September 2018 • Volume 34 • Issue 8
Selichot Saturday, September 1st
A Reform Congregation Embracing Our Jewish Tradition
8:00 PM
Erev Rosh Hashanah Sunday, September 9th 8:00 PM Rosh Hashanah Monday, September 10th Early Service 8:00 AM – 10:30 AM Late Service 11:30 AM – 2:00 PM Tot Family Service 2:30 PM Tashlich 4:30 PM Chattahoochee River on Azalea Drive (from Willeo to Azalea Dr., second parking lot on right)
Tuesday, September 11th 10:00 AM
Kol Nidre Tuesday, September 18th 8:00 PM Yom Kippur Wednesday, September 19th Early Service 8:00 AM – 10:30 AM Late Service 11:30 AM – 2:00 PM Tot Family Service 2:30 PM (geared for children early elementary or younger) Mid Day Activities 2:30 PM—4:00 PM Mincha/Yizkor/Neilah 4:00 PM Sukkot Sukkot Family Festival Sunday, September 23rd 4:00 PM (see page 11 for more information) Uncle Shucks Farm
Shabbat Shuvah Friday Shabbat Service, September 14th 8:00 PM Saturday Service, September 15th 10:00 AM
News & Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah
Festival Service Monday, September 24th 10:00 AM Simchat Torah Sunday, September 30th 6:30 PM Shemini Atzeret/Yizkor Monday, October 1st 10:00 AM
HIGH HOLIDAYS What are the “Days of Awe?” Rosh Hashanah is the first of the High Holy Days, and begins a ten day period of soul searching that concludes with Yom Kippur. Tradition tells us that on Rosh Hashanah the names of the righteous are inscribed in the Book of Life, offering another year of life. For those who have unfinished business, judgment is suspended until Yom Kippur, when our good works and acts of repentance during those 10 days (teshuvah) to return to our higher selves. Synagogue services give us time to reflect and resolve, but prayer and meditation are not sufficient to wipe the slate clean. The only way to expunge sins committed against other people is by reaching out sincerely, offering apologizing and striving for forgiveness.
What do the words Rosh Hashanah mean?
Rosh Hashanah is Hebrew for head or beginning of the year. In the Torah, we read, “In the seventh
month, on the first day of the month, there shall be a sacred assembly, a cessation from work, a day of commemoration proclaimed by the sound of the Shofar.” Therefore, we celebrate Rosh Hashanah on the first day of Tishrei, the seventh month of the Jewish calendar. The number assigned to the Jewish year changes on Rosh Hashanah based on ancient rabbinic reckoning of when the world was created.
What is done in the home for Rosh Hashanah? The focus of home celebration is the evening meal served at the start of Rosh Hashanah. Rosh Hashanah menus vary among Jewish subcultures and from household to household, but two customs are pervasive: using a round challah (with or without raisins) as a symbol of the cycle of the year, and starting Rosh Hashanah with apples dipped in honey or agave as a harbinger of a sweet year.
Before the Erev Rosh Hashanah meal, the following blessings are recited: For candle lighting: Baruch Ata Adonai Eloheinu Melech Ha-olam, asher kid’shanu b’mitzvotav vitsivanu l’hadlik ner shel yom tov.
Blessed are You, Adonai our God, Ruler of the cosmos, who has taught us the way of holiness through the Mitzvot and invites us to kindle the New Year light. For wine: Baruch Ata Adonai Eloheynu Melech Ha-olam boray p’ree hagafen.
Blessed are You, Adonai our God, Ruler of the universe, who makes the fruit of the vine. For a Sweet New Year: Baruch Ata Adonai, Eloheynu Melech Ha-olam, shehechiyanu v’keyamanu v’higianu lazman hazeh.
Blessed are You, Adonai our God, Ruler of the universe, who has kept us alive, sustained us, and brought us to this moment For the round challah: Baruch Ata Adonai Eloheynu Melech Ha-olam, hamotzi lechem min ha’aretz.
Blessed are You, Adonai our God, Ruler of the universe, who brings forth bread from the earth. For apple sections dipped in agave or honey: Baruch Ata Adonai Eloheynu Melech Ha-olam, boray p’ree ha’eytz. Y’hi ratzon she’te’chadesh aleynu shana tova umetukah.
