September 2013 • Volume 27 • Issue 8
A Reform Congregation Embracing Our Jewish Tradition
High Holy Day Schedule Selichot - Saturday, 8/31 Study Session Service
9 pm 10 pm
Erev Rosh Hashanah Wednesday, 9/4
Service
TBT to host Jeffrey Toobin November 7, 2013 at 7:30 pm As a community partner with the
The Book Festival of the MJCCA
S I M C H AT T O R A H & C O N S E C R AT I O N Join us for this multigenerational celebration !! September 25th at 6:00 pm News & Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah
8 pm
Rosh Hashanah - Thursday, 9/5 Early Service 8 am Late Service 11:30 am Family Service 2:30 pm 2nd Day Rosh Hashanah - Friday, 9/6
Service 10 am Tashlich immediately following services (approximately 12:45 pm)
Kol Nidre - Friday, 9/13 Service
8 pm
Yom Kippur - Saturday, 9/14 Early Service 8 am Late Service 11:30 am Family Service 2:30 pm Afternoon Service/Yizkor/Neilah 4 pm Break the Fast after Neilah
He Said / She Said: Engaging Synagogue Youth This article was so powerful that I wanted to share it with our whole congregation… You will be hearing about it on Rosh Hashanah, so I hope that you take some time to read it. It was posted on August 5, 2013 on ejewishphilanthropy.com.
stay involved and why it was worth it to continue my Jewish journey post Bar Mitzvah. That weekend, I made many new friends (who are still among my closest) and I was bitten by the NFTY bug. I was hooked and there was no going back after that…. I credit my commitment to Judaism to my mother. Her insistence that I stay involved helped open my eyes to the “Part of why our youth aren’t engaged in our wonders Judaism has to offer to life. If there were more parents congregations is directly traceable to the lack of parent around like my mother, youth organizations like NFTY would engagement in our congregations. And that, I believe, is be much larger and Judaism would carry even stronger into the future. the fault of synagogues.” Judaism is something to which my generation and future Staying Involved, a Youth Perspective generations need to be committed. That is why the Campaign by Scott Rubenstein for Youth Engagement is MY campaign. Scott Rubenstein is NFTY Southwest Religious and Cultural Vice President (2013-2014). ————————————
My past experiences have made me understand why the Reform Movement’s Campaign for Youth Engagement is important, as a passionate Reform Jewish teen, this is also my campaign. I cannot imagine my life without NFTY and Judaism, and I want more Jewish teens to feel this way. I am a member of one of the largest congregations in the Phoenix area, Temple Chai. Growing up, I attended religious school with approximately 60 other students in my class, but today I am one of only eight in my confirmation class, with only five kids from my class active in our temple youth group. No matter how enjoyable educators strived to make religious school, everyone counted down until their Bar/Bat Mitzvah when they would be done with religious school forever. Many parents felt the same way, knowing a financial burden would be lifted after their children’s B’nai Mitzvah. While I never disliked religious school, I wanted to drop out after my Bar Mitzvah too. However, my mom was an active member of the religious school committee and adamant about me being involved in Jewish life all through high school by continuing my Jewish education through religious school and Jewish youth organizations. I am reminded of the week after my Bar Mitzvah when I walked into religious school and was immediately asked by a classmate, “What are you doing here? Didn’t you just have your Bar Mitzvah?” I replied with something I didn’t really believe at the time, a trusty remark from my mom about how Jewish education doesn’t end with Bar Mitzvah On February 11, 2011, my negative attitude for Judaism changed forever, when my mother sent me to an 8th Grade Taste of NFTY -Southwest Regional event hosted by my temple. On that Friday afternoon, I was sitting at my temple with 8th graders from around town I had known my whole life, when suddenly these vans pulled up and out came what seemed like a mirror image. These were a group of 8th graders from New Mexico and Texas who had also known each other their whole lives. Suddenly we were all together, being asked to intermingle and make new friends. What did we all have in common? We were Jewish. That was it for me: I understood why my mom had forced me to
