TST Chai-Lights
Vol. 5785, Issue 1 .............. Fall / Winter, 2024 - 2025
Table of Contents Conversation with Rabbi Danny 5 Softball Championship 6 Scenes from Hineini 7 HHD Food Drive 8 TST in the City 10 Community Events 2
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Fall Reyim Dinner
12 13 14 16 17
TSTeen Highlights Event Highlights TST on the Web Community Updates Stay in Touch
Reflecting on High Holy Day Services: A Conversation with Rabbi Danny
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In a a conversation, Rabbi Danny explored the unique challenges of this year's High Holy Day services at Temple Shir Tikva. Against the backdrop of a challenging year for the Jewish community, this year's services took on deeper meaning, marked by a powerful sense of connection and renewal. Reflecting on the experience, Rabbi Danny shared, “After the year that we have had, there was a need for the community to come together, to feel the connection, to feel strengthened with one another, and also to celebrate the beginning of a new year.” The services sought to provide a sense of solace, strength, and community, a need felt acutely in the wake of October 7th and after a year of considerable hardship. For Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, outdoor services returned to Camp Chickami, adding an uplifting layer to the worship experience. “Being outdoors at Camp Chickami, in the midst of nature, brings our prayers alive in a different way,” explained Rabbi Danny. The camp setting, with its open fields and surrounding trees, allowed the congregation to feel immersed in the natural beauty of creation—a fitting reflection for Rosh Hashanah, which celebrates the world’s birthday.
We would love your content suggestions for Chai-Lights. Please send your ideas to Logan Schulman at lschulman@shirtikva.org.
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A Conversation with Rabbi Danny Letter from the President
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This year our congregation observed Yom
Ultimately, Rabbi Danny described the most
Kippur outdoors for the first time at Camp
rewarding part of the High Holy Days as simply
Chickami. Rabbi Danny noted that the change
“being together in community.” After a year of
was well-received, especially by families with
challenges, the strength and spirit within the
children, who felt the environment allowed for
congregation
greater freedom and participation. “Being
hopefully, the community—with a renewed
outside for Yom Kippur was a different
sense of purpose and energy. As we look to the
experience, but it was clear that people enjoyed
future, Rabbi Danny envisions a High Holy Day
the opportunity to pray in nature with their
experience that continues to grow, bringing
families,” he reflected. As for the challenges, the heightened sense of pressure weighed heavily on Rabbi Danny and the clergy. “This year, there was more pressure than usual to deliver the High Holy Days that people needed,” he said. At the same time, the High Holidays also offered a platform for sharing messages of resilience and community. Additionally, The clergy took the opportunity to define both personal reflections and communal messages within their sermons, with Rabbi
people
provided
together
while
the
clergy—and,
expanding
the
congregation’s physical and spiritual space. “We are providing a center where people want to engage with their Jewish identity and come together,” he said, recognizing the growing attendance at Temple Shir Tikva as both a challenge and a testament to the community’s desire to be present for one another. In the words of Rabbi Danny, this year’s High Holy Days offered “the nourishment and energy
Danny adding. “With sermons, it’s either what
that [we] needed as we enter into the new
the community needs to hear or what I need to
Jewish year,” an experience filled with both
hear”.
reflection and optimism for what lies ahead.
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High Holy Days 5785
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Chai Heat Wins Championship
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The Temple Shir Tikva Chai Heat men’s softball team began their season with batting practices in the dead of winter and ended with a championship earned in the heat of mid-August. Winning put an exclamation point on an incredible season. From April to June, Chai Heat bulldozed their way to a 7-1 regular season record, outscoring their opponents 157-71 along the way. The regular season was highlighted by a rain-swept doubleheader on June 9, in which TST cruised to victories against both Beth El/Or Atid and Beth Elohim, and a thrilling comeback win on June 16 against Temple Israel Natick/Reyim. An emphatic semifinal victory on June 30 set the table for a championship matchup against Shir Tikvah, Winchester on August 11. In the title game, played at home at Cochituate Field in Wayland, both teams played well with six great catches on hard-hit line drives punctuating solid defense. The game was tied 9-9 going into the bottom of the 5th inning when TST exploded for six runs, taking a 15-9 lead. Shir Tikvah of Winchester battled gamely, putting up one run in the 6th inning and two runs in the 7th to make the final score 15-12 before TST's solid defense got the final out on a ground ball to the pitcher, Paul Morenberg. Winning the Kiddush Cup capped a successful season for the Chai Heat players, who celebrated their championship with the lifting of the Kiddush Cup on the field and with the hanging of a championship banner at TST. The Chai Heat roster: Eric Bienstock, Bruno Berszoner, Dan Brosgol, Lonnie Cohn, Mike Cohn, Adam Dehner, Gregg Dehner, Mark Fabulich, Craig Marion, Paul Morenberg, Phil Movshovich, Seth Nable, Steven Noyes, Ben Polatin, Ray Salemi, Tyler Sundet, Rich Tutin, Mike Wadness, and Alec Zadek. Interested in joining the softball team? Please contact Ray Salemi at ray@raysalemi.com
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Scenes from Hineini
First Day of Hineini Religious School - September 8, 2024 TST Chai-Lights • 5785-1 • Learn more about our programs and events by visiting www.shirtikva.org
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High Holy Days Food Drive
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Temple Shir Tikva was proud to hold our annual High Holy Day Food Drive to benefit the Boston Medical Center Preventive Food Pantry and the United Way of Tri-County. Beginning on Rosh Hashanah congregants and community members filled a shipping container with bags of food for those in need. Our community stepped up in a big way donating pasta, beans, dried fruits, rice, peanut butter, canned tuna and chicken, and more. The container was filled up all the way into the beginning of Sukkot. A dedicated crew of more than 35 volunteers of all ages participated in Packing Day on Sunday, October 20, and over 110 boxes were packed for the two benefit organizations. Many thanks to Debbie Pullen and Erin Bienstock for their leadership making this a successful event! TST Chai-Lights • 5785-1 • Learn more about our programs and events by visiting www.shirtikva.org
TST in the City: Rugelach Making Letter from the President
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A unique aspect of this gathering was the deep connection among many attendees, whose families have remained close since their children began in the ELC together. Now, they are celebrating graduations, engagements, weddings, and the births of
grandchildren.
Rachel
shared
a
heartfelt moment during her remarks, recounting how her first-ever kitchen job was offered to her by Lisa Roblin, who was also in attendance that evening. On Monday, October 28, we gathered for
Recipes were shared, rugelach was rolled,
our first official “TST in the City” event at
and memories were made as we piloted
Mamaleh’s Kibitz Corner in Cambridge.
this partnership. As members of our TST
We were thrilled to spend the evening
community have begun moving into the
with 25 incredible members of our
city, our goal is to increase and enhance
community, led by Rachel (Pastry Chef)
programming
and Tyler (Chief Culinary Officer) Sundet
Congregants local to Wayland are always
—two of Mamaleh’s owners who are also
invited and encouraged to join as we
ELC parents and Temple members. The
continue to offer accessible, intentional,
group enjoyed uniquely crafted cocktails,
and innovative events for all.
outside
of
Wayland.
teachings from Cantor Hollis, a baking demonstration, instruction from Rachel, and a delicious meal prepared by Tyler and his team. TST Chai-Lights • 5785-1 • Learn more about our programs and events by visiting www.shirtikva.org
TST in the City: Shabbat Letter from the President
On November 15, we held our second “Shabbat in the City” at the Vilna Shul. Over 50 TST members joined Rabbi Danny, Cantor Hollis, and accompanist Susan DeSelms for a meaningful evening. Cantor Hollis and Susan performed a beautiful rendition of Mi Chamocha by Josh Nelson, and Rabbi Danny delivered a powerful sermon: Speaking Out Like Abraham and Sarah. Temple members Susan Benjamin and Michael Price, who serve on the Vilna’s board, helped coordinate and host the event. Following
Rabbi Danny & Cantor Hollis lead the group in shabbat prayer
services, guests enjoyed dinner, desserts, and an artist’s chat with Jewish Arts Collaborative Director Laura Mandel and Be the Change artist Ben Sloat. We hosted our second event at Kibitz Corner on December 18, and plans are underway
for
additional
Shabbat
gatherings at the Vilna Shul. We are so fortunate to have such an active, vibrant, and supportive community to share and celebrate these moments. Susan Benjamin, TST congregant, lighting the Shabbat candles.
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Community Events
Sukkot Spectacular and Simchat Torah - October 2024
Better Together Classes with Rabbi Lisa - November 2024 TST Chai-Lights • 5785-1 • Learn more about our programs and events by visiting www.shirtikva.org
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Fall Reyim Dinners
Letter from the President
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Reyim, a group in Adult Community Engagement (ACE), focuses on serving the 60+ community while welcoming TST adults from all age groups to its events. Reyim offers an opportunity for socialization and a learning component with community and friendship. After services on December 13, the group held the second Reyim dinner of 5785. The featured speaker was Paula Apsell. Paula discussed her time at Nova where she was the award-winning Senior Executive Producer of the PBS NOVA Science Series. She discussed how she came to produce the movie, “Resistance: They Fought Back,” and the impact of the movie. The film features the different ways that the Jews did fight back – beyond the Warsaw Ghetto.
Reyim Dinner with Paula Apsell December 13 On September 20, TST Executive Director Dan Brosgol delighted the Reyim dinner crowd with a whirlwind review of his life and career prior to coming to Shir Tikva, and then dove into a dynamic teaching about the Shalosh Regalim, the pilgrimage festivals on the Jewish calendar. Dan's presentation covered both the spiritual and agricultural roots of Passover, Shavuot, and Sukkot, and also shed light on the most misunderstood of Jewish holidays, the one and only Shmini Atzeret.
Reyim Dinner with Dan Brosgol September 20
The next Reyim dinner will be held in early 2025 and will be Jewish Jeopardy! Keep your eyes open for more information in the new year. TST Chai-Lights • 5785-1 • Learn more about our programs and events by visiting www.shirtikva.org
TSTeen Highlights
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Event Highlights
Letter from the President
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Fall is peak event season at TST and this year was no exception. In December alone we had over two dozen special programs, excursions, meet-ups, dinners, and classes happening just about every day. There is always something to do, something to learn, something to eat, and something to celebrate here at Shir Tikva!
Understanding Israel Today and Imagining the Israel of Tomorrow TST & the Shalom Hartman Institute December 3
Over 150 people came to TST on December 3 for the Shalom Hartman Institute’s first program in MetroWest. We were honored to host Rabbi Donniel Hartman in the Sanctuary for a 90-minutelong conversation with our Executive Director Dan Brosgol, in which they covered an incredible array of topics regarding Israel, America, and the Jewish future. The discussion included reflections on the situation in Israel, Prime Minister Netanyahu, anti-Semitism in America, and the ongoing conversations taking place between American and Israeli Jews. We look forward to deepening the relationship between TST and the Hartman Institute in the future. The video link of the program can be found here.
Autopilot: Live with Lexi Weakley December 8
An excited crowd of theater enthusiasts packed the Sanctuary on December 8 to see former TST songleader Lexi Weakley’s special reading of “Autopilot”, a musical theater project currently in development in New York. Based on a true story, Donald Schwartz, a senior captain for TWA in the 1950-60's, seems to have everything he could ever want, but after a life-changing accident, his family is left to face their emotions head-on or erase the past and go on “Autopilot”. The show expresses complex family dynamics, challenging themes of mental health, antisemitism, grief, and accountability. At its core, this is a story of hope. This first-of-its-kind program at TST was an exciting opportunity to be a part of a new musical theater work in development as it came to life. Lexi is a singer, songwriter, and composer in the NYC musical theater landscape, currently serving at Larchmont Temple as the Music and T’filah Specialist while remaining in close connection with her TST family. She was joined for the reading by Broadway performer Zal Owen and colleagues from Berklee College of Music and Boston Conservatory at Berklee, where she graduated in 2022. TST Chai-Lights • 5785-1 • Learn more about our programs and events by visiting www.shirtikva.org
In the News: Rabbi Danny
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Alongside events over there, the war has At Rosh Hashanah, We unleashed a wave of antisemitism with no must call out Antisemitism precedent in modern American Jewish By Rabbi Danny Burkeman history. I talk to children, who share with
Original article published by Rabbi Danny in the MetroWest Daily News On Wednesday evening, the Jewish holiday of Rosh Hashanah begins. For Jews around the world this marks the beginning of the new year. Normally we prepare for this holiday with a sense of excitement and joy. While it is a day of reflection, it is also a day of celebration and sweetness, a day that celebrates the creation of the world and the renewed opportunity that a new year presents. But this year, although Rosh Hashanah begins this week, for the Jewish community it is still October 7th. This has been an unprecedented year for Jews around the world. Everything was turned upside down on that fateful day when Hamas attacked Israel. With the war still raging and hostages still in captivity in Gaza, it feels like we are living on an extended October 7th. How can we begin a new day, let alone a new year, when it feels like that day remains unfinished and unresolved.
me that they are scared to share their Jewish identity in public. I have heard from college students who fear for their safety when walking around their campuses. And I speak to so many adults who are frightened by what we are currently witnessing here and around the world. The wave of antisemitism released on October 7th has continued unabated and often unchallenged. How are we supposed to celebrate in the midst of this changed reality? How will we dip the apple in honey to savor the sweetness, while our situation appears so bitter? And how can we ensure that this new year is different from the one that is ending? As I write these questions, I also have to acknowledge that perhaps asking them internally is a mistake. Antisemitism is not a Jewish problem that Jews can fix. It is a societal problem that must be addressed by all of us. And I will add, that in matters of hate and prejudice, there is a long history of the Jewish community being the canary in the coal mine. While it is we who are being attacked today, we know that all too often society begins by targeting Jews, and very quickly the focus moves on to other minorities.
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In the News: Rabbi Danny It has been sad to recognize that were these types of attacks or this rhetoric of hate directed against any other community, there would have been a much larger societal outcry. For some reason or other (and I could offer my suspicions on what these are) there is not the same level of concern for the safety of the Jewish community as for other minorities. There is not the same recognition of our pain, there is not the same willingness to stand by our side in support and in opposition to antisemitism. As a Jewish community we will continue to call out antisemitism, we will continue to share our pain, and we will continue to fight against antisemitism and all forms of hate because we recognize that an attack on one of us is an attack on all of us. And by extension, an attack on the values which I still believe are core to our American society. But we need your help and support. Please call out, stand up to, and report antisemitism in the same way that you would any other form of hate. Please offer a shoulder to cry on when we share our pain and anguish at the current situation. Please be there with us in this moment, because we are feeling awfully lonely and alone. (And please do not try to question or qualify what we are feeling – you would not do this with any other group or situation).
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To begin this new Jewish year, I ask you to reach out to your Jewish friends and family. As a community, collectively, we are not alright. But knowing that we are not alone can be an important balm to begin a period of healing and recovery. This year, a phone call wishing us a happy new year (or Shana Tova if you want to use the traditional Hebrew greeting) will mean more to us than it normally does. It will be an important statement that the Jewish community is seen and valued as part of this society. It will be a chance to have a conversation about the year that has been – struggles and all. And most importantly, it will be an opportunity to turn the page and begin this new year with real hope that things can be different and better.
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Community Updates
Welcome to the Community!
Acton Mark & Ellen Koretz
Concord
Alex & Martin Maron
Framingham
Oren Cohen & Michal Zinger-Cohen
Groton
Sara & Joshua Haskin
Sudbury
Barbara & Monte Alpert Sara & Kip Bodi Guy & Amy-Lee Carmelli Allie & Seth Chartoff Seth & Noelle Gold Howard & Carol Gordon Carly & Ralph Harary Sara Heal & Andrew Hyman Rachel & Matthew Henschel Robert & Susan Joseph
Sudbury
Newton
Stephen & Ronnie Kanarek Barbara Kaplan & Joel Lazewatsky Rachel & David King Annie & Will Malan Elizabeth Novak Caitlin & Joseph Parello Lauren & David Saie Daniel & Sabrina Scudder Andrew & Rebecca Stone Noah Weber & Ronni Reich
Elizabeth Wilson
Natick
Miri Bar Halpern Hobin & Derrick Hobin Brandt & Suzanne Hollander Michelle & Uriel Klieger David & Laura Michel Karli & William Mowrey Garry Rosenfield & Jessica Davis Jennifer Schindler
Wayland
Jessica Greenfield & James Kruse Adam & Molly Kaufman Nancy Ross Alex Rotman & Lori Lerman Oxana Schwarz Andrea Toochin & Leonard Gutnikov
Wellesley
Ellen & James Patton
Weston
Jonathan & Dina Leeman
Marlborough Kim Deans
Maynard Inez Heal
Mazel Tov to our recent B. Mitzvahs! Levi Wadness
Zooey Smoler-Curran Madelyn Skipper
Beatrice Carswell Ruby Gelles
Alana Homer
Dominic McIntyre
Marlo Duke
Benjamin Finlayson
Eliana Sagor
Ella Berenson
Emillie Stein
Sadie Klau
Maya Berkowitz
Julia Goddard
Sasha Snowden
Noah Abramson
Samantha Nielsen Solomon Levenson
Mackenzie Heckler
Benjamin Dehner Jacob Glynn
Ethan Rosenbaum Stella Damoulakis
Madeline Nable
Sasha Krochmal
Max Olin
Jack Hartunian
Addie Winnick Dahan Ava Adelson
Gavin Adani
Nathan Goldman
Jacob Winkler
Sadie Bauchman
Julianne Hyman
Jacob Hinckley
Charles Chused
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Stay in Touch
If you would like to send in photos from a recent TST-sponsored event or submit an article for the next publication, please email Logan Schulman (lschulman@shirtikva.org). Rabbi Danny Burkeman
Cantor Hollis Schachner
rabbidanny@shirtikva.org
cantor@shirtikva.org
Dan Brosgol
Alison Weikel
Rabbi Lisa Eiduson rabbilisa@shirtikva.org
Stephanie Lerner
Director of Education aweikel@shirtikva.org
Director of ELC slerner@shirtikva.org
Jacquelyn Loren
Marissa Kaye
Board of Trustees President jloren@shirtikva.org
ELC Administrator mkaye@shirtikva.org
Christina Loftus
Logan Schulman
Karen Edwards
Events and Communications Assoc. lschulman@shirtikva.org
Asst. to the Clergy kedwards@shirtikva.org
Marissa Brockman
John Legg
Talia Hirsh
Executive Director dbrosgol@shirtikva.org
Jenna Friedman
Director of Youth Engagement jfriedman@shirtikva.org Office Manager cloftus@shirtikva.org
Dir. of Community Engagement mbrockman@shirtikva.org
IT Specialist jlegg@shirtikva.org
Development Coordinator
thirsh@shirtikva.org
Sara Klugman
Student Rabbi sklugman@shirtikva.org
Thinking of joining our community?
To learn more about what making your home at Temple Shir Tikva would look like, feel free to reach out to our New Membership Trustee, Rachel Welt (rwelt@shirtikva.org) or any of the people mentioned above.
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Temple Shir Tikva
TST Chai-Lights • 5785-1 • Learn more about our programs and events by visiting www.shirtikva.org