Newsletter 2003-4 (5765)

Celebrate the High Holidays With Us!

September 2003

All services at the Kona Outdoor Circle unless otherwise indicated

KBS Annual Meeting & Picnic Sunday Sept 7 2 pm

potluck (no pork or shellfish). Everyone invited
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Rosh Hashana evening Friday Sep 26 6 pm

Kiddush follows

Rosh Hashana morning Saturday Sep 27 10 am

Kiddush follo

Shabbat Tshuvah evening Friday Oct 3 6 pm
Tashlich

Potlucl supper follows (no pork or shellfish).

Kol Nidre Sunday eve Oct. 5 6 pm

In the Kahalu‘u Ballroom

Yom Kippur Monday Oct 6 10 am

Yizkor 4:00 pm

Neilah 5:30 pm
Bagels and break-the-fast pupus follows after Neilah, hosted by Lorraine Highkin

(to honor the memory of her granddaughter, Talia Miller) and the WaKoBeS.

———————————— ————————————

Sukkot Sunday Oct 12 2 pm

The home of Una Greenway, Leo Rosner and Helen Salzberg (Kuaiwi Farm) in Captain Cook.
Potluck. Call 328-8888 for directions

Simchat Torah Sunday Oct. 19 1-4 pm

Waimea YMCA Meeting Hall, opposite the Kahilu Theatre. Potluck.

All Big Island Jewish communities invited

Your MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION / CONTRIBUTION FORM is included with this newsletter.

Call Dr. Barry Blum at 322-6004 or Joel Gimpel at 325-4991 for more information.

Admission to all the High Holiday Services is free of charge for members of Congregation Kona Beth Shalom. There are no tickets. Non-members who wish to attend are asked to make a contribution to help defray the costs of bringing the Rabbi to Kona. No one will be turned away for inability to contribute.

Calendar

September - October 2003

Sun	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat
	September 1 Labor Day	Sep 2	Sep 3	Sep 4	Sep 5	Sep 6 Rosh Hashana + Tashlich
Sep 7 Annual Meeting	Sep 8	Sep 9	Sep 10	Sep 11	Sep 12 Shabbat Chavrah	Sep 13
Sep 14	Sep 15 Yom Kippur	Sep 16	Sep 17	Sep 18	Sep 19	Sep 20
Sep 21	Sep 22	Sep 23	Sep 24	Sep 25	Sep 26 Rosh Hashana eve	Sep 27 Rosh Hashana
Sep 28	Sep 29	Sep 30	Oct ober 1	Oct 2	Oct 3 Shabbat Tshuvah eve & Tashlich	Oct 4
Oct 5 Kol Nidre	Oct 6 Yom Kippur	Oct 7	Oct 8	Oct 9	Oct 10	Oct 11
Oct 12 Sukkot	Oct 13	Oct 14	Oct 15	Oct 16	Oct 17	Oct 18
Oct 19 Simchat Torah	Oct 20	Oct 21	Oct 22	Oct 23	Oct 24 Shabbat Eve	Oct 25 Shabbat
Oct 26	Oct 27	Oct 28	Oct 29	Oct 30	Oct 31

All our High Holiday Services will be conducted at
The Kona Outdoor Circle Educational Center
76-6280 Kuakini Highway, Kailua-Kona

RABBI SUE LEVY

      Rabbi Levy was ordained by the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College in 1986. Before returning to school to study for the rabbinate she was a hospital administrator and also trained as a cantor. She has served congregations in Dover, Delaware; Duluth, Minnesota; and Houston, Texas. She has also served as the Director of Rabbinic Placement for the Reconstructionist Movement. She is a nationally ranked birder, and has guided birding trips for people with disabilities in Minnesota and Texas in cooperation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. In Houston, she is the facilitator of the Jewish Recovery Network, a support group sponsored by Jewish Family Service for people in recovery from addictions, and their families. She has two married daughters and one precious grandson.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, at 6:30 pm, and
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, at 10:00 am    KONA OUTDOOR CIRCLE

ROSH HASHANA marks the time when we Jews begin our annual process of renewal. We hear the sound of the shofar announcing the birthday of the world and use this special time to renew and revitalize our connections with our families and friends. New Years Resolutions have a special meaning for us as we seek inspiration for the coming years and also use the ten “Days of Awe” from Rosh Hashana to Yom Kippur to ask forgiveness from people we may have offended. The greeting at this time is: L'shana tovah tikateivu, “May you be written into the Book of Life.”

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 3, at 6:00 pm
OHANA KEAUHOU BEACH HOTEL – KALANIKAI PAVILION
SHABBAT TSHUVAH (between Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur) is the “Sabbath of the (Re-) Turning.” A day of rest, contemplation and rejuvenation as is every Sabbath. This particular Shabbat can be the awesome time to return and reconnect to our heritage and to the gifts we were given and have only to claim. Rabbi Levy will lead us.

TASHLICH is the ceremony conducted at the water’s edge when we throw bits of bread or lint into the ocean as a symbolic act of casting sins away. We will perform this sweet and meaningful ceremony at the water’s edge after the evening service. A potluck supper will then follow. (There will be no Saturday morning service this weekend.)
.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 5, at 6:00 pm
MONDAY, OCTOBER 6, at 10:00 am    KONA OUTDOOR CIRCLE
As the sun sets on Sunday evening we chant the KOL NIDRE, a prayer written in ancient Aramaic containing a formula that asks God's forgiveness for any oaths or vows we have made to God that we have failed to keep. Our greeting changes to L'shana tovah tikateivu ve teichateimu or Gemar chatima tovah, “May you be sealed into the Book of Life,” because tradition tells us that we have until sundown on Yom Kippur before the Book of Life is finally sealed for the coming year.