Staying Involved, the Synagogue Youth Director’s Perspective by Ellen Zieselman I created that “Taste of NFTY-SW” 8th grade weekend that impacted Scott so deeply hoping to foster exactly that kind of interest for the 8th graders of Temple Beth Shalom in Santa Fe, NM…. But I am actually more interested in Scott’s other point: the part about engaged parents who expect their children to participate Jewishly beyond their Bar/Bat Mitzvah. Let’s face it, that’s what it took for Scott to even register for the 8th grade event: his mother’s engagement. Part of why our youth aren’t engaged in our congregations is directly traceable to the lack of parent engagement in our congregations. And that, I believe, is the fault of synagogues. We may be fighting synagogue failures that happened decades ago in cities far, far away; but we must do a better job of engaging the parents in the life of the congregation if we want them to instill the congregation’s value in the lives of their children. We fail parents by not addressing their own RSTSD (Religious School Traumatic Stress Disorder); many of us suffer from it. Maybe, like me, they had really mean teachers in elementary school. Perhaps their Religious School was boring, or their classmates unwelcoming. The list of “how my religious school failed me” is a very long one, and most parents who enroll their children in our fabulous religious schools have no idea if they are, actually, fabulous. It seems that we (as synagogues) have two big hurdles to overcome: 1) we must do a better job letting our younger kids know the value of staying engaged through high school and 2) we must engage their parents in the process. We’ve worked hard at Temple Beth Shalom to get our kids to stay involved through high school to a very positive result…. Ellen Zieselman is Youth Director, Temple Beth Shalom, Santa Fe, NM. 2
News & Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah
Notes from Cantor Kassel Let me begin (and end) by wishing all of you a sweet and healthy 5774! It is humbling for me to stand before and with you for the High Holy Days as we dig deep into ourselves with introspection and prayer. I will also look forward to celebrating Sukkot and Simchat Torah with you and in doing so, keep our strong sense of community fresh from our collective experience of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. To keep our community strong I call your attention to the following: ADULT CHOIR – is held on Tuesday nights from 7:30 – 9:00. Please contact me if you’d like to join or experiment with joining our wonderful choir. JR. CHOIR – is held on Sundays of Religious School – for grades 3-7, 12:00 – 12:30 in the sanctuary We’ll start on Sunday Sept. 8 JUST SHOW UP! ADULT LEARNING – CLASSES WITH THE CANTOR ON SUNDAY MORNINGS CHOOSE ONE OR CHOOSE ALL
Sept. 8 10:30 – 10:55 – The Music of the High Holy Days 11:00 – 11:25 – What Is Torah Cantillation? 11:30 – 11:55 – Prayer practice (for Hebrew & non-Hebrew readers) Sept. 15 10:30 – 10:55 – The Hebrew Calendar 11:00 – 11:25 – Torah Cantillation (Hebrew knowledge required) 11:30 – 11:55 – Prayer practice (for Hebrew & non-Hebrew readers) Sept. 22 10:30 – 10:55 – Symbolism of Sukkot 11:00 – 11:25 – Torah Cantillation (Hebrew knowledge required) 11:30 – 11:55 – Prayer practice (for Hebrew & non-Hebrew readers) Sept. 29 10:30 – 10:55 – Denominations in Judaism. 11:00 – 11:25 – Torah Cantillation (Hebrew knowledge required) 11:30 – 11:55 – Prayer practice (for Hebrew & non-Hebrew readers) I’ll be continuing with this model on Sunday mornings of Religious School through December. There will be different topics of interest for the first segment. The second segment will be devoted to teaching what Torah cantillation is – and continue with teaching how to chant Torah. Hebrew is required. The third segment will be devoted to prayer practice with the goal of enabling participants to participate in services more comfortably. Feel free to contact me about any of these offerings: cantorkassel@bethtikvah.com Shanah tovah u-m’tukah,
Cantor Nancy Kassel Candles, Challah & Niddah: Women's Roles in Judaism throughout the Centuries Instructor: Rabbi Pamela Jay Gottfried Beginning in the Garden of Eden and arriving at the ordination of Orthodox Women as rabbis, we will explore the ways in which women's roles in Jewish life and law have evolved by examining both traditional texts and personal narratives. While each class will cover an independent topic, participants in the full course of study will come to appreciate the breadth and depth of Jewish law related to women. The Creation of Woman: Helpmate or Equal Partner? Women's Sexual Orientation: LGBT/Jewish Community Kol Ishah: A Woman's Voice is an Enticement Beged Ish: Women in Pants, and also Talit & Tefilin
Menstruation & Childbirth Marriage & Divorce Touching the Torah: Women & Jewish Ritual Abortion in Jewish Law
$36 for the series. Please register by sending your check to the TBT office, and designate Women’s Study Group on the memo line. This class meets on the following Thursday evenings at 7 pm: 2013: October 17th, November 21st, December 19th 2014: January 16th, February 20th, March 20th, April 17th & May 15th 3
News & Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah
There Is No Place Like Home! A nice Jewish man buys a fabulous new home in Roswell. He hires a local interior designer to help decorate his new home. When the job is finished, the homeowner is delighted but realizes he’s forgotten to put mezuzot on the doors. He goes to the temple’s gift shop (hint hint) and buys 25 mezuzot and asks the decorator to place them on the right hand side of each door facing in except for the bathrooms and kitchen.
