May 18, 2026

It’s a rare thing that a rabbi comes into a well-established congregation and gets to step into a role that wasn’t already designed and adapted for someone else. Rabbi Kellner and I had discussed ideas and roles, of course, but in truth I walked into my first day here without a clear idea of what being Congregation Beth Tikvah’s Assistant Rabbi would mean for me, for my family, and for this community. 

I planned to start slowly, to get to know our community – our people, the professional team, Morissa and Rabbi Kellner, and to learn how things are done and where I might fit in. 

What I learned very quickly is that Beth TIkvah is special. I learned that Barb Mindel always makes sure new folks are welcomed and have someone to sit with. I learned that Shelly Igdaloff and many others are incredibly gracious as I continue to learn names. I learned that our community genuinely wants to spend time together, which is why Kehilla Connect is thriving on Sunday mornings. This year as we worked to reinvigorate our Caring Community, I was blown away when we put out a call for volunteers who would be willing to bring a meal to those in need in our community, and in just a couple of weeks we had more than 70 people sign up. Many communities talk about being warm and welcoming, about caring for- and being supported by- community, but Beth Tikvah lives these values with integrity and conviction. 

We are a community that balances a warm heart with a sharp mind. Our Adult Learning schedule is second to none. I was shocked to learn we offer Adult B’nai Mitzvah classes every two or three years because we have so many interested that it doesn’t take long to hit critical mass. Please trust me when I tell you this is not common. Rabbi Kellner has offered several classes this year that invited us to engage with the complexities of Israel’s history and political life with depth and nuance while still holding fast to our commitment to Jewish Peoplehood. In a world that seems flooded with shocking headlines and black-and-white simplifications, our community remains committed to deep understanding rather than facile platitudes or disengagement. 

With increased antisemitism, no one would fault us for turning inward. But Beth Tikvah is indomitable. Instead, we launched Free Community Meals, first here at Beth Tikvah and now graciously hosted by our friends at Lord of Life Lutheran Church. Not once in the last five months has it taken more than an hour for our volunteer spots to fill up. Hundreds participated in our Mitzvah Day in April, led by our Social Justice Chair, Tanya Shatz with projects that supported nearly a dozen partner organizations. Thank you to all those who volunteered and participated. I spoke with Erin Ulvi of the Worthington Food Pantry last week who told me that Congregation Beth Tikvah is one of their strongest and most consistent supporters and that our annual High Holy Day Donation Drive is their biggest of the year. Also, she mentioned they need peanut butter.   

I could go on and on about what makes Beth Tikvah special, but Tara only gave me 5 minutes.

Through all of this I have learned that we are an exceptional community because we are blessed with exceptional members and leaders. We could not do any of this without you all. 

Rabbi Kellner has been a kind and thoughtful mentor, and he and Morissa Frieberg-Vance have warmly welcomed me as a thought partner. Debbie, Hannah, and Rhonda work tirelessly to support all we do and make it look easy. Julie’s music and vision have enriched our services in so many ways, and John and Debbie’s voices have brought beauty and warmth to our services. 

Working with our board members and affinity group leaders has been a delight this year as we have worked together to bring their visions to life as we serve this community. Our lay leaders have shown time and again their thoughtful dedication to this work, and our mission of empowering people to live and learn Jewishly and to make our world a better place. 

Thank you all for welcoming me and my family into this extraordinary community and for giving me the opportunity to serve as your first Assistant Rabbi. I cannot wait to see how we continue to grow together.

Rabbi Karen Martin’s Annual Meeting Remarks.

May 1, 2026

For Claudia Roden, food has always been a form of memory, history, and teachings passed lovingly from one generation to the next. Born in Cairo in 1936 to a Jewish family rooted in Egyptian culture, Roden became one of the most influential voices in documenting Jewish and Middle Eastern cuisine, at a moment when much of that heritage was in danger of disappearing.

After her family was forced to leave Egypt in the 1950s, Roden realized that recipes carried what exile often strips away: stories, customs, culture, and identity. She began recording the foods of her community to safeguard a way of life. As she later reflected, “I wrote because I didn’t want our food to be forgotten,” (Hadassah Magazine).

Roden’s groundbreaking A Book of Middle Eastern Food and later Jewish cookbooks treated recipes with the seriousness of sacred texts. Each dish came with context on who made it, when it was served, and what it meant. Roden recognized that food is a form of cultural transmission, much like Torah itself. “Food is a way of keeping memory alive,” she explained, especially for communities scattered by migration and loss (Tablet).

These themes resonate especially on Shavuot, the festival that celebrates receiving Torah and the responsibility to carry it forward. Just as Torah is studied, interpreted, and handed down, Roden understood Jewish food as something learned and taught through care and repetition. Shavuot’s dairy traditions echo her belief that what we pass on at the dinner table shapes who we become.

“What else do we have to give in life other than good food?” Roden once asked (Jewish News).

On Shavuot, Claudia Roden reminds us that Torah is found in kitchens, recipes, and the act of teaching someone how to cook a dish that carries a story.

