THE VOICETEMPLE BETH ABRAHAM, 1301 WASHINGTON STREET, CANTON, MA 02021

PUBLISHED BI-MONTHLY ADAR I -NISAN 5771 / MARCH-APRIL 2011 ISSUE NO. 4

Minyans are Sunday-Thursday, 7:30 p.m. Minyan calendars are enclosed.If you can’t go on your scheduled night, please find someone to cover foryou.

The synagogue would like to be informed about all important events andoccasions, including births, engagements, weddings, awards, etc., as wellas illnesses and deaths. Please notify the office at (781) 828-5250.

TBA Pulling Out the Stops for Purim!

Through the generosity of theJoanna Allison Connors MemorialFoundation, two (2) $500.00scholarships are now available tohigh school seniors who are chil-dren of a current member in goodstanding of Temple Beth Abraham.

In order to qualify for thisscholarship, please contact thetemple office for an application,which must be filled out and re-turned by May 1st to:

Jerry and Marcia Connors 11 Jennifer Way South Easton, MA 02375

TTTTTwwwwwo $500o $500o $500o $500o $500ScScScScScholarholarholarholarholarshipsshipsshipsshipsships

Saturday, March 19Purim Havdalah at 7:30 p.m.

“Who Nabbed the Rab(bi)?”

Sunday, March 20Religious School at 9 a.m.

Family Purim Celebration at 10:30 a.m.Purim Carnival at 11:30 a.m.

Don’t forget to pickup your Purim basket.

An interactive

Purim Mystery 8:00 p.m.

Hamantaschen for everyone

at 9 p.m.Details p. 5

DeGanza Megillah (the whole Megillah)

9:15 p.m.

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It has happened. I have turned40. Why does that number seemso significant compared to, say, 37or 39? 40, as you might alreadyknow, is a symbolic and importantnumber in Jewish tradition:Rain fell for “forty days andforty nights” during theFlood. Spies explored theland of Israel for “fortydays”. (Numbers 13) The Hebrewpeople lived in theSinai desert for “fortyyears”. This period ofyears represents thetime it takes for a newgeneration to arise. Moses’ life is divided intothree 40-year segments,separated by his fleeing fromEgypt and his return to lead hispeople out. Several Jewish leaders andkings are said to have ruled for“forty years”, that is, a generation.(Examples: Eli, Saul, David,Solomon). Moses spent threeconsecutive periods of “forty daysand forty nights” on Mount Sinai: He went up on the seventhday of Sivan, after God gave theTorah to the Jewish people, inorder to learn the Torah fromGod, and came down on the 17thday of Tammuz, when he saw theJews worshiping the GoldenCalf and broke the tablets. He went up on the eighteenthday of Tammuz to beg forgivenessfor the people’s sin and camedown without God’s atonement onthe twenty-ninth day of Av. He went up on the first dayof Elul and came down on the

tenth day of Tishrei, the first YomKippur, with God’s atonement. A mikvah consists of fortyse’ah (about 200 gallons) of water. One of the prerequisites for aman to study Kabbalah is that hebe forty years old.

So it seems that theattention I have given toturning 40 is, perhaps,deserved. 40 is symbolic inJudaism of a period of timein which transitions andjourneys shape who weare becoming. Just as the world wasre-created after the Flood,the fate of the Israelitestransformed after the

scouts, and the history of Judaismaltered after the wanderings in thewilderness – I find myself at theend of one journey and at thebeginning of another. In many waysI am celebrating this milestone as

one who comes out of the 40se’ah of water in the mikveh – anew person with new possibilitiesand new challenges. I see this nextstage in my journey as one whichrequires a newfound honesty withmyself, a re-dedication to mycalling, and a new attitude towardcaring for my own spirituality sothat I may, in turn, care moredeeply for the spirituality of others.

I’m not sure if this birthdaymakes me worthy of studyingKabbalah (Jewish mysticism), oreven capable of doing so – but Ido see in myself a yearning todiscover more of the mysteries ofTorah, God and life. UnlikeMoshe, I am not descending themountain after 40 days, butbeginning my climb after 40 years.I pray that what I discover alongthe way makes the next 40 yearsas blessed as the first.

