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BULLETIN OF BETH EL
CONGREGATION On-Line – Full Color!
bethelakron.com
August Table of Contents Abigail Litt Bat Mitzvah ............ 1 Rabbi & Hazzan’s Message ....... 1 Thank You to ............................. 2 Milestones & Mazel Tovs .......... 2 Happy Anniversary .................... 2 Schedule of Services .................. 2 Sisterhood .................................. 2 Beth El in Your Will ................. 2 August Yahrzeits ........................ 3 August Calendar ......................... 3 Community Break the Fast ......... 4 Memorial Plaques ...................... 4 Silver J-Ticket ............................ 4 High Holy Days Ticket Policy ... 4 Finding the Woman Within ........ 5 Social Action at Beth El ............. 5 Upcoming Events ....................... 6 Annual Fundraiser ...................... 6 Jewish Shakespeare Festival ...... 6 In Memoriam ............................. 6 Sukkot Activities ........................ 7 High Holiday Babysitting ........... 7 Israeli Scouts Performance ......... 7 Lulav Time! (order form) ........... 7 Community Shabbat Dinner ....... 8 The Reason I Say Kaddish ......... 9 Scholar in Residence .................. 9 High Holiday Schedule ............ 10 High Holiday Events ................ 11 Introducing Lex Rofeberg ........ 12 Taschlich in the Park ................ 13 Jews & Brews .......................... 14 Rose Hill Memorial Service ..... 14 Planning an Event? ................... 14 Leagrams .................................. 14 Leora Cohen Presented Award . 14 Lunch ‘n Learn ........................ 14 Observing a Yahrzeit? .............. 14 President’s Message ................. 15 Membership Committee ........... 15 Kallah 2018 .............................. 16 Education Program .................. 17 Contribution Form .................... 17 Contributions............................ 18 Back to Shul BBQ .................... 20
BULLETIN OF BETH EL CONGREGATION
AUGUST 2018 AKRON, OHIO AV • ELUL 5778
Abigail Litt will become a Bat
Mitzvah on August 18. She is the
daughter of Michael Litt and Denise
Bellis. This fall, Abigail will be an 8th
grader at Copley-Fairlawn Middle
School where she is a trumpet player
in the school band. She also attends Hebrew School at Beth El.
The Bimah flowers are sponsored by the family in honor
of the Bat Mitzvah. Congratulations to the Bat Mitzvah and her family.
Parshat Shofitm
A b i g a i l L i t t Shabbat Morning August 18, 2018 3 Tammuz 5778
Abigail Litt
Thirteen Attributes of Mercy
The High Holy Days are right around
the corner. August 11 is the first day of the
New Month of Elul, the month before the
High Holy Days. It is a month of
preparation and of drawing nearer to the
Divine. Like with any relationship, if you
don’t speak except once a year, the
relationship is substantially different than if
you call each other all the time. Elul invites
us, if we haven’t already been calling, to pick up the proverbial phone, before
the big catch up on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.
One of the ways we can do this preparation is to look at the Thirteen
Attributes of Mercy, which we begin calling out this season, at Selichot. While
these are considered to be God’s attributes, some of them are also qualities to
cultivate in ourselves. They are: compassionate, gracious, patient, boundlessly
loving, and truthful.
This Selichot - Saturday night, September 1 - we will be focusing on the
meaning of these attributes. We will chant them seven times, with other
traditional and non-traditional English and Hebrew prayers in between each of
the seven chantings, punctuating the depth of these attributes of mercy. For
God says, “whenever you call out these attributes of mine, I will forgive you.”
In addition, you are invited to come to a SoulCollage workshop, led by
Rabbi Elyssa, on August 28 at 7 PM, where we will explore what the 13
attributes are through making a collage related to a specific attribute. Please
RSVP for the workshop location.
Now is the time for opening to forgiveness, finding our best qualities, and
recommitting to merciful living as we approach the New Year.
Rabbi Elyssa & Hazzan Matt
Rabbi Elyssa Austerklein
Hazzan Matthew Austerklein
Page 2 BULLETIN OF BETH EL CONGREGATION
Knitzvah Resumes in September
Taste of Torah August 20, 7:00-8:30 PM
L'Chaim Cooking Club August 27, 6:00-8:00 PM
at Congregation Beth El
Women's League for Conservative Judaism
Thank You to Ellen Moss for sponsoring the Kiddush on
June 9 in honor of her special birthday.
Jesse Fischer for sponsoring the Bima flowers
on June 15 in memory of Sy Fischer.
Milestones & Mazel Tovs Leora Cohen, recipient of the Emanuel R.
Isroff Young Leadership Award.
Herb and Ellen Moss for their many years of
dedication to the Akron Jewish Community
and being honored by the Jewish Community
Board of Akron.
Marc Merklin who was installed into the
Bencher's Society at Case Western Reserve
University Law School.
Herb and Dianne Newman on their
granddaughter, Alex, who became a Bat
Mitzvah in June at Temple Emanu El.
Rick and Lisa Spector announce the
engagement of their son, Jared Ethan
Spector, to Ilyssa Michelle Resnick,
daughter of Jeff Resnick of Moreland Hills,
Ohio and Ramie Resnick of Corona del Mar,
California. Jared is the grandson of Marty and
Sue Spector and Al and Sandy Moses. Ilyssa
is the grand-daughter of Sidney and Phyllis
Reisman and Albert and the late Sylvia
Resnick. A summer 2020 wedding in
Cleveland is being planned.
Teddi and Alan Kay on the birth of grandson,
Foster T. Kay, born on June 2, 2018. Proud
parents are Ian and Dana Kay of Denver, CO.
Happy Anniversary AUGUST YEARS 10 Jerry & Sandy Schneier .............................. 60
11 Alan & Janice Woll .................................... 50
12 Dr. Martin & Sherry Hellman ..................... 45
13 Michael & Leah Rzepka ............................... 5
14 Marc & Sharon Merklin .............................. 35
17 Nancy Shimer & Rabbi Joan Friedman ........ 15
18 Ronald & Sue Nusbaum ............................. 55
26 Harold & Greta Foster ................................ 45
31 Joshua & Jennifer Shkolnik ........................ 15
SCHEDULE OF SERVICES
AUGUST 2018 AV • ELUL 5778
Sunday – 8:30 AM
Wednesday and Friday – 7:30 AM
Saturday Morning – 9:15 AM
Please note: • Minyan times are Wednesdays and
Fridays at 7:30 AM. For summer months – 8:30 AM. Other times by request only.
