december 2012 bulletin

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

Volume 154, Number 5 Kislev/Tevet 5773 December 2012

Shabbat Chanukah!Friday, December 14

Join us to celebrate the Festival of Lights with a special service with the Junior Choir at 6:00 p.m.,

followed by a celebratory Shabbat dinner.

RSVP to Lynn at [email protected] or 203-336-1858. $10.00 for adults and $8.00 for children under 12—a main course with latkes will be

provided. We ask families to bring either a salad, vegetable side dish, or dessert.

BYOM—Bring Your Own Menorah and candlesWe’ll have dreydls for all!!!

Save the Date!

Congregation B’nai Israel invites you to join us for the inaugural event of the new B’nai Israel Empty-Nesters Group on Friday, December 7.

We will meet for a pre-Chanukah dinner after the 6:00 p.m. Shabbat service to eat, drink, and mingle! Reserve your spot today, at a cost of $24.00 per person.

RSVP to Lynn at 203-336-1858 or [email protected] by Tuesday, December 4. Come see old friends, and make some new friends as well!

James Prosnit, D.D. .................................................................... RabbiEvan Schultz ............................................................................... 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

OfficersMindy Siegel ......................................................................... PresidentSamuel Rosenberg ....................................................1st Vice PresidentMichael Blumenthal ...................................................... Vice PresidentShari Nerreau ................................................................ Vice PresidentRichard Walden ............................................................ Vice PresidentLori Underberger .................................................................. TreasurerLawrence Levine ................................................... Assistant TreasurerJulie Pressman ....................................................................... SecretaryDonna Tauss .......................................................... Financial SecretaryMark A. Kirsch ............................................. Immediate Past President

AffiliatesJim Greenberg ................................................. Brotherhood PresidentMaia Butterfield & Hannah Greenhall .............. BIFTY Co-Presidents

2710 Park Avenue Bridgeport, CT 06604(203) 336-1858www.cbibpt.org

The Bulletin of Congregation B’nai Israelis published every month except July.

2 What’s happening at temple? Get Happenings, our weekly email! Send your request to [email protected]!

Sincere Sympathy

We extend our sympathy to the bereaved families of:

Leah Hirsch, aunt of Lisa MallonChristine Katz, sister-in-law of Norci KochmanBeulah Tolk, stepmother of Howard TolkDavid Miller, father of Neil and Keith Miller and Melinda Gordon

Sharing Our Joy…

Congratulations to: Beth and Randy Reich and Bonnie and Peter Stein on the engagement of their children, Julie Reich to Brandon Stein; Elaine and Juda Chetrit on the birth of their first grandchild, Eliana Paige Laragh, daughter of Marci and Rob Laragh; Laurie and Dan Schopick on the birth of their twin grandchildren, Ava and Shira; Ellen and Larry Dinkes on the marriage of their daughter, Michelle, to Jason Farkas

Widows and Widowers Group

Saturday, December 15 at 2:00 p.m.At the home of Leona “Lee” Attenberg, 51 Morning Glory Drive, Easton Randye Kaye is the author of Ben Behind His Voices: One Family’s Journey From the Chaos of Schizophrenia to Hope, and a keynote speaker. She is also an actress, broadcaster, and singer, with credits that include 20 years as a Connecticut radio personality (STAR 99.9, WSHU), theatre appearances in New York City and Connecticut, and voice-over and on-camera work in commercials, industrials, TV, film, phone systems, and audio books. She has also been a temple member for 25 years, sings in the choir, and often appears in and directs B’nai Israel Variety shows! Please join us at the home of Leona “Lee” Attenberg, 51 Morning Glory Drive, Easton. RSVP to Lee at 203-374-9688.

TLC/Temple Loving Care at B’nai Israel Who could have imagined a storm hitting our area with such force? Superstorm Sandy wreaked such havoc, causing so many to lose power and sustain extensive damage to their homes and properties. In our synagogue community, there were many who extended much-needed TLC. Once people started to get their electricity back, the wonderful support to others was tremendous! Members and neighbors offered meals, warm beds, and the coveted outlet to charge cell phones. I extend the most sincere, collective, “thank you.”

Please let me know if you, or someone you care about, could benefit from some TLC!

Liz Nigrosh ([email protected], 203-268-9044)

In This Issue

From the Rabbi’s Desk ............................................................ 3From Rabbi Schultz ................................................................ 5Young Families Havurah ......................................................... 6Early Childhood Education .................................................... 6From the Education Center ....................................................... 7Adult Jewish Learning .............................................................. 8Donations ................................................................................ 9–10Shabbat Services ...................................................................... 10High Holy Days Appeal .......................................................... 11

The temple has added another domain name that may be easier for congregants and interested Web browsers to key in: www.cbibpt.org. You can still use www.congregationbnaiisrael.org if you like. Now there’s a choice!

A couple of days after the storm I visited our congregant Midge Vas Nunes at the Jewish Home (still on generator power) who a few days earlier had celebrated her 100th birthday. In true Midge fashion, she made a reference to the Yiddish expression, “man plans

God laughs.” It was her reminder that we are not in as much control of things as we would like. Storms like this one really get our attention and make us feel so very vulnerable.

Both burdens and blessings emerge from such an event.

So many stories of floodwaters damaging homes, uprooted trees causing destruction, and of course the ensuing power outages—but thankfully for most in our world the hardships will be temporary, the inconveniences while considerable will pass, homes will be repaired, trees replanted, and life will resume. On the positive side, I met neighbors down the street who have been living four houses away for three years whom I’ve never seen before. I learned that some of my neighbors own chain saws and know how to use them. And that neighbors who hunker down most of the time preferring back yard decks to front porches can when necessary face each other and work hard for the communal good.

The Power of Community Here at B’nai Israel, how wonderful to note that congregants have looked after congregants, recognizing that someone elderly or frail might especially be in need of assistance. Quite a number of us stepped up and checked in, and the results have been incredibly reassuring. That’s the informal network of caring that I’m proud of and it is probably even more powerful than the more formal responses that stem from our TLC group.

The Friday night after the storm some of the prayers in the service took on special meaning, and the Shabbat dinner that followed where those with power provided

a meal for those without proved a welcome and even joyous time. Such actions make us the community that we aspire to be.

How We CommunicateI learned also that there are things that we can and should be doing better to communicate with you. When our server went down we were unable to send out emails to the congregation. It was impossible to access the online temple directory, and the hard copy directory had very few cell phones listed so it was difficult to call folks and see how they were doing. Even when power was up, our system has few of those numbers available.

The Power of FacebookThe one social network that worked best was Facebook. People were able to access that from smartphones, so we were able to get messages out to some. In fact, when the generator that controls the sump pump was endanger of losing gasoline, Ira Wise put a message out over Facebook and three congregants stepped up and provided fuel. We’ve also been able to assist several congregants who have specific needs by getting the message out in that way.

So a few things are clear.

1. If you are not already a member of the B’nai Israel Facebook group, please sign up! Please contact Ira Wise at [email protected] if you need assistance in joining the group. And check out the temple’s Facebook page—like us!

2. Let the temple add your cell phone number to our directory. If you have a land line, we promise we’ll only use it in rare circumstances.

3. Being part of a sacred community can’t prevent crises, but it can ease burdens and be very reassuring when life is hard.

Rabbi James Prosnit

3Please join us for the Progressive Dinner on Saturday, January 12!

From the Rabbi’s Desk

Sandy Notes

4 Reaching out among our community. See Rabbi Prosnit’s piece, p. 3.

Chanukah Fun and Festival at B’nai Israel!

Check out the Chanukah Page at www.cbibpt.org/Chanukah.html! You can find videos, blessings, history, stories, and essays! And join us for:• Young Families Havurah Chanukah Party at Bounce U on the first

morning of Chanukah, Sunday, December 9 at 10:10 a.m. (see p. 6)

• Religious School Chanukah Service and lighting the 4th candle, Tuesday, December 11 at 5:00 p.m.

• Shabbat Chanukah Service and Family Dinner and lighting the 7th candle, Friday, December 14 5:30 p.m. Oneg and Kabbalat Shabbat Services with the Junior Choir 7:10 p.m. Family Shabbat Chanukah Dinner (see front cover)

• Shabbat Chanukah morning, Saturday, December 15 8:00 a.m. Shabbat Service, followed by Brotherhood Breakfast 9:15 a.m. Young Families Havurah

• Religious School Chanukah Music Festival on the 8th day, Sunday, December 16 at 11:00 a.m.

Did you know...

• The Festival of Lights used to be considered a minor holiday until the 1920s

• The chanukiah reminds us of the triumph of the few over the many

• Chocolate Chanukah gelt was given to children beginning in the late 18th and early 19th centuries

• Some early Jewish leaders encouraged gift-giving during Chanukah to resist Christian missionary efforts promoting Christmas

• The menorah is the symbol on the State of Israel’s coat of arms

We are a congregation of learners. There are excellent opportunities to study and learn here at the synagogue and in the greater Fairfield area. In addition, there are several Web sites that publish dynamic, thought-provoking content. Below are a few of my favorite “Web gems” from this past year. Enjoy—it is always

wonderful to find a new opportunity for Jewish learning in 2013!

For Parents: Kvellerwww.kveller.comKveller has quickly become the go-to Web site for Jewish parents. The site provides both practical parenting advice and thought-provoking blogs. Need a new recipe for Chanukah? Looking for help naming your next child?

Want to read what other Jewish parents are struggling with and thinking about these days? Check out Kveller. As an added bonus, actress Mayim Bialik is a regular contributor to the site’s blog.

For the Literary-Minded: Jewish Review of Bookswww.jewishreviewofbooks.com/The Jewish Review of Books is a quarterly publication (in print and on the Web) for serious readers with Jewish interests. This is the Web site where leading writers and scholars discuss the newest books to hit the press. If you are interested in finding your next great read, or you’d simply like to read a discussion on the latest news in the literary world, check out the Jewish Review of Books.

For Jewish Culture and Ideas: Tabletwww.tabletmag.comTablet is a daily online magazine of Jewish news, ideas, and culture. Launched in June 2009, it’s a project of the not-for-profit Nextbook Inc. Tablet really has something for everyone. You can enjoy articles about politics, arts, culture, pop culture, books, and sports. The articles are thoughtful, current, interesting, and challenging. If you

want to explore some of the newest topics in Judaism written by creative, bright writers, this is the Web site to check out.

For a Woman’s Perspective: The Women’s Rabbinic Network http://womensrabbinicnetwork.wordpress.com/

Interested in a site that speaks proudly the kol isha, the woman’s voice? Visit the Women’s Rabbinic Network blog.

Every week, female rabbis from across the country post their thoughts on contemporary topics and issues, including the recent elections, weddings, fitness, and travel. The writing is personal, thoughtful, and poetic, and it provides the reader with an insight into the minds of our country’s female rabbis.

For Lovers of the Scrolls: URJ Torah Studyhttp://urj.org/learning/torah/The Union for Reform Judaism presents one of the best sites to read about the week’s Torah portion. Each week the site presents two opinions on the parasha, one primary take and then a second davar acher or counterpoint to the first author. Check out this site every week for interesting and new perspectives on the weekly Torah portion!

For the Best Deal: JDealwww.jdeal.comOK, this is a not a Web site for Jewish learning. But if you love a good deal, this is the Groupon of the Jewish world. You can sign up for their weekly emails to get discounts on Jewish products, as offers to donate to tzedakah. They also often give away gift cards to Amazon, Bed Bath & Beyond, and other major retailers. If you love deals, JDeal is the site.

Rabbi Evan Schultz

5

From Rabbi SchultzThe Best of Judaism on the Web 2012

Happy Chanukah!

B’nai Israel has a new Facebook page! “Like” us at https://www.facebook.com/cbibpt

to find out about synagogue events, happenings, and information!

Every good Hebrew school student can tell you the story of Chanukah: A long time ago (164 BCE) the Maccabees defeated the (Syrian) Greeks, reclaimed the Temple in Jerusalem, cleaned it and rededicated it to our God. The Haftarah portion we read during the first Shabbat of Chanukah recounts the construction of that same Temple: Before construction can begin, the high priest Joshua must be purified. He stands in filthy garments before an angel of God. The angel says to his attendants, “Take the filthy garments off him!” and they proceed to dress him in (presumably clean) priestly robes.

This year it is the cleaning aspect of Chanukah that calls out to me more than the miracle of the light or even the latkes. As I write this article, our community is engaged in a massive cleanup after Hurricane Sandy. This cleanup, which involves neighbor helping neighbor and so many of our community organizations reaching out to offer support, is certainly holy. The outpouring of generosity in the wake of the storm represents our best natures.

It has gotten me thinking about cleaning in general. Community-wide cleanups and purifying the Temple are of course holy acts. But I wonder if the very act of cleaning—which reflects how God fashioned the world, creating order from chaos—can also be a part of mindful daily living. Certainly there is a time for messy play for children and adults: block-building, painting, baking, digging for worms, to name a few. But a sense of serenity dwells in my home only when it is comparatively orderly. My children play differently in a tidy playroom. I feel calmer in a cleaned-up kitchen.

The small cruise of oil that miraculously lasted for eight nights was an addendum to the Chanukah story during the rabbinic period. Whoever added it had his or her reasons, but this year the oil is not the miracle that speaks loudest to me. Instead it is the more mundane wonder of creating order. I can imagine the sense of satisfaction and wholeness that the Maccabees and their followers felt after scouring and straightening the Temple. We know of the relief families feel when they can finally return to their repaired home. I feel the same feeling on a much, much smaller scale when my home is finally clean. Rabbi Nicole Wilson-Spiro Join the Young Families Havurah for a Chanukah Party at Bounce U on Sunday, December 9, 10:10 a.m.—12:10 p.m. The cost of $16.00 per child includes latkes for lunch. Scholarships are available as needed. Attendance is limited: RSVP to [email protected]. Find more information on our blog: www.youngfamilieshavurah.blogspot.com/ and Facebook page: www.facebook.com/youngfamilieshavurah.com

6 Reaching out among our community. See Rabbi Prosnit’s piece, p. 3.

From the Young Families Havurah

From the Early Childhood CenterIt’s All About the Quality

Early childhood education has long been seen as divided between child care and education. It is important to know that this distinction is false. The true differences are all related to quality, which are all based upon the curriculum, the environment, and, most important,

the teachers. Young children flourish when they have caring adults who understand child development and have the personal characteristics to build relationships. So, whether the child is attending a school because his parents are at work, or because his parents simply seek enrichment, quality is the only factor.

As an early childhood professional, I can tell you that great programs come in all shapes and sizes. There are good (and bad) programs that call themselves child care, nursery school, preschool, early learning, day care, academy, etc. This is simply marketing. The truth is, there are no standards that differentiate. Instead, parents must meet the director and, most important, meet the teachers.

Why do I bring this up? The JCCS has announced that it will close its doors during 2013. This will leave many, many families seeking a high-quality early childhood program. I am proud to announce that the B’nai Israel Early Childhood Education Center will be expanding to accommodate some of these families. We will continue to offer the wonderful programming that you currently enjoy, and we will have many more options for extended hours. We know that this will enhance our B’nai Israel community with quantity and quality!

Fondly,Alexa Cohen, Director

WantedA functioning computer and printer for the new Pre-K classroom. If you have one that you can donate, please contact Alexa Cohen, Director of the Early Childhood Center, at 203-335-5058 or [email protected]. Thank you!


From the Education Center

Among the first people I met when I first came to B’nai Israel were Manny and Midge Vas Nunes. Midge was 82 years old and they were in love. You could just tell. Not like teenagers. They were in love like two people who never got tired of being together. And

they were together for a long time. Sadly, Manny died a few years after I first met him. He was a true gentleman and a gentle man.

Midge (her actual name is Theresa) loves to tell stories about her life. Every time I am with her she tells more wonderful stories from the amazing life she has lived. She was proud of Manny’s Sephardic heritage and told me that she and Manny had been married by Rabbi David de Sola Pool. He was a very famous rabbi in the first half of the 20th century, serving Shearith Israel-The Spanish and Portuguese Synagogue in New York City—the oldest congregation in the United States. She was sure that as a history student I would know who he was, and if I didn’t she expected me to learn about him (bit.ly/deSolaPool).

Another Midge story: She grew up in Bridgeport, and her grandparents were among the founders of B’nai Israel in 1859. Her grandfather had a dry goods store atop Golden Hill downtown (that is the area near City Hall and the downtown cabaret). She said that he told her that he had accepted the job of arranging for the purchase of a Torah scroll from somewhere in Europe and

getting it shipped back here. She described him as a very short man. On the day the ship was due, he walked to the port—cargo ships used to put into Bridgeport. But the scroll was too heavy for him. So he returned to his store and asked the young man who worked for him—Midge described him as a real shtarker (tall and muscular) and clearly not Jewish—to help him. She giggled as she described this two-man parade going up Golden Hill, with the shtarker carrying the sefer Torah and her small grandfather following him.

I love her stories. I have tried to get her to share them with our students. She has come to the cemetery with Kitah Gimel (3rd) to tell about some of the people buried there. Last year she sat with some of our Kitah Bet (2nd) students at the Jewish home. And several years ago she sat with several of our Kitah Zayin (7th) classes telling them some of her stories.

Midge turned 100 in October. There was a wonderful party at the Jewish Home where she now lives. Some of the pictures are on this page. Chanukah, like many of our holidays, encourages us to tell the stories of our past. I wanted to share some of Midge’s stories so that more of us will know them. And I want to encourage all of us to spend some time learning more of the stories of our parents and grandparents. Our elders have experienced a lot. We need to learn what they can teach us.

L’shalom,Ira J. Wise

8 Happy Chanukah!

Hebrew for BeginnersWe assure you 20/20 Hebrew vision following a 10-session proven and successful Hebrew course. $100.00 for 10 sessions. Class times and dates to be mutually agreed upon (minimum of five students needed for class). Contact Elaine at 203-336-1858 or [email protected] for more details and to register.

Continuing HebrewThis is for those who have some background in Hebrew reading or have been in Elaine’s classes before. $100.00 for 10 sessions. Class times and dates to be mutually agreed upon (minimum of five students needed for class). Contact Elaine at 203-336-1858 or [email protected] for more details and to register.

Ta’amei Mikrah—Chanting TorahBy appointmentHave you ever wished you could chant Torah? Perhaps you did it once when you were 13, but would like to be able to be part of the growing group of B’nai Israel members who can chant on a Shabbat or Holy Day morning. Cantor Blum is eager to teach Torah cantillation to any who wish to learn! Contact her at [email protected] or 203-336-1858 to arrange a private tutorial.

Raising the “Bar” in Bar and Bat MitzvahMonday, December 3 at 6:00 p.m.Join Rabbi Schultz for a four-part series for parents of upcoming Bar and Bat Mitzvah students. The sessions will be an opportunity for parents to study together and create an open forum for a discussion on contemporary topics and issues related to the Bar and Bat Mitzvah process. As parents, you will have a space to discuss how you are feeling about this major upcoming event in the life of your family with clergy and like-minded adults. All parents of upcoming Bar and Bat Mitzvah students are encouraged to attend! Note: Supervised pizza dinner/study hall will be provided for students from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. Please RSVP to Rabbi Schultz at [email protected] by this Monday at noon if your child will be joining us for the pizza dinner.

Adult RoundtableThursday, December 6 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. Join us on the first Thursday of each month and bring a sandwich, your opinion, and an open mind.

The Journey Toward the Promised Land ContinuesSaturday Morning Torah Study—Each Week at 9:30 a.m. Every Saturday morning we learn Torah together— some attend 8:00 a.m. services, while others arrive in time for the study group. Some participate every week, and others drop in when they can. Some have solid biblical backgrounds, and others are novices to the study. Some know Hebrew, and most do not. Bottom Line: Everyone is welcome! Join us for an enriching, enjoyable, and engaging hour of weekly learning of our most sacred text.

Parent Learning CircleSunday, December 9 at 10:30 a.m.The Parent Learning Circle (PLC) is an opportunity for parents of students in Gan–Kitah Gimel (grades kindergarten–3rd) to connect, learn, and create community. Our learning and discussions will mirror the topics that students are learning in their classrooms. PLC will help participants feel better prepared to answer children’s questions about Judaism, God, birth, death, and much more. PLC will help group members gain confidence in celebrating Shabbat and holidays and engaging in Jewish rituals. And participants will have an opportunity to learn Hebrew during the first 20 minute of each class, just like the children in their classrooms! Join us for the whole session, or drop in at 10:50 to participate in the Jewish living conversations. With Rabbi Schultz.

Adult Jewish Learning at Congregation B’nai Israel

9Reaching out among our community. See Rabbi Prosnit’s piece, p. 3.

Rabbi Prosnit—Discretionary FundLee Attenberg in honor of Esther Spiegel’s 90th birthday; in memory of brother Steve Verbil; in memory of Martin Livingston, brother of Frankie Stein.Cindy and Michael Becker in honor of Jim and Wendy’s son’s marriage.Audrey and Larry Bernstein in honor of Rabbi Prosnit and Wendy Bloch on the wedding of their son.Marlene Cohen and Jerome Fleisch in appreciation to Rabbi Prosnit for driving to Boston and officiating at our daughter Abby’s wedding to Daniel Herzlinger.The Elbaum family in appreciation to Rabbi Prosnit.Karen and Kenneth Ferleger in appreciation to Rabbi Prosnit for Daisy’s Bat Mitzvah.The Fleisch and Herzlinger families in great appreciation to Rabbi Prosnit and in honor of the marriage of their children Abby and Daniel.Bob Ford in honor of Clergy Appreciation Day.The Goodkind and Sunshine family in appreciation to Rabbi Prosnit and in memory of our mother and grandmother, Rose Sunshine.Stanley Lessler in memory of David Lessler.Lee Lester—a donation.Jack and Karin Newman in honor of Ethan Prosnit and Arielle Traub’s wedding.Jane and Jerry Pressman in honor of Daisy Ferleger’s Bat Mitzvah; Mazel Tov to Rabbi Jim and Wendy Prosnit on Ethan’s forthcoming nuptials.Marilyn and Irving Rosenberg in honor of Harvey and Geraldine Levine’s 60th wedding anniversary.Shinbaum family in honor of Ethan and Arielle’s wedding.Gail and Peter Weinstein in memory of Susan Weinstein Shapiro.Sylvia and Bob Weiss in honor of Gerry and Harvey Levine’s 60th wedding anniversary.Joseph and Nancy Wertheim and family in appreciation to Rabbi Prosnit for always making us feel so welcomed.The Yaffie family in loving memory of our father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, Bernard H. Seigel.Sheila and Burton Yaffie in honor of the marriage of Ethan Prosnit and Arielle Traub with our best wishes to the Prosnit/Bloch/Traub families for a hearty Mazel Tov, Shalom, and Long life—L’Chaim.

Rabbi Schultz—Discretionary FundKaren and Kenneth Ferleger in appreciation to Rabbi Schultz for Daisy’s Bat Mitzvah.

Bob Ford in honor of Clergy Appreciation Day.Kochman family in memory of Christine Katz, sister-in-law to Norci and Larry Kochman and in appreciation of Rabbi Schultz.Beth Lazar in loving memory of Reuben Weisbein.Jerry and Jane Pressman in honor of Rabbi Schultz for the work he did with Daisy and his warm words to her.Shinbaum family in honor of Evan’s Installation.

Enhancement FundLori, Ken, Ryan, Arielle, and Darcy Berger in honor of Julie Reich’s engagement to Brandon Stein.Larry and Audrey Bernstein in honor of Midge Vas Nunes’s 100th birthday.Elaine and Juda Chetrit—congratulations to Jan and Bernie Jacobs on the birth of their granddaughter, Amelia Rae Aponte; congratulations to Gale and Steven Lubchansky on the birth of their granddaughter, Sadie Lila Baker; congratulations to Paula and Bob Herzlinger on the marriage of their son, Dan Herzlinger, to Abby Fleisch; in memory of Stanley Bernstein, father of Nancy Altchiler.Bari Dworken in honor of Midge Vas Nunes’s 100th birthday and in support of the Temple Loving Care Committee.Eloise Epstein in memory of Ted Levy’s brother, Joel Levy, who recently passed away; also wishing joy and Mazel Tov to Ted and Sue’s youngest son, Jason, on his marriage to Caroline Radke.Phyllis Freed in honor of my cousins Deena, Mark, and Joshua Spector.Anne Kamens in memory of Sue Farrel; in memory of Donald Eckber.Arnold and Bobby Kaplan in memory of sister, Belle Schwartz; in memory of father, Simon Kaplan.Beth Lazar in honor of Harvey and Geraldine Levine’s 60th wedding anniversary. Mazel Tov.Lee Lester—a donation.Paul and Gertrude Reisman in memory of Hermine Reisman, mother of Paul Reisman.Bradd, Syrene, Zachary, and Jacob Robbins in memory of Stanley Bernstein, father of Nancy Altchiler.Bernice Rosch in loving memory of my dear mother, Sophia Miller.Jody Webber in memory of my parents, Lois and Benjamin Feld.Ronni and Fred Zinn in memory of Hank Silverman, father of Ronni Zinn.

Music FundThe Elbaum family in appreciation to Cantor Blum.Harvey Bluestein and Ilene Feldman in memory of Jeffrey Blueweiss.Karen and Kenneth Ferleger in appreciation to Cantor Blum for Daisy’s Bat Mitzvah.Bob Ford in honor of Clergy Appreciation Day.The Goodkind and Sunshine family in appreciation to Cantor Blum and in memory of our mother and grandmother, Rose Sunshine.Rosalind Gordon in honor of the wedding anniversary of Gerry and Harvey Levine.Muriel Lefsets in memory of dear friend, Don Eckber.Lee Lester—a donation.Kenneth and Nora Mayerson in appreciation for the glorious music at High Holidays; in hopes for a speedy and healthy recovery to Wendy Mayerson.Jane and Jerry Pressman in honor of granddaughter Daisy’s Bat Mitzvah and in appreciation to Cantor Blum.Widows and Widowers Group in honor of Richard Walden to thank him for addressing the group about tracing his family to before the Civil War in Richmond, VA.

Religious School Enrichment FundThe Elbaum family in appreciation to Ira Wise and Claire Baker.Karen and Kenneth Ferleger in appreciation to Claire Baker for Daisy’s Bat Mitzvah.Suzanne Shane in honor of Gerry and Harvey Levine’s 60th anniversary.

Nursery School Enrichment FundJoan and Alan Newman in honor of Marty Adwin’s special birthday.The Maya family in appreciation to Rabbi Schultz for performing baby-naming ceremony.

Nursery School Scholarship FundGail and Peter Weinstein in honor of Daisy’s Bat Mitzvah, granddaughter of Jane and Jerry Pressman; in honor of Jordan’s Bat Mitzvah, granddaughter of Diane and Bill Serlin; in honor of Ben’s Bar Mitzvah, son of Jill and Steven Elbaum; congratulations to Randi and Beth Reich and Bonnie and Peter Stein on the engagement of their children, Julie and Brandon.

Judith Brav Sher FundElaine and Juda Chetrit—congratulations to Gail and Gary Felberbaum on the birth of their grandson, Evan Asher Felberbaum; congratulations to Paul and Jessica Rosenblatt on the birth of their granddaughter, Maerav

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

10 What’s happening at temple? Get Happenings, our weekly email! Send your request to [email protected]!

SHABBAT SERVICE SCHEDULE

Friday, November 30 6:00 p.m. Service with the B’nai

Israel BandTorah Portion – Vayishlach Gen. 32:4-36:43 Haftarah – Hosea 11:7-12:12

Saturday, December 1 8:00 a.m. Service 9:00 a.m. Brotherhood Breakfast 9:30 a.m. Young Families Havurah 9:30 a.m. Torah Study 11:00 a.m. Bat Mitzvah of Rachel

Madwed, daughter of Jeffrey and Jacqueline Madwed

Friday, December 7 6:00 p.m. Service Torah Portion – Vayeishev Torah – Gen. 37:1-40:23 Haftarah – Amos 2:6-3:8

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

Friday, December 14 6:00 p.m. Service with the Junior

Choir Torah Portion – Mikeitz Gen. 41:1-44:17 Haftarah – Zekhariah 4:1-7


Friday, December 21 6:00 p.m. Service Torah Portion – Vayigash Gen. 44:18-47:27 Haftarah – Ezekiel 37:15-28


Friday, December 28 6:00 p.m. Service Torah Portion – Va-y’chi Gen. 47:28-50:26 Haftarah – 1 Kings 2:1-12


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

Lila Rosenblatt; congratulations to Jeff Warren and Sandi Michaelson on the marriage of their son, Eric, to Andrea Steinberg.Karen and Kenneth Ferleger in appreciation to Rabbi Sher and Elaine Chetrit for Daisy’s Bat Mitzvah.Nancy and Charles Needle in appreciation.Caren and William Schwartz in honor of Harvey and Gerry Levine’s 60th wedding anniversary.

Prayer Book FundShinbaum family in honor of Harvey and Gerry Levine’s 60th wedding anniversary.

Sylvia Prosnit Adult Education FundAlexa and David Cohen in honor of Ethan Prosnit and Arielle Traub’s wedding.

Slepian Floral FundHarvey Bluestein and Ilene Feldman in memory of Marshall Madow.Debra’s Ken-Wood Girls, Jodi, Roni, Susan, and Lisa in memory of Marshall Madow, with love.Harvey Sussman and Dotsy Goldstein in memory of Marshall Madow.Shirley Winnick—congratulations to grandson Noah Jaffer upon receiving his Ph.D. in electrical engineering from Princeton University and joining his brother Daniel Jaffer having received his Ph.D. in physics at Harvard University. A job well done to both!

Rabbi Arnold I. Sher Social Action FundElaine and Juda Chetrit in honor of Midge Vas Nunes on her 100th birthday. Happy Birthday; in memory of Steven Wexler, brother of Randy Wexler; in memory of Christine Katz, sister-in-law of Norci Kochman.The Elbaum family—Mazel Tov on Elena’s Bat Mitzvah.Jane and Jerry Pressman in honor of Daisy Ferleger’s Bat Mitzvah; in honor of my parents, Grace and Daniel Halperin.Jack Sweet in memory of Don Eckber, one of the kindest and most liked men I ever knew.

Rabbi Martin Library FundJulie and David Chivo in honor of Claire and Allan Shumofsky’s upcoming 70th birthdays.Carol Gursky, Claire Shumofsky, Carol Barsky, Rachel Isaacs, and Ruth Green in honor of the arrival of Zachary Blackman Demner, grandson of Dale and Jerry Demner.William and Lorraine Smith in honor of Harvey and Gerry Levine’s 60th wedding anniversary.Judy Zaluda in memory of Don Eckber.

Bob and Marsha Gillette FundSamuel Miller in honor of Joni Greenspan’s special birthday.Sylvia and Alan Neigher in honor of the marriage of Arielle Traub to Ethan Prosnit.

Jerry and Jane Pressman in memory of Stanley Bernstein, father of Nancy Altchiler; Mazel Tov to Bill and Diane Serlin on Jordan’s Bat Mitzvah.

BIFTY Greenwald Scholarship FundSusie Blumenfeld in honor of Emma Garelick’s Bat Mitzvah.

Kesher FundLee Lester—a donation.

MAZONBarbara Haflich in memory of Marshall Madow, husband of Sheila Madow; in memory of George Braverman, father of Bruce Braverman.

Vision Loan Reduction FundBob Ford in memory of Jesse Goldbaum.Geoff and Joyce Gladstein in memory of Jeff Blueweiss.William and Lorraine Smith in memory of father, Simon Smith; in memory of sister, Ida Lax; in memory of brother-in-law, Irving Lax.


High Holy Days Appeal Contributions

Pillar of CongregationBarbara and Jim Abraham

Judi and David BeierEllen and Larry Dinkes

Richard and Joanne KrantzMichael and Amy Moorin

Bob and Helen NattElizabeth and Mark Nigrosh

Rabbi James Prosnit and Wendy BlochLinda and Brad Rothbaum

Mindy and Jeff SiegelJon and Cleo Sonneborn

Richard and Susan WaldenPeter and Gail Weinstein

Ronni and Fred Zinn

Benefactor of CongregationLori and Ken BergerLuise and Ed Burger

Robert Ford / J. GoldbaumFran and Rob Morris

Nancy and Charles NeedleMarc and Elaine Silverman

Joseph and Leslie Varon

President’s CircleDavid Abbey and Deborah GoodmanAndrea Goodman and Jeff Ackerman

Elaine and Juda ChetritLisa and Jim GreenbergThe Greenhall Family

Joni and Michael GreenspanThe Hagani Family

Janice and Bernie JacobsSteven and Susan Klein

Lena “Lee” LesterAngelique and Andrew Levi

Samuel MillerSusan and Richard Preminger

Michael RosenbergPatti and Samuel Rosenberg

Jerry Saunders and Elaine AppellofCaren and Bill Schwartz

Lawrence and Marcy ShinbaumDebora and Michael Weisman

General ContributionsAndrew and Gina ArnoldJoel and Sylvia Askinazi

Diana and Jon AugustClaire L. Baker

Linda and Brian BarlaamCarol and Nate Barsky

Judith Ohl BartJames and Edith Baum

Jeffrey and Wendy Bender

Shirley BeresinBeatrice Berger

Larry and Audrey BernsteinMarilyn Bissell

Dorothy BlausteinLaura and Bruce Braverman

Barbara BreslerHelene Brier

Lisa and Yoav BurgerDr. and Mrs. Robert D. Chessin

David and Alexa CohenJerome and Dale DemnerJoanne and Tim Derwallis

Bari DworkenGeraldyn Eckber

Mark and Barbara EdinbergEloise EpsteinDenise Fried

The Friedler FamilyThe Gaugler Family

Marvin and Joann GelfandJack and Sandy GermainStacy and Rob Giglietti

Estelle GlassJerry and Selma Gold

Vladimir and Klara GoldshteynDonna and Avie Goldstein

Sam and Deborah GoldsteinLaurel and Hank Greenberg

Eric and Ruth GrossCharles and Carol Gursky

Mr. and Mrs. Victor GurvitsMr. Herman Gutzeit

Steven and Jane HelfgottBennett and Nancy Hersch

Don and Wendy HymanAdele IngermanSamuel JacobJanet Jurow

Ellen and Jack KaddenArnold and Bobby Kaplan

Janice, Marc, and Matthew KatzMyrna KaufmanBeryl Kaufman

Alice and George KellySally Kenler

Andrea and Irv KernAlbert and Alida Kleban

Geoffrey and Melanie KoorisBarry and Judy Kramer

Eileen and Edward KrasnowLou and Dee Landman

Carol and Stephen LandsmanBeth Lazar

Aleksey and Raisa LedvichIlse Levi

Gerry and Harvey LevineLarry Levine and Alison Bonds

Barbara and Hal LevineMonica and Michael Lightman

Dr. and Mrs. Edwin LockeRichard and Gail LopatinLinda and Larry Ludwig

Ruth MadwedErnest MaleckiMuriel Mann

George and Chris MarkleyKenneth and Nora Mayerson

Mr. and Mrs. Michael MeshkenSandra Michaelson

Melissa and Perry MolinoffJoyce MoriberFlorence Nabel

Alan and Sylvia NeigherShari and Brian NerreauAlan and Joan NewmanJack and Karin NewmanAnn and Arthur Nishball

Linda Liefland and Jon OrleansRoberta Pabian

Steven and Julie PressmanLaura Sydney-Pulton and Ted Pulton

Ken and Nina RabinePaul and Trude ReismanBernice and Paul RoschAdam and Emily Rosen

Edward and Winsome RosenthalMichelle and Joseph SalemSheryl and George Santiago

Rianne and Matthew SappernNaomi Schaffer

Twody and Rob SchlessRachel and Paul Schwartz

Jeffrey SchwartzRobert and Ellen SheimanSandy and Bob Sherman

Beverly and Melvin SilvermanAnn W. Small

William and Lorraine SmithSuzanne Phillip and Steve Soberman

Ms. Rhea SpiegelEric Stein and Dyann Ross

Francine SteinStephen and Ellen Tower

Myrna and Gerd WeindlingKen and Cindy West

Carol WestJeff Winter

James and Emma WittsteinHoward and Ondy Zuckerman

12

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New Adult Jewish Learning courses—see p. 9 for details.

The following members of the medical community join together in their

support of the B’nai Israel Bulletin

Dr. Andrea Hagani Dr. Robert D. Chessin

Dr. David F. BindelglassDr. Alan M. NelsonDr. Glenn M. RichDr. Michael Sonick

Dr. Lawrence DinkesDr. Kenneth RabineDr. George P. Kelly

Dr. Howard B. Twersky

Dr. Martha Yepes SmallDr. Peter A. Small

Dr. Charles Gary GibsonDr. Edward Portnay

Dr. Michael ConnollyDr. Kenneth KingsleyDr. Mark J. Hotchkiss

Dr. Alan LandauDr. Robert LandisDr. Andrew Levi

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WESTPORT BRIDGEPORT DANBURY ORANGE203-222-1034 203-368-0211 203-791-8149 203-298-4066

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Mark A. KirschIrving J. Kern

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Business Transactions, Commercial Litigation,Employment & Labor, Family & Matrimonial,Tax, Elder Law, Real Estate, Trusts & Estates,

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The following members of the legal community join together in their support

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Michael Becker

Ken Beck

Stewart I. Edelstein

Irving J. Kern

Mark A. Kirsch

Richard Krantz

George Markley

Daniel Schopick

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

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PAIDPermit No. 171Fairfield, Conn.

What’s happening at temple? Get Happenings, our weekly email! Send your request to [email protected]!

A Progressive DinnerAn evening of community and good food

Saturday, January 12, 2013

Gather, greet, and eat with new friends (and old)!

If you are willing to be a host or are interested in helping with the event, contact Michael/Judy Blumenthal at

[email protected]. Please join us!

december 2012 bulletin

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