Tidings

Ohabei Shalom—New England’s First Reform Congregation

January 2008, Tevet/Sh’vat 5768
What’s Inside: Martin Luther King, Jr., z”l, at 79; Israel at 60
Congregational Updates
• Circle of Giving On January 21st , we will join America in event, which includes
celebrating the birthday of the Rev. Dr. Martin opportunities to study the
President’s Message Luther King, Jr. Dr. King would have been 79 years events of the day from a
old had an assassin not cut his life short 40 years Jewish perspective and to
Cantor Schloss’ Message ago. For many people, Dr. King’s birthday has interact with elected
become an opportunity for a long weekend, officials. Dr. King called on
Gala Benefit Concert perhaps with skiing, perhaps with shopping, but Americans to act to make a
with little recollection of what this remarkable man difference. L’Taken will
did to change the world. Yet here at Temple enable our students to do
Worship
Ohabei Shalom, the weeks surrounding the so.
• Shabbat Rishon
commemoration of Dr. King’s birth will provide
• Honoring Harold Finally, on February 1st at 8:00, our Shabbat
three opportunities for living out the ideals for
Koritz Rishon speaker is Dr. Fred Lazin, a professor at
which he stood.
• Daily Worship Ben-Gurion University in Israel. Dr. Lazin will
First, on January 4th at 8:00, for our annual speak about Israel’s Changing Collective Identity.
Richmond Lecture, our Shabbat Rishon speaker You can find more about his talk elsewhere in
Social Groups
will be Matan Koch. Mr. Koch is a young man who Tidings. Dr. King’s connection to the Jewish people
• Sisterhood
was born with a disability that has substantially was strong. According to his biographer, Taylor
• Brotherhood
limited his mobility, but not his accomplishments. Branch, outside his immediate circle, perhaps his
He is a graduate of Harvard Law School, practices closest friend in the religious community was the
Lifelong Learning in New York City, and has been involved with great Jewish theologian Abraham Joshua Heschel.
• Winter Kallah Reform Judaism his entire life. He is deeply Heschel stood in the front line with King in the
• Spring semester involved with our Movement’s new initiative for march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama, in
classes fuller inclusion of those with disabilities in 1965, and famously remarked, “I felt as if my feet
synagogue life, something on which I too have were praying.”
Ansin Religious School been working. Martin Luther King, who sought to
Dr. King was also a passionate supporter of Israel.
• Mark Your Calendar open the doors of opportunity, would have
Speaking to the Rabbinical Assembly of the
• Snow Cancelation Info appreciated this effort to make sure that the doors
Conservative Movement just a few weeks before
• B’nei Mitzvah of our synagogue are open. I mean this quite
his death, he said, “I see Israel as one of the
• Special Traffic Alert literally; people with certain physical disabilities
greatest outposts of democracy in the world, and a
cannot operate some types of doorknobs. Please
marvelous example of what can be done, how
Yizkor Elohim come hear Matan discuss Judaism and disabilities.
desert land can be transformed into an oasis of
Second, on January 11-14, I shall have the brotherhood and democracy. Peace for Israel
January Funds privilege of leading the Confirmation Class to the means security and that security must be a reality.”
L’Taken Seminar. L’Taken means “to repair,” as in
Come join us on February 1st as we learn more
Thoughts on Tu Bish’vat tikkun olam, the repair of the world. The seminar is
about the reality of Israel in what is now its 60th
offered by the Religious Action Center of Reform
year of existence as a sovereign nation. Let us find
Judaism. The RAC is headed by David Saperstein,
January Calendar as many opportunities as we can over these few
whom many of you heard as our Scholar-in-
weeks to commemorate Dr. Martin Luther King,
Residence last spring. The L’Taken Seminar is an
Jr., by helping to make what he stood for a reality
intensive four-day study kallah in Washington,
in our world.
D.C., focusing on Jewish values and social justice.
Congregations from across the United States bring
their high school students to participate in this
Updates
President’s Message As we begin this secular year of 2008, it is a good time to
Leonard M. Davidson reflect on our history as a congregation, its leadership role
in the community of Boston, and its potential to continue
History is something that I think we to be a source of strength and support for so many. The
gain a greater appreciation for as we experiences that we have here can improve our lives both
get older. I am not sure why, but it in the present and the future. Our congregation serves its
seems that as we age, we realize that members and the community at large as it has since 1842.
our individual histories represent Spending more time here, I have gained a greater
more than just isolated experiences appreciation of the positive effects that we can have.
and more than a collection of our Fortunately, we do not need to revise or reinterpret our
stories. As we get older, we see the pattern of the congregation’s history to realize how truly fortunate we
development of our lives and of the processes that got us are to be the caretakers of its legacy. May 2008 be a
to where we are today. We would sometimes like to peaceful and happy secular New Year for all of us.
rewrite or change things in our history, but realize that it
is not possible to change what is already past. All that we
can really do is to change the present and thereby
influence the future. The Circle of Giving of Ohabei Shalom
We thank the following people for their support.
The problem is that history is constantly being changed
and/or rewritten in the world. Indeed, it seems that one of Pillar Guardian, cont.
the greatest problems we face is the interpretation and/or Jane Morningstar David Rogovin & Susan Liberman
Shirley Spero Ita Wiener
reinterpretation of historical facts and occurrences. The
Benefactor Shelley R. K. Schwartz
recent debate over the Armenian genocide is just one Ben Adler
Andrew Sumberg & Mindy Berman
example of how a modern interpretation of an event that Marc & Denise Casper
Daniel & Eva Deykin
took place in the past can alter the present. Relations Robert & Esta Epstein Larry & Denise Green
between countries are affected by the way that we Martin Shore & Shari Lisann Steve Kern
Margorie Kern
characterize or even just remember history. We have seen Don Steinbrecher & Shellee Robbins
David Leifer & Marla Engel
those revisionists who would claim that the Holocaust was Jesse & Amelia Cochin
Martin & Dianne Newman
fabricated or those who would distort the history of Israel. Patron Anonymous
William & Marcia Harris Scott & Pollyanna Sidell
Changing history then becomes a means of changing the David G. Kanter Mark Zeidel & Susan Freedman
present. If you can revise the past, you can change the Gideon Argov & Alexandra Fuchs
present and influence the future. It is a powerful weapon Bernard Joan Wasserman Friend
Michael Weintraub & Diane Rosen Marylin Klickstein
of propaganda. Joseph Beck &. Zita Samuels
Marilyn M. Barron
Morris Greenbaum Adi & Gitta Kahn
One of the benefits of reading the Torah is that this Jonathan Kaufman & Barbara Howard Marcia Levine
account of our history and our laws has remained and will Leonard Davidson & Laurie Katzman Jonathan & Lauren Schloss
Cantor Randall & Leah Schloss
always remain unchanged. Every single Torah is identical, Edward & Margie Kahn
Michael & Shari Churwin
and is faithful to that history. We may interpret the events Louise Levingston
Barry Lyons & Amy Grossman Alan & Judy Shepro
differently each year and understand our history from a Joel Sklar & Adrienne Shishko David & Kimberly Chused
new perspective each time we read the Torah, but the Richard & Carol Daynard Kevin Cole
Gertrude Goldberg
images and words of the Torah are a constant. As Jews we Guardian Stanley J. Keizer
have a keen sense of history as a result. We re-read our Teresa Betit & Howard Lurie Hilda Lopez-Soto
history as a people each year. And we make it a point to Arthur & Doris Zich Greg & Ilene Mogavero
Daniel Schleifstein
remember those who lived and are no longer physically Tom & Donna Rubenoff
Jeffrey Macklis & Carol Levin Howard Koor & Ellen Mosner
alive, both of Biblical times and more recently. Our Samuel Aaronson Joseph Kriesberg & Dina Brownstein
perspectives change, but we honor our past frequently and Hubert & Raynor Caplan Corinne Gilbert
remember where we have been and what we have Louis B. Goldman Kathy Jonas
experienced. Richard & Sonia Ravech

