May 2016 - Temple Beth Am
Transcription
May 2016 - Temple Beth Am
Commentator Nisan/Iyar 5776 May 2016 Shabbat Services In This Issue ShabbatServices2 AnnualMeeting3 FromStrengthtoStrength4 Clergy’sCorner5 President’sMessage6 SisterCongregation7 Membership8/9 YouthEngagementReligious School10/11 DaySchool12 Admissions13 WedneSday, May 25 LagBaOmerbeginsatsunset Friday evening, May 6 29Nisan,14thDayoftheOmer 6:00p.m. Pre-Neg 6:30p.m. ShabbatServices thurSday, May 26 LagBaOmer Saturday May 7, 2016 9:00a.m. TorahStudy 10:30a.m. MorningMinyan 10:30a.m. BatMitzvahofMiaCrabill 5:30p.m. BarMitzvahofRobertMazer Friday, May 27 20Iyar,35thDayoftheOmer 6:00p.m. Pre-Neg 6:30p.m. ShabbatServices TorahPortion–AchareiMot Leviticus18:1–30 Haftarah–Ezekiel22:6–19 Saturday May 28, 2016 9:00a.m. TorahStudy 10:30a.m. MorningMinyan Friday evening, May 13 6Iyar,21stDayoftheOmer 6:00p.m. How‘boutShabbat 6:00p.m. Pre-Neg 6:30p.m. ShabbatServices withTalmudTorahAward TorahPortion–B’har Leviticus25:1–26:2 Haftarah–Jeremiah32:6–27 Programming14 TalmudTorah16 CampusActivities17 Confirmands18 YERS19 MazelTov19 CurrentofLife19 NewMembers19 Sisterhood20/21 Familiesw/YoungChildren22 RentalsatTBAM23 BasketballRegn.23 B’naiMitzvah24 MembershipLetter25 TikkunOlam26 OurJewishHeritage27 HHDNewPrayerBooks28 TuesdayswithManny28 CubaTrip28 InLovingMemory29 WeGive 30/31 ProfessionalDirectory32 Saturday May 14, 2016 9:00a.m.TorahStudy 10:30a.m. MorningMinyan 10:30a.m. BarMitzvahofJacobWolfe 5:30p.m. BatMitzvahofPeytonMandelbaum TorahPortion–Kedoshim Leviticus19:1–20:27 Haftarah–Amos9:7–15 Friday evening, May 20 13Iyar,28thDayoftheOmer 6:00p.m. Pre-Neg 6:30p.m. ShabbatServiceswithConfirmation Saturday May 21, 2016 9:00a.m. TorahStudy 10:30a.m. MorningMinyan 5:30p.m. BatMitzvahofEmmaCasey TorahPortion–Emor Leviticus21:1–24:23 Haftarah–Ezekiel44:15–31 our advertisers for MAY HowardWolofsky,Realtor ..........................33 PaperPigeonStationery .............................33 HollubHomes ................................................34 EpicEvents......................................................34 MiamiPrep,LSAT/GMATTutor................35 EdJoffe,KeyesRealty...................................35 PREEMO,ITConsultants ............................35 SmileMiami....................................................35 ClaudiaStorper,Photographer...................36 TraceySpiegelman,Realtor.........................36 FaretoRememberCatering ........................36 AccessibleHomeHealthCare ....................37 JeromePoliakoff,Ph.D. ................................37 IsraelBonds.....................................................37 OccasionallyYours,Stationery ..................38 RitaDiaz,EstateSales ..................................38 BeaCitron,Realtor.......................................38 ChefDavidSchwadron ................................38 ThePalace ......................................................39 LexusofKendall ............................................40 teMPLe Beth aM annuaL Meeting Sunday, May 22, 2016 • 4:30 p.m. Location to be announced. temple President Bill grossman, other board members and Beth am staff will be on hand. Feel free to ask your questions. refreshments served. rSvP to Mindy robbin, [email protected]. May 2016 • Page 4 Commentator From Strength to Strength rabbi Jeremy Barras [email protected] the essence of yom haShoah In1953DavidBenGurionestablishedYomHaShoahinIsraelas anationaldayofremembranceandmourning.Inthatdayand age,thewoundsoftheShoahinthenascentJewishStatewere freshandubiquitous,andadayofcollectivemourningwas required.Yet,eversince1953,thatdayhasremainedahallowed andsacredtimemuchrespectedbytheIsraelipopulation. Schoolsandpublicinstitutionscontinuewiththeirannual memorials,thePrimeMinisterandotherdignitariessurrounded bysurvivors,speaksintheWarsawGhettoMemorialCourtyard atYadVahsem,andtheentirenationgrindstoastandstillfor twominutesinthemorningwhentheairraidsirensblare acrosseveryinchofthecountry.InIsrael,YomHaShoahisa daythatIsraelismournwitheachotheroverthetragedythat befellourpeople. InourdaytheHolocaustremainsaverypresentreminderof ourhistory,antisemitism(whichispainfullygainingsteamonce again),andtheneedfortheJewishpeopletohaveahomeland togotowhereJewsareprotectedandcanlivefreelyasJews. WhenwevisitplaceslikeWashington,D.C.,orBerlin,or Amersterdam,orJerusalem,oftenplacesliketheNational HolocaustMuseumortheAnneFrankHouseareonour itineraries.WhenHolocaustmoviescomeoutweusually attendthem.Whennewbooksarepublishedwecheckthem out.TheHolocaustinnowayhasdisappearedfromthe consciousnessofthemodernJew. Whathaschangedinmyestimationisthewayinwhichthe Holocaustismourned.ForyearsIhavebeengoingtoYom HaShoaheventsthataretypicallymovingandpainful.They oftenfeatureaHolocaustsurvivor,appropriateprayersand memorials.Whattheynolongerseemtofeaturethoughare robustcrowds.Theygenerallyareoldergroupsofpeoplewho werealiveatthetimeoftheHolocaustorwerepersonally affectedbyit.Whiletheirpresenceisvital,theironyisthat theyalreadyknowthestoryandunderstandthelessons learned.Itisthenextgenerationsthatdidnotlivethroughit, whohavenotandmayneverhavemeaningfulinteractionswith survivorsthatneedtohearthemessage.Itistruethatwecan learnabouttheHolocaustonourown,gotomuseums,read books,andseemovies.ButYomHaShoahwasmeanttobe somethingelse.Certainlyitisatimetolearnaboutthe Holocaust,butthatissomethingthatcanbedonevirtuallyany day.WhatYomHaShoahismeanttobeisadayinwhichthe Jewishpeoplestandtogetherunitedinremembranceofwhat happenedtoourancestors,inmemorialtotheirnames,andin