Bath Jewish History

January/February 2026
Tevet / Shevat / Adar 5786

Rabbi’s Message

Dear Beth Israel Members and Friends,

Jews around the world will celebrate Tu B'shevat, the New Year of the Trees, this year on Feb 1-2. During this land-based holiday, we eat fruits grown in the land of Israel, known as the seven species: wheat, barley, grape, fig, pomegranate, olive and date. In addition, many dedicate the day to taking steps to care for our earth, to learning about and caring for trees in our local community and to planting trees in Israel. These reflective and delicious practices aim to remind us of the many ways that trees nourish human beings and how we must nurture and protect them.

Here in Maine, in the heart of winter, Tu Bishvat, provides an opportunity on our Jewish calendar, to get outdoors and express our gratitude for and awe of our wondrous natural world. Winter can be a wonderful time to be outdoors. The crisp air and midday sun enlivens our spirits. Winter can also be a tough time for those who move through the world in a wheelchair or walker. I pray that in this new secular year 2026, we each will be blessed to appreciate the gift of our natural world, whether by looking out a sunny window, or taking a winter hike. I look forward to sharing this time with you.

Grief Support Group

by Rabbi Vinikoor

Sunday, 1/18, 2/15, 3/1, 4/5, 5/17
4:00–5:00 pm
Minnie Brown Center

As Rabbi Vinikoor mentioned in her Yom Kippur Sermon, she is organizing a grief group at our congregation. The grief group is a monthly drop-in group to provide a space for any member of Beth Israel who is grieving a loss, be it for the death of a loved one or other types of loss and grief. This group seeks to create connection and support for participants wherever they are in their grief journey. Reach out to Rabbi Vinikoor with any questions.

“Grief is a universal experience...when we connect, it’s better.” — Mary-Frances O’Connor

President’s Message

by Marilyn Weinberg

Our board has been busy focusing on Beth Israel’s future. We love our historic and beautiful building and sanctuary. Over the years we have had many discussions on the need to provide a space that is accessible to all as well as to create a clear egress in case of an emergency.

It was evident when we celebrated our High Holidays this year that we had a number of people who were challenged by the multiple steps required to enter the building, and we know there were some who chose not to attend. There have been so many reasons why we have put off this project, but we need to do something. We have a plan that can work and it is time to take action to make it happen. There is a feeling of hope and promise for our future. As we head into the season of cold weather and snow we can only delight in the warmth and good cheer at Beth Israel.

The board is planning a community gathering to talk about next steps. Stay tuned for the date and time.

Meet Connor Dedrick

by Connor Dedrick and Marilyn Weinberg

Tuesday, January 13
10:00 am-1:00 pm
Minnie Brown Center

We are so pleased to share our joy in hiring our new administrative assistant, Connor Dedrick.

Connor shares:

I am a Jewish educator and ritualist, originally from New Jersey and now in Portland. I am the co-founder of the Portland Wandering Minyan, a ritual laboratory to explore all facets of Jewish spirituality and practice, including song circles, meditation, and learning. Professionally, I am the Jewish Life Advisor at Bowdoin College, but outside of that I love the outdoors, especially foraging to feed my equal loves of cooking and baking, making art and music, as well as a really good cup of tea.

Connor will be working both Tuesdays and Thursdays at our Minnie Brown Center. You can reach them at office@bethisraelbath.org. We are setting up a meet and greet on Tuesday, January 13 from 11:00 am–1:00 pm at the Minnie Brown Center to meet Connor. They would love to get to know as many people as possible.

Martin Luther King Day Breakfast

by Rabbi Vinikoor

Monday, January 19
9:00 am
Brunswick United Methodist Church 
320 Church Road, Brunswick

The Midcoast Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Breakfast Committee presents: 
Breaking Chains, Building Bridges: Artists as Architects of the Beloved Community

Join us in-person for breakfast & a screening of MLK, Jr’s 1967 Stanford University speech, “The Other America.” The screening will be followed by a live panel discussion with local social justice leaders and educators about art’s ability to address the concerns in Dr. King’s speech, which are still relevant today.

To reserve a seat early for this free inaugural event, click HERE

Keeping Beth Israel Congregation Safe

by Peggy Brown

Tuesday, January 20
5:30–7:00 pm
Synagogue

Beth Israel Congregation in Bath has engaged Mark Atlee, Regional Security Adviser with the CJP Communal Security Initiative, to provide a training session on Countering Active Threats in Houses of Worship. We are inviting everyone in the Beth Israel community to join us. Please use this link to register in advance.

Mark Atlee has years of expertise in this field with organizational work in the US Military, US Department of Homeland Security, and FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force Boston. The training will be open to members of Beth Israel Congregation, other local houses of worship, and members of the Bath Police Department who provide our security details.

Session will include:

• Briefing on the state of nonprofit/synagogue/houses of worship security in 2025–2026
  Action checklist to take to ensure the safety of your institution
  Specific training on countering an active security threat
  Free light dinner

Feel free to call or email me for more information.

Community Read

by Marilyn Weinberg

The selection for the next Community Read is Songs for the Broken Hearted by Ayelet Tsabari. For the first time we will be sharing the discussion with Bowdoin College students. We will meet at Thorne Hall, order dinner and then gather together to share a meal and thoughts about the book. The big follow-up is an in person visit with author Ayelet Tsabari on April 15.

From New Books Network:

Songs for the Broken Hearted tells the story of a young Yemeni Israeli woman who learns of her mother’s secret romance in a dramatic journey through lost family stories, revealing the unbreakable bond between a mother and a daughter.

Her characters are alive, the story skillfully structured, and the tragic, hidden history of Yemenite Jews expertly woven into the lives of people you will laugh with and shed tears for. To read this book is also to encounter an Israel and Palestine few of us are familiar with nowadays; when words like “peace” and “hope” were common, and nuance and complexity possible. A love song for a time long past, overflowing with emotional intelligence and psychological insight, Songs for the Brokenhearted will break your heart.

RSVP to office@bethisraelbath.org for location information at Bowdoin College.

Beth Israel Diners' Club—Come Join Us!

by Anne Rankin

Our next Diners' Club will meet for lunch and conversation on Wednesday, January 28, 11:30 am. We'll meet at Dutchman's Wood-Fired Bagels (Fort Andross Mill Complex, Brunswick). Here's a link to their menu:

https://www.dutchmans.me/menu

Please RSVP to Anne. And, if you can't join us in January, please let us know your preferences for days of the week; lunch/dinner; and any restaurants you would like to try. Look forward to connecting with you!

Finding Your Jewish Roots: An Introduction to Building your Family Tree

Taught by Rebecca Dunham

Whether you’ve tried to make a family tree in the past or just didn’t know where to start, this class will introduce you to the online tools available for you to find out more about your ancestors.

Please choose a branch of your family and come prepared with some basic information so that we can get you started: pick a person (or a couple), we’ll need their name(s), date/place of birth, and parents/siblings/children's names.

About the instructor: Rebecca retired from the Foreign Service in 2019 and started doing genealogical research as a hobby during the COVID shutdown.  She has since had much success documenting previously unknown family roots for family and friends.

 Register for the class by emailing office@bethisraelbath.org

Winter Warming Center

by Thyle Shatar & Joanne Rosenthal

Monday, January 29
Time 4:00–5:00 pm

When winter arrives in Maine, freezing temperatures create life-threatening risks for neighbors who are unhoused or unsheltered. Tedford Housing’s Overnight Winter Warming Center provides a safe, low-barrier space where individuals, families, and pets can escape the cold overnight.

Beth Israel is partnering with Tedford Housing to provide needed items for the warming center for the month of February.

Sign up for any one of the needed items HERE.

The drop-off date is January 29 between 4:00–5:00 pm. If that time doesn’t work, contact office@bethisraelbath to arrange for another time. There will be a bin in the Minnie Brown Center lobby.

History of Antisemitism

by John Dunn

February 8 and 22
March 8 and 22
10:00–11:30 am
Minnie Brown Center

What are we saying when we say that someone or something is antisemitic? Where did the term come from? And what’s the history behind the behavior and speech that we call antisemitic? In this 4-part course we will talk about history, going back to the time of Christ and moving forward to the contemporary world. We will talk about language, action and response. We will talk about our own experiences of antisemitism. 

This class will be taught by John Dunn, a faculty member of Midcoast Senior College and member of Beth Israel. 

Please register for the class by emailing office@bethisraelbath.org. In addition, please borrow or buy the book Antisemitism: Here and Now by Deborah E. Lipstadt.

Shabbat at Home

by Marilyn Weinberg

March 13, 2026

At Home

Although many attend Shabbat services on Friday night, others prefer to stay home and have a low key, relaxing meal to end their busy week. Three years ago, members of our community gathered together for a simple, cozy potluck-style Shabbat dinner in their homes with others who live nearby (think soup, bread and dessert). It’s an opportunity to share good food, new connections, and share Shabbat together in a welcoming, low-key way.

