May 2008, Nisan-Iyar 5768

TidingsTidings Ohabei ShalomOhabei Shalom——New England’s First Reform CongregationNew England’s First Reform Congregation

What’s Inside: President’s Message Circle of Giving Cantor Schloss’ Message Worship • Shabbat Rishon • Yom HaShoah Social Groups • Sisterhood • Brotherhood Friday Night Lights Annual Meeting

Ansin Religious School • Mark Your Calendar • Shari Churwin • ARS “B’nei Mitzvah”

Brunch • May B’nei Mitzvah ARS Family Shabbat Mitzvah Day Registration Yizkor Elohim May Funds Mitzvah Fund May Calendar

Confirmation: Our Reform Ritual “It was a sunny day, early in May of 1922. My two grandmothers, rocking gently in chairs provided for their special comfort in our house, communed in Yiddish. Their conversation was not intended for my ears, but since Grandma Rubin was slightly hard of hearing, and since both were moved by intense emotion, I could eavesdrop without any difficulty.

“‘In-law,’ said my mother’s mother, ‘talk to your son. Tell him not to do this thing.’

“‘Machateineste [In-law],’ said Grandma Kaplan, ‘you know a son doesn’t listen to his mother. You talk to your daughter. Tell her to tell him not to do this thing!’

“And what was this terrible deed which my father was about to perform and which they both sought uselessly to prevent? He was planning to present me in a public ceremony in the synagogue as a Bat Mitzvah.”

So begins Judith Kaplan Eisenstein’s recollection of the day in New York City when her father, the philosopher Rabbi Mordecai Kaplan, officiated at history’s first Bat Mitzvah ceremony. Three years ago, when Eileen and I dealt with all the complexities of preparing for Kitty’s Bat Mitzvah, there were moments when I wish that the two grandmothers had prevailed! But most of the time, I’m glad that Rabbi Kaplan and his daughter Judith were brave enough to take this step. I’m glad that much of the Jewish world now thinks nothing of considering my daughter and all women as Jews with rights and responsibilities equal to those of men. As Kitty joins the rest of the TOS tenth grade class in preparing for another significant Jewish event, Confirmation, I’ve been thinking about how we as liberal Jews adapt our rituals to the modern world in order to make them meaningful for us. We have used two different strategies: renewing rituals and replacing them. Rabbi Kaplan opted for renewing or – as the movement that he inspired would call it – “reconstructing” the ritual of Bar Mitzvah to include girls. But there is something to be said for the replacement ritual as well. The early Reformers disliked the traditional Bar Mitzvah ceremony for various reasons, of which the chief may have been its exclusion of girls from the community of those who publicly take on mitzvot. But they had other concerns as well. They wanted to extend formal Jewish

education past the age of thirteen. They also sought to bring young people into the Jewish community AS a community, rather than as individuals. They looked to replace Bar Mitzvah with something else.

That something else was Confirmation, one of the first gifts that the Reform Movement gave to the Jewish world. It is the group ceremony marking the entry of a class of mature Jewish young adults into the covenant of membership in the Temple and the Jewish world. It is celebrated around the holiday of Shavuot, which marks the occasion when the Jewish people entered into the covenant with God.

Confirmation was once a “must” for members of Reform synagogues. It ranked just below the High Holy Days as a communal event. It is time that this particular tradition was revived (and I say that not only as the parent of a Confirmand!). Confirmation no longer “replaces” Bar or Bat Mitzvah, but that does not lessen its importance. We as a community will rise or fall with those who are making the commitment to be part of the Jewish people. It is not an easy commitment in today’s world. We owe them our support. And, as anyone who has attended Confirmation can tell you, our presence is rewarded. The ceremony is one of the most meaningful in the Jewish year.

This year, Confirmation will take place as part of Shabbat services on Friday, June 6, at 7:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary. Please join us. You’ll be glad you did.

Don’t Forget to Register!

Mitzvah Day is May 4, 2008.

Many fun and rewarding service opportuni-

ties are available. Sign up in advance to be

sure you can participate in the project of

your choice.

President’s Message Leonard M. Davidson

Updates

One of the fundamental principles of Judaism is appreciation. This underlying foundation is found in almost every aspect of our religious beliefs and we are constantly reminded that we should take nothing for granted. Therefore, “when we rise up and when we lie down” and all throughout the day we are to be mindful of the gift of life, the blessing of our bodies, the fact that we are nourished by our environment and other living creatures, and that we have obligations to all of the other people that we share this planet with. We are guided by laws that encourage better human relationships and are thereby reminded that we aspire to higher standards, which we will hopefully achieve through the process of studying and observing these laws and precepts. Our laws focus primarily upon human relationships and the improvement of the ways by which we deal with each other so that we will better appreciate and enhance our relationships. In daily practice there are a number of ways that we focus on being appreciative. We say blessings over all sorts of things, from foods and wine to candles and special events. The item is not what is being blessed of course, but it is an expression of appreciation that we voice. We even may say a blessing when washing our hands before eating. It is a blessing that most Reform Jews do not often recite. Yet even this blessing recognizes that in even life’s simplest tasks, we are fortunate, first because we have hands that we can wash and a body that we are able to care for, but also because we are nourishing our bodies when eating, something many in this world still literally hunger for. We make special efforts on Shabbat to pause and rest, to reflect and to get together, to enjoy the peace and opportunities for meditation and fellowship that Shabbat offers to us. The same is true of other holidays where we commemorate historically significant events as a way of making us more aware and appreciative of where we have been as a people and what that experience can and should teach us. I think that I am more philosophical/religious in this column this month as I near the end of my term as president. How frequent it is that we become most appreciative when we see the prospect of loss or come to the realization that something good is about to come to an end, or at least a significant change. And so I would like to thank again the people who have made serving as president so fulfilling. Thank you to the custodians and to the administrative personnel. You keep our Temple looking and running efficiently and well. Thank you to the Ansin Religious School teachers and administrators. You help educate our most precious children in interesting and meaningful ways. Thank you to our clergy. You lead us, teach us, inspire us, help us through hard times and