understandingthattheJewishpeopleweresingledoutbyevil becauseJudaismrepresentsmoralityandtheantithesisofNazi ideology.Ifweforgettostandtogetheronthisonedayofthe year,totaketimetorememberthisgreatestofourtragedies,we runtheriskofpassingthismessageontothenextgenerations, andtofracturingthelinksthataresupposedtobindone generationtothenext.LetusnolongersimplysayNever Forget;let’stakeactivestepstofillthemandateof remembrancethatourtraditiondemands. rabbi Jeremy Barras Clergy’s Corner rabbi Judith Kempler [email protected] In2006,screenwriterandauthorNoraEphronpublishedher book,I Feel Bad About My Neck: And Other Thoughts on Being a Woman. Inthisbook,Ms.Ephronwritesaboutthetrialsand tribulationsofgrowingolder:frombecominganemptynester tore-thinkingagingbodies,tonewperspectivesonlivingand love.Overthelastfewmonths,I’vespenttimereflectingona similarself-consciousnessbutfocusedonadifferentpartof thebody:lately,I’vebeenfeelingbadaboutmyhead.I’mnot dizzyorforgetful(otherthantheusual“mommy-brain”that comesfromthesleepdeprivationofhavinglittlechildren). Butrather,I’vebeenthinkingalotaboutwhatIwear,or don’twearonmyheadduringservices.Formostoftheyears ofmyrabbinicalcareerIhavenotwornakippah.Itisnot becauseIamphilosophicallyopposedtothem;quitethe opposite!Assomeonewhoseinitialreligiousupbringingwas inmodernOrthodoxy,Icametofeelthatkippot wereformen andothertypesof“headcoverings”wereforwomen. Althoughmyaffiliationshavechangedovertheyears,my “kishkes”didnot.Duringourfirstyearofrabbinicalschoolin Israel,Ioccasionallyworescarvesorhatstoservicesbut neverakippah.Itjustneverfeltright. remindertopauseandaskourselveswhatareour motivations?Doweneedtodoorsayacertainthingatthis momentintime?Canwereflect,userestraintortakea momenttoreframeourintentions? SothisShabbat,youmightseemewearingakippah.Ornot. But,I’mexperimentingwiththisimportantsignifierinhopes thatitwillelevatemytefilah andallowmeadeeperspiritual connectiontomythoughts,prayersandactions.Whatdoes yourkippah doforyou? rabbi Judith Kempler But,thisyear,somethingshiftedinme.Istartednoticingmy uncoveredheadandwondering,isittimetomakeachange. Inattemptingtoanswerthisquestionformyself,I’vebeen researchingthehistoricaloriginsofkippot andtheJewish practicessurroundingthem.Althoughpiousmen(and women)havebeencoveringtheirheadsforhundredsof years,thepracticeofwearingakippahisjustthat:aminhag, acustomthathasevolvedovercenturiestobecomea universalmarkerforobservantJews.But,whatdoeswearing akippah DOforus?HowdoesithelpusconnecttoGod?To Jewishpractice?Tothespirituallives? AstoryistoldintheTalmud(Shabbat156b)aboutaboywho hasapropensitytowardsstealing.Tosuppresshis kleptomaniahismotherinsistedthathekeephishead coveredatalltimes.And,aslongashisheadwascovered,he didnotsteal!But,hedidnotknoworunderstandWHYshe toldhimtowearthekippah.Andoneday,thekippah flewoff inthewindandheclimbedupatreeandstoleaclusterof dates(fromatreethatdidnotbelongtohim!) Whatdowelearnfromthisstory?Kippot prevent kleptomania(perhaps)ORperhapsmorebroadly,wearinga kippahisareminderofsomethingprofoundlyimportant:our inclinationsdonotruleourbehavior.Itisnotonlywhatwe thinkandfeelthatdetermineswhatwedoatanygiventime. Andyet,goingaboutourdailylivesitiseasytoforgetthis notion.Beforewereactorengageoranswer,weneeda Compassionate visits by Clergy Pleaseletusknowwhenyouorafamilymemberisinthe hospital,anursinghome,orwithhome-careorhospice. Wewanttobetherewith youbecauseweareherefor you. RabbiBarras,CantorNelson,RabbiKemplerandRabbi Greengrassareyour Clergy.Duetohospitalprivacypolicies weareunabletoinquireaboutcongregants.Pleasecallthe clergyofficetoletusknowwhenwemayvisityouora lovedone. Mindy robbin,[email protected]or786.364.9446. Page 5 May 2016 • Page 6 Commentator Message from the president WilliamGrossman [email protected] DidyouknowthatPesachisoldestcontinuously celebratedJewishholiday?Itisalsothemostobserved Jewishholiday.Ihopeyouallhadtheopportunityto observePesachwithfriendsandfamily.Forthosethat cookedandpreparedonthesecondnight,consider comingtotemplenextyear,it’sawonderfulfamilyservice andnomessandnofuss…butalsonoleftovers. Sisterhoodalsohadapre-SedercelebrationonApril3. Whatagreatwaytopreparefortheholiday–wehadover 100womeninattendance! CongratulationstoChairsanna androbert Behar, Leo andgary Kluger, Michelle andScott Sarason andStaci andSteven Solomon forpullingoffafabulousspring event,DenimandDiamonds.Theduelingpianoswere brilliant.Thankyoutoadrienne Messing, ourVice PresidentofEvents,foryourleadership;thanksalsogoto CampusLogisticsDirectorShari debowsky and MembershipDirectorrita diaz, fortheirideasand leadershiponthiswonderfulevent. MayisalsoabusymonthhereatTempleBethAm.We arenearingtheendoftheyearandpreparingforsummer. ThereareacoupleofeventsthatIwouldliketohighlight foryourconsideration.Sisterhood’sendoftheyearevent isMay9.OurownLinda gassenheimer, TVandradio personality,syndicatedjournalistandMiami Herald food columnistisourguestspeaker.Ifthat’snotenough,then justcometothankoutgoingSisterhoodPresidentPamela Lear forherhardworkandallthatSisterhoodhas accomplishedthisyear. MayalsobringsustheTalmudTorahaward,awarded annually.TheTalmudTorahAwardhonorsacongregant whocontributestothetemplebyengagingthoughtfullyin ouradulteducationprogramsandencourages participationinthem.PleasecometoFridaynight servicesonMay13,aswebestowtheawardtoournewest recipient,Karen Willner. Wewillalsohavethe opportunitytolistenasshewillbeprovidingtheD’var Torah.CongratulationsKaren,verywelldeserved! OnSunday,May22at4:30p.m.,weareholdingour annualmeetingofthecongregation.Itistheonlyofficial congregationalmeetingoftheyearandyouropportunity