1836 Rohrerstown Road Lancaster, PA 17601 office@tbelancaster.org 717-581-7891 www.tbelancaster.org

Volume 72, No. 1 Tishrei - Cheshvan, 5780 OCTOBER 2019

Mission Statement

The mission of Temple Beth El is to provide a house of Conservative Jewish worship which fosters spiritual fulfillment, Jewish theology, life-long Jewish education, and community support throughout the cycles of the seasons. Board of Directors Co-Pres. - David Ehrlich & Gary Kogon VP - Steve Gordon Secretary - Hal Koplin Treasurer - Samantha Besnoff Financial Secretary- Linda Hutt Directors: Lynn Brooks, Bob Brosbe, Abshalom Cooper, Sue Friedman, Yitzie Gans, Ilana Huber, Dolly Shuster Earl Stein, Ruth Wunderlich. Sisterhood Rep -Joan Goldman

Rabbi Daniela Szuster Rabbi Rami Pavolotzky Principals - Rabbi Daniela & Rabbi Rami Men’s Club - Steve Kleinman Sisterhood - Sisterhood Board Membership - Susan Friedman Inside This Issue:

High Holiday Calendar Page 2 Rabbi’s Message Page 3 & 4 Principal’s Message Page 4 President’s Message Page 5 Birthdays & Anniversaries Page 8 Donation Page Page 9 Candle Lighting Times

October 4 6:24 PM October 11 6:13 PM October 18 6:02 PM October 25 5:53 PM

October Events

October 13 - Men’s Club Regular Breakfast Meeting 9:45 AM

October 16 - Pizza in the Hut 6:00 PM

October 16 - Executive Committee Meeting 7:00 PM

October 19 -Giving of the Siddur to students of the RS 10:30 AM

October 23 - Adult Ed: Taamei Hamikra (Trope) Course, Class #1 6:15 PM

October 24 -Life-Long Learning Education Series; Scott Lerner: "The New Italy in the Jewish Mirror: The Mysterious Case of Gentile Urbino". 7:15 PM

October 27 -Jewish Family Service of Lancaster Annual Meeting and Dinner at Temple Beth El 6:00 PM

November 7 - Open Sisterhood Meeting and Dairy Pot Luck Lunch at home of Joanne Goldfarb 12:00 pm. RSVP to Joanne Goldfarb

October Schedule of

Shabbat Services

October 4 -Shabbat Services

7:30 PM

October 5 -Torah Reading:

Vayeilech

9:30 AM

October 11 -Shabbat Services

7:30 PM

October 12 -Torah Reading:

Ha'Azinu

9:30 AM

October 18 -Shabbat Chol Ha-Mo’ed

7:30 PM

October 19 -Shabbat Chol Ha-Mo’ed

9:30 AM

October 25 -Shabbat Services

7:30 PM

October 26 -Torah Reading:

Bereshit

9:30 AM

High Holiday Schedule is on pg. 2 →

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SHABBAT SHUVAH Friday, October 4

Kabbalat Shabbat 7:30 pm

Saturday, October 5

Shaḥarit 9:30 am

KOL NIDRE Tuesday Evening, October 8 6:15 pm SHARP

YOM KIPPUR Wednesday, October 9 9:00 am

Minḥah/Ne‘ila 4:45 pm (Fast ends at 7:15 pm)

Ma‘ariv/Havdalah 7:15 pm

Children carry candles at Havdalah. Bring your shofars to Temple before Kol Nidre

SUKKOT 1st day Monday, October 14 9:30 am

2nd day Tuesday, October 15 9:30 am

SHABBAT ḤOL HA-MO’ED Friday, October 18 7:30 pm

Saturday, October 19 9:30 am

HOSHANA RABBAH Sunday, October 20 9:00 am

SHEMINI ATZERET Monday, October 21 (Yizkor) 9:30 am

EREV SIMḤAT TORAH Monday, October 21 7:00 pm

SIMḤAT TORAH Tuesday, October 22 9:00 am

Temple Beth El High Holidays 5780 Schedule

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MESSAGE FROM

RABBI DANIELA

B’H

Kohelet and Sukkot: an existential perspective

about life

The month of Tishrei has very meaningful festivities. Sukkot, the Feast of Tabernacles, begins after Rosh Hashanah, the New Year, and Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. Sukkot is called in the Torah “Hechag”, “the festival“ (B’midvar 29:12),- and the joyful feast par excellence: ”You shall rejoice in your festival”…”and you shall have nothing but joy” (D’varim 16:14-15),” and one of its names is “Z’man Simchateinu”, “Season of our joy”. Why is there so much joy in this celebration? Here are some reasons:

• The agricultural character of this festivity is “Chag Haasif”, “the festival of ingathering (Sh’mot 23:16). With Sukkot the agricultural cycle ends, and we rejoice in coming back home after the harvest.

