congregation beth sholom summer 2020 …bethsholomcitrus.org/content/files/shofar - summer...

THE SHOFAR

Greetings to all from: Ro Kerchner & Ed Altchek Diane & Alan Apfelbaum Bunny Benstock Sherry & Manny Bloch Carol & Bill Cohen Miriam Fagan Michelle & Yossi Fouks Barbara & Harvey Hamerling Lou Harmin Leslie R. Leavitt Sue & Lou Pellegrino Lucille Poch Irene & Harvey Roberts Ilene & Ed Simnowitz Marcie & Chuck Tuegel Sherry Wilson

CONGREGATION BETH SHOLOM SUMMER 2020 z SIVAN/TAMUZ/AV/ELUL 5780

The preservation of human life takes precedence over all the other commandments in Juda-ism. The Talmud emphasizes this principle by citing the verse from Leviticus 18:5: “You shall there-fore keep my statutes…which if a man do, he shall live by them.” The rabbis add: “That he shall live by them, and not that he shall die by them.” (Babylonian Talmud, Yoma 85b)

When life is involved, all Sabbath

laws may be suspended to safeguard the health of the individual, the prin-ciple being pikkuah nefesh doheh Shabbat–[rescuing a] life in danger takes precedence over the Sabbath.

One is not merely permitted–one is required to disregard a law that con-flicts with life or health. “It is a reli-gious precept to desecrate the Sab-bath for any person afflicted with an illness that may prove dangerous; he who is zealous is praiseworthy while he who asks questions sheds

blood.” (Shulhan Arukh,Orah Hay-yim 328:2)

With that in mind, the temple is being very cautious about reopen-ing the building. But the synagogue remains an active and vital organi-zation. I want to remind you that I and the synagogue are here for you to give support. We have a caring committee which is dedicated to helping any congregant who needs help. You can always call on us.

Cantor Alisa Forman

Your Synagogue Is Always Here for You

CANTOR ALISA FORMAN

Quarantine and the Number 40

When the Quarantine is Over: A meaningful insight derived from the etymology of the word “quarantine.” Taken from an essay by Rabbi Benjamin Blech How long should a quarantine last? The very word for quarantine has an etymological answer – and it is a fascinating historical truth that in all probability is rooted in a biblical connection. To find the origin of the word we must go back to 14th century Europe. It was then that repeated waves of plagues swept across the continent and after arriving in southern Europe in 1347 spread rapidly to England, Germany and Russia by 1350.

Candle-Lighting Times Summer 2020 Shabbat Friday, June 5 Light Candles at 8:08 PM Saturday, June 6 Shabbat Ends 9:07 PM

Shabbat Friday, June 12 Light Candles at 8:11 PM Saturday, June 13 Shabbat Ends 9:10 PM



Shabbat Friday, July 3 Light Candles at 8:14 PM Saturday, July 4 Shabbat Ends 9:12 PM




Shabbat Friday, July 31 Light Candles at 8:03 PM Saturday, August 1 Shabbat Ends 8:59 PM

Shabbat Friday, August 7 Light Candles at 7:58 PM Saturday, August 8 Shabbat Ends 8:53 PM



Shabbat Friday, August 28 Light Candles at 7:37 PM Saturday, August 29 Sabbat Ends 8:30

Shabbat Friday, September 4 Light Candles at 7:29 PM Saturday, September 5 Shabbat Ends 8:22 PM

