Temple Beth Sholom
The Shofar ___________________________________________________________________ Tammuz/Av/Elul 5774 July/August 2014 _____________________________________________________________________________________________________
A Message from Rabbi David Powers
This is where the rabbi harangues you about Jewish observance in the summer. This is where I write about the importance of Tisha B’Av in our calendar and the sacrifice of Jews over the centuries to keep alive our heritage. Not this year. This is where I suggest some fine Jewish summer reading, three books I have recently read and one I am about to start. The Golem and the Jinni: A Novel by Helene Wecker The Lower East Side of NY at the turn into the twentieth century is the primary setting for this first novel by Helene Wecker. The Jewish flavor of the community comes alive as does that of Little Syria, nearby, where Syrian Christians have settled in their trek to the New World. In that context a remarkable female golem—if not all golems were remarkable—one with free will, intellectual curiosity, and sexual propriety that fit her times, meets up with a correspondingly remarkable jinni from the folklore of Arabia, a man not of his times with the morality of the late twentieth, early twenty first century and the wisdom of the ages. Mix in some other rather unusual characters, including an all-seeing blind ice cream vendor, a kind rabbi, a renegade mystic, an atheist social worker, and a debutante socialite, and we enjoy a grand tale worthy of our summer time. The book reads a bit like a debut novel and a bit like a screenplay wanting, and the hand of the editor is almost visible at points, and clearly missing at others. Nevertheless, the payoff is worth it, even with an ending that does not seem true to its era. I enjoyed almost all my time with it.
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Everything Is Illuminated: A Novel by Jonathan Safran Foer Having seen the film will not in any way ruin the novel. Its story is far more complex, and the film is only one of two tales in the book. Like the film, the novel begins hilariously with the observations of a Ukrainian tour guide who specializes in escorting Jews to find their roots in his homeland. His insights are wonderfully fun and his fracturing of English is a joy for lover of words and those with an ear for the ridiculous. Like the film, the book ends very seriously, but differently. The main character for the primary story shares his name with the author but does not seem to be the same person. He comes to Ukraine searching for a village that might not exist to meet the righteous gentile who might not have saved his grandfather from death during the Nazi invasion that might not have been as unpleasant as the native Ukrainian hostility for Jews. Meanwhile, in the somewhat longer, more complex back story, we learn the splendid history of the Chelm-like village (see below) where the righteous suspend themselves from the ceiling and the line between Judaism and homo sapiens is perilously drawn, where every year they re-enact a ritual drowning of someone who might not have died, in a place where possibly nothing has happened. Lovers of irony might also enjoy this debut novel for irony’s sake alone, but the pure craftsmanship of the author leaves me wanting more. The Wise Folk of Chelm by Seymour Rossel Some of us grew up with Chelm stories, collected in little books meant for children. My favorite was The Wise Men of Chelm, which credited much of its material to Sholem Aleichem. The old Jewish humorist is present here, as well, as are others in this collection meant for adults but suitable also for children, if a bit more ribald than the versions we read 40 or 50 years ago. Your favorite might be there in somewhat different form, like the efforts of Chelmites to capture the moon, to preserve the beauty of new-fallen snow , to build a flour mill, and to enrich themselves with gold and goose down. Rossel adds a helpful preface which explains the origin of the Chelm tales and traces their roots to German literature. But Where Is the Lamb?: Imagining the Story of Abraham and Isaac by James Goodman This one is on my reading list for the summer, the only book in this little essay that I have not yet opened. If I like it, we may hear more of it come Yom Kippur. Goodman, it seems, retells the classic story of the Aqeda, the binding of Isaac, and examines its effects upon Judaism, Christianity, Islam, existentialist philosophy, modern Hebrew poetry and more. I’m looking forward to it with joy.
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YAHRZEITS May Their Memories Be a Blessing July 4-5/6-7 Tammuz 1 – Abe Koplen 3 – William Albert Nakdimen 6 – William Marks
July 11-12/13-14 Tammuz 8 – Irving Goldstein 9 – Harry S. Greenberg 11 – Jonathan David Manheim 12 – Samuel Aaron Lantor
July 18-19/20-21 Tammuz 13 – Joseph Stendig 14 – Sarah K. Harris 15 – Walter J. Feibelman 15 – Joseph Gleicher 15 – Mrs. Jacob Hoffman 16 – Barbara Manheim 19 – Sam Lazarus
July 25-26/27-28 Tammuz 22 – William Herbert Hoffman 23 – Ruth Abrams Koplen 24 – Helen Kramer
August 1-2/5-6 Av 27 – Janet Harris Lewis 28 – Cyla Gleicher 28 – Bessie W. Koplen 31 – Margaret B. Kushner 1 – Adam Becher
August 8-9/12-13 Av 3 – Jennie S. Lantor 4 – Sydelle Gerber 4 – Carol Conner Popek 5 – Herman G. Koplen 9 – Goldie Levin
August 15-16/19-20 Av 10 – Kate Cohen 11 – Henry Rubin 11 – Julian S. Sater 12 – Fannie Kirsten Platt
August 22-23/26-27 Av 17 – Bertha Warshaw 20 – Ben B. Fuchs (Fox)
August 29-30/3-4 Elul 26 – Ruth Feibelman 27 – Jerome B. Kushner 28 – Rose Schein Manheim 29 – Mamie Zietz Singer 30 – Bessie Halperin Jaiven 30 – Rabbi David M. Kushner
September 5-6/10-11 Elul 31 – Harry Harris 2 – Sarah Heiner 3 – Ida Novakoff 4 – Josephina Sierra de Loper
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Temple Beth Sholom Donations General Fund In Honor of Temple Beth Sholom Congregation - Sandra Strange, Penny Lee Thank You for the Interfaith Sabbath Service – Brett and Evie Jackson
Sisterhood Building Fund Contributions
Susanne Singer, 822-1114 Please remember the Building Fund for Sympathy, Mazel Tov, Thank You, Speedy Recovery the list is endless. The contributions made to this fund are used by the Sisterhood to beautify our temple for our enjoyment. Thank you for your support! In Honor of Jo Ann and Peter Howard for all you do for the Temple – Susanne Singer To Mike and Carol Caplan In Memory of Sassy – Susanne Singer In Honor of the Yahrzeit of Beloved Father Louis Sager – Jo Ann and Peter Howard In Honor of the Yahrzeit of Brother Lee Evan Howard – Jo Ann and Peter Howard In Honor of the Yahrzeit of Morris Sager – Jo Ann and Peter Howard In Honor of the Yahrzeits of Beloved Parents Eleanor & Lee Howard – Jo Ann and Peter Howard In Honor of the Yahrzeit of Murray “Buddy” Rippe – Jo Ann and Peter Howard In Honor of Ronnie Mand and Jo Ann Howard for all you do for the Temple – Susan and Hank Dufour
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WITH OUR CONGREGATION Our heartfelt sympathy is extended to the Fraifeld family on the death of Joan’s father, Ernest Freudenthal, on June 17th. Ernest was married to his wife, Stephanie, for 65 years and was devoted to his family. He worked at Werthan Industries and taught in the School of Engineering at Vanderbilt University until his retirement. He was Chairman of Metro Social Services, was a member of the Tennessee Holocaust Commission, served on numerous Boards of Directors of Social Service agencies and religious organizations. His contributions to the local and faith communities are numerous and beyond measure. Mazel Tov to Aaron Caplan for graduating Magna cum Laude from Longwood University with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. He was the President of Psi Chi, the Honors Psychology Fraternity and spent the past two years performing research/internships with both preschoolers and college students. He continues to play piano, guitar, and ukulele and plans to live in Chesapeake, Virginia. Mazel Tov to Samantha Wills who is excited to report that “My dog Sir Winston has been chosen to be our local SPCA spokes dog.”
Did we miss your news? Be sure to contact Jo Ann Howard so that it can be included in the next issue of The Shofar. Our wishes for good health are extended to Michael Becher, Bonnie and George Brumfield, Ben Fraifeld, Patrice Kramer, and Esther Rippe. 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.
BIRTHDAYS AND ANNIVERSARIES July Birthdays - 10 – Susan Dufour; 14 – Michael Amick; 15 – Faye Kushner; 20 – Darcy Amick; 21 – Rita Green; 21 – Mark Stanley; 22 – Melanie Vaughan August Birthdays - 3 – Sam Kushner; 6 – Esther Rippe; 18 – Noah Kramer; 23 – John Lantor; 26 – Arnold Manheim; 29 – Matt Harris August Anniversaries - 6 – Samantha/John Wills; 19 – Rita/Rabbi Morton Green 20 – Joan/Eddy Fraifeld 5
Congregational Activities – Looking Ahead and Back
Shabbat Service Schedule We are now on Summer Schedule. Come and be counted as part of the minyan at 7:30 p.m. Please mark your calendar for Friday, July 11th and Friday, August 15th. There will be some other activities planned and you will be contacted once they are finalized. If you would like to host Havdalah, please contact Jo Ann.
Temple Beth Sholom Mitzvah Day will be held on Sunday, July 20th, from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. Please call Jo Ann, 799-3505, to let her know you can be counted on! We need to clean out and get reorganized; What we might find…don’t be surprised. We’ll work together and make it fun; Then we’ll toast each other when it’s all done!
Mark your calendar! The Sisterhood Rummage Sale is scheduled for September 18th and 19 . Please continue to go through your clothing and household items. Remember, all items need to be clean and in good condition. Please do not take anything to the Temple unless you have spoken with Carol Caplan. Hopefully we’ll have the all clear right after Mitzvah Day. th
Temple Beth Sholom welcomed over 100 guests from the Danville community to share in Shabbat worship on Friday, May 2nd. Rabbi Powers conducted an inspirational service and then fielded quite an array of questions afterwards. The social hall was beautifully decorated and the oneg was certainly enjoyed by our guests. Thank you to everyone who helped to make this such a successful event.
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The closing meeting of the Temple Beth Sholom Sisterhood was a Dutch-treat dinner held at the Golden Leaf Bistro on May 21st. Joan Newman had agreed to continue in their installed the following officers: Ronnie Mand-President, Melanie Vaughan-Vice President, Jo Ann Howard-Secretary, Mildred Barth-Treasurer, Carol Caplan-Prayer Counselor, and Jo Ann Howard-Parliamentarian. President Ronnie Mand presented Name That Happening, a game designed to applaud the remarkable accomplishments of Sisterhood during the past two years. These included the $8488 total contribution to the Temple for fixing the wall in the social hall, replacement of the lights downstairs, and half the cost of the memorial board. Activities and projects included food for the Free Clinic volunteers, onegs, Break the Fast, dinners, annual book review, Sisterhood Shabbat service, the most profitable rummage sale ever, and the Building Fund. The meetings may be over for the summer, but Sisterhood members continue to work for our Temple and are already making plans for 5775!
Our annual Congregational Meeting was held on Wednesday, May 28th. It was your time to be heard by casting your votes during the election of officers and board members, discussing new business and voicing your concerns. It was a time to be informed by listening to the chairmen’s reports for the 2013-2014 year. Thank you to the nine congregants who made the effort to attend. Thank you to the tenth member who participated electronically. This was done after a legal decision made by our resident lawyer in order for us to have a quorum. Officers for 2014-2015 are: Jo Ann Howard, President, Michael Caplan, Vice President, and Peter Howard, Treasurer. Managers are Barry Koplen (newly elected), Sam Kushner, Ben Rippe, and Susanne Singer (newly elected). Due to the lack of a secretary, a motion was made and passed to have the minutes of the Board meetings taken by the members of the Board on a rotating basis. Following the meeting, everyone enjoyed the oneg held in the social hall.
Please remember, Susanne Singer would love to sing some of the songs you grew up with in synagogue or new music that you enjoy. If you have the sheet music, that would be wonderful. If not, let her know what it is, and we will purchase the music.
Check out our website:
tbsdanville.org
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A Bit of Jewish Humor YIDDISH PROVERBS If the rich could hire other people to die for them, the poor would make a wonderful living. One of life’s greatest mysteries is how the boy who wasn’t good enough to marry your daughter can be the father of the smartest grandchild in the world. IT HAPPENED IN SHUL A Rabbi approaches a guest in Shul and says, "I'd like to give you an Aliyah. What is your name?"The man answers, "Esther ben Moshe."The Rabbi says, "No, I need YOUR name." "It's Esther ben Moshe," the man says."How can that be your name?" asks the Rabbi. The man answers, "I've been having financial problems, so everything now is in my wife's name." ROWING TEAM Yeshiva University decided to field a rowing team. Unfortunately, they lose race after race. Even though they practice and practice for hours every day, they never manage to come in any better than dead last. Finally, the team decides to send Morris Fishbein, its captain, to spy on Harvard, the perennial championship team. So Morris schleps off to Cambridge, MA and hides in the bushes next to the Charles River, where he carefully watches the Harvard team at its daily practice. After a week, Morris returns to Yeshiva. "Well, I figured out their secret," he announces. "What? Tell us! Tell us!" his teammates shout. "We should have only one guy yelling. The other eight should row."
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Danville Chapter of Hadassah July/August 2014
Mazel Tov to Samantha Miriam and Phillip James (PJ) Rogers on their recent marriage on March 17th. Samantha and her mom, Darcy, are both Life Members of our Danville Chapter. Samantha and PJ have made their home in Chesapeake, VA. Misheberach List – Please continue to keep these Hadassah members in mind for prayers of healing – Siege Weiss, Esther Rippe, and Patrice Kramer, and Denise Johnson. Our Heartfelt Sympathy is extended to Joan Fraifeld and her family on the recent death of her father Ernest Freudenthal. Cards…Trees…Certificates…Life Membership…News? So much to choose from! Contact Jo Ann and she’ll head you in the right direction.
What's Happening with Hadassah? Hadassah's School Awarded 2014 National Education Award - Hadassah’s Experimental School (HES), which provides hospitalized children of all ages and backgrounds with an education in its unique hospital-based school, has been honored with Israel’s National Education Award by the Ministry of Education. The Pope Visits Hadassah's Hospitals - During his historical trip to Jerusalem, Pope Francis landed at the helipad at Hadassah's Hospital on Mount Scopus. BioLineRx to Commence Phase 1 Stem Cell Trial at Hadassah Medical Organization - BioLineRx Ltd. has received approval from the Israeli Ministry of Health to commence a Phase 1 trial for BL-8040, a novel treatment for mobilizing stem cells from the bone marrow for treating acute myeloid leukemia, as well as other hematological malignancies. Hadassah’s Prof. Eitan Kerem Receives European Cystic Fibrosis Society 2014 Prize - Prof. Kerem is the principal investigator of many national and international multi-center clinical trials and author of over 170 papers in the field of pulmonology. International Orthopedic Society Invites Hadassah Medical Organization as Member - The exclusive International Society of Orthopedic Centers (ISOC) has announced that it is expanding its membership to include one 9
center in the Middle East: the Hadassah Medical Organization.
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