Thank You to Our Mitzvah Day Donors (accurate at time of publication)

Coopersmith/Tishelman Family Gelman Family Ed & Margie Kahn Karnovsky Family Katz/Zeiger Family Klein Family Krantz/Pemstein Family Marcia Levine Robert Pierson Plovnick/Krakow Family Shellee Robins & Donald Steinbrecher Rubenoff Family Zita Samuels Schlaff Family Seldin/Stein Family Shelley Schwartz Rhonda & Harvey Solomon Shirley Spero Stevens/Tennenbaum Family Lebach Family in honor of Sasha Toperich's Marriage

enhance the celebrations of good times. Thank you to those members who serve in so many capacities as volunteers in all of the constituent components of our congregation. You make our congregation vibrant and caring and so enjoyable. Thank you to those who contribute in so many other ways, whether financially or through other means of support and assistance. Your efforts are what allows so much good to go forward. Thank you to those who have taken on leadership roles. You have assumed more responsibility when it would have been easier to sit back and let others do. You have made a difference. Thank you to the Board of Trustees and the members of the Executive Committee for your service. You have provided leadership to our community and support for all that we do. And finally, thank you to my family. You have allowed me to serve this congregation unselfishly and have provided great support to me in the process. I am proud that Judaism encourages appreciation. While our time here is finite and its length unknown, being appreciative makes the time and relationships so much more meaningful and better. To the community that makes Temple Ohabei Shalom such a special place, thank you.

Avodat Hayom—A Service for Today Cantor Randall Schloss

Join our circle today. Contact the synagogue office for more information

The Circle of Giving of Ohabei Shalom We thank the following people for their support.

Pillar Jane Morningstar Shirley Spero Brenda and Alexander Tanger

Benefactor Donald Steinbrecher and Shellee Robbins Andrew Sumberg and Mindy Berman Dan and Eva Deykin Robert and Esta Epstein William and Lynn Kargman Martin Shore and Shari Lisann

Patron Sidney Grodberg Bill and Marcia Harris David Kanter Joel Sklar and Adrienne Shishko George Bazer Steven L. Gold and Sheila A. Elliott Spencer and Betsy Gould Gideon Argov and Laurie Davidson Dick and Carol Daynard Ed and Betsy Jacobs Bernard and Joan Wasserman Michael Weintraub and Diane Rosen

Guardian Marilyn Barron Morry Greenbaum Jonathan Kaufman and Barbara Howard Leonard M. Davidson and Laurie Katzman Edward and Marjorie Kahn Dorothy Lebach Louise Levingston Barry Lyons and Amy Grossman

Sustainer Teresa Betit and Howard Lurie Myles and Lise Striar Arthur and Doris Zich Dan Schleifstein Jeffrey Macklis and Carol Levin Sam Aaronson Selma Bengis Hu and Ray Caplan

Sustainer, cont. Louis Goldman Robert Levine Richard and Sonia Ravech David Rogovin and Susan Liberman Ita Wiener Shelley Schwartz Ben Adler Marc and Denise Casper Larry and Denise Green Steve Kern David Leifer and Marla Engel Martin and Dianne Newman David A. Seldin and Cathryn A. Stein Scott and Pollyanna Sidell Mark Zeidel and Susan Freedman Marilyn Danesh

Friend Marylin Klickstein Joseph Beck and Zita Samuels Adi and Gitta Kahn Marcia Levine Jay and Carol Marlin Andrew Schloss and Nancy Bloom Jonathan and Lauren Schloss Cantor Randall and Leah Schloss Michael and Shari Churwin Alan and Judy Shepro David and Kimberly Chused Kevin Cole Gert Goldberg Stan Keizer Hilda Lopez-Soto Greg and Ilene Mogavero Tom and Donna Rubenoff Jesse Cochin and Alice Newton Howard Koor and Ellen Mosner Joseph A. Kriesberg and Dina S. Brown-stein Corinne Gilbert Kathy Jonas Ciro & Ellen Alfaro

In my first ten months as your Cantor, I’m sure that many of you have become aware that I enjoy a true variety of Jew-ish music. I am thrilled and inspired by some of Lewandowski’s and Janowski’s great cantorial and choral liturgical settings, but I also am moved by an upbeat, Chassidic folk song or an invit-ing, contemporary, congregational melody. Some of you may also be aware that amongst the range of music that I present at Ohabei Shalom, occasionally I choose liturgical settings by a little-known composer named Randall Schloss. During the fifth and final year of study in the Rabbinic and Can-torial programs at Hebrew Union College, each student must pro-duce a significant thesis project. While composition was not my primary focus while a student at HUC, I chose to compose a musi-cal service of sorts as the centerpiece of my thesis project. Ulti-mately I composed a multi-functional service, in a style which I believe does not otherwise exist. Most significant Jewish service music of the past century, unfortunately, does not find its way into contemporary Reform worship very often (we are lucky at TOS that this statement is not entirely true; we are unusual in this regard). There is wonderful liturgical music written by composers such as Bloch, Milhaud, Piket, Fromm and Helfman; however, most of these works have become museum pieces relegated to concert performance, rather than active parts of Reform worship. As clergy and congregants strive to increase the role of congregational sing-ing in contemporary Reform practice, we often omit “difficult” mu-sic that has the power to transport and to transform a congrega-tion. I have composed a service of music that I hope would involve the congregation both as listeners and singers. My service features not only settings of standard liturgy, but inter-spersed among these core liturgical elements I have set related, non-liturgical texts. Just as these texts develop themes and ideas presented in the liturgy, my musical settings of these poems and prose will expound on the musical themes of the liturgical selec-tions. The service is set for Cantor, Choir, keyboards, violin, cello, and last but not least, a singing congregation. I hope that through a unique blend of musical styles, texts and active participants, my service will involve the congregation completely as worshippers. During my first year at Ohabei Shalom, I have come to realize that this congregation is very sophisticated in terms of musical apprecia-tion and inspired by a variety of music as I am. I am particularly excited to announce that during Shabbat Rishon Services on May 2nd at 8 PM, I will be presenting my complete service. I am appre-ciative of Rabbi Alpert, the leadership of Ohabei Shalom, and the wonderful musicians with whom I work, for inspiring me in my work, and for allowing me to present my composition to the Con-gregation. I hope to see you all then.

