The new community initiative for young Jewish adults
DERAILED!
The story of the "Scottsboro Boys"
MLK DAY OF SERVICE: BY THE NUMBERS
PLANTING TODAY GROWING TOMORROW
Barbara K. Lipman Early Learning Center Campus renewal
MAZEL TOV!
New Members, Engagements, Marriages,and Births
DONATIONS
November, 2025 thru December 31, 2025
Temple Israel is a sanctuary for prayer and inspiration, a vibrant center for Jewish learning, and a congregational home for living Torah. We are a source of strength and a force for good for Reform Jews, the greater community, and the world.
RABBI
RABBI
WENDY T. ROTTER President
SCHEIDT Senior Vice President BRUCE LANDAU Vice President
JORDAN
LEIGH BAIM MANSBERG Immediate Past President
JENNIFER
Temple
Cover photo (L to R): Temple Israel Mohalim: Dr. David Yanishevski, Dr. Michael Edelson, Dr. Peter Lindy, Dr. Brandon Bell, and Dr. Bob Eiseman
APR
First Night of Passover
All Member Passover Shabbat Dinner
Family Shabbat B’yachad
Bark Mitzvah Bash
Coffee and Conversation
MAY
Tot Shabbat
TIU - Taste of Judaism Part II
Leadership Shabbat Celebrating Helen Scheidt with Elana Arian
One Morning Shabbat with Elana Arian
TIU - Taste of Judaism Part III
JUN
Coffee and Conversation
Pride Shabbat and All Member Shabbat Dinner
Annual Meeting & Israel Independence Day Program
Jewish and Black America: Replies to Scottsboro
Confirmation & Graduation Shabbat
TIMPO Fest
TIU -Taste of Judaism Part I
TIU - Taste of Judaism Part IV
BKL ELC Shalom Ceremony
Tikkun Leil Shavout with Beth Shalom
Shavuot
Creative Aging Chai Tea
Gun Violence ShabbatRabbi Wax Institiute First Fruits
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amily engagement continues to be a vibrant and meaningful part of life at Temple Israel, bringing families together through joyful celebrations, learning, and service. In January, more than 100 people gathered for Family Shabbat B’yachad, generously supported by Cindy & Mark Finestone. Families welcomed the new year by celebrating Shabbat together, enjoying a service led by the TI Teen Band and Kol Shirah song leaders. The experience was enriched through the use of family-friendly Shabbat siddurim, donated in honor of Kay Bearman, featuring beautiful artwork that helped create a child-centered, prayer-filled atmosphere accessible to all ages.
Monthly TOT Shabbats continue to engage the youngest in our community and their parents. Recently, Tot-kun Olam honored Martin Luther King Jr., teaching tots and parents about building and supporting community, followed by creating cold-weather kits to share with those in need.
A highlight of every year is of course the Temple Israel Purim Carnival, our biggest family extravaganza. Families arrived in costume and enjoyed bumper cars, a toddler playworld, classic carnival games, and more. Beyond the fun, the carnival had a powerful purpose: all proceeds from tickets and the silent auction supported Camp Dream Street, a camp for participants with special needs. The event was proudly sponsored in part by the Temple Israel Brotherhood and Sisterhood.
It’s hard to believe the 2025–2026 year at the Wendy and Avron Fogelman Religious School is already coming to a close. As the year winds down, students are making the most of their final weeks together. Classes are in their last round of chugim, giving learners one more chance to explore their interests and creativity. Our 7th and 8th graders are preparing to lead a joyful and meaningful model seder for kindergarten through 8th grade students. Meanwhile, our 10th and 11th grade Confirmation class continues learning and reflecting as they prepare for their Confirmation service on April 24.
As the year winds down, students are making the most of their final weeks together.
J LUFYO M OMENTS M E ANING F U L APMI
BOOKEND
BOOKEND
ev Kay’s time at Temple Israel is bookended by two major moments of renewal. She joined Temple Israel in 2006, just after the completion of a major renovation, following her retirement from Memphis City Schools, where she served as a librarian. While the pace at Temple was different, Bev quickly embraced the opportunity to build something meaningful.
One of her first tasks was creating and organizing the children’s library, primarily used by students in the Barbara K. Lipman Early Learning Center and the Wendy & Avron Fogelman Religious School. Bev thoughtfully curated the collection to reflect the developmental levels and interests of young learners. She also established a lending library for teachers and classrooms, providing books that support Jewish holidays, traditions, and core teachings.
What Bev has cherished most during her years at Temple Israel are the relationships she has built. “Temple is a warm and cohesive community,” she shared. “I have enjoyed working with the clergy and staff.”
Her love of working with children shines through in every story she tells. Bev delighted in watching children grow in confidence and curiosity, seeing toddlers become adventurous learners over time. “Being and remaining flexible is the most important thing you can do when working with children,” she reflected. When a group’s interests shifted, Bev was always ready to pivot, often turning moments into joyful show-and-tell experiences where each child could shine.
Some of Bev’s favorite memories come with a sense of humor. Early on, she learned to stop wearing open-toed shoes, as eager children often crowded close during story time. “I loved how they used to sit on my toes as I read the stories to them,” she laughed. Even during COVID, Bev’s dedication never wavered. She continued to support ELC families, including reading to children over Zoom while they were quarantined.
Though Bev is retiring from her role as librarian, she plans to remain actively involved at Temple Israel. All three of her children live in Memphis, and she continues to volunteer as a reader and to dedicate her time at Plough Towers and the Memphis Jewish Home.
Bev’s legacy is one of warmth, adaptability, and deep care. Her presence has shaped generations of young learners, and Temple Israel is better for the countless stories she shared and the relationships she nurtured along the way.
Being and remaining flexible is the most important thing you can do when working with children.
After 20 years, Temple Librarian Bev Kay still enjoys sharing her love of books and reading with children from the Barbara K. Lipman Early Learning Center.
TEMPLE ISRAEL’S NEW WEBSITE: CONNECT, ENGAGE, DO MORE
fter months of thoughtful planning and collaboration, Temple Israel is proud to officially launch our new website. More than a fresh look, this project represents our ongoing commitment to being a welcoming, accessible, and connected congregation in today’s digital world.
From the outset, the goal was clear: create an online home that truly serves our community. The new site features cleaner navigation, updated and relevant content, and a modern, user-friendly design that makes it easier to find what matters most. Members can now quickly access service times, programs and events, learning opportunities, youth engagement, and meaningful ways to take part in congregational life.
As part of the launch, we also introduced dedicated subsites for the Barbara K. Lipman Early Learning Center and the Wendy & Avron Fogelman Religious School. These tailored spaces give families direct access to calendars, resources, and timely updates that support their daily involvement and planning.
The website works seamlessly with our ShulCloud system, putting more control and convenience directly into the hands of our members. By logging into their ShulCloud accounts, members are able to:
Update personal and household contact information
Manage payments and view account balances
Register for programs and events
View yahrzeit and lifecycle information
Connect with other members (when enabled)
Manage donations and communication preferences
Together, the new website and ShulCloud platform create a more efficient, connected, and meaningful experience for our community. This launch is not a finish line. It is a strong foundation for how we communicate, engage, and grow together as Temple Israel moves forward.
Members can now quickly access service times, programs and events, learning opportunities, youth engagement, and meaningful ways to take part in congregational life.