TBA’s ‘Extended Family’ recently dined in Sarasota, Florida:(Rear, from left) Sherry Alpert and Larry Finklestone, Leslie Kramer,Marcia Connors; (Front, from left) Joyce Rosenthal and Sumner Alpert(Sherry’s father), Keith Moore, Richard Kramer, and Phyllis Moore.

PrPrPrPrPresidentesidentesidentesidentesident’’’’’s Messas Messas Messas Messas Messagggggeeeee

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Good andGood andGood andGood andGood andWWWWWelfelfelfelfelfararararareeeee

MAZEL TOVMartin and Ellen Shapiro on the

marriage of their son, AirForce Captain JonathanShapiro, MD, to ArmyCaptain Jessie Glasser, MD

Jordan Hershman being named Boston Securities Lawyer of the YearDiana Lloyd on being ranked in top 50 women Massachusetts Super LawyersJordan Hershman and Diana

Lloyd for being awarded theLester Gilson MemorialCommunity Service Awardfrom South Area SolomonSchechter Day School. Theaward was given to them forthe inspiration that they give toall for their compassion, actsof loving kindness and theircommitment to community.

Lori Novick-Carson for being therecipient of the Facing Historyand Ourselves 2010 MargotStern Strom Teaching Award

Karen and Jeff Harsfield on the birth of their sixth grandson, Jack Eben HarsfieldLynne and Alan Goldberg on the birth of their grandson, Levi Goldberg

CONDOLENCESNeal Klayman on the loss of his father, Richard Klayman

GET WELLHarriet Burak

The Jewish calendar makes somuch more sense than the secularcalendar. Our New Year is in thefall when we can physically see theend of a season and celebrate theharvest. We cel-ebrate the festival oflights during thedarkest time of theyear. We havePassover, celebrat-ing our freedomfrom oppression andthe renewal of allliving things, in thespringtime when wecan see the buds onthe trees and thegrass getting greener.

And right now, when we needit most, we have the holiday thatmakes us laugh and smile, despitethe fact that if we see one moreinch of snow, we might just pack itin and move to Florida.

I love Purim, because youcan be as silly as you want and noone will think there’s somethingwrong with you. It’s a time to stepout of our regular lives and into acostume. We can pretend to bestrong if we feel we are weak oryoung if we are old. Like Esther,we can go beyond our normallives and do something we don’tthink we are capable of doing,even if it is done behind a mask. The question is…..why weshould confine this feeling to oneday. Why should we rememberthis story each year and not relateit to our everyday lives. We havethe capability to do so much morethan we think we can.

Many times our naturalresponse to difficult issues is,“Someone else will take care of

it,” or “I’m only one person, whatdifference can I make?”

Well, in the same way thatEsther overcame her hesitationand revealed herself as Jewish to

King Ahasuerus, weneed to take owner-ship of our relation-ship to Judaism andour Jewish commu-nity. If the recentuprising in Egyptshowed nothing else,it showed that thevoice of one personcan quickly swellinto the voice ofmany and in a very

short time that voice can topple aruler. Where is our voice? Where isour passion for Judaism and howcan we tap into it to make ourJewish community stronger and animportant part of our daily lives?

Over the next few weeks,some of you will be getting phonecalls from us to stretch a little, togo beyond what is comfortableand to become a part of a newand vital leadership initiative.

My hope is that, like Esther,you will answer the call tostrengthen our Jewish community.I know that there are many of youwho care deeply about TBA, andthis will be your chance to helpshape what our future will looklike.

Remember, a single voice cancreate an idea but it takes acommunity to bring it to life.

B’ShalomMarci

CongCongCongCongCongrrrrreeeeegggggaaaaational Educational Educational Educational Educational Educationtiontiontiontion

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FFFFFrrrrrom the Librom the Librom the Librom the Librom the Libraryaryaryaryary

Book GrBook GrBook GrBook GrBook Groupoupoupoupoup

As I sit down to write thisarticle, it is February 15th.Yesterday was Valentine’s Day, aholiday like Halloween that Jewsfeel perfectly comfor-table celebrating. Manyof us say things like ,“Iknow it’s not a Jewishholiday but….”