Blessed are You, Adonai our God, Ruler of the universe who creates the fruit of the tree. May it be your will, Adonai, God of our ancestors, to renew us for a good and sweet year
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HIGH HOLIDAYS What happens in the synagogue for Rosh Hashanah? Rosh Hashanah is primarily a liturgical or synagogue holiday with a few core elements, the blowing of a shofar and distinctive holiday melodies, which are reprised repeatedly during Rosh Hashanah, and again on Yom Kippur. Rosh Hashanah prayers sound the themes of judgment and repentance, and the recurrent image of God as a parent-ruler is given voice in one of the most memorable prayers and melodies of all the Jewish holidays, Avinu Malkeynu, “Our Father, our King.” During the morning service on Rosh Hashanah, the Torah reading from Genesis 22 is always a focal point. The challenging test of Abraham’s faith, when he is asked to sacrifice his son, Isaac. This story is referred to as “the binding of Isaac,” or the Akedah.
What is Tashlich?
It is traditional to go to a flowing body of water and participate in a ceremony called Tashlich, from the Hebrew for “send off’ or “cast away.” People symbolically cast away their sins/shortcomings by emptying crumbs from their pockets into the water, giving a fresh start in the New Year. What does Yom Kippur mean? Yom Kippur means “Day of Atonement.” Yom Kippur, the most somber day of the year is called Shabbat Shabbaton, the “Sabbath of Sabbaths” in the Bible. On this day devoted to reflection and repentance, the community dresses in white, a symbol of purity and healthy adults fast from all food and drink from sunset to sunset. What happens in the home for Yom Kippur? Although this is probably the least home-based of all holidays, it begins and ends with a family meal. The evening meal is cooked with a mind to the fast ahead, so generally it is neither too heavy nor too spicy. Unlike other festival dinners, candle lighting takes place afterwards, marking the official start of Yom Kippur and the fast. After eating and before lighting the festival candles, it is traditional to light a candle in memory of family members who have died. Special yahrzeit (“year’s-time”) candles are available in the synagogue office or at area Judaica shops. These candles are lit without formal blessing, though some people say a silent prayer.
Kindling the Yom Kippur candles: Baruch Ata Adonai, Eloheynu Melech Ha-olam, asher kid’shanu b’mitzvotav vitzivanu l’hadlik ner shel Yom HaKippurim.
Blessed are You, Adonai our God, Ruler of the universe who has taught us the way of holiness through the Mitzvot, and calls us to light the Yom Kippur light. Yom Kippur ends with a light break the fast meal. This repast has no formal rituals or ceremony apart from the blessing over bread, Hamotzi. Food prepared in advance is usually set out, buffet style, while family and friends discuss the relative difficulty of their fasts and the content of their rabbis’ sermons. It is a mitzvah to invite to your table anyone who might have nowhere else to break the fast. Many families contribute both money and canned goods to help feed the hungry. Here at TBT we collect food for Operation Isaiah for distribution to local food pantries.
How do we atone for our sins? Yom Kippur atones only for sins between humanity and God, not for sins against another person. To atone for sins against another person, you must first apologize, righting the wrongs you committed if possible. Tradition teaches that this must all be done before the conclusion of Yom Kippur. 3
News & Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah
HIGH HOLIDAYS What is the Jewish definition of sin? In Judaism, the word “sin” has different connotations than it does in our wider culture. “Sin” in Judaism is generally not something for which a person will be punished in the afterlife, but is rather an improper act for which one can ask forgiveness—not just of God, but of other human beings as well.
What is Kol Nidre?
Services begin with the haunting melody of Kol Nidre, the opening prayer and the name of the evening service. Kol Nidre is an Aramaic declaration that nullifies all the vows and promises that each person will make to God and to him/herself in the coming year, an acknowledgment of the weakness of human resolution. Tallitot are worn at this special evening service.
What happens at Synagogue Yom Kippur day?
Yom Kippur service runs throughout most of the day: Shacharit, the morning service, includes a Torah reading from Deuteronomy reminding us that God has given us all free-will, and calls upon us to choose the way of a meaningful and purposeful life. The morning Haftarah reading is Isaiah’s passionate sermon demanding justice and decrying religious hypocrisy.
Why is the Book of Jonah read on Yom Kippur? The Book of Jonah was selected for the haftarah reading for the Mincha (afternoon) service on Yom Kippur because God is represented there as the God of all nations. The Book of Jonah also addresses itself to another High Holy Days theme: that a person can abandon one’s baser ways, accept responsibility for one’s own actions, and return to righteous living.
What is Yizkor?
Yizkor is a service that recalls loved ones who have died. Yizkor takes place on Yom Kippur afternoon.
