October 2019 • Volume 38 • Issue 9
A Reform Congregation Embracing Our Jewish Tradition
Chag Sameach From your Temple Family
News & Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah
A MESSAGE FROM RABBI SHUVAL-WEINER Shana Tovah! Happy New Year to all. As we enter October and the Hebrew month of Tishrei, we find ourselves within 5780’s Ten Days of Awesomeness leading us toward Yom Kippur and the fantastic fall festivals. This period of time takes us through many emotions and phases of awareness. From the soul piercing sound of that first blast of the Shofar to the scent of the Etrog on Sukkot, the holidays take us on a beautiful journey of restoration. While many of our habits may not change entirely, the new year and accompanying celebrations offer us the opportunity to evaluate our lives and focus on small steps of self-improvement. Let us all remember the words fro the morning service: HaMechdesh Bechol Yom Tamid Ma’aseh Breishet, very loosely translated as Life is a journey and becoming better every day is the goal. Even if you have made your resolutions for 5780, consider these seven points of behavior as you move into this new Jewish year.
Show gratitude every day for the blessings in your life Be honest with yourself and others Don't Make Excuses Let Go of Anger Practice Forgiveness Listen to Others without judgement Be open to change By practicing these simple suggestions, navigating the journey into this new year will certainly help us all grow and thrive in 5780.
Calling all Challah Bakers!!! (and those wishing to learn to make a new kind of Challah!) For the 5780 New Year, Temple Beth Tikvah has partnered with Shamayim, to raise up challah baking and take it, and us, to a new, more spiritually enhanced level of Shabbat Oneg, enjoyment. What? At least One Shabbat each month, we will serve egg-free challahs at our congregational kiddush/oneg. The goal, is two fold: 1) to provide a unique opportunity for TBT members to share gifts of their hands with our congregational family and beautifying our Shabbat kiddush table with home baked challahs. 2) to learn how we can bring more sanctity to our community by learning about two important Jewish Values: tzaar baalei chayim (preventing unnecessary cruelty) and bal tashchit (not destroying or wasting resources) through the act of baking something holy and precious. How can I participate and learn more? We are looking for at least 12 people who will agree to make 2 challahs on a designated Shabbat to be used at our congregational kiddish . How will I know how to bake the egg-free challahs? We will provide sample recipes, or you can use your own. We can all make progress towards ethical and environmentally friendly eating by making incredibly tiny changes in our regular routines. This year, we hope you will join us by taking one step and starting with Egg-Free Challah baking. You are welcome and encouraged to try these recipes to prepare for your own family tables too! If you are interested in learning more, or to sign up to bake, please contact Rabbi Shuval-Weiner rabbi@bethtikvah.com or call 770-642-0434.
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News & Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah
FALL FESTIVALS Sukkot Sukkot, the Festival of Booths also known as Chag HaAsif, the Harvest Festival, is a 7-day biblically commanded holiday celebrated 5 days after Yom Kippur. One of the three pilgrimage festivals described in the Torah, when the Israelites shared a portion of their bounty as gifts of gratitude. The tradition of the holiday includes the mitzvah of dwelling in Sukkot (booths). These tent-like structures represent the huts in which the Israelites dwelt during their 40 years of wandering in the desert after escaping from slavery in Egypt. Here at Temple Beth Tikvah, our Men’s Club builds us a beautiful sukkah, which we dutifully use to fulfill the ritual obligations of the holiday; shaking the lulav and enjoying a meal “laShev BaSukkah”. The preschool children and religious school children decorate, play and dine under its scented boughs. And the Temple staff enjoy lunch breaks together inside its walls. All are welcome to stop by anytime to enjoy its beauty and hang out a bit under the gently swaying leaves. Follow this link for instructions to build your own Sukkah www.neohasid.org/sukkot/a_simple_sukkah
Erev Sukkot, Sunday October 13 TBT will host a *Rise Up Against Hunger Meal Packaging Event 4:00-4:15 Registration 4:15-5:15 Food Packaging Event 5:15-6:30 Dinner and Sukkah decorating 6:30-7:15 Festival Service in the Sukkah
*Rise Against Hunger (formerly known as Stop Hunger Now!) is an international hunger relief organization that distributes food and life-changing aid to the world's most vulnerable, mobilizing the necessary resources to end hunger by 2030.
