December 2013 Bulletin - Congregation Beth Israel, Portland Oregon

December 2013

BulletinDecember 2013Kislev-Tevet 5774

Vol. 63, No. 3

Established 1858

Give usYour

Best Shot!We want to see what Beth Israel

looks like season by season

through your eyes and

camera lens.

See detailson p. 5

A look back at 2013

BROTHERHOOD/ SUKKOT

MLK, JR. SERVICE IT’S LIKE, TOTALLY TEMPLE

TASTE OF TEMPLE

MITZVAH DAY

PRESCHOOLL’TAKEN

SHABBAT ON THE PLAZA

BETTER THAN BROADWAY

ADULT EDUCATION/SISTERHOOD

SISTERHOOD

DALAI LAMA FAMILY BARN DANCE

PURIM SCHPIEL

2 Congregation Beth Israel

Jada Taylor BarbonJada Barbon will become Bat Mitzvah on December 7, 2013. She is the daughter of Robyn and Tony Barbon and the younger sister of Maya. Jada attends Stoller Middle School in the Beaverton District. For her Mitzvah Project, she has chosen to work with Randall Children’s Hospital at Legacy Emanuel in Portland, a place where complex

medical care is blended with a peaceful environment built for children and their families. The goal of Jada’s project is to put a smile on the faces of children who are in the hospital long-term. She knows how lonely it can be as a patient in the hospital and how much it means to receive cards from people thinking about you. She is working in the art room with some of the religious school students to make get well cards for the long-term patients and those who don’t have a lot of family and community support, so they will know people are always thinking of them and wanting them to get better. She’s also organizing a donation drive for the patients, collecting toys and books for them to play with while they are in the hospital. To learn more, visit www.legacyhealth.org/locations/hospitals/randall-childrens-hospital-at-legacy-emanuel.aspx

Emma George Freedman Emma Freedman will become Bat Mitzvah during the 5:00 PM. Havdalah service on December 21, 2013. She is the daughter of Howard and Susan Freedman and the older sister of Max. Emma is a student at DaVinci Arts Middle School in NE Portland. She is working with Community Transitional School on her Mitzvah Project to collect much-

needed items for the agency, which provides important educational and support services to children aged 5-14 who are homeless, in transition, and/or experiencing chronic poverty-related crises. Over a three-month period, Emma has spearheaded a series of drives to collect school and art supplies, clothing, and personal hygiene items that are so crucial to these at-risk youth. To find out how you can help support Emma’s project, visit www.transitionalschool.org.

B’not Mitzvah Adult Education

CBI Book Group Sunday, December 8, 9:00 AMHerbert & Shirley Semler Board Room

Please join our book group each month for a morning of pleasant literary discussion. There is no need to sign up.

December’s selection is: The Invisible Wall: A Love Story that Broke Barriers by Harry Bernstein.

For January, we will read The Tin Horse: A Novel by Janice Steinberg.

Adult Education Presents:Thirty-Six Yiddish Phrases Everyone Should KnowSunday, December 8, 10:00 AMPollin ChapelSpeaker: Eric Kimmel

Are you a schlemiel or a schlemazel? Come join storyteller and overall mensch Eric

Kimmel as he dispenses a bisl (little bit) of Yiddish, the mame loshen of Eastern European Jews, the Lower East Side and every comic to grace the Catskills. Eric will use well-known Yiddish words and phrases as a springboard to stories of our yiddishkeit heritage. No schlepping required.

Havdalah and a Movie: Crossing DelanceySaturday, December 21Dinner at 6:00 PM; Movie at 7:00 PMMiller RoomSpeaker: David Fuks, CEO of Cedar Sinai Park and beloved local comedian

Crossing Delancey is a classic romantic comedy starring Amy Irving and Peter Riegert. Can an independent, contemporary woman find happiness with with a guy who sells pickles?

The dinner begins at 6:00 PM and is optional. It will be a Jewish Deli menu. Dinner reservations are $15 each. RSVP to Tracy in the CBI office. Your payment is your reservation.

We will also have a pickle tasting – please bring your favorite pickles to share.

Camp Kalsman NewsMy name is Bobbie Goldstein, and I was appointed a Camp Kalsman Commissioner last June to represent the Portland area and especially CBI Families!

I attended Jewish Camps for eight years and established and directed a large synagogue-based preschool for twenty-five years. I was instrumental in providing bus transportation for next summer and heard Sarah Moody’s outstanding Camp Presentation to our families on November 3rd. I frequently participate in Camp Commission Meetings held at Camp and in Seattle.

Part of my role is to support and encourage you as parents, as you make the decision to provide your children with a life-long memorable Jewish camp experience!

Registration is in progress! Visit Camp Kalsman’s website, www.kalsman.urjcamps.org, for exciting information.

The Foundation for Jewish Campers offers scholarships to first-time campers, and Ben Sandler and Sydney Baer will be happy to address scholarship questions and availability. I can be reached at (310) 923-2254.

Fondly, Bobbie

3December 2013

Our Leadership

Musical MusingsBy Ida Rae CahanaSenior Cantor

On November 2, Rabbi Cahana and I had a unique opportunity to take Congregation Beth Israel “on the road.” We travelled to Bend to officiate for one of our congregant family’s Bar Mitzvah celebration. The Glickman family lives there, but a deep part of their connection to the Jewish

community is rooted here through their family’s long history with Temple. As part of the morning service, held in a church where the local congregation of Beth Tikvah prays each Shabbat, we experienced an extraordinary confluence of community appreciation and warmth, from the new rabbi, Johanna Hershenson, to the “regulars” from her community, the participation of Rabbi Rose, the out of town family and friends, and even the church’s audio coordinator who wished us “Blessings and a good Sabbath.”

Musician friends of the family participated in the service with me, the amazing violinist Aaron Meyer, and the equally remarkable guitarist Tim Ellis. Both of them are new to playing Jewish music and dug into the 40+ pages of liturgical settings with appreciation and gusto. When the service ended, the three of us talked about continuing to collaborate in some fashion. It was clear that this prayer experience and music had moved them. On Thursday, June 12, 2014 from 6:30-7:30 PM, Aaron and Tim will join us for an informal “Music Under the Dome” concert which you will not want to miss!

