TBA Bulletin, November/December 2011

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THE VOICE TEMPLE BETH ABRAHAM, 1301 WASHINGTON STREET, CANTON, MA 02021 PUBLISHED BI-MONTHLY HESHVAN / TEVET NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2011 ISSUE NO. 2 By Cheryl Hiltz Kallat Torah Minyans are Sunday-Thursday, 7:30 p.m. Minyan calendars are enclosed. If you can’t go on your scheduled night, please find someone to cover for you. The synagogue would like to be informed about all important events and occasions, including births, engagements, weddings, awards, etc., as well as illnesses and deaths. Please notify the office at (781) 828-5250. Dan Le Dan Le Dan Le Dan Le Dan Levenson, Cheryl Hiltz Honor enson, Cheryl Hiltz Honor enson, Cheryl Hiltz Honor enson, Cheryl Hiltz Honor enson, Cheryl Hiltz Honored on Simc ed on Simc ed on Simc ed on Simc ed on Simcha ha ha ha hat T t T t T t T t Tor or or or orah ah ah ah ah On Simchat Torah, two longtime congregants were honored with the most prestigious awards from Temple Beth Abraham. Dan Levenson was named Hatan B’reishit, and Cheryl Hiltz was named Kallat Torah. Here are their remarks to the congrega- tion. By Dan Levenson Hatan B’Reishit I am humbled and honored to be named the Hatan Breishit. It comes on the heels of joining the Yad Society last year. I have always felt connected to Judaism but took a long sabbatical from ritual obser- vance. Growing up, my parents were observant, and we at- tended Shabbat services nearly every weekend and holiday, lit the Shabbat candles, blessed the challah and wine, and ate Shabbat dinner together, through the end of high school. My parents took my sisters and me to Israel several times, but I have not been there since I was 13. Like many people, my level of observance was minimal between high school and my early married years. When our children were old enough for religious school, we were ready to renew our affiliation with a temple community and joined Temple Beth Abraham 16 years ago. In high school, I had been a Torah reader. In recent years, I dusted off my Tikun and have read Torah in the Temple a few times a year, including at my children’s B’nai Mitzvot. (continued on page 6) During my tenure as President of TBA, I have had the pleasure of awarding the Kallat Torah to two people that I knew were well- deserving of the honor. But hearing my own name on Rosh Hashanah morning associated with that honor was a surprising event, to say the least. I came to Temple Beth Abraham when my daughter Michelle was in the second grade. She came home one day and said, “I want to go to Hebrew School with Erica Novick.” Who was I to refuse such a request, and off we went. It was quite easy to get involved in temple life; someone asks you to help them with a committee or a project and you just say, “Okay, sure, I can do that.” The next thing you know, you’re a Past President. It’s really just that simple. I grew up being involved, followed in some pretty big foot- steps actually. My parents always (continued on page 5)

description

The official bulletin of Tempe Bet Abraham in Canton, MA.

Transcript of TBA Bulletin, November/December 2011

Page 1: TBA Bulletin, November/December 2011

THE VOICETEMPLE BETH ABRAHAM, 1301 WASHINGTON STREET, CANTON, MA 02021

PUBLISHED BI-MONTHLY HESHVAN / TEVET NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2011 ISSUE NO. 2

By Cheryl HiltzKallat Torah

Minyans are Sunday-Thursday, 7:30 p.m. Minyan calendars are enclosed.If you can’t go on your scheduled night, please find someone to cover foryou.

The synagogue would like to be informed about all important events andoccasions, including births, engagements, weddings, awards, etc., as wellas illnesses and deaths. Please notify the office at (781) 828-5250.

Dan LeDan LeDan LeDan LeDan Levvvvvenson, Cheryl Hiltz Honorenson, Cheryl Hiltz Honorenson, Cheryl Hiltz Honorenson, Cheryl Hiltz Honorenson, Cheryl Hiltz Honored on Simced on Simced on Simced on Simced on Simchahahahahat Tt Tt Tt Tt Torororororahahahahah

On Simchat Torah, twolongtime congregants werehonored with the mostprestigious awards fromTemple Beth Abraham.

Dan Levenson wasnamed Hatan B’reishit, andCheryl Hiltz was namedKallat Torah. Here are theirremarks to the congrega-tion.

