B’nai Mitzvah, New Members, Engagements, Marriages,and Births
@templeisrael
@templeisrael
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
RABBI JEFF DREIFUS Associate Rabbi
RABBI ROSS Z. LEVY Associate Rabbi
RABBI HARRY K. DANZIGER Rabbi Emeritus
JOHN M. KAPLAN Cantor Emeritus
WENDY T. ROTTER President
HELEN SCHEIDT Senior Vice President
BRUCE LANDAU Vice President
SAM FARGOTSTEIN Vice President
BENJAMIN ORGEL Secretary
ELISE JORDAN Treasurer
PETER BLUMBERG Counsel
LEIGH BAIM MANSBERG Immediate Past President
JENNIFER ROSS Sisterhood President
ERIC EFRON Brotherhood President
MARK GULNER Executive Director
TEMPLE ISRAEL
1376 East Massey Road Memphis, TN 38120
Temple Israel is a member of the Union for Reform Judaism. reformjudaism.org • urj.org
REFLECTION
It has been twenty years since Chanukah began on Christmas Day with a full menorah on New Year’s Day night!
The quintessential message of our cherished Jewish festival is light over darkness, which is a recurring motif in Judaism. You will recall that God's first act in the Torah was creating light out of darkness. Our challenge is to mirror God’s image by creating light out of the darkness and chaos around us and within us.
Chanukah also encapsulates the essence of our task as Jews: to illuminate the light of faith and hope and to make it glow brighter no matter the circumstances. The eternal light (ner tamid) above every synagogue ark, like the Chanukah lights, is both a reminder and witness to all humanity that God is present both in our midst and in the human heart, whenever we dispel the darkness around us.
In asking the purpose of the ner tamid, the early rabbinic sages answered, "[It's purpose?] to be a witness to all who enter the world that the light of God—the human spirit—may be muted at times but can never be totally extinguished.” For we Jews hold that the light of the human spirit, the light of hope, the light of love, the light of God—our internal divine “pilot light”—is unquenchable, insurmountable, eternal.
Choosing light and life is a gutsy thing today, almost a revolutionary idea when you look at the state of our world and our nation during such divisive times.
It's easy to say "Uvcharta bachayim/Choose Life," when the going is good, but what about when there is discord, or natural disaster, or any other senseless tragedy we read about or watch on television. How can we say "Uv'charta Bachayim/Choose Life” then?"
Amazingly, our tradition and people still do. We still say L'chayim. No matter what.
The prayers we read every Shabbat were written at a time when our ancestors were powerless, persecuted, and penniless. Yet they still said that life has infinite meaning. They still made the light somehow pierce the darkness.
From the Maccabees to Memphis, the seamless thread of the Jewish story is our undying belief in a God of light and life, a God who wants us to choose life and make light out of the darkness we face in our personal lives and Jewish lives, every day and month throughout the year ahead. Happy Chanukah, and Happy 2025!
Faithfully yours,
RABBI MICAH D. GREENSTEIN
For we Jews hold the light of the human spirit, the light of hope, the light of love, the light of God.
SOUL FOOD
At Temple Israel, we prioritize the well-being and care of our members through various initiatives. In times of need—whether facing temporary challenges, illness, accidents, or loss—it's comforting to know there are people who genuinely care. That’s where Temple Cares comes in. This dedicated volunteer group reaches out to provide support, comfort, and love when it’s needed most.
One of our key initiatives is the meal delivery service we offer during the holidays. For over 20 years, in partnership with Temple’s Sisterhood, Temple Cares has provided free meals and snacks to over 35 congregants. During the High Holy Days, Chanukah, and Passover, we prepare and deliver more than 70 meals to our members. For many, these meals bring nourishment and comfort during difficult times, whether they are dealing with the loss of a loved one, recovering from surgery or childbirth, or supporting our shut-in members. We also offer over 100 special treat bags, including apples, honey and hamantaschen, to any Jewish residents living in Plough Towers, Opus, Town Village, Kirby Pines, Royal Retreat, Belmont Village, Germantown Plantation, Bookedale/ Dogwood Creek, and Story Pines.
If you're interested in volunteering your time or know someone who could benefit from one of these meals, please reach out to Temple Israel.
Members preparing meals for delivery (L to R):
Meryln Rosen
Jeanne Alpert
Judy Royal
Lenny Goodman
Jeanne Danziger
CONTACT
Rebecca Fox
rebeccaf@timemphis.org
901.761.3130
SUFGANIYOT: A CHANUKAH TREAT
SERVES 24
2 (1/4 ounce) envelopes active dry yeast
6 tablespoons shortening or margarine
1/4 cup warm water (105 F to 115 F)
5 cups flour
1 1/2 cups lukewarm milk
4 cups neutral oil, for deep frying
3/4 cup sugar
1 jar strawberry or raspberry jam
1 teaspoon salt
Confectioners’ sugar
2 eggs
6 tablespoons shortening or margarine
Sprinkle yeast over warm water and let stand 5 minutes or until foamy. In a large bowl, mix together the yeast mixture, milk, sugar, salt, eggs, shortening, and 2 cups of flour. Mix for a few minutes at low speed. Beat in remaining flour, 1/2 cup at a time, until the dough no longer sticks to the bowl. Knead for about 5 minutes or until smooth and elastic. Place the dough in a greased bowl and cover. Let rise in a warm place until doubled in bulk, about an hour or a bit longer. Turn the dough onto a floured surface and gently roll out to 1/2inch thickness. Cut into circles. Let rise again until doubled in bulk.
Heat 4 cups of oil in a deep fryer or large pot to 350F. Carefully slide doughnuts into hot oil using a wide spatula. Turn the doughnuts over as they rise to the surface. Doughnuts are ready when both sides are golden brown. Fill with 1 tablespoon jelly using a pastry injector, or by cutting a small slit in the side of the doughnut and inserting the jelly with a baby spoon. Close tightly; roll in confectioners’ sugar.
Recipe by Susan Hiller. Originally printed in Shalom Y’All: The Jewish Cookbook for Every Generation from Temple Israel. For a copy of the cookbook, please visit the Temple Israel Judaica Shop.
Photo by Erin Mosher.
AN ENDURING
TEMPLE ISRAEL NOMINATES ITS 8TH HONORARY
PRESIDENT: PAST PRESIDENT, MARK HALPERIN
his year marks just the eighth time in Temple Israel’s 171-year history that there has been a groundswell for naming a member of Tennessee's oldest and largest synagogue with the title “Honorary President.” Jacob Goldsmith, who founded Goldsmith’s Department Stores, was the first. Hardwig Peres, for whom an entire forest was created in Israel in 1948, was the second. Louis Barnett, who bridged Rabbi Ettelson and Rabbi Wax's transition as Senior Rabbi, and the next four were among Memphis' greatest citizens in their day: Joseph Lewis, Abe Plough, Sam Cooper, and Rudi Scheidt, Sr, all of blessed memory.
Mark Halperin is also one of Memphis' great citizens, and his impact extends far beyond these walls, for sure, not only in the business, civic, and education community, but also in the Jewish community, where Mark’s leadership has been so extensive. There would not have been a pioneering and record setting golf tournament in support of the Memphis Jewish Home without Mark Halperin. Boyle Investment Company or Memphis University School would not continue to be in such a position of strength without Mark Halperin.
Mark's heartbeat and Jewish soul print, however—past, present, and future—has been shaped by Temple Israel and Reform Judaism. Mark was born into Temple, had among the first bar mitzvahs ever at Poplar and Montgomery under Rabbi Wax, and was raised by two remarkable parents and congregants—Pola & Lawrence Halperin—before marrying another daughter of Temple, Diane Bronstein Halperin.
While several Jewish Memphians have represented Temple Israel well nationally, unbeknownst to many is that Mark's father, Lawrence, was the first Jewish Memphian to be elected President of a national Jewish organization, the National Federation of Temple Brotherhoods of the Union of American Hebrew Congregations, now known as the Union for Reform Judaism. Mark paid it forward by serving on the national board and top leadership of the Union of American Hebrew Congregations for over a decade following his tenure as President of this congregation.
“Mark has always been comfortable in his Jewish soul as a Reform Jew, which doesn't mean Judaism-lite; it means ‘always striving to do the right thing and being grateful for everything,’” reflects Rabbi Micah Greenstein. “That's a direct quote of Mark's when I asked him years ago what Judaism means to him.”
“When I succeeded Rabbi Danziger as Senior Rabbi 25 years ago, Mark was a Temple Trustee, Chair of the Building Committee, and an Executive Committee member en route to becoming Temple’s 44th President in 2004-2006. ‘Temple has been blessed with great leaders,” Mark said to me, “but we need to create a leadership pipeline for the 21st century,’” continued Rabbi Greenstein.
So Mark did, but not before being the unsung hero in Temple's first major renewal since the late 1970s, the Gift for Gen-
erations Capital and Endowment Campaign in 2000-2006. This bold and visionary initiative built a strong endowment to secure our financial stability and enhanced our physical plant with new additions such as the magnificent everyday entrance and welcome center, flexible spaces like the Scheidt Family Center for creative programming for youth and families, new administrative offices, the inner courtyard, and increased technology that had not yet been updated to the 21st century.
Perhaps the most extraordinary dimension to Mark’s Temple leadership, is that unlike some who choose to focus on the past, others concentrated on the future, and the rest worrying most about the present, Mark has always cared about it all: past, present, and future. Take the only place in Memphis where you will still read the names of the doctors, educators, and Jewish civic leaders who built Memphis over centuries— arguably the most beautiful synagogue cemetery anywhere— the Temple Israel Cemetery. Mark has reminded every rabbi and congregant that we are the lucky beneficiaries of the parents and other ancestors whose memory we are commanded to keep alive as Jews. Mark has been the mainstay and backbone of the Temple Israel cemetery. Together with Henry Levy, Billy Orgel, Harry Goldsmith, and Mark Fogelman, Mark Halperin was not thinking just about the past in his passion for helping endow our glorious history, it was Mark and a few other generous ones who said, "We sure hope that Temple Israel/ Southern Judaism is around in 100 years, but we want to make sure that the cemetery is regardless, so we need a separate endowment apart from the East Massey Campus.”
“I find it so fitting that this caring, generous, and committed Reform Jewish leader, who never separated the past from the future and who was always available in the present, is being nominated following Rudi Scheidt, Sr., Sam Cooper, and Abe Plough, three who dreamed of an East Massey Campus in the 1960s that Mark Halperin made sure was cared for, from generation to generation, for the greater good of the Memphis Jewish community and entire faith community,” said Rabbi Greenstein.
Please join us to elect Mark and celebrate his enduring legacy and significant contributions to Temple Israel at Temple's 171st Annual Meeting on April 22.
Past presidents of Temple Israel including Mark (front left) gathered for their annual High Holiday Breakfast in the conference room at Temple.
HONORARY
PRESIDENTS FROM TEMPLE ISRAEL
JACOB GOLDSMITH
Oct 1932 - Nov 1933
HARDWIG PERES
Oct 1934 - Nov 1948
LOUIS BARNETT
Nov 1949 - Jun 1962
JOSEPH LEWIS
Sep 1964 - Sep 1965
ABE PLOUGH
Jun 1972 - Sep 1984
SAM COOPER
Aug 1993
RUDI E. SCHEIDT, SR. May 2016 - 2020
ONE YEAR OLD & GOING STRONG
It’s hard to believe that it’s been a year since we launched Tribes. For those unfamiliar, our Tribes are a unique series of small, interestbased groups within the larger Temple Israel community, each tailored to bring together individuals who share similar passions, hobbies, and pursuits. Whether it’s food or travel, fitness, or social justice, there is a Tribe group out there for you.
Tribes are designed to foster a sense of belonging and strengthen communal bonds by connecting people with others with mutual interests. Joining a tribe allows participants to explore their hobbies within a meaningful and supportive Jewish framework, creating a space where individuals can share, learn, and grow both personally and spiritually.
Our list of Tribes is continually growing and changing. Here are the latest Tribes to form, a brief description, and the names of the leaders. You can learn more about and join these and our other dozens of Tribes by going to our website at timemphis.org/tribes/ and signing up with the Tribes of your choice.
RUN FOR THEIR LIVES
Led by Hannah Chanin, Eleanor Steinberg Day + Time: ..................Weekly, Sundays | 9:00 AM
Location: ......................Sea Isle Park
Run for Their Lives is a community-based, grassroots movement in over 220 cities globally whose purpose is to call for the immediate release of all hostages held in Gaza. Run for
During the recent High Holidays, leaders of and participants in the Temple’s Tribes and Supper Clubs were invited to join Rabbi Jeff Dreifus on the Bimah during the Rosh Hashanah Morning Service.
Rabbi Ross Levy & Rachel Rotter, Elizabeth & Rusty Graber, Joe Roth, Jane Eckstein, Sue Pfeffer all gather to help families who are houseless in the winter months through Room In The Inn.
Their Lives Memphis gathers to walk for 18 minutes every Sunday at 9 AM in Sea Isle Park. The walk is open to all who are aligned with the mission — regardless of religion, race, or identity. It is a non-political, non-sectarian event meant to maintain focus on the plight of the hostages, thereby not allowing the situation to become "normal," and to provide a weekly, global outpouring of support for the families of those held captive. This Tribe will gather with Run for Their Lives Memphis every Sunday morning until all of the hostages come home! Please enter your mobile number when signing up so that the Tribe leaders can add you to the WhatsApp group where they manage communications and updates. We meet next to the playground at Sea Isle Park.
WANDERING JEWS
Led by Michele Buring
Day + Time: ..................Monthly
This Tribe of travelers, whether single or coupled, will meet monthly to plan trips taken in a safe group with the shared goals of adventure, exploration, and connecting with fellow Temple wanderlusters. They’ll start with smaller field trips and day trips, building up to larger group trips guided by seasoned trip planner Michele Buring. Whether the destination is ten, fifty, or a few hundred miles away, the itinerary for this group always includes enhancing joy, facilitating lifelong learning, and building memories!
GREEN TEAM
Led by Carolyn Mizne
Day + Time: .................. Monthly (4th Sunday) | 11:30 AM
Location: ......................Temple Israel Adult Lounge
The Green Team will meet on the fourth Sunday of each month at 11:30 AM in Temple Israel’s adult lounge for educational discussions on topics of sustainability, recycling, and other methods of fostering the health of our planet and those who inhabit it with the goal of sharing ideas on ways to benefit Temple, ourselves, and the broader community.
GLOBAL JEWISH COOKING
Led by Melissa Faber
Day + Time: .................. Sunday | 2:00-4:00 PM
Location: ......................Home of Melissa & Rich Faber
Interested in trying Jewish food outside of your (or your bubbe’s) traditional recipes? Global Jewish Cooking is a four-part series planned around Jewish holidays that meets on Sundays from 2-4 PM at the home of Melissa & Rich Faber, beginning Dec. 15 through June 1, 2025. During these sessions, participants will travel the culinary byways of Morocco, Central Asia’s Silk Road, Mexico, and of course, Israel. Join them to explore, nosh, and enjoy! Limited to 8 members.
ISRAELI COOKING COMES TO MEMPHIS
Led by Judy Bearman & Eleanor Steinberg
Day + Time: .................. Monthly (3rd Thursday) | 6:00 PM
Location: ......................Home of Melissa & Rich Faber
On the third Thursday of each month at 6 PM, from January to April, Eleanor Tallie Steinberg and Judy Bearman will lead cooking enthusiasts on an adventure from the streets of Israel to our southern roots in Memphis at the home of Judy & David Bearman. We invite those who love making food to join us as we explore the interwoven cuisine that makes Israel the crossroads of Mediterranean food culture. Limited to 10 members.
WEEKDAY WALKERS
Led by Cindy Finestone Day + Time: .................. Weekly, Wednesdays | 9:30 AM
Location: ......................Shelby Farms Visitor Center Need to stretch your legs? Then join the Weekday Walkers each Wednesday morning at 9:30 as they walk the 2.75 miles around Patriot Lake at Shelby Farms. The walk starts at the Shelby Farms Visitor Center next to Belltower Coffee. All are welcome, including strollers!
SHABBAT LUNCH BUNCH
Led by Russell Strauss Day + Time: .................. Monthly (3rd Saturday) | 12:00 PM
This TI Shabbat Supper Club is for members who don't drive at night! Join them at noon on the third Saturday of each month at a different restaurant chosen by Tribe members for a filling and fulfilling Shabbat lunch with your Temple friends! They aim to form new friendships, deepen existing ones, and try some great new spots around town over even better conversation as they lean into the comfort and community innate to Shabbat.
Tribes are designed to foster a sense of belonging and strengthen communal bonds by connecting people with others with mutual interests.
Aaron Kanowitz and Stuart Janssen add malted barley to warm water thereby activating enzymes which convert starch into sugar — the fuel to produce alcohol. "The best beer is the one you have with friends." Aaron said.
A SHARED HISTORY
ust before noon on a warm Saturday in September, a small crowd gathered at the Beth El Cemetery in Helena, Arkansas, to remember a community that has all but disappeared.
Longtime friends and relatives exchanged smiles, handshakes, and hugs. At the same time, children played around the headstones, and their parents and grandparents reminisced under the Star of David oculus in their new History Pavilion.
In between the pavilion’s solid wooden columns are translucent glass panels that tell the story of Helena's once burgeoning Jewish community, which extended throughout Phillips, Lee, and Monroe Counties, dating back to 1846.
According to their written history, the congregation at Helena comprised approximately 400 members at its height in the 1920s and, over its lifetime, employed 21 rabbis who ministered to well over 1,000 Jews who called this area their home.
The construction of this pavilion and the dedication that day in September were just the latest gestures in the history of a strong community with connections to Temple Israel that date back to the earliest days of both congregations.
At the dedication of the first Temple Beth El building in October of 1880, Rabbi Max Samfield, third senior rabbi of what became Temple Israel, gave a sermon in which he exhorted the Congregation to “breathe the spirit of life into this house. Let the light of reason and love pour in upon your souls, and let the religious sentiment inspire you to blissful activity.”
Sadly, as is the case in many rural areas of the South, by 2006, the congregation at Helena had dwindled to fewer than ten members with the youngest in his eighties. The resident congregation gave the Temple building to the state of Arkansas to be used as a community auditorium. It’s now run by the Delta Cultural Center, whose executive director, Kyle Miller, gave the closing prayer at the recent dedication.
In a move that speaks to the deep connection with Temple Israel, when Beth El’s synagogue building was deconsecrated in April of 2006, the bima, ark, and other furnishings were given to Temple Israel and are now an integral part of the Levy Cooper Chapel at the Temple Israel’s Cemetery. Rabbi Greenstein spoke about the importance of this donation and the connection between the communities in his remarks.
“Those 19th & 20th century Helena Beth El furnishings, still very much alive in our twenty-first century Memphis chapel, are still so viscerally Helena that at many funerals since 2007, random folks, not only former Helena Temple members but Christian friends who had once attended services at Beth El in their childhoods, have approached me after memorial services with tears in their eyes. One said, ‘Rabbi, I feel like I'm in the Helena Beth El Temple right now.’"
Rabbi Micah Greenstein was one of several speakers called upon to give their thoughts during the dedication of a history pavilion at the Beth El Cemetery in Helena, Arkansas in September.
History, my friends, is not the past, It is the present. We carry our history with us. We are our history. We are where we came from.
The oculus at the top of the new history pavilion at Beth El Cemetery in Helena was designed to reference the Star of David that adorns the top of the glass dome in the former Temple Beth El Synagogue.
Descendants of the Beth El community in Helena constructed a history pavilion at the Beth El Cemetery to honor the community that has been in Helena and neighboring counties since 1846.
If you have not yet met our official mascot, his name is Leo the Lion and he was founded by our school’s families, who submitted mascot ideas and voted on an ultimate favorite last Spring. This school year, Learning With Leo is a new program adopted by the BKL ELC through a generous grant from the Mansberg family in honor of Leigh’s contagious love of learning. Through this grant, we were able to bring in Tami Hershkovitz to write and implement the curriculum for our school, which teaches children about the Mishnah through the eyes of Leo the Lion.
Students in our PreK and Jr.K classes are learning Pirkei Avot (Ethics of the Fathers). Pirkei Avot contains sayings of our Jewish sages from 300 BCE to 200 CE. It is the only tractate in the Mishnah that focuses solely on ethical and moral principles and contains little to no Jewish law. Instead, it is a collection of short statements of advice, ethics, and wisdom. Much of this was oral, handed down from generation to generation, and finally put together in one book called the Mishnah.
LEARNING WITH LEO
Our 36th year at the Barbara K. Lipman Early Learning Center (BKL ELC) has been enriching in so many ways.
Our students are studying topics and text such as, “Acquire for yourself a friend”, “Say little and do much”, and “Who is rich? He who is happy with his lot.” Through discussion, art, and song, our children are learning these ethical principles as they travel back in time and meet some of our sages such as Ben Zoma and Hillel.
Meanwhile, our younger students are introduced to the many songs that go along with the teachings during weekly music classes taught by Music Director Emily Groff Heilborn and Cantorial Soloist Eleanor Tallie Steinberg. Once they reach PreK, these songs will become a natural segue for students to Leo’s classroom teachings.
At Temple’s Barbara K. Lipman Early Learning Center, we take pride in knowing we are helping our children become morally and ethically responsible people. Learning With Leo ensures this!
We take pride in knowing we are helping our children become morally and ethically responsible people.
Tami Hershkovitz teaches students about the Mishnah through the eyes of the Barbara K. Lipman Early Learning Center mascot Leo the Lion.
It’s hard to believe we’re already halfway through the year at the Wendy & Avron Fogelman Religious School’s Sunday Funday! This year has been filled with celebrations, a strong sense of community, and a whole lot of Jewish joy. Don’t just take our word for it—check out what some of our students have to say!
WHEN ASKED WHAT THEY LOVE MOST ABOUT SUNDAYS, HERE’S WHAT THEY SHARED:
“I love Sunday Funday because all of my friends are there that I don’t get to see at school, and I get to play with them!”
SAWYER KATZ / Kindergartener
“Sunday Funday is awesome! I love the electives, especially Festival Foodies (Jewish Cooking). Cooking and baking are my favorite!”
EMERSON KATZ / Third Grader
“First, there’s really fun electives, and you get to choose what you want to do. Second, the Hebrew classes are really fun, and third I love being in t’fillah and hearing our song leaders!”
ARI KANOWITZ / Fifth Grade
“I really love Sunday Funday and the chugim (elective) options are so awesome. I love Hebrew because Rabbi Ross is a good teacher and makes it easy to remember. I also love that after Sunday Funday, I can go to song leading because I get to be with friends and sing.”
JOEY KANOWITZ / Sixth Grade
We are always looking for new and innovative ways to give our congregation Jewish education and welcome all who want to be a part of it!
Plus, don’t miss our recurring Parent Carpool Cafés, Rabbi’s Corner, Tot Shabbat Services, and grade-level Shabbat & Havdalah Dinners. There’s so much more in store!
UPCOMING EVENTS
12/15/2024
Classroom Chanukah Celebrations
12/20/2024
Shabbanukah
01/24/2025
Family Shabbat
B’yachad
03/23/2025
Annual Temple
Israel Purim Carnival
Jacob Mogy, Louis Manis
Rabbi Ross shows our tattooed Torah to students during T'fillah
This closeup of our cemetery ledger shows the details we have on a number of burials dating back to the 1870s and the yellow fever epidemic in Memphis.
n the evening of October 18, 1873, Rabbi Max Samfield presided over three burials by torchlight in the old Bass Avenue Cemetery. The deaths of Simon Loeb, Abraham Joel and his son Emil were just three of the 40 burials he oversaw during the final month of the yellow fever outbreak that year.
We know of these details because of the cemetery ledger left behind by Children of Israel Cemetery Warden, A.E. Frankland which resides in the Temple Israel Archives. Over the past seven plus years, volunteers Ron Perel and Judi Margolin amongst others have painstakingly combed through ledgers, funeral cards, and old databases to compile a comprehensive list of those buried at Temple Israel Cemetery over the last 178 years.
With burials dating back to the first in 1846 of Samuel Andrews, the archives team has amassed a spreadsheet with death dates, burial locations, and names of roughly 7000 people. This is the most exhaustive and complete list of burials of the Temple Israel Cemetery from both Bass Avenue and then starting in 1885, the current Hernando Road location. The goal of possessing all this information is to allow Temple members, genealogist, and researchers to access it and with that in mind, we reached out to the University of Memphis as a possible collaborator.
The response from the University was enthusiastic and we partnered with the Marcus Orr Center for Humanities Director, Dr. Donal Harris who submitted a Community of Research Scholars grant for the project, which we were recently awarded. This grant funds members of the faculty of Jewish Studies, Religious Studies, History, Geographic Information Systems, along with a staff member proficient in web design, the Digital Projects Specialist from the Memphis Public Library, and Temple Archivist Jennifer Kollath to work together spring semester, brainstorming and prototyping a website to best showcase the cemetery database and incorporate other biographical archival materials.
The Temple Israel cemetery holds our congregational history, with the names of those who helped build both our physical and spiritual space. Partnering with the University of Memphis to share and amplify this rich history to a wider audience is an amazing opportunity and we look forward to the possibilities it brings.
Volunteers Ron Perel and Judi Margolin look over a cemetery ledger along with Temple Israel Archivist Jennifer Kollath. Thanks to the work of volunteers like Ron and Judi, we are now able to identify more details on the people buried in our cemetery.
The archives team has amassed a spreadsheet with death dates, burial locations, and names of roughly 7,000 people.
TIMPO HAPPENINGS
Our Yom Kippur TIMPO Music Hour was filled with inspiring performances from our TI ensembles! The TI Band, TI Teen Band, TI Songleaders, and K-2 students from the Wendy and Avron Fogelman Religious School brought energy and ruach to the Danziger Chapel, creating a memorable experience for everyone.
These groups have worked diligently since August, rehearsing together and practicing at home. For our TI Teen Band and Song leaders, rehearsals have been about more than just practice—they’ve been a chance to connect and grow as young Jewish musicians. Similarly, the TI Band rehearsals have been a regular, enjoyable commitment for our adult musicians, who
WANT TO SEE OUR GROUPS PERFORM?
have been playing here at Temple for many years. One of the most meaningful aspects of working with these ensembles is the variety of musical backgrounds represented. Our stage included adults with years of experience and teens, some of whom only began learning their instruments in August. This blend of mentorship and shared learning exemplifies the supportive musical culture here at Temple Israel.
Alongside TIMPO Music Hour preparation, Our TI Memphis Jewish Choir started their season, with adult singers of all skill levels coming together to explore individual and group singing under Director David Schnell. This group has fostered strong connections, drawing together members from both Temple Israel and beyond.
On Wednesday and Thursday afternoons, music continues to fill the halls through our TIMPO Lessons Program on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Going down the hall, I can hear Dario Oliveira teaching violin to an ELC student, Dave Malone teaching drumset to an adult, Fernando Martinez teaching clarinet to a Middle School Band student, Natalia Vanegas Escobar teaching piano to a member of our Choir, and Brad McCullough teaching guitar to a member of our TI Teen Band. Watching students develop their skills and confidence through these lessons is truly inspiring!
THANK YOU TO OUR TIMPO MUSIC HOUR MUSICIANS!
Thank you to Laura Woods and Sami Bray for their help with our youth ensembles!
Students:
Lila Cohen
Bella Friedman
Henry Gulner
Lila Lurie
Ari Kanowitz
Joey Kanowitz
Clara Marlow
Eileen Rishel
Grace Sorin
Max Strasberg
Adults:
David Bearman
Alex Evans
Nick Heilborn
Brian Lurie
Laura Woods
David Yaffe
12/20/2024 .........................Shabbanukah (TI Band, TI Teen Band, TI Songleaders, TI Memphis Jewish Choir)
01/24/2025 .........................Family Shabbat B’yachad (TI Teen Band, TI Songleading Program)
02/07/2025 .........................Shabbat Shirah (TI Band, Spirit and Matter)
Happie Hoffman sings during Erev: The Night Before a service to remember the events of October 7.
Coby Sills participate in Tashlich at Shelby Farms.
Jake Snyder and Mara Wilson enjoy a snack in the Sukkah.
Lilah Steinberg proudly waves the Israeli Flag during the Barbara K. Lipman ELC’s Simchat Torah Parade.
David Peterson, Brett and Sharai Elko and Justin Rishel recite the Prayer for Our Country at Rosh Hashanah Morning Services.
Sebastian Arney gets down at Kosher Kids Goat Yoga on Yom Kippur in the Meadow.
Song Leaders Lilah Benjamin and Sami Bray perform at the Yom Kippur Family Service.
Russell and Sarah Jackson watch with pride as their son, Win, blows the Shofar during the Rosh Hashanah Tot Service.
Barbara K. Lipman ELC students learn about Simchat Torah from Head of School Blair Trotz.
Parker and Preston Trotz at TOT Service
Olivia Hart and Evie Bernatsky Dance at the Rosh Hashanah Family Service.
Marcus, Buddy, and Molly Moss at the Rosh Hashanah Tot Service.
Paul Rubin blows the Shofar at the conclusion of the Rosh Hashanah Morning service.
Births
HARRISON GRAY BEAL
Jennifer and Zack Beal celebrated the birth of their son, Harrison Gray Beal. He is the grandson of Judy & Michael Edelson and Carol & Ken Beal and the great-grandson of Marilee Sher.
AUDREY LYNN BITTENBINDER
Rebecca and David Bittenbinder celebrated the birth of their daughter, Audrey Lynn. Her grandparents are Vicki & Kenny Empting, and Tim Bittenbinder.
PATTON RUSSELL CAMPBELL
Ashleigh and Scott Campbell celebrated the birth of their son, Patton Russell Campbell. He is the grandson of Laura & Russ Campbell, Dana & Joe Crocker, and Colette & Jeff Breedlove.
MARILYN JEAN EXELBIERD
Meredith and Adam Exelbierd celebrated the birth of their daughter, Marilyn Jean Exelbierd. She is the granddaughter of Dr. Cathy Meredith, Eileen Exelbierd, and Julie & Mike Parker.
MILES NEIL SASLAWSKY
HENRY DAVID FREEMAN
Colleen and Ben David "B.D" Freeman celebrated the birth of their son, Henry David Freeman. He is the grandson of Sarah & Herschel Freeman and Erin & John Schuetz.
Engagements
Hayley Gruwer and Corey Shulman
Leah Sherman and Daniel Hearst
Lauren Kirshenbaum And Justin Libby
Rachel Rotter and Rabbi Ross Levy
Brett Silver and Ben Ruby
Jodie Struminger and Michael Weisman
Marriages
Becca Ashner & Adam Warner
Charlotte Hansen & Charlie Finan
Leah Baer & Josh Less
Baylee Less & Monte Eiseman
Jamie Sokol & Joshua Bender
Dena Frisch & Frank Edrich
Reina & Mason Greenberg
Paige and Mischa Soekoro
Anna Bearman & Nathan Stamper
Ashley Vogel & Sam Teper
Amy Fenton & Zach Williams
Lia Cornejo & Joseph Wurzburg
Stephanie and Joel Saslawsky celebrated the birth of their son, Miles Neil Saslawsky. His grandparents are Betsy & Andy Saslawsky, and Carolyn & Michael Perlman. His great-grandmother is Judy Ringel.
MARGOT ANNELIESE COPELAND MASILAK
Brooke and James Masilak celebrated the birth of their daughter, Margot Anneliese Copeland Masilak. She is the granddaughter of Debbie & Howard Segal, Mary* & Joe Masilak, and Sherri & Jim Steiger.
*of blessed memory
If you have a simcha to share with the congregation, please contact:
JASON TERRELL jasont@timemphis.org 901.761.3130
ARI BROOKS TEMPCHIN
Hayley Brooks and Jacob Tempchin celebrated the birth of their son, Ari Brooks Tempchin. His grandparents are Kathy & Robert* Brooks, and Judy Licht & Rick Tempchin.
CLYDE SYLVAN ASHKENAZ
Taryn and Mitchell Ashkenaz celebrated the birth of their son, Clyde Sylvan Ashkenaz. He is the grandson of Judie Ashkenaz & Bruce Kahn, Larry Ashkenaz*, and Tamie Moore & Mark Stiles.
RORY SIOBHAN SKLAR
ANDERSON GLENN BROWER
Nikki and Kevin Brower celebrated the birth of their son, Anderson Glenn. He is the grandson of Laurie & Chuck Wright, and great-grandson of Sandra & Fred* Lehman.
New Members*
We welcome the families of:
Shane Banz
Joseph Besser
Amy Bonk-Chanin
Hannah Chanin
Rebecca "Becca" Wilson & Adam Cohen
Rachel & Elie Diner
Hillary Lindberg & Benjamin "Ben" Fishman
Sarah & Herschel Freeman
Drs. Cassidy & Eric Goldberg
Nathan "Spencer" Gruber
Martha & Ernest Gulner
Adam Libby
Victoria "Vicky" Hallett & Jeffrey Miller
Devon & John Reinhardt
Mary Ross-Renard & Lane Renard
Svetlana "Lana" & Alex Rich
Alana Rothenstein
Cara Sklar and Brighid Clark celebrated the birth of their daughter, Rory Siobhan Sklar. She is the granddaughter of Linda Ellen & Ron Sklar.
CAROLINE SOPHIE COOLEY
Abby and David Cooley celebrated the birth of their daughter, Caroline Sophie. She is the granddaughter of Janet & Doug Shipman and Cindy & John Cooley and the great-granddaughter of Beth* & Alvin* Lansky, Irlene* & Otis* Shipman, and Mary & Johnnie* Rose.
ELIE GRAY DAVIDSON
Polly Edelstein and Arik Davidson celebrated the birth of their son, Elie Gray. He is the grandson of Lisa Dattel, Paul Edelstein, Tamah Kushner and Greg Davidson.
HONEY BERKLEY SAHAROVICI
Margo and Steven Saharovici celebrated the birth of their daughter, Honey Berkley Saharovici. Her grandparents are Helen Scheidt, Skip Gronauer, Heidi Saharovici, and Livio Saharovici and her great-grandparents are Bettye Gronauer and Friderica Saharovici.
*of blessed memory
Tracy & Larry Schaffer
Eliza & Seth Schklar
Jennifer & David Stein
Stephanie & David Stevens
Paige & Mischa Soekoro
Elizabeth "Liz" Thorpe
Debra "Debby" Weiss
Vicky & Jor-El Williams
Lucian Williams
Zoe & Alex Harkavy
Chrystal & Matthew Gibbs
AMYRIA KAMILLE EVANS
Alyssa Michelle Evans celebrated the birth of her daughter, Amyria Kamille. She is the granddaughter of Whitney & Randy Donelson, the great-granddaughter of Alyse & Philip Evans and Kissimmee & Daniel Donelson, and the great-great-granddaughter of Rae Jean & Sandy* Lichterman.
CALLA MARIE LAWSON
Rachel and Trey Lawson celebrated the birth of their daughter, Calla Marie. She is the granddaughter of Wes* & Rose Marie Lawson, Debbie Ekeland*, and Ron Levine.
AIDEN MICHAEL ZALOWITZ
Zach and Brittney Zalowitz, celebrated the birth of their son, Aiden Michael. He is the grandson of Roz Zalowitz and Sam Zalowitz, and the great-grandson of Emily Bernhardt and Lester & Jeanette* Zalowitz.
AVA FAYE GOLDBERG
Lauren and Russell Goldberg celebrated the birth of their daughter, Ava Faye. She is the granddaughter of Margaret & Shep Fargotstein, Don Goldstein, Rita & Ira Goldberg and the great-granddaughter of Joan Jekels, Vera Bialer, and Joan Goldberg.
ROSIE NICOLE ORGEL
Taylor and Ben Orgel celebrated the birth of their daughter, Rosie Nicole. Her Grandparents are Robin and Billy Orgel and Kelly and Pete Vandenbosch. Her Great-Grandparents are Ellen and Sammy Salky, Terry Orgel/Dick Orgel*, Rose Orgel*, Sarah and Jim Lancaster, and John Vandenbosch* and Elizabeth Hazelwood.*
HANNAH BROOKS POULIN
Lindsay and Aaron Poulin celebrated the birth of their daughter, Hannah Brooks. She is the granddaughter of Cathy & Jon* Poulin and the great-granddaughter of Lynn* and Robert* Kline.
GRAHAM SIMON REEF
Lindsey and Leor Reef celebrated the birth of their son, Graham Simon. He is the grandson of Anne & Ellis Reef, and Debbie & Stuart Lazarov and the great-grandson of Evelyn & Sam Trocki, and Iris & Ronald Harkavy.
NATHAN CLYDE PITTS
Sarah Mink and Graham Pitts celebrated the birth of their son, Nathan Clyde.
*of blessed memory
ANNIE BETTE AND CAROLINE DAVIS ROBBINS
Karen and Gordon Robbins celebrated the birth of daughters, Annie Bette and Caroline Davis. They are the granddaughters of Jan & Lee Stein and Mollie & Doug Robbins, and great-granddaughters of Becky* & Fernand* Brackstone, Bess* & Sol* Stein, Bobbie Miller* & Harold* Gordon, and Frances* & Arthur* Robbins.
ELI CALEB ROSEN
Anna Beyerle-Rosen and Jacob Rosen celebrated the birth of their son, Eli Caleb. He is the grandson of Gary & Toby Rosen, Judy Beyerle and Jude Beyerle, and the great-grandson of Ted Schneiderman.
OWEN MICHAEL KELLY
Rebekah and Jacob Kelly celebrated the birth of their son, Owen Michael. He is the grandson of Vicki Evans Braslow, Carol & Sam Braslow, and Lori & Mike Kelly and the great-grandson of Phyllis* & Irving* Evans, Eleanor* & Sol* Braslow, Joan & Paul* Kelly, and Glenda* & Ronnie* Chaille.
LUCY HARPER SAHAROVICH
Rachel and Ryan Saharovich celebrated the birth of their daughter, Lucy Harper. Her Grandparents are Debra and Alex Saharovich and Tamie and Lee Bressler. She is the great-granddaughter of Terry Orgel/Dick Orgel* and Rose Orgel*, Friderica and Leonid Saharovici*, Gail and Howard* Robinson, Judy* and Stanley Bressler*
AVA DANIELLE SHINDLER
CHARLOTTE PARKER ALPERT
Hayley and Max Alpert celebrated the the birth of their daughter, Charlotte Parker. She is the granddaughter of Stacey & Michael Alpert, and Evalyn & Phil Grossman and the great-granddaughter of Carolyn* & Lee Grossman, Sonya* & Sanford Simon, Binnie & Paul* Alpert, and Anita & Arthur Podolsky.
Cara Greenstein and Alex Shindler, celebrated the birth of their daughter, Ava Danielle. Her Grandparents are Sheril and Rabbi Micah Greenstein, and Julie and David Shindler. Her Great-Grandparents are Helaine and Richard Grassgreen, Lenore and Rabbi Howard* Greenstein, Julianne and Dave* Grundfest, and Isolene and Alan Shindler.*
PRESTON DAVIS TROTZ
Lauren and Parker Trotz celebrated the birth of their son, Preston Davis. His Grandparents are Sally and Michael Pelts and Blair and Eric Trotz. His Great-Grandparents are Arlene Fortas, Betty Pelts, and Judy Boshwit.
