December 2007 Tidings Newsletter, Temple Ohabei Shalom

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December 2007, Kislev/Tevet 5768 Tidings Tidings Ohabei Shalom Ohabei ShalomNew England’s First Reform Congregation New England’s First Reform Congregation What’s Inside: Congregational Updates Circle of Giving President’s Message Cantor Schloss Worship Hanukah Celebration Richmond Lecture Daily Worship Social Groups Sisterhood Brotherhood Lifelong Learning Winter Kallah “Study with Sandy” Lifelong Learning “Little Hands” — programming for young children Ansin Religious School Mark Your Calendar Snow Cancelation INfo B’nei Mitzvah Shari Churwin Yizkor Elohim “Hanukah on a Sheet” December Funds Special Traffic Alert December Calendar This month, our Christian neighbors await the arrival of their Saint Nicholas, or as the song has it, “Santa Claus is coming to town.” Some members of Temple Ohabei Shalom will get their own visitor soon: not Santa but SABAH. The word “sabah” in Hebrew means “grandfather,” and certainly some of our grandfathers will be seeing their grandchildren this month. But the SABAH I want to talk about with you is not a grandfather; rather, it is a program to benefit a set of grandfathers, grandmothers, and others in our community. SABAH is an acronym for “Synagogue Alliance for connecting Brookline elders living At Home.” This is a program that exists nowhere else in this nation, and we are part of it. For several years, TOS has been in a unique partnership with our friends at Young Israel, led by Rabbi Gershon Gewirtz, and at Congregation Kehillath Israel, led by Rabbi William Hamilton. Originally, Rabbi Lipof brought our synagogue into the mix. Together, the three congregations have offered programming for seniors under the title of the “JCC Without Walls.” Now, we prepared to undertake a much more ambitious venture for seniors residing in Brookline who are members of our three congregations. It is designed to help them live more successfully at home. With funding from Combined Jewish Philanthropies and with direction from Jewish Family and Children’s Services, we are launching SABAH. The program combines local elements with an adaptation from a supportive housing model in our sister city of Haifa. The centerpiece of SABAH is the Community Liaison. He or she will provide practical, hands-on services, while also linking seniors to activities outside the home, especially those in the synagogue. The Community Liaison will do anything from assisting individuals eliminate potential hazards in their homes to bringing them into closer contact with (in the case of our participants) Temple Ohabei Shalom. The Community Liaison will be selected soon. I’ll then personally join him or her in visits to the homes of some TOS seniors living in Brookline. His or her exact duties will be developed over the course of the next several months. The opportunity more fully to integrate our seniors into the life of this congregation, while making sure that their needs are met, is an exciting one. The synagogue is the one truly multi-generational organization in Jewish life. When the chance to span the generations occurs, that is truly a cause for celebration. And speaking of celebration, Eileen, David, Katherine, and Andrew join me in wishing all members of the Temple a Hanukkah filled with the light of candles and community. SABAH Is Coming To Town

Transcript of December 2007 Tidings Newsletter, Temple Ohabei Shalom

Page 1: December 2007 Tidings Newsletter, Temple Ohabei Shalom

December 2007, Kislev/Tevet 5768

TidingsTidings Ohabei ShalomOhabei Shalom——New England’s First Reform CongregationNew England’s First Reform Congregation

What’s Inside: Congregational Updates • Circle of Giving President’s Message Cantor Schloss Worship • Hanukah Celebration • Richmond Lecture • Daily Worship Social Groups • Sisterhood • Brotherhood Lifelong Learning • Winter Kallah • “Study with Sandy” • Lifelong Learning • “Little Hands” —

programming for young children

Ansin Religious School • Mark Your Calendar • Snow Cancelation INfo • B’nei Mitzvah • Shari Churwin Yizkor Elohim “Hanukah on a Sheet” December Funds Special Traffic Alert December Calendar

This month, our Christian neighbors await the arrival of their Saint Nicholas, or as the song has it, “Santa Claus is coming to town.” Some members of Temple Ohabei Shalom will get their own visitor soon: not Santa but SABAH. The word “sabah” in Hebrew means “grandfather,” and certainly some of our grandfathers will be seeing their grandchildren this month. But the SABAH I want to talk about with you is not a grandfather; rather, it is a program to benefit a set of grandfathers, grandmothers, and others in our community. SABAH is an acronym for “Synagogue Alliance for connecting Brookline elders living At Home.” This is a program that exists nowhere else in this nation, and we are part of it. For several years, TOS has been in a unique partnership with our friends at Young Israel, led by Rabbi Gershon Gewirtz, and at Congregation Kehillath Israel, led by Rabbi William Hamilton. Originally, Rabbi Lipof brought our synagogue into the mix. Together, the three congregations have offered programming for seniors under the title of the “JCC Without Walls.” Now, we prepared to undertake a much more ambitious venture for seniors residing in Brookline who are members of our three congregations. It is designed to help them live more successfully at home. With funding from Combined Jewish Philanthropies and with direction from Jewish Family and Children’s Services, we are launching SABAH. The program combines local elements with an adaptation from a supportive housing model in our sister city of Haifa.

The centerpiece of SABAH is the Community Liaison. He or she will provide practical, hands-on services, while also linking seniors to activities outside the home, especially those in the synagogue. The Community Liaison will do anything from assisting individuals eliminate potential hazards in their homes to bringing them into closer contact with (in the case of our participants) Temple Ohabei Shalom. The Community Liaison will be selected soon. I’ll then personally join him or her in visits to the homes of some TOS seniors living in Brookline. His or her exact duties will be developed over the course of the next several months. The opportunity more fully to integrate our seniors into the life of this congregation, while making sure that their needs are met, is an exciting one. The synagogue is the one truly multi-generational organization in Jewish life. When the chance to span the generations occurs, that is truly a cause for celebration. And speaking of celebration, Eileen, David, Katherine, and Andrew join me in wishing all members of the Temple a Hanukkah filled with the light of candles and community.

