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Kerem Shalom, Concord, Massachusetts
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March 2015
KEREM SHALOM ANNUAL ADULT
PURIM PARTY
!‫ַח‬
(C
HA
G
‫ָשׂ ֵמ‬
SA
ME ‫חג‬
AC ַ
SATURDAY NIGHT, MARCH 7TH, 7:307:30-10 PM
H!
)
COSTUMES ENCOURAGED! (OR COME AS YOU ARE)
WE WILL HAVE: DANCING TO MUSIC PROVIDED BY PHIL COHEN
OPEN MIKE - BOARD GAMES - A NICHOLS & MAY SKIT
MEGILLAH READING (OF SORTS) - HAMENTASHEN & WINE
COME ONE AND ALL!
IF YOU HAVE COME FOR YOM KIPPUR, FOR BALANCE IT'S TIME TO COME FOR PURIM!
TO ATTEND &/OR TO PARTICIPATE IN THE OPEN MIKE ENTERTAINMENT,
RSVP BY MARCH 4THTO ROSALIE GERUT: [email protected]
IF YOU NEED CHILD CARE, RSVP BY MARCH 4TH TO NANCY KAPLAN:
[email protected]
DAIRY APPETIZERS AND DESSERTS
(WITHOUT NUTS, PORK OR SHELLFISH) ARE MOST WELCOME!
FOR A MORE SPIRITED PURIM EXPERIENCE,
PLEASE FEEL FREE TO BRING AN ADULT BEVERAGE OF YOUR CHOICE
TO SHARE IN MODERATION.
The Grapevine, March 2015
Page 2
Writing this at the beginning of the month of Adar, I am reminded
that the Rabbis taught that Adar brings joy. Mishenichnas Adar,
marbim b’simcha, “when Adar comes in, joy increases.” Many of
— Darby Jared Leigh
us are aware that as we live we are in a constant process of seeking joy, happiness, or contentment, perhaps finding and experienc- Is the presence of this choice of whether or not to be aware of our
ing it for a moment here and there, losing it and continuing to seek Jewish-ness a good thing? Many of the daily mitzvot, customs, and
it again.
ritual observances of Judaism are effectively constant daily reminders of basic Jewish theological and philosophical principals,
We tell ourselves that we would be happy “if only.” “I would be
and by extension, Jewish identity. If we don’t engage in these, and
happy if only I had that car, or lived in a bigger/smaller house/
we are only aware of our Judaism once a week, or at a few times
apartment, if I was married/divorced, single/partnered, earned
each year during holidays, what might we be missing?
more money, had fewer assets, if I had a job, a different job, if I
didn't have to work, if I could have this or that object, if only my I want to invite you to take this opportunity to ask yourself this
question. To what extent might a more constant engagement with
life was this, or that, I would be happy.” We seek happiness in
my
Jewish identity add meaning, depth, and fulfillment to my life?
almost every corner of our capitalist, commercial society. We seek
To put the question another way, could being more consciously
happiness in shopping and material goods, in the success of our
aware of Judaism, Jewish identity, and Jewish teachings, make me
favorite sports teams, in weight loss and gourmet food, in exerhappier? Could a daily Jewish practice, even a small one, help me
cise, yoga and “spiritual” pursuits. We seek happiness in therapy to become more content with my life, more at peace, more fuland alternative therapies, in Eastern medicine and Western medi- filled, happy?
cine. As a society it seems we seek and seek and yet we do not
find, or what we find is all too transient and fleeting that with
After all, it’s Adar! Mishenichnas Adar, marbim b’simcha, “when
barely a pause to appreciate, we’re off seeking happiness again.
Adar comes in, joy increases.”
From the Rabbi
It is stunning to me with the vast numbers of people engaged in a
capitalist pursuit of happiness that there aren’t more people publically asking the question of Judaism. Can being Jewish make me
happy?
Where and when are you aware of your particular faith tradition?
Are you aware of your faith tradition when you wake up in the
morning? If you are Jewish, are you aware of being Jewish while
you are making coffee, rushing, doing errands, going to work,
being with family, appreciating art, theater, leisure time? Where
and when do you find that you are aware of and thoughtful of and
about being Jewish?
Clearly we are Jewish, or any faith tradition we may identify with,
at all of these times and in all of these places, however, we are not
always aware of each part of ourselves. The reality is that many of
us who are Jewish are not consciously aware of our Judaism unless we are at a synagogue, going to a synagogue, returning from a
synagogue, or otherwise engaged in a Jewish ritual observance.
Here in North America, we are at a moment in history, which
many Judaic scholars note is distinctive because we have the option to wear or shed our Jewish identity as it suits us. In other
words, neither the liberal Jewish community, nor the larger American society forces or compels us in any way to be constantly conscious of our Jewish identity. As non-halakhic Jews, (Jews who
do not feel compelled by traditional Jewish law) if we want to be
conscious of our Judaism, we need to make an internal choice to
do so.
With prayers of happiness and meaning for all,
Shalom,
Rabbi Darby J. Leigh
Volume: XV
Kerem Shalom
P. O. Box 1646
Concord, MA 01742
Tel: 978-369-1223
Fax: 978-371-8072
http://www.keremshalom.org/
Affiliated with the Synagogue
Council of Massachusetts
The Grapevine is the monthly
newsletter of Kerem Shalom
(Vineyard of Peace), distributed to members and friends of
the congregation.
Issue: 7
Darby Jared Leigh, Rabbi,
[email protected]
Michael Luckens, Rabbi Emeritus,
[email protected]
Rosalie Gerut, Cantor,
Dir., Adult Programming
[email protected]
Marty Plotkin, President,
[email protected]
Jan Huber O’Callaghan, Pres. Emerita,
[email protected]
Miriam Zarchan, Pres. Emerita,
[email protected]
Pat Lukens, Ed. Director,
[email protected]
Joan Perlman, Asst. Ed. Dir.,
[email protected]
Nancy Kaplan, Fam. Educator,
[email protected]
Jessie Busiek, Administrator,
[email protected]
The editor is Batya Olsen,
978-371-3009. Contributions
are due before the 15th of the
month preceding publication
and may be sent to the synagogue address. Articles are accepted
early. Facsimiles can be sent to 978-246-5921. Text can be
electronically mailed to [email protected].
Page 3
The Grapevine,
Grapevine March 2015
Presidents’ Message
—
Marty Plotkin
Friday Night Delight
If you’ve ever been to Kerem Shalom - or any other congregation - on a Friday night, you know that after the service we have an oneg. We share sweets, conversation and warm community. But why do we call that an oneg? It’s a
Hebrew word, of course, and you would be excused if you understand it to mean “snack.” But in fact the word
means “delight.” It’s short for “the delight (or joy) of Shabbat.” That phrase refers to a verse from Isaiah that we
sing on Saturday mornings in the prayer called Yismechu: “Those who keep Shabbat and call it a delight will rejoice in Your kingdom.”
Yes, we are commanded to celebrate Shabbat with joy! And where does this Friday night delight come from? Like
everything that makes Kerem Shalom live and breathe, it comes from us. Every oneg, every Friday, is provided by
volunteers - your friends and members of your community. I’m writing this month both to offer heartfelt thanks to
everyone who has nourished the community in this way, and also to ask you to consider participating in the mitzvah
of helping us all experience the joy of celebrating Shabbat together.