Join our circle today. Contact the synagogue office


The Gift of Music
Cantor Randall Schloss
Many of you may have had the
opportunity to experience our beautiful
Mason and Hamlin piano which was
donated by the family of Janice Olins in
her memory this past summer. I can
not overstress the important role that
this wonderful instrument plays in our
community. I think we can all agree on the effect that music
can have on our worship experience. Yet there are three
elements necessary to make truly beautiful music: the music
itself (i.e. the composition), a talented and committed
performer, and a first-class instrument. With the addition of
this piano, I believe that we have all three. When deciding on
music that accompanies our worship services, I choose music
which I hope will enhance a spiritual experience. We all know
that our pianist, David Sparr has the ability to move us with
his playing. And now he is able to do so through an
instrument which can match and reflect his range of
expression. And personally, my own musical expression
through singing is heightened when the pianist and his
instrument are up to the task.
But the role of music in the synagogue community is not
limited to worship services. Traditionally, the synagogue has
three names: beit t’filah (house of prayer), beit midrash
(house of learning) and beit k’nesset (house of gathering).
Now, with the addition of our piano, our chapel can be used
as a wonderful recital hall; Ohabei Shalom can become a
Come Visit the
Polly Epstein Gift Shop
(Located in the Gallery downstairs)
Come Here First!
Regular Hours:
Sun 9:00 a.m.- Noon
Also by Appointment
Gift Certificates Available!
community center and a destination for beautiful music. In
fact, the gift of our piano came to us partially through the
efforts of Lucienne Davidson, a world-class pianist who
hosts a series of concerts through her organization, Music
for the 21st Century. This year, the concerts in Montague
Chapel will feature string quartets and piano trios and will
take place on March 9th & 30th; and on April 13th & 27th
at 5pm.
But there is one more concert that is especially important
for this community. On Saturday evening, February 2nd, my
wife, soprano Leah Schloss, Lucinene Davidson and I will
hold a concert benefiting the Olins piano fund and music at
Ohabei Shalom. The concert, The Western World/The
Jewish World will highlight the piano and will illuminate our
diverse role in the community. We will present western art
music with its Jewish equivalents. For example, we will sing
classic German lieder by composers such as Schumann and
Wolf followed by Yiddish lieder by the great composer,
Lazaar Weiner. Musical Theater selections by Sondheim and
Bernstein will be accompanied by the classics of the Yiddish
theater. The Olins piano fund was established to maintain
the piano and ensure that Ohabei Shalom can continue to
present vibrant music, both in concerts and in services.
Please join us for a wonderful evening of music, and to
support the musical future at Ohabei Shalom.
The Western World/The Jewish World
a concert to benefit the Olins Piano Fund &
music at Temple Ohabei Shalom
Featuring the music Art Music and Musical Theater
of Robert Schumann,
Hugo Wolf, Lazaar Weiner,
selections from European,
American & Jewish Traditions
Leos Janacek, Samuel Barber,
Leonard Bernstein, Stephen
Sondheim, Abraham Ellstein,
Feb. 2, 2008, 7:30 pm
Montague Chapel
Sholom Secunda and more.
Private Dessert
Cantor Randall Schloss, Tenor Reception to
follow
Leah Schloss, Soprano
Lucienne Davidson, Piano
Concert Only, 7:30 PM: $18
Concert and Private Dessert Reception: $36
Please contact the synagogue office for tickets
Worship
Shabbat Rishon:
January 4 at 8:00 p.m.
Richmond Lecture
Matan Koch
Matan Koch has lived with a physical disability, but he
has achieved a great deal in his young life. A graduate
of Harvard Law School, he practices law in New York
City. From his strong involvement in Reform Judaism,
he is in a position to teach us about Judaism and dis-
abilities.
February 1, 8:00 p.m.
Israel’s Changing
Collective Identity
Dr. Fred Lazin
A recent winner of the Israel Political Science Asso-
ciation’s award for outstanding English language
book on politics, Dr. Fred Lazin is the Lynn & Lloyd
Hurst Family Professor of Local Government at Ben-
Gurion University in Israel. An engaging speaker
who has served as a scholar-in-residence at over two
dozen American synagogues, he grew up in Massa-
chusetts. He received his doctorate in Political Sci-
ence from the University of Chicago.
Come join us at our Shabbat Rishon service as we
hear Dr. Fred Lazin speak on “Israel’s Changing
Collective Identity.” He will deal with the place of
Oriental Jews, ultra-Orthodox, Liberal Judaism, Rus-
sians, Israeli Arabs, and McDonalds – among others
– in Israeli society.
January 18th Shabbat & Celebration
of Harold Koritz
On Shabbat Friday evening, January
18th, TOS will not only celebrate
Shabbat, we will also celebrate and
thank Harold Koritz for his many
years of tireless devotion and ser-
vice to his beloved synagogue.
Most of us know this wonderful
man, and if you don’t, you have
seen him on at almost every Shab-
bat service. He is the quiet, elderly
gentleman who sits on the bimah nearly every Friday eve-
ning and Saturday morning. Up until the last year or so,
he would be the first face that greeted you as you entered
the sanctuary or chapel, offering the prayer books with a
big smile and a warm Shabbat Shalom or hearty Good
Yontif!
In 1986, upon the passing of his mother, Harold found
comfort through attending our Daily Worship service.
Soon he became one of the volunteer leaders of the ser-
vice, wanting to reach out and offer the same solace to his
fellow congregants. Before long he became the head of
this committee, making certain there was a leader EVERY
morning and evening, for those who needed to say Kad-
dish for a loved one. He has trained new leaders, filled in
for someone sick, opened and closed the synagogue on
Christian holidays when we had no custodian, kept and
shared data on attendance, arranged with clergy special
prayers during Jewish holiday times and sent them out to
his leaders. In short, Harold has made sure for the last 21
years, that if someone wanted to come and say prayers,
there would be a TOS lay leader for that service.
Now, as Harold passes the torch to the next generation, it
is time for ALL of us to celebrate this wonderful, giving
man, and to say thanks for a job well done, and done with
pride and love. Please join our Rabbi and Cantor, our
Daily Worship Leaders, and our fellow congregants, as
TOS takes a Shabbat to thank G-d for honoring us
through the service of Harold Koritz over these many
years. We will have a 6 p.m. Shabbat service including a
program of celebration, with a special Oneg to follow.
Please join Temple Ohabei Shalom on Jan. 18, to say
thanks, and “Yasher Koakh” to our beloved Harold Koritz!
Social Groups
Brotherhood News
Jonathan Atkins & Ben Adler
The Brotherhood extends their warmest wishes for the
secular New Year 2008 to the entire Temple Ohabei
Shalom family. Let all your hopes and dreams for this
coming year be fulfilled.
As we look back to our final program in 2007,
Brotherhood hosted members and guests for an evening
of sharing, learning and commitment. Our own Joe
Kriesberg (TOS Social Action Chair) spoke to the
audience regarding a Jewish response to the concerns of
global warming. We were enabled to understand what we
can do, and to purchase low energy light bulbs. Following
this presentation, the mood changed as we were treated
to a musical program by our Cantor, Randall Schloss. He
sang for us and with us to the delight of everyone
present.
Our January meeting will be held on Tuesday, the 15 atth
6:30pm. Following dinner, we will be honored by
hosting Doug Barden, Executive Director of the Men of
Reform Judaism. Doug will be moderating a Panel
Discussion by our Brotherhood Officers, on his recently
published study, Wrestling with Jacob and Esau: Fighting
the Flight of Men: A Modern-Day Crisis for the Reform
Movement. This flagship offering addresses Men of
Reform Judaism, and is a must reading for all our
members. All Brotherhood members and men of the
congregation are encouraged to attend this rare
opportunity to learn from an expert.
Reservations are a must, so please call Craig at 617-738-
8316, by January 15. Space is limited so don’t be left
out!
The Brotherhood extends their thanks to everyone who
has remembered to bring in or mail in their stamped
Butcherie register tape receipts to us. Please continue to
support this program.
Thank you!
Sisterhood News
Betsy Gould
The Sisterhood was extremely saddened by the loss of
our dear, devoted member, Evelyn Bazer, who passed
away in November. Evie was intelligent, warm, and wel-
coming. She always stood up for what she believed in.
A vice president in charge of programming, she brought
us some of our best speakers over the years. She
worked tirelessly for both our Sisterhood and syna-
gogue community. Words cannot express how much
she will be missed. Our hearts go out to her husband
George, daughter Jodi Silton, and all the Bazer/Silton
family.
We are very grateful to Ita N. Wiener for her hard work,
as always. Especially for stepping in on short notice with
her program “Resuscitating Our Ancestors,” presented
at our December meeting.
Ita also arranged for Sisterhood member and dietician
Nadine Braunstein to speak about healthy eating and
nutrition on Thursday, January 17th at 6:30 p.m. We
look forward to listening to and learning from Nadine
while enjoying a salad and pot luck dinner.
We wish everyone a happy, healthy secular New Year.
We encourage all synagogue women to join us for our
interesting and varied winter and spring activities.
Your Synagogue needs
YOU!
Daily Worship Service...
Evenings at 6:00 and mornings at
8:00 (9:00 Sundays and legal holi-
days) a member of the congregation
leads a very short service. There are
openings for new leaders. If this in-
terests you contact Ita N. Wiener
617-734-7137 or Spencer Gould
781-329-7439.
Lifelong Learning
JOEL M. HOFFMAN, PhD
Joel M. Hoffman, PhD, is a much sought
after presenter who lectures across the
globe on popular and scholarly topics span- January 25-27, 2008
ning history, Hebrew, prayer, and Jewish
continuity. He has served on the faculties of
Brandeis University; the Academy for Jewish
The Mystery and Majesty
Religion; and, currently, HUC-JIR in New of the Dead Sea Scrolls
York City. Dr. Hoffman is the chief translator for the multi-volume With Scholar-in-Residence Joel Hoffman
series, “My People's Prayer Book,” (Jewish Lights Publishing) and
the author of “In the Beginning: A Short History of the Hebrew
Language” (NYU Press). In addition to his graduate-level teach-
Since they were unearthed a half century ago, the Dead Sea
ing, Hoffman serves as Resident Scholar at Temple Shaaray Tefila
Scrolls have been surrounded by controversy and intrigue
in Bedford, NY, and finds time to teach youngsters a few after-
even as they captured the popular imagination more than
noons a week. He lives in Mt. Kisco, NY.
any other ancient find. The story of their discovery includes
goats and partridges, a cartel and a secret floorboard stash,
Dr. Hoffman received a BA in Linguistics, Summa Cum Laude,
and researchers across the world. We’ll start with the fasci-
from Brandeis University, and a PhD in Theoretical Linguistics
nating story of their discovery, and then spend time to-
from the University of Maryland.
gether looking at who wrote the Dead Sea Scrolls, what we
learn from them, and their continuing relevance in Judaism
Kallah Reservations required by 1/10/08
and our lives.
Send your check to:
Temple Ohabei Shalom 1187 Beacon Street “Two Goats, One Partridge, and a Lot of Luck: How We Got the
Brookline, MA 02446 Attn: Winter Kallah Dead Sea Scrolls.”

