December/January/February 2011-2012 - Congregation Mishkan ...

CONGREGATION 

MISHKAN TEFILA 

VOL. 62 No. 1 

KISLEV 5772 / TEVET / SHEVAT / ADAR 5772 

Newsletter & 

Program guide 

5772/2011-2012 

Inside this issue 

• Scholar-in-residence 

• Program Highlights 

• Member Spotlight 

• Chanukah Blessings 

• Latkes Recipe 

• AIPAC Conference 

• and much more... 

Lessons from Rain: 

Coming Together in 

Difficult Times 

Rabbi Daniel Berman 

The morning after we chanted 

Neilah, bringing Yom 

Kippur to a close, many 

of us gathered to build the CMT 

Sukkah just outside the lobby. It 

was a beautiful day. Members young 

and old (literally ages 4 to 80) helped 

construct the three walls and lay down 

the schach (our bamboo roof). The 

following Tuesday afternoon, the 

Hebrew School children and parents 

decorated the sukkah with paper 

chains, pictures, and signs of welcome. 

On Wednesday evening, we enjoyed 

a first evening in the sukkah. And on 

Thursday it started to rain. And rain. 

And rain. 

I like rainy days. I like the freshness 

in the air, and the cool mist that 

hovers over the ground after the rain 

has stopped. But rain is not always 

so timely. For example: when you 

spend an entire day building a sukkah, 

going back and forth to the hardware 

store to replace rotted out metal 

braces and to Home Depot to get 

new wood for those 2x4s that warped 

during this last historically cold and 

wet winter, when you lay out a new 

tablecloth 

continued on page 2 

Brrr! It’s cold 

outside! 

As winter sets in, join us inside 

CMT where we’ve got stimulating 

and fun programs waiting for 

you! This newsletter is filled with 

great articles, photos, and highlights 

of many exciting programs. In 

December, CMT welcomes Limmud 

Boston and Rabbi Naamah Kelman 

as our Israel Scholar-in-Residence. 

January features our celebration of 

MLK Day with a discussion of Jews 

and the Civil Rights Movement, and 

February brings a Tu B’shvat Seder 

and Worldwide Wrap. And there’s 

plenty more …. classes, Shabbat, 

community dinners – take a look at 

the calendar and plan ahead! 

As always, please enjoy this issue and 

send us comments and suggestions. 

And, above all, stay warm! 

Phyllis Katz 

Vice President of Communications 

bosskatz@gmail.com 

Brenden Sanborn 

Marketing Consultant 

MishkanDesign@gmail.com

israel scholar-iN-resideNce 

SAVE THE DATES, 

DECEMBER 9 AND 10, FOR A 

VERY SPECIAL SHABBAT ON 

CONTEMPORARY ISRAELI 

SPIRITUALITY. 

Rabbi Naamah Kelman, Dean of the Hebrew 

Union College in Jerusalem, will be our Scholarin-Residence. 

She is a descendent of 10 generations 

of rabbis and, in 1992, became the first 

woman ordained by the Hebrew Union College in 

Jerusalem. Born and raised in New York, Rabbi 

Kelman has lived in Israel since 1976, working in 

community organizing, Jewish education and the 

promotion and establishment of Progressive and 

Pluralistic Judaism for Israelis. Rabbi Kelman is 

one of the founders of the first Progressive (reform) 

Day school and is a leader in interfaith dialogue and 

the cause of women’s rights in Israel. 

Our Shabbat together will be conducted in the 

style of the Bet Tefila Yisraeli (new Israeli Secular 

Spirituality). On Friday night, please join us at 

7:00pm for a lively Friday night Kabbalat Shabbat 

service led by Rabbi Kelman and Rabbi Berman, 

followed by an Oneg Shabbat with singing and 

teaching. Shabbat morning, our service will begin 

at 9:30am and combine singing, poetry, and interactive 

learning, led by Rabbi Kelman and our 

Rabbis and Cantor. Finally, at 12:15pm, we’ll join 

together for lunch and a talk by Rabbi Kelman on 

the state of spiritual life and religious pluralism in 

Israel today. We will offer special programming 

for children and childcare both Friday evening and 

Saturday morning. 

This program is partially funded by a grant from 

Nefesh B’nefesh and the United Synagogue of 

Conservative Judaism through their Maalot program – 

to enhance our congregation’s connection to Israel.

HAPPY CHANUKAH 

FROM THE CMT 

BOARD! 

THANKS TO OUR WONDERFUL 

PHOTOGRAPHERS - 

GERALD BURG, LISA KEDECKEL 

AND JOSH LANGER! 

TODAH 

RABAH 

RABAH! 

TABLE OF CONTENTS 

Lessons from Rain: 

Coming Together in Difficult Times .................................2 

Letter from the President .....................................................4 

Program Highlights 5772 ....................................................6 

Member Spotlight: Marty Seltzer ................................... 10 

Friday Night Live ................................................................ 11 

CMT Snapshots .................................................................. 12 

It’s Latke Time! .................................................................... 14 

Blessing Over Candles ....................................................... 15 

Blessing For Chanukah ...................................................... 15 

Shehecheyanu (First Night Only) ................................... 15 

CMT Library ...................................................................... 15 

Family Table ......................................................................... 16 

Annual AIPAC Policy Conference ................................. 16 

Our B’nei Mitzvah .............................................................. 17 

Preparing for the New Year: 

A praying and learning experience .................................. 17 

Save the Date ........................................................................ 17 

Anniversaries ........................................................................ 20 

OOPS! .................................................................................. 20 

Have a Simcha? .................................................................... 20 

Mazel Tov ............................................................................. 21 

News Flash! .......................................................................... 21 

Acknowledgements ............................................................ 22 

In Memoriam ....................................................................... 29 

Calendars .............................................................................. 30 

Visit the NEW www.mishkantefila.org for news, updates and resources. 1

LESSONS FROM RAIN: COMING 

TOGETHER IN DIFFICULT TIMES 

Rabbi Daniel Berman 

and spend a couple 

of hours cleaning 

the outdoor chairs 

that rusted during the 

winter, well, the hope is 

that, on that first morning 

of Sukkot, the sun will rise, and 

you will look up at the sky through the 

tiny holes in the roof of the sukkah, and be 

warmed by the glorious sun. No, rain isn’t always 

so welcome. 

In the Hebrew Bible, Sukkot was primarily an agricultural 

festival, and similar celebrations were common 

throughout the ancient Near East. It was the season 

for harvesting the summer’s crops. During the harvest, 

and later, during the journey to ancient Jerusalem in 

celebration of this pilgrimage festival, rain was – in the 

language of our ancient rabbis – a siman klalah: a curse! 

Once that harvest was brought in, however, prayers for 

the new season began. These prayers were (and still are) 

bound up with hopes that the skies would open and 

rain would fall to moisten the earth and to strengthen 

the roots of perennial crops. 

Some ancient teachings endure. Rain during sukkot 

is not good. And yet, for many in this world, there 

is a more serious problem than rain splashing down 

upon us during Sukkot: what happens if the rains never 

come? For those continuing to work the earth, it means 

crops may be limited, and the financial stability of 

families and communities might weaken, with much 

worry in their lives. 

This concern is an ancient one. In a source known as 

mishna Taanit (meaning fasting), our rabbis asked: what 

happens if the day when we are to say the prayers for 

rain arrives, and the rain does not fall? What do we do? 

The mishna responded: When the rains did not fall, 

individuals began three fasts. If the start of the next 

month of Kislev arrived, and still no rain, the Court 

decreed three fasts for the entire community. If these 

fasts passed and the rains didn’t fall, the Court decreed 

three more fasts for the community. If these fasts 

passed and the rains didn’t fall, the Court decreed an 

additional seven, which was now thirteen fasts for the 

community. 

This mishna may feel distant, inapplicable to our lives. 

We can read it and say, really, you think fasting is going 

to bring you rain? You think there’s a relationship 

between your fasting and the rains? 

But I read the mishna to suggest an understanding that, 

ultimately, we don’t control the rains. Rain is not just 

called “geshem” but “gevurot geshamim” (“the powers 

of the rain”) a phrase I think reflects an underlying 

understanding of God, Who is “Gevurah” (powerful) 

in nature, and an understanding of the limits of human 

control. 

So why all the fasting? Why the ongoing and increasing 

severity of the fast? 

Perhaps it’s to consume less. To cut back on those 

things we consume in order to preserve them. This 

continues to be an important message and possibility in 

our lives. 