Sources

• Jewish Women’s Archive. “Claudia Roden”
• Hadassah Magazine. “Claudia Roden, Culinary Icon”
• Tablet. “Claudia Roden Comes Home”
• Jewish Refugee Blog. “How Claudia Roden Preserved an Egyptian Passover Table”
• Jewish News. “Claudia Roden”

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Torah Trailblazers: Remarkable Jewish Women is a monthly feature published in Tikvah Topics. This feature was created in 2024 by Hannah Karr, Congregation Beth Tikvah’s Director of Marketing & Community Engagement as a way to spotlight the significance of historical and modern-day Jewish women.

May 1, 2026

Dear Congregation Beth Tikvah,

As I sit down to write this, I am filled with a mix of gratitude, joy, and a bit of sadness. Saying goodbye is never easy—especially to people who have been such an important part of my life for the past five years.

As I prepare to close this chapter and begin a new journey, I want to take a moment to express my heartfelt thanks to each of you—both members and staff. To the members of Beth Tikvah: meeting you, speaking with you, and spending time together has felt like being part of a family. To the staff—Debbie, Hannah, Rhonda, Rabbi Rick, Rabbi Karen, Morissa, and Alisa—working alongside such caring, passionate, talented, supportive, and inspiring colleagues has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my career. I will always cherish the moments we shared.

Although life is taking me in a new direction, please know that distance will never change the bond we share. The Congregation Beth Tikvah family will always be in my heart and in my prayers.

While I am excited about what lies ahead, I will truly miss our daily interactions and the friendships we have built. I leave with nothing but fond memories and deep appreciation.

Wishing you all continued success, happiness, and fulfillment in everything you do.

Warm Regards,

Everett Smith

May 1, 2026

More than 65 members of Congregation Beth Tikvah’s Legacy Circle gathered on Friday, April 24, for a meaningful evening of Shabbat dinner, prayer, and reflection, celebrating some of the stories and commitments that continue to sustain the congregation across generations.

During the Shabbat service, an address was given by Legacy Circle members Jane Mitchell and Michael Alexander, who shared their personal journey to Beth Tikvah and the story behind the endowment they established to support Jewish education.

“There are a couple of things you need to know about us to understand our journey to Beth Tikvah and the creation of our endowment,” Jane began. One was her path as “a Jew by choice,” and the other was the many years the couple spent moving across the country for education before ultimately settling in Columbus.

When Jane and Michael first arrived in the area, they came to Beth Tikvah seeking a place to name their child. “Almost from the very beginning, we felt at home here,” Jane shared. “Everyone was so welcoming.” That sense of belonging became the foundation for decades of involvement, from teaching Sunday School and creating new programs to raising their children, and now grandchildren, within the Beth Tikvah community.

Reflecting on their decision to establish a legacy gift, Jane explained that when Michael retired, he wanted to do “something meaningful that would create a lasting legacy and support future generations.” For them, Beth Tikvah was the natural choice.

Their endowment focuses on access to Jewish education. “We wanted to ensure that every child could receive a Jewish education,” Jane said, emphasizing that no child should be denied learning opportunities due to financial barriers or special educational needs. Drawing from her 40‑year career as a special education teacher, she spoke passionately about inclusion and equity.

“As someone whose own daughter was nearly denied an education because I was not considered ‘Jewish enough,’” Jane shared, “I felt strongly about ensuring that all children…have access to religious education.”

The Michael Alexander and Jane Mitchell Endowment for the Education of All Jewish Children reflects the spirit of Legacy Circle Shabbat itself: gratitude for what has been received, and a commitment to planting seeds so that Jewish life at Beth Tikvah continues to thrive for generations to come.

Those interested in learning more about making a legacy gift or establishing an endowment are invited to reach out to Legacy Co‑Chairs Carol and Andy, or to Executive Director Debbie Vinocur. They would be glad to continue the conversation and help explore meaningful ways to support Beth Tikvah’s future.

Written by Hannah Karr, Director of Marketing & Community Engagement

Featuring Mim Chenfeld

Mim Chenfeld has spent a lifetime bringing people together. She has always understood an ancient and essential lesson: people find their way into community through experiences and connection. Using song and movement, Mim has spent decades helping people feel what it means to belong. Wherever she goes, community closely follows.

“I always loved dancing,” she says simply. “I just dance.” If you trace her story carefully, you won’t find a straight line. You’ll find a rhythm.

Mim grew up in the Bronx, a world where diversity was a fact of daily life. Languages overlapped. Cultures collided. Synagogues existed in storefronts. Grandmothers spoke Yiddish and Russian and sold “dry goods” from pushcarts on the Lower East Side. Judaism was loud, bold, imperfect, and everywhere. She learned early how to speak her mind, how to embrace differences, and how to notice who was included and who was not.

In the early 1950s, just years after the founding of the State of Israel, Mim fell in love with Israeli folk dancing. She learned dances at retreats and studios and carried them home in her body, afraid that if she stopped moving, she would forget. She taught herself by repetition, walking through train stations rehearsing steps “so I wouldn’t lose it,” she says. “If I stopped, I’d never remember it.” And then, naturally, she taught others.