tothankoutgoingBoardandExecutiveBoardmembers. Thecongregatonapprovesthe2016-17slateofExecutive CommitteeandBoardofDirectors.Youwillhearfrom yourExecutiveDirectorandPresidentaswereportonthe yearpast,andoutlineourgoalsandobjectivesfornextyear. Youwillhavetochancetobeheardandaskquestions.Wewill alsobebestowingtheHarryGuntherServiceAward. Lastly,Iwouldalsoliketomentionthatinthemiddleofthe month,wewillbevisitedbyimportantdignitariesfromIsrael. Theyareinterestedintryingtounderstandwhatisitthat makesTempleBethAmsuchavibrantJewishcommunity. Sincerabbi Barras toldmeaboutthisvisit,Ihavebeen ponderingthequestion.Icametothesameconclusionthat youcametowhenweconductedparlormeetingstwoyears ago.Itisexactlytheanswerweprovidedwhenwecompleted theCCARSeniorRabbiApplication.Wewrote: •Wehavehighstandards. Thesestandardsareexpressedinthecultureandethicsof ourBethAmcommunity,andinthehighcommunal standardstowhichweholdourselvesaccountable. •Wehaveexcellentclergy. •Wehaveexcellentprogramming. •Wehaveexcellentteachersandstaff. •Wehaveexcellentfacilities. •Andwehaveajoyouscommunitythatdelightsinthis excellence. •Weareopentoallideasthatbearthepotentialtoimprove BethAm. •Westriveforexcellence. L’Shalom, Bill From our sister congregation in Israel killingafellowclansman. SheikhNaturthenopened thefloorforquestionsfrom themembersofHar-Eland graciouslyansweredallof them. ToourdearfriendsatTempleBethAm, We’dliketosharewithyouthismonthourreflectionsfollowing ourcongregation’svisittotheDruzevillageofDaliatel-Carmel onMarch17,2016.Thepastcoupleofyearsourcongregation andinparticularourrabbi,AdaZavidov,havebeenactiveinthe activitiesofIsraelichapteroftheUniversalPeaceFederation, whichworksinconjunctionwiththeUnitedNationssponsoring interfaithpeacebuildingandcoexistenceprogramming.Inthe frameworkofthemeetingsandconferencessponsoredbythe IsraelichapteroftheUPF,ourcongregationwasinvitedby SheikhAliBirani,oneoftheleadersoftheDruzecommunity,to comevisithimandhishomeinDaliatel-Carmel(locatednear Haifa).Weofcourseweredelightedtoaccepttheinvitation,and plannedavisitformid-March. TheresponsebymembersofHar-Elwasgreaterthanexpected, andseventeenofustraveledupnorthinacaravantovisitthe Sheikh,adistanceofaboutanhourandahalffromJerusalem. Uponourarrival,wewerewarmlygreetedbySheikhAliBirani, membersofhisfamily(whograciouslyservedusrefreshments andverystrongcoffee),andhiscolleagueSheikhSamichNatur. Sittingall togetherin SheikhBirani’s livingroom,we firstheard wordsof welcomehim andaboutthe importanceof theactivitiesof theUPFin Israel.Thiswas followedbya fascinatingtalkledbySheikhNaturaboutthehistoryofthe Druzepeopleandreligion,theroleofwomenintheir community,andtheDruzepeople'srelationshiptoIsraeland othercountriesintheregion.Forexample,oneofthehallmarks oftheDruzecommunityistheloyaltytothecountrytheylive in,andSheikhNaturplayfullybraggedhowtheDruze communityhasahigherrateofserviceintheIDFthanthe Jewishcommunity!Then,onaseriousnote,hesharedhowif twoDruzefromopposingcountries(eveniffromthesameclan) findthemselves againstone anotheronthe battlefield,itis viewedasthe willofGodand loyaltytoone’s countryis paramount, evenifitmeans FollowingSheikhNatur, RabbiAdathenledatext studyfromtheMishna (tractateSanhedrin,chapter 4,Mishnah5)forboththe JewishandDruzeparticipants,focusingontheuniversal aspectsofJudaism,includingthewell-knownrabbinic saying:"Onewhotakesalife,itisasifhedestroyedand entireworld;onewhosavesalife,itisasifhesavedan entireworld."Wethenpresentedtwogiftstoourhosts fromprofessionalartistswhoaremembersofour congregationandpromisedtostayintouchandwelcome themandmembersoftheircommunityonareturnvisitto Jerusalem. Itofcoursewouldn'tbeaJewisheventwithoutfood,and sotheafternoonconcludedwithlunchatalocalDruze restaurant,inpartalsotoexpressourfinancialsupportfor thecommunityaswell. Withourverybestwishesforajoyouscelebrationof IsraeliIndependenceDay,andlookingforwardtoseeing youinJerusalem, Cantor evan Cohen KehilatHar-El,Jerusalem www.kharel.org.il FindusonFacebook:KehilatHar-El Page 7 May 2016 • Page 8 Commentator Membership rita diaz MembershipDirector [email protected] new Beginnings – divorce Support group tuesdays, May 10 & May 24 7:00 p.m. –8:00 p.m. • Meeting room 3 TempleBethAmisreachingouttomembersandnon-memberswhoare newly(ornotsonewly)divorcedwhowouldbenefitfromactive participationinadivorcesupportgroupco-facilitatedbyapsychologistand marriageandfamilytherapist. Agroupsettingcanprovideacomfortableandacceptingsettinginwhich personswhohaveexperienceddivorce(whetherrecentornotsorecent) cancometosharetheirstory,canmeetpeoplewhoareatdifferentstages ofcomingtotermswiththeirloss,andcanlearnfromeachotherabout howtomovedaheadnomatterhowheavytheirheart. Facilitatedbydr. Jerome Poliacoff, Ph.d. and Joann Lederman, LMFt Ifyouareplanningtoattend,pleaseRSVPtorita diaz, [email protected] Temple Beth Am Presents... “It Takes Two to Tango” Doyoulovetodance?WanttomeetotherJewish singlesintheir40s,50sand60s? JoinusSunday evening, May 1 at 6:30 foraneveningofdining,dancingandmeetingnew people.Enjoyanincredibletangoperformanceby professionals,TatyianaSurevandClaudioPonce,and learnsomebasicstepsofthetango.Thiseventwillbe heldintheSocialHall atTempleBethAm. $36allinclusive,dinner,dancingandwinebar. CallRitaDiazat305.667.6667ext.107 www.tbam.org/tango Attention all little Temple Beth Am Shopkins and Minions! Join us for a wonderful and exciting Shabbat service for young families, designed especially for young children and their families, created by our own Apple Blossom from Shopkins (AKA Rabbi Rachel Greengrass). Friday, May 