Services in April

April 2012 | Vol. 25, No. 8 | Nissan-Iyar 5772

Seeing Ourselves in the Story: Racial Injustice and the Radical Potential of Passover

Shir Tikvah welcomes Professor Joe Soss for the sixth annual Robert

N. Schlesinger Memorial Lecture on Saturday, April 7, at 10:30 am.

Soss is the inaugural Cowles Chair for the Study of Public Service at the University of Minnesota, where he holds faculty positions in the Hubert H. Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs, the Department of Political Science, and the Department of Sociology. His research and teaching explore the interplay of democratic politics, socio-economic inequalities, and public policy.

Soss is particularly interested in the political sources and consequences of policies that govern social marginality and shape life conditions for socially marginal groups.

His most recent book is Disciplining the Poor: Neoliberal Paternalism and the Persistent Power of Race (University of Chicago Press, 2011), co-authored with Richard C. Fording and Sanford F. Schram. He is also the author of

Unwanted Claims: The Politics of Participation in the U.S. Welfare System (2000), co-editor of Race and the Politics of Welfare Reform (2003), co-editor of Remaking America: Democracy and Public Policy in an Age of Inequality (2007), and author or co-author of numerous scholarly articles.

Soss’ lecture is titled “Seeing Ourselves in the Story: Racial

Injustice and the Radical Potential of Passover.” The Robert N. Schlesinger Memorial Lecture was established in memory of Robert Schlesinger, a founding member of Shir Tikvah who served the congregation on the original Steering Committee and Board of Directors. He was an enthusiastic supporter of Shir Tikvah until his premature death from ALS (also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease) at age 59.

The annual lecture is sponsored by his family—widow, Lisa, and adult children David, Suzanna, and Jacob—in loving memory, with gratitude and appreciation to the Shir Tikvah community.

Shacharit Morning MinyanThursdays at 7:45 a.m.April 5, 12, 19, 26

Saturday, April 7Tot Shabbat, 9:30 A.M.Led by Rabbi Simon & Wendy GoldbergShabbat Services, 10:30 a.m.Led by Rabbi Latz & Wendy Goldberg

Friday, April 13Shabbat Services, 8:00 p.m.Led by Rabbi Latz & Steve Greenberg Friday, April 20Shabbat Live! Services, 6:30 p.m.Led by Rabbi Simon & Shabbat Live Ensemble

Saturday, April 21Shabbat Services, 10:30 A.M.Led by Rabbi Simon & Rachel Lipkin

Friday, April 27Shabbat Services, 8:00 p.m.Led by Rabbi Latz & Wendy Goldberg

Saturday, April 28Shabbat Services, 10:30 a.m. Led by Rabbi Latz & Jane NewmanBar Mitzvah of David Heinrich

On behalf of the Rabbis, Staff, and Board, we wish you a

HAPPY AND HEALTHY PASSOVER“Let all who are hungry come and eat.” –The Haggadah

MAY25

Mark your calendar!

Congregational Dinner and Annual Meeting

Friday, May 25, 6:00 p.m.

Poverty and Racism: The Religious Mandate to Alleviate Suffering Issue

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We Jewish people love our stories: Those in the Torah, like Passover, that speak

of freedom and redemption; those such as Esther and the observance of Purim, that call for joy as a response to fear; and those we tell in our lives: Stories of family, love, hope, and promise.Here are a few of our stories from the past month.• At the Jewish community gathering to defeat the homophobic anti-marriage amendment on March 4, almost 800 people—more than 100 of them members of Shir Tikvah!—illuminated the power of stories to transform our hearts and lives, to encourage people to vote no on November 6, to speak proudly from our tradition about how and why this amendment violates our core Jewish values of human dignity and justice. • On Purim, Wendy Goldberg coordinated more than 70 Shir Tikvah members who participated in the Cinemegillah, telling the ancient story of Esther—a story of suffering and

