Bath Jewish History

July/August 2020

Tammuz / Av / Elul 5780

Rabbi’s Message

Dear Beth Israel Members and Friends,

I have missed seeing you all in person over the past few months. There is something truly special about gathering in our sanctuary, singing together in person, reading from our Torah scroll, seeing each other face to face. I miss standing on the steps of the building as you walk in, offering a handshake or a hug, learning from your wisdom and laughing with you. And yet, our decision to move our prayer services, meetings and classes online, was the correct one; to do our part to help our community stay as safe and healthy as possible.

Psalm 137, in a lament of the Israelite exile to Babylon asks:
 נֵָכֽר׃אְַדַ֥מתַ֝֗על ֶאת־ִשׁיר־יְהָ֑והנִָ֥שׁירֵ֗איךְ
How can we sing a song of Adonai in a foreign land?

We too are in our own foreign territory, a new landscape of social distancing, mask wearing, and numerous adaptations and losses in our personal and professional lives. And like the poet who wrote this timeless verse implies, we must continue to sing. Albeit with new technologies and innovative strategies, we must continue to act, teach, learn, and relate. We must find new ways to support each other so that we can continue to thrive, whether on foreign soil or familiar land or some combination of both.

What are you doing to thrive in these times? What’s working for you and your family? What challenges do you face? If we haven’t already spoken on the phone, I would welcome a conversation to hear how you are doing and how we at Beth Israel can support you. Please reach out!

One of the positive aspects of being in this foreign land is an opportunity to see things anew, with fresh eyes and a bit of perspective. I hope you will join me in taking this opportunity to think creatively and openly, to get to the core of what we do best as a Jewish community and do more of that. I look forward to this journey with you.

L’Shalom
Rabbi Vinikoor

President’s Message

by Peggy Brown

At our Annual Meeting on June 8, Beth Israel members joined together online to celebrate the accomplishments of 2019–2020 and to express gratitude for all of the contributions, hard-work and participation in services, study, social action and togetherness that make our community rich and vibrant. We recognized Marilyn Weinberg and Rachel Connelly for their service to the board as they ended their terms and were relieved that they won’t be going far. Rachel will continue to head our Fund-Raising Committee and teach our preschoolers in the Yahad program, and Marilyn will continue to lead our Chai Committee, publish our newsletter with Fred and do the multitude of other things she does to make Beth Israel what it is.

Also in the plus column, our beloved Rabbi Vinikoor has renewed her contract for five years and we have three talented and capable new members of the board: Debbie Smyth, Gila Cohen Shaw and Margaret Boyle. They will join existing (also capable and talented!) Board members Ben Crystal, Lou Ensel, Erich Haller (just re-elected for a second 3-year term), Stan Lane, Steve Paul and Nonny Soifer.I left Karen Filler off the previous list because she deserves special mention for all the work she does behind the scenes as our treasurer - processing dues and contributions, balancing our books, writing checks for our payroll and shepherding our finances. We cannot thank her enough! Our leadership team is rounded out by Committee Chairs Marty Fox (Building), Joanne Rosenthal (Social Action), and Jill Standish (Sunshine). And a key player in all of this is the woman who seamlessly and beautifully keeps us informed - Camille Kauffunger. This is a fantastic team of people.

During the Annual Meeting, we asked participants for their ideas in response to two questions:

1. What three things should we focus on this coming year?

2. What have we learned from our virtual experiences that we might want to maintain in the future?

The great ideas generated during that discussion will go to the Board who will use them in setting goals and planning for the year.

There are many more people who make contributions in other ways and while we recognized them on June 8, I feel it’s worth thanking them again. So thank you to: Security Committee, Greeters,Greening our Congregation Team, Covid Response Team, Special Speakers, Food Makers and Organizers, Sender of Yahrzeit reminders, Refugee resettlers, Building Committee, Lay leaders, Dinner Club, Newsletter contributors, Social Action Committee, MCHPP Volunteers, Community Readers, Service Attendees, Adult Education Students, Torah Studiers, Sunshine Committee, Cemetery Committee, Hebrew School Teachers, Hebrew School students, parents and volunteers, and the Fund-Raising Group and Donors.