13th, 6:00 pm Gymnasium, Hessel Family Youth Complex Enjoy a delicious catered dinner, bounce house, arts and crafts, Shopkins bingo and much more! $ Adults: 25 (includes Wine Bar) • Children over 2 years old: $8 RSVP Online at www.tbam.org/shopkins or contact Rita Diaz, 305.667.6667, ext. 107, or [email protected] FormoreinformationonanyMembershipDepartmentactivities,tojoin,volunteerorchatwithRita, pleasecontactherat786.364.9434oremailherat[email protected]. Page 9 May 2016 • Page 10 Commentator tamara donnenfeld DirectorofLifelongLearning [email protected] 2016-2017 yerS enrollment take advantage of a $100 discount by enrolling your child/teen to school before June 1. Contact anita Marks, School registrar, for any questions you may have about online enrollment at [email protected] honoring the memory of a loved one, an anniversary or birthday of a family member? give a donation to the Keren yaldi, “the Fund for my Children,” temple Beth am fund which supports religious School scholarships. AsincereTodahRabahtotheGreaterMiamiJewish FederationfromtheTempleBethAmReligiousSchool. TheTempleBethAmReligiousSchoolacknowledgesthe GMJFforitssupportofourReligiousSchoolprograms. ThroughitsCongregationalSchoolScholarshipFund,we areabletoextendaqualityJewisheducationtoallfamilies, regardlessoftheirabilitytopay. Wearetrulyonecommunitythatprovidesmyriadwaysto expressandarticulateourJewishidentities.Weappreciate thisfundinginitiativefromtheGMJF. MN C Shevet Achim Rosh Chodesh Teen Parents ’ Ed. Social Justice Teen ip Fellowsh jTravel So.Dade Teen Engagement BAFTY new Programs for our teens Ourarticlelastmonthintroducedyoutoawonderful newprogramfor11thand12thgradestudents;the Social Justice teen Fellowship, anexclusive,actionorientedprogramforteensinterestedintacklingsocial justiceissueswithaJewishlens. Inthismonth’sissue,weareannouncingShevet achim androsh Chodesh, twoexcitingprogramsforour8th and9thgradeboysandgirlsrespectively,whichofferan additionallearningopportunitytoourexistingMonday eveningprogram. Therosh Chodesh and Shevet achim programscreate experiencesthatinspireJewishteenstoopenlyexplore fundamentalquestionsofidentityandsociety, empoweringtheparticipantstogrowintoadulthood withconfidence,compassionandalifelongcommitment toJewishcommunity.Theprogramshelpteensreach theirfullpotentialbyconnectingrelevantcontentwith enduringJewishvalues,andbyfosteringpositivepeerto-peerrelationshipsthroughourtrainedmentors. Lifeasateenagercanbestressful!Betweenschool, enrichmentclasses,sports,familyandfriends,teens havelittletimetodecompress.rosh Chodesh and Shevet achim offeropportunitiestobondwithfriends, exploringissuesthatarepertinenttotheirlifeand learningaboutthemselvesandeachother.Inasafeand closeknitgroup,participantswilldevelopasupport networkthatwillnurturetheirsoulaswellasgivethem thetoolstonavigatethejourneyofgrowingupasa JewishAmericanteen. rosh Chodesh andShevet achim areprogramsfrom MovingTraditions.Theseprogramsweredevelopedby educators,rabbis,socialworkersandpsychologiststo addresstherealneedsofteenswithinarichJewish context.rosh Chodesh willmeetononeThursdaya monthwhileShevet achim ononeWednesdayamonth from5:30to7:00p.m. Formoreinformation,pleaselogintoourwebsite www.tbam.org/yers. Jacki altman YouthEngagementDirector [email protected] -EE EE_Eĕ<E Page 11 May 2016 • Page 12 Commentator day school dr. deborah r. Starr HeadofDaySchool [email protected] Children without childhood are a frightful sight. - Mendele, BeSeter Raam Extensiveresearchconfirmsthatearlychildhoodisthebesttimeto buildasolidfoundationforallchildrentosucceedinschoolandinlife. Positiveoutcomesresultfromhigh-qualityearlychildhoodexperiences.Asfarbackasthe1960sthiswaswelldocumentedandled directlytothecreationoftheHead Start programtohelpovercomethe riskfactorsassociatedwithpovertyinyoungchildren.Insubsequent years,majorscholarlyresearchreportssuchas:Eager to Learn (2001); From Neurons to Neighborhoods (2000);A Good Beginning: Sending America’s Children to School with the Social and Emotional Competence They Need to Succeed (2000);Preventing Reading Difficulties in Young Children (1998);andtheNational Reading Panel Report (2000)advanced thefieldevenfurther. children. AllteachershavebeentrainedinusingCreative Curriculum whichhas becomeanincrediblepartofourprogramming.Ourstudentsexplore majorstudyareas:Buildings, Dogs, Shoes, Clothing, Trees, Balls, Pizza, andtheEarth byconductingmajorinvestigationsthatanswer questionsposedbythechildren.Overlaidontoeachstudyareaarethe ninedomainsofCreative Curriculum: Social-Emotional;Physical; Language;Cognitive;Literacy;Mathematics;ScienceandTechnology; SocialStudies;andtheArts.Purposeful Play isthemeansofthe learning:Blocks;DramaticPlay;ToysandGames;Art;Library; Discovery;SandandWater;MusicandMovement;Cooking: Gardening;theOutdoors. Giventheimportanceoftheearliestyearsofachild’slife,itisessential thatatTempleBethAmDaySchool,wetakethisresponsibilitywith greatseriousnessandassurethatwedeliverhigh-qualityservices. Withcloseto200childrenunderourcare,weneedtobeallthatwe shouldbe–andmore.Therefore,in2014,theEarlyChildhoodCenter underwentamajorevaluationconductedbytheUnited Way Center for Excellence in Early Childhood toanswerthequestion:How good are we? Wewantedtoknowwhatwedowell;whatneededaddressing;and howtodeliverthehighestqualityeducation,basedoncurrentbest practices.Asaneducationalleader,oneofmyguidingprinciplesis:An institution that is not continuously progressing is an institution in decline (PeterM.Senge,Innovation Associates),andthereforethisundertaking wasmostappropriate. AddedtoallthisisFieldTrips.OurNurserystudentsvisitedSports Authority wheretheylearnedabout30differentkindsofballs.Balls thatbounceandballsthatdonotbounce.Ballsthatlightupandballs thatarenotround.Theylearnedthatballsmaybecoveredinfabric, plastic,animalskin,vinyl.