The future of Jewish music

Matzah MealA celebration of freedom and family is a story worth retelling at our Passover seder~page 3

fore! ~page 6Swing away at Brotherhood’s Charity Golf Tournament

if you build it... ~page 11Temple Israel partners with Habitat for Humanity to provide a new home

hidden treasure ~pages 8-9Our Barbara K. Lipman Early Learning Center is growing by leaps & bounds

The future of Jewish musicNoah Aronson brings his prodigious musical creativity and playful and soulful spirit to Temple Israel~page 4

Feting a FoodieSisterhood honors Sheryl Gorden, its Top Chef~page 10

Oh, What a NightThe Annual Meeting Shabbat and Dinner puts a bow on another wonderful year at Temple Israel and brings in a new president~page 7

voiceTemple Israel / Memphis, Tennessee

April 2016 / vol. 70; no. 8 / timemphis.org

SHABBAT SHALOM!We hope you find these Shabbat celebrations to be soulful, thought-provoking, and uplifting.

PRENEGSFridays, 5:45-6:15 pmEnjoy these light receptions before Shabbat services. Thank you to the preneg hosts, including: Freddi & Joel Felt (March 18, in honor of their 60th anniversary); the Scheidt family (April 1, in honor of Mason Gronauer becoming bar mitzvah); Sisterhood (April 8, in honor of the ECE-RJ Kallah); Sisterhood (April 15, in honor of Noah Aronson). Note: prenegs won’t be held April 22 and April 29.

TORAH STUDYSaturdays, 8:45-9:45 amParticipate in these stimulating discussions!

EVENING SERVICEFriday, April 1, 6:15 pm

TOT SHABBAT SERVICEFriday, April 1, 6:15 pmSee page 12 for details.

MORNING SERVICESaturday, April 2, 10 amMason Gronauer, son of Helen Gronauer & Skip Gronauer, will become bar mitzvah. Mazal tov!

Sarah Levingston, daughter of Jennifer & Jon Levingston, will become bat mitzvah in Cleveland, Mississippi. Mazal tov!

L’DOR VADOR SERVICEFriday, April 8, 6:15 pmSee page 12 for details.

MORNING SERVICESaturday, April 9, 10 amGordon Brode, son of Amy & Robert Brode, and Kass Jones, son of Blair & Dax Jones, will become b’nai mitzvah. Mazal tov!

EVENING SERVICEFriday, April 15, 6:15 pmWith Noah Aronson

PANCAKES AND PRAYERSaturday, April 16, 10 amWith Noah Aronson (See page 12 for details.)

HAVDALAHSaturday, April 16, 5 pmThe Havdalah follows a concert with Noah Aronson which begins at 5 pm.

SHABBAT MINYAN WITH KADDISHFriday, April 22, 5 pmNote earlier time.

SHABBAT PASSOVER SERVICESaturday, April 23, 10 am

ANNUAL MEETING SERVICEFriday, April 29, 6 pmNote earlier time. (See page 7 for details.)

END OF PESACH YIZKOR SERVICESaturday, April 30, 10 am

Between You and MeDear Temple Israel Family,

As Passover approaches, here are four different questions for you to contemplate:

1) Are we just going through the motions retelling the same story of the Jewish people’s journey from slavery to freedom or are we reclaiming it as OUR story?

2) What Jewish values have I inherited from a people who were once oppressed and what am I passing on?

3) How can I increase my empathy to the people of our time who are most desperate, vulnerable, and despised?

4) What memories from the past are worth preserving because they nurture me?

Passover reminds us that once God freed us from slavery, we no lon-ger have to be objects of history. We write the script. As subjects, we have the power to move ourselves and others to whatever light we can bring no matter what darkness we or others face.

Passover is also a time for love. On Passover, we read from Song of Songs, the love book of the Hebrew Bible. Love and freedom are more related than we think. Both require a level of responsibility. Love without responsibility is selfishness; freedom without responsi-bility is chaos. Responsibility civilizes love and freedom, and elevates both to the moral stature they deserve.

Passover, with its full moon, teaches an important lesson for those of us who have endured a cold and dark winter. Look up in the sky before your seder begins, and remember what Judaism teaches: If life starts over again each spring, so can each of us. Whenever Passover begins, even as a grown rabbi older than 50, I still can feel my father’s hands on my shoulders blessing me. Life begins anew.

Chag sameach – make this the most meaningful Passover of your life!

L’Shalom, Rabbi Micah Greenstein

timemphis.org • facebook.com/templeisrael • @timemphis • instagram/templeisrael2

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Torah • worship • loving deedstimemphis.org • facebook.com/templeisrael • @timemphis • instagram/templeisrael VOICE 3

Passover Pesach, known as Passover in English, is a major Jewish spring festival commemorating the Exodus from Egypt over 3,000 years ago. The ritual observance of this holiday centers around a special home service called the seder (meaning “order”) and a festive meal; the prohibition of chametz (leaven); and the eating of matzah (an unleavened bread). On the fifteenth day of Nisan in the Hebrew calendar, Jews gather with fam-ily and friends in the evening to read from a book called the haggadah, meaning “telling,” which contains the order of prayers, rituals, readings, and songs for the Passover seder. Today, the holiday is a celebration of freedom and family. ~from reformjudaism.org

Shabbat Minyan with KaddishFriday, April 22, 5 pm Before we celebrate the first night of Passover at our homes, we come together at Temple Israel. Please note the early start time.

Congregational SederSaturday, April 23, 7 pm Share the second night of Passover with your congregational family at this 34th an-nual celebration hosted by WRJ-Temple Israel Sisterhood.

Donations to MIFA and MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger are included in your admission price – Temple members & their families: $30/adult, $15/child (12 & under); non-members: $36/adult, $18/child (12 & under). To RSVP by April 18, scan this QR code, go to timemphis.org, or send a check to WRJ-Passover Seder (c/o Temple Israel) and provide the names of everyone attending (note number of children) and include any seating requests (maximum 8/table). Questions? Call 901.761.3130.

Tot & Family SederSunday, April 24, 5 pm This lively and fun Passover celebration is designed for families with kids up to age 10.The evening includes music, games, activities, and – of

course – dinner, all in a child-friendly time frame. Passover-themed crafts begin at 5 pm, and the seder begins at 5:45 pm. To RSVP by April 19 (Temple members: $8/adult, $4/child; non-members: $12/adult; $8/child), scan this QR code, go to timemphis.org, or contact Jackie Evans, [email protected] or 901.937.2777. Kosher meals are available upon request. Please contact Rabbi Katie Bauman, 901.761.3130, with any questions. Tot Seder is made possible by the generosity and vision of the Mildred H. and Edgar C. Haas, Sr. Family Endowment for Education, WRJ-Temple Israel Sisterhood, and PJ Library.

Passover Yizkor & Shabbat ServiceSaturday, April 30, 10 am We end Passover by remembering loved ones who died within the last year.

Shabbat Passover ServiceSaturday, April 23, 10 am We celebrate Passover in the comfort of Shabbat’s warm embrace.

Noah AronsonA Music ManNow with two acclaimed albums of Jewish music to his credit, recording artist Noah Aronson didn’t fore-see himself taking a career path that would lead him to where he is today.“When I was growing up, if you told me that I was going to be writing Jew-ish music professionally, I would have laughed out loud,” Noah said. “I had a clear conception of what I thought Jewish music was, and I knew I didn’t want that. But when I finished college and I started spending more time work-ing in synagogues, I de-cided that I could define how I wanted my Jewish music to sound. I asked myself what would happen if I started writing Jewish music that really spoke to me, moved me, and that I actually would want to listen to.”

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Noah, a New Jersey native whose family is from Haiti, has been playing a musical in-strument since the age of eight. He learned to play the piano from his father, who was a can-tor for 50 years.“I would sit next to him as he played and would memorize the songs he knew,” he recalled. “After a few years of this, I was playing rela-tively complex classical pieces, and my parents decided to send me to piano lessons when I was around twelve or thirteen years old.”Although he did not really like playing what his piano teachers told him to play, he practiced every day for about three to four hours.Years later and with a degree in Jazz Compo-sition and Piano from Berklee College of Mu-sic in Boston, Noah had harnessed his technical musical skills, but had yet to develop his sing-ing voice.“I don’t think I sang one note while I was in col-lege,” he said. “It was only after I left Berklee that I started to - quite literally - ‘find my voice’ and decide that I wanted to sing my music and have music sing through me.”Using the prayerbook, poetry, and words from Torah as his inspiration-al starting point, Noah’s music is a product of having listened to - and been influenced by -

a variety of different sounds and styles, and his peers have been very impressed.“There are those rare musicians who sing and compose from the soul. Noah Aronson is one of those artists,” lauded Cantor Rachelle Nelson from Temple Beth Am in Pinecrest, Florida.Cantor Anna West Ott from Anshe Emeth Memorial Temple in New Brunswick, New Jersey, took the praise to another level.“Noah Aronson is the future of Jewish music,” Anna said. “Both spiritual and sensual at the same time, his music takes the prayers of our liturgy on a journey of motion and emotion. It celebrates what it means to be an American Jew in the 21st century, with its stylistic mix of folk, rock, jazz, and Latin grooves.”Abbie Strauss, Temple Israel’s Cantorial Soloist who has worked with Noah, echoed those sentiments.“Noah is a very talented musician and song-

writer,” said Abbie. “His spirit is infused in every melody he writes. We enjoy singing many of his melodies here at Temple, including, ‘Am I Awake,’ ‘Adonai S’fatai,’ ‘Standing on the Parted Shores,’ ‘Let There Be Love,’ and ‘Zamru l’Adonai.’”As his career as a Jewish recording artist is sky-rocketing, Noah offered this sound advice based on his life experiences to those interested in pursuing a career as a musician.“Be yourself. People want to hear YOU. Take time to find your own voice and use it often.”

Events & Services

with Noah Aronson

Music Sharing Session

Thursday, April 147:30-8:30 pm

Hear and learn new and old Jewish music favorites that are enhancing worship services across the country.

RSVP at timemphis.org

Shabbat ServiceFriday, April 15

6:15 pm

Pancakes & Prayer

Saturday, April 1610 am

Outdoor Concert and Havdalah

Saturday, April 165 pm

RSVP at timemphis.org

Tefillah and Concert

Sunday, April 1711 am-12 pm

Thank you to the Mildred H. and Edgar C. Haas, Sr. Family Endowment for Education for

making Noah Aronson’s time atTemple Israel possible.

timemphis.org • facebook.com/templeisrael • @timemphis • instagram/templeisraelsi

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FORE! The MRJ-Temple Israel Brotherhood 13th Annual Charity Golf Tournament

swings into action May 9.

If enjoying great food and a day at the golf course with friends sound good to you, sign up now — QR code or timemphis.org — to play in this fantastic tournament!Even if you don’t win the putting or long-drive contests or even the tournament itself, eating lunch from Corky’s, playing a round of golf at the beautiful Ridgeway Country Club, and eating dinner from Ruth’s Chris is always great.Questions? E-mail [email protected].

Thank you to all the sponsors, especially Corky’s, Diversified Trust, and Ruth’s Chris Steak House.



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Annual MeetingShabbat & DinnerFounded in 1854, Temple Israel has a long and proud history filled with remarkable milestones and moments. On April 29, we will celebrate our rich history at our Annual Meeting Shabbat and Dinner.

The celebration begins at 5:15 pm with Temple Israel’s 162nd annual meeting, which includes the election of trustees and officers and the presentation of the 2016-2017 budget. Everyone is encouraged to attend the annual meeting as we take a look back at the past twelve months and look ahead to the next twelve. We will express gratitude to outgoing President Jonathan Frisch for a job well done and celebrate the start of Elkan Scheidt’s tenure as Temple Israel’s 50th President. An additional highlight will be the presentation of the Jeffrey H. Manis Service Award to a Temple Trustee. As Executive Director, Jeff, of blessed memory, exemplified a selfless and ongoing commitment to raise the bar of excellence at Temple Israel and make it a better place. The meeting will be followed by a Shabbat service at 6 pm and a congregational dinner at 7:30 pm.

We welcome new and returning Temple Israel Trustees: Amy Kirshbaum, Jay Lindy, and Ralph Yaffe (serving second year of term 2, 2015-2017); Raymond Evans, Jeff Kerlan, Billie Pierce, Esther Saltzman, and Elissa Taub (serving first year of Term 2, 2016-2018); Marisa Baggett, Ben Beatus, Lisa Barden, and Melanie Fine (serving second year of term 1, 2015-2017), and Julie Boshwit, Bob Eiseman, Bruce Landau, Tony Lin, Leigh Royal, Liz Rudnick, Jason Salomon, and Patti Weiss (serving first year of term 1, 2016-2018).

The Officers include Elkan Scheidt, President; Mark Fogelman, Senior Vice President; Leigh Mansberg, Vice President; Wendy Rotter, Vice President; Alex Saharovich, Vice President; Laurie Meskin, Secretary; David Rosenthal, Treasurer; David Bearman, Counsel; Jonathan Frisch, Immediate Past President; Nancy Kline, WRJ-Sisterhood President, and Danny Mansberg, MRJ-Brotherhood President.

Be part of this celebration! Make dinner reservations ($18/person by April 21; $25/person after that) at timememphis.org; by scanning this QR code; by check, or by calling Temple Israel, 761.3130. Break Passover with your congregational family at this Shabbat dinner, which will include pasta and bread, followed by desserts provided by WRJ-Sisterhood.

FRIDAY, APRIL 29ANNUAL MEETING

5:15 PMSHABBAT SERVICE

6 PMDINNER

7:30 PM

Temple Israel ~ 1376 E. Massey Rd. ~ Memphis, TN 38120 ~ 901.761.3130 ~ timemphis.orgTemple Israel is a sanctuary for prayer and inspiration,

a vibrant center for Jewish learning, and a congregational home for living Torah. We are a source of strength and a force for good

for Reform Jews, the greater community, and the world.

Micah D. Greenstein, Senior RabbiKatie M. Bauman, Associate RabbiBess B. Wohlner, Assistant RabbiRabbi Feivel Strauss, Senior EducatorAbbie Strauss, Cantorial SoloistHarry K. Danziger, Rabbi EmeritusJohn M. Kaplan, Cantor Emeritus

Jonathan Frisch, PresidentE. Elkan Scheidt, Sr. Vice Pres.

Laurie Meskin, Vice Pres.David Rosenthal, Vice Pres.Alex Saharovich, Vice Pres.Leigh Mansberg, SecretaryMark Fogelman, Treasurer

David L. Bearman, CounselPaula Jacobson, Immediate Past Pres. Debbie Jackson, WRJ-Sisterhood Pres.

Jeff Rosenberg, MRJ-Brotherhood Pres. Andrew Rogers, MeFTY Pres.

Stacy Canales, Executive Director

Temple Israel is a member of theUnion for Reform Judaism.reformjudaism.org ~ urj.org


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TEACHABLEThe Barbara K. Lipman Early Learning Center, Temple Israel’s fully accredited and beloved preschool,

templepreschoolmemphis.com Enroll your child in our 9-week

summer camp program. Call today!



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MOMENTSis teaching and nurturing a record number of children! A few spaces are available for 2016-2017. Sign up now!

templepreschoolmemphis.com 901.937.2784 •

Enroll your child in our 9-weeksummer camp program. Call today!


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The Women of Reform Ju-daism-Temple Israel Sister-hood, fondly referred to as Sisterhood, have planned, prepared, and served hun-dreds of meals at Temple over the years. For nearly the last quarter century, they have counted on their top chef, Sheryl Gorden, to lead the way.

At the request of Temple’s now retired but then long-time jack-of-all-trades, Erma Cohen, Sheryl first became involved in meal prepara-tions here in 1992.

“I was put in charge of cooking meals for seniors,” Sheryl recalled. “My involve-ment soon grew to include a wide range of events, including Purim carnivals, and MeFTY conclaves, but Shabbat dinners were really the first big things I did.”

For Sheryl, variety was an important spice of life, as she liked to make the menu different each time.

“I’m all about trying some-thing new every time I cook. I like to try out new flavors and see how they work together. I like to experiment.”

And while Sheryl is the top

chef, she doesn’t do it alone.

“I always have loved working with the kitchen staff at Temple Israel,” she gushed. “It was, and is, just so easy to work with them. I love how kind everybody is to each other. It’s a wonderful feeling.”

Sisterhood President Debbie Jackson reflect-ed on Sheryl’s impact.

“Sheryl makes every Sister-hood volunteer feel at ease

in the kitchen, even if it’s their first time to be there. Her presence is always a comfort,” said Debbie.

“I have loved all the times that I have gotten to spend with Sheryl in the Temple kitchen,” said Sisterhood’s Julie Boshwit. “Every time I work with her, I learn something new and usu-ally go home with a new recipe. “

Sheryl watches cooking shows on TV, with Top Chef being her favorite. She thinks it’s “the most real,” but especially likes to ob-serve their cooking tech-niques and learn about ingredients with which she is not familiar.

She wouldn’t want to be a participant on the show,

Sisterhood honorsits “Top Chef,”Sheryl Gorden

Sheryl (left, with ladle), Temple Israel staff, and Sisterhood volunteers prepare food Temple’s Passover Seder in 2010.

but she would love to be a judge.

While they are not necessarily judging her food, she invites a group to her home a few times a year to try different things she’s prepared. The meals are themed; for example, she hosted a salad sampling supper that featured about a dozen different types of salads.

Sheryl, who has no formal training but has read over 700 cook-books, offers this advice to those budding chefs.

“Don’t sweat the small stuff; be willing to experi-ment; taste new things, and try new ways of put-ting it together. Don’t get tied down to the super picky parts of it. Just enjoy it, and make it fun!”

In the nearly 25 years of her involvement with Sisterhood and Temple Israel, it’s been more than fun for Sheryl. It’s been life-changing.

“The friendships and con-nections with Sisterhood and Temple Israel simply have been invaluable.”

With brunch, music by Cantorial Soloist Abbie Strauss, a cooking demonstration by Marisa Baggett, and toasts to our guest of honor, this celebration honors Sheryl Gorden, Sisterhood’s “Top Chef.”

Sunday, April 3, 10 am-12 pmRSVP ($18/person; by March 30):

QR code, timemphis.org, 937.2790

details:Julie Boshwit [email protected] Klein [email protected] Steinberg [email protected]



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Shabbat Shalom everyone! My name is Emma Mansberg, and I’m so happy to be able to talk to y’all tonight on behalf of the Temple Israel High school.

As Memphis teens we recognize that we live in a city that needs our help, but I think that as Jewish Memphis teens we identify with those needs. We come from a people who have struggled immensely, whether that is wandering in the desert thousands of years ago or being displaced after the Holocaust. As Jews, we identify with the foreigner in search of a home.

But what we often forget is that while many of us now have a place that we can call home, we live in a city in which so many people cannot say the same thing.

Impermanent housing and shelters are far different from what we view as home. When we think about it, a home is a place in which memories and laughter and family can be cultivated. It is a basic charac-teristic of our humanity. As Jews, we’re taught to give in a way that restores dignity. Restoring dignity and humanity might seem like a big topic for us as high schoolers to be taking on, but we see this problem in our city, and we can no longer stand by and watch.

Judaism commands us to act and as Jewish teens that is exactly what we plan on doing. Temple Israel’s high schoolers have committed themselves to fundraising and building a house for Habitat for Humanity. Habitat is a non-profit organization that works with communities to build homes at a low cost that are affordable for families with low incomes.

What’s different about Habitat from other non-profits is that we will be working alongside the family whose house this will be, because making our world a better place is a collaborative effort.

In the coming months, we will be planning a series of fundraisers to be able to build this house and help this family. As teens in Temple Israel, we are so lucky to live in a community that supports both us and the city we live in, and we hope to have your continued support in our efforts to make our city and world a better place.

We have heard our call to action, and we are ready to make change. She-natan lanu hizdamnut l’takein et ha-olam. Thank you God for granting us the opportunity and giving us awareness of our responsibility to fix the world.~Emma Mansberg

Eve Cooper (left) and Rabbi Katie Bauman helped build a Habitat for Humanity home.

During High Holy Days last year, Benjamin Orgel and I were talking about all the different ways we could get our youth engaged while also building leadership opportunities. I men-tioned interest in doing a Habitat for Humanity build, but told him I wasn’t sure what steps needed to be taken to make it happen. Since this conversation, Ben (who is on the Board of Habitat for Humanity) has connected us with the organization and opened the door.

Habitat for Humanity is a non-profit philanthropy that provides homes for families who would not be able to purchase one through traditional channels. Habitat charges the family for the home at a very low cost and with no interest. The partner

family not only is expected to then pay off the loan, but also provide sweat equity in which they help build the home. Their mortgage payments go into a revolving “Fund for Humanity” that is used to build more homes.

It costs $70,000 to fund an entire home, and organizations may opt to either fund a full house ($70,000) or half of a house ($35,000.) Temple Israel is excited to announce that our teens have committed themselves to raising enough money to fund half of a home. The home will be built over the week of Sukkot (October 16–23, 2016) and will provide a family with a safe, clean, home.

Our goal is to foster leadership among our teens. Our teens are expected to take on many responsibilities and we want to teach them how to handle these responsibilities; how to delegate these responsibilities, and how to ask for help when they need it.

Their biggest responsibility is raising the money ($35,000) to fund the build. Our teens sent a letter to all High School families asking for donations. MeFTY is donating all the proceeds from the Purim Carnival to the build. Tzedakah gathered throughout the year in religious school all will be put towards the build as well. We are part-nering with local restaurants and shops and asking that they donate a certain percentage of their profits towards the build as well. Teaching teens how to ask for donations and how to manage that money are essential skills they will use in life.

Over the next few months, fundraisers will be held throughout the city. Please check the weekly e-mails for updates. We could not be more proud of our teens! Please support us in our venture to provide a home for a deserving family. ~Julie Fortune, Director of Teen Engagement

Kathy Wexler (left) and Alison Blen point out the siding they installed on a home they and a group from Temple helped build last year .

High School Junior Emma Mansberg (below, left) spoke at Temple’s Shabbat service on February 19. Her remarks follow. (To view that video, go to timemphis.org/worship-services/sermons or scan the QR code.)

hammering it homeJulie Fortune and Emma Mansberg outline

Temple’s partnership with Habitat for Humanity


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coming up...TOT SHABBAT SERVICE & DINNERFriday, April 1, 6:15 pmBring your young children – or grandchildren – to this kid-friendly Shabbat celebration!

RSVP: QR code or timemphis.orgJackie Evans, [email protected], 937.2777

CAREER TRANSITION GROUPSunday, April 3 and Sunday, April 17, 9:30 amReceive help finding a job through resume writing tips, interview techniques, and other methods.Barbara Hermann, [email protected] Mann, [email protected]

LIFELONG LEARNINGSundays, April 10, 17, 24, 11 amEngage in Judaism through a meaningful course with Dr. Joe Levy. The topic is: David: Warrior, Lover, Fugitive, Father, Hero, and Poet.

ROSH CHODESHTuesday, April 5, 7 pmApril’s Rosh Chodesh observance with WRJ-Sisterhood, which will feature a discussion on Passover, will be off-site.Linda Bedrin, 355.0350, [email protected]

MITZVAH OPPORTUNITYWednesday, April 6, 5:30 pmPrepare snacks for the students, plus casseroles for them to take home to their families, in the Temple kitchen at this Sisterhood sponsored effort for MIFA’s COOL initiative. Children ages 12 and older are welcome to participate.Elise Meyer, [email protected]

JEWISH VALUES RABBINIC PANELThursday, April 7, 7:30 pmJewish Community CenterThe topic for this panel discussion with local rabbis, including Rabbi Feivel Strauss, is Ruach Hasport (sportsmanship/teamwork).Heather Kufert, [email protected], 761.0810

L’DOR VADOR SHABBAT SERVICE & DINNERFriday, April 8, 6:15 pmThis lively, music-filled, Shabbat service is for children to grandparents and everyone in between. After the service, enjoy dinner together.RSVP (by April 6):QR code or timemphis.orgJackie Evans, 937.2777, [email protected]

WOMEN’S RETREATApril 8-10Jacobs Camp; Utica, MississippiRabbi Alexis Pinsky, from Congregation Gates of Prayer in Metairie, Louisiana, will be the spiritual leader for this relaxing weekend re-treat – which will include meditation, arts and crafts, yoga, games, and more – for ladies in the Women of Reform Judaism’s Southwest District. Debbie Jackson, 604.1511, [email protected]

BOOK CLUBWednesday, April 13, 1:30 pmThe group will discuss Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee. (The book for May’s meeting is Peony by Pearl Buck.)

LAST FLOUR BEFORE PASSOVERThursday, April 14, 7 pmDonut Hutt, 1016 West Poplar, ColliervilleGet hands-on and learn about donut making as you play in the last flour before Passover. Pizza, donut noshes, and drinks are included! Note: this event is limited to the first 20 people with paid RSVPs ($15/person).RSVP: 937.2790Lisa Frisch, [email protected]

PANCAKES & PRAYER with NOAH ARONSONSaturday, April 16, 10 amPancakes and Prayer provides opportu-nities to celebrate Shabbat morning with our youngest children. Bring your family and enjoy the sweetness of Shabbat followed by breakfast.RSVP (by April 14): QR code or timemphis.orgJackie Evans, 937.2777

THE PASSOVER QUESTION:WHAT DOES THE WORD PESACH MEAN?Wednesday, April 20 12 pmJoin Rabbi Strauss for this month’s session of the Living Wisely series, which explores how Jewish holidays enrich our lives. Please bring your brown bag lunch; cookies and drinks will be supplied.RSVP (April 19): QR code, 761.3130, or timemphis.org

Rabbi Pinsky

Rabbi Strauss

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Historic Tales“Great Voices, Civil Rights, and

American Reform Judaism”presented by

Rabbi Dr. Gary ZolaWednesday, April 6, 7 pm

coming up...

Saving LivesTemple Israel was recognized by Lifeblood as their Faith-Based Group of the Year for 2015. Also, congratulations to Betsy and Steve Libby for being nominated in the Vol-unteer of the Year category. Thank you to all those who donate blood!

Rabbi Greenstein, Julie and Jerry Klein, and Stacy Canales were on hand at a luncheon in February where Temple Israel was recognized by Lifeblood as their Faith-Based Group of the Year for 2015.

Blood DriveSunday, April 3

8:30 am-1:30 pm

Have you ever wondered how some of the leading American rabbis handled pivotal world events from the pulpit?What did American rabbis tell their congre-gants about topics such as the rise of Adolph Hitler, the outbreak of World War II, and the struggle for Civil Rights in the 1950s and 1960s?

Rabbi Dr. Gary Zola, the Ex-ecutive Director of The Jacob Rader Marcus Center of the American Jewish Archives (AJA) and Edward M. Acker-man Family Distinguished Professor of the American Jewish Experience and Re-form Jewish History at He-brew Union College-Jewish

Institute of Religion (HUC-JIR) in Cincinnati, will introduce us to some of Reform Judaism’s most notable orators.This will be a rare opportunity to hear a se-ries of remarkable vocal recordings (digitized with visuals added) of several towering rabbinic voices – that you may know by reputation but have never actually heard – all of which come from the AJA’s extraordinary collection. The AJA is the world’s largest free-standing research center dedicated solely to the study of the American Jewish experience.Dr. Zola received both his rabbinic ordination and his PhD in American Jewish History from HUC-JIR. He serves as editor of The Marcus Cen-ter’s award-winning biannual publication, The American Jewish Archives Journal.

RSVP by April 5 at timemphis.org

Rabbi Dr. Gary Zola

timemphis.org • facebook.com/templeisrael • @timemphis • instagram/templeisrael


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THE CONNECTION POINTA look into the ConnecTI Professional Mentoring Programby ConnecTI Board Member Jami Lazarov connectimemphis.org

Over the past few years, Memphis has seen a surge in young professionals drawn to the attractiveness of the city, both new talent moving to the area and native Memphians choosing to stay or move back home. This has been a positive development for the city in general but also, specifically, for the Temple Israel community. ConnecTI was formed in part to help continue this momentum by connecting the Jewish young professionals in Memphis. A mentorship program was a natural extension of this mission.

A true advantage of Memphis is the tight-knit sense of community that allows up-and-comers to meet and get to know some of the best and brightest in their chosen fields. This is especially true at Temple Israel. Through the ConnecTI mentorship program, we are able to help facilitate such relationships by making mutually beneficial mentor-mentee connections. Roughly 20 ConnecTI members signed up for our pilot program, and a corresponding number of established members of the TI community generously agreed to provide their time and advice in a mentor role.

On January 27th, the program kicked off with a meet and greet event at Interim Restaurant. It was exciting for all to see the immediate connections as mentors and mentees had the opportunity to meet and discuss the parameters for their ongoing relationships, with each pair deciding how to proceed in whatever manner made sense to them. As the stories of successful pairings begin to roll in, the program itself will continue to make matches on a rolling basis. If any ConnecTI members would like a mentor, or any Temple members would like to be a mentor, please reach out to me, Jami Lazarov, at [email protected], or Cara Greenstein at [email protected].

COOKING FOR PASSOVERSisterhood is hosting this year’s seder at Temple on April 23rd. Help is needed to prepare food before and then to set tables and serve on the night of the seder. For details, contact Nancy Kline, [email protected] or 747.2820.

SHOPPING FOR PASSOVERSeder plates, hostess gifts, and many more Passover items are available in our Judaica Shop! 937.2782 / [email protected]

HOLOCAUST REMEMBRANCE DAY On May 6, the Shabbat concluding Yom Hashoah – Holocaust Remembrance Day – the names of loved ones lost in the Holocaust for whom there is no known yahrzeit date will be read. Call Carol Geller in the Rabbi’s office by May 4, if you have names to be recited during that Shabbat service.

HOLLAND BULB MAILINGBe on the lookout in the mail for your 2016Holland Bulb order form from Sisterhood!

of noteNEW EXHIBITVisit the Temple Israel Museum to see the fascinating and moving Holocaust exhibit Fabric of Survival: The Art of Esther Nisenthal Krinitz.

VISITS FROM TEMPLEIf people you know are hospitalized or at the Mem-phis Jewish Home and Rehab and would like our clergy to visit them, call Carol Geller, 937.2771.

SCHOLARSHIPSApplications for need-based scholarships from the Memphis Jewish Federation for religious school for 2016-2017 are available in the Rabbis’ office. Com-pleted applications are due in mid-April and are required to receive financial assistance for religious school. Call Carol Geller, 937.2771, for details.

MANY THANKSThank you to Sisterhood and all of our preneg sponsors. Your support is appreciated greatly. Call Sharon Nickol, 937.2797, if you would like to spon-sor a preneg before a Friday night Shabbat service.

timemphis.org • facebook.com/templeisrael • @timemphis • instagram/templeisrael Torah • worship • loving deeds VOICE


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In memory ofLybie Corem Adler Bert Adler WolffEsther Alabaster Miriam AlabasterDr. Blanche Aldea Leslie & Dr. Mark GillensonNatalie Loeb AlexanderLouis Julian Alexander Phyllis & Edward KaplanSylvia Reiser Baras Margie SnetmanBenjamin BeckSylvia Beck Sharon & Lou GadlessAdele Bedrin Linda Bedrin & Don KlotwogLynn Belz Marsha & Mike Underberg & family Shirley Schneider & the Girls Danny BozofLewis Binder Irma BinderBert Bernheim Mary & David BernheimAllen E. Cohen Jennifer & Jon LevingstonSara Natalie Cooper Margaret W. Lichterman Renelle & Leslie Ballin Ellen & Herbert Lebovits Lorraine & Bert, Jonathan & Aaron Wolf Justin & Ben Katz Karen & Stephen Moss Nancy & Richard Robinson Golden & Steve Bearman Evie & Alvin Greenberg & family Jan & Dr. Lee Stein & family Joyce & Fred Graflund Palmer & Robert Gardner Anna, Josh, Terri & Brad Young Leigh Bondurant & Jay Jensen Goldie & Lee Richman Sherri Richman & Gordon Chanen Rochelle & Dr. Avron Slutsky Debbie & Ron Lazarov Shirley Schneider & family Rochelle & Frank Perlman Sonya Krivcher Roselle Lazarov Bernie Maeroff Katie Kornberg & Scott Harnell Robin & Billy Orgel Friedman family Sarah & Philip Reed Mary Shainberg Karla & Bill Shopoff Debbie & Ron Jackson Barby Perlberg Brandon Hollie & Amber Altomare HollieSam Dattel Janice & Jimmy RingelIsabel Davis Nicole & Jack LewisIssy Paul Engelberg Leonard, Ida, Alec & Paul EngelbergMannie Ettingoff Marianne & Ronald Walter & familyWilliam “Bill” Felt Mildred SchwartzRalph “Mickey” FinnInez Strauss Pure

Sarah FinnDiane Gallant Don GallantRuth Glass Myrna & Dr. Alan SalomonFred Goldsmith, Sr. Aimee G. GinsburgDr. Margaret Halle Anise & Ron Belz Ina & Dick EisemanMr. & Mrs. Sam Jacobs Hermine DavidsonSaul Kaplan Harris NagelbergNina Katz Marilyn & Alan Magnus Elaina & Mike SextonRichard Kisber Janet Kisber Steve KisberIsabel & Lou Klitzner Jim & Judy LindyNorman Kochman Jan & Dr. Lee Stein & Family Lorrainne & Bert, Jonathan & Aaron Wolf Marsha & Mike Underberg & family Carole & Bob Pinstein Barbara & Dr. Norman Towbin & family Edward Wise Hermine Davidson Jean & Buddy Ballin Karen & Adam Hamburger Dessie Sewel Carole & Dr. Charles Plesofsky Sidney E. Kaplan Leslie Burson Robin & Billy Orgel Evelyn MaxeyAbe Herman Kriger Drs. Lisa Usdan & David PortnoyJill Eileen Krivcher Sonya KrivcherRebecca Labens Barbara & George Lapides Jane & Jerome Kaplan Carol Cohen Slutsky Lynn & Vic ButcherEdwin Laitman Aimee GinsburgSidney Lazarov Roselle LazarovDorothy Wurzberg Lerner Linda BernsteinElise & Henry Lewis Ruth ToffSusie LowenthalKathleen Scharff LowenthalJoseph Grosman “J.G.” LowenthalAbe Scharff Beverly Hutkin Rauch & Joe LowenthalDr. Charles Mansbach Janice & Jimmy RingelBea Miller Edye Reiter Ina & Dick Eiseman Yvonne & Glenn KierskyFannie Zuckerman Padawer Diana & Ron PadawerRaphael Paul Deanna & Dr. Albert Burson & Brian ShainbergLouis Roman Barbara & George Lapides

Mildred Schwartz Shirley Schneider & family Nicole & Jack Lewis Debbie & Stephen NewmanMilton F. Rubel, Jr. Arlene RubelDiana Sater Mary & Charles Wurtzburger Aimee Gronauer Ginsburg Ramsey A. Ryan Jeanette Silberberg Patsy & Gene Lerner Vicki & Ed ParkDr. Alan Schwartz Bonnie Schwartz Dr. & Mrs. Brian SchwartzBarbara Seligstein Ina & Dick Eiseman Leslie Burson Temple Israel Brotherhood Dr. Norris McGehee Stan & Dot Bilsky Leigh McLean Myrna & Dr. Alan Salomon Sara Beth & George SilvermanBob Silver Deanna & Dr. Albert Burson & Brian ShainbergLeo Slavney Ruth SlavneyPolly Underberg Marsha, Mike, Barry & Alex UnderbergHelen Goldstrom Wax Jonathan & James WaxAlfred Wexler Shirley WexnerPatty Evans Wurzburg Debbie, Bucky, Erin & Nora ParkerMarshall Zuckerman Mavis Zuckerman

For the recovery ofBob Bernstein Sam AlabasterPaul Burson Dee & Stewart Cannell & familyDr. Albert Burson Charlotte & Morris StraitmanBari Eiseman Gina JollyRaymond Evans Lisa & Jonathan FrischL. R. Jalenak May Lynn Mansbach Inky & Phil AronoffFaye Marks Marilyn & Harvey CookHerb Notowich Charlotte & Morris StraitmanJan Reisman Sara Beth & George Silverman Ina & Dick Eiseman Leslie & Dr. Mark GillensonMichael Weiss Jean & Buddy BallinCharles Wexler Racelle Mednikow Sam Alabaster

In honor ofSylvia Appleton Barbara & George Lapides Judy Royal Judy Kaplan McCown

Ina & Dick Eiseman Marsha, Mike, Barry & Alex Underberg Leslie & Nat Landau Hermine Davidson Marilyn Haas Deanna & Dr. Albert Burson & Brian Shainberg Debbie & Ron Lazarov Pfeffer Family Carole & Dr. Charles Plesofsky Berta & Robert Stevens Gina Jolly Marilyn & Bernie Weinman Ronni & Joe Kirsch Bess Calderon Sharon BermanAri Cohen Teri & Jeff PeacockErma Cohen Debbie & Ron LazarovInez Fried Sara Beth & George SilvermanRabbi Micah Greenstein Judy & Jerry Shore Marsha & Mike Underberg Bess CalderonJay Kahn Mosely FamilyPaige & Adam Kaplan Raymond BuringFrankie & Sadie Selzer Beverly & Dr. Bob BuchalterMary Shainberg Brenda Hapner Berta & Robert StevensRabbi Bess Wohlner Judy Royal

Additional donationsRonni & Joe KirschRabbi Denise EgerDeborah KaplanAndy Robins Harry & Flora Samuels

Thank you to those listed below who made donations to these Temple Israel funds in the month of February: Barbara K. Lipman Early Learning Center, Cemetery, Clergy’s Discretionary, General, Grounds & Beautification, MeFTY, MRJ-Brotherhood, Museum, Service to the Blind, Beulah R. Vosse Library, Rabbi Wax Memorial, WRJ-Sisterhood, and the Wendy & Avron Fogelman Religious School.

According to the Talmud, giving is as important as all of the other commandments combined.

We extend our sympathy and condolences to the families of these loved ones of blessed memory:Joseph “Jay” BalkinBert BornblumRuth GlassDr. Margaret HalleSaul KaplanDiana Sater

Mazal tov to:Monica & Eric Paddock on the birth of a son; Linda & Claude Paddock and Kristi & Tony Lafata on the birth of a grandson.

Ask Jonathan Frisch why he and his family support Temple Israel and Chazak: A Campaign to Solidify our Future, and he answers with another question.

“What’s more important than protecting the legacy that is Temple Israel?” he says. “Of course we’re going to give generously to sustain its future. It’s our number one philanthropic priority.”

For Lisa Frisch, that commitment comes from being a fourth-generation Temple member.

“Temple Israel is home,” she said. “It’s what I know and what I love. I guess when you grow up with something, that’s what you feel comfortable with.”

It was different for Jonathan. He and Lisa were high school sweethearts at Ridgeway High School, but he grew up in the Orthodox Anshei Sphard-Beth El Emeth Congregation.

“I married into the Temple family,” Jonathan says. “It didn’t feel comfortable for me at first. But it didn’t take long. The welcoming nature, the warmth, men and women sitting together, being able to sit with your family during services and pray—it all created a sense of home.”

Temple is a second home for the couple, as well as their two daughters, Caroline and Dena, whose upbringing revolved around Temple Israel.

Lisa retired from teaching at Bornblum Jewish Community School last year but keeps her hand in education as a volunteer with Team Read, tutoring second graders at Wells Station Elementary alongside other Temple members.

“By supporting Chazak, we are giving to Temple as an institution, but we know that the work that Temple does goes into the community as well,” Lisa said.

Jonathan now serves as board president and says his various leadership roles over the years have pulled him in even closer to Temple. He and Lisa, like so many other Chazak supporters, want to make sure Temple has a bright future and that its legacy will live on.

“Lisa and I also participated in the Create Your Jewish Legacy program,” Jonathan said. “We felt that a contribution to the Chazak campaign was a commitment to our Jewish future, today.”

Jonathan and Lisa agree that Temple’s future is important for Mid-South Jews and for the broader community. The social conscience of this region is reflected in this congregation. A strong Temple Israel is a strong Mid-South.

“Supporting Temple is our most important philanthropic endeavor, and we hope it would be considered as important as one’s university or whatever one’s preferred charity happens to be,” Jonathan said. “We see supporting Temple not as an obligation but also something that is important on many levels.”

Join the Frisches in helping to solidify Temple’s future. Gifts of all sizes to the Chazak campaign are needed. Learn more at timemphis.org.

Temple Israel is second home for Frisch family

“We felt that a contribution to the Chazak campaign was a commitment

to our Jewish future, today.”~Lisa and Jonathan Frisch

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1376 East Massey Road, Memphis, Tennessee 38120

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The future of Jewish music

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