Single Occupancy ($400 p/person) ($450 after 12/24) “The Children of Light: Who Wrote the Dead Sea Scrolls?”
Double Occupancy ($320 p/person)($370 after 12/24)
“History, Hopes, and Horoscopes: What’s in the Dead Sea
Scrolls.”

STORAHTELLING
Scholar-in-Residence Weekend, March 7-9
Made possible by a generous contribution from the estate of Bernice Seigel, z”l

In ancient synagogues, a key participant was the m’turgaman, the person who translated the Torah into the language of the people. We now
have books that translate the words, but how can we “translate” the experience of Torah and bring it into our lives? That is where Storahtel-
ling comes in. Using twenty-first century performance art techniques, Storahtelling brings personal contemporary meaning to 5,000 years
of Jewish tradition. B’nai Brith Magazine has called it a “trailblazer of the Jewish world,” while the Washington Post has lauded its
“reverence and relevance.”
Please join us as Storahtelling comes to Temple Ohabei Shalom for a weekend of fun, inspiration, and learning.

Friday, March 7, Shabbat Rishon ,
8:00 p.m.
Setting the Stage: A Taste of Sto-
rahtelling
An interactive ritual experience that
demonstrates the Storahtelling tech-
nique with translation, drama, and
ceremony.
Saturday, March 8, Shabbat morning service, Sunday, March 9,
10:30 a.m. 9:30 – 11:30 am
Maven Torah Reading Ritual Backstage with Storahtelling
Storahtelling Mavens bring Torah to life through a fresh (For families with children in
fusion of Hebrew chanting, dramatized English transla- grades 5-7.)
tion, and interactive commentary. Grade 6 & 7 families An engaging and interactive
expected to attend. workshop designed to inspire
participants to experiment with
“Talkback” (during Kiddush after services) Torah translation and to increase
A question-and-answer session to debrief the Storahtel- comprehension and relevancy of
ling experience. Judaism’s ancient texts.
Lifelong Learning
Sunday Mornings
The Music of the Jewish Life Cycle
with Cantor Randall Schloss
Sunday Mornings, 9:30 – 11:00 am
February 3 & 10
Music often has a way of inspiring us and enriching us beyond what
literal words can do. Jewish ritual tradition understands this: from
the most ancient of our rituals through the most modern Reform
traditions, music helps to bring the lifecycle to life! During these
two sessions, Cantor Schloss will explore the way we experience
Jewish milestones through music: birth, Bar/Bat Mitzvah, Confirma-
tion, marriage and celebration, and death and mourning.
My People’s Prayer book
with Rabbi Tom Alpert & Cantor Randall Schloss
Sunday Mornings, 9:30 – 11:00 am
March 16, 23, 30; April 6 and 13.
Have you ever wondered about the prayers that we say as Jews?
Come join Rabbi Alpert and Cantor Schloss as they seek to open
up the Jewish prayer book, the siddur, as a spiritual resource. To-
gether we shall explore the riches that the heritage of prayer has to
offer us in our worship and in our lives. In addition to a general
survey, we shall focus in depth on the Sh’ma and its blessings.
They are the affirmation of the faith of the Jewish people and a
familiar and loving entryway into the prayer book.
March 16: Jewish Prayer Through the Ages: A Whirlwind
Tour
March 23, 30 & April 6: An In-Depth Examination of the
Sh’ma and the Blessings that Surround It
April 13: Now and Beyond: New Directions in Jewish Prayer
A wonderful addition to your
Jewish Music Collection:
Sh’ma Koleinu
Cantor Randall Schloss
An inspiring and diverse selec-
tion of Jewish Liturgical music
$18.00—available in the Polly Epstein
Gift Shop, or from Cantor Schloss
Monday Night Learning
Tu B'Shvat: Trees and Tree-Hugging in Jewish
Tradition
with Navah Levine, Rabbinic Intern
Monday evenings, 7:00 – 8:30 pm
Feb 4 & 11
The holiday of Tu b'Shvat (the 15th day of the month of
Shvat, which begins this year on Monday evening January
21st) celebrates the New Year for Trees. Over the centuries,
it has taken on multiple layers of meaning and evolved into a
Jewish environmental
holiday. In this two-part class, we will study traditional and
modern Jewish texts on Tu b'Shvat, the importance of the
environment, and our role as stewards of the natural world.
Why is this Passover different from all other
Passovers?
with Cantor Randall Schloss
Monday evenings 7:00 – 8:30 pm
March 24 & 31
In two sessions, Cantor Schloss will lead us through the sto-
ries of Passover. Not the Maggid, the story of the exodus
from Egypt, but the stories of the Jewish people’s celebration
of the festival of Pesach. We will explore the wealth of tradi-
tions from around the Jewish world, covering all aspects of
the holiday: seder ritual, haggadah, food and music. When
we are done, we will have something new and different to
bring to our seders.
The Death of Death
with Rabbi Tom Alpert
Four sessions on Monday evenings 7:00 – 8:30 pm
February 25, March 3, 10 & 17
Do you know what does Judaism teach about what happens
after we die? It may not be what you think. Does Judaism
believe in the immortality of the soul, the resurrection of the
body, or reincarnation – or is there more than just one an-
swer? Have those answers changed over time? Come learn
with Rabbi Alpert about what Judaism has had to say about
the afterlife – or afterlives. After we’ve learned, we’ll have an
opportunity to write our own statements of what we believe
will happen.
Our text for this class will be The Death of Death by the
leading Jewish theologian Dr. Neil Gillman of the Jewish
Theological Seminary.
Ansin Religious School News
No School

Mark Your Calendars! Please mark your calendars . . .

