The High Holy Days Voice | September 2020

Temple Israel Memphis, Tennessee High Holy Days Issue 2020 Volume 75; No. 1

B EHIN D T H E P ROTE S T S

S O C IA L J USTICE IN ITIATIV ES

HAPPIE HOFFMAN

VOTING IS A MITZVA H

Content s 03

20

Reflection

MeFTY Board

By Rabbi Micah D. Greenstein

Mo Gilbert, Stelle Blen, Sofia Jalenak, Abby Israel, and Ella Gregory

04 High Holy Days Schedule

22

08

Congratulations to our congregants on their lifecycle events!

Happie Hoffman

By Melinda Lejman

Mazel Tov!

23 Donations

11 New Trustee Spotlight

April 2020 through July 2020

Karen Koplon, Cara Greenstein, Bob Dinkelspiel, Helen Gronauer, and Mary Kanowitz

13 Voting is a Mitzvah

By Sarah Rushakoff

15 Social Justice Initiatives

18 Behind the Protests

By Carly Abramson and Ella Gregory

@templeisrael @timemphis @templeisrael

Cover photo by Paige Miller Photography 2 • V O I C E • H I G H H O LY D AY S I S S U E • 2 0 2 0

Check out the Temple Israel website timemphis.org

Reflection

by Rabbi Micah D. Greenstein Blind faith has never been the preferred Jewish way.

It leads to false promises and masks what faith in Judaism is fundamentally about: living with uncertainty while still believing that things will somehow be alright no matter what happens to us in this lifetime.

This year’s High Holy Days theme, “Build Your Spiritual Endurance,” is conceived with each of you in mind, since we all need mental, physical, and spiritual stamina to make it through this pandemic — which we certainly will overcome during the upcoming New Year 5781. Endurance requires food for fuel and a positive attitude, but to be a Jew is more than food or a feeling. To be a Jew is to live deeply and passionately, to struggle with life’s struggles, to stand up and speak up, and to embrace the core message of these High Holy Days that it is never too late to change one’s self and this world for the better.

The story of our namesake, Jacob/Israel, recounts the growth of a Jewish soul and the development of a mensch. Jacob starts out selfish as we all can be. He makes major mistakes, yet he learns, changes, and em-

braces the struggle. My midrash professor described it this way: “The story of [our namesake] Jacob is the story of defeat and renewal, of death and rebirth. And through this process, the presence of God is felt.” Jacob, whose life is far from a straight line, will become Yisrael, which comes from the Hebrew root, “to make things better,” or “to straighten the curve.”

COVID-19 has thrown everyone a curveball with ongoing suffering for far too many, yet this virus is not the end of the story. Life will go on, just as Temple Israel continues to thrive. We are about to enter the most introspective, contemplative, and potentially life-changing month in the Jewish year, every step of which — whether indoors virtually or outdoors in person — offers us a new beginning and fresh perspective.

This deadly virus is a reminder not to wait to express love to one’s family, ask forgiveness, and make amends with a relative or friend. God’s continuing faith reminder to Jacob and all our ancestors is the same refrain: “Remember,” God says, “I am with you through it all.” God is with us, and we at Temple Israel are with

you as we persevere and press on into 5781.

I am thrilled to announce that High Holy Days services and activities for this unprecedented year will be extraordinarily creative and dynamic. Our popular livestream services will feature meaningful video messages from members, live classical and contemporary musical selections led by Cantorial Soloist Happie Hoffman, and top-flight production — and not just indoors. On Rosh Hashanah morning and Yom Kippur morning, we will hold live outdoor services socially distanced in the Temple Meadow at 9 am (weather permitting and with COVID guidelines observed, of course).

Arrive early for glorious music, the sounding of the shofar, sermonic inspiration, all with ample open room for physical distancing and true Temple community.

L’shanah Tovah U’Metukah,

RABBI MICAH D. GREENSTEIN TIMEMPHIS.ORG • 3

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t he High Holy D ay s at T emp l e I s r a el Temple Israel is proud to produce a creative hybrid of virtual and in-person, outdoor soulful offerings for this year’s High Holy Days season. We look forward to connecting with every Temple household through a uniquely memorable and meaningful experience, no matter the distance.

Selichot

Erev Rosh Hashanah

Rosh Hashanah

Kever Avot

Tashlich

Saturday, September 12 TIME

SERVICE

LOCATION/VIRTUAL

7:30 pm

Selichot Havdalah | Preparing Your Heart for the High Holy Days

Temple Israel Rose Garden* Livestream: timemphis.org & Facebook

Friday, September 18 TIME

SERVICE

LOCATION/VIRTUAL

7:00 pm

Erev Rosh Hashanah Service | “What Comes Next?”

by Rabbi Bess Wohlner

Livestream: timemphis.org & Facebook

Saturday, September 19 TIME

SERVICE

LOCATION/VIRTUAL

9:00 am

Rosh Hashanah Morning Service | “Build Your Spiritual Endurance”

by Rabbi Micah D. Greenstein

Temple Israel Meadow* Livestream: timemphis.org & Facebook

11:30 am

Family Service co-led by Rick Recht

Livestream: timemphis.org & Facebook

Sunday, September 20 TIME

SERVICE

LOCATION/VIRTUAL

10:30 am - 4:00 pm

In lieu of a service, the cemetery will be open on Kever Avot

Cemetery

Sunday, September 20 TIME

SERVICE

LOCATION/VIRTUAL

4:30 pm

Tashlich

Shelby Farms Park Jones Pond Pavilion Weather permitting

TIMEMPHIS.ORG • 5

Shabbat Shuvah

Erev Yom Kippur

Yom Kippur

Friday, September 25 TIME

SERVICE

LOCATION/VIRTUAL

6:00 pm

Shabbat Shuvah Service Led by TI CHAI (Temple Israel High School)

Livestream: timemphis.org & Facebook

Sunday, September 27 TIME

SERVICE

LOCATION/VIRTUAL

7:00 pm

Kol Nidre Service | “History, Memory, & Our Own Lives Right Now”

by Rabbi Micah D. Greenstein

Livestream: timemphis.org & Facebook

Monday, September 28 TIME

SERVICE

LOCATION/VIRTUAL

9:00 am

Yom Kippur Morning Service | “It Gets Better”

by Rabbi Jeremy Simons

Temple Israel Meadow* Livestream: timemphis.org & Facebook

11:30 am

Family Service co-led by Rick Recht

Livestream: timemphis.org & Facebook

2:00 pm - 3:00 pm

Ruach Music Service | Honoring the Confirmation Class of 2020 & Graduation Class of 2021

Livestream: timemphis.org & Facebook

2:00 pm - 3:00 pm

Learning with Dr. Joe Levy | “The Choosing People”

by Dr. Joe Levy

Zoom

3:00 pm - 4:00 pm

A Spiritual Practice with Three Jewish Yogis

by Jenna Kaufman, Marcy Stagner, & Ruthie Lichterman

Livestream: Zoom, timemphis.org & Facebook

3:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Short Story Session: “Yom Kippur, The Day Without Forgiveness”

by Leo Bearman

Zoom

4:00 pm

Yizkor | “The Certainty of Death, The Uncertainty of Life”

by Rabbi Micah D. Greenstein

Livestream: timemphis.org & Facebook

5:30 pm

Ne’ilah Closing Service

Livestream: timemphis.org & Facebook

6:30 pm

Final Shofar Blast

Livestream: timemphis.org & Facebook

*Outdoor events will be held weather permitting. Temple Israel families and their children in 8th grade and higher may attend outdoor services. Our congregants in COVID-19 vulnerable categories as well as the greater Memphis and Jewish community are invited to tune in virtually via timemphis.org or Facebook, neither of which require formal registration. See the FAQs page at timemphis.org for more information about this year’s High Holy Days services at Temple Israel.

HIGH HOLY DAYS FOOD DRIVE Help us convert every dollar into seven pounds of food for those in need in the Mid-South. As we fast on Yom Kippur, we feast on making food possible for Memphians who are hungry every day. Please donate to Temple Israel’s High Holy Days Food drive by sending checks to Temple, payable to Rabbi Greenstein’s discretionary fund (write Food Drive in the memo section). All funds will be given to the Mid-South Food Bank and MAZON: The Jewish Response to Hunger. An envelope is enclosed in this issue of the Voice for your convenience, or you can donate online at timemphis.org.

