CBZ NEWSLETTER: THE KEYS TO JUDAISM

Rabbi Dudai ’s Message Please send comments regarding any of the Rabbi’s Messages to shdudain@aol.com

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.org cbzkeywest@gmail.com

Volume 8 — Issue 2

——————————

November/December 2016 (Tishrei/Heshvan/Kislev/Tevet 5777)

The newsletter is produced

bi-monthly (6 issues per year)

Editor: Elyse Spialter

WHAT’S NEW? The start of the new Jewish year is now behind us (see pages 5 & 6 for the High Holiday pledge lists) and CBZ is now in full-swing for another season! For the autumn Jewish holidays this year, I participated in varying synagogue services that truly “opened my eyes”. This is intended as a bit of a pun, as this issue’s installment of the year-long series on the senses is about sight — see page 9. The holidays this year really did provide me with an awareness that ritual visual beauty exists in diverse forms. Spending time with the family in different locales, I found myself admiring the splendor of a modern suburban sanctuary and the historically-significant aspects of a minimalistic sanctuary in a busy city. I was really taken, as well, by a service that wasn’t even held in a synagogue. For the final Neilah service on Yom Kippur, we were in a ballroom being used for worship. There was a Torah scroll, but no Ark, and the clergy led the service (which was attended by a vast number of young adults) in innovative ways to account for the lack of the standard features of a synagogue. Looking back on my High Holiday experiences, I realize that there are many appropriate ways to “do Jewish”. I also understand that part of what makes attending shul feel “right” is feeling at home —that was the one thing missing this year, since Howard & I weren’t able to be at B’nai Zion. In the spirit of the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday, I conclude with thanks for my CBZ family and for those who help in so many ways with the newsletter. Special thanks to LIZ YOUNG, DONNA FELDMAN, and, of course, SHELDON DAVIDSON & HOWARD SPIALTER for their proofreading help!

שלום ,

Elyse

The Shofar

During the Rosh Hashanah morning service, the shofar is blown in accordance with a specific set

of sounds. These sounds are as follows: Tekiah - a long whole sound; Shvarim - a grouping of three shorter blasts; Truah - a grouping of nine very short blasts

producing a staccato sound; Tekiah G’dolah - final long whole unbroken

blast, which completes the set.

The blasts of the shofar take us from wholeness with the sound of Tekiah to Shvarim, reflecting the

glimmer of our vulnerabilities. This is followed by the total shattering despair of Truah and our complete brokenness. Finally, Tekiah G’dolah brings us back transformed, with a complete and

greater wholeness.

This process is repeated to produce the 100

sounds required by the Mitzvah. The shofar reveals a secret that wholeness and brokenness are inseparable. They are a necessary tool to help us be brutally honest with ourselves when we do

our Heshbon Hanefesh (the accounting of our soul), and to deal honestly with the flaws in our character and the daily conduct of our lives.

CONTINUED ON P. 2

SEND WHATEVER YOU’D LIKE TO SHARE TO

ElyseCBZ@gmail.com

The deadline for the Nov/Dec issue is

December 10th!

NEWS CHADASHOT

Rabbi Dudai’s Message (CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1)

This idea is supported by the message of the broken shards of

the Luhot Habrit, the original Tablets of the Covenant, that were

broken by Moses when he came down from Mt. Sinai and was

horrified by the Golden Calf disgrace. The Talmud teaches that

the broken shards were kept in the Ark of the Covenant, together

with the new Tablets (that G-d ultimately provided), and traveled

with our ancestors to the final destination in the Promised Land.

This action of keeping the shards in the Ark showed that, from

the start, the Jewish people recognized that brokenness is an

element of life that must be acknowledged and that facing life’s

imperfections is integral to being alive.

It is through brokenness that we can achieve wholeness and

redemption. When we undergo that introspection with utmost

sincerity, we have the chance to emerge from that process,

transformed into a spiritually stronger and better human being,

who is far more deserving of life.