(Seethevocabularydevelopment?)They visitedJo-Ann Fabrics whentheystudiedclothing.Theysawhundreds ofbuttonsinallkindsofsizes,shapes,andcolors.Theyhandledburlap, silk,fakefur,cotton,lace,andmore.Whenstudyingtheearth,ourPreNurserystudentsvisitedanurbanfarm.Theysawwormschurningthe earth.Beesmakinghoney.Plantedseedsandfedfarmanimals.Our Pre-Kindergartenstudents,whenstudyingbuildings,donnedtheir yellowconstructionhatsandvisitedarealconstructionsitein downtownBrickell.Theymetwithanarchitect,studiedblueprints, andviewedtheMiamiskylinefromuphigh. Welearned:“interactionsbetweenteachersandchildrenrevealedthat classroomsexhibithigh-qualityemotionalsupportandclassroom organization.Classroomswereinthemid-qualityrangeofinstructional support,suggestinganopportunitytobuildclassroomexperiences aroundchildren’sinterestsandmoreintentionallyfacilitatelearning throughplay.Thecenterhasalowlevelofteacherturnoverwithan educatedandloyalstaff...Commentsindicatethattheprogramshould considerwaystostrengthenitsrelationshipwithfamiliesand meaningfullyengagefamiliesasvaluedpartnersintheirchildren’s education.” ThereportvalidatedtheperceptioninthecommunityoftheEarly ChildhoodCenteratTempleBethAmasbeingwarm,loving,and nurturing.Weknowwearefortunatetohavehighlyeducated personnelthataredevotedtothechildrenandinstitution(rarein today’schild-carefield).Wealsolearnedwheretofocusour improvementandwerolledupoursleevesandgottowork. Overthepasttwoyears,andbasedontheabovefindings,therehas beenarenewalandupgradingoftheEarlyChildhoodCenteratTemple BethAmDaySchoolandthechildrenarereapingthoserewards.We haveimprovedtheenvironment,basedonmanyReggioinspired principles(color,displayingchildren’swork,photos,makingthe learningvisible,highlightingprocessoverproduct,moreopen-ended artprojects),inadditiontonewfurnitureandcabinetry.Wehave investedintheprofessionaldevelopmentofourfacultywithafocuson: greaterparentengagement;purposefulplay;projectbasedlearning; andgreaterintentionalityinourliteracyprogram.Ourteachersplay thevitalroleofconnectingcontent,teaching,andlearningforour Wehavetappedourparentstobringtheirexpertiseintotheclassroom. Studentshavemetwithseamstresses,artists,cooks,florists, woodworkers,doctors,rabbis,operasingersandmore.Wearebringing ourchildrenoutintotherealworldandbringingtherealworldonto ourcampus. Literacyiseverywhere.Weconstantlyfosterconversationand vocabularybuilding.Ourchildrenconnectsoundstolettersandletters tothewrittenword.They“read”storybooksinalltheirLearning Centersandhavestorybooksreadtothem–bytheschoollibrarian,the classroomteacher,andourinvitedShabbatReaders. Addtoitall,ourchildrenarehappy.Theyloveandwanttocometo school.Their“homeawayfromhome”istrulythat.Andwetoo,the facultyandadministratorsloveworkinghere.Whocouldaskfor anythingmore? Weareexperiencingabiggrowthspurt.Enrollmentisup.Weare addinganall-dayPre-NurseryclassandafourthPre-Kindergarten class.Iusedtoalwaysendthiscolumnwith:TellYourFriendsAbout Us;WeHaveRoomtoGrow.Itremainssomewhattrue,butnot everywhereandnotforlong. Tell Your Friends About Us; We Have Room to Grow (limitedspace) dr. deborah r. Starr Admissions Cari altman AdmissionsDirector [email protected] attention temple Beth am Members: early Childhood news! Did you know that we have extended our youngest age group to children age 15 months by September 1, 2016, for the 2016-2017 school year? JuniorPre-nurseryprogramchoicesforthe2016-2017schoolyearare: half day: Monday-Friday, 8:45 a.m.-12 p.m. • Full day: Monday-Friday, 8:45 a.m.-3 p.m. early Care option, and after Care option until 6 p.m. EarlyChildhoodstudentsatTempleBethAmDaySchoolparticipatein aplay-basedlearningprogramthatisnurturing,secure,andfun! Apply online at www.tbam.org/admissions or call Cari Altman at 305.665.6228 ext. 112 to set up a tour. Page 13 May 2016 • Page 14 Commentator programming Lunch ‘n Learn withrabbi Jeremy Barras (In honor of Yom HaAtzma-ut) Abraham, Isaac and Jacob: The Original Zionists tuesday, May 10, 2016 12:00–1:30 p.m. Chapel, Lewis Family Religious Life Complex Bringyourownlunchorpre-orderlunchprovidedbyFaretoRemember Cateringfor$11.00attbam.org/lunchandlearn. Social Justice Speaker Series presents Cuban-American Relations May24•7:00p.m. Chapel See page 26 for more information. Operative israeli Krav Maga (OiS) Mondays, 7:00-8:00 p.m. • extended Social hall For men and women, instructor: Philippe glikman Registrationfee$240 Registeronlineatwww.tbam.org/kravmaga Java and haftarah with rabbi greengrass tuesdays, 8:45 a.m-10:00 a.m. • Meeting room 3 the Shul of rock Wednesdays, 7:00-9:00 p.m. • youth Lounge Contact: Fred Kettler 305.785.8101 [email protected] israeli dancing Wednesdays, 8:00 p.m.