d’var sinai December 2015
Temple Sinai’s Shabbat Service and Chanukah Celebration Friday, December 11, 2015
The joyous Shabbat service is for our entire congregational family Please join for a festive dinner at one of the two seatings 5:30 pm: First Dinner Seating and crafts for children of all ages 6:30 pm: Shabbat Service and Chanukah Candle Lighting in the Sanctuary BRING YOUR OWN MENORAH! (one per family or one per couple/single) to light on the bima Enjoy our popular glow stick Chanukah Shabbat! 7:30 pm: Second Dinner seating and more fun activities for all ages Enjoy latkes, chocolate gelt and sufganiyot (special Chanukah doughnuts) along with a delectable dinner for adults and children Additional activities include: Dreidel Tournament ($100 prize) Singing Chanukah Bingo with great prizes Doughnut eating contest Crafts for individuals of ALL ages
Dinner RSVPs are required. Please RSVP online at templesinaiatlanta.org by December 7.
$14 for adults (age 13+), $7 for children (ages 4-12), children 3 and under free. Forget about cooking and join your Temple Sinai family for a fun and meaningful Chanukah celebration!
D’var Sinai | December
D’var Sinai
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Accessibility Services
Temple Sinai Board of Trustees & Staff To reach President Scott Zucker, email president@templesinaiatlanta.org. To reach staff via email, please use first initial last name@templesinaiatlanta.org. Ex: rsegal@templesinaiatlanta.org Board of Trustees President Scott Zucker President-Elect Marcia Nuffer Immediate Past President Stephen M. Berman Vice President (Education) Larry Weiner Vice President (Membership) Kevin Levingston Vice President (Ritual) Elaine Brill Vice President (Community) Sari Earl Vice President (Development) Brad Marcus Secretary Milton Crane Treasurer David Mann Assistant Treasurer Ira Blecker Members Dan Balser Lainie Bardack Aaron Earl Teen Trustee Larry Faskowitz Lauren Gersten Lawrence Kass Jeff Kerker Jack Koransky David Kurzweil Janet Lefkowitz Tracey Lurey Adam Mayer Susan Pepper Penina Richards David Rubinger Robyn Tanenbaum Josh Tolchin Brotherhood Trustee Lori Zwecker Neshamot Trustee
Did you know Temple Sinai has a committee dedicated to making our Temple accessible to everyone, regardless of ability? HINEINI - which means “Here I am,” is Temple Sinai’s accessibility committee. Committee members ensure we are welcoming and accessible to all who wish to participate. Need assistance? Have questions? Temple Sinai has concierge services available to assist and connect individuals and families with disabilities with resources both at Sinai and in the community. Please contact our Hineini Concierges, Ina Enoch, at ina.enoch@gmail.com or Jan Jay, at concierge@templesinaiatlanta.org.
Spiritual Leadership Rabbis Ronald M. Segal Bradley G. Levenberg Elana E. Perry Philip N. Kranz, Emeritus Bunzl Family Cantorial Chair Beth Schafer Administrative & Programming Staff Executive Director Jack J. Feldman Facilities/Event Director Lillie Janko Director of Operations Shelly Dresdner Program Director Judy Thomas Communications Director Kathy Powell Communications Associate Kathleen Trella-Newland Accountant Errol Atlan Member Services Manager Simone Kallett Executive Assistant to Clergy Rachel DeLine Assistant to Clergy Lori Jassen Receptionist/Administrative Assistant Jordan Adonailo Facilities Manager Andre Parker Education Staff Director of Education Marisa Kaiser Religious School Director Caren Feingold Religious School Administrative Assistant Jenny Mopper Director of Youth & Teen Engagement Molly Okun B’nei Mitzvah Coordinator Elise Halpern Librarian, PNK Learning Center Adelle Salmenson Interim Preschool Director Jamah Maman Preschool Administrative Assistant Jennifer Adams
From My Perspective | Rabbi Ron Segal
The story found in the Talmud, however, does not mention warfare but merely recounts the miraculous burning of the single cruse of oil for eight days instead of just one. As this familiar legend reminds us, when the Temple was recaptured, our Jewish ancestors wished to rededicate and re-sanctify the altar and the sacred places. However, all of the oil they found had been defiled with the exception of one container – enough for only one day’s light. “…all of the oil they found…” Clearly, the challenge for the Maccabees was not a lack of oil. Their issue, rather, was that they insisted on using only pure oil. Despite the fact that the one container of oil would obviously be insufficient, despite the fact that the Maccabees knew
the lamp might very well be extinguished in a day, still they were unwilling to mix the pure with the impure for the sake of ease, or expediency, or convenience. Frequently, it seems that the festival of Chanukah is one we spiritually and ritually relegate to our children. While it is true that there are many traditions associated with Chanukah which speak to the hearts of our youth, Chanukah also offers contemporary lessons and values for Jewish adults as well. Contemporary scholar, Rabbi David Hartman, z”l, teaches that the “willingness of the Maccabees to rely on one small but pure cruse of oil symbolized their reluctance to compromise either standards of excellence or their moral ideals.”
Worship
Most are likely aware that there are two distinct stories associated with the festival of Chanukah (1st candle is Sunday evening, December 6). The historical account, preserved in the Apocryphal books of the Maccabees, relates the remarkable military victory of the Jews over their Assyrian-Greek oppressors in a battle for religious freedom.
And so, as we prepare to kindle our Chanukah lights this year, whether we stand before our menorah with children or not, may the flames climbing heavenward remind us of our capacity to strive for excellence in everything we do as well. May the flickering lights remind us that, despite the ‘impure flasks of oil’ which will always be there to tempt us, we must endeavor to reach for holiness and purity in every decision we make. In so doing, we can live the lessons of Chanukah by working to make our own homes and lives holy each and every day.
37th World Zionist Congress Jerusalem | Peter Savitz
It was exhilarating to be part of this historic group, and we are grateful that so many Sinai members voted and that we were able to represent our community and our movement. If you voted for ARZA in the elections last winter and spring, your votes empowered us to do some very important things: • We passed an historic statement supporting the LGBT community. It called for the World Zionist Organization and the Education Minister of Israel to support and develop educational programming for the LGBT community and to “enforce complete equality of their admission to Zionist entities and within National Institutions.” • We insisted that the government recommit its
efforts to build an egalitarian prayer space at the Western Wall—and it’s well underway. • We overwhelmingly passed a resolution against hate crimes committed in our name. • Several resolutions were passed reaffirming the Declaration of Independence’s vision of an Israel committed to the values of democracy and freedom for all its inhabitants. • We affirmed the notion that Jewish people are indigenous to the Land of Israel and are not “colonialists.” • We passed vital resolutions regarding the protection of Israel’s environment and precious water resources. • We affirmed classic Zionist mandates of promoting aliya, supporting the best practices of absorbing immigrants into Israel, and promoting education and outreach to the communities of the Diaspora (especially in the face of growing worldwide antiSemitism). • We also passed critical resolutions for transparency and clean government within the Zionist organizations under this umbrella. ARZA is a membership-driven organization; I’d encourage any Jew who is proud of the results of these votes to join ARZA today.
templesinaiatlanta.org | 404 . 252 . 3073
The First Zionist Congress was convened by Theodor Herzl in 1897, and it continues as the “Parliament of the Jewish People,” the forum for Diaspora Jews to have a voice shaping the character of the Jewish State. Shirley Michalove and I were excited to be among the 56 delegates representing ARZA, (Association of Reform Zionists of America), acting on behalf of progressive Judaism worldwide. You may recall registering to vote last January through April. We want you to know that your vote counted. ARZA garnered the largest bloc of votes in the U.S.
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Sinai T’micha
Handling the Holidays: What to Do or Say to Get Through the Season with WISH December 3, 2015 at 7:00pm You know what’s around the corner: The Holidays. You know what to expect: Family photo holiday cards, pregnant in-laws, and questions, questions, and more questions. When are you having children? When are you having your second? Don’t wait too long! Tick-Tock! Join WISH on December 3, 2015 at 7:00pm for our Holiday foot-in-mouth disease discussion of “Handling the Holidays: What to Do or Say to Get Through the Season.” Open to those needing fertility support and those who love them. For those interested, a support group will be held following the main meeting. Nobody should have to face infertility challenges alone. For more information about WISH and their upcoming events, visit www.wishatlanta.org or email wish@templesinaiatlanta.org.
