Temple Beth Sholom
The Shofar Tevet/Shevat/Adar 5780
January/February 2020
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Reflections from Rabbi Klirs
This year the months of January and February correspond fairly closely with the Hebrew months of Tevet and Shevat, respectively. The Tenth of Tevet (falling on Jan. 7) is a minor fast day, commemorating the beginning of the siege of Jerusalem by the Romans in the year 70 of the Common Era. The 15th of Shevat (falling on Feb. 10), or “Tu Bishvat,” is known as the New Year of the Trees. It’s a time to reconnect with the Land of Israel, especially the variety of its fruit-bearing trees and plants. Planting a tree in Israel through the Jewish National Fund is a well-established Tu Bishvat activity. Another is to participate in a Tu Bishvat Seder, at which we taste many of the fruits and nuts typical to the Land of Israel. This year I again look forward to conducting a Tu Bishvat Seder at Temple Beth Shalom, during my visit the Shabbat of Feb. 7-8. In January I’ll be introducing a new topic for “Nosh and Knowledge” on Shabbat mornings – Pirkei Avot, or Chapters of the Fathers, a section of the Mishnah entirely devoted to ethical teachings of the ancient rabbis. The sayings are mostly in the form of pithy and memorable maxims. Some of them are very well known, even to those otherwise not versed in the Mishnah and Talmud. Perhaps the best-known example is: “Hillel said: If I am not for myself, who will be for me? But if I am only for myself, what am I? And if not now, when?” Come and explore this and many other examples from Pirkei Avot, along with commentaries and explanations from the tradition. For our text we will use Gates of Prayer, which contains extensive selections from Pirkei Avot. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the members of Temple Beth Sholom for the most generous and kind Chanukah gift to Elisha and myself. It helped make our holiday brighter celebration with our family more special! 1
YAHRZEITS May Their Memories Be a Blessing January 3-4/6-7 Tevet 30 – Julius Novakoff 1 – Shirley Levy 1 – Ella Friedman 1 – Jacob Cohen 3 – Michael Becher 3 – Jacquie Koplen
January 10-11/13-14 Tevet 5 – Aaron L. Bane 5 – Selig Heiner Kingoff 5 – Trudy Silverman 6 – Daniel Barrs 6 – Russell Denny 6 – Betsy Fresco 6 – Henry Nakdimen 8 – Jennie Rossnier Costin 9 – Jacob Hoffman 9 – Herman Mueller 9 – Herbert “Hup” Sater 10 – Hyman Jacobs
January 17-18/20-21 Tevet 15 – Irving Maxwell Heiner 16 – Sol J. Levy
January 24-25/27-28 Tevet 19 – Dr. Henry Moskowitz 20 – Sol Kingoff 20 – Celia Barg Jacobs 21 – Jane Carol Harris 21 – Edna Brodkin Goldstein 21 – Kate Lazarus 22 – Isaac Berman 23 – Dora Lubin 24 – Barnett Katzman 24 – Alvin H. Rosenstock 25 – Sylvia Heyman 25 – Minnie Miller
January 31-February 1/5-6 Shevat 26 – Helene Koplen Navell 27 – Harry Abrams 28 – Lillian W. Kramer 28 – Dora R. Rosenstock 28 – Elias Salamon 29 – Hyman Kravitz
February 7-8/12-13 Shevat 1 – William H. Kay 1 – Edna LeBof 2 – Esther Newman 4 – Etta S. Schreibfeder
February 14-15/19-20 Shevat 9 – Bessie Berman 10 – Mary Abrams 13 – Sonia Lubin Rippe 15 – Dr. Louis Herman Calisch
February 21-22/26-27 Shevat 16 – Aaron Lazarus 16 – Hyman Nakdimen 17 – Henry Lowenstein 18 – Fannye Sater 21 – Rosa Bane 21 – Anna K. Kelson
February 28-29/3-4 Adar 24 – Mayme Newman 28 – Julius Kaufman 28 – Annie Newman 29 – Jacob Goodfriend
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22 – Albert Koplen
Temple Beth Sholom Donations Sam and Faye Kushner In memory of beloved Aunt Jean Kushner; dear friends Michael Becher, Alvin Newman and Sigurd Navell; Rabbi Benjamin Kelson Peter and Jo Ann Howard In memory of Riley Scott Harness, Al Newman, Irving Melnick, Laura Kondas and Jennie Rogers In memory of beloved mother Eleanor Sager
Sisterhood Building Fund Contributions Ronnie Mand, 799-3434 Please remember the Sisterhood Building Fund for Sympathy, Mazel Tov, Thank You, and Speedy Recovery. The list is endless. Your contributions are used to beautify our temple. Paul and Karen Mandel In memory of Eleanor Sager Dovie Melnick In memory of Eleanor Sager
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CALENDAR OF EVENTS
JANUARY Friday, 3rd
7:30 p.m.
Shabbat Service – Ronnie Mand & Susanne Singer
Friday, 10th
7:30 p.m.
Shabbat Service – Rabbi Tracy Klirs Carol Caplan, Oneg
Saturday, 11th
10:00 a.m. 11:30 a.m.
Nosh and Knowledge with Rabbi Klirs Hebrew Study
Friday, 17th
7:30 p.m.
Shabbat Service – Michael Caplan
Monday, 20th
noon
Sisterhood Meeting
Friday, 24th
7:30 p.m.
Shabbat Service – Bonnie Brumfield
Friday, 31st
7:30 p.m.
Shabbat Service – Don Loper
FEBRUARY Friday, 7th
7:30 p.m.
Shabbat Service – Rabbi Tracy Klirs Bernard Baker & Ronnie Mand, Oneg
Saturday, 8th
10:30 a.m.
Tu B’Shevat Seder and Brunch Rabbi Klirs and Jo Ann Howard Adult Hebrew Class
TBA
Friday 14th
No Service Scheduled
Saturday, 15th
6:00 p.m.
Dinner and Havdalah at the Howards
Friday, 21st
7:30 p.m.
Shabbat Service – Jo Ann Howard
Friday, 28th
7:30 p.m.
Shabbat Service – Sisterhood Oneg Hosted by Sisterhood Members 4
WITH OUR CONGREGATION Expressions of heartfelt sympathy have been received by the Howard Family on the December 4th death of Jo Ann’s mother Eleanor Sager. Mazel Tov to Charles Silverman on his 88th birthday on December 22nd. We hope your day was as special as you are! Mazel Tov to Mildred Barth on the birth of her second great grandchild, Sophie Emelia Eisenman. The proud parents are Dana and Matt Eisenman. Our wishes for good health are extended to Bernard Baker, Bonnie Brumfield, Carol Caplan, Faye Kushner, Patrice Kramer, Lynne Loper, Joan Newman, and Charles Silverman. We know that some of our congregants become ill, have surgery, or suffer an injury between The Shofar publications, so please know that we extend a prayer of comfort and continued recovery to those who are not specifically named.
A Note of Thanks Dear Temple Congregation, I am writing to thank the anonymous donors who helped make my trip to Germany possible. I really couldn’t have done it without all your help! I’ll always be grateful. Keep an eye out for the pictures I’m going to send! Rebekkah Stanley
(Editor’s Note: Every congregant who participated should have received a thank you note from Rebekkah) 5
BIRTHDAYS AND ANNIVERSARIES January Birthdays: 10 – Don Loper; 13 – Robert Fryman; 17 – Susanne Singer; 21 – Bernard Baker; 21 – Rabbi Morton Green; 22 – George Brumfield; 23 – Belinda Baker February Birthdays: 6 – Mira Becher; 9 – Carol Caplan; 27 – Michael Caplan 29 – Rebekka Stanley February Anniversary: 12 – Patrice and Stuart Kramer
Message from Ronnie Mand, Sisterhood President Sisterhood met at The Golden Leaf Bistro for a Dutch treat lunch on Monday, November 18th, with a representative from Haven, the local domestic violence and sexual assault service organization giving us ideas of ways we can help the organization and the residents. Since there were funds left from our providing meals to the volunteers and physicians at The Free Clinic which recently ceased operations, we unanimously voted to purchase bus tokens for the residents’ use while staying at Haven. This seemed to be the priority need, one which we were thrilled to be able to support. Additionally, children’s clothing, particularly pajamas, is always needed. If any of you have access to outgrown items in good condition (from family, friends, and neighbors) let me know and I will gladly take them to Haven. Another need is basic food supplies such as boxed macaroni & cheese, peanut butter, basic canned vegetables, soups, cereals. We voted to read The Other Einstein by Marie Benedict for our annual March Book Review. This should be an interesting and enlightening read, one which we’re all excited about. As a reminder, I am your new contact for the Sisterhood Building Fund. Call, email, or text me and I’ll mail your notification card to the recipient(s) immediately. Sisterhood needs your business so we can continue to ultimately benefit the temple. Wishing each of you and your loved ones a happy and healthy 2020.
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WHAT’S HAPPENING in JANUARY and FEBRUARY (Be sure to check the Calendar of Events on page 5)
Remember to fill your Silver for Sisterhood boxes. You can do this when you empty your change out of our wallet or pockets and/or on Shabbat before you light the Sabbath candles. When you’re ready to turn in your money, just pour it into a baggie and give it to Jo Ann. This is an easy way to support the Sisterhood Building Fund which in turn benefits the temple!
Tu B’Shevat Seder 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, February 8, 2020 Celebrate the New Year of the Trees Drink four glasses (or sips) of wine or grape juice…one for each season Taste the four species of fruits Enjoy a delicious brunch afterwards All of this for just $10.00! R.S.V.P. to Jo Ann by January 30th The Torah reminds us to give some of what we have to others who are hungry. Please bring canned goods or monetary donations for God’s Storehouse
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WHAT WE DID IN NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER (The Editor was unable to upload the photos taken. Hopefully we’ll have them for another edition.)
We worshipped together seven times during the months of November and December. Rabbi Klirs welcomed Shabbat with us and continued with Nosh and Knowledge and Adult Hebrew class the first weekend in November and December. Beth Socol led us in prayer in Martinsville and Sam K., Ronnie and Susanne, Peter, and Don Loper for conducted the remaining services enabling us to worship together on a weekly basis.
AN EARLY TASTE OF CHANUKAH was held on December 13th at Ohev Zion Synagogue. The table was filled with a delicious variety of foods and of course all eyes were on the latkes and jelly doughnuts! Even though this annual event in Martinsville was held early this year, everyone lit their Chanukah menorahs to let light shine and boost our spirits during this difficult time of anti-Semitism. We then welcomed Shabbat and learned something special about the spelling of the correct spelling of the word for this holiday. No, it’s not it’s not any of the sixteen ways it has been written in English. It is:
חנוכה
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A Little Humor is Good for the Soul! Darwin- Shmarwin Jennifer Finkel, a gansa “Ivy” freshman, brought home equally pompous pals. She couldn’t wait to show off her new knowledge with her bubbe. Arguing with great intensity, the co-eds discussed Darwin and the revisionists’ attack on the theory of evolution. Finally, bubbe spoke up. “Oy vey. For dis mine son pays a fortune?! Feh! Narishkeit! ” “No, gram,” protested Jen and her pals. “It’s very complicated!” “Complicated-shmomplicated! Please. Even 60 years ago in Russia, we knew the answer, 1-2-3. If the baby looks like his father, that’s heredity. If he looks like the milkman, now that’s environment!”
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Praying at the Kotel A female CNN journalist heard about a very old Jewish man who had been going to the Western Wall to pray, twice a day, every day, for a long, long time. So she went to check it out. She went to the Western Wall and there he was, walking slowly up to the holy site. She watched him pray and after about 45 minutes, when he turned to leave, walking very slowly with his cane, she approached him for an interview. "Pardon me, sir, I'm Rebecca Smith from CNN. What's your name? "Morris Feinberg," he replied. "Sir, how long have you been coming to the Western Wall and praying?" "For about 60 years." "60 years! That's amazing! What do you pray for?" "I pray for peace between the Christians, Jews and the Muslims." "I pray for all the wars and all the hatred to stop." "I pray for all our children to grow up safely as responsible adults and to love their fellow man." "I pray that politicians tell us the truth and put the interests of the people ahead of their own interests." And finally "I pray that everyone will be happy.” "How do you feel after doing this for 60 years?" "Like I'm talking to a wall."
JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2020 Danville It is hard to believe that 2019 has come to a close and that we are already into the new year 2020! The Hadassah fiscal year is the same as the calendar year, and once again the Danville chapter (AKA “the little chapter that could”) has made extraordinary progress toward increasingly optimistic fundraising goals. As we enter into a new year of seeking support for various Hadassah projects, I thought it would be helpful to go through our various fundraising efforts and how they fit into Hadassah’s efforts toward tikkun olam. Very soon you will be receiving your invitations to this year’s “No-Show Super Bowl Party” and we hope you will be very excited to not attend! How lovely to not go to all the stress and bother to go out in the cold and dark to attend a party focused on a game you don’t care about! (My apologies to the football enthusiasts among us.). This fundraiser 10
benefits the 360 Degrees of Healing campaign, which will completely renovate the iconic Round Building at Hadassah’s first hospital in Ein Kerem. By sending a check and not attending this fundraiser you can be part of the daily medical miracles performed by the Hadassah Medical Organization (HMO). Our Donor event in the spring (usually in May) is an opportunity for members to consider becoming an annual donor at the Chai ($180 per year), Silver Chai ($360 per year), or Keeper of the Gate ($1000 per year for five years) level, or simply to make a one-time donation to generally support Hadassah and its many programs, both in the U.S. and Israel, including advocacy on such issues as combating anti-Semitism and gender equity in medical research. After a hopefully restful summer hiatus, two fundraisers occur in the fall. The New Year Card project, chaired by long-time and long-distance member Denise Johnson, benefits Young Judaea, which helps to forge connections to Judaism and Israel for American youth through summer camps, trips to Israel, and other opportunities. In 2019, Young Judaea members will participate in the “Alternative Winter Break” by returning to Puerto Rico to assist in rebuilding efforts following Hurricane Maria. Then comes our longest-running and best-known fundraiser, the Angels of Mercy campaign that will celebrate its 70th year in 2020! Because of this fundraiser, the Danville Hadassah chapter raises more funds from the non-Jewish community than any other chapter in the Southern Seaboard Region. In addition to the financial support that this project raises for HMO, it increases public awareness of the important work that Hadassah and HMO do in providing medical care and research that benefits not only Israel but the entire world. (continued on next page) And we round out the year with our Birthday/Anniversary Card appeal that supports Hadassah’s Youth Aliyah program, which assists at-risk children and adolescents in Israel to overcome the challenges they face in becoming productive adults, because of resettlement, abuse, or other factors. Our sincere thanks go out to Susanne Singer, who chaired this project for many years and did such a wonderful job with it! The torch was passed to Dawne Howard Lucas in the fall and she has been busy signing and sending out cards, and processing your 2020 lists. Thank you for taking on this responsibility. And there you have it, the fundraising year in review – please know how much your donations provided to Hadassah through the Danville chapter means not only to us but to the national organization and to tikkun olam! Best wishes to you and yours for a healthy and peaceful 2020, and thank you again for your continued support of Hadassah. Sincerely, Martha Woody, President
It’s About Compassion… 11
It’s About Healing… It’s About Life… It’s About You
Membership News There is lots of excitement in Atlanta! One of our three generation Hadassah families is excited about the birth of Sophie Emilia Eisenman. Mazel Tov wishes go to Sophie’s mom Dana Eisenman, Grandmother Jill Paulson and Great Grandmother Mildred Barth. Jo Ann Howard recently lost her mom Eleanor Sager who was a member of the Miami Region until her move to West Palm Beach. Blessings for good health are extended to Carol Caplan, Patrice Kramer, Lynne Loper, Joan Newman, and Flossie Tavss. Do you have news to share? Email Jo Ann and let her know.
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