rosh chodesh cheshvan tuesday, october 20 tuesday, … · tuesday, october 6 talmud torah dinner in...

Thursday, October 1Mah Jongg 7 p.m.

Monday, October 5Bingo 6:30 p.m.

Tuesday, October 6Talmud Torah Dinner in Sukkah



Wednesday, October 14Board of Directors meeting 7:30 p.m.


Monday, October 19Rosh Chodesh CheshvanBingo 6:30 p.m.

Tuesday, October 20Rosh Chodesh Cheshvan



Wednesday, October 28General Membership Meeting7:30 p.m.


Our Towns Need Volunteers

The Stratford - Trumbull -Monroe Medical Reserve Corpsis looking for volunteers. Thetowns are training volunteers tobe able to respond to a potentialpandemic flu. Volunteer activi-ties include both medical andnon-medical tasks - all types ofvolunteers are needed. Non-medical tasks may be assistingwith paperwork; traffic control;answering questions etc.Medical tasks may includescreening, answering medicalquestions, providing vaccina-tions, etc. Training is availablefor all volunteers. For furtherinformation please call HeatherHenning at (203) 452 5195 or seewww.townofstratford.com

Congregation B’nai Torah Megilla

Vol. 5770 Issue 1 September, 2009

CONGREGATION B’NAI TORAH5700 MAIN STREETTRUMBULL, CT 06611Return Service Requested

NON-PROFIT ORG.U.S. POSTAGE

P A I DTRUMBULL, CTPERMIT NO. 144

The Center Of Jewish Family Life In The Greater Trumbull Area

Breakfast at Cafe B'nai

The cafe opens at 9 a.m. on Sundays

beginning October 18th

Bagelswith cream cheese or butter

Bakery MuffinsCoffee/Tea

Juice/Water

All items are $1.00 and up

Enjoy breakfastwith your family

and friends

From the Presidentby Robert Velthuizen

Occasionally I am lucky enough to make it to shul on a weekday morn-ing. On one of those recent mornings I had the pleasure of witnessing afarewell. A Nursery School parent was saying goodbye to director JoanWatnick after seven years, in which she had had each of her childrenmake those so important first steps in making friends and learning howthe world works. It was an emotional goodbye: the tears flowed, hugswere exchanged.

This goodbye told me so much about our Nursery School. While we allcan read on the B'nai Torah website that 'Our dedicated staff supportsand cares for each child's needs', that doesn't begin to tell the strength ofthe relationships, friendships that develop within the school community.

The Nursery School is part of the foundation of B'nai Torah, and in closealignment with its mission. Children and parents alike become part of theBT community; many families become members later on. The childrenget a great start to become the confident, caring leaders we need for thefuture. The children learn about Judaism and its values.

The Nursery school clearly has become a gem in Trumbull and beyond.Every year waiting lists are long and some applicants have to be disap-pointed. Joan is now trying very hard to expand the program into theafternoons; hopefully this will work. It is not an easy thing to do, as statelicensure is complicated.

The Nursery School is one of the reasons we can be proud of B'nai Torah.It deserves our support. Come and participate in its fundraisers such asthe book fair, enjoy the children's art work on display, and keep an eyeout for those occasions where the kids participate in services, at Purimfor example. Read more about the Nursery School onhttp://www.bnaitorahct.org/nurseryschool

In a few weeks we will be celebrating the High Holidays. I look forwardto seeing you there. Happy New Year!

Calendar of Events

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The Megilla is the officialsynagogue bulletin ofCongregation B'nai Torahand is published about 11times per year.Congregation B'nai Torahserves as the Center ofConservative Jewish life inthe Trumbull area.

Publisher: Congregation B'nai Torah5700 Main StreetTrumbull, CT 06611 Phone: (203) 268-6940 Fax: (203) 268-4844; Email: [email protected]; website:www.bnaitorahct.org

Committee: Editor in Chief: Vince Woodward. Lay out, binding and mail-ing: Sharon Nagy. Printing: Susan ElkodsiThanks also to:Jeff Levi, Donna Frankel.

Subscriptions: The Megilla is mailed to allmembers of CongregationB'nai Torah and to thoseexpressing an interest inreceiving it. Please contactthe synagogue office to be included on the mailing list.

Reflections (continued)

Tisha b'Av is a day of total fasting. The mourn-ing practices include not wearing regular leathershoes, abstaining from studying Torah with theexception of studying such books asLamentations, Job, selections of Jeremiah andparts of the Talmud that deal with the destruc-tion of the Temple or with the laws of mourning.

Tisha b'Av marks the culmination of a period ofthree weeks that is observed in semi-mourningbeginning with the minor Fast of the 17th ofTammuz (three weeks earlier), which marks thefirst breach in the walls of Jerusalem made by theattacking Babylonian forces.

During this three week period, weddings are notpermitted; nor are any other celebrations and fes-tive gatherings, particularly if accompanied bymusic. The semi-mourning becomes more inten-

sified on the first day of Av, during the periodreferred to as the Nine Days. A widespread cus-tom is to abstain from meat and wine during thisperiod, except for the Sabbath day and except fora religious feast (seudat mitzvah). It is also thepractice not to purchase or put on new clothingduring this time, until after Tisha b'Av.

Social Actionby Mara Fried

I'd like to start by thanking all the peoplewho helped out by giving food during ourfood drive at Stop and Shop on the 16th. Itwas a wonderful success with just abouteveryone we spoke to opening their hearts(and wallets). Special thanks to Penny andIsaiah Volpe, Barbara Twickler, TerriKalfus, Roni Yessenow, Susan Elkodsi,

Jacob Brosler, and Shelley Berman for volunteering to stand out in thatheat and ask for donations! And a big thanks to Ronnie Yessenow fora great poster! We received over $300 in cash, and about 7 shoppingcarts full of food, paper goods, and toiletries! It just goes to show howgreat a town we live in.

