The Message December 2017 Revised

The Message

Congregation Beth Yeshurun December 2017

dining room table, and then place on it a gorgeous menorah.

My siblings and I waited eagerly for the beautifully-wrapped gifts that would soon be brought out, and when they arrived, we carefully assessed and shook each and every one of them trying to figure what was what and which one we would open first and then on each succeeding night. It was the greatest fun of the year.

This year, I was reminded of Hanukkah’s arrival several weeks ago when I was on the elevator of the apartment building where Marcie and I are temporarily living while our home undergoes repairs. A young Jewish family was riding with me when one of the children looked up at his father and asked, “Daddy, are we going to have Hanukkah this year?”

The question brought tears to my eyes. Dislocated and out of his home, this child’s world had been turned upside down by Hurricane Harvey. The apartment he and his two siblings were living in was nice but it wasn’t Home. With all the changes in his life, this little boy didn’t assume that Hanukkah as he had always celebrated it would show up in this new and strange place where they were living.

When the father reassured him Hanukkah would be better than ever, the youngster broke out in a smile that was almost too big for his face. The holiday would find him, he was told, wherever they lived.

Yes, sometimes Hanukkah can become more than it should be, more than it needs to be. But this year in particular, Hanukkah with its gifts, its latkes, its candles is no minor thing.

It’s a chance to bring something beautiful and happy into every family’s home, a chance to emerge from the darkness left behind by a hurricane and to renew our lives — and our children’s — with brightness and joy.

May Hanukkah bring new light into all our homes this year more than ever.

From the Rabbi Rabbi David Rosen

Pick up any book about the Jewish holidays and you will read that Hanukkah is, in fact, one of the Minor Festivals. I’ve taught that for years as a way to de-emphasize how overly-commercialized the holiday has become, a reflection of its close proximity to that other overlycommercialized holiday, Christmas.

Try telling that to any child, though. As the last school year ended several months ago, I was with our fourth-graders and I asked them for the name of the most important holiday on the Jewish calendar. I was looking for Yom Kippur or Shabbat, but of course every hand went up to let me know it was Hanukkah! I then asked, “what is the second most important holiday?” and again I was met with a chorus of voices: “Hanukkah!” Third most important? “Hanukkah” Fourth? Fifth? It had to be Hanukkah, the kids insisted.

Forget Passover, Purim, Sukkot, Rosh Hashanah! For our Jewish kids, the Festival of Lights — and Presents! — will always be Number One. And I can understand that.

When I was a child growing up in our Willow Meadows home here in Houston, I eagerly waited for the day each winter when my Mom would put a special white tablecloth on our

We Value Our Members Beth Yeshurun is a community institution with a vital mission: to offer spiritual experiences that inspire and uplift all ages, to educate children and adults, and to provide a setting in which Judaism can be joyously lived and experienced.

Congregation Beth Yeshurun

Interested in Joining? Our synagogue welcomes people of the Jewish faith and their families to make Beth Yeshurun their spiritual home. Mindi Stern, our Director of Member Relations, (713.666.1881) is here to welcome everyone interested in becoming part of our beautiful congregational family.

Rhona & Bruce Caress Family Campus 4525 Beechnut St.│Houston, TX 77096-1801 713.666.1881│www.bethyeshurun.org The Message Vol. LIII, No. 1

Do You Have a Question about Your Membership? Members who may have special needs, whose family situations have changed or who have questions about their membership in the synagogue will find a responsive and empathetic ear by arranging a visit with Mindi Stern, our Director of Member Relations, (713.666.1881).

December 2017│Kislev-Tevet 5778

The Message of Congregation Beth Yeshurun (USPS 968500) is published monthly August-July by Congregation Beth Yeshurun, 4525 Beechnut, Houston, Harris County, TX 770961801. Periodical Postage Paid at Houston, Texas.

Follow Us Online! Beth Yeshurun is an active and engaging congregation for members of all ages and backgrounds. To learn more about our ongoing and special programming, visit our website (www.bethyeshurun.org) or follow us on our Facebook page under “Congregation Beth Yeshurun.“

Postmaster send address changes to Congregation Beth

Yeshurun │4525 Beechnut│Houston, TX 77096-1801.

Front Cover Beth Yeshurun Freedman Levit Sanctuary Photo Credit Michael Duke 2

Two New Faces at Beth Yeshurun!

Sarah Goldberg

Youth Programming Coordinator Congregation Beth Yeshurun is excited to welcome Sarah Goldberg as the new Youth Programming Coordinator. Sarah will work to engage our congregation’s youth in creative Judaic and social programming designed just for them.

Growing up outside Philadelphia, Sarah attended Camp Ramah in the Poconos and was a staff member for five years. She moved to New Orleans to attend Tulane University where she studied psychology and Jewish studies. After working in New Orleans for a few years, she relocated to Houston last September. In addition to her role at CBY, Sarah is also the Field Engagement Associate for the Southwest Region of USY (SWUSY) where she supports local chapters and regional programming. Sarah is very excited to get to know the kids and teens of Beth Yeshurun!

Be on the lookout for more information about upcoming events. Feel free to contact Sarah at sgoldberg@bethyeshurun.org.

Ashley Mills

Marketing and Communications Manager Ashley Mills has joined Congregation Beth Yeshurun as the new Marketing and Communications Manager.

She will work closely with Programming Director Riana Sherman to oversee and coordinate marketing and communication efforts for the synagogue.

Ashley is a native Houstonian who comes to us from Congregration Beth Israel where she served as the Communication and Programming Coordinator and most recently the Assitant Director of the Miriam Browning Jewish Learning Center. While at Beth Israel she worked closely with leadership to engage families through experiential learning and with the communication manager to devolpe publications for the synagogue.

Ashley spends much of her free time with her son Dean and their two rescue mutts. She is currenly pursuing her degree in Business Management and enjoys anything crafty. She is excited to join Beth Yeshurun and looks forward working with the cogregation! Ashley can be reach by email at amills@bethyeshurun.org.

