MAY/JUNE 2019 NISAN/IYYAR/SIVAN 5779 THE SHUL SHOFAR VOL. 23, NO. 5 * Congregation Beth * Bellingham, WA 98229 * bethisraelbellingham.org * (360) 733-8890

FROM THE RABBI Honor (Kavod)

There is a story in the about the famous Rabbi Tarfon that has always seemed a bit com- May 8 and 22 at 6 pm ical to me. In Massechet Kiddushin 30b, we read, “Whenever Rabbi Yom Ha’Atzmaut Tarfon’s mother wanted to go to Since the miraculous return of the bed, he Jewish people to our Homeland in would kneel 1948, after almost 2000 years in exile, beside the Yom Ha’Atzmaut (Israeli Independ- bed, bend ence Day) has been celebrated on the over and let fifth of Iyyar, the Hebrew date of the her climb founding of the State of Israel. On the over him; eve of May 8 and during the following and when day, people in Israel, America, and she wanted everywhere between will be rejoicing Lag B’Omer to out of on Israel’s 71st birthday. Lag B’Omer is the 33rd day be- bed, he Please join your CBI community as tween Passover and Shavuot. In the would let her step down on him. we sing, dance, and eat in celebration midst of the 49 total days of mourning, When he told the other scholars [in of Medinat Yisrael. Our evening will Lag B’Omer is a respite from the sad- the ] what he did, they told begin with a Yom Ha Zikaron (Israeli ness, and we are obligated to cele- him, ‘You still haven’t reached Memorial Day) siren and moment of brate life and be happy. Furthermore, even half the level of honor due to silence, followed by “Hatikva,” led by since this period in ancient Israel was her.’” our sixth graders. Rabbi Samuels will the time of the first new grain harvest, I don’t know whether to praise lead the second annual Hidon ha- we observe this day outside with plen- Tarfon for being the best son ever Tanakh ( trivia), we will have a ty of fun activities. (my mom will disagree) or to criti- prayer for peace song circle, and of Join us on Wednesday, May 22 at 6 cize him for not thinking about course, there will be Israeli foods. pm, for a vegetarian/pescatarian building a stepstool. This story, like Please bring a dish to share. Come bar-b-que, bow-and-arrow-making, so many in the Talmud, is not nec- and celebrate with us! and singing around a controlled bon- essarily meant to be taken literally. fire. You won’t want to miss it! Rather, what is the pedagogic les- son the rabbis want us to take away from this extreme example of INSIDE: • Faces in our honoring one’s parent? community: In my Mussar class this spring, Geraldine Reitz, we have studied several Jewish • Programming page 8 values, including humility, pa- Committee news, tience, gratitude, compassion, page 6 • Cantorial school bound, page 10 Continued on Page 11

Page 2 The Shul Shofar May/June 2019 From the President... CONGREGATION The old world and the new BETH ISRAEL Dear Congregants, deep into the Budapest nights of the 751 San Juan Boulevard Bellingham, WA 98229 1850s. Vicky and I recently returned from a And the Dohány Street The Shul Shofar trip to Budapest. We were traveling opened before it was finished! I was Volume 23, Number 5 with friends, one of whom was explor- struck by this familiar story. Standing in May/June 2019 Nisan/Iyyar/Sivan 5779 ing her Jewish roots in Hungary. While one of the world’s great Jewish build- there, we had the opportunity to visit ings, we learned that the marble the Dohány Street Synagogue, which planned for the walls became too cost- is the largest in Europe. Constructed in ly, so they were later painted to appear the 1850s, not long after acquired marbled! (And somehow, the acoustics the right to own land in the community, of the sanctuary still functioned.) As we the synagogue has the capacity to ac- grow into our own great building, also commodate up to 5,000, with 3,000 constructed to stand the test of time for Deadline for submission of all seated in the pews. The synagogue hundreds of years to come, I am com- articles and calendar events for continues to be an active center of wor- forted that we will add the ark, the com- the July/August issue is JUNE 11. ship for the Budapest Jewish commu- mercial kitchen, and other necessities; Call the office for more infor- nity 160 years after it was first conse- and future generations will marvel at mation. crated. It also stands as a symbol of our contemporary yet sacred space CONGREGATION BETH ISRAEL survival and revival after the horrors of here in the Pacific Northwest. the Holocaust. This column is also my last as Presi- Rabbi: Samuels dent of CBI. My time as President has Kesher Director: Sagit Hall Cantorial Soloist: Andrea Shupack been a privilege, an honor, and an ad- Admin. Assistant: Mary Somerville venture! As I indicated during my first Executive Board address, this is not a role in which I expected to find myself. President: Steven Garfinkle Vice Pres: Miriam Schwartz Whatever success I have enjoyed is Vice Pres: Gaby Mayers the result of the work of so many of you Treasurer: Terri Weiner who dedicate yourselves to serving our Secretary: Paul Blum community and keeping the light of Ju- Board Members daism lit on San Juan Boulevard. Dur- ing a time of disruption and transition, Steve Ban Marcia Lippman Katie Edelstein Harriet Markell our staff led the way through their hard Josh Greenberg Jane Relin work and flexibility. Our lay leadership, Isaac Konikoff Zimmerman the board, and the many committees Lynn Korner Youth Rep.: Samantha Sommers The story of the synagogue’s con- that keep us going continually inspired struction is both refreshing and familiar. me through their hard work and “can Brotherhood: Isaac Konikoff Built to be the center of a vibrant Jew- do” attitudes. There are unsung heroes Sisterhood: Miriam , Joan Wayne ish community, the effort included par- in our community who show up and Shofar Coeditors: Vermeda Fred take care of so many things that are and Nora Mazonson ticipation across the great spectrum of Budapest Jewry in the 19th century. rarely visible but nonetheless vitally im- You can reach us at: The synagogue eventually became a portant to our operations. If I stopped phone: (360) 733-8890 [email protected] home for “Neolog ,” a reform to name everyone, it would take a movement within Hungary that came to whole issue of the Shul Shofar. Visit our website at bethisraelbellingham.org prominence during the latter stages of Thank you all for your support, for the Austro-Hungarian Empire. At the your passion, for your willingness to Printed by Lewis Publishing Inc. in Lynden, WA have hard conversations, and most of same time, the construction effort Beth Israel is a member of: brought together both Ashkenazi and all, for helping our community continue Sephardic communities, and both Or- to grow and to thrive in the 21st century! thodox and Neolog Jews. We can well imagine that discussions of the design — STEVEN GARFINKLE, and construction of the sanctuary went PRESIDENT

