1. religion and spirituality
2. judaism

CBZ NEWSLETTER: THE KEYS TO JUDAISM
Produced By: Congregation
B’nai Zion
~ South Florida’s Oldest Synagogue ~
Established in 1887
Rabbi Shimon Dudai
President Fred Covan PhD
750 United Street Key West, FL 33040
305-294-3437
www.BnaiZionKW.org
[email protected]
Volume 6 — Issue 3
——————————
January/February 2015
(Tevet/Shevat/Adar 5775)
The newsletter is produced
bi-monthly (6 issues per year)
Editor: Elyse Spialter
R a b b i D u d a i ’s M e s s a g e
NEWS
CHADASHOT
Please send comments regarding
any of the Rabbi’s Messages to
shduda [email protected] om
WHAT’S NEW?
Personally, I had a very full 2014. It was also a jampacked year for CBZ. The year began, just days after
the new year started, with the first of three “Feed
Your Mind, Feed Your Soul” events. Each of these
events included speakers (Elisa Levy in January, Jack
Einhorn in February and Arlo Haskell in March) enjoyed
by all who attended and everyone was thrilled to partake
in the delicious Friday Night dinners prepared by
Rebetzen Nadia. We celebrated Purim and Passover in
B’nai Zion’s usual festive style. There was even a special
Shabbat honoring our nonagenarians!
After the typical summer slow-down, we were back in
full swing for the weeks that covered the Fall holidays —
welcoming the Jewish New Year, observing the solemn
day of Yom Kippur, and sharing days of schmoozing &
dining n the sukkah. Then, the cooler days of winter set
in and, before we knew where the time had gone, we
were lighting the candles for Hanukkah 5775/2014.
This year, like any other, was marked by loss and we
pause for a moment to remember & miss those who are
no longer with us. There were also simchas; there were
Bat Mitzvahs, weddings, graduations and so many other
moments of joy within the CBZ family.
Though I’m looking for my life to be a bit calmer in
2015, I’m sure we’re all in agreement that we welcome
another exciting year at CBZ. Please remember to
review the Calendar of Events on the back page of this
issue to be sure you know all that is going-on as 2015
begins. See p. 5 for my thanks to this issue’s proofreaders. Happy
SEND WHATEVER YOU’D LIKE TO SHARE TO
New Year!
[email protected]
Deadline for the Mar/Apr issue is
‫שלום‬,
Feb 10th!
Elyse
Pilgrimage Holy Days and Special Texts
- Part Two
Reminder – Part One of this Series is
found in the November/December 2014
issue; it is recommended that you reread Part One prior to reading Part Two.
In Part One, we examined the text assigned to the
first pilgrimage festival, Passover, and considered the
underlying meaning of Shir Hashirim (Song of Songs).
Now we will study the special text that is read during
Shavuot, the second pilgrimage festival. The name of
this holy day, Shavuot (which translates to “weeks”),
is a reference to the seven weeks of the counting of
the Omer that separates Passover from Shavuot.
This was the length of time it took the tribes of
Israel to traverse the desert from Egypt to the foot
of Mt. Sinai, where the cosmic event of the receiving of
the Ten Commandments took place. That moment
in time was, in substance, a mass conversion of our
ancestors; a group of freed slaves became a people
united and guided by a moral code.
The ethics
revealed that day have continued to change and
shape humanity throughout the generations.
The text ascribed to Shavuot, the book (scroll) of
Ruth, indeed reflects this "conversion event". The
Scroll of Ruth tells the story of the exceedingly famous
conversion of a Moabite woman who became a historic
CONTINUED ON PAGE
2
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
