|
Bethlehem Hebrew Congregation
Bethlehem, NH 03574
February 2024 - Shvat - Adar 5784
| |
FROM THE CO-PRESIDENT
Come in from the cold and join BHC online!
Frigid temperatures are settling in to the North Country but you will still receive a warm welcome every Friday evening, as BHC holds its weekly Kabbalat shabbat services led by our own congregants.
Join us via Zoom for candle lighting, greeting the sabbath and holidays in song and prayer, Divrei Torah for the Parashat of the week, having a little Manischewitz at home together for kiddush, and then remembering loved ones as we recite or respond to the Mourner’s Kaddish.
On alternate Sunday mornings at 11:00 am, you are all invited to join Rabbi Donna Kirshbaum for Torah studies on Zoom.
In addition, Rabbi Donna leads us in morning readings from the Book of Psalms for about 20 minutes, by Zoom, every Monday and Thursday morning at 8:00 am.
We have begun to prepare for Purim on Adar II 14, which this year we will celebrate on Sunday, March 24. Please mark your calendar and watch future issues of Shul News for more information.
Dave
Dave Goldstone
| |
FROM RABBI KIRSHBAUM
Shalom everyone,
Gevalt. It’s already the month of Adar in the Jewish calendar. No, let me rephrase that: it’s the first of two back-to-back months of Adar this year, Adar I and II. A leap month, always Adar, occurs seven times in 19 years in our ancient combination-solar-lunar-calendar. In leap-month years, Purim falls during the second Adar, so this year we won’t be celebrating it until March 24. Nevertheless, we could do worse than consider, early in the Adar game, the traditional expression Be happy – it’s Adar.
Because who wouldn’t rankle at legislated happiness? Be happy. Be happy or else. But when you remember that Adar stands in contrast to the summer month of Av, maybe a different view of legislated happiness emerges. Av, after all, is the month with Tisha b’Av in it, our national day of mourning for the loss of both ancient temples and for other historical disasters that brought about vast ruptures, but also vast innovations, in Jewish life. Tisha b’Av is a time of enormous constriction. Purim, its emotional opposite, is a time, then, for great release. If by any chance you feel like you haven’t really breathed out or cut loose since before the pandemic began in 2020, maybe the thought of a little legislated happiness, in the form of legislated cutting-loose, might entice you, too, to spread the word:
Be happy –– it’s Adar.
Rabbi Kirshbaum
| |
ZOOM EREV SHABBAT SERVICES
Psalms, songs, drash, and kaddish
Zoom into erev Shabbat services on Fridays at 5:00 pm ET. Look for an email from Margaret with the weekly service details, a PDF of the prayer book and the weekly Zoom link.
Request to join the Zoom link mailing list here
| |
MONDAY AND THURSDAY MORNINGS AT 8 AM:
A FEW MINUTES OF COMFORT AND COMMUNITY
Join BHC on Mondays and Thursdays at 8:00 am EST on Zoom as we continue, first off, to offer a psalm – a text to which we Jews turn to confront sorrow – then hear a brief teaching to fortify us and, every few sessions, check in with one another.
A reminder email goes out the night before each session.
Newcomers always welcome. Please refer those outside of the BHC community to request the registration link here.
| |
SOUNDS IN THE SANCTUARY ANNOUNCES 2024 SEASON
Our new Artistic Director, Anat Grosfeld, together with Ed Clark, who remains Associate Director, look forward to bringing you the high-caliber artists and mesmerizing performances that have characterized the last ten years of Sounds in the Sanctuary concerts.
Our upcoming season promises to be a delightful combination of fine artists and engaging programs, including Bernard Rose, piano, July 12; Julian Milkis, clarinet. and Maxim Lubarsky, piano, July 26; Lysander Piano Trio, August 9; and Michael Arnowitt, piano, August 25, all at 5:00 pm.
