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PJ Library

Rosh Hashana Story Time in Russian

Young children and their parents are invited to enjoy stories, apples and challah at a free Rosh Hashanah Story Time in Russian featuring books of The PJ Library, a free program of the Robert I. Lappin Charitable Foundation. The story hour is Wednesday, September 24 at 6 p.m. at Congregation Ahabat Shalom, 151 Ocean Street, Lynn.

The story time will feature guest reader, Alla Shub. Children and their parents can enjoy challah and honey in celebration of the Jewish New Year and the sound of the shofar. Parents will have the opportunity to learn about some of the free programs of the Lappin Foundation.

Please let us know that you are coming by contacting Alla Shub at 781-599-5521 or a.shub@comcast.net or Andrea Katz, Lappin Foundation Program Manager, at 978-740-4404 or akatz@rilcf.org.

PJ Library Expands, Now Enrolling New Families

When the books from the PJ Library arrive each month, joy reigns in the Ross and Condon household.

“They know the envelope it comes in and it is like getting a present each month,” said Jane Ross, of Wenham.

The PJ Library, which offers free Jewish books and music every month to help keep our children Jewish by promoting a sense of Jewish pride in young children, is provided free by the Robert I. Lappin Charitable Foundation. The library works like this: parents sign up their children, born after Jan. 1, 2001, and each month for one year they will receive one free book or music CD with Jewish themes in the mail. The books, valued at $142, are mostly hardcover with beautiful illustrations. The Lappin Foundation is one of 65 communities nationally to be part of this growing program offered in partnership with the Springfield, Mass.-based Harold Grinspoon Foundation, www.pjlibrary.org.

To date, the Lappin Foundation has enrolled almost 459 families and nearly 705 children in the program, but plans to expand to reach all those not yet enrolled.

“We want to offer this fabulous program to all the children from Jewish and interfaith homes, no matter where they live in our service area, even if they are not associated with any of the Jewish institutions. This is a way to introduce Jewish values and cultures to children in an enjoyable manner,” said Phyllis Osher, Foundation program manager.

While the kids feel like a present is arriving, the parents know the true value of that present.

“I live in Wenham and there are not a lot of Jewish books in the library or bookstores,” said Ross. “These books are an integral part of our lives. To get a book in the mail about Passover shows my children that we are not the only ones celebrating Passover. There is a whole book about it.”

Carolyne Golding of Danvers, said the excitement begins with the big package in the mailbox, but continues as “We open it up to reveal a colorful, beautiful Jewish book.”

Her son Jonathan, 2, loves to look at the pictures and his nine-year-old brother, Alexander, gets in the act by reading to him. “This program is great for the whole family and sows the seeds of both reading through a love of books and Jewish pride. “

Golding who converted to Judaism after taking the Lappin Foundation’s free Introduction to Judaism class, said, “I amassed my collection of Jewish books and now it is nice that Jonathan is amassing his collection of Jewish books.”

Patty Pless of Marblehead has three of her four children in the program and loves it. “It is a wonderful idea to give out books that are really meaningful. I probably would not find them at Barnes and Noble or I might not look for them. They are the kinds of books that might not make it to my home even though I go to the library a lot.”

Many parents like Pless praised the selection of books and the value of the morals in them. “Every book has a moral so it is a family affair and it is a really safe area for an interfaith family,” said Golding.

The mission of the Lappin Foundation is helping to keep our children Jewish and Pless believes programs such as PJ Library really accomplish that mission. “People have a lot of expenses and their lives are busy. I am sure it helps keep families Jewish to give to just give these exposures to people,” said Pless.

The PJ Library is free and open to Jewish and interfaith families who live affiliate with a Jewish institution in the Lappin Foundation service area. The children must be born on of after Jan. 1, 2001 to be eligible.Click here to see a sample of the books in the PJ Library. For more information on the PJ Library, please contact Phyllis Osher, Lappin Foundation program manager, 978-740-4410 or email posher@rilcf.org.