-9:30 p.m. • Lunch room Free of charge MiamiJews22-39didoursignaturePopUpShabbat outsideofBrickellforthefirsttimelastmonth!We connectedwiththeamazingpeopleatthenew WeWorkspaceonLincolnRoad,andsharedina beautifullycateredShabbatdinnerwithourBrickell regularsandsomegreatnewpeoplefromMiami Beach. Join us for our wonderful Sunday Salon. We will meet at 10:00 a.m. in the Adult Reading Room, located in our beautiful RAMBAM Center for the following programs: May 1 Onceagain,ourpartnershipwithThe JewishGenealogicalSocietyofGreater MiamibringsaverySpecialEvent!Daniel Horowitz,ChiefGenealogistofMyHeritagepresents: Discovering Your Family History with MyHeritage 7 Unique Technologies. Inthelastdecade,technologyhasrevitalizedgenealogy,openingmanynew frontiersforresearch,preservationandsharingwhilemaintainingthethrillof thedetectivehunt.Theimportantintersectionoftechnologyandgenealogyis thecenterofthistalk. May 15 Dr.MarshaCohenbringsus"JewsNews" SundaySalonspeakerfavoriteDr.MarshaCohen offersstimulating,enlighteningandvaried presentationsonvarioussubjectsofinteresttoJews everywhere. May 22 My Brothers Keeper Theyears1947-1948wereyearsthattheJewishPeoplewerewaitingand prayingfor.My Brothers Keeper tellsthestoryofoneofthebestkeptsecrets abouttheevolvingstoryoftherecreationoftheSovereignStateofIsrael.A groupof4,400volunteersfrom56countries,JewsandChristians,volunteeredto jointhefledglingIsraelDefenseForces.Someoftheirstories oftheirexperiencessixty-eightyearsagowilldescribeto youthosedayswhenthefateofIsraelandtheJewishpeople hungbyathreadandaprayer.Thesevolunteersflewthe planesthatbroughtthearmament,aircraft,andweapons fromCzechoslovakia,theonlycountryintheworldwilling tosellweaponstoIsrael.Theywerethefirstcommandersof theNavy,thefirsttankcommanders,thefirstAirForce bombersandfighterpilots,andthefirstGeneralofthe Army. afternoon israeli Movie Club Melting Away thursday, May 19 2:00 p.m. Melting Away isthefirstIsraelifeaturefilm thatdealswithparentscopingwiththeir transgenderchild.Ahugehitatfilmfestivals aroundtheworldMelting Away isthemoving storyofafamilydrivenintocrisiswhen parentsdiscovertheirson,Assaf,iscrossdressing.Lockedoutofthefamilyhome, Assafrunsaway,andyearslaterhismother hiresaprivatedetectiveinadesperate attempttotrackhimdown.Insteadoftheir ‘son’,thedetectivefindsaglamorouswoman whoearnshermoneydancingincabarets.An award-winningperformancefromHenYanni, thisisabeautifulandgrippingdramaabout love,friendshipandthepainandjoyof acceptance. Adult Reading Room Library events are coordinated by Etta Gold, Congregational Librarian, [email protected]. CaFÉ COn LeChe PracticeSpanishconversationinafunandfriendlyenvironment! Five thursdays, through May 5 7:00-8:30 pm (Fee: $50) MeetingRoom1 Toregistercontactclassinstructor,hadassah Blum, [email protected],305.494.4733 For more information on any Program department activities, please contact Janice Baisman at 786.364.9445 or email her at [email protected]. May 2016 • Page 16 Commentator We congratulate Karen Willner Recipient of the 2016 Talmud Torah Award TA L M U D T O R A H AWA R D S H A B B AT Friday evening, May 13th 6:00 pm Pre-Neg 6:30 pm Kabbalat Shabbat Service Honoring Karen Willner 7:45 pm Festive Shabbat Dinner featuring Guest Scholar David Rosenberg WHEN ASKED WHAT MOTIVATES HER INTEREST IN JEWISH LEARNING, KAREN REPLIED: “It was and still is my yearning to realize God with an infinitely deeper awareness. And in my search, I found a wealth of opportunities at Temple Beth Am to learn about the rich history of the Jewish people and the impact that we, as the Jewish people, have had on the world. Especially important to me is that I embraced this beautiful Beth Am community and felt embraced in return. That in itself is a deep meaning of God.” David Rosenberg, Guest Scholar — How Does a Writer Know the Torah is True? As a teacher, David Rosenberg has been a professor at Princeton, among other universities. He is former editor-in-chief of the Jewish Publication Society, as well as senior editor at Harcourt in New York and Hakibbutz Hameuchad in Tel Aviv. He has written many books and poetic Biblical translations, including New York Times bestseller, The Book of J, about the writers — men and women — who wrote the early strand of the Torah and the 2nd Book of Samuel. Among his recent books, A Literary Bible: An Original Translation fills in the authorship of many other books of the Hebrew Bible. Our guest speaker will share experiences from his forthcoming book, A Life in a Poem: Memoir of a Rebellious Bible Translator, that explores how a secular American writer, having little contact with Judaism until the age of 29, was jolted awake when he began to study Hebrew and translate Biblical text with an ear for the original writers behind it. RSVP Online for Shabbat Dinner & Program at $25 per person www.tbam.org/talmudtorah or contact Janice Baisman, 786.364.9445, [email protected] Campus Activities Michelle Cohen CampusActivitiesDirector [email protected] iTech Mini Camp June 13–17, 2016 For Students Entering Grades 3–6 Sessions Taught by Hilary Haber, MS Classes at Temple Beth Am June 13–17, 2016, 9:00 am–2:00 pm $ 500 fee for the full week Space is limited and is offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Register at tbam.org/itech or contact Michelle Cohen, 786.364.9432, [email protected] REGISTER TODAY AT TBAM.ORG/ITECH BrIDGE For more information, please call the bridge information line at 786.264.6613 or visit our website at miamibridge.net. Page 17 May 16 Comm Draft 1 3/31/16 You are cordially invited to the Confirmation of the Class of 2015-2016/5776 Friday, May 20, 2016/13 Iyar 5776 • six o’clock in the evening In order, by column, reading top left through bottom center Joey Anderton Anna Bogis Daniel Fidanque Daniel Gitlin Samantha Katz Zachary Lederman Jaclyn Levine Jackson Mades Blake Rubenstein Jonah Snyder Lily Weinbach Dylan Weingarden Federico Zalcberg Celebration Dinner Immediately following For more information call Anita Marks at 786.364.9415 The Current of Life We mourn the passing of Sonia Wasserberger, motherof Stella Lurie ralph turner, brotherof rita gair nance adels Fine, sisterof dawn adels Fine and mother-in-lawof