February 2015 • Volume 29 • Issue 2 A Reform Congregation Embracing Our Jewish Tradition

News & Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah

PURIM March 4, 2015

This is all we’re gonna say!!

!!! ’

Deadline for

ordering your Purim

greetings is 2/24!

Proceeds go to

Temple Beth Tikvah

& local community

charities

2

News & Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HEALING THE WORLD AND HELPING THE WORLD

As I write this, I look forward to taking our

Confirmation class back to the L’taken Seminar

in Washington, DC, sponsored by the Religious

Action Center of Reform Judaism (the RAC).

Our students will be joining teens from over 25

other Reform Jewish congregations in an experience that will

teach about social justice, advocacy and Jewish values. We will

be learning about public policy issues and how do we respond

to these issues as Reform Jews. At the end of the Seminar, we

will be taking these learnings and putting them to use as they

lobby at the offices of Representative Tom Price, Senator

Johnny Isakson and Senator David Perdue.

Martin Buber taught an important lesson for us when he wrote:

“We shall accomplish nothing at all if we divide our world and

our life into two domains: one in which God’s command is

paramount, the other governed by the laws of economics,

politics, and the ‘simple self-assertion’ of the group… Stopping

one’s ear so as not to hear the voice from above is breaking the

connection between existence and the meaning of

existence.” (Buber’s “Address Delivered at a Convention of

Jewish Youth Representatives in Antwerp,” 1932)

Buber helps us to realize that Judaism is more than prayers and

ritual. It weaves ritual with justice. Our positions on public

policy and how we respond to people in crisis are the tests of

our faith. The Jewish experience is more than just about

surviving or doing good deeds. It is compelling because it does

not relegate Torah or God to only spiritual, self-fulfilling

pursuits. When we focus only on our relationships with God,

without considering how we connect to other people or other

parts of God’s creation, then we run the danger of embracing

narcissism rather than spirituality.

This is the essence of our teachings of Tikkun Olam – the

“repair of the world.” The name of the seminar we are going to

is “L’taken” – “to fix / to repair.” And yet, for our own

synagogue’s logo, we interpret Tikkun as “Healing.” I think

there are lots of ways to fix problems. We are very good at

helping those who need help. It might be through our own

charitable acts or volunteering; it is certainly our work with

Family Promise, the Turkey Drive or our ongoing food drives.

Those all help people. But I think that these crucial acts are acts

to help, not heal. We are not confronting societal issues or

addressing the core roots of poverty. Our acts of help and

assistance are acts of gemilut chasidim. To confront poverty,

food insecurity, and homelessness through advocacy – striving

to bring healing through systemic changes, that is an effort to

bring healing and wholeness to our broken world. We need

both: help (acts of chesed) and healing (restoring balance and

wholeness).

I am excited for these students to begin to witness the

difference between the two. And I hope their parents and our

wider community will begin to do its part to be involved and

engaged in both. Here are a few ways you can get involved:

Ask to get involved in the Jewish Community Relations

Council of Atlanta: http://jcrcatlanta.wordpress.com/

Sign up for legislative updates from the Religious Action

Center of Reform Judaism at www.rac.org. Consider

attending the RAC’s Consultation on Conscience – an

incredible Seminar for adults who want to advocacy on

behalf of the concerns in the Reform Jewish community.

Learn more about how the Jewish community is responding

to food insecurity in America and around the world via

MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger (www.mazon.org)

or the American Jewish World Service (www.ajws.org).

Find out how you can help the new Advocacy Committee at

North Fulton Community Charities: www.nfcchelp.org.

Contact Darrin Cohen, our Social Action Committee

Chairperson to explore how you can be a partner in helping

TBT put our values into action.

I am grateful to explore this idea of distinguishing Tikkun and

Chesed from the teachings of Dr. Erica Brown.

Rabbi Fred Greene

The Introduction to the Talmud that You’ve Been Waiting For!

Bring a dairy lunch and join Rabbi Greene for a lively monthly class and discussion which will consist of an introduction to the

Talmud - its stories, its themes, the sages, and see how its teachings build upon the foundation of the Torah.

The class will meet from 11:45 am to 1 pm on Fridays, February 20, March 13 and April 17

All are welcome. Dates are subject to change. Please check the TBT calendar to confirm.

RSVPs are appreciated for each session.

RSVP to michelle@bethtikvah.com

3

News & Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah

NOTES FROM CANTOR KASSEL

February 8th, 10:45 – 11:55 am

The Music and Religion of Leonard Cohen

Funny how even teenagers know 80 year old Leonard Cohen’s “Halleluyah”. And this past summer, both in New

York City and in Jerusalem, I heard his “Halleluyah” being adapted and used in Shabbat services. What is it about

this poetic, raspy voiced older man whose talent appeals to and resonates with so many generations? And what

role, if any, has Leonard Cohen’s Judaism played in his music? Let’s take a look at the lyrics to “Who By Fire” and

it’s connection to the “Unetane Tokef” prayer (Who shall live and who shall die……).

Who By Fire

And who by fire, who by water,

who in the sunshine, who in the night time,

who by high ordeal, who by common trial,

who in your merry, merry month of may,

who by very slow decay,

and who shall I say is calling?

Then there’s Leonard Cohen’s connection to Israel. In October of 1973, when the Yom Kippur War broke out, Cohen

enlisted in the Israeli Entertainment Corp. In 2009, at the age of 75, Leonard Cohen performed in Israel, a concert

that was sold out immediately and from which all proceeds went to a fund for both bereaved Israeli and Palestinian

families.

