BulletinJanuary 2016
Tevet-Shevat 5776Vol. 65, No. 4
“ Injustice anywhereis a threat to justice everywhere.” - Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Please join us for our annual Shabbat service commemorating Dr. King’s undying message of equality and civil rights. We welcome activist, visionary, and Presidential Medal of Freedom honoree Dr. C.T. Vivian as the featured guest speaker at this year’s celebration, which also features performances by members of the NW Community Gospel Choir and Beth Israel’s Kol Echad choir.
Dr. Vivian, who has provided civil rights counsel to Presidents Johnson, Carter, Reagan, Clinton, and Obama, is widely known for his work with Dr. King, serving as National Director of Affiliates and strategist for every Southern Christian Leadership Conference
(S.C.L.C.) organization, working in Birmingham to help enact the Civil Rights Bill and in Selma, the Voting Rights Bill, and for his active participation on movements around the country. He developed, organized and launched Vision (later to be known as Upward Bound), an educational program that assisted over seven hundred Alabama students to attend college on scholarship.
As an educator, Dr. Vivian has trained ministers and developed the urban curriculum for seminaries throughout the nation at the Urban Training Center in Chicago. In his tenure as Dean of Divinity at Shaw University Seminary, he originated and acquired funding for an unprecedented national level program, the basis of his doctoral work, Seminary Without Walls. In 2008, he founded the C.T. Vivian Leadership Institute, Inc for the purpose of training and educating a new generation of grass-roots leaders.
Honor the Life and Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.Friday, January 15, 7:00 pm, Temple
Guest Speaker: Dr. C.T. Vivian
Sunday, January 315 PM - 8 PM
Castaway 1900 NW 18th
FEATURING many of Portland's best
restaurants, wineries,distilleries, and breweries.
Tickets available online at www.bethisrael-pdx.org
or call 503-222-1069.
FOOD! DRINK! FUN!
2 Congregation Beth Israel
Bat Mitzvah Upcoming Events
Lehna GordonLehna Gordon will become Bat Mitzvah on January 9, 2016. She is the daughter of Fritz Gordon and Lisa Simeoni and attends West Sylvan Middle School. For her Mitzvah Project, Lehna has chosen to work with the organization Outside In, which helps low income and homeless Portland teens. Lehna is collecting basic necessities such as toothbrushes and
deodorant. Her goal is to provide these items to children like herself who don’t have the same access that she does. To donate or learn more about Outside In, visit their website, www.outsidein.org.
CBI Book Group Sunday, January 3, 9:00 AM Herbert & Shirley Semler Board RoomAll are welcome for a lively and literary discussion! There is no need to sign up. Our January selection is An Officer And A Spy: A Novel by Robert Harris.
Please mark your calendars for our for our February 7th meeting as well, when we will discuss Deborah Lipstadt’s History On Trial: My Day In Court With A Holocaust Denier
The Rise and Demise of BlacklistingWednesday, January 6, 7:00 PMPollin Chapel Presenters: Ron Silver and Michael Simon
Were you a premature anti-fascist? That was the label given to many of the intelligentsia, writers and actors who favored the Republicans
against the Franco Nationalists during the Spanish Civil War from 1936-1939. At the end of the Second World War these same people were now believed to be Communists (some were) or Fellow Travelers (some were) and a threat to the American Way of Life (almost none were).
This was the dark time of the Blacklist, when people were made to name names, sign Loyalty Oaths and the most dreaded phrase became, “Are you now, or have you ever been...” Well- known writers and actors disappeared from the public eye, many of them Jews. At least the writers could go underground and use “fronts.” Actors, teachers, and others had no refuge.
Join Michael Simon and Ron Silver as they discuss how this period came to be and, thankfully, how it passed its course.
The Dreyfus AffairWednesday, February 3, 7:00 PMPollin ChapelPresenter: Rabbi Daniel IsaakAdvance sign-ups requested.
Rabbi Daniel Isaak shares his memorabilia and leads a seminar discussion of the Dreyfus Affair, a fascinating history that raises questions relevant today.
The French concluded that the Germans had access to French military secrets. Suspicion fell on Captain Alfred Dreyfus, because he was a Jew and was from Alsace, an area lost to Germany 24 years earlier in 1870. The Affair turned on considerations of innocence or guilt, but also on whether Jews could be seen as loyal to France and ultimately whether the life of an innocent man was expendable in order to preserve the honor of the French Military.
Theodore Herzl, a foreign journalist covering the trial, was so shocked by the blatant anti- Semitism on the streets of liberal Paris that he concluded that only in a country of their own could Jews live as equals.
An Officer and A Spy, by Robert Harris, a work of historical fiction and CBI Book Group’s January read, will be a helpful introduction or refresher, though not necessary for participating in this seminar. Copies will be available for purchase in January for those who are interested.
January Events for Children and Families
Tot ShabbatSaturday, January 9, 9:00 AM, Pollin ChapelOpen to the community, Tot Shabbat features music with Kim Schneiderman and storytelling from the CBI clergy. An Oneg (light refreshments) and crafts follow this short, musical service for families with young children (ages 0-5).
Recognizing and Responding to Classroom Bias about Jews, Judaism, and Israel Wednesday, January 20, 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM Mittleman Jewish Community CenterA city-wide workshop for parents and teens about bias in the classroom (Grades 9-12).
Pajama HavdalahSaturday, January 23, 5:30 PM at the home of Rabbi JosephA CBI/PJ Library partnered event, come celebrate Havdalah in your pajamas at the home of Rabbi Joseph with song leader, Kim Schneiderman and enjoy dinner together after the short, musical service (ages 0-5).
