Plan to Attend: Temple Beth Abraham Annual Chanukah Party Scholar-In

4 RAYMOND ST. NASHUA, N.H. 03064-2317 NON-PROFIT U.S. POSTAGE PAID Nashua, N. H. Permit No.788

December 2015 – Vol. 42, No. 03 • telephone: 603-883-8184 • e-mail: [email protected] • www.tbanashua.org

Plan to attend: Temple Beth Abraham Annual Chanukah Party Tuesday, December 8, 2015 5:30 – 7:30 PM Deli, Latkes and Sufgoniot Family Entertainment including: Music by the Raymond Street Klezmer Band RESERVATIONS by December 1 are a MUST!!!

Scholar-in-Residence: Rabbi Shmuly Yanklowitz Judaism and Social Justice in the 21st Century Shabbat Chanukah Friday, December 11 to Sunday, December 13

December 2015 Vol. 42 No. 03 Temple Beth Abraham Kislev/Tevet 5776 Big Questions and Hard Questions As terrorist mur- well-paying job? Questions are “hard” those, citizens can’t move on together ders continue in because they can’t be answered with- to the “hard questions” that have to Israel, as we reel out information and expertise. When be answered and decided. from the attacks in people don’t really have the knowledge, Rabbi Josh developed his project Paris, Beirut and says Rabbi Josh, they either check out within Hillel, the Jewish organizational elsewhere, and as or, worse, end up in debates that go in network on college campuses. Ironi- our own presidential Rabbi Spira-Savett circles and pull people apart. cally, campuses have become the forum campaign moves along, we have a lot “Big Questions”, as Rabbi Josh calls for some of the least-informed, most to talk about. them, are questions that matter to polarizing arguments in our society. Rabbi Josh Feigelson, one of the best everyone and that anyone can answer. Yet he figured that of all times in life, young American Jewish thinkers, is Who are we obligated to help in the college is when people are fascinated the founder of a national initiative world? Are the Palestinians part of our by the world and its dilemmas, and called “Ask Big Questions.” His cen- sphere of responsibility? Big Questions are not yet locked into decisions of tral insight is that there is a difference don’t have final answers. But there are career and lifestyle that can limit or between hard questions and big ques- more thoughtful and less thoughtful shut down that exploration. Ask Big tions. Hard questions are important answers. Rabbi Josh’s work is built Questions has trained leaders for nearly ones we are debating in our society: on the idea that for groups of people, one hundred campuses. What should we do to stop Palestinian discussing Big Questions over time But I have been talking to Rabbi terror? What should we do to make fosters reflection, an interest in other Josh the last few years at the Wexner sure everyone with skills can find a people, and ultimately trust. Without (Continued on the following page …) The Covenant Between Me and You Times past we lived 2:8,9 and the Lord God planted Times were good. Very good. Af- off the land. There a garden eastward, in Eden; and ter leaving the garden of Eden we were not many of there He put the man whom He tended fields and husbanded flocks. us but we were usu- had formed. And out of the ground We used the good times to develop ally able to survive made the Lord God to grow every agriculture. We were fruitful and we the vicissitudes of President tree that is pleasant to the sight, did multiply. life. The advance Michael Harris and good for food We built towns and cities. We and recession of the 9:11 And I will establish my became proud. We came to think great ice sheets. The rapid changes covenant with you; neither shall that the bounty of the land and of in sea level. The disappearance and all flesh be cut off any more by the the seas was the work of our own return of great forests. There could waters of the flood; neither shall hands, that it is limitless. But what not be many of us. Scattered bands. there be any more be a flood to of the covenant? Are we free to walk There were times when the harsh destroy the earth,’ And God said: away from it? Who would know? Is conditions nearly annihilated us. ‘This is the token of the covenant anybody watching? More than once. And then things which I make between Me and changed. Don’t bother me with these fairy you and every living creature that tales and poppycock. After the end of the last ‘ice age’ is with you, for perpetual genera- things all of a sudden got a lot bet- tions: I have set My bow in the O.K. So let’s talk science. ter. Perhaps we see a glimmer of our cloud, and it shall be for a token Among the many types of homo collective memory of these times of a covenant between Me and that preceded and co-evolved with us early in the book of Genesis: the earth.’ over the last 2 – 3 million years, our (Continued on the following page …) 3 Big Questions and Hard Questions continued… The Covenant Between Me and You cont. … Graduate Fellowship Alumni Institute First, we have to avoid the shortcuts species, homo sapiens, differentiated about how Ask Big Questions fits around the Big Questions. When we itself some 150 – 200,000 years ago. with adulthood. He is convinced that find ourselves in tough arguments During the period of our evolution, while the vibe might be different, the we ought to invite the other person the earth experienced considerable paradigm absolutely applies. to step back, and figure out whether instability. Perhaps it was that ex- The synagogue has a unique potential the argument is really about facts treme instability that favored our to foster an atmosphere of asking Big and information, or about values and adaptability and our intelligence. Questions, in a way that enables us worldviews. By 10 – 30,000 years ago we were to work on the hard questions that Second, we have to carve out some dominant. Still very few in numbers, can so often divide us. My D’var To- forums as a community where we give though by then we had spread to rah (sermon) this past Yom Kippur up the goal of agreement, or collective almost all corners of the earth. about Judaism and politics was a Big action, in favor of an open discussion And then things changed. The Questions talk. It was about what it of a Big Question, where people walk earth snapped out of the highly means to be a Jew who is conservative out with different views and commit- unstable pattern it had been in and or a Jew who is liberal, rather than an ments but a more trust in each other. snapped into the highly stable, very analysis of social policy from a (my) Third, we have to be humble and hon- favorable pattern we now have. This Jewish point of view. Sermons from est about our own expertise, and seek was a state change. What forces were the pulpit, Shabbat lunch discussions, out individually as much knowledge behind this change of state are not BABKA book conversations, the Shab- as possible about the issues that are explained. More is understood about bat dinner table at home – these are stirring our kishkes. what forces serve to keep the earth all places for Big Questions. in the current favorable pattern. Over the summer, when the Iran It’s not a one-shot thing. It takes time, nuclear deal was a focus, I compared One of the interesting things being involved with other people, to the relationship of citizens to leaders, that we observe in looking at the understand our different approaches with the doctor-patient relationship. temperature variability over the to each Big Question. When we are faced with a difficult last 100,000 years of our evolution The best outside speakers – whether medical decision – a hard question – is that it is quite extreme. Average it’s a speaker on Israel or a candidate on we ask ourselves Big Questions about annual temperature swings of over o o the stump – engage their audience by what is important in our life, and try 20 C (36 F). It could get pretty cold. talking about their own reflections on to learn as much as possible about the For a long time. the Big Questions associated with the illness and treatments. Medical pro- But some 10 – 12,000 years ago the hard ones they care about. Often, that fessionals try to teach us, out of their pattern changed dramatically. All of a reflective tone and self-revelation open expertise and wisdom, and ultimately sudden the temperature rises to what up the space where everyone present the patient and family have to decide. we now consider to be normal, quite can explore strongly held views about There is often not a right answer, but pleasant and temperate. Not only what to do going forward. the best answer comes when families that, the average annual tempera- Being a democratic citizen, and a talk enough about the Big Questions. ture doesn’t change over that entire o Jew committed to Israel, puts us in a So too as citizens. This time in Israel period by more than ±1 C. So here tough spot. We can’t help but care in and the world, and our intensifying we have been wandering the earth in our kishkes (gut) about the hard ques- presidential primary, give us many small bands all these years and all of tions, even when we don’t have the hard questions to debate and argue a sudden we discover a new world. specialized knowledge to arrive at an about. May this motivate us to spend Temperate climate. Temperature sta- expert opinion most of the time. We enough time with each other on the bility. What do we do? We go off and nonetheless have to vote, and ought to Big Questions. develop agriculture, cities, empires, advocate. Which means we discuss and civilizations. Over the last 200 years L’shalom things really take off. We discover disagree. How do we do that without Rabbi Jon coming apart? the steam engine, cars, airplanes. We learn to exploit coal and oil. (Continued on page 12…) 4 Services and Community