SABAH Is Coming To Town

Page 2: December 2007 Tidings Newsletter, Temple Ohabei Shalom

One of the benefits of being a congregational president is the access that you have to other congregational presidents throughout the United States, Canada and even Puerto Rico through a presidential listserve. This email exchange allows for presidents to share ideas, ask questions, get advice and receive the benefit from the collective wisdom of presidents from a large variety of congregations. It also gives you a bit of perspective on what other congregations must address. The number of issues that congregations face is sometimes quite impressive, sometimes quite depressing. Some of the issues are philosophical and theological, political and policy-related, other discussions involve the mundane and are more focused on personnel or financial problems. The questions and problems reflect a Judaism that promotes discussion and thought, disagreement and agreement, traditional approaches as well as non-traditional. There have been some fairly thorny issues

Leonard M. Davidson

President’s Message that congregations have addressed. The response of the presidents has been supportive, helpful, and based upon wisdom and experience. The Judaic traditions are frequently invoked as a way of helping to solve these problems. It is important that we discuss and debate, and that we continue to challenge and be challenged. The listserve reflects the freedom that we enjoy, including the freedom to disagree. As Hanukkah approaches, we are reminded of how Jews have historically fought the notion of the state as the religion; that we have long opposed the imposition of the beliefs of others upon us, which means that we similarly protect the rights of others and the freedom that we enjoy. The fight waged by the Maccabees is one well worth remembering and celebrating. Happy Hanukkah !

Updates

Pillar Mrs. Jane Morningstar Mrs. Shirley Spero Benefactor Dr. Daniel & Dr. Eva Deykin Mr. & Mrs. Robert S. Epstein Martin Shore & Shari Lisann Patron Mr. and Mrs. William S. Harris David Kanter Mr. Gideon Argov & Ms. Laurie Davidson Mr. Michael Weintraub & Ms. Diane Rosen

Guardian Mr. & Mrs. Edward D. Kahn Ms. Louise Levingston Mr. Barry Lyons & Ms. Amy Grossman Mr. Joel Sklar & Ms. Adrienne Shishko Jonatha Kaufman & Barbara Howard Len Davidson & Laurie Katzman Sustainer Mr. & Mrs. Arthur I. Zich Mr. Daniel Schleifstein Mr. Samuel Aaronson Mr. & Mrs. Richard R. Ravech David Rogovin & Susan Liberman Ms. R. K. Schwartz Mr. Ben Adler Mr. and Mrs. Marc Casper Dr. & Ms Martin Newman Mr. David A. Seldin & Ms. Cathryn A. Stein Dr. Mark Zeidel & Dr. Susan Freedman Lois Nathan Larry & Denise Green Jeffrey Macklis & Carol Levin

The Circle of Giving of

Ohabei Shalom

Friend Mrs. Marylin Klickstein Dr. Joseph Beck & Ms. Zita Samuels Gitta Lerner-Kahn & Adi Kahn Jonathan & Lauren Schloss Mr. and Mrs. Michael Churwin Mr. and Mrs. Alan Shepro Mr. & Mrs. David Chused Kevin Cole Mrs. Gertrude Goldberg Mr. Stanley J. Keizer Mr. & Mrs. Greg Mogavero Mr. Howard Koor & Ms. Ellen Mosner Mrs. Corinne Gilbert A. Meterparel The Rubinoff Family Joe Kriesberg & Dina Brownstein Kathy Jonas Hilda Lopez

Page 3: December 2007 Tidings Newsletter, Temple Ohabei Shalom

Come Visit the Polly Epstein Gift Shop

(Located in the Gallery downstairs) Come Here First!

Regular Hours: Sun 9:00 a.m.- Noon

Tues3:00 p.m.- 5:30 p.m. Also by Appointment

Rabbi Eugene Borowitz, Ed.D, the Sigmund Falk Distinguished Professor of Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, is a leader in the field of Jewish Theology. He is best known for his exploration of the covenant between God and the people Israel. Below, however, he reveals his own rocky start to a prayerful life, reassuring us that most paths to God begin in humble ways. When as a young rabbinic student I set out to pray to God on my own, I had to fight my inclination to ease into some comfortable abstraction or busyness. I just had to stand there (it seemed too casual to pray sitting down) and talk as naturally as I could to God all the while not taking (skeptical) note of what was going on. Memory suggests that I stood facing the east wall of my dormitory room, feeling embarrassed and silly, fearful that someone would come barging in and find me praying, of all things. It was far more unsettling than learning to dance as an adolescent. But I persisted, “reading” one or another of the Union Prayer Book daily services until the strangeness gave way to a familiarity and I could reach for kavanah (or mindfulness). It was not easy. I regularly shifted my attention from God to thinking about the meaning of a phrase in the text or some task I really had to, ought to, do. So began a lifetime's spiritual struggle. If praying in a meaningful way can be a difficult achievement for one of the greatest Jewish theologians of his generation, where does that leave the rest of us? Here are a few thoughts to consider:

Cantor Randall Schloss Thoughts On Prayer

Gift Certificates Available!