What is the Ne’ilah service?
Yom Kippur services conclude with Ne’ilah, from the Hebrew “to lock,” referring to the symbolic closing of heaven’s gates and the “book of life.” Many people stand throughout this short service. We invite all who wish to come up to the Open Ark, as individuals or as family units, to offer one’s own personal prayers. Ne’ilah concludes with a final blast of the shofar; the Tekiyah Gedolah.
What is the meaning of the tradition to wear white on the Holy Days and especially on Yom Kippur? Why do we cover the Torah scrolls with white covers? It is customary to wear white on the holiday, which symbolizes purity and calls to mind the promise that our sins shall be made as white as snow (Isaiah 1:18). Traditionally, Jews are buried in plain white garments. Wearing white on Yom Kippur reminds us of our mortality. Some wear sneakers or other rubber-soled shoes out of deference to the ancient practice of avoiding leather shoes, which were a symbol of luxury. Here at TBT, we invite everyone to consider wearing white throughout the Holy Day season.
Why are the confessions done in the plural?
The communal confession is called the Vidui. It contains a litany of human sins, and the entire congregation recites it collectively and in the plural emphasizing communal responsibility for sins.
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HIGH HOLIDAYS High Holy Day VOCABULARY High Holy Days: Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur L’shanah Tovah Tikatayvu: “May you be inscribed for a good year.” This is the Rosh Hasha nah greeting that expresses the hope that all friends and loved ones will be written in the Book of Life and granted happiness and fulfillment in the year ahead. Shofar: The shofar is made from the horn of a ram. It is sounded every morning (except on Shabbat) during the month of Elul, the 30 days preceding Rosh Hashanah, on Rosh Hashanah itself, and again at the conclusion of Yom Kippur. Some say that its piercing sound is a “wake-up call” that reminds people to engage in the process of repentance. Teshuvah: Literally means, “returning,” a Hebrew term for repentance. Tzedakah: “Righteousness,” often mistranslated as “charity.” Yahrzeit Candle: Memorial candle lit on the anniversary of a loved one’s death, and on those days when Yizkor is recited. Yizkor is recited on Yom Kippur. Yom Tov: Literally “a good day.” The term has come to mean “holy day.” It is often pronounced Yuntiff (the Yiddish pronunciation) and the Ashkenazi holiday greeting is “Gut
Yuntiff.”
No Need to put your summer white away just yet! We encourage everyone to wear white for both Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. Why wear white? White represents purity and atonement and a fresh and clean start to the new year!
High Holiday Experience - Children Kindergarten through 3rd grade are invited and encouraged to join us! September 10—For Rosh Hashanah “Birth of a New World” September 19—For Yom Kippur “Can you hit the Bullseye?” Call the Religious School Office to sign up - 770-642-4168
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News & Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah
Kicking off the Holy Days!! Selichot Saturday evening September 1, 2018 8:00 pm The Hebrew month of Elul is understood to be a time of preparation, a time for self-reflection. Traditionally we recite Psalm 27, asking God not to turn away from us, to hear our voices and "be gracious...and answer us." The shofar is sounded, helping to wake us up to the internal work awaiting us in these days. The culmination of this month of spiritual selfexamination comes with the recitation of penitential prayers called, Selichot. In our Temple Beth Tikvah community, the Saturday night before Rosh Hashana, we gather together to transform our souls and our sacred space in preparation for the Holy Day season. Cantor Kassel joins me in inviting you to join us for this beautiful evening in preparation of the upcoming Holy Day season. Evening includes: Havdalah & Honey Cake, screening of the Canadian film The Quarrel, and we will conclude the evening with our beautiful Selichot service and the changing of the Torah covers to white. Please RSVP here or call the Front Office
May it be a sweet New Year for us all! Shana Tovah Tikakeyvu!
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News & Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah
NOTES FROM CANTOR KASSEL
Guest Scholar LAURA ECKSTEIN Saturday, September 22 10:00 AM Service, Kiddush Lunch & Presentation RSVP HERE or call the front office
TBT proudly welcomes LAURA ECKSTEIN who is the Coordinator of Judaica Digital Humanities at University of Pennsylvania and part of a ground-breaking “crowdsourcing effort to sort and transcribe handwriting on thousands of documents discarded hundreds of years ago, known as the Cairo Geniza.” see: https://penntoday.upenn.edu/news/reclaiming-fragmentedhistory some background information: “A genizah is a storage area in a Jewish synagogue or cemetery designated for the temporary storage of worn-out-Hebrew language books and papers on religious topics prior to proper burial.” “The Cairo Genizah is a collection of some 300,000 Jewish manuscript fragments that were found in the genizah or storeroom of the Ben Ezra Synagogue in Old Cairo, Egypt.” These manuscripts date from approximately 870 CE to the 19th century.
