Volume 156, Issue 7
Tevet/Sh’vat 5775
February 2015
Vote for Israel’s and Your Future
worldwide.”
There is still time to be heard on the
future of Israel and Reform Judaism.
Elections are ongoing for delegates to
the World Zionist Congress (WZC) that
will convene in Israel this fall.
The Congress, which takes place every
five years, determines many important
issues in the State of Israel, including
how funds are distributed through the
Jewish Agency for Israel and the Jewish
National Fund. This is our opportunity
as Reform Jews to have a significant
say and to influence decision making.
According to ARZA, our Reform
Zionist organization, explains: “The
composition of the American delegation
[to the Congress] is critically important
to Reform Jews in the United States
and Israel because the American
delegation of 145 delegates is the
largest delegation from outside of
Israel to the Congress. The decisions
of the Congress influence hundreds of
millions of dollars in funding, over $4
million of which is currently allocated
to the Reform Movement each year.
In addition, the Congress will help
determine the leadership of the major
global Jewish organizations, budgetary
decisions, and policy in Israel and
A Celebration Of Our Artists
Artistic talent abounds in our
congregation. Come appreciate the
efforts of your fellow congregants
during the Second B’nai Israel Art
Show February 5 to 15.
A gallery of members’ works will be
on display in the Temple. The event
also includes:
“Chagall’s Artistic Vision”
Legendary artist Marc Chagall’s
granddaughter, Bella Meyer, will speak
at 8:15 p.m. on Friday, February 6.
Shabbat services begin at 6:00 p.m.,
followed by dinner at 7:15 p.m. For
reservations, contact the Temple office
via lynn@cbibpt.org.
Artists Reception & Havdallah
Come meet and celebrate the artists
with a reception on Saturday, February
7 at 4:00 p.m.
Art of the Future
Children will get a chance to show off
their talents after Religious School
at Noon on Sunday, February 8. The
Sunday school students will be invited
to sit with some of the artists at the
project table of their choice after a
pizza lunch. This workshop is free of
charge. Please come and share in this
wonderful experience with your child!
You can still vote through April 30
for the Reform Movement’s slate of
delegates. Register and vote online in
one session. When you register at www.
reformjews4israel.org, you can cast your
vote for ARZA – REPRESENTING
REFORM JUDAISM. (Paper ballots
are available in the Temple office for
those who choose not to vote online.)
To vote, you must be 18 by June 30,
2015, Jewish and a citizen or permanent
resident of the United States. There is a
fee to cover administrative costs of the
election: $5 for those ages 18 to 29, the
fee is $5; and $10 for those who are 30
and older. Think of it as an investment
in the future of Reform Judaism in
Israel.
Inside This Issue
Welcome!................................. .P.2
Sharing Our Joy.........................P.2
Sincere Sympathy......................P.2
From the Rabbi’s Desk..............P.3
BIFTY........................................P.4
Rabbi Schultz........................... P.5
Cantor Blum..............................P.6
Adult Jewish Learning..............P.6
From the Education Center.......P.7
Bonim Preschool.......................P.8
ReConnect.................................P.8
Donations..................................P.10
High Holy Days Appeal............P.11
Shabbat Services Schedule.......P.16
Bulletin Board
Welcome! Welcome!
A warm welcome to our newest
members. We look forward to their
participation in our many programs
and hope their affiliation will not
only enrich their lives, but that of
our congregation.
Samara and Matthias Mildner, and
Gabriel
Lakewood Drive, Trumbull
Sharing our Joy . . .
Congratulations to:
Nina and Ken Rabine, on the birth of
grandson, Julian Paolo Cabrera, son of
Bari Rabine and Dennis Cabrera
Laura and Howard Twersky, on the
engagement of son, William Twersky,
to Elizabeth Soltesz
Sincere Sympathy
We extend our sympathy to the
bereaved families of:
Matthew Cooper, grandson of Lilla
and Milton Cooper
Jacob Epstein, father of Bob Epstein
Pat Marchetti
Lester Rand, father of Jill Dachman
Stanley Rosoff, husband of Elaine
Rosoff, father of Renee Noren
Janice Blum, mother of Cantor Sheri
Blum
Cynthia Dworken, wife of Jeffrey
Dworken, mother of Stephanie,
Benjamin and Jared Dworken
Donate Blood
The next Red Cross Blood Drive at
B’nai Israel will take place on Monday,
February 9.
Despite “difficult” weather, we
collected 24 pints of blood at our
last blood drive on December 10.
Thank you to those congregants who
donated, including Alexa Cohen, Ken
Rabine, Ira Wise, Mark Cohen, Lori
Underberger and Marisa Underberger.
We received the following message
from our Red Cross contact
Paul Leahy:
“At this wonderful time of year, I want
to pause and take a minute to recognize
you, and to thank you all, from the
bottom of my heart, for all your time,
effort and commitment to the American
Red Cross blood services program...
Our jobs and lives are made easier
because of your dedication and tireless
efforts. I started this job September
2013, and I realized how fortunate
I am to count you as a friend (there
are over225 of you on this email)! ...
I would like to share with you that
communally YOU have collected
And we thank those in the B’nai Israel
community for their help in getting
the word out, setting up and taking
down to make it all possible:Lynn
Lynch, Abby Rohinsky, Samuel
Rosenberg and Ira Wise.
Food for the Soul
We need your help! Before each
Shabbat service, the Temple provides
a small Oneg in the lobby. These
small (nut-free) snacks and drinks are
a great ice-breaker as you meet fellow
congregants, a perfect quick bite if
you’re ravenous after a long day, and
a helpful distraction for toddlers and
younger children.
However, they do not appear by
magic! If you are interested in
volunteering to bring in treats on a
Friday, please contact Naomi Schaffer
at naomilev@optonline.net. You can
drop them off at the Temple at any
time that’s convenient for you.
2710 Park Avenue Bridgeport, CT 06604
(203) 336-1858 • www.cbibpt.org
The Bulletin of Congregation B’nai Israel is published every month except July.
James Prosnit, D.D. ............................ Rabbi
SHARE YOUR
SUCCESS!
Evan Schultz ................................... Rabbi
We want to hear the great
achievements of our congregants.
When you or your family members
have something noteworthy to
share, let’s share it in the Bulletin.
Send the details to editor Scott
Smith at ssmith@cbibpt.org.
