The Summer 2020 Issue of the Voice

Temple Israel Memphis, Tennessee Summer Issue 2020 Volume 74; No. 3

Temple Serves

Memphis

HID D E N GE MS RA BBI IN QUA RA N TINE D ONOR SPOTLIGH T A NOTE F ROM LA URIE ME SKIN

Con t en t s 03

12

Reflection

ConnecTI in the Community

By Rabbi Micah D. Greenstein

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04 A Note from Laurie Meskin

Since the Last Voice Recap of Temple Israel happenings

Temple Israel President

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05 Michyail L’Chayil The BKL-ELC Moves from Strength to Strength with a New Administrative Team

Mazel Tov! Congratulations to our congregants on their lifecycle events!

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06 Donor Spotlight

Donations December 2019 through March 2020

Judy & Nick Ringel

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07 Hidden Gems

08 ConnecTI Happenings

09 A Rabbi in Quarantine How Rabbi Jeremy Simons Responded to Voluntary Self-Isolation (and You Can, Too)

10 Making Masks and Making Adjustments How a Temple Family Responded to COVID-19 in the Most Jewish Way Possible

@templeisrael @timemphis @templeisrael

Check out the new Temple Israel website at timemphis.org!

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Silver Anniversary of Reform Mohels

Reflection

by Rabbi Micah D. Greenstein I am writing on May 19, 2020, following a just-released CDC report regarding the risk that large gatherings pose for COVID-19 transmission, even in our less dense region of the country.

Among ninety-two attendees at a rural Arkansas church in March, thirty-five people (38%) developed laboratory-confirmed COVID-19, and three persons died. The highest attack rates were in persons aged 19–64 years (59%) and ≥65 years (50%). An additional twenty-six cases linked to the church occurred in the community, including one death. I share this to underscore the importance of our congregational leadership in modeling the highest mitzvah of all (pikuach nefesh - saving a life) while remaining vibrant and connected to the lives of our members.

As Temple Israel weathers its third pandemic in our city’s history, our synagogue’s ongoing role as a spiritual anchor in the life of Memphis as a whole is a source of inspiration and strength.

We were among the first houses of worship to suspend in-person services when COVID-19 was first declared a pandemic in March, yet our live-streamed Shabbat services continue to reach record numbers. We have led the Jewish community in the Memphis Clergy COVID-19 response, coordinated by Dr. Scott Morris and Temple’s Crosstown Concourse neighbor, Church Health. Together, with faith leaders across the religious spectrum, we have worked closely with a citywide coordinated effort to provide testing, food, care-calling, and resources for every Memphian infected and affect-

ed by the coronavirus. Everything you need to know is online at churchhealth.org/coronavirus-info.

I am so proud of Rabbi Bess Wohlner for creating and convening “Temple Serves Memphis,” and TI Community Engagement Director Paige Mandelman for bridging Memphians of all ages and faiths across every zip code in stopping the spread and feeding the quarantined.

Beyond the virus, however, our Temple’s activity in recent months is worthy to commemorate.

April highlighted the jewel in the Reform Jewish crown—social justice—on the commemorative weekend of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination in Memphis fifty-two years ago. We paid tribute on April 3rd to my rabbinic predecessor, Rabbi James A. Wax, whom the newspaper described as “the moral conscience of the community” in 1968. I felt chills delivering word-for-word the same sermon Rabbi Wax preached the day after King died in April of 1968. In honor of Rabbi Wax’s legacy as a social justice giant in this city, a new fund has been established that will enable us to continue our leading role in community social justice causes, growing our ranks of those who reach out to the underserved and create a more just society.

May has been bittersweet as we bid farewell to the extraordinary Temple High School Senior Class of 2020.

Under the direction of Rabbi Jeremy Simons, our teen culture continues to thrive under the banner of “TI Chai.” The Wendy & Avron Fogelman Religious

school, led by Rabbi Bess Wohlner, adapted and shifted to online classes. The same goes for our renowned Barbara K. Lipman Early Learning Center, thanks to Director Jamie Baer, who is handing the reigns to another gifted BKL-ELC leader, Sarah Keith (see p. 5).

We end this month with mixed emotions as we salute Rabbi Feivel Strauss and Cantor Abbie Strauss for their five years at Temple Israel, and we wish them and their joyful children—Joe, Eden, and Elijah—only health, happiness, and blessing at their new Reform congregation in Florida.

In our daily morning prayers, just before the Shema, we ask God, “Or chadash al Tziyon tair” - to shine a new light upon Zion, that we all may swiftly be deserving of its radiance.

Temple has helped and healed our congregation and city since this pandemic erupted, and we will continue to care for every family and individual within our reach, however humanly possible. A new light will shine upon our congregation and city.

Just as we emerged from the 1870s Yellow Fever and 1919 Spanish Flu stronger than ever before, I have every confidence the same outcome is in store for Temple Israel and Memphis.

Faithfully yours,

R A B B I

M I C A H

TIMEMPHIS.ORG • 3

Jake, Jeff, Laurie, Hannah, and Daniel Meskin

A Note from L aurie Meskin Temple Israel President

I never could have imagined the situation we would be dealing with when I agreed to serve as president.

While the circumstances surrounding this time are unusual and uncharted, I remain incredibly honored and excited about beginning my term as the 52nd president of Temple Israel. As senior vice president, I have worked closely and learned a great deal from past presidents Mark Fogelman and Elkan Scheidt. They have been great leaders along with the other 49 outstanding men and women who have come before me in this role, including my father, Arnold Perl.

The motto of Temple Israel is that we do the greatest good when we help the greatest number of people.

I am proud of Temple Israel’s response to this COVID pandemic. Rabbi Greenstein and Executive Director Stacy Canales have been incredible leaders during these uncertain times, not only within the Temple community, but as leaders in and for Memphis.

Our entire clergy team, including Rabbi Micah D. Greenstein, Rabbi Bess Wohlner, Rabbi Jeremy Simons,

Rabbi Feivel Strauss, and Cantor Abbie Strauss, have all impacted not only our members, but also those in the community at large. In addition to our clergy team and our executive director, the entire Temple staff has been extraordinary, and I want to especially thank a few of the vital members of our COVID-19 “support team:” Jamie Baer and Sarah Keith for helping the ELC adapt in these unprecedented times while supporting our wonderful families; Scott Giles for overseeing our facilities; Melinda Lejman for spearheading our communications; Russ Campbell who continues to support our grounds and cemetery needs; and, Jamie Blevins who has guided us financially. As Rabbi Greenstein has said, “As a spiritual anchor, we WILL weather this storm and return as soon and safely as humanly possible.”

I have the privilege of working with an outstanding clergy team, amazing Temple staff members, and a thoughtful, accomplished, and caring executive committee and board. As the saying goes, it takes a village, and we all look forward to the future of continuing to

grow and engage all of you in the many programs and offerings at Temple Israel. We are a vibrant congregation and our future is bright.