By Dan LevensonHatan B’Reishit

I am humbled and honoredto be named the Hatan Breishit.It comes on the heels of joiningthe Yad Society last year.

I have always felt connectedto Judaism but took a longsabbatical from ritual obser-vance. Growing up, my parentswere observant, and we at-tended Shabbat services nearlyevery weekend and holiday, litthe Shabbat candles, blessed thechallah and wine, and ate

Shabbat dinner together, throughthe end of high school. My parentstook my sisters and me to Israelseveral times, but I have not beenthere since I was 13. Like manypeople, my level of observancewas minimal between high schooland my early married years. Whenour children were old enough forreligious school, we were ready torenew our affiliation with a templecommunity and joined TempleBeth Abraham 16 years ago.

In high school, I had been aTorahreader. Inrecentyears, Idusted offmy Tikunand havereadTorah intheTemple a

few times a year, including at mychildren’s B’nai Mitzvot.

(continued on page 6)

During my tenure as Presidentof TBA, I have had the pleasure of

awardingthe KallatTorah totwo peoplethat I knewwere well-deservingof thehonor. Buthearingmy own

name on Rosh Hashanah morningassociated with that honor was asurprising event, to say the least.

I came to Temple BethAbraham when my daughterMichelle was in the second grade.She came home one day and said,“I want to go to Hebrew Schoolwith Erica Novick.” Who was I torefuse such a request, and off wewent. It was quite easy to getinvolved in temple life; someoneasks you to help them with acommittee or a project and you justsay, “Okay, sure, I can do that.”The next thing you know, you’re aPast President. It’s really just thatsimple.

I grew up being involved,followed in some pretty big foot-steps actually. My parents always

(continued on page 5)

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RRRRRaaaaabbbbbbi Dabi Dabi Dabi Dabi David: Fvid: Fvid: Fvid: Fvid: Fivivivivive Ye Ye Ye Ye Yearearearearearsssss

A Big welcome to our newestmembers: Jason, Heather, Alyssa& Halen Cole; Jason, Valerie,Ella, Alexandra and Serena Frank;Ted, Lisa and Kaitlyn Frank; andSteven, Andrea, James, and GraceWoolner.

Now that our 7th AnnualMembership BBQ is behind usand everyone had a great time, Iwould like to thank the followingvolunteers:

My first Thank You goes tomy Co-Chair, Ruthy Gomolka formaking our delicious salads andalways pulling our menus together.My next thanks go to ourBrotherhood members, AlanGoldberg, Rick Gomolka and SolSandperl, who always make thebest hamburgers and hotdogs, andto my husband, Neil for shoppingand shlepping with me. Specialthanks go to Phyllis and KeithMoore for donating ourcenterpieces. Thank you also toPhyllis Moore, Dena Kaufman, SySchlossberg and Judy Steinbergfor manning our MembershipTable and welcoming our guests.Special thanks to Rabbi David forhis music and pictures and toMelissa Rudman, who is alwayswonderful in making sure thateveryone is full and happy. Lastbut certainly not least, thank youto our newest temple employee,Rob Lopes, who makes sure thatwe all have a place to sit, eat, andmingle.

Mark your calendar for ournext event: New MemberDinner, Friday, December 9h

at our synagogue.

Phyllis LernerMembership Co-Chair

MemberMemberMemberMemberMembershipshipshipshipship

The news of Gilad Shalit’srelease spread on Twitter likewildfire. Gilad Shalit had nevereven heard of Twitter. Since hewas kidnapped, more than 700million people have joinedFacebook, and I have gonethrough fouriterations of theiPhone. I havemoved three times,dieted once, beatencancer once, quitsmoking, hadanother child, signedanother contract,made and lostfriends. I have buriedtoo many people. So much hashappened in five short years. I am writing this, ofcourse, just after Gilad Shalitwas released from theterrorists of Hamas to comehome to his family in Israel. Hehas been gone, held in a darkhole, for more than five years. In watching all of thisunfold, I have been thinkingabout all that has happened infive years; all that he hasmissed and what I may havemissed. It is so easy to miss life asit passes us by. We don’t needto be captured by our enemiesto have our present stolenfrom us. All we need to do isclose our eyes to the mysteryand majesty of the moment.And we do this all too well. Every morning we say ablessing, Praised are You,ADONAI, our God, Ruler ofthe Universe Who opens theeyes of the blind. This blessing

