Monthly newsletter from
Congregation Beth Elohim
in Acton, Massachusetts
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Message from our co-presidents Jaymi and Chuck | |
Telling Our Story
The seder plate is the original charcuterie board. We gather around the table with family and friends. We take part in a prayer. We eat something off the “board.” A few readings, another blessing, a glass of wine. And around it goes. We tell the archetypal story of freedom from bondage, of redemption from suffering. Some of us will innovate, acting out plagues, posing modern questions. Some of us will bring out the Maxwell House Haggadot* from our closets and ignore the wine stains. The afikomen will be hidden and found. We will open our doors for Elijah. The power of the seder is in the retelling, the longevity of the tradition. With whomever we gather, whatever the style of our seder, we join with the Jews of the world, past, present, and future in a common ritual.
At the end of the Exodus from Egypt, about which we will read on Pesach, comes the journey of our people to the Promised Land. The wilderness experience of our ancestors is a meaningful analogy for the past fifteen months. While the march from Egypt to Canaan should only take a few weeks, we know that it took so much longer. The forty years of travel is meant to convey a deep transition, not just a simple change of location. Enduring the wilderness was a transformative experience, one enormously well-worth the rigors of that journey. Our predecessors needed the time of transition in order to be worthy of inhabiting the Promised Land.
So too has our CBE community endured some prolonged wanderings, several transformations – each one bringing a separate journey and a renewed strength. Now that our latest is complete and we welcome Rabbi David as our permanent Rabbi, we start a new journey to ensure a successful transition towards the growth and enrichment of our community. This will require all of us marching together to reach our Promised Land. The wandering will be difficult, but necessary. We will need yet-untapped leaders and ask each of you to be part of our collective journey.
As we each enter our own Passover practice and traditions, let us remember to connect, share our tables and ask and answer questions. As a community we will blend tradition with innovation. We will make the wandering worthwhile, enduring and thriving. We will make the story our own and come out stronger.
Chag pesach sameach,
Chuck and Jaymi
*Editor's note: We were delighted to find that Maxwell House still updates and publishes a free Haggadah (plus shipping) — and we promptly ordered two dozen!
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In this family photo Rabbi David and his son Pukar prepare shira, traditional Indian date syrup charoset.* | | |
A Passover and Springtime Message
With the arrival of Spring comes Passover, one of my favorite holidays. Passover is inextricably connected to Spring – a time of renewal, growth, and hope. Spring makes us happy. When the days grow longer and warmer, when the first crocuses appear in our front yards – we are naturally joyful. In the romantic poetry of the Biblical Song of Songs, the poet – perhaps King Solomon – writes:
“Arise, my darling, my fair one, come away. For now, winter is past; the rains are over and gone. The blossoms have appeared in the land, the time of singing has come; the song of the turtledove is heard in our land. The green figs form on the fig tree, the vines in blossom give off fragrance. Arise, my darling, my fair one, come away.” (Song of Songs 2:10–13)
What do Spring and Passover have in common? They are both beginnings. Spring is simply the start of a special time of the year when the weather gets warmer. As Tolstoy famously wrote, “Spring is the time of plans and projects.” We joyfully plan with great hope in the Spring, but we do not yet know what success we will ultimately achieve. Our joy rest in the potential. It is also the beginning of an agricultural seasons whose success is not at all assured.
Passover is called z’man heiruteinu, the celebration of our freedom. But the Exodus was only the beginning of that process of our independence and spiritual growth as a people.
The most beautiful Haggadah I have ever seen is the David Moss Haggadah. Moss created the Haggadah over many years in the style of illuminated medieval manuscripts, with beautiful, full-page illustrations. My favorite is called “The Tree of Life” – which Moss uses as the first page of his Haggadah. Years ago, I ordered a print of this Tree of Life as a wedding gift for my sister and brother-in-law, which contains the following description: “Passover celebrates beginnings: The Exodus as the birth of the Jewish people and the annual rebirth of Spring. Every beginning is a seed which contains, in potential, all that may later grow forth.”
This first page, shown here, contains in its micrographic border the entire text of the Haggadah:
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Very fittingly for the season, I am feeling tremendous joy and potential as your new permanent rabbi. In our short time together, we have already begun to build and grow in important ways together. I look forward to our continuing to dream, build and celebrate together at CBE. We feel the joy and hope for renewal and growth – the anticipation that we are at the beginning of something truly special.
