Beth El Turns 100! Fabulous Start to the Year
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There is a place for you at Beth El. We Belong Together. Beth El Newsletter October (Tishrei/Cheshvan), November (Cheshvan/Kislev), December (Kislev/Tevet) 2020/ 5781 Our Early Childhood Center had a Beth El Turns 100! fabulous start to the year. Everyone is In honor of Beth El’s Centennial celebration, here taking safety very seriously so that we are some fun facts and tidbits from our history: can learn, play, and celebrate together! On October 3, 1920, a meeting was held in Benjamin Natal’s law office to organize a new congregation in Camden. On October 17, 1920, South Jersey’s first Conservative congregation was “organized” and elected Morris Handle as Beth El’s first president. Beth El Sisterhood was founded on November 1, 1921. By the fall of 1935, Sisterhood had 200 members and annual dues were $2. Beth El Men’s Club was organized in 1937. The Men’s Club sponsored the Blood Bank drive dating back to 1957 with a goal of collecting 125 pints. Rabbi Harry B. Kellman was installed as Beth El’s Rabbi on September 9, 1947 by Dr. Max Artz. Louis L. Goldman was the chairman of the installation ceremonies. The USY (United Synagogue Youth) group was founded in 1953. In the fall of 1958, Beth El started an all day We’ve been thrilled to safely offer some kindergarten called “The Foundation School” under the supervision in person experiences here at the shul. of Dr. Samuel Rosenblum. The Young Associates group was organized during the summer of 1960. The group had 115 founding members and M. Zev Rose was the first president serving for 2 years. The Golden Jubilee Committee in 1970 included Lois Asbell and Shirley Yaffa. “Our record of achievement is great, but progress demands that we continuously search and research our goals and objectives. Great are our accomplishments—greater year our responsibilities. We must constantly anticipate social changes in an ever changing world. As an institution of learning and service we must consistently combat the corrosive effects of assimilation and be an effective instrument for transmitting the Jewish heritage to our youth. Consequently, Beth El will continue to dream of new heights while hopefully be deserving of the applause of the community for its contributions toward creative continuity. Mazel Tov” - Rabbi Isaac Furman z”L from the 50th Anniversary Booklet www.bethelsnj.org Congregation Beth El Oct-Nov-Dec 2020 1 CLERGY CORNER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Aseh L’cha Rav U’k’nei L’cha Chaver - Josh Laster Make for yourself a teacher and find yourself a friend. –Pirkei Avot 1:6 Executive Director How blessed we are that in The High Holidays in 2020 marked our bimah partner we have 100 years since we first gathered as found our Rabbi and our a Beth El community. What an dear friend! exciting time to be part of our synagogue! October 1 marked my We are writing to tell you five year anniversary as Beth El’s that serving as clergy colleagues alongside Rabbi Executive Director. That’s just Aaron Krupnick is an absolute pleasure. Rabbi Krupnick about 5% of our 100 year history. We are celebrating lifts us to be our best. He creates opportunities for us to our 100 year anniversary, because of our many years of shine and helps us when we need it. He knows that our commitment from clergy, leaders, volunteers, clergy partnership is made stronger when each of us professional, administrative and support staff. We are individually succeeds, understanding how these celebrating our centennial anniversary because of successes reflect positively on our shul. Modeling for us dedicated members, inclusive of many multi- how to be deeply present for the vulnerable in our generational families, that value how Beth El offers community, he serves as a constant source of strength. community, worship and education to create an He heightens our joy at celebrations and gives us enriched Jewish life. We offer purposeful Jewish living. purpose and direction in times of sorrow and pain. He calls us to action. And he makes us laugh more than you might guess…making us even more grateful to work by his side. Rabbi Krupnick, we also know that Rabbi Isaac Furman, Zichrono Livracha, loved you as a son. Your genuine love and care gave him strength, enabling him to be a blessing for all of us. We will always cherish his warmth and his smile. I included this picture with my article, because it is a snapshot of many of our staff and our president, Karen On behalf of our grateful Beth El Family, we wish a Schlessel, taken just after Rosh Hashanah. This team, hearty Mazal Tov to Rabbi Aaron Krupnick and and all the staff, leaders and volunteers not pictured, Dr. Helene