Shalom December 2012

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Dear Friends: Several years ago, one of our Religious School teachers told me of her dismay at this sea- son. In a discussion with her students on the meaning of Chanukah the year before, she was shocked to discover the number of Jewish families in our community who have Christmas trees in their homes. She indicated to me that she was almost afraid to bring up the subject again in her class. Chanukah’s deepest meaning lies in its affirmation of the freedom to be different – to maintain our distinctive religious practices even though we are a small minority in our society. That is precisely the meaning of the Maccabean revolution. Chanukah commemorates those who proclaimed their own special identity and des- tiny which they were unwilling to give up even at the cost of their lives, much less for the comfort of being differ- ent. Allow me to share with you a portion of an interesting letter which was shared with me by a congregant who passed it along to his Rabbi: You showed me the Christmas tree you placed in your home. You thought I would be flattered and pleased. It is a beautiful tree carefully set up and painstakingly decorated, but I am neither flattered nor pleased. To me, a Christian, the tree is a symbol of my most sacred religious holiday. It has become, in our home, the mark of our Christianity during the season of the year when we celebrate the birth of Christ. I ask myself what meaning the tree has for you? It cannot be a Christian religious symbol, since you have told me often that as a Jew you do not accept Christ. For you, it must then be no more than a pretty deco- ration. How can I help but feeling resentful when you take my sacred religious symbol and make it a mere decoration? And when I hear you refer to it as a “Chanukah Bush” I am ashamed for you. But most of all, I’m sorry. Sorry for you. You mentioned “Chanukah.” I see some of my Jewish neigh- bors decorate their homes so beautifully in its honor. I hear their children sing pretty songs and tell the ex- citing and significant story. I am sorry that all of this is so strange and foreign to you – that you do not give your children an opportunity to partake of its joy and share in its celebration. Many thanks for wishing me Merry Christmas. As a really good friend – one of your best – I wish you a Happy Chanukah. I hope that you and your family will celebrate Chanukah wish song, with joy and with an overwhelming pride in being what you are. Yours sincerely, Stephen H. Pinsky Kislev / Tevet 5773 | December 2012 Rabbi’s Voice Rabbi Stephen H. Pinsky

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Shalom December 2012

Transcript of Shalom December 2012

Page 1: Shalom December 2012

Dear Friends: Several years ago, one of our Religious School teachers told me of her dismay at this sea-son. In a discussion with her students on the meaning of Chanukah the year before, she was shocked to discover the number of Jewish families in our community who have Christmas trees in their homes. She indicated to me that she was almost afraid to bring up the subject again in her class. Chanukah’s deepest meaning lies in its affirmation of the freedom to be different – to maintain

our distinctive religious practices even though we are a small minority in our society. That is precisely the meaning of the Maccabean revolution. Chanukah commemorates those who proclaimed their own special identity and des-tiny which they were unwilling to give up even at the cost of their lives, much less for the comfort of being differ-ent.

Allow me to share with you a portion of an interesting letter which was shared with me by a congregant who passed it along to his Rabbi:

You showed me the Christmas tree you placed in your home. You thought I would be flattered and pleased. It is a beautiful tree carefully set up and painstakingly decorated, but I am neither flattered nor pleased. To me, a Christian, the tree is a symbol of my most sacred religious holiday. It has become, in our home, the mark of our Christianity during the season of the year when we celebrate the birth of Christ. I ask myself what meaning the tree has for you? It cannot be a Christian religious symbol, since you have told me often that as a Jew you do not accept Christ. For you, it must then be no more than a pretty deco-ration. How can I help but feeling resentful when you take my sacred religious symbol and make it a mere decoration? And when I hear you refer to it as a “Chanukah Bush” I am ashamed for you. But most of all, I’m sorry. Sorry for you. You mentioned “Chanukah.” I see some of my Jewish neigh-bors decorate their homes so beautifully in its honor. I hear their children sing pretty songs and tell the ex-citing and significant story. I am sorry that all of this is so strange and foreign to you – that you do not give your children an opportunity to partake of its joy and share in its celebration. Many thanks for wishing me Merry Christmas. As a really good friend – one of your best – I wish you a Happy Chanukah.

I hope that you and your family will celebrate Chanukah wish song, with joy and with an overwhelming pride in being what you are.

Yours sincerely, Stephen H. Pinsky

Kislev / Tevet 5773 | December 2012

Rabbi’s Voice Rabbi Stephen H. Pinsky

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A publication of

Temple Beth Torah 900 Big Blue Trace

Wellington, Florida 33414

TEL.: 561-793-2700 FAX: 561-793-1072

E-MAIL: [email protected] WEB SITE: templebethtorah.net

TEMPLE OFFICE HOURS:

Monday - Thursday: 9AM - 5PM Friday: 9AM - 4PM

RABBI

Stephen H. Pinsky [email protected]

CANTOR Carrie F. Barry

[email protected] PRESIDENT Sara Marcus

[email protected] VICE PRESIDENTS

Susan Kellner Richard Lebowitz TREASURER Richard Samuels SECRETARY Marcia Weber

EDUCATION DIRECTOR Jodi Kaufman

[email protected] PRESCHOOL DIRECTOR

Sandy Wilensky [email protected]

YOUTH ADVISOR Jessica Stein

[email protected] BROTHERHOOD

PRESIDENT Jeffrey Sharkey

SISTERHOOD CO-PRESIDENT Darlene Leobwitz

Andi Parker [email protected]

SHALOM CREATIVE DESIGN Philip Levine

EDITOR Phyllis Weinstein

Message from the President Sara Marcus

Hello everyone! I can hardly believe it is December and we are looking forward to 2013! 2012 was a remarkable year which included two important developments:

The congregation began the process of Rabbinic Search, and anyone who was interested had the opportunity to take part in the information gathering process.

The Board of Trustees began the ‘Visioning’ process which we hope will create a stronger spiritual community for all the members of Temple Beth Torah.