On May 11th, start your Mother’s Day with your spouse and/or your

friends at the “Mother’s Day Brunch with the Brotherhood!”

9:30 –12:00. All congregants are invited.

RSVP required.

Worship

Yom HaShoah:

Holocaust Remembrance Day

Please join us for a service at 6:00pm

Thursday, May 1.

May 2nd Shabbat Rishon service: Shabbat Rishon on May 2nd will feature Cantor Schloss' musical liturgy: Avodat Hayom, A Service for Today. The music, written for piano, violin, cello, cantor, choir and congregation, reflects both Jewish tradition and contemporary worship practices. It combines elements of eastern European chazzanut and modes, nusach, biblical chant, niggunim, classi-cal and twentieth century Reform repertoire, Israeli/Middle-Eastern elements, and contemporary jazz/ pop styles. "I have not incorporated these elements solely for the sake of diversity, but rather in recognition of the multitude of styles of music present in contemporary Reform worship. My goal is not to reinvent Reform worship, but rather to reflect current Reform ideol-ogy and practice through innovative and affective music while involving the congregation completely as a community of worshippers."

Project for our Future Gifts and Pledges to Date:

Ed & Margie Kahn David Kanter Herman Kaufman Jonathan Kaufman & Barbara Howard Stan Keizer Steve Kern Dov & Sima Kirsztajn Howard Koor & Ellen Mosner Charles & Sheila Landay Dorothy Lebach Louise Levingston Sharon Lisann & Chip Shore Karen Livingston Hilda Lopez-Soto

Barry & Faith Abrams Rabbi Tom Alpert & Eileen Hagerty Harold Ansin Robert Beal Alan Beggs & Jamie Levine Mindy Berman & Andy Sumberg Len & Laurie Davidson Dan and Eva Deykin Steven & Frances Freiman Lillian Garber Douglas & Toni Gordon Larry & Denise Green Clifton & Ruth Helman Hideaki Ishihara

Jeffrey Macklis & Carol Levin Diane Rosen & Mike Weintraub Tom & Donna Rubenoff R. K. Shelley Schwartz Joel Sklar & Adrienne Shishko Shirley Spero Donald Steinbrecher & Shellee Robbins Glenn Stevens & Shelly Tenenbaum Laura Trust & Alan Litchman Ita Wiener Spencer Wootton & Ellen Fox Maurice Zabarsky

Sisterhood News

Social Groups Brotherhood News Jonathan Atkins & Ben Adler Betsy Gould

Our Sisterhood Shabbat was a spiritually moving expression of our offering of thanks, highlighted by the magnificent voices of Nadine Braunstein, Rhonda Solomon, & Ita N. Wiener. Torah readings chanted by Navah Levine, and of course Rhonda’s Haftarah contrib-uted to its excellence. A most interesting and well-developed D’var Torah was presented by Zita Samuels. We were so happy to have Gert Goldberg and Shirley Band back with us as participants! Special “kudos” to Karen Landman for her hours of hard work, resulting in the production of our beautiful service booklet. I extend my gratitude to all our loyal and devoted Sisterhood members, too numerous to name, who truly made this service so memorable. This Sisterhood Shabbat was dedicated to our longtime dear Sister-hood member Evelyn Bazer, who passed away last November. We were honored to have Evie’s husband George, and her daughter Jodi Silton, with us as participants, and we are profoundly grateful to both George and to the Silton family for their extremely generous individ-ual donations. We are proud to announce the establishment of The Evelyn Bazer Educational Fund, to which congregants can make do-nations through the Sisterhood by designating this fund. These dona-tions will help support the superb education our Ansin Religious School offers to our TOS children. On Tuesday, May 20th at 6:30 p.m., the Sisterhood will be treated to a presentation by Ita N. Wiener, as she “brings biblical characters to life.” We look forward to seeing everyone for a friendly, informative evening, and a delicious pot-luck dinner.

Our March event, the Purim Spiel was a smashing success, as the Brothers gathered for an evening of fine food, great stories, and a warm welcoming feeling. Prizes were awarded to Alfred Maleson and Lou Winer for the most original and humorous stories of Jewish content. A special thank you to our panel judges, Rabbi Tom Alpert, Len Davidson and Spence Gould. The month of May promises to be a very special month for our Brotherhood. On May 4th, we shall be participating in our Temple’s Mitzvah Day with eighteen varied projects available for Brotherhood participation. Each Brother will have his own choice of activities to choose from, addressing his own skills and interests. Mitzvah Day events begin at 8:30am, in the Penn/Spero Social Hall. We encourage you register in advance for this program. The highlight of our season will be our Annual Brunch, to be held on Mother’s Day, May 11th, at 9:30am, in the Penn/Spero Social Hall. At this event, all the Daily Worship Service Leaders will be honored as Menschen of the Year. These TOS members will be honored for their dedicated service to our synagogue through their regular leading of Daily Worship Services: Iourii Belenkii, Louis Goldman, Spencer Gould, Amy Hozid, Margie Kahn, Harold Koritz, Jerry Kravitz, Marcia Levine, Robert Levine, Hilda Lopez-Soto, Ellen Mosner, Lois Nathan, Rhonda Solomon, Ita N. Wiener.

Brotherhood will also be paying tribute to mothers with contests, gifts, and recognition. Our featured speaker at this event, Rabbi Sam Seicol, will be sharing with us his thoughts on “A Lifetime of Love.” Rabbi Seicol is now a faculty member at MIT’s Judaic Studies Program, having previously served our community as the Chaplain at Hebrew Senior Life in Roslindale, formerly the Hebrew Rehabilitation Center. He will be tracing the relationship of mothers of school and college-aged children, as well as the relationship of adult children to aging mothers. Please plan on joining us for this very special event. There will be raffle prizes awarded and a silent auction conducted, accompanied by a sumptuous breakfast. All this, and so much more, is yours for the price of $18/ticket. Advanced registration is an ABSOLUTE MUST by calling Jerry at 617-731-5736, by Thursday, May 8th. The Brotherhood extends their continued thanks to everyone who has remembered to bring in or mail in their stamped Butcherie register tape receipts to us. Please continue to support this vital program.

Thank you!

Come Visit the Polly Epstein Gift Shop

(Located in the Gallery downstairs) Come Here First! Regular Hours:

Sun 9:00 a.m.- Noon Also by Appointment

Gift Certificates Available! All Profits Benefit TOS Programming

“Friday Night Lights” Shabbat Dinner - Fri, May 16 Reservations Due Mon May 12!!

Name: _____________________________________________ _____Adults @ $15.00 = $______

____Children under 10 @ $10.00 = $______

Donation for those who would otherwise be unable to join us $ ______

Total: $ ______

Please list ages of child(ren) for childcare. ______________

__ Enclosed find my check. (payable to Temple Ohabei Shalom)

Please charge my __ MasterCard __ Visa ______ - _______ - _______ - _______ Exp. ____/____

Signature _____________________________________________________________________________

Or call the synagogue office: 617-277-6610

Friday Night Lights Conversations to Set Your Mind Aglow

Shabbat evenings highlighting speakers from our congregation with dinner and roundtable discussion

6 p.m. Service with Speaker

Followed by Dinner and Roundtable Discussion

Free child care provided during the service and the after-dinner roundtable discussion. If cost is a factor in your attendance, please contact Marylin in the synagogue office.

Please feel free to bring a bottle of wine to share with your tablemates.

Friday May 16th Jonathan Kaufman

Senior Editor, The Wall Street Journal

“On the Campaign Trail with Obama, Clinton and McCain: A Reporter's Perspective, A Jewish Perspective”

Moderated by Susan Zeiger

TEMPLE OHABEI SHALOM ANNUAL MEETING

Tuesday, June 3, 2008, 7:00-9:30 p.m.

The Nominating Committee of Ohabei Shalom is pleased to announce the slate of Trustees and Officers for 2008-09.

This slate will be presented to the Congregation for election at our Annual Meeting. President: Jesse Cochin

Vice Presidents: Arnie Greenfield, Edward Jacobs, Kathy Jonas, Cathryn Stein Treasurer: To be announced

Recording Secretary: To be announced Trustees:

Richard Daynard, Beth Greenspan, Charles Landay, Mark Lipof, Joshua Paris, Hana Kolton-Patsouris, Ronny Sidney

Trustees for a two-year term: Danit Ben-Ari, Ellen Mosner There will also be a Champagne and Dessert Buffet honoring

President Leonard Davidson as he completes three years of outstanding service and dedication to our congregation

and thanking our other outgoing officers: Vice Presidents: Ellen Mosner, Scott Sidell, Jesse Cochin

Treasurer: Chip Shore Recording Secretary: Steve Kern

Trustees: Joe Kriesberg, Hilda Lopez, Lois Nathan, Donna Rubenoff, David Seldin, Amy Tishelman

Thank you to the Nominating Committee:

Ellen Alfaro, George Bazer, Dottie Berman, Alina Duckham, Bill Harris, Susan Houston, Laurie Katzman, Bob Loeb, and Robert Pierson

SHABBAT HONORING OUR OUTGOING AND INCOMING TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS

Friday, June 6, 2008, 7:00pm We request the pleasure of your company as we give tribute to our leaders

who devote so much time, energy, and commitment to our community.

ARS 50/50 Raffle Congratulations to our winners!

1st Place: The Bransfield Family 2nd Place: Michael Kriesberg

Thanks to… • Larry and Denise Green for donating the Red Sox tickets! • Everyone who participated in our annual fundraiser.

Last Days of School: High School: Monday, May 12 Pre-K & Grades K – 7: Sunday, May 18 Just for students Grade 7 Step-up Night Monday, May 5, 6:00 – 8:30 pm Visit High School and see what it is all about for next year! For the Whole Family Mitzvah Day Sunday, May 4 Don’t forget to fill out your registration forms to join us for our 3rd Annual TOS Mitzvah Day. Mitzvah Day will replace regular religious school classes on this day. Book Drive for Ralph Waldo Emerson Elementary School in Boston We will be collecting gently used or new quality children’s books suitable for a school library. All books collected will go towards helping a local elementary school with no library. ARS Family Shabbat & Dinner May 9, 6:00 pm services, dinner to follow Join us for this family-friendly Shabbat as the ARS celebrates Israel’s 60th birthday at Shabbat services. Our stu-dents will present writings and reflections as well as song that they have written with the help of Peter and Ellen Allard. Dinner to follow, RSVP required. ARS B’nei Mizvah Party! Sunday, May 18 All parents are invited to join us to celebrate our school’s 13th year with a special B’nei Mitzvah brunch. Please plan on being there for this important day as classes make their end of the year presentations and we all celebrate their accomplishments. Watch your mail for your invitation to this special day.

Mark your Calendars Erev Shabbat Services Friday, June 6, 7:00 pm Join us as our Grade 10 students get confirmed

Ansin Religious School News

Mark

You

r Cale

ndar

s!

Teach Them to Your Children... Shari Churwin, Director of Education

V’ishinantam L’vanecha (and you shall teach your children) has be-come our ARS motto over the past several years. We have all created a community where unique offerings and many diverse influences have a hand in shaping the Jewish lives of our children. As the school year draws to a close, you have the opportunity to teach your children the invaluable lesson of giving back to and participating in our community in a few special ways;

• On Sunday May 4th, we will gather for our 3rd annual Mitzvah Day (where TOS completes over 1000 hours of community service). Mitzvah Day is for FAMILIES. Please come and teach your child(ren), through your family’s participation, the importance of Tikkun Olam (repair of the world). We expect all students to come to Mitzvah Day accompanied by a parent. We need everyone to register by Friday, April 25th so that we can plan accordingly. Registration forms can be found on the TOS website www.ohabei.org.

• On Friday, May 9th our entire community will gather to celebrate Shabbat, Israel’s 60th Birthday and our ARS teachers with our special guest artists, Peter and

Ellen Allard. One of the cornerstones of our program is our wonderful teachers and staff who each contribute in their own way to make our school such a special place. We will celebrate their many contributions during the ARS Shabbat where we will thank them for all that they have given to us while we honor our accomplishments as a school community this year. Each and every student has a vital role in this service and we expect that most of you will join us for this celebration. The service will be followed by a Shabbat dinner for the entire TOS family (see page 11 for more information).

• ARS is 13 years old! On Sunday, May 18th please join us

as we honor our B’nei Mitzvah year at a special brunch for the entire ARS family. We will have the opportunity to celebrate all that we have learned this year with pres-entations by each class, our annual awards and much more. We will also say some special thank yous to our volunteers, graduating seniors and most especially to Rabbi Alpert for his many contributions to the ARS com-munity. This will be a morning not to be missed (final classes will follow the brunch for students). Watch your mail for an invitation.

It is difficult for me to believe that it is time for us to once again send out registration materials as there is so much hap-pening in the school community in the coming weeks. We are certainly ending our year with the same spirit that we had when it began in September. We look forward to seeing you in the month of May.

ARS B’nei Mitzvah Brunch! Sunday, May 18, 9:30 am

Parents and Students should join us to:

Celebrate the end of the school year Present annual awards Honor our graduating seniors End of the year presentations

Thank our teachers and staff Honor many special members of our community

Students will attend classes following the brunch while parents are invited to a farewell reception for Rabbi Alpert.

Please RSVP by Tuesday, May 13 for this free event by emailing asinger@ohabei.org or calling 617-739-9200

Hayley L. Goldstein, May 3, 2008

Daughter of Elliot & Marilyn Goldstein

A granddaughter of Holocaust survivors, Hayley selected the “Remember Us Project” for her Mitzvah Project. She was given the name of a child from the Holocaust to think about during her Bat Mitzvah prepara-tion. Hana Volf was 9 years old when she perished in the Shoah. She lived in Kolo-chava, the same town as Hayey's family. Hayley also raised money for Second Step (an organization that helps victims of abuse) by drawing caricatures at the TOS Purim Carnival.

Mazel Tov to our B’nei Mitzvah!

Jordan Duckham, May 10, 2008 Son of Kent & Alina Duckham

For his Mitzvah Project, Jordan is raising money and doing volun-teer work for the Jimmy Fund.

Abigail Alfaro, May 17, 2008

Daughter of Ciro & Ellen Alfaro

For her Mitzvah Project, Abby is supporting Locks of Love. She is organizing a donation day at a local hair salon and collecting hair accessories.

Naomi Gordon, May 31, 2008 Daughter of Michael & Christina Gordon

Naomi volunteers at Dana Farber Cancer Institute. She tutors, cre-ates art projects and reads to young cancer patients. Naomi requested that instead of personal gifts, her Bat Mitzvah guests make a donation to The Jimmy Fund.

May Special Birthdays Victor Spivak Rita Gelman Nathan R. Levine

Special Anniversaries David & Brenda Nager Gerald & Barbara Katz Stephen Krug & Melanie J. Sokol

ARS Fabulous Family Shabbat May 9, 2008

Erev Shabbat Services 6:00 pm

Montague Chapel

Followed by Shabbat Dinner

$15, Adult $10, Child

We ask everyone to bring a dessert to share!

(No nuts please!)

The ARS will celebrate Israel’s 60th birthday at Shabbat services on May 9. Our students will present writings and

reflections as well as an original song. The Allards, along with the temple's children’s

choir, Makhelah, will debut a new song written by Ohabei Shalom’s grade 5 & 6

students about their connection to Israel. During the service, we will also be saying

thank you to our teachers, teaching assistants and staff.

Each and every student has a vital role in this service and we expect you to join us.

Israeli dinner to follow, RSVP required.

Name:_________________________ ____ Adult Dinners at $15 $_____ ____ Children’s Dinners at $10 $_____ Donation to defray expenses $_____ TOTAL AMOUNT $_____

Please RSVP to the ARS Office by Tuesday, May 6.

If you have any questions, please call the school office at (617) 739-9200.

Due to food allergies, please make sure

that all desserts are nut free. THANK YOU!

Peter and Ellen Allard, award-winning recording artists, specialize in music for children of all ages. Their toe-tapping concerts and Shabbat celebrations will have you dancing in the aisles as their spirited performance connects families with their Jewish heritage in a fun and soul-satisfying way.

Mitzvah Day 2008 Registration

3 easy ways to register: 1. Mail this registration form (TOS 1187 Beacon Street, Brookline, MA 02446) 2. Complete this form and fax it to (617) 277-7881 3. Click on the Mitzvah Day logo on the TOS website and complete the email form (www.ohabei.org).

Once we receive your registration form, a confirmation will be sent to the email address below. If you don’t have an email address, we will call you.

Please return this form to the TOS office by April 25, 2008.

Name: _______________________________ Phone # ___________________ Contact email: ______________________________________________________

Participants Name Project # Choice 1

Check here for unaccompanied ARS students

T-Shirt Size (adult sizes)

S M L XL XXL

S M L XL XXL

S M L XL XXL

S M L XL XXL

S M L XL XXL

S M L XL XXL

Project # Choice 2

Projects: #1 Making Music for Nursing Home Residents #2 Morning Greetings for Nursing Home Residents #3 Zach’s Fund Mailing #4 Project Linus #5 Expanding a Public School Library #6 Franklin Park Clean-up #7 Recycling at TOS #8 Letters & Packages for Soldiers #9 Madison Park - Hibernian Hall Cleanup #10 Finex House Shelter Garden #11 Walk for Hunger #12 AIDS Action Committee #13 The Wellness

Community #14 High Holiday Card Fundraiser #15 TOS Clean-up #16 Bake for Women’s Lunch Place #17 Cook for Somerville Homeless Shelter #18 Gift Bags for Mother’s Day Brunch for Women’s Lunch Place

To help cover the cost of Mitzvah Day (materials, supplies, etc.), please consider making a tax deductible donation (checks payable to Temple Ohabei Shalom). My donation in the following amount is enclosed: ___$18 ___$36 ___$72 ___Other $_____________ ______ I would like to be involved with social action all year long! Please give my name to the TOS Social Action Committee: ____________________________________

PLEASE REGISTER EARLY . . .

MANY PROJECTS HAVE LIMITED SPACE AND WILL FILL UP!

THANK YOU FOR PARTICIPATING! Please remember to bring donations for the book drive and food drive. With your help TOS can complete over 1000 hours of service on Sunday May 4, 2008.

_____ Check here if you need help arranging transportation.

Yizkor Elohim - May God Remember Those listed below are recorded in our Book of Remembrance, Windows or on Memorial Plaques.

An asterisk indicates that the plaque will be illuminated during the week of yahrzeit.

May 1-10 (26 Nisan – 5 Iyar) Louis J. Adler Samuel Alman Ursula Alpert Samuel Anthony Ida Aronson * Irving L. Baron * Solomon Basch * Jennie Beal * Mona P. Beal * Nellie Bernstein * Isaac Bornstein August Caro Harold Chatis Goldie Chernus Anne Cogan Isaac Cohen * Rosa Levi Cohen * Hubert DeLynn Syril Dresner * Florence Feinberg Elinore Green Fine * Kolman Fleisher * Emma E. Frank Joseph Gersh Charles W. Ginesky * David Goldberg Esther G. Goldenberg Pauline S. Goldenberg * Clara Goldfarb * Solomon Goldfarb * Solomon Goldkrand * Edward Goldstein * Sarah Greenbaum Mildred Greenberg Irene Grund * Maurice H. Hambro Alfred Harris Louis Horwitz Hyman Hurwitz Louis Isenberg * Joseph Kanter * Marjorie Kapsten Beatrice Keizer * Abraham Kirstein Frances Klatzkin Anna Koufman * Bertha Marget Krinsky Grete Lebach Joseph Leifer Philip Levi Abraham Levy Max H. Levy Harry L. Lipkind * Beth Z. Lurier Paul Markson Louis Markwett Eva Willis Marlin * Simon Marlin

Dora Marzynski * Lester Mintz Hanna Niditch Ida Olansky * Arlene Oppenheimer * Rose Belitsky Ostrower Sofiya Podvalny David Presson Henry Solomon Price Mark Radlo * Hilda Raphael * Helen Rosenthal Jacob Scheinfeldt Leo James Schildhaus Hyman L. Schloss * Rose Serkess Ethel Shapiro * Solomon Shapiro Robert A. Sherman Bertha Obst Simons * Janet F. Small Harris Sobell * Fannie Somer Gertrude Stanger Joyce Sumberg Bella R. Tallen Robert Charles Tirk * Norman B. Tobias * Ellen Lotte Urbach Walter Vanderwal Basia Voltson Taten'ka Vorobyeva Hattie Wilson * Jennie Wingersky David H. Winnick * Henry Wyner * Henry Wyzanski Clara H. Yavner

May 11-17 (6-12 Iyar) Irving Adler Solomon Ascher Margaret Beal * Marilyn Belz Raymond Bempechat Karl Burack * Richard Caplan Solomon Caro Sara G. Cohen * Ada Dorfman Margery Effenson Rabbi Menahem M. Eichler Max Gerstein * Edward E. Ginsburg Herman H. Golding Connie Goldstein Anna Lou Gracia Louis M. Gropman * Moses Gunsenhiser

Moses Gusenhiser Sarah Herman Max Hoffman * Barney Hurwitz Carrie A. Janock Harry Janock Louis Kamin Maria Kandiner George Kaplan Saul Kaplan * Joseph Keezer * Pearl Kirstein Leonard Kudisch Julius Lebach Celia Leibowitz Florence Levine * Harry Levine Esther Levinsky Ira Margolis * Shaul Mashal Mose Mechaber Sarah Martha Nathan * Janice Olins * Issac Samuel Pinkerton * Morris Ralby * Flora Resnick * Samuel Rodman William Roginsky William Rubin * Herman Schultz C. Sidney Shapiro Sidney Shapiro Bertha Sheinwald Isabella Sheinwald Rubin Sklar * Ira Smith * Wolfe James Smith * Barney Smokler Sarah Sorkin Augusta R. Spector * Abraham P. Spitz Marie Stern * Rabbi Menaheim M. Tichler George Zakon *

May 18-24 (13-19 Iyar) Henrietta Hyman Adler Abraham B. Beal * Clara Libby Beal * Lena Belis * Paul Bloom Meyer Brodsky * Celia R. Cherry * Louis H. Epstein * Sarah Rose Epstein Jefferson S. Favermann Baruch Fox Max Frank Samuel Freiberg

Stanley Gaynor Abraham Gershon * Samuel Goldman Annette Gordon * Mary Greenhood Zelda Greenhood Bessie Hoffman * William Hurwitch * Alfred Jacobson Louise Jacobson Marshall Kates Alla M. Khlyap * Roman Krigsgaber Gordon B. Lassow Mildred Leifer Morris Levin Abraham Levy * Eliza Levy Joseph Libby Louis A. Macey * Blanche L. Marks Sarah Cohen Menachem Esther Merriman E. Geoffrey Nathan * Rae Needleman Sidney Newman * William Newman Jacob Perlis Florence Plovnick Michael Reece Rena Riess Lillian L. Rolde * Esther R. Rosenberg * Joseph Rosenfield * Sadie L. Rosenthal * Alice Samsen William Egon Schrage Henry G. Segal * Leon I. Shapiro * Max Shapiro * Max Shlanger Sidney T. Small Ralph Sobell * Sigmund Solomon Beatrice Spector Major L. Stern * William Sulkin Sumner Trombly Rabbi Dudley Weinberg Cantor Erwin Wolkowich Millie Wolkowich * Charolotte G. Wyzanski Kunia Zelfond

May 25-31 (20-26 Iyar) Rachel Hayman Berg Annabelle Berson Dr. H. Arthur Berson Ralph Bloom

Yahrzeits, continued

Henrietta Cobe Isaac Endlar * William A. Feinberg * Henrietta J. Fishel David Friedman Harry Geisinger Esther Gilder Sumner David Goldberg * Max W. Goldman * Harold Goldstein Selma Gordon * Harry Greenfield * Samuel Greenhood * Phillip Halpern Harold Harmon Frances Hausman Charles H. Hertz Elinore Hootstein Marilyn Howard Marilyn Howard Harris Joffe Harry Katz Samuel J. Katz Toby Kaufman Aron Kocherovskiy

Max Krauskopf * Leon Laserson Leslie Loeb Julius Lowenstein Sabet Mangoubi Sabet Y. Mangoubi * Sabet Y. Mangoubi Allan Meyers Lillian Myers * Simon Pearl * Harris Peyser Evelyn Posner Mary Winnick Rome * Ida Rosen * Israel Sagoff * Abraham Schlesinger Yetta Schmelzer Myron Sherman * Marisha Sindolovskiy Benjamin Somer Paul Steinhauer Donald N. Urdang * Edward Wingersky * Phillip Winnick *

Thanks to everyone who helped make

our

Hips on Fire social event a success...

Adrienne Shisko, chair

Danit Ben-Ari Len Davidson Denise Green Larry Green

Barbara Howard Ellen Mosner

Shelley Schwartz Karen Shmuckler

Rabbi Alpert

...TOS staff and custodians

...Everyone who came to enjoy the evening

...Anyone we’ve forgotten to mention after too much of

that great sangria!

May Funds

General Fund In Memory Of Dorothy Julia Lebach Miriam Lebach R. K. (Shelley) Schwartz Enid P. Talambiras Dottie Berman Jason Waldman Mike Krakow Ita Wiener Jason Waldman Shirley Spero Jason Waldman Barbara F. Okun Jason Waldman Wishes for a Quick Recovery

for Dottie Berman Estelle Katz For Health and Wellbeing Of Robert & Helen Sawyer Sharon Sawyer Matthew Sawyer Stephen Ardizzoni Minyan Fund In Memory Of Carol B. Finn Edith G. Bernstein June Hurwitz Ida Alberg Doris S. Cohen Myer Cohen Aron & Elizabeth Rivin Shifra Tanfilyev Robert L. Beal Paul Benjamin Beal Maurice Epstein John & Beth Gamel Lenore Cohn Eliot & Kyra Berson Saul Kaplan Louis E. Laskey & Nora J. Calabi Laurence G. Laskey Joshua & Katherine Frankllin Morton Franklin Nathan R. Levine Samuel Shapiro Marilyn M. Barron Julian M. Barron Richard L. Brooks Jeanette Brooks Bill & Janet Landau Frances Landau Bruce A. Beal Julius Beal Robert L. Beal Julius Beal Norma S. Steinberg Harry Fishman Edith Pollack Harry Eli White Edna S. Kalman Helen S. Slosberg Jeffrey K. Francer Ann Francer Natalie Libby Miriam Hillson Morse Phillip Mayfield & Judith A. Katz Dorothy R. Katz Jack & Rita Cohen Alice E. Ginsberg Richard & Joan Benjamin Mendall Benjamin Hazel Benjamin Samuel & Anita Leibowitz Beatrice Borteck George and Miriam Oshry Howard Mason Lawrence & Denise Green Morris Berson The Shurdut Family Rita Cohen Shurdut Daniel & Eva Deykin David Yona Roger & Myrna Landay Martin M. Landay Leonore K. Linsky Ethyl Goldstein Kublin Alan & Susan Greene Herman S. Greene Leo & Stella Levi Samuel Cole Anita Stone Simon Levi Raymond Mannos Edythe Mannos George & Miriam Oshry Minnie Oshry

Elaine and Ellis Tallen Lecture Fund

In Honor Of

David & Joanne Schwartz the birth of our granddaughter, Elle Katarina Sinclair, named in memory of our mother, Elaine Tallen

Larry & Debbie Sinclair the birth of our daughter, Elle Katarina Sinclair

David & Joanne Schwartz Sharon, Alexandra & Sophia Macchi Larry, Debbie, Brandon, Zachary & Elle Sinclair

the 100th birthday of our Aunt Ruth White

In Memory Of David & Joanne Schwartz Mike “Meyer” Shnitzler Elaine Tallen Ellis Tallen Olins Piano Fund John & Beth Gamel Project for Our Future Joel Sklar & Adrienne Shishko Daniel & Eva Deykin Karen Rogatz Livingston Rosengard Lecture Fund In Memory Of Robert Rosengard Samuel Hazan Organ Restoration Fund Shelley Schwartz Evelyn Bazer Educational Fund George Bazer Jodi & Bob Silton & children Betsy & Spence Gould Gopen Family Library In Honor Of Bransfield Family the Ansin School Faculty Katz-Zeiger Family Kate Mikesh Mindy Berman Kate Mikesh Paris Family Bobbi Paris Shelly Tenenbaum & Glenn Stevens

Samuel Stevens

In Memory Of Alfaro Family Rose Wexler Caplan Weber-Salamanca Family John and Eva Galaburda Ansin Religious School In Honor Of Shirley Spero Mark Lipof & Shari Churwin Bransfield Family Harold Ansin

Mitzvah Fund Our congregation has always responded to those in need. And so it is no surprise that, when a member of our community had an unusual situation where assistance was needed, our congregants responded quickly and generously. From that experience, a new Mitzvah Fund has been founded, to be administered by the president of the congregation and to be used exclusively for the benefit of the TOS community. It gives me great pleasure to know that future presidents will have available these funds for situations outside our normal budget. This new Mitzvah Fund will be most helpful to continue the good work of our congrega-tion. Thank you to those who have donated to it already. Ed & Marhorie Kahn Ellen Harder Larry & Denise Green Howard Koor & Ellen Mosner Hilda Lopez Elliot & Marilyn Goldstein Marylin Klickstein Betsy & Spencer Gould It is simply another example of TOS members making our community better and stronger. L’shalom, Len Davidson

Snack and Study A Chance to Snack and Study during the day

Thursdays, 3:00 – 4:00 p.m., Berenson Library

Rabbinic Intern Navah Levine

Swiming in the Sea of Talmud

The Adult Learning Committee of Temple Ohabei Shalom is pleased to present a learning opportunity for those who have some time on weekdays. Rabbinic Intern Navah Levine has be-gun offering a weekly program of “Snack and Study.” Bring your own snack and prepare to study some of the most impor-tant Jewish texts. The group will study from Swimming in the Sea of Talmud, a wonderful and very accessible collection of Talmudic passages and modern commentary. Materials are in English, and no knowledge of Jewish texts is required. This is not a “class,” and there is no problem with missing particular weeks. However, once you’ve begun, you will probably want to be there each week.

Talented Employee Available A synagogue member with 20+ years of experience is seeking a position as a graphic designer. Please contact Dottie at 617-277-6610.

Please continue to bring your paper to recycle!

Jewish Family and Children’s Service Greater Boston’s

Jewish Food Pantry

Temple Ohabei Shalom’s monthly contribution is:

Tuna and Shampoo We especially need shampoo!

Donations can be brought to the synagogue and placed in the baskets by the Chapel or near the eleva-tor. You can also write a check to the Sisterhood of Ohabei Shalom with “Family Table” in the memo line or volunteer to drive our contributions to the collec-tion center in Waltham just one Sunday a year, 9:30am—11:30am If you are interested in helping, Contact Dottie Berman at 617-277-6610 or Dberman@ohabei.org.

Save the Date:

Confirmation Friday June 6,

7:00 pm

NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE

PAID PERMIT NO. 3465

BOSTON, MA.

May Shabbat Celebrations & Events

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Monday—Thursday 8:00 a.m. & 6:00 p.m. Friday 8:00 a.m.. Saturday 6:00 p.m. Sundays & Holidays 9:00 a.m. & 6:00 p.m.

Ohabei Shalom is the area’s only Reform synagogue providing daily prayer for those in need of solace or a quiet moment of introspection.

Each Daily Worship leader commits to one 20-minute weekly service. To become a leader, please call the synagogue office (617)277-6610.

Thomas M. Alpert Rabbi Randall Schloss Cantor Emily Gopen Lipof Rabbi Emerita Leonard Davidson President Shari A. Churwin Education Director Kate Mikesh Director of Informal Education Amanda Singer Education Programs Coordinator Dottie Berman Interim Executive Director Karen Landman Executive Assistant to the Clergy Alan Shepro Office Manager / Bookkeeper Marylin Klickstein Administrative Assistant Kim Singer B’nei Mitzvah Educator David Sparr Music Director

Tidings is a monthly publication of Temple Ohabei Shalom 1187 Beacon Street, Brookline, MA 02446

(617)277-6610 www.ohabei.org

May 1 6:00pm Yom HaShoah service 2 8:00pm Shabbat Rishon—Avodat Hayom: A Service for

Today. music by Cantor Randall Schloss 3 9:00am Torah Study 10:30am Shabbat Service: Bat Mitzvah: Hayley L. Goldstein 4 8:30am Mitzvah Day 5 6:00pm ARS: High School—7th grade “step up” night 6 3:30pm ARS: Grades 3-7 9 6:00pm Fabulous Family Shabbat Service 7:15pm Shabbat Dinner—reservations required 10 9:00 am Torah Study 10:30am Shabbat Service: Bar Mitzvah: Jordan Duckham 11 9:15am ARS: Grades K-7 9:30am Brotherhood Brunch—reservations required 12 6:00pm ARS High School—last night of High School 13 3:30pm ARS: Grades 3-7 16 6:00pm Erev Shabbat Services 7:15pm Friday Night Lights program—reservations required

17 9:00am Torah Study 10:30am Shabbat Services, Bat Mitzvah: Abigail Alfaro 18 9:30am ARS “B’nei Mitzvah Celebration” Brunch Last Day of School 20 6:30pm Sisterhood potluck 23 6:00pm Erev Shabbat Services 24 9:00am Torah Study 10:30am Shabbat Services 26 Temple Office Closed—Memorial Day 30 6:00pm Erev Shabbat Services 31 9:00am Torah Study 10:30am Shabbat Services, Bat Mitzvah: Naomi Gordon June 3 7:00pm Temple Ohabei Shalom Annual Meeting 6 7:00pm Erev Shabbat Service, Confirmation 7 9:00am TorahStudy 10:30am Shabbat Services, Bar Mitzvah: Josh Slavin

May Candle Lighting Times

2 - 7:27 P.M. 9 - 7:35 P.M. 16 - 7:42 P.M.

23 - 7:49 P.M. 30 - 7:55