CBZ NEWSLETTER: THE KEYS TO JUDAISM...During these unique and challenging times, the spirit of...
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CBZ NEWSLETTER: THE KEYS TO JUDAISM Rabbi Dudai’s Message Please send comments regarding any of the Rabbi’s Messages to [email protected] Produced By: Congregation B’nai Zion ~ South Florida’s Oldest Synagogue ~ Established in 1887 Rabbi Shimon Dudai President Fred Covan PhD 750 United Street Key West, FL 33040 305-294-3437 www.BnaiZionKW.com [email protected] Volume 11 — Issue 5 —————————— May/Jun 2020 (Iyar/Sivan/Tammuz 5780) The newsletter is produced bi-monthly (6 issues per year) Editor: Elyse Spialter WHAT’S NEW? Well, after all these weeks of coping with it, calling the pandemic “new” is not really very accurate. Rather, it has gotten very “old” for everyone. It is, however, the reality that we are all living with as I write this. So, I find myself dubbing this the “Covid - 19 Issue” as essentially every aspect of it was impacted in some way by the virus. The decision to go forward with the issue was an easy one — anything that makes us feel connected is a good thing. I thank all of those who responded to my request and provided submissions so that I could make this newsletter come together. There’s a lot in this issue that is not typical. With no events to announce and few that were able to be held & reminisced about, I was concerned about what there would be to include. I invite you, however, to peruse each page to see that there’s still so much to share! One thing that is unchanged is my thanking the ever -dedicated SHELDON DAVIDSON & HOWARD SPIALTER for their proofreading efforts. I truly hope that when their next “proofing” task rolls around we will all be functioning on a more ordinary level. My sincere best wishes go out to everyone for good health and the strength to get through the hardships that this dilemma has presented. Stay safe & be well! , שלוםElyse Hardships Under Roman Rule The forty years preceding the start of the Common Era were extremely difficult for those Jews living in Judah. Following the assassination of Julius Caesar (44 BCE) and with the support of Rome, control of the government in Judah was in the hands of Antipater. His two sons (Herod and Phasael), acting as tax collectors over Judah, had broad police and governmental powers. In 43 BCE, Antipater was poisoned. Herod, assisted by his brother, and with the support and patronage of Mark Antony, one of Rome’s new leaders, moved with great force and cruelty to secure his rule and prevent any attempt to depose him. Mark Antony remained Herod’s patron throughout his reign. In 40 BCE, the Parthians defeated the Roman legions and Rome's grip loosened. In Judah, Antigonus, the nephew of the Hasmonean High Priest, proclaimed himself ruler of Judah with Parthian support. Herod went to his patron in Rome who urged the Senate to declare Herod as the legitimate king of Judah. War ensued and after three years of horrendous bloodshed, Herod crushed the Hasmonean army and in 37 BCE restored his rule in Jerusalem. A reign of terror swept Judah wreaking terrible vengeance on Herod’s opponents, real or imagined. Most of the members of the Sanhedrin were executed. Herod would rule Judah for more than 32 years until his death in 4 BCE. His rule marked the end of true Jewish independence in Judah and set the stage for the eventual destruction of the Second Commonwealth and the Holy Temple by the Romans. In our next issue we will cover a major mile marker in Jewish history - the birth of Christianity. I pray that by the time we put together the next issue the coronavirus pandemic is behind us. May the essence of Passover (a festival of deliverance from oppression and darkness to liberty and light) continue to protect us all from this plague. May He provide his infinite mercy on all who have been afflicted and restore all the sick to their full strength. Amen. Rabbi Dudai PLEASE EMAIL INFO TO [email protected] Deadline for the July/Aug issue is Jun. 1st ! NOTE early Due Date! CHADASHOT NEWS !! !!
Transcript of CBZ NEWSLETTER: THE KEYS TO JUDAISM...During these unique and challenging times, the spirit of...