That instinct to preserve and pass on has shaped every part of her life, including her writing. Mim has always been a poet, attentive to language and image. She has published children’s books, including The House at 12 Rose Street, released in 1966 — one of the earliest children’s books in the United States to challenge conventions and provoke public conversation about what stories children are allowed to hear. Like her dancing and teaching, her writing trusted young people with complexity.

When Mim, her husband, Howard, and her family moved to Columbus in 1970, they passed synagogue after synagogue down the road to Congregation Beth Tikvah, housed in a small, warm, and homey building. “It was really the heimish feeling that sold us,” she recalls. Humanity was shining through the windows; intelligence and care lived side by side. Over the next 55 years, Beth Tikvah became the place where her children grew up, family milestones unfolded, and loyalty meant something deeper than convenience.

Her three children, Cara, Cliff, and Dan, all became b’nai mitzvah at Beth Tikvah, each finding their own way into Jewish life. Cliff later returned as a song leader, lending his voice to the community that helped shape him. Cara was married at the temple, another milestone held within walls already filled with memories. Today, Mim is the grandmother of seven grandchildren, and she recently celebrated the arrival of her first great‑grandchild, Leo, a new generation stepping into a story already rich with song, movement, and belonging.

Some of Mim’s most enduring work happened outside sanctuary walls. At Ohio State’s Hillel, she became a steward of folk dancing. Her dance group welcomed everyone: students and non-students, young and old, Jewish and not, people of every race and background. It was joyful, messy, cohesive, and alive.

10 years ago, Hillel’s folk-dance group was noticed beyond the circle itself. A Columbus newspaper columnist wrote about the group, capturing what made it special: people dancing and belonging together. The recognition affirmed what participants already knew. The group endured and continues today as the oldest folk dance group in Columbus.

Teaching, for Mim, was never about career ladders; it was about relationships. She taught public school, Hebrew school, preschoolers, adults, artists, and eventually teachers themselves. She helped build integrated arts programs long before the phrase was fashionable. She chose the Jewish Center over security and benefits because people had trusted her, and she would not abandon them. Decades later, strangers still approach her to say, “You came to my school. You changed how I teach.”

Ask Mim about happiness and she will not point to milestones. She will point to a walk, a good laugh, a story shared at the table. “Any day you can talk about is a good day,” she repeats her father’s words often and lives by them daily.

Her life philosophy comes in fragments, offered almost casually:

• “Ain’t no big thing.”
• “If this is the worst thing that ever happened, you’re doing okay.”
• “People spit in your eye, and you say it’s raining.”

Mim has protested, marched, raised children in movement spaces, brought toddlers to civil rights rallies, and taught them the words to freedom songs before they understood what they meant. She has lived through war, loss, political upheaval, and institutional failure without hardening. Her response has always been the same: make room; keep the circle open.

In the story of the carob tree, one plants knowing they may never eat the fruit. Mim Chenfeld planted dances she no longer leads, programs she no longer runs, and communities that still move to steps she once carried across train stations so they would not be lost.

Her legacy is not written. It is danced. Every time people gather, take hands, and move together — at Beth Tikvah, at Hillel, in classrooms, in sanctuaries, in ordinary moments — her tree is still bearing fruit.

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Mim Chenfeld was interviewed on April 17, 2026, by Rabbi Rick Kellner and Hannah Karr

Written by Hannah Karr, Director of Marketing & Community Engagement at Congregation Beth Tikvah

The Carob Tree Project is an initiative at Congregation Beth Tikvah designed to preserve the life stories, wisdom, and experiences of longtime congregants so their voices continue to guide the community long into the future. This project was started by Rabbi Rick Kellner and Hannah Karr, inspired by a story in the Talmud about Honi the Circle Maker. When asked why he is planting a tree that will take decades to bear fruit, he explains that just as others planted for him, he plants for the generations who will come after him. The lesson is about legacy, continuity, and responsibility across generations. In that spirit, the Carob Tree Project focuses on members of the congregation whose lives hold deep experience, reflection, and perspective. Through recorded interviews, participants are invited to share memories, formative moments, values, and lessons learned. These interviews are video recorded and archived, ensuring that their stories become a lasting resource for the community. Written profiles are then created from the interviews so that the insights and voices of these individuals can be shared more widely within the congregation. The goal is not simply to document history. It is to capture the human insight behind a life lived — the ideas, questions, and experiences that can nurture future generations. Just like the carob tree in the Talmudic story, the project recognizes that the fruits of a person’s life often extend far beyond their own lifetime. In this way, the Carob Tree Project becomes both an archive and a teaching tool: a living collection of stories that remind the community how wisdom is passed forward — one voice, one memory, and one life at a time.

Morissa Freiberg-Vance, RJE

Pre-K with Jenny Holz

In the second semester, Pre-K students explored core Jewish holidays including Tu BiShvat, Purim, and Passover through stories, hands-on activities, and sensory experiences. They were introduced to foundational concepts like mitzvot and Moses, while continuing to build comfort with Jewish rituals and classroom community. Experiences like Mitzvah Day and visits to the PJ Library helped reinforce joy and connection to Jewish life.

