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Dear CBE Family,

Fall is an extremely exciting time at Congregation Beth Elohim. We have ushered in the new year, our students have become re-engaged in their learning, and our community has gathered to socialize, learn and grow through amazing programming. This is also the season where we see many new faces around the synagogue. CBE is a growing community with 19 new or returning families joining us in the past six months. As we enter the season of gratitude, we are grateful that these families have chosen to be a part of the CBE community. As you see new members around the synagogue, at events and services, please take the time to introduce yourself and share your experiences. It is so helpful for new members to have seasoned folks to help them navigate CBE's many wonderful events and programs.

We extend a hearty B'ruchim Haba'im ("Welcome") to:

Stan, Qingna, Ray and Faye Barsky of Carlisle

Jeff and Marlene Bergart of Acton

Leah, Michael, Annie and Max Birnkrant of Littleton

Ed and Selma Cutter of Hopkinton

Rebecca Dreifuss, Jaymes Tambeau, Noah and Micah of Acton

India, John, and Felix Goodridge of Harvard

Hannah, Mike, Oliver, Benjamin and Theodore Gruar of Littleton

Limor Hochberg, Benjamin Horev, Aviv and Stav of Littleton

Richard and Nancy Housman of Concord

Adrien, Victor, and Zachary Khelemsky of Carlisle

Michael Linker of Boxborough

Mirit, Isaiah, Shira and Abigail Livshin of Boxborough

Will Manning, Aveca Mack, Mariam and Isaac of Acton

Seth, Cynthia, Joseph, and John Noble of Boxborough

Marc, Belina, Seth and Rebecca Rosenblum of Littleton

Lauren Shapiro, Asher Levi and Ezra of Acton

Ian Silverman, Kathleen Wood, Hazel and George of Acton

Daniel, Jenna and Ezra Venooker of Acton

Rayna Zacks, Brian Licciardi, Aria and Husdon of Concord

We can't wait to see you around the shul!

As always don't hesitate to reach out to us at president@bethelohim.org

Laura Kelmar and Lindsay Rosenman

CBE Co-Presidents

We moved to Acton in January 1990 and the first time we set foot into CBE was Purim time of that year to take a peek at the synagogue. We were immediately warmly welcomed into the community and encouraged to partake in the festivities. 

Our next interaction was January 1991 when, sadly, Marcy, was saying Kaddish after recently losing her dad. Once again, a stranger to CBE, people came up and introduced themselves and embraced this new community member.

Once we had a family, Marcy joined Sisterhood so that we could attend Holiday PreSchool with our daughter, Hannah. We continued our journey with CBE by attending Holiday PreSchool with Ben.  

After joining CBE in 1996 our engagement with CBE slowly launched as we volunteered to be class parents, served on the school committee and helped around clean-up days.

Our involvement with CBE truly launched after being recruited to participate in CBE’s very first Purim Shpiel, initiated and directed by Leann Shamash. This wonderful community event led to us meeting many wonderful people; many of whom became lifelong friends. 

Since the first Shpiel we have been immersed in the CBE community through a variety of volunteer opportunities. 

Over the years, between the two of us, we have been active in Sisterhood and Brotherhood as well as other committees such as Operations, Chesed, School, Family Education, Auction, Social Action and Hospitality committees to name a few. 

Don is most proud of his involvement in facilitating the upgrade of the front of the building, resulting in a safe and attractive sidewalk and entrance. We are both proud of seeing the idea for the Faux Food Truck Festival (which we spearheaded with Barbara Frank Michaelsen) come to fruition. This festival was a true community effort, engaging all the various committees of the synagogue.

Currently, you will find Chef Don whipping up delectable treats for the monthly Brotherhood breakfasts and Marcy chairing the Hospitality committee, recruiting our Greeters, Zoom Hosts, and Oneg Hosts for Shabbat Services. We have both found that we get more out of volunteering and becoming involved than what we put in. Many friends and family have commented that they wished they had a community like ours.