In his book, “The Lord’s Song in a Strange Land,” Rabbi Jeffrey Summit makes the point that the musical style of a congregation is an expression of the core meaning of that particular sacred community. As we continue to work towards an ever more connected and inspired membership here at CBI, the power of music is central in all of our efforts. Expanding the participation in music during all of our services, from songs we can all sing to incorporating gifted musicians within our ranks, is a part of this essential value: to make participation in the life of the synagogue a joyful and deep experience.

As I write this, I am planning for a recording session at the home/recording studio of Michael Allen Harrison. Michael has been generously sharing his wonderful talent and heart once a month as he plays for our “Shir Shabbat,” our celebratory music service. He is also the producer for a new recording of Friday night music of prayer, made possible by the Nettie Director Library Book Endowment Fund, which we hope to have finished by the first of the secular new year: a gift for our entire congregation. Included on this recording are other terrific musicians from our temple including cellist Irving Levin, bass player Ben Sandler, saxophonist Stacy Friedman, accordion player Fred Cirillo, percussionist Arthur Steinhorn, guitar players and vocalists Beth Hamon and Kim Palumbis, and our own Michael Barnes and Michael Allen Harrison on piano. It is a huge but very worthwhile effort, and we are all excited to share some of the great music you hear on Shabbat evenings as a CD recording that you can listen to, learn the melodies and words, and make these prayers and settings a part of your life. You’ll be hearing soon about how to get your own complimentary copy of this new Temple CD.

I hope that you don’t stop there. Call or write to me if you or others you know of in our community love to sing and/or play instruments. The hidden (and not-so-hidden) talent here at CBI is widespread, but like Aaron Meyer and Michael Allen Harrison, you may not have thought of using your gifts as a way of serving the synagogue. I invite you to be my partner in creating ever-widening circles of personal and musical Jewish connection. We don’t have to go “on tour” – our beautiful music is right here. What a joyful noise we will make together!

Cantor Ida Rae Cahana

Engagement and Collaboration By Sydney A. BaerExecutive Director

Last month, I attended the National Association for Temple Administration’s (NATA) national conference for Temple Executive Directors in Dallas, TX. Everything is bigger in Dallas. The largest Reform congregation, Temple Emanu-El, has an 18 acre campus and 130,000 square feet of buildings with a plethora of parking. Still, there is no place like home. They have an amazing campus, but we still have the most magnificent sanctuary.

This year’s theme was collaboration and engagement. We are all looking for ways to help our congregants connect and be more engaged. Rabbi Rick Jacobs, President of the URJ, was one of our speakers, leading an inspiring workshop on collaboration. He thanked us for being the original collaborators, with our reputation for generously sharing information with our colleagues, as well as for our work with clergy, staff, lay-leaders, and our congregants. Many spoke of Ron Wolfson’s book, Relational Judaism: Using the Power of Relations to Transform the Jewish Community. I’m thrilled for those attending the URJ Biennial this year, as the collaborations and conversations will continue.

One of my goals was to seek fun and innovative friend-raising, fund-raising, and engaging programming to bring back to CBI. While I didn’t teach any of the workshops this year, both our Better Than Broadway and Taste of Temple programs intrigued many and could have been a workshop based on the requests for templates and “how-to” information. The workshops and break-out groups are always informative, but the best information comes from the conversations over meals and in the hallways. We all stay up way too late sharing information and stories! As I have noted over the years, the professionalism, the generous sharing of information, and the camaraderie of my colleagues is unprecedented.

I have been a member of NATA for 13 years, and I have served on the board for six. I have also served on many of the committees, been a liaison to the URJ’s Religious Action Center and the Commission on Social Action, and served as co-chair of several conferences. It has been a most rewarding experience. This year, I received the ultimate compliment from my colleagues (whom I lovingly call my “peeps”): receiving the Service to NATA Award for my involvement with membership, mentoring, and community building within NATA. I was very surprised and honored. When I look at the honorees that have come before me, it is humbling. This beautiful award sits with the photos of my family in my office.

I’m back, feeling inspired and rejuvenated. Now if we could just have their parking lot!


Developing CBI

How do you measure success?by Jenat Levison FeldmanDevelopment Director

Having completed Better Than Broadway, I ask myself (as I do at the of end each event), “Were we successful?” My answer is always the same; success is measured in several ways:

• Did we attract the guests that the event targeted?

• Did the number of guests match what was intended?

• Did the guests enjoy the event, and are they pleased they attended?

• Did we net the financial goal, and was there positive response to the way in which the money was raised?

• Did the chairs and committee members enjoy their experience planning and executing the event, AND are there people who want to be a part of a planning committee for the next time?

I am proud to report a definite yes to all of the questions above; Better Than Broadway was a resounding success. Feedback from the more than 200 guests has been extremely positive. Guests loved the look and feel of the venue, were stimulated by the energy, and were entertained by the creative and thought-provoking performance. Our elegant and memorable evening netted $140,000, an amount that far exceeded our goal.

My intention is not to sugarcoat the challenges and pressure that chairs and their committees face when planning a major event. My intention is to continually thank those who put their passion for CBI into making certain our fundraisers provide something for every guest. I remain convinced that those who get involved do so because they are committed to CBI and understand that funds raised contribute greatly to CBI’s wonderful programs.

In the November bulletin, we publicly recognized all those who were involved in the Better Than Broadway event. In this bulletin, we want to list all those generous supporters who, since July 1, 2013, have given an additional meaningful contribution to help us move towards the $200,000 Development Department fundraising goal. Whether through a donation to the Every Family Initiative, a pledge to the Mitzvah Moment appeal, an enhanced annual contribution, or any other initiative, your donation is greatly appreciated and truly matters.

