BulletinJune 2016

Iyyar-Sivan 5776Vol. 65, No. 9

Established 1858

Shabbat on the Plaza

Shabbat on the Plaza and Summer Camp Blessing Friday, June 10, 6:00 PMTemple Lawn

Join Congregation Beth Israel as we gather on the Temple lawn for a beautiful outdoor Shabbat Service. Together, we’ll celebrate our community’s youngest members as they cap off another school year and prepare for their busy summers at Camp Kalsman, our very own Camp Sababa, and other summer activities.

Shabbat on the Plaza and Sisterhood InstallationFriday, June 24, 6:00 PMTemple Lawn

This Shabbat on the Plaza Service honors the WRJ/Beth Israel Sisterhood’s incoming leadership and the tireless work and countless volunteer hours Sisterhood logs in support of our community. Tuv Ha’aretz, Portland’s Jewish CSA, will be joining us.

Shabbat on the Plaza and Food CartsFriday, July 8, 6:00 PMTemple Lawn

Come to Congregation Beth Israel for a musical outdoor Shabbat Service and stay for some of Portland’s finest food carts. We’ll gather for services on the Temple lawn in the beautiful Portland sunshine and then linger for great food and greater company!

Shabbat on the Plaza and Sha-BBQFriday, July 22, 6:00 PM Temple Lawn

Two things without which summer just wouldn’t be summer: Shabbat on the Plaza and BBQ. Join us on the Temple Lawn for the best of both!

Shabbat on the Plaza, Congregation Beth Israel’s much-loved summer tradition, returns! Every Shabbat on the Plaza service features music, mingling, and a comfortably shaded area

and water for anyone who may need it (weather permitting). We’d love for you to join us!

The fun will continue throughout the summer, with Shabbat on the Plaza Services on August 5, August 19, September 2, and September 9. We’ll keep you updated with specific details as they evolve, but you can always count on these gatherings to be festive, friendly, and the highlights of the CBI summer.

June 10, 24 • July 8, 22 • August 5, 19 • September 2

JOIN US FOR

2 Congregation Beth Israel

B’nei Mitzvah Our Leadership

Aaron Albert Witt Aaron Albert Witt will become Bar Mitzvah on June 4, 2016. He is the son of Anne and Andrew Witt, and younger brother of Emelia. Aaron attends Hosford Middle School. For his Mitzvah Project, Aaron is working with the Portland Parks and Recreation Creston Pool. Aaron is raising funds for the pool to teach underprivileged kids to swim during free swim

week. He also plans on getting the message out to Hosford Middle School Students about free swim week.

Warner Greenbaum Warner Richard Greenbaum will become Bar Mitzvah on June 11, 2016. He is the son of Jordan Greenbaum and Jennifer Macoubray. He is in the 8th grade at Portland Jewish Academy. For his Mitzvah Project, he is working at the Robison home, visiting with his therapy dog, Roxie. In Warner’s words, “[Roxie] provides a pleasant distraction…she comforts them and

gives them something to look forward to every visit. Roxie provides temporary companionship to residents who no longer have pets.”

Benjamin Isaac Olshin Benjamin Isaac Olshin will become Bar Mitzvah on June 18, 2016. A student at the Arbor School of Arts and Sciences, he is the son of Andrew Olshin and Rebecca Mischel and the brother of Solomon. Benjamin’s Bar Mitzvah projects have involved homework tutoring and creating and leading the CBI Pop-Up Pantry. Each week since September 2015, Benjamin has worked

with Ilene Davidson, Elizabeth Friedenwald, Sally Rosenfeld, and other members of the CBI Social Action Committee to help elementary and middle school students living at NW Towers Annex with their homework. He has recruited several classmates from Arbor School to join this tutoring program to support these kids’ academic progress. In the process of tutoring, he has learned about education from both the student and teacher perspective. In collaboration with Lift Urban Portland and with support from CBI, Benjamin created the CBI Pop-Up Pantry in August 2015 and since then has led this event. This pantry occurs on the last two Thursdays of each month when many people who rely on Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program benefits are running low on this credit. The CBI Pop-Up Pantry is supported by the Oregon Food Bank, Lift Urban Portland and a grant from CBI’s Social Action Committee. Its purpose is to provide nutritious food to people who are affected by poverty and hunger. Benjamin is pursuing an internship with Lift Urban Portland this summer and hopes to expand the scope of his service work with this organization. He would like to pass the CBI Pop-Up Pantry mitzvah project to another CBI student and will mentor him/her in this undertaking. If you or your child is interested in pursuing this rewarding service project, please contact Benjamin at isaac11@comcast.net. Social Action Committee members Ilene Davidson, Elizabeth Friedenwald, and Sally Rosenfeld and NW Towers liaison Paul Goldman provide homework support at NW Towers Annex each Tuesday – students interested in joining this program should contact Ilene Davidson at SAC@bethisrael-pdx.org.

Live...Laugh...Love...Learn...at CBIby Cantor Ida Rae CahanaSenior Cantor

There is a wonderful custom during the spring time between Passover and Shavuot to study the non-legalistic part of the Mishnah called Pirkei Avot, the sayings of our ancestors. These pithy nuggets of wisdom are so relevant in every generation rich in practical advice that they put volumes of self-help books to shame. Here are a few aphorisms from the great Rabbi Hillel, “Do not separate yourself from the community; and do not trust in yourself until the day of your death. Do not judge your fellow until you are in his place. Do not say something that cannot be understood but will be understood in the end. Say not: When I have time I will study because you may never have the time.”

As this school year wraps up, along with our temple’s fiscal year, it is good to pause and take a look back as well as ahead. How has our community been a place of learning, inspiration, and friendship? How have you reached in and reached out to explore the varied experiences of CBI life? In Pirkei Avot, Hillel calls on us to be humble, non-judgmental, and empathic. He challenges us to deepen awareness through study and to enrich our life and the life of our synagogue by staying connected.

Last month, I spent a few days in Chicago studying the new High Holiday Prayer Book we will be introducing this fall. Together with rabbis and cantors from around the country, we sang and studied, shared best practices and ideas for new approaches. I learned a lot about our new, remarkable Machzor (High Holiday Prayer Book), and I had the equally remarkable experience of studying with a community of clergy I am fortunate to have as mentors and friends. My biggest takeaway from this conference was what a joy it is to dig deep and study with friends; how much each of us has to share of our minds and hearts; how important it is to make that fellowship and enlightenment part of life. And here at CBI we are given so many opportunities to be an active part of a learning, doing, caring community.