Ramon Gilbert, D.M. .......... Cantor Emeritus
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10,008 life-saving units of blood that
touch 30,004 patients during these
past 15 months!...Thank you everyone
for always helping, guiding, and
supporting, it is greatly appreciated!”
Arnold I. Sher, D.D. ............... Rabbi Emeritus
Sheri E. Blum, D.M. ........................... Cantor
Ira J. Wise, R.J.E. .......... Director of Education
Robert H. Gillette, R.J.E. ... Educator Emeritus
Alexa Cohen .......... Early Childhood Director
Abby Rohinsky ............... Director of Facility
Officers
Samuel J. Rosenberg ........................ President
Michael Blumenthal .......... 1st Vice President
Larry Levine ............................. Vice President
Shari Nerreau ........................... Vice President
Julie Pressman .......................... Vice President
Lori Underberger ............................ Treasurer
Jim Greenberg ................. Assistant Treasurer
Evelyn Rubak ................................... Secretary
Joe Varon .......................... Financial Secretary
Mindy Siegel ........... Immediate Past President
Affiliates
Marisa Underberger ............................................ BIFTY Advisor/Youth Engagement Specialist
Caroline DelAngelo & Harper Wise .......................................................... BIFTY Co-Presidents
What’s happening at the Temple? Get Hashavua, our weekly email. Send your request to Lynn at lynn@cbibpt.org.
From the Rabbi's Desk
One Temple, One Book! "Being Mortal" Provokes
a Lively Discussion
Let me recommend a book I read over
New Year’s called “Being Mortal,”
by Atul Gawande. You may know of
him from the New Yorker, as he writes
regularly on medical issues. He’s a
surgeon at Brigham and Women’s
Hospital in Boston, a professor at
Harvard Medical School and the
Harvard School of Public Health, and
the author of three other books. “Being
Mortal” has become a best-seller, and I
know a lot of people have read it. Once
you do, you want to talk about it.
As a result, I’d like to suggest it
become our One Temple, One Book
selection for 2015. We’ll plan the
conversation for Monday, March 30.
It’s a quick read, but it is not easy. It’s
not Jewish, per se. But if one of the
hallmarks of being a good Jew is to ask
pertinent questions, then this book is as
Jewish as they come. Gawande makes
us think about our lives – and how for
many folks the priority may not just
be to live longer. The medical system,
however, is not set up that way, he
suggests. He writes, “The simple view
is that medicine exists to fight death
and disease, and that is, of course, its
most basic task. But the enemy has
superior forces. Eventually, it wins.
And in a war that you cannot win, you
don’t want a general who fights to the
point of total annihilation. You don’t
want Custer. You want Robert E. Lee,
someone who knows how to fight for
territory that can be won and how to
surrender when it can’t be.”
This is not a book that’s just focused
on the right to die. Its concern is how
best to live as we age and how best
to protect ourselves and our loved
ones when end-of-life illnesses and
diminishments approach.
• What do you want at the end of
your life?
• What are your fears and worries for
the future if your health should worsen?
• What are the tradeoffs or sacrifices
you would make to maintain your
life commitments?
“THE SUBJECT IS
TOO IMPORTANT
TO AVOID.”
Dr. Gawande interviewed over 200
patients facing terminal illness across
the lifespan. He also interviewed
doctors, geriatric and palliative care
and hospice professionals. What he
discovered is not such a surprise;
namely, that people facing the end of
life express a diversity of quality-of-life desires. Doctors, however, rarely
ask about them, and family members
frequently overlook them in helping
loved ones make such decisions.
Gawande suggests being sensitive and
curious in framing such questions:
Of course, knowing the answers to
these questions and making the choices
is not easy or simple. The old system,
Gawande suggests, was simpler: You
took the most aggressive treatment
available, even if it wasn’t always in
the patient’s best interests. He writes,
“Mortality can be a treacherous
subject. Some will be alarmed by the
prospect of a doctor’s writing about
the inevitability of decline and death.
For many, such talk, however carefully
framed, raises the specter of a society
readying itself to sacrifice its sick and
aged. But what if the sick and aged are
already being sacrificed – victims of
our refusal to accept the inexorability
of our life cycle? And what if there are
better approaches, right in front of our
eyes, waiting to be recognized?”
The subject is too important to avoid.
Jewish tradition has much to say on
the matter as well. Read the book, and
let’s talk!
Join Us In Israel
At the end of this year, B’nai Israel will
team with the First Congregational
Church of Fairfield for an interfaith
trip to Israel. Join Rabbi James
Prosnit and the Rev. David Spollett
from December 30, 2015, to January
10, 2016, for a tour of the Holy Land.
For details, follow this link to view
the flyer and flipbook:
http://www.arzaworld.com/Flipbook/
Congregation_bnai_israel_&_first_
church_fairfield/
For congregants interested in hearing
more about this trip, Rabbi Prosnit
and Reverend Spollett will be holding
an Information Session at the Temple
on Thursday, February 12 at 7:30 p.m.
Contact the Temple office at (203)
336-1858 if you have questions or
are interested.
Donation Item of the Month: Peanut Butter & Jelly
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BIFTY
February BIFTY Events
All events are held in the BIFTY
Lounge from 7:00-8:30 p.m., unless
otherwise noted:
February 12 – TuB’aav (Jewish
Valentines’ Day)
February 21 (6:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.) –
Celebrate Havdalah with BIFTY! We
are excited to welcome all 7th and
8th graders to this fun event! Join
us for dinner, Havdalah, snacks and a
fun program! Please RSVP to youth
engagement advisor Marisa Underberger
at munderberger@cbibpt.org if you are
interested in attending.
February 26 – Culture Extravaganza
Like “BIFTY” on Facebook!
Follow “BIFTYPage” on Instagram!
BIFTY teens have a sweet time celebrating Chanukah at a December event.
A “Fresh” Perspective On Joining BIFTY
Freshmen Melanie Del Angelo,
Kaleigh
Karnal
and
Jenna
Rosenstein serve on BIFTY’s
board. Melanie is the social action
vice president, Kaleigh is the
communications vice president,
and Jenna is the freshman
representative. These three highschoolers play a vital role in
planning BIFTY’s events and
recruiting members. Read below
to find out why they joined BIFTY
and why you should, too!