It’s really not hard to do. We have a handy document describing the process, and there are experienced people who
would be happy to help out. It’s not expensive, and truly it doesn’t take much time or organization. But I know it
can be a challenge to come up with the energy to get involved in something like this, especially at the end of a long
and complicated week. So I’d like to offer a few suggestions about ways to get yourself into gear - excuses, if you
will, to step up and host an oneg for the delight of the community.
First, think of all the groups you are part of at Kerem Shalom. Do you hang out with some fellow Hebrew School
parents while the kids are in class? Is there a cluster of Kerem Shalom members in your neighborhood? Have you
been taking an adult education class or participating in a discussion group? Do you serve on a committee? Why not
explore whether other members of the group would be interested in hosting an oneg together? For example, an interfaith family discussion group that my wife and I have been part of for many years hosted an oneg recently. As
with any collaborative effort, it’s a wonderful way to deepen relationships. And as they say, many hands make light
work!
Another possibility is to host an oneg in celebration of some event in your life, or in memory of a loved one. This
year, for example, Sue Viskin and her family provided delicious food for the congregation in memory of her mother. They baked all of her mother’s favorite recipes. Iris Barten hosted on the occasion of her father’s yahrzeit. Rabbi
Darby and Dr. Randi Leigh hosted a glorious oneg to celebrate the birth of their daughter, Sivan. And just last Friday, Marjie Cahn provided a lovely (and gluten free!) spread in honor of her son Patrick and daughter-in-law Jessica's recent wedding.
Finally, I want to mention one other benefit of hosting an oneg: it gets you to the Friday night service. If you haven’t been to Kerem Shalom on a Friday evening recently, you really owe it to yourself to find a reason to be there.
We are experiencing what is sometimes called a “virtuous cycle.” More people are coming to services; the larger
groups - together with the inspired leadership of Rabbi Darby, Rosalie and Nancy - are creating a sense of energy
and engagement; and the excitement leads to more people coming, and coming back. The oneg is a big part of that
excitement. It’s our chance to talk with old friends and meet new ones, to eat sweet food and drink tea, and experience the pleasure of being in community. I invite you to become a part of this delicious event, for your own delight
and the delight of all.
The Grapevine, March 2015
Page 4
Social Action News
Knitting Sunday
Back by popular demand! The Social Action Committee will host a
Knitting Sunday at Kerem Shalom on March 22 from 2 pm – 4
pm. We will be knitting squares to make blankets for Project Linus, an organization that provides homemade blankets to children
in need. You are welcome to join us whether you are an experienced knitter or new to the craft. There will be expert knitters and
knitting supplies on hand to help you get started. We would also
welcome donations of yarn and needles. Please contact JoAnn
Simon ([email protected]) or Sally Edwards
([email protected] ) with any questions. (Go to page 6 to see a
photo of a recent Project Linus blanket.)
JF&CS Family Table
Helping families in need celebrate Passover
More than 400 families in Greater Boston and on the North
Shore rely on JF&CS Family Table to provide them with kosher
food and personal items every month. Our community is a key
part of this effort. As you prepare for your Passover celebration,
please consider a donation to JF&CS Family Table - a wonderful way to observe and celebrate Passover and the beloved
tradition of tzedakah.
Weatherization
RebateProgram
Here’s your chance to save with “GreenYourHeat” (GYH)
program, a special opportunity for Concord residents. GYH
provides partial rebates (50% up to $1000) for these weatherizationservices:insulation, sealing of air leaks, and installation of programmable thermostats. The program is
sponsored by Concord’s Comprehensive Sustainable Energy
Committee and Light Plant.
With weatherization, most residents can saveasmuchas
20-30%offofyourenergybills. In addition to saving you
money, weatherization can makeyouandyourfamily
morecomfortable in your home by reducing drafts. And
reducing the energy used to heat and cool your home can
reducefossilfuelemissions that contribute to climate
change by as much as 20-30%.
To get an idea of how much energy loss you can prevent
through weatherization, take a look at these before and after thermal images.
You can make a gift to Family Table in one of the following
ways:
• Mail a check to JF&CS Family Table Passover Appeal, 1430
Main Street, Waltham, MA 02451.
• Visit jfcsboston.org to make your donation online.
• Call 781-647-JFCS (5327) to donate by credit card over the
phone.
Your entire donation is tax deductible. Thank you for your support!
Israel Conversations
The third Israel conversation was held on February 22 and focused on the twenty percent of Israel's population that is Arab.
These are people who have Israeli citizenship. We read demographic information, watched an episode of a popular Israeli
sitcom written by a Palestinian with Israeli citizenship, read articles and for the super ambitious, a novel, Second Person, Singular by Sayed Kashua. We had extremely able facilitators in Cherry Muse and Elisabeth Sackton who led us in our exploration of
the complexities of being a religious minority in a Jewish state.
Our next conversation will be March 8 from 1-3 when we will
look at Israel in the Fifties, a time of nation building and looking
forward. Please join us!
The orange and yellow on the left side of the house show
areas where you are paying good money to heat the outdoors in winter and cool it in summer.
GreenYourHeatcould be yourtickettosavemoneyand
energy. Sagewell, the program administrator, will take the
headaches out of the process. Now is the time, while rebates
are still available. Call 617-963-8141 orsignupat
www.greenyourheatconcord.com.
Page 5
The Grapevine,
Grapevine March 2015
From the Education Directors
-Pat Lukens & Joan Perlman
Truth be told, writing Grapevine articles is
not one of my favorite things to do at
Kerem Shalom. But, as I am looking at
just a few more of these to write, I have
been taking a trip down memory lane at
what have been my favorite moments and
events over the last 16 years. Not that I am
really going anywhere – just won’t have an
office!
March 9th is going to be an annual event
that is one I look forward to. Mr. Edgar
Krasa will be coming to Kerem Shalom to
visit the 7th grade. However, this event is
open to everyone and I highly recommend
that you attend! Mr. Krasa survived the
holocaust through his wits and unfailing
sense of humor. He tells his story over and
over, (and he is well over 90!) so that everyone will understand what happened. As
he has aged, he sometimes meanders
through his story, but all the same – it’s
not to be missed. Our 7th grade families
pick him up at his home and bring him
back after the talk. They treat him like a
rock star, bringing him water, hanging up
his coat and generally fussing over him.
My favorite moment? When Mr. Krasa
turns around as he is escorted down the
stairs with two strong 7th graders on either
side – and he turns around and says to me
“I WILL see you next year.”
Another favorite moment is thinking about
the beginnings of our children’s library. 16
years ago there was a small shelf of beat
up children’s books that were never used.
With the financial support of Rabbi Luckens and the board, the first bookcase on
wheels was purchased and I made a trip to
the New England Mobile Fair to stock the
shelves. Our collection has grown and
grown through Birthday Book Donations,
profits from our book fairs and donations
from families. I had the great help of
Nanci Bell to get our systems set up and
over the years, many people have helped
including my daughters and this past summer – my granddaughters! And just recently, Sue Viskin has taken over the care of
the children’s library (and she could use
some volunteers!). One of my favorite
moments? Opening a book and seeing a
book plate with my dad’s name on it
(thanks to Rachel Lefkowitz).