isn’t thanking God for healingphysical blindness - it ispraising God for allowing us torecognize our own blindnessand thanking God for helpingus to open our eyes. Abraham Joshua Heschel

calls this eye-openingexperience, “RadicalAmazement.” Whenwe see, in everymoment, somethingamazing — somethingholy — then we aretruly free. Judaism is allabout RadicalAmazement andmarking moments. Wesay blessings, 100

every day to mark sacredmoments; we do mitzvot atevery turn to mark sacredmoments; we pray, we sing, welight candles, we shake, weeat, we dance — all to marksacred moments, all tocelebrate our radicalamazement at the world aroundus and the flight of time. A lot has happened in fiveyears. A lot has happened inthe five or so minutes it hastaken you to read these words.What have you missed? WhatJewish rituals can you embraceto help you open your eyes —to free your soul?

Rabbi David

Correction: KirshnerPearlstein Bereavement Fund The Kirshner PearlsteinBereavement Fund, described inthe September-October TheVoice, was started by LesliePearlstein, not Lesley Shain.

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There must be somethingintrinsically important aboutquarters. Basketball games aredivided into quarters, footballgames have fourquarters, corporationsare insane about theirquarterly reports, evenchickens are dividedinto quarters. Here’smy quarterly report:

My first quarterjust ended with thescore: TBA 7, Visitors0. We had a couple offumbles and oneinterception, but wesurvived. The coach and hisassistants were somewhat caughtoff guard by the defense, but in theend adjusted with a new gameplan and were able to pushforward. Sometimes we were notable to get our plays in on time,and sometimes we rushed them.There were times the visiting teamseemed to know our game plan,but we were able to come outahead due to a last minute scoringdrive by the HHST (HighHoliday’s Special Team.)

Thanks to Dena and herseating committee, we were ableto fill the stadium. Norm, Elliot,Leslie and Cheryl made sure thateveryone got to the huddle ontime, Bobby and Rick got ourdefense and crowd managementteam in place in a timely manner.Melissa and her Junior Leaguecoaches kept our future replace-ments busy, while Neil and histeam of Wacky Weeders kept thestadium looking beautiful.

Meanwhile our quarterback,Reb David, had to overcomesome unexpected challenges from

some of our replacement players.Many times he had to call plays atthe line-of-scrimmage but stillmanaged to get us into scoring

position for LisaWinner and the MusafDaveners to scoreuntouched on the finalplay of the quarter.Whew! Our winningstreak remains un-scathed going into the2nd quarter.

Friends, I (we)had an interesting threemonths. I learned a lot.I hope my actions did

not offend anyone. If that hap-pened, I apologize, it was notintentional. I felt as though I had

Next bulletin is January-February. Deadline isDecember 1.

Email articles and photosto [email protected].

just been thrown into the lake andtold, “Swim.” Maybe I’m amasochist, but I actually enjoyedlearning how to swim. Sure therewere and are some problems, butit is truly enjoyable solving prob-lems with the help of friends.

As we enter the secondquarter, with the team still learninga new playbook, we will continueto improve as long as people donot get discouraged, and we alllearn to pull in the same direction.

So join our team and get onour active roster.

My family and I join in wishingthe entire congregation a healthy,happy and prosperous New Year. Michael Shain

President

It is with great sadnessthat we share with you thatJoanne Howard’s father,Robert Babcock, passedaway this summer at theage of 94. Mr. Babcockwas the “Shabbat helper” inthe early 1930’s at oursynagogue when it waslocated on WashingtonStreet behind the ShellStation.

Joanne told us that“Hymie the chicken farmer”from TBA convincedRobert to go tocollege. The elders took Robert“under their wings” when hisfather had died. He wasconsidered a very righteous man.

During World War II, Mr.Babcock showed honor andrespect for the burial of Jewish

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soldiers at sea byreciting the 23rdPsalm. TheLustbader/Babcock libraryat TBA wasdedicated inhonor of Janeand RobertBabcock as wellas Carl andIngrid Lustbaderin November,2010.

