From The Rabbi:
Tekiah
Adar I/Adar II 5768
April 2008
Dear Friends,
In Proverbs 19:7 we read: זכר צדיק לברכה “The memory of the righteous shall be as a blessing.” This phrase forms the bases for several Jewish customs regarding remembering those who have died. For example, on the securlar calendar one finds the birthdays of famous people listed; on the Jewish calendar, we instead find their yahrzeit, or anniversary of their death. As joyful as we may be upon the birth of a child, we have no idea as to what this person will contribute to the world. It is only after a person has passed on that we can evaluate his life. It is not the anticipation of what a person may accomplish, but their memory that is a blessing. Jewish tradition suggests that remembering those who were dear reminds us of the wonderful things they did. This can result in our striving to live better lives and contribute more to society.
Another facet of the quote from proverbs is the “Mourner’s Kaddish;” it does not contain any mention of death nor does it refer in any way to mourning. It is a praise of G-d and a hope that true peace will come about soon. Why, then, do we read it as a way of remembering those who have died? At the end of a concert or play the audience thanks the performers for enriching the lives of those who were privileged to partake of the performance. There is often a tinge of sadness at the conclusion of such a time. The audience, in attempting to postpone the end, often encourages the performers to do several encores; eventually, the end comes, but not before the audience has thanked the performers with applause.
At the end of the life of one dear to us we feel much sadness, but the pain is the result of losing a vital part of our lives. At such a time we may either dwell on our loss or continue to be enriched by the memories of the person no longer with us. When we concentrate on how much this person added to our lives, we feel a sense of gratitude that we were privileged to be part of their lives. It is in this mood that we say Kaddish, thanking God that our lives were enriched by the presence of that person.
The above reasoning is the basis for the observance of yahrzeit, the anniversary of the death, and yizkor at the end of the High Holy Days, Sukkot, Pesach, and Shavuot. It is quite common, at such times, to miss those no longer with us. Yizkor helps transform that sadness into gratitude for their lives and prompts us to higher levels of behavior.
One does not have to have lost an immediate
relative in order to say Kaddish or come to yiskor services.
There is a tradition among many Jews to rise for Kaddish
to remember and honor the memories of those who have no one to say Kaddish for them, such as those who died in the Holocaust.
Remembering those who came before us and laid the foundations of our lives today not only honors them, but gives us our roots. By remembering them and from where we came, we have a better idea of who we are and to where we are headed now. This need not be a morbid time. Many Chasidim observe the yahrzeit of their rebbe by having a special speaker or studying. It is sad to think that the lessons of those whom we cherish will be lost. I would encourage all of you to consider attending yizkor for Passover (9:30 AM, April 27 ) and Shavuot (8:30 AM, June 10)
Shalom uv’racha,
Rabbi Kaplan
From Our President:
Dear Friends,
On March 9th we held a special congregation meeting to discuss and approve the Rabbi’s contract and the Temko Project. There were almost 100 congregants in attendance. First item for discussion was the Rabbi’s contract. Material Terms of the Rabbi’s contract are as follows:
! The term of employment is an initial term of two years, beginning August 1, 2008 and continuing through July 31, 2010. This agreement will automatically renew for an additional year, running from August 1, 2010 and ending July 31, 2011, unless either party provides written notice that this agreement not renew. This notice shall be sent not later than November 1, 2009 (nine months notice).
! Base compensation will be the amount of the Rabbi’s Package from August 1, 2007 through July 31, 2008, with annual increases based on the CPI.
! Other terms will be consistent with the current contract, with additional provisions adapted from the current form contract being developed by the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association.
The Rabbi’s contract was overwhelmingly approved.
The next item was the Purpose and Scope statement for the Temko project as follows:
The purpose of this project is to plan, design and build a structure/facility in honor/memory of Vicki Temko. This project will be entirely underwritten by Robert Temko.
The scope of the project will be to have a facility, which will encompass the following areas:
1) Parenting/meeting space
2) Kindergarten with its own entrance/exit
3) Teen center
4) Office space
5) Storage
The size of the facility will be decided once an engineering study is done to determine:
- the appropriate square footage of the building and
- the additional parking possible; without having to make major drainage changes and other changes due to code requirements.
