BETH EL SYNAGOGUE NEWSLETTER

P O Box 568, St. Johnsbury VT 05819

January 2010, Tevet - Shevat 5770
 
 


SCHEDULE OF SERVICES AND BETH EL ACTIVITIES

Schedule of Services and Activities

 

All services start at 7:30 pm unless otherwise noted.

 

January 15
Services with Jon Margolis
Oneg: Jon and Sally Margolis

 

January 22

Services with Aaron Solnit
Oneg: Mandy Lane

January 29
Services with Steve Nichols
Oneg: Mary Scheiber

 

ARE THERE SERVICES TODAY?

On days of inclement weather, congregants should call the synagogue, 748-5683, and the outgoing message will relay whether or not there are services. We will also send an e-mail out to members on those days.

 
 


Shabbat Parshot remaining for January

Saturday, January 16

Va'eira

Exodus 6:2-9:35

Haftorah: Ezekiel 28:25-26, 29:1-21

                                        

Saturday, January 23

Bo

Exodus 10: 1-13:16

Haftorah: Jeremiah 46: 13-28

 

Saturday, January 30: Tu B’Shevat

Beshelach

Exodus 13:17 – 17:16

Haftorah: Judges 4:1-24, 5:1-31

 

*****

Thoughts from Rabbi Hale

 

Early Winter Reflections on Klal Yisrael (Jewish Community)

 

I attended the Conference on Judaism in Rural New England in 1989. It was also, aside from earlier visits to Bread and Puppet, my introduction to the Northeast Kingdom. At that time, single and in my late 20’s, when I was contemplating applying to rabbinical school,  I lived in a very small town just a few miles south of the Vermont border in which, as far as I knew,  I was the only Jewish resident among the 325 souls who lived there. The Conference, a highlight of which was Rabbi Daniel Siegel’s workshop on Judaism in the Sticks, held a number of epiphanies for me. One was that practicing Judaism in isolation is not impossible though problematic. Another was that connecting to the wider Jewish world, in time (especially our history) as well as in space, is essential. 

 

Those two epiphanies related to the words of one of the CJRNE vatikim (old-timers) – perhaps it was one of you – explaining that it was never established whether it was the  “Conference on Judaism (where?)… in Rural New England” or the “Conference on (what?)… Judaism in Rural New England.  Therein I think lay and lies a great paradox in Jewish life here and perhaps everywhere.  In the case of the CJRNE, was New England where the conference happened to take place, or was the conference about ways of being Jewish particular to rural New England?  For better or worse each Jewish community is unique in character and practice, whether it is composed of 20,000 souls or one. In New England, with its history of small and fiercely self-reliant communities, this is especially so. On the other hand, as Talmud (Shavuot 39a) says, kol yisrael areivim zeh la zeh (or zeh mi-zeh), “All Israel is connected with and responsible for one another.”  We are part of one people, or as Mordecai Kaplan, founder of Reconstructionism maintained, one civilization.

 

This paradox is in my mind and I consider the great pleasure of my new friendship with David Goldstone, president of the Bethlehem Hebrew Congregation and a compelling spiritual leader in his own right. Recently, when Deborah Goldberg visited over Shabbat I had the additional pleasure of introducing them to each other.  David and his family reside both in Northampton (MA) and in Bethlehem (NH), and we have had many a delightful conversation at kiddush about our two Jewish communities, one of the Northern Kingdom (VT) and one of the North Country (NH). We are neighbors. While affirming the unique character (and challenges) of each community, Beth El and Bethlehem, how could our closer connection enrich Jewish life for all?  In other words, can we constitute a regional Jewish community, with the benefits of shared resources and events?

 

 At the time of that CJRNE 20 years ago  it was estimated in a New York Times article about Beth El’s R.D. Eno that something  like 20,000 Jews resided in Northern New England. It is safe to assume the number is higher today, so it is not for lack of souls that we act as isolated communities.  I believe the question is not so much whether a Jewish community like Beth El can survive, but of how it chooses to thrive, given the time and the place we occupy, including changing society and demographics. I also believe that the creative tension with that change is part of what makes being Jewish thrilling and refreshing.  In its day the CJRNE effectively addressed that creative challenge and opportunity, and I would like to suggest that it is time to consider what new form of addressing the challenge, perhaps even a formal organization, is called for in this day.

 

Perhaps dormant winter in Northern New England is the perfect time and place to consider our past and future,  our aloneness and connection, and wonder what will sprout at the next growing season in Spring. Jacob, fleeing from his brother Esau, alone and probably scared, wakes from his potent dream of angels and notices that "God is in this place" in a way he hadn’t noticed. What deepening of Jewish life and connection with Jewish community have we not yet noticed, that is ready to be a source of happiness, connection and satisfaction?