Sukkot Festival Morning Service, Monday October 14 10:00 AM Service, followed by lunch in the Sukkah.
Simchat Torah Simchat Torah (Rejoicing with the Torah) marks the conclusion to our fall holidays. It commemorates the ending of the annual cycle of weekly Torah readings and the beginning of the new cycle. It is a joyous holiday that celebrates our love of Torah and study. On Erev Simchat Torah we acknowledge coming to this exciting time by taking all the Torah scrolls out of the ark and spending the evening dancing, singing, and rejoicing. The scrolls are carried around the sanctuary in seven circles called hakafot. We open one of the Torahs up completely, unrolling it around the entire sanctuary, carefully held by all in attendance. Etz Chayim He, It is a tree of Life to all who hold it fast, signifying that Torah truly belongs to each one of us all. It is on this night that we consecrate our kindergarten children, blessing them on the path of their Jewish Journey, and showering them with sweets. Join us in celebrating these youngsters. Our Erev service will take place this year on Sunday,
October 20 at 6:30 pm. Come dressed casually and prepare to party!!! The greeting for both Sukkot and Simchat Torah is simply “Chag Sameach!” (Happy Holiday).
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News & Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah
NOTES FROM CANTOR KASSEL After all the soul-searching during the High Holy Days, it’s time to move on to the JOY of SUKKOT & SIMCHAT TORAH! I’ve often wondered (and said)…..what was God thinking - to have so many holidays within so short a time (about three weeks)? Wouldn’t it have been better to spread them out more evenly? But now it makes more sense to me if I focus on the joy of the harvest festival of Sukkot and the rejoicing in the Torah on Simchat Torah! Both of these holidays involve heightened gratitude. What better way to begin a new year than the focus on what we have rather than what we perceive to lack.
The symbolism of Sukkot reminds us to value the shelter we are fortunate to have which in turn sensitizes us to those who lack this basic necessity. On Sukkot we are reminded to be hospitable, a virtue so admired among Southerners! And on Sukkot we engage “hiddur ha-mitzvah”……the extra efforts we make to beautify our performance of commandments. You might be surprised at the lengths some Jews go to in acquiring a lulav and Etrog. On Simchat Torah we can take note of our own personal growth and understanding in the past year. As we begin a new Torah reading cycle, we do so with potentially renewed insight and perspective from our most recent life experiences. I still marvel at how we Jews embrace the study of such flawed human beings as are found in the Torah instead of only looking for heroes and heroines. As we read from Torah on Yom Kippur afternoon (Parshat Nitzavim)…..God established a covenant with ALL of us (throughout time) and the teachings and commandments are meant to be accessible – not just to the learned and elite but to ALL people. These ancient texts and holidays still speak to and hold meaning for us today. I look forward to observing and celebrating with you: a New year on Rosh Hashanah, reflecting on the past year to influence a healthier year ahead – on Yom Kippur, expressing gratitude for all that we have – on Sukkot and rejoicing with the Torah on Simchat Torah Lastly and always….I invite you to join me in chanting Torah, singing in services,
and to share with me your hidden musical talents!
Shanah Tovah u-m’tukah,
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News and Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah
ECEC UPDATE—SHERI BAKER It’s October, and our ECEC children have gotten into the groove and are off to a great start to the school year! The morning goodbyes have gotten easier and everyone is settled into their class routines. The classroom walls are starting to get filled with artwork and the children are making gifts for their parents to use at their Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur tables. These projects are “gifts” that parents will use for many years to come. They will always think back to those preschool days and smile as they put out the apple plate or challah cover from 25 years ago. Apples and honey and round Challahs are some of the foods that our children will eat over the next few days. A sweet New Year will be said and many songs will be sung about those delicious apples. Yom Kippur is a time where we can show the children that saying, “I’m sorry” is so important. It’s one of the hardest words for adults to say, yet we spend a great deal of time teaching our children its importance. Soon after Yom Kippur, Sukkot will begin. Sukkot is a fun time where the classes will make paper fruit and chains to help decorate the sukkah. Having lunch outside, in our homemade sukkah, is the BEST! The laughter and smiles from the children as they point out, “hey I made that fruit or that chain” can be heard all around. It’s nice to see the pride not only in the children’s eyes but the many teachers who have been working so hard to teach the meaning of these special holidays! Our school not only teaches the ABC’s, but we try and instill the importance of remembering and celebrating the Jewish holidays through play, storytelling and art projects. We wish you all a Sweet New Year, Shana Tova! Until next month….
