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FeaturesRabbi's Desk..................... 1-2

President's Corner ................3

Shabbat Programming ..........3

Circle of Friends .............. 4-5

Mitzvah Opportunity ............6

By the Book ......................6-7

Educator's Desk & Pictures8-9

YYYYY

Calendar............................. 10

Celebrations .......................11

Perpetual Yahrzeits ............12

Service Schedule ................13

Contributions ......................14

Beth Israel – The West Temple

BULLETINMay 2020, Iyar – Sivan 5780

from the Rabbi's Desk...

Making Our Way to SinaiThe journey began in the darkness of night. Lambs had been roasted; their blood painted on our houses. The cries of loss could be heard all around us; the cries of “It’s time to go!” could be heard among us.

We gathered our possessions and, as we left, the Egyptians ran to us and placed gold and silver and copper and fabrics and riches in our hands, saying, “Take them; you’ll need them” – how would they know? Was this the first “guilt” offering?

The sun rose on the first day after we left, bright and blistery as we walked and walked and walked. And walked. Each day another step toward…? Where are we going?

We came to the sea. And we stopped. Now, what do we do? Was this what we left our homes for? The man with the staff is holding it up over the water… And the waters are moving… And falling back… And making way for us!

We walk forward

Step by

Step by

Step

Until we reach the opposite shore.

The waters are moving and making themselves back into a sea. The man with the staff starts to sing – We sing out as well: “Who is like You, Adonai?” And there’s a woman who picks up her tambourine… And many other women and girls are singing and dancing with her.

And then we walk some more. We’re thirsty; there is water. We’re hungry; there is all manna of food. We’re tired, we rest. And we walk some more. We keep walking.

We are attacked. No one was prepared for this. But, the man with the staff is holding up his arms and we are successful against our attackers. continued on p. 2.

May 2020 Beth Israel – The West Temple 2

continued from p. 1.

And we walk some more…. And walk some more.

The days and weeks go by. Counting. Counting. Counting. Seven weeks of seven days.

And we have come to a mountain. Not too tall… not too short… It’s a humble mountain – just right. Like the man with the staff.

We stop. We camp near the base of the mountain. We clean up. We are preparing for something. No one knows exactly what. We’re told to gather around at the base of the mountain. We do. And we wait.

And there is a rumbling sound… And we can see thunder… and hear lightening… And the sound of the shofar is getting louder and louder… And then, it gets very quiet.

And we hear a Voice. And we are told that Adonai is our God. The only God that we will need.

Our imageless God. Take a day to rest – all of you. Honor your parents. Don’t murder. Don’t lie or cheat. Don’t take someone that does not belong to you… Or want something that does not belong to you. This is beyond words – yet each of us can hear the Voice; each in our own way.

We will do and we will [try to] understand! ___________________

As the month of May begins, we continue the counting that began on the second night of Passover – counting the days until we stand again at Sinai and receive the gift of Torah, which is celebrated on the festival of Shavuot.

As I write this, it is quite possible that our Shavuot Service will be over zoom, as we might just be continuing another counting—each day of this Coronavirus pandemic; each day of our journey towards a time of health and safety.

Let us continue to stand—each of us, together, to renew our commitment to do and to [try to] understand.

Stay safe and stay well, Rabbi Enideclader@aol.com

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Bulletin published 11 times a year by:Beth Israel—The West Temple14308 Triskett Road, Cleveland OH 44111Phone (216) 941-8882; bethisrael@nls.netOn the web: www.thewesttemple.comRabbi: Enid C. Lader (216) 228-9735President: Peter Sackett Vice President: Evan FleisherTreasurer: Robin KaufmanSecretary: Jill Fleisher

Congregational Educator: Debbie ChessinRitual Committee: Luis FernandezBuildings & Grounds Committee: Brian Friedman Social Action Committee: Judy WrightMembership Committee: Sandy PankiwFinance Committee: Robin Kaufman Cemetery Committee: Rick KellerPublic Relations Coordinator: Becky WattsBulletin Editors: Jan Miyake, Pat OutlawJune/July Deadline: Wednesday, May 13th

Zoom ‘n Learn with Rabbi Lader & Friends

Wednesday, May 13th

Noon

What IS a Mentsch?Zoom link will be emailed.

May 2020 Beth Israel – The West Temple 3

from the President's Corner...

