Congregation B’nai Israel2710 Park AvenueBridgeport, CT 06604www.congregationbnaiisrael.org

Shabbat by the Book—Friday, March 2

6:00 Kabbalat Shabbat 7:15 Shabbat Dinner (Reservations and a fee

are required for dinner only—please contact Lynn in the office for further information.)

8:15 Program

This is a very special Friday night series in which we focus on authors connected to B’nai Israel with new books and powerful things to teach. This month we are joined by Rabbi Mary Zamore, a former B’nai Israel rabbinic intern who is currently associate rabbi at Temple B’nai Or in Morristown, New Jersey. She is also the editor of a new anthology of essays that explores the questions and challenges of managing personal and communal choices about eating. Her anthology explores, broadens, and, in some cases, challenges the historic Jewish approach to eating—keeping kosher.

As a student, prior to her ordination in 1997, she spent a summer here at B’nai Israel and was instrumental in helping to start the B’nai Israel Rosh Hodesh Group. Rabbi Zamore is a member of Hazon’s Jewish Food Educator Network, and she blogs for “The Huffington Post.” The Sacred Table is a finalist in the 2011 National Jewish Book Awards in the “Contemporary Jewish Life” category.

Enjoy the discussion of the Jewish values that shape our food ethics and how to navigate these choices. Join Rabbi Zamore for a rich dialogue about the intersection of Judaism and food.

The Sacred Table: Creating a Jewish Food Ethic

Purim Is Coming!!!Mark Your Calendars for the Following Celebrations!

Volume 153, Number 7 Shevat/Adar I 5772 February 2012

Our Purim Carnival is Sunday, March 4, from noon to 2:00 p.m. Whether you have a young one or are young at heart, there is something at the carnival for everyone!

• Fun games and prizes• A pizza lunch• Opportunities to volunteer • Great memories, and so much more

Remember, there’s no need to stand in line for tickets…. Purchase your tickets in advance on Sunday, February 12 at drop-off and pick-up for Religious School.

We also need your help to make the carnival happen. If you can spare a little or lot of time, before or during the carnival, contact Cindy Becker, Religious School Committee Chair, at cindy@cindybecker.com and we’ll find a job that fits your availability.

See you at the carnival!

Wednesday, March 7 at 6:00 p.m. Purim Service and Megillah Reading Cheer Mordecai! Boo Hamen and join in the sacred frenzy!! (All ages encouraged)

James Prosnit, D.D. .................................................................... RabbiRachel Gurevitz, Ph.D. .............................................................. RabbiArnold I. Sher, D.D. ................................................... Rabbi EmeritusSheri E. Blum, D.M. ................................................................ CantorRamon Gilbert, D.M. ................................................ Cantor EmeritusIra J. Wise, R.J.E. ............................................. Director of EducationRobert H. Gillette, R.J.E. ....................................... Educator EmeritusElaine Chetrit ...................................... Director of Family EducationAlexa Cohen .............................................. Early Childhood DirectorAbby Rohinsky ..................................................... Director of FacilityMatthew Rosen ............................................................. Youth Advisor

OfficersMark A. Kirsch ..................................................................... PresidentMindy Siegel ........................................................... 1st Vice PresidentShari Nerreau ................................................................ Vice PresidentSamuel Rosenberg ........................................................ Vice PresidentRichard Walden ............................................................ Vice PresidentMichael Blumenthal ............................................................. TreasurerStuart Horowitz ..................................................... Assistant TreasurerJulie Pressman ...................................................................... SecretaryKelly Reznikoff ................................................... Financial SecretaryAmy Rich .................................................... Immediate Past President

Affiliates

Jim Greenberg ................................................. Brotherhood PresidentMolly Blumenthal & Michael Kalmans ........... BIFTY Co-Presidents

2 What’s happening at temple? Get Happenings, our weekly email! Send your request to lynn@congregationbnaiisrael.org!

Sincere Sympathy We extend our sympathy to the bereaved families of:

William Liefland, father of Linda LiefllandRose Sunshine, mother of Beverly GoodkindMarilyn Guisinger, aunt of Liane Gelman-WegenerKenneth Liberman, husband of Heather Liberman and brother of Robert Liberman and Lynn BlueweissDebra Madow, daughter of Sheila and Marshall MadowWarner Berlin, father of Duane BerlinRichard Judelsohn, father of Amy Gordon

Sharing Our Joy

Congratulations to:

Bonnie and Len Blum on the birth of their twin grandsons, Ford and Wyatt Kessler;Connie Simon on her retirement from Bridgeport Hospital; Luise Burger on becoming Treasurer for the Union for Reform Judaism; Danielle Pulton, daughter of Laura Sydney-Pulton and Ted Pulton, on her 21st birthday; Paul and Rachel Schwartz on the birth of their first grandchild, Sam Ronan Schwartz, born on December 22 to their son and daughter-in-law, Daniel and Courtney; Beth Natt and Jeff Borofsky on the birth of their son, Max, who is also the grandson of Bob and Helen Natt.

B’nai Israel’s Social Action Committee in the Community

On Christmas Eve, a number of congregants served dinner to about 30 people at Operation Hope in Fairfield. B’nai Israel members cooked a variety of main dishes, salads, and desserts and also contributed paper goods

for the event. The following people donned hair nets, aprons, and gloves: Eve Sher; Abby Rohinsky; Bari Dworken; George Markley; Norci, Larry, and Kimberly Kochman; Julie and Abigail Rosenbaum; Lauren Tropp; Wendy Levy; Janet Jurow; Laura Sydney-Pulton; Miriam Kelliher; Sherry Portnoy; Rhea Spiegel; Lisa Burger; and Linda and Emerson Raymond.

Our Social Action Committee also conducted a coat drive at the beginning of December. The coats were donated to the Bridgeport Rescue Mission.

In addition, members cook and serve a meatloaf dinner once a month at St. John’s Church in Bridgeport.

Many thanks to our dedicated volunteers! If you’d like to help out or learn more about the Social Action Committee, contact Norci Kochman at twogrrtkidsmom@aol.com.

In This Issue

From the Rabbi’s Desk ……………………………..3Shabbat Services ……………………………….…4From Rabbi Gurevitz ………………………………5Young Families Havurah …………………………6From the Education Center …………………………7Early Childhood Education …………………………8Family Education ……………………………………8Adult Jewish Education ……………………………9Donations………………………………………10–11

3Food of the Month: juices (canned or boxed)

From the Rabbi’s DeskYouth Engagement: A Commitment to the Jewish Future

The buzzwords at the recent URJ Biennial were “Youth Engagement.” There’s tremendous concern and some new initiatives planned to respond to the post–Bar/Bat Mitzvah dropout rate and the absence of young adults in American Jewish life.

I was tempted to sit back and say, for once a problem that is not ours.

B’nai Israel’s track record of keeping children connected not only through Confirmation but throughout high school is far better than most Reform and Conservative synagogues throughout North America. Last year we had the largest Confirmation class in decades, and more than 100 students from the congregation participate in Merkaz. We’ve been successful through strong efforts and an economic commitment by both the temple and parents. Notable is what Rabbi Gurevitz and her co-teachers have done with the 8th grade and our broader community’s commitment to making Merkaz a place of excellence. Marge Krubiner and her teaching staff have created a place where as busy as they are, many of our teenagers want to be. In addition, Ira Wise’s encouragement of URJ camps (Eisner and Crane Lake) has amazing long-range impact on young people’s connectedness.

But we can’t afford to relax our efforts and our commitment.

Too many of our families continue to see Bar and Bar Mitzvah as the graduation from Jewish life. Too many parents give their children a choice as to whether or not

they will continue with their Jewish education, rather than make it an expectation and a battle they prefer not to have. Too many of our children, especially those who live in towns with fewer Jewish children and less peer support from public school classmates, have not made connections with other Religious School children and therefore don’t want to continue, “because they don’t know anyone.”

As our movement in general commits itself to respond to this issue of great concern, we’d be wrong to lurk on the sidelines and say this is not about us. In the coming year I hope a number of folks within the congregation (those already part of the committees and task forces and visioning teams) as well as many others will become aware and involved in the campaign and initiatives. The URJ Web site is a place to begin (as is speaking to me)—check it out at http://www.URJ.org/teen.

Rabbi Jim Prosnit

President Obama (and Secret Service detail!) with congregants Luise, Allison, and Ed Burger and 6,000 other Reform Jews at the recent URJ Biennial in Washington, DC

Books at B’nai Israel!

The B’nai Israel Library is a great place to find some winter reading. Our three dedicated librarians, Claire Shumofsky, Carol Gursky, and Ruth Green, have carefully selected and purchased a number of books from the

recent Religious School Book Fair. The books are in the library now and ready to be checked out for your reading pleasure (no charge!). There are a great number of books for all ages and subject matters. Stop in any time and see what you might find interesting to read this winter!

4 Learn about our hard-working volunteers on pp. 2 and 5!

SHABBAT SERVICE SCHEDULE

Friday, February 3 6:00 p.m. A brief service will take

place in the Chapel—the primary service this evening will be at Temple Israel, Westport*Torah Portion – B’shalachExod. 13:17-17:16Haftarah – Judges 4:4-5:31

7:00 p.m. *Shabbat Shira 5772 – AShabbat of SongTemple Israel, Westport Special Guests: Kol B’Seder in tribute to Debbie Friedman

Saturday, February 4 8:00 a.m. Service 9:00 a.m. Brotherhood Breakfast 9:15 a.m. Young Families Havurah 9:30 a.m. Torah Study

Friday, February 10 6:00 p.m. Service—The B’nai Israel

Band will play.Torah Portion – YitroExod. 18:1-20:23Haftarah – Isaiah 6:1-7:6; 9:5-6

Saturday, February 11 8:00 a.m. Service 9:00 a.m. Brotherhood Breakfast 9:15 a.m. Young Families Havurah 9:30 a.m. Torah Study11:00 a.m. Bat Mitzvah of Zoe

Lehrhaupt, daughter of Laura and Michael Lehrhaupt

Friday, February 17 6:00 p.m. Service

Torah Portion – MishpatimExod. 21:1-24:18Haftarah – 2 Kings 12:5:-16

Saturday, February 18 8:00 a.m. Service 9:00 a.m. Brotherhood Breakfast 9:15 a.m. Young Families Havurah 9:30 a.m. Torah Study

Friday, February 24 6:00 p.m. Service

Torah Portion – T’rumahExod. 25:1-27:19Haftarah – Isaiah 66:1-13, 23

Saturday, February 25 8:00 a.m. Service 9:00 a.m. Brotherhood Breakfast 9:15 a.m. Young Families Havurah 9:30 a.m. Torah Study

(Fridays at 6:00 p.m. where indicated, preceded by an Oneg Shabbat at 5:30 p.m.)

We All Need a Good Laugh! Join us for a night of comedy and entertainment at B’nai Israel’s Casual Comedy Club Night! We’ll feature headliners from some New York comedy clubs and national television. The fun begins at 7:00 p.m., Saturday, March 10

at the temple. We’re keeping casual (and comical!) and serving pizza, beer and wine, dessert, and coffee. Reservations are $36.00/person—contact Lynn in the

office at 203-336-1858 or llynch@congregationbnaiisrael.org. All congregants will also receive a formal invitation in the mail.

With much appreciation, donations of toiletries for Operation Hope will be collected at this event. We hope many of you can come and share in the laughter!

American Red Cross Blood Drive at Congregation B’nai IsraelThursday, February 16, 1:30–6:00 p.m.Mark your calendars now! The semi-annual American Red Cross Blood Drive will be held on Thursday, February 16, from 1:30 to 6:00 p.m.

The need is always there. If you possibly can, please give blood. It only takes an hour or two out of your day, but the value is truly priceless!

Please call the Red Cross today at 1-800-448-3543 and schedule your appointment to be here.

Last month, a group of congregants gathered together for a Havdalah Social to talk about what a caring community looks like. It’s a conversation that we want to extend to more and more members of our congregation. I’d like to share a little of what arose in our first round of conversations.

Perhaps most important was that, while we spoke of the ways that friends or communities might respond to us at times of great need—when we have experienced a loss or are dealing with an illness, for example—the values that were most emphasized were the things that happen when there isn’t a crisis. A congregation where we know each other; where someone greets you on Shabbat with not only a “Shabbat Shalom” but then engages in an actual conversation so that we learn more about each other; where congregants come together to do things and, in the course of spending time together, make connections so that hearing about someone in need happens more organically and can be responded to by many different people in the congregation (not just a “caring committee”); a congregation where people in different social groups or age categories are brought together for activities….

What we are talking about are the ways to create a caring culture; not another committee, not a string of meetings, but activities that help engender the community culture that we all seek. People don’t want to sit on a committee to talk about caring—they want to be part of a team or participate in a specific activity that enables them to just do it!

That’s what Liz Nigrosh, our new chair of caring, is helping us to create. And to turn vision into reality, we

need you! This is not a call to join a committee, or to sit in on monthly meetings that many have neither the time nor the inclination for. It is an invitation to participate in a conversation and to find one or more things that you might want to do to help create a more caring culture in temple life.

We have set a date for another social gathering and community conversation: Sunday, February 5, 10:00 a.m.–noon. During this gathering we’ll begin to create teams who feel passionate about working on something specific: it might be a team that would enjoy a social gathering at the temple once every 3 or 4 months to cook a whole set of meals that could be frozen for caring needs; a team that wants to brainstorm 3 or 4 activities a year purely to bring people together in an informal, social setting; an activity that brings middle-schoolers and retirees together to learn from each other; a social action activity that extends our caring to the larger community; a team that wants to ensure that every new member receives a visit and a Shabbat challah soon after joining; a team that wants to make sure that anyone who needs a ride to attend Shabbat services can get one; a team that ensures that there is always a congregational response when a family is sitting shiva…. And it may be something that you’d like to see happen that no one has thought of yet—that’s why we need you!

We’d love to see a lot of people on February 5. But if you can’t make it, please get in touch with Liz Nigrosh at lizziesmail@aol.com or 203-268-9044 and she can bring your idea to the gathering or let you know about the kinds of teams that are forming so that you can jump right in on something you’d love to see happen in your community.

Rabbi Rachel Gurevitz

5

From Rabbi GurevitzWhat Is “Temple Loving Care” (TLC) All About?

Join us for Shabbat Jeopardy! Check out p. 8 for more info.

Enormous thanks go to Sylvie Neigher, who has headed up our Caring Committee these last few years! Her warmth, sincerity, and true concern for others have clearly helped so many. Thankfully, she will stay on as an integral member of this important group. It is her example that we will follow as we nurture and expand

our caring community here at B’nai Israel!

Heartfelt appreciation to you, Sylvie!

Caring Committee News

6 Learn about our hard-working volunteers on pp. 2 and 5!

From the Young Families HavurahI have been thinking about and appreciating the value of community lately. After our son Noam was born, families from the Havurah community cooked dinner for us, celebrated with us both at Noam’s bris and the first time we returned to synagogue, bought presents for us, led services for me, and generally supported our family as we transitioned from two children to three. I know that other babies have also been welcomed into our community with meals and celebration. I feel so grateful to be part of such a nurturing community!

Judaism has long encouraged such communal support. Before the Enlightenment, Jews in medieval Europe had little choice but to be immersed in Jewish communities. They paid taxes to the Jewish community, were protected by the community, and feared excommunication as a grievous punishment. Those Jewish communities were unusually altruistic, boasting societies that fed the poor, took care of the orphans and widows, supported Jewish study, and even helped provide for indigent girls’ dowries. In fact, if a person felt that he or she was not receiving adequate support from the community, that person was entitled to interrupt prayer services to complain publicly!

Today in America we tend to idealize those babushka-wearing, poor but righteous communities of yore in our popular culture. Our Ashkenazi Jewish ancestors were indigent and oppressed, but they survived because they could count on each other. We know that communal living is good for us too. Communities help make us saner, healthier, and more benevolent. Most of us acknowledge the value of community theoretically, but we have trouble embracing the reality of communal living, especially when communities seek to constrain our individual choice by imposing rules or norms on us. Much of the history of Judaism in America is defined by the struggle to reinvent Jewish community for Jews who value their freedom of choice above their commitment to religious authority. The most obvious example is kashrut (keeping kosher). At one time the Jewish community demanded that its membership keep kosher. Today relatively few American Jews choose to do so.

Yet we sometimes find fervent secular pleas for submission to communal will. Recently Steven Weinreb, an internist from West Hartford, wrote an op-ed in the New York Times entitled “For the Herd’s Sake, Vaccinate.” He warned that vaccination rates are falling across Europe and the United States as many parents worry that vaccines are linked to the spike in autism. Of course, failing to vaccinate a child makes that child vulnerable to childhood diseases like whooping cough and measles. Weinreb, who is a recent stem-cell transplant recipient, pointed out that vaccinating also protects patients like him, as well as newborns. They have weakened immune systems, which both prevent them from getting vaccinated themselves and also make them particularly vulnerable to contagious diseases. He wrote, “My newborn buddies and I do have some protection, however: the rest of you.” If most of the population is vaccinated for a particular disease, the rest of the population is protected by “herd immunity.” He concluded by calling vaccination a communal responsibility: “The truth is, we should not get vaccinated for ourselves alone; we should do it for one another. Having cancer has taught me the value of living in a community. We assist the infirm, pay our taxes and donate to charity, and getting vaccinated … is just another important societal responsibility. After all, we’re in the same herd.”

Weinreb, writing in a secular publication, is asking his readers to take on a responsibility that is unpleasant (no one likes taking their kids to get shots) and somewhat fraught in light of all the (unfounded) hype about the autism-vaccination link in the name of protecting the most vulnerable members of our community. It is a tough sell to us as Americans, but it is a familiar refrain to us as Jews. Rabbi Hillel, one of the most famous rabbis of all time, offered this mandate: “Do not separate yourself from the community! (al tifrosh min hatzibor!)”

Rabbi Nicole Wilson-Spiro

Tu B’Shevat and Shabbat Celebration Saturday, February 11, 10:00 a.m.–noon,Earthplace, Westport Learn about trees on a winter hike with Becky, an environmental educator; enjoy gentle sledding (if we have snow); and warm up with hot chocolate. Participate in tree crafts, books, songs, tree-themed brief Shabbat services, even Tree Theater! Plant parsley to grow at home for your Passover Seder. Tu B’Shevat is traditionally the birthday of the trees and a time to focus on trees and nature.

Come celebrate with us at Earthplace, 10 Woodside Road, Westport. $10.00 per family paid in advance (by February 6) to the temple office—this includes admission to Earthplace all day. As always, scholarship money is available to families who need it. Like us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/youngfamilieshavurah

I beg your pardon…

The challenge of thanking someone is that sometimes you leave out some people who should also be thanked! Last month I wrote about a group of parents who have been helping make our Havurah such a success, and I left out some of them. Please join me in also appreciating the efforts of:

Amy Axelbank, Joni Ballas, Cindy Becker, Kathy Brown, Stephanie Feldman, Lisa Greenberg, Jen Klein,

Roni Rodier, Helen Rosenstein, and Danielle Weisblatt.