• Friday night services will be held on the 2nd Friday of the month at 7:00 PM.
• Other morning and evening services will be held by request only. Please call the office one week in advance to make special arrangements.
Beth El Congregation 750 White Pond Drive
Akron, OH 44320
www.bethelakron.com
Office: (330) 864-2105 [email protected]
Affiliated with
The United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism
The Jewish Theological Seminary of America
Elyssa Austerklein Rabbi
Matthew Austerklein Hazzan
[email protected] Stephen Grundfast
Rabbi Emeritus
Stephen Stein Hazzan Emeritus
Erin Katz Ford Director of Synagogue Education
Jerry B. Nelson President
Sharon Merklin President Elect
Stacey Simonton Vice President
Marsha Friedman Treasurer
Gregg Manes Secretary
Marsha Friedman Endowment Chair
[email protected] 330.603.1890
Robynne McKee Administrative Assistant
Laurel Gress Baalat Koreh
Leonard Rose Editor
Vol. LXXIII No. 12
The Bulletin is published monthly by Beth El Congregation
750 White Pond Dr., Akron, Ohio 44320
(USPS 052-100)
Periodicals postage paid at Akron, Ohio.
Postmaster: Send address changes to Bulletin of Beth El Congregation,
750 White Pond Dr., Akron, Ohio 44320
Candle Lighting
Aug. 3 ..... 8:22 PM
Aug. 10 .... 8:13 PM
Aug. 17 .... 8:04 PM
Aug. 24 .... 7:53 PM
Aug. 31 .... 7:42 PM
Havdalah
Aug. 4 ..... 9:25 PM
Aug. 11 .... 9:15 PM
Aug. 18 .... 9:04 PM
Aug. 25 .... 8:53 PM
Remember Beth El in Your Will
For information, contact Marsha Friedman Endowment Chair
330.603.1890
BULLETIN OF BETH EL CONGREGATION Page 3
Av 5778 August 2018 Elul 5778
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
Let Us Know Rabbi Elyssa and Hazzan Matt are eager to visit congregants in the hospital but, can’t if they don't know. If you or someone you know is in the hospital or sick at home, and would appreciate a pastoral visit, please let us know.
1 20 Av
2 21 Av
Shakespeare at Stan Hywet 7:30 PM
3 22 Av
4 23 Av
Ekev
5 24 Av
6 25 Av
7 26 Av
8 27 Av
9 28 Av
10 29 Av
Shul Barbeque Dinner 6:00 PM
Lev Tahor 7:00 PM
11 30 Av
Re’eh
Rosh Chodesh
12 1 Elul
Rosh Chodesh
13 2 Elul
14 3 Elul
Board Meeting 7:00 PM
15 4 Elul
16 5 Elul
17 6 Elul
18 7 Elul
Shoftim
Abigail Litt Bat Mitzvah
19 8 Elul
20 9 Elul
Taste of Torah 7:00 PM Jews & Brews 7:30 PM
21 10 Elul
Board Orientation 5:30-8:30 PM
22 11 Elul
23 12 Elul
24 13 Elul
Community Shabbat at Beth El 5:30 PM
25 14 Elul
Ki Tetze
Scholar in Residence
26 15 Elul
27 16 Elul
L’chaim Cooking Club 6:00 PM
28 17 Elul
SoulCollage Workshop
7:00-8:30 PM
29 18 Elul
30 19 Elul
31 20 Elul
Services (unless otherwise noted)
Sunday 8:30 AM
Wed. & Fri. 7:30 AM
Saturday 9:15 AM
June 1-4 Betty
Julius Fischman Ella Trina Fishel Rebecca Gershten Herman Gilbert David Harley Goldberg Bertha Gross Sadie Haberman Chaye Libby Kraus Gertrude Luck Alexander Medoff Pauline Pesso Saul Rosenthal Lita Talisman Murray Wiener Frances Winer Harvey Woll Bernard Clayman August 11 - 17 Gertrude Abosch Herman Aronson Robert Benson Sarah Cohen Sidney Felder Sanford Finger Jennie Fleisher
William Fogel Celia Goldberg Morris Greenblatt Benjamin Heisler Rose Kodish Louis A. Kramer Rebecca Leeper Frieda Leventhal Mina Lichtman Louis Lockshin Julius Lowry Archy May Jeanne Mervis Gary Osherow Ruth Rosen Dora Beja- Sardas Margaret Schweda Dave Shecht Barney Snyder Morris Stein Ethel Widlus Max Widlus Stuart Willen August 18-24 Rose Budzanover
Cheryl Carter Betty Cheplowitz Herman Jack Cohen Charles Cooper Emanuel Corman Arnold Ehrenberg Clara Epstein Murray Grashow Marvin Greenbaum Bernard Hellman Margaret Kodish Izzy Harry Laves Betty Lebenberg David Leubitz Kate Lieberman Lillian Nelson Phillip P. Rich Helen Richman Arleen Robinson Leo Rohrheimer Betty F. Rulnick David Schneir Goldie Schorin Rose Schwartz Anna Sherman Sol Wagan
Carl Waxman Herbert Yabroff Stanley Zalob August 25-31 Robert Allen Helen Axelrod Efraim Brinker Rae Eichner George Epstein Fannie Farber Laurel Fischer Ruth Friedman Richard Gloth Ida Goldberg Saul Goldfarb Samuel Goodman Eva Gross Lillian B. Gruber Edna Kaufman Morris Kaufman Gertrude Krasnoff Rachmiel Cohen Levenson Paul Levine Sally Mervis Robert Milkman
Rose Milstein Jack Mostow Abe Newman George Ostrov Ida Potrock Elaine Rabe Ernest Richman Bessie Rothkin Sarah Schneiderman Lawrence Schwartz Joseph Sholiton Max Stan Pearl Wagan Edward Weinberger Mollie Wiener Al Willdman Ralph Leonard Willen Dorothy Willen Harry Winer Morris Winer Ben Wise
YAHRZEITS
August 1-3 Rifka Brinker Sam Finkel Murray Glauberman Joseph Glick Ruth Kahan Samuel David Katz Sam E. Kelly Rebecca Lipson Jeannette Medvin Lillian Rosenblatt Rev. Phillip Salzman Joel Zelin August 4-10 Burton Belsky Isaac Cohen Cheryl Spector De Armas Anna Elsky Himon Farber Abraham D. Feffer Samuel Feinman Joe Firestone
Page 4 BULLETIN OF BETH EL CONGREGATION
Northern Cheyenne
Community
the Fast
Join us September
30 at 8:00 PM,
following Neila
Services, as we
break-the-fast.
