Dear Friends,
Rabbi’s Message
People commonly ask me what my favorite part of serving a congregation is, and the list is long, but one of the things that is on the top of that list is officiating at weddings. It is a miracle when two people find one another and fall in love! After all, the Talmud (Taanit 2a) says:
Rabba bar bar Ḥana says that Rabbi Yoḥanan says: It is as difficult to match a couple together as was the splitting of the Red Sea
The Talmud understands how difficult it is to find a life partner, so when people find one another, it’s a privilege to accompany and guide them on their path to sanctifying their relationship. When I marry a couple, the wedding day is never the beginning of our work together. It is the culmination of many hours of conversation and study.
In the months leading up to the chuppah, we meet six to eight times, usually for about an hour. We study Jewish texts about marriage and sacred partnership. We talk about their relationship. We explore their families of origin and the ways that these two family histories and cultures come together to form one new home. These conversations are quite sensitive, so we name the challenges, articulate the hopes, and they begin to clarify their shared values.
We also craft the ceremony itself. The traditional wedding framework is rich in meaning and symbolism, but we work to ensure that the ceremony feels personal as well. We think carefully about language and ritual. We discuss how to include parents, siblings, and loved ones who may never have experienced a Jewish wedding before. We spend time considering what the couple wants their guests to feel as well.
All of this is necessary if we want the wedding to be meaningful, not just beautiful. I really get to know the couple so that the wedding feels like a sacred accompaniment.
These conversations often help soften some of the inevitable stresses that arise in families around weddings. They create space for honesty, empathy, and healthier communication. They help couples identify both the values they share and the places where they will need patience, generosity, and growth as they build a life together.
And perhaps most importantly, they invite couples to think differently about marriage itself. Not as a single day, but as a lifelong practice. Not as a performance, but as a covenant.
It is one of the most rewarding parts of my rabbinate, and I look forward to celebrating many more smachot together with you!!
L’Shalom, Rabbi David A. Schuck
President’s Message
On the eve of a huge snowstorm in late January, approximately 70 Beth El members of all ages came together for an evening of pickleball and pickles. How does that connect to Beth El and why am I writing a bulletin article about it? Both excellent questions!
As I’ve spoken about and written about many times during my presidency, Beth El is many different things to its members. For some it is about Shabbat mornings, ritual observance, and/or education (of children and of adults). For many, it is also about connection and community. And for some it is primarily a social forum.
The pickleball evening provided a wonderful way for our community to come together in a totally different way. With our randomly assigned partners, I met people I didn’t know, saw firsthand the skills of people I know well, and laughed (and ran a lot after the ball!). Attending were people
of all ages and people who are literally at Beth El all the time and those who are rarely there.
And, lest this article is only about pickleball, there are many opportunities for social connections at the shul, from all-member events Sisterhood runs such as the upcoming Mah Jongg game night, to “Get Your Game On” put on for young families held on Shabbat afternoons, to kiddush every Saturday after shul. I encourage everyone to attend at least one of these social events to get to know more members of the community, and suggest other
Lauren Freeman-Bosworth President
Passover 5786
14-22 Nisan • Evening of Wednesday, April 1st – Thursday, April 9th, 2026
Wednesday, April 1st
Erev Pesach
Shacharit followed by Siyyum, 7:00am
Burning of Chametz, 9:00-10:00am
Mincha/Maariv, 6:00pm
Candle Lighting, 7:02pm
Thursday, April 2nd
Pesach
Festival Morning Services, 9:00am
Mincha/Maariv, 6:00pm
Candle Lighting, 8:03pm
Friday, April 3rd
Pesach, 1st Day Omer
Festival Morning Services, 9:00am
Mincha/Maariv, 6:30pm
Candle Lighting, 7:04pm
Saturday, April 4th
Chol Hamoed Pesach, 2nd Day Omer
Festival Morning Services, 9:00am
Mincha/Maariv, 7:10 pm
Havdalah, 8:05pm
Sunday, April 5th
Chol Hamoed Pesach, 3rd Day Omer
Shacharit, 8:15am
Mincha/Maariv, 7:10pm
Monday, April 6th
Chol Hamoed Pesach, 4th Day Omer
Shacharit, 7:00am
Mincha/Maariv, 7:10pm
Tuesday, April 7th
Chol Hamoed Pesach, 5th Day Omer
Shacharit, 7:00am
Mincha/Maariv, 6:00pm
Candle Lighting, 7:08pm
Wednesday, April 8th
Pesach, 6th Day Omer
Festival Morning Services, 9:00am
Mincha/Maariv, 6:00pm
Candle Lighting, 8:21pm
Thursday, April 9th
Pesach, Yizkor, 7th Day Omer
Hashkamah Minyan 7:00am
Festival Morning Services, 9:00am
Mincha/Maariv, 7:10pm
Havdalah, 8:10pm
Sale of Chametz
The last day to sell chametz is Tuesday, March 31st after morning minyan. It is preferable to perform the ritual sale of chametz in-person.
The entire clergy team will be available to buy your chametz immediately following morning and evening minyan daily.
Additionally, Cantor Gaby will be available at the following times:
Tuesday, March 24th
9:00am- 11:00am 2:00pm- 4:00pm
Wednesday, March 25th 11:00am- 1:00pm 5:00pm-7:00pm
Thursday, March 26th 9:00am- 11:00am 6:40pm-7:30pm
Friday March 27th 9:00am- 11:00am
Questions? Please contact Cantor Gaby at gschvartz@bethelnr.org.
Those who cannot attend to this matter during any of the times listed above may complete the form below and return it to the main office
Form for the Sale of Chametz
I, , do hereby authorize
Rabbi David Schuck of New Rochelle, New York, to act as my agent to sell chametz that may be in my possession, whether it be at home, place of business, or elsewhere in accord with the requirements and provisions of Jewish Law.
Address:
Phone:
Email:
I enclose a contribution for Maot Hittim (Passover Tzedakah) to help others less fortunate to celebrate the holiday.*
*Please make checks payable to Beth El Synagogue Center, and write, “Maot Hittim” in the memo line.
Shoresh Halev Center for Jewish Music at Beth El
We Count on You!
Shoresh Halev’s Prayer Intitiative is dedicated to enhancing our prayer experience on Shabbat, holidays and weekdays, and now, we’re turning our attention to our Daily Minyan. While this is not primarily a musical endeavour, there will be musical elements and the Daily Minyan deserves all of our attention and dedication. If Shabbat is the beating heart of our holy community, the Daily Minyan is the quiet pulse beneath it — steady, faithful, and life-giving.
The Jewish tradition of praying three times every day stretches back thousands of years and we have maintained our Daily Minyan at Beth El for over 100 years! We meet in the morning and then at sunset to recite afternoon and evening prayers. These short services happen every day, without fail, and distinguish us as the only Daily Minyan that prays three times a day with women and men participating equally. Our Daily Minyan is a spiritual resource for people throughout Westchester as well as for our own congregants.
The prayers of the Daily Minyan may only be recited with a quorum of at least 10 people (this quorum is the “minyan”). So the primary goal of this new “We Count on You!” marketing campaign is to make the importance of the Daily Minyan widely known, and to ensure we have the minimum 10 needed at every service.
