שופר סיני November 2014
In this issue:
The Temple Sinai Newsletter · November 2014 · Cheshvan - Kislev 5775
Events
2
President’s Message Cantor Tzedakah
3
4 11
Religious School
5
Men’s Club & Sisterhood Life Cycles
6 9
Advertising
20
Donations
15
Temple News and Notes
16
Lifelong Learning Page 8 New Temple Centerfold Pages 12-13 New Members Page 16 Gift Shop Information Page 16 Dine Out Page 23
משולחנו של הרב כהן AMILIES FIRST If I was going to describe in one phrase what I think my job is, then I would say, “Community Builder”. It is the one idea which encompasses almost everything I do. That is what I want to achieve in our 3rd Friday Family Services beginning on November 21 (details on page 19). The services will be targeted at elementary school age young people and their families. They will include essential Jewish elements such as eating, learning and schmoozing. There will be opportunities for young people as well as the adults attached to them to get to know each other better and build bonds between them. This monthly event will not be restricted to Temple members but is meant to be a way of reaching out to other young families who might see a good fit at Temple Sinai.
Rabbinic legend tells us that young people are the guarantors of our tradition. We want them to not only feel welcome at Temple Sinai but also feel real joy, be intellectually stimulated, and be spiritually inspired. I want young people to enjoy going to services with the adults who look after them but also hang out with their buddies in the lobby during services! They should get up for Religious School on Sunday morning but also go out as a group to the movies. As a graduate of a Zionist Youth Movement, I know that, if the bonds between young people are strengthened at an early age within a Jewish context, there is no limit to what the depth of their commitment to the Jewish community might be in the future. L’shalom/To Peace, Rabbi Malcolm Cohen
ועדת תיקון עולם
n November 14th Temple Sinai Social Action Committee kicks off our second Holiday Giving Tree project. This project is designed, in collaboration with Jewish Family Services, to sponsor 25 families in need. Among the items to be donated are toys for younger children, gift cards for older children and parents and one food gift card for each family. ‘Wish’ cards will be hung on the Giving Tree with care. Hopefully all of the cards will be selected by congregants, their families and friends. The gifts will be delivered to JFS in time to be distributed for Chanukah. Please find it in your heart to take one! For Additional information please contact Eileen Bellsey 702-3341444
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November 2014
ממושמש ובא
Saturday, November 01, 2014 10:00 AM - 11:45 AM Shabbat Morning Worship includes the Bar Mitzvah of Justin Flashner Sunday, November 02, 2014 09:30 AM - 12:00 PM No Religious School 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM Class Taught by Rabbi Cohen titled 'Beyond Borders: The History of the Arab Israeli Conflict'. 10:00 AM Men's Club Softball Tuesday, November 04, 2014 04:30 PM - 06:00 PM Hebrew School, Post B'nai and Confirmation Classes 07:00 PM - 08:30 PM Ritual Committee Meeting 07:00 PM - 08:00 PM Through The Lens: A Mini Series by Rabbi Malcolm Cohen: Discussing Movies With Jewish Themes Wednesday, November 05, 2014 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM History of the Jewish People in the US, 1900 - Present Day 01:00 PM - 03:00 PM Yiddish: Learn to Speak, Read, Write and Appreciate 06:00 PM - 08:00 PM Hizdamnut- Adult Education Opportunity 06:00 PM - 08:00 PM Sisterhood Game Night 07:00 PM - 08:15 PM Boy Scout Meeting Thursday, November 06, 2014 06:30 PM Adult Choir Practice 07:00 PM - 08:00 PM Zumba Classes Friday, November 07, 2014 06:15 PM - 07:00 PM Tots Shabbat 07:30 PM - 08:45 PM Shabbat Worship Saturday, November 08, 2014 10:00 AM - 11:45 AM Shabbat Morning worship includes Bat Mitzvah of Aliya Epstein 05:00 PM Bat Mitzvah of Madison Levine Sunday, November 09, 2014 09:30 AM - 12:00 PM NO Religious School 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM Class Taught by Rabbi Cohen titled 'Beyond Borders: The History of the Arab Israeli Conflict'. 10:00 AM Men's Club Breakfast Tuesday, November 11, 2014 12:00 PM - 02:00 PM Lunch Bunch for Women Age 50+ 04:30 PM - 06:00 PM No Hebrew School, Post B'nai and Confirmation Classes - Veteran's Day 06:30 PM - 08:00 PM Marketing Committee Meeting 07:00 PM - 08:30 PM Social Action/Social Justice Wednesday, November 12, 2014 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM History of the Jewish People in the US, 1900 - Present Day 01:00 PM - 03:00 PM Yiddish: Learn to Speak, Read, Write and Appreciate 03:30 PM - 05:30 PM Finance Committee Meeting 06:00 PM - 08:00 PM Hizdamnut- Adult Education Opportunity 07:00 PM - 08:15 PM Boy Scout Meeting Thursday, November 13, 2014 06:30 PM Adult Choir Practice 07:00 PM - 08:00 PM Zumba Classes Friday, November 14, 2014 07:30 PM - 08:45 PM Shabbat Worship Saturday, November 15, 2014 10:00 AM - 11:45 AM Shabbat Morning Worship
Sunday, November 16, 2014 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM Jewish War Veterans Post #64 10:00 AM - 11:00 PM Sisterhood Executive Meeting 11:00 AM - 01:30 PM Sisterhood Luncheon Monday, November 17, 2014 06:30 PM - 08:00 PM Mens' Club Board Meeting 07:00 PM - 08:00 PM Senior Committee Meeting Tuesday, November 18, 2014 04:30 PM - 06:00 PM Hebrew School, Post B'nai and Confirmation Classes 06:15 PM - 09:00 PM Temple Sinai Board Meeting 07:00 PM - 09:00 PM Temple Sinai Book Club Wednesday, November 19, 2014 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM History of the Jewish People in the US, 1900 - Present Day 11:00 AM - 01:00 PM Shenker Thanksgiving Feast for 3 & 4 year olds 01:00 PM - 03:00 PM Yiddish: Learn to Speak, Read, Write and Appreciate 05:00 PM - 08:00 PM Homework/Social Grades 7 - 11 06:00 PM - 08:00 PM Hizdamnut- Adult Education Opportunity 07:00 PM - 08:15 PM Boy Scout Meeting Thursday, November 20, 2014 07:00 PM Adult Choir Practice 07:00 PM - 09:00 PM Sisterhood Board Meeting 07:00 PM - 08:00 PM Zumba Classes Friday, November 21, 2014 07:30 PM - 08:45 PM Shabbat Worship Saturday, November 22, 2014 10:00 AM - 11:45 AM Shabbat Morning Worship includes the Bar Mitzvah of Max Berman 10:00 AM - 01:30 PM Summerlin Minyan Project Sunday, November 23, 2014 09:30 AM - 12:00 PM Religious School 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM Class Taught by Rabbi Cohen titled 'Beyond Borders: The History of the Arab Israeli Conflict'. 