triumph, violence and generosity, retribution and redemption.• More than 40 participants gathered for “Radical Amazement” to reflect on Judaism through a spiritual lens, to re-imagine creative responses to the great moral and theological questions of our generation. • One Thursday morning at the end of February, a recent Jew-by-choice lead our minyan service, taught Torah, and invited participants to reflect on life’s deeper spiritual purpose. • The first weekend in March, 15 middle-school students went to OSRUI for their first Junior Youth Group conclave, and regaled us with stories of new friendship, deeper connections to Judaism, and a drive for robust engagement at Shir Tikvah. • One Sunday afternoon in February, more than 25 members of the Finance, Membership, and Development

committees gathered together to discuss funding our congregation in the most ethical, sustainable, and fair way possible. • Our high-school students, under the leadership of Rabbi Simon, Molly Hazelton, and Amira Cohen, made manifest the Purim mitzvah (commandment) to care for the poor by collecting personal hygiene items for homeless youth, while Shir Tikvah members joined with Jewish Community Action to put an end to predatory lending and home foreclosures on Minneapolis’ Northside. • One Friday in March, half a dozen people joined with Sara Lahyani, our office manager, to bake hamentaschen. This is our Shir Tikvah story: Many diverse people engaged in building Jewish life, creating a spiritual world, building our holy synagogue community. For the stories we have told, those we have yet to tell, and those we’ll tell in the days to come, I wish you and your loved ones a meaningful Passover.

From our Director of Lifelong Learning...

From our Senior Rabbi...

Children were racing between classrooms, parents were gathered sharing stories, and teachers and teen ozrim were busy coordinating workshops and activities. The Shir Tikvah building was abuzz with energy and excitement as the program gave way to a delicious Persian feast (created by Office Manager Sara Lahyani and David Raskas) followed by the multi-generational Cinemegillah, a retelling of the Purim story in numerous film genres. Toiletries were collected, fulfilling the mitzvah of Matanot L’Evyonim (gifts for people in need). As one member said, “Our ability to bring families and community together is a blessing and a gift!”Purim marked the third of a three-part series of family holiday celebrations that took place this year at Shir Tikvah. On the Wednesdays of Sukkot, Simchat Torah, and Purim, the children enrolled in Hebrew School, and other school-aged children, gathered with their families for engaging, age-appropriate, holiday-specific events designed to fulfill a piece of the Lifelong Learning vision, to “encounter

innovative and flexible learning models in rhythm with Jewish holidays.”The month of March also included our Teacher Appreciation Shabbat, a service celebrating learning at Shir Tikvah. Prior to services, teachers and their families were treated to a Shabbat dinner, in gratitude of their hard work

and dedication to our students and the congregation. During the service, the teachers took part in a special chain of tradition with the Torah scrolls and received a blessing. In April, Religious School and Hebrew School students will mark the spring festival of Passover with many learning opportunities, including a chance for some of our youngest students to perfect the Four Questions. With “Holy Conversations” at the core of our vision for lifelong learning, there will be many opportunities for questions and conversation in the month ahead.

Learning through holy conversations

Our stories

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The past few months have been extremely full and joyous

at Shir Tikvah, and we should all be proud of our magnificent congregation. February began with our impressive Shabbat Shirah service, when we heard beautiful gospel music that raised the spirits of everyone in the overflowing sanctuary. The following weekend we had a marvelous turnout for the Visioning Shabbat, demonstrating what an engaged community we have, and how many people in our congregation want to see Shir Tikvah continue to flourish. We

heard many great ideas on moving Shir Tikvah forward

as a leader in the Jewish community, while being a place for meaningful prayer, music, education, and personal connections for our membership. In early March, scores of Shir Tikvah members turned out for the March 4 event at Adath Jeshurun to work with other Jews in the Twin Cities to defeat the Marriage Amendment this fall. Our leaders,

Rabbis Latz and Simon, and Wendy Goldberg, were part of the program, which was inspirational for all in attendance.

Just a few days after that we had Purim Services—Shir Tikvah style. More than 70 people participated in the shpiel, an outrageously funny depiction of the story of Esther, told through different Hollywood genres.

And on March 14, Rabbi Sharon Brous, founder of IKAR and named by Newsweek as one of the 50 most-influential rabbis, led us in a discussion on

creating and maintaining a vibrant community.

These are some highlights of recent events at Shir Tikvah. Many of you are actively engaged in congregational events and were present at these events.