Charitable Giving: Benefits and Challenges
A monthly support group held at Temple Sinai for Temple Sinai parents of: Children with learning differences; Children who need behavioral support; Children with special needs; Children for whom you are not sure if these categories fit! Contact Stacey Geer for more information, skgeer@bellsouth.net 2015-2016 meeting schedule Sunday, December 6, 9:30 am Wednesday, January 6, 6:30 pm Sunday, February 28, 9:30 am Wednesday, April 13, 6:30 pm
Sober Shabbat at Temple Sinai Friday, December 4, 6:30 pm
In conjunction with JF&CS, Friday, December 4 will be a sober Shabbat at Temple Sinai. We will include a special blessing for those in recovery during the service that evening. Martin Luther King, Jr Shabbat Friday, January 15, 6:30 pm Join us for our annual celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr. and his contributions during this special Shabbat service.
Wednesday, December 2, 7:00 pm
Your Journey. Your Home.
When an expert panel of Sinai estate and tax attorneys, financial advisors, accountants and investors come together for an informative and helpful program on charitable giving, you definitely should make every effort to attend. Please join Jeff Zitron, Allen Altman, Jan Saperstein, Martin Tanenbaum and Frank Butterfield as they discuss the methods, benefits and occasional challenges associated with charitable giving.
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Jewish tradition teaches: “A generous person enjoys prosperity, and one who gives to others will himself be sated” (Proverbs 11:25). Despite this biblical wisdom, however, the process of charitable giving has, unfortunately grown more complicated, and countless legal or tax elements may dissuade individuals who might otherwise choose to give. The estate, tax and financial experts on our panel are ready to address any questions or concerns you may have about charitable giving, both during and/or after your lifetime. If you have thought about charitable giving and want to be a bridge builder, this program is for you.
Gallery Tour
Thursday, December 17 Meet at Regions Bank to carpool, 11:00 am Corner of Abernathy Rd & Roswell Rd General Muir Delicatessen, 11:45 am 150 Avenue Place # B-230, at Emory Point David J. Spencer CDC Museum, 2:00 pm 1600 Clifton Road Join us for lunch and then a special exhibit at the Center for Disease Control’s David J. Spencer Museum. “Resettling in America: Georgia’s Refugee Communities” features documentary photography, personal testimonies, and artwork to explore the challenges of resettlement and the resiliency of refugees living in metropolitan Atlanta as they build new lives, identities, and a sense of community. This show focuses on Clarkston, a small suburb of Atlanta with the highest refugee resettlement rates in the area. To RSVP, please email Andy Steinman at andy.steinman@yahoo.com no later than Thursday, December 10.
Board of Trustees Message | Kevin Levingston I still remember my first experience at Temple Sinai. A few of my close friends from Jewish summer camp were already Sinai members and had encouraged my wife, Simone, and me to check it out. I had seen online that Sinai was screening the documentary “Delta Jews,” which was about the Jews of the Mississippi Delta and decided to attend. Having grown up as a Jewish kid in the Mississippi Delta town of Cleveland, many of my friends and family were featured in the documentary. When we arrived that evening at Sinai, I was not only thrilled to see several other Mississippi Delta Sinai families in attendance that I knew from childhood but was pleasantly surprised to meet and connect with several other Sinai families with Mississippi Delta connections. The night took on even more meaning for me when I was asked to participate in a panel immediately following the documentary. Within a couple of hours, I already felt more connected to Sinai than I had to any other Jewish establishment since moving to Atlanta eight years prior. Fast forward to a year later, I had met numerous other families through programs such as Daddy & Me, Tot Shabbat, various 20’s and 30’s events, and participating in Sinai’s Atidaynu leadership development program. Each of these experiences offered opportunities to develop new and deeper relationships and allowed me to get involved further in synagogue life.
Based on the feedback received from congregants as part of the Imagine Sinai strategic visioning initiative, several of the core strategies upon which the Imagine Sinai task force is focused have the goal of increasing engagement and interconnectedness of Sinai members. More specifically, these include strategies focused on institutionalizing practices to foster a culture of relationship in every aspect of the congregant experience, facilitating the formation and support for neighborhood and affinity-based congregant gatherings/groups, and facilitating the creation of
In the meantime, initiatives are already underway to make Sinai an even more welcoming community and a place where its members can call home. MAP (Sinai’s Membership Advancement Program) has been an excellent program to help new members become more integrated into congregational life. We also had great success with the “Back to Shul” event in August, which focused on increasing the connectivity among the 38to 50-year old demographic and look forward to future events. Also, during our recent Scholar-in-Residence Weekend of October 23rd, Dr. Ron Wolfson provided our lay leadership, clergy and staff with several thoughts on steps, some immediate and some longerterm, that can be taken by Sinai to build on its existing place of strength. Our ultimate goal is to become a more relational congregation where members and guests feel even more welcome and connected. To the extent you are interested in exploring how to get more engaged in Sinai or just have thoughts on how we can enhance membership engagement, please do not hesitate to contact the clergy, the staff or me with your feedback.
templesinaiatlanta.org | 404 . 252 . 3073
Upon reflection, it still amazes me that I was able to get so engaged and connected at Sinai in such little time. I really believe this to be something unique about the DNA of Sinai in which the ideas and contributions of new members and founding members, alike, are encouraged and celebrated. As VP of Membership, my hope is to help create more opportunities that facilitate experiences similar to my own for both new and current Sinai members.
customized “Sinai journeys” for members of the congregation.
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Adult Education
Alembik Lecture with Dr. Irwin M. Becker 8
“Spirituality, Ethics and a Code to Live By” December 3, 7:00 pm Don’t miss this inspirational and interactive lecture with Dr. Irwin M. Becker, father of Temple Sinai member Dr. Daren Becker. Dr. Becker will demonstrate his philosophy of living through entertaining stories and personal life experiences. Topics will include: Clarifying Values, Personal and Social Competence, Life Balance, Defining Success and much more. Dr. Becker received his dental degree from the Medical College of Virginia in 1969 and attained his Board eligibility from the Boston University School of Graduate Dentistry in Periodontal Prosthodontics. In his private practice, Dr. Becker has achieved a high level of success as a restorative dentist for patients who have undergone the ravages of periodontal disease. In 1986, he was appointed Clinical Associate Professor of the University of Florida. Dr. Becker lectures, and has published, extensively on clinical topics and on a philosophy of the practice of dentistry. Sponsored by the Michael Alembik Memorial Fund
Sinai Film Series
Come to a movie with your friends, enjoy popcorn, drinks, candy and have an interesting question and answer session led by an expert. No cost.
“The Dark at the Top of the Stairs”
Sunday, December 13, 6:30 - 8:30 pm Masterful portrait of the life in the 1920’s, in small town Oklahoma, with an underlying theme of anti-semitism. Great acting, outstanding cast, a must see.
Sinai Book Club
The Marriage of Opposites by Alice Hoffman Tuesday, January, 19, 2016 Greg Changnon-Reviewer The Marriage of Opposites is set in the 19th century St. Thomas and Paris. It is the story of a young woman who becomes the mother of impressionist painter Camille Pissaro. While he creates with paint, Alice Hoffman’s medium is words.
Canasta Anyone? We are looking into forming a Canasta Game at Temple Sinai. If you already play Canasta and want to play with others, or are interested in learning how to play Canasta, please contact Judy Thomas at 404-252-3073, ext. 330.
Bernstein and Bahr’s Best Bets – Previewing the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival 2016 8
Your Journey. Your Home.