There are so many favorite moments – and
most of them involve watching our loving
teachers work with our students and
watching the aha moments in classrooms.
And it was pretty cute when all the second
grade girls (led by my granddaughters,
Hannah and Emily) used to hide under my
desk before school started and giggle when
I walked into the office!
- Pat Lukens
Used Book Sale
FAQ’s
Our Used Book Sale is planned for
• Books do not have to be of Jewish content
March 23-25 at Kerem Shalom. Help us raise money for the Mi• If they are not sold, they will be donated immediately
chael Luckens Scholarship Fund by bringing in your used books
• Books should be in reasonable condition – covers intact,
for us to sell. We will sell all the paperback books for $1 and all
not musty or damp
the hardcovers for $3. The books will be on display the week of
rd
th
• And, this is a synagogue with lots of children around so
March 23 . All leftover books will be donated on Friday the 27 .
edit out anything inappropriate!
New plaque in the sanctuary
The faculty and staff
of Kerem Shalom got together and purchased a plaque for Linda Burton
on our memorial wall. Instead of her Hebrew name, we had it inscribed
with the Hebrew for “The Study of Torah is Sweet”. In a very sweet moment – one of her students placed Hershey kisses on the ledge in front of
the plaque instead of a stone!
Passover Package for Collegians
We will be
sending a small package with a Passover treat to collegians whose names
we have on file. If your student will not be at college in the spring (such
as Juniors going abroad) please let us know. Also, if you did not sign up
for a Hanukkah package but would like us to send a Passover one, please
send in the correct address! (To [email protected])
Reminder about our No Nut Policy
Kerem Shalom's full Weather Cancellation policy may be
found at www.keremshalom.org under “Education/
Overview”. Scroll to the bottom to find
“Cancellation Policy for Kerem Shalom”.
This is a reminder to everyone that Kerem Shalom has a no nut policy.
No peanuts or nuts or products with peanuts or nuts may be brought into Kerem Shalom or served here. Please be vigilant about
what you bring in, we have several children in our program with severe nut allergies.
Page 6
More School News
The Grapevine, March 2015
Online Registration Continues for School Year
2015-2016 Our paperless experience was fantastic and will be continued.
An email will be sent to you during the month of March with instructions for our paperless registration with FamilyID.
Parking Lot Reminder:
When it starts to get warm and light (of
course we are still buried in snow as I write this!), kids want to be outdoors. Please
remember that we do not let them out into the parking lot for dismissal. Parents or
adult drivers must come into the building and check their student out!
Project Linus
Another Project Linus knitted blanket is on its way along
with 5 fleece blankets made by the students of Kerem Shalom. You may notice the
amazing purple squares in this blanket – everyone is different – thank you Bonnie
Kuskik! And lots of squares also came in from Sue Viskin. Keep knitting! I have two
more partially complete blankets that I am assembling.
Project Linus provides a comforting blanket to child in need. The blankets are distributed from fire trucks, ambulances and in ER’s.
FAMILY PURIM CELEBRATION !
Sunday, March 8th beginning at 10:30 AM.
All are welcome to parcipate and enjoy!
INVITE YOUR FRIENDS from KS and beyond!
→ At 10:30, drown out you-know-who’s name with noisy groggers,
during our PURIMSHPIEL presented with a flourish by our 5th graders
→ SING PURIM SONGS with Rabbi Darby and Family Educator Nancy Kaplan
→ the PURIM CARNIVAL follows, led by KS’s teens & pre-teens
-includes games, cra8s, face painng, prizes and delicious hamentaschen. $5 will enable
a child to parcipate in all acvies. Tzedakah also encouraged to donate Hamantaschen to
Open Table.
Come in costume, one and all!
Groggers provided; or BRING your OWN– a BOX OF PASTA for Open Table food pantry!
Page 7
The Grapevine,
Grapevine March 2015
From the Family Educator
Nancy Kaplan
Coming Events for Family Ed
Passover Program for Grade 5
Students and Parents
Sunday, March 15th, 10 am-noon
We’ve heard the 4 Questions: but really,
♦ What IS Gefilte fish?
♦ Which is the myth, & which is the
TRUE story of the orange on the
Seder plate?
♦ HOW can our Seder fulfill the task
we’ve been given: that every person
present should feel as though she or
♦ he personally was freed from slavery?
♦ How many “4’s” can you find in the
Seder, and why is the number 4 so important in our telling of the story?
*(incidentally “Haggadah” means
“the telling”)
How have Passover traditions changed
over the generations?
Whether this will be one of your family’s
first Seders or you have celebrated for
years, together we’ll explore new traditions
(including “crossing the Red Jello Sea!”
together) and teachings that will enrich
and enliven your Seder and your holiday.
We will think about the symbols on the
Seder plate and words in the Hagaddah
that speak to the exoduses from slavery
to freedom in every generation.
Every family will create some beautiful,
functional and unique objects for your
seder table! RSVP by March 9th
To RSVP for Family programs contact
Nancy Kaplan
at [email protected]
New– Snow Date!
Grades 1-2 Family Shabbat Dinner
Friday, March 13, 6 pm; Service at Grade 4 Family Torah Program
7:15 with Rabbi Darby and Nancy
Sunday, March 22, 10am-noon
RSVP by March 9
RSVP by March 15
“Hebrew High School” Session with Matthew Lowe
Sunday March 8th, 4-6 pm
Feelin’ Lucky?
We’re thrilled to announce that Matthew Lowe, leader of KS’s Shevet Achim Boys
group (currently 9th and 10th graders) in its 3rd, successful, year under his leadership,
will be facilitating a not-to-be-missed Purim program for teens, based on the themes
of luck, chance and allies in Megillat Esther—and in our lives today. Through dice
games and other activities teens will have fun learning the Purim story, and about each
other. KS High schoolers will come away with some new insights and friends ... The
ODDS are good. Please see p. 8 for Matthew’s bio & the flyer for this program!
SCENES FROM OUR SCHOOL MITZVAH DAY in January
Supporting:
Open Table,
Family Table,
Kiva.org,
Project Linus,
Sterling
Animal Shelter.
Sending a card
to Linda’s family...and
learning that the study
of Torah is sweet.
Pajama Tot Shabbat - Friday March 27th
at 5:45 PM, followed by Dinner* ...GET READY FOR PASSOVER!
Come in your PJ’s & slippers, bring your toothbrush. Cuddly animals & blankeys welcome.
*RSVPforcomplementarydinnerbyThursday (the day before Tot Shabbat) to Nancy at [email protected]
Families with young children are warmly invited to join Nancy for our monthly Tot Shabbat service.
We’ll celebrate Shabbat together with music, movement and we’ll explore the story of PASSOVER.
We will tell Pharaoh to LET MY PEOPLE GO. We’ll STAND at the SEA, to sing and dance and celebrate our freedom.
After our service and blessings over the candles, grape juice and challah, families are invited to stay and enjoy visiting over
dinner and dessert (onegShabbat) . Childcare and holiday-themed crafts & activities will be provided for little ones.
