In This Issue
From The Rabbi
Junior Congregation
T-B-S
SoShul
Bnot Mitzvah Club
N-O-D-A
Hebrew School
Adult Education
Within the Congregation
Fundraising
Thank You
Within the Congregation
Quick Links

 

 

 


FROM THE OFFICE:

Board Meeting 
Tuesday, 
January 7th
7:30 pm
Open to 
Board Members Only

Parking Lot
Reminder that the spots marked reserved along the fence are for our parking rental tenants.  These spots are exclusively for their use between 6 pm and 7 am.  If you come at night for a function or prayer, do not park in those spots.  Thank you for your cooperation.
 

OU 2
 
Kol HaChadoshot
"What's news and 'nu' in the Beth David community"

From The Rabbi Rabbi Adler

A few weeks ago was the second installment of the 'Rabbis Without Borders' fellowship; and while the various bi-monthly conclaves are not titled, I would identify the theme of this two-day workshop as 'the tools of the trade'. One of the presenters, Rabbi Tzvi Blanchard, talked about the skills that individuals bring to particular and specific moments in life. A doctor uses his medical training to maintain wellness and diagnose illness in his patients. On the same day but in a different venue, that same doctor might be coaching little league or changing the oil in his car. While he would still be a doctor, he would be bringing a separate skill set to his other activities.

The same can be said of rabbis. In our work, we draw from our training to teach classes, officiate at life cycle transitional occasions and lead observant lives. But how about when we are sought out for counselling? That request usually demands a separate set of skills. It is also a different set of skills when a rabbi shares in the planning of events and programs,  or assists in editing publications. Like doctors and other professionals, our titles follow us always; but we are not always drawing from the skills that are associated with the title.

You do not need to be a doctor or a rabbi to see yourself answering the calls of all sorts of needs. We are all counselors when we listen to the woes of people in our lives. We all try to be handy around the house before calling in professional help for household repairs. And no one needs a rabbinic decree to own an opinion about how God should be running the world and what should be expected of humanity as Heaven's partners. Yet, we understand that every different type of moment calls upon different skills.

Therefore, all wise people know that life is a never ending learning experience. There will always be a new skill waiting to be mastered. Eventually, and in many lives all too often, a person is challenged to leave self-defined zones of comfort in order to meet the challenge of a previously unforeseeable moment. Who we are will not serve us as well as what we are willing to try or learn. No one can know or predict the time and place when something new will be the best response. it is essentially important to know our strengths and to be honest about the skills we have; it is even more important to know our limits. Yet, it is most important to be willing to stretch and challenge ourselves in order to be open to almost any opportunity or challenge that life brings our way. Using properly and prudently the tools we already posses empower us to be true partners with Heaven. A willingness and preparedness to continue learning and growing, by adding to the sets of tools that keep by our sides, empowers us to maximize the importance of our lives and the positive differences we might be able to make in the lives of others.

In essence, we are all a little bit like Mary Poppins. We journey through life carrying an over-size bag because we are expected to be ready and prepared for all sorts of moments that are not necessarily foreseeable. That bag can be as expandable as we need it to be, with as many interior pockets as we can imagine.  The key to happiness and success is knowing which skills to use at a given moment, and knowing when we are needed not for a solution or a fix but simply for friendship and support. No one person can be everything to all people all the time; but each one of us can be essential and important simply by knowing our individual limits and doing our best to live and serve at those limits.
Special Junior Congregation Program Event
On Shabbat, January 4, our Yeshiva University rabbinic intern Moshe Laster will be presenting a special program for our Junior Congregation. Moshe is an experienced educator, employed at a respected day school in Passaic, NJ. On Friday evening, January 3, Rabbi Laster will deliver a Dvar Torah before Maariv; and on Shabbat afternoon, he will speak at Seudah Shelishit. Shabbat morning, he will be presenting our Junior Congregation with a dynamic and innovative morning of activity.

Teen Activities

T-B-S TBS

Tefilah, Breakfast, Study

Rabbi Adler invites the teenagers of the congregation to join him Sunday morning, 8:30-10:15 am, January 5, for a special dedicated program, After participating in Beth David's Sunday morning services, the teens will stay for breakfast at shul followed by Torah study with the Rabbi. For more information and to discuss how this program might benefit your teen age son or daughter, please call Rabbi Adler.