December 20, and January 3, 3:00 - 4:30 pm $25/person for December 20th and January 3rd)
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Get expert help just before you buy your tickets to this year’s Atlanta Jewish Film Festival. Dr. Matthew Bernstein and Bob Bahr unveil their top film choices for this year’s Festival, the largest one of its kind in the world. Each of the two programs will feature film previews from their selections as well as critical commentary about the film’s importance in the world of Jewish film. The December 20 program will feature their best bets from the Festival’s feature films. The second program on January 3 is on their best bets among documentaries and short films. Film Festival tickets go on sale Sunday, January 10. The three week festival runs from January 26 to February 17 in a number of Atlanta theaters including the LeFont theater in Sandy Springs. Popcorn and light refreshments will be served.
Ralph Kurland
Sales Representative 905 Ernest Barrett Pkwy, NW Kennesaw, GA 30144
cell: 678-665-1024 dealership: 770-419-9800 ext. 312 rkurland@subaruofkennesaw.com www.subaruofkennesaw.com "Forget every negative car buying experience you've ever had. Our afternoon at Subaru of Kennesaw was nothing short of spectacular. From the minute we walked through the front doors, Ralph bent over backwards to find us the exact right car and negotiate the best possible price. We drove home with a great car, a great deal, and a new friend.” Jack Feldman, Executive Director, Temple Sinai
Call me to test drive any of our new or used cars!
Imagine Sinai: A Weekend of Connections Scholar in Residence Weekend with Dr. Ron Wolfson
Scholar in Residence Chairs: Jeff and Julie Crow Kevin and Simone Levingston Host Committee: Daren and Amanda Becker Nancy and Jason Brener Reece and Caren Cohen Margery Diamond Roni and Sid Funk Stacey and Ronnie Geer Randi Grossman Lauren and Brian Harris Mary Hart Hillary and Craig Levy Don and Barbara Lippman Nancy Loeb and Marty Klausner Susan and Steve Pepper Bradley and Mandy Rappaport Julie and Jason Serotta Daniel and Lisa Siegle Laura and Adam Sikora Dana Udwin and Sam Elrod Bobby and Laurie Spector Josh and Lara Tolchin Heather Weiner and Kevin Berman
Pictured at top right: Our Scholar in Residence chairs with Dr. Ron Wolfson. Pictured at bottom right: Dr. Wolfson standing outside our doors enthusiastically greeting congregants as they arrived.
templesinaiatlanta.org | 404 . 252 . 3073
Pictured at left: A wide variety of Sinai congregants having a great time engaging with others and building relationships throughout the weekend’s events.
Imagine Sinai: A Weekend of Connections
A HUGE Thank you to our Chairs and Host Committee who made our Scholar in Residence weekend such a success!
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December Rosh Chodesh
Sisterhood/Neshamot Upcoming Events
Recent Reform Responsa... There’s More! 8
Kugel Bake Off 8
Thursday, December 17, Temple Sinai 6:30 pm - Light dinner and schmooze 7:15 pm - Program starts
Your Journey. Your Home.
Sisterhood/Neshamot & Brotherhood
Sunday, December 13 10:00 am - 12 noon
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You don’t want to miss this fun (and very tasty) event! Think you have a winning kugel recipe? Enter your sweet or savory kugel for a chance to win prizes. Bakers can attend free of charge! Open to all. $5 Sisterhood members/ $10 non-members/ Bakers are free. Includes tasting tickets. Please register online. Come hungry and bring friends!
Upcoming Brotherhood Events Temple Sinai Men’s Poker Tournament 8 Thursday, December 17 6:00 pm: Gather, 7:00 pm: Tournament Hudson Grille Sandy Springs 6317 Roswell Rd
Are you Sinai’s best poker player? Do you want to be? Test your skills at Brotherhood’s SemiAnnual Texas Hold‘em Poker Tournament. The poker tournament will begin promptly at 7:00 pm. Prizes will be awarded and the top two players will have their name permanently engraved on the “Sinai Cup” trophy. Not a poker player? We will provide free Texas Hold’em poker lessons from 6:00 - 7:00 pm prior to the start of the tournament. Come enjoy the included heavy appetizers, desserts and cocktails. The cost for Brotherhood members will be $10 and $30 for all others. If you want to play in the poker tournament, the ‘buy-in’ is $20 for everyone. Please RSVP on the Sinai website by Friday, December 11. This event is for Sinai members only. Read about the Brotherhood & Family Event at the Atlanta Hawks on Page 10.
Brotherhood and Sinai Community Brunch With our New Israeli Counsul General Sunday, February 21, 9:30 am
Mark your calendar now! Special guest speaker Ambassador Judith Varnai Shorer, Consul General of Israel to the Southeastern United States will be at Temple Sinai.
There are specific issues that arise within the context of our modern society that our rabbinic sages never anticipated! To address such questions, we must turn to Responsa Literature. Under the guidance of Rabbi Perry we will continue to explore several contemporary issues and personal religious practices, and discuss and debate how our own values relate to modern rabbinic recommendations and the issues at hand. Please RSVP online or by calling the Sinai office.
Romeo Club Open to New Members
Tuesday, December 15, at 1:00 pm Egg Harbor Café, 5920 Roswell Rd, Sandy Springs If you ever want to meet a nice group of retired or almost retired men then the ROMEO Club is the place for you. The “Retired Old Men Eating Out” enjoy excellent conversation and eating their way up and down Roswell Road on a monthly basis. Please contact Charlie Stark to RSVP at nomadcs@gmail.com. No women allowed - see page 9 for the Juliet Club! Golf Club Forming – Get Ready to Tee Off! Tuesday, April 5 at 10:30 am Stone Mountain Park Golf Course We are putting together a monthly golf game for men and women of all skill levels to play during the week. Teams of four will be divided up based on skill level. Carpooling from Temple Sinai is available. This is an excellent opportunity to get to know other Sinai members (and have a list of people who want to play golf with others in between the monthly sessions). Thanks to Michael Gamburg who will be spearheading this initiative. For questions, please contact Judy Thomas at 404.252.3073. Sunday Morning Running Group Sunday, December 6, 9:45 am Meet us in the Temple Sinai lobby for a brief discussion on a Jewish topic for the day and then we’ll divide people into pace groups, based on skill and speed. Open to the entire congregation. Runs will last 50-60 minutes. Afterward, runners are encouraged to have coffee and a bagel and continue talking about the thought for the day. As this group continues to form, we will discuss rain plan options. This is a wonderful idea brought to us by Michael Warshauer. People can have fun meeting others, doing something healthy, and getting a little Jewish discussion as well.
Sinai Business Alliance and The Atlanta Jewish Film Festival 8 Tuesday, December 8, 7:30 am
Pictured at top: Steve Labovitz; Above: Kenny Blank.
The mission of the Sinai Business Alliance is to support congregants’ efforts to develop and grow their businesses by encouraging networking, collaboration, and sharing of experience. This is an engaging and productive way to connect with other professionals and to enhance your own career development. In addition, mentoring is available for people who are new to the job market, as well as for those changing careers.
Please join us for a day trip outing to the Funk Heritage Center at Reinhardt University in Waleska, Georgia. The museum is a certified National Park Service Trail of Tears interpretive center. We are fortunate to have historian and docent Thomas McElhinney as our tour guide at the museum. We will leave Temple Sinai at 10:30 am. and have lunch in the Reinhardt University food emporium and then go to the museum for a guided tour. We’ll be back at Sinai around 4:00 pm. $25 includes lunch, museum admission and transportation. All participants must pay for the trip by Tuesday, December 22 and you may register online or drop a check off at Temple Sinai. For any questions, please contact Judy Thomas at 404-252-3073, ext. 330.
Tai Chi Chih (pronounced tie-chee-chaw) is a wonderful way to balance your energy and help you feel both relaxed and invigorated. Courtesy of Sheryl Adair, the class is complimentary. She is an amazing teacher and will help you learn in a kind, non-judgmental way. If you are interested in participating, please contact Judy Thomas at 404.252.3073.
JULIET Club, What Hast Become of You? Wednesday, December 9, 1:00 pm Temple Sinai, Small Social Hall You can find out what hast become of you and your friends at our next Juliet Club meeting which will be held on Wednesday, December 9 at 1 pm when we celebrate Chanukah at Temple Sinai by brining your own covered dish. We’ll meet at Temple Sinai in the small social hall and eat latkes and sufganiyot and have wonderful conversation. To rsvp, please contact Paula Azoulay at drpaulaa@gmail.com.
