June July 2018 Bulletin
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A Congregation Affiliated with the Congregation B’nai Israel United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism 6525 Sylvania Avenue Sylvania OH 43560 151 Years of (419) 517-8400 Consecrated Service to www.cbitoledo.org God, Torah and Israel 5778 1 Notes from the Cantor ………………………………………. POWER OF MUSIC V The past month in Jewish history and in our calendar has been momentous. We experienced Israel’s 70th anniversary, celebrated in several excellent events in our community, the 51st anniversary of the reunification of Jerusalem, and the relocation of the US Embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. In the midst of all this euphoria, what might have escaped your attention is Israel’s winning the prestigious Eurovision song contest on May 12th 2018 in Lisbon, Portugal. That night in our Jewish calendar - the 28th of Iyar, commemorates the reunification of Jerusalem during the Six Day War of 1967. This is the fourth time Israel has won Eurovision, one of the world’s most famous international song contests. The winning song “Toy”, a pop anthem about female independence, was performed by 25 year old Netta Barzilai, accompanied by her signature “chicken dance.” Netta had placed third by the official judges, but won thanks to tele-voters from around the world catapulting her to victory. Hours before the victory, Israeli superstar film actress Gal Gadot had urged her twenty million Instagram followers to vote for Israel’s entry. Including words like “I’m not your toy you stupid boy...,” it was influenced by the #MeToo movement. The Eurovision contest has often been embroiled in political and religious controversies, although politically tinged songs are unofficially disallowed. You may recognize some outstanding songs and performers which won Israel previous contests. In 1978, Israel won for the first time when Izhar Cohen and the group Alphabeta performed “A-Ba-Ni-Bi.” Its words, “Abanibi obo-ebe abotaba...” were intended to be reminiscent of baby talk, or to be nonsensical. The melody was composed by Nurit Hirsh who composed Oseh Shalom amongst many other songs. The following year, 1979, with the contest historically taking place in Jerusalem, as the winning country usually hosts in the year following victory, Israel won again with “Hallelujah” performed by Gali Atari and the group Milk and Honey. This was a particularly emotional victory, as at the same time that the contest was taking place in Jerusalem, the late Egyptian President Anwar Sadat had just come to Jerusalem and was addressing Israel’s Knesset (parliament). The song Hallelujah went on to be recorded over three hundred times in multiple lan- guages all over the world, including by Steve Lawrence and Edie Gorme. Israel achieved its third victory in 1998 with Dana International performing the song “Diva.” Dana International is the stage name of the former Yaron Cohen, a transsexual who at the age 18 underwent sex change in England, becoming Sharon Cohen. Her victory for Israel caused a furor in Jerusalem amongst the ultra-Orthodox. Israel’s 2000 entry, the song “Sameach” performed by the group Ping Pong, also caused controversy. During the contest Israel and Syria were at war and the Israeli band waved Syrian flags as a gesture of peace. Israeli politicians protested and demanded that the group be banned, leaving them to cover their own expenses. Another controversy erupted in 2007 when the Israeli group Teapacks performed their song “Push the Button.” This song includes lyrics about “crazy rulers” and “a world full of terror.” Some attributed these lyrics to Israeli anxiety about Iran’s threats and also called for the song’s banning. But the song was given the go-ahead by Eurovision authorities. Although most participants have faded into obscurity, notable exceptions are Israeli participants who generally are popular in Israel, as well as 1974’s representatives from Sweden – Abba, and 1988’s representa- tive from Switzerland – Celine Dion. To watch Netta’s performance click on the link below. youtube.com/watch?v=CziHrYYSyPc Next year’s 2019 Eurovision performance in Israel is now being awaited with much anticipation by Israeli authorities and the Israeli public. It is possible that if CBI’s planned trip to Israel next May materializes, who knows, we may get to attend the performance and witness another historical Israeli entry. After all, we are calling our planned CBI trip ‘A Cultural Tour of Israel!’ Hazzan Ivor Lichterman 2 President’s Message…………………………….