Temple Beth Sholom
The Shofar ___________________________________________________________________ Shevat/Adar 1 5774 January/February 2014 _____________________________________________________________________________________________________
A Message from Rabbi David Powers
Are New Year’s resolutions Jewish? To answer we need to think a little about how Jews and secular American society marks the new year and what the resolution means. Of course, we know how solemn is the Jewish new year. Rosh Hashana is traditionally the birthday of the universe. Although very few Jews take that tradition literally, the symbolic significance of it is powerful. A universe that has a birthday in time, created by a God, is very contingent. Existence is iffy. After all, a God Who can create a universe out of nothing also can turn that universe back into nothing. Indeed, Jewish tradition suggests that the world we live in is only the most recent divine creation that God had created others before, of which God despaired, and destroyed them. Even the one we enjoy, legend tells us, is at best second best; God had to destroy almost all life, and when Noah and company started over, it still wasn’t so good. In fact, it was sufficiently ungood that God had to create the rainbow as a reminder not to destroy the world yet again. Rabbis even argued that it would likely have been better had God never created humankind. So much for how Jews think about the New Year: contingency and danger.
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Then there is the secular New Year. I am not a New Year reveler: I do not like inflated prices with mediocre food at ordinarily decent restaurants. I do not care for all the impaired drivers on the road. My celebration typically is watching the ball fall down at Times Square, preferentially on CNN with Anderson Cooper and Kathy Griffin. I also like to watch the drag queen diva in a ruby slipper drop at the 801 Bourbon Street Pub on Duvall Street in Key West, covered by digital delay, also on CNN. This does not sound like the recognition of the contingent universe, a commemoration of the fragile world and the tentativeness of life. On the contrary, its hedonism (which, by itself, I find okay, if not especially deep) makes a mockery of the New Year, just as do all the New Year’s Resolutions which seem to come with earnest resolve and a joking recognition that they will be abandoned before the beginning of February. New Year’s resolutions are not a lot like the teshuva, repentance, of Rosh Hashana, which is profoundly more solemn. Teshuva usually includes promises to self like refraining from idolatry or moving farther away from slander and gossip, whereas New Year’s resolutions are considerably more narcissistic, like promises to lose weight (worthy but selfcentered) or improve a golf game (worthy but self-centered and existentially trivial). So, is the New Year resolution Jewish? No. However, it can be. Any new beginning is a good opportunity, and we recall that one Jewish tradition is that the gates of repentance are always open. Perhaps toasting with a bottle of Veuve Cliquot Ponsardin Brut is less solemn than a Manischewitz Kiddush or a Yom Kippur fast. Still, that does not mean that we cannot bring Jewish resolve to any new year, whatever the month, whatever the reason, or to any new month or to any new week. MIshnah Avot urges that we repent one day before our death. Do the math and consider the contingency of life, and we know readily when to repent and when to recognize how dangerous things might really be. Happy New Year, I guess. Note of thaNks
What a nice surprise, last November, to receive an envelope from Danville, and in it was a generous Chanuka gift from Temple Beth Sholom. Thank you very much. It was good to be remembered at the holiday and I am grateful always for the kindness and support of the members of our fine congregation. A happy secular new year to all. 2
Rabbi David Powers
YAHRZEITS May Their Memories Be a Blessing January 3-4/2-3 Shevat
January 10-11/9-10 Shevat
Jan. 17-18/16-17 Shevat
January 24-25/23-24 Shevat
Jan. 31-Feb. 1/30Shevat-1 Adar 1
February 7-8/7-8 Adar 1
February 14-15/14-15 Adar 1
February 21-22/21-22 Adar 1
30 – Julius Novakoff 1 – Shirley Levy 1 – Ella Friedman 1 – Jacob Cohen 3 – Jacquie Koplen
19 20 20 21 21 21 22 23 24 24 25 25
– – – – – – – – – – – –
Dr. Henry Moskowitz Sol Kingoff Celia Barg Jacobs Jane Carol Harris Edna Brodkin Goldstein Kate Lazarus Isaac Berman Dora Lubin Barnett Katzman Alvin H. Rosenstock Sylvia Heyman Minnie Miller
9 – Bessie Berman 10 – Mary Abrams 13 – Sonia Lubin Rippe 15 – Dr. Louis H. Calisch
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 26 – Helene Koplen Navell 27 – Harry Abrams 28 – Lillian W. Kramer 28 – Dora R. Rosenstock 28 – Elias Salamon 29 – Hyman Kravitz 1 – William H. Kay 1 – Edna LeBof
16 16 17 18 21 21 22
– – – – – – –
Aaron Lazarus Hyman Nakdimen Henry Lowenstein Fannye Sater Rosa Bane Anna K. Kelson Albert Koplen 3
15 – Irving Maxwell Heiner 16 – Sol J. Levy
2 – Esther Newman 4 – Yetta S. Schreibfeder
February 28-March 1/28-29 Adar 1 24 – Mayme Newman 28 Julius Kaufman 28 – Annie Newman 29 – Jacob Goodfriend 1 – Beatrice Newman Stoner
CALENDAR OF EVENTS (Services will begin at 7:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted.)
JANUARY 2014 Friday, 3rd
7:30 p.m.
Shabbat Service: Jo Ann Howard
Friday, 10th
7:30 p.m.
Shabbat Service: Rabbi David Powers Faye Kushner and Joan Newman, Oneg Hostesses
Saturday, 11th
9:30 a.m.
Morning with the Rabbi
Friday, 17th
7:30 p.m.
Shabbat Service: Michael Caplan
Monday, 20th
5:00 p.m.
Sisterhood Meeting
Friday, 24th
7:30 p.m.
Shabbat Service: Don Loper
Friday, 30th
7:30 p.m.
Sisterhood Shabbat Service Oneg hosted by the Women of Sisterhood
FEBRUARY Friday, 7th
7:30 p.m.
Shabbat Service: Rabbi David Powers Samantha Wills and Ronnie Mand, Oneg Hostesses
Saturday, 8th
9:30 a.m.
Morning with the Rabbi
Friday, 14th
No Service Scheduled
Saturday 15th
6:00 p.m.
Havdalah: Home of Jo Ann and Peter Howard
Friday, 21st
7:30 p.m.
Shabbat Service: Michael Caplan
Friday 28th
7:30 p.m.
Shabbat Service: Noah and Stuart Kramer
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Temple Beth Sholom Donations-Lo Lehitalem Building Fund In Memory of Joel Singer Mildred Barth, Bernard and Belinda Baker, Mira and Michael Becher, Sandra and Ed Fraim, Harris, Harvey, Neal, & Co., David and Michaela Kotlaba, Faye and Sam Kushner, Dovie Melnick, Adele Nakdimen, Marc and Patricia Newman, Susan and Mike Regan, Mr. and Mrs. L. Samuel Saunders, Southside Urology and Nephrology In Memory of Ruth and Albert Koplen – From Auction Lisa and Dan Barzel, Barry Koplen, Don and Barbralu Koplen In Memory of Joel Singer – Prayer Book Fund - Dr. Frederick and Sandi Fogelson In Memory of Joel Singer – Educational Fund - Arnie Manheim In Honor of Temple Beth Sholom – General Fund - Sandra Strange
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 Memory of Joel Singer - Michael and Darcy Amick Welcome Back to Danville to Susan and Hank Dufour - Jo Ann and Peter Howard In Honor of the Yahrzeit of Irv Melnick - Jo Ann and Peter Howard In Honor of the Yahrzeit of Al Newman - Jo Ann and Peter Howard In Memory of Shirley Cohen - Ronnie and Steve Mand, Jo Ann and Peter Howard In Memory of Riley Harness - Ronnie and Steve Mand, Susanne Singer Thinking of You to Esther Rippe - Jo Ann and Peter Howard
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WITH OUR CONGREGATION Welcome back to Susan and Hank Dufour to our Danville community and our congregational family. Susan is working in advertising at the Danville Register and Bee. Mazel Tov to former members Darcy and Michael Amick on the engagement of their daughter Samantha to PJ, her long time boyfriend of almost 5 years. What a wonderful way to say Happy New Year 2014! Our heartfelt sympathy is extended to Bernard and Belinda Baker on the recent death of Belinda’s father, Bobby Baker. May you find comfort as you are surrounded by family and friends. Thank you from Jo Ann and Peter Howard for the words of caring and love on the recent death of their one year old great-nephew, Riley Scott Harness. Our wishes for good health are extended to 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 January Birthdays - 10 – Don Loper, 13 – Robert Fryman, 17 – Susanne Singer, 20 – Adele Nakdimen, 21 – Rabbi Morton Green, 22 – George Brumfield February Birthdays - 6 – Mira Becher, 8 – Hank Dufour, 9 – Carol Caplan, 17 – John Wills, 27 – Michael Caplan, 29 – Rebekka Stanley February Anniversaries - 12 – Patrice and Stuart Kramer Greetings received December 2013
To Our Beth Sholom Family, Wishing you all the best at Hanukkah and the New Year. Hope your holiday is bright and joyous. Thinking of you ~ Rabbi Mort and Rita 6
Congregational Activities – Looking Back and Ahead Our annual congregational Hanukkah party was hosted by our Temple Board at the home of Jo Ann and Peter Howard on the eighth night of Hanukkah. A good time was had by all! God’s Storehouse benefitted from our gift of 50 lbs. of canned goods!
Ohev Zion congregation joined us for Shabbat worship on Friday, December 13th. Rabbi Powers led us in worship, and everyone enjoyed socializing, and noshing on the delicious goodies provided by Carol Caplan, Susan Dufour, Ronnie Mand, and Judy Salamon. We will worship in Martinsville on March 28th with the Ohev Zion congregation.
Havdalah has become an important part of our Temple Beth Sholom worship. Thank you to Samantha Wills for planning and conducting our Havdalah service on November 16 th. Our next date is February 6th at 6:00 p.m. at the home of Jo Ann and Peter Howard. We’ll say good bye to Shabbat and then have a light supper. Watch for a flyer and be sure to R.S.V.P.
Todah Rabah to everyone who participates in our weekly Shabbat worship, whether you are conducting the service or counted as part of our 10+ minyan. We are a very special small congregation because we worship together almost every week, whether on Friday night to welcome Shabbat or on Saturday evening for Havdalah. Rabbi Powers leads us in worship and learning once a month and then we work together to keep our doors open for the remaining scheduled weeks.
According to Sisterhood President Ronnie Mand, Temple Beth Sholom’s Sisterhood is small but mighty and their goal is to help maintain the temple. The Sisterhood has voted to replace the lighting fixtures in the social hall, kitchen, and the religious school hallway. Thank you to the three teams of Sisterhood women who provided food for the Free Clinic doctors and staff during the month of December. What a mitzvah! The annual Sisterhood Shabbat service will be held on Friday, January 31st. Be sure to mark your calendar so you can welcome the Sabbath during this meaningful service and then socialize at the oneg to follow.
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Temple Beth Sholom has received its first payment from the Jo Ann and Peter Howard L’Dor V’Dor Fund in the amount of $650.00. This fund was set up to support the temple now and in the future…from generation to generation. If you would like to follow the Howard’s lead, please contact Debra Dodson at the Community Foundation of the Dan River Region, 793-0884.
Thank you to the children of Ruth and Albert Koplen for their donation to Temple Beth Sholom. They contributed the money made from the auction of the contents of their parents’ home. Barry Don, and Lisa found this special way to honor their parents and help secure the future of our temple.
With winter here and the temperatures keeping us indoors, it’s a perfect time to pack up clothing and household items for the Sisterhood rummage sale scheduled for next fall. Remember, all items need to be clean and in good condition. Questions? Contact Carol Caplan.
- Visit www.urj.org and read and/ or listen to Rabbi Rick Jacobs’ moving keynote address delivered at the recent San Diego Biennial Convention. You can also explore the website to learn about Tu B’Shevat and other holidays, find answers to your Jewish questions, or learn about travel opportunities to Israel.
Calendar Changes – Please be sure to use the calendar information included in this issue of The Shofar. Please remember, if you are unable to conduct your service or serve as a hostess, please secure a substitute. Also, please contact Jo Ann so the information will be announced or printed correctly. Thank you.
Check out our website:
tbsdanville.org
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A Bit of Jewish Humor Green Eggs and What?! The National Education Association is celebrating "Read Across America" by encouraging adults to read to children. Of course, "Green Eggs and Ham" is one of the most popular Dr. Seuss books. And, there's the dilemma -- how can Jewish kids celebrate with green Eggs and…HAM? So, in honor of (and with apologies to the estate of Dr. Seuss), here's a new ending for the story: Will you never see? They are not KOSHER, So let me be! I will not eat green eggs and ham. I will not eat them, Sam-I-am But I'll eat green eggs with a biscuit! Or I will try them with some brisket. I'll eat green eggs in a box. If you serve them with some lox. And those green eggs are worth a try Scrambled up in matzo brie! And in a boat upon the river, I'll eat green eggs with chopped liver! So if you're a Jewish Dr. Seuss fan, but troubled by green eggs and ham, let your friends in on the scoop: Green eggs taste best with chicken soup!
Telling the truth On Shabbat, Rabbi Bloom told his congregation, “Next week, my sermon will be all about the sin of lying, and to help you understand it better I would like you all to read Leviticus Chapter 28 before next week.” The following Shabbat, at the start of his sermon, the rabbi asked his congregation, “How many of you have read Leviticus 28?”Every hand went up. Rabbi Bloom smiled and said, “Leviticus has only 27 chapters. I will now proceed with my sermon on the sin of lying.”
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Danville Chapter of Hadassah January/February 2014
December Meeting - Our December 3rd meeting was a great success as we celebrated the seventh night of Hanukkah at the Lawson-Overbey Inn. The 7th night is known among the Jewish communities of Algeria, Morocco, and Tunisia as Chag haBanot or Festival of the Daughters . We learned about women in Jewish history and shared our feelings about women in our lives who we admire. Youth Aliyah Birthday and Anniversary Cards – Thank you to those members who have sent in their 2014 card lists. If you still need to return yours, please do so as quickly as possible. Or, if your list didn’t make it to you due to seasonal delays, please contact Susanne Singer and she’ll send you another list. (434-822-1114) This is a wonderful way to remember your family and friends and support Hadassah at the same time. JNF – Please remember that trees are now $18.00. You can either order them through our chapter (Jo Ann Howard -434-799-3505) or you can go on line to Hadassah.org. Just be sure to credit our Danville Chapter with your purchase. Mazel Tov to Life Member Christi Camper Moore on her marriage to Dave. They are happily living in Ohio. Mazel Tov to Life Member Samantha Amick on her engagement to PJ. And Mazel Tov to her Mom and Life Member, Darcy, who is kvelling! Misheberach List – Please add these Hadassah members for prayers of healing – Siege Weiss, Esther Rippe, and Patrice Kramer. News? If you have news to share, please let us hear from you! Just email or call Jo Ann, 434-799-3505. Hadassah News – Read the next page for some amazing breakthroughs!
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Hadassah Graduate Designs Programs That Decrease Death from HIV/AIDS and TB - Benson Ulo, a 2003 graduate of the International Masters of Public Health Program at the Hadassah-Hebrew University Braun School of Public Health and Community Medicine, applauds his education for providing him with a “flexible think tank,” where students are equipped to shape public health care worldwide. Having struggled to gain admittance to medical school, Mr. Ulo found himself forced to interrupt his education. He took on odd jobs at construction sites, just to survive. Three years later, he was fortunate to get a sponsor, which made it possible for him to return to academia to study public health. He subsequently received a scholarship to attend the IMPH program in Jerusalem. This was “an opportunity of a lifetime,” he says, “and has led to multiple rewards in my life.” At international Medical Corps, his employer since 2004, Mr. Ulo says, his IMPH education has enabled him to design and implement HIV/AIDS and TB programs that have helped thousands of people, with both prevention and treatment in remote areas of his country. Mr. Ulo is currently the director of an HIV/AIDS and TB program in local prisons which, he reports, has greatly improved the health of inmates, bringing down the TB death rate from about 40 percent to zero! Mr. Ulo shares his work experiences at international conferences and, as a result, believes he influences program design in many other countries. Conquering Brain Tumors at the Molecular Level - For Regina
Golan-Gerstl, a postdoctoral fellow at the Hadassah-Hebrew University School of Medicine, the fight against brain cancer has been close-up and personal: her mother died of the disease. She has now identified a genetic protein that is directly implicated in the development of the most prevalent brain cancer--glioblastoma. Initially working in the specialty of pulmonology with Senior Hadassah Prof. Raphael Breuer, researching how cells communicate with one another, Dr. Golan-Gerstl switched to studying brain cancer when her mother became ill. There is a mechanism called "splicing," she says, where elements of RNA (ribonucleic acid) are cut and recombined like sections of movie film. When a person is sick, Dr. Golan-Gerstl explains, the splicing mechanism doesn't work in the same way. An alternative splicing occurs, thanks to a genetic protein which becomes an activist in the development of cancer. She and her team have found that when the action of this gene is turned off, tumors in mice decrease in size. Dr. Golan-Gerstl adds that their first success has been with brain cancer. Further investigation is taking place with other metastatic cancers, such as breast cancer. Tackling the problem with colleagues in Hadassah's Neuro-Oncology Department, Dr. GolanGerstl relates that they are "working on shutting it down at a molecular level." Michael Klipper, Chair of Voices Against Brain Cancer, an organization dedicated to brain cancer research and advocacy, comments on the organization's website that "this discovery is comforting for those who are and who have been affected by this horrible disease. For one, it shows them that there are dedicated scientists and researchers who are working around the clock to put an end to this horrible disease. And two, it gives them hope that there actually will one day be a cure for brain cancer." 11
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