Looking to the future, we have several projects planned, and as I knowno-one can do everything (or so I've been told!), here's a list of upcom-ing activities so you can plan ahead. Once again we will be workingwith Talmud Torah students to do monthly backpacks for needyBridgeport students. Our cupboard is as bare as the Trumbull FoodPantry was before the 16th of Aug. and we could use donations ofindividual cold cereal, oatmeal, hearty soups, tuna, Pop Tarts, non-perishable milk, crackers, macaroni cheese, canned fruit and similaritems (a printed list will be available at the synagogue in early Sept).We hope to send out a bunch of school supplies with this first batch (tobe packed 9/13), so pens, pencils, folders, highlighters, markers,crayons, rulers, etc. are greatly appreciated.

We will also again be running an inter-class redeemables drive compe-tition for Tzeddakah (and a class prize). If you don't have a child inTalmud Torah, don't worry, you can donate through a friend's child!In Nov. we will be running a few projects, among them gatheringsheets and towels for wounded veterans, sending a Channukkahpackage to Jewish troops abroad, and sponsoring a needy familythrough JFS to fulfill some holiday wishes. Oh, and lets not forget theHigh Holy Days Food Drive! Unfortunately, that's a need that's neverfilled. If you have any questions or comments about any of theseactivities, or just want to help out, please feel free to contact me (MaraBrosler 445-1055, [email protected]) or Susan Nerenberg, at 261-0312 May you be inscribed for a blessing.

Candle Lighting sponsored bySeptember 18 6:04 p.m.September 25 6:28 p.m.October 2 6:16 p.m.October 9 6:05 p.m.October 16 5:54 p.m.October 23 5:43 p.m.October 30 5:34 p.m.To determine the time for Havdalah,add one hour & 10 minutes (to besafe) to candlelighting time.

IRWIN PECKWilliamPitt/Southeby’sInternationalRealty

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Editor's Noteby Vince Woodward

Happy New Year!

It is my great pleasure to bring you theSeptember 2009 edition of the B'nai TorahMegilla. Thanks to all the contributors whomade it possible.

I hope in the coming months you will continue to send your ideasand writings to me at the e-mail address below. If you do not havee-mail, kindly mail your typed submissions to Sharon at the shul.Sharon would also be glad to receive your content if you would liketo advertise in these pages.

Keep reading and writing. Make the Megilla yours!

Sisterhood Newsby Debbie Velthuizen

I'd like to wish you all a happy, healthy, and peaceful new year.Enclosed in the Megilla is a flyer for sisterhood membership for thisyear. The membership luncheon will be Sunday, November 1st at 1p.m. at my house, 4 Eleven O'clock Lane, Trumbull. It will be cov-ered dish, dairy. To RSVP, get directions, or if you'd like to bringsomething, call 445-9973.

The Labor Day tag sale was a huge success. We earned over $4,100!Thank you to all the members who generously volunteered theirtime and energy.

Our first program is going to be a book review following a shortmeeting on Sunday, October 25th at 11 a.m. We will review "TenGreen Bottles". Refreshments will be served. Please join us for thisevent. Call Barbara Twickler for any questions, 268-7126.

Cards sent by the Rabbiand Congregationby Shirley Cohen

Al BerkowitzMazel Tov on birth of grand-daughter, Ava

Russell & Adina AbrahmsMazel Tov on daughter Marci'smarriage to Richard

Judy & Mel CooperMazel Tov on marriage of sonSpencer to Courtney

Debbie & Lanny BolesMazel Tov on daughterRachel's marriage to BrianFriedman

Trina & Bill BerkowitzMazel Tov on grandsonAlexander's Bar Mitzvah

JoAnne & Robert WeissIn memory of JoAnne's mother,Rose Montalbano

Stanley HochmanIn our thoughts & prayers

Edith Hersher & FamilyIn memory of husband, KurtHersher

Janet BassSpeedy recovery

Debbie & Lanny BolesIn memory of Lanny's mother,Sylvia Pressman

Donations...

To Robin & Russell Friedson,mazel tov on Ethan's BarMitzvah, from Barbara & CarlTwickler

RITUAL FUND

Yahrzeit of Hyman Wiener,Donald Wiener, & GussieWiener from Sandy Wiener

Yahrzeit of Alfred Resnick &Miriam Weiss, from Jay &Barbara Resnick

Yahrzeit of Vita Kopstein, fromJay & Judith Kopstein

JEROME MENDELL FUND

To. Ann Small, in memory ofDr. John Small, from Ellen &Steve Mendell

To Lanny & Debbie Boles &Family, in memory of SylviaPressman, from Steve & EllenMendell & family

HERSHER HALL FUND

To Edith Hersher, in memory ofKurt Hersher, from Anita & HalRosnick

Women's Auxiliary of The Jewish Home for the ElderlyFall GalaThursday, October 29, 2009

HonoringThe Honorable Alan & Mrs. Janet Nevas

Presentation of the Louis Lotstein Award for Distinguished Service posthumouslyto Dr. William G. Covey

Special GuestThe Honorable José Cabranes

Musical Entertainment featuring the Hank Lane OrchestraThe Water's Edge Darien, CT

For RSVP information or to receive an invitation, please contactDayna Hayden, 203-365-6409 or email [email protected]

The Women's Auxiliary of The Jewish Home for the Elderly will hostthe 2009 Fall Gala on Thursday, October 29th at The Water's Edge inDarien. The Gala promises to be a festive, special evening as we paytribute to the Honorable Alan and Mrs. Janet Nevas, of Westport, fortheir leadership and dedication to the Home. Our featured guestspeaker will be Judge José Cabranes, mentor to recently confirmedSupreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor and friend of the honorees.

The evening will also include bestowing posthumously the LouisLotstein Award for Distinguished Service to Dr. William GraysonCovey, the beloved Medical Director of The Jewish Home from 2005to the time of his unexpected death in May 2009.

Andrea Gottschall, of Trumbull, chair of the Gala, is leading thecommittee in planning this fabulous event and arranging a com-memorative ad journal. Highlights will include musical entertain-ment by the Hank Lane Orchestra and an exciting auction. Dietarylaws will be observed. If you are interested in making a reservationfor the Gala, would like to receive an invitation or would like toplace an ad, please call Dayna Hayden, at the JHE FoundationOffice, at (203)365-6409 or email [email protected].