• We have experienced the joy of Yom Kippur and are happy that our prayers and sincere atonement have changed our decree.

• We are happy that the people of Israel are united in Jerusalem.

Besides the precepts of building a Sukkah and living inside it during the festival and of Arbaat Aminim (the four spices – the etrog, the myrtle, the palm and the willow), there is the custom of reading Meguillat Kohelet, Ecclesiastes, on

Shabbat Chol Hamoed Sukkot. In the Tanach, the Hebrew Bible, there are five meguillot and each one of them is read during a different festivity. (Esther during Purim, Shir Hashirim during Pesach, Ruth during Shavuot, and Eicha during Tisha Beav). Why do we read Kohelet during Sukkot? Why do we read a book that speaks about vanity and it seems so pessimistic? Why do we read it during the festival that encourages us to be very happy? To answer these questions, I would like to mention some singularities of this book. The Midrash Shir Hashirim Rabah assigns the writing of the book Kohelet to King Salomon. It is said that he wrote Shir Hashirim (the Song of Songs) in his youth, Mishlei (Proverbs) in his adulthood and Kohelet in his old age (Shir Hashirim Rabbah 1:1).

The content of the book is the constant search for the meaning of life, of oneself, and of death. Through its pages, the reader can encounter the great existential questions approached by different philosophies at diverse times. These are questions that inevitably we ask ourselves at some point in our lives, such as: What does man gain from all his labor in which he labors under the sun?”(Kohelet 1:3), “Don't all go to one place?”( 6:6), “For what advantage has the wise more than the fool?”(6:8), “For who knows what

is good for man in life…? (6:12), “And who knows the interpretation of a thing?” (8:1). Kohelet balances himself between absolute pessimism and a certain hope and optimistic ideas. Sometimes, he looks at life, his existence, the people surrounding him as pink colored. At other times, it is all dark and makes no sense. This is our life, a coming and going between happiness and sadness, passion and boredom. Undoubtedly, it is a very sincere, realistic, and deep text. It confronts us with the most difficult questions to answer. But above all, it motivates and inspires us to question, to doubt, to reflect, to transcend. Keeping in mind the characteristics of this Megilla, let us go back to our initial question of why we read Kohelet in “the feast of joy”. 1) A first answer would be that it

is important in life to intermix these profound feelings of joy and sadness. Too much joy can lead us to stray from our course and too much sadness can lead us to death. Perhaps it is not by chance that on the happiest day in the life of a couple, on the day of their Chuppah (Jewish wedding), it is traditional to break a glass to remember the destruction of the Beit Hamikdash (Temple in Jerusalem). When joy is overflowing, we should remember moments of sadness and pain. On the feast of the great joy, Kohelet warns us: “vanity of vanities, it is all vanity” (Kohelet 1:2), and these words are the leitmotif of his work.

2) A second answer: despite Sukkot is called the season of joy, the precept is to live in booths that are simple and precarious, depriving ourselves

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of everyday luxuries. By living in this type of habitat, it is probable that we would meditate on existential reflections similar to those in the book of Kohelet. The author says: “I made myself great works. I built myself houses. I planted myself vineyards…” “I also gathered silver and gold for myself and the treasure of kings and of the provinces…” (2:4,8).

And as a reflection he says: “As he came forth from his mother's womb, naked shall he go again as he came, and shall take nothing for his labor, which he may carry away in his hand.” (5:14). Inside the Sukkah, getting rid of material goods, we enjoy life for itself, for our experiences and the company of our fellow beings, for our own inner life and for the divine presence and these important things make us happy. Between optimism and pessimism, joy and sadness, sense and vanity, life and death, the book of Kohelet induces us to question, inquire, and reflect. This Megilla pretends to shake us and to lead us to a more transcendental and inquisitive dimension in life. It exhorts us to reflect on the important questions and to explore the different roads that could lead us to a more meaningful, sincere, happy, and deep life. May the reading of Kohelet help us to reflect on our own lives. Chag Sameach!