What this reallymade me think aboutwas that we have anawesome holiday rightaround the corner. Theholiday is Purim onSaturday, March 19th.Now be honest: how many of youreally celebrate Purim? Many ofus view this as a holiday only forchildren, but did you know that forcenturies Jews regarded the Purimseudah (meal) as a major time forcelebrating/feasting in their home?The seudah usually takes place onPurim day, not evening, and unlikewith the Passover Seder, there areno formal rituals (other than Motziand birkat Ha-Mazon grace aftermeals).

Just as I asked you to behonest about whether youcelebrate Purim, now be honestwhen you answer this question:did you send a gift or card tosomeone for Valentines Day?Remember, I am making nojudgment. I just want to point outthat many of us do sendValentines, but forget to sendMishloach manot (baskets offood) to our friends and family onPurim. Mishloach manot basketscan be as simple or elaborate asyou wish to make them. You mustadmit that it seems a little crazythat we never forget to give aValentines Day gift, and we don’teven celebrate that holiday, but we

forget to give Mishloach manot fora holiday we all celebrate.

Purim is a magical holiday thatoffers so much fun and excitement

for all. For some,nothing is better thanhomemadehamantashen, or in myfamily’s case,hamentashen from thebakery. Or making acostume to try to winthe “my costume isbetter than RabbiDavid’s” award. Puttingtogether and giving out

Mishloach manot. Coming totemple and hearing the Megillahread. I hope that everyone finds away to celebrate Purim this year.

B’Shalom,Melissa RudmanCongregational Educator

Thank you for all yourdonations. We have been able topurchase new titles as well asreplace some of the damagedbooks in our collection. Currentlywe have sorted and cataloguedmore than 1,000 books, withmany more boxes still to go.Please contact me at HHL1000@Comcast.net if you are able togive a little time to help completethe process.

Our new books and replace-ments are available in the Libraryannex (the Chapel). We hope tobe able to open the main librarysoon. The new books andreplacements are:

The Tenth Song by NaomiRagen

Mila 18 by Leon UrisSnow Treasure by Marie

McSwiganThe Book Thief by Marcus

ZusakWherever you Go by Joan

LeegantSouls on Fire by Elie WieselNuremburg Diary by G.H.

GilbertThe Jewish Book of Why by

Alfred J. KolatchAll-of-A-Kind Family by

Sydney TaylorHistory of Zionism by Walter

LaquerThe Source by James A.

MichenerThe World of the Talmud by

Morris AdlerPictorial History of Jewish

CivilizationConsider making a donation in

memory of a loved one, birthday,anniversary, graduation or justbecause. They are alwayswelcome.

Harriet Lavine

Do you like to read, talk andeat? Then the TBA Book Group isfor you!

On Monday, March 21st wewill be discussing Sima’s Under-garments for Women by IlanaStanger-Ross. Hosted by Gayle.

The group meets at 8:00 in theTBA Library. We encourage youto attend minyan at 7:30 beforethe meeting.

There will be no meeting inApril due to conflict with Pass-over.

May’s book is This is WhereI Leave You by Jonathan Tropper.

New members are alwayswelcome. Please join us for whatalways is, an enjoyable evening.

Harriet Lavine

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RRRRReligious Sceligious Sceligious Sceligious Sceligious Schoolhoolhoolhoolhool

It is such a pleasure to walkthe hallways and witness thelearning and growth taking place inour religious school classrooms.Each week the students arebecoming more proficient atreading Hebrew, davening, andunderstanding Torah.

Your children truly energizethe classroom with their enthu-siasm to learn. We are lookingforward to celebrating our nextclass milsetones, which is KitahBet Chagigat HaSidduron on

Friday, March 25th.Our family learning will be tied

into our Purim celebration onMarch 20th so that everyone willbe able to join us for the Megillahreading, parade and carnival. Thisis always a fun-filled day.

This year the religious schoolis cosponsoring, along withHadassah, Passover University onApril 10th. This will include amorning of learning and creating anew ceramic piece for your sedertable. It is going to be a wonderful

The Special Events Committee Productionsand

The Not-Quite-Ready-for-Prime-Time Gangare proud to present:

“Who Nabbed the Rab(bi)?”An interactive Purim Mystery

for the whole family.