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FROM VISION TO REALITY
REFLECTING ON THIS REMARKABLE CHAPTER — FROM YOUR 54 TH PRESIDENT
ary that better spotlights not only the people on the pulpit but the feeling of community and connection in every corner; and the brighter, inviting finishes that fill our foyers.
And the work continues daily, from inviting outdoor gathering spaces and a community library to the revitalization of our Barbara K. Lipman Early Learning Center, one of Temple Israel’s most important gateways to Jewish life for our congregation and greater community. Our preschool, on its 36th anniversary, is expanding not only in square footage but also in innovative curriculum, security, and technology to ensure our position as the premier preschool in Memphis. This campaign resolves a two-decade facilities deficit, finally giving educators the environment they need — and families expect.
I invite you to reach out anytime with questions surrounding how you can support this endeavor. We welcome your role in closing our funding gap and, with a gift of any size, realizing Vision 2026 together.
s we prepare to gather around our tables to retell the Passover story and experience the holiday’s timeless lessons and symbolism together, I think back to two years ago at this time—the start of Passover—when I was elected Temple Israel’s 54th president.
Serving you, this historic and vibrant congregation, has been one of the great honors of my lifetime.
Upon becoming your President, I asked you to help write the next chapter in the Haggadah of our lives, Temple Israel, and outlined the sacred work we would do as a congregation at this important moment in our congregation’s 170-year history.
That evening, we launched Vision 2026: Shaping Our Future Together, a master plan born of hundreds of perspectives and thousands of collective hours. This process would guide a renewed vision for our Temple’s physical presence, not only as an inspirational place to worship but also as a community hub for friends and families to gather, learn, play, and explore well into the next 50 years on Massey.
This once-in-a-generation blueprint to renew our campus— thanks to over 175 families and counting who have contributed over $15 million—has enhanced Temple’s most sacred of spaces, which host some of the most spiritually meaningful moments of our lives.
Beyond the infrastructure sustainability and enhanced technology to ensure top-tier worship experiences, I remain in awe of the physical flood of light into these sacred spaces, including the new magnificent Danziger Chapel windows that welcome nature and wonder; a beaming Greenstein Sanctu-
Speaking of gateway, I am proud of this record period of membership growth for Temple Israel, as we have welcomed over 100 new member households thanks to the partnership of lay leaders and staff. We continue to invest in building community and relationships. Youth and family programming have connected hundreds of families in beautiful ways at Temple, from packed-out Tot Shabbats to teen-driven Purim Carnivals and Apples & Honey Festivals, MLK Day of Service and TIMPO Fest, and intimate grade-level Shabbat experiences. Music and spirituality continue to flourish with the birth of Spirit & Matter, building on our congregation’s long history of talented musicians and vocalists of all ages sharing their gifts with us. Coffee & Conversation, multi-generational cooking classes with Chef Josh, Speaking Across Difference workshops, and our Civil Rights pilgrimage to Montgomery and Selma are just a few of the experiences that have brought us together in community.
We have continued to strengthen an outstanding clergy team to serve our congregation, having welcomed Associate Rabbi Leah Sternberg and Cantorial Soloist Eleanor Tallie Steinberg to join Senior Rabbi Micah Greenstein and Associate Rabbi Ross Levy. The synergy and strategy have been exciting and contagious, and I have been lucky to get a frontrow seat to witness their work alongside our dedicated staff, both new and seasoned here at Temple.
When we gather on April 21 for Temple Israel’s 172nd Annual Meeting, we will celebrate these exciting milestones and more that we have achieved as a community. I hope to see you there.
I will always be grateful for this opportunity to serve Temple Israel, our spiritual home and family of families in partnership with an energized board of trustees and our amazing clergy and staff. I am in awe of their tireless dedication to us.
We must continue to invest in this sacred place and our congregation’s future. Temple Israel and Jewish life in the South depend on you, on me, on all of us. As I pass the baton to our very talented next President Helen Scheidt, I have great confidence in our future. Let Helen know how you would like to help.
As we begin a thrilling next chapter, may we continue to carry this congregation from strength to strength.
I will always be grateful for this opportunity to serve Temple Israel, our spiritual home and family of families.
BARBARA K. LIPMAN EARLY LEARNING CENTER CELEBRATES PASSOVER
Each spring, the Barabara K. Lipman Early Learning Center comes alive with stories, songs, and meaningful traditions as we celebrate Passover together. This special holiday gives our children an exciting and age-appropriate way to learn about our history, values, while focusing on the importance of community.
In our classrooms, Passover begins with storytelling. Through stories and pictures and song, teachers share the Passover story to help our children understand the Jewish journey from slavery to freedom. Hands-on activities are an integral part of our celebration. Our children create Passover-themed art projects, such as decorating matzah covers, creating matzah boxes, and making frogs to remember the ten plagues. Parents and Grandparents come together to help us celebrate the Seder experience. Here we tell the story and taste Passover foods.
Passover at the BKL ELC is also a time to talk about important values. Teachers guide conversations about kindness, helping others, and what it means to be free and safe. These ideas are shared in ways preschoolers can understand and practice every day.
By celebrating Passover together, the BKL ELC creates meaningful traditions that connect children to their heritage and build a sense of community.
Passover at the BKL ELC is also a time to talk about important values.
PASSOVER PREPARING FOR
PASSOVER
BY JUDY BEARMAN
reparing for Passover is a sacred activity bringing together the story of freedom, traditions, family, friends, and food. To raise the ordinary to a holy level in our preparation for Passover, we need to bring our intentions and energy to the activity. Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel teaches that performing a mitzvah without proper kavanah (intention, direction of the heart) is inadequate because it leaves the doer of the mitzvah unaffected. As you begin your Passover preparations, take time to focus on the love of your people, the joy of practicing Judaism, and the hope for peace and healing in the world.
All traditions reflect their place of origin. For example, if we are of Eastern European descent, our traditional Passover foods reflect ingredients from that area. Today we have access to a world of Jewish food traditions and ingredients. Modern Israel is home to Jewish people from diverse groups: starting with the largest group, the Mizrahi, followed by the Ashkenazi, Sephardi, Yemenite, and Ethiopian, and about
half of Jewish Israelis belong to ethnically mixed families. As American Jews, one way to celebrate our connection to Israel and the amazing, diverse Jewish people is to add new, global foods and spices into our holiday experience. Whether you are the first generation of Jewish people in your family, or the 50th generation, it’s a delicious way to start new traditions for our families.
This year, I am excited to try out new-to-me Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, and African recipes, which can be among the healthiest meals we can share with our guests. For me, a Passover recipe must meet a few requirements: it should be delicious, easy to make or prep ahead, and feed a large number of people. Here are some recipes that will be on my Seder table. They might seem familiar, but if you look closely, you’ll see that they include spices or ingredients that will be new to many of us.
I wish you a delicious and meaningful Passover!
PERSIAN CHAROSET
INGREDIENTS
8 oz walnuts
8 oz almonds
1/2 cup pistachios
1 cup chopped dates
1/2 cup chopped raisins
1/2 cup sweet wine or grape juice
1 banana, peeled & broken into chunks
1 apple, peeled & chopped
2 teaspoons each cardamom, ginger, & cinnamon
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Using a food processor, grind all nuts to a coarse meal.
2. Add raisins, apple, banana, date paste, spices, and grape juice, and mix just until a paste forms.
3. Can be made one to two days ahead.
ISRAELI ETHIOPIAN CHAROSET
INGREDIENTS
200 grams of dates, seeded
25 grams brown sugar
Juice from lime (more to your liking)
1 pineapple, peeled and chopped.