Would you be willing to host other members or families in your home? You can sign up to host or sign up to attend and bring a dish to share.

Contact Connor at office@bethisraelbath.org to share your interest in being a host or guest and we will get you more information.

Beth Israel Brings It to BBYO Maine Kickoff

by Laura McCandlish

Several Beth Israel post- B' Mitzvah teens comprised a group of 20 youth who gathered at Spare Time Portland Oct. 26th to celebrate the much-anticipated launch of Maine’s first BBYO (Bnai Brith Youth Organization) chapter in decades. Activities included bowling, an epic game of laser tag and pizza party, embodying the global BBYO movement’s goal to involve Jewish teens of all denominations/backgrounds in more meaningful Jewish experiences.

Zach Schwartz of the Jewish Community Alliance of Southern Maine plugs the new chapter as “a joyful, safe space for Jewish youth to congregate, build friendships, and be their full, authentic selves.” The group convened again at Urban Air on November 23 and will gather for a Shabbat game night at a local family’s home on January 9.

BBYO is open to all Maine Jewish teens grades 8–12, bridging the gap between the B' Mitzvah and college years. For more information, email zschwartz@mainejewish.org. 

Social Action Committee

by Joanne Rosenthal

The committee has been busy responding to community needs and taking actions. Organizing the annual Christmas dinner for guests of the Tedford Shelter, continuing the holiday food drive for the Bath food bank, showing up at rally’s with URJ signs, collecting items needed by the Brunswick Warming Center, and helping at the MLK breakfast to be held on January 19. A Beth Israel banner is in the works and a new mission statement for the committee has been completed:

Tikkun Olam – repairing the world, is a central pillar of Jewish Teachings. At Beth Israel Congregation we are committed to working for social justice to ameliorate suffering in our local community and beyond. This work takes many forms including education, advocacy, direct service and community organizing.

Please contact socialaction@bethisraelbath.org if you’d like to join the committee.

Community Hanukkah Celebration

by Marilyn Weinberg

A good time was had by all at the Beth Israel Hanukkah Celebration on December 21. We had our own Hanukkah corn hole game, fun crafts, and our favorite dreidel spinning competition with our Spinagogue.

We had so much light inside as we lit our menorah candles and raised our voices chanting the blessings and singing lots of joyful Hanukkah songs. Special thanks to our amazing latke cooks, Susan Horowitz and Donnie and Quinn Boyd.

REMEMBRANCES FOR MONTH–MONTH YEAR

May their memories be for a blessing.

BIRTHDAYS AND ANNIVERSARIES

Listing the birthdays and anniversaries of those in our immediate family creates a wonderful opportunity for our community/shul family to have an excuse to celebrate with each other. 

welcome new members

• Diane Powell

• Judy Pachter and Jay Fleisher

• Alexis Mann and Mike Sussman and Family

DONATIONS

Memorial Gifts

• Jay and Lenore Friedland in loving memory of his mother, Nettie Friedland

• Andy and Chris Schoenberg in loving memory of his father, George Schoenberg

• Stephen A. Sinclair and Jenna Golub in loving memory of his father, Stephen Sinclair

• Gary Torow in loving memory of his father, Morris Torow

• William and Diane Racine in loving memory of his father, Thomas Racine

• Morton Panish in loving memory of his father Isidore Panish

• Robert Gersh and Susan Horowitz in loving memory of his mother, Micki Gersh

• Monica and Gordon Blatt in loving memory of her father, Irwin Metviner

• Lenore and Jay Friedland in loving memory of her parents, Israel and Esther Itzkowitz

• Marcia and Leonard Klompus in loving memory of her mother, Dorice Povich Mensh

• Barbara Baseman in loving memory of her husband, Stephen Baseman

 For the Benefit of the Synagogue

• Michael and Rachel Connelly

• Janet and Louis Gross

• Roberta Lipsman

• Carla Dickstein

• Charles Katz Leavy and Michelle Leavy

• Virginia Fish

• Marilyn and Fred Weinberg

• Marge Curley

• Nils and Karen Tcheyan

Rabbi Discretionary Fund

• Peggy Brown and John Martell

• The Family of Connie Povich

Rabbi Discretionary Fund

• Shelia Kojm and Louis Sthul in honor of their grandchildren, Toby and Lily Wood

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