But there’s also a spiritual message that emerges from 

the text: 

After the first set of fasts, the remaining fasts are 

communal. This is how members of a community 

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CONGREGATION MISHKAN TEFILA DECEMBER 2011 - FEBRUARY 2012

come together. They do teshuvah together, seek solace 

in one another, share experience, pray together, and 

come to rely on one another. They’re not just fasting 

to atone for wrongs so that rains will magically come. 

It is not just magic. It’s also a commitment to living 

out their lives together, whether in good or in difficult 

times. 

This is, of course, a message for our lives as well. What 

do we do when our prayers remain unanswered? Or 

our economy and financial stability weakens and we are 

concerned for our present or our future? How might 

we respond? Following the tone of our High Holidays, 

our tradition continues to teach us: look around you. 

Immerse yourself in community. Support one another. 

Offer comfort. Share experience. We are in this 

together. You are not alone. 

Together with Sarah, and our children Elie and Mica, I 

wish you a year full of sustenance, prosperity, peace and 

comfort. 


LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT 

While the finish line for my term is rapidly 

approaching, I look forward to the 

challenges that lie ahead in the remaining 

six months and plan to remain involved and active in 

the next administration. As I mentioned in my Kol 

Nidre address, I am truly humbled by the unique 

opportunity I was given to serve as President of this 

magnificent Congregation. For this privilege and for 

the honor of taking part in the process of renewing our 

spirit and rebuilding our community, I thank you for 

your support, friendship, generosity and certainly words 

of advice and encouragement... 

Mishkan Tefila has been a bright shining beacon in the 

Greater Boston Jewish community for over 150 years. A 

congregation of which we should all be proud. We are 

lucky and privileged to have a vibrant senior population 

who built the very fabric of Temple Mishkan Tefila as 

it relocated from Seaver Street to our beautiful setting 

in Chestnut Hill, as well as a younger, committed 

population who are taking on leadership roles. 

We are all responsible for protecting and growing our 

community. This community belongs to each and every 

one of us, and it is up to us to follow in the footsteps of 

our founders as we look to the future. 

So let’s take a look at where we are and what our vision 

is for the years to come….. 

With a dynamic, new professional staff and highly 

engaged lay leaders, we are now providing new and 

improved gateways for spiritual, educational and social 

enrichment. We offer multiple Shabbat services for 

members with different interests, exciting programs and 

courses for all ages, and several new communications 

vehicles including a vibrant and informative website. 

We are partnering with outside Jewish organizations, 

including CJP and USCJ, who have issued CMT 

grants for Leadership Development Initiatives – we are 

the only Conservative synagogue in New England to 

have been selected for such grants. We have received 

other grants from CJP for Shabbat renewal programs, 

Gateways grants for services and training for our special 

needs students and a grant from Nefesh B’nefesh for 

our Year of Israel Culture programming. 

We have made improvements and repairs to our 

synagogue building, and will continue to make it a 

warmer and more welcoming environment for all. 

While we have accomplished a lot together in a very 

short period of time, significant strides, challenges and 

changes still lie ahead. It will take courage, conviction, 

insight and tremendous commitment from all of us 

to embrace these changes and allow Mishkan Tefila to 

remain vibrant. 

So what lies ahead – what is our vision? 

To begin with, our assets also include an almost 11 acre 

developable piece of real estate that could very well 

fortify our financial future. Developers have approached 

us with many suggestions on future use of this land. 

Can you imagine how a Newbridge-like community 

would look like in our midst? How new neighbors 

could contribute to our community, and we to theirs? 

The possibilities are many, and we will be asking 

for your help to move this project forward as 2012 

progresses. 

New relationships forged by our rabbis and cantors 

with many of us have infused our synagogue with 

great optimism. Our professional and lay leadership 

have worked diligently to build the groundwork for 

our growth and revitalization. To build upon the 

remarkable accomplishments of these past eighteen 

months, we must enable our staff to continue offering 

exceptional educational, spiritual, and inspiring experiences 

for all of our congregational family, from the 

youngest among us to the most senior members 

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As proud as I am of these accomplishments, our vision 

for the future includes that we ALL work together – 

with increased energy, determination and creativity – to 

further this growth, both in numbers and in purpose. 

Our mission has always been to impart Jewish 

values and traditions l’dor vador - from generation 

to generation -- and to 

ensure that this practice 

continues. Our mission is 

about preserving our Jewish 

heritage and our community. 

If our congregation and this 

building are to be here for us, 

our children and grandchildren 

… in times of joy and in 

times of sorrow … to witness 

the births, bnei mitzvot, 

weddings, simchas and 

funerals of our members and 

friends … we need all of you 

to provide your support to the fullest extent possible. 

If we are to continue to provide morning and evening 

minyan for those in mourning; if we want to create a 

stimulating Jewish learning environment; if we are to 

offer spiritual and welcoming Shabbatot and holiday 

services; if we are to keep our Hebrew School program 

affordable; if we strive to help those in our community 

who need our help; if we want to inspire our members 

to live more meaningful Jewish lives ---we’ll need your 

support. 

We are counting on you and your ongoing generosity to 

achieve all of this; we are counting on you to help us see 

our vision for the future become a reality. 

With that in mind, this year we have decided to 

redesign our Annual Appeal program. We ask now – 

rather than later – that you pledge and send in your 

Annual Appeal donations before the end of the year. 

WE ARE ALL 

RESPONSIBLE FOR 

PROTECTING AND 

GROWING OUR 

COMMUNITY. 

Bringing in funds to support our community earlier in 

our fiscal year allows us to plan a full year of programming 

and services for the community with greater 

confidence of success. We rely on everyone’s gifts to 

support our operating budget as only slightly more than 

40% of our total income is derived from membership 

dues – the rest comes from your generosity. 

You can lead by example and 

impart a wonderful gift to 

your children. So that even 

our youngest members will 

feel that they have contributed, 

we have developed a new 

program for our children and 

grandchildren. A nominal 

contribution of $18 by any 

child will be recognized on a 

pledge wall in the synagogue. 

Each one of them can feel that 

they are making a difference 

in the future of our congregation. And, as they mature, 

each one of them can experience and be proud of the 

renewal they have helped create. 

It is my hope that someday our children, grandchildren 

and great grandchildren will look back at this 

moment in time and recognize the groundwork we have 

undertaken together to enable Mishkan Tefila to stand 

strong, vibrant and proud for many years to come. 

Thank you again for all of your support. 

Best wishes for a healthy and fruitful 2012. 


CONGREGATION 


PROGRAM 

HIGHLIGHTS 5772 

December 

4 LimmudBoston at CMT - Study with the best teachers of contemporary Judaism 

9-10 Israel Scholar-in-Residence Rabbi Naamah Kelman, Dean, 

Hebrew Union College, Jerusalem, 

Part of our year long exploration of Israeli culture 

16 Kabbalat Shabbat Friday Night Live 6:15 PM 

(Learning with our Rabbis at 6:00PM) 

17 Shabbat Shel She’arim (“Gateways into Shabbat”) from 9:30 to 11:30 AM 

17 Rebbe‘s Tisch “The lessons of Chanukah” with Rabbi Berman at 3:00 PM 

18 One Synagogue – One Book Program with Dr. Lori Lefkovitz 

Discussing “Secrets of the Seventh Candle” from her book In Scripture 

Breakfast at 9:30 AM 

January 2012 

15 “Dr. King and Rabbi Heschel: Jews and the Civil Rights Movement” at 9:00 AM 

27 Musical Family Kabbalat Shabbat Service and Community Dinner at 6:00 PM 


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PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS 

5772 (2011-2012) 

February 

3 Kabbalat Shabbat Comes to Newbridge at 6:15 PM 

4 Rebbe’s Tisch: Tu BShvat Seder with Rabbis Gordon & Berman from 3:00 to 4:30 PM 

5 World Wide Wrap at morning minyan 

7 Lifelong Learning: “Living Jewishly: Jewish Text, Ritual, Wisdom and Song on Birth, 

Love, Aging and Mourning” 

With Rabbi Berman from 10:00 to 11:15 AM 

The series continues on February 14 and 28, March 13, 20 and 27, April 3 

10 Kabbalat Shabbat Unplugged at 6:15 PM 

(Learning with our Rabbis at 6:00 PM) 