This year’s dinner is
sponsored by Randy
& Julie Katz, Herb
and Ellen Moss, Alan
and Sally Katz, Joy
Epstein, Jim and
Susan Osherow, and
Beth El Sisterhood.
RSVPs to the
synagogue are
always appreciated.
HIGH HOLY DAYS
TICKET POLICY All Beth El Members in good standing can arrange in advance for reciprocal High Holy Days guest tickets
for their immediate family who are members in good standing at any synagogue. This policy applies to in-
town or out-of-town residents.
If an out-of-town guest is not an immediate family member but belongs to a Conservative Synagogue, they
can arrange in advance for reciprocal guest tickets. Please provide a letter from the Synagogue certifying
membership in good standing. Mail it to our office at the address below or FAX it to us at 330-867-7856.
All out-of-town family members/guests who do not belong to a Synagogue can purchase tickets for the
following cost per person: $36 for Rosh Hashanah; $36 for Yom Kippur; or $72 for both, paid in advance.
Checks may be brought or mailed to Beth El Congregation, 750 White Pond Dr., Akron, Ohio 44320
High Holy Days Tickets Reminder for Beth El Members To receive your tickets, you must be current, or have made arrangements, on your dues.
If not, please contact an Officer as soon as possible.
High Holy Days 5779
Rosh Hashanah 9/9-9/11
High Holy Days 5779
Yom Kippur 9/18 & 919
Memorial Plaques The Memorial Plaques in our Sanctuary constitute a permanent record of
the names of men and women departed from this earth. To cherish and
keep alive their precious memories is a sacred Jewish tradition. The
contribution for an individual plaque is only $250. For further information,
please call Beth El at 330-864-2105.
A plaque was recently affixed in the Sanctuary in memory of:
BULLETIN OF BETH EL CONGREGATION Page 5
Finding the Woman Within:
through the Jewish Holidays
If you ever wanted to see through the eyes of our
foremothers, and express their longings, challenges, and
joys, please join us for one or all of these three classes
which will open a new view of the High Holy Days, for
women only. Each class will be a therapeutic art experience
relating to the story of a Biblical woman associated with
The High Holy Days – Sarah, Hagar, or Hannah. This is a
joint art class between Beth El and Akron ArtWorks, at
Akron ArtWorks in the Valley (1720 Merriman Road). No
art experience necessary. $5/ class and registration required
through Akron ArtWorks. September 6, 13, & 27 from 7:30
to 9:00 PM.
SOCIAL ACTION
AT BETH EL Interfaith Caregivers Annual Hunger Walk Our appreciation to Carl Lieberman for organizing our participation in Interfaith Caregivers Annual Hunger Walk – and thanks to all walkers who assisted in raising over $23,000 and 2,000 pounds of food collected for the Akron Canton Regional Food Bank.
Community Mitzvah Day Thank you to our Community Mitzvah Day volunteers Diane Caplan, Esther Hexter, Dianne Newman, and Bunny Rose who contributed salad for Sunday supper for volunteers – and special thanks to Randy Katz who organized Beth El’s participation and worked a garden.
Beth El Food Basket Don't forget the Food Basket! When you come to services, for a minyan, a meeting or activity bring a non-perishable can or box of food our food basket in our lobby to share with others through Akron Canton Regional Food Bank. In the fall come help bake cookies for new, expanded Ronald McDonald House. Date to be Announced. Thank you all.
To get involved contact Bunny Rose, Social Action Chairperson: 330-836-4043, [email protected]
Page 6 BULLETIN OF BETH EL CONGREGATION
In Memoriam
Beth El Congregation notes with sorrow the passing of
Sunday, December 2, 2018
Celebrate Jewish Akron’s First Night of Hanukkah, at Beth El, with Jewish Music, Dance, & Food! Stay tuned for next month’s announcement of our musical guest artists.
Sunday, February 24, 2019
Akron/Canton Cantorial Concert, sponsored by the Jewish Theological Seminary of America and featuring Beth El’s
Hazzan Matt Austerklein, Cantor Bruce Braun (Canton, OH), three JTS cantorial students, and Cantor Nancy Abramson, Dean of the H.L. Miller Cantorial School. Free & Open to the Public.
Jewish Shakespeare Week!
Ohio Shakespeare Festival & Beth El
Thursday
August 2 at 7:30 PM
Come with our congregation to
see Shakespeare's romantic
tragicomedy, All's Well that
Ends Well, live on the grounds
of Stan Hywet.
Tickets discounted to $18 for
participants. Only 6 months until our
38th Annual Fundraiser
Dr. Marvin
Cohen Husband of Lynn;
father of Jonathan and Brian;
brother of Sandy and Bobby;
grandfather of Drew and Lizzie
Allen
Kofksy Father of Kathy, Kipp,
and Kory; brother of Udice;
grandfather of Chase,
Logan, Adam, Aaron,
Kyle, and Ryan
Idelle
Kodish Mother of Stuart, Steve, and
Lisa; sister of Susan;
grandmother of Alex, Noah,
Ian, Leo, and Sara
Marjorie B.
Robbins Mother of Stephen, Marsha,
Paul, Jan, Susan; grandmother of
Joel, Jessica, Daniel, Alex,
Melissa, David, Marley, Drew,
Maura, and Aaron
Stanley B.
Schneiderman Husband of Harriet;
father of Ken; brother of Ted;
grandfather of Zachary
and Evan
Edward
Schneider Husband of Alice;
father of Lynne and Deborah;
brother of Rhoda;
grandfather of Samantha,
Nora, Hannah, and Ryan
BULLETIN OF BETH EL CONGREGATION Page 7
Yes, it’s Lulav Time! Lulav sets will arrive in three parts:
• A palm branch with holder
• Two aravot (willow branches)
• Three hadasim (myrtle branches)
You will receive easy assembly instructions.
