, Author at Temple Beth Sholom | Conservative Synagogue in Hamden, CT

June 2023 Bulletin

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The Festival of Shavuot certainly does not have the
powerful observances of other festivals, dwelling in
booths on Sukkot or eating matzah on Passover.
Nonetheless, it has developed its own observances. We
eat dairy foods. A lot of us eat blintzes, (about
1000 calories a bite, so it is best you eat it
only once a year.) On Shavuot we read
the book of Ruth, the beautiful story of
a Moabite woman who cast her lot
with the Jewish people. “Your people
will be my people; your G-d will be my
G-d.” (more…)

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Israel Matters!

Israel Matters! – June 2023

Just before Israel marked seventy-five years of independence, it lost two literary giants who defined in their work and in their lives the best of modern Zionism. Meir Shalev and YehonatanGeffen, both born in the legendary cooperative village (moshav shitufi – מושב שיתופי) of Nahalal shortly before Ben-Gurion declared the founding of a Jewish state in Palestine, exemplified the hopes and the distresses of their generation of “new” Jews. Secular, socialist, and critics of the rise of messianic Zionism, their death in the days in which democratic Zionism is fighting back, reminds us that the values of the founding generation of Israel are alive and kicking. (more…)

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President's Message

May 2023: President’s Message

“Confessions of a Temple President: Part II”

It’s hard to believe that I have been TBS President for ONE YEAR. Where has the time gone? It feels like yesterday I was being installed. There has been so much that has happened this year. I’ve shared many of these things in my Bulletin messages, and you will get to hear more at the June 20, 2023 Annual Meeting. Please join us at 7:30pm (following the Board of Directors Meeting). The Annual Meeting includes reports from the Offices and Chairpeople, and a vote on the new slate of officers and on any changes to the by laws. Each member unit receives one vote. Until then, I know you have been eagerly awaiting “Confessions of a Temple President: Part II”. (more…)

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Social Action

Social Action – May 2023

This month we will focus on our work with The Towers. Their mission is to create a warm and vibrant senior community infused with Jewish values where people live their best lives.They provide an inclusive community, fostering respect for all. They are committed to compassionately putting the person before the task and to connecting genuinely with one another.They strive to be a center of excellence focused around seniors and based in Jewish values, always innovating ways for people to continue growing and connecting within and beyond our walls. Our volunteers support ongoing programs such as music bingo, knitting, horticulture, to name a few. We also make financial contributions for resident programming. Can we please ask you to support our work with local agencies by donating to the Diane Kaplan Social Action Fund? We can only do this with your support…..any amount goes a long way!!

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Israel Matters!

Israel Matters! – May 2023

Israel has been in world news headlines for several months
now, but not for reasons involving conflict with neighbors.
Instead, the world has witnessed four consecutive months
where Israelis have participated in massive anti-government
demonstrations, as well as a smaller number of gatherings
in support of the current government. What is happening
on the streets of Tel Aviv and other major Israeli cities?
Understanding Israel’s Political System. (more…)

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Odds & Ends / Webmaster's Odds & Ends

Was there a coup in Egypt during the biblical Exodus?

Pharaoh dying in the firstborn plague would lead to the immediate crowning that night of a new Pharaoh. This is further supported by the word “rose”: “And Pharaoh rose up in the night.”

By GOL KALEV Published: MAY 5, 2023

MODERN-DAY ‘coup’: Egyptian pro-democracy supporters gather in Cairo’s Tahrir Square in 2011, during the Arab Spring. (photo credit: Mohamed Abd El-Ghany/File/Reuters)

MODERN-DAY ‘coup’: Egyptian pro-democracy supporters gather in Cairo’s Tahrir Square in 2011, during the Arab Spring.

(photo credit: Mohamed Abd El-Ghany/File/Reuters)

How many Pharaohs were there between the time of the Exodus and the time the Hebrews crossed the sea?

The popular read of the story told in the Book of Exodus is about one Pharaoh who changes his policy a number of times due to God’s miracles.

But could there have been more than one?

The Pharaoh with whom Moses and Aharon engaged during the first nine plagues makes clear in their last reported bilateral meeting that this is the last time they will see each other. Moses agrees: “And Pharaoh said unto him: ‘Get thee from me, take heed to thyself, see my face no more; for in the day thou see my face thou shalt die. And Moses said: ‘Thou hast spoken well; I will see thy face again no more.” (more…)

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Rabbi's Corner

Melvin Passed Away…

When Melvin passed away, G-d greeted him and asked. “Are you hungry, Melvin?”

“I could eat,” Melvin replied.

So G-d opened a can of tuna and reached for a chunk of rye bread and they shared it. (more…)

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President's Message

April 2023: President’s Message

How will TBS Remain Resilient in a Post-Pandemic Era?

I recently participated in a Zoom Meeting hosted by the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism (USCJ). Synagogue presidents and vice presidents from all over New England, New York, and Canada discussed themes around the topic: “Tradition, Transition and Change: What to Keep, What to Tweak, and What to Get Rid Of”. One of the USCJ synagogue consultants shared that synagogues are in an “adaptive change moment” and showing “resilience.” We used our breakout sessions to reflect on and share the adaptive changes that have been made at our own synagogues. More specifically, we discussed what we did during the pandemic, and what we are doing post-pandemic. (more…)