The Grapevine, March 2015
Page 8
‫בְּרוּכִים ַהבַּאִ ים‬
(Bruchim Habayim)
Welcome New Members
Sharon & George Genel of Concord. You can contact them at
(978) 776-6906 or [email protected].
Jesse Liberty of Acton. You can contact him at (339) 234-8675
or [email protected].
‫תּוֹדָ ה ַר ָבּה‬
Passages:
We mourn the passing of Muriel Crespi, grandmother to Randi
Leigh and grandmother in law of Rabbi Darby Leigh. The
matriarch of her family, Muriel leaves behind her daughters,
Barbara Levinson and Peggy Kaplan, her sons in law Steve
Levinson and Paul Kaplan, her grandchildren Randi Leigh,
Kimberly Levinson, Cliff Kaplan, and Dana Dorrier, her
grandchildren in law Rabbi Darby Leigh, Mary Sirico and Ben
Dorrier and great grandchildren Rayna, Ariza, Sivan, Alex and
Jacob.
We mourn the passing of Warren Manning, father of Will
Manning, father in law of Linda Manning, grandfather to
Sienna, Liam, and Joshua and brother of Fred Manning.
(Todah Rabah)
May their memories be for a blessing
We Thank You for your generosity to Kerem Shalom!
Keel Foundation
Friends of KS Donation
Barry and Odile Fidelman, in honor of Ida Saraff's
Yahrzeit
Betsy Dangel - In memory of Jerome R. Dangel
Kenneth and Wendy Taubes - In memory of Ephraim
Radner
Jesse Liberty
To the Rabbi's Discretionary Fund:
Anonymous
Anonymous in honor of Sivan's Leigh's birth
Theodore & Iris Barten in in honor of Sivan Leigh's
birth
Theodore & Iris Barten in memory of Theodore Tartew
Theodore & Iris Barten in memory of Mollie Gellin
Black
Mamlet/Bloch Family in honor of Sivan's Leigh's birth
Meredith and James Cutler
Bonny and Bob Kusik in honor of Diane Fulman's retirement
Scott Gordon
Feshbach-Meriney Family in memory of Ann Freundlich Feshbach
Diane and Arthur Fulman in honor of Sivan Leigh's
birth
Rusty Glicksman
Paul Levine & Carolyn Gold
Stacy Osur and Keith Gilbert in honor of Sivan Leigh's
birth George Peabody and Nancy Kaplan in honor
of Sivan Leigh's birth
The Scheinberg/Medora Family
Wendy and Ken Taubes in honor of Sivan's Leigh's
birth
Miriam Zarchan
Save the Date
April 18th, YOM Ha-SHOAH Commemoration
7:30 Film and Discussion
Details to follow
Canned goods form a Tree of Life on the bima for Tu BiShvat at
the Hebrew School’s Mitzvah Day in January.
The Grapevine,
Grapevine March 2015
Page 9
We're thrilled to announce that Matthew Lowe, facilitator of KS's Shevet Achim Boys group (currently 9th
and 10th graders) in its 3rd, successful, year under his leadership, will be offering a not-to-be-missed Purim
program for teens, based on the themes of luck, chance and allies in Megillat Esther-and in our lives today.
Through dice games and other activities teens will have fun learning the Purim story, and about each other.
KS High schoolers will come away with new insights and friends ... The ODDS are good.
Read on for Matthew's bio and his invitation for this program!
Matthew Lowe is an educator on many topics, all geared towards personal growth and progress. He recently returned to graduate school to learn how to do this professionally as a therapist! Matthew also teaches
philosophy, theology, and gender-related topics to Jewish high schoolers around Boston.
He loves funny television, improvisational rock music, and meeting people with interesting pursuits. He
also enjoys deep conversation-- so start one with him at [email protected].
The Grapevine, March 2015
Page 10
Kerem Shalom's Annual 2nd Night Passover Seder
with Rabbi Darby & Rosalie Gerut
Welcoming people of all ages!
Saturday evening, April 4th at 6:30 PM
(If you can't arrive when our seder begins, please feel free to join us when you can.)
We will have appetizers available during the Seder
Dinner is scheduled to begin at approximately 7:30 PM
Family Education will provide crafts and activities
for children.
Cost for full dinner, including kosher wine: $12 *
(age 3 and under, no charge)
*We welcome all to our Seder table. Cost is never a
barrier. Please pay whatever you are comfortable
with. For anyone able to help defray the cost of our
catered meal, please consider making a donation to our
KS Afikomen Fund.
KS Members: RSVP by March 27th*
to [email protected] kindly include:
Number of attendees (children/adults)
Ages of children
Dietary restrictions/allergies
Anything else we need to know
AFTER March 27th
we will open the seder to the wider community.
Questions and RSVP: [email protected]
Wishing you a "zissen Pesach" -- a sweet Passover!
1
2
Monday
23
‫בּית ספר‬
‫בּית ספר‬
4:30 pm Rituals & Practices of Judaism Rabbi Darby
4 pm
29 9:30 am Tai Chi w/ 30
R.Elkind
9:45 am Holiday Preschool
2:30 pm Gr 8-12 - KSTY
Taza Chocolate Tour
5 pm Torah Study w/
Rabbi Ullman
‫בּית ספר‬
7 pm Mah Jongg
10:30 am Eden, Exodus &
Moses w/ J. Kotler
10:30 am Me’ah
31
7 pm Mah Jongg
10:30 am Eden, Exodus
& Moses w/ J. Kotler
10:30 am Me’ah
24
17
7 pm Mah Jongg
10:30 am Eden, Exodus
& Moses w/ J. Kotler
10:30 am Me’ah
18
4 pm
‫בּית ספר‬
9:45 am Health
Challenge Group
11
7;15 pm Ed/Fam. Ed
Comm. Meeting
10
4
3
Wednesday
10:15 am Torah Study w/ 9:45 am Health
Rabbi Ullman
Challenge Group
10:30 am Me’ah
4 pm ‫בּית ספר‬
Tuesday
4 pm
25
‫בּית ספר‬
9:45 am Health
Challenge Group
10:30 am Eden, Exodus & 9:45 am Health
Challenge Group
Moses w/ J. Kotler
4 pm *‫בּית ספר‬
10:30 am Me’ah
12:30 pm KS Jewish Con- 7 pm Rosh Chodesh - R.
4 pm *‫בּית ספר‬
Gerut
tent Book Group
7 pm Sacred Fragments
7:15 pm Board Meeting
II - R. Langer
16
9
9:30 am Tai Chi w/
R. Elkind
10 am Gr 4 Family Torah Prg
4 pm Rosh Hodesh Girls Gr 89 w/ C.Weiner
4 pm Shevat Achim w/
Matthew Lowe
4 pm
4:30pm Rosh Hodesh Girls Gr
10-11 N. Kaplan
22
9:30 am Tai Chi w/
R.Elkind
Grades 6-7 Youth Event
10 am Gr. 5 Families’
Passover Program
15
8
9:30 am Tai Chi w/R.Elkind
10:30 am FAMILY PURIM
CELEBRATION
& CARNIVAL
4 pm
1 pm 4th Israel Conversa4:30 pm Rosh Chodesh
tion - The Fifties.
Women’s Group
4 pm HS - Feelin’ Lucky?