A wonderful addition to your Jewish Music Collection:

Sh’ma Koleinu Cantor Randall Schloss

An inspiring and diverse selec-tion of Jewish Liturgical music

$18.00—available in the Polly Epstein

Gift Shop, or from Cantor Schloss

• There is no correct way to pray. Our tradition gives us tools which many have and do find helpful in achieving moments of true prayer: fixed prayer texts, choreography, a sacred language and music, among others. However one does not achieve meaningful prayer by merely following these traditions. Find what is most effective for you and go with it. For Dr. Borowitz, standing is a key element. For each of us there may be other simple aspects of a prayer experience that help us to connect to God. For many, music is an effective catalyst to prayer. Sing along. Listen. Feel.

• Persistence pays off. Don’t come to a service or attempt to pray at home and quickly decide that it doesn’t do it for you. Learn our traditions, texts and music. A certain level of comfort with the keva (fixed aspects) of Jewish prayer can help nurture the true kavanah for which Dr. Borowitz strives.

Prayer and the goals of prayer change. The connection and meaning we seek will differ day-to-day and year-to-year. Prayer can be joyous, reassuring, disturbing, deep, fun, comforting, thought provoking, and often many of these things at the same time.

Rabbi Borowitz astutely points out, “so began a lifetime’s spiritual struggle.” Meaningful spirituality is not easy to come by. Don’t assume that others know how to pray “better than you.” Learn to accept that prayer is and will continue to be a struggle. It is not like riding a bike. Despite feelings of great success at times, we often feel as if we have forgotten how to pray. Yet if we continue to commit to this lifetime struggle, we may get many opportunities to feel its joy and satisfaction.

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Worship

Your Synagogue needs YOU!

Leaders are needed for Daily Worship services. We are seeking leaders to lead one Saturday evening per month (6:00pm) and/or Thursday mornings (8:00am)

Coaching is available!

If you are interested, please contact Ita Wiener (617.734.7137)

TOS Hanukkah Celebration Friday December 7 Service 6:00pm

Dinner, “Great Latke Taste Test” 7:00 pm Please note: there is no charge for dinner, but we would

appreciate advance reservations In order to be sure we have enough food.

Participation in the “Great Latke Taste Test” is entirely optional.If you would like to “show off” your latke skills,

please bring two dozen of your best latkes.

Watch your mail and email for details and reservation forms,

or sign up online at ww.ohabei.org.

Shabbat Rishon: Richmond Lecture Friday, January 4 at 8:00 p.m.

Join us for services on January 4 when our guest speaker will be Matan Koch, a young yet long time wheelchair-user, practicing lawyer and active participant in synagogue life. He will speak about ways of engaging our congregation on the issue of disabilities and access.

Page 5: December 2007 Tidings Newsletter, Temple Ohabei Shalom

Social Groups Brotherhood News Jonathan Atkins & Ben Adler Betsy Gould

Once again the Sisterhood loyalists functioned as the de-voted friends they are. This made our Craft Fair a success even though the attendance could have been more plentiful. We are so appreciative and thankful to the following people for their amazing dedication and hard work: Julie Boris, the Mosner-Koor family, Zita Samuels, the Hozid-Placon family, Lois Nathan, July Halper, Ita Weiner, Hilda Lopez, Margie and Ed Kahn, Mariel Rosenthal, Asya Zimbov, and the Gould family. We also thank Shelley Schwartz for working on pub-licity. Great job, everyone! The subject of weight loss and weight control is a multi-million dollar industry in this country. On December 17th guest speaker Lilly Platt will be discussing healthy eating and issues relating to weight loss. We are looking forward to an interesting and informative evening. Since the subject is weight control we will pot luck starting at 6:30. What better place to find your Hanukkah presents than in our Polly Epstein Gift Shop. Come in and you will find a plethora of beautiful menorahs, candles, dreydels, and cards along with any other lovely and unusual holiday needs. The Polly Epstein Gift Shop is open every Sunday from 9:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. during Ansin Religious School hours, or call Amy Hozid for an appointment 617-566-1939. The Sisterhood wishes everyone a Happy Hanukkah .

Temple Ohabei Shalom Brotherhood has been enjoying a diversified year of meaningful Jewish Programs. In November, Matthew Ganz, a former Peace Corp Volunteer in Chad, shared some of his experiences and sensitive insights about the situation in Darfur. Please save Tuesday, December 18, 2007, for our December meeting that promises to be a fitting climax to Hanukkah , the Festival of Lights as we host Cantor Schloss sharing holiday music, and Joe Kriesberg speaking on a Jewish response to the concerns about global warming. Joe will present current information, then lead an audience discussion, followed by the opportunity to learn about and purchase low energy light bulbs. Dinner will be served at 6:30pm, with the program at 7:00pm. Reservations are a MUST for dinner, by calling Craig at 617-738-8316 by Friday, December 8, 2007. The Brotherhood warmly thanks the many congregants who have delivered or sent in their stamped Butcherie register tape receipts to us. Please keep them coming! Thank you!

Sisterhood News

Pictured left to right co-Presidents of Brotherhood Ben Adler and Jonathan Atkins; Past President Robert Pierson

Harold Koritz was honored by Daily Worship service leaders in Brotherhood and their spouses. Pictured left to right: Ellen Mos-ner, Louis Goldman, Sylvia Koritz, Harold Koritz, Ben Adler, Jona-than Atkins, Rabbi Tom Alpert

Photographs from the Brotherhood Installation—October 16th

Page 6: December 2007 Tidings Newsletter, Temple Ohabei Shalom

Lifelong Learning

JOEL M. HOFFMAN, PhD

Teacher Translator

Author

Joel M. Hoffman, PhD, is a much sought after presenter who lectures across the globe on popular and scholarly top-ics spanning history, Hebrew, prayer, and Jewish continuity. He has served on the faculties of Brandeis University; the Academy for Jewish Religion; and, currently, HUC-JIR in New York City. Dr. Hoffman is the chief translator for the multi-volume series, “My People's Prayer Book,” (Jewish Lights Publishing) and the author of “In the Beginning: A Short History of the Hebrew Language” (NYU Press). In addition to his graduate-level teaching, Hoffman serves as Resident Scholar at Temple Shaaray Tefila in Bedford, NY, and finds time to teach youngsters a few afternoons a week. He lives in Mt. Kisco, NY. Dr. Hoffman received a BA in Linguistics, Summa Cum Laude, from Brandeis University, and a PhD in Theoretical Linguistics from the University of Maryland.

