Jan 2016 Kol Tikvah

January 2016 • Volume 30 • Issue 1

Sounds of Shabbat on

Shabbat Shirah January 22nd 8:00 PM Add your voice to those of our choirs, instrumentalists and students!

Celebrate the Life & Legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. with a special Musical Shabbat January 15th at 8:00 PM

News & Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah

A Reform Congregation Embracing Our Jewish Tradition

Which One is the REAL New Year?

The other day, after wishing everyone a great winter break and a Happy New Year, one of the youngsters came up to me and said “Rabbi, (with her foot placed just so), back at Rosh Hashanah, we say Happy New Year, when we say Shana Tovah, and now we’re saying it again- so which one is the REAL new year?!”

As we can see, all of these new years celebrated by our people offered a distinct time for a recommitment to the values important to the community while also moving them forward with a fresh palette to create life anew.

In the spirit of this tradition, as we come into this New Year of 2016, we as a congregation, will begin a few new things. First, one Friday evening each month during our Shabbat eve service, we will honor members of our TBT congregational family by bestowing blessings upon those celebrating an anniversary and those celebrating birthdays. This way we are truly able to share in and celebrate the joyous moments of each others lives.

We have lots of times when a new year begins, like the beginning of a new school year, a new fiscal year, a new calendar year…in our Jewish tradition there are four distinct New Years; the best known are Rosh Hashanah, which comes in the 7th month of the Hebrew calendar year yet we mark it as the birthday of the world, and Pesach, which falls in the first month of our Hebrew calendar, corresponding to Yitzeyat Mitzayim- the Exodus from Egypt and the “birth” of Am Yisrael, our people hood.

Second, in marking our next new year and holiday, of Tu B’Shevat, we have created an evening of celebration for all in the TBT congregational family: Adults- singles and marriedsof all ages and stages in life…teens, and children, too.

The Tu B’Shevat Event! will take place on Saturday evening, January 23, 2016. You will find more information here in the Kol Tikvah and a link to RSVP for this incredible evening of celebration and fun on our website or on the TBT Facebook page.

Another new year occurred during the ancient period on the 1 of Elul, the 6th month, and could be considered a bit like our own April 15th. This was the date by which the animals consecrated to the Temple were marked for Nadev Lev- Temple dues.

So in response to the child who asked, “Rabbi, which is the real New Year?”- My answer to this sweet one is “ there are many opportunities to begin anew- as we say in our morning prayers Hamekadesh b’kol yom tamid breisheet- everyday is an opportunity to celebrate a new day, a real new year.

Finally, the15th of Shevat is what we know as Tu B’Shevat.

Based upon Torah law, fruits could not be consumed from trees less than three years old. Tu B'Shevat was used as the starting date for determining the age of fruit bearing trees. Today, Tu B’shevat is celebrated as a time when we connect with our earth, the renewal of the growing season, in the northern hemisphere, and giving gratitude for its bounty, a bit like Arbor Day. In modernity, we added the connection to Israel by investing in the Land of Israel- fulfilling the dream of our people, helping to make the desert bloom!

May it be filled with goodness! Happy New Year!

Introducing the TBT BUSINESS NETWORK Have you ever passed members in the hallways of TBT and wondered what they do for a living?

2016 will be a year of expanding your knowledge, learning from the success of others, and developing relationships with other TBT members on a professional level.

This group will be meeting 6-8 times per year. We are going to finalize meeting times based on feedback from the initial attendees. There will likely be meetings from 7:30 – 9:00am at TBT, evening speakers, and happy hours. We will be creating opportunities that provide value to all attendees.

Please join us on Tuesday, January 26th 7:30am – 9:00am at TBT for THE TBT BUSINESS NETWORK KICKOFF. $5 at the door includes breakfast.

RSVPs preferred and direct any questions to Lindsay Levin 404.667.3232 / lindsay@AtlantaRealEstateInsider.com OR Dr. Jared Wiskind 404.431.4853 / jtwiskind@gmail.com

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News & Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah

Notes from Cantor Kassel “SHABBAT TZEDEK / SABBATH OF JUSTICE” in commemoration of Martin Luther King, Jr. Friday night, January 15th at 8:00 PM We need only to look at the events of the past few years in this country to realize there is much work to be done to establish justice in our own land. Our Judaism commands that we put the principles of the Torah into action. While the need may be obvious, we are still in need of ongoing inspiration.

We hope you will join us for a special service to commemorate one of this country’s finest sources of inspirations, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The theme of freedom permeates our liturgy and this Erev Shabbat service will include special readings attributed to Dr. Martin Luther King as well as Jewish scholars throughout the years.

”SOUNDS OF SHABBAT” in celebration of: “SHABBAT SHIRAH” – SABBATH OF SONG Friday, January 22nd at 8:00 PM Let’s nourish our extra Shabbat “soul” and celebrate Jewish Music and its power to elevate our prayer experience. Join us for this joyous and uplifting Erev Shabbat service. Shabbat Shirah derives its name from our Torah portion which includes our escape from Egypt, the splitting of the Sea of Reeds after which our ancestors broke out into song and dance!

