Bath Jewish History

July/August 2025
Tammuz /Av/Elul 5785

Rabbi’s Message

Dear Beth Israel Members and Friends,

During the summer, the Jewish calendar offers us a moving reminder that even during perhaps a more relaxed time of year, we are called to remember the many tragedies we have faced as a Jewish people. 

Tisha B’Av, the ninth day of the month of Av, is considered the saddest day in the Jewish calendar. It is a day when we recall times of suffering for our people including the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem in 586 BCE and 70 CE. Tisha B’av is a day of national mourning for the entire Jewish people, observed through fasting and the public recitation of the book of Lamentations. 

While this holiday is not the official start of the High Holiday season, it serves nonetheless as a starting point for our preparations. On Tisha B’av we consider both the damages done to us and how we ourselves have caused harm through our words and actions. The ancient rabbis taught that the destruction of the Temple came about not from an outside source but as a result of baseless hatred inside of the Jewish community.

Like our ancestors throughout the generations, we too are living through difficult days; days of division and uncertainty, and sadly times of baseless hatred both in and outside of our Jewish community. We can do better. We must do better. The penultimate verse in the book of Lamentations inspires us to consider that change is possible, with these words:

Take us back, Adonai to You
And let us come back;
Renew our days as of old!

We sing this phrase numerous times during the High Holidays. I pray that change is possible, for ourselves, our community, our nation and our world. May these summer months provide the space to reflect. May we have the courage to turn back to ourselves, to renew our connections to each other and to all humanity. May it be a time of rest and of renewed and urgent peace.

L’Shalom
Rabbi Vinikoor

Annual Meeting

by Marilyn Weinberg

We gathered at Minnie Brown on June 9 for our annual meeting and it was so encouraging to see a good number of members attending. It’s a time to look back at some of our success and plan ahead for the future.

We have a lot to celebrate from this past year, and much to discuss and look forward to for the coming year. Our volunteer committees do so much to make things happen and they continue to do so. If you want to get just a little more involved, consider serving on one of our many committees. We have the Building Committee, the Care Committee, the Cemetery committee, the Chai Committee, the Education committee, and the Social Action committee. Thanks to all of you who participate. Serving on one of the groups takes just a little commitment, but it’s a great way to meet people and feel more connected to our community. It truly matters.

We would like to thank retiring board members Ben Crystal, Norma Dreyfus, Shira Gersh, Steven Paul and Thyle Shatar. New board members joining will be Rachel Connelly, Rebecca Dunham, Jennifer Kanwit, Rebekah Polster, and Louis Propp. Michelle Lisi was reelected for another 3-year term.

Shabbat Under the Stars

by Marilyn Weinberg

It is that wonderful time of year when the weather is mild and the days are long. We are fortunate to be able to head outside and welcome Shabbat together “under the stars”. For security reasons we are holding these gatherings at private homes and not publicizing the location. When you sign up, we will give out the location. Services will be at 5:30 followed by a potluck dinner. Outside services will be on July 11, August 1 and September 5 so mark your calendars and join us.

New Board Members

by Marilyn Weinberg

We are excited to welcome our new Beth Israel board members. Each one brings a new perspective and expertise to the work we do, and we appreciate their willingness to commit to our important endeavor.

Jennifer Kanwit
Born and raised in New Jersey, Jennifer moved to Maine in 2012 and lives in Brunswick with her husband, two kids and labradoodle. Jennifer has been attending services since Rabbi Vinikoor joined the temple and has been a part of various event committees throughout the years. Both her children participate in Hebrew School, and one is about to start studying for her Bat Mitzvah. Outside the synagogue, Jennifer enjoys her career as a realtor and enjoys activities outside with family and friends.

Louis Propp
Hi, I'm Louis Propp. I live with Kristin in Brunswick, Maine. We've been together for over 40 years. Our son and daughter-in-law live in Bristol, Maine. We regularly spend time and do fun activities with our two grandchildren, ages 9 and 11. Our daughter lives in Brooklyn and on about every other month we see our youngest granddaughter who will be 2 in August. Currently, I work part-time as psychologist doing teletherapy. I'm an author for Bloomsbury Publishing. I write daily. They have published two of my books on psychotherapy and I'm finishing the third.

Rachel Connelly
I am happy to introduce myself as a newly elected member of the Beth Israel Congregation board. I have lived in Brunswick since August of 1985, so it has been almost 40 years. Upon moving here my husband Michael and I came to investigate the synagogue on a quiet first day Succot morning and we were welcomed most warmly by Donnie Povich and other worshippers. Three of my four children were Bar Mitzvahed at Beth Israel. When my three youngest children attended Hebrew School, I taught in the school, usually the higher grade children. But more recently I have been hosting the monthly Yahad program for our preschoolers. I served on the strategic plan committee, then on our affiliation taskforce and the rabbi search committee. I also served on the board for six years but have been away from the board for a while. Oh, yes, you may know me from those pesky (but oh so necessary) fundraising appeals. I look forward to work we will do as a board for the next three years.

Rebekah Polster
Rebekah Polster has been a member of Beth Israel since 2022. However, her family first became members in 1994 when her mother, Rea Turet, sat on the board and was treasurer. A graduate of Wheaton College in Massachusetts, Rebekah works in public relations, marketing and event planning in the food and beverage industry. In her spare time, Rebekah enjoys hiking with her husband, Tim, their dog, Ghost, and occasionally their son Ben joins. Otherwise, she’s reading with her cat Polly on her lap.