May/June 2019 The Shul Shofar Page 3 From the Social Action Committee Social Action Committee thanks CBI volunteers

BY LINDA BLACKWELL

For this month’s Shofar article, I cessful and could not have hap- Family Promise Support Center lo- would like to express gratitude and pened without the generosity of our cated next to First Christian Church appreciation for the volunteers of community. We also collected more at 495 E. Bakerview Rd. Please con- Congregation Beth Israel. There is bone marrow donors for the Gift of tact Andrea Shupack to volunteer. so much work done by all the com- Life. The cemetery was cleaned and We also appreciate the generous mittees to maintain our caring and the Youth Group was able to clean donation from Patrick Crane to help financially solvent community. At up Interfaith Coalition’s Little House. us address homelessness in Belling- Passover, when it is traditional to be In May and June, we will collect ham. welcoming hungry strangers, congre- milk money for the Bellingham Food A little housekeeping—a group of gant members made thirty pounds of Bank. Shavuot is the time we cele- Beth has been cleaning food donations to the Bellingham brate the giving of the Torah and eat one of the nine Interfaith houses that Food Bank. I am especially thankful blintzes and cheesecake, which we provide short-term housing to fami- to all the great volunteers of the so- associate with Israel, the land of milk lies in need. These are families that cial action committee who are com- and honey. We hope to collect mon- may be living in cars or camping as mitted to tikkun olam. Volunteers ey to provide a half-gallon of milk to they wait to receive public housing made Day happen this past each family visiting the Food Bank assistance, or to save up enough April. A special thanks to project lead- during June. Please make checks money to pay first and last month’s ers Esther Faber, Victoria Mayers, payable to Bellingham Food Bank rent for their own apartment. As fami- Corinne Gimbel-Levine, Kristin and and mail donations to the office. This lies move out to more stable hous- Joel Sykes-David, Amanda Robins, year’s goal: $500. Also, any dona- ing, our group comes in and gets the Daniel Zagnoli, Andrea Shupack, tions of baby food and diapers would house ready for new occupants. and Sarann Donegan. We raised be appreciated during May and June. Cleaners include Arlene Feld, funds for Nothing But Nets, a project Donation bins are located in the Corinne Gimbel-Levine, Esther Faber to buy nets to prevent malaria. A big synagogue. and Joan Wayne. Please contact thank you to Mel Damski for the do- The Family Promise Program’s Linda Blackwell to volunteer. nation of a basketball hoop and bas- Day Center is in need of volunteers. CBI plans to participate in the ketballs to CBI. We also want to There is ongoing training to work Bellingham Pride Parade in July. thank Ruth Evans for donating the shifts for as little as 1.5 hours week- Look in future eNews for the date. Little Tot Hoop for our younger con- days and during the weekend. These If you wish to be on the Social Action gregants to participate in this activity. are day hours, 10 am to 5 pm. This is Committee, please contact Linda at In other projects, over 80 hygiene NOT for daycare or childcare. This is [email protected]. kits were made for Northwest Youth to support the families and be availa- Services. The Blood Drive was suc- ble for help during the daytime in the

Synagogue 411

Archives: Tim Baker, (360) 305-6945 New Synagogue Task Force: Care: Harriet Markell, (916) 207-9381; Warren Rosenthal, (360) 961-9772 Else Sokol, (360) 393-9618 Scholarship: Emil Hecht, Membership: Rita Spitzer, (360) 733-4825 (360) 647-7065; Ann Suloway, Social Action: Linda Blackwell, (360) 296-8220 (360) 647-9519 Library, Scrip: Joan Wayne, (360) 676-8939

Page 4 The Shul Shofar May/June 2019 Bar Mitzvah

Rory Verkh-Haskell will be called to the Torah as a Bar Mitzvah on June 15, 2019. Please join Rory’s family in celebration: He is the son of Todd Haskell and Sasha

Verkh and the brother of Jordan. EVENING SERVICE Rory is a seventh grader at Fairhaven Friday, June 14, 2019 at 7:30 pm Middle School. He loves technology, being outside (whether it’s just a nice day or he SHABBAT MORNING SERVICE is playing soccer with his friends), and Saturday, June 15, 2019 at 10:00 am pasta. He reads voraciously on any topic. For his mitzvah project, Rory volunteered Kiddush luncheon to follow this school year with Wild Whatcom Boys Explorers’ Club, in the Social Hall. mentoring younger kids in the program.

Bat Mitzvah

Sydney Rose Wolfson will be called to the Torah as a Bat Mitzvah on June 22, 2019. She is the daughter of Laura and Please join Sydney’s family in celebration: Cassandra Wolfson, and the sister of Elijah. SHABBAT EVENING SERVICE Friday, June 21, 2019 at 6:15 pm Sydney is a seventh grader at Kulshan Pre-service nosh at 5:30 pm Middle School. She loves to draw and

create and has a keen eye for decorating. She loves to ski and dance ballet, and SHABBAT MORNING SERVICE enjoys hiking, camping, and backpacking. Saturday, June 22, 2019 at 10:00 am Most of all she loves books and can be found curled up with Kiddush luncheon to follow one in every room in the house, in the car, in the yard, while in the Social Hall. watching movies, at school, and even at the synagogue. For her mitzvah project, Sydney volunteered with the Kulshan Mid- dle School library as a student advisor. She is also assisting in navigating the young reader section of the CBI library. Look for book reviews and Sydney's top 10 list in future issues of the Shul Shofar.

The Yenta speaks…

Mazel Tov to Emily Weiner (“Safta”) on the birth of her grandson, Niilo Mark Witter McGarrity, born March 30, 2019. The parents are Rachel Witter McGarrity and Patrick Witter McGarrity, whose Bar Mitzvah at CBI was February 15, 1997. Safta celebrated Pesach with Rachel, Pat, and Niilo at their home in Oakland, CA.