January 1: Winter Break
Sunday January 20 & Monday January 21: MLK Weekend
Family Education Programs
Come Study With ... Yoni Kadden Grades 6 & 7 Parents and Students
January 13, 9:15 a.m.
We have invited a master Jewish teacher from Gann Academy for a morning of study and discussion.
Youth Group Events:
MOSTY Harry Potter Shul- in For students in grades 3 & 4
Saturday, January 12 – Sunday, January 13
Applications were due Tuesday, December 18, 2007. Contact Kate if you haven’t yet registered.
For the Whole Family
Shabbat Mishpacha OSTY Shabbat, led by OSTY (Grades 9 – 12)
Friday, January 25, 6:00pm
Mark your Calendars
TOSTY- Air: Trip to Israel Grades 1 & 2 Students and Parents
Sunday, February 3, 11:00 am
Pack your bags . . . Join your TOSTY friends for a quick trip to Israel in preparation for your upcoming
Shul-In. Don’t forget your hat and sunglasses!
JOSTY Regional Shul- in – Who am I.com? For students in grades 7 & 8.
Saturday, February 9 - Sunday, February 10

MOSTY Shabbat & Dinner (Grades 3 & 4)

February 8, 6:00 PM
Join us for February’s Shabbat Mishpacha, led by our MOSTY students.
Watch your mail for more information.

School Cancellation Policy

Inclement Weather
The Ansin Religious School will close if the
Brookline Public schools close for a snow
day.
Please tune in to WBZ (channel 4), WCVB
(channel 5), WHDH (channel 7), or WRKO
(680 on the AM dial) for school
cancellations.
We will also leave a message on the School
answering machine: (617) 739-9200
 Traffic Alert! Mazel Tov to our Bar Mitzvah!
Winter is here. It is dark during pick-up Jake Bamberger
time, so take a moment to look at the fol-
son of Rebecca Bamberger
lowing traffic pattern that is to be used
during school drop off and pick up times and Phillip Bamberger
(Sundays, 9-9:30 am and 12:00– 12:30 January 12, 2008
pm; Tuesdays 3:15–3:45 and 5:15–5:45
pm) by all members of the congregation.

These procedures are in place to help

Wish List
keep all of our students and families safe. Trying to think of a way to give back to the ARS? How
about donating any of the following items to our facility?
• Used desktop computer for the Gopen Family Library
• Gently used furniture for the new OSTY Lounge:
Couches/Loveseats TV
Beanbag chairs DVD player
Rugs

Little Hands
Jewish Programming for Young Children

Mondays Thursdays

Story Hour at TOS Playgroup at KI

10:00 am—11:00 am
Support the formation
of your child’s Jewish
identity, the
development of pre-
reading skills and your
child’s social /
emotional development
through exposure to
Jewish literature.
9:30 am — 10:30 am
Join other parents and
young children (0-4
years old) for Jewish
books, games, toys and
puzzles. A great
opportunity for parents
to make connections
with others in the
community.

Locations & Contact Info:

Temple Ohabei Shalom
1187 Beacon Street, Brookline
(617) 739-9200

Congregation Kehilith Israel

384 Harvard Street, Brookline
(617)277-9155
Yizkor Elohim - May God Remember
Stanley Band, husband of Shirley Band
Sana Gould, aunt of Spencer Gould
Evie Bazer, wife of George Bazer; mother of Jodi Silton
Mel Levine, brother of Robert & Nora Levine
Those listed below are recorded in our Book of Remembrance, Windows or on Memorial Plaques. An asterisk indicates that the plaque will be
illuminated during the week of yahrzeit.