Others are not as involved at the synagogue right now. If you haven’t been to a Shabbat Service, joined a committee, or been in the building during Shabbat or on a Sunday morning lately, I encourage you to come see all that is going on in our community.

Jane Binder

From our President...

① A diverse team of leaders has begun the process of drafting a vision statement. As the process proceeds, everyone in the congregation will have an opportunity to provide input;

② We will be scheduling re-cap sessions for people who missed the Visioning Shabbat, as well as those who attended, as soon as the video of the weekend has been completed by our videographer;

③ A Transparency Task Force is being created to review our existing practices and make suggestions for how the Board and staff can be as transparent as possible and communicate effectively with the congregation;

④ The T’filah Committee is going to address, in depth, the role of music in our prayer life during a series of meetings that will be open to anyone who wants to participate;

⑤ The Board approved a new Social Justice Core Team, in which Shir Tikvah members, along with other Twin Cities synagogues, will work in partnership with the Tzedek Institute (a program started by Jewish Community Action) to address a variety of social justice issues; and

⑥ We held a joint meeting with the Membership, Finance and Administration, and Development Committees to discuss synagogue funding.

Visioning UpdateIt has been more than a month since our Visioning Shabbat, and the congregation has been moving forward on the themes that emerged from that weekend. A group of Board members and Visioning Shabbat planners met on the Sunday morning following the Visioning Shabbat to recap what we learned and to begin planning next steps. After discussions with the Executive Committee, the Board, and the Visioning planners:

There are other activities related to the creation of our future vision as well. Watch www.shirtikvah.net, the weekly e-news, and Kol Tikvah in the coming weeks for more information.

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April Lifelong Learning Calendar

Religious SchoolApril 1 No Class - Spring Break 6 Passover Begins (Friday) 8 No Class - Passover Break 15 Religious School 22 Religious School 29 Religious School Eighth Grade Program with Scott Fried 12:00-3:00 p.m. at Temple Israel

Hebrew SchoolApril 4 No Class - Spring Break 6 Passover Begins (Friday) 11 Hebrew School 18 Hebrew School 25 Hebrew School

Adult EducationApril 2 Adult B’nei Mitzvah Seminar 9 Adult B’nei Mitzvah Seminar 13 Torah study (Note date change this month only) 23 Adult B’nei Mitzvah Seminar and Taste of Judaism class 6:30-8 p.m. 30 Adult B’nei Mitzvah Seminar and Taste of Judaism class 6:30-8 p.m.

April 27 HMJDS Shabbat Dinner, 6:30 p.m., followed by Shabbat services

Religious School Registration

Lifelong Learning Task Force update

The Lifelong Learning Task Force is hard at work in Phase two: design and

implementation.A group focusing on adult learning has been meeting regularly and is focused on planning a learning program for Shavuot called “OUR JEWISH JOURNEYS: Shavuot Stories of Shir Tikvah’s Blended Heritage Framed by the Book of Ruth.” Shavuot begins on Saturday evening, May 26 and following the 7 p.m. Confirmation and Shavuot service, a Tikkun Leil Shavuot (an evening of study) will include study, speakers and a discussion focusing on the themes from the Book of Ruth. Following Shavuot, the

members of the Adult Learning Task Force will work to vision for the coming Jewish calendar year.The Youth and Family Learning focused part of the Task Force has met for two ½ day retreats which focused on several learning models and pilot options for the coming school year. Proposed new projects include a Social Justice trip for post-Confirmation teens, a mini-Hebrew Boot Camp meeting weekly during the summer and a Shabbat and Holiday Youth Religious Education program for students 5th grade and under and their families. Additionally, staff development and curriculum support were lifted up as crucial pieces of “low hanging fruit”

for the coming year for the Religious School and Hebrew School. During the month of March, members of the group worked to clarify each of the program proposals and to get congregant feedback. A focus group was held on March 18th for families to discuss the Shabbat and Holiday Youth Religious Education program. A brochure with more information about this new program is available at Shir Tikvah.Visit the Lifelong Learning Task Force section of the Shir Tikvah website for more information about upcoming events and initiatives of the Lifelong Learning Task Force.