5 pm Torah Study w/ Rabbi 7:30 pm Membership
Committee
Ullman
9:30 am Tai Chi w/R.Elkind 9:30 am Rosh Chodesh
9:45 am Holiday Preschool
Women - R. Gerut
4 pm Rosh Hodesh Girls Gr 89 w/ Cheryl Weiner
4 pm ‫בּית ספר‬
4:30 pm Rosh Hodesh Girls Gr
10-11 w/ Nancy Kaplan
Sunday
Purim
26
19
late am/noonish
Writers’ Group
w/ R. Gerut
7 pm Executive Committee
12
5
Thursday
March 2015
28
21
14
‫בּית ספר‬
‫בּית ספר‬
7:30 pm PURIM
MASQUERADE
BALL (Adult)
7
Saturday
Minyan =
*‫בּית ספר‬
KEHILLAH @ 5:45 =
HEBREW SCHOOL =
5:45 pm Tot Shabbat &
Dinner
7:30 pm
Shabbat Service
D. Leigh & R. Gerut
27
7:30 pm Mostly Music
Shabbat Service
R. Gerut & the
Tiferet String Quintet
20
6 pm Gr 1-2 Families’
Shabbat Dinner
7:30 pm Shabbat Service
D. Leigh & N. Kaplan
13
7:30 pm
Shabbat Service
D. Leigh & R. Gerut
6
Friday
Kerem Shalom
The Grapevine,
Grapevine March 2015
Page 11
Kerem Shalom’s Calendar is also online at http://www.keremshalom.org/. Click on the Calendar tab at the top of the page.
5
12
9:30 am Tai Chi w/
R.Elkind
26
5 pm Torah Study w/
Rabbi Ullman
9:30 am Tai Chi w/
R.Elkind
19
3:30 Music Recital
4 pm Shevet Achim w/
Matthew Lowe
9:30 am Tai Chi w/
R.Elkind
Pesach
9:30 am Tai Chi w/
R.Elkind
Sunday
6
7
Tuesday
4 pm ‫בּית ספר‬
4:30 pm Rituals & Practices of Judaism Rabbi Darby
27
PATRIOTS’ DAY
20
7 pm Mah Jongg
7:30 pm Rhythms of Nature, Torah w/ Rabbi
Margalit
28
10:30 am Eden, Exodus &
Moses w/ J. Kotler
21
‫בּית ספר‬
4 pm
29
22
7 pm Rosh Chodesh - R.
Gerut
7 pm Art & Ev. of Jewish
Liturgy w/ Rabbi Darby
7 pm Sacred Fragments II R. Langer
4 pm
15
9:45 am Health
Challenge Group
‫בּית ספר‬
9:45 am Health
Challenge Group
9:45 am Health
Challenge Group
10:15 am Torah Study w/
Rabbi Ullman
10:30 am Me’ah
7 pm Art & Evolution of
Jewish Liturgy w/
7 pm Mah Jongg
Rabbi Darby
7:30 pm Rhythms of Nature, Torah w/ Rabbi
Margalit
14
10:15 am Torah Study w/
Rabbi Ullman
10:30 am Me’ah
4 pm ‫בּית ספר‬
4:30 pm Jewish Content
Book Group
7:15 pm Board Meeting
7:30 pm Rhythms of Na7:30 pm Membership
ture, Torah w/ Rabbi
Meeting
Margalit
13
3:30 pm Faculty Meeting - Adult Library
7 pm Mah Jongg
8
4 pm ‫בּית ספר‬
7 pm Art & Evolution of
Jewish Liturgy w/
Rabbi Darby
1
Wednesday
30
Yom HaAtzma’ut
23
Yom HaShoah
16
7 pm Executive Committee
9
2
Thursday
April 2015
9:45 am Health
9:30 am Rosh Chodesh Challenge Group
10:30 am Eden, Exodus &
R. Gerut
Moses w/ J. Kotler
10:30 am Me’ah
Monday
TENTATIVE
SCHEDULE
Erev Pesach
11
‫בּית ספר‬
KEHILLAH @ 5:45 = ‫בּית ספר‬
10 am Morning Service
Olivia Bowe-Shulman
Bat Mitzvah
25
7:30 pm Yom HaShoah
Commemoration
10 am Morning Service
Zachary Susser
Bar Mitzvah
18
10 am Morning Service
Elias Turk
Bar Mitzvah
Pesach
6 pm 2nd Seder at
KS
4
Saturday
HEBREW SCHOOL =
7:30 pm
Shabbat Service
D. Leigh & R. Gerut
24
7:30 pm Mostly Music
Shabbat Service
R. Gerut,
17
Pesach
7:30 pm
Shabbat Service
D. Leigh & R. Gerut
10
3
Friday
Kerem Shalom
Page 12
The Grapevine, March 2015
Kerem Shalom’s Calendar is also online at http://www.keremshalom.org/. Click on the Calendar tab at the top of the page.
The Grapevine,
Grapevine March 2015
Page 13
Board Meeting Minutes, February 23, 2015
Present: Nancy Kaplan, Joan Perlman, Sara Wiener, Pat Lukens, Marty Plotkin, Jessica Busiek, Carol Leandro, Bob
Rosenbaum, Matt Daniel, Elisabeth Sackton, Greig Greenwald, Rabbi Darby Leigh, Drew Hession-Kunz, Roberta Bernstein, Miriam Zarchan, JoAnn Simon, Wendy Taubes, Jan Huber OCallaghan, Jonathan Aibel,
Jonathan provided a d'var Torah.
Rabbi Darby led the blessing for conducting the sacred work of overseeing the synagogue.
The Rabbi reported that he regularly receives questions about practices around dying and mourning. He is currently
teaching a course at KS called "Intro to Rituals and Practices of Judaism". The class is starting to look at these rituals
and practices and also addressing what the practices are currently at Kerem Shalom. Today's class looked at the phrase
"Baruch Dayen HaEmet" which is included in KS emails about deaths in our community. Next month will continue on
this topic including a discussion of the yahrzeit project and shiva practices and expectations.
Marty noted that more and more people are coming to services on Friday nights to say Kaddish and thus there is an expectation of there being Friday night services every Friday night, unless there are safety (e.g. weather) issues. There isn't
really an option to cancel services because of this change in the community about observing Yahrzeits, which is a positive development. Rabbi Darby reported that he is regularly asked for confirmation of the date of the Shabbat service
where a member's family member's name will be announced as a Yahrzeit. Rabbi Darby also noted that he envisions
Saturday morning services as becoming a compelling experience for the congregation irrespective of a person's connection to the bar/bat mitzvah family.
Progressive Dinner Update: Greig
Kudos to Larry Bernstein for managing all the logistics and lots of last minute changes. About 60 people participated.
There was at least one family oriented group that met earlier for dinner and included children. Reportedly many people
enjoyed the dinners. There was a mixture of new and older members. Recommend to do it again next year.
Spiritual Life Committee: Elisabeth
The SLC is working on developing a charge for the committee; what are the responsibilities for spiritual engagement for
the community? The committee goal is to offer a diversity of services that are accessible, individually meaningful and
alive. They are looking at creating a Siddur supplement which would add some traditional parts of the services that are
currently absent, will have more translations, ensure there are transliterations and perhaps have elaborations with art and
alternative poems and other texts,. that would be alternatives appealing to a diverse group of people.
The SLC also is addressing Onegs, which play an important part of Friday evenings at Kerem Shalom providing the
community with more opportunities for engagement and connection. People have been sponsoring onegs in honor of a
simcha, or in honor of a yahrzeit. This is a welcome development and it is hoped that more people will volunteer to do
so. If you know someone who has a simcha they want to celebrate with the community, encourage them to sponsor an
oneg.
A variety of different services have been held in the past couple of months including a chanting service and a social action service that followed a community dinner. Next Friday night there will be a speaker addressing the topic of science
and religion and a member will be sponsoring the Oneg.
Rabbi Darby notes that if you come to Yom Kippur but not Purim your spiritual life is out of balance. Come Party!
Get Connected Phone Calls: Miriam
There has been an awareness on the Board that we need to reach out to the congregation with phone calls for reasons
besides fund raising. The mission of the Get Connected committee is to engage the congregation in new ways. Board
members reported how their member outreach calls worked out. Most people reached 2 -6 people on their list. In general,
(Board Meeting Minutes continued on page 21)
Page 14
The Grapevine, March 2015
New Adult Programs
The Grapevine,
Grapevine March 2015
Page 15
In appreciation for your continued participation in Adult Education, this year
Kerem Shalom members who have taken 2 courses since September 2014 will
receive a $36 credit toward their next class. Also, Financial Assistance is available if needed - please don't hesitate to contact [email protected]
Adult Programs
–From Rosalie Gerut
Eden, Exodus And Moses
with Rabbinic Student Jamie Kotler,
Tuesday mornings 10:30-12:30
DATES: 6 sessions: March 10, 17, 24, 31 and April 7, 28
Tuition: $125 for Kerem Shalom Members; $180 for non-members.
RSVP: [email protected]
A Study of Adam, Eve and the Garden of Eden: Adam and Eve are the parents of
all humankind. Who were they? What can we learn from their relationship to each
other, to God and to the snake? Who was that snake, anyway? Why were Adam
and Eve expelled from Eden, and how does this relate to us today? (2 sessions)
Artwork by Yoram Raanan
A Hasidic View of Exodus: As part of our spiritual preparation for Passover, we
will study Yetziat Mitzrayim (the Exodus from Egypt) from the perspective of the Hasidic Masters. What does it mean to leave
Egypt, how do we go about this, and what are the pitfalls along the way. (1 session) A Study of Moses: We will study Moses to gain
insight into his character, often hidden between the lines in Torah. What was it about Moses - a man who was "heavy of tongue",
who did not grow up among the Jewish people - that enabled him to be our greatest leader? (3 sessions.)
Jamie Kotler – Searching for a “Unitary Theory of Life” started
me down the path of Torah study in my middle years. Having
studied biology (Brown Univ., BA, 1979) and finance (Stanford
Univ., MBA 1985), I have glimpsed the scaffolding upon which
all else rests through the wisdom of Torah.
All roads have led me here: lessons learned in marriage, motherhood (three sons, all fledged) and prior careers, of course. But my
path to the rabbinate was significantly defined by secondary interests, which turned out to be equally important: dedicated volunteer in Boston’s Jewish community; lover of Israel; enthusiast
of the outdoors; ardent genealogist, with once small and now
large family trees of my Polish and Romanian families; passionate cook, gardener, and knitter; a knower of “exile”, having
grown up in Brazil and Mexico as the daughter of Holocaust survivors. I am deeply grateful to be a “returnee”, to be on this path,
which contains all the others.
I am energized by the prospect of being able to weave all these
into a future rabbinate, devoted to helping others find a meaningful entry point to Judaism, and re-envisioning tradition in a way
that speaks to today’s world.
The Artistry and Evolution of Jewish Liturgy
with Rabbi Darby Leigh
Wednesday evenings; 7-8:30 PM; April 1, 15, 22
The impulse to reach out into the Universe with our expressions of hope, longing, fear
and despair are a part of what it means to be a human being. While the “essence” of
this reaching out, (“prayer”) has no pattern or structure, it is likely as ancient as the
early human experience.
Even in the Torah there are no fixed prayers. We only find examples of individuals’
personal prayers. At the same time, we have inherited volumes of gorgeous texts that
we refer to as “traditional Jewish prayer.” What are these texts in our prayer books?
Where do they come from, and when were they composed? Who wrote them? How
have they changed over the centuries? How do we relate to these texts today, if in fact
we do at all?
This three-session course will give us an introduction to the history of the siddur (Jewish prayer book) and an opportunity to examine the artistry and evolution of Jewish liturgy. We will also take the opportunity to compare different versions of some Jewish prayers found in different siddurim (prayer books) and explore the question of what motivated some of these variations.
RSVP: [email protected]
The Grapevine, March 2015
Page 16
The Rhythms of Nature, Rhythms of Torah
with Rabbi Natan Margalit
DATES: Four sessions on Tuesday Evenings: April 14, 21, 28 and May 5th, 7:30-9:00 PM
Tuition: KS members: $120 , non-members: $180. RSVP: [email protected]
What are the connections between the natural world and Judaism? What does Judaism have to say
about our responsibility to the planet? What contribution can Judaism make to the struggle against Climate change, loss of bio-diversity, the ills of factory farming? Many environmentalists have said that if
we are to heal our environment, it won’t be through technical fixes alone – it takes a deep re-orientation
of how we look at the world and our place in it. Can Judaism provide that deep shift in world view?
(Yes. Come find out how.)
Natan Margalit was raised in Honolulu, Hawaii, studied Anthro- Congregation Adas Yoshuron in Rockland, Maine. Natan copology at Reed College in Portland, Oregon, made aliya, and
founded LoKo, a co-op for bringing local, kosher free range
studied for many years in Israeli yeshivot. He received rabbinic
poultry meat to the Boston area. He has written and taught for
ordination at The Jerusalem Seminary in 1990 and earned a Ph.D. many years on Judaism and the environment, innovative approaches to Jewish texts, Jewish spirituality, and gender and Juin Talmud from U.C. Berkeley in 2001. He has held teaching
positions at Bard College, the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Col- daism. With Organic Torah, Natan is bringing together his interlege and the Rabbinical School of Hebrew College in Boston.
ests in Jewish texts, the environment and paradigm shift. He lives
Natan is spiritual leader of The Greater Washington Coalition for in Newton, MA with his wife Ilana and sons, Nadav and Eiden.
Jewish Life, in Western Connecticut as well as Visiting Rabbi at
Rosh Chodesh (“New Moon”) A Women’s Group - Mondays during
Hebrew School AnInvitationtoallwomenatKeremShalom
Would you like an opportunity to get to know other women in the Congregation? Would you like to reserve an
evening or morning once every month to connect with yourself and with a friendly and supportive group of
women? Would you like to explore some topics that may be relevant to your life as a Jewish woman (or the
partner/ spouse of a Jewish individual)? If you answered "yes" to any of these questions (or if you would just
like to try something new) you are most warmly invited to participate in the Kerem Shalom Rosh Chodesh Women's Groups. We
are a great group of women - come join us and help us become even greater!
Rosalie Gerut will facilitate. RSVP: [email protected]
For Kerem Shalom members only.
