Brotherhood
Overview
Brotherhood
takes a leadership role in planning and implementing many
programs and activities supporting our congregation. Some
of the activities the Brotherhood sponsors throughout the
year include an annual Sukkah building event, a Hanukkah
Latke party, a Purim Carnival, a spaghetti dinner, and
a comedy night. It also hosts several breakfasts for educational
programming, sponsors the annual Clergy Institute, and
plans several sports and social events.
The following is a history of the Brotherhood and its ongoing involvement in
Temple life.
The Men's Club (later renamed Brotherhood) was organized in 1924. The purpose
of the Men's Club as stated in its original constitution is: "To promote fellowship,
to provide a forum for discussion of questions of interest to the members,
and to further the welfare of Congregation Beth Israel." In 1927, the Men's
Club along with The Mishkan Israel Brotherhood of New Haven and 63 other Brotherhoods
banded together to form NFTB, The National Federation of Temple Brotherhoods
(now called the North American Federation of Temple Brotherhoods) and became
an auxiliary of the UAHC, Union of American Hebrew Congregations (now called
the Union for Reform Judaism.)
As the years went by, Brotherhood activities and programming took on many faces.
One of the most notable is the Institute for Christian Clergy, which began
in 1945. The Institute has been conducted every year since, and as such, is
the longest continuous activity of its kind in the country. It has been expanded
to include clergy of all religions. Its purpose is to explore aspects of Reform
Judaism in detail. A volume of Judaica related to the subject under discussion
is presented to each participant. Many clergy take great pride in their "Judaica
Library" which they have collected over the years. The Brotherhood serves as
hosts and provides funding for the luncheon and the aforementioned volume.
The NFTB, through its national project, The Jewish Chautauqua Society, has
adopted the Clergy Institutes as one of their "four phases" and uses our Institute
as its model.
During Rabbi Abraham Feldman's tenure at Beth Israel (1925-1977), the Men's
Club sponsored a weekly Sunday morning breakfast at which the rabbi presided
at an "Ask the Rabbi" session. Participants would be awarded the "golden bagel" if
anyone could "stump" the rabbi. (Nobody ever did!) A monthly evening meeting
was held, sometimes entertaining, sometimes serious. Guest speakers were the
norm. Rabbi Feldman was the "prime mover" of the programs just described. Brotherhood
took on other meaningful forms of programming after he retired.
Although not specifically stated as one of the original activities of Brotherhood,
the children of the congregation are always involved in Brotherhood programming.
Perhaps our most memorable event was the annual congregation picnic, held on
the last day of Sunday School at Hartford's Keeney park during the 1930s and
1940s, and later moved to Farmington's Batterson Park. Brotherhood organized
all the games and activities, awarded prizes to just about all the participants,
and provided ice cream and soda. To this day, Brotherhood remains committed
to the welfare and entertainment of our children with its ongoing involvement
in the annual Purim and Hanukkah parties.
Brotherhood pioneered the daily Minyan services, and for many years provided
the readers for these services. Although it had to discontinue after a few
years hiatus, the Congregation took over and resumed this important aspect
of our religious life.
Going way back in the history of our Congregation, Brotherhood (recently Sisterhood,
too) has provided ushers for High Holy Day and weekly religious services.
Brotherhood remains "on call" to provide any other assistance when called upon
by the trustees, Rabbis or house committee.
Sisterhood
The Sisterhood is the dedicated women's auxiliary at Congregation Beth Israel.
This organization contributes to and sponsors many of the programs and activities
that make our congregation the great community that it is, including planning
events & supporting programs, and hosting congregational dinners and luncheons.
The Sisterhood does all this in a warm, friendly, and welcoming atmosphere
that makes affiliation with the Sisterhood an enjoyable experience while at
the same time providing an opportunity to "give something back." All members
are invited to our monthly meetings, the first Tuesday of every month at 7:15
p.m. Consider becoming a part of the Sisterhood by joining or simply supporting
with a gift of time or a donation.
Beth Israel Sisterhood Religious School Fund partially
supports Sisterhood projects in our Beth Israel Religious School. The Sisterhood
has purchased large screen televisions and digital video cameras for the
school. Other past gifts have included some of the non-glamorous but important
things such as window shades, radiator covers, and painting -- and smaller
gifts that we provide every year such as Chanukah candles, Purim candy, and
Succoth decorations. Additionally our Sisterhood each year gives Confirmation
Bibles to Confirmands.
The YES Fund is a Women of Reform Judaism
(WRJ) national effort that supports programs for Youth (maintains 8 summer
camps), as well as Education and Scholarship (Union for Reform Judaism high
school, college and rabbinic education programs, the Religious Action Center
in Washington DC, support of the WRJ Rabbi Alexander M. Schindler Religious
Teacher Training Program in small and/or isolated Jewish communities).
Visit our Judaica Shop to see our exciting new merchandise! The shop carries
lovely jewelry, Judaica items and will help you with your Bar and Bat Mitzvah
needs.
Judaica Shop
In
support of Israel solidarity, the Beth Israel Sisterhood Judaica Shop now carries
a new line of Israeli crafts. Here now, in time for Jewish Holidays, Life events
- B'nai Mitzvah, Confirmation, and other celebrations - Mother's Day, Graduation
or for any occasion for which you need to give a gift:
- Jerusalem stone Shabbat candlesticks
- Seder plates with matching matzah boxes
- Matzah covers with matzah boxes
- Silver jewelry by Yemenite craftsmen featuring Roman
glass and coins, lapis, Elat stones, carnelian, and turquoise
- And, for your next Bar/Bat Mitzvah, Talit and Kippot
Stop at the Judaica Shop and buy your piece of Israel.
And, if we don't have that special item for your special
occasion, we'll order it.
Hours by appointment only.
| For an appointment: |
|
| Gail Mangs |
mangs18@yahoo.com |
Music
Overview
We have many avenues for exploring music:
Adult Choir, led
by Cantor Pamela Siskin and Music
Director/Organist Natasha Ulyanovsky
Junior and Senior Youth Choir
Shiranote - Teenagers who perform
both Jewish and secular music
A Touch of Klez -
our multi-generation Klezmer band.
The Music Committee assists Cantor Pamela
Siskin and Music Director/Organist Natasha Ulyanovsky in
preparing musical activities to enhance our worship services
and in introducing music to other congregational activities.
The
Austin Organ The Historic Austin Organ which graces
the sanctuary is a unique jewel among musical instruments.
Set modestly behind a tall screen in the loft to the
left of the ark, the three thousand pipes, 93 stops and
two expression engines produce a spectrum of sound that
can be a whisper or a thunderous swell. Built in 1935
at the end of the fad for theatre organs, the instrument
is capable of a wide variety of orchestral effects. But
it is unique in incorporating a set of pipes that allow
a brighter, clearer voicing reminiscent of organs in
use at the time of Johann Sebastian Bach.
We are fortunate to have a superb concert organist, Natasha
Ulyanovsky, as our Music Director. At most Shabbat services
and all High Holy days Services, she reveals the extent
of the organ’s capabilities, which quietly enrich each
of those events.
A Touch of Klez Band
Beth Israel's A Touch of Klez is made up of musicians of all ages.
At present our youngest is a ten year old viola player, and our senior is a
clarinet player in his 80's. We practice on Mondays from 6 to 7 PM, and share frailach joy
at a few Dance Onegs each year, as well as performing at the Chanukah and Purim
parties. We love being asked to play at other CBI simchas. We play a wide range
of Klezmer, Yiddish, and Israeli music. If you have a musical instrument gathering
dust in your closet, now is the time to shine it up, join the band, and bring frailach to
your soul.
New Americans
The New Americans Committee was organized in the
early 1990s to help immigrants from the former Soviet Union become part
of the
West Hartford
community and become active members of Congregation Beth
Israel. The Committee consists of New Americans and
long time members of CBI. The
Committee has provided help in many areas including education,
licensure help, clothing acquisition and home needs.
The Committee also provides
additional educational opportunities by coordinating lectures
by clergy and guests as well as weekly language
classes.
Seniors-
Dr. Robert A. Kramer Fund/Seniors for Arts, Growth & Education
(S.A.G.E.)
Latest News
For S.A.G.E. programs, click
here to
go to our Adult Education page.
S.A.G.E. is now offering Tai -Chi starting at 10:15 a.m. every
Tuesday.
Overview
A very popular weekly program held from late morning through
mid-day that provides great companionship through stimulating
activities. S.A.G.E. events include
guest speakers from all walks of life, luncheons, yoga classes,
films, musical presentations, discussion groups, computer
classes, a monthly Forum with the
Rabbi, and medical programs. Click
here to see our S.A.G.E. brochure.
Social
Justice
Latest News
Mobile Foodshare- A Food Pantry on Wheels
Continuing Beth Israel’s long-time commitment to feeding the hungry and
our long-term association with Foodshare, the regional food bank, the Temple,
through the Social Justice Committee, will be hosting Foodshare’s food
pantry truck every four weeks. This
vehicle, which distributes fresh produce as well as packaged food for the hungry
in the community, will be parked in the Farmington Avenue driveway, by the
street. Food can be picked up by those in need from 1 to 2 PM from the truck
which opens on both sides for ease of access to the various items. We join
just one other site in West Hartford, the Hillcrest Neighborhood Center, in
meeting the pressing needs of hungry children and adults in our community.
If you know of people who need a food donation, please
let them know about our program. If you would like to volunteer
in helping with the distribution of food on
fourth Thursdays, contact Marlene through the
office.
The Social Justice Committee is charged with the responsibility
of relating the ethical
and
spiritual principles of Judaism as expressed in the teachings
of the Torah, of the prophets, of the sages, and of the
rabbis of Israel to the problems of the world and of translating
into moral and ethical deeds and actions the Judaism we
profess. Through study and discussion, the Committee helps
to educate and activate the congregation concerning the
pressing problems and issues of the times in accord with
the basic tenets of Judaism.
To learn more about the Mitzvahs you can do, visit our Mitzvah
Opportunities page.
Temple Youth
Waiting for friends to Knock on YOUR Door??
Don’t just SIT there!!!
Find some friends and fun at CBI!
Click here for some cool ideas to do now...
Click here to see the WHTY website!
Our wonderfully energetic teen organization
(West Hartford Temple Youth - WHTY)
organizes numerous social and socially
conscious events throughout the
year. Because Beth Israel fully appreciates
its young members and realizes
the critical importance of nurturing
their Jewish identities and leadership
potential, the WHTY President holds
a seat on the Temple's Board
of Trustees.
Young Families
Latest News
Young Families and Friends meets on the third Friday of
the month for dinner and a young family Shabbat Service.
Our evening begins with Shabbat Blessings in Feldman Hall
at 6 p.m., followed by a catered dinner and young children’s
service. We finish up with dessert back in Feldman. The
cost for the dinner is $7 for adults and $5 for children.
It’s a casual atmosphere that is perfect for the
family with young children to share a Jewish experience
with their temple community.
Young
Professionals
For more information about Young
Professionals, contact Rabbi
Michael Pincus, mpincus@cbict.org.