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CongCongCongCongCongrrrrreeeeegggggaaaaational Educational Educational Educational Educational Educationtiontiontiontion

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Hatan B’reishitThe Hatan B’reishit Award is

given to a member of our commu-nity who has shown great spiritualgrowth during the past year. Thisgrowth can come in the form ofincreased ritual observance,energetic participation in Templelife and/or a general increase inJewish learning. This year’s winneris Daniel Levenson. I first met Dan as an occa-sional Shabbat goer several yearsago, but two years ago beganplaying flute with the MusafDaveners. He added a dimensionthat is quite unique. I really enjoylistening to him play. Since then hehas been a Shabbat regular andcan be counted on for making aminiyan. He attends adult edprograms and has added immea-surably to our TBA family. Now, I don’t know Danielpersonally very well, so I went tomy own private gamatria consult-ant and a very interesting thingoccurred. Daniel Levenson orDovid ben Levi has a numericalvalue of 40,640.375 which whencombined with his date of birthand today’s date tells a veryinteresting story. This magicalnumber refers to “One, who blows

PrPrPrPrPresidentesidentesidentesidentesident’’’’’s Rs Rs Rs Rs Remaremaremaremaremarkkkkks on Simcs on Simcs on Simcs on Simcs on Simchahahahahat Tt Tt Tt Tt Torororororahahahahah

a gentle breeze and wears a bigkippah.” I thought this was trulyamazing and remarkably true.Daniel, thank you for your kindsmile, joyous participation andwarm menchkeit handshake.

Kallat TorahOur winner of the Kallat

Torah Award is Cheryl Hiltz. Thisaward is given to a person whohas devoted themselves to theTBA community for an extendedperiod of time. I, like most of us,have seen Cheryl around the shul,quietly and busily doing manyjobs. It has only been recently thatI have really grown to appreciateall that she has done of these pastmany years. Cheryl has occupied virtuallyevery position in this synagoguefrom Function Coordinator toPresident, from finance to floorworker on the High Holidays andB’nai Mitzvot. However, Cheryl has oneproblem. She does not know howto say no. They say when youwant something done ask a busyperson. Well, Cheryl is that busyperson. As a matter of fact, there (continued on page 5)

This past Sukkot was reallyquite magical at Temple BethAbraham both for the Religiousschool families and our otherfamilies.NotonlywereSukkotbeingbuilt allaroundbut sowerenewrelation-ships.We had five amazing sukkot builtby each grade this year. Withteamwork from both the adultsand children each Sukkah wassomething for everyone to beproud of. These fun-filled days ofbuilding, decorating, and hoppingcould not have happened withoutthe Mayer, Carson, Davis, Wolf,and Reich families for beingoutstanding hosts. Also manythanks to George Chism, AndrewLangmead, Rabbi David, AmiKollangi and Rob Lopes for beingour on-site building supervisors.

The Religious School familieswere not the only ones able toconnect during Sukkot. Thesecond seating during the Shabbatin the Sukkah (social hall) becauseof rain had a wonderful turnout.This was a great evening for oldfriends to catch up and even for afew new friendships to be formed.

Saturday night in the Sukkahwas “Pizza in the Hut” for theB’nai Mitzvah families. It wasgreat to see people reconnect overdinner after meeting a few weeksago during Shabbaton.

So now that we are on a roll,building new relationships, wecan’t wait until next Sukkot tohave this much fun. I am thinking a“Chanukah Happening”.

Anyone interested in helpingto plan or host please let meknow [email protected].

More information will be out soon.If you missed the fun of Sukkotdon’t miss out on Chanukah and ifyou had fun during Sukkot youknow this will be great!

B’Shalom,Melissa RudmanCongregational Educator

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Cheryl Hiltz HonorCheryl Hiltz HonorCheryl Hiltz HonorCheryl Hiltz HonorCheryl Hiltz Honored as Ked as Ked as Ked as Ked as Kallaallaallaallaallat Tt Tt Tt Tt Torororororahahahahah

(continued from page 1)volunteered their time, whether itwas at Ahavath Torah where Igrew up or the Knights ofPhythias, they were alwaysinvolved and active, being oncommittees, holding offices, etc.,just made it seem like the rightthing to do. I believe in the “pay it for-ward” method. Someone doessomething for you and you dosomething for someone else,although it doesn’t always come inthe same form. There was a timewhen I needed people to step inand help me, and they did with noexpectation. I like to think I’verepaid some of those kindnesses.