CBZ NEWSLETTER: THE KEYS TO JUDAISM
Rabbi Dudai ’s Message Please send comments regarding any of the Rabbi’s Messages to [email protected]
Produced By: Congregation B’nai Zion
~ South Florida’s Oldest Synagogue ~
Established in 1887
Rabbi Shimon Dudai
President Fred Covan PhD
750 United Street Key West, FL 33040
305-294-3437
www.BnaiZionKW.com [email protected]
Volume 11 — Issue 5
——————————
May/Jun 2020 (Iyar/Sivan/Tammuz 5780)
The newsletter is produced
bi-monthly (6 issues per year)
Editor: Elyse Spialter
WHAT’S NEW? Well, after all these weeks of coping with it, calling the pandemic “new” is not really very accurate. Rather, it has gotten very “old” for everyone. It is, however, the reality that we are all living with as I write this.
So, I find myself dubbing this the “Covid-19 Issue” as essentially every aspect of it was impacted in some way by the virus. The decision to go forward with the issue was an easy one — anything that makes us feel connected is a good thing. I thank all of those who responded to my request and provided submissions so that I could make this newsletter come together.
There’s a lot in this issue that is not typical. With no events to announce and few that were able to be held & reminisced about, I was concerned about what there would be to include. I invite you, however, to peruse each page to see that there’s still so much to share!
One thing that is unchanged is my thanking the ever-dedicated SHELDON DAVIDSON & HOWARD SPIALTER for their proofreading efforts. I truly hope that when their next “proofing” task rolls around we will all be functioning on a more ordinary level.
My sincere best wishes go out to everyone for good health and the strength to get through the hardships that this dilemma has presented. Stay safe & be well!
שלום , Elyse
Hardships Under Roman Rule
The forty years preceding the start of the Common Era were extremely difficult for those Jews living in Judah. Following the assassination of Julius Caesar (44 BCE) and with the support of Rome, control of the government in Judah was in the hands of Antipater. His two sons (Herod and Phasael), acting as tax collectors over Judah, had broad police and governmental powers. In 43 BCE, Antipater was poisoned. Herod, assisted by his brother, and with the support and patronage of Mark Antony, one of Rome’s new leaders, moved with great force and cruelty to secure his rule and prevent any attempt to depose him. Mark Antony remained Herod’s patron throughout his reign.
In 40 BCE, the Parthians defeated the Roman legions and Rome's grip loosened. In Judah, Antigonus, the nephew of the Hasmonean High Priest, proclaimed himself ruler of Judah with Parthian support. Herod went to his patron in Rome who urged the Senate to declare Herod as the legitimate king of Judah. War ensued and after three years of horrendous bloodshed, Herod crushed the Hasmonean army and in 37 BCE restored his rule in Jerusalem. A reign of terror swept Judah wreaking terrible vengeance on Herod’s opponents, real or imagined. Most of the members of the Sanhedrin were executed. Herod would rule Judah for more than 32 years until his death in 4 BCE. His rule marked the end of true Jewish independence in Judah and set the stage for the eventual destruction of the Second Commonwealth and the Holy Temple by the Romans.
In our next issue we will cover a major mile marker in Jewish history - the birth of Christianity. I pray that by the time we put together the next issue the coronavirus pandemic is behind us. May the essence of Passover (a festival of deliverance from oppression and darkness to liberty and light) continue to protect us all from this plague. May He provide his infinite mercy on all who have been afflicted and restore all the sick to their full strength. Amen.
Rabbi Dudai
PLEASE EMAIL INFO TO [email protected]
Deadline for the July/Aug issue is Jun. 1st! NOTE early Due Date!
CHADASHOT
NEWS
!!
!!