May/June 2019 The Shul Shofar Page 5

From the Kesher Center for Jewish Learning B’nei Mitzvah with friends, edible Hebrew lessons, community service, and a YouTube channel!

In the past Modern Hebrew, Grammar, Reading couple of Fluency, Tefilah Leadership, Tefilah years, the Comprehension, and . The B’nei Mitzvah last three follow specific prayers and team has blessings for each level. But proba- been focusing bly the most important language on ensuring a component of all is a positive asso- confident and ciation with Hebrew! Through resilient B’nei activities such as games, outdoor Mitzvah cohort as they transition into exploration, songs, and dances we A positive association with the Hebrew their seventh-grade year. Rabbi make Hebrew a living part of our letter Tzadi starts with a feast of Matzah Samuels, Cantorial Soloist Andrea friendships, in the goodies we snack Pizza! Shupack, and the Kesher teaching on together, and in the overall inclu- team developed a few aspects of the sive environment that we strive to and actual Tefilah leadership perfor- B’nei Mitzvah program so that in instill in everything we do. mance. Tefilah leadership perfor- addition to delving into the meaning- Given the low frequency of the mance is a practice the children ful process of and Kesher B’Ivrit meetings (once a hone starting in the younger grades, analysis, the B’nei Mitzvah will week, not including breaks or holi- as they help to lead one service a experience: days during the school year), the year and share an aspect of their • a meaningful and community- teachers have been facing a recur- classroom study with the community supported Bar or Bat Mitzvah ring problem of low retention of the on a Family Kabbalat Shabbat. celebration; material by the students. To address Our Kesher students’ journeys to • a customized and personalized this challenge, we provide in-home their Bar/Bat Mitzvah day also experience; tools that will help the students and includes a Mitzvah Project—an • a curriculum rich with Hebrew their families practice the material individual tikkun olam project that learning, Jewish values, and that was taught in class, in their own holds a special meaning for the Bar community service; time and at their own pace. Some or Bat Mitzvah student. As of this • a program that works with busy examples include short videos for year, B’nei Mitzvah students submit schedules; and review, read-along, and practice on a formal proposal describing their • a nurturing environment for friend- our own YouTube channel! On our Mitzvah projects to Andrea and ships and a social network for new Kesher channel, you may view Rabbi for review. Their proposal each B’nei Mitzvah cohort. Siddur prayers performed by our includes a timeline, purpose, and The study for B’nei Mitzvah begins cantorial soloist Andrea Shupack, personalized information about the a few years before the actual big texts read by our teachers, and other interests of the student as they are day. As Kesher students reach the surprises performed by the children reflected through the chosen project. fourth grade, they join Kesher B’Ivrit - themselves. The completed projects will be Kesher’s Hebrew classes, a weekly When seventh grade arrives, the presented to the community. lesson with their Hebrew-level peers. students’ Hebrew learning progress The children are placed in one of is assessed throughout the year to three levels (beginners, intermediate, ensure a seamless transition into and advanced) and use the Siddur, Bar/Bat Mitzvah-focused Hebrew שגית הול the Torah, and Modern Hebrew to study. Assessments are performed in —SAGIT HALL reach their language acquisition various ways, including informal DIRECTOR, KESHER CENTER ones such as games, and more benchmarks in the following seven FOR JEWISH LEARNING language components: Decoding, formal ones such as written work,

Page 6 The Shul Shofar May/June 2019 Programming committee blossoms with the Spring

BY MIRIAM SCHWARTZ

The Programming Committee is our community. These may be sustain themselves, or perhaps seek refreshed after a long winter, and we speakers, musical events, scholars in a sponsor. are ready to develop new programs residence, etc. but each will be in So far, we have two programs be- to enhance the Jewish experience at keeping with the values of CBI. ing planned: Congregation Beth Israel! Our goal is With that in mind, we have a vi- May 5: Screening of CBI member to provide enriching, thought- brant core group of people (18! What Mary Knight’s documentary “Am I provoking, soul-stirring, or just plain a great number!) with a wealth of Crazy? My Journey To Determine good old fun experiences that speak ideas, and we are already starting to Whether My Memories Are True,” to us as Jews in Bellingham, and as put some programs on the schedule. championed by Rabbi Samuels. citizens of the world. A good question We have adopted a somewhat de- Please be aware, that this particular is—where are the edges of program- centralized process: Suppose some- event is for adults only, due to very ming? When does it become wor- one has a great idea for a program— sensitive material. Please contact ship, social action, education, or that person becomes the champion Rabbi Samuels for further details. some other aspect of CBI? The an- of the event, and gathers a small June 16: “Roots of Injustice, swer is—we really don’t know— group of core supporters, fleshes out Seeds of Change: Toward Right Re- because so much of life may be all the basic logistics and needs of the lations with Native Peoples,” champi- those things. Here is (a draft of) what event, figures out how to cost-flow it, oned by Gloria Liebowitz. I see as Programming Committee’s and then presents this to the Pro- Further programming ideas are charge: gramming Committee. The Commit- growing! Stay tuned! Let us know if The CBI Programming Committee tee vets the idea and votes to ap- you are interested in joining our seeks to develop activities, presenta- prove it, as long as the program crew, or if you have a fabulous idea tions, and experiences that enhance seems in keeping with our charge, is for a program! Please contact Miriam and enrich the lives of our communi- well thought-out and appropriate, Schwartz for further questions at ty—as CBI members, as other Jews and seems doable. We have a small [email protected]. in the area, and as other members of budget and will try to have programs

A new CBI Holocaust Education Fund announced In honor of Teacher Appreciation that will help them inspire students of all ages to confront Month, Kesher has made the bigotry and indifference, promote human dignity, and first donation in honor of Rifka take action. MacDonald, for her invaluable Rifka will be completing her sixth year teaching Holo- contribution and thoughtful caust Education at Kesher, and this donation is to honor teaching of the seventh-grade her for her years of service and leadership! Yashar students from 2013 to 2019. Koach, Rifka, and good luck on your new adventures! This fund will help CBI students, families, and educa- tors deepen their learning of the Holocaust, in a way