I recently enjoyed my own “new” experience. Leslie and I, along with Rabbi Greene, spent Shabbat at Camp Coleman, where we accepted an award for being the synagogue sending the most campers from Atlanta in 2013! What an amazing place Camp Coleman is, and there are such powerful returns when our youth experience a Jewish summer camp. In another new initiative, TBT will be hosting a Family The homeowner needed to leave and is a bit worried that Retreat at Camp Coleman in November (But you need to the decorator won’t put them up correctly. However, register soon!). There will be separate programs for when he comes back a few hours later he sees the job has children and adults, so that everyone from our been done exactly the way he wanted. He is so pleased, community can enjoy and benefit from attending. he gives the decorator an extra bonus. I encourage all of you to take an extra step and try As the decorator is leaving she says, “Glad you are something new. Step outside your comfort zone in this happy with the job. By the way, I took out all the New Year. Hopefully, we will be successful in reaching warranties in the little boxes and left them on the table our target, which is to engage you so that you and your for you!” family feel more at home and connected to our community! Sometimes, even with the best of intentions, we make mistakes and fall short of our intended target. The L’Shana Tova homeowner chose not to micromanage the decorator and perhaps didn’t anticipate the mistake, which better Ron Swichkow communication could have avoided. On the other hand, the decorator approached her job enthusiastically, and, in President her mind, went the extra mile to “help” the homeowner. September is, in many ways, the start of something new. It is the Jewish New Year, the beginning of a new school year, and at TBT, the beginning of several new initiatives. Will we be 100% successful with our programming for the New Year? Probably not. But, wouldn’t the bigger mistake be for us not to try at all? Temple Beth Tikvah is trying to be more inclusive to our community and offer programming so that everyone can find something meaningful. In August, TBT and the Kehillat Chesed (Caring) Committee, hosted the first monthly Breast Cancer Support Group meeting, the first group in our area geared to Jewish women. Rabbi Greene recently spearheaded the formation of an Inclusion Task Force to look at the physical and educational barriers in our synagogue with a goal to make our community more accessible to all. Membership and Fundraising are busy planning a new event, a Casino Night and Silent Auction, to promote community fellowship while raising much needed capital funds.
From the TBT Religious School, Preschool and Office Staff 4
News and Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah
The Spirit of TBT This week I was able to experience the true meaning of Ruach once again at TBT. Following "the flood", there were many offers of help from among our congregants. Then, on Friday morning, I saw women working in our kitchen to prepare a beautiful oneg for a Bat Mitzvah. They were laughing and talking and working together for friends. This was once a common sight here, but over the years has sadly become less and less the rule and more the exception. Later in the day, more women in the kitchen, preparing for a Prospective Member Wine and Cheese before services. During the reception there was much laughter and chatter while we met prospective members, welcomed the Bat Mitzvah family and visited with old friends. Sunday morning, I arrived at TBT for the Sisterhood opening event which was a coffee and bagel brunch. There were approximately 40 women there, members old and new, talking and getting to know one another. Members of the Men's Club were building the bima for High Holy Days, while others were pressure washing the patio, readying it for the new Sukkah which is soon to be built. While there, another congregant came in and told Becky that she wanted to wash windows next weekend and organize a group to clean the sanctuary and get Beth Tikvah ready to welcome the Days of Awe. In the lobby, there were people visiting around a table. Some talking, others playing guitar. This is the Ruach "spirit" of Beth Tikvah. It was heartwarming to see it alive and well. I hope this will continue into the New Year and beyond. When you are in the sanctuary for the High Holy Days, please take a moment to look around you, not at the windows or the bima, but the faces that surround you. This is the Ruach of Temple Beth Tikvah. L'Shana Tova Marsha Mathis
Join TBT Sisterhood!!
October 2 7:00 pm $5 at the door for the winning pot! Fun drinks and snacks provided Come schmooze with your TBT sisters. RSVP to sisterhoodtbt@gmail.com or on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/#!/Temple BethTikvahSisterhood
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News and Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah
B’nai Mitzvah Alexa Elizabeth Klein will be called to the Torah as a Bat Mitzvah on October 5, 2013. Alexa is the daughter of Marc and Deborah Klein, and younger sister to Sarah and Rachel. She is the granddaughter of Mildred and Milton Klein, Sally and the late Allan Long, and Diana and Lester Friedman. Alexa is in the seventh grade at Dodgen Middle School. Alexa has dedicated much time and effort dancing in the Edge Performing Company at Rhythm Dance Center. She thoroughly enjoys every minute of it. She also enjoys spending her summers at Camp Barney Medintz. The Klein Family is looking forward to sharing this special day with their family and friends. Zachary Rosenberg will be called to the Torah as a Bar Mitzvah on October 5, 2013. Zach is the son of Carrie and Tony Rosenberg and brother to Zoe Rosenberg. He is the grandson of Dr. Graham and Sherrie Glass of Houston, TX and the late Charles and Patricia Rosenberg of Atlanta, GA. Zach is in the 8 th grade at Crabapple Middle School where he participates in tennis and plays oboe in the band. His hobbies include baseball and hanging out with friends.
Youth Group HOTTY (9-12th Grade) Welcome Back! We hope you all had a great summer! Our HOTTY kids spent their summer at the different summer camps in Georgia, Kutz Leadership Camp in NY, Israel, and other great programs! Now, we’re back and ready for another great year with HOTTY. The last weekend in August the 2013-2014 HOTTY Board gathered together at a cabin in Big Canoe to learn about their new positions, do some bonding, and plan out the calendar for the year. You can find out the upcoming events and download the calendar here: http://www.bethtikvah.com/ community/senior-youth-group.