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM Sisterhood General Meeting 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM Town Hall Meeting Tuesday, November 25, 2014 12:00 PM - 02:00 PM Lunch Bunch for Women Age 50+ 04:30 PM - 06:00 PM No Hebrew School, Post B'nai and Confirmation Classes - Thanksgiving Week 07:00 PM - 08:00 PM Adult Ed. Through the Lens: Movie Discussion 'Walk on Water' Wednesday, November 26, 2014 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM History of the Jewish People in the US, 1900 - Present Day 01:00 PM - 03:00 PM Yiddish: Learn to Speak, Read, Write and Appreciate 03:00 PM - 08:00 PM Dine Out - Bagel Cafe 07:00 PM - 08:15 PM Boy Scout Meeting Thursday, November 27, 2014 06:30 PM Adult Choir Practice 07:00 PM - 08:00 PM Zumba Classes Friday, November 28, 2014 07:30 PM - 08:45 PM Shabbat Worship Saturday, November 29, 2014 10:00 AM - 11:45 AM Shabbat Morning Worship Sunday, November 30, 2014 09:30 AM - 12:00 PM NO Religious School - Thanksgiving Week 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM Class Taught by Rabbi Cohen titled 'Beyond Borders: The History of the Arab Israeli Conflict'.
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שופר סיני November 2014
Rabbi Malcolm Cohen Rabbi@templesinailv.org Cantor Mariana Gindlin Cantor@templesinailv.org Executive Committee Julie Littmann, President President@templesinailv.org Les Sherman, 1st Vice President les503@aol.com Barry Duman, 2nd Vice President barryeco@att.net Nachum Golodner, Treasurer Treasurer@templesinailv.org Jack Kaufman, Recording Secretary jacalaine@aol.com Trustees Ilana Shapiro Stephanie Helms Bob Levin Shel Kolner Jaime Pollack Steve Weiner Ed Goldenberg Immediate Past President Rick Hollander Sisterhood Tina Drago, President sisterhood@templesinailv.org Men’s Club Sean Lyttle, President Sean.d.lyttle.jd@gmail.com Religious School Dr. Sharon Knafo eddirector@templesinailv.org
Shenker Academy Linda Specht, Director linda@shenkeracademy.com Controller John Demarco controller@templesinailv.org Temple Office Phil Scully, Executive Director pscully@templesinailv.org Kim Israel, Executive Assistant school@templesinailv.org Sinai Shofar Apryl Lyttle and Greg Safdeye, Editors shofar@templesinailv.org
מסר הנשיא all it a clan, call it a network, call it a tribe, call it a family. Whatever you call it, whoever you are, you need one. ~Jane Howard Our first High Holidays in the new sanctuary have come and gone and I feel so blessed to have been a part of our history at Temple Sinai. Our sanctuary was designed specifically to provide a warm and welcoming atmosphere to all, which I believe was felt by everyone that attended services. Personally, I cannot express in words the joy and happiness I felt watching all of our congregants joining each other arm in arm to worship on our holiest of days. My wish for this year is to fill our sanctuary to capacity next year and continue to deepen our impact on the Jewish community in Las Vegas. My hope is that you felt compelled enough with what you experienced to assist us in our goal to operate in a deficit free budget and any donation small or large is equally important and appreciated. Our Gala was a tremendous success and all that came out to support our largest fundraiser of the year had a great time. There was a silent auction, dinner and dancing for everyone to enjoy as we honored Richard Hollander for the hard work as our past President, as well as overseeing the construction of our new campus. My husband Eric was the emcee for the event and took pleasure, along with some liberties with his humor, in making Rick feel all the love that our congregation has for his efforts in making Temple Sinai what it is today. I want to thank the Gala committee for putting together such a fabulous event. Great Job! An important upcoming event in November is our Town Hall meeting. The format of our meeting is provided for a congregant to attend and ask any question in relation to Temple Sinai. I want to emphasize that there are no limits on any issue which you, the congregant wishes to address. One of my strongest beliefs serving as your President is transparency, providing information in all aspects of our operations to anyone wishing to know. I will also provide some overall information on where we stand operationally, financially, etc. as to keep the members informed and up to date. I urge any of our congregants to attend and inquire about what we are doing on a day-to-day basis to provide the members with events, education and programming. I look forward to seeing you in November. My Door is Always open, Julie Littmann Temple Sinai President
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November 2014
משולחנה של החזנית גינדלין ecoming a member of a congregation is a lot like getting married to someone. In genesis 2:18 we read that God says, “ it is not good for man to be alone; I will make a partner for him.” The story implies that finding an appropriate life’s companion is not an easy matter, and that to do it well, might even require divine wisdom. The traditional Hebrew word for marriage is kiddushin, and it is derived from Kadosh— holy—and this describes quite accurately the Jewish attitude toward marriage. Judaism supports the idea that the bond of marriage is sacred and eternal, and a reflection of the covenant between God and the people of Israel. In Judaism, the decision to marry implies a willingness to enter wholeheartedly into a sacred covenant with another person; to enter a sanctified relationship. It is in this tradition of sacred covenant that a couple are inspired to build together the mikdash meat—the miniature sanctuary—that the Jewish home should be. So, I said that finding a life partner and making a commitment is a lot like becoming a member of a congregation. How is that? We know that it’s not good for Jews to be alone… we are social beings...we are meant to connect. But it is not easy to find a congregation to belong to. Before joining a congregation, one must ask oneself: Do I agree with the mission and vision of this synagogue? And also, am I willing to take an active part in realizing that vision and mission? Can I be held accountable? “Temple Sinai is a warm and welcoming Reform Jewish community engaged in lifelong learning, soulful worship, and social justice “ There are Jewish congregations where the members sign a membership covenant when they join, and they make a commitment by signing that paper, to take responsibility in building a community of holiness, in embracing Jewish values, in deepening their Jewish identities through Torah/learning, Avodah/worship, Gemilut