Thank you for being a part of our congregational family. I continue to be amazed at the generosity of our members, and want to thank everyone who has already donated to Temple’s COVID-19 Response Fund or volunteered their time in coordination with our “Temple Serves Memphis” initiative.

We at Temple Israel are here for you and are grateful for your support. I hope to get to know more of you in the coming months. Please don’t hesitate to call or email if there is anything I can do.

Stay safe and healthy, and I hope to see you all very soon!

L AU R I E M E S K I N Temple Israel President

PLEASE JOIN US FOR AN INSTALLATION & CELEBRATION OF TEMPLE OFFICERS & TRUSTEES DURING SHABBAT SERVICES • FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 2020.

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Mich yail L’Chay il The BKL-ELC Moves from Strength to Strength with a New Administrative Team

We are pleased to announce the new administrative team for the Barbara K. Lipman Early Learning Center! This announcement caps a months-long comprehensive search process that began in November when Jamie Baer announced her intention to relocate at the end of the 2019-2020 academic calendar year. As part of this process, candidates met with Temple executives, board members, and clergy. The selection committee met with several qualified candidates before choosing the best fit for the ELC. It is with great excitement that we share the following:

S A R A H K E I T H BKL-ELC Director

Please join us in welcoming Sarah Keith as our new ELC Director. For the last ten years, Sarah has worked in a variety of educational settings, including assistant teacher, teacher, leader, and evaluator. Sarah graduated with her Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education and has worked with children of all ages since high school. Prior to joining the ELC as our Business and Operations Manager, Sarah worked in the classroom in both public and private schools, as well as with the Tennessee Department of Education.

JA M I E K AT Z Assistant Director

Please join us in welcoming Jamie Katz to the Barbara K. Lipman Early Learning Center. Jamie, who grew up in Memphis, received her Bachelor’s in Unified Early Childhood Education from the University of Kansas and is completing her Master’s in Educational Leadership from Lipscomb University in May. Most recently, Jamie has been working as a Pre-K teacher at Ivanetta H. Davis Early Learning Center in Nashville.

In this role, she taught diverse students in an inclusive setting and was also the co-founder of the teacher mentor program in her school.

J E N N I F E R R O S S Business and Operations Assistant

Jennifer Ross will be moving from front desk support into the role of Business and Operations Assistant.

Jennifer graduated from the University of Arizona with a degree in Family Studies and earned her teaching credential at Dominican University in California. She taught elementary school grades K-6 for 17 years before moving to Memphis in 2013. After joining the ELC family as a teacher in 2014, Jennifer moved to the front desk in 2017 where she has been invaluable in supporting the administration in so many ways. Jennifer is also an active member of Temple Israel and WRJ-Temple Israel Sisterhood. We are very excited to have her support the new administration in this new role.

S U S A N E VA N S A N D L I L L I A N H OX I E Front Desk Team

In addition to our new administrative team, please join us in welcoming our front desk staff, Susan Evans and Lillian Hoxie. Susan, who has most recently been leading one of our Starboard classrooms, will now be moving into an administrative role as front desk support. She is joined by another well-known face in the ELC, Lillian Hoxie, who will continue to support the front desk each afternoon.

Over the past six years, Jamie Baer has continued to build on the already strong foundation of the ELC with her creative programming, dedication to quality instruction, and love for the ELC families. We are confident that the new administrative team will continue to build on this foundation for years to come.

In the words of Rabbi Micah D. Greenstein, Temple Israel’s senior rabbi: “The greatest sign of leadership is when a nationally renowned Jewish preschool like the Barbara K. Lipman Early Learning Center goes michyail l’chayil - from strength to strength. The brightest news during these dark coronavirus days is the seamless transition from Jamie Baer to Sarah Keith as Director of the Barbara K. Lipman Early Learning Center.

Every child and parent fortunate to be a part of the ELC, with its extraordinary faculty and new leadership team of Sarah Keith, Jamie Katz, and Jennifer Ross, is a beneficiary of these amazing hires.”

Sarah Keith and Jamie Baer have been working closely to prepare for this transition in leadership, covering all facets of the role of director for the ELC. Jamie Katz will now begin remote training through the month of May to help onboard more smoothly before she physically starts in June. During the transition, Jennifer Ross, Susan Evans, and Lillian Hoxie will be a wonderful support system to round out this new administrative team. Both Sarah and Jamie K. are looking forward to coming together this summer to continue the quality programming and education currently being provided at the Barbara K. Lipman Early Learning Center.

Please join us in extending congratulations to the new administration team. We look forward to celebrating with you later this year during a meet and greet and special Kabbalat Shabbat!

TIMEMPHIS.ORG • 5

Photo by Ziggy Mack

Donor Spotlight Judy & Nick Ringel When Judy and Nick Ringel moved to Memphis from Shaker Heights, Ohio in the mid-sixties, they weren’t sure what kind of community they would find.

Not only did they know nothing of the Jewish community in the South, but their move also coincided with heightened tensions amid race relations and integration.

“It was a bit of a culture shock,” says Judy. “We were coming from a larger, Northern metropolitan area, and this was 1964. To put it in context, not only was it the height of the Civil Rights Movement, but that was the summer the three civil rights activists were killed in Philadelphia, Mississippi, not too far from here.” (Judy is referring to the murders of James Chaney, Andrew Goodman, and Michael Schwerner in Neshoba County, Mississippi in June of 1964.)

Judy continues, “We had to think long and hard about whether we wanted to come down here. Our oldest child, Betsy, was then about 22 months old and I was pregnant with our second child, Jimmy.” (Betsy and Jimmy would be joined by baby brother Jonathan later.) Whatever their concerns, they were pleasantly surprised to find a vibrant, friendly, Jewish community in Memphis.

“One of the first things we did was join Temple Israel,” says Nick. Temple soon became the Ringels’ surrogate family. They also found an apartment at Mendenhall Gardens which, at the time, was the place for new married couples and young Jewish families to live. “In one fell swoop, we met half the Jewish community our age,” says Judy. Early on, they also met a 6 • VOICE • SUMMER ISSUE • 2020

man named Harry Danziger and found out he was the assistant rabbi of Temple Israel. “We actually moved to Memphis the same day as Rabbi Danziger,” says Nick.

“It turned out to be a fortunate move for us. We were happy here from the first month.” Nick soon became active at Temple and served as president from 199092. It was during his presidency that the congregation hired Rabbi Greenstein as assistant rabbi.

In addition to being Temple’s 37th president, Nick was also co-chair of the “Gift for Generations” capital campaign to renew Temple in 2004, alongside Bob Solmson and Billy Orgel. The campaign effort had begun just before 9/11, and many people felt it wasn’t the time to try and raise money, but Nick said, “We can do it.” The initial goal was set at $25 million, and with support from the Plough Foundation, Temple was able to raise $27 million to refurbish the building and enhance the endowment fund.

