Volume XX, No. 10 5774 Sivan/Tammuz June 2014

Tikvah Talk

קהילת בית התקוה Congregation Beth Hatikvah

A Reconstructionist Community Summit, New Jersey 07901

908-277-0200 www.bethhatikvah.org

Dan Kiselik Dan.Kiselik@gmail.com

President’s Message, June 2014

June marks the end of our congregation being served by a very special man, Rabbi Jon Cutler, Captain USN reserve. Being an interim rabbi is both a challenging and demanding assignment that requires patience, wisdom and kindness; fortunately for us, these are all qualities that Rabbi Jon possesses in abundance.

Rabbi Jon has added to our culture across the board. He has impacted so many congregants in very personal ways. He has been a valued teacher to our Life Long Learners and Torah Study group. Rabbi Jon has touched every single B’nai Mitzvah family and provided a meaningful, relaxed and joyful experience that these families will always remember. Rabbi Jon has offered guidance to our Religious School and has been a strong presence in Saturday morning family services. Working closely with Steve, he has made our traditional Friday night services more energetic, involved and well attended. Rabbi Jon has made a special effort to get to know and to build strong personal relationships with our members. The widely attended recent excursion to officially tour a Naval vessel during fleet week was a unique and most likely a once in a lifetime opportunity that he made available for our congregation.

Speaking personally and for the board, we are all very appreciative of Rabbi Jon’s guidance as well as for his challenging us to consider perspectives that we may have overlooked in the governance of your synagogue. In the truest meaning of the word, he has been a genuine Rabbi to all of us and for that we are all grateful.

On behalf of our entire congregation, thank you Rabbi Jon!

With the greatest respect,

From Rabbi Jon’s Desk

Shalom,

Moses heard the people weeping, every clan apart, and each person at the entrance of his tent. The Lord was very angry, and Moses was distressed. And Moses said to the Lord, "'Why have You dealt ill with Your servant, and why have I not enjoined Your favor, that You have laid the burden of all this people upon me? Did I conceive all this people, did I bear them, that You should say to me, 'Carry them in your bosom as a nurse carries an infant, to the land that You have promised an oath to their fathers?' Where am I to get meat to give to all this people, when they whine before me and say, 'Give us meat to eat!' I cannot carry all this people by myself, for it is too much for me. If You would deal thus with me, kill me rather, I beg You, and let me see no more of my wretchedness!" (Numbers 11:7-14)

This month we begin reading from the Book of Numbers and one of the Torah portions is Beha’alotkeha. Moses is at his lowest ebb because he is extremely frustrated with the people constantly complaining and the people not being appreciative of God’s goodness. As for Moses there was no end in sight, and getting to the Promised Land was still way off in the distant future. The reality for Moses was that life was discouraging and challenging. This shows that Moses was truly human. Even the greatest prophet in all of Israel had his moments of doubt and hopelessness. He was at the end of his rope. But in the long run he did not give up and he stayed the course with the help of God.

CBH also had it trials and challenges over the past several years and I am sure for many especially some of the leaders there were moments of discouragement and even hopelessness. But now it seems that you are about to enter into a ‘promised land’ with a new rabbi and clearer direction. The leadership stayed the course and had the fortitude to keep the congregation on that course. What I have observed is that the community and its leaders understood the importance of being a community grounded in and centered in relationship with God, the importance of Jewish values and practices.

As my tenure ends this coming month as the interim rabbi I want to take this opportunity to thank the congregation and especially the board members for giving me this opportunity to be part of your community. I have enjoyed the opportunity to have gotten to know many fine people and even make new friends. We have journeyed together. Sometimes I have been the teacher and you the learners and many times you have been the teachers and I have learned from you. You taught me through your personal examples. I have been privileged to be invited into your lives, sometimes into the inner moments of life where you were most vulnerable, moments of change, joy, loss or fragile hope. I have learned and grown through these encounters with you. The chronicle of our journey together will live on inside my heart. You have welcomed me into your synagogue and into your lives. It has been a blessing. I can’t tell you what a privilege and honor, joy and delight it has been to be the interim rabbi at CBH.

As I leave I ask that you take opportunities to reexamine what makes your community unique and what you can offer others. Also to examine what can each individual bring to the community and to never lose sight of the Promised Land, your vision and mission. Finally, I encourage each one to live always by your name sake Beth Hatikvah, the House of Hope. I want to wish all the best as you enter your new land and new opportunities. I hope to still be in touch. Shalom says it all not only goodbye but hello and most importantly peace. I wish everyone Shalom –

Rabbi Jon

Shabbat in June Watch out world:

Five of our boys are becoming men!

The entire community is invited, and encouraged, to attend Friday

evening and Saturday morning services for each of these simchas.

Saturday morning services begin at 9:30AM.