ECE Tu B’Shevat Family ProgramSunday, January 24, 9:15 AM, TempleOpen to the community, come celebrate Tu B’Shevat with art, stories, and music by Kim Schneiderman for children and parents (ages 2.5-5).
For more information on our upcoming events for children and families, please contact Ziva Sholin at [email protected]
Adult Education Presents:
3January 2016
Our Leadership
From Inspiration to Actionby Rabbi Rachel L. JosephAssociate Rabbi
As I stood in Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s home in Montgomery, Alabama, tears streamed down my face. I was moved thinking about everything that
happened in that small parsonage. The people who walked those hallways, sat at that dining room table, raised their voices in song in the living room; the movement that changed the course of history. I was moved to tears thinking about how desperately our world needs a leader like Dr. King right now. And moved to tears as I looked at the faces of our students sharing this experience together, young people full of potential and optimism and the ability to bring more peace and justice to our world. I shared this experience with our junior and senior high school students led by congregant Ron Silver. Thanks to a generous donation from Roscoe Nelson and Debra Harrison, in late October, our group left Portland for an intensive four day journey through Alabama to explore the Civil Rights Movement and its connection to the Jewish community. It was truly a transformative experience. Sometimes, one has to leave home to gain a new perspective and understanding of history. Yet, at the same time, we do not have to look further than our own backyard to see the affects of racism and bigotry. Portland is not immune. Our students returned from this immersive experience ready to make a difference right here.
In their own words:
“The world of the South is so different from Portland. I am so thankful that I was able to see it. The experience opened my eyes and gave me a new perspective.” “This trip taught me much more than facts. I learned about the importance of hospitality and of standing up for what you believe in. I learned that it’s never okay to be done doing good and I learned that it is my job to look at the world with fresh, new, open eyes and find things to improve.” “During the service at First Baptist Church on Sunday morning, there was a song being sung and many members stood up and held hands. We were sitting and a woman behind me reached forward and held my hand. I stood up with her and felt what it was like to have this kind of community. Because of this experience, I will never look at my community the same way again.”
“I’ve learned so much about the importance of standing up for what I believe in and I’m ready to make a difference.” This month, we will come together as a community to celebrate the legacy of Rev. Dr. King. We will be moved by the music, inspired by our speaker Dr. C. T. Vivian, and transformed by fellowship. As we know, our responsibility is beyond this one experience.
With this in mind, please join us for a Day of Service on Monday, January 17th and at our Social Action Committee meeting on February 3rd at 5:00 PM.
While I was inspired standing in the home of Dr. King with our students and you will be inspired in our sanctuary on Friday, January 15th, that inspiration alone is not enough. We must turn it into action. For inspiration without action is futile. Let’s join together and make a difference in our community.
4 Congregation Beth Israel
Developing CBI
The Recipe for Success for Developing CBIby Jenat Levison FeldmanDevelopment Director
Creating a recipe is exciting as long as you know ultimately how you want the final product to look and taste. Of course –
always having a secret ingredient is what makes a recipe ultimately yours. The secret ingredient to CBI’s Taste of Temple is you – our members and our guests!
As we plan for Taste of Temple V, the TOT committee - enthusiastically chaired by Bianca and Tony Urdes and working closely with Marisa Reby, Director of Membership & Special Events - continues to build on the ingredients that have made this sell-out event so very popular in previous years. This time-tested recipe calls for combining leaders who are passionate about Congregation Beth Israel, a generous measure of established friends, and the welcome zest of newcomers. Then we fold in over forty of the Greater Portland Community’s top restaurants, breweries, wineries, and distilleries. We mix these ingredients at the elegant Castaway (1900 NW 18th Ave) and let it simmer for a full—and fabulous!—three hours.
These fantastic ingredients combine together perfectly; throw in our warm, welcoming, and ever-popular House Parties and one Golden Ticket, and you have a recipe that cannot be duplicated. A recipe, however, that still needs one final ingredient—YOU! Please join us for this delectable friendraising and fun(d)raising event, and taste some of what makes CBI such a special place.
Connect. Hineinu. We Are Here!by Tony and Bianca UrdesCo-Chairs, Taste of Temple
Taste of Temple – our much-anticipated annual tradition at Congregation Beth Israel is here with its 5th edition.
Taste of Temple is a gathering of passionate local restaurants, wineries, distilleries, and breweries, offering outstanding food and beverages to connoisseurs from both CBI community and some non-members.
But is Taste of Temple only a gathering? Or, is Taste of Temple a community?
Taste of Temple is what we make it. It is up to each of us to make it not merely a gathering, but rather a vibrant event that unites us even more, builds community, and fosters authentic friendships and positive sharing in each other’s joys and interests.
We will be with each other for three hours on Sunday January 31st, from 5:00 to 8:00 PM. So many friends so little time! Let’s make the best of our time together. Let’s reach out to people whom we haven’t met before, let’s make new friends and strengthen old friendships. Let’s meet a passionate restaurant owner and listen to his or her story and taste the food. And, let’s support their business after the event is over.
Let’s all get involved:
• Buy tickets to the event; bring your friends
• Buy a “golden” ticket for a chance to win a wonderful prize (need not be present to win)
• Support our “Recipe for Success,” an opportunity for everyone to participate and donate to CBI while having a chance to win prizes during the evening. Every donation at any level is important and much appreciated
• Sign up for a “House Party.” All sponsoring hosts would be thrilled to have you sign up for their parties. This year, your wonderful volunteers have put together an assorted list of “House Parties” for a variety of tastes and passions: from learning and enjoying Indian, Italian, Japanese, Romanian & Jewish cuisines, to an elegant wine tasting accompanied by thoughtfully paired bites at a premier winery in Dundee Hills, to learning more about knitting and playing mahjong, to enjoying an evening with clergy, visiting a private car collection, to walking, running, biking followed by schmoozing and more…
To buy tickets, please visit the CBI website, call Tracy at (503) 222-1069 or e-mail her at [email protected].
It is all for the benefit of building community and raising much-needed funds for all the programs we cherish at CBI. The needs of our CBI community are the needs of each of us.
Are YOU Here?
The Development Department works closely with our members to fill the gap in the CBI budget. We greatly appreciate those who are able to donate above their annual dues/contribution by supporting our Every Family Initiative, Fall fundraiser and/or our annual Taste of Temple event. We will be honoring those donors by listing their names in our March Bulletin. We would love to be sure your name is included. Please contact CBI Development Director Jen Feldman 503.222.1069 or [email protected] with questions and/or to be sure you will be listed.
Tony and Bianca Urdes
5January 2016
Education L’Dor V’Dor From Generation to Generation
Our Madrichim GuidesBy Ben SandlerEducation Director
Ben Zoma said, “Who is Wise?”
The one who learns from everyone as it is said, “From all would teach me have I gained understanding.” (Psalms 119:99)
-Pirke Avot 4:1
One of the things I have learned is that a great way to really understand a topic or idea is to teach it to somebody else. The type of preparation that teaching takes really lends itself to a deeper level of understanding. As part of the Religious School experience, our teens have an opportunity to strengthen their own understanding of Judaism and community by working as Madrichim for our younger students in the PreK-7th grade Sunday classes. Often thought of as “teacher’s aides,” Madrichim is best translated as “guides.” Although Madrichim do assist teachers is taking attendance and other administrative tasks, their most important work is to guide younger students toward a positive Religious School experience by demonstrating their own involvement, collaborative skills, and initiative.
Each Sunday, thirty-three high school Madrichim work in our Religious School classrooms and office, supporting our arts specialists, or serving as Hebrew tutors. These teens are a talented and diverse group; visual artists, musicians, actors, dancers, academic scholars, athletes, and social activists. Along with our teaching faculty, they are vital to the fabric of our learning community. Beginning in eighth grade, students have the opportunity to take the Madrichim training course, currently led by faculty member and certified licensed teacher, Shaina Boal. In addition to classwork with Shaina on developing leadership skills, learning about child development, working in small groups, and supporting students with special needs, eighth graders have practicum days in various classes throughout the year to get real classroom experience. As a group, they share and reflect on working in the classrooms.
Following the Sunday morning classes, our Madrichim enjoy a lunch together before diving into their own studies with our Clergy and High School faculty. All of our Madrichim are enrolled in the afternoon Midrasha program, getting the strong message that as teachers we also must continually be learning. Following classes on many Sundays, our Youth Group Board remains on campus to meet, plan, or attend Youth Group events with our talented and dedicated Youth Director, Shoshanna Pro. We know how busy teenagers are with schoolwork and extracurricular activities, and that is why it is important for us at CBI to have multiple “on ramps” to keep our youth involved with and enthusiastic about the synagogue, Jewish learning, and the Jewish community. We are grateful for the generous support from the Allison B. Cohen Madrichim Training Fund which has aided us in expanding our Madrichim program, giving our teens this wonderful opportunity to work in our classrooms and contribute to our community.
L’Shalom,
Ben
Condolences tothe family of Herbert Goldberg, who passed away Saturday, November 21, 2015.
the family of Margaret Labby, who passed away Sunday, November 22, 2015.
David Popowich on the loss of his wife, to CBI Board Member Yale Popowich, Lisa Popowich and Andrea Meislin on the loss of their mother, and to Judy Newman (Bud) on the loss of her sister, and to the extended Popowich family on the death of Lorraine Popowich, who passed away on Tuesday, November 24, 2015. Lorraine was a founding board member of the National Museum of American Jewish History and a longstanding advocate of its mission.
Ethan Cohn and Iris Cohn on the death of their father, Lloyd Cohn, who passed away on Tuesday, December 8, 2015.
Emanuel and Amy Tanne on the death of his brother, Erwin Tanne, who passed away Tuesday, December 8, 2015 in Massachusetts.
Mazel Tov to Paul and Alice Meyer, the 2015 recipients of the Rabbi Joshua Stampfer Community Enrichment Award. The award, founded in 1999 to honor an outstanding and charitable member of the Greater Portland Community, recognizes the Meyers’ longstanding activism in fields as wide-ranging as civil liberties, progressive politics, city government, opera and chamber music and numerous Jewish Organizations.
L’Dor V’Dor From Generation to Generation
6 Congregation Beth Israel
Community
Initial Meeting of The W ConnectionThursday, January 14, 6:30 PMShermanski ChapelThe W Connection provides peer-to-peer emotional support from women of all ages who understand what it means to lose a spouse. We provide counsel and support based on personal experience, and access to outside resources that have helped each of us through our own losses.
We are also looking for peer mentors: If you have been widowed for 2 years or more, please consider providing one on one support to newly widowed women.
For questions or more information, contact Bobbie Goldstein [email protected] or 310-923-2254 or Janice Isenberg [email protected]
Initial Meeting of the Alzheimer’s Association Caregiver Support GroupThursday, February 4, 6:30 PMAmy R. Goldsmith/Spear Research LibraryOpen to the whole community, the support group will provide emotional and educational support for caregivers and care partners of people with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. Taking care of someone with dementia also means taking care of yourself and getting help. Joining a support group means that you do not have to do it alone.