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THE ISRAEL TRIP

JUNE 7-17, 2021 Leaving home has been a distant dream for all of us since COVID-19. This is all the more reason to look forward to “Next year in Israel” with a family trip led by Rabbi Micah D. Greenstein.

Among Temple Israel’s greatest offerings are our spiritual journeys to Israel and beyond. June 7-17, 2021, promises to be yet another once-in-a-lifetime Israel adventure.

Our June 2021 trip is intergenerational and geared toward all ages with an itinerary crafted by Rabbi Greenstein along with Da’at/ARZA World’s extraordinary Israel team.

TIMEMPHIS.ORG • 7

HAPPIE HOFFMAN Cantorial Soloist

By Melinda Lejman

H

Happie Hoffman joined Temple Israel as the new cantorial soloist just in time for this year’s High Holy Days. But, while she may be filling a new role, she is by no means “new” to Temple. Happie, a native Memphian and graduate of White Station High School, grew up at Temple Israel. “Temple is really the first place where I learned that I connected spiritually to Judaism through music,” says Happie, who was part of the very first Teen Team cohort almost fifteen years ago. “That’s where I learned a lot of Jewish music. I had no idea at that time that I would pursue a career in Jewish music.”

Before joining Teen Team, Happie played the piano and violin, but it was her experience in Teen Team that inspired her to pick up the guitar. “Rick Recht and Sheldon Low were coming in every so often to train us, and Rick encouraged me to see what it was like to try and play the guitar.” Happie bought a guitar on Craigslist and taught herself to play by watching YouTube video classes.

Happie was also involved in BBYO (formerly the B’nai B’rith Youth Organization) and started song-leading with them during summer programs and serving on their regional and international boards. Her musical experience in BBYO led to extensive country-wide travel and playing at different conventions.

Happie attended Indiana University where she studied Jewish music. She became very involved in their Hillel, joined a Jewish a capella group, and led services on Friday nights, all while she continued to travel.

Happie continued traveling as a song leader which eventually led to her engagement with BBYO as their music director. For the past few years, Happie worked

Temple is really the first place where I learned that I connected spiritually to Judaism through music. in her capacity as BBYO Music Director while also traveling to Europe where she led seminars for teens in Moldova and Moscow, teaching young people from all over the former Soviet Union to lead their own communities in music through song leading.

Happie has also been very involved in “March of the Living” — an annual educational program that brings students from around the world to Poland where they explore the remnants of the Holocaust. She has also performed on the main stage for the International Yom Hashoah Ceremony in Auschwitz-Birkenau.

“I think I just kept following open doors to meaningful experiences,” shares Happie. “I feel really lucky and always have felt lucky to do this work. Playing a small part in bringing Jewish life back to the former Soviet Union or honoring memory by creating musical

moments and emotional moments in Poland — the work has always really felt meaningful and aligned with what I feel like my purpose is.”

Happie has performed at the SXSW Music Festival and the Sundance Film Festival. She was a featured artist of the 2018 United Nations Holocaust Remembrance Ceremony and has co-produced two albums which are available on ITunes — a Jewish indie-folk album, “Hamavdil” released in 2018, as well as an indie-folk album, “It’s Yours,” which reached #11 on the iTunes Singer-Songwriter Top 20.

What Happie hopes to bring to her role at Temple is an opportunity to help the community reconnect and recenter, especially during a time when our social and spiritual connections look so different due to the COVID-19 pandemic. So, what does it mean to come back to these things that matter: family, community, and health? For Happie, it’s a chance to pause and reflect.

“I’m really excited to pour my heart and soul into serving the congregation that’s given me so much.

I feel so honored to be able to serve the community in this way,” says Happie. “I’m really grateful for the opportunity to pray together and to learn together, and to also be creative about how we connect during this time.”

TIMEMPHIS.ORG • 9

TEMPLE ISRAEL BROTHERHOOD AND TEMPLE ISRAEL SISTERHOOD F O R T H E I R S U P P O R T O F T H E H I G H H O LY DAYS PROGRAMMING AND SERVICES ----------------

T H E R I N G E L F A M I LY FOR THEIR SUPPORT OF H I G H H O LY D A Y S M U S I C ----------------

T H E K O PA L D F LO R A L F U N D FOR THE SANCTUARY AND CHAPEL FLOWERS ----------------

DAVID BEARMAN FOR THE USE OF HIS PHOTOGRAPHS I N T E M P L E ’ S H I G H H O LY D A Y S I M A G E S

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Ne w Trus tee Sp o tlight

M A RY

K A N OW I T Z

Why did you decide to accept your nomination to serve on the board of Temple Israel?

Why wouldn’t I!? It was truly a moment of reverence when I received the call regarding my nomination as a Trustee. Being able to support this vibrant and inspiring community is a true honor to me. I still consider our family “new” to the community after nine years and counting. I hope to bring a helpful voice in unison with those who have spent generations building this beautiful, one-of-a-kind place.

What do you hope to bring to your role?

As a Jew-by-Choice, a transplant, and as a parent building a Jewish family, I look forward to learning from those who have spent many generations keeping Temple the strong and welcoming place that it is by bringing some of my outside perspective and personal experiences to the table. I also hope to be able to continue Temple Israel’s legacy and build on community engagement, particularly in social justice, but also by helping to continue nourishing the young family component in which we have found such wonderful connections. I also believe that the love of Temple and of Judaism often starts in the home. I am passionate about helping build the connection for each family that begins their journey in this incredibly warm and wonderful Jewish environment.

What’s your Temple Israel story?

After moving to Memphis from Denver, Colorado nine years ago, and only knowing two people in the entire city, my husband Aaron and I made one of our first stops at Temple Israel. We immediately felt the warmth that shines at Temple Israel and were completely overwhelmed with how wonderful and engaging this community truly is. As our family grew, we were fortunate enough to enroll our children at the BKL ELC for preschool. Our daughter Josephine and our son Ari are both BKL ELC alumni, Starboard through Kindergarten. This past school year, I was honored to take on the role of Temple Israel Preschool Parents (TIPPS) President. One of my other passions is social justice. Through Temple Israel, our family has been able to give back not only to our amazing Temple community but to the entire community at large.

Through Temple Israel, our family has been able to give back not only to our amazing Temple community but to the entire community at large.

You joined the board of trustees during a pandemic, and as a result, were invited to serve on the COVID-19 Fund Task Force. What has that been like?

Being able to focus on how we can help Temple Israel with the best of our abilities, and with the wonderful generosity many of our members have been able to provide, gives me such hope. I am in awe of the helpers and am completely honored to be able to ensure that families can continue to receive the Jewish education that our children have had over these past few years, regardless of their job status, and the fact that COVID-19 has changed our entire environment. The BKL ELC continues to thrive and be that safe place that is one of the lifelines of our entire congregation because of the COVID-19 Fund and its beyond generous supporters.

K A R E N

KO P LO N

Why did you decide to accept your nomination to serve on the board of Temple Israel?

I accepted the nomination to serve on the board to get more involved and support a place that has meant so much to our family.

What’s your Temple Israel story?

My Temple Israel roots run deep. I’m a fourth-generation Temple member. I can remember starting Sunday school at the old Temple at Poplar and Montgomery.

When I think of the main sanctuary at Temple, I remember where I would sit with my grandparents; I remember my confirmation, my sisters’ weddings, my own wedding, and my daughter’s bat mitzvah. For my family, from generation to generation, Temple is home.

For my family, from generation to generation, Temple is home.

T I M E M P H I S . O R G • 11

How will you work to further the mission of Temple Israel, and how do you see yourself helping Temple build the spiritual endurance of our members, especially during this pandemic?

The clergy team at Temple has done an excellent job staying connected with the members through virtual services and programming during the pandemic.

I see my role as supporting those efforts to whatever extent needed.

C A R A

What are some initiatives you have been especially interested in or fond of?

Music has always been the source and connection point for my spirituality and my Judaism, and I think Temple continues to set the bar in that category. I’m so excited that my lifelong friend Happie Hoffman will carry that forward for us!

ment to those around us in need. I also love that Temple Israel offers something for everyone, no matter the age or station of life. We have sessions for loss, youth group, learning opportunities, and the list goes on and on.

B O B H E L E N

D I N K E L S PI E L

G R O N AU E R

G R E E N S T E I N

What’s your Temple Israel story?