BULLETIN PUBLISHED MONTHLY December Service Junior Congregation ELEVEN TIMES A YEAR VOL. 42, NO. 03 Schedule and Shabbat Sh’laymah BY TEMPLE BETH ABRAHAM Services are held every Friday 4 RAYMOND STREET evening at 8:00 PM (unless otherwise Junior Con- NASHUA, NH 03064-2317 noted), Saturday at 9:30 AM and gregation, (603) 883-8184 Monday –Thursday at 7:30 PM. FAX (603) 594-8983 our Saturday Religious School 883-9844 SPECIAL EVENT SERVICES morning Shab- TBA website: http://www.tbanashua.org/ December 4 bat supple- Rabbi...... Jonathan Spira-Savett 7 PM Gan-Bet Family Service ment to the President ...... Michael Harris Simcha Club education that children receive in Executive Vice-President.....Anita Hazard Vice-President...... Gary Friedman December 11 our Religious School, will meet this Secretary...... Alan Green month on December 12, Shabbat Treasurer...... Barry Sack Scholar-in-Residence Assistant Treasurer...... Barry Heller Yachad and December 19. Office Manager/ Rabbi Shmuly Yaklowitz Bookkeeper & Editor...... Judy Goldstein December 12 Junior Congregation offers fun and Assistant Secretary & interesting service experiences, for Assoc. Ed...... Diane Toth Shabbat Yachad Director of Education Scholar –in-Residence students in 3rd through 6th grade. & Programming...... Heidi Lovitz We sing, examine parts of the Sat- School Secretary...... Janice Lariviere December 19 urday morning service, and learn a BOARD OF DIRECTORS Jr. Congregation & bit of Torah before concluding our Yami Baker...... Jeff Masors Lisa Bonneau ...... David Sacks Shabbat Sh’laymah service with the congregation in the Harris Greenstone...... Sharon Weiss sanctuary. Wendy Kolopsky...... Steve Zedeck Becky Green - Sisterhood Representative Community News Shabbat Sh’laymah for children in Affiliated with United Synagogue of Mazel Tov to: nd Conservative Judaism • Jane & Bill Goodman & family Kindergarten through 2 grade will on Joel’s Bar Mitzvah take place in the youth lounge from • Judy & Richard Wolfe on the 10:00 AM. – 11:45 AM. Children marriage of daughter, Carrie to are welcome to attend with or with- Eric Navok out parents. BABKA NEWS Please join us • Marsha & Sandy Geyer on the Looking ahead to next month, on Wednes- birth of grandson, Avi Seth Junior Congregation will meet on day, December Geyer-Klein January 9 and January 23. 2 at 8:00 PM Our service on January 9 will in- when BAB- Condolences to: clude Parent Congregation! Lead by KA discusses • Deb Wilner on the loss of her Stacy Garnick, parents will have an The Next Best beloved mother, Bella Tresser opportunity to talk about Shabbat Thing by Jen- morning prayers, the Torah portion nifer Weiner. Welcome New Members: of the week and how they relate to Consider at- • Carol & Stuart Castle (Nashua) issues of parenting and raising Jew- tending minyan prior to the meeting ish children! Don’t miss this! at 7:30 PM. As always, everyone is To all those people in our commu- Join us for the Zayin Class (7th welcome and it is not necessary to nity who are ill we wish you a grade) Shabbat on January 30. have either read or finished the book complete & speedy recovery to be part of the conversation Nancy Dorner, Facilitator

5 Community

Temple Beth Abraham Annual Chanukah Party Tuesday, December 8, 2015 5:30 – 7:30 PM Deli, Latkes and Sufgoniot Family Entertainment including: Music by the Raymond Street Klezmer Band Crafts for young children Chanukah Menorah Contest Prizes and more! Bring your menorah and candles to help us light up the room. Adult (13 & older) $15.00 Child (4 - 12) $8.00 3 & under free

RESERVATIONS by December 1 are a MUST!!!