YOM KIPPUR is the most solemn day in the Jewish calendar. We start fasting at sundown on Sunday evening and continue until sundown Monday to enable us to remain focused and free of distraction. We own up to our behaviors of the past year and we think about commitments we made, not just to others, but also to ourselves and to God. The Yom Kippur service begins at 10:00 am. There will be a break at around 1:00 pm and Rabbi Levy will remain to be available for discussions.

At 4:00 pm we reconvene for YIZKOR (the Memorial Service). When you send in your MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION / CONTRIBUTION FORM, please include the names of family and friends you wish to have remembered so that Rabbi Levy can recite their names at this time. Many people like to observe the tradition of donating tzedaka (charity) in the name of their loved ones.

NEILAH is the concluding service for Yom Kippur. We in Hawaii have a profound responsibility at this time as our congregations are the last on the planet to perform this service before the Book of Life is sealed for another year. We get to put in the last word, so to speak. After the sun has set we will break the fast together with light snacks hosted by the WaKoBeS and Lorraine Highkin in memory of her granddaughter, Talia Miller.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 12, at 2:00 pm   KUAIWI FARM, CAPTAIN COOK
SUKKOT begins on Friday evening, October 19, and continues for a full week. We will celebrate the holiday on Sunday, October 12 starting at 2 pm at Kuaiwi Farm in Captain Cook, the home of Una Greenaway, Leon Rosner and Helen Salzberg. Call 328-8888 for directions. We will gather under the Sukkah with the traditional lulav and esrog. Bring potluck to eat in the sukkah together.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 19, at 11:00 am   KAMUELA YMCA
(at the former Waimea Town Hall across the driveway from the Kahilu Theatre)
We are planning Hawaii’s second island-wide SIMCHAT TORAH CELEBRATION in Waimea. Everyone from East Hawaii, North Hawaii and West Hawaii is invited. For the Simchat Torah service everyone attending will receive an aliyah and we will be unrolling and re-rolling our beautiful Torah Scrolls. We’ll have the opportunity to literally dance with the Torahs accompanied by music from Kona’s Traveling Jewish Wedding Band. Bring the children! They’ll receive aliyot as well as the adults. There will be a dessert potluck afterwards.

OTHER EVENTS:
There will be additional events for us while Rabbi Levy is here, including discussion groups and educational events. To receive up-to-date news of these and other events, be sure you’ve given us your e-mail address when you send in your MEMBERSHIP / CONTRIBUTION FORM. Also keep your eye on the West Hawaii Today KBS releases each Friday and visit our website at www.konabethshalom.org.

THE KONA BETH SHALOM ANNUAL MEETING
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 7. FROM 2 – 4 PM
KONA OUTDOOR CIRCLE

The KBS Annual Meeting starts at 2 pm. The Board of Trustees meeting follows (at about 2:45 pm). Everyone is invited. Then comes the picnic and music. We get together at this time to consider how we want our Congregation to move along in the coming year. We elect members to our Board of Trustees, and our Board will then elect our Officers. If you have suggestions or if you are interested in joining our Board, call Barry Blum (322-6004) and be sure to come to the meeting.

Our present Board is shown below, with the dates that the trustee’s terms expire. Terms are for three years. The term of anyone elected or re-elected now will expire in 5767, in September 2006. New nominations will be accepted at this meeting. The maximum number of Board members is eighteen (not including the immediate past president).

       Name of Trustee       Term expires    Name of Trustee   Term expires
   1         Ruth Ader*       5764 (September 2003)   8.   Barbara Lewis   5763 (September 2005)
   2.   Barry Blum       5762 (September 2004)       9.   Erwin Myhre*   5764 (September 2003)
   3.   Morty Breier*       5764 (September 2003)    10.   Alan Pollak*   5764 (September 2003)
   4.   Debera First       5764 (September 2004)   11.   Bob Rhée   5762 (September 2004)
   5.   Joel Gimpel       5763 (September 2005)   12.   Helen Salzberg   5762 (September 2004)
   6.      Una Greenaway       5763 (September 2005)    13.   Sandy Wexler   5762 (September 2004)
   7.   Lorraine Highkin*   5764 (September 2003)   14.   Michael Zola#   5763 (September 2005)

        * Term is ending now. Trustee is standing for reelection         # Immediate past president

This is also a time to have a picnic and connect with friends. Bring drinks and a dish as potluck to share (no pork or shellfish please). Kosher hot dogs, buns and all the trimmings will be provided. Bring your musical instruments and be prepared to sing and dance. Kona's Traveling Jewish Wedding Band will be playing for the simcha

THE KONA BETH SHALOM BOARD OF TRUSTEES
These have been the real movers and shakers in Kona this past year: Ruth Ader Cawn, Barry Blum, Morty Breier, Carol Feldman, Debera First, Joel Gimpel, Lorraine Highkin, Una Greenaway, Barbara Lewis, Erwin Myhre, Alan Pollak, Janice Rabkin, Bob Rhée, Helen Salzberg, Renee Sebag, Sandy Wexler and Michael Zola, all KBS Trustees during the past year. Mike Bernstone is also a mover and shaker as our Treasurer but he’s not on the Board (his choice, not ours).

We thank the officers of our Board for doing so much, including Barry Blum for preparing agendas, chairing the Board meetings, and hosting most of the Board meetings with the assistance of his wife, Gloria; Joel Gimpel for recording and publishing Board meeting minutes; Michael Bernstone and Ruth Ader for minding our treasury so carefully; and Morty Breier as Vice-President. We extend to all of them our warmest appreciation as we do to the spouses of all our trustees: Sherrill Cawn, Michael Bernstone, Gloria Blum, Karen Breier, Jan Rae (Gimpel), Harry Highkin, Helen Myhre, Kelli Pollak, Les Rabkin, Leon Rosner and Jacques Sebag. This congregation could not be what it is today if it were not for everything that all these folks contributed.

THE YEAR IN REVIEW -- DO YOU REMEMBER?

LAST FALL we had the pleasure of having Rabbi Mark Shapiro lead our High Holiday Services. Rabbi Shapiro and his wife, Hanna, were with us for several weeks. Rabbi Shapiro was assisted in the choral department by members of his family and also by Dr. Michael Kroll of Laupahoehoe. Joel Gimpel provided beautiful violin accompaniment and Alan Pollak led the children’s program during services. Rabbi Shapiro stayed here to lead the Sukkot service at the home of Jan Rae & Joel Gimpel. Carl Burkhalter and Joel Gimpel built the sukkah using palm fronds provided by Ken Love who also donated some remarkable fruit (including a Hawaiian etrog!). One week later Rabbi Shapiro led us in our first island-wide Simchat Torah celebration at the Waimea Town Hall accompanied by Kona’s Traveling Jewish Wedding Band.

The KBS Annual Meeting took place on October 13, 2002 at the Old Airport State Park in Kailua-Kona and was followed by a potluck meal.

We decided then to create a Chavurah to have Friday evening services on the second Friday evening of each month. Marty Kelemen volunteered his home and Barbara Lewis volunteered to lead services for the first get-together in November. Phillida Alcantar, Sandy Wexler and Elyses Burkhalter have since hosted the gatherings. Starting in February with small but spirited groups of 6-9, these have now become regular events at Sandy’s home with informal services led by Barbara Lewis, melodies and songs, and great potlucks.

IN THE WINTER we celebrated Chanukah with a huge party at the Keauhou Beach Resort with accompaniment by Kona’s Traveling Jewish Wedding Band and the performance of an original play by Debera First. Barry Blum emceed the program. The WaKoBeS (Wahines of Kona Beth Shalom) and AlteKaKoBeS (Kanes of KBS) hosted this second night of Chanukah celebration with community candle lighting, stories, traditional songs, dancing and a potluck supper. There were dreydls to play with, Chanukah gelt (foil-wrapped chocolate coins) and children’s games. Everyone was invited to bring a menorah, latkes and potluck.

Bill Weza returned from Micronesia to take the position of Food & Beverage Manager at the Keauhou Beach Hotel. Bill was a truly gracious host when KBS met at the Kona Serf Hotel for Shabbat services, and we all welcomed his return to Kona.

Jeanne Blum, Barry’s mom, celebrated yet another birthday (don’t ask) on New Year’s Day. Kona’s Traveling Jewish Wedding Band performed for the party at the Regency Hualalai, where Jeanne now lives.

Ruth Bernstone resigned as Trustee and Treasurer due to personal reasons. She did offer to train someone to take her place, and that someone turned out to be her husband, Mike Bernstone. The Board expressed sorrow at her decision and great appreciation for the excellent job she’s done as KBS Treasurer during the last five years.

Janice Rabkin left Kona (and her positions as Trustee) to join her husband Les who was teaching in the Department of Psychology at the University of Kosovo, Yugoslavia, in a program sponsored by the Jewish Joint Distribution Committee.

Helen & Erwin Myhre ran a garage sale at their home that took in well over $1000 for the KBS Tzedaka Fund.
We elected Sandy Wexler to the Board of Trustees. Several months later we also elected Carol Feldman to our Board.

Karen & Morty Breier completed the revisions to The Shaloha Cookbook’s new Millennium Edition. They received the first 30 copies from the mainland printer in time for Chanukah. Fern Kane donated the funds to for this new edition in honor of her Bat Mitzvah in February 2001. All proceeds from sales of the Cookbook go to KBS’ Building Fund. In January, Karen received an enquiry from Alex Witchell, a food writer for the New York Times. When Ms. Witchell arrived on January 23, Karen and Morty showed her KBS’ special places on the island, and then at their home served Karen’s special gravlox to her. The results were presented to the entire world in the Food and Wine Section of the Feb 5, 2003, edition of The New York Times. This cheery and informative story was reproduced in many local newspapers throughout the United States resulting in orders galore for the Shaloha Cookbook as well as for Kona’s Traveling Jewish Wedding Band’s new “Shaloha Oy” CD release.

In January we had a folk dance program after Friday evening services led by Mira Korach, who ran Mira’s Kabalah Café at the San Francisco Jewish Community Center for many years. Mira also helped out at the Purim celebration at the Kona Outdoor Circle.

We celebrated Tu B’Shvat with a Seder at Una Greenaway & Leon Rosner’s (and Helen Salzberg’s) Kuaiwi Farm. Their two resident guest workers, Stephanie Pell and Levi Stolove, led portions of the Seder and we planted several trees for the occasion.

The KBS website: www.konabethshalom.org, designed by Morty Breier, went on line and helped introduce many visitors to our congregation.

IN THE SPRING we celebrated Purim with a fine party at the Kona Outdoor Circle. Barry Blum read from the Megillah as everyone listening sounded their graggors (provided by Renee Sebag). Tony Franken donated prizes for the best costumes. The WaKoBeS prepared the hamentashen and Mira Korach helped lead folk dancing to music by members of Kona’s Traveling Jewish Wedding Band.

Barry Blum and Michael Zola again co-hosted our annual Passover Seder at the Keauhou Beach Hotel, attended by more than 100 people. Members of Kona’s Traveling Jewish Wedding Band provided musical entertainment, and the WaKoBeS handled decorations. Ruth Ader, Lorraine Highkin and Jan Rae worked with the hotel staff to ensure that the meal was delicious.

Beverly Lewyn, one of CNN’s researchers from Atlanta, Georgia, invited KBS to join her and her family at the Four Seasons Resort in order to celebrate Shavuot. Renee Sebag made arrangements for KBS and we all gathered in one of the ballrooms for a marvelous evening. We conducted a brief Shabbat evening service and then a Shavuot observance. Sandy Wexler, Lorraine Highkin and Ruth Ader assisted Renee with the arrangements and we had wonderful dairy treats to enjoy. Bev then told us about the book that she wrote based on her father-in-law’s experiences during the Holocaust. Bert Lewyn actually lived right in Berlin during the war where he survived as a result of several major miracles. The book is called “On the Run in Nazi Berlin,” and is available at Borders and Amazon.com.

In July the congregation celebrated the Bar Mitzvah of Jason Kawalsky. Jason is from Dallas, Texas and his family came from as far away as South Africa and Australia for this joyous event. Two weeks later, Dante, the Magid of Texas (Dan Gordon), told stories for us at services and we celebrated the Bat Mitzvah of Rose Puett with the largest attendance at any of our monthly Shabbat services.

Joel Gimpel announced that he would be a candidate for election to the County Council from the Eighth District in the November 2004 election.

Dr. Joshua Green announced that he would be the Democratic candidate for State Representative from the Sixth District in the November 2004 election.

HEBREW AND TORAH STUDY (HATS)
Spring is traditionally a time of blossoming and this past year that is exactly what KBS experienced with our children’s education program, Hebrew and Torah Study (HATS, as named by the children). We began in March with classes at a parent’s home and then moved to Hualalai Academy where we meet on Monday afternoons. We appreciate Felicity Johnson’s generosity in making the Hualalai Academy available to us. Each week, Ziggy Livnat, an artist from Israel, teaches Hebrew language. Neil Soicher, who chants Torah for many of our Shabbat services and has a traditional Jewish upbringing and education, joins Ziggy every other week to teach Torah study and reading. The students’ ages range from eight to 14 years.

On July 26, our first HATS student, Rose Puett, celebrated her Bat Mitzvah with over 80 people in attendance! We were all proud of not only Rose, but also Ziggy, Neil, Sharona Lomberg and all those who have supported and contributed to the Jewish education of our children!

The success of HATS has inspired KBS to expand the school this fall to children age eight and older, and to adults. We will now offer two classes: 1) Learn to read Hebrew, and 2) Study of the Torah. Also available, if a student wishes, is to prepare for a Bar or Bat Mitzvah.

Intergenerational classes will be conducted, pairing an adult with an adolescent (where desired) to enhance each of their educational experiences. Audiotape and/or CD support for Hebrew language will also be provided. The 14-year-old graduates of the HATS program will join adults in Torah study.

We ask for your help in getting this message out to all the Jewish families on the Big Island who have children ages eight and above. One of KBS’ main goals is to enable these youngsters to have a positive and informative exposure to Judaism to enrich their lives and to develop into responsible, caring, thoughtful adults who are proud of their Jewish heritage. An informational meeting and initial class was conducted on August 25, at Hualalai Academy.

Please join us. All faiths and levels of knowledge are welcome. Scholarships are available.

Thanks to everyone who served with me on our Education Committee: Carol Feldman, Sandy Wexler, Alan Pollak, Marilyn Anderson, Ruth Ader, Barry Blum, Debbie Rizzi and to our wonderful teachers, Neil Soicher and Zvika “Ziggy” Livnat.

Peace, love, health and happiness to you all in this New Year,

Debera First and the Education Committee

MORE ON EDUCATION FOR ADULTS
We are exploring the possibility of starting an adult Bar and Bat Mitzvah preparation class to be held at the Regency at Hualalai in Kailua-Kona. If you might be interested in joining this class, please contact Sandy Wexler at wexlersandra@hotmail.com or call her at 325-8684.

