November 2014 Voice of Chaim by Congregation Etz Chaim

Voice of Chaim Congregation Etz Chaim • 1190 Indian Hills Parkway • Marietta, GA 30068 • 770.973.0137

November 2014 / Cheshvan - Kislev 5775 / Volume 38, Issue 10 Creating Meaningful Jewish Experiences

2015

In this Issue: From Our Rabbis page 2 From Our President page 3 From Our Youth Director page 3 Education News Page 4 Our Etz Chaim Community Page 7 B’nai Mitzvah page 9 Sisterhood Scoop page 10 Men’s Club Notes page 11 Calendar page 19 Yahrzeits page 20 Lilmode page 21 Religious Corner page 29 Tzedakah page 30

Daily Minyan Times: The time is NOW to make your commitment to the ALEF Fund. It is easier than ever to participate in the ALEF FUND for the 2015-16 school year. Registration can be done ONLINE by going to www.aleffund.org. Fill out the online form with the information requested and you will receive notification of approval sometime in January or February of 2015. For additional information, see PAGE 15 in this issue of the Voice of Chaim.

Forms should be submitted to the ALEF Fund Office as soon as possible.

Monday – Friday 7:00 a.m. Sunday, 9:15 a.m. Sunday – Friday 6:30 p.m. Shabbat Services: Friday, 6:30 p.m. Saturday, 9:30 a.m.

www.etzchaim.net

The Voice of Chaim | November 2014

From Rabbi Lewis

From Rabbi Kerbel

As I was walking to shul one recent Shabbos I heard an odd sound from way above. I looked up and saw a lone duck flapping its way through the sky letting out, repeatedly, a plaintive squawk. Though I do not speak Duck, I absolutely understood what the duck was expressing. The sad, doleful caw was a bird lost, in search of its flock. I felt bad for that lonely duck as the unrelenting cries seeking companionship, faded into the distant blue.

November is the Month to Show Gratitude

This past year there was a disturbing item in the news. A woman died in her car while it was parked in her garage. She was estranged from her sister. Her bills were automatically and electronically paid. Her neighbor, as a friendly gesture, mowed the grass and shoveled the snow. After five years, she was found. No one missed her.

One of my favorite holidays is Thanksgiving. It is a quintessentially Jewish holiday as the Pilgrims based Thanksgiving on the words of our Torah. The early colonists thanked God for the summer harvest now concluded shadowing the words of our Torah as our ancestors celebrated Sukkot, Passover, and Shavuot and offered thanks and sacrifices for each of the seasonal harvests.

There is something to be said about community whether we are a duck or an hermitic woman. To fly alone or live alone with nothing beyond self is a sorrowful condition. Many are active in their homeowners association. Barbeques and swimming pools create a bond. Country clubs bring folks together on the golf course and in the dining room. Tennis teams create friendships both on and off the courts. All of these gathering places are enjoyable sites for interaction and fulfillment but they lack one thing. A soul.

Thanksgiving brings to mind different customs for each of us. Some families always travel to other relatives. Some are always at home. Some celebrate with family and some with friends. Some treat Thanksgiving as a time to cruise or take a vacation on a Caribbean island barely acknowledging the meaning of the holiday.

A religious community is a place of gathering that has a spirit. One can shmooze around a grill. Correct a wicked slice. Improve a backhand but nourishment for the soul is found only in a faith community. At birth. At death. And, for all the moments in between. I am amazed and saddened by those who claim no need for formal religious affiliation. They are beyond such parochialism they claim. It is narrow and unneeded. A doctor does the bris. A rent a rabbi does the Bar Mitzva at a Marriott. A paid stranger delivers the eulogy. It is cold. It is empty. “Why do I need a synagogue to pray? I can stand beneath a tree and share my words with God” a disconnected Jew once smugly claimed. That’s fine, but where does he go when it’s raining? And, even when the sun is shining, is the tree really enough? For all of life’s glorious moments and for all of life’s humble moments, they are to be performed in the midst of a caring crowd where the soul dances or weeps, but with others. There is something we can learn from a lonesome duck. There is something we can learn from a forgotten woman. – Rabbi Shalom Lewis

It is just October 2. The weather is still warm but the mornings have begun to be a little cooler. Pumpkins and costumes dot the markets and stores. The playoffs have begun and college and professional football are in the first halves of their seasons. By the time your receive this, it will be cooler, Christmas decorations and displays will figure prominently and some of us will think back to the warm summer days and count the months till heat returns to Atlanta.

One thing is clear though. Thanksgiving is a wonderful opportunity to teach our children core values of life: gratitude, sharing and thankfulness. Our tradition encourages us to say hamotzi at each meal because while we ‘made the meal’, the source of our meal – that the earth produces grains, fruits and vegetables for us to enjoy – is a gift from God. Almost all of our blessings come from God. The Rabbis of the Talmud feel very strongly that a Jew who eats and does not bless God and thank God is stealing because just as when a person plagiarizes an essay as being his own and not sharing credit with the true source of his written words, so too our rabbis view eating and enjoying the blessings of life the same way. A writer once suggested: “We need Thanksgiving and specifically Thanksgiving Day, because we need to give thanks for all that we have received and for the blessings that too often we take for granted.” Robert Louis Stevenson remarked, “The person who has forgotten to be thankful has fallen asleep in the midst of life.” So on Thanksgiving week, amidst the sounds of football games and the Macy’s Parade, amidst the noises of busy kitchens and family games, let us reflect on the many blessings in our lives. Let us reflect on our family, nuclear and extended, our friends, synagogue and community. Let us think about how fortunate we are to live in the United States of America and the power we have to help save and transform the world. Let us think about what we can do to make a difference. To touch lives in need of support. To reach out a hand of support, encouragement, friendship. To help conquer hunger and homelessness. To bring hope to those who teeter on the fringes of society. A commentator once said, “one moment of thinking of our blessings will require an hour of thanking.” Let’s at least take a few moments to think and thank, to realize how blessed and fortunate we are to celebrate a holiday that brings out the best of what it means to be a Jew and an American. – Rabbi Paul David Kerbel

The Voice of Chaim | November 2014

From Our President

From Our Youth Director

How is your memory? Mine has certainly been challenged in recent weeks as I have been digging into the past. As we take this year to celebrate our history, I have had to learn about it as well since I have only been at Etz Chaim since 2001, not since our inception in 1975. Dani Oren, Elyse Shaw and I have been talking with some of our earliest members and picking their brains for the unwritten memories. It is incredible how much people remember and how their eyes sparkle as a long forgotten memory bubbles to the surface as they share their precious recollections. Do you have stories to share? Memories that aren’t recorded in our written history? We would love to have you share them with us as we travel through time in our 40 years in review. Each week in our e-blast, announcements and from the bimah, I will be sharing another year of our history. We have been culling through old Voice of Chaim editions and other archival items to bring our history to life. It is a walk down memory lane just to see the typewriter print and mimeographed copies. It brings back personal memories that my brain struggles to retrieve with proper clarity. One of the items shared with us was a t-shirt from Etz Chaim’s 10th anniversary celebration. It made me think of the many t-shirts I own from different phases in my life. I looked through my closet at my own memories: college, sorority, honeymoon, vacations, sports, schools and shuls, my brothers’ business, marching band, and more. And yes, instead of writing, I sat and dwelled on those shirts and the memories wrapped in each one of them. I remembered all those life experiences; how they shaped the person I am today and especially, the people I created those memories with. I hope that you will join us each Shabbat as we share our history because it is not the words that make our history, it is the people who have built our shul into the home that we call Etz Chaim. This is why we are doing Decade Shabbatot over the next year – a chance to recognize our members because you make us what we are. Our first Decade Shabbat occurred on October 18th when we read Bereshit, the beginning, and honored members who joined from 1975 through 1984. Our next Shabbatot will be on November 8th, 1985-1994; January 10th, 1995-2004 and May 2nd, 2005-2015. We hope to see you at the services that correspond to the decade you joined. We will send out invitations, plan for your participation, extend honors, and celebrate together. Would you like to get involved? We would love to have a few people from each membership decade to help coordinate these special Shabbatot. Reach out to the office or to me directly and get engaged. This morning I had the opportunity to drive Amanda to school, something I haven’t done much since she started driving to school each day. I realized how much I miss those extra 8 minutes each day – our time to connect and make our own little memories. Time flies by so quickly, we need to stop and be sure to appreciate and be thankful for all that is precious in our lives. Looking back over 40 years of Etz Chaim history made me realize how quickly things change. But the important things stay the same – we need to celebrate and be thankful for our beliefs, our history and the people who are a part of that. Come on over to Etz Chaim and share the memories. This is where we are all connected, where we have come together and created, and will continue to create, meaningful Jewish experiences. Wishing everyone a very happy, memory-making Thanksgiving spent with ones you love. – Cheryl Cohen-Miller

Shalom Chaverim, October was an amazing month, starting with an uplifting and spiritual Yom Kippur experience, and concluding with many amazing events for all of our youth groups. It is always a joy to see all of the smiles on the faces of our youth at our events, and the sense of leadership and dedication amongst many of them brings great hope for the future of the Jewish people! Membership has many perks, including a cool chapter t-shirt, member only events, subsidized events, and a connection to our greater community. For more information on becoming a member, feel free to shoot me an email at perry@etzchaim.net. November brings a wide variety of fun and exciting events for all of our youth groups! November 1: ALL AGES-Youth Social @ 12:30 p.m. November 2: K-2 Grade-Social Action Project @ 12:30 p.m. November 2: 3-5 Grade-Social Action Project @ 3:30 p.m. November 9: 6-8 Grade-Whirlyball/Lasertag @ 1 p.m. November 9: 9-12 Grade-Citywide Event November 12: 9-12 Grade-Thanksgiving Dinner Wacky Wednesday @ 6:30 p.m. November 15: 6-8 Grade-Youth Social @ 12:30 p.m. November 19: 9-12 Grade Joint Chai Five/USY Program As we move into the month of November, we wish you a month full of health and happiness. We are so excited for our upcoming events, and can’t wait to see all of the fun we will be having! – Perry Birbrager perry@etzchaim.net 770-833-3227

The Voice of Chaim | November 2014

Save the Date: Friday, November 7

Our Etz Chaim Community

Tot Shabbat “I am a Jewish Star” and Pot Luck Dinner 5:00 p.m. Dinner 5:45 p.m. Schmooze and Crafts 6:10 p.m. Songs and Blessings

Mazal Tov to…

Friday, November 7

Ronni and David Beker on the marriage of their daughter Alissa to David Selby

Blue Jean Shabbat Dinner and services at 6:30 p.m.

Saturday, November 8 Second Decade Shabbat Services 9:30 a.m. .

Sue and Alan Rothstein on the marriage of their daughter Sandy to Jordan Stone

Thank You to Our Volunteers Cheryl Andrews Helen Rosengarten Lou Rosengarten Linda Weinroth

Members on the Move…

Jessica and Rob Miller on the birth of son Dylan McCartney on September 24 and to grandparents Vivian and Allan Levine

Lauren and Marty Austin 3519 Brookleigh Lane Atlanta, GA 30319

Sunday, November 9

Our Condolemces to... Dave Green on the loss of his father Louis Gerson Green

Linda and Michael Weinroth 200 River Vista Drive, #411 Atlanta, GA 30339

Sunday, December 7

Randy Padawer on the loss of his mother Evelyn Padawer

New Emails…

Cafe Chaim 9:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.

Sisterhood Book Club at Cheryl Eppsteiner’s home 9:30 a.m

Kenny Winkler Kennywinkler@att.net

Sunday, December 14

Men’s Club Best Breakfast in Town™ featuring a Jewish Film Festival Preview 9:30 a.m.

Welcome! We are pleased to introduce these new members… Jodi and Scott Goldberg 3504 Mooregate Drive Marietta, GA 30062 678-653-7225 goldberg_sb@yahoo.com jodigold@yahoo.com Cheryl and Sam Andrews 945 Bridgegate Drive Marietta, GA 30068 770-977-3280 cgandrews@bellsouth.net sand3115@bellsouth.net

The Voice of Chaim | November 2014

A hearty Mazal Tov to these students celebrating their B’nai Mitzvah! Shira Malka Brown will be called to the Torah as a Bat Mitzvah on November 1, 2014 – 8 Cheshvan 5775. She is the daughter of Jessica and Jeffrey Brown. Shira’s Bat Mitzvah parasha is Lech Lecha. She is a 7th grader at The Epstein School. Shira’s hobbies and interests include soccer, skiing, cooking, hanging with friends, her dog, animals, nature and photography. Shira’s D’var Torah quote is “Lech Lecha means ‘go’. God told Abraham to ‘go forth!’ but God didn’t specify where to go or when Abraham would get there, only that He would tell him when they were there. I guess I’m lucky that at 13 my ‘go forths’ are a little more straight forward.” For Shira’s mitzvah project, she is donating a significant portion of her Bat Mitzvah money to Unit Oketz, the K-9 special forces unit within the IDF, especially to provide bullet proof vests for the dogs. Carly Judenberg will be called to the Torah as a Bat Mitzvah on November 15, 2014 – 22 Cheshvan 5775. She is the daughter of Shari and Ron Judenberg. Carly’s Bat Mitzvah parasha is Chaye Sarah. She is a 7th grader at The Epstein School. Carly’s hobbies and interests include being a voracious reader and she loves playing volleyball and basketball for Epstein. Carly also enjoys spending time with her friends, going to camp and sitting on the beach. Carly’s D’var Torah quote is “Rebecca pulled water from the well because she did not want the strangers to struggle.” Carly Judenberg

Tal David Brill

For Carly’s mitzvah project, together with her friend, Tal Brill, they have chosen to collect food for the JF&CS Kosher Food Pantry and are planning a food drive at The Epstein School and will volunteer at JF&CS to help organize food donations.