Having this strong community is so important as the summer continues and Covid 19 keeps us from meeting in person. Our Covid Response Committee met in mid May and determined that all services, including High Holy Days, will be virtual until further notice. While the rabbi has convened a group to begin planning the High Holidays, Hebrew School is still a situation under consideration as we try to determine what’s safest for the children and adults while keeping our students engaged in learning. More to come on this.

Finally, we lost a beloved member of our congregation on June 13 with the passing of Reg Hannaford. We will miss Reg’s gentle good nature, kindness and passion for learning. We offer condolences and comfort to Tinker Hannaford and all of the Hannaford family and friends.

Wednesday Morning Service

by Rabbi Vinikoor

Start your midweek morning with the Beth Israel Community as we gather on Zoom for a
brief shacharit (morning) service from 8:00-8:30 am. If you are saying Kaddish, praying for healing or want to connect with others through prayer and song, join us!

Summer dates are as follows:
July 1, 15, 29
August 12, 26

My Wednesday Morning Service Experience

by Anita Lichman

It’s a Wednesday morning and the weather is warming, the birds are chirping as I sit with my laptop computer outside on my porch. As I sip my morning tea I log into Zoom and connect with the weekday synagogue service. Beth Israel has been trying something new during these unusual and trying times, a half hour virtual weekday service led by the Rabbi. At times the online format is just too much for me, I opt out instead turning to in-person silence. But, this weekday service called to me, it seemed different than other online demands.

The connection online brings both familiar and new faces, as people show up from the comfort of their homes. We sit on couches, or benches on porches, or chairs close to our computers and our faces appear in squares draped across the computer screen. We all join in whatever state we are in, we show up to gather and pray. I started to attend this weekly service looking for a meditative morning ritual that I could do from home that would not take me away (for long) from the demanding tasks of schooling the children, or caring for the house, or doing some work. The weekday service has been a small piece of calm in a storm of uncertainty.

During the service we sing, we read, we pray and we connect with others about the circumstances of our current life. The service has given me a way to maintain a connection to Judaism as we go through the songs and prayers that I recognize and know. It has allowed me to bond with other community members and build ties even through physical separation. Most of all, though, it’s giving me a space to grapple with the weight of current events and to think about how I can make a difference during this turbulent time.

Next time you see the invite to the weekday service come join, even if it is just to feel like there is a place you still belong.

Ancient Poetry, Timeless Wisdom

by Rabbi Vinikoor

Ancient Poetry, Timeless Wisdom, Thursdays in July and early August on Zoom with Rabbi Vinikoor 
Class dates are: July 2, 9, 30, August 6,13, 20

Rabbi Vinikoor is thrilled to offer a 6-session class on the beautiful Book of Psalms. A richly textured collection of ancient poems, the Book of Psalms speaks volumes to us today touching on various themes such as fragility, longing, compassion and hope. Join us for learning, exploration and conversation. All texts will be in Hebrew and English. To join the class you’ll need to do two things: 

1. RSVP to Rabbi Vinikoor that you’d like to attend at rabbivinikoor@gmail.com 

2. Purchase Songs Ascending, The Book of Psalms, A New Translation by Rabbi Richard N. Levy 

   https://www.ccarpress.org/shopping_product_detail.asp?pid=50342

Shabbat Experiences

by Cantor Sheila Nesis

Friday, July 10 and August 14
5:00–5:30 pm
Join Cantor Sheila Nesis to welcome Shabbat together! Grown ups and children are invited to gather to experience a prayer moment filled with music and joy! In community, we will usher the beauty of Shabbat and all that it can bring to our lives. Wear something comfortable! Some spontaneous dancing may occur! Zoom link will be provided.