24 Musical Family Kabbalat Shabbat and Community Dinner at 6:00 PM 


March 

3 Purim Gala 

9 Kabbalat Shabbat Friday Night Live at 6:15 PM 


11 Minyanaires’ Breakfast 

11 Purim Carnival 






30 Hebrew School Kabbalat Shabbat at 6:15 PM 

31 Shabbat Shel Sha’arim (“Gateways into Shabbat”) from 9:30 to 11:30 AM 

April 

7 Community Seder -- second night of Passover at Mishkan Tefila 

(Reservations required) 

14 Rebbe’s Tisch “The Multiple Meanings of the Song of Songs” 

With Rabbi Gordon at 3:00 PM 

17 Lifelong Learning “Jewish Mysticism: Classical and Modern” 

With Rabbi Gordon from 10:00 to 11:15 AM 

The series continues April 24, May 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29, June 5 

21 Pirkei Avot Study, “Sayings of the Sages” 

With Rabbis Gordon and Berman at 3:00 PM 

This study continues April 28, May 5, 12, 19, and 26 

22 Annual Holocaust Memorial program 

27 Musical Family Kabbalat Shabbat Service and Community Dinner at 6:00 PM 


29 Mitzvah Day 

May 

3 Israel Independence Day Concert 

4-6 CMT Shabbaton at Camp Ramah in Palmer, MA 



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18 Kabbalat Shabbat Friday Night Live at 6:15 PM 


20 Seventh Grade Trip to Washington, D.C. 

25 Musical Family Kabbalat Shabbat Service and Dinner at 6:00 PM 

26 Tikkun L’el Shavuot: Late night study with our clergy and guest teachers 


June 

1 Kabbalat Shabbat Comes to Newbridge at 6:15 PM 

3 Annual Meeting 







MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: MARTY SELTZER 

It’s Sunday evening and, as the sun sets, congregants 

are joining Marty Seltzer as he leads them at minyan. 

Marty has been a “minyannaire” for seventeen years, 

answering the call to all Board members to attend 

minyan. Marty feels that he can make a difference 

in mourners’ lives by being there to help them say 

Kaddish; for Marty, minyan offers a comfort zone. 

Many years ago, Marty offered Cantor Wolok to fill in 

for him at minyan in bad weather and other times, and 

since then, has taken over Sunday night and vacation 

minyanim. 

Marty’s interest in Judaism was particularly sparked in 

the late 1980’s when he 

recognized that he could not read Hebrew at services. 

He then studied Hebrew in adult classes at Solomon 

Schechter, and started going to Shabbat services to 

practice what he learned. Marty enjoys the peace and 

calm he finds on Shabbat, and is an active participant in 

services while serving as usher. 

In 1999 after losing his father, Marty attended minyan 

daily for eleven months, and says that he continues 

to attend three mornings a week as it is “difficult to 

get the ten ‘souls’ required to make a minyan”. He 

also serves as an usher on Shabbat mornings and the 

High Holidays, working closely with Ron Sieve for 

almost eight years, enjoying both the responsibility and 

friendship a great deal. Marty is also a member of the 

Religious Policy Committee, providing input on the 

logistics of seating and aliyot. 

Professionally, Marty is Co-Owner and Founder of 

Benjamin Martin Manufacturing Company, which 

he started with his brother Benjamin over 35 years 

ago. In 1994, after noting how his daughter Julie’s 

bat mitzvah certificate was in poor condition just days 

after the celebration, Marty decided to donate the 

framing of all certificates for our bnei mitzvah children, 

Marty Seltzer 

and still performs this mitzvah. He also makes the 

Brotherhood’s Man of the Year awards, and chaired that 

event when Cantor Wolok was honored. 

Marty has been connected with Mishkan Tefila 

his entire life. Marty’s grandparents, Max and Ida 

Hoffman, and parents were CMT members, and his 

grandfather served as Treasurer. His extended family 

is an integral part of our shul, requiring two full rows 

of High Holiday seats, possibly a CMT record! Marty 

and his wife Debbi celebrated their wedding in 1981 

at CMT, were married by Rabbi Kazis, who had 

officiated at Marty’s parents’ wedding, and then came 

out of retirement for one last wedding. They have been 

members for 26 years, and have raised their daughters 

Julie and Jaclyn at Mishkan Tefila. 

So Marty – while you don’t like to get accolades for all 

you do – we really must salute you for your dedication 

to the shul, welcoming manner at minyan, and 

commitment to Judaism. Thanks for all you do – see 

you at minyan! 

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For all ages including families 

FRIDAY NIGHT LIVE 

December 16 

March 9 

May 18 

Live 

6:15pm 

JOIN US AS WE CELEBRATE THE RHYTHMS AND RENEWAL OF SHABBAT WITH 

FRIDAY NIGHT 

With Rabbi Daniel Berman and 

Cantor Aryeh Finklestein. 

CONGREGATION 


300 Hammond Pond Parkway Chestnut Hill, MA 02467 

Visit the NEW www.mishkantefila.org 617.332.7770 / la.org 

for news, updates and resources. 11

CMT SNAPSHOTS 

HERE’S A QUICK LOOK AT WHAT WE’VE BEEN UP TO! 

Nursery School in the Sukkah 

Hebrew School BBQ 

Hebrew School 


Wine Tasting in the Sukkah 

Hebrew School 



Sukkah Building 

12 

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Brotherhood Man of the Year 

Blessing of the Animals 


Hebrew School 

Hebrew School 

Brotherhood Man of the Year 



Hebrew School BBQ 


IT’S LATKE TIME! 

4 medium Russet or Yukon Gold potatoes 

1 small onion 3 tablespoons flour 

1 teaspoon salt ½ teaspoon baking powder 

1 large egg Vegetable or Canola oil 

Peel potatoes and grate them with grating disc (not steel blade) in food 

processor. Place potatoes in very large bowl. Peel onion and chop finely in food 

processor. Add onion, salt and egg to potatoes and mix well. Add flour and baking 

soda and mix well. 

In very large frying pan, pour oil to about ½ inch depth and heat until very hot 

but not smoking. CAREFULLY, drop rounded tablespoons of potato mixture into hot 

oil and fry on both sides (about 7 minutes per side) until golden brown. 

Drain latkes on paper towels or paper bags and then place on cookie sheet or 

glass baking dish. Keep warm in oven at 250 degrees until ready to serve. 

Makes 14-18 latkes. ENJOY WITH APPLESAUCE OR SOUR CREAM … OR JUST PLAIN!! 

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BLESSING OVER CANDLES 

Barukh atah Adonai, Eloheinu, melekh ha’olam 

Blessed are you, Lord, our God, sovereign of the universe 

asher kidishanu b’mitz’votav v’tzivanu 

Who has sanctified us with His commandments and commanded us 

l’had’lik neir shel Chanukah. (Amein) 

to light the lights of Chanukkah. (Amen) 

BLESSING FOR CHANUKAH 



SHEHECHEYANU 

(FIRST NIGHT ONLY) 



she’asah nisim la’avoteinu bayamim haheim baziman hazeh. (Amein) 

Who performed miracles for our ancestors in those days at this time 

(Amen) 

shehecheyanu v’kiyimanu v’higi’anu laz’man hazeh. (Amein) 

who has kept us alive, sustained us, and enabled us to reach this season 

(Amen) 

CMT LIBRARY 

In anticipation of Chanukah, the Library will sponsor a 

Breakfast on Sunday morning, December 18th at 9:30am. 

The program will be a discussion of “Secrets of the Seventh of 

the Candles”, taken from the seventh chapter of In Scripture: 

The First Stories of Jewish Sexual Identities, A National Jewish 

Book Award finalist in women’s studies by our own 

Dr. Lori Lefkovitz. The book was highlighted in our One 

Synagogue – One Book Program in November. 

Dr. Lefkovitz will introduce the topic and lead the 

discussion. 

In Scripture can be purchased, at a special discounted 

price of $30, through the CMT Library. It can also be 

purchased at the Breakfast, where Dr. Lefkovitz will be 

available to sign copies. Please contact our Librarian, 

Barbara Mende, at Librarian@mishkantefila.org, 

Myrna Cohen at myrna.cohen@comcast.net 

or call the CMT office, 617-332-7770. 


JEWISH FAMILY AND CHILDREN’S 

SERVICES’ FAMILY TABLE 

Hunger is a social issue that is relatively easy to fix and 

Jewish Family & Children’s Services is trying to do 

just that. Family Table is more than just a food bank. 

It is Boston’s only kosher food bank. Struggling Jewish 

families, of which there are many, are often precluded 

from taking advantage of community food banks, 

because of their particular dietary and kashrut needs. 