Join us for intrigue, surprises, prizes and funon

Saturday, March 19, 7:30 p.m.

Light refreshments will be served as we tryto solve the mystery:

Who Nabbed the Rab(bi)?

Look for weekly clues on the TBA web site.

day for the community.Next year both our 6th and

7th grades will be participating inMakor, and we are so excitedabout being the only South Shoresynagogueto officialy team up withMakor.

As always, we love yourfeedback and input on ourprograming.

Thank you.Vaal Limud Michelle Palter

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The Special Events Committeeis proud to announce that TBA’sannual Jewish Film Festival istaking place twice in March.

On Sunday, March 6th, we willbe showing, “Snow in August”.This film is about Michael, 11,growing up in an Irish Catholicneighborhood in Brooklyn in 1947and learning the lessons of theTorah. He wonders if these lessonscan be used to avenge an attackon his best friend. While lookingfor a place to get out of theweather in the midst of a freaksnowstorm, Michael meets JudahHirsch, a rabbi from Czechoslova-kia, and the two become unlikelyfriends. Judah fascinates Michaelwith tales from Jewish folklore,and Michael gives Judah a crashcourse in the finer points of base-ball. But Judah is attacked by agang of anti-Semitic toughs. AsJudah’s life lies in the balance,

TBTBTBTBTBAAAAA’’’’’s Anns Anns Anns Anns Annual Jeual Jeual Jeual Jeual Jewish Fwish Fwish Fwish Fwish Film Film Film Film Film Festivestivestivestivestival is heral is heral is heral is heral is hereeeee

Shalom, Chaverim. Passportto Israel is alive and well at TBA.For those not familiar with theprogram, Passport to Israel is asubsidized savings program whichwill aid families in sending theirchildren to Israel for a month orlonger program. Approved tripsvary from camp summer trips toIsrael to Year long college creditprograms at, but not limited to,Hebrew University in Jerusalem. With our current enrollment of14 children, we are poised toreach the next level ofinvolvement. Passport to Israel is really a“no brainer.” This is a term you

will hear me use frequently inregards to this program. It really isa “no brainer”. One may join ineither the 3rd grade or seventhgrade (exceptions can beaccommodated with cause). The cost is $200 per yearfrom the third grade through thetenth grade with the parent orother concerned adult contributes$175 per year and TBAcontributes the other $25. If youenroll your child in the seventhgrade, the cost is $400 per year($350 for the child and $50 fromTBA.) To this total, CombinedJewish Philanthropies (CJP) addsinterest and another $700. If the

PPPPPassporassporassporassporassport to Isrt to Isrt to Isrt to Isrt to Israelaelaelaelael

situation arises that you choosenot to send your child on theprogram, your money will berefunded. Imagine actually getting moneyback from CJP instead of justcontributing. You will be hearingmore about this program in themonths ahead. Anyone interestedin more information, please callMichael Shain, Bob Baseman, orShelly Keimach.

Thank you so much to thosewho attended our February 13th

meeting. Michael Shain (781) 828-0531

Michael wonders if Judah’s talesof magic and mysticism might holda key to getting justice for hisfriend.

“For My Father”, a winner ofseveral international awards, willbe shown on Sunday, March 27th.This Israeli film takes place duringone weekend in Tel-Aviv, in threemain spots that lead to CarmelMarket. There are three protago-nists : Tarek, a Palestinian youthfrom Nablus; Katz , an embitteredold fellow; and Keren, a 17-year-old girl who grew up in a strictlyreligious family, left her home tobecome a secular youngster. Thethree “heroes” are loners, drivenby their past and by their innerconviction.

Both films will start at 7:00p.m. There will be light refresh-ments and discussions will followboth showings. Reservations tothe Temple office and a nominal

donation of $7 pp are appreciatedfor each event. Looking forwardto seeing you at the movies!

Norm GotshalkEllen KollangiCo-ChairsSpecial Events

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FFFFFamily Tamily Tamily Tamily Tamily Taaaaabbbbble needs drivle needs drivle needs drivle needs drivle needs drivererererers April 10s April 10s April 10s April 10s April 10

Next bulletin is May-June.Deadline is April 1.

Email articles and photosto sherry@alpert-publicrelations.com.