Barry Fine Blanche Brass edmund Jerome Milberg, fatherof Leslie Steinberg Philip Masters, grandfatherofWendy Salomon eugene C. Latham, fatherof eduardo Latham dr. Kenneth Fields, brotherof dr. daniel Fields Jack Brenner, fatherof Michelle Mondell Eternal light is the soul of man Mazel TOV to Louise Stubins onthemarriageofhergranddaughter rachel Stubins toronnie Wexler andtoauntsand unclesMindy and Jack Finkelman andLeslie Cassel and Bob Berney richard andLinda Cahan onthebirthofgrandson Charlie reid Bergstein anabela Moskovitz andPaul distenfeld onthebirthof twingrandchildrendalia andZev Moskovitz andtogreat uncleandauntalex andLily Moskovitz Ken andJudy rosenthal onthebirthofgrandson Charles Samuel Clewett estelle andira Siegel ontheirgrandsonrabbi ari Kamin becomingtheseniorrabbiatCongregationShearithIsrael inAtlanta Susan anded henkin, onthemarriageoftheirdaughter, Sydnie,toalexander Fogelson Cemetery Plots TempleBethAmhasveryfewremaininggravesites availableatLakeside.egravesarelocatedina beautifulsection,perfectlylandscaped,andcanbe markedwitheitheramonumentoramemorial plaque.Wethinkthisisawonderful,one-time opportunityforourcommunity.Makingapre-need investmentofthissortisawisedecisionforyou andacomforttoyourextendedfamily.Ifyouwere topurchasethesegravesonyourown,andattime ofneed,theycouldcostthousandsmore.Wesee thisasawaytogiveyouandyourfamilysome peaceofmind. Ifyouareinterestedinpurchasingaplot,please contactMindy robbin at786.364.9446or [email protected]. New Members alexander & emily abrams and Jacob Michael & Maggie Brodkey and Leah *Stanley & Marcie ersoff Matthew & Stephanie Feldman, Sophie and Brady Marco & nili gandelman, Luis and Carolina Marty & Madeleine goldman itai & daniela gozlan, noa and Bar eddie & Sarah Marks and dillon Levi & Lauren Meyer, Benjamin and Charlotte *Returning members to Temple Beth Am List reflects new members as of March 29, 2016. SanCtuary MeMOriaL PLaQueS ManyofyouhaveplaquesintheSanctuarytomemorializeyourlovedones. Ifyouarethinkingoforderingforanotherfamilymember,nowwouldbeagoodtimetodoso. Theplaquetakesapproximately6weekstobepreparedandifyouordernowitwillarrive andbeaffixedtoourMemorialBoardbeforetheHighHolyDays. Ifyouareinterested,pleasebeintouchwithMindyRobbin,786.364.9446or[email protected]. Shewillbeabletohelpyouwithallthedetails. Page 19 Sisterhood End-Of-Year Event and Fundraiser for Leadership Programs Summertime & The Cooking Is Easy! MON DAY, M AY 9, 2016 7: 0 0 – 9: 0 0 P.M. C H A PEL Join us to celebrate an extraordinary year of Sisterhood! Festive dinner featuring delicious & healthy fare Conversation with Linda Gassenheimer, TV and radio personality, syndicated journalist, bestselling author, and food consultant Acknowledgment of this year’s accomplishments with our outgoing President, Pamela Lear This program will also serve as a fundraiser for our commitment to educating and engaging women to ensure the future for Sisterhood of Temple Beth Am. More information at www.tbam.org/LynnCromer The minimum fee is $36, which covers the meal and your donation to LCLI. Please consider optional donation amounts at $72 or $118 to support our projects. R.S.V.P. www.tbam.org/summertime May 2016 • Page 22 Commentator Families with Young Children rabbi rachel greengrass [email protected] Whatisappropriate,andevenimportant,foradultears,may notbeforourchildren’s.Ilearnedthisthehardway. Towardsthebeginningoftheschoolyear,whenaviolent attackwashappeningeverydayinJerusalem,myhusband askedme,“WhathaveyoubeenteachingHenryabout Palestinians?”Ihadnoideawhathewastalkingabout.I purposefullyhadbeenshieldingmyboysfromwhatwas happening,eventhoughithadconstantlybeenonmymind. WhenIaskedwhatspecificallyHenrysaid,Johnreplied,“He saidthe‘Pastilinians’areevilandtryingtostaballtheJews.” Oy.Iimmediatelyknewwhathadhappened.See,Ilistento NPRwhenthekidsarenotinthecarwithme.Afewdays before,Ihadbuckledthekidsinandbegandriving,not noticingthattheradiowastellingastoryofaterroristattack inJerusalembyaPalestinianterrorist.Henryhadaskedme whataterroristwas.Ihadquicklyturnedtheradioto anotherstationandreplied,“Terroristsareevilpeoplewho trytohurtotherpeople.Theytryandspreadhateandfear. That’swhyit’sourjobtospreadloveandfriendship.” IthoughtthatIhaddonewell.Oh,wiserabbi-mommycan handlethesetoughtopics.ButIdidn’t.Ihadleftmy5year oldthinkingallPalestinianswereevilterroristsspreading hate.Ihadtohaveasitdownwithmy,then,5yearoldand explainthatnotallPalestiniansarebadpeople,andthatmost aregood,andthatterroristscancomefromanygroupof people. ButwhydoIsharethisembarrassingmoment?Certainlynot toencourageyoutodiscussterrorismwithyourlittleones... Isharethistosaythatasmuchaswetry(andbelieveme,I try),wecannotalwaysprotectourchildrenfromtheugliness ofthebroaderworld.So,howdowehelpthemtofeelsafein aworldwheretherearedangersbeyondtheircontrol,things thatevenscareus–theiramazingparents? ThismonthweremembertheHolocaustwithYom HaShoah, andrememberthosewhohavegiventheirlivesforour homelandwithYom HaZikaron. Beingparentsofyoung children,wemustgrapplewithwhattorevealandwhatto protectourchildrenfrom.Herearesomewisesuggestions frommycolleagueRabbiSarahReines(therestofthearticle consistsofherverywisewordsandaresharedwithher permission): have faith in childrens’ resiliency MosteducatorsagreethattheHolocaustshouldnotbe formallytaughtuntilmiddleschool.However,manychildren areintroducedtoitatyoungagesthroughsocietalreference, likeamentionofHitler,orpersonalcircumstance,suchas tattooednumbersonanelderlyneighbor’sarm.This exposureisnotdangerousordamaging.Shroudingdifficult