The Congregation of Temple Beth El (TBE) has approved the initial stage of this process with the understanding there will be no costs to TBE. Additional items to this project’s scope must be entirely funded by Robert Temko; otherwise, the entire concept must again be presented to TBE for approval. Such modifications would be a significant change to this project’s scope and might represent a capital expense to TBE.
If the scope of this project exceeds the cost that Robert Temko is willing to fund, then either;
- the entire project should be brought back to TBE for approval, or
- the scope of the project will need to be reduced to meet the necessary budget requirements.
Robert Temko has agreed to create an endowment to fund parenting programs.
It is understood that TBE will own the structure and, once the structure is built, TBE will be responsible for its future utilities, maintenance and insurance.
This project also was overwhelmingly approved.
On April 6th we will be holding an informational meeting to discuss going from a three day to a two-day religious school. As indicated this is informational only and no vote will be taken. You should have received a notice of this meeting and pertinent information. This meeting will be held from 9:45 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. On April 27th we will hold another congregation meeting to once again discuss going from a 3-day to a 2-day religious school. This meeting will be held at 7 p.m. and a vote will be taken. If you will need babysitting, please contact the office so this can be provided.
On May 11th, Men’s Club
will be holding its annual Mother’s Day breakfast. We will also hold our congregation meeting
during breakfast at which time we will present our proposed budget for the
2008/09 fiscal years and submit for election the slate of officers to serve on
the
2008-2009 SLATE OF
President: Staci Bagel,
First Vice President: Marla Norton
Second Vice President: Mike Kletter,
Third Vice President: Arlene Johnson
Fourth Vice President: Bill Spinn
Secretary: Mike Chajes
Financial Secretary: Jeff Herst
Treasurer: Ann Herman
Immediate Past President: Jay Stellenberg Past Presidents: Michael Rudolph
Alice Hirsch
Members at large: Ed Weinstein
Elizabeth Munson
Lisa Grier
Jill DiScullo
Scott Zapor
Alan Glasman.
Men’s Club President: Tom Felder
Sisterhood President:Sandy Novick
I hope you will plan to attend.
I would like to remind you that Board meetings are open to the congregation. They are held in the multi purpose room and when all board members attend it tends to become very crowded. Therefore, if you plan to attend, I would appreciate prior notification to insure that adequate space is provided to accommodate all in attendance. Board meetings are held the first Wednesday of every month.
We would like to participate in
“Passover in the Aisles”. This is being
held for the first time in
We still have a few copies of Rabbi Hirschfield’s book; “You Don’t have to be Wrong for Me to be Right”. They sell for $20 each. Contact either Linda Crist or Dee Aaronson, if you would like to purchase a copy.
Linda Oster is chairing one of our fund raising committees and is currently looking into doing some stain glass windows between the Sanctuary and the Social Hall. If you have any ideas or would like to consider donating one of these please let the office know so they can have Linda contact you.
I remind you that if you have any ideas or suggestions please do not hesitate contacting me at ; , or by phone (302-234-6529), or you may contact any one of the other board members.
B’Shalom,
Jay Stellenberg
President, Board of Directors
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DISCOVERY GROUP
11:30 a.m. April 6
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TOT SHABBAT
7:00 p.m. April 25
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FAMILY SERVICE
Aleph
- April 11CONGREGATION MEETING Sunday, April 6th 9:30 a.m.
Agenda: 3 day
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PASSOVER SHAVUOT
Fulfill the spirit of the mitzvah of the Omer
offering. Bring your non-perishable food
from now until May 23, Shavuot. Food
should be left in the lobby under the secretary’s window.
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THE
APRIL 21 THE SECOND DAYS
OF PASSOVER
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CALLING ALL
KNITTERS...