Michael Adler and Molly NewcomerJay and Suzanne AlbertGeorge and Sharon AlexanderMarc and Tracy AlifanzDave and Anita AugustBill and Sydney BaerJonathan and Bonnie BargMac and Sarah BarrLester and Heather BaskinMichael and Rosalie BaskinDavid and Ruth BathLen and Betsy BergsteinAndrew Berlinberg and Ellen RaimRichard BermanLes and Ellen BickMargaret BirdMel Birge and Janet MorganHerb BlackBruce BlankGerel BlauerGeorge BodnerLynn BonnerDarin Briskman and Vickie GrayMarina and Bill BrownDonna BrownsteinDebra and Kim BurchielBarry and Vicki BursteinHoward and Raquel ByerRabbi Michael and Cantor Ida Rae CahanaLance and Debbie CaldwellConnie CambrelengAsher and Grace CantorBarry and Barbara CaplanBernard CaplanBob and Patty Chestler

Stuart and Mandi ChestlerDavid Cohen and Lee Anna JonesIlaine CohenKenny and Rhonda CohenMargery Cohn and Marvin RichmondLouis Feldman and Risa Colton-FeldmanMarge Congress & Evi PazmanczykWill and Melanie DannJim and Ilene DavidsonAndrea DavisJulie DiamondRichard DobrowLou and Kathleen DoctorDavid Rabbino and Elizabeth DomagalskiDavid and Aaron DouglasNed Duhnkrack and James MonteithBarbara Durkheimer and Gary LarsenBunny EdelsonJohn and Sarah EpsteinTom Cull and Julia EpsteinLee and Robin FeidelsonHoward and Jen FeldmanLaurie ForrestAndrew Frank and Sally RosenfeldElizabeth FriedenwaldEric and Rebecca Friedenwald-FishmanStacy and Sharon FriedmanSue FriedmanEd and Ann GalenMorrie GalenBill and Bev GalenZanley and Claire GaltonJudah and Alison GarfinkleStanley and Adrienne GeffenRichard and Leslie Geller

Tom and Linda GeorgesRick and Marilyn GilbertLeonard and Yvonne GionetPaul and Mimi GoldmanLewis Barr and Ann Goldsmith BarrMark and Lauren GoldsteinDavid and Tiffany GoldwynDoug and Lila GoodmanGreg Goodman and Susan SchnitzerMark and Christi GoodmanAlix and Tom GoodmanSusan Graber and Bill JuneSteven and Michelle GradowGordon and Meryl HaberRachel HalupowskiIrv and Gail HandelmanRony Fintzy and Linda Harrison-FintzyCraig Hartzman and James JohnMargaret HassonGary and Joyce HoffmanJanet Hoffman and John HarlandTom and Cynthia HofmannIrwin and Renee HolzmanWilliam and Dana HuntBen and Janice IsenbergMorris and Gerry JacksonPaige JacksonKen and Karen JanoffRabbi Rachel and Gabe JosephRabbi Sam and Dori JosephArt and Sylvia KaplanJim and Rhonda KennedyScott Howard and Lucy KivelMikhail KozlovDon and Judy Kramer

Thank you...

5December 2013

L’Dor V’Dor From Generation to Generation

Jean KrosnerPaul and Lee LabbyMoshe LenskeJerry and Evelyn LeshgoldIrv Levin and Stephanie FowlerRon and Shelly LevyDave and Deborah LewinsohnCarol LewisKathleen LewisKen and Colleen LewisScott Lewis and Laura Rose-LewisJonathan and Marilyn LindnerDavid LipmanStan and Joyce LoebRalph and Bobbi LondonDick and Harriet MaizelsHoward and Robin MarcusPhillip MargolinJudy MargolisMilt and Lynn MarksChip Kosboth and Robin McAlpineFred Cirillo and Sharon MeieranJoe and Joanne MenasheJordan MenasheRuben and Elizabeth MenashePage and Lynn MesherBarney and Susan MilsteinDarren and Jill MitchellRoscoe Nelson III and Debra HarrisonMaddie Nelson and Jim LafkyTed Nelson and Curt ShaffstallPatricia NeubergerRobert NeubergerMark NewJanice NewmarkJeanne NewmarkKen and Debby NovackAvrel NudelmanAndy Olshin and Rebecca MischelDan and Tracy OseranHenry and Nancy OseranRobert and Leslie Peltz

Mark and Judith PetermanRita and Robert PhilipAllan and Marney PikeSteven Pike and Allison Sneider PikeRuth PolayHarold and Jane PollinPhil and Dorothy ReiterJim and Michael RichmanStephen and Leslie RobinsonRabbi Emanuel and Lorraine RoseTarah RoseJames Rosenbaum and Sandra LewisRobert and Joan RosenbaumDavid and Diane RosencrantzAlan and Eve RosenfeldEric and Tiffany RosenfeldRosemarie RosenfeldWarren Rosenfeld and Sheryl LangermanJohn and Marti RosenthalTed and Davia RubensteinEleanore RubinsteinRick and Jill RubinsteinDick and Deanne RubinsteinRose RustinBabak and Caroline SabiJerry and Bunny SadisKen and Loree SakaiMichael and Linda SalinskyRuth SaltzmanFaye SamuelsBen Sandler and Lolly JamersonDavid and Lisa SarasohnElaine SavinarCantor Judith and David SchiffMerrill SchneiderArlene SchnitzerDori SchnitzerLois SchnitzerThelma SchnitzerJoel and Sandra SeresLynda ShapiroRalph and Ellie Shaw

Curt and Kathy SheininRuth Sheinin and Tom BarnettJeffrey Whalen and Stephanie SiegelRon and Sheila SilverMichael Simon and Suzanne BonamiciRichard and Lori SingerJill SlanskyRodger Sleven and Marcella FloresRichard Solomon and Alyce FlitcraftLes and Martha SolteszBruce SpiegelDon Spiegel and Deborah Davis-SpiegelTom and Mardi SpitzerHarley and Robyn SpringIrvin and Sabrina SteinArthur SteinhornLes Gutfreund and Eve SternJerome and Helen SternLynn Tobias and Chet Edwards Robert TobiasBrad and Michelle TonkinCheryl TonkinEdward TonkinRena TonkinRon and Marcy TonkinBill and JoAnne TreuhaftTony and Bianca UrdesMichael Goldman and Jane VereschaginJordan and Gina WandJason and Shonda WaxmanMarlene Weil-Perez & Sharon WeilMichael Weiner and Kathy Davis-WeinerStuart and Marcia WeissJeff and Jen WeprinMark Larsen and Wendy WesterwelleJon and Amie WexlerJeff and Lynn WolfstoneTammy and Philip YasherAlan and Janet ZellMartin and Beverly ZellCharlene ZidellHerman and Vicki Zimmerman

