Nov 2015 Kol Tikvah

November 2015 • Volume 29 • Issue 10

A Reform Congregation Embracing Our Jewish Tradition

Make Your Own Original Chanukah Menorah Contest see page 3

see page 11

Nov. 13th Veteran’s Recognition Shabbat Service

IT’S THE ANNUAL TURKEY DRIVE! FIND OUT HOW TO HELP THOSE IN NEED THIS HOLIDAY SEASON see page 9

News & Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah

6:30 PM

Thanksgiving and Judaism It’s November, and that means Thanksgiving!

The time we gather with family and friends for a day of good food, fun and football. While we may think of Thanksgiving as an American holiday, as Jews, it’s important to take pride in the fact that this American iconic celebration has its roots in our rich Jewish tradition.

It is understandable from the association the Pilgrims had with the Bible and the traditions of our people, that after surviving their first year and enjoying the bounty of the autumn harvest that their Thanksgiving festival would be patterned after Sukkot- the time to gather with honored guests (Ushpizin), sharing in the bounty of the harvest, and giving thanks to God for another year of life.

Let’s go back to the first Thanksgiving to better understand this connection. The Pilgrims were from a deeply religious people, the Puritans, whose heritage was strictly founded on the Bible.

According to historian Max Diamant, the Puritans regarded themselves as Hebraists. They took the Tanakh (Holy Scriptures) as their model of government and tried to reshape the Magna Carta in its image. Needless to say, they weren’t a very popular religious sect in England, and a group chose to seek out a land where they could worship and live out their religious traditions in freedom.

Fast forward to Thanksgiving 2015, and our modern celebration. As Jews, we are commanded daily to be grateful, appreciative and to say “thank you” to God for our lives. For many of us, the simple act of gathering together as family and friends around our Thanksgiving tables offers us that very chance, to stop and appreciate the blessings in our lives. Just as those who marked that first Pilgrim-Thanksgiving in 1621 with gratitude and religious conviction, so must we look to our faith to help guide us, as we offer our Hoda’ah, our thanks to God for our bounty, our families, our joy and our freedom.

The first Pilgrims to the “new land” saw themselves as the Israelites redeemed by God from the cruel Pharaoh (King James I). They crossed the sea, received the law and were delivered into the Promised Land; even Governor Bradford was likened to Moses. It is no accident that these early settlers called the Plymouth Colony “Little Israel.” A fun trivia fact to share at your Thanksgiving tables: when Harvard University was founded in 1636, Hebrew, along with Latin, was taught as one of the two main languages and Hebrew almost became the official language of Massachusetts. (Now wouldn’t that have made Hebrew school so much easier for us all if that idea had taken off!?)

Wishing everyone a healthy, happy Thanksgiving.

Todah Rabah - A BIG Thank You Shout Out!

Veteran’s Day Shabbat - Friday, November 13

Dear TBT, we would like to thank the many volunteers who helped make our Holy Days so meaningful and inspirational.

There are so many to thank- Ushers, Greeters, Torah chanters, choir members, board members, HOTTY members, past presidents, Sisterhood, Men’s Club, Torah holders, service readers, ark openers, our amazing staff- office, custodial and school…the list goes on and on.

We honor the commitment and sacrifice of those who serve and have served our country with a Shabbat service and blessing of gratitude to those who served our nation. Community Vets will share stories during the Oneg Shabbat.

A special shout out to the Roswell Police Department for their partnership with us and of course our friends at Roswell United Methodist Church for sharing their parking lot with us again this year.

All Jewish veterans are warmly encouraged to attend this program. Wearing of service caps is encouraged.

If you were a part of making this HHD season special, with your presence and your love, know how much your efforts were and continue to be appreciated. We are TBT and we are Family!

Great time for relatives (adults and children) and friends to show their gratitude to those who have kept our country free!

Warmly, Rabbi Shuval-Weiner & Cantor Kassel

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News & Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah

Notes from Cantor Kassel In the first week of November, Rabbi Shuval-Weiner and I, along with other members of TBT will be attending the URJ Biennial in Orlando, Florida. These Biennials are attended by Reform clergy, educators, lay leaders of member congregations and youth groups.

The organization was founded in 1873 by Rabbi Isaac Mayer Wise and until 2003 was called the Union of American Hebrew Congregations (UAHC) Today there are more than 900 member congregations from the United States, Canada, the Bahamas, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. The U.A.H.C. was initially founded for the sole purpose of establishing a seminary for training American rabbis to serve American congregations. In 1875 the Hebrew Union College: HUC (the seminary which Rabbis Tam, Shuval-Weiner and I attended) was founded with Rabbi Wise as its first president.

In my office, I have a photograph of Rabbi Isaac M. Wise with three graduates of Hebrew Union College in 1895, one of whom was my great-great uncle, Rabbi George Solomon.