If I still have left you out, I ask you to please let me know! And if you would like to join this team, please contact Theresa at tsilva@congregationbnaiisrael.org and we will set you up!

L’shalom,Ira J. Wise, Director of Education

7Food of the Month: juices (canned or boxed)

From the Education Center

Scenes from the Kitah Vav (6th Grade) Retreat

Twisting the night away Getting silly on retreat

Checking out our “hangups” about discussing the idea of God

Mishpacha Shabbat Friday, February 17 at 6:30 p.m.

Join other B’nai Israel families for a wonderful, spirited Shabbat experience including dinner, blessings, singing, story and more…ideal for you and your preschool and elementary school–age children. We provide the main dish. You bring a side dish or dessert. $5.00/adults, $2.00/children. RSVP to Elaine at 203-336-1858 or echetrit@congregationbnaiisrael.org by February 14.

As part of this month’s Shabbat family fun we will be teaming up for an enthusiastic match of “Shabbat Family Jeopardy,” so brush up on all things Shabbat!

Yoga, outdoor play, and time to move! If your children are sleeping well at night, these school activities may be a factor. With winter fully upon us, many children are spending

more hours inside and, perhaps, in front of the TV. At B’nai Israel Early Childhood Programs, this is never the case. We keep them engaged, both cognitively and physically, to promote health and well-being.

A recent report from the Centers for Disease Control stated that approximately 17% (or 12.5 million) of children and adolescents ages 2–19 are obese. While Connecticut fares pretty well, we can’t be complacent. We need to be sure that our children understand the importance of physical activity and that they feel comfortable and confident getting involved in a variety of games, sports and exercises.

How can you get involved?

• Ask your child questions: When you ask about yoga and playing outside, you communicate the value of exercise. When you talk about the need to keep our bodies moving, you set the stage for a healthy lifestyle.

• Join us for yoga: We have an open-door policy, as we believe in the benefits of parents and teachers working together. Whether you’re a novice or an expert, at your ideal weight or not, you’ll be a star guest!

• Send in healthy food: When you pack your child’s lunch, make it a conversation. “Veggies are so important to keep us healthy. Which ones do you want today?” We’ll be sure to continue the dialogue at school.

Thanks for being partners in keeping our B’nai Israel community strong!

Alexa Cohen, Early Childhood Center Director

8 Join us for Shabbat Jeopardy! Check out p. 8 for more info.

Family Education at B’nai Israel

Early Childhood Education at B’nai Israel

Young Children: Healthy Body, Healthy Mind

9Learn about our hard-working volunteers on pp. 2 and 5!

Adult Jewish Learning at Congregation B’nai Israel

Adult RoundtableThursday, February 2 at 12:15 p.m.This group holds a discussion about current events for anyone who wants to go deeper than the deadlines and enjoys expressing their own opinions and hearing those of others. Facilitated by Gloria Katz and Dorothy Blaustein. Join us on the first Thursday of each month and bring a sandwich, your opinion, and an open mind.

The Prophets: Who Were They, and What Is Their Message for Us?Lifelong Learning—Fridays, February 3, 10, 17, and 24 at 10:00 a.m.

Rabbi Rachel Gurevitz presents this six-part series at The Watermark, 3030 Park Avenue, open to the whole community. We’ll be introduced to several of the major and minor prophets of the Bible, learn about the times in which they lived, and uncover the

meaning of their messages back in ancient times and for us today. Co-sponsored by Watermark University.

Apples and Oranges: A Brief Introduction to Comparative ReligionMidrasha Mondays, February 6 and 13 at 7:00 p.m.When we engage in comparative religion we may learn something about the “other.” We may help to build bridges between people of different faiths, but we almost always end up learning a great deal more about ourselves. Through the lens of Jewish-Christian, Jewish-Muslim, and Jewish-Buddhist comparative exercises we’ll have the opportunity to experience these possibilities for ourselves. With Rabbi Rachel Gurevitz.

Parent Learning CircleSunday, February 12 and Sunday, March 4 at 10:30 a.m.

The Parent Learning Circle (PLC) provides community and friendship and is a wonderful way to accompany your Gan–Kitah Gimel (K–3) children on their journey into Jewish learning and living. We will follow the curriculum in parallel

with your children. PLC will help you feel better prepared to answer your children’s questions about Judaism, God, birth, death, and much more. You will also gain confidence in helping your child to celebrate Shabbat and the holidays. For the first 20 minutes of each meeting we will learn letters of the Hebrew alef-bet together, just like our children do on Sunday mornings. Join us for the whole session, or drop in at 10:50 to participate just in the Jewish living conversations. With Rabbi Rachel Gurevitz. The Sensual Side of Being JewishMidrasha Mondays, March 5, 12, and 19 at 7:00 p.m.What does Judaism have to say about sensuality? A lot more than you might think. Jewish authorities throughout history have approached sensuality and beauty with a wide range of responses, from enthusiasm to disdain and suspicion. We will follow the evolution of Judaism and sensuality from biblical to contemporary times, looking at traditional sources and also examining the socio-historic contexts that influenced Jewish writers. In the last class, we will discuss if and how the Jewish tradition can act as a spiritual guide for us in the realm of sensuality. Some traditional texts are rated “PG-13”—adults only please. With Rabbi Nicole Wilson-Spiro.

10 What’s happening at temple? Get Happenings, our weekly email! Send your request to lynn@congregationbnaiisrael.org!

Discretionary Fund–Rabbi ProsnitLeona “Lee” Attenberg in memory of Rose Sunshine, mother of Beverly Goodkind; in loving memory of her daughter-in-law, Sylvia Birmingham Attenberg; in loving memory of husband, Herbert J. Attenberg.Lori Berger in loving memory of father, Lester Davis.The Paul Buchbinder family in honor of Marion Weldon’s 95th birthday, mother of Pat Buchbinder and grandmother of Daniel, Laura, and Sara Buchbinder.Fredell Cederbaum in memory of Brian Mendell, grandson of Kitty Mendell and Brenda Kendall; in memory of Rose Sunshine, mother of Beverly Goodkind. Elaine and Juda Chetrit in memory of Debra Madow, daughter of Sheila and Marshall Madow; in memory of Rose Sunshine, mother of Beverly Goodkind.Jean and Hy Elias in memory of Kenneth Liberman.Robert W. Epstein and Miriam Kelliher in appreciation to Rabbi Prosnit and in honor of the Bar Mitzvah of their son, Joseph.Diane and Michael Farber—a contribution.Eloise Epstein and Bernard Gerber in memory of Rose Sunshine, mother of Beverly and Neil Goodkind.Miriam “Sis” Green in memory of Rose Sunshine.Victor and Irma Gurvits in memory of Julius Geiman.Bernie and Janice Jacobs and Steve Gerber in memory of cousin, Harvey Fried.The Hagani family—a contribution.Alida and Al Kleban in loving memory of father, Irving Kleban.Barry and Judy Kramer in memory of Debra Madow, daughter of Sheila and Marshall Madow.Richard and Joanne Krantz in honor of Rabbi Prosnit.Ellie Levin in memory of Susan Panisch, daughter of Barbara Panisch.Bernard Levine in memory of his mother, Gertrude Levine.Ted and Sue Levy in memory of Rose Sunshine.The Liberman, Blueweiss, and Silver families in loving memory of beloved father, Lester Liberman; in appreciation to Rabbi Prosnit and in memory of beloved Ken Liberman.Ivan Maisel and Meg Murray—a contribution.Irving Mark in memory of father, Hyman Mark.Florence Nabel in memory of Dora Abend Nabel.Alan and Sylvia Neigher in memory of Kenneth Liberman.Mark and Liz Nigrosh in memory of Bob Appleton.Barbara Norton in loving memory of her father, Harry H. Schwartz.Ellen Hyde Phillips in loving memory of husband, Corty Phillips, and in memory of Rose Sunshine, mother of Beverly Goodkind.Gertrude and Paul Reisman in memory of mother, Stella Zalusky.Thomas and Dolores Reynolds in memory of Rose Sunshine, mother of Beverly Goodkind.The Reznikoff family in appreciation to Rabbi Prosnit.

Paul and Bernice Rosch in memory of mother, Mollie Rosch.Suzanne Saletan in memory of Ken Liberman.Gail Schriffert, Dustin and Tamara in loving memory of father and grandfather, Harry Vineberg.Howard Selznick in appreciation to Rabbi Prosnit and B’nai Israel for their welcoming.Laura Sydney-Pulton and Ted Pulton in memory of Laura’s mother, Lois Hedges.The Washton and Orr families in memory of mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Fannie Winer.Dr. Norman and Marilyn Weinstein in memory of Debbie Madow.Howard Weisman and Nina Silberman in memory of Harvey Fried, father of Lisa Verchin.Lisa Weiss in memory of Rose Sunshine, mother of Beverly Goodkind.Frederic and Ronni Zinn in memory of father, David A. Zinn.

Discretionary Fund–Rabbi GurevitzVal Bogner in loving memory of her grandmother, Fay Galinson.The Kestenbaum family in appreciation to Rabbi Gurevitz and in memory of father, Leo Kestenbaum. Beth Lazar in loving memory of her mother, Shirley Greenberg Lazar.

Religious School Enrichment FundLiz and Gary Krebs in memory of Harvey Fried, father of Lisa and Scott Verchin.Julie and Steve Pressman in memory of Harvey Fried, father of Lisa and Scott Verchin.

