Kulanu: May 2023

View our most up-to-date calendar on the IHC website.

At a Glance: May Highlighted Calendar of Events

Lilith Salon Tuesday, May 2 at 12:30pm at the Rusty Bucket

Women of IHC are invited to Sisterhood sponsored Lilith Salon in May. It is more free flowing than a book club with far fewer pages to read! Articles are emailed ahead of time. For more information and to let us know you are coming, please email Marjorie Gullett. Lilith Salon also meets on May 21 at 12:30pm.

Coffee Hours with Rabbi Chernow-Reader, Friday, May 5 from 10:00-11:30am

Come chat and grab some coffee with Rabbi Chernow-Reader at Monon Coffee Company in Broad Ripple. She will also have coffee hours on May 19 from 10:00-11:30am.

Mahjongg Mavens Friday, May 5 at 2:30pm

Grab your tile set and play a game (or ten) with the other IHC Mahjongg mavens. This addicting game of skill, strategy, and luck is a great way to spend time with other IHC enthusiasts. This Circle also meets on May 12 at 10:00am and May 19 at 2:30pm.

Tot Shabbat: Shavuot, Friday, May 5 at 5:30pm

Our youngest friends and their parents/grandparents can come to this short, kid-friendly service with a fun activity to follow. Click here to let us know you are coming.

Mitzvah Stitchers, Sunday, May 7 at 11:00am

If you love to knit, crochet, sew or embroider and love to schmooze while you stitch, then Mitzvah Stitchers is perfect for you. Email Barb Levy to have your name added to the email distribution list so she can provide you the Zoom link for meetings.

Rosh Hashanah Retreat Meeting Sunday, May 7 at 7:00pm

Have you felt the joy of attending Rosh Hashanah Retreat? Are you interested in making sure others feel that same joy in 5784? Be a part of Rosh Hashanah Retreat's first meeting on Zoom to help Rabbi Chernow-Reader plan this meaningful day.

Euchre Circle, Monday, May 8 at 10:00am

All levels of play are welcome to come and have some fun, meet new people, and compete for a prize. This Circle also meets on May 15 at 10:00am and May 24 at 6:00pm.

Email Melanie Gottlieb for more details.

Sisterhood Spring Meeting

Wednesday, May 10 from 6:30-8:30pm

Learn more about what Sisterhood does for you, IHC, and our community while connecting with Sisterhood friends, new and old. We will also be voting on the 2023-24 budget and changes to bylaws and policies. Please register to attend by May 5. Click here to register and get more details about the spring meeting.

IHC Annual Meeting, Thursday, May 11 at 7:00pm on Zoom

The Annual Meeting's agenda includes updates from temple leadership as well as the election of new board members and temple executive committee members. Watch your Weekly Update for the Zoom link.

Family Adventure Circle Meetup Saturday, May 13 at 10:30am at the Allardt home

Come out to the Allardt home for a summer kickoff gathering! There will be a bounce house and card making craft. Drinks and popsicles provided. Please let Monica Allardt (317-445-3576) know you are coming so she has an idea of how many people plan to come.

It’s Wine O’Clock Somewhere Wednesday, May 17 at 6:30pm

Join the Wine O’Clock Somewhere Circle for a blind Chardonnay tasting. Everyone should bring a bottle of their favorite Chardonnay to share. We will taste test each (using bags to cover the bottles) and vote on our favorite, and then reveal the winner. Email Melissa Noparstak if you plan to attend or have any questions.

Board Game Social Circle, Thursday, May 18 at 6:00pm

Take a break from the computer and phone screens and play some tabletop games face to face. We will try both classics and the latest in board games. No experience required. Contact Lou Harry for more details.

IHC Music presents, Celebrations: An Indianapolis Children's Choir performance Sunday, May 24 at 4:00pm

Read more about this performance on page 7.

We Celebrate the B'nai Mitzvah of:

Sadie Sniderman, who will be called to the Torah on May 6, 2023. She is a seventh grade student at Sycamore School. She loves animals of all stripes, music, ice skating, horseback riding, and spending time with her friends and extended family. Sadie plays soccer for Dynamo and basketball for her school team. Sadie’s parents are Jennifer and Mark Sniderman. She has an older brother, Leo.

Olivia Levi, who will be called to the Torah on May 20, 2023. She is a seventh grade student at Creekside Middle School. Her favorite sports include swimming and softball. Olivia’s parents are Sandra and Metin Levi. She has a younger sister, Sofia.

We Celebrate with:

New members:

Shira Belkov and Brad Miller

Rogan Goldblatt

Caitlin Green ~

The baby naming of Debbie & Steve Pearson's grandson, Liam Madhu Danala.

We Mourn with:

Rhonda Gerson-Hurwitz, daughter of Audrey Gerson z''l

The loved ones of Harvey Kagan z''l

Blair Karsch, brother of Dana Karsch Wagner z''l

The family of Jill Rose z''l

Carol and Elliot Segal, family of Eva Kolten z''l

Ann Shepherd, sister of Daniel Chomyn z''l

Sarah Skwire, Abigail Waschow, and Penelope Waschow, family of Marjorie Skwire z''l

Barbara Wolfson, Phillip (Adrienne) Frank, Lainie (Steve) Hurwitz, and Clair (Brian) Jacobson, family of Lenard Wolfson z''l

z''l stands for stands for zichronam livracha, which means "may their memory be for blessing"

The best efforts were taken to create these listings since the last issue of the Kulanu. Please reach out to communications@ihcindy.org if you believe there was an omission or error

Rabbi Roxanne Shapiro, RJE Director of Lifelong Learning

Who shall go up the mountain?

As Exodus 19 recalls, we all stood at the base of Mt. Sinai. Moses had led us out of our camp to the foot of the mountain to wait…to wait for God. We were there. Jewish tradition teaches that we all stood at Sinai, even if we do not remember it.

Yet, we were warned to not go up the mountain. Only Moses could ascend Moreover, when we saw the thunder and the lightning and the mountain smoldering, we were afraid We said to Moses, “You speak to us, and we will obey: but let not God speak to us, lest we die" (Exodus 20:16) We were scared and completely comfortable letting Moses be our liaison

That day, Moses went up the mountain to receive Torah from God as we heard the thunder, watched the clouds, and awaited Moses’ return Moses received Torah and this we now celebrate during the festival of Shavuot

Yet, today, if it were all to happen again in the same way, would we be too afraid and just send Moses? Or would we climb that mountain?

Reform Judaism encourages each of us to climb the mountain for ourselves Of course, that mountain is not necessarily literal, but figurative

What is at the peak of the mountain you climb?

As a rabbi, I often see the mountain as having God at the top [though, yes, I do believe that God is all around us, not just on a mountain] The mountain represents that which we have to figuratively climb in order to make that connection

I believe that many of us desire to climb that mountain – the same mountain. I also believe that what I define as God at the top of the mountain may have a different definition for someone else Judaism, as with any other faith/ethical belief system, provides for us a path/guide up that mountain; but how do we understand that map?

As an educator, of course, I am going to say that it is through the pursuit of knowledge and understanding that we understand the map You see, even if the trail guide is in the “language” of a particular religious tradition, the map is going to be different for each of us We see it through our own lens

To understand our map, we engage in study We study the texts and teachings with which we feel comfortable and we study the texts and teachings that challenge us We learn and grow so much when we wrestle with our tradition, just as Jacob wrestled with the being until dawn (Genesis 32) Grappling with the text can only make us stronger Climbing the mountain can only make our connection deeper

This Shavuot, as we hear the retelling of our time at Mt Sinai, may we think about where we stand on that mountain today are we at the base? Are we afraid to climb, shouting for Moses to do it for us or have we started our ascent? Do we stand at a halfway point? Are we stuck, not knowing which path to take next or are we reaching the summit?

We, at IHC, invite you to take the journey up the mountain with us If we take the steps together, through study, questioning, and experiencing, the path up the mountain is not only more easily traversed; it is also more engaging along the way

Chag Shavuot Sameach!

Have a happy and meaningful Shavuot!

“Pirkei Talmidim”: The Wisdom of Our Students

The following are the excerpts from several of the Confirmation Class of 5783's "This I Believe" statements. These students will help clergy lead services on Friday May 26 at 6:15pm for Confirmation, Shabbat, & Shavuot Festival Service.

Music is an extremely valuable thing that I believe in because of its power to unite people, it makes people happy, and makes the world a better place.

I believe that music is the most spiritual aspect of humanity, and it is one of the ways I choose to define God for myself.

Life is full of questions, and like life, Judaism is the constant struggle of finding out

While I definitely love educating people on the workings of Judaism, it also feels good to just have that mutual sense of understanding you get when you are around people like yourself.

I believe in God’s presence through music, through writing, and poems.

To me, Judaism is a way of life that connects me to my ancestors, my family, and my fellow Jews around the world.

Honor a confirmand!

Acknowledge Confirmation students' commitment to Jewish education by making one of your own. Donate to the Women of Reform Judaism YES Fund, which supports initiatives in education and clergy scholarships around the world. Click here to learn more

I believe that having an unique interpretation of God is, and always has been, a fundamental and important part of Jewish beliefs.

Max Arnold

why.

Gabriel Hastings

Sierra Krichiver

Rachel Mintz

Cole Bush

Caleb Rubel

Isa Galan

A Torah Weeps

Rabbi Alex J. Goldman began his Jewish Post article this way: “Holocaust memorials dot the world to recall history’s evil… Communities have felt impelled to personalize and tell the story in sculpture, mound, photograph, building, museum. The medium is the message…. Yet you don’t have to see the actual artifacts of the Holocaust period to feel your guts turning, twisting and churning… You have only to see one item, only one, to get the same rending feeling and worse. You have only to see the Torah/Holy Scroll, which you have held, chanted over, admired, touched, perhaps carried on Simchat Torah or at a bar mitzvah service. You have to look in disbelief as our most sacred treasure, the Holy Scroll, physical, parchmented [sic], lying, tightly bound, rolled up, torn, singed, burnt, water-logged, scraped, slashed, parts missing, her face rubbed out, decimated.” (Jewish Post, Marion County, 22 January 1997)

Rabbi Brett Krichiver Senior Rabbi

One great teaching about a Torah scroll is that it represents, in physical form, the continuing narrative of the Jewish people. We are connected to the generations past and future like the sewn together sheets of parchment which give the Torah its shape. In order to get from one end of the Torah to the other, one must roll through the many stories, characters, and laws in between. That is the nature of a scroll, and that is the nature of our Jewish history as well.

Goldman was describing a pile of 1,564 Torah scrolls which made their way, in 1964, to the Westminster Synagogue overlooking Hyde Park in London. Their stories were varied and unique. The scrolls represented Jewish communities from Bohemia and Moravia and other parts of what was then Czechoslovakia. Nazis had documented each scroll, along with thousands of Jewish ritual objects and artifacts they had stolen/ gathered/ pilfered for some imagined permanent display. This chapter of Jewish history is well known to many in our IHC community. We have been blessed with the presence of one of those restored and reclaimed “Holocaust Scrolls” since 1988. Many generations of b’nai mitzvah students have read from and carried this treasure in our sanctuary. And each and every time, we have shared its story.

In this case, our Holocaust scroll, which belonged to a small community just outside of Prague called Dobříš (pronounced Dob-zhísh), carries the precious history of Eastern European Jewry in the 20th century, including the Holocaust, the Shoah. But this scroll also stands in testimony to our continued strength into the 21st century. And even though our b’nai mitzvah students can no longer read from the damaged parchment, we remind them each and every week of just how special it is for them to celebrate becoming a bat or bar mitzvah in its presence.

IHC's Code of Ethics Emily

Indianapolis Hebrew Congregation joins dozens of Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) temples across the nation in establishing a code of ethics.

Past IHC Board President Marc Katz says two things drove the creation of the code. “The URJ came down with a recommendation that congregations develop an ethics policy… at the same time, there were conversations with board members and clergy that there needed to be a level playing field with expectations… that everyone should be bound by the same rule of ethics.” Katz and board member Carly Turow worked together to create IHC’s code of ethics, with past president and current URJ Board Trustee Patti Freeman Dorson providing input.

Five principles guide IHC’s code:

Exemplify Holiness (K’Dushah)

Honesty (Yosher)

Honor (Kavod)

Compassion (Rachamim) Justice (Tzedek)

“We call them principles [in the code of ethics],” Patti Freeman Dorson explains, “but they are Jewish values. We as a congregation believe in these things and should all act and treat each other in a way that is consistent with these values.”

The code of ethics does more than just explain the congregation’s dedication to the ethical treatment of one another. It also details the process for addressing allegations of unethical behavior. It is important to note that legal obligations take precedence if an allegation could cause any imminent and substantial harm to a person. The Ethics Committee is involved in addressing any allegation(s) of unethical behavior. The committee will inform the appropriate professional organization if allegations of unethical behavior involve a rabbi (CCAR), cantor (ACA), executive director (NATA), or educator (ARJE). For Carly Turow, this was a vital part of the document. “It is one thing to tell someone that everyone is held to the same standards,” but in this code, “ethics are ethics. Everyone is held to the same standard.”

The IHC Board approved the code of ethics in April 2022, two months after the URJ first released the Report of the Independent Investigation which contained numerous recommendations, including congregations create a code of ethics. For Turow, IHC’s swiftness in creating this code shows how important this is for IHC. “[A code of ethics is] taken as a no brainer for some, including me. But it is needed.” She appreciates the way this code gives her guidance as a board member. Earlier this year, the URJ set a goal that 60% of member congregations adopt a code of ethics this year. Marc Katz is excited that IHC is far ahead of the pack and that the temple felt strongly enough about ethics and governance to get this code off the ground. Patti Freeman Dorson is also proud of IHC for taking this code seriously and creating it in a way that has “timeless elasticity” so that if things change decades down the road, the code of ethics is adaptable to those changes.

This May, we mark the holiday of Shavuot, where we recall the story of Moses receiving the Torah from God on Mount Sinai. In accepting that gift, the Israelites entered a covenant, an agreement, with God. Each year, Shavuot is a time where Jews renew that covenant.

IHC’s code of ethics is not unlike a covenant, as we agree to adhere to a set of ethical and ritual behaviors. Under it, we agree to treat one another with respect. We agree to treat one another fairly. In the same way the Israelites held themselves accountable to God, we, as IHC members, hold ourselves accountable to one another, to create spaces where all feel safe, welcomed, and protected.

You can review the IHC Code of Ethics by clicking here. There also is a copy of the policy in the temple’s front office and on the IHC website at ihcindy.org/resources.

If you have further questions about the policy, you can reach out to Rabbi Krichiver, IHC President Mitch Katz, and Executive Director Pete Smithhisler. You can also contact Marc Katz, Carly Turow, and Patti Freeman Dorson.

Kaufmann, Communications Specialist

IHC Music presents:

Indianapolis Children’s Choir’s Master Chorale and the Anderson Area Youth Chorale

On May 21 at 4:00 pm, singers from the Indianapolis Children’s Choir’s Master Chorale and the Anderson Area Youth Chorale will perform at IHC as part of the IHC Music Spring Concert Series. These talented young singers will be accompanied by an orchestra for a full celebration of springtime in Indiana as they present two uplifting major choral works: Vincent Persichetti’s Celebrations and Leonard Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms. This concert also honors our graduating seniors of these ensembles as the choir dedicates and performs some of their favorite choral pieces to celebrate the fun, friendships, and experiences that the ICC offers its singers over the years.

Celebrations sets Walt Whitman’s poetry to music as it explores the resilience and optimism of the human spirit. Works include Whitman classics such as Stranger, Voyage, and You Who Celebrate Bygones. Chichester Psalms is an exciting composition that sets to music the complete texts of Psalms 100, 23, and 131, together with a few verses from Psalms 108, 2, and 133. The work debuted in 1965 and was commissioned for the 1965 Southern Cathedrals Festival at Chichester Cathedral. Across its three movements, the piece builds and explores the themes of unity and the brotherhood of man.

Currently in its 37th season, the Indianapolis Children’s Choir (ICC) has grown to become one of the largest professional children’s choirs in the world Led by Artistic Director Joshua Pedde, the ICC serves more than 2,500 central Indiana children from ages 18 months through 18 years The Anderson Area Children’s Choir and Youth Chorale division was founded in the fall of 1992 and is dedicated to serving the children and youth who reside within Anderson and Madison County The Indianapolis Children’s Choir community nurtures and inspires student achievement through quality music education and the pursuit of artistic excellence in choral music performance

To assist with learning these works, the choirs have partnered with several members of the community including Cantor Aviva Marer, who will run a clinic for singers, and Steve Rappaport, who will lead a discussion with singers regarding the background and inspiration for the Chichester Psalms

In a partnership with the Indianapolis Symphonic Choir, several members will perform with ICC and AAYC singers and have also served as their mentors, plus Director Eric Stark will conduct a few of the movements at the performance

To purchase advance tickets for the Celebrations concert, please visit icchoir.org/tickets or call 317-940-9640 Tickets are $14 each Ages 5 and under can attend for free but require a ticket

If the concerts do not sell out in advance, additional tickets will be available for purchase at the door prior to the performance

Emma Robinson Development & Marketing Coordinator,\ Indianapolis Children's Choir

When seeking a simple explanation of a topic, it often is worthwhile to look at a child’s book first. In addition to a story or custom, an adult may find background information that usually is accurate.

I am reminded how effective children’s books can be while re-reading, Cheesecake for Shavuot, by Allison Ofanansky, photographs by Eliyahu Alpern.You may think of cheesecake when preparing for Shavuot (“weeks” –seven weeks after Passover), but the holiday also is referred to as: Hag Hakatzir, the holiday of the grain harvest, Hag Habikurim, the holiday of the first fruits (fruits were brought to the Temple on Shavuot), and Hag Matan Torah, the holiday of the giving/receiving of the Torah at Mount Sinai. And some think of Shavuot as a dairy holiday since cow and goat milk are plentiful at that time of year.

The easily understandable text describes a youthful Israeli class planting and watering wheat seeds in the fall. The wheat will grow and be harvested in the late spring. Children watch the seeds sprout grass Close to Passover, they see rows of green seeds on top of the stalks. When the seeds ripen and turn brown and droopy, students use a sickle to cut the stalks.

Up Next at IHC

Some grains fall and they are called gleanings. These are supposed to be left for the poor (see The Book of Ruth). The cut stalks keep drying and are tied (called a sheaf).The students bring the gleanings to feed goats at a petting zoo.

Then, the week before Shavuot, when the wheat is totally dry, they beat the stalks as grains fall to the ground (threshing). Wind blows away any straw, chaff, dirt (winnowing) and just the grains remain. Those grains are put through a flour grinder so the children have flour for the cheesecake crust. The class bakes a cake using the wheat flour, the goat cheese they helped facilitate through feeding the goats, and berries that grow during this season. Attractive, bold photographs show the children every step of the way. A recipe is provided.

Cheesecake for Shavuot brings to life the agricultural foundation of Shavuot and complements the religious aspects. It is one of the many “gems” for you to borrow from your temple Library.

Jewish Book Club

Tuesday, May 9 at 12:00pm. The Italian Ballerina by Kristy Cambron

Tuesday, June 13 at 12:00pm, A Half-Built Garden by Ruthanna Emrys

Temple Donations

CONFIRMATION PROJECTS FUNDS

SARAH GOODMAN AWARD

Memory of Jill Rose

John Goodman & Sarah Kunz

YOUTH PROJECTS FUNDS

SPITZBERG FAMILY YOUTH FUND FOR ISRAEL

Memory of Jill Cooper Rose

The Carafiol Family

LIBRARY & ARCHIVES FUND

JOSEPH CANTOR LIBRARY

Honor of Evelyn Pockrass

Roth Family

Memory of Eva Kolten

Dr. Joel Sagalowsky

IHC FOUNDATION FUNDS

FAY BICCARD GLICK FUND

Memory of Marilyn K. Glick

Arlene & Tom Grande

FOUNDATION GENERAL FUND

Antonio Paolo Zavattini

Memory of Jill & Irwin Rose

Doug & Michelle Rose Family

DISCRETIONARY FUNDS

SENIOR RABBI’S DISCRETIONARY

Memory of Jacqueline Green

Lapidus

Douglas Lapidus

ASSOCIATE RABBI’S DISCRETIONARY

Carol & Elliott Segal

DISCRETIONARY FUNDS

(Continued)

CANTOR’S DISCRETIONARY

Memory of Ron Isroff

Karla Yale

Memory of Peter Zucconi

Phil Weisberger

Memory of John Dimaccio

Phil Weisberger

Memory of Jill Rose

Doug, Michelle, Jane & Tom Rose

Memory of Sillik Polayes

Deborah Polyaes

TEMPLE GENERAL FUNDS

TEMPLE GENERAL FUND

Anonymous

Anonymous

Elizabeth Bodner Trust

Memory of Jill Rose

Wendalon & Philip Larman

Sarah Lugar & family

Doug & Michelle Rose Family

Hannah Step

Memory of Audrey Gerson

Sonja Kantor & Henry

Efroymson

Memory of Dana Karsch Wagner

Sonja Kantor & Henry

Efroymson

THE CANTOR JANICE L.

ROGER MUSIC AND CULTURAL ARTS FUND

Memory of Regina Krieger

Phyllis & Stanley Herman

OUTDOOR BEAUTIFICATION/HARVEY

GADDIE FUND

Memory of Grace Christensen

Deborah Playes

ROBERT & SOPHIA MARKS

FUND

Honor of Johanna Marvin Kitchell

Beck & Ben Marvin

TEMPLE GENERAL FUNDS

(Continued)

YAHRZEIT MEMORIAL FUND

Memory of Larry Berns

Rhonda Berns

Memory of Irving Freeman

Patti & Roland Dorson

Memory of Irvin Rheins

Joy Rheins

Memory of their parents

Svetlana & David Weinstock

Memory of Dr. Aaron Rabb

Joseph Rabb

CEMETERY FUND

Memory of Ronald Popp

Susan Popp

Memory of Marijane Popp

Susan Popp

SOCIAL JUSTICE

CHEVRAT CHESED – CARING COMMUNITY

Honor of Sara & Brian Cox

The Harry Family

HUNGER PROGRAM

Honor of Adult Purimspiel – Food

Insecurity Initiative

Sarah Freeman & Ian Stewart

GLEANERS FOOD BANK

Memory of Allan Segal

Carol & Elliott Segal

Speedy Recovery for Ellen

Gabovitch

Carol & Elliott Segal

INTERFAITH HOSPITALITY PROJECT/NETWORK (FAMILY PROMISE)

Memory of Jill Rose

Rose-Marie & Bob Goodman

SHELLEY SHANE SOCIAL ACTION

Memory of Kim Barcheck

Lacy Barcheck

Connect with Us

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317-255-6647

317-254-2186

www.ihcindy.org

www.facebook.com/IhcIndy

@ihc.indy

Worship Schedule

All services, unless otherwise noted, can be viewed live on IHC website.

Kabbalat Shabbat service

Fridays at 6:15pm

Nefesh Shabbat Service

Every third Friday at 6:15pm

Shabbat Morning Service

Saturdays at 10:30am

Join us for Oneg Shabbat following our Friday evening services. It is a mitzvah to sponsor an Oneg Shabbat, whether it is for a special occasion (b'nai mitzvah/baby naming/anniversary) or just because you want to step up to help! You can host alone, as a family, or get a group together to co-host.

Learn with Us

Torah Talk

Select Wednesdays at 9:30am

Join Rabbi Krichiver to discuss Jewish sacred source texts in a non-intimidating way. Unless otherwise noted, you can attend in person or online. Proudly presented by Sisterhood. You can find the Zoom link to participate by clicking here.

Shabbat Morning Torah Study

Saturdays at 9:00am

Led by IHC clergy, the group is guided through the weekly Torah portion text seeking understanding of the teaching for the time and discussing its message for today. Unless otherwise noted, you can attend in person or online. No prior knowledge is necessary and all are welcome. You can find the Zoom link to participate by clicking here

The next printed issue of Kulanu will be mailed out at the end of May.

You can access all past issues of Kulanu online at ihcindy.org/kulanuarchive/