Beth David Synagogue January 2016 Bulletin

The Greater Hartford Gemach provides temporary loans of select durable medical equipment including wheelchairs, walkers, crutches, and canes to those in need in the Greater Hartford area. The Gemach is located at Beth David Synagogue.

Please contact Jerry Benjamin at 860.729.5277 to arrange for a loan. Monetary donations should be made out to "Beth David Synagogue" for the "Greater Hartford Gemach". A $20 deposit is required to borrow wheelchairs.

All equipment donations must be be arranged through Jerry Benjamin.

Kol HaChadoshot

"What's news and 'nu' in the Beth David community"

From The Rabbi

At the beginning of December, Connecticut's freshman Senator Chris Murphy garnered national attention with his response to the mass shooting in San Bernardino, California. As politicians in Washington and elsewhere were offering their prayers on behalf of the victims of the rampage, Murphy was questioning the sincerity of these type of prayers as well as those who offer them, "Having lived through Sandy Hook, I know that thoughts and prayers are important, but they are not enough". Newspaper editorials and media pundits misconstrued the senator's Tweet in diminutive fashion by suggesting that maybe Murphy does not believe in the power of prayer. Determined to be more accurately understood, Murphy Tweeted again, "The religion I practice involves both prayer and action."

Senator Murphy is a Congregationalist, but his comments about prayer are in sync with Judaism's teachings and expectations. We too practice a religion that involves both prayer and action. We place a high value on prayer, and we place action on at least an equal footing. When someone is ill, we offer prayers; but the mitzvah of "Bikur Cholim" is to be attentive to the needs of a person visited with illness. When someone is a mourner, the prayers include Kaddish and "E-l Malei Rachamim"; but the mitzvah of "Nichum Aveilim" is for the community to provide consolation in substantive ways. In fact, in every case when a mitzvah is accompanied by a prayer, the blessing is ancillary to the act or deed of the mitzvah. The blessing directs our thoughts, but the essence is the deed.

It is a painful reality that there is as much work as ever in the mission of repairing the world. Regardless of whether the mandate of "Tikun Olam" is applied narrowly (specifically to mitzvah related initiatives) or broadly (Judaism's call for engagement with all of God's creatures), the work yet undone is all around us. The gap between the very good world given to humanity by God at the end of the active days of creation and the orderly ideal of everything possible and embedded within creation seems to be maintaining its breadth. No doubt, there is a great amount of goodness being practiced every day; yet the "to do" list of Tikun Olam does not appear to be getting shorter.

If any vision or hope is worthy of a prayer, it is also worthy of a commitment beyond thoughts and words. In the battle against terrorism, the new buzz phrase is "See something, Say something". Long ago, Israelis became fluent with the expression "davar chashud" - something suspicious; when something unusual or strange is spotted, it is immediately reported. Now, even in the United States, individuals and private citizens are being asked to assist all levels of government by being aware and by being engaged.

In the Torah's call that Judaism lead the covenanted world towards a brighter future ("a light unto the nations"), we understand the imperative of action. In the pursuit of a better world and improving the human experience, let us embrace the challenge of "See something, Pray something, Do something".

Scholar-in-Residence Shabbaton, January 29-30

welcoming

Rabbi Hanan Schlesinger

Rabbi Hanan Schlesinger divides his time between Israel and the USA. He serves as the Executive Director and Community Rabbinic Scholar for the Jewish Studies initiative of North Texas, which he founded in 2010. In this capacity he teaches adult education classes on Judaism and spearheads interfaith projects throughout the greater Dallas area. The vast majority of his time is spent in Israel, where Rav Hanan serves as the director of international relations for the Palestinian Israeli Grassroots Initiative for Understanding, Nonviolence and Reconciliation, which he helped found at the beginning of 2014. Although born in the United States, he has spent most of his life in Israel, having immigrated at the age of 20. Following his B.A., he spent over 10 years in advanced Jewish study, primarily at the Har Etzion College of Jewish Studies and the Hebrew University. The first part of his professional career was devoted to teaching Jewish studies to young adults, primarily in various colleges of Jewish studies and seminaries in the Jerusalem area. In 2005 Rabbi Schlesinger came to Dallas to serve as the head of the Community Kollel, and he spent eight years serving the Dallas Jewish community. He returned to Israel in 2013. Rabbi Schlesinger is a member of the Rabbinical Council of America and the International Rabbinic Fellowship, as well as Beit Hillel, an Israeli rabbinical association. He is a Rabbis Without Borders fellow. He and his Israeli-born wife Ayala reside in Alon Shvut, Israel, and have four grown children and seven grandchildren.

Friday, January 29

4:43pm - Candles; 4:45pm - Minchah / Kaballat Shabbat / Maariv

6:00pm - Dinner

7:00pm - "Personal Transformation in the Heart of Conflict"

Shabbat, January 30

9:00am - Shabbat Tefilot
11:30am - Kiddush
12:00pm - "Passionate Pluralism"

Reservations (by January 25 deadline)

Adults - $25.00; Students (5-12) - $15.00

Please call the Shul office (860-236-1241, x10) or CLICK HERE to confirm your reservations.

