The Message - Nov 2015

The Message

Congregation Beth Yeshurun Houston November 2015

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Awaiting worshippers for prayer

It’s interesting how one experience can change your life. For me, it started with a telephone call out of the blue from the UJA (United Jewish Appeal) in New York inviting me, a sophomore at the University of Texas, to spend 10 days in Israel over winter break. Best of all, it was free!

Even so, I hesitated going. I had tickets to the Cotton Bowl game in Dallas and it was going to be my first date with a beautiful girl I had just met. Was Israel worth giving up both a game and a girl!?

But I also was a little worried. Even then, 45 years ago, there were terrorist attacks. I had also heard that the food was terrible (which turned out to be true), that Israel was a Third World country (also true) and that Israelis bought their meat in open-air markets (unfortunately true). Israel didn’t sound all that inviting compared to championship football and holding hands with a beautiful girl.

I went anyway and, to this day, am so glad I did. I had never seen anything like Israel. I had never seen a place where being Jewish was not just something for home and synagogue, but was part of the national culture; where the Hebrew I had learned at Beth Yeshurun was the language of every street sign and

restaurant menu in the land. To stand in places where mighty Israelite cities once stood and where great biblical heroes like Abraham, Deborah, Isaac and Joseph walked thrilled me.

To pray at the Kotel (the Western Wall) and to know it was one of the very walls that supported the Temple Mount on which the Great Temple stood 2,000 years ago, inspired me.

As we traveled up and down the country, I fell in love with it.

On my return home to Austin, I was a different person, determined to go back, to read more, learn more. It was a journey that took me from a love of Israel to a love of Judaism and, ultimately, to the decision to become a rabbi.

Over the years, I have returned to Israel often and I have enjoyed taking many groups with me. When I return to Israel next summer, it will be in celebration of my 20th year at Beth Yeshurun and I have created an updated itinerary filled with the best of the old blended with exciting and interesting new places and destinations.

The Israel of 2015 is a far cry from when I first went as a collegian in 1970. Israel today is a major technology startup country. The diversity and quality of its restaurants is excellent.

The hotels are wonderful. Jerusalem is unrivalled in its beauty and glory. How very much I look forward to showing you my Israel next June! I hope you can come.

And yes, though I had to miss the Cotton Bowl Game, I did get another chance with that beautiful girl. Her name was Marcie, and we just celebrated our 42nd wedding anniversary.

Congregation Beth Yeshurun

We Value Our Members Beth Yeshurun is a community

From the Rabbi Rabbi David Rosen To Israel Next Summer

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.

Rhona & Bruce Caress Family Campus 4525 Beechnut St.│Houston, TX 77096-1801 www.bethyeshurun.org │713.666.1881

Interested in Joining? Our synagogue welcomes people of

The Message of Congregation Beth Yeshurun

the Jewish faith and their families to make Beth Yeshurun their spiritual home. Ellen Petras, our Membership Services Manager (713.666.1881) is here to welcome everyone interested in becoming part of our beautiful congregational family.

(USPS 968-500) is published monthly August-July

by Congregation Beth Yeshurun, 4525 Beechnut, Houston, Harris County, TX 77096-1801. Periodical Postage Paid at Houston, Texas.

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 Ellen Petras, our Membership Services Manager (713.666.1881) .

The Message Vol. LI, No. 4

November 2015│Heshvan-Kislev 5776

send address changes to Follow Us Online! Beth Yeshurun is an active and engaging congregation for members of all ages and backgrounds. To Congregation Beth Yeshurun learn more about our ongoing and special programming, 4525 Beechnut visit our website (www.bethyeshurun.org) or follow us on our Houston, TX 77096-1801.

Facebook page under “Congregation Beth Yeshurun. “

POSTMASTER

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Shabbat Services

Chapel Services Sunday, November 1: 8:00am & 5:00pm Monday, November 2: 7:00am & 5:00pm Tuesday, November 3: 7:00am & 5:00pm Wednesday, November 4: 7:00am & 5:00pm Thursday, November 5: 7:00am & 5:00pm Friday, November 6: 7:00am & 5:00pm Saturday, November 7: 8:30am & 5:00pm Sunday, November 8: 8:00am & 5:00pm Monday, November 9: 7:00am & 5:00pm Tuesday, November 10: 7:00am & 5:00pm Wednesday, November 11: 7:00am & 5:00pm Thursday, November 12: 6:45am & 5:00pm Friday, November 13: 6:45am & 5:00pm Saturday, November 14: 8:30am & 4:45pm Sunday, November 15: 8:00am & 5:00pm Monday, November 16: 7:00am & 5:00pm Tuesday, November 17: 7:00am & 5:00pm Wednesday, November 18: 7:00am & 5:00pm Thursday, November 19: 7:00am & 5:00pm Friday, November 20: 7:00am & 5:00pm Saturday, November 21: 8:30am & 4:45pm Sunday, November 22: 8:00am & 5:00pm Monday, November 23: 7:00am & 5:00pm Tuesday, November 24: 7:00am & 5:00pm Wednesday, November 25: 7:00am & 5:00pm Thursday, November 26: 8:00am & 5:00pm Friday, November 27: 7:00am & 5:00pm Saturday, November 28: 8:30am & 4:45pm Sunday, November 29: 8:00am & 5:00pm Monday, November 30: 7:00am & 5:00pm

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 6 - Candlelighting Time 5:14pm 5:00pm J.B. Greenfield Chapel 6:00pm Friday Night Alive!

