June/July 2017 kol tikvah

June/July 2017 • Volume 31 • Issue 6

News & Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah

A Reform Congregation Embracing Our Jewish Tradition

If I forget thee O’Jerusalem

Our Next Jewish Holiday: Tisha B’Av

As you read these words thirty-four TBT members will be winging our way to Israel, as part of our TBT 30th anniversary celebration. While a few of us are frequent visitors, for most of our group, this journey is a long awaited pilgrimage; the first sacred journey home to Jerusalem and Eretz Yisrael. What wonders and heart-opening opportunities await!

Excerpt from What’s in It for Me? Finding Ourselves in Biblical Narratives, S.L.Fuchs The Ninth day of the Hebrew month of Av, Tisha B’Av is a day when traditional Jews fast in memory of the magnificent Temples of Jerusalem which were each destroyed in their turn first by the Babylonians in 586 BCE and then again by the Romans in 70 CE. The day also is a solemn one in memory of other historical tragedies associated with that date. For example, it is said that the beginning of the first Crusade in 1095, a time of persecution and slaughter of the Jews of Europe and in 1290 the expulsion of Jews from England both took place on that date. Tisha B’Av also coincides with the expulsion of Jews from Spain in 1492 and the outbreak of World War I in 1914.

The meaning of this day of tragedies does not rank high in the consciousness of most Reform Jews, and that raises the question of what might we make of Tisha B’Av today.

Our journey will take us to the Western Wall, where Kaitlin Otto will be called to Torah as a Bat Mitzvah; we will share in a mitzvah project feeding the poor and down trodden in memory of Scott Monat z”l, and participate in the dedication of a beautiful new garden at Lotem. We will celebrate Shabbat in two different environments; first with the well-established Reform community of Kol HaNeshmah and later with a newly created secular kibbutz. Of course we will climb Masada, float in the Dead Sea and explore the artist colony of Tzfat. This June marks the 50th anniversary of the reunification of Jerusalem following the Six-Day War. What a profound opportunity for reflection and dreaming forward.

All of these events were occasions of death and suffering, and sorrow is appropriate. Certainly all the other historical tragedies associated with that date are important to remember too.

The anticipation of it all brings to mind one of the poems found in our siddur, Mishkan Tefilah, To Jerusalem, by the Yiddish poet Yitzhak Yasinowitz

On the other hand, the centrality of the Temple in Jewish life ended abruptly with its final destruction and there seems to be little merit in reviving its traditions anew. Much of the Temple’s centrality revolved around its role as a place for animal sacrifice as a sign of repentance, thanksgiving or celebration. After the destruction and dispersion, though, the Jewish people found other ways to worship and built them around their synagogues and homes. Rabbis, teachers, rose up from the community instead of priests and much of this has served us well as we wandered through the world.

One does not travel to Jerusalem, one returns one ascends the road taken by generations the path of longing on the way to redemption.

One brings rucksacks Stuffed with memories To each mountain And each hill.

In the cobbled white alleyways One offers a blessing For memories of the past Which have been renewed.

One does not travel to Jerusalem One returns.

While a tragedy of the time, the destruction of the Temple liberated Judaism to become what we treasure today, a religion based on the study of Torah, of prayer and of acts of kindness and compassion: a religion and a way of life that reaches deeply into everything we do. The very vibrancy and strength of the Jewish people over the centuries attests to the wisdom on what we have become and not what we once were. It may sound odd, but in that sense Tisha B’Av, in the age of a renewed Jewish Nation in Israel, can be seen as both an occasion of hope and optimism as well as one of remembrance and sorrow.

As we all return to that place of our dreams, I hope that you will keep good thoughts for us all, for a safe and deeply meaningful journey.

It is left to us to reconcile the remembrance of genuine tragedy with the possibilities for the growth and development of the Judaism that has been passed down to us.

A Judaism we can all access and immerse ourselves in while we absorb the lessons our people gleaned over the centuries of wandering and before our return: that each of us should use our individual talents in our own way to make the world a better place.

Follow us on the TBT Facebook page for pictures, and reflections along our way.

Finally, while we are celebrating in Israel, for those of you here in Atlanta who wish to participate in a special commemorative event marking the 50th anniversary of the Six-Day War, a powerful moment in Israel’s history, the Atlanta chapter of Friends of the IDF will be holding a ceremony on Monday, June 12 at The Temple, 1589 Peachtree Street. To register, or for more information, call 678-250-9030 or http://fidfse.wixsite.com/ sixdaywar/registration

Tisha B’Av begins on Monday, July 31st.

This year, Congregation Etz Chaim and Temple Beth Tikvah will come together for a Tisha B’Av commemoration and learning evening: Monday, July 31st at 8 pm at TBT

L’hitraot!

(see page 3 for more info)

Rabbi Shuval-Weiner

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News & Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah

Notes from Cantor Kassel Back in April, I had the honor and pleasure of being a Cantor-In-Residence for the “Scheidt Seminar”. This is a seminar offered by the Union of Reform Judaism (URJ) for incoming or newly installed Presidents of URJ congregations. This seminar has been offered for about twenty years, usually once a year (this year, twice) and usually held in Peachtree City.