Donations

RABBI'S DISCRETIONARY FUND

To Arthur Gold & Family, in memory of CarolynGold, from Mordka & Trudy Knopf, Stanley &Marilyn Glick

Yahrzeit of Harold Weiner & Charles Steigbigel,from Helen Weiner

To Rabbi Colin Brodie, in appreciation of daugh-ter's naming, from Karen & Gary Newitts

To Norman Steingard, in memory of SandySteingard, from Barbara & Charles Lipetz

To Arthur Feingold, speedy recovery, fromNorman Wattell

To JoAnne & Robert Weiss, in memory of RoseMontalbano, from: Anita & Hal Rosnick; Gale &Paul Antell; Charlotte & Jeffrey Denenberg;Bonnie & Manny Lobel

NURSERY SCHOOL ENRICHMENT FUND

To Jean Hanley, feel better soon, from Charlotte& Jeffrey Denenberg

To Judy & Mel Cooper, mazel tov on Spencer &Courtney's marriage, from Zelig & GerryZacharow, Susan & Stuart Nerenberg

To Joel Kusnitz, happy special birthday, fromMarge & Richard Labinger

To Al Berkowitz, mazel tov on birth of grand-daughter Ava, from Marge & Richard Labinger

To Janet Bass, full & speedy recovery, from: Gale

& Paul Antell, Trina & Bill Berkowitz, Charlotte& Jeffrey Denenberg, Marge & Richard Labinger,Bonnie & Manny Lobel, Irwin & Beverly Peck,Anita & Hal Rosnick, Joan & Richard Watnick,Renee Rubin, Irene Handleman, Jill & LesMakaron, Sharon & Howard Liebman, Susan &Stuart Nerenberg

To Eileen & Stan Kaplin, congratulations ongranddaughter's baby naming, from Carl &Barbara Twickler

To Lanny & Debbie Boles & Family, in memoryof Sylvia Pressman, from Bernice Dietz, Bonnie &Manny Lobel, Linda & Jonathan Schulman

To Linda & Jon Schulman, mazel tov on Judy &Spencer's wedding, from Susan 7 StuartNerenberg, Bonnie & Manny Lobel

To Judy & Joel Kusnitz, mazel tov on 50th wed-ding anniversary, from Marge & RichardLabinger

GENERAL FUND

To Arthur Gold & Family, in memory of CarolynGold, from Charlotte & Jeffrey Denenberg

To the family of Monica Denman, in memory ofMonica Denman, from Charlotte & JeffreyDenenberg

Yahrzeit of Arja Ferszt, from Bernard & LeahFerszt

To Janet Bass, best wishes, from Roberta & SyHirsch

To Maxine & Robert Marino, mazel tov on Alex'sBar Mitzvah, from Barbara & Carl Twickler

Reflections by Carl Twickler

A feeling of great pride was instilled in me as Isaw many of B'nai Torah's familiar faces asthey took their seats at Congregation Beth Elfor Tisha b'Av services. Rabbi Daniel Satlow ofBeth El asked us to introduce ourselves andshake hands with people we did not know.

Actually a few people at the service were former members of B'naiTorah and one couple retains an Associate membership with us.

As candles were lit we were told by Rabbi Satlow that the holidayis a day of fasting and mourning which commemorates thedestruction of the First Temple in Jerusalem in 586 B.C. and by his-torical coincidence also the destruction of the Second Temple in 70C.E. We were about to hear the Book of Lamentations read in amournful chant. Four women, including our own rabbinical stu-dent in residence, Susan Elkodsi chanted the Lamentation prayers.Yasher Koach to Susan!

To emphasize the mournful character of the day, it is customary toremove the parokhet, the curtain, from the Holy Ark and the dec-orative cover from the Reader's Table, providing a stark appear-ance. In some communities, the Ark is draped in black. As at BethEl it is customary to dim most of the lights, reciting the kinot bythe dim light of candles held by the worshipers. At Beth El thetorahs were turned around to give the effect of a curtain.

I was moved by the sad cadences chanted by those sitting on thebima. Rabbi Satlow acknowledge the presence of members ofB'nai Torah noting that it is important for Jews in the area to havea strong sense of community.

Tisha b'Av is an appropriate occasion in the year to mourn andgrieve over all those occasions in Israel's history which weresteeped in sorrow and suffering in death and in the Europeanholocaust (1940-1945)when over a third of all the Jewish people,more than six million men, women and children were systemati-cally put to death after much suffering.

(continued on page 10)

Enertainment Booksare Here!

Fairfield County booksare in stock August20th! All your favoriterestaurants and stores,and even a few surpris-es. Fairfield Countybooks are $30. Asalways, you can orderbooks for differentareas.

Books are available fora limited time. SupportB’nai Torah, buy yourstoday.

Special Announcement

If you would like to make adonation to any of the B’nai

Torah funds in honor of memo-ry of someone, or for a special

occasion, please contactBonnie Lobel (203) 261-8385.

If you would like to send a cardfrom the congregation, please

contact Shirley Cohen (203) 268-4514.

Either can be for a happy orsad occasion. Perhaps you

just want to say Mazel Tov! Noone should be left out!


Monday Night BingoNeeds Volunteers!

We are offering pizzaand need someone tohelp us with sales and

distribution.

If you are interested,please contact Sharon at

the office.

Plays with Jewish Themesby Rosalind Friedman

The 2009-2010 Season is dot-ted with plays presented inConnecticut and New Yorkwhich deal with Jewishthemes and offer a uniqueopportunity to compare and

contrast different points of view.

Playwright Horizons (416 West 42nd St. NYC),August 21 - September 27/09. World Premiere"The Retributionists." This new play by DanielGoldfarb, (author of "Modern Orthodox" and"Martin Short: Fame Becomes Me,") will be direct-ed by Leigh Silveman. Set in the spring of 1946,this play is described as a romantic thrillerinspired by actual events; a band of young Jewishfreedom fighters attempts to avenge a society'swrongs-if they can keep from tearing each otherapart in the process.

