Come spend Shabbat learning, davening, eating and singing together with your Beth Sholom family. Choose from approximately 25 different learning sessions, all taught by Beth Sholom members and friends. This year’s overall theme will be “Defining Moments in Jewish Time.” The Shabbaton also includes performances by Tavim, Tzipporei Shalom and the Russian Club Choir.
** Registration for the Shabbaton is now open. Click here to register online. **
Click here to download a copy of the Shabbaton Brochure.
Shabbaton 2013 Program Schedule
Friday, January 25
4:50 p.m.: Kabbalat Shabbat
6 p.m.: Dinner with performance by the Russian Chorus
7:30 p.m.: SESSION ALEPH
8:45 p.m.: Oneg Shabbat
Saturday, January 26
9 a.m.: Shaharit/End of Services – Tzipporei Shalom
Noon: Lunch – with performance by Tavim
1:30 p.m.: SESSION BET
2:45 p.m.: Dessert
3 p.m.: Minhah
3:45 p.m.: SESSION GIMMEL
5 p.m.: CLOSING SESSION, followed by Ma’ariv and Havdalah
Program Information
The costs have been kept as low as possible. There is a maximum cost of $145 per family for meals and childcare. If your total exceeds this, please write $145 on the form.
Early Registration Discount
We will waive the $10 registration fee for all forms received by Thursday, January 17.
Childcare
Childcare will be available Friday, January 25 after dinner (during Session Aleph) and Saturday, January 26 after lunch (during Session Bet). If the need is great enough, childcare will be extended later in the day on Saturday. Please indicate the names and ages of children who need childcare on the registration form.
Volunteers
The success of Congregation Beth Sholom’s Shabbaton depends upon the active participation of our members in all of the activities. Please circle a time on the registration form when you can volunteer. Thank you.
Subsidies
Please don’t let program costs keep you and your family from attending the Shabbaton. We want every member of our congregational family to participate. Please contact Rabbi Pitkowsky for subsidy information.
Sponsorships
Please consider making a special gift in order to support Shabbaton 2012 and to honor some of the most important leaders and scholars of the Conservative Movement (listed in chronological order).
Zecharia Frankel: $18
Solomon Schechter: $36
Mathilde Roth Schechter: $54
Henrietta Szold: $72
Louis Finkelstein: $120
Nechama Liebowitz: $180
Shabbaton 2013 Schedule of Sessions
Session Aleph | Friday, Jan. 25 | 7:30 – 8:45 p.m.
A. Biblical Time Cycles | Rabbi Steven Garfinkel
In the biblical concept of time, certain “key” events, like creation or the exodus, serve as paradigms for later events in history. This session will be devoted to discussing this interesting concept.
B. Admiring the Work of Meir Shalev | Maria Gertsenshteyn & Nelly Peltsman
Meir Shalev is one of Israel’s leading authors. His collection of work includes novels, non-fiction books, and books for children. The recipient of numerous accolades, his work has been published in more than 20 languages around the world. This session will be conducted in Russian.
D. I Can Name that [Kaddish] Tune in 5 Notes! | Cantor Ronit Wolff Hanan
When we chant the Kaddish during our services, the melody we use can be instant indicator of where we are in time, alerting us to a particular season, holiday, time of year, time of month, time of week or even time of day. We will explore the nusah (musical prayer modes) of the various Kaddishim, learn what makes each unique, and add a new melody or two to our repertoire.
E. How my Jewish Perspective and Sensibilities Influenced my Term as Architect of the Capitol | Alan Hantman, FAIA
Alan Hantman, FAIA, who was appointed by President Clinton as the 10th (and only Jewish) Architect of the Capitol in Washington DC, will discuss the impact of his own life experiences, including Judaism, on his tenure.
G. The Jewish Peter Pan: A Panel By and For Teens | Miriam Lichtenberg and Marni Loffman
Join us for an engaging and interesting discussion on the Jewish view of the rite of passage from innocence to experience. What does Judaism think of Neverland?
H. Summer Camp: Pivotal Moments that Transform
Moderator: Rabbi Paul Resnick
Panel Members: Aliza Mann, Leah Meir and Karen Segal
Come hear from life-long Ramahniks as they share their stories and reflect on why summer residential camping continues to grow in an age of an ever-challenging market.
I. USCJ @ 100
Moderator: Harvey Rosen
Panel Members: Rhonda Kahn, Rabbi Jim Rogozen, and Rabbi Elliot Schoenberg
In the 100th Anniversary year of United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, we will imagine what the Conservative kehillah of the future will look like? How will its professional and lay leadership be structured? How will it provide Jewish Education to its members? Help us to form this vision and think about how it could impact our kehillah.
J. The Spanish Inquisition: Its Rise, Fall and Lasting Effects | Eddie Zizmor
We will discuss the origins of the Spanish Inquisition. Why did it arise in Spain and Portugal and not in other countries of Europe? What were its prosecutorial procedures? What were its affects on the Secret Jews (Marranos) and Muslims, as well as Protestants? How did the Marranos resist? What led to the decline and fall of the Inquisition and what were its lasting effects?
Session Bet | Saturday, Jan. 26 | 1:30-2:45 p.m.
From 12:45 -1:30 p.m.
CH-A. A Story and A Song (all ages) | Rabbi Joel Pitkowsky
From 1:30 – 2:30 p.m.
CH-1. Story & Lego Time (Ages 2-4) | Lymor Wasserman
CH-2. Special Session for Kindergarten and Grade 1 | Martha Resnick
CH-3. Special Session for Grades 2-4 | Kayla Silow-Carroll and Maya Hanan
CH-4. Lunch ‘n Leyn (Grade 5) | Adina Avery-Grossman and Ronit Wolff Hanan
CH-5. Special Session for Grades 6-8 | Ilana Picker
C. How to Encourage Self-Reliance in Children of Any Age | Toby Glick and Lauren Goldman-Brown
We will discuss the concepts explored in the book, The Blessing of a Skinned Knee, by Wendy Mogel, which uses Jewish teachings in its approach to parenting. We will concentrate on Chapter 4 “Why God Doesn’t Want You to Overprotect Your Child.” It is not necessary to read this book to attend the workshop, but it wouldn’t hurt.
F. A Small Town Near Auschwitz: A Personal Story | Sara Kaplan
This session will explore how the invasion of the Silesian town of Benzin on September 9, 1939 served as a blueprint for the destruction of European Jewry. Family stories, Jewish life, and the role of the Nazi civilian administrators will be explored.
K. The Twilight Zone: Pesahim, Chap. 10 | Rabbi David Bockman
We often forget that “erev” means a mixture and rabbinic thought prefers “clear boundaries.” We struggle with the dialectic between “fuzzy” and “clear” as we live our lives. We’ll study the beginning of Arvei Pesahim alongside the mathematical concept of Fuzzy Logic as we delve into a sophisticated world of both shadow and substance, of things and ideas. We’ll cross over into the Talmud Zone!
L. Oh, The Times They Are A-Changin’: Jews Who Changed Our Fundamental View of the World | Jay Greenspan
We will briefly touch on Jews whose lives, actions, or ideas fundamentally changed the way we view the world, such as Moses, Rashi, Marx, Herzl, Freud, Einstein, and many others. (All in an hour and twenty minutes!) Bring your own list!
M. The Defining Moment of Truth: Risk Your Life To Rescue a Stranger? | Harman Grossman
35-year-old Brittany Cruz saw a young woman tumble onto subway tracks in August 2012. As the train pulled in, Brittany jumped onto the tracks and pulled the stranger to safety. In that moment, what would you have done? What would halakha and American law require you to do? This session will explore the “duty to rescue” in the Jewish and Anglo-American jurisprudential traditions – and will consider the underlying cultural differences that manifest in the legal systems.
N. Restitution, Recognition, and Remembrance: Is It Time to Rethink the Holocaust? | Dennis Klein and Hillary Kessler-Godin
The endeavor to obtain payment for Holocaust victims represents a unique era in Jewish history: an intense commitment to memory and an active obligation to survivors. What has this historically unique endeavor accomplished? Why does much of the Western world continue to pay attention? What strategies can keep memory and a commitment to survivors alive? How do we respond to those who complain about memory saturation?
O. Present Moment, Sacred Moment | Rabbi Aryeh Meir
Explore present and sacred moments through the dimension of time in the teaching of two spiritual masters: the Sefat Emet, Rabbi Yehuda Leib Alter of Ger, and Thich Nhat Hanh, Vietnamese Zen Buddhist Monk.
P. Retiring Happy | Rabbi Elliot Schoenberg
Ten practical tips to finding satisfaction in retirement.
Q. In Search of Defining Moments… | Stephen Sidorsky
How did you recognize a defining moment in your life? What was the context? Was it on an average day or was it a momentous occasion? By looking at some “defining moments” from our biblical tradition, as well as from literature and psychology, we will consider what constitutes a defining moment and what it may offer. We will have an opportunity to reflect on our own defining moments and their meanings to us.
R. My father was liberal, his father was liberal … Why the Jewish majority (still) votes left | Andrew Silow-Carroll
Despite annual predictions of a major shift, the majority of American Jewish voters still take liberal positions and vote for Democratic candidates. Has liberalism superseded Judaism, or is progressivism an expression of Jewish ideals? Andrew Silow-Carroll is editor in chief of the New Jersey Jewish News.
Z. Physical Health as a Jewish Value Throughout the Lifecycle | Lelia Marcus
An exploration of how Jewish texts deal not only with doing acts of hesed and tikkun olam, but also with the importance of taking care of the physical self.
Session Gimmel | Saturday, Jan. 26 | 3:30-4:45 p.m.
S. A Jewish Response to Dementia: Honoring Broken Tablets | Rabbi Lori Forman-Jacobi
A look at the spiritual challenges of caring for someone with dementia, with discussion and text study of Jewish approaches to dealing with loved ones who are not who they once were, We’ll consider the place of prayer and community as we witness what is often a long journey.
T. Individual Healing and World Healing | Sam Menahem
What are the parallels between healing the problems of Israel and the Mideast and the healing process of individuals suffering from psychological and physical illnesses?
U. The Rabbis on Aging: Blessings and Curses | Rabbi Joyce Newmark
Every one of us either is a senior (however you choose to define it) or hopes to become one. Fortunately our Rabbis had much to say about this time of life. In this session we will examine a number of texts, primarily from Talmud and Midrash, which deal with the experience of aging, the challenges and opportunities it presents, and what we owe to our elders.
V. The Founding of the State of Israel: A Momentous Occasion… | Rabbi Joel Pitkowsky
…but has the magic faded? We will explore the religious significance of the founding of the state of Israel and its continued relevance to our American Jewish lives in 2013.
W. Real Men Marry Rabbis: The Impact of the Women’s Movement on Jewish Life | Rabbi Rebecca Sirbu
What has been the impact of the women’s movement on Jewish life over the past forty years? In the early 1970s, the Women’s Rights Movement spread to Jewish life. Jewish women demanded to be treated equally under Jewish law, and to participate fully in all rites and rituals. How has this played out in the last four decades? Where are we now? And where are we going?
X. The Birth of a Child after the Holocaust | Beryl Steinbach
Explore the story Adam by Kurt Vonnegut that describes the birth of a child to survivors shortly after the end of World War II. What does the birth of a child represent to those who witnessed the attempted annihilation of Europe’s Jews? The story will be available in the synagogue office for those who wish to read it before the session.
AA. How the Movement to Free Soviet Jews Inspired Activism and Shaped Jewish Identity | Nate Geller
What began as the actions of a courageous few Jews in the Soviet Union captured the attention of the worldwide Jewish community and mobilized a campaign that eventually brought about a mass exodus and aliya that has changed the character of Israel and the American Jewish community.
BB. “The Golden Hour” | Eillene Leistner
“The Golden Hour” is that sequence of time when every minute truly counts. Come hear a volunteer’s perspective on Magen David Adom’s response to emergency preparedness and blood needs in Israel.
Closing Session | Saturday, Jan. 26 | 5-6 p.m.
Y. Tu B’Shevat Seder | Hazzan Estelle Epstein and the Ayin L’Tzion Committee
This year’s Shabbaton falls on a special moment in Jewish Time – Tu B’Shevat, the New Year for trees, and Shabbat Shira, the Sabbath of Song. Join us for our 3rd annual Tu B’Shevat Seder to celebrate nature and the fruit of the land of Israel with wine, fruit, midrash, Tu B’Shevat Trivia, song and dance.