Mah Jongg Madness 8
Tuesdays, 10:00 am - noon, Beginners 11:30 - 2:00 pm, Seasoned players Wednesdays, 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm, Small Social Hall We have three games right now that are offered on a weekly basis. We have the daytime Mah Jongg on Tuesdays from 10-noon and from 11:30 until 1:30. We also have a Wednesday night game which begins at 6:30 and is coordinated by Linda Singer. We will have Mah Jongg on Wednesday nights as long as it doesn’t interfere with Adult Education classes. To sign up for the day time Mah Jongg games, use this link: tinyurl.com/ SinaiDayMahJongg. We are in need of more daytime players if you are available. To sign up for Wednesday night Mah Jongg games, use this new link: tinyurl.com/ SinaiNightMahJongg. It’s Christmas, Time for Chinese Dinner and a Movie! Friday, December 25, 5:30 pm 8 Join us on Christmas Day for the annual Jewish tradition of “Chinese Dinner and a Movie!” We’ll have dinner at 5:30 pm from Canton Cooks 2, a blue jean Shabbat service at 6:30 pm and then movie time. Adults will watch “Mission Impossible 5”. There will be one child’s movie “Inside Out” playing in the meeting room simultaneously. Teens can choose which movie they would like to see. Cost is $12 per person. Please RSVP online.
templesinaiatlanta.org | 404 . 252 . 3073
Trail of Tears Museum 8 Funk Heritage Center at Reinhardt University Thursday, January 7, 10:30 am *Note: New Date
December 2, 9, 16 & 23 Wednesdays, 10:00 am - 11:00 am *Note: New Time
Adult Programs
Kenny Blank and Steve Labovitz will be joining us in December to present the business side of the AJFF, as they prepare to launch the world’s largest Jewish film festival and largest film festival in Atlanta. Breakfast begins at 7:30 am and our guests will speak at 8:00 am with questions and answers to follow. There will be additional networking after the program. The cost, which includes breakfast, is $8 in advance and $12 at the door. Please RSVP online.
Tai Chi Chih
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Youth & Education Programs
Upcoming Events Religious School (PreK-6th) Sunday, December 6, 9:30 am - 10:00 am Family T’filah – Grades 3 - 6 Join us for our monthly Family T’filah experiences on Sunday mornings. The one in December is for our 3rd through 6th grade families. It is a great way to be a part of your child’s education experience…and a great way to start off your day! Sunday, December 6, 10:00 am - noon 4th Grade Family Workshop A great opportunity to come and learn together with your child, immediately following the Family T’filah.
Youth & Teen Programs: Mark Your Calendars 8 Jr. SCRUFY (7th and 8th Grade) Lock-In Friday-Saturday, December 4-5, 6:30 pm - 7:30 am
Family Event at the Atlanta Hawks Sponsored by Brotherhood Monday, January 18, 5:00 pm 8
Club 56 (5th and 6th Grade) Saturday, December 5, 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
SCRAPPY (K-2nd Grade) Chanukah Party Sunday, December 6, 12:30 pm - 2:00 pm
SCRUFY (9th-12th Grade) Shabbat Dinner at Rabbi Ron’s House Friday, December 18, 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Teen Lounge (9th-12th Grade) Tacky Sweater Party Wednesday, December 9, 5:30 - 7:30 pm
Brotherhood has secured 100 tickets to the 5:00 pm MLK Jr. Day Atlanta Hawks vs. Orlando Magic basketball game at Philips Arena. They have also arranged for a limited number of spots for a once-ina-lifetime opportunity for Temple Sinai kids to join the Hawks players at center court during the National Anthem, to sit on the Hawks bench during pregame warm-ups and to ‘high-five’ the Hawks players in the tunnel prior to the start of the second half. Sign up today! Please visit the Sinai website for more informaiton and sign-up instructions. Questions? Email Josh Tolchin at jmtolchin@gmail.com.
Your Journey. Your Home.
Camp Jenny Spaghetti Dinner & Silent Auction 8 Friday, January 22, after 6:30 pm Shabbat Services
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Eat spaghetti for a great cause! Join SCRUFY, Temple Sinai’s 9th-12th grade youth group, for their annual Camp Jenny spaghetti dinner and silent auction. Last year they raised over $4,000 for Camp Jenny, enough to send an entire cabin of campers to camp! What is Camp Jenny? Camp Jenny is a mitzvah corps teen project led by NFTY-SAR (North American Federation of Temple Youth – Southern Area Regions) and NFTY-STR (Southern Tropical Region). It brings together Jewish teens and inner-city Atlanta children at URJ Camp Coleman over Memorial Day Weekend, giving the children an opportunity to experience camp where they otherwise would not, and giving teens an opportunity to serve as role models, mentors, and counselors. The experience is truly special for both groups! Mark your calendars to join us!
Early Childhood Education & Temple Sinai Preschool
Come see Temple Sinai Preschoolers as they “Light up Chanukah�! Friday, December 11, 12:30 pm Large Social Hall
Each class will perform a musical number as they sing and celebrate this festival of lights. All friends and family welcome!
Pictured above: TSPS students became paleontologists for the morning as they explore the world of dinosaurs with The Sprouting Scientists. Thank you to everyone who helped to support TSPS and our PTO by shopping at Bloomingdales! Our grand total of receipts tallied $33,251 so we raised $3,400 for the preschool and had a great time!
Saturday, December 12, 11:30 am Moms, bring your little ones for our Moms & Tots program! Come meet other moms with kids, let the kids play and eat, we can schmooze and have a great time! Please RSVP at www.templesinaiatlanta.org.
templesinaiatlanta.org | 404 . 252 . 3073
Moms & Tots 8
Daddy & NOT Me
Rescheduled Daddy & NOT Me is being rescheduled from its previous December date. Please watch for more information coming soon! Questions? Please email Daddyme@templesinaiatlanta.org.
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Planning for Temple Sinai’s 2016 fundraiser, Casino Royale, on March 19, 2016 at Temple Sinai, is in full swing, and promises to be a fantastic evening.
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We hope you will join us at Casino Royale to raise the much needed dollars that directly support and sustain all the things we love about Temple Sinai.
Sponsorship opportunities are available.
If you have questions or are interested in ways you can help, please contact either of our co-chairs: Lainie Bardack at (404) 444-8141 or bardack@bellsouth.net; or Adam Sikora at (404) 514-0358 or adam.sikora@live.com. You can also contact Temple Sinai directly at development@templesinaiatlanta.org or 404.252.3073.
“Sacred Words: Separate Worlds” A Weekend with Interfaith Scholar Dr. Amy-Jill Levine January 8-10, 2016 Join Temple Sinai and Holy Innocents Episcopal Church as we co-host a weekend with Interfaith Scholar, Dr. Amy-Jill Levine. Our congregations will worship and study together, first on Friday night at Temple Sinai with Shabbat services and a Shabbat dinner, then on Saturday at Temple Sinai for Torah Study, and finally on Sunday for Holy Eucharist at Holy Innocents’. Dr. Amy Jill Levine, University Professor of New Testament and Jewish Studies, E. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter Professor of New Testament Studies, and Professor of Jewish Studies at Vanderbilt University, joins us for an extraordinary weekend shared among Temple Sinai and Holy Innocents. One of America’s most sought after professors of scripture, Dr. Levine brings warmth, humor, and a surprising and at times provocative approach to reading holy scripture. Always challenging, she will bring great insight to sacred texts as she leads us in Biblical study from both the Jewish and Christian viewpoints. Your Journey. Your Home.
Shabbat service: “Particular Rituals / Universal Messages” Friday, January 8, 6:30 pm, Temple Sinai Service followed by Shabbat dinner 8 $18 per person. Please RSVP online.