Religious School Scholarship FundJim and Barbara Abraham in memory of Debra Madow.Stacy and Rob Giglietti in memory of Harvey Fried, father of Lisa Verchin. George and Chris Markley in memory of Jerome Derwallis, father of Tim and Joanne Derwallis.

Rabbi Arnold I. Sher Social Action FundAudrey Bernstein in loving memory of father, Ned Mellen.Bari S. Dworken in memory of Kenneth Liberman; in honor of Ed Burger. Bob Ford—a contribution.Leonard Lazar in honor of Beth Lazar.Barbara and Rob Liberman in memory of Phil Meshberg, father of Emil and Sam Meshberg.Glen and Kelly Reznikoff in memory of Harvey Fried, father of Lisa Verchin.Judith Rudikoff in appreciation to George Markley.Serena and Arnie Sher in memory of Ken Liberman.

Music FundBari S. Dworken in honor of Connie Simon.Eloise Epstein and Bernard Gerber in memory of Harvey Fried, father of Lisa and Scott Verchin.Robert Epstein and Miriam Kelliher in appreciation to Cantor Blum and in honor of the Bar Mitzvah of their son, Joseph. Charles and Carol Gursky in appreciation to Justin Kreuzer for his beautiful photography.

The Kestenbaum family in appreciation to Cantor Blum and in memory of father, Leo Kestenbaum.Richard and Joanne Krantz in appreciation for the many contributions of Cantor Blum to B’nai Israel.Aleksey and Raisa Ledvich in loving memory of aunt, Shelya Sotnik.The Liberman, Blueweiss, and Silver families in appreciation to Cantor Blum for her participation in the service and in memory of our beloved Ken Liberman.Jackie and Jeff Madwed in memory of Ken Liberman.Ken and Nina Rabine in memory of Tina Friedman’s beloved father.Adele Ruderman, Norma Dombroff, and Ilse Schott with love in honor of Carol Gursky’s special birthday.Debbie and Michael Weisman in memory of Mary Frauwirth, Max Frauwirth, and Nancy Frauwirth.

BIFTY/Greenwald Scholarship FundCongregation B’nai Israel Sisterhood—a contribution.Shari Nerreau – in honor of Lisa Knicos’s new home – many happy years.

Enhancement FundAndrew Adams in honor of Bob and Helen Natt.Laura and Bruce Braverman in honor of Luise Burger becoming the Treasurer for the Union for Reform Judaism.Paul and Pat Buchbinder in memory of Ken Liberman.Marty and Alayne Burger in memory of Phil Meshberg.Marvin Gelfand in memory of Cy and Nathan Gelfand.Michael and Ellen Goldman in memory of Howard Green, father of Lewis Green.Alfred and Jeannette Goldreyer—a contribution.Larry and Robin Greenhall—a contribution.Joni and Michael Greenspan in memory of Debbie Madow. Barbara Haflich in loving memory of Lipman Weiner, Eva Weiner, and Leonard Weiner; in memory of Debra Madow, daughter of Sheila and Marshall Madow.The Hagani family—a contribution.Bernie and Janice Jacobs in memory of Rose Sunshine, mother of Beverly Goodkind. Bernie and Janice Jacobs and Steve Gerber in memory of mother, Marilyn Gerber, and cousin, Michael Nash.Judith and Robert Jacobson in memory of Arlen Nickowitz.Andrea, Irv, Danielle, and Nancy Kern in memory of David and Charlotte Miller.Beth Lazar in loving memory of her uncle, Robert Lazar.Carol and Peter Mack—a contribution.Ruth Madwed in memory of father, Jacob Dolid, and son, Steven Madwed.Dennis and Janet Magid in memory of Debra Madow.The Perlstein family in memory of Werner Berlin, father of Duane Berlin.

DonationsPlease note that only contributions of $10.00 or more will be acknowledged with a card and Bulletin listing.

11Food of the Month: juices (canned or boxed)

DonationsPlease note that only contributions of $10.00 or more will be acknowledged with a card and Bulletin listing.

Ellen Hyde Phillips in memory of Ken Liberman and Debra Madow.Linda and Mike Platt in memory of Debra Madow.Joan Rosenbaum in memory of Debra Madow.Rachel, Hannah, and Sarah Rosenberg in appreciation of Ellen Kadden.Sandra Rosenberg in memory of Debra Madow.Paul and Rachel Schwartz in honor of the birth of their first grandchild, Sam Ronan Schwartz.Shirlee Schwarz in memory of Debra Madow.Debbie and Michael Weisman in memory of Ken Liberman, husband of Heath Liberman.Lorrie Wexler in memory of mother, Helen Rosenfield.Austin and Ellen Wolf in memory of Debra Madow.

The Gillette Judaic FundGeorge and Chris Markley in memory ofKenny Liberman.The Phillip-Soberman family in memory of Brian Mendell, son of Gary Mendell.Cleo and Jon Sonneborn in honor of the birth of Jacob Samuel Silverman, grandson of Nancy and Irv Silverman.