So much to discuss – and just an hour or so on a Sunday morning. I hope you’ll join me.

UPCOMING IN MARCH!

Wednesday, March 4 – PURIM!

The scroll, the Shpiel, the music, the Hamentaschen, the fun!

Sundays, March 15 & 22 – Adult Education Class

Sunday morning class on how to lead a more engaging Passover Seder.

Sunday, March 22 – Cantor’s Concert

I’ll be participating in a late afternoon Cantor’s Concert at Temple Emanu-El with colleagues:

Cantors Lauren Adesnick, Barbara Margulis and Deborah Hartman. You’ll be treated to some gems of Yiddish music

along with Broadway music by Jewish composers.

Monday, March 23 – I’ll be participating in a concert at The Temple: Music of Resistance and Survival: A Holocaust

Remembrance Concert. Please check out this link. Concert is free but registration is required

http://ksuweb.kennesaw.edu/~lsherr/2015HolocaustConcert

B’Shalom,

Cantor Nancy Kassel

4

News and Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah

Recently, as I was signing B’nai Mitzvah certificates for the

next six months, I started thinking about the significance of

what I was actually doing. At work, I sign my name on many

documents, like checks and, of course, tax returns. But it really

dawned on me as I sat there signing those certificates how

important this task truly is and what it really represented. It

isn’t a legal or financial document, but each certificate

represents a Jewish life. I realized that for each certificate

bearing my name, I would have a permanent connection to that

student’s Jewish journey.

Admittedly, years from now when these students are adults,

have graduated from college and started a life of their own, this

certificate will probably not be taken out and reviewed. They

won’t care who the synagogue’s President was at the time they

became a Bar or Bat Mitzvah. Yet, all of the signatures on

those certificates have deep meaning. First and foremost, the

B’nai Mitzvah sign their own certificate, which memorializes

each student’s commitment to accept the privileges and

responsibilities of being a Jewish adult. Their parents must also

sign which signifies their commitment to both their child’s

Jewish identity and commitment to Jewish peoplehood. The

Rabbi and the Cantor sign as well, memorializing their sacred

part in helping each student reach their Jewish adulthood.

I think my signature represents our

community as a whole and our community’s

commitment to our children and our children’s

Jewish education. Without each of the parties

represented on these beautiful certificates, the

chain might be broken.

After signing those certificates and thinking about what that

truly represented, I went down into our basement and actually

found my own Bar Mitzvah certificate (it was in the same

drawer as my Ketubah). I could barely read the signatures but

it did prompt a call to my father to ask if he remembered the

synagogue’s president back in 1970. He did, but the important

part of that call is that the conversation morphed into a

discussion of my Bar Mitzvah and how it has shaped my own

life and Jewish journey.

Maybe in my old age I am just getting sentimental or maybe

after all these years I truly realize how special each individual

piece of the puzzle is to our future and to the future of the

Jewish people.

L’Shalom

Ron Swichkow

Sisterhood shouts hello to

all members of TBT!

January proved to be a

busy month welcoming

2015. A big THANK

YOU is in order to Leslie

Swichkow, Erika Eberhardt and Hassia Levin for organizing our

successful Challah Baking/Bake Off/TBT Kitchen Shower

1/13/15. The evening was creative, scrumptious, and a boost to

enhancing our TBT kitchen with needed culinary items. Delight-

ful indeed! A big THANK YOU also to Danielle Rubenstein and

Leslie Swichkow for planning our second Mah Jong Happen-

ing 1/25/15. Great fun and comradeship filled the room as differ-

ent levels of expertise were organized to play at their level of

knowledge. Super planning!

February events are very diverse and will be sure to interest you.

The TBT Sisterhood is planning a docent led tour of the

Anne Frank in the World Exhibit, Sunday, 2/22/15. Please

watch for the evite. In addition, I am proud to announce that

Sisterhood will be making Hamentashen at TBT Thursday,

2/26/15, 10 am -1 pm and 7 pm – 10 pm. All hamentashen will

be donated to the Purim Carnival, Sunday, March 1st. We need

your help as Sisterhood is counting on you to help bake dozens

of our “homemade” goodies. Please watch for the evite and sign

up for one or both shifts. See you soon!

Robin Bledsoe Sisterhood Chair

ATTENTION!

NOMINATING COMMITTEE

SEEKS YOUR INPUT

The Nominating Committee for the 2015-2016 slate for

the Board of Trustees, Officers and Board of Education

has begun their work.

If you have names that you would like to suggest to the

committee for consideration,

please send them to Todd Boehm at

tboehm30@gmail.com

SAVE THE DATE - SPRING FLING

Saturday, March 14, 2015

“Return of Judy Cole and Band”

Special Musical Guest, Cantor Nancy Kassel

7:30 PM - 11:00 PM Havdalah at 8:00 PM - $18/person

followed by music and dancing! “Brought to you by your Membership Committee”

What’s In a Name?

5

Ne

Tu B’Shevat celebrates the new year for the trees. We acknowledge this day by rejoicing in the beauty of nature

and the growth of trees. Every year at Temple Beth Tikvah we celebrate by eating different fruits and nuts.

Tu B’Shevat will be celebrated on Sunday, February 1st. Our 4th grade class has been busy practicing for the

assembly they will be presenting. Everyone is welcome to come and enjoy this program.

