Kol Israel June

Kol Israel

JUNE 2024~IYAR/SIVAN 5784

MAGAZINE

Shavuot Shavuot Eve on Tuesday, June 11 Yizkor on Thursday, June 13 AS OF NEXT MONTH, KOL ISRAEL WILL RESUME IN A PRINTED FORMAT FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE

Judah Nathan’s Bar Mitzvah Project Holiday of Shavuot in June!

Yom Hashoah at Temple Israel

Lag b’Omer

IN THIS ISSUE

Judah Nathan’s Mitzvah Project

11 13 18 23 25

Light in the Midst of Darkness

by rabbi Marc Philippe

Yom HaShoah at Temple Israel

Revelation Midrash A Modern Midrash by rabbi Marc Philippe

Moshe at Mount Sinai A Modern Midrash by rabbi Marc Philippe

Lag b’Omer Party

THIS MONTH AT TEMPLE ISRAEL Services

Saturday, June 8 ~ 9:45 am Shabbat Service Stella’s Bat Mitzvah!

Tuesday, June 11 ~ 8pm to 10pm Shavuot Eve at rabbi’s house

Thursday, June 13 ~ 9:45 am Shavuot Service with Yizkor

Friday, June 21 ~ 6pm Kabbalat Shabbat with dinner

Events

Saturday, June 29 ~ 9:45am Shabbat Service

Sunday, June 2 ~ 2pm to 4pm Celebrate Israel! A Community Yom Ha’atzmaut Celebration

Tuesday, June 11 ~ 8pm to 10pm Shavuot Eve at rabbi’s house Food~Learning~Singing Sunday, June 23 ~ 10am Kibbitz & Cooking Blueberry Pie Making ~ $30

Saturday, June 29 Baby Naming of Talia and Seth Oranburg’s daughter! Board Installation

EVERY WEEK AT TEMPLE ISRAEL

Judah Nathan's Beach Mitzvah Cleanup Project took place on Sunday, May 5, 2024, from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm at Odion State Park in Rye, NH. Participants gathered at the Seacoast Science Center, where they received a brief presentation before dispersing into small groups to collect trash along the beach coast. The weather was splendid, offering a picturesque backdrop of rocks, sand, and the serene ocean. After the cleanup, everyone reconvened at the Science Center for a group photo, with Judah prominently featured. Judah, your choice of a meaningful mitzvah project not only allowed the Temple Israel community, your family, and friends to volunteer but also enabled them to engage in Tikun Olam, the Jewish principle of repairing and improving the world by safeguarding the health of our ocean and its shoreline. I'm thrilled to have been a part of such a meaningful day. The feedback we received was overwhelmingly positive and heartwarming. JUDAH NATHAN’S Beach Cleanup Bar Mitzvah Project!

By Aida Koocher

Thousands of years ago, as our ancestors were enslaved and despised by Egyptian society, G!d had to send Moses and perform mighty miracles to free them from oppression. Throughout history, antisemitism has always been present but it hasn’t been as pernicious and hateful as it is nowadays since WWII. While we are fortunate to be in America, the pro- palestinian violent activism in the world makes the Jewish community feel vulnerable. Since October 7, we have experienced collective trauma and many of us believe we are unsafe. We feel that as long as Israel is the victim, the world is silent, but the moment Israel tries to defend itself against the heavily funded terrorist organization, the world turns against all of us. While we may not need a modern-day Moses to set us free, we nevertheless need a sense of support, comfort and, yes, miracles. The trauma and the pain since October 7 is so heavy, I have been looking for any source of light in our society. I am relieved -and proud- to have found it in our community. We have non-Jewish neighbors who unconditionally support the State of Israel and the Jewish community. Just as there were Righteous Gentiles who risked

their lives during the Holocaust, our beautiful neighbors who proudly, openly and courageously support us deserve the same title. To me, yes, they are righteous. Last winter, as I was walking back and forth from the synagogue, I noticed a house on Chestnut Street, close to Salmon Street, which had a flag of Israel in one of their windows. I was intrigued and wanted to know more about the people who live there. Are they Jewish? Maybe Israeli? Time passed and I never found out who they were, but always made a point to look at their window to see the flag. A few weeks ago, as I was walking on a Friday night to Services, I looked up as usual to look for the flag and I didn’t see it in the window. Well, perhaps they gave in to pressure. Who can blame them, right? This is when I noticed that instead of having it in their window, they were waving a giant flag of Israel in front of the house! OK, now I definitely need to find out who they are! The following week, coming back from Shul on Saturday morning, Valerie and I stopped at the house to introduce ourselves. It turns out that they aren’t Israelis and they aren’t

Jewish either. They simply support the State of Israel and the Jewish community unconditionally. This beautiful family is Rick and Barbara Blais, who run a company called “Primerica”. As their website says: “Primerica has been committed to helping families save and invest for their futures since 1977…we offer the best solutions aimed to help families achieve their financial goals.” Even their business is committed to helping the community. I was looking for a little source of light and I found an immense source of comfort and support. I don’t need to have my faith in G!d restored, but I did need to have a sense of faith in humanity. I give

thanks to the Master of the Universe for giving me proof that, indeed, many people in our community have retained their humanity. I wished to share this with our Temple Israel Congregation to show that we aren’t alone. There are extraordinary people out there who advocate for our community. In fact, Rick Blais goes to City Hall meetings with a flag of Israel and places himself close to the Mayor (who also unconditionally supports us) in order to show his support. I thank the Blais Family who contributes to transform darkness into Light. We need to do our part as well in bringing as much LIGHT as possible to this world by constantly seeking an opportunity to perform any act of loving kindness

YOM HASHOAH at Temple Israel

By Aida Koocher

Temple Israel, Temple Adath Yeshurun and the Jewish Federation of New Hampshire joined together for a Yom Hashoah program on Sunday May 5, 2024. Participants gathered on the steps of TAY and walked together to TI where refreshments awaited in the lobby. The one-hour service at TI commenced with the singing of Hatikvah performed by guitarist Guy Ben David, our Shaliach. Rabbi Marc Philippe delivered a welcome speech followed by Rabbi Beth Davidson reading a prayer by Chief Rabbi Lord Sacks of Blessed memory. Acheinu was sung and Psalm 130 was recited by Rabbi Marc in Hebrew, and Rabbi Beth in English. In a solemn moment community members took part in lighting seven commemorative candles as Aida Koocher and Joey Puopolo named the various groups honored, including the Jewish victims of the Shoah, survivors, victims of Nazism, victims of other genocides, the

righteous, brave soldiers, and those massacred on October 7th. Ruth Chevion then spoke and lit the yahrzeit candle, followed by the singing of Ani Maamin. The Holocaust Kaddish was recited by both Rabbi Beth and Rabbi Marc, while Aida shared a moving passage called “We Remember Them” by Sylvan Kamens and Rabbi Jack Riemer. Rabbi Marc performed Eli Eli followed by a reading of “A Small Station of Treblinka”. Rabbi Marc sang Zog Nit Keynmol. “A Prayer for Yom Hashoah/ Holocaust Remembrance Day” by Rabbi David Katz was read, followed by recitation of the Kel Male Rachamim. Josh Nathan blew the shofar, and the Mourner’s Kaddish was recited, concluding the program. Carol and Bob Sternberg expressed their profound appreciation for the meaningful remembrance of the six million lives lost. They found the program to be just the right length, rich with significance.

Modern MIDRASH

By rabbi Marc Philippe

REVELATION MIDRASH

The most surreal moment ever experienced collectively. They all heard G!d's voice in their mind simultaneously. This created an intense yearning to cling to the source of this voice and so their soul spontaneously soared to the highest of the worlds, leaving their body behind, lifeless. This is how powerful a revelation can be. And this is how powerful it was for the B’nei Israel on that night of the Great Revelation. But they still had so much more to accomplish and to learn in this physical world, therefore the Source of all Life gently brought back each soul, one at a time, and breathed a Breath of Life into each of the lifeless bodies. During that short journey, they experienced bliss as they never will have ever again in this physical life. They were granted to gaze upon the purest Divine Light and at that moment, they understood unconditional love. Each soul wanted to remain where they knew was their true home, but they were swept back into their bodies. They opened their eyes, and only one person was standing. Moshe. Moshe, in trance, hadn't even noticed the episode. His eyes, unfocused, were directed at the top of the mountain. He knew what he had to do: climb Sinai and connect perhaps like he never had before with the Holy One Blessed be He. “Esa einai el heharim, meayin yavo ezri?”, “I lift up my eyes to the mountain, where does my help come from?” And everyone answered as they were getting up slowly, emerging from their experience: “Ezri me’im Hashem, oseh shamayim vaharetz!'', “My help comes from the Master of the Universe, Maker of heaven and earth!” (from Psalm 121)

Moshe climbed. They watched him as he escalated. Until there was nothing to see. And they waited. Until they knew they could not wait anymore. That was until no one was able to feel Moshe's energy. His energy was so strong, it could be felt miles away, so when no one was able to perceive his power and spirit, they knew he was dead. They weren't entirely wrong, because Moshe not only climbed the mountain, he ascended the spiritual realms as well. This meant that his presence was no longer in the physical world and this is why they thought Moshe no longer was alive. Moshe's consciousness was swept away upward, no longer in control. In this world, a multitude of multi- colored lights surrounded him. He knew G!d was speaking to him when history was shown to him in front of his eyes. Past and future were presented and instructions were given on what to reveal to his people. He also received two tablets. In this spiritual world, they were weightless, carved out of what appeared to be the most precious stones.

And he was swept back. Back to the camp.

He was gone for a few moments only. But in the physical world, he was gone for 40 days. Without Moshe, the people needed their source of prophecy and so they built a calf out of gold. Upon his return, Moshe suddenly felt all the weight of physicality around him. His feet dragged, his shoulders sustained the burden of leadership, and the weightless tablets gained density. Seeing his people more connected to gold than to the Divine, he realized the vastness of the work ahead. His load felt too heavy, and in an all too human moment of despair, Moshe let go of the tablets.

Jeffrey Oxman June 13 Rebecca Singer June 17 Robert Hutter June 18 Carol Sternberg June 18 David Winthrop June 18

Rochelle Lindner June 1 Daniel Gaby June 2 Anita Fleischner June 3 Phuong (Kim) Musicof June 3 Iris Atkins June 6 Cindi Singer June 6 Hilda Landsman June 10

Andraya Oberlander June 20 Maelee Lillian Russell June 23

Allan Swartz June 24 Alfred Tauber June 24 Arielle Welch June 25 Ian Weinberg June 26

Sara Warner June 10 Zephan Wood June 10 Jacob Hunt June 12

Gary & Rochelle Lindner June 8 Janice & Judson Belmont June 10 Alfred Tauber & Paula Fredriksen June 18 Robert & Carol Sternberg June 24

Yahrzeits

Cohen, Albert B. 6/1 Iyar 24, 5784 Saxe, Alvan 6/1 Iyar 24, 5784 Stein, Sarah 6/1 Iyar 24, 5784 Cohen, William 6/3 Iyar 26, 5784 Pismany, Millie 6/3 Iyar 26, 5784 Kabatznick, Rose 6/4 Iyar 27, 5784 Lewis, Hyman 6/4 Iyar 27, 5784 Lyons, Hyman 6/4 Iyar 27, 5784 Rosenblum, Louis 6/4 Iyar 27, 5784 Bronstein, Maurice 6/5 Iyar 28, 5784 Dropkin, Ann 6/5 Iyar 28, 5784 Cohen, Rose 6/6 Iyar 29, 5784 Fleet, Clarence 6/6 Iyar 29, 5784 Siegal, Pearl 6/6 Iyar 29, 5784 Wallin, Irving 6/6 Iyar 29, 5784 Bialoglowski, Henoch 6/7 Sivan 1, 5784 Braverman, Joseph 6/7 Sivan 1, 5784 Rabinovitz, Minnie 6/7 Sivan 1, 5784 Rubinsky, Henry 6/7 Sivan 1, 5784 Gibbons, Jack 6/9 Sivan 3, 5784 Gilman, Joe 6/9 Sivan 3, 5784 Nusenoff, Herman 6/9 Sivan 3, 5784 Kaplan, Louis Harry 6/10 Sivan 4, 5784 Koocher, Henry 6/10 Sivan 4, 5784 Hausknecht, Oswald 6/11 Sivan 5, 5784 Hausknecht, Sara 6/11 Sivan 5, 5784 Rovner, Jerry Max 6/11 Sivan 5, 5784 Higer, Dorothy 6/12 Sivan 6, 5784 Koocher, Marilyn 6/12 Sivan 6, 5784 Schubert, Richard 6/12 Sivan 6, 5784 Eluto, Roland 6/13 Sivan 7, 5784 Goodman, Louis 6/13 Sivan 7, 5784 Kaplan, Edward R. 6/13 Sivan 7, 5784 Siegel, Adele M. 6/13 Sivan 7, 5784 Darling, Shirley 6/14 Sivan 8, 5784 Katz, Harold Marvin 6/14 Sivan 8, 5784 Perlman, Bertha 6/14 Sivan 8, 5784 Waldman, Fanny 6/14 Sivan 8, 5784 Knopf, Rachel 6/15 Sivan 9, 5784 Ben Rae, Steve Eilperin 6/16 Sivan 10, 5784 Braverman, Kenneth 6/17 Sivan 11, 5784 Bresnick, Sadie 6/17 Sivan 11, 5784 Eluto, Channing 6/17 Sivan 11, 5784 Greenfield, Louis 6/17 Sivan 11, 5784 Milden, Sylvia 6/17 Sivan 11, 5784 Cooper, Lucille 6/18 Sivan 12, 5784 Mandell, Edith 6/18 Sivan 12, 5784

Novak, Hyman 6/18 Sivan 12, 5784 Novak, Sylvia 6/18 Sivan 12, 5784 Carlin, Herbert 6/19 Sivan 13, 5784 Ekman, Lena 6/19 Sivan 13, 5784 Feldman, Frome L. 6/19 Sivan 13, 5784 Goodman, Bernie 6/19 Sivan 13, 5784 Leifer, Joseph 6/19 Sivan 13, 5784 Lewis, Sumner David 6/19 Sivan 13, 5784 Novak, Edith 6/19 Sivan 13, 5784 Rand-Dyke, John 6/19 Sivan 13, 5784 Schreier, Arno 6/19 Sivan 13, 5784 Cohen, Esther Baller 6/20 Sivan 14, 5784 Golder, Sidney 6/20 Sivan 14, 5784 Golder, Sidney 6/20 Sivan 14, 5784 Itzkowitz, Leonard 6/20 Sivan 14, 5784 Kaufman, Gerald 6/20 Sivan 14, 5784 Levine, Rose E. 6/20 Sivan 14, 5784 Cohen, John 6/21 Sivan 15, 5784 Kovitz, Bella 6/21 Sivan 15, 5784 McAdoo, Jim 6/21 Sivan 15, 5784 Pockell, Edith 6/21 Sivan 15, 5784 Tolman, Mary 6/21 Sivan 15, 5784 Lindner, Shirley 6/22 Sivan 16, 5784 Mallin, Dora 6/22 Sivan 16, 5784 Unikel, Dina 6/22 Sivan 16, 5784 Leifer, Alex 6/23 Sivan 17, 5784 Rosenstein, Nathan 6/23 Sivan 17, 5784 Silverman, Deborah Jane 6/23 Sivan 17, 5784 Eckman, Gwendolyn 6/24 Sivan 18, 5784 Plotkin, Sarah 6/24 Sivan 18, 5784 Goldberg, Augusta 6/25 Sivan 19, 5784

Weiner, Irving 6/25 Sivan 19, 5784 Brown, Shirley 6/26 Sivan 20, 5784 Litvin, Gail 6/26 Sivan 20, 5784

Rosen, Marcia 6/26 Sivan 20, 5784 Fedder, Ross 6/27 Sivan 21, 5784 Joslow, Bruce Lee 6/27 Sivan 21, 5784 Spector, Jacob 6/27 Sivan 21, 5784 Kniager, Jacob 6/28 Sivan 22, 5784 Metz, Edward Jacob 6/28 Sivan 22, 5784 Winthrop (Kramer), Rose 6/28 Sivan 22, 5784 Eckman, George 6/29 Sivan 23, 5784 Messenger, Simon 6/29 Sivan 23, 5784 Siegel, Bessie 6/29 Sivan 23, 5784 Stone, Louis 6/29 Sivan 23, 5784 Weinstock, Jacqueline 6/29 Sivan 23, 5784 Alterman, Melvin 6/30 Sivan 24, 5784 21

Arline Alpert in memory of Nathan Levine Patricia Biagi in memory of Anna Korzon Renee Brenner in memory of Larry Brenner

Ruth Chevion in memory of Oswald Hausknecht Ruth Chevion in memory of Sarah Hausknecht Carol Cohen in memory of Bill Cohen Jeff Klein & Michelle Rosenthal in memory of Eugene Klein Eileen Kope in memory of Leonard Chitister Debbie Manning in memory of Herbert Hirsch Roberta Pavoll in memory of Lucille Cooper Leeba Roberta Pavoll in memory of Murray Cooper Cheryl Rostad in memory of Lillian Smith Robert Singer in memory of Bernice Singer Elaine Braverman for Passover Tzedakak Ruth Chevion for Kiddush & dinners Jewish Federation of NH for our Hebrew School Jeff Klein & Michelle Rosenthal in honor of Baby Oranburg Josh Nathan & Christy Aberg for painting the Social Hall and lobby Al Shamash in honor of Pam & Steve Saulten

“AS HE CAME CLOSER TO THE MEETING PLACE, A HOLY GROUND FILLED WITH SO MUCH ENERGY, HIS REALITY BECAME MANIFEST”

Moshe at Mount Sinai A Modern Midrash By rabbi Marc Philippe

Of course, G!d knew it too. This was all planned in advance. G!d wanted to bring a new awareness in the world, and the timing was perfect. This experience made the people aware that they were also able to hear G!d from within themselves. They were made aware of their divine soul and they understood how this physical life is a beautiful gift to help their soul grow. However, the people could not handle any more of this intense encounter. G!d had given them enough. So the voice stopped, but the people knew there was more, and they urged Moshe: "You are used to this. You need to go for us and tell us everything!" So now Moshe was on his way to hear more. He was anxious to find out, but he was distracted by the shadows. They looked menacing, and as he walked, doubt started seeping into his mind. "What if I can't handle it? What if G!d doesn't want to talk anymore? What if..." But Moshe went on walking. As he continued on, his doubts developed into fear, and since his only thoughts were about his doubts and fears, they became his reality. As he came closer to the meeting place, a holy ground filled with so much energy, his reality became manifest. His doubts and fears created beings of gigantic proportions who spoke to him directly. "Why are you coming here? Don't you know that this Torah is not for you? Can't you see you don't deserve it? Don't you understand that it belongs exclusively in heaven? If you come closer, surely you shall die!" 23

Moshe was walking up the hill. There was no path, but it seemed like the bushes were glowing. In the darkness, he could see where to step. The branches were throwing long shadows, like menacing fingers. Still, Moshe knew he needed to go on. He knew there was a great revelation waiting to be received. Only moments ago, everything came to a sudden halt, after the clouds had covered the entire sky, amidst thunder and howling sounds. It was like being in the eye of a hurricane.

They all waited.

No one dared make a sound. Even children and babies.

All one could hear was one's own breath. And from this breath, within everyone's own soul, a voice spoke. This experience was like nothing anyone ever went through before. Not a sound could be heard, yet a voice was heard from within. A commanding voice, but also comforting as it sounded so familiar. Even Moshe, who was used to this experience, was in awe. He saw his people in trancelike stillness. He realized that his people now truly understood who G!d was. He also saw the longing on their faces. The longing was to leave this physical life to join a world of souls and to be at one with their Creator. Moshe knew the people could not continue with this experience because it would mean physical death.

“the Divine Presence inside of him could manifest a reality even more beautiful he could ever imagine”

Moshe stopped. He was paralyzed with fear. G!d's voice came to him. "Moshe, these are your fears, these are your doubts! You must address them! Only you can make them vanish". "But I am so scared, I am powerless!" So G!d said, "What you need to do is remember all the miracles I performed for you. Remember how I have been with you, and I am telling you now, I am still with you". With this in mind, Moshe slowly regained his confidence. He remembered the intense love he had felt whenever G!d spoke to him. He now knew how to address these creatures. He told them how G!d took him, Moshe, and all of his people out of slavery in Egypt. People of flesh and blood needed G!d's direction because they knew their mission was to bring down Heaven in this physical world. "This Torah definitely belongs here, with us. And I will hear every word of it, because I will then teach it to my people". With this, the creatures started to shrink, and when Moshe's doubts and fears vanished, so did the creatures. At that moment, he felt as if he had been standing next to G!d's throne itself. He was filled with the knowledge that G!d's voice that emanates from within him is a powerful source of strength. He realized that if his fears could manifest such creatures, then his dreams could as well. He realized that the Divine Presence inside of him could manifest a reality even more beautiful he could ever imagine.

Lag b’Omer

TEMPLE ISRAEL BOOK CLUB Wednesday, June 5th 4:30pm

Alicia Berenson’s life is seemingly perfect. A famous painter married to an in-demand fashion photographer, she lives in a grand house with big windows overlooking a park in one of London’s most desirable areas. One evening her husband Gabriel returns home late from a fashion shoot, and Alicia shoots him five times in the face, and then never speaks another word. Alicia’s refusal to talk, or give any kind of explanation, turns a domestic tragedy into something far grander, a mystery that captures the public imagination and casts Alicia into notoriety. The price of her art skyrockets, and she, the silent patient, is hidden away from the tabloids and spotlight at the Grove, a secure forensic unit in North London. Theo Faber is a criminal psychotherapist who has waited a long time for the opportunity to work with Alicia. His determination to get her to talk and unravel the mystery of why she shot her husband takes him down a twisting path into his own motivations—a search for the truth that threatens to consume him....

ALEX MICHAELIDES WAS BORN AND RAISED IN CYPRUS. HE HAS AN M.A. IN ENGLISH LITERATURE FROM TRINITY COLLEGE, CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY, AND AN M.A. IN SCREENWRITING FROM THE AMERICAN FILM INSTITUTE IN LOS ANGELES. THE SILENT PATIENT WAS HIS FIRST NOVEL AND WAS THE BIGGEST-SELLING DEBUT IN THE WORLD IN 2019. IT SPENT MORE THAN A YEAR ON THE NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER LIST AND SOLD IN A RECORD-BREAKING FORTY- NINE COUNTRIES. ALEX LIVES IN LONDON.

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