How did you hear about BIFTY?
MD: I heard about it through my
sister, who is the current BIFTY
president. She brought me to some
events when I was in 8th grade, and
I had a lot of fun.
JR: I heard about BIFTY last year
during the 8th-grade program and
it was immediately something I
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built with other Jewish teenagers
and the fun programs. My favorite
KK: I heard about BIFTY through program was the Halloween event
seeing their presence at the where we dressed up and played
Temple and through my friend, different games.
Jenna, who encouraged me to be
on board.
Why should other teens join
BIFTY?
What do you like most about
BIFTY? Do you have any favorite MD: Other teens should join
events?
BIFTY because it is really fun and
it is a great break from homework.
MD: I really like the people. The
I always look forward to Thursday
board gets along really well, so
nights at BIFTY!
it makes events and meetings
enjoyable. My favorite event was JR: BIFTY is always something
the first event, which was a temple I look forward to, and it allows
scavenger hunt. It was a great way me to connect with other Jewish
to start off the year!
teenagers that I otherwise would
not have known.
JR: I enjoy hanging out with the
people and doing Jewish activities KK: BIFTY is really fun and a great
in a relaxed setting. My favorite way to stay involved in the Temple.
event was also the temple hunt.
It is fun and Jewish without being
overly Jewish.
KK: I enjoy the relationships I have
wanted to be a part of.
Tell us your B’nai Israel story. See “One of Us” on Page 9 for details.
From Rabbi Schultz
That Wooden Spoon? There's More to That
One of the things that I love about
many of our Jewish texts is that they
direct us to notice and find meaning in
the seemingly mundane, little details of
life. Take serving utensils, for example.
Our tradition teaches that when you
buy new utensils, specifically metal
or glass utensils, one isrequired to
immerse them in the mikvah, the Jewish
ritual bath. One usually associates the
mikvah as a human endeavor, but walk
down the streets of Meah Shearim in
Jerusalem, for example, and you will
notice these little ritual baths scattered
about the neighborhood, as Jews arrive
with their new spatulas and salad tongs
to dunk them in water and raise them
to a level of holiness. Personally I
never quite understood the reason for
this practice, asking why our utensils
need to reach a certain state of purity.
Humans I understand, but utensils?
Jewish law states that metal and
glass utensils require the mikvah, but
wooden utensils do not. I thought to
myself, “Why metal and glass but not
wood?” Perhaps it has something to do
with the natural state of being of the
wooden object. A utensil made of wood
does not require chemical reactions
or engineering in a blacksmith’s
workshop or glass blower’s studio. The
wood comes straight from the earth,
and is thus already in a state of purity
and holiness. It is in its original state
of God’s creation. The metal and glass,
however, require further steps – some
type of chemical reaction must take
place to create metal and glass objects.
The materials lose their natural state;
they are melded and fused together. They
become distanced from their original
state of creation, from God, and thus
lose their level of holiness and purity.
Several years ago, hiking in the
mountains of northern Thailand with
my wife, Jenny, our tour guide, Simsak,
had prepared a wonderful lunch for us.
As we sat down alongside a river for
lunch, he ran off for a moment with his
machete and returned with three large
leaves. We asked what they were for,
and he replied that the leaves were our
plates. There was something wonderful
about eating our meal on a leaf, rather
than a plate. There was a connection
to nature and food that I had never
experienced before.
As we enter into the Jewish holiday of
TuB’Shevat on February 4, we take time
to celebrate trees and all the wonders of
nature. Perhaps the reason we need a
mikvah for our metal and glass utensils
is to symbolically return them to nature;
to immerse them in fresh water is to
bring them back into God’s realm, to
return them in a symbolic sense back to
a natural state, just like wood or leaves.
We think so much now about the food
we eat and intentionality about eating
foods that are natural and organic. Our
traditional so teaches us to be aware of
the utensils we use and how eating off
of natural surfaces can elevate holiness
and bring us to a higher awareness of
creation and God. Happy TuB’Shevat!
Rabbi Schultz (right) and his guide, Simsak, have a truly all-natural meal during a hiking trip in Thailand.
We want you in the Bulletin! Send your news to editor Scott Smith at ssmith@cbibpt.org.
5
From Cantor Blum
Singing Aveinu Malkeinu, and How It Made Me a Cantor
As many of you know, my Mother, Jan
Blum (1933-2014) passed away at the
end of December. I wrote this article a
few years back for the Temple blog, and
I would like to reprint this now in my
Mom’s memory.
Cantor Sheri Blum
we would look at each other and she
would give me a special smile before I
started. Through all my years as a student
Cantor and then Cantor, thru the 35 High
Holy Day seasons I have sung, Aveinu
Malkeinu has been a spiritual moment
for me.
I grew up in a Reform congregation in
Northern California. My favorite prayer
at the High Holy Days was when the
choir sang Aveinu Malkeinu, composed
by Max Janowski. We were still using
the old Union Prayer book in those days,
and I would look ahead each service and
count the pages until they sang Aveinu
Malkeinu. Later, when in high school,
I joined the adult choir, and, since they
did not have a Cantor, Aveinu Malkeinu
became my big solo. It spoke to me. It
moved me. Every time before I would
sing it, I would look at my mother,
who never missed a service I sang, and
One of the hardest things for me about
the High Holy Days was a few years
ago, when my parents were unable to
attend services anymore from California
anymore due to health issues, my aunt
died, my uncle went into a nursing home
and my daughter went to college, all in
the same year, looking out at the empty
seats in the front row where they had all
formerly sat and not have my Mother to
wink at before I sang the prayer.
I can honestly say this one prayer was
what inspired me to become a Cantor.
When I auditioned for cantorial school
at the Hebrew Union College, I sang it.
When I auditioned for my student pulpit in
Long Island, I sang it. When I auditioned
for my previous job in Worcester, I sang
it. The Rabbi I worked with there said that
when I sang Aveinu Malkeinu, he could
see my soul. And then, when I auditioned
for B’nai Israel, I sang it.
Music is very powerful. When we hear
the special melodies from the High Holy
Days, it makes us feel that the holidays are
here. The music is special, the holidays
are special. What is hard is when we are
unable to be with our families anymore
at holidays. Luckily, we are all part of the
B’nai Israel family, the most wonderful
group of people. I hope that all of us
receive the comfort from the holidays
we seek, renew ourselves and put us in
a positive frame of mind for the next
upcoming year. And I hope that the music
we sing will inspire all of us.
