TORAH TIMES - SPRING EDITION 2018

BETH TORAH TIMES 

Spring Edition 2018 l Adar-Nissan-Iyar 5778 

WWW.BTBRC.ORG

Leadership 

MARIO ROJZMAN 

Rabbi 

EDWIN FARBER 

Rabbi Emeritus 

DR. MAX A. LIPSCHITZ Z”L 

Founding Rabbi 

GASTÓN BOGOMOLNI 

Cantor 

MARSHALL BALTUCH 

Director of Development 

WAYNE KEIL 

Chief Operating Officer 

GABRIELA RASCOVSKY 

Religious School Director 

Membership Director 

Officers 

JENI BUCHHOLZ 

Youth & Camp Director 

ANNE MANDELBAUM 

Early Childhood Academy 

Director 

SHERRY KRUG 

Administrative Assistant 

TERI SMOLKEN 

Controller 

MARLA COHEN 

BT2U Coordinator 

In this issue 

Messages 03 

From our Rabbi, Cantor, Co- 

Presidents, Director of Development, 

Chief Operating Officer, Early 

Childhood Academy Director & 

Director of Membership 

Passover Services 12 

B’nai Mitzvah 14 

STEVEN SCHECK 

MIKE SEGAL 

Co-Presidents 

RICH BERGER 

JILL KOCH 

Co-Executive Vice Presidents 

MICHAEL COTZEN 

At Large VP 

SHER KLEIN 

Early Childhood Academy VP 

MINDY KURKIN 

Education VP 

STEVEN WILLINGER 

Financial VP 

LOIS DANIS 

Membership VP 

ERIC BERGER 

Operations VP 

MARK MOYEL 

Ritual VP 

PHYLLIS SHEINMAN 

Ways & Means VP 

EDGARDO IMAR 

Youth & Camp VP 

ALON OZER 

Treasurer 

MARC KLEINER 

Secretary 

ROBERT GOLDFARB 

Immediate Past President 

New Members and 

Candle Lighting Times 

/ Parashiot 

15 

Lifecycles 18 

Contributions & Yahrzeit 

Donations 

19 

News 24 

From Beth Torah Sisterhood and 

Scheck Family Religious School 

2 BETH TORAH TIMES

A Message from Our Rabbi 

March For Our Lives - 

Parkland 

As you may know already on March 24 the March for our lives will 

take place all over the country. 

BETH TORAH decided to be part of that Rally and because it takes 

part on Shabbat some of us will spend it close to the parc where the 

March will take place so we can not only show support to the devastated 

families of the Parkland attack but also express our concern 

with the way guns, and the wrong guns are arriving to the hands of 

people that shouldn’t carry them. 

Beth Torah is proud to partner with 

1Echad to help create a lifestyle 

network rooted in Jewish culture 

and ethics, that focuses primarily on 

millenials and the iGeneration. 

www.facebook.com/1EchadLife 

CLICK ON THE IMAGE TO ENJOY THE VIDEO 

Filmed by 1Echad 


3

A Message from Our Cantor 

A Chad Gadya for Our Time 

In memory of the victims of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School 

I rarely talk about politics, and this time 

it won’t be different. My main point in 

this short message is to open up our 

eyes to raise our level of consciousness 

within us and the society in order to 

grant inner peace to ourselves and 

peace for the entire world one day 

soon. 

Back in 1989, while the Tzahal (the 

Israeli Army) had a presence in the 

Lebanon and the first Palestinian 

uprising had begun a few months 

earlier, acclaimed Israeli singer and 

songwriter Chava Alberstein wrote and 

recorded a modern version of Chad 

Gadya (One Little Goat). Alberstein uses 

the full original version in Aramaic from 

the Haggadah (Passover ritual book 

of stories and prayers)we all love and 

enjoy singing at the end of the Passover 

Seder Dinner year after year. First we 

got the Goat, then the Cat, the Dog, the 

Stick, the Fire, the Water, the Ox, the 

Butcher, the Angel of Death and finally 

Ha-Kadosh Baruch Hu (God). However, 

as the song is about to get to God, in 

Alberstein’s modern version, the words 

turned to a deeper message alluding 

to the relationship between oppressor 

and oppressed and she states: “What 

has changed [mah nishtana]?” – “I have 

changed this year”, the song answers. 

Why are you singing this traditional song? 

It’s not yet spring and Passover’s not here. 

And what has changed for you? What has 

changed? 

I have changed this year. 

On all other nights I ask the four questions, 

but tonight I have one more: 

How long will the cycle last? 

How long will the cycle of violence last? 

The chased and the chaser 

The beaten and the beater 

When will all this madness end? 

I used to be a kid and a peaceful sheep 

Today I am a tiger and a ravenous wolf. 

I used to be a dove and I used to be a deer, 

Today I don’t know who I am anymore. 

Deezvan abba beetray zuzay… 

And we start all over again 

While the original song ends with 

God empowering the Angel of Death, 

Alberstein leaves God out of the 

picture. Chava Alberstein points 

the finger to violence generated by 

mankind. She opens up an invitation 

to stop and reflect before we start 

all over again. Since the shooting at 

the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High 

School, I can’t stop thinking about 

the devastated families of the victims, 

the parents, the classmates and the 

residents of Parkland, or the three 

teenagers in my life. At the same time 

my inner thoughts question over and 

over again what was the role of the 

society, what part of this shooting 

situation is our responsibility. I can’t 

stop thinking about the 18th victim of 

the story, Nikolas Jacob Cruz, the 19 

year old shooter, and the disturbed life 

he had, the amount of times he was 

the victim of violence by rejections, 

bullying, apathy, and margination 

by the society, his own classmates, 

CANTOR 

GASTÓN BOGOMOLNI 

teachers, relatives, biological and 

adopted parents and his own brother 

Zachary who now regrets the amount 

of bullying he and his friends had done 

to him. A Monster? Probably. Was he 

born like that? I doubt it. Did he need 

help? I am sure. Did he lack of love? I 

am completely sure. Like the song says: 

I used to be a kid and a peaceful sheep 

Today I am a tiger and a ravenous wolf. 