Westport Country Playhouse September 28 -October 16/2010 "The Diary of Anne Frank "based on the heart-wrenching book discoveredafter the young Anne Frank who hid from theNazi's first in Germany and then in Holland withher family AND was finally killed in a concentra-tion camp. The original Broadway play written byFrances Goodrich and Albert Hackett is adaptedby Wendy Kesselman. Goodrich and Hackettwere a married couple and tremendously success-ful screen writers, known for the "Thin Man"series. Their play opened at the Cort Theatre in1955 and won the Tony award. It starred wonder-ful Joseph Schildkraut, Susan Strasberg and ShellyWinters; the film was shown in 1959. Meyer Levin,who penned the award-winning novel"Compulsion," that delved into the Leopold andLoeb crime case, wrote his own play about AnneFrank which was rejected. He never got over it.

Now we can learn more about that compellingstory at the Yale Rep Feb 5-Feb 27/2010, whenYale presents the World Premiere of "Compulsion"by Rinne Groff. This playwright who graduatedfrom Yale and NYU'S Tisch School of the Arts,where she now teaches, explores Meyer Levin'sobsessive battle with Otto Frank and LillianHellman over the stage rights to Anne Frank'sdiary. This fictionalized version of that event,which went on for 30 years, is directed by OskarEustis, artistic director of The Public Theater inNY and is a co-production of The Public andBerkeley Rep in California.

On Long Wharf Theatre's stage "Have you SeenUs?" November 24-Dec 20/09. This WorldPremiere by Athol Fugard will be directed byGordon Edelstein. It is set on Christmas Eve in adiner in a Southern California strip mall. HenryParsons, a professor and South African transplant,comes in for his usual - a turkey sandwich andinsulting banter with Adela, the Mexican -American waitress. The two of them creeptowards a fragile understanding until Solly andRachael, an Eastern-European Jewish couple sitdown to eat. The couple's entrance forces Henryto a reckoning with the demons in his heart - andobviously changes the equation among these fourpeople.

YOUR AD could be Here

Contact us for our low rates Per-issue or Annual placement available

In the Spotlight: Mara Broslerby Robert Velthuizen

When the Trumbull food pantry was empty,Mara came to the board and proposed to doanother food drive at Stop and Shop. The firsttime we did the food drive there, last Pesach,we were bringing B'nai Torah to the commu-nity in an outreach effort. While the outreachwas successful in its own right, the food drivereally mobilized the shoppers. Mara wanted

to leverage this success to help needy neighbors

Mara is an elected board member at-large and has led the socialaction committee for over a year. With her committee members,she runs a very successful backpack program provides food forhungry Bridgeport families during weekends. This effort is veryimportant. In a recent letter, the director of social services of theSalvation Army writes:

"It always gives me much happiness and joy to thank you for the won-derful work you continue to do for our backpack program. Donationsthis year have been slow in coming but you are faithful. The childrenare so very grateful for these backpacks and I will continue to do whatneeds to be done for them. Thank you so very much for your gifts to thechildren."

Mara has been passionate about social action. While it is easy forany of us to overlook needs of those surrounding us, Mara isvery aware. This is not just about hungry children, but also theneeds of fellow members. And she acts on her concerns throughenthusiastic leadership of the socialaction programs.

The food drive this summer was onSunday August 16. Seven shoppingcarts full of groceries were collect-ed as well as a significant amountof cash to help our fellowTrumbullites.

Mara Brosler at the food drive atStop & Shop

Due To Severe Allergies, Please

Do Not Bring

Peanuts, Tree Nuts OrAny Items Containing

Them Into The Synagogue.

If You HaveQuestions, Please

Call Our Office, 268-6940.

Thank You.


Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur by Shirley Cohen

What is the first thing that comes to your mind when you realize itis almost Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur? Are you thinking, whatdid I do this past year? What sins may I have committed? Did Ihurt anyone with words or my actions? What about mitzvahs? DidI make a list? Which list is the longer: mitzvahs or sins?

What stood out for you when you were a small child? Personally Iloved listening to the shofar and tried to hold my breath as long asthe blower's last note.

Did you know that the Mishna compiled in 200 CE mentions fourdistinct New Years in the Jewish calendar? The first New Year wasused to measure the duration of a king's reign; the second NewYear was used for tithing of cattle; the third New Year was the civilNew Year which then became the religious New Year; and thefourth New Year was for trees.

The Mishna says that all creatures stand in judgment before G-d onRosh Hashanah and 10 days later on Yom Kippur G-d records hisjudgment.

I am reminded of a poem on the subject of throwing away your sinsin a body of water:

He will take us back in love,He will cover up our iniquities.You will hurl all our sins into the depths of the sea.

Within 30 seconds after a car wash much of its shine is lost; and in aweek the car is once more dirty. So if it is going to get dirty again,why waste your time and money?

Rabbi Yaakov Asher Sinclair says that Yom Kippur is a lot like a carwash. Think of the person who repents his sins on Yom Kippur,only to sin again? Does that make Yom Kippur a waste of time?We go again and again to try and bring back our original shine. Itmay wear off soon after we leave the Shul but if we don't experi-ence a Yom Kippur our spiritual paintwork would be dulled forev-er.

May you be written in the book of life and enjoy a sweet New Year!

High Holy Days 5770

Rosh HashanahFriday, September 187 p.m.

Saturday, September 19Shacharit 8:30 a.m.Junior Congregation 11 a.m.Maariv 7 p.m.

Sunday, September 20Shacharit 8:30 a.m.Junior Congregation 11 a.m.

Yom KippurSunday, September 27Kol Nidre 6:10 p.m.

Monday, September 28Shacharit 8:30 a.m.Junior Congregation 11 a.m.Yizkor (approx.) 11:30 a.m.Mincha & Family Service 5 p.m.Neila 6:15 p.m.

SukkotFriday, October 2, 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, October 3, 9:30 a.m.

Sunday, October 4, 9:30 a.m.

Shemini AtzeretFriday, October 9, 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, October 10 9:30 a.m.Yizkor 11 a.m.