Adult Jewish Learning at Congregation B'nai Israel
One Temple! One Book! “Being
Mortal” by Atul Gawande
Monday, March 30 at 7:00 p.m.
We invite you and, if you have one, your
book group to read “Being Mortal” by
Atul Gawande between now and March
30, and then join Rabbi Prosnit for a
conversation about the book. Please
see his article about the book on Page
3 of this Bulletin. He writes: “This is
not a book that’s just focused on the
right to die. Its concern is how best to
live as we age and how best to protect
ourselves and our loved ones when
end-of-life illnesses and diminishments
approach.” This is an enormously
compelling topic and should lead to
a wonderful conversation. Last year
we had a fantastic conversation with
over 60 people for Ari Shavit’s “My
Promised Land.” We expect an equally
lively meeting on the 30th. Books are
available for purchase in the temple
office.
Are We Still One People? Defining
6
Jewish
Pluralism
in the 21st
Century
Monday
Midrasha,
February 2 and 9 at 7:00 p.m.
As indicated by recent studies, the
nature of Jewish identity and notions
of Jewish peoplehood are rapidly
changing in the United States. Join
with Rabbi Dan Satlow as he explores
some of the latest ideas and thinking
on what it means to be a Jewish
people and how we can redefine
Jewish pluralism in the 21st century.
Adult Round Table
First Thursday of Every Month at
12:30 p.m.
Next meetings are February 5 and
March 5
A discussion about current events for
anyone who wants to go beyond the
headlines. Facilitated by Gloria Katz.
Join us the first Thursday of every
month, and bring a sandwich, your
opinion and an open mind.
Rosh Chodesh – Women’s Group
With Rabbi Suri Krieger
Thursdays at 7:30 p.m., February 19
The Modern Jewish Short Story
Lifelong Learning
Fridays, February 6, 13, 20 and 27
Noon-1:30 p.m.
Join Rabbi Schultz to read some of the
best Jewish short stories of the past
century – from Yiddish tales to modern
stories.
Judaism and the
Afterlife
Lifelong Learning
– Fridays at Noon,
March 6, 13, 20 and
27
Our tradition may be
less definitive, but it is nonetheless
strong about life after life. Learn more
with (soon-to-be Rabbi) Barbara Paris!
B’nai Israel congregants can be your customers, too! To advertise in the Bulletin, contact Nina King at nking@cbibpt.org.
From The Education Center
FROM THE EDUCATION CENTER – Above, Rabbi Prosnit teaches the families of our current cohort of B’nai Mitzvah about
the meaning of the service; below left, Kitah Alef (first grade) traveling with Abram (Young Israeli Emissary Lidor Osmo) to the
land that God promised; while, below right, students have a blast during the 21st Annual Chanukah Music Festival.
What’s happening at the Temple? Get Hashavua, our weekly email. Send your request to Lynn at lynn@cbibpt.org.
7
ReConnect
Join Us and ‘Bad
Jews’
Join our B’nai Israel
ReConnect
Group
(formerly the B’nai
Israel Empty Nesters)
on Saturday, March
21 for a 6:00 p.m. nohost dinner at Brazi’s
Restaurant in New
Haven, followed by the 8:00 p.m.
performance of “Bad Jews” at Long
Wharf Theatre (across the parking lot
from the restaurant).
“Bad Jews” is a comedy with a bold
take on our complex relationship with
family, legacy and tradition.
B’nai Israel purchased 25 tickets for
the March 21 performance. Tickets are
available
through
the Temple office for
$60 each, a 20 percent group discount,
on a first-come,
first-served
basis.
Call Chris at 203336-1858 to order your tickets now.
Tickets must be purchased by March
1. No tickets will be held without
full payment.
We hope you will join us for a fun night
of dinner and theater!
Bonim Preschool
Help Your Child Take Control of
His or Her Emotions
Recently, the U.S. Department of Health
and Human Services Office of Head
Start offered this advice to parents:
“Young children have very strong
emotions. In the process of learning to
express them in words, they sometimes
lose control. When you help your child
manage feelings, you teach self-control
and social skills. Both are important
for school success.”
Here are some tips they offered; I
expanded on a few of them.
•Use words—in English or your
home language—that your child
understands. Remember, most
children do not know what the
word behave means. Tell them
what you want them to do. Just
telling a child to behave before
dropping them off at school
is unclear for young children.
Instead, say something like “Be
a good friend, be a good listener,
and be safe.”
8
•Encourage your child to talk
about feelings. Respond with
empathy. For example: “I hear
that you are mad. What can I do to
help you?”
•Use books and pictures — or
songs and videos — to talk about
how people look and act when
they feel different emotions. Ask
your child’s preschool teacher
for suggestions, or go to your
local library.
•Discuss new ways your child can
respond when feeling stressed.
Encourage children to run or
play ball outside to help dissipate
negative energy. Some children
respond well to singing and
dancing to help “blow off steam”
•Describe positive ways to help
them calm down when emotions
feel out of control. Sometimes
jumping up and down a few times
or pressing the wall can help
children re-focus. Taking deep
breaths also helps. Consider a
children’s yoga class.
By Alexa Cohen
A Guide For The
Perplexed
Have you resolved to spend a little time
this winter getting to know more about our
Jewish heritage, customs and literature?
B’nai Israel is fortunate to have a really
lovely library, filled with volumes of
interesting fiction and nonfiction for
learners and readers of all ages.
Our “library ladies” are themselves
well-read book enthusiasts who have
worked with our Clergy and Religious
School personnel to organize the reading
material as well as the check-out/checkin procedures to make access to the
library easy and fun.
Among the many books we could display
as the hallmark of our diversity, one that
stands out is an intriguing and complex
novel with many layers of relationships,
Dara Horn’s “A Guide to the Perplexed.”
Drawing deeply from the well of
Maimonides’ writings of the same title,
as well as from issues from centuries of
history and contemporary living, this book
is a challenge well worth diving into.
There are so many other available books
that it would take a lifetime to write about
them all. For children, there are some
familiar classics and there are new ones,
such as “Yuvi’s Candy Tree,” by Lesley
Simpson. Simpson’s beautifully illustrated
book shares the moving story of a young
Ethiopian girl who immigrates to Israel.