Laura Eckstein graduated from Haverford College in 2016, following which she worked at the Jacob Rader Marcus Center of the American Jewish Archives (in connection with Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion). She is presently the Judaica Digital Humanities Coordinator at University of Pennsylvania. On a personal note: Laura Eckstein is my 2nd cousin once removed and I am so very proud of all her accomplishments! **********************************************************************
The return of JR. CHOIR beginning Sunday, OCTOBER 7
-Cantor Nancy Kassel 7
News and Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah
A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT Shanah Tovah!
שנה טובה
As we head into the secular month of September and grow closer to the High Holy Days, our thoughts and hearts turn to G-d with love and humility. We become introspective through the days of Elul. We are reminded of our real purposes for being granted the beautiful gift of life. What are our responsibilities as faithful Jews to our world? Have we made the world a better place? Have we given the best that is in us to our fellow humans? I am grateful for a loving, inspiring, wise, strong and beautiful Rabbi to lead us into this High Holiday season along with the talent and wisdom of our beloved Cantor. I am grateful to Rabbi Tam for his teachings and wisdom for many years here at TBT and look forward to his return in the Fall. I am grateful for our Director of Congregational Learning, teachers in both the Religious school and ECEC, our Office staff and Admins in the main office and school, our Youth Director, the police officers and the many volunteers that help bring us to these Days of Awe. I am also very grateful for our dedicated choir members, usher/greeters, volunteer security, and the countless others who dedicate numerous hours of their time to TBT. I am also especially grateful to our Board of Trustees and Board of Education who never waiver in their dedication as well. I am grateful for our teens in HOTTY who give me hope for a Jewish future. Most importantly, however, I wanted to share with how very grateful I am for all of you, my congregant family. Temple Beth Tikvah is my home. Temple Beth Tikvah is OUR home. OUR House of Hope. May you go into the days ahead with an open and loving heart. May your prayers come easily, and may you be written in the Book of Life.
"To pray is so necessary and so hard. Hard not because it requires intellect or knowledge or a big vocabulary, but because it requires of us humility. And that comes, I think, from a profound sense of one's brokenness, and one's need. Not the need that causes us to cry, "Get me out of this trouble, quick!" but the need that one feels every day of one's life - even though one does not acknowledge it - to be related to something bigger than one's self that will endure through time." – Lillian Smith
Shanah Tovah Umetukah שנה טובה ומתוקה
8 News and Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah
YOUTH GROUP Last month the HOTTY Board spent a weekend up in the mountains planning and preparing for this year. But what do they do during this weekend? Sure, the weekend is about bonding, getting to one another, and having fun. And yes, they spend a great deal of time brainstorming event ideas, narrowing them down, and putting them on the calendar. But most of the weekend is spent doing more “heavy lifting,” learning how to work together as a team, what it means to be a leader, and setting goals for themselves for the year. For example, Friday night Ethan, the HOTTY president, planned a program called “How to Act Like a Leader.” The board members discussed different qualities that make a great leader: Great communication, Strong Listener, Solid People Skills, Trustworthy, Committed, and Representative. They then looked at four situations where they are acting as a leader, at the temple, HOTTY events, NFTYSAR events, and board and event planning meetings. For each of these situations the board members talked about what it means to enact the qualities of a great leader in that situation. What does it mean to have solid people skills when at a HOTTY event? How can they show they are committed and trustworthy when they are at board meetings or planning events? A big focus of our board retreat this year was that it’s not enough to talk about these ideas, we needed to make them tangible, to put them into action. The weekend culminated in a program called “Words into Actions.” Several years ago HOTTYites came up with a list of words that they felt described HOTTY: Accepting, Amazing/Exciting/Fun/Incredible, Caring/Kind/ Loving, Energetic, Engaging, Family/Friends/Home, Inclusive/Welcoming, Inspiring/Motivating, Jewish, Pride/Ruach, Safe/Source of Strength. I told the board that they held these words in their hands. It is up to them this year to make sure that every HOTTYite who walks in the door finds a place that is inviting and accepting, where the people are kind and loving…they find friends, family, and a home. So yes, while what you will see as a result of the HOTTY Board Retreat are the calendar dates below (YAY!!), what we hope you will notice and feel is a group of teens who are great leaders, are accountable for their actions, work well together, and make a HOTTY place for all of our teens.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS: Lounge Nights 6:00 pm—7:30 pm