MUSIC SHABBAT

We’ll light candles, sing, pray, schmooze

and have an oneg together. 7:30 PM

Sam Rowland is the man of the week.

6th

Welcome Shabbat with Rabbi Jon & Steve Wetter

We’ll light candles, sing, pray, schmooze and have

an oneg together. 7:30 PM

Jeffrey Nelson is the man of the week.

Sam and Tristan O’Brien are the men of the week.

Welcome Shabbat with Rabbi Jon & Steve Wetter

We’ll light candles, sing, pray, schmooze and have

an oneg together. 7:30 PM

Sam Gladstone is the man of the week.

20th

13th

27th

Welcome Shabbat with singing, a delicious dinner,

and a short service— right at the table. RSVP on the CBH Homepage.

SUMMER POOL PARTY

AU

G

3rd

With

Live Music

from

David Gardner

& his band

DINNER AT 5pm Save the Date and Watch for

More Info About this Summer

Fundraiser Coming Soon

Yahrzeits

Yahrzeits are observed on the Shabbat on or immediately

preceding the Yahrzeit date.

Your Donations are Greatly Appreciated Unrestricted Donations

Herbert and Joan Goldman in honor of CBH

Walter, Debbie In memory of Nina Spinelli

Bozik, John and Deborah Fineman In honor of Carol and Janice's wedding, Mazel Tov!

Verizon (Volunteer Match) Verizon Match for Jonathon Ratner's volunteer hours

Tognola, Lisa and Christopher in honor of Rabbi Jon for officiating at Elana's Bat Mitzvah

Yahrzeit Donations In Memory of:

Feigin, Sharon and Leslie Robert Feigin

Soldati, Arleen (and Dennis) Pearl Sutin Rosenblum, mother of Arleen Soldati

Hyman, Nancy and Michael Jack Gilbert Spillert

Katz, Mike Emanuel Katz

Yahrzeit Deceased Name Mourner

6/1/2014 Morris Schachter Grandfather of Jim Schachter

6/2/2014 Samara and Sarah Daughters of Hilary and Ira Jersey

6/3/2014 Alfred C. Meyer Uncle of Mary Wellever

6/7/2014 Helene Kolber Koenig Mother of Peggy Dugan

6/8/2014 Jonathan Todd Walzer Brother of Susanne Robinson

6/9/2014 Jack Gilbert Spillert Father of Nancy Hyman

6/9/2014 Sidney Perman Grandfather of Ian Miller

6/13/2014 Mary Kunitz Mother of Maxine Hirsch

6/14/2014 Irving Klein Father of Michael Klein

6/18/2014 Emanuel Katz Father of Mike Katz

6/22/2014 Sandy Skalka Husband of Carol Sussman-Skalka

6/24/2014 Paula Resnick Wife of Milton Resnick

6/25/2014 Dena Skalka Mother of Carol Sussman-Skalka

6/28/2014 Elizabeth Lange first wife of Ken Chan

6/28/2014 Helen Meyer Singer Mother of Mary Wellever

7/3/2014 Leah Shai Haag Schachter Daughter of Pamela Haag Schachter

Bryna Watkins, cbh.tributes@gmail.com 30 Chimney Ridge Drive, Morristown, 07960

GOLD TRIBUTES TO:

Jay Weiner and Walter Gerstenmeier - We wish that your next 22 years together are even better (if that is possible). Congratulations on your upcoming marriage. From Helena and David Axelrod Michal Fineman, Jim Schachter, Carol Sullivan, Steve Lindner, Bruce Baldinger, Pat Veit, Todd Rosen, Bob Max, Susanne Robinson, Amy Klein, Elly Silberman – Thank you for your incredible commitment, dedication, all of your time and sensitivity in finding us an awesome rabbi. Yasher koach! From Lifelong learning Amy Klein and Elly Silberman - Thank you for leading the Rabbi Search committee and your time and effort to make us a better community. From Irv Lustig Bruce Baldinger, Michal Fineman, Steve Lindner, Bob Max, Jim Schachter, Carol Sullivan, Susanne Robinson, Todd Rosen, and Pat Veit- Thank you for your hard work on the Rabbi Search committee and your time and effort to make us a better community. From Irv Lustig Robin Bear, Leslie Hart, Margie and Sam Ticknor, Marjorie Heyman, Diane and Tomasso Bakst, Lisa and Chris Tognola, Maxine Silverman, Hilary Jersey, Leslie Skillman-Hull and Rick Hull - Thank you for all your hard work and enthusiastic support of Comedy Night. Its success is a tribute to you! From Debbie Fineman