1 mango, chopped
1 medium-sized guava or pear, chopped and discard the seeds.
1/2 cup of roasted almonds
Zest from 1 lime
1/2 teaspoon of salt
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Put the dates, brown sugar, and lime juice in the food processor and grind them until they form a paste.
2. In the big bowl, put all the chopped fruits, chopped nuts, lime zest, and date mixture, then mix it well with a spoon.
3. Shape into a pyramid shape.
4. Cover and put it in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour before serving.
ISRAELI VEGETARIAN CHOPPED LIVER
INGREDIENTS
3-4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, divided
2 medium white or yellow onions, sliced thin
1 teaspoon Kosher salt
1 pound mushrooms sliced (button or crimini)
4 hard-boiled eggs
1 cup walnuts (toasted adds extra flavor!)
Freshly cracked black pepper to taste
1/2-1 teaspoon sage
Minced chives for garnish
INSTRUCTIONS
1. In a large sauté pan or Dutch oven, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium heat. Add onion slices and 1 teaspoon salt.
2. Sauté for about 10 minutes until the onions are soft and starting to brown, stirring often. Then turn the heat down to medium-low and sauté until the onions are golden brown and caramelized, about 45 minutes. Stir often. You want the onions to stick a little so they color, but if they start to burn, add a little water or more olive oil. Remove to a bowl.
3. Increase the heat to medium, add the oil and mushrooms to the pan, and sauté until they begin to brown and are soft but not mushy, about 6-8 minutes. Add more olive oil if the mixture starts to burn.
4. Put mushrooms, onions, 3 eggs, walnuts, and 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a food processor and pulse until the ingredients are combined and uniform, resembling chopped liver; add a little more olive oil if it's not coming together. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
5. Chill for one hour or until ready to serve.
6. Garnish with 1 chopped boiled egg and chives.
7. Chill for at least 24 hours for flavors to mature.
INDONESIAN CHAROSET
INGREDIENTS
200 grams of dates, seeded
25 grams brown sugar
Juice from lime (more to your liking)
1 pineapple, peeled and chopped.
1 mango, chopped
1 medium-sized guava or pear, chopped and discard the seeds.
1/2 cup of roasted almonds
Zest from 1 lime
1/2 teaspoon of salt
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Put the dates, brown sugar, and lime juice in the food processor and grind them until they form a paste.
2. In the big bowl, put all the chopped fruits, chopped nuts, lime zest, and date mixture, then mix it well with a spoon.
3. Shape into a pyramid shape.
4. Cover and put it in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour before serving.
1. Combine the figs, apricots, and raisins in a bowl.
2. Peel and remove pith from the orange. Cut the orange flesh into small pieces and add to the bowl. Add the coconut, ginger, spices, jam, and wine, then mix well. Add optional ingredients if desired. May be made 2 days ahead.
MOROCCAN CHAROSET BALLS
INGREDIENTS
8-10 Dried, pitted prunes
6-9 Pitted dates
1/4 Cup golden raisins
1 Teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 Cup almonds
4 Tablespoons raw honey
2-3 Tablespoons grape juice or kosher wine (reserve for end)
Sugar (optional)
Finely ground almond flour to roll the charoset balls
INSTRUCTIONS
1. It is very important to pit the dates and prunes used in this recipe. So take a minute to make sure they are pitted!
2. The next step is really easy - simply toss everything into a food processor and blend it together.
3. After you've mixed everything, take a taste. If the mixture is really thick, add some grape juice or kosher wine. If it tastes too bitter, add a little bit of sugar. That being said, this is not meant to be overly sweet.
4. To roll the charoset balls, take a piece of the mixture about the size of a large olive and roll it into a ball.
5. Next, roll it in the ground almonds and set aside.
6. Continue using the remaining mixture until it is all used.
7. To store, keep in a cool place in a tightly sealed container. Don't refrigerate.
Sacred MITZVAH
ith spring’s arrival and Passover’s return, we celebrate rebirth and renewal while retelling the Exodus story of our ancestors’ perseverance from slavery to freedom. Did you know that the early rabbis explained that the purpose of the Seder and God’s subsequent revelation at Mount Sinai—and the gift of the Torah to the Jewish people—were not because of our elders, prophets, and sages, but rather for our children and all future generations to come?
Just about 30 years ago, following my learning and work alongside the founder of the Berit Milah Board of Reform Judaism, Rabbi Lewis Barth, I taught Temple Israel member physicians a Mohel certification course on the history, legal tradition, liturgy, and meaning of circumcision as a religious rite for Jewish boys. This was a first for our congregation, which today stands as one of the few that combine congregational engagement with professional expertise as a service to our members.
Thanks to the expertise and service of (in alphabetical order) Dr. Brandon Bell, Dr. Michael Edelson, Dr. Bob Eiseman, Dr. Peter Lindy, and Dr. David Yanishevski, hundreds of Jewish boys born in Memphis have entered the eternal covenant of the Jewish people. These five Temple Israel member physicians have generously lent their medical gifts and time—as they have regularly stepped away from their busy practices—to conduct a berit milah, the Jewish ritual of circumcision.
Prior to Temple Israel’s Mohalim, apprehensive Jewish mothers and fathers who preferred a medically-precise procedure were opting for their newborn sons to be circumcised in the hospital instead of an at-home bris ceremony on the eighth day. We are long overdue in thanking these five doctors who officiate alongside our Temple clergy to make these holy moments possible while ensuring all families feel safe in participating in this esteemed Jewish ritual.
When asked to share reflective moments among the hundreds of ceremonies they have conducted, our Temple Israel Mohalim speak to the multi-faceted, deeply meaningful mitzvah.
“Of the many circumcisions and britot milah I have performed, the ones that stand out most to me are
the children whose parents I grew up with and have known for over 25 years,” said Dr. David Yanishevski. “In those moments, the ceremony feels like a full circle of life, where past and present meet in a single, sacred act. I remember my adult friends as children themselves, and now I am entrusted with welcoming their sons into the same covenant that shaped all of us. Familiarity adds a deeper sense of responsibility, gratitude, and a profound unspoken sense of meaning to the occasion.”
Then, consider the power of this moment while the paternal grandfather was in the role of sandek (the honorable role of holding the baby during a berit milah).
The grandfather’s son, the baby’s father, was standing next to him at the head of the newborn. While the medical and Jewish board-certified Temple Israel Mohel began preparing the procedure, carefully shielding the boy from potential harm, there was a quiet moment when the doctor paused before reciting the blessing and performing the mitzvah of circumcision.
At that very moment, the grandfather reached over and, pointing to the newborn child, said to his son: “I
OUR TEMPLE MOHALIM
hope that he gives you as much pleasure in your life as you have given me in mine.” They embraced.
Beyond a touching intergenerational encounter, this was indeed a holy moment, experienced in the context of one of Judaism’s oldest mitzvot.
Dr. Brandon Bell, our newest Mohel since moving to Memphis with his wife Dr. Lauren Arnold Bell, and their children, shared the profound opportunity to act as Mohel for his youngest son, Cypress Bodhi.