January 1-5 (Tevet 23-27) Sanford J. Gilbert * Howard Z. Mann Esther Davis *
Aaron B. Goldstein * Sarah B. Finch * Louis Marks * Sarah W. Daynard *
Abraham Ancona Sarah Saslaw Ira Markwett * Rose Einstein *
Augusta Wolf Sidney Henry Goldinger Harry E. Morgan * Abbott J. Epstein *
Barbara Silverman Sophie Smokler Louis Moses * Isaac H. Feinberg
Ben G. Shapiro * Thelma R. Sawyer * Fanny Nathan * Maurice Galer
Benjamin Cohen Joseph Pantell Jacob Glasker *
Bernard Fisher January 6-12 (Tevet 28-Shevet 5) Fannie Pave * S. Norma Gold
Bertha Baron * Max Moses Adler * Itskhak Pisecki Frank Gorfine
Bertha Levin Robert Alberg Shmuel Pisecki Lillian Greenberg
Betty Ann Rothstein * Irma Helen Bailen * David Podren * Karen Grossman
Bruna Rosengard * Joseph Barron * Fred Podren * Sarah Halper
Carl Gelb Helen Behr Lewis Polakewich * Isaac Heiderman
Celia Kaplan Dana Eliezer Berger * Avraam Rivin Rebecka Hollander *
Celia Yaffa Harold Berk * Max Rosengard Dorothy Israel
David L. Rosenberg * Samuel Bernstein Aaron Scheinfeldt * Sarah Kahn
David Daynard Beatrice Berson Herch Leyb Shifrin Amelia Kalesky
Esther Shwartz Tofias * Edith Birnbaum Joseph Silberman Charles Kalisky
Esther Siff Joseph Blumenthal * Rebecca Silverman * Abraham B. Kamine
Fannie Geller * Sarah Posner Borosky * Harry C. Smith * Fannie Kaplan
Fannie Green Mary Caro * Benjamin F. Solomon * Minnie Burack Kliman
Frances Baer Greenbaum * Anne Cohen Nancy Spitz * Evelyn M. Lane *
Frances Ornsteen * Harry B. Cohen * Andrew Spunt * Barnet Lechten *
Harry Karmelin * Hannah Cooks * Myrna Rice Stein Tamara Lerner
Herschel Vershbow * Molly C. Davis Gabriel M. Stern * Sara K. Levison
Hyman Lass Fannie Weiner Epstein * Leo Solomon Stone * Ray Levy
Jennie Rakowsky Alice Feldman Elaine Tallen Frances S. Mason *
John Chalfin * Mary Feldman * Leonard Tarlin Dorothea Mathias
Joseph Weber Herman Fishel * Jean Tartakoff * Charles Merlin *
Laura K. Spiel Rosalind Frederics Col. Robert William Timothy Victor I. Mertens
Lawrence Finch Arline Freedman Shayne Turner Abraham E. Nizel *
Marjorie Gordon * Gilda Gilder Nathan Weinstein * Bertha Passman
Marshall Platt Lucille Glick Abraham Wiesenfeld Michael Perkins *
Matilda Sanger Oscar C Goldberg, Jr. * Samuel H. Zitter Andrew C. Rabinowitz *
Mildred Yarchin * Edward Goldman * Nathan Rabinowitz *
Miriam Starr Skirball * Samuel Goldstein * January 13-19 (Tevet 6-12) Herman Rifkin *
Mitchell Starr Charles Green * William Alpert Nathaniel N. Serper
Morris Dunn Morris Greenberg Margery Behr Joseph K. Shankman *
Morris Schwartz * Rose R. Grossman * Rosalind Bernstein * Harry Shapiro
Otto Morningstar * Jacob Hark Arthur H. Bloch * Louis Sheinwald
Rebecca Abrams * William J. Hotch * Henry L. Cabitt Charles E. Smith *
Rebecca J. Kaufman * Jerome Iskols Philip Caplan Joy Sparr
Rebecca Jacobs Harris Dorothy Klein Helen A. Cobden Morris Steelman
Rose Corman * Harold Landy Nathan Cohen Murray Taub
Sadie B. Cohen * Jacob Levin * Sarah Klous Cohen * Andrew Von Bargen
Sadye Jampolsky Melvin Levine Gertrude T. Corman * Irving Willis
Samuel Halper Samuel Herbert Levingston * Louis Corman * Samuel Wingersky
Samuel Neal Rubin * I. Roy Levy * Charles Corvin * Esther Miller Wyzanski
Yahrzeits, continued
January 20-26 (Tevet 13-19)
Beatrice Adler
Mildred Aronson
Irving Avers
Milton M. Bengis *
Jane Hart Berk
Irving Blank
Molly Bolan
Bertha Brody *
Mary Jane Byrne
Heiman Caro
Helen Meyers Cohen *
William Coughlin
Henry Crine
Josephine Cummins
Harriet W. Daniels *
Helen Dizon
Pauline Endlar *
Abraham Feinberg *
Rosa Freed
Grace Freidson *
Charles Garfinkle
Rachael Ginzberg
William Goldberg
Max Goldforb
Max C. Goldman *
Neil Goldman
Jennie G. Gordon
Mary Gordon-Silverman *
Priscilla Greenbaum *
Helen Spero Greenfield *
Judith Greenfield Samuel S. Slosberg * Henry Joski
Leonore K. Grover Bertam Irving Sparr Pamela Kagle
William J. Haft Seymour Stadfeld A. George Kohn *
Bertha Handwerker Harry Aaron Stoller Taurice Wit Kohn *
Joseph Hirsh Louis Striar Max Kravitz
Jean Lebow Esther Waxman Jules Lader *
Harvey Leopold Nathan Weiss Evelyn K. Macey *
Albert L. Levine * Theresa E. Whitman * Sarah Moses
Fannie Levine Abraham Willis * Carolyn Sharlet Nachman
Harry Levine Rita Parks
Morris Levit January 27-31 (Tevet 20-24) Abraham I. Passman
Esther P. Mann * Violet Aaronson Marlene Passman
Joan Marton Sylvia Dreyfus Adams Jennie Pearl *
M. Stanley Metz Leopold Basch Deborah B. Pokroisky *