I used to be a dove and I used to be a deer, 

Today I don’t know who I am anymore. 

When you don’t know who you are 

anymore means you either are so lost, 

or you feel dead inside and have no 

control over yourself or your actions, 

and what is worse, you don’t care 

anymore about anything or anyone, 

including yourself. So what’s our 

responsibility as a society? As human 

beings? How can we stop the cycle of 

violence? When are we ever going to 

understand that we are all Hashem’s 

children, His creation, all created 

Continue in page 36... 


A Message from Our Co-Presidents 

Fun Fact: Did you know that Passover is the most celebrated Jewish 

holiday for Jews in the United States? According to a recent Pew Research 

Study, over 70% of American Jews went to a Passover Seder in the past year. 

That’s more than Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Chanukah or the obscure 

holiday of Tu B’av (our version of Valentine’s Day). 

The interesting question is why is Passover so popular? Is it the family reunion 

aspect of the Seder, the Jewish traditions or the amazing amount of bread-like 

foods that can be made from Matzo Meal? While these are all great answers, we 

would like to propose another reason – Passover is our “Master Story”, the story of 

a people escaping slavery and finding their freedom. This is why telling the story of 

our exodus is the most important tradition of any Seder. It’s not just at the Seder 

either. Throughout the Torah, G-d reminds us 87 times that he took us out of the 

Land of Egypt. This concept is engrained in our minds over and over again and 

is why Jews have always been at the forefront of any fight for freedom, equality, 

justice and for helping those less fortunate. Passover is our annual reminder of 

who we are as a people and what we were put on this Earth to do. 

STEVEN SCHECK 

At Beth Torah Benny Rok Campus, we live these values every day. Here are some 

recent examples from the past month: 

• Our Social Action Team (www.btbrc.org/social-action-volunteers/) along with 

over 100 volunteers made over 200 blankets for The Ronald McDonald Home 

and The Jack Nicklaus Children’s Hospital 

• Along with our Millennials outreach partner, 1Echad (www.1echadlife.org), 

we invited over 100 kids from Joe Dimaggio Children’s Hospital, Overtown 

Youth Center and Norwood Elementary to our Captain Mensch Event with 

Marvel Propmaster, Russell Bobbit 

• Rabbi Rojzman led many of us on the March for Our Lives (www.marchforourlives.com) 

to support the Parkland community following the horrific tragedy at Marjory 

Stoneman Douglas High School and stand together against gun violence 

MIKE SEGAL 

Passover is truly our Master Story which we will continue to tell for generations and teach its values through our actions. If you 

are interested in being a part of Beth Torah’s volunteer programs or have any ideas of how we can better support our community, 

please let us know. We can always use a few more storytellers. 

On behalf of the Board of Directors, professional staff and clergy of Beth Torah Benny Rok Campus, we wish you and your family a 

Passover filled with family, food and most importantly, a good story! 

B’Shalom, 

Steven Scheck and Mike Segal 

Co-Presidents 


5

A Message from Our 


The High Holy Days are coming early 

this year so believe it or not we have 

to start thinking about plans for the 

holidays even though we just finished 

celebrating Purim and have not yet 

bought our Matzah for Pesach. 

Are family and friends coming so I 

may need to order extra seats? Have 

I decided now is the time to arrange 

for Endowed seats so I can sit in “my” 

seat each year? Do I want to join 

with the Beth Torah Family for dinner 

together on the second night of Rosh 

Hashanah? And while I am thinking 

about food, do I want to have Seder 

with my friends at Beth Torah and let 

someone else do all the preparation 

and cooking for first night (Spanish) 

or second night (English)….or 

both! 

Am I planning to be away for the High 

Holy Days? I guess I should let Sherry 

or Marla know that I will not need 

seats this year but please renew my 

membership for July 1. 

Is my child becoming a Bar or Bat 

Mitzvah in two years? I better 

arrange for an application and select 

the date now so classes and lessons 

can be scheduled. 

Many B’nai Mitzvot are already on 

the calendar for 2020 and I would 

really like a specific date or a special 

parsha that is meaningful to our 

family. 

Even more important, when do I 

make plans for Summer Camp or 

school registration? NOW! You are 

late! Camp and ECA are almost sold 

out. Come in and fill out forms and 

make deposits as quickly as possible 

so you have your place secure. 

I might be ready to purchase 

cemetery plots, get a memorial 

plaque in memory of a loved one, 

honor my children or grandchildren 

with a leaf on the Wall of Life, 

a tile on the Mitzvah Walk, a 

Butterfly on the ECA Wall, a 

dedication of a Chumash, Machzor 

or Prayer Book….How do I pursue 

this? Have you heard of “One stop 

shopping”? Just call ME…either at 

Beth Torah 305-932-2829 or on my 

cell 786-367-0533. I’m the person 

you should call to talk with about a 

Legacy Gift to Beth Torah or one of 

our many perpetual dedications you 

see around the campus. 

We are here to serve you, our valued 

member, in all of your life cycle, 

spiritual and inspirational needs. 

We are happy you have chosen Beth 

Torah to be part of 

“Our Family”. Please call on us to 

help in any way we can. 

Marshall Baltuch 


MARSHALL BALTUCH 

We are here to serve 

you, our valued 

member, in all of your 

life cycle, spiritual and 

inspirational needs. 

We are happy you have 

chosen Beth Torah to be 

part of “Our Family”. 




WELCOME 

Passover & Leadership Responsibility 

I am always honored as your COO 

to be asked to represent Beth Torah 

at interesting meetings across the 

community. A few weeks back, I was 

privileged to attend a private breakfast 

of about 8 people and to sit next to 

Israel’s Ambassador to the United 

Nations, Danny Danon. 