COMMITTEES AT CBZ:
Cemetery Committee Kenny Weschler - chair Fred Covan Bounce Margil Suzanne Teicher Liz Young
Historian Emeritus Jack Einhorn
Finance Committee Justin Kawaler - chair Fred Covan Merle Dimbath Mark Funt Jerry Ginsberg Fred Greenberg Eileen Kawaler Mae McMahan Peter Rysman Barbara Webb Liz Young
Events Committee
John Kreinces - chair
Fred Covan
Eileen Kawaler
Rebetzen Nadia Dudai
Barbara Webb
Facilities (Building) Committee Fred Covan Rebetzen Nadia Dudai Donna Feldman Rafi Gvili Mae McMahan
Please remember, CBZ is a volunteer organization with no “paid office staff”
… If you call & get the office answering
machine, please leave a message & someone will get back to you as soon as possible or contact CBZ thru our
Website: www.bnaizionkw.com
Membership Larry Abramovitz - chair Dean Bilton Fred Covan Donna Feldman Mark Funt Michael Klitenick Maxine Makover Barbara Webb
Ritual Committee Fred Covan Rabbi Dudai Justin Kawaler John Kreinces Bounce Margil Sid Wharton
Yahrzeit Committee Sheldon Davidson Karen Grant-Margil Bruce York Diana Heller-Yizkor Book
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE (FROM DR. FRED COVAN):
The Chinese have a saying, “May you live in interesting times“. Maybe quoting the Chinese is not a good idea right now, nevertheless, these are interesting times! Last week I had a virtual Passover with my son Zachary and his fiancée at her parents home in Connecticut, her parents in Miami and her sister in Charlotte, North Carolina and my son Ben, in his apart-ment in Key West. We used Elisa Levy’s and the Rabbi’s Haggadah that
they had created. I like to thank them both for that effort. It was very useful. Obviously we have no idea what the future holds; hopefully, it will involve survival. Nevertheless, it’s going to be a long trip and this is not going to go away in the near future. I only urge you to stay healthy, stay safe, observe all of the social distancing and hygienic recommendations and wear a mask. My wife is involved with making them at home. I recently filmed a PSA announcement on the local Facebook group called “One Clean Island”. It is now available on YouTube if you search for “Dr. Fred Covan Key West“. I hope you all find that useful. I also plan to do a similar video on breathing exer-cises. I was impressed with interviews with Chris Cuomo about his struggle with his illness which emphasized the importance of aggressively fighting this disease and breathing. I hope a video on breathing techniques will be useful. For now, shalom, and stay safe and healthy.
Fred
ASSISTANCE IN THESE TRYING TIMES
Dear Congregation B’nai Zion Members & Friends,
During these unique and challenging times, the spirit of “Tikkun Olam” (care for the
world) is even more necessary. To help provide for the community, the CBZ Hebrew
School parents have offered to support our congregants in need of assistance.
CBZ Hebrew School families are offering the following services for immunocompromised
or at-risk congregants:
Grocery shopping and delivery
Pharmacy pickup and delivery
Restaurant takeout and deliver — many restaurants are already offering delivery
service, please support these local small business owners.
Special requests will be considered on an individual basis.
For additional information or to arrange assistance, please contact me directly at
[email protected] or (305)923-3348.
We wish you all good health and safety.
Thank you,
Elisa Levy
HEBREW SCHOOL NEWS! ELISA LEVY reports that
the CBZ Hebrew School continues to “meet” (Zoom-style) on Mondays.
In these turbulent times, the class and parents join together to do a
mock Shabbat and send prayers of love & healing to our community and the world.
New Hebrew words and phrases are being learned as well. 2
THANK YOU TO ELISA LEVY & THE ENTIRE HEBREW SCHOOL for their efforts putting together
a superb video about “Tikun Olam” made to help brighten our spirits in this hard time.
Go to https://animoto.com/play/r5qujSCwqdy4x9wbzsUAUg
Why Was This Passover Different Than All Other Passovers?
Pesach 2020 presented the unique challenge of figuring out ways to celebrate
the Seder and other holiday traditions with a lot of distance between us and
our loved ones. Here’s to the creativity that many used to find a way …
Quoting Rabbi Dudai, “Next year, together!” 3
Just after the Seders, ELISA LEVY provided a truly
wonderful video showing Passover observances
undertaken by some in the CBZ community that were
kind enough to provide submissions. This was a
really special project that Elisa shared with us and we
thank her so much. If you haven’t seen it yet, it is a
“must”. Here’s the link: https://animoto.com/play/
empHayqj1aDex9G7m55VJA
Seder table of Elyse & Howard Spialter in Key West FL — iPad in top-right
corner of the table connected them, using Google Hangouts, to their
daughter, her husband & 2 toddler sons in DE and son & (pregnant!)
daughter-in-law currently staying in PA. Multi-state singing enjoyed by all!
Helene is Seder-ready
in the Greenberg’s
backyard!
Aviva (at top) and Kai (at the bottom) —
two of CBZ’s
Hebrew School
students —
Enjoying some
holiday fun
at home!
Nancy & Mark Funt shared that they celebrated their Seder using Zoom to connect to Brenda &
Rick Bodner in Truman Annex, their son in Boston, their son & daughter-in-law and 2 grandsons
in PA, and Mark’s sister & brother-in-law in CT.
(Editor’s Note: Having the technology to allow this deserves a “Dayenu”!
MAZEL TOV! MAY WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES
7 Charlotte & Richard Moore
17 Maxine Makover & Jack Paul
26 Eileen & Justin Kawaler
JUNE WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES
11 Brenda & Rick Bodner
12 Jane & Ellis Avner
14 Nancy & Mark Funt
15 Claire & Albert Zuckerman
19 Karen & Bounce Grant-Margil
20 Penny & Rich Maun
22 Judith & Stanley Zabar
23 Donna Feldman & Teddy Baier
24 Robbie Sher & Wesley Calvin
29 Melissa and Darold Paul-Leto
TREES OF LIFE:
MAY BIRTHDAYS
6 Nadia Dudai
10 Writer Leto
11 Steven Oppenheimer
Milagros Buck
13 Alan Teitelbaum
16 Hannah Altman
Ari Glazer
19 Jack Einhorn
20 Emily Isadora Young
Howard Schwartz
28 Gerald Ginsberg
Jane Dawkins
29 Fred Covan
Mae McMahan
Susan Dimbath
30 Renay Nadler Regardie
31 George Cooper
JUNE BIRTHDAYS
1 Dianne Needleman
2 Sherman Kaplitz
6 Alan Solomon
7 Judy Seldin Cohen
8 Elisa Levy
9 Judie Klitenick
10 Bonnie Goldsmith
Marty Greenberg
11 Carol Wilks
12 Ellis Avner
14 Jordan Maun
15 Tracy Oppenheimer
16 Annette Ring
17 Gwen Hawtof
18 Joy Davis
24 Paula Goldberg
25 Bounce Margil
26 Larry Perll
29 Lauren Klitenick
30 Sol Hermelin
Arnie Young
Bailey Maun
Welcome to New Members: DRS. JANE & ELLIS AVNER
“What soap is to the body, laughter is to
the soul.” Yiddish Proverb
Gotta think twice about
kissing that mezuzah! 4
A VERY SPECIAL THANK YOU to Rebetzen Nadia and those who helped her
for using this time when we cannot join together as we normally would to make the synagogue ready for when we can congregate … the entire building has been cleaned & disinfected, repairs have
been made, filters changed, every nook & cranny washed down with bleach & decontaminants!
Thank you to those who sponsored or contributed to a recent Kiddush, including: Nancy & Mark Funt (h/o 50th Anniversary & Bodner’s
53rd) and Brenda & Richard Bodner, Carol & Larry Abramovitz (h/o their anniversary), Maxine Makover & Jack Paul (Maxine’s B-day),
Roberta & Gerald Ginsberg and Anne Moffat.
Heartfelt Thanks to the Following for Their Contributions to B’nai Zion:
m/o Milton Appel Carol & Paul Kanarek, Maxine & Richard Weiss, Brian Renz, Heidi & Mark Rose, Jack & Michael Einhorn Phyllis & Stephen Strunk
Hebrew School Mitzvah-thon
Barbara & Creighton Webb, Network for Good
TY for Kiddush & Hospitality
Sarajane Sacks
TY for February Welcome
Linda & Thomas Kirwin
Stone Book
Susan & Merle Dimbath
IHO Helene & Marty Greenberg — for making Purim even more festive!
Elyse & Howard Spialter
IHO Nancy & Mark Funt—for honors received
Shari & Allen Glucksman
General Fund
Contributions acknowledged in this issue include those
posted through April 10. Those made after that date will
be recognized in a future issue of the newsletter.
Every effort will be made to list your contribution in the
newsletter as desired based on space allowances.
TO MAKE CERTAIN that any payment you provide is
properly directed and acknowledged, please email to
[email protected] to provide information
regarding what payment you sent in and what it is for
(or include a note if mailing a check). Thank you!
IMPORTANT: If you know of an
unaffiliated Jewish individual living
in the Keys, please contact
LARRY ABRAMOVITZ, Membership
Committee Chair, at 856.889.4360 or
THANKS FOR HELPING
TO GROW OUR CONGREGATION!
FACEBOOK:
www.facebook.com/BnaiZionKW 5
REMINDER: “NEW” WEBSITE:
www.bnaizionkw.com
Constant Contact E-BLASTS:
GET MORE CBZ INFO !!!!
Yahrzeit Donations
Continued from p. 6
◊ Joyce & Gilbert Walker Arthur Mulberry
◊ BG Carter: Joseph Hyman Levy
◊ Sandra & Jordan Bernstein: Benjamin Bernstein (father)
◊ Benjamin Hershenson: Harry A. Hershenson (father)
◊ C. Gary Zahler: Sanford Fischel Zahler, MD
◊ Paula & Alan Goldberg: Thelma Delnick
◊ Dean Bilton: Paula L. Bilton — MEMORIAL PLAQUE
◊ Mitchell Appelrouth: Daniel Appelrouth (brother) Rose Weintraub (grandmother) Ivan Lawrence Appelrouth — MEMORIAL PLAQUE
When the time comes that we can again share Kiddush on Shabbat ….please offer your help by
contacting Rebetzen Nadia (786-877-0118 or [email protected])
Thank You! To all who helped make Purim a happy and joyous occasion
— which now serves as a reminder of how good it will be when we can be
together again — many thanks! Appreciation is extended to Rebetzen Nadia
and those who assisted her in filling our tummies with delicious yummies and
to Elisa Levy & the Hebrew School kids for bringing such fun to the night!
The B’nai Zion GIFT SHOP: Key West’s Only Judaica Store
Judaica and Jewish-themed gifts for every occasion or for your own use! Items are available for all the holidays, every life cycle event, or just because — be sure to check what the Gift Shop has! Speak with Mae if
you have special order requests. Mae can be contacted at: 305-296-9669 or [email protected]
June 2020 Sivan/Tammuz 5780
May 2020 Iyar/Sivan 5780
Yahrzeits: In most instances, the date observed is the Hebrew date of death
(starting at sundown) May 1/ 7 Iyar Lillian Coven Reveno
Jack Varon
Robert Harold Goldman
Hyman Kram
Milton E. Weschler
May 2/ ……….. Sophia Rysman
May 3/ 9 Iyar Calvin Kaufman
Bluma Goldberg
Halbert Lewinsky
May 4/ 10 Iyar Stanford Israel Makover
Maurice Reveno
May 5/ 11 Iyar Jennie Appelrouth
Estelle Rabin
Muriel Meltzer
May 6/ ……….. Lawrence Kieves
……….. 12 Iyar Beatrice Marlow
Esther Simon Schevach
May 7/ 13 Iyar Ida Rodack Kaplan
Abraham Laufer
Jacob H. Gilbert
May 8/ ………. Nathaniel Kane
………. 14 Iyar David Kirchek
May 9/ 15 Iyar Rose Cohen
Irma Gross Glazer
May 10/ 16 Iyar Harry Gordon
Esther Coira
May 11/ 17 Iyar Jacob Mermelstein
Victor Hermelin
May 13/ 19 Iyar Jack Appel
May 14/ 20 Iyar Lillian Solomon
May 15/ 21 Iyar Anna Berkowitz
May 16/ 22 Iyar Molliie Greenberg
Harry Rudnick
Rebecca Summer
May 17/ 23 Iyar Hyman Louis Wilks
May 19/ 25 Iyar Mary Sarin Covan
Pearl Sandler Lewin
May 20/ 26 Iyar Hyman Lurie
Bertha Saltzman
Hershenson
May 21/ ……… Max Schulman
……….. 27 Iyar Al Logan
Aaron Baron
Sam Margil
May 22/ 28 Iyar Nathan Fishman Sugar
Mildred Friedman
May 23/ 29 Iyar Sarah Goldman Stukelman
Sydell Spialter
Dvoyra Abraham
May 25/ ………. Lillian Schulman
………...2 Sivan Louis Slomovitz
May 26/ 3 Sivan Isaac Rabhan
Hilda Mermelstein
Sonia Dubrovshy
May 28/ 5 Sivan Murray Singer
May 29/ 6 Sivan Joe Rosenthal
May 31/ 8 Sivan Mitzi Cohen
Harold Fox
Jerome Swartsberg
Yahrzeit Donations
◊ Michael & Jack Einhorn: David Einhorn, Harry Kaplan Rose Einhorn
◊ Linda & Alan Solomon: Bernard Solomon, Lillian Goodsmith
◊ Eleanor Appel: Lillian Appel
◊ Ellen Church & Jerald Levine: Sidney Levine, Sarah Levine
◊ Susan Server & Sheldon Davidson: Celeste W. Horberg, Jack C. Horberg Betty Davidson, Philip Davidson
◊ Nancy & Mark Funt: Allan Funt (Feb), Elaine Funt (Aug)
Gadlin Bodner (Oct), Dorothy Bodner (July)
◊ Joan Cushman: Victor Cushman
◊ Carol & Larry Abramovitz: Lawrence Schwartz
◊ Neal H. Ruchman: Marry Allard Ruchman, Harriett Ruchman Harry Ruchman, Sam Ruchman
◊ Mildred Varon: Sophie Passo
◊ Dr. David Moore: Rose Appel Moore
◊ Marla & Barry Shainman: Sarah E. Levine
◊ Judith & Stanley Zabar: Selma Segal
◊ Brenda & Richard Bodner: DONATIONS IN ADVANCE FOR … Dorothy Bodner, Gadlin Bodner, Alberta Norton, Charles Norton Raymond Bodner
◊ Star Sitron: Bernard Sitron
◊ Lynne & Peter Reveno: Max Oscherwitz
◊ Elyse & Howard Spialter: Scott Stanley
◊ Eileen & Neal Farr: Sarah Schwartz, Lillie Carbonell
◊ Ninette & Sheldon Tuerk: Stanley Tuerk
Yahrzeit Donations continued on p. 5
June 1/ ……….. Harriett Ruchman
………….9 Sivan Alvin David Einhorn
David Goldner
June 2/ 10 Sivan Eleanor M. Klitenick
Rebecca Rachel Rosenthal
June 4/ ………… Louis Segal
………..12 Sivan David Aronovitz
Nathan Edward Esbin
Rabbi Lazarus
Schulsinger
Mayton M. Schulsinger
June 5/ 13 Sivan Charles Leibovit
June 6/ 14 Sivan Carrie Cohen
June 7/ 15 Sivan Jeanne Goldberg
June 8/ ………… Sheldon Grant
……….. 16 Sivan Gilda Weintraub
June 9/ 17 Sivan Jacob Cohen
Esther Edith Abraham
Emanuel
Shirlee Miriam Steinman
June 10/ 18 Sivan Gerald Narren
June 11/ 19 Sivan Robert B. Appelrouth
June 12/ 20 Sivan Lillian Kay
June 13/ ……….. William S. Lebwohl
June 14/ 22 Sivan Abraham David Einhorn
Miriam Bernstein
Stanley Goldberg
June 15/ ………… Edythe Levy
June 16/ 24 Sivan Janice Herberg Wharton
Benjamin Delnick
Max Glantz
June 17 / 25 Sivan Lee Isaac
June 18/ 26 Sivan David Appel
Meyer Abramovitz
June 20/ 28 Sivan Annie Silberman
June 21/ 29 Sivan Harry L. Velkovitz
Mildred Shafner
June 22/ 30 Sivan Kate Aronovitz
Dr. Harvey Sloane
Dr. Herman Kessler
Moore
June 23/ ……….. Alberta Norton
…….. 1 Tammuz Harold Littman
Nisan Cwei
June 25/ 3 Tammuz Simon Moore
June 26/ 4 Tammuz Ben Smolar
Barbara E. Grant
June 27/ 5 Tammuz Mark Klitenick
June 28/ …………. Mildred J. Lebwohl
……….. 6 Tammuz Joe Wharton
Aaron Sklar