Please join us for a weekend of community and learning

Sea Crest Resort & Oceanfront

Conference Center 350 Quaker Road

North Falmouth, MA At Old Silver Beach

Send your check to:

Temple Ohabei Shalom

1187 Beacon Street Brookline, MA 02446

Attn: Winter Kallah Single Occupancy ($400 p/person) ($450 after 12/24) Double Occupancy ($320 p/person)($370 after 12/24)

Kallah Reservations required by 1/10/08

Since they were unearthed a half century ago, the Dead Sea Scrolls have been sur-rounded by controversy and intrigue even as they captured the popular imagination more than any other ancient find. The story of their discovery includes goats and partridges, a cartel and a secret floorboard stash, and researchers across the world. We’ll start with the fascinating story of their discov-ery, and then spend time together looking at who wrote the Dead Sea Scrolls, what we learn from them, and their continuing relevance in Judaism and our lives. “Two Goats, One Partridge, and a Lot of Luck: How We Got the Dead Sea Scrolls.” “The Children of Light: Who Wrote the Dead Sea Scrolls?” “History, Hopes, and Horoscopes: What’s in the Dead Sea Scrolls.”

January 25-27, 2008

The Mystery and Majesty

of the Dead Sea Scrolls

Page 7: December 2007 Tidings Newsletter, Temple Ohabei Shalom

Learning Mondays: Study with Sandy

Four evenings with Rabbi Sandy Seltzer The Liturgy of the Synagogue:

Some Celebrated Controversies

The development of Jewish Liturgy has been a long, un-even and frequently controversial process. Often what

was deemed to be a radical innovation in one generation became standard and fully accepted in another. In these sessions four such controversies will be explored both

historically and in terms of their significance today.

November 19: The Controversy Over the Creation of a Written Prayerbook and its Contents November 26: The Controversy Over the Role of Women in the Prayer Life of the Congregation December 3: The Controversy Over the Recitation of the Aleinu December 10: The Controversy Over Kabbalat Shabbat, Welcoming the Sabbath,

Lifelong Learning

Adult Education classes for spring semester will include:

My People’s Prayerbook

Israel @60

From Birth to Death and Be-yond: the Jewish Life Cycle

Plan to Join us!

Little Hands Jewish Programming for Young Children

Mondays

Story Hour at TOS 10:00 am—11:00 am Support the formation of your child’s Jewish identity, the development of pre-reading skills and your child’s social / emotional development through exposure to

Playgroup at KI 9:30 am — 10:30 am Join other parents and young children (0-4 years old) for Jewish books, games, toys and puzzles. A great opportunity for parents to make connections with others in the

community.

Thursdays

Locations & Contact Info: Temple Ohabei Shalom

1187 Beacon Street, Brookline (617) 739-9200

Congregation Kehilith Israel

384 Harvard Street, Brookline (617)277-9155

Page 8: December 2007 Tidings Newsletter, Temple Ohabei Shalom

Ansin Religious School News

Mark

You

r Cale

ndar

s!

No School Please mark your calendars . . . Sunday December 23 – Tuesday January 1

B’nai Mitzvah Havurah Saturday, December 1, 10:30-1:30 Grade 6 Bar/Bat Mitzvah Havurah: Parents & Students Join us for the Bat Mitzvah of Charlotte Edelstein. Lunch will be served.

High School Family Forum —Matt Lebovic Monday, December 3rd, 6:00-8:30pm High School Family Forum: Israel at 60 Join your child at High School as we discuss Israel at 60. Dinner will be served.

Hanukkah Family Service & Dinner featuring TOSTY (Grades 1 & 2)Friday December 7 More information to come soon!

Youth Group Events: TOSTY (Grades 1 & 2) The Humongous Hanukkah Hullabaloo December 2, 11:00 am -12:30 pm (during school)

BOSTY Shabbat-in- Willy Wonka and the BOSTY Factory (For students in grades 5 & 6) Friday, December 14 – Saturday, December 15, 2007 • Applications are due Friday, December 7

Mark your Calendars MOSTY Shul-In: Meet Harry Potter Saturday, January 12 – Sunday January 13 For students in Grades 3 & 4. Watch for more information to come.

School Cancellation Policy Inclement Weather The Ansin Religious School will close if the

Brookline Public schools close for a snow day. Please tune in to WBZ (channel 4), WCVB

(channel 5), WHDH (channel 7), or WRKO (680 on the AM dial) for school cancellations. We will also leave a message on the School

answering machine: (617) 739-9200

Page 9: December 2007 Tidings Newsletter, Temple Ohabei Shalom

Toy Drive December 2 - 16, 2007

The Grow Clinic at Boston Medical Center serves mal-nourished, at risk children.

Temple Ohabei Shalom has provided ongoing support to this program for several years.

You can help by:

*bringing unwrapped new toys to the playpens located in the Synagogue office and outside of the An-

sin Religious School office. Puppets, Checkers, Stuffed Animals,

Dolls, Books, Games… Absolutely no guns, GI Joe figures, war games, etc.

*donating a bottle or two of unwrapped Sesame Street Complete Vitamins.

Please do not substitute any other brand.