“Green Bible Stories for Children,” written
by Tami Lehman-Wilzig and illustrated by
Durga Yael Bernhard, takes a hands-on
approach to the Bible with activities that
can be shared by the whole family.
For adults who will always be interested
in the story of Anne Frank, “The Boy Who
Loved Anne Frank,” by Ellen Feldman, tells
the story of what might have happened if
Peter had lived. And on the more scholarly
side, Bruce Feiler’s “America’s Prophet:
Moses and The American Story” gives
us a fascinating look at the connections
between Moses and a wide range of events
in American history. Great reading!
So, if you are perplexed about what to
read next on your Jewish journey, stop by
the library on your way in or out of the
Temple. We would love to see you here!
The Library Ladies
Congratulate Ira Wise on his 20th anniversary as our Director of Education!
ONE OF US: Bob Sussman
Connecting With The Greater Good
You hear the name Congregation B’nai
Israel and you rightfully think of a place of
worship. Yet, more than the place, we are
a congregation – a gathering of people.
Our paths to B’nai Israel are distinct and
individual. Find out what makes each of
you One of Us.
Bob Sussman is all about connections.
No, not the kind you need to get ahead
in business or to feel you belong to
the in group. Bob’s connections are
humanitarian. Through his community
involvement, he creates remarkable
results and ongoing relationships that
spread exponentially. His operative word
is always “yes” when it comes to reaching
out to others in friendship and support. He
glows when he speaks of his work, and it
is infectious.
Bob and his family are lifelong members
of B’nai Israel. He is the third generation
to run the family business, Fairfield
Center Jewelers. He was born into the
congregation, consecrated, became a
Bar Mitzvah and was confirmed at the
temple. His wife, Susie, was one of Rabbi
Prosnit’s first conversions. Rabbi Prosnit
made Susie feel completely comfortable
and welcome at B’nai Israel.
Bob’s passion for community service
was kindled during his involvement with
BBYO in high school. As he reconnected
with B’nai Israel as an adult, he began
volunteering at St. John’s Church in
Bridgeport through the Social Action
Committee. For six years, he made the
trip down to the corner of Fairfield and
Park Avenues. He was in his mid- to
late twenties and was working with six
bubbies, but he was hooked. Helping
those in need and connecting with the
other volunteers provided a special kind
of spirituality and satisfaction.
The birth of their daughter, Carleigh,
reinvigorated Bob and Susie’s attachment
to B’nai Israel. For the 13 mitzvot for
Carleigh’s Bat Mitzvah, Bob and his
family brainstormed ideas. Bob suggested
food pantry and a cancer support group
for women, the only one in Bridgeport for
underserved women. Bob is B’nai Israel’s
ambassador to all of these people.
Bob Sussman
volunteering at St. John’s. However,
that was not a viable choice as it was
already being managed by the Social
Action Committee. So Bob contacted
every reverend and minister he knew in
Bridgeport and Fairfield. Eventually, he
found Norma Pfriem Urban Outreach
Intiatives at United Congregational
Church.
He and Carleigh started going there
together every week. After four weeks,
one of the reverends announced for all to
hear, “There’s Bob Sussman, my favorite
Jew!” Bob’s reply: “Jesus is the first one,
so I’ll take second place.” Bob had built a
bridge, not just from one human being to
another, but also one from our synagogue
to the community.
Bob is now vice president of the Norma
Pfriem Urban Outreach board. He credits
B’nai Israel and its mitzvot program with
guiding him in the right direction. While
in high school, through BBYO, he would
go to the Jewish Home for the Elderly
to make minyan early in the morning
before school. He would patrol the Jewish
Community Center on Park Avenue at
night due to problems with vandalism.
Bob’s enthusiasm for volunteering is
infectious. “This interfaith collaboration
is amazing,” he says. “I go there very
proudly Jewish. The board members and
the deacons all know that I am there to
stay and to help.”
The Norma F. Pfriem Outreach Committee,
under the auspices of the church, oversees
projects beyond the kitchen, including a
Donated Item of the Month: Peanut Butter & Jelly
Bob lives and breathes Tikkun Olam.
It’s been three years since Carleigh’s Bat
Mitzvah, but Bob continues to bring down
Bar and Bat Mitzvah students from the
temple so they can experience what it is
like to help others in need. He believes
that investing in young adults and guiding
them through community service sets a
foundation that hopefully will continue
into their adulthood and they pass these
values on to their children. Often these
kids return for more visits, even though
their Bar/Bat Mitzvah has come and gone.
He is deeply committed to the future of
Judaism and how it is perceived in our
community and the world. He believes
the perception is too often negative, that
Jews are not as united as we should be. He
hopes that synagogues will find a way to
support each other’s strengths and unify to
build a better world.
Bob’s community involvement also
includes participating in the Tent of
Abraham, essentially a community
meeting of people of all faiths. He has
been an active member of the Kiwanis
Club for 22 years. It’s all about kids, as
the club sponsors bike safety events and
car seat inspections, awards scholarships
and much more.
Bob will write a check, but believes his
contributions through deeds are so much
more meaningful. His life has always
been about hands-on giving, about paying
it forward, about getting in there and
working with and for others. It’s all about
making a personal connection.
By Ruth Gross
We want to know what makes each of
you One of Us. Please share with us
your Congregation B’nai Israel story.
Email the B’nai Israel Storytellers at
ssmith@cbibpt.org.
9
Donations
Please note that only contributions of $10.00 or more will be acknowledged with a card and Bulletin listing.
Rabbi Prosnit Discretionary Fund
Alyssa Cohen, in memory of Marcia Cohen.
Cynthia and Joel Davis, in honor of the 60th
Wedding Anniversary of Elisabeth and Sheldon
Woolf.
Eloise Epstein, in memory of Bernie Gerber; in
memory of husband, Dr. Gerald Epstein.
Michael and Diane Farber, a donation.
Stacy and Rob Giglietti, in appreciation.
Jim and Lisa Greenberg, in memory of Pat
Marchetti.
Joe Greenberg, in memory of parents, Dorothy
and Samuel Greenberg.
Laurel and Harris Greenberg, with thanks to
Ira Wise and Rabbi Prosnit for their wonderful
classes on Friday at noon; get-well wishes to
Roz Gordon.