RELIGIOUS SCHOOL UPDATE—SUZANNE HURWITZ As I write this, I have been an employee of TBT for exactly two months. I have been a congregant for much longer of course, but it has been two months since I took on this role and all of the exciting challenges that go with it. I have learned so much. I have learned where the various light switches are, how to send a mass email using Constant Contact, and how to position myself to safely use the giant paper cutter. More importantly, I have learned what wonderful and kind congregants comprise our temple community. My family and I joined this temple because of several things, a main one being the warmth of its members. But in this role I have seen this tenfold. I want to extend a huge todah, a huge thank you, to the Board of Education and the many volunteers that have helped with our first day, marketing, community-building and more. You know who you are! Yesterday was our third Sunday of religious school. After doing a walk-through and visits to our classrooms, I went into the education office and remarked to Perri that it was so quiet, and she agreed. The school hallways were quiet. Inside the classrooms, however, was another story. Each class was actively engaged in learning and discussion and projects and more. Further, one class was outside playing gaga, some were in the sanctuary for music with our cantor, one class was engaged in Hebrew through Movement, and another was utilizing our outdoor classroom for a lesson on tashlich. All chanted blessings and then enjoyed apples and honey together in anticipation of Rosh Hashanah next week. This next generation of congregants is bonding as they learn and enjoy their time together. Truly, they are preparing themselves to be the next cohort of warm, welcoming and kind congregants.
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 everyone is having a heartfelt High Holidays season with time to reflect on the past. I hope all of you are looking forward to the year ahead with a plan for the future with a clean slate and peace of mind. I wish you all a meaningful fast. Though the “big ones� are upon us, many other important holidays are still to come. On October 13, we will celebrate Sukkot with a picnic, service and social action program, "Rise Against Hunger". This holiday will be a wonderful event for the entire family. On Sunday October 20, we will have Consecration for our Kindergarten students during Simchat Torah, one of the most joyous holidays of the year. If you have not attended Simchat Torah services in a while, I hope you will join us. This celebration is for everyone and, in particular, a chance for our children to dance with the Torah and parade through the Sanctuary. It is important for the whole congregation to be a part of the events that include our youngest to our oldest members to show everyone encouragement and support for their love of learning and Jewish traditions. Experience and leading by example is a major tool in educating the next generation. It is also good for our souls. We are fortunate to have the amazing education leadership we have here at TBT. Thank you to our clergy. Thank you to our wonderful education leadership in our Board of Ed led by Beth Asher, our Religious School led by Suzanne Hurwitz and our ECEC led by Sheri Baker and Linda Siegel. Learning really works best when complemented by involvement in religious services. We hope everyone from birth to 120 can join us for the many upcoming activities here at TBT. Volunteer opportunities also abound for existing events and committees. You are always encouraged to reach out with ideas you have for things that you want to do that you believe will improve our spiritual and community life. We need engagement and participation from each and every one of us to sustain TBT. It is inspiring to see members step forward to share their love of Judaism and special expertise with the congregation. Let's keep our House of Hope growing towards the future. Thank you for allowing me to serve as your President,
The Universe is the Sukkah By Devon Spier There is a place. Beyond the realm of the Rabbis. And the private worlds of the academe and the trades. A place of meeting. That opens its doors not to knowledge or expertise. Yet, unlocks the precision of mastery with welcome and peace. Our universe is wise and wide. And ultimately, here to teach that each one of us belongs here.