Temple has been my second home since birth (and the pulse of my family) and remains ever-so. It’s been a gift to build upon a childhood at Temple (led by my Dad and fostered by family and close friends) and since then create my own identity and relationship with Temple that I cherish so much.

My appreciation for Temple has deepened (even as only a 20-something!) — it has remained the constant anchor of mine and Alex’s lives communally, spiritually, and leadership development-wise. Being given the opportunity to establish and build both ConnecTI and Temple’s Crosstown space has been such a highlight during my latest chapter in Memphis — it was a beautiful experience to reinforce that Temple is so much more than a building or a service or a sermon.

It was a beautiful experience to reinforce that Temple is so much more than a building or a service or a sermon.

You joined the board of trustees during a pandemic, and as a result, were invited to serve on the COVID-19 Fund Task Force.

What has that been like?

While I’ve always known it, experiencing firsthand the generosity of our Temple family to support each other during such a trying time has been a gift.

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Why did you decide to accept your nomination to serve on the board of Temple Israel?

Temple Israel is very near and dear to my heart, and I am honored to have the opportunity to serve on its board. I consider it my home away from home and the foundation of my family life. As a lifelong Memphian, Temple Israel’s enduring presence has played a pivotal role in my life and I am excited to follow in the footsteps of my father, brother, and nephew by serving and supporting this institution.

How will you work to further the mission of Temple Israel, and how do you see yourself helping Temple build the spiritual endurance of our members, especially during this pandemic?

I believe it is important, now more than ever, to foster relationships and help the community as a whole in whatever way I’m needed. More specifically, I would love to make myself available to others during this time, whether that be by calling and checking in or by meeting with members to provide strength and encouragement.

I believe it is important, now more than ever, to foster relationships and help the community as a whole.

What are some initiatives you have been especially interested in or fond of?

One of my favorite Temple Israel initiatives is Mitzvah Day. I am so proud that our temple led the way for other Jewish centers in the area to also adopt this special day and help bring further encourage-

What’s your Temple Israel story?

I was raised and confirmed at Temple and married by Rabbi Wax at Poplar and Montgomery. All four of our children became Bar and Bat Mitzvah at Temple and my grandfather was the Executive Secretary.

How will you work to further the mission of Temple Israel, and how do you see yourself helping Temple build the spiritual endurance of our members, especially during this pandemic?

I want to see the needs of the membership and the institution to see how I might be able to help. There is a very long line of people who have served this institution. It is humbling to think I could do anything.

What are some initiatives you have been especially interested in or fond of?

Our TI Crosstown space. We need youth, and that is the gateway to that segment of Jews in Memphis.

There is a very long line of people who have served this institution.

It is humbling to think I could do anything.

Voting is a Mitzvah

By Sarah Rushakoff

V

Voting is a very Jewish thing. Tikkun olam — the Mishnaic concept of repairing the world — can be practiced by anyone, anywhere, from doing everyday mitzvot at home to encouraging policy change on an international scale. “One of the ways to work on repairing the world, to create the kind of world you want to see, is to vote and be involved in your community so that you are effecting change,” says Jennifer Kollath, Temple Israel Archivist.

“For example, we place a high value on education in the Jewish community. How do you create the school system you want to see? By voting for officials whose values are the same as yours.”

Aiming to reach 100% voter participation in the Reform Movement, the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism is leading its 2020 “Every Voice, Every Vote” campaign to mobilize congregations, NFTY regions, WRJ-Sisterhoods and MRJ-Brotherhoods, camp communities, college students, and individuals who are eligible voters. Temple Israel enthusiastically joins this nonpartisan campaign because, as Jennifer says, “maybe we don’t all vote the same, but it’s important that we vote.”

The Jewishness of community involvement and voting is woven into the history of Memphis and of Temple itself. Jennifer explains, “This campaign is an extension of Temple’s long history of community engagement.”

Rabbi James Wax, who served as Rabbi at Temple from 1946 until 1978 when he retired, was a tireless advocate for civil rights and racial justice. He spoke often of the

importance of standing up for others whose voices were muted or silenced by society, and he followed his own guidance, serving with many Memphis organizations dedicated to helping the marginalized.

And back in the 1920s, another Jewish Memphian, Joe Hanover, was so passionate about women’s suffrage that he dedicated his political career to making it happen.

Born in Poland, he was elected to the Tennessee House of Representatives, the only first-generation immigrant in the House at the time. “When they were trying to pass women’s suffrage, Tennessee was the last state to vote so it could be ratified,” says Jennifer, and Joe pushed hard for Tennessee to become the final piece of the puzzle.

Tennessee legislators voted 50 to 49 in favor of ratifying, giving white women the vote for the first time in the United States.

The “Every Voice, Every Vote” committee at Temple is led by Associate Rabbi Bess Wohlner and includes representatives from Brotherhood, Sisterhood, ConnecTI, staff, and clergy. “Part of being Jewish is engaging in the community where we live, and one easy way we can do that is by voting,” says Rabbi Wohlner. Temple’s nonpartisan committee plans to reach out and encourage every congregant to head to polling places for every election. Many people only vote in national elections, but voting in primaries and smaller local and state elections are equally important actions that help shape our communities.

Elections can be confusing, whether you’ve never

(Below Image) Jennifer Kollath, Temple Israel Archivist, took advantage of early voting at the Agricenter in July and picked up some produce as well.

voted before or you’ve been voting all your life. “The way they have absentee voting set up, there are a lot of different boxes to check, and it’s complicated. If you aren’t someone who’s used to voting regularly, it’s so easy to say ‘why bother’ and not go through with it,” acknowledges Jennifer. “What we’re trying to do now is set up that infrastructure so congregants know how to vote, where to vote, are registered to vote, so as we continue for the next couple of years, local politicians will know that Temple Israel votes, and that they need to listen to our concerns about what we want to see happen in Memphis.” Rabbi Wohlner agrees, “I hope politicians will understand that it’s a powerful message to have a congregation that votes 100 percent. They’re going to want to listen to us more closely.”

There are many things you can do once you’ve verified that you’re registered. “Create your voting plan, tell a friend, commit to it, follow through. Ask your friends if they need help with their voting plans,” Rabbi Wohlner suggests. Look up the candidates and get familiar with their platforms. Pay attention to the issues that are important to you. Find your voting location on a map.

If there’s a candidate who really inspires you, ask them how you can help with their campaign. Can you put a yard sign in front of your home? Can you volunteer at a phone bank? Post about your voting plan on social media? There are countless ways to get involved.

As Rabbi Micah D. Greenstein, senior rabbi of Temple Israel, is fond of saying, only part of being a Temple congregant happens inside the synagogue.

“The Temple Israel Sanctuary was intentionally designed in a semi-circle, but not for acoustics. Engaging with the greater community is the message of Temple’s Main Sanctuary. The architectural message of our primary prayer space is the Jewish teaching that prayer must lead to action. What good are prayers in the Temple Sanctuary if they do not impact the other half of the circle — the greater community?”

(Above Image) Written sometime in the late 1970s by Rabbi James A. Wax, Rabbi of Temple Israel Memphis and civil rights leader.

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Photo by Diane Reich

T

SOCIAL JUSTICE INITIATIVES

The Rabbi James A. Wax Fund for Social Justice was recently established to help maintain and grow Temple Israel’s social justice initiatives. Social justice is a core tenet of Reform Judaism and this fund allows us to bring holiness into our world through Tikkun Olam.

“We will bring all of our social justice actions and activities, those we are already involved in and those we will support going forward, under the auspices of this fund which is named for Rabbi James A. Wax, a true leader in social justice, not simply for Temple Israel and Reform Jews, but also for the larger Memphis community. This fund will remind us and drive us to continue our work with MICAH, but also support MIFA, the National Civil Rights Museum, and other initiatives driven by our community. We hope to continue to engage congregants in existing efforts, but also in ways that we haven’t before — growing our ranks of those who reach out to help our brothers and sisters in need. We are already doing that now and will continue to do that work going forward in a world that will need our support more now than ever before.”

-R A B B I M I C A H D. G R E E N S T E I N

MICAH

the Temple Israel MICAH team is an opportunity to work towards real change for this city. MICAH currently holds monthly meetings and issues nights via Zoom. Register by going to micahmemphis.org/ calendar. Contact Karin Rubnitz at karinrubnitz@ ymail.com for more information on when the Temple Israel MICAH team meets for meaningful discussions and MICAH updates.

