May – June 2011 - Beth Chayim Chadashim

Nisan/Iyar/Sivan 5771
VOLUME 39, NO. 5
May/June 2011
We’re Home!
BCC Bids Farewell to 6000 W. Pico, Dedicates New Home at 6090
Larry Nathenson
PHOTO: DREW FABER
PHOTO: DREW FABER
If you look closely at the right column on page 2 of this
issue, you’ll see that we’ve changed our address officially
to 6090 W. Pico Blvd! An overflow crowd estimated at 220
BCC members, friends, and honored guests marked the
occasion on Sunday, April 10 as we celebrated this
milestone in our history.
We began at 6000 W. Pico with a brief farewell and the
singing of the Tefilat HaDerech (“Blessing of the Road”) by
Debbie Friedman z’l, led by Cantor Juval Porat and
Cantorial Soloist Emerita Fran Chalin. Many of us had
The stained glass windows from 6000 W. Pico now adorn the
already shed some tears the previous Friday evening for
new sanctuary at 6090 W. Pico
the building in which we observed so many holidays,
z’l. The song tells of God’s promise to Abraham and Sarah
celebrated so many simchas, and mourned so many
of a new home and blessings for a good life there. We
losses. When Rabbi Lisa Edwards invited up to light candles affixed one mezuzah at the main entrance with the
blessing and proceeded into our beautiful new sanctuary.
As we entered we saw that the stained glass windows
from our old sanctuary had already been installed. Our
memorial board plaques were also there, now grouped by
families with space between them for additions. Our new
ark was surrounded by the wall containing the Story Lines
that many of us wrote on copper strips earlier this year to
express our hopes for our new home. As the ark opened
to receive our Torahs, we saw for the first time the exquisite
solar-powered ner tamid (eternal light) made by Davi
Cheng and Jerry Hanson for our new home.
BCC President Bruce Maxwell introduced a number of
BCC’s torahs proceed down Pico Blvd. under the chuppah,
dignitaries who were in attendance. Rabbi Alan Henkin
led by members of our band
represented the Union for Reform Judaism, of which BCC
all who had celebrated personal simchas there (weddings, has been a member since 1974, and Revered Neil Thomas
baby namings, bar/bat mitzvahs, acceptance of the
offered a blessing on behalf of Metropolitan Community
covenant), nearly half those in attendance came forward Church, where BCC had its first meetings in 1972. L.A.
to offer their brief memories. On Sunday we took our three County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas and L.A. City
Torahs from the ark at 6000 for the last time, in the arms of
Councilman Herb Wesson also offered their congratulations.
BCC members, and marched them down Pico Blvd. to our Also in attendance were our extraordinary architects, Toni
new home. Our Torahs were sheltered by a chuppah held Lewis and Marc Schoeplein.
up by other members, adorned with tzitzit recently made
We heard the moving words of Max Webb, the 94-yearby BCC members under the guidance of Naomi Katz, and old Holocaust survivor from Lodz, Poland who sold us the
accompanied with music by the BCC band.
building. Mr. Webb was able to carry one of the Torahs for
Arriving at 6090, we entered through the back parking
a portion of our march down Pico, and brought some of us
lot to the sounding of the shofarot and to the song Lechi
to tears as he described how this helped fulfill his wartime
Lach, also by Debbie Friedman and first sung at BCC in
pledge to work for the continued survival and flourishing of
1986 for the 60th birthday of BCC member Savina Teubal
Continued on Page 2
(continued from page 1) We’re Home!
OFFICE
PHOTO: DREW FABER
the Jewish people.
As always, our welcoming
celebration was interspersed with
music, selected by Cantor Porat for
the occasion. The BCC choir
performed Debbie Friedman’s Build
This World Together, and Cantor Porat
and Cantor David Berger were
accompanied by Scott Ferguson on
violin and Jeanelle LaMance on
piano for Sheyibaneh (“we will build”)
by D’varim B’Alma. Cantor Porat also
introduced his original composition,
with pianist Tamara Kline, entitled
House of New Life, performed with
vocalists Elissa Barrett, Matthew
Corazon, and Estaire Press. Some of
Project manager Ira Dankberg, Executive
Director Felicia Park-Rogers, architects
Toni Lewis and Marc Schoeplein, and
BCC President Bruce Maxwell
our children, led by Education
Director Leah Zimmerman, offered
their own ideas for what values and
hopes they take with them into our
new home.
The afternoon concluded with a
video montage of photos from BCC’s
past in our new library/classroom,
tours of the building including our new
full kitchen, social hall, and offices for
clergy and staff, Israeli dancing in the
parking lot, and delectable treats
from La Conversation Café and
Magnolia Bakery.
BCC is extremely proud that our new
home is the first synagogue in
Southern California to be certified
under the U.S. Green Building
Council’s LEED program (Leadership
in Energy and Environmental Design).
We have solar panels on the roof,
insulation made from recycled blue
jeans, carpeting from recycled tires,
reclaimed wood and doors, and low
2
water native plants around our
parking lot and back entrance
(planted by BCC members over the
two preceding weeks). This is quite a
transformation for a building dating
from 1928, which sat vacant for
several years before we bought it. Its
previous occupants included an auto
parts distributor and a church led by
singer and actress Della Reese. We
have preserved some of the original
architectural features including 1920s
era windows and grillwork on the Pico
Blvd. side.
There are many people to be
thanked for making this occasion
possible, three of whom deserve
special mention. Brett Trueman, our
capital campaign chair, past
president, and current treasurer, had
both the vision and the tireless
persistence without which our
longtime dream of a new building
could not have become a reality. Ira
Dankberg took on a virtually full-time
volunteer job as our project manager.
And our supposedly part-time
Executive Director, Felicia Park-Rogers,
put in countless extra hours to attend
to every detail. The planning
committee for the April 10 festivities
was chaired by Jonathan Falk and
Arlene Weinstock and included
Michael Berlin, Robin Berkovitz, Ted
Greenberg, Alex Maghen, Rebbetzin
Tracy Moore, Estaire Press, Steve Sass,
Angela Stubbs, and Sylvia Sukop as
well as our clergy and officers. All
those who have served on our Board
of Directors, Capital Campaign
Committee, Building Committees, and
Ritual Committee also deserve our
appreciation, along with our
dedicated BCC staff.