Ruth and Eric Gross, in memory of Gertrude
August, mother of Jon August.
Janice and Bernard Jacobs, in memory of
Gertrude August, mother of Jon August; in
memory of Phyllis Weisblatt; in memory of
Janice Blum, mother of Cantor Sheri Blum; in
memory of Ellen Kadden, wife of Jack Kadden.
Geoffrey and Melanie Kooris, and David and
Jessica Kooris, in memory of Ellen Kadden,
wife of Jack Kadden.
Liz and Gary Krebs, in memory of Bernard
Lipin, stepfather of Stacy Giglietti.
Carol Krim, in appreciation of our wonderful
Temple Office Staff.
Aleksey and Raisa Ledvich, in memory of
aunt, Shelya Sotnik.
Andrew and Carol Lubin, a donation.
Muriel Mann, in appreciation for the Holiday
Candles, in honor of Rabbi Prosnit and Wendy
Bloch on the birth of grandson, Ezra Jules
Gleeson Prosnit; in memory of mother and
father, Mary Zamelsky Plotkin and Barnet
Plotkin.
Nora Mayerson, in memory of friend Ellen
Kadden, wife of Jack Kadden; in honor of Rabbi
Prosnit and wife, Wendy Bloch, celebrating
their 40th wedding anniversary and becoming
grandparents to Ezra Jules Gleeson Prosnit.
Meg Murray and Ivan Maisel, a donation.
Joan and Alan Newman, in honor of Jakob
Newman’s Bar Mitzvah.
Andy and Kathy Olschan, and Patty and
David Kusovitsky, in appreciation.
Barbara Panisch, in memory of Matthew
Cooper, grandson of Lilla and Milton Cooper.
Beth and Randy Reich, wishes for the recovery
and an easy recuperation of Abe Breslow.
Julie and Howard Rosenbaum, in honor of
Abigail Rosenbaum’s Bat Mitzvah.
David Rutkin and Wendy Rutkin, in memory
of our mother, Ricki Kinzler.
Roberta and Sanford Small, in memory of
Harold Sternberg, uncle of Roberta Small; in
memory of Edward Small, father of Sanford
Small.
10
Cleo Sonneborn, in memory of father, Clark
Rawdon.
Ken and Rita Weinstein, in memory of Dr.
Albert Weinstein.
Dr. Norman and Marilyn S. Weinstein, in
memory of Jennie Rome Weinstein and Dr.
Albert Weinstein.
Ronni and Fred Zinn, in memory of David
Zinn.
Rabbi Schultz Discretionary Fund
Annette and Hunter Norton, in honor of the
baby naming of daughter, Chloe.
Julie and Howard Rosenbaum, in honor of
Abigail Rosenbaum’s Bat Mitzvah.
Naomi Schaffer and Roger Jackson, in
memory of Ellen Kadden, wife of Jack Kadden.
Adam and Stephanie Schechter, in memory of
Gene Schechter, father of Adam Schechter.
The Sommer, Mader and Newman Families,
in honor of, and with thanks to, Rabbi Schultz.
Music Fund
The Beckers, in memory of Janice Blum,
mother of Cantor Sheri Blum.
Carson and Robert Berkowitz, in memory of
Gertrude August, mother of Jon August.
Audrey and Larry Bernstein, in memory of
Ellen Kadden, wife of Jack Kadden; in memory
of Janice Blum, mother of Cantor Sheri Blum.
Edward and Luise Mann Burger, in memory
of Janice Blum, mother of Cantor Sheri Blum.
Colette and David Carasso, in memory
of Sarah Popkin, mother of Judy Brand; in
memory of Ellen Kadden, wife of Jack Kadden;
in memory of Janice Blum, mother of Cantor
Sheri Blum; in memory of Lloyd Rubinstein.
The Caston Family, in fond memory of Dr.
Ralph Heine.
Elaine and Juda Chetrit, in memory of Ellen
Kadden. She will be deeply missed.
Alexa and David Cohen, in memory of Janice
Blum, mother of Cantor Sheri Blum.
Linda and Barry Diamond, in memory of
Janice Blum, mother of Cantor Sheri Blum;
in honor of Ronnie and John Dubrowin’s 10th
Anniversary.
Eloise Epstein, in memory of Janice Blum,
mother of Cantor Sheri Blum.
The Giglietti Family, in memory of Janice
Blum, mother of Cantor Sheri Blum.
The Greenberg Family, in memory of Janice
Blum, mother of Cantor Sheri Blum.
Linda and Gene Koski, in memory of Janice
Blum, mother of Cantor Sheri Blum.
Shirley Jacob Lantz, in memory of Janice
Blum, mother of Cantor Sheri Blum.
Ilse Levi, in memory of Paul Reisman, husband
of Gertrude Reisman; in memory of Janice
Blum, mother of Cantor Sheri Blum.
Muriel Mann, in honor of the marriage of
Cantor Blum’s daughter, Rachel Ginsburg.
Nora Mayerson, in honor of the recent marriage
of Cantor Blum’s daughter, Rachel.
Meg Murray and Ivan Maisel, in memory of
Janice Blum, mother of Cantor Sheri Blum.
Joan and Alan Newman, in honor of Jakob
Newman’s Bar Mitzvah.
The Portnay Family, in memory of Janice
Blum, mother of Cantor Sheri Blum.
Jane and Richard Potzebowski, in memory of
Ellen Kadden, wife of Jack Kadden.
David and Judith Pressler, in loving memory
of Beatrice Pressler; in memory of Ellen
Kadden, wife of Jack Kadden; in memory of
Sophie Varon, mother of Joe Varon.
Beth and Randy Reich and Family, in memory
of Janice Blum, mother of Cantor Sheri Blum.
The Reznikoff Family, in memory of Janice
Blum, mother of Cantor Sheri Blum.
Julie and Howard Rosenbaum, in honor of
Abigail Rosenbaum’s Bat Mitzvah.
Abigail Schine, in memory of Ellen Kadden,
wife of Jack Kadden.
Jonathan and Cleo Sonneborn, in memory of
Ellen Kadden, wife of Jack Kadden.
Esther Spiegel, in memory of Stanley Rosoff,
husband of Elaine Rosoff, mother of Renee
Noren and Gary Rosoff.
