 In This Issue
Congregant Contributors:
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About This Issue
These words by Rabbi Yitzchak Breitowitz were written in a different context, but resonate strongly when it comes to fragrances. Many organizations including Beth El have taken up the challenge of Fragrance Sensitivity. The purpose of this special issue of "Beth Elearning" is to foster knowledge about this important topic, and to enlist your support.
Becoming fragrance free may sound overwhelming, but rest assured, it is not. Start with small steps: avoid applying perfume or cologne; skip the scented aftershave; use fragrance free laundry materials. Alternative products are readily available. Amazon.com carries a large selection of Fragrance Free Health and Personal care products.
In addition to aiding fragrance sensitive individuals whom you encounter, going fragrance free may improve the quality of your own life.
Most importantly, we are hopeful that as you read this issue, you'll keep in mind this prayer from our liturgy:
"...May pride in one another unite us. Help us to renew our love for one another continually..."(2)
--S.A.S.
(1)Rabbi Yitzchak Breitowitz, Summer 5775/2015 issue of "Jewish Action"
(2) Siddur Sim Shalom p.397 c1985
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Beth Elearning's mission:
to provide you with an eclectic assortment of
web-based Jewish learning content and original articles that are relevant, stimulating and suitable for people at all stages of learning.
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We are most appreciative for the guidance provided by Rabbi Rosen, Rabbi Garber,
Rabbi Rosenbaum,
Rabbi Sowalsky and
Cantor Ness.
Lifelong Learning Committee:
Rabbi Howard Rosenbaum, Amy Goldman, Roz Hahn,
Lois Koteen, and Steven Stier
The Beth Elearning Newsletter is available to members and non-members.
To add e-mail addresses or to opt out, send an e-mail request to beth.elearning@gmail.com
Newsletter Co-Editors:
Steven A. Stier
Amy Goldman
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 Introduction: Rabbi Jim Rosen
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This edition of "Beth Elearning" is unique in its focus and intent. Normally, the articles both theoretical and personal are intended to inform, prompt questions and, in general to help readers have a deeper understanding of Jewish perspectives on a particular theme. The readings you will encounter here are designed for the same purposes, but also ask you to help change a reality at Beth El in the interest of health and well-being. Increasingly, it has become difficult for some of our members and staff to attend and participate in services, classes, and other activities. This is due to the fragrances that they encounter here at Beth El. No overt harm is meant to be sure. But the result is that members who have an adverse reaction to various scents are simply unable to be in our building.
This has been a matter of concern and action in congregations and many other organizations for a number of years. We acknowledge that the issue is relatively new here. But the fact that it is new ought not result in inaction. It took many years for the dangers of second-hand smoke to move from something "side of the road" to a major, middle of the road concern. We have no doubt that this will ultimately be the case with respect to fragrances.
As you will see in the pieces that follow, Jewish tradition calls upon us to promote the dignity and well-being of others, to place Refuah, Healing, at the center of our concerns. This is an opportunity to promote Tzorchei Tzibbur, the needs of the community. And the good news is, we can help by making relatively minor adjustments to our personal practices....read on for details.
Again, this might be very new to many of our readers who are first encountering the issue. But take a cue from the verse in Psalms that says. "Even Maasu Habonim Haita Lerosh Pinah." "The stone cast aside by the workers has become the chief cornerstone." Meaning: from something seemingly small, we have an opportunity to make a statement of leadership and loving concern for all within our community. And what better cornerstone can there be?
Rabbi Jim Rosen
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Diane Lieberfarb, President Comment
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It is incumbent on us as a sacred community of Jews, humanitarians, and concerned citizens to recognize those aspects of living that negatively impact the full engagement of our congregants and seek to remedy the situation to the best of our ability. To refuse to do so or to plead indifference can be likened to 'Shev v'al taaseh' ( sit and do not act). As a people who have experienced the indifference of others, we are aware that inaction is just as damaging as negative action. We can no longer be 'bystanders' to those who cannot fully function in our synagogue due to issues of scent. Their reactions are real, their symptoms devastating, and the effect on their ability to take part in ritual paralyzing. For any of us who have suffered with allergies, we know well the anxiety brought on by exposure and the harmful effects that can follow. We ask you to take a stand and make a difference. We must make a conscious effort to avoid all lotions, perfumes, colognes, personal products having a scent, and to promote this effort in our households prior to attending services, meetings, and programs at Beth El. 'Kum aseh' (stand and act). Be an advocate for change. Substitute sense for scents!