- with the Friedman & Greenberg Families SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 7 - Parashat Chayei Sara 8:30am J.B. Greenfield Chapel 9:15am Museum Minyan 9:30am Sanctuary Service - B’nai Mitzvah: Bergen Friedman & Jack Greenberg 5:00pm J.B. Greenfield Chapel FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 13 - Candlelighting Time 5:10pm 5:00pm J.B. Greenfield Chapel 6:00pm Shabbat Renewal - with the Bazarsky & Schneider Families SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 14 - Parashat Toldot 8:30am J.B. Greenfield Chapel 9:15am Museum Minyan 9:30am Sanctuary Service - B’nai Mitzvah: Brett Bazarsky & Carly Schneider 4:45pm J.B. Greenfield Chapel FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 20 - Candlelighting Time 5:07pm 5:00pm J.B. Greenfield Chapel 6:00pm Shabbat Renewal - with the Edelheit Family SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 21 - Parashat Vayetzei 8:30am J.B. Greenfield Chapel 9:15am Museum Minyan 9:30am Sanctuary Service - Bar Mitzvah: Ryan Edelheit 4:45pm J.B. Greenfield Chapel FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27 - Candlelighting Time 5:05pm 5:00pm J.B. Greenfield Chapel 6:00pm Shabbat Renewal - with the Mark Family

Join us for Friday Night Alive!

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 28 - Parashat Vayishlach 8:30am J.B. Greenfield Chapel 9:15am Museum Minyan 9:30am Sanctuary Service - Bat Mitzvah: Jenna Mark 4:45pm J.B. Greenfield Chapel

Barg Sanctuary 6 p.m.

November 6 & December 4

FNA! will lift your spirits, inspire you and create a wonderful Friday Night Shabbat experience!

jewish meditation group Together we’ll explore tools for mindfulness, find a different way to talk to God and deepen our prayer with meditation and chanting. RSVP to karenhurwitz@karenhurwitz.com.

Daylight Saving Time Ends Sunday, Nov. 1st Set your clocks BACK one hour!

7:00-8:00pm Wednesdays november 4, 11 & 18 6

New Members Welcome to our wonderful new members!

David Harris & Sharyn Feller Naphtali & Tahlia Hart

It’s a Mitzvah

BYDS-QtrPg-Ad-SENT.pdf

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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 $100 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. Recent sponsored breakfasts and kiddushes have been generously given by those listed below.  Esther Chess & Family in memory of Larry Chess  The Finkelman Family in memory of Ruth Finkelman  Susan Gumbiner & Alex Weisselberg in memory of Marvin L. Gumbiner  Jay Hoffman in memory of Kathy Stafford  Norman & Deborah Rappaport in memory of Ruth Rappaport  Rabbi David & Marcie Rosen in memory of Sally Schonier Leva  Leenie & Burt, Marty & Karen and Cary & Ami Skolnik in memory of Arnold Skolnik  Yvonne B. Wallace in memory of Alfred Pascal Bennett

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The Beth Yeshurun office is open Monday - Thursday 8:30am to 5:00pm and Friday 8:30am to 4:30pm. It will be closed for the following upcoming holidays: Thursday • November 26 • Thanksgiving Friday • November 27 • Thanksgiving Holiday

Are you in special need of a Rabbi?

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If you have a death in the family, a loved one in the hospital or need a get well prayer for someone special, please contact Rabbi Rosen at 713. 255.8011, or write drosen@bethyeshurun.org.

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High Holy Days thanks go to . . .

