613+ Shabbat Dinners

Dinner date: 11 May 2012

Guests: Carter and Sam Polakoff, Oliver Schein and Nadine Fontain, Karin Batterton

Analogy: Beth Am is like no other synagogue. This kind of outreach is very unusual and it is great fun getting to know people one has seen for years in the neighborhood but has never gotten together with or has seen at Beth Am but never really had the opportunity to talk to.

Story: People talked about what it was like to meet each other’s families for the first time in situations where each family was from a different cultural and religious background. Misinformation and even expressed anti-Semitic feelings abounded. Parents of young children also said their children loved going to Beth Am, an experience that was very unlike their own as children.

Dinner date: 18 March 2012

Guests: Betty & Dan Chemers, Kathy & Sandy Shapiro, Amy Davidoff & Steve Gore, Janet Horn & Alan Yuspeh, Joyce Leviton

Analogy: Shabbat is a time for reflection and connection.

Recipe: Salade Nicoise was a hit – so many healthy and colorful items to choose from, on just one platter.

Story: Most of the guests didn’t know each other, even the five people who sit within a few rows of each other at Beth Am. All the guests quickly found intriguing things about each other and amazing things in common. Towards the end of the meal, everyone participated in a discussion about ethics and evolution, prompted by an article about Dr. Ben Carson. We all had good things to say about Beth Am and were grateful that the “613+” dinner initiative brought us together.

Dinner date: 11 May 2012

Guests: David, Jessica, Talia, Isabel & Nadya Lunken; Ariel, Beth & Sophie Winter; Adam & Nancy Basner, Michael Pearlman & Paula Singer

Analogy: Beth Am is a wonderful place for kids. We compared it favorably to a few other local shuls, as well.

Recipe: We had a Mexican fiesta featuring 5-layer taco dip and make-your-own fajitas and tacos using vegetarian fillings.

Dinner date: 12 May 2012

Guests: Ken & Paula Williams, Bryna Zumer, Malka Sarros, Miriam Tillman, Elaine Weiss

Story: Those in attendance are all positive on Beth Am but offered a number of suggestions and comments. A number of those in attendance, both older and younger members, would like changes in the service to make it more participatory including changes in songs that would make it easier for congregants to sing along. Guests were very positive on the musical Shabbat services. One person cited Rosh Hashanah services as particularly in need of revision to make them more participatory and more relevant. I also had the sense that, while BAYITT was a draw for both of the younger members who joined us, the passage of time may have made it less dynamic/exciting today and we should not be resting on our laurels with regard to BAYITT.

Recipe: Salmon marinated in teriyaki sauce and broiled.

Dinner date:  27 January 2012

Guests: The Lunken Family

Recipe: The meal was delicious and Shana pulled out all the beautiful dishes and settings. We enjoyed soup, meatloaf, collared greens and a variety of other tasty treats

Story: The kids loved when Eddie threw the challah to everyone after the blessing! There was a lot of laughing and joking. It was a delightful evening!

Dinner date: 4 May 2012

Guests: Stacey Mink & Geoff Brown & son Hugo Brown, Rabbi Kelley Gludt & Rob Gludt & son Romy

Recipe: Vegetarian Stuffed Cabbage

Story: Stacey told us how she discovered that she is related to Beth Am member Lisa Schulman. We talked about all the places we’ve lived–about a dozen cities among us. Hugo & Romy had fun hanging with the big kids.

Dinner date: 4 May 2012

Guests: Al & Jill Somer, Hillary & Jim Jacobs, Ken Tellerman and Donna Behrens

Analogy:  We did not ask the standard questions (our guests had already been to several of these). But we had a thoroughly enjoyable evening in which new members met and got to know long-time members and many of our the guests talked about why they had joined Beth Am.

Dinner date: 27 April 2012

Guests: Rabbi Michelle Stern and Eitan and Noa Kimchi,  Simon Birenbaum and fiancee Whitney, Lauren Lyon-Collis and Ariel and Leora Collis

Recipe: BBQ wings

Story: Eitan “wore” Noa the entire meal.

Dinner date: February 3

Guests: Gail and Lou Wohlmuth Jim Kraft and Kristi Aho

Story: The kids LOVED playing with Lou!

Dinner date: 6April 2012

Guests: Faye Rifkin and Marcos Vera

Analogy: Why was this Shabbat different from all other Shabbat nights? To start, it was the first night of Passover. And, we had a chance to get to know two new members of Beth Am. recipe: Matzo ball soup, Greek chicken with asparagus and — once again — Harriet Miller’s wonderful carrot souffle. Dessert: Passover macaroons and fruit compote.

Story: We had learned that Marcos was born in Ecuador. The Seder had selected passages about the observance of Passover in Quito, elsewhere in Ecuador and South America. We even referenced a recipe for making charoses from yucca — haven’t tried it yet. Faye and Marcos mentioned the small Jewish cluster residing in their Medfield neighborhood. (Alert to membership committee!) We also learned that Marcos played soccer and now is a soccer coach to the teenagers — representing a small United Nations — in their community.