These two processes are integral to each other. The information gathered by the Search Committee (qualities most important in a Rabbi, priorities for a Rabbi, goals of the temple, strengths of the congregation and weaknesses of the congregation) is important for the Board to consider in creating policy which will determine how Temple Beth Torah can become a more sacred community, a stronger congregation of learners and a congregation interested in supporting more social justice initiatives. Please read your emails to know what TBT is offering, take advantage of all the edu-cational opportunities, participate in the social events to come and let TBT be your spiritual home. I wish you all a healthy and happy 2013! L’Shalom, Sara Marcus, President

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Cantor’s Voice Cantor Carrie Barry

Ever thought about learning Hebrew? Please read on! I grew up in a home with no televised sports. My father never had an interest. In fact, when my mother met my father, it was one of the things about him that appealed to her. I think the noise of the games drove her to distrac-tion. My brother played soccer, but if he wanted to watch a game on television, he had to do so in his bedroom. Ian and I had been dating about three months when he told me that football season was beginning and I had a choice to make: I could watch the Jets games with him, or he’d see me in February. As a kid, if I happened to be at someone’s house where they were watching a game, it looked like utter chaos to me. I couldn’t figure out where the ball was. I didn’t understand the terminology. It was so…foreign! Well, I was enjoying my time with Ian and didn’t want our blossoming relationship to go on hiatus for football season. I told him I’d be willing to watch football with him as long as he was willing to explain to me what was happening and answer all of my ques-tions. It turns out Ian is a very good teacher. Within a month I was able to follow the ball across the television screen and, by the end of the season, I could say I had a true appreciation for the game. Someone recently told me that he thinks he’d enjoy services so much more if he knew what was going on. I im-mediately made the analogy to my foray into football. Of course, unless you grew up attending services regularly or studied the prayers and their function as I had, services must seem, well, foreign. Hebrew is a language most of us don’t speak, there is seemingly random choreography as part of the prayers, and you can join with the “lai, lai, lai’s” of the music but most people are dependent on the transliteration. So, I’m on a mission. For those of you who are interested, I am determined to help you become what I call “Service Savvy.” Beginning Saturday, January 19, I will be offering a weekly, free, adult only, hour-long Shabbat study course at 1:00pm in the Temple Beth Torah’s library. The class will cover beginning Hebrew, the structure of the Shabbat services and the meaning and historical background of the prayers. It will not matter what your background is or where you fall on the continuum of Jewish/Hebrew education. The class will be a judgment free zone. My goal for the class is to educate in order to increase our enjoyment of, appreciation for and spiritual con-nection to our worship experiences. If you are interested, please send me an email at [email protected] or leave me a message at the temple because it would help me prepare materials, but, as they say, walk-ins are wel-come. B’Shalom, Cantor Carrie Barry

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From the Desk of the Temple Educator

Jodi Kaufman Over the last few months I have taught several professional development courses about using iPads in Religious Education. Currently we have 6 iPads in our school which get used every time school is in session. Our classes have benefitted from the use of the iPads and truly enjoy using them. Our 7th graders began writing their own books of midrashim. The 5th grade class has created posters for an anti-bullying campaign they have launched in our school. The 4th grade has used them to find their Hebrew birth dates. Our Hebrew Special-ist uses them with our students to reinforce the Hebrew they have learned. Using technology in our school has enriched what we do here and I hope our students bring that home to you. Here are some apps we are currently using in Religious School. Perhaps you or your child might want to check them out at home! For a more complete listing of Jewish apps visit… http://www.jewishicommunity.com/ iShma- Learn and review the Shema with some fun activities iHanukkah- Learn and review the Hanukkah blessings and more. iShabbat- Learn and review the Shabbat blessings with some fun activities. iTorah- Learn the Torah blessings with some fun activities. iMahNishtana- Learn the 4 questions for Passover or just play them at your seder. The Amazing Jewish Fact a Day Calendar- learn some Jewish trivia to share. Jewish Rock Radio- Listen to popular Jewish rock music from all over the world. Hebrew for Kids- Learn some modern Hebrew vocabulary. Hebrew Alphabet Study Buddy- Practice your Aleph Bet at home and on your way. Verse Wise Bible JPS- Have an English translation of the Torah at your fingertips. Kippa Game HD- Put the kippa on the kid’s head in this exciting game. Passover Trucks Game HD- Learn which foods are kosher for Passover and sort them into the correct truck. Kosher Fishing Game HD- Learn about keeping Kosher by catching the Kosher fish. Hanukkah Sliding Puzzle- Play this sliding puzzle game to remember the joy of Chanukah. JAM Matching Game- Jewish and Me Matching game for younger students. Shofar for iPhone- Hear the shofar blown all year long. Mitzvah Flyer Game- Catch the flying mitzvot in this fast paced game based on Jewish values. Alef Bet Bullseye- An Alef Bet game you can customize to test specific letters. Who’s Jewish?- A game for the older students of Jewish trivia. Hebrewku- Sudoku with Jewish symbols or letters of the Hebrew alphabet. The Torah- G-dcast for the ipad. You can also use You Tube to get these videos. Comic Life- Create your own comic strips and share them. They can be printed or uploaded to your website. ShowMe- Create your own instructional videos and email them to your students or upload them to a website. Passover- A Storychimes Read Aloud book. Hebrew Tots- A fun and exciting way for children of all ages to learn the Hebrew alphabet, numbers and colors. Kids 1st Shape Puzzle- Learn Hebrew and English first words. Hebrew Touch and Write- A fun way to learn how to write Hebrew. Hebrew Words (VIBS Inc)- Learn to read, write and say Hebrew words. Alef Bet Schoolhouse- Teaches the Hebrew alphabet with sound, color, animation and fun? Book Creator- Create and publish your own books. Pic Collage- Create your own posters!