Beginners’ Hebrew Literacy with Kerem Shalom Hebrew School teacher,
Tikva Eigen, Spring 2015
This class is offered to adults who have little or no knowledge of Hebrew. We will concentrate on
decoding the language so that you will be able to follow the Shabbat service and learn more about
Judaism along the way.
Classes begin as soon as we have a group and will run for 12 weeks.
Tuition: $15/class for KS Members ($180); $20/class for non-members ($240)
RSVP: [email protected] Questions? contact Tikva Eigen [email protected]
Ongoing Adult Programs
Mah Jongg Club -- Starting Now!
Tuesdays, at 7 p.m. Check the KS Calendar for exact dates.
We are starting a Mah Jongg group at Kerem Shalom and we want you to play with us! All
are welcome--whether you are an experienced player or whether you've never played before.
We will teach you to play! Mah Jongg is a fun tile game that originated in China but over the
years has been adapted and popularized in America. We have already begun learning and
playing but you are welcome to join in any time. We will meet March 3 and 10 and then
every other week going forward. If you're interested in learning more about this group,
please email [email protected] or call Amanda at 617-448-5986. Also, let us know if you are interested in a day time
The Grapevine,
Grapevine March 2015
Ongoing Adult Programs
Page 17
Rabbi Ullman will be going on Sabbatical this summer and we don’t yet know if he will return to teach in the future. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO DROP IN FOR ONE
OR MORE OF HIS UPCOMING CLASSES. Do not let finances get in the way! Contact Rosalie for details [email protected]
Torah Study with Rabbi Alan Ullman
Rabbi Alan Ullman brings Torah to life by facilitating dynamic interaction and questioning of
text, enabling us t o view Torah in its ancient context as well as in its relevance to our lives today.
Rabbi Ullman helps us to see the wisdom of Torah as a way to guide our own spiritual journeys
and to find the sacred in our everyday lives. A brief text is introduced at the beginning of each
class and no previous knowledge or experience is required. RSVP: Rosalie Gerut, [email protected] If you would like to join the class, please do. We will pro-rate the cost.
Don't miss these sessions!
Tuesday Mornings, 10:15 AM - 12:15 PM
Sunday Afternoons, 5:00-6:30 PM, 6 sessions through
8 sessions through 2015:
2015:
and / or
10-7, 11-4, 12-16; 1-20, 2-17, 3-3, 4-14, 4-21
12-7; 1-18, 2-15, 3-8, 3-29, 4-19
$200 for KS Members; $300 for non-KS Members
$150 for KS Members; $225 for KS Members
Introduction to the Rituals and Practices of Judaism
with Rabbi Darby Leigh
8 Sessions: Mondays 4:30-5:30 P.M. Remainingdates: March 30, April 27, and
May 18.
It is often said that Judaism is not a religion, it is a way of life. In fact, Judaism has fixed
rituals and practices for all aspects of how we live our lives from the mundane to the
"sacred." This monthly course will give us an opportunity to explore some of the major
rituals and practices of a Jewish spiritual path. Our topics of study will include Jewish
texts, Shabbat, prayer, Jewish life-cycle rituals, and Jewish ethics.
Participants will be offered the opportunity to experiment with various Jewish practices
and to reflect on their experiences, if they wish. Please note, people who are thinking
about, or have questions about possible conversion to Judaism should feel free to be in
touch with Rabbi Darby. [email protected]
Rosh Chodesh (“New Moon”) the first Monday of the month, 9:30 – 11 A.M.
Remainingdates:Mar. 2, Apr. 6, May 4, & June 1
Would you like an opportunity to get to know other women in the Congregation? Would you like to reserve an
evening or morning once every month to connect with yourself and with a friendly and supportive group of
women? Would you like to explore some topics that may be relevant to your life as a Jewish woman (or the
partner/ spouse of a Jewish individual)? If you answered "yes" to any of these questions (or if you would just
like to try something new) you are most warmly invited to participate in the Kerem Shalom Rosh Chodesh
Women's Groups. We are a great group of women - come join us and help us become even greater!
Rosh Chodesh (“New Moon”) A Continuing evening Women’s group.
An invitation
to all women at Kerem Shalom, the third Wednesday of the month , 7 - 9:00 PM. Remainingdates:
Mar.18,Apr.15,May20,&June17
Rosh Chodesh, the time of the new moon, traditionally provides an opportunity for women to come together
for monthly meetings based on themes in the Jewish calendar. We will spend time studying and discussing
topics relevant to our lives, relaxing, getting to know each other and supporting one another’s journeys.
Rosalie Gerut will facilitate both groups. RSVP: [email protected]. Kerem Shalom members only.
Writers’ Group Thursday mornings/lunch time at Kerem Shalom
Are you a serious writer who needs to focus on your work but is having trouble finding the time? Come to our Thursday morning gatherings and overcome procrastination. Want to join? Contact: [email protected] for times.
Ongoing Adult Programs
Page 18
The Grapevine, March 2015
Support Group for People Facing Health Challenges
Wednesday mornings 9:45-11:15 AM
Baruch Ha’bah
Blessed is the one who enters
Refuat ha Nefesh
A healing of the soul
This group provides an open, supportive environment where people facing health challenges can make
connections with each other. Here we can be ourselves and be understood and supported. We exchange
information on resources and find through our conversations that we are nurtured emotionally and spiritually.
Why go through difficulties alone when you have a pillow of support right here at Kerem Shalom?
If this speaks to you, please contact: Kitty Stein (781) 259-9264 or Rosalie Gerut at [email protected].
Sacred Fragments II
Continuing Explorations and Conversations of Jewish Belief
with Judaic Scholar, Rachmiel Langer.
7 - 8:30 p.m., Remaining dates of four Wednesday evenings:
March 18 – Wholeness & Healing / Nature; April 15 – Listening for the Sacred / Meditation
Tuition: $100/Kerem Shalom Members; $150/Non-KS members. RSVP: [email protected]
Come join continuing explorations of Jewish understandings of being in direct relationship with the sacred. Midrash is the rabbinic process of approaching traditional texts through fresh eyes. We engage in that process as we read excerpts from various modern Jewish thinkers as they struggle with placing their experience in relation to Jewish belief. In discussion,
we look at their views and our own as we wrestle with our beliefs and the issues that might lead us toward building a personal theology.
You're welcome to attend any or all of the sessions. There are preparatory readings for each class, so please register in advance to
receive the texts.
Tai Chi at Kerem Shalom
Sunday mornings 9:30-10:30 AM
Tuition per session: $10 Kerem Shalom members; $15 non-members
For more information contact: Rob Elkind at [email protected]
Tai Chi is a fluid sequence of movements choreographed in a low impact routine. The practice
of tai chi focuses on the mind/body connection. This state of active meditation provides tranquility and is achieved when movements are coordinated with mental awareness. The traditional Wu Chien-Chuan sequence taught in this program focuses on smaller circular movements and fluid transitions, practiced in a relaxed manner. Contrary to its gentle appearance,
Tai Chi at its advanced stages of training becomes an effective martial art. The practice of Tai
Chi has evolved into a self-healing art due to its many health-related benefits. This program is
an effective training method for stress relief, osteoarthritis, and provides better concentration, circulation and balance.
Midrashim by Women About Women
(missed class rescheduled)
With Tamar Biala
Tuesday morning, May 5th, 10:30-12:30;
RSVP: [email protected]
This mini-series focuses on Midrash written by Israeli women about relationships
between women. Midrash literally, “searching out,” is the classical form of Jewish
Bible interpretation pioneered by ancient rabbis, creating a moral and existential
connection between the original text and its readers in their day.
Tamar Biala co-edited the first ever volume of midrash written by Israeli women. This collection, titled “Dirshuni”, is being cited, taught and argued over in yeshivot, high schools, synagogues, the press alternative batei midrash, universities and even Army educational programs. It is a precious fruit of the revolution in women's Torah learning. The Midrashim deal head on with issues of social justice and the treatment of women by Jewish law and rabbinic authority, and
offer deep and wide-ranging discussions of Biblical personalities, women's religious roles, sexuality and fertility, prayer, the meaning of Torah study, and more.
The Grapevine,
Grapevine March 2015
Ongoing Adult Programs
Page 19
Conversational Hebrew with Kerem Shalom Hebrew School teacher,
Tikva Eigen. Tuesdays 7-8:30 PM in the Spring
This will be an intermediate level class - the ability to read Hebrew is required.
Tuition: $15/class for KS Members ($90); $20/class for non-members ($120.)
RSVP: [email protected]
Questions? contact Tikva Eigen [email protected] Come join us!
Kerem Shalom Men's Group
For information contact: George Peabody, [email protected].
KS Jewish Content Book Group
The JCBG will next meet March 17th at the Synagogue at 12:30 p.m. to discuss Can't We Talk
About Something More Pleasant? by Roz Chast.
On April 14 we will meet for dinner in Boston near the Vilna Shul. We will discuss Rav Kook:
Mystic in a Time of Revolution by Yehudah Mirsky. After dinner we will all
attend a lecture by Anita Diamant. We plan meet at the synagogue in the late
afternoon and go together. More details t follow. Questions: Jane Appell, [email protected] .
Kerem Shalom Book Group
Our next meeting will be on Thursday evening, April 23, at 7:30 p.m. at Kerem Shalom. We will discuss Second
Person Singular by Sayed Kashua. The novel is available through the Minuteman Library. Contact Pat Sills,
[email protected] , for more information.
Save the Date!
In honor of Yom Ha-Shoah, Kerem Shalom will present the
PBS award-winning film:
Conspiracy of Kindness
on Saturday evening, April 18th at 7:30 PM
In the fall of 1939, Hitler's murderous wave was sweeping
through Eastern Europe. In the face of the Nazi onslaught, Japanese diplomat Chiune Sugihara set about saving thousands of
lives. But his struggle was not fought on the battlefields or in
war rooms. He used his power as a diplomat to rescue fleeing
Jewish refugees.
A 90-minute historical documentary that tells the remarkable
story of Chiune Sugihara and the Jewish refugees that he
helped to save. A co-production of Dentsu Inc., in association
with David Rubinson and CPG LLC.
For more information please contact: Bob Rosenbaum
The Grapevine, March 2015
Page 20
Used books can be dropped off in the Administrave
wing through March 20th during normal temple hours.
Page 21
The Grapevine,
Grapevine March 2015
Congratulations Alan
Lightman
Kerem Shalom member, Alan Lightman
has just published a memoir called
"Screening Room", partly about his roots
in the South and Jewish heritage.
Alan Lightman is a physicist, novelist,
and professor of humanities at MIT,
where he was the first person to have a
joint appointment in science and the humanities. Lightman is the author of many
books, both fiction and nonfiction, the
most well known of which is Einstein's
Dreams. His newest book, Screening
Room, is a slightly fictionalized memoir
about his growing up in Memphis and the
South, his family history dating back to
the late nineteenth century, the movie
business, the music and food of the South,
the racism, and the anti-Semitism. Lightman is also the founding director of the
Harpswell Foundation, which works to
empower a new generation of women
leaders in Cambodia.
Here is a wonderful review of the book
that appeared in The Washington Post:
http://preview.tinyurl.com/p58ml5x .
IN
THE
C OMMUNITY
(Board Meeting Minutes continued from page 13)
members were appreciative of hearing from a Board Member just for a check
in (and not for fund-raising). It was a little difficult to discuss ways people
would be willing to volunteer. Although several Board members found the
calls challenging, it was generally agreed that it is a worthwhile endeavor. All
agreed with the suggestion that next time an email would be sent to the congregation ahead of time letting people know of the upcoming calls and their
purpose. In sum, there's value in doing he calls, there's a need to clarify the
purpose and to allow for a longer time period to get the calls done.
Development Update: Matt
We're about $10K from our fund-raising goal for this fiscal year. There will be
a letter campaign in the spring, possibly followed by a Super Sunday. Planning continues for capital campaign.
Announcements: Marty/Jan
Marty discussed current Kashrut practices at KS, identifying 3 different meal
scenarios: those coordinated/hosted by clergy and staff, those hosted by congregants for friends and family and those coordinated/hosted by lay leadership. Over the past 4-5 years, there's been a shift in meals coordinated by clergy/staff in that they are now stated ahead of time to be either meat or dairy, the
choice being made generally by the time of day and occasion. Members are
asked to comply with the stated meal-type. For congregants and families, the
only current restriction is no pork or shellfish (plus no nuts). When lay leadership hosts meals, we will continue as is, for now, which is the "no pork/
shellfish" rule Lay leaders are asked to consider making a meal dairy or meat,
but it is not currently required. There will be many discussions about possible
changes to the kashrut policy before any changes would be made. Elisabeth
noted that the SLC is currently planning for cleaning out chametz from the
kitchen in preparation for Pesach. Nancy noted that the Social Action Committee has an interfaith greening team that is looking at eco-kashrut practices
for consideration at KS, the goal of which is to lower the carbon footprint.
Jan asked that budget proposals be submitted by March 2 in preparation for
the March meeting which will look at a preliminary budget. The Education
Committee/staff is asked to submit their requests as close to that date as possible, following their March meeting.
5775 2015
On behalf of the Treasurer, Jan also informed people of a new policy that reimbursable receipts be submitted by the 15th of the month following the expenditure. This is critical for effective budget management. Staff and board
members should be sure to let their staff (e.g. teachers) and volunteers know
of this guideline.
The Board adjourned for Executive Session at 8:50AM.
Submitted by: Jan Huber OCallaghan
The Grapevine
Kerem Shalom
P.O.Box 1646
Concord, Massachusetts 01742
Change Service Requested
In This Issue:
ADULT PURIM PARTY
1
2nd Night Seder
10
Rabbi’s Message
2
March Calendar
11
President’s Message
3
April Calendar
12
Social Action News
4
Board Meeting Minutes
13
School News
5, 6
KSTY TAZA Chocolate
Tour
14
Family Purim Celebration & 6
Carnival
Adult Programs
1519
Family Education
7
Conspiracy of Kindness
19
Welcomes & Thanks
8
Used Book Sale
20
Passages
8
In the Community
21
In This Issue
22
Feelin’ Lucky Teen program 9
Mostly Music Shabbat
10