Simple, Easy, and a Mitzvah. Only $47.
Deadline to order: September 4, 2018
Name: _________________________
Address: _______________________
______________________________
Phone: ________________________
Order yours today! I want ____ sets this year @ $47/set = $_______.
Send your order to: Beth El Congregation, 750 White Pond Dr., Akron, OH 44320.
Sukkot Activities Sukkah Decorating and Young Family Sukkot
September 23 at 4:30 PM
Sukkot Day 1
September 24
Services at 9:15
Deli Sermon & Deli Lunch
Sukkot Day 2
September 25
Services at 9:15 AM
with and at Anshe Sfard
Sukkot Day 7
September 30
Services at 9:15 AM
followed by Sukkah Hop
Shemini Atzeret
October 1 at 9:15 AM
Services with guest from the
Northern Cheyenne Nation
Yizkor
Simchat Torah Celebration
October 1 at 6 PM
Simchat Torah
October 2
Services at 9:15 AM
Every summer, the Israeli Scouts crisscross the U.S.,
bringing Israeli culture and goodwill with their
unique blend of smiles, songs and dances in Hebrew
and English. The Tzofim Traveling Caravan puts on a
very entertaining show! Please join us for this free
family concert on Thursday, August 2 at 6:30 PM in
the auditorium at the Shaw JCC.
FREE and OPEN to the COMMUNITY!
High Holiday
Babysitting will be available for children six and
under during High Holidays. Check the service
schedule for times. Please bring items that you
would normally leave for a baby sitter in your
home. Diapers, formula, dairy snacks, and a
favorite toy should be provided for all children
under two. Snacks will be provided for older
children on Rosh Hashanah and a light lunch will
be served on Yom Kippur. As usual there will be no
charge for this service, but parents MUST register
so we have the proper staff ratios to ensure the best
possible care. Thank you for your cooperation.
Please contact Erin Katz Ford at 330-864-2105 ext.
118, no later than August 20, to make reservations.
Page 8 BULLETIN OF BETH EL CONGREGATION
z
FRIDAY NIGHT Talk – "Abayudaya Jewish Interfaith cooperation with Christian and Muslim neighbors"
BULLETIN OF BETH EL CONGREGATION Page 9
Rabbi Gershom Sizomu Saturday Scholar in Residence – August 25
Morning Services in the Chapel Shabbat Morning Dvar Torah
"Personal journey and 100-year-old history of Abayudaya Jewish Community" Kiddush Luncheon to follow
Young Families Program from 3-4 PM Shabbat "Abayudaya Music"
The Reason I Say Kaddish for my Mother
by Toby Rosen
I have never been devout. My mother wasn’t either. I
never thought about whether I would want to say Kaddish
for my parents. When my mother died in April, and the
Shiva was over, I heard me say to myself: get back to
work, get over it.
However, I felt a need to do something more. I was
left empty when she died. I felt it had happened too
suddenly, even though she was sick for years. She had
Alzheimer’s.
She had left us many years before. Her death was a
conclusion of years of sorrow.
I knew that saying Kaddish was something people did
to remember their loved ones. I had seen many people
stand either after the death or for a Yahrzeit. I always felt
humbled when I watch the person rise. They said a prayer
we all hear during services. But when the aggrieved said
it, somehow, for that moment, it had a different feeling. It
was comforting and warm. Like a lovely, soft blanket. I
saw the person standing there entranced. Maybe they were
heartened by a memory. Maybe they were sad and feeling
the loss. Maybe they felt an emptiness.
We are so busy. We work; we play; we sleep; and
some of us exercise. Whatever it is, we think we have no
time. I felt that way. I thought I would never have time to
get up and go to shul to say Kaddish in the morning. 7:30
was too early and too late. I had to get up and get moving
and I would have to get to work later.
When I went the first time, the week after she died, I
felt strange walking into synagogue on a regular weekday.
I took a seat away from others. I felt alone. When I stood
for the Kaddish, I wanted to cry. For the first time in my
life, I was a mourner. I felt naked and raw. When I heard
the familiar words coming from mouth, they felt warm and
the eyes of the congregants looking at me gave me
comfort. Over time I began to remember. The memories
came back, not from the past few years, but from before.
When there were happier times with mom. I felt the
warmth, the comfort. I realized what I had needed to do
was to give myself a place and a time, a ritual, to allow
me to mourn.
Now, at shul, I wonder where everyone is. Many
mornings I go and we do not have a minyan. At first, I
was sad that we didn’t offer a minyan every day. But then
I was content with Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and
Sunday because I thought this would give a chance for
more people to come. When we didn’t have a minyan and
the list of yahrzeits were read, I wondered where those
people were. Then I mentioned it to my friends and many
came to support me. Then I knew that all I had to do was
ask. They came for me. They gave me a great gift of
allowing me to remember.
Now I wonder if I need to say Kaddish for 11
months, the requirement for the death of a parent. But
then I thought, I think I’ll do this for the rest of my life so
when someone wants to say Kaddish, I will be there to
give comfort.
Beth El is now offering a high-tech way to be part of
a minyan. Whether you want to come once a week, once
a month or maybe, just on a Yahrzeit or a birthday, come
and give comfort. I am asking. Please.
Page 10 BULLETIN OF BETH EL CONGREGATION
BULLETIN OF BETH EL CONGREGATION Page 11
Page 12 BULLETIN OF BETH EL CONGREGATION
Introducing our Clergy Intern: Lex Rofeberg
As we (Rabbi Elyssa and Hazzan Matt) are regularly challenged with the question: “What next?” we imagined that our congregation could benefit from mentoring and engaging with an emerging leader in the Jewish community. Through the generosity of the Lippman Kanfer Family Foundation, Beth El is blessed this year 2018-2019, with the opportunity to welcome a new Clergy Intern, Lex Rofeberg! Lex is a rabbinical student pursuing ordination from Aleph: Alliance for Jewish Renewal. As our clergy intern, he will be visiting our community for four extended weekends (Friday-Tuesday) over the course of the 2018-19 year. During those weekends he will be teaching, leading, programming, being mentored by our clergy, and getting to know Jewish Akron. Here are a few words from Lex himself after we interviewed him for the Bulletin:
Where did you grow up?
I am a proud native of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. As a Wisconsinite, I am of course a huge Packers fan – and yes, I do own a cheesehead!
What excites you most about becoming a rabbi? What do you think are rabbis’ greatest challenges?
What excites me most about becoming a rabbi is the role that rabbis can play in channeling Jewish tradition and culture towards the creation of a better, more just world. What I see as the greatest rabbinic challenge of our time is balancing traditional understandings of Rabbi (capital-R), as an authority-figure, with rapidly-evolving understandings of what authority means in today's world.
You are studying through the Aleph Program (Jewish Renewal). What made you choose this school? What do you think is distinctive about its approach to Judaism/community?
One of Aleph’s greatest strengths is its trans-generational nature. My classes are full of people of a wide variety of ages and life experiences. Only in Aleph could it feel entirely normal for a 27-year-old
Jewish educator to have as his closest friend and chevrutah (study partner), a retired surgeon, in his 80s, from West Chester, Pennsylvania.
You work as Strategic Initiatives Coordinator for the Institute for the Next Jewish Future, and prominently as a co-host of “Judaism Unbound,” a nationally-known podcast. Tell us about this work and what you are learning about American Jewish communities.
Judaism Unbound is the biggest project I work on through my role at the Institute for the Next Jewish Future. We release a podcast every week that features the voices of "dissatisfied optimists" – folks who wish for substantive shifts in contemporary Judaism, but also genuinely believe that positive change is possible. My co-host and I are ultimately two
guys with a couple of microphones and a website, but we've been able to reach a much larger audience than we ever thought possible. That reality has caused me to think more expansively about the potential that the digital world possesses to enrich our lives as individual Jews, and to build forms of Jewish community.
BULLETIN OF BETH EL CONGREGATION Page 13
Tell us about your musical background.
I've been playing piano since I was 5, and I learned via Suzuki Method. What that means is that I learned how to play mostly by listening, and not via sight-reading. I credit that modality with my love of music to this day, as I learned that music isn't primarily something that is written on a page -- it flows into your heart (by way of the ear). I also play clarinet, and my greatest musical passion is singing. In college, I sang and toured with an a cappella group called The Brown Derbies. What else should people know about you?
As of this past September, I am married, to a wonderful woman named Valerie! And like your rabbi and hazzan, we hybridized our names. My name had been Lex Rofes, and hers was Valerie Langberg, and we combined to become Lex Rofeberg and Valerie Rofeberg! We live together in Providence, Rhode Island, with our adorable cat, named Peeve.
What excites you about coming to Akron and Beth El?
Though I haven’t yet set foot in Akron, I already have gained a sense – from your website, from conversations with your wonderful clergy leaders, and from meeting a few of you at Aleph’s Kallah – that Beth El is a special environment, tailor-made for Jewish spirituality and enrichment. I’m looking forward to creating, together, some incredibly sacred moments!
~~~~~
Lex’s weekends in Akron will be announced in future Bulletins. We are excited for the wonderful offerings he will bring to our whole community.
Beth El’s Taschlich this year will
coincide with Patriots’ Day, on
September 11, the second day of
Rosh Hashanah. Everyone is invited
at 4 PM to symbolically cast their sins
into the creek at Fort Island Park.
Breadcrumbs will be provided for everyone. Make
special memories with your family in this wonderful
Beth El tradition. The weather promises to be perfect!
New readings will highlight the short five-minute
service. Afterward, children can play in the nearby
playground. Bring family members, children, and pets
if desired!
Turn onto Trunko from West Market Street and go
straight until you reach the park on the left side of the
street. Ample parking is available adjacent to the
walkway leading to the creek.
Make this year’s Taschlich a special part of your Rosh Hashanah celebration.
Page 14 BULLETIN OF BETH EL CONGREGATION
Returns in October
August 20, 7:30 PM
A discussion group with drinks for the men of Beth El Congregation. Hazzan Matt leads this monthly men's discussion group on wide-ranging topics of interest to those in our community and the Jewish world. Have a drink and share the brotherhood with others.
Papa Joe's in the Valley • 1561 Akron Peninsula Rd, Akron, OH
Planning a Bar/Bat Mitzvah, a wedding, a Kiddush,
or another event at Beth El?
Call Erin at the synagogue office:
330-864-2105 ext. 118.
She will help you with arrangements.
Rose Hill
Memorial Service Sunday, Sep. 16, 2018, 11:00 AM
May the memories of our loved ones always be for a blessing.
Leora Cohen Presented Award
On August 23rd, 2018, the
Cleveland Jewish News and
Ganley Bedford Imports
will present Leora Cohen, a
teacher at The Lippman
School, a “12 Under 36: Members of the
Tribe” award at the inaugural ceremony
recognizing members of the Jewish
community of Northeast Ohio.
Beth El Sisterhood Leagrams
Sisterhood happily mails
Leagrams at anniversary time.
Your support helps fund events and services;
we greatly appreciate this!
For information, contact Sarah Greenblatt, (330) 687-0203
Observing a Yahrzeit
anytime soon?
If you plan on attending a morning or evening Minyan
and want to make sure that someone is there to open
the synagogue and/or lead the service, please call at
least one week in advance, especially during the
summer months.
We will always do our best to get someone to lead the
service, however, we ask that you invite some friends
to join you to ensure that we have the required Minyan.
BULLETIN OF BETH EL CONGREGATION Page 15
A Time To…
Jerry B. Nelson, President
As always, the summer has
flown by. We hope you have used
this time to rest, relax and get re-
charged. The routine of the
post Labor Day Schedule and the High Holy Days
will be upon us sooner than we anticipate. I am
reminded of the words:
For everything there is a season and a time for every purpose under heaven—a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to pluck up what is planted, a time to break down and a time to build up, a time to weep and a time to dance, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, a time to seek and a time to lose, a time to tear and a time to sew, a time to keep silence and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.
It occurs to me that in this familiar and powerful
list of meaningful activities of our lives – year in and
year out, over time, there is at least one significant
“time-for” that is missing.
A time to atone. To repent, to ask forgiveness. To literally change one’s mind.
Atonement is on my mind and in my heart
because we start to embark on an annual time of
turning called teshuvah.
Rabbi Michael Lerner describes this period of
teshuvah, of turning, as a time to assess how close we
have come to actualizing our potential to be partners
with God. It is a time to look at ways we miss the
mark, and how we need to realign ourselves so that
we return to our highest spiritual mission. It is a time
to examine how we have individually gone astray and
how we have gone astray as a society.
