November 2019 Kol Tikvah

November 2019 • Volume 38 • Issue 10

A Reform Congregation Embracing Our Jewish Tradition

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

News & Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah

A MESSAGE FROM RABBI SHUVAL-WEINER

‫דרכיה דרכי נועם וכל נתיבותיה שלום‬ Its ways are pleasant ways, and all its paths, peaceful.

This past month we experienced many wonderful days of prayer and reflection shared in meaningful moments of community connectedness. The Holy Day season, brought deep introspection, smiles and laughter, grateful shouts of joy, and for some, tears of remembrance.

During Sukkot, we heard the words from Kohelet “To everything there is a season And a time for every purpose under heaven…” Now is the time to give gratitude.

It is our greatest desire for each and every member of Temple Beth Tikvah to walk into our beautiful synagogue and to experience meaningful services and programs year-round, but most especially at the Holy Day season. But to do so it takes hundreds of hours of preparation and numerous volunteers to bring together all that makes this Holy month of Tishrei amazing.

I want to take this opportunity to say Todah Rabbah, and to give you, dear reader, a glimpse of the many, many souls who give of their time and energy to make everything we do possible: The canasta ladies who polished the silver and the “spiff-up crew” who came in to scrub and polish the wood all round the sanctuary. The men who built the bimah for the Yamim Noraim, the Bar Mitzvah parents who folded and stuffed envelopes while their children were in class and the super ladies who arrived early to kindle all of the candles that glowed throughout the sanctuary on Kol Nidrei. There were people who set up and refilled all the candy jars for the Rosh Hashanah Candy Bar and the wonderful angel who brings flowers to TBT every Thursday for Shabbat and for the Holy Days. Thanks to our security chairs who trained and planned with the police department and the officers who work to keep us safe and the choir who began their weekly rehearsals during the summertime so that their voices would be ready to elevate all of our souls. There are the folks who usher and others who greet, there are some who assure that the planters are beautiful and others who harvest bamboo, there are those who welcome and those who plan and implement activities for the children and teens. Thank you to the people who offered meditations and teachings throughout the afternoon of Yom Kippur, and thank you to the people who stayed late to clean up after the Break-the-fast. To the hands who baked fresh challahs, collected prayerbooks or cleaned up the pews between services. To the Sukkah builders and decorators, the letter writers and the shleppers. To each and every one of you, we are all so very grateful for the gift of your hands, hearts and time.

Of course, I want to give a big shout out to our incredible TBT staff and TBT Board of Trustees who worked tirelessly for months to assure a positive Holy Day season for each and every member of the TBT family.

It takes us all to make Temple Beth Tikvah what it is: Our Spiritual Home.

I know Cantor Kassel joins me in saying that we look forward to all that 5780 has to bring in the months ahead.

Hodesh Tov,

2

News & Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah

NOTES FROM CANTOR KASSEL DO YOU KNOW ABOUT MACoM? 700-A Mount Vernon Hwy, Atlanta, GA 30328 (404) 549-9679 I have the honor of serving on a Clergy Advisory Group to MACoM, the Metro Atlanta Community Mikvah. If you haven’t had an opportunity to either visit, tour or use the Mikvah at MACoM (700-A Mount Vernon Hwy NE, Atlanta, GA 30328) I urge you to see what it is all about. For the longest time, there was the Mikvah associated with Beth Jacob in Toco Hills for the Orthodox community and the Mikvah at Congregation B’nai Torah in Sandy Springs for the rest. There now is “Mikvah of Alpharetta” associated with Chabad of North Fulton. MACoM, serving primarily the nonOrthodox community, opened just a few years ago as a free standing facility adjacent to Congregation B’nai Torah.

To be honest, with family roots in the historic Reform congregation in Savannah, Mickve Israel and having grown up at The Temple here in Atlanta, the role and use of the Mikvah in Judaism was not on my radar. There are the most traditional reasons for the use of the Mikvah, but not surprisingly, a colorful and creative array of newly created rituals involving use of the Mikvah have evolved in the past few decades. Whether it be traditional reasons for use of the Mikvah or newer reasons, the experience of the ritual immersion in this sanctified body of water presents the opportunity for transformation from one spiritual state to another.

AN EVENING WITH ANITA DIAMANT AT MACoM Monday, November 11, 7:00 – 9:00 https://atlantamikvah.org As part of a gathering of staff and leadership (and supporters) from Mikvah organizations around the country known as Rising Tide Network, New York Times bestselling author Anita Diamant will be sharing stories and conversation at MACoM. Anita Diamant is the founding president of Mayyim Hayyim: Living Waters Community Mikveh and Education Center in Newton, Massachusetts.

