CBZ NEWSLETTER: THE KEYS TO JUDAISM Rabbi Dudai’s Message Please send comments regarding any of the Rabbi’s Messages to [email protected]- NOTE THE NEW ADDRESS! (For awhile, also send to [email protected]) The Spirit of “Greening” in our Jewish Tradition One of the most hotly debated subjects in recent years has been the cause of climate change and its impact on our planet. Some claim that what we are now involved in is nothing more than a natural cycle, asserting that the conditions the earth is now experiencing are not unprecedented and do not primarily result directly from the activities of humans. The alternate viewpoint has brought forth a significant body of scientific evidence intended to prove that the growth of the human population, deforestation, and related industrial activities are the main causes of the climate change phenomena because they lead to increasing introduction of carbon into the atmosphere. This has led to a call for mankind to act to slow down this process and eventually reverse it, which can be achieved by an array of “green” means such as replacing hydrocarbon fuels with sources of renewable energy (wind, solar, bio-fuels, etc.). Our tradition has led to the intuitive inclination for the Jewish people to act in an environmentally-friendly manner, with this CONTINUED ON PAGE 3 Produced By: Congregation B’nai Zion ~ South Florida’s Oldest Synagogue ~ Established in 1887 Rabbi Shimon Dudai President Fred Covan PhD 750 United Street Key West, FL 33040 305-294-3437 www.BnaiZionKW.org [email protected]Volume 5 — Issue 3 —————————— January/February 2014 (Tevet/Shevat/Adar I 5774) The newsletter is produced bi-monthly (6 issues per year) Editor: Elyse Spialter WHAT’S NEW? The new year of 2014 is upon us and, with it, a bevy of activity is found at CBZ. The year starts, as it typically does, with the congregation’s Annual Meeting (January 6th, starting at 6pm). This date and all the others of import are found, as they generally are, in the Calendar of Events on the back page . One very exciting announcement in this issue is this season’s start of the “Feed Your Mind, Feed Your Soul” SHABBAT DINNER SERIES. This year’s programs are scheduled for January 3, February 7 and March 28. See page 3 for details about the 1/3/14 event! The Rabbi’s Message - which begins on this page – deals with the environmental concept of “greening” and the holiday of Tu B’Shevat. This issue’s craft continues that theme with a Family Tree project; see page 7 . Also, on page 4, in recognition of this being a Jewish leap year, there is a review of some of the pertinent calendar concepts that come into play. There are many ways to engage in life at CBZ during this coming year and I hope you will take every opportunity to participate! My best wishes to you and yours for a great 2014. I close by extending thanks to SHELDON DAVIDSON for his proofreading prowess and to my husband, HOWARD SPIALTER, for his special help with this issue! שלום, Elyse SEND WHATEVER YOU’D LIKE TO SHARE TO [email protected]Deadline for the Mar/Apr issue is February 10th ! CHADASHOT NEWS
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CBZ NEWSLETTER: THE KEYS TO JUDAISMThe season is off to a great start. We will resume our "Feed Your Mind, Feed Your Soul, Feed Your Stomach" lecture series on January 3rd with Elisa
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CBZ NEWSLETTER: THE KEYS TO JUDAISM
Rabbi Dudai ’s Message Please send comments regarding any of the Rabbi’s Messages to [email protected] - NOTE THE NEW ADDRESS! (For awhile, also send to [email protected])
The Spirit of “Greening”
in our Jewish Tradition
One of the most hotly debated subjects in
recent years has been the cause of climate
change and its impact on our planet. Some
claim that what we are now involved in is
nothing more than a natural cycle, asserting that
the conditions the earth is now experiencing
are not unprecedented and do not primarily
result directly from the activities of humans.
The alternate viewpoint has brought forth a
significant body of scientific evidence intended
to prove that the growth of the human
population, deforestation, and related industrial
activities are the main causes of the
climate change phenomena because they lead
to increasing introduction of carbon into the
atmosphere. This has led to a call for mankind
to act to slow down this process and eventually
reverse it, which can be achieved by an array of
“green” means such as replacing hydrocarbon
fuels with sources of renewable energy (wind,
solar, bio-fuels, etc.).