Welcome to a New Month! I hope this turning of the calendar page gives everyone an opportunity to reflect on our recent events and prepare for a return to some level of

normalcy - all under the umbrella of concern for the personal safety and health of our loved ones.

The Board of Trustees has been busy during our absence from the building on Triskett!

First and foremost, we have voted unanimously to endorse a new three-year contract with Rabbi Lader, effective June 1, 2020.

Second, the Nomination Committee has returned the following list of candidates for our Congregational Meeting on June 14:

President of the Board of Trustees (two-year term): Peter A. SackettV. President - position not filled at this timeRecording Secretary (two-year term): Judy WrightTreasurer (two-year term): Robin Kaufman

NOTE: A decision on whether to maintain the meeting at BI or via Zoom is undecided as of now.

We are also in the process of trying to replace our Building and Grounds Committee Chair—as if that is possible, frankly. Brian Friedman has done yeoman's work in this capacity, while also working with our high school students. THANK YOU, BRIAN.

Moving forward, as we always do—we are thinking about Casino Night #2 in February 2021; our biennial Congregational Retreat in January 2021; our Historical Marker ceremony in the fall of 2020; lots of young women and men coming to the Bimah for their B'nei Mitzvah; and, the continued growth of our institution for many years to come.

Peter Sackett, Presidentpetersackettlaw@sbcglobal.net

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Shared ShabbatFriday evening, May 1st

Celebrating Shabbat and May Birthdays & Anniversaries

7:30 p.m. – Family-friendly Erev Shabbat Service

Led by Rabbi Lader Zoom info will be emailed.

Join us Friday, May 8th for a very special

Erev Shabbat ServiceHonoring our Religious

School Teachers & Staff

7:30 p.m. Zoom info will be emailed…

Todah Rabbah - Thank you to the following teachers, staff and education committee members for all that you do

for our students and families:Lisa Fisher – Yad B’Yad,

Carol Ross – P/K-KRenee Kolesar, Mary Lou McGuire (Hebrew) – 1-2

Ariella Payne, Allison Winokur (H), Scott Machol (H) – 3-4

Shosh Ault (H), David Neumann – 5-6Romy Larson,

Beryl Palnik (BIC – Beth Israel Chavarim) – 7-8Jeff Heller, Brian Friedman – High School

Sarah Bedrossian (H), Eileen Kollins & Lee Haas - Library

Holly Neumann, Robin Kaufman, Pat Outlaw – Administrative Support

Josh Levy, Tina Keller, Shosh Ault, Holly Neumann – Ed. Comm.

Debbie Chessin – EducatorRabbi Enid Lader

May 2020 Beth Israel – The West Temple 4

from Circle of Friends – BI-TWT's Rosh Chodesh Women's Group...

2020 Women's Seder

When a small group of Beth Israel women met on March 5th to plan for our 13th Circle of Friends’ Women’s Seder, who knew we would be coming together in such a very different way? Rabbi Lader, Jessica Sackett, Renee Kolesar, Deb Girard, Barbara Schwartz, and by email, Beryl Palnik discussed everything from adapting a new Haggadah (thanks to Beryl for recommending it), menu, supplies, and of course, clean up and washing dishes. Within a week we were sheltering-in-place and adapting to Zoom. Rabbi Lader led the way in keeping our community together through Zoom, and although it would be different, we would forge ahead with the Women’s Seder.

On the last evening of Passover, Wednesday April 15th, 12 women participated in our Zoom seder. We used the Haggadah from American Jewish World Service, but included some of our favorite songs by Debbie Friedman: “The Journey Song” and “Miriam’s Song”, which we sang with our individual timbrels and sacred schmattahs to honor a great woman prophet, who nurtured our people and found water during their long journey through the desert. We also used the feminine form for the blessings: Bruchat at Shekhinah. We even had two timely Passover jokes (instead of dinner):

Hear about the internet search engine for Passover? It’s called eliYAHOO!

Technically, Moses was the first person with a tablet downloading data from the cloud. (Please keep your groans to yourself.)