In Judaism, human beings are believed to be
capable always of choosing to do good, to do mitzvot
(right things, pleasing to God) or not. Once a year
during the High Holy Days, when the Book of Life is
open for introspection and correction, we can make
amends both to the people we have offended and to
God. At the end of the period of atonement, the Book
of Life is closed again and it is God’s turn to judge
whether we have fallen short and in which ways.
This comes out of the religious conviction that we
are not passive participants in our life on Earth or in
our relationship with God. The Hebrew prayer that
captures this is unetaneh tokef – we change the future
by changing ourselves. If we can look at ourselves
clearly and take an accounting, we can once again be
in right relationship with ourselves, with each other,
with the world and all living things. Why do we
review the records of our deeds from this past year?
Why do we evaluate the quality of our existence?
Because we cannot blame our conduct on forces
beyond our control.
Turning back, we look to see how we have done,
for what we are accountable. Turning – as in
changing, changing our minds, making restitution.
And then turning toward God. To turn, turn, turn...
I hope you enjoy the balance of your summer, so
we can collectively turn towards self-improvement
and collectively celebrate the New Year together as a
community and a congregation.
My Best Wishes,
Jerry
If you know of someone – a new neighbor or
an unaffiliated friend or relative – who would
like information about Beth El Membership,
let us know. Call the office, (330) 864-2105,
or Membership Chairperson Andrea
Rabinovitz, (920) 366-2426.
Better yet, bring them to a service. Let
them know who we are – from the inside!
You. Who me? Yes, you!
Now, as always, you are on the Membership Committee.
Page 16 BULLETIN OF BETH EL CONGREGATION
Barry Epstein, Ellen Moss, Joe Pryweller, Georgie (on Hazzan ‘s shoulder), Hazzan Matt Austerklein,
Rachel Osherow, and Barbara Epstein
The sparks gathered in Amherst, Mass., the
first week of July, and Beth El Congregation
members threw off light of our own to this
celebration of Jewish Renewal.
Led by Rabbi Elyssa and Hazzan Matt, we
were part of a congregational retreat for this
biennial gathering that mixed ecstatic prayer,
passion and inspiration. Sponsored by ALEPH:
The Alliance for Jewish Renewal, ALEPH Kallah
brought more than 700 participants from around
the world to the campus of the University of
Massachusetts, Amherst.
The Jewish Renewal movement has a mission
of revitalizing Judaism and offering a joyful,
creative and spiritually transforming form of
egalitarian worship that renews the personal
connection to God, our greater Jewish community
and to the world.
The conference theme, the Gathering of
Sparks, featured much to ignite a spiritual fire. It
featured dance and movement as we swayed and
keened to the music of praise and redemption. It
included chanting and call-and-response prayer
and an abundance of energetic music in davening
sessions and onstage. There was art, storytelling,
calls for social justice and an overall sense of the
divine through everyday exultation.
Our group included Rabbi Elyssa and Hazzan
Matt, Marcia and Doug Auster, Rachel Osherow,
Ellen Moss, Barbara and Barry Epstein, and Julie
and Randy Katz. Rachel and I were members of
the Shir Ecstacy Jospel Choir, singing gospel with
a Jewish slant, and Rachel performed a
breathtaking choir solo at Saturday night’s closing
ceremony.
The workshops took me from my own comfort
zone to learn how to tell oral stories and to
combine self-growth with chants and meditation
to forge great connection to my identity and to
Judaism.
One of the founders of Jewish Renewal, the
late Boulder, Colorado-based rabbi Zalman
Schachter-Shalomi, once asked: “God is always
present. The question is, how present are we?” At
our congregation, we are incorporating elements
of Renewal to bring meaning to our prayer. Let
the sparks continue to fly. Joe Pryweller
Our Kallah group, together with Lex Rofeberg (bottom right), our new Beth El clergy intern for 2018-19!
BULLETIN OF BETH EL CONGREGATION Page 17
Mazel Tov to our 2018/5778 Consecrates!
We are looking forward to a wonderful
school year this fall. Since a most of the High
Holidays fall on Mondays and Tuesdays,
Hebrew school will begin in October. There
will be plenty of opportunities for our young
people to learn, pray, and sing with our
various High Holiday happenings.
LEFT TO RIGHT: Emily Shkolnik, Leora Cohen, Kaitlyn Domokos, Ellie York, Noa Beree, Liliana Moskovitz, Taylor Domokos Jacob Shkolnik, Erin Katz Ford
Education
Program
Page 18 BULLETIN OF BETH EL CONGREGATION
• Idelle Kodish from the Crane family, Larry and Esther Hexter, Carl Lieberman, Mr. and Mrs.
Jacques Sardas, Marty and Sue Spector
• Allen Kofsky from the Crane family, Mr. and Mrs. Jacques Sardas
• Elizabeth Krosner from Burt and Lois Nobil
• Rolinda Schneiderman from Marty and Sue Spector, Oriana House
• Dr. Robert Stone from Dr. John and Patty Saks, Ted Schneiderman
In Honor of
• Herb and Ellen Moss receiving the JCBA Award from Marty and Sue Spector
• The Bat Mitzvah of Alexandra Newman from the Crane family
• The new home of Ed and Alice Schneider from Jeff and Marlen Spector
• The engagement of Elad Ohayon to Rochelle Fayngor from the Crane family
KIDDUSH
FUND
In Memory of
• Richard Friedman from Marsha Friedman
• Lena Heyman from Marsha Friedman
• Sadie Ekus Manes from the Rapport family
• Samuel Tucker from Kevin Tucker
KNITZVAH
FUND
In Memory of
• Idelle Kodish from Martin Belsky and Kathleen
Waits, Dr. and Mrs. George Litman, Alan and Patsy Siff
• Allen Kofsky from Dr.and Mrs. George Litman
LOLA SALZMAN
SCHOLARSHIP FUND
In Honor of
• Andy Leubitz's graduation from Medical School from Harold and Greta Foster
LOUIS LOCKSHIN
SCHOLARSHIP FUNDFUND
In Memory of
• Idelle Kodish from Jim and Susan Osherow
• Allen Kofsky from Jim and Susan Osherow
• Max Silverstein from Irving and Ann Kauvar
• Selma Unger from Jim and Susan Osherow
In Honor of
• The Bat Mitzvah of Alexandra Newman from Jim and Susan Osherow
• The marriage of Carley Rose Weintraub and Taylor Edwards from Jim and Susan Osherow
• The engagement of Jared Spector and Ilyssa Resnick from Jim and Susan Osherow
AARON KRANITZ
MEMORIAL FUND
In Memory of • Reisha Cohn from Joe and JoEllen Kodish
• Idelle Kodish from Jeff and Susan Kodish
• Sam Platt from Joe and JoEllen Kodish
• Dr. Saul Rosenblum from Barbara Rosenblum
• Rolinda Schneiderman from Patsy Davidson, Wendy Handler, Rick and Perach Kodish
• Dr. Robert Stone from Patsy Davidson, Wendy Handler, Jeff and Susan Kodish, Florence Kranitz
In Honor of • The high school graduation of Joey Kranitz
from Joe and JoEllen Kodish
• The college graduation of Peter Kranitz from Joe and JoEllen Kodish
• Joe Kodish receiving the Community Service Award from the Akron Bar Association from Martin and Joyce Levin
ALEXANDER AND LILLIAN MEDOFF
MEMORIAL MUSIC FUND
In Memory of • Mollie Dorman from Doris Dorman
• Idelle Kodish from Mrs. Donna Geller, Bernard and Sedell Kamenir
• Allen Kofsky from Mrs. Donna Geller
• Rolinda Schneiderman from Libby Portnoy, Jerome and Sandra Schneier
• Dr. Robert Stone from Bernard and Sedell Kamenir, Rosalie Crigger, Bernard and Charlotte Schwartz
BETH EL FOUNDATION
FOR JEWISH EDUCATION
In Memory of • Dr. Robert Stone from Arthur and Sarah Ash
CANTOR’S
DISCRETIONARY FUND
In Memory of • Idelle Kodish from Christopher Goodwin
• Allen Kofsky from Joe and JoEllen Kodish
For the Recovery of • Steve Winer from Joe and JoEllen Kodish
In Honor of • Herb and Ellen Moss receiving the JCBA
Award from Joe and JoEllen Kodish In Appreciation • Cantor Matt Austerklein from Ted
Schneiderman
EDUCATION
FUND
In Memory of • Sylvia Horn from Alan Horn
Contributions • The engagement of Elad Ohayon to Rochelle
Fayngor from Jim and Susan Osherow
LUCK
HOLOCAUST FUND
In Memory of
• Dr. Robert Stone from Irving and Ann Kauvar
MARKS AND GOLDFARB
YOUTH FUND
In Memory of
• Fanny Katz from Mrs. Eugene Sokol
• Eugene Sokol from Mrs. Eugene Sokol
RABBI'S
DISCRETIONARY FUND
In Memory of
• Myer Caplan from Bill Caplan family
• Rose Caplan from Bill Caplan family
• Susan Glauberman from Larry and Gloria Haberman
• Idelle Kodish from Lisa Berko and Stuart and Steve Kodish, Joe and JoEllen Kodish, Eileen Schneir
• Allen Kofsky from Eileen Schneir
• Sol Levinson from Betty E. Levinson
• Rolinda Schneiderman from Martin Belsky,
David and Judith Friedman
• Dr. Robert Stone from Marvin and Evelyne Manes
• Eugene Treiber from Tom and Gloria Treiber
For the Recovery of
• Stan Schneiderman from Joe and JoEllen Kodish
In Honor of
• The engagement of Jared Spector and Ilyssa
Resnick from Joe and JoEllen Kodish
In Appreciation
• Rabbi Elyssa Austerklein from Ted Schneiderman
REVEREND PHILLIP SALZMAN
SCHOLARSHIP FUND
In Memory of
• Shirley Borodkin from Charlotte Heisler
• Rose Cohen from Leona Pollock
• Beverly Eisele from Charlotte Heisler
• Idelle Kodish from Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Newman
• Allen Kofsky from Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Newman
• William Neiman from Arlene Penner
• Blanche Nusbaum from the Nusbaum family
• Jay Nusbaum from Sheri Nusbaum, the
Nusbaum family
BULLETIN OF BETH EL CONGREGATION Page 19
REVEREND PHILLIP SALZMAN
SCHOLARSHIP FUND (CONT’D)
• Dina Savage from Sheri Nusbaum
• Dr. Robert Stone from Rick and Perach
Kodish, Arlene Penner family, Richard Penner,
Marvin Rosenthal
• Ida Waxman from Neil, Carrie, and Molly
Waxman
For the Recovery of
• Steve Winer from Herb Weiss
SIMON KOPELSON
MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP FUND
In Memory of
• Ben Slavin from Daniel and Marilyn Slavin
• Milton Slavin from Daniel and Marilyn Slavin
• Sol Slavin from Daniel and Marilyn Slavin
STEPHEN M. GROSS
MEMORIAL FUND
In Memory of
• Victor Gross from Marvin and Sharon Halpern
family
• Idelle Kodish from Mr. and Mrs. Scott Gross
• Allen Kofsky from Mr. and Mrs. Scott Gross
• David Recht from Alan and Patsy Siff
SYNAGOGUE
FUND
In Memory of
• Bessie Federhar from Dr. David Klausner
• Barbara Freedman from Martin and Joyce
Oppenheimer
• Louis Gergis from Jill Neifach
• Rhoda Gordon from Marilyn Mirman
• Estelle Hellman from Marty and Sherry
Hellman
• Harriet Horn from Steve, Justin, and Logan
Horn
• Abe Klausner from Dr. David Klausner
• Idelle Kodish from Bill Boroson and Kathy
LaFontana, Randy and Bonnie Cohen,
Elizabeth Green, Michelle Harr, Martin Kohn
and Marcia Silver, Burt and Lois Nobil, Martin
and Joyce Oppenheimer, Libby Portnoy, Dr.
and Mrs. Lawrence Richman, Dick and Arlene
Rossen, Mr. and Mrs. Sheldon Saferstein,
Edward and Alice Schneider, Richard Shapiro,
Lewis and Beverly Stern, Mrs. Rochelle Stone,
Leonard and Ruth Sweet, Glenn Uesugi, Steve
and Ellen Winer, Mr. and Mrs. Sidney Zetzer,
Stephen and Vicki Zwelling, Federated
Democratic Women of Summit County
• Allen Kofsky from Dr.and Mrs. Lawrence
Richman, Mr. and Mrs. Sheldon Saferstein,
Edward and Alice Schneider, Mrs. Rochelle
Stone, Mr. and Mrs. Sidney Zetzer
• Michelle Levin from Dr.and Mrs. Lawrence
Richman
• Gustav Levinson from Betty Levinson
• Eugene Lieberman from the Fran Lieberman
family
• Rose K. Marks from Marty and Sherry Hellman
• Marlene Miller from Jeffrey and Barbara Miller
• Blanche Nusbaum from Stanley Nusbaum
• David Recht from Martin and Joyce Oppenheimer
• Gralam Reinke from Martin and Joyce
Oppenheimer
• Rolinda Schneiderman from Judge John
Adams, William and Patricia Baird, Randell
Barnett, Howard and Gay Cable, Christopher
and Ortha Cherpas, Betty Eastman, Laurel
Gress, Frank Harvey, Larry and Shelley Kaye,
Sherri Leubitz, Sandra Levenson, Leatrice
Messer, Marilyn Mirman, Andy and Judy
Moyer, James and Marilyn Murphy, Nancy
O'Dell, Richard and Arlene Rossen, Harriet
Ruben, Sheldon and Debbie Saferstein, Dr.
John and Patty Saks, Farhad Sethna, Alan and
Patsy Siff, Jack and Barb Weisensell, Steve
and Ellen Winer, Rhonda Wise, Karl and Allane
Zucker, HRCC
• George Shapiro from Harry and Ilene Shapiro
• Dr. Robert Stone from Howard and Arlyne Bochnek, Joy Epstein, Jim and Maria Fanno,
the Lerner family, Dr. Robert and Karen Klein,
Sandra Levenson, Barbara Lewis, Alvin and
Rochelle Lieberman, Jerry and Elaine Malin,
Maureen Surloff Markis, Stan and Roberta
Marks, Mel and Nancy Mermelstein, Marilyn
Mirman, Leon and Judy Neiman, Martin and
Joyce Oppenheimer, Libby Portnoy, Richard
and Arlene Rossen, Katherine A. Sarlson, Alan
and Patsy Siff, Marty and Sue Spector, Dr. Bob
and Loretta Stein, Ted Stone, Michael and
Linda Sugarman, Steve Swedler and Lynne
Weinberger, Milton I. Wiskin, Richard and
Debbie Zelin, Bruce Leavitt, Leonard and Ruth
Sweet, Special Friends
• Paula Sutherland from Martin and Joyce
Oppenheimer
• Beatrice Weidenfeld from Gary and Susan
Lichter
For the Recovery of
• Marty Hellman from Sherri Leubitz
• Alan Kay from Dr.and Mrs. Lawrence Richman
• Steve Winer from Dr. and Mrs. Lawrence
Richman, Edward and Alice Schneider, Sidney
and Shirley Zetzer
In Honor of
• The graduation of Susana Alfonso's
grandchildren, Elaina and Jake, from Dr. and
Mrs. Lawrence Richman
• The Bar Mitzvah of Meyer Rolnick, grandson
of Joe and Pam Kanfer, from Dr. and Mrs.
Lawrence Richman
• The birth of Foster, grandson of Alan and
Teddi Kay, from Martin and Joyce
Oppenheimer
• The 80th birthday of Mel Mermelstein from
Libby Portnoy
• The birthday of Ellen Moss from Randy and
Bonnie Cohen
• Herb and Ellen Moss receiving the JCBA
tribute award from Howard and Arlyne
Bochnek, Libby Portnoy, Dr. and Mrs.
Lawrence Richman, Dick and Arlene Rossen,
Edward and Alice Schneider
• The college graduation of Madison Spector
from Dr. and Mrs. Lawrence Richman
• The anniversary of Marty and Sue Spector
from Edward and Alice Schneider
• The Bar Mitzvah of Bodhi Lavine, grandson of
Martin and Sue Spector from Dr. and Mrs.
Lawrence Richman
• The engagement of Amanda Schott and Nate
Maloney from Martin and Joyce Oppenheimer
• The engagement of Jared Spector and Ilyssa
Resnick from Edward and Alice Schneider
• Rochelle Stone receiving JCBA Tribute from
Howard and Arlyne Bochnek
• Jerry Nelson becoming President of Beth El
from Dr. and Mrs. Lawrence Richman
• Jake Willen graduating from Medical School from Dr. and Mrs. Lawrence Richman
• Marcella Kanfer Rolnick's position as
Executive chairman at GOJO from Dr. and Mrs.
Lawrence Richman
In Appreciation
• Rabbi Stephen Grundfast from Rochelle
Stone
UNITED SYNAGOGUE
YOUTH FUND
In Memory of
• Dr. Robert Stone from Harriet Ruben
THANK
YOU
Thank you for all the Anniversary wishes.
~ Rabbi Stephen & Judy Grundfast
The family of Rolinda Schneiderman thank our
friends for their donations, cards and personal
expressions. Rolinda will be missed.
~ The Schneiderman family
Thank you to friends and family for all the
anniversary wishes.
~ Richard & Debbie Zelin
Your thoughtful and generous
contribut ions are appreciated.
Contributions are usually published one
month after receipt. Contributions received
before September 1 will appear in the
October Bulletin.
Contributions Form
on page 17
Page 20 BULLETIN OF BETH EL CONGREGATION
~
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PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID AKRON, OHIO
BETH EL CONGREGATION 750 WHITE POND DRIVE AKRON, OHIO 44320
Join us for our annual Back to Shul BBQ on Friday, August 10. Dinner at 6 PM, followed by Lev Tahor, a musical Shabbat service, at 7 PM. Suitable for all ages.
Per person, includes the choice of 2: hotdogs, hamburgers, or veggie burgers; plus, sides and beverages. $12 per person, $6 for ages 10 and under, no charge for children 3 and under, $30 maximum per family.
Please let us know if you’d like to volunteer!
Prepaid RSPVs must be received at the Beth El office by Friday, August 3.
Register by phone at 330.864.2105 ext. 10 or visit www.bethelakron.com to pay with credit card.