The snow is melting and it’s already time to think about apples and honey and the start of the new school year.Religious School registration opens on April 1.Register and pay in full by May 1 and receive a special early-bird discount!Registration materials are available in the Shir Tikvah oneg hall and online at www.shirtikvah.net. Questions? Contact Rabbi Simon at rabbisimon@shirtikvah.net.

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Before the Seder: • Listen to Passover music while you’re cooking and cleaning and in the car. My favorite CDs include “Shirlala Pesach” and “The Ma’ayan Seder” (by Debbie Friedman). For more music, join Ping on iTunes; locate me on Ping and you’ll find songs to sample and buy.

• Ask your guests to bring something interesting to the seder: signs of spring, freedom songs, poetry about spring or freedom.

• Borrow or buy a new haggadah and look through it to get ideas.

At the Seder:• Serve vegetables and dips to keep people sated while going through the seder.

• Use props for the plagues, such as cotton balls for lice, plastic frogs, red food coloring in glasses for blood.

• Watch clips of The Ten Commandments movie when you’re telling the story.

• Create an atmosphere that resembles the Israelites leaving Egypt, such as having people wear robes and sandals, eating on the floor, or building a tent over your table.

• Play a game such as, “I’m leaving Egypt and I’m bringing [item] with me,” at the table. Everyone gets to bring one thing. Remember, you’re leaving in a hurry and have to carry this with you for 40 years!

• When you’re telling the story of Passover, have each person pick an item (not a person) in the story and tell part of the story from that item’s perspective. This could be a canteen, a camel, a chariot, a piece of matzoh.

• When we say, “May all who are hungry come and eat,” talk about hunger or welcoming guests.

• During Dayenu, make your own list of what would be enough and what is not yet enough.

Wendy Goldberg

From our Music Director...Need ideas for enriching your seder? Try some of these. For more ideas, contact me at wendy@shirtikvah.net.

David Heinrich and his family invite you to join him in celebrating as he becomes a Bar Mitzvah on Saturday, April 28. He says that he “can’t wait to be a Bar Mitzvah and become an adult.” David is an avid hockey player and says he loves it because it is “fast, fun, and a great way to meet new people.” “I love my family and my friends for supporting me all the way, and Cantor Seeger, my tutor, for helping me learn Torah. It really has meant a lot to me.”David has selected to give tzedakah to HopeKids, and organization that provides ongoing events and a powerful, unique support community for families who have a child with cancer or some other life-threatening medical condition. David hopes to support HopeKids because his best friend, who has a brain tumor, is part of the group the organization serves. Learn more at www.hopekids.org.David will also be participating in Friday night services on April 27 at 8:00 p.m.

Bar Mitzvah in April

The Caring Community Committee helps congregants strengthen their connection

to Shir Tikvah and to each other. We work Yad B’Yad (Hebrew for “hand in hand”)

to help meet the needs of our congregants and to offer ongoing support.

Caring and Accessibility at Shir Tikvah

If you have had an illness, would like a visitor, need a ride to services, or would like to join a chavurah, go to http://shirtikvah.net/content/caring-community-committee on the Shir Tikvah website.

You can find information on assistance or accommodations at Shir Tikvah, or by calling the office at (612) 822-1440.

The requests of congregants are always kept confidential.

There is a Talmudic saying: Whoever saves one life saves the world entire. I always thought that was a bit hyperbolic. How can saving one life relate to saving the whole world? But I now understand—if we act to save one person, the effect of that selflessness can be enormous.Shir Tikvah has saved more than 700 lives through our blood drives. I don’t personally know those whose lives we’ve touched, but I know they are mothers and daughters, fathers and sons, husbands and wives—people who are loved and who enrich our communities.We held the first blood drive in 1999, 13 years ago. Some members have donated blood nearly every time. Some members can’t donate but welcome those who can with bagels and juice or help sign up others who are eligible.We’ve also gotten involved in the politics of blood donation. Currently, gay men are not able to donate. We’ve contacted the Food and Drug Administration, the

agency that regulates blood donation, to advocate for change; perhaps this may happen in the next few years, as support at the FDA is increasing.We have more young donors than we did 13 years ago; we recruit those members at the age of Confirmation class on up. We believe that donating

blood, like all forms of mitzvot, should begin as early in life as possible and continue throughout our lives.The next blood drive is scheduled for Sunday, April 29, from 9:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. It’s longer than usual because—with help from everyone in the congregation—we hope to reach a milestone of saving 2,000 lives. Join us in saving the entire world. Contact me at kennedy@worldwithoutgenocide.org or (952) 693-5206 to participate in whatever way you can.Ellen Kennedy

We all have common dreams for our children

and our communities; but, for many, those dreams are deferred or denied by racial discrimination embedded in our institutions and consciousness. How is it determined…• Who shall go to college, and who shall not? • Who shall keep her home, and who shall lose it? • Whose property values will rise, and whose shall crash? • Who shall earn living wage, and whose income shall stagnate? • Who shall be sent subtle or overt messages

of welcome in our society, and who shall be unwelcome? • Whose son will thrive in AP classes, and whose son will be scape-goated, hounded by police, and marked for life as a second-class citizen because of a felony? May these questions call us to action, no matter how they are answered.The disparities between black and white homeownership in Minnesota, for example, are among the worst in the country. African Americans are far more likely to receive a high-cost loan, regardless of their

income or credit score, according to a study conducted by the University of Minnesota. I’ve been honored to have many Shir Tikvah members

volunteer with Jewish Community Action’s (JCA) foreclosure prevention campaign in recent years. Together with our allies at the Northside Community Reinvestment Coalition (NCRC), Shir Tikvah members such as Andrea and Jim Rubenstein have participated in JCA’s annual “Liberation Seder” in North Minneapolis, Jane Newman has volunteered at our foreclosure prevention door-knocks,

Rabbi Latz spoke at our recent Sukkot event at the Urban League, Daniel Friedman Shedlov and Debra Goodlaxson have lobbied elected officials to pass responsible banking ordinances. We are saving homes; we are deepening relationships across gulfs of difference; we are building power to challenge the Pharaohs of our day; we are acting publicly, collectively. Though the legacy of pursuing justice is not ours exclusively, I believe we are acting Jewishly. Yasher koach, Shir Tikvah members—see you soon!Dave Snyder

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Our continuing legacy of pursuing justice

Shir Tikvah

25th Anniversary Memorial Day Weekend May 24-26, 2013 Mark your calendar!

Help save the world by participating in the next blood drive, April 29

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At the Visioning Shabbat, the word “transparency” was used frequently. One

definition I found, relating to the management of an organization, stated, “(ideally) all decision-making is carried out publicly. Exceptions to transparency typically include data related to personal privacy, security, and passwords.”Every year, we encourage congregants to get involved in Shir Tikvah’s management—be it on a committee or in volunteering at a service or cooking for an event. Each time someone walks in to Shir Tikvah, we hope it is a worthwhile and rewarding experience. Each year at the annual meeting, the Finance and Administration Committee and I present a

budget for congregational approval. Beforehand, it has been reviewed by the staff and committee chairs (sometimes entire committees), the Executive Committee (which also serves as a personnel committee) and the Board of Trustees. Many congregational eyes, ears and mouths have had a chance to review and comment on it. I recently started answering questions from congregants in the weekly e-news to try to educate more people about what goes into developing the budget and what it costs to run Shir Tikvah.

I encourage you to ask questions or join the Finance and Administration Committee. It meets at 7:30 a.m. on the third Thursday of every month (double check with me before you come; I can make sure we have enough treats and can get you the materials ahead of time). Someone recently wrote to me, “I’m glad I don’t have to be as transparent about my spending choices as Shir Tikvah does. I’d hate to have 350 households critiquing my spending choices!” Actually, our households are now over 400, which makes both transparency and decision-making all the more a challenge. We are trying and we welcome new members on the Finance and Administration Committee. Please join us.John Humleker