*writing a check payable to “Temple Ohabei Shalom - Grow Clinic” and

send to the Synagogue office at:

1187 Beacon Street, Brookline, MA 02446

Chloe Fishman

Daughter of Scott and Caren Fishman

December 22, 2007

Mazel Tov to our B’nei Mitzvah!

Wish List Trying to think of a way to give back to the ARS? How about donating any of the following items to our facility? • Used desktop computer for the Gopen Family Library • Gently used furniture for the new OSTY Lounge:

Couches/Loveseats TV Beanbag chairs DVD player

Rugs

Shari Churwin

ושמרו

Stephen Beggs Son of Alan Beggs and

Jami Levine December 8, 2007

Charlotte Edelstein

Daughter of Bernard Edelstein and Ann Epstein

December 1, 2007

On the seventh day God ceased from work and was refreshed. ~Exodus 31:17 Rabbi Lawrence A. Hoffman writes, “Shabbat is an opportunity for meaning, a moment in time to forge connections and to belong.” It is in this spirit that Shabbat Mishpacha was born; an opportunity for our religious school children to collect all that they are learning on a weekly basis and to use it for its intended purpose, the celebration of Shabbat. Why do we want our families to celebrate Shabbat together (at least once in a while)? We have learned that if our students can see that there is a greater purpose for what they are learning that they actually become better students and they learn (almost by osmosis) about the importance of belonging to a Jewish community. Because we think that Shabbat attendance is an important point along each family’s Jewish journey, Rabbi Alpert, Cantor Schloss and I (along with input from our school committee) have created a new Shabbat attendance program for our ARS students. Each time you attend Shabbat services, ARS stu-dents are asked to pick up a Shabbat attendance card from one of the clergy at the conclusion of the service. This card should then be given to your child’s teacher who will record it and then drop the card into the reading raffle box. It is ex-pected that ARS students will attend at least the number of Shabbat services equal to their grade (i.e. one service for first grade, two for second grade, etc). Regular service attendance by the entire family remains the single most important factor in preparing for a meaningful Bar/Bat Mitzvah. But even more important than that, regular Shabbat worship has connects students and their families to the community in very profound ways. It is an opportunity for children, parents, grandparents and friends to sit together in the same room and share a unique experience. Join us for Shabbat: it is a true investment in your family.

Annu

al Ho

liday

Toy

Driv

e Shabbat Is: V’shamru

Page 10: December 2007 Tidings Newsletter, Temple Ohabei Shalom

Yizkor Elohim - May God Remember

Those listed below are recorded in our Book of Remembrance, Windows or on Memorial Plaques. An asterisk indicates that the plaque will be illuminated during the week of yahrzeit.

Eva Loeb, mother of Robert Loeb Harold M. Shoher, father of Jessica Shoher

Shepard Spunt, brother-in-law of Palma Spunt

Irving Krichman Elizabeth Kritzer Benjamin Lemchen * Alexander Levi Esther Lissner * Fanny Marzynski * Naomi Mashal Nathan Matfess Myra Merrill Frank Miller Florence Muskat Esther Myerberg * Ruth Namiot Mitchell E. Nussman * Mary Joel Phillips Mary Pivnick Libby Roginsky Matilda Rosenfield Martha F. Sagoff * Sadie R. Shutzer Herbert David Sidman * Samuel Siff Jacob A. Simons * Beatrice Smith Rubin Sorkin Rose Spinoza * Janeth G. Stern * Muriel E. Tanner Harry I. Wasserman Nat Weiner * Sarah Willis * Yetta Winig Eugene Winters Ruby Yassinger Louis Zwick * December 9-15 (29 Kislev-6 Tevet) David Abelson David L. Barron * Margot W. Barron * Michael G. Barron * Louisa Barrows * Gertrude L. Black Gertrude Burroughs * Betsy Carpenter Edward Z. Cohen * Marcelle Cohen Edward Daniels

December 1-8 (21-28 Kislev) Elizabeth L. Altman Marie Ancona Fred Andelman Beatrice R. Ansin * Edward Ansin * Edward Anthony Sarah Barber Adelaide Beal * Betty Bello Augusta Benson Abraham Berman Manuel Black Arnold H. Bloch * Rose Wexler Caplan Pauline Cohen David Dallal Sadie L. Dangel * Robbie Deitch Mark Brent Dolinsky Lena Drucker Lena H. Ellis * Marilyn Feigenbaum Marilyn T. Feuer Richard Finkel Barbara Friedman Robert Fuchs Harry Geller * Mamie Gershon * Harry Ginesky * Sayde Glogovsky Betsy Gold Robert M. Goldman * Goldie D. Green * Amelia Greenbaum Joseph Grodberg Roslyn Grossman Mitchell Halperin Bertha Hannington * Jerome Hertz Ethel Hurwitz Annie Hyman * Helen Morse Hyman Joseph Jacobson Rose Berk Kaplan Miriam Katz Eva Kline * Samuel Kotzen *

David L. Dorfman * Henry Finch Louis I. Fleischman * Maurice J. Freedman * Julius Gershon * Henry A. Ginsburg Louis I. Glasker * Hyman Gold * Hy Goldstein * Sidney B. Goldstein * Celia Gordon * Irene Gorman * Isaac Green Josiah Grossman Sondra Hazan Cyrus L. Jacobs * Eugene Juster Bennett L. Kartt * Shirley Katz * Esther s. Knopf * Pearl Korsun George Kritzer Rachel Levi Edward Levin Renee Levine August Martha Livingston * Stanley Maisner * Carole Y. Marcus * Mark Mason * Anna Mazer * Alma Grossman Mendelsohn Marcus Myers Minnie R. Myerson * Michael Brian Nadelman Edward A. Nathanson * Nathan Needleman Molly Nessen Mildred Ullian Nollman * Jay Hersh Ostrower Marylin Rodenstein Louis I. Rosenfield * William Rosnosky Sarah Sager Bertha Rachel Scheinfeldt George Small Fannie L. Snider * Arnold Starr Ernestine O. Stern *