…………... Coda In music, a coda is a last portion of the piece, a little extra add-on at the end. It could serve as a grand finale or simply a little synopsis of the main themes to bring it all together so that the piece makes some musical sense. Two years ago, I was trying to get my first column for our bulletin done in time for the publishing deadline. That was titled “Tuning Up for a Big Year”. Somehow, two years have raced past and I am right back where I started working against a column deadline. Except now, instead of thinking about the opening chords, it is time to reflect back on the major themes and put together this coda. I think the first movement of my symphony as president might have been called “Deer caught in the headlights”. All of a sudden, there were all sorts of things that needed to be dealt with. Many of these involved the on-going preparations for celebrating our congregation’s 150th Anniversary. Then there were the High Holidays coming up soon. Plus there were more bulletin columns to write and so many questions that I had and questions that others had for me. Which brings us quickly to the second movement, which might be called “With a little help from my friends”. It would take many pages to thank all the wonderful folks who made my job not only possible, but enjoyable, and a real learning and growth experience. So at the risk of offending so many by omission I will mention only two, our spiritual leader and our administrative leader. When I accepted the presidency, I said of Hazzan Lichterman, “It will be great working with such a wonderful person and I expect to learn a lot.” That has been absolutely true. He has been a joy to work with and has taught me so much about many things. Chuck Traugott, our Synagogue Administrator, has been an endless source of information, insight and fore- sight. When I started, he said he would try and keep me out of trouble and he did. Both of them love our congregation and have kept us strong. Every orchestra has many players and when they all work together it can be magic. Among our key players are the many volunteers who plan and carry out our programs, help behind the scenes, lead and serve in our worship services, and who do so much for our congregation. Of course, none of what we do would be possible if not for our trustees and officers, past and present. In addition to what they do as active and engaged congregants, they have stepped forward to take on the responsibility of leading us now and planning for the future. I also have to especially thank my wife, Ann, the “power behind the throne.” She is my number one advisor, source of clear, rational and insightful thought, and Rock of Gibraltar. So now we look forward to the next board and a new president. Much as our previous president, Jeff Bauer, has been a fantastic friend and resource for me, I will strive to be such for our next president, Buz Romanoff. It has been a fantastic experience for me and I wish him the same. Howard Rosenberg 3 Congregational News…………………………………………. June-July Special Birthdays Mazel Tov Christina and Ian Katz on the birth of their Steven Feldman June 2 daughter, Ellen (Elle) Rose Katz on April 22, 2018 Great Grandmother is Bernice Katz, Grandparents are Randy Stacey Kripke June 2 Katz and Nancy Katz Greg Davis June 9 Robert and Jean Ravin on the marriage of their daughter Helen Boxenbaum June 11 90th Kate Ravin to Victor Steenbergen Lawrence Goldberg June 11 Charles Schwartz June 17 90th Jeremy Davis, son of Hope and Greg Davis, on being elected Southview High School’s senior class president Dave Shall June 17 Inge Horowitz June 18 Matt Kripke June 19 Yakov Ravin June 21 Todah Rabah Theodore Pinsky June 25 90th I’m humbled and grateful for the beautiful Kiddush, all of your good wishes, generous contributions and tributes for my receiving an Honorary Doctorate. Elsie Liber July 2 95th Thank you for helping to make this such a Leo Goldner July 3 95th memorable simcha in my life. Paul Morse July 5 David Friedes July 14 Hazzan Ivor Lichterman Hy Kisin July 24 Lannie Katzman July 30 Hope Davis July 31 Condolences Artem Zaurov July 31 Our synagogue family mourns the loss of Dorrette Zebede June-July Special Anniversaries Mother of Jeannette (Jonathan) Bernstein, grandmother of Natalie and Kayla Bernstein Sheila and Stan Odesky June 16 55 years Sylvia Mintz Alison and Chad Kripke June 28 10 years Mother of Alan (Cindy Palmer) Mintz Judy and David Weinberg June 30 50 years Melvin Hamerman Father of Alex Hamerman, Bill Hamerman, and Yael and Myer Liber July 26 30 years Laurie (George) Hamerman Feezel, grandfather and Rina and Nathan Segall July 31 30 years great grandfather. Melvin passed away a month short of his 103rd birthday. May you be comforted amongst all who mourn in Zion. Memorial Plaques A memorial plaque in the sanctuary is a wonderful way to remember your loved ones.