A Celebration of Ben Kotkov
Ben Kotkov, BAJC's most chronologically advantaged member, recently turned 94 and the community turned out in large numbers to celebrate Ben and all he has done for the Jewish community in Brattleboro.
The afternoon party on Sunday afternoon June 6 was held at the home of congregation members Mary and Stuart and featured a performance of classical music in Ben's honor.
Among those present to greet Ben were his brother who flew in from California, his son Frank, and many individuals who had worked with Ben in the early years of the Jewish community. During those years Ben led services, taught Hebrew and prepared students for Bar and Bat Mitzvah. Ben's benedictions at High Holiday services became legendary and still continue.
During the gathering, many of Ben's friends and colleagues spoke glowingly of his contributions and his friendship, recalling the enormous efforts he made on behalf of the congregation and speaking also of his illustrious career as a psychologist. Even at the age of 94, Ben continues to add to his extraordinary list of publications which number in the hundreds.
The tributes to Ben also made reference to his devoted care for his wife Sally, for many years a victim of Alzheimers.
The tributes to Ben made clear how much the BAJC of today and the progress we've been able to make rests on the enormous efforts made by Ben and other BAJC pioneers. They also underline the great value of the experiment they set in motion, i.e. establishing a congregation built primarily on the efforts and initiatives and creativity of its members.
The tributes concluded with a series of photos of Ben surrounded first by his earliest colleagues in Brattleboro and then by more recent colleagues. We sang Happy Birthday to Ben, offered a "Sh'hechiyanu," and finally offered to Ben the benediction whose blessing Ben has offered to us for so many years.
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