 

 

 


Communication is Very Important to Our Community

Please Contact One of Us if You Have a Comment or Suggestion

 

OFFICERS OF CONGREGATION BETH EL:

 

PRESIDENT: Deborah Goldberg

VICE PRESIDENT: Harvey Caplan

TREASURER: Mandy Lane

SECRETARY: Carol Novick

 

BOARD MEMBERS:

Naomi Bossom, 626-9833

Patty Caplan

Ilene Kanoff

Eleanor Levy

Jon Margolis

Mary Scheiber

Rick Schwag

Aaron Solnit

 

*****

TREASURER'S REPORT

Mandy Lane

 

Donations to the General Fund in Memory of Al Zeller from:


Andrea Harris

from Barbara & Glenn Seifert in memory of Alfred Zeller

Dan Wyand PT & Associates - the staff held a "dress down" day in memory of our friend Al Zeller


Donations to the General Fund from:

Grace Novick

                    

Welcome to new members:

Rachel & Joel Gilbert and children James & Aurora from East Burke, VT

 

 

*****

MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION

Family Membership

(two adults, with or without children) Annual Dues $450.00

Building Fund (may be paid over 5 years) $500.00 (for general upkeep & upgrading of facility)

Single Membership

(one adult, with or without children) Annual Dues $225.00

Building fund (may be paid over 2 years) $250.00

Religious School Fee per child $150.00
(Additional children over the first) $100.00

While we appreciate payment in full prior to Yom Kippur, we understand this may be difficult for some families. Monthly payments are allowed. PLEASE NOTE: Beth El is a small synagogue without full-time staff, therefore we do not send dues bills to members on a regular basis. We ask members to make their payments in a timely fashion and thank you for your cooperation in doing so.

Beth El strives to be available for all members of our Jewish community. Special consideration/abatement arrangements for dues and/or religious school fees may be made, on a yearly basis, by contacting Mandy Lane or Deborah Goldberg.

 

*****

Beth El Committees

 

Please consider joining a Beth El committee. We need your help! Below is a list of all committees. Descriptions follow for those that are in the most need of volunteers. The committee chairperson is also listed –please contact the chair if you would like to join. If a committee does not have a chairperson listed, please direct questions to the board president, Deborah Goldberg.

 

*Communications (see below)

*Membership (see below)

*Oneg list (see below)

*Religious (see below)

*Fundraising (see below)

Hebrew School: chair, Ilene Kanoff

Library

Service Leaders

Tzedakah: chair, Ilene Kanoff

By-Laws

Break-the-Fast: chair, Dick Axelrod, pilot@kingcon.com

Kitchen: chair, Nancy Frank

House: chair, Harvey Caplan

 

Communications Committee:

facilitates communications amongst Beth El Synagogue members as well as with the outside community. The committee comes up with community-building ideas and oversees the implementation of them as well as publicity for them. This can include events such as workshops, talks, youth activities, and special programs that are inclusive to the diversity of Beth El members and the community-at-large. Chair: Rene’ Rose

 

Membership: creates a welcoming environment to new and existing members. This committee actively seeks to increase membership amongst Jewish people in our region, and keeps and updates e-mail lists and other contact information of members. Chair: Rick Schwag

 

Oneg list: people on the Oneg list will bring food for the Friday night Onegs once or twice a year. In order to keep the Onegs going, we need more people on the Oneg list. Chair: Joanne Axelrod

 

Religious: responsible for all religious and ritual matters of the synagogue. They review and make referrals to the board on all policies relating to the religious affairs of the synagogue. Chair: Jay Abramson

 

Fundraising: creates programs to raise funds for the synagogue.

 

 

*****

Notes from the Board

Thank you

... to all the service leaders, oneg volunteers, and participants in Decembers services.

... to all the volunteers who helped with the Annual Christmas Dinner at North Congregational Church.

 

Board meetings: All members of the congregation are welcome to attend board meetings. The next meeting is Sunday December 13th at 10:30 am, at Beth El. The approved minutes from each board meeting are posted on the bulletin board at the synagogue.

Yarzheits: Although our congregation is small, we are a supportive community. If you have an upcoming yarzheit for a loved one, we would like to help you in observing their remembrance. Please e-mail the names and dates to the newsletter at news@congregationbeth-el.org. If you are concerned about attendance at Shabbat services during the time of the yarzheit, please consider e-mailing or calling some of the members of the synagogue to encourage a minyan. We should all be aware of this need and support our fellow members.

Onegs: Please consider adding your name to the oneg list. We are still in need of more members to volunteer. In addition, if you know that there will be a Shabbat service that you and your family will be attending such as yarzheits or a celebration such as a bar or bat mitzvah, please consider contributing to that week’s oneg.

Time sensitive information: Beth El e-mail is checked regularly, but if you have an e-mail that needs to go out to the congregation immediately, please call Abby Maier, (802)748-4811 or Deborah Goldberg, (802)748-3711.

 

Mah Jongg

                                                                                                                                    Mary Scheiber

Come Play, Come Learn Mah Jongg!
 
We are organizing another session of Mah Jongg play!
We are anxious to resume these sessions,…. BUT  we need your help in deciding to which evening you can commit. We’ll do the rest, but we do need your feedback!  Please contact Mary Scheiber at 748-1959 to leave comments and questions.
 