Some of you I count as friends, some I hope yet to meet. Some of you have been my guides; some I hope I have given guidance to. Let’s look ahead to a beautiful, restorative summer with time to meet, to sing, to learn together.

This coming fall, in addition to Kol Echad, our Volunteer Choir, I will be offering a class in Adult Hebrew and Introduction to the Prayer Book. Whether you have any background knowledge or would enjoy a refresher, this class will help with basic Hebrew reading and understanding the meaning of our liturgy. Study, be a part of the community, join us for choir and/or Adult Hebrew by indicating your interest to me directly or to Alyssa at Alyssa@bethisrael-pdx.org.

L’hitraot! See you soon!

Cantor Ida Rae Cahana

3June 2016

Our Leadership Upcoming Events

Alzheimer’s Association Caregiver Support GroupThursday, June 2, 6:30 PMAmy R. Goldsmith/Spear Research LibraryPart of CBI’s ongoing Hineinu initiative, this group provides emotional and educational support for caregivers and care partners of people with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Erev Shavuot and ConfirmationSaturday, June 11, 6:00 PMTemple

Save the date and please join our 10th grade class for this special tradition.

A New Beginningby Josh KashinskyExecutive Director

“Every beginning is difficult” (Midrash Sechel Tov, Shemot)

I didn’t know these words were part of our tradition, but as is so often the case, when you go looking for something, you find it. It has been such an amazing transition

to arrive in Portland and join the CBI family. I have been moved by the kindness and generosity of the community as many of you have welcomed me and my family. It has also been a bit of a whirlwind as I try to learn as much as I can as quickly as I can, and I thank you all in advance for your patience as I look up information or ask you your name for the second or third time. One of the most striking aspects of our congregation is the variety and diversity of activity that one can participate in. It can be overwhelming. As someone who is new here myself, I am acutely aware of the feeling of not knowing where to start. Well, you can start with me. My door is open and I would be happy to meet and talk with anyone to hear how CBI can better meet your needs and strengthen your connection to our community and Judaism. Please feel free to email me at josh@bethisrael-pdx.org or stop by the office. I look forward to meeting you soon!

Josh

Book Club!The Congregation Beth Israel book club has started its summer vacation! Thanks for a great year of wonderful reads and conversation. If you want to add a selection great Jewish books your summer reading list, we recommend The Great Escape by Kati Marton and A Marriage of Opposites by Alice Hoffman, both of which we will discuss when we reconvene this fall.

The Sisterhood Prayer Book Fund has allowed us to buy a sufficient number of weekly prayer books for the congregation. Now this fund will be used to buy the new High Holiday prayer books written and designed by scholars of our Reform Movement: Machzor, “Mishkan HaNefesh.”

Until October 1, 2016, when you make a donation to the Fund ($54.00), a bookplate will be placed in one of the books with your name or the name of a loved one. Please use the online form (visit www.bethisrael-pdx.org/give/give-now and select “Prayer Book” fund from the drop down menu), call the CBI Office (503) 222-1069, or stop by and fill out a Tribute Form.

New High Holiday Prayer Books

10TH GRADE L’TAKEN TRIP

4 Congregation Beth Israel

Developing CBI

Be a Legacyby Jenat Levison FeldmanDevelopment Director

Truth be told, I feel a great sense of pride every time someone tells me joining Congregation Beth Israel was the right move for them and/or their family. It is truly an honor to be part of an organization that has a 158 year legacy of creating Jewish memories and impacting Jewish lives.

Whether you are a planner of or a participant in the many great programs and services at CBI, we can all agree there is something here for everyone – and more opportunities to get involved and connected are appearing every day. At recent big events like the Purim Schpiel, the Women’s Seder, and Mitzvah Day, I have kvelled watching established relationships deepen and loved having the opportunity to connect members to each other.

Feeling good about being a member happens in small ways too, like when (as highlighted recently on OPB!) our clergy help Israeli couples

as they add to their families via gestational surrogate, or when they make miracles happen by bringing two loving adults under the chuppah for matrimony. The connectedness extends beyond our campus as we engage with each other at local markets, parks, and other places in this wonderful city we are privileged to call home.

As I’ve said repeatedly, all of this is because of you! We are blessed and impressed with the continuing generosity of our community which supports our infrastructure and our programs. We at CBI want to continually say thank you to everyone – that means our supporters of the past, the present, and the future. It is with unbridled pride and appreciation that we share our continually expanding CBI Legacy Circle, which recognizes every person and family that have notified CBI (in the past or the present) of their intention to name our congregation as a beneficiary of their life’s work and good fortune.

A legacy lasts forever. The gifts of these generous donors left in perpetuity combined with our annual campaign enable us to do all that we do. So now I invite you to join this esteemed group and be a CBI legacy. There is no time like the present to ensure the future of forever.

Please contact me so we can discuss how you can become a CBI Legacy: Jen (503) 222-1069 or jen@bethisrael-pdx.org

Joy Alkalay*AnonymousWilliam and Sydney BaerCarole BarkleyMonte and Frances Bettman*Philip and Fay Blank*Henry* and Gerel BlauerGeorge and Harriet* BodnerLynn BonnerHoward and Raquel ByerLance and Deborah CaldwellBernard Carr*Mandi and Stuart ChestlerDaniel J. and Elizabeth O. Cohn*Edward* and Margery CohnMarcia ColtonRoger and Midge ConeJames and Ilene DavidsonSylvia DavidsonSusan DiamondNettie Director*Simon and Helen Director*Ned DuhnkrackBarbara Durkheimer and Gary LarsenStuart and Leah Durkheimer*Lester Eisendorf*Judith Ann Epstein*Marie Louise Feldenheimer*Jen and Howard FeldmanMartin Fishel*Andrew FrankThomas Georges III and Linda GeorgesThomas and May Georges*William and Shirley Gittelsohn*Richard and Beth GlassmanMaurice* and Ilene GoldbergArthur and Martha Goldsmith*Douglas and Lila GoodmanMichelle and Steve GradowRachel HalupowskiCraig Hartzman and James JohnMargaret HassonCelia Heims*

