16 24 363 https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/6311a0160a7795c8a6b9fb88ebb91853.pdf f6b213ec13f02256142702e51ef8ab92 PDF Text Text Muskegon, Michigan April 1988 Nisan/lyar 57 48 Rabbi's Message by Rabbi Alan Alpert In his preface to "A Passover Haggadah" the editor Rabbi Herbert Bronstein, dedicates the ne; Reform Haggadah in memory of his father who made him " ••• aware that I am part of a great processional still being led by a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night, from degradation to ~lory." Ev7n before his education as a rabbi, Bronstein states, " ••• as a child, I had already glimpsed the awesome and wonderful kingdom of the sacred into which the Haggadah was an enchanted portal." As editor, Bronstein brings a vision of a spirjtual guest--to allow the ancient evolving message of the Haggadah to speak to our inner soul. Our soul recognizes and verifies the religious truths of the ancient and the modern, and longs for redemption for all humanity and a spiritual unification with God. Whether we use this or any other Haggadah, Bronstein's vision is important for us. The Haggadah should be " ••. a g~teway to the ~ctual experience of redemption, new and different each year, yet ever permanent in the realities of our history and ever reluming our vision of life." At the Seder let us enter the gateway and relive our experiences, open our minds and hearts to feel the sacred and allow it to grow each and every day. Traditional Passover Preparations On the night of March 31st, the night before Passover starts, traditional Jews will complete their thorough cleaning of the house with a search for any remaining crumbs of leavened bread (bedikat hamatz). In the morning the crumbs are burned no later than 10am. During the 8 days of Passover, only foods containing a "Kosher for Passover" label an~ fresh fruits and vegetables are eaten. Prohibited foods include anything with leavening; cereals and grains(wheat, barley, oats, rye); alcoholic beverages; and, in the Ashkenazic tradition but not the Sephardic, rice,millet, corn,and legumes(dried beans & peas,pean~ts). Dishes and untensils need to be set aside for Passover use only, or "kashered" by thoroughly scouring them in hot water, and~ 24 hour soaking in hot water. Pottery, baking dishes, and vessels which cannot be thoroughly cleaned cannot be kashered and should not be used. The oven or stove must be thoroughly cleaned and heated to highest heat for 30 minutes. A dishwasher needs to be thoroughly scrubbed and run through a complete cycle after not using it for 24 hours. The Haggadah (from "The Passover Anthology" by Philip Goodman) The Haggadah, the book that presents the order of the home service for the first two evenings of Passover, occupies a unique place in Jewish liturgy. It is an anthology of readings from the Bible, appropriate talmudic and midrashic selections and legends, prayers and blessings, hymns and songs. All these are interwoven with the ritual for the Seder--the order of the service. Product of many hands, the Haggadah has had a long development. The antiquity of the Haggadah, having its origin in the Bible, has been well established. Certain portions antedate the period of the Maccabees. Its present character was largely formed by about 200 CE, for it is described in some detail in the Mishnah, compiled by Rabbi Judah the Patriarch at that time. It was further embellished, however, during the course of succeeding centuries. The spirit pervading the Haggadah is one of longing for redemption and freedom, a belief in the survival of the Jewish people and an unyielding confidence in divine salvation. It was, therefore, natural for this work to capture the hearts of the Jewish people in all generations and to give them a sense of pride in Jewish destiny and broad perspectives on the precious values of freedom and liberty for all mankind. Endeared to Jews, the Haggadah has appeared in innumerable editions--printed, illuminated, illustrated--some without commentaries and one with as many as 238 commentaries. More than a score of translations of the Haggadah have been made and it has been adapted in various ways to serve different needs and interests. Pass0ver ~pril t-9 �♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦ ♦ t! ~~~lli !♦ ADril 1-i 7 ♦ i ♦ t♦ ♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦ Passover Seder For those who have reservations for the Community Seder, the Seder will held at 6 pm on Friday, April 1, 1988, in the Temple Social Hall. If you are having a seder at your home, and need any information or questions answered, Rabbi Alpert will be happy to help you. Moses (by Ahad Ha-am, from "The Passover Anthology" by Philip Goodman) On the threshold of Jewish history the figure of Moses, the greatest of our national heroes, stands like a pillar of light. As I read the Haggadah, on Passover eve, his image hovers over me and lifts me to a higher plane, where all the doubts and questions that have been raised about Moses do not trouble me in the least. Did Moses really exist? Did his life and activities really correspond with the traditional account? Did he really save the Jewish people and give them the Torah in the form in which it has been handed down to us? Questions there are in plenty; but I wave them aside with a short and simple answer. This Moses--! say to the erudite questioners--this man of antiquity, whose existence and character you are investigating, is no concern of anybody but learned antiquarians like yourselves. We have another Moses of our own, woose image has been enshrined in the hearts of the Jewish people for centuries, and who has never ceased to influence our national life from the earliest times to the present day. The existence of this Moses of ours is a historical fact which is wholly independent of your researches. Even if you succeeded in proving beyond all doubt that the man Moses never existed, or that the actual Moses was different from our picture of him, that would not in the slightest degree affect the historical reality of the ideal Moses--the Moses who not only led us for forty years in the wilderness of Sinai, but has led us for thousands of years in all the wildernesses in which we have wandered since the Exodus ••• Seder Service Additions Please add the following two selections at your Seder: SEDER RITUAL OF REMEMBRANCE FOR THE SIX MILLION JEWS WHO PERISHED IN THE HOLOCAUST: On this night of Seder, we remember with reverence and love, the six million of our people of the European exile who perished at the hands of a tyrant more wicked than the Pharaoh who enslaved our fathers in Egypt. Come, said he to his minions, let us cut them off from being a people that the name of Israel may be remembered no more. And they slew the blameless and pure, men and women and little ones, with vapors of poison and burned them with fire. But we abstain from dwelling on the deeds of the evil ones lest we defame the image of God in which humankind was created. Now, the remnants of our people who were left in the ghettoes and camps of annihilation rose up against the wicked ones for the sanctification of the Name and slew many of them before they died. On the first day of Passover, the remnants in the Ghetto of Warsaw rose up against the adversary, even as in the days of Judah the Maccabee. "They were lovely and pleasant in their lives, and in their death, they were not divided,w and they brought redemption to the name of Israel through all the world. And from the depths of their affliction, the martyrs lifted their voices in a song of faith in the coming of the Messiah, when justice and fellowship will reign among the people. THE MATZAH OF HOPE This matzah, which we set aside as a symbol of hope for the Jews of the Soviet Union, reminds us of the indestructible links that exist between us. As we observe this festival of freedom, we recall that Soviet Jews are not free to leave without harrassment; to learn of their past; to pass on their religious traditions; to learn the language of their forebearers; to train teachers and rabbis of future generations. We remember the scores who sought to live as Jews and struggled to leave for Israel and the land of our forebearers - but now languish in Soviet labor camps. Their struggle against their oppressors goes on. They will not be forgotten. We will stand with them in their struggle until the light of freedom and redemption shines forth. Passover Supplies A check of local stores reveals that Meijers has the best selection of Passover supplies. They are carrying a fairly large selection of various matzah products, including meal, farfel, and cereal, plus macaroons, potato starch, and soup. D&W has a few things, including soup, cake mix, and egg matzah. For those willing to go farther, Wieners deli in Grand Rapids has a very good selection of Passover supplies. �Recipes for Passover EGGLESS SWEET MATZO BRIE(serves 4-6) (from "Jewish Vegetarian Cooking") Blend together: 1 C milk 2 ripe bananas 1/4 tsp. cinnamon soak 8 matzot, broken into pieces, in the above mixture. Fry in oiled pan over medium heat. Serve with applesauce. EGGLESS KNEIDLICH (from Jewish Vegetarians of North America) 4 medium potatoes 1 1/4 c. (approx.) matzo meal pepper Peel, cut up, and boil potatoes until soft. Mash add pepper to taste, and cool. Add matz~ meal gradually and knead until firm and smooth. Fill a large pot 3/4 full with water. Heat to boil. Form smooth ·balls out of the mixture and drop into boiling water or broth. Cook for about 20 minutes in the pot, covered. Do not ' overcook. Serve with your favorite soup or broth. LAYERED MATZO PUDDING (from "Jewish Vegetarian Cooking") 4-5 apples, grated or sliced thin 4 matzos 1/2 cup raisins, washed in hot water 1/4 cup butter or margarine 2 eggs 2 Tbl sugar 2 cups water or milk pinch of salt 1 tsp powdered cinnamon 3 Tbl chopped nuts l.Dip matzos in water to moisten, but not soften. Place one matzo in bottom of greased pie dish. 2.Place a layer of grated apples on top of the matzo and sprinkle with raisins. Dot with pieces of butter or margarine. 3. Repeat until all the matzos, apples and butter or margarine have been used. 4.Beat the eggs and sugar until frothy. Add water or milk, salt and cinnamon. Pour over the layers in the pie dish. 5.Sprinkle with chopped nuts. Dab with more butter or margarine. 6.Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven about 20-30 minutes. FESTIVE MACAROONS (makes about 20) (from "No Cholesterol Passover Recipes") Mix together: 16 ounces shredded coconut 4 ripe bananas, mashed 4 Tbl. cocoa 1 cup walnuts, chopped finely . Form pyramid shape clusters on a lightly oiled cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes. (Note: Coconut is high in saturated fat.) Matzoh Is Matzoh Why is matzoh called matzoh? Because it has the shape of matzoh; it has small holes like matzoh; it is dry as matzoh; it tastes like matzoh. What else can you call it but matzoh? Matzoh Baking (from "The Passover Anthology" by Philip Goodman) In about 1857 the first Matzoh-baking machine was invented in Austria, beginning a heated controversy which raged for half a century ••• (called) "one of the most acrimonious discussions in the history of the responsa literature." However, this should not be surprising as this was, indeed, a radical innovation for the fulfilment of a duty whose execution had long ago been elaborately defined to the minutest detail. The newly invented machine kneaded the dough and rolled it through two metal rollers from which it came out thin, perforated and round. It was then placed in an oven. As the corners of the dough, cut to make the matzot round, were re-used, it was feared that the time elapsing until these pieces of dough were used again might allow them to become leavened. A later machine was developed which produced square matzot so that there would be no leftovers. I I The Still Small Voice by Abraham M. Klien The candles splutter; and the kettle hums; The heirloomed clock enumerates the tribes; Upon the wine-stained tablecloth lie crumbs Of matzoh whose wide scattering describes Jews driven in far lands upon this earth. The kettle hums; the candles splutter; and Winds whispering from shutters tell rebirth Of beauty rising in an eastern land, Of paschal sheep driven in cloudy droves; Of almond-blossoms coloring the breeze; Of vineyards upon verdant terraces; Of golden globes in orient orange-groves. And those assembled at the table dream Of small schemes that an April wind doth scheme, And cry from out the sleep assailing them, Jerusalem, next year! Next year, Jerusalem! .