the jewish connectionDecember 2014 and January 2015

Issue No. 49Bulletin of the Upper Valley Jewish Community • 5 Occom Ridge • Hanover, NH 03755

The Myriad Ways to Study Torahby Rabbi Edward S. Boraz, Ph.D.

The study ofTorah is challeng-ing. Some willdismiss such studyaltogether, be-cause the Torahclaims to be the“moral word ofGod”.

Others willsee Torah studyas an intellectual

exercise, the text having been writtenover a period of hundreds of years.Torah study is part of our culture, butnot one that rises to lay claim on theheart and soul of every Jew.

At the other end of the spectrum,there are those who accept that Torahis the word of God and therefore, as in-terpreted over generations by greatrabbinic minds, Torah study places “ayoke upon the soul.”

I try to work from the premise ofwhat I know to be true and what can Ilearn from it. I’m a “hedge your bets”-type of rabbi. For example, I often getasked, “Rabbi, do you believe inHeaven?” I respond, “I don’t know.” Ofcourse, such a limited answer wouldbeg the question, “Why did I go to rab-binic school if that is the best I can do?”

So, I go on to explain that I believe,at a minimum, that the good works aperson accomplishes in this world, con-tinue to influence the generations thatfollow. A human being may achieve im-mortality in that sense, as the work ofhis soul does indeed live on. Anyonewho performs funerals on a regularbasis ponders such unknowables fromtime to time.

We are yet truly to know, despite

the plethora of books and essays on thistopic, what really happens after we aredeparted from this life.

My own study of Torah centers noton the Torah’s claim to truth, but on thestudy of its words through the humanlens as it describes various charactersand their strivings to have encounter,relationship, and to find meaning witha transcendent God in order to resolveexistential angst in the complex worldin which they live.

The week I write this piece, theparashah Lech-Lechah will be read.There is a little known story aboutAvram (who becomes Avraham in thenext parashah) who formed an alliancewith certain kings to destroy sevenother kings who have kidnappedAvram’s nephew, Lot. During the battle,Avram kills all seven kings.

Immediately thereafter, the Torahdescribes an encounter between Godand Avram, wherein God says, “Fearnot, Avram; I will be thy shield.”

[Side point of academic interest:The recitation in the Amidah of thephrase magen avraham is taken fromthis phrase: magen lach (“I will be thyshield”). Rashi cites a passage fromBereshit Rabbah (a collection ofMidrashim from the 3rd-4th centuryCE) that describes what Avram feared:

After killing the kings, Avramthought that his past righteousness hadbeen now rewarded through his suc-cess in battle. He worried that Godwould now abandon him, or worse,that he would be punished for havingkilled these human-beings in battle.Hence, according to the Midrash, God“reassured” Avram that he would notbe punished for the taking of human

life. Rather God would continue to beby his side throughout his life. (Rashiciting Bereshit Rabbah)]

In this “minor” story, I identifymost with Avram’s worry over havingdone something that could be consid-ered heinous to his own moral frame-work: the taking of human life (asunderstood by the interpretive tradi-tion of Midrash).

I, too, worry about the paradoxthat often comes together with makingmoral decisions. What is the process Iuse to reconcile competing moralclaims? In Avram’s case, he balancedrescuing his nephew from evil kingsagainst the taking of their lives.

Even if one does not believe in apunishing God in the biblical sense,there remain in one’s mind the con-cerns of a moral conscience, the con-cern over possibly unforeseen humanconsequences that may follow one’s de-cisions and actions. Also, for me, thereremains the question of my relationshipto a transcendent God: How does thatrelationship manifest itself in my inter-actions with others during my own life,let alone considering what may followfor my soul long after I am gone?

Torah study for me is not so muchabout its claims to absolute truth, butmore about the truth by which it at-tempts to interpret the heart, the soul,the yearnings, and workings of ahuman being.

Even though our species evolvedover eons of time, its origin lies in theDivine image and the Divine likenesswhich I see as ever-present in the hereand now, along with all the attendantworries that such realization may bringto me and to the generations that follow.

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UVJC VOLUNTEERBOARD OF TRUSTEES

OFFICERSNovember 1, 2014

toOctober 31, 2015

PRESIDENTDeb Kaplan

deb.kaplan@comcast.net(H) 802-649-8808PAST-PRESIDENT

Richard Abelbernerabel@aol.com(H) 603-448-5831VICE-PRESIDENT

Lori Hirshfieldlhirshfield@hartford-vt.org

(H) 802-674-6297VICE-PRESIDENTLaura Rosenthal

(H) 603-277-9828VICE-PRESIDENTRachel Kleinbaum

rachel@kleinbaum.org(H) 603-277-9358TREASURERRusty Sachs

clipclopsix@gmail.com(H) 802-649-2956SECRETARYRobyn Jacobs

RJacobs@hygeiawomen.com(H) 603 643-0189

•ROTH CENTER OFFICES

RABBIEdward Boraz

Edward.Boraz@Dartmouth.Edu603-646-0410

RABBI’S ASSISTANTClaudia Palmer

Claudia.Palmer@Dartmouth.Edu603-646-0410UVJC OFFICE

ADMINISTRATORCarole Clarkeuvjc@valley.net603-646-0460

DIRECTOR OF EDUCATIONMaggie Dufordschool@uvjc.org

(W) 603-646-3887

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Kiddush ScheduleDecember–January 2014-2015/5775

