October/November 2020 Volume 39 Issue 8
©2020 Temple Beth Tikvah
9955 Coleman Road, Roswell, GA 30075
www.bethtikvah.com
Sukkot—pop by the Sukkah, it’s available 24x7 beginning Oct 2 through October 11; bring a snack, shake the lulav and fulfill all of the mitzvahs of Sukkot Simchat Torah—Friday, October 9: stay tuned for Torah fun Atzeret/Simchat Torah/Shabbat —Saturday, October 10: Yizkor prayers will be recited
Election Day—November 3 Ruach Shabbat Honoring Our Veterans — Friday, November 6 Veterans Day—Wednesday, November 11 Thanksgiving—Thursday, November 26
JOIN US LIVE via www.bethtikvah.com or Facebook Friday Kabbalat Shabbat Services—6:30 PM Saturday Morning—10:00 AM
A MESSAGE FROM THE
Rabbi
Todah Rabbah from Rabbi Shuval-Weiner Thank you to all at Temple Beth Tikvah who made our High Holy days so special. To all the volunteers for their participation and Torah reading and leading prayers and our digital and real time Ushers who worked to keep things in order behind the scenes! To our wonderful staff Kim Weindorf, Suzanne Hurwitz, Bobbee Griff, Linda Siegel, Becky Sullivan and Eric Chanin who create amazing programs, content and generally kept all the balls in the air. To my Clergy partner Cantor Nancy Kassel who is such an inspiring soul. Thank you for all your efforts to conceive and create with me and for assembling such amazing musicians and our gifted choir, without whom HHDS at TBT simply would not be the same! You are a blessing! To the incredible creativity of our tech-gurus Ron Swichkow and Ted Nathan who have been learning and growing with me these past many months. The hours you have both given to think and experiment with technology to keep the congregation connected digitally has been stupendous. Jared Rubenstein, Zoe Rosenberg, and others who have been quietly behind the cameras, we are all so grateful for your time and talents. Deepest gratitude to Evan & Missi Mermelstein who made it possible for us to bring Dave Shapiro & Ilene Alter of David Shapiro Enterprises on board to produce the beautiful streaming services. Thanks to DSE for all your hard work to make our High Holy Days so meaningful and spiritually nourishing even in these difficult circumstances. Thank you to our Temple Leadership for their amazing support and guidance and all of our donors who help us thrive. And thank you to Allen & Pam Apple for the beautiful flowers that graced the bimah. Here are some behind the scenes photos over the last few weeks.
Pg. 2 News and Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah
HHD Trivia The two most frequently asked questions of these Holy Days were: 1. How did we safely bring the choir to be able to sing for Holy Days? A: We utilized two modalities to bring TBT’s favorite HHD musical prayers and songs to our services. Over the course of two evenings, the members of the choir came together, each wearing a face shield and standing 12-15 feet away from one another but singing in unison. The second modality required individual members to record themselves individually and then all the pieces were digitally mixed. 2. Why were the rabbis and cantor wearing black robes? A: There are two reasons; the first is because while we did all that we could to make things as “normal as possible, still we weren’t whole. Until we are together again, we wanted to mark the fracture. The wearing of black and white together represented the fractured nature of the day. The second, and more mundane reason is that the producers felt that our lighting s such that all white would have washed us out. Next year when we are all back together again in person, we will celebrate with WHITE OUT FOR HHDS 5782! All of us will come to shul wearing white! L’Shana HaBa’ah b’Beth Tikvah!
A MESSAGE FROM OUR
President
Now that the high holidays are behind us, I want to take this opportunity to thank all the people who were responsible for getting us through this most unusual season. Our clergy spent countless hours in designing an array of services that met both the spiritual nature of the season and the need to be a virtual format. Our office staff was put to the test in having to accommodate the day-to day business of running the temple while making sure that the congregation stayed informed on the “what, when and how” to get access to the services. Our House Committee (Ron Swichkow and Ted Nathan) did an extraordinary job of timely assessing our video capabilities, obtaining the needed equipment and being on site for the setup and filming of the production. Our Social/Hospitality Committee, run by Jill Leitman, along with numerous congregants was instrumental in assisting the Clergy and office staff in putting together the wonderful gift bags that were delivered to the entire congregation. Our production team, David Shapiro Enterprises (Dave Shapiro and Ilene Alter) provided a beautiful video that we have received so much positive feedback about.
And finally, we had financial support from Evan and Missi Mermelstein (in honor of Evan’s parents, of blessed memory) in underwriting the entire video process. Clearly, it was a huge undertaking and was executed beyond expectations.
Pg. 3 News and Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah
As I mentioned in my Rosh Hashanah address to the congregation, we need to begin thinking about what synagogue life will look like once the world returns to a degree of post-pandemic normal. A recent article in the Jerusalem Post addressed this idea. Most people interviewed agreed that returning to what we were used to would be nice but that the length of time that the epidemic lasts will determine how people feel about returning to the “old normal”. Dr. Yonatan Moss, a professor of comparative religion, is quoted: “The importance of social gathering in religious identity is not something that will go away,” he said. “I think there will be an eager return to praying in synagogue, given that people have not been able to engage in that form of religious practice. At the same time, it depends on how long this goes on. If it goes on for a long time, people will get more used to alternative forms of religious worship.” I would love to hear from you about what you have missed since the beginning of COVID-19 restrictions as well as what you have experienced during these months that you have enjoyed and would want to continue. Once the COVID-19 threat begins to recede, we will need to take a measured approach to what TBT will become. Let us use this opportunity to “remake” ourselves into a meaningful congregation, one that includes our culture of inclusion, acceptance and love.
ADULT EDUCATION “Tales of the Holy Mysticat� Jewish Wisdom Stories by a Feline Mystic
By Rachel Adler
Thursday, October 22 7:30 PM via Zoom For more details, visit our website.
For more information on this book visit www.mysticcattales.com
Torah study is relaunching! Featuring Special Guest, Rabbi Barry Block, in conversation with Rabbi Shuval-Weiner
Saturday, November 7 12:30 PM via Zoom Thank you for continuing to support TBT's Backpack Buddies program! We have been delivering food to Sawyer Road Elementary School in Marietta, so that families can pick up extra meals and snacks to supplement what is supplied by the school district during remote learning. We hope to resume weekend backpack service when Marietta City Schools resumes face-to-face learning. And stay tuned for a chance to "light up" a needy child's pantry with food donations this Hanukkah!
Pg. 4 News and Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah
There is a special 20% discount off the retail price of The Mussar Torah Commentary: A Spiritual Path to Living a Meaningful and Ethical Life <https:// www.ccarpress.org/shopping_product_detail.asp? pid=50475> for all participants of the program. Promo code: MUSSAR20 at checkout. Discount code is valid until November 15.
ECEC UPDATE In a year filled with so much change, our school seems so familiar and comfortable with laughing children excited about the Jewish holidays. The children have all learned the symbols and traditions of Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot and Simchat Torah. Our bulletin boards are once again filled with holiday art projects and we have celebrated the holidays with apples and honey. The shofar was blown, and the round challah was eaten. The children made holiday gifts that were sent home to all the parents. We say, “have a sweet New Year” and honestly, we all hope and pray that 5781/2021 will be so much sweeter! Thanksgiving will be here soon! We like to talk to our preschoolers about what it means to be thankful. Usually we hear, “I am thankful for my mommy or daddy” or “I am thankful for my sister or brother or dog”. The answers may be like the ones from years past, but I think this year, it has a deeper
meaning. I am thankful for our wonderful teachers who come to school every day with smiles on their faces welcoming our youngest people back to face to face learning and playing. On a different note, many of our Pre-K and KRP (kindergarten readiness program) students benefitted from the ALEF Fund, and for that I am so grateful. It has allowed families that may not have otherwise been able to send their child to a temple preschool, have the luxury of doing so. A special thanks to Rabbi Shuval-Weiner, Cantor Kassel, our office staff, and the Board Of Education, who have been so supportive. I wish you all a wonderful new year filled with health and happiness.
TBT RELIGIOUS SCHOOL I have a confession to make to you, our TBT religious school families. When I interviewed for my position at our temple, I was asked how I would separate my friendships with members from my role as the director of the religious school. How would I respond to a friend who had an issue with an aspect of the school? How would I intervene if a friend’s child was disruptive? How would I see and be seen as the director first, a friend second? I assured the interviewees that I could do it, and I believe I did. But then the pandemic hit, and this became a challenge for me. Of course I want all of our students to remain highly engaged, to participate in every single aspect of religious school offered. I want Jewish learning to remain a priority and their pride in their Judaism, their temple, their community, a central part of who they are. But I also know that this is a really challenging time for all, and I am a realist. I care about your children as I care about my own. So when a parent expressed their child’s struggles with virtual learning, I could not in good conscience insist that they attend every Sunday class. When a parent told me their child is simply overwhelmed, I ask them to please take a short break. I am responding as a friend, a fellow parent, and a director. It all got jumbled up because the mental health and well-being of our students far overrides all. So that is my confession and I hope you will continue to share your struggles – and victories - with me. We are constantly looking for new ways to connect with our youngest members, both currently and in “normal” times. Out-of-the-box thinking often starts with a problem that needs a solution.
Pg. 5 News and Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah
In August, a tweet went viral on Jewish education Facebook pages: The question isn’t “How can they learn the V’ahavta virtually in third grade?" It’s “How can religious school be a source of constant love for third graders when the world is upside down?” This mirrors my feelings. Our religious school is here to teach our students about Judaism, to allow them to question, to teach them Hebrew, to give them the tools to be a proud Jew in America. It’s also – and more importantly – here to serve as their spiritual home and safe haven. We are here to support and be a source of that constant love that is so needed right now. Family Programs at 4:00PM (in place of morning virtual class) Sunday, October 4: Sukkot family education program for 2nd and 3rd grade Sunday, October 25: Social action family program for 4th grade Sunday, November 1: Gevurah (strength) family program for 5th grade Sunday, November 15: Holocaust Speaker education for 7th grade
Family Sababa at 12:30PM (all welcome to join): Sunday, October 18th - Clean TBT's adopted roads Sunday, October 25th - Allschool Tefillah (virtual) Sunday, November 1st Program with Albuquerque NM religious school students (virtual)
TBT YOUTH GROUP When we first started talking about a High Holiday program for HOTTY I asked the teens planning it: What was most important? What was their goal for the program? They said, “to be together.” After months apart and only seeing each other on Zoom, the HOTTY teens (like the rest of us, I imagine) are craving just being together. This says so much about the HOTTY community that we have built here at TBT. As much as the teens enjoy the programming, services, and activities, what really keeps them involved is being together with their friends. Whether that’s eating pizza in the social hall, riding on a bus playing games and chatting, or sitting in a circle next to one another singing the Havdalah blessings. These are the things that you can’t feel over a screen, no matter how many teens sign on, or how great or creative your program might be. In cleaning out my office this week, I found some quotes that the teens anonymously wrote during a Havdalah service a few years ago. The prompt was: “Why did you join HOTTY?” You can see some of their heartfelt responses below. As we enter this new year and find meaningful ways to be connect it’s important to keep in mind that the what we do this year and the how we do it may look different, but the why remains the same. The why our teens are involved in HOTTY is what we must keep in mind and know that it will outlast this unique time in our lives.
Pg. 6 News and Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah
I joined HOTTY because I’m an outgoing person and wanted to try something new. But HOTTY has become something more, it has become a family. Meet people who care about Judaism as much as I do, have fun, discover who I am, create lifelong bonds, and form lasting memories. Because my mom made me and I am so glad I did. I joined HOTTY to have a place to fit in. I want people to be inspired to change the world by doing what they love. At first I joined HOTTY because I was forced but freshman year I fell in love with HOTTY and knew I wanted to be at every event. HOTTY has brought me some of my best friends and memories that will last me a lifetime. One of my favorite moments in HOTTY was a Havdalah where we drew on papers chains and connected them.
Nathan Bernstein will be called to the Torah as a Bar Mitzvah on October 17, 2020
Nate as he is affectionately known, is the youngest son of Michael and Jeannine and brother to Ben and Lila. He is in the 7th grade at Crabapple Middle School. His hobbies include basketball, dominating the battlefield on Xbox, and playing with his beloved dog, Cobie. As one of his bar mitzvah projects, Nate collected supplies and donations to benefit the Backpack Buddies program. All donations were given to TBT and supplied to Sawyer Road Elementary School in Marietta.
Melanie Leah Kaplan will be called to the Torah on October 24, 2020. She is the daughter of Jodi and Gary Kaplan. She is the Granddaughter to Wendy Steinbaum, Madeline Kaplan, Arlene and Art Nudelman and the late Aubrey Steinbaum and Theodore Kaplan. Melanie is a seventh grader at Holcomb Bridge Middle School where she sings in the chorus and is a part of the schools AVID program. Melanie has been a swimmer since she was 4 years old and has been a year round swimmer since she was 8. She dreams of swimming in college as well as representing Atlanta in the Maccabiah games. Melanie also enjoys being a girl scout, attending Camp Barney Medintz and loves just hanging out with her friends (well she did before COVID). Melanie also dreams of becoming a veterinarian. Her love of animals knows no bounds. Along with her mom, she volunteers at the FurKids cat room and has fostered several kittens. She is “mom� to 2 guinea pigs, 3 cats, a dog and many betta fish. She started a betta fish rescue last year (Rivers Betta Rescue) and has saved over 200 fish from poor treatment at pet stores as well as owner surrenders. Melanie would like to thank all of the teachers and clergy at TBT for helping to prepare her for this milestone. She would also like to thank her tutor Rebecca Cheskes for her unending patience and support. She is excited to share this day with her friends and family.
Leah Rodabaugh will be called to the Torah on October 31, 2020. She is the daughter of Michelle Rodabaugh and Mathew Rodabaugh and sister to Ethan. Leah is in the 7th grade at Crabapple Middle School. She enjoys skateboarding, volleyball and hanging out with her friends. Leah is interested in a career in design. Leah also enjoys playing with her dog and going to the beach!
Davida Rose Ohayon will be called to the Torah on October 31, 2020. She is the daughter of Debi Flagel Ohayon and the sister to Abery. She is the granddaughter of Gerald Flagel. Davida is an 8th-grader at Crabapple Middle School where she is on the yearbook staff. She loves our dog Lucy, and she loves to go to her camp High Harbour. She was so sad to have to miss it this past summer, but she is looking forward to hopefully going back next year. This past year before the quarantine started, Davida had a coat drive to help give people a coat for the winter. She made flyers and decorated a box to help get people in our neighborhood to donate coats to people in need! Davida is so excited to share her bat mitzvah with her family and friends.
Pg. 7 News and Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah
Brooklyn Danielle Paulin will be called to the Torah on November 21, 2020. She is the daughter of Chad and Meredith Paulin, sister to Kaela and Emalie. She is the Granddaughter of Jon Zarett, and Marcia Zarett of blessed memory, and of Steve and Nancy Paulin.
Nathan Palazzo will be called to the Torah on November 14, 2020. He is the son of Ryan and Rachel Palazzo and Grandson of Marsha and Jim Mathis and the late Charles and Carolyn Palazzo.
Nathan is a 7th grade student at Northwestern Middle school. Nathan plays guitar and also loves to rock climb, mountain bike, wakeboard, and basically any other outdoor adventure he can find. For his Mitzvah project, he is working with Catalyst Sports. Catalyst Sports is a great organization that focuses on helping people with physical disabilities take part in these outdoor adventures. Nathan is raising money as well as donating his time for 2 adaptive climbing trips, one for civilians and one for veterans. He believes that especially during these times, it’s important for people to be able to get out and take part in these activities. While the service and celebration is going to look a little different than we had imagined, Nathan is excited about celebrating this milestone with his family and friends.
Brooklyn is in the 7th grade at Mabry Middle school where she received recognition as a member of principal honor roll. Brooklyn loves all things musical. She plays trumpet in the advanced band class and takes piano lessons at the Mary Majerus studio. Aside from her dedication to school and music, she is member of the East Cobb National Charity league, where she currently serves as class president. NCL is a mother daughter philanthropy where she along with her mother and two older sisters, commit their time to leadership development and community responsibility. Brooklyn’s passion for caring about others, specifically those bravely fighting cancer, led her to get involved with Aurora day camp. Aurora Day Camp program provides art projects and camp experiences to children fighting Cancer. Brooklyn chose this project in honor of her beloved grandmother Marcia who was an amazing artist who devoted her time to creating art projects and teaching children through her years as an art specialist. Brooklyn raised money and collected donations to create over a hundred art kits. Brooklyn has many cherished memories of creating art with her grandmother and hopes these projects bring happiness to the children who receive them.
SIMCHAS Seth and Ellen Zimmer announce the engagement of their daughter, Megan Zimmer to Seth Lerman.
Max Farina and Grace Myers were married in Sunset, SC on September 12, 2020. Max is the son of William and Susan Farina.
Steven Masor, son of Jonathan and Helene Masor was married in NYC on September 13, 2020 to Allison Fischler.
Eric and Pam Chanin announce the marriage of their daughter, Sarah Chanin to Avery Biascca. Wedding will be held in Roswell, GA on November 21, 2020.
If you have simcha to share, please contact kim@bethtikvah.com
Pg. 8 News and Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah
SISTERHOOD Shalom TBT Sisterhood! Hard to believe the High Holidays have come and gone, and what a wonderful job Rabbi Shuval-Weiner, Cantor Kassel and all of the amazing contributors did in pulling off TBT’s First (and hopefully last) Virtual High Holidays Experience! As the weather changes and we put away our swim suits, shorts and t-shirts, it is hard to believe we are still advised to socially distance and wear a mask. And yet, here we are! This has been an off year for Sisterhood for obvious reasons, and yet there are still ways that we can connect virtually: Rosh Chodesh with Terry Segal happens on the first Wednesday of every month from 7 to 8:30pm on Zoom. What a wonderful way to connect spiritually with fellow TBT women. Check the TBT website for more information! I promise you will come away feeling refreshed and ready to face the month renewed!
This past summer on Tuesdays and Wednesdays there have been many virtual programs to sign up for, from concerts to cooking demos. Check out the TBT website for more programs coming soon. Friday night and Saturday morning services are streamed live every week. An easy way to attend services without leaving the comfort of your couch! A win/win!! As always, if you have any thoughts or ideas for virtual Sisterhood programs we might want to explore, feel free to reach out to me. Shalom, Ilana
MEN’S CLUB Gentlemen of TBT: L'Shana Tova! We are excited to co-chair the TBT Men's Club and look forward to a great year meeting new friends and continuing to build a strong congregation and community. Thank you to Mark and Peter for their years of outstanding leadership and leave us with some big shoes to fill! To kick things off, please mark your calendars and join us for our Men's Club virtual 2020-21 planning meeting on Sunday, October 11 at 11:00 AM Click Link for Zoom Meeting or dial in via (877) 853-5247 Meeting Code 980 1416 5178. In the meantime, a few reminders: 1) DUES: If you can and have not yet done so, please submit dues ($36) to Eric Chanin at TBT or online via account login at https://www.bethtikvah.com/payment.php Despite the current COVID-19 and social distancing environment, we are planning some really fun and engaging programs this year and funding is going to be key to successful events. 2) STRENGTH IN MEMBERSHIP: We want to focus on member growth and engagement. So please forward this
Pg. 9 News and Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah
information to any friends at TBT who have not yet had the opportunity to become involved in Men's Club programs. Additionally, we want to ensure that we have the latest active contact information for Men's Club, so please let us know if you would like to update your contact info or be removed from this distribution list. Thanks in advance for your support. Have a wonderful and sweet new year and we look forward to getting together virtually on October 11th! Regards, Michael Bernstein & Joe Feinberg Temple Beth Tikvah Men's Club Co-Chairs
DONATIONS ANNUAL CAMPAIGN 2020/2021 in honor of the TBT staff and clergy for all their hard work to make the High Holiday services happen. from Joe & Waynah Dunn in memory of Connie Kruger from Alan Schreihofer Julius "Jay" Bearman and Joshua Jaffe from Dr. Dale & Wendy Bearman Erik Ludwig from Gilbert & Ellen Ludwig Wayne Milligan, father of Waynah Dunn from Joe & Waynah Dunn Gloria Paul from Sandy & Nancy Simon Constance “Connie” Kruger from Dr. Dale & Wendy Bearman Jules Aaronson, Father of Andy Aaronson from Mark & Gail Rudel
BACKPACK BUDDIES in memory of Helen Walkes, Murray Wixman and Constance Kruger from Bruce & Bonnie Walkes Morris Lessner from David and & Jenny Korsen
CAMPERSHIP/ISRAEL FUND in honor of Michelle Easton-Williams birthday from Marsha & Herb Williams in memory of Richard Cooper from Hadley & Lisa Lowy
CANTORS FUND in appreciation of Everything you do for the synagogue from Ellen Frank & Peter Klolow Abby's Bat Mitzvah from Kevin & Melanie Metzger in honor of Bat Mitzvah of Lucy Weindorf from Betty Rickles Mayah's Bat Mitzvah from Dr. Gary & Dr. Michal Loventhal Zachary Bergman's Bar Mitzvah from Peter & Sharon Jedel in memory of Connie Kruger, mother of Anne Beckman from Betty Rickles Laura De Riemer from Dan DeRiemer Anne Brisk from David & Anne Strauss Marvin Landstein from David & Anne Strauss Roselen Rivkin from Jonathan & Lynda Bennett Arnold Rivkin from Jonathan & Lynda Bennett Jon's mother, Theodora "Bobbi" Bennett from Jonathan & Lynda Bennett Connie Kruger, mother of Anne Beckman and Barbara Kruger from Judy Levine Connie Kruger from Paul & Harriet Weinberg Mitchell Seifstein, Father of Adele Norton Simons, Stepfather of Bob from Robert & Adele Toltzis Connie Kruger, mother of Anne Beckman from Ron & Leslie Swichkow Flora Fine from Steve, Amy, Jennifer & Ellen Fine
Pg. 10 News and Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah
Shirley Cohn from Steven & Arlene Cohn Myra Farber, Esther Farber, Arthur Farber from Stuart Farber Anne Beckman’s mother from Terry & Fred Segal
CARING/KEHILLAT CHESED FUND in honor of Rabbi Shuval-Weiner from Richard & Nancy Kleiner in memory of Dorothy Kaufman from Marcy Kaufman & Family Sarah Stieglitz from Mr. Aaron & Mrs. Sheila Stieglitz Helaine Kaufman Buchwald from The Perlson Family Speedy Recovery of Joe Dunn from Kathy and Mike Levin Harlan Graiser from Kathy and Mike Levin
HIGH HOLY DAY CONTRIBUTION in appreciation of My sister Roberta L. Goldman from Eileen Lichtenfeld
HUNGER FUND in appreciation of Carol Lipinsky from Francesca Solomon
MICHAEL ZALKIN MEMORIAL LIBRARY FUND in memory of Bernard Strauss from David & Anne Strauss
LEVIN RELIGIOUS SCHOOL FUND in honor of Lois Malkin from Kevin & Melanie Metzger in memory of Daniel Sterling from Joe & Carole Sterling
PRAYERBOOK FUND in memory of Sargent D. Sterling from Joe & Carole Sterling
PRESCHOOL FUND in memory of E. Malkin and D. Frank from Sidney & Lois Malkin Michelle Holzer from Sidney & Lois Malkin
TZEDAKAH FUND in memory of Isaac Liebowitz from Marsha & Herb Williams Constance “Connie” Kruger from Ellen & Rob Rickles Seymour Klein Yahrzeit from Andrew Klein
As of 9/15/20
DONATIONS CONTINUED GENERAL FUND in appreciation of Streaming Shabbat services. A beautiful and inspiring way to end the week during these most challenging times. from Judith Tolkan Cantor, Rabbi and TBT from Roberta Mittler in honor of Zachary Bergman's Bar Mitzvah from Jeffery & Karen Mesquita in memory of Elaine Glickman from Andrew & Jane Glickman Miriam Natter from Bernie & Gail Natter Celia Mendelson from David & Christine Toltzis Martha Resnick from Bernice Bickwit Connie Kruger from Debbie and Huett Britt David Soniker from Fern Soniker Connie Kruger from George & Sherrie Warsaw Sarah Ludwig from Gilbert & Ellen Ludwig Fred Stern from Gilbert & Ellen Ludwig Norma Dubbrin from Gilbert & Ellen Ludwig Harry Lowy from Hadley & Lisa Lowy Constance "Connie" Kruger z"l beloved mother of our member Anne Beckman and mother-in-law of Paul Beckman from Lori Shapiro & Carey Goldenthal Leonard Stansky from Melvin & Tobi Levine Shirley Winker and Hertzel Matusow from Paula Sandfelder other In celebration of Zach Williams graduation from the University of Nebraska. from Mark Williams & Michelle Easton-Williams
RABBI SHUVAL-WEINER DISCRETIONARY FUND in appreciation of Rabbi Shuval-Weiner from Bernard & Susan Greenberg In Appreciation of Rabbi Alex for your understanding, kindness, caring and help for our family. from Debbie & Les Granow Everything you do for our synagogue from Ellen Frank & Peter Klokow Abby's Bat Mitzvah from Kevin & Melanie Metzger Rabbi Shuval-Weiner and Jay Weiner from Mark and Gail Rudel RSW creating a beautiful wedding for Jennifer and Corey and blessing of their family with Arden from Steve & RoseAnn Gerson RSW reaching out and kind words of support from Keith & Hedva Wiener in honor of Mayah's Bat Mitzvah from Dr. Gary & Dr. Michal Loventhal Mark and Michelle Williams 16th Anniversary from Marsha & Herb Williams Zachary Bergman's Bar Mitzvah from Peter & Sharon Jedel in memory of Helen Walkes, Murray Wixman and Constance Kruger from Bruce & Bonnie Walkes Etta Mamberg from Mariann Mamberg Jerry Kaufman from Carol & Nathan Schemo
Pg. 11 News and Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah
Laura De Riemer from Dan DeRiemer Jerry Kaufman from David & Anne Strauss Selma Strauss from David & Anne Strauss Anne Beckman's Mother from Hedva and Keith Wiener Marilyn Dickstein and in appreciation to Rabbi Shuval-Weiner for performing the unveiling service from Hydi and Bruce Kalmin Minnie Rabkin Friedman from Jerome & Margie Cohen Paula Stark from Jon Zarett Howard Sinsley from Joshua & Debbie Sinsley Mae and Milton Kramer from Lloyd & Gail Tate Howard Seidband from Marc Seidband Speedy Recovery of Mark Williams from Linda Baron & Ande Baron
RABBI TAM'S DISCRETIONARY FUND in memory of Manny Fisher from Alan & Cathy Breitman Shirley Sacks from Andrew & Barbara Sacks Laura De Riemer from Dan DeRiemer Connie Kruger, mother of Anne Beckman from Jon & Susan Barry Sy Lewis from Lonnie, Debbie, Devyn, Allie and Carter
RELIGIOUS SCHOOL ENRICHMENT FUND in appreciation of Suzanne Hurwitz from The Cohn Family Rachel Wilson for all of her help tutoring Ben this summer. from Traci and Peter Hartog in honor of Lucy Weindorf from Marsha and Herb Williams
RELIGIOUS SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIP FUND in appreciation of Kathy Rieter, for her kindness and generosity. from June Wallach In honor of Winners of our Ruach Return Car Parade from the TBT Staff
SOCIAL ACTION COMMITTEE in honor of Mayah Loventhal Bat Mitzvah And Her Dedication to Equality from The Povlot Family
TIKKUN OLAM FUND in memory of my aunt Constance A. Kruger from Amy and Yossi Goel Morris Willard from Jeffrey Willard & Steve Mahan Leigh Naftolin from Joshua & Debbie Sinsley As of 9/15/20
ANNUAL CAMPAIGN As we go through the High Holidays, we are reminded how important our TBT community is to the Jewish lives we live. “Stronger Together," TBT’s new 2020-21 tagline, sums it up. As always, "it takes a village." The significant and visible effort made in 2020 by the Rabbi, Cantor, staff, Board of Trustees and our many volunteers to keep TBT vital and vibrant underscores our leadership’s commitment to enriching our Jewish lives, spiritually, socially, culturally, and programmatically.
ELECTION DAY IS COMING! Early voting begins October 12 and Election Day is November 3 Excerpt from The Jewish Duty to Vote by Rabbi David Markus Jewish view on Voting: In our tradition we believe that government is important. As in ancient days, we “pray for government’s welfare, for without fear of it [we] would swallow each other alive” (M. Avot 3:2). The duty to create and support government is one of the few duties that Jewish law recognizes for all, Jew and non-Jew alike (B.T. Sanhedrin 56a). To Maimonides (1135-1204), the purpose is to ensure public order (Mishneh Torah, Melachim 9:14); to Nachmanides (1194-1270), the purpose extends to include all social welfare (comm. B.T. Avodah Zara 4a). Public safety, health, social equity, the rule of law – the very fabric of modern life in an interdependent world –today require wise, effective and democratically accountable government as never before. Second, Jewish tradition views government as a human partnership with God. Where Torah predicts that Israelites would want civil rulers instead of priests and prophets, Moses told the people: “[B]e sure to place over yourselves the king that God elects for you” (Deut. 17:14-15). The canon records that God chose the first king, Saul (1 Sam. 9:16-17). The second king, David, was chosen by God but confirmed by “all of Israel’s elders” (2 Sam. 5:3). The third king, his son Solomon, ruled in David’s bloodline but “all the people” together ratified his accession (1 Kings 1:39). Given this democratic shift, Talmud opined that not even God could select rulers without consulting the people (B.T. Berachot 55a). By medieval days, when Jews elected tax collectors to remit Jewish taxes to Christian realms, Moses Isserles (1520-1572) held that all taxpayers were to assemble and vote “for the sake of heaven” (Shulchan Aruch, Choshen Mishpat 163:1). Declining to vote means ignoring Torah’s notion of human partnership in the “heavenly” work of government. On the other hand, the Chatam Sofer (1762-1839) held that taxpayers who didn’t vote faced no compulsion: their only penalty was to forfeit rights to shape election outcomes.
Pg. 12 News and Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah
As we approach the 2020-21 Annual Campaign, “Campaign 34: Renewal,” we ask you to consider a meaningful gift to ensure this sacred institution is preserved for years to come. Thank you very much.
Mark Rudel Campaign Chair
What the Chatam Sofer didn’t seem to understand is the third and most important reason Jews must vote: Jews value collective action so highly that the public interest can compel individual behavior. The Chatam Sofer didn’t understand the political notion of a social compact: by choosing to live somewhere as citizens, we bind ourselves to contract with that society. As Shlomo ben Meiri (10801174, “Rashbam”) held, this social compact obliges Jews to honor the realm’s civil laws in exchange for the realm’s benefits and protection (comm. B.T. Bava Batra 54b). Jewish choice of residency also triggers a duty to help provide the benefits of society, lest anyone’s non-participation cause what economists call free riding. (If anyone could take a public good without giving, then all would have the same incentive – and the public good itself could disappear.) For this reason, Jews must not only pay for public benefits they receive (B.T. Bava Batra 8a) but also directly help as needed to serve the public (B.T. Bava Metzia 108a). While Talmud’s day the main concerns for collective action were flood control, public transportation, civil defense and public health, in our day these concerns depend mainly on government. It is via government that Jews fulfill their civic duty to communities where they maintain residence and citizenship – not only by paying taxes, but also through public service and especially by voting. The implications are profound. Most pundits and rabbis describe the so-called “Jewish vote” in terms of Israel and Mideast policy, but the real “Jewish issue” is government’s effectiveness to perform its public duties. Understood properly, government’s whole agenda – public health and safety, social policy, criminal justice, environmental protection and more – is a “Jewish issue.” All are necessary concerns of Jewish voters as Jewish voters. That is the Jewish commitment to our nation, tradition and values – whatever our personal politics and partisanship may be. Judaism’s wisdom tradition teaches that “You do not need to finish the work, but you are not free to desist from it” (M. Avot 2:16). Maybe no single election will fix the nation’s fate, but every election is important – and Judaism’s value of collective action mandates Jews to pitch in. If you’re a citizen, you are not free to stay home on Election Day. You are not free to free-ride on the votes of others.
Get to the polls. Vote.
IN MEMORIAM Temple Beth Tikvah acknowledges with sorrow the passing of:
Every Monday
Constance “Connie” Kruger Robert Sharkis Ruth Aldaheff Valerie Cohen Kassel Pg. 13 News and Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah
7:15—8:30 PM ONLINE Contact Jeff Schultz jeff.schultz27@gmail.com
9955 Coleman Road Roswell, GA 30075 www.bethtikvah.com Rabbi Alexandria Shuval-Weiner Cantor Nancy Kassel Rabbi Emeritus Donald A. Tam Preschool Director Linda Siegel Religious School Director Suzanne Hurwitz Youth Director Bobbee Griff President Joseph Dunn Vice President Caryn Schilstra Vice President Todd Boehm Vice President Mark Greenspan Treasurer Karen Korshak Secretary Dalia Faupel Board of Education Beth Asher Immediate Past President Rhonda Povlot
TBT COMMITTEES AND CHAIRPERSONS Budget & Finance Ron Swichkow ron@dspccpa.com
House Ted Nathan tnathan@baldwinscheduling.com
Philanthropy Mark Rudel mrudel2018@gmail.com
Camp/Israel Scholarship Marcia Haber marciahaber@yahoo.com
Human Resources Seth Zimmer sz4941@att.com
Ritual Rick Winer rsw@drrickwiner.com
Chavurot/Affinity Groups Brian Rubenstein brianrubenstein@yahoo.com
Kehillat Chesed (Caring) Leslie Swichkow lswichkow@comcast.net
College Outreach Susan Wynne scwynne@bellsouth.net
Library Ilana Zalkin ilanaz@att.net
Communications Marlene Cohn marlene@thecohns.us
Membership Recruitment & Retention Tony Rosenberg trosenberg860@gmail.com
Security Jay Sausmer jsausmer@gmail.com Seniors Steve Mahan smahan206bc@yahoo.com Sisterhood Ilana Zalkin sisterhoodtbt@gmail.com
Family Promise Tony Rosenberg trosenberg860@gmail.com
Nominating Committee Dalia Faupel d2faupel@gmail.com
Social Action/Social Justice Michele Gergans michelegergans@hotmail.com Will Shields w_shields@bellsouth.net
TBT Needs You—Get Involved!