Kindergarten with Erin Katalinic

Kindergarten students deepened their understanding of Jewish holidays such as Tu BiShvat, Purim, and Passover through storytelling, music, crafts, and interactive learning. They continued building familiarity with Shabbat and mitzvot while strengthening their sense of Jewish identity. Collaborative experiences and hands-on activities supported both social development and joyful engagement in Jewish learning.

1st Grade with Jane Mitchell

First grade students expanded their knowledge of Torah stories, including Genesis narratives and the beginnings of the Exodus story. They explored key holidays like Tu BiShvat and Purim, and engaged in meaningful discussions about kindness (gemilut chasadim) and Jewish values. Their learning culminated in hands-on projects and community experiences like Mitzvah Day where they hosted their annual lemonade stand and helping our Garden Buds plant annuals in our garden, reinforcing connections between learning and action.

2nd Grade with Hannah Movshin and Bentley Adkins

Second grade students demonstrated strong growth in their understanding of Torah, holidays, and Jewish values. They explored themes of inclusion, mitzvot, and responsibility, alongside learning about Tu BiShvat, Purim, and Passover. Through projects like tzedakah boxes, and their annual Family Learning Day where they assembled 100 mishloach manot for Shishim, students connected their learning to real-world Jewish practice.

3rd Grade with Kellie Morgan Lutzko and Hannah O’Connell

Third grade students engaged deeply with Torah study, with ongoing exploration of weekly portions. They connected holiday learning for as Purim, Passover and Yom Ha’atzmaut to broader Jewish identity and history. 3^rd grade students also deeply engaged in special lessons during February for JDAIM, Jewish Disabilities Awareness and Inclusion month. Their work reflected increasing independence, critical thinking, and pride in their Jewish knowledge and participation. In April, 3^rd graders did an amazing job with their musical leadership during their Family Shabbat service!

4th Grade with Ben Buchholz and Livi Holz

Fourth grade students continued to deepen their Torah study, with a focus on Exodus narratives and the development of the Jewish people. They explored themes of leadership, responsibility, and community, connecting biblical stories to their own lives. Holiday learning, including Purim and Passover, was enriched through discussion, creative projects, and opportunities for student voice and interpretation. Creative highlights for 4^th graders this semester were creating their own mezuzot, as well as going on an experiential “wandering through the wilderness”.

5^th Grade with Jill Daher and Alisa Swissa

Fifth grade students engaged in more complex exploration of Jewish history, identity, lifecycle, and practice as they prepare for the transition into middle school learning. Some of the highlights of the second semester were hands on lessons for lifecycle including making their own mini chuppas, and escape-room based learning. Students demonstrated growing independence and confidence, applying their knowledge through discussion, projects, and leadership within the school community.

6^th Grade with Hannah Movshin and Cameron Crane

During the second semester, 6th grade students engaged in a mix of meaningful learning, creative activities, and community-building experiences. They explored Jewish texts and themes, including the stories of Ruth and Purim, with a focus on values like courage. Their Holocaust studies with Cameron continued through the graphic novel White Bird, deepening their understanding of history and empathy. Students also participated in hands-on cultural experiences, such as making Israeli treats like krembos and chocolate balls, often as a reward for strong participation. A major highlight of the semester was preparing for and leading their Family Shabbat service, where students reflected on their Jewish journeys, shared personal learning moments, and collaborated on leading prayers and music, demonstrating both growth and confidence as they approach becoming B’nai Mitzvah.

7^th Grade with Bentley Adkins and Leigh Zircher

7th grade students continued to deepen their understanding of Jewish identity, values, and community through both learning and hands-on experiences in relationship to B’nai Mitzvah. They explored topics such as gemilut chasadim, reflecting on their personal ethical values and how to grow into the people they aspire to be, as well as the Jewish life cycle with a focus on the meaning and responsibility of becoming B’nai Mitzvah. In addition to her weekly lessons on contemporary Jewish heroes, cultural learning was brought to life through a lesson on Mizrachi henna traditions with Ms. Leigh. Students also engaged in meaningful experiential learning, including a tikkun olam project at The Buddy Box Connection supporting food-insecure youth, and participating in the Columbus Jewish Historical Society’s annual “Super Sunday” to explore their family histories.

8^th Grade with Alisa Swissa and David Knight

During the second semester, 8th grade students engaged in meaningful, hands-on learning that deepened their understanding of Jewish identity, history, and responsibility. Through multiple tikkun olam experiences, including service at the Worthington Resource Pantry and The Buddy Box Connection, they made a tangible impact on their local community. Their studies explored Jewish history and global communities, from the Jewish community of Iraq to early Israeli statehood, often paired with immersive cultural experiences like cooking traditional foods. Students also examined the Jewish immigrant experience through An American Pickle and reflected on contemporary issues, including conversations about antisemitism following their visit to the Holocaust & Humanity Center. Altogether, the semester fostered thoughtful discussion, community engagement, and a strong sense of Jewish pride and connection.

9^th Grade with Rabbi Karen Martin

9th grade students continued their in-depth learning about Israel, its history, and its complexities through a variety of interactive and reflective experiences. They explored topics such as the World Zionist Congress, pre-state Israel, and early Israeli statehood, presenting their research and collaborating with peers to understand the challenges of nation-building. Students also examined Israeli culture and identity through hands-on activities like making traditional foods and participating in an Israel-themed escape room. Thoughtful discussions were fostered through resources that encouraged dialogue around differing perspectives on Israel, as well as explorations of Yom HaZikaron and Yom HaAtzmaut, helping students grapple with the emotional and historical connections between these days.