This page sponsored by Houston Jewish Funerals. Interested in sponsoring a page? Contact amills@bethyeshurun.org 3

It’s a Mitzvah

Service Details

Interested in sponsoring a Chapel Minyan weekday breakfast, or a Chapel or Museum Minyan Shabbat Kiddush in memory of your loved one or in honor of a simcha?

Please contact Eileen Pettigrew, Food Service Manager, at epettigrew@bethyeshurun.org or 713.666.1881, ext. 368.

Sponsorships will be acknowledged in The Message.

Standard breakfasts begin at $120 and kiddushes begin at $145. Special meals may be arranged with the Food Service Department and monthly sponsorships are available. All sponsorships must be paid in advance. Dates will be reserved in the order they are received.

Office Hours Beth Yeshurun’s temporary office is located at: 2400 Augusta Drive, Houston, TX 77057 The office is open Monday-Friday 9:00am to 4:00pm.

It will be closed for the following upcoming holidays: Christmas Day Monday, December 25, 2017 New Years Day Monday, January 1, 2018 Martin Luther King Day Monday, January 15, 2018

Weekly Torah Study 11:45am Shabbat Mornings at Beth Yeshurun Join our Weekly Torah discussions led by Rabbi Diana R. Siegel each Shabbat to discern the simple and complex, the explicit and implicit of Torah Wisdom as it applies to our daily life.

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SHABBAT SERVICE TIMES December 8/9 (CL 5:05pm, Parashat Vayeshev ) 5:00pm Chapel Shabbat Service at Brith Shalom 6:15pm Sanctuary Service at Brith Shalom 8:30am Shabbat Chapel Service in Reiches Hall 9:30am Sanctuary Service at Brith Shalom 9:45am Museum Minyan in Reiches Hall 5:00pm Minhah/Ma’ariv at Brith Shalom December 15/16 (CL 5:07pm, Parashat Miketz) 5:00pm Chapel Shabbat Service at Brith Shalom 6:00pm Service at the Emery/Weiner School Bar Mitzvah: Elan Goetz 6:15pm Sanctuary Service at Brith Shalom 8:30am Shabbat Chapel Service in Reiches Hall 9:30am Sanctuary Service at Brith Shalom 9:30am Service at the Emery/Weiner School Bar Mitzvah: Elan Goetz 9:45am Museum Minyan in Reiches Hall 5:00pm Minhah/Ma’ariv at Brith Shalom December 22/23 (CL 5:10pm, Parashat Vayigash) 5:00pm Chapel Shabbat Service at Brith Shalom 6:00pm Service at Emanu El Bar Mitzvah: Ryan Diamond 6:15pm Sanctuary Service at Brith Shalom 8:30am Shabbat Chapel Service in Reiches Hall 9:30am Sanctuary Service at Brith Shalom 9:30am Service at Emanu El Bar Mitzvah: Ryan Diamond 9:45am Museum Minyan in Reiches Hall 5:00pm Minhah/Ma’ariv at Brith Shalom December 29/30 (CL 5:14pm, Parashat Vayechi) 5:00pm Chapel Shabbat Service at Brith Shalom 6:15pm Sanctuary Service at Brith Shalom 8:30am Shabbat Chapel Service in Reiches Hall 9:30am Sanctuary Service at Brith Shalom 9:45am Museum Minyan in Reiches Hall 5:00pm Minhah/Ma’ariv at Brith Shalom January 5/6 (CL 5:19pm, Parashat Shemot) 5:00pm Chapel Shabbat Service at Beth Yeshurun 6:00 Shabbat Renewal in Freedman/Levit Sanctuary Bar Mitzvah: Garrett Kaplan 8:30am Shabbat Chapel Service in Greenfield Chapel 9:15am Museum Minyan in Reiches Hall 9:30am Sanctuary Service in Freedman/Levit Sanctuary Bar Mitzvah: Garrett Kaplan 5:00pm Minhah/Ma’ariv in Greenfield Chapel WEEKDAY CHAPEL SERVICES Week of 12/3 at Brith Shalom Mornings Sun 8:00am,Mon-Fri 7:00am; Afternoon/Evenings Sun-Thu 5:00pm, Week of 12/10 at Brith Shalom Mornings Sun 8:00am, Mon-Fri 7:00am; Afternoon/Evenings Sun-Thu 5:00pm, Week of 12/17 at Brith Shalom Mornings Sun 8:00am, Mon-Tue 6:45am; Wed-Fri 7:00am; Afternoon/Evenings Sun-Thu 5:00pm, Week of 12/24 at Brith Shalom Mornings Sun-Mon 8:00am, Tue-Fri 7:00am; Afternoon/Evenings Sun-Thu 5:00pm Week of 12/31 at Beth Yeshurun Mornings Sun 8:00am, Mon-Fri 7:00am; Afternoon/Evenings Sun-Thu 5:00pm, Week of 1/7 at Beth Yeshurun Mornings Sun 8:00am, Mon-Fri 7:00am; Afternoon/Evenings Sun-Thu 5:00pm.

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C O N G R E G A T I O N

B

eing Jewish, you are heir to a unique his-

tory, heritage, and cul-

B E T H

Y E S H U R U N ‘ S

P I L G R I M A G E

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ture. Perhaps you feel it sometimes more than other times. Perhaps at

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times you barely feel it at all. But it’s there—inside a part of your heart,

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With RABBI DAVID AND MARCIE ROSEN

within a place in your soul. And that’s why you owe it to yourself to visit the one place on earth that will truly touch that part of you, and change the way you feel about yourself as a Jew. Israel!

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ach year on both Yom Kippur and Passover, we end our deliberations with the words “Next Year in Jerusalem!” Now let it be so!

I am happy to announce our 2018 Congregation Beth Yeshurun Pilgrimage to Israel, leaving Houston on Sunday, May 27, and arriving back in Houston Thursday morning, June 7.

This is an exciting opportunity for you, your family and friends to visit (or revisit) Israel, to walk along the ancient streets of Jerusalem, to stand on the

shores of the beautiful Sea of Galilee, to shop along the busy streets of Tel Aviv, and to reaffirm one’s Jewish roots in the land where the Jewish People began.