Click here to register

Sukkat Shalom
“My sukkah was decorated with the sea, earth and sky. My kids were thrilled with it and we had a party the first night. We sat out there and it was a lovely warm night. It made us feel more connected to the holiday.”
- Shelley Sackett, Swampscott

A Sukkot to Remember

Sukkot is Jackie Forman’s favorite holiday and she has so many people to her sukkah each year, that she has added several additions to it.

This year, the sukkah has two rooms. “We use one room for appetizers, wine and blessings and then go around the corner for dinner. It’s about 32- by-12 feet and takes up the whole back patio,” said Forman of Peabody.

This year, Forman has had more than 100 people through, making dinners each night. A few years back, they added a propane heater when they found themselves eating with mittens.

The Robert I. Lappin Charitable Foundation sponsored the Sukkat Shalom program for the fourth time in six years, this time giving away 98 free sukkot to new families and 36 subsidized upgraded sukkot as well as providing lulavim and etrogim. The new sukkot can be assembled in about 30 minutes without tools and are valued at $320. The Lappin Foundation sponsors programs that are helping to keep our children Jewish.

“I haven’t had a Sukkot like this since I lived in Brookline,” said Elisa Torstensson of Marblehead. “As you drive around, walk on the path and look down the row of houses, you can see several houses with sukkot and it’s so cool.”

Torstensson participated in Temple Sinai’s Sukkah Hop on Shabbat where they had appetizers, bagels and dessert in three sukkot respectively, all within walking distance.

“One sukkah was from the Lappin Foundation and one was a hand-me-down sukkah that someone was given by someone else who got one from the Lappin Foundation,” said Torstensson.

Just before the Sukkah Hop, her children were in the young children’s service and when leader Marla Mindel asked the eight or nine kids assembled who had eaten a meal in a sukkah. Every single one raised their hands, said Torstensson.

Nanette Fridman of Swampscott had a party for some of the families from her son’s preschool class. Stacy Kamer and Jodi Smith walked two and a half miles with their young children from Temple Sinai to Fridman’s house in Swampscott in observance of the holiday.

Several years ago, Karen Gruskin’s son became a Bar-Mitzvah under a sukkah on the bimah at Temple Emanu-El. “It was my son's request for his Bar Mitzvah two years ago that we make having a sukkah part of our family's Jewish traditions and I am proud we have added it to our Jewish family's Jewish traditions this year.”

Gail Mack of Marblehead said her children eat dinner in the sukkah and then get up and have breakfast in it again. Other people have reported many catchy names for the things they have done with friends this past week. From “S’mores in the Sukkah” to “Pizza in the Hut,” families are finding creative ways to use their sukkot and share ideas.

“After we went on the Sukkah Hop, my kids wanted to get right back to ours to incorporate their decorating tips,” Torstennson said.

Sukkat Shalom Provides 134 Sukkot This Year

The Lappin Foundation provided 134 Sukkot to families, including 36 families who upgraded from the former wooden sukkah to the new tubular sukkah and 98 new families for a total of 332 free sukkot to families, helping approximately 1,328 people celebrate this important Jewish festival in their own yards. Families new to the program received the sukkah for free.

."Sukkat Shalom means 'shelter of peace and creating a peaceful place in celebration of the holiday of Sukkot is a wonderful way to celebrate the festival. We make it easy for families to enjoy this beautiful time of year,” said Deborah Coltin, executive director of the Lappin Foundation.

Read about Families who Celebrate Sukkot in Style .

Go with the Glow

In 2005, more than 1,000 people recited the Sh’ma Yisrael twice a day for a week during the Magic of Sh’ma program.

In 2006, 796 people sounded the shofar in unison for a second Guinness World Record at Great Shofar Blowout.

In 2007, more than 1,400 people are Going with the Glow.

Go with the Glow is a new free program of the Robert I. Lappin Charitable Foundation where people pledged to light Shabbat candles and say "Shabbat Shalom" or "Good Shabbos" to friends and family.

“We want this program to instill a sense of ‘Shabbat Shalom’ in people and by that we mean the good will and good feelings that people get when someone takes a minute to wish them a ‘good Shabbos.’ It enhances our spirituality and reminds us that the Sabbath is a sacred gift,” said Deborah Coltin, executive director of the Lappin Foundation.