For questions or any additional information, please contact fellow congregant Maurrie Salenger at 952-484-6211 or [email protected]
CARING COMMUNITY
The Social Action Committee is doing more than we ever have before! In addition to our favorite annual events, like the High Holidays Funds for Food Drive and Mitzvah Day, we have many exciting new activities that need volunteers throughout the year. We are also excited to announce that we have started an advocacy arm that includes education and lobbying on issues of social justice, hunger, and gun violence prevention.
Please keep an eye on our website for details about our upcoming MLK Day of Service on Monday, January 17th.
Come to our next meeting to get all the details and get involved. We meet on the first Wednesday of every other month from 5:00-7:00 PM in the Shirley and Herbert Semler Board Room. Our next meeting will be on Wednesday, February 3rd.
Genealogy ClubSunday, January 10, 10:00 AMAmy R. Goldsmith/Spear Research Library
The Genealogy Club welcomes Tatiana Lifshitz, a member of our congregation, who will help members learn research tools and begin their family tree searches! Members will be introduced to search on Ancestry.com free of charge. Ms. Lifshitz began working in genealogy over thirty years ago, speaks nine languages, and is knowledgeable in laws and regulations related to archives in different countries. Three laptops will be available on a first come, first serve basis. We hope to have one group start at 10:00 AM and another at 11:00 AM.
Please bring a basic handwritten family tree layout of the generation where you’d like to begin your research, including first, last and maiden names (if known), as well as dates and places of birth, ages, dates of arrival in the US (to the best of your knowledge). This will significantly speed up the initial process. If you already have a substantial tree in the works, Tatiana suggests you make an appointment for a personal session. Meanwhile, library’s resources will be available for your independent research on Sundays and Thursdays or by appointment with our librarian.
The Forgotten Native American History of PortlandSunday, January 31, 10:15 AMAmy R. Goldsmith/Spear Research Library
The first historians of Portland neglected to mention that in the earliest days of the city, white residents were outnumbered four to one by Native Americans who lived along the Willamette River at the foot of Jefferson Street, by Couch Lake, and in NW Portland’s long-forgotten Johnson Creek Gulch. Even up until the 1930s, Native American families set up seasonal trading encampments in what is now Wallace Park. In fact, for the city’s first half century, non-native Portlanders needed to know Chinook Jargon for their frequent interactions with the residents of these encampments. Congregant Dr. Tracy J. Prince, PSU scholar-in-residence and author, will talk about this forgotten history.
AMY R. GOLDSMITH/SPEAR RESEARCH LIBRARY
SOCIAL ACTION COMMITTEE IS RECRUITING NEW MEMBERS
7January 2016
Sisterhood Brotherhood
NG New Year, New You Fitness and Brunch EventSunday, January 3
Start 2016 off right! Please check NG Sisterhood’s Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/groups/1481053455458330/) for details or email [email protected] with questions.
Sisterhood ShabbatFriday, January 22, 6:00 PMPollin Chapel
Please join us as we celebrate Sisterhood Shabbat with a service lead by Cantor Cahana, Rabbi Joseph, and members of WRJ/Beth Israel Sisterhood. Our theme this year is Miriam, Music, and Women in Leadership. If you would like to help lead the service, please contact [email protected].
Annual Rose Schnitzer Havdalah Service and SocialSaturday, January 30, 6:30 PMRose Schnitzer Manor
Please join us and Amy Shapiro, singer, songwriter, teacher, at the 16th Annual Havdalah service at the Rose Schnitzer Manor, co-sponsored by Beth Israel Sisterhood. We invite families to join the residents of Rose Schnitzer Manor in saying goodbye to Shabbat and welcoming the new week through song and community building. Everyone is welcome, all ages, to this free event.
Hold the Date: Sisterhood/NG Eastside Social Sunday, February 28, 4:00 PMHome of Michael Richman
Eastside women - you do not have to cross a bridge to see your sisters! Come to a social on Sunday, February 28.
Gift Shop and Library Volunteers NeededWe need volunteers in the Sisterhood Gift Shop, especially on Thursdays. If you are a religious school parent with a child who comes on Thursday, please consider volunteering. Contact Debbie Braymer if you can help out: [email protected].
Do you love to read? Do you have a few hours once a month to help in the CBI library? We are looking for some special volunteers who would sit in our new and beautiful library and help people check out books, use our laptops to access Ancestry, and do a few tasks to keep the books in order and easy to find. If you have time on Thursdays from 4:15 to 6, or Sundays from 10 AM- 12 PM, and would like to become a special friend of the library, please contact Marge Congress at [email protected]. She’ll contact you to set up a training session and get you a time slot.
Ask the RabbiSunday, January 10, 10:30 AMThe program is called “Jewish Bio-ethics: On The Matters of Life and Death, Healing and Deciding.” For more information contact Morrie Jackson at [email protected]
Two Sided StorySaturday, January 16, 7:00 PMCongregation Neveh ShalomThe CBI Brotherhood is co-sponsoring this film, which showcases testimonies of bereaved Israelis and Palestinians and the common ground such bitter enemies can sometimes find.
In the film, Emmy Award winning director Tor Ben Mayor follows a group of twenty-seven Palestinians and Israelis who meet under the frame of a unique project led by the Parents Circle Families Forum. The project’s goal is to acknowledge the narrative of the other. Participants include Orthodox Jews, religious Muslims, settlers, ex-IDF soldiers, ex-security prisoners, citizens of the Gaza strip, kibbutz members, second generation Holocaust survivors, non-violent activists, and more. Each and every one has their own historical truths and carry with them their own emotional baggage.
More information about the film and a trailer are available at www.theparentscircle.com/Content.aspx?ID=60#.VmcvddIrK70. This film is free and open to the public.