Irwin and Renee Holzman and familyBenjamin* and Janice IsenbergRabbi Rachel L. JosephJames and Rhonda KennedyMorris Klein*Charles and Lois KoteenHenry Kunowski and Kerstin SchulzRobert and Sally LandauerGerald and Evelyn LeshgoldKathleen LewisKenneth LewisJoan LindholmDavid and Beverly Lipman*Lee LowensonRita Lubliner*Arnold Maizels*Richard and Harriet MaizelsLynn L. MarksBarry and Susan MenasheJoanne Van Ness Menashe and Joe MenasheRuben and Elizabeth MenasheRobert and Robin MesherAlan and Lana MillerEdith O. Miller*Lloyd and Beverly Miller*Ted Nelson and Curt ShaffstallRobert Neuberger*John and Hulda Neustadter*Kenneth and Debra NovackJackie and Burton* NudelmanVictor Nudelman*Henry and Nancy OseranMark and Judy PetermanRobert and Rita PhilipHarold and Jane PollinGerald* and Lois PoplackAnita Reinhorn*Philip and Dorothy ReiterLaurie and Bert Rogoway Gayle RomainMillard and Carolyn Rosenblatt*Alan and Eve RosenfeldLloyd B. Rosenfeld*

Sally RosenfeldTiffany and Eric RosenfeldJohn and Marti RosenthalLawrence Rosenthal*Franklin RosumnyRichard and Deanne RubinsteinArnold and Rose RustinHal Ruthizer*Bunny and Jerry SadisKen and Loree SakaiJeaneatta “Rusty” Sautter* Norman* and Elaine SavinarRalph and Bernice Schlesinger*Gilbert* and Thelma SchnitzerHarold* and Arlene SchnitzerHarold and Arlene Schnitzer CARE FoundationLois SchnitzerManuel and Edith Schnitzer*Herbert and Shirley SemlerRuth Semler*Joel Seres and Sandra Lamer SeresDouglas and Dorothy* ShermanEstelle Director Sholkoff*Michael Simon and Suzanne BonamiciMilton and Marilyn Singer*Jill Newman SlanskyMortimer and Alice Mary Solomon*Richard Solomon and Alyce FlitcraftRuth Spear*Donald Spiegel and Deborah Davis-SpiegelFrances Stern*Marvin* and Gloria SwireRobert and Mitzi* TobiasRon Tonkin*Bianca and Tony UrdesRobert P. Weil*Joella Werlin and Robert* AutreyIsam and Rose White*Jeff and Lynn WolfstoneJennifer and Kenneth ZeidmanJerome and Zelda Zeidman*Alan* and Janet Zell

It is an honor and a privilege to recognize all our Legacy Circle members as of June 1, 2016.

*Of blessed memory

5June 2016

The Graduateby Ben SandlerEducation Director

I am incredibly grateful to Congregation Beth Israel, and my family and friends who supported me over the past two years as a student at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion (HUC-JIR). This past May in New York I graduated from the Executive M.A Program in Jewish Education with a Master of Arts in Religious Education. Over the course of the program I had the opportunity to study at each of the HUC-JIR campuses in Cincinnati, Los Angeles, New York, and Israel. In between intensive studies I completed online coursework that allowed me to attend classes in real time with students from around North America. In this format, my cohort and I had the opportunity to study with incredible professors and scholars from all of the campuses, providing a rich course of study with some of the best minds and hearts in Jewish education today. In addition, all of my cohort classmates were, like myself, already Jewish professionals working in their fields for five or more years. My classmates including rabbis, educators, museum directors, URJ leaders, and NFTY leaders among others.

The course of study in the program was divided into three types: Educational Leadership Studies, Jewish Studies, and Integrative Studies. My

capstone centered on Learning and Learners in our Jewish educational settings, and the important Jewish identity work we engage in with our students and families each and every day. In thinking deeply about our Jewish learners at CBI, I want to share with you an excerpt from my capstone as window into what underlies our educational decision making and planning for our upcoming 2016-17 school year!

“Across Jewish educational settings, professional and lay leaders determine the purpose of education and the curriculum broadly defined: how the content should be delivered and what experiences are important for the learners to ensure the learning is relevant and ongoing. Learning is the lifelong process of transforming information and experience into knowledge, skills, behaviors, and attitudes.

Learners seek to connect in order to build community, while exploring an identity that is ever changing. Learners strive for competence and confidence in their realities, seeking truths that are relevant to their lives. As Jewish educators, the challenge is to maintain a balance between the Learning and the interest and needs of the Learner.”

L’ Shalom,

Ben Sandler

Education Mitzvah Day

A giant thank you for being part of another outstanding Mitzvah Day! Nearly 300 people volunteered! Thank you for spending a beautiful Sunday morning helping others in our community in a myriad of ways – preparing and freezing meals for congregants in need; performing for and visiting with the residents of Cedar Sinai Park; beautifying our cemetery; cleaning and repairing books for the Children’s Book Bank; making blankets for CODA, placemats and cards for the Caring Cooking and Soup Sac projects, catnip toys for the Cat Adoption Team, quilt pieces for the Linus Project and coffee cup sleeves for UpLife Portland; cleaning the CBI Library; cleaning the food pantry at Lift Urban Portland; preparing a tasty brunch for our neighbors at NW Tower; making soup and sandwich lunches for the homeless; sorting and stocking food for Sunshine Pantry; and participating in an educational youth group project related to LGBTQ issues. We hope you all felt you made a difference, helped to build community and had a blast!

To view the CBI Mitzvah Day photo album, visit: www.bethisrael-pdx.org/cbi-media/photo-gallery/mitzvah-day-2016

Mitzvah Day 2016!

6 Congregation Beth Israel

Community

Hineinu is our ongoing commitment to strengthen our community and recognize the kedusha (sanctity) of one another. Working together, both inside and outside the dome, we are creating opportunities for our congregants to find connections, create relationships, and nurture and support one another and our community. At CBI we are saying, “Hineinu, We are here, here together!”