I met Presidents from Reform congregations around the U.S. and a few from Canada as well as members of the URJ staff and other guests brought in. I taught a few simple songs with texts I thought might resonate with the participants and led Shabbat services with Rabbi David Fine (Director of Consulting and Transition Management, URJ) and Rabbi Rick Jacobs (President, URJ). I don’t mind telling you that I was quite nervous walking into this role, but it made me more sympathetic to the nerves that newly elected or incoming presidents of congregations were likely experiencing. All in all, it was an uplifting experience which provided me the opportunity to grow as a Cantor and become more aware of what a variety of congregations are dealing with.

Some of you might have seen a Facebook post to my personal Facebook page in which I shared a simple yet stirring poem by Israeli writer Yehuda Amichai (1924-200).

To me, this poem speaks of the dangers of rigidity in our thoughts and routines and how such rigidity closes us off to growth, which is the natural course of all living things. Having served as Cantor for TBT for many years now, I am reminded of how important it is for me to remain open to change in not only ‘what’ I do, but ‘how’ I do it. I look forward to these summer months and the opportunity to operate at a slower, more reflective pace…..so that when we find ourselves preparing for the new school year, High Holy Days and all that follows, I will be refreshed and ready to go. I wish the same for all of you!

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News and Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah

Congregational Learning - Susan Cosden What also helped was having partners in his therapists, teachers, doctors, etc. What also helped was having a school and a synagogue who understood that each child is an individual with their own needs and each catered to the whole child.

“And they came unto the valley of Eshcol, and cut down from thence a branch with one cluster of grapes, and they bore it upon a pole between two; they took also of the pomegranates, and of the figs.” – Numbers 13:23

I share this story with you, with my son’s permission, as the Director of Congregational Learning to help explain why I believe every Jewish child deserves a Jewish education and deserves to have a synagogue as their second home. I share this story with you so that if you are a parent of a child who happens to have any special needs that you know my office is a safe place to share about your child without any judgment.

In addition, I have as a Jewish educator been working with children with special needs (gifted and those classified as having special needs) since I was 16 and have been exploring best practices for over thirty years. I was part of a cohort that studied for over a year together with the Matan Institute for Jewish Educators. The vision of Matan is, “by advocating for the inclusion of diverse learners, Matan enables the Jewish community to realize the gift of every individual and fulfill its obligation to embrace all children regardless of learning challenges in every Jewish educational setting.”

On June 17, we will be reading from Sh’lach L’cha, Numbers 13:1-15:41. In this portion Moses sends twelve scouts/spies into the land of Israel to report on the inhabitants and the country. Yes, they come back with beautiful fruit to share with Moses and the family of Israel. They confirm that it is a land “flowing with milk and honey.” (Numbers 13:27) Caleb and Joshua inform Moses and all of Israel that, “We should go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it.” (Numbers 13:30) But the Israelites are afraid because the ten other scouts report that the people who possess the land are giants and “we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight.” (Numbers 13:33) There are moments when we feel overwhelmed by news others share with us. How do we move forward? To whom should we listen? How do we continue to put our trust in God/ a Higher Power (if we ever did)? Like everyone, I have had these moments. As a mom, one of these moments was when my son saw his first neuro-developmental pediatrician and was classified on the Autism Spectrum at the age of four. My son, whom to me was like the land flowing with milk and honey with a world of possibilities open to him, was also now needing OT, PT, speech, friendship group, and so much more.

What would his future be? For that matter, what was my life going to be having to take him to all the appointments while working several jobs?

Our religious school registration forms now have a student learning styles section because we recognize every student learns differently and we want to know how best to honor your child(ren). If your child has an IEP or 504b, please share it with us. It will be kept under lock and key and not shared with anyone without your permission. While we may not be able to provide all the services, we will be better able to help your child learn. If your child is in the Gifted and Talented programs we want to know that as well. If your child is “neuro-typical” we request you still complete the student learning styles form because we want to know how best to help your child learn. We (TBT’s clergy, teachers, and I) want to be your partners in helping to shape your child’s Jewish journey.

The synagogue had always been a place of comfort and support. After all, growing up as a rabbi’s daughter I had hundreds of people who loved me and were there for me when I went to temple as a child. As a Jewish educator, I had for years already been teaching about the value of prayer and having a relationship with God. Now I sat there and wondered whether my son would have a place at the shul we attended.

Please know my office is always open. Please feel free to contact me with any questions, concerns, comments, or issues. Please feel free to set up an appointment to talk about your child(ren)’s needs. You can reach me on my cell 973-917 -9294, at the religious school office 770-642-4168, the main office at 770-642-0434 or at education@bethtikvah.com.

Wishing all of you a wonderful and rejuvenating summer.

Just a reminder, if you haven’t submitted your religious school or ECEC forms yet, please do so as soon as possible so we can best prepare for the upcoming school year.

My son is now almost seventeen and is thriving. He, like many juniors, is researching colleges to attend. However, it hasn’t always been an easy path. What helped throughout this journey with my son first and foremost was enjoying my son for all he is. To help him on his journey it was most important to listen to him to learn his needs and wants. I learned how to be his strongest advocate, besides himself. What also helped was having a fantastic support system of family and friends.

News & Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah

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immediately started putting “Fragile” stickers on the box as I was writing TBT and the synagogue phone number all over the box.

Never have I felt so safe on a flight as I was knowing the Torah was on board. Upon our arrival in Fort Lauderdale, I went to meet the scroll at baggage claim—the same area where eight days later a gunman opened fire—and had to tell a woman “I know this box is mine” before she reached for it.

I will leave it to your imagination to picture the scene as I transported the box as well as my luggage first to the rental car bus and then to the rental car facility. It must have been humorous to anyone watching. Then it was on to North Miami to personally deliver the Torah scroll to Sofer on Site.

As a teenager, I was honored to carry a Torah from our old synagogue in Kansas City to the new synagogue location, but we rode in a school bus. This was quite a different experience!

Rabbi Menachem Bialo greeted me and provided an impromptu tour—I had never seen so many scrolls and so many scribes in one location. He was pleased with the way the scroll was wrapped and had handled the trip and said, “We will take good care of your synagogue’s scroll.” He finished the visit by taking a selfie of us with the scrolls in the background!

The Tam Scroll is now back after spending the winter in Florida and it looks great. The parchment is so clean, the scribe work is so sharp and clear, and we even have new beautiful Atzei Chaim (poles). It was a great privilege to be the first to chant Torah from the refurbished scroll on the last day of Pesach.

Years ago, my parents started a fund through the Jewish Community Foundation of Kansas City. Grants could be made to Jewish organizations in Kansas City or elsewhere.

After my parents died, my sister and I each had control over half of the funds and I had our half put into Wendy’s and my name. When Rabbi Shuval-Weiner first mentioned the scroll would need work, I thought and Wendy agreed this might be an excellent project to support through this fund.

I know that my parents would be delighted to know that their donations from years ago were going to this project.

My father served as a gabbai at Congregation Beth Shalom in Kansas City for many years and always liked being near the Torah. They always enjoyed attending services at TBT, especially when their grandchildren were becoming B’nai Mitzvah. They were so fond of Rabbi Tam and enjoyed listening to Cantor Kassel.

They would be very happy to know that this very special Torah scroll to our family and the entire congregation was being preserved. I hope you will soon have the opportunity to see the Tam Scroll.

THE TRAVELS OF THE TAM TORAH SCROLL: SOFER, SO GOOD Our congregation is fortunate to have several Torah scrolls including one of the Holocaust scrolls that is displayed in our lobby area. There are nearly 80,000 words and over 304,000 letters in the Torah and each letter must be properly written by hand by a sofer (scribe) to make it a Kosher scroll for reading in the synagogue. A number of years ago, congregants came together to donate a scroll in honor of Rabbi Donald Tam, our beloved Founding Rabbi and Rabbi Emeritus.

While all Torah scrolls are special, the Tam Scroll takes on particularly special meaning since hundreds of our young people, including our three children, have chanted Torah from this scroll when they have become B’nai Mitzvah.

Wendy also has chanted from this scroll and I have been fortunate enough to have chanted from, I believe, every portion of the Torah from the Tam Scroll.

A combination of time, humidity, and continued use led to some challenges in using this scroll. Areas of the scroll had smudges and letters were literally coming off or flaking thus making it necessary to repair and refurbish the scroll so it could be used again. A call went out to the organization Sofer on Site to assess the situation.

Rabbi Levi Selwyn visited TBT in late August and took a sofer’s eye view of the scroll and gave several of us a guided tour of the scroll. What needed to be done could not be accomplished in one visit and the recommendation was made to have the repairs done at their location in North Miami.

Rabbi Shuval-Weiner thought it best to wait until after Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur to have the work done so our congregants would not be alarmed by its absence.

There were very careful instructions provided about how to wrap the scroll in bubble wrap and have it packed in a certain type and sized box. Michelle Leder from our synagogue office took the scroll to a UPS Store where it was painstakingly prepared to be transported.

As it turned out, I was scheduled to do the stats for the broadcast of the Orange Bowl in Miami in late December and was planning to see our son Scott who was working at a hockey game there. I offered to take the scroll with me to Florida and that is where the fun began!

Fortunately, I found a parking space near the baggage check-in area and a lonely luggage cart was there seemingly by divine intervention. Hoping my Medallion status with Delta might come in handy, I went to the baggage agent who asked what was in the box. The last thing I was going to do was make up something and say it was golf clubs. I said it was a Torah scroll and the agent did not flinch and he did not charge for checking an oversized bag. Instead, he acted like it was the tenth Torah scroll to come through that day and he

Rick Winer

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The Unsung Heroes (Volunteers) of TBT

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n the blink of an eye my tenure as President of our synagogue is almost half over. What I realize is that the modest contribution I’ve been able to make through my own effort pales in comparison to that of our network of dedicated, committed volunteers. There is an amazing amount of work that goes on behind the scenes to make Temple Beth Tikvah the communal home that we cherish, performed by people who rarely get the recognition they deserve. My half-way point gives me a good reason to pause, reflect, and shine a little light on fellow members to whom we owe our thanks.

Here are some additional under-the-radar volunteers to whom I would like to give my heartfelt thanks: Marsha Mathis for producing all the event posters which appear in our lobby Aaron Stieglitz for hand-lettering the calligraphy on all of the certificates which our Bar/Bat Mitzvah students receive Rodney Eberhard for making more hospital visits to members than anyone else in the congregation Betty Rickles for being our most frequent Shabbat greeter and also taking on the greeter coordinator role June Wallach for writing our donation acknowledgement notes Marsha McMurrain for proofing our Kol Tikvah monthly newsletter each month Rebecca Halusic for being a tireless grass-roots advocate for our preschool Judee Levinson for sending out all the Kehillat Chesed notes Ellen Frank for picking up our monthly food donations and delivering them to area food banks, and Terry Carasick for picking up and delivering our donated toiletries Ted Nathan and Ron Swichkow for constantly running to our rescue on IT/technology issues Dyann Diamond for contributing her graphic design talents to many of our projects Richard Staviss for taking on oversight of TBT’s landscaping Leslie Swichkow for providing extraordinary baked goods at numerous events

Outside of our schools, the majority of what we do as a synagogue takes place by virtue of our formal and informal committees. As just a few examples, if you’ve ever taken a class, attended one of our seders, toured our facility during a prospective-member event, joined a Chavurah, participated in Family Promise, played mah jongg, or attended a Bourbon & BBQ, you were able to have that experience only because of the work a committee. These, in turn, cannot operate without the energy and leadership of our committee chairs and cochairs. To these 27 people I say: You and your committees supply the lifeblood of our congregation – I cannot thank you enough.

The President is only one of 19 people on our Board of Trustees who collectively contribute their time, talents, and passion towards making TBT the Jewish home that we all want it to be. They don’t just show up to monthly board meetings to make decisions on budgets, synagogue policies, senior staff hires, and new initiatives. They also spend additional time on fundraising support activities, communicating with members, serving as greeters at Shabbat services, and (often) working on a committee or project team themselves. I am incredibly fortunate and thankful for having such a dedicated and capable group of volunteer trustees alongside me.

My problem, of course, is that there are so many others who should be on this list as well, such as our volunteer musicians, affinity group leaders, 30th Anniversary event leaders, etc.

Unfortunately, I don’t have the space. If you have volunteered in any way over the past year, you have my deepest thanks and appreciation for putting the ‘life’ into “synagogue life” at TBT.

TBT is also blessed to have members who are neither a committee chair nor on the board, but who nonetheless give selflessly and quietly to help our congregation in large and small ways. Have you ever wondered who’s behind the homemade salads and desserts which magically appear for a Kiddush lunch when there is no Bar or Bat Mitzvah? It is mostly Lois Malkin toiling in her kitchen and then schlepping the containers to TBT for our enjoyment. When you receive one of TBT’s info packages in the mail at various times throughout the year, you can thank a large group of congregant-volunteers who stuff envelopes (sometimes at home) and otherwise help our office staff when they can. We couldn’t operate without them.

L’Shalom,

Harlan Graiser, President

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News and Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah

Congratulations to the new HOTTY board!

President Rebecca Torino Programming VP Lacie Greenspan

Social Action VP Ethan Asher Religious and Cultural VP Ilana Mermelstein Membership VP Justin Kremer Communications VP Libby Povlot

Early Bird Pricing Ends June 15th

Register Today!

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Past 4 HOTTY Presidents

For more information about any of the programs, please visit http://www.bethtikvah.com/community/adult-learning

Rabbi’s Table - Rabbi Shuval-Weiner Lunch & Learn - Saturdays, 12:30 PM (after services) Learn more about how our understanding of Torah has evolved and how it still provides meaning and purpose for our lives today.

Tai Chi - classes meet on Tuesdays, 9:30 - 10:30 AM Saturday Night Movies 6 - 10 PM - Dinner, Havdalah, movie and discussion. Please remember to bring non-perishable food item for the Food Bank as an act of Tzedakah.

June 10 : When Jews Were Funny July 15: The Way We Were Adult Ed Committee Meeting - August 20th at 10 am

MINDFUL MEDITATION June 22nd July 13th at 7:30 pm

SHABBAT HIKE Check the calendar for dates, times & location or contact Joan Experience a weekend with nationally acclaimed author and spiritual teacher Rabbi Rami Shapiro to explore the spiritual practice of recovery and the spiritual drain of unhealthy dependence. In his book, Recovery: The Sacred Art, Rabbi Rami teaches that addiction is a manifestation of a spiritual disease borne of a state of mind all humans share – the belief that we should be in control. Though this can play out in harder and softer forms, Rabbi Rami teaches that the 12 steps can be of service to all of us, because we are all addicted to the delusion of control.

Friday, June 9: Erev Shabbat d’var Torah by Rabbi Rami. Open to all, no registration required.

Saturday, June 10: Shabbat afternoon learning workshop, 3:00-8:30pm, including dinner and havdallah (Registration required) Sunday, June 11: Morning learning and brunch, 9:00am-noon (Registration required) Registration cost: $50, for Saturday & Sunday. $36 for Saturday only. $18 Sunday only.

NO charge for Friday night service.

Click here for more info

Financial aid is available

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News & Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah

Shalom! The 2016-2017 Annual Campaign "Celebrating 30 Years" has now raised $123,697. Contributions have been received from 200 families or 43% of the Congregation. Many thanks to all who have contributed.

Please consider joining the families below in supporting TBT and the Annual Campaign. The Campaign ends on June 30th.

Andy Zalkin - Fundraising Chair

Jonathan and Allison Agin Barry and Shari Alhadeff Pam Alterman Lee and Ellen Altschuler Allan and Pam Apple Steven and Teri Astren Steven and Sheila Barid Dale and Wendy Bearman Bruce Beck Paul and Anne Beckman Jon and Barbara Berger Harris and Suellen Bergman Steve and Susan Berman Michael and Jeannine Bernstein Bernice Bickwit Peter Birnbaum Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation Sheryl Blechner David and Robin Bledsoe Scott and Mary Block Todd and Jennifer Boehm Ruben and Margot Braiter Michael and Heather Braun Nancy Broudy Adam and Adrienne Bruckman Jamie Burak Gene and Terry Carasick Lonnie and Debbie Carter Lois Clymin David and Roberta Coad David and Robin Coe Jerome and Margie Cohen Michael and Lisa Cohen Michael and Marlene Cohn Steven and Arlene Cohn Mark and Stephanie Craig Carole Crenshaw Renee Davis Gordon and Holli Decker Dan and Laura DeRiemer Kristopher and Paige Dobbins Joseph and Waynah Dunn Chris and Mayrov Eagen Stuart Farber William and Susan Farina Elliot and Donna Feller Rabbi Tam’s Discretionary Fund Steve and RoseAnn Gerson Ed and Cindy Getty Arthur Gittelman and Marcia Pearl Cary Goldenthal and Lori Shapiro

Carol Goldstein Robert and Cindy Goldstein Aaron and Stacie Goodkin Mark and Emily Gordon Harlan and Ivie Graiser Bernard and Susan Greenberg Trey and Lesly Gregory Adam and Bobbee Griff Dotty Gross Anne Grossman Burton and Sara Grossman Ronald and Judy Gurin Michael and Anna Gutkin Andrew and Karen Gutman Scott and Nancy Harris Carolyn Harrison Peter and Traci Hartog Howard Hecker Sam and Alice Herndon David and Ellen Herold Mitchell and Julie Hilsen Michael and Kim Hirsch Bernice Isaac and Richard Quintana Carol Jacobs Jamie and Katie Jaffe Peter and Sharon Jedel Frances Jordan Daniel and Stephanie Joseph Morris and Anna Kagan Barry and Dore Kaiser Jill Kaplan Sidney and Robin Karlin Nancy Kassel Valerie Kassel Jr Bradley Katz Lloyd and Diane Katz Jerry and Marcy Kaufman Jeffrey and Beth Kess Sharon Khoury Jeff and Cindy Klein Marc and Deborah Klein Sam and Wendy Klein Peter Klokow and Ellen Frank Karen Korshak Steven and Helen Kraus Belle Kulkin Fred and Patricia Landsberg Scott and Sheryl Lasky Kenneth Lawler, Jr. and Ginger Glazer Barry and Hassia Levin Debra Leslie

Mike and Kathy Levin Ron and Lindsay Levin Judy Levine Mel and Tobi Levine Ronald and Jennifer Levine Jeffrey and Ellen Levitz Scott and Stacy Lewin 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 Gerald and Francie Marshall David and Jill Mattos Thomas and Marsha McMurrain Howard and Helaine Medoff Gary and Peggy Mendelson Evan and Missi Mermelstein Mark and Jennifer Mosbacher Joel and Karen Moss Jay and Anita Myer Robert and Marcy Nader Ted and Melanie Nathan Jeff and Debbie Otto Jimmy and Nancy Parker Shirley Plotkin Scott and Rhonda Povlot Herbert and Bunny Renkin John and Dahlia Restler Betty Rickles Robert and Ellen Rickles Kathleen Rieter Stuart and Lucille Robinson Howard and Barbara Rosenberg Russell and Gailen Rosenberg Harvey and Natine Rosenzweig Brian and Danielle Rubenstein Kevin and Andrea Rubin Mark and Gail Rudel Andrew and Barbara Sacks David and Bonnie Sandfelder Paula Sandfelder Robert and Donna Schacher Morray and Susan Scheinfeld Nathan and Carol Schemo Douglas and Lisa Schiffer Joel and Kathleen Schoenblum

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Jeff and Jeanne Schultz Bill and Terry Schwartz Rhonda Schweber Bart and Kara Segal William and Marjory Segal Tom and Patti Seibold Jerome and Kathy Shainberg Ira and Brenda Share Stacy and Alicia Sher William and Susan Shields Allan and Pessie Shippel Carol Shutzberg David and Elisa Siegel Sandy and Nancy Simon Stuart and Frances Solomon Fern Soniker Richard and Susan Staviss Terry and Missy Stein Eric and Viki Stein Steven and Linda Steinberg Brian and Jennifer Steinberg Aaron and Sheila Stieglitz Matthew and Dani Stordy Ronald and Leslie Swichkow Steven and Abbe Tobin David and Christine Toltzis Mark and Karen Tuttle Bernard and Rita Tuvlin Mark and Sally Vosk Bruce and Carol Waldman Bruce and Bonnie Walkes June Wallach Jay Weiner and Rabbi Alexandria Shuval-Weiner Ronald and Sheri Weiner Keith and Hedva Wiener Mark and Debbie Weiss Cliff and Loretta Weiss Doug Wexler and Jane Greenberger Joyce Wice Bram and Dana Wieskopf Jeff Willard and Steve Mahan Mark Williams and Michelle EastonWilliams Todd and Rachel Wilson Max and Carol Wolf Scott and Susan Wynne Andrew and Ilana Zalkin Seth and Ellen Zimmer

News & Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah

(as of 5/18)

Greetings from Sisterhood!

Happy Summer to you! Sisterhood has been looking forward to our summer book review as we read and critique The Marriage of Opposites, by Alice Hoffman. Please join us Thursday, June 22nd at 7:30 p.m. for good discussion, good nosh, and good company. Our book reviews have been highly successful so we hope you will join us.

Sisterhood has also been making plans for the fall and next winter. We hope you will join us for our opening event in the Social Hall. This is a big surprise so details and date to follow!

Please consider becoming part of our Sisterhood committee. We have a unique way of organizing events and programs which has led to an energized and active committee. Brainstorming is a common occurrence which has led to much creativity in the past and present. Please contact us at Sisterhoodtbt@gmail.com if you would like to become active on this super committee and attend our committee meetings. All are welcome.

Robin Bledsoe , Sisterhood Chair sisterhoodtbt@gmail.com

A Special THANK YOU! The 30th Anniversary Events could not be made possible without Rabbi Shuval-Weiner’s vision, and the many hours spent planning, baking, slicing onions, setting tables and general schlepping by the following dedicated volunteers. Please thank these TBT members when you see them!

A belated thank you to the “Almost Psychic” committee members who put on a sold-out event in January!

Jenifer Friedman, Maggie McAuliffe, Suzanne Hurwitz, Anna Kagan, Donna Goldenberg and Ron Swichkow.

Thank you to Melissa Gotlin for coordinating the Scholar-in-Residence Weekend with Rabbi Deborah Prinz March 17-18.

Thanks to Leslie Swichkow for organizing the delicious Chocolate Oneg along with the other volunteers who baked and helped for the Oneg and the Lunch & Learn.

The Artist-in-Residence Weekend couldn’t have happened without the dedication of Bonnie and Bruce Walkes thank you!

They put together a wonderful team to help throughout the week; thank you to John Restler, Sara Grossman, Bunny & Herb Renkin, Leslie Swichkow, Marsha Mathis, Andy Zalkin, Helen Kraus, Laura DeRiemer, Dyann Diamond, Marlene Cohn, Bach 2 Rock (Jennifer Gross) and all the others who baked and cooked throughout the week.

To the 30th Anniversary Gala Chairs, Hedva Wiener and Ellen Herold, THANK YOU to you and your Co-Chairs, Leslie Swichkow, Kathy Levin, Marsha Mathis, Ilana Zalkin, Marilyn Tam, Marsha McMurrain, Aviva Margolies, Nurit Shacham, Kim Peters and Denise Straus and your many committee members. The Gala was an event to be remembered! Thank you for all your hard work!

And one final special THANK YOU to the hardest working office staff there is! These special women have gone above and beyond the call of duty this year and every year to make sure that every detail is worked out for us. THANK YOU to BECKY SULLIVAN, LISA SINGER, MICHELLE LEDER, JENNY KORSEN & PERRI KUNOFSKY. Thank you, thank you!

Wendy Bearman 30th Anniversary Coordinator 10

News and Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah

Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday 1

7th of Sivan 5777

Friday 2 8th of Sivan 5777 Oneg 6:00 pm

TBT Trip to Israel

Ruach Shabbat Service 6:30 pm

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10th of Sivan 5777

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6 12th of Sivan 5777

11th of Sivan 5777

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13th of Sivan 5777

Tai Chi 9:30 am

ECEC Camp Begins 9:30 am

14th of Sivan 5777

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15th of Sivan 5777

Shabbat Service w/ Choir 8:00 pm

BOE Meeting 7:00 pm

Families Anonymous 7:00 pm

Saturday 3

9th of Sivan 5777

Shabbat Service 10:00 am The Rabbi's Table 12:30 pm

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16th of Sivan 5777

Shabbat Service 10:00 am The Rabbi's Table 12:30 pm Movie Night 6:00 pm

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17th of Sivan 5777

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18th of Sivan 5777

Families Anonymous 7:00 pm

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24th of Sivan 5777 Father's Day

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19th of Sivan 5777

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15

20th of Sivan 5777

Tai Chi 9:30 am

25th of Sivan 5777

Families Anonymous 7:00 pm

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26th of Sivan 5777

21st of Sivan 5777

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Board of Trustees Meeting 7:30 pm

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27th of Sivan 5777

Tai Chi 9:30 am

28th of Sivan 5777

22nd of Sivan 5777

Oneg 6:00 pm

Shabbat Service 6:30 pm

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Mindful Meditation 7:30 pm

29th of Sivan 5777

Shabbat Service 8:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Officers Meeting 7:30 pm

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23rd of Sivan 5777

Shabbat Service 10:00 am The Rabbi's Table 12:30 pm

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30th of Sivan 5777

Shabbat Service 10:00 am - 12:00 pm The Rabbi's Table 12:30 pm

Sisterhood Book Review 7:30 pm

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1st of Tammuz 5777

26 2nd of Tammuz 5777 27 Families Anonymous 7:00 pm

Sunday

3rd of Tammuz 5777

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29

4th of Tammuz 5777

5th of Tammuz 5777

30

Tai Chi 9:30 am

Monday

Tuesday

6th of Tammuz 5777

Shabbat Service 8:00 pm

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday 1

The Rabbi's Table 12:30 pm 2

3

4

6

7

8

The Rabbi's Table 12:30 pm 9

10

11

13

14

15

The Rabbi's Table 12:30 pm

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18

20

21

22

The Rabbi's Table 12:30 pm 23

24

30

31

25

27

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News and Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah

Donations Annual Campaign Jamie Burak in memory of Even Burak and Barry and Marcia Lurey Mark and Debbie Weiss in memory of Natalie Berlin Ronald and Leslie Swichkow in memory of Art Gittelman Sandy and Nancy Simon in memory of June Restler David and Ellen Herold in memory of Ilana Cohen Building Fund Hadley and Lisa Lowy in memory of Marilyn Narduzzi Campership/Israel Fund Robert Schussel in memory of June Restler Ryan Wolffe in memory of June Restler Todd and Jennifer Boehm in memory of June Restler Keith and Hedva Wiener in memory of June Restler Rick Stout and Family in memory of June Restler Sandy Ferko in memory of June Restler Trey and Lesly Gregory in memory of Steven Hershman Ronald and Leslie Swichkow in memory of June Restler David and Ellen Herold in memory of June Restler Carolyn DeMaio in memory of June Restler Gail Mills & John Morgado in memory of June Restler Shirley Morgan in memory of June Restler Jeffrey and Meridith Kaiser in memory of June Restler Ed and Barbara Wolffe in memory of June Restler Judy and Rob Ormont in memory of June Restler Jane Slater in memory of your cousin, June Hinerfeld Restler William and Rita Loventhal in memory of June Restler Anne and Larry Schuchman in memory of June Restler Gary and Michal Loventhal in memory of June Restler Elizabeth Thompson in memory of dear friend, June Restler William and Angie Darnell in memory of June Restler Ned and Mary Lewandowski in memory of June Restler Cantor Kassel’s Discretionary Fund Nancy Broudy in memory of Dorothy Rothman Joyce Banner in appreciation of Cantor Kassel Pam Alterman in memory of June Restler Carol Shutzberg in memory of Morris (Moe) Shutzberg Pam Alterman in memory of Martin Wasserman Caring/Kehillat Chesed Fund Sam and Alice Herndon in memory of Art Gittelman Jonathan and Joan Marks in memory of June Restler Adam Belfer in memory of Art Gittelman Edward Zuker in memory of Art Gittelman Mr. & Mrs. Daniel Egan in memory of Arthur Gittelman Marcia Pearl in memory of June Restler Douglas Wexler in memory of Aunt Jean Berman David and Christine Toltzis in memory of Susan Winner Endowment Fund Douglas Wexler and Jane Greenberger in memory of June Restler and Arthur Gittelman Sheryl Blechner in honor of Jaime and Michael Dunn's wedding

Michael Zalkin Memorial Library Fund Andrew and Ilana Zalkin in memory of June Restler Bonnie Silverman in appreciation of Ilana and Andy Zalkin Preschool Fund Sylvia & Stephen Goldman and Susan & Alvin Stauber in memory of Morry Levin Rory and Jenifer Friedman in memory of June Restler Patricia Turner in memory of Morry Levin Kathy Levin in memory of Elizabeth Gordon and Carl Gordon Rabbi Shuval-Weiner’s Discretionary Fund Mark and Jennifer Mosbacher in memory of June Restler Cary Goldenthal and Lori Shapiro in memory of June Restler Seth and Ellen Zimmer in memory of June Restler Peter and Traci Hartog in memory of June Restler David and Robin Bledsoe in memory of Katharine Reuss Bruce and Carol Waldman in memory of Ruth Pollak Robert and Adele Toltzis in memory of June Restler Joyce Wice in honor of Rabbi Shuval-Weiner Frances Jordan in memory of Art Gittelman Harvey and Natine Rosenzweig in memory of Arthur Gittelman Harvey and Natine Rosenzweig in memory of Sarah Rosenzweig Mark and Debbie Weiss in memory of Walter Berlin Aaron Grandison in honor of Rabbi Shuval-Weiner Frances Jordan in appreciation of Natine Rosenzweig for the great job she did as chairperson for the Senior Adult luncheons Joseph and Waynah Dunn in honor of Jaime and Michael Dunn's wedding Steve and RoseAnn Gerson in memory of Jacob Gerson Rabbi Tam’s Discretionary Fund Barry and Dore Kaiser in memory of Arlene Kaiser Max and Carol Wolf in memory of Sylvia Perling Religious School Fund Mike and Kathy Levin in memory of June Restler Todd and Rachel Wilson in memory of Helen Skyer Karolyn Diamond-Jones in memory of June Restler Pam Alterman in honor of Hassia Levin Tikkun Olam Fund Julie Wolffe in memory of June Restler Babette Sanders in memory of Art Gittelman Shon Henderson in memory of June Restler Torah Fund Steven and Linda Steinberg in memory of George Rosen Michael and Marjorie Cohn in memory of June Restler Youth Group Fund Steven and Linda Steinberg in memory of June Restler Barry and Marilyn Freund in memory of June Restler Harvey and Natine Rosenzweig in memory of June Restler Jerome and Kathy Shainberg in memory of Mendel Shainberg Bruce and Bonnie Walkes in memory of June Restler

General Fund Clint Darnell and Travis Darnell in memory of June Restler William P. Hawkins in memory of June Restler Mitch and Lynn Wieskopf in memory of Loretta Swilling

(donations processed through 5/18/17)

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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: Martin Wasserman Father of Arlene Wasserman Cohn

June Wallach Lois Malkin Leslie Swichkow Marsha McMurrain Aaron Stieglitz Marsha Mathis Kim Weindorf

Melvin Falkof Father of Ellen Frank

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

We Must Know Before We Can Respond If you know of a Temple member who is ill or in the hospital, please call the Temple and share that information with us.

That way the Rabbi or Cantor can visit, and Kehillat Chesed can provide support.

Please don’t assume that we know we will only know if you tell us!

To do this, please call Michelle Leder, Clergy Assistant at 770-642-0434

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News and Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah

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

- 770-642-0434 - 770-642-0647 - 770-642-4168 - 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

House Ted Nathan tnathan@baldwinscheduling.com

Budget & Finance Karen Korshak karcpa@comcast.net Camp/Israel Scholarship Marcia Haber marciahaber@yahoo.com

Human Resources Seth Zimmer sz4941@att.com Israel Gene Carasick gcarasick@gmail.com

Chavurot/Affinity Groups Andrea Rubin tbtchavurot@gmail.com College Outreach Nan Janis hnjanis@bellsouth.net Beth Kess bmkess@yahoo.com

Kehillat Chesed (Caring) Leslie Swichkow lswichkow@comcast.net Library Ilana Zalkin ilanaz@att.net

Communications Marlene Cohn marlene@thecohns.us Family Promise Tony Rosenberg trosenberg860@gmail.com Fundraising Andy Zalkin azups@att.net

Membership Recruitment & Retention Jill Leitman jaarons2@yahoo.com Donna Goldenberg donnagoldenberg0@gmail.com Men’s Club Peter Hartog althazyr@gmail.com Mark Greenspan greenspanfamily@bellsouth.net

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Nominating Committee Wendy Klein Wendy.klein.hr@gmail.com Ritual Rick Winer rsw@drrickwiner.com Security Jay Sausmer jsausmer@gmail.com Seniors Natine Rosenzweig rosen4348@aol.com Steve Mahan smahan206bc@yahoo.com Sisterhood Robin Bledsoe sisterhoodtbt@gmail.com Social Action/Social Justice Dalia Faupel d2faupel@gmail.com Website Development Scott Povlot spovlot@yahoo.com Youth Group Michal Loventhal loventhalmichal@gmail.com Margot Braiter rubenmargot@comcast.net

News and Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah

ADVERTISE YOUR BUSINESS HERE 15

News and Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah

Alexandria Shuval-Weiner Rabbi Donald A. Tam Rabbi Emeritus Nancy Kassel Cantor Susan Cosden Director of Congregational Learning

Harlan Graiser President Wendy Klein Vice President Rob Rickles Vice President Rhonda Povlot Vice President Joe Dunn Treasurer Mark Rudel Secretary Deidre Kinoshita Chairperson, Board of Education

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