February 2016 Kol Tikvah

February 2016 • Volume 30 • Issue 2

A Reform Congregation Embracing Our Jewish Tradition

Saturday, March 12th

News & Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah

HaMakom Yenahem….The Mitzvah of Comfort Another reason to attend the funeral and/or shivah minyan is understood in the mitzvah of menachem avel, comforting the mourner. Comforting means simply being with the grieving family, letting them know that they are not alone in their pain, and that you care. Often our American values lead us to believe that we should be “chatting”, to make the mourners feel better.

In reality grief is a very personal thing and our Jewish tradition teaches that the mourner should be permitted to sit with their grief. As such, one who comes to comfort need not say a thing to the mourner. All one really needs to do is to be present. If one wishes to offer a thought, the traditional words of comfort are sufficient “HaMakom yenachem et'chem b'toch shar avay'lay Tzion vee'Yerushalayim. May you be comforted among the mourners of Israel and Jerusalem” – another reminder to the mourner that he or she is not alone.

The Hebrew word mitzvah is related to the Aramaic word “tzavta,” meaning connection.

The mitzvot are the Jewish pathways to connect with God and with people. They enable us to see the sacred in the mundane, and they create bridges connecting people across space and time.

Mitzvot help us expand our awareness of ourselves and open us to the realization that we are interconnected with the Holy One. R. Moshe Smolkin Our Temple Beth Tikvah family has seen a number of deaths these past few months- both of congregants and extended family members of congregants. Out of love and concern, many TBT folks have been calling or stopping by my office to ask about appropriate practices associated with our Jewish tradition around burial and mourning. One of the most frequently asked question has been about the appropriateness of attending a funeral or shiva minyan if one wasn’t “close with, or actually knew, the deceased”.

When making a “shiva call”, it is appropriate to bring prepared foods, because the family who is mourning should not be concerned with cooking or feeding themselves. This is another way a community takes care of the bereaved. Traditional practices one may encounter at the home of the mourner may include a pitcher of water outside the front door to wash one’s hands. This custom has many sources, but the most common reason is to symbolically wash off any impurities associated with the cemetery and death. One may find mirrors in the home of the bereaved covered. This practice comes from the custom that those in mourning should not be concerned with their physical appearance. Finally, some mourners choose to sit on low chairs during the shiva period. This symbolizes the humility and pain of the mourner being “brought low” by the passing of a loved one.

The answer to this question can be found in our morning liturgy, in the teaching Eilu Devarim: These are things one is rewarded for in this life, but for which the principle reward is in the world to come: Honoring our parents, acts of loving kindness, visiting the house of study daily, welcoming the stranger, visiting the sick, providing for a bride, accompanying the dead for burial, deep prayer, making peace between a man and his friend, and Torah study is equal to all of these.

From this, we learn that levayat hamet, accompanying the dead for burial, is considered a mitzvah. Our Jewish tradition places great value on the nature of burying the dead. It is considered an act of chesed shel emet-the purest act of kindness, because the beneficiary cannot express thanks or reciprocate. The bereaved family fulfills this obligation with the assistance of the community as a way to honor the life that once walked the earth.

To get back to the initial question posed “Should I attend the funeral or shiva minyan for one who I may not have known?”

The answer is unequivocally Yes, because it is a kind thing, it is what we do when we are part of a sacred community, and because it is a mitzvah that assures no one ever stands alone by the grave of someone they love.

Joy and Sadness are all a part of life- May we all find ways to be present for one another as we navigate this gift called life, and in so doing we will bring blessing to one another.

Kol Tuv,

Interested in learning more about the mitzvoth associated with Jewish burial and mourning practices? The Michael Benjamin Zalkin Memorial Library has a fine collection of books on this topic: A Time to Mourn, A Time to Comfort ,Ron Wolfson Jewish Insights on Death and Mourning Rabbi Jack Riemer The Jewish Way in Death and Mourning, Rabbi Maurice Lamm When Bad Things Happen to Good People Rabbi Harold Kushner To Begin Again: The Journey Towards Comfort, Strength & Faith in Difficult Times Rabbi Naomi Levy

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News & Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah

Notes from Cantor Kassel LEAP ‘YEAR’ & LEAP ‘MONTH’ WHY WE HAVE A QUIRKY HEBREW CALENDAR! This year in the ‘civil’ calendar we’ll be having the added leap day of February 29 t which as you know, happens every four years. The Hebrew calendar evolves around a nineteen year cycle, seven times during which there is an additional MONTH, Adar “II”. When this happens the first month of Adar is known as Adar I and the additional month of Adar is known as Adar II. Purim always falls during the month of Adar but during these leap months it occurs during Adar II, making you wait just a little bit longer for this fun holiday.

The reason for such a quirky Hebrew calendar is to insure that certain holidays remain associated with specific seasons of the year: Sukkot in the Fall, Chanukah in the Winter, Passover in the Spring. It is an intentional reconciliation of both the solar and lunar calendars.