The early rabbinic graduates of HUC held conferences and developed platforms to more clearly define the Reform Movement and in 1889 the Central Conference of American Rabbis (CCAR) was founded. The purpose of the UAHC then expanded to creating and supporting its member congregations. There are many affiliate bodies of the now URJ. such as Sisterhoods (Women of Reform Judaism.), Brotherhoods (Men of Reform Judaism) and youth (National Federation of Temple Youth) and the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism. There are URJ. camps throughout the country along with programs for teens in Israel.

What little I’ve shared here is only the tip of the iceberg. The URJ is rich in history as well as in its present day offerings. Reform Judaism, merely by its descriptive, implies ‘change’. Judaism cannot survive if it is static. Imagine what it’s like to be among thousands of enthusiastic and dedicated Reform Jews, eager to learn from each other and celebrate Shabbat together on such a massive scale. Rabbi Shuval-Weiner and I along with TBT’s President and Vice President and others will experience this at the upcoming Biennial. Be sure and ask us about the Biennial when we return. We would love to make the energy and vitality of the Biennial experience contagious!

Want to know more? Please visit the URJ website: www.urj.org

YES, IT’S ONLY NOVEMBER, BUT HANUKKAH IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER And New This Year we’d like to introduce two exciting Hanukkah events!

Create your own original Hanukkah Menorah contest Hanukkiyot will be judged in four categories: PreK -3rd Grade • 4th -6th Grade • 7th -12th Grade • Adult/Family Rules: Using whatever materials you like, create an original menorah – it doesn’t have to be “usable” but it has to look “kosher” (8 + a shamash, properly aligned) All Entries must be in the synagogue lobby by noon on Sunday December 6.

Be sure to fill out and attach an entry form to your menorah.

Members of the Board of Education will do the judging, and winners will be announced at the Shabbat/Hanukkah Celebration on Friday evening December 11th.

Creative Menorah Contest Entry Form Name(s) ________________________________________________

Phone

_______________________

Please check entry category: _____ Grade Pre-K-3rd

___ Grade

___ Grade

4th - 6th

7th - 12th

___ Adult/Family

Please give a brief description of your menorah _______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________________________ AND for extra fun……..Candle

guessing Contest!

Guess the number of candles in the jar in the lobby and win a prize.

Submit your guess no later than noon on Sunday, December 6th.

Winner will be announced at the Shabbat/Hanukkah service on December 11th at 6:30 pm.

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News and Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah

B’nai Mitzvah Rachel Smolin will be called to the Torah as a Bat Mitzvah on November 14, 2015. Rachel is the daughter of Eric and Kay Smolin and the sister of Seaver and Mookie. She is in the 7 th grade at Liberty Middle School in Cumming, Georgia, where she participates in accelerated classes and is a manager for the Liberty Middle School football team. Rachel enjoys sports such as soccer, softball, baseball, football, and running. Rachel also enjoys learning how to play the guitar and doing artwork.

For Rachel’s Mitzvah projects she looked in her heart to what matters the most to her. First and foremost she continued her work with the organization “Cure for ALS”. Rachel and her family have worked with this organization in support of the Emory ALS Center for many years. Fighting ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease) has been very important to the Smolin family since Rachel’s grandmother was diagnosed with the disease in the 1980s. Rachel’s paternal grandmother, Helene M. Smolin, passed away September 7, 1991 from ALS. Rachel’s other mitzvah projects included her love for animals, which brought 2 additional dogs into our family. As part of her mitzvah projects Rachel wanted to honor the memory of Holocaust victims. In doing so, within today’s events we will honor the memories of Gizel Dulberg (age 10) and Aldo Vitale (age 12).

Rachel’s mother Kay, who converted to Judaism in 2010, will also be called to the Torah today as a Bat Mitzvah.

Ryan Andrew Cohen will be called to the Torah as a Bar Mitzvah on November 21, 2015. Ryan is the son of Lisa and Michael Cohen and younger brother to Kyle. He is the grandson of Judy and Morrie Gurevitch of Boca Raton, Florida and Pat and Frank Cervasio and Judy and Leon Cohen of Sandy Springs, Georgia.

Ryan is in the 7th grade at the Epstein School. He runs cross country and track for the Epstein Eagles, plays trumpet in the middle school band and also plays piano.

As part of his mitzvah project, and to honor a friend who has autism, Ryan raised more than $3000 for autism research and is helping produce social story books for all Atlanta area synagogues to help children with autism through the Bar and Bat Mitzvah process.

Ryan is looking forward to sharing the bimah with his mother as she will also be called to the Torah as a Bat Mitzvah.

Complete your application and direct your tax dollars to the ALEF Fund Partner Schools of your choice.

TIME TO APPLY FOR ALEF FUND TAX CREDIT 2016!

Please act now to ensure your credit will be approved and your tax dollars will secure a Jewish education for our families!

Since 2008, ALEF Fund has provided over $10 Million in scholarships to students at local Jewish pre-k, day schools, and high schools. Redirecting a portion of your state taxes to ALEF Fund helps provide children in our community with a Jewish education.

Please visit our website to reserve your tax credit or contact Nina Rubin, ALEF Fund Manager at nrubin@jewishatlanta.org or 678.222.3739 for assistance.

ALEF Fund has made the process of reserving a state tax credit even simpler this year. At www.aleffund.org , you can reserve your 2016 tax credit in less than two minutes!

Thank you all so much for your assistance!

The first mailing of the school year has taken place to 48 Temple Beth Tikvah’s college students. What better way to show them we’re thinking of them while away at school? Included in the packages were items such as small school supplies, microwave popcorn, Altoids, Extra gum, coffee and hot chocolate packets, honey sticks, apple breakfast bars, Rice Krispy Treats and fruit snacks. Don’t let your student miss out on the fun. If you would like for your student to receive a similar package, and we do not currently have their school mailing address, please send it to us and they will be included in the next shipment.

Finally, we couldn’t have done this without the help of the office staff Lisa Singer, Becky Sullivan and Michelle Leder. Thank you for giving us all the assistance we needed, providing labels, setting up the social hall and so many other details. Rabbi Shuval-Weiner, as busy as you are, we so appreciate your taking the time to share your words of wisdom in a personal letter to the students. I’m sure it will be the highlight of their package.

Keeping our students connected to the TBT community is important. If you have any small items you’d like to supply for the next mailing or would like to make a monetary donation to the cause it would be much Of course, this would not be possible without the help of many, as well appreciated. Please help us stay connected to your students by as the generous donations we received from Cindy and Ed Getty who providing us with their college mailing address (if you haven’t already). supplied packages of Extra chewing gum and Altoids for all the student. Thank you!

Their generosity is much appreciated!

Lynda Bennett (lrbennett08@comcast.net) There are many volunteers who assisted with assembling the packages Beth Kess (bmkess@yahoo.com) and we were so thankful their help: Beth Kess, Carol Lipinsky, Helaine Medoff, Ellen Rickles, and Natine Rosenzweig.

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News and Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah

Let’s Do Something Special Together Every day on the way to my office, I pass Johnson Ferry Baptist Church. The magnificent buildings, grounds and facilities amaze me.

It’s like a small college campus. I questioned how a religious organization is able to afford such a facility. Granted, the church has a huge number of families that attend regularly, but I still couldn’t fathom the difference in their facilities and level of programming. A church congregant I know shared their budget with me. After I studied the numbers, I became even more depressed when I thought about TBT’s tight budget and, in particular, our income sources.

about what it means to make sure the synagogue, your synagogue, is there not just for your family but for all of our families, both now and in the future and most importantly, talk about the meaning of Tzedakah. Friends, my observations from talking with members of several churches is that this is exactly the conversation they have. Our Torah (Deut. 14:22) recommends giving 10%, hence the popular expression, “tithe,” meaning one-tenth. Churches may call it tithing, but it is definitely a very generous act of Tzedakah.

I reviewed the articles I wrote the past two years to promote the Annual Campaign kick-off. I even looked back at prior messages written by my predecessors for the campaign. What could I possibly say in this year’s article that would be different yet convincing and would motivate my fellow congregants to dig a little deeper to support our synagogue to allow us to do some of the things we have only been dreaming about? We can come up with a new catchy tag line and a slick promotional piece. But at the end of the day, if you put lipstick on a pig, it’s still a pig. (Sorry, Rabbi, for the swine reference).

Just as we truly need each of you to be present to make our community more meaningful, so do we need each of you to give, at YOUR own level of comfort, so that we can bridge the gap in our budget and offer the basic programming needed to be a vibrant synagogue in metro Atlanta. I am hopeful that as we, the Temple Beth Tikvah community, have given something to each of you, you will respond by giving back – a little or a lot – whatever you are able.

Our goal this year is $110,000 but that is just to meet our basic operating budget that includes only one capital project. Once again, The Arthur M. Blank Foundation has made a generous matching grant towards our campaign. For every dollar you pledge, the foundation will match 50 cents up to a total match of $25,000. We also have an anonymous matching grant that kicks in for donations that are at least $250 greater than your last year’s contribution or for any new givers of $250 or more up to a total match of $10,000. These grants are a great incentive and help to maximize your donations.

It’s simple: your Board of Trustees have all stepped up themselves and we are asking for you to do the same. Our annual campaign is not something we would like to have, it is a financial necessity and our goal must be met each and every year. Almost all synagogues have the same issue. I wish it wasn’t the case but it is a cold hard fact.

Our Board of Trustees has been very transparent about our finances.

We have made our budgeting process very open as well as our annual financial results. I have provided snippets about key financial statistics during all my High Holy Day addresses. Our Nadiv Lev commitments do not cover all of our operating expenses, not to mention afford us the ability to care for our aging building as is needed. This gap in our budget can only be met by utilizing our Annual Campaign.

We have started this year with our new, wonderful Senior Rabbi. We are blessed to have Cantor Kassel and Rabbi Tam. We have committed youth leadership, educational and office staff. Please help us with the missing piece…….strengthening our budget so that all of these people have the tools and the support to perform their jobs to the best of their abilities and to enable us to continue to enjoy meaningful and varied services and programming at Temple Beth Tikvah.

My approach to you this year is simple and direct. What I am asking is that each family at least have a conversation about your ability and desire to participate in this year’s campaign. If appropriate, include your children. Talk about what TBT has meant to your family, talk

L’Shalom

Ron Swichkow FOOD of the month for December will be pet food for dogs and cats...please start collecting canned and dry food in anticipation.

Our congregation did a great job collecting food for Project Isaiah! We collected 3,462 lbs. of food which will be donated to food banks around the city and to the Kosher Food Pantry. Thanks to all who donated food, handed out bags and helped to separate the food!

As you can see from above, we as a congregation are concerned with all who are hungry. It brings me to the Turkey Drive. Imagine your holiday dinner with no turkey...with just some potatoes or canned beans. We have done a wonderful job with Project Isaiah, now let's put our efforts into the most successful Turkey Drive we have ever had.

100% participation! All it takes is a $10 donation (you can write a check with Turkey Drive in the memo)! The money collected will be split between NFCC and JF&CS. Think about what a meaningful donation this will be to a family, just like yours, who will be able to celebrate the holiday and not be hungry.

We can do this for our community.

We are collecting toiletry samples for gift bags for the homeless. There is a basket underneath the education table in the lobby. Items to include are: toothpaste, toothbrushes, shampoo, conditioner, feminine hygiene products, soap, brushes/combs and lotion.

Knit and Nosh with Sisterhood; we are knitting and crocheting scarves for the homeless for distribution in December. Thanks to all who are participating. A warm scarf will be a wonderful gift for the upcoming cool temperatures.

Thank you.

Terry Apt Carasick www.terryshealthyliving@gmail.com

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News and Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah

ECEC A wise friend once told me, “If everybody in the world threw their tsuris in a pot, we would all take our own tsuris back.”

It is that time of year again, the time to reflect on our lives and be thankful for all that we have. My wise friend has a point. No matter what hand we are dealt in life, we still have so much to be thankful for. Everyday in the Early Childhood Center, I am reminded what a beautiful world we live in. When I see the smile of an eighteen month old, look into the innocent, bright eyes of a three year old, or witness the growth and development of a four year old, I am constantly being made aware of what a wonderful world this is. The little things that cloud up our bigger pictures are really just that, the little things. I am guilty of it, letting the tiniest of things; an argument, a pet peeve, the hustle and bustle of a day, get me down. We grow impatient; lose our tempers, shut down, after all we are human! But it is now a new year and we must take the time to slow down, smell the roses, enjoy the sounds of a child’s laughter, and thank friends, family and G-d for all that you have. For no matter how cloudy your picture seems, your big picture is clear and magnificent.

Jenifer Friedman ECEC Director www.bethtikvahpreschool.com

Religious School th

On Sunday, October 7 some of our Kindergarten and 1st grade students were consecrated as part of our Simchat Torah celebration.

Each child received their own Torah scroll and a beautiful certificate that will remind them of this ceremony. Consecration generally takes place when a child begins his or her Jewish education. This is a lovely and meaningful ceremony for children and families alike. A large tallit was held over the students while they were blessed by the clergy.

Our 8th – 12th grade Monday night programs kicked off on October 18 th. It was so wonderful to see our teenagers rush in to start a new year. Adam Griff has returned as the 11 th and 12th grade teacher for Kivunim. Rhonda Povlot and Sariel Brummer have joined Kesher this year as co-teachers with Bobbee Griff. They have an exciting year planned for our 8 th and 9th grade students. Our Confirmation class is being lead by Rabbi Alexandria Shuval-Weiner. We are looking forward to a very rewarding year for our Monday night students.

We announced the winners of the Falcons Fundraiser during school on October 20 th. Congratulations to Harris and Suellen Bergman and Marc and Martyne Seidband who were the winners of this Fabulous Falcons package. I’m sure the winners are looking forward to a wonderful day spent with Rabbi Alexandria Shuval-Weiner, Jay Weiner and the Atlanta Falcons. Thanks to the generosity of Arthur Blank for donating the Falcons fundraiser package this year.

Please remember there is no school November 22 nd, 23rd, 24th and 29th. I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving break.

Shalom,

Hassia Levin

Simchat Torah 2015

News & Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah

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Youth Group Thank you so much to all of our families who helped house teens for the NFTY Kallah!!! Thank you also to all of our volunteers who pitched in planning the Kallah and helping during the weekend, baking for the oneg, flipping rooms, setting up, cleaning up, serving meals, and more. The weekend was a huge success and we truly couldn’t have done it without the support and help of our community!

HOTTY (9-12th Grade) WHAT DID WE DO THIS PAST MONTH? Fall Kallah was a HUGE success! After the months and months of planning it was so awesome to see it finally all come together. Our theme for the weekend was “Be the Change” and from talking about Random Acts of Kindness, writing pledge cards on what we wanted to change, making action plans with our TYG, and hearing from speakers doing amazing work in the community, we are truly inspired and ready to make some change in our world!

A huge THANK YOU from HOTTY and NFTY-SAR!

We asked one of our Fall committee chairs, Lexi Cooper, what her experience was like being part of planning this event. Here’s what she said: My amazing experience with HOTTY started when I was in 8th grade when Temple Beth Tikvah hosted Fall Kallah in 2013. Ever since my first kallah, being involved in NFTY-SAR and HOTTY has been a great experience. I will always remember the excitement of being involved in planning my first kallah, and this year, Temple Beth Tikvah is hosting Fall Kallah again. As a sophomore, I am helping plan this amazing event as the Welcoming Committee chair. Being a committee chair has been an incredible experience. I have been able to work with an amazing group of people, and it has allowed me to really bond with my committee members. I love seeing the interaction between the different grades as we all work together and share our creative ideas. So far, we have designed and chosen an awesome t-shirt, designed nametags, and selected super fun mixers for the entire weekend.

As a committee member, I have really enjoyed helping plan all of the little details that will come together to make Fall Kallah an amazing event. I had so much fun during the weekend, joining hundreds of teens from the southern-area region (SAR) and sharing the incredible programs that all of the committees worked so very hard to put together!

WHAT’S UP NEXT FOR HOTTY?

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

HOTTY - NFTY-SAR KALLAH

A hearty Yasher Koach and Mazal Tov to HOTTY for an outstanding NFTY-SAR Fall Kallah! “BE THE CHANGE”. Once again, our TBT teens set the bar extremely high demonstrating to the region what meaningful teen learning and engagement should look like. May you all continue to go from strength to strength!

Join us on Saturday, November 7th for our Roswell Haunted Ghost Tour. We’ll also spend some time looking at what Judaism has to say about the afterlife and do Havdallah in Roswell Town Square. Oohh spooky!! See you there!

Did you know we have a youth lounge just for HOTTY? Come out on November 11th for our first ever HOTTY Youth Lounge Night! It’s a night of pizza and some good hanging out time with your friends!

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) We’re excited to finally kick off the year with Junior Youth Group (JYG). For JYG we’ve got lots of events planned, like a Cooking class, Social Action Project, and Minute-to-Win-it & Tye-Dye Party. Mark your calendars for December 6th for our Cooking class at Young Chef’s Academy.

And, 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.

Kol HaKavod to Bobbee and Adam Griff for their tremendous guidance of our youth. We are truly blessed to have this dynamic team on our synagogue staff.

Club 56 (5th & 6th Grade)

Thank you to all of the TBT family members who opened their homes so warmly to the visiting teens from across our region.

We had a great first year of events for our 5th & 6th graders and look forward to another fun-filled year. Join us this year for events like a Hollywood Night, Mad Scientist, and Pool Party & BBQ. Our next events will be Bowling on Saturday, November 14th and then our Hollywood Night on Saturday, December 5th at TBT. Watch Facebook and your email for all the details.

Thanks to Men’s Club, Sisterhood and all of the wonderful adult volunteers who helped make the weekend such a success.

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!

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!

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TBT Seniors Luncheon Monday, November 9th at 12 PM

Create Community in a Chavurah

The Synagogue in Jewish Life: Its Origins and Future

"The members of our Chavurah are like extended family. I

Presented by Rabbi Donald Tam

can't imagine holidays without them!" (comment from TBT Chavurah member) What's a Chavurah?

If you are attending and part of a couple, please bring a little more

RSVP to Natine at rosen4348@aol.com

It's a group of people who share common interests and meet regularly to celebrate Jewish holidays, share simchas, attend TBT events, and participate in any activities that interest them. Being part of a Chavurah can enhance your experience at TBT by helping you develop a strong sense of community and deeper connections within the congregation.

What does a Chavurah do?

You choose the activities you'll participate in and how often and where you meet. We can help you design a calendar of programs based on your group's interests.

How do I join a Chavurah?

Happy Fall to you! Sisterhood has been busy planning events for the year and having fun at the same time. Bunco and Brainstorming was a great success and a welcoming opportunity to offer input into events for the year and socialize all at once. It’s so nice to see such interest and enthusiasm. A special thank you goes out to Wendy Klein for “studying the rules” to lead Bunco and to Leslie Swichkow for her culinary delights. Yumm!

Knit and Nosh has been our ongoing Tikkun Olam project related to helping homeless individuals. We are busy knitting and crotcheting scarves, so grab your needles and crotchet hook and join us Sunday, Nov. 15th in the conference room. We hope to finish our scarves by early December for distribution to area shelters.

Just fill out the application and we'll help you find likeminded families or individuals to form a group. Drop by the TBT office to pick one up, or visit http://www.bethtikvah.com/community/chavurot to download.

Questions? Please contact Dalia Faupel at d2faupel@comcast.net

HELP US HELP YOU Your synagogue community wants to be a Caring Community/Kehillat Chesed

Mah Jong has arrived! If you read this on or before Nov. 1st, come and join us in the Social Hall at 9:45 a.m. for a morning of fun and socializing. Beginners welcome and teachers will be there!

Watch for details regarding our outing to Oli + Ve, December 3rd, 7:00 pm. to 8:30 p.m. We will be tasting the world’s finest premium olive oils and vinegars! Yum!!!

Robin Bledsoe

Sisterhood Chair

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If you have recently experienced a loss, are facing a crisis or are celebrating a simcha, please let our office know as soon as possible.

Our clergy and friends strive to be a source of support as best as they can. If you know of one of our fellow congregants who has experienced a loss or can use a hand, please contact the office at 770.642.0434.

News and Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah

Thank you to all who donated for Operation Isaiah The food we collected weighed in at 3,462 pounds, which will provide 2,885 meals to children, seniors, and many more families in need!

We truly appreciate all of your efforts to collect so much food! Great work!

Happy New Year to all!

Sisterhood outing at Oli and Ve on December 3rd.

Tastings, easy recipes and great holiday gifts!

PINCH HITTER PROGRAM Join us on Friday, December 25th as a volunteer!

The Pinch Hitter Program, which is organized by B’nai B’rith and chaired by Harry Lutz, provides volunteers to work in non-medical positions in area hospitals on Christmas Day to give employees the day off to spend with their families. We will work in four-hour shifts at eleven hospitals and assisted living facilities this year.

You can sign up online at www.pinchhitters.org.

Call Harry at 770.392.1175 for more information.

Note that we will be curtailing our activities this year at 5pm in observance of Shabbat.

ADULT ED STUDY OF THE BOOK OF KOHELLETH Sundays, November 1. 8, 15, December 6, 13 10AM - 10:50AM in the library Join Rabbi Tam for a study on the Book of Kohelleth (Ecclesiastes). Please RSVP if you plan to attend.

"Kohelleth” is one of the Five Megillot, which occur in the Hebrew Bible. It is read traditionally during the observance of Sukkot.

Of all the books in our Tanach, this is among the strangest. Robert Gordis, a great Jewish scholar and teacher at Jewish Theological Seminary in the 20th century, wrote: "Whoever has dreamt great dreams in his youth and seen the vision flee, or has loved and lost, or has beaten barehanded at the fortress of injustice and come back bleeding and broken, has passed Kohelleth's door, and tarried awhile beneath the shadow of his roof." (Koheleth: The Man and His World, p.3). We will "tarry awhile beneath" Kohelleth's "roof" as we read his work verse by verse, trying to understand his "theology" and world view. Both of these, in many ways, are unique among the books in the Tanach."

Can you believe it is already time to

Talk “Turkey” Drive!

Honor a person or event with a leaf on our

Tree of Life.

Camp Survey

Your donations in $10 increments will go to purchase grocery gift cards for JF&CS & NFCC

As part of a grant from the Foundation for Jewish Camp, we are collecting info on your child's camp experience from this past summer (2015). Please fill out a separate form for each child who attended camp.

Help make someone’s holidays “Full”filling!

Please make your checks out to TBT and mark them Turkey.

Thank you for helping by completing this form!

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News & Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah

November 2015 Sunday 1

19th of Heshvan Daylight Saving Time Ends

Religious School 9:30 am

Sisterhood - Mah Jongg 9:45 am Adult Ed - Study of Kohelleth with Rabbi Tam 10:00 am

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26th of Heshvan

Religious School 9:30 am Adult Ed - Study of the Book of Kohelleth with Rabbi Tam 10:00 am JYG - Bowling & Laser Tag 12:30 pm

Monday 2

20th of Heshvan

Kesher & Confirmation 6:45 pm Adult Ed - Hebrew Reading 7:00 pm

Tuesday 3

21st of Heshvan

Tai Chi 9:30 am Religious School 5:00 pm

Wednesday 4

22nd of Heshvan

Thursday 5

23rd of Heshvan

Friday 6

24th of Heshvan

Shabbat Service 8:00 pm

HOTTY Board Meeting 4:30 pm

27th of Heshvan No ECEC Parent/Teacher Conferences Senior Luncheon 12:00 pm

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25th of Heshvan Bagels, Learning & Torah 9:00 am

Shabbat Service 10:00 am

Families Anonymous 7:15 pm

9

Saturday

HOTTY Ghost Tour 5:00 pm

10 28th of Heshvan Tai Chi 9:30 am Religious School 5:00 pm BOE Meeting 7:00 pm

11 29th of Heshvan

12 30th of Heshvan

13 1st of Kislev

Veteran's Day Oneg 6:00 pm

HOTTY - Youth Lounge Night 6:00 pm

Shabbat Service -

Veteran's Recognition 6:30 pm

Kesher, Confirmation & Kivunim 6:45 pm

14 2nd of Kislev Bagels, Learning & Torah 9:00 am

Shabbat Service Smolin B'not Mitzvah 10:00 am Club 56 - Bowling 5:30 pm

Adult Ed - Hebrew Reading 7:00 pm Families Anonymous 7:15 pm

15 3rd of Kislev Religious School 9:30 am Adult Ed. - Study of the Book of Kohelleth with Rabbi Tam 10:00 am Sisterhood - Knit and Nosh 10:00 am

22 10th of Kislev No Religious School

29 17th of Kislev No Religious School

16 4th of Kislev

17 5th of Kislev

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

Tai Chi 9:30 am

Adult Ed - Hebrew Reading 7:00 pm

Board of Trustees Meeting 7:30 pm

18 6th of Kislev

19 7th of Kislev

Religious School 5:00 pm

20 8th of Kislev

21 9th of Kislev

ECEC Thanksgiving Feast 12:00 pm

Bagels, Learning & Torah 9:00 am

Shabbat Service

Shabbat Service Ryan Cohen Bar Mitzvah 10:00 am

8:00 pm

Families Anonymous 7:15 pm

23 11th of Kislev

24 12th of Kislev

25 13th of Kislev

26 14th of Kislev

Thanksgiving Day

27 15th of Kislev

Cobb & Fulton County School Break

Cobb & Fulton County School Break

Cobb & Fulton County School Break

Cobb & Fulton County School Break

Cobb & Fulton County School Break

No ECEC

No ECEC

No ECEC

No ECEC

No ECEC

No Religious School

No Religious School

Families Anonymous 7:15 pm

Tai Chi 9:30 am

TBT Offices Closed

TBT Offices Closed

28 16th of Kislev Bagels, Learning & Torah 9:00 am

Shabbat Service 10:00 am

Shabbat Service 8:00 pm

30 18th of Kislev Kesher & Confirmation 6:45 pm Families Anonymous 7:15 pm

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News and Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah

“Building Our Future Today” The theme of the TBT 2015-2016 Annual Campaign was chosen to be symbolic of new opportunities and the future growth for our community. The excitement about our future begins today with the emergence of Rabbi Alexandria Shuval-Weiner as our new Rabbi and her commitment to leading TBT into the future.

By now, all members of the TBT family have received a letter regarding this year’s goals and initiatives. In case you haven’t opened your correspondence yet, here are the highlights: Our fiscal goal for this year is $110,000 Our goal is to have 100% of our families participate in this year’s program To help us reach our goals we are also very fortunate to have 2 matching fund programs in place: The Blank Family Foundation will begin its 2nd year of a 50% matching program on all gifts through January 31 st up to $50,000, enabling us an opportunity to receive $25,000.

An anonymous TBT member has agreed to match up to $10,000 based upon the number of families who provide either new gift increments of $250 or increases over last year’s by individuals over $250. If you gave $100 last year and can increase that amount to $350, this increase of $250 will be matched.

Yes, our goals are lofty but why shouldn’t they be? We are a caring community that has a tremendous opportunity by reaching our goals. Yes, as it has often been preached, the Annual Campaign significantly aids our budget in tending to the physical needs of our building. Sometimes forgotten though is the use of the Annual Campaign to aid in the support of TBT programming and staffing. When the budget needs funds to support Religious School and ECEC initiatives, it’s the AC that helps provide support.

Adult Education and Youth Group programs are also aided by the funds raised by the Annual Campaign. Throughout the year, as funds are raised, they go into the budget to support programming at TBT. As we consider new opportunities for the future, the growth of families that we expect will need new staffing to help support our growth. Funding these new staffing initiatives begins with the funds we raise in the Annual Campaign.

“Building Our Future Today”, simply put, can’t be done without every TBT family’s participation.

There are several ways to contribute: 1. Send a check to the TBT office and note a contribution to 2015-1016 Annual Campaign 2. Click here and contribute on line through the TBT web site 3. Send back the contribution card that you received with the Annual campaign letter In advance, on behalf of the Fundraising Committee and the Board of Trustees, thank you for “Giving with your Heart” and “Building Our Future Today”.

Shalom, Jonathan Agin Board of Trustee and Chair of the Fundraising Committee Jlagin1@gmail.com

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Donations Adult Ed Programs Harlan and Ivie Graiser in memory of Norton Locke, Bennie Auerbach and Edith Siegel Annual Campaign Gilbert and Ellen Ludwig in memory of Erik Ludwig Sandy and Nancy Simon in memory of Sonia Oxman Jonathan and Joan Marks in honor of Rabbi Shuval-Weiner Allison Oreck in appreciation of Mark and Debbie Weiss Ronald and Leslie Swichkow in memory of Sonia Oxman Dale and Wendy Bearman in memory of Fritzie Shaw Lawrence and Anne Skal in memory of Rose Skal Building Fund Jill Kaplan in memory of Herbert Altman Campership/Israel Fund David and Christine Toltzis in memory of Harris Simons Cantor Kassel’s Discretionary Fund Gilbert and Ellen Ludwig & Andrea and Kevin Rubin in memory of Erik Ludwig Ruth Zeidman in memory of Celia Mendelson Mark and Debbie Weiss in appreciation of Cantor Kassel Laura Alterman in memory of Paul Alterman Ronald and Leslie Swichkow in appreciation of the inspirational High Holy Day services Harvey and Natine Rosenzweig in appreciation of the wonderful Holy Day services Rhonda Schweber in memory of Stan Albert Robert and Adele Toltzis in memory of Harris Simons Caring/Kehillat Chesed Fund Ruth Zeidman in memory of Donald Mendel Steven and Janice Liederman in memory of Joseph Zimmerman Ronald and Leslie Swichkow in memory of Liz Hodes Aaron and Sheila Stieglitz in appreciation of Yom Kippur honor Endowment Fund Douglas Wexler in memory of Delores Wexler

Rabbi Shuval-Weiner’s Discretionary Fund Dale and Wendy Bearman in memory of Norton Locke Edward Mactas in appreciation of Josh and Debbie Sinsley David and Marci Slotin in memory of Marshall Bernstein, Larry Bernstein and Marian Birlant Slotin Lisa, Michael, Kyle and Ryan Cohen in memory of Norton Locke Michael and Marlene Cohn in memory of Norton Locke Mark and Debbie Weiss in appreciation of the Rabbi's lovely prayer for Matthew Weiss and Stephanie Oreck on their forthcoming wedding Bruce and Carol Waldman in memory of Arthur Pollack Phyllis Madans in memory of Ira Madans, Leonard Madans, and Norton Locke Douglas Wexler and Jane Greenberger in honor of the beautiful holiday services Tom and Patti Seibold in memory of Norton Locke Todd and Rachel Wilson in appreciation of High Holy Day honors Ronald and Leslie Swichkow in appreciation of the inspirational High Holy Day services Tom and Patti Seibold in memory of Lawrence Gelb Steven and Teri Astren in memory of Marty Soniker Steven and Teri Astren in memory of Norton Locke Ken Schefter in memory of Norton Locke Steven and Teri Astren in memory of Yehuda Sarfatty Michael Steiner in appreciation of Rabbi Shuval-Weiner Jerry and Marcy Kaufman in honor of Rabbi Shuval-Weiner Harvey and Natine Rosenzweig in appreciation of Aliyot and honors on High Holy Days Ronald and Renee Gurin in memory of Allen Pearlstein Sibby and Mel Cosner in memory of Norton Locke Sheryl Blechner in honor of High Holy Day aliyot Bruce and Carol Waldman in memory of Sylvia Waldman Nadine Duhaney in honor of her family Andy and Marci Fried in memory of Ruth Fried Burton and Sara Grossman in memory of William Brooks Shirley Plotkin in memory of Rose Trucker Rabbi Tam’s Discretionary Fund Ronald and Leslie Swichkow in appreciation of Rabbi Tam's poignant Kol Nidre message Ruth Zeidman in memory of Harris Simons

General Fund Dale and Wendy Bearman in memory of Sonia Rothman Oxman Gilbert and Ellen Ludwig in memory of Fred Stern Joseph and Waynah Dunn in honor of Joe's aliyah and in memory Torah Fund of Don Gellins, Emily Boone and Norton Locke Morray and Susan Scheinfeld in memory of Morris and Renee Berman in memory of Teri Siegal Miriam Belger Shirley Crawford Nadine Duhaney in honor of her family Preschool Fund Jenifer, Rory, Abby and Evan Friedman in memory of David Attell TBT ECEC Staff in memory of David Attell TBT Preschool Families in memory of Norton Locke TBT ECEC Staff in memory of Norton Locke Hadley and Lisa Lowy in memory of Bea Lowy

Youth Group Fund Steve and RoseAnn Gerson in memory of Sonia Oxman, mother of Helen Kraus Steve and RoseAnn Gerson in honor of the upcoming wedding of Matthew Weiss and Stephanie Oreck Steve and RoseAnn Gerson in memory of Florence Friedman (donations processed through 10/ 23) 12

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:

Shulamit Noiyman Aunt of Hassia Levin

And a shout out to: -Waynah Dunn & Barbara Bogartz -Audrey Gordon & Ilene Fader

Edna Aline McMurrain Mother of Tom McMurrain

Richard Staviss June Wallach Lois Malkin Leslie Swichkow Marsha McMurrain

Phyllis Vosk Aunt of Mark Vosk

-Leslie Swichkow for shopping for and preparing the TBT onegs in October.

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.

Relay for Life Ruach Atlanta 2015

▲Temple Beth Tikvah at beginning of Relay for Life - Ruach Atlanta Participants in Survivor Lap L’Chaim!

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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 d2faupel@comcast.net 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 Terrys healthyliving@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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