For those who I have gotten to know over the past months, I look forward to getting to know you even better, and for those I don’t know as well or have not met yet, I look forward to the opportunity to connect. Please reach out, and I would love to meet here at CBE or at Acton Coffee House.
I wish you and your families a Zissen Pesach – Joyous and Fulfilling Passover!
Your Rabbi,
Braham David
*Editor's note: In our recent Q+A with Rabbi David, we linked to the 2018 article that featured this photo along with an interview with Rabbi David about how his family has celebrates his heritage. The website supports the organization Be'Chol Lashon ("in every tongue") which "strengthens Jewish identity by raising awareness about the ethnic, racial and cultural diversity of Jewish people and experience around the globe." We think it is worth a look.
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Gertrude Budiansky's (z"l) Matzo Farfel Pudding Recipe | |
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Submitted by Gary Budiansky
My mother compiled a collection of favorite recipes for Passover. Gertrude lived in an apartment building off of Queens Boulevard in New York City. She had lots of Jewish friends in the building and they swapped recipes often. Gertrude lived in apartment 5A. She got this recipe from Miriam, across the hall in 5D. Matzo Farfel Pudding is a side dish that you would serve at dinner. It serves 10–12. Judy and I tested the recipe last month. It was quite good. Everyone had seconds.
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(above) The recipe as prepared in Judy and Gary Budiansky's kitchen, and (right) Gertrude's handwritten copy. | |
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Matzo Farfel Pudding
1 lb. matzo farfel
1 c. chopped onion
1 c. chopped celery
2 4 oz. cans sliced mushrooms
4 Tbsp. vegetable oil
6 eggs, separated
2 tsp. salt
¼ tsp. pepper
Place farfel in a colander and run hot water over it to dampen it. Squeeze dry immediately. (It should be slightly crisp.) Pour into a bowl.
Brown onions, celery and mushrooms in oil for 5 minutes and add to the farfel.
Beat egg yolks with salt and pepper and add to the farfel. Mix well.
Beat egg whites until stiff and fold into mixture.
Transfer to a greased 2-1/2 quart baking dish.
Bake in 325° oven for 40 to 45 minutes, until browned on top.
Makes 8–10 side dish servings.
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New member profile: The Kaplan Family | | |
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This month we resume our feature of new members of our community. Thank you to the Kaplans for participating! Left to right: Marilynn, Jake, Eva and Josh Kaplan | | |
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What were you looking for when you joined CBE?
A community where we could connect with families who share our values and interests and with whom to share in the simchas and challenges of Jewish life in our new home of Acton.
So far, what are the most fulfilling parts about being a member for you and/or other family members?
Having Jake return from Religious School not only with "tzedek tzedek tirdof" rolling off his tongue but eager to offer up his own interpretation. We very much appreciate how at CBE Religious School students are encouraged to interact with texts and concepts.
Tell us anything you'd like us to know about you and your family!
This iteration of the Kaplan family, established on the west coast about a decade ago, has returned east where both Marilynn and Josh were raised and have roots. Marilynn enjoys volunteering within the CBE and broader Acton communities. She lends her time to the AB United Way and two AB school committees that provide guidance around Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) topics for the District. At CBE, Marilynn joined Na’aseh and Kulanu where she has been inspired to persevere on matters of respect and justice. She also says "Hi!" to fellow congregants who volunteer or donate to Household Goods where she recently started working as a volunteer coordinator.
Josh splits his time between worrying about the Red Sox and trying to figure out how to discover new small molecule therapeutics. He's always up for talking about either.
Jake, aged 9, and Eva, 7, are students at Douglas Elementary and at CBE Religious School, where they are appreciative of the warm and friendly welcome offered by classmates and teachers alike.
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CBE’s Volunteer Security Team | | |
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We are grateful to Oleg Volinsky for his informative behind-the-scenes look at a team of volunteers working to keep us all safe. Oleg and his wife Vanessa have been members of CBE since 2000. Their children attended both the ELC (at the time JCC) and CBE religious school. Oleg is currently serving as an at-large member of the CBE board of directors. | | | |
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In recent years, we have seen a significant rise in antisemitic events and incidents related to religious institutions. The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) reports that antisemitic incidents are up by 42% in New England since 2021, mostly in Massachusetts. This trend brought to the forefront the issue of security at synagogues and Jewish organizations.
To give special attention to congregations’ safety and security concerns, several years ago Congregation Beth Elohim leadership created a security team. The Security Team consists of CBE members — Alan Weiss, Rick Green, Ian Schenkman, George Morton, Oleg Volinsky, and Arye Hess — who help improve CBE security and safety procedures and capabilities. Members of the security team, together with lay leadership and professional staff, work together to improve physical building security, coordinate security for the high holidays and other events as well as organize training sessions for members of the congregation and staff. During the past 12 months, the Security Team has focused on obtaining grants for security improvement and for private security presence, establishing consistent communication with local public safety departments, and rolling out the incident reporting portal.
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This past Wednesday's Security Team meeting on Zoom: Oleg Volinsky, Rick Green, Ian Schenkman, Alan Weiss, Arye Hess and George Morton. | | |
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The Security Team has been communicating periodically with local public safety officials and community outreach officers. The team established good relationships with members of Acton Police and Fire departments. Members of the Security Team periodically meet with members of both departments to discuss issues around safety and security of Beth Elohim property and Beth Elohim membership. Acton Fire and Police departments conduct periodic walks through the building to familiarize themselves with the facility in case of emergency, to understand concerns around the area of the sanctuary where our Torahs are located, and to provide specific procedures around ELC safety and security. Acton Police Department provides additional patrolling around CBE during the religious school hours and during religious holidays. Both public safety departments welcome the interaction and the Security Team is excited to continue these positive engagements.
Another important aspect of the work of the Security Team is obtaining funding for safety and security improvements around the CBE building. These grants are essential to provide necessary safety and security improvements that otherwise would not be funded. Over the years, the team applied for and received several grants that contributed to installation of a special shatter protective film on all external glass at CBE as well as exterior cameras. The Security Team is continuously looking for funding and will continue to apply for grants from government agencies to make further safety and security improvements.
As one of their recent initiatives, the committee has worked with CBE’s web team to create an incident reporting and tracking system. Because most major security events are often preceded by offenders scouting the targets for a period of time, it is a critical security capability to identify possible patterns between various events. This reporting and tracking system is an important tool in preventing more significant incidents. The incident reporting system allows members of the CBE community to report suspicious events and associated details. This data enables the congregation to keep track of ongoing incidents or suspicious events, identify possible that otherwise would allow to prevent possible security incidents. If you witness an incident or see something suspicious, please complete this security incident form — which you can also find under the Member tab on the CBE website. You must log into your website account to view and complete the form, available to congregants and professional staff.
The Security Team meets twice a month via Zoom. Members of the congregation professional staff and lay leadership frequently attend parts of meetings to discuss ongoing concerns and ways to improve the CBE community safety and security. Any member of the congregation interested in joining the Security Team is welcome. The Security Team can be contacted at security@bethelohim.org.
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We received this great article from Seth Rosenman and Ellie Blumberg about the Jewish teen program BBYO and the Ariel Ometz chapter. Based in the Acton area, some members of the chapter are also part of our CBE congregation, though the chapter is open to Jewish teens from surrounding towns regardless of synagogue membership. Seth and fellow CBE teen Sam Pollak currently both serve on the BBYO New England regional board, while Ellie is the current president of Ariel Ometz. We hope you enjoy this sneak preview — in the future we hope to feature personal stories about life in BBYO. Pictured: Seth, Ellie and Sam at a BBYO national conference in 2022. | | |
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BBYO is the world’s leading pluralistic Jewish teen movement. The organization aspires to involve more Jewish teens in more meaningful Jewish experiences while welcoming Jewish teens of all backgrounds, denominations, genders, races, and sexual orientations. BBYO aims to help teens develop strong Jewish identities while fueling a passion for making the world a better place. BBYO encourages teens to take initiative in their communities and become leaders. BBYO spans across 60 countries with over 725 chapters, growing every year. The organization is made up of the Aleph Zadik Aleph (AZA) Fraternity, founded in 1924, and the B’nai B’rith Girls (BBG) Sorority, founded in 1944.
The New England Region (NER) of BBYO is home to 13 chapters across Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Vermont with over 500 members ranging from grades 8th-12th. NER BBYO allows for teens to explore their Jewish identities in a safe environment while embracing new experiences, opportunities, and traditions. Each chapter, based on locality, hosts events for their members. Events are planned by teens, for teens. Programming ranges from fun activities like bowling and making s’mores over a bonfire, to meaningful programming around social justice, leadership development, community service or celebration of Jewish holidays. The region also hosts larger events, including a kickoff program in October, overnight conventions, dances, and sports tournaments. There truly is something for every teen in NER BBYO.
Our Ariel Ometz chapter of BBYO is a vibrant, co-ed group of teens with members across Acton, Boxborough, Concord, Littleton, Westford, Sudbury, Lincoln, Burlington, Leominster, and other surrounding towns. The chapter has seen a resurgence in membership over the last few years, and now our thriving community offers regular programming for teens in the area. Recently, we have hosted numerous events for teens, including ice skating, games night, a murder mystery themed event, paintball, pottery painting, and a donation drive for the Ginny’s Helping Hand Food Pantry as part of our community service initiative.
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Ariel Ometz members at a Movie Night program! | | |
The People of Chelm Want to Know... | |
Illustration by Maurice Sendak. | |
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For years the “People of Chelm” column has challenged The Star readers with questions drawn from the long and rich history of Jews and Judaism. We are delighted to continue this tradition, with abundant thanks to Bob Ferrara and Waky.
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QUESTION: Early this April we celebrate Pesach and the Passover Seder, the most widely observed of all the Jewish holidays. Countless Jewish households in almost every country on the globe honor Passover. This ceremony is a celebration of so many things - of liberty, of freedom from oppression, of the natural God-given rights of all people, of the making of the Jewish people into a nation. In the twenty-third chapter of Exodus, Pesach was decreed to be one of the three pilgrimage festivals when many Jews made the journey to Jerusalem to give offerings and celebrate. But its origins go back further than that. Do you recall when and where the very first Passover occurred? And for those who are really on the ball, do you know when the SECOND Passover happened? | |
Ponder your response – and find the answer further along in this email. | |
Lifecycle and milestone events in our community | |
Mazel tov to Michelle and Chris Siegert on the March 4 wedding of son Andy to Michaela Savram (now Siegert!).Thank you to Michelle for the lovely photos – especially the ketubah-signing. In the family photo, in addition to Andy, Michaela, Michelle and Chris, are daughter Beth and her boyfriend Seth Groveunder. | | |
Mazel tov to Lillie Freidel-Sobel and her parents Alayne Freidel-Sobel and Jason Sobel. Thank you to Jason for sharing these lovely photos of Lillie's February 18 B'nei Mitzvah. | |
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Mazel tov to Cameron Carvalho and his parents Alyson Saykin and Andrew Carvalho. Cam's Bar Mitzvah on March 18 was not only a family event — it was a celebration of the CBE community as well. We learned while preparing this issue that four of Cam's religious school teachers — Morah Bryna, Morah Alana, Morah Cindy and Morah Naomi — participated by reading Torah or having an Aliyah, that Mike Stark played guitar during the service and arranged a duet with Cameron on ukulele, and that Rabbi Emeritus Mintz joined Cameron for the Kiddush and Hamotzi. | | |
Cam gets a high-five from Religious School teachers Mora Bryna and Mora Alana: | |
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Has your family celebrated a recent simcha or milestone? Send us up to 6 photos with a brief description; and we will make a selection to include in our next newsletter. Email communications@bethelohim.org. | |
What's happening at CBE this month? | |
The congregation thanks our members, their relatives and friends, and the larger community for donations received during the month of March. If you do not see your donation, please look for it in our next newsletter, or contact communications@bethelohim.org. | |
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Amy Naparstek Israel Scholarship Fund
Fred & Doris Goldstein / In memory of Norma Zimmer, mother of Linda Sagor
Fred & Doris Goldstein / In memory of Elane Weiss, mother of Sandy Haber
Cantoral Fund
The Linden Family / With thanks to Cantor Sarra for leading a meaningful and healing shiva in memory of Carole "Pip" Ulin
Chesed Fund
The Linden Family / In memory of Carole "Pip" Ulin, with thanks to the Chesed Committee for all their care, concern and help with shiva
Dan and Shelley Klein / In honor of Ava Berson becoming a Bat Mitzvah. Mazal tov!