Have fun! I hope to hear from you soon! Jodi Kaufman, RJE

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Preschool Press Sandy Wilensky

It always gives me great pleasure to share with you the many ac-tivities and lessons in which the children are involved in the pre-school. This month is no exception. The children spent much of their time in November learning and preparing for our school Thanksgiving celebration. Just like at home, these experiences culminated with a celebratory meal to which family and friends were welcomed guests. In the preschool, the activities leading up to the big celebration is where the real learning occurs. Creatively contained within our curriculum, the teachers artfully integrated activities about the Pilgrims, Plymouth Rock, Native Americans, the meaning of being thankful, and Hachnasat Orchim, welcom-ing guests. Under the careful supervision of teachers and volun-teer parents in the classroom, the children measured and mixed ingredients, learned new songs and tempos, and created festive centerpieces and holiday attire. We are all thankful to the VPO (Voluntary Parent Organization) for the additional food prepara-tion and beautiful setup, as well as to the numerous “moms” in all the classes who assisted in transforming white t-shirts into child-made works of art. The parade of children into the social hall for the sing-a-long was an example of our ongoing parent-teacher-child collaboration. The beaming smiles on the faces of the chil-dren and their proud families and friends were a reflection of those efforts. Our families also assisted the children with acts of Tzedakah. Our holiday food drive contributed 8 boxes of food for local pantries. Thanks to all of you for continuing to support our many Pre-school fundraiser events. The Holiday Boutique was held on Fri-day, November 2 and was a tremendous success. Kudos to Vicki Buckstein for coordinating this event, which directly benefits the preschool children. Congratulations to those of you who won the raffles! This year our family supported Adopt-A-Class program has raised over $2000. Those efforts will put many new manipula-tives, language, science and Judaica materials into the classrooms in the next few months. If you were lucky enough to be in the building on Friday morn-ing, November 9th, you witnessed a preschool lesson on Kavod, through the arts. The children were treated to a most memorable dance program of patriotic music honoring our soldiers in uni-form. The children could not take their eyes off the “big kids” - the Royal Palm Beach High School Wildcat Dancers. Our sincere thanks to Michelle Blecher for bringing the performing arts into our school each year With Chanukah coming on the heels of Thanksgiving recess, preparation for the festival of lights has already begun. On Decem-ber 11 & 12, the children will celebrate the holiday in their class-rooms with delicious potato latkes and sufganiyot donated by the Sisterhood and Brotherhood. We are so fortunate to be the recipi-ents of the generosity of these two groups and their leadership.

We thank all of the members for their continued support of all our preschool actvities! Preceding these yummy snacks will be a school-wide Chanukah sing-a-long complete with recitations of the blessings and the lighting of the Chanukiah. The VPO will put their own finishing touch on the celebration with small gifts for each child. The hands-on activities for this holiday will include constructing variations of the Chanukiah and playing dreidel. Be-sides reinforcing the teachings of the holidays, the practice and repetitions of the many songs taught at this time of year reinforces memory and language development in the young child. The dreidel game, which the children love to play, teaches the miracle of Chanukah while introducing basic math concepts. We are also quite proud of our PreK children who will embrace the Jewish Value, Gemilut Chasadim, acts of loving-kindness, at Morselife Geriatric Center for a presentation of Chanukah music to their residents.

The end of January will be highlighted by a month long visit to the synagogue from the traveling life size Bim & Bom, a traveling program sponsored by the Commission for Jewish Education. This innovative program infuses the language, adventures and Jewish values found in the story of Bim and Bom: A Shabbat Tale, by Daniel Schwartz into the day-to-day activities of the pre-school children. Watch for some long-term projects that will also emanate from interaction with the story and its main characters, Bim & Bom.

Save the date! The first stop for Bim & Bom will be at our se-cond Tot Shabbat of the school year on January 25th. The chil-dren will be treated to a child friendly service led by Rabbi Pin-sky and Cantor Barry. Dinner will be provided for the children following the service. Our Tot Shabbat programs are open to the entire community. Bring your friends! RSVP to the preschool office 793.2649 or [email protected].

Do you know a family looking for a quality NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children) preschool pro-gram? Please have them call or stop by the preschool office. We would be happy to give any interested persons a tour of our won-derful school! Next month we will begin early registration for the 2013-2014 school year. Full-time, part-time and extended day options are again available for children two through PreK. Registration information will be available before the holiday break.

Our best wishes to you for a Happy Chanukah! Shalom, Sandy Wilensky Director On a purely personal note, thanks to everyone in the Temple community for your kind thoughts and expressions of sympathy.

Temple Beth Torah Leonie Arguetty Preschool

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Sisterhood News Darlene Lebowitz and Andi Parker

Hello, Sisterhood Members and Congregants! Here is some news from Sisterhood…your Sisterhood board continues to meet the 2nd Sunday of the month at 9:30 AM at the Temple and you’re welcome anytime! In August we hosted the Religious School Welcome Back Pool Party at Wellington Community Pool and in September we enjoyed our invited guest, Madi Hoesten, WRJ Marketing Vice-President, who presented an overview “WRJ 101” and how to navigate the WRJ (Women of Reform Judaism) website. October brought us to the Sukkah for your Sisterhood Installa-tion. The 2012-2014 officers include: Darlene Lebowitz and Andi Parker as Co-Presidents, Debbie Cirincione , Member-ship, Amy Blumstein, Programs, Sue Thornton – Ways and Means, Jeanne Moskowitz – Treasurer and Joy Pitterman as Sec-retary. The first weekend in November Sisterhood members along with our 7th grade Religious School students made “No-Sew” blankets for a temporary residential children’s home called “Grandma’s Place.” We donated these blankets for the children to have as a keepsake while at this facility and when they return home. Everyone enjoyed making the blankets and Sisterhood looks forward to partnering with the 7th grade for more mitzvot in the spring. Please mark your calendars for Wednesday, December 12 at 7PM when we’ll host a “Shop and Play” BINGOtini. We’ll be shopping at our Judaica Boutique, enjoying Martinis [and non-alcoholic beverages too] along with appetizers, and of course, we’ll be playing BINGO. The fee is $18 per person and includes 2 BINGO cards (additional cards available for purchase), a Martini or drink of choice, light snacks and lots of fun and laughter, shopping and prizes. Looking ahead to 2013 we have many activities including January’s Paid-up Membership complimentary dinner on January 16, a Tu B’shevat Seder and wine tasting with Brotherhood on Saturday, January 26 and on January 27, Mitzvah Day, we’ll be making Stuff ‘N Sew teddy bears. On February 10 we’ll be having a Sisterhood meeting and program [TBA] and on March 12th, we’ll be hosting our annual Women’s Seder led by our very own Cantor Carrie Barry. Sunday, April 21 brings our Card & Game Party & Luncheon. May 16 we’ll have another opportunity to do mitzvot by making button bracelets. The proceeds from the bracelets will go toward cancer research. Watch for more information on all of the above activities. We look forward to seeing you and your friends at some of these events! One final note. We would like to recognize Fran Lerner for her dedication for more than ten years as an area director for some of WRJ’s Southeast Regions Sisterhoods. We would also like to recognize Joy Pitterman, who was recently ap-pointed an area director for some of our Southeast Region Sisterhoods. Mazel Tov ladies on the past, present and future for Women of Reform Judaism! Wishing all our congregants very Happy Chanukah.. Shalom always! Darlene Lebowitz and Andi Parker Co-Presidents of Temple Beth Torah’s Sisterhood