Simchat TorahSaturday, October 10, 6:30 p.m.Sunday, October 11, 9:30 a.m.

Bar Mitzvah - Ethan Friedson

Ethan Friedson celebratedbecoming a Bar Mitzvahon Saturday August 29th.Ethan (Eton) is the son ofRobin and RussellFriedson of Trumbull andthe brother of Idalia and

Samantha. He graduated from B'nai TorahHebrew School this May and will attend Merkazin the fall.

Ethan is an 8th grade High Honor student atGreens Farms Academy in Westport and playson the school soccer, basketball and baseballteams. Ethan also had a leading role in theMiddle School Musical.

Ethan plays the violin and has beenConcertmaster of his Middle School Orchestra,Concertmaster of the Greater Bridgeport YouthString Orchestra, and Assistant Concertmaster ofthe Fairfield County String Orchestra. He playedat the synagogue for the new torah dedicationand has played along with his Grandmother,Bernice Friedson, preceding Kol Nidre services.

Ethan was busy this summer playing baseball asa member of the 2009 Trumbull National LittleLeague All-Star team, which won a gold medalat the Nutmeg State Games. Ethan also attend-ed the Westport Teen Theater Camp where heplayed Levi and Potifar in the production ofJoseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

Ethan thanks Rabbi Brodie, Mrs. Volpe, and allhis B'nai Torah teachers throughout the years fortheir support and instruction leading to this spe-cial simcha.

Our Greatest Fear

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyondmeasure.It is our light not our darkness that most frightensus.As we are liberated from our own fear,Our presence automatically liberates others.

-Marianne Williamson (shortened)

Let your light shine in a safe place and liberate all of us.

Develop friendships, satisfaction, and a joyous life.

Volunteer in the safe place that our congregation provides.

Advertising CommitteeSet up a simple overview of advertising oppor-tunities within our publications, and share withmembers and potential outside advertisers. Thiscould be a big fundraiser!

Chef and Kitchen HelpB'nai Torah's catering is growing. Be part of theteam that prepares excellent Onegs andKiddushes that meet enthusiastic acclaim.

House WizardsOur building is improving but can use lots ofhelp to sheetrock, paint, replace lighting,etcetera. Learn from the best -- and enjoy thegreat team spirit..

For each of these opportunities please contactRobert Velthuizen 445-9973 or the office 203-268-6940.


Monday Night BingoNeeds Volunteers!

We are offering pizzaand need someone tohelp us with sales and

distribution.

If you are interested,please contact Sharon at

the office.

Plays with Jewish Themesby Rosalind Friedman

The 2009-2010 Season is dot-ted with plays presented inConnecticut and New Yorkwhich deal with Jewishthemes and offer a uniqueopportunity to compare and

contrast different points of view.

Playwright Horizons (416 West 42nd St. NYC),August 21 - September 27/09. World Premiere"The Retributionists." This new play by DanielGoldfarb, (author of "Modern Orthodox" and"Martin Short: Fame Becomes Me,") will be direct-ed by Leigh Silveman. Set in the spring of 1946,this play is described as a romantic thrillerinspired by actual events; a band of young Jewishfreedom fighters attempts to avenge a society'swrongs-if they can keep from tearing each otherapart in the process.

Westport Country Playhouse September 28 -October 16/2010 "The Diary of Anne Frank "based on the heart-wrenching book discoveredafter the young Anne Frank who hid from theNazi's first in Germany and then in Holland withher family AND was finally killed in a concentra-tion camp. The original Broadway play written byFrances Goodrich and Albert Hackett is adaptedby Wendy Kesselman. Goodrich and Hackettwere a married couple and tremendously success-ful screen writers, known for the "Thin Man"series. Their play opened at the Cort Theatre in1955 and won the Tony award. It starred wonder-ful Joseph Schildkraut, Susan Strasberg and ShellyWinters; the film was shown in 1959. Meyer Levin,who penned the award-winning novel"Compulsion," that delved into the Leopold andLoeb crime case, wrote his own play about AnneFrank which was rejected. He never got over it.

Now we can learn more about that compellingstory at the Yale Rep Feb 5-Feb 27/2010, whenYale presents the World Premiere of "Compulsion"by Rinne Groff. This playwright who graduatedfrom Yale and NYU'S Tisch School of the Arts,where she now teaches, explores Meyer Levin'sobsessive battle with Otto Frank and LillianHellman over the stage rights to Anne Frank'sdiary. This fictionalized version of that event,which went on for 30 years, is directed by OskarEustis, artistic director of The Public Theater inNY and is a co-production of The Public andBerkeley Rep in California.

On Long Wharf Theatre's stage "Have you SeenUs?" November 24-Dec 20/09. This WorldPremiere by Athol Fugard will be directed byGordon Edelstein. It is set on Christmas Eve in adiner in a Southern California strip mall. HenryParsons, a professor and South African transplant,comes in for his usual - a turkey sandwich andinsulting banter with Adela, the Mexican -American waitress. The two of them creeptowards a fragile understanding until Solly andRachael, an Eastern-European Jewish couple sitdown to eat. The couple's entrance forces Henryto a reckoning with the demons in his heart - andobviously changes the equation among these fourpeople.

YOUR AD could be Here

Contact us for our low rates Per-issue or Annual placement available

In the Spotlight: Mara Broslerby Robert Velthuizen

When the Trumbull food pantry was empty,Mara came to the board and proposed to doanother food drive at Stop and Shop. The firsttime we did the food drive there, last Pesach,we were bringing B'nai Torah to the commu-nity in an outreach effort. While the outreachwas successful in its own right, the food drivereally mobilized the shoppers. Mara wanted

to leverage this success to help needy neighbors

Mara is an elected board member at-large and has led the socialaction committee for over a year. With her committee members,she runs a very successful backpack program provides food forhungry Bridgeport families during weekends. This effort is veryimportant. In a recent letter, the director of social services of theSalvation Army writes:

"It always gives me much happiness and joy to thank you for the won-derful work you continue to do for our backpack program. Donationsthis year have been slow in coming but you are faithful. The childrenare so very grateful for these backpacks and I will continue to do whatneeds to be done for them. Thank you so very much for your gifts to thechildren."