We truly love our CBE family. 

When we moved to Acton in 1970, we joined Congregation Rodoff Shalom in Maynard. There were about 25 families in the congregation at that time, and a part-time rabbi held a Friday night service every other week. Our son was 11 months old, and we enjoyed the camaraderie of the Jewish families who lived in Acton and other surrounding towns.

As the congregation grew, we decided we needed a full-time leader. In 1976 we voted to hire Lewis Mintz, who was the chaplain at Wellesley and Bentley College, to become our leader. After a few years Lewis Mintz decided to attend rabbinical school with the encouragement of the congregation.

When our two sons were four and six we attended services regularly. We fondly remember that Lewis could remember what time it was by seeing our youngest son fall asleep about 8:00 pm. At one Friday night service a big black spider was seen walking back and forth on the wooden railing in front of the bimah. The kids were amused as their eyes followed the traveling spider. Lewis was perplexed not knowing why the kids were laughing until after the service.

During our time at Rodoff Shalom, Ken served as gabbai and religious chair for a few years

When the decision was made to build a new synagogue in Acton, we remember signing the original mortgage and wondered if we would be able to pay it off. As the congregation grew, we were able to burn the first synagogue mortgage.

While I did not go to Jewish summer camp, I have heard many campers and alumni share joyful memories from their time there. In starting to plan for CBE’s Camp Shabbat service in December, I asked a number of CBE teens and adults to share a joyful memory of Jewish summer camp with me. Here is what they had to say:

Connection and friendship for teen campers Ben, Leah (both Camp Young Judaea, NH), and Isabella (Camp Tel Noar, NH). These moments of connection can arise unexpectedly: Leah and Isabella both mentioned times when bad weather forced campers indoors and they just enjoyed hanging out with friends, listening to music or talking about life. Ben shared a memory of sitting around a beach campfire the last night of camp: “It was lots of fun because everyone was there and we were watching the sunset.”

Joy from competing with other camps or with other teams in Color War, giving them a sense of pride and a chance to take on meaningful leadership roles. Teen camper Finley (Camp Young Judaea, NH) was proud that his basketball team won the tournament over other nearby Jewish camps. Sharon Jelinsky (Camp Frank A. Day, MA) really enjoyed learning and competing in lots of different sports with other Jewish campers. Alexa Kushner (Camp Kingswood, ME) fondly recalled all the work she put in for a Nickelodeon-themed Color War, adding: “it was so much fun, and the team building and friendship forming that came out of it made it all worth it.” Emily Blumberg (Camp Akiba – Reeders, PA) remembers being Color War captain as a counselor, getting joy from the effort and honor of organizing the activities and cheering everyone on.

Prayer and Jewish identity outside a synagogue, sometimes in very special places. Evan Shechter (Camp Ramah – Berkshires, NY) remembers learning to put on tefillin for morning prayers, even on camping trips: “We would do it in the morning out on a mountain overlooking everything and it was so beautiful.” Amanda Abramovich (USY On Wheels) went on a 6-week bus trip around the US with 50 other Jewish kids and remembers the joy of praying together at unique places like the Grand Canyon and the Mall in Washington, DC. Teen camper Seth (Camp Young Judaea, NH) remembers the end of a camp trip to Israel, where they had a “beautiful sunset adventure where we set up a picnic and reflected on our trip through the Holy Land.”

Celebrating the start of Shabbat on Friday nights. Rabbi David (Emma Kaufmann Camp – Morgantown, WV, Camp Harlam – Poconos, PA, and staff at Akiba & Camp Ramah New England) remembers everyone wearing white and coming down to the beach to swim. Rabbi David’s children (Camp Eisner, MA), Naomi Anderson (Camp Yavneh, NH) and Lindsay Rosenman (Camp Young Judaea, NH) recalled the joy of spending Friday evenings with everyone gathered together after Shabbat dinner for music, song sessions, and Israeli dancing. As Lindsay said, there was “so much ruach!”