Tu B'Shvat Smoothie Seder

Thursday January 16.  6pm

Join Rabbi Dan for an evening of healthy smoothies with fruits,  vegetables and juices to celebrate the New Year of the Trees.
Teen Super Bowl
February 2, 5pm (Time May Change)
Whether you like commercials, junk food or possibly even football sign up for our teen super bowl event. There will be wings, meatballs, fries, and more! The exact start time may change but will coincide with the start of the first commercial...I mean the coin toss or whatever.   Only $7 if you sign up before January 15. We are currently looking for a host if anyone is able to help out please let Rabbi Dan know!
"Marriage and Relationships Through  water drop
The Lens of the Talmud"
An educational event sponsored by
Mikveh Bess Israel
Saturday Night, January 11, 8:15pm @
Young Israel of West Hartford
Presentation by Rabbi and Mrs. B. Weinberg
Refreshments sponsored by YIWH.
Reservations not required.
"SoShul" - For Women Only
Sunday Night, January 12, 7:00pm
Dr. Julie Gershon
"Breast Cancer Screening and Diagnosis: What Are Your Risks as an Ashkenazi Jew?"

An informal talk on current recommendations and imaging techniques for breast cancer screening and means in which breast cancer is diagnosed. Discussion will also include data on known risk factors for breast cancer, specifically related to BRCA I and II genetic defects in Ashkenazi Jews. What can one do with the knowledge of increased risk?


Julie S. Gershon is a board certified practicing radiologist who has been in private practice for 15 years.  Dr. Gershon's area of expertise is in Women's Imaging, specifically mammography and breast ultrasound. Recently Dr. Gershon opened a specialized state-of-the-art breast imaging center in Avon, CT, offering personalized care and immediate results to all patients.  

Tu B'Shevat (almost) Friday Night Dinner
January 17
Candles and Tefilot - 4:30pm; Dinner 5:30pm
Shabbat / Yom Tov Dinner
Tu B'Shevat is a festive winter season celebration that draws our attention to the season of spring, soon to be approaching. The themes of Tu B'Shevat include a love of the land of Israel, our human dependence on trees and the well being of the environment. Please join your friends at Beth David for a warm and social evening of seasonal cooked food, and the spirit of friendship. Please use CLICK HERE to make your reservations, or call Tracy in the shul office -
Adults - $20.00, Children (under 12) - $15.00, Children (under 4) - N/C
Bnot Mitzvah, 
Sunday, January 26 & February 9, 4:00-5:30pm

Location to be announced. A parent-child text study and activity will be led by Galya Greenberg. Please RSVP to Tracey in the Beth David office [email protected] or to  Galya at [email protected]

re-scheduled  "SoShul"

Saturday Night, January 25, 7:00pm

hosted by Alberto and Tammy Cohen

Please join us for a fascinating evening with our own Dr. Alberto Cohen-Abbo, Pediatrician and Infectious Disease Specialist at CT Children's Medical Center. Alberto will share his family's journey starting from Algiers in 1817, continuing through British Mandate Palestine complete with gun smuggling topped off with a letter from the King of England, and on to San Cristobal, Venezuela. The official beginning of Lag B'Omer in Israel begins at the Abbo family house with the specially decorated, historic Torah in Tsfat. Hosted by Alberto and Tammy Cohen, 17 Montclair Drive, West Hartford on Motzei Shabbat, December 14 at 7PM.  "SoShul", as the name suggests, is an informal community gathering of friends. Reservations are not required and light refreshments will be served.
BETH DAVID YOUNG ADULTS CLUB
February 2, 2014, 6:00 PM
SUPERBOWL PARTY
 
Stay tuned for details and location.  Contact Ben Abrams for more information:

(N-O-D-A) No One Dies Alone

Hartford Hospital has a wonderful program that commits itself to providing bedside companionship for dying patients who are alone in the hospital. In some cases the patients are truly alone; in other cases, family members are able to be present for only limited periods of time. The hospital is seeking adult volunteers to commit to daytime shifts. There is a one-session training involved.  If you are interested in training please let Rabbi Dan know.  [email protected].  (631) 353-1481

Hebrew School

Beth David's board of directors have noted the growing number of children from the congregation who are not currently enrolled at either of the two local Jewish day schools. Some families are pursuing privately tutored education; and some families are home-teaching or making alternate arrangements.  Our membership is close enough to a possible tipping point that could make a synagogue sponsored Hebrew School possible. We are seeking the input of families with elementary school age children

  • Would you have interest in a Hebrew School program at Beth David?
  • Do you have friends who might be interested in such a program?
  • Would you be willing to attend a meeting where options and preliminary ideas could be explored?

If there emerges a consensus for the coming school term (fall 2014), now would be an ideal time to begin a dialogue. Please reply to this e-mail (Click Here) with your answers to the questions above. Hopefully, an initial meeting could be scheduled for a convenient day and time in December.

