THE SCRIBE

Monthly Newsletter of Temple B’nai Abraham Now Celebrating its 128

th Year

Affiliated with the United Synagogue 127 EAST MAIN STREET Of Conservative Judaism MERIDEN, CT 06450 PHONE 203-235-2581 FAX 203-235-2582 November, 2018 Heshvan - Kislev - 577From Rabbi Michael G. Kohn

God said to Avram: “Go forth from your land, from your home, and from your father’s house to the land

that I will show you.” (Genesis 12:1)

Thus began the first of many journeys taken by Jews throughout history.

One hundred thirty years ago, two years after Jews who had settled in Meriden established a cemetery, an

official charter was issued to an organization named Chevrah B’nai Abraham. Two years later, Chevrah

B’nai Abraham built a synagogue on Cedar Street. The first floor held classrooms for the Talmud Torah

and living quarters for the Sexton (Shamash). The second floor held the Aron HaKodesh (the Holy Ark

and its Torah scrolls); the bima was in the center, surrounded by the men’s pews. The women’s pews

were located in the balcony. And there was a mikvah (ceremonial bath) in the basement.

Sixteen years later, the congregation moved into a second, and larger, synagogue building on Cedar

Street, which became its home for the next 45 years. In 1942, this congregation left the Orthodox world

and formally affiliated with the Conservative Movement, which brought additional changes, such as

mixed seating.

And in 1952, the congregation, whose name had changed to Temple B’nai Abraham, moved into the

present building. Over the past half-century and more, the congregation has seen women taking leading

rolls in the running of the congregation, as committee chairs, officers, including serving as President.

There have been women leading services and reading from the Torah, both as congregants and as the

congregation’s rabbi and High Holiday cantor.

And now, the journey continues. Soon, we will leave this, the third building that has housed our

congregation over the past 66 years and move to smaller, temporary, quarters at 20 Lawrence Court. The

Bima and other artifacts will be carefully dismantled and stored for eventual installation in the cemetery

chapel, or in our future home at Adath Israel n Middletown.

To mark this journey, the last Shabbat service in our sanctuary will take place on November 10. A Gala

celebrating the 130 year history of the congregation will take place on Sunday, November 11. On

Sunday, November 18, following the morning minyan, a special Genizah ceremony will be held at the

Corrigan Avenue Cemetery where we will bury prayerbooks, Humashim (Torah and Haftarah) and

Tanakhim (Hebrew bibles), and other writings with God’s name, along with other articles of religious

significance from the building. And on Shabbat morning, November 24, we will hold our last Shabbat

service in this building.

Continued on following page

As I said in my Yom Kippur sermon, when a gate is closing, others are opening up. Let us rejoice, shed

some tears, and look forward to the future as Jews have done throughout history.

Lest We Forget

At 6:00 a.m., Meriden time, on Sunday, November 11, the world will mark the passage of exactly 100

years since the Armistice which ended The Great War, also known as World War I. In many ways, the

world has changed for the better over those past hundred years. In other ways, it clearly has not. As

citizens of this country, we have the ability to effectuate positive change in our city, our state and our

country. But we can do so, only if we exercise one of the most valuable rights we possess — the right to

make our voice heard through the ballot box. Please exercise that right on Tuesday, November 6.

B'Shalom,

Rabbi Michael G. Kohn

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

Dear Members of Temple B’nai Abraham,

I am writing this to you to update you on the status of the sale of our building and events in November.

First, the sale of the building is moving forward, and we expect to close the sale by the end of November

or in early December.

We will be moving to a home owned by the Borsuks at 20 Lawrence Court here in Meriden. We will be

holding services there after the closing on the current building. It is requested that people park in the

Borsuk’s driveway at 80 Parker Avenue when going to services. The home is handicap accessible via a

ramp at the back door. There is a walkway from the Borsuks driveway to the back of the new location.

Our phone number will remain the same.

In November the last service in our sanctuary will occur on Saturday, November 10, 2018. The Gala will

be held on Sunday, November 12, 2018, and the following week the Aron Hakodesh will be dismantled.

We will hold Shabbat morning services the following weeks in the Social Hall with the last service in our

current building to be held on Saturday, November 24, 2018, with a luncheon.

Please attend all of our services and events. Services will continue Friday evenings, Saturday mornings,

and Sunday mornings at the new location and we need you to participation to ensure a minyon for these

services. Temple B’nai Abraham will continue to function and provide for your spiritual needs during the

following year.

We are also continuing with negotiations for a merger with Temple Adath Israel of Middletown.