“The experience was deeply personal—an intersection of faith, family, and community that I will carry with me for the rest of my life,” said Dr. Bell. “The act itself was not merely a ritual, but a moment of covenant, connecting generations past and present. Standing there, surrounded by my friends, family, and new Jewish community, I felt the weight and joy of Jewish tradition. It was more than a physical act—it was a reaffirmation of values that guide my life: commitment, continuity, and belonging. Having recently become part of this new Temple Israel Memphis community, the experience also symbolized a new beginning for my family. As we sang ancient blessings and welcomed Cypress into the covenant of our people, I felt the deep support of those around me. It reminded me that Jewish life is not experienced in isolation—it flourishes in the bonds we build with others who share our faith and hopes. Performing my son’s brit milah allowed me to connect my personal identity as a parent with my spiritual identity as a Jew. It was a moment of humility and gratitude—honoring tradition while embracing the unfolding journey of our own family’s story within the broader story of the Jewish people.”
We are ever-grateful to these five humble mitzvah-doers for their medical knowledge, skill, and willingness to serve both our members and any unaffiliated Jewish parent — mother or father— in search of fulfilling this mitzvah with Temple Israel.
Early rabbis explained that the purpose of the Seder and God’s subsequent revelation at Mount Sinai—and the gift of the Torah to the Jewish people—were not because of our elders, prophets, and sages, but rather for our children and all future generations to come.
DR. DAVID YANISHEVSKI DR. MICHAEL EDELSON DR. PETER LINDY
BOB EISEMAN
THE COLLEC TI VE
Introducing The Collec TI ve, the new Temple Israel community initiative for Jewish adults in their 20s and 30s in the Memphis area, designed to build relationships, belonging, and meaningful Jewish experiences.
Whether you’re new to Memphis, returning after time away, deeply involved in Jewish life, or just beginning to explore what that connection looks like for you right now, there is a place for you.
At its core, The Collec TI ve is about relationships and shared experiences. Through social programming, we are creating space to meet new people, reconnect with friends, celebrate Jewish moments, and simply enjoy being together, embracing the many ways young adults engage with Jewish life today.
The CollecTIve is open to all Memphis Jews in their 20s & 30s regardless of affiliations, allowing us to bring together young adults across institutions and networks. These partnerships help strengthen connections throughout the community. Join us for our more informal events, including happy hours at beloved local spots, a bonfire Havdalah gathering, and our Purim celebration in partnership with the Memphis Jewish Community Center. Looking ahead, you can also expect festive holiday parties, potluck gatherings, Shabbachi Dinner (Shabbat and Hibachi all in one), wine tastings, and outings to Memphis athletic events like Grizzlies and Redbirds games, plus much more! These gatherings are designed to feel welcoming, social, and easy to jump into, whether it’s your first event or your fifteenth.
The energy surrounding The Collec TI ve continues to grow, and we look forward to building a vibrant, inclusive young adult Jewish community in Memphis together.
Interested in joining The CollecTIve community?, Please reach out to:
KARLEIGH RING karleighr@timemphis.org
THE STORY OF THE "SCOTTSBORO BOYS"
n March 25, 1931 a fight broke out aboard a freight train travelling the Southern Railway line between Chattanooga and Memphis. In addition to its cargo, the train carried around two dozen people, both African American and white, and most just teenagers, all searching for opportunities for work. By the time the train stopped in Paint Rock, Alabama, local authorities had learned of what had transpired, and promptly searched the train and arrested nine young African American men and two white women. The two white women, Victoria Price and Ruby Bates, faced charges of their own, and falsely accused the young African American men of sexually assaulting them. They were then sent to nearby Scottsboro, AL to face trial. With astounding speed, the nine boys were indicted by a grand jury on March 30, and their trial took place on April 6. In the week between, the accused were moved from the jail in Scottsboro under the protection of 100 members of the National Guard due to threats of a lynch mob. The first two convictions, of Charlie Weems and Clarence Norris, came on April 7, and by April 9, eight of the nine African American boys were sentenced to death with their executions scheduled for July of that year.
A national outcry emerged from this story in a small town in Alabama, leading to a series of appeals and retrials eventually leading to the Supreme Court. The plight of these
WRITTEN BY RABBI ROSS LEVY
young African American men, known as the “Scottsboro Boys,” sparked a national reckoning with the injustice of the legal system, particularly in the segregated South. The case had an immense impact on our national conscience, serving as a catalyst for the movement for social, legal, and political change that would come to fruition with the achievements of the Civil Rights Movement in the 1950’s and 1960’s.
The outcry at this miscarriage of justice came from a broad spectrum of American society, inspiring works by Langston Hughes, Richard Wright, and likely serving as inspiration for Harper Lee’s To Kill A Mockingbird. Though not as well known, this moment in history also garnered responses from Yiddish writers and poets, most of whom were new arrivals to this country, and who saw this as a betrayal of American ideals and the promise of the American Dream.
On April 22, just over 95 years since the sentencing of the Scottsboro Boys, we have the honor of hosting a cohort of scholars and musicians who will bring to life the words and ideas of these Jewish voices for justice. In partnership with Facing History and Ourselves, Temple Israel presents “Wild Burning Rage and Song: Replies to Scottsboro,” an evening of music and poetry carrying the memory of the Scottsboro
Trials, and how this moment of injustice impacted Jewish poets and artists of the 1930’s. This thought-provoking evening will highlight the intersections between the African American and Jewish communities throughout the decades, and encourage us to reflect upon the ways in which racism and all forms of hate continue to survive today.
ANTHONY RUSSELL
Anthony Russell is a multidisciplinary artist working in the medium of Yiddish language and culture. His album Convergence, with klezmer trio Veretski Pass, is an exploration of a century of African American and Ashkenazi Jewish music. Kosmopolitn, his recent release with Dmitri Gaskin, features their original settings of Yiddish modernist poetry for string ensemble. A past Hadar Rising Song, AJU Public, and Mandel Institute Cultural Leadership Fellow and present Mitchell J. Gerstein Distinguished Visiting Artist in Residence at the University of Toronto, Anthony has expanded his work into cultural activism through collaboration with the Workers Circle and as an essayist in a number of publications including The Forward, Tablet, and Jewish Currents. Anthony lives in San Diego, CA with his husband of ten years, Rabbi Michael Rothbaum.
Photo credit: Adam Wiseman
HEATHER KLEIN
Heather Klein is a Yiddish singer, creator, composer, prayer leader, instrumentalist, and producer whose work brings historical stories vividly into the present through music and performance. She creates original, research-based projects that center emotional truth, cultural memory, and storytelling.
Klein has toured nationally with Wild Burning Rage and Song: Replies to Scottsboro and her solo show Shanghai Angel, including performances at the Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum. She has appeared in Burning Off the Page (San Francisco Jewish Film Festival) and the PBS documentary Harbor from the Holocaust, and has worked with the Folksbiene Theatre in New York City and the Yiddish Theatre Ensemble in Berkeley, California.
Her collaborations include Sundance (MA), Music Theatre Group (NYC), YIVO Institute, the Ashkenaz Festival, and the Yiddish Book Center, with work spanning the U.S., Canada, Hungary, and Israel. Klein has produced four albums, including Shanghai Angel and Rooted Lullaby.
Photo credit: Rachel Aston
URI SCHRETER
Uri Schreter is an interdisciplinary musicologist, composer, and performer whose work bridges academic research and creative practice. He specializes in twentieth-century Jewish music and history, with a focus on Yiddish language, music, and culture. Uri holds a Ph.D. in Musicology from Harvard University, as well as degrees in History, composition, and musicology from Tel Aviv University. In addition to his academic work, he has collaborated with artists across Jewish cultural spheres, including Shane Baker, Mike Burstyn, Isabel Frey, and Judy Bressler. His music has been performed on stages throughout the United States, Canada, Israel, and beyond. In 2025–2026, he is serving as a research fellow at the Frankel Institute for Advanced Judaic Studies at the University of Michigan and as the Bader Postdoctoral Fellow in Jewish History at Queen’s University.
Photo credit: Daryl Marshke
AMELIA GLASER
Amelia Glaser is Professor of Literature at UCSD where she holds the Chair in Judaic Studies. A scholar and translator of Ukrainian, Russian, and Yiddish literature, she is the author of Jews and Ukrainians in Russia’s Literary Borderlands (Northwestern UP, 2012), Songs in Dark Times: Yiddish Poetry of Struggle from Scottsboro to Palestine (Harvard UP, 2020), the editor of Stories of Khmelnytsky: Literary Legacies of the 1648 Ukrainian Cossack Uprising (Stanford UP, 2015) and, with Steven Lee, Comintern Aesthetics (U. Toronto Press, 2020). She is the translator of Proletpen: America’s Rebel-Yiddish Poets (U. Wisconsin Press, 2005) and Yaryna Chornohuz's Dasein: In Defence of Presence (forthcoming with Jantar, 2025). Together with Yuliya Ilchuk, she has translated A Crash Course in Molotov Cocktails: Poems by Halyna Kruk (Arrowsmith Press, 2023) and Iya Kiva's Silence Dressed in Cyrillic Letters (Forthcoming with Harvard Ukrainian Studies Press). She is currently writing a book about contemporary Ukrainian poetry.
Photo credit: Dorka Hagadus
This performance is in partnership with Facing History and Ourselves.
This program is presented by the Rabbi James A. Wax Institute for Social Justice, which seeks to promote justice and equality so that all people can live with dignity and hope. The Center is a contemporary resource for education and discussion, created to actively address issues concerning social and economic equity as well as all matters of social justice in our community and beyond, as inspired by the life and legacy of Rabbi Wax.
MLK DAY OF SERVICE: BY THE NUMBERS
Temple Israel came together once again to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy through hands-on service across Memphis. Members of all ages worked side by side, turning values into action.
This year’s projects, rooted in chesed, tzedakah, and kehillah, were carried out alongside trusted partners across the city, meeting real needs and strengthening community connections.
The numbers tell part of the story. The greater impact is the reminder that when Temple Israel shows up together, we make a real difference. MLK Day of Service is not just a morning of volunteering. It is a reflection of who we are and the responsibility we share to serve our community year-round. Thank you to all of the volunteers that helped leading up to and on this meaningful day.
24
Partner Organizations Engaged
Campus renewal takes root in the Barbara K. Lipman Early Learning Center
emple Israel continues to build upon our transformative, once-in-a-generation campus renewal plan Vision 2026, titled for its urgency to realize a vision today. This strategic investment, made possible by the generosity of donors within and outside of our membership, ensures that our congregation remains a beacon of excellence and an enduring home for generations to come.
One of Temple Israel’s most important gateways to Jewish life for our congregation and greater community, the Barbara K. Lipman Early Learning Center (BKL ELC), on its 36th anniversary, is expanding not only in square footage but also in innovation—curriculum, security, and technology—to ensure its position as the premier preschool in Memphis.
Our BKL ELC, which serves children ages 6 weeks through Junior Kindergarten, is committed to creating a nurturing, inclusive community that fosters curiosity, growth, and a love of learning. Grounded in Jewish values and an integrated approach to academic excellence and social-emotional development, the BKL ELC believes in shaping confident, capable, and compassionate thinkers to be the leaders and dreamers of tomorrow. Our school proactively weaves Jewish values into the fabric of everyday learning and, as a result, our families’ everyday lives.
Demand continues to exceed capacity, where the school maintains a rolling waitlist. 80% of students are Jewish and come from every corner of the Jewish community. Infant care requests alone have increased by over 40% in the last few years due to changing family and economic needs. Without an expansion of multiple classrooms, Temple Israel must continue turning away dozens of Jewish community families each year.
Current classrooms were built for a different generation of childcare and have been thoughtfully redesigned with 2026 standards of safety, accessibility, and developmental practice while adding natural light, child-height fixtures, and sensory-smart design, none of which exist in the current footprint.
PLANTING GROWING
TODAY. TOMORROW.
This campaign resolves a two-decade facilities deficit, finally giving educators the environment they need — and families expect. The phased renovation is designed to modernize and expand the school while maintaining continuity of care and minimizing disruption to students and staff. Temple Israel’s courtyard buildout and new BKL ELC courtyard classrooms are currently underway, followed by existing classroom renovations, new Noah’s Ark, atrium and administrative spaces, and new developmentally appropriate playground and outdoor learning spaces.
Beyond current constraints, the broader challenge lies in the sustenance of our community’s Jewish presence, one that hinges on Temple Israel for one reason: actual people.
“Simply put, our ELC is the numerical pipeline to the future of Mid-South Judaism,” said Rabbi Micah Greenstein. “Temple Israel, the largest and last standing Reform synagogue for a four-state region, accounts for over 75% of the Memphis Jewish community numerically. A critical mass of Jews for this entire region depends on a vibrant Temple Israel, and an investment in Temple Israel is the best guarantee for this region’s Jewish tomorrow.”
“Temple Israel is precisely where giving grows generations,” said Helen Scheidt, Vision 2026 Campaign Co-Chair. “This is the last campaign in our lifetimes to plant seeds for a flourishing Jewish future, just as the generations before did for us.”
Temple has become more than a place – it is now a cause and the primary entity that will carry on the Memphis and Southern Judaism that has shaped our childhoods, adulthoods, or both.
Vision 2026 is not a single project, but a coordinated investment in long-term sustainability. At the same time, Temple Israel continues to operate an enriching multifaceted organization that sustains daily Temple life for every age and stage of life. Together, these efforts reflect a commitment to excellence, responsibility, the future of Temple Israel, and a critical mass of Jewish children and adults for the greater good of the Memphis Jewish community and Southern Judaism.
“Temple has become more than a place – it is now a cause and the primary entity that will carry on the Memphis and Southern Judaism that has shaped our childhoods, adulthoods, or both,” said Laurie Perl Meskin, Vision 2026 Campaign Co-Chair. “Together, let’s shape the leaders and dreamers of tomorrow—l’dor vador, from generation to generation.”
PROJECT FEATURES
MULTI-PURPOSE ATRIUM
A new two-story, 3,000-square-foot atrium designed as a multi-purpose space for indoor movement, preschool Shabbat, holiday events, and more — a safe and inviting central space.
LEARNING LABS
Learning labs for our children to grow as they explore Hebrew and Judaics, music, art, support services, specialty classes, and electives.
INDOOR & OUTDOOR PLAY SPACES
Indoor dedicated play space as well as outdoor playground renewal and expansion to offer developmentally appropriate experiences.
Simply put, our ELC is the numerical pipeline to the future of Mid-South Judaism.
CHILDREN'S LIBRARY
Children’s library to nurture a love of reading.
SECURITY UPDATES
School safety & security upgrades.
OUTDOOR SPACES
Outdoor learning and gardening spaces.
TECHNOLOGY & FURNISHINGS
New technology and modernized furnishings.
ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES
New administrative offices, meeting spaces, and teacher workroom and resources.
SCAN TO DONATE
Engagements
Alison Brown and Tyler Moore
Lacey Chaum and Noah Grass
Laura Marie Fenton and Ben Wolzfelt
LUCAS BARENBLAT AND IAN BARENBLAT
Paola Marti and Neal Barenblat celebrated the birth of their twin sons, Lucas Barenblat and Ian Barenblat. They are the grandsons of Karen & Carl Raff and Anna Maria Garcia Brown and Enrique Martí.
Marriages
Isabella Gadberry and Caleb Baker
Mavi Rausch and Brandon Eric Pelts
Bat Mitzvah
ABE HERSCHEL CHANIN AND ERNIE JOSHUA CHANIN
Lydia Watson and Simon Chanin celebrated the birth of twin boys, Abe Herschel Chanin and Ernie Joshua Chanin. They are the grandsons of Lou Chanin, Amy Bonk-Chanin, Mary Ann & Larry Watson.
Sophie Laine Efron became a bat mitzvah on January 17.
MAXWELL LEO COHEN
Andrea and Ted Cohen celebrated the birth of their son, Maxwell Leo Cohen. He is the grandson of Hallie* & Jay Cohen and the great-grandson of Lyda & Joe* Parker, and Rose* & Larry* Morrison.
New Members
We welcome the families of:
Maya & Omer Duru
Isabel Neuman
Charles Bernsen
Jena & Michael Johnsey
Lisa & Alan Sawyer
Ana Munichovich & Aaron Winterstern
Bracha Markowitz & Noah Fried
Blair & Eric Trotz
Alyssa & Kevin Andring
Rachel & Eric Mogy
Michael & Benjamin Wachtel
Asya Agulnik & Michael Siedband
Bradley & Matthew Roberts
LEO MASON SHULMAN
Hayley and Corey Shulman celebrated the birth of their son, Leo Mason Shulman. He is the grandson of Michelle Gerber, Kay & Gil Gruwer, and Sherri & Ivan Shulman. He is the great-grandson of Judy Gerber and Marshall Gerber.*
Margo & Todd Gruen
Hila Shimony
Evan Drumwright
Audrey Slote & Jeremy Orosz
Roxy Ackerman & Jack Wasserman
If you have a simcha to share with the congregation, please contact:
JASON TERRELL
jasont@timemphis.org 901.761.3130
DONATIONS
According to the Talmud, giving is as important as all of the other commandments combined.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all those listed below who generously contributed to the following funds between November, 2025 to December 31, 2025: Barbara K. Lipman Early Learning Center, Beulah R. Vosse Library, Brotherhood, Cemetery, Clergy’s Discretionary, The Collective, General, Grounds & Beautification, Hohenberg-Scheidt Lifetime Learning, Mary Shainberg Archives, Temple Teens, Mildred Schwartz B’nai Mitzvah Scholarship, Museum, Music Program, Rabbi James A. Wax Fund for Social Justice, Service to the Blind, Sisterhood, Temple Israel University, and the Wendy & Avron Fogelman Religious School. Your support is deeply appreciated and vital to our mission.
FOR THE RECOVERY OF
Shara Lehman
Jean Ballin
Gordon Goldsmith
Randa Lipman & Bob Phillips
Ronnie Cooper
Golden & Steve Bearman
Joyce & Fred Graflund
IN HONOR OF
Charles Plesofsky
John Robilio
Ellen & Herb Kahn
Susan & Raymond Evans
Emily Groff Heilborn
Donald Strauss
Faith Ruch
Carol & Phillip Goldsmith
Hallie and Blair
Terri & Paul Burson
Jan & Lee Stein
Deborah & Sam Brackstone
Jan & Marc Reisman
Susan & Raymond Evans
Jan Reisman
Hallie Elliot
Jan Stein and Family
Lura Turner and Family
Jeremy Reisman's Engagement
Hallie Elliot
Jeremy Weiser
Harry Jaffe
Judy & David Bearman
Susan & Raymond Evans
Judy Royal Chanukah Meals
Linda Ellen Sklar & Reva
Laurie Meskin
Myra & Melvin Meskin
Marc Reisman Judeship
Hallie Elliot
Margie Snetman's 100th birthday
Rose Merry Brown
Sheryl & Gordon Bogen
Mark Halperin - 8th Honorary
President of Temple Israel
Margaret Biller
Molly Fargotstein
Shepard Fargotstein
Phyllis Levine
Hallie Elliot
Rabbi Jeff Dreifus's Installation
Hallie Elliot
Rabbi Leah Sternberg's Installation
The Family of Dessie Sewell
Mary & Bryant Frank
Patti & Bill Weiss
Donald Strauss
Lisa Usdan & David Portnoy
Susan & Raymond Evans
Susie & Steve Eilenberg
Rabbi Micah Greenstein
Barbara Lapides
Rebekah Evans
The Family of Dick Eiseman
Susan & Fred Feinberg
Scott Gruber and Family
Wendy & Cary Rotter
The Family of Andrew Goodman
Randi & Ralph Levy
Sheri Gadberry
Elizabeth Bogatin Starr
Cindy & Sam Ettingoff
Carol & Bob Tessler
Jody & Larry Shutzberg
Andrea & Ted Cohen
Reginald Wurzburg Foundation
Diane & Wendell Kruse
Suzie & Joel Kronenberg
Donald Strauss
Gloria & Edward Felsenthal
Sherri Lubin
Rabbi Ross Levy
Fredrika Felt
Ivan Cook & Irene Wade
Max Ostrow and Natalie Ostrow
Rhonda & Lenny Feiler
Susan & Raymond Evans
Sam Fargotstein
Shepard Fargotstein
50th Wedding Anniversary of Carol & Ralph Yaffe
Debbie & Ron Lazarov
Engagement of Atlee Silk
Lisa Usdan & Dave Portnoy and Family
Marriage of Betsy Besser &
Brian Ringel
Jean Ballin
Marriage of Faith Ruch & Nathan Evans
Eileen & Clay Foster
Anita & Steve Rich
Marriage of Irene Wade & Ivan Cook
Shara Lynn & Arnold Goldin
Marriage of Rachel Rotter & Rabbi Ross Levy
Amy & Michael Egerman
Caren Yarmuth
Randi & Ralph Levy
Helen Leitner & Dan Barber
Eileen & Clay Foster
IN MEMORY OF
Abe M. Aronoff
Carol & Phil Aronoff
Abe H. Kriger
Joan S. Adler
Donald H. Adler
Peggy & William Adler
Aimee Herzberg Kriger
Peggy & William Adler
Lisa Usdan & David Portnoy
Albert E. Glazer & Nancy
Wellman Glazer
Kenneth Glazer
Ann Lasnick
Julius Lasnick
Arlene Hollander Gritz
Stuart Cowles
Bernice Kline Thalheimer
Cathy Poulin
Bert Less
Margie & Ben Katz
Bertha Soloman Hayden
Allan Hayden
Bess B. Katzen
Millie & Alan Katzen
Joyce & Joel Katzen
Mark & Joy Katzen-Guthrie
Bessie Florman
Holly & Dr. Gary Strasberg
Brad Magdovitz
Debra & Cary Califf
Melvin "Buddy" Ballin
Marc Scheinberg
Carole & Bob Pinstein
Ilene & Michael Goldstein
Jan & Lee Stein
Debbie & Sidney Kriger
Miriam & Bernard Danzig
Alan Kosten
Margie & Ben Katz
Marcia Levy
Myrna & Myron Thomas
Linda & Louis Katzerman
Brenda & Bob Gold
Susanne & Bruce Landau
Diane & Mark Halperin
Julie & Andrew Boshwit
Judy Boshwit
Judy & Peter Felsenthal
Felice & Steven Wener
Leigh & Rob Hendry
Stephanie & Joel Sklar
Rochelle & Avron Slutsky
Ellen & Sammy Salky
Laurie & Elkan Scheidt
Gail Lewis
Eve & Craig Lazarov
Jeri & Allen Israel
Helen Scheidt
Commercial Bank and Trust Co.
Rachel & Stephen Shankman
Tod & Amy Singer
Beverly Buchalter
Inky & Phil Aronoff
Mickey & Arthur Buring
Sherri & Jim Steiger
Patty & Lee Abraham
Roseanne & Jack Goodman
Nanette & David Penzell
Helen & Harrison Leitner
Stanley Zitron
Beverly & Gilbert Halpern
Rayna & Michael Greenberg
Peggy & Dave Fineman
Roz & Dan Renberg
Joyce & Fred Graflund
Elaine & Leonard Lurie
Sheila & Eric Lewis
Martin Weiss
Dick Eiseman
Florida Eiseman families
Carolyn Washer
Michelle Malish
Charles Edward Clark
Judy Royal
Harriet & Lou Strasberg
Cathy & Richard Kessler
Margaret Biller
Lisa Usdan & David Portnoy
Charles Magids
Jan Magids
Charles S. Glazer & Jean Glazer
Kenneth Glazer
Connie Furchgott Solmson
Diane Rudner
Ellen & Sammy Salky
Mopsy & Jerrold Graber
D. Herbert Glazer & Gloria G. Glazer
Kenneth Glazer
David Fargotstein
Esta Fargotstein
Max Fargotstein
Shepard Fargotstein
David Wagner Neuman
Gail Lewis
Elizabeth & Scott Richman
Pam & Gary Malkin
Dessie Sewel
Cathy Kessler
Debbie & Sidney Kriger
Carolyn Lipson-Walker
Caren Yarmuth
Diane Rudner
Bill Sternberger
Develling Snyder
Evelyn Snyder and Kimberly Snyder
Jill & Scott Notowich
Abbey & Bryan Benjamin and Family
Debbie & Sidney Kriger
Margie & Ben Katz
Marcia Levy
Peggy & L.R. Jalenak, Jr.
Diane & Mark Halperin
Anise & Ron Belz
Julie & Andrew Boshwit
Judy Boshwit
Wendy & Morris Thomas
Carole & Bob Pinstein
Martin Weiss
Donald Angel
Carole & Bob Pinstein
Anise & Ron Belz
Dr. Eugene Zuckerman
Ronni Kirsch
Dr. LeRoy Bloch Brackstone
Deborah & Sam Brackstone
Jan & Lee Stein
Dr. Robert Paul Kline
Cathy Poulin
Dr. Sidney Friedman, Jr.
Martin Weiss
Edith & Murray Reiter
Ronnye & Dale Kendrick
Carl Reiter*
Edward Magnus
Marilyn & Alan Magnus
Elise Hohenemser Levy
Richard Licht
Ellen Miller Sterman
Barbara & Norman Towbin and Family
Emily Fargotstein Poe
Shepard Fargotstein
Erma Cohen
Debbie Kaplan & Warren Lee
Sherry & Lenny Dubin and Family
Harriet & Lou Strasberg
Wendy Dreyfus
Susan Dreyfus
Kenneth Horwitz
Lynn & Vic Butcher
Marcia Levy
Elise Meyer
Joel & Dub Ashner
Norri & Jason Leder
Ken Hall
Diane Rudner
Joyce & Fred Graflund
Rose Merry Brown
Judy & Jerome Lit
Sherry & Gerald Merfish
Julie & Andrew Boshwit
Judy Boshwit
Beth & Rusty Graber
Lori & Brian Rosenthal
Leigh & Rob Hendry
Cynthia Rittenberg
Barbara & Raymond Kalmans
Robin & Billy Orgel
Elenanne & Joel Dinkin
Deedee & Ron Perel
Laurie & Elkan Scheidt
Fran & Jeff Toubin
Judy Royal
Beverly Buchalter
Nancy & Louis Brenner
Reva Shapiro
Linda & Tommy Uzick and Family
Stefanie & Andrew Golub
Lorraine Steinberg
Simone Kiersky Coyle
Amy & Tod Singer
Jimmy Toubin
Sherri & Jim Steiger
Ira Lit & Jin Choo
Sharon Berman
Janet Kisber
Esther & Gary Polland
Michelle & Marvin Blum
Roz & Dan Renberg
Amy Lit and Andy Rittenberg
Tami & Bob Eiseman
Lynn & Armand Shapiro
Lavine Family
Heather & Leon Rittenberg
Esther Goldberg Malkin
Janis & David Iansmith and Family
Fernand David Brackstone
Jan & Lee Stein
Michael Stein
Karen & Gordon Robbins
Deborah & Sam Brackstone
George G. Abraham
Patty & Lee Abraham
Gladys Bullard Brackstone
Deborah & Sam Brackstone
Grace Weil Belkin
Lin Turner
Margaret Biller
H. William Ettelson, Jr.
Sandra Ettelson
Amy Hyman
Linda Bernstein
Hannah Dattel
Bettye J Gronauer
Harriet "Penny" Bloomfield
Caren Yarmuth
Harriet Wise Stern
Alexandra & David Stern
Hazel Blockman
Margie & Ben Katz
Helen & Henry Samuels
Lesley & Sam Marks
Judy & Kenneth Freedman
Helen Bernstein Kohn
Phyllis & Jay Greenberg
Herbert Miller
Sharon & Steven Gould
Herman Louis Lindy
Judy & James Lindy
Herman Markell
Sally Markell
Hilda & Irwin Kaufman
Pam Laudenheimer
Irving Freudberg
Jean Ballin
Irwin "Fry" Freiberger
His Grateful Family
Jack & Violet Kaplan
Linda Stone Kaplan
Jack Phillips
Naomi Besser
Jack R. Croner
Jo Croner
Jack Washer
Michelle Malish
Jeanne Kohl
Andrew Inglis
Jerome Goldstein
Leigh Mclean
Joel Felt
Rachel & Ted Tasch
Abigail & Ross Felt
Gwyn & Jeff Wachtel
Joseph B. Censer
Jane & Jack Censer
Joseph Joseph
Susan & Larry Weiss
Joyce Lansky
Margie & Ben Katz
Julia Bronze
Michael Bronze
Leah Malkin Rosenthal
Bonnie Roquita
Leo Besser
Gloria Besser
Leon Less
Michael Less
Stanley Less
Leslie Rose Mclean
Leigh Mclean
Liesel Berg Adler
Ann & Larry Adler
Linda Cooper Young
Sherri Richman
Shelly Alexander
Barbara & Hank Kimmel
Robin & Billy Orgel
Anonymous
Louis Bedrin
Linda Bedrin
Brian & Michelle Blake
Lucy Secher
Margie & Ben Katz
Lyn Yukon
Elaine & Robert Kaufman
Barbie & Ray Dan
Lisa Usdan & David Portnoy
Arlene Averbuch
Deedee & Ron Perel
Judy Royal
Sherri & Jim Steiger
Jane & David Sorin
Gail Lewis
Beverly Buchalter
Jan & Lee Stein
Yvonne Kiersky
Lynn Gruber
Jill & Scott Notowich
Trudi & Reid Evensky
Judie Ashkenaz and Bruce Kahn
Diane & Mark Halperin
Joyce & Fred Graflund
Greg Graflund
Julie & Andrew Boshwit
Judy Boshwit
Debbie & Ron Lazarov
Cindy & Mark Finestone
Martin Weiss
Paula & Randy Salky
Dinkelspiel Rasmussen & Mink, PLLC
Marcia Evensky Hayden
Allan Hayden
Marcia Pappert
Robin & Billy Orgel
Marianne U. Kaplan
Judith McCown
Marie Krivcher
Her Grateful Children and Grandchildren
Marjorie Kohl Inglis
Andrew Inglis
Marx Borod
Ronald Borod
Maxine & Sidney Kahn
Susan Kahn
Maxine Molasky
Debbie & Sidney Kriger
Michael Lightman
Margo & Todd Gruen
Belinda & Carl Reiter*
Barbie & Ray Dan
Susan & Mel Goldsmith
Arlene Averbuch
Peggy Byall and Harriet Byall
Linda & Jonathan Aibel
Viki Schwartz Poole
Harvey Cook
Alan Nathanson
Lisa & Jonathan Frisch
Millie & Alan Katzen
Danny Bozof
Linda Pelts
Mildred Louise Needleman
Sandy Kessler & Michael Woolsey
Mildred Rubens
Michael Rubens
MiMi Strauss
Donald Strauss
Morris Royal
Robert Royal
Myrtle Glazer
Kenneth Glazer
Natalie Rosenberg Frager
Barry Frager
Nell S. Ettelson
Sandra Ettelson
Amy Hyman
Linda Bernstein
Patricia Glazer
Kenneth Glazer
Paul Alpert
Stacey & Michael Alpert
Pauline Weinberg
The Family of Lynn Gruber*
Philip Malkin Engel
Bonnie Roquita
Phillip Glazer & Suzy L. Glazer
Kenneth Glazer
Rabbi Harry Ettelson
Sandra Ettelson
Amy Hyman
Linda Bernstein
Rae Epstein
Judy Royal
Reha Lichterman Jalenak
Peggy & L.R. Jalenak, Jr,
Rhonda Saslawsky
Debbie & Sidney Kriger
Annie Dragutsky
Robin & Billy Orgel
Adele Kaplan Kisber
Eve & Craig Lazarov
Carole & Bob Pinstein
Debra & Cary Califf
Kelsey & Spencer Glaser
Robert R. Krivcher
Jan Magids
Roberta Strasberg
Holly & Gary Strasberg
Polly & Ronnie Underberg
Susan & Ben Persin
Rose Dorothy Herzberg
Cathy & Richard Kessler
Ruth Katz Slavney
Susan & David Slavney
Sara Natalie Cooper
Stephen Cooper
Sara Tupper Wagerman
Nancy & Gary Raileanu
Stacey & Michael Alpert
Annie Dragutsky
Janis Malkin Iansmith
Viki Poole
Melissa Faber
Stella Wexler
Charles Wexler
Stephen Kohl
Andrew Inglis
Sue Gruber Balkin
Lynn & Vic Butcher
Susan Kosten
Russell Strauss
Syd Klein
Adele Kaplan
Sylvia Greif
Dina Bernstein & Douglas Cheek
The Schwartz Family
Yedida Lubin
Thomas Babcox
Melissa Faber
Dr. Thomas Neuton Stern
Alexandra & David Stern
Stuart Jerome LaVene
Sam & Linda Blumen
Tommy Beck
Sharon & Lou Gadless
Wayne Snyder
Evelyn Snyder and Kimberly Snyder
William Epstein
Judy Royal
VISION 2026 DONORS
November - December, 2025
Anatoliy Goltsman
Anonymous
Anonymous
Caren Yarmuth
Dee Cannell
Gary Gold
Irene & Andrew Wilner
Jan & Daniel Lavene
Janice & James Ringel
Johanna Hawtof
Julie & Lawson Arney
Karen & David Shainberg
Linda Ellen & Ron Sklar
Lisa Usdan & David Portnoy
Liz Kennedy
Lynn & Gerald Eisenstatt
Martin Kelman
Melanie Atterman Hart
Ralph & Randi Levy
Richard & Marilyn Reinhardt
Shara Lynn & Arnold Goldin
Sheliah & Scott Gruber
Sondra Kaminsky
Susan & Lawrence Pfeffer
Tara & Jeffrey Engelberg
The Graflund Family
CEMETERY FUND
John Fishman
Melinda Menke Duaan
Ann & Larry Adler
Brenda Wolf
Hollie & Greg Ziskind
HIGH HOLY DAYS FOOD DRIVE
Michael Key
Bruce Kahn
Judy Royal
Laurie & Elkan Scheidt
Terry Orgel
Andrea & Ian Frankfort
Phyllis & Jay Greenberg
Cheri & Henry Rudner
2025 YEAR END GIVING
Randa Rosenbloom
Linthicum Turner
Ida Peselis
Lynda & Stephen Shiffman
Anonymous
Dolly & Steven Bromberg
Sharyn Tritsch
Ronni Kirsch
Elizabeth Belz
Laura Morris
Elaine & Leonard Lurie
Jennifer Ross
Jane Lettes
Angela Beth Okeon
Elise & Richard Jordan
Steven Ulrich
Sharon Issacman
OUR SYMPATHIES
Nov 8, 2025, - Mar 10, 2026
Murray Heimberg
Charles Edward Clark
Dessie Minnen Sewel
Joseph Rich
Michael A. Lightman
Lyn S. Yukon
Sara Tupper Wagerman
David Wagner Neuman
Phyllis Sorin Winston
Heinda Michelson Borowsky
Frida “Friderica” Saharovici
Herbert J. Cohen
Rita Bricker Zukerman
Elliott Joseph Slutsky
Jet Tate
Joan S. Goldstein Jekels
Bettye Levy Berlin
William Charles Barden
Ronald Krelstein
Tommy Howard
Allen N. Iskiwitz
Esther Lubin
Harve C. Stein
Rosie Strauss
Brian Phillip Mogy
Robin Spoon
Cynthia Weiss Parr
Richard Daggett, II
Carl David Reiter
On January 4 - 5, 2026, Rabbi Greenstein and Temple Israel hosted the Hebrew Union College-New York Tisch Fellows led by Professor Larry Hoffman, Professor Joseph Skloot, and Rabbi Shira Milgrom. The prestigious Tisch Fellowship for future rabbis and cantors selects a city annually to learn from and study. Boston was the destination last year for these Jewish professionals. This year it's Memphis and Temple Israel, pictured here with artist Brantley Ellezey at TI's Crosstown Concourse satellite.
JOIN US RECEPTION AT 5:00 PM
GENEROUSLY HOSTED BY THE SCHEIDT FAMILY | SUSAN & DAMON ARNEY
LAURIE & ELKAN SCHEIDT | CARYN & RUDI SCHEIDT, JR.
COMMITTEE
ISABEL & ADAM HANOVER | LAURA & LEE HARKAVY
TERRI & SCOT STRUMINGER | TAYLOR & BENJAMIN ORGEL
WENDY & CARY ROTTER | MARGO & STEVEN SAHAROVICI
CARA GREENSTEIN & ALEX SHINDLER
FOLLOWED BY LEADERSHIP SHABBAT AT 6:00 PM
Honoring Incoming President HELEN SCHEIDT and the 2026-2027 Temple Israel Board of Trustees
