by Barbara Katz | Oct 6, 2024 | Service Awards, TBI News, Worship
We prayed, we kvelled, we schmoozed and Zoomed, and then we ate. Rabbi Jan Katz led an inspirational service enhanced by the beautiful cantorial melodies sung by Melody Funk accompanied by Joel Funk. Our own talented TBI member, John McArthur, sang and strummed many of the traditional prayers to round out the service. The morning was filled with joy and reflection and culminated in the presentation of the annual TBI Mitzvah award to Karen Lukeman, a dedicated member of the Board of Directors, Membership Chair, and a valued member of the Interim Steering Committee. Karen has worked tirelessly, whether at home in Bristol, traveling around the world, or wintering in Mexico, to increase the membership of TBI as well as attending to a wealth of responsibilities that keep our "little temple that could" moving forward. Karen also had the honor to address the congregation with a review of the past year before turning the microphone over to Stu Needleman to make announcements and the presentation of the Mitzvah award to Karen, which took her by complete surprise. Yasher Koach to Karen, may you continue to go from strength to strength, whether in pursuit of your dreams or your commitments to TBI. Todah Rabah!
by tbinh_admin | Oct 19, 2022 | Service Awards, TBI News
The Shem Tov (good name) Awards were created by the Jewish Federation of New Hampshire to recognize volunteers from organizations across New Hampshire who have provided outstanding service to the Jewish community.
This year our long-time members, Rhoda Goodman and Sue Needleman, were selected for their continued dedication to TBI and in particular the NH Jewish Food Festival. Rhoda and Sue join an esteemed list of previous winners including Naomi and Mark Goldman, Suzanne Appleton, Karen Ostroff-Rines, Barbara Katz, Karen Lukeman, Jared Aronson (z'l), Stu Needleman, Ken Goodman, Gary Broom, Jonathan and Glenna Lee, Bryan Halperin, Irene Gordon, Lou Gaynor, Marsha Ostroff-Rines. Sharon Fleischman, Barbara Morgenstern (z'l), Joel Bader, Robert Selig, Joel and Melody Funk, Marty Fox, Jerry Fleischman, Henry Lipman, Mark Aronson, Joyce Selg, and Deb Abair.
Eshet Chayil - A Woman of Valor
"A woman of valor, who can find?" is the opening of the twenty-two verse poem found in the Book of Proverbs (Proverbs 31) that pays tribute to a woman of valor for her energy, her righteousness, and her capabilities. TBI's own Jewish Food Festival "Mavens" are being honored for all these qualities and more.
Rhoda and Sue met when they each joined TBI after moving to the Lakes Region to retire with their husbands, Ken and Stu. They quickly found a commonality in their dedication and devotion to all things Jewish. They volunteered together, worshipped together, shared the ups and downs of their personal lives, and through it all, they formed a close bond that led them to co-chair the Jewish Food Festival cooking and baking teams. Working hand-in-hand, they planned the menu, tested old and new recipes, recruited volunteers, tested more recipes, and then they cooked. Matzah ball soup, knishes, latkes, and many other Food Festival favorites, all have the "Goodman-Needleman" seal of approval. A monumental job by two "Eshet Chayil," women of valor. Mazel tov and yasher koach to our Jewish Food Festival mavens.
Rabbi Katz gathers Rhoda and Sue with her tallit as they chant the Torah blessing before Rabbi Alan Katz chants the beginning Parsha, Genesis Chapter 1, verse 1.
Award presentation on October 28, 2022
Friday evening Shabbat service
by
David Goldstone, JFNH Board Member
and President of Bethlehem Hebrew Congregation
by tbinh_admin | Oct 31, 2021 | Service Awards
Naomi and Mark joined TBI in 2006. Mark joined the board that same year and Naomi followed by joining our board in 2009. Mark has served as an officer and Financial Secretary since 2009, expertly handling our member dues tracking and serving on the Finance Committee. Naomi has served on the Ritual Committee, Membership Committee, chaired the Holiday Committee, did a lot of work with our Fundraising/WeCare Committee, and is especially famous for her strudels at the Food Festival! Naomi's Holiday Committee has put on many fun programs including Israeli dancing, wine and olive oil tastings, Purim Shpiels, art auctions, and many delicious meals in our social hall.
Naomi and Mark are originally in Washington Heights in New York City. They lived in Massachusetts for 20 years and then moved to Connecticut for 20 years, finally retiring at their second home in Alexandria on Newfound Lake. Mark worked with microwave devices for the communications industry. Naomi was a full-day Kindergarten and Elementary School Teacher, starting at Hanscom Field in Lincoln MA, followed by a stint with a Solomon Schechter Day School. They have two daughters, Deborah and have 3 grandchildren ranging from 11-17, and Rebecca and 2 grandchildren, ages15 and 19.
Their dedication to Temple B'nai Israel has been exemplary and they are most deserving of this Shem Tov Award as they truly represent the best of TBI!
The award will be presented by JFNH Board Member Harry Shepler at our Shabbat service on Friday, November 19, 2021. Mazel tov to Naomi and Mark!