Adult EducaAdult EducaAdult EducaAdult EducaAdult Educationtiontiontiontion

I am very pleased to reportthe results of the TBA JewishLearning Interests Survey of2010. We had 56 surveyparticipants and wish to sharesome key results with you.

The main topics of interestinclude: Israel- current issues,Jewish Ethics, Kabbalah, Prayer,Jewish Values-Family, Work,Responsibility, Spiritual Journeys.

Fifty-five percent of surveyrespondents said that they wouldwatch a web simulcast. The vastmajority had no preference forsession format. For those whoindicated a preference, the numberone choice of format was amultiple session series small groupdiscussion. Weekday evenings andSunday mornings were the mostpreferred times for sessions,followed by Sunday afternoons/evenings. Fifty-nine percent ofsurvey respondents expressed “nopreference” for instructors/facilitators. Of the forty-onepercent who expressed apreference, Rabbi and Guest

Lecturer were the top choices.Congregants offered a variety

of additional topics in which theyhad subject expertise/knowledge.Six congregants offered babysittingservices for those parents whomay require it in order to attendlearning programs.

Over the upcoming months,the Adult Education Learning Teamwill be planning new programs as aresult of preferences expressedfrom the survey. I look forward toworking with the team and inviteany TBA member to stay tuned forupcoming planning opportunities,as your participation would bemost welcomed.

Thank you.Michael Bloom, ChairAdult Education

Family Table is looking forvolunteer drivers to sort anddeliver food to those in needon Sunday, April 10.

Please contact LesleyShain at 781-828-0531 orshalom1947@aol.com.

Thank you to everyonewho has donated to FamilyTable, sponsored by JewishFamily and Children’s Services.

We continue to collect koshercanned soup and cannedvegetables. Please be generous.

Passover will be heresoon. Family Table is inneed of Passovermacaroons. Pleaseremember those in needand help us meet our goalof collecting at least 25cans this month.

You may place yourdonations in the box in the

temple foyer. Reuse your bags.Please donate plastic grocery bagsto help transport your donation toits destination.

GoodGoodGoodGoodGoodCommCommCommCommCommunicaunicaunicaunicaunicatortortortortorsssssNeeded!Needed!Needed!Needed!Needed!

The Strategic PlanningMarketing and Communicationsteam is looking for some help.Our greatest need is for someonewell-versed in social media:Facebook, Twitter, etc. We coulduse help developing a socialmedia plan.

Social media not your thing?That’s okay, because the team isdoing a lot of work to improveinternal and externalcommunications, including publicrelations, marketing anddeveloping innovative programsto help our congregation becomemore cohesive. Join us and helpmake TBA the best it can be.

Contact me to learn more(508) 740-7831 or emailpr@templebethabraham.org.

Adrienne Jacobson, Chair

JewishBoston.com is a newonline resource for the Jewishcommunity. It is an online hub ofeverything going on, from servicesto concerts, films to special events,Jewish Day Schools to AdultEducation, and more.

Sign up at for alerts that willnotify you of events that arehappening where you live and getthe heads up about the type ofevents that interested you:events@jewishboston.com.

Combined Jewish Philanthro-pies launched the site to connectyou with what the greater BostonJewish Community has tooffer. We’re proud to be a partnerwith CJP and JewishBoston.com.

Jewish BostonJewish BostonJewish BostonJewish BostonJewish Boston

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The Combined JewishPhilanthropies ScholarshipCommittee is now acceptingapplications for financial aid forthe 2011-2012 academic year.

The Committee awardsfinancial assistance to financiallyneedy undergraduate studentswhose permanent address is in aCJP service community, such asCanton.

Aid is in the form of a grant oran interest-free loan. The averageaward in 2011-2012 was $2,500.Awards are based on documentedfinancial need.

The deadline for applicationsis April 29, 2011, forupperclassmen and May 13, 2011for Fall 2011 freshmen.

ColleColleColleColleColleggggge Sce Sce Sce Sce Scholarholarholarholarholarship Funds Aship Funds Aship Funds Aship Funds Aship Funds Avvvvvailaailaailaailaailabbbbble frle frle frle frle from CJPom CJPom CJPom CJPom CJP

For more informationconcerning eligibility requirementsor for an application, please go tothe CJP Scholarship Fund page orcall (617) 399-3101 or emailscholarship@jvs-boston.org

About JVSFounded in 1938, JVS is a

non-sectarian organization thathelps individuals get the education,skills, and jobs they need tosucceed in our community andhelps businesses hire, develop,retain and promote theiremployees. JVS delivers a broadrange of services to more than20,000 individuals and dozens ofemployers annually. For moreinformation visitwww.jvs-boston.org

About CJPFounded in 1895, Combined

Jewish Philanthropies (CJP) is thecountry’s oldest federatedphilanthropy. Throughout ourhistory, we have found strength andinspiration in our tradition ofcompassion and justice. We haveworked together to care for peoplein need and to preserve Jewishlearning and culture. We have cometogether in every generation andcircumstance to care for others, togive our children an educationsteeped in Torah, to rescue Jewsaround the world, to bring dignityand opportunities where noneexisted before.

TTTTTooooov Av Av Av Av Avvvvvodah (Good Job) to Kitot Daletodah (Good Job) to Kitot Daletodah (Good Job) to Kitot Daletodah (Good Job) to Kitot Daletodah (Good Job) to Kitot Daletand Haand Haand Haand Haand Hay fy fy fy fy for planting 7 Tor planting 7 Tor planting 7 Tor planting 7 Tor planting 7 Trrrrrees in Isrees in Isrees in Isrees in Isrees in Israelaelaelaelael

Harriet Lavine’s Dalet andHay classes were so impressedwith their visit from Aaron Chism,son of Roseann Berwald andGeorge Chism, in December thatthey decided that they wanted todo something to honor him and hiscommitment to Israel.

With Tu B’Shevat being thenext holiday, they decided to planta tree in Aaron’s honor. Thechildren established a contractwith their parents. They wouldhelp around the house in whateverway was established in thecontract and would be paid apredetermined amount of money.Our hope was to purchase onetree.

Thanks to their hard work andtheir parents’ participation, wewere able to purchase SEVEN

trees. The trees wil lbe planted inthe Carmel Forest to hlp restorethe area destroyed by the fires inDecember.

We are so proud of you.Kotot Dalet and Hay.

You may still opt out of thebulletin mailing by emailing theTBA office, if you wan to gogreen. Just email TBA atoffice@templebethabraham.org ifyou wish to receive the bulletinonly electronically.

We want to communicate withour membership. If we don’t hearfrom you, you will continue toreceive the bulletin by the mail.

Go GrGo GrGo GrGo GrGo Green oneen oneen oneen oneen onBulletin MailingBulletin MailingBulletin MailingBulletin MailingBulletin Mailing

Norwood HospitalNorwood HospitalNorwood HospitalNorwood HospitalNorwood HospitalNeeds VNeeds VNeeds VNeeds VNeeds Volunteerolunteerolunteerolunteerolunteersssss

Norwood Hospital needsvolunteers for “Here to C.A.R.E.”(Caring for And Reaching Out toElders). Volunteer pportunities areavailable from home, too. Trainingis provided.

For more information, call theVolunteer Office (781) 278-6322.

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BirBirBirBirBirthright Isrthright Isrthright Isrthright Isrthright Israel - frael - frael - frael - frael - free 10-daee 10-daee 10-daee 10-daee 10-day tripy tripy tripy tripy trip

Touch by FootTouch by HandTouch by SpiritTouch Israel

Touch Israel with Taghlit-

Birthright Israel: Hibba IsraeliHeritage Movement. FREE ten-dah trip. Register atwww.Israelintouch.com. Summerand winter trips available.

Eligibility: Jewish, aged 18-26and have never been to Israel on

an organized peer tour. Happy Passover fromTemple Beth Abraham.

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Temple Beth Abraham Staff

Spiritual Leader..............Rabbi David PaskinCongregational Educator......Melissa RudmanPresident..............................Marci BernotasOffice Manager......................Judy SteinbergThe Voice Editor......................Sherry Alpert

Temple Beth Abraham1301 Washington StreetCanton, MA 02021(781) 828-5250www.templebethabraham.orgtheoffice@templebethabraham.org