Chesed/ social action, and Hevrah/Felowship. We have to be passionate about this… Joining a congregation is a serious matter… like getting married… So, now that we know it, we can say that today we are symbolically signing a covenant. We adhere to the Temple Sinai Project. So, like a married couple, we felt inspired to build together our house, our own Mikdash, our sanctuary, to make our garden grow; for us and for generations to come. So these walls become a home for our Temple Sinai Project to inhabit. Because, we are not here to just celebrate we have a new building; we are here today, specifically, to celebrate what Temple Sinai stands for, and the project of Temple Sinai. That is the reason we are here celebrating this morning. Because the building is only a consequence of having a project. The building only has a value because it is tied to our purpose; our project is the soul that lives in the building. That is what makes us the warm big family that we are. And that is what makes this place our second home. So, ...are you willing to enter wholeheartedly into a sacred covenant, a sanctified relationship with the “Temple Sinai Project”? It’s an honor for me to be a part of this chapter in the history of our
Temple. I hope to be a leading force and an inspiration. Thank you for the opportunity to serve. God Bless you b'shalom, Cantor Mariana Gindlin
בת מצוה של אהבה אריאל בת שרה לאה ושמעון פייוול adison Levine will be celebrating her Bat Mitzvah at the Red Rock Resort for a beautiful Havdalah service on November 8th. We are excited to welcome our friends and family from near and far, traveling to Las Vegas from New England, Florida, California, New York and Pennsylvania. Madison is a warm hearted young lady whom we are so proud to call our daughter. She enjoys socializing with her friends and is often the " entertainer " of the group. She loves to make her friends laugh and enjoys the little things in life. Madison excels at many things that she is passionate about such as helping with rescue pets, breast cancer awareness, and Best Buddies. Madison attends Sig Rogich Middle school in the 8 th grade. She is a member of the advanced choir named, " Bella Voce " and has been part of the National Junior Honor Society since being inducted in the 6th grade. Her teachers have come to know the Madison we know and love as she was honored as Student of the month twice in one year out of 1800 Students. Madison's love and spirit for her Judaism is elevated each year as she attends Camp JCA Shalom in Malibu where she calls her home for three weeks each summer. She returns from camp almost glowing with her Jewish pride and spirit. Madison is an incredible older sister to her brother Dawson and as her parents we could not have imagined our lives anyway without her amazing positive energy and love that she lights up in our family and home.
בר מצוה של לייזער לייבל בן חנה לאה ובנימין ax Berman attends Las Vegas Day School where he is on Director’s List. Max is also a member of the Film Club at school. For part of his Mitzvah project, Max was involved with a Back to School school supply drive to help children in Clark County School District. Max helped by organizing the supplies and dropping them off at the donation location. In his free time, Max likes to hang out with his family and friends and play video games. In the winter, Max enjoys skiing with his family in Brianhead, Utah.
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שופר סיני November 2014
חדשות בית ספר מקדש סיני earning with New Technology As we began the New Year, I want to share with you some wonderful insights from my visits to the classrooms during the Holidays. In 5th grade, students were called up to the whiteboard, and used the Mimio Electronic Pen to write letters and words in Hebrew. In a different classroom, the students played Hebrew games online using the Mimio Interactive board. In the lower grades, students learned the story Ziz, about a clumsy goodhearted bird, who accidentally destroys a vegetable garden, and learns the importance of apologizing (“The Hardest Word” by Jacqueline Jules). The students in Kindergarten, First, and Second grade helped decorate the synagogue’s Sukkah right before the holiday of Sukkot. These classroom learning examples are a true reflection of our Religious School educational philosophy at Temple Sinai: we encourage the use of technology as an essential tool, together with much creative and joyful learning in and out of the classrooms. Our Youth service on Kol Nidrei was another example of creative and joyful learning, as we prayed during the Kol Nidrei and the Yom Kippur Evening Service, and focused on a discussion about what are the sins that we are confessing about throughout the Yom Kippur services. It was enlightening to learn about our sins as perceived by teenagers of today. Most of the students thought that the most frequent sin among young adults is the disrespect of parents and teachers…. While most of the students thought that the least frequent sin is taking a bribe.
liya Epstein will be called to the Torah at Temple Sinai as a Bat Mitzvah on November 8, 2014 at 10:00 am. Aliya is in the 8th grade at Leavitt Middle School. She is a member of the National Junior Honor Society and was chosen to participate in the Publications class which creates the yearbook. Aliya loves to read and write. When Aliya is not at school, she is a proud member of the Las Vegas Stars Cheer Squad. Aliya enjoys watching her beloved UNLV Rebels basketball team, NY Giants football team and SF Giants baseball team play! To help give back to the community, Aliya has been volunteering for the past two years with the Camp Invention program and is serving as a Madrichim for the Temple Sinai Religious School, where she has received her own Jewish education since starting at Shenker Academy in the two year old class (The Ducklings!). Aliya loves to travel and enjoys spending time with her family and friends. Family will be traveling from both coasts to attend and celebrate this event. Her parents: Larry, Kelly, Jon and Dara; her siblings: Nathan, Harrison, Jonni, Megan, Molly, Tyler, and her grandmother, Barbara Epstein, could not be more proud of her and her accomplishments.
By provoking thoughts and discussions over our traditional texts we teach our next generation Judaism in their language, pace, and tools. In the upcoming month of November we will focus on our 4 th and 5th grade Tikkun Olam as we will ask you to donate old clothes and old shoes from adults. We will work on cleaning and preparing your donation to delivery before the winter hits.
