Ricka Neuman and Ian Neuman: Sharing the Shabbat Experience

Shabbat is the essential Jewish experience for siblings and Beth Tfiloh shul members Ian and Ricka Neuman, thanks to their parents, Phyllis and Nelson Neuman. “For as long as I can remember, Shabbat always had a special place in our family — especially Friday night,” said Ian. “Even though we were not the most religious, we always did Friday night with candle lighting, Kiddush, challah, and Birkat Hamazon.”

The Neumans reminisce about Shabbat dinners overflowing with friends, food, and boisterous conversation. “Friday night dinners are the time to sit around the table, catch up with the events of the week, and talk, talk, talk,” shared Ricka. “Growing up, it also meant our extended family and friends joining us, sometime for dinner and sometimes after dinner, to participate in the conversations. The Neuman House on a Friday night was the place to be for all of my friends, always!”

When Ricka started dating her now husband, Ted Niederman, he was initiated in the Neuman Shabbat dinner ritual. “The first experience was loud and overwhelming for him, but he continued to attend. I knew he had ‘gotten it’ the first Friday night I was out of town for work and he went to dinner without me. He rarely missed a Friday night dinner after that.”

Phyllis continued to host Friday night dinner for her family even after Nelson passed away until she was no longer able. Shabbat is so important to the Neuman family – including brother Jonathan and their late sister Roberta a”h – that they collectively created the Nelson Neuman Kiddush Fund. This fund helps defray the cost of any unsponsored Kiddushes, uniting the Beth Tfiloh community for a light meal and socializing after Shabbat morning services.

When asked if they would like to sponsor Beth Tfiloh’s monthlong Shabbat Experience throughout January, they immediately agreed. “We wanted help others experience the joy of Shabbat that our parents instilled in us. It was a fitting tribute to our beloved parents and our sister, Roberta, who passed away last year,” said Ian.

“For me, Shabbat means a break from my usual hectic, busy, frenetic life,” said Ricka. “It is an opportunity to have time for family, friends and myself. I wanted other BT community members to enjoy that weekly respite as well.”

They also wanted to help fellow BT community members stay connected to Beth Tfiloh throughout Covid, like there were. Daily minyanim, challah bakes, regular email updates, and shul committee meetings are just some of the ways Ricka and Ian have stayed involved over the past few months. “I am amazed at the depth and breadth of what BT is offering to congregants,” Ricka said. “There is something for everyone.”

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“I love seeing how much BT received because of things I buy and is such an easy way to support BT while doing what I would do under any circumstances!” -Ricka Neuman