In the past several months, we have seen Hineinu come alive with programs and events providing meaningful opportunities for involvement and engagement. Our programming continues in the months ahead, so please be sure to check out the Hineinu section of the weekly e-newsletter, Beneath our Dome.

GREETERS

How we welcome our community and guests into services, programs, and events. Susan Milstein, Chair

Greeters continue to offer a warm welcome to services and events at Congregation Beth Israel. They introduce newcomers to regulars and make regulars (or veterans who have not been around for a while) feel as if they always have a place at CBI. A simple ‘hello’, a welcoming ‘Shabbat Shalom’, a friendly greeting – that’s the essence of being a Greeter. With our upcoming Shabbat on the Plaza schedule (sunshine guaranteed!), we need more Greeters. You can sign up on-line at http://vols.pt/uxGHBp or contact Greeters@bethisrael-pdx.org.

FAMILIES

How we connect youth and parents with others at the same life stages. Robin McCoy, Kira Dennison-Capen, and Rachel Pollin, Co-Chairs

From Tot Shabbat to Confirmation to high school graduation, CBI families are coming together for grade-level celebrations, community connections, parents groups, and special opportunities to engage with one another. Please check out the weekly Beneath our Dome for the most current information and if you would like to be among the first to know the activities being planned, please contact Alyssa Mandula at Alyssa@bethisrael-pdx.org or Families@bethisrael-pdx.org and we’ll make sure your email is added to our list!

ADULTS

How we, as adults, connect at every stage of our life. Margie and Michael Anton, Co-Chairs

The Adult Cohorts provide opportunities for contemporaries to come together for outings and cultural events at CBI and in the community. The Adult 50+ cohort has enjoyed three very different programs this spring. The screening of God’s Slave at the Sephardic Film Festival was riveting, as was the standing ovation performance by Mona Golabek in The Pianist of Willesden Lane at Portland Center Stage. There was an excursion to see beautiful tulips at the Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival (see the following photos by Wendy Weiss) although we missed the bulk of the blooms thanks to the unseasonable early spring weather. We can’t always count on Mother Nature, so we will plan an earlier outing next year. There is one upcoming event in June, a concert by Chicago at the Oregon Zoo on Sunday, June 19th. RSVP to MMAnton2001@gmail.com if

you are going and we can all picnic together before the concert. Please contact Alyssa Mandula at CBI - (503) 222-1069 or email Adults@bethisrael-pdx.org to participate in our active group.

Another new and on-going adult initiative is Knit ‘n Nosh. If you love to knit or crochet (or both!) or have always wanted to learn, please join Sharon Brenner, David Gilbert, and Margie Anton in the Board Room on Tuesday, June 28th from 12:30-2:30 PM. Bring a sandwich or snack and CBI will provide beverages. Knit ‘n Nosh will be held in the Board Room on the last Tuesday of June, July, and August, so mark your calendars for 6/28, 7/26, and 8/30. After August, we will move to the library on the last Sunday of each month also from 12:30-2:30 PM. No RSVPs are necessary, but if you have any questions, please contact Margie Anton at MMAnton2001@gmail.com. Fun and camaraderie are guaranteed, and you just might learn something new!

CARING COMMUNITY

How we care for and connect with one another in times of sorrow and joy. Robert Kravitz and Bobbie Goldstein, Co-Chairs

The Caring Community is dedicated to the mitzvah of Bikkur Cholim, providing support, comfort and connection to those in need and creating bonds within our CBI community. The ways that the Caring Community continues to fulfill this mission are:

Neighborhood Circles: Neighborhood Circles are up and running, with members creating opportunities to connect to one another in a geographic area. In May, Kira and Jeff Capen hosted a potluck for the Northeast Circle and another group organized a hike along Powell Butte. Along with social gatherings, Neighborhood Circles can also help if and when there is a specific need for a person or family in your area. It might be a ride, a shiva meal, a visit. Whatever the request, the CBI office will send out an email and you or another member of your Neighborhood Circle may choose to offer assistance and help fill that need. There is no obligation - just an opportunity to help when and if you can.

Alzheimer’s Association Caregiver Support Group: Open to the whole community, this support group has been providing emotional and educational support for caregivers and care partners of people with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. It meets on the first Thursday of the month at 6:30 PM in the Library. For questions or any additional information, please contact fellow congregant Maurrie Salenger at mbsalenger@gmail.com.

For more information or to participate in any of the Caring Community initiatives please contact CaringCommunity@bethisrael-pdx.org.

HINEINU: We are Here, Together!

7June 2016

Sisterhood Brotherhood

Installation of The Sisterhood Board Friday, June 24, 6:00 PMTemple LawnPlease join for the Installation of The Sisterhood Board, which will take place during Shabbat on the Plaza. The new Sisterhood Board includes:

Thank You, Ellen Bick!Sisterhood member Ellen Bick was chair of the Women of Reform Judaism planning team for the first Wilkenfeld Leadership Program. This program, held in London, was an overwhelming success, attended by remarkable women from worldwide progressive Jewish communities. Ellen is to be commended for her leadership both beneath and far beyond the dome.

Mitzvah DaySisterhood fed breakfast to 300 volunteers during Mitzvah Day, and led two projects: cleaning and cataloguing books in the Amy R. Goldsmith/ Spear Research Library, and cooking soup for the Caring Community. In addition, Sisterhood members created beautiful pillows for post-operative breast cancer patients at the Ruth J. Spear Breast Center. These small pillows are a great comfort to women and help during recovery. A special thanks to our seamstresses: Michael Richman and Diane Lowensohn.

Stephanie Siegel Honored!Stephanie Siegel, Immediate Sisterhood Past President, is the WRJ/Beth Israel Sisterhood nominee for the Jewish Women’s Roundtable’s (JWRT) 24th Song of Miriam Award, which honors outstanding women volunteers.

