In Every Generation - collections.americanjewisharchives.orgcollections.americanjewisharchives.org/ms/ms0882/00829/ms0882.00829... · EDUCATION NOTES Also on April 1 st - 7 th/8th

April2001 I) Nisan I Iyar 5761

In Every Generation

tlB 'chol Dor VaDor ... In every generalion one is obligated to see oneself as one who personally went

out from Egypt. "

In A Different Night: The Family Participation Haggadah by Noam Zion and David Dishon, we find a commentary by the Hassidic Rabbi Nachman ofBratslav on this passage. He teaches that the Exodus from Egypt occurs in every human being, in every era, in every year and in every day. At the seder we must try to empathize with that original Hberation and to discover its relevance throughout the generations. On Sunday, April 1, families in grades pre-KIK through 5/6 are invited to make the story of the Exodus real for themselves as they embark on "Passport to Pesach". Each family will have the

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opportunity to make matzah, step up to the charoset bar, and go for a dip in salt water. They will play the life-size "Seder of the Seder Game" and recite the four questions for Judge Shosh. They will experience the magic of Pesach with Jay Schertzer as the story is retold .. . and put themselves in the picture, as each person will have the opportunity to recount what "My Exodus" was like with Rhoda Rosen.

As we all sit around our seder tables with family and friends, my each of us have the opportunity to recount the story. .. and pass it on to the next generation.

Enid C. Lader, Director Congregational & Family Education Community Funded Position

EDUCATION NOTES

Also on April 1 st - 7th/8th grade field trip to B 'nai Jeshurun Congregation to meet Hannah Pick Goslar, Holocaust survivor and childhood friend of Anne Frank. Ms. Pick is the recipient of the ADL's Courage to Care award for her efforts to speak out and rescue the memories and voices of the Holocaust. She is the "Hanneli" in Anne Frank's diary, and her story is one that lets people see another side of the young diarist - the bright and funny girl she was while growing up. This is quite an opportunity for our students and we are excited that they will be able to meet Ms. Pick.

Also on April 1 st. .. our high school students will be visiting the Islamic Center of Cleveland as part of their study of Comparative Religions with Lisa Feldman. The mosque, on West l30th

Street, is quite striking in its design and decoration, and the Imam (their spiritual leader) is very welcoming.

Pesach Spring Break on AprilSth and lOth; classes resume on Sunday, AprillSth. Rabbi Lettofsky will be here to lead services for the last day of Pesach and Yizkor, for adults and Sth through 12th graders, at 10:30 a.m. Shosh Ault will lead a Leamer's Service at 11:30 a.m. for 3M through 6th graders and interested adults. Our pre-K/K and t it/2M graders will have a dance program in preparation for Yom HaAtzmaut.

BULLETIN Published 12 times a year by

Beth Israel- The West Temple 14308 Triskett Road, Cleveland OH 44111

Phone (216) 941-8882; FAX (216) 251-8444 WebSite: uahc.org/oh/oh020

Rabbi: Alan B. Lettofsky Co-Presidents: Maryellen KohnCudney & Barbara Schwartz Dir. of Congregational and Family Education: Enid C. Lader

Religious School Administrator: Rhoda Rosen Editor: Linda Kramer

Production Coordinator: Pat Outlaw Deadline for May issue: April 16, 2001

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The ShCJ,bbaton for our 3rd/4th grade families will be held Saturday, April 21 st beginning at 10:00 a.m., to include a family Torah Study, Shabbat Morning Service, and a festive Kiddush Luncheon.

******************

Shabbat Morning Torah Study continues in April as we read the book of Leviticus. All are invited to join the discussion on Shabbat mornings from 10:00 to 10:45 a.m.

April 7 - Tzav Lev. 6:1-8:36 Offerings are described, as well as the consecration of the priests and the tabernacle which begins the institution of formal communal worship in ancient Israel.

April 14 - Special Reading for Pesach -Ex. 13: 17-15 :26 - Telling of the crossing of the Red Sea, and the song that Moses and the people oflsrael sang.

April 21 - Shemini - Lev. 9: 1-11 :47 Details of the proper behaviors of priests and the laws of kashrut.

April 28 - Tazria/Metzora Lev. 12:1-13-:39/14:1-15:33 -Laws of purity of body and home are detailed.