Shiru L’adonai Shir Chadash - Sing Unto God a NEW Song!

Transition Committee Update It’s hard to believe that 6 months have passed since Rabbi Shuval-Weiner joined Temple Beth Tikvah as our Senior Rabbi. The Search Committee has now evolved into the Transition Committee, and along with the Board of Trustees, we have been working hard to help Rabbi ShuvalWeiner and her family acclimate to both a new community and a new role.

This is a big year for all of us. We are learning about each other, we are getting to know Rabbi Shuval-Weiner, and she is getting to know us.

We worked alongside the Rabbi to help her achieve her goal of meeting as many congregants as possible in the months leading up to the High Holy Days. It was important for her to begin building relationships with you, and to learn what it is that you are looking for out of your relationship with Temple Beth Tikvah.

We are working to create a new identity together. It is important that we all are part of the process to help create what that new identity looks like. One of the most important tasks of the Transition Committee is to provide Rabbi Shuval-Weiner with meaningful feedback that can help her address concerns, let her know what you love, and implement change that you would like to see.

Rabbi Shuval-Weiner and the Transition Committee members will be meeting in small groups in January. Our hope is that you will reach out to one of the Committee members to share any thoughts that you would like passed along during these small group sessions or at any other time during the year.

Your Transition Committee members are: Co-Chairs: Sheryl Blechner, ssb1951@gmail.com Steve Gerson, gersoncpa@gmail.com Committee Members: Katie Jaffe, katiegjaffe@gmail.com Kathy Levin, Levin.kathy2@gmail.com

Lois Malkin, loismalkin1954@gmail.com Mark Mosbacher, chefmmoss@gmail.com John Restler, jkrestler@gmail.com Harvey Rosenzweig, harveyrotary@gmail.com Debra Schwartz, deblynn.schwartz@gmail.com

Hedva Wiener, hedva.wiener@gmail.com Rachel Wilson, rachelw65@gmail.com Susan Wynne, scwynne530@gmail.com Andy Zalkin, azalkin2@gmail.com Seth Zimmer, sethzimmerga@gmail.com

The small group meetings will be held on Monday, 1/11 at 6:00, Thursday, 1/21 at 7:00pm and Sunday, 1/31 at 11:00 am. Please reach out to one of the Committee members prior to one of the meetings if you have feedback you would like to share. Please know that as your liaisons, we will ensure that any feedback we share will be kept anonymous.

Looking forward, we will formally install Rabbi Shuval-Weiner as Temple Beth Tikvah’s Senior Rabbi in May. Please mark your calendars for May 13-15 as Installation Weekend and keep an eye out for more information in the coming months.

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News and Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah

B’nai Mitzvah Amanda Klein will be called to the Torah as a Bat Mitzvah on January 9, 2016 Amanda is the daughter and Wendy & Sam Klein. She is in the 7th grade at Autrey Mill Middle School. She is an avid soccer player, and one of her mitzvah projects involved collecting soccer equipment for children in Africa – she recently shipped 2 huge duffle bags of equipment as well as raised over $1,000 for the children to be able to experience the fun of her favorite past time. Her parents and her grandparents, George & Leslie Friedland of Boynton Beach, and Phyllis and George Schall of Cumming, are so proud of her!

Charli Mia Shapiro will be called to the Torah as a Bat Mitzvah on January 9, 2016. Charli is the daughter of Ilene and David Shapiro and sister to Dianne Eberhardt. She is in the 7th grade at High Meadows School where she participates in debate. Hobbies include horseback riding and photo/video production. Favorite Mitzvah projects include donating toys to the Atlanta Humane Society and collecting food and clothes for North Fulton Community Charities. She is especially proud of recently being selected as the youngest director in Atlanta Jewish Film Festival history, with her video presentation, “In Our Eyes," scheduled for the January/February program. Sharing this immense pride are her grandparents Beverly & the late Oscar Alter, and Loretta & Hyman Shapiro.

Zoe Harris will be called to the Torah as a Bat Mitzvah on January 23, 2016. She is the daughter of Scott and Nancy Harris and sister to Lexy Harris. Zoe is in 7th grade at Dickerson Middle School, where she participates in Orchestra and is an honor roll student. Her hobbies include dance, cello, basketball, and spending time with her friends and family. Her favorite place is Camp Coleman! For one of Zoe's 13 mitzvot, she volunteered at the Atlanta Community Food Bank's Kosher food sort, where her group sorted through 7,104 pounds of food and provided 5,920 meals. Zoe looks forward to sharing this milestone with her family and friends.

Benjamin Max Berman will be called to the Torah as a Bar Mitzvah on January 30, 2016. Ben is the son of Gigi and Neil Berman and older brother to Blake and Alyssa. Ben is a 7 th grader at Simpson Middle School where he enjoys playing the double bass in the school orchestra. Ben has a huge heart and his interests include chess, science fiction, comic book movies and animals. Ben completed his 13 Mitzvah projects with these interests in mind.

His favorite was interviewing his Bubbie Marion and asking her questions about her life at the age of 13. He also enjoyed volunteering at our local veterinarians office. It was a great experience and a possible career path. Ben looks forward to sharing this milestone with his family and friends.

Emily Stein will be called to the Torah as a Bat Mitzvah on January 30, 2016. Emily Alisa Stein will be called to the Torah as a Bat Mitzvah on January 30, 2016. Emily is the daughter of Viki and Eric Stein and sister to Amanda Stein. She is the granddaughter of Bernard Taranto, Rosalind Taranto, and the late Louise and Charles Stein. She is in the 7th grade at St. Francis School. Emily is an avid dancer and loves dancing at the Tolbert Yilmaz School of Dance. She is a terrific actress and is part of the company at Atlanta Workshop Players in Alpharetta, Georgia. Each summer Emily looks forward to spending a month at sleep away camp in North Carolina at Camp Judaea. Emily enjoys cooking, sewing, drawing, reading, and spending time with family and friends.

We have been very busy at Knit and Nosh in collaboration with Sisterhood, knitting and crocheting scarves for the homeless. 13 bags filled with scarves, fleece blankets, a travel coffee mug and toiletries were delivered to the women at the Shearith Israel Women's Shelter.

Other scarves have been delivered to the mentally ill homeless in Atlanta. We will continue working on scarves through the winter as there are many homeless in Atlanta who are in need. Contributing so far are: Alice Herndon, Kara Segal, Leslie Swichkow, Adrienne Miller and her mom, Gladys, Ellen Herold, Anne Skal, Alex Shuval-Weiner and Terry Carasick. If I have missed you, it may be because there was no identification with the scarves you donated. Anyone wanting to learn how to knit/crochet, please join us!

Plans for Blessings in a Backpack are scheduled for Feb/March. Stay tuned for more info on this very special project.

Please keep those toiletries coming!

Terry Apt Carasick

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www.terryshealthyliving@gmail.com

News and Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah

ECEC The Early Childhood Education Center would like to wish all of our families a very happy, healthy 2016!

It is the start of a new year, and we in the ECEC are already planning for the 2016-2017 school year! Our school offers a diverse program that engages children in many different ways. From sensory exploration to large and small group activities, it is here that our little ones discover who they are.

On January 20, we will host a Pre-K Open House for our rising 4 and 5 year olds. Our Pre-K curriculum paves the way for success in school and will ensure a comfortable start in Kindergarten. We invite you and anyone you know that may be interested in our extraordinary Pre-K program to check us out!

On January 27, we will host a Madrigot Open House! Our Madrigot program is set up for children that have completed their Pre-K year, but need the gift of time to grow and develop before entering the Kindergarten classroom. This class is amazing and we have seen much success with our children that have completed it.

Looking ahead, the ECEC will be hosting our VIP luncheon on February 12. This is a great day when the “very important people” in our little ones lives join us for a beautiful lunch prepared by our wonderful parents and teachers. Thank you in advance for making this event so special.

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

Religious School I hope everyone had a wonderful Hanukkah.

Our Hanukkah assembly was a hit. The 6th grade students read poems as the PreK, Kindergarten and 1 st grade classes led the school in song. The celebration continued in the classrooms with latkes, applesauce, donuts and gelt.

This month we are featuring our 5th grade classes.

Our 5th grade students have been practicing their prayers using the Hineni book as well as their 5 th grade folders. They are practicing as groups and as individuals. The kids can be seen learning through games such as puzzles, fill in the blanks, using the ball as you chant and building prayers with flash cards. The 5 th graders have been tested by their teachers as well as me. We are proud to report that the students passed their tests with flying colors. We are very proud of them and they were very proud of themselves.

They are also learning about the holidays, Tanach (Hebrew Bible), Ten Commandments, the Parashahs of the week and learned the Hebrew vowels, family members, numbers, and days of the week.

They are in a process of learning about the cities their classes are named after – Tiberius and Ashdod. After the break they will start building their display boards in preparation for their class presentations to the school.

The 5th graders participated in two mixers - they learned about their friends in the entire 5th grade class, their habits, what schools they attend and what their favorite sports are.

As you can see our 5th grade students are very busy.

Important Dates: January 10th - 2nd and 3rd grade family education day * January 24th – 4th and 5th grade family education day * February 7th – 6th grade family education day * * Parents please join us in the sanctuary for Tefilah at 9:35. After services please gather in the social hall.

January 29th - 1st and 2nd grade family Shabbat January 31st – 7th grade field trip to the Bremen February 5th – 6th grade family Shabbat

Shalom,

Hassia Levin

News & Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah

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Jewish Resolutions for the Secular New Year As 2016 arrives, many of us make New Year’s resolutions. As Mary Poppins said, “Promises are like a pie crust – easily made and easily broken.” Think of all the diet and exercise vows that all of us have made but usually break before the first week of January is over.

At night, before going to sleep, we would empty our pockets and put whatever change we had in a bowl, or perhaps into a tzedakah box. But now we live in an almost cash-free society. We rarely pay for anything with cash – not for gasoline, not for restaurant meals, not for groceries. But the disadvantage of living in a cash-free society is that we do not accumulate change during the day, so it is not easy to find coins to put aside at night. Why do I suggest that we resolve to give a small amount of tzedakah every week?

Wouldn’t it be more efficient and more productive if we gave a large amount of money once in a while instead of giving pocket change every day? I make this suggestion because giving tzedakah, like so many other things in life, is habit-forming. Once we get into the routine of giving coins, it becomes much easier to give dollars. And once we get into the routine of giving dollars, it becomes easier to write large checks. Besides, if we give a dollar ten times it counts as ten mitzvahs, whereas if we give ten dollars once, it only counts as one mitzvah. So my suggestion to you and to myself is that we resolve to give some amount of tzedakah – be it a large amount or a small amount –daily or weekly. I hope that you will try this because not only will you be making the giving of tzedakah a habit, you will be reminding yourself each and every day that the money we have is not entirely ours.

We are its stewards. It is our task to share with those who need it more than we do.

I want to propose a few New Year’s resolutions which I believe we ought to make and we ought to take seriously.

There is nothing wrong with Jews making resolutions to be better in the secular New Year. Whatever works, whatever helps us to be better people and better Jews, is worthwhile. Some 200 years ago, Rabbi Nachman of Bratzlav said to his disciples: “If you are not going to be better tomorrow than you are today, then what do you need tomorrow for?”

The truth is that in life you never stand still. If you don’t strive to get better, then you get worse. So I believe it is right and proper to make New Year’s resolutions, and I’d like to suggest three resolutions for each of us to consider making this year. I do not offer them in order of importance or in order of the ease or difficulty which they require to fulfill, but I do believe that if we can keep these three resolutions, then our lives would be enriched and more meaningful.

The first resolution I recommend for each of us is to observe a fast one day each month from gossip. You see, I think gossip may be everyone’s favorite sin, and I know how difficult it is to keep from gossiping. We might not think we are gossiping but we do when we talk about others to third parties even in the most innocuous way.

We read, “Oh God, guard my tongue from speaking evil and my lips from speaking deceitfully” at the end of every single amidah. Our sages devote many pages of the Talmud to warning us against how much harm gossip can do to the teller, to the listener, and to the victim. The temptation to gossip is extremely hard to resist, which is why I do not suggest cutting it out completely. That would be unrealistic. I ask you, instead, to discipline yourself to refrain from gossip at least one day a month. That should be within our ability to do and, if we can do that, then perhaps next month we can go for two days without gossiping, and then three and, eventually perhaps we can overcome – or at least minimize – the desire to gossip.

This is the third and final resolution I recommend to you and to me. This one is obvious and, therefore, very hard to remember. This one is vital to our lives; therefore, we all neglect it. My third resolution to you is that we strive to remember all through 2016 that life is precarious and, therefore, precious. That we need to make the most of each day for we have no idea what tomorrow will bring or even whether we will have a tomorrow or not. That is not said pessimistically or cynically, but realistically. If you have some love to share, some good to do, some apology to make – today is the day to do it, for tomorrow may never come.

These are the three Jewish-themed resolutions which I submit for your consideration. I think that they are better and wiser than the ones most of us tend to make as the secular year begins. Leslie and I wish you and your family a safe and healthy 2016.

The second New Year’s resolution which I offer for your consideration is to give a bit of tzedakah every week.

Actually this is a mitzvah which is harder to do than it used to be. It used to be that many of us walked around with change in our pocket, change which we had accumulated during the course of the day.

L’Shalom

Ron Swichkow

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News and Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah

Youth Group Want more info about the youth groups at TBT? Contact Adam or Bobbee at: youth@bethtikvah.com or (404) 228–2494

HOTTY (9-12th Grade) WHAT DID WE DO THIS PAST MONTH? We had a blast (as usual!) at our annual HOTTY Latke-In. We had over 60 HOTTY (and NFTY-SARites) there. It was a fun night of mixers, Chinese food, latkes, movies, lighting candles, Havdallah and, of course, broomball. If you missed it, don’t worry, you can come next year!

BONIM / GESHER CHANUKAH PARTY

We are loving our Youth Lounge Nights each month – it’s a fun and relaxing way to hang out with your HOTTY friends once a month. They are on Wednesdays from 6-7:30pm.

WHAT’S UP NEXT FOR HOTTY? FROM OUR CVP - JOEY CHANIN We’ve started collecting spare change for our new Camp Jenny fundraiser, Pennies for Jenny. 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. In order to help raise money for Camp Jenny, HOTTY will be holding a Pennies for Jenny competition, in which the grades will compete to see which can collect the most change in donations to Camp Jenny. For more information on Camp Jenny, visit nfty.org/campjenny. Information on Pennies for Jenny may be found on the HOTTY Facebook page. Finally, NFTY-SAR’s Winter Kallah will take place from January 15th-18th at Camp Thunderbird in Lake Wylie, South Carolina, and the best part is… registration is already open! Regular registration closes on January 4th, and the price is $200. Register at Nfty.com! That’s all for now! Have a wonderful holiday, and an even better New Year! See you in 2016!

CLUB 56 - HOLLYWOOD NIGHT

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.

JYG (7-8th Grade) 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.

FREE* JEWISH GENETIC SCREENING EVENT January 10th 10 am - 2 pm at Temple Beth Tikvah With over 99% accuracy, NxGen MDx’s Genetic Carrier Screening is one of the world’s most accurate tests for detecting genetic markers that may affect pregnancy and future child development. Join us for a complimentary screening so you can have these trusted family planning tools and see your future with clarity.

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

Club 56 (5th & 6th Grade)

*Free with valid insurance card Join the 5th & 6th Grade Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/groups/TBT.56/) to stay up-to-date on what's happening, RSVP and arrange carpools for events!

Spinal muscular atrophy Dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase deficiency Familial hyperinsulinism Canavan disease Glycogen storage disease type 1a Maple syrup urine disease Nemaline myopathy Usher syndrome type 1F and type III Joubert syndrome

UPCOMING YOUTH GROUP EVENTS: January 15/18 – NFTY-SAR Winter Regional & Elections (HOTTY) January 23 – Family Tu B’Shevat event (grades K-12) January 30 – Camp Jenny Fundraiser (HOTTY) February 3 – Youth Lounge Night (HOTTY) February 7 – Social Action Project (JYG)

Walker-Warburg syndrome Cystic fibrosis Familial dysautonomia Niemann-Pick disease type A and type B Fanconi anemia type C Gaucher disease Bloom syndrome Mucolipidosis type IV Tay-Sachs disease

RSVP to nxgenscreening@gmail.com

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TBT Seniors Luncheon Monday, January 11th at 12 PM Paul Troop presents

Why Newspapers are Shutting Down And It's Not Because of the Internet Please bring a grocery gift card to donate to Jewish Family & Career Services

RSVP to Natine at rosen4348@aol.com

Happy 2016 to you! Sisterhood welcomes January and the new year with many events planned in the upcoming months ahead. In January please plan on attending two very different events.

Knit and Nosh, Sunday, 1/10/16, 9:45 a.m., is our ongoing project making warm scarves for homeless adults sheltered in the Atlanta area. We welcome experienced and novice knitters or crotcheters, and can help you start a scarf.

Meditation and Stress Reduction Techniques will be offered Sunday, 1/24/16, 9:45 a.m. Learn how to manage the stresses of daily life in a healthy and productive way. Come prepared to “de-stress!”

A big thank you shouts out to Leslie Swichkow and Lindsay Levin for a very successful night at Oli and Ve, 12/3/15. Our tastings were yummy and the company was fantastic! Mah Jongg and Knit and Nosh have been back by popular demand and a heartfelt thank you goes out to Mah Jongg leaders Elisa Siegal, Leslie Swichkow, and Danielle Rubenstein, and to Knit and Nosh leader Terry Carasick for organizing these recurring events. Great job indeed!

Mah Jongg mornings have been well attended and we have knitted and crotched many scarves for homeless folks in Atlanta. A big THANK YOU is in order for all of our scarf designers! We also received an anonymous and thoughtful donation of blankets to distribute to homeless individuals…Thank you!

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!

The Israel Committee was formed in 2009 to facilitate opportunities for our congregants to learn about Israel, past and present. Over the past several years the Committee has brought many prominent speakers to TBT to talk about Israeli current affairs, politics and culture. We have had presentations and discussion sessions with representatives from the Israeli Consul General, AIPAC, the Jewish Federation , Israel Bonds and others.

We hosted a roundtable of Rabbis from the Reform, Conservative and Modern Orthodox movements to discuss Israel and the Middle East. And we have sponsored several Israel Film Nights, featuring current Israeli films.

While we will continue these types of events, going forward we would like to focus our attention on developing personal connections between TBT congregants and Israeli citizens in areas of mutual interest. Rabbi Shuval-Weiner has already begun to explore a possible relationship with a shul in Yokneam-Meggido, in northern Israel. Let us know if you would be interested in participating in this effort.

Israel is an important part of our Jewish lives. You can’t appreciate Israel fully until you have experienced it in person. If you have the means, please go if you have never been there (and go again if you have). I have had the good fortune to go to Israel three times in the last five or six years. I still have not had enough. It is an indescribably rich experience, at times overwhelming. It had a deep and profound effect on my life. Rabbi Shuval-Weiner will be organizing a congregational trip to Israel in the near future. Take the trip if you can!

Experience Israel’s uniqueness, its vibrancy; and get to know its amazing people.

The Committee is looking for new ideas, particularly regarding how we can establish personal connections with Israelis. Your suggestions are welcome. Also, if anyone is interested in assisting the Committee with future projects, please let me know.

Gene Carasick, gcarasick@gmail.com

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

Chavurot / Connections Corner What Do You LOVE to Do? Chavurot as we know them at TBT are still going strong, but in 2016, we'll also form special interest (affinity-based) Chavurot for members!

Love going to sporting events? Cooking (and eating!) with others? Hiking on Shabbat afternoons? There's a TBT group for that! Well, not yet, but you can make it happen.

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

ATTENTION! NOMINATING COMMITTEE SEEKS YOUR INPUT

The Beginnings of Judaism Sundays in January (except for Jan 3rd)

10 - 11:30 am in the Library Much of what we know as Judaism is NOT in the Torah. How did we evolve from Torah-mandated 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?

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.

The Nominating Committee for the 2016-2017 slate for the Board of Trustees, Officers and Board of Education has begun their work.

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

No prior knowledge is required.

If you have names that you would like to suggest to the committee for consideration, please send them to Todd Boehm at tboehm30@gmail.com

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

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News & Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah

January 2016 Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday 1

20th of Tevet 5776 New Year's Day

Saturday 2

Bagels, Learning & Torah 8:45 am

TBT Offices Closed Shabbat Service 8:00 pm

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22nd of Tevet 5776 No Religious School

10

29th of Tevet 5776

4

23rd of Tevet 5776

5

24th of Tevet 5776

No Religious School

No Religious School

Teacher Workday

ECEC resumes 9:30 am

Families Anonymous 7:15 pm

Tai Chi 9:30 am

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1st of Shevat 5776

12

2nd of Shevat 5776

Family Promise

Family Promise

Camp Scholarship Meeting 9:30 am

Senior Luncheon 12:00 pm

Tai Chi 9:30 am

Kesher, Confirmation & Kivunim 6:45 pm

Religious School 5:00 pm

Religious School - Family Education -2nd and 3rd grade 9:30 am

25th of Tevet 5776

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26th of Tevet 5776

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27th of Tevet 5776

Shabbat Service 8:00 pm

HOTTY Board Meeting 6:30 pm

Shabbat Service 10:00 am

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28th of Tevet 5776 Bagels, Learning & Torah 8:45 am

Shabbat Service Klein/Shapiro B’not Mitzvah 10:00 am

Officers Meeting 7:30 pm

Family Promise

Religious School 9:30 am

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21st of Tevet 5776

13

3rd of Shevat 5776

Family Promise

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4th of Shevat 5776

Family Promise

BOE Meeting 7:00 pm

Families Anonymous 7:15 pm

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5th of Shevat 5776

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6th of Shevat 5776

Family Promise

Family Promise

NFTY Winter Regional Elections

NFTY Winter Regional Elections

ECEC Family Shabbat 9:45 am

Bagels, Learning & Torah 8:45 am

MLK Shabbat Service 8:00 pm

Shabbat Service 10:00 am

Sisterhood - Knit & Nosh 9:45 am The Beginnings of Judaism 10:00 am

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7th of Shevat 5776

18

8th of Shevat 5776 Martin Luther King Day

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9th of Shevat 5776

Family Promise

MLK Social Action Program

Tai Chi 9:30 am

NFTY Winter Regional Elections

NFTY Winter Regional Elections

Religious School 5:00 pm

No Religious School

No ECEC

The Beginnings of Judaism 10:00 am

No Religious School

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10th of Shevat 5776

21

11th of Shevat 5776

ECEC - Pre-K Open House 10:00 am - 11:00 am

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12th of Shevat 5776

Shabbat Shirah Service 8:00 pm

14th of Shevat 5776 EREV TU BISHVAT

Family Tu B'Shevat Event 6:00 pm

TBT Offices Closed

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15th of Shevat 5776 TU BISHVAT

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16th of Shevat 5776

Religious School 9:30 am

Tu B' Shevat

Tai Chi 9:30 am

Religious School 4th and 5th grade Family Education 9:30 am

Kesher (Parents Night), Confirmation & Kivunim 6:45 pm

Lunch & Learn: The Syrian Refugee Crisis & the Impact on GA 12:00 pm

Sisterhood / Adult Ed - Meditation & Stress Reduction Techniques 9:45 am

Families Anonymous 7:15 pm

Religious School 5:00 pm

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17th of Shevat 5776

ECEC Madrigot Open House 10:00 am - 11:00 am

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18th of Shevat 5776

29

19th of Shevat 5776

Oneg 6:00 pm

Family Shabbat Service hosted by 1st & 2nd Grades 6:30 pm

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20th of Shevat 5776

Bagels, Learning & Torah 8:45 am

Shabbat Service - Emily Stein/Ben Berman B’nai Mitzvah 10:00 am HOTTY - Camp Jenny Bingo Fundraiser 5:00 pm

Officers Meeting 7:30 pm

Religious School Tu'b Shevat Assembly 10:00 am - 11:00 am The Beginnings of Judaism 10:00 am Kehillat Chesed 4:30 pm

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13th of Shevat 5776

Bagels, Learning & Torah 8:45 am

Shabbat Service Harris Bat Mitzvah 10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Board of Trustees Meeting 7:30 pm

Families Anonymous 7:15 pm

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23

21st of Shevat 5776

Religious School - 7th grade Field Trip 9:00 am Religious School 9:30 am Purim Carnival Meeting 9:45 am The Beginnings of Judaism 10:00 am Religious School 6th Grade Onsite Improv Theatre 10:10 am

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News and Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah

Shalom!! If you are reading this article or the KT for that matter, plain and simple, this action shows that you have a curiosity about what is going on at your temple. Not only do you have a curiosity but you probably deeply care about TBT. On behalf of the Board of Trustees, Thank You for your EMPATHY, now let’s do something about it…The Annual Campaign needs your help…we are trying to ‘Build for the Future” and supporting the Annual Campaign with a gift will go a long way to helping our future.

If you can pledge $100+ before January 31 st, your pledge will be worth $150 as the Blank Foundation will match .50 on every $ up to the first $50,000 we raise or $25,000, making our first $50,000 actually $75,000.

Next, if you are able to contribute $250+ above what you donated last year, then through our other matching donor fund, this will become $500.

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 build 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 Jonathan and Allison Agin Barry and Shari Alhadeff Steven and Teri Astren Dale and Wendy Bearman Bruce Beck Harris and Suellen Bergman Josh and Andrea Berman Michael and Jeannine Bernstein Scott and Mary Block Todd and Jennifer Boehm Michael and Heather Braun Lonnie and Debbie Carter David and Roberta Coad Michael and Marlene Cohn Mark and Stephanie Craig Renee Davis Gordon and Holli Decker Joseph and Waynah Dunn Elliot and Donna Feller Steve and Michele Gergans Steve and RoseAnn Gerson Harlan and Ivie Graiser Anne Grossman Michael and Anna Gutkin Andrew and Karen Gutman David and Ellen Herold Jamie and Katie Jaffe Peter and Sharon Jedel

Daniel and Stephanie Joseph Morris and Anna Kagan Jill Kaplan Sidney and Robin Karlin Valerie Kassel Jr Howard and Linda Katz Lloyd and Diane Katz Jerry and Marcy Kaufman Peter Klokow and Ellen Frank Jack and Karen Korshak Robert and Karen Kremer 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 Sidney and Lois Malkin Joel and Aviva Margolies Jonathan and Joan Marks Thomas and Marsha McMurrain Howard and Helaine Medoff Gary and Peggy Mendelson Mark and Jennifer Mosbacher Bernie and Gail Natter

Allison Oreck Ryan and Rachel Palazzo Shirley Plotkin Herbert and Bunny Renkin Robert and Ellen Rickles Russell and Gailen Rosenberg Harvey and Natine Rosenzweig Brian and Danielle Rubenstein Kevin and Andrea Rubin Mark and Gail Rudel Paula Sandfelder Joel and Kathleen Schoenblum William and Marjory Segal Bart and Kara Segal 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 Terry and Missy Stein Shelby Steinhauer Aaron and Sheila Stieglitz Mathew and Dani Stordy Ronald and Leslie Swichkow Rosalind Taranto

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Mark and Sally Vosk Bruce and Carol Waldman Bruce and Bonnie Walkes Jay Weiner and Rabbi Shuval-Weiner

Robert and Ellen Weiner Doug Wexler & Jane Greenberger Todd and Rachel Wilson Andrew and Ilana Zalkin Seth and Ellen Zimmer Paul and Andra Zolty

Donations Annual Campaign Ronald and Leslie Swichkow in memory of George Jordan and in honor of all our TBT Vets, in honor of the B'not Mitzvah of Kay and Rachel Smolin, in memory of Bonnie Keller and in honor of the Bar Mitzvah of Ryan Cohen Steve and RoseAnn Gerson in memory of Bonnie Keller Paul and Andra Zolty in honor of Marilyn and Donald Tam Sidney and Lois Malkin in appreciation of Rabbi Shuval-Weiner and Cantor Kassel Sandy and Nancy Simon in memory of William Berney, Leonard Paul and Charles Zeitz Steve Mahan in memory of Anna Mahan Douglas Wexler in memory of Dr. P. Richard Wexler Rochelle Lawrence in honor of the Senior Lunch program Building Fund Bernie and Gail Natter in memory of Robert Feldser Campership/Israel Fund Jared and Rachael King in honor of Hudson King's Bar Mitzvah Scott and Kristin Oman in honor of Hudson King's Bar Mitzvah Howard and Suzanne Silverman in memory of Ina Lieber and Bertha Schwartz Cantor Kassel’s Discretionary Fund Mike and Kathy Levin in memory of Shulamit Noiyman, Aline McMurrain and Bonnie Keller Michael and Wanda Cohen in memory of Irving Cohen Leon and Judy Cohen David and Roberta Coad in memory of Dorothy Spielvogel Rosalind Taranto in memory of Philip Pomerance Frances Jordan in appreciation of Cantor Kassel Steven and Sheila Barid in memory of Aleck Andich Lori Shapiro in appreciation of Cantor's wonderful Chanukah performance for the Breman volunteers Michael and Lisa Cohen in appreciation of Cantor Kassel Caring/Kehillat Chesed Fund Leonard Berger in memory of Doris K. Berger Jane Greenberger in memory of Ben Findley Betty Rickles in honor of Jeff Willard and Steve Mahan Frances Jordan in appreciation of the TBT Caring/Kehillat Chesed committee

General Fund Scott and Marsha Wiatric in memory of Jerome Wiatric Leon and Judy Cohen in honor of Ryan Cohen's Bar Mitzvah Shirley Crawford Frances Jordan in appreciation of Rick Weiner for conducting the Shiva service Arnie and Aubiere Cohen in memory of Belvie Hawkins, Bessie Hawkins, Carlton Hawkins, Morris Cohen, Gloria Ershler and Bessie Mandel Stanley and Bobbie Kopkin in memory of Virginia Raidor Jill Kaplan in memory of Sandi Altman Michael Zalkin Memorial Library Fund Andrew and Ilana Zalkin in memory of Betty Jacobson Steven and Helen Kraus in appreciation of Andy and Ilana Zalkin Clifford and Loretta Weiss in memory of Rhonda Knowles Prayerbook Fund Mark and Sally Vosk in memory of Irving Vosk Preschool Fund Loretta Weiss in memory of Rhonda Knowles Rabbi Shuval-Weiner’s Discretionary Fund Sidney and Lois Malkin in memory of Annie Pater Randall and Amy Siegal in support of Family Promise Seth and Erin Cooper in appreciation of Gary and Michal Loventhal taking amazing care of Ellie Cooper Leon and Judy Cohen Gene Carasick and Terry Apt Carasick in honor of Rabbi Shuval-Weiner Harvey and Natine Rosenzweig in memory of Julius Rosenzweig Steven and Sheila Barid in memory of Mary Barid Frances Jordan in appreciation of Rabbi Shuval-Weiner Seth and Ellen Zimmer in memory of Elaine Gralnick Michael and Lisa Cohen in appreciation of Rabbi Shuval-Weiner David and Robin Bledsoe in memory of Lawrence Reuss Rabbi Tam’s Discretionary Fund Carol Shutzberg in appreciation of Rabbi Tam's enjoyable, educational and witty class at SEL lectures Barry and Dore Kaiser in memory of Herbert Merlin Andrew and Barbara Sacks in memory of Hyman Sacks Religious School Fund North Georgia Pain Clinic Staff in appreciation of Dr. Barry Straus (donations processed through 12/21)

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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:

Oscar Alter Father of Ilene Alter-Shapiro Richard Staviss June Wallach Lois Malkin Leslie Swichkow Marsha McMurrain Marla Ramaglia

And a shout out to: Wendy Bearman RoseAnn Gerson Leslie Swichkow and Kathleen Levin for shopping for and preparing TBT onegs in December.

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

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

“Plan Ahead” An in-depth conversation regarding funeral pre-planning

Dressler’s Jewish Funeral Care cordially invites you to join Edward Dressler, Licensed Funeral Director Sunday, January 10th, 2016 from 7:00 – 9:00 pm Whole Foods Market, 1311 Johnson Ferry Road, Marietta complimentary dessert and drinks will be available

Edward Dressler, Owner

Dressler’s Jewish Funeral Care provides a variety of services to Atlanta’s Jewish community including funeral and burials in Georgia, coordination of funerals in other states and Israel, purchase of cemetery plots and grave markers, and non-traditional requests.

Death is not an easy topic to discuss, yet many families find it more manageable to deal with the death of a loved one when a family member or friend has pre-planned all of the arrangements. Funeral pre-planning alleviates emotional decisions and financial stress at time of death.

Funeral pre-planning is responsible, safe, and easy to complete. Anyone can pre-plan and pre-pay for him- or herself, or for a loved one, in one lump sum or over time. When pre-paying, funeral home service fees, casket, vault and headstone prices become fixed, and are placed in an escrow account owned by the purchaser (not owned by the funeral home). Pre-paid funeral costs are released to the funeral home upon death.

Attend our complimentary pre-planning seminars and learn about: ♦Planning a funeral ♦Cemetery options ♦Fixing costs and how pre-payment works ♦Out-of-town funeral planning ♦Traditional and non-traditional options Helen Scherrer-Diamond is Community Outreach Director for Dressler’s Jewish Funeral Care. She helps individuals understand the importance of funeral and cemetery pre-planning, offers continuing education for LMSWs, LPNs, and Chaplains, and Jewish Funeral Traditions education.

Please rsvp to Helen at 770-289-8964 or helen@jewishfuneralcare.com

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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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