Give Us Your Best Shot!We want to see what Beth Israel looks like season by season through your eyes and camera lens. Are you most inspired by the sight of the Temple’s glowing bricks against a pure blue summer sky or when a light dusting of snow gently caps the dome? Perhaps you like watching spring’s green buds burst forth, making the Temple play a game of peekaboo as the leaves fill in…or you’re awed by the reappearance of the building when fall’s winds denude the graceful trees of their foliage. However you most enjoy the Temple, we invite you to capture the timeless beauty of our majestic sanctuary and campus grounds in pictures and share your vision with us. From the humblest cell phone camera to the most elaborate photographic equipment, from dazzling processing skills to the simplest of angles, show us how you see Beth Israel. Take pictures and send them to us at [email protected] (jpg format preferred). We’ll feature selections throughout the year with the project culminating in a slideshow at the 156th Annual Meeting on May 16, 2014. And yes, you will receive photo credit for any images used. Questions? Feel free to contact Jemi Kostiner Mansfield: 503-222-1069 or [email protected].


Upcoming Events

Annual contribution dues payments should be mailed early in the month to ensure they are received at CBI by the December 31st deadline to permit the tax deduction for charitable donations in 2013.

Congregational Trip to NYCInformational MeetingTuesday, December 10, 5:30 PMPollin ChapelRabbi Cahana, Cantor Cahana, and the Adult Education Committee invite you on an unforgettable trip to Jewish New York from May 7-12, 2014. To learn more, come to the informational meeting on December 10.

Celebrate the Winter Solstice with Soup at our Shabbat Potluck DinnerFriday, December 20, 6:00 PMPollin Chapel/Blumauer AuditoriumJoin us on Friday, December 20 (Erev Winter Solstice) for a cozy evening of music, food and friendship… and to mark the shortest day of the year we are spreading out our Shabbat evening as long as we can.

Shir Shabbat services will be held at 6:00 PM in Pollin Chapel, followed by a casual potluck dinner in Blumauer Auditorium featuring soups, salads, and yummy breads. Beth Israel will provide a variety of hearty soups and breads plus non-alcoholic beverages. We invite you to bring salads, sides, and desserts to share with your CBI family. Wine and/or beer? Be our guests to BYOB.

An online sign-up sheet is available at www.signupgenius.com/go/70A0F4CAAAB22A20-shabbat to ensure we don’t have too many repeat dishes. While there is no charge for this dinner, we do request an RSVP so we can adequately plan. Please contact Tracy in the main Temple office at (503) 222-1069 or [email protected].

Christmas Day Meals on Wheels DeliveriesWednesday, December 25, 10:00 AMCBIOn Christmas Day, we are again delivering Meals on Wheels to homebound seniors. Drivers assemble at Temple Beth Israel at 10:00 AM. The routes are close-in SW and NW, as well as in the downtown area. To sign up, please contact Temple at (503) 222-1069 or Alan Rosenfeld at [email protected] or (503) 226-5990. Prompt response is necessary, because background checks are required by the Oregon Health Authority. Alan can give you information on the procedure.

Eighth Annual Weekend in QuestA Shabbaton of study and fun at the beautiful Oregon CoastFeb. 28 - March 2, 2014Astoria, OregonPresented by the Institute for Judaic Studies, this year’s topic is “Go West, Young Mensch!” Dr. Ellen Eisenberg of Willamette University will be speaking.

For more information, visit www.weekendinquest.org or contact Mimi Epstein at [email protected] or (503) 203-2671.

Congregation Beth Israel is a co-sponsor of this event.

Mazel Tov toMatt and Allie Neidich on the birth of their daughter, Lillian Ruth Neidich, on October 13, 2013.

Norman and Sherry Eder and Clarice Eder on the naming of their granddaughter/great-granddaughter Lucy Wolfstone Eder at the November 15th Shir Shabbat Service. Lucy was born on September 9, 2012. She is the daughter of David and Sara Eder and younger sister of Sam. Lucy’s other grandparents are Ann and Steve Hunter from Minnesota, and she has three more great-grandmothers: Clarice Wolfstone (Seattle), Thelma Hunter (Minnesota), and Elaine Buhr (Wisconsin).

May they grow in wisdom and be a source of strengthto their families and all humankind.

Condolences toPatt and Steve Bilow on the death of her father, Harrel Crabb, on October 22 in Texas.

Helen Gould and family on the death of her father, Matthew Gould, on November 3 in Mandeville, LA.

L’Dor V’Dor From Generation to Generation

7December 2013

Sisterhood

Holiday Party for Seniors in NeedThursday, December 5, 11:00 AM

We are again helping with a holiday party for the seniors at the Loaves and Fishes center on NW Irving Street. Several CBI members volunteer at this location. The party will be held on December 5th at 11:00 AM. We could really use a few more volunteers to help with the party, as well as donations of items for the seniors.

Terri Warren, who is leading this project, says, “Used clothes in good shape are welcome, especially large sizes. But what I would really love are new socks and underwear for men and women, books, reading glasses from the dollar store, shampoo, toothpaste, deodorant, floss, and anything else great from the dollar store. We can also use some tarps and hats and gloves for our elders who live outside. We can always use inexpensive towels; used shoes are always good. These are people with very little. We will be gathering on the evening before at the kitchen to make certain everything is labeled and hung up or folded on tables.”

We need volunteers on the day of the party to stand at the tables and help people with sizes and also help to keep some people from taking way more than their portions and stuffing their bags. There are several people who don’t speak English well and don’t seem to understand about taking turns and taking only a single item at a table. Language is certainly a barrier in this respect and without adequate staffing, it gets a bit out of control.

Terri also remarked, “I have had terrific luck shopping at Value Village on Mondays when certain tags are 75% off. I buy things, many warm things, and bring them home, and wash and iron everything so it gets rid of that Value Village odor. I’m making a whole bunch of tags and will have a tag applicator to mark everything appropriately.”

This is a pretty big job and any help would be greatly appreciated, both in terms of contributions and volunteers. If you can help, please e-mail Terri at [email protected].