Congratulations to the TBT players on the 16 and under Atlanta JCC Maccabi team that won the baseball Gold medal out of 9 teams in Austin, Texas from July 28 – August 2 - Jared Miller, Michael Wynne and Jake Weiss and "Coach" Mark Rudel
GET READY FOR FALL KALLAH! We are so excited to be hosting NFTY-SAR Fall Kallah this year…Mark your calendars for the weekend of November 15-17th. Didn’t have a chance to sign to be on a committee and help plan the weekend? You can sign up here: https:// docs.google.com/forms/ d/1uxeKOCKlKMjK7AYMHHRFoKOubyTGZTBGPtkoNCvZ_38/viewform Parents – we’re going to need your help hosting all of the out-of-town youth groupers. Stay tuned for more info on how you can sign up to host (and other volunteer opportunities throughout the weekend). 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!
JYG (7 & 8th Grade)
Congratulations to TBT player Noah Lampert who played for the 14 and under Team Atlanta baseball team in this summer's JCC Maccabi Games held in Orange County, California. Coached by Marc Lipson, the team of Jewish teens from around Atlanta captured the Silver medal, out of 17 teams, losing only to the Gold medal team from Los Angeles in a 1 run game that went into extra innings.
Welcome Back! We hope all of you 6-8th graders had great summers and are ready for another awesome year with JYG! And welcome to JYG to all of our new 6th graders. We have a fun-filled year for you…Laser tag, Andretti’s, Hollywood Movie Night, and more. Download the full calendar here: http://www.bethtikvah.com/community/junior-youth-group. Join the JYG Facebook Page (https://www.facebook.com/groups/TBT.JYG/) to stay up-to-date on what's happening and to RSVP and help arrange carpools for events!
Eli Madans, a 10th Grader at Riverwood HS, participated in the Maccabi Games as a member of the 16U Boys Basketball Team. The team finished the tournament with a 7-1 record and took the bronze medal.
News & Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah
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Remembering Father Harrison
Casino Night and Silent Auction! October 19, 2013 Sponsor a Table - Make a Donation Email Lindsay Levin at Lindsaylevin@bellsouth.net or Katie Jaffe at katiegjaffe@gmail.com GOT SKYMILES? - WE COULD SURE USE THEM!
For those of you who remember our past and those of you who are new to our history, Father Hendree Harrison of St. David's Episcopal Church made it possible for us to have a home for five years while we established ourselves and built our building. Without him our journey would have taken a little longer and would have been a little harder. Father Harrison died six years ago while at Camp Mikell , a place he attended as a camper, a counselor, a dean, a board member and, at the time of his death, as chair of the Board of Governors. Camp Mikell is raising funds to replace their well worn guest cottage with a new one which they plan to name in his memory. It would be a loving and fitting gesture if we could send a donation to this cottage in his memory. We do not have room in the budget for this at this time so the donations would need to come from each of us. If you would like to participate in this please send a check made out to Temple Beth Tikvah and write his name in the memo line. We will write one check to Camp Mikell.
Relay for Life -Ruach Atlanta 2nd Annual Relay October 13, 2013 Support a TBT Team @ www.RelayForLife.org/ruachga And help us “Finish the Fight!” MAKE A DIFFERENCE! JOIN A TEAM—MAKE A DONATION—BUY A LUMINARY Please support the following events to benefit Relay September 9 Menchies at The Avenues of East Cobb from 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM. Relay will receive 15% of ALL sales during that time period! September Bella Italia - every Tuesday and Sunday in September - mention Relay and they will
donate 20% of sales. September
California Pizza Kitchen—East Cobb - please check TBT website for date 7
News and Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah
Save the Dates! Book Festival Dates are November 2nd - 17th TBT will be hosting the following events: Jeffrey Toobin - Thursday, November 7th at 7:30 PM The Family Reading Festival - Sunday, November 10th at 10:00 AM The Book Festival website will go live on September 3rd. Look for more information online and in next month’s Kol Tikvah! Please support this year’s Book Festival and support TBT at the same time. For every series ticket purchased TBT will receive $18. Use the code TBT-SERIES when ordering tickets online.
Treat yourself to something new…
Yoga with a Jewish Twist Classes begin Thursday, October 24th, 7 - 8:15 pm Look for more info coming in October! Calling All Vendors! ECEC Market Day coming in November Email ececparents@gmail.com for information on how to participate
Campfire Havdalah 2013 was enjoyed by all!
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September 2013 TBT Happenings Sun
Mon
Tue
1
No Religious School
2
Wed
Thu
3
4
Labor Day - TBT Offices Closed
No Religious School
7pm Families Anonymous
Erev Rosh Hashanah TBT Offices Close at Noon
9am Tai Chi
8pm Erev Rosh Hashanah Service
7pm Choir Rehearsal
Fri 5
Rosh Hashanah - TBT Offices Closed
8am Early Rosh Hashanah Service 11:30am Late Rosh Hashanah Service
8
9:30am ATID Class
9
6:45pm Kesher / Confirmation / Kivunim 7pm Families Anonymous
10
11
9am Tai Chi
10am Rosh Hashanah Service
10am Shabbat Service
12:45pm Tashlich Service
13 Erev Yom Kippur - TBT Offices Close at Noon
8pm Kol Nidre Service
7pm Choir Rehearsal
10:30am Sisterhood Meeting
15
9:30am Religious School and 4 - 6th Grade Open House
16
No Religious School 7pm Families Anonymous
18
21
Sukkot II
Sukkot III
5pm Religious School
5:30 pm Sukkot Mitzvah Night & Dinner
10am Sukkot Service
8pm Shabbat Service
9am Bagels, Learning & Torah
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7:30pm Relay for Life Steering Committee Meeting
6:30pm Sukkot Service
24
25
Sukkot VI
Sukkot VII
9:30am Religious School 9:30am ATID Class 9:45am Melton Foundations of Jewish Living 9:45am Officers Meeting 10am G-d and the Human Experience
6:45pm Kesher / Confirmation / Kivunim
9am Tai Chi
6pm Simchat Torah Service & Consecration
29
20
Sukkot
Sukkot V
9:30am Religious School 9:30am ATID Class 9:45am Melton Foundations of Jewish Living 10am G-d and the Human Experience 10am Town Hall Meeting
8am Early Yom Kippur Service 11:30am Late Yom Kippur Service 2:30pm Yom Kippur Family Service 4pm Yom Kippur Afternoon-YizkorNeilah Service 7:15pm (approx) Break the Fast
Erev Sukkot
Sukkot IV
3pm Women’s Interfaith Community - The Red Tent
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14 Yom Kippur
9am Tai Chi
7:30pm Board of Trustees Meeting
9:30am ATID Class
22
17
7
9am Bagels, Learning & Torah
12
7pm Breast Cancer Support Group
5pm Religious School
6 2nd Day Rosh Hashanah - TBT Offices Closed
8pm Shabbat Service
2:30pm Family Service 9:30am Religious School and K - 3rd Grade Open House
Sat
5pm Religious School
7pm Families Anonymous
26 Shemini Atzeret - TBT Offices Closed
10am Shemini Atzeret &Yizkor Service
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8pm Shabbat Service
28
9am Bagels, Learning & Torah 10am Shabbat Service
7:15pm Melton Dramas of Jewish Living
30
6:45pm Kesher / Confirmation 7:15pm Melton Dramas of Jewish Living
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News and Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah
Donations Campaign TBT - EveryONE Matters Dale and Wendy Bearman in memory of Joshua Jaffe Building Fund Dale and Wendy Bearman in memory of Leo Ebstein Jeffrey and Risa Fibus in memory of Frank Levy Dale and Wendy Bearman in memory of Julius "Jay" Bearman Campership/Israel Fund Scott & Sharon Guttman in memory of Richard Sharp Cantor Kassel’s Discretionary Fund Steve and RoseAnn Gerson in memory of Jeanne Lipsitt William & Marjory Segal in memory of Jeanne Lipsitt Alan Parker in memory of William Parker Steven and Sheila Barid in honor of Cantor Kassel Caring/Kehillat Chesed Fund Ruth Zeidman and the Seniors Group in memory of Jeanne Lipsitt Ruth Zeidman in honor of the special birthday of Roni Mintz Elyse Shaw in honor of Cindy Getty Ruth Zeidman in memory of Mr. Berel Weiner and in honor of the special birthday of Mrs. Fannie Spitz Endowment Fund Bruce and Bonnie Walkes in memory of Helen Walkes Lawrence and Anne Skal in memory of Samuel Skal General Fund Burton and Sara Grossman in memory of Gertrude and William Brooks Gail Lebowitz in memory of Sydney Ashkenazie Judy Levine in memory of Bea Marshall Shirley Crawford Nancy Broudy in honor of Arthur Gittelman's birthday Allison Beldick in honor of Lindsay Levin Shirley Crawford Michael Zalkin Memorial Library Fund Mark and Gail Rudel in honor of JCC Maccabi Baseball Gold Medalists - Jared Miller, Michael Wynne and Jake Weiss Mark and Gail Rudel in memory of William Parker
Prayerbook Fund Tobi Levine in memory of Leonard Stansky Edmund Weisberger in memory of Joan Gray Weisberger Preschool Fund Rory and Jenifer Friedman in honor of the engagement of Micah and Jenny Rabbi Greene’s Discretionary Fund Robert and Ilicia Shapiro in memory of Sydney Ashkenazie Mariann Mamberg in memory of Etta Mamberg Michael Goodman in memory of Stanley Goodman Ronald and Leslie Swichkow Jeanne Smokler in appreciation of Rabbi Greene Andy and Marci Fried in memory of Ruth Fried and Fred Singer Lori Jassen in memory of Jeanne Lipsitt Steven and Sheila Barid in memory of Celia Molotsky Martin & Fern Soniker in memory of David Soniker Bruce Beck in memory of Louise Beck Alan Parker in memory of William Parker Edward and Myrna