Racher Stoller Rachel Miriam Stone E. Harold Stoneman * Abraham Sulzbury Morris Swartz Helene Goldkrand Symonds * Samuel Tartakoff * Marie Gryzmish Tishler * Julian B. Tobias Isaac Toochinsky Louis Wadman * Ernest Wasser Herbert Jerome Wolf Joseph Wolf Gertrude Burkhardt Wolfson Marvin Zarlin Anna Lillian Zitter Jesse Zofnass December 16-22 7-13 Tevet) Louis Abrahams Warren F. Abrams Eli Baron James Behr Julian Behr Louis Berger Melvin E. Berger Sybil E. Berk * Karen J. Berman * Maurice Jacob Bernstein * Candy Bloomberg Carl Brackman Jacob Bresnick * Harold Brown Bertha Clark Leah B. Cline * Henry Cohen Margot Cohen Sarah Cohen Jeanne Cohn Louis J. Daniels Eve Deliceanu Lena Dinner Sarah G. Ellis * Steven Eric Fay * Dora Feinsteyn Rose Fine Max Fratkin Blanche Gamel

Page 11: December 2007 Tidings Newsletter, Temple Ohabei Shalom

Yahrzeits, continued

Dora K. Gordon * Sara I. Gordon * Rose Hazan Esther Hillson Alan Honig S. Charles Kahn * Joanne Katz Irwin Kaufman Rose Keezer * Michael Kofman Sandi Kupperman Joseph Levine * David Lilienthal * Samuel Lipsky * Robert Lubets * Philip Mabel Ruth Green Mann * Herman L. Marlin * Edith Montague * Benjamin Morse * Amy Sara Naparstek Bessie Nathanson * Samuel Nesson * Grace Newman * Samuel Paris A. Fred Prager Abraham Rabinowitz * Arthur Mitchell Rosenbush * Sol Rosenfeld Bruna Rosengard Rose Bloom Rosengard Vita Y. Saleh * Samuel M. Salny * Joseph Scheinfeldt Reba Schlakman

Theodore T. Schoenfeld * Ruth B. Shankman * Robert Slosberg * Jackie Springer Abe Stanger Abraham Stone Hilda Tobias Teplitz Walter Trombly Samuel Wasser * Hannah Waxman Harold E. Zarling * Mary Zordan December 22-31 (14-22 Tevet) Wilhelmina M. Abrahams * Aaron A. Alberts * Nathan B. Basch Julius Becker * Evelyn Berenson * Herman Bloom * Katherine Boyne William Carmen Myer Cogan Abraham G. Daniels * Aaron Dolinsky Manuel Drucker Nathan Dublin Benjamin G. Etcoff * Lillian Festinger Harry Fireman * Samuel Foster Theresa Freedman Jennie Gilman * Mary Ellen Glasker * Helen K. Glen *

Solomon Goldberg * Hyman Green * Harvey Alan Innerfeld * Rose Isaacson Vivian Kardaris Max Lewis Kates * Alfred Katz Sarah Katzman * Manya Kirstein Julie M Kravet Gertrude Krichman Helen Krug Herbert Kutnick Charles Landay * Betty Lessner Edward Levinson Gladys K. Levy * Solomon Lewenberg * Eva Diane Macklis Helen Merlin * Meyer L. Miller Norman Mintz Bessie Mirich Esther G. Moskow * Mildred Nager * Harry Oshry Meyer Papp * Rae Baker Peake Sophie Rosenbush Penn * Edith Plancon Clara B. Pomerantz Elias T. Pomerantz Oscar Ravech * Rose Ravech * Harry Rideman

Edward I. Rivitz * James I. Roberts * Bertha Rosenblatt Berthal Mitchell Rosenbush * Beartrice Saldinger * Isadore Salomon Harry Segal Sadie Lipner Shulman * Rebecca Sidell Sarah Silver Addison Simmons Rebecca Simons Hesta L. Skirball * Jacob Smith Shirley Solomon Eva Sorkin Lillian Sorkin Meyer Stern * Esther Sulzbury Mike Sumberg Bella Swartz Jacob Swartz * David Tanfilyev Herman C. Tanger * Ruth Masters Traub * Beatrice L. Wadman * Martin Weilheimer Fannie D. Weinberger * Albert Weiss Levin J. Wyzanski Meyer Yavner Hodel Zabarsky * Carol Zalkind Philip E. Zich Lillian Zimmerman

What do we gain from being a part of the TOS community?

having a Jewish social network to practice and celebrate our traditions and simkhas as well as provide comfort in hard times

feeling that people in our Jewish community know and appreciate us

being able to contribute our time and skills to our com-munity

having a place where our children feel safe, comfortable, and loved in a Jewish setting

teaching our children (from our involvement at TOS) to be inspired to stay connected to a Jewish community throughout their lives

learning from each other to deepen and strengthen our Jewish identities

Jewish Family and Children’s Service Greater Boston’s

Jewish Food Pantry

Temple Ohabei Shalom’s monthly contribution is:

Tuna and Shampoo We especially need shampoo!