Please help us out by getting your RSVP in on time so we can order enough food.

Mail to TBA Office at 4 Raymond St., Nashua, NH 03064. or register and pay online at http://www.tbanashua.org

While we are enjoying the Festival of Lights, please consider those who are in need. We have a number of ongoing collections taking place at Temple Beth Abraham. Please bring a donation to the Chanukah Party.

Nashua Soup Kitchen – Non-Perishable Food Items Coats, Hats, Mittens, Gloves • Bridges – Toiletries and Linens A Package from Home for Israeli Soldiers – Travel Sized Toothpaste, Cotton Boxer Shorts ------TBA Annual Chanukah Party – December 8, 2015

Name ______

Number of Adults ______Number of Children _____

Total Enclosed $______

______I am available to help with set up and clean up.

6 Education and Programming

Scholar-in-Residence: Rabbi Shmuly Yanklowitz Judaism and Social Justice in the 21st Century Shabbat Chanuka Friday, December 11 to Sunday, December 13 Named one of Newsweek’s top 50 rabbis two years in a row, Rav Shmuly is is a Modern Orthodox scholar and social justice activist. His work has included the Tav Hayosher (“ethical seal”) raising labor standards in kosher restaurants, international mission work in South America and Asia, a Jewish online microlending team, local anti-poverty organizing in Phoenix, and the Valley Beit Midrash, a study center bringing together teachers and students from all Jewish denominations. Rav Shmuly was filmed over the course of a year for “The Calling”, the 2010 PBS documentary that profiled seven people of different faiths training for the clergy. Ordained at Yeshivat Chovevei Torah, Rav Shmuly has taught moral philosophy at Barnard College and at the UCLA School of Law. Friday Night Dinner 6:00 PM International Shabbat Dinner – Indian Cuisine (see article in this issue for details) Dinner $18 per adult, $7 per child, $45 maximum per household Make reservations by Tuesday, December 8 Friday Night Services 8:00 PM “The Soul of Jewish Social Justice” What is the connection between spirituality and tikkun olam (repairing the world)? Saturday Morning Services “Doing Our Best And/Or Saving the World – Jewish Social Justice Dilemmas” Shabbat Lunch – Around 12:00 PM “Yosher and Kosher: Is Kosher Ethical?” Rav Shmuly will discuss his own work challenging the ethical standards of the kosher food industry and talk with us about what comes next for a community like ours already beginning to be engaged in supporting local farms and fair trade consumption. Shabbat Afternoon With Teens (Post-Bat/Bar Mitzvah) – Around 2:30 PM “Power, Privilege and Jewish Leadership” Seudah Shlishit (light Shabbat “third meal”) – Around 4:15 PM “Jewish Perspectives on Organ Donation: Risk, Sacrifice, &Pikuach Nefesh (Saving Lives)” Sunday Morning Program For 6th-7th Grade Students and Parents – 10:00 AM “Money and Jewish Values” With Rabbi Shmuly, Rabbi Jon, and Heidi Lovitz 7 Organizations “Thank You & SOUTHERN NH December 31 Tax Deadline” JEWISH MEN’S Thank you very much for your against an outstanding balance, an continued support of Temple Beth additional voluntary contribution to CLUB On Sunday morning, December 6, Abraham in 2015. We would like help us meet our financial obliga- the Southern New Hampshire Jew- to thank everyone in the commu- tions, or in support of your favorite ish Men’s Club will host a 9:30 AM nity for your support whether it be restricted fund (see the list on the breakfast. We are working diligently financial support, volunteering of website at http://www.tbanashua. to secure a speaker, and will announce your time, participating in the daily org/donation-funds.html). All that when confirmed. Please see our minyan, celebrating Shabbat with donations must be received by De- website for further details. There the community, attending events or cember 31 to be tax deductible for will be a charge of $5 for SNHJMC being a member of the TBA com- the 2015 tax year. You may donate members and $10 for non-members munity. As we approach the end of online at www.tbanashua.org or by to cover our famous lox and bagels calendar year 2015, there is one final mailing a check to the synagogue breakfast (which includes eggs, pota- opportunity to make tax deductible office. You may also donate securites toes, whitefish, veggies etc). Member- donations to Temple Beth Abraham like stocks and bonds. If you have ship can be paid at the door. We look this tax year. Payments may be made any questions, please contact the forward to seeing you there. RSVP Treasurer at [email protected]. is not required, but it is appreciated,  as we’d like to get a rough count of attendees. So if possible, please send  RSVP’s to breakfastrsvp@snhjmc.  org beforehand. If you or someone you know would be interested in joining our Men’s  Club please contact our President,  Mark Dickens, via email: president@  snhjmc.org or visit our website at   www.snhjmc.org.

Gan Katan 2015 – 2016 Introducing Young Children to Jewish Culture and Learning Parents and Students Participate Together ✡Connect to New Families and Friends A Fun and Engaging Cooperative Jewish Education Program For Parents and Preschoolers (ages 3 & 4 years old) Classes Meet Two Times a Month from 10:00 – 11:30 AM Join us for Tefillot with Sunday school children at 9:45 AM Music, Jewish Values, Holidays, Crafts, Games, Symbols Parent Education with Heidi Lovitz, Director of Education and Programming Next Classes - December 13 and December 20 Tuition: $90 (first child) $70 (each additional child) For more information and Registration Form please contact Heidi Lovitz at (603) 883-9844 or [email protected]

8 Education Jewish Family Life Experience - Why Experience Matters This year Temple the school. They were also encouraged Malala Yousafzai: warrior with Beth Abraham Re- to create experiences of their own to words (gr. 4 reading level) ligious School em- share with others. We have had many I Am Malala: The Girl Who barked on an initiative programs this year already with out- Stood Up for Education and Was that transforms the standing outcomes. Ten families par- Shot by the Taliban by Malala landscape of how we ticipated in the CROP Walk as a result Yousafzai with Christina Lamb view education in our Director of of the Jewish Family Life Experience, (adult version) community. In years Education & and a group will be attending our first I Am Malala: How one girl stood Programming past, our education Heidi N. Lovitz Social Justice Sunday on December 6 up for education and changed the program occurred at the Wish Project in Lowell, MA. You world by Malala Yousafzai with primarily within the walls of our school can read the summary of our fantastic Patricia McCormick (young building with a variety of field trips Giving Circle Express program held readers edition) and special programs for enrichment. on November 15th elsewhere in this The passion for education and the When asked what they remember bulletin. Below are two other shining rights of all people to obtain an educa- from their religious school experience, examples of Jewish Family Life Ex- tion are important Jewish values. We former students will not talk only about periences attended by both students, came to see how this young girl is a the time they spent sitting in class. parents, families without children in shining example to the world of what They will not talk about the Hebrew school and even grandparents! one person can accomplish and how her curriculum, they will not talk about the JFL Experience Family Reading values are values that the Jewish people drilling of prayers in class, they will not Group presents: hold very dear. The group also reviewed be able to tell you which books they video clips including Malala’s speech used to study Torah or Tefillah. Those BONE BUTTON BORSCHT by upon accepting the Nobel Peace Prize students will remember fondly the Aubrey Davis and Jon Stewart’s interview of Malala. things that they did or created. They On a dark winter’s night, a ragged In addition to these enrichment will recall the field trip with Ruth Harris beggar dreams of a warm hearth and programs, our Bar and Bat Mitzvah to the original site of the congregation; a delicious meal -- and sets out to find students and their families have they will remember the class Shabbatot just that. In this retelling of the clas- regularly been gathering for their ex- and special projects they did, and they sic folktale “Stone Soup,” a stranger periences, preparing to learn, teach will remember those wonderful com- teaches the poor villagers what they can and celebrate with the community. munity events. I am reminded over and accomplish with a few buttons and a over again by students who were the little cooperation. These are the things that our stu- youngest in school at the time, about dents and families will remember Families joined in a lively dramatic fondly in the future. These are the the amazing experience the community presentation of the story and a discus- had with Matt Bar of Bible Raps or experiences that will shape how they sion of the Jewish value of welcoming see themselves as Jews in relation to the time that the children performed strangers, sharing, and cooperation with Sam Glazer. They remember the the rest of the world. These are the followed by the creation of our own, gifts that we give our children that Purim carnivals and Purim shpiels and real, Bone Button Borscht! the myriad of other events in which will create mensches! On November 22, families gath- they participated. Heidi N. Lovitz ered to discuss Malala Yousafzai, If what connects our children and [email protected] her accomplishments and the Jewish (603) 883-9844 families to their Jewish life are the events value of education. that take place outside of the classroom, Participants were asked to read one that is where our educational experiences of the following selections before need to be. the program: Our year began with families choos- ing from a variety of experiences that were planned and facilitated through 9 Organizations and Community THANK YOU!! Simcha Club Sisterhood has become more As in past years, we will be going Children involved with the Nashua Soup to the Nashua Soup Kitchen before whose birth- Kitchen and Shelter this year. Thank Christmas to organize and distribute days occur in you to all the volunteers who, under food to families in need. We have the month the direction of Becky Green, are had so many good comments from of December going to the Soup Kitchen bright those of you who have volunteered will be hon- and early, every Tuesday morning in previous years. I encourage people ored at Services on December 4 to make and serve breakfast and who have volunteered in the past to at 7 PM. A special birthday dessert provide additional help where ever join us again and invite new people will be served to the children at the it is needed. This is a mitzvah and to volunteer….. Oneg following services. We ask the an important ongoing commitment DECEMBER 22 and 23 from parents (or grandparents) to send that each of you have made to “repair 11:00 to 3:00 a donation of $9.00 per child to the world” with this act of kindness. help defray the cost of refreshments. You don’t have to be a Sisterhood Please make checks payable to TBA For several years Sisterhood has Member. been organizing volunteers to help Sisterhood and send or drop them out before Christmas, but this year We welcome everyone: congregants, off at the Temple office (mark the we expanded to include Thanksgiv- friends, teen aged children etc. envelope “Simcha Club”). Be sure to ing. We were able to organize food We appreciate any number of hours include the names and birth dates of for distribution to needy families in you are able to donate and we will your children. Donations are always the Greater Nashua area. In some tailor activities to your physical welcome and will be acknowledged ways volunteering was more chal- abilities. in the next bulletin. lenging, since most of us were busy Please take this opportunity to learn We look forward to seeing the preparing our own Thanksgiving why this is such a popular activity. families of the following children: celebrations. Thank you to each RSVP to: Carol Kaplan, cakaplan@ Margaret Foxx, Ilana Chasin, of you who joined us. It is such a hotmail.com, (603)860 4163, or Rebecca Kaiser, Anne Sherman, feel good activity and it gives us an Jasper Workman, Kory Garnick & Carol Mann Cohen, carolmannco- added opportunity to give back to Matthew Goldtein our community. [email protected], (603) 216 2849 Another International Food Shabbat Dinner! The Ritual Committee is planning locations. A very interesting history. Chittarnee – Sweet-and-Sour Chick- another one of it’s famous interna- en in Onion Sauce (Baghdadi Indian This will be a meat meal with community) tional Shabbat dinners to be held on vegetarian options. Friday night, December 11. This will Indian Rice and Vegetable Casserole - Our thoughts to date … be in conjunction with the Scholar in Biryani - onion, poppy seeds, coriander, Residence program. Food wise this is • Spiced chickpeas cumin, turmeric, cinnamon, cayenne, during Chanukah and there will most • Smoky Spiced Eggplant eggplant, zucchini … and more! likely be something fried! These din- • Naan - Indian Bread Potato Bhajee - Fried potatoes and ners sell out, reservation information • Indian Split Pea Soup - Chana onions … will follow shortly. Dal – very unique flavorings of gin- ger, chiles, sweet, spicy, lemon The menu is still being formulated, The theme of this dinner will be the and possibly … tested, tasted … food of Jews from India. What did the Volunteers for cooking and set-up Jews of India eat? Well, it does depend a delicious Cochini Mixed Vegetable Soup - Rasam - Indian “Jewish are always needed and welcomed. on which group of Jews we are refer- penicillin” Talk to Helen Honorow (hhonorow@ ring to. There were Jews that settled barrylawoffice.com) or Ben Freedman at different times in three different ([email protected]. 10 Education and Programming

Coming Events and Programming Brought to You by the Lifelong Learning Committee

Scholar-in-Residence Weekend on Judaism and Social Justice With Rabbi Shmuly Yanklowitz Friday, December 11 through Sunday, December 13 In 2012 and 2013, Newsweek called him one of the most influential rabbis inAmerica. Details in bulletin.

Modern Jewish Families Series – Book Discussion Saturday, January 23 BABKA book discussion of The Mothers by Jennifer Gilmore. The book includes a variety of topics on motherhood and becoming a mother. Shabbat luncheon sponsored by TBA Sisterhood; book available at Sisterhood Gift Shop.

Tu BiShevat Seder – Sunday, January 24

Modern Jewish Families – Jewish Family Relationships in the Torah With Guest Rabbinical Student Sam Blustin, Jewish Theological Seminary Saturday, February 6

Caring for Our Parents – Legal Concerns and Financial Documents With Bill Barry and Carl Johnson Tuesday, February 9 (snow date: Thursday, February 11) An interactive discussion on the types of legal and financial items to be aware of. Ongoing: Torah Study with Rabbi Jon Thursdays from 10:30 AM to Noon We are finishing the biblical book of Kohelet (Ecclesiastes) and deciding what is next. Come once or many times.

Avodah She-Balev (Service in the Heart): Meditation with Laura Hegfield Wednesdays twice a month from 9:30-10:30 AM - December 2,16 and 30 The current focus is on the link between meditation and middot, Jewish ethical character qualities.

Rabbijon.net and @TBARav

Teachings on the weekly Torah reading and current events through a Jewish lens, podcasts and music. Rabbi Jon’s high holy day sermons are posted. Coming Soon: Yehuda Yaakov, Consul-General of Israel to New England March – Boston Jewish Music Festival – Kabbalat Shabbat and Concert Dates to be announced

Sunday, April 17 – Modern Jewish Families – Creating Modern Rituals with Esther Kosofsky, Eitan Zeira, and others Sunday, May 1 at 7:00 PM – Yom HaShoah Observance at Rivier University’s Dion Center Marty Weiss, Holocaust survivor and father of our congregant Jeff Weiss, is the invited speaker, through the US Holocaust Museum in Washington, D.C. (co-sponsored with Rivier University).

Sunday, May 15 – “1913: Seeds of Conflict” video presentation and discussion exploring the divergent social forces growing in Palestine before World War I, when Arabs and Jews co-existed in greater harmony

Sunday, June 5 – TBA’s Annual Israel Festival

Have Ideas? Want to Help? Join Our Committee! Contact Jeff Masors at [email protected]

Contribute to the Elizabeth Fischer Memorial Fund to support Beth Abraham’s ongoing scholarly and cultural special programming.

To sponsor a specific speaker or the food for an event, contact the office or Rabbi Jon.

11 Presidents Message The Covenant Between Me and You continued… Or, we could remember the cov- It is only over the enant: last 50 years or so Dawn of that people have be- Agriculture This is the token of the covenant gun to think about which I make between Me and and understand you and every living creature that oC what keeps the earth is with you, for perpetual genera- in this new and very tions: I have set My bow in the Humans Leave cloud, and it shall be for a token favorable state. The Africa earth, as a system, of a covenant between Me and has very robust feed- the earth.’ back mechanisms 100,000 80,000 60,000 40,000 20,000 0 As we face the mass extinctions such that when one YEARS BEFORE THE PRESENT accelerating over the last few of our parameter (say tem- When the earth system’s resilience generations we might make note of perature or carbon dioxide) gets out is weakened, as illustrated by the what we were told, 9:2 ‘every beast of whack, other aspects of the system dotted line in the cartoon, the of the earth, and every fowl of the air, counteract the affect to bring the possibility of a state change to a and all wherewith the ground teemeth, system back into balance. Higher new stable state increases. The new and all the fishes of the sea: into your levels of CO2 for example may cause stable state may have significantly hands are they delivered.’ May our trees to grow faster eating up the adverse characteristics. For example, hands be worthy. excess CO . The resilience of the 2 if the salinity of the north Atlantic L’Shalom earth system is enormous, but it decreases due to the melting of the Mike Harris does have limits. Greenland ice sheet and the Gulf The graph on the right illustrates Stream stops pumping warmth to the idea of resilience in the earth northern Europe, Europe would system. Over the last 10,000 years freeze. A ‘state change’ if it happens the earth has been rocking back may be sudden even though it was and forth in the current stable state building up over a long time. It may (right). Some recent developments move the earth out of the pattern of have begun to weaken the resilience. the last 10,000 years, in which case For example, when rain forests we may truly be expelled from the are cleared for agriculture, what Garden of Eden. happens? No more trees to absorb the excess CO2. No more forest to generate oxygen for the atmosphere. The rain forest generates rain by pumping the water from the ground Tipping Current into the atmosphere. At some point Point Stable the diminished forest fails to pump State sufficient water into the air to generate the rain. The resilience of the Range of rain forest is overcome. It crosses resilience the ‘tipping point’. It turns into an New arid grassland, also a stable state, Stable but not one favorable to maintain- State ing the current stable state of the earth system.

12 Opinions Something to Think About There is little in to be with a group of young Jewish in preference to talking about “the this life better than adults as they learned and respect- situation”. The terror incidents that spending time with fully toured the Mt. of Beatitudes, occurred while I was there did not people you love. I Kfar Nahum, and Yardenit. All of deter people from carrying on their have just come home these are sacred places to Christians. daily lives. The news from Paris from ten days in was jarring, but Israelis seem sad- Elaine Brody At Yardenit, on the Jordan River, Israel. The first two where Christians believe John the dened, not surprised, by the turn days I was there it rained heavily in Baptist baptized Jesus, we witnessed of events. They also had comments Jerusalem. I suggested to Kate that the faithful immersing themselves about what they view as the ongoing our Amidah prayers for rain were to be baptized. circus we know as the United States electioneering season. People asked having the desired effect. Once the Kate and I drove to Nahariya stop- me about the various candidates. rain subsided, we had clear, warm, ping along the seaside promenade How, they wonder, can anyone be sunny days. in Akko for lunch on the way. My serious about supporting someone It was truly a family trip. Most cousin took us to Rosh HaNikra that is concerned with the design of of the time I was with Kate, Ofer, on the Lebanese border to see the a coffee cup! I had no answer. and the girls. I cooked the things grottoes and the remains of what they like, baked challot for Shabbat, was to be the railway line from Eu- Instead of a Chanuka column, you went to Sapir’s choir rehearsal (and rope to Israel. We drove along the got my travel log! I know that Cha- kvelled), played games, and listened beach road to witness a spectacular nuka comes so close on the heels of to the chatter…and the occasional sunset and then to Adamit Park, a Thanksgiving you will hardly have bickering…of three girls who are beautiful oasis maintained by JNF, had time to finish the leftovers before growing up much too quickly. where we had a spectacular view everyone will gather again. Enjoy the I spent a delightful Shabbat with of the city in the waning light. On celebration. Revel in the time you Ofer’s family in Ashkelon, had lunch the way back to Jerusalem, we had spend with your family…whether in Jerusalem with my cousin from lunch on the beach in Haifa and those people are actual relatives or Efrat, dinner with another cousin waded into the sea. friends who have become family. Kvell as you and your children light who teaches at a school in Kate’s On my final day, Ofer and his the candles and retell the story of neighborhood, dinner with Yosef friends took us sailing from the ma- dedication. and Hadassah Btzur who are family rina in Herzliya. Three hours of good in our hearts, and an overnight stay company on the Mediterranean was As always, it’s just something to with another cousin in Nahariya. a perfect way to complete the trip. think about. I went on a field trip to the Kin- People here at home ask what the neret with the students studying Israelis are saying. Mostly, people Chag Chanuka Sameach, comparative religions on Young wanted to talk about and catch up Elaine Judaea Year Course. It was a pleasure on family and community news

13 Community and Education Giving Circle Express… Success! Our first Giving Circle Express choose. Hannah Rothenberg and One family left ready to hold was held on Sunday, November 15, Layla Cheifetz made the winning their own Giving Circle Express at 2015, facilitated by Lisa Porter. Ten pitch about their group’s choice: a their Thanksgiving gathering, and enthusiastic participants took part in wildlife fund that saves endangered another was thinking this would be this Jewish Family Life Experience baby elephants! The group was able a great idea for their next birthday through Temple Beth Abraham’s to make a sizable donation to the party! Religious School. We discussed Tze- fund as part of their participation For more information about Giv- dakah and Tikkun Olam and ranked in Giving Tuesday (a movement for ing Tuesday, December 1, go to our values and charity interested giving in answer to Black Friday and givingtuesday.org. based on categories such as global Cyber Monday), which is coming vs. local, Jewish vs. secular or direct up on December 1. To learn more and support the need vs. educational. The children charity visit The David Sheldrick involved were animated about their Wildlife Trust Fostering Program. interests and the charities they could

Brandeis University Offers an Amazing Program for Future Jewish Educators

Delet (Day School Leadership through Teaching) is a unique graduate-level program that prepares teachers for Jewish day schools with special tracks for general and Jewish studies teachers at the elementary and secondary levels. The program offers – • Generous scholarships • An opportunity to earn a Master of Arts in Teaching and initial teaching certification • An outstanding faculty • A personalized, cohort-based experience • A year long internship in a Jewish day school classroom • Help with job placement • Support during the early years of teaching • Membership in an active alumni network Currently accepting applicants for 2016-2017 Academic Year For more information, see go.brandeis.edu/delet or contact us at [email protected] or email Noreen Leibson, faculty leader, at [email protected]. Please share this information with students, friends, and colleagues – anyone who would make a terrific day school teacher/Jewish educator.

14 Education New England’s volunteer-driven conference celebrating Jewish culture and lifelong learning. This year’s focus is on Leadership for the Future of Judaism. There will be more than 70 learning sessions, and all-day music, including a lunchtime concert with renowned singer Sheldon Low, as well as a Chanukah sing-along and candle lighting led by Cantor Jeff Klepper and friends—including his Kol B’seder singer Rabbi Dan Freelander. LimmudBoston 2015 will take place at Congregation Mishkan Tefila, Chestnut Hill, MA. Camp Limmud registration (families with children ages 3-13) must be made by November 30. Camp Limmud program are run by Kesher, the pluralistic Jewish after-school program. The entire program may be seen at www.LimmudBoston.org Register today for the best ticket rates.

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15 Education jly icEdid xywd YourYour Jewish Jewish (Internet) Connection Connection! Brought to you by the Lifelong Learning Committee Written by Linda S Trapasso Jews and Social Justice Where is justice embedded in Jewish values, tradition, and history? Is there a difference between social justice and repairing the world (tikkun olam)? What is one’s responsibility to ending injustices? The prophets tell us not to neglect the oppressed, weak, or poor of our communities. The Torah reminds us that we shall not oppress a stranger, for we were strangers in the land of Egypt. Tikkun olam is a Kabbalistic vision of a broken, holy world that requires human mending. Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel believes that “In a free society, some are guilty, but all are responsible.” (cited from here). Jews share a sacred duty to accept responsibility for the vulnerable people in our midst. One organization, MAZON, A Jewish Response to Hunger, seeks to uphold that obligation by embodying the twin Jewish ideals of tzedakah and tikkun olam. MAZON was founded by Leonard Fein z”l father of TBA member Rachel David- son. We ourselves, Temple Beth Abraham, partner with MAZON to help end the injustice of hunger. To understand more about hunger, read 8 Myths About Hunger. Other organizations working towards social justice are many, and can be found at these Web sites: • Jewish Social Justice Roundtable (see here for a description and history) • Uri L'Tzedek: Orthodox Social Justice • Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism Young people looking for ways to get involved can check out Avodah, the Jewish Service Corps, and Tivnu: Build- ing Justice. Avodah provides service and community building that inspires young adults to become lifelong leaders for social change whose work for justice is rooted in and nourished by Jewish values. At Tivnu, they build houses, build community, and build a better world, and it is the only service learning organization that braids together direct service for the fulfillment of basic human needs, Jewish learning and living, and leadership development. Other organizations where you can learn and/or be involved: • Bend the Arc, a Jewish Partnership for Justice, is a national movement that pursues justice as a core ex- pression of Jewish tradition • T’ruah, the rabbinic call for human rights • American Jewish World Service works to realize human rights and end poverty in the developing world • On 1 Foot offers Jewish texts on social justice If you want to delve into the history of American Jewish social justice, look at the education materials at Living the Legacy: A Jewish Social Justice Education Project at the Jewish Women’s Archive. It brings to life the history of American Jewish activism through the stories of women and men working in the Civil Rights and Labor movements. When we talk about social justice, we want to get beyond interpersonal ethics to the ethics of life in common. We want to engage both friends and strangers. Aryeh Cohen’s book, Justice in the City, states “…a just city should be a community of obligation…toward others who are not always in view. These ‘others’ include workers, the poor, and the homeless.” Social justice calls to our deepest human selves. For us, it is a Jewish calling and one for Jews to answer. Just follow the advice on the logo that Jews United for Justice uses: Think Jewishly, Act Locally. 16 Community December 18 & 19 Bernard Grosky, uncle of Richard Grosky During Friday evening and Saturday morning services, Harry Matzkin, father of Fern Getto Memorial prayers will be recited for the following: Joseph Devine, father of Christopher Devine Carol Jaye, mother of Jennifer Cheifetz December 4 & 5 Bea Gorelick, mother of Donald Gorelick Rudolf Leitner, grandfather of Karl Schenker Leonora Kovler, mother of Wendy Kolopsky Thomas Corrado, father of Diane Lerman Nachum Salomon, brother of Zahava Salomon Ira Wolfe, father of Richard Wolfe Max Deifik, father of David Deifik Harriet Kimmel, mother of Beth Watterson Steven Alexander, grandfather of Justin and Joshua Alexander Sam Horowitz, father-in-law of Laura Horowitz Jerry Kosofsky, father of David Kosofsky Joseph Bornstein, brother of Selma Pastor Harry Rosen, father of Marilyn Rosen Martin Sack, father of Barry Sack Max Pollack, father of Stanley Pollack Becky Sobelsohn, grandmother of Alan Green Steven Goodman, brother of Debbie Waldman Jack Perelmuter, father of Ernest Perelmuter Ada Harkaway Lena Mirsky Joseph Trapasso, father of Linda Trapasso Charles I. Winograd Rozalia Dubrovinski Egon Keyslay, father of Ralph Keyslay Francis Thall, mother of Miles Levine December 25 & 26 Rose Wolper, mother of Mitchell Wolper Albert Worden, father of Joy Mainemer Sidney Goldstein, father of Hannah Kesslen Beatrice Zimmerman, mother of Amy Manheim Margarita Sernik, mother of Enrique Sernik Bertha (Frankel) Rudnick, grandmother of Janis Silver Richard Seligman, brother of Jerome Seligman Bessie Weisman, sister of Robert Weisman Irving Gotlieb, grandfather of Rabbi Jonathan Spira-Savett Enid Savett, aunt of Rabbi Jonathan Spira-Savett Rose G. Cohen, mother of Myra Krulik Harry Gordon, father of Lillian Kessler Joseph Harkaway Hattie Porter Jack Spivak, father of Jerry Spivak Arthur H. Pressman Edith Shapiro Joseph Weisman, father of Robert Weisman Lifscha Schachter, mother of Ruth Ginsburg December 11 & 12 Max Cohen, brother of Sara Brest Max Berger, father of Mark Berger Mitchell Holt, father of David Holt William Weisman, brother of Harold Weisman Morris Levine, grandfather of Mark and Jeff Levine Harold Israel Hurwitz, father-in-law of Leon Goldstein Jordan D. Cohen David Barron, father of Liz Barron Harry Cohen Albert Glesser Julius A. Greenstone, father of Harris Greenstone Rachel Lelchuk Aaron Mirsky Jules Lelchuk, husband of Shirley Lelchuk Morris Shapiro Morris Sklar Irma Speyer, mother of Jane Weber Mae Davis Soroken Archie M. Slawsby Randi Thibeault, sister-in-law of Carol Gorelick David E. Sunstein Morris Wigrizer Philip Berkowitz, father of Howard Berke Bernard Pastor, husband of Selma Pastor, and father Church of the Good Shepherd of David Pastor Looking to hire Sunday morning Nursery Peter Marcoux, brother of Nancy Ferman Care help: Guillermo Sernik, father of Enrique Sernik 1) Adult female from 8:00 AM – 11:00 AM Sunday Charles Brest, father of Sam Brest mornings. Pay is $40. Must be positive, upbeat and Leib Yitzchok Gordon Betty Fox welcoming, not just for the kids but even more so for the Frank Winarsky adults dropping off their kids! Must take care of 5-10 children under the age of three, with the help of two other staff members. 2) Freshman or sophomore in high school: 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM. Pay is $25. Must be reliable and good with young children. 17 Community We Gratefully Acknowledge Yahrzeit Donations Your Contributions Joan Soifert for husband, Julius & son, Allen Soifert General Fund Les Getto for mother, Zelma Getto Donors In Honor of Mel Berger for mother, Gertrude Berger Liliane Sznycer & Abner Taub Elle Monfried Debra Kyriax for father, Samuel Weisman Lisa Bonneau & family Ari Friedman Shelley Goren for sister, Madeline Kasner Lisa Bonneau & family Elle Monfried Lisa Bonneau & family Noah Weiss Jane Goodman for father, Morton Levy Lisa Bonneau & family Joel Goodman Murray Deutsch for brother, Louis Deutsch Lisa Bonneau Aliyah Jeff Masors for father, Isaac Masors Marlene & Jason Gallant Darlene & Charles Drutman Charles Drutman Aliyah Denise Chazin for grandmother, Helen Stiefel Mr. & Mrs. Herbert Goldsmith in appreciation Stephanie Brooks for brother-in-law, Dean Barnett Eric Koesterich Becky & Alan Green Ernie Perelmuter for mother, Belle Perelmuter Shirley Lelchuk Joel Goodman Bernard Rivkin in appreciation Jerry Manheim for mother, Fela Manheim Jan & Perry Silver Ari Friedman Tamara Freeman for great aunt, Cecile Dubrovinski Diane Toth Noah Weiss Barry Heller for father, Max Heller Diane Toth Ari Friedman Diane Toth Joel Goodman Marsha Feder for mother, Annette Cooper Iris Tubin for parents, Abraham & Beatrice Tubin Donors In Memory of Liliane Sznycer &Abner Taub Marilyn Prolman Chris Devine for mother, Anne Devine Eileen & Ben Freedman Marilyn Prolman Sandie Leonard for father, Robert Teague Lisa Bonneau & family Jerry Kolopsky Leon Goldstein for mother-in-law, Lillian Hurwitz Jane & Bill Goodman Jerry Kolopsky Esther & David Kosofsky Jerry Kolopsky Bette Lasky for father, Sidney Rappaport Stephanie & Mike Rosenblum Jerry Kolopsky Bonneau Family for father and Zaydie, Sanford Barron Wallach family Jerry Kolopsky Sharon & Jeff Weiss Jerry Kolopsky Gabrielle & David Green Bella Trusser, mother of Deb Wilner Eileen & Ben Freedman Bella Trusser, mother of Deb Wilner

Donations for High Holy Day Honors Shirley Lelchuk Liliane Sznycer & Abner Taub Avis & Harris Greenstone Elaine Brody Lisa Bonneau Helen Honorow & Bill Barry Religious School

Donors In Honor of Denise & Steve Chazin Noah Weiss Come see our Denise & Steve Chazin Joel Goodman Products Denise & Steve Chazin Ari Friedman newNew merchandiseLine of AHAVA Liliane Sznyer & Abner Taub School Satellite Donation arriving daily

Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund ¥ unique gifts & handcrafted jewelry ¥ judaica ¥ baby gifts Donors In honor of ¥ fine craft ¥ cards ¥ home accessories Jane & Bill Goodman Stan Juda ¥ clothing and wearable art Jane & Bill Goodman Rabbi Jon and much more É

Donors In Memory of 221 main street nashua, nh 03060 Laura Landerman & Ben Garber Marilyn Prolman 603-882-9500 Laura Landerman & Ben Garber Jerry Kolopsky www.beckonings.com Lisa & Michael Claire Jerry Kolopsky eileen beckhardt freedman

18 Community

Rabbi Liaison Committee Celebrate a Simcha This committee meets three to four times per year to Purchase a Leaf on our Tree of Life provide a forum for discussions between the rabbi and • Bar and Bat Mitzvahs • Births • Graduations • Weddings • a representative group of congregants. Anniversaries • Honors • Special Birthdays • Best Wishes & Congratulations If you have an issue relating to the rabbi that you The cost to purchase a leaf is $225. aren’t able to resolve directly, you can contact one Leaves may be inscribed in English, Hebrew or both. of the committee members. For more information, or to purchase a leaf, please Marsha Feder, chair call 883-8184 or [email protected] [email protected] Jane Goodman [email protected]

Louis Haskell Special events in the [email protected] spiritual journeys Larry Rubin of your family members [email protected]

Nancy Dorner [email protected] (603) 397-0378 Capture the moment! www.peterpowellphotography.com

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