THE SISTERHOOD REPORT CARD The Sisterhood Report Card was available at the Annual Meeting. Here are the numbers and the significant achievements:

251 Sisterhood Members

4 Women sent to URJ Biennial/WRJ Assembly in Orlando, FL

$6,300 Money raised by the Progressive Dinner, Arts & Accessory and Bake Sales, and Sisterhood Leadership Circle

$8,000 Gift Shop Sales

$6,800 Annual donation to Religious School, Preschool, and Camp Kalsman

$12,800 Purchase of 500 new High Holiday Prayer Books, including large print books

$1,800 Donation to first CBI Women’s Seder, to assure inclusion

25 Engagement opportunities for Sisterhood and for CBI members during 5776

Additionally, Sisterhood:

ü Received a Women of Reform Judaism Or Ami “Light of My People” Awards for Exceptional Programming

ü Reinvented the Amy R. Goldsmith/Spear Research Library, purchasing of furniture, new adult and children’s books, and three laptops loaded with ancestry.com

ü Created five Special Sundays featuring CBI member speakers on topics ranging from “Being Jewish in PDX (Lisa and David Sarasohn) to “The Forgotten Native American History of Portland” (Tracy Prince) to “Growing Up Jewish in the Deep South (Ann and Lewis Young)

ü Sponsored the Special Community Seder for over 50 members of the Portland Jewish Community, and provided ongoing support to the Goose Hollow Family Shelter and Cedar Sinai Park

ü Led Tot Shabbats to help educate young children and promote engagement of young families and gave cell phone-free driving pledge cards to Religious School high school students and staff

ü Sent 80 care packages to college students and military personnel at Chanukah and at Purim

ü Helped CBI congregants connect with their ancestral roots. Tatiana Lifshitz, a member of CBI expert in genealogy and research can help you start building your tree and teach you the beginnings of research methods available online. She can help with the archives around the world, foreign languages and expertise in immigration laws and history helpful to identify the origins and paths traveled by your ancestors. Ms. Lifshitz will be available at times during the summer months. Contact her by emailing her at vivereinitalia@comcast.net.

On Mitzvah Day the mighty men of the CBI Brotherhood built a pyramid. Well, maybe not. But we did restore a significant piece of our historic walkway. Special thanks go to Peter, Andrew, Stuart, Glen, Mel, Jason, Scott, Henry, Darren, Jeff, and Eric. Eric wins the high achiever award for arriving early and shoveling the last load of gravel. We could not have done so much without four under 25 year olds Luis, Isidro, David, and Joey. We were lucky to have several younger participants including Max Joseph, our only five year old worker.

President: Lynn GelberImmediate Past President: Stephanie SiegelRecording Secretary: Michael RichmanCorresponding Secretary: Shoshanna LansbergTreasurer: Leslie RobinsonParliamentarian: Diane LowensohnAdvocacy and Social Action Chair: Anita Mention

CBI Liaison: Kathleen DoctorCommunications Chair: Sally SwireNext Generation: Shaina BoalProgramming Chair: Linda HarrisonReligious Programming Chair: Kate RoystonVolunteer Coordinator: Debbie BraymerGift Shop: Bonnie BargEmerita: Ellen Bick

8 Congregation Beth Israel

Allison B. Cohen MadrichiM TrAining And religious sChool sCholArship FundIn Honor of

Brady Remick’s 7th BirthdayJosh and Amy Remick

AlTAr Flowers And oneg shABBATIn Memory of

Dorothy L DurkheimerJulie Durkheimer and Mark

DohrmannIrving KrosnerJean KrosnerHelen MittlemanLeonard SchnitzerBabette SchnitzerAbrams Family

CAring CommuniTy FundIn Memory of

Dorothy DurkheimerDon Spiegel and Deborah

Davis-SpiegelGeneral Contribution

Given ByAnonymous

CemeTery BeAuTiFiCATionIn Memory of

Joy AlkalayPierce EthierHenry BlauerMrs. Henry Blauer

Leonard SchnitzerJill and Richard EdelsonShirley RobinowitzChuck and Selene RobinowitzTed BalmforthM BalmforthBabette SchnitzerLois Schnitzer

rABBi CAhAnA disCreTionAryIn Memory of

Shirley GittelsohnWilliam GittelsohnErnest BonyhadiGoldie RosenbaumDonna BrownsteinSheina Esther LevinDerek and Lydia Lipman

General ContributionGiven ByLindner Family

CAnTor CAhAnA disCreTionAryIn Memory of

Dorothy MorgensternMartha and Les SolteszAnna RichmanJim and Michael RichmanRobert WeinsteinLeslie Kelinson

In Honor ofCantor Ida Rae Cahana’s

HospitalityMeg O’Brien, St. Mary’s Academy

General ContributionGiven ByLindner Family

rABBi Joseph disCreTionAryIn Memory of

William Hill-ParksRebecca Hill and John Parks

General ContributionGiven ByLindner Family

CAnTor sChiFF disCreTionAryIn Memory of

Jack KarlinAlice and Michael Powell

generAl AdminisTrATiveIn Memory of

Goldie RosenbaumExecutive Director Discretionary

Fund of the OJCFBetty and Randy Rubenstein and

Benita SchlesingerHelen SvidlowGilbert OlmanJacob Leo KraneJeff and Sherri WeinsteinNellie FriedmanDebbie Friedman and Gary PetersonGussie B SeresJoel SeresIrvin LaytonJean LaytonBarbara HurwitzDaniel Hurwitz

In Honor ofLouise Ruben (Birthday)Harry and Joanne Glickman

oserAn FAmily leCTureIn Memory of

Antoinette HimmelreichSilas HimmelreichMarge Cohn

presChoolIn Memory of

Mitzi LaytonPatricia Nemer

General ContributionGiven ByAnonymous

ruTh semler youTh ACTiviTiesIn Memory of

Victor NudelmanLeon SemlerHelen Spivak and FamilyVictor A NudelmanDottie FieldsLisa LeenerDr. Avrel Nudelman

sAlly vidgoFF CAmp KAlsmAn sCholArshipIn Memory of

Cerdel LennisFay and Len OppenheimerHannah ZellLeonard Zell

L’Dor V’Dor From Generation to Generation Very Thoughtful People

Very Thoughtful People

Mazel Tov toDr. Howard Feldman, recipient of the The Alexander Christie Award for twenty-five years of service to the University of Portland.

CBI’s beloved Education Director, Ben Sandler, on receiving his Master of Arts in Religious Education from Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion.

Harry Glickman, 2016 recipient of the Pioneer Award from the University of Oregon, an honor that puts him in elite company with past recipients Ahmad Rashad, Phil Knight, Anne Curry, and many great business leaders.

