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NEW OFFICE HOURS
The office at Beth David will now be open during the following hours:
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday
10:00am - 1:00pm
Or by appointment
Please contact the Administrator, Kim Vincent, or Rabbi Adler if you have any questions.
Phone: 860.236.1241
Fax:860.236.8272
Email: office@bethdavidwh.org
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Kol HaChadoshot
"What's news and 'nu' in the Beth David community" |
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From The Rabbi
Charles Haynes, director of the Religious Freedom Center of the Newseum Institute recently stated, "Religious freedom is now in the eye of the beholder. People in different faith traditions, with different ideological commitments, define religious freedom differently". Haynes was responding to a poll conducted by The Associated Press and the NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. In that random sampling, eighty-two percent of respondents said that religious liberty protections were important for Christians, compared with sixty-one percent who said the same for Muslims. Seventy percent said that Jewish Americans are entitled to religious freedom. Another way of saying the same thing is that three in every ten Americans believe that Jews are not entitled to protected religious liberty, and almost four in every ten Americans feel that way about Muslims. What do these numbers say about the state of matters in this country?
What might the Torah have to say about this? Exodus 12:49 declares, "There shall be one law for the native and for the stranger who sojourns among you." This doctrine is repeated in Vayikra 24:22, "You are to apply the same standard of judgment to the foreigner as to the citizen, because I am the Lord your God". Finally, as if to make sure that the law is properly understood, the Torah states the doctrine a third time in Numbers 15:16, "There is to be one law and one ordinance for you and for the resident alien who lives with you." Ostensibly, the Torah was establishing itself as the universal code to be observed by all, citizens and non-citizen residents, who elected to live in a theocratic Israelite Promised Land. Still, we can apply this spirit to the equal protection of all those who embrace and abide by the faiths of monotheism. There is a connectedness that binds everything Abrahamic.
How tragic that we are living in a time when the Abrahamic religions are all under attack. Respectively around the globe, there are places where Christianity, Judaism and Islam are under siege; and daily, people are being killed because of how they have chosen to express their monotheism. There is a reason why it is called radicalization; it undermines the very foundations upon which the Abrahamic religions find common ground. I am thankful every day that Israel's struggle with its Arab neighbors is viewed as political and geographic, and not framed as a war between Judaism and Islam. Yet, the trends suggested in the recent poll indicate that growing numbers of otherwise fair minded people are opting to label complicated international conundrums in one-dimensional and inaccurate ways.
In every generation, "b'chol dor v'dor", Judaism is called upon to be 'a light unto the nations'. Perhaps and possibly, one of the areas of blinding darkness of the twenty-first century is the figurative wedge that is being driven by radicalization between people of common decency. The call of Torah is for Judaism to exemplify the spirit of collective destiny with everything that is genuinely Abrahamic.
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BETH DAVID CEMETERY UPDATE
Dear Beth David Members,
Few of us ever want to face the fact that one day, we and our loved ones will need cemetery plots, but such is the reality of life and death.
Another reality is that costs always seem to rise, and that is the subject of this letter. The price of cemetery plots is going up soon, but we are delaying the increase until March 1, giving you 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.
We've held prices stable 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.
Sincerely,
Len Felson and Jennifer Klau
Co-Presidents
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Within our Congregation
Condolences to Julie Gershon and family on the passing of Julie's father Martin Steiner.
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An Exploration of Prayer, Tuesdays @ 7:00-8:00pm
A study of Siddur facilitated by Galya Greenberg
Jewish Theology, Tuesdays @ 7:00-8:00pm
facilitated by Rabbi Adler
The Weekly Parsha, Wednesdays @ 12:00-1:00pm. 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.
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Are you participating?
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. |
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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
RABBI'S DISCRETIONARY FUND
In Memory of
Hadassah Israel Harris, yahrzeit
Naomi and Bruce Cohen
Philip Nozik, yahrzeit
Marcia and Ira Nozik
Hedwig Grunebaum, yahrzeit
Edna Adler
Jacob Myrun, yahrzeit
Sophie Myrun
Harry Karpman, yahrzeit
Mimi and Jeffrey Kaplan
Louis Budkofsky, yahrzeit
Rosalind and Harvey Budkofsky
Gladys Miller, yahrzeit
Hilary Sohmer Dalin
Abraham Wolf, yahrzeit
Norma and Jeffrey Wolf Anna Leah Michelson, yahrzeit
Robert Kreger
Harold Bromberg, yahrzeit
Richard Bromberg
Bernard Rosenberg, yahrzeit
Rita and Milton Rosenberg
In Honor o
f
Rabbi Adler
Jane and Franklin Hurwitz
Ruthe Greenstein
KIDDUSH FUND
In Memory of
Barbara Steiner, yahrzeit
Julie and Abner Gershon
Rupert Mannheim, yahrzeit
Fay and Philip Mannheim
Mimi Mazal Bitton, Haskara
Elena and Andre Bitton
Avi Lapidus, yahrzeit
Susan and Jay Lapidus
Leah Eckstein, yahrzeit
Marianna and David Eckstein
Myron Cohen
Ruthe and Laurie Greenstein
Isadore Kavka, yahrzeit
Miriam Cope
In Honor of
Nisim's 7th Birthday
Rebecca Cutler and Robert Kalmar
Happy Adoption Day Rachel and Jonathan Jacobson
Lexi and Richard Jacobson
Happy Birthday Beverly Lebetkin
Cheryl and Norman Gras
Scholar-in-Residence Event
Ruth Alcabes and Michael Young, Barbara, David and Ethan Bortniker, Hannah and Daniel Braune-Friedman, Leah and Steven Chatinover, Len Felson and Julia Rosenblum, Elissa and Jonathan Freedman, Judy and Ton Friedman, Sharon and Martin Freilich, Galya and Jonathan Greenberg, Lisa and Sam Kassow, Tracy King, Jennifer and Daniel Klau, Robert Kreger, Colleen Leary, Fran and Gary Lowenstein, Helen Neumann, Susan and Jon Olson, Michele and Daniel Schwanke, Roselle Weiner, Robyn and Harry Weller, Bonnie and Joel Wolfe
Robert Kreger
CHESED FUND
In Memory of
Regina Brenner
Naomi and Bruce Cohen
Alyssa and Joel Norwood
Roselle Weiner
Rebecca Cutler and Robert Kalmar
Karen and Jerry Benjamin
Galya and Jonathan Greenberg
Elissa and Yonatan Freedman
Jean and Michael Selinger
Lisa and Sam Kassow
Martin Steiner, yahrzeit
Robert Kreger
Rose and Harry Dober, yahrzeit
Ruthe Greenstein
Robert Stamm, yahrzeit
Judith Frankel and Lee Weinstein
Joseph Polinsky, yahrzeit
Harriet and Barry Goldsher
Vivian Michelson, yahrzeit
Harriet and Barry Goldsher
GENERAL FUND
In Memory of
Albert Gibeley, yahrzeit
Susan and David Gibeley
Avi Lapidus, yahrzeit
Laurence Coe
Leo Sulzbacher, yahrzeit
Carrie and Henry Katz
Martin Steiner
Loren and Joel Gelber
In Honor of
Wishing Rufuah Sheleima to Leslie Adler
Karen and Stuart Adler
Jonathan Friedman
Shari and Edward Freeman
Robert Kreger
Youth Fund
In Honor of
Michael Schwanke's 1st Birthday
Leslie and Carl Schwanke
SYLVIA BLAND MEMORIAL FUND
In Memory of
Ann Starr, yahrzeit
Claire Yaffa
SUSAN KRONICK SCHOLARSHIP FUND
In Memory of
Henrietta Roth Friedman, yahrzeit
Bayla Friedman Treiger
LUD ROSENBERG FUND
In Memory of
Roberta Rudin, yahrzeit
Harold Rudin
"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.
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Happy Birthday
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Feliks Alper
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February 1
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Matthew Braunshweiger
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February 3
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Eli Gold
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February 3
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Roza Keyser
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February 3
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Elissa Freedman
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February 4
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Tobias Lichtenstein
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February 5
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Carrie Katz
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February 7
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Jacob Gershon
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February 9
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Noam Benjamin
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February 12
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Loren Gelber
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February 13
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David Jacobs
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February 15
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Serenie Cohen
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February 16
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Nadov Chatinover
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February 16
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Matthew Berson
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February 18
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Harry Gold
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February 18
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Sarra Pekar
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February 18
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Leo Gold
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February 20
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Jonah Gershon
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February 21
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Kreina Lomasky
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February 21
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Ben Abrams
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February 23
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Ariel Pinchover
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February 24
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Brian Federman
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February 24
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Maya Ungar
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February 25
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Alyssa Norwood
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February 26
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Jacob Russ Fishbane
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February 27
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Happy Anniversary
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Bruce & Judy Brenner
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February 16
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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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