---- - = -- ---· ----- -- ·---- -== - =-- --= . . . - - -- -=--=== ==-- -----· --------~----=-=-=-======-===-: ---------·-·-- -- ----.:.:-- �Editorial by Aliyah Beruryah Schick we introduced the material on the proposed Chavurah Program (see accompanying article, "Chavurah") at the March Board meeting. When I finished explaining how a chavurah can meet our needs for a sense of community, for active participation, meaningful guidelines for life, and a sense of fulfillment, one of the older Temple Board members was sitting on the edge of his seat with his face all scrunched up. I thought, "Oh no, he doesn't like it. Too much change?" I took a breath, "You look puzzled." I said. "It's ten years too late!" he exclaimed. It wasn't at all that he didn't like it. On the contrary, it looks so good that one can't help think that it would have made a real difference in the past. As he went on, I wondered if the rest of us were going allow past experiences to stop us from giving this hope for our present and future a real effort. I interrupted him, saying, "I hope that you can be supportive of this if you think it is a good idea." He looked up at me, not quite ready to have been stopped from speaking. A few minutes later, after we had gone on, he said, "Yes! I will support this! It can make a real difference. This is an important thing you are doing here." I agree. We all suffer from alienation and loneliness, passivity and non-involvement, lack of direction, insecurity, and a sense of meaninglessness, not only in this society in general, but within this congregation. We like to think that we are warm and caring, that we are "family". We want very much to be that way. Perhaps the Chavurah Program can help us do it. Wouldn't that be wonderful! Spring Clean-Up The annual spring clean-up of the Temple grounds will take place on Sunday morning, April 24th, 9am to noon or thereabouts. Last year abottt a dozen people did wonders with sweeping, raking, pruning, bagging, and washing, and had a lot of fun at it! If you would like to participate, please call Rick Boyden, 798-1592, so he can plan the work. Don't forget to bring your work gloves, rakes, shovels, brooms, and pruning equipment! Building Accessibility Temple President Bob Scolnik and the Board of Trustees have been investigating the possibility of making our building more accessible for people who have difficulty with our many stairs. Unfortunately, no viable solution has been discovered. If anyone has information or suggestions on the issue, please contact Bob Scolnik. Meanwhile, let's all be aware of the problem, and offer our arms to those who may appreciate a stabilizing hand on the stairs. Chavurah An exciting result of the Temple Board brainstorming sessions of recent months is the effort to develop a Chavurah Program for the congregation. Everyone who has been involved in the research and discussion of this is very excited about the potential benefits for our members. "Chavurah" is the Hebrew word for "fellowship" which we are using to describe voluntary groups of 4 or 5 families who get together once a month for a meeting/program/activity which emphasizes Jewish values. The following is exerpted from a paper by Bernard Reisman, Ph.D., Brandeis University: "A central characteristic of the chavurah is that it offers its members the opportunity to be a part of a small, intimate community. Given the dissolution of extended family networks, the breakup of traditional neighborhoods, and the increasing bureaucratization of most modern-day institutions, people have few opportunities for primary group affiliations. For a lonely, alienated population, the chavurah is a welcome antidote. Having a small, fixed membership, the members come to know one another as people and not as anonymous, interchangeable parts. They share with one another major events and celebrations and offer support when any of their members encounters loss or adversity. " ••• Many contemporary Jews feel a sense of meaninglessness in their lives. This condition is exacerbated by the fact that a significant proportion of Jews has eagerly pursued and achieved a comfortable material existence which has •.• failed to offer a sense of fulfillment. The need remains for a beliefsystem which can help them find meaning in life beyond self-gratification. " ••• If the chavurah were only a social group it would be another of many selfgratifying, novel experiences. As an effort to draw personal meaning from one's Jewishness and to contribute to Jewish continuity, the chavurah is able to offer to members an experience of transcendence. It moves beyond the ordinary and is seen by the members as a special and significant experience. "The central thrust of contemporary society is centrifugal. Opportunites for meaningful, continuing, personalized associations are diminishing. The chavurah is a centripetral experience - one which brings people together •.• (it) is an attempt to generate a greater sense of ownership and participation by people for the individual and collective wellbeing ••• (it) provides (its members) with a means of contributing to Jewish continuity and through this they experience a sense of purpose in their own lives." Our Chavurah Committee welcomes your input on this as they proceed with the specific structure and design of the program. Please contact any of the members with your comments or questions: Aliyah Schick (chair), Merle ScolniK, Alan Oppenheimer, Shoshana Stein, Ruth Krause, Les Schick, an_g Rabbi Alpert. �• Howard Wolpe Meet Janet Hunter and Barbara Reed Representative Howard Wolpe will be our guest speaker on Friday, April 29. Services will begin at 8:00, followed by Rep. Wolpe's talk. An Oneg will follow. If you would like to join Rep. Wolpe for dinner before services at 6 pm, please call the Temple office. by Gertrude Greenberg Our Temple family can be extremely proud of our twin sisters, Janet Hunter and Barbara Reed, who came to us from Long Island, New York. Barbara has been a teacher in the Muskegon school system for 20 years. She holds a Bachelor's degree in education from Potsdam University in Potsdam, N.Y., and has done graduate work at Western University in Kalamazoo. In addition, Barbara has been a member of the Muskegon Teachers' Board for 10 years, and she represents 191 teachers on the Muskegon Area Regional Council. In our Temple Barbara has served 10 years on the Religious School Board and 3 years on the Temple Board. Barbara's husband, Bill, whom she married when he was in the Air Force at West Hampton, N.Y., grew up in Muskegon. He has several degrees, among them a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from Grand Valley University. At present, he is in Quantico, Virginia, studying at the National F.B.I. Academy, which is the most prestigious school in the country for law enforcement officers. Janet is a graduate of the Nursing School of Wyckoff Heights Hospital in Brooklyn, N.Y. Her husband "Skip", who is an engineer at Sealed Power, was a friend of Bill Reed and also in the Air Corp at West Hampton when Janet met and married him. Janet is a successful business woman. Recently she established Shoreline Health Care Services where she has 120 employees. In the past she has cared for three of our Temple members when they were seriously ill--Maurice and Sue Friend, and Margaret Ashendorf. Janet's six children were all born in Muskegon and are a credit to their parents. Janet and Barbara, along with their husbands, did a superb job of helping our Russian family, the Spivaks. They did everything from finding an apartment, collecting and hauling in the donated furniture and household goods, and getting donations from area food stores, to greeting the newcomers on their arrival at the airport. Janet says that hearing Igor exclaim, "This is America!" when he got off the plane repaid them for all their time and labors. New Members Deborah and Ira Socol and their son Jamie have joined our congregation. They moved here from New York, where Ira was with the Bronx police department and Deborah prepared museum art exhibits. Here in Muskegon they have opened the new art gallery and framing shop, Deborah's Choice, and Ira is establishing a freelance graphic arts business, using his skills and training in graphic arts from MSU. Let's give them a warm welcome! Photograph'? Our Temple Historical Committee would like to borrow a photograph of the Webster Street side of the Temple building, showing the reflecting pool. This is for possible inclusion in the - history book for the Centennial. Please contact Alan Oppenheimer at once. Jewish Mysticism A noted authority on Jewish Mysticism, Professor Laurence Fine, of Indiana University, will be scholar-in-residence at Ahavas Israel on the weekend of April 15-17. We have been invited by Ahavas Israel to join them. Friday evening: 8:15 services; Prof. Fine on "Mysticism in Judaism: The Forgotten Tradition" Saturday: worship services, 9:30 am; lunch (by reservation); study session, 12-1, topic "Is God Male or Female? The Answer of the Kabbalists." Sunday morning: breakfast (by reservation), 10-12, Prof. Fine on "Hasidism, Kabbalah, and Contemporary Jewish Piety." Sunday afternoon:Inter-Religious Symposium, 2:30-4:30. Prof. Fine and outstanding clergy, on "Mysticism and Rationalism." To RSVP for the lunch and/or breakfast please call Ahavas Israel, 1-949-2840, Monday through Friday, 10-5. If you need a ride or could take someone else, please call Al Parker, 755-2924. The Pavarim in GR By popular request, The Jewish Cultural Council of Grand Rapids is bringing back Israel's celebrated folk-duo, The Pavarim. Yossi Hur and Ori Harpaz will present their distinctive repertoire of traditional and contemporary songs. These include selections in Hebrew, Yiddish, Ladino, Greek, Spanish, and English--all performed with a distinctive Middle East flavor. This program is especially recommended for the entire family. Part of the twentieth annual Jewish lecture and entertainment series, Spectrum 88, this program takes place on Sunday, April 17, at 8 pm, at Congregation Ahavas Israel, 2727 Michigan NE. Individual admission $8, student admission $3. �Holocaust Remembrance Day Israeli Independence On April 14th we commemorate the Holocaust with Yorn Hashoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day. The Official State of Michigan Holocaust Commemoration will take place on that day at 12:00 noon in the Rotunda of the State Capitol in Lansing. Cosponsored by the Office of Governor Blanchard,the State Legislature, and the Jewish Community Council of Metropolitan Detroit in cooperation with the Department of Managem~nt and Budget, the Michigan Jewish Network, and the Greater Lansing ~ewish Welfare Federation, the observance will feature as its theme the concept of resistance. The theme was selected to coincide with the 45th anniversary of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising. Featured in the program will be: *Legislative declaration of Day of Remembrance -- presented by Senator Lana Pollack *Winner of Essay contest on the Holocaust *Music by Rosalie Gerut *Keynote remarks by Dr. Kenneth Waltzer, MSU *Candle-lighting ceremony This very important event is a statewide gathering, and it is hoped that people from around the state will make every effort to attend. If you are interested in car pooling, please call Al Parker, 755-2924. The 40th anniversary of the independence of the State of Israel occurs on the 22nd of this month. Celebrations are taking place all over the world, not only on this day, but throughout this year. . Plans are being made for our congregation to join with Temple Emanuel and Congregation Ahavas Israel for a joint celebration on May 13th. Details will be announced in next month's newsletter. Israel Bond Holders from the State of Israel Bond Office Last year Michigan's Jewish Community was urged to reinvest, at full maturity value, State of Israel Bonds which were purchased in 1973 during the Yom Kippur War. As a result, reinvestments of over $1,000,000 worth of 1973 Bonds were made during 1987 --BUT many '73 Bonds are still out there in safe deposit boxes, file cabinets and dresser drawers. If you have reinvested your '73 Bonds, Israel thanks you, but if you have not, you are again encouraged to find them and loan Israel those dollars once more through the purchase of a eurrent Israel security. In this way you will renew your partnership with Israel and help safegu&id her peacetime economy. Additionally, as of January 1, 1988, the Israel Bond Organization has been given permission by the Government of Israel to also accept 1974 Bonds, maturing in 1989, for early reinvestment. This means that you will receive full maturity value for an '73 or '74 Bond which you use towards the purchase of a current Israel security. During this time of crisis in Israel, the Jewish State needs, more than ever before, a show of American-Jewish support for its "right to exist• as an independent and secure nation. Please call or write the Israel Bond office, 24123 Greenfield Rd., Southfield, MI 48075, (313) 557-2900. 