Sunday, July 12, 
8.00–9.00 pm
Join Cantor Sheila Nesis for a communal Sing-along and Learn-along! With the beauty of Maine's summer as our background, we invite you to relax in your favorite chair, grab a glass of your favorite beverage and sing together! Sing to find joy, to experience a moment of meaning, and to feel connected to your community. All ages are welcome! Zoom link will be provided.

Important Change for Our Online Services—Prayer Books in Hand!

by Marilyn Weinberg

In order to facilitate a more prayerful experience with our Zoom services, beginning in August, Rabbi Vinikoor asks that you have a Mishkan Tefillah prayer book with you in your home in order to pray. She will no longer be sharing her screen.

There are three ways you can get a Mishkan T’fillah prayer book. Please choose the one that works best for you.

1.     You can purchase a Mishkan T’fillah prayer book from the CCAR Press. This is a great opportunity to own this lovely prayer book, which you can use for our services, as well at other times. 
https://www.ccarpress.org/shopping_product_detail.asp?pid=50201

 2.     You can access a free Mishkan T’fillah flipbook view from your computer or other digital device. 
https://www.ccarnet.org/publications/resources-repaginated/

3.     You can borrow a prayer book from Beth Israel. Look for a link in an upcoming email “blast” to arrange to borrow a book.  

Finally, if you participate in the Saturday morning Torah study, we will also have Etz Hayim Chumashim also available to borrow. If you would prefer, you can purchase it from the publisher or other sources.

https://www.rabbinicalassembly.org/product/etz-hayim-torah-and-commentary

To reserve books please contact office@bethisraelbath.org

Beth Israel Votes

by Peggy Brown

“Judaism teaches that voting is not just a civic duty - it’s a mitzvah. The Torah calls on us to pursue justice, to care for the stranger, the widow, and the orphan, and to sustain our world.” Voting for leaders and policies, which help to achieve these goals, is imperative.                     

Maine’s Primary Election is July 14, 2020.
To avoid going to your polling place in the time of Covid-19, request an absentee ballot online. Your ballot will be sent to you.
https://www1.maine.gov/cgi-bin/online/AbsenteeBallot/index.pl?c=1            

Not yet registered? You can register to vote online too. 
https://www.usa.gov/register-to-vote

Want to see which candidates and questions you’ll be voting on?https://ballotpedia.org/Maine_elections,_2020

Want to do even more?
Join the Reform Movement’s 2020 Civic Engagement Campaign: Every Voice, Every Vote.
https://rac.org/rac-civic-engagement-campaign-2020-1

Shabbat, Together

by Marilyn Weinberg

July 31 and August 28 at 6:30 pm

We are so fortunate to have a group of Rabbis across the state of Maine who are not only exceptionally capable, but enjoy working together. For the last several months we have had the opportunity to pray together as a huge Maine Jewish congregation. We have listened to joyous music, thoughtful messages, lovely voices and of course familiar prayers that we share across congregations for a Kabbalat Shabbat service.                           

We have two more virtual “Shabbat, Together” services scheduled for this summer. If you haven’t had a chance to participate, I encourage you to “Zoom” in and try it out. It’s wonderful to see all the faces from across the state sharing this lovely tradition. 

As the time gets closer, you will be given a link to “sign up” for the event and then you will be sent the zoom link to participate.

New Board Members

by Marilyn Weinberg

With many thanks to Rachel Connelly and Marilyn Weinberg as well as Sharon Drake who served on the board for the last six years, we are excited to welcome Margaret Boyle, Gila Cohen-Shaw and Debbie Smyth to join our leadership team. Although all are fairly new to Beth Israel, we are pleased that they are willing to jump in with both feet and engage in helping our congregation continue to grow and flourish. 

Margaret Boyle
Margaret is originally from Los Angeles, and academic life has led her across the US and Spain before settling in Maine. She is an associate professor of Hispanic Studies at Bowdoin College where she teaches Renaissance literature, early theater, women’s writing and Spanish language. She also directs Multilingual Mainers for the Brunswick schools, a program that provides age-appropriate tools to combat racism and intolerance through engagement with world languages. 