Our next Shabbat and Family Service is taking place on Friday, February 27th. On this day our 3rd and 4th grade

students will accompany Rabbi Greene and Cantor Kassel. They will be joined by their teachers: Ophira Buch-

man, Esti Blue, Anna Gutkin, Robin Karlin, Carolyn Lippman, Aviva Margolies and Michelle Rodabaugh .

Please join our students for this meaningful service.

4th and 5th grade parents please plan to spend Sunday, February 22Nd at the religious school for your Family Education Day.

January 9th – January 12th our confirmation class had a wonderful time in Washington DC. 14 students made the trip along with

Rabbi Greene and Adam & Bobbee Griff .

Mark your calendars for these upcoming events:

Sunday February 8th, Madrichim Training – 12:15 – 1:30

Sunday, February 22nd, 6th grade Field Trip – location: TBD

Sunday, February 22nd, 7th grade Field Trip to Breman Museum

No school Sunday, February 15th – Tuesday, February 17th

Shalom,

Hassia Levin

Religious School

What an adventure Washington DC was this past weekend! From

Friday talking about minimum wage and poverty all the way to

Monday Lobbying Georgia’s senators about LGBT Rights, Disability

Rights, Stem Cell Research, Israel, and poverty. The confirmation

class and I went to go see the MLK Memorial, The Holocaust Memo-

rial, Smithsonian museums, Capitol Hill, and the Jefferson Memorial.

Not only were those sights fascinating, but we also had intriguing

services on Shabbat. Rabbi Namath and Rabbi Young were telling us

on Friday and Saturday services how we can make impacts to our

country. Well… I agree with Rabbi Greene, Adam, and Bobbee that

we made an impact for the United States of America, and ourselves.

Rabbi Greene did hope we had open eyes to the country and the world after this, and I can say that we all did!

Thank you to the Religious Action Center for having us open up to more leadership, Adam and Bobbee for coming and experiencing

with the class the whole time, and Rabbi Greene (and dad) for making this adventure possible.

Yael Greene

Chavurot at TBT are busy! Within the past few months, groups celebrated Sukkot with sukkah decorating parties in member's back-

yards (like the Family & Fun Chavurah), observed Hanukkah with white elephant gift exchanges and charitable acts (like the Chai

& Mighty Chavurah), and enjoyed Shabbat dinners or Havdalah services. This month, some groups plan to attend Jewish Film Fes-

tival flicks together and have all-ages game nights.

This spring, we'll be planning a multi-Chavurah outdoor gathering, inspired by the

kickball challenge held last year by the Agin, Bessoff, Craig, Elinger, Kaseff and

Wynne Chavurah. More details will come through Chavurot liaisons.

A few new groups have recently kicked off, and more are in the works! Chavurot are an excellent way to create community with

TBT and forge new friendships. If you have interest in becoming part of a Chavurah at TBT, please grab an application here

bethtikvah.com/community/chavurot, at TBT, or contact Dalia Faupel at d2faupel@comcast.net .

C h a v u r a h H a p p e n i n g s

Confirmation Class Trip

6

Youth Group

HOTTY (9-12th Grade)

We had 30 teens head to Jacksonville in January for our Winter Kallah. It was a blast! Can’t wait for NFTY Convention in just a few short weeks. We also hosted our first fund-raiser for Camp Jenny at Top Golf. It was a huge success – thank you to all of the TBT members who supported us by donating for this great cause. We truly appreciate it!

UP NEXT:

Join us on Friday, February 6th for our annual Youth group led Shabbat service. It promis-es to be an inspiring evening and gives us a chance to show you what we can do! The theme this year is “What does it mean to be connected?” Youth groupers and their fami-lies are invited to join us for Shabbat dinner before services. We also have our Chai Soci-ety party on February 22nd. Come dressed up in your tuxes and evening gowns to watch the Oscars and eat some hors d'oeuvres. .

Join the HOTTY Facebook Page (https://www.facebook.com/groups/TBT.HOTTY/) to

stay up-to-date on what's happening and to RSVP for HOTTY events!

JYG (7-8th Grade) JYG’s In In January JYG’ers had a ton of fun at one of our favorite events – the Chocolate Making Party at Chamberlains Chocolate Factory. We spent the afternoon making chocolate lollipops, personal pizzas, and chocolate covered pretzels. It was a delicious event!

And, save-the-date…March 20-22nd is NFTY-SAR’s Hatikvah Kallah for 7th & 8th Graders (at Temple Sinai in Sandy Springs)!! We’ll send out more info about this awesome week-end as the date gets closer, but you don’t want to miss out. Join the JYG Facebook Page (https://www.facebook.com/groups/TBT.JYG/) to stay up-to-date on what's happening with JYG, RSVP and arrange carpools for events!

5th & 6th Grade Join us on February 22nd for our Mad Scientist event at TBT! Right after religious school – we’ll eat lunch and then cook up some crazy experiments led by our very own Mad Scientist. Hope you can come!

Join the 5th & 6th Grade Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/groups/TBT.56/) to stay up-to-date on what's happening, RSVP and arrange carpools for events!

Thank you to the following families who donated items for our Youth Lounge: Schwartz Family, Diamond Family, Restler Family, Swichkow Family, and the

Torino Family.