Mara has been passionate about social action. While it is easy forany of us to overlook needs of those surrounding us, Mara isvery aware. This is not just about hungry children, but also theneeds of fellow members. And she acts on her concerns throughenthusiastic leadership of the socialaction programs.

The food drive this summer was onSunday August 16. Seven shoppingcarts full of groceries were collect-ed as well as a significant amountof cash to help our fellowTrumbullites.

Mara Brosler at the food drive atStop & Shop

Due To Severe Allergies, Please

Do Not Bring

Peanuts, Tree Nuts OrAny Items Containing

Them Into The Synagogue.

If You HaveQuestions, Please

Call Our Office, 268-6940.

Thank You.


Donations

RABBI'S DISCRETIONARY FUND

To Arthur Gold & Family, in memory of CarolynGold, from Mordka & Trudy Knopf, Stanley &Marilyn Glick

Yahrzeit of Harold Weiner & Charles Steigbigel,from Helen Weiner

To Rabbi Colin Brodie, in appreciation of daugh-ter's naming, from Karen & Gary Newitts

To Norman Steingard, in memory of SandySteingard, from Barbara & Charles Lipetz

To Arthur Feingold, speedy recovery, fromNorman Wattell

To JoAnne & Robert Weiss, in memory of RoseMontalbano, from: Anita & Hal Rosnick; Gale &Paul Antell; Charlotte & Jeffrey Denenberg;Bonnie & Manny Lobel

NURSERY SCHOOL ENRICHMENT FUND

To Jean Hanley, feel better soon, from Charlotte& Jeffrey Denenberg

To Judy & Mel Cooper, mazel tov on Spencer &Courtney's marriage, from Zelig & GerryZacharow, Susan & Stuart Nerenberg

To Joel Kusnitz, happy special birthday, fromMarge & Richard Labinger

To Al Berkowitz, mazel tov on birth of grand-daughter Ava, from Marge & Richard Labinger

To Janet Bass, full & speedy recovery, from: Gale

& Paul Antell, Trina & Bill Berkowitz, Charlotte& Jeffrey Denenberg, Marge & Richard Labinger,Bonnie & Manny Lobel, Irwin & Beverly Peck,Anita & Hal Rosnick, Joan & Richard Watnick,Renee Rubin, Irene Handleman, Jill & LesMakaron, Sharon & Howard Liebman, Susan &Stuart Nerenberg

To Eileen & Stan Kaplin, congratulations ongranddaughter's baby naming, from Carl &Barbara Twickler

To Lanny & Debbie Boles & Family, in memoryof Sylvia Pressman, from Bernice Dietz, Bonnie &Manny Lobel, Linda & Jonathan Schulman

To Linda & Jon Schulman, mazel tov on Judy &Spencer's wedding, from Susan 7 StuartNerenberg, Bonnie & Manny Lobel

To Judy & Joel Kusnitz, mazel tov on 50th wed-ding anniversary, from Marge & RichardLabinger

GENERAL FUND

To Arthur Gold & Family, in memory of CarolynGold, from Charlotte & Jeffrey Denenberg

To the family of Monica Denman, in memory ofMonica Denman, from Charlotte & JeffreyDenenberg

Yahrzeit of Arja Ferszt, from Bernard & LeahFerszt

To Janet Bass, best wishes, from Roberta & SyHirsch

To Maxine & Robert Marino, mazel tov on Alex'sBar Mitzvah, from Barbara & Carl Twickler

Reflections by Carl Twickler

A feeling of great pride was instilled in me as Isaw many of B'nai Torah's familiar faces asthey took their seats at Congregation Beth Elfor Tisha b'Av services. Rabbi Daniel Satlow ofBeth El asked us to introduce ourselves andshake hands with people we did not know.

Actually a few people at the service were former members of B'naiTorah and one couple retains an Associate membership with us.

As candles were lit we were told by Rabbi Satlow that the holidayis a day of fasting and mourning which commemorates thedestruction of the First Temple in Jerusalem in 586 B.C. and by his-torical coincidence also the destruction of the Second Temple in 70C.E. We were about to hear the Book of Lamentations read in amournful chant. Four women, including our own rabbinical stu-dent in residence, Susan Elkodsi chanted the Lamentation prayers.Yasher Koach to Susan!

To emphasize the mournful character of the day, it is customary toremove the parokhet, the curtain, from the Holy Ark and the dec-orative cover from the Reader's Table, providing a stark appear-ance. In some communities, the Ark is draped in black. As at BethEl it is customary to dim most of the lights, reciting the kinot bythe dim light of candles held by the worshipers. At Beth El thetorahs were turned around to give the effect of a curtain.

I was moved by the sad cadences chanted by those sitting on thebima. Rabbi Satlow acknowledge the presence of members ofB'nai Torah noting that it is important for Jews in the area to havea strong sense of community.

Tisha b'Av is an appropriate occasion in the year to mourn andgrieve over all those occasions in Israel's history which weresteeped in sorrow and suffering in death and in the Europeanholocaust (1940-1945)when over a third of all the Jewish people,more than six million men, women and children were systemati-cally put to death after much suffering.

(continued on page 10)

Enertainment Booksare Here!

Fairfield County booksare in stock August20th! All your favoriterestaurants and stores,and even a few surpris-es. Fairfield Countybooks are $30. Asalways, you can orderbooks for differentareas.

Books are available fora limited time. SupportB’nai Torah, buy yourstoday.

Special Announcement

If you would like to make adonation to any of the B’nai

Torah funds in honor of memo-ry of someone, or for a special

occasion, please contactBonnie Lobel (203) 261-8385.

If you would like to send a cardfrom the congregation, please

contact Shirley Cohen (203) 268-4514.

Either can be for a happy orsad occasion. Perhaps you

just want to say Mazel Tov! Noone should be left out!


Editor's Noteby Vince Woodward

Happy New Year!

It is my great pleasure to bring you theSeptember 2009 edition of the B'nai TorahMegilla. Thanks to all the contributors whomade it possible.