Text Study: “How Jews and Christians Read Scripture Differently” Saturday, January 9, 9:00 am, Temple Sinai
Sunday worship: “Common Mistakes Jews/Christians Make about One Another” Sunday, January 10, 9:00 AM, Holy Innocents’
Sunday Adult Education: “Jesus’ Parables as Jewish Stories” Sunday, January 10, 10:10 am, Holy Innocents’
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December 201 5 | Kislev 5776/Tevet 5776 Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
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2
3
4
5
10 am - Melton Course
10 am - Tai Chi Chih
7 am - Traditional Service
5:45 pm - Kabbalat Panim/Oneg
Torah Portion
7 pm - Alembik Lecture - Dr. Irwin Becker
5:45 pm - Shabbat Meditation
10 am - Mah Jongg 4:45 pm - Hebrew School
4:45 pm - Hebrew School 6:30 pm - Mah Jongg Teen Wednesday Night Program 7 pm - Charitable Giving Program
7 pm - WISH Meeting
6 pm - Jr. SCRUFY; Lock In 6:30 pm - Rock Shabbat
9 am - Torah Study 10 am - Shabbat Service 6 pm - Club 56 (Away)
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7
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9
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9:30 am Religious School; Confirmation Class; MAP; Sinai T’micha; Torah Tots 9:45 am - Sunday Morning Running Group 10 am - 4th grade family workshop; 11 am - Adult Hebrew 12:15 pm - Hebrew Chavurah 12:30 pm - SCRAPPY 3 pm - Book Review
7 am - Traditional Service
7:30 am - Sinai Business Alliance
10 am - Tai Chi Chih
7 am - Traditional Service
12:30 pm - School Wide Chanukah Celebration
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15
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7 am - Traditional Service
10 am - Mah Jongg
10 am - Tai Chi Chih
10 am - Melton Course
4:45 pm - Hebrew School
7 am - Traditional Service 11 am - Gallery Tour
5:45 pm - Kabbalat Panim/Oneg
Torah Portion
1 pm - ROMEO Club (Away)
6:30 pm - Mah Jongg
9:30 am - Religious School; PreK; Confirmation Class 10 am - Kugel Bake off
10 am - Mah Jongg 10 am - Melton Course 4:45 pm - Hebrew School
6:30 pm Adult Ed Film series
20 3 pm - Bernstein and Bahr Preview the 2016 AJFF
4:45 pm - Hebrew School 5:30 pm - SCRUFY Teen Lounge
1:30 - 3:30 pm Book Talks with Rabbi Kranz
5:45 pm - Shabbat Meditation 6:30 pm - Chanukah Service
Torah Portion 9 am - Torah Study 10 am - Shabbat Service 10:30 am - Bat Mitzvah ceremony of Anna Behrman 11:30 am - Moms & Tots
7:30 pm Celebration, 2nd Dinner Seating
4:45 pm - Hebrew School
6:30 pm Brotherhood Poker Tournament 6:30 pm - Rosh Chodesh
5:45 pm - Shabbat Meditation 6 pm - SCRUFY Shabbat Dinner Rabbi Segal’s House 6:30 pm - Shabbat Service
Family Promise December, 13 - 20
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22
23
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7 am - Traditional Service
10 am - Mah Jongg
10 am - Tai Chi Chih
Office Closes at Noon
Office Closed
Preschool Closed
Preschool Closed
Preschool Closed 6:30 pm - Mah Jongg
Preschool Closed
7 am - Traditional Service 9 am - Temple Sinai at USO - Atlanta Airport
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5:30 pm - Chanukah Celebration 1st Dinner Seating 5:45 pm - Kabbalat Panim/Oneg
6:30 pm - Mah Jongg
6 pm - Atidaynu Program
11 am - Adult Beginning Hebrew 12:15 pm - Hebrew Chavurah Social Action Sunday
1 pm - Juliet Club
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29
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7 am - Traditional Service
10 am - Mah Jongg
6:30 pm - Mah Jongg
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Office Closes at Noon Preschool Closed 7 am - Traditional Service
Preschool Closed
9 am - Temple Sinai USO - Atl. Airport 5 pm - Chinese Dinner & a Movie 5:45 pm - Kabbalat Panim/Oneg, Shabbat Meditation 6:30 pm - Shabbat Service
9 am - Torah Study 10 am - Shabbat Service and B’nei Mitzvah Ceremony of Alice and Steven Byrne 5:30 pm - B’nei Mitzvah Ceremony of Charlie Janko and Devin Rubin
26 Torah Portion 9 am - Torah Study 10 am - Shabbat Service
Our Sinai Family
Booking a vacation?
Here’s why you’re not doing yourself any favors booking on line. Our Vacation ~ You’ll have the devoted services and guidance of a highly trained professional travel consultant Their Vacation ~ You’re likely to get a telephone sales rep who hasn’t visited most destinations ••••••••••••••••••••• Our Vacation ~ No “departments” here, you’ll work with your personal travel consultant throughout the entire booking process Their Vacation ~ Press “1” for accounting, press “2” for ticketing, press “3” for travel services... ••••••••••••••••••••• Our Vacation ~ Looking for that perfect experience? Let us show you all of the options available Their Vacation ~ “You want to do what???” ••••••••••••••••••••• Our Vacation ~ If your rates go down, we’ll either get you upgraded or pass back the savings to you Their Vacation ~ Your rates went down! Yay for us we’re keeping the difference (true story!) •••••••••••••••••••••
Your Journey. Your Home.
Our Vacation ~ During your stay, you’ll enjoy complimentary breakfast, free credits and amenities, early check-in/late check-out and a room upgrade if available*
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Announcing Chaverweb Online Account Management and Payment for Sinai Members We are excited to announce the launch of Chaverweb, an online portal that allows congregants to view and update their contact information as well as view and pay any current invoices on their account. You recently received an email with your individual user name and password and instructions for logging in. We encourage you to log on to the Chaverweb system at your convenience for access to the following: - view and update your personal information, including addresses, emails, phone numbers and work information - view and update the emergency contact information we have on file for you and your children (if applicable) - view and update your children’s school information (if applicable) - view and pay any outstanding balances on your account (credit card only; the 2% credit card fee has been waived for individuals using the online payment option) Please note, the system does require a strong password to ensure the security of your family’s personal information and payment data. In addition, we are now offering “paperless statements” for individuals who do not wish to receive a hard copy statement. If you are interested in going paperless, please email Shelly Dresdner at sdresdner@templesinaiatlanta.org. Additionally, if you experience any problems or have questions regarding the Chaverweb portal, please reach out to Shelly, 404.252.3073, for assistance.
Their Vacation ~ What a lovely view of the parking lot you have!
Let us create an extraordinary travel experience for you
770.952.8300 • tcava.com * Applies to Signature Travel Network hotels and resorts.
Correction The Condolences section in the November D’var should have read: Condolences to William Balser on the death of his wife, Rona Balser. Condolences to daughters Gloria Southerland and Sherry Hoban, as well.
The listings below are September Sinai Family Updates. Get “real-time” updates on our Sinai Family every Thursday evening in the weekly “From Shabbat to Shabbat” e-blast.
Our Sinai Family
Welcome New Members Jeffrey Bloom Ellen & Michael Chalef Cindy & Ken Schick
Condolences to… Danielle Bernstein on the death of her grandfather, Abram Winogron. Charles Fox on the death of his grandmother, Sophie Blum. David Greenwald on the death of his mother, Geraldine Greenwald. Mary Hart on the death of her mother, Ofelia “Dutzie” Robbie. Jay Kaplan on the death of his father, Gene Kaplan. Jeff Nash on the death of his father, Myron “Buddy” Nash. Ali Rubenstein on the death of her mother, Sandra Goldberg.
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Wayne Taylor on the death of his uncle, Robert Taylor.
Mazel Tov to... Jennifer and Adam Freeman on the birth of their son, Bryce Hudson Freeman. Mazel Tov to grandparents Viki & Paul Freeman and Karen & David Birnbrey, as well.
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Simone Kallett and Kristopher Bonnejonne on their marriage. Lori and Jim Kilberg on the birth of their grandson, James Ford Kilberg. Rikki and Amit Ofek on the birth of their son, Shir Eden Ofek. Irv Schoenberg on his 90th birthday. Lynn Silver on her 70th birthday. Cathy and Robert Sinsheimer on the marriage of their daughter, Sammy, to Jesse Sedler. Michael Weiser on his 70th birthday blessing.