G’mar Hatimah Tovah, May You and Your Loved Ones Be Sealed

for a Good Life,

Rabbi Dudai

COMMITTEES AT CBZ:

Membership Fred Covan Maxine Makover

Cemetery Committee Kenny Weschler - chair Fred Covan Bounce Margil Suzanne Teicher Liz Young

Finance Committee

Justin Kawaler - chair

Fred Covan

Merle Dimbath

Eileen Kawaler

Mae McMahan

Peter Rysman

Barbara Webb

Liz Young

Events Committee

John Kreinces - chair

Fred Covan

Eileen Kawaler

Rebetzen Nadia Dudai

Barbara Webb

Liz Young

Facilities Committee

Fred Covan

Rebetzen Nadia Dudai

Mae McMahan

Kenny Weschler

Yahrzeit Committee Sheldon Davidson Karen Grant-Margil Bruce York Diana Heller-Yizkor Book

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE (FROM DR. FRED COVAN):

Shana Tova. I am writing this from JFK airport. Diane and I

and our oldest son, Zack, are flying to Bangkok to spend time with

Ben, our youngest son, who has lived there for the last two years.

We will be going to a synagogue in Bangkok for Yom Kippur.

There are three synagogues in Bangkok. So, that should be

fascinating. Please play attention to the schedule to see and

make sure you do not miss any of our upcoming events.

Several weeks ago we had the unveiling of Si Stern's head-

stone. It was well organized, and there was bottled water and umbrellas available for

sun or rain, as well as water for washing hands after leaving the cemetery. All of this

was seamlessly handled by Kenny Weschler, the chairman of the cemetery committee

and a long standing member of the Board. I'd like to begin a new theme in my

President’ Message — "Get To Know Your Board Members." Kenny Weschler is the

perfect person to begin with.

Kenny was born in Great Neck, Long Island, 25 miles from New York City. He graduated

from American University in Washington DC, majoring in marketing. Upon graduation, he

moved to Greenwich Village, New York City, where he lived for the next 17 years. During that

time he created an urban landscaping business focusing on penthouse terraces and back

yards of brownstones. Leona Helmsley was one of his many famous clients. In 1993, he

moved to Key West to continue his love of foliage maintenance and created his current

business. He also opened a retail shop "InTouch", at 706 Duvall St. Kenny says "busy

agrees with me" and — with his work, gym, yoga, gardening, retail store and, of course,

CBZ — he is.

Thank you Kenny for all you do.

Shalom, Fred

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.org

Ritual Committee Fred Covan Rabbi Dudai Justin Kawaler Dr. John Kreinces Bounce Margil Sid Wharton

Historian Emeritus Jack Einhorn

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!!!!!!! WEBSITE

www.bnaizionkw.org

GET MORE

CBZ INFO!

!!!!!!! Constant Contact Eblasts

cbzkeywest@gmail.com

THANKS! THANKS! THANKS! THANKS! THANKS!

So many helped with the autumn Jewish holidays at B’nai Zion and deserve our appreciation.

Thanks are extended to all of the following:

Rabbi Dudai & our Cantor, Dr. John Kreinces, for their inspirational services;

the Choir Members for their melodic tones & hard work throughout the High Holidays;

Sid Wharton, our Gabbai, for his coordination throughout all of the holiday services, and,

all those who led and/or participated in services;

Fran & John Kreinces for the flowers that added beauty to the sanctuary and for

sponsoring the Rosh Hashanah Kiddush lunch together with Barbara & Creighton Webb;

Diana Heller for coordinating the 5777 Yizkor Book & to all who contributed toward it;

Rebetzen Nadia and all who assisted her for the delicious holiday meals/kiddushes we

shared — please see the Rebetzen’s “thank you’s” on page 7;

all who built and decorated the sukkah; and,

everyone involved in making the holidays meaningful in so many different ways!

HANUKKAH 2016 at CBZ

Saturday, December 24, 6:30 PM: Celebrate the start of the

holiday with the first-night lighting of the Plaza menorah.

Sunday, December 25, 6:00 PM — Hanukkah Party!

* Be sure to bring your family menorah & 3 candles (this is the

2nd night) for candle-lighting at your table;

* Chinese-style dinner will be served & wine will be included

with dinner;

* Watch for more details — including cost & reservation info.

Editor’s Note: Thanks to my husband, Howard, for sharing an uplifting

story about a very special Bar Mitzvah “boy”. See page 7 for the

details—this is gonna make you want to shout “mazel tov”!

NOVEMBER BIRTHDAYS

1 Justin Kawaler

2 Arnie Hermelin

Eunice Melnick

4 Charlotte Moore

5 Sarah Klitenick

8 Eileen Farr

9 Gary Young

Susan Savitch

12 Joan Cushman

14 Beverly Goldner

16 Bruce York

Stan Sabuk

19 Milton Appel

20 Larry Abramovitz

Sheila Gordon

23 Fred Greenberg

24 Rafi Gvili

25 Penny Maun

27 Zack Covan

Henry Shultz

29 Julia Kaufman

DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS

3 Maximo Silverman

4 Deborah Schlein

Andrew Melnick

Daniel Gvili Carol Lazar

5 Michael Klitenick

8 Melissa Paul-Leto

9 Kelly Klitenick Bryan Buck

15 Dov Schlein

16 Sid Wharton Shoshana Kreinces

17 Rabbi Steve Glazer

18 Sally Young

Nancy Kaplitz

Richard Esbin

24 Stephanie Goldberg Glazer

31 Daniel Margil

MAZEL TOV! NOVEMBER WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES

5 Bonnie & Jeff Levin

14 Ellen & Rafi Gvili

15 Sonia Jason Silverman

18 Judy & Jeff Seldin-Cohen

26 Gail & Stewart Appelrouth

DECEMBER WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES

10 Deborah & Sid Goldman

12 Liz & Gary Young

19 Linda & Alan Solomon

Mindy & Richard Esbin

21 Yael & Arnie Hermelin

23 Michelle & Jeffrey Green

26 Fran & John Kreinces

2nd day of Hanukkah: Rabbi & Nadia Dudai

TREES OF LIFE:

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Contributions acknowledged in this issue include those posted through October 16th. Those made after that date will be

recognized in a future issue of the newsletter. PLEASE INCLUDE a separate note with each check that you send - specifying what the check is for, exactly who it is from, and what you’d like listed in the

newsletter regarding the donation (with the understanding that space limitations may require altering what is included in print). Thanks!

2016 High Holiday Pledges & Contributions

The generosity exhibited by the congregation is most appreciated. It is the policy of the Board of

Directors to have the pledges/donations made and the respective individuals/causes (in whose

name these contributions have been made) listed in print, as well as being announced in

synagogue, to receive the acknowledgment that they deserve. If you missed the Holiday Appeal

and would like to make a pledge in support of the synagogue, or if you would like to add to the

pledge you’ve already made, we will be happy to list you and your honorees in the next issue.

Sponsoring a Future Kiddush - Judie & Michael Klitenick

5000 Deborah & Dov Schlein: for the Congregation

1000 Shoshana & Debbie Kreinces: m/o grandparents

1000 Diane & Fred Covan: in support of Congregation

1000 Mae McMahan: m/o family

500 Rabbi & Rebetzen Nadia: h/o John, the choir and Sid

500 Rabbi & Rebetzen Nadia: h/o their children and

grandson, Tommy

600 Sid Wharton: a “day” h/o Rabbi & Nadia and

John & Fran

500 Robbie Sher: h/o Jack Einhorn

800 Barbara & Creighton Webb: m/o Bernie Kaplan

500 Wesley Calvin: h/o Mae McMahan — in acknowledgment

of her difficult journey this year & blessings to her

1100 Maxine Makover: h/o her 11 grandchildren

1100 Bill Goldner: $600 for a “day” &

$500 h/o Rabbi & Nadia

180 Arlene Doty: TOL leaf h/o granddaughter, Leigh

2000 Barbara & Creighton Webb: h/o the Congregation

200 Elizabeth & Horace Kreitzman: h/o grandsons,

Kane & Kano

1000 Abbey Weiss: h/o the Kiddush crew

500 Kenny Weschler: m/o Rose & Bernie

500 Kenny Weschler: m/o Connie Gilbert

200 Bruce York: m/o father, Sol York

200 Ocean Leto: m/o grandmother, Cheryl Paul

100 Sarah Fowler: h/o Abbey & Nadia — for their uncounted

hours in the kitchen

500 Avi Dudai: h/o father the Congregation

2800 Elyse & Howard Spialter: h/o the strength (“koach”)

of the Congregation

360 Rafi Gvili: h/o the Congregation

800 Rabbi Steve & Andrea Glazer: renewing membership

Every effort has been made to carefully list the various pledges/contributions that