Rebecca Dunham
Originally from New Jersey, Rebecca spent 25 years in the U.S. Foreign Service, with postings in Syria, Italy, Lithuania, and Bulgaria in addition to Washington, DC. She married into her connection to Maine – her husband, Jon’s family has deep roots here. They were delighted to be able to settle in Freeport with sons Will and Sam when Rebecca retired in 2019. In her free time, Rebecca enjoys gardening and truly hopes that after five years in Maine, she has finally met ALL the pests that try to eat her tomatoes.

Hebrew School Graduation

by Rabbi Vinikoor

Our school year ended with a celebratory graduation and end of year festivities. Our 6th grade graduates led the Tefillah (prayer service) and offered reflections on several prayers as well as on their Jewish journeys and time at Hebrew School. Following the service our entire school and many parents and grandparents enjoyed learning new and familiar Israeli dances led by Lisa Tessler and Natasha Domina. We ended the day with pizza and ice cream sundaes.

Congratulations to Milo, Max, Sam and Sloane. These graduates were tremendous leaders in our school who supported our younger students by consistently being welcoming, supportive and helpful.

Have a great summer everyone! We’ll see you in the fall!

Mahjong

by Marilyn Weinberg

Whether you are an experienced player or a beginner come and join our fledgling Beth Israel mahjong group. I came with absolutely no knowledge of the game and have been shepherded along by the pros. They are all so happy to help and get more people involved. We gather on Thursday mornings. For specific time and place contact me at info@bethisraelbath.org

Alexina Haefner - Rabbinical Intern

Alexina Haefner is a rising third-year rabbinical student at HUC-JIR in New York City. Originally from Northern Virginia, she converted to Judaism while in college, and is passionate about the power of prayer, ritual, and community to change lives and bring more love into the world.

Prior to rabbinical school, she worked with rabbis serving interfaith couples and families across North America as the Fellowship Alumni and Program Manager at 18Doors, and built a vibrant, lay-led 20s/30s community in Durham, NC.

As a rock climber and former software developer, she loves solving a good problem. She is excited to work with Beth Israel Congregation this year and looks forward to meeting everyone!

Tzedakah Opportunity!
Help the Reform Movement Publish a New Torah Commentary

by Rabbi Vinikoor

Beth Israel Congregation is partnering with Reform congregations from across the state to be one of the major financial contributors to our movement's exciting project to produce a new Torah translation and commentary. By combining our resources each congregation will raise $2500 for a total of $10,000 to sponsor a Haftarah portion.

That means, we, Beth Israel needs to raise $2500, and we need your help! Be part of this once in a lifetime project and make your contribution of between $50-$500 dollars at Beth Israel’s general fund HERE and write Torah Commentary in the notes.

Reach out to Rabbi Vinikoor with any questions at rabbivinikoor@gmail.com

Food Collection for the Bath Area Food Bank

by Phyllis Wolfe

Rooted in the long tradition of gemilut hasadim (acts of kindness)—feeding the hungry, clothing those in need, and providing shelter for the homeless—Beth Israel is continuing that commitment by hosting an ongoing food collection for our community neighbor, the Bath Area Food Bank.

Any of following items would be appreciated: 

• canned soup 

• canned beans 

• canned fish and/ or meat 

• pasta

• crunchy snacks (e.g., granola, pretzels, crackers) 

• fruit snacks or similar items

Please DO NOT donate food items past or approaching their expiration date. This is extremely important. The food banks are prohibited from distributing outdated products. 

Each time a member attends a service or an event, we encourage you to bring a food item to the synagogue or Minnie Brown Center. The Food Bank’s food inventory is dwindling and there are fears of a federal cutback which will impact what the government provides. 

Also, there is an opportunity to cover the lunch window at the Food Bank. The time commitment is noon to 1:30 PM on July17 or August 21 or September 18. If interested, please contact the Social Action Committee at socialaction@bethisraelbath.org

Nefesh Mountain Concert

by Marilyn Weinberg

On Sunday, June 29 we were treated to the most wonderful concert with our first annual Hannaford Education Fund’s Community Learning Series featuring the amazing Nefesh Mountain Storytellers.

The sanctuary was full and with the tapping and clapping as well as singing along the floors of were vibrating with our energy and joy.

Nefesh Mountain has been proudly open and vocal about their background and heritage as Jewish Americans and are among the first preeminent Americana/Bluegrass bands to infuse Jewish tradition and soul into the beautifully diverse tapestry of American roots music. Eric Lindberg and Doni Zasloff have created a world and sound all their own.

Interspersed with their beautiful lyrics, we sang along when they played, He Nay Ma Tov and closed the concert with Oseh Shalom. What a beautiful experience.

Journey of Peace and Friendship

by Phyllis Wolfe

We were participants in a Journey of Peace and Friendship by the Land Peace Foundation. We were honored to be members of the planning committee which consisted of spiritual leaders and peace focused organizations.

The week-long walk in April began at the Penobscot nation after an opening ceremony and culminated at the State House with a closing celebration where six congregation members attended. Rabbi Vinikoor was one of the featured speakers at the closing event.

REMEMBRANCES FOR july–august 2025

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.