As we continue to bask in the glow
of this momentous occasion, we look
forward to many years of community,
learning, and spirituality in our new
home.
Please see the President’s and Rabbi’s
columns on pages 4 and 5 for more
on the building dedication, and
pages 12 and 13 for more photos and
information on viewing Drew Faber’s
photos online.
B E T H C H AY I M C H A D A S H I M
Temple Office Hours:
Monday–Thursday 9:00 — 5:00 pm
Friday 9:00 — 4:00 pm
Phone: (323) 931-7023 • Fax: (323) 931-1490
e-mail: [email protected]
website: www.bcc-la.org
Rabbi Lisa Edwards is available for private appointments.
Please call at least a week in advance,
if possible, to schedule.
STAFF
Rabbi . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cantor . . . . . . . . . . . .
Executive Director . . .
Office Manager . . . . .
Education Director . .
Bookkeeper . . . . . . .
Custodian . . . . . . . . .
Lisa A. Edwards, Ph.D.
Juval Porat
Felicia Park-Rogers
Victoria Delgadillo
Leah Zimmerman
Ralph Cataldo
Tim Goad
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
President . . . . . . . . . .
Vice President . . . . . .
Vice President . . . . .
Secretary . . . . . . . . . .
Treasurer . . . . . . . . . .
Bruce Maxwell
Lauren Schlau
Hannah Theile
Allison Diamant, M.D
Brett Trueman, Ph.D.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Eric Kamm
David Mozes
Jerry Nodiff
Maggie Parkhurst
Robin Berkovitz
Ira Dankberg
Hon. Donna Quigley Groman
Kadin Henningsen
Richard Lesse
STANDING COMMITTEE CHAIRS
BCC Live . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Building . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Capital Campaign . . . . . . .
Education . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fundraising . . . . . . . . . . . .
Membership . . . . . . . . . . .
Men’s Havurah . . . . . . . . .
Newsletter . . . . . . . . . . . .
Ritual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tzedakah Council . . . . . . .
Virtual Minyan . . . . . . . . .
Women’s Havurah . . . . . .
Yahrzeit Notices . . . . . . . .
20s/30s Havurah . . . . . . . . . . . .
Bracha Yael
Ira Dankberg
Brett Trueman, Bill Resnick
Kadin Henningsen
Lauren Schlau
Richard Lesse, Carol Saragossi
Mark Miller, Neal Weisenberg
Larry Nathenson
Davi Cheng
Robin Baltic
Bracha Yael
Donna Quigley Groman
Sue Terry
(no chair at this time)
G’VANIM
G’vanim “Hues (of the rainbow)”
is the monthly newsletter of
BETH CHAYIM CHADASHIM
6090 West Pico Blvd., L.A. CA 90035
Founded in 1972 as the world’s first gay and lesbian
synagogue, today BCC is an inclusive community of
progressive lesbian, gay, bi, trans, and heterosexual Jews,
our families, and friends. Everyone is welcome to attend
weekly Friday evening services at 8:00 p.m.
Editor: Larry Nathenson. Graphics & Layout: Lentini Design.
Articles submitted should be typed, emailed or attached as
Word documents to [email protected], by the 15th of the
month before publication. To subscribe to G’vanim, send
name and address and a check or money order for $18 per
year, attention: Subscriptions. Free to members.
BCC is affiliated with the Union for Reform
Judaism, World Congress of Gay, Lesbian,
Bisexual and Transgender Jews: Keshet Ga’avah and
the Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles.
May/June 2011
Humanitarian Awards Brunch
Celebrates “the Year for Building”
PHOTO: KENNA LOVE
3
Diane and Nicolasa met in 1978 while members of the
ACLU gay rights chapter, where they both worked to
defeat Proposition 8 (the “Briggs initiative”) that would
have barred lesbians and gays from employment as
teachers. In 1980, Diane was appointed by Mayor
Bradley to the LA City Commission on the Status of
Women, serving for ten years, with one term as President.
While Diane attended law school, Nicolasa helped found
the Harvey Milk Gay and Lesbian Democratic Club. In
1985 she founded an organization for collectors of
Disneyana and has served on the board and as
President. Diane joined BCC in 1977 and Nicolasa a year
later. Both have served as vice president and in other
positions and were very involved in our early children’s
programming.
This year’s Presidents Award
goes to Ira Dankberg, a
professional architect and
founder of Urban Strategies Real
Estate Consulting. His extensive
project management experience
includes the Gene Autry Western
Heritage Museum, Warner Bros.
Studios, and Tribune/KTLA
Broadcasting. He has worked on
several LEED® certified residential
Ira Dankberg, A.I.A.,
and commercial buildings and in LEED® AP
BCC Presidents Award
2008 he became a LEED®
Accredited Professional with the United States Green
Building Council. He is a member of the Hollywood
Chamber of Commerce, the Jewish Federation Real
Estate Cabinet and a Board Member of the non-profit
Hollywood Community Housing Corporation.
When Ira joined BCC in 1993 he immediately joined the
Building Committee as well as the “Prettee” Committee
designing and managing the remodel of 6000 W. Pico for
the 25th Anniversary in 1997. Over the last year he has
served as BCC’s volunteer project manager for our new
home. He worked on a daily basis to help select key
building contractors and acted as liaison between the
architect, construction manager, and BCC building
committee.
In celebration of our new building we will also offer
special recognition this year to several others whose
contributions were crucial to its successful completion:
Brett Trueman, BCC treasurer and past president, for his
vision and years of hard work as chair of our capital
campaign; Felicia Park-Rogers, our executive director, for
her dedicated service to the new building project; Marc
Schoeplein and Toni Lewis, our extraordinary architects;
Howard CDM, our general contractor; Glenn Melnick, our
real estate broker; and Mark Randall, our capital
campaign consultant.
There will be additional surprises and entertainment, so
don’t miss this exciting event!
B E T H C H AY I M C H A D A S H I M
PHOTO: KENNA LOVE
BCC’s annual Humanitarian Awards Brunch will take
place on Sunday, May 22 at the beautiful oceanfront
Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel. The theme this year will
be “the year for building,” in commemoration of our new
shul at 6090 W. Pico and of the continued building of our
very special community.