(FROM DR. FRED COVAN):
Fred & Diane Covan wish
a very happy 2015 to all
at CBZ ! ! ! !
Thanks to all
who made
Hanukkah 5775/2014
a festive celebration
at CBZ!
Rabbi Dudai’s Message
Above Konk Life photo shows Bounce Margil watching
as Fred Covan lights the CBZ menorah.
(CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1)
figure of utmost importance. Ruth goes on to marry Boaz, and becomes the
progenitor of King David and the Davidic Dynasty that, according to our tradition, will produce the Messiah (the redeemer of Israel and all humanity).
This amazing drama gives us an instructive overview of life in Israel at the
time of the Judges (circa 12th century BCE), as well as demonstrating the
deep meaning of a peculiar mitzvah (commandment) that we were instructed
to observe on Shavuot. The unique mitzvah was to bring two loaves of hallot bread as a special new offering to
the Lord. This offering was different from those ordinarily made because the Torah specifies that this bread must
be hametz (baked with yeast). This is in total contradiction to the overarching rule that no hametz is ever to be
offered to the Lord.
We learn from this an important lesson in our ever-evolving relationship with G-d. Whatever is forbidden now
may, in the future, become permitted. Nothing and no one is definitively excluded forever. In the fullness of time,
all can be included. Ruth who was excluded, is now included. She was not part of the whole to start, but became
central to our history and the destiny of our people.
Blessings to you all,
Rabbi Dudai
COMMITTEES AT CBZ:
Historian
Jack Einhorn
Membership
Committee
Alan Solomon
2
Finance
Cemetery Committee Committee
Fred Covan
Fred Covan
Ritual
Bounce Margil
Sheldon Davidson
Committee
Suzanne Teicher
Eileen Kawaler
Rabbi Dudai
Kenny Weschler
Justin Kawaler
Jack Einhorn
Mae McMahan
Justin Kawaler Yahrzeit Committee Peter Rysman
Sheldon Davidson
Dr. John Kreinces
Alan Solomon
Karen Grant-Margil
Bounce Margil Si Stern
Si Stern
Sid Wharton
Liz Young
Bruce York
Events Committee
Eileen Kawaler
Mae McMahan
Alan Solomon
Si Stern
Liz Young
Facilities Committee
Fred Covan
Rebetzen Nadia Dudai
Mae McMahan
Si Stern
Kenny Weschler
Please remember, CBZ is a
volunteer organization with
no “paid office staff” …
If you call & get the office
answering machine, please
leave a message & someone
will get back to you as soon
as possible or contact
CBZ thru our Website:
www.bnaizionkw.org
Tu B’Shevat (which literally translates to “the 15th of Shevat”) is a celebration of trees. In Israel, it is in the month
of Shevat when new fruits begin to emerge on the trees and these fruits are central to observance of the holiday.
The custom of conducting a “seder” based on the fruits associated with Tu B’Shevat was developed by 16th century
Kabbalists and, in recent years, is increasingly being revived. The holiday of Tu B’Shevat is also called “Rosh
Hashanah La’Ilanot” (“New Year of the Trees”) and it is one of the four new years marked in the Mishnah.
Tu B’Shevat is considered the Jewish “Arbor Day” and in America,
and even moreso in Israel, holiday events include tree planting and
FEED YOUR MIND,
other activities of ecological importance. Modern times have seen a
variety of projects with tree-related themes being incorporated in the
FEED YOUR SOUL
holiday’s celebration; even construction of genealogical (family)
Upcoming 2015 Events
trees has become popular. Also common are donations that are tree—————oriented, such as to organizations that plant trees. Marking a
Once again this wonderful combinapersonal simcha on the CBZ Tree of Life would be an apropos