Want more info about the youth groups at TBT? Contact us at: youth@bethtikvah.com or call us:

Bobbee (303) 981-2356 & Adam (404) 971-4687

Upcoming Events: February 6th - HOTTY Congregational Services

February 13th-17th - NFTY Convention February 22nd - Club 56 Mad Scientist February 22nd - HOTTY Oscars Party

HOTTY LATKE-IN

We are SO excited to finally have our very own youth lounge at TBT (classroom 21)! We are looking for some items to help furnish it. Here is our wish list. If you have any of these items that you would be willing to donate to us, please email us at: youth@bethtikvah.com

(they don't have to be brand new, but in reasonably good condition). Thank you!!

Youth Lounge Wish List

♦DVD player ♦Small tables/coffee tables

♦Keurig machine

5TH & 6TH GRADE AT STARS & STRIKES

7

News and Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah

B’nai Mitzvah

Logan Mitchell Coe will be called to the Torah as a Bar Mitzvah on February 7, 2015. He is the son of Robin

and David Coe and the brother to Ellie and Maya. Logan is a 7th grade honor student at Hightower Trail Middle

School. He is a cross-country runner, plays piano and clarinet, and loves playing outside with his friends.

Audra Buffington will be called to the Torah as a Bat Mitzvah on February, 14, 2015. Audra is the daughter of

Mara and Don Buffington and sister to Nathan. She is the granddaughter of Murray and Glory Nadelle of

Woodstock, Georgia, Janice McNeal of Atlanta, Georgia and Don and Pat Buffington of Atlanta, Georgia. Audra is

blessed to spend time with Great Grandparents Madge McNeal of Sandy Springs, Georgia, Buffa and Don

Buffington of Atlanta, Georgia and MaryAnn Yeargin of Summerfield, Florida. Audra is in the 7 th grade at The

Davis Academy where she was selected as a Student Ambassador, plays on the school volleyball team and is a

finalist in the upcoming school spelling bee. Audra enjoys travelling and hanging out with friends and will be celebrating this

special occasion by visiting Paris this summer!

Morgan Sean Nathan will be called to the Torah as a Bar Mitzvah on February 21, 2015. Morgan is the son of

Ted and Melanie Nathan, and older brother to Madison Nathan. He is in the 7th grade at Hightower Trail Middle

School. Morgan enjoys all sports, especially basketball, and spending time with his family and friends.

Anna Wynne will be called to the Torah as a Bat Mitzvah on February 28, 2015. Anna is the daughter of Susan

and Scott Wynne, and the sister to Michael Wynne. She is the granddaughter of Flora and Richard Cohen of Dallas,

Texas, and Margot and David Wynne of Greenville, South Carolina. She is in the 7th grade at Dodgen Middle School

where she is a Principal's Honor Roll student. Anna is a cheerleader for the 7th Grade Pope Junior Greyhounds. In

her free time, Anna enjoys spending time with her friends, and looks forward to every summer when she goes to

Camp Coleman.

Izaac S. Shultz will be called to the Torah as a Bar Mitzvah on February 21, 2015. Izaac is the son of Robert and

Ruth Shultz, and Suzan Shultz, and grandson of Esther and Walter Shultz and Carol and Fred Abrams. He has three

step-brothers; Ben, Jake and Sam Rockaway. Izaac is in the seventh grade at Crabapple Middle School where he

enjoys science and plays trombone in the seventh grade band. He also enjoys video games, playing soccer and tennis

and going outside with his step-brothers.

The Atlanta JCC sends a delegation annually of 13-16 year old athletes to the JCC Maccabi

Games, an annual multi-sports, cultural and social Jewish experience for well over 1,000

young athletes from all over the U.S. and some international countries including Israel. Sports

include baseball, basketball, soccer, tennis, volleyball, swimming and more. This year, the

Atlanta delegation will go to either Dallas or Milwaukee August 2-7. Check the Marcus Atlanta

JCC website for information including fees and tryouts. http://www.atlantajcc.org/interior-pages/sports-maccabi/.

Two Beth Tikvah members are coaching baseball this year, Mark Rudel (15/16 year old) and Howard Janis (13-14

year old). Tryouts will be in late January / early February. Feel free to contact Mark Rudel (404-429-9289) or Howard

Janis (404-729-0397) for more information. TBT has been represented with both athletes and coaches for multiple

years. Let's keep this run going for several more years.

Ilana Mermelstein will be called to the Torah as a Bat Mitzvah on February 28, 2015. Ilana is the daughter of

Evan Mermelstein and Sharon Mermelstein and sister to Ryan Mermelstein. Ilana is in the seventh grade at

Northwestern Middle School where she enjoys singing in the chorus and performing in school musicals. Ilana is also

in a theater company outside of school. She loves hanging out with her friends everywhere she goes; school, theater,

Religious School, Girl Scouts, and in the neighborhood. Ilana has enjoyed the learning experience and preparation

for this milestone, and cannot wait to become a Bat Mitzvah!