I hope in the coming months you will continue to send your ideasand writings to me at the e-mail address below. If you do not havee-mail, kindly mail your typed submissions to Sharon at the shul.Sharon would also be glad to receive your content if you would liketo advertise in these pages.

Keep reading and writing. Make the Megilla yours!

Sisterhood Newsby Debbie Velthuizen

I'd like to wish you all a happy, healthy, and peaceful new year.Enclosed in the Megilla is a flyer for sisterhood membership for thisyear. The membership luncheon will be Sunday, November 1st at 1p.m. at my house, 4 Eleven O'clock Lane, Trumbull. It will be cov-ered dish, dairy. To RSVP, get directions, or if you'd like to bringsomething, call 445-9973.

The Labor Day tag sale was a huge success. We earned over $4,100!Thank you to all the members who generously volunteered theirtime and energy.

Our first program is going to be a book review following a shortmeeting on Sunday, October 25th at 11 a.m. We will review "TenGreen Bottles". Refreshments will be served. Please join us for thisevent. Call Barbara Twickler for any questions, 268-7126.

Cards sent by the Rabbiand Congregationby Shirley Cohen

Al BerkowitzMazel Tov on birth of grand-daughter, Ava

Russell & Adina AbrahmsMazel Tov on daughter Marci'smarriage to Richard

Judy & Mel CooperMazel Tov on marriage of sonSpencer to Courtney

Debbie & Lanny BolesMazel Tov on daughterRachel's marriage to BrianFriedman

Trina & Bill BerkowitzMazel Tov on grandsonAlexander's Bar Mitzvah

JoAnne & Robert WeissIn memory of JoAnne's mother,Rose Montalbano

Stanley HochmanIn our thoughts & prayers

Edith Hersher & FamilyIn memory of husband, KurtHersher

Janet BassSpeedy recovery

Debbie & Lanny BolesIn memory of Lanny's mother,Sylvia Pressman

Donations...

To Robin & Russell Friedson,mazel tov on Ethan's BarMitzvah, from Barbara & CarlTwickler

RITUAL FUND

Yahrzeit of Hyman Wiener,Donald Wiener, & GussieWiener from Sandy Wiener

Yahrzeit of Alfred Resnick &Miriam Weiss, from Jay &Barbara Resnick

Yahrzeit of Vita Kopstein, fromJay & Judith Kopstein

JEROME MENDELL FUND

To. Ann Small, in memory ofDr. John Small, from Ellen &Steve Mendell

To Lanny & Debbie Boles &Family, in memory of SylviaPressman, from Steve & EllenMendell & family

HERSHER HALL FUND

To Edith Hersher, in memory ofKurt Hersher, from Anita & HalRosnick

Women's Auxiliary of The Jewish Home for the ElderlyFall GalaThursday, October 29, 2009

HonoringThe Honorable Alan & Mrs. Janet Nevas

Presentation of the Louis Lotstein Award for Distinguished Service posthumouslyto Dr. William G. Covey

Special GuestThe Honorable José Cabranes

Musical Entertainment featuring the Hank Lane OrchestraThe Water's Edge Darien, CT

For RSVP information or to receive an invitation, please contactDayna Hayden, 203-365-6409 or email [email protected]

The Women's Auxiliary of The Jewish Home for the Elderly will hostthe 2009 Fall Gala on Thursday, October 29th at The Water's Edge inDarien. The Gala promises to be a festive, special evening as we paytribute to the Honorable Alan and Mrs. Janet Nevas, of Westport, fortheir leadership and dedication to the Home. Our featured guestspeaker will be Judge José Cabranes, mentor to recently confirmedSupreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor and friend of the honorees.

The evening will also include bestowing posthumously the LouisLotstein Award for Distinguished Service to Dr. William GraysonCovey, the beloved Medical Director of The Jewish Home from 2005to the time of his unexpected death in May 2009.

Andrea Gottschall, of Trumbull, chair of the Gala, is leading thecommittee in planning this fabulous event and arranging a com-memorative ad journal. Highlights will include musical entertain-ment by the Hank Lane Orchestra and an exciting auction. Dietarylaws will be observed. If you are interested in making a reservationfor the Gala, would like to receive an invitation or would like toplace an ad, please call Dayna Hayden, at the JHE FoundationOffice, at (203)365-6409 or email [email protected].

PPaaggee 22 TThhee MMeeggiillllaa SSeepptteemmbbeerr,, 22000099 SSeepptteemmbbeerr,, 22000099 TThhee MMeeggiillllaa PPaaggee 1111

The Megilla is the officialsynagogue bulletin ofCongregation B'nai Torahand is published about 11times per year.Congregation B'nai Torahserves as the Center ofConservative Jewish life inthe Trumbull area.

Publisher: Congregation B'nai Torah5700 Main StreetTrumbull, CT 06611 Phone: (203) 268-6940 Fax: (203) 268-4844; Email: [email protected]; website:www.bnaitorahct.org

Committee: Editor in Chief: Vince Woodward. Lay out, binding and mail-ing: Sharon Nagy. Printing: Susan ElkodsiThanks also to:Jeff Levi, Donna Frankel.

Subscriptions: The Megilla is mailed to allmembers of CongregationB'nai Torah and to thoseexpressing an interest inreceiving it. Please contactthe synagogue office to be included on the mailing list.

Reflections (continued)

Tisha b'Av is a day of total fasting. The mourn-ing practices include not wearing regular leathershoes, abstaining from studying Torah with theexception of studying such books asLamentations, Job, selections of Jeremiah andparts of the Talmud that deal with the destruc-tion of the Temple or with the laws of mourning.

Tisha b'Av marks the culmination of a period ofthree weeks that is observed in semi-mourningbeginning with the minor Fast of the 17th ofTammuz (three weeks earlier), which marks thefirst breach in the walls of Jerusalem made by theattacking Babylonian forces.