The festivities will commence at 10:30 am with a
champagne reception and fabulous silent auction filled
with a variety of offerings for every taste and budget.
Previous silent auctions have included entertainment and
travel packages, food and clothing, a variety of personal
services from massages to landscaping, and gorgeous
works of art. This year’s auction promises to be just as
amazing, but we need your help! Please contact the
businesses you patronize and ask them to donate goods or
services for the auction; they’ll consider it a great PR
opportunity. If you haven’t received the donation forms,
please contact the BCC office soon, as we need them by
Monday, May 9.
The brunch and program, beginning at 12:00 noon, will
include our two annual awards. The Rabbi Erwin and
Agnes Herman Humanitarian Award was established in
1985 and named for two Jewish leaders who were
instrumental in helping BCC gain acceptance as a Reform
congregation in 1974, only two years after its founding as
the first GLBT synagogue in the world. It is given annually to
deserving individuals or organizations for outstanding
service to the Jewish and LGBT communities. The
Presidents award was established in 2003 specifically to
honor BCC members for their contributions to BCC and the
wider community.
This year’s Humanitarian Award goes to Diane Goodman
and Nicolasa Cecilia Nevarez. Diane has been a
practicing lawyer for twenty-six years. She is a member
and Past President of the Academy of California Adoption
Lawyers, and serves on the California State Bar Family Law
Executive Committee. She lectures and teaches
throughout the U. S. and Canada on law related to
adoption, assisted
reproduction and
parentage, and
has written a
chapter in a family
law reference
book on
parentage law.
Diane helped
found and served
as President of the
Diane Goodman &
Nicolasa Cecilia Nevarez Special Children’s
Herman Humanitarian Award Art Foundation,
which creates murals with special needs children. Nicolasa
has been an elementary school teacher for thirty years
and a math coach and is currently a Title 1 coordinator.
She has served as UTLA chair at her prior school.
May/June 2011
President’s Column
A Few Words from Bruce…
4
support from Rabbi Lisa Edwards and Executive Director
Felicia Park-Rogers. The Story Lines workshops were led by
Bonnie Kaplan, Leslie Tuchman, Renee Lamkay, Sylvia
Sukop and others. And the final installation of the wall
was completed by hand by our woodworking artists Peter
Vogel and Edmund Griffin and our architect Marc
Schoeplein. We have other artists too working hard to
create future additions and these will be unveiled over
the next months. So stay tuned for future additions!
Finally, I would like to thank three specific individuals for
their dedicated and ongoing efforts to making our new
building complete. Ray Eelsing has led a committee to
oversee the design, selection, subcontractor hiring,
purchase, installation and testing of all the technological
systems, including audio, visual, video streaming, internet,
media, information, security alarms, entrance/egress
systems and other systems that are all essentially
integrated together. Richard Lesse has been of
invaluable assistance on many of these items, and
without his help we would not have had any sound
system whatsoever on April 10. Lastly, please join me in
thanking Eldon Tepper for his many hours of committee
work and research in overseeing so many key decisions
regarding the interior furnishings and fixtures. Eldon has
brought to BCC his years of experience and helped to
make this process so much easier and more fun. Thank
you again to Ray, Richard and Eldon.
If you are reading this issue of G’vanim and are not yet
a member of BCC, or perhaps if you have been thinking
about joining our
growing family, now is
the perfect time to do
so. Not only are we
celebrating each
service in our lovely
new space, but we
are continuing to
provide the beautiful
music of Cantor Juval
Porat and the spiritual
and uplifting
leadership of Rabbi
Lisa Edwards.
Come join us!
PHOTO: SYLVIA SUKOP
Recently, I was helping with the
final planting in the back at 6090,
and when I finished my work, I
walked through the sanctuary to
check on a few things. Wouldn’t
you know it, Cantor Juval Porat
and several musicians were there
rehearsing for our upcoming
building dedication. I was very
moved by these first sounds of
music in our new home. Until that day, even though I
had known that this was soon to become our spiritual
and religious space, all I had heard were the sounds of
construction. And then, suddenly and powerfully, when
juxtaposed against the banging of hammers and
machinery, the music was just so moving and wonderful
and uplifting. I wrote to Cantor Juval that afternoon
telling him of my reaction and how even though it was
not yet finished, our sanctuary finally did feel like a
sanctuary.
For those of you who were able to attend our April 10
building dedication, or perhaps one of the services in our
new building since, you know how stunningly beautiful
and spiritual our new sanctuary feels. If you have not
been yet, please do come to join us for a service soon.
This feeling of beauty and spirituality comes to us
through the work of so many. You will all recognize our
unique stained glass windows, handmade by BCC
members, and now we all appreciate them even more
as they are installed as part of wall of glass separating
the sanctuary from the lobby area. Light is positioned to
travel through the windows day and night so that we
can appreciate these works of art at all times.
We have some key people to recognize for creating
the art that is and will be shortly encompassed within our
walls. Davi Cheng and Jerry Hanson were two of the
original stained glass artists who helped to create the
windows, along with our office manager Victoria
Delgadillo and Haim Ainsworth. Now Davi and Jerry
have also created a beautiful “ner tamid” (eternal light)
that we unveiled for the first time on April 10. They are
both also responsible for making the mezuzah mounted
by our main entrance and the stained glass memorial
board yahrtzeit markers, and are still at work creating
other soon-to-follow pieces for us to enjoy.
Also unveiled on April 10 was our “Story Lines Project”
wall surrounding the ark. This concept was brought to us
by our architects Marc Schoeplein and Toni Lewis, and
was further refined by our Sanctuary Design Committee
including almost 15 BCC members providing input over
several months. The project was led through its
completion by Kadin Henningsen, with ongoing input and
Warmest regards,
Bruce Maxwell
B E T H C H AY I M C H A D A S H I M
Jerry Hanson and Davi Cheng
with the new ner tamid they
created for our new ark
May/June 2011
From the Rabbi’s study…
Living with, and through, our New Home
Rabbi Lisa Edwards
PHOTO: SYLVIA SUKOP
PHOTO: KENNA LOVE
Excerpted from remarks at the
dedication of BCC’s new building,
April 10, 2011.
I remember a few years ago
when Bill Resnick and I first began
to talk about a new building for
BCC. We had a conversation
about why architecture matters,
and we spoke of the way a
building becomes a home, a safe haven, by being an
inviting space, one that people want to walk into, and
want to be in once they do. And that is architecture’s
importance – that it draws people in, embraces them,
and then once they are gathered in that space, it is up
to us – together — to make the gathered crowd into a
community, ready to
go back out in to the
world and make a
difference.
As we now move
into our new space
together,
strengthening our
community, is it a
coincidence that
Jews the world over
begin the annual
study of the Torah
portion Acharei Mot,
in which we read not
only of the original
scapegoat – literally a
goat released into
the wilderness,
carrying on its back
Rabbi Edwards on the bimah in
all the whispered
our new sanctuary, with the ark
framed by the Story Lines wall
transgressions of the
Israelites – but also
the first of the two verses that we often refer to as our
community’s “dreaded verses”? The two that have
been interpreted for generations to condemn LGBT
people, too often making us into scapegoats and
outcasts from the rest of the community.
And this Torah portion – Acharei Mot – also contains the
Hebrew words va-khai ba-hem – “you shall live by them.”
The verse reads, “You shall keep My laws and My rules,
[says God,] do them and live by them va-khai ba-hem.”
5
[Leviticus 18:5].
Our sages take that term, va-khai ba-hem, literally –
you must live by them and not die by them. And our
teacher and friend Rabbi Benay Lappe taught us within
the walls of our other synagogue – what does it mean
“live by them”? It means you can only live by them
when you choose to live true to who you are – when you
live true to your own nature, true to the person God
created you to be.
Who better than the members of Beth Chayim
Chadashim – the House of New Life – to understand that
teaching? Who better than us – the beneficiaries of that
small intrepid band of gay and lesbian Jews who very
nearly 40 years ago decided too many had already
lived through (or died because of) scapegoating or
oppression? Nearly 40 years ago already our founders
decided to create a place where people could instead
live ourselves into a sacred community – a community of
people being the people and the congregation God
intended us to be.
And that is how we arrived here today – together — in
our new home – a place filled with light and shadows,
beauty and more than enough to inspire us —- a place
already filled with memories and dreams of the future
and our firm commitment to the present – to our lives
and the lives of each other. A place already made
sacred by the offerings of our hearts that have gone into
building it, and by our commitment to live our lives within
these walls as a vital part of this congregation, of this
Jewish community, of this city and this state and this
country and of God’s world — the world we share with
every other one of God’s creations.
Let us together continue here – in our new home — our
commitment to live every day with the values we’ve
already embedded in these walls and suspended (in
solar panels) over our heads and poured into each of
our hearts: our firm commitment to be partners in helping
protect and heal and enjoy and celebrate God’s
creations . . . and our own. Let us fill this incredible space
with the teachings of our tradition and the passion of our
hearts, that all who enter here might find the comfort
and strength and encouragement and joy of living in
community. And let us continue — all of us together –
va-khai ba-hem – let us continue to live by those
passions, to thrive on those teachings, in this – our new
house of new life.
Welcome home
Lisa
B E T H C H AY I M C H A D A S H I M
May/June 2011
The Festival of Freedom as Ritual and as Practice
On a Friday afternoon, as part
of a pro-active plan to put myself
out there, I found myself taking a
chakra breath workshop in a
bright yoga studio surrounded by
good to very good-looking men
and women. I kept my eyes
closed and my mind halfway
open for about an hour, as I
followed the instructions and
explanations given by a very
enthusiastic coach.
“Before we start,“ he said, “allow me to illustrate for
you a little bit about the human experience and what
this session is all about.“ The determined instructor laid a
hoodie with spread out sleeves on the wooden floor
and continued: “We come to this world in an open
state. We’re free and innocent. Then there comes a
point in our life where we experience difficulties, and
we get slightly wrinkled.“ With his feet, the coach
pushed one side of the hoodie towards its center,
creating little creases. “Affected by these
circumstances we carry on with our lives and face
more challenges, more difficulties, more heartbreak.”
With every word the coach deformed the hoodie a bit
more with his feet, until it looked like an unrecognizable
piece of thick cloth.
“In this coming hour we’ll try to untangle our inner
knots, to smooth our spiritual wrinkles. Because – it is true
what they say, you have a super-hero inside of you and
you have the power of your mind to heal yourself. All
you need is already inside of you.“ Labeling the
coach’s words as very LA I decided to go with it.
Fast forward - about a week later I found myself in
Israel, making my way up north to visit my parents for
seder night together with my older brother who came
all the way from Norway. We passed by green fields,
saturated with wildflowers that got us into the spirit of
renewal and change that springtime brings.
During the seder – that night that is filled with traditions
and symbolism that are different from any other night - I
realized that setting yourself free, untangling yourself
from whatever life has challenged you with, is easier
ritualized than practiced. I found out that when one
meets and interacts with those who are the closest to
you (on a night like Passover, for example), one begins
to realize the actual weight of baggage of whatever
dislikes (guilt, fear, grudge, unmet expectations,
tension, etc.) you still carry around, just like unwanted
chametz during the seven days of Passover. One
begins to realize so much of the baggage, but one
6
doesn’t necessarily set oneself free from it.
These dislikes were like the unnoticed layers and
rooms that are constantly being discovered in the
diggings in the old city of Tsfat — always there, but
turned to ruins by an earthquake and covered again
by new structures erected on top of them.
I asked myself on my way back from Tsfat, what one
can do with all of these emotions that seems to refuse
to go away. Then I thought of the slow and rhythmic
inhales and
exhales that
turned into a
flow of
uncontrolled
sounds
towards the
end of that
breathing
workshop
back in LA.
The instructor
encouraged
us to let go,
to set
ourselves
free, and
somehow
the class was
Cantor Juval Porat and the BCC band
able to do so,
cross Crescent Heights Blvd.
in an
ahead of the BCC torahs
amazing
way. It felt comforting to know that states of minds
change, that a state of freedom is not so far out of
reach, and that with practice one can make that state
of mind last a bit longer than before, even if
uncomfortable emotions linger on.