8

News and Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah

Fundraising News

Jonathan and Allison Agin

Barry and Shari Alhadeff

Pam Alterman

Steven and Teri Astren

Brian and Sheri Baker

Steven and Sheila Barid

Dale and Wendy Bearman

Jonathan and Barbara Berger

Leonard Berger

Harris and Suellen Bergman

Michael and Jeannine Bernstein

Jerry Bilsky and Judy Tolkan

Peter Birnbaum

David and Robin Bledsoe

Todd and Jennifer Boehm

Michael and Heather Braun

Adam and Adrienne Bruckman

Jamie Burak

Paul and Cherie Cervasio

Lois Clymin

David and Roberta Coad

Michael D. and Lisa R. Cohen

Michael and Marlene Cohn

Community Foundation for Palm

Beach and Martin Counties

Mark and Stephanie Craig

Renee Davis

Gordon and Hollis Decker

Craig and Susan Derene

Mitchell and Dyann Diamond

Kristopher and Paige Dobbins

Joseph and Waynah Dunn

Rodney and Erika Eberhardt

Audrey Eisen

Alan and Pam Epstein

Elliot and Donna Feller

Steven and Amy Fine

Rory and Jenifer Friedman

Steve and RoseAnn Gerson

Ed and Cindy Getty

Arthur Gittelman and Marcia Pearl

Cary Goldenthal and Lori Shapiro

Neil and Jennifer Goldstein

Robert and Cindy Goldstein

Harlan & Ivie Graiser

Rabbi Fred and Deborah Greene

Anne Grossman

Burton and Sara Grossman

Andrew and Karen Gutman

Scott and Nancy Harris

Yitzhak and Ronit Hermoni

David and Ellen Herold

Mitchell and Julie Hilsen

Jamie and Katie Jaffe

David and Beth Janes

Peter and Sharon Jedel

Morris and Anna Kagan

Doug and Donna Kallman

Cantor Nancy Kassel

Valerie Kassel Jr

Howard and Linda Katz

Jerry and Marcy Kaufman

Jared and Rachel King

Jeff and Cindy Klein

Marc and Deborah Klein

Peter Klokow and Ellen Frank

Stanley and Bobbie Kopkin

Steven and Helen Kraus

Ned and Lisa Kreiss

Robert and Karen Kremer Kenneth Lawler Jr and Ginger Glazer

Fred and Patricia Landsberg

Melvin and Vivian Lapes

Scott and Sheryl Lasky

Hal and Jill Leitman

Ron and Lindsay Levin

Ronald and Jennifer Levine

Emily Lewit

Gary and Michal Loventhal

William and Rita Loventhal

Hadley and Lisa Lowy

Gilbert and Ellen Ludwig

Murray and Sonia Lynn

Joel and Aviva Margolies

Jonathan and Joan Marks

Jason and Maggie McAuliffe

David McClung

Thomas and Marsha McMurrain

Howard and Helaine Medoff

Gary and Peggy Mendelson

Ric and Barrie Mershon

Martin and Charlene Milstein

Ilene Monat

Mark and Jennifer Mosbacher

Robert Moss

Jay and Anita Myer

Robert and Marcy Nader

Bernie and Gail Natter

North Georgia Pain Clinic, PC

Ryan and Rachel Palazzo

Larry and Jackie Pepper

Gary and Sheyla Peterson

Jason and Melanie Pickett

Shirley Plotkin

Scott and Rhonda Povlot

Marla Ramaglia

Joel and Valerie Rapowitz

Herbert and Bunny Renkin

Betty Rickles

Robert and Ellen Rickles

Barry & Robin Riegelhaupt

Howard & Barbara Rosenberg

Joel and Judy Rosenberg

Harvey and Natine Rosenzweig

Irving and Doris Rosing

Tod and Leslie Rubin

Mark and Gail Rudel

Andrew and Barbara Sacks

Robert and Donna Schacher

Joel and Kathleen Schoenblum

Gary and Debra Schwartz

William and Terry Schwartz

Rhonda Schweber

Sanford and Gail Seidman

Ira and Brenda Share

Stacy and Alicia Sher

Walter and Esther Shultz

Carol Shutzberg

David and Elisa Siegel

Sandy and Nancy Simon

Lawrence and Anne Skal

Kenneth and Helene Skolky

Sharon Snowiss

Stuart and Frances Solomon

Howard and Cynthia Steinberg

Aaron and Sheila Stieglitz

Mathew and Dani Stordy

Barry & Denise Straus

Ronald and Leslie Swichkow

Donald and Marilyn Tam

Rosalind Taranto

Lloyd and Gail Tate

Steven and Abbe Tobin

David & Christine Toltzis Bruce and Mariann Mamberg Turiansky

Mark and Sally Vosk

Bruce and Carol Waldman

Bruce and Bonnie Walkes

June Wallach

Clifford and Loretta Weiss

Mark and Debbie Weiss Douglas Wexler and Jane Greenberger

Bram and Dana Wieskopf Mark Williams and Michelle Easton

Thomas and Susan Williams

Todd and Rachel Wilson

Scott and Susan Wynne

Andrew and Ilana Zalkin

Ruth Zeidman

Seth and Ellen Zimmer

(donations received through December 2014)

OY VEY!! MAZEL TOV!! Congrats to our TBT family for reaching the 1st goal of the

ANNUAL CAMPAIGN! As of December 31st we collected enough pledges and contributions

to surpass $50,000 and earn the Blank Family Foundation 50% matching gift, a total of

$25,000. On behalf of the Board of Trustees and the Fundraising Committee, we want to thank

everyone who has contributed this far.

With this in mind, we still have a ways to go to get to our Annual Goal of $100,000. Next on

the agenda to help us get there is a great event coming up on February 21: The TBT/ECEC

Second Chance Prom event! This promises to be a great night of for everyone! We’ll have

great entertainment, food, drinks and of course, great prizes through the auction to win!

In the mean time, please take the time to contribute to the Annual Campaign if you haven’t

done so already. Just visit www.bethtikvah.com and scroll down to ANNUAL CAMPAIGN -

EVERYONE MATTERS to make your contribution today.

