By Yvonne and Paul Greenberg
SAN DIEGO — In response to frequent requests from Congregation Beth Israel congregants to worship in their own synagogue during the High Holy Days and because of the very special nature of the synagogue”s 150th anniversary year, afternoon and evening services on Yom Kippur were moved from its traditional downtown location (Civic Theatre) to its University City site this year. The last time a High Holiday service was held at Congregation Beth Israel was about 50 years ago.
To accommodate all worshippers, the Glickman-Galinson Sanctuary and the adjacent David and Dorothea Garfield Social Hall were utilized. Delicious food (bagels, fruit, and schmears) and beverages for the break-the-fast (paid for by long-time congregant and philanthropist Mickey Stern) were served in the Price Family Courtyard.
According to Emily Jennewein, president of the temple, “we filled the sanctuary very quickly, and we were able to fill several more hundred seats in the adjacent David and Dorothea Garfield Social Hall by removing the wall between the two rooms.(The total seating capacity of the sanctuary and social hall was approximately 1150 seats. The turnout was fairly consistent with years’ past at the Civic Theatre.)
At the conclusion of the day, about 800 people enjoyed the most wonderful break-the-fast reception (with plenty of food for everyone) thanks to Stern, a dedicated Life Member of the congregation. For many years, Stern has planned fabulous community-building events at Beth Israel and this year she wanted
to make it possible for the congregation to break-the-fast together. It was such a beautiful thing to see hundreds lingering in the Price Family Courtyard long after services had concluded for the day.”
How did the congregants feel about moving the Yom Kippur afternoon-evening services to Congregation Beth Israel and holding the break-the-fast there?
Jennewein: “Every congregant with whom I’ve spoken–and I’ve heard from many–loved the opportunity to worship in our synagogue home and feel such a warm sense of community by breaking the fast together.”
Interview with Mickey Stern:
Q. Why did you decide to pay for the refreshments for break-the-fast?
“I have always gotten a great sense of satisfaction when I help situations or charities that I feel in my heart are very important and worthwhile. They (congregation) have never had a break–the-fast together (at the current location; nobody knows if they had one at the temple about 50 years ago). And when they said they were going to have one I thought it was very meaningful and so I decided to pay for it.
Several weeks ago I decided to pay for it. No one asked me at all, no one suggested it to me, it was 100 percent my own idea. I talked to Gail Malkus (Assistant to Rabbi Michael Berk) and I told her what I wanted to do, she talked to somebody, and she gave me a figure, and I said OK. And when I arrived at the temple for the afternoon Yom Kippur services I gave the check to Lesley Mills (Executive Director of the temple).
When the service was over, I was sitting in the back, I walked out to the courtyard because I was eager to see the break-the-fast. There was a nicely worded sign with my name on it that acknowledged that I did it.
Whatever I do in the community or for good causes, sometimes I pick things that other people don’t think about doing, and this was clearly one of them.”
Stern doesn’t necessarily favor supporting Jewish causes over non-Jewish ones. “I have supported things that weren’t Jewish. I still support things that are commonly recognized and need help. I see things that need help that most people wouldn’t think about doing and I try to pitch in. In general, I enjoy helping people and causes that are overlooked by the majority. And if I feel I can make a difference I like to step up and do it because then I feel I really have made a difference.”
Stern moved to San Diego 21 years ago from Omaha, Nebraska. She has been a Life Member of Congregation Beth Israel for about 17 years.
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Yvonne and Paul Greenberg, mother and son, are freelance writers based in San Diego. They may be reached at yvonne.greenberg@sdjewishworld.com