Why is the Daily Minyan important? Because being in community is the true core value of Judaism, and the Daily Minyan is the sacred thread of prayer that binds us together as a community day after day. The Daily Minyan enables mourners to recite Kaddish throughout the year of mourning, surrounding them with the strength of community at a time when grief can make the world feel distant and isolating.
By coming to Daily Minyan, we have the opportunity to support vulnerable members of our community, and that is a precious and sacred act of spiritual generosity.
It is also an opportunity for personal growth, for learning, for socializing, for quiet reflection - in short, an opportunity for each of us to be lifted up.
As Rabbi Schuck has said, “The Daily Minyan is the ancient technology that enables us to feel our humanity. All of it!”
To support our Daily Minyan, Cantor Gaby, the Clergy Team and Shoresh Halev are launching the “We Count on You!” marketing initiative. The key elements include:
* Creating a team of “Minyanaires” to help organize and lead these efforts - please reach out to Cantor Gaby (gschvartz@bethelnr.org) or me and tell us you will be a part of this team!
* Giving instructions on how to use our Daily Minyan Sign-up App, an important tool for us to ensure that we have the requisite number for every service.
* Running the first ever “We Count on You!” phonathon to try to get all our families to participate in at least one minyan per year, and getting many people to sign up for weekly or monthly minyanim.
* Creating a team of volunteers who will help make a minyan in the homes of mourners for their week of shivah.
* Enhancing the Daily Minyan website with an FAQ including practical and educational elements, video testimonials, and notices of upcoming special events.
* Reaching out to new members to introduce them to the Daily Minyan.
* Inviting congregants to remember loved ones by saying Kaddish on the very anniversary (yahrtzeit) of their passing.
* Making themed and sponsored minyanim, such as a Pancake Breakfast Minyan, Donuts and Davening Minyan, Sunday Bagels, and other special gatherings.
* Widening the net so our Annual Minyan Breakfast becomes an even bigger, shul-wide event.
* Adding a featured box to our Shabbat Announcements and a dedicated article in the Bulletin with updates on the Daily Minyan.
* Involving post-Bnei Mitzvah teens in special morning minyans, before going to school.
Join Beth El’s Daily Minyan
* Creating teaching tools, such as an introductory booklet to the services, instructional “how-to” videos, resources for new mourners and saying Kaddish.
* Acknowledging and thanking the people in our community who attend the Daily Minyan.
Please join us in this wonderful effort. We count on you!
Your cooperation and support and suggestions are essential to our success.
As our sages teach, whenever ten people pray together, the Divine Presence rests among them and, from our gathering, the words of our hearts rise as one.
Jack Klebanow Music Director, Shoresh Halev Center for Jewish Music at Beth El
“Over time, I got used to Daily Minyan and grew to enjoy it on several levels taking time out of the day for prayer and reflection, the caring attention I received as a mourner, learning from the clergy, and socializing over bagels and coffee after morning minyan.”
Carrie Fox
Israel 360 | Engaging with Israel from all Perspectives
Israel 360 recently welcomed Beth El’s own Salo Aizenberg for a fascinating and timely program titled, “The War on Truth: Confronting the Disinformation Campaign Against Israel.” Salo explained how misinformation takes shape and spreads, and why misleading narratives about Israel so often gain traction. Drawing on real-world examples from media coverage and international reporting, he challenged us not only to recognize inaccuracies, but to become more discerning consumers of information. Through numerous examples, Salo showed us how critical media literacy has become in shaping public opinion about Israel and antisemitism, and a lively and thoughtful Q&A followed the presentation.
Next up, Israel 360 turned to a deeply personal story. On Thursday, February 26th, we screened “The Road Between Us,” which follows retired General Noam Tibon’s harrowing journey on October 7th, as he raced from Tel Aviv to Kibbutz Nahal Oz to rescue his son, daughter in law, and grandchildren during the Hamas attack.
Some may have read about the controversy surrounding the film at the Toronto International Film Festival. The festival initially declined to screen it, saying that the filmmakers
needed copyright permission to use GoPro footage recorded by the Hamas terrorists during the attacks. That decision raised serious questions and drew strong criticism, with many arguing that footage documenting acts of terror shouldn’t be treated like protected creative content. After public pushback, the film was reinstated, and it went on to win the festival’s People’s Choice Documentary Award, underscoring both the sensitivity of the material and the importance of bearing honest witness to what occurred.
Many in our community will also remember hearing from General Tibon’s son, Amir Tibon, who spoke to us from Israel shortly after October 7th at one of our Breakfast Briefings. Seeing this story unfold through Amir’s father’s eyes was a moving and unforgettable experience.
As always, Israel 360 is committed to offering programs that inform, challenge, and bring us together. We hope you’ll continue learning and reflecting with us in the months ahead.
Tamar Tait & Mark Seidenfeld Co-Chairs, Israel 360 Committee
Sunday, May 31st, 2026 11:30am-4:00pm
Register to join our group and take our bus bethelnr.org/israel-parade
Hostage Tag Project Donations in the Lobby
Beth El is proud to participate in The Hostage Tag Project, a collaborative effort of UJA-Federation and the Hostages and Missing Families Forum. We are collecting hostage tags and pins that will be transformed into a public, commemorative art installation that memorializes our collective activism for generations to come. You’ve worn these symbols close to your heart. Now, let them tell a larger story of our resilience and advocacy over the past two years. We’re honored to support this initiative. Our collection box can be found in the lobby. Thank you for being part of this meaningful moment
Beth El Sisterhood Social Action Initiative in conjunction with WE CARE and You Can Too…
…as we make blankets for children in CANCER TREATMENT at Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital in Valhalla
• WANT TO LEARN HOW TO KNIT OR CROCHET ?
Phyllis Feingold will teach starting February 27 on Thursdays from 10:00 to 12 Noon in the Board Room
If you know how to knit or crochet you can work at home-or join the group and schmooze as we work and learn together
Blankets must be made with washable acrylic yarn and should be approximately 36”x 36” and colorful
• YOU MAY PREFER TO DONATE MONEY OR SUPPLIES
We have some supplies to get started but will need more.
Bring supplies to Beth El indicating it is for Sisterhood
To donate money, make check payable to Beth El Sisterhood noting
We Care Blankets and Mail to: Rita Kaufman 188 Tewkesbury Road, Scarsdale, NY 10583
• You MUST REGISTER for We Care and/or for Questions
Leave a message at: wecaresisterhood@gmail.com
Looking forward to working with you from the We Care Blankets CommitteeCindy Shechter, Chair
Dorothy Fox, Judi Kenter, Rita Kaufman, Phyllis Feingold
Keruv | Accessibility & Inclusion @ Beth El
In honor of Jewish Disability Awareness, Acceptance, and Inclusion Month (JDAIM), the Keruv Committee held an Accessibility Tour to explore accommodations for people with disabilities throughout the synagogue building and to discuss potential improvements. Seven committee members participated in the tour, in person and via zoom, together with Liz Clain (Executive Director) and Anthony Maiolo (Facility Director). We found that accessibility challenges fall into 3 buckets: ones that we know how to address; ones that require more research to find the right solution; and ones that require assistance from everyone in the building. This is where you come in!
Here are some simple ways you can make our building more inclusive:
• The front doors are very heavy and difficult to open for people who use a walker or can, are pushing a stroller, have an injury, or whose arms are full. Please be mindful of fellow congregants who need help opening the door, but only help people enter if you know them personally. Strangers must be screened by security.
• We have two single bathrooms that are handicap accessible and gender inclusive – one on the upper level between the den and the kitchen, and one on the lower level next to the women’s bathroom. People who need to use these bathrooms often find they need to wait. If you are able to use the general public bathrooms downstairs, please do so and direct your young children to do the same. This will help ensure that the accessible bathrooms are available when people need them.
• The sanctuary has three white stands that can be used while standing if the prayer books are too heavy to hold. They can be wheeled to your seat and the angle and
Calling All Volunteers!
Beth El is looking for volunteers to help lead our efforts to expand Beth El’s involvement in the following areas: social action, chesed, and community building/ social programming.
height of the stand can be adjusted. Please use them if you need them, and please do not cover them with your coats or bags.
• The sanctuary has empty spaces and chairs designated for people with special needs such as those using walkers or wheelchairs and their companions. When you walk into the sanctuary off the lobby, these seats are in the aisle closest to you and along the wall on your right. Please pay attention to the signs and do not remove them, and please help us reserve these seats for people who truly need them.
• Whenever speaking to the congregation, remember to speak loudly, slowly and stay close to the microphone to help everyone hear and understand you. The microphone needs to be closer to your mouth than you think!
• When services end and people congregate in front of the sanctuary doors, it can be difficult for people with limited mobility to leave the room. Please be mindful not to block doors and socialize in the lobby or at kiddush.
• In general, pay attention to those around you and offer assistance if someone needs help getting up to the bema, finding a seat, locating the prayer books, figuring out what page we are on, or anything else.
Thank you for taking these steps and everything else you to help foster inclusivity in our community.
As always, please contact info@bethel.org or (914) 235-2700 with accessibility needs so we can address them.
Carrie Fox Keruv Committee
If you are someone who is looking to get more involved, please contact Beth El’s Programming Director Stephanie Lederman at slederman@bethelnr.org join the chesed committee!
You can help provide kosher food for our community in their times of need. In the past, the committee has run special seders, provided shiva meals for those in need, and also those whose health was failing.
Contact Beth El Chesed Co-Chairs Sandy Gruenberg and Joyce Wechsler at gamson36@gmail.com
Chesed
Bikkur Cholim – Caring for Homebound Members
The mitzvah of bikkur cholim —caring for those who are ill or homebound—has deep roots in our tradition. The rabbis teach that when Avraham was recovering from his brit milah, God visited him, modeling the power of presence and care.
At Beth El, our Chesed efforts include community members reaching out to homebound congregants and others who may appreciate a friendly phone call or an occasional visit. These small acts of connection can make a real difference.
Opening Our Seder Tables
Pesach may feel far away, but it arrives quickly. Each year, individuals and families in our community find themselves looking for a place at a seder table—for many reasons: being new to the area, living alone, traveling far from family, or navigating a time of transition.
At the beginning of the Haggadah we declare:
“Let all who are hungry come and eat; let all who are in need come and celebrate Pesach.”
Opening your seder table is a meaningful way to put these words into practice—and a chance to welcome new voices and perspectives into your Pesach experience.
Connecting Through Chesed If you know someone in our community who might benefit from a check-in, a call, a visit, or an invitation to a seder, please reach out. We are also looking for volunteers—whether to make occasional phone calls, visit homebound members, or host guests at a seder. No prior experience is necessary; guidance and support will be provided.
To request support or volunteer, please contact Rabbi Viki Bedo at vbedo@bethelnr.org or (914) 235-2700, ext. 427
Sisterhood
First of all, thank you for your support of Sisterhood by joining in unprecedented numbers this year. Your support helps to fund our ongoing projects, as well as creating new opportunities and activities for our growing community.
Our annual Shiva Meal fundraiser is well under way; your generosity funds the shiva dinners Sisterhood provides for those in mourning.
Mah Jongg Game Night, an inter-generational evening with the PTA, promises to be an evening of fun with many new faces in attendance.
Our annual Sisterhood Shabbat is scheduled for April 25, 2026; this has always been a vehicle for women of our synagogue to learn many skills within the context of the Shabbat service.
In addition, mark your calendars for the Sisterhood Gala honoring our past president, Marcia Assor, on June 11, 2026.
On a weekly basis, join us for mah johgg and canasta and our latest endeavor, We Care Blankets, knitting/crocheting for pediatric cancer patients in hospitals around the area. If you have never knit or crochet before, or need some guidance
in refreshing your skills, we have very talented people ready, willing and certainly able to help! Pictured below, Bob Schepp and Penny Shema with the group’s latest creations. Visit bethelnr.org/sisterhood to learn more about all these opportunities to connect.
Each Thursday, when the Beth El Shabbat Announcements arrive in my inbox, I make sure to scroll to the end of the email so I know what is going on in the shul. There are so many important activities, I don’t want to miss any! I hope you feel the same.
Beth El Sisterhood
Vickie Fisher
Beth El Nursery School
Tu Bishvat: Growth, Wonder, and the Environment as Teacher
Here in the Northern Hemisphere, winter still surrounds us. Trees stand bare, the ground feels frozen, and growth appears paused. And yet, the Jewish calendar invites us to look more closely. Tu Bishvat, the birthday of the trees, asks us to notice the quiet work happening beneath the surface and to trust in the promise of growth, even when it is not yet visible. This message aligns beautifully with our Reggio Emilia philosophy, which views children as capable, curious, and full of potential. Just as trees grow in their own time, children construct understanding through meaningful experiences, relationships, and reflection. Tu Bishvat, which falls on the fifteenth day of the Hebrew month of Shevat, usually arrives in January or February. While winter still holds us here, in Israel the rainy season is ending and the trees are beginning to awaken. Each year at the Nursery School, we mark this moment by celebrating Tu Bishvat as the birthday of the trees and as an opportunity to strengthen children’s relationship with the natural world.
This year, we transformed the Youth Lounge into a Tu Bishvat Expo, thoughtfully designed to serve as the environment as the third teacher. The space itself offered invitations for exploration, provoking curiosity, supporting independence, and encouraging deep engagement. As children entered, they followed their own interests, self-selected materials, and explored at their own pace, honoring our belief in the child as an active participant in learning.
Natural and open-ended materials formed the foundation of every experience. Soil became a language for investigation as children scooped, poured, patted, and transferred it from one vessel to another. There were no predetermined outcomes, only opportunities for sensory exploration, experimentation, and joy. Leaves, greenery, pinecones, and flowers were placed on overhead projectors and light tables, allowing children
to explore light, shadow, and transformation. Wooden loose parts and large wooden blocks invited problem-solving, collaboration, and creativity, while mirrored surfaces reflected both structures and the children themselves, reinforcing a sense of belonging and identity.
Other experiences invited careful observation and sustained focus. Matching images of fresh fruits to their dried forms required concentration and visual discrimination. Simple materials such as Cheerios and pipe cleaners became bird feeders, Throughout the Expo, the children demonstrated their competence as thinkers and makers, expressing ideas through many “languages,” including movement, construction, sensory play, and care for living things.
No birthday celebration would be complete without special treats. The children enjoyed a colorful array of dried fruits— orange apricots, black prunes, wrinkly figs, brown dates and raisins, connecting tradition, nourishment, and celebration.
Tu Bishvat holds particular meaning for today’s children. As environmental awareness becomes increasingly essential to our shared future, this holiday reminds us that caring for the earth is a sacred responsibility. Through hands-on experiences and meaningful encounters with nature, children begin to develop respect, appreciation, and a sense of stewardship for the world around them.
Celebrating Tu Bishvat together as a school community gave the children a deep sense of kedusha, the sacredness of trees, of the earth, and of their role within it. We believe that if trees could speak, this is exactly the kind of celebration they would ask for: one rooted in wonder, respect, and relationship.
Ronnie Becher Director, Beth El Nursery School
Beth El Day Camp
Sneak Peek at Summer 2026
Summer may still be on the horizon, but the excitement is already building at Beth El Day Camp! We’re thrilled to share a sneak peek at some of the amazing new experiences coming campers’ way in Summer 2026.
New Program Highlights:
Trampoline Fitness with Universal Mom Chanell
Campers ages 3 and up will enjoy a brand-new weekly fitness class focused on playful movement, balance-building, and fun fitness challenges using trampolines. These highenergy sessions keep campers active, engaged, and smiling. Get ready to jump for joy!
A New Interactive Bubble Experience with Bubble Show Plus
We’ve popped bubbles before and wowed campers with bubble shows, but this summer brings the best of both worlds! Bubble Show Plus offers an interactive, small-group bubble experience where campers will watch incredible bubble creations and then jump in to create their own. It is bound to be a bubbly special day!
STEM with MakeInspires
We are excited to partner with MakeInspires, a leader in hands-on STEM education.
• Campers ages 3 to 7 will explore movement-based learning, mechanics, LEGO engineering, and robotics.
• Campers ages 8 to 12 will dive into circuits, rocketry, and engineering challenges with projects they can take home.
Sports with NeverStopMoving365
Sports have always been an important part of Beth El Day Camp, and this summer we are eager to offer an even more intentional and elevated experience. NeverStopMoving365 brings a structured, engaging, and age-appropriate approach to our sports curriculum. Our focus will be on skill-building, teamwork, confidence, and fun!
Families can also look forward to all the activities campers know and love, including swimming, tennis, yoga, karate (ages 5+), magic and drumming (ages 6+), nature, art, music, and so much more!
To learn more or register, visit betheldaycamp.org. For questions, please contact our leadership team at daycamp@bethelnr.org. We hope you’ll join us for the Best.Days.Ever.
Rebecca Guralnik and Zoe Schein Beth El Day Camp
Department of Youth and Family
Making Connections in New Rochelle: Partners at Work on MLK Day 2026
On January 19th, Beth El held its annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service. 2026 marked a notable change in the program’s history—this was the first year an interfaith component was included to honor Dr. King’s commitment to bringing together people of different faiths and races. Beth El hosted members of Shiloh Baptist Church, a historic New Rochelle congregation founded in 1899 by formerly enslaved people, alongside synagogue congregants. The partnership reflects Alyssa Berman and Rabbi Bedo’s ongoing interfaith initiatives in the New Rochelle community.
The 90-minute event brought together approximately 176 people from Beth El and 30 from Shiloh Baptist Church. Eight stations engaged both communities while giving back to local Jewish and Christian organizations.
With the help of many dedicated volunteers, participants decorated 60 colorful flower pots, which were donated to residents of Shiloh’s senior living community. They also assembled 125 cocoa kits for Shiloh Baptist Church’s food
pantry. Each kit included a community-donated mug, cozy socks, and hot chocolate mix.Participants baked 672 chocolate chip cookies and prepared 125 sack lunches containing cheese sandwiches, snacks, and fruit for HOPE’s kosher food pantry. Additional stations produced 11 fleece blankets for Project Linus, which provides handmade blankets to children facing serious illness or trauma, and 60 soup-in-a-jar kits for Shiloh Baptist’s food pantry. A bird feeder station allowed our youngest participants to create a bird feeder to take home.
The event brought together intergenerational participants from both communities and is expected to launch an ongoing interfaith relationship between the church and Beth El. A great big Todah, thank you, to all of the volunteers!
Noah Wolfson Parent, Planning Committee Member
Social Committee
The Beth El Social Committee was formed to bring purely social events to Beth El adults of all age groups. We strive to plan fun gatherings which, outside of religious services and other traditional synagogue settings, allow Beth El members to strengthen connections with people they know from the community, and, even more importantly, to meet new people they may have seen at the synagogue but haven’t had a chance to get to know. Our kickoff event in October was a dessert and cocktail party at a congregant’s home
at a local gym, also on a Saturday night, where 65 people gathered to play and/or to schmooze. Feedback from these events has been overwhelmingly positive, and we encourage you to join in on the fun. We are already planning our next event for a date to be determined in the Spring. Please keep an eye out for a save the date announcement and details. We welcome any ideas you may have for future events. Please contact robpatchen@gmail.com or patchenlisa@ gmail.com if you would like to be involved. We hope to see
Safety & Security
Security Awareness Training at Beth El
On Wednesday, March 18th at 7:00pm, Beth El will host an evening situational awareness education session. This training is part of our ongoing commitment to creating a safe, prepared, and caring synagogue environment for our staff, leadership, and congregants.
All Beth El community members are encouraged to attend this important training. Registration details can be found at bethelnr.org/security-awareness.
The training will be led by Bill Hayes of the Community Security Initiative (CSI), a regional program created in 2019 by UJA and JCRC-NY to protect and strengthen Jewish institutions across the greater New York metropolitan area and Southwest Connecticut. CSI serves more than 3,400 synagogues, schools, camps, and organizations. In addition, officers from the New Rochelle Police will be in attendance to answer questions.
About the Community Security Initiative (CSI)
CSI takes a comprehensive approach to community security, coordinating closely with local law enforcement, tracking
Important Notice Regarding Cemetery Plot Costs
Judaism encourages us to care for one another not only in life, but also in how we prepare for the end of life. For many, making burial arrangements in advance is an act of loveone that brings peace of mind and spares children and loved ones from having to make difficult decisions during a time of grief.
Beth El maintains dedicated sections at Sharon Gardens and Mount Eden, where congregants may purchase burial plots at a cost significantly lower than purchasing directly through the cemeteries. Many members find comfort in knowing they will one day be laid to rest among others from their Beth El community.
threats to the Jewish community, responding to antisemitic incidents, and helping institutions improve physical security. CSI also provides security assessments, guidance for federal and state security grants, emergency communications systems, and hands-on training for staff and lay leaders.
About Bill Hayes
Bill Hayes brings extensive experience working directly with Jewish institutions to improve preparedness through education and practical training. He regularly leads sessions on awareness, emergency response, and active threat scenarios, grounding his work in real-world experience and an understanding of Jewish communal life.
Any questions please contact the Security Committee Chairs: Michael Dorfman at michaelalandorfman@gmail.com or Rachel Casanova at casanovard@yahoo.com.
Security Awareness Training
Wednesday, March 18th, 2026, 7:00pm Register at bethelnr.org/security-awareness
On July 1st, the cost of Beth El plots will increase from $3,200 per plot to $3,750. This will be the first increase in 5 years. We wanted to make sure the congregation was aware of this change so you can plan accordingly.