If you ask the Ringels why it’s important to support your temple, don’t expect them to hold back.

“Other organizations all have their purpose, but there is nothing else that supports the bedrock of Judaism like the synagogue,” says Judy. “And in order for the synagogue to be there when we need it, it needs our support. It’s there for us in the happy times, and it’s there for us in the sad times, and that’s where our children are educated in Judaism.”

Judy and Nick have experienced many changes during their years of membership, including Temple’s move from the Poplar and Montgomery location, and

Rabbi Danziger’s and Rabbi Greenstein’s influence on Shabbat services. “To me, the whole spirit of Judaism and, in particular, the Reform movement and its emphasis on social action, starts with the synagogue,” Judy says. “That’s where we’re taught the values and precepts that we try to live by.”

“It’s a very important part of our life in Memphis, Tennessee, that’s for sure,” says Nick, who remembers walking the block and a half from his home to “the new Temple” with his children and grandchildren.

Nick and Judy are proud that all three of their children are active in the Jewish community — Betsy (Saslawsky) and Jimmy in Memphis, and Jonathan in Atlanta. They are also proud grandparents to seven grandchildren, five of whom grew up in Memphis and began their education in the Early Learning Center at Temple. Judy is perhaps best known around Temple as the author of “Children of Israel: The Story of Temple Israel, 1854-2004,” which was published in 2004 in connection with the congregation’s 150th anniversary.

She is also a past board member and, in memory of her mother, sponsors Temple’s participation in Team Read, a program to improve the reading skills of second-graders in Shelby County schools.

“Whatever we do for Temple,” says Judy, “it’s a labor of love.”

Hid d e n G e m s

Under the radar, more women and men are embracing Judaism at Temple Israel than ever before; sixteen new Jews in the past year alone, after years of study with Temple Israel’s rabbis and the powerful “Embracing Judaism” course conceived and led by Judy Bearman and Sally Rosenberg. Judy and Sally commented, “Welcoming Jews by Choice to Am Yisrael at Temple Israel is such a great privilege, and guiding these individuals on this spiritual and cultural journey is an honor for us. These bright, diverse, and engaged men and women lift up our Kehila Kedosha, our holy community. They are inspired and they inspire us in turn.”

Rabbi Greenstein echoed Judy and Sally, “I would

rarely speak for my colleagues, but I feel confident in saying that when we begin the yearlong journey or more with students on the road to conversion, it renews us personally as rabbis. The time investment is great, but the benefit to the future of the Jewish people is immeasurable.” Perhaps the greatest testimony of all is from these future Jews by Choice themselves.

“I feel the Embracing Judaism class has been an enormous aid in my life. The readings, the peoplehood, and the guidance are helping me through this time of isolation caused by COVID-19. It has been a constant variable in a time of so many changes.”

“Above all, the Embracing Judaism class has me

constantly learning, thinking, and doing every part of my life in a different, refreshing way, even with social distancing and distance learning.”

“I feel like I have found my place at Temple. I have a support group to lean on. As the head of my household, I feel more confident that I can create the Jewish magic at home.”

“Embracing Judaism 2020 has been a true experience. It’s been, in my opinion, our Exodus from Mitzrayim (Egypt) on a journey to Mt. Sinai where will we stand before the mountain with all of Israel as Israel receiving Torah.”

TIMEMPHIS.ORG • 7

C o n n e c T I H a p p e nin g S

CONNECTI BOOK CLUB

TI TA LKS February

During ConnecTI’s February TI Talks event, we heard from four local Memphians working to create a better Memphis for all through revitalization and economic/city development. Our panel included Temple Board Member Benjamin Orgel, real estate broker, the treasurer on the Downtown Memphis Commission Board, and a member of the Center City Development Corporation; Eric Robertson, the president of Community LIFT and River City Capital who has over 18 years of experience in the fields of Economic and Community Development; Elena Delavega, University of Memphis Associate Professor of Social Work whose research foci are sustainable economic development, poverty remediation, wages, the relationship between education and capital, capital transformations, and immigration; and, Angelica Carey, who works for the Memphis 3.0 Comprehensive Plan as a project manager where she coordinates 3.0 small area planning projects funded through the city’s $700,000 Catalyst Fund. The dialogue focused around the vision for the future of our city and how we can advance and develop healthy, vibrant, attractive, economically stable neighborhoods throughout the whole city of Memphis.

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ConnecTI is hosting a virtual book club featuring works with Jewish themes. Every month we will feature a different type of book. The first three books and corresponding book club meeting dates are listed on ConnecTI’s Facebook group. You can also email Paige Mandelman at paigem@timemphis.org.

Our next book is “The Yiddish Policeman’s Union” by Michael Chabon. An interesting alternate history novel where the Jews are offered a territory in Alaska as a refuge after WWII - instead of the establishment of Israel. The Yiddish-isms continue and that culture stays alive all in the cold landscape of the USA’s most northern state. Michael Chabon’s writing style is also one of a kind.

CONNECTI CANDLELIGHTING Fridays • 5:30 PM

There is something special about lighting the Shabbat candles and acknowledging the end of a week and start to the weekend. Let’s light the Shabbat candles together from wherever you are and join in singing the blessing together to start Shabbat! Join us on Fridays at 5:30 pm for our ConnecTI Candle lighting. See the ConnecTI Facebook page for the link to join.

CONNECTI RECIPE SHARING Shakshuka Recipe

More time spent at home these days means more time spent in the kitchen! If you are looking for new recipes to try, want to spend more time in the kitchen, looking to find ways to stay busy, or just enjoy food, then this is for you.

Our hope and goal of this is to host an active space where we can share our favorite recipes with this community, with a focus on Jewish/Israeli-inspired dishes but certainly not limited to just that. And that its all in one easily accessible place.

We kicked off a virtual recipe swap to share our favorite Jewish and Israeli inspired recipes. Check out this awesome shakshuka recipe and make it your own. Throw in slices of spicy pepper-like serranos right after putting in the sauce. Make yours with more liquid by keeping the cover on while cooking, or take it off to make it a little more toasty and bring out the flavors of the spices. For the recipe, go to: downshiftology.com/recipes/shakshuka.

VIRTUA L S H A BBAT S H MOOZE (Torah Study) with Rabbi Jeremy Simons

A Rabbi in―Quarantine How Rabbi Jeremy Simons Responded to Voluntary Self-Isolation (and You Can, Too)

It started with a sore throat. A day later, my fever was up to 103 and I had lost my sense of smell and taste. According to the internet, I had COVID-19. But my test came back negative, with the caveat that the test is prone to false negatives, perhaps up to 30%, but no one really knows. Surrounded by uncertainty, we decided to err on the side of caution and I began two weeks of isolation.

I thought the biggest challenge of self-isolating for two weeks would be coping with the boredom of being locked alone in a room. It never occurred to me that that would be the least difficult part. The real challenge was finding ways to meet basic daily needs while remaining separate

from the rest of the world. I could not have stayed in that room were it not for people on the other side who could bring food, run errands, and make sure I had what I needed. You cannot remain in isolation without community.

For people trying to decide if they should isolate, practical considerations might lead them to choose not to. It’s our job, as a community, to support each other.

At Temple, we are blessed to have committed volunteers who can deliver food outside people’s doors and help with other basic needs. If your doctor recommends you should self-isolate, please contact Temple so we can help.

TIMEMPHIS.ORG • 9

MAKING MASKS AND MAKING ADJUSTMENTS How a Temple Family Responded to COVID-19 in the Most Jewish Way Possible

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The Beeber family might be new to Memphis, but they have quickly made this city and the Temple community their home. When news reports of COVID-19 in Tennessee began to surface, Mary Beth took to social media showing viewers how to make masks out of items from around the house for necessary trips away from home.

Mary Beth and Gregg were all set for family and friends to fly into Memphis for their daughter Jacqueline’s Bat Mitzvah in March, but as the COVID-19 situation progressed, it was clear that an in-person service was out of the question. The luncheon was canceled, the party postponed, and the service became “virtual-only.”

“We have a lot of family who are over seventy and they’re at increased risk (for COVID-19 complications). I’m really kind of glad we went through it be-

cause it puts the focus on where it ought to be, which is on God and Judaism,” says Gregg. One aliyah was even done on FaceTime, and Jacqueline was able to see the faces of her friends on the screen using Zoom, an idea that Rabbi Jeremy suggested, and that Scott Giles, Temple’s Director of Facilities, and the A/V team made a reality. “They were amazing,” Gregg continues.

“And Jacqueline did an amazing job!”

“I do think in times like this, when times are tough, people do realize what’s important, and your family and God, that’s what matters,” says Mary Beth. “The parties don’t matter; the things don’t matter. We matter to each other and keeping everyone safe matters.

What’s more Jewish than thinking about the community and thinking about others? This was an even bigger mitzvah than a mitzvah project.”

T I M E M P H I S . O R G • 11

CONNECTI IN THE COMMUNITY

By Caroline Kaufman

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Last month, Rabbi Jeremy Simons led ConnecTI in a virtual Shabbat Schmooze to connect with each other and Torah. During the discussion, several ConnecTI members noted the importance of Tikkun Olam and the responsibility of Jews to help both Jews and non-Jews in times of need. ConnecTI members including Paige Mandelman, Alison Brown, Rabbi Bess Wohlner, Baylee Less, Carrie Webb, and myself had the opportunity to live out the values discussed during Shabbat Schmooze by helping to pass out food and toiletry items to individuals and families with the Mid-South Food Bank.

The Mid-South Food Bank serves 31 counties in the Mid-South and passes out food daily to Memphians in need. ConnecTI was honored to be a part of the initiative to address food insecurity in Memphis and many of our members look forward to additional opportunities to live out our values during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. To find out about the Mid-South Food Bank, please visit midsouthfoodbank.org, and to find out about opportunities to serve our community and Memphis, please visit the Temple Serves Memphis Facebook group.

T I M E M P H I S . O R G • 13

MOVIE NIGHTS AD

SEVENTH WEDNESDAY • NOVEMBER 4

WEDNESDAY • NOVEMBER 11

MOVIE WEDNESDAY • NOVEMBER 18 Thank you to the Hohenberg-Scheidt Fund for Lifetime Learning at Temple Israel for making the 2020 TempIe Israel Movie Nights possible.

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Thank you to our Temple Israel Movie Night Co-Chairs, Janice & Jimmy Ringel and Dorothy & Rob Goldwin.

S IN C E T HE L AST VO IC E :

An Eveni n g Wi th Jas o n Al e x ande r Thank you so much to everyone who sponsored and attended “Temple Israel Presents An Evening With Jason Alexander” in memory of Mary Shainberg. The event was held at the Duncan-Williams Performance Hall at the Germantown Performing Arts Center (GPAC) on February 4 and was full of music, comedy, and conversation.

Thank you to the Event Co-Chairs: Laurie Meskin and Wendy Rotter.

T I M E M P H I S . O R G • 15

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T I M E M P H I S . O R G • 17

THANK YOU TO OUR TERRIFIC SPONSORS F O R S U P P O R T I N G T H I S FA N TA S T I C E V E N T

SPONSORS IN MEMORY OF

MARY SHAINBERG

TA M I & B O B E I S E M A N • C I N D Y & M A R K F I N E S T O N E • S H E R I L & R A B B I M I C A H G R E E N S T E I N • S T E P H A N I E & B A R R Y L E F F N A H O N , S A H A R O V I C H & T R OT Z , P LC • B E T S Y & A N D Y S A S L A W S K Y • S O U T H L A N D C A S I N O R A C I N G

D O L LY & S T E V E B R O M B E R G • C A N A L E F U N E R A L D I R E C T O R S • D I V E R S I F I E D T R U S T • R H O N D A & L E N N Y F E I L E R • J A N I S & PAT F I N A N K I M & R I C K F O G E L M A N • G R O U P B E N E F I T S , L LC • S T E V E N G U B I N • D I A N E & M A R K H A L P E R I N • M O N I Q U E & C H A R L E S J A L E N A K J E W I S H C O M M U N I T Y PA R T N E R S • J A N E T & J E R R Y L A N G • M C G R I F F I N S U R A N C E S E R V I C E S • M R J – T E M P L E I S R A E L B R OT H E R H O O D B I L L I E & J O E P I E R C E • W E N D Y & S T E V E R A DT K E • J A N I C E & J I M M Y R I N G E L • N A N C Y & R I C H A R D R O B I N S O N R O S E N B L U M & R E I S M A N , AT T O R N E Y S AT L A W • PAT T I & B I L L W E I S S • E I L E E N & S T E V E W I S H N I A RABBIS BESS WOHLNER & JEREMY SIMONS

S TA C E Y & M I C H A E L A L P E R T • B A R I & R I C K E I S E M A N • M E L I S S A & R I C H A R D FA B E R • F R A G E R L A W F I R M , P C • L I S A & J O N AT H A N F R I S C H • B E T H & R U S T Y G R A B E R J E N N Y & L A R R Y H E R M A N • N ATA L I E & J I M M Y J A L E N A K • D E N I S E & J E F F R E Y K E R L A N • B A R B A R A L A P I D E S • B A R B A R A & R O Y M A N S B E R G L E I G H & D A N N Y M A N S B E R G • J U D Y & L A R R Y M O S S • O A K H A L L • E R I N O S T R O W • PA R A G O N B A N K • S A L LY & J E F F R O S E N B E R G D E B B I E R O S E N T H A L A N D D R E A M VA C AT I O N S • S H E R R Y & A L A N S A M U E L S • S I S K I N D S U S S E R P C , I M M I G R AT I O N L A W Y E R S

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G E R M A N T O W N P E R F O R M I N G A R T S C E N T E R ( G PA C) • T H E P E A B O D Y M E M P H I S • S PA R K P R I N T I N G

S INC E T HE LAST VO IC E:

A (Virtual) Taste of Passover Progressive Seder The MRJ/WRJ Taste of Passover Progressive seder, held online, reached more than 100 people across the country. The event was orchestrated by past presidents of Brotherhood and Sisterhood, Alex Evans and Melissa Faber, as well as incoming leaders Marc Taub and Waynette Besser. Rabbi Micah D. Greenstein led the service while participants read the haggadah, and Carly Abramson provided beautiful music. While participants could not taste Sisterhood’s matzo ball soup or brisket, they came away having the arms of the Temple community wrapped around them. Next year on March 28, 2021, make plans to be with your Temple family in the Ettelson-Wax Social Hall!

Led by Rabbi Micah D. Greenstein with music by Carly Abramson Sponsored by MRJ-Brotherhood and WRJ-Sisterhood Saturday, April 9 via Zoom

T I M E M P H I S . O R G • 19

S INC E T HE L AST VO IC E:

A Very Frozen Purim Carnival & Purimspiel We couldn’t “let it go” -- we had to celebrate Purim with our Temple family! Thanks to the incredible TI staff and volunteers for putting on an amazing carnival and spectacular Purimspiel this year. The games, the food, the singing, and the dancing made for an incredible celebration!

20 • VOICE • SUMMER ISSUE • 2020

T I M E M P H I S . O R G • 21

Mazel Tov!

BIRTHS A N N A W A LT E R P L O U G H Daughter of Shara & Edward Plough Granddaughter of Susan & Abe Plough and Val Wiegel

Congratulations to these B’nai Mitzvah

GRAHAM EDWIN GOLDNER Son of Shana & Justin Goldner Grandson of Arlene & Ron Golder and Bari & Lee Ecker

A L D E N A N D M AT T H E W H A L P E R N Sons of Angel & Marty Halpern, Alden and Matthew became B’nai Mitzvah on January 18. They are seventh graders at White Station Middle School and the grandsons of Myrna & Ron Halpern, and Shirley & Chris Mahoney.

KYRA JALENAK Daughter of Monique & Charles Jalenak, Kyra became a Bat Mitzvah on February 22. She is a seventh grader at St. Mary’s Episcopal School and the granddaughter of Peggy & L.R. Jalenak, Jean & Doug Alden, and Gail & Larry West.

CAMILLE MARIN LESS Daughter of Leigh & Jeremy Less Granddaughter of Annette & Bill Eisenberg and Lynette & Milton Less

NEW MEMBERS Through May 1, 2020 W E W E L C O M E T H E FA M I L I E S O F : Michelle Arbeit & David Mazzotta

Elena & Nimi Berman Ricky Conboy

Abby Durham

A L D E N Z O B L OT S K Y

JACQUELINE BEEBER

Son of Toni & Todd Zoblotsky, Alden became a Bar Mitzvah on February 29. He is a seventh grader at Riverdale Elementary School and the grandson of Harry Zoblotsky and Arleen Bernstein.

Daughter of Mary Beth & Gregg Beeber, Jacqueline became a Bat Mitzvah on March 21. She is a seventh grader at Lausanne Collegiate School and the granddaughter of Barry & June Beeber and Nancy & Joe Cook.

Anna Epstein Nicole & Jacob Fijman Benjamin Friedlander Natalie Gladstein & Klare Savka Betsy & Kelley Grusin Diane Jalfon Aly Kahan & Max Fargotstein Stephanie Leventhal & Greg Bitner Betsy Mandel-Carley Hannah Manis & Zack Dawson Gabby McGaughy & Zach Kisber

JULIANNA GOLDSTEIN

A R I TA U B

Daughter of Julie & Mike Goldstein, Julianna became a Bat Mitzvah on March 28. She is a seventh grader at White Station Middle School and the granddaughter of Bonnie & Mark Goldstein and Sharon & Mike Goldstein.

Son of Elissa & Marc Taub, Ari became a Bar Mitzvah on April 18. He is a seventh grader at Maxine Smith STEAM Academy and the grandson of Marcy & Sam Pearlman and Eileen & Joseph Taub*.

Matt Moss Amy & Roy Murrell Lynn & Brett Owen Jane Scharff Virginia Palacio & Todd Shapiro Dani & Matt Pruitt Jason Ring

HAVE A MAZEL TOV? If you have a lifecycle “Mazel Tov” in your family that you would like to share, please call J A N K L E I N • 901.937.2771

Emily & Adam Saslawsky * of blessed memory

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Amy & Hal Rosenberg Sarah & Ben Schulman Molly West & Ezer Benaim

Due to the current COVID-19 situation, the board of MRJ-Brotherhood has decided to cancel this year’s tournament. It is with heavy hearts and concerns for our community that we take this action. This is our organization’s largest annual fundraiser and provides us with the means to serve our community. With this decision, we are engaging our organization to come together to make a positive impact despite the event’s cancellation and have affectionately designated this year’s event “The No-Show Golf Tournament.”

If you have already remitted your sponsorship, we are prepared to send you a full refund. However, we hope that you will consider allowing us to steward your contribution to help those especially in need and impacted by COVID-19. The Memphis Food Bank, Jewish Family Services, and Temple Israel’s own Coronavirus COVID-19 fund will be the beneficiaries.

Please contact us directly with questions at Brotherhood@timemphis.org TIMEMPHIS.ORG • 23

Donations According to the Talmud, giving is as important as all of the other commandments combined.

Thank you to those listed below who made donations to these funds from December 2019 through March 2020: Barbara K. Lipman Early Learning Center, Cemetery, Clergy’s Discretionary, ConnecTI, General, Grounds & Beautification, Mary Shainberg Archives, MeFTY, Brotherhood, Museum, Service to the Blind, Beulah R. Vosse Library, Rabbi Wax Memorial, WRJ-Sisterhood, and the Wendy & Avron

Beverly Buchalter Lynn Kline

Sandy Goldstein Jan & Marc Reisman Bertha Landau Harry Jaffe Susan Adler Thorp Yvonne & Glenn Kiersky Marsha Underberg Jan & Marc Reisman Bernie Weinman Leslie & Nat Landau Arnold Weiss Arlene & Victor Schlesinger

IN HONOR OF Valerie & Thomas Arnold Sheila & Bob Cohen Annette & Bill Eisenberg Martha Gordon

Herta & Justin Adler Susan Adler Thorp

Lee Schwartzberg Lisa Usdan & David Portnoy

David Michael Alperin Carolyn Bender

Rabbi Jeremy Simons Mary Beth & Gregg Beeber Chaverah Group David Sharfman

Joseph Alperin Annie Krivcher Ezra Krivcher Hyman Krivcher Jill Eileen Krivcher Robert Russell Krivcher Doris Tenenbaum Sonya Krivcher

Anniversary of Jan & Lee Stein Deborah & Sam Brackstone Abbie Strauss David Sharfman Rabbi Feivel Strauss Linda Kaufman David Sharfman

Fogelman Religious School.

FOR THE RECOVERY OF

Birth of Evelynn Grace Samuels Jean & Buddy Ballin

Engagement of Rachel Fine & Connor Madigan Paula & Avrahm Cohen 80th Birthday of Avron Fogelman Dick Eiseman 80th Birthday of Fred Graflund Madolyn Frockt Rabbi Micah Greenstein Robert Davis Judy & Peter Felsenthal Monique & Charles Jalenak Jewish Historical Society of Memphis and the Mid-South Lynn Kline Ida & Jeff Margolis David Sharfman Family of Carol Rosenblum Snyder Sheril & Rabbi Micah Greenstein The Kriger Family Special Birthday of Lynn Gruber Sandy Grissom Engagement of Jennifer Gurevitz & Jay Brown Paula & Avrahm Cohen

Temple Israel Clergy Wendy & Steve Radtke Temple Israel Staff and Board of Trustees Beth Okeon Barbara & Norman Towbin Sara & Steve Kaplan Retirement of Yair Walzer Ida & Leonard Engelberg Rabbi Bess Wohlner Jill & Paul Frankel Jill Samuels Sherry & Alan Samuels David Sharfman Rabbi Bess Wohlner on Becoming Associate Rabbi Bess Calderon Brenda & Mark Curland Jane & Gene Eckstein Lynn & Jerry Eisenstatt Susan & Raymond Evans Sherry & Mike Grosman and Family Melinda & Michael Lejman Carole & Charles Plesofsky Amy & Tod Singer Susan & Saul Stein Teresa Wohlner

Judy Bearman Dana Siegel

B’nai Mitzvah of Alden and Matthew Halpern Judy & Kenneth Freedman

Ben Beatus Todd Beatus

Jeff Kaufman WRJ – Temple Israel Sisterhood

IN MEMORY OF

Golden Wedding Anniversary of Deborah & Sam Brackstone Cheri & David DelBrocco

80th Birthday of Julie Klein Kitty Kossman

Ivy Miller Abel The Abel Family

Bob Mednikow’s Birthday Jeri & Allen Israel

Celia Abraham Patty & Lee Abraham Leigh & Rob Hendry

Marriage of Marta Brown & Jason Goldfeder Roberta & Maury Goldfeder Linda Yakeman Special Birthday of Arthur Buring Ben Beatus

24 • VOICE • SUMMER ISSUE • 2020

Linda Paddock MIFA Cooks Birth of Rylie Eliana Raileanu Paula & Avrahm Cohen Jan Reisman Connie & Mike Sherman

Rosa Weisberger Abraham Samuel Abraham Benjamin John Beck Sylvia Abraham Beck Tommy Beck Sharon Gadless

Jay Antis Larry Edwin Duberstein Esther Malkin Hubert “Maury” Malkin Janis & David Iansmith Abe Aronoff Carol & Philip Aronoff Jerry Averbuch Robin & Jeff Wallace Linda & Edward Young Frank Balkin Herman Gruber Lynn & Victor Butcher Sylvia Baras Jay Snetman Margie Snetman Patsy Binder Baroff Joanie Binder Rena Rosenberg Ike Baruchman Beverly Buchalter Irene Bass Cobb Funeral Directors, Inc. Joy Bearman Sandy Grissom Sandra Beatus Todd Beatus Adele Bedrin Louis Bedrin Linda Bedrin & Don Klotwog Michelle & Brian Blake Marty Berlanstein Denise & Jeffrey Kerlan Alexander Lee Bernstein Joan Bernstein Marcia Bicks Robert Goodman Arlyne Lovett David Meyer Mildred Schwartz Raymond Shainberg Joyce Lazarov

Lewis Binder Irma Binder Pam & Lee Sacharin Lenore Binswanger Lisa & Stephen Friedman Alfred Blatnikoff Diane Lichterman Rae Jean & Sandy Lichterman Harry Bloom Toba & Leslie Kornberg Rabbi Irving Bloom Dessie Sewel Minnie Blumenthal Ruth Toff Burton Philip Bodan Doris Bodan Mary Calloway Marx Borod Ronald Borod Fernand David Brackstone Jan & Lee Stein and Family LeRoy Bloch Brackstone Deborah & Sam Brackstone Jan & Lee Stein and Family Jeanette Baum Branson Jim Branson Janet Branson Henry Lester Brenner Adrienne Hertz Carol Hertz Jill Hertz-McCollum Ellen Bresler Dale & Marty Kelman Lynn Kline Deanna & Irvin Serenco Julia & Max Bronze Michael Bronze Doris Buchalter Robert Buchalter Beverly Buchalter Carol Stapp Sophie Kaplan Ceitlin The Biller Family Ada Cohen Albert Cohen Isaac Cohen Leon Underberg Pauline Underberg Ronald Underberg Allen Cohen Linda Ellen & Ron Sklar David Millard Cohen Pattye Cohen

Hallie Cohen Myrna & Joe Levy

Lenore Geller Mickie & David Norwood

Ernest Ray Kaplan Adele Kisber

Cecile Coonin Jane & Gene Eckstein Natalie & Jimmy Jalenak May Lynn Mansbach Susan Adler Thorp

Abe Goodman, Jr. Patty & Lee Abraham Leigh & Rob Hendry

Rena Karchmer Barbara & A.W. Karchmer

Ben Wolf Croner Jo Croner Jacob Jay Daneman Bert Less & Leco Realty, Inc. Marsha Deitch Jenny Baer Debbie & Ron Jackson Ellis Delin Susan & Stephen Delin Joe Edelson Linda & Martin Stein Issy Paul Engelberg Selma Chambers Ida & Leonard Engelberg Nell Ettelson Sandra & William Ettelson Bessie Evensky Julius Evensky Peggy & Sidney Evensky Florence Faber Elizabeth & William Blackstone Lisa & Jonathan Frisch Leslie & Mark Gillenson Debbie & Ron Jackson Lynn Kline Sondra Price Jan & Marc Reisman Elizabeth & Rouben Simonian Jan & Lee Stein Gloria Urias Lorraine & Bert Wolf David Fargotstein Margaret & Shep Fargotstein Esta Katz Fargotstein Margaret & Shep Fargotstein Laura Riskind Evelyn Nathan Friedman Steve Simon Linda Simon Irving Freudberg Jean & Buddy Ballin Bernard Frisch Douglas Frisch Ellen & Herbert Kahn Fred Frisch Janet & Jerry Lang Dorothy Geary Jan & Marc Reisman

Alice (Pat) Goodman Patty & Lee Abraham Donna Goodman Anise & Ron Belz Beverly Buchalter Dick Eiseman Lynn Gruber Jan & Marc Reisman Diane Sachs & Robert Vidulich Myrna & Sonny Salomon Barrie & Kenneth Wurzburg

Nina Katz Marilyn & Alan Magnus Elaina & Mike Sexton and Family Sarah Katz Lynn Gruber Morris Kaufman Harry Krieger Kathy Krieger Joan & Ken Goree

Donna & Robert Goodman Michele & Martin Pinstein

Melvyn Kirsch Philip Louis Kirsch Rose Brown Kirsch Muriel Blatt Zuckerman Ronni Kirsch

Paula Benovitz Gould Stefany Knight Charles Wexler

Lawrence Kirshbaum Andrea & Robert Kerlan Susan Adler Thorp

Louis Graflund Julie & Jerry Klein

Richard Kisber Janet Kisber Steve Kisber

Ben Greenberg Lillian Solomon Greenberg Melvin “Bubba” Greenberg Helen Bernstein Kohn Phyllis & Jay Greenberg Samuel Hayden Marcia & Allan Hayden Gail Herman Leigh & Craig Royal and Family Robin & Jeff Wallace AJ Herzberg Cathy & Richard Kessler Myrtle Hutchison Jan & Marc Reisman Lewis “Pat” Isaacs Bertha Cohen Plesofsky Carole & Charles Plesofsky Clarence Windell Jackson The Shanghai Neighborhood Card Group Sam Jacobs Hermine Davidson Sarah Karno Jeffer Roselle Lazarov Joseph Joseph Susan & Larry Weiss and Family Ruth Kahn Peggy Hartfield Sternberger William Sternberger Judy & Jim Mosely Morris Kaminsky Neil Kaminsky

Robert Paul Kline Sondra Abraham Stacey & Michael Alpert Ashley Gardens Joan & Stanley Baker Jean & Buddy Ballin Andrea & Brian Barrach Leo Bearman, Jr. Sharon Berman Doris Bodan Mickey & Arthur Buring Lynn & Victor Butcher Doris & Irvin Califf Hermine Davidson Betty Dilley Ida & Terry Eleazer Susie & Allan Epstein Susan & Raymond Evans Lucinda Faber Melissa & Richard Faber Judy & Kenneth Freedman Lisa & Jonathan Frisch Sandy Goldstein Carolyn & Adam Goodman Michael Gryll Diane & Mark Halperin Peggy & L.R. Jalenak, Jr. Hilda Kaufman Andrea & Robert Kerlan Denise & Jeffrey Kerlan Mildred Kiel Steve Kisber Julie & Jerry Klein Linda Kline Karen & Michael Koplon TIMEMPHIS.ORG • 25

Debbie & Sidney Kriger Leslie & Nat Landau Jan Lavene Joyce Lazarov Monica & Bert Less Sari & Danny Levy Roslyn & Lester Lit Fay Marker Evelyn & Jerome Makowsky Lesley & Sam Marks Julie & Steve Mathes Racelle Mednikow Timna Myers Marilyn Notowich Lyda Parker & Stanley Zitron Cynthia & Rabbi Jordan Parr Deedee & Ron Perel Rochelle & Frank Perlman Angie Peterson Michele & Martin Pinstein Carole & Charles Plesofsky Sondra Price and Family Red Door Wealth Management, LLC Jan & Marc Reisman Shelley Robbins & Reed Landau Wendy & Cary Rotter Linda & Jerry Rubenstein Debra & Alex Saharovich Arlene & Victor Schlesinger Jeri Lyn & Jeff Sebert Lynda & Stephen Shiffman Sara Beth & George Silverman Elizabeth Simonian Rochelle & Avron Slutsky Margie Snetman Evelyn & Martin Snyder Jan & Lee Stein Charlotte Straitman Curt Ward and Jeffrey Ward Edna Weiner Sally & Mark Wender Charles Wexler Shirley Wexner Lorraine & Bert Wolf Barrie & Kenneth Wurzburg Isabel & Louis Allen Klitzner Gladys Strasberg Lindy Herman Louis Lindy Judy & Jim Lindy Rebecca Klyce The Klyce Family Abe Kriegel Reva Kriegel Abe Herman Kriger Aimee Herzberg Kriger Lisa Usdan & David Portnoy Morris Kriger Marilyn Notowich Lisa Usdan & David Portnoy

26 • VOICE • SUMMER ISSUE • 2020

Robert Krivcher Charles Magids Samuel Magids Jan & Jack Magids Badana Sofer Lasnick Herman Lasnick Ann & Julius Lasnick Terry Orgel Paul Lazarov Mary Shainberg Suzanne Lazarov Beatrice Leach Rose Morrison Joseph Aaron Lebovitz Ida & Leonard Engelberg and Family Maxine & Mike Shepard

Debbie & Sidney Kriger Cathy Weil and Mary Shela

Edwin Schoenfeld Curt Ward

Herbert Notowich Ellen & Herbert Kahn

Alan Schwartz Bonnie Schwartz Carolyn & Brian Schwartz

Fannie Notowitz Julia & Michael Matthews Carol “Cookie” Olswanger Cathy Weil and Mary Shela Dick Orgel Frances Skaller Terry Orgel Fannie Zuckerman Padawer Diana & Ronald Padawer Sidney, Ide, and Larry Perlberg Gail Perlberg

Bernard Jacob Leff Lisa & Jonathan Frisch Stephanie & Ron Osher Jan & Marc Reisman

Saul Perlman Rochelle & Frank Perlman

Beady & Irwin Leib Gina Jolly

Emily Fargotstein Poe Margaret & Shep Fargotstein Sandy Kessler & Michael Woolsey

Elise Hohenemser Levy Shirley McGorke and Richard Light Barbara K. Lipman Jean & Buddy Ballin Anise & Ron Belz Teri & Larry Graber Barbara & David Goff Glenn Hodges Gail & Myron Lewis May Lynn Mansbach Erin Ostrow Molly & Jason Wexler Ira Lipman Denise & Jeffrey Kerlan Linda & Edward Young Harry Sidney Loket Lynn Kline Evelyn & Martin Snyder Nathan Loskovitz Rena Loskovitz Myrna Thomas Steve Mednikow The Family of Steve Mednikow Helen Ross Miller Herbert Miller Sharon & Steven Gould Richard Dennis Miller Deborah & Steve Bilsky Mildred Needleman Pauline Plesofsky Sandy Kessler & Michael Woolsey Avron Newman Hermine Davidson Wendy & Avron Fogelman

Elizabeth & Milton Picard Tammy & Matt Dannheisser

Pauline Pollow Linda & Edward Young Ted Roberts Pam & Lee Sacharin and Family Katherine Rosenberg Anne Jackson Kay Rosenberg Peggy & L.R. Jalenak, Jr. Shelley & Don Levy Alan Shirley Rosenthal Michele & Martin Pinstein Bennie Rosenthal Diane Mendelson David Edward Rosenthal Leah Malkin Rosenthal Philip Engel Bonnie Roquita Florence Feldman Royal Morris Royal Robert Royal Kent Jay Rubens Mildred Reagler Rubens Terry Luther Bettie Tucker Rubenstein Carol & Joel Hertz Carol & Elliott Slutsky William Rudner Lisa & Stephen Friedman Debbie & Sidney Kriger Ellen & Allan Metz Anne Wulff & Brian Bendersky

Seymour Schwartz Victoria Bromley Jean & Eugene Sebulsky Susan & Alan Sebulsky Rose Shainberg Jay Waller Thelma Greenberg Victor Stanley Shainberg Deanna & Albert Burson Frieda Sharfman Arlene Alabaster Richard Shaw, Jr. Melissa Faber Jan & Marc Reisman Jennifer & Joe Roberts Connie & Mike Sherman Helen Sherman Sylvia Appleton Lynn & Victor Butcher Carol Geller Leslie & Mark Gillenson Jan & Marc Reisman The Siegler Family Sara Beth & George Silverman Elizabeth & Rouben Simonian Jan & Lee Stein Lorraine & Bert Wolf Ellen Ginsburg Sinkman Daniel Ginsburg Florence Skopp Marian Levy Gayle Powelson & Martin Grusin Ann “Wally” Dewey Smith Lisa & Jonathan Frisch Jan & Marc Reisman Carol Rosenblum Snyder Jack Belz Heidi & Julius Bloomston Jennifer Carnal, Regions Bank, Private Wealth Management Audrey Halperin Alison & Mitch Hefter Kay & Maril Jacobs Barbara & Hank Kimmel Mimi Michel Carol & Michael Mittel Susan & Raphael Orenstein Lyda Parker & Stanley Zitron Jan & Marc Reisman Arlene & Victor Schlesinger Deborah Sloan Joan Sloan Carol & Elliott Slutsky

Avron Spiro Daisy Spiro Harriet Wise Stern Alexandra & David Stern and Family Carolyn Gordon Thal Erwin Thal Jeffrey Lawrence Thal Jim Thal Helen Goldstrom Wax Jonathan Wax Lew Weinberg Ron Weinberg/Weinberg Institute Helen Ruth Weisburd Mary Jane Potash Alfred Burta Wexner Shirley Wexner Bobbie Wilons Dot & Stanley Bilsky Peggy & L.R. Jalenak, Jr. Jan & Lee Stein Barbara & Norman Towbin and Family Welville Wolfson Deborah & Sam Brackstone Patty Evans Wurzburg Debbie & Bucky Parker Sandra Wurzburg Marilyn & Harvey Cook Barbara Zitron Stanley Zitron Marshall Zuckerman Mavis Zuckerman

Silver Anniversary of Reform Mohels Reform Mohels?! It is not an oxymoron, even if the plural of “mohel” is actually “mohalim!” Among the first programs Rabbi Micah D. Greenstein initiated in the 1990s for the Memphis Jewish community was the certification of medical physicians proficient in circumcision as ritual mohalim under the auspices of Temple Israel.

“In 1989, when I was a rabbinic student at the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in Los Angeles, my professor, Dr. Lewis M. Barth, was completing a book, “Berit Milah in the Reform Context.” Rabbi Barth had just co-founded the National Organization of American Mohalim which now consists of 300 board certified physicians - male and female - credentialed as mohel/mohelet.

Rabbi Greenstein added, “When our son was born in 1994, Sheril and I were grateful for this berit milah option which fulfilled our religious requirements as Jewish parents and for dozens of our peers.”

Three Temple Israel physicians - Drs. Michael Edelson, Bob Eiseman, and Peter Lindy - have collectively co-officiated at 100+ bris ceremonies and counting, after completing the Jewish Studies component with Rabbi Greenstein and TI clergy. Temple Israel owes an immeasurable debt of gratitude to Mohels Edelson, Eiseman, and Lindy for their medical expertise and ongoing sacred service. For more information on Temple Israel’s Reform Mohalim and the creation of meaningful life cycle ceremonies for expectant Jewish parents, contact rabbinic assistant Jan Klein, jank@timemphis.org.

ADDITIONAL D O N AT I O N S Neena Bixby Jeff Bronze Ricky Conboy Lois & Harvey Gelb Howard Greene Bitsy Kasselberg Nancy & Alan Kline Mimi Kopald Betsy & Steve Libby Gregory Miles Linda & Claude Paddock Marilyn & Richard Reinhardt Irina Segal Janet & Doug Shipman Charles Wexler Reginald Wurzburg

TIMEMPHIS.ORG • 27

THE SNAPSHOT PROJECT The Temple Israel Archives holds the history of our congregation spanning more than 160 years. Now, we are living through history and we want to collect our congregants’ stories so we can create a rich, diverse account of Jewish life during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Please consider submitting your thoughts and your photographs to the TI Archives. This can be done through two links: a questionnaire that acts like a journal to document your thoughts, feelings, and experiences from the past two months, and a photo submission guide so that we can see the experiences you described.

To submit your journal entry and photographs, or to ask questions about “The Snapshot Project,” email the Temple Israel Archives at tiarchives@timemphis.org.

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 MICAH D. GREENSTEIN Senior Rabbi

JOHN M. KAPLAN Cantor Emeritus

BETSY SASLAWSKY Vice President

MARK FOGELMAN Immediate Past President

RABBI BESS B. WOHLNER Associate Rabbi

LAURIE MESKIN President

CHARLES JALENAK Secretary

WAYNETTE BESSER WRJ-Sisterhood President

RABBI JEREMY SIMONS Assistant Rabbi

LEIGH BAIM MANSBERG Senior Vice President

MARK FINESTONE Treasurer

MARC B. TAUB MRJ-Brotherhood President

HARRY K. DANZIGER Rabbi Emeritus

WENDY T. ROTTER Vice President

DAVID L. BEARMAN Counsel

STACY CANALES Executive Director

Temple Israel • 1376 East Massey Road • Memphis, Tennessee 38120 • 901.761.3130 • timemphis.org Temple Israel is a member of the Union for Reform Judaism. • reformjudaism.org • urj.org