Kaye in memory of Jeanne Lipsitt Howard & Cynthia Steinberg in memory of Sondra Prosterman Arnie & Aubiere Cohen in memory of Gloria Cohen Ershler Max and Carol Wolf in memory of Golda and Jacob Wolf Marc and Martyne Seidband in memory of Howard Seidband Miriam Seidband Cole in appreciation of Rabbi Greene Bart and Kara Segal Jeffrey Willard in honor of Morris Willard Steven and Sheila Barid in honor of Rabbi Greene Rabbi Tam’s Discretionary Fund Walter and Esther Shultz in honor of Rabbi and Marilyn Tam's new grandson Steve and RoseAnn Gerson wishing a speedy recovery to Marsha Mathis' Mother Paul and Lisanne Nozick in honor of the marriage of Barry Kaiser and Dore Pollock Lonnie & Debbie Carter in memory of Sy Lewis Steven and Sheila Barid in honor of Rabbi Tam Youth Group Fund Stanley and Bobbie Kopkin in memory of William Raider
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News and Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah
Welcome to the TBT Family!! Barry and Beth Asher Ethan and Frances
Gary and Jodi Kaplan Melanie
Ben and Amy Tolchinsky Dylan and Sara
Paul and Cherie Cervasio Erin
Howard and Linda Katz Eden and Emma
Steve and Kim Weindorf Samuel and Lucy
Glenn Goldberg and Linda Leibowitz Joshua, Sophie and Max
Ed and Laurie Klotz Edward and Zachary
Jared and Debbie Jacobson Matthew and Zachary Morris and Anna Kagan Edward and Diana
Ned and Lisa Kreiss Ava Amir Levin and Tanya Blasbalg Levin David and Sandy Schaffer Daniel and Samantha
Steven and Renee Weiskopf Max and Noah Scott and Marsha Wiatric Coleman and Emma Mark Williams and Michelle Easton Samuel
Hear Ye, Hear Ye! Our synagogue President, Ron Swichkow, will host a “Town Hall” style meeting in the Social Hall on September 29 at 10 am. Come and talk about anything TBT. He and several of our V.P.s will be happy to listen to your questions, concerns and comments about our community. They will make sure your comments are heard back at the board table. We will serve coffee and a light nosh.
Smiling Faces Needed!! Be A greeter for Shabbat
Equally important is when guests come to Temple Beth Tikvah. If no one greets and welcomes them, they leave soon after a service and often will not return. Please call It is impossible to express how important Shabbat Greeters are the synagogue office at 404-642-0434 or to our synagogue. Our members find warmth in being greeted by email michelle@bethtikvah.com to volunteer. a fellow member. It brings a sense of home and comfort.
JF&CS - Volunteering: A Win-Win for our Community Why do people volunteer? The reasons are endless! It’s a mitzvah to help others. It’s a great way to meet people with interests similar to our own. Our parents did and it’s part of our nature. It makes us feel good. One of the best reasons is that people want to make a difference by giving back. It can be to the general community, the Jewish community or individual schools or synagogues. Whether you’re the consummate volunteer or have never done it before, there are a multitude of opportunities in Atlanta. And one of the best places to start is right here at your synagogue. There’s a culture of caring and community within a synagogue, and the more you put in to it, the more you get out of it. Like all nonprofit organizations, synagogues need and thrive on volunteer support. The more people volunteer, the more they feel engaged and have a sense of ownership. JF&CS is proud to partner with so many synagogues in the community with volunteerdriven projects and we are grateful for your support. You collect food for the Kosher Food Pantry, purchase Kroger and Target gift cards to be given out at Hanukah, make Birthday and Bikkur Cholim cards for our elderly adults, and so much more. We could not do it without you! For more information on how your group can do a Mitzvah Project with JF&CS, please contact engagement@jfcs-atlanta.org. Currently, VIA: JF&CS Volunteers In Action is in the process of planning Mitzvah Day 2013 on Sunday, October 27th. If your young adult group would like to participate, please email via@jfcs-atlanta.org. Volunteering brings people together. Now that the new year is starting, there’s no better way to take advantage of that togetherness than finding ways to help others. 11
News and Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah
SOCIAL ACTION
ADULT ED Rabbi Greene’s Fall Adult Ed Class
Volunteers Needed for Operation Isaiah: Yom Kippur Food Drive
LOOKING AT LIFE THROUGH THE BOOK OF JOB Thursdays, October 17, 24 and 31 7:30 - 9 pm All of us have faced challenges and trials. Sometimes we wonder, “where was God?” Looking at the Book of Job and using insights from Rabbi Harold Kushner’s book, When Bad Things Happen to Good People, we will explore themes of faith and hope in the midst of suffering.