Programming Calendar

(Please mark your calendars, and watch for details)

Movie Night; Saturday, January 30

Following our scholar-in-residence Shabbaton (see below).

Chocolate Bar Date Night; Saturday, February 20

A social evening of music, beverages and chocolate everything.

Purim Party; Wednesday, March 23

An annual celebration that brings the community together.

Mother's Day Brunch; Sunday, May 8

Husbands and sons will prepare Sunday brunch will all the trimmings.

Annual Fundraising Event; Sunday May 15

Program still in development.

Our Programming Committee is hard at work developing an exciting season of social opportunities. Would you like to help? the committee seeks volunteers. Please call Judy Brenner, committee chair, to learn where you could make a positive difference.

Within our Congregation

Mazel Tov to Aaron and Fanny Cohen on the birth of a granddaughter. The proud parents are Jack and Calanit Cohen.

Condolences to Bruce Brenner and Scott Brenner on the passing of their beloved mother Regina Brenner.

Condolences to Matthew Braunshweiger on the passing of his step-mother Myrna Braunshweiger.

Theology of Judaism, Tuesdays @ 7:00-8:00pm. This class explores the theories of Judaism as envisioned by the scholars of Talmud Sanhedrin.

Exploring the Siddur, Tuesdays @ 7:00-8:00pm. Taught by Galya Greenberg, this series will begin with a study of Ashrei, and then follow based on the interests of the group.

"Torah on Tuesdays" - Both classes above will meet concurrently, and at 8:00pm they will come together for tea and a Parsha thought.

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.

Cemetery Prices To Increase; Lower Rates Still Available

The price of cemetery plots is going up soon, but we are delaying the increase until March 1, giving members time to buy plots at the current lower rates now.

The price hike affects both the Beth David Cemetery in Wethersfield and the Teferes Israel Cemetery in East Granby. The cost of plots at both cemeteries will increase to $1,300 for Beth David members. A plot at Teferes Israel Cemetery now costs $750; at Beth David Cemetery, it's $1,000. Similarly, prices will increase in part for Jewish non-members. At Teferes, they will jump from $1,100 to $1,600; at Beth David the price will remain $2,000.

Prices have held steady for years, despite ever-increasing costs. Yet we've reached the point where we have no choice but to increase prices. All prices cover perpetual care.

Beth David members can purchase plots at either cemetery, a privilege established when the two synagogues merged in the early 1990s. Former Teferes Israel members who were in good standing at the time of the merger enjoy those same privileges.

To buy one or more plots or to get more information on Beth David's Wethersfield Cemetery, contact Synagogue Administrator Kim Vincent at 860-236-1241 or at office@bethdavidwh.org. You can also contact Joel Stoltz, cemetery committee chairman. Call him at 860-922-5794 or email him at Joel.Stoltz@gmail.com.

To buy plots or get more details about Teferes Israel Cemetery in East Granby, call Gary Lowenstein at 860-236-1053 or email him at glowen@comcast.net.

New Fundraising Opportunity

Easy, Easy, Easy

smile.amazon.com

What is AmazonSmile?

AmazonSmile is a simple and automatic way for you to support your favorite charitable organization every time you shop, at no cost to you. When you shop at smile.amazon.com, you'll find the exact same low prices, vast selection and convenient shopping experience as Amazon.com, with the added bonus that Amazon will donate a portion of the purchase price to your favorite charitable organization. You can choose from nearly one million organizations to support.

How do I shop at AmazonSmile?

To shop at AmazonSmile simply go to smile.amazon.com from the web browser on your computer or mobile device. You may also want to add a bookmark to smile.amazon.com to make it even easier to return and start your shopping at AmazonSmile.

How do I select a charitable organization to support when shopping on AmazonSmile?

On your first visit to AmazonSmile (smile.amazon.com), you need to select a charitable organization to receive donations from eligible purchases before you begin shopping. BETH DAVID SYNAGOGUE IS A LISTED OPTION. Amazon will remember your selection, and then every eligible purchase you make at smile.amazon.com will result in a donation.

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

RABBI'S DISCRETIONARY FUND
In Memory of
Evelyn Weinstein, yahrzeit
Morton Weinstein and Stacy Nerenstone
Michail Verprinsky, yahrzeit
Svetlana Veprinsky
Benjamin Kreger, yahrzeit
Robert Kreger
Yetta Lupin, yahrzeit
Rabbi and Leslie Adler
Arthur Fallman, yahrzeit
Ruth Yancovich
J. Goldberg, yahrzeit
Minnie Goldenberg
Mrs. Novack, yahrzeit
Minnie Goldenberg
Harry Robbin, yahrzeit
Marcia and Ira Nozik
Sandra Bernstein, yahrzeit
Rita and Milton Rosenberg

In Honor of

Norma and Jeffrey Wolf

Susan and David Gibeley

Robert Kreger

KIDDUSH FUND
In Memory of
Al Allweiss, yahrzeit
Helga Allweiss
Lea Klebanov, yahrzeit
Bella and Michael Klebanov
The 10th anniversary of the death of his mother Marge Allen
Steven Allen

Avi Lapidus on the 12
^th Anniversary of his Bar Mitzvah

Susie and Jay Lapidus

Soloman Langsam, yahrzeit

Elaine and Ed Schwartz

Norma Jean Cole, yahrzeit

Nancy and Roger Nawy

In Honor of

Maginah Acapella Group
Jay and Susie Lapidus
The Bortniker Family
Daniel Schneider and Karen Putterman
Len Felson and Julia Rosenblum
Lesley and Andrew Meisler
Helen Neumann
Ruth Yancovich
Robyn and Harry Weller
Enid Myers
Susan and David Gibeley
Selma Schein
Leah and Steven Chatinover
Tracy King
Martin Freilich's Birthday
Sharon, Michael and Eli Freilich
Sharon and Martin Freilich's 36^th Wedding Anniversary
Michael and Eli Freilich
The 13th birthday of his daughter Rebecca Allen
Steven Allen
Michael Gutman's Birthday
The Gutman Family
Shawn Portfolio
Barbara Ungar
The Russ-Fishbane Family
Fanny and Aaron Cohen
Jonathan and Galya Greenberg
Helen Nuemann
Ruth Yancovich
Susan and David Gibeley
Barbara Becker and Jonathan Bilmes
Helga Allweiss
The Brenner Family
The Norwood Family
Pam and John Schachter
Rachel and Ben Abrams
Karen and Jerry Benjamin
The Segui Family
Leah and Steven Chatinover
Rabbi Adler, Leslie Adler, The Brenners, and the entire Beth David Community
Shawn Portfolio
A Visit from Switzerland by daughter Rachel, son-in-law Ahai and granddaughter Gabriella
Jeryl Brown
The Mini-Minyan's Stellar Performance
Alyssa Schwager
Matan Freedman's Birthday
The Freedman Family
Michael Schwanke's 1^st Birthday
Michele and Daniel Schwanke
Happy Birthday Rabbi Adler
Beth David Community

CHESED FUND
In Memory of
Harold Raymond, yahrzeit
Barbara and Mark Gordon
Julius Grunebaum, yahrzeit
Edna Adler
Elizabeth Goldberg, yahrzeit
Marilyn and Len Schaller
David Spector, yahrzeit
Rose Belfer
Itzchok Spector, yahrzeit
Rose Belfer
Morris Kreger, yahrzeit
Robert Kreger
Frank Solomon, yahrzeit
Joyce and Irwin Solomon
Frances Hoffman, yahrzeit
Cynthia and Robert Hoffman

In Honor of

Ruth Yancovich

Tzippy and Elisha Russ-Fishbane
Galya Greenberg
Tzippy and Elisha Russ-Fishbane

GENERAL FUND
In Memory of
Irving Schein
The Nekritz Family
Ann and Jerry Seigel
The Nair Family
Yosef Menasha, yahrzeit
Louise and Joseph Lichaa
Zaki Lichaa, yahrzeit
Louise and Joseph Lichaa
Clara Kamaroff Jainchill, yahrzeit
Ester Lerner
Morris Zweibaum, yahrzeit
Steven Zweibaum
Lena Sandler, yahrzeit
Susan and Robert Sandler
Khaia Katselnik, yahrzeit
Iossif Katselnik
Benjamin Michelson, yahrzeit
Robert Kreger
Arthur Adler
Rebecca and Scott Selig

In Honor of

Sueta and Dmitri Novikov

The Segui Family

Robert Kreger

Leonard Gordon

Rabbi Adler
Colleen Leary

SYLVIA BLAND MEMORIAL FUND
In Memory of
Ray Jones, yahrzeit
Claire Yaffa
Anita Appel, yahrzeit
Claire Yaffa
Beatrice Hockstabt, yahrzeit
Claire Yaffa
Anna Yaffa, yahrzeit
Claire Yaffa

MIRIAM COHEN MEMORIAL FUND
In Memory of
Israel Rosenzweig, yahrzeit
Sophie Lubka
Avraham Rosenzweig, yahrzeit
Sophie Lubka
Mayer Kruk, yahrzeit
Sophie Lubka
Scheindel Lubka, yahrzeit
Sophie Lubka

SUSAN KRONICK SCHOLARSHIP FUND
In Memory of
Max Friedman, yahrzeit
Bayla Friedman Treiger

"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.

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
Daniel Schneider	January 10
Steven Chatinover	January 14
Susan Fried	January 15
Julie Gershon	January 16
Brooke Elefant	January 19
Alberto Cohen	January 19
Eliana Singer	January 19
Leslie Adler	January 20
Amy Mondschein	January 20
Viktor Mogulskiy	January 21
Marcus Bitton	January 22
Abner Gershon	January 23
Robyn Kahn	January 24
Gabriel Lichtenstein	January 25
Aviva Braunshweiger	January 28
Eytan Bitton	January 28
Steven Allen	January 29

Happy Anniversary

Morton & Stacy Weinstein	January 5
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