SPIRIT CENTER
As our congregation has grown and our activities increased, our Board has considered the need for a permanent home. Accordingly, the Board named Ruth Ader, Joel Gimpel, Una Greenaway, Lorraine Highkin and Alan Pollak to meet with representatives of the New Thought Community and Kona Pacific Institute (the “Waldorf School”) to explore the possibility of joining with those organizations to construct a “Spiritcenter.” Morty Breier, KBS vice-president and former president of New Thought, prepared the initial design of the building, which could be used for services, meetings, classes and other community events. The three organizations have formed a Joint Spiritcenter Committee and are examining the issues associated with the project.

WaKoBeS
In addition to assuring that we always have challot after the Shabbat services, the WaKoBeS (Wahines of Kona Beth Shalom) meet during the year to plan the meal functions for Rosh Hashanah, break-the-fast after Yom Kippur, Simchat Torah, Sukkot, Purim and Pesach.

If you’re interested in doing valuable work with your sisters in this Jewish community, join us! Call Jan Rae at 325-4991 or Ruth Ader at 325-0008.

Shaloha,

Jan Rae and Ruth Ader

MAHALO AND TODAH RABAH
Our Sabbath services are remarkable events. Sabbath is a gift from HaShem to us, and we do appreciate that gift. The good people of Kona Beth Shalom make Sabbath observance a true work of art each month. Consider this. There are not a whole lot of people on the planet who can read Torah. There are even fewer in Hawaii. And yet there has not been a KBS Shabbat in recent memory when we failed to have someone present who read Torah! This is truly remarkable. We deeply appreciate Barbara Lewis, Rutika Gaber, Priscilla Kostinar, Sharona Lomberg, Jacques Sebag, Neil Soicher and Judi Steinman who have read Torah for us this past year.
   Marshall Blann, Gloria Blum, Joel Gimpel, Una Greenaway, Lorraine Highkin, Janice Rabkin, Alan Pollak, Sandy Wexler, Renee Sebag, Rabbi Lee Diamond and Morty Breier have educated and inspired us with their interpretations of each Torah portion. Lorraine Highkin, Helen Myhre, Ruth Bernstone, Karen Breier, Una Greenaway and Jerry Klaz have baked or brought nourishing loaves of Challah to every one of our gatherings.
   Morty Breier prepares each week’s display ad in West Hawaii Today, and Barry Blum prepares each month’s newspaper releases. Erwin Myhre lovingly brings our cherished Torah scroll to every Saturday morning service. He also brings the candlesticks, the wine goblet and the Manischewitz, and not only that, he gathers the names and addresses of all the visitors. Joel Gimpel’s violin accompaniment to our prayers enriches every service. This past year, Julie Sebag provided violin accompaniment at services when Joel was unable to attend. Julie and her brother Robert Sebag also performed lovely violin and cello duets after many of our services. Karen Breier unfalteringly calls out the page numbers for the transliterations of the prayers. When she’s away, Jan Rae picks up those reins. And everyone else who says “Amen” completes the mitzvah! Thanks to all. Thanks to HaShem.

To Morty Breier, for his magnificent contributions as KBS resident artist, for his designs of our bookmark, our contribution cards, the proposed Spirit Center, the KBS website, for the artistry of his humor and for his wit and conscience.

To Jan Rae, for sending the cards of appreciation and condolence.

To Alan Pollak, for getting us together for minyan when visitors or kama‘ainas need to recite Kaddish, for his work with KAHEA this past year, and for leading the Friday evening service when Barry was unavailable.

To Alan Pollak, Leon Rosner, and Victor Greenspan for the work they have been doing to complete and protect the beautiful Aron HaKodesh designed for us by Morty Breier and.built by Joe Rosner

To Kona’s Traveling Jewish Wedding Band, including Matt Binder, Gloria & Barry Blum, Morty Breier, Roslyn Cohen, Joel Gimpel, Jamilla Hannaford, Jonathan Marmelzat, Ahti Mohala and Judy & Orrin Olson for their generosity and talent playing for so many of KBS’ simchas.

To the owners and staff of the Ohana Keauhou Beach Resort, 78-6740 Alii Drive, six miles from downtown Kailua-Kona, for all their support and assistance this past year, in particular to Bill Weza and Melissa Hinkley. We appreciate their hospitality for the many Congregation functions they have hosted.

To Karen Breier, Alan Pollak, Morty Breier and Barry Blum for leading prayers that begin all our Board meetings:

To Erwin Myhre who helped Bob Rhée move into the Regency at Hualalai.

To Erwin Myhre and Vic Greenspan for building the ramp at Joel Gimpel’s home for him to use during his recovery.

To Rev. Alan Stoker, pastor of the Hale Ewah Baptist Church that meets at the Kona Outdoor Circle on Sunday evenings. They graciously allowed us to use the Outdoor Circle on Sunday evening for our Kol Nidre service and moved their own Sunday service elsewhere.

To Gloria & Barry Blum and Jan Rae & Joel Gimpel who have hosted the monthly KBS Board meetings at their homes.

To Janice Rabkin, Una Greenaway and Alan Pollak who filled in for Joel Gimpel as Secretary when needed.

To Karen Breier for managing the Shaloha Cookbook sales so diligently, and now to Gloria Blum who is filling in for Karen.

MAZEL TOV AND YASHER KOACH
Y   Kona’s Traveling Jewish Wedding Band on the release of their first CD “Shaloha Oy,” featuring Gloria & Barry Blum, Matt Binder, Morty Breier, Roz Cohen, Joel Gimpel, Jonathan Marmelzat, Ahti Mohala, Judy & Orrin Olsen and Clark Welsh. (It’s available at Mele Kai Music and Borders.)
Y   Karen & Morty Breier, grandparents again.
Y   Joel Gimpel & Jan Rae, grandparents again.