I was president of my BBGchapter and on the RegionalBoard as well. Someone took meunder their wing and encouragedme to participate and I did. I’vealways had great memories of mytime in B’nai Brith, so when I wasasked to be involved with TBA’syouth it only seemed like thenatural thing to do. I felt that Icould help our program bememorable for our youth so that itwould be an instrumental part oftheir lives, leaving them with greatmemories of being a Jewish youth.I took over the chairmanship andended up staying in that positionfor quite some time working tokeep the kids involved in theyouth group and temple life.

I tried to take a break after12 years, but someone, JudySokolove, asked me if I wouldconsider the office of Vice Presi-dent. There was that answeragain, “Okay, sure, I can do that,”and we all know where that led.

Along the way I’ve helped out

on special committees, worked onthe By-Laws, volunteered at theRoad Race and helped in thekitchen for holiday dinners orspecial Kiddushes. I like coming inand cooking for a lot of people. Ibring my recipe for kugel and tellthem it’s a special recipe. Why?Because I make it with love. It’s anice way to give something backand bond with other temple familymembers, kibbitzing in the kitchenas families tend to do. I guessultimately I’m a little selfish. Ivolunteer my time not just to behelpful; I like to do it and it makesme feel good inside.

As Function Coordinator Ienjoy speaking with the familiesabout their child’s upcoming Baror Bat Mitzvah. I like being herewhen they take pictures a coupleof days before, making sure thetallit is even on both sides or thecollars are tucked in, or no one’shair is standing on end. I likemaking sure that theaccommodator is doing okay. Ireally just like being in charge.

I will continue to try to pay itforward, to encourage others tohave the same feelings of belong-ing to this place as I do. To makethem feel that they can come cookin this kitchen and kibbitz, becauseit’s home. I feel right at home evensitting in the last row, even if it’s bymyself, any given day, because thisis where I belong.

To my family — thanks forsharing me with this family.

To my friends — thanks foryour support.

To my TBA family — thanksfor the honor, but the honor ismine to be a part of such a lovingand welcoming community.

(continued from page 4)was the only time Cheryl has saidno to me, and that was becauseshe was already doing three otherthings. Her warm smile and keenadvice is constantly sought after. There is no one I know who ismore worthy of this award.

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Social Action Social Action Social Action Social Action Social Action in Action in Action in Action in Action in Action

Canton Food PantryThe Canton Food Pantry Drive

during Rosh Hashanah was asuccess. The coat closet wasoverflowing with grocery bags.You generously donated almost100 bags of non-perishable foodand toiletries. Thank you to ourTemple Beth Abraham community. Family Table Thank you for continuing tosupport TBA’s ongoing commit-ment to Jewish Family andChildren’s Service, Family Table.Our goal is to collect 25 cans ofkosher soup and 25 cans ofvegetables each month. Drivers needed for

Family TableTemple Beth Abraham has made acommitment to Family Table tohelp drive and deliver food onSunday, December 11. We needabout eight drivers. You go toWaltham, compile food for adesignated client and then deliverthe food to them. This is a veryrewarding experience, especiallywith children. They are alwayslooking for drivers, for any month.

(continued on page 7)

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(continued from page 1)Music is a big part of my life

and has the power to magnify thespirituality of a moment for me.Hearing Rabbi David’s guitar intemple moves me, because he issuch a gifted musician. I am happyto add the sound of my flute to thebeautiful voices of the MusafDaveners and the amazing musicthat flows from Lisa Winner, andhave accompanied Lisa, RabbiDavid, and occasional others inmaking music on Shabbat Un-plugged.

Over the years, I have beenan occasional but not regularparticipant in Shabbat and holidayservices. That changed after myfather passed away in December.Since then, I have been trying toattend services on most Saturdaymornings to say Kaddish. Up tothat time, I had assumed that therewas a big group of congregants inregular attendance and that mypresence would not be noticed. Iwould just be another face in thecrowd. What I learned is that theregular Saturday group is smallerthan I thought and that on anygiven day, everyone may beneeded to fill an honor. That leadsto a sense of duty to the commu-nity, knowing that one’s absencecan put everyone else in the groupto work. On days when thecongregation is small, there issomething special about being partof this group where everyonepresent is participating and helpingto meet our obligations. Yet, whenthe congregation is larger, it is niceto reconnect with people.