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Temple Beth Torah Caring Committee's mission is to support our members who are ill, have suffered a loss, are going through difficult times, or who may be celebrating a simcha. Temple members are encouraged to email the Caring Committee at [email protected] or Call Beth at the Temple office at 561-793-2700 and provide the information of the congregant in need or celebrating a mitzvah. We welcome any congregants who would like to learn more about our committee and get involved. Temple Beth Torah is looking for volunteers to periodically drive other Temple members with a temporary need for a ride to services or Temple related events. If you are able to help out, even if it is only one time, please let us know and provide the best way to contact you. Thank you and best wishes for a happy and healthy Chanukah.

Caring Committee Cindy Albers

The Preschool VPO just had their annual Holiday Boutique on November 1st. The Boutique was a huge suc-cess. We had a number of temple members as vendors including: Toby Brodtman of Dye-Namite Designs, Tam-my Haber and Leslie Campche of The Bag Chicks, Cheryl Herrman of Write-It, and Danielle Novak of My Sis-ter's Closet. We had 19 vendors in total. Thank you to everyone who cooperated to make this event a success. The Preschool VPO wants to invite any interested congregant to join us in the sanctuary for the weekly pre-school Friday Shabbat held at 11am. Cantor Barry plays her famous Hello Kitty guitar and the kids rock out to her Shabbat sing-along. Experiencing this event will put a smile on your face!

Preschool Volunteer Parent Organization (VPO)

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Julie Rosenberg, daughter of Lenora Assing and Louis Rosenberg was called to the Torah as a Bat Mitzvah on Saturday, Oc-tober 6, 2012. Julie is an 8th grader at the Meyer Academy and has attended since graduation from Temple Beth Torah Pre-school. Julie enjoys doing artwork and loves animals, as well as playing on the basketball team for school. Julie at the age of thirteen has not yet made any decisions about her future endeavors, but we know that whatever she does, she will continue to be a Mensch! On this special day Julie was joined by her parents, sister Jennifer, her grandparents and caring friends and fami-ly. Myles Ian Cohen, son of Debbie and Barry Cohen, was called to the Torah as a Bar Mitzvah on Saturday, October 13, 2012. Myles is an 8th grade honors student in the gifted program at Emerald Cove Middle School. He is an avid athlete and plays baseball on his school team and for the HoJo Elite travel team. Myles will be joined by his parents, sister Ariana, very proud grandparents, in addition to family and friends from New York and Florida. He is so appreciative of everyone that is contrib-uting to making this occasion such a special one. Sara Lexi Silverman, the daughter of Rich and Beth Silverman, was called to the Torah as a Bat Mitzvah on Saturday, Octo-ber 20, 2012. Sara is an honor student at Emerald Cove Middle School. She enjoys dancing, playing all sports and being around horses. Celebrating with Sara were her sister Cori and her many special relatives and friends. Lea Schwartz had the honor of Bat Mitzvah on November 3rd. She is the daughter of Michael Schwartz and Dorrit Vizel-Schwartz. She has an older sister, Maya and a younger brother, Benjamin. She also has two dogs who like to sleep in the sunbeams that light up her room. Lea loves gymnastics especially tumbling, twisting and flips. She also loves to travel to Denmark to visit family she has there. She is in the 7th grade at Wellington Landings Middle School where she is learning Spanish and one day would like to visit a Spanish-speaking country. Lea recently participated in the American Heart Associa-tion’s Heart Walk in West Palm Beach as part of her Mitzvah Project. Isaac Michael Portnoy, son of Eli and Heather Portnoy, was called to the Torah as a Bar Mitzvah on Saturday, November 10, 2012. Isaac is in 7th grade at Bak Middle School of the Arts where he majors in theatre. He enjoys numerous hobbies, which include a variety of sports, video games, reading, cooking and just hanging out with his friends. Isaac volunteers for A Second Chance Puppies and Kittens Rescue. He often spends his weekends helping at adoption events. In addition, he and his family foster rescued dogs in their home until they find their forever homes. Isaac would love for Temple Beth Torah families look-ing for a new pet to consider adopting from this organization. He was joined on his special day by his parents, his sister Alexa, his grandparents, Ivan and Joyce Portnoy, Michael and Patty Sullivan and Debbie and Rick Adkins as well as many other be-loved family and friends. Emily Thal is the daughter of Mitchell and Elizabeth Thal, and the mother of Doogie Thal was called to the Torah as a Bat Mitzvah on November 24, 2012. She is a 7th grade student at the Arthur Meyer Jewish Academy, which she has attended since the age of five. Emily is a member of the Wellington basketball team and enjoys swimming and other activities. She has a passion for all things art and is an avid collector of fossils, stones, and precious gems. She is a member of the Temple Beth Torah Youth Group and enjoys all of the activities provided. Joining Emily on this special day will be her aunts, uncles, and grandparents, along with her cousins, classmates, and friends. Benjamin Todd Katz, son of Dr. Henry and Linda Katz, will be called to the Torah as a Bar Mitzvah on December 8, 2012. Benjamin is a 7th grade student at Polo Park Middle School, where he is enrolled in all advanced and honors programs. He plays alto saxophone in the school band. Ben, as he prefers to be called, enjoys golf, tennis, and basketball. Water sports, such as swimming, skim boarding, and fishing are also favorite pastimes. His passion is sailing and, whenever he can, he proudly solos his craft on the Intracoastal in Palm Beach. He loves to travel, especially by ship. Whether,on land or at sea, he always has his camera in hand to capture precious moments. Ben greatly looks forward to spending one month each summer at sleep away camp in the Adirondack Mountains of New York State.