8 Congregation Beth Israel
Very Thoughtful People
Allison B. Cohen MAdriChiM TrAining And religious sChool sCholArship FundIn Memory of
Philip WexlerEldon and Carolyn Wexler
AdulT eduCATion FundIn Memory of
Rabbi Murray SaltzmanDebra Brooks and Children
AlTAr Flowers And oneg shABBATIn Memory of
Alan ZellFaye SamuelsCynthia Rich WoodMichael and Jim Richman
In Honor ofSusan Shleifer (Get Well Soon)Bunny and Jerry Sadis
AMy r. goldsMiTh liBrAryIn Memory of
Alan ZellSally Rosenfeld and Andy FrankIlaine Cohen and FamilyRose WrightClaire and Zanley Galton
CAring CoMMuniTy FundIn Memory of
Leonard RussockBob Kravitz and David GilbertSelma SpielmanBob KravitzEloise SpiegelDon Spiegel and Deborah
Davis-Spiegel
CeMeTery BeAuTiFiCATionIn Memory of
David HudesmanDiane and David RosencrantzGladys NetboyNancy Seeger and Jane NetboyAda E. BeckmanRonald Barry TonkinRena and Cheryl TonkinHannah BodnerGeorge BodnerIrving WeinsteinElaine Savinar
rABBi CAhAnA disCreTionAryIn Memory of
Herman FaginRachel HalupowskiAlan ZellJoyce and Stan LoebHarold MinkSally and Debbie MinkLyle LuersShar and Len LudwigAnn Goldsmith BarrMichael GoldsmithJulius B. JaffeElaine SavinarJeffrey WardAdair Savage and Sara Savage-Ward
CAnTor CAhAnA disCreTionAryIn Memory of
Alan ZellJoyce and Stan Loeb
General ContributionGiven ByMarc Carver
rABBi Joseph disCreTionAryIn Memory of
Alan ZellArline GreenblattSharon TarlowJoyce and Stan LoebBarbara PrigohzyCarol and Sy ChestlerCharlotte FriendMark and Randie Peterson
In AppreciationRabbi JosephAnonymous
CAnTor sChiFF disCreTionAryIn Memory of
Pearl Malin KarlinAlice and Michael Powell
In AppreciationCantor Judith SchiffSandee BlankPierce EthierSandee Blank
rABBi rose disCreTionAryIn Memory of
Salo LewinIlse OrthmeyerMarvin L. ByerHoward Byer
generAl AdMinisTrATiveIn Memory of
Alfred EdelmanCarol EdelmanGregory ShapiroJack Shapiro“Ruby” EthierNancy Green and Susan HammelEdith SchnitzerCarol LewisAnne GeffenIsadore TinklemanStanley GeffenRonald Paul SeresJoel SeresJacob OvetzHilda SteinbockBetty ParkerIrving SteinbockEdythe SteinbockYvette WeintraubAlan and Karen WeintraubMatthew NeuweltEd NeuweltReva ReingoldSally SondheimDoreen Stamm MargolinPhillip MargolinHoward WolfeFrances WolfeJacob “Coco” LevyMax and Sandy LevyBob EdelmanSusan Golden
In Honor ofRabbi Cahana (Birthday)Nancy Green and Susan Hammel
General ContributionGiven ByLinda L. Friedman
hAl ruThizer CulTurAl ArTsIn Memory of
Stephen Lee SolomonRich and Sue Garber
Miller rooM reFurBishMenT And resTorATion FundIn Memory of
Alan ZellSue AlbertAlan and Lana Miller
oserAn FAMily leCTureIn Memory of
Alan ZellSherma StengerNaomi StraussAlan ZellTheresa Eisenberg
In Honor ofSydney Baer (Retirement)Ilaine Cohen and FamilyIsaac Shulevitz (Bar Mitzvah)Naomi Strauss
presChoolIn Memory of
Milton GevurtzMyra and John Gevurtz
ruTh seMler youTh ACTiviTiesIn Memory of
Marian KrantzGilda WexlerPhillip WexlerCarolyn and Eldon WexlerMax SolomonRich and Sue GarberJerome FreibergHannah LangCarol LangBruce M. SendersStuart and Barbara LangYussie Joseph EpsteinJacqueline R. SpivakHenry SpivakAlysmae Semler NudelmanVictor NudelmanAbe WexlerGilda WexlerDr. Harry SemlerGertrude SemlerHelen Spivak and Family
sAlly vidgoFF CAMp KAlsMAn sCholArshipIn Memory of
Michael LauferScott and Carol Fenton
soCiAl ACTion (generAl)In Memory of
Eugene EisemanGerda A. EisemanS. Fredrick RabinerLorraine LippoffDavid and Liz Lippoff
9January 2016
Elsie W. GoldhammerRichard B. SolomonBurnetta PackouzRay PackouzJay AlbertSue, Marc and Debra AlbertGerald SternRick and Kay Stern
In Honor ofJen Feldman (Good Health)The Loeb FamilySydney Baer (Retirement)Nick and Sanny Snell
FoodIn Memory of
Dorothy BaruhGloria ReissGail MarracciMichael LauferLouis FentonLynda BakerAlan ZellDeanne and Dick RubinsteinJeanne NewmarkRenee and Irwin HolzmanBeverly, Marty, Lynda, and Jeff
Zell, Cathi, Dave, Caitlin, and Megan Zerba, Jason and Staci Fajardo, Sheila and Mike Schwartz and Family
Bud and Robin MarcusLois SchnitzerDavia and Ted RubensteinRosemarie RosenfeldMilton FreidenrichRobert FreidenrichJane FlaxmanHerman DavidPatricia NeubergerAlan ZellCharles EdelsonSally StolzoffBunny EdelsonAlysmae NudelmanVictor NudelmanDr. Harry SemlerGertrude SemlerHelen Spivak and Family
Leah K. DurkheimerMark Dohrmann and Julie
DurkheimerPaul WestonBetsy and Len BergsteinLouis MillerRobin FlammMichael LauferLouis FentonLee BerneLarry TarlowSharon Tarlow
In Honor ofPaul and Alice Meyer (Rabbi
Stampfer Community Enrichment Award)
Bunny and Jerry SadisBunny and Jerry Sadis
(50th Anniversary)Elizabeth and Ruben J. MenasheSydney Baer (Retirement)David Schiff
(Latest Symphonic Work)Renee and Irwin HolzmanRuth Gassner (Birthday)Elaine Weinstein
(Speedy Recovery)Beverly and Marty ZellElaine Weinstein
(Speedy Recovery)Davia and Ted RubensteinRuth Gassner (Birthday)Barbara and Howard Cohn
i hAve A dreAMIn Memory of
Arnold TannenbaumMichael TannenbaumErwin Frank ForsytheKarla ForsytheRuth SemlerAbe WexlerGilda WexlerEdith Goodman RogowayHelen Spivak and Family
In Honor ofSydney Baer (Retirement)Joyce and Stan Loeb
TeMple iMproveMenTIn Honor of
Sydney Baer (Retirement)Ann and Lewis YoungElizabeth and Ruben J. MenasheSydney Baer
(For Dedicated Service to Congregation Beth Israel)
The Loeb Family
heiMs FAMily youTh ACTiviTies endowMenTIn Memory of
Sarah DavisAnne D. DavisJenny DicksonI. Kenneth Davis
MAy georges sTudy in isrAel sCholArshipIn Memory of
Stella GeorgesTom Georges, Sr. Linda and Tom Georges
neTTie direCTor liBrAry BooK endowMenTIn Memory of
Alan ZellEve and Alan RosenfeldBarbara and Howard CohnRose RosenSam RosenAlan ZellStuart and Nikki DirectorRose RosenNeal and Lisa RosenLouis MarkShirley Mark
In Honor ofSydney Baer (Retirement)Stuart and Nikki Director
siMon & helen direCTor endowMenTIn Memory of
June NagelTrudi MorrisonAlfred J. DavisAnne DavisNathan DicksonSarah DavisDick and Cameron Davis
WRJ/Beth IsRael sIsteRhood Funds
BiKKur holiM - hope in liFeIn Memory of
Lillian ApplebaumBarney and Susan Milstein
prAyer BooKIn Memory of
Henry SpivakLt. Yussie Joseph Epstein (USCG
Retired)Jacqueline Ray SpivakKaren S. Spivak
In Honor ofSydney Baer (Retirement)CBI Sisterhood
serviCe To The BlindIn Memory of
Ron TonkinNancy TonkinEd Tonkin
sisTerhood luBliner leAdership FundIn Memory of
Rosebelle HimelsteinDavid and Shawn Looney
In Honor ofSisterhood’s Next GenerationLynne Bartenstein and Dan Heims
General ContributionGiven ByMichael Wood and Jim Richman
Very Thoughtful People
CBI TeamSenior RabbiMichael Z. [email protected]
Senior CantorIda Rae [email protected]
Associate RabbiRachel L. [email protected]
Rabbi EmeritusEmanuel Rose, D.H.L., [email protected]
Cantor EmeritaJudith Blanc Schiff [email protected]
Education Department
Education DirectorBen Sandler, M. Ed. [email protected]
Youth Group DirectorShoshanna [email protected]
Education AdministratorZiva [email protected]
Member Services
Interim Executive DirectorAlanna [email protected]
Development DirectorJen [email protected]
Director of Membership and Special EventsMarisa [email protected]
Communications CoordinatorTracy [email protected]
Office AdministratorAlyssa [email protected]
Clergy Administrative AssistantSara [email protected]
Finance DirectorJim Baldwin, [email protected]
Accounting AssistantVicki [email protected]
Facilities StaffPerry Meekins, Facilities ManagerTony BennettShalamar WashingtonDallas Van WinkleSusie Young
Catering Panel
Alfresco Catering by Sheraton503-335-2858Shellie Engelquist
Art of Catering503-231-8185Larry Grimes
Century Catering503-849-2605Allen Levin
Culinary Artistry503-232-4675Jenn Louis
Devil’s Food Catering503-233-9288Charles Stilwell
VT Group: Vibrant Table, Food In Bloom, f&b Café503-297-9635Karen Rich
10 Congregation Beth Israel
In Remembrance ~ May their memory be for a blessing.January 1 &2Julian AlbertRose BackerPearl BaskinHenry (Bialistok)BillysFrank BlumenkronSidney CohenSarah DavisJacob J. DavisJudith EpsteinAlbert J. Finke*Mandel FischerRobert A. FreidenrichThomas T. Georges, Sr.Pauline L. Goldberg*Rhonda Beth GoldsteinIsrael GothalphJack HandelmanWilliam Herzog*David HudesmanBertha K. Israel*Samuel Jackson*Henry KaplanElsie KatzLeo KatzBenjamin KirzTheda KolkerCarol LangJoan A. Liebreich*Harold LightEgon E. LoebnerBertha Lokay*Joseph MargolinJacob Mayer*Carol Gevurtz Meisels*Morris MittlemanRebecca NelsonErna Neuberger*Hans NeubergerStanley PitkinMary PlotzkerHilda PomerantzS. Fredrick (Fred) RabinerMorris H. “Mish” Rosencrantz*Rabbi Frank Rosenthal*Jeannette Lewis RubensteinMaurice RubensteinSamuel SchneiderEdith SchnitzerMyra ScholnickBruce M. SendersGregory ShapiroMeier (Mike) ShavzinWilliam ShevachSamuel N. Shleifer*Sanford SimkoffNathan David Simon*Harriet A. SockutManton J. SpearBarbara Spero
