November/December 2018 Cheshvan – Tevet 5779 | Vol. 27, No. 6
Happy Chanukah
Don’t forget to Fall Back! YOUR VOTE Turn your clocks COUNTS. back an hour on November 6th Nov. 4th
Rabbi’s Table ...... 3 School & Youth News...... 5 Inside President’s Greeting...... 4 Donations ...... 13
Congregation Beth El-Norwalk | 109 East Avenue, Norwalk, CT 06851 | (203) 838-2710 | www.congbethel.org Building On Our Legacy Page 2 November/December 2018 THE BETH EL BULLETIN Congregation Beth El stands in solidarity with Congregation Beth El-Norwalk Affiliated with the United Synagogue of Conservative the Jewish Community to mourn the victims of Judaism and the Jewish Theological Seminary of America anti-semitism at Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh. 109 East Avenue, Norwalk, CT 06851 (203) 838-2710 • www.congbethel.org
RABBI Ita Paskind ADMINISTRATIVE DIRECTOR Jody Dietch November/December 2018 Schedule of Services NAVASKY DIRECTOR Danielle Mittleman NITZAN SCHOOL DIRECTOR Amy SantaLucia November 2 December 1 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE 5:30pm Candle Lighting 9:30am Shabbat Service, PRESIDENT David Hirshfield Bat Mitzvah of 6:30pm Kabbalat Shabbat Service 1ST VP HR/RITUAL David Loewenberg Atara Loewenberg November 3 VP FUNDRAISING Stephanie Gordon VP EDUCATION Marguerite Felsenfeld 9:30am Shabbat Service December 7 4:07pm Candle Lighting VP MEMBERSHIP Dina Fleischmann TREASURER Marty Paisner November 9 6:00pm Kabbalat Shabbat Service 4:22pm Candle Lighting FINANCIAL SECRETARY Paul Ginsberg (note time); Chanukah SECRETARY Gary Mozer 6:30pm Kabbalat Shabbat Service Family Shabbat Dinner TRUSTEES November 10 December 8 Cindy Almanzar Howard Greenberg Nancy Oberst 9:30am Shabbat Service 9:30am Shabbat Service Win Baum Josh Hurwitz Sharon Rosen 10:30am Youth Service 10:30am Youth Service Brian Berger Josh Lander Hilary Shaefitz Michael Charlip Barrett Lester Sam Shukovsky November 16 December 14 Michelle Fanwick Melissa Marlowe David Weinstein 4:16pm Candle Lighting 4:08pm Candle Lighting Steve Frey Andy Meyers 6:30pm Kabbalat Shabbat Service 6:30pm Kabbalat Shabbat Service Stuart Garrelick Andrew Moss November 17 December 15 Lifetime Trustee 9:00am Shabbat Morning Torah 9:00am Shabbat Morning Torah Harold Morgenthaler Study with Rabbi Paskind Study with Rabbi Paskind COMMITTEE CHAIRS 9:45am Shabbat Service 9:45am Shabbat Service BUDGET Hilary Shaefitz DINNER/KITCHEN Ellen Wasserman November 23 December 21 4:10pm Candle Lighting FUNDRAISING Stephanie Gordon 4:11pm Candle Lighting HIGH HOLIDAY Marvin Rosenbaum, Riva Silverman, 6:00pm Kabbalat Shabbat Service 6:30pm Kabbalat Shabbat Service James Sugarman (note time) December 22 HOUSE Winthrop Baum INVESTMENT ADV. COMMITTEE TBD November 24 9:30am Shabbat Service L’CHAIM SOCIETY TBD 9:30am Shabbat Service December 28 MEMBERSHIP Melissa Marlowe, Ali Hurwitz November 30 4:14pm Candle Lighting MEMORIAL PARK Paul Ginsberg, Keith Satter 4:08pm Candle Lighting 6:30pm Kabbalat Shabbat Service MITZVAH DAY Jessica Rutherford, Andrew Meyers NAVASKY RELIGIOUS SCHOOL Fran Charlip, Lindsay Rossen 6:00pm Kabbalat Shabbat Service December 29 NITZAN NURSERY SCHOOL TBD (note time) 9:30am Shabbat Service NOMINATING Sharon DeFala CLOSINGS – PERSONNEL/OFFICE Andrew Moss PUBLICITY/MARKETING TBD Office Closed: November 22, 23, December 25, January 1 RITUAL COMMITTEE David Loewenberg, Andrew Moss, The office will close early November 21, December 24, 31 Marvin Rosenbaum, Steven Freshman SECURITY Steven Freshman TOT SHABBAT/YOUTH SERVICE Andrea Goldman Make a Minyan… No, not that TRUST FUND/SPECIAL FUNDS Robert Gordon minion, our Minyan. 8:00 am YOUTH Sheri Jacobson any and every weekday morning BULLETIN EDITORS Rhonda & Larry Ginsberg NOTE: MINYAN REMAINS AT 8:00 AM EVEN ON FEDERAL HOLIDAYS Erika Ruggiero, Graphic Design
Congregation Beth El-Norwalk | 109 East Avenue, Norwalk, CT 06851 | (203) 838-2710 | www.congbethel.org Building On Our Legacy November/December 2018 Page 3
Rabbi’s Table by Rabbi Ita Paskind
Talmud Torah K’neged Kulam You know how there’s always a character in a movie who’s trying to be an actor? Or someone in a book who’s an aspiring writer? Or songs about singing? I’ve always gotten a kick when participants in a given discipline use their platform to promote that discipline. We find the same thing with Jewish study. For the rabbis of the Mishnah and Talmud, there was no greater activity than Torah study. They taught (in the Mishnah, Tractate Pe’ah, Chapter 1, mishnah 1) that Talmud Torah (Torah study) has 2 things going for it. Firstly, it has no minimum or Community Chanukah maximum requirement — however little or much a person can do is commendable. And secondly, it’s one of the things Candle Lighting in the world “whose fruits we enjoy in this world, but whose principal is saved for the world to come”— meaning, however much Torah study enhances our lives, there’s so much more with Temple Shalom saved for us down the line. And there you have it: the very creators of Torah study made sure to tell us how wonderful it Dec 4, 5:30 pm is and invited us to join the journey. Location to be determined And that’s just it. Torah study isn’t a one-and-done activity. Engagement with our sacred texts is a lifelong process. There’s no “right answer”; when we read a text, we’re invited to participate in a conversation with Rabbi Akiva, with Hillel BOOK CLUB EVENTS: and Shammai, with Rav and Shmuel, and all of the other rabbis whose voices are recorded for posterity. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 29 This year, there are many opportunities for Torah study at Movie night The Band’s Visit Beth El. DECEMBER 18 Button Man by Gross You can join me on Tuesday mornings for Mishnah class. (www.andrewgrossbooks.com/button-man) We’ve just begun a new tractate, all about the laws of personal FEBRUARY 27, 7:30 PM Field trip to injury (no physical harm will come to any participants!). The Conservative Synagogue to hear Rachel You can join me once a month on Shabbat mornings at Kadish speak about her book The Weight of Ink 9:00 am for Joe & Genesis/Espresso & Exodus/Leaven & Federation Community Read Leviticus: No matter how you slice it, it’s coffee, bagels, and some Torah study. Or you can feed your soul at Nosh & Neshama, where we’ll study some Pirkei Avot, the Ethics of our Sages. If you’re free in person, bring a dairy or pareve lunch (we’ll provide the coffee and dessert); if you’re at work, I’ll be streaming the class using Facebook Live. Just “friend me” (Ita Paskind) on Facebook, and you’ll see me streaming beginning at 11:45 am on the designated days. Talmud Torah K’neged Kulam. Take the next step in your own Torah journey this year. See you there. Please welcome our new member, Bivracha, with blessings, Rabbi Greg Schindler Rabbi Ita Paskind
Congregation Beth El-Norwalk | 109 East Avenue, Norwalk, CT 06851 | (203) 838-2710 | www.congbethel.org Building On Our Legacy Page 4 November/December 2018
President’s Greeting by David Hirshfield
A Chance to Catch Our Collective Breath leadership and the continued engagement of our energetic volunteers we can continue to turn good ideas into great I’m writing these remarks about a month events. One recent program, our successful Farm-to-Table after the start of Sukkot, right in the middle Sukkot Dinner, illustrates this point very well. of the Hebrew month of Cheshvan. In some During the summer, I convened a special meeting of the Board sources, the month is named Marcheshvan: so that we could devote the full meeting to programming. We the additional first syllableMar can be had a lot of fun listening to a broad range of suggestions. A translated as bitter, an allusion to the fact that Sukkot dinner was already penciled on the calendar, so when the month has no holidays. Of course, a lack of holidays, after Michelle Fanwick made a somewhat casual suggestion that Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, Shmini Atzeret, and we leverage recent interest in the farm-to-table movement Simhat Torah, comes as a welcome respite to us all in need we were all intrigued. Michelle knows Jonathan Kirschner, of a breather—especially those of us involved in synagogue the Director of Agriculture at Ambler Farm in Wilton, and leadership. Rabbi Paskind has a new mug that playfully thought he’d agree to speak. In addition, we uncovered a illustrates how these feeling are shared across the rabbinate; connection to Jeremy Kranowitz, Managing Director of I’ve included an example here. Sustainability at Hazon, an organization devoted to creating Of course, at Beth El, the month of Cheshvan, like every healthier and more sustainable Jewish communities. The other, is not empty; it is filled with programs, activities, and Silverman/Heisler family helped us get chicken from Grow & learning opportunities. By the time you read this, the past Behold, and Michelle and her team pulled together a highly several weeks will have included a meeting of the Book Club; successful event that attracted around 110 members of the the Shabbaton/Shul In for 5th to 8th graders; and the chance CBE community — a remarkable turnout for a congregation to meet our community Shelichim (the four young Israeli our size. Jonathan and Jeremy spoke engagingly; the chicken emissaries spending a year in our community.) On October was delicious; I was praised for the brevity of my remarks; 20, the Rabbi kicked off a new monthly learning opportunity and all who attended had a wonderful evening. on Shabbat morning, Joe and Genesis — combining Torah I’m underscoring the success of this event to illustrate my study, coffee and a bagel before services. And in addition to her firm belief that strong volunteer leadership, topical ideas, and weekly Mishnah class on Tuesday mornings, Rabbi Paskind is a hook that ties the event to our communal life are the key launching a lunchtime study session of Pirkei Avot/Ethics of ingredients to any successful program. I’m looking forward the Fathers aptly called Nosh and Neshama — literally feeding to listening to lots more suggestions—and I’m counting on our souls through learning — that will be streamed on the your ideas, energy, and support to help turn those suggestions web to those eating at their desks. And in the coming weeks, into successful programs that strengthen our community and we’ll have a chance to laugh together at our annual Comedy our connections. Night (Nov. 10); join together with our neighbors for the annual Community Interfaith Thanksgiving gathering (Nov. Have a Happy Cheshvan — even if the month is holiday- 19 at City Hall); attend the Book Club’s screening of the free! Israeli filmThe Band’s Visit (Nov. 29) — to say nothing of the Chanukah events coming in early December.