Despite the differences in opinions and 

political views, there was a spirit of 

respect and a willingness to understand 

the differences. I was personally 

interested in his views of the Arab-Israel 

conflict. When it was my turn, I leaned 

over and whispered in his ear, “I’m going 

to ask you a tough question that I think 

everyone would be interested in. Is that 

ok?” Danny looked me in the eye and 

just laughed his approval and said, “I’m 

ready.” 

The question was about “Greater Israel” 

and what it was that far right politicians 

thought would happen in that scenario. 

What did these politicians believe would 

happen to the Palestinians? Would they 

magically disappear? Would they just 

leave? The Ambassador looked at me 

and just smiled before he answered. 

Why do I tell you this story? Because that 

meeting, as well as the Ambassador’s 

response, left me thinking about 

leadership responsibility, in the face of 

conflicts. 

He pointed to the lesson of Ariel Sharon, 

who got into office and despite his preconceived 

notions, quickly realized 

that nothing is ever as easy from the 

inside as it looks from the outside. The 

Ambassador believed that no matter 

who became Prime Minister, leaders 

from both sides have to talk and to listen 

to the other. 

The Hebrew word for leadership is 

“manhigut”. It derives from the root 

found in the word “behavior.” For 

Judaism, effective leadership is not 

about position; it is about behavior and 

action. “One of the hardest tasks of a 

leader – from prime ministers to parents 

– is conflict resolution. Yet it is also the 

most vital. Where there is leadership, 

there is long-term cohesiveness within 

the group, whatever the short-term 

problems. Where there is a lack of 

leadership – where leaders lack grace, 

generosity of spirit and the ability to 

respect positions other than their own 

– then there is divisiveness, rancor, 

back-biting, resentment, internal 

politics and a lack of trust. Leaders are 

people who put the interests of the 

group above those of any subsection 

of the group. They care for, and inspire 

others to care for, the common good.” 

said Britain’s Former Chief Rabbi Lord 

Jonathan Sacks 

Passover is around the corner. For Jews 

this is a holiday which seeks to inspire 

the next generation with hope for a 

future peace and a vision of coexistence 

and love. This is a holiday that shows 

how Moses lead the Jewish people to 

freedom through many conflicts. As 

Jewish leaders, whether in the UN, in 

government, in Jewish institutions or 

at home, we have the responsibility to 

approach conflict resolution by looking 

into the long-term effect of our actions 

and decisions, always thinking about 

the greater good. 

So let’s take the lesson of Ambassador 

Danon and Rabbi Sacks and embrace 

the spirit of Passover and remind 

ourselves that in the face of conflict, 

WAYNE KEIL 

small or big, we should always be 

mindful of our actions and our behavior. 

A true leader has to be prepared to 

exemplify the ideals and values he / she 

represents and serves, while respecting 

everyone on the way. 

Maybe we can even make this a topic of 

conversation at our Seder table!. 

Chag Sameach, 

Wayne Keil 


Photo: UN Ambassador Danny Danon & Wayne 

Keil, COO of Beth Torah 


7


Suzy Fischer Early Childhood 

Academy Director 

OUR EARLY CHILDHOOD 

PROGRAM IS BLOOMING!!! 

Shalom from the Suzy Fischer Early Childhood Academy where we are 

flourishing in so many wonderful ways. Most importantly, our children are 

growing and learning each and every day with the careful guidance and 

exciting programming our school is famous for. 

Our families are excited to return for another year, as our re-enrollment is at 

almost 100%, plus many new families who will join us for the coming school 

year, and we will once again add on two additional classrooms. 

“Creating Jewish Memories” for our children and families is a highlight 

of our program. Each Friday we welcome Shabbat with our children and 

families as we create memorable school-home connections with our 

Shabbat take home Bags and Boxes, filled with Shabbat gifts. Special thanks 

to the BT2U project for your sponsorship. 

ANNE MANDELBAUM 

Coming up soon is some Matzah 

Bakery fun, Seders, Israel 70 and 

of course, Graduation... 

From our Early Childhood Family 

to yours we wish everyone a 

healthy, sweet Passover. 

We recently invited our children’s grandparents for a beautiful 

Grandparents’ Shabbat event, where our children performed a program 

honoring their grandparents. In a very touching moment, 12 grandparents 

were recognized as L’Dor V’Dor honorees, being a part of our school for 

three generations. 

L’DOR V’DOR 

Jr. K 



Membership Director 

Dear Families, 

GABY RASCOVSKY 

As Dr. Ron Wolfson suggests, one of 

the goals for an institution is to plant 

the seed in our communitites to 

become a “Relational Jew”. A Jew who 

views Judaism as on impacting virtually 

all of one’s relationship. Jewish identity 

is not measured by how many services 

we attend a month, or whether we 

light Shabbat candles or not. These are 

just indicators of Jewish identificaton. 

Internal Jewish identity is shaped by 

the relationships in one’s life. 

So, as a professional, here are some 

questions I exercised to identify our 

steps in offering opportunities from our 

shul and to become the Relational Jew: 

Do we see ourselves as part of a Jewish 

family? How do we relate to being a 

Jewish father, daughter, grandfather, 

sister, partner, or spouse? 

Do we find ourselves among a network 

of good friends; friends who will be 

there for me in good and bad times? 

Do we engage in life long learning 

about Judaism? Do we try on Jewish 

practices? Do we commit to living a 

Jewish life? Do I belong and support 

my community? My synagogue?. 

Truthfully, we are a big family, with 

a lot going on week after week, but 

we quite know each other. We are 

exposed, embraced and surrounded 

by families that will be here and there 

for each other in bad and good times. 

We give endless opportunities to 

transform into the desired Relational 

Jew by chosing the experience that 

best fits our interest or our family. We 

are here for you, and without you we 

would never be who we are. 