Herman M. Nelson Charlotte Y. Bernhardt Pauline N. Raab *
Fred Platt Ethel Block Philip Raab *
Maurice Prolman Dorothy Julia Burke Carolyn Regan
Helen F. Rockman * Maurice Caro * Ruth Resnik
Maurice J. Rosenfeld * Jeanette F. Cohen Rose S. Rosnosky
Hyman L. Rosengard * Barney Comenitz Sarah Scheinberg
Esther Israel Rosenthal Alfred Daniels * Bernice Silin
Henry Rosnosky * Victor DeGrottola Joseph G. Smith *
Sidney H. Ross * Al Deitch Arthur Sparr
Raymond Bruce Rothstein * Jessica Ellenberg Louis Spero *
Louis N. Schwartz * Joseph Friedman Bertha Cohen Spitz
Tessie Sepinuck Lila Glasky * Melanie Swartz *
Bernard Shalit Edna Greene Stanley Brand Swartz *
Beverly Shapson Annette Harris * Suzanne Phillips Timothy
Herbert S. Sharlin Walter Heineman Abram Tischler
Lorne Scott Shomes * Ann A. Helpern * Mildred Rose Traster
Isaac Simons Harold D. Himelfarb * Adele Jurow Wallach
Maurice Wyzanski
Jewish Family and Children’s
Service Greater Boston’s
Jewish Food Pantry
Temple Ohabei Shalom’s monthly contribution is:
Tuna and Shampoo
We especially need shampoo!
Donations can be brought to the synagogue and placed in
the baskets by the Chapel or near the elevator. You can
also write a check to the Sisterhood of Ohabei Shalom with
“Family Table” in the memo line or volunteer to drive our
contributions to the collection center in Waltham just one
Sunday a year, 9:30am—11:30am
If you are interested in
helping, Contact Dottie
Berman at 617-277-6610
or Dberman@ohabei.org,
January Funds
General Fund For Health and Well Being Roberta Paris Benjamin Bernstein
Robert & Helen Sawyer Matthew Sawyer Judith Katz Mortimer Katz
Stephen Ardizzoni Ramond Mannos Rebecca Mannos
In Honor Of Irving Dublin Bertha Dublin
Arthur & Doris Zich Anita Leibowitz’s Special Birthday Leo & Stella Levi Alexander Levi
In Memory Of Cecila Jones DeClara Sarah Gosman
Dottie Berman Dorothy Braunstein Ronna Dallal Mary Pivnick
Dottie Berman Sidney (“Sig”) Adler Bruce & Robert Beal Adelaide Beal
R. K. (Shelley) Schwartz Elizabeth G. Kline Muriel Follick Steven Coler
Dottie Berman Stanley Band Norman Coler
R. K. (Shelley) Schwartz Joseph A. Kline Larry & Denise Green Evie Bazer
Arthur & Doris Zich Evie Bazer Sam & Anita Leibowitz Lena Drucker
Shirley Spero Evie Bazer Suzanne Gardel Marcelle Cohen
Margaret Beal Royal Beal Myron Wasserman Harry Wasserman
Stan Keizer Evie Bazer Sofiay Tsytsarko Cheo-Ita Tsytsarko
Gert Goldberg Evie Bazer
Dottie Berman Evie Bazer Cyrus Jacobs Music Fund
Richard & Ilene Jacobs
Fund for Life Long Learning In Appreciation Of
Leo & Stella Levi Stanley & Frances Levine Berenson Library Fund In Memory Of
Louise Levingston Robert M. Goldman
Minyan Fund In Memory Of Martha Livingston
Louis E. Laskey & Nora J. Calabi Eleanor “Robbie” Laskey Samuel Herbert Levingston
Stephen & Roberta Paris Ida Bernstein
Gerald & Toby Penn Morris Penn Rabbi Alpert Discretionary Fund In Honor Of
Sy Gottlieb Elinor Robinson Gasky Allison Rimm Grandmother, Rose Caplan
Herbert F. Gold Harry Gold Bernard & Ann Epstein Charlotte Eden Epstein
Corinne E. Gilbert Helen Gilbert Stillman
Martin & Melba Rubin Ida Rubin Cantor Schloss Discretionary Fund In Memory Of
Sy Gottlieb Saelg Scbagin Louise Levingston Robert M. Goldman
Susan Kommit Martha Livingston
Donald & Florence Hootstein Charles Hootstein Samuel Herbert Levingston
Barry & Ida Sidman Albert Rosenberg George Bazer Evie Bazer
Ruth Linsky Harold M. Linsky In Honor Of
Harold & Sylvia Koritz Bertha Koritz Shirley Spero Cantor Schloss and his Installation
Anne Caplan Louis Caplan Marcia & Bill Harris Cantor Schloss and his Installation
Alexander & Brenda Tanger Gertrude Haft Tanger Spencer & Betsy Gould Cantor Schloss and his Installation
Elliot Comenitz Katie Comenitz R. K. (Shelley) Schwartz Cantor Schloss and his Installation
Mark H. Lipof Michael Lipof Louise Levingston Cantor Schloss and his Installation
Richard & Janice Lipof and Family Michael Lipof
Louise Levingston Robert M. Goldman Pulpit Flowers Fund In Memory Of
Martha Livingston George Rabinowitz Louis & Clara Benson
Samuel Herbert Levingston Louise Levingston Robert M. Goldman
Evelyn E. Indursky Harry Indursky Martha Livingston
Elinor R. Goldman Pauline Cohen Samuel Herbert Levingston
Illona A Roll Anna Schoenfeld
Toby Penn Linda Penn Adult Education Fund In Memory Of
Sidney Grodberg Joseph Grodberg Dorothy Julia Lebach Erich Lebach
Anna Grodberg Ida Weilheimer
Phyllis Kaplan Henry Kaplan
Shellee Robbins Harry Rabinowitz