tion of services welcoming Shabbat
contribution for this occasion — see below. For 2015, Tu B’Shevat
falls on February 3-4 (from sundown-to-sundown) and will be
and a speaker of interest are being
celebrated at CBZ in conjunction with Shabbat services on the 6th
combined with Friday Night Dinner to
of February. For more information about the Jewish perspective on
appeal to all of the senses. Join in!
trees, see “Symbols in Jewish Art” on p. 7 of this issue.
—————January 9th
(Note—Change of Date!)
TREES OF LIFE:
Speaker: Stanley Zabar
This longtime member of CBZ will
share stories of his family’s legendary
NYC store. 2014 marked a celebratory 80 years for the business! Hear
tales of how three generations of the
Zabar family have kept it going strong!
—————February 6th
Speaker: Rabbi Steven Glazer
Following a distinguished career as a
pulpit Rabbi for 43 years, Rabbi
Glazer has established a unique
counseling practice that focuses on
families coping with the complex
issues of caring for an aging family
member. The Rabbi, also a CBZ
member, will speak on “Caring for
the Caregiver — Jewishly” and will
explore our responsibilities to our
loved ones and ourselves.
—————Watch for e-mail blasts that will
provide the details, including the
Rebetzen’s delicious menu choices.
!!!!!!!
Constant Contact Eblasts
[email protected]
GET MORE
CBZ INFO!
!!!!!!!
WEBSITE
www.bnaizionkw.org
3
MAZEL TOV!
JANUARY WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES
JANUARY BIRTHDAYS
9
Mildred Varon
15
Nancy Cohen
16
Margie Randall
7
Linda & Peter Rysman
17
Michelle Cohen
9
Sandie Klubeck & Jim Everett
18
Gil Hermelin
20
Linda & Harris Estroff
20
Michael Kass
26
Michele Green
FEBRUARY WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES
12
Diane & Fred Covan
19
Tracey & Daren Oppenheimer
20
Bonnie & Arnold Goldsmith
Cole Altman
27
Rachel Appelrouth
Claire Zuckerman
28
Mindy Esbin
FEBRUARY BIRTHDAYS
MAZEL TOV to
KAREN GRANT MARGIL
who is sharing her talent in the role of
Boo Levy in Last Night of Ballyhoo
at the Red Barn Theatre thru Jan. 17th
(The CBZers who went to see Karen & the
show on 12/25 are spreading rave reviews! )
MAZEL TOV to VERA SCHIFF
who has been named the 2014 “unsung hero”
by Impromptu Classical Concerts. She will
be honored at the annual CFFK awards
luncheon on Jan. 30th. (See http://konknet.com/
1
Michael Gordon
2
Claire Zoe Young
3
Susan Samrick
4
Neal Farr
Liz Young
5
Amy Spielberg
6
Susan Server
9
Elyse Spialter
12
Judy Blume
13
Elias Gerth
Sheldon Davidson
16
Arlene Doty
17
Douglas Bradshaw
18
Janet Kass
Suzanne Teicher
konk-life/new/stories/2014-12-08-1)
Deborah Meisel
On behalf of CBZ, Rabbi Dudai wishes
a special MAZEL TOV to
DAVID SAMRICK who is being honored
by his peers in the steel industry and will receive
“Steel Man of the Year” award in June ’15
21
Si Krinsky
22
Edith Amsterdam
23
Neal Ruchman
25
Zev Zahav
28
Carol Abramovitz
A belated “mazel tov” is extended to the
Editor’s Note: The phrase “mazel tov” is generally translated to
Gvili
Family for Rafi’s birthday on November 24
mean “good luck”, but is not used to wish someone luck for the
& Daniel’s birthday on December 4 and for the
future. Rather, the phrase is an acknowledgement of the good
anniversary of Ellen & Rafi Gvili on November 14
fortune that someone has already experienced and is used in
the same manner as “congratulations”. The actual definition of the word “mazel” is “constellation” or “planetary body” and it conveys a sense of heavenly influence.
4
Heartfelt Thanks to the Following for
Their Contributions to B’nai Zion:

Thank You
Ellen & Rafi Gvili

SPONSOR A KIDDUSH!
Help continue the B’nai Zion tradition of sharing a lovely Shabbat meal
after services. 3 levels of Kiddush Sponsorship are available:
STANDARD-$300 / DELUXE-$400 / SUPER DELUXE-$500
{Any donation graciously accepted & acknowledged}
To sponsor a Kiddush or help in the kitchen … please contact
Rebetzen Nadia (786-877-0118 or [email protected])
t/y for Shabbat Services
Lynn Gladstone Weisman

Thank you to REBETZEN NADIA and to her faithful “crew” for
their assistance with recent Kiddushes.
t/y for Kiddush lunch
Marilyn Kellner

Thanks are extended to those who recently sponsored a Kiddush or
contributed to the Kiddush fund, including: EILEEN KAWALER (h/o
Justin’s B-day), MICHAEL POPOVICE (in appreciation for successful
surgery & return to good health), ELLEN GVILI (h/o B-days of Ravi &
Daniel), ROSE & JACK EINHORN (12/13 Kiddush), DAHLIA &
JONATHAN WOODS (anniversary), FUNT FAMILY (h/o congregation).
m/o lifelong friend,
Sylvia Belsky
Judie & Dr. Michael Klitenick

m/o Jack Appel
Charles Roberts

UPCOMING KIDDUSHES:
January 3rd — Karen & Bounce Margil (Daniel’s B-day)
January 10th — Donald Lewin (m/o Sheldon Mermelstein)
h/o Rabbi Dudai
Marsha Turner

h/o Richard Klitenick
Linda & Alan Solomon

m/o Sheldon Mermelstein
Donald Lewin

Contributions acknowledged in this issue include those posted through December 8th. Those
made after that date will be recognized in future issues of the newsletter. PLEASE NOTE: It is
helpful to include a separate note with each check that you send - specifying what the check is for,
exactly who it is from, and what you’d like listed in the newsletter regarding the donation (with the
understanding that space limitations may require altering what is included in print). Thank you!
for Kiddush lunch
Anonymous
ADDITIONAL HIGH HOLIDAY DONATIONS
The pledge listings in the Nov/Dec issue of the newsletter
did not include the following:






The generosity
of all those
contributing
to CBZ is most
appreciated!

100 Jane Dawkins
180 Shoshana & Gary Lichtenstein
600 Joan & Victor Cushman
1800 Yael & Arnold Hermelin
100 Anna Buxton
250 Kim Gordon & Steven Mizner
180 Yvonne & Theodore Finkenthal
300 Bruce York
for kiddushes, h/o Nadia
TOL leaf
h/o the grandchildren
Thanks to the Rabbi
m/o mother, Ruth,
and sister, Carole
—————————————
To all those who made a High Holiday pledge, if you have not yet
sent in payment, please make that payment at this time.
THANK YOU!