Choir Fund
Don Hoban & Marcy Epstein Hoban / In honor of Purim
General Fund
Emily & Michael Blumberg / In honor of Purim
Jaymi & Joseph Formaggio / In honor of Purim
Elizabeth & Ike Walker / In honor of Purim
Lindsay & Erik Rosenman / In honor of Purim
Tom & Marlene Wachtell / In honor of Purim
Jodie & Robert Zwirn / In honor of Purim
Rachel & Lee Gwaltney / In honor of Purim
Frank & Linda Cohen / In honor of Purim
Edward & Nancy Kleiman / In honor of Purim
Susan & Geoffrey Doherty / For the remembrance of Carol Ziller
Bob & Kathie Becker / In memory of Carole Deborah Ulin
Bruce Leicher & Ellen Sachs Leicher / In memory of Carole Ulin, mother of Wendy Linden
Marvin & Karen Gould / In memory of Dr. Carl Bender
Bob & Kathie Becker / In memory of Elane Kanengiser Weiss, mother of Sandy Haber
Maida & Glenn Fund / In memory of Elane Kanengiser Weiss, mother of Sandy Haber
Susanna Wood / In memory of Howard Scala, given by his sister Susanna Wood, on the occasion of his Yahrzeit
Bob & Kathie Becker / In memory of Linda Smith
Sandra Roschelle & Peter Darlow / In memory of Miriam Roschelle, mother of Sandy Roschelle
Bob & Kathie Becker / In memory of Rheva Kleinberg, mother of Karen Fox
Na'aseh Social Justice Fund
Judy & Gary Budiansky / For Immigration Relief
Rabbi Lewis Mintz Fund
Dan and Shelley Klein / In memory of Naomi Newman
Dan and Shelley Klein / In memory of Linda Smith, mother of Stacey Briggs
David & Gena Manalan / In memory of Dr. Carl Bender
Allie Lehmann / To thank Alan and Peggy Berko for their generous hospitality
Rabbi's Discretionary Fund
The Linden Family / With thanks to Rabbi David for leading a thoughtful and healing shiva in memory of Carole "Pip" Ulin
Leslie & William Schroeder / For the sale of Chametz 5783
Edward & Nancy Kleiman / For the sale of Chametz 5783
Jeffrey & Marcy Rappaport / In cherished memory of: Alice and Ernest L. Pearlman, Marcy's beloved Mother and Father, and Roslyn and Herbert S. Rappaport, Jeff's beloved Mother and Father
Judy & Gary Budiansky / In honor of Rabbi David
David Salomon & Marilyn Leeds / For the Sale of Chametz 5783
Religious School Fund
Karen & Mark Meyer
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The People of Chelm Want to Know... | |
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ANSWER TO QUESTION POSED ABOVE: Passover is indeed a profound observance. It captures a timeless message of liberty for all of us. Each year we ourselves, not some remote ancestor, are the ones escaping from Egypt and slavery. So when was the first Passover celebrated? After a little reflection, you may remember that day got its name when the avenging hand of the Lord passed over the homes of the Israelites. As instructed, they had smeared their doorposts with lamb’s blood to avoid the consequences of the tenth plague, the death of the first-born. Chapter twelve of Exodus recounts all this and also includes the details of how the Passover lamb is to be selected and prepared. Then in verse 11, the community is commanded to “eat it hurriedly: it is a Passover offering to the Lord”. So the first Passover occurred in Egypt, on the night before the Israelites fled from Egypt. If we accept the historicity of this event and the scholars’ best guesses on dates, this first Pesach occurred sometime before the end of the reign of Pharaoh Rameses II in 1225 BCE, over thirty-two centuries ago. Though the Israelites were commanded to celebrate this every year, the second Passover was not observed again until 40 years later, when Joshua brings them into the Promised Land after the travails of wandering in the desert.
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Until next time,
The Star editorial and design team —
Gary Budiansky, Maida Fund, Rick Green, Beth Schrager, Lauren Solomon
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