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TEMPLE TIDBITS

Special Thank You: Special thanks go to everyone who helped make the Sephardic Shabbat such a success Feb. 23 . The service was a joint venture with Agudath B'nai Israel of Lorain. Of course, we are indebted to Rabbi Alan Lettofsky for leading the service and to Gerard Edery and George Mgrdichian for the superb music. We also are grateful to:

© Linda & Jay Schertzer for providing a truly festive feast.

© Rivienne Levin for supplying a large tray of stuffed grape leaves.

© Enid Lader for making Moroccan cookies at 11 p.m the night before.

© Saragene Davis & Rebbetzin Jean Lettofsky for the flower arrangements.

© Abby Lader for staffing the "Tape Table. " © Luis Fernandez, president of Agudath B'nai

Israel, who helped with publicity. © Everyone who pitched in with preparations

beforehand and cleanup afterward. People were having such a good time, they didn't want to leave.

© The members of Agudath B'nai Israel, whose contribution, coupled with funds from the Lenore Singer Music Fund, made the Sephardic Service possible.

**************** Mazel Tov: Congratulations to Craig & Roberta Newman, who are celebrating their 25th anniversary this month. The Newmans were married April 3, 1976.

Also, mazel tov to Dan & Carole Litt, who have been married for 30 years. The Litts were also married on April 3, but in 1971.

**************** From the Editor: Bulletin Editor Linda Kramer would like to thank all those who helped put together the March edition while she was a bit

under the weather. Linda had gall bladder surgery at Southwest General Health Center on Feb. 23 . Special thanks go to Rhoda Rosen for making a special trip.to the temple with page layouts on deadline, and to Doris Rieff, Les & Leona Ackerman and Bob Roth for putting out the Bulletin in record time. Thanks also to all who sent cards and called. Your thoughtfulness is much appreciated.

**************** The April Bulletin was put out with the help of computer whiz Lynda Kane. We are experimenting with a new technique that we hope will make the Bulletin look better and read better. Bear with us while we "tinker" over the next few months.

D {~,

New Local Web Site

Synagogue records are part of the Cleveland Jewish Archives maintained by the Western Reserve Historical Society. The archives are available online. Find the listing for any synagogue, including Beth Israel, by logging on to www.wrhs.org. Choose "collections" and then "search online catalog." The archives' Web page describes the program and contains historical photos. To access the Web page, choose "collections" and then "archives."

Volunteer Opportunity

Heartland Hospice is a new home health care and hospice program based in Independence. It is looking for volunteers to help with patient visits, work in the office and perform community outreach. For more information, call Kay Housum at (216) 520-0765.

NEWLIBRARYACQUISITIONS By Bob Roth

FOR ADULTS

Modern Jewish Thinkers: An Introduction by Alan T. Levenson.

This book offers a non-technical, user-friendly guide to the most important modern Jewish thinkers and movements. Biographical and historical introductions precede a discussion of each thinker's major works, principal ideas and enduring legacy.

Highlighting well-known Jewish thinkers from a spectrum of opinion (among them Baruch Spinoza, Martin Buber, Mordechai Kaplan and Joseph Soloveitchik), the book also addresses issues such as what makes a thinker Jewish and what makes modern Jewish thought modern?

Confronting Anti-Semitism: A Practical Guide by Leonard P. Zakim.

This is the perfect handbook for victims of discrimination and prejudice as well as for those

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who wish to make America into a country where every citizen's rights and privileges will be protected. It will become an indispensable guide to how to respond to acts of prejudice and how to fight those who would diminish the dignity and humanity of anyone.

And the Sea is Never Full: Memoirs 1969- by Elie Wiesel.

As this concluding volume of his moving and revealing memoirs begins, Elie Wiesel is 40, a writer of international repute. Determined to speak out more actively for Holocaust survivors an the disenfranchised everywhere, he sets himself a challenge: "I will become militant. I will teach, share, bear witness. I will reveal and try to mitigate the victim's solitude." He makes words his weapon, and in these pages we relive with him his unstinting battles.

We see him meet with world leaders and travel to regions ruled by war, dictators, racism and exclusion in order to engage the most pressing issues of the day.

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New Library Acquisitions cont.

FOR CHILDREN

~rshon's Monster, A Story for the Jewish New Year as retold by Eric A. Kimmel. For Ages 6-10.

Gershon sometimes made mistakes. But unlike most people, he never regretted them or asked anyone's forgiveness. Why should he? He merely swept them up and tossed them into the cellar. Then every year on Rosh Hashanah, he would put them into a sack and cast them into the sea. Little did he know that his thoughtless behavior would come back to haunt him. Was there still a chance for him to change?

The Day the Rabbi Disappeared, Jewish Holiday Tales of Magic as retold by Howard Schwartz. For Ages 6 and older.

In this remarkable holiday collection, rabbis famous for their knowledge and powers, including women rabbis, bring about miracles, reveal the secret meanings of dreams and names and contend with angels and enchantments. Noted folklorist Howard Schwartz retells 12 Jewish tales from around the world. Each combines elements of magic with a link to a Jewish holiday.

VIDEOS

On Our Own Terms, A Four-Part Video Cassette series by Bill Moyers.

Program One: Living With Dying. Program Two: A Different Kind of Care. Program Three: A Death of One's Own. Program Four: A Time to Change.

Each cassette is 90 minutes long and is in color.

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Paula Jacobson and Nathan Jacobson invite the congregation to join in celebration and worship as their son,

'\ / \. \ ________ ..L._.At \"""'-"7 SAMUEL JACOBSON ',"" •• 1 V ( . ,(

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\/ ... is called to the Torah

as a Bar Mitzvah 10:30 a.m. Saturday April 28

A kiddush will follow in Ratner Hall after the Service.

JNF PRESENTS ...

This is the first in a series of articles about the Jewish National Fund in honor of its 100th anniversary. For more infonnation about JNF, call Ron Horvat at (21'6) 464-3888.

It was the fourth day of the Fifth Zionist Congress in Basel, Switzerland. The delegates had spent the whole day debating a proposal for the establishment of a national fund to purchaSe land in Palestine, as had been suggested at the First Zionist Congress four years earlier by Heidelberg math professor Zvi Hennann Schapira. At the time, the proposal had been received enthusiastically, though its implementation had been deferred.

Schapira died shortly before the Second Congress, in the summer of 1898. But the idea of a fund had won a large following and members of the new Zionist movement spoke passionately and eloquently of it at every gathering. Yet, for all that, the second, third and fourth congresses had passed without any practical decision being taken, and even Theodor Herzl, who had been very fond of the professor, had done nothing to translate the proposal into action.

For Herzl had felt sure that he would soon elicit a charter from the Turks that would enable him to set up a Jewish state, and then, when the great immigration of Jews to Palestine began, a national fund would be set up to purchase land for settlement.

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Five years had elapsed since the movement's foundation. Herzl had met with the sultan and his advisers, with kings and princes and the nobility of Europe. To each and every one he had spoken about his idea for a Jewish state and its implementation, yet the Fifth Congress was already in session -- and the charter was still out of reach.

At times it seemed that the dream of a Jewish state was destined to remain just that -- only a dream. But Herzl was unwayerin~- it W.l¥' time to take action, and he was detennined that before the congress came to an end, a national fund would be established. And the dream of a Jewish state -- a return to the homeland -- would be one step closer to becoming a reality.

********************* EGO TO SOUL: A daylong seminar on kabbalistic teachings will be April 1 at the Cleveland College of Jewish Studies. "Ego to Soul: Kabbalistic Journeys from Slavery to Freedom" will feature text study, group discussion, Hasidic storytelling and song to explore kabbalistic teachings about the Exodus. Leading the seminar will be Rabbi Yakov Travis of CCJS with featured guest Rabbi David Zeller of Jerusalem. Cost is $50. The seminar, which runs 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., will be at 26500 Shaker Blvd., Beachwood. Call (216) 464-4050 for more information.

CIIUibuUIIS April 2001

w. l1'li'" IcIlI8w1allll"" FelI8wi111 CoabiIIIIIioas

a •• anlfllII

In Memory Of Herman Provder

Ted & Roberta Provder Ruth & Emil Klein

Berthold Klein, Fred Feigenbaum

Richard Feigenbaum

In Memory Of Fannie Mesiboff

Blanche & Herb Caron

In Memory Of Charles & Esther Rubin

Sally & Erwin Lezberg

Donna Lezberg Sally & Erwin Lezberg

Marvin M. Goldberg Beryl & Michael Palnik

Tree alII. Fund

In Memory Of Lisa Reminick

Pat Outlaw

librarV fIIIId

In Honor Of Marion Epstein's 80th Birthday

Sheila & Bernard Eckstein Alex Kimmelman

Ruth Schochet

In Memory Of Vivian Tamarkin

Valerie Tate

In Appreciation for Me'ah Classes Pat Outlaw

*********************************************

o NEWS YOU CAN USE

SPRING MIDRASHA: The Spring Midrasha program, sponsored by the Cleveland College of Jewish Studies, begins April 26. Peter J. Haas, Abba Hillel Silver professor rof Jewish Studies and director of the Samuel Rosenthal Center for Judaic Studies at Case Western Reserve University, will speak about "Back to the Sources." The theme of the six-week series of courses will be "A Look at the Sources." All sessions begin at 7:45 p.m. for six consecutive Thursdays at Park Synagogue East, 27575 Shaker Blvd., Beachwood. Subsequent classes will include "Classics of

