After a year of physical isolation and separation, Congregation Beth Aaron can proudly attest to having successfully maintained the warmth and close ties of its members that have historically characterized the shul. In the words of President Steven Hoenig, “Beth Aaron is a family. Our members are multi-generational, and from all walks of life, each bringing unique backgrounds and perspectives to create a rich tapestry that is our kehilla. Above all, the entire membership is built on a deep and true dedication to Torah, avodah and chesed as exemplified by our morah d’asrah, Rabbi Larry Rothwachs; and our Rebbetzin Chaviva.”
The upcoming 45th dinner of Congregation Beth Aaron, to be held virtually on Sunday, March 7, will pay tribute to the individuals and families who were instrumental in keeping the community united during the pandemic. Co-chair of the dinner Nechama Pudell shared, “Though we have been forced by the pandemic to be apart and not together at 950 Queen Anne Road, Rabbi and Chaviva Rothwachs, President Steven Hoenig, Jason David and Aliza Fischman and many others have made sure that we stayed connected, albeit virtually, positive and inspired throughout the pandemic. Through the weekly pre-Kabbalat Shabbat Zoom, ongoing shiurim, special programming for children and adults, WhatsApp announcements and many more initiatives, we were able to ensure that our members were not just coping, but were actually uplifted. Our upcoming celebration on March 7 will include divrei chizuk, good food, laughs, a raffle and a fun game.”
The theme of the evening is “Saluting Our Strength, Recognizing Our Resilience and Continuing Our Commitment to Our CBA Community.” The honorees are all of the minyanim hosts who enabled CBA to extend her walls and keep all connected on Shabbatot, Yomim Tovim and even for personal simchas and milestones. Shabbat host families include the Dubin, Hoenig, Metzger, Nussbaum, Rothwachs, Singer and Teitelbaum families. Joining them as Yomim Noraim hosts were the Eizikowitz, Presby, Schnaidman and Yaros families. Two additional outside venues were provided by Lior Hod on Cedar Lane and Eliot Polak adjacent to the Chase Bank. Participating members were welcomed graciously by all of the hosts and provided with spaces at proper social distances.
The Beth Aaron programs that never ceased throughout the year appealed to all ages and interests. Among the regular shiurim offered were the pre-Shabbat “Bringing it Home” series presented by Rabbi Rothwachs, the Pirkei Avot for children on Shabbat afternoon and the Sunday morning Shivti Talmud Learning Program. More that 35 educational.programs were presented offering chizuk and edification. Among the topics covered were family relationships during stressful times, health and nutrition, celebrating smachot during a pandemic, virtual tours of Israel and a plethora of Torah presentations including milestone siyumim. Social programs included a challah bake, trivia night and origami workshops.The youth were treated to pre-Shabbat activities, Sukkah building and hops, special confectionary workshops and Pesach escape rooms to name a few. The Sisterhood continued on with its book club, Shavuot flower sale, Shmura Matzah sale, pottery workshops and Mishloach Manot Project, among many others.
The Men’s Club continued their Pesach wine sale, apron sale, Siyum and Sausage Night, fishing trip, family hikes and Bob Klapisch Baseball presentation to name only a few of their yearly programs. Needless to say, weekly Torah Zooms offered chavruta learning, daf hashavua and gemara sessions, boys fifth- and sixth-grade mishna classes and women’s learning groups. The many ongoing chesed initiatives carried out so devotedly by the various individuals and committees of Beth Aaron throughout the year brought much-needed comfort to those isolated and aggrieved and fortunately helped mark happy occasions as well.
The upcoming 45th Anniversary Dinner is being planned as an entertaining and eventful evening. A sumptuous pre-ordered, three-course dinner is being offered by the Wandering Que, to be picked up at the shul prior to start time. A new and original cinematic production written and produced by noted director and screenwriter Rabbi Larry Rothwachs will be premiered, followed by an interactive Escape the Shul activity. Throughout the dinner, a magic show for the children’s entertainment will be screened. Dinner attendees will be able to compete in a 50/50 raffle to be drawn at the end of the evening.
Dinner co-chair Moishe B. Singer urged, “If you have participated over the year in our programming and minyanim, whether you are a full member, associate or friend of Beth Aaron, we welcome you to join us for the virtual dinner on March 7, at 5 p.m. Go to bethaaron.org/dinner to register, buy raffle tickets, make a donation and support Beth Aaron.”
By Pearl Markovitz