May/June 2019 The Shul Shofar Page 7

Birthdays

MAY 2019 5/22 Danny Finkelstein 6/9 Jeffrey Grossman 5/22 Aviva Grossman (8th) 6/10 James Prickett 5/2 Richard Trank 5/23 Isaac Blum 6/11 Diane Garmo 5/3 Lenny Halpern (12th) 5/23 Serge Lindner 6/11 Marcy Probst 5/3 Louis Hunter (23rd) 5/23 Ezra Carter Price (14th) 6/11 Galit Shilo 5/4 Bobbie Jaffe 5/24 Harriet Fine 6/11 Aiden Shupack (7th) 5/4 Sydney Wolfson (13th) 5/24 Jeffrey Holtzman 6/11 Adin Sokol(17th) 5/5 Rick Adelstein 5/24 Stephen Martin 6/12 Ron Walt 5/5 Michael Braunstein 5/24 Becki Van Glubt 6/12 Henry Zemel 5/5 Russell Sheinkopf 5/25 Alan Barney 6/13 Leslie Shankman 5/6 Gary Adelstein 5/26 Stephen Spigelman 6/14 Halle Goldner 5/8 Greg Schwartz 5/26 Cassandra Wolfson 6/14 Susan Kendal 5/10 Penny Schuman 5/27 Haley Davis 6/14 Willa Wren Levinson (5th) 5/11 AJ Ingberman (19th) 5/27 Fay Farkas 6/15 Diane Leigh 5/11 Oren Shilo (5th) 5/29 Kim Moskowitz 6/16 Lee Shapiro 5/12 Warren Cornwall 5/29 Aline Wanne 6/16 Stuart Zemel 5/12 Leah Grossman 5/30 Teddy Ingberman (16th) 6/17 Valerie Randolph 5/13 Joseph Anderson 5/31 Hannah Rose 6/17 Todd Shuster 5/13 Tim Baker 5/31 Todd Witte 6/19 Rena Ziegler 5/13 David Cohn 6/20 Phyllis Mazur 5/13 Adam Greenberg (18th) 6/21 Ruth Schneider 5/13 Karen Weill JUNE 2019 6/21 Sheila Sondik 5/16 Lyla Simmie Attar (2nd) 6/1 Steve Spitzer 6/22 Milo Levinson (10th) 5/16 Max Johnson (18th) 6/1 Caden Stoane (17th) 6/23 Leah Reitz (21st) 5/16 Mark Luster 6/3 Hans-Rudolf Guenter-Schlesinger 6/24 Jill Elkayam 5/17 Lindsey Genut 6/3 Linda B. Hirsh 6/25 Mike Brennan 5/17 Suzanne Fischél Kite 6/4 Emily Bastow 6/25 Adam Regan 5/17 Mel Velsher 6/4 Sam Hunter (19th) 6/25 Julia Schwartz (17th) 5/18 Kendra Bradford 6/4 Judith Osman 6/26 Tracy Diller 5/18 Adelle John 6/4 Belle Shalom 6/26 Claira Garretson (7th) 5/19 Howard Fuller 6/5 Samuel Comstock (9th) 6/26 Jane Hammerstrom 5/19 Kathy Grossman 6/6 Stephanie Druckman 6/26 Dan Stone 5/20 Helen Franklin 6/7 Adrienne Champagne 6/26 Jeremiah Witte (11th) 5/20 John Siegfried 6/7 Frank Champagne 6/26 Nathaniel Witte (11th) 5/10 Emily Weiner 6/7 McNeel Jantzen 6/27 Sid Wanne 5/21 Meredith Attar 6/8 Chris Balton 6/29 Lily Davis (8th) 5/21 Andrea James 6/8 Janet Seltzer 6/29 Nicole Samuels 5/21 Ann Suloway

Page 8 The Shul Shofar May/June 2019

BY LINDA HIRSH Between leading bicycle tours in Ireland, Geraldine Reitz took a side trip on her own to explore one of the country’s peninsulas. Stopping for a breath at the top of a hill, she saw a guy cycling toward her. He, too, stopped at the top. A conversation ensued. Back THE REITZ FAMILY (top row, left to right): Tobias, Leah, Davis (son-in-law); with the tour group she was leading, (bottom row, left to right): Corey (Renata’s fiancé), Geraldine holding baby she found her co-leader was a no- Zariah (Leah and Davis’ daughter), Renata, and Christoph. show. The guy, who was doing his medical internship at an Irish hospi- has been president of the Hillel Judaism with her. Geraldine, whose tal, stepped into the job. board for three years. She says a parents were secular, contemplated The relationship grew beyond the connection with people sparked her becoming a rabbi. She majored in Emerald Isle. interest in becoming a chaplain, but art at StonyBrook University. Upon that could be said of all her adven- graduation, she worked in galleries, “He was studying for his medical boards in Heidelberg, Germany, tures. aiming to become a curator. Then so we spent two years continent- Geraldine is also active on the she took a master’s degree in ele- mentary education at Columbia Uni- hopping,” Geraldine said. synagogue’s Care Committee. “Her versity and in counseling at the City In 1992 Geraldine married Chris- sense of humor and easy style belie the incredible energy she puts into University in the Bronx. toph Reitz in Germany. They lived there while he studied for his medical her work on the committee,” said co- Her advanced degrees readied her boards. chair Harriet Markell. to work for ten years in New York City public schools. While there, Christoph commented on the un- Geraldine was born in New York Geraldine taught at an alternative likely way they met, “It’s the dream City’s Lower Eastside. “It was very immigrant Jewish,” she said, remem- high school in Spanish Harlem and of every bicyclist, to meet a beautiful was chosen to co-lead a group of 20 woman on a bicycle.” bering the store signs with Hebrew lettering. Her family moved to Long African-American and Hispanic teens It also is an argument for taking Island, then to Queens, but the city to Israel for three months. During the unknown route. Adventure has was always in her life. Her grandpar- their trip, they worked on a kibbutz, defined Geraldine’s life. She’s taught ents were Orthodox Jewish immi- and traveled from Eilat to Cairo, reading in New York City public grants. She recalls her grandfather escorted by men with guns as they schools and English in Germany, led davening, her grandmother lighting crossed Sinai. a group of Harlem students to Israel, Shabbat candles. Both shared their serves as an on-call chaplain, and Continued on Page 13

May/June 2019 The Shul Shofar Page 9 D.C. TRIP, PURIM, AND MORE

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1. K/1 class leading Shabbat in April. 2, 3, and 4. Confirmation students Willow Corey-DuBow, Orly Lindner, and Olivia Probst in D.C. as part of the L'taken Social Justice Seminar with Rabbi 8 Samuels. 5. Jonah Attar, Eytan Samuels, and Max Braunstein at the Purim carnival. 6. Gan Yeladim teacher Noah Skolnik and Rabbi Samuels. 7. Miriam Davids and Joan Wayne serving up hamentaschen. 8. Purim revelers at the prize table.

Page 10 The Shul Shofar May/June 2019 Cantor’s corner Cantorial school bound

BY ANDREA SHUPACK

In April, I submitted my application and had my inter- year. I plan to give a concert next year as a fundraiser view and audition for cantorial school. I am very excited for the synagogue and cantorial school, and possibly a to announce that I have started attending cantorial CD project in the future as well. I have all intention to school at The Academy for Jewish Religion (AJR) in use the knowledge and skills I learn for the sake of our New York. This is a long-distance program, so I will be community throughout my six-year degree and after my able to attend classes and work towards ordination while ordination. I have been so blessed to work for and be a still serving as your cantorial soloist. I will be taking part of this community. The outpouring of love and sup- courses part time, so it will not take away from my time port from everyone since I arrived four and a half years at CBI. In my years of study, I will be deepening my ago has been humbling and moving. Already, so many knowledge and skills. I am excited to be able to bring of you have encouraged me to take this plunge into can- what I learn back to our community, enriching services torial school. and classes, and providing more spiritual leadership. AJR is a pluralistic seminary, which means they em- This journey of deciding to go to cantorial school, and brace and teach all Jewish perspectives. I find this par- the application process itself, have solidified for me why ticularly appealing, given the diverse make-up of our I love Judaism so much and what kind of a cantor I want community, and my own attraction to aspects of each to become. While I am already a cantorial soloist, the denomination. In my time at AJR, I will be studying depth of study I am taking on will allow me to develop in Torah, theology, liturgy, Hebrew, history, and much many new directions. I see so much potential for what I more. I will be gaining a vast musical repertoire and will be able to bring back to Beth Israel to benefit our knowledge of , the traditional musical modes whole community. used for each service and holiday. I will also be develop- I cannot embark on this endeavor without your sup- ing many professional skills in areas such as counseling port. Cantorial school is very expensive. With the bless- and hospital chaplaincy, education, and conducting life- ing of Rabbi Samuels and the Executive Board, I am cycle events. As our community continues to grow, I am asking those who are able and want to support me in passionately committed to growing with you. I look for- this endeavor to donate to the “Cantorial Assistance ward to serving you in new and even richer ways as we Fund.” These funds will only go toward my tuition and continue to explore our love of Judaism and our commu- school expenses. This program will take me about six nity together. years to complete and will cost about $34,000 each

Tikkun Leil Shavuot June 8, 2019

Shavuot is one of In the past few years, we have learned from several the original three teachers in our community from topics such as: Does major festivals in Judaism Have a Devil; Torah Calligraphy; and The the Jewish tradition. Jewish Humor of Jackie Mason. It celebrates the Afterwards, please stay for a late-night song giving of the Torah session beginning at 10 pm, led by Kesher teacher on Sinai. In honor Miriam Buckman. Sharona leading a text Study at last of this gift, it is cus- Come spend a couple hours on Saturday, June 8 year’s Tikkun Leil Shavuot tomary to spend beginning at 8 pm, engaged in learning some Torah part of the holiday and singing with friends. Moroccan Jews believe studying from our sacred texts. Developed by the staying up all night guarantees you life for the next 16th-century mystics in Tzfat, a Tikkun Leil Shavuot year. How can you possibly turn this down?!? is an all-night study session. At Beth Israel, however, If you are interested in leading a 10-minute Jewish we’ll be done by 10 pm! teaching, please contact Rabbi Samuels.

May/June 2019 The Shul Shofar Page 11

FROM THE RABBI scanned the crowd, putting everyone The practice of Mussar helps stu- present through an instantaneous dents catch themselves in situations Continued from Page 1 evaluation? Why do we even set up where a certain value, such as hon- order, simplicity, silence, trust, and of standards in the first place against or, is not being practiced in the most course, honor. This last one made which to gauge others and then optimal way. It is challenging to refo- for a great discussion. We learned spend so much of our mental energy cus our attention in the heat of the that the Hebrew word for honor appraising how they measure up? moment, but if being critical of others (kavod) shares a root with “heavy.” Dr. Alan Morinis, founder of The is our tendency, then we must equip This other translation suggests that Mussar Institute, has an idea about ourselves with a practice, such as a when we honor another person, we why we are quick to criticize and short phrase we can recite when recognize that they embody a sub- slow to honor. He writes, “Whether placed at a crossroads. I encourage stantial (heavy) spiritual reality. Since we admit it or not, most of us want each of us to say to ourselves, each individual is made in the image honor and feel we are not getting it, “Every one, holy soul” or “This one, of the Divine, then every human be- certainly not in the measure we feel too, was created in God’s image.” ing is due honor and respect just by to be our due. So the factor that One other practice we can all try is to virtue of being alive. In other words, drives us to be so critical of others is make a conscious effort to greet eve- everyone, no matter who they are, nothing other than our own search ryone whom we encounter before what they’ve accomplished, or for honor, especially in our own they greet us. Just think about the whether or not they even like you, is eyes.” 1 kind of community we can create worthy of honor. The more self-honor we have, the together if we all work on honoring How much easier do we find it to more capable we will be to give hon- ourselves and those in our communi- be critical of others than to honor or to others. And conversely, the ty! We would most definitely be a them? We don’t even have to turn on more honor we give to others, the kehillah kedosha, a holy community. the news to hear people criticizing more honored we will be in return. and mocking other people. This judg- This idea stems from Pirke Avot: — RABBI JOSHUA SAMUELS mental attitude is pervasive in our “Who is honored? One who honors society, and no one is immune from others.” We merit honor by giving 1. Morinis, Alan. Everyday Holiness. Boston, its grasp. How often have we honor. MA: Trumpeter, 2008." stepped into a room and immediately

Thank you for helping homeless families

BY LAURA HARKER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR INTERFAITH COALITION OF WHATCOM COUNTY

“In Family Promise, I found a new family that taught me employment, 10 families received better healthcare, 13 what giving and sharing really means. This family helped families received financial literacy training, and families me achieve goals I’d never dared dream of. This family spent an average of 7.5 weeks in the program before made me safer, stronger, more confident, and more cou- moving to stable housing. So far, 850 volunteers have rageous.”—an Interfaith Coalition Family Promise guest. been trained. As a member of the Interfaith Coalition, Congregation Please join us for a Shine Celebration for Family Beth Israel has been a vital partner in bringing shelter, Promise’s First Birthday - Tuesday, April 30. There will stability, and hope to many in our community, and you be an Open House from 6 to 9 pm at Birchwood Presby- helped launch our Family Promise Program in April 2018 terian Church (400 Meadowbrook Court, Bellingham.) to help more families transition out of homelessness. As We celebrate the incredible partnership and generosity we celebrate the first year, we want to thank you for your of the congregations and volunteers, and the immense immense support as a Host/Support Congregation, and caring and generosity, large and small, that has been for your continued faith and work in this mission of ser- stitched together to surround and care for these families vice to families in need. You have been the face of love in need. and compassion to many. Laura Harker can be reached at 910 14th Street, Here is a look at what you helped Family Promise ac- Bellingham, WA 98225, at (360) 734-3983 or via email at complish this first year: 18 families served, representing [email protected]. 67 people (44 were children), 10 families found better

Page 12 The Shul Shofar May/June 2019

Special Fund Donations

IN APPRECIATION TO: Rabbi Samuels, for Mia’s Bat CONTRIBUTION FROM: Camp & Youth Joan Wayne, for all she does Mitzvah Esther Faber Activities Fund for Beth Israel From: Tamar & Shawn Richard Widerkehr From: Sylvia Williams Clarke

DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO: New Synagogue Fund Jack Gunther (El Cajon, CA) WITH GRATITUDE TO: – in memory of Barry Hamm DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO: Peter Samuels (Rancho From: Ruth Evans Joan Wayne, on the loss of Mirage, CA) IN APPRECIATION TO: her sister From: Todd Witte Karen Sloss, for her PEP talk *Marla Finkelstein and Wendy From: Sylvia Williams From: Teresa Sommers Holtzman – in memory of DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO: their mother, Esther Katz Elka Fink and family – in *Elka Fink and family – in Cora Ginsberg (Rancho *Karen Sloss – in memory of memory of beloved husband, memory of her beloved Mirage, CA) her father, Louis Sloss father, and grandfather, husband, Myron From: Peter & Rhoda From: Miriam & Perry Davids Myron Fink *Roby Blecker, in memory of Samuels From: Susan Jay Frank McKelvey From: Phyllis & Shelly Mazur IN HONOR OF: Care Committee COMMEMORATING Alan Stone, for his 90th YAHRZEIT OF: *Marla Finkelstein – in birthday

*Lou Fine memory of her mother, Esther From: Joseph Stone (Seattle) IN HONOR OF: Katz The birth of Zoe Harper Fine. *David Fine *Jack Eigen *Karen Sloss – in memory of Mazel Tov to parents Eli & her father, Louis Sloss Katie Edelstein’s Special Laura Fine and Saba/Savta From: Harriet Fine Birthday From: Jay & Donna Solomon Elliott & Nora Fine! From: Carol & David From: Great-Bubbie Harriet Robinson Fine Rabbi’s Discretionary COMMEMORATING Joan & Marv Wayne YAHRZEIT OF:

Jack Mazur, beloved father The Care Committee – in *Arthur Rivkin (Rancho memory of my beloved wife, IN APPRECIATION TO: and grandfather Rabbi Samuels Mirage, CA), for his 95th Rosalie From: Phyllis & Shelly Mazur birthday From: Nancy Miller From: Stan Yacknin *Deanna Berrin (Van Nuys, (San Rafael, CA) CA), for her Special Birthday Rabbi Samuels, for Conor’s THE General Fund *Lee Pollack - CONGRATULATIONS TO: bris Congratulations *Mia Clarke, on becoming a From: Camille & Matthew IN HONOR OF: From: Peter & Rhoda Bat Mitzvah Keefe The baby-naming of our Samuels *Elinor Hall, on becoming a Jean & Terry Danon granddaughter, Maeve Bat Mitzvah (Taos, NM) Hammerstrom DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO: From: Patrick Crane From: Marc & Leah Boman Joan Wayne – in memory of (Mercer Island) her sister Kathy From: Corinne Gimbel-Levine & Hank Levine The Kesher Tuition Gaby & Victoria Fund Mayers

IN APPRECIATION: Roby Blecker – in memory of Thank you for the Purim Frank McKelvey treats! From: Lynn & Michael Korner From: Phyllis & Shelly Mazur Joan & Marv Wayne

Thanks for the lovely Purim *Marla Finkelstein and Wendy gift Holtzman – in memory of From: Minda Rae Amiran their mother, Esther Katz Belle Shalom *Karen Sloss – in memory of Bonnie & Alan Stone her father, Louis Sloss From: Joan & Marv Wayne WITH GRATITUDE: To the Beth Israel community From: The Balton Family

May/June 2019 The Shul Shofar Page 13

Classes at CBI

The story of King David Please purchase your own copy of Robert Alter’s The Instructor: Stuart Berman David Story: A Translation with Commentary of 1 and 2 Samuel. Register through the main office.

David was our greatest king and easily the most developed character in the entire Bible. His story (told in Martial arts at CBI Samuel 1 and 2) reads like a great novel filled with adven- Instructor: Kevin Donner ture, romance, family drama, spiritual significance and more. This course will treat the story as literature, using Learn the traditional Korean Martial Art, Kuk Sool Won, Robert Alter’s translation, and each week we will read a right here in our own shul from a black belt instructor, portion and discuss it. We will look at such questions as congregation member Kevin Donner. Invest in yourself what were the Israelites like before David united them? and in our community. 100% of your tuition benefits What roles did the prophet Samuel and the failed King Congregation Beth Israel. For class information, call Kevin Saul play in the story? Why was the flawed character of at 206-290-5339 or email him at [email protected]. David chosen to be the ancestor of the Messiah? No Appropriate for adults and children of all fitness levels. knowledge of Hebrew is necessary, and everyone’s ideas Self-defense is for everybody! are welcome.

GERALDINE REITZ The couple has three children, Re- Thursday. The chaplains spoke to nata, 25, Tobias, 23, and Leah, 20. her about what they did—helping Continued from Page 8 Leah, who lives in Ferndale, is mar- patients write advance care plans The toughest part was “making ried and has a three-month old baby, and a living will, offering support, sure [the teens] got up and on the Zariah Beatrix. All three youngsters being there for trauma emergencies. [kibbutz] truck at 5:30 am,” Geraldine were adopted in Hungary, the coun- It sounded good to Geraldine. In said. Also tough was “reminding try from which Geraldine’s family em- 2012, she started chaplaincy train- them to keep their journals.” igrated. There, the second language ing, an intensive 1,600 hours, 300 of After two years in Germany, the was German, the language she those in direct patient care. Then St. couple settled in America, first in speaks with them to this day. Joseph Hospital hired her as a part- New York for Christoph’s residency It was understood that Geraldine time chaplain. Explaining her enthu- at Beth Israel hospital, then in would raise their children as Jews. siasm, she said, “I’m drawn into a Bellingham in 2001 where Christoph Her German mother-in-law, who at- family, taken in deeply, quickly. [I practices internal medicine. tended Leah’s Bat Mitzvah, adapted can] also offer support to families in “We couldn’t stand the extreme by telling her, “We believe in the difficult situations.” heat, humidity and cold on the East same God.” coast,” she said. “We are outdoor peo- When the children were older, she ple and found Bellingham beautiful.” volunteered at Hospice House every

Page 14 The Shul Shofar May/June 2019 Program offered on June 16

BY GLORIA LEBOWITZ

In early March, I participated in a program held at Peoples is taught in our schools, to recognize in our- Bellingham Unitarian Fellowship entitled Roots of Injus- selves and our institutions how we relate to Native Peo- tice. I was overwhelmed by what I learned. I immediately ples, and to explore how we can begin to take actions began to think about how and whether this could be a toward “right relationships.” program offered to the CBI community. I spoke with the A Facilitator and Four Readers (a Narrator, Native organizer and facilitator about this. American, European Colonialist, and a Western Histori- Having grown up (long ago) on the East Coast, I knew an) will guide us through history. A resource list of read- little about and had virtually no contact with Native Peo- ings will be provided with suggestions for continued ples other than what was taught in the forth or fifth grade. study and action. I’m sure that, at some point, I must have been taught The suggested donation of $20 will be used to cover something about Manifest Destiny, but I didn’t remember the honorarium, use of the materials developed by the it at all and certainly, had no idea of the impact that it has Boulder Friends (Quaker) community and a donation had on the United States and its people. The program is from CBI to the 2019 Tribal Canoe Journey, also known titled, “Roots of Injustice, Seeds of Change: Towards as the Paddle 2 Lummi. Right Relations with Native Peoples.” It will be offered The program is suitable for older adolescents and twice on June 16, 2019 at 10 am-12 pm, and 1-3 pm. young adults, particularly if accompanied by parents. No This is a two-hour exercise which traces the historic one will be turned away for inability to pay. and ongoing impacts of the Doctrine of Discovery, the Please register and pay online by signing onto the CBI fifteenth-century justification for European subjugation of website: bethisraelbellingham.org, noting the preferred non-Christian peoples. It is in the Doctrine of Discovery session you wish to attend (10 am-12 pm or 1-3 pm). We that we find the roots of injustice. In the U.N. Declaration realize June 16 is also Father’s Day, but we hope you will on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, we find the seeds find time to come! If you have questions, or need help with of change. The goal of this program is to raise one's lev- registration or payment, please call the office. el of knowledge and concern about the impacts of the Doctrine, to think about how information about Native

Anniversaries

May 1 Mitch & Lisa Press (# 25) June 2 Jay & Donna Solomon (# 55) May 1 Richard & Idalina Trank (# 15) June 5 Bruce & Debra Parelskin (# 42) May 7 Miriam & Perry Davids (# 2) June 5 John Sternlicht & James Finley (# 9) May 7 Steven & Victoria Garfinkle (# 25) June 9 Don Fenbert & Valerie Randolph (# 29) May 9 John & Melissa Schapiro (# 26) June 10 Frank & Adrienne Champagne (# 7) May 11 Patrick Crane & Rick Peavy (# 35) June 10 David Strich & Michelle Banks (# 5) May 12 Jeffrey & Wendy Holtzman (# 34) June 12 Gaby & Victoria Mayers (# 34) May 16 Larry & Melissa Stahlberg (# 41) June 16 Tammy & Daryl Dixon (# 12) May 18 Rick & Leslie Adelstein (# 44) June 18 David & Jill Elkayam (# 41) May 21 Larry Hildes & Karen Weill (# 19) June 19 Miles Bryant & Sarah Bauman (# 43) May 24 Rick & Tracey Levine (# 32) June 19 David & Nancy Halpern (# 15) May 24 Rebecca & Andrew Orloff (# 21) June 19 Ann Suloway & Tim Baker (# 26) May 27 Lynne & Mark MacDonald (# 41) June 23 Michelle & Joseph Anderson (#18) May 29 Darcie Donegan & Phil Buri (# 26) June 23 Meg Jacobson & Russell Pritchett (# 45) May 29 Rabbi Joshua & Nicole Samuels (#14) June 23 David & Rena Ziegler (# 51) June 25 Peter & Nancy Auerbach (# 53) June 25 Sarah & Todd Witte (# 19)

Did we miss your anniversary? Call the office at (360) 733-8890 or email [email protected] with the month, day & year of your special day.

May/June 2019 The Shul Shofar Page 15

Observances follow the , unless the secular date is requested, and Yahrzeits are read on the Shabbat prior to the observance date.

Friday, May 3 and Saturday, May 4 Friday, May 31 Frances Glazer Garmo 6/19 (No Shabbat service – will be David Ohms 6/19 Leila Shavelson 5/4 Miriam Shepard 6/19 Naomi Krauzer Feinberg 5/5 read on May 24) Marcia M. Morris Yust 6/19 Lena Horwitz 5/5 Samuel Emanuel 5/31 Jack Glazer 6/21 Louie Simon 5/6 Rose Thal 5/31 Max Swartz 5/6 Louis Adelstein 6/1 Friday, June 21 and Thelma Weiner 5/6 Rose Block 6/1 Saturday, June 22 Rabbi Frederick S. Gartner 5/7 Nan Lopresti 6/2 Edward R. Glazer 6/22 Kenneth Parelskin 5/7 Samuel Schwartz 6/2 Stanley Schlanger 6/22 Edward Stone 5/7 William Stone 6/2 Rose Rebecca Glazer 6/23 Rose Sondik 5/8 Otto Furth 6/3 Vincent Romito 6/23 Frederick (Freddy) Kullman 5/9 Reva Beck 6/4 Bill Lewis 6/24 Karleen Press 5/9 Samuel Beck 6/5 Harold “Bud” Blank 6/26 Lloyd Saxton 5/9 Belle Kaplan Shapiro 6/5 Lillian Feldman 6/26 Eliezer Strich 5/9 Dottie Berelson 6/6 Michael Kendal 6/26 Lucie Weis 5/9 Oscar Evans 6/6 Marcella Schapiro 6/26 Manuel “Manny” Emanuel 5/10 Dorothy Katz 6/6 Irving Edward Shapiro 6/28 Barbara Vaughan 5/10 Friday, June 7 and Friday, June 28 Friday, May 10 and Saturday, June 8 Edith Corman 6/29 Saturday, May 11 Ethel Sandford 6/7 Elaine Lev Beller 7/1 Sally Warshay 5/11 Louise Hecht 6/9 Rasela Catz 7/1 Elayne B. Weiner 5/11 Jay Renfro 6/9 Alice Lebansky 7/1 Mary Widerkehr 5/11 Rose Beck 6/10 Ann Dechter 7/2 Pearl Albert 5/13 Henry W. Fenbert 6/10 Sol Harris Lewis 7/2 Judy Aikens 5/14 Marvin Globerman 6/10 Arthur Thal 7/2 Esther Siegel 5/14 Denise Guren 6/11 Lawrence Witte 7/2 Rachel Damski 5/15 Rose Millstein 6/11 Libby Witte 7/2 Felicia Keller 5/15 William Robinson 6/12 Sandy York 7/2 Sergio Shwadsky 5/15 David Archie Bauman 6/13 Adrienne Benson 7/3 Ray Jay 5/16 Emma (Weigt) Korneck 6/13 Rachel Emanuel 7/3 Florence Marcus 5/17 Irene Rosenfeld 6/13 Richard Morrison 7/3 Friday, May 17 Cora Quiggle 7/3 Friday, June 14 and William Beck 7/4 Elaine Greenberg 5/19 Saturday, June 15 David Horwitz 7/4 Emanuel Jacobson 5/19 Rosalind Kantor 6/15 Virginia Hunter 7/5 Maia Haykin 5/20 Audrey Jaffe 6/16 Barbara (McNulty) Higham 5/20 Marion Selznick 6/17 Alan Raas 5/20 Evelyn Renfro 5/20 Saul S. Spiro 5/20 In Memoriam Rachel DeVries 5/21 Lloyd Relin 5/21 Zichronam l’vrachah ~ May their memories be Sydell Zemel 5/22 for a blessing Margaret Horwitz 5/24 Our congregation offers heartfelt condolences to the following individuals and Louis Suloway 5/24 their families: Friday, May 24 Elka Fink on the loss of her beloved husband of sixty-three years, Myron Audrey May King 5/25 Fink, who passed away on March 27, 2019 at the age of 92. Arthur Markell 5/25 Esther Kahn 5/26 Marla Finkelstein and Wendy Holtzman on the loss of their beloved mother, Myron Gordon 5/27 Esther Katz, who passed away on April 5, 2019 in California. Irwin Suloway 5/27 Roby Blecker on the loss of Frank McKelvey, beloved son of her late Jack Kleinfeld 5/28 husband, Keith Baker. Frank passed away on April 5, 2019 in California. Walter Miller 5/29 Jean Dement 5/30 Karen Sloss on the loss of her beloved father, Louis Sloss, who passed Sam Eilenberg 5/30 away in California on April 6, 2019. Rebecca Leavitt 5/30 Perry Somers on the loss of his beloved father, Arnold Somers, who passed Arnold Zolotrow 5/30 away on April 21 in Redmond, Washington.

NON-PROFIT ORG. THE SHUL SHOFAR U.S. POSTAGE PAID Congregation Beth Israel BELLINGHAM, WA 751 San Juan Boulevard PERMIT NO. 180 Bellingham, WA 98229

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

PLAN TO ATTEND END-OF-YEAR CBI PICNIC

June 2, 12-2 pm following Kesher morning classes at Congregation Beth Israel

Come celebrate a successful year of Jewish learning at Kesher! Join us for games and good company following our final Kesher classes of the school year. Kesher will provide barbecued salmon, but otherwise this will be a dairy potluck meal.

Please bring your own plates, cups, and utensils.

BETHISRAELBELLINGHAM.ORG * 360.733.8890