Honor a person or event with a leaf on our Tree of Life.
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YOUTH GROUP We hope you know by now that HOTTY is hosting NFTY-SAR Fall Kallah next month, November 8-10th. What you may not know is what that actually means or what goes into planning a Kallah. A Kallah is a convention, a gathering of youth from around our NFTY-SAR region for a weekend of teen-created educational, spiritual & social activities. At a Kallah teens worship together, learn from interesting and exciting programs, and of course have tons of fun. HOTTYites attend four of these a year, rotating between different cities and synagogues youth groups. For Fall Kallah 2019, we started planning last May. HOTTY met to talk about theme and program ideas and to sign up for different planning committees. Then, in August we started meeting weekly to plan the programs, services, mixers, and Saturday night social. We’ll continue these meetings up until the week of Fall Kallah! The dedication and passion that the HOTTYites devote to planning a Kallah is truly awesome. It requires a lot of extra work, creativity, and passion! It’s amazing watching them start with just a theme idea (the theme for our Kallah is Decades – looking at trends, social movements, and Judaism through the years) and turning it into a meaningful weekend of learning, praying, and fun! We hope that you will join us on Friday night for services as our HOTTYites lead the congregation and all of NFTY-SAR and get a chance to see what they’ve worked so hard on all of these months! We’re also going to need help from ALL of our TBT families housing the 200 out-of-town youth groupers who will be joining our community for the weekend. You don't need to provide beds, just a place for a sleeping bag, a few meals, and transportation throughout the weekend. More details and how to sign up can be found here: FALL KALLAH HOUSING SIGN-UP. When we hosted several years ago, I was so proud to say that (unlike even larger synagogues) we were able to house all of the teens, without needing help from other congregations! Help me say that again this year! Thank you in advance – we couldn’t do this without all of you!
Hard at work planning Fall Kallah!! MARK YOUR CALENDARS! October 2—HOTTY Lounge Night October 19—HOTTY Fall Festival October 27—NFTY678 North GA Corn Maze (8th Grade ONLY) November 8-10 NFTY-SAR Fall Kallah
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:
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News & Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah
YOUTH GROUP
Click HERE to sign up to host or HERE to join a committee 9
News and Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah
FAMILY PROMISE For over a decade, Temple Beth Tikvah has been a host congregation for the Family Promise program. Family Promise of North Fulton is a nonprofit organization that partners with families who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless by helping them get back on their feet so they can create a stable lives for their children. In North Fulton, 12 congregations, from Jewish, Christian and Muslim work together on an annual basis to supply food and shelter for an average of 3 families for a week at a time. Temple Beth Tikvah is a host two times each year. Ranging from Overnight Host to Day Captain to Dinner Preparer, there are 65 volunteer slots to fill each week. It truly takes a village. We are commanded by our teachings to care for those less fortunate. You shall open wide your hand to your brother, to the needy and to the poor, in your land.’” - Deuteronomy 15:11 “If any of your fellow Israelites become poor and are unable to support themselves among you, help them as you would a foreigner and stranger, so they can continue to live among you” - Leviticus 25:35 “Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: . . . to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?” Isaiah 58:6–7 In a common homeless shelter scenario, one is considered an adult at the age of 12 and shelters are separated by gender. Therefore, 12-year old boys are separated from their mothers in a standard shelter. The Family Promise program’s main goal is to keep a family together. Yes, children are homeless too – even in our community. Temple Beth Tikvah takes great pride in being able to play a small part in helping these families get back on the road to life recovery. Please consider helping us by volunteering for either a meal or to stay overnight. Bring your family as this is a great educational experience to show your children that life can take a bad turn sometimes but there are people out there that will help. Thank you for your consideration. Tony Rosenberg Co-Chair – Family Promise
MEN’S CLUB Please join the Men’s Club for the Sukkah Build