Marcie and I are delighted to be leading this trip, which will include not only the places every visitor must see, but which will also include excursions to some of Israel’s hidden gems, to see a side of Israel known only to Israelis.

In Israel, we will be joined by one of Israel’s most outstanding and soughtafter guides—and my personal friend— 6

Allan Marks. I have worked with many wonderful guides in Israel. But when Marcie and I met Allan in 1989, we knew he was going to be our guide forever! Not only does he possess knowledge of the whole of Israel at his fingertips, but he is blessed with a fresh and at-times irreverent sense of humor which makes travelling with him a firstclass experience each and every day.

Yes, the journey of a lifetime awaits us all. We hope you’ll join us!

Rabbi David Rosen

S E E

I S R A E L

L I K E

Y O U ‘ V E

N E V E R

S E E N

I T !

You’ve Always Wanted to Go! Now Make 2018 the Year!  

  Experience standing at the Western

Wall in Jerusalem  Traverse the desert fortress, Masada  Swim in the Dead Sea  Explore the Old City of Jerusalem  Be moved by a visit to Yad Vashem

 Visit a pre-state underground

munitions factory disguised as a laundry Visit the Weizmann Institute of Science and learn about Israel’s amazing first President, Chaim Weizmann Stroll through one of Israel’s oldest and prettiest towns, Zichron Ya’akov, and learn about the first pioneers who came to the Land, and others, like the heroic Aronsohn Family, who sought to defend it Sit in the magnificent Roman amphitheater in Caesarea Visit the newly-opened Yitzhak Rabin Center Enjoy dinner eating alongside the beautiful Sea of Galilee Participate in an interactive tour of the Bio-Bee fields, an amazing project which has brought Israeli and Palestinian ecologists together  Explore the world of renowned Israeli inventions and creations at the State of Mind Innovation Center Visit the Burnt House in Jerusalem’s Old City, a dramatic scorched witness to the Roman destruction of Jerusalem 2,000 years ago

For our last congregational tour, we are excited to show you the Israel we so love and cherish!

In planning our 2018 journey, we have put together our“Dream Itinerary” filled with the most important things to see—and lots of new things for 2nd- and 3rd timers! Our journey will connect us to our Jewish roots as we explore our people’s ancient and ongoing connection to the Land of Israel. It’s an Israel that grabs our hearts every time we come. An Israel that we can’t wait to share with you one last time!

—DAVID AND MARCIE ROSEN

Visit Yad LaKashish, a multifaceted sheltered workshop for senior citizens whose home-made artistic creations are sold throughout the world Be guided through Ben-Gurion University in Beersheva, the startup university for the startup nation

Walk through the picturesque neighborhood of Ein Kerem in the Jerusalem Forest Visit the Valley of Elah, where David slew Goliath And so much more for returnees who want to experience more of Israel!

LEARN MORE AT OUR TRIP INFORMATION MEETING MONDAY NIGHT, DECEMBER 11, 7:00 P.M. EARLY CHILDHOOD OPEN AREA (SNAP CITY) BETH YESHURUN SCHOOL WING Go online to https://www.daattravel.com/Package/31207 to sign up and learn even more!

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Upcomming Programming

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Tribute artist Ralph Elizondo as AM

ELVIS

Wednesday, December 20, 2017 at 11:30 AM Program will take place at Congregation Brith Shalom

Lunch at 11:30 AM Program & Lunch $8 if prepaid by 12/13/17 $12 after 12/13/17

RSVP BY:

12·13·17 Please write “YES” on your check and mail to: Abby Rotenberg 4525 Beechnut Houston, TX 77096

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Questions?

(713) 666-1881 ext. 208

First Shabbat Back January 5 Young Adult Shaksukah Project January 11 Kol Rinah January 12 Sisterhood Shabbat January 19

Rabbi Sarah Fort’s Installation January 26, 2018

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2017-2018 16th Year 100 Jewish Men is a group of men dedicated to improving themselves and each other as men, fathers, husbands, brothers, sons, friends and Jews. Through controversial, thought-provoking speakers and small group discussions, we will explore what usually remains unspoken in men's lives at work and at home. We have an incredible year planned and we hope you choose to be part of it. All dinners at 6:30 pm followed by programs at 7:00 pm.

Wednesday, January 17, 2018 Medicine after the Holocaust with Dr. Sheldon Rubenfeld at Congregation Beth Yeshurun Nazi doctors, the best in the world at the time, played a central role in the design and implementation of the Holocaust as they attempted to accelerate Darwin's theory of natural selection and quickly develop a Master Race.

Wednesday, February 21, 2018 A Night with Spencer Tillman at Kenny & Ziggy's Galleria After an eight-year career in the NFL, Spencer Tillman now serves as the lead studio analyst for CBS Sports coverage of College Football Today and the NCAA Men's Basketball tournament.

Sunday, March 18, 2018 Men's Passover Dinner led by Rabbi Brian Strauss & Others at United Orthodox Synagogues We’ll experience what it means to be a Jewish man today as we come together with our friends at UOS to eat, laugh and share our beer and steak! Together we'll celebrate our freedom as Jews and as men!

Wednesday, May 16, 2018 In the Sands of Sinai - a Physician's Account of the Yom Kippur War with Dr. Itzhak Brook at Congregation Beth Yeshurun Dr. Itzhak Brook will present a description of the historical background of the Yom Kippur War and its effects on the Israeli society, as well as his own personal experiences and challenges as a battalion physician in the Sinai.

Register & pay online at www.bethyeshurun.org or submit this registration form, along with a check payable to Beth Yeshurun, to Rabbi Brian Strauss Congregation Beth Yeshurun | 4525 Beechnut St. | Houston, TX 77096 Spring Registration Cost*: $70/CBY Members; $85/Non-CBY Members *Financial Assistance is available - please contact Rabbi Strauss.

100 JEWISH MEN SPRING REGISTRATION 2018

Mr. __ Dr. __ / CBY Member __ CBY Non-Member __ Name_________________________________________ Address_______________________________________ City/St/Zip_____________________________________ Contact Phone #_________________________________ E-Mail_________________________________________ Optional Scholarship Donation $ ______ 10

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Samuel Morris Whitman (November 17/18) is the son of Susan and Gary Whitman, brother of Kayla Whitman, grandson of Mark and Carol Entman, and grandson of Nancy and the late Marvin Whitman. Sam attends Emery Weiner School. For his mitzvah project, Sam assembled Shabbat boxes to be distributed to synagogue members who are in the hospital through Jewish Family Service.

Sam is an active member of Boy Scout Troop 806 where he participates in Jewish community events and service projects.

He will donate a portion of his Bar Mitzvah gifts to Jewish Family Service.

Isaac Aaron Fein (November 10/11) is the son of Kelli Cohen Fein & Martin Fein; brother of Jordan Eliana Fein, Rebecca Luks (David), Mindy Fein and Daniel Fein (Rachel); and grandson of the late Celina Fein & Ely Fein and Helene Pfeffer and Jay Cohen. Isaac attends The Kinkaid School. For his Mitzvah projects, Isaac donated gently used sports equipment to Houston’s Fifth Ward Saints and Baseball Tomorrow. Isaac also volunteered on behalf of communities and citizens in the wake of Hurricane Harvey. Isaac will participate in the Rabbi’s Plan for Charitable Giving donating to Big Life Foundation, Dick’s Sporting Goods Foundation, Harvey Relief Funds, Hebrew Free Loan Association, Holocaust Museum Houston, Interfaith Ministries, JFS and Seven Acres.

B’nai Mitzvah Cayla Brynn Gottesman (October 7) is the daughter of Michelle and Todd Gottesman; the granddaughter of Gillian and Raymond Donner, Janet Gottesman, and Addy and Gene Gottesman. Cayla attends Pershing Middle School. For her mitzvah project, Cayla cut and assembled sets of shoe patterns for Sole Hope, an organization that provides relief from foot-related diseases and makes shoes for impoverished Ugandan children. She will also donate a portion of her monetary gifts to MD Anderson’s Moon Shots Program to fight Multiple Myeloma.

Ella Rivka Trubek (Oct 20/21) is the daughter of Angela Dorfman and Simon Trubek; sister of Yossi, Bailey, Emma, Ryan & Charlotte; and the granddaughter of Helen & Angelo DeJohn and Stella & Alexander Trubek. Ella attends Emery/ Wiener School. For her Mitzvah project, Ella made Shabbat boxes for MD Anderson patients. Ella will donate a portion of her monetary gifts to the Beth Yeshurun Flood Recovery Fund.

Brett Harrison Siff (November 10/11) is the son of Betsy and Todd Siff; brother of Lindsey and Madison Siff. He is the grandson of Jackie and Sherwin Siff, and Louise and Hugh Miller, of blessed memory.

Brett attends The Kinkaid School. For his mitzvah projects, he participated in the West University Challenger Baseball League and Hurricane Harvey disaster relief projects sponsored by the Jewish Federation and The Kinkaid School. He is also collecting and donating new and gently used sports equipment for the Houston Fifth Ward Saints and the Baseball Tomorrow equipment drive. Brett will donate a portion of his monetary gifts to the Houston Food Bank and Jewish Family Service of Houston.

Samuel Morris Whitman (November 17/18) is the son of Susan and Gary Whitman, brother of Kayla Whitman, grandson of Mark and Carol Entman, and grandson of Nancy and the late Marvin Whitman. Sam attends Emery Weiner School. For his mitzvah project, Sam assembled Shabbat boxes to be distributed to synagogue members who are in the hospital through Jewish Family Service.

Sam is an active member of Boy Scout Troop 806 where he participates in Jewish community events and service projects.

He will donate a portion of his Bar Mitzvah gifts to Jewish Family Service.

Ethan Harris Glaich (October 27/28) is the son of Adrienne and Asaf Glaich; brother of Asher and Ella; grandson of Melanie and Barry Shoss, and Sara and Abraham Glaich. Ethan is a seventh-grader at The Emery/Weiner School. For his Mitzvah project, Ethan volunteered at the Houston Food Bank. He will also donate a portion of his monetary gifts to Kids with Food Allergies, a division of the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.

Ava Kate Trachtenberg (Oct. 27/28) i s t h e d a u g h te r o f S te f a n i e a n d Mark Trachtenberg; sister of Jacob; granddaughter of Melanie and Barry Shoss, and Ellen and Dan Trachtenberg.

Ava is a seventh-grader at The Emery/ Weiner School. For her Mitzvah project, Ava decorated Shabbat Boxes for Jewish patients at M.D. Anderson hospital to be delivered by her grandfather Dan Trachtenberg for the chaplaincy program operated by Jewish Family Services. She will also donate a portion of her monetary gifts to Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston.

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Elan Alexander Goetz (December 15/16) is the son of Jennifer Webb-Goetz and Dr. Joseph Goetz; brother of Zev, Aaron, Daniel, Emily, Hannah, Nathaniel, Daryl and Kendall. He is the grandson of George and Dori Forrest and the late Jennie Palacio Forrest, and Dr. Gertrude Goetz and the late Samuel Goetz. Elan attends the Emery/Weiner School. For his Mitzvah project, Elan designed and sold “Heart over Harvey” wristbands with funds donated to the Mayor’s relief fund. He also made Hanukkah boxes through the Jewish Family Service for hospitalized patients. Elan will donate a portion of his monetary gifts to MD Anderson Cancer Center in loving memory of his grandparents Samuel Goetz and Jennie Palacio Forrest.

Ryan Abe Diamond (December 22/23) is the son of Talia Diamond and Russell Diamond; brother of Gabriel Diamond; and grandson of Dr. Les and Leora Nowitz, and Sandy Diamond and the late Roy Diamond.

Ryan attends the Emery/Weiner School. For his Mitzvah project, Ryan created a food pantry at Bellaire High School for the many students who go to school hungry every day.

Ryan will donate a portion of his monetary gifts to JFS to help the community recover from Hurricane Harvey.