From our Board…Wendy Goldberg gave a report on her work since being hired in July 2010. She has focused on working with music leaders to increase their repertoire, knowledge, and leadership skills; creating a more holistic B’Nei Mitzvah program; and working closely with our rabbis on programming, including Shabbat Shirah, the Davening Leadership Team, High Holy Days, leading the choir, Shabbat Live, and Thursday minyan.Barbra Wiener and CiCi Dashe reported on their work with Jewish Community Action (JCA) and their Tzedek Institute, a community-organizing approach to bring Jews together to solve tough challenges, strengthen our own community, and strengthen our relationships with other communities. Barbra and CiCi outlined what they learned, and asked for endorsement from the Board of Trustees to pursue this work through the Shir Tikvah Social Justice Committee. The Board gave its endorsement.John Humleker stated that current projections show a $20,000 shortfall in dues for the fiscal year. He explained that a “mini-campaign” is being developed to ensure that the shortfall doesn’t grow, and is also working on getting unpaid dues pledges paid by the end of the fiscal year. John also reported that the Finance and Administration Committee is working with the M&I Trust Management Team to find socially responsible investment options for the synagogue.I reported that the Development, Membership, and Finance and Administration committees met jointly to discuss strategies for raising more money; this will lead to a plan for a major fundraising campaign in 2013 in conjunction with Shir Tikvah’s 25th anniversary.The next Board meeting will be held April 12.Luke Weisberg

From our Executive Director…

New siddurim for use at shivah servicesOn behalf of the T’Fillah Committee, I would like to announce that Shir Tikvah has purchased new siddurim (prayer books) for use at shivah services. Called Mishkan T’filah for the House of Mourning, it is published by the Central Conference of American Rabbis. We believe it is strong and solemn, and that it reflects our vision for a prayer service during shiva, a difficult time in people’s lives. The purchase was approved by the Shir Tikvah Board of Trustees. Alex Dashe

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Please save the date: Saturday, June 2Chris Bargeron, Joan Bilinkoff Corbett, Marian Eisner, Amy Bromberg Funk,

Rich Kessler, Susan Rosenthal Kraus and Sarah Malakoff

For the Adult B’nei Mitzvah of the Class of 2012/5772

Attend Family Conversations on April 22Most of us are living longer than ever before—into our 80s and beyond. We are starting to question, “How do we want to live those extra years?” What concerns you about growing older? Becoming a caregiver or needing one? Daily activities, housing, quality of life, loss of independence? For most of us, these are some of many concerns we have. One positive way to deal with aging is to hold family meetings to discuss these issues. But the idea of this may seem overwhelming. Where to begin? At the Family Conversations workshop on Sunday, April 22, at 1:30 p.m., I will facilitate a discussion on how to initiate and conduct a family meeting, talk through tough issues, develop flexible plans, and let family and friends be part of this process. The workshop is tailored for older adults, their adult children, and anyone concerned about an older person in their life. We’re all in this together. L’dor v’dor. Rich Kessler

Just vote ‘no’: Defeat the anti-marriage amendment

How often do a group of Jews agree on anything? You know the story: Two Jews, three opinions. But on March 4 in the Adath Jeshurun sanctuary, almost 800 Jews of all ages and rabbis from almost every Jewish

denomination gathered. In one unified voice we proclaimed, “Just vote no!” It was an historic moment. We learned skills and strategies for defeating the anti-marriage amendment to the Minnesota Constitution. We listened as rabbis shared stories about their opposition to this amendment, and why a “yes” vote goes against basic Jewish values, such as B’tselem elohim (everyone is created in God’s image), Kavod haBriyot (everyone deserves to be treated with dignity), and the responsibility to pursue justice. We practiced telling our own stories and made commitments to talk to neighbors, colleagues, and others. Over 100 members of Shir Tikvah attended a small-group breakout session; we were also involved in planning, speaking, and leading under the aegis of Jewish Community Action. March 4 was a marvelous beginning, and there is more to do before November. In the next seven months, everyone will have an opportunity to help by making phone calls, writing letters, and attending sessions to hone story-telling skills. Information will be ongoing. If you want to start now, Minnesotans United for All Families needs phone bank volunteers. You can contact them at (651) 330-6852 or volunteer@mnunited.org.Soon it will be Pesach, when we remember our journey from injustice to freedom. After coming together at Sinai, our ancestors continued onward, working together and facing more challenges before reaching their goal. This year, we must do this, too. Our voices were loud and strong on March 4. Now we are obliged to continue forward so that, in November, we become the first of many states to prevent a Constitutional amendment that would permanently enshrine inequality.Barbara Nordstrom-Loeb

Shir Tikvah congregants were part of a group of almost 800 who gathered March 4.