B’nai Mitzvah Students October / November / December

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The Social Justice Committee Ochel L’chol project raised $4,590 for Publix gift certificates for members of our congregation and community who needed help with groceries and prescriptions. After the project ended at Passo-ver, 2012, there was an additional donation of $1,000. It is both good and bad that all of those gift certificates have been used. There is still a need. The President and Rabbi have asked the Social Justice Committee to restart the project. So, on 11/9/12, the Social Justice Committee will be at all Onegs to collect $10 donations for Publix cer-tificates. We hope you will help in this important cause and thank you in advance. The Committee is looking for congregants that are willing to e-mail their Congress people on Jewish-related issues. The RAC, the political action sub-committee of the URJ, website has many topics for which they would like you to send e-mails. You can also get on their contact list and they will send you e-mail when they need e-mails sent. The main topics listed now by RAC are:

i. SNAP (food stamps) in Farm Bill – stop $450B cut in current bill ii. Expansion of Medicaid in Obamacare – FL Gov. will not do for FL iii. Eco-Justice – environmental bills all hung up in Congress iv. Passing Employment Non-Discrimination Act – for Gays and Lesbians, there is no protection in employ-

ment so this is needed now. v. Protecting Contraceptive Access and keeping Roe vs Wade vi. Iran Sanctions vii. US Aid to Israel

If this is something you may be interested in, please contact us and we will train you on the RAC site. The Com-mittee is always interested in suggestions for Social Justice projects and people who want to help us in our work. Please contact Diane Marks at 752-8311 or [email protected].

Social Justice Commitee

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Events at Temple Beth Torah December 2012

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1 Torah Study Shabbat Morning Service

2 Annual TBT Picnic

3 4 Sisterhood Book Club

5 6 7 Erev Shabbat Service (EARLY SERVICE—6:30)

8 Torah Study Shabbat Morning Service

9 10 11 12 Sisterhood Hosts "Bingotini"

13 14 Chanukah Dinner at TBT Shabbat with our Chanukah Choir

15 Torah Study Shabbat Morning Service

16 17 18 19 20 21 Erev Shabbat Service

22 Torah Study Shabbat Morning Service

23 24 25 26 27 28 Erev Shabbat Service

29 Torah Study Shabbat Morning Service

30 31

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Welcome to our New Members We welcome the following new members to our “Temple family” and look forward to their

participation in our services and activities.

Inna and Steven Markhoff Louis Shapiro and Shannon Fisher

Allan and Beverly Ziker Erica and Brian Fleisch

Allison Jacobson Bena Levy

Shahar and Robert Pasch Tanya and Gary Popovetsky Anna and Jonathan Goldberg

Chong-Sun Oh and Danny Johnston Liat and Orik Dagan

Jennifer and Eric Goldman Adam and Ashley Goldstein

Ms. Nancy Lanard and David Thomas Cathy and Michael Wolf

Dr. Sara and Glen Bernstein Andrea and Moshe Farhi

Heather and Kenneth Kingwell Jamie and Eric Dinow

Betsy Greenberg Jann Flowers

Miluska and Brett Fabrikant Taryn and Daniel Silverstein

Mazel Tov To: Our B’nai Mitzvah:

August Michael Rosman Groves and his family

Nicholas Breindel and his family Jacob Pincus and his family

Zachary Rubin and his family

September Lilyana Hamerling and her family

Joshua Myerson and his family

October Julie Rosenberg and her family

Myles Cohen and his family Sara Silverman and her family

Amy Arbit and her family

November Lea Schwartz and her family Isaac Portnoy and his family Emily Thal and her family

December

Ben Katz and his family

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Special Simchas—Mazel Tov To:

Rhoda and Sy Zenlea on the birth of their great grandson, Jacob Sam Lyons Selma and Saul Goldman on the marriage of their granddaughter, Mia Upton Betty Breinin on the birth of her great granddaughter, Catheryn Jay Breinin Marcia Jaffe on the marriage of her daughter, Alicia, to Michael Hollinger

Sabina and Mel Dener on the marriage of their granddaughter, Michele Gibula, to Adam Critchley Lee and Harold Baum in honor of their 65th wedding anniversary

Get Well To:

Larry Bernstein, Michael Budd, Mark Carey, Nancy Freedman, Jacob Fried, Irene Haas, Marvin Haas, Fran Lerner and Linda Politzer

Deepest Sympathy To: Robert Kappell on the loss of his mother, Dorothy Kappel

Brian Buckstein on the loss of his grandfather, Henry Al Buckstein Dinah Harmon on the loss of her father, Stanley Levine

Susan Schwartz on the loss of her sister, Marjorie Winokur Lisa Zafran on the loss of her father, Solomon Binderoff

Doug Stein on the loss of his father, Charles Stein Susan Davidson on the loss of her mother, Marion Levine

Arline Moore on the loss of her mother, Sylvia Rayvid Janna Zaidspiner on the loss of her stepfather, David Josel

Ken Cook on the loss of his uncle, Sal Saul Leonard and Ian Cordes on the death of their brother and uncle, Carl Cordes

Melanie Levine on the death of her father, Stephen Evans Marlene Katzman on the loss of her husband, Irwin Katzman

Mark Albers on the loss of his father, Edwin Albers Janice Pliskow on the death of her mother, Sophie Jacobson Danielle Levinsohn on the loss of her sister, Esther Chana

Sandy Wilensky on the loss of her stepmother, Florence Adler Jennifer Winton on the loss of her grandfather, Hyman Goldstein

Stephen Warner on the loss of his farther, Fred Warner

Rabbi Stephen and Lisa Pinsky are delighted to announce the arrival of their grandson

Theodore Ji-Hyun Pinsky

Son of Angela and Seth Pinsky

born Thanksgiving Day, November 22, 2012

Baby, Parents and Grandparents Are All Doing Well!

