May 2011 Message

Shalom Friends,

Benjamin Weisbein grew up in Temple Sinai. Here he attended religious school, celebrated his bar mitzvah, participated in confirmation classes and was confirmed. Benjamin was bright, energetic and loved. He had traveled to Israel and was immensely proud of his Jewish identity. Tragically Benjamin died in a car accident in August of 1992 at the age of seventeen. Shortly after Benjamin’s death his parents Joel and Nancy Hart wanted to do something significant to honor his memory. After meeting with them it was decided to establish a scholarship program to help high school youth travel to Israel. For the past nineteen years The Benjamin Weisbein Fund has enabled countless Temple youth to experience the wonder and beauty of Israel.

This year three of our youth, Amy Rixon, Paige Wolinksy and Elana Valastro, will be visiting Israel with the assistance of the Weisbein Fund. Their experiences will forever change their lives and strengthen their Jewish identities.  Upon returning to the States they will be sharing their experiences during Sabbath worship and in the religious school.

I truthfully cannot imagine a more fitting and beautiful way to remember Benjamin than through this wonderful program. The Harts have blessed us with their kindness and in so doing have kept the memory of their wonderful son alive.

In Peace, Rabbi James S. Glazier