PRINCIPALS’ MESSAGE By Rabbis Daniela & Rami This past month we started the 2019-2020 school year. It was great to see the children again in the classrooms. We wish all of them and our morot (teachers) a great year! Since it is the beginning of the year, we thought you may want to know about our classes and the students and teachers in each class. So, here we go! The numbers are not final, because some families are still in process of submitting their registration forms. We have the following groups at the Religious School:

• Gan (Preschool): Meets once a month. The teacher is Morah Arielle Felberg. There are 4-5 students.

• Tzedek (K-4th grade): Meets every Sunday, 9 am to noon. The teacher is Morah Lynne Harlacher. There are 8-9 students.

• Mitzvah (5th-7th grade): Meets every Sunday, 9 to noon. The teacher is Morah Becky Rhoads. There are 9 students.

• Hebrew High (high school students): Meets every Sunday 11 am to noon. The rabbis take turns in teaching this class. There are 5-6 students.

• We also have a monthly Tot Shabbat program for children up to 7 years old, led by Rabbi Daniela. Also, a monthly Junior Congregation program for children 8 years old and up to bar/bar mitzva is led by Samara Sofian.

We have many great activities and programs planned for this school year. Among them, a Grandparents/Special Persons Day, two field trips, parent-teacher conferences, a Mitzvah Day, a big event at the end of the year, students’ participation at the congregational Hanukkah party and at the Tu B’Shvat Seder, a Model Seder, three Friday-night student-led services, two Shabbat dinners for the students and their families, Israeli Dance classes for the students once a month, Jewish cooking workshops for students, any many more. As we are getting closer to the festivals of the month of Tishrei, please consider a donation to the Religious School during the Hakafotathon on Simchat Torah. The children are the future of our congregation and we hope you can help us to strengthen it with your help. Thank you! We wish you and your family Shana Tova Umetuka, a good and sweet year 5780. Rabbis Daniela & Rami Principals of TBE Religious School

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There is a lot of activity both planned and in progress at Temple Beth El. We look forward to sharing much more information with you in the coming weeks. Therefore, this month's column will only touch upon a couple of projects that are in progress. We are continuing to evaluate security, and in the near future we will be installing a new building access control system that will enable us to monitor who enters our synagogue. In addition, we are researching new camera systems that will permit us to view what occurs outside of our building. Our neighbor Excentia, a not-for-profit organization that provides services for individuals with developmental needs and autism, is seeking additional space. We are presently negotiating with them regarding the possible leasing of four of our classrooms. You may recall that, in the past, Excentia used a couple of our classrooms and they continue to rent space in our parking lot. Our school wing is currently underutilized, and although our hope is that our religious school will continue to grow and need all the space that we have, at present we have excess space. Leasing this space to Excentia will help them to continue to deliver the valuable services they furnish to Lancaster while at the same time helping Temple Beth El financially. Most of you have submitted your

Financial Commitment Forms, and we thank you for the financial support you provide to Temple Beth El. With the New Year 5780 upon us, we are also asking that you make a commitment of your time and energy. Active, engaged member volunteers allow our synagogue to function. Please consider volunteering when asked. We look forward to seeing you this holiday season as well as in the months ahead. L'shanah tovah u'metukah! Gary and Dave

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General Fund Zvi & Edna Naveh -In Honor of Linda & Gary Kogon's new grandson and in

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ANNIVERSARIES &

BIRTHDAYS

October 10th Chuck & Mandy Paul 21st Anniversary October 19th Walt & Eve Kamlot 62nd anniversary October 25th Mark & Debra Naudain 16th anniversary

October 1st Rabbi Daniela

October 4th Faye Friedman

October 4th Joan Samitt

October 4th Nina Stein

October 5th Dolly Shuster

October 6th Alan Hertz

October 7th Paul Gottlieb

October 11th Caryl Buffa

October 11th Sue Friedman

October 13th Les Rhoads

October 17th Diane Penchansky

October 22nd Richard Lavy

October 23rd Douglas Binder

October 23rd Steve Gordon

October 24th David Frank

October 27th Donna Brosbe

October 29th Amy Weisman

October 30th Jacqueline Buffa

MONTHLY YAHRZEIT

LISTING

Yahrzeit begins the evening before the day listed. The names of departed loved ones are memorialized at Shabbat services the week prior to the Yahrzeit observance.