Page 17: Shalom December 2012

 

Shalom December 2012  ‐ Page 17 

] Gracious Donations ] RABBI’S DISCRETION-

ARY FUND Fountains L.I.F.E.

Foundation given to help feed the hungry

Ellen Schafer & Allen

Trustman

In Honor Of The birth of our great grandson,

Jacob Sam Lyons Rhoda & Sy Zenlea

The marriage of

Mia Upton Roz & Karen Eismann

The Bat Mitzvah of Lilyana Hamerling Barbara & Richard

Bergman

The Bat Mitzvah of our granddaughter,

Lilyana Hamerling Karen & Barry

Hamerling

Brendon and Dylan Green’s reading from the Torah on Yom Kippur

Louise Strongin

“Uncle” Phil Aronson Carrie Schoen

The speedy recovery of

Sylvia Shoengold Roz & Morris Ball

Sylvia Skoller

A Happy, Healthy New Year for Lisa and Rabbi

Pinsky Betty Breinin

Gwynn & Tom Rosen

Tammy Smith TBT Sisterhood

The Bar Mitzvah of our

son, Myles Cohen

Debbie & Barry Cohen

In Appreciation For The renewal of vows

ceremony which Rabbi Pinsky conducted for

Scott and for me Beth Hyber

The beauty of the High

Holiday Services Earlene & Eric Bakerman

Judy & Leon Pinstein Arline & Noel Shevack Daisy & Stan Dorfman

Robbie & Michael Puritz-Hayes

Jeffrey Newman Janna & Jay Dorfman

Hope Bernstein Muriel Zuckerman

Dulcie Burns Joan Wolff

The Rabbi’s friendship Judith & Richard Silver

Family Fund

Rabbi Pinsky’s years of service to the Temple Beth Torah Family

Caryl & Marty Kahn

The Sisterhood Installa-tion during the beautiful

Havdalah Service Darlene Lebowitz &

Andi Parker

Rabbi’s visits during Marvin’s recent illness

Phyllis & Marvin Weinstein

The lunch my grand-daughter and I shared

with Rabbi Pinsky Bea Kalikow

Rabbi’s visits and care for

my father during his surgery

The Herrman Family

Our annual Kristallnacht Service

Irene Warten

In Memory Of My dear wife Cyril Gold

Lee Zimmerman Jack Zimmerman

Emil Block and

Bea Block Jane Shuster

George Rothbart

Selma & Saul Goldman

David Steinberg Sylvia Skoller

Dorothy Kappel

Roz & Morris Ball

My dear wife Cyril Gold

Joseph Dickens

Irma & Marty Grossman Selma & Saul Goldman

Robert Steinberg

Betty Breinin

Stanley Levine Gloria Zakon

Janna & Joel Zaidspiner

Bea Matis Betty Breinin

Irene Rozenblat Smith

Irene Warten

Gerald M. Wilson Ann Trebby

David Josel

Jennifer & Andrew Goldstein

Charles Stein

Bonnie & Doug Stein

My beloved sons, Barton and Ronald Skol-

ler Sylvia Skoller

Thelma Eisen Carrie Schoen

Myron Silverman Elaine Silverman

CANTOR’S DISCRETION-ARY FUND

In Honor Of The Bar Mitzvah of

Alex Refowich Linda & Mark Refowich

The beautiful High Holiday Services

Selma Rudnick Waters Dulcie Burns

The speedy recovery of

Iris Goldson Zena Plous

A Happy, Healthy New Year for Carrie & Ian

Barry and their children Betty Breinin

Julie Rosenberg’s

Bat Mitzvah Rosenberg and Assing

Family

The speedy recovery of Anne Hlasnicek

Roz & Morris Ball

Ruthe Blecher on her birthday

Roz & Morris Ball

In Appreciation For Summer services Gale Zumpano

The Sisterhood

Installation during the beautiful

Havdalah Service Darlene Lebowitz &

Andi Parker

The High Holidays Arline & Noel Shevack

The Sisterhood

Installation Darlene Lebowitz &

Andi Parker

In Memory Of George Rothbart

Roz & Morris Ball Ruth Ball

Renee Rissin & Family David Rothbart & Family

Pat Fitzpatrick

David Josel Cheryl & Mike Herrman

Nancy Tilson

Selma & Saul Goldman

Libby Barry Dr. Jack Zimmerman

Julian Stern

Daisy & Stan Dorfman

RABBI STEPHEN PINSKY EDUCATION FUND

In Memory Of David Rosenberg

Lisa & Rabbi Stephen Pinsky

Alan Rosenberg

Lisa & Rabbi Stephen Pinsky

Scott Hyber

Beth, Jason & Joshua Hyber

Hon. Jesse M. Eisen

Lisa & Rabbi Stephen Pinsky

Doris Appleby

Lisa & Rabbi Stephen Pinsky

Loretta Cohen

Roz & Karen Eismann

In Appreciation For My being called to the

Torah on Shemini Atzeret

Phyllis Weinstein

In Memory Of Ruth Pinsky Bross

Rabbi Stephen Pinsky

Page 18: Shalom December 2012

Shalom December 2012 ‐ Page 18 

EDUCATOR’S DISCRE-TIONARY FUND

In Honor Of Julie and Kevin

Krotenberg’s new home Shelley Sandler

Ivan and Joyce Portnoy

and their example of kindness to others

Sara & Mitch Marcus

In Memory Of Stanley Levine

Sue & Jim Thornton

Stephen Evans Marcia & Scott Weber

CANTOR FENAKEL RELI-

GIOUS SCHOOL In Honor Of

Madie Hoesten TBT Sisterhood

LEONIE ARGUETTY PRE-

SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIP FUND

In Memory Of Henry Buckstein

Sabina & Mel Dener

Carl Cordes Brian & Vicki Buckstein

Florence Adler

Vicki & Brian Buckstein Beth Tanner

YOUTH GROUP FUND

In Honor Of Emily Thal’s Bat Mitzvah

and in appreciation for Temple Beth Torah Elizabeth, Mitchell &

Emily Thal

In Memory Of Charles Stein

Marcia & Scott Weber

TZEDAKAH BOX FUND In Appreciation For

Ruthe Blecher and her delicious dinner and good

company Roz & Morris Ball

In Memory Of Stanley Levine

Marcia & Scott Weber

Florence Adler Marcia & Scott Weber

Eunice Rapoport

Marcia & Scott Weber

LIFE LONG LEARNING FUND

In Honor Of The birth of Catheryn

Jay Breinin Melissa Sandel

In Appreciation For Sheila Phillips and

Rosemond Hammond and their wonderful

summer classes Susan Kellner

Sara, Mitch & Debra Marcus

In Memory Of

George Rothbart Ruth Ball

Roz & Morris Ball Ruthann & Michael

Palmer Rhoda & Sy Zenlea

Miriam Melon Frieda Greenstein Sheldon & Ruth

Friedberg Gloria Kahn

Judy & Joel Marcus Marilyn & Lou Rissin

Elaine Gordon, Nat Sims & Friends

Marilyn & Bruce Smith Anne Hlasnicek

Arlene & Leon Tracht

Aida Skluth Rhoda & Sy Zenlea

BILL BENDER CARING

FUND In Honor Of

The speedy recovery of Nancy Freedman

Youngblood Darlene & Rich

Lebowitz

The marriage of Michele Gibula to Adam

Critchley Sabina & Mel Dener

The speedy recovery of

Linda Politzer The Adler Family

In Appreciation For The beautiful High

Holiday services and our wonderful aliyah

Sabina & Mel Dener Darlene & Rich

Lebowitz

The Cantor’s fabulous performance during the

High Holidays Darlene & Rich

Lebowitz

The Caring Committee and all that they do for

our community Dulcie Burns

In Memory Of

George Rothbart Roz & Morris Ball

Ruth Ball

Frank Reisman Danielle & Harvey

Levinsohn

Edwin Albers Alisa & David Adler

Jerrold Jacob

Jennifer & Yehuda Konnan

LIBRARY FUND

In Honor Of The 85th birthday of

George Koffs Doris & Karl Fishman

In Memory Of

Ellen Selker Doris & Karl Fishman

Gladys Cohen

Doris & Karl Fishman

PRAYER BOOK FUND In Memory Of Irwin Katzman

The Past Presidents of Temple Beth El of Buffalo, New York

GENERAL TEMPLE FUND

In Honor Of The speedy recovery of

Arleen Tarutz Sarah Franzblau

The marriage of Alicia &

Mike Hollinger Thelma Specter

Joy Pitterman’s birthday

David Pitterman

The speedy recovery of Sylvia Shoengold

Judy & Stanley Stein

The Bat Mitzvah of our granddaughter,

Amy Arbit Doris & Jack Sadow

In Appreciation For Lara Tessler and her

beautiful voice Sara & Mitch Marcus

In Memory Of

Henry Buckstein Cheryl & Ian Cordes

Irene Smith

Irene Warten

Erich (Pico) Mamson Irene Warten

David Josel

Liz & Mitch Thal

Stephen Evans Cheryl & Ian Cordes

YAHRZEIT FUND In Memory Of Harry Rosner

Judy & Roy Rosner

Bertram Gottfried Sylvia Gottfried

Sylvia Kalish Miriam Goldbetter

Anthony Lauzerique

The Lauzerique Family

Steve Martin Debi & Steve Shapiro

Arthur Yasuna Michael Yasuna

Leonard Hack

Yetta Hack The Hack Family

Irene Stolow Carl Stolow

Cheryl & Stephen Stolow

Bernard Shipp Steven Steinhorn

Joyce Farkas

Saul Blecher Ruthe Blecher

Manuel Ingerman

Samuel Jacob Moskowitz Corinne Ingerman

Ruth Arensen Marcus Abrams

Art & Barbara Abrams

Josephine Shevack George Shevack

Arline & Noel Shevack

Lillian Moskowitz Jeanne & Lew

Moskowitz

Louis Cramer Earlene & Eric Bakerman

Esther Astrachan Cheryl Feinstein

Mollie Goldman

Cindy & Bobby Moses

Max Rudnick Samuel Rudnick Sophie Rudnick

Selma Rudnick Waters

] Gracious Donations ]

Page 19: Shalom December 2012

 

Shalom December 2012  ‐ Page 19 

] Gracious Donations ] Sheldon Portnow

Janet Portnow

Jonathan Block Jane & Fred Shuster

Dr. Seymour Kalb

Samuel Cohen David Simon

Carol & Edward Cohen

Freda Rothman Brenda & Steven

Rothman

Milton Ross Bessie Ross

Eleanor Ross

Karen Dener Sabina & Mel Dener

Harriet Honey Wolff

Sandy Wolff

Sam Bonk Henry Bonk

Rachel Pell Walter Pell Shirley Pell

Leisel Bachmann Edgar Bachmann Dorathy Portnoy

Joyce & Ivan Portnoy

Herbert Frank Milton Frank

Elaine Baylinson

Celia Ackerman Joseph Ackerman Harry Ackerman

Frances Kessler

Fred Kessler

Beatrice Simon Carol Cohen

Frederick Strongin

Alaine Green

Shirley Bulvanski Lee Goldberg Judy Zupnick

Frieda Holstein Sager

Cary H. Levy

Paul Nadel Dolores & Buddy

Busch

Rose Birnbaum Seymour Birnbaum

Minnie Schwartz Irvin Schwartz

Kurt Warten Irene Warten

Irvin Shapiro

Ellen & Steven Shapiro

Mollie Goldman Helene Weinberg

Lee Hobel

Margie & Larry Zauder

Paul Specter Thelma Specter

Estelle Goldstein Jerome Goldstein

Mae Lifschitz Melissa Sandel

Moe Palmer

Ruthann & Michael Palmer

Nathan Trachtenberg

Gertrude Cordes Mary & Leonard

Cordes

Minnie Platt Jack Platt

Dora Gareleck Abraham Gareleck Beverly & Marvin

Gareleck

George Skantar The Skantar Family

Harry Lichman Joseph Kalikow Bea Kalikow

Mina Stern

Darlene & Rich Lebowitz

Max Ball

Marge Weiss Roz & Morris Ball

Miles Saul

Lynn Ferman

Joseph Sisle Louis Gidelson

Roselyn & Mitch Sisle

Philip Plaskey Elaine Baylinson

Julius Jacobowitz Albert Jacobowitz

Hyman Feld

Bob Feld

Murray Rosenberg Leroy Greenspan Carole & William

Greenspan

Janice Scheinker Roberta Grossman

Jeanne Iseman Anne Shapiro Roz Eismann

Celia Bergman Regina Pilchick

The Bergman Family Carole & Arnold Berg-

man

Minnie Buckstein Vicki & Brian Buck-

stein

William Parker Andi & Ron Parker

Florence Goldwasser

Naomi Fishler

Rose Cooper Fred Reiman

Yetta Harnick

Barbara Harnick

Estelle Zangen Joseph Zangen

Harriette Goldberg Ida Bullion

Leon Bullion Annie Peltz Sam Peltz

Joyce Goldman Phyliss & Richard

Bullion

Murray Stanley Hope Barton

Irving Malyn Shirley Malyn

Phyllis & Al Alasia

Shirley Glass Bennett Politzer

Joseph Marks Alan Marks

Miriam Bisulco Lori Bilkis

Morris Pomeranz

Joan & Joseph Pomer-anz

Mark Pliskow Janice Pliskow

Alwyn Metzger Dr. Abe Lucks

Karen & Steve Metzger

Ruth Williams Audrey & Charles

Lipton

Simon DeYoung Harry Ellenson Gregory Chigos Dianne & Ray

Ellenson

Nathan Franzblau Sarah Franzblau

Leo Williams Renita Reif

Shirley Glass

Alisa & David Adler

George Palmer Ruthann & Michael

Palmer

Faye Solomon Dr. Helen Garson

Edward Orenge

John Stetson

Robert Rycus Fredal Rycus

Rebecca Hopenstein

Erza Hoppenstein Morton Pauker Max Langhaus

Miriam & Marvin Langhaus

Paul Levenson Cynthia Kleit

Helen Fryzer Joseph Fryzer

Max R. Koffs

Louise & Milton Koffs

Frank Herzlin Norma Herzlin

Howard B. Fishman II Doris & Karl Fishman

Dr. Daniel Weinstock

Donald Weinstock Esther Birnbaum

Robert J. Katz Laurie Levene

Max Shapiro

Debra & Steven Shapiro

Erna Warten

Ida & Theo Wartens-leben

Irene Warten

Larry Ellner William Brodie

Betty & Hank Brodie

Lila Blecher Ruth Blecher

Sheila Katz Arnold Katz

Laura, Amanda & Drew Moshe

Rita Spitalny

Mortimer Spitalny

Harry Druck Melissa Sandel

Leo Williams

Heather Andrews

Lloyd Kellner Sylvia Kellner

Samson Kellner Adele Fisch Joseph Fisch

Bernice Ballen Frances Ballenzweig

Susan & Reed Kellner

Chana Fuks Fryzer Harry Ackerman

Joseph Lifschitz Melissa Sandel

Oscar Unger

Roslyn Eismann

Harold Robinson Barbara Abrams

Fanchon Metzger

Karen & Steve Metzger

Irene Graf Myra Goodman

Regina Pilchick Joseph Bergman

The Bergman Family

Hyman Zupnick Judy & Mel Zupnick

Belle Friedman

Marcia & Fred Fried-man

Irving Hahn Stanley Hahn

Martin Lebowitz

Darlene & Rich Le-bowitz

Rose Packer Bea Kalikow

Joseph Bakerman Ruth Bakerman

Adeline Dorson Sandra Setton

Arnold Baylinson

Ethel Plasky Elaine Baylinson

Beatrice Lubets Eleanor Ross

Richard Sinclair

Michael, Susan & Jacob Sinclair

Manny G. Wells Margaret Wells

Page 20: Shalom December 2012

Friday, November 30 at 7:30 p.m. ROCK YOUR SOUL SHABBAT

Our Temple band returns for a joyful Service of music and prayer.

Saturday, December 1 at 9:45 a.m.

SERVICE-IN-THE-ROUND Torah Portion: Vayishlach, Genesis 32:4-36:43

Friday, December 7 at 6:30 p.m

(Please Note Earlier Time) FAMILY SERVICE

Members of our Fifth Grade will participate in the Service.

December Birthday Blessings.

Saturday, December 8 at 9:45 a.m. Bar Mitzvah of Benjamin Katz

Son of Linda and Dr. Henry Katz Torah Portion: Vayeshev, Genesis 37:1-40:23

Friday, December 14 at 7:30 p.m.

CHANUKAH FAMILY SERVICE Join us for an evening of

holiday music and celebration preceded by a Family Shabbat Dinner open to the

entire congregation and their friends. Our Special Chanukah Congregational Choir will sing. Bring your own chanukiyah to be lit in the Sanctuary.

Saturday, December 15 at 9:45 a.m. SERVICE-IN-THE-ROUND

Torah Portion: Miketz, Genesis 41:1-44:17

Friday, December 21 at 7:30 p.m. “The December Dilemma – Again”

Rabbi Pinsky will speak on the ways in which we as Jews face the holiday season.

Saturday, December 22 at 9:45 a.m.

SERVICE-IN-THE-ROUND Torah Portion: Vayigash, Genesis 44:18-47:27

Friday, December 28 at 7:30 p.m.

A Service honoring Mary and Leonard Cordes and their family on the dedication of the Rabbi’s Study.

Saturday, December 29 at 7:30 p.m.

SERVICE-IN-THE-ROUND Torah Portion: Veyechi, Genesis 47:28-50:26

December 2012 Service Calendar