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templesinaiatlanta.org | 404 . 252 . 3073
Heather and Elliott Friedman on the birth of their son, Davis Aaron Friedman. Mazel Tov to grandparents Marty & Eileen Friedman as well.
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Contributions | September 2015
Arlene & Bruce Turry Programming Endowment in honor of Andrea Turry
Gary Metzel Spirituality Endowment in honor of Jack Dana’s Bar Mitzvah Sheryl Adair
in memory of Dennis Hoffman Joseph Benamy Ralph Turry
General Endowment in appreciation of Fred Lehrer’s Presentation
Beth Schafer Discretionary Fund in honor of Beth Schafer Bunzl Family Cantorial Chair Fund in memory of Robert Pepper Candy & Stephen Berman Leadership Development in honor of Candy & Stephen Berman Jack Feldman Maurice Wasserman Shelly Dresdner
Your Journey. Your Home.
Cantor Sid Gottler Music Endowment in memory of Helene Dwane Mark Silverman Ruth Canter
in memory of Agnes Paster Barbara Rothkin Eileen Donner Florence Zaben Gail Bachmann Gay Lenner Gene Kaplan Harold Matison Jr. Isadore Golden Mary Piha Capeloto Myron Nash Goldie V. Morris Music Enrichment Endowment in memory of Barbara Rothkin
Chesed fund in memory of Gay Lenner
Harvey White Teen Endowment praying for Refuah Sh’laymah for Stanley Cohen
Cultural Arts Special Fund in memory of Rona Balser
Hineni - Accessibility and Inclusivity Fund in memory of Robert Robbins
Deitch Family Library Resource Endowment in memory of Ruth Schwartz
Jan & Warren Epstein Cultural Arts Endowment in memory of Gay Lenner Rona Balser
Early Childhood Fund in memory of Gay Lenner Rona Balser Ellyse & Warren Zindler Technology Fund in memory of Barbara Rothkin Ofelia “Dutzie” Robbie Reny Gotz Rapheal Rona Balser Sterling Allen Zindler Susan Levitt praying for Refuah Sh’laymah for Erica Aronin
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in honor of Arnold Abes Irv Schoenberg’s 90th Birthday Sandybeck Lease’s New Grandson
Fred Ellman Culinary Enrichment in memory of Fred Ellman
Jeannette & Fred Nichols Library Fund in memory of Fred Nichols Kesher Special Fund in appreciation of The Kesher Committee in honor of Barbara Rucket’s Birthday Sylvan Pawliger Jack Dana’s Bar Mitzvah The Birth of Shir Ofek The High Holy Days in memory of Amy Barry Fannie Margolin Frances Kaplan
Gail Bachmann Gay Lenner Joe Capilouto Joseph Lieberman Leonard Nelkin Morton Engel Ofelia “Dutzie” Robbie Phillip Schiff Rona Balser Samuel G. Begner praying for Refuah Sh’laymah for Susan Brourman Kranz Institute for Jewish Learning Endowment in honor of Laurie Robbins Terri Heyman & Marc Cohen’s Engagement in memory of Albert Beerman Anne Siegel Novak Mark Silverman Mary Capeloto Raymond Franklin Lil Weinberg Transportation Endowment in memory of Lil Weinberg Operating Enhancement Special Fund in honor of Eudice Goodman’s 90th Birthday Irv Schoenberg’s 90th Birthday in memory of Albert Beerman Alice Tarlow Barbara Rothkin Dorothy Tauber Gail Bachmann Gay Lenner Irving J. Kapplin Robert Koch Rona Balser Ruth Pinsky Philanthropic/Social Action Special Fund in memory of Gail Bachmann Gay Lenner Martin Leiman Robert Taylor PNK Learning Center Special Fund in honor of Philip Kranz in memory of Alvin Zadoff Jay Weinstein Jeremy Gold Nina Unger Rona Balser
Prayer Book Special Fund in honor of Eudice Goodman’s 90th Birthday
in memory of Gay Lenner Harold Labovitz Marion Labovitz Oscar Gimpelson Rona Balser Shara Alter Sonia Oxman Susan Arnovitz Saltz Rabbi Perry Discretionary Fund in honor of Janet Lefkowitz & Lori Zwecker Ty Klein’s Bar Mitzvah The High Holy Days in memory of Eli Rafal Laurice Haik Zoghby Shirley Butterfield Rabbi Richard Lehrman Memorial Endowment in honor of Irv Schoenberg’s 90th Birthday Rabbi Segal Discretionary Fund in appreciation of Rabbi Ron Segal
in memory of Amy Lieppe Bob Bomes Gail Bachmann Gay Lenner Harold Rainbow Ira Lenner Josephy Moltach Lily Oling Mary Rudin Max Kushner Robert Taylor Ross Frankel
in memory of Marc Lesser Goldstein
Richman Spiritual Relationship in honor of Jerry & Linda Richman Robert S. Janko Children’s Enrichment in honor of Jack Dana’s Bar Mitzvah Second Helpings Special Fund in honor of Irv Schoenberg’s 90th Birthday in memory of Esther Spielberger Gertrude C. Denaburg Leba Baras Lebovitz Ralph Galanti Shirley Nemeth Youth Camp Outreach Endowment in memory of Allan Hytowitz’s Mother Sophia & Irving Hite Kesher Endowment in memory of Judy Simkin Stanley & Shirley Cohen Bldg & Grounds Endowment in honor of Stanley Cohen’s Birthday Steven Eichel Jewish Law Library Endowment in memory of Ben Tyber Taylor & Greenberg Religious School Scholarship in memory of Melvin Tye Robert Becker Torah Learning Special Fund in memory of Elise Weiser Jordan Butcher Olga Karsman Rona Balser
Attention Amazon Shoppers You can support Temple Sinai while shopping on Amazon!
Instead of going to Amazon.com, go to /smile.amazon.com/ch/581033792. Sign in with your Amazon login and password, do your shopping, and support our community. It’s that simple! Temple Sinai will receive .5% of the proceeds from all of your purchases. Thanks for taking the extra step!
Thank you for your generosity! “The whole worth of a benevolent deed lies in the love that inspires it.” - The Talmud Contributions can be made online using the Tributes & Contributions icon on the home page of our website or by mail.
templesinaiatlanta.org | 404 . 252 . 3073
in honor of The Birth of Bryce Freeman Danny Raymon’s Bar Mitzvah The marriage of Karen Christie & Dean Zindler Rabbi Ron Segal Steve Bernstein’s Birthday The High Holy Days
Religious School Special Fund in memory of Dorothy Kauffman Gail Bachmann Irving Feingold
Youth/Teen Program & Scholarship Fund in honor of Jack Dana’s Bar Mitzvah
Contributions | September 2015
Rabbi Levenberg Discretionary Fund in honor of Devis Friedman’s Bris Josh Nelkin’s Bar Mitzvah Shir Ofek’s Bris Ty Klein’s Bar Mitzvah The High Holy Days
Sandra Goldberg Sophia Thompson Stanley Mislow Wayne Leitz Wilburn Boze
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November B’ nei Mitzvah Ceremonies
November B’nei Mitzvah Ceremonies Will Hopkins, son of Cindy and Jeff Hopkins Though they never met, Will definitely feels a bond with his maternal grandfather, and he chose to honor his Papa Bill through his Chesed project. Bill Schwartz was among the one in seven American men diagnosed with Prostate Cancer in his lifetime, and he was one of the men who dies from this terrible disease every nineteen minutes. Since early detection can save lives and the annual screening is quick and easy, Will decided to talk to men at our synagogue as well as at the PGA Tour Superstore and Sports Authority to encourage them to get their annual Prostate Cancer test and to help spread the word. He also elicited donations for Prostate Cancer research from friends, family, and the people he met at his events, and in exchange he gave out Prostate Awareness bracelets. Everyone’s generosity was truly overwhelming and so very appreciated, and Will’s fundraising efforts raised over three times his initial goal. In helping to try to save live and put an end to Prostate Cancer, Will found his project extremely meaningful and rewarding.
