Beth El to Salute Its Loyal 'Minyannaires'

Beth El holds the distinction of offering religious services twice a day, every day of the year -- thanks to a group of congregants who attend daily services on a regular basis. Those regular 'minyannaires,' who attended at least 24 times during the 2006-2007 year (an average of twice a month) – will be honored and thanked during 9:30 a.m. Shabbat services on Saturday, June 3, 2007.

The following congregants will be recognized:

With attendance at over 250 services during the past year, Steve Riekes, Marcel Kahn and Merle Potash;

200 to 249 services, Harry Weiner, Colleen Kennealy, Sol Schwartz, Peter Ginsburg and Mikhail Ginsburg;

150 to 199 services, Frances Gottlieb and Rodney Shkolnick;
100 - 149 services, Stan Widman, Stuart Simon, Stanley Silverman, Rick Emas;

50 to 99 services, Ben Shapiro, Abe Schloff, Dolores Goodman, Ron Epstein, Diane Axler Baum and Phillip Ratner;

24 - 49 services, Howard Kaiman, Jack Epstein, Gary Rifkin, Donald Nogg, Caryn Rifkin, Stan Edelstein, Steve Pitlor, Stewart Tully, Macklin Emas, Nancy Rips, Lea Grunkin, Larry DeBruin, Carol Schneider, Carol Gendler, Leigh Emas, Ed Schneider and Sara Klein.

"Our daily morning and evening services serve an important need in the local Jewish community," Rabbi Mordechai Levin said. "They fulfill spiritual needs -- not only of our congregants but also the Jewish community at-large, making it possible to recite Kaddish for loved ones, and allowing those observing a Yarzheit the opportunity to lead the service or accept an honor."

Marcel Kahn began attending daily minyan regularly upon his retirement almost 20 years ago, following the example of his late father, a Beth El member who could always be counted on to make a minyan-even at the last moment. "There were three or four regulars who were always called when there wasn't a minyan," he said. "I was brought up this way."

Kahn stressed the importance of continuing the tradition of daily minyanim, and encouraged congregants to attend whenever possible. He suggested setting aside the same morning or afternoon once a week or once a month, and making service attendance routine." We want to keep this going," he said.

Sol Schwartz, an afternoon service regular, agreed, stressing the importance of every Jew's ability to observe a Yarzheit and say Kaddish at daily services. People want to be assured that there will be a minyan when they come to services, he said, but, "If they really want a minyan for themselves, they should help make a minyan for others."

Schwartz's regular attendance began around a dozen years ago, during his wife's illness; back then, being at Beth El was his haven during a difficult time. Since then, the afternoon service has become an important part of his life, offering him a break from his everyday responsibilities. "It gives me piece of mind," he said.

By becoming a regular minyannaire, Steve Riekes said he "discovered that Judaism also places value in community, not just individual spirituality. Making a minyan creates a certain kind of atmosphere that stresses community, and you develop a kind of camaraderie."

As he said Kaddish for his father several years ago, Riekes said he realized that just as others showed up to make the service possible, he also needed to assume that responsibility for others. "I have to do my part," he said, adding that "I love the value of it. The service gives you a warm feeling -- it encompasses all the good things that community means."

"We owe all of these dedicated congregants our appreciation," Rabbi Levin remarked, "and we invite everyone to join us on the 3^rd to help us honor their contribution to synagogue life."