On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I'd like to thank the following members of our TBT family

for their generous pledges and gifts:

BAKERS NEEDED FOR PURIM CARNIVAL “BAKE WALK”!

Please email Beth Janes at bethjanes@comcast.net

9

News and Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah

February 2015

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1

Family Promise 9:30 am - 12:00 pm Religious School 9:30 am -Religious School Tu B'Shevat Assembly 10:00 am -

Special

Congregational Meeting

10:45 am Purim

Meeting

2

6:45 pm - 8:30 pm

Kesher/Confirmation /Kivunim 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Families Anonymous

3 EREV TU BISHVAT

9:30 am - Tai Chi 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm

Religious School 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Board of Ed Meeting

4 TU BISHVAT

5 6

6:00 pm

HOTTY Dinner 8:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Shabbat Service

led by HOTTY

7

9:00 am - 10:00 am Bagels, Learning &

Torah 10:00 am - Shabbat Service - Coe Bar Mitzvah

8 9:30 am ATID 9:30 am - 12:00 pm Religious School 10:45 am - The

Music & Religion of

Leonard Cohen 12:30 pm - 2:00 pm Madrichim Training

9

12:00 pm - Senior

Luncheon 6:45 pm - 8:30 pm

Kesher/Confirmation /Kivunim 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Families Anonymous

10

9:30 am - Tai Chi 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm

Religious School

11

6:30 pm - HOTTY -

Board Meeting 7:30 pm -

Fundraising Meeting

12 13 NFTY Convention and URJ

Youth Engagement

Conference

12:00 pm - ECEC VIP Shabbat 8:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Shabbat Service

14

NFTY Convention and URJ

Youth Engagement

Conference

9:00 am - 10:00 am Bagels, Learning &

Torah 10:00 am - Shabbat Service - Buffington Bat Mitzvah

15 NFTY Convention and

URJ Youth Engagement

Conference

No Religious School

16 President's Day NFTY Convention and

URJ Youth Engagement

Conference

No ECEC

No Religious School 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Families Anonymous

17 NFTY Convention and URJ

Youth Engagement

Conference

No ECEC

No Religious School 9:30 am - Tai Chi 7:30 pm - Board of

Trustees Meeting

18 19

7:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Breast Cancer

Support Group 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Women's Study -

From Sarah to

Savannah: Leader-

ship Lessons from

our Ancestral

Mothers

20

11:45 am - Lunch

& Learn: The Intro-

duction to the

Talmud that You've

Been Waiting For! 8:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Shabbat Service w/

Choir

21

9:00 am - 10:00 am Bagels, Learning &

Torah 10:00 am - Shabbat Service - Nathan/Shultz B’nai Mitzvah

7:30 pm -

Forever Young:

2nd Chance Prom

Night

22

8:30 am - 12:20 pm - 7th Grade Field Trip to

Breman 9:30 am - ATID 9:30 am - 12:00 pm Religious School 9:35 am - 11:45 am RS Family Ed Day - 4th &

5th grade 10:00 am - Purim

Meeting 12:30 pm Sisterhood - Anne

Frank Museum Tour 12:30 pm - 5th/6th

YG - Mad Scientist 4:00 pm - HOTTY -

Chai Society Oscars

Party

23

6:45 pm - 8:30 pm

Kesher/Confirmation /Kivunim 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Families Anonymous

24

9:30 am - Tai Chi 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm

Religious School 5:45 pm - College

Connection Mailing

Prep 7:30 pm - Officers

Meeting

25 26

10:00 am - 1:00 pm Sisterhood -

Hamentaschen

Prep 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm Sisterhood -

Hamentaschen

Prep

27

6:00 pm - 6:30 pm

Oneg 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm

Family Shabbat

Service - 3rd & 4th

Grade

28

9:00 am - 10:00 am Bagels, Learning &

Torah 10:00 am - Shabbat Service - Wynne/Mermelstein B’not Mitzvah

10

News and Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah

TBT Seniors Luncheon

Monday, February 9 at 12 PM

Officer Zac Frommer from the

Roswell Police Department will be our speaker.

The topic is “Watch Out For…”

RSVP to Natine at rosen4348@aol.com

Joel and Amy Glass

Jim and Renee Berman

Welcome to the TBT Family!!

FOOD OF THE MONTH

The food bins are empty. Please bring hearty soups and

peanut butter for North Fulton Community Charities (NFCC)

and Kosher foods for Jewish Family & Career Services

(JF&CS) The need in our area is great.

Together we “can” make a difference!

Do We Have Your Child’s College Address?

The College Outreach Committee will

be sending our college students a

care package for Purim.

Do we have your child’s address?

If you provided us with this information in the fall,

nothing further is required. However, if you have not

yet given us this information or your student has moved

since October, please send us their college mailing

address as soon as possible.

Also, if your child graduated this past December,

please let us know this as well.

Monetary or item donations would be greatly appreciated.

Send all information to

Lynda Bennett at lrbennett08@comcast.net.

Taglit-Birthright Israel with

URJ Kesher | Register for

Summer Trips on

February 3, 2015!

www.gokesher.org

This summer we invite you to go on Taglit-

Birthright Israel with URJ Kesher — the only

Birthright Israel trip organized by Reform Judaism.

You only get to go on Birthright Israel once. Make

sure to Go Kesher! It’s your turn to explore

Jerusalem’s Old City, float in the Dead Sea, climb

Masada at sunrise and celebrate modern Tel Aviv.

Registration Day is Tuesday, February 3rd. Sign up

for more information at www.gokesher.org.