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Tzedakah Shir Tikvah is appreciative of all tzedakah given to the congregation. We will notify any people or organizations of contributions made in their honor. Contributions can be sent to the congregation office. Funds include: Shir Tikvah Fund, Rabbi Latz Discretionary Fund, Rabbi Simon Discretionary Fund, Rabbi Offner Legacy Fund for Youth, Adult Scholarship Fund, Building Fund, Flower Fund, Library Fund, Harris Music Fund, Prayerbook Fund, Relief Fund, Social Justice Fund, Special Needs Education Fund, Torah Fund. Note: Donations made through March 15, 2012, are reflected below. Donations received March 16–31 will appear in the May Kol Tikvah.

Please make a donation to Shir Tikvah. givemn.razoo.com/story/ Shir-Tikvah-Congregation

Shir Tikvah

Tim & Jamie Walters

Jeffrey Richman & Karen Casanova, in memory of Bitsy Winograd

Ina & Larry Gravitz, in loving memory of Joseph Alster, father of Ina Gravitz

Libby E. Siegel, in honor of Siona Kelly’s bat mitzvah

Susan & Jim Nordin, in memory of Charlotte Nordin

Julie Jacobs & Lisa Hurtubise, in appreciation of Wendy Goldberg, for her patience and support

Rabbi Latz Discretionary Fund

Sandra & David Walk

Rabbi Simon Discretionary Fund

David Damman & Lauren Lippman-Damman

Harris Music Fund

Chris Bargeron, in memory of Dennis Bargeron

March Non-Fundraiser

Jane Binder & Larry Silber

Bill & Sherry Cooper

Jacquie Casey

Tom Glaser & Greg Leder

Margaret Rog & Ben Weisner

Al & Cathy Krug

Leslie & Karen Desnick

Denise Tennen

Andy Elfenbein

Jay & Sally Lieberman

Stuart & Martha Schmitz

Rick Appelsies

Elaine Frankowski

Laura Dettloff

Mark & Laura Tanz

Nancy Fushan

Jane Bassuk

Phil Cohen & Mary Youle

Joel & Laurie Kramer

Wayne & Ellen Leebaw

Holly Rodin & Andrew Calkins

David Addis & Mary Zink

Susan Watchman

Rachel Halpern & Roger Feldman

Michael Bahr & Morrie Hartman

Michael Israel & Laura Beth Landy

Jane & Gene Borochoff

Donna Snetting

Michael & Paula Pergament

Robert & Pam Goldman

Mert & Bea Suckerman

Sara Weiner

Micki & Burt Danovsky

Eric Rehm & Connie Johnson

Marc Roth & Ann Kaner-Roth

Larry & Terri Diamond

Katy & Ralph Campbell

Jackie Krammer & Daniel Shaw

Ruth Hampton Olkon & David Olkon

Deborah Dora

Susan Phipps-Yonas & Albert Yonas

Alex & CiCi Dashe

Susan & Chris Geller

Michelle Spoont & Deanna Bass

Rabbi Michael Adam Latz & Michael Simon

Tony Nowicke

Lisa & Doug Powell

Enzi Tanner

Robert Weisman

Andrew & Linda Bindman

Andrea & Jim Rubenstein

Linda & Lisa Alter Capell

Kathryn Klibanoff & Jeremy Pierotti, in loving memory of Daniel Forman, Jackie Tarbox and Ethaan Boyer

Mary Small, in appreciation of Amy Lange and Jane Newman

Marian Eisner and Rich Kessler,

in memory of Ed Eisner

Dorothy Goldie and Ralph Schwartz, in honor of Rabbi Latz

Laura Beth Landy & Michael Israel, in honor of Greg Leder’s special birthday.