Sarah Schultz, daughter of Jennifer and David Schultz Sarah raised money for and volunteered with the Atlanta Ronald McDonald House Charities. The Ronald McDonald Houses are a “home away from home” for families who must travel to Atlanta so their seriously ill or injured child can receive the medical care they need. Sarah saved her allowance all summer and donated the money to the cause. She also collected monetary donations from neighbors and family. She made multiple visits to bake desserts and treats for the families staying at the Ronald McDonald House. Sarah reached out to neighbors, family, and friends to collect over 50 pairs of shoes for their annual shoe drive. Additionally, she led several Bingo nights for the families, handing out prizes and providing fun and a much needed distraction from the challenges the families deal with each day. She has enjoyed her time with the families and plans to continue volunteering at the Ronald McDonald House.
Your Journey. Your Home.
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NAMED ONE OF ATLANTA'S TOP FINANCIAL PLANNERS IN ATLANTA MAGAZINE FOR OVER 3 YEARS AS SEEN IN FORBES MAGAZINE IN 2010 • NAMED ONE OF ATLANTA'S TOP LAWYERS IN GEORGIA TREND
November B’nei Mitzvah Ceremonies
November B’ nei Mitzvah Ceremonies templesinaiatlanta.org | 404 . 252 . 3073
Jared Jay, son of Jan and Gregory Jay Lindsey Geer, daughter of Jared, and his friend Stacey and Ronnie Geer Ryan Cohen, are workAnyone who knows Lindsey knows how ing together to create much she loves her dog, Einstein. It was custom social stories no surprise that she chose to donate her time for her Chesed project to the FurKids for local synagogues animal shelter. FurKids is Georgia’s largest about what it means no-kill animal shelter. At FurKids, animals to become a bar or bat mitzvah. A social story is experience the best care in a loving, safe picture book that serves as a tool to help individenvironment until they are adopted into forever homes. During her volunteer time there, Lindsey’s responsibilities included walk- uals on the autism spectrum, like Jared, better understand and be prepared for social situations ing, feeding and bathing dogs, doing laundry, and her personal and occasions. The boys have contacted local favorite: playing with puppies. She also held a drive for toys and synagogues, with the help of their mothers, and supplies, and with your generous contributions, she purchased will prepare individualized books for each shul quite a number of toys and supplies for FurKids a ton of stuff. to have in their library for future prospective bar Lindsey plans to continue volunteering time with FurKids. and bat mitzvah students to benefit. Ryan belongs to Temple Beth Tikvah and his Bar Mitzvah Carter Lefkoff, son of Evelyn (“Bo”) ceremony is the same and Brian Lefkoff In March 2015, Carter participated with Temple Sinai in the 31st Annual Hunger Saying “L’hitra’ot and Walk/Run benefiting the Atlanta ComThank You” munity Food Bank. The ACFB procures to Elise Halpern more than 60 million pounds of food and groceries each year and distributes it to more than 600 nonprofit partner agencies Transitions are often bittersweet. They offer serving families and individuals in 29 metro Atlanta and north joy and excitement for Georgia counties. Carter was so moved by the mission of the what lies ahead, but also a twinge of sadness ACFB that he decided his Chesed project would be organizing a food drive! He went to family and friends that are here this week- as they necessitate saying goodbye. This is end celebrating his Bar Mitzvah and asked them to help him reach certainly true in the case of Elise Halpern, our his goal of collecting 400 pounds of food. On Saturday, November beloved B’nei Mitzvah Coordinator, who has decided to retire at the end of December. Elise 8th Carter took all the collected food to the ACFB Project Rescue will truly be missed as coordinator, but we look Center in downtown Atlanta and participated as a volunteer to forward to continuing to see her as a tutor. inspect, sort and pack quality grocery items for distribution to over 600 non-profit organizations in the Metro Atlanta and North Staff colleagues, B’nei Mitzvah tutors, and Georgia area. countless students and families have felt blessed to work with Elise throughout the past Alex Rankin, son of Elizabeth and James six years. Her patience, warmth and kindness Rankin For his T.A.G. project, Alex is in his second have been a gift to our congregational family. Elise has a genuine love of Torah that is not year of volunteering weekly for the A+ only evident to all who meet her, but is also Squash program. Alex has volunteered infectious to her students and their parents. As for A+ Squash since its inception in Atthe key point-person for such a peak lifecycle lanta in 2014. A+ Squash is a non-profit, urban squash program that delivers year- moment for Temple Sinai families, Elise has been instrumental in creating joyful learning round youth development programming, experiences and positive Jewish memories. Our using the game of squash as the draw, and encourages academic, B’nei Mitzvah program has thrived under Elise’s athletic, and civil growth. Alex serves as a coach, tutor, mentor, and role model to the kids in the program. Not only does Alex en- leadership, and Temple Sinai will be forever grateful for all that she has shared with us joy interacting with and impacting these kids’ lives for the better, during her time on our staff. he also feels that the kids in turn make him a better person and With love and appreciation, we say to Elise: help him learn to become a leader. L’hitra’ot – farewell – and thank you!
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• Saturday Hosts: Come hang out at Temple Sinai on Saturday! Stay overnight at Temple Sinai and enjoy breakfast with our guests before starting your day (Saturday, 2 hour shifts).
Family Promise: A Home during the Holiday Season December 13 - 20
• Move-in/Move-out: Arrive on Sunday to either help unload the guests’ belongings off the truck and set-up the rooms for our guests; or help load the guests’ belongings onto the truck and close the rooms (Sundays, 1-2 hours).
Temple Sinai is hosting Family Promise in December. Please join us as we create a festive temporary home for our guest families during the winter holiday season! How can you help?
• Laundry: Pick up a bag of bed linens and towels to take home and launder at your leisure. Return laundry to Temple Sinai when completed.
• Overnight Hosts*: Pack your toothbrush, pajamas, pillow, bedding and a change of clothes! Stay overnight at Temple Sinai and enjoy breakfast with our guests before starting your day (nightly 7:30 pm - 8 am). *We need 2 volunteers per night. • Provide Dinner: Prepare or purchase dinner for the guests and yourselves. Enjoy dinner and conversation with the guests, stay and help tidy up after dinner is over (nightly 5:30-7:30).
SELECTED BY CLIENTS AS A TOP REAL ESTATE AGENT IN ATLANTA, ATLANTA MAGAZINE 2013 & 2014 MOVING WITHIN ATLANTA? CONTACT ME!
Your Journey. Your Home.
MOVING AWAY? CONTACT ME TO CONNECT YOU WITH A PROFESSIONAL REALTOR IN ANY DESTINATION CITY WORLDWIDE
Let’s talk and see how I can work for you in Atlanta and beyond MADELINE SATER
We are use SignUp Genius to organize our volunteers - please use this link to get there: www.tinyurl.com/DecemberFP Any questions or difficulty? Email us at TempleSinaiFamilyPromise@gmail.com and we can sign you up!
CALEB 117 Peachwood Avenue • Atlanta, Georgia 30318
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TEMPLE SINAI 5645 DUPREE DRIVE NW AT L A N TA , G E O R G I A
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Senior Real Estate Specialist Accredited Buyer’s Representative Accredited Relocation Specialist 404-983-1059 cell 404-233-4142 office madeline.sater@harrynorman.com
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Sunday, December 13, 12:15 - 2:00 pm We are thrilled to help and support our military families in need. At our December Social Action Sunday we will wrap all the gifts collected through our virtual holiday tree, make Christmas stockings for men, women and children and Chanukah gift boxes for our Jewish military personnel and their families. We will also stuff the stocking with small toys for the children and toiletries for the men and women. We’ll have pizza and latkes (it is Chanukah, after all!). Military personnel will be on hand as well as representatives from the USO. For questions, please contact Judy Thomas at 404-252-3073, ext. 330.
December Collections
December’s monthly collection is a new mitzvah opportunity! Temple Sinai has adopted 12 military families in need and 12 retired indigent veterans through the United Military Care, Inc. where Sinai members can select an individual or family to assist during the holidays. Some of the items may include necessities such as diapers, coats, shoes, clothes and food as well as toys and other fun items. Look for details in an upcoming eblast to find out how you can specifically help our military families in need.