December 6 • Diane RostonDecember 13 • Bonnie Kimmelman

December 20 • Yoni and Stephen NeirmanDecember 27 • Sharon and Bob Racusin

January 3 • Jamie Lynn GarlandJanuary 10 • Susan and Mark Israel

January 17 • Deb KaplanJanuary 24 • All Hebrew School Shabbat

January 31 • Sheryl Lerner

LITERATURE LOVERSWe are an enthusiastic reading group who love to discuss booksproposed by group members. We welcome new participants.

Literature Lovers usually meets at 7:00 PM the last Sunday of the month,unless otherwise noted.

For location or more information, please contact Susan Cohenat (603) 643-3611, or sncohen037@gmail.com

Come join usSunday, January 25th.

The EnvoyThe Epic Rescue of the Last Jews of Europe

in the Desperate Closing Monthsof World War IIby Alex Kershaw

The Envoy is a story of how Raoul Wallen-berg, Swedish diplomatic envoy, saved ap-proximately 100,000 Jews from last-minuteextermination by a crumbling Third Reich.

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OTHER UVJC TRUSTEESAND

COMMITTEE CHAIRSSusan Berg

susan.z.berg@hitchcock.org(H) 603 863-7327

Felixa Eskeycjfode@comcast.net(H) 603 643-5350Gloria Finkelstein

gloriafinkelstein@gmail.com(H) 603-643-4311Devora Gronauer

RWGronauer@aol.com(H) 603-653-0371

Jeff Lubelljefflubell@yahoo.com(H) 802 649-7230Robert Shumsky

shumsky@dartmouth.edu(H) 603-643-4701.Michael Zegans

Michael.E.Zegans@Hitchcock.org(H) 603-643-9163

JOINT PLANNING &BUILDING COMMITTEE

Deb KaplanRusty Sachs

KIDDUSH COORDINATORYoni NeirmanLIBRARYFred Lerner

RELIGIOUS AFFAIRSRabbi Boraz

Bonnie KimmelmanJeff Lubell

Jeff SallowayEDUCATION COMMITTEE

Lori HirshfieldRosemary Brown

Felixa EskeyRebecca Gottesman

Susan IsraelRob Shumsky

SOCIAL ACTION CHAIRCarolyn GordonSOUP GROUP

Shari BorazWEBMASTERMaggie Duford

Approximately 2 years ago, a group of UVJCmembers came together to discuss the importanceand need to document the history of Jews in theUpper Valley and the founding of the UVJC. Afterdiscussing the best way to approach the projectand setting parameters around the time period

(from the 1950s up to the building of the Roth Center for Jewish Life) onwhich they would focus, the group began this herculean task.

The core group working on the project includes Barry Scherr, ShariBoraz, Sharon Racusin, Barbara Brown, Judy Oxman, Dori Galton, GloriaFinkelstein, Richard Neugass and Jill Schiffman. Other members have beeninvolved at various points. The committee began by spending many monthsdeveloping a database of the names and contact information of those wholived here during the years of interest, and also a basic two-page question-naire, so all interviews would have the same basic structure. A copy of thequestionnaire was mailed ahead of time so interviewees would know whatto expect, and many came with written answers, photos, albums, etc. Allthese valuable materials have been scanned, stored and returned.

To date, some 55-60 interviews have been completed, all video- oraudio-taped, of individuals and couples. There remain about 12 interviewsto go. All interviews are of persons who were active members of the Jewishcommunity in the Upper Valley at least up until creation of the Roth Center.The committee plans next to interview the (now adult) children who grewup here, if they can be located and respond favorably to the request. Eachrabbi who served the community, and most of the UVJC presidents fromthose years have been interviewed as well. All issues of the “Connection”dating back to 1978 have been included with the archive.

The group was blessed to have Richard Neugass step forward to volun-teer his time and expertise to videotape the interviews. As a result, Richardprobably has put in more face-to-face time than anyone else! While therewas an attempt to follow the essential points in the structured interview,people were free to go off on their own tangents, and offering informationabout their personal histories, anecdotes and stories of their time in theUpper Valley. The interviews, each about 1-1½ hours long, are quite differ-ent from one another.

Recently the committee met with the greater UVJC membership to dis-cuss next steps, and to determine what final form this enormous undertak-ing might produce. A small but interested group discussed possible waysof archiving the collection, and their ideas are being explored. It becameclear that the very next step would be to create a searchable database – thegroup is looking for an individual to oversee this process. Once the databaseis complete, the next step would be to create a finished product based onthe work. If you have experience and interest in either of the next two steps,please be in touch with one of the committee members or Carole Clarke inthe UVJC office who will put you in touch with a group member.

On behalf of the entire community, I would like to thank this group forALL their effort and hard work on this most important body of informationabout the genesis of our community. The information will be of interest tomany people not only within our community but to the greater communityin New England and perhaps beyond. Thank you!

From the UVJC PresidentDeborah Kaplan

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YAHRZEIT CONTRIBUTIONSSharon and Jerome Smith in memory of their son, David Howard Smith

Jeff Cohen and Renee Vebell in memory of Jeff's father, Abe CohenBruce Pacht in memory of his mother, Jeannette Pacht

Susan and Mark Israel in memory of Mark's parents, Hannah and Sidney IsraelAnthony Merlis in memory of Jerome K. Merlis

Gary and Dianne Levine commemoratingthe yahrzeit of Gary's grandfather, Abraham Rosenberg

Estelle Diamond in memory of her mother, Edna Diamond and her friend, Nancy SeidmanBarbara Brown in memory of her mother, Sarah Halpern

Bob and Sharon Racusin in memory of Bob's mother, Shirley RacusinSharon and Jerome Smith in memory of Sharon's father, Isadore Greenberg

Richard and Bayle Drubel in memory of Bayle's father, Leon WeinerRick and Harriet Fingeroth in memory of Rick's mother, Grace Fingeroth

Myrna Frommer in memory of her father, Abraham KatzPaul and Sue Etkind in memory of Paul's father, Herbert Etkind

Ruth Slow in memory of her grandmother, Rebecca SlowDaniel Levin in memory of his grandfather, Israel FondAila Conarck in memory of her husband, Sy Conarck

Michael Humphrey in memory of his father, William HumphreyMarjorie and Peter Aptakin in memory of Marjorie's father, Alfred Spencer

UVJC GENERAL FUNDShari Boraz – a thank-you to the UVJC for exhibiting her art

Deb and Aaron Kaplan in memory of Tom Jacob's mother, Joan JacobsTom and Judy Oxman

Thomas Parrino, M.D. in memory of Gene StollermanRichard Abel and Roberta Berner in memory of Nancie Severs' mother, Beverly Goldstein

Carol and David Greenfield in honor of Sue and Jim Bergfor their service to the Eastman Community

Richard and Bayle Drubel in memory of Nancie Severs' mother, Beverly GoldsteinSusan and Mark Israel in memory of Nancie Severs' mother, Beverly Stein Goldstein

Deb and Aaron Kaplan in honor of Michael Humphrey becoming a bar mitzvahDeb and Aaron Kaplan in memory of Nancie Severs' mother, Beverly Stein Goldstein

Craig and Jeri Cohen in memory of Nancie Severs' mother, Beverly GoldsteinHarrison Maidman in memory of Jaqueline Maidman

Richard Abel and Roberta Berner in appreciation for Roberta Berner's Micah AwardRosemary and Gary Brown in honor of Sharon RacusinGloria and Syd Finkelstein in honor of Claire Adner,

daughter of Ron Adner and Maggie HansonGloria and Syd Finkelstin in honor of UVJC's president, Deborah Kaplan

Gloria and Syd Finkelstein in memory of Nancie Severs' mother, Beverly GoldsteinUVJC ENDOWMENT FUND

Jeremy KatzRABBI’S DISCRETIONARY FUND

Betty Lauer in honor Michael Humphrey becoming a bar mitzvahRoger Feldman in memory of Gilda Feldman

John Stollerman and Anne DiZio in memory of their father, Gene Stollermanand in gratitude to Rabbi Boraz

SOUP GROUP FUNDSheryl and Fred Lerner in memory of Sheryl's parents, Frank and Sarah Rubin

Richard and Bayle DrubelSusan and Mark IsraelCEMETERY FUND

Janet and Bill Cohen in memory of Nancie Severs' mother, Beverly GoldsteinSCHOOL PROGRAMMING FUND

Ruth Margolis in honor of Maggie DufordSusan and Mark Israel in honor of Michael Humphrey's bar mitzvah

Susan and Mark Israel in honor of Sharon Racusin's birthdayTORAH RESTORATION

Gary ApfelStephen and Yoni Neirman on being honored as hagbah and gelilah

for Yom Kippur ShacharitStephen and Yoni Neirman in honor of Mike Humphrey's bar mitzvah

There are many opportunitiesfor donors to designate a gift

to the UVJC.Please give generouslythroughout the year.