Chris Bargeron, in appreciation of the Kehilla Kedosha of Thursday morning minyan

Condolences

Mark Schoenbaum and Jeanette Ray, on the death of Mark’s father, Donald

Jeannette George and Mark Schoenbaum, on the death of Jeannette’s mother, Lavena

Andrea, Brad, Max, & Ivy Ferstan on the death of Andrea’s father, Saul Winton Segal

Todah Rabah to…

David Raskas, Jennifer Feather, Chelsea Matson, and all the terrific helpers who helped make the Purim feast so successful

Mala Vujovich, Verna Lind, Micki Danovsky, and Emily Lahyani for their dazzling hamentashen-baking skills

Cinemegillah performers, scene captains, costume designers,

producers and directors, and everyone else who helped make this evening such a success—yasher koach

Mazel tov to...

Gail Freedman & Reuben Lubka, on their 10th anniversary

Alex and CiCi Dashe, on the birth of their second daughter, Rafaela Bernice

Welcome to new members...

Jeff Lande & Jennifer Hall-Lande

Hayley & Eliana

4309 43rd Ave South

Minneapolis, MN 55406

Robyn Cohen-Hannan & Andrew Hannan

637 Crane Creek Lane

Eagan, MN 55121

A good time was had by all on Wednesday, March 7, when nearly 200 people attended the Shir Tikvah Persian feast, Purim shpiel, and other Purim activities.

What a great experience! The prayer service was tres creative and showcased the extended talents of our pulpit personnel, and the dough used in the hamentashen was the best I’ve tasted this year!

What touched me the most was seeing our teenag-ers in costume, enjoying themselves with everyone, and involving themselves in the whole evening. Shir Tikvah’s ability to bring the community together is a blessing and a gift.

Perpetually searching for extraordinary hamentashen,

Steve Greenberg

Partying together Purim 2012

Kol Tikvah Editors Lisa Pogoff and Jeff Zuckerman

Designer Sarah Malakoff

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The third of the month preceding publication

a progressive Reform congregation serving the Twin Cities

1360 West Minnehaha Parkway

Minneapolis, MN 55419-1199

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a publication of Shir Tikvah, a progressive Reform congregation

1360 West Minnehaha Parkway, Minneapolis, MN 55419-1199 (612) 822-1440 | offices@shirtikvah.net | www.shirtikvah.net

TORAH PORTIONS

Shir Tikvah welcomes and supports children and adults with disabilities. We try to make our programs and services accessible to all within the limits of our resources. If you need accommodation or assistance in order to participate in our programs, services or activities, please contact the Shir Tikvah office at (612) 822-1440.

Board OfficersPresident Jane BinderPast President Jane NewmanVice President & Communications Secretary Luke WeisbergTreasurer Andrea RubensteinRecording Secretary Wendy Horowitz

Board MembersLinda Alter, Lillie Benowitz, Andy Bindman, Martha Brand, Alex Dashe, Paula Forman, Morrie Hartman, Jennifer Kahn, Kathryn Klibanoff, Jackie Krammer, Wayne Kuklinski, Jennifer Lewin, Jim L. Miller, Lisa Powell, Jonah Rothstein

Committee ChairsDevelopment Committee Luke WeisbergFinance & Administration Andrea RubensteinLibrary Ginny HeinrichMembership Jeff DanovskySocial Justice Linda Alter Capell, David SnyderT’filah Alex DasheCaring Community (Yad b’Yad) Chris BargeronYouth Connections Barry Epstein

Senior RabbiRabbi Michael Adam Latzrabbilatz@shirtikvah.netDirector of Lifelong LearningRabbi Melissa B. Simonrabbisimon@shirtikvah.netExecutive DirectorJohn Humlekerjohn@shirtikvah.netMusic DirectorWendy Goldbergwendy@shirtikvah.netClergy AssistantJackie Fitzcollins jackie@shirtikvah.netOffice ManagerSara Lahyanisara@shirtikvah.netSTiFTY and JYG AdvisorAmira Cohenstifty@shirtikvah.net

Founding Rabbi EmeritaRabbi Stacy K. Offner

April 7, Pesach Day 1Exodus

12:37-42; 13:3-10

April 14 Leviticus

9:1-10:11

April 21Leviticus

10:12-11:47

April 28Leviticus

12:1-15:33