Thank you to everyone who shared their camp memories with me, and I hope you will join us to celebrate the Joyfully Jewish camp experience on Friday, December 6, for CBE’s Camp Shabbat.

The People of Chelm Want to Know...

QUESTION:  

It’s all in the name, and this is especially true for Jewish books. For example, we are quite familiar with the fact that “Torah” means teaching, or instruction in Hebrew. The common names of many other great Jewish works are also quite appropriate in the original Hebrew. Can you match the name of the work in the first column with a translation of its literal Hebrew meaning in the second column? 

Zohar – the major work on Jewish mysticism

Mishnah – the Law Code compiled about 200 CE

Ketuvim – the third division of the Bible

Siddur – a prayerbook for services

Talmud – the great dialogue of Jewish sages

Order

Study

Radiance

Repetition

Writings

Ponder your response – and find the answers below.

Lifecycle and Milestone Events in Our Community

B'nai Mitzvah:

A new baby:

Has your family celebrated a recent simcha or milestone? Send us up to 5 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?

Donations

The congregation thanks our members, their relatives and friends, and the larger community for recent donations to CBE. If you do not see your donation, please look for it in our next donations email, or contact communications@bethelohim.org. Note: The list that follows acknowledges two months of donations, instead of the usual one month. We will return to one-month lists next month.

Adult Education Fund

Jon & Wendy Linden / In honor of Waky, with thanks for all her help with Jon's recovery from knee surgery

Amy Naparstek Israel Scholarship Fund

David & Chips Naparstek / In honor of Bob Widman on the occasion of his very special birthday, given with love and best wishes

Leslie & Bill Schroeder / In memory of our daughter, Deanna Mary-Hope Schroeder

Cantoral Fund

Benjamin & Meghan Nelson / In honor of the Nelson B'nai Mitzvah

Leslie & Bill Schroeder / In memory of our daughter, Deanna Mary-Hope Schroeder

Capital Fund

Susan Welt / For the mold remediation project, to support a healthy indoor space and community

Chesed Fund

Eva & Howard Jakob / From Emily Blumberg's parents, with best wishes for a happy healthy and peaceful new year

Jon & Wendy Linden / In honor of Emily Blumberg and the CBE Chesed Committee for

all the wonderful meals and support during Jon's recovery from knee surgery

Lauren & George Morton / In memory of Iris Stutman

Risa & Chuck Brooks / In memory of Iris Stutman

Lauren & George Morton / In memory of Ruth Morton

Choir Fund

Roberta Torman / In honor of Jai Gluckman Thomas, with wishes for a happy birthday, and

In appreciation of all she does for her family and friends

Tina Torman / In honor of Jai Gluckman Thomas's birthday

Lauren & George Morton / In honor of Judy Kramer

General Fund

Mark & Linda Sagor / In appreciation of Rabbi David and our Choir, and in loving memory of our parents, Sylvia & Kenneth Davidson

Alana & Nathaniel Clements / In honor of Owen's Bar Mitzvah

Kathie & Bob Becker / In memory of Iris Stutman

Lois (Libby) & Steven Ellin / In memory of Iris Stutman

Lucy Miskin / In memory of Iris Stutman

Nancy Best / In memory of Iris Stutman

Polly & Gregg Ribatt / In memory of Iris Stutman

Ronni Kenger / In memory of Iris Stutman

Sheila Thaler / In memory of Iris Stutman

Michael Biales & Sarah Coletti / In memory of Karl Biales on his Yahrzeit

Shelley & Rick Green / In memory of Katrina Fowler, Kathie Becker's sister

David & Gena Manalan / In memory of Marty Hirsch

Ronni Kenger / In memory of Ronni's parents, Jerome & Stella Saks, and her son, Adam Kenger

Rabbi Sion David & Helaine David / L'shanah Tovah Nikatev! With our very best wishes for a Happy New Year to the Congregation Beth Elohim family, and in honor of our son Rabbi Braham David