Debbie Fineman - Kudos to you for producing two successful and thoroughly enjoyable CBH events. We couldn't have done it without you! From Leslie Hart Jay Weiner - Congratulations to you and Walter on your upcoming nuptials! From Leslie Hart Jay Weiner and Walter Gerstenmeier - Our best wishes on your forthcoming marriage. From Sandy and Don Miller Ernie Spinelli and family - Our heartfelt sympathy on your loss. From Sandy and Don Miller Jim Schachter - Thanks for moderating the "What's the Word?" panel. You did a great job! From CBH Programs The Rabbi Search Committee - Thank you for your hard work and countless hours as members of the search committee. FromThe Kaflowitz family Lillie Heyman - Thank-you for helping me with the 1st grade class. I couldn't have done the projects without you and you are a great role model for the younger kids. From Nancy Yacker Chloe Lindner - Thank-you for helping me with the 1st grade class. You are a natural with young kids and it is a pleasure working with you. From Nancy Yacker Debbie Kaflowitz - For helping us through the b'nai mitzvah journey From the Whitman/Solender Family The Winter Family - In gratitude for ushering From the Whitman/Solender Family

The Gottesman family - Many thanks for ushering From the Whitman/Solender family Steve Wetter - For serving as gabbai and for the wonderful vocals and mandolin The Whitman/Solender family Andy Kaplan and the CBH singers - For the beautiful music The Whitman/Solender family Miguel, Myra and the CBH congregation - For oneg assistance The Whitman/Solender family Diane Bakst - For Friday night oneg and the delicious challot The Whitman/Solender family Dianne Bakst -- Thank you for the delicious homemade challah you contributed to Elana's Bat Mitzvah service. It's a blessing in itself! From The Tognola Family Andy Kaplan and the CBH singers -Thank you for bringing joyous song and spirit to Elana's Bat Mitzvah service(and to Andy for providing the Manischewitz wine) From The Tognola Family The Freeman's -- Thank you for serving as ushers and overseeing the oneg during Elana's Bat Mitzvah service. From The Tognola Family Robin Bear -- Thank you for serving as usher and overseeing the oneg during Elana's Bat Mitzvah service. From The Tognola Family Susanne Robinson -- Thank you for providing the Friday night oneg before Elana's Bat Mitzvah service and for your long-standing friendship. From The Tognola Family

There’s more...

TRIBUTES

Debbie Kaflowitz --Thank you for your support and dedication throughout the Bar/Bat Mitzvah process and for ensuring that everything went smoothly during the service. From The Tognola Family Steve Kaflowitz-- Thank you for serving as skillful gabbai, ensuring that the service ran smoothly, and for the hagbah lesson. From The Tognola Family Myra Cole-- Thank you for your help with coordinating set up for the sanctuary for Elana's Bat Mitzvah service. From The Tognola Family Rabbi Jon -- Thank you for all the time and effort you put into guiding and teaching Elana to ensure that she was thoroughly prepared to become a Bat Mitzvah. It was a pleasure to have you officiate at Elana's Bat Mitzvah ceremony. From The Tognola Family Nancy Hersh-- Thank you for your dedication and support over the years. We feel fortunate that you've been a stable force in our children’s lives and feel grateful to you for helping to shape their Jewish identities. From The Tognola Family Rabbi Jon -- Thank you so much for making Aidan's Bar Mitzvah such a special day. Your warmth and good humor made all feel welcomed and included. From The Blair Family

Karen and Steve Rowland - Thank you for ushering at Aidan's Bar Mitzvah. From The Blair Family Margie Tiknor - Thank you for ushering at Aidan's Bar Mitzvah. From The Blair Family

Dawn Ross - Thank you for ushering at Aidan's Bar Mitzvah. From The Blair Family Jani Vinick - Thank you so much for providing the Friday night oneg for Aidan's Bar Mitzvah. From The Blair Family SILVER TRIBUTES TO: Bruce Baldinger, Michal Fineman, Steve Lindner, Bob Max, Jim Schachter, Carol Sullivan, Susanne Robinson, Todd Rosen, and Pat Veit- Thank you for your hard work on the Rabbi Search committee and your time and effort to make us a better community. From Irv Lustig

Some on line learning opportunities from Tammy Resnikoff

I just wanted to make everyone aware of a fun, easy way to be a lifelong learner at home. Two websites of note are www.edx.org and www.coursera.org You can set up a free account on these websites and take courses in almost any subject from Universities from all over the world. Each course is about 6 to 8 weeks long and includes video lectures, and optional quizzes and discussion forums. Its free unless you want a grade and a certificate and each week they post a new lecture series and you can complete it at your own pace. I recently completed a course on edx from a university in Australia called ‘The science of effective thinking’ and am now on coursera taking a course called “The Bible: PreHistory, Purpose and Political Future”.

MICHAEL A. KATZ Attorney At Law

Of Counsel Pfaltz & Woller, P.A.

Labor and Employment Law Estate Planning and Administration

Real Estate

Suite 217 (908) 273-7827 382 Springfield Avenue Fax (908) 273-9279 Summit, New Jersey 07901 MAKATZ@att.net

Ernie Spinelli