Eloise D. SpiegelIrving SteinbockRalph TannenbaumDavid H. WarshawskyAdam WeinsteinGoldie WeinsteinPhilip WexlerThelma Wing
January 8 & 9Dorothy A. AndrianoffBenjamin Backer*Ben BesserFrieda BizerHannah BodnerKaa ByingtonAnne D. Davis*Aubrey M. Davis*Rosalie DeWitzCharles K. Diamond*Charles EdelsonJoseph EndlerYussie Joseph Jacob EpsteinLouis Fenton*Shirley FishelEdward FogelDavid W. FriedmanStella GeorgesAnne GoldbergJaime GoldfarbElsie GoldhammerEva Blumenkron GrodyBen HooverAlan KantorMelvin E. KendallEyelyn E. Keyser*Sam LazerwithCharlotte LazerwithPauline LeckerEsther Utay LenetArthur J. LevineSalo Lewin*Donald LonderLyle LuersSuzanne Norman MallochDoreen Stamm MargolinLouis MarkLouis MillerRobert MisrachMelvin NelsonHerman PassamaneckEsther Solomon PlanerJudith PlatmanJerrold PlattDonald RichmanMary RogowayFreda RovechJoyce Rubin*Rabbi Murray SaltzmanDavid SaxeMax Schaffer*
Ramy SchneiderLorraine SchulbergSally StolzoffArnold Tannenbaum*Harold WardIrving M. WeinsteinRose White*Cynthia Rich WoodLouis WoronElaine WoskowRose Wright*
January 15 &16Rose Wexler Ailringer*Morton L. AlexanderLillian ApplebaumIrene Edith Feinstein ArronEugene ArronLouise Pauline Anisman BrennerJean CoffeyHyman CohnHerman DavidRosalie DavisBob EdelmanGlenn EpsteinClara FarbermanJoseph FeldmanErwin Frank ForsytheAnne M. GeffenSuzanne Gevurtz*Morrie GreensteinLaddy H. GrossFlorence HughesOscar IngberMorris M. Israel*James Kaplan*Hyman KaplanJoseph Kohn*Jean KornfeldDavid KronHilde LehmannEsther Levin*Leonie F. LidskyJames R. LilienthalLorraine LippoffRonald K. Mesher*Harold MinkOlga MolnarJune NagelBen NovichLouis PuzissGloria ReissCecelia RidoutFred M. Rosenbaum*Harry RosenfieldHarold (Hal) SaltzmanAdele SavinarGerald Stern*Mary StilwellDavid StraussMarion Sulzberger
Audrey Jane VeraSally Vidgoff*Jeffrey A. WardJean White
January 22 & 23Alexander Windecker Ailringer*Adolf AsherAda E. BeckmanAbe BlankAnne BlankBern BlattnerMarvin L .ByerIrwin S. CohnAnn Chanin DlugerHelen EpsteenIrvin FieldsHarvey FieldsKathy FisherMilton Gevurtz*Hannah GreenwaldHarry E. Gurian*Katie HalmosFrieda Goldkrand IsenbergJulius B. Jaffe*Joseph M. Kaffesieder*Bruce KantorArlene KaplanBessie KauffmanHenry KleinbergElsie Kahn Kohoot*Sarah KurlandMichael LauferPercy M. Malkin*Harry B. MarcusPeter MarkusLloyd McFallJoseph Metzger*Robert L. Novack*Burnetta PackouzRuth RavetzShirlee RomerSam RosenMona RosenSarah RosenblumHarvey RosencrantzRachel RubinBella RudermanHarry J. Schatz*John Leasing SellingRonald Paul SeresJerome B. ShankRonda Leppanen ShawJoseph SimonLouis SockutWynne SpiegelHarvey TabackRonald Barry Tonkin*Nancy Lou Tonkin*David WarshawskyYvette Weintraub
Paul WestonCarol WilliamsHoward F. Wolfe
January 29 &30Laura Adler*Joy Alkalay*Miriam Baer*Franklin BarkleyAnna BloomArthur BlumenkronDick BrownsteinAnna BuchbinderJenny DicksonLeah Kinspel DurkheimerHyman FalbelHenry FeldmanLewis Fendrich*Martin FishelMorris FishmanMilton FreidenrichMichael GilbertMorton GlazerEmily Georges GottfriedSamuel GreenbergBetty Louise JacksonRobert M. JacobsPearl Malin KarlinRose KunowskiStanley B. LangStanley LappenJulius LevinJacob “Coco” LevyAlan S. MeyerJeno MolnarEsther Layton Murphy*Charlotte OlivenBetty ParkerGeorge RaffelEdith Goodman RogowayRose RosenFlorence M. Applebaum RosenbergRuth RosenfeldS. I. SamuelsEllen Sanders-TuftJack Schiff*Connie R. SchultzArthur Senders*Harriet D. ShankWesley SpellmanSamuel M. Steinberg*Yetta Jean SternHarry SugarmanLawrence TarlowIsadore TinklemanFanny Turtledove*Harry Leonard TurtledoveFlorence WarshawskyRobert P. Weil*Joseph Wekselblatt*Herbert H. Werlin
(*) next to a name indicates a memorial plaque has been purchased to ensure the beloved departed is remembered in perpetuity. For information about memorial plaques in the Temple, please contact Tracy at (503) 222-1069 or [email protected].