Family Table steps in to fill this void. Family Table 

serves many Jewish, as well as non-Jewish, families in 

our area. 

Family Table is an incredible example of how the diverse 

elements within the Jewish Community have come 

together to solve a common problem. Conservative, 

Reform and Orthodox synagogues and schools receive 

an assignment from Family Table. Our synagogue is 

responsible for contributing 50 cans of kosher soup and 

50 boxes of cereal per month….that’s 600 cans of soup 

and 600 boxes of cereal per year! Other institutions 

supply Shabbat candles, shampoo, raisins, beans, tuna 

and many other necessities. On designated Sundays, 

once a month, volunteers drop our donations off at the 

JF&CS building in Waltham. Volunteers there help 

unload supplies from participating organizations and 

pack individual bags based on the particular needs of 

recipient families. Once the bags are packed, volunteers 

travel far and wide to deliver the groceries to needy 

families. Packing and delivering groceries is an especially 

meaningful and enjoyable 

way to bring the notion 

of tzedakah to life. 

What can you do to 

help? Please remember 

to bring donations of 

kosher soup and cereal 

often as the need is great and our 

current supply will only last so long. Join us on Sunday, 

November 20,,2011 and Sunday, April 1,, 2012 to 

package and deliver groceries. Make a financial contribution 

to Family Table, through the synagogue office, 

to commemorate a birthday, anniversary or simcha. You 

should note that a lovely acknowledgement card will be 

sent on your behalf. 

You are welcome to volunteer to pack groceries and 

distribute food packages during any of the other 

monthly distribution dates: Dec. 11th, Jan. 8th, Feb. 

12th, Mar. 4th, Apr. 1st, May 6th, June 3rd and July 

8th. JF&CS’s address is 1430 Main Street, Waltham 

and the telephone number is 781-693-5593. 

Be part of the solution and help make a Jewish family 

less hungry today!!!! 

For more information, contact Tracy Fischer, Wendy 

Handler and Nancy Lejfer, Family Table Co-Chairs at 

617-332-7770. 

ANNUAL AIPAC POLICY CONFERENCE 

The annual AIPAC Policy Conference is the largest 

gathering of the pro-Israel movement. Thousands of 

participants come from all 50 states to take part in 

“three of the most important days affecting Israel’s 

future.” The 2012 conference will be held March 4-6, 

2012, in Washington, D.C. Thousands have already 

registered, don’t miss out on this truly remarkable 

experience to be in our nation’s capital with thousands 

of fellow pro-Israel supporters. 

Register online at www.aipac.org/pc. 

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OUR B’NEI MITZVAH 

Jordan Blocher, Son of 

William Blocher and Sheri Sosner, 

January 7, 2012 

PREPARING FOR THE NEW YEAR: A 

PRAYING AND LEARNING EXPERIENCE 

The New Year, like Rosh Hashanah, presents an opportunity to consider making change in our lives. What guidance 

does Judaism offer for that process? Each evening during the week before the New Year, Rabbi Gordon will lead study 

and prayer in the Chapel, designed to make this New Year’s Day a meaningful experience of transition for the better. 

December 25 Sunday 6:00 pm 

December 26-29 Monday-Thursday 7:00 pm 

December 30 Friday 6:15 pm 

SAVE THE DATE 

OPEN SING OF 

ZAMIR CHORALE 

Sunday, December 4th 

4:00 to 6:00 pm 

at Congregation Mishkan Tefila 

Featuring local cantors and our own 

Cantor Aryeh Finklestein 


Lifelong 

Learning 

at CMT 

CONGREGATION 


FALL COURSE – Begins November 8, 2011 - 

10:00 to 11:15 AM with Rabbi Gordon 

TUESDAY MORNING CLASS 

MAIMONIDES: LAWYER, DOCTOR 

AND PHILOSOPHER 

The series continues on 

November 15 and 22, December 6, 13, and 20 

Winter Course – Begins February 7, 2012 - 

10:00-11:15 AM with Rabbi Berman 


LIVING JEWISHLY: TEXT, RITUAL 

AND SONG ON BIRTH, LOVE, 

AGING AND MOURNING 

The series continues on February 14 and 28, 

March 13, 20 and 27, April 3 

Spring Course – Begins April 17, 2012 – 

10:00 to 11:15 AM with Rabbi Gordon 


JEWISH MYSTICAL THOUGHT AND 

PRACTICE: HOW HAS JEWISH 

MYSTICISM INFLUENCED OUR 

PRAYER BOOK AND OUR RITUAL 

LIVES? 

The series continues April 24, May 1, 8,15, 22 

and June 5 

Full Year Courses with Dr. Davin Wolok 

Beginning November 8, 2011 Tuesday 

evenings from 7:30 to 8:30 PM 

TUESDAY EVENING CLASS 

“WHAT AM I DOING HERE? A 

JOURNEY TOWARD MEANING AND 

FULFILLMENT THROUGH JEWISH 

TEXT AND TEACHING” 

Beginning October 30, 2011 Sunday 

mornings from 9:00 to 10:00 AM 

SUNDAY MORNING CLASS 

“WHAT DOES THIS HAVE TO DO 

WITH ME?” AN ENCOUNTER WITH 

THE MEANING AND MUSIC OF 

JEWISH PRAYER 

18 

CONGREGATION 


For more information please visit www.mishkantefila.org 


LEND A HAND 

LEND A HEART 

Be ONE in a MINYAN! 

Join us: 

Weekdays 7 am and 7 pm .... Sundays 8 am and 6pm 

Fridays 6:15pm ... Legal holidays 8am and 7pm 


ANNIVERSARIES 

DECEMBER 2011 

Sydney and Phyllis Sacks ...................................65 Years on December 1 

Harvey and Sara Lewin ......................................61 Years on December 4 

Leon and Marilyn Rosenberg ............................58 Years on December 5 

Eliot and Elaine Cohen ...................................55 Years on December 16 

Bernard and Joan Sudikoff ..............................58 Years on December 19 

Leo and Barbara Karas ....................................61 Years on December 25 

JANUARY 2012 

Monte and Rita Goldman .....................................62 Years on January 8 

Rabbi Leonard Gordon & Dr. Lori Lefkovitz ......35 Years on January 9 

Larry and Rachel Chafetz ......................................15 Years on January 9 

Murray and May Gorelick ...................................64 Years on January 17 

Jonathan Katz and Suzan Kaitz...........................30 Years on January 30 

Richard and Jill Kazis ..........................................25 Years on January 31 

FEBRUARY 2012 

Barry and Doris Hyman ....................................64 Years on February 1 

Gerald and Deborah Simches .......................... 55 Years on February 10 

Dr. Ron and Rachel Blankstein ..........................5 Years on February 10 

Drs. Richard and Brenda Kerbel ...................... 35 Years on February 20 

HAVE A 

SIMCHA? 

Sponsor 

a Shabbat 

Kiddush and 

celebrate with 

all your friends! 

IN HONOR OF YOUR 

BIRTHDAY... 

IN HONOR OF YOUR 

ANNIVERSARY... 

IN MEMORY OF A 

LOVED ONE... 

OOPS! 

TODAH 

RABAH 

RABAH! 

TO YOU ALL! 

These generous congregants were accidentally 

left off the Annual Appeal List in our 

last newsletter: 

Peter and Jill Matusow 

Ron Sieve 

And we’re also grateful to all congregants 

who helped start off a great New Year with 

their pledges on Yom Kippur. 

For more information, please 

contact Sharon Diamond at 

617-332-5620 or 

sharon@diamondgang.com to 

reserve your special Shabbat! 

20 

CONGREGATION 



MAZEL TOV 

NEWS FLASH! 

Margie Tichnor on the birth 

of her great granddaughter, 

and Susan and Howard Alfred 

on the birth of their granddaughter, 

Heloise Hirsch. 

Rae and Jordan Silin on the 

marriage of their son Mark to 

Debbie Dupre. 

Bernice “Sis” Kazis on the 

birth of her great granddaughter, 

Livia Rose Avgar. 

Joan and David Genser on the 

birth of their granddaughter, 

Avery Esther Woods. 

Sarah Lieberman on the birth 

of her great grandson, Adam 

Ilan Neill. 

Reeve and Samuel Goldhaber 

on the marriage of their 

daughter, Alissa, to Peter 

Krause. 

Harriet and Marty Yogel and 

Stephen Buchbinder on the 

marriage of their daughter, 

Emily, to Marc Hutton. 

