The Shofar: JULY 2026

This is the third edition of The Shofar, Netivot Shalom’s online journal. Our goal is for you to feel more connected to your fellow congregants and to what is happening at Netivot. This issue highlights social justice work at Netivot; introduces new and longer term members and honors congregants who have passed; tells the history of our Torahs; celebrates the love story of a Netivot couple; updates you on the work of our Rabbi, Board President, and Executive Director; showcases the work of a Netivot artist; gives you a delicious recipe; tells the story of why one member made a Legacy Gift; and informs you of an important upcoming event. Please tell us what you liked and also what you would like to see in The Shofar: theshofar@netivotshalom.org. We need to hear from you!

Many readers have expressed appreciation for the “Spotlight on Members” column. We hope that these short bios which congregants write about themselves will help us all feel that we know one another a little better and have more things in common that we may otherwise have realized. Thank you to all who contributed profiles, articles, or information for this issue including: Kaitlin Stephens, Rita Largman, Joanna Weinberg and David Levine; Michael-Saxe Taller, Joan Bradus, R’ Allan Berkowitz, Esther Brass-Chorin, Joel Gerwein, R’ Chai, Ellen London, Ken Schnur, Lydia Brose, Eliana Marchevsky, Celeste Lavin, Rebecca Whitman, Cynthia Whitehead, and Carole Baden.

You can access past and present articles of The Shofar by clicking the “Shofar” link in the horizontal navigation bar at the top of Netivot Shalom’s website.

“Justice, Justice, Shall You Pursue”

The Community Action Working Group is only one of the many social action and social justice groups and activities blossoming at Netivot Shalom, including two new ones: an Immigrant Support Food Pod and the Netivot Social Justice Organizing Team. We are excited to share details of all of these initiatives…

Of Blessed Memory

In each issue of the newsletter, we publish several memorials from our Book of Memories in a column called “Of Blessed Memory.” Rabbi Kelman, z”l, conceived of the Netivot Shalom Members Memorial Book in 2017 as a way to honor the memory of our deceased congregants…

The Stories of Our Torahs

“Nothing is more central to Netivot Shalom than the Torah—reading it, teaching it, studying it, learning it, and living it.” (Celia Concus, 1st Board President, from the 1990 fundraising campaign to purchase our first Torah.) Just as the Torah links us with the story of the Jewish people, the 6 sifrei Torah we have at Netivot Shalom connect us not only with our shul’s story, but also with older Jewish communities…

Netivot Shalom Painter Lydia Brose

I grew up in Detroit, Michigan, the youngest child of a well-known sculptor. From an early age, I was surrounded by art. Some of my earliest memories are of spending time in my dad’s studio creating small pieces of art in wax, which my dad then cast into bronze. When I was thirteen years old,…

From Our Rabbi

It’s been several months since my sabbatical, but I haven’t had the chance to reflect with you on my Encounter trip sponsored by my rabbinical organization, the Rabbinical Assembly, called “Leading Across Difference: Equipping Rabbis for Nuanced Community Engagement on Israel.” The RA organized this program, which also included several pre- and post-trip Zoom sessions,…

FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Even in the lull of summer, we’re keeping busy. Here are a few things our administrative team is working on. The Netivot Shalom membership year comes to a close on June 30. So it’s time to renew your membership! Membership information is out there–we’ve sent emails, included it in our weekly announcements and put it on the CNS website…

Rebecca Whitman’s Chocolate Babka

This is my recipe for chocolate babka, which is loosely a merger of Adeena Sussman’s and Yotam Ottolenghi’s recipes (the latter is via Michelle Lettrich and King Arthur Baking Company). I first made babka with a friend in high school–it was difficult, but we prevailed (while eating a ton of chocolate spread)! These days, I…

Interfaith Blood Drive

One pint of donated blood can save up to three lives. Every day, blood donors help patients of all ages with all kinds of health needs. In fact, every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood. This year, our 12th Annual Interfaith Blood Drive will be held in the Netivot Social Hall on Tuesday…

Of Blessed Memory

In each issue of the newsletter, we will publish several memorials from our Book of Memories in a column called “Of Blessed Memory.” Rabbi Kelman conceived of the Netivot Shalom Members Memorial Book in 2017 as a way to honor the memory of our deceased congregants. Diane Bernbaum writes the stories and Lee Bearson designs…

Our Love Stories: Lara Hornbeck and John Erlich

We met at Netivot services in February 1999, when CNS was holding Shabbat morning services at the BRJCC. Lara arrived, looking for a place to sit, and sat down next to John. Lara says: “I thought I saw a wedding ring on John’s finger, and thought to myself, ‘I bet he’s a great husband!’ John was all…

From Our rabbi

Strengthening our Caring Community: Gemilut Chasadim current and future acts of lovingkindness One of the guiding texts that forms my theology is from a midrash on Psalm 145:9, the line from Ashrei: tov Hashem lakol v’rachamav al kol maasav, “God is good to all because God’s compassion is on all of God’s works.” My favorite interpretation…

From Our Executive Director

The Netivot Shalom membership year comes to a close on June 30. So, it’s time to look forward to the coming year – and Membership Renewals.  We expect that membership renewal information will come out within the next few weeks. If you’ve previously chosen to roll-over your dues, you don’t have to do anything! If…

From Our Board President

Happy second edition of The Shofar! I will always be grateful to Cathy and the rest of the crew for not just agreeing to get this going but really making it a substantial newsletter full of content, creativity, and the many voices from our community. I hope you’ve been enjoying it, and (it wouldn’t be…

Holy Work

Let’s start with a huge thank you to Mary Breiner, who has served as the chair of the Chevra Kadisha for many, many years. Unknown to most, she has worked behind the scenes, ever so sensitively, to assist congregants in time of loss. Mary has been the one to go to for all four of…

Netivot Shalom poet Carol Dorf

I’ve been thinking about the way poetry can bring light to dark times. My poem “Trajectory” was written just a few days after October 7, in reaction to that violence. Unfortunately, it turns out to be applicable to much that has happened since then. “Spring, again” was a poem looking for the kind of reliable…

April Schlanger’s Lentil Zucchini Fritters 

This is one of my favorite vegetarian recipes. Everyone who tries it, loves it. We served it at the gala. INGREDIENTS Lemony Yogurt: ¾ cup whole-milk yogurt 2 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice ½ tsp. sugar Kosher salt Fritters: 1 cup red lentils (masoor dal) 1 medium zucchini (about 5 oz.) ½ medium onion, thinly sliced…

Of Blessed Memory

In each issue of the newsletter, we will publish several memorials from our Book of Memories in a column called “Of Blessed Memory.” Rabbi Kelman conceived of the Netivot Shalom Members Memorial Book in 2017 as a way to honor the memory of our deceased congregants. Diane Bernbaum writes the stories and Lee Bearson designs…