Please contact Hilary Nitsun at hnitsun@bethyeshurun.org or 713.255.8005, for your submission deadline to list your Bar/Bat Mitzvah student’s parents, siblings, grandparents, school, and Mitzvah Projects.

Door l’Door a Mezuzot Project

As Hurricane Harvey swept over Houston, Chava Gal-Or counted herself lucky. The water rose up to her door and a little bit seeped in, but her home did not flood.

However, many in the Reform synagogue where she works had it much worse: Twenty-nine families lost their homes — about 15 percent of the congregation’s members.

At first, Gal-Or despaired the extent of the damage and how little she could do to help.

“I can’t rebuild their houses,” said Gal-Or, the director of congregational learning for the Texas city’s Temple Sinai, told JTA. “I don’t have the money to do much. There was this increasing awareness that there was nothing I could do.”

But what she could do, Gal-Or realized, was help her neighbors make their temporary homes and (eventually) their rebuilt homes feel Jewish. She began collecting mezuzahs — the small scrolls traditionally affixed to the doorposts of Jewish dwellings — to distribute free to Jewish hurricane victims.

Thus the unofficial organization Door L’Door was born. The name is a play on the biblical phrase “l’dor v’dor,” which means “from generation to generation.” When Jewish homes are destroyed, Door l'Door will provide each family with a new mezuzah. Together, we can restore their spirits, nourish their souls, and renew their faith.

To continue reading this article originally posted by JTA Jewish Telegraphic Agency visit tinyurl.com/doorldoor. For more information about this program and how to participate visit Door l’Door’s website door-ldoor.blogspot.com or email MezuzotProject@gmail.com.

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Pre-Kindergarten, Kindergarten, and First Grade Religious School students recently received a special gift from the Religious School at Rodef Sholom Temple in Newport News, VA, Each of the children received a beautifully decorated pillow with the words Shema Yisrael written in Hebrew on one side and a pocket containing the book The Bedtime Sh’ma on the reverse side. Such a special gift for our youngest Religious School students to let them know that others were concerned about them after Hurricane Harvey!

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Family Album

Births

Orly and Matthew Feldman and big sister, Ella, and big brother Noah, of Kirkland, Washington joyfully announce the birth of their son and brother, Ethan Leo Feldman, born on Oct. 1, 2017. Welcoming Ethan into the family are his proud grandparents, Pearl and Meir Monk of Houston, Tx. and Lori and Lloyd Feldman of Parkland, Fl. He is the greatgrandson of Edith and the late Josef Mincberg of Houston, Tx., Sonia and the late Leon Monk of Ramat Gan, Israel, the late Hilda and Seymour Feldman of Boca Raton, Fl., and the late Freida and Morris Black of Boca Raton, Fl. Ethan’s Hebrew name is Eitan Yehuda and he is named in loving memory of his maternal great-grandfather Leon.

Anniversaries 10/1 6 Steven & Elizabeth Bender

29 Shimon & Linda Atzil 10/2 35 Norman & Deborah Rappaport 10/3 48 Leonid Zilberfayn & Talina Luchenitser 10/5 42 Steven & Eileen Lee 10/7 10 Karen Finkelman Hasson & Steve Hasson

10 Ryan & Hydee Kagan

26 Myron & Suzanne Rosenberg

38 Jeffrey & Kathryn Brown

61 Gerald & Elaine Kisluk 10/8 11 James & Ronit Mele

23 Paul Horwitz & Denise Rashti

51 Julius & June Sadowsky 10/10 18 Max & Rae Uzick 10/11 2 Joseph & Melanie Lipp

2 David & Lisa Benhammou 10/12 21 Marc & Stefanie Plotkin

42 Frederick & Karen Buckwold 10/13 5 Ryan & Lindsy Steinberg

16 John & Candice Frank

61 Howard & Gladys Kaplan 10/14 22 Roland & Susan Hartzog

27 Max & Trudi Esses 10/15 6 Jason & Stephanie Kohll

67 Sam & Charlene Segal 10/16 34 Yahya & Ellen Moussazadeh

40 Bryan & Suzanne Siegel

68 Irwin & Fay Miller 10/18 19 Marvin & Michelle Blum

37 Kenneth & Paula Singer 10/19 59 Harold & Celene Chasen 10/20 21 Scott & Randi Rubenstein

26 Edward & Sabrina Engel 10/21 16 Matt & Tamara Cohen

27 Charles & Jill Talisman 10/22 29 Yuriy & Yelena Krupnik

44 Glen & Esther Jenkins 10/23 7 Alford & Marilynne Bleeker

17 Alan & Natasha Hananel 10/24 2 Paul & Elyssa Gottheim 10/25 25 Eric Schoen & Susan Rosenbaum 10/27 43 Ronnie & Judy Yambra