40 Years Ago ... (from "My People", by Abba Eban) On May 14, 1948 [5 Iyar 5708], Sir Alan Cunningham, the High Commissioner, with the last of his staff,left the soil of Palestine. From a cruiser outside territorial waters he signaled the end of the Mandatory era. It had been born in high exaltation. It had now expired in chaos and discredit. In a short ceremony at the Museum of Tel Aviv at 4 P.M. that day the State of Israel was born. Two hundred forty men witnessed a new page in Jewish history, as David Ben Gurion read the Proclamation of Independence: " ••• Accordingly we, members of the People's Council,representatives of the Jewish Community of Eretz-Israel and of the Zionist Movement, are here assembled on the day of the termination of the British Mandate over Eretz-Israel and, by virtue of our natural and historic right and on the strength of the resolution of the United Nations General Assembly, hereby declare the establishment of a Jewish State in Eretz-Israel, to be known as the State of Israel •••• " When the proclamation had been read, its signatories advanced to the table to give it their sanction. The Hebrew benediction was recited. "Blessed art Thou, 0 Lord our God, King of the Universe, who hast kept us alive and preserved us and enabled us to see this day." Two hundred and forty filed out into the sun-drenched street. The air-raid sirens were sounding. At the General Assembly in New York, Dr. Silver broke in on the committee's debate to announce that the State of Israel had been established. In the White House, President Truman sat with Marshall and Lovett, deliberating 9n a letter from Dr. Weizmann asking for recognition of the Jewish State. At 5:16 P.M. President Truman authorized the recognition of Israel by the United States. American diplomacy had taken an audacious and visionary course. The news of President Truman's recognition broke like a thunderbolt on the representatives of the UN in the General Assembly. It astounded the American representatives themselves.The Soviet Union was the next to grant recognition. The next morning,the young State of Israel was plunged into war. As Egyptian planes bombed the Tel Aviv area, the first immigrant ship brought detained "illegals" to the shores of a free country. In twenty-four hours a Mandate had ended, a State had been proclaimed and recognized, and an armed invasion launched. It was the most crowded day in modern Jewish history. �,=\ ·• · \·i\ . ' . i•. . • .... .. .. ·wjl April 1988 ·,· SUN q 3 NO RELIGIOUS SCHOOL lSPl"int Ll'N)d TUE MON rAIIQVl:iR A,Pril l-i Nisan/Iyar 5748 THU WED NO 17 • 6 7 8 9 Passoue:r Passoue:r Passoue11 Passoue:r Passoue:r Passoue:r Eighth Day 5 a St'1111icl'S Ot'ut t5:'9-t6:t7 Num 28:t9-25 11 12 13 18 19 20 14 Yom HasJ1oah HOLOCAUST 16 Tl'l'n 51Hp-0vl'I' 8 s,1111icl'S "Shl'mini" Lev 9:t-U:117 21 23 22 INDEPENDENCE DAY of the STATE OF ISRAEL I P11YU"im in GR 7:30 l•mAl• 8oaJ1d t'eting 211 25 tt:30 HADASSAH DONOR LUNCH 15 Nt"wsll'ttl'I' D' lint' GR Scholu- thPu GR Scholcll' th11u Sundai, Sunday REMEMBRANCE DAY i2 State Capitol GR SchobP 9-12 SPRING CLEAN-UP 2 Passoue11 6pm Communiw St'cond Sl'41l'I' St'dt'11--R VP lt11ad it ion~) Ex 12!2t-5t Num 28:tli-25 R,s,JtVations for Dano• BPunclt to twl. Schoel EREV PASSOVER FIRST SEDER RELIGIOUS SCHOOL (spPing Ll'fu) tO lwl. Schoel SAT 1 Passoue:r ,o FRI 8 S,PYices "T:z~ia-Ml'tzora" Lev t2:t-t5:33 26 27 28 29 30 HOWARD WOLPE 6 dinn•r--RSVP 8 Sfl'ViCl'S Achtll'l'-Kedoshim Ll'v 16:1-20:27 talk L!fJ Rep Wolpe neg Ahavu IsH•l's Ahavas Israel t00 Centenni.J �Yahrzeits Contributions (To be memorialized April 1) Jacob Libner Nisan 10 Yetta Greenbaum Nisan 11 Richard Vanderleest March 29 Eileen Cahill March 29 Moses Pitkowsky Nisan 12 Joseph Wiener* Nisan 12 Dr. Norman Fleishman March 30 Samuel Broutman* March 31 Ellis Chevlin* March 31 Bernaut Zeligkovits* Nisan 14 Frida Zeligkovits* Nisan 14 Blanka Zeligkovits* Nisan 14 Bella Zeligkovits* Nisan 14 Malke Zeligkovits* Nisan 14 David Zeligkovits* Nisan 14 Mandel Zeligkovits* Nisan 14 Harvey Shaperia Nisan 14 Libby Bloomfield April 1 May Vanderleest April 1 Leo Fonstein April 1 FUND RAISER Rabbi Alan and Anna Alpert Albert and Helen Parker (To be memorialized April 8) Louis Aron* April 4 Morris Kantor* April 6 Craig Silberman April 6 Maurice Brow April 7 Milton Steindler* April 7 Mandel Clayman Nisan 22 Louis Darmstadter April 9 (To be memorialized April 15) Ester Gudelsky April 10 Sara Neumer April 12 Harvey Shapiro April 13 Harold Rosen April 14 (To be memorialized April 22) Louis Levin April 17 Rose Kohn* Iya r 5 Blanche Muskovitz April 22 Margaret Ashendorf April 22 Reuben Berman* April 23 (To be memorialized April 29) Rachael Stromberg* Iyar 7 Joseph Blumbli!rg Iyar 8 Samuel Stromberg* Iyar 9 Abraham Fishbein Iyar 11 Paul Wiener* April 29 (To be memorialized May 6) Doris Mandel* Iyar 14 Herbert Kohn May 1 Samuel Ashendorf* May 4 Milford Reed May 4 Harold Page* May 5 Benjamin Gudelsky May 6 Henrietta Bloomfield May 7 Letter Thanks to Rabbi for his visits and calls during my recent illness and hospitalization. And thanks to members of the community for their calls and cards. Doris Stromberg JAY SINGER MEMORIAL FUND Jack and Edith Lipman LIBRARY FUND Maurice and Doris Stromberg, in memory of Elliott Cohen GENERAL FUND Salome Schick, in honor of Lester and Aliyah Schick on their anniversary Anniversaries There are no anniversaries in April, so, let's wish an extra "Mazel Tov" to all of our "mid-anniversary" couples! Newsletter Sponsors 1987-88 INDIVIDUALS (at $50 or more) Gil Ashendorf Dora and Lou Berman P.P. Julia and Howard Bruelbeck Sandra and Jeffrey Kommit Barbara and Jesse Levin Alisa and Joseph Osipovich BUSINESSES (at $100 or more) (Your company name?) Support our Newsletter! Become a Sponsor! Bits 'n Pieces **David Alpert just turned 3 years old! Do you believe it has been three years? Mazel Tov, David and family! **Les Schick has joined the Coast Guard Auxiliary, passed his BQ(?), and is now an ensign! Don't forget to salute him! **Andi Kahn is busy testing recipes for son Alan's upcoming bar mitzvah celebration! While things are baking she is studying lines for tryouts for local stage productions! **Roz Muskovitz has two of her wonderful computer graphics being shown in the Regional Show at the Muskegon Museum of Art! Besides doing her own creative work, and teaching art and design classes at Grand Valley, she is trying to get the college to allow her to introduce computer assisted design classes to the curriculum! **Have you seen Joel Rubin on TV? He tells us that the TV station had originally designed his commercial to sound like a used car dealer's ad! Needless to say he did a lot of rewriting and ended up with a very tasteful commercial! •.. What next? Will he and Bob Scolnik, our other "TV star", do an ad together? .•• discount on brake parts with every surgery? �Religious School by Merle Scolnik, Principal The Religious School Children invite you to a Mothers' Day Brunch,, on Sunday, May 8th, at 11:30 AM, in the Temple Social Hall. Please be sure to RSVP to the Temple Office by May 5th, so that the children will know how many places to set at the table. Dads volunteering to cook and clean-up (see related article below, "Dads") please contact Merle Scolnik, 780-2748. Sunday, May 15th, will be the last day of Religious School for this year. A Picnic and Game Day is being planned with lots of fun for all. We hope to see all of the children there. Dads Hey you Dads! How about coming down on Sunday, May 8th and helping the children prepare brunch for the special ladies in our community. We need Dads to both cook and clean up. Lots of fun promised to all! How about it? Please let Merle Scolnik (780-2748) know that you will be there. Centennial History Book by Marcia Garrigan Exciting news! The Centennial History Book will soon go to press! The history of the Jewish community in Muskegon was researched by a committee from the congregation consisting of Alan Oppenheimer, chairperson, Rabbi Alan Alpert, Anna Alpert, Isadore Ashendorf, Fran Boyden, Marcia Garrigan, David Kolbe, and Ruth Krause. As you have already read in the pre-publication announcement, the book was written by Dr. Dennis Devlin, professor of history at Grand Valley State University. It will be dedicated by Senator Carl Levin on September 24, 1988, at the Muskegon County Museum, at the opening of the Anne Frank Photographic Exhibition from the Anne Frank Home in Amsterdam. Be sure to send in the form at the bottom of the flyer to reserve your books at the special pre-publication price of $7.95 per copy. Beginning August 1, 1988, the price will be $9.95 per copy. If for some reason you did not receive your pre-publication announcement in the mail, please contact Margaret in the Temple office. If you can think of any out of town friends who might enjoy a copy of the book, please let Margaret know. The Muskegon Museum of Art and the Hackley Public Library have been kind enough to send our pre-publication announcement in their regular mailing to all of their members. Ye Booke Nooke, Hages Christian Supplies, the Norton Shores Branch and North Muskegon Branch of the County Library will also make the pre-publication announcement available. It is wonderful that so many groups outside of our Temple community are truly interested in our history boo~ and in our centennial celebratio~, ~n~ h~ve offered to help with the sale and ld 7 s 'ti~ution of our history book. I It Social Action by Shirley Rapoport As the horror continues in Israel one looks for Jewish voices to address it. Here is Arthur Waskow of Philadelphia in "Sh'ma, a Journal of Jewish Responsibility," April 15, 1988. "At first Pharoah hardened his own heart. When Israelite demonstrators come to him to say 'Let our people go!' he responds with a more bitter subjugation: 'Go make bricks without straw.' When they persist and when God--the very Truth and Power of the universe --closes in upon him with the first few plagues, he hardens his heart and head still more. "And then God takes over. Pharaoh loses the ability to choose. Even when his own advisers say to him, 'Don't you understand that you are destroying Egypt?' he cannot change. Now God--Reality--is turning his rigidity, which he thinks will save him, into what will actually destroy him. "It is as if he has been