Congratulations to our 

own Rabbi Leonard Gordon on 

receiving an Honorary Doctor 

of Divinity degree from the 

Jewish Theological Seminary on 

November 1st. 

Rabbi Gordon received his 

doctorate at a convocation 

honoring a group of Rabbinical 

Assembly members who have 

served the movement for over 25 years. 

YASHER KOACH! 

Please join us in welcoming 

Sandi Meixner to our office 

staff! Sandi is working as 

an Administrative Assistant 

in the office, helping to 

produce communications, 

manage donations and our 

database, greet visitors and 

provide other support to 

keep the office running 

smoothly. Sandi comes to us 

from a position as a Client 

Liaison in a focus marketing 

research firm, and prior to 

that worked in the corporate 

office of a local restaurant 

chain. Sandi lives in Newton, is married and has two sons, and is 

very excited about meeting all of our congregants and making a 

difference at CMT. It’s great to have you Sandi! 


ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 

The following donations were received between July 1, 2011 and September 30, 2011. You are most 

welcome to email your donations to Harriet Charnitsky at secretary@mishkantefila.org. 

SARAH R. AND JACK 

ADELSON EDUCATION FUND 

IN MEMORY OF 

Jennie Cohen, Mother, by Ruth Shapiro 

HYMAN AND DORA 

AUERBACH YOUTH 

SCHOLARSHIP FUND 

IN APPRECIATION OF 

Rabbi Berman by the Family of Dr. 

George Altman 

Cantor Finklestein by the Family of Dr. 

George Altman 

Rabbi Gordon by the Family of Dr. 

George E. Altman 

IN MEMORY OF 

Dr. George Altman by Barbara and 

Donald Grenadir 

BENEVOLENT FUND 


Rabbi Gordon and Rabbi Berman for 

your caring and considerate response to 

the needs of your congregants by Lillian 

Backman 

Morning Minyan by Gary Black 

Rabbi Leonard Gordon and Cantor 

Finkelstein by Seth Gitell 

Rabbi Gordon and Rabbi Berman for 

being there for Sumner by Joan Reynolds 

and Sumner Sturman 

Rabbi Gordon’s visit during my mother’s 

Shiva by Lynn Shriro 

Rabbi Berman for being there for Sumner 

by Joan Reynolds and Sumner Sturman 

IN HONOR OF 

Julius Cohen’s very special birthday by 

Marilyn and Paul Landis 

Morning Minyan by Gary Black 

MARKING YAHRZEIT OF 

Ida Black, Grandmother, by Gary Black 

Robert Black, Uncle, by Gary Black 

Mollie Levine, Aunt, by Gary Black 

ADELLE AND SIDNEY 

FAGELMAN EDUCATION 

ENRICHMENT FUND 

IN HONOR OF 

Special Birthday of Fred Gamer by Adelle 

Fagelman 

IN MEMORY OF 

Myer Lisman, Father, by Adelle 

Fagelman 

JEWISH FAMILY AND 

CHILDREN’S SERVICES 

FAMILY TABLE FUND 

IN HONOR OF 

Happy, Healthy Birthday to Harriet 

Allschwang, Mother, by Hope, Neil, 

Alyssa and Todd Wolf and Karen and 

Jay Allschwang 

Birthday of Jay Allschwang by Hope, 

Neal, Alyssa and Todd Wolf 

Wedding Anniversary of Dr. and Mrs. 

Richard Curtis by Hope, Neal, Alyssa 

and Todd Wolf 

Oliver Geller becoming a Bar Mitzvah by 

Robyn and Daniel Steinberg 

Special birthday of Fanna Kreidberg by 

Mimi and Mel Cerier 

Birthday of Hope Wolf by Jay and Karen 

Allschwang 

The marriage of Marilyn Tapper’s 

Granddaughter by Shanie Rabinovitz 

IN MEMORY OF 

Adele Green by Wendy and Steve 

Handler and Family 

Abraham Silber by Harriet Allschwang 

Abraham Silber, Great-Uncle, by Jay 

Allschwang 


A.E. Allschwang, Husband and Father, 

by Harriet and Jay Allschwang 

Abraham Silber by Harriet Allschwang 

Abraham Silber, Great-Uncle, by Jay 

Allschwang 

SPEEDY RECOVERY TO 

Harriet Charnitsky by Irene and Stanley 

G a ffi n 

Leo Karas by Lilian and Milton 

Glickstein 

Shelly Strauss by Judy and Martin 

Alpert, Marilyn and Stanley Becker, 

Phyllis and Jeffrey Katz 

Summer Sturman by Phyllis and Sidney 

Sacks 

SUMNER H. AND ROSALIE C. 

GARBER MEMORIAL FUND 

With gratitude by Susan Garber and 

Roy Bishop 

JEANETTE AND 

HYMAN GONDELMAN 


IN MEMORY OF 

Morton Gondelman, beloved Father of 

Judith Gondelman, by Anne, Eric and 

Alex Newton; Jeffrey and Ellen Shrago 

22 

CONGREGATION 



KAITZ KRENTZMAN 

NURSERY SCHOOL FUND 

IN MEMORY OF 

Dr. George Altman by Rosanne and 

Harvey Greenstein 

Lola Davis by Rosanne and Harvey 

Greenstein 

Ben Moskow by Micki and Ralph 

Banner 

Sumner Rodman by Micki and Ralph 

Banner 


Sumner Sturman, get well! by Joan 

Reynolds and Family 

RABBI ISRAEL J. 

AND BERNICE KAZIS 


IN HONOR OF 

The birth of Judah Gould Fellerman, 

Grandson of Paula and Jimmy Gould, by 

Walter Einstein 

Ronnie Sieve and his commitment to 

CMT by Sis Kazis 


Hyman H. Gondelman, Father, by 

Bernice Kazis 


Leo Karas by Phyllis and Cliff Seresky 

THE KIDDUSH FUND 

IN HONOR OF 

Birthday of Myrna Cohen by Myrna 

Cohen 

The marriage of Walter Lipsett’s 

Grandson, Aaron, by Phyllis and Cliff 

Seresky 

The birth of Paula and Jimmy Gould’s 

Grandson, Judah Gould, by Walter 

Einstein 

The marriage of Emily and Mark Hutton 

by Sharon and Chuck Diamond; 