Events September 15 Cooking class October 20 Avalon or Canton St Scavenger Hunt November 11 Social Action/Multi-cultural event November 30 HOTTY service December 8 Atlanta Night/Gladiators January 12 8th Grade Rush February 2 Snow Mountain March 9 Camp Jenny Bingo April 27 Election/Pool Party May 16 HOTTY Banquet May 18 HOTTY Hike 12pm
September 5 October 3 November 7 December 12 January 9
February 6 March 6 April 10
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 and Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah
CONGREGATIONAL LEARNING—SUSAN COSDEN "Four weeks, you rehearse and rehearse ... Then out of the hat it's that big first night." - Cole Porter’s “Another Op'nin, Another Show” from Kiss Me, Kate
In early August, while waiting outside to greet all of our teachers and madrichim for our first staff development day, this song popped into my head. It seemed so appropriate then and now we are getting close to that “big first night (day).” Our first day of religious school will be on Sunday, September 16. This year we will be using the school entrance for all arrivals and dismissals. Parents, please drop off your children in their classrooms no later than 9:30 am (Bagels will be available in the school lobby, 9:00-9:25 am). Parents, please join us in the main lobby to greet one another, catch up with old friends, make new ones, and then join us in the sanctuary at 9:45 am. At 10:50 (after the parent session with Susan Cosden, Rabbi Shuval-Weiner, and other special guests) parents will get time to meet as a group with their child(ren)’s teacher(s). At 11:30 parents and children will come together for a special tefillah experience to welcome in the Jewish New Year and the new Jewish month of Tishrei. At noon, all students who go home at noon will go with their parents. For those of you who have children attending our extended Sunday program, your fourth - sixth graders will stay until 1:30. Please plan for them to bring a lunch or order pizza from the school.
Two of the big changes in our religious school this upcoming year will be Keshet Time and our curriculum. To learn more about both, join us on September 16. Also new this September: On Saturday, September 15 at 9:00 am will be our first Saturday in the Park for our families of young children. For our first Saturday in the Park will gather at Roswell Park to celebrate Shabbat and play together. We will be visiting a different park each time we come together for Saturday in the Park. On Sunday, September 23 at 4:00 pm we will be welcoming in Sukkot at Uncle Shucks Corn Maze. Lots of family activities: corn maze, hayride, goats, pumpkins, snacks, and more. After the maze, etc. we will gather with Rabbi Shuval-Weiner and Cantor Kassel to celebrate Erev Sukkot. There is no religious school that morning. Before we get to experience any of these events, we get to come together to welcome in 5779. Our kindergarten - third graders are in for an incredible High Holy Days Experience this year, which will even include a visiting planetarium and visiting goats. For all of you, I want to wish you Shanah tovah u’mitukah. May you have a sweet, happy, meaningful, and full of awe New Year. 10 News & Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah
CONGREGATIONAL LEARNING—CHILDREN, TEEN & FAMILY EDUCATION
Sukkot Family Fun Day
Monday, September 17 6:45 pm to 8:30 pm Dinner will be served.
Sunday, September 23rd 4:00pm We will meet at Uncle Shucks Corn Maze for an afternoon filled with family fun. Conquer the corn maze, go on a hayride, feed the goats, pick a pumpkin, have a snack and enjoy the fall air. RSVP Here. Join the Rabbi and Cantor as we celebrate Sukkot Uncle Shucks 4520 Highway 53E Dawsonville, GA 30534 1-888-OSHUCKS $13/per person
MUNCHKIN SHABBAT October 12, 2018 Service and dinner specifically designed for our youngest members and their parents and grandparents. 5:30 service let by Rabbi and Cantor
SATURDAYS
6:00 Dinner
IN THE PARK Saturday, September 15, 9:00 am Roswell Area Park Come enjoy singing shabbat songs, challah & juice, crafts, and playing together!