Tots Shabbat Friday, November 7th
Wishing you a Shabbat Shalom,
6:15 PM to 6:45 PM Dr. Sharon Knafo Education & Youth Director
Bring your little ones, ages 1-5 for a lovely service just for kids! Events by Juls Full Service Event Planners Las Vegas, Nevada 702-204-6602 cell 702-233-6469 fax
www.eventsbyjuls.com Julie Littmann
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November 2014
ממועדון אחיות שלכם ow, November is here, the holidays have passed with spiritual songs and inspirational words. I hope everyone enjoyed our annual Gala as we celebrated the next phase of Temple Sinai. Now it is time for Sisterhood to focus on building programs for our congregants. As I look around at our beautiful Temple I see people meeting, youth groups sharing and planning new adventures, choir and music rehearsals, educational programs, committees congregating, and staff running off to handle various tasks. People are coming and going, dropping off and picking up. The energy in the Temple is boundless and has washed away all the dust from construction and anxiety from change. It is akin to the birth of a child, our child, and it is time to nourish and protect our progeny. Of course we all have dreams for its future, but today all we need to do is love and protect. Help us love and protect by being involved in temple activities, support our capital campaign for its future and provide a solution for every concern. With this congregational approach our Temple will grow up to be a caring, community-driven resource for all that cross its threshold. Sisterhood is leading by example with programs for all Temple members. Zumba classes every Thursday from 7pm-8pm ($5/class or 5 classes for $20) – Come work out with friends and don’t worry if you are new; the classes will be age and skill-level appropriate starting November 6th at the Temple. Game Night will be held the 1st Wednesday of each month – Mah Jong, Rummikub, Card Games and more will be offered in the Library starting at 6pm. Partake in playful competition, bring your friends and make new friends starting November 5th. Every member of Sisterhood is invited to our Chico Fashion Show and Brunch Sunday November 16th 10am-1pm. This event is complimentary to all Sisterhood members. Please RSVP Barbara Stallone at barbstallone@yahoo.com and new members are welcome to join!!!! The Sisterhood’s NEW Gift Shop is OPEN – The NEW hours of operation are: Fridays 6pm-7:30pm, Sundays 9am-1pm and Tuesday 4:30pm-6:00pm and always by appointment look for Jan Shumow. The Sisterhood Gift Shop is NOW OFFERING INVITATIONS for any celebration! Get your Bar/Bat Mitzvah shopping done in one convenient location! Don’t be shy…..shop, shop and shop…we will buy more! Sisterhood is still looking for fun-loving conscientious ladies to join the fun, contact Resa Snyder for more information at resasnyder@cox.net . As always, any woman who is a member of Temple Sinai is welcome to join the Sisterhood. I have met so many wonderful women and know there are many more of you to still meet. I get weekly updates on new members joining and it just tickles me that we have such a warm, smart and strong group of women. Shalom, Tina Drago
ממועדון אחים שלכם erpetual Thanksgiving “I am grateful for what I am and have. My thanksgiving is perpetual. . . My breath is sweet to me. O how I laugh when I think of my vague indefinite riches. No run on my bank can drain it, for my wealth is not possession but enjoyment.” – Henry David Thoreau October was certainly a busy month! As a synagogue family, we celebrated Yom Kippur, Sukkot, Shmini Atzeret, and Simchat Torah, and we had a great time at the Gala honoring Rick Hollander. Some of us used the Holloween costume sales around town to find that perfect idea for Purim. As a Men’s Club, we built the congregational sukkah in the new courtyard (special thanks to Les Gilbert, Mark Sample, and Phil Scully for their hard work), played a little softball, and got a “view from the bench” hearing from local judges (and Men’s Club members/partners) Ron Israel, Elissa Cadish, and Craig Friedberg at our monthly breakfast. Now, as we enter the month of November, Chanukah is still over a month away, and, as the weather cools off, we take a collective breather, right? But wait! Family and friends are coming, and there is a feast to prepare! Yes, of course, Thanksgiving, that most beloved and universal of American holidays, is on its way. As Jews, we may not have invented the concept of gratitude, but we were certainly among the first people in human history to make the concept of giving thanks (bikkurim) a commandment. Our tradition is full of blessings and prayers of thanksgiving, from the prayer said each morning thanking G-d for restoring our soul after sleep, to the shehecheyanu, to the thrice-daily prayers thanking G-d for miracles great and small, to the brachot before and after meals – we even have a blessing thanking the Eternal One for allowing us to successfully use the restroom! Indeed, as Jews, our thanksgiving is meant to be, as Thoreau puts it, “perpetual.” Every moment of the day, every simple act of life, presents an opportunity to express thanks, both to G-d and to our fellow human beings. The Talmud even tells us that a Jew who does not engage in regular, perpetual thanksgiving may rightly fall under suspicion as a “faker” of the Jewish faith! Indeed, Rabbi Benjamin Blech has suggested that we are rightly described not only as the People of the Book, but also the People of Gratitude. The Men’s Club of Temple Sinai wishes all of you a Happy Thanksgiving. And we take this opportunity to express our thanks to all the men (and women!) of our congregation who have given their time and talents (and membership dues!) toward our mission to support the endeavors of Temple Sinai in so many countless ways. The Men’s Club will continue to show its perpetual gratitude to G-d and the synagogue through regular contributions of service, money, and leadership. We will proceed as we always have, secure in our conviction that gratitude is a fundamental building block for repairing the world. If you are looking for more to be thankful for, and more ways to express your gratitude, I hope you will join us. May you have a blessed and joyous Thanksgiving holiday! Kol Tuv, Sean Lyttle
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שופר סיני November 2014
Through The Lens A Mini Series by Rabbi Malcolm Cohen: Discussing Movies With Jewish Themes November 4, 11, 25, 7-8pm, in the Learning Center: In each of these sessions, we will watch selected clips of the movies and discuss them. 4th: The Invention Of Lying: British Comedian Ricky Gervais lives in a world where everyone tells the truth. When he starts to think outside the box, he turns that world upside down, with hilarious and moving consequences. 11th: Walk On Water: A German tourist in Israel builds a friendship with his Israeli guide but not all is as it seems. 25th: The Infidel: A Muslim taxi driver in London makes a startling discovery and gets to know his Jewish neighbor as a result (this movie also features the street where Rabbi Cohen’s family used to live!). “NEXT YEAR IN JERUSALEM!!” How many times have you heard someone say “Next Year in Jerusalem”? Why not make it a reality? Experience Israel’s unique and fascinating culture and its meaningful, awe-inspiring history firsthand while deepening your connection with the people and the State of Israel. Temple Sinai is organizing the trip of a lifetime: a 13 day, 11 night fully-guided tour of Israel. You will stay in luxury 4-Star hotels and travel in complete safety and comfort. Your tour guides are government-certified. You will spend 5 nights in Jerusalem, 2 nights in Upper Galilee and 3 nights in Tel Aviv (final night travelling back to Las Vegas). For a portion of the trip you will be accompanied by Rabbi Cohen. Among the many amazing, historic sites you will visit are The Western Wall, the Old City of Jerusalem, the Knesset, Yad Vashem (the memorial and museum dedicated to the Holocaust), Masada and the Shrine of the Book (home of the Dead Sea Scrolls). You will have a chance to float in the Dead Sea, to visit a Kibbutz and to spend some of your free time walking along the beach and the boardwalk in Tel Aviv. For just $2,765 per person (land tour only), double occupancy, you can experience the wonders of Israel. Single accommodations are available for an additional $1,095 per person. Your trip will begin on April 14, 2015, and includes a full breakfast every day and a total of 2 lunches and 3 dinners. A deposit of $500 per person will reserve your spot. Make your reservation early! Space is limited! To learn more about the itinerary or for more information on how you can be part of this fantastic journey to “The Land of Milk and Honey”, please contact Phil Scully by email (scully2730@aol.com) or by calling the Temple office (702-254-5110). Don’t miss out on a trip that will provide you with many incredible memories that will last for a lifetime.