TZEDAKA
As a result of Debbie Rizzi inviting Kona Beth Shalom to assist in sponsoring a child at the Hualalai Academy we received this information from Debbie:

Aloha,
   I wanted to share with you this update on the child that KBS helped pay the tuition for at Hualalai Academy.
   Yesterday, we received her first report card. When we first enrolled her at Hualalai, she showed me her report card from the Intermediate School. Basically, she was barely passing math and science and was doing fair in her other subjects. When we discussed math, science or basically anything, she told me that she really was not good at any of those things.
   Well- yesterday's report card begged to differ. She received an A-in math, and then a B+ in Science and English, and a B in her second science course, therefore getting a 3.25 GPA. It is not just the grades she is receiving though. Her confidence in herself has grown tremendously and I see her as truly happy within herself. We even discussed colleges yesterday. I think she is well on her way to being the wonderful person she has the potential to be.
   So, thank you… She is such a blessing and so are you for helping her.

Aloha,
   Once again I want to share with you this news.
   We have just received her final report card for the year. As I told you previously she was not doing well at the Intermediate School. This trimester she received 5 A's and one B. What a difference a new environment makes! She was just informed by Kamehameha Schools that she is first on their waiting list for the ninth grade. If one child decides not to go, she gets to go. She also received a President's Award for Academic Excellence.
   This is so incredible. Less than one year ago she was in an abusive situation barely passing school, on the road to failure. Now she is in a secure environment, doing excellent in school, and on her road to wherever she believes she can go.
   Thanks to people like you who helped us to help her succeed. God bless you all for this. Words cannot express mine and her foster family's extreme gratitude for your help. Really - from the bottom of my heart, please thank the congregation for helping us to help her. I wish there were no children in situations like this but thank God we were able to help this one.
   Shalom and Aloha,

   Debbie Rizzi
P.S. We are all done with paying her tuition for the year, thanks to people like you who were so generous.
MESSAGE FROM ISRAEL
   Shalom and Aloha!!!
   I am a local girl from Kailua-Kona, the Big Island. I have been in Israel the last two years and after making aliyah (immigration) I have volunteered in the Israeli Army. I have been in the IDF for the last five months and loving every moment, now being to relate to the people like no one else can unless you go through this experience as well. I am stationed with a combat unit called Nachal. I work as a connection between their officer and the soldiers, doing things that need to get done, being there for the boys; saying Happy Birthday, listening and giving morale and support as they go in and out of the territories.
   I am writing the Jewish communities in Hawaii to ask for any support they can offer to these amazing boys in my unit. They cannot comprehend that I would leave my family and a paradise of a home to come to Israel and join their Army. But what an amazing country Israel is and a peace from God I have for being here. So I want to prove to them that there are Jews out there from across the world, my beautiful home, that will support them. I know, as they are about to go into Hebron this coming week, they would love letters of support and Aloha from the children or those in the congregation. Any token of support you feel led to give would mean the world to them and raise their morale. You can contact me with any questions or ideas at hollyaller@hotmail.com, or send letters or something that needs to be sent to:
Holly Aller 7069578
Nachal, Pluga Rovait 932
03541, IDF
ISRAEL
   Shalom and Aloha and Thank You for any support you can offer,

   Holly

AND A LOCAL REQUEST
Beryl Forman is looking to connect with a family during the Holidays: “I am not going to be home for the Jewish Holidays and would really like to find a family that is willing to take me in. As well, I would like to find people my age. Would you be able to help me out? 22yrs old, recent graduate of Indiana University, raised in New Jersey, and now am interning in the marketing department of KMC in Hawaii Volcano National Park... and I'm a lot of fun.”

GET WELL SOON
CONTINUE TO GET WELL
R’FUAH SHELEIMA
   Morty Breier
   Joel Gimpel
   Ellen Kimiatek, Joel Gimpel’s sister
   Leona Salzano, Jan Rae’s mother
   Rani Merens, Jan Rae’s sister
   Mildred Sigler

IN MEMORIAM

SEYMOUR LEWIS
Forever the optimist, Seymour Lewis passed away in Sacramento on August 27, 2002. He arrived in Sacramento in 1940 and never let go of his dreams for a better world for all people. Dr. Lewis founded the Zionist Organization of America District in Sacramento. He was the second President of the Jewish Federation of the Sacramento Region. He was instrumental in raising funds to rescue Jews from Nazi Europe and for Israel both before and after statehood. He led services at Folsom Prison for Jewish inmates. He foresaw the need for education for Jewish youth in the greater Sacramento area as early as 1980 and was an active member of congregations of B'nai Israel and Mosaic Law Synagogue. He was the first spiritual leader of Congregation Kona Beth Shalom.

TEUNISSE RABIN
Teunisse passed away on September 9, 2002. A thirty-year-resident of Kona, she was an artist, arts administrator, teacher, tireless youth advocate and activist and was a founding member and executive director of SKEA (South Kona Education Association). Teunisse was the devoted mother of Miriam, Peter and Eric, and the beloved wife of Arnie Rabin.

ABE BRIGHTMAN
Ruth Bernstone's father, Abe Brightman, 84 years old, passed away on November 3, 2002, following a long illness. He was a very active, athletic man before he became ill, and always loved life to the fullest. His outgoing personality and willingness to help his neighbors made him a well-known fixture in his Florida community. A self-taught and self-made man, he loved to travel, dance and listen to classical music, especially opera. He was always there for his family and is truly missed

BOB FELDMAN
Bob was one of the creators of Kona Beth Shalom’s Virtual Library project. Born in Allentown, Pennsylvania, he died suddenly and unexpectedly on April 12, 2003. An engineer in the field of military aeronautics he was part of the design team of the Stealth Bomber before moving to Hawaii. Bob was beloved by his wife of 18 years, Carol, and by his two children, five grandchildren, two stepchildren and five step-grandchildren.

BOB SALZBERG
Robert Salzberg passed away on May 7, 2003. He was born in Germany where he was trained to be a baker. Robert was a champion track & field star in his city. He was fortunate to leave there in 1937 and come to the U.S. He settled in NYC with an uncle. He met Helen, his wife of 62 years, there. They were married in 1941. After living in California for 37 years, they moved to Kona in 1982 to be with their daughter and granddaughters. He was recruited immediately upon moving here to bake the ceremonial challah, which he did faithfully for 16 years. Robert spent the last 20 years of his life as a coffee farmer and world traveler.

AL BEER
Al Beer was on his way home from attending shiva for a friend in northern Israel on June 11, 2003 when a suicide bomber brought an abrupt end to his life in Jerusalem. Al came to Kona from Cleveland where, much to his surprise, he reconnected to his Jewishness. He assisted in many of KBS’ activities and ultimately decided to make aliyah to Israel. His death sent "absolute shock" through the Orthodox Union Israel Center where he volunteered and had attended lectures for approximately one year. “Often wearing Hawaiian shirts, Beer looked more like a tourist than a volunteer,” one of his Israeli friends fondly recalled, adding that "he would always brighten everything up, he always had stories. He had a religious soul and knew a lot about everything.”

INNI L. VARGA FRADENBURG
Jan Fradenburg’s mother was born in Pest, Hungary in 1916. She later lived in London during the Blitz having emigrated there at the age of 21. The 11th of 14 children, she lost most her family in the Holocaust. She traveled widely after marrying William who was in the Foreign Service. Inni died on July 12, 2003 in Alexandria Virginia where she was an active member of Beth El Hebrew Congregation, a congregation founded in 1859.

JIM COLLIER
Although Jim wasn’t sure he was Jewish, having been adopted and not knowing his birth parents’ religion, he felt a connection to KBS and attended holiday services on several occasions. He was also a good friend to many members of the congregation, and requested Jewish services following his passing. Jim succumbed on August 5, 2003 to ALS (“Lou Gehrig’s disease”) and we said Kaddish at a special memorial service.
MAY THEIR MEMORIES ALWAYS BE A BLESSING
FOR THEIR FRIENDS, THEIR FAMILIES, AND FOR ALL OF US.

A PUR VERTER FROM THE CONGREGATION’S PRESIDENT
This has been perhaps the most challenging year even as it has been one of the most rewarding years for our community. The “In Memoriam” section of this newsletter is too full with the names of my friends. These people were, what I like to call, “movers and shakers.” They were active contributors to their communities and to this congregation. They were individuals who shaped us all. In my role as president I have the pleasure of leading many of our Shabbat and holiday services; I have the responsibility of preparing newspaper releases and conducting meetings; and I have the thrill of greeting many visitors in person or in the mail as a representative of Kona’s Jewish community. But I also have the sad privilege of conducting memorial services. I know it’s a mitzvah, but it’s not my favorite thing.

The two most exciting events of this past year were the completions of the Millennium Edition of the Shaloha Cookbook and of Kona’s Traveling Jewish Wedding Band’s CD “Shaloha Oy.” And both were heralded to the world when Karen & Morty Breier were interviewed by Alex Witchell of the New York Times last January followed by Ms. Witchell’s full page story about us in the Times’ Food & Wine Section on February 5, 2003. What magic that event brought to us all! We even received an enquiry from a major U.S. cookbook publisher, and when she decided (regrettably) not to publish us, she still sent a generous donation to our congregation.

I have felt enormously gratified to see our children’s education program get off the ground so richly. HATS (Hebrew and Torah Studies) is meant to continue and enlarge the wonderful work begun years ago by Sharona Lomberg and her KAHEA program. I well recall walking along the shore at Honokohau National Park with Alan Pollak as we shared our dreams of what such a program might be like. We formed the Education Committee to move the project along. How to find the students? Where to find the teachers? Neil Soicher volunteered to teach. Ziggy Livnat showed up at Friday evening services to become our other teacher. Debra First took upon herself the responsibility to create some structure and organization. Then it began, and it starts again this season! Bringing the children into our Jewish community may be one of our most important acts, the activity that ensures our continuity not only as a congregation in Hawaii, but as a living presence on this planet.

Speaking of the rest of the planet, there is still work to be done, tikkun olam, to repair the world. As you must have noticed over the years, I have generally chosen to focus locally rather than internationally, not because international events are less important but because of that adage from the 60’s that “all politics are local.” I pray that as we continue to get our own house in order, we thereby help to get the house of Klal Yisrael into order as well. This is not to disregard the need for us to support the goal of a just and lasting peace in Israel. I have been as frustrated as anyone as I watch leaders make decisions that seem to lead to continuing violence and the opposite of any peaceful solution. As simple as it sounds, the words of Joseph & Nathan still seem to be the best and the only answer: “From you I receive, to you I give, together we share, from this we live.”

Shaloha,
Barry Blum

A PUR VERTER FUN DER ANDERER DENANDE, THE CONGREGATION’S VICE PRESIDENT

Well, I gave it a good run, crowned with these last fourteen years of my life here on the Kona coast of Hawaii. The medical profession has diagnosed me as having malignant cancer, with a limited future. Karen tells me, its up to me to prove them wrong, which she and I and all our friends, family and good wishers encourage. I started chemotherapy in August, which will be a five or six-week course to slow the cancer's spread. All the warnings of difficult side effects, have, so far, not materialized and my time is spent enjoying our life here at the Dome Home in the Sky.

So a certain bittersweet sadness creeps over my worldview as the horizon line no longer stretches out before me. I try to fully appreciate each day, to meditate regularly, to breath deeply, to enjoy the Hawaiian surrounds, to soak in our hot tub, to read of deep things. My love for Karen grows steadily as I'm cared for by this silver haired beauty who sooths me with her selfless and adoring presence. Our love is indeed the crown jewel on what has been for me a fascinating and adventurous life.

I also take heart in our community and all the wonderful people who've offered to help, who express their love and who wish us well. We've all become dear to each other, friends from Kona Beth Shalom, from New Thought Center, from the Cutting Edge Symposium, from the Traveling Jewish Wedding Band and other musicians and music lovers, from our Gavin Harrison meditation sanga, from our Koloko neighborhood and from all the West Hawaii souls we've had the pleasure of coming in contact with. What a rich fabric we've all woven over the years and what great camaraderie and love we've fostered.

And of course my family and older Connecticut and New York friends offer me great consolation. Nicole, Damien and Max all came out together to visit Karen and I while I was at Queen's Medial Center in Honolulu undergoing tests and some surgery. There was never more love, tenderness, empathy and compassion as was present for both Karen and I during these difficult times. How hard it is to see your father, the guy who always came through, weak and in pain. Their continued concern, understanding and support infuse us daily with new reasons to battle on. They're all scheduling additional visits here and I look forward to great big hugs and much affection.

I answer email intermittently but would love to hear from you if you'd like to write. We also enjoy visits by friends and family and have a schedule of people coming from the mainland to talk and love and laugh and give us their good wishes. Since there are times when I'm not feeling well, Karen is our household "gate-keeper", so please make arrangements through her.

About a year and a half ago I put down the writing of my illustrated memoirs, called INNER JOURNEYS - OUTER WORLDS, having completed the chapter that dealt with my Connecticut life breaking apart. I've recently started writing the last chapters, covering my life here in Hawaii and my great love affair with Karen. I hope to have the energy focus and will to be able to leave behind this story of Morty's life as a legacy to friends and family. It will be a 400 page document and I'll print up a hundred copies for distribution to those of you who might want a copy.

I'm not too sure about sending this message out to my world. As you all know, I'm a talkative person and I do enjoy communicating. I'm sorry that the content of this communication bears sad news. I would love your prayers, good wishes, healing energies and heartfelt compassion, and appreciate all the help I can get in this mortal battle. Having said that, I also would love your humor, your irreverence and your lightness of soul, to keep the seriousness from being the main melody at this time of my life.

Love to you all
Shaloha,

Morty Breier

We look forward to 5764being a good year for all of us.
On behalf of all the members of Congregation Kona Beth Shalom,
we wish you a Happy and Healthy New Year --- L'Shana Tovah Tikateivu!!!

That's the news, folks. This is the story of your Congregation, Kona Beth Shalom.
If you like what you read here, then join us for the coming year.
If you have new ideas, share them with us.
Send in your MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION / CONTRIBUTION FORM now.

WE ARE NOT COMPLETE WITHOUT YOU!

CONGREGATION
KONA BETH SHALOM

Membership Application / Contribution Form
5764 (Sep. 2003 - Sep. 2004)

Your name:
Name of Spouse or Partner:
Children under 18, with names and dates of birth:

Address:___________________________________________   e-mail:
Town:_________________________________ State:___________ Zip:
Home phone:_________________ Work phone:___ ___________ Fax:
PLEASE PRINT ALL ABOVE CLEARLY

Membership Contribution:       Suggested non-member Contribution:
* Sustaining Membership   $360       Children under 18   complementary
* Family Membership   $250   * High Holiday Services only   $50 per person
* Single Membership   $150   * High Holiday Services (Kama'aina)   $25 per person

At Yizkor, please remember the following persons:

   * Yizkor Contribution   $18 (or any amount):     $ _________

   * Hebrew and Torah Studies (HATS)
       Children’s Hebrew Education Program:        $ _________

   * Building Fund Contribution:           $ _________

       TOTAL ENCLOSED:                   $ _________

Please make your check payable to Congregation Kona Beth Shalom and mail it along with this Application to:
   Michael Bernstone
68-3840 Lua Kula St. #E 204
Waikoloa, HI 96738

No one will be turned away from Services for inability to pay.
Please call Barry Blum (322-6004) or Joel Gimpel (325-4991) if you have any questions.