Rabbi Adler

Understanding Judaism Via Prayer 

Tuesdays @7:00-8:00pm This class meets in the Beth David Library. Each week a different prayer is examined and studied to extract what it says about Jewish belief.

 

The Weekly Parsha Wednesdays @ 12:30-1:30pm This class is a "lunch-n-learn", and no previous text study is required. This group convenes in the library of Beth David Synagogue. 

 

Talmud Sanhedrin, Thursdays @ 12:00-1:00pm This class studies a passage from the Babylonian Talmud, Sanhedrin addresses matters pertaining to the Jewish legal system. The group is hosted by Mr. Harry Weller and meets at the Rocky Hill offices of the Connecticut States Attorney, 300 Corporate Place.

 

Classes resume beginning January 2.

Within the Congregation

Mazel Tov to Joel and Ellen Stoltz on the birth of a grand daughter
Madison Paige Stoltz. The proud parents are Jeremy and Alyssa Stoltz.
Mazel Tov to Rabbi Yitzchok and Leslie Adler on the birth of a grandson, born to Yehudah and Ariela Brum in New York City.
Mazel Tov to Aaron and Fanny Cohen on the engagement of their son Danny to Madison Dennis of Toronto.
 
The Beth David community notes with sadness the passing of Miss Mary Louise Denis.

Fundraising Opportunities at Beth David

SCRIP-Purchase gift cards to Big Y, Crown, Stop & Shop and Shop Rite.  Beth David receives 5% of all sales.  This is a great fundraiser because there is no cost involved to Beth David or the scrip purchaser. Simply come to the Beth David office, purchases these cards in multiples of $100; and then use them like cash at the store.  Crown gift cards can be reloaded in the store at the cash register.

TREE OF LIFE-Honor yourself or family with a leaf on the Tree of Life.  Bronze, silver & gold leaves available. Our "tree" adorns the synagogue lobby, with many leaves ready to be engraved. Call Tracy to negotiate prices.

MEMORIAL PLAQUES-Remember a loved one with a bronze memorial plaque.  Each plaque costs $360 and will be illuminared on the anniversary of your loved one's passing as well as all holidays when Yizkor is recited.

BINGO-This is Beth David's largest on-going fundraiser.  It supports the majority portion of the Beth David's yearly fundraising goal.  Volunteering is an opportunity to meet other shul members and work off your MEP. 

Call Tracy in the office with any questions about any of the above fundraising opportunities.

Donations

"Todah Rabah" - Thank You for Your Support
We acknowledge our recent contributors and the generosity that has benefitted the mission and the cause of our congregation.
 

 

RABBI'S DISCRETIONARY FUND:

In Memory of

Hyman Rosenberg, yahrzeit

Richard Rosenberg

Barbara Steiner, yahrzeit

Abner and Julie Gershon

Aurthur Fallman, yahrzeit

Ruth Yancovich

Morris Kreger, yahrzeit

Robert Kreger

Frank Solomon, yahrzeit

Joyce Solomon

Rose Fallman, yahrzeit

Ruth Yancovich

Selma Keller, yahrzeit

Allen Keller

Rebecca Sembofsky, yahrzeit

Sally Dworetsky

David Grossman, yahrzeit

Harry Robbin, yahrzeit

Marcia Nozik

In Honor Of

Harry Weller

Fred and Judy Singer

Rabbi Adler's Birthday

Joan and Hal Kaddish

Jonathan and Galya Greenberg

 