The Hebrew calendar is very slowly getting out of sync with the solar calendar, at a rate of four days per one thousand years. One day in the distant future, it will be necessary to make further adjustments so that we won’t be celebrating Passover in October!

This year, may you make the most of your extra day and extra month!

SHABBAT SHIRAH DO-OVER! FEBRUARY 19th at 8:00 PM It wasn’t exactly the snow and ice storm of January 2014 but back on January 22nd we had to cancel our musically extravagant Shabbat Shirah service due to the weather and concerns about driving to and from TBT. We are rescheduling the service to Friday, February 19th and hope that the weather will be more cooperative this time!

Religious School Religious school started back with many activities scheduled this month. The 2nd - 3rd grade family education day was lots of fun. Our students and their parents met with our Rabbi to make special Shema pillows together. They enjoyed hot cocoa and animal crackers and listened as the Rabbi shared a story with them.

Our teachers have been busy helping our students learn about Tu B’Shevat. Our 4th grade students presented a lovely Tu B'Shevat play for our entire school. We are continuing with our City presentations with Yehud leading off. Coming up soon the cities of Yokneam, Tiberius, Asdod, and Be'er Sheva will present their cities. All family members are invited to attend these lovely city presentations.

I would like to take a moment to tell you of my recent experience on my trip to Israel over the break.

On Friday, January 1st 2016, while I was visiting Israel, there was a terror attack in Tel Aviv.

During an afternoon gathering at a restaurant, a terrorist took a fire arm and fired towards a busy pub on Dizengoff street in Tel Aviv, causing chaos during which people died. All terror attacks are horrific but what sets this one apart is the fact that the terrorist was an Arab-Israeli. A citizen of the state of Israel who lives in Wadi Ara, an integral part of Israel. These Arab-Israeli citizens have the same rights and obligations as any other citizen of the country. They study in mixed schools for Jews and Arabs. They study at Haifa University and the Technion. These citizens work in the big cities and go to the same entertainment venues. They are an inseparable part of the country (the terror-

ists' father was a police volunteer). This terrorist had lived and worked in a northern neighborhood of Tel Aviv and knew the area well. The awful feeling that a citizen would carry out such a thing to my people (both Jews and Arabs were killed), frightens me. The feeling of fear and horror is inconceivable, let alone the fact that it happened in the center of Tel Aviv by an Israeli citizen.

Until then, terror attacks were carried out by Palestinians, a reality that has become somewhat of a routine for people here, people who do not allow fear and terror to influence or shape their daily lives. This reality did influence my daily routine during my visit. I was more cautious when planning my outings, more aware of my surroundings, particularly because the perpetrator had not been caught until my last day in Israel. It is a very troublesome feeling watching the news and receiving updates whenever there is a shooting, stabbing or someone running over people. Hearing reports about innocent bystanders who lose their lives in vain is very troubling. New Olim (Immigrants), children, women, young soldiers and men, it does not skip anyone. But at the same time, it does not affect the Israeli daily routines. I am proud of the Israeli people, who do not let these terror attacks change their lives. And today, more than ever, I am proud of Israel.

I will end with a quote from a well know Israeli song: “I have no other country, even if my land is burning…” (Ehud Manor) Shalom,

Hassia Levin 3

News and Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah

B’nai Mitzvah Emily “Emma” Leah Kremer will be called to the Torah as a Bat Mitzvah on February 20, 2016. Emma is the daughter of Karen and Rob Kremer of Roswell and sister to Jacob and Justin. Emma is the granddaughter of Ray Ann and George Shapiro of Buckhead and Vicky and Robert Eisner of Sandy Springs.

Emma is a seventh grader at Elkins Pointe Middle School where she participates in Junior Beta Club and helps special needs students in the Adaptive Learning program. She is also a member of the National Charity League.

In her spare time, she enjoys acting, singing and dancing at Platinum School of Performing Arts.

Nominating Committee - Call for Petitions Annual Meeting - May 22, 2016 The Temple Beth Tikvah Nominating Committee is requesting nominations by petition for the 2016-17 Board of Trustees, Officers and Board of Education.

If you would like to nominate a congregant or submit a nomination for yourself, these are the criteria, according to our by-laws: 1)

All nominations by petition must be separate for each position.

2)

Each petition must be signed by twenty-five (25) voting members* of the congregation and must also be signed by the voting member who has petitioned.

3)

No more than one (1) petition shall be submitted for any one member.

4)

All petitions must be submitted by March 1, 2016.

*According to our constitution a voting member is defined a “member in good standing”

Please send all petitions to the Temple office, Attention Todd Boehm, Nominating Committee Chair

We have an exciting day planned in celebration of Purim. In order to make it work smoothly we need parent volunteers!

Please help our children have a wonderful experience while having a great time yourself!

Make it a family day!!!!!

Please use link below or click on image to sign up http://tinyurl.com/hg8elx9

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News and Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah

ECEC Being a parent is the most difficult, yet most rewarding job in the world. There is no handbook or degree to prepare us for the daily challenges we face. Still we face those challenges head on and do the best we can to provide, encourage, care for, prepare, and love our children. But in order to be successful in all of our parenting tasks, we also must rely on help from others. Family, friends, teachers, coaches, clergy and others, all play an important role in “raising” our children. We are often reminded of the famous saying, “It takes a village to raise a child”, and it truly does. But as parents, how much are we relying on members of our village?