Debbie and Michael Weisman, in memory
of Mary Frauwirth, Max Frauwirth and Nancy
Frauwirth; in memory of Janice Blum, mother
of Cantor Sheri Blum.
Debbie Weisman, in appreciation of Douglas
Brown.
Ken and Cindy West, in memory of Janice
Blum, mother of Cantor Sheri Blum.
Adele and Larry Zuckerman, in memory of
Janice Blum, mother of Cantor Sheri Blum.
Enhancement Fund
The Benman Family, in memory of Jack H.
Newman.
Edward and Luise Mann Burger, in memory
of Manny Wohl, father of Allysa Barnett; in
memory of Gunther Stile, father of Twody
Schless; in memory of Stephen Lessler, father
of Terri Green; in memory of Ellen Kadden,
wife of Jack Kadden; in appreciation to, Elaine
and Juda Chetrit, Andy and Carol Lubin, Mark
Schiff, Jeff and Mindy Siegel, Richard and
Susan Walden, and Matthew and Patty Wunder;
thank you all for thinking of us at Chanukah.
Edward and Luise Mann Burger, Allie, Marc,
Dan and Randi, in loving memory of Herbert
Mann, Samuel Burger and Mary Plotkin; in
memory of Barbara Haflich.
Elaine and Juda Chetrit, in memory of
Gertrude August, mother of Jon August.
Mark and Barbara Edinberg, in memory of
Ellen Kadden, wife of Jack Kadden.
The Friday Print Group: Liz Dexhiemer,
David Dunlop, Fran Henry-Meehan, Nancy
Continued on Page 11
We want you in the Bulletin! Send your news to editor Scott Smith at ssmith@cbibpt.org.
Donations
Please note that only contributions of $10.00 or more will be acknowledged with a card and Bulletin listing.
MacTague-Stock, Missy Savard and Michael
Zack, in memory of our dear friend and
colleague, Helene Brier.
Marvin Gelfand, in memory of Nathan and
Cyril Gelfand.
Jim and Lisa Greenberg, in memory of Ellen
Kadden, wife of Jack Kadden; in memory of
Bernard Lipin, stepfather of Stacy Giglietti; in
memory of Sophie Varon, mother of Joe Varon.
Joe Greenberg, Past President Temple Judea
of Coral Gables, in honor of Rabbi Ethan
Prosnit’s Ordination at AUC.
Paula and Bob Herzlinger, in memory of Ellen
Kadden, wife of Jack Kadden.
Molli and Steve Hourihan, a donation.
Janice and Bernard Jacobs, in memory of
Sophie Varon, mother of Joe Varon.
Alisa Jacoby and Family, in appreciation.
Susan Keller and John Wheeler, in memory of
Ellen Kadden, wife of Jack Kadden.
Nancy Kern, a donation.
Alida and Al Kleban, in memory of Irving
Kleban, father of Al Kleban.
Andrew and Carol Lubin, a donation.
Ruth Madwed, in memory of son, Steven
Madwed.
Phyllis Medvedow, in memory of our beloved
Gertrude August, mother of Jon August.
Karin Newman, in memory of Ellen Kadden,
wife of Jack Kadden.
Julie and Steve Pressman, in memory of
Gertrude August, mother of Jon August; in
memory of Sophie Varon, mother of Joe Varon.
Nina and Ken Rabine, in memory of Ellen
Kadden, wife of Jack Kadden.
Mary Ann and Dan Rothstein, in honor of
the Bat Mitzvah of niece, Abigail Rosenbaum,
daughter of Julie and Howard Rosenbaum.
Mindy and Jeff Siegel, a donation.
Jonathan and Cleo Sonneborn, in memory of
Gunther Stile, father of Twody Schless.
Esther Spiegel, in memory of Ellen Kadden,
wife of Jack Kadden.
The Springer-Novick Families, in memory of
Ellen Kadden, wife of Jack Kadden.
Lori and Dan Underberger, in memory of
Ellen Kadden, wife of Jack Kadden; in memory
of Sophie Varon, mother of Joe Varon.
Christopher Uphues, in memory of Ellen W.
Kadden.
Richard Walden, a donation.
Sylvia Prosnit Adult Education Fund
Barbara Abraham, in memory of Ellen
Kadden, wife of Jack Kadden; in honor of
Barbara and Derek Solomon’s 40th anniversary;
in honor of Jeff Ackerman.
Judi and David Beier, in honor of Jerry
Demner’s 65th anniversary of his Bar Mitzvah;
in memory of Leon Rosenthal, stepfather of
Ronnie Dubrowin; in memory of Ellen Kadden,
wife of Jack Kadden; Mazel Tov to the Prosnit
Family on Ethan’s installation to the Rabbinate.
Beth Lazar, in memory of a compassionate
friend, Ellen Kadden, wife of Jack Kadden.
Chris and George Markley, in loving memory
of a dear friend, Ellen Kadden, wife of Jack
Kadden.
HIGH HOLY DAYS APPEAL
Names appearing below are the most recent contributors. Thank you!
Pillar of Congregation
Ann and Arthur Nishball
Serena and Arnie Sher
Benefactor of Congregation
Anne and Mark Kirsch
Carol and Peter Mack
Karen and Peter Montagna
Peter and Gail Weinstein
President’s Circle
Joni and Michael Greenspan
Janice and Bernie Jacobs
Mark Schiff
Caren and Bill Schwartz
Lawrence and Marcy Shinbaum
General Contribution
Carson and Robert Berkowitz
Michael and Judy Blumenthal
Val Bogner
Mark and Helen Cohen
Noel and Danielle Forma
Beryl Kaufman
Albert and AlidaKleban
Barry and Judy Kramer
Alice Madwed
Judith and Michael Meshken
Shari and Brian Nerreau
Barbara J. Norton
Barbara Panisch
Ken and Honey Sacks
Daniel and Laurie Schopick
Marshall and Myra Watnick
Marilyn and Norman Weinstein
Nursery School Enrichment Fund
Amy and Jeff Pressman, in memory of Bernard
Lipin, stepfather of Stacy Giglietti.
Nursery School Scholarship Fund
Stacy and Rob Giglietti, in memory of Michael
Giglietti.
Serena and Arnie Sher, in memory of Sophie
Varon, mother of Joe Varon.