Be a Pinch Hitter on December 25th Friday, December 25
Join us on Friday, December 25th as a volunteer! The Pinch Hitter Program, which is organized by B’nai B’rith and chaired by Harry Lutz, provides volunteers to work in non-medical positions in area hospitals on Christmas Day to give employees the day off to spend with their families. We will work in four-hour shifts at eleven hospitals and assisted living facilities this year. You can sign up on line at www.PinchHitters.org. Note that we will be curtailing our activities this year at 5pm in observance of Shabbat. Call Harry at 770.392.1175 for more
Twice a week Second Helpings Atlanta volunteers lace up their sneakers and pull on thermal gloves. Their destination is the walk-in freezer at Cox Enterprises corporate headquarters in Sandy Springs. There they load hundreds of pounds of gourmet food prepared by the kitchen staff, contracted by Sodexo. Chef Mike Daly oversees the operation and is thrilled to be involved with SHA. Five days a week Mike and his crew prepare the highest quality food for Cox’s 2,500 employees—think fresh salmon, sustainable produce, fresh whole fruit and yummy desserts. Food not consumed that day is loaded into containers, labeled, frozen then delivered to destinations including St. Francis’ Table and Malachi’s Storehouse. “Cox believes in giving their people the very best. And like Sodexo, Cox understands the importance of giving and sustainability, for example by providing all biodegradable paper goods.” It’s a great fit for Mike, who has overseen the Cox corporate kitchen for 14 years and describes himself as a man of faith who believes in taking care of others. “This program truly is a win-win,” said Jami Buck-Vance, director of corporate responsibility and community partnerships for Cox Enterprises. “We’re able to provide quality food to the community while reducing food waste.” If you’d like to be a food donor we want to hear from you. Second Helpings Atlanta is always looking for more good food to rescue and more volunteers to pick up the food and deliver it to those in need. Learn more at secondhelpingsatlanta.org.
templesinaiatlanta.org | 404 . 252 . 3073
The Red Cross goal for our Blood Drive was 32 pints. We ended up collecting 38 pints! Special thanks to all who donated and those who stopped by to offer support and appreciation.
Second Helpings: More Food Means Less Hunger
Social Action
Social Action Sunday Benefits USO and Military Families
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Philip N. Kranz Learning Center
Learning Center News Mary Baron
Laurel Snyder, Children’s author Sunday, December 13, 9:00 am
Ms. Snyder will be speaking to all grades about her journey as a writer and about how every child has a Jewish story to tell.
The Rabbi Philip N. Kranz Learning Center is excited to announce that local children’s author Laurel Snyder will be coming to visit Temple Sinai on December 13. Ms. Snyder will be speaking to the Sunday school students during sessions for Kindergarten to Grade 2, Grades 3 and 4 and Grades 5 and 6. During the program Ms. Snyder will share with the students how she began writing at the age of eight, the inspirations for her books and her journey to becoming a published author. She says it is her greatest pleasure hanging out with kids and she promises to make her visit interactive and lots of fun. She has written seven picture books for young children and five books for older children. The Learning Center has several of her books including the following:
The Longest Night: A Passover Story. This picture book tells the story of Exodus through the eyes of a young slave girl. The rhyming text and beautiful paintings depict the hardships of slavery and the plagues and ultimately the joy of freedom. Your Journey. Your Home.
Thank you to the following members for renewing their membership to the Library Guild Lynn Saperstein, Jan & Warren Epstein
Book Review & Dessert Reception 8
Baxter, the Pig Who Wanted to be Kosher. Baxter the Pig desperately wants to experience the joys of a Shabbat dinner but he is told that he cannot because he is not kosher. He begins his quest to become kosher by eating kosher pickles and raisin challah and even tries to become a cow. Finally he meets a kind rabbi who explains that while he may not be kosher to eat he is welcome at the Shabbat table to share the festive meal.
Seven Stories Up. Twelve-year-old Annie never knew her grandmother Molly. While Annie and her mother sit at Molly’s deathbed, Annie falls asleep. When she awakens she finds herself magically transported back to 1937 Baltimore and she meets Molly, transformed from a mean and angry old woman to a frail, lonely girl Annie’s own age. The two girls go on an adventure and as Annie sees how life was for her grandmother she comes to an understanding of who her grandmother came to be. Check out her website, laurelsnyder.com.
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Happy Birthday to the following children who have become Birthday Book Program honorees: Carly Solow, Jaryd Grossman, Owen Peretz, Dylan Tanenbaum, Mitchell Deutsch, Jason Deutsch, Ella Marks
Sunday, December 6, 3:30 pm
Alexandrian Summer by Yitzhak Germenzano Green Join Rabbi Kranz for his semi-annual book review. Alexandrian Summer is an intimate look at the final days of Alexandria, Egypt’s upper-class Jewish community, the end of the monarchy, and the rise of Nasser. No cost. Dessert reception included. Please RSVP online or by calling the Sinai office.
Book Talks with Rabbi Kranz
Thursday, December 10, 1:30 - 2:30 pm PNK Learning Center Hear Rabbi Kranz give his monthly book talk. This month’s topic is, “The Melodramatic Element in Yiddish Literature and Film”.
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Tips for Navigating the New Website
The wesbite is fully searchable, so if you don’t know where to look, click on the magnifying glass at the top right to open the search page.
The search function is available on both mobile and computer versions of the site.
The search page defaults to deliver you the most relevant results. You can also choose to see the most recent results. Example: If you search “moms tots,” it will pull up every mention of Moms & Tots on our website, including calendar listings. It is comprehensive, easy to use, and a convenient way to find something on the website.
Farewell to Communications Director Kathy Powell Kathy Powell, our very talented and creative Communications Director has announced her resignation, and will be leaving Temple Sinai in mid-December. Her incredible design and marketing skills and infectious laugh will be missed by those of us who have been fortunate enough to work with her on a day to day basis. Kathy has been at Sinai for nearly three years, and was directly responsible for the new look of the D’var Sinai, our new logo and branding efforts, the wonderful new website that we recently launched and literally dozens of other postcards, flags, swag, letterheads, invitations and flyers.
Navigating the New Website
Our new website has a new look and navigates differently from the previous site. Here are some tips to make navigating easier.
She’ll be spending her time on individual projects and short term contracts, and will be busy raising her 2 (and soon to be three – Mazel Tov!) children. We wish her much success in the future.
How to Tell When You’ve Crossed the Line From Social Drinking to Addiction You drink more than you intend to or think “one or two” is a waste of time.
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You disregard those obligations so you can recover from drinking.
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You find yourself alone at the bar when everyone else has gone home.
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You get a DUI on the way home.
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You create reasons to go out or to stay out later, even when you have other obligations (like work). If you find yourself in these situations, call H.A.M.S.A. (Helping Atlantans Manage Substance Abuse) for help. hamsa@jfcs-atlanta.org | 770.677.9318 | YTFL.org/HowTo
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DATED MATERIAL
Temple Sinai December Worship Schedule Friday, December 4 6:30 pm Rock Shabbat Service Sober Shabbat in conjunction with JF&CS Special blessing for those in recovery Saturday, December 5 10:00 am Shabbat Service
5:30 pm
Friday, December 11 6:30 pm Shabbat Service Saturday, December 12 10:00 am Shabbat Service 10:30 am Bat Mitzvah ceremony of Anna Behrman, daughter of Sheri and Alan Behrman Friday, December 18 6:30 pm Shabbat Service
Saturday, December 19 10:00 am Shabbat Service 10:30 am B’nei Mitzvah Ceremony of Alice and Stephen Byrne B’nei Mitzvah Ceremony of Charlie Janko, son of Angie and Shawn Janko, and Devin Rubin, daughter of Kim Rubin
Friday, December 25 6:30 pm Shabbat Service Saturday, December 26 10:00 am Shabbat Service
Can’t make it to synagogue? Look for the icon indicating that the service will be streamed live. Visit www.templesinaiatlanta.org to watch!