Go with the Glow is designed for people of all ages from Jewish and interfaith families. The campaign began October 12, 2007. Those who pledged to light Shabbat candles for 18 weeks, received:

• A beautiful set of free Shabbat candlesticks from Israel and 36 Shabbat candles for adults
• A set of free kid-friendly Shabbat candlesticks and 36 Shabbat candles for each of your children

“ Encouraging people of all ages to light Shabbat candles adds another dimension to Shabbat. It immerses the individual in a timeless Jewish tradition, connecting each of us to the Jewish family. We hope that children will be proud to light their own Shabbat candles and that families will enjoy the glow of Shabbat with each other.”

Go with the Glow is a free program of the Robert I. Lappin Charitable Foundation, which sponsors programs that are helping to keep our children Jewish. For more ifnormation, contact Andrea Katz, Program Manager, at 978-740-4404, or email akatz@rilcf.org.
Click here to register

Women to Israel (W2I) 2009

Informational Session, Aug. 28, 2008

Women interested in the second Women to Israel (W2I) trip organized by the Robert I. Lappin 1992 Supporting Foundation are invited to attend an informational session on Thursday, Aug. 28, 7 p.m. at Temple Ner Tamid, 368 Lowell St., Peabody.

Participants from the first W2I trip will speak and the itinerary and other trip details will be explained. The W2I trip departs April 19 and returns April 30, 2009.  The itinerary includes many highlights such as Jerusalem, Masada, Yad Vashem, the Sea of Gallilee and Tel Aviv.

One participant from the first W2I trip, that returned May 9, 2008 said, “The idea of women getting together in Israel was a once in a lifetime opportunity that I could not let pass and the reality is that it exceeded all my expectations,” said Janet Cline of Hamilton, one of the 34 women on the trip.

. “With all the excitement in the community about travel to Israel, there is something calling our people to the Jewish homeland,” said Deborah Coltin, executive director of the Robert I. Lappin Charitable Foundation and leader f this trip. “Through the ages, women have had a critical role in helping to keep our children Jewish.”

The Lappin Foundation is working with Oranim Educational Initiatives to provide the trip. The cost of the trip is $3,760 based on double occupancy. The price includes flights, accommodations, transportation, entrance fees and a dedicated web site.

RSVPs are requested, but not required for the informational session. Please contact Debbie Coltin, executive director, 978-740-4428, email dcoltin@rilcf.org. To see photos and notes from the first W2I trip, visit www.jewishadventures.com/w2i.

We Laughed, We Cried, We Connected with Israel and Each Other

By Amy Sessler Powell

In the beginning, we were 34 women from 11 communities, ranging in age from the late 20’s to the mid-70’s, who said temporary good-byes to 75 children, 34 grandchildren for an all women’s trip to Israel. No one person knew more than a few of the others. A few women did not know anyone else traveling. We were united by a desire to see Israel.

By the third day, we were a cohesive group, bonding with each other as we bonded with Israel. By the end, each woman left with a group of new friends, united by the sheer fun and strong emotions that come from spending 10 days together in our National Home and by discovering our connections to our Jewish family.

Women to Israel or W2I is the first such trip sponsored by the Robert I. Lappin 1992 Supporting Foundation, which sponsors programs that are helping to keep our children Jewish. The trip, paid for in full by each participant, was made more special by traveling during a week that spanned Yom HaShoa, the day to remember the Holocaust; Yom HaZikaron, Memorial Day and Yom Ha’Atzmaut, Israeli Independence Day for Israel’s 60 th birthday.

“ W2I was so much more than a trip to Israel. It was an opportunity for learning, community building, and most of all, a show of support for Israel. The timing of our trip was a critical part of the experience. Crying, laughing and celebrating with our Jewish Family during this intense week of national commemorations gave us an important perspective on Israel. For sure, it strengthened the love we all feel for Israel and for the Jewish people,” said Deborah Coltin, trip leader and executive director of the Robert I. Lappin Charitable Foundation.