Among Anita Diamant’s publications are five novels: The Red Tent; The Boston Girl; Day after Night; Good Harbor; The Last Days of Dogtown And non-fiction books:

The Jewish Wedding Now; Choosing A Jewish Life; Pitching My Tent; The New Jewish Baby Book; Come learn about MACoM and hear this esteemed speaker, Anita Diamant on Monday November 11.

3

News and Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah

ON THE FIRST ANNIVERSARY—IN MEMORIAL OF THOSE WHO DIED Published on ReformJudaism.org (https://reformjudaism.org)

By Hannah Daniel , 10/24/2019

Source: Carnegie Melon University

“They Sat in the Back”: A Poem for Those Killed in Pittsburgh We sat in the back.

We were 13 years old, itchy, tired, and we didn’t want to be there.

We were anxious to leave our seats— we sat in the back to sulk, to count on our fingers how many more Saturday morning services we would have to endure before we could check the box for our b’nai mitzvot.

We picked at our nails, but we sang the blessings because we loved them even still.

The minutes limped along.

We shifted in our dresses and our ballet flats that were getting a little too small.

Our stomachs rumbled as we waited for kiddush and we sat in the back of the room.

They also sat in the back.

Our matriarchs, our door-holders, the ones who had prepared our kiddush that morning.

The ones who knew the code to the building was the same year it was built, the ones who drove us to this service.

They were the ones who sang in the choir, the ones who taught your children their aleph bets.

They sat nearest to the entrance, the ones who walked with walkers.

The ones who parked right outside the temple doors to rest their stiff backs on stiffer benches each Saturday morning.

The ones who have seen their children and their children’s children through the sanctuary’s doors.

They built this place up from the ground and they sat in the back.

We did not want to sit in the front, where we might catch the eye of the rabbi, where God might see our lips stumble on our prayers.

We sat in the back so we might easily slip out to use the bathroom, to get a drink of water, to check the broken clock in the hall.

We sat in the back so that we could be the first to leave.

They sat in the back because they arrived early.

They were our living ancestors, our minyan makers.

They sat in the back and they knew your name because they had been the first ones to welcome your family into the synagogue with a warm hug and boker tov.

We sat in the back; we wanted to leave.

They sat in the back; they didn’t have time.

The author would like to dedicate this work to Joyce Fienberg, Rose Mallinger, Richard Gottfried, Jerry Rabinowitz, Cecil Rosenthal, David Rosenthal, Bernice Simon, Sylvan Simon, Daniel Stein, Irving Younger, and Melvin Wax.

4

News & Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah

ECEC UPDATE—SHERI BAKER It was so lovely to see so many of our families at Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur family services. We are looking forward to the new year filled with lots of learning and fun.

During the past month, the children and teachers in the early childhood center spent time together building their class sukkahs using appliance boxes. Each class took such pride assembling, decorating, and painting their class Sukkah. They also made decorations to place inside. Once the sukkahs were finished, we put them all together to create a “Sukkah Village” where the children took turns visiting each class’s Sukkah. They also performed the mitzvah of sharing a snack in the sukkahs. The parents joined the children for some muffins to eat in our Temple sukkah for Shabbat sing, where the Rabbi and Cantor shook the Lulav and Etrog for the children. The children all had the opportunity to shake the lulav and etrog too. It is always a joy for our families and children to come together!!

Thanksgiving is a time where we talk to our preschoolers about what it means to be thankful. Most of the time, we hear them say, “I’m thankful for my mommy or daddy” or “I’m thankful for my brother or sister.” The answers don’t change much from year to year. We are incredibly thankful that we have such easy access to our wonderful Rabbi and Cantor, who are so generous with their time.

They invite our children into their offices and allow them to ask questions about holidays, festivals, or whatever is on their mind.

Wishing all of you a very happy Thanksgiving filled with all the things you are thankful for.

RELIGIOUS SCHOOL UPDATE—SUZANNE HURWITZ Looking back, looking forward… and THANKFUL for all!

Last month, all of our Sunday School students had the opportunity to learn in the sukkah with Rabbi Shuval-Weiner. We recited the Sukkot blessings, ate a tasty treat and shook the lulav and etrog. We learned why we did this and why we will do it each year. During Simchat Torah services we unrolled our Torah scroll around the sanctuary as we finish another year’s reading and start anew. Our precious kindergarten students were consecrated to commemorate the start of their formal Jewish education.

In November our religious school students will have lots going on. On November 1 st we will welcome all students new to our school during Erev Shabbat services. On November 3 rd, 6th graders will participate in a program about former Israeli Prime Minister, Yitzhak Rabin z”l with our Israeli shinshin Dor. Our Monday night KiCKs (Kesher, Confirmation and Kivunim) students will begin a mitzvah project to benefit Camp Aurora. Our 4 th graders will learn and study with the Rabbi’s weekly Torah study group. Our 7th graders will head to the Breman Jewish Heritage & Holocaust Museum to begin their unit on the Holocaust. Our 10 th through 12th graders will take part in a community-wide program with AIPAC. Throughout the month, our students will continue to delve into Jewish values and traditions, learn Hebrew, and strengthen their Jewish connections and sense of selves. I am thankful to be a part of all of it!

5 News & Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah

ALEF FUND ALEF Fund and our ECEC Since 2014 TBT has been participating in the ALEF Fund. This has allowed many of our Jewish children to attend our Early Childhood Education Program who otherwise would not been able to afford it. The ALEF Fund along with many other Georgia scholarship organizations has been wildly successful as the annual state maximum gets reached on January 1 of each year.

WHAT IS THE ALEF FUND? The ALEF Fund, a school scholarship organization (SSO) created by The Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta, was established to allow Jewish schools to benefit from the state’s Qualified Education Expense Credit program by redirecting your Georgia State tax dollars.

WHY SHOULD I CONSIDER DOING THIS? The need for financial scholarships has never been greater and your ALEF Fund tax reallocation will help to fill this need. By performing a mitzvah that comes at virtually no cost to you, you can help a deserving Jewish student receive a Beth Tikvah Early Childhood Center education.

WHO CAN PARTICIPATE? Anyone who pays taxes to the State of Georgia. This includes corporations as well as individuals. Your contribution will earn you, the taxpayer, a dollar-for-dollar State of Georgia tax credit – up to $1000 for individuals, $2500 for a married couple filing a joint return, and 75% of state tax liability for a C-corporation.

Members of an LLC, Partners in a Partnership, or Shareholders in an S Corporation can now redirect up to $10,000 to TBT ECEC. The taxpayer’s spouse having a similar ownership interest can also claim the credit for his/her ownership interests, for a maximum credit of $20,000! Please note, this includes the standard redirection amount listed above ($1000, $1250 or $2500). The program has been so popular that participants have only been receiving a portion of their requested amount of credit since the state can only issue a maximum dollar amount each year.

As always, we encourage you to consult your tax advisor before participating in the ALEF Fund.

WHEN SHOULD I ACT? The time is now! This tax credit program has been increased to $100 million for 2019 by the Georgia legislature in contributions for the entire state. You must sign up by December 15th in order to be included for the following year’s allocation of credit dollars. That allocation has been historically fully met on January 1st.

To ensure that Temple Beth Tikvah Early Childhood Center receives your allocation before the credit runs out please complete your credit request forms immediately by going to www.aleffund.org.

As always, payment is not required until after you have received approval for your contribution from the state (usually in January or February, 2020).

Please feel free to contact Sheri Baker with any questions at Sheri@bethtikvah.com.

Thank you for considering doing this mitzvah and join us in helping families provide a Jewish education for their children.

6

News and Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah

RHONDA POVLOT, PRESIDENT I hope that you all had beautiful and special High Holidays and Fall Festivals. Now that Fall season has arrived and the leaves are finally changing, we can take a deep breath and enjoy even more all that God has given us. Thank you all for your many kind words and thoughtful well wishes to my family for the year ahead.

I want to share once again some of my words from my High Holiday address to the congregation. I want to publicly express my appreciation to the board, all committee members, and our many volunteers and to let you know how important your involvement and dedication to TBT is. I especially want to thank our clergy, choir, office staff and security staff who coordinated a massive undertaking for the logistics of the High Holiday services. I want to let my family, and especially my husband Scott, know that I am grateful for the time they allow me to do this job as President.

We ponder the difference between living a life driven to achieve and a life that leaves its mark on this world. Our daily lives feel jam packed, overscheduled and overwhelming at times. I ask you, “When you go to sleep at night, do you feel your day was busy, but unsure of what you achieved?” The behaviors that build our health, nurture our spirit, and warm our hearts are the actions that foster relationships with our friends, family, and our community. I encourage you to ask yourself, “What do I believe? What role does my Judaism play in my life? What is my purpose in life? Who and where is my true community? Key factors in this would be the people surrounding you: your friends, your family, your synagogue community.

Now I put another question in front of you. What is your reason for being a member of TBT? I offer you an invitation to take a deep breath and just be present with your community. Use TBT not just for a social opportunity or a routine that you do because your parents did it, or a family tradition (not that any of those are not meaningful) but reach into your soul and find something deeper. Find an emotional and spiritual connection at TBT whether it is through the choir, the school, an Affinity group, Shabbat services, Sisterhood, Softball or a special group of friends-Get connected!

Our TBT members can look back through the years with pride over what we have accomplished. In 1987, some 10-12 families created our congregation. It took the leadership of a few strong and committed Jews, some who are still members today, to create our synagogue home.

I am asking you now to continue this work and be a partner in our amazing community. We have so many connection points available for you: An active Seniors group, an engaging religious school with enthusiastic teachers, a fun and loving ECEC, a dedicated Cantor, a choir that loves to sing, a group of caring lay leaders who devote long hours and many nights to this temple, a social action committee that continually takes on more causes, a Men’s Club that can always be counted on to shoulder various temple functions and help with the schlepping, a Sisterhood that offers marvelous programming and creates camaraderie, a Youth group that keeps getting bigger, busier and better and Chavurot/Affinity groups for every interest. TBT offers a bima where the Rabbi is free to express her ideas and promote causes that allow for discussion. There is programming for all interests, Kehillat Chesed that cares for us all in our hour of need. We do this for ourselves now and for future generations. What else can we do for future generations here at Temple Beth Tikvah?

I need to reach as many people as possible to get across the concept of being part of our community and the Jewish people. In August, I wrote that we owe $365,000 on our mortgage. After my article, I had a few phone calls and conversations with congregants who found this interesting and hopeful. At Rosh Hashanah I proposed that if 200 families donate just $1800 our mortgage will be paid in full. Several of you stepped forward and gave your $1800. This will free up our more than generous endowment funds to go towards programming. This would free up our monthly mortgage costs to go towards operating expenses. This would make a huge difference and not only monetarily. We would be leaving a lasting legacy in our area for future generations. We would insure a place for our House of Hope for many generations to come.

You can see it, feel it in your heart, and get immediate gratification.

I also had people contact me about Annual Campaign. Our Annual Campaign greatly needs your help to sustain our annual budget this year. As I said at Rosh Hashanah this year is slightly different than in the past. Your lay leaders, to be as forthcoming as possible, want you to be aware that we are facing challenging times. With the ever-increasing availability of a la carte Judaism selections, especially outside the Perimeter, and the definition of Jewish affiliation changing from synagogue membership to any type Jewish connection including but not limited to Jewish sports as well as the declining membership in organized religion overall, we here at Temple Beth Tikvah are really starting to feel the financial pressure and strain. You must be the one that steps forward now. Rabbi Shuval-Weiner and Rabbi Tam have already made their financial pledges to our community. What will you do? Please remember we stand together; we must support one another and build on our successes.

I wish you all a beautiful Thanksgiving. Please be mindful of those who have less than you. Be sure to express Gratitude to your family for their love and acceptance.

I am Grateful for the opportunity to serve as President of TBT. Thank you.

7 News and Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah

YOUTH GROUP

GET READY FOR FALL KALLAH! After months of planning programs, writing mixers, designing t-shirts, and stuffing folders, it’s almost here!

We are so excited to finally welcome the rest of NFTY-SAR to our “home” for an amazing and inspiring weekend!

The theme of our weekend is “Decades.” We hope you’ll join us on Friday night, November 9th as the HOTTY teens lead our Shabbat services. They have interviewed members of the congregation to find out what it was like to be Jewish during certain time periods and years. They’ll be sharing those stories and insights during the service. After services our program is Pop-Culture Breakouts! We’ll have some fun looking at fashion trends through the years (who knew the scrunchie would be back??), movies, dance and music, and also sampling candy from the different decades. On Saturday we’re looking at how teens have been at the forefront of social movements in the past (Freedom Riders, Vietnam protestors) and the present (March for our Lives). Our final program will allow us to think and dream about what our world will look like in 10 years – the Jewish community, medical advances, social programs, the environment, and ourselves.

Then Saturday night we’re letting loose and going roller skating (bringing it back to the 90s)!

Thank you to all of our HOTTYites who have been part of the planning, our parents who have cooked dinner and offered to volunteer during the weekend, and the TBT congregants who are opening up their homes to NFTY-SAR teens. We couldn’t do it without your help and support!

HOTTYites -don’t forget about our Hibachi dinner on November 13th to celebrate and reward your for all of your hard work.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS! November 3 Fall Kallah Work Day November 8-10 NFTY-SAR Fall Kallah November 13 Fall Kallah Hibachi Dinner Celebration November 17 NFTY678 Stars and Strikes November 22 Camp Shabbat

Find out what’s happening!!

HOTTY Remind101 text updates:

HOTTY Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/groups/TBT.HOTTY/

text @826ef3 to 81010

HOTTY website: hotty.tyg.weebly.com

www.facebook.com/groups/BethTikvahYouth/

TBT YOUTH Facebook Page:

8

News & Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah

YOUTH GROUP

9

News and Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah

TZDEK COMMITTEE Save the date! Give back to our community on December 15th at the TBT Hanukkah Mitzvah Day immediately following religious school in the social hall. It is an opportunity to give back to our Roswell community and learn about how to get your entire family involved with local charitable organizations.

If you are involved with a local charitable organization you would like presented and/or you want to help with organizing the event, or just have questions please reach out to Will Shields or Michele Gergans w_shields@bellsouth.net or michelegergans@hotmail.com.

We are open to any changes you see or so let us now if you need anything else.

Michele and Will If you are interested in cleaning up the road that TBT adopted— please contact Michael Rosenberg

mrosenberg749@gmail.com

*GREAT MITZVAH PROJECT FOR B’NAI MITZVAH KIDS !!

The TBT Tzedek committee will launching the Backpack Buddies program to help feed school children in the Roswell area. This program will be ongoing throughout the school year. Please attend our kickoff even at TBT on Sunday, November 3 at 10 AM to learn all about the program. We will need volunteers each week to help pack, sort and deliver food.

CAMP SCHOLARSHIPS Already missing your camp friends, or looking forward to going to camp for the first time? But not sure how to pay for it? The TBT Camp Scholarship Program is available to families in financial need. Applications are reviewed by a Scholarship Committee as part of an anonymous review and allocations process. All applications and inquiries are confidential. The camp scholarship program is funded through the generosity of individual donors, so please consider a donation to this fund and help a child go to camp. For additional financial help check with the camp you are interested in attending to see what financial assistance they offer.

Federation of Greater Atlanta (http://atlantajewishcamp.org/financial-resources/) offers Incentive Grants and NeedsBased Scholarships.

To apply for the TBT Camp Scholarship please submit the application by December 31, 2019.

For questions please contact Marcia Haber at Marciahaber@yahoo.com.

PHILANTHROPY Fellow Congregants: As we gear up for the 2019-2020 Annual Campaign, we are grateful for the generosity of our congregation. With changing demographics and declining synagogue membership trends nationally, we have to be thoughtful and highly resourceful in our approach to maintaining a vibrant TBT community. As we continue to seek ways assure our financial viability, the Annual Campaign continues to play a key role. Our goal this year is to increase participation levels from 38% to 50%, and any donation you’re comfortable with is greatly valued. Stay tuned for more on the Campaign.

Thank you,

Mark Rudel and Harlan Graiser; Fundraising Co-Chairs

10

News and Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah

SISTERHOOD Rosh Chodesh—

Shalom Sisterhood!!!

The High Holidays are behind us and I am sure you all agree, our wonderful Cantor, Rabbi and the TBT Choir did an amazing job of making all of the services a joy to attend!!

Looking forward, there are only a few things in the works for Sisterhood: Rosh Chodesh is a monthly event led by Terry Segal. It is an enriching and beautiful couple of hours once a month. I promise if you come to one, you will be hooked! The next Rosh Chodesh is Wednesday. November 6th at 7pm in the Social Hall. Please sign up for this once a month treasure of a program.

Sisterhood is volunteering to cook and serve at the Zaban Shelter for the months of December, February and April. Thank you to our wonderful sisterhood members who quickly signed up for the December date. There are still opportunities on all of the other dates. Follow this link to the Sign Up Genius sign up to volunteer: https://www.signupgenius.com/ go/20F0544ABAA2EA46-zaban1 On February 24th, we are teaming up with Etz Chaim for a fabulous evening program.

A Women’s Spirituality Group Led by Dr. Terry Segal Wednesday, November 6 7:00 PM Rosh Chodesh is the celebration of the new moon and the new month, according to the Jewish calendar. Rosh Chodesh has long been recognized as a women’s holiday. In midrash Pirke DeRabbi Elezer, Chapter 45, we are told that in the incident of the Golden Calf, the women refused to relinquish their earnings to the men who were building the idol. As a reward, God gave them an extra holy day each month, free from work.

Our themes will be based on each Hebrew month and will be explored through discussions, meditations, journaling, connection to nature, arts & crafts and creative ritual.

Sign up at www.bethtikvah.com

Senior Lunch

Potluck and other Non-Catered Events TBT affirms our commitment to observance of the Kashrut (dietary guidelines) for all formal and informal synagogue events. By following these simple guidelines and principles, we can be assured that all members of our community are able to fully participate in the beautiful and sacred experience of sharing our meals and blessings.

Monday, November 11 Andrea Brantley, Executive Director of Family Promise of North Fulton and Dekalb will be our guest speaker

1. Food items may be vegetarian, dairy, or fish (including tuna fish and egg dishes) but may not contain meat or seafood (shellfish, un-kosher fish, etc.) ingredients of any kind or in any amount.

MAZEL TOV! Ilana and Andy Zalkin are delighted to

2. Prepare sufficient amounts of entrée, salads, or side dishes to feed ten adults.

announce the engagement of their son Adam

3. Food items must be served in disposal containers so nothing is left at TBT.

to Caroline Ellis of Tampa, Florida.

A spring 2021 wedding is planned.

4. Please take your leftovers, utensils, and containers home with you.

If you have a simcha to share—

5. If you have any questions relating to these guidelines contact Rabbi Shuval-Weiner or the TBT office.

Let’s Kvell together!!

**For more information about Kashrut and specific listings of kosher and non-kosher food go to Kosher 101.

Contact kim@bethtikvah.com

http://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/kashrut-101/ 11

News & Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah

AFFINITY GROUPS & CHAVUROT Seeking a fun and achievable resolution for 5780? I’ve got an easy one for you – expand your community at Temple Beth Tikvah.

I’ve heard members talk about their desire to meet fellow congregants and find other TBT individuals, couples, or families who share similar interests. That’s what the TBT Affinity Groups are all about.

As your new Affinity Group chairs, we’re very excited to help bolster our existing groups and build new ones that meet your interests.

Please take a look at the below list*. If you have even a possible interest in one or more of those groups, send us an email. We’ll make sure the leader for that group puts you on their email distribution list.

Unlike a gym membership, there are no contracts and no commitments. You’ll simply receive an email about the next event. If it seems appealing to you, then we hope you’ll participate. And if after seeing a few emails you realize it’s not quite your cup of tea, then zei gezunt.

Nothing feels better than walking into our beautiful sanctuary and being welcomed by your TBT friends. Through our Affinity Groups, we hope to help build that warm feeling of community for you and all of our members.

Is there an activity you’re passionate about that you don’t see on the list? Please email us with your idea and we’ll work with you to start a new Affinity Group around that interest.

Take a chance. Make that resolution. And find your community within Temple Beth Tikvah.

Danielle and Brian Rubenstein brianrubenstein@yahoo.com

Bridge Club

*Current Groups

Meets at 1:00 PM on the 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month.

Contact Bonnie Walkes at: bonnie.walkes@gmail.com

Hiking

Mahjong

Wine

Bridge

Meditation

Canasta

Poker (NEW)

Foodies

Sunday Morning Basketball (NEW)

The Unseen Force Flowing Through the Universe Tuesday mornings 9:30 Great for flexibility, balance and lowering stress. This informal group meets for a full practice. Open to new, curious and experienced practitioners. No RSVP

Meditation Circle Next Event:

Thursday, November 14 at 7:30 pm Contact Carol Lipinsky, bounceroo@bellsouth.net

Our new members!

Ryan and Jo-Ann Friedrich 12

News and Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah

B’NAI MITZVAH Eric Sher will be called to the Torah as a Bar Mitzvah on November 16, 2019. He is the son of Alicia and Stacy Sher. Grandparents are Harriet and Richard Levi of Tampa, FL and InaMae and David Sher of Birmingham, AL. Eric is an 8th grader at High Meadows School in Roswell. He enjoys playing the trombone in the High Meadows band and he just received his black belt in Taido karate this past summer, after training for 7 years.

Eric completed many mitzvah projects over the past year, but the one that stands out the most is participating in the Am Yisrael Chai Twinning Program, which provides research to find a “twin”, so that the memory of a child who perished in the Holocaust can be honored.

Eric will be sharing his Bar Mitzvah with his “twin”, Erich Josef Moses Levy, and making a contribution to Am Yisrael Chai, so that 50 daffodils can be planted in honor of his Bar Mitzvah and in memory of Erich Levy. This donation will also help Am Yisrael Chai fulfill its mission of Holocaust Education, building a worldwide Holocaust Memorial and helping children suffering in humanitarian crises in the world today.

13

News & Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah

UPCOMING EVENTS

LOCATIONS:* Temple Kehillat Chaim Temple Beth Tikvah Temple Kehillat Chaim Temple Beth Tikvah Temple Kehillat Chaim Temple Beth Tikvah

*Locations subject to change

14

News & Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah

Donations

(donations

processed as of (10/23/19)

ANNUAL CAMPAIGN 2019/2020 Ron and Leslie Swichkow in memory of Elizabeth Hodes Nancy and Sandy Simon in memory of Marion Simon and Rudolph Simon Michael and Anna Gutkin BUILDING FUND Andy Berke in memory of Gloria Berke and Stanley Berke Canasta Group CANTORS FUND Sharon Khoury in memory of Henny Wasserman Sharon Khoury in appreciation of her choir family Sheryl Blechner in memory of Henny Wasserman Kathleen and Joel Schoenblum in memory of Duane Rutte Doug and Donna Kallman in memory of Henny Wasserman Debbie and Mark Weiss in memory of Laura De Riemer Terry and Fred Segal in memory of Henny Wasserman Steve and Amy Fine in memory of George Wise Steve and Janice Liederman in memory of Joseph Zimmerman Marjory and William Segal in memory of Henny Wasserman Ron and Leslie Swichkow in memory of Michael Cohn and Henny Wasserman Ron and Leslie Swichkow in honor of the beautiful and meaningful High Holy Days services Tom and Patti Seibold in memory of Lawrence Gelb Lisa and Hadley Lowy in memory of Beatrice Lowy Bob and Adele Toltzis in memory of Harris Simons Steve and RoseAnn Gerson in appreciation of the High Holy Days Choir Adeline Penn in appreciation of Cantor Kassel Michael Lipsitt in memory of Robert Lipsitt GENERAL FUND Judith Miller in honor of Samantha Nagel’s Bat Mitzvah Gil and Ellen Ludwig in memory of Fred Stern Saul and Gloria Levenson wishing a speedy recovery to Evie Shapiro Lori Shapiro and Cary Goldenthal in memory of Michael Cohn Katie and Jamie Jaffe in memory of Michael Cohn

RABBI SHUVAL-WEINER DISC. FUND Sharon Khoury in appreciation of Rabbi Shuval-Weiner Steve and Amy Fine in memory of Marvin and Flora Fine Bruce and Carol Waldman in appreciation of Rabbi Shuval-Weiner Sheryl Blechner in appreciation of her High Holiday Aliyah Joy Davis in appreciation of Rabbi Shuval-Weiner Steve and RoseAnn Gerson in appreciation of a beautiful High Holy Days Ron and Leslie Swichkow in honor of the beautiful and meaningful High Holy Days services Nadine Duhaney in honor of Rabbi Shuval-Weiner Max and Carol Wolf in memory of Golda Wolf and Jacob Wolf Jon Zarett in memory of Marcia Zarett Meredith and Chad Paulin in memory of Marcia Zarett ECEC/PRESCHOOL FUND Steve and RoseAnn Gerson in memory of Florence Friedman Jane and Andrew Glickman in memory of Jane and Andrew Glickman YOUTH GROUP FUND Betty Rickles in memory of Marvin Mermelstein KEHILLAT CHESED/CARING FUND Richard Mindel and Barbara Bogartz in memory of Israel Davis MICHAEL ZALKIN LIBRARY FUND Mark and Gail Rudel in memory of Martin Mermelstein RABBI TAM DISCRETIONARY FUND Nadine Duhaney in honor of Rabbi Tam Lonnie and Debbie Carter in memory of Sy Lewis David and Christy Toltzis in memory of Harris Simons TIKKUN OLAM FUND Stuart and Frances Solomon

General Fund– This goes to where the need is greatest and allows the Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund – Donations are used for charitable giving Temple the most flexibility in directing your contribution dollars. at the Rabbis’ discretion.

Building Fund- Donations are used to pay down the building debt.

Cantors’ Fund – Donations are used for charitable giving at the Cantor’s discretion.

Annual Giving Campaign – The Annual Fund is a critical source of inKehillat Chesed Fund– These funds are used to support individuals come to the Temple, helping us make up the difference between during times of need such as providing meals of consolation, and revenues from membership dues and other fees, and our actual oper- other acts of kindness. ating costs.

Temple Beth Tikvah Endowment Fund – The endowment helps to pay down the mortgage, and when completed will help to secure our congregation’s significant program needs and ensure our future financial stability.

Tikkun Olam Fund – The purpose of this fund is to promote and support social justice and community service efforts, particularly those that encourage giving and volunteering in partnership with our synagogue.

Preschool Enrichment Fund – This fund provides for staff development workshops, parent education, enrichment specialists, and special equipment for the preschool.

Campership/Israel Fund– These monies are used to provide scholarships for children to attend summer camp, retreats, study programs or Israel experiences.

Michael Zalkin Memorial Library Fund- Donations are used to purchase books and other library improvements.

Prayer Book Fund– Used to purchase books used for the purpose of conducting a service (Siddurim, Chumashim, Shiva minyan books, etc)

Torah Fund- Donations provide for the maintenance and upkeep of our Torah scrolls and dressings.

Education Scholarship Fund- helps to provide need-based scholarship assistance to families attending Religious education classes at TBT. 15

News & Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah

16

News and Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah

KEHILAT / CHESED

Every Monday at TBT 7:15—8:30 PM

17

News and Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah

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.

We Must Know

In Memoriam

Before We Can Respond

Temple Beth Tikvah acknowledges with sorrow the passing of:

If you are grieving or struggling with illness, or if you are celebrating a birth or a new love, we want to be there. That’s what community’s all about, that’s what family’s all about.

Marvin Mermelstein Henny Wasserman Regina Fields Michael Cohn Elaine Glickman Marilyn Dickstein

Let us know how we can support you or anyone else in our community by calling

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

Kim Weindorf, Clergy Assistant, 770-642-0434

18

News and Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah

Thank to our office volunteers‌.

Marsha Mathis Marsha McMurrain Leslie Swichkow

19

News and Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah

Alexandria Shuval-Weiner Rabbi Donald A. Tam Rabbi Emeritus Nancy Kassel Cantor Sheri Baker Acting Preschool Director Suzanne Hurwitz Religious School Director Rhonda Povlot President Caryn Schilstra Vice President Tony Rosenberg Vice President Andrea Rubin Vice President Joe Dunn Treasurer Dalia Faupel Secretary Beth Asher Chairperson, Board of Education

Get Involved! TBT Committees and Chairpersons Budget & Finance Karen Korshak karcpa@comcast.net

Kehillat Chesed (Caring) Leslie Swichkow lswichkow@comcast.net

Ritual Rick Winer rsw@drrickwiner.com

Camp/Israel Scholarship Marcia Haber marciahaber@yahoo.com

Library Ilana Zalkin ilanaz@att.net

Security Jay Sausmer jsausmer@gmail.com

Chavurot/Affinity Groups Brian Rubenstein brianrubenstein@yahoo.com Danielle Rubenstein Danielle.rubenstein@gmail.com

Membership Recruitment & Retention Jill Leitman jaarons2@yahoo.com Rachel Wilson rachelw65@gmail.com

Seniors Steve Mahan smahan206bc@yahoo.com

College Outreach Susan Wynne scwynne@bellsouth.net Communications Marlene Cohn marlene@thecohns.us Family Promise Tony Rosenberg trosenberg860@gmail.com House Ted Nathan tnathan@baldwinscheduling.com Human Resources Seth Zimmer sz4941@att.com

Men’s Club Peter Hartog althazyr@gmail.com Mark Greenspan mgreenspan86@gmail.com Nominating Committee Wendy Klein Wendy.klein.hr@gmail.com Philanthropy Mark Rudel mrudel2018@gmail.com Harlan Graiser harlanng@yahoo.com

20

Sisterhood Ilana Zalkin sisterhoodtbt@gmail.com Social Action/Social Justice Michele Gergans michelegergans@hotmail.com Will Shields w_shields@bellsouth.net Website Development Scott Povlot spovlot@yahoo.com Youth Group youth@tbt.com