President Diane Lieberfarb
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Congregant Contributor: Roz Hahn
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 "Fragrantly" Challenged: A Personal Story by Roz Hahn
I have always loved going to shul. Many of my fondest memories of growing up are going to Temple. I loved the holidays and festivals. I loved the atmosphere, the music, the closeness I felt being in a sanctuary. Whether I opened the Siddur or the Chumash, I knew there would be words with spiritual meaning to me. There would be words of comfort when I needed them. There would be prayers to offer thanks to God. There would always be words that I could relate to in one fashion or another.
I have belonged to Beth El Temple for almost fifty years... that is a long time. I joined as a young married woman and immediately became involved in Sisterhood, the Education Committee and the young married couples group. Some of my closest friends are my Beth El friends from those earlier years and the present. Howard and I were married at Beth El.
Today I can't just come to Beth El. Now when I make the choice to go to shul, I first have to think about the weather. Is it very cold outside? Is it very humid? Will the sanctuary be warm enough? I have to think about whether we will be in our large magnificent sanctuary or our cozy beautiful Chapel. Will the chapel be filled to the max? Is there a bar or bat mitzvah that will bring many others to shul? Is it a holiday with fresh flowers or the festival with lulavim and etrog? Will someone wearing heavy perfume sit near me? Will I be able to breathe easily today? [click to continue...] |
Congregant Contributor: Neil Kochen
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Doing My Part to Make Beth El "Warm and Welcoming"
by Neil Kochen
I have been on a Jewish journey at Beth El Temple for over 25 years, and have witnessed the richness and warmth of our close community firsthand. For the last 15 years I have been a Shabbat regular, and our shul community has been there for me and my family as we celebrated many simchas and suffered though some personal losses. I have also been fortunate to serve on our Board of Trustees for 6 years and have been an active contributor on several Committees, so I believe I have helped lead our shape many aspects of our institution.
Through the years Beth El has committed itself to create a "warm and welcoming" community for all: members and guests alike. We provide many programs that are always open to everyone, and we have established obvious and less obvious behaviors, such as Shabbat morning greeters and special new member and guest seating at Shabbat lunches, so that all who attend will feel the warmth and "family feelings" of our special community.
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Congregant Contributor: Steve Stier
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Fragrances and Torah:
Then and Now
by Steven Stier
The Bible is replete with references to fragrances and aromas. According to one source, the word for perfume [incense - ketoret] appears approximately 58 times in the Hebrew Bible(1)
"שֶׁמֶׁן וּקְטֹרֶת יְשַׂמַׂח לֵב וּמֶׁתֶׁק רֵעֵהוּ מֵעֲצַׂת נָפֶׁש"
"Oil and incense make the heart rejoice, and the sweet words of his friend more than one's own counsel." Proverbs 27:9 In Exodus Chapter 30 we find a virtual recipe: "God said to Moses: Take fragrances such as balsam, onycha, galbanum, and pure frankincense, all of the same weight, as well as other fragrances. Make the mixture into incense, as compounded by a master perfumer, well-blended, pure and holy." (Exodus 30:34-5)
The Talmud goes on to describe the mixture in greater detail.(2) This particular fragrance was for sacred purposes only; God did not permit personal use: "And the incense that you make, you shall not make for yourselves according to its formula; it shall be holy to you for the Lord. Any person who makes anything like it, to smell it[s fragrance], shall be cut off from his people." (Exodus 30:37-38).
Contemporary halachah (rabbinic law) permits the wearing of perfume, but it's worth noting that in this particular instance, Torah forbade personal use.
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More About Fragrances, Your Health and Judaism
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Hershey H. Friedman, PhD, Professor of Business and Marketing at Brooklyn College shares how central human dignity is to Judaism with many examples from texts in this erudite paper.
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An easy-to-read primer for those who want to go fragrance free or switch to less toxic products in their lives.
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