Special Birthdays
January Devarim
Mr. Harold Ansin
Mrs. Denise Casper
Ms. Amy B. Bernstein
Mrs. Mildred Barron
Special Anniversaries
Mr. Thomas Plançon & Ms. Amy Hozid
Mr. & Mrs. Stephen S. Lewenberg
Toy Drive
Mr. Alexander Spivak “THANK YOU”
Mrs. Raya Spivak
Ms. Judith Mabel Due to the overwhelming generosity of our congre-
Mrs. Evelyn Ruby gation, the children, parents and staff at the Boston
Medical Center Grow Clinic were once again as-
sured a happy holiday season. Thanks for filling up
our crib with so many holiday presents! Dr. Deborah
Frank is most grateful.
 Thoughts on Tu Bish’vat
Trees, Shabbat, And Israel's Ecology
by Jonathan Wolf
Create an Eco-Shabbat! When Tu Bish’vat falls on Shabbat as it does this year (Feb. 2), it be-
comes an opportunity to dedicate the day to enjoying and recognizing the natural world, Israel,
and our responsibilities for the environment. Meals, lectures, nature hikes, children's carnivals,
services, seudah shlishit (the late Saturday afternoon meal), study groups: many times and events
during Shabbat can address and draw attention on the Torah's teachings about the meaning of
true Sabbath rest, our obligations to preserve our world for future generations, the delights and
varieties of healthful foods which spring from the earth, and our ties to the historic Jewish home-
land in Israel and its rivers and hills. Every synagogue, Hillel house, havurah, JCC, religious
school, senior center, community, and family can invent and adapt its own expression of an Envi-
ronmental Shabbat on Tu Bish’vat—whether Seder, party, speaker, festive meal, text learning,
games, songs, stories, or all-night gathering. This Shabbat is a propitious and auspicious time for
focusing on the earth and its wonders and the ways it supports us and we protect it.
http://www.coejl.org/~coejlor/ebulletin/34.php