Our tradition has led to the intuitive
inclination for the Jewish people to act in an
environmentally-friendly manner, with this CONTINUED ON PAGE 3
The new year of 2014 is upon us and, with it, a bevy of activity is found at CBZ. The year starts, as it typically does, with the congregation’s Annual Meeting (January 6th, starting at 6pm). This date and all the others of import are found, as they generally are, in the Calendar of Events on the back page. One very exciting announcement in this issue is this season’s start of the “Feed Your Mind, Feed Your Soul” SHABBAT DINNER SERIES. This year’s programs are scheduled for January 3, February 7 and March 28. See page 3 for details about the 1/3/14 event! The Rabbi’s Message - which begins on this page– deals with the environmental concept of “greening” and the holiday of Tu B’Shevat. This issue’s craft continues that theme with a Family Tree project; see page 7. Also, on page 4, in recognition of this being a Jewish leap year, there is a review of some of the pertinent calendar concepts that come into play. There are many ways to engage in life at CBZ during this coming year and I hope you will take every opportunity to participate! My best wishes to you and yours for a great 2014. I close by extending thanks to SHELDON DAVIDSON for his proofreading prowess and to my husband, HOWARD SPIALTER, for his special help with this issue!
Cemetery Committee Fred Covan Sheldon Davidson Bounce Margil Kenny Weschler
Finance
Committee
Fred Covan
Sheldon Davidson
Eileen Kawaler
Justin Kawaler
Mae McMahan
Peter Rysman
Alan Solomon
Si Stern
Liz Young
Events Committee
Eileen Kawaler
Mae McMahan
Alan Solomon
Si Stern
Liz Young Historian Jack Einhorn
COMMITTEES AT CBZ:
Facilities Committee
Fred Covan
Rebetzen Nadia Dudai
Mae McMahan
Si Stern
Kenny Weschler
Yahrzeit Committee Sheldon Davidson Karen Grant-Margil Si Stern Bruce York
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE (FROM DR. FRED COVAN):
The nicest thing happened in the courtyard of the synagogue on the recent first night of Hanukkah. A group of about twenty members were gathered to light the menorah when a young couple appeared. He was wearing a tux and she was beautiful in a full-length white wedding dress. They were Jewish, had come to Key West alone to be married and had just come to CBZ from their ceremony at the beach to join us in the candle lighting. It gave all of us a warm, fuzzy feeling to be part of their celebration and have them bring more joy to ours.
The season is off to a great start. We will resume our "Feed Your Mind, Feed Your Soul, Feed Your Stomach" lecture series on January 3rd with Elisa Levy as our speaker. On February 7th, Congressman Joe Garcia will be our speaker and on March 28th, Arlo Haskel will talk about the book he is writing about the history of Jews in Key West. This book is part of our project that
includes the photo mural in the Social Hall. Nadia will prepare meals for each occasion that are consistent with the evening's theme.
Finally, I'd like to invite you all to the Annual Membership Meeting on January 6, 2014 at 6:00 pm. We will discuss the business and spiritual aspects of our congregation. It is an opportunity to make suggestions regarding the operation of the congregation. We are always eager to have people become active as volunteers in any part of the operation of the synagogue. You might not know it, but we had to discontinue our weekly Bingo games due to a lack of volunteers. Historically, Bingo had provided a dependable, regular income stream for CBZ. We don't know if we will ever be able to resume the weekly games. It will depend on whether enough people decide to volunteer and it's one of the many things we'd like us all to discuss at the Annual Meeting.
Shalom, Fred
Annual Congregation Meeting
Monday, January 6th, 2014 — 6:00 pm in the social hall.
All CBZ members are encouraged to attend!
WE SHARED! On Saturday evening, November 30th, a large crowd joined at CBZ to celebrate the
Festival of Lights together. The annual Hanukkah Party had the unique twist of being held just two
days after Thanksgiving, so Thanksgivukkah T-shirts and a turkey menorah were among the apt
additions to the festivities. Of course, we also shared all the wonderful elements that have become
the foundation of what makes this yearly gathering so special — terrific decorations, fabulous
food (including fantastic latkes, of course), a meaningful group candle-lighting and the warm
camaraderie of those who hold B’nai Zion & one another dear. It was a great night! Thanks
are extended to ALAN SOLOMON and all who assisted in making it a special event, including
REBETZEN NADIA and her helpers who made sure we all enjoyed a delicious meal. Special
thanks to SI STERN for sponsoring the celebration in memory of his mother, Rebecca.
Thank you to Rebetzen Nadia and to all of those who assisted
with the recent Kiddushes. A great resolution to make in
recognition of the start of 2014 is to promise to help with one
or more Kiddushes — donate your time to assist with
Kiddush preparation, set up or cleanup &/or be a Kiddush Fund
contributor or Kiddush sponsor. Commit now to a
specific Shabbat (or a few, if you can)!