Thanks to those who assisted with the proofreading for this
issue: Howard Spialter, Sheldon Davidson, Liz Young,
Karen Grant-Margil, Mae McMahan & Rabbi Dudai
5
January 2015
Tevet/Shevat 5775
January 2/ 11 Tevet
January 3/
…………...12 Tevet
January 4/ 13 Tevet
January 5/ 14 Tevet
January 6/ 15 Tevet
January 7/ 16 Tevet
January 8/ 17 Tevet
January 9/ 18 Tevet
January 10/
…………...19 Tevet
January 11/ 20 Tevet
January 12/ 21 Tevet
January 14/ 23 Tevet
January 15/ 24 Tevet
January 16/ 25 Tevet
January 17/ 26 Tevet
January 19/ 28 Tevet
January 20/ 29 Tevet
January 21/
…………….1 Shevat
January 22/ 2 Shevat
January 423 3 Shevat
January 24/ 4 Shevat
January 25/ 5 Shevat
January 26/ 6 Shevat
January 27/
…………….7 Shevat
January 28/ 8 Shevat
January 29/ 9 Shevat
January 30/ 10 Shevat
January 31/ 11 Shevat
6
Gerald Jay Schiffman
Gudrun Erding/Niepage
Estelle Glantz
Raphael B. Malsin
Morris Nitishin
Evelyn Blanche Kawaler
Baasya Appel
Robert Horowitz
Arthur Rosinek
I. Grossman
Philip Davidson
Joseph A. Cohen
Rebecca Goldstein
Elka Holsberg
Joseph Hornberger
Celia Chick
Sybil Goldman
Irving Jerome Caplan
Elsie Moskowitz
Jack Baron
Cynthia Faye Projector
Eric Wasserman
Rose Kissel
Minnette Hermelin
Freida Chaiat
Mendel Holtsberg
Kate Shavin
Messod Attias
Ethel Wechter
Sidney Kaplan
Louis Padoll
Rachel Schmarek
Annie Isaac
Forest F. Detweiler
Reuben Gordon
Leon Lipner
Chaim Lieb Chajet
Sidney Karo
Adeline Littman
Ben Serling
Rabbi Sol Landau
Cele Waxman Rothman
Nellie Padoll
Sidney Levine
Ruth York
Maxwell M. Parker
Ida Margil
Sidney David Roth
Sarah Elsie Kawaler
Sadona Katzen
Justine Trubey Stilling
Samuel Schevach
Joseph Leonard
Merwin Sacarob
Matilda Mendell
Morris Irving Estrin
February 2015
Shevet/Adar 5775
February 1/ 12 Shevat
Phillip Markovitz
Roy Grossman
Bernard B. Baschkin
February 2/ 13 Shevat Arthur Heller
February 3/ 14 Shevat Sally Ida Mayeroff
Jeanette Serling
February 4/ 15 Shevat Moe Sher
Jerome Silberman
Ethel Aronovitz
February 6/ 17 Shevat Goldie Liebe
Lewinsky Fisher
Anita Galpeer Savitch
February 7/ 18 Shevat Herman Gordon
Anna Nitishin
February 8/ 19 Shevat
Esther Futterer
Sheron J. Garner
Naomi Katz Lefferts
February 9/ 20 Shevat Sam Bass
Shirley Zerda Muto
Sidney Zangwell Covan
Amanda Megan Martin
Bernard David Levin
February 10/ 21 Shevat Norman Klitenick
February 11/ 22 Shevat Isadore Weiss
February 12/ 23 Shevat Lillie Appel
February 13/ 24 Shevat Fannie Leavitt Raskin
February 14/ 25 Shevat Sophie Passo
Bernard Solomon
February 15/ 26 Shevat Jean Lewin Garner
February 16/ 27 Shevat William Raskin
Minnie Gordon
February 17/ 28 Shevat Max Roitman
Anna Brenner
February 18/ 29 Shevat Helen Elias
Lena Rosenthal Hill
Israel Paul Wechter
Harry Rodack
Selma Kass
February 19/ 30 Shevat Rose Ettinger
Leon Landesman
Edith Samrick
Ethel Young
Nathan Lipshitz
February 20/ 1 Adar
Mrs. Dennis E. Amster
Joseph Buchler
February 21/ 2 Adar
Jack Padve
February 22/ 3 Adar Maurice H. Ring
February 23/ 4 Adar
Millard “Mike” Spialter
February 24/ 5 Adar Mrs. F. Grossman
February 25/ 6 Adar
Herman Lipkin
William Goodsmith
February 26/ 7 Adar Esther Silberman
Leon Goffman
Ralph Katz
William Herman
February 27/ 8 Adar Isaac Passo
Sarah Schwartz
Maurice Rice
Bernard Spotkov
February 28/ 9 Adar
Beatrice Kanzer
Rose Lipkin
Jack Kowal
Yahrzeit
Donations From …
Yahrzeits
of … is the
In most instances,In
theMemory
date observed
********************************
Hebrew
date of death (starting at sundown)
Si Stern
Rebecca Stern
Bertram Stern
Bruce York
Carole York Convoy
Judie & Michael Klitenick
Tose Klitenick
Deborah & Sidney Goldman
Dr. Stephen Kay
Gwen & David Hawtof
Mildred Hawtof
Robert Sher
Mom, Eva Sher
(Hava bas Motel)
Eileen & Neal Farr
Isadore Appelrouth (grandfather)
Ida Phillips (great-grandmother)
Bertha Kane
Eugene Tosk
Sandra & Jordan Bernstein
Samuel Bolotin (grandfather)
Michelle & Jeffrey Green
Isadore Green
Rachel Appelrouth
Isadore Weintraub
Ida Phillips
Carol & Phillip Wilks
Ida Wilks
Carol & Larry Abramovitz
Ruth Abramovitz
Sally & Arnold Young
Frank Lewinsky (grandfather)
Sheldon Davidson & Susan Server
Phillip Davidson (father)
Congregation B’nai Zion extends
heartfelt condolences to Shoshana
Lichteinstein on the passing of her
mother, GLORIA LONGO.
SYMBOLS IN
JEWISH ART
-----------------Editor’s Note: For Volume 6 of the
newsletter (2014-15), each issue will
explore a different symbol commonly
found in Jewish artwork.
Many thanks to
Judith and Stan Zabar for
their donation of
Zabar’s wonderful coffee!
Now our Sabbath
Kiddush luncheons are
even more fabulous
thanks to them!
ETZ (Tree)
Shimon bar Yochai taught that
“if you are holding a sapling in
your hand, and someone says the
Messiah has drawn near, first plant
the sapling, and then go and greet
Kendall Jones, D.D.S., P.A.
the Messiah.” (Avot d’Rebbe Natan
E.Wm. Goldner, D.D.S., P.A.
31b). This quote perfectly sums up
1460 Kennedy Drive
(305) 293-9876
www. ParadiseDentalCare.com
the importance of the tree in Jewish
Member of the Florida Bar (1977-Present)
tradition. Trees have been of import
CBZ THANKS THE CONTRIBUTORS
Fla. Bar Health Law Board Certified (2001since the very start of humanity,
06) Member of the New York Bar (1983LISTED ON THIS PAGE;
Present)
with the Tree of Knowledge and
PLEASE SUPPORT THEM WITH
1901 Fogarty Avenue #1
the Tree of Life serving as focal
YOUR PATRONAGE!
Key West, FL 33040
points in the Garden of Eden. The
————————
Diane Tolbert Covan
(305) 293-1118
[email protected]
Torah itself is described as being
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akin to the Tree of Life . ThroughIf your health insurer unfairly delays or denies
please send e-mail to
out our history the sages have
payments to you or your healthcare providers,
[email protected]
recognized the value of trees and
have correlated the attributes of
the tree and the human being. The fruit tree in particular is so crucial to the welfare of people that our tradition forbids the cutting down
of a fruit tree even for the purpose of protecting oneself in warfare.
All of the reasons above lend themselves to the tree
frequently being incorporated in Jewish art. The tree is
a particularly common theme for the ketubah (the
wedding contract), with the image of the bride and
groom being represented as two trees entwined. The
planting of trees has been so significant to the cultivation
of the land in modern Israel that it became the primary
task of the Jewish National Fund, with tree planting
certificates evolving into a most appropriate way to
honor or memorialize every possible event and
individual. These certificates themselves, and the
various artistic renditions of trees that they have invoked
(such as the piece shown here), create a cadre of treerelated works of art.
Judaism so respects the vital nature of the tree that
there is a holiday – Tu B’Shevat – that celebrates the
tree. Find out more about this festive occasion (when and
how it is celebrated) on page 3 of this issue.
7
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2015
Congregation B’nai Zion
~ South Florida’s Oldest Synagogue ~
Established in 1887
Rabbi Shimon Dudai
President Fred Covan PhD
750 United Street Key West, FL 33040
305-294-3437
www.BnaiZionKW.org
SHABBAT SERVICES
Saturday Morning Services
9:30 AM start (Kiddush following services)
CBZ BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Dr. Fred Covan
President
Si Stern
Vice-President
Mae McMahan
Cors. Secretary
Elizabeth Young
Rec. Secretary
Eileen Kawaler
Treasurer
Dr. John Kreinces
Alan Solomon
Kenneth Weschler
Sid Wharton
Alan Solomon
The B’nai Zion GIFT SHOP:
Key West’s Only Judaica Store
Judaica and Jewish-themed gifts for friends and family,
including perfect items for birthdays, weddings, anniversaries,
graduations, Bar & Bat Mitzvahs and more.
If you need something special, call Mae!
Contact Mae McMahan at 296-9669
or at [email protected].
Thanks to LINDA & ALAN SOLOMON for their recent purchase.
Calendar of Events
 Rabbi’s Wednesday Night Class continues — 7pm in the Bernstein
Library. Contact the Rabbi with any questions.
 ANNUAL CORPORATION MEETING — January 5th at 6pm.
Board of Directors Meetings follows. The Board generally meets on
the 1st Monday of the month, starting at 6:30 PM (but, it is best to doublecheck as date is changed for holidays or when otherwise necessary).
 Feed Your Mind, Feed Your Soul SERIES — Friday Nights January
16th and February 6th. See page 3 for more info.
 Tu B’Shevat details on page 3.