Tuesday, October 1

Anita Schreibman Mother

Thursday, October 3

Hal Koplin Grandfather

Saturday, October 5

Sue Friedman Father

Joan Weiner Father

Sunday, October 6

Diane Penchansky Mother

Pam Lessans Father

Monday, October 7

Steven Jacobs Father

Wednesday, October 9

Renee Hartman Mother

Friday, October 11

Alan Glazer Mother

Saturday, October 12

Stephanie Zuckerman Father

Sunday, October 13

Evelyn Epstein Mother in Law

Murray Mall Father

Wednesday, October 16

Sue Wolf Mother

Thursday, October 17

Randi Jacobs Stepmother

Friday, October 18

Richard Lavy Brother

Robin Adler Father

Saturday, October 19

Murray Mall Mother

Beryl & Joan Sherman Son

Sunday, October 20

Nadine Abowitz Sister-in-law

Monday, October 21

Faye Friedman Father

Tuesday, October 22

Stephen Rubin Mother

Elliott Rubin Mother

Ruth Wunderlich Father

Thursday, October 24

Dave Ehrlich Mother

Gary Kogon Grandmother

Friday, October 25

Hilde Month Father

Evelyn Epstein Sister in Law

Monday, October 28

Faye Friedman Father-in-Law

Wednesday, October 30

Jay Reichenthal Sister

Thursday, October 31

Anita Schreibman Father

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Chaim Levine

In Memory of Anna Kadushin

Kiddush Sponsors

Hal & Francine Koplin - Kiddush Sponsor for the Month of October In honor of the bar mitzvah of our grandson Jack.

Marian Kadushin - Weekend Sponsor - In loving memory of Shirley & Morty Kadushin

General Fund

Jerome & Judith Pitkowsky - Thank you very much for the wonderful reception we had and for the honors we were given on our recent trip to Lancaster

Steven and Alyssa Gottlieb - In honor of Linda and Gary Kogan's new grandson

Linda and Gordon Hutt - To Evy Epstein in memory of your daughter, Sharon Alpert

Yahrzeit Fund

Charles & Ann Krug - in memory of Evy Epsteins daughter Sharon Alpert

Evelyn Epstein - In memory of Victor Bloom, her uncle

Irving & Sue Liss

Steven and Alyssa Gottlieb - In memory of Beth Leichter

In memory of Elliot Dardik

Sisterhood

Kiddush & Oneg Rabbi's Programming Rabbi's Dinner Fund Holocaust Torah & Torah Repair

- Thank you for your generous donation to Temple Bet El and for all the support you provide

Sisterhood Fund

IN HONOR OF

Stephanie & Bob Zuckerman – Engagement of daughter Jennifer Tobi & Bob Sherman

GET WELL

Greg Weekes Beverly Rubin

IN MEMORY OF

Sharon Alpert – Daughter of Evy Epstein Lori & Ralph Taber Beverly Rubin Marjorie & Bob Ruder Andrea & Herb Shiroff Sandy & Greg Weekes Dolly Schuster & Jeff Edelson Sue & John Wolf Peppy & Rich Rausch Joan & Beryl Sherman Carol & Michael Gleiberman Deena & Alan Hertz Joan & Gary Goldman Francine & Hal Koplin Blanche –Mother of Stephanie Schuster Tobi & Bob Sherman Brother of Johanna Lever Francine & Hall Koplin Stanley Levine Tobi & Bob Sherman Henry Roux Tobi & Bob Sherman Fred Heller Beverly Rubin

Bar Mitzvah Gift

Joan Sherman - In Honor of Uriel Pavolotzky’s Bar Mitzvah

Library Fund

Joan Sherman - In loving memory of Joan Poser

Alan Glazer- In Memory of Joan Poser.

Thank you: Dr Steve Jacobs, Shellie and Steve Gordon.

In Honor of Evy Epsteins return to Lancaster.

In Honor of Dolly Shuster and Jeff Edelsons "new" house.

In honor of Uriel’s Bar Mitzvah

Sheila Cohen - In loving memory of dear friend Joan Poser

Rabbi's Discretionary Fund

Craig Sherman, Hope, Craig, Adam, Liana and Danya - In honor of Beryl Sherman’s milestone Birthday

Sheila Cohen - In Memory of Evy Epstein’s daughter Sharon Alpert

Marian Kadushin - In memory of Shirley Kadushin

In memory of Morty Kadushin

Beth Pomeranzt Education Series

Marian Kadushin - In memory of Harold Ziff brother of Sandy & Greg Weekes.

In honor of Sandy & Greg Weekes new home

Religious School

Hunter Wong Marian Kadushin - In memory of

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Office Closure – The TBE Office will be closed:

Wednesday, October 9 Yom Kippur

Monday, October 14 Sukkot Tuesday, October 15 Sukkot

Monday, October 21 Shemini Atseret Tuesday, October 22 Simhat Torah

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