I liked the idea of practicing freedom. I liked the idea
of discerning what I assumed to be my needs, of
figuring out what I wanted for myself and those around
me, rather than looking at what I thought I needed to
release myself from. I thought how liberating it would
be to see all that surrounds me as opportunities rather
than things I needed, wanted, or rejected. In a very
untangling way, even though this year’s Passover might
not have made me a more liberated human being, I
was reminded of my freedom to hold on to my
intentions, rather than being led by my likes and dislikes
that would probably always be there, no matter how
much symbolic chametz had to burn for them.
And so, despite it all, I reached a sense of freedom
and spring began to show its effect.
B E T H C H AY I M C H A D A S H I M
May/June 2011
PHOTO: SYLVIA SUKOP
PHOTO: KENNA LOVE
Cantor Juval Porat
B CC Live to Begin in June
Funded by an incubator grant from
the Union for Reform Judaism (a
grant to encourage innovative
synagogue programming), BCC Live
will use cutting-edge technology to
allow you to access BCC services,
classes, and other events when you
cannot be physically present.
BCC Live is on schedule to come
Women’s
Havurah Keeps
Busy this Spring
Donna Quigley Groman
The Women’s Havurah will keep busy
in May and June with the following
new events:
Saturday, May 14, 8:00 pm – midnight.
Dance Night! Everyone is welcome
(women and men) to dance and
socialize at Oil Can Harry’s in Studio
City. Our hosts are BCC dancing
machines, Sylvia Weisenberg and
Irene Nunez. Please RSVP to
[email protected].
Sunday, May 22, 11:00 am – 2:00 p.m.
We will have at least one Women’s
Havurah table at the BCC
Humanitarian Awards Brunch. Let me
know if you would like to sit with other
Women’s Havurah members. Please
RSVP to [email protected].
alive on June 10th for Pride Shabbat!
You’ll be able to enjoy our Friday
night services through streaming
video and audio via your computer
or telephone. If you miss it, no
worries, you can watch or hear
Rabbi Lisa Edwards’ sermons and
Cantor Juval Porat’s music on our
YouTube channel or by podcast.
Bracha Yael
Are you a techie, YouTube
enthusiast, social media lover,
website maven, writer or some other
cool cat? Join our BCC Live crew!
Whether you want a leadership role
or a “one-and-done” task, we want
you! Make a difference and
contact the BCC office or Bracha
Yael at [email protected].
Open All Night!
Shavuot at BCC, Tuesday June 7, 7pm until ?
Question: What did God say to the Israelites when they gathered at
the foot of Mt. Sinai?
Answer: Can you hear Me now?
We’re called to answer the same question every Shavuot, when
Jews traditionally gather to read the Ten Commandments and study
all night in celebration and commemoration of receiving them. And
with the new wi-fi boosters in our new home (see the “BCC Live”
article above), this year “reception” should be pretty good!
This year’s theme is “the prayers of Shabbat.” On our first Shabbat
service in our new sanctuary on Friday, April 15, we introduced our
“new” transitional Friday night siddur to the congregation. Which
begged a few questions: what’s in it? what’s not? and why?
Come join us on June 7 for an evening of learning, discussion, and
music as we consider not only the content of the prayers, but also how
to offer them. We’ll play with some of the newer delivery systems such
as video projection, meditation, maybe even movement/dance. We’ll begin at 7:00 pm with the chanting of the Ten
Commandments followed by a brief Yizkor (memorial service), some
refreshments, and then our studies. They say at midnight on Shavuot
the heavens open to receive our prayers — we’ll take some time
outdoors right at midnight.
The evening will also include a vegetarian/dairy potluck; please
bring something to share. Saturday, June 4, 7:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m.
Women’s Havurah Game Night at
BCC. Women Only! Bring a beverage
and snacks to share. Please RSVP to
[email protected].
Sunday, June 26, 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
Women’s Havurah at the Annenberg
Community Beach House, a five-acre
public facility in Santa Monica. This is
also for women only. Bike, walk, relax,
swim,play! www.beachhouse.smgov.net.
Please RSVP to [email protected].
7
B E T H C H AY I M C H A D A S H I M
May/June 2011
BCC Book Group
Larry Nathenson
For more than fifteen years, BCC members and friends have gathered in private homes for monthly potluck brunches and discussion of books selected by the group. Fiction and non-fiction,
historical and contemporary, American and Israeli, GLBT or not, the books read by the group include something for everyone’s tastes and interests. We welcome new members to the group,
as well as occasional visitors who may be interested in discussing a particular book. Our next two meetings are:
Sunday, May 29, 10:00 a.m.
Good Book: The Bizarre, Hilarious, Disturbing, Marvelous, and
Inspiring Things I Learned When I Read Every Single Word of the
Bible, by David Plotz
The subtitle says it all! Reviews call it a humorous and insightful look
at the Hebrew Bible and its many idiosyncrasies.
Sunday, June 26, 10:00 a.m.
Friendly Fire: A Duet, by A.B. Yehoshua
This Israeli novel (in English translation) deals with the power of memory,
as a contemporary death brings back to mind a long-dead son who was
killed by “friendly fire” in one of Israel’s many wars. Part of the novel
also takes place in Africa.
BCC members and non-members alike are invited to attend. Because the discussions are held in members’ homes, space is limited. Please RSVP to the BCC office early to guarantee
your seat at the table, or contact Larry Nathenson at [email protected].
Men’s Havurah Fills Out Spring and Summer Calendars
BCC’s Men’s Havurah sponsored
the following very successful events
during March and April 2011:
Purim Brunch & Hamentaschenmaking Party, March 20th
Hosted by BCC’s Membership
Committee Chair Richard Lesse, there
were sixteen people who enjoyed a
scrumptious brunch prepared by
Chef Richard before embarking on
our hamentaschen-making using a
variety of fillings including the
traditional poppy seed or “mohn” in
Yiddish. Fully- baked hamentaschen
were enjoyed by all.
Member Moving Day on March 27th
About ten of us joined members from
the Women’s Havurah to help pack
up and schlep boxes of supplies and
materials from 6000 to 6090 and help
set up filing cabinets and bookcases.