Please make your check payableto eitherUVJCor

Upper Valley Jewish Communitynoting the name of the fund

on the memo line. Donations may be directed to theUVJC General Fund or specifically

to one of the following funds:Adult Education Fund

To support guest speakers andother special adult programs

Beautification FundTo be used toward furnishings,

decorations, and ornamentation toenhance the Roth Center for Jewish Life.

Cemetery FundTo help with landscaping and

maintenance of the UVJC cemetery.Endowment

Contributions of cash or securities,payable to the UVJC Endowment Fund.

Interest will be used to support theactivities of the community.

Library FundFor purchase of books and/or

other library materials.Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund

For charitable purposesas determined by the Rabbi.

Religious School Scholarship FundTo provide scholarships for

deserving religious school students.School Programming FundTo support special programs

over and above the curriculum.Teen Programming

To provide support for young adultsin our community to participate

in Jewish programs

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Richard Abel and Roberta BernerGershen and Sally Abraham

Iris BerezinJanice and Stephen BergerHenry and Sophie BernsteinMichael and Ellen Bettmann

Debra BirenbaumAlfred and Karen Blum

Robert Braitman and Bonnie GordonArnie and Annette Brown

Barbara BrownThomas Cochran

Alvin and Shirley CohenSusan and James Cohen

Susan N. CohenAila Conarck

Judy Cram and Ron SoltmanJoseph and Judith DannaRichard and Bayle Drubel

Arnold EnglanderEdward English

Felixa and Cliff EskeyPaul and Sue Etkind

Roger FeldmanHarriet and Rick Fingeroth

Bill and Janice FischelAndy and Katie FriedlandLauri and Brad Gallimore

Hilary and Richard GoldbergJanet Goldberger and Jeff Salloway

Daniel and Kathy GoodmanHarvey and Jane Greenberg

Rob Gurwitt and Karen HarrisMatthew Henken and Hilary Ryder

Walter and Frances HerbertMichael Herron and Melissa Herman

Lori Hirshfield and Kris GarnjostDavid and Deborah Hoffer

Michael HoldowskyMichael Humphrey

Mark and Susan IsraelGeraldine JacobsonSergei and Alla Kan

Deborah and Aaron KaplanRobert and Phyllis Katz

Judith KaufmanSue and Dennis Kaufman

Robert KerschNorma Kimmelman

James and Michele KingDaniel and Sara Kirsch

Buddy KirschnerDonald Kollisch and Patricia Glowa

Betty LauerSheryl and Fred Lerner

Roslyn LevinDianne and Gary Levine

Laurie LevingerJane Lipson

Harold and Karen ManningRuth MargolisRoger MastersBernice MillerScott Neslin

Bruce Pacht and Lori FortiniLeonid and Oksana Pekker

Lawrence PilchmanMarvin Platt

The UVJC gratefully acknowledges the following peoplefor gifts to our High Holiday Appeal

Please Welcome New MembersKarin Katz

Susan Simon and Liam McCarthyand their son, Zachary

Robert and Susan Greene

Please Welcome BackMyrna Frommer

Deborah and Phil Schanerand their family

UVJC FACEBOOK PAGE!Keep up with what is happening at the UVJC today,next week and into the future, on Facebook.Please request to join the UVJC page today at

https://www.facebook.com/groups/359003357910/

Jeanne and Michael PrinceRobert and Sharon RacusinArthur and Maureen RosenArline and Barry Rotman

Ken Rumelt and Wendy KaresRusty Sachs

Louis and Carolyn SapirAlan Schnur

Gary and Lynn SchwartzMark and Nancie Severs

Eileen Shaevel and Donald WeinerSteve Shama

Jack and Natalie ShirmanRobert Shumsky

Lori and Corey SiegelPeter and Anne SilberfarbDonald and Barbara Silver

Barry SmithSharon and Jerome SmithNorman and Renee Snow

Robert SprafkinRuth Stanton

Cliff Stein and Rebecca IvryJerry and Clare Strochlic

Jennifer and Michael TaxmanJoseph and Dorothy Tofel

Jack and Elizabeth WeingartenMilton and Rhonda Weinstein

Jonathan and Julia WeissSam WestelmanDean WilcoxMort Wise

Michael and Claudia ZegansLeonard and Susan Zegans

THE JEWISH CONNECTIONis published bi-monthly by the

Upper Valley Jewish Community.Subscription is free to members of the

Upper Valley Jewish Community.Postmasters send change of addresses to

Upper Valley Jewish Community5 Occom Ridge

Hanover, NH 03755

Upper Valley Jewish CommunityRoth Center for Jewish Life5 Occom RidgeHanover, NH 03755

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

December 2014 and January 2015/Issue No. 49