smoking crack-once, twice, thrice, he is still choosing-and then the addiction takes over. "Rarely have we faced the danger that the leaders of the Jewish people might use power in a Pharaonic way. Yet that is now our danger. That the Israeli government will become addicted to its own rigidity, and bring down upon Israel and all Jewry even worse plagues than have already begun. "If we want to prevent the recent choices of hard-heartedness from becoming an addiction to hard-heartedness, the addiction that brings down still worse plagues upon us, what must we do? What would we do, what risks would we take, to prevent a beloved sister, brother, spouse, from becoming addicted to crack?" Here is Rabbi Balfour Brickner, same source: "American Jews need to begin a serious and major effort to tell our political leadership that they will not lose our support if they advocate a two-state solution or suggest that Israel sit down with the PLO as well as with the Palestinians and those who speak for Arab states." Reeva Levy Moving by Ruth Krause Our dear friend, Reeva Levy, has moved this April to live near her daughter, Sukey Denniss. Her new address is Shalom Apts, il Shalom Drive, Warwick, Rhode Island. Reeva has lived in Muskegon since 1930, and with her husband, Reuben, raised two fine children here. She has been active in the Temple as a Sunday School teacher, a choir member and a study group participant. She has been President of, and a hard worker in, both Sisterhood and Hadassah, and has given many volunteer hours to the Red Cross. In recent years illness has slowed her activity, but it has not dimmed her interest in the community or her love for the Temple. We will miss you greatly, Reeva, and we wish you health and contentment in your new home. �A"Bichur Mitzvah holim," the mitzvah of visiting and care of the sick is an important mitzvah. By remembering the sick it is considered as if taking away part of the illness. During Evelyn Singer's hospitalization it would be nice to let her know that we are thinking of her. Please send cards to her c/o Pine Rest Christian Hospital, Stuart Center, 6850 S. Division St., Grand Rapids, 49508. 1~J~1~(~)E,(~l~l~IS.l.~.~~9~::)§J_~§@-~ ~ u ~ I~ m; ro'i I ~ ChC,\,r(ott~ Joy Mi(n~r-BC,\,rr~,y I l :;m ~® Please join us in the Simcha of naming our granddaughter :,:.i_:··.;, m;i m; Ji Bc.\by NC,\,,,tin~ ;&;; 8:00 p.m. Friday, May 27 in the Temple An oneg in her honor will follow services. Charlotte is the daughter of Carla and Philip Milner-Barry and comes to Muskegon direct from Tokyo, Japan! J ~ Shirley and Dan Rapoport ::::@@(~:{s~@!•9-J§~""'@)~_:@?~<9»-J§ NON·PMrlT OF:l'i. Congregation B'nai Israel 391 W. Webster Avenue Muskegon, Michigan 49441 IJ.S. POSTAG-E PAID Affiliated with UAHC MU~t;tc.vtt I'll f'ERMIT NO.Bl ;:;.--... . 1 l ,,.,--... M ,. 1, TI ::1 A , i1 lj , "The Newsletter" is published monthly by Congregation B'nai Israel, Muskegon, Michigan. Please send any suggestions for articles, comments, and letters to the Temple office. Aliyah Schick, Editor Assistant Editors: Andrea Kahn, Shoshana Stein, and Doris Stromberg Writers: Rabbi Alan Alpert, Anna Alpert, Marcia Garrigan, Ruth Krause, Shirley Rapoport, Bob Scolnik, Merle Scolnik, secretary Margaret Hanger ..... ,.. • 4 1 ....... �Muskegon, Michigan May· 1988 lyar /Sivan 57 48 Rabbi's Message by Rabbi Alan Alpert Neither the Holocaust nor Passover were complete in and of themselves. The Rabbis have taught us that the Exodus of Passover was completed only after God gave us the Torah at Shavuot. The Passover-Shavuot connection serves to broaden our perspective and to see that the freedom from slavery needed to include the transformation which would give us the freedom to lead a godly life based on the teachings of the Torah. That message was and continues to be central in our Jewish Heritage. The link between Passover and Shavuot is a natural one. What can possibly be linked to the Holocaust which will give it meaning to future generations? It is so difficult to see through the smoke of the chimneys. We live too close to the hellish era to see anything but brutality, cowardice, and evil. The dark cloud of the Holocaust is still on the horizon threatening to open up with drops of blood and tears. For us the message is "Never Again." However, there is a link. It is what Rabbi Harold Schulweis calls "Hakarat hatov"--the recognition of goodness. Despite the darkness there were courageous men, women, and children who braved all odds and risked everything to save Jewish lives. These Righteous Christians redeemed the image of man from the abyss. In the April issue of "Moment" Rabbi Schulweis writes that " ... 'Hakarat hatov' is an affirmation that human nature goes beyond selfishness. 'Hakarat hatov' is not a denial of the presence of cruelty in human society, but a refusal to be blinded by cynicism and despair. It is the effort to make ourselves aware of human kindness and self sacrifice. Nor is 'hakarat hatov' simply a passive acknowledgment of goodness. It entails a moral imperative to cherish and protect goodness. It is incumbent on us to remember goodness and to add some measure of joy to the rescuers among us." There has never been a full accounting of what happened to the rescuers and how they are living today. However it is known that Righteous Christians were often held in contempt, persecuted, or worse for their heroic actions by their own neighbors and countrymen. Today many live desperate lives in need of emotional, medical, and financial help. Rabbi Schulweis points out that " •.• the · memory of evil and the record of its acts are better known than the memory of goodness and its deeds. That evil should be enshrined in our annals while goodness is ignored or barely footnoted is a tragic miscarriage of justice." (continued next page) From Our President by Robert Scolnik, Congregation President Last week Israel celebrated its 40th anniversary. I, as I am sure many of you do, read the daily accounts of violence in Israel and wonder about the future. We are all very much concerned about where the Jewish state is headed. I wish I had some answers to these very tough problems but I do not. I know that many of my fellow Jews are quick to criticize Israel and we are sometimes our own worst critics. But Israel at 40 has seen other tough times and this latest violence is just another addition to the pattern of hostility which pervades the Middle East. Israel's accomplishments over the last 40 years will probably be overshadowed by this latest violence. How this small country grew from a desert to a great modern nation in just 40 short years is a miracle. And I can only hope and believe that this latest crisis will also be solved. I hope that you will continue to support Israel and that our prayers for peace will be answered. AnnUAL ITTEET,nu Ana ELECT,□n �The Torah at Buchenwald from The Ye llow Star, by S.B.Unsdorf e r Strangely enough it was on th e pyre of th e camp, in that nellhole of Buchenwald, that 1 received my first injection of vitamin R -Religious Revival. A few days before our scheduled departure for Czechoslovakia, the camp loudspeakers blazed out an announcement that the Jewish chaplain to the U.S. forces would be conducting religious services in the evening to mark the festival of Shavuot -- the anniversary of the receiving of the Law by the Jewish people on Mount Sinai. Having lost my handwritten diary, as well as my Haggadah, during the march from NiederOrschel to Buchenwald, this announcement came as a pleasant yet disturbing surprise. Since my childhood I had always looked forward eagerly to the arrival of our wonderful and inspiring festivals, and particularly so in the tragic war years. But I wondered whether we weren't being put to a test too soon. Who among those thousands of physical and mental cripples would want to attend services and prayers so soon after their tragic experiences? The Festival of the Receiving of the Torah! Within a few weeks after liberation, religion, which had seemed to do so little for us, was now challenging us and our loyalties. But just as you cannot measure the physical strength of an oppressed people, so you cannot gauge its spiritual wealth and power. On that evening, Buchenwald staged a fantastic demonstration or f-ait nd 1-eyttlty to God. Thousands upon thousands of liberated Jews crowded into the specially vacated block for the first postwar Jewish religious service to be held on the soil of defeated Germany. The "Mussulmanner", the cripples, the injured, and the weak came to demonstrate to the world that the last ounce of their strength, the last drop of their blood, and the last breath of their lives belonged to God, to Torah, and to the Jewish religion. As Chaplain [Herschel] Schacter intoned the evening prayers, all the inmates in and outside the block stood in silence, reaccepting the Torah whose people, message, and purpose Hitler's Germany had attempted to destroy. Jewish history repeated itself. Just as our forefathers who were liberated from Egypt accepted the Law in the desert, so did we, the liberated Jews of Buchenwald, reaccept the same Law in the concentration camps of Germany. Needed Your help with the following is needed and would be very much appreciated: **Volunteers to clean the Torah silver **Donations for the purchase of a Temple computer **Volunteer to coordinate Newsletter photography **Dads to help with Mother's Day Brunch **Grocery receipts from Eberhards and D&W **Library volunteer **Newsletter Bits 'n Pieces writer If you are interested in any of these opportunities to help, please contact the office. -;;0;6~~~~~~---~ ~~~~~~~~~o~o~ 0 e 0 ~ }•,;c,;;:.c.-;:.,:i,::,c.:.G~Ci>';)C\Vi)GV,)Gi)~ '<)~Ci'i)Ci-;:)G'i'i:> ;j i >·~ ~ ~isttlbrnt0Hs ~J <i.h I ~~ ~110~ tl :>i~ imr~J!~ ti a-=-(~i· > ~ l~ } • .J -~ \~ >~.- .g ~ j ·~ ~ ~ ~ ~j (-;1> Gi - l v~ ~, . - -. . . _::•:•:•.···· •·❖:::· c· ·•·❖ :;:::::•~S) .... .::::._....... ~ You are invited to CLOSING SISTERHOOD 'rEA Tuesday, May 17th at 7 PM in the Temple Social Hall Watch for your invitation in the mail. \~ ~ u'{ ~ ~ ii~ i i ~ i i~ i~ ~ ~ :! : ~ o < \ r o ~ ~ ~ ~ 0 Creative Service Class Rabbi Alpert will be offering a course for the congregation this month entitled "The Prayerbook and Creative Servicei." After an examination of the "Gates of Prayer" and some creatlve services the class will write a creative service. Plan to join the Rabbi in the Temple Social Hall May 13, 20, and 27, at 12 noon. Bring your own brown bag lunch. Rabbi's Message, continued Last year Rabbi Schulweis established the Fund to Sustain Righteous Christians in order to recognize the goodness and prevent that miscarriage of justice. The Fund is concerned with identifying the rescuers, retelling their stories, and entering into their lives so that they need not be alone and that they will be able to live their final years with companionship, peace, and respect. We must never forget the evil of the Holocaust. At the same time we cannot ignore the goodness. The message of "Never Again" must be forged with "hakarat hatov" so that future generations will see a broader perspective, root out evil, and cherish goodness. Action is long overdue to assist the rescuers. Rabbi Shulweis notes, "The time is short but whatever powers we have, we must let these rescuers and the world know that they are not alone. These remarkable spirits who would not betray the image of God in them must be helped through our friendship to live out their remaining years in dignity. They are models for the education of our young. They remind us of the possibilities of working for a better future and a healthier society." Don't forget these ordinary people who were so extraordinary. Please give generously to the Fund to Sustain Righteous Christians, 823 United Nations Plaza, 10th Floor, New York, NY 10017. �May 1988 SUN 1 10 Religious School TUE MON 2 lyar/6ivan 57 48 3 THU WED 4 FRI 6 5 LAG B'0MER SAT 7 8 Services "En1or" le11 2t:t-211:23 8 10 Reli,ious Sc ool 11 :30 MOTHERS' DAY 1,RUNCH 