Jaymi & Joe Formaggio / To help support the Community Rosh Hashanah Luncheon

High Holiday Appeal

Richard & Nancy Housman / As a Joyful Gift

Lauren & George Morton / In gratitude to our co-presidents and Rabbi David

Karen Coll / In memory of Zolman and Ruth Helfand

Dan & Shelley Klein / With thanks to Rabbi David, Cantor Sarra, the choir, and all who made our High Holiday services meaningful and inspiring

Alan & Peggy Berko

Chuck & Lauren Pollak

David & Sari Kelly

Gary Mauser & Barbara Mokler

Jon & Wendy Linden

Joseph & Rosalie Oliveri

Ken & Jessie Klein

Leslie & Andrew Knight

Mara & Jonathan Epstein

Mark & Elaine Kahan

Matt Liebman & Amy Michelson

Michael & Emily Blumberg

Michael Biales & Sarah Coletti

Robert Grappel & Lynda Cohen

Stacey & Matthew Briggs

Susan & Andrew Gruskay

Iris & Gerson Stutman Memorial Beautification Fund

Carole & Bruce Smith / In honor of Iris Stutman / Mom

Denis & Linda Friedman / In loving memory of Iris Lefko Stutman from her dear friends

Bob & Deena Ferrara / In memory of Gerson's beloved wife, Iris Stutman

Arlene & Alan Weiss / In memory of Iris Stutman

Chips & David Naparstek / In memory of Iris Stutman

Dan & Shelley Klein / In memory of Iris Stutman

David & Gena Manalan / In memory of Iris Stutman

John Groustra / In memory of Iris Stutman

Adrian & Vicki Tribick / in memory of Iris Stutman, given with love

Joan Snyder Library Fund

Lynne Snyder and Stephen Garber / In memory of Joan Snyder

Na'aseh Social Justice Fund

Barbara Bender / In memory of Marty and Jo-Ellen Hirsch. May their memories be for a blessing.

Karen Levy

Rabbi Lewis Mintz Fund

Dan & Shelley Klein / In memory of Grandpa Louis Berkwitts

Shelley & Dan Klein / In memory of Marty Hirsch

Leslie & Bill Schroeder / In memory of our daughter, Deanna Mary-Hope Schroeder

Paul Linet / In memory of Sanford Linet, Paul Linet's father, on the occasion of his Yahrzeit

Rabbi's Discretionary Fund

Carole & Bruce Smith / In honor of Iris Stutman / Mom

Benjamin & Meghan Nelson / In honor of Nelson B'nai Mitzvah

Leslie & Bill Schroeder / In memory of our daughter, Deanna Mary-Hope Schroeder

Religious School Fund

Leslie & Bill Schroeder / In appreciation for all the donations and support as we mourn our daughter, Deanna Mary-Hope Schroeder

David & Gena Manalan / In honor of Linda Friedman's education service

Scientists in the Synagogue Event

Joe & Jaymi Formaggio

Yahrzeit Plaque

William & Leslie Schroeder / In memory of Deanna Schroeder

The People of Chelm Want to Know...

Resources

CBE's Chesed Committee | Contact us in a time of need

18 Doors (formerly InterfaithFamily of Greater Boston)

Anti-Defamation League incident reporting

CJP (Combined Jewish Philanthropies)

CJP SeniorDirect

Coalition on the Environment and Jewish Life

Hadassah of Nashoba Valley Facebook

Hebrew College events

Jewish Bereavement Support Group

JewishBoston.com

Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Boston

Jewish Family Service of Metrowest

Keshet | A national organization that works for full LGBTQ equality and inclusion in Jewish life

Mayyim Hayyim | Living Waters Community Mikveh

Oneinforty.org | BRCA awareness, education, and support

Yad Chessed | Emergency financial assistance to Jewish individuals and families in need

Yerusha.com | A Website for Older Childless Jews

Visit the Resources page on our website for our complete resource list.

Feedback/get in touch with us!