Learn more about the 2024 season here
Become a sponsor Donate Online
| |
LETTERS FROM ISRAEL
The situation is ever-changing. Our Israeli friends Lynn A. and Julie Z. have shared their on-the-ground perspectives in letters they have allowed BHC to publish.
-
Read Lynn's October 25 letter here.
-
Read Lynn's November 1 letter here.
- Read Lynn's November 15 letter here.
- Read Julie's November 15 letter here.
-
Read Julie's November 30 letter here.
-
Read Julie's December 14 letter here
-
Read Julie's January 1, 2024 letter here.
View the PBS interview with released Israeli hostage Aviva Siegel, cited by Judith Felson in her January 5 Shabbat Drash on Shemot, here
Read Martin Kessel's letter about Brothers and Sisters for Israel here and his report on the November 14 Rally For Israel in Washington here.
| |
L'DOUGH V'DOUGH 2024 - A DIFFERENT HOLOCAUST REMEMBRANCE PROGRAM
By Melissa Potter with Michel Adler
On January 28, 2024, Michel Adler and Melissa Potter travelled to Manchester to participate in a different sort of Holocaust remembrance program: L'Dough V'Dough, a play on the Hebrew L'Dor V'Dor, from generation to generation.
Students, community members, and other participants shared personal stories while braiding and baking challah bread together.
BHC's challah master Melissa offered tips on successful braiding and Michel shared his family's Holocaust story. White Mountain Jewish Film Festival guest speakers Dr. Kate DeConinck, director of the Cohen Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies at Keene (NH) State College and Evan Czyzowski, Humanities and Holocaust Studies teacher, and director of theatre, at Bedford High School, New Hampshire, also attended.
Read the full story here.
| |
MEET MARGARET CUGINI
A Profile by Annie Hoyer
Each week, we all receive an email from Margaret Cugini reminding us about kabbalat shabbat services. Who is this woman who takes the time to call us to worship?
“I’m a huge fan of the concept of tikkun olam,” Margaret says, “and try to behave accordingly."
Read her full profile here.
| |
WELCOME KESSEL GREAT GRANDDAUGHTER SHAKED
Martin Kessel and Gail Robinson are pleased to announce the birth of their great-granddaughter Shaked to Shai Kessel and Amos Pfefferman in Petach Tikva, Israel on January 28th, 2024. Her name in Hebrew means Almond. January is when almond trees blossom in Israel.
Shaked is the first grandchild of Orna and Eran Kessel, Mevasseret Zion.
| |
HELP SPREAD THE WORD
Since dynamo Eileen Regen retired from her full time volunteer job with BHC, it has taken five people to fill her shoes. We realize we left a pair of shoes - the PR manager's pumps - unfilled. News of BHC's activities is not getting out to the NH Jewish and North Country Communities.
Do you have a way with words? A background in media or communication? If so, how about giving an hour or so of your time and talent each week to help with public relations for BHC and to promote our events to others. Typically this requires repurposing Web site material into news article format. Training can be provided. Thanks.
Find out about volunteering here.
| |
FOR THOSE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SUPPORT US
IT'S AS EASY AS CLICKING HERE
Or send your (tax-deductible) contribution to: Bethlehem Hebrew Congregation,
P. O. Box 395, Bethlehem, NH 03574
| |
|
JOIN OUR CONGREGATION...
BHC comes to you through the support of the many, many people who appreciate what we do and who want to ensure a home for Jewish life and community in the White Mountains. We are already 103 years old and going strong!
Join us as a member or a friend. The BHC Board emphasizes the importance of inclusion, regardless of anyone's ability to pay.
Our fiscal year runs from November 1 to October 31 and now would be a good time to consider renewals. The additional building assessment is placed in a restricted account to pay for capital building expenses. The security fee, also restricted, pays for High Holiday police protection and other security expenses.
There is still time to donate to the 2023 High Holy Days Appeal which will go into the Capital Improvement Fund. Use the additional information box to apply your donation to Capital Improvements.
Learn more about membership and support
Join our mailing list
| | | | |