Margaret lives in Brunswick with her husband Andrew Lardie and their two young daughters. Margaret is a long-time dance enthusiast, favorites including contemporary dance, ballet, contact improvisation, and yoga. 

Debbie Smyth
In 1978, Kermit, Debbie’s husband, told her that when he retired he was moving to Maine. Good to his word, Kermit moved to Brunswick in 2002, and Debbie followed in 2005 after disentangling herself from her 30+ years in the Washington, DC area.

Debbie was born, bred, and educated through undergraduate school in St. Louis where she also, taught junior and senior high school. Raised in an ultra-reform household, Debbie left St. Louis at age 24, knowing not one Hebrew letter, prayer or chant, but being gastronomically Jewish.

 In Washington, DC, she attended law school, worked for a law firm and the Federal government in employee and labor relations. Not enthusiastic about the adversarial nature of legal practice, she joined a public/private partnership helping organizations improve their performance in leadership, strategic planning, customer and market focus, human resources, and process management. 

Arriving in Maine, knowing no one but her husband, not working, and having no children or dogs as avenues for meeting people, she decided to attend Beth Israel's break-the-fast where she met Marilyn Weinberg. It was love at first sight, and it was the first time that belonging to a synagogue was of interest. Beth Israel's focus on social justice, intellectual inquiry, and inclusiveness is a good match with Debbie's personal philosophy.

In a non-Covid world, you may find Debbie on the road to domestic and international destinations, in Washington, DC or Boston where her daughter and grandkids live. When in Brunswick, she works in the gift shop at Bowdoin's Museum of Art or at their special events. She loves movies and performance art, be it theater, ballet, or music and has trouble finishing the books for her three book clubs. Finally, she hasn't lost her interest in gastronomy, Jewish and otherwise.

Gila Cohen-Shaw
Gila is a native New Yorker who, with her family, visited Maine yearly when a grad school friend relocated to Georgetown. Two years ago, she and her husband Howard, decided to make a major life change and move to Maine, settling in Bath where the sense of community felt strong and welcoming. 

Gila has two children, Izzy (28) and Ethan (25), who are out making lives of their own in Philly and NYC respectively, but love visiting Maine. She has two dogs, Bouleau Reid, a one-year-old labradoodle and a Weimaraner/Lab mix grandog, Dakota Sloan. 

Gila is a Speech-Language Pathologist and currently works full time in the Education Technology industry as the Clinical Outreach Manager for a company that provides access to speech, occupational therapy and behavioral/mental health services to children and school districts across the US, including Maine! 

Gila and her husband Howard enjoy the outdoors and can be found hiking, kayaking, snowshoeing and sailing in their new boat. Gila is an avid reader and enjoys the company of good friends and meeting new people. Gila served the Beth Israel community as a Hebrew School teacher this past school year and is excited to become more involved in the community.

Beth Israel’s First Community Read

by Debbie Smyth

On Wednesday evening, June 17, participants in Beth Israel’s first community read gathered to discuss A Guide for the Perplexed: A Novel by Dara Horn. Taking advantage of Zoom technology, fifteen participants met first as a full contingent, broke into three smaller groups to examine specific issues raised by the book, and then reconvened to share what had been discussed and observed during the small group sessions. 

The book presents three interwoven and overlapping narratives all set in Egypt during widely spaced centuries. The strands include13th century philosopher and doctor, Moses Maimonides; 19th century efforts by Cambridge Professor Solomon Schechter to acquire medieval documents from the genizah in the ancient synagogue of Cairo, and, finally, the suspenseful 21st century tale of a software prodigy who has invented a computer app that records everything its users do and whose family circumstances place her in Egypt where she is abducted. 

The modern tale uses as its basis the biblical story of Joseph and his brothers as seen through the lives of two sisters, the brilliant computer app inventor and her jealous, clever, manipulative sister. 