Rabbi Martin Library Fund
Jerry and Dale Demner, in memory of Elaine
Hirsch, sister of Jerry Demner; in memory of
Jessie Demner, mother of Jerry Demner.
Muggs Lefsetz, in memory of Matthew
Cooper, grandson of Lilla and Milton Cooper.
Geraldine and Harvey Levine, in memory of
Ellen Kadden, wife of Jack Kadden.
David and Judith Pressler, in honor of Jakob
Newman and Family, congratulations on
Jakob’s Bar Mitzvah; in loving memory of
aunt, Cynthia Farber Stern.
Abigail Schine, in memory of Janice Blum,
mother of Cantor Sheri Blum.
Prayer Book Fund
Michael Blumenthal and Judy Green
Blumenthal, in memory of Ellen Kadden, wife
of Jack Kadden.
Chris and George Markley, in memory of
Sophie Varon, mother of Joe Varon.
Naomi Schaffer and Roger Jackson, in
memory of Janice Blum, mother of Cantor
Sheri Blum.
Ellen and Robert Sheiman, in memory of
Janice Blum, mother of Cantor Sheri Blum.
Mazon
Nora Mayerson, in memory of beloved
mother, Lily Silverman Shereshefsky.
Religious School Scholarship Fund
The Giglietti Family, in appreciation to Elaine
Chetrit, Yardin Bengio, Cantor Blum and Mrs.
Montagna.
Meg Murray and Ivan Maisel, a donation.
Religious School Enrichment Fund
Andrew and Carol Lubin, a donation.
Julie and Howard Rosenbaum, in honor of
Abigail Rosenbaum’s Bat Mitzvah.
Rabbi Arnold Sher Social Action Fund
Audrey Bernstein, in memory of father, Ned
Mellen.
Michael Blumenthal and Judy Green
Blumenthal, in memory of dear Bess Halpert;
in memory of Sophie Varon, mother of Joe
Varon; in memory of Gertrude August, mother
of Jon August; in memory of Gunther Stile,
father of Twody Schless.
Continued on page 13
This year, Congregation B’nai Israel commemorates more than 100 years of Confirmation classes!
11
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Donations....CONTINUED FROM PAGE 11
Joni and Michael Greenspan, in memory of Pat
Marchetti; get-well wishes to Elizabeth Russell.
Bea and David Lazar, in honor of Beth Lazar.
Leonard and Suzanne Lazar, a donation.
Ilse Levi, in memory of good friend, Ellen Kadden,
wife of Jack Kadden.
Laurie and Daniel Schopick, in memory of
Sylvia Washton, mother of Laura Orr; in memory
of Frances Cohn, mother of Marilyn Banach.
William and Lorraine Smith, in memory of
brother, Harry Smith; in memory of stepmother,
Fanny Smith; in memory of Janice Blum, mother
of Cantor Sheri Blum.
Vision Loan Reduction Fund
Patti and Samuel Rosenberg, in memory of greatuncle Mejlich Rosenberg; in memory of Bernard
Lipin, stepfather of Stacy Giglietti; in memory of
Ellen Kadden, wife of Jack Kadden; in memory of
Sophie Varon, mother of Joe Varon.
Brad and Linda Rothbaum, in memory of Sophie
Varon, mother of Joe Varon.
Judith Brav Sher Family Education Fund
Jean and Hy Elias, in loving memory of parents,
Max and Gussie Pearlman, and Jack and Sophie
Elias.
Gillette Judaic Enrichment Fund
Bob and Marsha Gillette, in memory of Ellen
Kadden, wife of Jack Kadden.
Meg Murray and Ivan Maisel, a donation.
Habitat for Humanity
Chris and George Markley, in memory of
Stanley Rosoff, husband of Elaine Rosoff, father
of Renee Noren and Gary Rosoff.
What’s happening at the Temple? Get Hashavua, our weekly email. Send your request to Lynn at lynn@cbibpt.org.
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SHABBAT SERVICE SCHEDULE
(Fridays at 6:00 p.m. where indicated, preceded by an Oneg Shabbat at 5:30 p.m.)
Friday, February 6
6:00 p.m. Service
Torah Portion – Yitro, Exod. 18:1-20:23
Haftarah – Isaiah 6:1-7:6; 9:5-9:6
6:00 p.m. Service
Torah Portion – T’rumah,
Exod. 25:1-27:19
Haftarah – 1 Kings 5:26-6:13
Saturday, February 7
8:00 a.m. Service
9:00 a.m. Brotherhood Breakfast
9:30 a.m. Torah Study
9:30 a.m. Young Families Havurah
Friday, February 13
6:00 p.m. Service
Torah Portion – Mishpatim, Exod. 21:124:18
Haftarah – 11 Kings 12:5-16
“Prayer Stories” video No. 2
Saturday, February 21
8:00 a.m. Service
9:00 a.m. Brotherhood Breakfast
9:30 a.m. Torah Study
9:30 a.m. Young Families Havurah
10:30 a.m. New “Rabbi’s Table” Shabbat
Service with Rabbi Schultz in the Library
Saturday, February 14
8:00 a.m. Service
9:00 a.m. Brotherhood Breakfast
9:30 a.m. Torah Study
9:30 a.m. Young Families Havurah
Friday, February 20
5:30 p.m. Mishpacha Shabbat
Friday, February 27
6:00 p.m. Service
Torah Portion – T’tzaveh, Exod. 27:2030:10
Haftarah – Esther 7:1-10; 8:15-17 or 1
Samuel 15:2-34
Saturday, February 28
8:00 a.m. Service
9:00 a.m. Brotherhood Breakfast
9:30 a.m. Torah Study
9:30 a.m. Young Families Havurah
Introducing the
"Rabbi's Table"
Experience a New Shabbat morning
service in the round.
Join with Rabbi Schultz on February
21 and March 21 from 10:30 to 11:30
a.m. around the library table for an
alternative Shabbat morning service,
filled with singing, community and
stories. All ages are welcome to join;
come as you are. And you can bring
your coffee, too!
We can hire child care, too. Email
Rabbi Schultz at eschultz@cbibpt.org
to learn more.
Also, experience our new Prayer
Stories film series. We created eight
short films featuring B’nai Israel
congregants sharing their personal
prayer stories. We will show the films at
Friday night services, to our Religious
School students and on our website.
To watch a preview, visit http://bit.ly/
prayerstories.