Bath Jewish History

September/October 2013
Elul 5773 • Tishri/Heshvan 5774

Cantor's Message

by Cantor Daniel Leeman

As the Holidays are early this year, and Hebrew School begins in a few short weeks, I'm reflecting about the summer's events. Unfortunately, as many of you know, I lost my dad, Rabbi Albert J. Leeman. It was an especially tumultuous time, as he passed unexpectedly as we were about to depart for Israel. We delayed our departure until after the shiva period, and then departed for what turned out to be a great trip.

We decided to make it a volunteer/service trip and worked within a program entitled "Volunteers for Israel." We gave two full weeks serving on two different army bases, and spent Shabbatot at special educational programs and with family.

Israel is a fascinating and vibrant culture that has grown rapidly over the years. It was wonderful to be a part of the dynamic diversity of ethnicities, cultures and religions, where both rich and poor, Ashkenazi and Sephardi, religious and secular, agricultural and urban, high tech and low tech mix with an ease and fluidity that is surprising and beautiful.

It was especially emotional for me to recite the Mourner's Kaddish for my father among my fellow Jews in a variety of different synagogues, wherever we went throughout the land. There were so many kind people offering comfort and condolence. I am especially grateful for the kind notes, email messages, donations etc. in honor of my father's memory that came from our members here in Bath. It is wonderful to be part of a Jewish community like ours in Maine, where people pull together like family during difficult times. I want to thank everyone for your kindness and look forward to celebrating the upcoming High Holy Days with you.

Flowers for the High Holidays

by Marina Singer

If you are interested in contributing toward the synagogue flowers for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, please contact Marina Singer at giftshop@bethisrael-maine.org. Please include the names of the people who you would like to honor or remember.

Your donations for the flowers should be sent to:
Robert Gersh
906 Washington St.
Bath, ME 04530

Selihot Service

by Marilyn Weinberg

Saturday, August 31
8:00 p.m.
Synagogue

This year's Selihot Service will take place Saturday evening, August 31, 2013, at 8:00 p.m. It is a one-hour healing service of song and prayer. It will begin with a brief lesson about some of the laws regarding words of kindness. Please make every effort to attend.

High Holiday Youth Services

by Barbara Leeman

Rosh Hashana
September 5
11:00 a.m.
Minnie Brown Center

Yom Kippur
September 14
11:00 a.m.
Minnie Brown Center

In addition to our regular services, we will have our children's service at Minnie Brown at 11:00 a.m. on both Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. An announcement will be made at the adult service just before 11:00 a.m., so that you can walk your child to the Minnie Brown Center.

You are welcome to stay with your children and enjoy the prayers, stories and singing with them. Your child will be brought back to the adult service at the conclusion of the Youth service if you are not there.

This year Denise Tepler will be leading the Rosh Hashanah service and Monica Blatt along with Marina Singer will lead the Yom Kippur service

A snack for the children will be provided on Rosh Hashanah. Please contact Denise Tepler or Barbara Leeman.

L'Shana Tovah Umetukah, a sweet and a good new year!

Rosh Hashanah Community Luncheon

by Marilyn Weinberg

Thursday, September 5
1:00 p.m.
Minnie Brown Center

Rosh Hashanah is the time when we all come together as a community. Our High Holiday potluck community luncheons have been a great success that we hope will continue for many years.

We will begin our Rosh Hashanah luncheon at the Minnie Brown Center immediately following morning services on Thursday, September 5, at approximately 1:00 p.m. It will be a great opportunity to catch up with each other and share some delicious food, for which our members are known. We will then go together for a Tashlicht service at the waterfront in Bath at approximately 2:00 p.m. You can drop off a "non-meat" potluck dish at the Minnie Brown Center before you come to services.

Yom Kippur Break Fast

by Marilyn Weinberg

Saturday, September 14
7:20 p.m.

Synagogue

This year our annual potluck break fast will begin right after we blow the shofar, signaling the end of Yom Kippur. There is something very special about being together to break the fast. You can drop off food any time on the 13th or 14th of September. The break fast will be held at the synagogue.

Community Sukkot Celebration

by Marilyn Weinberg

Sunday, September 22
12:00-2:00 p.m.
Long Island, Maine

On Sunday, September 22, from 12:00-2:00 p.m., we will celebrate Sukkot with our annual Community Potluck Sukkot celebration. This year will be a little different. We have been invited to Larry Loeb and Linda Silberstein's home on Long Island in the mouth of the Kennebec River. We hope to enlist any of you who have boats to shepherd us across to the island. We will still use our alphabet system of supplying food. Families whose last name begins with A-G should bring appetizers. Families whose last name begins with H-M should bring bread or salad (soup will be provided). Families whose last name begins with N-Z should bring desserts. Please RSVP to Marilyn Weinberg info@bethisrael-maine.net.net to let us know if you will be attending and if you have a boat to help with transportation. It will be wonderful

Simchat Torah

by Marilyn Weinberg

Friday, September 27
5:30 p.m. Shabbat dinner
6:15 p.m. Service
Synagogue

We will be celebrating Simchat Torah this year on Friday, September 27. We will have a potluck dinner starting at 5:30 p.m. followed by our Simchat Torah/Shabbat service at 6:15 p.m. Pizza will be provided. This holiday is a celebration of the Torah and you will have a chance to march with the Torah as we make our way around the sanctuary seven times. There will be singing and dancing as we proceed. It is not only a great time for adults, but also a great time for children to come, as they will receive an honorary aliyah as the Torah is read.

Youth Activities and News from the Hebrew School

by Barbara Leeman

First Day of Hebrew School

Wednesday, September 11
4:00 p.m.
Minnie Brown Center

For all current members, and previous students, be on the look out for emails and website updates.

For anyone new and interested in information, please send your name, phone number, or email address to education@bethisrael-maine.org.

Kindergarten/Preschool Classes

Our Kindergarten/Preschool class (Gan) will begin September 29th at 9:00 a.m. Our Gan class is a wonderful group for any family with younger children to have time for Jewish learning through crafts, songs, cooking, stories and more. The class will be meeting monthly.

If you are interested in enrolling your child, please email education@bethisrael-maine.org or call 443-4606 so that we can get an accurate count of class size.

Family Shabbatot

Friday, November 15
5:30 p.m.
Synagogue

Family Shabbat services continue at Beth Israel Congregation. These "family style" Shabbats take place at 5:30 p.m. and are designed for families with young children, although all ages are welcome to attend. We learn some prayers, sing songs and listen to a story. Services last approximately thirty minutes, and are a great way to introduce young kids to our Jewish community. This program takes the place of our regular Friday night service.

Nadia Leiner Bat Mitzvah

Saturday, October 12, 2013
9:30 a.m.

Lee Leiner and Lisa Trembley invite all congregants to the Bat Mitzvah of their daughter, Nadia Leiner.

Kiddush luncheon to follow at the Minnie Brown Center.

Nadia's Mitzvah Project

by Lee Leiner

Nadia has a passion for animals. As part of her mitzvah project for her Bat Mitzvah, she has been volunteering at the Lincoln County Animal Shelter, helping to take care of orphaned cats and dogs. She especially loves to walk the dogs and play with the kittens. She also helps out in the cat room.

In addition to her work at the shelter, Nadia will be sending a care package to the troops in Afghanistan. This project is especially close to her heart, since her uncle Dan and his unit are serving at Bagram Air Base.

BIRTHDAYS AND ANNIVERSARIES

Listing the birthdays and anniversaries of those in our immediate family creates a wonderful opportunity for our community/shul family to have an excuse to celebrate with each other. 

DONATIONS

Members of Beth Israel Congregation

• Marc and Crissy Swartz in appreciation for the Beth Israel Congregation
• Michele Riley in loving memory of her mother, Paula Travers
• Michele Riley in memory of Cantor Daniel Leeman's father, Rabbi Albert J. Leeman
• Gordon and Monica Blatt in loving memory of his father, Arthur Blatt
• Marina and Stephen Singer in loving memory of their mothers, Bessie Singer and Henrietta Shapiro
• Joan and Jeremy Fields in loving memory of her father, Arthur Blatt
• Richard W. Smith in loving memory of his father, Jacob Smith
• Jay and Lenore Friedland in memory of Cantor Daniel Leeman's father, Rabbi Albert J. Leeman
• Betsy Atkins in loving memory of her mother, Barbara Bronstein
• Marilyn and John Darack in memory of Cantor Daniel Leeman's father, Rabbi Albert J. Leeman
• Jan and Joanie Isenberg in memory of Cantor Daniel Leeman's father, Rabbi Albert J. Leeman
• Peggy Brown and John Martell in memory of Cantor Daniel Leeman's father, Rabbi Albert J. Leeman
• Judith Wolfe and Robert Lobis in memory of Cantor Daniel Leeman's father, Rabbi Albert J. Leeman
• Fred and Marilyn Weinberg in loving memory of her father, Max Isacoff
• Fred and Marilyn Weinberg in memory of Cantor Daniel Leeman's father, Rabbi Albert J. Leeman
• Barrett and Barbara Silver in memory of Cantor Daniel Leeman's father, Rabbi Albert J. Leeman
• Barry and Adele Faber in support of the Hebrew School Scholarship Fund
• George and Margaret Isaacson in memory of Cantor Daniel Leeman's father, Rabbi Albert J. Leeman
• Rosalind Gorin and Matthew Bud in support of Shabbat onegs
• Joan and Jeremy Fields in memory of Cantor Daniel Leeman's father, Rabbi Albert J. Leeman
• Lynn Frank and Bill Kohut in memory of Cantor Daniel Leeman's father, Rabbi Albert J. Leeman
• Donna and Peter Rubin in honor and appreciation of Cantor Daniel Leeman
• Mitchell Manin and Joyce Bellevue in memory of Cantor Daniel Leeman's father, Rabbi Albert J. Leeman
• Larry Loeb and Dr. Linda Silverstein
• Sharon Drake in loving memory of her father, Edward Kravitz

 Friends of Beth Israel Congregation

• Sheila Lucente in loving memory of her grandparents A. Joseph and Esther Meuser
• Denise Linet in loving memory of her father, Abraham Linet
• Alina Shumsky and David Chatalbash in memory of Cantor Daniel Leeman's father, Rabbi Albert J. Leeman
• Zira and Ansel Schiffer
• Marcia and Leonard Klompus in loving memory of her father, Benjamin Mensh
• Joseph and Merna Guttentag in memory of Cantor Daniel Leeman's father, Rabbi Albert J. Leeman
• Marcia and Leonard Klompus for two Hebrew School scholarships to the Hebrew School Scholarship Fund in loving memory of her son, Jeffrey Robert Cherner

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