Chairs: Janis Finan, Matthew Hollon, Huikai Karol, Karin Rubnitz MICAH (Memphis Interfaith Coalition for Action and Hope) is a coalition of community and faith-based organizations that have joined together to give a more powerful voice for issues of justice in our city. The current focuses are on economic equity, education equity, and immigration & intercultural equity, with an emphasis on criminal justice.

MICAH seeks to “do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with our God.” Participating in MICAH meetings and as part of

T I M E M P H I S . O R G • 15

TEMPLE ISRAEL SISTERHOOD Rochelle Fenton, Susanne Landau, Jen Kollath, Kathy Wexler Sisterhood representative Rochelle Fenton leads Sisterhood’s Social Justice Committee. This committee first met in December 2019, when we decided to focus on two of the Reform Movement’s Social Justice Platforms — Reproductive Health & Rights and Gun Violence Prevention.

Currently, our committee is participating in the URJ’s Civic Engagement Campaign, led at Temple by Rabbi Bess Wohlner. We are exploring ways to achieve 100% voter turnout of Temple members for the November 2020 election.

Kathy Wexler and Jen Kollath lead the Reproductive Health and Rights group. Susanne Landau and Rochelle Fenton lead the Gun Violence Prevention group.

They participate in URJ Religious Action Center’s national calls with other synagogues and continue to learn about suggested programs and current legislative issues.

In December, Rochelle Fenton was asked by our local MOMS Demand Action Chapter (for gun sense laws) to participate with them and the Memphis Police Department in an interfaith remembrance ceremony for all of the victims of gun violence in 2019. Many of the families impacted were in attendance for this extremely moving and emotional service.

At the beginning of this year, during January and February, our Social Justice committee decided on a Reproductive Health and Rights program to collect sanitary products for girls attending Shelby County Schools.

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Thanks to the incredible response by Temple members, we were able to deliver two trunkfuls of products to SCS and hope to have another collection when school resumes.

In February, we hosted an “Everyday Self-Defense” program with USA Karate in Memphis as part of both of our focus issues. Gun safety, proper gun storage, and basic self-defense and situational awareness were covered.

Two of our committee members participated with our local chapter of Moms Demand Action for Hill Day on March 4, 2020. They met with our State Representatives in Nashville to encourage supporting sensible gun laws for public safety.

To learn how you get involved, please contact one of our Social Justice chairs: Rochelle Fenton: ljafenton@bellsouth.net Susanne Landau: susanne.landau@comcast.net Kathy Wexler: kathyshapiro@hotmail.com Jen Kollath: jenniferkaye1@gmail.com

TEMPLE SERVES MEMPHIS Mary Kanowitz, Rabbi Bess Wohlner, and Paige Mandelman

CONNECTI | TI TALKS ConnecTI hosted a virtual TI Talks on June 18, 2020 covering the topic of “Mental Health During a Pandemic.” ConnecTI members Caroline Kaufman and Abby Durham moderated the discussion with a panel of three local Jewish women involved in mental health and mental health advocacy: Wendi Stec, Jenna Kaufman, and Michelle Cooper. The discussion, including a Q&A, addressed mental health issues in the context of COVID-19 and other current events as well as opportunities to engage in practices to promote positive mental health and self-care. ConnecTI’s next TI Talks will take place on September 10, 2020 at 7 pm. ConnecTI members Lulu Abdun and August Young will moderate a panel discussion on voting, voter rights, and voter suppression.

Shortly after the COVID-19 pandemic hit Memphis in early March, Temple Israel Trustee Mary Kanowitz and Community Engagement Director Paige Mandelman connected over a shared concern: How children in the Shelby County School District would continue receiving the meals they depend on each school day as part of the Title One program. After many conversations and discussions with community organizations, and alongside Rabbi Bess Wohlner, Temple Serves Memphis was launched in an effort to connect Temple volunteers with opportunities to support children and families in Memphis.

Over the past few months, Temple Serves Memphis has engaged volunteers with the Mid-South Food Bank Mobile Food Pantry to deliver food to families, children, and seniors in the community. Please join the Facebook group, Temple Serves Memphis, for the most up-to-date volunteer opportunities.

Community Engagement Director Paige Mandelman and ConnecTI members Benjamin Friedlander and Sarah Besser are working on a new initiative to connect young Jewish adults to the greater Memphis area. They are partnering with JUICE, an organization in Orange Mound, to help revive, beautify, and bring awareness to their community garden. This project will be a labor of love and an opportunity for two different communities to come together and learn from each other. Paige, Benjamin, and Sarah are working with Britney Thornton, the executive director of JUICE, to organize various projects around the garden for volunteers.

said Leigh Hendry, executive director of Plough Towers. “It is a treat for them to have healthy and delicious food delivered right to them, especially during this challenging time in the world.”

Temple’s Team Glean and Team Read programs are made possible by the generosity and vision of Judy and Nick Ringel, their children, and grandchildren in memory of Ernestine Greenberger.

TEAM READ

Photo by Paula Jacobson: ConnecTI MIFA volunteers

M I FA

TEAM GLEAN

Temple Israel and MIFA (Metropolitan Interfaith Association) have been closely linked since MIFA’s creation fifty-two years ago. Over the years, many Temple members have delivered meals to vulnerable seniors who cannot leave their homes. During the early days of the pandemic, Temple volunteers packed boxes of shelf-stable meals and even delivered meals to clients so they would never be without meals, in case of emergency. Temple’s Sisterhood has a long relationship with MIFA as well, preparing meals for the ombudsman volunteers and other celebratory events. We look forward to returning to our very supportive relationship with MIFA. Learn more about MIFA at mifa.org.

Temple Israel is excited to join a nationwide effort to end hunger and reduce food waste through gleaning — the practice of redistributing quality produce that otherwise would be discarded. Every Thursday afternoon until October 29, Temple volunteers, ages 21+, gather at the Agricenter Farmers’ Market to collect fruit and vegetables generously donated by the vendors there and then deliver the produce to Plough Towers.

While at Plough Towers, the volunteers put the produce into bags to make it easy for the residents to take what they want the next day. COVID-19 safety procedures are followed at the Agricenter Farmers’ Market and at Plough Towers. “The residents at Plough Towers love the beautiful and fresh fruits and vegetables,”

Temple’s Team Read program is entering its seventh year. Since the fall of 2014, a multi-generational cohort of Temple members has helped improve the reading skills of over 250 Shelby County School (SCS) second-graders using a sight word-based literacy program. Coaching first at Wells Station Elementary School and most recently at Newberry Elementary, the volunteers work one-on-one with students whose reading skills are not on grade-level. Through playing games and fun reading comprehension lessons, by the end of each school year, students are able to improve their reading fluency (the speed at which one reads without struggling) and confidence when compared to pre-Team Read testing reports.

In addition to helping struggling students begin to “read to learn” instead of “learn to read,” the coaches and students develop a close relationship.

Yearly, coaches comment that their weekly session with the student is the best half-hour of their week.

Knowing that this small volunteer effort provides such a critical impact on a child’s future is extremely rewarding.

As of the printing of this issue of the Voice, SCS is developing an online Team Read program for the 2020-21 school year so that volunteers and students can connect virtually in real time and still enjoy a one-on-one experience. If you are interested in becoming a Team Read coach, please contact Betsy Saslawsky at bsaslawsky@gmail.com.

T I M E M P H I S . O R G • 17

On July 22, 2020, Temple Israel’s MeFTY teens met virtually with Memphis City Council Member Michalyn Easter-Thomas and local activist Cat Allen to discuss the recent protests in Memphis and how teens can be more engaged in activism. Carly Abramson, Temple Israel’s Music & Education Specialist and MeFTY coordinator, and Ella Gregory, the VP of Programming for MeFTY, reflected on this event and what MeFTY participants learned from the experience.

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MEFTY | BEHIND THE PROTESTS

By Carly Abramson This year MeFTY is coming back stronger than ever, and strangely enough, it is because of COVID-19. Since we cannot be in the same space together, we have redefined how we exist as MeFTY. This pandemic has given us the opportunity to expand beyond the walls of Temple Israel to make an impact in the larger Memphis community.

On Wednesday, July 22, we hosted a social action event called “Behind the Protests” featuring City Council Member Michalyn Easter-Thomas and Community Activist, Cat Allen. Michalyn is the youngest Black woman elected to the Memphis City Council and is currently serving for District 7. Cat has been an advocate for justice since the age of 15 and served as the chair of the board of directors for the Midsouth Peace & Justice Center. Both of these inspirational individuals offer strong voices for civil rights in Memphis and set a great example for MeFTY as we engage in more social justice in our community.