Herman Krupnick on over 25 years of are part of creating the most dynamic Beth El you have outstanding leadership. May we continue to go from ever seen. This year is a year like no other. This year, strength to strength! the families of our community are not able to come together in the way they always have done since 1920- Warmly, 1921. This year will stand out in our 100 year history as Rabbi Andy Green and Hazzan Alisa Pomerantz-Boro the year we pivoted, the year we offered worship and education in brand new ways and sought to engage our members far beyond the walls of our beloved synagogue. This is the year we grew and we adapted. I’m so proud to be part of our shul during this moment momentous time. I look forward to being part of this team for many more years and to leveraging this year to make the next 100 years meaningful, engaging and relevant to all those that consider us their spiritual home. www.bethelsnj.org Congregation2 Beth El Oct-Nov-Dec 2020 2 PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Karen H. Schlessel davening at home, it was as if we all came home to our shul. Kudos also to our devoted lay leaders, volunteers, President members, and benefactors. Each and every one of you connects us and enables Beth El to uphold and The Esther Award goes to… strengthen our sacred mission. We live up to our credo, Congregation Beth El for sublime, We Belong Together, once again demonstrating it’s not spiritual, and safe Rosh Hashanah and the space, but the people. Yom Kippur services during a Remember what our grandmothers said, “We plan. Gd pandemic! Mazel Tov on an experience laughs.” We will continue to grow and adapt. We will for the ages! attain new heights. It’s how we’ve thrived and prevailed I am so proud of our clergy and staff for a century now. “Historic“ describes 5781’s High for their outstanding work and complete commitment to Holiday services as well as our centennial. Together, let’s make our High Holidays so meaningful and warm. While go forth with pride, strength, and courage. Wishing you a happy, healthy, and prosperous New Year. Dear College Students and Parents, New Years Greetings From: Abby & Robert Belafsky We hope this message finds you all well as we Elissa, Eric, Alex, Seth, and Sydney Boory continue to get through these challenging times. Chris, Ronit, Ayla, Jacob, Adina, and Eden Boyd Our College Connection Program is committed to our goal of keeping our college students Leslie, David, Benny and Sammy Breslau connected to their Judaism and to Beth El. In Lisa, Stephen, Jonathan, and Mallory Brodack light of the ever-changing variables related to Sharon & Bill Bronstein and Family the coronavirus, we made changes in the Barbara and Mark Collik implementation of the College Connection David, Jill and Micah Hulnick Program at this time. In lieu of our traditional Aaron, Jessica, Elijah and Caleb Inver packages for Sukkot and Chanukah, Rabbi Green Dan, Stacy, Zach and Ethan Farber will be reaching out to the students through the Carol & Joel Fleisher use of technology and in-person events held at Edith Green and Family Beth El. Our plan is to send letters and/or video Norma Kamis, Jeffrey, and Jacob Kamis, Alisa Kamis-Brinda & Family messages that will continue to provide insight Alison, Andrew, Jared and Sami Keim and inspiration regarding their college Ruth & Larry Katz and Family experience. Students will also be invited to join Janet & Phil Kirschner Rabbi Green and their peers at ZOOM meetings Robin Sue & Bill Landsburg and Family where they will be welcome to share their Ann & Bernie Miller and Family perspectives as well. Darin, Jamie, Nate and Maya Morgan Thank you to those of you who have already Ellen & Ira Podell, Helene, David, Melanie and Becca Raush sent us your students’ contact information. If Gladys & Barry Robbins you have not already done so, please send it to Sharon, Jay, Ben, Andrew, Shelby, Blakely, Jackson, Rachel S., [email protected] . The most critical Andrew S. and Mia S. Ruder information at this time is their e-mail address in Lauren, Joel, Alex, and Jacob Rudin addition to the name of their school and their Marcy Sanders and Family expected year of graduation. Sherry, Stuart, Aaron, Molly and Dino Sauer We thank you for your understanding and your Karen & Dave Schlessel and Family assistance. We will be re-evaluating our plan for Harriet Schulman and Family Purim as we get closer to the spring. Robert, Betsy, Emily and Madi Schwartz Faye & Gary Shapiro and Family Take good care and stay well, Phyllis & Malcolm Trobman and Family Gloria Back and Ann Miller Jim, Jen, Ilana and Emma Weiss Contact Gloria Back 856.428.6368 Len & Judy Wizmur Sponsored by the Shirley Yaffa and Family David Back College Connection Fund.