Donations can be brought to the synagogue and placed in the baskets by the Chapel or near the eleva-tor. You can also write a check to the Sisterhood of Ohabei Shalom with “Family Table” in the memo line or volunteer to drive our contributions to the collec-tion center in Waltham just one Sunday a year,

Page 12: December 2007 Tidings Newsletter, Temple Ohabei Shalom

Temple Ohabei Shalom: Hanukkah on a Sheet CHECKLIST (from Ron Wolfson, The Art of Jewish Living: Hanukkah) _____ Hanukkiyah (Hanukkah menorah) (at least one per family) _____ 44 candles OR oil and wicks for eight nights _____ Matches (use long fireplace matches) _____ Text of blessings and songs _____ Dreidel(s) _____ Hanukkah gelt _____ Tzedakah box _____ Traditional foods cooked in oil (e.g., latkes, sufganiyot [jelly doughnuts]) ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

HOW TO LIGHT THE HANUKKAH CANDLES Put the candles in the hanukkiyah, starting from the right, adding one candle for each night of Hanukkah. Use a separate candle as the shammash (“helper”). You are not supposed to “use,” but only to enjoy, the eight candles, so we “use” the shammash to light the others.

Once the shammash is lit, the blessings are recited. The candles are then lit, beginning with the newest one (the one on the left). In other words, put in from the right, light from the left.

While the candles are burning, you are not supposed to do any other work, but just to look at the candles (for example, while you are eat-ing). Because the candles are not to be “used,” there should be some other light in your house while they are burning. If you want a candle-lit dinner, light another taper or two. Let the candles burn out by themselves.

On erev Shabbat, light the Hanukkah candles before you light the Shabbat candles. At Havdalah, finish the Havdalah service before you light the hanukkiyah. _______________________________________________________________________________________________________

SUGGESTIONS FOR AVOIDING FINANCIAL AND SPIRITUAL BANKRUPTCY (from Wolfson). Adapt as necessary or helpful.

First night: “Big Gift Night” (parents give to children) Second night: “Parent Night” (children give to parents) Third night: “Grandparent Night” (children give to grandparents) Fourth night: “Poem Night” (everyone recites an original poem) Fifth night: “Small Gift Night” (parents give to children) Sixth night: “Gift of Self Night” (non-monetary gift from each person to another or to the entire family) Seventh night: “Giving night” (everyone gives to a charity of his/her choosing, with the children’s gifts matched by the parents) Eighth night: “Word night” (a game in which each person tries to stump the others with difficult words)

Page 13: December 2007 Tidings Newsletter, Temple Ohabei Shalom

December Funds

General Fund Joseph A. Bachour Sue & Ellen Stahl Stuart & Sally Gold Lila Sesholtz For Health & Well Being Robert & Helen Sawyer Matthew Sawyer

Stephen Ardizzoni In Honor Of Donald & Bobbie Brooks Michael Weintraub & Diane

Rosen’s 25th Wedding Anniversary

Spencer & Betsy Gould Pauline Shapiro In Appreciation Of Chip Shore & Shari Lisann An Aliyah on the High Holidays In Memory Of R. K. (Shelly) Schwartz Samuel Klain Phyllis Sisson Joseph Silin & Dorothy Silin Dottie Berman Harold M. Shoher Scott & Shelley Shuster Frances Sherman Liebman Frances R. Proia Sidney & Janet Small

ARS Fund In Appreciation Of Laura Jacobs The Ansin Religious School

Fund for Life Long Learning In Memory Of Spencer & Betsy Gould Dorothy Braunstein

Project for Our Future In Appreciation Of Lillian H. Garber David Kanter

Minyan Fund In Memory Of William & Betsy Micucci Belle Hacker Nathan R. Levine Isador Levine Diane Schertzer Harry Schertzer Osa Kamp Chas Von Bargen Shirley H. Eisenberg Eugene R. Eisenberg Phyllis Nussman Ruth Tirk Robert & Martha Rubin Jesse A. Rubin Willard S. Kahn Sol Kahn Joshua Shmikler Gilbert Shmikler Sidney & Jerry Gordon Nathaniel Gordon Howard J. Freedman Herbert P. Freedman Howard Koor & Ellen Mosner Edith Pransky Paul Mosner Dolly Koffman Leonard S. Koffman Dolly Koffman Celia B. Foster Harold & Sylvia Koritz Karen Koritz Estock Alan Litchman & Laura Trust Richard Jacob Litchman Mike & Paula Cohen Solomon Gerson Haim & Nissim Cohen Robert J. Morrison & Wendy Halpern Morrison

Elaine Frank Halpern Alfred Irving Halpern

Arlene Goldberg Hoxie & Faye Goldberg Silva

Evelyn Goldberg

Gerald & Toby Penn David Melnick Bernard & Phyllis Kliman Lillian Rice Edward M. Bloom & Ellen O. Harder Abraham Bloom Mark & Melinda Brecher Esther Brecher Louise Livingston Martha Livingston

Minyan Fund In Memory OfJudith Halper Samuel Halper Elaine Z. Stern Dorothy R. Zakon Corinne E. Gilbert Philmore Gilbert Edwin & Mary Rosen Nathan Rosen Stephen & Roberta Paris Jessie Paris Victor & Joy Darish Ida Darish Elliot Comenitz Barbara Comenitz Frank & Lillian Zabarsky Kalman Finer Ann Ruth Lipman Rose Jacobson Donald & Florence Hootstein Stephen M. Hootstein Diane Schertzer Hyman Smith Carl R. Ostroff S. Eunice Gosian David P. Pearlman Ida Pearlman Judith L. Palefsky Sylvia Rideman Louis Burke Belle Burke Audrey Goldberg Lena F. Rosenberg Bruce A. Beal & Robert L. Beal Morris Rothstein Harvey & Rhonda Solomon Chana Leah Solomon Sidney & Jerry Gordon Gertrude Gordon Phyllis Sisson Joseph Silin & Dorothy Silin Elliot & Nancy Nelson Ida Brooks Ida Nemchenok Hannah Sima Kirzon Louis Burke Charles Burke Kathy A. Killick Maori Killick Roberta Radkay Richard M. Levine Joy Darish Celia Fisher Esther P. Gorfine Gussie G. Gorfine