Jay D. Weiss

President

TEMPLE GALA - NOVEMBER 11 THANKSGIVING - NOVEMBER 22

CALENDAR EVENTS

NOVEMBER, 2018

1 Thursday

7:30 pm Auxiliary Committee meeting

2 Friday

6:30 pm Shabbat Evening Services

3 Saturday

9:30 am Shabbat Morning Services

7:30 pm Military Whist Card Party

4 Sunday

9:30 am Jewry Duty

8 Thursday

7:30 pm Finance Committee meeting

9 Friday

6:30 pm Shabbat Evening Services

10 Saturday

9:30 am Shabbat Morning Services

11 Sunday

9:30 am Jewry Duty

3:00 pm Gala to Celebrate the Temple

15 Thursday

7:30 pm Board of Directors' meeting

16 Friday

6:30 pm Shabbat Evening Services

17 Saturday

9:30 am Shabbat Morning Services

18 Sunday

9:30 am Jewry Duty

23 Friday

6:30 pm Shabbat Evening Services

24 Saturday

9:30 am Shabbat Morning Services

25 Sunday

No Jewry Duty

30 Friday

6:30 pm Shabbat Evening Services

With regret we inform you of the passing of:

Rhoda Burwick

Mother of Dr. Mark Burwick

Mother of Michael Burwick

/ohkaurhu iuhm hkhct rta lu,c of,t ojbh ouenv

May the Lord comfort and sustain

all the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.

Rabbi Kohn will be one of the guest speakers on Tuesday, Nov. 13, 1 - 3 pm.

This program is open to the public.

Mazal Tov

Happy Anniversary to our couples celebrating

an anniversary during the month of November:

7th - Laurie & Roger Arnold

Happy Birthday to our members celebrating a

birthday during the month of November:

8th - Howard Levine

9th - Hollye Lew

14th - Joe Fine

15th - Marilynn Mazanek

16th - Mark Burwick

18th - Marcia Caplan

18th - Michael Barker

19th - Beth Eisner

23rd - Kathie Harris

24th - Sanford Sheftel

28th - Jean Nemeth

29th - Elayne Koslow

29th - Valerie Klein

Attorney E. Jack Shorr of Counsel Ceneviva

Law Firm 721 Broad Street

Meriden, CT 06450

Tel: 203-238-3600

Fax: 203-235-6945 Email: ejack@cenevivalaw.com

Military Whist Card Party

Saturday, November 3rd 7:30 PM

Come and enjoy an evening of card playing, conversation, snacks and

delicious desserts at Temple B’Nai Abraham.

Bring your friends and family members to this Bi-Annual Event.

We will teach you this very easy and fun card game.

Win prizes (first and last place tables)

Come with a partner or a bring a full table or two

(4 players to a table)

Please call the Temple Office (203-235-2581) by

Wednesday, October 31st to reserve a table. Also, please let us know if you can bring your own bridge table.

Admission: $10 per person for Auxiliary Members

$12 for Non-Members

A 50/50 raffle will be held

Time to restock your gift cards. Time to think about Hanukkah and Christmas gifts for family, friends and those who help us.

No worries about the correct size or color. Do they already have one? Does it go with their home decor? Will they like your choice?

Buy easy to give gifts (the size is always right)!

What Is Scrip? Scrip is a term that means “substitute money”. When you purchase scrip, you’re purchasing negotiable gift certificates and prepaid cards that are used just like cash. You can use scrip to purchase everyday expenses like food, clothing, and other essentials, and with every purchase, you earn revenue for Temple B’nai Abraham.

How scrip generates revenue for us The Great Lakes Scrip Center acts on behalf of synagogues, schools and other non-profit organizations to purchase large amounts of scrip from restaurants, department stores, and other retailers. Because the scrip is purchased with cash up front, the participating retailers offer a substantial discount. Temple B’nai Abraham would buy the scrip from Great Lakes Scrip Center at a discount, and re-sell the certificates to families like yours for full face value. The discount - from two to fifteen percent or more – is Temple B’nai Abraham’s revenue.

Scrip is "shopping cart fundraising” Scrip is a popular fundraiser because families don’t have to sell anything. Temple members produce revenue by making regular household purchases they would make anyway. Clothing, toys and gifts can be purchased with scrip. You can use the cards themselves as gifts. Your friends can buy them.

Find Out More See the list of available Scrip on the reverse side of this flyer. Then put your shopping dollars to work for Temple B’nai Abraham. If there is a merchant whose name you do not see on the flyer, please ask.