So...let me see if this sounds familiar to you. We drop our little one at school, knowing that for a few hours he/she will be well taken care of and that he/she will learn something new that day. We then speed out of the parking lot to spend our valuable hours doing errands, going to doctor appointments, working, and waiting for the cable guy. Before we know it, we are sitting in carpool line, picking up our preschooler and then off to accomplish more goals in our hectic day. We ask our exhausted child, “How was your day?”, “What did you do?”, “Who did you play with?”, “Did you have fun?” These questions are answered with, “I don’t know”, “Nothing”, “Suzy bit Bobby”, and “I found a rock on the playground.” We then continue about our day leaving all of the new learning that just happened in our midst.

Our children’s learning experiences must extend beyond the walls of school. As parents, we must recognize and take advantage of all of the “teachable moments” that occur on a daily basis. The “village” teachers are done for the day, and now it is our turn.

What a child learns in a Jewish Early Education Center goes beyond a typical learning experience. We encourage children to grow as Jews and to become lifelong learners. It is within our walls that children learn to express themselves as individuals as they come to learn and live a Jewish life.

The values and traditions that are taught only become a part of who they are if those same values and traditions continue to be taught at home. Celebrating Shabbat with your child is a wonderful way to begin a meaningful tradition with your family, while also making your child feel valued as he/she takes pride in what was learned at school by reciting the Sabbath prayers. It is the little things that make a difference in shaping our children.

Our village is a special one. One that we are proud to be a part of. We are always there to help, love and support, but in order to raise a “whole” child, all members of the village must work and cooperate together.

For more information or to take a tour of our wonderful school, please call me at 678-350-0076 or email preschool@bethtikvah.com.

Jenifer Friedman ECEC Director www.bethtikvahpreschool.com

Tu B’Shevat At TBT

News & Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah

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NEW! Streaming Services Now at TBT For several years now, our lay leaders have been wrestling with the idea of streaming our services using today’s current technologies. A lot of synagogues all over the country are doing it so why weren’t we? Our knee jerk response was, “Why would we want to give people a reason to stay home and not come to temple?” As the technology evolved, it allowed us to be able to offer limited access to live broadcast or recorded services. That made our decision much easier, not to mention a generous donation that covered the cost of the new equipment.

an email reminder of the scheduled broadcasts. We believe that this technology will allow our community to experience Shabbat services when they are unable to attend in person. You can’t replace the spiritual experience of actually being in our House of Hope and I certainly want to shake each of your hands and wish you a Shabbat Shalom but I know that offering the on-line version will allow some of our older members, world travelers and extended family members the ability to always have their spiritual home at TBT available with the click of a mouse.

Beginning in January, we have begun using our new equipment which will allow us to better meet the needs of our congregants and their extended families. As services will be recorded, we will be able to provide an mp4 download to our B’nai Mitzvah families. We had been using an old analog camera system to record B’nai Mitzvah services. This will be offered at a modest fee so we can cover our monthly expense of the streaming and recording service. Family members who can’t travel to Beth Tikvah due to distance or health reasons can be provided a code to watch the services live or recorded on Shabbat morning. Additionally, anyone else who would like the access code can get that from our office.

Please check out the new link on our web site. On our home page, there is a link that will take you to directly to www.bethtikvah.com/watch-services. Please remember to call the office or email lisa@bethtikvah.com for the weekly access code. You can also access our services using a Roku device that is connected to your TV. Just search your Roku for Religious channels and find the Streamspot channel, then scroll until you see Temple Beth Tikvah.

Friends, I am hopeful that this new technology will enhance our opportunities to engage in the core spiritual needs of our community. We want to extend the reach of our fantastic clergy to everyone who is part of our TBT family no matter where they are.

Friday night services will also be streamed live and recorded.

We have yet to decide if we will make all these recorded or live streamed services available to the general public but at a minimum, any congregant can request the access code to the live service or the recording. You can also subscribe to

L’Shalom

Ron Swichkow

Youth Group Join the HOTTY Facebook Page (https://www.facebook.com/groups/ TBT.HOTTY/) to stay up-to-date on what's happening and to RSVP for HOTTY events! Join our Remind101 text updates: text @826ef3 to 81010

HOTTY (9-12th Grade) From our Communications VP, Joey Chanin:

Junior Youth Group (7-8th Grade)

Time flies for HOTTYites! The December Broomball Latke-in was a blast, with around 50 participants. At temple, we played mixer games, lit menorahs, and split into four teams for broomball, which we played at the Cooler ice rink. After returning to temple, we participated in havdalah before watching movies and enjoying time with friends in the latke-in portion of the event. Pictures from the broomball latke-in can be found on the HOTTY facebook page. After Winter break, HOTTY welcomed the New Year with a regional winter kallah from January 15-18 at Camp Thunderbird in South Carolina, where elections were held for next year’s regional board. Before February kicks off, HOTTY looks forward to our annual Camp Jenny Fundraiser on January 30th, which will be bingo in the temple social hall. For those needing a brief summary of Camp Jenny, it is a summer camp hosted by NFTY-SAR over Memorial Day weekend at Camp Coleman in Cleveland, Georgia. The campers who attend Camp Jenny attend F.L. Stanton Elementary School in Atlanta, and must meet certain character standards such as participation in school and kindness towards others in order to go to Camp Jenny, where they enjoy the activities and atmosphere of camp, as well as the love and attention of their counselors, all of whom are NFTY-SAR teens. After the fundraiser, HOTTY begins February with a Youth Lounge Night on February 3rd, followed by the HOTTY-led congregational service and Shabbat dinner on February 26th.

On February 7th, JYG is giving back to the community. Join us for a Social Action Project followed by ice cream together. Watch your email and our Facebook pages for all the details.

Save-the-date: March 11-13th is NFTY-SAR’s Hatikvah Kallah for 7th & 8th Graders at Temple Kol Emeth in Marietta!!

We’ll send out more info about this awesome weekend as the date gets closer.

Join the JYG Facebook Page (https://www.facebook.com/groups/ TBT.JYG/) to stay up-to-date on what's happening and to RSVP for JYG events!

UPCOMING YOUTH GROUP EVENTS: February 3 – Youth Lounge Night (HOTTY) February 7 – Social Action Project (JYG) February 26 – HOTTY led congregational services & Shabbat Dinner

Want more info about the youth groups at TBT? Contact Adam or Bobbee at: youth@bethtikvah.com or (303) 981–2356

That’s all for now! Have a wonderful February!

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News and Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah

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TBT Seniors Luncheon Monday, February 8th at 12 PM Cantor Nancy Kassel will entertain and inform Please bring a grocery gift card to donate to JF&CS RSVP to Natine at rosen4348@aol.com

Greetings from Sisterhood! January has been active for Sisterhood and a big thank you goes out to our knitters and crotcheters making scarves for homeless adults through our Knit and Nosh program. This is a rewarding and meaningful project indeed! Our educational event, “Meditation and Stress Reduction Techniques,” was exceptional and a big thank you shout out to Joanne Cohen, presenter, and Ilene Monat for primarily planning this event.

Here’s to a busy February with lots of happenings to attend.

Please join us Wednesday, February 3rd, 7:15 pm, for Trivia Night at Roswell Tap. This is a joint venture with the Men’s Club and we hope you will be there for lots of fun, facts, and laughter.

Knit and Nosh is meeting Sunday, February 7th, at 9:45 am.

New and seasoned knitters and crotcheters are welcome to join in this creative tikkun olam project. Volunteers to assist with Bingo at the William Breman Jewish Home are needed for our host night, Wednesday, February 24th, at 7:30 p.m. Please sign up and join us for this lovely evening with our Jewish Seniors.

Our educational event of the month on Sunday, February 28th at 9:45 am is entitled, “Financial Planning Know How,” and is being spearheaded by our very own Alicia Sher. This program is particularly important for all of us as the knowledge of key components of financial planning for the present and future is so critical to your financial well being. I hope you will sign up and attend this most informative event.

Please sign up for Sisterhood sponsored onegs in the winter and spring, and to be a Shabbat greeter Friday nights or Saturday mornings. We look forward to seeing you!

Please join us for the 2nd Annual Sy Davis Memorial Blood Drive on Sunday March 6th from 8 am to 2 pm at the TBT Social Hall.

With such a dire need of blood in our community, we hope you will join us to make this Blood Drive even more successful than last year. Aside from blood donors, we are looking for volunteers to assist us on the day of the drive so please contact Terry Stein at 770-394-6157 or terry.stein@att.net and let him know if you will be able to assist. Even if you can only volunteer for only a few hours, we would greatly appreciate it.

Join Sisterhood for a book review of Naomi Ragen’s, The Devil in Jerusalem Led by Rabbi Shuval-Weiner We wanted to let you know so you have plenty of time to read the book!

Robin Bledsoe

Sisterhood Chair 8

News and Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah

Adult Ed TRIVIA Night!

Wednesday, February 3rd at 7:15 pm

Chavurot / Connections Corner

Adult Ed Is partnering with Sisterhood and Men's Club on something a bit different, a Trivia Night!

Join us at The Roswell Tap.

What Do You LOVE to Do?

Make a Chavurot connection in 2016!

New groups forming now: - Preschool Families - Parents ages 45+ with Young Children - Empty Nesters Interested in one of these? Send an email to tbtchavurot@gmail.com or fill out the interest form on bethtikvah.com

Introduction to Islam Sunday, March 6th at 10 am Our wonderful friends and neighbors from the Roswell Community Masjid will be coming to TBT for a very informative presentation and Q&A on Islam.

Book Review with Rabbi Shuval-Weiner Sunday, March 17th at 7 pm Adult Ed and Sisterhood are partnering to bring us an interesting discussion on Naomi Ragen’s book, The Devil in Jerusalem.

Love going to sporting events?

Cooking (and eating!) with others?

Hiking on Shabbat afternoons?

The Beginnings of Judaism

There's a TBT group for that!

Well, not yet, but you can make it happen.

Sundays 10 - 11:30 am in the Library

Starting NOW Chavurot will not only be formed according to demographics, but also by interests.

Much of what we know as Judaism is NOT in the Torah. How did we evolve from Torahmandated centralized worship only in Jerusalem to dispersed worship in synagogues today? What did the Torah's system of sacrifices and priests morph into, and why? To what extent has our history caused Judaism to continually adapt and change?

So, if you'd like to start a TBT sports fan, foodie or other special interest Chavurah for TBT members, please contact the Chavurah committee at tbtchavurot@gmail.com and we'll help you get started, or download the new interest form at bethtikvah.com.

These and other questions will be addressed in a DVD-based course, The Beginnings of Judaism. The professor is Isaiah M. Gafni of The Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Guest facilitators will include clergy and lay leaders from Temple Beth Tikvah.

Jewish campers of TBT's Chavurah Mishpacha celebrate Shabbat dressed to represent their "summer homes": URJ Camp Coleman, URJ 6 Points Sports Academy, and Camp Judaea.

Please join us for this interesting class on the beginnings of Judaism.

No prior knowledge is required.

Please RSVP to adulteducation@bethtikvah.com so that appropriate seating can be provided.

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News & Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah

February 2016 Sunday

Monday 1

22nd of Shevat 5776 Kesher & Confirmation 6:45 pm

Tuesday 2

23rd of Shevat 5776 Tai Chi 9:30 am

Religious School 5:00 pm

Families Anonymous 7:15 pm

7 28th of Shevat 5776

Senior Luncheon 12:00 pm

Sisterhood - Knit & Nosh 9:45 am

Kesher, Confirmation & Kivunim 6:45 pm

The Beginnings of Judaism 10 am

Families Anonymous 7:15 pm

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

3 24th of Shevat 5776

4 25th of Shevat 5776

5 26th of Shevat 5776

6 27th of Shevat 5776

Shabbat Service hosted by 6th grade 6:30 pm

Bagels, Learning & Torah 8:45 am

HOTTY - Youth Lounge Night 6:00 pm Sisterhood/Men’s Club Trivia Night 7:15 pm

8 29th of Shevat 5776 9 30th of Shevat 5776

Religious School 9:30 am

Wednesday

Tai Chi 9:30 am

Religious School 5:00 pm

10 1st of Adar I 5776

11 2nd of Adar I 5776

HOTTY Board Meeting 6:30 pm

BOE Meeting 7:00 pm

12 3rd of Adar I 5776

Shabbat Service 10:00 am

13 4th of Adar I 5776

Fulton County Schools Closed

Bagels, Learning & Torah 8:45 am

ECEC VIP Shabbat 12:00 pm

Shabbat Service 10:00 am

Shabbat Service 8:00 pm

“Becoming” – A 6th Grade Family Education Program 10:15 am JYG - Social Action Project 12:30 pm

14 5th of Adar I 5776

15 6th of Adar I 5776

Valentine's Day No Religious School The Beginnings of Judaism 10 am

President's Day Cobb & Fulton County School Break

12th of Adar I 5776

Cobb County School Break

Tai Chi 9:30 am

No Religious School

Board of Trustees Meeting 7:30 pm

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13th of Adar I 5776

23

14th of Adar I 5776

Religious School 9:30 am

Kesher & Kivunim 6:45 pm

TBT Business Network 7:30 am

Sisterhood - Mah Jongg 9:45 am

Families Anonymous 7:15 pm

Tai Chi 9:30 am

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Cobb County School Break

24

15th of Adar I 5776

Sisterhood Bingo at the WBJH 7:30 pm

25

16th of Adar I 5776

19 10th of Adar I 5776

20

ECEC Open House 10 am

Sisterhood Financial Planning "Know How" 9:45 am

Kesher & Confirmation 6:45 pm

Bagels, Learning & Torah 8:45 am

Shabbat Shirah Service 8:00 pm

Shabbat Service - Kremer Bat Mitzvah 10:00 am

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17th of Adar I 5776

27

18th of Adar I 5776

HOTTY Shabbat Dinner

Bagels, Learning & Torah 8:45 am

Shabbat Service - led by HOTTY 8:00 pm

Shabbat Service 10:00 am

Families Anonymous 7:15 pm

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11th of Adar I 5776

Cobb County School Break

20th of Adar I 5776

Religious School 9:30 am

The Beginnings of Judaism 10 am

18 9th of Adar I 5776

Officers Meeting 7:30 pm

The Beginnings of Judaism 10 am 19th of Adar I 5776

Cobb County School Break

Religious School 5:00 pm

Religious School Parent Movie Day 10:00 am

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17 8th of Adar I 5776

No Religious School

No ECEC Families Anonymous 7:15 pm

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16 7th of Adar I 5776

News and Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah

Shalom Ya’ll!! Coming from a New Yorker that might be an unusual way to begin my note but I have some exciting news about our Annual Campaign and figured that would be a fun way to attract attention! Have I got your attention now??

I am excited to report that by the end of 2015 we accomplished our first major goal of the campaign…As a community, we generated over $50,000 in pledges and committed gifts to earn the Blank Family Foundation’s matching gift to TBT of $25,000. This is tremendous for our congregation. “Thank You” to everyone who has participated thus far as we edge closer to our overall goal of $110,000.

Additionally, as of the writing of my column (1/11), we have had 33 of the needed 40 families to gain a full match from our anonymous donor for an additional $10,000. Matches qualify as families who have exceeded last year’s pledge by $250 (or are new to TBT and have made a $250 pledge.) Our hope is that by my next update, we will have reached this tremendous goal and attained this most generous gift.

Trustees and TBT committee Chairpersons. We have taken a strong initiative this year to increase our outreach and communication about the Annual Campaign. We have tried to personally touch each member of TBT about the campaign and this course of action has been paying off.

On the TBT Social Event front, I am excited to share initial news about our first major social event of the year called ARTcetera to be held at TBT on March 12 (Saturday Night). More news to follow but please put this on your calendars, it should be a fun and entertaining event for everyone. It is open to the public as well, so feel free to bring your friends that don’t belong to TBT!!

Can’t remember how to contribute: follow this link: http:// www.bethtikvah.com/annual-campaign-building-our-future-today. We need your help to help building a better future today.On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I'd like to thank the following members of our TBT family for their generous pledges and gifts.

Shalom,

Jonathan Agin , Fundraising Chair Jlagin1@gmail.com

I’d like to take time to recognize the members of the Fundraising Committee for all of their participation and support as well as our Board of Jonathan and Allison Agin Barry and Shari Alhadeff Steven and Teri Astren Brian and Sheri Baker Steven and Sheila Barid Dale and Wendy Bearman Bruce Beck Paul and Anne Beckman Jon and Barbara Berger Harris and Suellen Bergman Josh and Andrea Berman Michael and Jeannine Bernstein David and Robin Bledsoe Scott and Mary Block Todd and Jennifer Boehm Ruben and Margot Braiter Michael and Heather Braun Adam and Adrienne Bruckman Lonnie and Debbie Carter Lois Clymin David and Roberta Coad Michael and Lisa Cohen Michael and Marlene Cohn Steven and Arlene Cohn Mark and Stephanie Craig Renee Davis Gordon and Holli Decker Dan and Laura DeRiemer Mitchell and Dyann Diamond Joseph and Waynah Dunn Rodney and Erika Eberhardt Stuart Farber Elliot and Donna Feller Steven and Amy Fine Steve and Michele Gergans Steve and RoseAnn Gerson Ed and Cindy Getty Arthur Gittelman and Marcia Pearl Cary Goldenthal and Lori Shapiro

Robert and Cindy Goldstein Harlan and Ivie Graiser Adam and Bobbee Griff Anne Grossman Michael and Anna Gutkin Andrew and Karen Gutman David and Ellen Herold Phil and Suzanne Hurwitz Jamie and Katie Jaffe David and Beth Janes Peter and Sharon Jedel Daniel and Stephanie Joseph Morris and Anna Kagan Douglas and Donna Kallman Jill Kaplan Sidney and Robin Karlin Nancy Kassel Valerie Kassel Jr Howard and Linda Katz Lloyd and Diane Katz Jerry and Marcy Kaufman Jeffrey and Beth Kess Peter Klokow and Ellen Frank Jack and Karen Korshak Steven and Helen Kraus Robert and Karen Kremer Fred and Patricia Landsberg Hal and Jill Leitman Kenneth Lawler, Jr. and Ginger Glazer

Judy Levine Sherwin and Judee Levinson Jeffrey and Ellen Levitz Emily Lewit Gary and Michal Loventhal Hadley and Lisa Lowy Gil and Ellen Ludwig Murray and Sonia Lynn Phyllis Madans Sidney and Lois Malkin

Joel and Aviva Margolies Jonathan and Joan Marks David and Jill Mattos Thomas and Marsha McMurrain Howard and Helaine Medoff Gary and Peggy Mendelson

Steven and Linda Steinberg Shelby Steinhauer Aaron and Sheila Stieglitz Mathew and Dani Stordy Ronald and Leslie Swichkow Rosalind Taranto Richard Mindel and Barbara Bogartz Steven and Abbe Tobin Mark and Jennifer Mosbacher Mark and Sally Vosk Bernie and Gail Natter Bruce and Carol Waldman Allison Oreck Bruce and Bonnie Walkes Jay Weiner and Rabbi Shuval-Weiner Ryan and Rachel Palazzo Robert and Ellen Weiner Jason and Melanie Pickett Ronald and Sheri Weiner Shirley Plotkin Mark and Debbie Weiss Scott and Rhonda Povlot Scott and Marci Weiss Herbert and Bunny Renkin Doug Wexler & Jane Greenberger John and Dahlia Restler Keith and Hedva Wiener Betty Rickles Jeff Willard and Steve Mahan Robert and Ellen Rickles Todd and Rachel Wilson Russell and Gailen Rosenberg Scott and Susan Wynne Harvey and Natine Rosenzweig Andrew and Ilana Zalkin Irving and Doris Rosing Ruth Zeidman Brian and Danielle Rubenstein Seth and Ellen Zimmer Kevin and Andrea Rubin Paul and Andra Zolty Mark and Gail Rudel Paula Sandfelder (as of 1/21) Joel and Kathleen Schoenblum William and Marjory Segal Bart and Kara Segal Tom and Patti Seibold Stacy and Alicia Sher Allan and Pessie Shippel David and Robyn Shippel Carol Shutzberg David and Elisa Siegel Sandy and Nancy Simon Larry and Anne Skal Stuart and Frances Solomon Avi and Erica Stein Terry and Missy Stein

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Donations Annual Campaign Harlan and Ivie Graiser in memory of Ruth Zeidman, Addie Myers and in celebration of Brian's 30th birthday Annual Campaign Steven and Linda Steinberg in memory of Jay Rosen Pam Engler in memory of Ruth Zeidman Irving and Doris Rosing in memory of Ruth Zeidman Dale and Wendy Bearman in memory of Herbert Stein, Yetta Dutkiewitz and Betty Ebstein Sandy and Nancy Simon in memory of Ruth Zeidman Lawrence and Anne Skal in memory of Ruth Zeidman and Frances Cunix Steve Mahan in memory of Whit Mahan Jeffrey Willard and Steve Mahan in memory of Ruth Zeidman Ronald and Leslie Swichkow in memory of Ruth Zeidman and Addie Myers Jeffrey Willard and Steve Mahan in memory of Addie Myers Lois Clymin in memory of Michael Clymin Campership/Israel Fund Lindy Rackoff in honor of Steve and Roseann Gerson (and dog lovers everywhere) Cantor Kassel’s Discretionary Fund Harvey and Natine Rosenzweig in memory of Myron Hoffman Rosalind Taranto in memory of Ada Berman Pomerance and Louis Berman Kathleen Rieter in memory of Ruth Zeidman David and Christine Toltzis in memory of Joseph Zeidman Caring/KehillatChesed Fund Amara Kaplan in memory of Adrienne Felicciardi Fern Soniker in memory of Arthur Keyser and Henrietta Keyser Pam Alterman in memory of Ruth Zeidman Carol Shutzberg in memory of my dearest friend, Ruth Zeidman Irving and Doris Rosing in memory of Addie Myers Carol Shutzberg in loving memory of Addie Myers Dale and Wendy Bearman in loving memory orf Ruth Zeidman Bruce and Bonnie Walkes in memory of Ruth Zeidman and Addie Myers Lois Clymin in memory of Addie Myers Lois Clymin in memory of Ruth Zeidman Endowment Campaign Micah Blechner in loving memory of Ruth Zeidman, who loved Temple Beth Tikvah like no one else Sheryl Blechner in memory of Ruth Zeidman and Addie Myers General Fund Belle Kulkin in memory of Morris Richman Renee Davis in memory of Lucy Waxman Jim and Renee Berman in memory of Irving Sackler Theda and Len Seifert in memory of Ruth Zeidman Theda and Len Seifert in memory of Addie Myers Goldie Weinstein, Gilda Sadow, Millie Ginburg, Sheila Silverman and Edna Adler in memory of Ruth Zeidman Thomas and Marsha McMurrain in memory of Ruth Zeidman Louise and. Richard Hansen in memory of Ruth Zeidman Angie and Jay Greenberg and Family in memory of Ruth Zeidman Andy Berke and Family in memory of Herbert Berke

Michael Zalkin Memorial Library Fund Mark and Gail Rudel in memory of Ruth Zeidman and Addie Myers Sanford and Gail Seidman in memory of Ruth Zeidman Aaron and Sheila Stieglitz in memory of Jacob Krigsner June Wallach in memory of Addie Myers Prayerbook Fund Jay and Lois Barcus in memory of Ruth Zeidman Preschool Fund Adam and Bobbee Griff in appreciation of all of the awesome ECEC teachers!