It’s estimated that one third of Europe’s population perished as a result and the impact of the epidemic led to the institution of extreme infection control measures. In 1374 Viscount Bernabo of Reggio Italy declared that every per-son with plague must be taken out of the city into the fields, there to die or to recover. In the Mediterranean seaport of Ragusa, the city’s famous Jewish chief physician Jacob of Padua counseled the es-tablishment of a place outside the city walls for treatment of ill townspeople and outsiders seeking a cure. Some-how the doctor intuited the contagion theory that promoted separation of healthy persons from those who are sick. With that idea in mind, in 1377 the Great Council passed a law establishing a thirty-day isolation for ships arriving from plague infested areas. No one from Ragusa was allowed to visit those ships under trentino, the 30 day isola-tion period, and if someone broke the law, they too would be isolated for the mandatory 30 days. The law seemed to be effective in diminishing the ravages of the Black Death and it caught on. Over the next 80 years, Marseilles, Pisa, and various other cities adopted similar measures. Only one change was instituted for the trentino. For some reason the 30 days were extended to 40 – hence quarantine from the Italian root for the 40 days of isolation. Historians are uncertain about what prompted the change and why in particular the number 40 was chosen. Of course, it is possible that it was simply because of the feeling that the shorter period was insufficient to prevent spread of the disease. But many scholars believe that in an age of profound religious belief and of reverence for the Bible the number 40 resonated with great meaning – the same meaning that both Christians and Jews have recog-nized by its emphasis in Torah narratives. The story of Noah and the flood had a 40 day timeline. That was enough to change the world. Later, Moses would ascend Mount Sinai and remain there precisely for 40 days to return with the two tablets of stone containing the 10 Commandments. That too would alter human history. When the Jews who left Egypt were hesitant about fulfilling God’s command to enter Israel they insisted on first sending delegates to “spy out the land.” Their trip lasted 40 days. Their report was filled with pessimism and caused despair among the freed slaves. That angered God for its lack of faith in the divine promise and for that reason the Jews would be forced to wander in the desert for 40 years – a year for a day of their sin – until a new generation could arise who were no longer marked by the slave mentali-ty of defeatism. For Jews the number 40 maintains its symbolic significance for the concept of change and renewal in the realm of Jewish law as well. Someone ritually impure must immerse in a body of water, a mikveh, filled with 40 se’ahs, a liq-uid measure, in order to change their spiritual identity. A non-Jew wishing to convert to Judaism must similarly en-ter a mikveh to become considered as if newly born – the water symbolically echoing the prelude to birth of the fetus in the amniotic sac. It takes 40 days for an embryo to be formed in the mother’s womb; until then it is consid-ered little more than water. And every year, when Jews spend the time from the first day of the month of Elul to Yom Kippur totally dedicated to introspection, change, and teshuvah, repentance, it is in the profound hope that these 40 days will make them into new and better versions of themselves. How remarkable then that the word to describe the attempt of the world to combat the dreaded consequence of a deadly plague affecting us physically is quarantine - the same reference to the number 40 so fundamental to the biblical emphasis on change, on self-improvement, on rebirth to a higher level from a spiritual perspective. Yes, the world will survive the coronavirus pandemic. And hopefully sooner rather than later, we will come out of quarantine and resume our lives of normalcy. But the time we spent in our homes confined together with our loved ones and removed from the harried lives we have become accustomed to, lives that allow us no time for personal reflection, ought in retrospect inspire us to greater connection with the more meaningful references of the number 40. Perhaps the 40 of quarantine can imbue us with the kind of clarity about our life’s purpose that will better link us to the 40 days of Moses on Mount Sinai. It is a formidable task to find any ray of light in our present darkness. It is faith, however, that asks of us to hear the message of 40 – change, renewal, and hope for a better future.

The synagogue is now offering many opportunities to be virtually together and to fill your quarantine time with Jewish learning and food for thought. As your spiritual lead-er, I want to offer opportunities to expand your horizons, pray, social-ize, sing, discuss, and learn to en-rich your lives during this time. We have not scheduled activities for August, as we want to be sure that we are offering you the best sup-port we can while our brick and mortar doors are closed. For those without a computer, I have just learned that one can join a Zoom meeting even with a landline tele-phone. For those of you who are not fans of Zoom, I and your fellow congregants are still available by phone and email.

As this is going to press, restrictions are being eased all throughout the country. I am worried that many are not taking the health guidelines to heart. I’ve seen people ignoring them. They don’t realize that these are life and death matters. The dis-ease is still spreading.