In past years for our tzedakah project, we chose an organization that supported women in need, from local to international. This year, using Next Year in a Just World, A Global Justice Haggadah, produced by American Jewish World Service, we have designated AJWS as our tzedakah project. AJWS was founded in 1985 in Boston, inspired by the Jewish commitment to justice. It works in countries all over the world by giving grants to local organizations to promote human rights and build movements for justice. Its four main areas are sexual health and rights, civil and political rights, land rights and climate justice, and disaster response. For more information go to: www.ajws.org or 1-800-889-7146. We are asking that people donate directly to the organization, as we will not be collecting cash and checks for this purpose this year. If you choose not to donate to AJWS, remember that there are many individuals and organizations in need at this time, and we would encourage you to donate to an organization of your choice.

Circle of Friends hopes to meet in June, but please watch for details as to how this will happen. We wish you all health and comfort and shalom! Next year in a just world (and a new kitchen!)

Barbara Schwartz, Chairbaschwartz@cox.net

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May 2020 Beth Israel – The West Temple 5

Pictures from Women's Seder(photographs courtesy of Renee Kolesar, Barbara Schwartz, and Susan Wagner)

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May 2020 Beth Israel – The West Temple 6

By The BookThis is a new feature designed by Temple President Peter Sackett. This month, the answers are from Rabbi Enid Lader and Bulletin co-editor Jan Miyake.

What books are on your nightstand?

EL: JPS Study Bible, Abraham Joshua Heschel's Heavenly TorahJM: Fiebre Tropical by Juliana Delgado Lopera and Rides a Dread Legion by Raymond E. Feist

Describe your ideal reading experience (when, where, what, format).

EL: I tend to read from one book right before I go to sleep each night, another book with coffee in the morning, and listen to another book while I am driving.JM: I love it when I get sucked into a book and curl up under covers in the middle of the day to indulge. Happens rarely!

Which writers — novelists, playwrights, critics, journalists, poets — working today do you admire most?

EL: Thomas Friedman, Ilana Kurshan, Dara HornJM: Ta-Nehisi Coates, Connie Schultz, Rebecca Solnit, Heather Cox Richardson

What’s the most interesting thing you learned from a book recently?

EL: In Thomas Friedman's Thank you for Waiting... making the most of down time.JM: I learned about the practice of daf yomi from Ilana Kurshan's memoir If All the Seas Were Ink.

What moves you most in a work of literature?

EL: Engaging characters who make their way through a journey of self-discovery.JM: I love origin stories—how a superhero came to be, whether the superhero is fictional or real.

(continued on page 7)

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2020 Pillar Members

Luis Fernandez & Barbara Feldmar

David & Holly Neumann

Alfred & Sylvia Rimm

Peter and Jessica Sackett

MITZVAH OPPORTUNITY

As we are coping with the challenges presented by

the coronavirus, let us keep in mind those who face (and will come to face)

economic challenges every day.

We encourage you to make a tzedakah

contribution to the SCAN Hunger Center, to help them support all those

who are hungry.

Please make out your check to:

SCAN Hunger CenterSend to:

SCAN Hunger Centerc/o 11556 White Tail Run

Columbia Station, OH 44028

May 2020 Beth Israel – The West Temple 7

Which genres do you especially enjoy reading? And which do you avoid?

EL: Lately, I like reading books on Jewish theology... and mysteries.JM: I've always loved fantasy/sci-fi. I also enjoy romance novels with strong women characters. I, unlike most of the people I love, avoid mysteries.

How do you organize your books?

EL: I try to organize my books by topics... and depending on the shelves, by height as well.JM: I try to put the ones I reread the most in the most accessible place. Then by author. Random singles tend to get organized by topic.

What book might people be surprised to find on your shelves?

EL: The Book of Mormon—I received it from a violin student and his family years ago.JM: Michael Pollan's The Botany of Desire—A friend left it at my house years ago.

What do you do when a book is disappointing? Finish it or stop reading?

EL: I stop reading -- too many books and too little time.JM: I'm an eternal optimist. I stick with it in the belief that it'll get better. Sometimes it pays off.

Recommend one book!!!!

EL: The World to Come by Dara HornJM: And the Mountains Echoed by Khaled Hosseini

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MAZEL TOV!

Check out this article! The lead sentence is:

Kathryn Fleisher, a junior at the University of Pittsburgh, has been awarded a 2020 Harry S. Truman Scholarship. She’s one of only 62 college students in the country to win the prestigious award and the 13th in Pitt’s history. The competitive national scholarship awards $30,000 for two to three years of graduate study.

Click here to read it in full!

Please take notice that our semi-annual Congregational Meeting is set for

June 14, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. We will advise further on the particulars as we await news

from Dr. Acton and Governor DeWine.