During this three week period, weddings are notpermitted; nor are any other celebrations and fes-tive gatherings, particularly if accompanied bymusic. The semi-mourning becomes more inten-

sified on the first day of Av, during the periodreferred to as the Nine Days. A widespread cus-tom is to abstain from meat and wine during thisperiod, except for the Sabbath day and except fora religious feast (seudat mitzvah). It is also thepractice not to purchase or put on new clothingduring this time, until after Tisha b'Av.

Social Actionby Mara Fried

I'd like to start by thanking all the peoplewho helped out by giving food during ourfood drive at Stop and Shop on the 16th. Itwas a wonderful success with just abouteveryone we spoke to opening their hearts(and wallets). Special thanks to Penny andIsaiah Volpe, Barbara Twickler, TerriKalfus, Roni Yessenow, Susan Elkodsi,

Jacob Brosler, and Shelley Berman for volunteering to stand out in thatheat and ask for donations! And a big thanks to Ronnie Yessenow fora great poster! We received over $300 in cash, and about 7 shoppingcarts full of food, paper goods, and toiletries! It just goes to show howgreat a town we live in.

Looking to the future, we have several projects planned, and as I knowno-one can do everything (or so I've been told!), here's a list of upcom-ing activities so you can plan ahead. Once again we will be workingwith Talmud Torah students to do monthly backpacks for needyBridgeport students. Our cupboard is as bare as the Trumbull FoodPantry was before the 16th of Aug. and we could use donations ofindividual cold cereal, oatmeal, hearty soups, tuna, Pop Tarts, non-perishable milk, crackers, macaroni cheese, canned fruit and similaritems (a printed list will be available at the synagogue in early Sept).We hope to send out a bunch of school supplies with this first batch (tobe packed 9/13), so pens, pencils, folders, highlighters, markers,crayons, rulers, etc. are greatly appreciated.

We will also again be running an inter-class redeemables drive compe-tition for Tzeddakah (and a class prize). If you don't have a child inTalmud Torah, don't worry, you can donate through a friend's child!In Nov. we will be running a few projects, among them gatheringsheets and towels for wounded veterans, sending a Channukkahpackage to Jewish troops abroad, and sponsoring a needy familythrough JFS to fulfill some holiday wishes. Oh, and lets not forget theHigh Holy Days Food Drive! Unfortunately, that's a need that's neverfilled. If you have any questions or comments about any of theseactivities, or just want to help out, please feel free to contact me (MaraBrosler 445-1055, [email protected]) or Susan Nerenberg, at 261-0312 May you be inscribed for a blessing.

Candle Lighting sponsored bySeptember 18 6:04 p.m.September 25 6:28 p.m.October 2 6:16 p.m.October 9 6:05 p.m.October 16 5:54 p.m.October 23 5:43 p.m.October 30 5:34 p.m.To determine the time for Havdalah,add one hour & 10 minutes (to besafe) to candlelighting time.

IRWIN PECKWilliamPitt/Southeby’sInternationalRealty

203.255.6101 Ext. [email protected]

“I Make House Calls”When buying or selling ahome, call me. You can

expect expect results.



Tuesday, October 6Talmud Torah Dinner in Sukkah



Wednesday, October 14Board of Directors meeting 7:30 p.m.


Monday, October 19Rosh Chodesh CheshvanBingo 6:30 p.m.

Tuesday, October 20Rosh Chodesh Cheshvan



Wednesday, October 28General Membership Meeting7:30 p.m.


Our Towns Need Volunteers

The Stratford - Trumbull -Monroe Medical Reserve Corpsis looking for volunteers. Thetowns are training volunteers tobe able to respond to a potentialpandemic flu. Volunteer activi-ties include both medical andnon-medical tasks - all types ofvolunteers are needed. Non-medical tasks may be assistingwith paperwork; traffic control;answering questions etc.Medical tasks may includescreening, answering medicalquestions, providing vaccina-tions, etc. Training is availablefor all volunteers. For furtherinformation please call HeatherHenning at (203) 452 5195 or seewww.townofstratford.com

Congregation B’nai Torah Megilla

Vol. 5770 Issue 1 September, 2009

CONGREGATION B’NAI TORAH5700 MAIN STREETTRUMBULL, CT 06611Return Service Requested

NON-PROFIT ORG.U.S. POSTAGE

P A I DTRUMBULL, CTPERMIT NO. 144

The Center Of Jewish Family Life In The Greater Trumbull Area

Breakfast at Cafe B'nai

The cafe opens at 9 a.m. on Sundays

beginning October 18th

Bagelswith cream cheese or butter

Bakery MuffinsCoffee/Tea

Juice/Water

All items are $1.00 and up

Enjoy breakfastwith your family

and friends

From the Presidentby Robert Velthuizen

Occasionally I am lucky enough to make it to shul on a weekday morn-ing. On one of those recent mornings I had the pleasure of witnessing afarewell. A Nursery School parent was saying goodbye to director JoanWatnick after seven years, in which she had had each of her childrenmake those so important first steps in making friends and learning howthe world works. It was an emotional goodbye: the tears flowed, hugswere exchanged.

This goodbye told me so much about our Nursery School. While we allcan read on the B'nai Torah website that 'Our dedicated staff supportsand cares for each child's needs', that doesn't begin to tell the strength ofthe relationships, friendships that develop within the school community.

The Nursery School is part of the foundation of B'nai Torah, and in closealignment with its mission. Children and parents alike become part of theBT community; many families become members later on. The childrenget a great start to become the confident, caring leaders we need for thefuture. The children learn about Judaism and its values.

The Nursery school clearly has become a gem in Trumbull and beyond.Every year waiting lists are long and some applicants have to be disap-pointed. Joan is now trying very hard to expand the program into theafternoons; hopefully this will work. It is not an easy thing to do, as statelicensure is complicated.

The Nursery School is one of the reasons we can be proud of B'nai Torah.It deserves our support. Come and participate in its fundraisers such asthe book fair, enjoy the children's art work on display, and keep an eyeout for those occasions where the kids participate in services, at Purimfor example. Read more about the Nursery School onhttp://www.bnaitorahct.org/nurseryschool

In a few weeks we will be celebrating the High Holidays. I look forwardto seeing you there. Happy New Year!

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