Clifford and Loretta Weiss in memory of Larry Knowles The ECEC Staff wishing a speedy recovery to Lauren Bricks Barry and Marlene Goren in memory of Ruth Zeidman Rabbi Shuval-Weiner’s Discretionary Fund Jason Zaikov in honor of Rabbi Shuval-Weiner Jessica and Allie Goodman in memory of Corinne and Stanley Goodman Seth and Ellen Zimmer in memory of Daniel Zimmer Fred and Vicki Steine in memory of Ruth Zeidman Mark and Jennifer Mosbacher in memory of Lester Mosbacher Douglas Wexler and Jane Greenberger in memory of Addie Myers Robert and Ellen Rickles in honor of the TBT Tu B'Shevat event Scott and Sheryl Lasky in honor of Shannon and Gavin's wedding Steve and RoseAnn Gerson in memory of Adrian Gerson Sidney and Lois Malkin in memory of Hy Pater David, Christy, Bob & Adele Toltzis in memory of Max Mendelson Rabbi Tam’s Discretionary Fund William and Catherine Sirkin in memory of Naomi Tsipora Walker Douglas Wexler and Jane Greenberger in memory of Ruth Zeidman Kathleen Rieter in memory of Addie Myers Religious School Fund Jim and Renee Berman in memory of Steven Cohen David and Beth Janes in honor of the TBT Religious School Tikkun Olam Fund Joanne Chaifetz in memory of Addie Myers Torah Fund Morray and Susan Scheinfeld in memory of Sophie Scheinfeld and Joseph Scheinfeld Youth Group Fund Nancy and Jim Dykhouse in memory of Ruth Zeidman Lloyd and Diane Katz in memory of Reuben Schmeltz Ronald and Leslie Swichkow in honor of the B'not Mitzvah of Charli Shapiro and Amanda Klein Steve and RoseAnn Gerson in memory of Ruth Zeidman (donations processed through 1/21)

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News and Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah

SHMOOZE NEWS / KUDOS CORNER

In Memoriam

Thank You to our Amazing Office Volunteers!

Temple Beth Tikvah acknowledges with sorrow the passing of: Ruth Zeidman Mother of Bob and David Toltzis Addie Myers Mother of Dean Myers Adrienne Felicciardi Mother of Michael Tempel Gary Leff Father of Sandy Leff

Richard Staviss June Wallach Lois Malkin Leslie Swichkow Marsha McMurrain Sheila Barid Marla Ramaglia Erica Stein

I. Jay Aarons Uncle of Jill Leitman

May God console you among all the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.

And a shout out to: Mary Block Bonnie Walkes Karen Blender for shopping for and preparing TBT onegs in January.

If you would like to help with an oneg, please click here to sign up.

Thank You Robin Karlin for teaching our Hebrew Crash Course !

March 5, 2016 8:00 pm - Midnight

Le Fais do-do 1611 Ellsworth Industrial Blvd NW Atlanta GA 30318

Honor a person or event with a leaf on our Tree of Life.

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News and Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah

Synagogue Information Synagogue Office Fax Number School Office (Perri) Preschool (Jenifer) Assistant to Clergy Financial Secretary Admin. Assistant Office Manager

- 770-642-0434 - 770-642-0647 - 770-642-4168 - 678-350-0076 - Michelle Leder - Jenny Korsen - Lisa Singer - Becky Sullivan

Planning a simcha or group gathering?

The Tam-Blank Social Hall is the Place to Be. For more information on renting our Social Hall, contact the synagogue office at 770-642-0434.

Get Involved! TBT Committees and Chairpersons Adult Education Ivie Graiser iviegraiser@yahoo.com Budget & Finance Karen Korshak karcpa@comcast.net Camp/Israel Scholarship Marcia Haber marciahaber@yahoo.com Chavurot Dalia Faupel tbtchavurot@gmail.com College Outreach Lynda Bennett lrbennett08@comcast.net Beth Kess bmkess@yahoo.com Communications Mark Rudel mrudel@ups.com Family Promise Randy and Amy Siegal amysiegal@gmail.com Brian and Jennifer Steinberg zokadesigns@gmail.com Tony Rosenberg trosenberg860@gmail.com Fundraising Jonathan Agin jlagin1@gmail.com

House Ted Nathan tnathan@baldwinscheduling.com Human Resources Seth Zimmer sz4941@att.com Israel Gene Carasick gcarasick@gmail.com Kehillat Chesed (Caring) Leslie Swichkow lswichkow@comcast.net Library Ilana Zalkin ilanaz@att.net Long Range Planning Harvey Rosenzweig Membership Recruitment & Retention Jill Leitman jaarons2@yahoo.com Marcia Pearl marciapearl@bellsouth.net Men’s Club Mark Greenspan greenspanfamily@bellsouth.net Peter Hartog althazyr@gmail.com

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Nominating Committee Todd Boehm tboehm30@bellsouth.net Ritual Rick Winer rsw@drrickwiner.com Security Jay Sausmer jsausmer@gmail.com Seniors Natine Rosenzweig rosen4348@aol.com Sisterhood Robin Bledsoe sisterhoodtbt@gmail.com Social Action Terry Apt Carasick terryshealthyliving@gmail.com Website Development Scott Povlot spovlot@yahoo.com Youth Group Debra Schwartz dls63@bellsouth.net Michal Loventhal loventhalmichal@gmail.com

News and Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah

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News and Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah

Alexandria Shuval-Weiner Rabbi Donald A. Tam Rabbi Emeritus Nancy Kassel Cantor Hassia Levin Education Director Jenifer Friedman ECEC Director

Ron Swichkow President Harlan Graiser Vice President and President Elect Todd Boehm Vice President Rhonda Povlot Vice President Joe Dunn Treasurer Michael Braun Secretary Mary Block Chairperson, Board of Education

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