An event such as this never fails to
bring the community together and
this day was no exception.
Downtown Los Angeles Art Walk on
April 14th
About ten of us braved L.A. freeway
traffic on a weeknight and ventured
to downtown Los Angeles for its
renowned L.A. Art Walk – a monthly
showcase and celebration of the
best galleries, artists, photography,
restaurants, and shops in downtown
L.A. We first enjoyed a very nice
dinner at Pete’s Café (right in the
thick of the Art Walk scene) and then
8
meandered through the streets of
downtown between Broadway and
Los Angeles Streets from 4th to 9th
Streets visiting a variety of venues. We
had a great time and LAPD and
private security personnel on every
corner made it a very safe
environment for all as well.
The Men’s Havurah Planning
Committee is working on many
events in the next several months.
Here’s a thumbnail sketch of these
upcoming events:
• Architecture and garden tour at the
Getty Center on Sunday, May 15th
• Movie night at Outfest 2011, the Los
Angeles Gay & Lesbian Film
Festival, held July 7 - 17
• Hollywood Bowl production of the
Broadway musical Hairspray on
Sunday, August 7th
• Pool Party in September hosted by
a BCC member
As soon as details are finalized,
event announcements will be sent
out via e-mail, the BCC e-bulletin,
and Friday evening seat bulletin.
There are two ways you can stay in
touch with us:
• Through e-mail:
[email protected].
• Through our Facebook page
(“BCC Men’s Havurah”) where we
post event details and share
pictures from events
We can use everyone’s help and
very much encourage
• Your ideas for additional types of
events that would be of interest to
the Men’s Havurah, and
• Volunteers to plan and host events
naturally tailored to the size of your
home.
BCC Men’s Havurah Planning
Committee: Mark Miller and Neal
Weisenberg (Co-chairs), Mark Brown,
Ira Dankberg, Jay Jacobs, Adam
Kulbersh, and Richard Lesse
BCC Hosts Jews and Islam Course
Come learn about Jews and Islam with world-renowned scholar
Rabbi Reuven Firestone, professor of Judaism and Islam at Hebrew
Union College and co-director of the Center for Muslim-Jewish
Engagement. Rabbi Firestone is a sought-after, entertaining teacher,
and we are excited to welcome him to BCC. The course began on
Wednesday, April 27 and continues on May 4 and 11 at 7:00 pm.
It is free to BCC members, but bring friends too ($45 for all 3 sessions,
$20 per class). Our first class in our new building!
B E T H C H AY I M C H A D A S H I M
May/June 2011
B CC ’s Virtual Minyan
Keeps us all Connected
Bracha Yael
The Virtual Minyan is a primarily lay led unique BCC
‘meet-up’ that provides support and connectedness
for people who are ill, homebound, out of town, living
elsewhere (including abroad), unaffiliated or just
looking for a small, welcoming community no farther
away than their phone.
Except for the Coffee ‘n’ Schmooze, our activities
are via conference call, which is free—excluding any
long distance charges from your personal carrier. To
join in just dial 702-851-4044, when prompted punch
in 2, then our pass code, 22252#.
We feature weekly Torah study on Thursday
afternoons from 4:00 to 5:00, sometimes with guest
lecturers in our monthly Torah scholar series:
On Thursday, April 21st, at 4:00 pm, we studied with
Maggie Anton Parkhurst, BCC member and author of
the very successful Rashi’s Daughters trilogy. Maggie
is currently writing Rav Hisda’s Daughter, a historical
novel that takes place during the Talmudic period.
“What’s bothering Rashi?” was the focus of her talk.
On Thursday, May 5th, 4:00 pm, we’ll hear from
Petra Verwijs, a native of the Netherlands and a
linguist with a Ph.D. in Religion (Hebrew Bible) from
the Claremont Graduate University. Currently Petra
works as translator and interpreter in both ancient
(inc. pre-Hebraic Semitic languages) and modern
languages. Linguistic nuances in the Torah will be the
discussion topic.
On Thursday, June 9th, 4:00 pm, we’ll be joined by
Rabbi Laurence Edwards (the other Rabbi Edwards),
brother of our Rabbi Lisa Edwards. He has a Ph.D.
from the Chicago Theological Seminary (which
houses the LGBTran Religious archives) and is the
rabbi of our sibling congregation in Chicago, Or
Chadash. We’re looking forward to Rabbi Edwards’
take on that week’s Torah portion, Behaalotecha
(Numbers 8:1-12:16).
Our other events include:
Monday, May 2nd, 2:00 pm, Yom HaShoah service.
Through a specially prepared siddur, we’ll remember
relatives and others lost in the Shoah.
Monday, May 9th, 9:30am, Coffee ‘n’ Schmooze.
Moving from ‘virtual’ to ‘reality’ we’ll kibitz again at a
café in West Los Angeles.
For additional information on how to participate or
lead a Virtual Minyan event please contact me at
[email protected].
9
Tzedakah Council News
Robin Baltic
In response to the massive earthquake and
devastating tsunami that hit Japan in early March, the
BCC community joined with the larger Los Angeles
Jewish community to offer help and support to those
directly affected by this horrific
natural disaster.
On behalf of the BCC
congregation a $1500
donation was made to the
Los Angeles Jewish
Federation’s Japan
Earthquake Relief Fund.
100% of the donation was
given to Federation
partners working on the
ground in Japan assessing
need and coordinating
resources.
Our communal BCC
donation came from two sources:
$500 from a pass-the-hat collection during Purim and a
$1000 allocation from the semi-annual tzedakah coin
drive coordinated by the Tzedakah Council.
Please help yourself to one of the new BCC pushkes
now available in the lobby area of our new shul. One
thing is certain about the new pushke design — no coin
fallout from the bottom!
The next semi-annual BCC tzedakah coin drive will
conclude following Sukkot.
BCC Co-Sponsors French Jewish Film
BCC will be a co-sponsor at the LA Jewish Film
Festival of the fabulous French Jewish/gay comedy
“He’s My Girl” (“La Folle Histoire D’Amour de Simon
Eskenazy”). This intelligent and uplifting film tells the
very funny story of a divorced gay Jewish klezmer
clarinet player, his hypochondriac Holocaust
survivor mother, the ex-wife he has not seen in
years and ten-year-old son he has never met, and
his transvestite Arab lover. Ultimately, the story is
one of redemption brought about by kindness and
caring. The film screens at the Music Hall Theater in
Beverly Hills on Sunday, May 8 at 7:00 pm. Go to
www.lajfilmfest.org for more details.