Thanks to those who sponsored a Kiddush or contributed to the
Kiddush fund recently to mark the following: RABBI DUDAI’S birthday,
DANIEL MARGIL’S chanting his Bar Mitzvah Haftorah, BERTHA
KANE’S 93rd birthday, the birthday of SID WHARTON (our gabai) and
LARRY ABRAMOVITZ’S birthday. On 12/28, the Kiddush will be
sponsored by FRAN & JOHN KREINCES in honor of their anniversary.
TREES OF LIFE:
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January 2014 Tevet / Shevat 5774
Yahrzeits In most instances, the date observed is the Hebrew date of death (starting at sundown)
January 1/ 29 Tevet Rachel Schmarek Annie Isaac January 2/ 1 Shevat Reuben Gordon January 3/ 2 Shevat Leon Lipner January 4/ 3 Shevat Chaim Lieb Chajet January 5/ 4 Shevat Sidney Karo Adeline Littman Ben Serling Rabbi Sol Landau January 6/ 5 Shevat Cele Waxman Rothman January 7/ 6 Shevat Nellie Padoll Sidney Levine January 8/ 7 Shevat Maxwell M. Parker Ida Margil Sidney David Roth January 9/ 8 Shevat Sarah Elsie Kawaler January 10/ Joseph Hornberger …………...9 Shevat Sadona Katzen Justine Trubey Stillings January 11/ 10 Shevat Samuel Schevach January 12/ 11 Shevat Joseph Leonard Merwin Sacarob Matilda Mendell Morris Irving Estrin January 13/ 12 Shevat Phillip Markovitz Roy Grossman Bernard B. Baschkin January 15/ 14 Shevat Sally Ida Mayeroff Jeanette Serling January 16/ 15 Shevat Moe Sher Jerome Silberman Ethel Aronovitz January 18/ 17 Shevat Goldie Liebe Lewinsky Fisher Anita Galpeer Savitch January 19/ 18 Shevat Herman Gordon Anna Nitishin January 20/ 19 Shevat Esther Futterer Sheron J. Garner Naomi Katz Lefferts January 21/ Forest F. Detweiler ……………..20 Shevat Sam Bass Shirley Zerda Muto Sidney Zangwell Covan Amanda Megan Martin Bernard David Levin January 22/ 21 Shevat Norman Klitenick January 23/ 22 Shevat Isadore Weiss January 24/ 23 Shevat Lillie Appel January 25/ 24 Shevat Fannie Leavitt Raskin January 26/ 25 Shevat Sophie Passo Bernard Solomon January 27/ Ruth York …………….26 Shevat Jean Lewin Garner January 28/ 27 Shevat William Raskin Minnie Gordon January 29/ 28 Shevat Max Roitman Anna Brenner January 30/ 29 Shevat Helen Elias Lena Rosenthal Hill Israel Paul Wechter Harry Rodack Selma Kass January 31/ 30 Shevat Rose Ettinger Leon Landesman
Edith Samrick Ethel Young Nathan Lipshitz
Yahrzeit Donations From … In Memory of …
********************************************
Judie & Michael Klitenick Rose Klitenick Roberta & Gerald Ginsberg Leonard Ginsberg (father) Rachel Appelrouth Ida Phillips Susan & David Samrick Phillip Movitz (father)
Sally & Arnold Young Frank Lewinsky Louis Young Robbie Sher Beloved mother & aunt, Eva & Esther Susan Server & Sheldon Davidson Philip Davidson Deborah & Sidney Goldman Stephen Kay Sybil Goldman Susan & Brian Savitch Dorothy & Albert Ochroch Anna Buxton Messod Attias (father)
Zahara Attias (mother)
Judith & Stanley Zabar Lillian Zabar Bonnie & Arnold Goldsmith Sidney Kaplan Karen Leonard & Aaron Wechter Ethel Wechter
February 1/ 1 Adar I Mrs. Dennis E. Amster Joseph Buchler February 2/ Carole York Conroy …………….2 Adar I Jack Padve February 4/ 4 Adar I Millard “Mike” Spialter February 6/ 6 Adar I Herman Lipkin February 7/ 7 Adar I Esther Silberman Leon Goffman February 8/ 8 Adar I Isaac Passo Sarah Schwartz Maurice Rice February 9/ 9 Adar I Beatrice Kanzer Rose Lipkin Jack Kowal February 10/ 10 Adar I Sophie Mintz February 11/ 11 Adar I Sadie Bernstein February 12/ 12 Adar I Anna Chajet Bergamo Shirley Movitz Robert Silver February 13/ 13 Adar I Melvin Witz William Abraham February 14/ 14 Adar I Rose Appel Moore February 19 /19 Adar I Lena L. Pearlman Bessie Cohen Murray Shapiro February 20/ 20 Adar I Shirley Frank Irving S. Porter-Puchtik February 21/ 21 Adar I Arthur David Cohen Samuel Robert Silberman February 23/ 23 Adar I Edward Rosenthal February 25/ 25 Adar I Benjamin Pintoff Rose Weintraub February 26/ 26 Adar I Scott Stanley Harry A. Hershenson Anna Brownstein Bessie Thomas February 27/ 27 Adar I Arthur Muhlberg Bella Rosinek February 28/ 28 Adar I Joseph Krathen
February 2014 Adar I 5774
IMPORTANT REMINDER re Memorial Board Plaques: The Yahrzeit Plaque price is going up to $400 starting on January 1, 2014. The current price will be honored for any order received prior to that date accompanied by a $350 check. If you are interested in getting a plaque for a loved one who has passed, please contact Sheldon Davidson at [email protected] to get a form.