A Tu Bish’vat Primer
Tu Bish’vat is a holiday intimately connected to the agricul-
tural cycle of the Land of Israel. Falling in the middle of the
Jewish month of Sh’vat, the 15th day of the month is the
New Year of Trees. Today, this holiday is often celebrated by
planting saplings and also by participating in a seder-meal
that echoes the Passover seder, in which the produce of
trees, including fruits and nuts, are eaten.
Ideas and Beliefs: The Bible expresses a great reverence for
fruit trees as symbols of God’s bounty and beneficence. Spe-
cial laws were formulated to protect fruit trees in times of war
and ensure that the produce of trees would not be picked
until the trees were mature enough and tithes were given
from them. In order to calculate the age of trees, both for
determining when they could be harvested and when they
were to be tithed for the Temple, the Talmudic Rabbis estab-
lished the 15th day (Tu) of the month of Shvat as the official
“birthday” of trees.
Subsequent to the destruction of the Temple, Tu Bish’vat
lost much of its relevance, but in the middle ages it was re-
discovered by Jewish mystics. In the modern period it has
enjoyed another revival as a holiday that links Jews with the
land of Israel and as a Jewish celebration of the environment.
Practices: When the Temple stood in Jerusalem, Tu Bishvat
served as the day on which farmers offered the first fruits of
the trees they planted, after the trees had turned four years
old. The following Tu Bishvat signified when the farmers
were allowed to begin making use of the produce of the trees
they planted, whether for personal or economic reasons.
In the middle ages, the Jewish mystics of Safed developed a
ritual meal celebrated on Tu Bish’vat that was modeled on
the Passover seder. Four cups of wine were drunk and seven
“fruits” symbolic of those of the Holy Land were eaten. With
the rise of Zionism in the late 19th century, Tu Bish’vat was
rediscovered as a celebration that links the Jews with their
land. The holiday became one of rededication to the ecology
of the denuded land, with the planting of trees taking center
stage in the celebration. Jews outside of Israel contribute
money to plant trees there and/or plant trees in their own
communities.
With the increased concern for the environment in recent
years, Tu Bish’vat has taken on an additional meaning as a
day on which Jews can express and act on their concern for
the ecological well-being of the world in which we live. This
has led to the rediscovery of the mystical Tu Bish’vat seder,
now transformed into a celebration of God’s bounty and the
environment.
http://www.myjewishlearning.com/holidays/Tu_Bishvat/
 “Mitzvah-Maker”
Thank You
from
Betsy Gould
The TOS synagogue community extends a
hearty “todah rabah!” to the caring mem-
bers who brightened the Hanukkah holiday
for our congregational “shut-ins.”
Visitors included Judy Halper, Louise Lev-
ingston, Diane Rosen, Margie Kahn, Maya
Krigsgaber, Edith Pollack, Esther Rubinovitz,
Ben Adler, Harold Koritz, Marcia Levine,
Mariel Rosenthal, and Asya Zimbov. By
sharing of themselves, they truly made such
a difference!
Oha-BUY when you shop online!
When you use our website (www.ohabei.org) to do
your internet shopping, our Temple receives a com-
mission on almost every item purchased...all at no ad-
ditional cost to you. For any of our merchants, just
click on their logo and you’ll arrive at their website as
usual. But when you make a purchase, we get a little a
“piece of the action” paid by the merchant.
To make this work, all you
have to do is always go to the
merchants using one of our
special links. Just come here
and then go there...it’s that
easy. Please bookmark our
homepage so you don’t forget
how to find your way back.
Going through us has no im-
pact on what you see at the
merchant...it all looks the
same except we benefit. Try it...it’s easy...and thanks
for all your support!
 NON-PROFIT ORG.
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
PERMIT NO. 3465
BOSTON, MA.

January Shabbat Celebrations & Events

January
Tues 1 TOS office closed ARS: No School, Martin Luther King Weekend
ARS: No School Tues 22 3:30 pm ARS: grades 3-7
Fri 4 8:00 pm Shabbat Rishon: Matan Koch Fri 25 6:00 pm Shabbat Mishpacha
Sat 5 9:00 am Torah Study Adult Kallah
10:30 am Shabbat service Sat 26 9:00 am Torah Study
Sun 6 9:15 am ARS: K-7 10:30 am Shabbat service
Mon 7 6:00pm ARS: High School Sun 27 9:15 am ARS: K-7
Tues 8 3:30 pm ARS: grades 3-7 Mon 28 6:00 pm ARS: High School
Fri 11 6:00 pm Shabbat 7:00 pm Learning Mondays: Dan Judson
Sat 12 9:00 am Torah Study Tues 29 3:30 pm ARS: grades 3-7
10:30 am Shabbat service, Bar Mitzvah—Jake Bamberger
1:30 pm MOSTY Shul-In (3rd & 4th grade) February
Sun 13 9:15 am ARS: K-7 Fri 1 6:00 pm Shabbat Rishon: Dr. Fred Lazin
Mon 14 6:00 ARS: High School Sat 2 9:00 am Torah Study
6:30 pm Brotherhood meeting 10:30 pm Shabbat service
Tues 15 3:30 pm ARS: grades 3-7 7:30 pm Olins Piano Benefit Concert
6:30 pm Brotherhood Program Sun 3 9:15am ARS: K-7
Thurs 17 6:30 pm Sisterhood Program & Pot Luck Dinner 11:00 am TOSTY Family Education (grades 1 & 2)
Fri 18 6:00 pm Shabbat Honoring Harold Koritz
Sat 19 9:00 am Torah Study
10:30 am Shabbat service January Candle Lighting Times
Sun 20 ARS: No School, Martin Luther King Weekend
4- 4:07 P.M. 18 - 4:22 p.m.
Mon 21 TOS office closed, MLK day
11 - 4:14 P.M. 25 - 4:31p.m.

Thomas M. Alpert Rabbi

Randall Schloss Cantor Monday—Thursday 8:00 a.m. & 6:00 p.m.
Friday 8:00 a.m.
Daily Worship

Emily Gopen Lipof Rabbi Emerita

Leonard Davidson President Saturday 6:00 p.m.
Shari A. Churwin Education Director Sundays & Holidays 9:00 a.m. & 6:00 p.m.
Kate Mikesh Director of Informal Education
Amanda Singer Education Programs Coordinator Ohabei Shalom is the area’s only Reform
Dottie Berman Interim Executive Director synagogue providing daily prayer for those in need
Karen Landman Executive Assistant to the Clergy of solace or a quiet moment of introspection.
Alan Shepro Office Manager / Bookkeeper
Marylin Klickstein Administrative Assistant Each Daily Worship leader commits to one
Kim Singer B’nei Mitzvah Educator 20-minute weekly service. To become a leader,
David Sparr Music Director please call the synagogue office (617)277-6610.
Tidings is a monthly publication of Temple Ohabei Shalom
1187 Beacon Street, Brookline, MA 02446
(617)277-6610 www.ohabei.org