10^th Grade with Rabbi Rick Kellner

During the second semester, 10th grade Confirmation students engaged deeply with Jewish values, contemporary issues, and personal responsibility as emerging Jewish adults. They explored complex topics such as reproductive freedom, LGBTQIA+ inclusion, environmental justice, and tikkun olam through Jewish texts and meaningful discussion, reflecting on how Reform Judaism informs their perspectives and actions. Their learning extended beyond the classroom as they prepared for and participated in the L’Taken seminar in Washington, D.C., where they connected their values to real-world advocacy by lobbying elected officials. Students also prepared for their upcoming Confirmation service by developing and refining personal speeches – please join us to celebrate our Confirmation students on 5/8!

11^th & 12^th Grade: Mitzvah Corps with Morissa Freiberg-Vance, RJE

Mitzvah Corps teens gathered monthly at Alicia’s Closet, where they sorted donations and helped prepare for organizational programming. Alicia’s Closet serves families with foster care children, as well as youth that have aged out of the foster care system. Mitzvah Corps teens connected deeply with the organization, working alongside the founder each session.

Julie Sapper’s Legacy at Beth Tikvah

For nearly two decades, music at Congregation Beth Tikvah has been a vessel for deep human connection. Through joy and grief, celebration and uncertainty, Julie Sapper has been guiding the voice of the community. Now, as Beth Tikvah prepares to say goodbye to its longtime Director of Musical Programming after nearly 20 years, congregants across generations are reflecting on a legacy that extends far beyond the bimah.

Julie first came to Beth Tikvah in 2007, teaching music in the religious school after moving to Columbus from Baltimore. What began in the classroom soon grew into a role that would help define the congregation’s musical and spiritual identity. Over time, she shaped a culture in which music was not something performed for the community, but something created with it.

“I never looked at myself as a performer,” Julie said in a recent interview. “I just looked at myself as the conduit…trying to express and reach a spiritual level through participating musically.” That philosophy—centered on participation, inclusion, and care—was foundational to the musical transformation that has unfolded during her time at Beth Tikvah.

Senior rabbi at Beth Tikvah, Rabbi Rick Kellner, has worked closely with Julie for many years and describes her as a true partner in shaping meaningful and memorable prayer. “Whether it was experimentation with adult choral music, instrumental groups, or seeking out new music to fit the moment, Julie has done so much to create meaning and memory,” Kellner said. “Her passion for music is as great as her dedication to people.”

Some of their most joyful work together took place during Shabbat family services. “Not only would we sing together, but we laughed together,” Kellner reflected. “It was our joyful presence that made the services so meaningful for all who attended.”

That collaborative, relationship-driven approach is echoed by Stu Zweben, a longtime Beth Tikvah member, past Ritual Committee chair, and passionate advocate for congregational music. Over the years, the two developed thoughtful dialogue around services, musical themes, and innovative approaches.

“She’s intentional,” Zweben said. “And she’s compassionate; she’s giving of herself. We’ve really been blessed to have her.” Zweben noted that Julie not only welcomed feedback but actively sought it out, creating a culture of trust and shared ownership. “We didn’t always agree,” he said, “but we understood where each other were coming from, and it was all professional. We developed a really nice relationship.”

That sense of relationship-building is echoed by Dora Sterling, another longtime member who has watched Julie’s work unfold across generations. For Sterling, Julie’s gift lies in her ability to bring music into the body and spirit, not just the ear. “She brings all the senses to music,” Sterling said. “It’s about having fun—singing, clapping, stomping, and turning around—because you can wiggle when you listen to music.”

Sterling described witnessing Julie use music in moments of profound vulnerability, including playing for congregants in times of illness and life transitions. “She can take music and bring it to another dimension,” she said. “That’s her gift. It’s not commonplace.” Sterling also emphasized that Julie’s focus was never on herself. “It was never about attention. She meets your needs with her music. That’s an incredible gift.”

While Julie’s impact on adult worship is widely felt, perhaps nowhere is her influence more enduring than among the young people she has taught and encouraged over the years. Sophie Noble, now a college student, credits Julie with helping shape both her connection to Beth Tikvah and her sense of self. “Beth Tikvah’s musical atmosphere, which she was a key part of nurturing, has always been one of the elements that tightly knitted me into the community,” Noble said.

Noble remembers joining Beth Tikvah later than many of her peers but finding belonging through music. “Julie has always been dedicated to creating opportunities for kids,” she said, recalling singing at services as a fifth grader and later joining Shir Chadash, the teen vocal ensemble. “Participating in Shir Chadash has been very significant for me, giving me community, responsibility, fun, and a way to give back to the temple,” Noble said. Even after leaving for college, she and Julie remain in touch. “I am glad for the chance to know Julie beyond her work at the temple.”

