RABBI’S MESSAGE

Dear Friends, As my father’s 3rd yahrzeit approaches this fall, I find myself wondering how I can honor his memory, which grows more distant with the years. The idea that I can purchase new siddurim (prayer books) in his memory brings me a great deal of comfort. yahrzeit approaches this fall, I find myself wondering how I can honor his memory, which grows more distant with the years. The idea that I can purchase new siddurim (prayer books) in his memory brings me a great deal of comfort. We honor our loved ones by giving tzedakah in their honor. The book of Proverbs says: in their honor. The book of Proverbs says: זֵ֣כֶר צַ֭דִּיק לִבְרָכָ֑ה The name of the righteous is invoked in blessing. However, Rashi (11th Century France) interprets this to mean that when we mention the name of someone who has died, we idea. We aren’t exactly sure what it means to do this, but it does capture a strong desire that we feel even many years after someone has in my father’s memory, one that will carry his name for all who open it, is a deeply comforting thought. I am heartened to think that people will walk into , and see my father’s name as they begin the expansive prayers and literal as: grandchildren, friends, a caretaker of a loved one, a teacher, a spouse or partner, and so on. Maybe you want to celebrate a special life event, like an anniversary, a birthday, an engagement or wedding in the family? People will be Our goal is to have every single siddur that we use donated by members of our community, all 720 of them! We are hoping that everyone in our community will participate in this fundraiser articipate for financial reasons but would like to, please reach out to me). This entire project was initiated by Joseph and Dana Kekst in honor of Dana’s parents, Steven z”l and Esther Winik. During the project, Steven, of blessed memory, passed away the Winik family. The siddurim will be dedicated in honor of Steven z”l and Esther, which will add so much to our community for years to come. For the past seven years, whenever I pray at Beth El I open the siddur and first read the prayers by establishing a connection to someone in our community, and hind me! When this happens, I so that they can pray with the siddur that bears

which is usually translated as: The name of the righteous is invoked in blessing. However, Rashi (11th Century France) interprets this to mean that when we mention the name of someone who has died, we bless that person. Blessing someone who has died is a peculiar idea. We aren’t exactly sure what it means to do this, but it does capture a strong desire that we feel even many years after someone has died. We want to bless our dead.

The idea that I can donate siddurim in my father’s memory, one that will carry his name for all who open it, is a deeply comforting thought. I am heartened to think that people will walk into our sanctuary on Shabbat or a holiday, open a siddur, and see my father’s name as they begin to pray. What better way to bless his memory than to tie it to the expansive prayers and literal blessings of our people, blessings that one of you will recite?

This is also an opportunity to honor someone, such as: grandchildren, friends, a caretaker of a loved one, a teacher, a spouse or partner, and so on. Maybe you want to celebrate a special life event, like an anniversary, a birthday, an engagement or wedding in the family? People will be so touched to know that you dedicated a siddur in their honor. Our goal is to have every single siddur that we use donated by members of our community, all 720 of them! We are hoping that everyone in our community will participate in this fundraiser (if you are unable to participate for financial reasons but would like to, please reach out to me). You can purchase bookplates here, on our website (https://www.bethelnr.org/form/ siddur2022). This entire project was initiated by Joseph and Dana Kekst in honor of Dana’s parents, Steven z”l and Esther Winik. During the project, Steven, of blessed memory, passed away unexpectedly, and the loss was devastating for the Winik family. The siddurim will be dedicated in honor of Steven z”l and Esther, which will add so much to our community for years to come.

For the past seven years, whenever I pray at Beth El I open the siddur and first read the bookplate. I begin my prayers by establishing a connection to someone in our community, and it is so wonderful when that person is sitting a row or two behind me! When this happens, I often walk over to them and switch siddurim so that they can pray with the siddur that bears their loved one’s name. I invite you to do the same.

I hope that you will join us in this initiative. L’Shalom, Rabbi David A. Schuck

Purchase Your Siddurim!

Dedicate a siddur in honor or memory of someone special. You can purchase one siddur for $72.00 or three siddurim for $180. A bookplate will be placed inside the siddur cover with your selected dedication. Order your siddurim today here: bethelnr.org/siddur2022