We would not be able to host impactful experiences such as these without support from the Memphis Jewish Federation.

Photo by Diane Reich

BEHIND THE PROTESTS

By Ella Gregory What is behind the protests? What can we do?

We must carry on the tradition of demanding justice.

We have a right to demand, to organize and mobilize students, administrations, and the public to fight injustice. Every protest has demands. Protests that are happening now have demands, such as diverting funds to schools for education, disciplinary reform, climate issues, protection from coronavirus, homelessness, and other issues.

Judaism teaches us we must be active in the world.

People will tell you the time is not right to stand up, but the time is now. People will tell you the time is not right to stand up, but the time is now. We are old enough to understand our world’s problems and we have a place here that we need to claim. What we are seeing now is not new to humanity. We are a part of the solution that is out there if we choose to be.

Having individuals and groups speak to people who make laws makes a difference. People cannot be ignored; hundreds of emails cannot be ignored. Pressure is what we need to change anything. Pressure makes

people stop and look, especially now when the majority of the country is at home looking at social media and the news more often than they may have before.

If you are unsure about whether something you see on social media is true or not, try looking at your local media or finding the source where the information first came from. See if the sources are credible or if they have biases.

You do not have to be an elected official to influence politics. We need to remember that even if you don’t want to be in the face of politics, your voice always matters, and not voting is still a vote. Even if someone is not old enough to vote, they have a place to join people and candidates who represent them and are fighting for what they believe in. Everyone has the right to contact current officials and to show up to city council and school board meetings.

What we care about is impacted by the government, whether it’s schools, neighborhoods, colleges, etc., so we have to make sure it is working equitably and fairly for all of us. We need to be aware of what is going on in our communities. What do you spend your time thinking about? Find what your passion is, find what moves you to speak up and out.

Talk to friends and family who are eligible to reg-

ister to vote. If they can vote but are not planning on voting, ask them, “Why not?” We need to hold people accountable. You can register to vote at govotetn.com.

If you cannot vote, look up candidates’ platforms, see who represents you, and have conversations about who is best for your area with people that can vote.

T I M E M P H I S . O R G • 19

MEF T Y BOARD

M O

S O F I A

JA L E N A K

A B BY

I S R A E L

Communications Vice President

Social Action Vice President

My name is Sofia Jalenak. I am going into the tenth grade at St. Mary’s. My role on the MeFTY board is the Communications Vice President. My goal for my MeFTY position is to make sure the social media pages are active and make fun promotional materials for the participants in MeFTY.

My name is Abby Israel. I’m 16 years old, and a rising junior at White Station High School. This is my second year on the MeFTY board as SAVP and my third year in MeFTY. I’m super excited to see what the new board will bring this year and to continue to watch MeFTY grow as an organization.

My goal for my MeFTY position is to make sure the social media pages are active and make fun promotional materials for the participants in MeFTY.

I’m super excited to see what the new board will bring this year and to continue to watch MeFTY grow as an organization.

G I L B E R T President

S T E L L A

Hey everybody! I’m Mo Gilbert and I will be your MeFTY President for this year. This will be my second time being MeFTY President and I look forward to creating programs that y’all will love. For those of you that don’t know me, I am a soon to be senior at Lausanne and will turn 18 this September. My past year with NFTY has given me experiences that will help me to make this year even better. I’m really looking forward to working with this new (full) board and the ideas that come out of it!

I look forward to creating programs that y’all will love.

2 0 • V O I C E • H I G H H O LY D AY S I S S U E • 2 0 2 0

B L E N

E L L A

G R E G O RY

Membership Vice President

Programming Vice President

I’m Stella Blen and I’m serving as this year’s Membership VP. I’m a rising sophomore at St. Mary’s.

My goal is to be a friendly face for those interested in being a part of MeFTY, as well as to spread the word to get more people to join.

My name is Ella Gregory and I am going to be a junior this fall. I am the new Programming Vice President for MeFTY and I could not be more excited! Some of my goals for MeFTY are to increase attendance at our events, plan a variety of fun events for everyone, and to work with my fellow board members to make it a great year. I cannot wait to watch the MeFTY community grow and to see what the next year holds!

My goal is to be a friendly face for those interested in being a part of MeFTY, as well as to spread the word to get more people to join.

I cannot wait to watch the MeFTY community grow.

BKL ELC The Barbara K. Lipman Early Learning Center is thriving this fall! Our teachers and staff are working diligently to provide a warm, loving environment for learning and play for all of our kiddos — from Noah’s Ark all the way up to Kindergarten!

T I M E M P H I S . O R G • 21

Mazel Tov! B ’ N A I M I T Z VA H

BIRTHS

CONVERSIONS

JORDYN CORRINE POULIN

Ruthie O’Ryan Lichterman

Daughter of Lindsay & Aaron Poulin, Granddaughter of Cathy Poulin and Rona & David Booth, Great Granddaughter of Lynn Kline.

ADAM BLUMENTH AL Son of Gregory Blumenthal & Karen Rowe*, Adam became a bar mitzvah on August 1, 2020. He is a 9th grader at Houston High School and the grandson of Robert & Barbara Blumenthal.

BENJAMIN HERSCHEL COOPER Son of Elliott & Jonathan Cooper, Grandson of Steve Cooper & Diane Boswell Cooper and Dr. & Mrs. James Machin.

BEAU SAMUEL DAVIDSON

ANNIE COOPER Daughter of Eve Cooper & Kevin Cooper, Annie became a bat mitzvah on June 11, 2020. She is an 8th grader at Riverdale Middle School and the granddaughter of Carole & Robert Pinstein and Carol & Larry Cooper, and Great-Granddaughter of Judy Zaban Miller.

Son of Polly Rose Edelstein & Arik Spenser Davidson of Philadelphia, PA, Grandson of Lisa Dattel & Paul Edelstein and Tamar Kushner & Greg Davison, Great grandson of Helen & Bill Kushner, Paul Davidson, and Rosemarie Dattel.

Gabby McGaughy Michael Ross Carrie Webb

NEW MEMBERS Through August 17, 2020 WE WELCOME THE FA M ILIES O F :

Sarah & Natanel Brakha Brigid Chura & Jacob Scissors

JACKSON OLIVER KEITH

Zandra & Sam Fasbinder

Son of BKL ELC Director Sarah Keith & her husband Corey, Grandson of Peggy & Mike Mumper and Nancy & Gary Keith.

Ilene & Michael Goldstein

DYL AN JAY STEINBERG

ROSIE FAYE M AYER

Becca Tobias

Son of Eleanore & Corey Steinberg, Grandson of Jill and Ken Steinberg and Judy & Benny Tsaig, Great Grandson of Joy Wilk, Larry Wilk, and Marcia Menuskin.

Daughter of Ruth & Minton Mayer, Rosie became a bat mitzvah on June 11, 2020. She is an 8th grader at Riverdale Middle School and the granddaughter of Evelyn & Hebert Mayer and Robert & Sonya Baer**.

Ariel & Brandon Long Miranda & Laval Malachi Rebecca & Jonathan McCarter Lindsay & Aaron Poulin Becca Tobias Margery Van Vleet

ENGAGEMENTS

Andee & Noel Williamson

Rachael Brill & Jeff Dreifus Eva Cate Burson & John Ellis

HAVE A MAZEL TOV?

ELL A MILLER

Lauren Goldstein & Russell Goldberg

If you have a lifecycle “Mazel Tov” in your family that you would like to share, please call

Daughter of Paige & Jed Miller, Ella became a bat mitzvah on August 22, 2020. She is an 8th grader at Hutchison School and the granddaughter of Barbara Miller.

Lacey Lynn Seymour & Scott Eiseman

J A N K L E I N • 901.937.2771

*of blessed memory | **both of blessed memory 2 2 • V O I C E • H I G H H O LY D AY S I S S U E • 2 0 2 0

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 the following funds from April 2020 through July 2020: Barbara K. Lipman Early Learning Center, Beulah R. Vosse Library, Brotherhood, Cemetery, Clergy’s Discretionary, ConnecTI, General, Grounds & Beautification, Mary Shainberg Archives, MeFTY, Museum, Music Program, Service to the Blind, Sisterhood, Rabbi James A. Wax Social Justice Fund, and the Wendy & Avron Fogelman Religious School.

FOR THE RECOVERY OF Alice Ahart Susie Margulis Judy & Jim Stephenson Joan Baker Lynn Kline Shara & Sidney Lehman Stuart Lazarov Racelle Mednikow Susie Margulis Anonymous Cynthia Parr Marsha Underberg Lynn Kline Arnold Weiss Doris Bodan Eileen Wishnia Janet & Jerry Lang

Bat Mitzvah of Annie Cooper Rose Merry Brown & Aron Livnah Carole & Bob Pinstein Birth of Benjamin Herschel Cooper Steve Cooper Rabbi Harry Danziger Jennifer Gurevitz & Jay Brown Jackie & Alex Evans Jeff Kerlan Raymond Evans Vicki Maran Special Birthday of Joel Felt Betty & Skipper Loewenberg Mark Fogelman for His Service as Temple Israel President Hal Fogelman and Rick Fogelman Debbie & Ron Lazarov Betty & Skipper Loewenberg Rochelle & Frank Perlman Judy Royal

IN HONOR OF

Bat Mitzvah of Julianna Goldstein Julie & Mike Goldstein

Linda Bedrin Michelle & Brian Blake

Birthday of Julia Greenstein Judy Royal

Stacy Canales Peggy & Lenny Goodman Vicki Maran

Rabbi Micah Greenstein Deanna Burson and Family Sharon & Mike Goldstein Peggy & Lenny Goodman Marcia Jacoby Stephanie Levanthal & Greg Bitner Sally & Michael Pelts Jane Scharff Margot & Rabbi Seth Stander and Family Sharyn Tritsch

Stacy Canales Scott Giles Bornblum Jewish Community School Engagement of Stephanie Clein & Jared Cohen Charlotte Levitch Clergy and Staff of Temple Israel Marcia & Tom Fisher Clergy, Staff, and Supporters of Wendy & Avron Fogelman Religious School and TI Chai School Denise & Jeff Kerlan and Family

Marriage of Jennifer Gurevitz & Jay Brown Carole & Bob Pinstein Helen Herson Barbara Danciger

Rabbi Martin Hinchin James Bach

Rabbi Jeremy Simons Kevin Gaiman & Jeffrey Hanover

Janice Holder John Dwyer, Jr.

Sisterhood’s Outgoing and Incoming Presidents, Melissa Faber and Waynette Besser, and their Boards Sharon Berman

90th Birthday of Lois Jacobson Amy & Tod Singer and Family 90th Birthday of L.R. Jalenak, Jr. Sondra Abraham Carole & Charles Plesofsky Special Birthday of Lynn Kline Shara & Sidney Lehman Birthday of May Lynn Mansbach Marilyn & Joseph Schwartz Graduation of Emma Mansberg Susan Levy 25th Wedding Anniversary of Lesley & Sam Marks Judy & Kenneth Freedman Lisa & Matt Freedman and Family Installation of Laurie Meskin as Temple Israel President Dolly & Steve Bromberg Finan Family Lynn & Scott Ghertner Debbie & Ron Lazarov Betty & Skipper Loewenberg Erin Ostrow Judy Royal My Children Hayley Siegel Birth of Hugh Owen Petraglia Laurie & Harry Samuels Special Birthday of Charles Plesofsky Patty & Lee Abraham Dick Eiseman BeJay Gronauer PreK1 Teachers: Tiffany Braby, Chris Gandy, Christy Salvo, and Amy Winestone Barbara K. Lipman Early Learning Center PreK1 2019-20 Families Birthday of Judy Ringel Inky & Phil Aronoff 60th Anniversary of Judy & Nick Ringel Martha & Jerrold Graber Janice & Jimmy Ringel Dick Rubin Sherry Isaacman The Scheidt Family Courtney & David Walker Graduation of Abby Shainberg Cathy & Richard Kessler

Cantorial Soloist Abbie Strauss Glen Frisch Cantorial Soloist Abbie Strauss & Rabbi Feivel Strauss Hermine Davidson Rabbi Feivel Strauss Ron Goldfarb Glory Stainbank Bar Mitzvah of Ari Taub Petersen Family Rabbi David Wilfond Anonymous Rabbi Bess Wohlner Eliza Benaim Les Burson

IN MEMORY OF Alan Abis Myrna Abis Heath Akins Laurie & Jeff Meskin Sam Alabaster Dan Alabaster Tillie Blen Alperin Fannie Magids Jan & Jack Magids Belle Eshman Balkin Frank Balkin Anna Kabakoff Gruber Lynn & Vic Butcher Hannah Jacobson Barnett Louis Barnett Clarice Barnett Harris Lewis “Pat” Isaacs Carole & Charles Plesofsky Freida Baruchman Sam Buchalter Beverly Buchalter Jill Barrasso Golden & Steve Bearman Dana & Kent Farmer Cathy & Charles Glaser Michele & Martin Pinstein Jo Ann Schatz & Mike Tolleson Sandra Beatus Myrna Thomas

TIMEMPHIS.ORG • 23

Samuel Beck Sharon Gadless Mary Bernatsky Lynda & Stephen Shiffman Grace Rae Lofsky Bernstein Jane Eckstein Marna Lee Blindman Debbie & Ron Lazarov Amelia Weil Bloom Philip Bloom Nancy & Gerald Ballin Julian Bloom Robert Kaplan Sadye Kaplan Joanne Bloom Jeannette Bluthenthal Ruth Toff Burton Bodan Gilbert Levy Doris Bodan Avrome Boshwit Betsy Feuerman Raymond Shainberg Louise Kahn Zugsmith Judy Boshwit Michael Bozof Millie & Alan Katzen Myrna & Alan Salomon Rochelle & Avron Slutsky Jewell Brody Leo Brody Natalie Graber and Family Mary Bronstein Maury Bronstein and Paul Bronstein Max Bronze Kathy & Michael Bronze LeRoy Brown David Okeon Leigh Ellen Buring Russ Elliot Jerry Hanover Raymond Buring Aileen Titche Burson Anonymous Freddi & Joel Felt Adrian Hirsch and Family Annabelle Kaplan Cathy & Richard Kessler Lynn Kline Laurie & Elkan Scheidt Dessie Sewel Jan & Lee Stein Kenny Steinberg Paul Steinberg Peggy & David Steinberg Victoria & John Steinberg Lisa Usdan & David Portnoy 2 4 • V O I C E • H I G H H O LY D AY S I S S U E • 2 0 2 0

Albert Burson Anonymous Joan & Stanley Baker Jean & Buddy Ballin Andrea & Brian Barrach Ben Beatus Lawrence Beck Dot & Stanley Bilsky Joanne Bloom Maury Bronstein Beverly Buchalter Susan & Les Burson Lynn & Vic Butcher Doris & Irvin Califf Michelle & Paul Clein Janie & Merlin Cohen Gayle Donahue & Thomas Paul Edie & Eric Efron and Family Melissa Faber Ellis Falkoff Kristin & Kevin Fine Marigene & Mack Forrester Susan & Jerome Franklin Linda Greenwald Patsy & Alan Gruenberg Laura & Lee Harkavy Janis & David Iansmith Debbie & Ron Jackson Susan & Neal Jackson Peggy & L.R. Jalenak, Jr. Annabelle Kaplan Bene Kaplan Hilda Kaufman Cathy & Richard Kessler Mildred Kiel Lynn Kline Ivy Koster Sherry Kraar Shara & Sidney Lehman Lisa Levi Gail & Myron Lewis Racelle Mednikow Laurie & Jeff Meskin Terry Orgel Linda & Mel Padawer Lyda Parker Linda Pelts Carole & Charles Plesofsky Sondra Price and Scott Price Nancy & Gary Raileanu Jan & Marc Reisman Wendy & Jeremy Rosenblum and Family Judy Royal Sherry & Alan Samuels Laurie & Elkan Scheidt Janna Shah Margie Snetman Evelyn & Martin Snyder Daisy Spiro Laurie Steen and Benjamin Steen Sandy & Mark Tanenbaum

Ande & Michael Uiberall Robin & Jeffrey Wallace Alan Williger and Family Este Wolf Caren Yarmuth

David Fargotstein Shep Fargotstein Laura & John Riskind

Celia Ray Burson Dee & Stewart Cannell Edie & Eric Efron and Family Susan & Raymond Evans Susan & Jerome Franklin Lisa & Jonathan Frisch Sondra Price and Scott Price Cheri & Henry Rudner Melanie & Chris Sobczak The Solares Family Barbara & Norman Towbin and Family

George Fisher Norma Fisher Edith Linkon Sue Ann & Bernard Lipsey

Miki Cohn Caplan Aaron Benjamin Orgel Richard Elkas Orgel Samuel Zalich Orgel Isaac Rosenthal Terry Orgel Hallie Morrison Cohen Ed Wiener Susan & Jerome Franklin

Max Fargotstein Laura Fargotstein

Jill Fisher Shirley Manis Eva Fleischer Laurie & Elkan Scheidt Robert Forman Evie & Alvin Greenberg and Family Peter Formanek Laurie & Jeff Meskin and Family Annie Feingold Fortas Susan Eisenstein Henry Fortas Sylvia Stiman Fortas Carol & Joel Hertz

Minnie Cohen Sondra & Myron Sokal

Edward Freudberg Judy Freudberg Jean & Buddy Ballin

Pearl Frank Cohen Irma Binder

Marshall Gerber Judy Gerber

William Cohen Pattye Cohen

Renee Newman Geyer Charlene, Jill, and Suzanne Snider

Stephanie Cohn Bene Kaplan

Stephanie Goldberg Stacey & Michael Alpert Christy Coss Laurie & Elkan Scheidt Ed Wise

Sadie Cook Douglas Morrison Margo Morrison Zelda Morrison Marilyn & Harvey Cook Polly Cohen Cooper Rose Morrison Karen & Murray Riss Helen Jiedel Croner Deborah Jiedel Jo Croner Ethel Balkin Davis BeJay Gronauer Ann Wilson Ellis William Delin Stephen Delin Mayme Dortch Missy & Chuck Noon Helen Sonn Engelberg Selma Chambers Ida & Leonard Engelberg and Family

Jane Kern Goldner Gale Goldner Pick and Clifton Goldner Judy Goldsmith Beth & Lester Goldsmith Caren Goodman Risa Alper and Joan Ettman Julie & Seth Alpert Joan & Stanley Baker Golden & Steve Bearman Rose Merry Brown & Aron Livnah Beverly Buchalter Lynn & Vic Butcher Debbie & Jeff Chutz Bonnie & Alan Cooper Hermine Davidson Jane & Gene Eckstein Sarah Eckstein Rebecca Fox Shara Lyn & Arnold Goldin Dorothy & Rob Goldwin

Frances Goodman and Bill Goodman Iris & Ronald Harkavy Barbara Hermann Janis & David Iansmith Debbie & Ron Jackson Mildred Katzen Yvonne & Glenn Kiersky Debbie & Sidney Kriger Julie & Jerry Klein Janet & Jerry Lang Linda & Larry Lemke Shelley & Don Levy Viki Poole Jan & Marc Reisman Nancy & Richard Robinson Sherry & Alan Samuels Laurie & Elkan Scheidt Debbie & Howard Segal Margie Snetman Evelyn & Martin Snyder Lorraine & Bert Wolf Frances Goodman Alice Leibson Leo Leibson Sandra Rubovits Rita Green Charna & Michael Evans

Edward Kaplan Linda Stone Kaplan Sol Kaplan Judith McCown Stanley Baruch Kaplan Sue Kaplan Morris Katz Nina Katz Melanie Magnus Marilyn & Alan Magnus Arthur King Susan & Jerome Franklin Julie & Jerry Klein Jack Kirsch Ronni Kirsch Lawrence Kirshbaum Juliet Jacobs Kossman Bruce Scherr Edwin Schoenfeld Carol Snyder Julie & Jerry Klein Robert Kisber Janet Kisber Steve Kisber

Violette Greenberg Howard Greene

Louis Kline Leon Thalheimer Lynn Kline

Fay Gubin Christine Gubin

Robert Kline Annabelle Kaplan

Mason Gudelsky Jan & Marc Reisman Harriet Silverman

Stefany Knight Steve Mendelsohn

Gilbert Hanover Felice & Sonny Bauman Wendy & Avron Fogelman Peggy & L.R. Jalenak, Jr. Lauren & Norris McGehee Evelyn & Martin Snyder Albert Morris Harmel Jane Jacobson Harmel Paul Harmel Sam Haspel Susan Sanford Fannie Izenberg Evelyn Rosenberg Gertrude Jacobs Hermine Davidson Marx Jeffer Steven Lazarov Roselle Lazarov Betty Joseph Susan & Larry Weiss Gloria Kahn Stanley Kahn Susan Dreyfus

Sheldon Korones Kathy Fletcher, Jonathan Fletcher, and Elena & Michael Hughes Morris Kriger Barbara & Ira Lipman Betty & Skipper Loewenberg George Landres Mimi & Howard Landres Doris Lansky Cheri & Henry Rudner George Lapides Rose Merry Brown & Aron Livnah Sarah Kaminsky Lazarov Mariette Perel Shainberg Suzanne Lazarov Sara Gordon Lebovitz The Family of Sara Gordon Lebovitz Bernard Leff Diane & Mark Halperin Julie & Jerry Klein Debbie & Ron Lazarov Stephanie & Barry Leff Sumner Levine Jan & Marc Reisman

Irma Menkel Levy Marian Levy Myrna & Joe Levy Charles Samuel Lewis Georgi & Lowell Davis Nicole & Jack Lewis Courtney Lewis, Jr. Courtney Lewis, Sr. Courtney Bressack Louise Ottenheimer Lewis Sonia Van Buskirk Gail & Myron Lewis Courtney Jane Lewis-Hale Boswell Hale Barbara Lipman Monique & Charles Jalenak Peggy & L.R. Jalenak, Jr. Julie & Jerry Klein Robin & Jeffrey Wallace Dorothy Lipman Jean & Buddy Ballin Anise & Ron Belz Greg Belz Jack Bisno Deborah & Sam Brackstone Harriet Byall and Peggy Byall Reva Cook Hermine Davidson Judy & Peter Felsenthal Freddi & Joel Felt Inez Fried Rita Grivich Lynn Gruber Janis & David Iansmith Debbie & Sidney Kriger Betty & Skipper Loewenberg Judith McCown Deedee & Ron Perel Laurie & Harry Samuels Sherry & Alan Samuels Sara Beth & George Silverman Margie Snetman Bill Sternberger Sherry & Alan Samuels Myn Samuels Loket Annie Schatz Samuels Lynn Kline Evelyn & Martin Snyder Jeff Manis Marcia & Tom Fisher William Loewenberg Joanne Markell Freddi & Joel Felt Doris Marks Lesley & Sam Marks Dave Mednikow Steve (Buddy) Mednikow Racelle Mednikow

Herman Miller Steve Miller Barbara & Norman Towbin and Family Adalin Moskowitz Terri & Paul Burson Lynn & Vic Butcher Dale & Richard Caen Jeanne & Rabbi Harry Danziger Edie & Eric Efron and Family Lisa & Jonathan Frisch Martha & Jerrold Graber Janis & David Iansmith Roslyn & Lester Lit Carole & Charles Plesofsky Sondra Price and Scott Price Nancy & Gary Raileanu Cara & Herbert Regenstreif Shelley Robbins & Reed Landau Nancy Rosenberg Laurie & Elkan Scheidt Barbara & Norman Towbin Illysa Wertheimer Rita Zukerman Tommy Nathan Anne & Kirk Bobo Sandy Goldstein Peggy & L.R. Jalenak, Jr. Gretchen Turley Paula Wilkinson and Ed Wise Doug Wright Max Notowitz Michael Gryll Mitch Okeon Paul Levy Herbert O’Mell Jacob Wexler Charles Wexler Jean Ostrov Marcia & Alvin Notowich Mabel Paul Jake Shainberg Deanna Burson Charles Sanford Pear Marcia Pear Jon Charles Poulin Lynn Kline Cathy Poulin Bea & Paul Price Edie & Eric Efron and Family Sondra Price and Scott Price Claire Primeaux Gail Wiener Frank Leon Prins Harry Blumenthal Debbie Pure Andee Williamson TIMEMPHIS.ORG • 25

Frank Robinson Golden & Steve Bearman Nancy & Richard Robinson Stacey & Gene Wypyski Beverly Rose Bachman Family Deborah Eileen Rothschild Nora Rothschild Bettie Rubenstein Laurie & Elkan Scheidt Margie Snetman Harry Rudin Sharon Kerson William “Bill” Sachs Judith Holland Jake Salky Peggy & Sidney Evensky Bernice & Alvin Salomon Sylvia & Mickey Salomon Liliane Samuel Sherrie & Norman Badrian Yvonne & Glenn Kiersky Terry Orgel Aaron Scharff, Jr. Stacey & Michael Alpert Jack Belz Buckman Executive Leadership Team Mickey & Arthur Buring Lisa & Jonathan Frisch Andrea & Robert Kerlan Sally & Herman Markell Laurie & Jeff Meskin Jan & Marc Reisman Gayle & Dave Woloshin Rudi Scheidt, Sr. Stacey & Michael Alpert Heidi Anderson and Family Judie Ashkenaz & Bruce Kahn Arlene Averbuch Dana & Greg Averbuch Jenny & Larry Baer Jean & Buddy Ballin Andrea & Brian Barrach Linda Bedrin & Don Klotwog Anise & Ron Belz Greg Belz Jack Belz Sharon Berman Waynette Besser Tracey & Mark Bilski Doris Bodan Beth & Steve Brown Larry Bryan Michele & Danny Buring Dale & Richard Caen Susan & Neil Cohen and Family Sam Cox, III Alene & Stuart Davidson Hermine Davidson 2 6 • V O I C E • H I G H H O LY D AY S I S S U E • 2 0 2 0

Duncan Williams, Inc. Jane & Gene Eckstein Judy & Michael Edelson Edie & Eric Efron and Family Lynn & Jerry Eisenstatt Susan & Raymond Evans Melissa & Rich Faber Dot & Dick Fisher Marcia & Tom Fisher Lisa & Jonathan Frisch Shelley Frisch and Dan Frisch Sandra & Harvey Gandler Julia & Bill Gibbons Charlotte & Boyd Gillespie Trow Gillespie Martha & Jerrold Graber BeJay Gronauer Skip Gronauer Diane & Mark Halperin Lisa & Guy Hebert Jenny & Larry Herman Ellen & Herb Kahn Cathy & Richard Kessler Ronni Kirsch Steve Kisber Julie & Jerry Klein Debbie & Sidney Kriger Judy Kriger Wendell Kruse Janet & Jerry Lang Barbara Lapides Eve & Craig Lazarov Aileen & Michael Leavitt Bari & Keith Levingston Charlotte Levitch Shelley & Don Levy Gail & Myron Lewis Rae Jean & Sandy Lichterman Betty & Skipper Loewenberg Michelle & Bob Malish and Family Bayla & Arnold Manis Shirley Manis Faye & Jack Marks Judith McCown & Pete Lemmon Lisa Menuskin & Neil Gibson Laurie & Jeff Meskin Lynn Meyer Carol & Michael Mittel Jeri & Mitch Moskovitz Pat & David Okeon Robin & Billy Orgel and Family Terry Orgel Lyda Parker & Stanley Zitron Linda Pelts Michele & Martin Pinstein Sondra Price and Scott Price Nancy & Gary Raileanu Jan & Marc Reisman Judy & Nick Ringel Shelley Robbins & Reed Landau Nancy & Richard Robinson Judy Royal Diane Rudner

Sherry & Alan Samuels John Saucier, Temperature Inc. Debby & Steve Schadt Janet & Kevin Scheuner Marcia Scheuner The Siegler Family Linda Ellen & Ron Sklar Jane & Charles Slatery Rochelle & Avron Slutsky Margie Snetman Evelyn & Martin Snyder Jan & Lee Stein Harriet & Louis Strasberg Terri & Scot Struminger and Family Susan Adler Thorp Deborah Tipton Barbara & Norman Towbin Mary & Corey Trotz Calvin Turley Henry Turley Mimi & Gib Vestal Carolyn Washer James Wax and Jonathan Wax JoJo Weiss Patti & Bill Weiss Sally & Mark Wender Alison & Jimmy Wetter and Family Lorraine & Bert Wolf Gayle & Dave Woloshin Linda & Edward Young Cynthia Blanton Schwartz Mike Schwartz Jean & Eugene Sebulsky Susan & Alan Sebulsky Joan Silberberg Ellen Klyce Johanna Silverstein Leo Silverstein Michael Gottschalk Zelda Singer Owen Yellen Francine Yellen Patricia & Marshall Yellen Alvin Slaughter Jan & Marc Reisman Amelia Smith Carol & Bert Barnett Linda Bedrin & Don Klotwog Melissa Faber Gloria & Eddie Felsenthal Sherry Grosman Debbie & Ron Jackson Peggy & L.R. Jalenak, Jr. Barbara Loevy Jan & Marc Reisman Dessie Sewel Stacy & Jerry Siegler and Family Sara Beth & George Silverman Curt Ward and Jeffrey Ward

Rueben Snyder Evelyn & Martin Snyder Peggy & William Sternberger Judy & Jim Mosely Bill Sternberger Marvin Struminger Joan & Stanley Baker Marilyn & Harvey Cook Millie & Alan Katzen Jan & Marc Reisman Connie & Mike Sherman and Family Audrey & Greg Siskind Evelyn & Martin Snyder Joseph Taub Lynn & Vic Butcher Jan & Marc Reisman The Schrier Family Elissa & Marc Taub Thomas Tritsch Waynette Besser Marian Levy Judy Royal Virginia Turner Lin Turner Murray Alan Wagner Reva Cook Racelle Mednikow Soozi Waxman Waynette Besser Melissa Faber Warren Weinberg Lynn Gruber Ivan Weiner Sharon Kustoff Eleanor Wildenstein Marxann & Edward Lazar Debby Wilk Dick Eiseman Susan & Jerome Franklin Henry Wurzburg, Jr. Debbie & Bucky Parker Jack Zoller Debbie & Ron Jackson Arnold Zukerman Terri & Paul Burson Mavis Zuckerman Daneel Buring & Laurie Robinson Mickey & Arthur Buring Wendy & Avron Fogelman Lisa & Jonathan Frisch Brenda & Bob Gold Jan & Marc Reisman Audrey & Greg Siskind and Family Stephanie & Joel Sklar Janet & Rich Wile

ADDITIONAL D O N AT I O N S Marion Baer Babette Ballinger Judy & Jim Barrasso Lynn & Vic Butcher Steve Cohen Susan & Jim Edelman Carlos Espinosa Peggy & Dave Fineman Harry Goldsmith Carl Johnson James Lewis May Lynn Mansbach Ruth & Minton Mayer MHS Fund Gregory Miles

Shelli & Sheldon Rosengarten Jackie & Bob Solmson Jill & Ken Steinberg Margie & Harold Steinberg Bernard Wein Andee Williamson

O U R S Y M PAT H I E S May 1 - August 27, 2020 Lillian Tobias Joseph Taub Caren Lynn Goodman Margaret B. Goldsmith Aileen Burson Stephanie Cohn Goldberg Marvin Struminger Thomas Perlman

Sarla Nichols Eva Bluestein Fleischer Adalin Moskowitz Albert Burson Michael Ernest Bozof Gerald “Jerry” Rudin Thomas Tritsch Ardis Hogan Shirley Rosenblum Ardis Dale Hogan Marjorie Laemmermann Rabbi Micah Kaplan Alex Veksler Tom Ewing Liliane Clairette Samuel Debby Wilk Ivan Weiner Michael Pintchuck Ameila Shahun Smith

Gilbert E. Hanover Hinda Pressman Ordman William “Bill” Sachs Mavis Zuckerman Sam Mislow Celia Ray Burson George Fleischer Rev. Dr. Steve Montgomery

Through Memphis Jewish Federation’s Annual Community Campaign, donors like you contribute to healing the world. Together, we care for the needs of today and build for the community of tomorrow, improving lives, sustaining Jewish community and promoting Jewish continuity in Memphis, Israel, and around the world.

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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 Sisterhood President

RABBI JEREMY SIMONS Assistant Rabbi

LEIGH BAIM MANSBERG Senior Vice President

MARK FINESTONE Treasurer

MARC B. TAUB Brotherhood President

HAPPIE HOFFMAN Cantorial Soloist

WENDY T. ROTTER Vice President

DAVID L. BEARMAN Counsel

STACY CANALES Executive Director

HARRY K. DANZIGER Rabbi Emeritus

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