Harriet Yogel 

Birthday of Selma Cooperband by Selma 

Cooperband 

New Home of Millie Ehrlich by Lois and 

Aaron Fleischer 

MAZEL TOV TO 

Sid Lejfer on the honor of receiving the 

Jack Wilson Memorial Award by Walter 

Einstein 

IN MEMORY OF 

George Altman by Joan Reynolds and 

Sumner Sturman 

Lola Davis by Sharon and Chuck 

Diamond 

Helene Grossman by Sharon and Chuck 

Diamond 

Merritt Lipsky by Karen and Peter 

Kotzen 


Harriet Charnitsky by Judy and Martin 

Alpert; Marcia Barron; Phyllis and 

Jeffrey Katz 

Leo Karas by Walter Einstein; Phyllis 

and Jeffrey Katz; Phyllis and Cliff 

Seresky 

Shelly Strauss by Phyllis and Jeffrey Katz 

Sumner Sturman by Judy and Martin 

Alpert; Don and Barbara Grenadir 

MANNY KURLAND B’NEI 

MITZVAH BOOK FUND 


Leo Karas by Anita Kurland 

Sumner Sturman by Judy and Shelly 

Strauss 

LIBRARY FUND 

IN MEMORY OF 

Edith R. Swartz, beloved Mother and 

Grandmother, by Joel and Carole 

Shyavitz and Family 

Esther Przewuzman by the CMT 

Sisterhood 

THE MILTON H. AND 

PAULINE GORDON, IRA 

B. GORDON, ROBERT 

ALAN LUSHAN AND 

HERBERT JOSIAH LUSHAN 


IN MEMORY OF 

Norman Katz by Rhonda Lushan and 

Family; Barbara Lushan and Family 

BARBARA AND BENJAMIN 

MALETZ EDUCATION FUND 

IN HONOR OF 

Lilian Glickstein’s Birthday by Barbara 

Maletz 


Edward E. Cohen, beloved Father, by 

Barbara Maletz 

Robert W. Cohen, beloved Brother, by 

Barbara Maletz 

MINYAN FUND 


Leo Karas by Joan Reynolds and 


Shelly Strauss by Joan Reynolds and 


Sumner Sturman by Kathy and Mark 

Rogozinski and Family 


MUSIC FUND 

IN MEMORY OF 

Miriam Ulman by Kathy and Mark 

Rogozinski and Family; Shanie 

Rabinovitz 

IN HONOR OF 

Cantor Finklestein by Sis Kazis 

Cantor Finklestein by Dr. Davin Wolok 

PULPIT HONOR FUND 

IN MEMORY OF 

Edith Swartz by Claire and Morton 

Bardfield 

PULPIT HONORS 

Birthday Aliyah for Miriam 

Hammerman 

Irene and Stan Gaffin 

Doris Robbins 

Judy and Peter Weinreb 

RITUAL FUND 

With Gratitude by John Spinelli 

RABBI HERMAN H. AND 

MIGNON L. RUBENOVITZ 

MUSEUM FUND 

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO 

Sarah Meyers and Rabbi Daniel Berman 

by Pat Black 

CMT Offi ce Staff by Pat Black 

Sharon and Chuck Diamond by Pat 

Black 

Tony Daniels by Pat Black 

Rachael and Aryeh Finklestein by Pat 

Black 

Dr. Lori Lefkovitz and Rabbi Leonard 

Gordon by Pat Black 

Esther and Josh Langer by Pat Black 

Carol Lurie Wolok and Davin Wolok by 

Pat Black 

IN HONOR OF 

Wedding Anniversary of Myrna and 

Robert Cohen by Pat Black 

Myrna Cohen, Happy 75th Birthday, by 

Pat Black 

Birthday of Sharon Diamond by Pat 

Black 

Sharon Diamond’s Rosh Hashanah Aliyah 

by Pat Black 

Wedding Anniversary of Lisa and Russell 

Franks by Pat Black 

62nd Wedding Anniversary of Irene and 

Stan Gaffi n by Pat Black 

Birthday of Charlotte Kaitz by Pat Black 

Tyler Lebner becoming a Bar Mitzvah by 

Pat Black 

Wedding Anniversary of Eileen and 

Stephen Samuels by Pat Black 

51st Wedding Anniversary of Judie and 

Shelly Strauss by Pat Black 

30th Wedding Anniversary of Susan and 

Bill Von Achen by Pat Black 

IN MEMORY OF 

Joan Bortman by Judy and Martin 

Alpert 

Lorraine Miller by Judy and Martin 

Alpert 

Jennie Segal, Sister, by Marilyn Hecht 

Miriam Ulman by Judy and Martin 

Alpert 


Dr. Barry Benjamin by Pat Black 

Harriet Charnitsky Love, Pat Black 

Leo Karas by Judy and Martin Alpert 

Shelly Strauss by Pat Black 

SIM SHALOM 

PRAYERBOOK FUND 


Mitzi Kaitz’s generosity by Ron Sieve 

IN HONOR OF 

Marriage of Elinor and Stanley Weisman’s 

Grandson by Gloria and Arnold 

Nathanson 

85th Birthday of Aron Greenfield by 

Sandy Salzman and Neil Levin 

IN MEMORY OF 

Howard “Blackie” Krafsur, beloved 

Brother, by Micki and Ralph Banner 

Lorraine “Larry” Harris Krafsur, beloved 

Sister, by Micki and Ralph Banner 

Miriam Ulman by Doris and Harvey 

Robinson 


Harriet Charnitsky by Ron Sieve 

Sumner Sturman by Ron Sieve 

TICHNOR FAMILY 

EDUCATION FUND 


Marty Seltzer and Family by Amy 

Tichnor 

IN HONOR OF 

Fanna Kreidberg’s Special Birthday by 

Margie Tichnor 

25th Wedding anniversary of Nancy and 

Sid Lejfer by Amy Tichnor 

Sid Lejfer on your receiving an honorary 

fellowship from Technion Institute of 

Technology by Barbara and Leo Karas 

IN MEMORY OF 

George Altman by Margie Tichnor 


Leo Karas by Amy Tichnor 

Shelly Strauss by CMT Brotherhood; 

Maxine and Mitchell Selig; Amy 

Tichnor 

Sumner Sturman by CMT Brotherhood 

24 

CONGREGATION 



TRIBUTE FUND 

IN HONOR OF 

Arthur (Abba) Appelstein’s 80th Birthday 

by Fran and Len Aaronson; Phyllis 

and Henry Diamond; Libbie and Ed 

Worobey 

Julius Cohen’s 90th birthday by Harriet 

and Joe Robie 

Marriage of Alex Weisman, Grandson of 

Elinor and Stanley Weisman, by Arlene 

Modest 

IN MEMORY OF 

Morton Gondelman by Anne, Eric and 

Alex Newton 

Helene Grossman, Grandmother of 

Rebecca, by Ziva and Jack Paley 

Marilyn Hecht by Judy and Martin 

Alpert 

Norman Katz by Rachel Katz; Robyn 

and Daniel Steinberg; Mark and Sherri 

Goodstein 

Edith R. Swartz, Cousin, by Carole and 

David Dechter 

Edith R. Swartz by Judy and Martin 

Alpert; Sheryl and Steven Dropkin; 

Peter and Beth Edelstein; Stephie and 

Michael Fine; Sheila Goldstein; Aviva 

Halpern; Jane and Mike Litner; Sheila 

Kojm and Louis Stuhl; Joan and Bruce 

Tanzer and Family; Susan and Stephen 

Weinstein; Alison, Dick and Ed 

Willins; Jill A. Wollins 

Miriam Ulman by Eliot Sagan 

MARKING THE YAHRZEIT OF 

Phil Bern, Husband of Sandra Bern, by 

Laura and Bernie Zigman 


Harriet Charnitsky by Bill Nathanson; 

Elinor and Stanley Weisman; Jean 

Yanofsky 

Leo Karas by Linda and Shimon Amir 

and Marion and Al Frager; Carole and 

Charlie Silk 

Shelly Strauss by The CMT 

Brotherhood; Mark and Sherri 

Goodstein; Ruth and Joe Miller; 

Maxine and Mitchell Selig 

Sumner Sturman by The CMT 

Brotherhood; Bill Nathanson; Eliot 

Sagan 

ROSE AND HARRY WALD 


IN MEMORY OF 

Marshall Daner by Gail and Arthur 

Wald 

Lola Davis by Gail and Arthur Wald 

Lorraine Miller by Gail and Arthur 

Wald 

HARVEY WEISS 



Lottie Stein, Mother, by Joan Weiss 

SARA WILSON PULPIT 

FLOWER FUND 

IN MEMORY OF 

Lorraine Miller by Zona and Martin 

Hoffman 

Edith Swartz by Zona and Martin 

Hoffman 

Miriam Ulman by Zona and Martin 

Hoffman 

YIZKOR MEMORIAL FUND 


Cori Altman, Sister, by Monte and Gail 

Altman 

Harriet Altman, Mother, by Monte and 

Gail Altman 

Annette M. Baker, Mother, by Marilyn 

and Stephen Kurzman 

Edward Isaac Bardfield, Father and 

Grandfather by Claire, Morton, Melissa, 

David and Edward Bardfield 

Lois H. Barron, Mother, by Ellen Barron 

Jadd 

Lois Barron by Marcia Barron 

Frances Barrow, Mother, by Stephen 

Barrow 

Max Bayard, Father, by Dena Robbins 

Constance Berenson, Sister, by Barry and 

Doris Hyman 

Dr. Philip Bern, Husband and 

Grandfather, by Sandra Bern 

Samuel Bigler, Grandfather, by Gail, 

Monte and David Altman 

Lillian Bimble, Mother, by Barbara Lapp 

Simeon Bogin, Father, by Harriet Yogel 

Rose Borowsky, Mother, by Joan 

Reynolds 

Maxwell Brown, Father-in-Law, by 

David Young 

Robert H. Brown, Stepfather, by Harvey 

and Nancy Cohen 

Fruma bas Yitschok – Florence Burnick, 

Mother, by Reisa Burnick 

Jacob Burstein, Father, by Sandra 

Phillips 

Sylvia Burtman, Mother, by Allen and 

Maxine Burtman 

Dr. Herbert S. Carlin, Husband, by 

Libby Carlin 

Jennette Cohen, Mother, by Eliot and 

Elaine Cohen 

Jennie Cohen, Mother, by Ruth Shapiro 

Mary Cohen, Mother, by Robert and 

Myrna D. Cohen 

Samuel Dickerman, Father, by Diane 

and Arthur Dickerman 

Falek Erlich, Father, by Mary and 

William Erlich 

Max Fanger, Father, by Irving Fanger 

Charles Figler, Grandfather, by Burton 

D. Figler 

Joseph Fleischer, Father, by Lois and 

Aaron Fleischer 


Sadie Gaffi nowitz, Mother, by Stanley 

G a ffi n 

Benjamin Glaser, Grandfather, by David 

Glaser 

Frances Glaser, Mother, by David Glaser 

Alice Glazer, Mother, by Irene Gaffin 

Samuel Golov, Father and Grandfather, 

by Ruth and Walter Einstein and 

Margie Hurwitz 

Isaac Goldstein, Grandfather, by Ramon 

Rakoff 

Michael P. Gordon, Son, by Nancy and 

Kenneth Gordon 

Emma Gutlon, Mother, by Doris and 

Barry Hyman 

Peter Gutlon, Brother, by Doris and 

Barry Hyman 

Sidney Gutlon, Father, by Doris and 

Barry Hyman 

Janie Himelfarb, Wife, by Gary M. 

Himelfarb 

Anna Hyman, Mother, by Barry and 

Doris Hyman 

Gladys Kadis, Sister, by Jean Yanofsky 

Ida Mae Kahn, Mother, by Elaine 

Greenberg 

Bertha Katz, Mother, by William and 

Mary Erlich 

Israel Katz, Father, by William and 

Mary Erlich 

Leibel Katz, Brother, by William and 

Mary Erlich 

Violet Katz, Mother, by Sumner Katz 

William Katz, Father, by Sumner Katz 

Nathan Kaufman, Father and 

Grandfather, by Susan Kaufman 

Abraham M. Kosow, Grandfather, by 

Lawrence Kosow 

Larry Lapp, Husband, by Barbara Lapp 

Larry Lapp, Father, by Joyce Lapp 

Laurence Lapp, Brother-in-Law, by Joan 

and Bernard Sudikoff 

Milton Lefkowitz, Father, by Diane and 

Arthur Dickerman 

Our Parents by Betty and Mel Levin 

Israel Levine, Father, by Mel Levine 

George Levy, Husband, Father and 

Grandfather, by Barbara Levy, Marcy 

Levy-Konesky and Jane Levy-Reed 

Gertrude Levy, Great-Grandmother, by 

Barbara Levy, Marcy Levy-Konesky; 

Jane Levy-Reed 

Bertha Lipsitz, Mother, by Walter Lipsett 

Eleanore “Ellie” Lipsett, Wife, by Walter 

Lipsett 

Jack Luster, Uncle, by Livote Family 

Joseph J. Marshall, Father, by George J. 

and Sarah K. Marshall 

Minnie Millner, Mother, by Barbara 

Airey 

Dorothy Nathanson, Mother, by Bill 

Nathanson 

Louis Nathanson, Father, by Gloria and 

Arnold Nathanson 

Lillian Ruth Pach, Mother and 

Grandmother, by Laurie and David 

Feinberg 

Morris Palevsky by Charlotte Paley 

Mildred Paperman, Cousin, by Rohna 

Shoul 

Suzanne Y. Rakoff, First Wife, by Ramon 

M. Rakoff 

Cecelia Ray, Mother, by Thelma Linsey 

Betsy Roberts, Daughter, by Ruth 

Roberts 

Yetta Sandler, Mother, by Shanie 

Rabinovitz 

Florence Sapir by Selma D. Sachs 

Frances Schaffer, Mother, by Sandra 

Akashian 

Theodore Schaffer, Father, by Sandra 

Akashian 

Philip Schiffman, Father, by Stephen 

Schiffman 

Janet Schoem, Sister, by Lois Martin 

Rose Schuster, Mother, by Gerald 

Schuster 

Robert Seltzer, Father, by Martin Seltzer 

My late wife by Judge Arthur Sherman 

Celia Shlain, Cousin, by Rohna Shoul 

Julian Snyder, Father, by Debbie and 

Larry Silverstein 

Benjamin Spelfogel, Father, by Robert 

Spelfogel 

Jerry Stone, Brother, by Phyllis Jacobs 

Irving Sturman, Father, by Sumner 

Sturman 

James M. Swerling, Son, by Phyllis 

Swerling Kellum 

Benjamin Tannenbaum, Father, by 

Phyllis Tannenbaum 

Dr. Jeri F. Traub, Wife, by Walter B. 

Einstein 

Aaron M. White, Husband, by Edith 

White 

Daniel Yanovich, Grandfather, by Esther 

Finkielsztein 

Robert Yusen, Father-in-Law, by Ramon 

M. Rakoff 

Lillian Zimble, Mother, by Joan and 

Bernard Sudikoff 

YOUTH AND 

EDUCATION FUND 


Shmuel Golan by Rachel and Larry 

Chafetz 

IN MEMORY OF 

Lola Davis by Morton and Claire 

Bardfield 

Luba Feinstein by Amy Jo Blotner and 

Family 

Norman Katz by Selma Cooperband 

Lorraine Miller by Diane and Herbert 

Hoffman 

26 

CONGREGATION 



Leila Sobin by Tammy and Gerald 

Knoff 

Edith Swartz by Selma Cooperband 


Leo Karas by Susan and Barry 

Benjamin; Selma Cooperband 

Sumner Sturman by Selma Cooperband 

DID YOU KNOW... 

You can transfer funds directly from your IRA, tax free, as a 

gift to CMT. 

Turn your required minimum distribution into a tax-free gift 

to CMT. Reduce your IRA, which is likely the most highly 

taxed asset in your estate. 

Unless Congress acts before December 31 of this year, this 

special opportunity is available only during 2011. 

Contact Executive Director, Tony Daniels at 

617-332-7770 for further information. 

A I P A C N E W E N G L A N D R E G I O N 

cordially invites you to a private conversation 

The U.S.-Israel relationship 

in a rapidly changing Middle East 

Featuring 

M I C H A E L K A S S E N 

AIPAC President-elect 

Thursday, December 1, 2011 at 7:30 PM 

Congregation Mishkan Tefila 

300 Hammond Pond Parkway 

Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts 

RSVP to AIPAC at 617-399-2562 or nereg@aipac.org 

Refreshments will be served - dietary laws observed. 

This event is free for members of AIPAC* and members of Congregation Mishkan Tefila. 

*AIPAC membership starts at $50. Contact AIPAC New England at (617) 399-2562 to join or to renew your support. 


JOIN US AS WE CELEBRATE THE RHYTHMS 

AND RENEWAL OF SHABBAT WITH 

Kabbalat Shabbat 

Unplugged 

Upcoming Dates 

February 10 

March 16 

May 11 

June 8 

June 22 

6:15pm 

With Rabbi Daniel 

Berman and Cantor 

Aryeh Finklestein. 

CONGREGATION 


Renewal 

Shabbat 

300 Hammond Pond Parkway Chestnut Hill 

617.332.7770 

28 

www.mishkantefila.org CONGREGATION MISHKAN TEFILA DECEMBER 2011 - FEBRUARY 2012 

CONGREGATION 

MISHKAN TEFILA

IN MEMORIAM 

DATE DECEASED MEMBER 

July 28, 2011 Lola Davis Mother of Lynn Shriro 

August 5, 2011 Edith Swartz Synagogue Member 

August 9, 2011 Norman Katz Husband of Frieda Katz 

Father of Alan Katz 

September 3, 2011 Merritt Linsky Father of Lauri-Jo Kotzen 

September 8, 2011 Frances Feinzig Synagogue Member 

September 11, 2011 Lillian Klotz Mother of Cheryl Franklin 

September 16, 2011 Miriam “Buddy” Ulman Sister of Stanley Becker 

October 2, 2011 Lucille Chernack Sister of Shirley Radlo 

October 3, 2011 Neal Feldman Son of Esther Feldman 

October 10, 2011 Jerome Kimmel Father of Dan Kimmel 

October 12, 2011 Ralph Samuels Uncle of Barry Samuels 

October 14, 2011 Ruth Einstein Synagogue Member 

Mother of Walter Einstein 

Mother of Marjorie Hurwitz 

October 16, 2011 Jean Frisch Mother of Patty Clarke 

October 17, 2011 Edward Steinberg Synagogue Member 

Husband of Ruth Steinberg 

October 22, 2011 Martin Braver Synagogue Member 


December 2011 

Kislev - Tevet 5772 

30 

CONGREGATION 


Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Shabbat 

3 Kislev 7 

Parashat Vayetzei 

1 Kislev 5 2 Kislev 6 

6:15p Kabbalat Shabbat 

9:30 Shabbat Morning 

Service 

3:55p Light Candle 

10 Kislev 14 

Parashat Vayishlach 

9 Kislev 13 

7:00p Service with 

Scholar In Residence: 