*** Note ***

All orders must be paid with a check made out to Temple B’nai Abraham and accompany the order form. Please send them to the Temple office before Friday, November 2nd. The gift cards will be available about late November and can be picked up at the Temple office during regular office hours. You will be contacted by email or phone when the cards are in. Please call the office first to make sure someone will be there.

Contact the Temple office at 203-235-2581 or Janice Weiss at 203-237-0200 for the list of stores.

Gift Card Fundraiser to Benefit Temple B’nai Abraham Orders must be received in the Temple office by Friday, November 2, 2018.

Amount Percent # cards Total $ on card

Clothing/Department Stores Aerie $25 10% _____ _____ Aeropostale $25 7% _____ _____ American Eagle $25 10% _____ _____ The Children’s Place $25 12% _____ _____ Dress Barn $25 8% _____ _____ Express $25 10% _____ _____ Foot Locker $25 9% _____ _____ Gap/Banana Republic $25 14% _____ _____ Gymboree $25 13% _____ _____ JC Penney $25 or $100 5% _____ _____ JCrew $25 13% _____ _____ Jo-Ann Fabric $25 6% _____ _____ Kmart $25 or $50 4% _____ _____ Kohl’s $25 or $100 4% _____ _____ Limited $25 9% _____ _____ LL Bean $25 16% _____ _____ Land’s End $25 18% _____ _____ Lord & Taylor $25 8% _____ _____ Macy’s $25 or $100 10% _____ _____ Marshall’s/TJX $25 or $100 7% _____ _____ Michaels $25 4% _____ _____ Old Navy $25 14% _____ _____ Payless Shoes $20 13% _____ _____ Pier 1 Imports $25 9% _____ _____ Pottery Barn $25 or $100 8% _____ _____ Sam’s Club $25 2.5% _____ _____ Sears $25 or $100 4% _____ _____ Talbot’s $25 13% _____ _____ Tanger Outlets $25 8% _____ _____ Target $25 or $100 2% _____ _____ Toys-R-Us $20 1.5% _____ _____ Wal-Mart $25 or $100 2.5% _____ _____ Zappos.com $25 8% _____ _____

Books, Music, Movies, Photos, & More Amazon.com $25 3% _____ _____ Barnes & Noble $10 or $25 9% _____ _____ Groupon.com $25 7% _____ _____ iTunes $15 or $25 5% _____ _____ Restaurants & Food 99 Restaurants $25 13% _____ _____ Applebee’s $25 10% _____ _____ Bertucci’s $25 10% _____ _____ Boston Market $10 12% _____ _____ Brio $25 12% _____ _____ Bruegger’s Bagels $10 7% _____ _____ Buffalo Wild Wings $10 or $25 8% _____ _____ Burger King $10 4% _____ _____ Cheesecake Factory $25 5% _____ _____ Chili’s Grill & Bar $25 11% _____ _____ Chipotle Mexican Grill $10 10% _____ _____ Chuck E. Cheese $10 8% _____ _____ Cold Stone Creamery $10 8% _____ _____ Cracker Barrel $10 or $25 9% _____ _____ Denny’s $10 7% _____ _____

Amount Percent # cards Total $ on Card Dunkin Donuts $10 3% _____ _____ Dunkin Donuts $25 3% _____ _____ IHop $25 8% _____ _____ Long Horn Steakhouse $25 9% _____ _____ Olive Garden $25 9% _____ _____ Outback Steakhouse $25 8% _____ _____ Panera Bread $10 or $25 9% _____ _____ PF Chang’s $25 8% _____ _____ Rainforest Café $25 9% _____ _____ Red Lobster $25 9% _____ _____ Red Robin $25 11% _____ _____ Ruby Tuesday $25 8% _____ _____ Ruth’s Chris $50 10% _____ _____ Starbucks $10 or $25 7% _____ _____ Subway $10 or $50 3% _____ _____ Taco Bell $10 5% _____ _____ Texas Roadhouse $25 8% _____ _____ TGI Friday’s $25 9% _____ _____ Wendy’s $10 4% _____ _____ Home & Cosmetics Bath & Body Works $10 or $25 13% _____ _____ Bed, Bath & Beyond $25 7% _____ _____ CVS Pharmacy $25 6% _____ _____ Rite Aid $25 4% _____ _____ Walgreen’s $25 6% _____ _____ Ulta $25 4% _____ _____

Home Improvement Ace Hardware $25 or $100 4% _____ _____ Home Depot $25 or $100 4% _____ _____ Lowe’s $25 or $100 4% _____ _____ Merry Maids $50 5% _____ _____ Restoration Hdwr $25 or $100 12% _____ _____ Sports and Pets Cabela’s $25 11% _____ _____ Dick’s Sporting Goods $25 5% _____ _____ PetSmart $25 4% _____ _____ Electronics & Office Supplies Best Buy $25 or $100 3% _____ _____ Game Stop $25 3% _____ _____ Hallmark $25 4% _____ _____ Office Max $25 or $100 5% _____ _____ Staples $25 or $100 5% _____ _____ Total # of Cards Ordered __________ Total Amount of Order $__________ Name __________________________________ Phone Number __________________________ Email __________________________________

Yahrzeits Observed During the Month of November

Nov. 1 Casper Helper

Frances Loitz

Pearl Dembowitz

Arthur Limon

Max Shulkin

Barbara Rubin

Nov. 2 Abe Hurwitz

Rebecca Goldstein

Annie Becker Kolbin

Joseph Dobris

Samuel Novak

Ida Lapides

Nov. 3 Robert Grossman

Esther Rubenstein

Morris Bittman

Nov. 4 Isidore Friedman

Nov. 5 Sally Aron

Anna Muravnick

Jack Koslow

Hattie Novak

Nov. 7 Betty Bichunsky

Elinor Zakin

Natalie Greenzweig

Nov. 8 Ida Chausky

Nov. 9 Abe Bishins

Anna R. Limon

Nov. 10 Jerome Weisser

Nov. 11 Eliezer Rubenstein

Bruin Lipman

Edith Bishinsky

Samuel Elkin

Edith Baron

Nov. 12 Julius Grossman

Nov. 13 Morris Port

Bernard White

Myron Arlook

Shirley Sodel

Bernard Lew

Louis Rozen

Nov. 14 Avis Levin

Benjamin Simonowsky

Maurice Weinberg

Nov. 15 Milton Bolton

Nov. 16 Irving Sorman

Marion Beloff

Bella Katz

Jay Grossman

Nov. 17 Rebecca Dobris

Harry Weinberg

Nov. 18 Abraham Katz

Mike Eisner

Aaron Bush

Nov. 19 Mary Grossman

Sydelle Koslow

Anna Scheer

Evelyn Rozen

Nov. 20 Raul Shoag

Frederick Harris

Samuel Levine

Rhoda Chain

Ada Blume

Sadie Berman

Rose Gottlieb

Anne Emple Kaplan

Nov. 21 Gary Limon

Charles Hatten

Nov. 22 Meyer Cheikin

Frieda Goldstein

Nov. 23 Doris Katz

Anna Hagenauer

William Mark

Anna Arlook

Cecelia White

Nov. 24 Ethel Tonkonow

Doris Parmett

Dora Hassel

Charles Perlmutter

Nov. 25 Jack Finkel

Barnet Taitz

Nov. 26 Norman Ash

Alexander Reger

Irv Grabstein

Nov. 27 Rachel Shoag

Nathan Cherniack

Nov. 28 Yetta Gerstenblatt

Louis Steinfeld

Ted Pollans

Arthur Kruh

Dr. Morris Sugarman

Alan Katten

Nov. 29 Pearl Burwick

Morris Simonowsky

Nov. 30 Fannie Silverman

Anna G. White

Isaac Hyman

Harry Goodman

Ruth Klamkin

Mary Sigmond

A Candle or Yahrzeit Light should be lit at sundown the night before these dates.

Tzdakah to perpetuate the memory of a loved one is a Mitzvah.

Your contribution to the Yahrzeit Fund would be greatly appreciated.

vcr vsu, - THANK YOU FOR YOUR GENEROUS DONATIONS TO OUR VARIOUS FUNDS

Yahrzeit Fund: In Memory of:

Max Shulkin by Norman Shulkin

Mike Eisner by the Eisner Family

General Temple Fund

Get Well Wishes to Michael Barker by Natalie & Lenny Cheerman.

In Memory of Rhoda Burwick by Jo Robin & Michael Gould.

Mazal Tov to Ruth & Sherwin Borsuk, on the birth of Dorothea Rena Bouse, by Jo Robin & Michael

Gould.

Sarah Zietz Pierson Scholarship Fund

In Honor of Dot Rena Bouse by Risa & Fred Zierler.

In Memory of Harriett Newman by Risa & Fred Zierler.

In Memory of Rhoda Burwick by Risa & Fred Zierler. (2 cards sent)

In Memory o Rhoda Burwick by Shana & Alyn Adams.

The Cemetery Fund

In Memory of Rhoda Burwick by Roger S. Shapiro.

In Memory of Rhoda Burwick by Nancy Valla.

Sophie & Julius Barker Scholarship Fund

In Memory of Rhoda Burwick by Shelley & Michael Barker.