The breakout groups discussed many of the questions and themes raised by the book, including the interplay of technology and memory, sibling love and jealousy and the role parents play in forming these relationships, bringing loved ones back to life through artifacts, photographs, and memory; forgiveness and redemption; and reconciling faith, reason, and free will. 

 After reconvening, the small groups shared their observations. In addition, the rabbi discussed how the novel’s narrative paralleled several biblical stories, enhancing the groups’ understanding of why the author, Horn, may have structured the modern story line and characters as she did. 

 In closing, the group was asked for feedback and input to guide planning for future possible reads and discussions. Suggestions included the use of movies to supplement the readings. 

 No decisions regarding whether or when to hold another congregational read have been made. We welcome your input on all aspects including possible topics, books, maybe movies, timing, and process so that the next gathering would have an even broader audience. Feel free to contact Debbie Smyth with any suggestions or comments. 

Social Activism in the Time of Covid-19

by Joanne Rosenthal

While social distancing or in quarantine, many in the Beth Israel community are utilizing this time for deeper inquiry and engagement with social justice issues. We are volunteering, reading, participating in webinars and Zoom forums, vigiling, protesting, contacting our elected officials, writing letters and working on political campaigns. Families with school-age children are managing home schooling and working from home, and remotely helping older family members. Life cycle events are being delayed or taking place in virtual ways. Many nonprofit organizations, including our congregation and the Reform movement, are standing in solidarity with Black Lives Matter and learning to recognize and combat racism in all its guises. Those of us allied with new Mainers are tuning into the additional vulnerabilities and scapegoating faced by immigrants of color; echos of our own immigrant relatives experiences of anti-Semitism.  

Anyone interested in helping to set the future agenda for social action committee, please contact me. And as Maine CDC Director Dr. Nirav Shah says, “Please take care of one another and be kind.”

Sunshine Committee

by Jill Standish

The Sunshine Committee has reformed and is hoping to be up and running very soon. The new members are Jill Standish, Debbie Smyth, Laura McCandlish, and Jennifer Kanwit. 

We hope to be there for you if you need any of the following:

• Sometimes, a meal or two is needed during times of illness, recuperation or the arrival of a new baby. Food, fresh or frozen, can be delivered to congregation member's home.

• If you are unable to drive and need a ride to a medical appointment, shopping, or errands, the Sunshine Committee will help.

• Need a visit in the hospital, nursing home or just at home alone? The Sunshine Committee will help.

• When a family member or loved one dies, it can be overwhelming to know what to do. Call on the Sunshine Committee to help with organizing and coordinating shiva.

We will be relying on congregation members to notify the Sunshine Committee of any needs or actions they know about for the Committee to follow up on. The pandemic will give us some challenges in the near future, but modifications can be made. Please email the Sunshine Committee at sunshine@bethisraelbath.org.

Mazel Tov to our School Community

by Camille Kauffunger

“Rabbi Hillel teaches us that we are never done learning. There are always more interesting and important things to learn form Jewish tradition and our job is to learn them together, step by step.” - From Rabbi Vinikoor in her end of the year letter to Beth Israel students.

During a normal school year, our Hebrew School students only have two hours a week to absorb Hebrew language instruction, lessons on Jewish life, history and values while also fitting in a snack, celebrating Jewish holidays, and forging friendships with Jewish peers from Newcastle to Yarmouth. In addition, they have been learning the basic Shabbat prayer service, listening to our sixth grade Hebrew school graduates, Sam Dunham, Eric Ensel, Alva Gandler, and Ren Kauffunger, lead Shabbat services. You’d never know those two short classroom hours had dropped down to one hour a week from mid March to June as our school community adapted to safely meeting online. With some help from their fifth grade peers and the moral support of teachers, family, classmates and congregants on the screen and in the “chat box”, On June 5, our graduates shared Shabbat prayers and commentaries via zoom with confidence, skill, thoughtfulness, honesty, and a little humor. These brave students showed up online without the collective singing of their synagogue community and trusted their individual voices.

 That almost all of our 22 students logged on each week for an hour of Jewish connection during a pandemic, is a reflection of our compassionate and committed Rabbi, teachers and volunteers that show up whole heartedly during the school year, in person or online. Even from behind masks, you could feel the love and pride as our school leaders passed out end-of-year recognition to our families curbside, including ice cream gift certificates in lieu of the traditional ice cream party. 

The amount of time available or content may fluctuate, but the joy of Judaism and the value of Jewish community our educators teach our young ones is constant. We don’t yet know what Hebrew school in the fall will look like, but we know we’ll continue learning together, step-by-step.

Donations

Memorial Gifts

• Marsha and Leonard Klompus in loving memory of her son Jeffrey Robert Cherner

• Robert and Barbara Lenox in loving memory of his mother, Mildred Lenox

• Andrew and Chris Schoenberg in loving memory of their mothers, Elayne Schoenberg and Doris Leonard

• Diane Gilman in loving memory of her father, Harold Gilman

• Norma Dreyfus and Stan Lane in loving memory of Marilyn’s sister, Judy Gelles

• Phyllis Lisi in loving memory of her mother, Rose Millstein

• Marc and Crissy Swartz in loving memory of his sister, Lauren Beth Dunleavy

• Lon and Ilissa Povich in loving memory of his parents, Janice and Donald Povich

• Peggy Brown and John Martell in loving memory of her mother, Lucille Hershenhart

• Elliot and Helene Lerner in loving memory of his father, Benjamin Lerner and his brother, Laurence Lerner

• Barbara and Barrett Silver in loving memory of Judy Gelles

• Marina and Steve Singer in loving memory of her father, Victor Shapiro and her brother, Sam Shapiro

• Sharon Drake In loving memory of her father, Edward Kravitz

• Norma Dreyfus and Stan Lane in loving memory of her mother, Dr. Rose Goldberg

• John and Marilyn Darack in loving memory of his mother, Marion Darack

• Donald and Mara Giulianit in loving memory of his father, Nicholas Giulianti

• Daniel Morgenstern and Moriah Moser in loving memory of his father, Frederic Morgenstern

• David Michelson and Yeonmi Ahn in loving memory of his mother, Julia Michelson

• George and Mary Samiljan in loving memory of his father, Joseph Smailjan

• Erich and Pauline Haller in loving memory of his aunt, Rose Popper Roman 

In loving memory of Feige Tepler, mother of Sheldon Tepler

• Lenore and Jay Friedland 

• Peggy Brown and John Martell

• Chris and Andy Schoenberg

In loving memory of Reg Hannaford

• Lenore and Jay Friedland

• Marilyn and Fred Weinberg

• Peggy Brown and John Martell

• Naira Soifer

• Sherrie Bergman and Donald Quaid

• Jerryanne Laperriere

• Susan White

• Chris and Andy Schoenberg

• Laura Boudreau and Rebecca Stevens

• Nellie and Albie Forward

• Shari Sage

In loving memory of Feige Tepler, mother of Sheldon Tepler

• Lenore and Jay Friedland

• Peggy Brown and John Martell

• Chris and Andy Schoenberg

In loving memory of Reg Hannaford

• Lenore and Jay Friedland

• Marilyn and Fred Weinberg

• Peggy Brown and John Martell

• Naira Soifer

• Sherrie Bergman and Donald Quaid

• Jerryanne Laperriere

• Susan White

• Chris and Andy Schoenberg

• Laura Boudreau and Rebecca Stevens

• Nellie and Albie Forward

• Shari Sage

For the Benefit of the Synagogue

• Rev. Holly Morrison

• Tamara Friedman and George Bozarth

• Virigina Fish 

In Honor and Celebration 

• Marina and Steve Singer for their newest grandchild, Mirabel Singer, born to their son, Benjamin and his wife Jodie

Rabbi Discretionary Fund

• William Racine

REMEMBRANCES FOR MONTH–MONTH YEAR

May their memories be for a blessing.

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.