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Jewish Humor," "Pirke Avot - The Saying of Our Ancestors," "A Look at Torah Cantillation" and "Jewish Women and Jewish Sources." Fee is $36 for temple members. To register or for more information, call (216) 464-4050 Ext. 118.

MISSION TO RUSSIA: ARZA/World Union is sponsoring a leadership mission to the former Soviet Union Aug. 23- Sept. 2. Members will visit Moscow, Kiev and St. Petersburg to see how Jewish life has been revitalized. Cost is $2,995 per person. For more information, call (212) 650-4280.

YAHRZEITEN Civil dates correspond to Hebrew calendar, unless followed by * * *

April 6-7 13-14 Nisan 4/2 Merle Schwartz 4/4 Boris Goldberg 4/5 Max Briskman 417 Samuel Mesiboff

April 13-14 20-21 Nisan 4/8 Mary Jacenty***

Harold Feldman Edna Smilgoff

4/9 Eva Gartner Charlie Gluck Irwin L. Newman Harriet Goldberg

4/12 Anna Mark Harold Altus Emma Caron Leonard Reingold

4114 Rose Seldin

April 20-21 27-28 Nisan 4/15 Dorothy Cohen

Gloria Wax 4/16 Sandra Schwartz 411 7 Alfredo Flores

Abraham Melnick 4/18 Jonathan Schoen

Faye Schwebel 4/20 Isaac Conan Caron 4/21 Henry Stone

April 27-28 4-5 Iyar 4/24 Irving Schecter 4/28 Lucille Deren

Jerome Rosen

May 4-5 11-12Iyar 4/30 Michael Fendrich

Miriam Rosenblum 5/2 Ruth Goldman

Henry Rand Helene Weber

5/4 Donna Lezberg

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April Simchas

Student Birthdays 1 Sam Aprile 3 Lauren Pankiw 12 Deborah Mason 14 Samuel Jacobson 22 Sarah Brehm 24 Rachel Kaplan

Daniel Rand 26 Michael Robinson 29 Joseph Spiro

Wedding Anniversaries 3 Dan & Carole Litt

Craig & Roberta Newman 7 Martin & Susan Asztalos 10 Willy & Phyllis Sapell 15 Robert & Shellie Sedlak

PRESIDENTS' MESSAGE

SPRING RENEWAL

The leadership responsibilities in a small congregation are widespreaa·-We·bav&just-as-many-l'espensibilities-os· larger congregations, but a fraction of the folks to accomplish them all. Do the math_ Where large congregations may be able to survive with a 5% level of involvement, we need a much higher level.

We've recently established full membership on the board of trustees - with each member heading a committee that relies on the energy and commitment of many more congregants. We are rapidly finalizing membership on the Long-Range Planning Committee. which will look for more congregational involvement. Our religious school, library, office, Judaica shop, and other committees all rely on members' time and talent.

We are fortunate to have many new members willing to commit themselves to the continuity of Beth Israel. While thanks and support go a long way to keep leaders strong and positive, it's important to strengthen leadership skills through special programs.

The VAllC provides just such an opportunity with its Regioaal Spring .Leadership KaUah. This year it w.H1 be held May 4-5 at the new Bertram Inn and Conference Center in Aurora, Ohio. In 24 hours the Kallah offers programming, sessions, discussions, worlcshops, and worship focused on the needs of congregational and regional leaders. More important, it offers the opportunity to meet and share ideas with folks who face the same challenges, issues, and problems.

Whether you are currently involved in a committee or project - or would like to be - the Spring Leadership Kallab is an excellent way to prepare yourself. The cost of the program is small- the rewards, tremendous. Think about it for yourself, or encourage someone who has the potential to contribute to the life of our congregation. The registration deadline is April 23. We hope to seeyou there!

Shalom, Maryellen Cudney and Barbara Schwartz Co-Presidents, Board of Trustees

",

DATE SERVICE LEADER

Fri. Rabbi Lettofsky 4/6

Sat. Enid Lader 4n

Fri. Shosh Ault 4/13

Sat. 4/14 Fri. Enid Lader 4/20

Sat. Myrna Pendery 4121 Leslie Pendery Fri. Enid Lader 4127

Sat. Rabbi Lettofsky 4128

SHABBAT HONORS SCHEDULE APRIL 2001

USHERS CANDLES HAGBAH ALIYAH

.' Ed Rand Tamara Rand

,

,

Kenny Robinson Jay Schertzer Fred Goldberg

Jordan Rolleston Brooke Jacobs

1.

Rachel Pankiw Craig Newman Alfred Reingold

Sarah Brehm Marilyn Bogart

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Alexander Wax Barry Schoen Mark Wax

Paula Jacobson

• BAR MITZVAH OF· SAMUEL

GALILAH ONEGHOSTS

Neal & Robin Kaufman

Ken & Laurie Kranyak

Lila Robinson The Robinson Family

Maryellen Kohn

Dale & Karen Levy

Rivienne Levin The Pankiw Family David & Shaye I

Komitau

Sheri & Rick Vaccarella

Roberta Provder The Wax Family

Harry & Enid Lader

Laurie Levinson & Michael Kukura

JACOBSON Paula Jacobson Nathan Jacobson

SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY 1 8NIaan 2 'Nlun 3 IONuao Pre-KlI-SI6 FamilyPesach Program. 7/8 Grade to B'nai leshuran. Me'ah High School 7:30 p.m. Visits Islamic Center.

8 lSNIaan 9 16Nuao 10 17NIaan PESACH NO SCHOOL PESACH Second Seder Agudath B 'nai Israel Lorain. Ohio NO SCHOOL 15 UNIaan 16 Z3NIaao 17 14Nbao

YIZKOR SERVICE 11:00 am.

Me'ah 7:30p.m.

22 Z9NIaan 23 3ONbao 24 lIyar

Board Mtg. 12:30 p.m.

Me'ah 7:30p.m.

29 6Iyar 30 7 Iyar

Hebrew -Level II 11:00 am.

APRIL 2001 NISAN--IYAR 5761

WEDNESDAY THURSDAY 4 UNuao 5 UNIaan

.

11 18Nbao 12 l'Nuao

18 ZSNlun 19 Z6Nuao

Yom Hashoa V'Ha(VW"a Commemoration Park Synagogue 7:30p.m.

25 ZIyar 26 3Iyar YOM HAZlKARON YOMHA'ATZMAUT Community-wide celebration of Yom Ha' Atzmaut at Circle of Friends Park Synagogue 7:30p.m. 7:00 D.m.

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FRIDAY SATURDAY 6 UNIaan 7 14NIaan

1iav Torah Study

Family Shared 10:00 a.m. Torah Service Shabbat Service

7:30p.m. 10:45 a.m .

FIRST SEDER

13 ZONIaan 14 UNIaan

Torah Study 10:00 a.m. Torah Service

Erev Shabbat 10:45 a.m. Service 8:00 p.m.

20 Z7NIaan 21 Z8Nbao Sltemin;

3/4 Grade Shabbaton 10:00 a.m . .

Erev Shabbat Torah Service Service 8:00 p.m. 10:45 a.m.

27 4Iyar 28 5 Iyar

TauiolMet:Pra Torah Service 10:30 a.m.

Erev Shabbat BAR MITZVAH-Service 8:00 pm SAMUEL

JACOBSON

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SERVICE SCHEDULE

Sat., April 7, Torah Study 10:00 a.m.; Torah Service 10:45 a.m. (Enid Lader)

Sun., April 8, PESACH, Second Seder at Agudath B'nai Israel in Lorain, Ohio (Rabbi Lettofsky)

Fri., April 13, Erev Shabbat Service 8 p.m. (Shosh Ault)

Sat., April 14, Torah Study 10 a.m., Torah Service 10:45 a.m.

Fri., April 20, Erev Shabbat Service 8 p.m. (Enid Lader)

Sat., April 21, % Grade Shabbaton 10:00 a.m.; Torah Service 10:45 a.m. (Myrna and Leslie Pendery)

Fri., April 27, Erev Shabbat Service 8:00 p.m. (Enid Lader)

Sat., April 28, Torah Service 10:30 a.m. Bar Mitzvah of Samuel. Jacobson (Rabbi Lettofsky)