The first person who died in Israel from the virus was an 88-year-old Holocaust survivor. We at Congre-gation Beth Sholom have lost a be-loved congregant to this disease. Let us honor their memory by heeding the guidelines of the CDC. I beg you. This is the least we can do to save lives. We are living in unu-sual times and we are all in this to-gether. A bit of inconvenience now will save lives and stop this situa-tion quicker.

Temple Offerings on Zoom

Online Services

Every week: We may be adding more weekly services, so be on the lookout in your e-news.

Friday night, 7 PM Shabbat Service (no service June 5)

Saturday night, 8 PM Havdalah Song session, social hour (canceled on June 6)

Classes & Discussions

Tuesdays — Judaism’s Best Ideas Classes begin at 11 AM June 2, (canceled 9th), 16, 23, 30 (dates subject to change).

Thursdays — Discussion group be-gins at 2 PM June 11, 18, 25 (dates subject to change).

Look to the e-news for details about July and August

During the Tuesday class, we look at ideas and approaches to living and learning that permeate Jewish culture. We delve into the ideas, values, emotions and behaviors they express, emanating from Jew-ish history, stories and sources. These ideas provide inspiration and guidance that help us respond cre-atively and thoughtfully to life’s challenges and opportunities. We explore some of Judaism’s unique offerings that make Judaism worth preserving and remind us who we are as Jews and humans.

In June, we’ll also continue with our discussion group on Thursdays. We explore Jewish perspectives on topics such as faith, love, fear, envy, forgiveness, humility, grati-tude. We watch a short animated film on the topic by artist Hanan Harchol and explore what Judaism has to say about them and how that can influence our understand-ings about ourselves and our be-haviors.

In July, we’ll continue with classes based on interest and demand. So stay tuned to changes in schedul-ing. August classes have not been scheduled.

We’ll also try to send you links to interesting Jewish events on Zoom throughout the country.

I pray that all of you are staying safe and healthy during these diffi-cult times. I look forward to seeing you on Zoom!

Happy summer!

From the Cantor: Synagogue Activities Going Strong ONLINE!

From the President: Just Give Me a Call Haverim,

Another month of quarantine. UGH. This is getting boring but better to be safe and sound.

I want to thank Cantor Alisa for doing Zoom meetings for both ser-vices and Adult Ed classes. It is a way our congregants get to see each other until we can meet again (isn’t that a Roy Rogers song?).

I really have nothing to report. I am looking to do a Board Meeting soon before the summer and maybe have a Congregation Meeting in June will be held online in a Zoom call. Look for information in the e-News.

You know I am here for you. If you have any problems and would like to talk, just give me a call. Or if you feel you need to just talk to someone, call me at 352-513-5169.

B’Shalom,

Barbara Hamerling

ALL FUNDRAISING ACTIVITIES POSTPONED INDEFINITELY

By Harvey Hamerling, Fundraising Chairman Due to the coronavirus pandemic, and compliance with government and health directives, all scheduled fundraising events including the dinner show rescheduled for May 30 and monthly Trivia, have been postponed. Once we have clearance to hold social events at Kellner Auditorium, we will resume Trivia, Shabbat Dinners and reschedule the show. Other fundraising events will also be planned at that time. In the meantime, congregants and supporters are encouraged to continue making donations to Beth Sholom. Continue following advice of government and health officials so we can soon reunite in good health.

Cantor Alisa lights the Havdalah candle online

Dear Hadassah,

I don’t know what to say in my letter to the Sho-far. It is such a strange time. We are in contact with each other by phone, email, messenger and Zoom. In the past when I wanted to contact my parents and friends in Israel I wrote letters and postcards. Phones were too expensive and I seldom called. I guess we are lucky to live in the internet era an aerogram took from a week to ten days to arrive. I don’t know what the Hadas-sah schedule will be next year.

I do hope to meet with Hadassah members at the end of August at my house let me know what day is convenience. I wish you all a happy and pandemic free summer.

Shalom

Miriam Fagan

Honor birthdays and anniversaries of friends and family with a small donation to Congregation Beth Sholom.

A gift of $18 (Chai — to life!) goes a long way! Send your donation with a notation about your gift to:

Congregation Beth Sholom PO Box 640024 Beverly Hills Florida, 34464

Checks should be made payable to Congregation Beth Sholom

With Sadness

Our deepest sympathies and most heartfelt condolences to the friends and families of Lucille Poch & Bill Schapers.

They brought light to all those who met them, and they are sorely missed by all of us.

Lucille

Fifteen years have now passed

But remember you still,

After Friday night service,

Members chat with goodwill.

You spoke of your travels,

Friends and family so dear,

With Bunny you set up,

Holiday events each year.

You’re a part of our lives,

Forever kindness feel,

An example of love,

We will miss you — Lucille

A poem by Irene & Harvey Roberts

Yahrzeits June 26/27 4-10 Tamuz

04 - Judi Ross 04 - Julius Leshin 04 - Bertha Schlosberg 04 - Abraham Rothstein 05 - Laura Krebs 05 - Anna Soskis 05 -Yvette Zaenchik 06 - Wendel Thornton 08 - Bayla Greene 08 - Bea Mintz 09 - Leo Rosenthal 09 - Emanuel S. Gordon 10 - Anna Kimelstein 10 - Mildred Pomerance 10 - Louis Simon 10 - Judith Wiener 10 - Anna Lavenberg

July 3/4 11-17 Tamuz

11 - Harold Dunning 11 - Nathan Putersznit 12 - SteIla Tomkiel 12 - Felice Apter 12 - Harry Soskis 13 - Anna Krebs 13 - Gussie Shagg 13 - Ann Rosen 13 - Anna Morse 13 - Esther Lieb Kaufer 13 - Anna Treiber


14 - Bruce R. Dickter 15 - Murray Apfelbaum 15 - Edward Leon Klocke 16 - Hannah Zaglin 17 - Bertha Lenes 17 - Morris Lipsky 17 - Gloria Klavans

June 5/6 13-19 Sivan 13 - Jay Alan Feldman 13 - Samuel Siegel 14 - Bernard Lorie 14 - Robert T. Egenberg 15 - Netta Schachner Aorta 16 - Leona Kaplan 16 - Max Neuhaus 18 - Irwin George Lipsky 18 - Rudolph Bender 18 - Anne Oberband June 12/13 20-26 Sivan

19 - Sadie Valet 21 - Bertha Deutsch 21 - Sigmund Deutsch 22 - Sally Goldman 22 - Rose Kelner 23 - Esther Moskowitz 23 - Joseph Appel 23 - Morris Lopman 24 - Deborah Hochberg 26 - Annie Elrod 26 - Muni Saslofsky June 19/20 27-30 Sivan,1-3 Tamuz

27 - Harry Hochberg 27 - Beatrice Menes 27 - Zeev Ben Shmuel Ve Pesha 28 - Samuel Rosenblatt 28 - Louise Thikoll 29 - Theresa Hartenstein 29 - Lillian FaIik 29 - Sophie Janoff 30 - Caroline Meyerson 30 - Celia Bernstein

01 - Shirley Hamerling 01 - Maurice Rubin 01 - Dorathy Reiner 01 - Wolf Wolman 01 - Reuben Joseph Thikoll 01 - Esther Mestell 02 - Adolph Roth 02 - June Ellan Mazzolini Jenkins


18 - Regina Steuer 19 - Claire Braffman 20 - Harry Levinsky 20 - Louis Greenfield 20 - Daniel Kellner 21 - Morris Weiner 21 - Louis Weitz 22 - Bernie S. Vigor 22 - Meyer Valet 23 - Capt. Allen L. Shapero

July 17/18 25-29 Tamuz,1-2 Av

26 - Evelyn Lindner 26 - Isadore Stern 26 - Anna B. Gordon 26 - Lillian Rubenstein 26 - Woodrow Wilson Kaufer 27 - Solomon Gralla 27 - Ruth Gudis 28 - Jimmy Lewis 28 - Elliot Kerchack 29 - Abraham Sass 29 - Charlotte Deutsch

01 - Sylvia Zimmon 02 - MolIye Pomerance 02 - Pearl Norton 02 - Hyman Bernstein

July 24/25 3-9 Av

03 - Martin Passman 03 - William Adelberg 04 - Adeline Hirsch 04 - Lawrence Israel 05 - William Wagman 05 - Jacob Mintz 06 - Leon Gross 08 - Tillie Feuerstein 09 - Martin Calodney

Beverly Hills Chapel (352) 746-4551 5955 N. Lecanto Highway (352) 746-4646 Beverly Hills, FL 34465 (352) 489-5363 www.FeroFuneralHome.com www.FeroMemorial.com

July 31/August 1 10-16 Av

10 - Eva Avergun 10 - Jack Rozenberg 11 - Julius Jaeger 12 - Max Levinson 13 - Abraham Herman 13 - Anatoly Gorinshteyn 15 - Ida Siegel 16 - David Leavitt August 7/8 17-23 Av

17 - Louis Taxel 17 - Louis W. Kohler 17 - Eileen Newman 18 - Abe Gershenhorn 18 - Mary Jaffe 18 - Samuel Rabinoff 19 - Sigmund Flatow 20 - Lillian Friedman 20 - David S Wolfson 21 - Rav Morris Steckler 22 - Bessie Benstock 22 - Thelma Senen 22 - Hyman Gershenhorn 22 - Harry Janoff 22 - Isidore Abrams 23 - Ralph Weber

August 14/15 24-30 Av

24 - Herman Schayes 25 - Morris Schill 25 - Harry Meyerson 26 - Mary Jeffkin 26 - Lenore E. Shapero 27 - Samuel Oppenheim 27 - Morris Wernick 29 - Sidney Mintz 30 - Daniel Krantz 30 - Rose Winderbaum August 21/22 1-7 Elul

01 - Walter Weiner 02 - Solomon Agar 03 - Celia Gralla 05 - Simon Lobenberg 07 - Sol Nash 07 - Samuel Cardell

August 28/29 8-14 Elul

09 - Herbert Poch 10 - Abraham Brooks 10 - David Kaufman 11 - Nathan Simon

11 - May Siegel 11 - Jean Lapidus 11 - Albert Bachrow 12 - Jacob Cohen 12 - Lillian Solomon 13 - Dr. Israel Brzozowski 14 - Arthur Neimeth September 4/5 15-21 Elul

15 - Ruth Kramer 15 - Jacob Skopp 16 - Morris Goldstein 18 - Samuel Kessler 18 - Charles Camp 19 - Israel Greengross 20 - Gussie Tobias 20 - Mary Weick 20 -Sophia Dinerman 21 - Max Siegel 21 - Harold Shapero

Birthdays

June

6/2 Sharon Weber

6/10 Michele Bachrow

6/18 David Zaglin

6/18 Susan Pellegrino

6/18 Jon Tilton

6/25 Miriam Fagan

6/25 Marty Rosman

Anniversaries June

6/1 Susan & Richard Fendenheim

6/6 Marija Guilas-Rukavina & Mi-chael Guilas

6/12 Dr. Leonard & Gail Calodney

6/14 Caryn & Gary Harmon

6/22 Michele & Neil Bachrow

July

7/4 Audrey & Sheldon Guss

7/7 Diane & Alan Apfelbaum

7/30 Ilene & Ed Simnowitz

August

8/13 Susan & Louis Pellegrino

8/29 Dalia & Ed Halpern

8/29 Sharon & Marty Rosman

July

7/10 Bill Cohen

7/12 Jacqueline Davis

7/13 Dalia Halpern

7/24 Nancy Weitz

August

8/1 Linda Tilton

8/11 Richard Rothstein

8/19 Caryn Harmon

8/24 Michael Guilas

PLEASE NOTE All deceased whose names are mounted on plaques on the

Memorial Boards in our sanctuary will have the memorial lights lit during the Hebrew month of their yahrzeit

and on all holidays when Yizkor is recited.

Please contact Les Leavitt at 352-527-0698.

Thank You For Your Heartfelt Donations

In memory of Lucille Poch Ro Kerchner and Ed Altchek Mickey and Neil Bachrow

Bunny Benstock Sherry and Manny Bloch

Gail and Leonard Calodney Miriam Fagan Alan Goldfarb

Barbara & Harvey Hamerling Rhoda and Alan Kwartner

Leslie Leavitt Irene and Harvey Roberts Ilene and Ed Simnowitz

Louise Weiner

In Memory of Bill Schapers Bunny Benstock

Sherry and Manny Bloch Alan Goldfarb Miriam Fagan

Ilene and Ed Simnowitz Louise Weiner

In Honor of Cantor Alisa Forman Ro Kerchner and Ed Altchek

Bunny Benstock Sherry and Manny Bloch

Barbara & Harvey Hamerling Leslie Leavitt

Ilene and Ed Simnowitz

In memory of my beloved mother Betty Boyle

From Marilyn Winograd

In memory of Jack Kwartner From Rhoda & Alan Kwartner

In honor of a Happy Anniversary to Carol & Bill Cohen From Les Leavitt

In memory of Judith Salwen Greene From Sue & Lou Pellegrino

In memory of Debra Greene Koenig From Sue & Lou Pellegrino

In memory of Melvin T. Greene From Sue & Lou Pellegrino

In memory of Joan Siegel From Mickey and Neil Bachrow

In memory of Dorothy Salwen Rabinoff

From Sue & Lou Pellegrino

In memory of my dear sister Netta Schachner

From Miriam Fagan

In memory of my dear husband Zeev ben Shmuel vePesha From Miriam Fagan

In memory of Frieda Hartenstein From Gil Hartenstein

In memory of Alan Goldfarb From Marlene Goldfarb

In memory of Stanley and Minnie Zaenchik

From Pamela Forster

In memory of Isador Tilton From Jon & Linda Tilton

In memory of Irving Newman From June Newman

In memory of Stanley Zaenchik From Bunny Benstock

In memory of Minnie Zaenchik From Bunny Benstock

In memory of my beloved grand-mother Rebecca Kessler From Bunny Benstock

In memory of Roland Galehoff From Leonard Galehoff

Contact Us Phone: 352-746-5303

Congregation Beth Sholom 102 Civic Circle

Cantor Alisa Forman, Spiritual Leader

Mailing Address PO Box 640024 Beverly Hills, FL 34464-0024

www.bethsholomcitrus.org

Like us on Facebook www.facebook.com/bethsholomcitrus/

Send comments and submissions for the Shofar to Carol Cohen at [email protected]

Board of Directors

President — Barbara Hamerling Vice President — Sharon Weber Treasurer — Rochelle Kerchner Secretary — Harvey Hamerling

At-Large Board Members Expires Feb 2022 OPEN Sherry Wilson Marcie Tuegel

Expires Feb 2021 Ed Altchek Sue Johnson Les Leavitt

By creating a bequest for Congregation Beth Sholom, you can help make the difference to ensure and shape the future of Conservative Judaism in Citrus County and Florida's Nature Coast. Bequests are gifts by Will from thoughtful people who wish to help carry on the good works and services of Congregation Beth Sholom. You may make a bequest using a Will, Trust, Retirement Assets, or Life Insurance.

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congregation beth sholom summer 2020 …bethsholomcitrus.org/content/files/shofar - summer...

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