Monday, October 1, 6:30 pm Students Only Meet at Rabbi’s house for dinner and program More Details to Follow 11
News & Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah
B’NAI MITZVAH Emily Windsor will be called to the Torah as a Bat Mitzvah on September 8, 2018. Emily is the daughter of Debbie and Todd Windsor and sister to Brandon. She is in 7th grade at North Western Middle School. Hobbies include learning theatre performance at RISPA. Throughout her Mitzvah projects, Emily had the opportunity to work with seniors. She learned about their lives and the challenges they lived through. She especially wants to thank her grandparents, Cira and Steve Newman (AKA Mimi and Papa), they have been instrumental in helping her with her Bat Mitzvah preparations.
Amanda Kate Stein will the called to the Torah as a Bat Mitzvah on September 29, 2018. Amanda is the daughter of Eric and Viki Stein , the sister to Emily Stein and the granddaughter of Rosalind Taranto. Amanda is in the 7th grade at Dickerson Middle School where she enjoys her classes and seeing friends. She plays soccer for the Roswell Santos Soccer team. Her hobbies include, swimming, basketball, spending time with friends and listening to music. Each summer she loves going to sleep away at Camp Judea in Hendersonville, NC.
SISTERHOOD The High Holidays growing up meant new clothes, what is now called ‘sweater weather’, a good meal or two, and not too much more. And although I must admit to a new outfit or two, Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur mean so much more to me now. A time to be quiet for a few hours, to think, to reflect, to remember. A time to plan, at least in our minds, for the upcoming year to be better, happier, kinder. May the sound of the shofar bring with it a year of good health and happiness for you and your family. On Rosh Hashanah, it is written. On Yom Kippur, it is sealed. May it be written and may it be sealed that you have a new year that brings fulfillment and happiness, peace and prosperity-all of life's very best things. Please mark your calendars for our exciting kick-off program on October 8 at 7:00 pm in the TBT Social Hall. From our family to the whole Temple Beth Tikvah community, l'shanah tovah tikateiv v'tichateimu Ilana Zalkin, Sisterhood Chair
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News and Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah
MEN’S CLUB
Upcoming Events Wednesday, September 5th 6:00 pm — Bimah Build. Food and beverages provided.
Sunday, September 16th 11:00 am — Men’s Club Planning Meeting. Bagels and coffee provided.
CHAVUROT / AFFINITY GROUPS
WANTED: New Affinity and Chavurah Leaders Have you wanted to be a part of our exciting Chavurah and Affinity groups? Do you want to get to know more people here in our community, and have a lot of fun doing it? Perhaps you'd like to join a discussion that will expand your horizons in ways you never imagined. If you answered yes to any of these questions, we'd love for you to become a group a leader. All we need are your ideas and I’ll help you do the rest. Email us at tbtchavurot@gmail.com or call Donna Goldenberg at 678-524-8978 – for questions and information: We want to start new groups after the High Holy Days. Stay tuned for much more information. The Unseen Force Flowing Through the Universe
Bridge Club
Tuesday mornings 9:30
Meets at 1:00 pm
Great for flexibility, balance and lowering
stress. This informal group meets for a full practice. Open to new, curious and experienced
on the first and third Thursdays of the month Contact Bonnie at bonnie.walkes@gmail.com
practitioners. No RSVP required.
Did you know that on the third Friday of the month anyone with a birthday or anniversary will have the opportunity to be called to the bimah to be blessed? 13
News & Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah
Adult Education
TEMPLE BETH TIKVAH CIVIL RIGHTS JOURNEY Temple Beth Tikvah is having an adult Civil Rights Journey, November 17-18. The cost of the trip is $525 per person, which includes the hotel, all meals beginning with Saturday dinner and ending with Sunday dinner, all ground transportation, admission, and programming costs. The single supplement is $65. We must have at least 20 people interested by October 3 to run the trip. The price goes down if we have 25 people.
To learn more and/or to RSVP, please email Susan Cosden at education@bethtikvah.com SATURDAY November 17 9:00 am
Depart Temple Beth Tikvah
12 Noon (CST)
Southern Poverty Law Center Civil Rights Memorial
1:00 pm (CST)
Rosa Parks Museum
Stand where the Civil Rights movement began and learn about the Montgomery Bus Boycott Learn about Jewish involvement in the movement 3:00 pm
Equal Justice Institute Legacy Museum & Lynching Memorial
Explore the evolution of racial oppression from slavery to mass incarceration and reflect on an often overlooked tragedy at the first national memorial for victims of lynching 6:00 pm
Check into hotel—Fairfield Inn
7:00 pm
Dinner at Martha’s Place
SUNDAY November 18 8:00 am
Depart Montgomery for Selma
9:00 am
Walking Tour of Selma & Cross the Edmund Pettus Bridge
11:30 am
Meet with a woman who was beaten at the march when she was 11 years old Hear about Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel Depart for Birmingham
1:00 pm
Lunch
2:30 pm
Birmingham Civil Rights Institute
Explore museum about the Civil Rights movement 4:15 pm
Walking Tour of Kelli Ingram Park
Meet with a Bishop who was at the center of the Civil Rights movement in Birmingham 5:45 pm
Depart for Atlanta and dinner
10:00 pm
Arrive at Temple Beth Tikvah 14
Adult Education
“Mishnah: Arid Laws or Vibrant Guide for Life?” What: Ever wondered why we Jews think the way we do? Why we observe the way we do? Join Rabbi Tam as we explore sections of the Mishnah that will answer these questions. When: Sundays, 10:30 - 11:25 September 30, October 7, October 14, October 21, October 28, November 4, and November 11
What does your meaningful Jewish life look like? Our tradition tells us that an integrated Jewish life involves
head, heart and hand... study, spirituality and social action. Explore all of these on your terms, with your personal interests through a new adult education initiative called Chai Mitzvah. You will participate in a monthly learning group with a specially designed curriculum that focuses on real life, relevant issues. You will also choose an individual study topic that is personally interesting to you, adopt a new ritual or deepen an existing practice, and engage in a social action activity in your community. Then, at the end of the ninemonth program, you can celebrate your journey! Classes will meet monthly on the following Tuesdays from 7:00—8:30 pm : October 9, November 13, December 11, January 8, February 12, March 12, April 9, May 7, and June 11. To join Chai Mitzvah, or for more information, contact Susan Cosden at education@bethtikvah.com or 973-917-9294. Please visit the website for more information: www.chaimitzvah.org. 15
News & Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah
ETC...
Family Promise - September 23-29 The week of September 23-29, Temple Beth Tikvah will be hosting families in transition through Family Promise. During this inspiring week we offer a helping hand to families, so that they can get back on their feet. We invite the entire congregation to take part. We are looking for dinner hosts, overnight hosts and members to bring donations. All activities take place at TBT. We invite your family to come meet the families in Family Promise.
If you are unable to volunteer that week, you can still help. If you would like to make a donation to help fund the groceries to cover breakfast and lunch, feel free to send that in to the temple and put Family Promise in the memo field. Every little bit helps." For more information or to find out how you can help please contact Jewel Rubin (jewel@rubin.net) or click here to sign up.
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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 that otherwise would not been able to afford it through ALEF Fund scholarships. 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 scholarship 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, 2019). Please feel free to contact Susan Cosden with any questions at education@bethtikvah.com. Thank you for considering doing this mitzvah and join us in helping families provide a Jewish education for their children. Susan Cosden, RJE Director of Congregational Learning
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Donations
(donations
received as of 8/23/18)
ANNUAL CAMPAIGN 2017/2018 Gilbert and Ellen Ludwig in memory of Erik Ludwig Ronald and Leslie Swichkow in memory of Rose Berg ENDOWMENT FUND Sheryl Blechner in memory of Marilyn Zimmer Sheryl Blechner in honor of the birth of Yosef Leib Graiser CANTORS FUND Michael Lipsitt in memory of Jeanne Lipsitt Michael Lipsitt in memory of William Lipsitt
GENERAL FUND Gilbert and Ellen Ludwig in honor William Tobias Graiser Gilbert and Ellen Ludwig in memory of Sarah Ludwig Harlan and Ivie Graiser in memory of Cathy Browning Harlan and Ivie Graiser in memory of Linda Pilkinton Harlan and Ivie Graiser in memory of Rose Berg, Marcy Kaufman’s mother Paula Sandfelder in memory of Max Matusow Carol Lipinsky in honor of Harlan and Ivie Graiser’s new grandchild Families Anonymous Kathy O’Hara in memory of Marilyn Zimmer Julie Griffin-Clark in memory of Marilyn Zimmer Terri and Steve Leyton in memory of Marilyn Zimmer Doris Frank in memory of Bradley Katz
RABBI SHUVAL-WEINER DISC. FUND Stuart Karpel in memory of Rose Berg Joshua and Debbie Sinsley in memory of Leigh Naftolin Michael Goodman in memory of Stanley Goodman Bruce Turiansky and Mariann Mamberg in memory of Etta Mamberg David and Anne Strauss in memory of Thelma Rosen David and Anne Strauss in memory of Florence Kaplan David and Anne Strauss in memory of Ruth Zeidman David and Anne Strauss in memory of Rose Berg Roman and Jennifer Trebon in memory of Herbert Baum Jerry and Marcy Kaufman in memory of Dorothy Kaufman Robert and Adele Toltzis in memory of Mitchell Seifstein Josh and Andrea Berman in memory of Marilyn Zimmer Gary and Debra Schwartz in appreciation of Brooklyn Sawyer Winston’s Hebrew naming
RELIGIOUS SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIP FUND Kenji and Deidre Kinoshita in appreciation of Temple Beth Tikvah TIKKUM OLAM FUND Jeffrey Willard in memory of Morris Willard YOUTH GROUP FUND Jonathan and Lynda Bennett in memory of Bobbi Bennett
KEHILLAT CHESED/CARING FUND Aaron and Sheila Stieglitz in memory of Sarah Stieglitz Michael Graiser in honor of William Tobias, Harlan and Ivie Graiser’s grandchild Robert and Cindy Goldstein in memory of Phillip Kaplan Bruce and Bonnie Walkes in memory of Murray Wixman Bruce and Bonnie Walkes in memory of Helen Walkes Bruce and Bonnie Walkes in memory of Sarah Wixman Fern Soniker in memory of Dorothy Liner Fern Sonkier in memory of David Soniker PRAYERBOOK FUND Anthony Guidry in appreciation of Jenny Korsen PRESCHOOL FUND Harvey and Natine Rosenzweig in honor of Ivie and Harlan Graisers grandson
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News & Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah
Tzedek Committee presents Speaker from New GA Project 8pm
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News and Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah
KEHILAT / CHESED
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News and Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah
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. Let us know how we can support you or anyone else in our community by calling Kim Weindorf, Clergy Assistant, 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. 21
News and Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah
Welcome to the TBT Family!!
In Memoriam
Brian and Melissa Goldberg Douglas and Donna Kallman Steve and Jessica Kalina Jeff and Ruth Siegel Jay Bailey and Elaine Wilco
Temple Beth Tikvah acknowledges with sorrow the passing of:
Bradley Katz Marilyn Zimmer Jeffrey Milstein
Thank you volunteers!
May God console you among all the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.
Leslie Swichkow
Gil Ludwig
Renee Wieskopf
Linda Steinberg
Ellen Lewitz
Aaron Stieglitz
Audrey Gordon
Carol Lipinsky
Carol Crenshaw
Marilyn Nussbaum
Kathy Levin
Pam Apple
Sharon Khoury
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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 Susan Cosden Director of Congregational Learning
Rhonda Povlot President Wendy Klein Vice President Tony Rosenberg Vice President Andrea Rubin Vice President Joe Dunn Treasurer Caryn Schilstra Secretary Deidre Kinoshita Chairperson, Board of Education
Get Involved! TBT Committees and Chairpersons Adult Education Peter Jedel phjed@aol.com
House Ted Nathan tnathan@baldwinscheduling.com
Ritual Rick Winer rsw@drrickwiner.com
Budget & Finance Karen Korshak karcpa@comcast.net Camp/Israel Scholarship Marcia Haber marciahaber@yahoo.com
Human Resources Seth Zimmer sz4941@att.com
Security Jay Sausmer jsausmer@gmail.com Seniors Steve Mahan smahan206bc@yahoo.com
Chavurot/Affinity Groups Donna Goldenberg donnagoldenberg0@gmail.com
Library Ilana Zalkin ilanaz@att.net Membership Recruitment & Retention Jill Leitman jaarons2@yahoo.com Rachel Wilson rachelw65@gmail.com Men’s Club Peter Hartog althazyr@gmail.com Mark Greenspan greenspanfamily@bellsouth.net
College Outreach Nan Janis hnjanis@bellsouth.net Communications Marlene Cohn marlene@thecohns.us Family Promise Tony Rosenberg trosenberg860@gmail.com Philanthropy Mark Rudel mrudel@ups.com
Kehillat Chesed (Caring) Leslie Swichkow lswichkow@comcast.net
Nominating Committee Wendy Klein Wendy.klein.hr@gmail.com
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Sisterhood Ilana Zalkin sisterhoodtbt@gmail.com Social Action/Social Justice Dalia Faupel d2faupel@gmail.com Lori Goldstrom lorigoldst@att.net Website Development Scott Povlot spovlot@yahoo.com Youth Group youth@tbt.com