CONGREGATION BETH SHALOM OF THE WOODLANDS SH MA€¦ · CONGREGATION BETH SHALOM OF THE WOODLANDS...
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SH ’ MA SH ’ MA From the Rabbi’s Desk… RABBI MATTHEW BERGER CONGREGATION BETH SHALOM OF THE WOODLANDS “I am still learning the art of writing from the book of Genesis.” Imagine having such humility for one’s craft. This from one of the greatest Yiddish writers of all time. The stories of Adam and Eve, Noah, Abraham and Sarah are the building blocks of a young child’s religious school education. We teach these timeless stories from an early age. But how well do we actually know them? A quick quiz: How many windows were there in Noah’s Ark? What did God end up doing with the Tower of Ba- bel? The answers may well be on the tip of our tongue or they may require a search on what I like to call, “Reb Google.” I remember when Bill Moyers hosted a two-month long Bible class in the mid-90s called Genesis: A Living Conversation. It was a fascinating and in-depth look into this majestic and seminal holy text. It led to a reawakening in Bible study across the religious spec- trum and beyond. At CBSW, we are currently studying Genesis in our Parashat HaShavuah weekly Torah class on Wednesday evenings at 7:15 pm. The book of Genesis challenges us to bring our own unique perspectives and life experi- ences to these timeless stories. Every narrative is unique and invites us to grapple with tales both familiar and familial. Genesis, called B’reishit in Hebrew (“In the beginning”), is one of the oldest statements about the creation of the world and our role in it. It is certainly the first work to express the belief in One God. This first book of the Torah is as tantalizing as it is obscure. One minute the world “is very good” and the next minute a flood is raging. Some of its greatest heroes were tinged with what Rabbi Burton Visotzky called “moral ambiguity and fallenness.” To my mind, these ambiguities in no way lessen the sacredness of the text. In fact, they are what makes Genesis so real and so gripping a saga. But what matters most is that we engage with the text. Be- cause in studying this ancient narra- tive we can be transformed. L‘ shalom, NOVEMBER SCHEDULE OF SERVICES Nov 2 Tot Shabbat 6:15 p.m. Tot Oneg by Ritual Committee Nov 2 Chayei Sarah 7:30 p.m. Solidarity Shabbat - Rabbi P.Tarlow Nov 3 Chayei Sarah 9:30 a.m. One Shabbat Minyan - Sol Sachs Nov 3 Rabbi Kahn 5:30 p.m. Social and Havdalah Service Nov 9 Tol'dot 7:30 p.m. Kabbalat Shabbat Nov 16 Vayeitzei 7:00 p.m. Friday Night Lights w/CBSW Band Nov 23 Vayishlach 7:30 p.m. Kabbalat Shabbat Nov 30 Vayeishev 7:30 p.m. Kabbalat Shabbat Monthly Member Newsletter of CBSW Cheshvan - Kislev 5779 / November 2018
Transcript of CONGREGATION BETH SHALOM OF THE WOODLANDS SH MA€¦ · CONGREGATION BETH SHALOM OF THE WOODLANDS...
SH’MA SH’MA From the Rabbi’s Desk… RABBI MATTHEW BERGER
CONGREGATION BETH SHALOM OF THE WOODLANDS
“I am still learning the art of writing from the book of Genesis.” Imagine having such humility for one’s craft. This from one of the greatest Yiddish writers of all time. The stories of Adam and Eve, Noah, Abraham and Sarah are the building blocks of a young child’s religious school education. We teach these timeless stories from an early age. But how well do we actually know them? A quick quiz: How many windows were there in Noah’s Ark? What did God end up doing with the Tower of Ba-bel? The answers may well be on the tip of our tongue or they
may require a search on what I like to call, “Reb Google.”
I remember when Bill Moyers hosted a two-month long Bible class in the mid-90s called Genesis: A Living Conversation. It was a fascinating and in-depth look into this majestic and seminal holy text. It led to a reawakening in Bible study across the religious spec-trum and beyond. At CBSW, we are currently studying Genesis in our Parashat HaShavuah weekly Torah class on Wednesday evenings at 7:15 pm.
The book of Genesis challenges us to bring our own unique perspectives and life experi-ences to these timeless stories. Every narrative is unique and invites us to grapple with tales both familiar and familial. Genesis, called B’reishit in Hebrew (“In the beginning”), is one of the oldest statements about the creation of the world and our role in it. It is certainly the first work to express the belief in One God.
This first book of the Torah is as tantalizing as it is obscure. One minute the world “is very good” and the next minute a flood is raging. Some of its greatest heroes were tinged with what Rabbi Burton Visotzky called “moral ambiguity and fallenness.” To my mind, these ambiguities in no way lessen the sacredness of the text. In fact, they are what makes Genesis so real and so gripping a saga. But what matters most is that we engage with the text. Be-cause in studying this ancient narra-tive we can be transformed.
L‘ shalom,
NOVEMBER SCHEDULE OF SERVICES
Nov 2 Tot Shabbat 6:15 p.m. Tot Oneg by Ritual Committee
Nov 2 Chayei Sarah 7:30 p.m. Solidarity Shabbat - Rabbi P.Tarlow
Nov 3 Chayei Sarah 9:30 a.m. One Shabbat Minyan - Sol Sachs
Nov 3 Rabbi Kahn 5:30 p.m. Social and Havdalah Service
Nov 9 Tol'dot 7:30 p.m. Kabbalat Shabbat
Nov 16 Vayeitzei 7:00 p.m. Friday Night Lights w/CBSW Band
Nov 23 Vayishlach 7:30 p.m. Kabbalat Shabbat
Nov 30 Vayeishev 7:30 p.m. Kabbalat Shabbat
Monthly Member Newsletter of CBSW Cheshvan - Kislev 5779 / November 2018
is a long-held tradition for
Jews. We all know the story of the first
Thanksgiving to be held in Massachusetts in
1621, but did you know that the first Thanks-
giving in history was actually held 3,000
years ago?
During the times of the Temple in Jerusalem,
a person who survived a serious illness, im-
prisonment or dangerous journey or situation
was to bring a korban todah – a Thanksgiving
offering – to express thanks to G-d for saving
them.
According to sources, the korban todah had
to be eaten quickly and were usually con-
sumed by the kohanim (biblical priests) and
those who brought the offering. This could
include huge amounts of food as whole ani-
mals were often brought as an offering to G-
d.
The Pilgrims also had much to be thankful for
as they celebrated Thanksgiving with the Na-
tive Americans. After all, they had been
saved from starvation (a dangerous situa-
tion).
This November, as we each begin to consid-
er what our own Thanksgiving celebrations
will include, perhaps we should each give
thought to those who need our help to lessen
their hunger.
It may be those in our community who are
hungry – our congregational social action pri-
ority.
Or perhaps someone who hungers for a con-
nection with other people, however It occurs.
Or – especially in light of recent violence
against Jews and people of color – a hunger
for a spiritual connection with others who also
seek coexistence, partnership and, above
all, acceptance.
Often, at Thanksgiving, we focus on “thanks.”
This year, consider also a focus on “giving.”
There are a number of opportunities available
in our community. Consider attending the
Faiths Together Thanksgiving Celebration on
November 13 at 7:00 p.m. at The Woodlands
Community Presbyterian Church or drop do-
nate non-perishable food (or money) through
the Montgomery County Holiday Food Drive
until December 7 at the Woodlands United
Methodist Church. There are other communi-
ty-focused volunteer opportunities around
Thanksgiving.
Consider also inviting others to be part of
your Thanksgiving traditions. Perhaps a new
neighbor or someone who is not able to travel
home for Thanksgiving with their family. Con-
sider donating the amount you typically
spend on Thanksgiving dinner and asking
your family and friends to join you in a volun-
teer activity.
Whatever your traditions and however you
choose to celebrate Thanksgiving, remember
the Hamotzi and, through it, our connection to
food. As explained by Rabbi Lawrence Hoff-
man in The Way Into Jewish Prayer, “Our
blessing is much more than a vote of thanks
for our daily food. It constitutes also a state-
ment of faith in a time to come when all will
have enough to eat, free of the backbreaking
work that is now required by the world’s pop-
ulation just to put food on the table.”
