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.
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Kol HaChadoshot
"What's news and 'nu' in the Beth David community"
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From The Rabbi
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.
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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.
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Teen Activities
T-B-S
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.
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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.
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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!
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"Marriage and Relationships Through
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.
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Tu B'Shevat (almost) Friday Night Dinner
January 17
Candles and Tefilot - 4:30pm; Dinner 5:30pm
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]
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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.
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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:
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(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
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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. |
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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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Happy Birthday
Rhoda Michelson
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January 1
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Maia Chameides
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January 3
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Ariel Gelber
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January 4
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Marat Gitman
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January 4
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Naomi Bilmes
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January 5
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Nisim Kalmar
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January 6
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Robert Darling
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January 7
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Jonathan Saidon
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January 7
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Arielle Adler
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January 8
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Aaron Gelber
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January 8
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Michael Klebanov
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January 10
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Hannah Braune-Friedman
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January 11
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Nakhman Margolin
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January 14
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Steven Chatinover
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January 14
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Susan Fried
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January 15
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Benjamin Gordon
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January 15
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Julie Gershon
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January 16
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Alberto Cohen
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January 19
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Eliana Singer
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January 19
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Leslie Adler
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January 20
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Amy Mondschein
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January 20
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Viktor Mogulskiy
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January 21
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Abner Gershon
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January 23
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Robyn Kahn
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January 24
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Gabriel Lichtenstein
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January 25
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Aviva Braunshweiger
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January 28
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Nili Steinberg
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January 29
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Steven Allen
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January 29
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Happy Anniversary
Morton & Stacy Weinstein
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January 5
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Roger & Nancy Nawy
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January 15
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Viktor & Ida Mogulskiy
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January 25
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"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
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