49 Bubba & Maxine Silberstein

51 John & Carol Hess 10/28 11 Jason & Kimberly Schlanger

44 Phillip & Lynn Abrams

55 Harvey & Mireille Katz 10/29 22 Donald & Dorene Cohen

22 Mike & Sarah Deitch

23 Gene & Alexandra Burd

59 Lanny & Marilyn Glick 10/30 12 Benjamin Shani & Michele Tesciuba

18 Brad & Iris Sherman

24 Danny & Danielle Kuperman

29 Daniel Epner & Linda Epner

57 Simon & Rhoda Fredricks 10/31 19 Paul & Donna Silverman

24 Larry & Elisha Selzer

25 Clive & Margie Fields

52 Michael & Judy Weingart 11/1 2 Zachary Hiller & Donna Haim

14 Kenneth & Dana Katz

41 Volf & Lilya Borchenko

48 Francisco & Julia Maislos

58 Norman & Marlene Rosenthal 11/2 9 Elan & Lindsay Tavor

14 Jeffrey & Amy Kaufman

26 Cary & Marilyn Hoffman

40 Irvin & Olivia Reiner 11/3 10 Gabriel & Hayley Maislos

16 Jay & Viki Blinderman

54 Dmitriy Idashkin & Larisa Bogachevskaya 11/4 17 Scott & Shari Frankel 11/5 17 Steven & Linda Sheldon

29 Robert & Pamela Penn

29 Joseph & Rene Bloom 11/6 6 Joshua & Alexandra Grosman

7 Gilad & Lisa Zadok

48 Mario & Drora Grossman 11/7 2 Seth Hurwitz & Alexandra Penzell

2 Scott & Rachel Lipshutz

8 Mickey & Paige Baden

9 David & Elena Fleischer

30 Joe & Joy Kaplan

63 William & Shirley Morgan 11/8 9 Daniel & Melanie Spelkin

30 Allan & Mellody Panzer 11/9 3 Bruce & Jessica Coane

14 David Schwartz & Rachel Kosoy

20 Jeffery & Teresa Kaplan

4 Kevin & Deborah Metter 11/10 10 Jeffrey & Stacey Shidler

16 Bobby & Heidi Bazarsky

16 Rob & Elizabeth Naggar

32 Cary & Karen Robinson

57 Mikhail & Nadezhda Natanzon 11/11 17 Robert & Dorothy Jenkins

38 Mark & Marlene Finkelstein

15

11/12 1 Andrew Victores & Margaret Sopozhnikov 11/13 13 Paul & Carrie Ostrin

36 Dunbar Chambers & Joanna Gol

57 Frank & Irene Shaw 11/14 8 Adam Price & Carolyn Douglas

8 Stephen & Julia Jacobson

13 Benjamin & Lydia Musher

18 Jeremy & Shelley Sorkin

52 Sewell & Hannah Martin 11/15 8 Jonathan & Yoela Levin

9 Jason & Jessica Zoller

14 Noah & Tamara Spiegel

42 Brian & Marlene Lord

47 Herbert & Jill Kalman 11/16 4 Michael & Rachel Schneider

20 David & Hannah Loev

31 Eric & Isabelle Mayer

42 Allen & Anita Mattis 11/17 5 Micah & Jordann Grodin

49 Jerry & Barbara Selzer

62 Paul & Carol Horvitz 11/18 16 Bryan & Dionne Miller

16 Steven & Gaby Goodweather

44 Kenneth & Sue Reichek 11/19 12 Darin & Allyson Ackerman

17 Murray & Amy Kalmin

23 Peter & Julie Schneider 11/20 34 Ben & Barbara Eisenbaum

34 Brian & Linda Shapiro 11/21 2 Brian & Amy Gordon

8 Daniel & Jennifer Leventhal

18 Martin & Kelli Fein

30 Russell & Mary Miller

36 Jerrel & Arlene Schorr

46 Lawrence & Gail Silver 11/22 37 Jeff & Carolyn Karp 11/23 14 Scott & Dena Segal

59 Leon & Miriam Toubin

67 Sheldon & Rae Gerson 11/24 10 Roger & Judi Mendelovitz

60 Jack & Toby Segal 11/25 7 Yoav & Erika Kaufman

17 Benjamin & Rachel Lavine

33 Stephen & Cathy Kuper

33 Robert & Julia Shaddox

39 Bill & Nancy Gotsdiner

50 Steve & Jo King

52 Jerome & Judith Bell 11/26 13 Joseph & Constance Shoss

45 Howard & Susan Marblestone 11/27 6 Brian & Blakely Loftus

24 Barry & Judi Wuntch

29 Michael & Klara Lewis 11/28 25 Ronny & Gail Shoss

36 Stuart & Frida Wilson

41 Michael & Elissa Laviage

46 Sheldon & Linda Rubenfeld

47 Myles & Linda Goetz

32 Mark & Charisse Sands 11/29 30 Richard & Jackie Mark

30 Steve & Sandra Finkelman

31 Bradley & Malka Levy 11/30 4 Alex & Stephanie Yudovich

48 Ivor & Hadassah Foox 12/1 4 Jay & Kelly Gerstenhaber

27 Pablo & Sandra Vexsler

32 Daniel & Marlene Siegman 12/2 16 Steven & Felicia Goldberg

44 Gabriel & Marian Braun 12/3 12 Barry Kahan & Marsha Capen 12/5 49 Taghi & Harriet Hajizade 12/6 53 Dennis & Marion Schepps 12/9 5 Justin & Jennifer Davidoff 12/10 22 Joel & Allison Goldberg

41 Earle & Cathy Steinberg

51 Hertzel & Dorita Aron 12/11 7 Jason & Mistorm Baum

42 Mishael & Bracha Radom 12/12 2 Harold & Claudine Kadmon 12/13 31 Randy & Joni Levy

51 Fred & Dafran Provada

64 Morris & Sylvia Schultz 12/14 9 Sam Platt & Suzanne Selinger-Platt

14 Paul & Suzanne Wishnow

31 Mark & Shelly Grenader 12/15 54 Julius & Avril Danziger

64 Stanley & Renee Feig 12/16 42 Trevor & Ruth Rabie 12/17 1 Casey & Danielle Millman

62 Ed & Harriet Reitman 12/18 5 David Quail & Devorah Beinart

18 Matt & Bianca Wigder

21 Charles & Estelle Racusin

29 Howard & Wendy Cohen

40 Meir & Pearl Monk

57 Sheldon & Shirley Arsham

62 Earl & Janice Selzer 12/19 25 Brad & Robin Stein

46 Jerome & Elaine Rose

47 Howard & Hedy Spiegel

52 Richard & Sharon Kammerman

63 Stanley & Bobbie Weinstein 12/20 9 Sam & Leslie Sutin

19 Douglas Dow & Tracy Dow

20 Mark & Polina Strug

25 Shahar & Lisa Yoram

29 Marc & Tsun-Tsun Levin

30 Paul & Rae Engel 12/21 15 Mark & Ali Katz

37 Martin & Barbara Lindenberg

48 Jack & Ell Camhi 12/22 5 Tyler & Lindsay Brochstein

5 Daniel & Rachel Fein

15 Jeffrey Plastrik & Mara Gittess

21 Alex & Irina Niemer

34 Keith & Sandi Marine

43 Jerry & Faye Wender

60 Kenneth & Charlotte Croft

32 Scot & Sherri Farrell

43 Haskell & Judith-Ann Rosenthal 12/23 10 Howard & Stephanie Loeser

17 Neal & Cathie Gittleman

29 Paul & Leah Katz

39 Dean & Patricia Solomon

44 David & Deborah Bergeron

45 Jerald & Denise Turboff

61 Jerry & Marcia Pappert

61 Louis & Esther Farber 12/24 22 Michael & Karen Buxbaum

23 Roger & Linden Sofer

29 Dell & Barbara Coleman

42 Michael & Gila Kaufman

48 Howard & Jan Stomel

50 Aaron & Ina Fried

53 Stanley & Dianne Zweback 12/25 56 Sheldon & Myrna Zwickel

57 David & Beverly Sufian 12/26 46 Gary & Maureen Tucker

46 Sidney & Marsha Gerber

47 Leon Halfon & Rebeca Halfon

53 Donald & Margaret Plotkin

63 George & Sandra Rosen 12/27 25 Michael & Alissa Leightman

31 Rodney & Paula Kapp

37 Alan & Hope Malowitz

64 Joe & Evelyn Sandler 12/28 26 Eric & Lisa Hardee

45 Arnold & Olivia Ostrin

48 Steve & Diane Kaminsky

48 Louis & Carol Ringold 12/29 15 Daniel & Laura Tolpin

38 Kenneth & Judy Arfa

43 Eric & Lesley Solomon

43 Jeffrey & Lesley Katz

44 Glenn & Dolly Stange

54 Jerry & Evelyn Yellen 12/30 4 Marcy Lynn Rothman & Tammy Pye

10 David & Jackie Janco

11 Neville & Allison Leibman

22 Daniel & Janet Kleban

38 Allen & Wendy Shapiro

44 Daniel & Sharon Brener

45 Steve & Adriana Rosenbaum

46 Chris & Sandy Rich

55 Irving & Hava Rothman

61 Lyusyen & Rema Berkovich

66 Robert & Tiby Bernstein 12/31 14 Marc & Syndy Gold

50 Marvin Katz & Sharon Katz

CBY Healing Center We have been surrounded by trauma and loss.

It is like an open wound. In order to heal the wound, it takes the efforts of our community to come together and begin to heal all of our wounds. There is strength when we are together and share with each other. That is the principle of a group. Strength changes everything.

Divorce Support Group: 6:00pm Tuesdays; December 12, 26 at 9660 Hillcroft, Suite 120 Recover Your Spirit A Flood Support Group: 6:00pm Wednesdays; December 6, 13, 20, 27 at Brith Shalom in the Library Caregivers Support Group: 10:30am Thursdays; December 7, 14, 21, 28 at 9660 Hillcroft, Suite 120 Grief Group support Group: 1:00pm Thursdays; December 7, 14, 21, 28 at 9660 Hillcroft, Suite 120 Pet Loss support Group: 6:00pm Thursday, December 14 at 9660 Hillcroft, Suite 120 Registration required prior to attending group sessions. To register for a Healing Center group, to receive private emails or The Center’s Resource Guide, please contact griefgroup@ bethyeshurun.org. The CBY Healing Center is generously funded by The Martha Lea & Albert Stein Family Outreach Fund.

Condolences The congregation extends its sincerest condolences to the families of Jack Balter, Shirley Bayer, Hennie Berdinis, Irvin Davidson, Sam Edelheit, Jerome Feldman, Lou Frederick, Michael Goldstein, Jay Greene, Adine Holland, Raymond Hutner, Martha (Marty) Jacobson, Rysya Kogan, Mendel Laviage, David Leff, Elliot Leviton, Selma Lewis, James Malick, Clara Mark, Renee Carol Mayer, Herbert Muhlbauer, Jesse Naftel, Dr. Milton Nirken, Klara Pikus, Leonid Potylchansky, Anne Pulaski, Isaac Roseman, Aaron Sacks, Alice Schiffman, Donald Schindel, Bernard Stolbun, Ronald Lee Suchart, Leonard Swartz, and Marie (Mongie) Eisen Swartz.

May their memories be for a blessing.

16

Interest Free Loans available Hebrew Free Loan Association of Houston (HFLA) is able to provide immediate assistance in the form of a confidential, interest free loan. Loans are provided for various items including emergency funding. To apply for a loan, visit www.hfla.net.

17

grat·i·tude

/grad ,t(y)ood/ noun e

Definition: the quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness.

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18

Advertise Your Business Here!

Contact: amills@bethyeshurun.org 713.666.1881 for sizes & rates

Contact Us Synagogue Office bethyeshurun.org 713.666.1881 4525 Beechnut St | Houston, TX 77096-1801

713-771-8000

www.theplumbingguy.com A Full Service Residential and Commercial Plumbing Company Paul Weitz MPL 37548

Your neighborhood Plumber and

BETH YESHURUN DAD!

Call “The Plumbing Guy” The plumber your friend’s recommend!

We do it right and are reasonably priced Licensed and Insured service@theplumbingguy.com

Clergy Rabbi David Rosen: drosen@bethyeshurun.org Asst: Abby Rotenberg: arotenberg@bethyeshurun.org 713.255.8011 Rabbi Steven Morgen: smorgen@bethyeshurun.org Rabbi Brian Strauss: bstrauss@bethyeshurun.org Asst: Lisa Unsell: lunsell@bethyeshurun.org 713.255.8017 Rabbi Sarah Fort: sfort@bethyeshurun.org Asst: Hilary Nitsun: hnitsun@bethyeshurun.org 713.255.8005 Rabbi Jack Segal: rabsegal@aol.com Rabbi Danny Horwitz: rabbidanny@aol.com Cantor Meir Finkelstein: mfinkelstein@bethyeshurun.org Asst. & B’nai Mitzvah Coordinator: Hilary Nitsun: hnitsun@bethyeshurun.org 713.255.8005 Synagogue Arlene D. Staller, President: adstaller@gmail.com Luis Dorfman, Executive Dir: ldorfman@bethyeshurun.org Mindi Stern, Membership: mstern@bethyeshurun.org 713.255.8060 Misi Schlueter, Asst. Executive Dir: mschlueter@bethyeshurun.org Jennifer-Joy Sutton, Dir of Development: jsutton@bethyeshurun.org Riana Sherman, Prgrmg Dir: rsherman@bethyeshurun.org Ashley Mills, Mktg/Comm Mgr: amills@bethyeshurun.org Arthur Miller, Cemetery: amiller@bethyeshurun.org 713.255.8076 William S. Malev Religious Schools Sheryl Eskowitz, Ed. Dir: seskowitz@bethyeshurun.org 713.255.8040 Beth Yeshurun Day School School Office 713.666.1884, 713.255.8045 Dan Ahlstrom, Head of School: dahlstrom@byds.org Read The Message online at bethyeshurun.org *January deadline: December 15 at themessage@bethyeshurun.org

19

The Ground Underneath You Imagine that you wake up in the morning, get out of bed...and there is no ground. You step into a giant sinkhole. You disappear.

Floods and sinkholes notwithstanding, we do assume that when we get up our steps will be safe, that the ground will be there underneath us. But once in a while, it doesn’t happen that way. In our morning blessings, we thank God that such freaks of Rabbi Horwitz nature are just that, are the rare exception, and that generally the earth is secure below our feet. We praise God, roka ha-aretz al ha-mayim, Who spreads the earth over the waters, Who made a world which most of the time is dependable and secure.

Those other times are the scariest, the most trying circumstances. And in those moments, above all, when we have had the ground kicked out from under us, we need to know that most of the time, our loved ones will not disappear, and we will not disappear. Depend on God to keep the ground under us, because we can’t very well live without that much faith.

Join us daily in the Greenfield Chapel service and believe that the ground will still be under your feet. Even when when you can’t imagine facing the day, just do it...and after you’ve done it, you’ll eventually come to believe that the ground will stabilize.

- Rabbi Daniel Horwitz

Time sensitive material - please deliver promptly!

To help support Beth Yeshurun’s Recovery Effort visit www.bethyeshurun.org/donations

December 2017 Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

1

13th of Kislev, 5778 5:03p Candle lighting

Shabbat Evening Service

14th of Kislev, 5778 2 Parshas Vayishlach Shabbat Morning Service Sing Along Shabbat Torah Study Evening Chapel CBY's Pajama Havdallah 5:47p Havdalah (25 min)

15th of Kislev, 5778

3

16th of Kislev, 5778

4

17th of Kislev, 5778

5

10

JLP RS/Sulam Escape with the Maccabees Congregation Conversation

23rd of Kislev, 5778

11

Congregation Conversation

12 25th of Kislev, 5778 13 24th of Kislev, 5778 5:48p Chanukah: 1 Candle 5:48p Chanukah: 2 Candles RS School Kehillah High @CBI Divorce Group Flood Support Group@CBS Meditation Group @ CBS Executive Committee

of Kislev, 5778 18 1st of Tevet, 5778 17 30th Rosh Chodesh Tevet Rosh Chodesh Tevet 5:50p Chanukah: 6 Candles 5:50p Chanukah: 7 Candles

29th of Kislev, 5778

2nd of Tevet, 5778 Chanukah: 8th Day

20

YES Group No RS School No Kehillah High 5:51p Chanukah: 8 Candles Meditation Group @ CBS

24

7th of Tevet, 5778

25

Synagogue Office Closed

6th of Tevet, 5778

No JLP No RS/Sulam

No JLP No RS/Sulam

19

Divorce Group

JLP RS/Sulam

13th of Tevet, 5778

6

100 Jewish Men RS School Kehillah High @ CBI Flood Support Group@CBS Meditation Group @ CBS

JLP RS/Sulam

22nd of Kislev, 5778

18th of Kislev, 5778

31

January 2018 1 14th of Tevet, 5778

Synagogue Office Closed

8th of Tevet, 5778

26

27

7

8

20th of Kislev, 5778

5:04p Candle lighting

9

21st of Kislev, 5778 Parshas Vayeshev

Shabbat Morning Service Shabbat Evening Service Torah Study Evening Chapel 5:48p Havdalah (25 min)

28th of Kislev, 5778 16 14 27th of Kislev, 5778 15 26th of Kislev, 5778 5:49p Chanukah: 3 Candles 5:06p Chanukah: 4 Candles Parshas Miketz Shabbat Morning Service 5:06p Candle lighting

Care Givers Support Group Grief Group Pet Loss Support Group Mascots & Menorahs 3rd of Tevet, 5778

21

BM: Elan Goetz Shabbat Evening Service Torah Study BM: Elan Goetz Evening Chapel

5:50p Chanukah: 5 Candles

4th of Tevet, 5778

22

5th of Tevet, 5778 Parshas Vayigash

23

Shabbat Morning Service Care Givers Support BM: Ryan Diamond Shabbat Evening Service Torah Study Group Grief Group BM: Ryan Diamond Evening Chapel 5:09p Candle lighting

5:53p Havdalah (25 min) 10th of Tevet, 5778 Asara B'Tevet

28

11th of Tevet, 5778 5:13p Candle lighting

29

12th of Tevet, 5778 Parshas Vayechi

30

No RS School Shabbat Morning Service No Kehillah High Gathering Place @CBY Shabbat Evening Service Torah Study Meditation Group @CBS Care Givers Support Evening Chapel Group Grief Group 5:58p Havdalah (25min)

Divorce Group

15th of Tevet, 5778

9th of Tevet, 5778

19th of Kislev, 5778 Caregivers Support Group Grief Group Vodka & Latkes

2

16th of Tevet, 5778

3

No RS School No Kehillah High Meditation Group @CBS

17th of Tevet, 5778

4

18th of Tevet, 5778

5

19th of Tevet, 5778

Parshas Shemoth Shabbat Morning Service BM: Garrett Kaplan Shabbat Evening Service Torah Study BM: Garrett Kaplan Evening Chapel 5:19p Candle lighting

6:03p Havdalah (25 min)

20

6