We will be giving out food bags after the Erev Rosh Hashanah service and at the early, late and family services on Rosh Hashanah day. We will collect food from congregants before Kol Nidre and at the early and late services on Yom Kippur day. To help, please contact Rodney Eberhardt at eberhardt7@aol.com or call (404) 353-7585. This is my chosen fast… Share your bread with the hungry Take the homeless into your home. Clothe the naked when you see him,
Rabbi Tam’s Adult Ed Class HOW DOES THE JEWISH CHARACTER MAKE COMMUNAL COHESION IN AMERICA A PROBLEM AN HISTORICAL ANALYSIS
Sundays, September 22, 29; October 6, 20; November 3, 10 10 - 11:30 am in the Library It is a given that in today's America, individual Jews have difficulty in joining and expressing loyalty for Jewish Communal life. There are, I think, historical reasons for this difficulty, to be found in the character formation of the Jew who was shaped by the Jewish historical experience. The causes for individual reluctance to express Jewish communal loyalties among young Jews especially, are not to be found in the nature of North American pluralistic, democratic culture alone. For six sessions we will investigate the experience of the Jew through four historical epics: Biblical, Greco-Roman, Medieval, and the Modern in attempt to discover the "lessons" Jews learned through this history. Are the lessons learned antithetical to the continuation of Jewish communal life in a setting of political and individual freedom? No knowledge of Jewish history or Hebrew is necessary.
Do not turn away from people in need. (Isaiah 58:6-7)
Along with other Atlanta area synagogues, Temple Beth Tikvah will again participate in Operation Isaiah. This project, coordinated by the Atlanta Community Food Bank, collects thousands of food items to be donated to those in need. Bags will be distributed after services on Erev Rosh Hashanah and on Rosh Hashanah day. Please return these bags, filled with non-perishable boxed or canned goods to Temple Beth Tikvah during any of our Yom Kippur services. Help us make this year’s fast a feast for those people whose daily fast is neither symbolic nor voluntary. We thank you in advance, as you perform two acts of tzedakah by feeding the hungry and supporting your synagogue. Suggested items are: Peanut Butter, Canned Tuna, Canned Beans, Canned Soups, Stews & Pastas, 100% Fruit Juice, Canned Fruits & Vegetables, Macaroni and Cheese Dinners and Whole Grain, Low Sugar Cereals. No glass containers please!
2013-14 Brill Institute Classes Foundations of Jewish Family Living 9:45 - 11:15 am, Sundays, beginning September 22 Fee: $150 which includes the Student Reader (subsidies available)
Melton Year 2: Dramas of Jewish Living 7:15 - 8:45 pm, Mondays, September 23, 2013 - May 19, 2014 Fee: $365 for 30 weeks includes the textbook and additional materials
For more information, please contact Laurie Finkelstein at 678.812.3723 or Laurie.Finkelstein@atlantajcc.org
If you would rather make a donation, it is suggested that you donate the amount equal to what you would spend for you and your family for one day. Checks can be made out to Temple Beth Tikvah with Operation Isaiah in the memo section. We ask that you please check all of the expiration dates on your non-perishable food donations before they are brought to the temple.
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News and Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah
Breast Cancer Survivor Group Now Available to the Jewish Community A monthly support group is now available in the Jewish Community and all are welcome to attend. The meetings are for all interested people who have had cancer, who are going through treatment or surgeries, and /or who have been recently diagnosed, as well as for those who might have questions pertinent to breast cancer. In addition, this program is for sharing experiences, meeting others and gathering information regarding diagnoses, surgeries, and genetic testing from various professionals. The second official meeting will be held on Thursday, September 12, at 7:00 p.m. This survivor support group is being sponsored by The Kehillat Chesed/Caring Committee of Temple Beth Tikvah, 9955 Coleman Rd, Roswell, 30075, who is also the host synagogue.
NEW CHAVUROT ARE FORMING NOW Consider Joining One!! What's a Chavurah? A Chavurah is a circle of friends. It's a group of people with similar interests or who are in similar life stages gathering together regularly to celebrate Jewish holidays, share simchas, attend TBT events, visit interesting places or 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. Who can be part of a Chavurah? Any member of TBT! Just fill out the application and we'll help find like-minded families or people to form a group. Drop by the TBT office to pick one up, or visit http://www.bethtikvah.com/community/chavurot to download a copy. Do we have to do certain things in a Chavurah? You choose the activities you'll participate in and how often and where you meet. You might gather as families for a potluck Shabbat at someone's home or have adult-only nights out. You could attend TBT events as a group or get group tickets to see sports games or shows. We can help you design a calendar of programs based on your group's interests. Questions? Please contact Dalia Faupel at d2faupel@comcast.net
September's speaker, Genetic Counselor Kimberly King -Spohn, will present information on Genetic Testing. For further information or questions, please contact Valerie Rapowitz at vrapowitzslp@yahoo.com or call 678-643-9672. Other dates and speakers include: October 17, 2013 - 7:00 pm: Oncologist - Dr. Stephen Szabo November 21, 2013 - 7:00 pm: Physical Therapist - Bernice Cohen, Specializing in Exercises following surgery and lymphedema
The kids are back in school, our Religious School halls are buzzing, and we are all getting ready for the High Holy Days. As you reflect on this past year and look ahead to this upcoming year, we hope you will make some time for your own adult learning. The Adult Learning committee has tried to offer different classes at different times of the week in hopes that more of you will take some time out of your busy schedules for your own Jewish Learning. Whether it be on Shabbat before services at BLT, or on a Sunday morning learning with Rabbi Tam, Rabbi Greene or Cantor Kassel, or during the week with Melton or Rabbi Gottfried, please consider joining us. As the year gets underway, we will continue to offer more learning opportunities. We hope to see you at a class or two! L' Shana Tova!