were made during the High Holiday season. Please e-mail to ElyseCBZ@gmail.com

if any error or omission is noted, so that a correction can be announced. 5

PLEASE NOTE: Donations of time and volunteerism are a wonderful way to help

the synagogue and, like monetary contributions, are most appreciated!

NOTE THAT HOLIDAY PLEDGE LISTING CONTINUES ON PG. 6

2016 ROSH HASHANAH APPEAL PLEDGES:

613 Ari Glazer: for the mitzvah of celebrating Holidays

with family & friends

1000 Shad Neiss: m/o Mom, Connie Gilbert

200 Michael Kahn: h/o John, Robert & Megan’s

upcoming wedding

360 Suzanne Teicher & Stan Sabuk: in gratitude for the

Congregation

2000 Linda & Peter Rysman: h/o the Einhorn & Kaplan

families

2500 Deborah Mermelstein: m/o Sheldon

5000 Fran & John Kreinces: h/o Debbie & Shoshana and

h/o continuing their 50th year of extended honeymoon

800 Lorainne Schack and Michael: for membership

100 Lauren Klitenick: h/o her brother Sam’s 20th B-day

100 Larry Prell: h/o Fran & John Kreinces

200 Daniel Gvili: h/o the Congregation

500 Eileen & Justin Kawaler: for the Lox Fund

1000 Eileen & Justin Kawaler: h/o the Congregation’s

unsung women

1000 Eileen & Justin Kawaler: h/o the choir

1000 Eileen & Justin Kawaler: h/o John & the Rabbi

1000 Deborah & Sid Goldman: h/o the Congregation and

Rabbi & Nadia

100 Diana Heller: h/o granddaughter Winter’s first

Rosh Hashanah

300 Steve Greenfield: for keeping CBZ’s doors open

250 Kim Gordon & Steve Mizner: h/o the choir

600 Kelly & Richard Klitenick:: h/o 7th Anniversary of

Sam’s Bar Mitzvah

500 Kelly & Richard Klitenick: h/o John’s work for

the Congregation

800 Paula & Alan Goldberg: membership

2016 YOM KIPPUR APPEAL PLEDGES:

1500 Appelrouth Endowment Fund

5000 Joel Meisel: m/o his 2 brothers-in-law

500 Robbie Sher: m/o Rose & Bernie

36 Liz & Gary Young: m/o Connie Gilbert

180 Liz & Gary Young: TOL leaf h/o daughters,

Emily & Claire

500 Marilyn & Steve Oppenheimer: m/o their departed -

Herb, Bea & Allen Oppenheimer, Nick & Lillian

Schultz, and Dan Besser

500 Maun Family h/o Rabbi & John

100 Susan Sugar: h/o John & Choir

613 Stephanie & Ari Glazer: h/o Rabbi, John, Choir, Nadia

& the Congregation

500 Mae McMahan: for Lox Fund

36 Mae McMahan: m/o Connie Gilbert

180 Eileen & Neal Farr: TOL leaf h/o Rachel Appelrouth’s

90th Birthday

5000 Fran & John Kreinces: m/o their parents & h/o the

Congregation

100 Bailey Maun: h/o Congregation

500 Abbey Weiss: for Lox &/or Generator Fund

100 Deborah & Sid Goldman: m/o Connie Gilbert

2000 Robbie Sher: for Generator Fund

600 Sid Wharton: for a 2nd “day”

200 Roberta Fine: m/o Maggie Gutierrez & Merril Sands

180 Tracey & Darren Oppenheimer: TOL leaf h/o Nancy &

Jonah Goldberg family

100 Tracey & Darren Oppenheimer: for Generator Fund

5000 Susan & Stuart Kaufman: h/o CBZ (Thanks also to the

Kaufman’s for their $1500 donation to purchase chairs for Bernstein library)

10,000 Eileen Kawaler: h/o Justin’s upcoming 95th B-day

100 Bryon Weintraub: Generator Fund

500 Ken Weschler: h/o Vera Schiff’s 90th B-day

1500 Justin Kawaler: for the Ner Tamid (Eternal Light) and

h/o & m/o our Congregation’s founders

1200 BG Carter: for Kiddush wine for the year,

m/o Joe Levy

180 Karen & Bounce Margil: TOL leaf h/o Mike Klitenick —

a true mensch and a great neighbor

180 Karen & Bounce Margil: TOL leaf h/o Elyse Spialter

for her marvelous job with the newsletter

500 Karen & Bounce Margil: for the generator

500 Maxine Makover: h/o all those whose work and

contributions help make our services so special

500 Diana Heller: Generator Fund

1000 Karen Leonard & Aaron Wechter : h/o Congregation

1000 Judie & Michael Klitenick: h/o CBZ

25 Andrea Koppelman

150 Terry Buxton

180 Ellen Gvili: h/o Rabbi & Nadia and John & Fran

Thanks are extended to Dr. John Kreinces

and those who assisted him for coordinating

the High Holiday pledges.

REMINDER: Those who have

made High Holiday pledges are

encouraged to send in payment

to the synagogue office as soon

as possible, if you have not

already done so. THANK YOU!

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“We are obligated to be more scrupulous in

fulfilling the mitzvah of tzedakah than any

other positive commandment, because

tzedakah is the sign of a righteous person.”

-The Rambam

A very special Thank You to the many youngsters

who joined in the High Holiday Appeal

by making their own pledges!

ADDITIONAL MAIL-IN 2016 PLEDGES from:

DONNA FELDMAN

JACOB HALPERN

KEN MARSH & JANICE KNOPP (visiting, Thank You)

NANCY KEKST & MARTIN ZUCKER

BONNIE & JEFF LEVIN

EUNICE & ANDREW MELNICK

ELLEN MELTZER

ANONYMOUS

PLEASE NOTE: The High Holiday pledges listed here include those received on or before

Rosh Hashanah & Yom Kippur, and also donation payments received & posted

by Oct. 16th. Payments received after that date, and not listed here as a pledge, will be listed in

the next issue of the newsletter.

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Heartfelt Thanks to the Following for

Their Contributions to B’nai Zion:

m/o Connie Gilbert

Carol & Larry Abramovitz

Elyse & Howard Spialter

Jeffrey Katz

Judith & Stanley Zabar

Jane Newhagen

Abbey Weiss

Ken Weschler

m/o Millicent Baschkin

Joanne & Richard Hoffman

Deborah & Dov Schlein

(for a very special person)

m/o Bernie Kaplan

Susan & Brian Savitch

Deborah & Dov Schlein

Susan & Stuart Kaufman

Abbey Weiss

Laureate Beta Lambda

m/o Rose Einhorn

Stuart & Susan Kaufman

m/o Maggie Price

Stuart & Susan Kaufman

h/o new Board members: Gerald Ginsberg

& Donna Feldman

Abbey Weiss

YOUR HELP IS NEEDED!

Any Kiddush assistance you can provide

(prepping before Shabbat, setting up on

Shabbat, cleaning up afterways) is most

appreciated! Contact Rebetzen Nadia

(786-877-0118 or RebetzenND2004@aol.com)

A LONG AWAITED MAZEL TOV … 113-Year Old Man Becomes A

Bar-Mitzvah! Yisrael Kristal turned 13 in 1916 and was not able to have a

Bar Mitzvah then. Recently, he travelled to Israel to celebrate the occasion of his

Bar Mitzvah with family and friends. Read the full story at:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/worlds-oldest-man-is-finally-getting-

his-bar -mi tzvah-at -age-113_us_57daabd5e4b08cb140940a69?

ir=WorldPost&utm_hp_ref=world

SPONSOR A KIDDUSH!

Help continue the B’nai Zion tradition of sharing

a lovely Shabbat meal after services.

3 levels of Kiddush Sponsorship are available:

STANDARD-$300

DELUXE-$400

SUPER DELUXE-$500 {Any donation graciously accepted & acknowledged}

CBZ thanks REBETZEN NADIA and all who assist her!

The Rebetzen thanks the following special folks

for their help in making CBZ’s Rosh Hashanah

and Yom Kippur festive meals so wonderful:

MAXINE MAKOVER PAUL, JANE DAWKINS,

ABBEY WEISS, SARAH FOWLER,

MAE MCMAHAN, FRAN KREINCES,

DR. JERRY GINSBERG, CHEF LARRY PRELL

and JUDIE & DR. MICHAEL KLITENICK (for the

delicious brownies). Rebetzen Nadia thanks the

above as well for their help with the Shabbat

Kiddushes, and also EILEEN KAWALER,

ELLEN & RAFI GVILI, FRED COVAN,

HORACE KREITZMAN and BRUCE YORK.

Thank you also to our recent Kiddush Sponors & Contributors: CYNTHIA & ELIAS STERN

and ABBEY WEISS

December 2016 Kislev/Tevet 5777

November 1/ 30 Tishrei Morris Jacob Levin

Celia Aronovitz

Benjamin Berkowitz

November 3/ 2 Heshvan Florence Gordon

Louis Traub

Gertrude Mina Shulman

November 4/ 3 Heshvan Harry Goldberg

Bernard Coira

November 7/ 6 Heshvan Harold P. Rubin

Aaron Nathan Mermelstein

November 8/ 7 Heshvan George Kirschner

Gadlin Bodner

November 9/ 8 Heshvan Mary Lipkin

November 10/ 9 Heshvan Sam Rosenthal

November 11/ 10 Heshvan Arthur C. Melaided

November 12/ 11 Heshvan Herman Kahaner John Tolbert

Eugene Tosk

November 13/ 12 Heshvan Sophie Lurie

Meyer Redlich

November 14/ 13 Heshvan Susan Morris

November 16/15 Heshvan Minka Kreinces

Isadore Weintraub

November 17/ 6 Heshvan Samuel Fred Vernon

November 18/ 17 Heshvan Samuel Tallent

November 19 / 18 Heshvan Irving M. Brust

Rose Klitenick

November 20/ 19 Heshvan Philip N. Shapiro

November 23/ 22 Heshvan Dorothy Markowitz

November 25/ 24 Heshvan Edward Schnall

November 26/ 25 Heshvan Ida Ryback

Mildred Estroff

November 29/ 28 Heshvan Kate Ginsburg

Dora Eisenberg

November 30/ 29 Heshvan Phyllis Katz

Bertha Miller

December 1/ 1 Kislev Louis Evans

James Owen Lazar

December 2 / ………… Carole York Conroy

……………...2 Kislev Annie Holtsberg

Samuel Richman

December 3/ 3 Kislev Abraham Ettinger

Leonard Ginsberg

December 4/ 4 Kislev Bernard C. Baer

Esther Sher

William Glatzner

December 5/ 5 Kislev Ida Phillips

Alice Fannie Millen

Ivor Maurice Shulman

December 6/ 6 Kislev Jaime Chajet

Lorenz Kreinces

Ruth Abramovitz

December 7/ 7 Kislev Frank Lewinsky

Myer Holtsberg

December 8/ 8 Kislev Samuel Bolotin

Esther Herman

December 10/ ………….. Gloria Longo

……………..10 Kislev Louis Young

Irving Weisfield

December 11 …………… Sol Novak

……………./ 11 Kislev Isaac Jacob

Silberman

December 12/ 12 Kislev Abraham Leibovit

December 13/ 13 Kislev Chava Wasserman

December 14/ 14 Kislev William Felcher

Max Rosinek

December 15/ ………… Bertha Kane

……………….15 Kislev Eva Sher

Bernard R.Ginsberg

December 16/ 16 Kislev Louis Kissel

Nathan Goffman

Sanford Katz

December 17/ 17 Kislev Max Brenner

December 18/ 18 Kislev Joseph Lipkin

December 19/ 19 Kislev Rebecca Stern

December 20/ 20 Kislev Harry Cohen

Joseph Goldberg

December 21/ 21 Kislev Harry Isaac Millen

Goldie Redlich

Marjorie Lasser Klein

Gertrude Goldner

Cohen

December 22/ ………… Lillian Zabar

……………….22 Kislev Abraham Rysman

December 23/ 23 Kislev Sophie Pearlman

Ann D. Freeman

December 24/ 24 Kislev David Siegel

Mildred Bruck Hawtof

Sam Golan

December 25/ 25 Kislev Frank Grossman

Philip Movitz

December 2016 Continues to the Left

November 2016 Tishrei/Heshvan 5777

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Yahrzeits: In most instances, the date observed is the Hebrew date of death