If you are interested in purchasing plots, please reach out to Liz Clain at eclain@bethelnr.org.
We understand that planning for the future can be difficult and may bring up strong emotions. Our clergy are here to provide support whenever needed. By taking care of these arrangements now, families can provide their children with the gift of clarity, peace, and reassurance for the years ahead.
Green Team
This year, Tu Bishvat fell on Monday, February 2nd. Beth El’s Green Team celebrated its connection to the holiday by posting on all kiddush tables on the prior shabbat, January 31st. We’ve re-posted the nuggets of information below for those who missed them, please take this opportunity to note the connection between the holiday and the work of the Green Team.
Over forty years ago, Jewish groups started associating Tu Bishvat, an ancient agricultural holiday marking the Mishnah’s new year of trees, with the emerging environmental movement. If trees are to be celebrated, the logic roughly goes, let’s plant more of them, take care of them as they grow, and avoid wasting what is cut down. It’s a logic aligned with the God placing man in the Garden of Eden “to till it and tend to it” (Gen. 2:15). The care to be taken with trees has, via the environmental movement, spread throughout nature, which brings us precisely to Beth El’s composting program.
There are, of course, numerous ways “to till and tend” nature; composting is an important one. Your kiddush food waste, and the compostable plates, cups, napkins, knives, and forks used at most kiddush lunches, can all be turned
into a nutrient-rich soil additive. What were once eating implements and food wastes decay into a dark fertilizing substance rightly called “black gold” by those in the field. Our program and others like it all over the world transform organic matter into something that feeds plants, improves soil health, and reduces landfill waste and methane emissions. The Green Team is now working to expand Beth El’s composting program beyond kiddush lunch, and with help from local Westchester governments, you can try it at home. See the Nuggets for details and the photos below for how Green Team members are composting at home. (Note: You do NOT need to (a) have a yard, or (b) buy an expensive composting machine for your countertop).
We (the Green Team) have fun at kiddush when we spend 20-30 minutes at the end of lunch, by the compost bins, as we make sure folks toss the right stuff in the right bin. It’s easy, it’s social, and it helps the earth. To date, a rough calculation shows that Beth El has diverted over 1,000 big, black garbage bags from landfills. You do not have to be a Green Team member to take on “kiddush compost duty” on one or more occasions. If interested, email Jayne Peister at PeisterJS@gmail.com.
Lifelong Learners at Beth El
SMART
Lead by Shari Baum, MSW Mondays | 11:00am - 12:00pm
Canasta | Mondays | 1:00pm Mahjong | Tuesdays | 1:00pm Contact Ellen Hollander: 914.419.5636
Lifelong Learners
Lunch & Lear n:
Lunch & Lear n:
Tuesday, A pril 21
Tuesday, A pril 21
10:00am Coffee and Shmooze
10:15am Silver Sneakers: Flex
$5 to participate
Free with Silver Sneakers Members
11:30am Gideon Vardi: What do you see?
In honor of Israel's birthday, explore the fascinating photography of Gideon Vardi and stay for an Israeli lunch!
Gideon Vardi captures the beauty of Eucalyptus trees in Israel by zooming into sections of its bark. And he does all of this only with the camera on his cell phone and minimal to no editing. His low-tech style and natural choice of subject are a perfect match for each other, as Vardi brings the unique swirls of Eucalyptus bark to Beth El in a raw and realistic form.
By moving away from naming his photographs, Vardi invites the viewer to find their own interpretation, their own shapes in the bark. Photos will be for sale after the presentation.
The program is sponsored by an anonymous donor.
12:30pm Falafel Lunch- RSVP by April 17th.
Beth El Community News
Mazal tov to:
Mazal tov to Nurit Pacht & Rami Vamos on the bar mitzvah of their son Yonah.
Mazal tov to Barbara & Hal Shulman on their 65th wedding anniversary.
Mazal tov to Elissa Baum on the birth of her tenth greatgrandchild, Alexander Wolf Baum-Schwarz, grandparents Simeon and Duffie Baum, to parents Gaby and Jacob Baum-Schwarz, and to big sister Michaela.
Mazal tov to Esther and Mark Mildner on the wedding of their daughter Carrie Mildner and Greg Silverstein.
Mazal tov to Alicia Lerman & Yoel Heistein on the bar mitzvah of their son, Benjamin Heistein, and mazal tov also to Jay & Barbara Lerman on the bar mitzvah of their grandson along with the extended Lerman and Heistein families.
Mazal tov to Robin Kaphan on the birth of her granddaughter, Charlie Stella Coyle, and mazal tov also to parents Alison and Timothy Coyle.
Mazal tov to Youth & Family Dept. & Religious School Director Alyssa Berman and Andrew Berman on the birth of their son on January 10th.
Mazal tov to Jenny & Randy Longman on the bat mitzvah of their daughter, Eden Longman.
Mazal tov to Lauren & Jason Friedlander on the bar mitzvah of their son, Ari Friedlander
Mazal tov to Helene Katz on the marriage this weekend of her granddaughter, Emma, daughter of Shari & Michael Katz to Zac Goldberg, son of Michelle & Jared Goldberg.
Mazal tov to Lois Kohn Claar & Gary Claar on the engagement of their daughter Lilly Claar to Daniel Silberwasser, son of Abbe Rosenbaum & Luis Silberwasser. Mazal tov also to grandparents, Fred and Joyce Claar.
Mazal tov to Bernie Katz on his 98th birthday.
A warm Beth El mazal tov to one and all!
Condolences to:
Condolences to Richard (Robin Bronk) Schechtman on the loss of his mother, Ethel Schechtman z”l, and condolences also to Arielle and Olivia on the loss of their grandmother and Juliette on the loss of her great-grandmother.
Condolences to Alicia Miller-Talmadge & Scott Talmadge on the loss of Alicia’s mother, Helaine Miller z”l. Condolences to Michael (Cheryl Gilbert) Dorfman and Deena (Leonard) Friedland on the loss of their mother, Shirley Dorfman z”l. Condolences also to Hannah (Boaz Saidman) Friedland, Evan (Sarah) Friedland, Stephanie (Sam) Berkovitz, Andrew Dorfman, Rachel Cohen-Dorfman, and Rebecca Cohen-Dorfman on the loss of their grandmother.
Condolences to Beth El Religious School teacher Emily (Will) Herzfeld on the loss of her father Martin Schiller z”l.
Condolences to Scott (Rhonda) Afran on the loss of their mother, Phyllis Afran z”l.
Condolences to Joyce (Michael) Wechsler on the loss of her brother Penn Chabrow z”l.
Condolences to Leonora Loewentheil on the loss of her sister, Evelyne Mitchel z”l.
We record the losses suffered by our members and friends and extend to them our deepest sympathies.
Share your milestone events with us
If you experience a milestone or a loss in your family contact Zoe Raynes at zraynes@bethelnr.org or (914) 235-2700, ext. 223
Kiddush Sponsors
The kiddush of January 3rd was sponsored by Nurit Pacht & Rami Vamos in honor of the bar mitzvah of their son Yonah Pacht Vamos.
The kiddush of January 9th was sponsored by Alicia Lerman and Yoel Heistein in honor of the bar mitzvah of their son, Benjamin Heistein.
The kiddush of January 24th was sponsored by Jenny and Randy Longman in honor of the bat mitzvah of their daughter Eden Longman.
The kiddush of January 31st was sponsored by Paul Oestreicher and David Oestreicher in honor of their mother, Ann’s 95th birthday, and the Green Team has contributed to the kiddush in honor of the holiday Tu Bishvat.
The kiddush of February 7th was sponsored by Lauren & Jason Friedlander in honor of the bar mitzvah of their son, Ari Friedlander.
B’Yachad Fund
Beth El Gives
Thank you to all who have contributed to Beth El’s Annual B’Yachad Fundraiser. And thank you to those who increased their donations by 10% (indicated with a *). The contributions listed were received after December 22nd, 2025. Contributions received before that date were listed in the January Bulletin.
Builder ($18,000 and above)
Marshall Matos
Other Donations
Robin Kaphan
General Fund
(Includes Kiddush Luncheon Fund)
Michael Siegell; Arye Stern
In Honor of:
Elise & Barry Richman on your 45th wedding anniversary, from Thomas & Pearl Sullivan, Lawrence & Barbara Orans and Naana Cobbina.
The Beth El clergy with thanks for welcoming me to say kaddish every day, from Deborah Shapira.
The birth of a granddaughter to Erica & Larry Epstein, from Margo Lampert.
And with thanks to Beth El for helping me to fulfill my yahrzeit obligations through the minyan, from Sylvia Texon Rogers.
Deena Davis on her 80th birthday, from Gail & Barry Mahler.
The birth of our new grandson, Steven Lynn Bildirici, son of Diana and Rafael Bildirici, and new brother of Salvo and Claudia, from Lynn Chinitz & Steven Gruenstein. Eliana Kaufman-Haft on her bat mitzvah, from Rita & David Kaufman.
Ann Zisser for her dedication and enthusiasm for teaching b’nai mitzvah students, from Randy & Jenny Longman.
Our friend Marc Lazarus a staunch supporter of Beth El community and faithful participant in the daily morning minyan, from Gerald & Susan Spielholtz.
The clergy and staff at Beth El for their teaching and support as we mark Ari’s becoming a bar mitzvah. Particular thank you to Rabbi Sitkin and Cantor Gaby for their work with Ari over the past year, from Lauren & Jason Friedlander.
In Memory of:
Robert Berman z”l, from Thomas & Pearl Sullivan.
Ethel Steinman z”l, from Howard Steinman & Barbara Birshtein.
Mildred Wasserman Kraft z”l, beloved mother of Peter Wasserman, from Debbie & Steven Young.
Steven Shulman z”l, beloved brother of Hal Shulman, from Ira & Cynthia Shechter.
Kenny Gold z”l beloved brother of Bruce Gold, from Ira & Cynthia Shechter, and Barbara & Bob Cohen.
Hannelies & Jules Guggenheim z”l, from Marsha & Ralph Guggenheim.
Robert Orans z”l, beloved father of Lawrence Orans, from Lawrence & Barbara Orans.
Our beloved mothers on their yahrzeits, from Susan and Bob Goldstein.
Shirley Dorfman z”l, beloved mother of Michael Dorfman, from Shirin & Steven Stein.
Hannah Opatut z”l, may her memory be a blessing, from Andrea Kaiser.
Benjamin Applebaum z”l, from Glen Applebaum.
Dr. Irving Chinitz z”l, father of Lynn Chinitz and Louise Abrams z”l, sister of Lynn Chinitz on the anniversary of their yahrzeits, from Lynn Chinitz & Steven Gruenstein. Ruben Silverman z”l on his yahrzeit, from Lawrence Silverman.
Penn Chabrow z”l, beloved brother of Joyce Wechsler, from Shirin & Steven Stein.
The Robert Matthew Klein Fund for Inclusion and Special Needs
In Honor of:
Elise & Barry Richman for your 45th wedding anniversary, from Elise & Bob Schepp.
In Memory of:
Steven Shulman z”l, beloved brother of Hal Shulman, from Judi Schmeidler.
Lea-Lucy and Morris Ferstenberg z”l, from Annette Ferstenberg.
Warren Kashuk z”l, beloved father of Gwen Salmo, from Howard Steinman & Barbara Birshtein, and Elise & Bob Schepp.
Irwin Davidson z”l, beloved husband of Ilene Davidson, from Elise & Bob Schepp.
Jenn’s grandmother, Lena B. Weiss z”l, from Jennifer & Dan Lifshey.
The Yvette and Herman Gordon Century Fund for Adult Teaching and Learning
Andrea Spitz; Charlotte Yudin; Salo Aizenberg.
In Honor of:
Rabbi Barry and Judi Kenter for hosting a wonderful Hanukkah latkes and candle lighting supper, from Louise & Jay Silverman.
Rabbi Sitkin for teaching the Legends of the Jews class, from Jeff & Susan Adler.
Elise & Barry Richman for your 45th wedding anniversary, from Mark & Esther Mildner.
Mark and Esther Mildner on the marriage of their daughter, Carrie to Gregg Silverstein, from Joyce & Michael Wechsler.
In Memory of:
Leo Bernstein z”l, from Paul Bernstein and Lisa Capelouto.
Ada Hirsh z”l, Hyman Levinsky z”l and Sophie Levinsky z”l, from Yvette Gordon.
Meri-Jane’s parents, Eli Gershon and Pearl Friedman Rochelson z”l, on their yahrzeits, from Meri-Jane Rochelson and Joel Mintz.
Capital Improvement Fund
In Memory of:
Shirley Dorfman z”l, mother of Michael Dorfman and grandmother of Stephanie Berkovitz and Andrew Dorfman, from Dina & David Brot.
Shoresh Halev Center for Jewish Music Fund
Elise Nemirow
In Honor of:
An inspirational youth shabbat, from Shari & Marvin Chinitz.
Eden Longman’s bat mitzvah, from Shari & Marvin Chinitz.
Judy & Elliot Schwartz on the bar mitzvah in Israel of your grandson, from Shari & Marvin Chinitz.
In Memory of:
Kenny Gold z”l beloved brother of Bruce Gold, from Dorothy Fox, and Gary Claar & Lois Kohn-Claar.
Music lover, George Tecklin z”l, from Jeff Mittleman & Susan Eichen.
Ethel Schechtman z”l, beloved mother of Richard Schechtman, from Steven & Debbie Young.
Helaine Miller z”l, beloved mother of Alicia Talmadge, from Lois Kohn Claar & Gary Claar, and Susan Kheel.
Ruth Stein z”l on her yahrzeit, from Shirin & Steven Stein. Penn Chabrow z”l, beloved brother of Joyce Wechsler, from Meri-Jane Rochelson & Joel Mintz.
Dorothy & Donald Fleishaker Religious School Enrichment Fund
In Honor of:
The dedication of the parochet in the Den in memory of Donald Fleishaker z”l, from Mark & Esther Mildner.
Mark and Esther Mildner on the marriage of their daughter, Carrie to Gregg Silverstein, from Abbe Fleishaker.
Rabbi Schuck, Rabbi Sitkin, Rabbi Bedo, Cantor Gaby, and Music Director Jack Klebanow for the beautiful dedication of the minyan ark curtain donated in memory of my father, Donald Fleishaker z”l, from Abbe Fleishaker.
Jeremy Scheinfeld Memorial Fund
In Honor of:
Erica and Larry Epstein on the birth of their granddaughter, Lyla Ruth from Lynn Chinitz & Steven Gruenstein.
My beloved grandchildren: Jack Bodhi Lee, Chare Stella Coyle, Presley Jane Kaphan, Maxwell Lee, Ruby Eva and Noah Paul Kaphan, from Robin Kaphan.
In Memory of:
Kenny Gold z”l beloved brother of Bruce Gold, from Geralynn & David Reifer, and Carol & Stephen Herzberg.
Mildred Wasserman Kraft z”l, beloved mother of Peter Wasserman, from Alisa Kesten.
Louis Goldbecht z”l, from Ruth & Marc Sininsky.
Shirley Dorfman z”l, beloved mother of Michael Dorfman, from Geralynn & David Reifer.
Penn Chabrow z”l, beloved brother of Joyce Wechsler, from Geralynn & David Reifer.
My beloved husband Dr. Mitchell Kaphan on his yahrzeit, from Robin Kaphan and the children and grandchildren.
The Sylvia & Robert Scher Chesed Community Fund
In Honor of:
The Chesed Community for all of the help and support it provided when I had my shoulder surgery in February, from Kenneth Katz.
Holly Rosen Fink’s Birthday, from Tammy Bloom.
In Memory of:
Warren Kashuk z”l, beloved father of Gwen Salmo, from Phyllis & Harvey Jay.
Shirley Dorfman z”l, mother of Michael Dorfman, from Jeff Mittleman & Susan Eichen.
Penn Chabrow z”l, beloved brother of Joyce Wechsler, from Lori & Steve Schwartz.
Endowment Fund
In Honor of:
THANK YOU!
The 45th wedding anniversary of Elise & Barry Richman, from Marc & Barbara Klee.
The Honorable Emily Rubin on her election, from Marc & Barbara Klee.
Day Camp Fund
In Honor of: Jamie Fried.
Men’s Club Fund
In Honor of:
Marc’s Aliyah on the Anniversary of his bar mitzvah, from Marc & Barbara Klee.
In Memory of:
Marc’s father Walter Klee z”l on his yahrzeit, from Marc & Barbara Klee.
Penn Chabrow z”l, beloved brother of Joyce Wechsler, from Marc & Barbara Klee.
Youth and Family Engagement Fund
Jamie Fried
In Honor of:
The birth of Alan Greenberg’s granddaughter Liat, and mazal tov to parents Lauren and Aaron, from Josh Rehr & Elana Jacob, and Phyllis & Harvey Jay.
Alyssa Berman’s birth of a baby boy, from Thomas & Pearl Sullivan.
In Memory of:
Steven Shulman z”l, beloved brother of Hal Shulman, from Elliot & Susan Lesser.
Yahrzeit Donations
Raphael Abada; Richard Aronow; Rhona, Danny and Jason Aronstein; Howard E. Berman; Susan Diamond; Noah & Leah Edelson; Jacqueline & Avi Einzig; Nathan Eisler; Steven & Pamela Eliach; Erica Epstein; Ruth Esses; Marilyn Falow; Lea Gabbay; Adele Gentin; Susan Goldstein & Family; Carol Greenwald; Greta Gross; Sandy Gruenberg; Brenda Guber; Sheldon Haber; Micki & Gary Joseph; Marcia Kahn; Sylvia Kahn; Arlene Kamer; Cindy Klein; Deborah Koch; Milton Kreppel and Julie Kattan; Stanley Krieg; Melvin Leitner; Caryn Levison; Leonora Loewentheil; Helga Luden; Adam & Debra Mayblum; Lois Morgenstern; Dianne Newman; Goldie Newman; Judith Pace & Family; Lynda & Herb Posner; Barbara Protass; Lester Resman; Richard Robbins; Jerry Rosenblum; Huguette Rosenthal; Sharon & George Rozansky; Evelyn & Barry Salter; Ira & Cynthia Shechter; Lloyd Sherman; Marsha & Warren Sherman; Barbara Simon; Rabbi Melvin & Lenore Sirner; Leslie Snyder; Andrew Tannen; Joyce & Michael Wechsler; Beth Weinberg; William Winters.
Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund
Seth Leibowitz & Dori Graff in honor of the wonderful Beth El Clergy and staff who helped Cassidy prepare and execute her recent bat mitzvah; Shari & Marvin Chinitz in memory of Irwin Davison z”l, beloved husband of Ilene Davison; Jonathan & Debbie Rieber with thanks to Rabbi Schuck for conducting a beautiful service in honor of Jacob Rieber’s bar mitzvah; Jonathan & Debbie Rieber with thanks to Rabbi Sitkin for helping with the D’var Torah for Jacob’s bar mitzvah; Jay & Barbara Lerman in memory of Melvin Lerman z”l on his yahrzeit; Harriet Schwartz in memory of her mother Tess Meyrowitz z”l and husband J. Leonard Schwartz z”l on their yahrzeits; Jeffrey & Roberta Graf in memory of Jeffrey’s beloved grandpa, Oskar Graf z”l; Baruch Weiss and Laura Blumenfeld in honor of the Beth El clergy; Nathan & Marcia Assor in memory of Mildred Wasserman Kraft z”l, beloved mother of Peter Wasserman; Laura Lewis for the recovery of her brother-in-law, Yehoshua ben Sara; Nora Klion Wolloch in memory of Benjamin Watkins z”l on his yahrzeit; Risa Ryger & Peter Wasserman in memory of Mildred Wasserman Kraft z”l and with thanks to Rabbi Bedo for the beautiful service at shiva; Deanne & Rick Turim in memory of Mildred Wasserman Kraft z”l; Phyllis Cole in memory of Hal Shulman’s beloved brother, Steven Shulman z”l; Marc & Anita Zoldessy in honor of Barbara and Jay Lerman on the bar mitzvah of their grandson Benjamin Heistein; Carol Perlman in honor of Rabbi Sitkin for officiating the unveiling of Sam Perlman z”l; Hy & Marcia Pryluck in memory of Rebecca & Elly z”l, Leo Pryluck z”l, Mimi Resnick z”l, Esther Jucovics z”l, Marcia Cohen z”l and Elaine Tiven z”l; Steven & Kara Goldman in memory of David Goldman z”l and in honor
of Rabbi Sitkin, a very special person; Michael & Linda Goldstein in memory of Ed Scharfman z”l; Eric & Liz Alderman in Honor of Lynn Chinitz & Steven Gruenstein on the birth of your beautiful grandson Steven Lynn Bildirici; Liz & Eric Alderman in Honor of David & Dina Brot on the birth of your beautiful grandson, Bennett Jack; Lisa & Perry Jacobs for the recovery and good health of Eliazor ben Hana; Mark & Eleanor Walfish in memory of Sol Walfish z”l, father of Mark Walfish; Naana Cobbina in memory of Jay Sommer z”l; Naana Cobbina in memory of Warren Kashuk z”l, beloved father of Gwen Salmo; Jay & Barbara Lerman in memory of Penn Chabrow z”l, beloved brother of Joyce Wechsler; Michael Dorfman with appreciation to the Beth El Clergy team for support and guidance following his mother’s passing; Adele Ostrager in memory of Penn Chabrow z”l, beloved brother of Joyce Wechsler; Perry & Lisa Jacobs for the recovery of Eliazor ben Hana.
Cantor’s Discretionary Fund
Seth Leibowitz & Dori Graff in honor of Cantor Gaby for her tireless efforts and support of Cassidy in preparing her for her recent bat mitzvah; Dorothy Fox in memory of Warren Kashuk z”l, beloved father of Gwen Salmo.
To Make a Donation Contact Zoe Raynes zraynes@bethelnr.org (914) 235-2700 ext 228
Minimum donation is $18.
Mail your payment to: Beth El Synagogue Center Attn: Zoe Raynes 1324 North Avenue, New Rochelle, NY 10804
Top Attorneys of North America Who’s Who Directories
Larchmont, NY — Rita K. Gilbert
Attorney at Hyman & Gilbert was selected for inclusion in the forthcoming Top Attorneys of North America 2024-2025 edition of The Who’s Who Directories. The accomplishments attained by Ms. Rita K. Gilbert in the field of Legal Services, warrants inclusion into the Top Attorneys of North America.
Admitted to practice law in 1980, Rita K. Gilbert is licensed to practice in New York, Connecticut, and Florida. Her practice areas are exclusively focused on: Estate and trust law, Estate litigation, Matrimonial law, Real estate law, Corporate law and Elder law. Hyman & Gilbert are dedicated, compassionate attorneys who are there to help their clients get the best legal representation.
Help Grow Our Beth El Nursery School Family!
Do you have friends, grandchildren, or neighbors with young children? Please share this wonderful opportunity to discover our warm, nurturing, Reggio-inspired Nursery School
Rita received her J.D. from Pace University Law School in 1979, her M.A. from Johns Hopkins University, where she was a Fulbright Scholar in International Studies in 1966, and her A.B. from Hunter College in 1963, cum laude. Rita is a member of the Westchester County Bar Association, former co-chair of the Elder Law section, New York State Bar Association, Westchester Women’s Bar Association, former co-chair of the Matrimonial section for fifteen years and formerly co-chair of the Trusts & Estates section, New York State Women’s Bar Association, former chair of the Tax section, Estate Planning Council of Westchester and National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys. Rita is a Martindale-Hubbell AV Peer Review Rated attorney, the highest distinction a lawyer can receive from his or her colleagues.
Rita is also a published author and former chair of the Westchester Community Foundation and the Benjamin N. Cardozo Society of UJA-Federation. She is currently on the Executive Committee of the Justice Brandeis Westchester Law Society. Rita received the Diane White Legal Advocacy Award from the Pace Women’s Justice Center 2010 and the Judge Learned Hand Award from AJC in November 2012. Rita is currently on the Board of the Professional Advisory Council of the Westchester Community Foundation. In her spare time, Rita lectures for a variety of state bar associations and civic organizations.
hymangilbert.com
In Honor of:
Sisterhood Donations
Esther and Mark Mildner, the marriage of your daughter
Caroline to Gregory Ross from Erica & Larry Epstein
Sisterhood, for your wonderful shivah meal from Barbara Shulman
Judy and Elliot Schwartz, your generosity and kindness from Ellen & Jack Hollander
Barbara and Jay Lerman, the bar mitzvah of your grandson, Benjamin Heistein from Joyce & Michael Wechsler
In Memory of:
Shirley Dorfman, beloved mother of Michael Dorfman from Robin & Chard, Marsha & Artie, Debbie &Steve, Naomi, Donna & Abe, Marjorie & Mark, Lisa & Mark, Dana & Scott, Lisa & Rob, Jayne & Darren, Susan & Dan, Lori & Steve, Rachel & Enrique, Shery & Howard
Penn Chabrow, beloved brother of Joyce Wechsler from Phoebe & Peter Gross, Gaby & George Newfield
Penn Chabrow, beloved brother of Joyce Wechsler from Erica & Larry Epstein
Synagogue Guide
We hope this guide makes it easier to figure out who on staff to contact for all your needs.
To see all upcoming services and events, visit bethelnr.org/upcoming To sign up to read Torah or Haftorah, visit bethelnr.org/readhaftorah (914) 235-2700
Ronnie Becher (Nursery School Director) ext 250 nursery@bethelnr.org
Viki Bedo (Rabbi) ext 427 vbedo@bethelnr.org
Clive Benmor (Administrative Coordinator) ext 223 cbenmor@bethelnr.org
Alyssa Berman (Youth & Family Engagement Director) ext 221 aberman@bethelnr.org
Naiza Cintron (Executive Assistant) ext 227 ncintron@bethelnr.org
Elizabeth Clain (Executive Director) ext 225 eclain@bethelnr.org
Rebecca Guralnik (Camp Director) ext 256 daycamp@bethelnr.org
Jack Klebanow (Music Director) ext 252 jklebanow@bethelnr.org
Margarita Korol (Mktng/ Communications Director) ext 291 mkorol@bethelnr.org
Stephanie Lederman (Director of Programming) ext 246 slederman@bethelnr.org
Who to Call If You...
Want to make a donation?
Zoe Raynes ext 228
Had a baby, know someone in the hospital, had a death in the family, or need Rabbinic counsel?
Zoe Raynes ext 228
Zoe Raynes (Clergy Assistant) ext 228 zraynes@bethelnr.org
Julie Rockowitz (Senior Programming Coordinator) ext 340 jrockowitz@bethelnr.org
Shery Rosenstein (Nursery School Assistant Director) ext 250 nursery@bethelnr.org
Anthony Maiolo (Facilities Director) ext 226 amaiolo@bethelnr.org
David Schuck (Rabbi) ext 230 dschuck@bethelnr.org
Gaby Schvartz (Cantor) ext 326 gschvartz@bethelnr.org
Zoe Schein (Assistant Camp Director) ext 338 daycamp@bethelnr.org
Zachary Sitkin (Rabbi) ext 338 zsitkin@bethelnr.org
Olivier Vogel (Controller) ext 231 ovogel@bethelnr.org
Are you celebrating a milestone or achievement at Beth El?
Have a question about catering or celebrating a simcha at Beth El?
Stephanie Lederman or Naiza Cintron ext 227
Need to set up a bar/bat/b’nei mitzvah date?
Zoe Raynes ext 228
Need to purchase a cemetery plot or need information about our cemeteries?
Elizabeth Clain ext 225
Have a question about a Yahrzeit date?
Zoe Raynes ext 228
Need to know the time of services? bethelnr.org/calendar or Clive Benmor ext 223
Have a question about events?
Stephanie Lederman ext 246
Interested in joining one of our many clubs?
Stephanie Lederman ext 246
Want to volunteer?
Stephanie Lederman ext 246
Need information about membership?
Elizabeth Clain ext 225
Have a question about your statement?
Olivier Vogel ext 231
Interested in our Religious School?
Alyssa Berman ext 221
Interested in our day camp?
Rebecca Guralnik ext 256
Want to join Sisterhood or Men’s Club?
Clive Benmor ext 223
Interested in Nursery School?
Ronnie Becher or Shery Rosenstein ext 250
Interested in Youth & Family events?
Alyssa Berman ext 221
Glorianne Mattesi – Your New Rochelle Expert