11Congregation Beth Israel
SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY1 Tevet 20
Winter Break
New Year’s Day:Temple Offices Closed
Mah Jongg 10:00 AM SBR
Shabbat Service 6:00 PM PC
2 Tevet 21
Torah Study 9:00 AM SBR
Shabbat Morning Service10:30 AM PC
3 Tevet 22
Book Group9:00 AM SBR
Religious School (K-7) 9:15 AM - 12:15 PM SEC
NG New Year, New You Fitness and Brunch Event
Midrasha (grades 8-12)12:15 PM - 2:15 PM SEC
4 Tevet 23 5 Tevet 24
6 Tevet 25 Adult Education Program: The Rise and Demise of Blacklisting with Michael Simon & Ron Silver7:00 PM PC
7 Tevet 26
Caring Community Steering Committee 2:00 PM SBR
IHP4:30 PM SEC
8 Tevet 27 Mah Jongg 10:00 AM SBR
Shir Sabbat Service 6:00 PM
JND Shabbat Service 7:30 PM PC
9 Tevet 28
Torah Study 9:00 AM SBR
Tot Shabbat9:00 AM PC
Shabbat Morning Service: Bat Mitzvah of Lehna Gordon10:30 AM Temple
10 Tevet 29
Religious School (K-7) 9:15 AM - 12:15 PM SEC
Genealogy Club10:00 AM LB
Brotherhood: Ask the Rabbi10:30 AM LB
Midrasha (grades 8-12)12:15 PM - 2:15 PM SEC
11 Shevat 1 12 Shevat 2 13 Shevat 3 14 Shevat 4
Executive Committee12:00 PM SBR
IHP4:30 PM SEC
W Connection6:30 PM SC
Intro to Judaism7:00 PM PC
15 Shevat 5
Mah Jongg 10:00 AM SBR
MLK Gospel Shabbat honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.7:00 PM Temple
16 Shevat 6
Torah Study 9:00 AM SBR Shabbat Morning Service10:30 AM PC
Brotherhood: Two Sided Story7:00 PM Congregation Neveh Shalom
17 Shevat 7
No Sunday Classes
18 Shevat 8 No Preschool: MLK Day
19 Shevat 9 20 Shevat 10
Civil Rights Trip Informational Meeting7:00 PM PC
21 Shevat 11
Adult Education Committee8:30 AM SBR
IHP4:30 PM SEC Pop-up Pantry4:30 PM LF
WRJ/BIS Board Meeting6:00 PM SBR
22 Shevat 12
Mah Jongg 10:00 AM SBR
Sisterhood Shabbat Service 6:00 PM PC
23 Shevat 13
Torah Study 9:00 AM SBR Shabbat Morning Service10:30 AM PC
PJ Havdalah5:30 PM Rabbi Joseph’s home
24 Shevat 14
Religious School (K-7) 9:15 AM - 12:15 PM SEC
2nd Grade Family Program Tu B’Shevat10:00 AM GH
ECE Tu B’Shevat Family Program10:00 AM HH
Midrasha (grades 8-12)12:15 PM - 2:15 PM SEC
25 Shevat 15
No Preschool: Teacher Planning Day
26 Shevat 16 27 Shevat 17 28 Shevat 18
IHP4:30 PM SEC
Pop-up Pantry4:30 PM LF
29 Shevat 19
Mah Jongg 10:00 AM SBR
Shabbat Service 6:00 PM PC
30 Shevat 20
Torah Study 9:00 AM SBR Shabbat Morning Service:6th Grade Shabbatini #110:30 AM PC
Annual Rose Schnitzer Havdalah Service & Social6:30 PM Rose Schnitzer Manor
31 Shevat 21
Religious School (K-7) 9:15 AM - 12:15 PM SEC
Forgotten Native American History of Portland10:15 AM LB
Midrasha (grades 8-12)12:15 PM - 2:15 PM SEC
Taste of Temple Castaway 5:00 PM
Location Key
HH = Harris Hall BA = Blumauer Auditorium GH = Goodman Hall LB = Library LF = Lipman Foyer MR = Miller Room PC = Pollin Chapel
SBR = Shirley & Herbert Semler Board Room SC = Shemanski Chapel SEC = Sherman Education Center SFC = Schnitzer Family Center
January 2016 Tevet-Shevat 5776
AdministrationOffices & Clergy 503-222-1069Education Department & Preschool 503-222-1069Fax Machine 503-274-1400WRJ/BI Sisterhood Judaica Gift Shop 503-222-1069Beth Israel Cemetery 503-222-1069426 SW Taylors Ferry Road
View our calendar and campus map online at www.bethisrael-pdx.org
12 Congregation Beth Israel
Congregation Beth Israel1972 NW Flanders StreetPortland, OR 97209-2097
Affiliated with the Union for Reform Judaism since 1879
NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONU.S. POSTAGE PAID
PORTLAND, ORPERMIT NO. 594
Board of Trustees 2015/2016
Ned Duhnkrack President
Ted Nelson VP/President Elect
Ilene DavidsonVice President
Ali Garfinkle Vice President
Brad Tonkin Vice President
Mark Peterman Secretary
John Epstein Treasurer
Stacy FriedmanSteve GradowGlen LevyRobin McCoySharon MeieranJoanne Van Ness MenasheYale PopowichBob RosenbaumDavid SarasohnArthur SteinhornTony Urdes
TrusteesOfficers
AuxiliariesStephanie Siegel - WRJ/BI Sisterhood PresidentDavid Goldwyn - Brotherhood President
THE SCHPIELIS COMING
3.16.16