Terry Prager and Alice Hirsch are
interested in beginning a knitting guild at Temple Beth El. We would meet on a
regular basis and be affiliated with the Knitting Guild of America. This group
would be open to knitters of all levels, from beginners to experts. It would be
a time for us to share ideas and techniques. One activity could be a knit along,
where everyone would be knitting the same project. If you are interested or want more
information please contact
LOOKING FOR
SOFTBALL
PLAYERS
If anyone is interested in playing softball this
Spring/Summer for our organized
>>Don't
miss out-call now<<
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YISKOR SERVICES
Sunday, April 27th
9:30 a.m.
Tuesday, June 10th
8:00 a.m.
RELIGIOUS SCHOOL NEWS
News from Mrs. Romao's Hai Class:
During a class dinner, it came to the attention of some of
our Hai class students that plastics were not being
recycled in our kitchen. Rising to the high ideals of Tikkun
Olam, the class presented a plan to me, their
parents, Mrs. Mattes and Mrs. Aaronson. Thanks to these caring and community
minded children, a number of Hai class families are
now taking weekly turns bringing recycling from Temple Beth El to a local
recycling facility. This will continue with the Hai
Class through the end of the religious school year.
We should be very proud of our youth!
~~~Corey
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Sunday, April 13th
The
TBE Confirmation Class will be visiting the
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ALEPH FAMILY DINNER & SERVICE April 11th
Dinner begins at 6:00 p.m.
PASSOVER MODEL SEDERS
K - 2nd
Sunday, April 11th
3rd -
7th Tuesday, April 15th
Parent volunteers are needed to prepare for both days -
please let Adina know if you can help.
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YOM HA’ATZMAUT
Sunday, May 4th
Join us as we celebrate
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SNACK CARDS
$12.00
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GIFT SHOP
Please stop by and look in the windows! We have several new
items in the gift shop as well as some new Passover items(in
the office) and the new 30 Minute Seder Booklets. It is the best family seder I have seen in a long time.
Please come in and browse through it! Only $6.00. Let me know if you are looking for any items
for your needs. I am very interested in
personal shopping for you. I will be ordering some new talit,
both for men and women, coming in soon, thank you, please call or email
me at
.
Thank you,
Andrea Finestrauss
GREAT
OPPORTUNITIES TO LEARN ABOUT THE KITCHEN AND MEET NEW PEOPLE
Please
check out the dates below.
There
are several opportunities to work in the kitchen with experienced sisterhood
members. It’s a great way to volunteer
and have fun at the same time.
Get a head start on donor for next
year by signing up for any of the dates below.
Kitchen volunteers are needed for the following
dates:
April
Friday,
April 18th
– 2 workers (Aleph Class Service)
Saturday,
April 19th – 1 worker
Friday,
April 25th – 2 workers (Passover)
Saturday,
April 26th -
1 worker (Passover)
Please call me or send me an e-mail
to sign up or to get more information.
Thanks. I’ll look forward to hearing from you.
Renee Felder
(610) 347-0518
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WORKERS NEEDED
FOR THE
UP COMING ONEG
& KIDDUSH
Earn donor!
The Bar/Bat Mitzvah's are upon us. Below is a listing of a few them coming
up. If you are available and would like
to help out, earn donor and get to know some wonderful individuals...This is
for you.
May 2/3
Daniel Rutstein
Oneg & Kiddush workers
May 9/10
Danielle Miller
Oneg & Kiddush workers
May 30/31
Hannah Densten
Oneg/Kiddush and Luncheon workers
Every weekend in June there is a Bar or Bat Mitzvah. Your help is greatly appreciated. Please contact me if I can sign you up.
Thank You,
Sue Herst
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DATES TO REMEMBER
Sat. , April 5th Special service with
Sun., April 6 -
Congregation Meeting to Discuss 2 day a week
Discovery Group
Fri., April 11th
Aleph Class Service
Sun., April 13th
Men’s Club Breakfast
Fri., April 25th
Tot Shabbat
Sun,
April 27th Yiskor at 9:30 a.m.