(starting at sundown)

Yahrzeit Donations From …

In Memory of … ********************************

Gerald Kane MEMORIAL PLAQUE Marsha Kane Davis Ellen Meltzer MEMORIAL PLAQUE Muriel Meltzer Penny & Rich Maun Lawrence Merrick Portnoy Ken Weschler Estelle Weschler (mother) Eleanor Appel Hyman Kippelman Marilyn Kippelman Raphael Ray Tesner Nancy & Mark Funt Elaine Funt Deborah Mermelstein Esther Mermelstein Deborah Serling Dr. Louis Serling Iris & Ronald Liszt Sam Liszt Dr. Elias Gerth Teja D. Gerth, MD (father) Phyllis Roumm David L. Roumm C. Gary Zahler Edward D. Zahler Byrdie Zahler Susan & Brian Savitch Herbert Savitch Bonnie & Arnold Goldsmith Phyllis Goldsmith Carol & Larry Abramovitz Gail Roth Ruth Roth Rachel Appelrouth William “Billy” Appelrouth Linda & Alan Solomon Lillian Goodsmith Eileen & Neal Farr William “Billy” Applerouth Abraham Schwartz Sally & Arnold Young Sally Lewinsky (grandmother) Helen Appel Leroy L. Appel, MD Karen Leonard & Aaron Wechter Richard Leonard Carol & Phillip Wilks Ida Wilks Susan Server & Sheldon Davidson Betty Davidson (beloved mother) Celeste W. Horberg (beloved mother) Jack C. Horberg (beloved father)

December 26/ 26 Kislev Bradley Baerson

December 29/ 29 Kislev Jennie Levitt

Celia Rosenthal Platz

December 30/ 1 Tevet Stephen Kay, MD

Benjamin Mazur

Rose Altman

December 14 / 2 Tevet Irving Young

Harold Kass

December 2016 Continued (start to the right)

JUDAISM: A Sensory Experience - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Editor’s Note: This 2016-17 newsletter series explores one sense, from the Jewish perspective, in each issue.

SIGHT What is seen, as it is for all aspects of life, is a significant part of being Jewish. The visual is such a major component of Judaism that “Symbols in Jewish Art” was the year-long Series for the 2014-15 volume of the CBZ Newsletter. As was noted then, the practice of Judaism is replete with meaningful objects which are often adorned in symbols and imagery that further enhance what we, as Jews, see when we participate in the customs and ceremonies of our people.

What our eyes do and are intended to capture in the Judaic realm is so vast that it is impossible to cover this topic in full here. There are a multitude of images that we associate with every occasion and facet of Jewish life. Therefore,

two specific topics will be spot-lighted at this time.

The first is the written word. It is no surprise that the Jews, known as “The People of the Book”, place a high value on writings. The covenant between G-d and the Jewish people was initiated at Sinai with the Ten Commandments. So, from the start, words physically reduced to a written form represented what was sacred. This evolved to Judaism’s core element being the Torah, the written compilation of the laws and tales that create what it means to be Jewish. That the essence of Judaism has always been a portable entity has likely been crucial in the Jews’ capacity for survival despite the travails of history. The concept, however, of words being written (and not merely said) goes further in that

traditional Judaism adheres to the idea that focusing on words in writing, while speaking these words, allows for a higher level of spirituality. Thus, there is a “book” for every occasion: the Machzor for conducting the High Holiday services, the Siddur for prayer throughout the year, the Haggadah for the Passover Seders and so on. Simply put, the full range of being Jewish involves a lot of reading!