Tal David Brill will be called to the Torah as a Bar Mitzvah on November 22, 2014 – 29 Cheshvan 5775. He is the son of Robin and Yaron Brill. Tal’s Bar Mitzvah parasha is Toldot. He is a 7th grader at The Epstein School, and attended Etz Chaim’s Preschool for 4 years. Tal’s hobbies and interests include being an avid reader and movie goer. He enjoys playing basketball for The Epstein School and football as a left guard for The Walton Jr. Raiders. He plays both piano and guitar and was part of the “All Together Now” Imagine-Arts Rock Band last year on guitar and vocals. Tal’s D’var Torah quote is “Most of the time it is difficult for kids to understand why their parents have so many rules. It is only later, when we are much older, that we begin to have an appreciation for what they were trying to teach us. For Tal’s mitzvah project, together with his friend, Carly Judenberg, they have chosen to collect food for the JF&CS Kosher Food Pantry and are planning a food drive at The Epstein School and will volunteer at JF&CS to help organize the food donations. Josh Karol will be called to the Torah as a Bar Mitzvah on the evening of November 29, 2014 - 8 Kislev 5775. He is the son of Cindy Karol and Richard Karol. Josh’s Bar Mitzvah parasha is Vayishlach. He is a 7th grader at Cumberland Academy of Georgia. Josh has been a student in Etz Chaim’s Religious School for 7 years. His hobbies and interests include chess and basketball. Josh’s D’var Torah quote is “Just as Jacob wrestled with an angel and became transformed both in name (now “Israel”) and character, our own struggles throughout life help us to gain clarity, strength and discovery.” For his mitzvah project, Josh will be giving chess lessons to earn money to create the “Josh Karol Chess Enrichment Fund” at his school, so special needs students can learn how to play chess.

Upcoming B’nai Mitzvah The Voice of Chaim is featuring photos and biographical information on upcoming B’nai Mitzvah. If your child has a Bar/Bat Mitzvah in the coming months, VOC would like to feature your child’s: • Biographical information • School information • Photo • D’var Torah Quote To have your child’s Bar/Bat Mitzvah information included, please email the material and a photo (if available) to Bernice at bernice@etzchaim.net. All materials must be received no later than the 1st of the preceding month. We will gladly accept material earlier.

The Voice of Chaim | November 2014

Minyan Makers – if you are available to help make minyan on Tuesdays at 6:30 pm, even if it is just once per year, please let us know. Contact Janice Levine for our schedule – levines2000@comcast.net. Centerpiece Rental Consider using our beautiful new topiary centerpieces for your Friday night dinner, Kiddush luncheon or Saturday evening affair. For more information, contact the Gift Shop. JNF Trees for Israel Honor someone special by purchasing a tree in the Etz Chaim Sisterhood grove. Contact the Judaica and Gift

Shop, 770-973-0137 ext. 124 for more information. For more information about Sisterhood please contact: Erica Driver 678-643-1991 drivererica@comcast.net or

The Sisterhood Scoop It’s hard to believe that Thanksgiving is right around the corner and that there are only 44 shopping days left until Chanukah. We’d like to thank Beth Weiss and the Programming Committee for planning a fun night of Zumba last month! Those who came not only had a fabulous time with one another, but got some great exercise, too! If you haven’t had a chance to attend any of our programs yet, please take this opportunity to come to the next Shalom in the Home on Monday, November 10th from 12-1:30 p.m. See ad on page 8. We are still looking for help with our Rosh Chodesh minyanim. This person would coordinate the readers, pick up bagels (the day of) and set up the breakfast table. You will only be asked to help every third month, or in the event that our chairs are out of town. Rosh Chodesh Kislev is Sunday, November 23rd, at 9:15 a.m., please come and show our solidarity with Women of the Wall. Please keep our Judaica & Gifts Shop in mind for all your Chanukah, Bar/Bat Mitzvah and wedding gift needs (many are pre-wrapped for your convenience). You can even stop by and start a registry. The shop is now open during religious school hours, Tuesdays 4:30-6:30 p.m. and Sundays from 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. We are always looking for volunteers to get involved in Sisterhood. If you are interested, please contact Erica Driver at drivererica@comcast.net or by phone at 678-643-1991, or Linda Berch at cajunlin47@gmail.com or by phone at 678-357-1005. If you want to feel connected, get involved, have fun and meet people, this is for you. We are always looking for people to volunteer for minyan and in the gift shop. Please be aware that the $36 Sisterhood membership dues for 2014-2015 should have already appeared on your synagogue bill. We sincerely hope that all of our adult female members will support Sisterhood. Also, keep in mind that if you have unaffiliated friends, they are welcome to join our Sisterhood without being members of the synagogue. Erica & Linda

Linda Berch 678-357-1005 cajunlin47@gmail.com Don’t forget to check us out on Facebook or at etzchaim.net

Anyone wishing an Aliyah should contact Bob Frohlich at bobfrohlich1@gmail.com or 770-579-1752 ATTENTION ETZ CHAIM MEMBERS If you are planning to be away for an extended amount of time, please inform the office.

The Voice of Chaim | November 2014

Men’s Club Notes Wow – what a holiday season! Your award-winning Etz Chaim Men’s Club has been keeping busy with a lot of activities packed into just a few short weeks. Those of us who attended services on the second day of Rosh Hashanah or the Shabbat immediately afterward had an opportunity to see the FJMC Sefer Haftorah in action, as Bill Lieberbaum and “Papa” Lou Rosengarten read from this beautiful scroll. Commissioned by the Federation of Jewish Men’s Clubs over ten years ago, the Sefer Haftorah travels throughout North America, visiting a different synagogue every week. The Sefer Haftorah looks just like a Torah scroll and is hand-calligraphed by a scribe in the same manner... but instead of the Five Books of Moses, it contains all of the Haftorot that are read during the course of the year. Because it is not subject to the same halakhic requirements as a Torah scroll, it includes the vowels and trope (cantillation notes), making it relatively easy to read. We are especially happy to have had it visit Congregation Etz Chaim during the High Holidays this year. On October 14, the Men’s Club celebrated the festival of Sukkot with our annual Steak and Scotch in the Sukkah event. Almost three score hungry gentlemen chowed down on expertly prepared rib-eye steaks and baked potatoes, served alongside an assortment of fine single-malt Scotch whiskies. It was, in the words of the Combover Rebbe, “epic.” Coming up next on the Men’s Club calendar, we have: • November 9 - Kristallnacht Memorial Service at the Holocaust Garden (same format with the title highlighted) • November 16 - Turkey Shoot (No actual turkeys will be harmed!) • December 14 - Best Breakfast in Town™, featuring a Jewish Film Festival Preview Please consider purchasing a Holocaust Memorial Garden brick in memory of a loved one or a Certificate to celebrate a simcha. Memorial bricks and certificates are available through the Men’s Club or online at etzchaim.net. Your dues support our year-long activities, but what we really need is your participation. If you have an interest in running or participating in a committee, or in joining the Men’s Club Board of Trustees, please contact Andy Becker or Steve Krodman. Look for your Men’s Club events and activities in the monthly Voice of Chaim, the Friday e-Blast, and on our website at http://www.etzchaim.net/mens_club.aspx.

MEN’S CLUB is a vital part of our congregation. Our ongoing programs include: • Supporting the synagogue’s daily minyan • Sponsoring the annual Lag B’Omer Picnic and the Labor Day cookout • Laying tefillin for the World Wide Wrap with our Hebrew School kids • Providing scholarships to Etz Chaim teens through the Bob Goldman Fund • Men’s Club Shabbat • Sponsoring the Anshei Darom weekend retreat for members at Camp Ramah • Greater Atlanta Synagogue Softball League • Set-up and usher for High Holiday Services • Supports the Holocaust Memorial Garden Our goals are to provide our members with opportunities to meet other members and make new and lasting friendships, support our community, and have some fun in the process. JOIN MEN’S CLUB and make a difference in our Etz Chaim community!