I have also gained an everdeepening appreciation for thepeople who coordinate and

manage our services throughoutthe year, including: the invaluableand ever present Dena Kaufman,our regular torah and haftarahreaders along with a large pool ofavailable talent, featuring amazingreaders such as Yale Zussman,Sam Evans, Amy Litwack, andthe Torah Trope Troupe; otherpeople whom we rely on includethe ones who surround thepodium during the Torah service,and Rabbi David.

I will get further involved withthe ritual aspects of the temple thisyear as a minyan captain.

But spirituality is not justabout observing religious ritual. Itis also about understanding it, andlearning to draw on ages ofwisdom within the religion to helpnavigate this life that can bebeautiful and wonderful but alsochallenging and difficult. Therehave been many occasions thathave tested me and influenced mythoughts about the nature of God,humanity’s relationship with God,and the issues of faith and spiritu-ality.

Three of my grandparentswere gone by the time I was veryyoung. One of them was mymother’s father. His ancestorsoriginally arrived in Palestine fromthe Ukraine around 1780. He waseducated in a French school runby the Alliance Israelite Francaiseand in the country’s first college ofagriculture, Mikve Yisrael inHolon. He was well versed inTalmud and spoke Hebrew,Arabic, French, German andEnglish. Ironically, he emigrated toFrance in 1927, after he and hisbrothers concluded that there wasno future for Jews in Palestine,

following a wave of violenceagainst Jewish communities.Consequently, he was available tothe Nazis during World War II,and spent time in Auschwitz,Buchenwald, Mathausen, andGross-Rosen. He survived,because the farming skills that hehad learned in Palestine wereuseful to the Nazis. After the War,he was an atheist. He died at theage of 61, having had his zest forlife crushed by his experiences inthe camps.

My mother was seven yearsold and living in Paris when theWar started. She survived byliving in hiding with various friendsand neighbors and with membersof the Resistance, often apart fromher mother and always without herfather. She lived for a while on afarm in the countryside, where thehosts abused the children in theircare, some physically and somepsychologically. Those experi-ences ended her childhood by thetime the War was over. She wasfortunate to have reunited with herfather after he was liberated, buthe was not the same person. Yet,she has always been religiouslyobservant and active in her Jewishcommunity, which is currently inWashington, D.C.

My wife Janice had an olderbrother, Merrill, who was a funnyand wonderful guy, a great brotherand son, and the father of twoyoung children. He died of cancerwhen he was 34 years old, andnever met my children. Shortlyafter Merrill’s illness was discov-ered, Janice’s mother was diag-nosed with leukemia. She diedafter a seven-year battle. Janice’s

(continued on page 7)

Dan LeDan LeDan LeDan LeDan Levvvvvenson Honorenson Honorenson Honorenson Honorenson Honored as Haed as Haed as Haed as Haed as Hatan B’tan B’tan B’tan B’tan B’rrrrreishiteishiteishiteishiteishit

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(continued from page 6)father died two months later. Iproudly wear his kipah. He had alarge head, and so my kipah stayson top of my head.

My younger sister Pearl diedsuddenly at the age of 42 from amisdiagnosed bacterial infection.That occurred a week before heroldest child’s Bar Mitzvah. Myolder sister Naomi has survivedtwo bouts with cancer and onebout with her ex-husband in anasty divorce.

Most recently, I watched myfather decline slowly withParkinson’s disease, move into anursing home, and then slip intodementia before he passed away.The fact that I was able to get tohis bedside for his last day and ahalf can be attributed to divineintervention. I did not know hewas dying, yet I had an over-whelming feeling that he neededme and took an overnight train inorder to visit him.

But life has brought its shareof joys. Janice came into my life,along with her extended family,who have always treated me asone of their own. Marissa andZachary expanded our horizonsinto the richness of raising childrenand seeing them grow into won-derful young adults. We live acomfortable life in Canton. Wehave enjoyed many family cel-ebrations of various sorts through-out the years and also friendships,some of them born in this temple.

My spiritual journey continues,supported by this temple commu-nity, and I thank you for recogniz-ing me with this special honor.

