by Norman Berman | Aug 28, 2017 | News
Temple Beth Israel Preservation Society
(Adopted by Board of Directors August 27, 2017)
The High Holy Days are an opportunity for reflection and introspection. As the holidays approach, we at the Temple Beth Israel Preservation Society (TBIPS) are deeply engaged in considering the events of the year that is ending and preparing spiritually for the year to come.
A key element of the mission of TBIPS is to honor the builders of this community, among them Jewish Holocaust Survivors and resistance fighters who experienced first hand the consequences of hate, prejudice and evil. They came to the United States confident that they would never again experience the terrifying sight of a torchlit parade by angry men and women giving the Nazi Salute, carrying Nazi signs and shouting Nazi, racist and anti-Semitic slogans. But we all saw it in Charlottesville a few weeks ago. Not surprisingly, the consequences included terror, death and injuries. Responsibility for the violence that occurred in Charlottesville does not lie with many sides but with one side: the Nazis, alt-right and white supremacists who brought their hate to a peaceful community. We add our voices to those who have roundly condemned these hate groups.
We at TBIPS for ourselves and in honor of the courageous and principled founders of our temple, applaud and join with the Central Conference of American Rabbis, The Rabbinical Assembly, the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association and the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, representing over 4,000 rabbis who have condemned the suggestion that there is any moral equivalency between the White Supremacists and neo- Nazis in Charlottesville and those who objected to their repugnant messages and actions.
The High Holy Days are a season of t’shuvah for us all, an opportunity for each of us to examine our own words and deeds through the lens of America’s ongoing struggle with racism. Our tradition teaches us that humanity is fallible yet also capable of change. We pray that President Trump will recognize and remedy the grave error he has made in abetting the voices of hatred. Whether intended or not, leaders of the hate groups are delighting in the message that they have heard from the White House. A correction is in order. We pray that those who traffic in anti-Semitism, racism, and xenophobia will see that there is no place for such pernicious philosophies in a civilized society. And, we pray that 5778 will be a year of peace for all.
Based on a resolution recently adopted by the rabbinical groups identified above.
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by Norman Berman | Aug 22, 2017 | News
Each year at this time I am flooded with fond memories of this time of the year – I recall a sense of new beginnings. I remember during my youth on the farm in Moosup – feeling regret about the summer coming to an end, but also starting to think about the promise of the New Year.
As we enjoy these beautiful (and slightly cooler) August days leading to the Jewish High Holidays, I want to share (again) some thoughts based on a message some years ago from my Chabad rabbi, Mendy Uminer:
We are free to make changes in our lives every day of the year, but the Hebrew month of Elul is a time when the spiritual atmosphere itself is a proactively helpful force, beckoning us to think about and improve our lives. God is much more palpably present, subtly encouraging us in our reflection, smilingly and lovingly cheering us on.
When we pause for a moment from life’s many distractions and turn to matters spiritual, those Elul breezes we’ll fee may be God’s hug.
Of course, a breeze is just a breeze, and – ultimately – the most important things in life are our choices. At the same time, certain breezes can put us in a better place, creating an opportunity for enriching our lives.
For the next month, the winds of change will be at our backs. This can be a time of inspiration. Sometimes it may be as subtle as a faint breeze, but it’s always perceptible if we’re spiritually alert.
Let’s savor those August breezes and be stirred by them. I’m looking forward to the Holidays and to sharing them with you.
Norm
by Norman Berman | Aug 22, 2017 | News
The Temple Beth Israel Preservation Society has received a grant from the National Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR). The proposal was written by 90-year-old board member, Elsie Fetterman. The grant will provide partial funding to produce a film entitled “Embracing America: Preserving the Stories of Holocaust Survivors and the United States Military Who Freed Them.” It will also provide for the creation of an electronic archive of the stories.
“The film will share a message of hope and resilience during one of the world’s darkest moments,” says Dr. David Fetterman, Elsie Fetterman’s son, who together with his wife Summer provided matching funds for the project.
David Fetterman grew up in Danielson and attended Hebrew school at Temple Beth Israel. The story is about what Beth Israel and the local community did to help the remnants of European Jewry in the aftermath of World War II, he says. It is the same story that unfolded in many American communities – both Christian and Jewish – who reached out to help Holocaust survivors make a new home.
One of many examples of ecumenical, nondenominational community support in the film involves a non-Jewish member of the community helping to raise money to build the synagogue by auctioning his calf.
“It is a story of generosity of spirit and kindness,” says Fetterman, formerly a professor at Stanford University and currently CEO of Fetterman Associates in San Jose, California. “This is the true spirit of Americans we hope to rekindle with the story – coming together to help the weak and the weary in spite of, if not because of, our differences. The Society Board of Directors believes in the power of this story to help Americans reaffirm their commitment to our great nation – it is a reminder of what we can all do when we work together.”
Founded by Holocaust survivors as well as local Jewish families, Temple Beth Israel is listed on both the Connecticut and National Registers of Historic Places.
The film, which will be produced by Amherst Media, will be distributed to 2,200 television stations nationally, as well as the History Channel and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.
by Norman Berman | Aug 19, 2017 | News
Join us for our innovative Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur observances. At Temple Beth Israel, we draw on our colorful history to fashion rituals that are authentic, fresh, meaningful and provocative. We welcome everyone to our observances. You don’t need to be Jewish or know how to read Hebrew. Just bring an open heart.
We create a safe and supportive environment in which to contemplate our place in the universe and think about whether we are doing all that we can to live a meaningful life. And we do this with a unique blend of traditional prayers, contemporary poetry, old and new songs, lessons and ideas.
Tradition has us set aside time every fall to take stock before moving on into the next year. we are urged to engage in a personal reckoning. We ask the questions: Am I living the life I want to live? Am I making the most of my time on earth? What kind of spouse am I? What kind of parent, friend, sibling, son or daughter am I? Am I using my talents wisely? Am I helping to make the earth, my community, my country better? Am I working for peace? Am I an agent for good?
These are important questions. In our day to day lives we generally don’t get to take time to think about these things. Rosh Hashanah creates a space for us to consider our vision for ourselves. It is a time for accounting, recognition and acute self-awareness. We cannot move forward without an honest assessment of how we have been doing.
We will read together, sing together, listen to each other, hear ancient words and melodies in a holy language and, if it all works as designed, we will emerge refreshed, restored, inspired and with renewed energy to enter into the New Year.
2017 High Holiday Schedule at Temple Beth Israel – Danielson
Eve of Rosh Hashanah: Wednesday, September 20, 6:30 PM
Rosh Hashanah Day 1: Thursday, September 21, 9:30 AM followed by riverside Tashlikh Service
Rosh Hashanah Day 2: Friday, September 22, 9:30 AM
Eve of Yom Kippur – Kol Nidre: Friday, September 29, 6:30 PM
Yom Kippur: Saturday, September 30, 9:30 AM
