. Jacob fell in love with Rachel Joseph and Osnat are symbols of wealth, of Reform Judaism’s Commission on Social because of her beauty, rejecting her sister, power, and abundance. The Israelites Action, I had an opportunity to create a Social Leah, who had “weak eyes.” What role does found refuge in Egypt as they fled famine; Action Holiday Guide for Sukkot (all Social physical appearance play in our lives? How so too, many now come to America to find Action Holiday Guides, including my other can we embrace diverse beauty concepts that a better life. How might this analogy affect guide, Pesach: Season of Justice, are available recognize the value in various cultures and our perception of America’s role in the at http://rac.org/pubs/holidayguides/). Suk- backgrounds? In what ways do we discrimi- world? What should our sense of respon- kot’s emphasis on the environment, on eco- nate on the basis of physical characteristics sibility and action be in light of our overall nomic justice, and on hospitality can inspire and abilities? How can we ensure justice and wealth and power? us to add more G’milut Chasadim – acts of equality for all, regardless of appearance? loving-kindness, to our lives. Seventh Night: On the last night of Sukkot, Fourth Night: On the fourth night, we we welcome David and his wife, Michal. One of the most enjoyable traditions associ- welcome Yocheved and her son, Moses. Although he is remembered as a great leader, ated with Sukkot is the welcoming of Ush- Yocheved ensured the survival of the Jewish as king, David shed much blood and abused pizin, or holy guests, into our homes, one for people by defying the ruling power and sav- the power of his office for personal gain. each night of the week. In a modern variation ing Moses. Moses’ acts of leadership resulted Today as well, world leaders have the capac- to this custom, each night can be connected in our freedom from slavery. They encourage ity to make war or peace, to use their author- to a related social action theme. I invite you to us to remember the importance of standing ity to help others or to achieve personal choose one or more of the following sugges- up for what is right and taking action to bring profit.