Alan H. Weinstein Medical Scholarship FundFred K. Kirchner, Jr. in memory of Dr. Alan Weinstein.Debbie Weinstein in memory of Phil Meshberg, father of Emil and Toby Meshberg.Debbie Weinstein and Jack Levine in honor of Michael Greenspan’s very special birthday; in appreciation of Lisa and Bruce Weinstein; in memory of Sherman Small, father of Lynne Small Paushter.

Sylvia Prosnit Adult Education FundBeth Lazar in loving memory of great-aunt, Esther Epstein.Cleo Sonneborn in loving memory of her father, Clark Rawdon.

Judith Brav Sher Fund The Paul Buchbinder family in honor of the birth of Noam, son of Nicole Wilson-Spiro and Michael Spiro. Elaine and Juda Chetrit—Mazel Tov to Nicole Wilson-Spiro and Michael Spiro on the birth of their son, Noam; in memory of Marilyn Guisinger, aunt of Liane Gelman-Wegener; in memory of Ken Liberman, husband of Heather, father of Sara and Kyle; in memory of William Liefland, father of Linda Liefland. Laura Sydney-Pulton and Ted Pulton in memory of William Liefland, father of Linda Liefland.

Slepian Floral FundThe following contributions were made in memory of Debra Madow, daughter of Sheila and Marshall Madow:

Lee Attenberg The Dober family Ruth GreenGloria KatzJudy and Stan Lessler Alice Madwed Abby Schine Serena and Arnie Sher Ann Small Harvey Sussman and Dorothy GoldsteinEsther SpiegelSheila and Burton Yaffie Judy Zaluda

Marty and Alayne Burger in memory of Susan Panisch, daughter of Barbara Panisch.Beryl Kaufman and Estelle Baer in memory of Ken Liberman. Barbara Panisch in memory of Harold Green, father of Patti and Lewis Green.

Prayer Book FundRuth Green in memory of Kenneth Liberman.Judy and Stan Lessler in loving memory of Nathan Bretholtz.George and Chris Markley iin memory of Debra Madow.Linda and Brad Rothbaum in memory of Kenneth Liberman, brother of Lynn Blueweiss.

Nursery School Enrichment FundThe Kestenbaum family in appreciation to Liz Nigrosh and in memory of father, Leo Kestenbaum.Laura Sydney-Pulton and Ted Pulton in honor of Danielle Pulton’s 21st birthday.

Etz Chaim Living Torah FundJudi and David Beier in memory of Debra Madow.

Rabbi Martin Library Fund“Muggs” Lefsetz in memory of Debra Madow.

Vision Loan Reduction FundMichael Rosenberg in memory of Frania Rosenberg and Majlech Rosenberg.Jeffrey and Mindy Siegel—a contribution.Laura Sydney-Pulton and Ted Pulton in memory of Phil Meshberg, father of Emil Meshberg.

High Holy Days Appeal

Pillars of the CongregationJill and Steven Elbaum

Rabbi James Prosnit and Wendy Bloch

Benefactors of the CongregationCarol and Peter Mack

Nancy and Charles Needle

President’s CircleBeth and Randy ReichLiz and Mark Nigrosh

Marion SchwartzOndy and Howard Zuckerman

General ContributionsAlice Madwed

Caren and Bill SchwartzDebbie and Daniel ViensNina and Kenneth Rabine

Janice and Marc KatzBarbara and Mark Edinberg

Shirley LantzWendy and Ralph MichelShari and Brian Nerreau

Eric Stein and Dyann RossJeffrey SchwartzMartin SilvermanErnest Malecki

Irma and Victor GurvitsJoan and Alan Newman

Judith HochstadtLinda and Lawrence Ludwig

Vicki HeilweilWinsome and Edward Rosenthal

Bobby BreslerFlorence NabelFrancine Stein

Herman GutzeitJudith Ohl Bart

Judy and Al Rankell

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13What’s happening at temple? Get Happenings, our weekly email! Send your request to lynn@congregationbnaiisrael.org!

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15Food of the Month: juices (canned or boxed)

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What’s happening at temple? Get Happenings, our weekly email! Send your request to lynn@congregationbnaiisrael.org!

Save the Date!

B’nai Israel Annual Women’s SederThursday, March 15, 7:00–9:30 p.m. (note change of date!)

In memory of Debbie Friedman, our annual Women’s Seder will showcase the music of the Ma’yan Seder and feature a special guest, singer-songwriter Julie Silver! We also welcome Debbie’s long-time Ma’yan Seder musical partner, Carole Rivel, on keyboards.

As in previous years, this Seder does not include dinner, but each household is asked to bring their favorite Pesach dessert to contribute to the evening’s refreshments.

Watch for further details in Happenings. Book your seat with Lynn in the temple office at 203-336-1858 or llynch@congregationbnaiisrael.org. Cost is $15.00—ages 18 and under are free.