9 10 11 12 IR VP) 15 10 LAST DAY OF RELIGIOUS SCHOOL PICNIC AND GAME DAY 22 ~rn Shavuot nl ~ • 29 ,.:l ,i1 13 t2 Creative Stl'vice Class 14 YouO, Group Activity- to he announctd 8 Sel'vices Behar-Bechukotia ltv 25:t-27:311 16 17 7:30 Tem~le Boill'd eet ing 7§m CLOSING SI TERH000 TEA Social Hall 23 24 7:3'am ANNUAL M TINToAND ELECT N in tht TtmJle Sociu H I 30 1e· Newsletter Deadline 31 19 20 12 Creative Service Class 21 8 Community Shavuot Service Ex 19:i-20:23 Bil,le Dedication 0neg 25 26 27 t2 Creative Sel'vice Class 8 Su•11ices "Naso" Hum 11:21-7:99 Namin3 Rapo~Ol't gran daugh ti' 0neg UPCOMING: 6/10 Naming of Rachel Kommit 6/11 2pm Youth Group & parents meet w/ MSTY Advisor 28 �Yahrzeits (To be memorial;zed May 6) Doris Mandel* Iyer 14 Herbert Kohn May 1 Samuel Ashendorf* May 4 Milford Reed May 4 Harold Page* May 5 Benjamin Gudelsky May 6 Henrietta Bloomfield May 7 {To be memorialized May 13) Sue Friend* May 8 Marcia Rosen May 10 Rebecca Zorn May 13 (To be memorialized May 20) Martin M. Fox May 15 Harry Fisher May 21 (To be memorialized May 27) Meyer Jacobs* Sivan 7 Molly Fonstein May 24 Edward Chevlin May 25 Carol Charlotte Steindler* May 27 (To be memorialized June 3) Oscar Wajntraub June Anita Druker* June 2 Samuel Price* June 3 Anniversaries Jessie and Ted Neumer MAZEL. TOVJ Contributions GENERAL FUND Edward Larson, for a joyful Passover Bits 'n Pieces **Congratulations to Bill Reed on his graduation from the prestigious FBI School in Washington, D.C. I He is among a select few of outstanding Law Enforcement Officers! **There was a lovely feature article in the Northshore Times about Dana Ashendorf and her extensive animal figurine collection! Her favorite is of a quarterhorse foal that her husband Jacob found for her! **Rabbi Alpert and Steve Rubin emerged bleary-eyed from the Temple on the morning after chaperoning the Teen Sleep-Over! Wonder if they got any sleep? According to Susan Rubin the teens didn't want to leave! It must have been a great success! Rides to Temple If you need a ride to Temple, or if you are available to give one, please call Al Parker, at 755-2924, preferably two days before the event. He will help coordinate rides. Temple Off ice Hours Rabbi: Tues thru Thurs 10:30am-12noon; Tues 1:45-3:lSpm; and by appointment. Secretary: Mon thru Thurs 8:30am-12:30pm. Temple phone: 722-2702 Grads? Please share your joy with us as members of your family graduate from high school and institutions of higher education this June. Drop a note to the Temple office with all the information by May 15th. ~ I ~illlIB I 0 @;;;;;;;;;; l::=::~f( ~ lli11:JLlllll..15 MlTIIIIB -<; ®·········· ®:,:,:,:-:, 00 ~ ~ ·® ® L-l~L-L--1.............................. ® ® I® ~f.ND~ I® ® ® Hire Youth Group members to help clean up your home and yard @ @ @ . @ @ @ @ @ AND support our fundraiser at the same time! .@. Call for further information: Jeff Kahn, 780-4560 or Steven Rubin, 755-2699 (Youth Group Advisor) ® ® ® ® @ @ @ ~ ® ® @ ® @ ® -00 Youth Group Nine members of our new Temple Youth Group had a great time at their overnight at the Temple in April. Plans are being made for a fun activity for Saturday, May 14th. Horseback riding or bowling are possibilities. Call the Temple office for an update. A fundraiser is underway. The group is offering their services to congregants for help with yard or house spring cleaning chores. Need some work done? To make arrangements, or to get more information, please call Jeff Kahn, 780-4560, or Youth Group Advisor Steven Rubin, 755-2699. Newsletter Deadline Please note that the LAST day to submit material for the June Newsletter will be Tuesday, May 17th! Newsletter Sponsors 1987-88 INDIVIDUALS (at $50 or more) Gil Ashendorf Dora and Lou Berman P.P. Julia and Howard Bruelbeck Sandra and Jeffrey Kommit Barbara and Jesse Levin Alisa and Joseph Osipovich Support our Newsletter! Become a Sponsor! �Torah Silver from the Temple House Committee In conjunction with our project to completely clean up our Temple, our Torah silver needs cleaning and polishing. We would like to have help from congregants to do this. Every two months would be a practical interval for polishing the breast plates,Torah crowns, and pointers. We are hopeful that we will have enough members in our congregation to help with this project. Instruction is available, and people can work together. If you would like to be a polisher once or twice a YEAR, contact Alan Oppenheimer, 755-2814. It has been said that to work with Torahs is a mitzvah. Even if it isn't wouldn't you feel good all over? . . Jewish Chat~uqua Society: Rabbi Alpert - - (Chautauqua -press release) Under the aupices of the Jewish Chautauqua Society (JCS), Rabbi Alan Alpert will lecture on "Judaism" at Holland Christian High School in Holland, Michigan on April 11, 1988. JCS, in addition to endowing courses, assigns,rabbinic lecturers to colleges and secondary schools, donates books of Judaica to libraries, distributes a large film collection, and sponsors Interfaith Institutes for Christian Clergy in its goal of improved interfaith relations. JCS is the educational arm of the National ederation of Temple Brotherhoods, which is comprised of 400 Temple Brotherhoods with over 60,000 members in the United States. Canada, and abroad. It is affiliated with the Union of American Hebrew Congregations, parent body of Reform Judaism. Rabbi Alpert, spiritual leader of Congregation B'nai Israel in Muskegon, Michigan, was ordained at Hebrew Union College--Jewish Institute of Religion in Cincinnati, in 1975. Religious School _ by Merle Scolnik, Principal Thank you teens for the wonderful Purim Carnival we had on the 6th of Marchi The kids had a great time! A special thank you goes to Mark Singer for repainting the stage steps and repairing our Purim games. Also, thank you parents for the delicious lunch for Purim and the Model Seder for Passover. The first two weeks in April will be our Spr~ng Vacation. See everyone on Sunday, April 17th. Religious School will meet this month on April 17 and 24. Save May 8th for the Mother's Day Brunch. RSVP's need to be in to the Temple office by May 5th if you and your family will be coming for the Mother's Day Brunch. We need Dads to help the kids out with the cooking and clean up for the Brunch. It's a lot of fun! Please contact Merle Scolnik to volunteer to help, 780-2748. -- Newsletter Deadline Please note that the LAST day to submit material for the May Newsletter will be Friday, April 15th! • Centennial Notes (From the Winter 1988 issue of the "Muskegon Intermediate School District News") submitted by Sylvia Kaufman The Jewish Centennial Education Committee for area schools is coordinating interdisciplinary learning activities in recognition of the Centennial of Congregation B'nai Israel. Over two years of planning by the Community Centennial Committee has flowered into a dynamic year of cultural and artistic events beginning in September, 1988. Teachers are encouraged to take advantage of events such as the photographic exhibit from the Anne Frank home and the theatrical production of "The Diary of Anne Frank" by Muskegon Civic Theatre. Itzhak Perlman, Jeffrey Siegel, and the Soviet Emigre Orchestra are a few of the performing musicians that are scheduled for next year. Artists and enthusiasts will be thrilled with the Chagall exhibit and children's art from the Israeli Kibbutz. Many lectures, slide shows, films, and videos will be available. Preview and inservice opportunities will be announced by the MAISD for the educational video series. "Heritage, Civilization and the Jews." Other materials will be available for coordinating committee members listed [for each of the twelve participating school districts) .•• Our community has a unique opportunity through this Centennial celebration to realize a greater appreciation of Jewish life and culture and its contributions to society. Teachers are encouraged to help students take advantage of the many opportunities provided during the Centennial year. Similar observances of other cultures could be planned along the lines represented by the Jewish Centennial model. An Invitation trom Congregation Ahavas Israel Congregation Ahavas Israel of Grana Rapids invites the entire Jewish Community to join our Congregation's gala Centennial Celebration. The following special events are scheduled to co~memorate this exciting 100th Anniversary: Friday, April 29, 8:15 pm - Services with Cantor Zvee Aroni Saturday, April 30, 9:30 am - Services with Rabbi Hayyim Kieval, Cantor Aroni, and the Shir Shalom Choir Sunday, May 1 - Cocktails at 6:30 pm Gala Dinner and Reception at 7:30 pm Donation $18.00 per person You are cordially invited to join us for one or all of the events of this memorable weekend. This is indeed a landmark occasion for us as a Congregation and we are eager to share our pride and nachas with others. Plans are nearing completion for this unforgettable milestone and we hope you will be a part of it with us. For more information, please call Rosalie Rotenberg at 1-245-8693. �Criticizing Israel (exerpts from A.M. Rosenthal, Detroit Free Press, March 9, 1988) Many of us have been saying the same things about Israel: Israel cannot go on forever being an occupying power. Jews must not break bones. Israeli use of force against young Palestinians is costing Israel support around the world. Israel must enter negotiations on Gaza and the West Bank. Right--but sometimes when I hear or read these points, which I have made myself, made over and over by others, I find myself deeply uneasy. It is not because there is no validity in them,but because so often they are presented empty of the historic realities that brought about the crisis and must be understood tb find a way out. This is an attempt to set down the political, military and historic truths that raise fears about the road that many American intellectuals, journalists and senators are demanding Israel take. CAUSES: The critics' implication is that the cause of the current crisis is Prime Minister Yitzhak Shamir's opposition to an international conference and his refusal to agree in advance to cede West Bank territory. This is not true. The cause is 40 years of Arab refusal to accept the existence of Israel,40 years of furious hostility and military attempts to destroy Israel. You do not have to like Shamir to realize that if the Arabs had accepted Israel in the beginning or for 20 years thereafter, all of the West Bank and Gaza and other territory would today be part of a Palestinian state. If you believe that the very existence of Israel is anathema,you are right to see Israel's policies as the root cause of the Mideast ugliness--otherwise not. OCCUPATION: Some critics also act as if it were Israeli occupation of the West Bank and Gaza in 1967 that led to so many years of unrest and skirmishing there. This, too, is historic distortion. It was the Arat countries that seized Gaza and the West Bank, which were to be part of the Palestinian state under the 1947 United Nations partition plan,and occupied them for 20 years --not in peace but with constant harassment and attack against Israel. Finally,Israel struck back. Israel's unhappy occupation of the West Bank is a result, not the cause,of aggression--Arab aggression. NEGOTIATION: With whom and for what? The United States proposes an international conference with the Big Five participating.Since Britain and France are cool to Israel and the Soviet Union and China are hostile, the chicken is being invited to negotiate under the sponsorship of four foxes and a lame dove. To think the major powers would not pressure Israel for Arab advantage is not only naive but black comedy. It is not the Big Five Israel must live with, but the Palestinians and other Arabs. Which Arab states have promised to negotiate directly with Israel? None.Which Arab leaders are criticizing Palestinians sworn to the elimination of Israel? Where are the "moderate" (continued next column, see "Criticizing") Historical Notes: Stone for