However you and yours choose to celebrate
Thanksgiving, may the bonds of family and
friendship – of community – be strengthened.
Giving thanks From the Vice President Terri Larson
Terri Larson
In light of the tragic event in Squirrel Hill, PA, as part of a nationwide effort
named “Show Up for Shabbat,” Congregation Beth Shalom will host a special
Shabbat service. Please join us in a show of unity Friday, November 2, at
7:30 p.m. This service, as well as the following reception, is open to
The Woodlands community, so feel free to invite friends and neighbors.
“Show Up for Shabbat”
A WEEKEND WITH RABBI SAMANTHA KAHN
We are pleased to welcome Rabbi Samantha Kahn to CBSW. Congregants are
encouraged to take advantage of the multiple opportunities to get to know
Rabbi Kahn by attending as many of these events as possible.
Kindly RSVP where requested, so we may plan sufficiently for seating and food.
Friday, November 2, 6:15 p.m. - Families with young children, please plan to attend this special
Tot Shabbat. Rabbi Kahn will be joined by our own Mike Duchin on guitar. No registration is nec-
essary for this event.
Friday, November 2, 7:30 p.m. - Solidarity Shabbat with CBSW Choir, led by Rabbi Peter Tarlow
with Rabbi Samantha Kahn. Please register HERE for this event.
Saturday, November 3, 9:30 a.m. - One Shabbat Minyan, led by Sol Sachs. Rabbi Kahn will be
participating in this service. Followed by One Shabbat Brunch. Please register HERE for this event.
Saturday, November 3 , 5:00 p.m. - Meet and Greet Rabbi Kahn at a Wine & Cheese reception,
followed by Havdalah service at 6:15 p.m. Please register HERE for this event.
Sunday, November 4, 11:15 a.m. - Open House meeting and Question and Answer session with
Rabbi Kahn. Please submit your questions in advance to [email protected]. Questions must
be submitted in advance. No registration is necessary for this event.
Contact the Temple office for assistance registering or submitting questions.
We thank the parents who remember to give us advance notification of their child’s absence. We expect all students to be present at each study
session. Our teachers prepare their lessons in ad-vance and would appreciate a call or e-mail if your child will be absent (even last minute).
Please remember that school starts on Sundays at
9:30 a.m. and on Wednesdays at 5:30 p.m. sharp. Late arrivals can be disruptive, so we greatly ap-preciate when our students arrive on time.
Calendar reminders:
November 2, 6:15 p.m.. – Tot Shabbat – (Oneg hosted by Ritual Committee)
November 2 - 4 - GFC Fall Camp (2nd - 12th grade – Twiggy & WoodSY)
Daylight Saving Time: Remember to turn your clocks back one hour Saturday, Nov. 3.
November 4 - Religious School Classes
November 7 – Hebrew School Classes: 3rd – 7th graders
November 11 - Religious School Classes
- Pre K-2nd grade - Mr. Mike monthly Sing Along session
- 11:10 a.m. – Rabbi Berger Visits Kindergarten
- 11:35 a.m. - Rabbi Berger Visits Pre K
- 10:00 a.m. – Adult Education Sunday Series: The Rise of Anti-Semitism in Our Country and Hate
Crimes and Extremist Groups - presented by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) Education De-partment.
- 12:00 - 1:30 p.m. Lunch and all faculty -interactive
professional development session with Lisa Klein of the Jewish Federation
- WoodSY - Renaissance Festival 1
- 12:00 p.m. - Twiggy Gaga tournament
November 14 – Hebrew School Classes: 3rd – 7th graders
November 18 - Religious School Closed: Thanksgiv-ing Vacation
November 21 - Hebrew School Closed: Thanksgiv-ing Vacation
November 25 - Religious School Closed: Thanks-giving Vacation
November 28 – Hebrew School Classes: 3rd – 7th graders
One Shabbat Minyan - We encourage Hebrew
school students and their parents to attend our monthly One Shabbat Minyan service at 9:30 a.m. on select Saturdays. This one-hour service in-cludes most of the prayers that our students will lead during their bar or bat mitzvah, and is fol-
lowed by brunch in the Social Hall. It's a very sup-portive and accepting group that welcomes partici-pation by our students. Here are the dates for 2018-2019: 11/3, 12/1, 1/12, 2/2, 3/30, 4/6, 5/18, 6/8, 7/6, 8/3.
Alef Bet Song Link: Parents - please have your children (Pre k - 7th grade) view and sing for you the Alef Bet song over and over: https://
www.youtube.com/watch?v=UiCzoTs1AdE This will assist them during our Hebrew classes.
Tzedakah: Thank you to all the students who give so generously each week. Please have your child
place their donation in the Tzedakah box located at the entrance to the sanctuary.
Todah Rabbah - Thank You! - Parents, thank you
for allowing us to educate your children and nur-ture in them the skills, beliefs and emotional at-tachments which will enable them to integrate the values of Torah, Avodah, and Gemilut Chasadim – Jewish learning, worship, and the doing of good
deeds – into their lives.
If you need to reach Helen during Religious School and get voicemail on the CBSW office number, OR
in case of an emergency, please call Helen’s cell 936-537-9620
Religious School HELEN RICHARD
Helen Richard Director of Lifelong Learning, Congrega-
tional Engagement and Tenant Relations
CBSW ADULT EDUCATION
CBSW ADULT EDUCATION SERIES
Sunday, November 11, 10:00 - 11:30 a.m.
THE RISE OF ANTI-SEMITISM IN OUR COUNTRY HATE CRIMES AND EXTREMIST GROUPS
Learn how anti-Semitism and hate are on the rise in our
country and in our city, what the ADL is doing about it, and
what you can do about it.
Don’t miss this very important presentation:
Presented by DENA MARKS of the Houston Anti-
Defamation League (ADL).
CBSW ADULT EDUCATION
FaithsTogether is a fellowship of religious communities that honors spiritual diversi-
ty by building relationships and understanding among people of different faiths.
Contact Sherri Duchin for more information: [email protected]
1 Sylvia Hoffman Mother of Marilyn Schlossberg
5 Jerry Bliskin Father of of Ellen Marcus
9 Sidney Friedman Father of Jerry Friedman
9 Rose Madnick Schlossberg Mother of Don Schlossberg
10 Aaron Dushkin Father of Leland Dushkin
10 Albert A. Preheim GrandFather of of Jason Titter-Bell
13 Theodore Kramer Father of of Eric Kramer
13 Sadye Horwitz Mother of Arlene Sachs
15 Harry Edelman Father of Sid Edelman
16 Annie Zwillenberg Mother of Gordon Zwillenberg
18 Morris Abramson Father of Janice Lovelace
19 Mildred Sachs Mother of Sol Sachs
19 Joseph Strong Brother of Robert Strong
21 Sidney Dorfman Father of Vickie Strong
23 Eleonora Gorsky Mother of Jake Gorsky
23 Montie Simon Grandfather of Terri Singer
25 Solomon Luger Uncle of Steve Appel
25 Bernice Hasden Mother of Ann Dee Brahms
26 Marian Halperin Daughter-in-law of Fred & Julie Halperin
26 Charles C. Strong Brother of Robert Strong
26 Beatrice Wilkenfeld Mother of Richard Wilkenfeld
28 Nathan Forman Grandfather of Rene Derewetzky
29 Alfred (Al) Schlossberg Father of Don Schlossberg
30 Philip Ward Father of Glenn Ward
Yahrzeits
May the Memory of Our Loved Ones Be for Blessing
November
FLOWER FUND
Phil & Laurie Goldfeder - In memory of Karen Denton, wife of Jordon Denton
SACHS MITZVAH FUND
Kenn Ehman & Ellen Karas - In memory of Miriam Schofield, mother of Rick Schofield
Don & Marilyn Schlossberg – In memory of Hal Agron, husband of Ruth Agron
EDUCATION FUND
Don & Marilyn Schlossberg - In memory of Miriam Schofield, mother of Rick Schofield
Neil Platt - In memory of Miriam Schofield, mother of Rick Schofield
MITZVAH COMMITTEE FUND
Don & Marilyn Schlossberg – In memory of Karen Denton, wife of Jordon Denton
LIBRARY FUND (for Children’s Literature):
Mike and Diane Kern - In memory of E.R. “Bobby” Stock, Jr., brother of Diane Kern
WOODSY FUND
Harvey & Marty Stein - In memory of Saul Stein, father of Harvey Stein
Neil Platt - In memory of Karen Denton, wife of Jordon Denton
RABBI’S TZEDAKAH FUND:
David & Bernice Strauss - In memory of Frances Binder, mother of Bernice Strauss
Donations
One Shabbat Minyan
A reminder for those who are studying for their bar/bat mitzvahs, One Shabbat Minyan is a great time to practice. Join us Saturday, November 3 at 9:30 a.m. A light brunch will be served after the
service, prepared by Vickie and Robert Strong.