HELP US HELP YOU

Your synagogue community wants to be a

Caring Community/Kehillat Chesed

If you have recently experienced a loss, are facing a crisis or are celebrating a simcha, please let our office know as soon as possible.

Our clergy and friends strive to be a source of support as best as they can. If you know of one of our fellow congregants who has experienced a loss or can use a hand, please contact the office at 770.642.0434.

11

CLICK ANYWHERE ON THIS PAGE TO RSVP AND PAY

12

News and Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah

Annual Campaign

Ronald and Leslie Swichkow in memory of Bernie Bickwit

Sandy and Nancy Simon in memory of Leonard Paul

Irving and Doris Rosing in memory of Bernie Bickwit

Thomas and Susan Williams in memory of Marjorie Williams and Charles Francis Williams

Steven and Amy Fine in honor of Jennifer and Ellen Fine

Sandy and Nancy Simon in memory of Bernie Bickwit and Leonard Paul

Robert and Marcy Nader in honor of Rabbi Greene, Rabbi Tam and Cantor Kassel and in memory of Bernie Bickwit

Alma Klein, Andrea and Steve Leaf & Family in memory of Bernie Bickwit

Jamie and Lauren Burak in memory of Evan Burak

Jamie and Lauren Burak in memory of Barry and Marcia Lurey

Lawrence and Anne Skal in memory of Frances Cunix and Bernie Bickwit

The Wilson, Faupel, Gergans, Hilsen, Loventhal, Salinas and Shields Families in memory of Donald Block

Building Fund

Michelle Jacobowitz in memory of Bernie Bickwit

Dale and Wendy Bearman in memory of Betty Ebstein

Campership/Israel Fund

Mark and Jennifer Mosbacher in memory of Alvin Gross and Lester Mosbacher

Howard and Suzanne Silverman

Cantor Kassel’s Discretionary Fund

Steven, Amy, Jennifer and Ellen Fine in honor of Cantor Kassel and Paige Dobbins

Robert Leventhal in memory of Robert E. Leventhal

David and Beth Janes in memory of Ira Madans and in honor of Phyl-lis Madans' birthday

Judy Levine in memory of Milton Marshall

Shelby Steinhauer in loving memory of Natalie Richman

Rosalind Taranto in memory of Philip Pomerance

Todd and Rachel Wilson in honor of Libby Povlot becoming a Bat Mitzvah

Caring/Kehillat Chesed Fund

Fred and Patricia Landsberg wishing a speedy recovery to Esther Shultz

Rabbi Thomas and Marilyn Liebschutz in honor of Esther Shultz's special birthday

David and Roberta Coad in memory of Dorothy Spielvogel

Shelby Steinhauer in loving memory of Natalie Richman

Lois Clymin in memory of Michael Clymin

Steven & Linda Steinberg in memory of Jay Rosen

Fred and Patricia Landsberg in memory of Lila Surges

Bruce and Bonnie Walkes in memory of Bernie Bickwit

Lawrence and Anne Skal in celebration of Esther Shultz's special birthday

Amy, Evan, Zachary and Ryan Rosen wishing a speedy recovery to Wendy Bearman

General Fund

Howard and Pamela Levitt in memory of Jacob Levitt

Renee Davis in memory of Melvin Haber

Harlan & Ivie Graiser in memory of Bernie Bickwit, Melvin Haber and wishing a speedy recovery to Estelle Graiser

William & Marjory Segal in memory of Bernie Bickwit

Lawrence & Selma Silverman in honor of a speedy recovery for Pearl Bruger Aptekar

Belle Kulkin in memory of Morris Richman

Mitchell and Julie Hilsen and their Chavurah in memory of Donald Block

Michael Zalkin Memorial Library Fund

David & Christine Toltzis in memory of Bernie Bickwit

Sanford and Gail Seidman in memory of Fred Permison, Florence Permison and Robert Permison

Prayerbook Fund

David and Beth Janes in memory of Ira Madans and in honor of Phyllis Madans' birthday

Melvyn and Vivian Lapes in honor of Esther Shultz's special birthday

Preschool Fund

Jenifer & Rory Friedman and Sheri & Brian Baker in memory of Bernie Bickwit

David and Beth Janes in memory of Ira Madans and in honor of Phyllis Madans' birthday

Rabbi Greene’s Discretionary Fund

Melvyn and Vivian Lapes

David and Beth Janes in memory of Ira Madans and in honor of Phyllis Madans' birthday

Shelby Steinhauer in loving memory of Natalie Richman

Donald and June Restler in memory of Bernie Bickwit

John and Dahlia, Emily & Hannah Restler and Kevin and Cherie & Claudia Restler wishing a speedy recovery to Don Restler

Rabbi Tam’s Discretionary Fund

Ruth Zeidman in memory of Bernie Bickwit

Steve and RoseAnn Gerson in memory of Bernie Bickwit

Barry and Dore Kaiser in memory of Bernie Bickwit

Lois Clymin in memory of Bernie Bickwit

Barry & Robin Riegelhaupt in memory of Melvin Haber

Andrew and Barbara Sacks in memory of Hyman Sacks

Religious School Fund

David and Beth Janes in memory of Ira Madans and in honor of Phyllis Madans' birthday

Lynn Friedman in memory of Bernie Bickwit

Burton and Sara Grossman in memory of Evelyn Grossman

Kathleen Levin in memory of Bernard Bickwit

Tikkun Olam Fund

Ken and Lauri Winkler in memory of Louise Singletary and Donald Singletary

Torah Fund

Marvin and Trudy Davis in memory of Bernie Bickwit

Morray and Susan Scheinfeld in memory of Joseph Scheinfeld and

Sophie Scheinfeld

Youth Group Fund

Larry & Jackie Pepper in memory of Irving Yehuda Pepper

Donations

13

News and Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah

SHMOOZE NEWS / KUDOS CORNER

In Memorium

Temple Beth Tikvah acknowledges with sorrow the passing of:

Donald E. Block

Father of Scott Block

Eleanor Goldsmith

Sister-in-law of Betty Rickles

May God console you among all the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.