Cantor Judith and David Schiff on the birth of their grandson, Eliot Leo Sperling, on April 26, 2016 in Los Angeles, CA. Mazel Tov as well to proud parents Jamie and Jason Sperling, big brother Jacob, and grandparents Louis and Becky Sperling of Rhode Island.

Irv and Gail Handelman on the birth of their sixth grandchild, Dashiel, on March 25, 2016 to proud parents Thea Handelman and Phil Bezanson.

May they grow in health and wisdom and be a source of strength to their families and all humankind.

Condolences toMichelle Collins on the loss of her husband and to Rachel, Hannah, and Talia Rosenbloom on the loss of their stepfather, Glen Collins.

Family and friends of Dottie Fields, who passed away on April 30, 2016.

Helen Gould, Diane Gould, and Janet (Ed) Bausch on the loss of their mother and Darvy Gould on the loss of his grandmother, Pamela Gould, who passed away on March 31, 2016.

9June 2016

sAnny snell presChool sCholArshipIn Memory of

Justin LandauerRobert and Sally Landauer

soCiAl ACTion (generAl)In Memory of

David LightDorothy and Ray PackouzMary CollinsHarry B HarrisonDodie HarrisonAbraham Paul MeyerPaul and Alice MeyerMildred SidellGerald and Evelyn LeshgoldLouis RomoffMarian Creamer

FoodIn Memory of

Laura BolligerLena Von FlueRose RustinRoslyn MaizelsSteve, Natalie, and Harrison MaizelsArthur TarlowSharon TarlowHyman VeltmanMarcia Colton, Risa Colton-Feldman

and Louis Feldman, and Jacob and Noah Feldman

Henrietta MargulisDolorosa and David MargulisBabette SchnitzerLeonard SchnitzerHelen MittlemanHarry MIttlemanGayle and Paul RomainLeonard SchnitzerLois SchnitzerSasha DrutterSusan Gerson

In Honor ofBarbara Lang (Birthday)Stuart Lang (Birthday)Renée and Irwin HolzmanJoyce Loeb (Birthday)Bunny Edelson

General ContributionGiven ByAnonymous

i hAve A dreAmIn Memory of

Rachella Meekcoms KryszekLeonard, Yvonne and Ben GionetHenry BraunstenBernie Caplan

speAr reseArCh liBrAryIn Memory of

Vera Hoffman FineWilma Jane Balick

Temple improvemenTIn Memory of

Edward RosenfeldEve and Alan RosenfeldRichard BermanPierce EthierCarolyn SeeEleanore RubinsteinIrwin KoenigsbergPaul and Arlene KoenigsbergPaul SonnesRobert Alan Sonnes

In Honor ofCongregation Beth Israel StaffLindner FamilyNancy Hasman’s Special Birthday

and New HomeAtkins Family

In AppreciationKim SchneidermanRabbi RosePierce Ethier

urmAn FAmily College CommuniCATionIn Memory of

Edis CohenMarvin and Lois Urman

esTelle direCTor sholKoFF Jewish eduCATors sCholArshipIn Memory of

Lillian Lisa WaxMark, Roberta, Blair, and

Stephani WaxHenry SholkoffRichard B Dobrow and Rachel

Dobrow Stone

hArold & Arlene sChniTzer FACiliTies FundIn Memory of

Leonard SchnitzerDina Schnitzer

heims FAmily youTh ACTiviTies endowmenTIn Honor of

Leona Mitchell (She won’t dance, but she can sing!)

Lindner Family

holzmAn FAmily religious sChool FundIn Honor of

Stuart Lang (Birthday)Donna Brownstein, Barbara and

Barry Caplan, Debbie and Michael Kovsky, Bert and Laurie Rogoway, and Bunny and Jerry Sadis

Linda Ostomel

lloyd B. rosenFeld youTh leAdership FundIn Memory of

Karl S FreyEric and Tiffany Rosenfeld

mAy georges sTudy in isrAel sCholArshipIn Memory of

Yonatan SuherRisa, Louis, Jacob, and Noah Feldman

In Honor ofZoe Carver’s Bat MitzvahRisa, Louis, Jacob, and Noah FeldmanDeclan Glover’s Bar MitzvahRisa, Louis, Jacob, and Noah Feldman

neTTie direCTor liBrAry BooK endowmenTIn Memory of

Goldie RosenbaumDonna Brownstein

simon & helen direCTor endowmenTIn Memory of

Simon DirectorHelen DirectorCameron and Dick Davis

WrJ/Beth israel sisterhood Funds

prAyer BooKIn Memory of

Leonard SchnitzerBabette SchnitzerHelen MittlemanJeanne NewmarkJoseph HarrisonDodie HarrisonJerry M ColtonMarcia Colton, Risa Colton-Feldman

and Louis Feldman, and Jacob and Noah Feldman

Hy SamuelsStuart Cohen and Steve JollyBeverly SteinhornMorton SteinhornArthur and Benjamin SteinhornDorothy DurkheimerMary KinspelBarbara Durkheimer and Gary LarsenJerry M ColtonMargo SercuEdythe RubinDebra, Wally and Rachel MacDougall

In Honor ofMichelle GradowSteve GradowSylvia EdelmanSusan GoldenRaye KaplanSarah and John Epstein

serviCe To The BlindIn Memory of

Melvin RubinDebra, Wally and Rachel MacDougall

Very Thoughtful People

CBI TeamSenior RabbiMichael Z. Cahanarabbicahana@bethisrael-pdx.org

Senior CantorIda Rae Cahanacantorcahana@bethisrael-pdx.org

Associate RabbiRachel L. Josephrabbijoseph@bethisrael-pdx.org

Rabbi EmeritusEmanuel Rose, D.H.L., D.D.rabbirose@bethisrael-pdx.org

Cantor EmeritaJudith Blanc Schiff cantor@bethisrael-pdx.org

Education Department

Education DirectorBen Sandler, M. Ed. ben@bethisrael-pdx.org

Youth Group DirectorShoshanna Proshoshanna@bethisrael-pdx.org

Education AdministratorZiva Sholinziva@bethisrael-pdx.org

Member Services

Executive DirectorJosh Kashinskyjosh@bethisrael-pdx.org

Development DirectorJen Feldmanjen@bethisrael-pdx.org

Director of Membership and Special EventsMarisa Rebymarisa@bethisrael-pdx.org

Communications CoordinatorTracy Alifanztracy@bethisrael-pdx.org

Office AdministratorAlyssa Mandulaalyssa@bethisrael-pdx.org

Finance DirectorJim Baldwin, CPAjim@bethisrael-pdx.org

Accounting AssistantVicki Greifvicki@bethisrael-pdx.org

Facilities StaffPerry Meekins, Facilities ManagerTony BennettShalamar WashingtonDallas Van WinkleSusie Young

Catering Panel

Alfresco Catering by Sheraton503-335-2858Shellie Engelquist

Art of Catering503-231-8185Larry Grimes Century Catering503-849-2605Allen Levin

Culinary Artistry503-232-4675Jenn Louis

Devil’s Food Catering503-233-9288Charles Stilwell

Lisa Glickman, LLCPrivate Chef541-728-6678Lisa Glickman

VT Group: Vibrant Table, Food In Bloom, f&b Café503-297-9635Karen Rich

10 Congregation Beth Israel

In Remembrance ~ May their memory be for a blessing.

June 3 & 4Muriel AntonAdrienne Levin Arnsberg*Leah BlankChristopher Glen BrooksRabbi Moshe CahanaJerry CantonSally De LeonSimon Director*Phillip EpsteinHedy FarkasBernice FeiblemanLeah FeinsteinDov FeuerHoward A. Fishel*Albert G. Gilbert*Florence GolubCharles L. GreenblattGloria DeDuke Hess*William Andersen KaaHarold KaplanArthur KatzkySadie Shapiro Kaufman*Mary Rebecca KinspelJanice KohlerAnna KrysMartin KrysRachella Meekcoms KryszekPaul LamfromJustin LandauerDelphine Levenson*Joseph LewisPearl LipkinRobert Dean Lipman*Elizabeth LipmanEdith Lok-SchwartzRoslyn G. MaizelsPatsy MattilaJohn H. Jack Neustadter*Benjamin OseranSylvia PaleyDolores PassamaneckIrving PentelnikRobert RaddingDorothy RogelEdward E. RosenbaumMarvin RosenbergRose L. Rosencrantz*Eugenie J. Rothschild*Max RubensteinMelvin RubinJack SaltzmanIda SapersteinLester SeinfeldSylvia SeinfeldGertrude Semler*

Nathan ShapiroSylvia Shlim*Robert C. StengerAlan Baron Tonkin*Abe WeinerEdward WeissJoseph WerlinLawrence WilkEthel Williams*Robert Stephen Wolf*Ronald Yankowitz

June 10 & 11Laila AarnasIsaac AdlerAmelia Backman*Ted BalmforthHenry S. Blauer*Esta BrownRobert CohenArthur CohenPhill Cohn*Jack L. Davis*Judith DreierMike (Milton) DruckerDorothy DurkheimerKarl S. FreyLeslie G. Gilbert*Isadore L. Golby*Elizabeth GoldfadenCharles GreenblattMarlene JacobyFlorence M. KaneJack J. KarlinSu KawamotoSydelle LevineMartha Beatrice MartinIsabel Martin*Roger Seller MeierBelle MorrisonMark PlatmanSusan PlattRose PopickShirley RobinowitzRoger RubyHy Samuels*Leonard E. Schnitzer*Babette Schnitzer*Jack B. SchwartzJoseph Shemanski*Hattie Sonnenfeld Simon*Arthur TarlowMoe M. Tonkon*William L. UngerJoshua WeinerBonita Weinstein

Irving David Wilson*Heddy WintermanPauline Bercovitz Wright*Leah Zavin*Becky ZeldinRichard Zimmerman

June 17 & 18Elinor AdlerIrving I. AilBenjamin BeckerFlora Fleischner Berkowitz*Richard Berman*Alec L. Black*Edis CohenMorris DennisonJoseph EdelsteinMarjorie FrankGertrude N. GenecovShirley GittelsohnLeo GoldSamuel GoldmanGeorge M. Goldstein*Morris A. Goldstein*Leona HoffmanSylvia HolzmanBarbara HurwitzMaurice KaplanLeo KatzkyHenry Kavitt*Irwin KoenigsbergMaurice KrassHelen LautersteinIrvin LaytonDavid LightHerman A. Lowen*James M. MarksHelen Mittleman*Victor A. Nudelman*Susan OverbeckClara RothDavid RubinRoseanne SaundersJoachim J. Jack SchneiderBertha Senders*Gussie SeresJack Sheinin*Henry SholkoffEdward T. SigellIrving E. Sklare*Rose SobelmanJamie StadigAbraham TobinLillian Lisa WaxHannah Zell

June 24 & 25Jean AdlerKathleen AndrianoffEdith Prensky Ashrow*Edward K. Berg*Gordon BrandiesIda BrennerTillie DriesenSylvia Canton EdelmanMelvin FeinsteinVera Hoffman Fine*William GittelsohnJeffrey GradowCharlotte GreenbergClaire GrossmanHarry B. HarrisonRobert HartzmanWilliam Hill-ParksJack HirschCaro Wolf Jacobs*Gloria JohnFlora Velt KirkMollie Paulowitz KleinFanny E. Kowitt*Jacob Leo KraneIrving KrosnerCharles Irving KwartlerDiana Van Straaten Levy*Gus Lowengart*Henrietta Margulis*Alex E. Miller*Malcolm PikeAbe PuzissFlorence RobinsonSidney RosenEvelyn S. Savinar*Fred Schlesinger*Leon SemlerBruce Lyle Sheinin*Iris Rita ShermanRubin B. ShulmanMildred Leshgold Sidell*Rose L. SigellLillian SussmanHelen SvidlowAudrey TannenbaumDoris Hahn TreuhaftStanley H. WaldAlan WeinerRobert Weintein

(*) next to a name indicates a memorial plaque has been purchased to ensure the beloved departed is remembered in perpetuity. For information about memorial plaques in the Temple, please contact Tracy at (503) 222-1069 or tracy@bethisrael-pdx.org.

11Congregation Beth Israel

SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY1 Iyyar 24

Social Action Committee Meeting 5:00 PM SBR

2 Iyyar 25

WRJ/BIS Board Meeting6:00 PM SBR

Alzheimer’s Association Caregiver Support Group6:30 PM LB

3 Iyyar 26

Mah Jongg 10:00 AM SBR

Shabbat Service 6:00 PM PC

4 Iyyar 27

Torah Study 9:00 AM SBR

Tot Shabbat9:00 AM PC

Shabbat Morning Service:Bar Mitzvah of Aaron Witt10:30 AM Temple

5 Iyyar 28 6 Iyyar 29 7 Sivan 1 8 Sivan 2

9 Sivan 3

Executive Committee12:00 PM SBR

10 Sivan 4 Mah Jongg 10:00 AM SBR

Shabbat on the Plaza6:00 PM Temple Lawn (weather permitting)

11 Sivan 5

Torah Study 9:00 AM SBR

Shabbat Morning Service: Bar Mitzvah of Warner Greenbaum10:30 AM Temple

Erev Shavuot/Confirmation6:00 PM Temple

12 Sivan 6

Shavuot Lunch & Learn12:00 PM SBR

13 Sivan 7 14 Sivan 8 15 Sivan 9

Knit-A-Mitzvah10:00 AM SBR

Preschool Closing Picnic12:00 PM

16 Sivan 10

Adult Education Committee8:30 AM SBR

Board of Trustees Meeting6:30 PM SBR

17 Sivan 11

Mah Jongg 10:00 AM SBR

Shabbat Service 6:00 PM PC

18 Sivan 12

Torah Study 9:00 AM SBR Shabbat Morning Service10:30 AM PC

Havdalah Bar Mitzvah of Benjamin Olshin5:00 PM Temple

19 Sivan 13

Pride Parade11:00 AM

20 Sivan 14 21 Sivan 15 22 Sivan 16 23 Sivan 17

Pop-up Pantry4:30 PM LF

24 Sivan 18

Mah Jongg 10:00 AM SBR

Shabbat on the Plaza and WRJ/BIS Installation 6:00 PM Temple Lawn(weather permitting)

25 Sivan19

Torah Study 9:00 AM SBR Shabbat Morning Service10:30 AM PC

26 Sivan 20 27 Sivan 21 28 Sivan 22

Knit ‘n Nosh12:00 PM SBR

29 Sivan 23 30 Sivan 24

Pop-up Pantry4:30 PM LF

Location Key

HH = Harris Hall BA = Blumauer Auditorium GH = Goodman Hall LB = Library LF = Lipman Foyer MR = Miller Room PC = Pollin Chapel

SBR = Shirley & Herbert Semler Board Room SC = Shemanski Chapel SEC = Sherman Education Center SFC = Schnitzer Family Center

June 2016 Iyyar-Sivan 5776

AdministrationOffices & Clergy 503-222-1069Education Department & Preschool 503-222-1069Fax Machine 503-274-1400WRJ/BI Sisterhood Judaica Gift Shop 503-222-1069Beth Israel Cemetery 503-222-1069426 SW Taylors Ferry Road

View our calendar and campus map online at www.bethisrael-pdx.org

Shabbat on the Plaza!June 10, 24 • July 8, 22 • August 5, 19 • September 2

12 Congregation Beth Israel

Congregation Beth Israel1972 NW Flanders StreetPortland, OR 97209-2097

Affiliated with the Union for Reform Judaism since 1879

NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONU.S. POSTAGE PAID

PORTLAND, ORPERMIT NO. 594

Board of Trustees 2016/2017

Ted Nelson President

Ned Duhnkrack Vice President, Immediate Past President

Ilene DavidsonVice President

Brad Tonkin Vice President

Mark Peterman Secretary

Steve Gradow Treasurer

John EpsteinStacy FriedmanDavid GoldwynAli GarfinkleGlen LevyRobin McCoySharon MeieranJoAnne Van Ness MenasheYale PopowichBob RosenbaumDavid SarasohnArthur SteinhornTony Urdes

TrusteesOfficers

AuxiliariesStephanie Siegel - WRJ/BI Sisterhood PresidentLynn Gelber - WRJ/BI Sisterhood President-ElectAndy Olshin - Brotherhood President

Wear Orange on June 2 and Speak Out Against Gun ViolenceOn Thursday, June 2, join your fellow CBI congregants, hundreds of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America activists from around the city, and millions from around the country in wearing orange to end gun violence! Orange has come to symbolize standing up to gun violence and saying we’re not going to be quiet any longer. Hunters wear orange to be seen and in 2013, after the death of a teen girl by gun violence in Chicago, her friends called on others to Wear Orange and speak out.

The Morrison Bridge and buildings around the city will be lit up orange, folks will be wearing orange, and we’ll be joining with survivors, politicians, and other concerned citizens on a short walk through downtown in the evening to view the lit up bridge and gain media attention for our call to end gun violence in this country. Please join this ongoing effort on June 2 by wearing orange, joining in a short walk and paying tribute to gun violence victims. For more information please contact Amie Wexler at amiewexler@yahoo.com or go to the Facebook page for Moms Demand Action – OR. #wearorange

Village Support NetworkA team from CBI is participating in the Village Support Network, a program of New City Initiative*. This program matches teams from faith based organizations to a family as they are transitioning from being homeless to being housed. The goal is to create a relationship that will help the family build a foundation for greater stability.

Over a six month period the team provides mentoring and support addressing specifics in the areas of financial stability, parenting, employment and community involvement. CBI team members are Joanie Meyers, Randi Peterson, Sally Rosenfeld, Loree Sakai and Julia Waldinger.

We are happy to announce that our team has recently been matched with a family, a single mom and her 9 year old son. They are a dynamic and already strong family with much drive to stabilize their lives. The mom is working full time as a waitress but is seeking other employment which would allow her to use her professional level skills. Her son is a great kid with a variety of interests including art and music. They are grateful for the involvement of our team.

We will be hosting a housewarming party on Thursday, June 9. Donations of household items, books or gift cards for this celebration are welcome. Contact Sally Rosenfeld at srosenfeldfrank@gmail.com for more information.

*The New City Initiative is a non-profit with the mission to engage the faith community in ending homelessness by building supportive relationships.

Social Action at CBI