As a Membership Director, I invite 

you once again to take advantage of 

the many opportunities offered in our 

snynagogue and if you haven’t done 

so expand your Jewish relationships by 

connecting with others through different 

paths; the ritual, the social, the communal 

or the cultural. “ When you find meaning, 

and understanding of the significance of 

life; you find purpose - an imperative to 

do what you are put on earth to do during 

your life; you find belonging - a community 

of people who are there for you and with 

you; and you find blessing - a feeling of 

deep satisfaction and gratitude, a calendar 

and life cycle of opportunities to celebrate 

gifts of life”. 

This is how we embrace the Relational Jew 

here at Beth Torah Benny Rok Campus. 

If you have any questions, please feel free 

to contact me at grascovsky@btbrc.org or 

305-932-2829 x 7821 at any time. 

Sincerely, 

Gaby Rascovsky 

Membership and Religious School Director 


9



11

Passover Services 



13

Mazal Tov to our 

B’nai Mitzvah 

March 17 ALEX ROSENBLUM 

Son of Jennifer & Neal 

March 22 DANIEL CHOCRON 

Son of Chelatriz Burgos & Isaac Chocron 

March 26 MATIAS CAMARAN 

Son of Noem & Carlos 

March 29 JACOBO MENASCHE 

Son of Maria & Camio 

April 12 ZACHARY BURCH 

Son of Anita & Albert 

April 14 JAMIE SCHLAEN 

Daughter of Iris & Fernando 

April 15 ERIC ESRUBILSKY 

Son of Adela & Yair 


Candle lighting Times 

for Shabbat and Parashiot 

March 3 KI TESSA 6:05PM 

March 10 VAYAKHEL-PEKUDEI / SHABBAT PARAH 6:08PM 

March 17 VAYIKRA 7:12PM 

March 24 TZAV/SHABBAT HAGADOL 7:15PM 

March 30 EREV PESACH 7:18PM 

March 31 1ST DAY OF PESACH 7:18PM 

April 7 8TH DAY OF PESACH/YISKOR 7:22PM 

April 14 SHEMINI 7:25PM 

April 21 TAZMYA-METZORA 7:28PM 

April 28 ACHREI MOT-KEDOSHIM 7:32PM 

Welcome our New Members 

KELLY FEIGIN 

MARTA & SERGIO RUBINOWICZ 

ORIT & DANIEL WAGNER 


15

HONORING 

Gisela Rojzman 

THE AYSHET CHAYIL “WOMAN OF VALOR” AWARD 

Ernesto Frost 

Pablo Hoberman 

AND 

OUR LEADERS OF DISTINCTION 

FRIDAY EVENING, MAY 4, 2018 

Anne Mandelbaum 

Helen Marcoschamer 

DEBORA & JORGE BARAN 

ETTA EPSTEIN 

VITA GOPMAN & DANIEL HOTTE 

ANICA & DAVID SHPILBERG 

LILIANA ROZENTAL & ALEJANDRO SZLUFMAN 

JOURNAL CHAIRS 

ADELA & YAIR ESRUBILSKY 

MARCIA & JEFFREY FRANTZ 

BARBARA AND ROBERT GOLDFARB 

JILL & BRIAN KOCH 

PHYLLIS & STEVEN SHEINMAN 

EVENT CHAIRS 

ADRIANA & EDGAR HALAC 

HOST COMMITTEE CHAIRS 


Ad Journal 

OPPORTUNITIES 

Event Sponsor..... $25,000 Dinner Sponsor..... $18,000 Ad Journal Sponsor..... $10,000 

includes table of 12 includes table of 10 includes table of 10 

Platinum ............................................ $3,600 Diamond ........................................ $1,800 

includes 4 tickets 


Pearl ....................................................$2,500 Gold .............................................. $1,000 


(all above double pages) 

Silver Page …………….$700 

Bronze Page …………..$600 

Full Page ………………..$500 

Half Page ……………….$300 

Quarter Page…………..$180 

Eighth Page…………….$100 

AD SPECIFICATIONS: Page size is 5.5” wide X 8.5” tall. Text, photos and ads may be submitted via e- 

mail to skrug@btbrc.org. Acceptable formats for composed ads and images are jpg, PDF, and tiff. If you 

are submitting a text-only ad/tribute, we will typeset it for you. If used, color photos will be converted to 

grayscale. For further information, call Sherry Krug at 305-932-2829 ext. 7807 

DEADLINE FOR ADS IS MARCH 30 

First $1,800 in ads receives 2 tickets to The Event. 

Solicited by: 

Total Amount due: $___________Check enclosed Please bill my ¨ Visa ¨ MasterCard ¨ Amex 

Card # __________________________exp._____ Signature ___________________________ 

Name: ___________________________________________________________________ 

Company (if applicable): _____________________________________________________ 

Address: _________________________________________________________________ 

Phone: __________________________________________________________________ 

Email: 

__________________________________________________________________ 

Please return this completed form, along with payment/payment information, to: 

Beth Torah Benny Rok Campus, 20350 NE 26 Avenue, North Miami Beach, FL 33180 


17

Lifecycles 

Lifecycles 

“Life is lived with people.” Rabbi Ed Farber 

MAZAL TOV TO: 

Sol Lipson on his 96th Birthday 

Burton Young, on being honored by the Greater Miami 

Jewish Federation 34th Annual Judaica Reception 

The Morjain and Schwartz Families on the engagement of 

Jason to Elise 

Sari and Benjamin Sens, on the naming of their daughter, 

Harlie Stella 

Adriana and Edgar Halac, on the marriage of their 

daughter, Daina to Isaac Chocron 

CONDOLENCES TO: 

David, Ellen and Abby Mandel and Family, in memory of 

beloved father and grandfather, Harry Mandel 

Joseph Hines and Family, in memory of beloved mother, 

Rut bat Shayndel 

Ian Hagen and Family, in memory of beloved mother, 

Marion Hagen 

Leila Serebrinsky, Alejandra Serebrinsky, Cantor Gaston 

Bogomolni, Gustavo Bogomolni,German Bogomolni and 

Mirta Serebrinsky and Family, in memory of beloved 

mother, grandmother, aunt and sister-in law, Esther 

Messer 

Goldie Wigutow and Family, in memory of beloved 

husband and father, Sol Wigutow 

Bernie Nissman and Eileen Stern and Family, in memory of 

beloved wife and mother, Evelyn Nissman 

Karen Morton and Family, in memory of beloved father 

and grandfather, Gerald Grossman 

Ike and Iris Semaya, in memory of beloved brother and 

uncle, Sam Semaya 

Gil, Elise, Josh, Keith, David, Gabriela and Jessica Bonwitt, 

in memory of beloved mother and grandmother, Miriam 

Bonwitt 

Dr. Herbert Goldberg and Family, in memory of beloved 

wife, mother and grandmother, Peggy Goldberg 

Alexandra and Daniel Chitrit, in memory of beloved 

mother and grandmother, Raquel 

Gary and Marci Swatt and Family in memory of beloved 

brother, Myron Swatt 


Contributions & 

Yahrzeit Donations 

Beth Torah gratefully 

acknowledges these gifts of 

Tzedakah, from September 

to December 2017 

The Officers and Board of Directors, Professional and Office staff join in expressing 

our Mazal Tov or Condolences to the following families: 