Rabbi Alpert Discretionary Fund In Honor Of The Goddard House Appreciation for High Holiday

Services Florence Hootstein Rabbi Alpert Ed & Margie Kahn Sitting on the bimah for the

High Holiday Services

Cantor Schloss Discretionary Fund In Honor Of The Goddard House Appreciation for High Holiday

Services Ben Adler Mike Weintraub’s & Diane

Rosen’s 25th Anniversary Shirley Spero Cantor’s Installation Louise Livingston

Prayer Book Fund The Seiger Family

Family Table In Memory Of Beth Braunstein Frances Sherman Liebman Nadine Braunstein Frances Sherman Liebman

Pulpit Flowers Fund In Honor Of Lois R. W. Nathan Spencer & Betsy Gould’s 25th

Wedding Anniversary Judith Halper Samuel Halper In Memory Of Louise Livingston Robert M. Goldman

Adult Education Fund In Honor Of Zita M. Samuels & Joe Beck Spencer & Betsy Gould’s 25th

Wedding Anniversary In Memory Of Louise Livingston Samuel Herbert Livingston

Page 14: December 2007 Tidings Newsletter, Temple Ohabei Shalom

Traffic Alert! Last month there was an accident involving a car and one of our students on Marshal Street during Religious School pickup. Thankfully the child was not seriously injured . Winter is approaching. It will soon be dark during pick-up time, so take a moment to look at the following traffic pattern that is to be used during school drop off and pick up times (Sundays, 9-9:30 am and 12:00– 12:30 pm; Tuesdays 3:15–3:45 and 5:15–5:45 pm) by all members of the congregation. These procedures are in place to help keep all of our students and families safe.

Page 15: December 2007 Tidings Newsletter, Temple Ohabei Shalom

NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE

PAID PERMIT NO. 3465

BOSTON, MA.

December Shabbat Celebrations & Events

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Monday—Thursday 8:00 a.m. & 6:00 p.m. Friday 8:00 a.m. Saturday 6:00 p.m. Sundays & Holidays 9:00 a.m. & 6:00 p.m.

Ohabei Shalom is the area’s only Reform synagogue providing daily prayer for those in need of solace or a quiet moment of introspection. Each Daily Worship leader commits to one 20-minute weekly service. To become a leader, please call the synagogue office (617)277-6610.

December Candle Lighting Times

7 - 3:54 P.M. 14 - 3:54 P.M.

21 - 3:57 p.m. 28 - 4:01p.m.

Thomas M. Alpert Rabbi Randall Schloss Cantor Emily Gopen Lipof Rabbi Emerita Leonard Davidson President Shari A. Churwin Education Director Kate Mikesh Director of Informal Education Amanda Singer Education Programs Coordinator Dottie Berman Social Action Coordinator Karen Landman Executive Assistant to the Clergy Alan Shepro Office Manager / Bookkeeper Marilyn Klickstein Receptionist Kim Singer B’nei Mitzvah Educator David Sparr Music Director

Tidings is a monthly publication of Temple Ohabei Shalom 1187 Beacon Street, Brookline, MA 02446

(617)277-6610 www.ohabei.org

Sat 1 9:00 am Torah Study with Rabbi Alpert 10:30 am Shabbat service, Bat Mitzvah, Charlotte Edelstein Bar/Bat Mitzvah Havurah , 6th grade families Sun 2 9:15 am ARS: K-7 9:30 am Adult Hebrew Mon 3 6:00 pm ARS: High School Family Forum: Israel At 60 7:00 pm Adult Learning—Study with Rabbi Seltzer Tues 4 3:30 pm ARS: Grades 3-7 Thu 6 9:30 am Ikkarim Fri 7 6:00 pm Erev Shabbat Services 7:00 Dinner and Latke Tasting—please RSVP Sat 8 9:00 am Torah Study with Rabbi Alpert 10:30 am Shabbat service, Bar Mitzvah, Stephen Beggs Sun 9 9:15 am ARS: K-7 9:30 am Adult Hebrew Mon 10 6:00 pm ARS: High School 7:00 pm Adult Learning—Study with Rabbi Seltzer Tues 11 3:30 pm ARS: Grades 3-7 Thu 13 9:30 am Ikkarim Fri 14 6:00 pm Shabbat Mishpacha Sat 15 9:00 am Torah Study with Rabbi Alpert 10:30 am Shabbat worship, chapel

Sun 16 9:15 am ARS: Grades K-7 9:30 am Adult Hebrew Mon 17 6:00 pm ARS: High School 6:30 pm Monday Night Learning 6:30 pm Sisterhood pot luck dinner/program Tues 18 3:30 pm ARS: Grades 3-7 6:30 pm Brotherhoood dinner—reservations required 7:00 pm Brotherhood meeting/program Thu 20 9:30 am Ikkarim Fri 21 6:00 pm Erev Shabbat Service Sat 22 9:00 am Torah Study with Rabbi Alpert 10:30 am Shabbat service, Bat Mitzvah, Chloe Fishman Sun 23 ARS—No School Mon 24 No ARS High School Tues 25 TOS office closed Friday 28 6:00 pm Erev Shabbat services Sat 29 9:00 am Torah Study 10:30 Shabbat service, chapel Sun 30 ARS: No School Mon 31 No ARS High School January Tues 1 TOS office closed