--Admission will be $5.00/session (as a donation to the synagogue) and will include light refreshements.
 

 *****

Exodus: The Midwives

                                                                                                                        Beth Kanell


Sometimes you know your calling: I mean,
you know what you were born to do. Or not to do,
which is to say that there is no slave who's born
to give away life -- no child who's born
to cry and cringe -- and in the hands of the midwives,
life came through the narrow passage
and babies were touched, wiped clean, set against
the warm curves of their mothers. Yes, they knew
they were born to receive, to enfold, to cherish.

Were you a midwife
in your other life, the life of last night's dream?
The snow rustled and settled around the house
and only the moon peered in the windows. Your breath
sighed over the pillow, your heart
held steady through the dark hours. Your hands
were made to receive. And I suspect you've known
for almost always, you're a life catcher,
a welcoming committee of one or more,
a midwife to something new and pale,
sliding through the narrow passage,
coming out of Egypt. All the women knew
what needed to be done.

It was Moses who had to ask directions --
but then again, wouldn't you also stop to ask:
who was calling your name from within the fire?


*****

 

Get Them While They’re Hot: The Second Printing of Beth El's History/Recipe Book!

Due to high demand, "Congregation Beth El: A History with Recipes of the Jewish Community of St. Johnsbury, Vermont" has been printed a second time! There are still copies left, but they are going fast.

 

The book opens with anecdotes of early days of Congregation Beth El, with the Sisterhood, the mah jongg and poker games, and the recipes of those days. Read about the local Jewish response during the Second World War and for the founding of Israel. Peek over the shoulders of the "student rabbis" as they reflect on their celebrations in St. Johnsbury. Discover a new sense of how Beth El's traditions and sense of community have changed over the decades -- along with the recipes used by the cooks of the congregation, both women and men.

The price for this collection is just $14.95, with a 10% discount for orders of 4 books or more. There are three ways to purchase your copies: e-mail admin@congregationbeth-el.org, call the synagogue and leave a message (802) 748-5683, or pick up a copy at Gauthier’s Pharmacy during business hours. Recipe books can also be shipped for an additional charge. Checks or cash only, please!

 

*****

OTHER CONGREGATIONS

Bethlehem Hebrew Congregation

For further information about BHC events and religious services, contact Bernice Dinner at 603-823-5537 or the BHC office at 603-869-5465.

Upper Valley Jewish Community

ONGOING UVJC ACTIVITIES AND NOTICES:

HOMEMADE Kosher Chicken Soup is available to anyone in the Jewish community who is recuperating from an illness or accident. Call Carole Clarke at the UVJC (603-646-0460) to receive soup.

MAH-JONGG Weekly mah-jongg classes and games at the Roth Center every Wednesday in the Lappin Lounge, 12:00-1:30 PM. Bring a brown bag lunch. Contact Sarah Friedman.

 

Israeli Dancing at Ohavi Zedek Synagogue

Next scheduled for Sunday, January 24th

6:30 - 9pm in the Socials Room

188 North Prospect Street Burlington

 

Dances are taught and reviewed step by step. Most are done in circles and lines, so you do not need a partner. Wear comfortable clothes and soft-soled shoes with clean tread.

 

Feel free to bring a dance, with music on CD, to teach!

$2.00 PER SESSION free to first-timers

Please call Portia at 802.888.5706 to be included on our future contact list.

 

In extreme weather, make sure we are meeting by calling Portia before 5 PM on any dance date.

 

*****

HUMOR

                                                                                                Sumitted by Jerry Senturia

Winter Olympics

Well, it happened that a very Orthodox yeshiva in Montreal had an  exceptional skier among its students.  So fast, that in practice, with tzitzis streaming out behind, he had beaten the world record several times.

After first checking to make sure none of the men's slalom races would be on the Sabbath, he tried out for and made the Canadian Winter Olympic team.  With his times in the trial heats, he was the favorite for an Olympic gold medal.

Came the day of the final, the crowd waited in anticipation.

The French champion sped down the course in 38 seconds.

The Swiss in 38.7 seconds.

The German in 37.8 seconds.

The Italian in 38.1 seconds.

Then came the turn of the Canadian yeshiva "bocher." The crowd waited, and waited........

Finally, after a full five minutes, he crossed the finish line.

"What happened to you?" screamed his coach when the skier finally arrived.

Breathing hard, the exhausted yeshiva student replied, "All right, who's the wise guy who put a mezuzah on every gate?"

 

*****

Do you have any news, information, announcements, opinions or ideas for the membership you would like to share in the newsletter?

The deadline for each monthly edition is the 21st of the previous month. Articles and letters will be printed if they are signed and if they deal with topics and ideas, not personalities.

Send your correspondence to: news@congregationbeth-el.org

The newsletter will be posted on the Beth El web site: http://www.congregationbeth-el.org/ monthly.