Dan LeDan LeDan LeDan LeDan Levvvvvensonensonensonensonenson Good and WGood and WGood and WGood and WGood and Welfelfelfelfelfararararareeeee

Congratulations:Cheryl Hiltz for being named Kallat TorahDan Levenson for being named Hatan BereshitAdrienne and Jerry Fleishman on the birth of their grandson, Silas PhilipAdrienne and Jerry Fleishman on

the engagement of theirdaughter, Courtney Fleishman to Ariel Mathiowitz

Phyllis and Cliff Seresky on theengagement of their grandson,Brant Duber to Peri Gutstein

Jane Moscow and Richard Shmishkiss on the birth of their granddaughter, Isabella Cohen

Cheryl and Doug Okun on the engagement of their daughter, Miriam, to Dan TevetSharon and Richard Sagotsky on the birth of their grandson, Benjamin Lucas SagotskyElaine and Paul Paisner on the birth of their ninth grandchild, Sasha Jordan Paisner

Condolences:Marilyn Sandperl on the loss of her father, Marcel FinderBarry Horowitz on the loss of his father, Rubin HorowitzPeter Lurie on the loss of his grandmother, Shirley LurieJon Snyderman on the loss of his grandfather, Paul Snyderman

(continued from page 5)Please contact me at 781-828-0531 or [email protected]. Turkey Tzedakah

Jewish Familyand Children’sService, FamilyTable, is looking forextra help in orderto provide theirclients with akosher turkey forThanksgiving. Yourgift of $25.00 willcover the cost ofone kosher turkey.Donate on line towww.jfcsboston.org/donate or please send your check(payable to JF&CS) JF&CSFamily Table1430 Main Street, Waltham, MA02451. Be sure to indicate “Turkey

Social Action in ActionSocial Action in ActionSocial Action in ActionSocial Action in ActionSocial Action in Action

Tzedakah” when you make yourgift. Chanukah Toy Drive

Providing gift cards for toysallows theclients ofJewishFamily andChildren’sServices(JF&CS)the dignityofchoosingtheir child’sgiftthemselves.Your gift of

$25 or more will help bring joy toa child during the holidays.

To be assigned specificchildren, please contact the Toy

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(continued from page 7)Drive coordinator [email protected](5327) no laterthan Monday, Dec 5th. You canalso make a donation atwww.jfcsboston.org/donate,and they will be happy topurchase the gift cards for you.Or, you may send checks(payable to JF&CS) to theJF&CS Toy Drive, 1430 MainStreet, Waltham, MA 02451Be sure to indicate “Toy Drive”when you make your gift.

Thank you in advance for yourgenerosity and help in making the

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I had a wonderful response tothe making of afghans and “scarfs”for the hospitalized veterans.Thank you. I know our work isappreciated. I will be bringing ourdonations the first week of De-cember. Please leave your items atthe temple office. If that is notconvenient, contact me at (781)821-1202.

Our afghans should be around38 x 42. The scarves about 14” x38”. If you want to make afghan

Afghans fAfghans fAfghans fAfghans fAfghans for Vor Vor Vor Vor Veteretereteretereteransansansansans

It is wonderful to see ourlibrary being used. A reminder thatif you want to know if we own abook, visit the TBA website, clickon library and follow the directionsto Librarything.com. When youvisit our library, instructions forchecking out material and itsreturn are displayed on the wall.

Our newest books include:The Autobiography of G-d, TheInvisible Bridge, Clara’s War,The Blood Lie, Righteous Men,The Kidnapping of EdgardoMortara and The Seamstress.These books are in the Chapel.

Many people have workedvery hard to put our library backtogether. Please be consideratewhen you visit. Any books youhave browsed may be put in thereturn box. Papers from meetings,leftovers from refreshments, anditems you have used should beremoved or replaced in theiroriginal spot. Please remember tosign out your books and returnthem in a timely manner. Most ofall, enjoy this beautiful space.

For more information, contactme at [email protected] or(781) 821-1202.

Harriet Lavine

Our next book group isMonday, November 21 at TempleBeth Abraham, hosted by JanisMonat. We will be discussingNemesis by Philip Roth.

On Monday, December 19we will meet at the home ofSherry Alpert to discuss In theGarden of Beasts by Erik Larson.

On Monday, January 19, thebook is Spies of the Balkans byAlan Furst, hosted by SusanLipsitt at Temple Beth Abraham.

squares, they should be made on asize 8 needle. Cast on 34 stitches.Knit for 64 rows. These squarescan be given to Judy Malin. Shemakes beautiful afghans fromthem.

Thank you all again for yourcontinued help.

Harriet Lavine

A free seder plate isavailable for the asking. Call SherryAlpert, (781) 828-9415, [email protected].

upcoming holidays special for ourneighbors in need. JF&CS isincredibly grateful on behalf oftheir clients in making theirholidays brighter.

Lesley Shain, Chair Social Action

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9

Over the past six years, I haveasked you to support Special gifts.Your response has been generousand thoughtful. I know that thereare many ways that each of youcontributes to the Temple. Yourcontributions given to the Temple,be they financial contributions toexisting fund, gifts-in-kind, or timegiven to support Temple goals andprograms are appreciated.

In the past year and lookingforward to the next year, we hopeto achieve several important goals,including but not limited to:Upgrading the Temple’ssecurity systemInstalling a new speakersystemEvents board signage withlights for the front of the Temple

GivGivGivGivGive ofe ofe ofe ofe of Y Y Y Y Yourourourourourself: Makself: Makself: Makself: Makself: Make a Dife a Dife a Dife a Dife a Difffffferererererence with a Special Giftence with a Special Giftence with a Special Giftence with a Special Giftence with a Special Gift

Upgrading the MemorialGarden and entrance to theSukkahCurtains for the ArkMultimedia Library FundUpcoming Events flat screendisplay and bulletin board for theLobby

Many other ongoing importantneeds of the Temple are includedin the enclosed brochure. Itincludes opportunities for one timeor ongoing contributions torecognize that special friend orfamily member experiencing a lifecycle event such as a birthday,Bar/Bat Mitzvah, birth of a childor grandchild, marriage or loss ofa family member. Continuedsupport and contributions to theKirshner/Pearlstein Berevement

Fund, Hebrew Schoolscholarships, Youth Fund andother existing funds areappreciated.

Please note the opportunity tocontribute to the EndowedFuture Fund, which was startedin 1999 to provide for specialneeds of the Temple in the future.It provides opportunity for con-sidering a bequest or recognizingTemple Beth Abraham in a will.

Please consider the needs ofthe Temple. If you would like todiscuss any item on the list or yourdesire to contribute to the FutureFund, please contact me at (781)828-8358 or e-mail me [email protected].

Thank you again for your pastcontributions and for consideringfuture ones.

Phyllis Moore, ChairSpecial Gifts

NovelistChuckHogan,whose best-selling novelPrince ofThieves wasthe basis forBenAffleck’sAcademyAward nominatedfilm The Town,will speak at theTBA BrotherhoodBreakfast onSunday, Nov. 13.

Breakfastbegins at 9:15a.m., followedby Hogan’s talk.

NoNoNoNoNovvvvvelist Chucelist Chucelist Chucelist Chucelist Chuck Hogk Hogk Hogk Hogk Hogan aan aan aan aan at TBt TBt TBt TBt TBA NoA NoA NoA NoA Novvvvv. 13. 13. 13. 13. 13

MemberMemberMemberMemberMembershipshipshipshipship Dir Dir Dir Dir Directoryectoryectoryectoryectory

Our new MembershipDirectory is nearlyfinished.

Look for it in yourmailbox in November.

Thanks you to all ouradvertisers for support-ing Temple BethAbraham in this majornew fundraising effort.

Cost is $5 per person.Hogan, who grew up in

Canton, won the 2005 HammettPrize for Prince of Thieves,which Stephen King called one ofthe ten best novels of the year. Hehas published six other novels. The public is invited to thebreakfast and to hear Hogan.Books will be available.

Larry Finklestone,Fundraising Chair

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Page 12: TBA Bulletin, November/December 2011

Temple Beth Abraham Staff

Spiritual Leader...............Rabbi David PaskinCongregational Educator......Melissa RudmanPresident.................................Michael ShainOffice Manager......................Judy SteinbergThe Voice Editor......................Sherry Alpert

Temple Beth Abraham1301 Washington StreetCanton, MA 02021(781) [email protected]