Once again, all of us at Beth Yeshurun have so many people to thank for making our High Holy Days so beautiful: Our Executive Committee: President Alan Levin; VicePresidents: Andy Burger, Dr. Dan Roubein, Susan Sandler, Arlene Staller; Secretary Arthur Nathan, Treasurer Herb Kalman and Immediate Past President Sandy Herskovitz Chai Appeal: Judy Yambra Executive Director Lu Dorfman, Office Manager Marsha Weiss, Program Director Norma Gonzales (Donor/Volunteer book) and our entire Beth Yeshurun Office Staff Office Volunteers who helped with all the pre-High Holy Days preparations in our office and helped relieve our overworked staff: Michael Richker, Vicky Richker, Elaine Kapell, Jack Uzick, Max and Rae Uzick, Max Esses, Linda Abramson, Florence Rodkin, Joan Katz, Earl Pachter, Joe Victor, Jerry Pappert, Leah and Paul Katz, Jack Fink, Will Faour and Sherry Stoger, Libby Lieberman Baum, Sheila Rosenberg, Judy Yambra, Bernadean Rosenblatt, Sondra Shapiro, Ahuva Stopnicki, Shelley Streusand, Inez Eskowitz, Sheila Franklin, Harriet Reitman, Martin and Michelle Greenberg, Hedy Spiegel, Toby Rosen, Dorothy Davidoff, Fran Koch, Sylvia Dauber, Elyse Schultz, Susie Bender, Nedra Cohen, Norman and Terry Buchalter, Linda Metter, Phyllis Miller, Rosalyn Saron, Terry Waldman, Celine Hecht, Judy Zivley, Amy Bossin, and Barbie Roth.

Rabbinical and Cantorial Assistants: Abby Rotenberg, Gayle Schnurr and Hilary Nitsun Maintenance Staff: headed by George Bruno and Bruce Jackson, who cleaned, set-up and maintained spaces for 30 different services and programs throughout the High Holy Days Silver polishers: Ronnie Miller and Steve Rudoff Sound engineers: Philip Langlais (Barg Sanctuary) and Jerry Lynch (Family Service) Security Committee: Richard Kammerman, chairman; and Lt. Mike Leal and Mike Connally of the Bellaire Police Dept.

Ritual Committee: Steve Rudoff, chair High Holy Days Committee, Lori Herzog, chair High Holidays Usher Corps, Irving Wishnow, chair Gabbaim: Head Gabbai Alan Levin and his crew — Bryan Siegel, Gordon Franklin, Brad Levy and Mitch Levy, who coordinated all ark honors Membership Co-Chairs: Gary Nagler and Vicky Richker, and our Membership Services Manager Ellen Petras Yizkor Book creator Max Esses, printer Jeff Karp, and Marsha Weiss and Rae Uzick, for their work collating and checking the thousands of names Honors Assignments: Abby Rotenberg and Marsha Weiss Our thanks to the family of the late Norma Kost for their continued sponsorship of the telephone broadcasts of our services which were established by Norma in memory of her beloved husband Nathan. Our thanks to Nancy and Arthur Brand for sponsoring our Internet streaming of all our High Holy Days services here in the Barg Sanctuary in memory of their parents, A.I. and Manet Schepps and Allen Brand. Together, these programs have enabled homebound and hospitalized members to hear or view all of our High Holy Days services. Thank you.

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Sisterhood, for beautiful flowers in all our services.

Our Ambassadors who serve our congregation on the High Holy Days and throughout the year welcoming members and guests to all our services and special programs – and to the chair of our Ambassadors program, Susan Piller Amy Krost for coordinating all of our terrific Children’s Programs. Thank you to you Amy and your teachers, Paula Singer, Sharon Krost and Laurie Dreyfus for leading those programs Thank you to Riana Sherman and Hilary Most for leading this year’s new Middle School program Our Family Life Coordinator Jennifer Rosenzweig for coordinating our Children’s Havdallah activities Our wonderful Jews-by-Choice who spoke on Yom Kippur: Grayson Bush and Liz Bender Our Beth Yeshurun Freedman/Levit Service Family Choir for their beautiful singing of “Sim Shalom” on the 2nd Day of Rosh Hashanah and their participation in the Yom Kippur Mincha Service • All the wonderful teens who participated in the afternoon Mincha service and to Cantor Finkelstein for training them • Torah readers: Ilana Inselbuch, Nicki Miller and Will Faour • Minchah speakers: Jamie Penn, Rachel Lootens, Lauren Rosenberg and Rebecca Burd • Sheryl Eskowitz for helping us to organize the service • This was an unusual year and I want to thank Annette Sondock in her 41st year as the Shaliach Tzibbur in the Freedman/Levit Service and her team for ensuring a smooth and inspirational service • Judy Yambra for conducting the choir and assisting Annette during the Mincha service • Virginia Lootens for serving as the accompanist for the Family Choir • A special thank you to Betty Gorme for her willingness to be involved this year after retiring from the important role of accompanist for the Freedman/Levit service for more than 36 years • Kenny Horwitz – who after 41 years of serving as gabbai and shofar blower – stepped up to lead services in the Freedman/ Levit this year • Mark Gottesman who came into the service to serve alongside Kenny during the Torah service and called out for the shofar blowing And now, hazak hazak Along with my colleagues, I am blessed every year to work with the most wonderful men and women who give so much of themselves to serve as Presidents of our congregation. I am delighted to extend my sincerest appreciation to my friend, our President Alan Levin. His sincere love for this place is contagious.

Shofar Blowers: Kenny Horwitz and Max Uzick Ba’al Shaharit: Arthur Nathan Haftarah chanters in the Barg Sanctuary: Marc Levin, Avital Stolar, and Jonathan Baliff Kol Nidre: Linda Goldstein on the viola Emily Finkelstein

. . . our wonderful speakers . . .

Torah Reader: Michael Richker Our congregation’s Ba’al Koreh Rabbi Danny Horwitz Elise Schoss, Rebecca Bloome, Hannah Stein, and Makayla Wigder, who sang “B’rosh Hashanah” with Cantor Finkelstein The Beth Yeshurun High Holy Days Choir Our most talented and inspirational Choir Director, Robert Simpson, who is this year celebrating his 19th year as the founding director of the Houston Chamber Choir. We are so glad to have you here!

Our Organist and music maestro Brian Granquist. He is always there to help Cantor Finkelstein and our Beth Yeshurun High Holiday Choir; now starting his 19th year at Beth Yeshurun OUR CLERGY Rabbi Emeritus, Rabbi Jack Segal Rabbi Steven Morgen Rabbi David Rosen and Cantor Meir Finkelstein On behalf of our congregation, I thank each of you!

- Rabbi Brian Strauss

Liz Bender

Our two Jews by Choice Speakers were Liz Bender and Dr. Grayson Bush. Liz is a mother of two and married to Steven Bender. She is a former teacher and administrator at The Emery/Weiner School. Grayson lives in West University Place with his wife Joanne and daughters Siena (8) and Sophia (4).

Grayson received his Ph.D. in mechanical engineering from UCLA. He performs quantitative financial research and enjoys cycling.

Our 2015 Teen Speakers and their topics for Yom Kippur Minchah were: Rebecca Burd, daughter of Alexandra and Gene Burd, on her trip to Israel.

Rebecca Burd is a long time member of CBY. She attended BYDS, The Emery/ Weiner School and Hillel High School.

She is currently a senior at Memorial High School, where she serves as the president of the Jewish Student Rebecca Burd Union. She is also an MZ Teen Intern at StandWithUs, a pro-Israel education and advocacy organization; Rachel Erin Lootens, daughter of Rochelle and Tim Lootens, on HaZamir. Rachel attends Memorial High School where she is an active participant in varsity choir. Rachel has also been a member of the BY High Holy Days Family Choir and is starting her fourth year in the Houston HaZamir chapter, The International Jewish High School Choir; Jamie Penn, daughter of Pam and Robert Penn, on Hillel & Kehillah High; and Lauren Rosenberg, daughter of Rana Rosenberg and Gregg Rosenberg, on the BBYO Summer Rachel Lootens Program. Lauren Rosenberg is a senior at Bellaire High School and a proud member of Tikvah BBG #2473 in BBYO or the B’nai Brith Youth Organization.

We always enjoy listening to our young members speak passionately about their Jewish experiences. Thank you to all of our speakers for sharing with us!

High Holy Days with Museum Minyan Beth Yeshurun extends their thanks to the Museum Minyan Organizing Committee and those who participated in leading the Museum Minyan services for the High Holy Days.

Dr. Mark Gottesman, David Karesh, Daniel Bissonnet, Cantor Diane Dorf, Carol Emery, Dr. Mark Entman, Judith Finkel, Dori Kornfeld Goldman, Hannah Hofrichter, Michael Hofrichter, Dr. Marjorie Kosoy, Marc Levin, Rabbi Steve Morgen, Dr. Daniel Musher, Bernice Potvin, Ari Blum and Lielle Prince, Arnold Rosenzweig and Rabbi Brian Strauss.

Most important was all the participation by the members of the Museum Minyan and many others who attended our High Holy Day Services.

From the J.B. Greenfield Chapel

We extend our gratitude to all who participated in the J.B. Greenfield Chapel High Holy Day services and helped make them so meaningful, and to all of our leadership: Ba’al Musaf: Michael Lewis Service leaders and Haftarah readers: Bubba Silberstein, Dr. Bob Arkus, Dr. David Simchowitz, Rabbi Danny Horwitz, Ben Shani, Zev Goldberg, Arthur Nathan, Marc Levin Torah readers: Michael Lewis, Bob Kushner Shofar blowers: Stephen Stone, Kevin Lefkowitz, Steve Rudoff Gabbaim and assistants: Buddy Lewis, Steve Rudoff, Jack Uzick, Michael Lewis, Arthur Nathan, Dr. Bob Arkus Israel bond drive: Sam Spain Thank you to all these volunteers whose time, effort and devotion led to beautiful services on the holidays!

- Rabbi Daniel Horwitz

High Holy Days corrections

Although we strive to acknowledge everyone, we failed to include the following people in our Donor/Volunteer Book: BY Ambassadors: Roslyn Unger and Fran Spector; Social Action Committee: Marsha Abramson.

We sincerely apologize for these errors.

Dr. Grayson Bush

Please DRIVE CAREFULLY in our parking lots!

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. . . and fantastic volunteers!

High Holy Day Ticket Stuffers included (in alphabetical order): Amy Bossin, Norman Buchalter, Terry Buchalter, Nedra Cohen, Sylvia Dauber, Dorothy Davidoff, Inez Eskowitz, Sheila Franklin, Martin Greenberg, Michelle Greenberg, Celine Hecht, Leah Katz, Paul Katz, Fran Koch, Libby Lieberman, Linda Metter, Phyllis Miller, Harriet Reitman, Florence Rodkin, Toby Rosen, Bernadean Rosenblatt, Barbie Roth, Rosalyn Saron, Elyse Schultz, Hedy Spiegel, Ahuva Stopnicki, Shelley Streusand, Terry Waldman and Judy Zivley.

Yizkor Book Addendum Crew (l-r) standing: Vicky Richker, Don Sokol, Lisa Torry, Sherry Stoger, Michelle Greenberg, Elaine Gotlieb and Barbara Selzer; seated: Inez Eskowitz, Martin Greenberg, Joan Katz, Terry Waldman and Edith Kligman.

Join us for this support group for those who have lost a loved one.

Led by Gayle Weinstein, LMSW Tuesdays in November 3, 10, 17 & 24 10:30am - Noon Congregation Beth Yeshurun 4525 Beechnut Street FREE & OPEN TO THE COMMUNITY For more information send email to griefgroup@bethyeshurun.org This program is generously funded by the Martha Lea and Albert Stein Family Outreach Fund 10

This page sponsored by Houston Jewish Funerals. Interested in sponsoring a page? Contact ngonzales@bethyeshurun.org 11

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Family Album

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Volf & Lilya Borchenko Kenneth & Dana Katz Francisco & Julia Maislos Norman & Marlene Rosenthal Cary & Marilyn Hoffman William & Winnie Isaacs Irvin & Olivia Reiner Elan & Lindsay Tavor Jay & Viki Blinderman Dmitriy Idashkin & Larisa Bogachevskaya Gabriel & Hayley Maislos Scott & Shari Frankel Robert & Pamela Penn Harry & Marcella Serota Steven & Linda Sheldon Joshua & Alexandra Grosman Mario & Drora Grossman Gilad & Lisa Zadok Mickey & Paige Baden David & Elena Fleischer Joe & Joy Kaplan William & Shirley Morgan Dave & Rachel Koenig Allan & Mellody Panzer Daniel & Melanie Spelkin Bruce & Jessica Coane Jeffery & Teresa Kaplan David Schwartz & Rachel Kosoy Bobby & Heidi Bazarsky Kevin & Deborah Metter Rob & Elizabeth Naggar Mikhail & Nadezhda Natanzon Cary & Karen Robinson Jeffrey & Stacey Shidler Alan & Lisa Tenenbaum Sam & Denise Yudkin Mark & Marlene Finkelstein Robert & Dorothy Jenkins Andy & Suzanne Guttman Raam Abbou & Victoria Aviv Dunbar Chambers & Joanna Gol Paul & Carrie Ostrin Frank & Irene Shaw Adam Price & Carolyn Douglas Stephen & Julia Jacobson Sewell & Hannah Martin Benjamin & Lydia Musher Jeremy & Shelley Sorkin Herbert & Jill Kalman Jonathan & Yoela Levin Brian & Marlene Lord Noah & Tamara Spiegel

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Jason & Jessica Zoller David & Hannah Loev Allen & Anita Mattis Eric & Isabelle Mayer Michael & Rachel Schneider Micah & Jordann Grodin Paul & Carol Horvitz Jerry & Barbara Selzer Steven & Gaby Goodweather Joseph & Halina Kallaby Bryan & Dionne Miller Kenneth & Sue Reichek Murray & Amy Kalmin Peter & Julie Schneider Ben & Barbara Eisenbaum Brian & Linda Shapiro Martin & Kelli Fein Daniel & Jennifer Leventhal Russell & Mary Miller Jerrel & Arlene Schorr Lawrence & Gail Silver Jeff & Carolyn Karp Raul C. Diaz & Marylena Chanona Sheldon & Rae Gerson Scott & Dena Segal Leon & Miriam Toubin Roger & Judi Mendelovitz Rabbi Jack & Toby Segal Jerome & Judith Bell Bill & Nancy Gotsdiner Yoav & Erika Kaufman Steve & Jo King Stephen & Cathy Kuper Benjamin & Rachel Lavine Robert & Julia Shaddox Howard & Susan Marblestone Joseph & Constance Shoss Michael & Klara Lewis Brian & Blakely Loftus Barry & Judi Wuntch Myles & Linda Goetz Michael & Elissa Laviage Sheldon & Linda Rubenfeld Mark & Charisse Sands Ronny & Gail Shoss Stuart & Frida Wilson Steve & Sandra Finkelman Jethro & Dory Hillman Bradley & Malka Levy Richard & Jackie Mark Ivor & Hadassah Foox Alex & Stephanie Yudovich

ď ™Condolences

The congregation extends its sincerest condolences to the families of Philip Dorfman, Jenda (Etta) Epstein, Abraham Friedman, Leon Goldstein, Ruth Gottesman, Dorothy Malowitz Karp, Brandon David Lepow, Richard Marks, Sophie Nussenblatt, Marian Steele, Nathan Teplitsky, Edward Tobor May their memories be for a blessing.

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Share our Museum collection for Hanukkah!

Catalogue Kaplan MuseuM $25

Note Cards

$3/each or 6/$15 Available in the Sisterhood Gift Shop!

note Cards! e labl avai e h t in ift dG hoo r e t sis shop

•18 pieces from our Kaplan museum •appropriate for a variety of holidays, simchas & other greetings

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Carly Taylor Schneider (November 13/14) is the daughter of Julie and Peter Schneider; sister of Jamie and Grant; and granddaughter of Judith and Gerald Schneider, and Brenda and Edward Yosowitz. Carly attends The Emery/Weiner School. For her Mitzvah Project, Carly volunteered at the Pup Squad. She will donate a portion of her monetary gifts to The National Multiple Sclerosis Society in honor of her grandmother, Judith Schneider, and to The American Cancer Society in loving memory of Kimberly Glover.

B’nai Mitzvah Bergen Jade Friedman (November 6/7) is the daughter of Anissa & Reid Friedman; sister of Mattox and Luke; and granddaughter of Salvador and Molly Jimenez, and the late Dr. Monte and Marlene Friedman. Bergen attends The Emery/Weiner School. For her Mitzvah project, Bergen, along with her Bar Mitzvah partner Jack Greenberg, made Shabbat boxes for MD Anderson patients. Bergen will donate a portion of her monetary gifts to SPCA of Houston.

Ryan Matthew Edelheit (November 20/21) is the son of of Kris and Harry Edelheit; brother of Ethan and brother-in-law of Ashley and Elias Solano; uncle of Liam Micah Solano; grandson of Tinker Paley and the late Russell Lee Paley; and Edith and Sam Edelheit. Ryan attends Pershing Middle School. For his Mitzvah Project, Ryan volunteered at his school and at several of the local assisted living centers. Ryan will donate a portion of his gifts to the American Cancer Association and American Lung Association in memory of his late grandfather, Russell Paley.

Jack Alan Greenberg (November 6/7) is the son of Debra & Adam Greenberg; brother of Kate & Anna; and grandson of Elaine and the late Edward Gotlieb, Alan and Valerie Greenberg, and Alice and Ralph Stern. Jack attends The Emery/Weiner School. For his Mitzvah project, Jack, along with his Bat Mitzvah partner Bergen Friedman made Shabbat boxes for MD Anderson patients. Jack will donate a portion of his monetary gifts to SPCA of Houston.

Jenna Brianne Mark (November 27/28) is the daughter of Cynthia and Ronald Mark; sister of Sarah Rachel Mark and the late Benjamin Jacob Mark; and granddaughter of Florence Rodkin and the late Martin Joel Rodkin, and Dr. Harold Michael Mark and Carol Mark. Jenna attends Pin Oak Middle School. For her Mitzvah Project, Jenna created JFS Shabbat Boxes for Jewish patients at MD Anderson. She will also donate a portion of her monetary gifts to Texas Children’s Hospital in memory of her brother, Benjamin.

Brett Logan Bazarsky (November 13/14) is the son of Heidi and Bobby Bazarsky; brother of Reagan, Will and Taylor; grandson of Gloria and Gerald Silber, and Pam and Walter Bazarsky.

Brett attends Trafton Academy. For his Mitzvah Project, Brett participated in the West University Challenger League and volunteered for the Pup Squad.

Brett will donate a portion of his monetary gifts to the Kathy G. Bazarsky Children’s Library Fund at M.D. Anderson and the Pup Squad.

We are happy to list Bar/Bat Mitzvah students, their parents, siblings, grandparents, school and Mitzvah Projects. Please contact Hilary Nitsun at hnitsun@bethyeshurun.org or 713.255.8005, for your submission deadline.

Please help BYB send kids to Jewish Camp!

Brotherhood is pleased to offer tuition assistance for CBY campers to attend overnight Jewish summer camps.

We realize how valuable an overnight summer camping experience can be for Jewish youngsters. Rabbi Rosen stated that “more than any other institution, it is Jewish summer camps that play the greatest role in defining the depth and breadth of a young person’s Jewish identity.”

By contributing to the BYB SUMMER CAMP FUND we can do our part to bring more kids to camping and thereby strongly influence their future participation in Jewish life.

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Healing Hearts Bereavement Support

The miracle of the most mundane

We spend a good portion of our lives working to acquire things and make our lives rich and meaningful through relationships. What happens when we lose people who are important to us? We grieve the loss and often the foundations of our life are shaken and we are thrown into despair. The death of a loved one is a profound sorrow. The grief that accompanies such a loss is intense and affects our emotions, our bodies and our lives.

What we have learned is that grief is a process. It is a long journey towards healing and moving forward to a new normal.

In the 1970’s Dr. Elisabeth Kubler-Ross quoted the stages of grieving in her book, On Death and Dying. 1. Denial 2. Anger 3. Bargaining 4. Depression 5. Acceptance. We still use this framework in groups and find that the stages are fluid and people move through the stages many times during the day, hours and even minutes.

We initiated a bereavement group called Healing Hearts.

The group is open and free to anyone who has lost a loved one and is on the journey of grieving. As a social worker and grief counselor, I have worked with many families, guiding them and counseling them through this process. All of us have experienced loss in our lives. Unfortunately, we cannot escape the inevitability of this part of life.

In our group meetings, everyone is hurting, scared and very honest. As we bond together there is support, resource ideas, comradery and love. Meeting at Beth Yeshurun provides a secure and comfortable environment to freely share deep emotions and feelings. There is a genuine caring for one another. Isolation from others is common after a profound loss, but the community is open and a place where healing may occur. Losing a loved one changes you and the way you see the world around you.

In Rabbi Joshua Leibman’s book, Peace of Mind he says” the melody that the loved one played upon the piano of your life will never be played quite the same way again. We must seek out other artists of the spirit, new friends who gradually will help us find the road to life again and who will walk the road with us.”

In our siddur, what’s the first berakha of the day? You thank God you can go to the bathroom.

It sounds like a Catskills joke, but it’s no joke. This berakha affirms that God created the human body with wisdom. It’s complex and miraculous, this body, and everything has to work properly, or else you will have a very unpleasant day. So when you wake up and your internal functioning is A-OK, you say: Good! And you say: Thank you, God. You know how important this is if you have had a kidney stone or a serious wound. Blockages or ruptures are overwhelming, life-threatening. Without a working body, you can’t do anything else...including prayer! So before anything else, we thank God for a body that works.

If it wasn’t for that, “it would be impossible to survive and stand before You.” And there is just a hint that one day, that body is going to break down. As my late father-inlaw, Leon Cooper, put it: “One day you’ll wake up in the morning and be dead.”

Physically, I’m not invincible; I am just here for another day. But spiritually, I can be invincible, if I know the gifts I have been given.

Rabbi Daniel Horwitz

RS and Sulam enjoy FNA with Rick Recht W h e n J e w i s h songwriter and musician, Rick Recht, recently visited Beth Yeshurun, the 6th grade Religious School and 7th grade Sulam students enjoyed participating in services and the special time that they had with him later that evening as part of a Friday night Shabbaton at the synagogue. Some of the students had an opportunity to rehearse with Rick Recht immediately before services. Pictured are (l-r): Ella Goodweather, Aaron Ratner, Madeline Strug, Rick Recht, Alexa Schwartz, Serena Schwartz and Noa Strauss.

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Sun

Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

7 Chayei Sara 25 Heshvan Morning Chapel Junior Congregation Museum Minyan Sanctuary Service BM: Bergen Friedman & Jack Greenberg Tot Shabbat Shabbat Shalom Torah Study Evening Chapel BYDS 4th Grade Havdallah Service

Sat

November 2015 Heshvan/Kislev 5776

1 19 Heshvan 2 20 Heshvan 3 21 Heshvan 4 22 Heshvan 5 23 Heshvan 6 24 Heshvan Daylight Savings Time ENDS NO BYDS/EDC/ASA

Jewish Learning Project Prof Dev Day

BYDS School Pictures

RS/Sulam

Grief Support Group

B’nai Mitzvah Date

SH Torah Fund

Allocation Meeting

(for B’nai Mitzvah Sep. Friday Night Alive!