Rabbi Naami Kelman 


1:00p Library Book Club 

Meeting 

6 Kislev 10 

10:00 “Maimonides: 

Lawyer, Doctor and 

Philosopher” with Rabbi 

Gordon 

7:30p “What am I doing 

here?” with Dr. Wolok 

5 Kislev 9 

9:30 Me’ah class 

4 Kislev 8 

No Religious School 


Service led by Rabbi 

Kelman 

12:15p Lunch and talk 

with Rabbi Kelman 

Limmud Boston at CMT 

8:30p Oneg Shabbat 


17 Kislev 21 

Parashat Vayeshev 


14 Kislev 18 

8:00p Brotherhood at 

Union Street 

13 Kislev 17 




Gordon 

12 Kislev 16 


11 Kislev 15 

9:00 Brotherhood 

meeting 

9:30 Shabbat Shel 

She’arim: Gateways into 

Shabbat 

3:00p Rebbe’s Tisch: 

Lessons of Chanukah 

with Rabbi Berman 

6:00p Learning with our 

Rabbis 

6:15p Musical Kabbalat 

Shabbat 


9:30 Sisterhood meeting 

Hanukkah program & 

candle pick up 

2:00p HAZAK program 

CONGREGATION MISHKAN TEFILA DECEMBER 2011 - FEBRUARY 2012 



24 Kislev 28 

Parashat Miketz 

23 Kislev 27 

Hanukkah 

22 Kislev 26 

Hanukkah 

21 Kislev 25 

Hanukkah 

20 Kislev 24 

Erev Hanukkah -- 

19 Kislev 23 


Hanukkah 


Service 

6:15 Kabbalat Shabbat 

18 Kislev 22 

9:00 “What does this 

have to do with me?” 

with Dr. Wolok 


Light 1st candle 




Gordon 



Classes at Newbridge 

led by Rabbi Berman 

9:30 Library One 

Synague One Book 

Program: “Secrets of the 

Seventh Candle” by Dr. 

Lori Lefkovitz; Breakfast 

31 Tevet 5 

Parashat Vayigash 

29 Tevet 3 30 Tevet 4 


28 Tevet 2 

Hanukkah ends at 

sundown 

27 Tevet 1 

Hanukah -- 

26 Kislev 30 

Hanukkah 

25 Kislev 29 

Hanukkah 


Service 


Light 8th candle 




Rosh Chodesh 


No Religious School – 

Winter vacation begins

January 2012 

Tevet - Shevat 5772 


7 Tevet 12 

Parashat Vayechi 

4 Tevet 9 5 Tevet 10 6 Tevet 11 





1 Tevet 6 



Service 


Religious School 

resumes 

14 Tevet 19 

Parashat Shemot 



Rabbis 

11 Tevet 16 


Union Street 





Service 

8 Tevet 13 




6:15p Musical Kabbalat 

Shabbat 


9:15 Brotherhood Board 

Meeting 

21 Tevet 26 

Parashat Vaera 

20 Tevet 25 



12:30p Library Book Club 

17 Tevet 22 



16 Tevet 21 

Martin Luther King Day 


Service 

15 Tevet 20 




9:00 MLK Jr. Day Parents 

Education Program with 

Rabbi Berman: “Inspiring 

Our Children to a Life of 

Dreams and Action” 

5:00p Dr. King and Rabbi 

Heschel: “Jews and the 

Civil Rights Movement” 

Visit the NEW www.mishkantefila.org for news, updates and resources. 31 


28 Shevat 4 

Parashat Bo 

26 Shevat 2 27 Shevat 3 

6:00p Musical Family 

Kabbalat Shabbat and 

Dinner 

25 Shevat 1 

Rosh Chodesh 






Shabbat 

22 Tevet 27 




6:15p Chapel service 





29 Shevat 5 




2:00p HAZAK movie

February 2012 

Shevat - Adar 5772 

32 

CONGREGATION 



4 Shevat 11 

Parashat Beshalach 

1 Shevat 8 2 Shevat 9 3 Shevat 10 


9:30 Brotherhood/ 

Sisterhood Shabbat 

3:00p Rabbe’s Tisch with 

our Rabbis: Tu B’shvat 

Seder 


at Newbridge 


11 Shevat 18 

Parashat Yitro 



Rabbis 

8 Shevat 15 


Union Street 


Service 


10:00 “Living Jewishly” 




5 Shevat 12 




6:15p Musical Family 

Kabbalat Shabbat 

9:15 “World Wide Wrap” 

led by Don Grenadir 


18 Shevat 25 

Shabbat Shekalim 

17 Shevat 24 



12:30p Library Book 

Club 




Parashat Mishpatim 


Service 

12 Shevat 19 




CONGREGATION MISHKAN TEFILA DECEMBER 2011 - FEBRUARY 2012 




25 Adar 2 

Parashat Terumah 

24 Adar 1 



Rosh Chodesh 

21 Shevat 28 



20 Shevat 27 

Presidents Day 



Shabbat 



8:00 Minyan 

CMT Florida Snowbirds 

Lunch 

19 Shevat 26 

No Religious School: 

February vacation 

begins 

29 Adar 6 

27 Adar 4 28 Adar 5 



26 Adar 3 




Religious School resumes

Take a look! 

OUR NEW WEBSITE, WWW.MISHKANTEFILA.ORG, WAS 

LAUNCHED IN MID-SEPTEMBER AND HAS MET WITH RAVE 

REVIEWS. WE INVITE YOU TO “TAKE A LOOK” … AND FIND: 

BIOGRAPHIES OF 

OUR CLERGY AND 

PROFESSIONAL 

STAFF 

FEATURED 

UPCOMING 

PROGRAMS 

WEEKLY SERVICE 

SCHEDULES AND 

CANDLE LIGHTING 

TIMES 

PHOTOS OF 

OUR MEMBERS, 

YOUNG AND OLD, 

AT SCHOOL AND 

COMMUNITY 

EVENTS 

PROGRAM FLYERS 

QUICK LINKS 

TO MEMBERSHIP 

AND FACILITIES 

INFORMATION 

LINKS TO 

SERMONS BY OUR 

RABBIS 

NEWS ABOUT 

OUR AUXILIARIES, 

COMMITTEES 

AND INDIVIDUAL 

CONGREGANTS 

AUDIO LINKS TO 

BLESSINGS,TORAH 

AND HAFTORAH 

PORTIONS 

and much more!

KINDLY SHARE 

YOUR EMAIL 

ADDRESS 

Does CMT have your current 

email address? To ensure 

announcements and up-to-the 

minute news alerts, we ask that 

you please share your current 

email address with us by calling 

617-332-7770 or via email at 

secretary@mishkantefila.org. 

CONGREGATION 


Affiliated with United Synagogue of Conservative 

Judaism and Synagogue Council of Massachusetts 

PROFESSIONAL STAFF 

Leonard Gordon, Senior Rabbi 

Daniel Berman, Assistant Rabbi 

Aryeh Finklestein, Cantor 

Dr. Davin Wolok, Ritual Director & Hazzan Sheni 

Anthony Daniels, Executive Director 

Lisa Kideckel, Nursery School Director 

Jonathan H. Barnhart, Organist & Choir Director 

Joshua Langer, Director of Youth Education and 

Enrichment 

PAST PRESIDENTS 

Dr. Barry Benjamin, Walter Einstein, Albert Frager, 

Dr. Milton Glickstein, Martin Hoffman, Barbara 

Karas, Leo Karas, Melvin Miller, Stephen Samuels, 

Dr. Abraham Zimelman. 

AUXILIARY PRESIDENTS 

Eduardo Kreindel and Josh Douglass, Brotherhood 

Cheryl Grau & Cathy Shait, Sisterhood 

OFFICERS 

Charles R. Diamond, President 

Stephen Kurzman, Executive VP 

Laurence Chafetz, VP 

Steven Handler, VP 

Steven Kaitz, VP 

Phyllis Katz, VP 

Dena Rashes, VP 

Lisa Rubinstein, VP 

Gary Miller, Treasurer 

Lawrence Fischer, Associate Treasurer 

Russell Stein, Secretary 

Mark Goodstein, Associate Secretary

December/January/February 2011-2012 - Congregation Mishkan ...

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