College Connection Care Packages to be sent to College Students Are any of your children attending college this fall? If so, we would like to send them a care package to remind them that the TBT community is thinking of them and wishing them well. Included in the care package will be snacks, college supplies, and a personal letter from the Rabbi. We try to include other items as well and suggestions for what we should include and actual donations are always appreciated! So how does your student receive a care package? Simply SEND US THEIR COLLEGE ADDRESS. Also, let us know what year of college they are in (i.e. freshman, senior). Because college students tend to change their living arrangements from year to year, we start out with a fresh list each year. So, we are asking ALL the parents of college students to send us their child’s college address, even if you provided it in previous years. Please send your child’s college address to Lynda Bennett at lrbennett08@comcast.net or to Ginger Glazer at ggchoc@bellsouth.net. Also, we need assistance to assemble the care packages on October 1st at 7 pm. We meet in the social hall and it only takes about 1.5 hours to get everything done. It’s a wonderful way to offer a helping hand, to catch up with each other, and to meet new people. Please email Lynda or Ginger if you can help out. 13
News and Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah
SHMOOZE NEWS / KUDOS CORNER
In Memorium
Mazal Tov to:
Temple Beth Tikvah acknowledges with sorrow the passing of:
Sheryl Blechner on the engagement of her son, Micah, to Jenny Gurman.
Stephen Finestone Uncle of Michele Mogilski & David Sandfelder Brother-in-law of Paula Sandfelder
Alice and Sam Herndon on the engagement of their son, Adam, to Megan Burke.
Susan Gergans Mother of Steve Gergans
Carly and Adam Biegel on the birth of daughter, Milly Sloane, on August 21.
Freda Berger Grandmother of Danielle Rubenstein
Deborah and Julian Isakow on the birth of son, Aiden Max, on July 20. Proud grandparents are Rabbi Donald and Marilyn Tam.
Thank You to our Amazing Office Volunteers!! Donna Schacher, Renee & Sy Davis, Ellen Frank, Natine Rosenzweig, June Wallach, Arleen Reese, Roberta Goldman, Leslie Swichkow, Aaron Stieglitz, Janice Liederman, Ellen Levitz, Addie Myers, Doris Rosing
May God console you among all the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem. Submissions for the October Kol Tikvah are due by September 3. Please email to koltikvah@bethtikvah.com
HELP US HELP YOU Your synagogue community wants to be a Caring Community/Kehillat Chesed. If you have recently experienced a loss or 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 that has experienced a loss or can use a hand, please contact the office at 770.642.0434.
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.
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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
Get Involved! TBT Committees and Chairpersons Adult Education Cindy Getty eeg@comcast.net Budget & Finance Harlan Graiser harlanng@yahoo.com Chavurot Dalia Faupel d2faupel@comcast.net College Outreach Lynda Bennett lrbennett08@comcast.net Ginger Glazer ggchoc@bellsouth.net Communications Tom and Marsha McMurrain bethtikvahcommunications@gmail.com Family Promise Andy Fried andyf17@gmail.com Jeff Schultz asburypark@comcast.net Fundraising Ruben Braiter rbraiter@manh.com Gift Shop Pam Alterman pmalterman@gmail.com Carrie Bickwit carriebickwit@yahoo.com Rhonda Schweber rschweber@comcast.net
House Ted Nathan tnathan@baldwinscheduling.com Human Resources Seth Zimmer sz4941@att.com Interior Standards & Marketing Susan Estroff sestroff@earthlink.net Israel Gene Carasick gcarasick@gmail.com Kehillat Chesed (Caring) Leslie Swichkow lswichkow@comcast.net Library Ilana Zalkin ilanaz@earthlink.net Membership Recruitment & Retention Mark Rudel mrudel@ups.com Lindsay Levin linsday@splicerealty.com Katie Jaffe katiegjaffe@gmail.com Men’s Club Peter Hartog althazyr@bellsouth.net Mark Greenspan greenspanfamily@bellsouth.net
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Nominating Committee Vicki Steine vicsteine@comcast.net Ritual Esther Shultz savtaesther5@gmail.com Rosh Chodesh Women’s Group Pam Chanin chaninp@bellsouth.net Security Jay Sausmer jsausmer@gmail.com Seniors Natine Rosenzweig rosen4348@aol.com Sisterhood Traci Hartog tracigator@bellsouth.net Danielle Rubenstein bdruben@bellsouth.net Social Action Rodney Eberhardt reberhardt@amerisourcebergen.com Darin Cohen dcohen@wealthofga.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
Fred Greene Rabbi Donald A. Tam Rabbi Emeritus Nancy Kassel Cantor Hassia Levin Education Director Jenifer Friedman ECEC Director Ron Swichkow President Todd Boehm Vice President Marsha Mathis Vice President Denise Straus Vice President Andy Gutman Treasurer Michael Braun Secretary Jill Mattos Chairperson, Board of Education
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