Thursday, October 10 at 5:00 PM Questions? Peter Hartog (phartog@arrowheadgrp.com) or Mark Greenspan (mgreenspan86@gmail.com)
PHILANTHROPY TBT Congregants – As we gear up for our 2019-20 Philanthropy work including the Annual Campaign, we are humbled by the ongoing support of all our members, be it through regular dues, religious school tuition, building fund, our many designated restricted funds, special donations, or the Annual Campaign. We know everyone has TBT’s best interest in mind and your contributions are highly valued. Our primary goal is financial sustainability and we take our stewardship responsibilities seriously. It certainty takes a village. This year, the two of us have the honor of co-chairing. We have lots of ideas in the works for helping to assure a strong financial future for our wonderful TBT synagogue. Stay tuned for more information coming soon. Thanks in advance for your generosity. Shalom, Mark Rudel and Harlan Graiser 10
News and Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah
SISTERHOOD Shalom Sisterhood! I hope you all are having a meaningful High Holiday experience. I want to send out a special thank you to Rabbi Shuval-Weiner for inviting Dorice Horenstein to our synagogue last month. What a great program she ran for our Sisterhood ladies. We all enthusiastically ran to purchase her book, Moments of the Heart, and are no doubt enjoying the read. If you haven’t already done so, please make sure you remit payment to the synagogue for your purchases! If you need information on purchasing this great read, it is available on Amazon! We are participating in cooking for and serving the folks at the Zaban Shelter in December, February and April. The December dates are full, but there are plenty of opportunities to cook and serve in February and April so please reach out for more information!!! TBT and Etz Chaim Sisterhoods are running a joint program in February at TBT that promises to be a blast! Save the date for this program (Monday, February 24th at 7:30pm). If you are interested in participating in the planning of this event, please feel free to reach out! There are ample opportunities to become more involved in Sisterhood. If you have any ideas for fun, interesting and rewarding programs please let me know. I look forward to seeing you all in the upcoming months!
Rosh Chodesh— A Women’s Spirituality Group Led by Dr. Terry Segal Wednesday, October 2 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.
Shana Tova and see you at TBT!
Sign up at www.bethtikvah.com
Ilana Zalkin
CHAVURAH Bridge Club Meets at 1:00 PM on the 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month. Contact Bonnie Walkes at: The Unseen Force Flowing
bonnie.walkes@gmail.com
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 required.
Meditation Circle Next Event: Thursday, October 10th at 7:30 pm Contact Carol Lipinsky, bounceroo@bellsouth.net
CANASTA Meets at 1:00 pm every Tuesday For more information contact the office (770) 642-0434 11
News & Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah
B’NAI MITZVAH Zachary Leo Annicelli will be called to the Torah as a Bar Mitzvah on October 5, 2019. Zachary is the son of Donna Sands Annicelli and Michael Annicelli, and older brother of Sofia Annicelli. He is the grandson of Carolyn and Edward Sands, and Raymond Annicelli and the late Lynn Annicelli.
Gabrielle Siegel will be called to the Torah as a Bat Mitzvah on October 12, 2019. Gabrielle is the daughter of Ruth and Jeff Siegel and sister to Sydney and Lauren. She is a 7th grade student at River Trail Middle School. When not at school, Gabrielle plays tennis and runs. She also enjoys reading and writing. During the summer, she can be found at zip code 30528. She has been a camper at Camp Coleman since she was 8 years old. Her favorite activities at camp are Krav Maga, swimming in the lake and going on campouts.
Zach is a seventh grade honor student at Hightower Trail Middle School, where he performs in the school plays, and plays the double bass in the orchestra. When not in school, Zach swims with Swim Atlanta, is a voracious reader, and enjoys making movies and hanging out with his friends.
Gabrielle will lose herself in a good book. Her love of reading sparked an idea for her mitzvah project. She decided to piece together her two favorite things: Camp Coleman and books. She collected over 500 books for Camp Jenny. If you aren’t familiar with Camp Jenny, it’s a four-day camp run by volunteers to provide a camp experience for children who wouldn’t otherwise go to camp. Gabrielle set up a book fair and was able to even give book suggestions to many of the kids.
Zachary is a kind, perceptive, and intelligent young man, whose compassion and sensitivity to others embodies his Jewish faith.
The Bat Mitzvah of Drew Rachel Kellis will take place on October 19, 2019.
The Bar Mitzvah of Darren Craig Kellis will take place on October 19, 2019. Darren is a 7th grade honor roll student at Northwestern Middle School. He is the son of Gina and Craig Kellis of Alpharetta and the grandson of Mickey and Barry Katz of Atlanta and the late Janet and Dale Kellis. Darren has a twin sister, Drew, a younger brother, Devon, and two
th
Drew is a 7 grade honor roll student at Northwestern Middle School. She is the daughter of Gina and Craig Kellis of Alpharetta and the granddaughter of Mickey and Barry Katz of Atlanta and the late Janet and Dale Kellis. Drew has a twin brother, Darren, a younger brother, Devon, and her beloved dogs Daisy and Duncan.
dogs, Daisy and Duncan.
Drew enjoys playing Milton feeder softball, basketball, and violin in the school orchestra. She served on student council for two years. Drew is a Girl Scout Cadette and currently working on her Silver Award. Drew has attended Temple Beth Tikvah since she was two years old, first as a preschooler and later for Sunday School and Hebrew School. Drew loves the Atlanta Braves.
Darren enjoys playing electric bass guitar with his band the Sherpas and upright bass in the school orchestra. Darren served as a member of student council the past two years and is also a member of the Academic Bowl team and school winner/finalist in the Spelling and Geography Bee the past several years. Darren has attended Temple Beth Tikvah since pre-school. Darren loves video games and rock music.
For her mitzvah project, Drew, and her twin brother Darren, chose to support the ALS Association by raising money and participating in the Atlanta ALS Walk on September 14, 2019 as part of team Goode Strong, to honor a family friend, Kerry Goode, who is courageously battling this terrible disease. Darren and Drew raised money online and held a bake sale/lemonade stand in their neighborhood, over Labor Day, where generous friends and family helped them collect more than $2,000.00 to support this worthy cause.
For his mitzvah project, Darren, and his twin sister Drew, chose to support the ALS Association by raising money and participating in the Atlanta ALS Walk on September 14, 2019 as part of team Goode Strong, to honor a family friend, Kerry Goode, who is courageously battling this terrible disease. Darren and Drew raised money online and held a bake sale/lemonade stand in their neighborhood, over Labor Day, where generous friends and family helped them collect more than $2,000.00 to support this worthy cause.
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News and Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah
B’NAI MITZVAH Continued Hannah Elizabeth Herman will be called to the Torah as a Bat Mitzvah on October 26, 2019.
Julia Lee Malever will be called to the Torah as a Bat Mitzvah on November 2, 2019.
Hannah is the daughter of Robert and Rachel Herman and sister to Sarah. She is the granddaughter of Stan and Susan Herman, and Dr. Michael and Patricia Fried.
She is the daughter of Jerred and Debbie Malever and big sister to Jake. She is the granddaughter of Barbara Oxenhandler, Ronald and Ginger Oxenhandler, and Brent and Frances Malever. Julia is in the 8th grade at Hopewell Middle School where she plays violin in the school orchestra and plays on the tennis team .
Hannah is a 7th grader at The Davis Academy where she is passionate about Theatre and Music. As an active Thespian, Hannah has appeared in seven school musicals, and two summer productions. She has performed at the Braves, Hawks and Falcons games as part of the Decibelles and Magical Melodies choirs. Over the years she has been an avid dancer performing seven productions at Georgia Tech’s Ferst Center for the Arts. She plays the piano, ukulele and is learning bass guitar.
She enjoys serving as a Where Everybody Belongs (WEB) leader by helping incoming 6th graders transition. Julia has served as Student Council representative for the past two years and continues to be a member of Junior Beta Club. Outside of school, Julia loves playing competitive tennis, baking, drawing and painting, hanging out with her friends, playing with our Golden Retriever Finn, beating her family in ping pong, and her newfound thrill--riding roller coasters.
Hannah recently started her Jewish overnight camping experience in the Ohalim village at Camp Wise. For her Mitzvah project, Hannah raised funds to support Firefighters struck with cancer through exposure in the line of duty. After reading about the damage smoke caused these first responders, she interviewed firemen, spent time seeing how they tried to reduce exposure, and created a fundraiser to help those in need. Other volunteer activities include activities at the Humane Society related to her love of animals and commitment to environmental activism as a Global Climate Striker.
Considering Julia’s love of animals, it is fitting her Torah portion is Noah. She enjoys volunteering in the community, especially with animal rescues. Adopt a Golden Atlanta (AGA), in particular, is near and dear to her heart. Our family has adopted three Golden Retrievers from this rescue. Our newest addition, Finn, is a wild and silly red Golden who keeps us laughing. Since age 5, Julia has continued to hold lemonade stands, bake sales, and art sales to raise money for AGA. This past year she served on AGA’s Auction Committee, soliciting and collecting auction items donated by local businesses for the annual Golden Gala, AGA’s biggest fundraiser.
MAZEL TOV Carol Jacobs is proud to
If you have a simcha to share—
announce the marriage of her
Let’s Kvell together!!
son Josh Jacobs to Tesi Saker on August 17, 2019
Our new members!
Contact kim@bethtikvah.com
Special thank you to our High Holidays Helpers!! Leslie Swichkow
Gil and Ellen Ludwig Waynah Dunn
Manish and Tracey Singh
Karen Tuttle
Jenny Korsen
Renee Weiskopf
Joshua and Kynley Mentle
Fern Soniker
Marsha Mathis
Marsha McMurrain
Dani Stordy
Linda Steinberg
Irina Roberts
Sharon Khoury
Helaine Medoff
Carol Lipinsky
Ami & Michelle Ashuri
Pam Apple
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News & Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah
UPCOMING EVENTS Temple Beth Tikvah is pleased to announce that we are going to host a Junior Congregation Service during late services on Yom Kippur day.
WHO: 4th-6th grade students WHERE: upstairs religious school classroom WHAT: there will be a community service project, snack and a special youth service. RSVP to Beth Asher at bethasher@yahoo.com
LOCATIONS:* Temple Kelliat Chaim Temple Beth Tikvah Temple Kelliat Chaim Temple Beth Tikvah Temple Kelliat Chaim Temple Beth Tikvah
*Locations subject to change
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News & Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah
Donations
(donations
processed as of (9/24/19)
ANNUAL CAMPAIGN 2019/2020 Wendy and Dale Bearman in memory of Julius “Jay” Bearman David and Ellen Herold in memory of Ruth Sciavich Michael Jaime Dunn in honor of Dylan Dunn’s naming Joe and Waynah Dunn in memory of Wayne Milligan Wendy and Dale Bearman in memory of Joshua Jaffe Steve and Teri Astren in memory of Mitchell Astren William and Marjory Segal BUILDING FUND Bruce and Bonnie Walkes in memory of Murray Wixman CANTORS FUND Steve and RoseAnn Gerson in memory of Laura De Riemer Debbie and Michael Schlifka in memory of Laura De Riemer and Edith Haber Lee and Ellen Altschuler in memory of Laura De Riemer Jerry and Marcy Kaufman in memory of Joselyn Berg Mel and Tobi Levine in memory of Shlomo Stansky The Cohn family in appreciation of Cantor Kassel and all of the time you spent preparing Evan for his Bar Mitzvah Mark and Lan Ziskind in honor of Molly’s Bat Mitzvah Andy and Lori Goldstrom in appreciation of Cantor Kassel Steve and Teri Astren in memory of Laura De Riemer Marcia Pearl in memory of Laura De Riemer Alice and Sam Herndon in memory of Laura De Riemer Lisa Perlin in memory of Laura De Riemer Seth and Ellen Zimmer in memory of Laura De Riemer Robyn and Howard Silk in honor of Cantor Kassel Paul and Anne Beckman in memory of Laura De Riemer and Sonia Beckman Wendy Berhman in memory of Laura De Riemer JL Marcum in memory of Laura De Riemer Ron and Leslie Swichkow in memory of Laura De Riemer Cris and Gina Hansen in memory of Laura De Riemer William and Marjory Segal in memory of Laura De Riemer Bruce and Bonne Walkes in memory of Laura De Riemer Steve and Teri Astern in memory of Laura De Riemer