Congregation Meeting 7PM
RITUAL COMMITTEE MEETING
Monday, April 7th
“
A CELEBRATION OF
Congregation
Beth Shalom and the Jewish Federation of Delaware announce a special film
series in honor of
On Sunday, April 13, Beaufort,
nominated for an
Oscar as Best Foreign Film in 2007, will be shown. BEAUFORT tells the story of Liraz Liberti, the 22 year-old outpost commander, and his troops
in the months before
On Sunday, April
27, April 27,
Someone to Run With
will be shown. Based on the bestselling novel by David Grossman, Someone to Run With captures the novel’s
unrelenting pace, suspense and heartfelt drama as it sends viewers on a
riveting ride through the streets of
Sunday, May 11 –
To Be Announced
Donation is $12 per film and $33 for
the entire series. Advance tickets
can be purchased at www.theatern.org
or at 302-576-2137. Tickets can be purchased at the theater starting one hour
before show time. A discussion will follow each film. Refreshments are
available. For more information call Anat at JFD
302-427-2100 x 30 or Beth Shalom at 302-654-4462. Validated parking is
available in the
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JOIN THE TBE
CHAVERIM...
Wednesday, April 2nd
Lunch at The Dome
Cards at the
Wednesday, April 9th
Lunch at The Deerpark
Cards at the
Wednesday, April 16th
Lunch and then Visit to the
Three
in Ambler, PA
For more information contact: Steve Osman at
Message From the Region:
More Jewish Teens, More Jewish Experiences
Over this
past Presidents’ Day Weekend, the B’nai B’rith Youth Organization broke its
record for the largest gathering of Jewish teens ever at a BBYO event. In
Central Region East sent a delegation of about 30 teens, 10 of which were voting delegates and were able to elect the 84th Grand Board of the Aleph Zadik Aleph and the 64th International Board of the B’nai B’rith Girls. Even while CRE was competing with the other regions from around the world for the coveted AZA Spirit Gavel and BBG Spirit Cup, meeting up with friends from around the United States and meeting new friends from the US, Canada, England, Bulgaria, and Israel was definitely a major highlight of the long weekend. IC was the perfect place to reunite with friends from BBYO summer programs such as CLTC, ILTC, and Kallah, as well as a reminder that outside of your specific group of friends, you’re part of the largest Jewish youth organization in the world and share a special bond with each and every Aleph and BBG.
Among the jam-packed itinerary for the weekend were many speeches from former BBYO members and BBYO directors, a BBYO Day of Service in which members raised money for the Joint Distribution Committee and attended presentations dealing with social action, different Shabbat electives featuring Judaism and its role in everyday life, international business meetings and the election of the new international boards, and much more. For the few hours each night where there was no programming scheduled, the accommodations of the hotel (including the beds) were no less than superb. Excluding perhaps the food, there couldn’t have been a better location to hold BBYO’s largest ever convention yet.
Although IC 2008 was not a regional convention, and therefore the entire region was not able to attend, the people who did certainly had a great time, and there are always spots left for CRE to snatch when IC 2009 rolls around the corner. CRE’s presence was not forgotten, however. The region was awarded with the highest percentage of b-linked users in the world, as well as Allentown AZA being awarded the Henry Monskey All-Around AZA Chapter award.
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MEN’S CLUB
MEETING
Sunday, April 13th 9:30 a.m.
Presenting our own
Stan Weintraub, a noted historian and author
Stan will be discussing his latest book "Fifteen
Stars", the story of three 5-star generals, Eisenhower, MacArthur, and
Marshall. These three men guided the
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From Men’s Club President:
As always, I appreciate the efforts of everyone who helped with Breakfast on March 9th.
We're on quite a hot streak with delicious food! And being joined by Ray Didinger was a special treat. Ray provided insights into writing (very slowly, in Ray's case), dealing with the highly-charged world of Philadelphia Sports, and appreciating your gifts, whatever your calling. Our share of the book proceeds exceeded $100, and for this we're very grateful. A memorable morning in every respect.
Arena Football- Saturday May 17 starting at 7PM, Wachovia Center. We're joining with TBE Philly on this one, ought to be a great night, the Philadelphia Soul is undefeated in three games so far this year, and they score a ton of points.
Blue Rocks games are right around the corner, I'll include a list of games we are working with every Shofar, so you don't need to hunt down any particular issue. Please note Fireworks Night, Sunday May 25 over the Memorial Day Weekend, we need 25 people that day, your help will be most deeply appreciated.