June 29/ 7 Tammuz Fanny Markovitz
Morris Bush
Andrew Kawaler
June 30/ 8 Tammuz Jack Frank
Milton L. Roumn
Jerome Tuerk 6
Biblical Archeology Editor’s Note: In correlation with Rabbi’s ongoing review of Jewish history, this year-long series examinines archeological finds linked to specific points in history tied to the narrative of the Jewish Bible.
The Western Wall Located in Jerusalem’s Old City, the renowned Western Wall is generally considered the Jewish people’s most significant holy site. Many, however, lose sight of the fact that it is also a most important archeological relic.
Construction of this structure is widely accepted as having begun circa 20 BCE under the direction of Herod I. (This is the Herod who Rabbi Dudai refers to in his Message on page 1 of this issue.) This Roman-backed ruler of Judah is known to some as Herod The Great because , despite his having been a cruel despot to his people, his building prowess was legendary and many of Israel’s grand ancient building projects (including the port of Caesarea and the desert stronghold Masada) are attributed to him.
What is referred to as the Western Wall is a relatively small (about 180 feet long) exposed portion of an approximately 1600 feet long limestone wall that is almost universally believed to be an ancient retaining wall that was erected as part of Herod’s expansion of the Temple Mount and formed one side of an encasement of the land on which the also expanded (Second) Holy Temple stood. It is the only remnant of the Second Temple compound; all else was destroyed by the Romans in 70 CE. In Hebrew the wall is referred to as Hakotel Hama’aravi (which translates to the Western Wall) and many Jews simply call it “The Kotel”. In 2011, Israeli archeologists announced the discovery of coins under the wall’s foundation that were minted about 20 years after Herod’s the death. This find substantiated the ancient writing of a Roman historian, Josephus, who told that the Temple Mount expansion project took decades to complete and was not finished until the reign of Agrippa II, Herod’s great– grandson.
There are mentions of the Western Wall throughout the centuries from the time that the empire was converted to Christianity by Constantine and Jews were given permission to enter Jerusalem on the 9th of Av. Although the first written mention of organized Jewish prayer at the Western Wall dates to 1625, some attribute the designation of the wall as a sacred site to Sultan Suleyman who, following an earthquake in 1546, ordered that an area in front of the wall be cleared for the Jews to pray there. Cursory references to the custom of Jews exist from this time and the traditional Arabic name for the wall translated to “Place of Weeping”. By the 19th century, the name “Wailing Wall” appeared regularly in European writings.; this phrase was never used by religious Jews, however, and in modern times is considered derogatory by some. It is of note that, as Zionism grew, the Arabs changed their name for the wall and it became known as the Al-Buraq wall referencing it as the place where Mohammed is said to have tethered his winged steed.