RS 2017 – Aug. 2018) BM: Bergen Friedman

Kehillah High

& Jack Greenberg

Evening Chapel Meditation Group

8 26 Heshvan 9 27 Heshvan 10 28 Heshvan 11 29 Heshvan 12 30 Heshvan 13 1 Kislev 14 Toldot 2 Kislev Jewish Learning Project

BYDS EC/ES Dads Breakfast Rosh Chodesh Rosh Chodesh Morning Chapel Museum Minyan RS/Sulam

BYDS CDO Roundtable

Sanctuary Service BYDS Prospective Family

Grief Support Group

BM: Brett Bazarsky & Info Night

JLP: Lunch & Learn

Shabbat Renewal Carly Schneider

@ Tony’s RS BM: Brett Bazarsky & Shabbat Shalom

Kehillah High Carly Schneider Torah Study Budget Committee

100 Jewish Men Kinder Shabbat Evening Chapel Education Committee Meditation Group Evening Chapel FL PJ Havdallah Future Leaders Caucus

15 3 Kislev 16 4 Kislev 17 5 Kislev 18 6 Kislev 19 7 Kislev 20 8 Kislev 21 Vayetzei 9 Kislev Morning Chapel Jewish Learning Project

Junior Congregation RS/Sulam

Grief Support Group YES Lunch & Program Gathering Place

Museum Minyan

JLP: Lunch & Learn

Sanctuary Service BYDS Board Meeting

@ Genesis Shabbat Renewal BM: Ryan Edelheit 2016 Israel Trip Meeting

RS Jewx BM: Ryan Edelheit Shabbat Shalom

Kehillah High Evening Chapel Torah Study

Meditation Group

Evening Chapel

DATES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE FOR AN UP-TO-THE-MINUTE CALENDAR OF EVENTS, PLEASE GO ONLINE TO: WWW.BETHYESHURUN.ORG

22 10 Kislev 23 11 Kislev 24 12 Kislev 25 13 Kislev 26 14 Kislev 27 15 Kislev 28 Vayishlach 16 Kislev Morning Chapel Jewish Learning Project

Grief Support Group

THANKSGIVING

RS/Sulam

BYDS Thanksgiving

Synagogue Office Closed Synagogue Office Closed Museum Minyan Sanctuary Service JLP: Club Ed

Programs

BM: Jenna Mark BYDS Thanksgiving Break

BYDS Early Dismissal

Shabbat Shalom CBY Executive Committee

Torah Study CBY Board Meting No RS Shabbat Renewal Evening Chapel No Kehillah High BM: Jenna Mark

Evening Chapel 29 17 Kislev 30 18 Kislev No Jewish Learning Project BYDS Resumes No RS/Sulam

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Sisterhood Gift Shop 

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Come & Shop for Hanukkah!  SUNDAY 10:00am - 1:00pm

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Synagogue Office 4525 Beechnut St * Houston, TX 77096-1801 www.bethyeshurun.org 713.666.1881

Donations

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: Gayle Schnurr: gschnurr@bethyeshurun.org 713.255.8017 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

Beth Yeshurun is a community institution with a vital mission: to educate children and adults, to offer spiritual experiences that inspire and uplift all ages, and to provide a setting in which Judaism can be joyously lived and experienced. We welcome your support. Online donations can be made at www.bethyeshurun.org. Donations may also be made in the synagogue office or by mail to Congregation Beth Yeshurun, 4525 Beechnut St., Houston, TX 77096-1801.

A minimum donation of $10 per listing is required to have your donation published in the weekly bulletin and a notification letter sent to the honoree or a deceased person’s family member. One such notification letter will be sent per donation. The deadline for donations to be published in the weekly bulletin is the previous Friday at 4:30pm. Donations are published upon submission and will not be “held” for future publication. When you make a donation to Beth Yeshurun, please be sure to provide all of the necessary information: who the donation is in memory of, who or what the donation is in honor of, who needs to be notified of the donation (name and complete address) and by whom the donation is given. When this information is incomplete, we are unable to process your donation efficiently. Donations with no specific fund indicated will be credited to the Synagogue General Fund. Beth Yeshurun appreciates your generosity and support.

Synagogue Alan Levin, President: alevin@levin-legal.com Luis Dorfman, Executive Dir: ldorfman@bethyeshurun.org Ellen Petras, Membership: epetras@bethyeshurun.org 713.255.8060 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 More contact info at www.bethyeshurun.org Read The Message online at www.bethyeshurun.org *Jan deadline: Nov 9 at themessage@bethyeshurun.org 19

Time sensitive material - please deliver promptly!

2017-2018 B’NAI MITZVAH DATE ALLOCATION MEETING* 7:00PM THURSDAY NOVEMBER 5, 2015

Weekly Torah Study

11:45am Shabbat Mornings

If you have a student who will be having a B’nai Mitzvah between September 1, 2017 and August 31, 2018, please mark your calendar to attend the B’nai Mitzvah Date Allocation Meeting Thursday, November 5, 2015 at 7:00pm in the Freedman Levit Sanctuary. *This meeting is for parents only!

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

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