The second subject to be explored from the perspective of sight is the synagogue. The autumn Jewish holidays found many of us frequenting the synagogue. For those attending various services at B’nai Zion, or any other

“shul” (the Yiddish word for synagogue), there was a lot to see. Aside from the prayer books and Torah scrolls containing the written words associated with our worship, there are standard features generally found in a synagogue that add to the visual experience. While synagogue set-up will vary based on level of observance, origin of the community and other factors, the following are typically found: ● ARK: Housing for the Torah and generally the synagogue’s central feature, the ark is reminiscent of the Ark of the Covenant. Generally positioned so that those facing it are facing Jerusalem. The front of the Ark has an ornate covering to allow for opening & closing, and is patterned after the curtain that covered the Inner Sanctuary of Jerusalem’s Holy Temple.

● NER TAMID (The Eternal Light): A continually-lit lamp/lantern, above the Ark, that is a reminder of the menorah of the Holy Temple that remained perpetually lit.

● BIMAH: The raised platform where the Torah reading occurs and the clergy/congregants may stand to conduct the services and address the congregation. The podium on which the Torah rests is covered with a decorated cloth. The visual created by these features, all beautifully ornamented - together with the extensive decorations and plaques throughout the sanctuary, and the magnificent dressings that wrap the Torah scrolls - are truly a sight to see.

It should be remembered, however, that while Jews understandably hold their Beit Tefillah (House of Prayer) dear and lovingly embellish it, there is no requirement that Jewish communal prayer be held in a synagogue. Once again, the Jewish way allows for adherence in whatever circumstances Jews find themselves. Editor’s Note: Please read my article on page 1 that includes a description of the very atypical Neilah service that I attended this year - it was truly a reminder that the visually grand and the visually simplistic can each add beauty.

Many thanks to Judith and Stan Zabar for

their donation of Zabar’s wonderful coffee!

Now our Sabbath Kiddush luncheons are

even more fabulous thanks to them!

CBZ THANKS THE CONTRIBUTORS LISTED ON THIS PAGE; PLEASE

SUPPORT THEM WITH YOUR PATRONAGE! If you would like your ad

HERE, please send e-mail to ElyseCBZ@gmail.com

1460 Kennedy Drive (305) 293-9876

www. ParadiseDentalCare.com

Kendall Jones, D.D.S., P.A.

E.Wm. Goldner, D.D.S., P.A.

9

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.org

SHABBAT SERVICES Saturday Morning Services

9:30 AM start (Kiddush following services)

CBZ BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Dr. Fred Covan President

Dr. John Kreinces Vice-President

Mae McMahan Cors. Secretary

Elizabeth Young Rec. Secretary

Eileen Kawaler Treasurer

Larry Abramovitz

Donna Feldman

Dr. Gerald Ginsberg

Barbara Webb

Kenneth Weschler

Sid Wharton

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2016

Board of Directors Meetings are generally scheduled for the 1st Monday of the month, unless notified otherwise, and begin at 6:30 PM.

Hanukkah begins at sundown on Saturday, December 24 — see p. 3 for the details on CBZ’s celebration of the holiday!

As 2016 draws to an end, watch for details about upcoming CBZ activities, including “Feed Your Mind, Feed Your Soul” events … dates still to be finalized.

Watch for Constant Contact emails with more info about these events!!!

Calendar of EventsCalendar of Events

The B’nai Zion GIFT SHOP: Key West’s Only Judaica Store

Mae McMahan shares: All funds for purchases go to support B’nai Zion. Thank you to DEBORAH MERMELSTEIN for pur-chasing one of our beautiful Seder plates for a gift, and, to new member HORACE KREITZMAN for purchasing John Kreinces CD “Amen, Amen, Amen”. (Remember – John’s CDs make a great gift!) Several members also purchased candles. With

Hanukkah just around the corner, consider a purchase (or more) for your loved ones. We have lovely games and other activities

for the children and grandchildren. An appointment can be made if you’d like to check out our catalogs for some specific items.

Contact Mae at 305-296-9669 or at captmc@bellsouth.net