Best Wishes, Andy Becker, Co-President Steve Krodman, Co-President abecker73@gmail.com elisson1@aol.com

GET ON THE LIST! Contact Andy Becker at abecker73@gmail.com or Steve Krodman at elisson1@aol.com for information.

Come out and enjoy Your Men’s Club!

Family Member in Hospital Our Rabbis have asked that you notify the office in the event of a family member’s hospital stay or serious illness.

PLEASE JOIN US FOR EVENING MINYAN – Sunday through Thursday at 6:30 p.m.

The Voice of Chaim | November 2014

Prime Timers â€“ A USCJ Chapter of Hazak

Something fun for everyone!

SAVE THESE DATES:

Saturday evening, November 22 Square Dancing and Snacks Hammer-Chottiner-Tritt Social Hall at Etz Chaim Saturday evening, January 10, 2015 Bowling evening (will end early enough for a late meal at the Marietta Diner) Sunday, March 15 Leo Frank Exhibit at The Breman Museum Questions about Prime Timers: Roz Reiss rozreiss@gmail.com or call 770-685-1217 Get Prime Timersâ€™ E-vites: Norman Marinoff nsm1553@yahoo.com or call 770-401-4026.

The Voice of Chaim | November 2014

AUSCHWITZ! The ultimate symbol of the Nazi design to wipe out the Jews of Europe… just hearing the name conjures up horrific images of the Holocaust. But for Etz Chaim member Sam Silbiger, Oswiscim (as he knew Auschwtiz) is the city where he was born and grew up… a city with a thriving, pre-war Jewish community that included merchants, rabbis, Talmudic scholars, Zionists, industrialists, lawyers, and doctors. Jews comprised nearly 60 percent of the town’s population before they were deported by the Germans in 1941. If you haven’t heard Sam’s remarkable story, you haven’t listened hard enough: he survived the concentration camps of Blechhammer, Berga/Elster, Buchenwald, St. Annaberg, Gross Rosen, and Dachau and was liberated on a death march near Mittenwald. From childhood-to-internment-to-liberation-tounderground fighter in the new State of Israel, Sam embodies those precious few of a fading generation. “A Town Known as Auschwitz – The Life and Death of a Jewish Community” – is an exhibition at the Museum of Jewish Heritage in Manhattan (in the Battery) providing a glimpse from a thirteenth-century market town through periods of Jewish settlement and growth, to its occupation by the Germans, and into the Communist era and beyond. The exhibition has significant references to Sam’s family, including photographs taken in Auschwitz prior to World War II. Through the efforts of the Etz Chaim Men’s Club, Sam has been introduced to the Museum Director, who previously was unaware that he was here in Atlanta. In recognition of Sam’s extraordinary life and his connection to Auschwitz, the Director has invited him to comer to New York and will escort him on a special tour of the exhibit. Sam’s trip to New York is being underwritten by several members of the Congregation. Please join us at 10:15 on Sunday morning, November 9 in the Etz Chaim Holocaust Garden where we will observe the 76th commemoration of in observance of Kristallnacht and wish Sam a memorable trip.

The Voice of Chaim | November 2014

The Voice of Chaim | November 2014 Bereavement Services Offered to Congregants Etz Chaim’s Chesed Committee will offer to provide meals of consolation to members. This meal is traditionally a dairy meal eaten by mourners upon their return home from the funeral. It includes whole hard-boiled eggs, symbolizing the continuity of life. This service provided by the Chesed Committee allows the family and friends who normally provide the meal to attend the funeral themselves and give emotional support to the bereaved. Members attending out of town funerals, who sit shiva or hold a memorial service in Atlanta, will be offered a fruit tray. In order to bring standardized, caring service to each member, Etz Chaim is modeling its procedures after those of Temple Sinai’s successful Kesher Committee. Contributions made to the Chesed Fund will help to fund these services. Teams are currently being formed for these purposes. Anyone wanting more information, or wanting to assist in performing these mitzvot, please contact Cindy Lewis at 770-977-0240, Wendy Feinberg at 770-973-1217, or Julie Kleinman at 770-992-1231.

Your cooperation please! The disabled parking spots are reserved for the exclusive use of those with permits. These spaces are NOT to be used by ANYONE else at ANYTIME. There is NO parking under the Education Wing overhang. It is a fire code violation.

Family Member in Hospital Our rabbis have asked that you notify the office in the event of a family member’s hospital stay or serious illness.

November Yahrzeits Memorialize a loved one with a Brick in our Holocaust Garden or a Plaque on our Yahrzeit wall. For information, please contact the synagogue office. *November 1 November 1 November 1 November 1 November 1 *November 1 November 1 *November 2 November 3 *November 3 *November 3 November 3 November 3 November 4 November 4 November 4 November 4 November 5 November 5 November 5 November 5 November 5 November 5 November 6 November 6 November 6 November 7 November 7 November 7 November 7 *November 7 November 7 November 7 November 8 November 8 November 8 November 8 November 8 *November 9 *November 9 November 10 *November 10 November 11 November 11 November 11 November 11 *November 11 *November 12 *November 12 *November 12 November 12 November 13 *November 13 November 13 November 14 November 14 *November 14 November 14

Marvin M. Mitchell Edward Freed Caren Greenberg John Thalhimer Murray Seiden Andrea M. Fusci William Jay Hanna Levine Norman Mirsky Coleman Caplen Sara T. Moskowitz Alfred Lewin Ralph Lightstone Sam Moog Lillian Cipinko Irving Sunshine Tracey Sklar Efim Gontmakher Ida Wilensky Menhart Schonberger Michael Dix Sol Baron Bertram Feerman Dale Fisher Nancy Price Zelda Lincoln Mordechai Becker Anna Elman David Rubin Barry Kamelgarn Charles Katz Anna J. Fields Judith Shuster Warren Lebish Jimmy Cohen Jacqueline Berman Kathryn Kram Shilde Auer Sylvia Schein Helen Feinberg Leonard Cohn Amos Bowman Max Mayer Sam Rosner Jerry Fields Joan Kalish Arnold Goldberg Dorothy Schwartz Elaine Faye Hirsch William Feinberg Betty Wixon Henry Mendel Henrietta Weinroth Carolyn Ziem Rona Weiss Ben Katz Pauline Teitelman Anna Budow