5th Annual Sisterhood Tot Shabbat - Becoming a Tradition

The 5th Annual Sisterhood-sponsored Tot Shabbat was held on Saturday morning, November 2nd. It’s always so uplifting to be with the newest generations of our congregation and friends of our community! Beth Israel Sisterhood is proud to be able to help support all the children of our congregation, not only by giving financial support to the religious school and the preschool, but by being actively involved with them as well. It is truly a labor of love

for me personally having grown up with Beth Israel and watching my own children follow the same path I did (not so) many years ago.

Thanks to: Lynn Gelber, Beth Israel Sisterhood Programming Chair; Deborah Kaplan, Early Childhood Education Director; Rabbi Rachel Joseph; and all the parents (and grandparents!) of the wonderful children who came to enjoy breakfast, crafts, and conversations with your Sisterhood.

This has become one of my favorite traditions, and I look forward to it every year. Our next sponsored Tot Shabbat will be on March 1, 2014. I hope all of you will feel free to contact me any time if you would like to know more about WRJ/BIS and how we support your children - from preschool to high school grads.

L’Shalom, Linda Harrison-Fintzy, President, WRJ/Beth Israel Sisterhood

Chanukah Fair FunThe first WRJ/Beth Israel Sisterhood Chanukah Fair was great! There were so many beautiful things to buy. Vendors and shoppers were busy.

Thank you to: Daureen Morris, Gift Shop Manager/Buyer, for organizing the event; her helpers and volunteers on the floor and in the gift shop (Debbie Braymer, Ellen Bick, Diane Ring, and Bruce Morris among others); Craig Paton and the CBI staff for their assistance; and all of the vendors and shoppers. A portion of every sale was donated back to Sisterhood to fund our support of the CBI religious school. We had so much fun that we are already discussing next year’s Chanukah Fair.

If you missed the fair, or still need that special something for Chanukah (or any occasion), please visit our gift shop. The gift shop will be open during religious school hours on Wednesday evenings from 6:00-8:00 PM and Sunday mornings from 9:15 AM-12:30 PM. We will also be open on Fridays from 11:00 AM-1:00 PM. To schedule an appointment during other hours, please call gift shop manager Daureen Morris at (503) 246-0374. Remember, proceeds from the gift shop help Sisterhood fund religious school activities.

Bikur Cholim: Food for the Body and SpiritWe have lasagna, and now we have vegetarian dairy-free soups for anyone who is ill but needs a meal for himself or their family, those sitting shivah, and for anyone returning from the hospital and too tired to cook. Don’t be shy – the food is there for you because we care. And yes, it’s free, because the best things in life are free. Whatever the reason, if you need help, please contact a member of our clergy in the CBI office at (503) 222-1069 or Daphna Stadig at [email protected]. We will be ready with food to feed the body and spirit.

Daphna preparing lentil soup & corn muffins.


Allison B. Cohen MadrichiM TrAining And religious sChool sCholArship FundIn Memory of

Gilda Joyce WexlerEldon and Carolyn Wexler

In Appreciation ofCantor Cahana, Rabbi Joseph,

Rabbi Cahana, and Rachel Halupowski (Mallory Gradow’s Bat Mitzvah)

With love, the Gradow family

AlTAr Flowers And oneg shABBATIn Memory of

Frank BlumenkronMary Ann BustamanteRachel Blumenkron

In Honor ofBarbara Durkheimer and Gary

Larsen (Granddaughter’s Bat Mitzvah) Bunny and Jerry Sadis

Amy r. goldsmiTh liBrAryIn Memory of

Evelyn GalenTiffany and Eric Rosenfeld

In Honor ofJanet ZellArline Greenblatt

CemeTery BeAuTiFiCATionIn Memory of

David HudesmanDavid and Diane RosencrantzJohn MaySusan and Stuart ShleiferJosef NeubergerPatricia NeubergerGregory ShapiroJack G. ShapiroJoseph AlkalayJoy AlkalayRose BlackEve BlackHerb Black

rABBi CAhAnA disCreTionAryIn Memory of

Evelyn R. GalenMorris J. GalenHerman FaginRachel HalupowskiEdwin I. AugustJosephine AugustDavid and Anita August

CAnTor CAhAnA disCreTionAryIn Memory of

Corrine “Corky” ZelinkaBob Zelinka

rABBi Joseph disCreTionAryIn Honor of

Jenat and Howard Feldman (Son’s marriage & birth of first grandchild)

Dr. William Baer (Special Birthday)

Rabbi Sam and Dori Joseph

In Appreciation ofRabbi Joseph (Officiating the

marriage of our children, Leigh Feldman and Sara Moskovitz)

Howard and Jen Feldman

rABBi rose disCreTionAryIn Memory ofHilda SteinbockJacob OvetzIrving SteinbockEdythe SteinbockMara Forsythe-CraneKarla Forsythe and Jim CraneJennie Y. EnkelisMara Enkelis

generAl AdminisTrATiveIn Memory of

Sandy KowittJoel and Cheryl Prell

Social Action

Meet the NeighborsThis year the Social Action Committee continues to address the issue of Food Justice, focusing on local concerns as we live in the second-hungriest state in the nation. As hunger impacts so much of one’s life, we’ve paid particular attention to helping the residents of the NW Tower and the NW Tower Annex. These are Section 8 buildings, and the need for subsidized housing is so great that even the waiting lists for these buildings are closed.

As we’ve asked you to support our efforts, including providing the children with needed school supplies, coats, and shoes, we thought you would like to know more about our neighbors next door.

These two buildings house 166 households. They are the Silent Poor - the people who have shelter but very limited financial means. They aren’t on the street, but many live a life of quiet desperation.

• The average annual income is $8,625 and 28.5-31% of this amount goes toward rent.

• 27 residents have an annual income of $1,000 or less. They have no money to do a load of laundry. Their fellow residents provide them with funds so they can do 1 load of laundry each month.

• 42% of the residents are elderly and 67% are disabled.• There are at least 35 children living in the Annex. The average

annual income per family is $8,804. Many are single parent households, and there is a need for parenting skills classes.

• Food stamps (even before the November reductions) don’t last the month, and it is difficult for the disabled to get to food pantries.

These folks need our help and support. Thanks to CBI member Marge Congress, we are providing the residents with a library. On Wednesday afternoons, we have an after-school program for homework help and enrichment.

We provide lunch for the monthly Residents Activity Council meetings. Food is the key to getting people to come out of their apartments and have the opportunity to make connections, which is why we also prepare suppers every few months. We also provide prizes for monthly bingo games - generally necessities like household cleaners and hygiene supplies, which they can’t afford to buy.

With your time and generosity, we try to give food, comfort, and a little enrichment to the adult residents. We are trying to work with the children to help them break the cycle of poverty.

Your donations to the Social Action Fund and Social Action Food Fund allow us to fund these and other worthwhile activities. Equally important, we cannot continue our efforts without your contributions of time.

Please go to the Social Action page on the CBI website to sign up to provide holiday gifts for the children (www.bethisrael-pdx.org/community/social-action). With 8 days of Chanukah, please dedicate one day of gift giving to these kids.

We also need contributions of desktop computers, whether or not in working order. Computers in the social room give residents a chance to connect with the outside world. Volunteers can refurbish the computers or use parts to keep other computers working. This is a tax deductible gift and will be so appreciated by the residents.

We want and need your help on these and other projects. To contact us or get involved, e-mail [email protected], call Tracy in the CBI office, or go to the Social Action page on the CBI website for more detailed information on all of our programming. We are confident there is a place for each of you in helping to repair the world.

On Sunday, December 8th we will be meeting in Blumauer Kitchen to make cookies for Potluck in the Park. Join us at 10:00 AM (or 11:00 AM following the Adult Ed program) to make cookies and friends.

Please join us at our next Social Action meeting on December 11 at 7:00 PM in the Semler Board Room for good company, good treats, and most importantly, good deeds.

9December 2013

Herbert L. NewmarkJanet Louvau HoltJoan and Robert RosenbaumDavid H. and Rose FertigMilton and Elynor ZusmanFred PolskyGloria SwireBenjamin BrownWilliam R. BrownIda DelmanEmma FerreraBernard CarrBob and Lore LabbyEstelle EllnerHarold EllnerIsidor C. BrillRuth L. BrillMadeline NelsonGilbert SchnitzerKen and Debby NovackHarold

UnkelesEsther Hirsch BardeL. Bernard (Barney) BardeFrances ArbackA. J. UnkelesRose UnkelesMiriam B. UnkelesLeo MatinHarry and Joanne GlickmanRose BlackElise F. WendelSusan and Larry BlackHenry (Bialistok) BillysLaura A. Korman and Chris Hill

In Honor ofHarold Fowler (100th Birthday)The Bernie Caplan Family

hAl ruThizer CulTurAl ArTsIn Memory of

Sara BazelonJim and Michael Richman

holidAy ChildCAreIn Memory of

Herbert H. LautersteinLee Lowenson

JudiTh Anne epsTein eduCATion direCTor’s FundIn Memory of

Betty V. GoldmanMarcia Colton, Risa and Louis

Feldman, & Jacob and Noah Feldman

lAndAu ChApelIn Memory of

Betty V. GoldmanMarcia Colton, Risa and Louis

Feldman, & Jacob and Noah Feldman

In Honor ofRick Blauer (Recovery)Gerel Blauer

oserAn FAmily leCTureIn Memory of

David FinkelsteinNancy and Henry Oseran

presChoolIn Memory of

Michael GrunbaumMarilyn and Hans GrunbaumBerta DelmanNicole and Jeffrey Gullish

rosenFeld FAmily AssisTAnT/AssoCiATe rABBi FundIn Memory of

Betty DonoghueNancy CaplanBess Steinman FeldsteinBenjamin FeldsteinTammy Kramer

ruTh semler youTh ACTiviTiesIn Memory of

Mitzi TobiasRegina CohenIlaine Cohen & FamilyPearl FriedmanSherry CaplanNancy CaplanBarry and Barbara CaplanMorris PollinHarold PollinSherie HildrethThe Bruce Hildreth FamilyMarvin SwireMargie WinklerSusan and Jim WinklerMinnie SpivakHenry SpivakHelen Spivak & Family

soCiAl ACTion (generAl)In Memory of

Anna PressStephen PressBernice RosencrantzM. H. RosencrantzJacob SolomonRoza WillerDick SolomonMax J. SwerdlikJerry and Evelyn LeshgoldDorothy AsherEvelyn Asher MaizelsEdith SchnitzerKathleen LewisFred CarrThomas & Leonard Carr

FoodIn Memory of

Thelma TobinHoward and Lois TobinJay GittelsohnShirley Gittelsohn and Ernie

BonyhadiIrene FrischNaomi and David StraussLoretta Bloom, Linda, Michael, and

LeslieMitzi TobiasNaomi and David StraussAlan GreenSusy, Marci, and Katrina HammelNancy GreenHerb NewmarkNancy Green and Susy Hammel

Sara SadisBunny and Jerry SadisDavid C. FrischLouAnn FrischIsaac B. HolzmanLena HolzmanM’Liss GilbertRenée and Irwin HolzmanBluma GoldbergJan Goldberg & FamilyErna NeubergerPatricia NeubergerMollie KatzPearl TrachtenbergCharles BerneLee and Frank BerneSherie HildrethLeo MatinGeri and Jerry MatinThea GrunbaumMarilyn and Hans GrunbaumLouis P. SandozSue FriedmanNancy CaplanThe Bernie Caplan FamilyDavid BloomHarriet Packouz TowneWendy and Bob SteinbergRuth SaulTed and Davia RubensteinSara BazelonMimi RichmanDorothy BaruhGail MarracciJacqueline R. SpivakHelen Spivak & Family

In Honor ofElla Menashe (Bat Mitzvah)Marcia ColtonBunny and Jerry Sadis

(Special Birthdays)Mark Dohrmann and Julie

DurkheimerGeneral Contribution

Given ByHarriet Schatz

i hAve A dreAmIn Memory of

David BloomHarriet Packouz TowneLance and Mary Steinberg

In Honor ofJim Maer (Recovery)Bunny and Jerry Sadis

heims FAmily youTh ACTiviTies endowmenTIn Memory of

Alfred J. DavisNathan DicksonI. Kenneth Davis

lloyd B. rosenFeld youTh leAdership FundIn Memory of

Miriam F. RosenfeldRosemarie RosenfeldIn Honor of

Liz and Ruben Menashe (Granddaughter’s Bat Mitzvah)

Bunny and Jerry Sadis

neTTie direCTor liBrAry Book endowmenT In Memory of

Fanny DirectorNathan RosenNettie MargolisIrene FrischStuart and Nikki DirectorHarry GrossNathan RosenNeal and Lisa Rosen

In Honor ofOlivia Cohen (Bat Mitzvah)Jerry and Evelyn Leshgold

simon & helen direCTor endowmenTIn Memory of

Alfred J. DavisSarah DavisGordon NagelNathan DicksonMitzi TobiasDick and Cameron Davis

Temple endowmenTIn Honor of

Joy Alkalay (90th Birthday)Bunny and Jerry Sadis

WrJ/Beth israel sisterhood Funds

Bikkur holim - hope in liFeIn Memory of

Irene CraneKarla Forsythe and Jim CraneBertha Mayer HoltzmanWilma Jane Balick & Sandra Kailes

Biller

prAyer BookIn Memory of

Leo and Betty GoldmanHyman and Rose VeltmanMarcia ColtonBetty V. GoldmanMargo Sercu

In Honor ofJacob Colton Feldman (Birthday)Marcia Colton

serviCe To The BlindIn Memory of

Miriam RosenfeldMeryl Haber

sisTerhood progrAmming, leAdership & enriChmenTIn Memory of

Rosebelle HimelsteinDavid and Shawn Looney

Very Thoughtful People


In Remembrance ~ May their memory be for a blessing.December 6 & 7Lettie AdlerJack N. BardeDorothy BaruhArthur BergmanAlbert BerkowitzJames D. BrombergSylvia Davis CampfNancy CaplanWilliam CohenE. Frieda DobrowDavid FinkelsteinDavid FrischFrieda GideonBetty V. GoldmanBertha GrenleyBertha Mayer HoltzmanLeslie Dell HughesDaniel KivelJulius & Lena Levistein and ChildrenSelma LindbergPaul MatusowHyman B. NudelmanSamuel OldsteinRita Kantor PearlmutterBarbara PrebishMiriam J. ReinhardtBillie RosenblumMiriam F. RosenfeldBess ShavzinHarry ShleiferJean SitwellMinnie SpivakHilda SteinbockMarion Orloff StolerCaroline Berg SwannNancy P. ThalhimerErick ThompsonDorothy WarnerIra WeinerLeon WintersAlbert A. Woolach

December 13 & 14Marilyn BlaushildRose BloomElizabeth CanterFred CarrDella CohenFannie DirectorMarjorie EastonAlfred EdelmanDavid ExpositoRyan FerranteEvelyn Galen

Harry GrossLily GroverNathan HelmanRosebelle HimelsteinCecilia HobinFrank HochfeldVictor T. HoeflichRobert Stuart JosephMollie KatzAlbert KipnisAdele LabowHannah R. LangHerbert H. LautersteinBurton L. LipmanMoses MarkLeo L. MatinJohn MayJosef NeubergerPhillip Leo NudelmanElsie K. PayneMary Frances PetersJerrold (Jerry) RichardLottie RoffeRabbi Abraham J. RoseNathan RosenJacob RosenbergJean Moss RustinLouis P. SandozJack SchneidermanSigmund SichelBessie SilvermanJacob SolomonMilton TenzerMildred Zell

December 20 & 21Robert AdamsMiriam B. AikenHerbert AlexanderJoseph AlkalayCharles BerneFrances BettmanRebecca BilowRose R. BlackDavid BloomEugene R. CohnIrene CraneFrank DirectorEugene EisemanHerman FaginAnna FevesEsther FishmanMara Rosanne Forsythe-CraneM’Liss GilbertSamuel G. Gilbert

Mary E. GreenbergThea GrunbaumEthel HarrisonMae HasmanLena HolzmanHomer KiserRuth KullmanBen Meyer LevinAnne LevittOlga LewinJoseph LipshutzRose LymanEvelyn MandelbaumDora ManheimS. Julius MayerJudith MellerMorton MillsRobert Arthur NagelStanley B. NagelFannie OldsteinJacob OvetzMorris PollinAnna PressAnita ReinhornShirley RicklesBernice RosencrantzCharles L. RosenthalHarry RubinJack RubyRuth SaulAdele SavinarSol SaxMilton SchatzTheodore SchoenfeldJacob G. SendersCynthia ShermanAlan E. ShevachAnne SiegelFlora SpaiserGertrude SussmanJoseph Munroe ThomHarriet Packouz TowneElise F. WendelGilda WexlerSpencer WingJack WinklerSophie Jean WolfHarry J. YurmanDaniel ZellNorman Zimmerman

December 27 & 28Dorothy AsherEdwin I. AugustJosephine August

Pearl BaskinMaxine BauerSara BazelonHenry (Bialistok) BillysEve BlackFrank BlumenkronMary Ann BustamanteRonald CohenSidney CohenAlfred J. DavisBerta DelmanLouis DiamondsteinNathan DicksonIan DouglasJudith EpsteinVictor FeibelmanBenjamin FeldsteinJerome FreibergAnna GellerLeonard GellerThomas T. Georges, Sr.Bluma GoldbergPauline L. GoldbergAbraham GoldsteinRhonda Beth GoldsteinJoseph GreenwaldMichael R. GrunbaumGoldie HammelSherie HildrethDavid HudesmanSeymour KaufmanPhilip KipnisMorris KleinJanice Alexander LevySamuel LowengartMorrie MinkErna NeubergerMatthew NeuweltAugusta NewmarkBurton NudelmanReva B. ReingoldCharlotte RosenLouis RosenbergMorris H. “Mish” RosencrantzMax SchlesingerEdith SchnitzerMyra ScholnickGregory ShapiroMax SolomonIrving SteinbockMax J. SwerdlikBilah VilnerStanley WandRoza WillerCorinne “Corky” Zelinka

Senior RabbiMichael Z. [email protected]

Senior CantorIda Rae [email protected]

Assistant RabbiRachel L. [email protected]

Rabbi EmeritusEmanuel Rose, D.H.L., [email protected]

Cantor EmeritaJudith Blanc Schiff [email protected]

Education Department

Education DirectorBen Sandler, M. Ed. [email protected]

Early Childhood Education DirectorDeborah [email protected]

Education AdministratorMor [email protected]

Member Services

Executive DirectorSydney A. [email protected]

Development DirectorJen [email protected]

Congregational Affairs DirectorJemi Kostiner Mansfield [email protected]

Finance DirectorJim Baldwin, [email protected]

Accounting AssistantVicki [email protected]

Project CoordinatorDara [email protected]

Office AdministratorTracy [email protected]

Facilities ManagerCraig [email protected]

Facilities StaffAndy ColesDrew Christensen

Catering Panel

Alfresco Catering by Sheraton503-335-2858Shellie Postlewait

Art of Catering503-231-8185Larry Grimes

Food in Bloom503-223-6819Catherine Hernandez

Century Catering503-849-2605Allen Levin

Devil’s Food Catering503-233-9288Charles Stilwell

Culinary Artistry503-232-4675Jenn Louis

CBI Team

11Congregation Beth Israel

December 2013 Kislev-Tevet 5774

SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY

1 Kislev 28

Chanukah 5th Candle

No Sunday Programming

2 Kislev 29

Chanukah 6th Candle

3 Kislev 30

Chanukah 7th Candle

4 Tevet 1

Chanukah 8th Candle

Executive Committee12:00 PM SBR

Midrasha 5:30 PM SEC

Alef Bet Class with Cantor Schiff6:00 PM LB

5 Tevet 2

Membership Committee12:30 PM SBR

IHP4:30 PM SEC

WRJ/BIS Board Meeting6:30 PM SBR

6 Tevet 3

Mah Jongg 10:00 AM SBR

Kabbalat Shabbat Service 6:00 PM PC

JND Shabbat Service7:30 PM PC

7 Tevet 4

Torah Study 9:00 AM SBR

Tot Shabbat Service 9:30 AM PC

Shabbat Service:Bat Mitzvah of Jada Barbon 10:30 AM Temple

8 Tevet 5

Book Group9:00 AM SBR

Religious School/ B’nei Mitzvah 9:15 AM - 12:15 PM

Potluck in the Park baking10:00 AM BA Kitchen

Adult Ed: 36 Yiddish Phrases Everyone Should Know (Eric Kimmel)10:00 AM PC

Kol Echad Choir Rehearsal11:30 AM BTB

9 Tevet 6 10 Tevet 7 Meditation Group7:30 PM SC

NYC Trip:Informational Meeting5:30 PM PC

11 Tevet 8

Knit-a-Mitzvah 10:00 AM SBR



Social Action Meeting 7:00 PM SBR

12 Tevet 9 IHP4:30 PM SEC

13 Tevet 10



14 Tevet 11


Shabbat Service10:30 AM PC

15 Tevet 12

Religious School/ B’nei Mitzvah 9:15 AM - 12:15 PM

Kol Echad Choir Rehearsal11:30 AM BTB

16 Tevet 13 17 Tevet 14 18 Tevet 15

Education and Youth Committee11:45 AM SBR



19 Tevet 16

Adult Education Committee8:30 AM SBR

IHP4:30 PM SEC

Board of Trustees Meeting6:15 PM SBR

20 Tevet 17


Shir Shabbat Service 6:00 PM Pollin ChapelWedding blessing: Kelly Donnelly & Tony Talal

Soup & Salad Potluck7:00 PM BA

21 Tevet 18


Shabbat Service10:30 AM PC

Havdalah Bat Mitzvah of Emma Freedman 5:00 PM Temple

Adult Ed: Dinner, Havdalah & Movie: Crossing Delancy6:00 PM MR

22 Tevet 19

Winter Break: No Classes

23 Tevet 20 24 Tevet 21 25 Tevet 22


Let’s Do Something Jewish for Christmas9:00 AM - 5:00 PM GH

26 Tevet 23 Winter Break: No Classes

27 Tevet 24 Mah Jongg 10:00 AM SBR


28 Tevet 25 Torah Study 9:00 am SBR Shabbat Service10:30 AM PC

29 Tevet 26


30 Tevet 27 31 Tevet 28

Location Key

HH = Harris Hall BA = Blumauer Auditorium GH = Goodman Hall LB = Library LF = Lipman Foyer MR = Miller Room PC = Pollin Chapel

SBR = Shirley & Herbert Semler Board Room SC = Shemanski Chapel SEC = Sherman Education Center SFC = Schnitzer Family Center

AdministrationOffices & Clergy 503-222-1069Education Department & Preschool 503-222-2037Fax Machine 503-274-1400WRJ/BI Sisterhood Judaica Gift Shop 503-222-1069Beth Israel Cemetery 503-222-1069426 SW Taylors Ferry Road

View our online calendar atwww.bethisrael-pdx.org

Art of Catering503-231-8185Larry Grimes

Food in Bloom503-223-6819Catherine Hernandez

Century Catering503-849-2605Allen Levin

Devil’s Food Catering503-233-9288Charles Stilwell

Culinary Artistry503-232-4675Jenn Louis


AdministrationOffices & Clergy 503-222-1069Education Department & Preschool 503-222-2037Fax Machine 503-274-1400WRJ/BI Sisterhood Judaica Gift Shop 503-222-1069Beth Israel Cemetery 503-222-1069

Congregation Beth Israel1972 NW Flanders StreetPortland, OR 97209-2097

Affiliated with the Union for Reform Judaism since 1879

Board of Trustees 2013/2014

Stuart Chestler President

Ned Duhnkrack VP/President Elect

Ilene DavidsonVice President

Elizabeth DomagalskiVice President

Brad Tonkin Vice President

Ted Nelson Secretary

John Epstein Treasurer

Jonathan BargDeborah CaldwellEric Friedenwald-Fishman Ali GarfinkleLinda GeorgesSharon MeieranJoanne Van Ness MenasheMark PetermanMarney PikeRon SilverArthur SteinhornJane Vereschagin

TrusteesOfficers

AuxiliariesLinda Harrison-Fintzy - WRJ/BI Sisterhood PresidentBob Winthrop - Brotherhood President

NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONU.S. POSTAGE PAID

PORTLAND, ORPERMIT NO. 594

December 2013 Bulletin - Congregation Beth Israel, Portland Oregon

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