Blue Rocks dates:
Monday, April 14th Tuesday, June 3rd Sunday, July 13th
Sunday, April 27th Sunday, June 15th Sunday, July 27th
Wednesday, May 7th Thursday, June 19th Tuesday, Aug. 5th
Sunday, May 11th Sunday, June 29th Sunday, August 10th
Tuesday, May 20th Monday, June 30th Monday, August 18th
Sunday, May 25th (FIREWORKS NIGHT) Thursday, July 10th
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COMEDY NIGHT, Saturday April 12
Our Men's Club is sponsoring another evening of comedy at Temple Beth El. We will feature 2 comedians provided by 'Big Daddy Graham' (who was very entertaining last year,). Cost: $20 per person (which includes one beer or wine drink of your choice) The bar will be available and open most of the evening, for the purchase of additional drinks. Non-alcoholic beverages are available free of charge. Doors open at 7:30 pm for cocktails, light snacks & hors d'oeuvres. The comedians will perform at 8:00pm. Desserts and coffee will finish up the evening.
Please RSVP to the
BUSY DAYS FROM SISTERHOOD
Next Meeting Wednesday, April 9th 7:30
p.m.
Passover Treats & Recipe
Exchange
At the home of Ann Osman
Please make your favorite passover recipe and bring both the recipe and dish to
share! Email recipe to
and Jacki
will comply recipes to share! Relax, Learn, Eat, Socialize, Please JOIN US!!!! We
will also have election of the new Sisterhood Board officers.
Directions to Ann
Osman’s house:
From
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From Our Sisterhood President:
A BIG 'THANK YOU' to all who helped make
BASKETFEST 2008 the most successful ever. Terry
Prager/Dee Aaronson, Basketfest
Co-Chairs, please take a bow. Thanks to
all who donated items, attended, and/or volunteered. The PURIM CARNIVAL on
March l6 was Fun and there was plenty of food--thanks to Andrea Finestrauss and her army of volunteers.
PASSOVER
arrives soon and
Sisterhood has a very limited amount of Passover Candy available
for sale in the
(submitted by Sandy Novick,
239-04l6 or
)
Sandy Novick
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SISTERHOOD DONOR
DINNER
Wednesday, May 14th
Look for more info in the next Shofar!
PURIM CARNIVAL
Thank you, thank you one and all for helping us have such a
fun and successful Purim Carnival this year. Although the crowd was small it
was mighty!!! Thanks to Marla Friedman and Jessica Seitzman
for not only setting up but producing great crafts and fun! Thanks to Lynn Sontowski, the Hai Class and
Confirmation for all of your great energy and help. Special thanks to Al and
Jim for coming in and getting the social hall in good shape for the day. The kitchen staff, as usual was fantastic,
thank you, Alice Hirsch, Lynda Bell, Barbara Stapen,
Susan Ognitz, Helene Tanny.
The gift shop helpers are so helpful, we cannot have
an event like this without you. Thanks for setting up, Rae Cook and to the
other great ladies, Linda Sprintz, Karen Antell, Betsy Gallagher, Renee Fischer, Ann Herman, Renee
Felder, Lisa Kletter, Beth Piha,
Debby Lewkowitz, D.
Aaronson. You all are making my job as
gift shop maven so easy, I thank you all again, and of course, thanks to Linda Crist for all of her sales and helpful when none of us are
around. Happy Shopping and Happy Purim.
PASSOVER CANDY
There were many favorites that many of us
remember from when we were younger, and that are not readily accessible from
the grocery store.
There are
a limited number of boxes of candy left in the main office. These make a great hostess gift to take to seder as well as a nice sweet ending
to the holiday meal. Remember the almond
kisses? They are still in the metal
containers they were in when we were children.
We also have delicious treats such as:
lollicones for the children, big and small,
chocolate cocoanut crème delights, pareve, chocolate
covered matzah, chocolate diamonds, chocolate diamond
mints, chocolate crème mints.
Please
call or stop in at the office to make your candy purchase. If more information is needed, please feel
free to contact Beth Piha at 235-0377 or Linda Oster
at 992-0111 or the
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