GENERAL FUND 

Received from… 

Morris Deakter, in memory of beloved brother, Julius 

Deakter 

Evelyn and Bernard Nissman, in memory of beloved Morris 

Uzar, Mary Goldstein, Gladys Rich, 

Jacob Rotman Uncle Harry Uzar and Brother Irving Nissman 

Linda and Steven Steiner, in memory of beloved Herman 

and Else Steiner 

Marilee and Eugene Bass, in memory of Al Elias, beloved 

husband, father and grandfather of Lenore Elias, Ellen Elias 

and Family 

Feiga Rosell, in memory of beloved Molly Waserstein 

Bernice Gerstenfeld, in memory of beloved husband, Ralph 

Gerstenfeld 

Myriam and Charles Block a general yahrzeit donation 

Sandy and Dave Moskovitz, in memory of beloved 

mothers, Sara Moskovitz and Sayde Klar and aunt, Esther 

Weinman and uncle, Nathan Weinman and grandfather, 

Samuel Weinman 

Phyllis and Harry Zimmerman, in memory of our beloved 

daughter, Iris Lynn Tepperberg and beloved father, William 

Zimmerman 

Annette Willis, in memory of beloved Abraham Sheingold 

Shelley Leebow, in memory of beloved father, Ralph 

Golden 

Marcia and Joel Hochberg, in memory of Oren Aminoff, 

beloved family member of Gary Aminoff 

Etta Epstein, in memory of beloved mother and 

grandmother, Betty Birenbaum 

Diane and Stephen Wander, in memory of beloved Moe 

Wander 

Elsa Glucksberg, in memory of beloved Anna Meier 

Morris Deakter, in memory of beloved wife, Annette 

Deakter 

Lois Danis, in memory of beloved family members 

Deborah Berkowitz, in memory of beloved Carol Welczer 

Tellerman 

Ronna and Mike Segal, in memory of Leon Bankier 

Bette Joy Field for Sherry Krug and Mark Moyel, grateful for 

their speedy recovery 

Janet and Stan Cotzen, in honor of the 50th wedding 

anniversary of Sandra and Eric Friedman 

Julie and Andy Rodman, in honor of the 50th wedding 


Diane and Stephen Wander, in honor of the 50th wedding 


Joel Sandberg, in honor of his Aliyah at the celebration of 

Sol Lipson’s 96th Birthday 

Margery Sandford, in honor of the celebration of Sol 

Lipson’s 96th Birthday 

IN MEMORY OF HARRY MANDEL, BELOVED 

FATHER AND GRANDFATHER OF DAVID, 

ELLEN, ABBY AND FAMILY 

IN MEMORY OF RUT BAT SHAYNDEL, BELOVED 

MOTHER OF JOSEPH AND JUDI HINES 

AND FAMILY 

IN MEMORY OF MARION HAGEN, BELOVED 

MOTHER OF IAN HAGEN AND FAMILY 

IN MEMORY OF ESTHER MESSER, BELOVED 

MOTHER AND GRANDMOTHER OF LEILA AND 

MARCELO SAIEGH AND ALEJANDRA AND 

MARCELO DALMAN AND FAMILY AND 

BELOVED AUNT OF CANTOR GASTON, GUSTAVO 

AND GERMAN BOGOMOLNI AND 

SISTER-IN LAW OF MIRTA SEREBRINSKY 

IN MEMORY OF EVELYN NISSMAN, BELOVED 

WIFE, MOTHER AND GRANDMOTHER OF 

BERNIE NISSMAN AND EILEEN, JEFFREY, 

LINDSEY AND KEVIN STERN AND FAMIILY 

IN MEMORY OF GERALD GROSSMAN, BELOVED 

FATHER AND GRANDFATHER OF KAREN, 

JONATHAN, RACHEL, ELIZA AND STEPHANIE 

AND FAMILY 


19

IN MEMORY OF SAM SEMAYA, BELOVED 

BROTHER AND UNCLE OF IKE AND IRIS SEMAYA 

AND FAMILY 

IN MEMORY OF PEGGY GOLDBERG, BELOVED 

WIFE, MOTHER AND GRANDMOTHER OF 

HERBERT GOLDBERG AND FAMILY 

IN MEMORY OF RAQUEL YAKER DE ALAZRACHI, 

BELOVED MOTHER AND GRANDMOTHER OF 

ALEXANDRA AND DANIEL CHITRIT AND FAMILY 

IN MEMORY OF MYRON SWATT, BELOVED 

BROTHER OF GARY AND MARCI SWATT 

AND FAMILY 


Gisela and Rabbi Mario Rojzman and Family 

Laurie and Rabbi Ed Farber and Family 

Marcela and Cantor Gaston Bogomolni and Family 

Rochelle and Marshall Baltuch and Family 

Wayne Keil 

Michele and Steven Scheck and Family 

Ronna & Mike Segal and Family 

Raquel and Michael Scheck and Family 

The Beth Torah office staff Teri, Sherry, Marla, Lea, Veronica 

and Catalina 

IN MEMORY OF SOL WIGUTOW, BELOVED 

HUSBAND, FATHER AND GRANDFATHER OF 

GOLDIE WIGUTOW AND WILLIAM, CYNTHIA, 

MAX AND ETHAN WIGUTOW AND FAMILY 






Wayne Keil 





and Catalina 

Shelly Lipson 

Arlene Keil 

Lenore Elias 

IN MEMORY OF MIRIAM BONWITT, BELOVED 

MOTHER AND GRANDMOTHER OF 

GIL, ELISE, JOSH, KEITH, DAVID, GABRIELA AND 

JESSICA BONWITT AND FAMILY 






Wayne Keil 





and Catalina 

Rhoda Stein Lipschitz 

Marcia and Joel Hochberg 

SCHECK FAMILY RELIGIOUS SCHOOL 


Susie and Richard Golden, a Chanukah donation 

Samuel Kaplan, in memory of beloved family members and 

beloved grandfather, Samuel Potash 

KETTLER LEVY YOUTH CONNECTION 


Justine and Stanley Warmbrandt, in memory of beloved 

father, Joseph Warmbrandt and beloved sister, Amy Phyllis 

Litz 

SECURITY 


Perry Phillips, in memory of beloved Rudolph Phillips 

KIDDUSH FUND 


Rochelle and Marshall Baltuch, in memory of beloved 

granddaughter, Yakira Sarah Winslow 

Judi and Joel Feinman, in memory of Rut bat Shayndel, 

beloved mother of Judi and Joseph Hines 

EVELYN and MONROE MITCHEL and FAMILY 

CONTINUING EDUCATION 


Evelyn and Monroe Mitchel, in memory of beloved mother, 

Anna Mitchel and beloved grandparents, Isadore and 

Pauline Benjamin 

Bette Joy Field, in memory of beloved Sade and Louis 

Cooper 

Mildred Cohn, in memory of beloved father, George Bialick 

Berta Feldman, in memory of beloved husband, Abraham 

Feldman 

Pearl Tucker, in memory of beloved father, Mitchell Turk 

Mildred Cohn, in memory of beloved Jeffrey S. Augenstein 

USY PROGRAM 


Susan Koslovsky, in memory of beloved mother, Gertrude 

Greenberg 


WARREN HENRY AUTO GROUP AND THE ZINN 

FAMILY LEV SHALEM MACHZOR FUND 


Shelly Roberts, in memory of beloved Louis R Swortz 

PRAYER BOOK FUND 


Victor Fleischman, in memory of beloved Elisa Fleischman 

Rae Cutler, in memory of beloved Lillian S Shifrin 

Esther Mantel, in memory of beloved mother, Anna 

Oberstein 

Joyce and Sy Chadroff, in memory of beloved father, Harry 

Chadroff 

Randi and Jacob Benedek and Family, Nancy and Charles 

Benedek & Family, Donna Benedek, Zachary and Mathew, 

Catherine and Brian Benedek in honor of Sandra and Eric 

Friedman’s 50th Wedding Anniversary 

Florence and Jerome Lechner, in memory of beloved 

Evelyn Nissman 

Candace Brook, in memory of beloved Jacob Shiffman 

SIDDUR LEV SHALEM FOR SHABBAT AND 

FESTIVALS 


Ronna and Mike Segal, in memory of beloved parents, 

Dorothy and Sidney Segal and beloved parents, Rhoda and 

Arnold Schutzman 

Marylin Holzberg, in memory of beloved daughter, Randy 

Holzberg 

Rochelle and Marshall Baltuch, in memory of beloved 

granddaughter, Yakira Sarah Winslow 

Annette and Rabbi Geoffrey Botnick, in memory of Shirley 

Botnick Bleiweiss and Lawrence Botnick, Thelma and Dr. 

Saul Muffs, and Professor Rabbi Yochanan Muffs 

Beth and George Rodman, in honor of Sandra and Eric 


Bette Joy Field, in honor of my children and grandchildren 

Rabbi Ed and Laurie Farber, in honor of Eric and Sandra 


EVA AND HELMUT WELLISCH ETZ HAYIM 

CHUMASH FUND 


Ronni and Bob Whitebook, in memory of beloved Miriam 

Bonwitt 

SCHREIBER CAMP SIMCHA SCHOLARSHIP FUND 


Burton Young, in memory of beloved father-in law, Julius 

Hertzberg 

Sharon Felix, in memory of beloved brother, Mark David 

Standler 

MARSHALL BALTUCH USY SCHOLARSHIP FUND 


Judy and Bruce Jordan and Family, in memory of Joseph 

Golden, beloved husband, father and grandfather of Henni, 

Richard and Susan Golden and Family 

Pearl Tucker, in memory of Joseph Golden, beloved 

husband, father and grandfather of Henni, Richard and 

Susan Golden and Family 

PATTI MINTZ CAMP RAMAH SCHOLARSHIP FUND 


Burton Young, in memory of beloved mother-in law, 

Frances Hertzberg 

Shelly Lipson, in memory of beloved husband, Arthur 

Lipson 

Carol and Jack Greener, in memory of beloved grandmother, 

Ida Levine 

SUZANNE LIPSON ISRAEL PROGRAMS FOR 

COLLEGE STUDENTS 


Perry Phillips, in memory of Bronia Berezdivin Nedelman 

KERI BROOKE HEIKEN COLLEGE OUTREACH FUND 


Shelley Leebow, in memory of beloved mother, Rose 

Kleiman 

Carole Fink, in memory of my beloved father, Tully Scheiner 

and beloved grandfather, Aaron Seegman 

Harriet Hans, in memory of beloved Larry Hans 

RABBI ROJZMAN’S DISCRETIONARY FUND 


Mariela and David Covos, in honor of Agustin’s Bar Mitzvah 

Daniela and Daniel Korn, in honor of Lucas’ Bar Mitzvah 

Masha Mayer, in memory of beloved Marie Mayer 

Evelyn and Monroe Mitchel, in memory of beloved brother, 

Charles Benjamin 

Richard Gray, in honor of Rabbi Rojzman and Echad Program 

Sandra & Edgardo Imar 

Judi & Joel Feinman, in memory of Sol Wigutow Margo 

Brilliant & Robert Schwartz in honor of the engagement of 

their daughter, Elise to Jason Morjain. 

Adriana & Edgar Halac in honor of the marriage of their 

daughter, Daina to Isaac Chocron. 

RABBI FARBER’S DISCRETIONARY FUND 


Barbara and Michael Goldberg in honor of the forthcoming 

wedding of Emily and Jonah 

Stuart Wagner in loving memory of his beloved wife Linda 

on the occasion of the unveiling ceremony 


21

Marian Gold in honor of the wedding of her daughter 

Lauren to Ian Melnick 

Jay Golden and the Golden family in loving memory of his 

Dad Joe Golden 

Lee and Robin Friedman in honor of the wedding of their 

daughter Jessie to Omri Veador 

Marcia and Joel Hochberg in honor of Beth Torah Benny 

Rok Campus 

You may also send your tax-deductible donations to 

these other funds: 

- RABBI MAX A LIPSCHITZ YOUTH 

SCHOLARSHIP FUND 

- SHELLEY FAMILY EARLY CHILDHOOD 

LEARNING CENTER 

- SPANISH MAJZORIM FOR IAMIM NORAIM 

- BT2U 

- PHYLLIS & STEVE SHEINMAN YOUTH 


- DR. STUART KLODA CAMP RAMAH AND 

YOUTH SCHOLARSHIP FUND 

- CAMPUS RENOVATION PROJECT 

- JENNY LERMAN RELIGIOUS SCHOOL FUND 

- MORRIS STEIN MEMORIAL FUND 

- RUTH WAGNER SHAPIRO YOUTH 


- DR. SHULAMIT KATZMAN SCHOLARSHIP 

FUND FOR JEWISH EDUCATION 

ISRAEL BONDS 

Invest in Your Traditions 

INVEST IN ISRAEL BONDS 

israelbonds.com 

2017 5778 

Development Corporation for Israel 

Zaq Harrison, Registered Representative 

1801 NE 123rd St., Suite 410 North Miami, FL 33181 

zaq.harrison@israelbonds.com • 305.755.4807 

Invest in Israel Bonds israelbonds.com 

This is not an offering, which can be made only by 

prospectus. Read the prospectus carefully before 

investing to fully evaluate the risks associated with 

investing in Israel bonds. Member FINRA 

Ask Dr. Keruv 

Q: Dear Dr. Keruv, 

My daughter-in-law is not Jewish. Her 

parents are coming to our Seder for the first 

time. They have reciprocated by inviting 

me to their home on Easter Sunday. I have 

never attended any of their celebrations and 

am totally uncomfortable with Christmas 

and Easter. This year Easter Sunday falls out 

during Passover. Since I observe Passover I 

know there will be a problem with the dinner 

menu. What do I do? 

Mommy Matzo from Aventura 

A: Dear Mommy Matzo from Aventura, 

Since the in-laws are coming out of respect 

for your traditions, it should now be easier to 

attend theirs for the sake of family harmony. 

You will make your daughter-in-law and her 

family very happy if you attend. Explain to 

your daughter-in-law that you follow certain 

traditions and mitzvot and special dietary 

laws for Passover. Tell her not to be insulted 

but that you will prepare some Passover 

dishes and will make enough for others to 

share. It is very important that they know 

how important the holiday of Passover is to 

you as a practicing Jew. 

Dr.Keruv 

This column will be printed in the Beth Torah 

Times each edition. 

If you have a question, please email 

drkeruv@hotmail.com or 

Mail to 

Dr. Keruv 

Beth Torah Benny Rok Campus 

20350 NE 26th Avenue 

N. Miami Beach, Fl. 33180 



23

News from Sisterhood 

Dear Sisters, 

Is Pesach here already? I want to know how Zipporah 

prepared. She DIDN’T! Here we are cleaning, changing 

dishes, shopping, and sooooo much cooking. Except 

that it’s so worth it in the end. Sitting around the table 

with family and friends knowing no matter where your 

other friends and family may be, they too are reading 

the same book (Hagadah), eating the same foods, 

and drinking the same wine. Its comforting, don’t you 

think? 

It feels like 2018 just started but your Sisterhood has 

been busy bees. This year’s Sisterhood Shabbat was 

(according to our Rabbis) the best one yet. Thank you 

Judy Berger, Rachel Lerfelt, and all of our participants 

for a job well done. The very next day our wonderful 

friend, Margie Miller, President of Women’s League 

for Conservative Judaism held an outstanding Training 

Session. We invited our counterparts from Men’s Club 

and our Synagogue Board to participate with us and 

were heralded as a wonderful learning experience. 

Our “Game Day” was such a success. We had 30 

women playing MajJong, eating, and laughing. That 

was just our January. 

As you know we try to have something for everyone, 

so February brought us Bingo with USY. I don’t know 

who had more fun, our Sisters or our Youth. 

On March 18 we will be having our Annual “Women’s 

Seder”. Please come and enjoy our version of the Hagadah, 

some small Passover goodies, singing and dancing. It is a 

free event and you will enjoy it very much. RSVP is a must. 

What’s next on our Calendar, you ask? Our Florida Region 

of Women’s League will be holding their convention 

in Altamonte Springs (north of Orlando) April 22-24. If 

interested in joining us, let me know so that we can include 

you in our car pool. More details to follow. 

Our Book Club is still going strong and the following books 

will be discussed: 

April 9 - Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane, by Lisa See 

May 14 - A Gentleman in Moscow, by Amos Towels 

June 11 - Judas, by Amos Oz 

Todah Rabah to all of our wonderful “Sisters” who have 

generously sent in donations for various occasions. We 

really appreciated it. 

May you all have a “Zisan Pesach”, 

Etta Epstein 

Judie Berger: 305-962-7210 or judie181939@aol.com 



25



27

News from the 

Scheck Family Religious School 

“WHERE CHILDREN AND TEENS EXPERIENCE THE 

WONDERS OF MODERN JUDAISM” 

Dear Families, 

Shalom, 

As Jewish educators we continuously invest endless 

efforts in creating meaningful learning experiences to 

students in supplementary schools. Although aspects 

of the Jewish life cycle are marked in the calendars, it is 

important that year after year children are exposed to 

new learning and knowledge to deepen and strengthen 

their Jewish identity. That is what makes our school an 

excellent supplementary school program. 

As we resumed after Winter break our third and fourth 

graders were introduced to their own Siddurim at 

a Shabbat dinner and Siddur presentation. In that 

occasion our students received a personalized Siddur 

with a dedication from their parents to treasure it for the 

generations to come. In addition, all students Kindergarten 

through grade six had the opportunity to study and meet 

with the Rabbi in a “Tour the Shul & Ask the Rabbi” session. 

Students and families in grades five and six, also had their 

Shabbat dinner, where they presented their insight about 

the material learned for Parshat Ha Shavua and Hebrew 

and Judaic topics. After baking and tasting Hamentaschen 

for Purim our students re engage with Matzah and Mitzvah 

learning for Pesach. 

The flavor of the pictures below show the “Kodak moments” 

of nurturing our students with meaningful experiences that 

renew and deepen their learning of Judaism while building 

and enduring the essence of our traditions. 

Gaby Rascovsky 

Membership and Religious School Director 


News from the Youth Group 


29



31


PURIM CELEBRATIONS 


33

– 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

– 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

•• 

 



35



37

Our Cantor’s Music Corner 

Continue from page 4 (Messager from 

our Cantor) 

1 

2 

Cantor 

Watch and Listen to “Chad Gadya” by Chava 

Alberstein 

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=QOA0WnVgXaM 

G’s rendition of “Un Kavritico” (Chag 

Gadya in Ladino) and his Pesach CD is featured 

on the radio with Yitzhak Perlman. 

The audio version of Cantor G’s Pesach CD is available on the Internet. 

His rendition of “Un Kavritico” (Chad Gadya in Ladino) was included 

in a Passover music special produced by WQXR, New York’s Classical 

Radio Station, entitled “A Musical Feast for Passover,” hosted by Itzhak 

Perlman! Click https://beta.prx.org/stories/94066 for the audio. Listen 

to the whole special, but if you want to locate the song and the host’s 

introduction of Cantor G, click on “PearlmanPassover2FINAL” on the 

player, then scroll to minute 54:00. 

3 Pesach With an Accent 

The first album of the series 

of Cantor Gastón’s “Jewish 

Music with an Accent”. 

28 songs to enjoy, sing 

and dance with your kids, 

your students and your 

colleagues. New, old, and 

story telling with a “slight” 

accent! ChagSameach! 

You can either purchase the CD online or at the office. 

18% of the proceeds will be donated to Beth Torah’s 

Social Action Fund (http://www.btbrc.org/donate-to-social-action/) 

equal? Who are we to judge our own brothers and 

sisters? And why do we feel the need and the right 

to think we might be superior than others? Why 

don’t we embrace the “different than me”? What 

are we afraid of? 

In this coming Pesach, I invite you to break the 

chains of slavery and free yourself from judging 

others, criticizing your fellow human being, ignoring 

the one that looks or think different. I invite you to 

liberate yourself to a point that you can only flow 

love all over you and give it towards your fellow 

man, but remember love starts from oneself. As you 

are about to pursue any type of violence and cruelty 

towards another God’s beautiful creature regardless 

of color, weight, illness, disability, language, creed, 

country, etc. stop and think twice: “Why?” Why am I 

behaving in this way? What moves me to behave as 

such? What is it about him/her that bothers me so 

much? And finally ask to yourself: “Aren’t my actions 

considered murder? Or contributing to create a 

future monster? Yes, Nikolas Cruz killed 17 souls 

on February 14, 2018, and he should be sentenced 

by the law for his crime; but how many times was 

he killed by the ones who surrounded him? How 

many times was he a victim of psychological and/or 

physical violence? I am sure numerous times. 

We don’t want to see it, but the answer has always 

been here: true and genuine love, compassion, 

kindness, empathy. In the Shema we are commanded 

to love Hashem with all our hearts, with all our soul 

and with all our might. That’s the way Hashem want 

us to love each other. Thus, to remind myself every 

morning I love to start the day by reciting the ARI’s 

(Rabbi Isaac Luria) words: “Hareini mekabel alai 

et mitzvah ha boreh v’ahavta l’rei’acha kamocha”. 

Behold, I hereby take upon myself the Instruction of 

the Creator: “You shall love your fellow as yourself”. 

What about you? Will you repeat this beautiful 

statement every morning with me? You might be 

surprise, but it can really change the world. 

Happy Holiday of Freedom, Happy Pesach! 

Gastón Bogomolni 

Cantor 



39



41

ADDRESS 

Beth Torah Benny Rok Campus 

20350 NE 26th Ave, 

North Miami Beach, FL 33180. 

CONTACT 

Email: info@btbrc.com 

Main Office Phone: 305-932-2829 

WWW.BTBRC.ORG i facebook.com/BETH.TORAH

TORAH TIMES - SPRING EDITION 2018

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?