The exposed portion of the wall is about 105 ft high from the bottom of its below ground foundation and the above street level height of this section about 60 ft . In the visible section, layers of stones can be seen that follow a consistent pattern — the oldest and largest Herodian stones at the bottom and, progressively going upward, the stones are newer and smaller. The War of Independence that followed Israel’s declaration of statehood in 1948 resulted in Jordan capturing and annexing East Jerusalem which included the Old City. Israelis were prohibited from visiting the Western Wall. When Israel reunified Jerusalem in the 6-Day War of 1967, reversal of the desecration of Jewish sites was under-taken and, in what is viewed by some as a controversial act, the residential area in front of the Western Wall was cleared to create the plaza that exists today. Israel allowed the Arabs to maintain access to the Temple Mount.
The vast majority of the full wall is hidden behind medieval residential structures in the Muslim Quarter and there is a significant subterranean portion that descends underground for the entire length of the wall. Starting with the digs of British archeologists in the 1800s, tunnels under the wall were discovered. Full exploration of the Western Wall Tunnels was undertaken starting in 1967 and has over the years included expansion which at times has led to sometimes violent conflicts with the Arabs. These tunnels now provide the ability to get a truly fascinating perspective of the Kotel.
Unfortunately, in contrast to the unifying nature of the wall for Jews, a modern controversy continues between Jews over the nature of women’s and mixed-gender prayer. Disagreements of this kind seem especially unfortunate in the times we are now living through. Some of you may be aware that due to the virus, all of the prayer notes stuck between the stones of the Kotel were removed; what you may not know is that these papers, which are typically taken out twice a year to make room for new ones , are buried on the Mount of Olives. The photo to the right is clearly pre-Covid 19 — to find out how authorities are now handling access to Western Wall, go to https://english.thekotel.org/ and scroll down.
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Many thanks to Judith and Stan Zabar for
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even more fabulous thanks to them!
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7
Congregation B’nai Zion ~ South Florida’s Oldest Synagogue ~
Established in 1887 Rabbi Shimon Dudai
President Fred Covan PhD 750 United Street Key West, FL 33040
305-294-3437 www.BnaiZionKW.com
SHABBAT SERVICES
See bottom of page for information
CBZ BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Dr. Fred Covan President
Dr. John Kreinces Vice-President
Mae McMahan Cors. Secretary
Donna Feldman Rec. Secretary
Eileen Kawaler Treasurer
Larry Abramovitz
Nancy Funt Dr. Michael Klitenick Barbara Webb Kenneth Weschler Sid Wharton
MAY/JUN 2020
☺ AMAZON SMILE ☺ We are happy to announce that Congregation B’nai Zion is now a
participant in the Amazon Smile program. What is Amazon Smile? Amazon Smile is a website operated by Amazon that lets
customers enjoy the same wide selection of products, low prices and convenient shopping features as found on Amazon.com. The difference is that when customers shop at Amazon Smile
(smile.amazon.com), the Amazon Smile Foundation donates 0.50% of the price of eligible purchases to the charitable
organization selected by the customer. There is no cost to the organization or the customer. If you have any questions contact
888-282-0536 or [email protected]. We are registered as Congregation B’nai Zion IN Key West. If you are one of our many CBZers who shops on Amazon, please help us out by going to Amazon Smile. Thanks for your anticipated participation!
IN LIEU OF ‘CALENDAR OF EVENTS”
The “Calendar of Events” that usually appears in this spot is just impossible to
create right now. The concept of using a phrase like “hold the date” in reference to
May & June just isn’t feasible at this time. The terms we’ve had to use regarding
many aspects of organizational life — suspended, cancelled, closed — are still
the norm. By using technology, however, CBZ has been able to offer many
opportunities to staying connected and participate in synagogue life virtually.
There’s been study sessions with the Rabbi and weekly Erev Shabbat Services.
To be properly informed about these on-line happenings, you need to be receiving
the emails that the synagogue sends out. If you are NOT getting emails from
B’nai Zion, send an email to Abbey at [email protected] to ask her to add
you to the list! MANY THANKS to all those whose efforts have gone into the
internet-based programming that’s been made available.
PLEASE NOTE: The holiday of SHAVUOT begins at sunset on May 28. Watch for
email information about how the festival will be acknowledged by CBZ.