Our Temple by Alan Oppenheimer I came across something that might be of interest to the readers of the Temple bulletin. It is a file entitled "Specifications for the Construction of a Jewish Center and House of Worship, Muskegon, Michigan." Dated April 12, 1946, architects: Grunsfeld, Yerkes, Lichtmann, & Koenig, of Chicago. "All of the following shall be of rockfaced Ashlar: all wall surfaces of the building proper, including the garden side of the retaining walls enclosing the sunken gardens which are entered from the stairs leading from Webster Avenue, the garden side of the reflecting pool walls and the exposed faces of the walls leading to the sunken garden." I think that there are a number of congregants who are not aware that the area in front of the Temple office windows, now covered with greenery, was originally a reflecting pool, which did contain water. The specifications also call for the use of some cut stone and some dressed stone, with this notation: "All stone is to be Lannon Stone, taken from the quarries of the Wisconsin Lannon Stone Corporation at Lannon, Wisconsin. The color shall be quarry run,approximately 10% in light buff color, but NO rust colored stones shall be used." Criticizing, continued Palestinians who can swerve the young men of Gaza and the West Bank away from seeking Israel's death? STAKES: Israel is fighting for survival.The Arab states are fighting out of anti-Israel hatred and fear of the Palestinians. The young Palestinians are fighting for a new Palestinian state because they hate the ruler of a present state with a Palestinian majority:Jordan.They plan to eliminate King Hussein one day and swallow Jordan as part of their own single Palestine. As things stand, any ceded West Bank territory will become a de facto state run by the Palestine Liberation Organization and other Palestinians sworn to destroy Israel. Those young Palestinians would be hurling not stones from their territory but rockets. SOLUTIONS: Open pressure on Israel to make concessions must be accompanied by open pressure on the Arabs. Palestinians must accept totally and clearly the right of Israel to live forever, secure and in peace. The United States and the Arab leaders can achieve this and guarantee it, if we have the will and they the courage. Shamir may not promise in advance to cede "territory for peace"--that is what direct talks are for--but the definition of peace cannot mean Palestinians continuing war to the death. They,too,must feel hard pressure to do some ceding, specifically of their demand for another Palestinian state in a region where one already exists, and to negotiate in peaceful stages for the eventual goal: a single Jordan-Palestine. Americans have a right to criticize Israel. They have a right to suggest solutions--but not the suggestion of suicide. �a·& Aon Israel L. .J Re,. /5/>D •, :, :•··il · •: •: · Hem~r4 ····•·W·W 1·1 ............... .., we,, ~rn r Rides to Temple 4 f you need a ride to Temple, or if you are available to give one, please call Al Parker, at 755-2924, preferably two days before the event. He will help coordinate rides. Computer for Temple The Board has decided to begin the process of getting a computer for the Temple office. The computer will handle word processing, the newsletter, mailing list, financial records, yahrzeits, etc. The first step is to ask if anyone has an IBM compatible computer that they would be willing to donate. If you would consider this, please contact Les Schick, 744-0452, or Bob Scolnik, 780-2748. Spruce-up Thanks to the efforts of the Temple House Committee and Sisterhood our Temple building is being dramatically spruced up! We can really be proud of it! With new wallpaper, paint, and upholstery the Sisterhood has completely transformed the downstairs women's lounge and bathroom. Sisterhood workers have now turned their attention to the painting of the kitchen and the social hall. Members of the House Committee Julia Bruelbeck and Alan Oppenheimer recently spent four hours evaluating the cleaning needs of our building, from top to bottom. Their goal of establishing a routine cleaning plan for our custodian has expanded to include some additional plans for extra cleaning to really spruce up the facility. Note the appeal for volunteers to clean the Torah silver (see page 9), and the outdoor grounds spring clean up scheduled for April 24th (see page 4). Let's renew our pride in our building and in our congregation! Get involved! (exerpt from the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations} Q:Does the Palestinian struggle differ from the struggles of South African blacks or the opposition of South Korea or from the American civil rights movement? A:Yes. All those movements have sought to win rights denied them by their governments. They have not sought to deny the rights of others, nor have they announced as their purpose the destruction of the governments whose policies they seek to change, nor have they rejected any invitation to negotiate a peaceful resolution of their differences with these governments. The Palestinians have never given negotiation a chance • Nothing could be farther from the Christian nonviolence of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., than the premeditated murder of women and children that the PLO has consistently offered instead of diplomacy. The comparison of Israel to South Africa, though often made, is especially grotesque ••• Israel is a democratic state, all of whose citizens are entitled to vote, regardless of color or religion. Israeli Arabs serve in the high ranks of the army and represent Israel as members of its diplomatic corps. Israel assumed the responsibility for the occupied territories as a result of a war which it did not want and was forced to fight in its own defense. It is surrounded by hostile neighbors who, for the past forty years (with the exception of Egypt},have maintained an unremitting military and diplomatic siege. The white government in Pretoria turns a deaf ear to all calls for negotiations. The Israeli government, by contrast, calls for negotiations and is met with silence. Kids: Picture This! You're spending this summer swimming, boating, playing softball, horseback riding, singing, dancing, drawing, making lifelong friends, and learning about what it means to be Jewish. Doesn't that sound great? It IS great! It's Olin-Sang-Ruby Union Institute, the Reform movement Camp in Ocomonowoc, WiscGnsin. If you're entering 3rd through 12th grades, you can do all this and more. OSRUI has an extensive arts program, a fabulous creative Hebrew program, and a beautiful lakefront. There are six different units from which to choose, depending on your age and interests: The main section is Kallah (grades 3-8), but there are also three tenting units --Kibbutz HaTzofim (grades 4-8), Moshava (grades 9-12), and Mosh West (grades 10-13) --and two Hebrew units --Chavurah (grades 8 and 9) and Chalutzim (grades 10 and 11). OSRUI truly has something for everyone. Most sessions are still open, but they won't be for long. For registration information contact the Camp office at 100 W. Monroe St., Chicago, IL 60603, (312) 782-1477 �Youth Happening On April 15th the teens of our Congregation are planning to have a social event and sleep over at the Temple. The last time they did this it was a lot of fun and judged successful by everyone. If you haven't signed up for this, do it quick! More adults are needed to help with the event. If you would like to participate, to volunteer or need more information, please call Merle Scolnik, 780-2748. Special Thanks Special thanks go to Julia Bruelbeck for HAND WASHING our two Israel flags. They had become discolored over the years; now they are clean and they sparkle! Temple Office Hours Rabbi: Tues thru Thurs 10:30am-12noon; Tues 1:45-3:lSpm; and by appointment. Secretary: Mon thru Thurs 8:30am-12:30pm. Temple phone: 722-2702 12Congregation B'nai Israel 391 W. Webster Avenue Muskegon, Michigan 49441 Affiliated with UAHC NON·PROrlT OR,. U.S. POSTA,c PAID MU!iKt:,oN. Ml PERMIT N0.131 "The Newsletter" is published monthly by Congregation B'nai Israel, Muskegon, Michigan. Please send any suggestions for articles, comments, and letters to the Temple office. Aliyah Schick, Editor Assistant Editors: Andrea Kahn, Shoshana Stein, and Doris Stromberg April Issue Contributors: Rabbi Alan Alpert, Marcia Garrigan, Art Greenberg, Gertrude Greenberg, Sylvia Kaufman, Alan Oppenheimer, Bob Scolnik, Merle Scolnik, secretary Margaret Hanger � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Temple B'nai Israel Collection Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Temple B'nai Israel (Muskegon, Mich.) Description An account of the resource Collection of photographs, scrapbooks, programs, minutes, and other records of the Temple B'nai Israel in Muskegon, Michigan. The collection was created as part of the L'dor V'dor project directed by Dr. Marilyn Preston, and was supported by grants from the Kutsche Office of Local History and Michigan Humanities Council. Original materials were digitized by the University Libraries and returned to the synagogue. Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Digital objects were contributed by Temple B'nai Israel as part of the L'dor V'dor project. Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">In Copyright</a> Subject The topic of the resource Jews--United States Muskegon (Mich.) Scrapbooks Synagogues Women--Societies and clubs Minutes (Records) Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Allendale, Michigan Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Preston, Marilyn Grand Valley State University. Special Collections and University Archives Relation A related resource L'dor V'dor (project) Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context DC-08 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Image Text Type The nature or genre of the resource image/jpeg application/pdf Language A language of the resource eng Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource Circa 1920s-2018 Still Image A static visual representation. Examples include paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type Text to images of textual materials. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context DC-08_Temple-Bnai-Israel_Newsletter_1988 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource B'nai Israel Temple Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1988-04 Title A name given to the resource Temple B'nai Israel Newsletter Description An account of the resource Temple B'nai Israel Newsletter from April 1988. Subject The topic of the resource Jews--United States Muskegon (Mich.) Synagogue bulletins Passover Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Digital file contributed by the B'nai Israel Temple as part of the L'dor V'dor project. Relation A related resource L'dor V'dor (project) Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">In Copyright</a> Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource application/pdf Language A language of the resource eng Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/3e811d1751696c0a1cc603be374de541.pdf 0be4c8fec59a6d393f87bef516aafa18 PDF Text Text Muskegon, Michigan Congregation B'nai Israel FROM THE RABBI MARCH ADAR I PURIM The Scroll of Esther and the holiday of Purim have always had their critics. Questions are still being raised as to why Esther was included in the Scriptures, and why we celebrate such a frivolous holiday. Because of the critics, and the meaning of the Scroll and the holiday, the Rabbis spend considerable time in both Jewish law and .. folklore discussing the book of Esther and Purim. It is no less a mitzvah to read and hear the Megillah than it is to listen to and retell the Passover story. Even when the Messiah comes, Purim will be celebrated while most other Jewish holidays will not. At that time all the books of the Bible will lose their value except for the Five Books of Moses and the Book of Esther. •\ I What is the value of the book of Esther? Is it an historical book? In the recent Five Scrolls, Rabbis Friedlander and Bronstein summarize the views of most scholars: "The events described here, if not historically verifiable, are paradigns of historical events which have plagued the Jewish people in every era." The Hamans of history have had no qualms about, nor the Ahasueruses any objections to, genocide. Thus, the particularly Jewish story of Esther has universal implications. Purim demonstrates for us how we should understand the Megillah. We might focus on the dark side of Esther, genocide and revenge, and be filled with despair. In order to face the realities of a hostile world around us, thour: we need PURIM PARTIES see calendar Jewish Centennial Passover Celebration see enclosed brochure • rift-I"~ Monday March 6 Hope College Tuesday March 7 Frauenthal Theater to do something irrational: we need to hope and laugh. For one day during the year we ~ari escape the realities of uncertaint-J,-~nd celebrate the mira-c-l-e._ of o"tir survival. ~- This year, don't be a critic, listen to all the exaggerations and comic irony. Hear the message of triumph and hope. Let your hair down and celebrate! �OFFICE HOURS Congregation B'nal Israel Muskegon, Michigan Robert Scolnik President Alan Alpert Rabbi Ira Socol Editor Secretary 8:30 - 12:30 Monday, Tuesday, Thursday Rabbi 10:30 - Noon Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 2:00 - 3:00 Tuesday, and by appointment "JEWISHMUSKEGON• What's in a name? When I developed the "JEWISHMUSKEGON" name and masthead I was trying to show our pride. Pride in the survival of a tiny minority community. Pride in our success at being Jewish outside the major metro areas that are usually associated with Judaism. Pride in our hometown's attributes, and pride in a community that has treated us so royally throughout our Centennial year. Six months later, I'm still happy with the title, and the bulletin. What do you think? I'd like to know. Do you like the name? do you have another idea? How do you feel about the rest of the "bulletin?" What do you like? What don't you like? On pages 11 and 12 this month, is a "survey" about the bulletin. Please take a few minutes to check a few boxes, and make a few notes. The whole idea of this publication is to allow us to better communicate among ourselves, and with our friends. Please lend a hand by letting me know what works for you. STORIES The last thing I want is a bulletin filled with my opinions. We've got lots of space here for you to display your thoughts, ideas, stories and concerns. I can offer as much ( or as little) assistance as you want in putting your ideas into words. Any topic relating to Judais~ and/or our 2 community seems fair game. So come on ••. I know there are more than a few inspired authors out there, put it down on paper and send it in. THANKS to Bob Scolnik, who prov ides us with the wonderful photo·-pages. Bob gets these together on his own each month, and they make the bulletin look great! SPONSORSHIPS · Making this a better publication takes work and money. To build the "Newsletter Fund" we're reviving the "Sponsorship" idea. Individual sponsors ( $50. per year) will be listed in each months publication. Corporate Sponsors ( $120) will get a three line listing, Company Name, type of business, and address. Please, if you can add to your current support for Temple activities, consider this option. �When you read this, it will already be March. I can hardly believe that this year as President of your Congregation is passing so quickly. I have a tremendous sense of pride in our Centennial Celebration and look forward to the events yet to come. The most recent event that comes to mind The Klezmer Conservatory Band was spectacular. The overflowing Overbrook Theater was magically transformed into a Jewish 11 Shtetl" from another time and place. The audience, predominantly non-Jewish, really got into the spirit of Klezmer music and I could sense a real feeling of electricity in the room. I believe that all of you who were there felt the same pride in being part of bringing this group here! This event, like many others in the past year, was simply amazing. I would also like to comment on last month's editorial, "That LETTERS Old Time Religion 11 by Ira Socol. I read Ira's words at least 4 times. His description of "Midwood 11 was fascinating and evoked a wish to go back to that simpler time I knew as a child growing up in a much more Jewish community in New York State. Ira's conclusion's and comments fit us perfectly. "We must make the best available compromise with our times." In my view, the current debate over pagers is senseless. Pagers are a way of life for many people and I would much rather have a person and a pager filling a seat than just the empty seat. Perhaps what needs to be addressed is why has Friday evening attendance dropped? Many events a~e very well attended but services seem to be a problem. Why? I'll be waiting for your answers. (Note: If anyone would like a copy of last month's editorial, please contact me for a copy.) Dear Rabbi and Mrs. Alpert, The children all did so well the evening of December third, from the middle school children down to the youngest speakers. Thank you again for so graciously opening your beautiful place of worship to our whole community on Friday, December 3, to better acquaint us with your observance and enjoyment of Hanukah. It was so very meaningful. r am sure that I express the sincere feelings of all who could be with you that evening. From my name you can tell that I am of German descent; however, my grandmother (with whom I lived) and father never approved of cruelty toward any people. I have enjoyed much kindness from the Jewish persons I have known and have a liking for them all. I have been so interested in this year's observance of your Jewish Centennial since the first write-up in our Chronicle, having attended several of its programs at the Frauenthal, including the fine presentation of "The Diary of Anne Frank." I am glad that my church, St. Mary's, locally, was so well represented, as well as so many other churches. I trust that Hanukah enjoyable in your home. was most -Anne L. Freitag 3 �JEWISH~M®~@@~ ==============Cff"P''c/~ s B'NAI B'RITH INSTALLS NEW OFFICERS ANNIVERSARIES Aliyah and Lester Schick Susan and Norman Halbower Sally and Marcus Bess Barbara and William Reed CONGRATULATIONS to Portia Rothchild on being selected as one of two recipients of the Urban League's Equal Opportunity Award. DAN RAPOPORT (L}, INSTALLS NEW B'NAI B'RITH PRESIDENT ED KRAUSE EVENTS/OUT-OF-TOWN GRAND RAPIDS: Congregation Ahavas Israel's 1989 Dinner Dance, is on March 11, at 8 p.m. A Cadillac, and many door prizes will be given away. Reservations close March 5, the cost is $22 per person. Call 1-949-2840 for details and reservations. WEST BLOOMFIELD: The Jewish Community Center of Metropolitan Detroit pre sen ts LET US ENTERTAIN YOU, a festival of Jewish art, theatre, and music. March and April events include: Sculpture by Itzik Ben Shalom (3/4-3/19); Gabe Kaplan "In Concert" (3/4, 8 p.m.); Michigan Musician Winners Concert (4/5, 8 p.m.); and Betty Comden and Adolph Green (4/8, 9 p.m.). The Center is at 6600 West Maple, in West Bloomfield, Call 313-661-1000 for details. 4 LES SHICK, OUTGOING B'NAI B'RITH CONGRATULATES ED KRAUSE . PRESIDENT AS PART OF THE PROGRAM AT THE B'NAI B'RITH MEETING, MEMBERS WATCH A VIDEO AND PROGRAM PROVIDED BY DR. JOEL RUBIN. �JEWISH'R,JJl)1)~®@~7!!.=5'-===================== <tongressional 1Record United States of America Vol. 134 PROCEEDINGS AND DEBATES OF THE J00 th CONGRESS, SECOND SESSION WASHINGTON, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1988 No. 152 Senate JEWISH CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION IN MUSKEGON • Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, in this last CoNGRFS.:,IONAL REcono of the 100th Cong!'ess, I would like tu bring lo the attention of the S1·nate another notable event In the annals of this Nation. On September 21, 1988, a Jewish centennial celebration was begun in Muskegon, Ml. What Is unique about the celebration Is that the entire community of Muskegon organized a comprehensive 8-month commemoration, Including 50 Individual programs and events. The 14 major cultural, educational and religious organizations in the Muskegon community united to focus, In this intensive way, on the contributions of the Jewish people both worldwide and in Muskegon. For the community of almost 300,000 people to celebrate with such a massive outpouring of creative talent the 100th birthday of a tiny 87-family minority community represents the most eloquent testimony to American pluralism that I can remember. I had the privilege, that I will always remember, of speaking at one of the first events, the opening of the Anne Frank exhibit at the Muskegon History Museum. That evening Itzhak Perlman ga\·e a solo recital at the historic Frauenthal Theatre. And the next day Congressman Guy VANllER JAGT, who obtained his bachelor of divinity degree at Yale University, symbolized In a very personal way the ecumenical nature of the celebration by participating in the Jewish service of Sukkot. One of the features of this 8 month celebration is the publication of a booklet entitled "Michigan's Jewish Community: A Centennial History 1888-1988," written by Dennis Devlin, who is a professor of history at Grand Valley State University. Next May, the celebration ends with a trip to Egypt and Israel, foscusing on art and music and the history of the two countries, and sponsored by the art museum and the symphony orchestra. None of this could have been done without the extraordinary effort of Sylvia Kaufman. I havt' never been so touched by thi: Lula! commitment of a large community to the ctmtributions of a tiny c-omponent of iL. It Is a model which other communities can use as we exercise ou1· freedom to maintain our diverse ethnic traditions. This unique country of ours not only allows everyone to do so, but proclaims the importance of that freedom. A New York Times article on September 28, 1988, contained some of the flavor of the Muskegon celebration. I ask that it be printed In the RECORD at this time. 13 �FRIENDS OF THE NORTON SHORES LIBRARY NORTON SHORES BRANCH, MUSKEGON COUNTY LIBRARY 705 SEMINOLE ROAD NORTON SHORES, MICHIGAN 49441 THE JESSE AND BARBARA LEVIN COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION In 1988, Jesse and Barbara Levin donated funds to the Friends of the Norton Shores Library in order to establish a yearly college scholarship award for high school students. This scholarship award is open to any 12th grade student who is a resident of either Norton Shores or Roosevelt Park, Michigan. Also, any 12th grade student who is a member of the Muskegon Temple B 'Nai Israel Congregation is eligible to apply. The scholarship will be awarded for the best essay on the subject: THE IMPACT OF WDAISM ON WORLD HISTORY. References to be used should be works which promote a better understanding between Jews and non-Jews. Footnotes and a bibliography should be included. The recommended length for the essay is 1,000 to 1,500 words. The essay with this form attached must be submitted to the above address by May 1 to be considered for the award. Please complete the following information. ----------------------------------------The Jesse and Barbara Levin Scholarship Application NAME---------------------------------STREET A D D R E S S - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - CITY-----------------STATE-------ZIP-----HIGH SCHOOL ATTENDING _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ GRADE IN HIGH SCHOOL _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ Are you a member of the Muskegon Temple B 'Nai Israel Congregation? □ YES □ NO Name of college or university you will enroll in _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ The attached essay is my own work and may be published if