GENERAL FUND Gil and Ellen Ludwig in memory of Fred Stern HOLIDAY FOOD DRIVE Marsha and Tom McMurrian in celebration of Marsha Mathis’s special birthday and all she does for TBT RABBI SHUVAL-WEINER DISC. FUND Joe and Waynah Dunn in appreciation of Dylan Rose Dunn’s baby naming Andy and Lori Goldstrom in appreciation of Rabbi Shuval-Weiner The Cohn family in appreciation of Rabbi Shuval-Weiner and all of the time you spent preparing Evan for his Bar Mitzvah Bruce and Carol Waldman in memory of A. Pollak Michael Jaime Dunn in honor of Dylan Dunn’s naming Steve and Janice Liederman in memory of Marilyn Liederman Ellen and Seth Zimmer in memory of Marilyn Zimmer Bruce and Bonnie Walkes in memory of Helen Walkes RELIGIOUS SCHOOL SCHLOARSHIP FUND Arlene Linder in memory of Richard Linder YOUTH GROUP FUND Ron and Leslie Swichkow in honor of TBT’s fabulous youth program and advisor KEHILLAT CHESED/CARING FUND David and Christy Toltzis in memory of Celia Mendelson The Cohn Family in appreciation of Kim Weindorf Sheila and Aaron Stieglitz in honor of Mr. Milan Kostrna’s 90th Birthday Steve and Janice Liederman in memory of Marilyn Liederman MICHAEL ZALKIN LIBRARY FUND Joe and Carole Sterling in memory Sargent Sterling Beth and Jeffrey Kess in memory of Lillian Mansfield TIKKUN OLAM FUND Jeff Willard in memory of Morris Willard
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
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News and Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah
KEHILAT / CHESED
Every Monday at TBT 7:15—8:30 PM
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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.
Thank you to our Sanctuary Clean Up Volunteers! Lois Malkin
Lucy Weindorf
Sammy Weindorf
Steven and Sheila Barid
Povlot Family
Harris Povlot
Leslie and Ron Swichkow
Susan and Margot Shields
In Memoriam
We Must Know Before We Can Respond 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.
Temple Beth Tikvah acknowledges with sorrow the passing of: Israel “Izzy” Davis
May God console you among all the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.
Let us know how we can support you or anyone else in our community by calling
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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 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 Camp/Israel Scholarship Marcia Haber marciahaber@yahoo.com Chavurot/Affinity Groups Brian Rubenstein brianrubenstein@yahoo.com Danielle Rubenstein Danielle.rubenstein@gmail.com College Outreach Susan Wynne scwynne@bellsouth.net
Kehillat Chesed (Caring) Leslie Swichkow lswichkow@comcast.net Library Ilana Zalkin ilanaz@att.net Membership Recruitment & Retention Jill Leitman jaarons2@yahoo.com Rachel Wilson rachelw65@gmail.com
Ritual Rick Winer rsw@drrickwiner.com Security Jay Sausmer jsausmer@gmail.com Seniors Steve Mahan smahan206bc@yahoo.com Sisterhood Ilana Zalkin sisterhoodtbt@gmail.com
Communications Marlene Cohn marlene@thecohns.us
Men’s Club Peter Hartog althazyr@gmail.com Mark Greenspan mgreenspan86@gmail.com
Social Action/Social Justice Michele Gergans michelegergans@hotmail.com Will Shields w_shields@bellsouth.net
Family Promise Tony Rosenberg trosenberg860@gmail.com
Nominating Committee Wendy Klein Wendy.klein.hr@gmail.com
Website Development Scott Povlot spovlot@yahoo.com
House Ted Nathan tnathan@baldwinscheduling.com Human Resources Seth Zimmer sz4941@att.com
Philanthropy Mark Rudel mrudel2018@gmail.com Harlan Graiser harlanng@yahoo.com
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Youth Group youth@tbt.com