May 2020 Beth Israel – The West Temple 8

from the educator's desk...

May 2020

As we begin the final month of the school year, I hope that all of our students and their families are safe and healthy!

It has been a trying time for all of us, and the uncertainty of what lies ahead makes it even more challenging.

Personally, I am grateful for the continued leadership, and guidance of our Rabbi, Executive Board, and incredible teachers who have worked tirelessly to make sure that we continue to offer learning opportunities and spiritual connections through on-line platforms. The response from students and congregants to our virtual classrooms and tefillah has been very positive.

I also want to thank every student, parent and member of our congregation. Throughout the past couple of months every one of you has modeled great resilience and strong values, and have shown what it means to be part of such a loving and caring congregation! As an educator, each one of you is a source of encouragement to me about the future of both our community and society.

While it is my hope that we may be together in May, in the event that schools remain closed, I want to first thank our fabulous teachers for another incredible school year : Lisa Fisher, Carol Ross, Renee Kolesar, Mary Lou McGuire, Karen McAleer, Ariella Payne, Allison Winokur, Scott Machol, Shosh Ault, David Neumann, Romy Larson, Beryl Palnik, Brian Friedman and Jeff Heller.

To our students- have a safe and wonderful summer! I look forward to seeing all of you in the fall.

Finally, to our graduating seniors—Talon Basiewicz, Megan Fleisher, Alyssa Strongosky, and Laura Wirtz—I wish all of you great success

in the next chapter of your lives. You are incredible young adults, and will be missed by your friends at BI-TWT.

Debbie Chessin**This position is partially funded through the Fund for the Jewish Future of the Jewish Education Center of Cleveland.

Tentative -May Schedule:Sunday, 3rd, 9:45 a.m. - Religious

School

Monday, 4th,6:30 p.m. - Hebrew School

Friday, 8th, 6:00 p.m. – Dinner for Teachers and Staff

Sunday, 10th, 9:45 a.m. - Religious School – Last Day of Religious School, 11:30 a.m. - All School Final Assembly and Tribute to our Graduating Seniors

Monday, 11th, 6:30 p.m. Last Night of Hebrew School

Highlights from April:

While we were not together at Religious School, our families shared some of their photos from their Passover Seders at home.

Upcoming Events: This summer still hope to have Camp Kee Tov during the week of August 3-7. The cost will remain $75 per child. We still plan on meeting at Bain Park Cabin, the MetroParks Zoo and Cleveland Aquarium and Cleveland Children's Museum. More details to come in the next few weeks!

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May 2020 Beth Israel – The West Temple 9

Religious School Pictures from April (photographs courtesy of Debbie Chessin and Renee Kolesar)

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Calendar of Events(Please call the Temple Office for more information or to RSVP; 216.941.8882);

information on Shabbat services can be found on p. 13)

Friday, May 1 Virtual Shared Shabbat, 7:30 p.m., Zoom link TBA (p. 3, p. 13).

Friday, May 8 Erev Shabbat Service Honoring our Religious School Teachers & Staff , 7:30 p.m., Zoom link TBA (p. 3, p. 13).

Sunday, May 10 Last Day of Religious School (p. 8).

Monday, May 11 Last Day of Hebrew School (p. 8).

Wednesday, May 13 Zoom 'n Learn with Rabbi Lader & Friends, noon, zoom link TBA, (p. 2).

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Congregational Second Seder, April 9th, 2020

May 2020 Beth Israel – The West Temple 11

Celebrations

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May Birthdays (young people up to age 25)Carly Chessin May 2 20th Maya Rak May 8 11th

Melanie Kukura May 17 23rd

Ilana Shapiro May 19 23rd

Gabriel Eckert May 20 14th

William Brashear May 21 17th

Malcolm Rand May 29 2nd

May – Wedding AnniversariesDr. Harry & Rabbi Enid Lader May 4 45th

David & Holly Neumann May 19 18th

Joseph & Valerie Tate May 22 44th

Walter & Judith Wright May 22 16th

Nathan & Dana Eckert May 25 17th

Zach & Jen Robock May 30 5th

May – Adult BirthdaysDr. John Pendery May 1Amy Sumner May 2Lynda Kane May 9Shellie Sedlak May 9Dr. Abby Wald May 13Phyllis Seltzer May 17Ann Holland May 19Melanie Sloan May 20

Sheila Eckstein May 22Romy Larson May 22Jan Miyake May 25Nancy Eilberg May 27Jill Stephens Fleisher May 28Ben Kessler May 28Miles Kane May 29Joshua Levy May 30

#MayaStrongOne of our BI-TWT families is battling a rare and aggressive form of osteosarcoma (bone cancer). Their daughter, Maya, has started chemo, and they are accepting help in many different forms.

Take them a Meal – click here.

Seamless gift cards - so they can order food when needed. – click here. Please email gift cards to rhodarak@yahoo.com.

Gas cards - there is a lot (weekly) driving back and forth to Rainbow downtown. Getgo (buy at Giant Eagle), Sheetz, Speedway. Please email gift cards to rhodarak@yahoo.com.

Buy a T-shirt: contact Melissa Sherwood (440-781-2284).

May 2020 Beth Israel – The West Temple 12

Perpetual Yahrzeits

WEEK ENDINGMAY 2Fay LaderHerbert Marshall SchwartzLucille DerenEdith Bauer FeldmanEsther SacherLinda Steerman

WEEK ENDINGMAY 9Ben KaplanHelene WeberEdith ZimblerDonna LezbergEli Yale ScheinmanJoseph CohenFlora EisensteinRaquel Klipstein-HauserMalvina Gluck

WEEK ENDINGMAY 16Edward LehrerMorton LenkerMaurice CoslowMyron UrdangJohn R. KaneSidney BalickReid Scott BrecherRose MallenLisa MancherEthel Schildhaus

WEEK ENDINGMAY 23Pincus DerenSylvia FisherLeon LeiboviciDorian ReminickGeoffrey MadeleyConrad BrownSimon James EigenEdward Jasilionis

WEEK ENDINGMAY 30Flora RomainSimon BrailowskySid Silverman

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The congregation extends condolences to Tim Josselson and Jill Josselson on the death

of their Mother

Marlyn Josselson Ludwig

Our sympathy also goes to Rebecca, Joseph and Daniel on the loss of their Grandmother.

May her memory always be for a blessing.

The congregation extends condolences to Ellen

Goodworth and her family on the death of her father

Marvin Cohen

on April 23, 2020.

May his memory be for a blessing.

We mourn the passing of

Gerald Zeitlin

Father of Louise Howsmon,who passed away on Sunday,

April 26, 2020. May Louise and her family be comforted during

this difficult time.

May his name be for a blessing.

May 2020 Beth Israel – The West Temple 13

Shabbat Service Schedule

Friday EveningsVirtual Services at 7:30 p.m. by Zoom

May 1 – Shared ShabbatService Leader: Rabbi Lader

May 8 – Erev Shabbat Service Honoring our Religious School Teachers & StaffService Leader: Rabbi Lader

May 15Service Leader: Rabbi Lader

May 22Service Leader: Rabbi Lader

May 29Service Leader: Rabbi Lader

Saturday MorningsTorah Study by Zoom at 9:30 a.m. Virtual Service by Zoom at 11:00 a.m. Call the Temple Office for more information.

May 2 Service Leader: Luis Fernandez

May 9 Service Leader: Rabbi Lader

May 16Service Leader: Luis Fernandez

May 23Service Leader: Rabbi Lader

May 30Service Leader: Rabbi Lader

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Interested in Membership?

Contact the temple office

216-941-8882

or email us at bethisrael@nls.netfor more information.

May 2020 Beth Israel – The West Temple 14

Contributions – March and April 2020

General Fund We gratefully acknowledge donations fromRosalind Roberts andAriella Payne.

In Memory OfCarl Mason Cohen-Susan Cohen

Rabbi Lader's Discretionary FundWe gratefully acknowledge donations fromBlythe HoughtonKathryn C. SoucekRosalind R. Roberts

In Memory OfEsther Sacher-Linda & Joel Keller

21st Century Renovation & Capital Campaign FundWe gratefully acknowledge a donation from theBic-Beth Israel Chaverim Jr. Youth Group.

In Memory OfZelda Greenfield-Karon GreenfieldEstelle Scheinman Keen-Karon Greenfield

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Going into the hospital?Extended time in rehab?Need help with meals?Need a ride to appointments?Need a friendly visitor?

Our Caring Committee is ready to help.

Please contact the temple office or Rabbi Lader. 216-941-8882.