B E T H C H AY I M C H A D A S H I M
May/June 2011
BCC’s Last Purim at 6000 W. Pico Features “Jew Directions”
Larry Nathenson
PHOTO: DAVI CHENG
BCC’s last Purim celebration at 6000 W. Pico Blvd. on Saturday evening, March 19 was filled with exceptional music
and costumes and a pervasive spirit of hilarity. The theme was “Jew Directions” (from the “New Directions” of the TV
show “Glee”), and our traditional megillah reading was interspersed with musical numbers by our cantor Juval Porat,
our choir, and other BCC members anxious to display their talents. A video of the evening’s highlights can be seen on
the BCC website.
The evening began at 6:00 with a “bring your own” dinner and various activities for children and families. At 7:00 we
brought Shabbat to a close with a hilarious Havdalah ceremony featuring Cantor Porat and some of BCC’s children.
Rabbi Lisa “Zsa Zsa” Edwards then served as emcee for the remainder of the evening, introducing our multilingual
megillah readers and our various musical interludes.
Cantor Porat was in rare form, making several costume changes during the evening including Lady Gaga and
Jennifer Lopez. Words cannot adequately describe it; if you weren’t there you have to watch the video. He also
conducted the choir in a more traditional Purim song, accompanied by Jeanelle LaMance, and performed a Purimthemed rap duet with our Education Director, Leah Zimmerman.
Other musical performances, with audience participation, included Elissa Barrett as song leader and Tamara Kline
on piano for “Esther Day” (to the tune of the Beatles’ “Yesterday”) and “Shushan for Purim” (to the tune of Barry
Manilow’s “Copacabana”).
The chapters of the megillah were read by 15 people in 12 different
languages, ten real and two fictional:
Hebrew
Dave Parkhurst, Jeff Bernhardt, Cantor Porat
English
Rebecca Weinreich (very rapidly)
French
Danny Miller
Spanish
Elissa Barrett
Italian
Richard Seltzer
German
Jay Jacobs
Arabic
Henry Wudl
Cantonese
Davi Cheng
Japanese
Ray Eelsing, Steve Brumbaugh
Tagalog
Melissa de la Rama
Klingon
Maggie Parkhurst
Sheen Latinus
Chris Marshall
Cantor Porat leads the choir in a Purim song
Of course, no Purim would be complete without groggers to drown out Haman’s name, hamentaschen to munch
on during the evening, and many imaginative costumes worn by BCC members. See the video and the photo
spread in this issue for some examples of how silly we all looked that night!
On a more serious note, we collected $500 that evening for the Japanese relief fund for victims of the recent
earthquake and tsunami. Thanks to all BCC members and friends who contributed.
As we settle in to our new home, it’s hard to see how next year’s Purim will top our last one at 6000!
Ma z el To v
Please join the BCC community in wishing the following individuals a big “mazel tov” on their recent accomplishments or good news.
Elizabeth Savage received her Executive MBA from the Peter F. Drucker School
of Management at Claremont Graduate University.
Yetta Howard completed her Ph.D. and, beginning in Fall of 2011, will be Assistant
Professor of English and Affiliated Faculty Member, LGBT Studies Minor at San
Diego State University.
Mark Farber has a new job as director of major gifts for ADL.
Steve Sass is one of the first two recipients of the Local Jewish Heroes Award
from KCET and Union Bank. A program about the heroes will broadcast on
KCET during May! BCC couldn’t agree more — Steve is definitely one of BCC’s
local heroes!
Donna Quigley Groman was featured in an episode of “In the Life” on KCET
on March 27, 2011, concerning her judicial work in the L.A. Superior Court.
If you have an achievement or good fortune to share, please send your good news to the BCC office. We want to celebrate with you!
10
B E T H C H AY I M C H A D A S H I M
May/June 2011
PHOTO: DAVI CHENG
PHOTO: DAVI CHENG
Purim Photos by
Davi Cheng
and
Richard Seltzer
Maggie and Dave Parkhurst,
officer and pirate
Melissa de la Rama reads the
megillah in Tagalog
PHOTO: RICHARD SELTZER
PHOTO: DAVI CHENG
Cantor Porat lets out
his inner diva
PHOTO: RICHARD SELTZER
PHOTO: RICHARD SELTZER
Jay Jacobs, Jeff Bernhardt, David Wallenstein
Jonathan Falk,
child of the 60s
PHOTO: DAVI CHENG
PHOTO: RICHARD SELTZER
Richard Seltzer,
Italian professor
Ray Eelsing
prepares to read
the megillah in
Japanese
11
Elissa Barrett reads the megillah in
Spanish, accompanied by Eliana
Berkovitz-Newman
B E T H C H AY I M C H A D A S H I M
May/June 2011
More Photos of the New Building Dedication on April 10, 2011,
PHOTO: DREW FABER
PHOTO: DREW FABER
by Drew Faber and Sylvia Sukop
Cantorial Soloist Emerita Fran Chalin and Cantor Juval Porat
sing Debbie Friedman’s Tefilat HaDerech as we say
goodbye to 6000 W. Pico
PHOTO: DREW FABER
BCC’s three Torahs leave 6000 W. Pico
under the chuppah
PHOTO: DREW FABER
Banner on the 6090 building, corner of Pico and Alvira
PHOTO: DREW FABER
PHOTO: SYLVIA SUKOP
BCC’s Torahs and the members’ procession arrive at
6090 W. Pico
Rabbi Edwards affixes the mezuzah at the
entrance to our new building
Donna Quigley Groman, Steve Sass, and Steve Hochstadt
hold BCC’s torahs as they arrive in the lobby at 6090, with the
stained glass windows behind them
(Continued on page 13)
12
B E T H C H AY I M C H A D A S H I M
May/June 2011
(continued from page 12)
More Photos of the New Building Dedication on April 10, 2011,
PHOTO: DREW FABER
PHOTO: DREW FABER
by Drew Faber and Sylvia Sukop
Rabbi Edwards and President Bruce Maxwell listen to Max
Webb, the Holocaust survivor who sold us the building at 6090
PHOTO: DREW FABER
PHOTO: DREW FABER
The Torahs are placed in the new ark at 6090, containing
the new ner tamid and framed by the Story Lines wall
The BCC choir performs on the new bimah
during the dedication ceremony
PHOTO: SYLVIA SUKOP
PHOTO: SYLVIA SUKOP
City Councilman Herb Wesson and Rabbi Lisa Edwards
with the certificate given to BCC by the City of Los Angeles
Tamara Kline at the piano during the
dedication ceremony
Israeli dancing in the parking lot following the dedication
More of Drew Faber’s photos may be viewed at http://albums.drewfaber.com/2011/bcc/a/
13
B E T H C H AY I M C H A D A S H I M
May/June 2011
May 2011
Nisan/Iyar 5771
Sunday
Monday
8:00 am cook, 1
11:30 deliver
Project Chicken Soup
3975 Landmark
YOM HASHOAH
(Holocaust
Remembrance Day)
7:00 pm LA Jewish
Film Festival
(BCC co-sponsor)
Music Hall Theater
8
Tuesday
2
Wednesday
3
9
10
15
16
8:00 am cook,
11:30 deliver
Project Chicken Soup
3975 Landmark
11:15 am Men’s Havurah
Getty Center Garden and
Architecture Tour
22
23
4:00 pm
Virtual Minyan
Torah Study
7:00 pm
Torah Study
Rabbi Edwards
18
24
10:30 am Silent Auction
12:00 Humanitarian
Awards Brunch
Loews Hotel
Santa Monica
4:00 pm
Virtual Minyan
Torah Study
7:00 pm
Torah Study
Rabbi Edwards
25
4:00 pm
Virtual Minyan
Torah Study
7:00 pm
Torah Study
Rabbi Edwards
7:00 pm
Board of Directors
Meeting
29
10:00 am (private home)
BCC Book Group
Good Book (David Plotz)
4:00 pm Virtual Minyan
Torah Study
Petra Verwijs
7:00 pm
Torah Study
Rabbi Edwards
11
17
30
Friday
Saturday
6
5
7:00 pm
Jews and Islam
Rabbi Reuven
Firestone
7:00 pm Executive
Committee Meeting
YOM HA’ATZMAUT
(Israel Independence
Day)
MOTHER’S DAY
4
7:00 pm
Jews and Islam
Rabbi Reuven
Firestone
2:00 pm
Virtual Minyan
Yom Hashoah Service
9:30 Virtual Minyan
Coffee ‘n’ Schmooze
West LA
Thursday
6:00 pm Pre-Shabbat
Dinner
8:00 pm Shabbat Service
Cantor Porat
Rabbi Heather Miller
12
13
8:00 pm
Shabbat Service
Rabbi Edwards
Cantor Porat
19
26
7
10:00 am Ohr Chayim
12:00 pm Family
Shabbat
14
9:15 am Parent and Me
10:00 am Ohr Chayim
12:00 pm Family Shabbat
8:00 pm
Women’s Havurah
Dance night (all welcome)
Oil Can Harry’s
20
6:00 pm Ohr Chayim
dinner
7:00 pm Shabbat Service
(note early time)
Rabbi Edwards
Leah Zimmerman
21
10:00 am Shabbat
Morning Service and
dairy potluck
Ruach Chayim 27
7:00 pm Refreshments
and schmooze
8:00 pm Shabbat Service
Rabbi Edwards
Cantor Porat
Guest Musicians
28
31
MEMORIAL DAY
(BCC Office Closed)
All events at BCC's new home at 6090 W. Pico Blvd.
unless otherwise noted
Iyar/Sivan 5771
June 2011
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
1
4:00 pm
Virtual Minyan
Torah Study
7:00 pm
Torah Study
Rabbi Edwards
All events at BCC's new home at 6090 W. Pico Blvd.
unless otherwise noted
5
6
7
7:00 pm
Leil Tikkun Shavuot
(all night study)
Dairy/vegetarian potluck
12
13
8
7:00 pm
Executive Committee
Meeting
SHAVUOT
(BCC Office Closed)
14
19
20
21
15
22
7:00 pm
Board of Directors
Meeting
FATHER’S DAY
26
10:00 am
Women’s Havurah
Annenberg Beach House
(women only)
10:00 am (private home)
BCC Book Group
Friendly Fire: A Duet
27
28
2
9
4:00 pm Virtual Minyan
Torah Study
Rabbi Laurence Edwards
7:00 pm
Torah Study
Rabbi Edwards
CHRISTOPHER STREET
WEST
8:00 am cook,
11:30 deliver
Project Chicken Soup
3975 Landmark
Friday
29
4:00 pm
Virtual Minyan
Torah Study
7:00 pm
Torah Study
Rabbi Edwards
4:00 pm
Virtual Minyan
Torah Study
7:00 pm
Torah Study
Rabbi Edwards
4:00 pm
Virtual Minyan
Torah Study
7:00 pm
Torah Study
Rabbi Edwards
Saturday
6:00 pm
Pre-Shabbat Dinner
8:00 pm
Shabbat Service
Rabbi Edwards
Lay leader
3
10
11
9:15 am Parent and Me
8:00 pm Shabbat Service
10:00 am Ohr Chayim
Pride Shabbat
12:00 pm Family
Rabbi Edwards
Shabbat
Cantor Porat
CHRISTOPHER STREET
Drash by Ginger Jacobs
WEST
16
17
8:00 pm
Shabbat Service
Cantor Porat
Lay leader
23
4
10:00 am Ohr Chayim
12:00 pm Family Shabbat
7:00 pm Women’s
Havurah
Game Night (women only)
18
10:00 am
Shabbat Morning
Service and dairy potluck
24
25
Ruach Chayim
7:00 pm
Refreshments/schmooze
8:00 pm Shabbat Service
Rabbi Edwards
Cantor Porat
Guest Musicians
30
See B C C - L A . O R G for updates and changes.
14
B E T H C H AY I M C H A D A S H I M
May/June 2011