Honey and Poi
The Origins and Development of Congregation Sof Ma’arav in Honolulu Hawai’i
by
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Morning in Sof Newly elected president Peter Freeman (1991–1992) took a page out of Ronald Reagan’s playbook with a “Morning in Sof” optimistic and happy-day approach. Beginning with a warm letter to fellow congregants, Freeman invited all to participate fully. He included a committee sign-up sheet for becoming involved. He followed up his new-day attitude with a summer/fall bulletin outlining exciting cooperation with Rabbi Leibovitz at AJC and TE president Steve Welid; organizing summer and weekly Shabbat services; publicizing Sof 1991–1992 officers and board members; and acknowledging a memorable Tisha B’av service at AJC featuring a talk on Lamentations by Rabbi Jerome Epstein, CEO of USAM. Invitations were sent, especially to AJC and TE but intended for the entire Jewish community of O`ahu, to join Sof in celebrating Selichot (movie: Operation Solomon) and Simchat Torah. High Holiday services for 5752 were to be led by Jonathan Webber with commentary by “our scholar in residence,” Dr. Cyrus Gordon. Donors were sincerely thanked, and donations to the Torah fund were encouraged. An August 31 Havdalah followed by the Selichot service would take place. Selichot was not only scheduled, it was explained. New Sof leyners added excitement and anticipation to Shabbat and festival services in 5752. Conservative Rabbi Richard Leibovitz arrived in town as the chaplain at AJC. He expressed interest in attending services, training Bar/Bat Mitzvah candidates, and assisting at Beit Safer HaKnesset. After discussion it was decided to offer Rabbi Leibovitz honorary Sof membership and wait to get to know him before taking further action. In Sof’s January 1992 Bulletin, President Freeman applauded the entire congregation for “renewed energy.” In addition, he singled out some members for special success. He applauded Gertrude Serata for organizing Shabbat services and enhancing them with the newfound chanting expertise of members. Suzy Granoff and Genevieve Freeman were cited for “rounding out” Onegs. Rabbi Morris Goldfarb and Rabbi Leibovitz were mentioned for leading study/learning sessions. AJC was thanked for providing a site for the fourth monthly Shabbat service. Twenty new members were welcomed, including most significantly Rabbi and Mrs. Morris Goldfarb. Fran Margulies was declared to have done a great job in organizing festivals during the fall–winter season. For a combined Sof, AJC, and TE Hanukkah party, she was assisted by Suzy Granoff, Evelyn Trapido, and the USY gang. A first “in home” Havdalah featuring the Jewish Federation of Hawaii scholar Walter Zanger was noted as a truly outstanding evening. Bob and Judy Goldman were the hosts. Communications people were also singled out for praise. Jessie Weinberger was thanked for “putting this bulletin together.” Barbara Fischlowitz provided great articles to the Hawaii Jewish News. Corresponding Secretary Elanah Toporoff was acknowledged for her yahrzeit reminders and contribution thanks. Such items led to more public exposure for Sof. The bulletin concluded by including special commendation letters from the Jewish Federation and names of individuals who had benefited and been touched by Sof’s programs. The midyear 1991–1992 budget report submitted by treasurer Genevieve Freeman supported the notion that an organization can do well by doing good. The balance of $10,683 was the highest ever reported. Its two major income categories were dues ($8,151) and cookbooks ($2,239). Its two major expense categories were Dr. Jonathan Webber ($3,419) and Dr. Cyrus Gordon ($3,696) for his educational seminar presentations. At its May 1992 annual meeting at the Wai`alae Country Club, outgoing officers were thanked for their outstanding year. Mel Hertz was elected president; Judy Goldman and Deena Libman were named vice presidents. Thirty-three new members were listed. The themes and programs developed in 5752 carried into 5753. A motion for a second printing of 2,500 cookbooks carried. That motion included a proviso that the Jewish Publication Society buy the first 500 copies. Two motions supporting a community-based school for Jewish children on O`ahu were made and seconded. Following is the wording of the first: Congregation Sof Ma’arav will actively support a community school (based at Aloha Chapel and under the direction of Rabbi Leibovitz) in the following ways: • encouraging members to send children; • subsidizing any book or equipment purchases for Sof children who are in need; • helping recruit Sof Ma’arav volunteer personnel as needed • subsidizing promotion of the school The second motion read that “Congregation Sof Ma’arav form a committee for youth and children education and that the committee include Rabbis Goldfarb, Leibovitz, and Libman and others for the purpose of recruiting and training people to lead High Holy Day and Sabbath services for children.”
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About the Book
It isn’t often that a small lay-led Jewish conservative congregation gets its photos featured in the New York Times Weekly Magazine. The impetus for such coverage was a Congregation Sof Ma’arav (Sof) member-initiated publication titled When You Live in Hawaii, You Get Very Creative During Passover Cookbook. The cookbook is just one example of how this little congregation in the middle of the Pacific prompted and promoted its members to consider and execute creative and collective achievement during its forty-seven-year history. This book will review the questions that Sof has struggled with during its time: conversion, egalitarianism, religious education, United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism affiliation, finances, and skill levels. In each instance, people, ideas, and programs enabled Sof, standing alone, to cope with these issues without losing its sense of purpose. Hopefully, the Sof’s story will amaze the reader as much as it has its author. The story itself is built on three legs: document collection and organization, library research, and group/individual interviews. This book will be successful to the extent that it does justice to many people who have nurtured it in the past and inspire present and future members to recognize their responsibilities to insure its continuance. The book ends with some ideas for discussion and planning. Having established itself as a successful enterprise, Congregation Sof Ma’arav is now asked to look beyond itself and outward toward assuming a larger role in fostering the health of the Jewish community of Hawai’i and of Hawai’i itself.