For Emma Webb, another former student now involved in music as an adult, Julie’s influence runs just as deep. “Julie is a shining light in Beth Tikvah!” Webb said. “Her creativity, kindness, and friendship to me over the years have been sincerely life changing. She is one of the most talented people I’ve ever met.”

Julie herself speaks most passionately about watching students grow—sometimes stepping away from music and later returning to it. “When you’ve taught this long,” she said, “you know that they’re going to grow up and this will be a part of them and their memory. To know that you may have lit a spark…that’s a humbling experience.”

That spark has carried Beth Tikvah through moments of both joy and challenge, including the COVID-19 pandemic. Julie recalls those years as emotionally difficult but creatively powerful. “We were still in community even though we weren’t face to face,” she said, describing streamed services, prerecorded choir pieces, and the innovative ways music stayed alive when the sanctuary was empty.

As she prepares to retire, Julie speaks with the emotion of someone leaving a place that has been more than a job. “I’m going to miss being in the sanctuary,” she said. “Playing the piano. Connecting on the bimah.”

Still, she looks forward to a new chapter filled with family, travel, and creative freedom. “I have the energy,” she said, reflecting on the possibilities ahead.

Beth Tikvah will formally celebrate Julie’s retirement on Friday, May 29, 2026, but her presence will continue to be felt in familiar melodies, in the young voices raised with confidence, and in a community that learned how to sing together.

As Sterling put it, “She made it look so easy, people overlooked the fact that they were given a gift.”

Now, as Julie enters her next chapter, the congregation sings its gratitude back to her.

Written by Hannah Karr, Director of Marketing & Community Engagement

Reflections by Rabbi Karen Martin

God Takes Pity on Kindergarten Children by Yehuda Amichai¹

God takes pity on kindergarten children.

Less on school children.

On grown-ups, He won’t take pity anymore.

He leaves them alone.

Sometimes, they have to crawl on all fours

In the blazing hot sand,

To get to the first-aid station

Dripping blood.

Maybe on those who love in truth

He will give mercy, pity and cast shade

As a tree on someone sleeping on the bench

On a public street.

Maybe we too will offer them

The last coins of our compassion

Mother bequeathed us,

So their bliss will protect us

Now and in other days.

I recently rediscovered “God Takes Pity on Kindergarten Children,” by Yehuda Amichai, which first appeared in his 1955 collection Now and In Other Days, its title taken from the last line of the poem.

In the poem, Amichai plays with the Hebrew word for mercy, raḥem, which shares the same root and is closely related to the word for womb, reḥem. He reflects that as we grow older—further from the womb—God has less and less mercy for us, until as adults, that mercy becomes almost inconceivable. This idea is sharpened by his image of a person crawling on all fours and, like an infant, covered in blood—imagery that evokes birth, yet is stripped of a mother’s nurturing presence.

Yet the second and third stanza offer us some hope. Amichai suggests that perhaps those who love in truth, or truly love, still receive a portion of God’s mercy. Not the grand kind that small children receive, but the blessing of shade: a small kindness in a harsh world, but a blessing, nevertheless, bestowed by God through (Mother) Nature.

In the final stanza, it is our hands that bestow the last coins of our compassion—perhaps compassion bestowed upon us, or taught to us, by our earthly mother, or perhaps by our Mother (hear the echoes here of raḥem/reḥem).

In this poem, I hear the echoes of Eilu D’varim, a passage from our morning liturgy, which teaches us that there is no limit to the number of acts we must perform. The rewards for these acts are experienced both in this world and in the world to come. Included in that list are “honoring one’s father and mother,” “engaging in deeds of compassion,” and “providing for the wedding couple.”

In Amichai’s poem, these values are treated with ambiguity and challenge. Do we honor Avinu Shebashamayim, our Heavenly Father, and/or our earthly mother? How is compassion limitless when we offer our final coins? Or when God’s mercy itself seemingly has limits? When we give what we have to those who love in truth, how can their happiness protect us?

Yehudah Amichai wrote “God Takes Pity on Kindergarten Children” in the years between the conflicts in 1948-49 and 1956, a period when Israel was beset by conflicts and struggling to absorb millions of refugees and immigrants. Life was difficult and draining; youthful idealism was tempered by the brutal realities of nation-building.

We are in a different place and time, yet on a visceral level, I empathize. In Psalm 118, we read

מִן הַמֵּצַר קָרָאתִי יָהּ

“From the straits I called to the Eternal” (Ps 118:5).

We call because in times of difficulty, when we want to curl into a defensive ball, God can feel hard to find. Compassion, too, can feel distant. Sometimes, just being kind to another can feel like scraping the bottom of our emotional reserves. And yet, Amichai reminds us, small blessings matter. We may not see dramatic gestures or immediate outcomes, but we cannot know the downstream effects of an act of kindness. Perhaps we can make a cruel world a gentler, more loving place. When we care for others and increase the joy of another, we may bring more joy into the world and feel more joy within ourselves. When the world feels like too much, we must look to those small acts, those small blessings, to protect us from the weight of the world.

It may feel too small, too little, but when we love truly, when we love each other, our children, our parents, and our neighbors, may we share that love. Let us show kindness, and recognize and sanctify the small kindnesses shown to us. When we do so, we call out to God from a narrow place. And, as the Psalmist tells us:

עָנָנִי בַּמֶּרְחַב יָהּ

God answered me from the wide-open space.