The trip’s itinerary included four days in Jerusalem with tours of the Wall, including the underground tunnels; the Dead Sea, Masada, Tel Aviv, including Independence Hall on Yom Ha’Atzmaut; the Golan Heights, the Sea of Gallilee, the Dead Sea Scrolls, Yad Vashem, Mount Hertzl, Hertzilya, Haifa and more. We were ably led by tour guide, Rafi Shushi, from Oranim Educational Initiatives, who seemed to know the history and significance of everything in Israel and the world beyond to the location of every ladies room in the country.

As we traveled through the country, people experienced their moments of connection at different times. Irene Polner of Beverly, was selected to lay a rose down for to honor a soldier who had died defending Israel. She did this at the Haifa Naval Base on the eve of Yom HaZikaron, on the banks of the Mediterranean Sea, with the sun setting and the waves gently washing ashore, moments after a national siren sounded in memory of those who had died for Israel.

“I don’t really know how I ended up getting selected for that honor, but the idea of putting a rose down for a soldier who died -- I won’t ever get over it. I felt really honored,” said Polner.

For many women, the trip led to some life changes. Jill Turk made the decision to go with her daughter Samantha Brody one day after hearing about the trip. It had been a while since Turk, of Lynnfield, was actively affiliated with the Jewish community, but she felt a yearning to see to Israel and looked forward to 10 days with her daughter, who lives in California. 

Turk wondered if she would feel the emotion of being in the Jewish homeland or if she would feel like Chevy Chase in the movie “Vacation,” who checks the Grand Canyon off his list with a lackadaisical “been there done that,” feeling.

“The plane lands and before anything even happens you feel it,” said Turk. During the 10 days, she was able to say Mourner’s Kaddish for her father on the day of his yahrtzeit, in Israel and “I definitely felt the connection,” said Turk. “Before I came, I was thinking it would be a one time trip and now I am thinking I will come again. That change in mindset comes fast.”

Turk also does a lot of volunteer work, some in other countries, but the trip has her rethinking her priorities.  “I do a lot of volunteer work, but none of it is Jewish. So, it should be Jewish.”

For Brody, newly married, the trip solidified her views on raising her future children. Her husband, not Jewish, has been willing to raise children Jewish, but Brody was uncertain. “Now, I know that I should have lots of children and raise them Jewish.”

Several of the women on the trip were traveling after their children had been on the Robert I. Lappin Youth to Israel Adventure or a birthright israel trip. Others were traveling ahead of their children who will be on the Y2I Adventure this summer. 

For many of the women, the feelings evoked by Israel were enhanced by the group of women and the way we all integrated our feelings through the lens of each other’s life experiences. “The idea of women getting together in Israel was a once in a lifetime opportunity that I could not let pass,” said Janet Cline of Hamilton. “The reality is that it exceeded all my expectations. It was so special to get to know the women I didn’t know and to experience Shabbat at the Kotel together.”

Cline pointed to the 45-minute trip through Hezekiah’s tunnel, an underground water system, nearly 3,000 years old, built to supply Jerusalem while hiding the water supply from enemies. The tunnel is pitch black, knee to thigh deep in parts, narrow and was terrifying to many. To get through, we walked single file and sang everything from “Hatikvah” and “David Melech Yisroel” to “Row Your Boat” and “Take Me Out to the Ballgame.”

“If you were petrified, the singing and the support got you through and we accomplished something together,” said Cline.

For nearly everyone on the trip, the proximity Jewish, Christian and Muslim holy sites was a surprise. Many women were surprised to learn that the Muslim Dome of the Rock is where the Temple is believed to have been. It helped us to better understand the tension, conflicts and challenges Israel faces.

In one area near the Jordanian border, Rafi, the tour guide, pointed to a small hill with a Jordanian flag on top. “We gave them the top of that hill, but we have the bottom,” he explained as he showed some of the prosperity that has come with Israel’s peaceful relationship with Jordan. Now, the Israeli’s are selling Jordan irrigation technology for the desert areas in the Jordanian valley.