Prayer on Kindling a Yahrzeit Candle
Eternal Rock of Ages: In hushed reverence, I
kindle this memorial candle in loving remem-
brance of my beloved (Mother, Father, Son,
Daughter) on this anniversary of his/her/their
death(s). We have been taught that human
souls are Thy candles. through them Thou
bringest light into the world. For the light of com-
passion and tenderness which my loved one(s)
brought into my life, I am everlastingly grateful.
Help me O G-d to use the sacred memory of
my loved one(s) as a noble spur to consecrated
living. May I perpetuate and transmit everything
that was beautiful and lovely in his/her/their
character. Keep firm my faith that we cannot go
where You are not and where You are all is well.
Amen.
As the light is kin-
dled say: “Zecher
tsaddik leevrachah”.
The memory of the
upright is a source
of blessing.
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Congregation B’nai Zion extends the
deepest condolences to our cantor,
Dr. John Kreinces, and his family,
on the passing of his mother,
MALKA (MINKA) KREINCES
Donations in her memory have been made by:
Judith & Stanley Zabar
Susan & Stuart Kaufman
Clara Liszt
Elyse & Howard Spialter
Maxine Makover
Judie & Michael Klitenick
on behalf of the Poker Group
CELEBRATIONS
CRAFT CORNER - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Editor’s Note: For Volume 5 of the newsletter (2013-14), a full year series of crafts connected with Jewish celebrations will be highlighted. These will be simple craft projects - perfect for sharing with children & grandkids - but, of such a nature that they can be made more elaborate by adults to result in more complex creations.
Craft Project for TU B’SHEVAT
FAMILY TREE:
What You Need: * Photos of the people who make up the different generations in your family (you, your parents, your grandparents, siblings, etc.) * 5 pieces of 1 x 2 inch wood (pine board recommended) cut to the following lengths— 48”, 20”, 16”, 14” & 12”. (You should be able to get these cut for you at your local lumberyard or home improvement store.)
* wood glue, adhesive-backed magnetic tape, plaster of Paris, water, 1-gal paint can (empty & clean), emery board, green & brown acrylic paint, paintbrushes, hammer, 1/2-inch nails.
Directions: Step 1—Hammer nails along four smaller wood strips – the spacing of the nails will determine where you can place photos (as noted in Step 7 below). Step 2—Paint the 48-inch strip of wood brown and paint the rest of the wood strips green. (Hint: when you paint the boards, paint
one side & let it dry, then paint the other side.)
Step 3—Make the tree (as shown in the diagram) as follows: Secure the 4 smaller pieces of wood (with 12” at the top , working downward to the 20”) onto the 48” piece. Glue &/or nail the wood to secure it. Using emery board, gently scrap any nail heads covered with paint to expose the metal. Step 4—Mix the plaster (according to directions on package) and fill the gallon can 3/4 full with plaster. Step 5—When plaster begins to set, put bottom of 48” wood piece into plaster. Push the wood down to the bottom of the can. Brace the wood until the plaster dries (overnight) & the wood can stand on its own.
Step 6—Paint the plaster & can brown. Step 7—Cut magnetic tape into pieces & attach to back of photos. Place photos (so that the magnetic tape on back lines up with the nail heads) on tree - your photo goes on top piece, then your parents on the next, followed by grandparents and lastly siblings (or others).