We will find our way to more openness, more compassion, and more mercy. That, Amichai tells us, is how we survive this moment, and whatever hard moments life brings our way.

¹ Adapted from trans. Benjamin and Barbara Harshav, in The Poetry of Yehudah Amichai edited by Robert Alter (2015).

² I found the poem in Going Out with Knots: My Two Kaddish Years with Hebrew Poetry (JPS, 2025) by Rabbi Dr. Wendy Zierler, which is excellent and I highly recommend it.

³ הָאוֹהֲבִים-בֶּאֱמֶת

⁴ Eilu D’varim draws from Mishnah (Peah 1:1) and Talmud (Shabbat 127a), and is recited after the blessing for Torah study.

⁵ Olam HaBa, the Jewish afterlife/redemptive age.

⁶ Mishkan Tefilah translation.

May 1, 2026

As we come to the close of another fiscal year, I want to reflect on our Beth Tikvah community. We are home to 503 member households, including 31 new families who have chosen to make Beth Tikvah their Jewish home. These numbers represent more than data, they reflect belonging, connection, and trust.

That sense of connection fills our building each day—through Shabbat services, B’nai Mitzvot, learning, celebrations, and gatherings that bring us together in meaningful ways. We share a deep commitment to educating our children, passing Jewish values from one generation to the next, and showing up for one another and for the wider world through social action.

It is easy to feel thankful for the life that fills our space.

I am especially appreciative of our volunteers, whose time, care, and leadership help shape our community.

Our partnerships continue to strengthen and enrich congregational life. We are fortunate to partner with JewishColumbus, whose leadership and support enhance community security while helping sustain and grow Jewish life and protect all who walk through our doors. Our relationship with the JCC Worthington Preschool brings energy and connection into our building each day.

I am also thankful for the Beth Tikvah Foundation and its leadership. What began as a partnership with the Grinspoon Foundation and JewishColumbus to encourage legacy giving has grown into our Beth Tikvah Legacy Circle, now encompassing 32 endowments—an enduring investment in our building, our children, our learning, and our future. Those considering a legacy gift are invited to reach out to me or our Legacy team.

Our congregation is supported by those who give at every level—from households contributing what they can to those able to stretch further. Beth Tikvah is a community without barriers to belonging and every contribution matters.

Together, these commitments make our shared life possible.

Beginning June 1, our new fiscal year membership forms will launch, now with a simple, streamlined process that also includes religious school registration. Please look for your membership commitment form in your inbox and take a moment to affirm your belonging and support for fiscal year 2026–2027.

I would be remiss not to recognize the people I have the privilege of working with each day. Hannah Karr, Rhonda Simon, Morissa Frieberg and Alisa enrich our programs and fosters meaningful engagement across generations.

Our cantorial soloist, Debbie Costa, and John Stefano bring beauty and meaning to our services. I extend heartfelt thanks to Julie Sapper, Director of Musical Programming, whose talent has added depth to our worship; she will be deeply missed.

I am also grateful for the leadership of Rabbi Kellner and Rabbi Martin, whose care and thoughtful presence continue to shape Beth Tikvah as a Jewish home for each of us.

Beth Tikvah is strong not because of any single program or individual, but because of all who choose to care, to give, to lead, and to belong. It is a privilege to continue this sacred work alongside you.

With Gratitude,

Debbie Vinocur

April 22, 2026

As you may recall, we announced to the congregation last fall that Julie Sapper would be retiring from her role as Director of Musical Programming at the end of May. I am pleased to share that Debbie Costa, our longtime Cantorial Soloist, will become our new Director of Musical Programming beginning June 1.

In the fall, the Beth Tikvah Board of Trustees appointed a small task force to work with me on this transition. Members of the task force included Ted Fons, Clint Koenig, Cindy Barker, Barb Mindel, Scott Gordon, Aaron Taylor, Rabbi Martin, and Morissa Freiberg-Vance. Together, we evaluated the strengths of our current music program and reflected on opportunities for growth. We determined that our priorities include valuing our longtime staff, maintaining continuity in our music, and fostering continued innovation.

As Director of Musical Programming, Debbie will continue to serve as Cantorial Soloist for approximately half of our Friday evening services and half of our Shabbat morning B’nai Mitzvah services. She will also direct our Shironim and other vocal ensembles and coordinate all musical programming. Our longtime Cantorial Soloist, John Stefano, will continue in his role and lead the other half of our Friday evening and Shabbat morning services. We are close to hiring an accompanist who will become part of our regular Shabbat worship experience, and over the summer we will also hire a Religious School Music Teacher. Julie will continue to be part of our prayer life a few times each year, including our Shabbat Neshama prayer experience.

We are all excited for Debbie’s leadership. She has served as our Cantorial Soloist since 2015 and has been one of our B’nai Mitzvah mentors for the past three years. Debbie has been an incredible partner and has contributed greatly to making our prayer services meaningful. She brings many years of experience directing synagogue choirs, including at Temple Beth Shalom, and she directed choirs and assisted with bands in the Licking Heights Local School District for more than 20 years. In addition, Debbie serves as an adjudicator for band and student music performances. For over a decade, our community has benefited from her leadership, her voice, and her musical expertise, and we look forward to her continued partnership for many years to come.