As you may have guessed, I’ve provided this list to underscore a theme that I’ve been emphasizing since becoming president Let’s Talk. last spring—the important role that diverse and innovative Rob Maquat, SVP programming has in growing and strengthening our 203-254-6667 synagogue community. Not all of these offerings will appeal [email protected] to everyone—nor should they. Our goal is to provide multiple paths into synagogue life so that we each build more lasting connections—both with each other and with our shul. Investment products are offered through People’s United Advisors, Inc., a registered investment advisor. People’s United Advisors, Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of People’s United Bank, N.A. Investment and Insurance Products are: Not Insured As I noted during my Kol Nidre remarks, many changes in by FDIC or any Federal Government Agency • Not a Deposit of or Guaranteed our lives are inevitable and beyond our control. I am hopeful, by a Bank or any Bank Affiliate • May Lose Value however, that through the collective actions of our synagogue
Congregation Beth El-Norwalk | 109 East Avenue, Norwalk, CT 06851 | (203) 838-2710 | www.congbethel.org Building On Our Legacy November/December 2018 Page 5
Nitzan News by Amy SantaLucia, Director
Nitzan’s school year is off to a great start. I am thrilled to Keep those Box Tops coming… Nitzan say that all the children are settling into their new classrooms earns 10 cents for each one we collect! and are quickly making friends. I would like to introduce you to some of our new families. Please join me in welcoming Moshe Hedberg (Thomas and Chika), Dhruti Patel (Pratik As we look outside, we see that Autumn is in full swing. We and Krupa), Fennick Brown (Jon and Mariesa), Max Ramirez are eagerly awaiting all that comes with it… a visit from the Lenore (Milton and Sara), Axel and Kyle Grega (Drew and Darien Nature Center, a lesson from Suzuki Music School, Lindsay), Evelyn and Rosalynd Tyson Krieger (Brian and a gym class from Jump Bunch, and many more exciting Kim), and Eliza Zeidan (Paul and Alicia). I know you will activities on the horizon. all make them feel welcome if you run into them around Beth El. There is a lot of fun to be had at Nitzan – it’s where learning is a blast!! Although Nitzan is in full swing, we still have a few openings available. If you know of anyone looking for a dynamite preschool program, please tell them about Nitzan and have them give me a call (AMY: 203-838-6019). Do you know any 2, 3 or 4 Rabbi Paskind and I started up our Baby and Me program year olds? Let them know again. The class welcomes newborns up to age 2. We hold class every Thursday, 9:30–10:30. Our program is free and is about our wonderful open to the public. Please help us spread the word about this Nitzan Nursery School! unique opportunity. A huge thank you to all who came out to support Nitzan at our Dining for Dollars event held at Bertucci’s. It was great spending time with some of our old Nitzan friends. All money earned will be used to enrich Nitzan with some innovative programming for my students. It was wonderful watching the children meet and interact with our new Israeli emissaries, Shay and Eyal. The children were very excited to prepare for their “trip” to Israel. What is more fun than having your very own passport?
Have you heard beautiful music coming from Nitzan’s hallway? If you answered yes that is because we have hired children’s musician/teacher, Andrea Greenburg. She comes to us with many years of early childhood music education. We are thrilled to have her complement our themes with songs and movement.
It’s not too late to place an order from our fundraiser, Mixed Bag Design. Magazines and order forms are located in the synagogue office. Or you can order directly on line at mixedbagdesigns.com/Nitzan-Nursery-School. Our ID is 751099. Please contact me with any questions (nitzan@ congbethel.org).
Congregation Beth El-Norwalk | 109 East Avenue, Norwalk, CT 06851 | (203) 838-2710 | www.congbethel.org Building On Our Legacy Page 6 November/December 2018
Navasky News by Danielle Mittleman Photos from our Sukkah What a start to the year! Navasky is off to a great start and had so much fun learning about all the chagim. We had a particularly great time in the sukkah when we had “pizza in the hut.” We did some singing, said the blessings and ate pizza with a treat of some ice cream, too. In October, we finally started having school on Tuesday for our 3rd through 7th graders. It was nice to have more time to learn, practice our Hebrew and be with our Israeli emissary, Eyal. It was also great to start meeting with our pre-Bat Mitzvah students during services.
I have truly enjoyed starting to get to know all the children in Navasky and their families. If I have not had a chance to talk with you or if you have any questions, always feel free to email me at [email protected]. I look forward to getting to know all of you in this wonderful community. B’Shalom, Morah Danielle
November and December are going to be filled with lots of great learning and events. Please mark these dates on your calendar. November 4th – Mitzvah Day!! November 6th – No Navasky – Election Day November 25th – No Navasky – Thanksgiving weekend December 4th – Community candle lighting. Location to be determined. December 9th – Family Chanukah Celebration!! December 18th – Last day of Navasky before winter break January 6, 2019 – First day back from winter break
Join us at the Open Door Shelter in Norwalk to prepare and serve lunch on the 2nd Thursday of each month. Come for one or both shifts: 11am-12pm – Prep or 12:30-2pm – Serve Any questions, please contact Stephanie Gordon, [email protected]
Congregation Beth El-Norwalk | 109 East Avenue, Norwalk, CT 06851 | (203) 838-2710 | www.congbethel.org Building On Our Legacy November/December 2018 Page 7 B’nai Mitzvah Atara Faith Loewenberg will Todah Rabah… be called to the Torah as a Bat Mitzvah on Saturday, Dec. 1, To Michelle Fanwick & Jim Sugarman for chairing 2018. Atara is the daughter of Simchat Torah kiddush/honorees luncheon Pamela Feldstein and David ✡ ✡ ✡ Loewenberg of Stamford, sister to Eliza and Doron Loewenberg, To our sukkah decorators: and granddaughter of Barbara Judy Katz and Ed Feldstein of Providence, Marvin Rosenbaum RI and Ann Krupnick and Joe Bruny Nieves Cortes Loewenberg of Wynnewood, Gerry Rosenberg Atara Loewenberg Pennsylvania. Hilary Shaefitz Atara is in the 7th grade at Carmel Academy. She is a Jim Sugarman competitive swimmer for Chelsea Piers CT in Stamford, and David Lester enjoys reading and being with friends and family when she’s Arlene Mehlman not swimming. And our Navasky students and teachers for the incredible decorations that survived all the rain For her mitzvah project, Atara will be participating in Swim Across America, to help raise money for cancer research. ✡ ✡ ✡