8 Cheshvan 8 Cheshvan 8 Cheshvan 8 Cheshvan 8 Cheshvan 8 Cheshvan 8 Cheshvan 9 Cheshvan 10 Cheshvan 10 Cheshvan 10 Cheshvan 10 Cheshvan 10 Cheshvan 11 Cheshvan 11 Cheshvan 11 Cheshvan 11 Cheshvan 12 Cheshvan 12 Cheshvan 12 Cheshvan 12 Cheshvan 12 Cheshvan 12 Cheshvan 13 Cheshvan 13 Cheshvan 13 Cheshvan 14 Cheshvan 14 Cheshvan 14 Cheshvan 14 Cheshvan 14 Cheshvan 14 Cheshvan 14 Cheshvan 15 Cheshvan 15 Cheshvan 15 Cheshvan 15 Cheshvan 15 Cheshvan 16 Cheshvan 16 Cheshvan 17 Cheshvan 17 Cheshvan 18 Cheshvan 18 Cheshvan 18 Cheshvan 18 Cheshvan 18 Cheshvan 19 Cheshvan 19 Cheshvan 19 Cheshvan 19 Cheshvan 20 Cheshvan 20 Cheshvan 20 Cheshvan 21 Cheshvan 21 Cheshvan 21 Cheshvan 21 Cheshvan

November 15 November 15 *November 15 November 15 November 16 November 16 November 16 November 16 November 17 November 17 *November 17 *November 18 November 18 November 18 November 19 *November 19 November 20 November 20 November 20 *November 20 *November 20 November 20 *November 20 November 20 November 20 November 20 November 21 November 21 November 21 *November 22 November 22 November 22 *November 23 November 23 November 23 November 23 *November 24 November 24 *November 25 November 25 *November 26 November 27 *November 27 November 27 November 27 November 28 *November 28 November 28 November 29 November 29 *November 29 November 29 *November 29 November 29 November 30 November 30 November 30

Josephine Diamond Joseph Douenias Leonard Cohen Benjamin Diamant Abe Golub Bernard Kaplan Ruth Jay Martin Cohen Adeline Gelb Edythe Stein Steiner Oscar Stadtler Mildred Levith Joseph Reiter Arnold Friedman Sadie Gerson Phyllys Fruchtman Florence Bergstein Rae Levy Stanley Simon Rosalind Struletz Samuel Brodsky Roslyn Bellikoff Helen Goldman

22 Cheshvan 22 Cheshvan 22 Cheshvan 22 Cheshvan 23 Cheshvan 23 Cheshvan 23 Cheshvan 23 Cheshvan 24 Cheshvan 24 Cheshvan 24 Cheshvan 25 Cheshvan 25 Cheshvan 25 Cheshvan 26 Cheshvan 26 Cheshvan 27 Cheshvan 27 Cheshvan 27 Cheshvan 27 Cheshvan 27 Cheshvan 27 Cheshvan 27 Cheshvan

Elise Cohn de Rothschild 27 Cheshvan

Martha Weiss 27 Cheshvan Irving Merrill 27 Cheshvan Marc Walter 28 Cheshvan Fannie Mirsky 28 Cheshvan Philip Prager 28 Cheshvan Muriel Cutler 29 Cheshvan Nace Cadranel 29 Cheshvan Geri Eppsteiner 30 Cheshvan Florence Koenig 1 Kislev Lillian Shatzman 1 Kislev Emanuel Rothstein 1 Kislev Manny Rothstein 2 Kislev Sidney Emeson 2 Kislev Rose Levine 2 Kislev Robert Hammer 3 Kislev Maxwell Goldenberg 3 Kislev Theodore Weinroth 4 Kislev Gloria Stein 5 Kislev Alex David 5 Kislev Ray Jacobs 5 Kislev Ida Stern 5 Kislev Rufus Shelkoff 6 Kislev Leon Mandel 6 Kislev Zene Persky 6 Kislev Harriet Kaplan 7 Kislev David Stein 7 Kislev Sam Cheslin 7 Kislev Albert Rosengarten 7 Kislev Anna Deutch 7 Kislev Beatrice Bass 7 Kislev Marjorie Rosner 8 Kislev Rowena Fox 8 Kislev Max Slutsky 8 Kislev

*Denotes a memorial plaque in our sanctuary to be lit on the day of the Yahrzeit and on all Yizkor holidays.

The Voice of Chaim | November 2014

On Shabbat Shuva, we were treated to a D’var Torah from Michael Renyi. Michael is a graduate of our Religious School. He currently lives in Tel Aviv and works in the High Tech field. Michael’s comments were insightful, as well as inspirational, and we thought it appropriate to share them with the entire congregation. Today I would like to share a few words about my Aliyah experience, what made me decide to move to Israel, what life is like living in Israel and more recently, what life was like during the fighting between Israel and Hamas. I was raised in a Jewish home and was always proud to be Jewish, yet I didn’t come from a family of Zionists. During family dinners we didn’t speak about Israel, I didn’t grow up hearing heroic stories of the Six Day War or how Eliezer Ben Yehuda modernized the Hebrew language. I was Jewish but had no affiliation to Israel. I began my Jewish education every Sunday at the Etz Chaim Sunday School, which eventually led to every Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday. I wasn’t a fan of Hebrew School, and if it was up to me, I would have quit in the beginning, but the Jewish guilt from my parents of not having a Bar Mitzvah was far too much for any Jewish boy to bear. Out of all the fond memories I have of Hebrew School the best moment by far was being awarded a Hershey’s chocolate bar from Rabbi Lewis for correctly answering the question of “What is my favorite Broadway show?”. That is what I remember. During the summer I attended Blue Star, a Jewish summer camp in Hendersonville, North Carolina. It was an amazing camp, filled with trips to Carawinds Amusement Park, mountain climbing, ropes courses, a blob and the occasional Jewish activity. In high school I was active in USY – spent week nights hanging out in the USY lounge, enjoying pizza and learning life lessons through episodes of Dawson’s Creek. Yet despite years of attending Hebrew School, summers at Blue Star and my activity in USY, Israel wasn’t a thought. When it was time to go to college, I attended Valdosta State University to continue my studies in music. Besides the music program, the school is well known for its National Championship football team, and incredibly hot summers but certainly not known for its bustling Jewish student population which consisted of myself and about twenty others. During my time at VSU I became active in the local synagogue. I attended shul on a weekly basis, became friends with the Rabbi and even volunteered teaching at the Hebrew School for over two years. It was a rewarding experience. Still, Israel was never a thought. The concept of moving to Israel never occurred to me, I never had dreams of making Aliyah, living in a moshav and picking fruit. At that time I can honestly tell you that my dream was to move to Las Vegas and play professional poker.

The idea of visiting Israel first entered my head at the age of 21 in a similar fashion to many Jews of my age. This was thanks to Taglit (Birthright). If you don’t know what Birthright is, it is a free 10-day trip to Israel offered to young Jews from the ages of 18-25. This trip, sponsored by a combination of several wealthy benefactors and the Israeli government, sends thousands of young Jews to Israel every year, giving them the opportunity to explore Israel’s rich culture and history, visit historical monuments and cities, and it helps young Jews develop a connection to their Jewish roots and heritage. In December 2006, I and nearly 30 others from across the U.S., flew to Israel for our 10-day birthright experience. With our Australian Rabbi leading the way, accompanied by our tour guide and a handful of Israeli soldiers, we traveled across Israel, from the Golan Heights, Sfat, Tiberias, the Dead Sea, Akko, Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, just to name a few. Bus after bus, shwarma after shwarma, we filled our brains, hearts and stomachs with everything Israel has to offer. I made the most of my birthright trip, yet I also believe my experience was no different than the average participant. At the conclusion of the trip, I still had no desire of moving there and making Aliyah, but I did return with a stronger Jewish identity and a deeper appreciation for the Jewish homeland. After returning to Valdosta, GA, with my new found love and connection to Israel, I felt a sense of duty to inform my friends and fellow students of what an amazing country Israel is. It was my responsibility to clear the common misconceptions that people connected with Israel (no, I would say, people don’t ride camels to work; yes, there are paved roads and running water). You would be surprised how little people know about Israel. In my eyes, this is the true goal of Birthright. It is not to convince you to make Aliyah because let’s face it, the majority of participants don’t. But when they return from Israel, they return like I did, with a better understanding of Israel, memories of their time at the Kotel, floating in the Dead Sea, meeting soldiers and making new friends. They now have a voice, a better understanding of Israel, and can speak up against the ignorance of others and share their experience with the world. Now let’s jump ahead a few years, I now graduated from college, my dreams of Vegas and world-series of poker bracelets were now behind me and I was looking toward the future. Like many college graduates I struggled to find work in my profession. I was working part time in a job which required less than a high school diploma. I was unhappy and was desperately searching for an opportunity to better myself, my life and my desire to see the world.

Continues on page 23

The Voice of Chaim | November 2014 Continued from page 22

Then one day as I was roaming the internet, I came across an advertisement for a Masa long term internship program. I was immediately intrigued…

It’s been 4 years since I made Aliyah. I feel quite accomplished since I first landed at Ben Gurion Airport, with two suitcases, a saxophone and a bewildered look on my face.

The ad said, “Spend 5 months living and working in Tel Aviv. Work in the music industry, learn Hebrew and travel throughout Israel.” Like a light switch in a Hollywood movie, it hit me. This was exactly what I was looking for.

I lived on a kibbutz for 6 months, spent my mornings milking cows and my days learning Hebrew. I worked at the airport and with my minimum wage salary, I had just enough money to pay rent and live off a healthy diet of humus and cucumbers for dinner.

It took a bit of finagling with the parents, but overall they were very supportive, both emotionally and financially.

I served in the IDF and was part of a small but proud group known as the Hayalim Bodedim, “Lone Soldiers”. I was already 25 years old when I enlisted. I took orders from a 19 year old female sergeant but I listened, obeyed and did my job. After basic training I found myself working as what the army referred to as a “logistics expert”, but it was just a fancy name for food delivery. Although it was not my dream job, I did find out that every job in the army, no matter how big or small, is important. Without me, soldiers would have gone hungry.

In October, 2009, I returned to Israel. I can tell you, living in Israel compared to a 10-day Birthright trip is quite different. Birthright shows you the best that Israel has to offer but doesn’t provide any insight into what the actual day-to-day life is like. Israel and the U.S. are completely different places with completely different cultures and mindsets. The differences, both big and small, took some time to get used to. For example: Motorcycles are free to drive anywhere. Cars can park on the side walk without fear of being ticketed. If you get pulled over by the police, it’s perfectly acceptable to get out of your car and negotiate. Speaking of negotiating, everything is negotiable, and I do mean everything. In an argument, the louder of the two usually wins. This is Israel. It took some time getting used to the lifestyle changes as well. At first, the idea of not having a car seemed to be a major inconvenience. Public transportation, which I never used once in East Cobb, is now my only option. On Friday evenings, the shops closed. The conveniences of having a Walmart nearby or a 24-hour Kroger did not exist. If I needed something, it would have to wait till Sunday. As time went on, these inconveniences eventually became normal. Not having a car was a relief. I began to appreciate Shabbat and the peacefulness that it brought. People seemed happier. They had less but seemed to have much more fulfilling lives. Shabbat was always spent with family. The food is great. If you don’t like shwarma, there is always felafel, sabich, shakshuka or shnitzel to choose. The weather was perfect, hot and sunny all the time. The job market for an English speaker was booming. I had my pick of the litter. And last but not least, everyone was Jewish. Growing up I was the minority. From elementary school to college, I was surrounded by Christmas trees and Easter bunnies. I had to explain to friends what Yom Kippur is and the reason behind matzah. But here in Israel, everyone was like me, everyone was Jewish. The decision to make Aliyah was easy. I knew I found the right place and I’ve never looked back.

Today I live in Tel Aviv. I work in the high tech industry and am fortunate that I get to travel for work and see my family. Life is fulfilling and I am grateful for the opportunities Israel has given me. If anyone has been to Israel in the summer, you would know that during the summer, Tel Aviv is the place to be. It was voted in the top 10 beach cities by National Geographic, voted the best gay city in the world and in 2010, Lonely Planet ranked Tel Aviv as the third best city in the world. On a typical day, the streets are bustling with locals and tourists. Cafés and bars are filled with laughter. The sounds of matcot (paddle ball) are heard up and down the coastline. Life is sweet and carefree. This past summer was very, very different. In June, 3 Jewish teenagers were kidnapped in the West Bank, and despite a massive recovery mission by the IDF, the three teenagers were later found dead…murdered in a field. Hamas eventually claimed responsibility. It was this and a series of events that would eventually trigger a war between Israel and Hamas-ruled Gaza. Living in Israel during this time was not enjoyable. Rockets began to rain upon Israel. The Southern parts were hit hardest. Ashdod, Ashkelon, Beersheva, were attacked by the minute. These Hamas rockets were not aimed at military targets, but at citizens, young and old, with its intention to kill and destroy everything in their path. Tel Aviv, which we thought was out of reach, also became a regular target. The sounds of sirens would scream at all hours of the day and night. Our morning alarm clocks were replaced by warning sirens of incoming rockets. You hear a siren, run to the stairwell and wait until you hear the boom. This was our daily routine. There is a mobile application that all Israelis are aware of called “Tseva Adom (Red Alert) every time a rocket was fired towards Israel, the app would alert and notify you of where the rocket was going to land. It got to a point that the app would go off every few minutes, so much that I had to delete the app all together. Tel Aviv, which is usually so full of life, was not the same. The energy was sucked out of the city. The bars and cafés were empty, the beach was silent and the tourists were nowhere to be found. Continues on page 24

The Voice of Chaim | November 2014 Continued from page 23

The news of soldiers being killed shook the country. Every soldier’s death felt like losing a friend, a brother. 18 year olds who were just starting their lives were being buried by mothers and fathers. Many husbands and fathers on reserve duty were killed. Everyone knew someone, we were all connected. My office manager lost her nephew. My roommate’s friend was killed. He was just 21 years old. It was a terrible time.

several years developing an intricate underground terror system in order to smuggle weapons into Gaza and attempted to send Hamas terrorists into Israel. Where was the outrage amongst the Palestinian supporters? Hamas squandered billions of dollars into what they could have used to construct additional schools, hotels, hospitals, anything to better the lives of the citizens of Gaza. Yet the world remained silent.

The economy took a massive blow. Tourism was dead, farmers in the south couldn’t work, kids who should have been enjoying their summer break were trapped at home and in shelters.

In early July, I was in San Francisco for work. Two of my Israeli colleagues were walking in downtown San Francisco when we noticed the start of a massive anti- Israel protest. As we watched from the side, we saw men and women, boy and girls, people of many different races gathered in the streets to protest against Israel. There were signs calling Israel an apartheid state, signs comparing Israel to Nazi Germany, death to Israel, and Free Gaza.

In just over a month’s time, Hamas launched over 4,500 rockets into Israel. Yet despite this display of fire power, Hamas failed in its goals. It failed in stopping life in Israel and failed in its attempts to kill Israeli citizens. This is due to the success of the Iron Dome. The Iron Dome is a cutting edge defensive weapon designed to intercept incoming rockets by launching its own counter missile to intercept in mid-air. It had over a 90% success rate in intercepting Hamas rockets. Without the Iron Dome, who knows how many thousands of Israelis would have been killed. It was a tremendous victory for Israel and a catastrophic blow to Hamas and its supporters. One day I was waiting at the bus stop in Ramat Hayal when the sirens went off. There was nowhere to go but to crouch by a wall near the station. Within a few seconds we witnessed a spectacular site of the Iron Dome firing two missiles into the air to intercept the incoming Hamas rockets. We watched as the Iron Dome missiles soared across the sky eventually completing their mission. Two minutes later the bus came and we went on with our lives. It was routine. Personally, I am never scared in Israel. Rockets, bomb scares, terrorist plots, it’s all the same and simply doesn’t pay to worry. I feel safer in a war zone in Israel than I do walking the streets of downtown Atlanta in the dark. If you happened to hear Rabbi Lewis’s sermon on Thursday, it was powerful and perhaps caught many of you by surprise. Let me say this, I agreed with every word. The world we live in has changed. Despite Israel’s success on the battlefield, Hamas, who is recognized as a terrorist organization by the U.S., Canada, Japan, Australia, the European Union and the United Kingdom, was winning the political battle by a landslide. Actors, celebrities and musicians appeared on news organizations and social media outlets, crying out for Israel to end the brutality on the innocent civilians of Gaza. Gaza was the David and we were the Goliath.

Amongst all of the signs and chants, not once was Hamas’s name mentioned, not once were the rocket attacks on Israeli citizens mentioned, nor the terror tunnels. People were blind, and their ignorance was showing. They were protesting against something which they knew nothing about. Protests like this were popping up all over the world. Chicago, Miami, Paris, London, the world had lost its mind. The horror of rockets launched into Israel at any time, day or night, was being replaced by the horror of seeing my adopted country being compared to Nazi Germany. As Rabbi Lewis mentioned in his sermon, these problems are not going away. As Jews and Americans, no one can sit back and accept what is happening around us. It is everyone’s responsibility to stand up against this hatred. It is our responsibility to fight ignorance with truth and to not accept living in a world filled with ignorance and hatred. It is our responsibility as Jews to stand up for Israel. Making Aliyah is not for everyone, but visiting Israel whether through Birthright, school trips, family vacations or sabbaticals should be on everyone’s list. Thank you very much. Shana Tova.

We are here for you! Have a great idea? A question to ask?

The media coverage was a joke. Biased reporting showed hour upon hour the latest Gazan death count, yet failed to actually report the facts. How many of these deaths were caused by Hamas? What about Hamas murdering its own people or using women and children as human shields? What about Hamas storing weapons in UN buildings, schools and mosques? What about Hamas launching rockets from crowded places? What about the 4500 rockets being launched into Israel in attempts to kill anything?

Your Board of Trustee liaison is available to point you in the right direction or answer your questions. Feel free to call or email him/her with your suggestions and concerns! Not sure of the contact information? Call the office 770.973.0137 to find that out.

Let’s not forget about the underground tunnel system in Gaza. In my opinion, this is the scariest thing of them all. Hamas spent over 1 billion dollars, used thousands of workers and spent

The Voice of Chaim | November 2014

Tzedakah | vesm Contributions received from September 8 – October 1, 2014 General Fund

In appreciation of the holiday services

In honor of Aaron Hevenstone. We wish you a happy and Healthy New Year! Shana Tovah. Love, Mom and Dad

In memory of beloved father, grandpa and great grandpa, Harry Deutch

Cantor Steven and Kathy Hevenstone In memory of Emanuel Chartash

Donna Chartash In loving memory of our father and grandfather, Manuel Bigel

Penney, Jeremy and Michelle Cohen In loving memory of Leon Weinberger In memory of Eva Siskin on her yahrzeit In memory of Cecelia Binder

Ellen Weinberger In memory of Albert J. Schein

Jonathan and Maxine Schein Thank you for all of your support over the past several months

Jordan Forman In memory of Wynn Ebel

Lynn Sustak In honor of our High Holiday aliyah

Michael and Shelly Reiner In memory of Michael’s loving mother, Rhoda Shapow, on her yahrzeit. You are always with us, Mom. In memory of Elaine’s loving mother, Eva Petersile, on her yahrzeit. You are always with us, Mom.

Mike and Elaine Shapow To Bob Bachrach, thank you for the wonderful job you do for our congregation and in appreciation of my High Holiday honor, which made our family, especially the grandchildren, so proud. L’Dor Vador. L’Shana Tova.

Ron and Anne Rosenthal In memory of our loving father, William Jacobsohn

Ron and Karen Feibel To Steven Bodenstein in memory of Rebecca Bodenstein. May the memories of your mother bring you much comfort in this time of sorrow.

Sam and Lisa Olens In memory of our beloved aunt, Sophie Smith. We miss you so much!

Susan and Craig Adair and Family

Rabbi Lewis Discretionary Fund In honor of Rabbi Shalom Lewis. Thank you so much for Jake’s beautiful bris ceremony. We will have wonderful memories from that day.

Amir and Stacy Efrat In memory of Howard Feuer

Bruce and Raya Feuer To Rabbi Lewis in appreciation of your support

Irv and Linda Briks In memory of Rose Algranati

Judith Algranati In honor of Rabbi Shalom Lewis. Best wishes for peace in the New Year.

Meredith Levy Phyllis Smith

Youth Fund Mazel Tov to Jan and Paul Wachter, on the birth of your first grandchild, Alana Maya Wachter. May she always be a source of joy for you and your family.

Glenn and Arlene La Vine

In memory of Phillip Kaplan

Sally Kaplan To Rabbi Lewis, thank you so very much for such a beautifully wonderful wedding ceremony for us. We thought everything was so lovely! We truly appreciate your kind words and efforts. Thanks again!

Shana and Josh Vexler

Rabbi Kerbel Discretionary Fund In honor of Rabbi Kerbel. Thank you so much for Jake’s beautiful bris ceremony. We will have wonderful memories from that day.

Amir and Stacy Efrat To Randy Padawer in memory of your mother, Evelyn Padawer with our sincerest sympathy

Kent and Julia Goodman In loving memory of our father, Kenneth Bassner

Steven and Beth Warres

Linda H. Weinroth Education Fund Sincerest condolences to Steve Bodenstein and family on the loss of your mother and grandmother, Rebecca Bodenstein. We always enjoyed the times we spent with both of your folks/ grandparents. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.

Glenn and Arlene La Vine In memory of my father, Abraham Etscovitz

Richard Etscovitz In loving memory of Phillip Kaplan, Arthur Suway, Mildred Suway Meiselman, Ron Bressinger and Michael Freedenberg

Wayne and Barbara Suway

Robert Klein Memorial Chesed Fund In memory of Uncle Eli Lewis

Barry and Joyce Teitelman In memory of Esther Kalen

Eleanor Hochberg In loving memory of my dear husband, Manuel Bigel In loving memory of my dear brother, Max Naiman

Esther Bigel In memory of my dear husband, Jerry Frankel

Phyllis Frankel To Helen and Steve Ehrlich, Bobbie and Stan Hollander, Jonathan and Maxine Schein, Sherry Seidman and Marsha Shrago with our thanks for your friendship and many kindnesses and just ‘cuz.

Ken and Grace Graiser

In honor of Su Berland on her engagement to Jonathan Schaer. Mazal tov and best wishes!

Maxine and Jonathan Schein

Youth Scholarship Fund To David Green in memory of Louis Green. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. May your memories of your father be in your heart forever.

Bruce and Bernice Mellman

Preschool Fund In memory of Angela Jean Sternberg. We miss you greatly.

Haim Sternberg

PreSchool Playground fund Paul Pattek To Steven Bodenstein in memory of Rebecca Bodenstein. My condolences to you, Steve, and your family.

Barney Coltman Happy birthday to Laurie and Mark Lavinsky

Maureen Levy In honor of Judy and Stan Fineman. Thank you for your hospitality. We wish your entire family a healthy, happy and peaceful new year. In honor of Barbara and Bob Lehman. Thank you for your hospitality. Wishing you and the entire family a healthy, happy and peaceful new year.

Steve and Joanie King

Phillip Michael Silverman Memorial Endowment For a most wonderful grandson. Pappa Bobby and Grandma

Bob and Eileen Silverman To Bobby Silverman, happy 80th birthday to a dear “old” friend. We love you.

Lewis and Janet Duncan To Dave Green in memory of your beloved father, Louis Gerson Green. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time. We are glad you were able to get to South Africa to spend some time with your father before he passed away.

Marvin and Bobbi Shams

College Connection Fund In honor of Laurie and Mark Lavinsky. Happy 60th birthdays! Wishing you many more years of health and happiness!

Helaine and Mike Shuster In memory of my mother, Lily Oling

Jenifer Lieberbaum

Mary Elkan Continues on page 31

The Voice of Chaim | November 2014

Tzedakah | vesm Contributions received from September 8 – October 1, 2014 Continued from page 30

Cynthia R. Freeman Memorial Endowment fund In honor of Dr. Warren Berne’s 50th birthday

Joe Freeman In honor of Joe Freeman. Wishing a sweet man a very sweet New Year.

Lori Brickman

Morris Frank Sacred Text Fund To Randy Padawer in memory of your mother, Evelyn Padawer. We are so sorry for your loss.

Mark and Sherry Hersh

Kazer‑Lipson Library Fund In loving memory of my beloved parents, Adolfo Kronberger and Yolanda Kronberger, on the anniversary of their yahrzeit

Esther Low In loving memory of my sister, Millie Stern, and my brother, Meyer Levin, on their yahrzeits

Sylvia Weinberg

Building Enhancement Fund In memory of Clara and Samuel Schlenker. After all these years, you are both missed.

Ken and Eileen Schlenker

Kitchen Fund In memory of Dalia Margarita Sternberg. I hope you rest in peace.

Haim Sternberg

Wilensky Memorial Endowment Fund Happy Birthday to Charles Strasburger Happy Birthday to Tyler Wilensky Happy Anniversary to Joan and Steve King Happy Birthday to Madelyn Chernau Happy Birthday to Ronald Bachenheimer Happy Birthday to Joan King In loving memory of our parents, Gertrude and Joe Wilensky

Mazel Tov to Vivian and Allan Levine on the birth of your grandson, Dylan In loving memory of our parents, Sadie and Sam Scopp

Frank and Barbara Wilensky

Social Action Fund In loving memory of my mother, Miriam Pavlo

Fran Kaufman

Bob Goldman Scholarship Fund In sweet memory of my father, Richard S. Becker, who passed so long ago

Andy Becker

Sisterhood Fund In memory of my dad, Norman Slater. I could use your help, here! Miss you.

Cindee Sapoznik In memory of Stanley H. Levine, M.D.

Debbie Berman

Do you have a simcha you would like to share in the Atlanta Jewish Times? If so, here is the URL to go directly to the Tell & Kvell page: http://atlantajewishtimes.com/submit-your-simcha-announcement/

Questions about purchasing a cemetery plot??? Call Bob Bachrach 770.973.0137 31

The Voice of Chaim | November 2014

Bar/Bat Mitzvahs, corporate, weddings, school events, and holiday parties. For contact information: Cathy Schwartz 404-931-5779 Joy Hoffmann 770-855-6682

The Voice of Chaim | November 2014

This space can be yours!

For advertising information, contact Bernice in the synagogue office at 770-973-0137.

Interior & Exterior Painting • Hardieplank® Siding Seamless Gutters & Gutter Helmet • Carpentry Window Replacement • Deck/Fence Refinishing

Quick, Personal Response • Free Estimates Licensed & Insured • Written Warranty Free Color Consulting on Complete Paint Job James Hardie® Siding Products Simonton Windows

770-642-7170 www.superiorpro.com Irwin Weitz

The Voice of Chaim | November 2014

Shalom J. Lewis, Rabbi Paul D. Kerbel, Rabbi Robert L. Bachrach Executive Director & COO Debbie Deutsch Education Director Perry Birbrager Youth Director Aram Blankenship Facilities Manager Su Berland Newsletter Production

visit our website www.etzchaim.net for the e-mails of our professional staff and lay leaders

Officers Cheryl Cohen-Miller President Todd Surden Executive VP John Flagel Chief Financial Officer Robin D. Brill Fundraising VP Allison Saffran Religion Co-VP David Wilson Religion Co-VP Jamie Lyons Education Co-VP David Levin Education Co-VP and Secretary Stacy Efrat Engagement Co-VP Joe Freeman Engagement Co-VP Scott Rittenberg Immediate Past President and Parliamentarian

Trustees

Nanci Aronstein Sheldon Berch Marsha Bernstein Larry Brown Adam Buxbaum Amy Charles Joe Cohen Mark Davison Linda Diamond Darin Dubovy Randy Figur Steven Flack Harris Fogel Stephanie Foster Barry Gang Nancy Gardner Denise Gelernter Mitchell Grey David Landau Lauren Levetan Leslie Lubell Norman Marinoff Frank Mobilio Dani Oren Gary Prager Ray Sonshein Ellen Spandorfer Josh Vexler Beth Weiss Tom Zack

Past Presidents

Scott Rittenberg Stephen Friedman Irwin Berman Bob Bachrach Judy Fineman Norman Radow Debbie Milstein Sue Rothstein David Witt Ken Schlenker George Pristach Richard Smith Allen Shulman Noah Levine Barry Forrest z”l David Tinkelman Ellis Abrams Stephen King

Organizations Erica Driver Linda Berch Sisterhood Co-Presidents Andy Becker Steve Krodman Men’s Club Co-Presidents Avi Lyons USY President

Congregation Etz Chaim 1190 Indian Hills Parkway Marietta, GA 30068 Phone 770.973.0137 • Fax 770.977.0829 Religious School 770.977.4148 Preschool 770.977.3384 www.etzchaim.net Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage

PAID

Permit #433 Marietta, GA RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED