October 2013
Tishrei / Cheshvan 5774
The newsletter of Beth El Synagogue
 Durham’s first synagogue 
FROM OUR RABBI:
An Annual Report
from the Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund
October 2013/ 5774
Of all the ways that our community gives to ‫צדקה‬
(tzedakah / charity), that we support the Jewish
community and Beth El, I am honored that so many of
you choose to fulfill the mitzvah of giving through a gift
to the rabbi’s discretionary fund. People make gifts for
a variety of reasons – in appreciation for lifecycle
ceremonies or meaningful services on the High Holidays
or Shabbat, to support our bar/bat mitzvah tutoring
program, or just as one of the many ways to help
strengthen Jewish life. As a new Jewish year begins, I
want to take a moment to let you know a few of the ways
that your support helps me to further the goals of our
community as a source of compassion for the world around
us and as a place where we strengthen Jewish community
for ourselves and future generations.
Through your generosity, gifts from the rabbi’s
discretionary fund have helped:
 care for people in our community who are struggling
to make ends meet in the wake of a difficult economy
 provide hunger and poverty relief in Durham and
Chapel Hill
 strengthen a pluralistic approach to Judaism in Israel
 make available low cost health equipment to Israel’s
needy
 support our teen b’nei mitzvah tutoring program,
including making available funds to provide extra
tutoring for students with special needs
 provide support for ceremonies and study materials
for conversion candidates, so that finances don’t stand
in the way of somebody joining the Jewish people
 fund scholarships for Jewish summer camps and
continuing engagement programs for children and
young adults
 encourage community-wide Jewish cultural
programming and community observances
 support my ongoing rabbinic learning and special
synagogue projects of my choosing
This is a sampling of the kinds of things we’ve achieved
together. For me, the rabbi’s discretionary fund is a sacred
trust. While discretion is critical, so too is transparency
so that our community can have confidence that we
uphold the highest ethical standards. At my request, the
fund is reviewed annually by an anonymous member of
the congregation.
As the intensity of the holiday season fades and a new
Jewish year begins, thank you again for the ‫ צדקה‬you
give to our larger community, to Beth El, and to the
rabbi’s discretionary fund. However we give, may we
always remember that it is what we give away that
remains with us forever, for through our generosity we
create a better world. Rabbi Judah Bar Ilai taught, “Great
is charity for it brings near the redemption” (Baba Batra
10a). ‫ כן יהי רצון‬Amen.
--- Rabbi Daniel Greyber
Inside this issue:
Committee Contacts…………………………...….....2
Gabbaim Schedule…………………………………....2
From Our President…………………………………..3
Naches…………………………………………...…….4
Sh’mini Atzeret/Simchat Torah 5774…………...…..4
Social Action………………………………….………..6
Sisterhood……………………………………..……….7
Shabbat Meal Hosts/Sponsors……………..………...8
B’nei Mitzvah invitations…………………………...10
Meet our B’not Mitzvah ……….………………..….11
Youth & Talmud Torah News…….………..…...12-14
August Contributions………..…………....…….......16
Yahrzeit Reminders…………..……............…….…18
Letter from Valhalla………...………......…….........25
October & November Calendars…………........27-28
Community Connections………………………..….29
1
The Beth El Bulletin is the newsletter
of Beth El Congregation. We appreciate
any feedback and input. Non-members may
request to join our mailing list for a $25 yearly
contribution to help cover printing & mailing
costs. Bulletins are also archived online three
months at a time. The online version has
some contact information omitted for the
privacy of our members.
Rabbi
Rabbi Daniel Greyber
President
Barak Richman
First Vice President
Rachel Galanter
Second Vice President
Noah Pickus
Interim Exec. Director
Ivy Wingate
Education & Youth Director
Elisabeth Albert
Cong. Services Coordinator
Rachel Albert
Publicity Assistant
Krisha Miller
Rabbi Emeritus
Rabbi Steve Sager
Bulletin Advertising Manager
Gladys Siegel
Bulletin Deadline
November Bulletin:
Tuesday, October 1
Please submit items to
krisha@betheldurham.org
Do you have news to share with your
Beth El Community?
Graduation? Award received?
Birth of a child or grandchild?
Send notices to krisha@betheldurham.org
and we’ll let everyone know by posting it in the bulletin.
YAHRZEITS: To arrange a yahrzeit minyan, please call
Gabbai Rotation
the synagogue office (919-682-1238) at least one
month in advance. To receive notification of a yahrzeit
or to list a yahrzeit in the bulletin, call the synagogue
office (682-1238).
Please contact if you'd like to
request an aliyah or help lead services.
Please do not call on Shabbat or other holidays.
DO YOU HAVE AN ITEM FOR THE BETH EL BULLETIN?
All items for the bulletin MUST be submitted
by e-mail to Krisha Miller at krisha@betheldurham.org.
The FINAL DEADLINE for items for the upcoming
bulletin is the 1st workday of the preceding month.
THANK YOU.
10/5
Noah/RHHeshvan
David Rubin
10/12 Lekh Lekha
Anne Derby
10/19 Vayera
Diane Markoff
10/26 Hayyei Sarah
Sally Laliberte
COMMITTEE CONTACTS:
Finance
Maxine Stern
Lifelong Learning
Sheva Zucker
11/02 Toledot/MacharChod Shula Bernard
Membership
Andrea Ginsberg
Orthodox Kehillah
Sheldon Hayer
Ritual
11/09 Vayetze
David Rubin
11/16 Vayishlah
Bernie Fischer
11/23 Vayeshev
Sally Laliberte
11/30 Miketz Chanukkah
Anne Derby
Laura Lieber
Social Action
Debbie Goldstein
Va’ad haChinuch
Eric Lipp
Community of Caring
Rhoda Silver
The Gabbaim schedule is also available online at:
www.betheldurham.org/rituallife/gabbirotation.html
CHEVRA KADISHA (BURIAL SOCIETY)
Contact David Klapper
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October 2013 / Beth El Bulletin
FROM OUR PRESIDENT:
Barak Richman’s Kol Nidre Address
September 13, 2013
Rabbi Greyber, Cantor Meyers, Rabbi Sager, Past Presidents,
and fellow congregants. It is a great honor to address you tonight.
I mention this honor – the honor of addressing you – not merely as
a formality, but as something that to me has deep significance.
Last Kol Nidrei, in speaking of the timelessness of High Holidays,
I described of how the contemplative service can connect us across
time, how we hear echoes of past Yom Kippurs, and how we see
imaginings of future ones. In that spirit, I am deeply aware of
the echoes we hear in this building – echoes from our Jewish
predecessors in Durham & Chapel Hill and echoes from my
predecessors, our former presidents, many of whom continue to
contribute to Beth El’s vitality and many of whom have passed but
have left memories, lessons, and legacies that we carry with us.
And of course, I am also deeply aware of the congregations
that lie ahead in Beth El’s future.
The echoes of Beth El’s past are especially salient for me
because of the remarkable exhibit, “Beth El Synagogue – the First
125 years,” created by one of our members, Karin Shapiro. I found
that exhibit deeply inspiring, and I found the history of Durham’s
Jews deeply inspiring. Beth El (originally named the Durham
Hebrew Congregation) was founded in 1884 as a virtual congregation – it’s only property was land for a cemetery – and for its
first 20 years it held services on the 2nd floor of a shop on Main
Street. High Holiday services were held at Durham’s Academy
of Music, a majestic downtown building that was home to the
city’s performing arts. Approximately 40 people constituted the
Jewish community then, mostly merchants who came to Durham
to establish retail stores. Though many were born in Europe,
most came directly from Baltimore, Norfolk, and other towns from
farther north, bringing commercial networks that supplied goods
for sale and the financing required to start a new life in a very new
place.
Our predecessors – our ancestors – enjoyed commercial
success as Durham’s tobacco industry grew. In 1905, the Durham
Hebrew Congregation purchased a church and had its first building
dedicated as a synagogue. At the time, there were over 200 Jews
in Durham, representing 3% of Durham’s total population. Our
community grew with the region’s economy, and our demographics
changed as Durham transitioned from an industrial to a service
economy – from a tobacco town to the City of Medicine. But
even through today, we have never comprised a greater percent
of Durham’s population as we did when we dedicated our first
synagogue. There was a Jewish community at Durham’s earliest
beginnings, and their history is Durham’s history.
These are our founders, our ancestors, our pioneers, and
they are among the voices we hear this evening. And we hear
them because much of their Jewish experience has shaped ours,
and because so much of their experience was shaped by living here,
in the South, like us. Leonard Rogoff, a historian at the Jewish
Heritage Foundation of North Carolina, has said that Jews offer “a
counter history to the southern narrative.” Southerners are firmly
rooted to place, with agrarian traditions and a territorial identity. In
contrast, Jews are the wandering people, who – in their continued
migration from ancient Israel – have dispersed worldwide seeking
opportunities and starting new enclaves. Our ancestors who
wandered to Durham were the quintessential strangers in a strange
land, bringing a history and a tradition that was deeply incongruous
with their southern neighbors.
Nonetheless, the South proved to be a fertile home. First,
being such a distinct minority had some upsides. It encouraged our
ancestors to forge intensely close bonds with one another. Vacation
days were spent traveling long distances to spend time with family,
to reconnect with close friends, and to develop relationships with
fellow Jews in other small towns. Moreover, the South was a
supportive base. A widely-cited survey, taken in 1936 and again in
1946, revealed that, contrary to many stereotypes, the South – and
especially small towns in the South – was among America’s least
anti-Semitic regions. There is a deep appreciation in the South for
religiosity, for religious commitments and communities defined
by faith, and our ancestors found their neighbors to be largely
appreciative and deeply respectful.
I suspect that most of those in this room – I suspect most
by far – are themselves immigrants to Durham. Nonetheless, we
partake in a community that inherits this history. We can see
how the profile and contours of our current community have been
chiseled by that history, and forged by our ancestors’ experience.
We, like them, understand what it means to be a distinct
minority. To be sure, today’s Durham is not pre-war Durham.
But we have a keen sense of how they felt on Sundays, traveling
long distances over North Carolina’s rural roads, to see their fellow
landsmen; the comforting cloak of familiarity they would feel
when, after the tiresome travel, after a week of persisting as a
minority, they would delight in being together.
We also, more so than our counterparts in large metropolitan
areas, have a communal loyalty, a sense – perhaps a provincial
sense – of collective identity. For example, we know the joy – in
fact, we might still feel the joy – that our community felt when
Mutt Evans was first elected Mayor of Durham in 1950 (Mutt’s
campaign posters, listing his greatest achievements, included
“President – Beth El Synagogue”) . His son, Eli, wrote that shortly
after the radio announcer gave the final results in the mayor’s race
at 6,961 to 5,916, his mother instantly started preparing food for the
friends who were certain to stop by. Sure enough, Eli writes,
“suddenly the door burst open and a gang of people from the Jewish
community came thundering through, strait from an election night
party at Hannah Hockfield’s. Fifty or sixty strong, buzzing with
excitement, kissing me and messing my hair, roaring through the
(Continued on page 24)
Durham Jewish History Program
Did you miss the Durham Jewish history program
this summer at the downtown library?
Video footage from the event is now available online:
http://vimeo.com/72811615
This link, as well more information on Beth El’s history,
is available on our website:
www.betheldurham.org/synagogue/history.html
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Please welcome our newest members:
 Allan & Julie Fishkin & their children
Miranda & Jack Fishkin
 David Donahue & Cheryl Berkes
& their son Joshua Donahue
 Daniel Reichman
 Steven Goodman & Julie Shermak
& their daughter Gabriella Goodman
 to Michael Wohl (son of Darren Wohl
& Sigal Peter-Wohl) on winning 2 silver
medals as a member of the U.S. swim team
at this summer’s 19th Maccabiah Games in
Israel! More at: http://bit.ly/Wohlmacc
 Jackie Cohen & Nathan Nussbaum
& their daughter Eden Nussbaum
 to Daniel Lunk & Jessie Zaleon
on their wedding, September 1, 2013!
 Rafael & Ashlyn Goldberg
& their son Julian Goldberg
 to Daphne Friedman, Josh & Yair Granek
on the birth of their son/brother Nadav
Moshe Granek on September 6th, 2013!
 Stanley & Dorothy Ramati
 Murray Stollwerk
 Katie Schwartz
 Theo Luebke & his daughter
Adele Derello-Luebke
 Kenny Levine & Bryce Reynolds & their
children Samuel & Adam Reynolds-Levine
Conclusion of Fall Holidays
Sukkot VII (CH'M) /HoShannah Rabba Wednesday, 9/25
Morning Services, Main Sanctuary: 7:45 a.m.
No Talmud Torah
Erev Sh 'mini Atzeret Wednesday, 9/25
Community Dinner & Program Honoring our Chevra Kadisha:
6:30 p.m. (advance reservations were required for dinner.)
Sh 'mini Atzeret (includes Yizkor Service) Thursday, 9/26
Office Closed
Main Sanctuary: 9:00 a.m. / Orthodox Kehillah: 9:00 a.m.
Childcare avail. (ages 2-7 classroom #3, lower level main building)
Erev Simchat Torah Thursday, 9/26
Office Closed
Main Sanctuary: 7:00 p.m. / Orthodox Kehillah: TBD
Children & adults are invited to help us with a new feature to the
service in the Main Sanctuary—a live illumination/
illustration/animation of the Bereshit reading!
Simchat Torah Friday, 9/27
Office Closed
Main Sanctuary: 9:00 a.m. / Orthodox Kehillah: TBD
Childcare avail. (ages 2-7 classroom #3, lower level main building)
Candlelighting: 6:48 p.m.
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What's Not To Like?
October 6, 2013, 3:00pm
Beth El's 4th Annual Yiddish Songfest
to Benefit Urban Ministries of Durham.
Local singers and musicians will present treasures from
the rich Yiddish repertoire, including lively folk tunes,
haunting lullabies, love ballads, and much more. Add tasty
refreshments, and there is something for everyone to enjoy.
Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 at the door; children under
13 admitted free. All proceeds go to Urban Ministries of
Durham. For information or tickets, call (919) 682-7468
or email yiddishsongfest@aol.com.
Check us out on Facebook:
www.facebook.com/events/591968337516287/
Shabbat Guest Speaker
October 12, 2013
Moshe Rosman presents:
"What Period of Jewish History
Are We Living In?"
1:00pm in the Beth El library (after Kiddush lunch)
Moshe Rosman is professor of Jewish history at Bar Ilan
University in Israel. A specialist in the history of the Jews
in Poland, his books have won prizes in the USA, Israel and
Poland. His latest publication is a newly revised edition of his
book, Founder of Hasidism: A Quest for the Historical Ba'al
Shem Tov. Prof. Rosman's Shabbat visit is in conjunction
with his time as a visiting scholar at UNC-CH.
October 2013 / Beth El Bulletin
Lifelong Learning
www.betheldurham.org/adulted/courses.html
Shabbat Mishnah Study
Saturday Mornings at 8:45am in the Freedman Center
Feel free to attend at anytime! Join Rabbis Sager and
Greyber for coffee and discussions on text from the
Mishnah. People new to Mishnah study are especially
welcome.
Healing Yoga
Gentle Movement, Meditation, Relaxation
10:00–11:00am in the Freedman Center
• October 12 • November 16
• December 14
Who Should Come?
• Anyone who is looking for healthy ways to relieve the
physical and mental stresses of illness – yours or that of a
family member
• Those who are grieving
• Those with and without yoga experience (mats/props are
available for your use)
Wednesday Morning Text Study
Services start at 8:00am on most Wednesdays & usually last
about 45 minutes. Afterward, those who can stay, gather in
the social hall for coffee, treats, & a weekly study led by
Rabbi Greyber or other members. All are welcome.
Adult Hebrew Classes
8 fall sessions beginning October 13
Intermediate/Advanced Biblical Hebrew
Sunday mornings 9:15 -11AM This class will continue with
learning grammar and vocabulary through reading of Biblical
Hebrew texts. This is an ongoing class; students with prior
knowledge in reading Hebrew and grammar are welcome to
join.
Elementary Modern Hebrew
Sunday mornings 11 A.M. - 12:30PM This class is for those
with little or no background in Hebrew. Learn to read, write,
speak and understand the modern language.
Costs for either class: $96 for Beth El members;
$120 for others.
Both courses taught by Roger Kaplan who holds a Ph.D in
Hebrew Linguistics. He has taught Hebrew at Duke, Ohio
State University and in the Durham/Chapel Hill community
for many years.
Jewish Literature - Isaac Bashevis Singer
Saturdays after Kiddush
October 26, November 2, 9 and 16
I. B. Singer is one of the greatest Jewish writers of all time
and the only Yiddish writer to win a Nobel Prize (1978).
Many of his stories depict a world that is no longer here yet
he does so in a profoundly modern way. We shall look at a
mix of memoir and short stories. Please let the Sheva know
if you plan to take the course so we can order materials:
sczucker@aol.com
Cost: $20 for Beth El members. $35 for others. Minimum 5
students.
Instructor: Sheva Zucker, author of two Yiddish textbooks
which are widely used in adult and university classes
throughout the world. She has taught Yiddish language and
literature on five continents, and she is the editor of the
periodical Afn Shvel.
Benefits of Healing Yoga:
• Helps the recovery process; addresses fatigue, soreness,
stiffness, anxiety, and depression; deals with balance, bone
loss, immunity, and flexibility; brings peace of mind.
Participants should wear comfortable clothing.
After the class, all are welcome to join the Beth El worship
service and /or Kiddush lunch.
With generous support, Beth El has raised the funds to purchase
yoga mats, straps, foam blocks, blankets, bolsters, and eye bags.
These props help participants feel comfortable as they sit, move,
and meditate. Please join us, or if you know someone who might
benefit from healing yoga, consider coming as a buddy.
For additional information about the class, contact Margie
Satinsky, RYT, 919 383-5998 or msatinsky@nc.rr.com
Knitting Chevra
10:00am-11:30am in the Beth El Library
October 13
November 10
December 15
January 12
February 9
March 9
April 13
Meets on the second Sunday of each month from October
through April in the Beth El library from 10 to 11:30. We
welcome new members of all knitting levels. Our project
for 2013-2014 will be knitting hats and scarves for people
currently homeless. These will be distributed through the
Chapel Hill Police Department. Susan Leeb suggested this
project after discovering this need through her participation
in D-CH Jewish Federation’s Mitzvah Day last year.
We are also continuing our year-round clothing drive. We
collect quality used clothing for A Second Bloom, a second
hand clothing store owned and operated by the Family
Violence and Rape Crisis Center (based in Chatham County,
but serves people through-out the Triangle.) We accept
clothing of all sizes for men, women, babies and teens.
For further information, to get a hat pattern or to
donate clothing contact Hunter Levinsohn at
hlevinsohn@nc.rr.com, 919.929.6728.
5
Social Action at Beth El
Fulfill the mitzvot of G’milut Chasadim (acts of
loving-kindness) & Tikkun Olam (repairing the world)
by participating in Social Action at Beth El. This year
there will be more opportunities than ever to get involved!
* In keeping with Laura Quigley’s ongoing food drive
& special challenges over the past decade, we are partnering
with other committees to increase our capacity to provide
much-needed food for distribution to individuals & non-profit
organizations. Please continue to drop off non-perishable
items at Beth El.
* “Fill a Bag” – On September 22nd, during the Sukkot
Celebration, the Social Action Committee and the MoB
(Men of Beth El) partnered to help the congregation pack
bags of food with ready-to-eat items & pantry staples for
people who come to Beth El in search of assistance.
* Social Action Sunday: Social Action at Beth El
going forward – October 6th, 10:30am-noon. This will be
the first of these bi-monthly Sunday morning gatherings,
open to the congregation, where we will make decisions
regarding social action activities. Please plan to stop by
and take part in determining how we should proceed as a
community. A bagel nosh will be provided.
Mark your calendars for these future Social Action
Sundays, 10:30am – noon in the Main Sanctuary:
Dec. 8th (Community Panel), Feb. 9th & April 13.
* See page 4 for information on “What’s Not to Like”
– the Yiddish Songfest benefitting Urban Ministries of
Durham, on October 6th at Beth El.
David Rubin & Sharon Halperin cooking lunch
at the Chapel Hill Shelter.
See page 29 or check out our Social Action page online
for opportunities you can help in the community!
www.betheldurham.org/socialaction/programs.html
“Fill a Bag” Sukkot Project
https://picasaweb.google.com/synagogue.bethel/Sukkot13
Food & Toiletry Drives
More activities in the community:
*On Sept. 22, Pam Silberman spoke at the on The New
Federal Affordable Healthcare Act. Outreach was made to
the broader community to increase understanding on what
the new bill means to us individually.
*Voters’ Rights Café at Beth Meyer Synagogue in
Raleigh: What’s Jewish about Voting Rights?” September
30th. The panel includes Beth El’s own Leslie Winner
helping to increase understanding of getting out the vote for
the upcoming election.
*Beth El will partner with Judea Reform and Carolina
Jews for Justice to hold a second café including a text study
furthering the conversation about Jewish approaches to
democratic expression. Details will be published soon.
Questions? Ideas?
Please contact Debbie Goldstein (goldebbie@gmail.com)
or Jacki Resnick, (jacki_resnick@unc.edu).
6
Remember: our food & toiletry drives
are year-round!
Almost everyday, people come to Beth El in need of food.
Your donations are much appreciated!
Examples of wanted items
(Food need to be non-perishable and in non-glass containers.):
Pasta
Canned soups (low sodium)
Canned vegetables (low sodium)
100% fruit juice (pouches or boxes)
Raisins or other dried fruit
Granola Bars
Pudding Cups
Animal/Graham Crackers
Trail Mix
Peanut butter (plastic jars)
Canned tuna, chicken or salmon
Beans, peas & lentils (cans or dry)
Canned fruits ( in 100% juice)
Rice
Oatmeal or other hot & cold cereals
Macaroni and cheese
Popcorn
"A double-mitzvah": Link your Harris Teeter VIC card
to our school (5883) and earn money for the Talmud
Torah while helping others in need. VIC cards need to
be re-linked each school year & can be linked to more than
one school. See page 12 for instructions.
October 2013 / Beth El Bulletin
Dear Beth El Sisters,
You are cordially invited to our annual Beth El
Sisterhood Welcome Brunch on Sunday October 13th
from 10:30-1:30 PM. Leslie Winner has graciously offered
her home in Durham for this lovely occasion. Leslie lives at
1005 Gloria Avenue. You are welcome to park on the
street, but you might prefer carpooling from Beth El's
parking lot, 5-6 blocks away.
The Sisterhood Brunch is an opportunity for the Board
to thank you for joining, renewing your membership and
taking part in our yearly programs. Not part of Sisterhood
yet? Prospective members are strongly encouraged to
attend. Come and enjoy a relaxing morning of treats and
conversation with friends old and new. This is one of our
highest attended and most anticipated annual events and we
truly hope to see you there.
Warmly,
The Sisterhood Board
2013/2014 Programming Schedule
Sunday, October 13th: Sisterhood Welcome Brunch
at Leslie Winner’s house — See letter above for details.
Join us for a delicious brunch and to schmooze with old
and new friends. This is one of the best attended, fun and
delicious Sisterhood programs. We ask that you pay your
dues either on or before this program so that we can budget
for upcoming programs.
Sunday, November 17th: Chanukah Bazaar
Benefits the Talmud Torah Religious School
Location: Social Hall, Sanctuary, Lobby / Time: 9-1:00PM
This fun celebration of Chanukah features the Watts Street
Band, Men of Oil’s delicious latkes and the opportunity to
buy all your Chanukah gift and ritual needs.
Thursday, January 16th: Zumba Class with
Pilar Rocha-Goldberg
Location: Social Hall / Time: 7-8:30PM
Pilar will teach us to move with her Zumba groove!
Everyone is welcome to join us for this fun program.
Bring a friend or your favorite cutie pie.
Sunday, March 2nd: Rosh Chodesh Adar
with Elyza Richmon Halev & Rachel Bearman
Location: Social Hall / Time: 7:00-9:00PM
Join Elyza and Rachel for a mask making project while we
discuss and learn about Rosh Chodesh and what it means
to us. We’ll be able to use these beautiful creations during
Purim!
Sunday, March 16th: Hamentaschen Pick-up
at the Purim Carnival
Location: Freedman Center / Time: 11-1PM
This spring fundraiser benefits the Talmud Torah
Religious School. Our delicious kosher parve
Hamentaschen cookies are made in the Beth El kitchen.
We sell out every year, so plan to preorder your
hamentaschen in January.
Thursday, April 3rd: Movie Night (Movie: TBD)
Location: Beth El Lobby & Library / Time: 6-9:30PM
After the success of our first movie night we knew we
wanted to repeat this program.
Friday, May 9th: Shabbat Services & Oneg
Location: Sanctuary, Social Hall / Time: 7:30PM
Join us for Shabbat. Everyone is welcome.
Sisterhood Gift Shop
Sunday, Nov 24th: JCC Chanukah Bazaar
Sisterhood will sell its Judaica to support the Talmud
Torah Religious School. If you miss the Beth El
Chanukah Bazaar, you can visit our booth at the JCC.
Wednesday, Dec 11th: Speaker’s Night featuring
Leslie Winner
Location: Sanctuary / Time: 7-9:00PM
Leslie, one of our Sisterhood members, served in the NC
Senate! Join us for this rare glimpse into our state’s political
world. Leslie Winner will speak about her experiences
being a woman, being Jewish, and being a lawyer in the
State Senate.
Check out summer clearance items and all our new
merchandise: yadayim, mezzuzot, jewelry, tallitot,
candles, & more! Open during office hours,
select special events, & by appointment.
If you are interested in shopping outside of office hours,
in helping staff the Gift Shop or with shop related projects,
please contact GiftShop@betheldurham.org.
7
Israel Community Experience
February 16-26, 2014
Led by Rabbi Daniel Greyber
Beth El and the Israel Center of the Durham-Chapel Hill Jewish Federation are sponsoring an Israel mission in February,
2014. We invite everyone to join our Living and Learning Community, led by Rabbi Daniel Greyber. Upon arrival, we
travel to the Negev and our base at the Ramon Inn & Spa at the edge of the Ramon Crater (Israel’s Grand Canyon). We
explore Israeli agriculture, renewable technology, a contemporary approach to Succah living, and an open-air Bedouin
market; perform mitzvot in innovative ways; challenge ourselves physically and spiritually; explore culinary passions; and
learn about modern approaches to dessert pioneering. Then, we head north to Jerusalem and Tel Aviv to engage multiple
perspectives of Israeli learning and living, studying ancient and modern social issues with leading rabbis and diverse
scholars. This trip is perfect for those returning to Israel for a new perspective or for adults looking for a first experience
in a supportive group. We will create new friendships and deepen our relationships with Israel.
For more information, to see the itinerary, and complete an application, please see:
http://bit.ly/BE-IC2-14 Brochures are also available in the synagogue lobby.
For any questions, contact Adam and Beth Goldstein at aog@med.unc.edu or 919-929-2086.
Shabbat Meal Hosts and Sponsors
October 5 Kiddush hosted by Nathan & Rachel Bearman in
honor of their daughter Noa becoming a Bat Mitzvah
October 12 Kiddush hosted by Toby DeWitt & Rosalyn Carson-DeWitt in honor of their daughter Zosia becoming a Bat
Mitzvah
October 19 Kiddush hosted by Geoffrey & Caitlin Pitt in
honor of their daughter Rachel becoming a Bat Mitzvah
October 26 Kiddush hosted by:
Eileen Abramson in honor of her mother May Segal’s
100th birthday
Al & Sarah Mendlovitz
Ruth Riddle
Steve & Susan Rosefielde
Judith Snyderman
Jim Wells
November 2 Kiddush hosted by
Itzik Lebovich and Celia Schreiber in honor of their
son, Yuval, becoming a Bar Mitzvah
Michael & Miriam Oren in honor of the Lebovich/
Schreiber Family's simcha
November 9 Shabbat 25 Kiddush hosted by Steve & Joyce
Berman in honor of the Auf Ruf of their son, Neil Berman,
and his fiancée, Rachel Werner
8
November 9 Shabbat 25 Seudah Sh'lishit hosted by:
Shelah Bloom
Tom Keyserling & Alice Ammerman
Scott & Randi Smith
November 16 Kiddush hosted by:
Arthur Axelbank & Susi Lieff
David Bronstein & Carla Fenson
Susan Morris
Marty & Meg Pomerantz
Roy Schonberg & Cheryl Marcus
Ronald Strauss & Sue Slatkoff
Charles van der Horst & Laura Svetkey
November 23 Synaplex Shabbat Kiddush
hosted in honor of Lerner School students by:
Jon Bellman & Pamela Mund
Gabriel Liberty & Perri Shalom-Liberty
Jonathan Lovins & Florence Briones
Ram Miller & Gili Bethlehem
Noah Pickus & Trudi Abel
Eric & Tal Lewin Wittle
November 30 Chanukkah IV Kiddush sponsored by:
Daniel & Helen Egger
David & Carrie Goldman
Steve & Gail Grossman
Eric Meyer & Erica Brody
Gordon & Faye Davis Rapp
Robert & Deborah Rosenstein
October 2013 / Beth El Bulletin
Building & Grounds
You oughta be in pictures…
The Working Group for Building & Grounds
empowered by Beth El's Strategic Plan came together
for its first meeting at the end of July. The Working Group
is comprised of 12 Beth El congregants representing many
constituencies within our synagogue who bring a wide
range of expertise. The members are: Nathan Bearman,
Meytal Barak, Sandy Berman, Rabbi Daniel Greyber,
David Klapper, Kevin Leibel, Eric Meyers, Alexis Poss,
Caitlin Pitt, Jennifer Resnick, Board President Barak
Richman, Orit Ramler Szulik, and Norman Weiner. Ilana
Saraf serves as Chair.
The goal of the first meeting was to broadly discuss
the charge of the Group and propose a set of objectives to
form a first phase of our work. It was determined that a
facilities assessment will be undertaken immediately.
Results of the assessment, and the outline of an information
gathering and communications plan, will be shared with
Beth El members at the October Congregational Meeting
(Oct. 27, 11:30am).
If you have questions or comments for the Working
Group, please contact Ilana Saraf (ilanasaraf@nc.rr.com),
Nathan Bearman (nathan@furniturelab.com) or Caitlin Pitt
(caitlinpitt1@gmail.com).
Summer is over, and a great new
programming year has begun at Beth El!
Check out some of the fun we’ve already had!
Save the Date!
Congregational Meeting
Oct. 27, 11:30pm
Beth El Main Sanctuary
Shul at the Pool:
http://bit.ly/shul-pool
Family Fun Day:
http://bit.ly/BE-FFD13
First Day of Talmud Torah:
http://bit.ly/BETT5774
The Community of Caring
We are here for YOU!
For anyone in need of a meal due to
illness, surgery, grief or other special circumstances.
For anyone who needs a ride to/from a doctor's appointment,
to the hospital or nursing home
so you can visit a friend or loved one.
For anyone who would like a friendly visitor
to see you at home or in the facility where you live.
And for anyone who would like to be a part of this
wonderful organization by participating in any of the above.
Beth El Art Gallery
On display through December 4, 2013:
Early 20th Century Photographs of Palestine
by Elia Kahvedjian,
Survivor of the Armenian Holocaust.
Collection and Comments of Rabbi Steven Sager.
If you are interested in exhibiting your art work at Beth El,
please contact Susan Rosefielde (srosefielde@nc.rr.com).
Professionals, students and hobby artists are welcome.
Please call or email Rhoda Silver at:
919-688-0077 / Rhoda.Silver@gmail.com
Interested in reading the Haftarah or Torah
during an upcoming Shabbat service?
Congregants who do this regularly/semi-regularly/
every-once-in-awhile are greatly appreciated! Even if
you've never chanted a Haftarah, if it's been a long
time, or you have thought it would be a meaningful
way to commemorate an occasion, you like the sound
of the trope, or you would just like to learn this as a
new skill, please contact Randi Smith rbsmith.521@gmail.com.
If you would like to read a Torah portion, please
contact Jeff Derby - jhderby@us.ibm.com
9
Please join with us as our daughter
Noa Jordana
‫נועה ירדנה‬
is called to the Torah
as a Bat Mitzvah
Shabbat Noach
October 4-5, 2013
Kiddush lunch
following Saturday services
‫חֲ י ָא ֶ ֶ֣חמֶ ד‬
IS CALLED TO THE TORAH
AS A BAT MITZVAH
SHABBAT LECH-LECHA
11 & 12 OCTOBER 2013
8 CHESHVAN 5774
WE HOPE THAT YOU WILL
JOIN US AFTER THE
SATURDAY SERVICE AT
A KIDDUSH LUNCHEON
IN ZOSIA’S HONOR
WE LOOK FORWARD TO
CELEBRATING WITH YOU
Rachel & Nathan Bearman
TOBY, ROSALYN, ANNA, EMMA, ISABELLE,
& ZOSIA CARSON DEWITT
AND HERBERT CARSON
Please join our family and friends
as we celebrate
Please share our joy
as we celebrate
Rachel Lillian
Yuval Michael
becoming a Bat Mitzvah
Shabbat Vayera
October 18 - 19, 2013
15 Cheshvan 5774
Kiddush luncheon following
Saturday services
Caitlin and Geoffrey Pitt
10
PLEASE JOIN US AS OUR BELOVED
ZOSIA (SOPHIE)
‫יולכ ביל כ כילוליו‬
being called to the Torah
as a Bar Mitzvah
on
November 1-2, 2013
Shabbat Toldot
Kiddush lunch
following Saturday services
Celia Schreiber and Itzik Lebovich,
Liat and Shira
October 2013 / Beth El Bulletin
Meet our B’not Mitzvah
Bearman
Noa Jordan4a, 2013 6:00 PM
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Zosia Carson DeWitt
11 & 12 OCTOBER 2013
Hi! I'm Zosia (aka Sophie.) My parshah is Lech Lecha and my Bat Mitzvah is in October.
I love dance, cooking/baking, guitar, and singing, and acting (people say it runs in the family). I am
a seventh grader at the Duke School.
I’m very excited (and a little scared) that my Bat Mitzvah is coming up so soon. Without a
doubt, the best part of it has been getting closer with my classmates and working with some wonderful
people who have really helped me learn, like my tutor and friend Rachel Laliberte, my parents and
grandpa, and Sally, Barbara, and Karen. It’s actually been a fun family project, and my sisters, Anna,
Emma, and Isabelle, and my friend Elana Jaffe have even been helping me learn and practice on
Skype!
Because of how much I love baking sweets, for my Mitzvah Project I will be baking to raise
money for the Green River Preserve summer camp scholarship fund. This is a fund that will help
sponsor kids to go to the nature sleep away camp I have been going to for five years. I feel so lucky to
have had the chance to go there and be in the mountains with some awesome mentors, counselors, and
fellow campers and I know that there are many more kids who never get to do this kind of thing. So if
you need some baked goods for your Shabbat dinner (or any other time!), please get in touch with me.
11
Talmud Torah
FROM OUR EDUCATION & YOUTH DIRECTOR
This month we will read Parshat Vayera, which is chock full of interesting and important stories to the Jewish people. We
read of the angels visiting Abraham and Sarah right after Abraham’s circumcision, we read of the destruction of Sodom and
Gomorrah, we read of the birth of Isaac and we read of the infamous Akeidat Yitzchak, the Binding of Isaac. I would like to
highlight and discuss the very first story for it emphasizes one mitzvah that is very relevant to our lives and most feasible for
our children to perform. In Parshat Vayera, we read that Abraham is still recovering from his circumcision in the
sweltering heat of the desert, when three men appear before him for a visit. “And when he [Abraham] saw them, he ran to
meet them from the tent door, and bowed down to the earth…Let now a little water be fetched, and wash your feet and
recline yourselves under the tree. And I will fetch a morsel of bread, and stay ye your heart” (Genesis 18: 2-5). Abraham
makes it his first order of business to make these visitors feel at home and relaxed and to make sure they are fed and
comfortable. He requests that his wife, Sarah, prepare cakes for the visitors and Abraham, himself, brings water to the
strangers in order to wash off the dust from the desert. Can you imagine? Abraham had just been circumcised at the ripe
age of 99 and he’s worried about being hospitable and welcoming instead of taking care of his own health! This is the
mitzvah of hachnasat orchim, welcoming guests, at its best! Despite Abraham’s condition, he still goes out of his way to
make these three strangers feel at home in his tent. Why do you think Abraham does this? Many of us are in the position to
welcome people into our own homes at various points throughout the year. We may host a holiday meal, an important
meeting or even a sleepover party for our children and their friends.
What do we do as parents to make our guests feel at home? And, how
can we demonstrate to our children this very important mitzvah of hachnasat
orchim? What can our children do to make others feel welcome in their homes?
More specifically, what can our children, as students, do to be welcoming
of others while at Beth El and in the Talmud Torah? How do we treat new
students or guests in our school? Think about these questions and as always, I
encourage you to discuss this very important concept with your children. Being
new to Durham myself, I am pleased to share that my initial report is that Beth
El, as a community, has the whole “hachnasat orchim” thing down pat. You
sure know how to make a gal feel welcome!
Elisabeth Albert, Education and Youth Director
OCTOBER IN TALMUD TORAH
It’s time to link your
Harris Teeter VIC card!
Please remember to link or re-link your VIC card for
Talmud Torah for Harris Teeter’s TIE (Together in
Education) program.
Tell your cashier (during check-out) to link your VIC card to
Beth El's account number, 5883. Or link up online at
www.harristeeter.com/default.aspx?pageId=172.
2% of all Harris Teeter brand purchases during the 20132014 school year will be contributed to Talmud Torah.
You may link to more than one school and Harris
Teeter will split the donation. Cards must be re-linked
each Fall.
12
OCTOBER ‘13
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TT (2-6)
Kitah Zayin meets, Noa Bearman Bat Mitzvah
B’nai Mitzvah Peer Tutoring
TT (PreK-7)
TT (2-6)
Kitah Zayin meets, Zosia DeWitt Bat Mitzvah
JC/B’nai Mitzvah Peer Tutoring
TT (PreK-7)/Kitah Aleph Torah program
TT (2-6)
Rachel Pitt Bat Mitzvah
B’nai Mitzvah Peer Tutoring
TT (PreK-7)/Kitah Zayin parent class/Simchat Tot/Chadar Ochel
TT (2-6)
TS/JrJr/JC/B’nai Mitzvah Peer Tutoring
TT (PreK-7)/Kitah Zayin T’fillin workshop and parent class
TT (2-6)
October 2013 / Beth El Bulletin
YOUTH GROUPS & Family Programming
OCTOBER IN YOUTH & FAMILY PROGRAMMING
OCTOBER ‘13
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T
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6
7
13
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27
Th
F
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USY
Older Teen (10th-12th grade) Shabbat Dinner at Rabbi Greyber’s
JC
Pre-Kadima
Simchat Tot
Alef Bet
TS/JrJr/JC
Kadima
For more info, contact our Youth Advisor Julie Halpert: Youth@betheldurham.org
USY
(9th-12th grade)
Kadima
Sunday, October 6th
Sunday, October 27th
www.defygravity.us
www.mardigrasbowling.com
Pre-Kadima
AlefBet
(3rd-5th grade)
Sunday, October 13th
www.varsityonfranklin.com
(6th-8th grade)
(K-2nd grade)
Sunday, October 20th
Make your own Pizza-Party + Special guest
performer @Beth El
13
14
October 2013 / Beth El Bulletin
Watch for updates on these programs
& more through-out the year!
www.betheldurham.org/calendar/index.html
Shabbat 25
Our Shabbat 25 programming gives the community a chance
to connect with Beth El from Friday evening through Havdalah
on Saturday night. We begin with Shabbat Shirah - a joyous
Friday night service led by Rabbi Greyber using the melodies of
the late Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach plus a separate service for our
youngest members & their families. Both services begin at
6:00pm and are followed by a community Shabbat dinner.
Our celebration continues on Saturday with Shabbat morning
services, including Jr. Congregation (designed for grades 2-6,
however, all ages are welcome), followed by a kiddush lunch.
During the winter months, as Shabbat wanes, we return in the
evening for a seudah sh'lishit (light 3rd meal), study, sing &
celebrate havdalah together. When Havdalah comes much later,
our studies are moved to earlier in the afternoon. Shabbat 25
represents two important values: Welcoming and Tradition. By
creating many moments throughout Shabbat to come to Beth El,
we hope to welcome everyone giving as many people as possible
a chance to participate in our community.
2013-2014 Schedule:
Synaplex Shabbat
November 23, 2013,
February 8, 2014 & April 12, 2014
Come to "Synaplex Shabbat" at Beth El and find Jewish
experiences that speak to your heart. In addition to our weekly
Mishnah study led by Rabbi Emeritus Steve Sager, our engaging
and participatory egalitarian and traditional Shabbat morning
services and our children's programming for kids of all ages,
Synaplex Shabbat offers options such as a yoga experience based
on the morning prayers, an in-depth Torah discussion with a local
scholar, creative services with more gender sensitive language, a
learner's minyan, a tefillah hike, meditation, storytelling and more.
Our community then comes together for a Dvar Torah by Rabbi
Greyber followed by a communal lunch where all are welcome.
If you're interested in helping us with this exciting initiative,
contact Rabbi Greyber at rabbigreyber@betheldurham.org.
Synaplex Shabbat is an inclusive program. In an effort to ensure that everyone can participate successfully, buddies will be
available through the Federation's BRIDGES program to help anyone with special needs. Please contact the office in advance if your
family would like to be partnered with a "buddy."
November 8-9, 2013
with Scholar-in-Residence Dr. Walter Herzberg
December 6-7, 2013
January 24-25, 2014
March 7-8, 2014
April 4-5, 2014
Chanukkah Bazaar & Klezmer Concert
November 17, 2013
Sisterhood invites you to shop for Chanukah candles, gelt,
books, presents and more while helping support our Talmud
Torah. Once again this year Beth El’s very own Watts
Street Band will perform klezmer music!
Beach Shabbaton
December 20-22, 2013
(early arrival option available for Thursday night, 12/19/13)
The annual Beach Shabbaton near Emerald Isle, NC, provides
a unique community building experience while we immerse
ourselves in Shabbat without the distractions of our busy
day-to-day lives. It is a wonderful way to visit with new &
old friends. There are many opportunities to daven, learn
and socialize. And of course, noshing — lots of noshing! 
15
August Contributions
Beth El Congregation gratefully acknowledges all contributions. Please send donations & dedications to Sandy Berman, our
corresponding secretary, at the Beth El address. Donations may be made via check, cash, stock transfer, or Paypal. A full
list of funds, donation forms & the direct Paypal link are available on our website’s development page & through the office.
When making a donation to the Rabbi's Discretionary Fund, please write a separate check payable directly to that fund.
Building Maintenance Fund
Sheila and Sol Levine in memory of Rabbi Sager's
stepfather, Eugene Stevens
Sheila and Sol Levine wishing Rabbi Frank Fischer
a speedy recovery
Chevra Kadisha
Joel and Adele Abramowitz in honor of Errol and
Mardi Zeiger's 50th wedding anniversary
Earl and Gladys Siegel Endowment Fund
Carol and Jimmie Haynes in honor of Jon and
Debbie Wohl's grandchild
Carol and Jimmie Haynes in memory of Ed
Halperin's sister, Eleanor Brooks
Carol and Jimmie Haynes in memory of Rabbi
Sager's stepfather, Eugene Stevens
Gladys Siegel in honor of Judy and Arthur Marks'
granddaughter, Lillian Sara Marks
Gladys Siegel in honor of Mardi and Errol Zeiger's
50th wedding anniversary
Gladys Siegel in memory of Sharon Lunk's brother,
Gary Rosenberg
Orthodox Kehillah
David Gorelick and Naomi Feldman in honor of
the July 24th bris of their new grandson, Ezra Lev Van
derWalde
Jonathan and Susan Breitzer in memory of Robert
Breitzer
Sarah & Yair Goldberg wishing a Shana Tova
Rabbi's Discretionary Fund
Eda Bloch (Z’L) in memory of Edmond Bloch
Sam and Jeanette Fink Programming Fund
Margie Satinsky in memory of her mother, Florence
Satinsky
Margie Satinsky in honor of the birth of Mary Joan
and Alan Mandel's grandson, Amos Anson Mandel
Education and Youth Director's Discretionary Fund
Michaela Davidai in honor of Nick Renner's wedding
General Fund
Bill and Lisa Kelly in memory of Annette Kronmiller's
mother
Eda Bloch (Z’L) in memory of Edmund Bloch
Irwin and Deborah Kahn in memory of Bernice Kahn
whose yahrzeit is Tishri 12
Lifelong Learning Fund
Sharon and Ed Lunk in memory of Ed Halperin's
sister
Sharon and Ed Lunk in memory of Rabbi Sager's
stepfather
16
Contributing Shares of Stock to Beth El
One way to boost your charitable contributions to Beth
El is to give shares of appreciated stock instead of cash.
You do not pay any tax on your capital gain, and your
charitable deduction is the shares' entire fair market value.
Several Beth El members contribute shares of stock to
satisfy their dues pledge, their annual fund pledge,
and other contributions to the Congregation.
After consulting your tax advisor, please contact the
Beth El office. You may download and use the
stock donation form online:
www.betheldurham.org/development/index.html
October 2013 / Beth El Bulletin
Beth El Funds
During the coming year, we are running a series of articles highlighting various Beth El funds, many written by those
who helped start them or who remember the honorees. As you read these articles please consider directing donations
to these worthy causes to honor those who you’ve loved, but not forgotten. Let’s make sure that through the
programs supported by our special funds, Beth El remains a “heart of many rooms.”
The Elaine Perilstein Fund
The Elaine Perilstein Fund sponsors programs which
illuminate the vitality and deep spirit of living in the light
of Jewish tradition and teachings. These programs, usually
in the form of scholar-in-residence weekends, have ranged
from Barbara Ehrlich, author of Miriam’s Kitchen (the first
event supported by this fund), to weekends with Reb Mimi
Feigelson and with Rabbi Brad Artson. Beth El is already
blessed with great teachers; however, bringing in scholars
and programs from beyond our synagogue community
provides us with great opportunities for infusions of energy
and fresh perspectives.
The Elaine Perilstein Fund was started in memory of
Elaine who passed away in 1998. Elaine was a passionate
and loving soul with a deep commitment to cultivating the
beauty and spirit of Jewish life. The recognition of the equal
status for men and women was also very important to her.
The programs this fund supports have reflected these values.
While this fund is currently healthy, our hope is that with
ongoing contributions, it can continue to enrich Beth El with
the presence of great teachers and programs.
Beth El - 5883
See page 12 for instructions.
You can celebrate a simcha, honor a loved one,
or send “get well” wishes by contributing to Beth El.
You may donate via our secure PayPal link
or by check using the printable form online or below.
www.betheldurham.org/development
Your gift is tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.
Todah Rabah! Thank You!
“Tzedaka is equal in importance to all other commandments combined” — Talmud
I am pleased to make a contribution to Beth El Synagogue
My name
Address
City/State/Zip
In Memory of
In Honor of
phone
Please send acknowledgement to:
Name
Address
City/State/Zip
Your gift is tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.

 Speedy Recovery
 Best Wishes
 Happy Birthday
 Happy Anniversary
Mail To: Sandy Berman, Corresponding Secretary 1004 Watts Street
Please apply my contribution to:
_____ Building Maintenance Fund
_____ Cemetery Fund
_____ Chevra Kadisha (burial society)
_____ Education & Youth Director's
Discretionary Fund
_____ Sam & Jeannette Fink Programming Fund
 Bar/Bat Mitzvah
 Other
Durham NC 27701
_____ General Fund
_____ Gilbert Katz Scholarship Fund
_____ Landscape Fund
_____ Sandra Lazarus Youth Activity Fund
_____ Library Fund
_____ LifeLong Learning Fund
_____ Mitzvah Fund
_____ Orthodox Kehilla
_____ Eric Pas Jewish Camp Scholarship Fund
_____ Elaine Perilstein Memorial Fund
_____ Prayer Book Fund
_____ Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund (please write a
separate check for this fund)
_____ Earl and Gladys Siegel Endowment Fund
_____ Synagogue Art Fund
17
Yahrzeit Reminders
Tishrei
October
27 Martin Leiss
1
27 David Liptzin
1
27 Harry Lyons
1
27 Alex S. Tulsky
1
27 Lena Wilson
1
28 Albert Behar
2
28 Erven Gladstein
2
28 Alberto Levy
2
28 Jennie Nachamson
2
29 Solomon Mollock
3
30 Eliot Kraft
4
30 Mark Switzer
4
30 Maurice M. Tartell
4
Cheshvan
October
1 N. Herbert Halberstadt
5
1 Paul Perilstein
5
1 Marvin Wahl
5
2 Dolores Ginsburg
6
2 Dan Portnoy
6
4 Norman Gross
8
4 Herman Krebs
8
5 Benjamin Cone
9
6 Katherine Asbury
10
6 Mary Freedman
10
6 Joseph George Shimm
10
6 Kassel Siegel
10
7 Herman Bachenheimer
11
7 Helen Reiner Portnoy
11
7 Polly Keyserling Sinnreich 11
7 Edward Svetkey
11
8 Gertrude Lehman
12
10 Alfred Carson
14
10 Alice Rosenberg Kline
14
10 Abe Rosenzweig
14
10 Elaine Shipman
14
10 Clara C. Wolff
14
11 Sara Lieber
15
12 Marylu Goldberg
16
12 Joseph Morrison
16
13 Sadie Greenberg
17
14 Stanley Barclay
18
14 Gertrude Beatrice Dworski 18
14 Chaim Mordecai Finkel
18
14 Florence Mintzer
18
15 Harry Segal
19
16 Harold Barth
20
16 Moshe Friedman
20
16 Freda Leiss
20
16 Treasure McClain
20
16 Nathan Rafterman
20
17 Anna Marck
21
18 Arthur Concors
22
18 Bert Isaacs
22
19 Mildred Sass Slatkoff
23
19 Jacob I. Stadiem
23
20 Joseph Poss
24
20 Yetta Adel Rockman
24
20 Sylvia Shane
24
Cheshvan
October
21 Eric Ivan Pas
25
21 Hattie Singer
25
22 Sarah Behar
26
22 Marvin C. Goldstein
26
22 Arnold Klapper
26
23 Celia Shatzman
27
24 Larry Katz
28
25 Agnes Browne Culp
29
26 Eva Lieberman
30
26 Samuel Lipschitz
30
27 Herbert Bailin
31
27 Mary Siegel
31
Cheshvan
November
28 William Smith
1
28 Chawa Eichenbaum Teichholz 1
28 Malka Eichenbaum Teichholz 1
28 Naftali Teichholz
1
29 Sol Dinitz
2
29 Herbert Lehman
2
Kislev
November
1 Shabbetai Ginton
4
1 Lena Chesler Katz
4
1 Sylvia Parker
4
1 Walter Reichwald
4
3 Gilbert Katz
6
4 Lillian Mills
7
4 Sam Swartz
7
5 Louis Gladstein
8
5 Sally Greene
8
5 Harry Winner
8
6 Susan Diamond
9
6 Sarah Kessler
9
6 Frank Marcus
9
Traditionally, we light a
memorial candle
on the evening before
the anniversary of a
loved one's death.
Kislev
November
7 Maggie Lucas Bridges
10
7 Rose B. Goldman
10
8 Ella Bloom
11
10 Alfred Louis Gabin
13
10 Nathan Wilbur Gladstein 13
10 Phil Hartman
13
11 Bernard Greenberg
14
11 Lisa Heather Kaplan
14
11 Sidney Makler
14
12 Morris Mazursky
15
12 Kenneth Slatkoff
15
13 Gertrude Makler
16
14 Emil Agid
17
14 Robert Lipton
17
15 Harry Phillips
18
15 Charles Sawilosky
18
16 Sam Austin
19
17 Ann Simon Fischer
20
18 William Kline
21
18 Simon Lipton
21
18 Sieg Parker
21
18 Morris M. Siegel
21
19 Daniel Freedman
22
19 Kate Kafka
22
19 Pearl Primakoff
22
21 Bertha K. Bergman
24
21 Simon Lakin
24
22 Bonnie Haynes
25
22 Bernard Levy
25
22 Joy Shapiro
25
23 Rosalind Kaplan
26
23 Arthur Abraham Maislen 26
23 Susan Spritzer
26
24 Jacob E. Goldman
27
24 Harold Goldstein
27
24 Sally Greenberg
27
25 Della Guterman Brandt 28
25 Graham Green
28
25 Sophia Reichwald
28
26 Maurice D'Arlin
29
26 Isaac Slifkin
29
27 Helen Novicker Drucker 30
27 R. Leah Levin
30
27 Sidney Mintzer
30
27 Irving Zauder
30
Barukh Dayan Ha-emet
“Blessed is the Judge of Truth”
Beth El congregation extends condolences to
 The Family of Eda Bloch
 Sue Klapper on the death of her sister Carol Bowen
May the Ever Present One comfort them among
the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem
18
October 2013 / Beth El Bulletin
Learn Yiddish
Classes begin mid-September.
Sheva Zucker will be offering 3 Yiddish classes this year:
Advanced: For students who are ready to read Yiddish literature
in the original. Monday mornings and Thursday evenings.
Intermediate/Advanced: (for students who have studied approximately 2-3 years): 10:30-12:00 on Sunday mornings.
Beginner: If you are a beginner and interested in learning to read,
write, speak and understand Yiddish, please contact Sheva Zucker.
Courses are held near Beth El.
For information on all Yiddish courses contact Sheva at
919-286-1641 or sczucker@aol.com
Sheva Zucker is the author of two Yiddish textbooks which are
widely used in adult and university classes throughout the world.
She has taught Yiddish on five continents. She is the editor of the
periodical Afn Shvel.
FREYLACH TIME!
Join us Sunday, September 29 at the
Carrboro Music Festival, at 2:00pm!
www.FreylachTime.com
THE MAGNOLIA KLEZMER BAND!
Bring a blanket or chair, picnic, or buy food.
Dance, shake, or listen. All shows are free.
Sunday, Sept. 29th, Carrboro Music Festival, Magnolia @
The Century Center - 3pm, Carrboro
Tuesday, Oct. 8th, 7:30pm, "Havurah", Fearington Village,
Chapel Hill
www.magnoliaklezmerband.com
Carolina Jews for Justice
A Jewish, grassroots advocacy network for NC citizens.
CJJ Cafe: What's Jewish about Voting Rights?
When: Mon., September 30, 7pm – 9pm
Where: Beth Meyer Synagogue, Raleigh
RSVP online: http://cjjcafe.evenbrite.com.
Join us for an interactive educational program on voting rights in
NC. Special guests from Democracy NC will update us on voting
rights policy in the state, followed by a coffee house and text
study exploring Jewish connections to democratic expression.
For more on this event & others including how to join us,
visit us at http://carolinajewsforjustice.org/
You Don't Have to Grieve Alone
Join us for a time of sharing and healing at this 8 session adult
bereavement support gathering. 8 Sunday Mornings October 6
through November 24, 2013 10:00 a.m to 11:30 a.m. Open to all
congregants and other community members. Participation in the
support group is free of charge. If you would like to make a
donation in honor of the group, please give to Jewish Family
Services or one of the local synagogues for services that
support the bereaved.
Registration by September 30th is required, as group size is
limited RSVP by calling Jewish Family Services: 919-354-4922
Levin Jewish Community Center, 1937 W. Cornwallis Rd.
Durham NC 27705
Facilitated by Wallace Mandell, Ph.D. who receivedtraining in
psychology at the City College ofNew York, Yale University
and in 1954 earned a PhD from New York University. In 1968
he was appointed Professor of Mental Health at the Johns Hopkins
School of Public Health and also directed the Johns Hopkins
Hospital alcoholism treatment programs. Dr. Mandell, as a
community service has facilitated bereavement groups for the
Baltimore Jewish community.
Sicha, Hebrew for "conversation," is an organization that
promotes the vital ongoing dialogue between classical Jewish texts
and modern life. Essays engaging modern and classical texts in
conversations can be found on our website:
www.sichaconversation.org.
B’almah. Our first B’almah gathering this fall will take place on
Wednesday, October 9 at 7:30pm at the Levin JCC
(October 17 at 7:30pm at Beth Meyer, Raleigh). The topic,
Eternally Naming, regards a name as the carrier of a life and
a personality. The name remains always in the spoken world
of the living, ready to shape and be shaped by new life. Our
names often represent loss moved forward into the world. Join
a conversation about how we name and are named. For more
information: http://bit.ly/eternallyname
Beyond Belief. Join Rabbi Sager and Sicha for a series of conversations this fall that explore Jewish identity. Our first session
was very successful and the next one will take place on
November 3 at the JCC. The theme will be Beyond Belief:
Belonging and Behaving. This conversation coincides with the
beginning of the month in which Hannukah occurs. We will
let the holiday lead us to consider Jewish identity formed from
within and also imposed from beyond the Jewish community.
For more information: http://bit.ly/bey-bel
As the Torah cycle begins again this year, renew conversations
between poets and sages on the Sicha website. In one essay the
ancient journey of Abraham emerges anew (read essay here :
http://bit.ly/sichaLL). Other writings on the parshah of the week
can be found here: http://bit.ly/sicha-hashavuauva. May the New
Year bring productive renewal and delicious conversations!
19
Foundations of Jewish Family Living
with Master teacher Rabbi Jennifer Solomon
Lerner School Events
Open to all!
What are the Jewish Values you want your child to know?
Schmooze ‘n Play ~ a Jewish Play Group for families of preschoolers and kindergarteners! Schmooze with other parents
while your children play on Lerner School’s beautiful playground!
10:30am – 11:30am at the Lerner School in Durham. RSVP at
rsvp@lernerschool.org. October 13, November 10, December 8
Foundations of Jewish Family Living is a new learning
opportunity for parents that provides a thought-provoking
encounter with the core values of Judaism. At a time in a
family’s life when a child experiences their own Jewish
education, this rich learning experience provides you with the
learning, the language and the confidence to be a teacher to your
own children and support Jewish learning at home.
Classes are divided into two 10-week sessions held on
Wednesday mornings at the Lerner School, 8:15-9:45am.
Session 1 entitled A Year of Values - Teaching Values through
Jewish Holidays begins on October 2 and concludes on
December 18.
Session two entitled Day to Day Values Teaching Values through
Jewish Family Living begins on January 8 and concludes on
March 12, 2014.
Tuition for each session is $150 plus a $36 materials fee
which covers both sessions.
Israel Ride
Levin JCC Tarheels Team
Shabbat Together ~ Celebrate Shabbat with songs, movement
and homemade challah at the Lerner School! For parents and their
children, ages 18 months – 4 years old. 9am in the library. Free!
RSVP at rsvp@lernerschool.org.
October 11, 18, 25 / November 1, 8, 15, 22 / December 13, 20
Open House: See what happens when Jewish values and culture
meet educational excellence! Join us for a Lerner School Open
House for preschool and elementary school families. For more
information, visit www.lernerschool.org. To reserve your space,
email admissions@lernerschool.org or call (919) 286-5517.
Nov. 13-14, 8:30am – 9:30am & Dec. 5-6, 8:30am – 9:30am
Jewish Story Time ~ Celebrate Jewish holidays with hands-on
fun! Join us for stories, crafts and a light snack on the dates listed
below at 10:30am (note various locations.) Sponsored by the
Lerner School. Free! RSVP at rsvp@lernerschool.org.
Nov. 24 – Chanukah, Barnes & Noble, New Hope Commons
Biking for Peace,
Partnership & Environment
In October, Bob Gutman, Adam Goldstein, and Steve Drysdale
will be setting out on a journey of Tzedakah and adventure.
They will be riding up to 350 miles in the Israeli desert, from
Jerusalem to Eilat, to raise money on behalf of the Arava Institute
for Environmental Studies and Hazon. The Arava Institute
Hazon Israel Ride is a cycle for peace, partnership and the
environment. Your donation to this ride supports efforts to
prepare future Arab and Jewish leaders to cooperatively solve
the region's environmental challenges through education and
research. They are challenging themselves physically, and have
committed to raising $15,000 as a team. With your generosity and
their pedaling, we can support Israel in these times of need.
Please consider making a tax-deductible contribution
(all levels are deeply appreciated by visiting the team page:
http://arava.kintera.org/2013israelride/tarheels )
“Like” Beth El Synagogue at
www.facebook.com/BethEl.Durham
Join our discussion group at
www.facebook.com/groups/BethElDurham
If you are not receiving Beth El’s weekly e-mail
announcements and would like to,
please contact the office
and ask to be added to our listserve.
And, check out Rabbi Greyber’s page:
www.facebook.com/pages/
Rabbi-Daniel-Greyber/105866049455568
20
October 2013 / Beth El Bulletin
N.C. Museum of Art
Judaic Art Gallery
Best wishes for a happy and healthy New Year
from the NC Museum of Art’s Friends of the
Judaic Art Gallery! To celebrate the holiday and
new year, plan a visit to the Museum to tour the
Judaic art collection, which features beautifully
crafted ceremonial art such as this Standing Hanukkah Lamp
by Ze’ev Raban of Jerusalem’s Bezalel Workshop. Visit
ncartmuseum.org for more details on the Museum and Judaic
collection. The Museum is open Tuesday through Sunday, and
admission is free (aside from special ticketed exhibitions). Hours
are as follows: Tuesday-Thursday, 10am-5pm; Friday, 10am-9pm;
Saturday-Sunday, 10am-5pm.
Jewish Meditation at the Levin JCC
1st and 3rd Sunday of each month. 10:45am-12:00pm
No charge & no experience needed to attend. Long standing
meditation group. Always open to new participants. Sometimes
a participant leads a guided meditation; other times it is a silent
practice. Levin JCC, 1937 W. Cornwallis Road, Durham.
Phone: 919-354-4936, info@levinjcc.org
Join Ramah Darom
for fun and inspiring programs
and retreats year-round for all ages!
Visit www.ramahdarom.org/programs
for registration & more information on these
& other programs year-round.
Jewish Women's Getaway
October 20-22
Grab your mom, daughter and best friends and join us for a
memorable week of girl time! No cleaning, no working - our
chef and staff will take care of you as you relax and participate
in fun and inspiring programs. Take advantage of Early Bird
Registration before August 5 and pay last year's rates!
Winter Break Family Camp
December 27-January 1
Enjoy relaxation, recreation and an array of classes while children
participate in fun and engaging camp activities. What could be
better than s'mores under the stars with your kids?
Take advantage of Early Bird Registration
before October 10 and pay last year's rates!
Nazo Landscaping, Inc.
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Agricultural Engineering Since 1983
Landscape Design & Installation • Landscape Lighting
Water Features • Sprinkler Systems • Sodding
Patios, Walkways & Stepping Stones • Retaining Walls
Drainage & Ditches • Snow Removal
Providing services to Durham, Wake & Orange Counties
Wide variety of plants, bushes, trees,
perennials and fruit trees
Retail and wholesale
Landscape supplies and natural stone
For professional service you can trust,
call Philip Nazo, owner.
Mobile: 919-524-8878 • Office: 919-309-2620
Mon.-Fri. 8am-6pm • Sat. 8am-4pm • Sun.10am-4pm
www.NazoLandscaping.com
21
Triangle Seminar For Jewish Studies
Fall Semester 2013: Provocative Jewish Interest Topics
Jewish Sparks is a public access television program which is
broadcast in Raleigh, Chapel Hill and Durham, NC. This program
presents videos of major Jewish educational and artistic events
together with interviews and recordings of Jewish scholars and
important Jewish leaders. Our goal is to promote a better understanding of key Jewish concepts and issues within both the Jewish
and non-Jewish communities.
The Jewish Sparks 30 minute weekly broadcast schedule
is listed in the table below:
Chapel
Hill (CH)
Tues. 9:00PM
Peoples
Channel
Time Warner Cable
Channel 8
Durham
(DR)
Tues. 7:30PM
Durham
Comm. Media
Time Warner Cable
Channel 18
Raleigh
(RTN)
Wed. 7:00PM
& Thurs.
8:00 PM
RTN
Cable Channel 10
The latest program schedule is on the Jewish Sparks Website:
www.jewishsparks.net.
Jewish Sparks maintains a large archive of program material.
If you miss a live broadcast, or do not have Cable, you can watch
the programs on the internet site (www.jewishsparks.net.) The
website also provides an excellent source of educational material,
which includes early lectures from the Carolina Center for Jewish
Studies.
Additional information is available from the website,
or email the Jewish Sparks producer, Sheldon Becker, at either
jewishsparks@yahoo.com or stbphoto@yahoo.com.
Monday, October 2, “Jewish Ethics of Honesty”
Rabbi Lev Cotlar, Rabbi at Congregation Sha’arei Israel.
What does the Torah say about honesty, white lies, exaggerating
the truth to protect feelings in a variety of personal and business
situations? Where do you draw the line?
Monday, November 11, “Israel and the UN”
Nir Schnaiderman, Duke Univ. and Bar-Ilan Univ.
The relationship between Israel and the UN General Assembly,
Security Council, etc. The lecture will be adapted to relevant
topics involving Israel at the UN.
Monday, December 9, “Prospects for Peace in the Middle East”
Gerhard Weinberg, Ph.D., Prof. Emeritus, UNC.
Peace will take a long time to come to Iraq. It will come to the
Israeli-Arab conflict when the Arabs have exhausted all other
alternatives and recognize that reality. The lecture explores this
issue.
All sessions meet at the National Humanities Center in RTP
7:30 - 9:30 p.m.
Series Fee: $20.00 per person, full time students $5.00
Contact: Ronni Marblestone 848-3752
For updates see: www.shalomraleigh.org/calendar or
www.shalomdch.org/calendar
Triangle Jewish Chorale
Down Home: The Cantata
In April & May of 2013, the Triangle Jewish Chorale presented
three performances of a newly composed piece, “Down Home:
The Cantata”, exploring the Jewish immigrant experience in North
Carolina. Jewish Sparks was very fortunate to be able to record
several of the major movements of the Cantata. There is a link to
"Down Home - The Cantata" on the main Jewish Sparks webpage www.jewishsparks.net - at the top center of the page.
Durham-Chapel Hill Jewish Federation Events
Save these Dates!
Hannukah Fest
Sunday, November 24th
Campaign Kick-off
Saturday evening, December 7th
Mitzvah Day
Wednesday, December 25th
Visit www.shalomdch.org
for updates on these & more!
22
October 2013 / Beth El Bulletin
Duke Center for Jewish Studies
Lectures are free & open to the public.
October 3: Shalom Goldman (Duke): “Gotta Serve Somebody:
Bob Dylan in American Religion and Culture,” Duke University
West Campus, Goodson Chapel, 7:00PM
October 13: JS Seminar: Moshe Rosman (Bar-Ilan), Duke
University, Franklin Humanities Center, Room 240, 3:00PM
October 24: David Ehrlich, author “Who Will Die Last, Stories
of Life in Israel,” Duke University, West Campus, Westbrook
0015, 12:00PM
October 28: Marc Brettler (Brandeis University): “The Hebrew
Bible and Human Rights,” Duke University, West Campus,
Westbrook 0016, 5:30PM
Updates and event info can be found at:
http://jewishstudies.duke.edu
Carolina Center for Jewish Studies
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
All lectures are free and open to the public,
no tickets or reservations required.
Please visit our web site for additional information
and event updates: jewishstudies.unc.edu.
Faculty Recital: Professor Jeanne Fischer (soprano) accompanied
by faculty colleagues Brent Wissick (cello) and Deborah Hollis
(piano) present: “An Afternoon of Yiddish Art Song”
September 29, 3pm, Hill Hall Auditorium
For event information, please contact the UNC Music Department:
919-962-1039, http://jewishstudies.unc.edu/event/an-afternoon-ofyiddish-art-song/
Community Lecture: Gary Zola, “He Was Like One of Us:
Lincoln and American Jewry” October 7, 7:30pm, UNC Friday
Center Sylvia and Irving Margolis Lecture on the Jewish
Experience in the American South
Academic Lecture: Moshe Rosman, “How Did Early Modern
Jewish Women Accumulate Cultural Capital?”, October 14,
5:30pm, Hyde Hall Univ. Room Kaplan-Brauer Lecture on the
Contribution of Judaism to Civilization
Academic Lecture: Deborah Starr, November 6, 2013, 6pm,
Dey Hall Toy Lounge The Center is pleased to co-sponsor this
lecture which is hosted by Asian Studies. More information will
be provided soon.
Comedy Performance: “Laugh in Peace”, November 12, Time
TBA, Union Auditorium The Center is proud to co-sponsor
this comedy act, which is hosted by campus Hillel. More event
information will be posted soon. Actual event start time is not
yet known.
Community Lecture: Stuart Eizenstat, “The Future of the Jews:
How Global Forces are Impacting the Jewish People, Israel and its
Relationship with the United States”, November 18, 7:30pm,
UNC Friday Center This lecture is made possible by a grant from
the Charles H. Revson Foundation in honor of Eli N. Evans, ’58.
Film Screening: “Re-Emerging: The Jews of Nigeria”,
November 21, 7pm, UNC Stone Center The Center is pleased to
co-sponsor this film screening, which is hosted by the UNC Stone
Center. Following screening, film discussion with Director, Jeff
Lieberman. More information: http://sonjahaynesstonectr.unc.edu/
Please patronize our sponsors and
let them know you saw
their ads here.
Do you need to be at Beth El “After Hours”?
Please remember, if you plan to be in either the main
building or the Freedman Center any time other than regular
office/service/event hours, you must contact the office in
advance to discuss alarm procedures. Thank you.
If you are interested in sponsoring
an ad in the Beth El Bulletin,
please call Gladys Siegel
at 919-942-5369.
23
President’s Address (continued from page 3)
kitchen and out to the dining room.” I don’t think the election of
Ed Koch or Michael Bloomberg caused the same kind of Jewish
excitement in New York.
And we also, like our ancestors, have committed ourselves
to North Carolina, making it our home while maintaining a deep
fidelity to our values. We recall with enormous pride that our
Durham ancestors were early de-segregators, among the first storeowners to hire African-American clerks to wait on customers and
among the first to remove barriers in waiting rooms. We admire,
and try to emulate, how our ancestors committed themselves to
becoming North Carolinians while at the same time, engaging in
local and regional politics to pursue our own sense of justice.
Why do we study history? It’s a question I’m sure you all
were asked in your first undergraduate history class. Why do we
study history? Why do we study Jewish history? And why should
we study the Jewish history of Durham?
Like for most good questions, there are many answers. One
reason is because we find our ancestors’ stories compelling. We
admire the pioneering spirit of those first Jewish storeowners in
Durham’s earliest days, their resilience as a community, and their
devotion to each other.
Another reason we recall this history is to show our
gratitude. By recalling their lives, we celebrate their achievements,
sustain their legacies, and acknowledge to ourselves that we are
standing on the shoulders of giants.
And a third reason is the same reason why we, on Yom
Kippur, recall Rabbi Akiba and his fellow martyrs. We read of
our Rabbis’ – and they continue to be our Rabbis – we read of
our Rabbis’ loving devotion to Torah and their fierce resistance
to Roman authoritarianism not just because their stories are
compelling and offer us inspiration, and not just to show our
gratitude for their laying the foundation for innumerable Jewish
generations, but also because studying them helps us study
ourselves. Studying them advances the introspection that Yom
Kippur calls for.
Our history has shaped us and continues to shape us.
The single, most defining feature of Beth El is that it is the only
synagogue in town of its kind. While Beth El is privileged now to
be in a community with two other congregations, a Jewish day
school, a JCC, and other vibrant institutions, Beth El was the
single gathering place for Jews for most of its – and for most of
Durham’s – history. Beth El remains, at its core, dedicated to
providing a Jewish home to all who come and to all who need.
This is pluralism by necessity. This is pluralism in action. We do
not quibble – we do not have the luxury of quibbling – over matters
that could divide us. We strive to be as many things to as many
people as possible because that is what we need to be. Because that
is who we are.
And just as our past has shaped who we are now, our present
will shape future generations. What we do now and the history that
we write – what we create, what we sustain, what values we pursue
– will affect not just what future generations will have, but what
future generations will be.
To close, Laura, Ariella, Eden, Izak, and I all wish you
a shanah tovah and g’mar chatimah tovah. We wish you a year
of health and personal fulfillment, of family celebrations and of
community warmth. And we wish you a Yom Kippur of deeply
rewarding and gratifying introspection, where the prayer, the
contemplation, and the living history around us help you to know
yourself.
Shanah Tovah.
24
An Open Invitation to a Major Jewish Event
This October in Baltimore, United Synagogue of
Conservative Judaism will celebrate its Centennial by hosting
The Conversation of the Century – an unprecedented gathering of
21st century Jews and today’s most innovative leaders, teachers,
and performers.
Both Rabbi Greyber and Beth El’s president, Barak
Richman will be speaking at this event along with along many
great teachers and thinkers from the Conservative movement and
beyond. See an up-to-date list of speakers and register at
www.uscj100.org
October 11-12, there will be a joyous Shabbaton, including
five different services, renowned prayer leaders, and learning with
outstanding scholars. At the conference October 13-15, congregational leaders can address the major issues involved in building
thriving communities: changes in Jewish identity and affiliation,
making prayer resonant, building financial sustainability, engaging
interfaith families, and more.
The program will abound with music and performance
by leading artists. You'll leave with concrete ideas and practical
strategies for creating a kehilla – a sacred community – of
meaning and purpose.
It all takes place at the Baltimore Marriott Waterfront Hotel.
Don’t wait: Take advantage of the “early bird” pricing. There are
also special discounts for students and young adults.
October 2013 / Beth El Bulletin
Letter from Valhalla
On the Road Again: Israel and Africa - II
When we parted, at the end of last month's column, I
outlined for you our Spring 2013 trip to Israel. Now it's time to
get through customs and over to Jerusalem.
When traveling we often eschew hotels (I've been
looking for a chance to use that word) for "For Rent By Owner"
houses and apartments. Sharon spent awhile on the internet
looking for an apartment in Jerusalem and eventually rented
a two bedroom, two bath apartment on Agripas Street. It was
conveniently located near the shuk (the outdoor fruit, vegetable
and everything else market), a stop on Jerusalem's new light
rail system, and a few minutes walk to hubs of activity like the
corner of King George Street and Ben Yehuda Street. It was
about a thirty minute walk to the Kotel (Western Wall).
If you haven't been to Israel for awhile, there are several
major differences when it comes to travel. If you have bad
memories of screaming fights with cab drivers or feeling that
you got ripped off after you got out of the cab, this is largely a
thing of the past. (The cab drivers will still try to give you a
fixed price to get you to/from the airports. It's worth going on
line and getting an idea of the current prices and, as a general
rule, if the driver isn't quoting you a correct price, tell him/her to
put it on the meter.) To get around Jerusalem, there is a new
light rail system - sort of a high technology trolley car. You go
to one of the stops and there are computers where you can buy
your tickets - with instructions in English. The trolley stop
worked beautifully to get to places like Yad Vashem, Yad Sarah,
and the Central Bus Terminal. It stops near the Old City walls.
To get from city-to-city there is a modern rail system. Once
again you can buy your tickets from a computer with English
instructions. Sharon and I went back and forth from Tel Aviv
on the express bus. (Finding the correct bus terminal in Tel
Aviv required asking directions several times. Although it was
only a 15 minute walk from our hotel to the bus station and it
was adjacent to the train station, it wasn't intuitive.)
Our cab driver had a hard time finding our apartment
building. Fortunately, our daughter Rebecca and son-in-law
Jonathan had arrived a day early and we called back-and-forth
on the cell phone as we were approaching the city. They had
picked up the key to our apartment and came down to the street
to flag us down and guide us to the apartment.
Because we had slept well on the plane, we were ready
for action when we reached Jerusalem. Our first project was to
deal with a nail crisis. Sharon had a broken nail and we had to
find a nail salon. A few minutes on the internet produced the
address of a nearby place but we were foiled by the addresses of
Jerusalem. (Just because a business has an address on a street
doesn't necessarily mean it is on that street. In our case, the nail
salon was half a block away on a side street. The cell phone
came to the rescue, once again, and Sharon called the proprietor
who came outside and waved to us. ) I stationed myself and
my camera outside and got some pictures of the passing scene
while Sharon's nail repair was done by a collection of Russian
immigrants for the equivalent of US$2.20.
Walking to the nail salon allowed us to experience a
uniquely Israeli moment: Yom Hashoah. At 11 am, throughout
the country, sirens go off. People, no matter where they are or
what they are doing, stop and observe a few minutes of silence
in memory of the Holocaust. Sharon and I observed cabs which
simply came to a halt in the street and the drivers got out of the
cab and stood at attention, storekeepers who walked out to
the sidewalk in front of their stores and stood quietly, and
pedestrians who just stopped where they were on the sidewalk
and stood in place. Then the sirens stop and everyone continues
on their way.
Our next stop was a private tour of the Hadassah
Academic College. Sharon had made arrangements in advance
for us to receive tours of this College, Hadassah Hospital, Yad
Sarah, and some Ethiopian resettlement villages. I had made
arrangements for a tour of the Touro College Jerusalem Campus.
The first of these visits was to the Hadassah Academic College.
This higher education institution has programs in workforce
ready skills leading to degrees in computer science, industrial
design, photography, politics and communications,
management, optometry, speech pathology, environmental
sciences, and medical laboratory sciences.
The school is located in the heart of Jerusalem and
has a collection of venerable buildings from the era of the
British Mandate to modern structures with plans in the offing
for expansion. We were surprised to learn that Hadassah no
longer funds the College. The name is retained for historic
reasons and to help with fundraising. The student body is
very diverse: Jews of the full range of levels of religious
observance, Arab Christians, Arab Moslems, and students
from the territories. We met with the college's President
Fridlender, the director of the speech pathology/audiology
program, and the director of fundraising.
I had given my son-in-law Jonathan my word that there
would be steak for dinner one night. I fulfilled my promise with
a trip to an Argentinian kosher steak house called El Gaucho.
You can see how the security situation is improving in Israel
through the lens of this restaurant. The last time I ate at this
place there a guard stationed in the restaurant's doorway. He
was gone now and you could just walk right in. The food was
fine but on the expensive side.
Next month we'll continue on our tour.
Until then,
Regards from Valhalla,
Edward Halperin
Be sure to check the
Beth El website for details
about programs & events throughout the year!
www.BethElDurham.org
25
The Jewish Heritage Foundation of North Carolina
Chapel Hill-Durham Hadassah
Our website lists Jewish events occurring from the mountains to
the coast. Check us out at www.jhfnc.org . Our site has a blog
about Jewish life in North Carolina. We invite you to post a
memory, share a Jewish story, or recount how your family
celebrates an upcoming holiday. JHFNC seeks volunteers who
can email us Jewish events happening in their region.
Not a member? Why not?
Everyone is welcome (yes, men too).
Libi Eir Mikveh Art Gallery
One of Libi Eir's seven founding principles is Hiddur Mitzvah /
Beautifying the Mitzvah. Exhibiting the work of local artists is
one of the ways they take this mandate seriously - and joyfully.
Exhibits change every three to four months.
Artists: If you'd like to feature your work at Libi Eir, please
contact Rabbi Jenny Solomon at battorah@bethmeyer.org.
Beth El is a partnering synagogue of our community mikveh,
Libi Eir, which opened in September of 2011.
Community Events
are listed on our website at:
www.betheldurham.org/calendar/announcements.html
Michael Aaron Cohen, CPA, CFE
 1981 Duke Graduate
For information, contact please contact
Cheryl Solow at ccsslp@gmail.com
or you may join online at
www.hadassah.org (Chapel Hill/Durham branch).
Was your family's property taken during the Holocaust?
If you or your family owned movable, immovable or tangible
property that was confiscated, looted, or forcibly sold in countries
governed or occupied by the Nazi forces or Axis powers during
the Holocaust era and you or your relatives received no restitution
for that property, you may be eligible to participate in the
Holocaust Era Asset Restitution Taskforce project (Project Heart).
Call 800-584-1559 for more information
or visit www.heartwebsite.org.
Please patronize our sponsors
and let them know
you saw their ads here.
Ellen Singer
“In Tune With Your Real Estate Needs”
 Over 30 Years Experience
 Taxation & Small Business
Accounting
 New Business Startups
 Entrepreneurs, Executives,
Professionals
Contact Michael for an Initial Consultation.
Very Reasonable Rates!
Toll Free 1.855.385.3272
(1-855-DUKE-CPA)
Over 32 years
as a full-time
real estate broker
serving the Triangle Area,
including Chapel Hill,
Carrboro, Durham,
Orange and Chatham County
▪ Resident of Chapel Hill/Durham since 1973
▪ Graduate Realtors Institute
▪ Member of Beth El Congregation
▪ Member of the Chapel Hill Kehillah
▪ Life Member of Hadassah
▪ NC Hillel Board of Directors
▪ Board of Directors Durham/Chapel Hill Federation
michaelacohencpa@alumni.duke.edu
26
October 2013 / Beth El Bulletin
BETH EL SCHEDULE OF SERVICES
Friday night services:
Held only in conjunction with other programming or special events.
Talmud Torah 7th grade meets 5:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m. when services are held.
Saturday morning services:
Services in the Orthodox Kehillah begin at 9:00 a.m.
Services in the main sanctuary begin at 9:30 a.m.
28/24th of Cheshvan, 5774
21/17th of Cheshvan, 5774
14/10th of Cheshvan, 5774
7/3rd of Cheshvan, 5774
Mon
October
2013
Listed Havdalah Times are 42 minutes after sunset
Beth El event calendar online:
30/26th of Cheshvan, 5774
23/19th of Cheshvan, 5774
16/12th of Cheshvan, 5774
7:30 Board Meeting
9/5th of Cheshvan, 5774
2/28th of Tishrei, 5774
Wed
31/27th of Cheshvan, 5774
24/20th of Cheshvan, 5774
17/13th of Cheshvan, 5774
10/6th of Cheshvan, 5774
3/29th of Tishrei, 5774
Morning Minyan – Noa
Bearman Bat Mitzvah
Thu
www.betheldurham.org/calendar/index.html
29/25th of Cheshvan, 5774
22/18th of Cheshvan, 5774
15/11th of Cheshvan, 5774
8/4th of Cheshvan, 5774
1/27th of Tishrei, 5774
Tue
Weekday minyanim in the main sanctuary:
Wednesdays 8:00 a.m. followed by text study (7:45 a.m.-Rosh Chodesh)
Sundays 9:30 a.m.
Sun
6/2nd of Cheshvan, 5774
-10:30am Social Action Sun.
-USY event
-3:00pm What’s Not To Like
- Yiddish Songfest
13/9th of Cheshvan, 5774
-Bogrim
-Adult Hebrew classes begin
-Sisterhood Welcome
Brunch
-1st grade tour of the Torah
-10:00am Knitting Chevra
-Pre-kadima
20/16th of Cheshvan, 5774
-9:45am Simchat Tot
-Aleph Bet
27/23rd of Cheshvan, 5774
-Bogrim
-11:30am Congregational
Meeting
-Kadima
cal
Office Hours:
Hours:
Office
Mon. through Thurs.: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Thursday:
Monday
9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
p.m.
a.m. to 1:00
Fri.: 9:00 through
Fridays: 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Talmud Torah:
Sun.: 9:30a.m.-12:30p.m. preK-7th grades
Wed.: 4:15p.m.-6:00p.m. 2nd-6th grades
Sat.: 9:00a.m.-9:45a.m. & select Fri. 5:00-7:00p.m. 7th grade
Sat
Mishnah Study: Sat. 8:45 a.m.
Fri
5/1st of Cheshvan, 5774
Parashat Noach
Rosh Chodesh Cheshvan
Noa Bearman Bat Mitzvah
26/22nd of Cheshvan, 5774
Parashat Chayei Sara
-Honoring our teen torah
readers
-Children’s Services
(JC,JrJr,TS)
-1:00pm Jewish Lit. class
7:09pm Havdalah
7:18pm Havdalah
19/15th of Cheshvan, 5774
Parashat Vayera
Rachel Pitt Bat Mitzvah
12/8th of Cheshvan, 5774
Parashat Lech-Lecha
Zosia DeWitt Bat Mitzvah
-10:00am Healing Yoga
-Jr. Congregation
-1:00pm Guest speaker,
Moshe Rosman
7:27pm Havdalah
7:37pm Havdalah
4/30th of Tishrei, 5774
Rosh Chodesh Cheshvan
Noa Bearman Bat Mitzvah
6:00pm services in the main
sanctuary
6:38pm
11/7th of Cheshvan, 5774
Zosia DeWitt Bat Mitzvah
6:00pm services in the main
sanctuary
-Teen Shabbat dinner
(Greyber home)
6:28pm
18/14th of Cheshvan, 5774
Rachel Pitt Bat Mitzvah
6:00pm services in the main
sanctuary
6:19pm
25/21st of Cheshvan, 5774
6:10pm
27
28
BETH EL SCHEDULE OF SERVICES
19/16th of Kislev, 5774
26/23rd of Kislev, 5774
25/22nd of Kislev, 5774
24/21st of Kislev, 5774
-Bogrim
-Children’s Chanukkah
Party
12/9th of Kislev, 5774
18/15th of Kislev, 5774
11/8th of Kislev, 5774
10/7th of Kislev, 5774
-Bogrim
-10:00am Knitting Chevra
-10:30am study with our
Scholar-in-Residence
-Aleph Bet
5/2nd of Kislev, 5774
17/14th of Kislev, 5774
-9:45am Simchat Tot
-Sisterhood sponsored
Chanukkah Bazaar
& Watts St. Band Klezmer
Concert
-Kadima
4/1st of Kislev, 5774
Rosh Chodesh Kislev
3/30th of Cheshvan, 5774
Rosh Chodesh Kislev
-2:00a.m. DST ends
(Fall back)
-Pre-kadima
October 2013 / Beth El Bulletin
Chanukah: 1 Candle
No Talmud Torah
27/24th of Kislev, 5774
Office Closes at Noon
20/17th of Kislev, 5774
Chanukah: 2 Candles
28/25th of Kislev, 5774
Office Closed
21/18th of Kislev, 5774
14/11th of Kislev, 5774
13/10th of Kislev, 5774
7:30 Board Meeting
7/4th of Kislev, 5774
6/3rd of Kislev, 5774
4:44pm
Chanukah: 3 Candles
29/26th of Kislev, 5774
Office Closed
4:46pm
6:00pm services in the
main sanctuary/Comm.
Oneg
22/19th of Kislev, 5774
4:50pm
15/12th of Kislev, 5774
8/5th of Kislev, 5774
Scholar-in-Residence
Shabbat 25
6:00pm Shabbat Shirah:
Erev Shabbat Services,
Community Shabbat Dinner,
& study
4:56pm
6:02pm
5:44pm Havdalah
Chanukah: 4 Candles
30/27th of Kislev, 5774
Parashat Miketz
5:46pm Havdalah
23/20th of Kislev, 5774
Parashat Vayeshev
Synaplex Shabbat
-Children’s Services
(JC,JrJr,TS)
-3rd grade Havdalah event
5:50pm Havdalah
16/13th of Kislev, 5774
Parashat Vayishlach
-10:00am Healing Yoga
-1:00pm Jewish Lit. class
9/6th of Kislev, 5774
Parashat Vayetzei
Scholar-in-Residence
Shabbat 25/Jr. Cong.
-1:00pm Jewish Lit. class
-Study & Seudah
5:55pm Havdalah
-USY event
7:01pm Havdalah
6:00pm services in the main
sanctuary
Beth El members cook and serve dinner at the IFC shelter in Chapel Hill
the second Tuesday of every month. Contact Meyer Liberman to help.
Beth El members serve Tuna Casserole Dinner at the Durham Community Kitchen
the fourth Sunday of each month. Contact Erica Gringle to help prepare and/or serve.
2/29th of Cheshvan, 5774
Parashat Toldot
Yuval Lebovich Bar Mitzvah
-1:00pm Jewish Lit. class
Thu
1/28th of Cheshvan, 5774
Yuval Lebovich Bar Mitzvah
Wed
Beth El members cook and serve lunch at the IFC shelter in Chapel Hill
the First Wednesday of every month. Contact Gladys Siegel to help.
Tue
Mishnah Study: Sat. 8:45 a.m.
Sun.: 9:30a.m.-12:30p.m. preK-7th grades
Wed.: 4:15p.m.-6:00p.m. 2nd-6th grades
Sat.: 9:00a.m.-9:45a.m. & select Fri. 5:00-7:00p.m. 7th grade
Talmud Torah:
Sat
Mon
www.betheldurham.org/calendar/index.html
Listed Havdalah Times are 42 minutes after sunset
Beth El event calendar online:
2013
November
Mon. through Thurs.: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Fri.: 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Office Hours:
Fri
Sun
Weekday minyanim in the main sanctuary:
Wednesdays 8:00 a.m. followed by text study (7:45 a.m.-Rosh Chodesh)
Sundays 9:30 a.m.
Saturday morning services:
Services in the Orthodox Kehillah begin at 9:00 a.m.
Services in the main sanctuary begin at 9:30 a.m.
Friday night services:
Held only in conjunction with other programming or special events.
Talmud Torah 7th grade meets 5:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m. when services are held.
Cal.
Community
JFS volunteers needed:
Shabbat Outreach volunteers are needed to lead a short
Shabbat service on Fridays for Jewish residents of an assisted
living facility in Chapel Hill.
Friendly Visitors are needed for isolated older adults living
in the community. Not appropriate for volunteers who want
to visit someone with their child. Friendly visitors will
spend time with the person as friends do- talking, exploring
common interests, or going for a walk. Minimum time
commitment: 2-4 hours per month.
For more information on these volunteer opportunities,
please contact JFS Social Worker Jenny Schwartz at
919-354-4923 or jschwartz@shalomdch.org
JFS Gift Card Program: JFS seeks gift cards to shops,
movies, restaurants, shows, hair salons. Your gift will be
apreciated by those in need. To make a donation or for more
information, contact Jenny Schwartz at 919-354-4923 or
jschwartz@shalomdch.org
Tzedakah in Bloom
Tzedakah in Bloom is a project started by the
Jewish Family Service to raise money for local
community members in need and food banks.
JFS offers 13 different silk flower arrangements
for use at your simcha.
(on the bimah, at a reception or as a centerpiece).
New arrangements are added periodically.
Each arrangement rents for $150.00.
Please call the Federation office at
919-489-5335 if you have questions about the project.
Photos of the arrangements
as well as a reservation form is online at:
www.shalomdch.org/blooms.htm.
To reserve an arrangement,
contact Sandy Fangmeier, Project Coordinator:
919-489-0433 or sandyfang@frontier.com
Jewish Family Services at the Levin JCC
1937 Cornwallis Road, Durham
919-354-4936
info@levinjcc.org
www.levinjcc.org
Contact Jenny Schwartz
at 919-354-4923 or jschwartz@shalomdch.org
for information on these & other JFS programs.
Visti the JCC website for dates & details
on these ongoing events & more:
JFS Mitzvah Corps Bubbes and Zaydes
Job & Networking Group  Caregiver Support Group
Chronic Connections  Memory Café
Chaverim  JFS Clinical Connections
Women’s & Men’s Groups  BRIDGES Sensational Sundays
Connections
We need Beth El volunteers at the Chapel Hill
Community Kitchen to cook lunch on the first Wednesday
of each month from 9:30-12:30. Anyone able to help please
contact Gladys Siegel (gladys5@earthlink.net)
Servers & Tuna Casseroles Needed for Durham
Community Café Dinner the fourth Sunday of each
month! Several casseroles are needed for the Community
Café dinner that is served on the fourth Sunday of each
month. For your convenience, the recipe is printed below.
Please deliver the casseroles to Judea Reform before the
fourth Sunday of each month during their regular office
hours. If you are unable to deliver the casserole, please
contact Erica Gringle to make alternate arrangements.
This mitzvah is an easy one in which to involve children.
Besides making casseroles, Beth El's commitment is to
provide servers for the community meal on the fourth
Sunday of each month (5:45 PM - 7:15 PM). If you are
interested in participating in this community service project,
please contact Erica Rapport Gringle. Pre-teens through
adult can serve so this too is great mitzvah to do with your
older kids.
TUNA NOODLE CASSEROLE
(use a very large rectangular or oval disposable tin)
Please note changes for pasta & vegetables
—2 lbs. of rotini (other pastas get mushy after being frozen,
thawed and baked)
—about 42 ounces of water packed tuna, drained
—7 cans of cream of mushroom soup (about 70 ounces and
low sodium, if possible)
—8 carrots and 8 stalks of celery, diced
—Boil the noodles in a large pot of water until al dente or
almost done. Drain and place in casserole.
—Add all other ingredients and mix well.
—No need to cook. Just cover tightly with lots of foil and
transport it to the Judea Reform freezer.
Help our Jewish Elderly: Jewish Family Services
provides a program and lunch for seniors in our community
(Chaverim). This is a wonderful opportunity for our elderly
seniors to get together on a regular basis, spending time
together chatting over a good lunch. We are looking for
small groups of friends, such as a family or two, a Hebrew
school class or a B’nei Mitzvah student to consider preparing
or sponsoring ($100 donation) a lunch in honor or memory
of someone or just for the fun of it, for between 15 - 20
seniors. This is an easy and wonderfully rewarding mitzvah
opportunity. For more information please contact Michele
Pas at mjbpas@aol.com or 919-493-3175.
Volunteer as a Guardian ad Litem: Help change the
lives of Durham's abused and neglected children. For more
information or to volunteer, contact Stephanie Kelly at
564-7289 or stephanie.l.Kelly@nccourts.org. Sandy Kessler
can also give you information on what it is like to be a
Guardian ad Litem.
Duke Hospice Volunteers Needed: If you or anyone
you know is interested in becoming a hospice volunteer for
Duke Hospice, please contact Carolyn Colsher at 919-6203859, ext. 235 or Carolyn.colsher@duke.edu. For more
information on programs visit www.dhch.duhs.duke.edu.
29
BETH EL SCHEDULE OF SERVICES
Friday evening services:
Services are held on Friday evenings only in conjunction with other programming or special occasions.
See monthly calendars for noted dates and times.
Saturday morning services:
Services in the Orthodox Kehillah begin at 9:00 a.m.
Services in the Main Sanctuary begin at 9:30 a.m.
Weekday minyanim in the Main Sanctuary:
Sunday mornings at 9:30am
Wednesday mornings at 8:00am
*Please let the office know in advance if you need to say Kaddish, even if a minyan has already been scheduled.
OFFICE HOURS:
Monday through Thursday: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. / Fridays: 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Office
Rabbi Daniel Greyber, Rabbi
Ivy Wingate, Interim Executive Director
Elisabeth Albert, Education & Youth Director
Rachel Albert, Congregational Services Coordinator
Krisha Miller, Publicity Assistant
Rabbi Steve Sager, Rabbi Emeritus
Bulletin Advertising Sales Manager
(voice) 919-682-1238 (fax) 919-682-7898
919-682-2491
RabbiGreyber@betheldurham.org
919-682-1238 ext. 110
Ivy@betheldurham.org
919-682-1238 ext. 170
Elisabeth@betheldurham.org
919-682-1238 ext. 100
Rachel@betheldurham.org
919-416-1397
Krisha@betheldurham.org
919-682-1238 ext. 195
Ssager18@gmail.com
919-942-5369
Gladys5@earthlink.net
If the office phone is in use or no one is in the office, please leave a message on the voice mail.
Your call will be returned in a timely manner.
BETH EL WEBSITE:
Barak Richman
Rachel Galanter
Noah Pickus
Roy Schonberg
President
1st Vice-President
2nd Vice-President
Financial Secretary
www.betheldurham.org
The deadline to submit items for the Beth El Bulletin is the first workday of the preceding month.
The deadline for the November issue are due October 1; for the December issue, November 1.
Send bulletin items and calendar dates via e-mail to krisha@betheldurham.org.
Dated Material
Beth El Synagogue
1004 Watts Street
Durham, NC 27701