What’s ahead in our Torah? Oct 31- Nov 1 Lech Lecha Abram goes forth from his father’s house to be God’s partner as the founder of the Jewish people. Abram has a son, Ishmael, with his Egyptian maidservant, Hagar. November 7-8 Vayeira Abraham welcomes three visitors, who announce that Sarah will soon have a son, Isaac. Abraham argues with God over Sodom and Gomorrah. We read the famous story of the binding of Isaac. November 14-15 Chaye Sarah Abraham purchases the cave of Machpelah in order to bury his wife Sarah. His servant meets Rebekah's family and then takes Rebekah to Isaac November 21-22 Toledot Rebekah has twins, Esau and Jacob. The second story of sibling rivalry unfolds, with mom’s help! November 28-29 Vayetze Jacob’s famous dream of angels going up and down a ladder. Laban tricks Jacob into marrying Leah; he works another 7 years for Rachel. Presented by the Temple Sinai Ritual Committee
WE WISH ALL OUR CONGREGANTS A VERY HAPPY, HEALTHY AND BOUNTIFUL THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY SEASON MYRON AND PHYLLIS BERNSTEIN AND FAMILIES
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November 2014
לימכנסת סיניודים לאורך החיים בבית
Temple Sinai is a warm and welcoming Reform Jewish community engaged in lifelong learning, social justice, and soulful worship. Lifelong Learning (Torah) – Wherever you find yourself, we want to help you get to the next stage of your Jewish journey. We offer formal and informal opportunities for learners to find genuine meaning and answers to keenly felt moral questions and personal issues within the Jewish tradition. You will notice that we have a wonderful range of events from stand-alone events to three-session mini-courses to two-year in depth study. For this congregation the social experience of learning is extremely important alongside the content of our study. We hope that you will deepen your connections to our heritage and each other as you move to the next stage of your journey. L’shalom/To Peace Rabbi Malcolm Cohen Adult Bar Mitzvah Course Contact Rabbi Cohen at rabbi@templesinailv.org or (702) 254-5110 if you are interested in learning on a deeper level with a group of Temple Sinai members with a view to culminating the course of study in a bar mitzvah ceremony. Conversion Class Contact Rabbi Cohen at rabbi@templesinailv.org or (702) 254-5110 if you have thought of converting to Judaism. Florence Melton Adult Mini-School The Florence Melton Adult Mini-School is a world pioneer in the field of adult Jewish education. The Mini-School, a social franchise, forms an international network of community-based schools offering adults the opportunity to acquire Jewish literacy in an open, trans-denominational, intellectually stimulating learning environment. The Florence Melton Adult Mini-School is the largest pluralistic adult Jewish education network in the world. For details of the Vegas branch at which Rabbi Cohen teaches, speak to Lynn Wexler-
Margolies at las_vegas@fmams.org.il or (702) 8755387. Sisterhood & Men’s Club Both of these groups work within the synagogue to provide fascinating speakers and educational events. Senior Committee This committee will also connect you with learning opportunities around the valley. Look out for their events through our communications. Religious School and Youth Group Our Religious school offers formal and informal learning opportunities for young people from prekindergarten age through High School. For more information, please contact the Temple office. Tuition $5$500 K - 2nd Grade $625 3rd - 7th Grade $400 8th - 12th Grade Discount for Each Additional Child (after the first) $50 Saturday Morning Torah Study Sessions Saturdays, 10:00 am - 11:30 am in the sanctuary Shabbat Morning services enhanced by a stimulating Torah study session, held during the service. All are welcome. No RSVP required. Social Media Follow us on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram @templesinailv
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שופר סיני November 2014
ימי הולדת Joshua Joshua Cassondra Lisa Alyne Zachariah George Marilyn Lior Remy Laura Jocelyn Tal Mark Jeffrey Jon Karen Andrew Tina Joshua Jillian Elaine Gabriela Jake Rachel Michael Matthiew Elaine Marsha Joel Sara Phyllis Joseph Lauren
Weinberger Reyes Samuels Cohler Safdeye Rahaman Rivers Landers Mare Schlossberg Coleman Goldman Minuskin Kosowsky Ballin Taffer Leader Feigenson Yan Knox Potashnick Berger Silverman Friedlander Gewelber Leven De Castro Friedman Seiden Altman Bagwin Feinberg Barishman Ritter
11/1 11/1 11/1 11/1 11/1 11/1 11/2 11/2 11/3 11/3 11/4 11/4 11/5 11/5 11/7 11/7 11/7 11/7 11/8 11/8 11/9 11/10 11/10 11/10 11/12 11/13 11/13 11/13 11/13 11/13 11/13 11/14 11/14 11/14
Sherry Francine Benjamin Arlene Scott Talia Gizella Susana EJ Lauren Eric Abbigail Fay Steve Irwin Richard Ann Michael Marge Joel Sarah Mordecai Sydney Debra Nate Roy Joseph Karen Taylor Les Elyse Max Julia Dina Vivian
אזכרות Friend Scott Koppe Weber Harris Krumkop Descalu Abrams Shulman Smith Littmann Klein Fisher Minkoff Raymer Hollander Kaplan Rosenblum Nordell Shinder Stevens Arin Israel Spero White Abrams Gewelber Mairs King Gilbert Kraft Berman Dreitzer Knafo Yager
11/14 11/14 11/14 11/14 11/15 11/15 11/15 11/16 11/18 11/19 11/21 11/21 11/21 11/21 11/22 11/23 11/23 11/23 11/23 11/23 11/23 11/24 11/24 11/25 11/26 11/26 11/27 11/28 11/28 11/29 11/29 11/29 11/29 11/30 11/30
Alexander Flora Edna Rochelle Sheldon Herb Bernice Howard Leonard Charles Ben Frances Martin Irving Oscar Louis Ben Rachel Harry Fred Harriet Parilee Adele Joseph Mark Nathan Pearl Beryl Jacki Hannah
Jenner Schuman Lipman Goldstein Factor Silverman Barstack Silber Copeland Seiden Bliman Shinder Parness Medoff Lauren Hirsch Fishel Stenzel Alter Kesselman Lyons Crum Pollack Mann Isaacs Joseph Stenzel Braverman Marcus Pfeiffer
11/1 11/2 11/2 11/3 11/3 11/3 11/4 11/4 11/4 11/5 11/6 11/7 11/7 11/8 11/9 11/10 11/10 11/10 11/11 11/12 11/14 11/14 11/15 11/15 11/15 11/16 11/16 11/17 11/17 11/17
Miriam Dorothy Ruth Simon Beth Evelyn Abraham Maurice Helen Irving Michelle Patricia Rebecca Ralph Richard Helen Leo James Herman Nanci Sol George Renee Leo Florence Louis Kate Carolyn Barbara Joseph
Lipstein Rosen Kamensky Herskovic Berman Roen Rudnick Erlich Levenberg Kublin Raymer Twining Glazerman Schucker Pandukht Seiden Abrams Deutschkron Grill Hartenstein Eisenberg Snyder Jaffe Braverman Podolny Vinocur Rosen Brown Ramoy Bloom
11/18 11/18 11/18 11/18 11/19 11/19 11/19 11/19 11/19 11/20 11/20 11/20 11/21 11/22 11/22 11/24 11/25 11/25 11/25 11/25 11/25 11/26 11/27 11/27 11/27 11/27 11/27 11/27 11/28 11/29
ימי נישואין Andrew & Gregory & Jason & Joel & Edward & Eric & Irv & Mickey & Richard & Julie & Ivan & Elaine & Burt & Janice & Nancy & Adam & Leslie & Leonard & Stephen & Eliah & Victor & Marla & Mitch &
Suzanne Nancy Camille Marci Ann Julie Nancy Laura Donna Paul Marcia Shel Sheila Steven Robert Ryan Karyn Bonnie Susan Eileen Karly Lawrence Debra
Feigenson Koppe Naaktgeboren Altman Jenner Littmann Weinberger Coleman Hollander Vigil Lambert Schaffer Galper Hoffman Sherman Reisman Silber Samuels Joseph Atlas Perez Rudnick Altman
11/2 11/2 11/2 11/4 11/7 11/7 11/8 11/9 11/9 11/9 11/11 11/13 11/15 11/15 11/16 11/21 11/21 11/23 11/25 11/27 11/27 11/28 11/29
11th anniversary 12th anniversary 15th anniversary 8th anniversary 60th anniversary 21st anniversary 22nd anniversary 54th anniversary 31st anniversary 17th anniversary 57th anniversary 59th anniversary 56th anniversary 50th anniversary 6th anniversary 18th anniversary 32nd anniversary 48th anniversary 36th anniversary 38th anniversary 10th anniversary 8th anniversary 6th anniversary
שופר סיני
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November 2014
הזדמנויות פרסום וחסות בבית כנסת סיני Fellow Members: This is easy and important. You can get all the help you need. Please read below. An easy and important way you can help support your Temple is by supporting our advertising and sponsorship programs. We need your help in finding advertisers. The programs are: Shofar advertising - starting at $15 is a really good deal for businesses in the area. They get to 350 families in print or on-line. All we need to contact them are a person’s name and their e-mail address. We take care of the rest. Please volunteer some names and addresses. See below. E-blast Sponsorship - The weekly e-blast can contain add -on advertising. The advertiser gets 5 weekly e-blasts for $18. Very easy but effective way to get to the 600 e-mails on our list. Here again, all we need is the person’s name and their e-mail address. We take care of the rest. Shabbat Flyer Sponsorship - Personal messages may be displayed in the flyer. e.g. Sponsor in honor of your anniversary or birthday. An easy way to support your Temple and it is only $18. This may be coordinated with Oneg Shabbat sponsorships. To do any of the above or to supply information requested above, contact Shel Kolner (702.228.4744 or 702.334.8914) or send an e-mail to trushel@earthlink.net.