We hope you will join us on Friday evening, May 29, at 7:15 p.m. as we celebrate Julie’s retirement. A formal invitation will be forthcoming.

With blessing,

Rabbi Rick Kellner

Featuring Earl Goldhammer

“I am very interested in art,” Earl began. “I knew nothing about art, absolutely nothing. I just loved the class.” He has always been willing to step into what he doesn’t yet understand. Years later, that instinct became a love language he shared with his wife, Karen.

“I met my wife and it turns out that she was an art lover too, but knew much, much more about art than I did. And so our life was very focused on art.” They traveled. They tried new things. They built a life around what they loved. “She was very devoted to Judaism. The thing that I looked forward to each year was our Seder.”

One year, Karen invited two nuns. “So it was a Seder with my wife and I and two nuns.” He paused, smiling as he remembered. “One of the nuns enjoyed the Seder so much… I was glad that she had a ride home.”

There is something about Earl’s presence that can be felt immediately. He meets people with an openness that does not ask for attention but holds it anyway. He cares deeply about those around him; he listens closely, responds thoughtfully, and makes space for others to be seen. His warmth is steady and comes naturally; it shows in the way he speaks and in a smile that is both gentle and unmistakably Earl.

Earl speaks about miracles and intervention with a kind of quiet certainty. He leaves space for them, the way one leaves space for a question that does not need to be answered right away. “Has God ever intervened in your life? My answer is yes.” In Jerusalem, standing at a locked gate, something happened. “A guy comes along. He pushed some buttons to let me in, and just as I got in, I turned around to thank him, and he disappeared.”

The moment still lingers—not because he can explain it, but because he cannot. He does not turn it into something larger than it is, but he doesn’t dismiss it either. He carries it alongside everything else he knows to be true. “I’m a math major and I was a tax lawyer. I don’t deal in fantasy very much.”

The people who shaped him remain close to his heart. “One of the most important people in my life was the cantor in my synagogue when I was a boy.” He remembers the time they spent together like it was yesterday. “He had numbers on his arm. He told me, ‘The reason I’m here is because the commander liked to hear me sing.’” What stayed with Earl was not only the story, but the standard. “Everything had to be just perfect.” And the music. “He taught me Jewish music that I never forgot. As an old man, I can still remember.”

His mother’s influence stands on its own. “I’ve never seen anybody work harder…She really gave me a sense of morality and a sense of purpose. She still influences my life every day.”

Alongside that influence came deep loss. When asked about life’s biggest challenges, Earl answered without hesitation: “My mother and my wife, both of whom were victims of cancer.”

When speaking about the loss of his wife, he does not soften what followed. “It was difficult… I had to have counseling because she was such a big part of my life that I needed help.” Still, he kept going. “I’ve had a very good life. Sometimes life comes with difficulties.”

Earl returns often to the topic of how people speak to one another. “We can discuss things and have different points of views and not get angry at one another.” He doesn’t see disagreement as something to avoid. “I think that we ought to emphasize that more. Different rabbis have different interpretations. That’s the way to exist, not fight with one another.”

As he looks back, there is no single defining moment, only a collection of life’s miracles. “I’m really lucky. I’m 84… I’m still here.” He lets that simmer. “That’s sort of a miracle too.

I have a lot to be thankful for.”

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Earl Goldhammer was interviewed on March 5, 2026 by Rabbi Rick Kellner and Hannah Karr

Written by Hannah Karr, Director of Marketing & Community Engagement at Congregation Beth Tikvah

The Carob Tree Project is an initiative at Congregation Beth Tikvah designed to preserve the life stories, wisdom, and experiences of longtime congregants so their voices continue to guide the community long into the future. This project was started by Rabbi Rick Kellner and Hannah Karr, inspired by a story in the Talmud about Honi the Circle Maker. When asked why he is planting a tree that will take decades to bear fruit, he explains that just as others planted for him, he plants for the generations who will come after him. The lesson is about legacy, continuity, and responsibility across generations. In that spirit, the Carob Tree Project focuses on members of the congregation whose lives hold deep experience, reflection, and perspective. Through recorded interviews, participants are invited to share memories, formative moments, values, and lessons learned. These interviews are video recorded and archived, ensuring that their stories become a lasting resource for the community. Written profiles are then created from the interviews so that the insights and voices of these individuals can be shared more widely within the congregation. The goal is not simply to document history. It is to capture the human insight behind a life lived — the ideas, questions, and experiences that can nurture future generations. Just like the carob tree in the Talmudic story, the project recognizes that the fruits of a person’s life often extend far beyond their own lifetime. In this way, the Carob Tree Project becomes both an archive and a teaching tool: a living collection of stories that remind the community how wisdom is passed forward — one voice, one memory, and one life at a time.

April 4, 2026

Try out these different recipes from all around the world inspired by the Jewish spring holiday of Passover!

Click on the photos to access the recipes.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE PASSOVER RECIPES!