KIDDUSH FUND

In Memory of

Solomon Langsam, yahrzeit

Ed and Elaine Schwartz

Nandor Weiss, yahrzeit

Magda Weiss

David and Marianna Eckstein

Moe Cohen, yahrzeit

Ljiljana and Eric Cohen

Lea Klebanov, yahrzeit

Mikhail Klebanov

Rose Mass, yahrzeit

Cal Mass

In Honor of

Shira, Boaz and Moshe's visit to Beth David

Ellen and Joel Stoltz

Matan Freedman's 3rd Birthday

The Freedman Family

Masha Stambler's Birthday

Boris Stambler

Rabbi Adler's Birthday

Ben and Rachel Abrams

Ben and Marcia Adler

Karen and Jerry Benjamin

Leah and Larry Berson

Barbara Becker and Jonathan Bilmes

Alexis and Ethan Bortniker

Judy and Bruce Brenner

Jeryl Brown

David and Aliza Chameides

Leah and Steven Chatinover

Aaron and Fanny Cohen

Eric and Ljiljana Cohen

Bruce and Naomi Cohen

Larry and Serenie Cohen

David and Marianna Eckstein

Rachel and David Fiengold

Len Felson and Julia Rosenblum

Bill Gamzon

Loren and Joel Gelber

Julie and Abner Gershon

David and Susan Gibeley

Karina and Marat Gitman

Sandy and Richard Greenberg

Jonathan and Galya Greenberg

Ruthe Greenstein

Cynthia and Bob Hoffman

Richard and Lexi Jacobson

Lisa and Sam Kassow

Mark and Lauren Kaye

Jennifer and Daniel Klau

Rabbi Jay and Susie Lapidus

Beverly Lebetkin

Christine and Brian Lichtenstein

Nina Lichtenstein

Gary and Fran Lowenstein

Helen Neumann

Alyssa and Joel Norwood

Marsha and David Norwood

Tony Perry

Annie and Patrick Rich

Tzippy and Elisha Russ-FIshbane

Danna and Kobi Saidon

Jon and Pam Schachter

Irving and Selma Schein

Michele and Daniel Schwanke

Ed and Elaine Schwartz

Harvey and Ellen Sprung

Barbara Ungar

Harry and Robyn Weller

Donna Wolf and Tony Capitao

Bonnie and Joel Wolfe

Ruth Yancovich

Ron and Rhonda Zieky

Marjie and Beny Zivyon

 

CHESED FUND

In Memory of

Elizabeth Goldberg, yahrzeit

Marilyn Schaller

Harold Raymond, yahrzeit

Mark Gordon

Benjamin Michelson, yahrzeit

Robert Kreger

Robert Stamm, yahrzeit

Lee Weinstein

Anna Darling, yahrzeit

Robert Darling

Itzchok Spector, yahrzeit

David Spector, yahrzeit

Rose Belfer

In Honor of

Ed and Elaine Schwartz

Edna Adler

 

GENERAL FUND

In memory of

Anita McCauley

Norman and Dorothy Cohen

Benjamin Kreger, yahrzeit

Robert Kreger

Clara Kamaroff, yahrzeit

Esther Lerner

Hedwig and Julius Grunebaum

Edna Adler

Lena Sandler, yahrzeit

Robert Sandler

Israel Rosenzweig yahrzeit

Morris Zweibaum, yahrzeit

Steven Zweibaum

In Honor of

Rabbi Adler and his Prayer Classes

Laurie Feldman

Harry Weller

Laurie Feldman

 

Lud Rosenberg Fund

In Memory of

Rose Pahuskin, yahrzeit

Faye Mussman

 

Miriam Cohen Memorial Fund

In Memory of

Mayer Kruk, yahrzeit

Scheindel Lubka, yahrzeit

Avraham Rosenzweig, yahrzeit

Israel Rosenzweig, yahrzeit

Sophie Lubka

 

Susan Kronick Scholarship Fund

In Memory of

Max Friedman, yahrzeit

Bayla Friedman Treiger

 

Herman and Sara Greenberg Cantorial Fund

In Memory of

Miriam Steiman, yahrzeit

Sandy and Richard Greenberg

 

Prayer Book Fund

In Memory of

Joshua and Ethel Rose

Lisa and David Gerrol and Family

Ludwig Adler

Edna Adler

Happy Birthday     

 

Rhoda Michelson

January 1

Maia Chameides

January 3

Ariel Gelber

January 4

Marat Gitman

January 4

Naomi Bilmes

January 5

Nisim Kalmar

January 6

Robert Darling

January 7

Jonathan Saidon

January 7

Arielle Adler

January 8

Aaron Gelber

January 8

Michael Klebanov

January 10

Hannah Braune-Friedman

January 11

Nakhman Margolin

January 14

Steven Chatinover

January 14

Susan Fried

January 15

Benjamin Gordon

January 15

Julie Gershon

January 16

Alberto Cohen

January 19

Eliana Singer

January 19

Leslie Adler

January 20

Amy Mondschein

January 20

Viktor Mogulskiy

January 21

Abner Gershon

January 23

Robyn Kahn

January 24

Gabriel Lichtenstein

January 25

Aviva Braunshweiger

January 28

Nili Steinberg

January 29

Steven Allen

January 29

 

Happy Anniversary     

 

Morton & Stacy Weinstein

January 5

Roger & Nancy Nawy

January 15

Viktor & Ida Mogulskiy

January 25

 

 "Where coming to shul is like coming home."

Our pledge is to make every visit to Beth David a warm, welcoming and satisfying experience. Let us know how we are doing. Your input helps us measure our success.
  
Sincerely,
Beth David Synagogue