November
3 Corey & Katie Moss
9 David & Naomi Strauss
23 Michael & Diane Kern
24 Terry & Amanda Scarbrough
25 Jay & Lisa Goldstein
30 David & Nicole Brown
November 2
1 Mike Chernekoff
2 Andrew Seltzer
2 Kayla Kramer
4 Melinda Conley
4 Aida Steiner
5 Adam Goldman
6 Justin Goodman
6 Miller Schrader
7 Brian Engel
9 Victoria Leiber
9 Diane Kern
10 Phoebe Bien-Willner
10 Laura Carter
November Birthdays 17 David Kilcrease
18 Angie Schimmel
18 Jeff Sunderland
20 Jonathan Hayes
20 Kim Watson
20 Carolyn Kohnhorst
21 Jill Brumberger
22 Reed Conley
23 Rachel Kohnhorst
23 Paige Ward
23 Cole Garza
23 Zachary Ostrov
23 David Askin
12 Gordon Zwillenberg
12 Maya Friedman
13 Ethan Brumberger
13 Ida Berger
14 Carina Farber
15 Evelyn Kornhauser
17 Lola Leslie
17 Debbie Goldenberg
17 Austin Call
18 Travis Richard
20 Debbie Leiber
21 Scott Rosenblum
CBSW ONEG If you haven’t signed up yet...
is one of the ACTS OF HOSPITALITY that we con-
gregants take on to help make community here
at CBSW. Indeed, the oneg is one of the most
important pillars of building our community.
Please CLICK HERE or contact the CBSW
Office for details, and to select your date(s)!
Providing oneg after services
Matthew L. Berger
Rabbi
Jan M. Brahms, D.D.
Rabbi Emeritus
Helen Richard
Director of Lifelong
Learning, Congregational
Engagement and Tenant
Relations
Jen Orozco
Office Administrator
Board of Directors
Temple Office:
5125 Shadowbend Place
The Woodlands, TX 77381
(281) 362-1100
Monday-Friday
9am - 1pm
Sh’ma is a monthly publication of
Congregation Beth Shalom of The Woodlands
5125 Shadowbend Place
The Woodlands, TX 77381
Information within this publication is intended for CBSW Members only. To have your name excluded
from Birthday, Anniversary and Yahrzeit listings, please email [email protected]
We sincerely regret any errors or omissions.
CLASSIFIEDS: Advertise in the Sh’ma! For advertising rates or submission of ads,
contact Richard Davis: 281.419.6393 or email to [email protected]
Readers, please take the opportunity to patronize the fine businesses that
support our temple through their advertising.
Time to get those ads in
DEAR CBSW MEMBERS:
CBSW is growing and our members are looking for vendors to provide needed services and goods. We are seeking advertisers for our mem-bership directory. If you have a business you'd like to promote to our members, or know of one who has served you well, let's talk advertising! In the past years, our advertisers have included dentists, doctors, lawyers, interior designers, in-surance agents, photographers, banks, pet train-ers, schools, and many more. Unlike an ad in a weekly newsletter, ads in our membership direc-tory remain in place for the entire year!
Our rates are the similar to last year: Membership Directory (printed once per year) with updates as needed. Full Page: $275 Half Page: $175
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