Thank You to our Amazing Office Volunteers!

Erica Stein

Marla Ramaglia

Richard Staviss

Marsha McMurrain

June Wallach

Rhonda Povlot

Leslie Swichkow

Emily Restler

Maddie Schwartz

Mark Mosbacher

Dani Stordy

Tamah and Glenn Cooper on the

engagement of their daughter, Honey, to

Zach Shair of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.

An October wedding is planned.

Hildy Ortiz on her engagement to Jim Chaffer.

Scott and Marci Weiss as their son, Jake, officially signed

a commitment letter to accept a

scholarship and play baseball as a

member of the Eastern Michigan

University Eagles. Scout

Baseball, a leading national

college scouting organization,

ranked Weiss, an all-purpose

outfielder, as a top-20 national Division I prospect in June

2014.

Leslie and Ron Swichkow on the birth of

their granddaughter, Ellie Paige Cooper,

on January 19.

Proud parents are Erin and Seth Cooper.

Honor a person or event

with a leaf on our tree of

life. You can purchase a

leaf as an individual or as

a group.!

Breast Cancer Survivor Group for the Jewish Community

We have had a great start to the Breast Cancer Survivor

Group! The monthly support group meetings are for all

interested people who have had cancer, who are going

through treatment or surgeries, and /or who have been

recently diagnosed, as well as for those who might have

questions pertinent to breast cancer. In addition, this program

is for sharing experiences, meeting others and gathering

information regarding diagnoses, surgeries, and genetic

testing from various professionals.

Our next meeting will be held on

Thursday, February 19 at 7:00 PM

Dr. Stephen Szabo will speak to the group

This survivor support group is sponsored by

The Kehillat Chesed/Caring Committee of

Temple Beth Tikvah.

For further information or questions, please contact Valerie

Rapowitz at vrapowitzslp@yahoo.com or call 678-643-9672.

Please RSVP. All are welcome.

14

News and Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah

Synagogue Information

Synagogue Office - 770-642-0434

Fax Number - 770-642-0647

School Office (Perri) - 770-642-4168

Preschool (Jenifer) - 678-350-0076

Assistant to Clergy - Michelle Leder

Financial Secretary - Jenny Korsen

Admin. Assistant - Lisa Singer

Office Manager - Becky Sullivan

Adult Education Cindy Getty eeg@comcast.net Budget & Finance Karen Korshak karcpa@comcast.net

Campership Marcia Haber marciahaber@yahoo.com Chavurot Dalia Faupel d2faupel@comcast.net College Outreach Lynda Bennett lrbennett08@comcast.net Ginger Glazer ggchoc@bellsouth.net Communications

Mark Rudel mrudel@ups.com Family Promise Randy and Amy Siegal amysiegal@gmail.com Brian and Jennifer Steinberg zokadesigns@gmail.com Tony Rosenberg trosenberg860@gmail.com Fundraising Jonathan Agin jlagin1@gmail.com

House Ted Nathan tnathan@baldwinscheduling.com Human Resources Seth Zimmer sz4941@att.com

Interior Standards & Marketing Susan Estroff sestroff@earthlink.net Israel Gene Carasick gcarasick@gmail.com Kehillat Chesed (Caring) Leslie Swichkow lswichkow@comcast.net Library Ilana Zalkin ilanaz@att.net

Membership Recruitment & Retention Jill Leitman jaarons2@yahoo.com Marcia Pearl marciapearl@bellsouth.net Men’s Club Mark Greenspan greenspanfamily@bellsouth.net Peter Hartog althazyr@gmail.com

Nominating Committee Todd Boehm tboehm30@bellsouth.net Ritual Esther Shultz savtaesther5@gmail.com

Security Jay Sausmer jsausmer@gmail.com Seniors Natine Rosenzweig rosen4348@aol.com Sisterhood Robin Bledsoe sisterhoodtbt@gmail.com Social Action Darrin Cohen dcohen@wealthofga.com

Website Development Scott Povlot spovlot@yahoo.com Youth Group Debra Schwartz dls63@bellsouth.net Michal Loventhal loventhalmichal@gmail.com

Get Involved! TBT Committees and Chairpersons

Planning a simcha or group gathering?

The Tam-Blank Social Hall is the Place to Be.

For more information on renting our Social Hall,

contact the synagogue office at 770-642-0434.

15

News and Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah

16

Fred Greene

Rabbi

Donald A. Tam

Rabbi Emeritus

Nancy Kassel

Cantor

Hassia Levin

Education Director

Jenifer Friedman

ECEC Director

Ron Swichkow

President

Todd Boehm

Vice President

Harlan Graiser

Vice President

Denise Straus

Vice President

Andy Gutman

Treasurer

Michael Braun

Secretary

Jill Mattos

Chairperson,

Board of Education