As the women “got it” by understanding why Israel must exist, many vowed to urge their adult children to visit Israel. Harriet Geller of Lynnfield, explained that her son, in his 40’s had been many places but not Israel. “I need to find a trip for him. He will come,” she said.

Shlomo “Momo” Lifshitz, president of Oranim Educational Initiatives, the trip provider, addressed the women, making his passionate case for showing support by visiting Israel. “You are mothers, you are grandmothers. Show them. Send us your spouses, your children.  … We are family. We have the same history, tradition, blood.  I do not want your money. I want your hearts.”

For many that message was so clear by just being there. “It really comes down to this: While I always knew that Israel needed us, I now realize just how much we need Israel,” said Leah Jacobson, of Swampscott

Said Francine Cook, of Swampscott, “I’m still dreaming about Israel every night, the bus, the people, the laughter. It was the trip of a lifetime.” To see pictures, visit www.jewishadventures.com/w2i.

Shalom Baby
“I am very excited for the opportunity to have books to explain the Jewish holidays so our children can be educated about them”
-Shari Reiser McStay, Danvers

The Robert I. Lappin Charitable Foundation is pleased to welcome your new baby to our Jewish community and larger Jewish family with a free gift from the Foundation’s Shalom Baby program. Shalom Baby is for Jewish and interfaith families who have babies under the age of one. Choose either a gift for your baby or a wonderful book for parents. Click here for more information or contact Phyllis Osher at 978-745-4410 or posher@rilcf.org.

Keep a Kipah
Children Thank Mr. Lappin for Kipot

As the “Keep a Kipah” program travels to all the area Jewish schools, many of the students expressed their deep gratitude to Mr. Robert Israel Lappin for the free program and have pledged to wear their kipot and to remain Jewish.

The Keep a Kipah program offers free kipot to all Jewish children who live or attend school in the service area of the Robert I. Lappin Charitable Foundation as a way of enhancing Jewish pride and identity.

Mara E. of Congregation Ahavas Achim in Newburyport wrote, “Dear Mr. Lappin, Thanks for the great kipahs! I got a Simpsons one. I love it! I promise I will always wear it! And I will always stay Jewish,”

“Dear Mr. Lappin, These kipahs are the best. I’m going to stay Jewish for you. Thank you for the kipahs,” wrote Spencer M., also of Congregation Ahavas Achim.

“Needless to say I was really thrilled by the response to the program and more specifically to the notes from the children, particularly the number of them who committed at this early age to stay Jewish. I am really overwhelmed at the impact the program is having and particularly with girls who are so very interested in having and wearing a kipah,” said Mr. Lappin, Foundation trustee.

Mason S. from Temple Ahavat Achim in Gloucester writes, “Dear Mr. Lappin. Thank you for the yarmulkes. I chose the giant one because I’m a little kid with big ideas.”

“This program shows that there easy, inexpensive ways to enhance Jewish identity in children and we’re doing it. Physical objects have a resonance with children and with people. Capitalizing on that is what we are doing,” Mr. Lappin said.

The kipot are colorful and appealing to children with an assortment of designs ranging from sports themes, superheroes, butterflies, stars, Israeli flags and more.

Pamela Book of Lynnfield, whose children received kipot at Temple Beth Shalom preschool in Peabody said her children used to fight over who got the white kipot in her house. “It’s really nice for them to have their own and they got to pick them out. They were really excited to have kipot with trucks and we really appreciate the program.”

Children not enrolled in school can make an appointment to select a kipah at the Lappin Foundation office. For more information on Keep a Kipah, to choose a kipah, or to set up a “Keep a Kipah,” day at a school, please call Debbie Coltin, 978-740-4428 or email dcoltin@rilcf.org.
Click here to register

Great Shofar Blowout
Guinness Awards World Shofar Record to Lappin Foundation

It’s official!

The Robert I. Lappin Charitable Foundation was officially awarded the Guinness World Record for “largest shofar ensemble” at the Great Shofar Blowout with 796 shofars sounded at Phillips Beach in Swampscott, Mass. on September 17, 2006.

The certificate was sent to the Foundation by Guinness World Records of London on November 6, 2006. The previous record was set by Congregation Shaare Shamayim in suburban Philadelphia with 400 shofars.

“The Great Shofar Blowout was the largest gathering of Jews in my memory and a massive expression of Jewish pride that created long-lasting memories for everyone in attendance,” said Robert I. Lappin, Foundation trustee.

The Lappin Foundation, headquartered in Salem, Mass. is dedicated to the mission of helping to keep our children Jewish.

For the 1,600 or so people who attended the Blowout or sounded the shofar, the triumph was really in being on the beach with so many Jews just before the Jewish holidays. The event was held shortly before Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year.

“We came two years ago and we came this year because we really enjoy it,” said Patty Pless of Marblehead, who attended with her husband and four children. “It gives us such a feeling of community to see so many people coming to the same event to do the same thing. It is really beautiful.”

Jessica O’Gorman, who attended with her two daughters said, “I am so excited to be part of a Guinness World Record and part of a history-making event. Setting a world record makes it fun, but because it was done Jewishly, it is that much more important.”

Two years ago at the Great Shofar Blowout of 2004, the North Shore of Massachusetts set the first-ever Guinness World Record for largest shofar ensemble, but was topped by Philadelphia last year. To reclaim, the community needed just one more shofar than Philadelphia, but instead of the minimum 401, the community nearly doubled the record with 796.

“Our community showed their Jewish pride by nearly doubling the existing Guinness Record. It was a day where everyone felt connected to the larger Jewish family,” said Mr. Lappin.

Only 10 percent of all Guinness Records make the Guinness Book of World Records, but those with challenges have the best chance. The recently published 2007 book features the Philadelphia record of 400.

To prepare for the Great Shofar Blowout, the Lappin Foundation worked as a partner with more than 20 community agencies and sponsored 14 free shofar educational sessions between May and September. Those who attended received a short educational workshop on the history and role of the shofar, and a lesson in how to sound it. They were also given a free shofar from Israel to bring to the Blowout. More than 350 people were trained in these sessions, in addition to some 600 people who had been trained in past sessions in the community or in a school setting.

Check out the links below to read how the Great Shofar Blowout made national news!

Boston Globe: Shofar Record Blown Away on the North Shore

Jewish Telegraphic Agency: Group Applies for New Shofar Record

The Daily Item of Lynn: Shofar Blowout Sets Record

Salem News: Shofar Gathering, A Record-Breaking Blast

The Jewish Advocate: We Are Champions of the Big Shofar Blowout

The Swampscott Reporter: Shofar Blowout Was Greater Than Ever

Marblehead Reporter: A Blowout in More Ways than One

Totally Jewish, London: Boston Breaks Shofar Record

Washington Jewish Week: Whole Lot of Blowin’

Beverly Citizen: Hudson: Learning to Toot Her Own Horn

Jewish Journal of the North Shore: North Shore Blasts Shofar Record

The Magic of Sh’ma
“The magic of the Sh’ma is in the power of these six words to transform your lives. Reciting the words makes you stop and think about what it means to be a Jew, a member of a great and unique people. The words connect us through the ages, transform us in time from the present to the past and forward to our future.”
- Deborah Coltin, Peabody

The Magic of Sh’ma is designed to encourage people of all ages to pledge to recite the Sh’ma Yisrael, words that have tied the Jewish people together for thousands of year, twice a day for a week, with the objective of it becoming a life-long habit.

Sh’ma Week took place from August 13 to 20, 2005, with the goal of having hundreds of Jewish people, children and adults, across the North Shore pledge to recite the Sh’ma Yisrael twice a day, morning and evening. During that week, more than 1,000 recited the sacred six words of the Sh’ma from their homes, camps and vacations spots joining millions of Jews around the world.

Click here to read Reflections from Sh'Ma Week by Amy Sessler Powell.

If anyone wants to share their stories from Sh’ma Week, call Amy Powell, communications director, 978-740-4431 or email apowell@rilcf.org.

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Click here to see more pictures from the Great Shofar Blowout on September 17, 2006.

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