requested by the Scholarship Committee. SIGNATURE---------------------DATE------- �JEWISHlMJM@~@@~ Contributions/General Fund Regina and Roland Lehker Contributions/Newsletter Fund Lotta and Sam Shumacher (in appreciation) YABRZEITS (memorialized March 3) Fannie Honick-2/26 Henry Bespaloff-2/26 Louis Brontman-Adar I 22 Gloria Bess-2/29 Warren Galombeck*-3/1 Shima Spivak-3/3 Louis Simon*-3/4 Wilfred Dixon-3/4 Leo Friedlander*-Adar I 27 (memorialized March 10) Beatrice Danto-Adar I 28 Greta Louise Gudelsky-3/6 Anna Fisher-3/9 Beatrice Levin-3/9 Clara Jacobs*-Adar II 3 (memorialized March 17) Oscar Gudelsky-3/15 Isaac Rosen-3/15 David Gudelsky*-Adar II 10 Rose Singer-3/17 (memorialized March 24) Jerome Bomash-3/19 Edward Kushner-3/20 Sophie Rosen-3/21 Harold Fleischer-3/23 Bernard C. Steindler*-3/25 (memorialized March 31) Eileen Cahill-3/29 Richard Vanderleest-3/29 Dr. Norman Fleishman-3/30 Samuel Brontman*-3/31 Ellis Chevlin*-3/31 Libby Bloomfield-4/1 May Vanderleest-4/1 Leb Fonstein-4/1 (memorialized April 7) Louis Aron*-4/4 Morris Kantor*-4/6 Craig Silberman-4/6 Evelyn Singer-Nisan 2 Maurice Brow-4/7 Milton Steindler*-4/7 15 • �Reprinted from: The Temple Bulletin Achduth Vesholom .J -::1 tion, Fort Wayne, Indiana by Rabbi Richard B. Safran Some 19,300 Soviet Jews were able to leave the Soviet Union in 1988, representing a considerable increase over previous years. Most of these Soviet Jews came to the United States to settle here under a liberal American law that allowed refugees from lands of persecution to find a home here. With the changed poli.tical climate in the USSR some 30-40,000 additional Soviet Jews are expected to leave Russia this year. We rejoice at this new opportunity being given to our brothers and sisters, yet we must be made aware of the new problems this increased immigration creates. First, now that the refugees are not fleeing oppression they are placed in a different legal category that does not give them automatic entrance into our shores. At this moment some 300 Jews have already been denied entrance. Secondly, our federal deficit has limited the amount of immigration this country is allowing, and there has been some attempt to allocate slots that have not been used by Southeast Asian refugees. Needless to say, this has caused some inter-group conflict. Thirdly, if Soviet Jews seek entry to the U.S.A. under their new status as gene Lal refugees, federal help for their settlement is very limited, and they will have to turn almost completely to the American Jewish community to assist them. This will mean that American Jewish organizations will have to foot the bill for the transit facilities in Europe and then local Federations will be asked to settle them in their communities and to assist them financially and in other ways. (;nr - :.- Recently the Jewish Agency in Israel has advanced an interesting proposal that Israel serve as the transit point for the Soviet Jews leaving Russia. This would involve all Soviet Jews going directly to Israel on their way to the United States and would expose them to that land, while the Israelies would have an opportunity to persuade them to settle there. Those who then want to go to the United States could continue on as refugees. There would also be the advantage of having the millions spent on the refugee transit facilities being spent in Israel. The plan has merit and should be considered, but only if the Soviet Jews will be allowed to continue to the U. S. as "refugees." In the past Israel has not been willing to accept this condition, claiming that to do so would be the betrayal of Zionism. No matter what the final arrangements, we who for years have been working for the freedom of Soviet Jews will now have the joy of seeing many come out, and we will have the shared responsibility of settling them in our community and in other cities. I am sure, as in the past, we will rise to the challenge. Non-Profit Org US POSTAGE Congregation B'nai Israel 391 West Webster Avenue Muskegon, Michigan 49441 PAID Affiliated with UAHC Published monthly by Congregation B'nai Israel. Please send any articles, comments, news, or letters to the Te·mple office. Muskegon, MI PERMIT No 131 , D:l. & !:~:J. ~:=~::::r I~P.::r 1~::J ~ ..:::.- o:A CT. ;:..::::: . , l~ I ,! ~ . 11 I � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Temple B'nai Israel Collection Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Temple B'nai Israel (Muskegon, Mich.) Description An account of the resource Collection of photographs, scrapbooks, programs, minutes, and other records of the Temple B'nai Israel in Muskegon, Michigan. The collection was created as part of the L'dor V'dor project directed by Dr. Marilyn Preston, and was supported by grants from the Kutsche Office of Local History and Michigan Humanities Council. Original materials were digitized by the University Libraries and returned to the synagogue. Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Digital objects were contributed by Temple B'nai Israel as part of the L'dor V'dor project. Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">In Copyright</a> Subject The topic of the resource Jews--United States Muskegon (Mich.) Scrapbooks Synagogues Women--Societies and clubs Minutes (Records) Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Allendale, Michigan Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Preston, Marilyn Grand Valley State University. Special Collections and University Archives Relation A related resource L'dor V'dor (project) Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context DC-08 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Image Text Type The nature or genre of the resource image/jpeg application/pdf Language A language of the resource eng Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource Circa 1920s-2018 Still Image A static visual representation. Examples include paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type Text to images of textual materials. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context DC-08_Jewish-Muskegon_March_1989 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource B'nai Israel Temple Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1989-04 Title A name given to the resource Jewish Muskegon Description An account of the resource Temple bulletin for March 1989. Includes Congressional Record proceedings post from Senator Carl Levin dated November 10, 1988 discussing the Jewish Centennial celebration held in Muskegon in 1988. Subject The topic of the resource Jews--United States Muskegon (Mich.) Synagogue bulletins United States. Congress--Publication of proceedings Levin, Carl, 1934- Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Digital file contributed by the B'nai Israel Temple as part of the L'dor V'dor project. Relation A related resource L'dor V'dor (project) Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">In Copyright</a> Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource application/pdf Language A language of the resource eng Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/f94b1e633c06b1b099f4d048c822e4b7.pdf e7168ed74e4efb0ed0ced3008cf5c372 PDF Text Text ,-,~,-liltt~oit 4~tt \l~css -- METRO Swmy. High 83, low 67. Monday: Rain Details, Page 2A Left, Anna Alpert holds her children, David, 3, and Gilana, 7, during evening services in Temp!e B'nai Israel in Muskegon, where the Jewish community is celebrating 100 years in the city. Rabbi Alan Alpert, Anna Alpert's husband, conducted the ,services. On Guard For 157 Years ,, SUNDAJSeptember 18, i988 For home delivery call 222-6500_ 75 cents : ~or Jews, a life ofcomproririse Once ignored, small M,usk_egon minority celebrates centennial BY DAVID CRUMM Free Press Religion Writer GEORGE WALDMAN/Detroit Free Press It's a Friday evening in Muskegon, the start of the Jewish sabbath, and 15year-old Amy Scolnik would rather watch the Mona Shores High School football game and go dancing than sit in the temple for an hour, listening to Hebrew readings with a handfui of adults. At dinner, she blushes crimson as she talks with her parents, Robert and Merle Scolnik, about skipping the service. Her father is president of Temple B'nai Israel in Muskegon, and he's in the midst of an interview about a major when they say that. They don't think of celebration marking the city's Jewish us," he says, pausing, centennial. "I don't say anything about it when "This has been a problem all that happens. We don't make waves." But this month, waves of public through school," says Merle Scolnik. With only 87 Jewish families in a attention will sweep over the tiny metropolitan area of 150,000 people, Jewish community celebrating its 100 it's a safe bet that school events won't years in Muskegon. More than 50 programs are schedbe scheduled around their needs. uled, from a gala opening on Saturday l\my is a junior varsity cheerleader with a solo concert by violinist ltzhak and soon leaves for her game. Perlman to a new exhibition of works But the discussion reminds Robert by artist Marc Chagall in November to Scolnik of a civic club whose meetings classes on Jewish heritage in the public he attends; invocations often end with, schools. The program was planned "in Jesus' name." "They don't realize we're here See MUSKEGON, Page 4B � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Temple B'nai Israel Collection Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Temple B'nai Israel (Muskegon, Mich.) Description An account of the resource Collection of photographs, scrapbooks, programs, minutes, and other records of the Temple B'nai Israel in Muskegon, Michigan. The collection was created as part of the L'dor V'dor project directed by Dr. Marilyn Preston, and was supported by grants from the Kutsche Office of Local History and Michigan Humanities Council. Original materials were digitized by the University Libraries and returned to the synagogue. Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Digital objects were contributed by Temple B'nai Israel as part of the L'dor V'dor project. Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">In Copyright</a> Subject The topic of the resource Jews--United States Muskegon (Mich.) Scrapbooks Synagogues Women--Societies and clubs Minutes (Records) Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Allendale, Michigan Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Preston, Marilyn Grand Valley State University. Special Collections and University Archives Relation A related resource L'dor V'dor (project) Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context DC-08 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Image Text Type The nature or genre of the resource image/jpeg application/pdf Language A language of the resource eng Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource Circa 1920s-2018 Still Image A static visual representation. Examples include paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type Text to images of textual materials. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context DC-08_Detroit-Free-Press-Centennial_1988 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Detroit Free Press Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1988-09-18 Title A name given to the resource "For Jews, a life of compromise" Description An account of the resource Newspaper clipping from the Detroit Free Press of an article about Temple B'nai Israel's centennial celebration. Subject The topic of the resource Jews--United States Muskegon (Mich.) Detroit free press Centennial celebrations, etc. Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Digital file contributed by the B'nai Israel Temple as part of the L'dor V'dor project. Relation A related resource L'dor V'dor (project) Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">In Copyright</a> Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource application/pdf Language A language of the resource eng Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives