October 2015 • Volume 29 • Issue 9
A Reform Congregation Embracing Our Jewish Tradition
Consecration &
followed by an ice cream sundae social! Sunday, Oct. 4th 6 - 7:30 pm
Dairy Dinner TBT COMMUNITY PARTNER NIGHT
Join friends & family on
Saturday, November 7
Friday, Oct. 30th at 6:30 pm
See page 3 for details
See page 7 for info on what to bring
RUACH CAMP SHABBAT October 16th at 6:30 PM with camp activities to follow
JOIN WITH TEMPLE BETH TIKVAH AND HELP FINISH THE FIGHT AGAINST CANCER!
4th ANNUAL RELAY FOR LIFE - RUACH ATLANTA OCTOBER 11, 2015 NORTH SPRINGS CHARTER HIGH SCHOOL 7447 ROSWELL ROAD, SANDY SPRINGS JOIN THE “TIKVAH TROOPERS” AND HELP US MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE FIGHT AGAINST CANCER! To register, make a donation or to honor or remember someone in our tribute book please visit: www.relayforlife.org/ruachga Or contact Holly.York@cancer.org
News & Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah
Journey for Justice I walked with some incredible people such as Keshia Thomas, the African American woman who as a young teenager saved a white supremacist from a mob of angry people. I walked with and learned from the incredible president of the NAACP, Cornell Brooks, and I had the honor to stand with a spirited soul named Middle Passage who led the daily march, carrying our flag- always with a kind word and a dignified demeanor. He knew the horrors of injustice, yet he was and remained a proud American, a decorated veteran. Nearing the age of 70, nothing would stop him from walking for what he believed- a better America. Not the voices of hatred he heard along the way, not the blistering heat nor down pour of rain. No aching muscles nor sunburned skin would stop him from his purpose. In his words, he marched across 5 states for ‘better jobs, better schools, better justice’
Q: What do a pair of sneakers, an American flag, Gatorade and a Torah have in common? A: 1,000 Miles of Meaning! This summer I had the great opportunity to take part in America's Journey for Justice March, organized by the NAACP. More than 150 rabbis, all members of the Central Conference of American Rabbis, carried a 20-pound Torah scroll from Selma, Alabama to Washington DC. Reminiscent of the iconic photograph of Rabbi Maurice Eisendrath, marching next to Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in 1963, we too carried a Torah of Justice on this, the 50th anniversary of the civil rights movement. We, along with average citizens joined the march as a statement in solidarity for a stronger America, articulating through our feet and our sweat the words “tzedek, tzedek tirdof”- justice, justice shall you pursue (Deuteronomy 16:20). We rabbis, 2-3-4 at a time, traveled from across the country, took turns representing the Jewish community in this important 40-day trek. Beginning at the Edmund Pettus bridge in Selma, Alabama, we walked shoulder to shoulder with men and women, adults and children, black and white, Jewish, Christian, Buddhist and Moslem. Chanting: “what do we want? We want justice! ~When do we want it? We want it now!”
The journey was calculated to be 865 miles but due to death threats coming out of North Carolina, the route had to be modified, taking the walkers on a longer path- the entire journey totaling a thousand plus miles. On September 12, 922 miles into the journey, Middle Passage was called back to his Maker, passing away before he saw his Promised Land. Like Moses, Middle Passage was a giant of a soul, passionate and so full of purpose. He spurred so many of us forward. He lives on through all who took this journey.
My shift happened on August 12. I contributed 16 miles to the journey (at this writing, the bruises on my toe nail beds are still visible). I had the honor of carrying the Torah through the streets of historic South Atlanta, past Morehouse College and the State Capital. A few students and a mom, and two of her daughters, on their way to the public library joined us as we wove through the streets for Atlanta. With each step we sang songs of freedom. She gave her daughters the gift of experiencing something that was “real” in the way of an educational experience.
So why did we March? We marched because we believe in an America, with its promise of freedom and justice for all. We marched for a country where all children have access to equitable public education. We marched because access to the ballot box should be a right protected for all our citizens. The Journey for Justice concluded the day after Rosh Hashana at our nation's capital. With the blast of the Shofar, many of us pray that this march was more than an event, we pray that it was the beginning in the next chapter in the work for racial justice in America. Time will tell.
As sojourners, we shared pictures of our families and talked about our dreams for what our country should be like. We challenged each other around the sacred work before us in bringing the dream to fruition. There were passionate discussions about gun violence and education reform. Though some of our opinions differed, I marveled at the respect and determination shared by the group. High Holy Days Review At the end of Yom Kippur, I invited the congregation to offer us feedback on our Holy Day experience. I encourage each and every one of you to communicate with me in the coming days - by phone, by letter, by email sharing with me your reactions and comments regarding our High Holy Day and festival services, programs and general HHD procedures. Constructive criticisms, compliments, concerns are all encouraged. Only by hearing your voices can we serve effectively the spiritual needs of the congregation. Cantor Kassel, Congregational President Ron Swichkow and I look forward to hearing your feedback.
L’Chaim- To Life! Life is a blessing and should be lived with joy, happiness, and wonder. Simchat Torah/Shemini Atzeret is the time when we as a Jewish people give thanks for the lessons learned in life and the opportunity to begin a new chapter – Torah is our life and beginning again is a time to be filled with happiness.
the service and celebration, and then the celebration continues with ice cream sundaes in the Social Hall . What could be more joyful than that?!
Atzeret/Yizkor Service On Monday, October 5 at 10:00 am, as we conclude the fall holidays, we add a special service of remembrance, Yizkor. Simchat Torah Tradition teaches us that the Yizkor service is On Sunday, October 4 beginning at 6:00 pm, held on the last day of each of the three we will march and dance around our beautiful festivals: Passover, Shavuot, and Shemini sanctuary with our flags and Torah scrolls. We Atzeret, as well as on Yom Kippur afternoon. open the Torah up for everyone to hold and see, Its name derives from the first word of its cenwhich is always exciting and very cool. tral prayer, which means “May He remember.” This service is perfect for the entire TBT We invite the community to join us on Monday family- birth to 120 years young! October 5, from 10:00-noon as we share a little Our Consecration ceremony for kindergartners Torah, chant a few songs and reflect on those and new students to TBT will take place during souls whom we love and remember. 2
News & Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah
Notes from Cantor Kassel MAZAL! (an old yet trendy word - loaded with layers of interpretation) Mazal (Mazel) is one of the multi-cultural hip words to say, assuming it’s still ‘hip’ to use the word “hip”. It used to be associated only with its partner word “tov”, meaning ‘good’. Now we hear it used by young and old, Jew and non-Jew, as its own independent word. When used as part of the expression “mazal tov” it is generally understood to mean “good luck” but its true meaning is much more nuanced. When you say to someone “mazal tov” you are saying: may the constellations be good for you. May the constellations be good for you? How did that become a Jewish expression? In the bible the word is found in the plural “mazalot” in II Kings 23:5, used in connection with idolatry: “burned incense to Ba’al, to the sun and to the moon, and to the planets, and to all the hosts of heaven.” Elsewhere in the bible, there are strong objections to our fate being determined by anyone or anything else other than God. The Talmud says that we are not subject to mazel, which is to say that our own actions determine our fate. In Mishnaic times the word was used in its singular form, mazal, and was understood to mean constellation or destiny. Many believed that the constellations on high were directing the destiny of individuals and nations down below. Even some medieval Jewish philosophers and their rationalistic approach bought into this non-rational idea, except for Maimonidies, who abided by the ruling in Shulkan Arukh (Yoreh Deah, 179.1) “One must not inquire of the astrologers and not consult lots.” When Yiddish was the vernacular of our Eastern European ancestors, the meaning took on the much more familiar “luck” or “fortune”. In Jewish mysticism, the word mazel is used to describe the root or main part of the soul, which is not experienced consciously, and is above our earthly bodies. In modern times it has taken on the meaning of “congratulations” and the plural, “mazalot” translates as the signs of the zodiac. Whichever interpretation of mazal speaks most to you, there is the underlying idea that something outside of us influences us and our hope is that this influence is one of blessing and awareness of blessings in our daily lives. Wishing you all, in this new year, 5776, good MAZAL!
Saturday, November 7th, 2015 8:00 PM
In Gratitude I cannot begin to express my deep gratitude for the outpouring of sympathy and support that I have received from the TBT family following the passing of my beloved father, Norton Locke. Your calls, notes, gifts of foodyour presence sitting with me in my home and assuring a minyan so that I was able to recite Kaddish, is more than I could ever have imagined. Thank you does not begin to articulate all I am holding in my heart. Although this has been an extremely difficult time, your love has and will continue to sustain me as my family and I begin to accept this new reality in our life.
MJCCA-Zaban Park 5342 Tilly Mill Rd Dunwoody, GA 30338
Since TBT is a Community Partner, members get to take advantage of member priced tickets to Judy Blume. Use the coupon code for Individual tickets to this event: TBT Use the coupon code for Series Tickets to the Book Festival: TBT SERIES Click below for more information: http://www.atlantajcc.org/pldb-live/judy-blume-i-inthe-unlikely-event-i-br-29924/
Rav Todot, Rabbi Shuval-Weiner
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News and Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah
B’nai Mitzvah Hudson King will be called to the Torah as a Bar Mitzvah on October 17, 2015. Hudson is the son of Rachael and Jared King of Alpharetta, and the brother to Arden. Hudson is an 8 th grader at Haynes Bridge Middle School where he is an honor roll student and in Jr. Beta. Hudson also enjoys swimming, playing soccer, and his happy place is URJ Six Points Sports Academy. Some of Hudson’s mitzvot have included staying at TBT overnight for Family Promise, volunteering at the Cohen Home and at his Bar Mitzvah party he is collecting “Quarters for Campers” to benefit the TBT Camp Scholarship Fund. Hudson is excited to share this milestone with friends and family coming from all over the world to celebrate with him.
Matthew Gilbert will be called to the Torah as a Bar Mitzvah on October 17, 2015. Matthew is the son of Leslie and Michael Gilbert, and brother to Cassidy Gilbert. Matthew is a 7 th grade student at Hightower Trail Middle School where he is on the Principal’s Honor Roll. Matthew plays football for Pope Junior Greyhounds, but his first love is lacrosse. He plays for the Pope Junior Select Lacrosse team, as well as the Thunder Travel Lacrosse team. When he’s not on the field, Matthew enjoys hanging out with friends, working on lacrosse skills, and helping other people. Matthew’s love for all animals prompted one of his 13 mitzvot; he collected
Joshua Rubin will be called to Torah as a Bar Mitzvah on October 31, 2015. Joshua is the son of Paul and Jewel Rubin, and Grandson to Sherwin Rubin of Arlington, Texas. He is in the seventh grade at Riverside Military Academy, where he participates in Crew. His hobbies include Taekwondo, Lego Robotics, and Archery. Joshua has assisted as a volunteer with the Family Promise project. As part of his 13 Mitzvot Project, Josh is collecting clothing and other items needed by these families, as well as donations for the program.
TIME TO APPLY FOR ALEF FUND TAX CREDIT 2016!
Complete your application and direct your tax dollars to the ALEF Fund Partner Schools of your choice. 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!
Welcome to the TBT Family!! Michael & Monica Tempel Matthew and Marissa
Andrea Davis Julia and Aislin
Eric & Stacey Bell Presley and Spencer
Rachel Maloni Sela, Decker and Max
Joyce Wice
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News and Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah
Rethinking Your Reluctance to Ask for Directions One of my biggest challenges is to know how I can make changes in our “asks” of you in order to move you to be more involved and engaged participants in this wonderful community. I ask for your help and your thoughts on this. As we continue to struggle to make physical and programmatic improvements and keep committed staff with limited financial resources, this may well be my biggest frustration. Give me the direction I need to get each of you to participate, to volunteer and to give a little more so that our community can do more than just get by due to limited financial resources. If this community will give the committed lay leaders the tools, we will not let you down. Our dreams are your dreams and the dreams of our children and grandchildren. The Board of Trustees will listen, I promise. If there has been some disconnect between congregants and lay leadership, I am fully committed to make sure we are on the same desired path. Reach out to me, preferably in person but email will work, rswichkow@gmail.com. As Joan Rivers used to say, “We’ll talk”. Or better yet, come to a Board meeting or committee meeting to see for yourself and be a part of all the behind-the–scenes magic!
A man and woman were married for many years. Whenever there was a confrontation, yelling could be heard deep into the night. The old man would shout, "When I die, I will dig my way up and out of the grave and come back and haunt you for the rest of your life!" Neighbors feared him. The old man liked the fact that he was feared. Then one evening, he died at the impressive age of 98. After the burial, the woman’s neighbors, concerned for her safety, asked, "Aren't you afraid that he may indeed be able to dig his way out of the grave and haunt you for the rest of your life?" The wife said, "Let him dig. I had him buried upside down ... and I know he won't ask for directions.” While this is meant to be a funny anecdote, it can offer a relevant message. Humor has a great way of making poignant observations of real life. The Gates of Repentance have closed and we are all doing our best to work toward the changes that we identified just a few meaningful weeks ago. Change and growth are not achieved without the help of others. We must ask for and accept direction and advice from our peers, parents, mentors, and clergy in order to make the changes necessary to be the best we can be. This is true both in our personal lives and at our synagogue.
L’Shalom
Ron Swichkow
TEMPLE BETH TIKVAH WELCOMES LEE GORDON TO THE BIMAH Friday, October 30th at 8 pm Friday evening, October 30th, Temple Beth Tikvah welcomes to the bimah, Lee Gordon, co-founder of Yad B’Yad: Hand-InHand, the Center for Jewish-Arab Education in Israel. Lee Gordon is co-founder of Hand in Hand: Center for Jewish-Arab Education in Israel. He is a native of Portland, Oregon, and lived for 20 As a congregation of Ohavei Israel, lovers of Israel and Rodefei Shalom, pursuers of peace, TBT is thrilled to welcome years in Israel, where he received a Masters Degree in Social Work from Hebrew Universi- Mr. Gordon to our community. We look forward to hearing about his important work. There will be an opportunity to speak with ty and graduated from the prestigious Mandel Institute’s School Mr. Gordon following the service at the oneg Shabbat. for Educational Leadership. His years of involvement in the peace movement and in Israeli-Palestinian/Jewish-Arab dialogue Brought to you by the TBT Israel Committee propelled him to establish Hand in Hand, and in 1999 to create American Friends of Hand in Hand, a non-profit American organization supporting the organization’s work in Israel, of which Lee serves as executive director. Lee is married and has 3 children. Lee’s wife is Miriam Reshotko, a physicist and engineer at Intel. They are members of Havurah Shalom synagogue in Portland, Oregon.
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News and Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah
Religious School Our Sunday school classes are named after cities in Israel. As you walk through the school it is as if you are walking through Israel. As our students learn about Israel they will be doing an in depth study/project of their city. Once they collect the information they will organize it on a poster board and present it to the school. We encourage the parents to come and watch their presentations. The dates of the presentations for the rest of this year are October 25 th for the 6th grade Zefat and Herzliya classes. On November 15th the 2nd grade Modein and Eilat classes will present their cities. Some of you may have already received information from your teachers regarding this project. On August 31st the 8th and 9th grade students participated in the “Journey Through Kesher” session. This night focused on the students getting to know one another and exploring and choosing the topics that they will discuss throughout the year. We were very happy to see and meet all the great teens who participated in the opening session. The kids had a wonderful dinner followed by some ice breaking games. The teens researched and presented nine topics that were in the running for the subjects to be taught this year. The winning topics this year are: - Schmirat Haguf: Guarding your Mind, Body, and Soul, Rockin’ Jewish Music, - Hot Topics and Through A Jewish Lens. The 7th grade students had a wonderful Yad making workshop with the Rabbi. The enthusiasm and engagement on everyone’s part was wonderful and the yads the kids made were very colorful and beautiful. We have two Atlanta Falcons packages to raffle. Both packages include 2 tickets for the November 1st Falcons/Buccaneers game viewed from a luxury suite and 2 pre game sidelines and parking passes. And to make this package even better you will have the opportunity to spend the day with Rabbi Shuval-Weiner and Jay Weiner as you watch our Falcons beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. What a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon. The raffle drawing will be held October 18 th during Sunday School. For those of you who are not familiar with the luxury suites, they are a premium seat option in the Georgia Dome. Inside, there is a bar and lounge area where you can relax before the event. With private restrooms, locker storage areas, plasma televisions, and more, this is a suite experience like none other! The games are also catered with delicious food and beverages. This is a once in a lifetime experience that you won’t forget and will help to benefit our school. Tickets are $20 each or 3 for $50. You do not need to be a RS family or member to purchase a raffle ticket. Tickets can be purchased by clicking on the following link http://www.bethtikvah.com/ultimate-falconsexperience or by calling the religious school office at 770-642-4168. We are counting on your support for the success of this fundraiser. This is our biggest fundraiser of the year. Congratulations to our First in Line carpool winners – The Sunday winners were Marc Williams/Michelle Easton and Mark and Wendy Schmitz. The Tuesday winners were Nancy and Scott Harris and Jamie Burak. The lucky winners’ children are called during the first load. As soon as the kids are in the car the lucky winners are released. Shalom,
Hassia Levin
You could all be enjoying the
Tickets are $20 each or 3 for $50 and can be purchased online at bethtikvah.com or in the religious school and main office. Two packages will be raffled!
All raffle tickets must be purchased by October 16, 2015. The drawing will be held on October 18th during Sunday School News & Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah
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Ready for Dessert! Stroll over to Menchies after your pizza for a refreshing yogurt!
ENJOY THE MUSIC OF JOHN RESTLER ON THE PATIO FROM 6:30 TO 8 PM Can’t make it for dinner? The offer is good all day! Please present flyer so Relay can get credit for your visit. Click here for flyer or pick one up at Brixx on October 6th. Hope to see you there!
Can you believe it is already time to
Talk “Turkey” Drive!
Dairy Dinner Friday, Oct. 30th at 6:30 pm Your donations in $10 increments will go to purchase gift cards for JF&CS and NFCC
Help make someone’s holidays “Full”filling! Please make your checks out to TBT and mark them Turkey.
Last Name beginning with: A- J Salad or Side Dish K-S Dairy Main Dish T-Z Dessert Click here to RSVP
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News & Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah
Youth Group
What’s a NFTY?
HOTTY (9-12th Grade)
As you may have learned from the excessive chatter of your son, daughter, niece, nephew, cousin, or other miscellaneous teenaged relative, or from the unusual hubbub of teens throughout the temple, Beth Tikvah’s youth group, HOTTY (House Of Tikvah Temple Youth), is hosting NFTY-SAR Fall Kallah! At this point, if you are above the age of eighteen and/or have never participated in NFTY (what’s a NFTY???), then you likely just raised your eyebrows in confusion and tried to reread that last sentence to make sure that the jumble of upper-case letters was actually there. I’ll do you a favor and decipher all that mumbo-jumbo that you just read and reread. A good place to start would be with that crazy acronym, NFTY. The North American Federation of Temple Youth (NFTY) is the organized youth movement of Reform Judaism in North America. Although similar to BBYO (B'nai B'rith Youth Organization) and USY (United Synagogue Youth), one of the main differences between the three is that NFTY is funded and supported by the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ). NFTY is divided into nineteen regions, which hold regional events to bring together different TYGs (Temple Youth Groups). Thus, HOTTY, the TYG of Beth Tikvah, belongs to the region known as SAR, or the Southern Area Region. SAR holds a series of kallot (plural of kallah) every year, in the months of October, January, and April. Kallah is a Hebrew word that translates roughly to a “convention,” in this case a convention of Jewish youth. Some of these kallot are hosted by specific TYGs. This year, HOTTY has the privilege to host NFTY-SAR’s annual Fall Kallah, which should now be much more exciting now that you understand all those acronyms and Hebrew words! The Kallah will take place from Friday, October 9, to Sunday, October 11, during which flocks of excited Jewish teens from across the region will gather at the temple to see their friends, to learn, and to have fun. Kallot take a significant amount of planning, and HOTTY has been busy since August 17 planning programs, mixers, and services, and organizing t-shirts, schedules, and social events. Although planning a kallah requires loads of time and energy, it is extremely rewarding to see it all the way through. The importance of the kallah, to the TYG planning it, is not only to make it fun and meaningful for the participants, but also to see it blossom and to learn that the work and time that was expended paid off. If you are a high schooler at Beth Tikvah and are hesitant about joining HOTTY and NFTY, a kallah is a great way to meet teens from across the region, and have fun while doing so! For all HOTTYites (and if you are a high schooler interested in joining HOTTY), our next event is November 7, Roswell Haunted Ghost Tour, and monthly youth lounge nights begin November 11! See you there!
WHAT’S GOING ON WITH HOTTY? Our kickoff event for HOTTY was a hoot! We had a great turnout for our mixers, improv show with Laughing Matters, and High Holiday themed Havdallah. What better way to start the year than with lots of laughs? Mark your calendar for November 7th for our Roswell Haunted Ghost Tour. We’ll also spend some time looking at what Judaism has to say about the afterlife. Oohh spooky!! 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! GET READY FOR FALL KALLAH! After two 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 “house” for an amazing and inspiring weekend! 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. 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.
HOTTY - BOARD RETREAT
JYG (7-8th Grade) and Club 56 (5th & 6th Grade) Make sure to check your email and our Facebook pages for the JYG and Club 56 Calendars. We’ve just sent them out. Hope you can join us for some of these fun events this year! 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!
-Joey Chanin,
Want more info about the youth groups at TBT?
HOTTY’s Communications Vice-President
Contact Adam or Bobbee at: youth@bethtikvah.com or (404) 228–2494
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October 2015 Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday 1
18th of Tishri 5776 SUKKOT
Sisterhood Planning Meeting and Bunco 7:00 pm
Friday 2
19th of Tishri 5776 SUKKOT
Shabbat Service 8:00 pm
Saturday 3
20th of Tishri 5776 SUKKOT Fall Kallah Committee Work Day Bagels, Learning & Torah 9:00 am
Shabbat Service 10:00 am 4
21st of Tishri 5776 EREV SIMCHAT TORAH SUKKOT Fall Kallah Committee Work Day No Religious School
Simchat Torah Service & Consecration 6:00 pm
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22nd of Tishri 5776 SIMCHAT TORAH No ECEC
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23rd of Tishri 5776 No Religious School
No Religious School
Tai Chi 9:30 am
TBT Offices Closed
Fall Kallah Committee Work Night 5:45 pm
Shemini Atzeret Service & Yizkor 10:00 am
7 24th of Tishri 5776
8 25th of Tishri 5776
Fall Kallah Committee Work Night 5:45 pm
Fall Kallah Committee Work Night 5:45 pm
9 26th of Tishri 5776 Fulton County Schools Closed
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27th of Tishri 5776
NFTY-SAR Fall Kallah
NFTY-SAR Fall Kallah
Bagels, Learning & Torah 9:00 am
Shabbat Service 8:00 pm
Shabbat Service 10:00 am
Fall Kallah Committee Meeting 5:45 pm Families Anonymous 7:15 pm
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28th of Tishri 5776
NFTY-SAR Fall Kallah No Religious School
Sukkah Breakdown 10:00 am Ruach Relay for Life 1:00 pm
18
5th of Heshvan 5776
12
29th of Tishri 5776 Columbus Day
Fulton County Schools Closed
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30th of Tishri 5776
Tai Chi 9:30 am Religious School 5:00 pm
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1st of Heshvan 5776
Senior Luncheon 12:00 pm
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6th of Heshvan 5776
20
7th of Heshvan 5776
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8th of Heshvan 5776
Family Promise
Family Promise
Religious School 9:30 am
First Night of Kesher, Confirmation & Kivunim 6:45 pm
Tai Chi 9:30 am
HOTTY Board Meeting 4:30 pm
Religious School Room Parent Meeting 10:05 am
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3rd of Heshvan 5776
17
4th of Heshvan 5776
Oneg 6:00 pm - 6:30 pm
Bagels, Learning & Torah 9:00 am
Ruach/Camp Shabbat Service 6:30 pm
Shabbat Service King/Gilbert Bnai Mitzvah 10:00 am
Families Anonymous 7:15 pm
Family Promise
Sisterhood - Knit & Nosh 10:00 am
2nd of Heshvan 5776
No Religious School
Family Promise
Adult Ed. - Study of the Book of Kohelleth with Rabbi Tam 10:00 am
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Sisterhood - Board Meeting 7:00 pm
Ad Ed - Hebrew Reading 7:00 pm
Religious School 5:00 pm Board of Trustees Meeting 7:30 pm
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9th of Heshvan 5776
Family Promise
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10th of Heshvan 5776
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11th of Heshvan 5776
Family Promise
Family Promise
Shabbat Service 8:00 pm
Bagels, Learning & Torah 9:00 am - 10:00 am
Youth Event - Fall Celebration Dinner 6:00 pm
Shabbat Service 10:00 am Havdalah Service 7:45 pm
Families Anonymous 7:15 pm
Adult Ed. B'nai Mitzvah Shabbat Service w/Cantor 11:00 am Religious School Parent Coffee w/ Rabbi ShuvalWeiner 11:15 am Youth Event - Club 56 Bowling 12:30 pm Kehillat Chesed Committee Meeting 4:30 pm
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12th of Heshvan 5776
Family Promise Religious School 9:30 am Adult Ed. - Study of the Book of Kohelleth with Rabbi Tam 10:00 am Religious School - 6th Grade B'nai Mitzvah Orientation Meeting 10:15 am
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13th of Heshvan 5776
Kesher, Confirmation & Kivunim 6:45 pm Ad Ed - Hebrew Reading 7:00 pm
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14th of Heshvan 5776
28
15th of Heshvan 5776
Tai Chi 9:30 am
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16th of Heshvan 5776
30
17th of Heshvan 5776
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18th of Heshvan 5776
Religious School 5:00 pm
Pot Luck Dinner 6:30 pm
Bagels, Learning & Torah 9:00 am
Officers Meeting 7:30 pm
Shabbat Service 8:00 pm
Shabbat Service Rubin Bar Mitzvah 10:00 am
Families Anonymous 7:15 pm
Youth - Junior Youth Group - Main Event 12:30 pm
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News and Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah
TBT Seniors Luncheon Monday, October 12th at 12 PM
Create Community in a Chavurah
"The members of our Chavurah are like extended family. I
The Roswell Ramblers Chorus
can't imagine holidays without them!" (comment from TBT Chavurah member)
will entertain us
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 hopes the holidays have been a fulfilling time for you, your family, and your dear friends. First, a big thank you to all those helpers that assisted in wrapping honey sticks for Rosh Hashanah distribution to our TBT family. It was a labor of love and our secret project went well! A big thank you shouts out to Leslie Swichkow for spearheading this project. Our first fall planning event is taking place as this article “goes to press.� Thursday, October 1st, 7 p.m., will include Bunco, a favorite fun activity, followed by an inspirational planning night focused on bringing out your hidden creativity related to pinpointing and mapping events for the Sisterhood year. This is a follow up to our opening event where ideas were brainstormed. Please join us and lend a hand or an idea to make this year full of creative and unique possibilities! In addition, our ongoing project to knit or crotchet scarves for homeless men and women in the Atlanta area continues. Please join us for Knit and Nosh, Oct. 18th at 10 am in the conference room to help create scarves for delivery to area homeless shelters in early December. Robin Bledsoe
Sisterhood Chair
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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 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
Board of Trustee Changes
CAMP SURVEY As part of our grant from the Foundation for Jewish Camp, we are collecting info on your child's camp experience from last summer (summer 2015). (Please fill out a separate form for each child who attended camp.) Thank you for helping by filling this out! https://docs.google.com/forms/ d/1ThV7yqrZxofhDRCy5JzlblpihJRf2H5MCrxk37UoS68/ viewform?c=0&w=1
Due to an unexpected vacancy in our Board of Trustees, Rhonda Povlot has agreed to move from a trustee position to the officer position of Vice-President of Administration and Mark Craig has agreed to step in the role of trustee to fill the vacant trustee position due to Rhonda Povlot moving up. Rhonda has previous experience as an officer and Mark also has previous experience serving on the Board of Trustees. Thanks to both of these individuals for stepping up and into the respective unfinished terms to ensure our congregation continues to run smoothly. This change was approved by our Board of Trustees as required by our Constitution at the regular Board meeting held on September 17th.
ADULT ED STUDY OF THE BOOK OF KOHELLETH Sundays, October 18, 25, November 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."
UNDERSTANDING THE SHABBAT MORNING SERVICE AND WHAT DIFFERS WHEN THERE IS A BAR/BAT/B'NEI MITZVAH Sunday, October 18, 2015 11AM - 11:50AM in the library Cantor Kassel will be taking a closer look at the structure, content and choreography of our Shabbat services as well as what we do to honor our B'nei Mitzvah. The liturgy and service structure for a Shabbat morning service are basically the same whether or not we are celebrating a Bar/Bat/B'nei Mitzvah. The main difference is that our students lead a significant amount of the service. Additionally, there are a few more additions which allow us to honor our students who have studied for years acquiring service-leading and Torah / Haftarah chanting skills. All of these will be addressed by the Cantor. Please RSVP to AdultEducation@bethtikvah.com
HEBREW READING CRASH COURSE Monday Evenings, October 19, 26, November 2, 9 and 16 7 PM - 8:30 PM in the meeting room Our own Hebrew School teacher, Robin Karlin, will be teaching the Hebrew alphabet and Hebrew reading skills on 5 consecutive Monday evenings. You will receive a free copy of the NJOP's Reishith Binah Hebrew primer. Please RSVP to AdultEducation@bethtikvah.com 11
Donations Annual Campaign Lawrence and Anne Skal in memory of Erik Ludwig and Samuel Skal Ronald and Leslie Swichkow in honor of the marriage of Ilene Monat and Gary Fader Ann McConville in memory of Erik Ludwig Sandy and Nancy Simon in memory of Rudolph Simon Sandy and Nancy Simon in memory of Norton Locke David and Ellen Herold in memory of Norton Locke
Michael Zalkin Memorial Library Fund Bruce and Bonnie Walkes in memory of Murray Wixman Mark and Gail Rudel in memory of Robert Moss and in honor of Sam Berman's silver medal in Maccabi baseball Prayerbook Fund Mark and Sally Vosk in memory of Robert Moss
Building Fund Andy Berke and Family in memory of Stanley Berke Andy Berke and Family in memory of Gloria Berke Robert and Adele Toltzis in memory of Norton Locke Campership/Israel Fund Rabbi Aaron and Janese Petuchowski in honor of Hudson Lennon King becoming a Bar Mitzvah Cantor Kassel’s Discretionary Fund Joel and Karen Moss in memory of Robert Moss Debbie and Albert Labovitz in memory of Robert Moss Ned and Lisa Kreiss in memory of Robert Moss Jerry and Marcy Kaufman in memory of Joselyn Berg Gary and Ilene Fader in appreciation of Cantor Kassel David and Dalia Faupel in appreciation of Cantor Kassel Todd and Amy Urowsky in appreciation of Cantor Kassel Elayne Friend in memory of Robert Moss Roz Goldberg in memory of Robert Moss Kenneth and Helene Skolky in memory of Ellis Breines Michael, Debbie & David Schlifka in memory of Edith Haber Mark and Gail Rudel in honor of Jacob Kassel's Maccabi gold medal in soccer Bruce Beck in memory of Veronica Beck Scott and Lisa Morchower in appreciation of Cantor Kassel Joel and Kathleen Schoenblum in memory of Duane Rutte Caring/Kehillat Chesed Fund Aviv Chavurah in memory of Erik Ludwig David and Ellen Herold in memory of Bernard Bickwit
Rabbi Shuval-Weiner’s Discretionary Fund Donald and June Restler in memory of Leah Restler Ronald and Renee Gurin in memory of Etta Klepak David and Dalia Faupel in appreciation of Rabbi Shuval-Weiner Mathew and Leigh Nathan in appreciation of Rabbi Shuval-Weiner Mark and Jennifer Mosbacher in appreciation of Rabbi Shuval-Weiner Bart and Kara Segal in appreciation of Rabbi Shuval-Weiner Gary and Ilene Fader in appreciation of Rabbi Shuval-Weiner Roselyne Insdorf in memory of Robert Moss Howard and Suzanne Silverman in memory of Nathan Schwartz Scott and Lisa Morchower in appreciation of Rabbi Shuval-Weiner Ruth Zeidman in memory of Norton Locke Scott and Nancy Harris in memory of Norton Locke Cantor Nancy Kassel in memory of Norton Locke Andy and Marci Fried in memory of Fred Singer and in honor of Rabbi Shuval-Weiner's inspiring Rosh Hashanah sermon Rabbi Tam’s Discretionary Fund Steve and RoseAnn Gerson in appreciation of Rabbi Tam Barry and Dore Kaiser in memory of Irving Kaiser Max and Carol Wolf in memory of Isaac Jacob Wolf Lonnie and Debbie Carter in memory of Sy Lewis Bruce and Bonnie Walkes in memory of Anna Mangen Michael, Debbie & David Schlifka in memory of Mary Schlifka Bernice Bickwit in memory of Bernard Bickwit
General Fund Joseph and Waynah Dunn in memory of Wayne Milligan Evy Leonard in memory of Robert Moss Mary and Mort Shlossman in memory of Erik Ludwig Shirley Crawford
Tikkun Olam Fund June Wallach in memory of Norton Locke
High Holy Day Fund Judy Levine in memory of Bea Marshall and Milton Marshall David and Bonnie Sandfelder in memory of Stephen Finestone, Shirley Winkler, Hertzel Matusow and Bill Spilkes
Youth Fund Lloyd and Diane Katz in memory of Sophie Katz Steve and RoseAnn Gerson in memory of Yehuda Sarfatty Steve and RoseAnn Gerson in memory of Norton Locke
Torah Fund Binnie Edelson in memory of Robert Moss
(donations processed through 9/20)
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News and Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah
SHMOOZE NEWS / KUDOS CORNER In Memorium
Thank You to our Amazing Office Volunteers!
Temple Beth Tikvah acknowledges with sorrow the passing of: Louis Sherman, Jr. Grandfather of Jennifer Mosbacher
TO THE TBT OFFICE STAFF
Teri Siegal Niece of Renee Berman
ON DOING A SPLENDID JOB
Howard Sinsley Father of Joshua Sinsley
June Wallach Erica Stein Lois Malkin Kathy Levin Ellen Levitz Leslie Swichkow Ellen Frank
David Max Attell Brother-in-Law of Rhonda Povlot Sonja Rothman Oxman Mother of Helen Kraus Norton Locke Father of Rabbi Alexandria Shuval-Weiner
PREPARING FOR THE HIGH HOLY DAYS!
May God console you among all the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.
New leaves have been added to Temple Beth Tikvah’s Tree of Life!
Honor a person or event with a leaf on our tree of life. You can purchase a leaf as an individual or as a group.!
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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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