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צדקה Many members have been asking how they can make donations to Temple Sinai for various things. The following list….Eitz Tzedakah…the Tree of Donations delineates all the opportunities starting at the lowest. It also lists who to contact for these items. You can always contact the Tzedakah chairperson if you have any questions or suggestions. (Shel Kolner 702.334.8914). In the near future, further explanations will be made. Below are the frequently asked questions. Temple Sinai Eitz Tzedakah The Tree of Donations Tributes Tributes Listed in the Shofar Birthday/Anniversary/Yahrzeits Monthly ad in Shofar Shabbat Flyer Sponsorship E-blast Monthly Sponsorship Honey Sales - Rosh Hashanah Note Card Bundle of 7 Siddur Tree of Life Leaves Tree of Life Pebbles Pavers Bima Flowers Memorial Plaque - Member Memorial Plaque - Non-member Reserved Memorial Plaque Oneg Shabbat Sponsorship Sustainability Campaign Yizkor Booklet (Yom Kippur)
Minimum Donation $8.00 $18.00 Various-no minimum $15.00 + $18.00 $18.00 $10.00 $36.00 $54.00 $100.00 $150.00* $180.00 $225.00* $118.00 $200.00 $250.00 $400.00* $500.00* Add $60.00 $300.00 Various, no minimum Various
Contact Office Office Office Shel Kolner Shel Kolner Shel Kolner Dorothy Cohen/Phyllis Feigenson Sisterhood Gift Shop Donna Hollander Jackie Kolner Jackie Kolner Jackie Kolner Office Shel Kolner Shel Kolner Office Julie Littmann Marge Nordell
*New donation level as of 1.1.15 Contact Numbers Office Dorothy Cohen Phyllis Feigenson Sisterhood Gift Shop
702.254.5110 ext. 1 702.228.7040 973.525.7799 702.254.5110 ext. 1
Donna Hollander Jackie Kolner Julie Littmann Marge Nordell
702.256.8234 702.228.4744 702.254.5110 702.896.1610
Frequently Asked questions. Q1. Can I designate the donation to go to various funds? Yes the funds available include The General Fund, Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund, Cantor’s Discretionary Fund, the Endowment Fund, the Gertrude Scholarship Fund, the Religious School Fund and The Richard Greenberg Memorial Fund.
Q2. What are the Pavers? These are the bricks in the courtyard. When all the details are completed, members will be able to dedicate pavers with names on them. Q3. I want to see what the Note Card Bundle of 7 is. Where can I see them? In the Sisterhood Gift shop. These cards allow you to write personal notes to family and friends. The card indicates a donation was made to the Temple Sinai General Fund. Q4. When will the Tree of Life be installed? It is now installed. Orders may be placed. Q5. Do I have to pay all at once for larger donation items? Memorial Plaques may be charged over a 4 month period. The contact can help you with this.
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November 2014
צדקה לתחנון כל נדרי Roy Abrams Eric Blank Mr. & Mrs. Sidney Blum Mr. & Mrs. Paul Drago Dr. Barry & Mrs. Dyana Duman Ms. Phyllis Feinberg Mr. & Mrs. Richard Frankoff Mr. David Friedland Mr. & Mrs. Les Gilbert Mr. & Mrs. Edward Goldenberg Ms. Nicole Goldstein Mr. Nachum Golodner & Mrs. Kate Harris-Golodner Mr. & Mrs. John Helms Mr. & Mrs. Richard Hollander Robert & Jamie Houston Mr. & Mrs. John Isaacs Mr. & Mrs. Sydney Israel Stephanie Joseph Mr. & Mrs. Minao Kamegai Mr. & Mrs. Jack Kaufman Mr. & Mrs. Stanley Kaufman Dr. Sharon & Dina Knafo Mr. & Mrs. Scott Knox Mr. & Mrs. Shel Kolner Mr. & Mrs. Mark Kosowsky Dr. Howard & Mrs. Jacalynne Kramer Mr. & Mrs. Mordecai Labovitz Mr. & Mrs. Scott Leader Mr. Robert Levin & Mrs. Eileen (Bellsey) Levin Mr. & Mrs. Eric Littmann Mr. & Mrs. Sean Lyttle Mr. & Mrs. Donald Marcus Donations Miscellaneous Mr. & Mrs. Mark Ostrovsky Dr. Patricia Pierce Jaime Pollack & Susanne Stark Adam Reisman & Ryan Reisman Dr. Michael & Mrs. Angela Resnick Mr. & Mrs. Renato Ritter Ms. Glenda Rogers Mr. & Mrs. Asher Rogow Mr. & Mrs. Mark Sample Mr. & Mrs. Gerald Schwartz Mr. & Mrs. Lawrence Schwartz Mr. & Mrs. David Shapiro Mr. & Mrs. Lester Sherman Mr. & Mrs. Leslie Silber Mr. & Mrs. Howard Silverman Mr. & Mrs. Archie Weitman
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צדקה
antor’s Discretionary Fund Mr. & Mrs. Myron Bernstein Mr. & Mrs. Shel Kolner Mr. & Mrs. Stuart Stein
Samala Goldberg Mr. & Mrs. Spencer Parness
eligious School Fund Marshall & Carol Abramson
ichard Greenberg Memorial Fund eneral Mr. & Mrs. Myron Bernstein in honor of Barbara Stallone's Father Mr. & Mrs. Sidney Blum Daniel Brown Mr. & Mrs. Harold Brown Mr. & Mrs. Mickey Coleman Mr. Franklin Curhan Mr. Andrew Franco Mr. & Mrs. Frank Friedlander Mr. & Mrs. Les Gilbert Mr. & Mrs. Arthur Greenberg Mr. Ilan Dascalu & Julie Kale Mr. & Mrs. Seymour Kaplan Mr. & Mrs. Harry Kelman Ms. Dorothy Klegerman in memory of Irving Klegerman Jacob & Susan Klein Mr. & Mrs. Jeffrey Klein Mr. & Mrs. Mark Kosowsky Mr. & Mrs. Scott Leader Mr. & Mrs. Michael Leven Mr. & Mrs. Irwin Levine Mr. & Mrs. Peter Lipman Mr. & Mrs. Scott Mairs E & Linda Salmons Mr. & Mrs. Mark Sample Mrs. Janice Shumow Mr. & Mrs. Lou Tarter Mr. & Mrs. Gould Mr. & Mrs. Irv Weinberger Elaine Stone Colburn Leo J. Shapiro in honor of Mike Leven Anonymous Donation in honor of Mr. & Mrs. Jack Kaufman
abbi’s Discretionary Fund Mr. & Mrs. Myron Bernstein Ellen Grossman Mr. Neal Klegerman Mr. & Mrs. Shel Kolner Donations Miscellaneous Lillian Radomsky Dr. & Mrs. Steven Sanders Mr. & Mrs. Jay Schwartz in honor of Lana's Birthday Mr. & Mrs. Shinder Lunda Salmons
Cheryl Bame Greg & Tera Safdeye in memory of Richard Greenberg Mr. & Mrs. Myron Bernstein Speedy Recovery for Gale Labovitz Georgia Kaplan Kuo-Haber, Sheryl, MD Mr. & Mrs. Greenberg in honor of Lisa Schnitz' Birthday Mr. & Mrs. Greenberg in honor of Marlee Rogow's Birthday Richard Baker and Lisa Polito Orvilyn Ordonez-Frey Celia Juarigue Tina Tuskewicz Johnna and Mattew Fafka Vincent Vigil Mr. & Mrs. Peter Lipman Mr. & Mrs. Ahser Rogow in memory of Richard Greenberg
orah Fund Mr. & Mrs. Seymour Kaplan All donations received after the tenth of the month will be included in next month's publication
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November 2014
חדשות בית כנסת סיני
Safe Nest Drop Off Box Temple Sinai continues its support for Safe Nest by housing a drop off box on site. Safe Nest is Nevada’s largest and most comprehensive charity devoted solely to domestic violence issues. Safe Nest’s programs are concentrated in four areas of service: shelter, counseling, advocacy and prevention. Safe Nest accepts clothing, toys and baby supplies. For a comprehensive list please visit their website www.safenest.org . The drop off box is located on west side of the property next to the structure which holds our garbage bin. For donation receipts please see Kim/Lisa in the office.
Prayerbooks for Dedication Prayer Books are available to honor or memorialize an event or person. For a donation of $54 you can dedicate a Mishkan T’fillah Prayerbook and then it will be added to the prayerbooks available for use in the Sanctuary. Please call Kim/ Lisa to arrange your donation.
Change to Donation Levels Effective January 1, 2015 the following donation levels are being changed. Current levels are in place until then. Tzedakah Item Current Price Tree of Life Leaves $100.00 Tree of Life Pebbles $180.00 Memorial Plaques - Member $250.00 Memorial Plaques - non Member $250.00
New Price $150.00 $225.00 $400.00 $500.00
Contact Shel Kolner for more information.
Please Welcome our New Members
Vivian & Stacey Yager Alan & Erin Dickler Shimon & Hannah Peress Ilan Dascalu & Julie & Gizella Kale Sheppy & Mindy Herskovic Debbie Gregory & Steven Glucoft Ric Besmanoff Jerry Rosenberg & Nancy Taylor Daniel Schwartz & Joan Lessman Juliet, Helen, & Kathleen McCarthy
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18
November 2014
The following will fill you in on the Retreat 5 plans and how to join us for a warm, spiritual and get-to-know-your-fellow-members weekend. It promises to be great for you and your children. What: A weekend like no other with our clergy, Rabbi Cohen and Cantor Gindlin, our Education Director, Sharon Knafo, and minions of your fellow congregants. Place: The Resort on Mount Charleston Dates: June 5 - 7, 2015 Starting Time: 5:00 p.m. Jewish Standard Time Costs: $420 per family double occupancy; $275 single occupancy; Children 3-8 $42; Children 9-12 $82. No birth certificates necessary. We are striving to: buy out the hotel so it will only be Temple Sinai families in the “bubble.” provide a spiritually religious weekend - pray, learn, laugh, eat, enjoy! provide children 3-12 with a full experience they will totally enjoy. Rooms are on a first-come-first-served basis as there is no elevator in the hotel. The 2nd and 3rd floors require 15 steps per floor. Those who can handle the steps will be asked to take the upper floors. Special dietary rules will be adhered to. The hotel will be told not to mix milk and meat products and, of course, there will be no pork or shellfish served. For those who have special needs, arrangements will be made. Please fill out the application. As you can see, we are trying to make it as easy as possible for everyone to join us. Payments may be paid out over a 4 month period. We are asking for a deposit of $150.00 and the rest may be paid in 3 installments. Of course payment in full is acceptable. Once the final payment is received, the space will be allocated. For your information, one room was offered to the Gala committee as a drawing prize. The Gala Committee paid for the room. The Retreat committee is offering a room as a prize for the general membership. Tickets will be $10 each with the winner getting the full Retreat package for 2. This retreat is not a fund-raiser. Any donations raised in the drawing or in any other way, above and beyond the family donations, will be used to improve the weekend. The committee is working very hard to bring this to everyone so please feel free to discuss with us any issues you may have. Thank you to our hard working committee members: Suzanne Feigenson, Jackie Kolner, Shel Kolner, Eileen Levin, Sandy Marcus, Don Marcus, Ryan Reisman, Eileen Sherman, Laura Sussman
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Your input is vital for the success of Temple Sinai. We need to know what you are thinking in order to serve you in the best way we can. Please feel free to contact your board at talktotheboard@templesinailv.org. We look forward to hearing from you!
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20
November 2014
The following businesses help support our Temple! Please make an effort to help support them as well.
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November 2014
Temple Sinai Personal Tribute Cards Have you seen the personal tribute cards? If not, they are available in our new Sisterhood gift shop. Stop and take a look. These cards match our standard tribute cards but are used to send personal notes. They allow you to convey your personal sentiments to family and friends while still indicating to them that a donation was made in their honor to the Temple Sinai general fund. The cards are available in 7-packs for $36.00. They are also available by calling Dorothy Cohen (702.228.7040) or Phyllis Feigenson (973.525.7799). Talk to the ladies or stop in at the gift shop. You will be happy you did.
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Wednesday, November 26th, 2014
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November 2014
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November 2014
9001 Hillpointe Road Las Vegas, NV 89134 Return Service Requested
Phone 702.254.5110 Fax 702.254.0997 Email info@templesinailv.org Union for Reform Judaism In Summerlin Don’t Forget to make sure you are getting your eNews Blasts! Send email to enews@templesinailv.org
www.templesinailv.org
To advertise please call Shel Kolner at 702-334-8914 or email: advertising@templesinailv.org
Ad Size
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Business card
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Quarter page
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