Atara is looking forward to becoming a bat mitzvah as it means To our Sukkah builders and deconstructors: she can participate more fully in services. Andrea Goldman Noah Goldman Atara would like to thank Rabbi Paskind, her dad, and all of Joel Goldman her teachers at Carmel Academy for preparing her to become Eli Goldman at bat mitzvah. Lindsey and David Rossen Brian Tyson The congregation is invited to join the family for Kiddush Kim Krieger after services on December 1st. Sam Shukovsky Barrett Lester ✡ ✡ ✡ To Michelle Fanwick for chairing the Sukkot dinner, along with her committee and our speakers Eric Fanwick Lily Fanwick Abram Heisler & Riva Silverman Harry Morgenthaler Kathie Oberst Hilary Shaefitz Ellen Wasserman Hope Levensohn, Jody Dietch, Greg Williams Rabbi Ita Paskind Jonathan Kirschner of Ambler Farms Jeremy Kranowitz of Hazon Grow and Behold
Congregation Beth El-Norwalk | 109 East Avenue, Norwalk, CT 06851 | (203) 838-2710 | www.congbethel.org Building On Our Legacy Page 8 November/December 2018
Editorial Page by Rhonda & Larry Ginsberg
The Law of Return enacted on July 5, 1950, grants Jews, And Israel accepted them. The Egyptians, a wealthy middle- with some exceptions the right to come to Israel to reside class community came after Egypt’s defeat in the Suez and obtain citizenship. This law was amended and clarified campaign of 1956. They came from Lebanon and 97,000 in 1970 to refer to: came from Morocco in Operation Yakhin from 1961- 64, and many came from Algeria during and following its • The Orthodox interpretation (having a Jewish mother war of independence in 1962. And they came from Iran or maternal grandmother); however, a convert out of after the Shah was overthrown in 1979. The last remnants Judaism though still considered Jewish by the Orthodox came from Libya in 1969 after Muammar al-Gaddafi is not eligible to immigrate hereunder. overthrew the king. They came again from Poland in 1968 • Those with Jewish ancestry (having a Jewish father or when the communist government orchestrated an anti- grandfather) Zionist campaign. Prior to the demise of the Soviet Union
approximately 200,000 Jews and persons of Jewish descent • Orthodox, Conservative, or Reform converts to Judaism came and since the demise, more than one million more (Conservative or Reform conversions must take place came to Israel. Almost one in four of these Soviet immigrants outside Israel) were not considered Jewish under rabbinic law, but, never In excess of 2.8 million immigrants have entered Israel since the less, were eligible for citizenship under the Law of Return independence (May 15, 1948). Following WWII, the British as having Jewish ancestry. mandatory authority-controlled immigration to Palestine. A White Paper limited Jewish immigration yet legal On September 17, 2018, the Israeli government announced immigration under said White Paper recommenced after the that 1,000 Ethiopian Jews would be allowed to immigrate, war. The Yishuv, the Palestine Jewish Agency, and various thus leaving an additional 7,000 behind. The issue is militant groups sponsored illegal immigration (Aliyah bet) to whether these Ethiopian Jews qualify as immigrants under bring Holocaust survivors to Palestine. They purchased barely the Law of Return. Between 1980 and 2013, approximately serviceable ships to try to run the British blockade. Some 81,000 Ethiopian Jews, a community that traces its ancestry succeeded, others were stopped and boarded. The displaced to Biblical times, were allowed entry into Israel through persons aboard were captured and interned in Athlit, later in Operations Moses, Joshua, and Solomon. There are major Cyprus, and some were even returned to camps in Germany. conflicts in Israel as to the Jewishness of these Ethiopian Jews. The Sephardic chief rabbis believe that all the Ethiopian Jews, In 1948, on the verge of independence approximately whether halakhically Jewish or not, should be allowed entry 600,000 Jews resided in Israel. Since 1948, regardless of Israel’s into Israel under the Law of Return. Others believe that these circumstances, economy, and the state of war with neighboring Ethiopian Jews (the last 7,000) are descended from forcibly Arab countries, the floodgates opened, and the Jews came. converted Jews in the 19th century who have rejoined the Jewish community and seek to immigrate under the Law of And the Jews came to their promised land, the land of their Return. Our query, why are these Falash Mura not allowed forefathers. They came from the graveyard that was Europe, to immigrate to Israel as those with Jewish ancestry, much from the camps and the forests. The Jews of Yemen and like the Russians? Aden were expelled in 1949 and 49,000 came in Operation ‘On Wings of Eagles’. The Jews of Iraq were also expelled Dr. Charles Halasz, a member of our congregation, is a major and 120,000 came on Operation Ezra and Nehemiah. The supporter of the rights of these Ethiopians to be considered as Jews of Libya came following pogroms. The Jews came from Jews and allowed to immigrate to Israel and become citizens Turkey and India, from Central Asia and Mogrub. Poor Jews under the Law of Return. Dr. Halasz has traveled to Ethiopia came from Iran and wealthy Zionists and youthful idealists and sponsors Ethiopians students in Israel. Please read his came from the Americas and Commonwealth nations. powerful article about these immigrants, who your editors Though most of the Europeans and Americans and idealists also believe are being discriminated against. were settled in the kibbutzim and urban areas, most of the Sephardic Jews from Asia and Africa were settled in rude — Rhonda & Larry Ginsberg transitory camps called Ma’aborot. There was a decided bias in favor of the westernized, Ashkenazi Jews which continues to this day. The Yemenite community, with some justification, Dr. Halasz’s article, “The Falasha Experience,” claims that Yemenite children were kidnapped and raised in begins on the next page Ashkenazic communities and families.
Congregation Beth El-Norwalk | 109 East Avenue, Norwalk, CT 06851 | (203) 838-2710 | www.congbethel.org Building On Our Legacy November/December 2018 Page 9
Editorial continued from page 8 The Falasha Experience In 1984-1985, over 8,000 Jews fleeing famine in Ethiopia through Sudan were rescued and flown to Israel in Operation by Dr. Charles Halasz Moses. Unfortunately, at least 4,000 perished in the dangerous trek through Sudan. Later in 1985, additional hundreds of I first became interested in Ethiopian Jews when I noticed those left behind were flown to Israel. Both President Reagan, an entry in my encyclopedia that Emperor Haile Selasse was and Vice-President and later President Bush were instrumental known as the Lion of Judah. The tradition is that the Ethiopian in these operations. Later on, in 1991, 14,000 Ethiopian Jews dynasty descended from the liaison of King Solomon and the were flown to Israel over 36 hours in Operation Solomon. Queen of Sheba. There is another tradition that members of the Today there are an estimated 144,000 Ethiopian Jews living tribe of Dan also may have settled in Ethiopia long ago. in Israel. In 2004, I participated in a mission trip to visit the remaining Jewish community in Addis Ababa and in Gondar. The trip was sponsored by NACOEJ, the North American Conference on Ethiopian Jewry. At that time, NACOEJ ran the school system, and feeding program for children in the community. That program has since been taken over by the Jewish Agency.
Kids everywhere! It turns out that Ethiopian Jewry, known as Beta Israel, and sometimes called Falashas, maintained their Biblical Jewish heritage and religion until today. However, their historical memory does not include post-biblical holidays such as Purim, and Chanukah which presumably occurred after the Bringing a Torah scroll to Jewish community in Gondar. establishment of the community. They do celebrate a unique holiday, called Sigd. Sigd occurs 50 days after Yom Kippur on Unfortunately, there still are several thousand remaining Jews, the 29th day of Cheshvan and marks the longing to return to sometimes called Falasha Mura, who await permission to make Zion. Today it is an official state holiday for all Israelis. Aliyah. The majority of these already have relatives in Israel, yet find difficulty in being allowed to immigrate, prolonging the breakup of families. The Israeli government announced just a few weeks ago that 1,000 of the estimated remaining 8,000 will be allowed to immigrate. The ostensible reason for the ongoing delay is that those left behind can not come in under the Law of Return, because some in the Israeli government do not consider Falasha Mura (unlike Falasha) to be fully Jewish. The Israeli government may therefore be more stringent than the Israeli rabbinate. In 2008, Chief Sephardic Rabbi Shlomo Amar said “the State of Israel… has done Ethiopia’s Jews a grievous wrong… “We are all culpable, and we are all to blame for not bringing Ethiopia’s Jewry home with the rest of the Jewish people.” That was 10 years ago. Could it be racism? continued on page 10 NACOEJ classroom in 2004
Congregation Beth El-Norwalk | 109 East Avenue, Norwalk, CT 06851 | (203) 838-2710 | www.congbethel.org Building On Our Legacy Page 10 November/December 2018
Editorial continued from page 9
When one visits Ethiopia, one is struck by the strong receive letters to each other periodically. I have been privileged religious backdrop everywhere. Shops have Biblical names, to attend the wedding in Israel of one of my former college like Solomon’s Barbershop. Even Christians have Jewish students, Natan. Also, to enjoy a Friday evening Shabbat customs, like covering mirrors in a house of mourning. meal with them with two kinds of challah: the authentic Amharic, the official language of Ethiopia, and Ge-ez, the Injera bread and also a heavy delicious barley bread — both language in which Ethiopian Jews wrote the Torah are homemade. Around Thanksgiving, I hope to travel to Israel Semitic languages, and one finds many cognate words like and meet with him, his wife, Paz, their two children, and the kever (grave) mek’abiri, or zvuv (fly) similar. The Ethiopian rest of his extended family. Orthodox Church prescribes a fast menu excluding meat on Wednesdays and Fridays, It’s called “tsom” menu in The rebirth of Israel after 2000 years is nothing less than a restaurants, for example, similar to Hebrew. miracle. The return of Ethiopian Jewry to Israel is also a miracle. It is a shame that organized establishment Judaism is not always I am still active in NACOEJ. I sponsor both an Israeli cognizant of this, and of the ongoing need to complete the Ethiopian college student, and a high school student through Aliyah, and to support the community already in Israel. Charity NACOEJ every year, assisting with their tuition. We write and begins at home, and Ethiopian Jews are part of our home.
Beth El’s Annual Comedy Night Returns! aturday No em er th at m $40 per person — Open to the Public $36 per person if paid before November 1st
Spend a night of laughs with fresh comedy talents Kerri Louise and John Fisch. Kerri has appeared on the Oprah Winfrey Show, The Howard Stern Show, Comedy Central, The View, and HBO’s Aspen Comedy Festival to name a few. John has appeared on The Late Show with David Letterman and Stephen Colbert. He has been named one of Back Stage Magazine’s 10 Stand Out Stand Ups. He can be seen regularly at Gotham Comedy Club and The Comedy Cellar.
$40 per person, ($36 if paid before November 1) includes non alcoholic beverages, noshes, coffee, and dessert. BYOB (if you bring wine, kosher please). Preferred seating, sponsor tables for 8 10 are also available for a tax deductible donation of $500. Sponsors will be acknowledged in the program. 109 East Avenue Norwalk, CT 06851 For reservations and further information, contact 203 838 2710 [email protected] [email protected] or call 203 838 2710.
Congregation Beth El-Norwalk | 109 East Avenue, Norwalk, CT 06851 | (203) 838-2710 | www.congbethel.org Building On Our Legacy November/December 2018 Page 11 Chanukah, the Maccabees, the Hasmonean Dynasty, and Freedom – a timeline (332 BCE – 37 BCE) by Rhonda & Larry Ginsberg
“It came to pass after Alexander of Macedon, the son of Philip, who came from the land of Chittim, had utterly defeated Darius, the king of the Medes and Persians, that he reigned in his stead, as he had before reigned over Greece. And he waged many wars and captured fortresses and slaughtered the kings of the earth; and he made his way to the ends of the earth and despoiled a multitude of nations. …”
— First Maccabees Chapter 1 verses 1-3
• 333 BCE Alexander the Great defeats the Persian Empire • 139 BCE The Roman Senate recognizes Jewish autonomy at the battle of Issus. in Judea. • 332 BCE Jerusalem capitulates to Alexander the Great • 134 – 104 BCE John Hyrcanus I rules the Hasmoneans without defense as High Priest. Hyrcanus expanded the Hasmonean • June 10, 323 BCE Alexander the Great dies in Babylon Commonwealth by conquering areas of Transjordan, Samaria, and Idumia (Edom) where he forcefully concerted • 322 – 275 BCE Wars of the Diadochi; Alexander the Great’s the Edomites to Judaism. The later Herodian rulers of Judea generals fight a series of wars for control of his empire. were descended from these converted Edomites. • 322 – 198 BCE Ptolemy I, Soter and his descendants who • 104 – 103 BCE Aristobulus I, a Sadducee, reigns as both controlled Egypt also ruled Judea for most of this period. King and High Priest. Aristobulus was the first ruler to claim • 198 BCE The Seleucid (Syrian Greek) king Antiochus III to be both King and High Priest. The Pharisees revolted ousts Ptolemy V (the Egyptian Greek ruler) from Judea because he was not a descendant of the Davidic line. and Samaria. • 103 – 76 BCE Alexander Jannai reigns as both King and • 175 BCE Antiochus IV, Epiphanes (god made manifest) High Priest. Jannai was a cruel ruler who persecuted the ascends the Seleucid throne. Pharisees for their attempts to challenge his kingship but • 168 BCE The Seleucids loot the Second Temple and extended the kingdom by conquest to the south and in massacre many Jews. Antiochus IV outlaws the practice of Transjordan. Judaism. • 76 – 67 BCE Salome Alexandra, the widow of Alexander • 167 BCE Antiochus IV orders an Altar to Zeus erected in Jannai, reigns as Queen. She was one of only two Jewish the Temple at Jerusalem. A minor Jewish priest, Mattathias, women to reign as sovereign over Judea. She reestablished and his five sons, John, Simon, Eliezer, Jonathan, and Judah the Sanhedrin (the Supreme Court of justice and religious lead a revolt against the Seleucids. matters) and ended the conflict with the Pharisees. • 76 – 66 BCE • 166 BCE Judah Maccabee (the Hammer) becomes leader John Hyrcanus II becomes High Priest from of the revolt following the death of Mattathias. Thus begins 76 – 66 BCE and reigns as King from 67 – 66 BCE. the Hasmonean Kingdom. • 66 – 63 BCE Aristobulus II reigns as both King and High • 165 BCE The Temple is liberated and rededicated (the Priest. celebration of Chanukah.) • 63 BCE The independent Hasmonean Kingdom comes • 167 – 142 BCE The revolt against the Seleucids continues. to an end. Pompy the Great of Rome annexes Judea to the Judah Maccabee is killed during the battle of Elasa in 160 Roman Republic. BCE. Jonathan Maccabee succeeds his brother until he is • 63 – 40 BCE John Hyrcanus II reigns as High Priest from lured into truce talks, betrayed, captured, and later killed 63 – 40 BCE, governor of the people from 63- 57 BCE, by the Seleucids. and Ethnach of Judea from 47 – 40 BCE as a vassal of the • 142 BCE The Second Jewish Commonwealth was Roman Republic. recognized by the Seleucids, but in effect as a vassal state, • 40 – 37 BCE Antigonus is the last ruler of the Hasmonean ruled by Simon Maccabee from 142 – 134 BCE. dynasty, but as a vassal of the Roman Republic.
Congregation Beth El-Norwalk | 109 East Avenue, Norwalk, CT 06851 | (203) 838-2710 | www.congbethel.org Building On Our Legacy
Congregation Beth El’s Gift & Simcha Shop Is always ready and waiting for you
Page 12 November/December 2018
Chanukah is sooner than we all think Congregation Beth El’s Gift & Simcha Shop The firstCongregation candle is Sunday Beth December El’s 2nd! Is always ready and waiting for you Gift & Simcha Shop
Chanukah Is always is sooner ready than and we waiting all think for you We haveThe first candle isSunday, December 2nd! ¬ BeautifulWe have…menorahs ¬ Wide Chanukah✡ Beautifulvariety is menorahs ofsoonerdreidels than we all think ¬ Fabulously The✡ Wide first variety candle colored of isdreidels cSundayandles December 2nd! ¬ Toys ✡ Fabulously, books, p coloreduzzles candles
✡ Toys, books, puzzles ¬ House gifts ✡ ¬ House gifts And We✡ Andsohave much so much more more!! ¬ Beautiful menorahs Meet us¬ in the lobby on Sunday November 11 & 18 and December 2 from 9:30 amWide – Noonvariety to shopof andd reidels“nosh”. ¬ Fabulously colored candles Meet usNeed in an appointment?the lobby Contact on Nancy Sunday Oberst or November 11 & 18 Hilary Shaefitz at [email protected] and we will¬ be gladToys to meet, b withooks you!, puzzles and December 2 from 9:30 am – Noon to shop and ¬ House gifts “nosh”. ¬ And so much more!
We wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving! Need an appointmentMeet us in? Ctheontact lobby Nancy on Oberst Sunday or Hilary November 11 & 18 Shaefitz atand December 2 giftshop@congbethel from.org and 9:30 we am will – be Noon glad toto shop and meet with you! “nosh”.
Why Not Advertise???
As you know, Congregation Beth El-Norwalk puts out this wonderful newsletter on a regular basis. Need an appointment? Contact NancyWhat Oberst better wayor Hilaryto reach people about your Shaefitz at [email protected] andbusiness we orwill practice be while glad supporting to the synagogue... take out an ad in the Bulletin! Prices meet with you! are reasonable. Contact Jody in the office for more information or email her at [email protected]
Congregation Beth El-Norwalk | 109 East Avenue, Norwalk, CT 06851 | (203) 838-2710 | www.congbethel.org Building On Our Legacy November/December 2018 Page 13
Donations Thank you to the following congregants whose generosity helps to maintain our Congregation. General Fund Beth El, in appreciation of David Loewenberg’s The Board of Trustees IMO Sharon Karp’s father, davening during the High Holidays Dr. Alfred Wolfsohn Sharon & Leon Field Beth El, in appreciation of Max Helfand’s Beth El, in appreciation of Marvin Rosenbaum’s Rachel Messinger & Brian MacDonald in honor of davening during the High Holidays davening during the High Holidays Belle DeFala’s Bat Mitzvah Harold & Marcia Trencher in honor of Noah Marvin & Sarah Rosenbaum Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund Hunter Hennes Kiddush Fund Brian & Layla Berger IMO Lusia Gertelman Linda & Stephen Stein IMO William Crowther Karp and Wolfsohn family in appreciation of Joyce & Marvin Nekrich IMO Marvin’s father Marguerite Felsenfeld & Steven Rotstein IMO David & Jayne Hirshfield’s kind contribution IMO Morris Nekrich Naomi Charlip Dr. Alfred Wolfsohn Ellen Singer IMO Lusia Gertelman Stephanie & Neil Gordon IMO Naomi Charlip Karp and Wolfsohn family in honor of Rhonda & Marlyn Agatstein for Rabbi Paskind’s very Alan Feigelson in honor of Stuart Garrelick as Larry Ginsberg’s kind contribution IMO Dr. Alfred inspiring Rosh Hashanah service about hope Chatan Bereishit Wolfsohn Susan Rossen in honor of David & Lindsey Rossen Doug & Dr. Sharon Karp in appreciation of Marvin Navasky Religious School Fund Rosenbaum’s kind contribution IMO of Dr. Alfred Neil & Stephanie Gordon in honor of David & Wolfsohn Board of Trustees IMO Naomi Charlip Lindsey Rossen and Stuart Garrelick, Simchat Torah Honorees Doug & Dr. Sharon Karp in appreciation of Alison Joyce & Marvin Nekrich IMO Joyce’s brother & Steve Sherman’s support of the Rosenbaum Dr. Melvyn Lieberman The Mozer family in honor of Risa Rotstein’s Kiddush Fund Bat Mitzvah Doug & Dr. Sharon Karp in honor of Marvin Nitzan Nursery School Fund Ronni & Paul Ginsberg in honor of Lindsey & Rosenbaum’s support of the Kiddush Fund David Rossen and Stuart Garrelick A donation from Lusia Gertelman in memory of Doug & Dr. Sharon Karp in honor of David & David Gertelman Nancy & Gary Oberst IMO Lusia Gertelman Lindsey Rossen’s support of the Rosenbaum The Edelman Family IMO Lusia Gertelman and in honor of Lindsey & David Rossen Kiddush Fund Hilary & Donald Shaefitz for David & Linsdey Rheba Newman IMO Lusia Gertelman Doug & Dr. Sharon Karp in appreciation of Richard Rossen being honored at Simchat Torah Sunny & Alan Rich IMO their fathers, Maurice Rich & Karen Schwam’s support of the Rosenbaum and Arthur Shadlen Kiddush Fund Hilary & Donald Shaefitz IMO Lusia Gertelman Mrs. Ronnie Connors IMO Lusia Gertelman Doug & Dr. Sharon Karp in appreciation of Donald Hesed Fund Etta Gold IMO Lusia Gertelman London & Joan Herman-London’s support of the The Board of Trustees IMO Stephen Cole, Robert’s Rosenbaum Kiddush Fund Hilary & Donald Shaefitz IMO Nettie Bass father Albert Eisenberg to support a great Shul Hilary & Donald Shaefitz IMO Melvin Levensohn, The Board of Trustees IMO Stanley Weinstein, Janet & Stephen Green in honor of Hilda Schwartz father-in-law of Hope Levensohn David’s father Marvin Rosenbaum in honor of Risa Rotstein’s Pearl Berger IMO Lusia Gertelman The Board of Trustees IMO John Deliyannides, Bat Mitzvah Hilary & Donald Shaefitz IMO Nathan Krantz, Deborah’s father Jim & Laura Sugarman in honor of David & Hilary’s father Lindsey Rossen and Stuart Garrelick The Board of Trustees IMO Melvin Levensohn, Kadima – USY Hope’s father-in-law Marvin Rosenbaum IMO Gene Bandler, father Tom Luken IMO Lusia Gertelman of Eve Bandler A donation from Lusia Gertelman in memory of Marvin Rosenbaum IMO David Schwartz, father of Danielle Gertelman Building Fund Dr. Mark Schwartz Phyllis Gitlin IMO Morris Gitlin Torah Repair Fund Irma & Joe Schachter IMO Lusia Gertelman Marvin Rosenbaum IMO Melvin Melvensohn, Beth El, in appreciation of David Hirshfield’s Irma & Joe Schachter in honor of Stuart father-in-law of Hope Levensohn Garrelick’s service to Congregation Beth El davening during the High Holidays Ellen & Joel Wasserman IMO Lusia Gertelman Camp Ramah Fund Marjorie Weiner, Matt, Roxy and Jason in honor of Holocaust Torah Fund Joe Brachfeld’s special birthday Anonymous donation to be used for the Beth El, in appreciation of Marguerite Felsenfeld’s Marvin Rosenbaum in honor of the birth of David Holocaust Torah purchase davening during the High Holidays Weisberg’s granddaughter Shoshana Olivia continued on page 14
The deadline for the Jan/Feb Bulletin is December 9. Please submit articles on disk or via email to [email protected]. All charitable contributions must be submitted to the office by the last day of the month (November 30) to be included. Donations made between October-November will be included. Charitable contributions to all funds received after the deadline will be included in the following issue’s Bulletin Funds listing.
Congregation Beth El-Norwalk | 109 East Avenue, Norwalk, CT 06851 | (203) 838-2710 | www.congbethel.org Building On Our Legacy Page 14 November/December 2018
Donations continued from page 13 Soup Kitchen Fund Larry Katz IMO his father Morris Katz Minyannaires Fund Sheldon & Andrea Greenberg IMO Dr. & Mrs. A donation from Lusia Gertelman Morris Greenberg and Mr. and Mrs. Harry Levy Sandy Levy & Joe Brachfeld IMO Lusia Gertelman Hilary & Donald Shaefitz for Stuart Garrelick being Joanne Kozak in loving memory of Felix Kozak Wendy Engel IMO Lusia Gertelman honored at Simchat Torah Marguerite Felsenfeld & Steven Rotstein IMO Tzedekah Fund Board of Trustees IMO Bea Nemzer’s brother, Andrew Abbey Milton Kramer Linda & Stephen Stein IMO Edward Ciaramella, Lusia Gertelman in memory of Yitskhak-Dovid Joyce & Marvin Nekrich IMO Joyce’s brother brother of Elyse Stein Schwebisch Mitchell Charles Lieberman Edith Cooper IMO Brenda Lewis Lusia Gertelman in memory of Pesl Schwebisch Neil & Stephanie Gordon in honor of upcoming Phyllis Eldridge & Martin Shankman IMO Morris Mary Oster in honor of Stuart Garrelick Bat Mitzvah of Atara Loewenberg Tarshis, Phyllis’s father Mindy Lewis IMO Lusia Gertelman Yahrzeit Betty Weisman IMO her husband, Seymour Weisman Linda & Martin Novack IMO Michael Novack Harold & Karen Jackson IMO Karen’s grandmother Holocaust Torah Challenge Sofie Mandel Eleanor Dinitz and family IMO Arthur M. Dinitz The Brodkin Family IMO Leslie Brodkin Susan & Alvin Epstein IMO Elliot Rothpearl, Susan’s brother We have reached our goal! Marcia Kalfas IMO Edith Weinberg Les & Phyllis Asher IMO Sylvia Asher Susan Singer IMO Nancy Levenson and Michael Hilda Fernich Koidden IMO Alex & Minna Fernich Thank you to Serkess ,3 0 Helen Wallerstein IMO beloved husband, father, our anonymous ,000 Howard Schloss IMO Helen Glueck, Siegbert grandfather and brother, Jules Wallerstein and Glueck, and Lenore Boles donor whose major , 00 Alexander Schoenberger ,000 Gail & Richard Stein IMO Neil Alan Hirshhorn contribution made Roberta Hall & Hal Bjornson and family IMO 3, 00 Lusia Gertelman IMO Fredyl Werbner Beatrice Grossman, Roberta’s mother this possible. 3,000 Beth Billig IMO Beatrice Weinstein Alan Dubrow IMO Sandra Dubrow 2, 00 2,000 Stanley & Gloria Rottell IMO Beth Rottell Watch for details General Kiddush Fund 1, 00 David, Barry & Jeff IMO of their grandmother about welcoming 1,000 Anna Rosenthal Ellen & Joel Wasserman to thank Sandy Levy and our Holocaust 00 Linda & Stephen Stein IMO their grandson Joe Brachfeld for hosting Shabbat Under the Stars 0 Daniel Louis Stein Linda & Stephen Stein IMO Stephen Cole, Robert Torah! Brodkin & Deliyannides Family IMO Albert Brodkin Cole’s father Food and Gift Card Certificates
Don’t forget to buy your Food and Gift Cards! To order, call the synagogue at 203-838-2710 or fill out the form below.
Please return this form to: Beth El Food Certificate Program Congregation Beth El-Norwalk, 109 East Ave, Norwalk, CT 06851 Please consider joining the growing number of congregants participating in the Food Certificate program of the Synagogue. We earn a profit of 5-10% on your purchase of Acme, Caraluzzi, Fairway, ShopRite, Stew Leonard’s, Stop & Shop, Whole Foods and Fresh Market certificates. It doesn’t cost you a penny, because the profit comes to us directly from the stores when we purchase the certificates. Please fill out the form below and we will enroll you in the program. You may pick up the certificates at the Synagogue or from one of our volunteer sellers, or we will be happy to DELIVER them to you on a regular basis. Remember, it doesn’t cost you anything; you buy the certificates at face value from the Synagogue. Use them as cash at the participating stores and the Synagogue earns money! This all goes to help support our various programs. Call the office at 838-2710 with any questions. Thank you! Name______Telephone______Address______City______
Acme $______Fresh Market $______Stop & Shop $______Caraluzzi $______ShopRite $______Whole Foods $______Fairway $______Stew Leonard’s $______
Please set up delivery of the certificates on the ______of each month. I will pick up the certificates from the Synagogue on the ______of each month. ______I would prefer to pick up the certificates from one of the Synagogue’s sellers. Please tell me the name and phone number of the closest seller.
Congregation Beth El-Norwalk | 109 East Avenue, Norwalk, CT 06851 | (203) 838-2710 | www.congbethel.org Building On Our Legacy