topicsinsecrecymayengenderfear,whilegentlyaddressing themoftenhelpsmaintainasenseofperspective.Littleones quicklylearntorecognizegoodandevil.However,theyfocus mostontheirimmediateandpersonalreality. Start slowly Aswithmostchallengingsubjects,itisbesttorespondto children’sinquirieswithbrevity.Followyourchildren’slead. Theywilldirectyouastohowmuchinformationtheyare preparedtoreceive. respond and reassure Children’slinguisticlimitationsmaypreventthemfrom clearlyarticulatingtheirthoughts.Forexample,iftheyask, “WhydidtheHolocausthappen?”theyprobablyarenot curiousabouthistory,butcouldbewondering“Canthe Holocausthappenhere?”Ashort,honestandcomforting answercouldbe,“TheHolocausthappenedalongtimeago wherepeoplewereallowedtobemeantootherpeople.That wasdifferentfromwherewelive,becausewehaverulesand people,likepoliceofficersandjudges,whoprotectusand keepussafe.” teach tolerance Holocausteducationisnotacademic;ithaspractical implications.PartofteachingabouttheHolocaustisraising childrentorespectotherpeopleandtoexpectthatother peoplerespectthem.Littleonessoakupwhatwesayanddo; commentingonpeoplewhoweconsiderdifferentconveysa dangerousmessage,whileacceptancemodelsbehaviorthat helpsfosterunderstanding. Create an environment of remembrance AsourchildrenlearnabouttheHolocaust,wecanhelp cultivateinthemasenseofempowermentandresponsibility throughactssuchaslightingayartzeit(memorial)candleon Yom HaShoah (HolocaustRemembranceDay),decidingasa familytodonatetoacharityforagingsurvivorsorsharing storiesabout“righteousgentiles”whohelpedprotectJews fromdanger. employ age-appropriate aids Thereareaplethoraofbooksandfilmsthataddressthe Holocaustforchildren.The Sound of Music portraysaheroic responsetothethreatofNazisminawaythatisvery appropriateforyoungchildren.Nine Spoons isaChanukah picturebookthattellsoffaithandfortitude. Make an effort to engage with survivors Ourchildrenaremembersofthelastgenerationthatwillhave theprivilegeofknowingHolocaustsurvivors.Keepthisin mindasyourchildgrowsoldenoughtoparticipateinthe sacredactofhearinglivingvoiceswhichwillsoonexistas echoesinhistory. Follow your parental instincts Eachchildisuniqueintemperament,sensitivity,andmaturity. Nooneknowsyourchildbetterthanyoudo.Donothesitate toreachouttoothersforadvice,butrememberthatyouare theultimateguideregardinghowandwhenyouchooseto sharedifficultinformation. Ourchildrendidnotinheritaworldfreefromdangerorfear. Butwecanusethelessonsofthepasttohelpthemcreatea worldthatissafer,kinder,andmoreloving.Jewishtradition considersthistobeeveryperson’sobligationandurgesusto fulfillthismitzvah(sacredtask).Oursagesremindusthat whenweteachourchildrenweteachmorethanjustthose children–weteachourchildren,ourchildren’schildrenandso onuntilthelastgeneration.Bytenderlyeducatingour daughtersandsons,wehelpensurethewell-beingofallour descendants. rabbi rachel greengrass happy Happy everything! Everything! you dream up the perfect event– we have the perfect space! emedparties (sports,cooking,movies) ormeetings,wehave thespaceyouneed. Choosefromourstate-of-the-art gymnasium,teachingkitchen, auditorium,socialhall,chapel,field, andoutdoorbasketballcourt. We’llconnectyouwiththepeople youneedtomakeyoureventasuccess. Contact Mielle Cohen, 786.364.9432 or [email protected] Fall 2016 league registration opens Monday, May 16 at 7 a.m. Online registration only at www.tbam.org.basketball Page 23 Commentator May 2016 • Page 24 Mazel Tov B’nai Mitzvah Mia Crabill May 7, 2016 Mia isa7thgradeHonorStudentaswellasanHonorSocietymemberatCarverMiddleSchool.Shehas receivedthecovetedConsulateAwardfromSpainforexcellenceinSpanish. Miaenjoyssinginginthe BethAmHighHolyDayYouthChoir,playingbasketballandflagfootballforhermiddleschooland participatingintheBethAmBasketballLeaguewhereshehaswontwochampionships! ForherBat Mitzvahproject,Miahascommittedherselftohonoringthememoryofhergreat-grandparents'families throughtheGMJFYoungLionofJudahHolocaustSurvivorProjecttohelphergeneration“NeverForget.” robert Mazer May 7, 2016 robbie isproudtobeJewishandisreadytobeaBarMitzvah.AthirdgenerationmemberofBethAm, Robbiebeganhisstudiesasababyandcontinueslearninginourtemplecommunity.Robbieisa7thgrade straight“A”HonorStudentatPalmettoMiddleSchool.Helovesplayingtheguitar,tennis,boating,skiing, andbeingwithhisfamilyandfriends.Robbieiscommittedtoeverydaymitzvot andtheeilu devarim to makeourworldabetterplace.Hisparents,JodiandJason,andbrotherDannyaswellashisgrandparents SheriandDavidStoneareproudofhimeveryday,andareespeciallyexcitedtocelebratethismilestonein hislife. Jacob Wolfe May 14, 2016 Jacob isa7thgradestudentatRansomEvergladesSchool.Heloves,lacrosse,sailingandvisualarts.His brotheraiden ispsychedtothrowcandyathim,ashisparentsChristie andJeffrey trytokeepthemboth frommovingoninyears.Jacobchairedthisyear’sTikkunOlamShabbatandhelpededucateour communityaboutthemanyeffortsbeingmadearoundMiami-Dadetoprotectdisadvantagedyouth. Peyton Mandelbaum May 14, 2016 Peyton isa7thgraderatSouthwoodMiddleSchool,DanceMagnetProgram.Peytonisamemberofthe NationalJuniorHonorSociety(NJHS),aswellastheSouthwoodnationallyrankeddanceteam.Peytonis kind,funnyandisalwaysdedicatedtoeverythingshedoes.HerparentsBlythe andLeon, andtheentire family,isveryproudofherandlookforwardtocelebratingherspecialday. emma Casey May 21, 2016 emma isa7thgradeHonorstudentandisintheDanceMagnetatSouthwoodMiddleSchool. Emmaloves dancing,bakingandspendingtimewithherfamilyandfriends.Herfamilyisveryproudofherandlooks forwardtocelebratingherspecialday. DearBethAmFamily, Italwaysgivesmegreatpleasuretoexperiencethewarmandinteractivecommunity thatisourTempleBethAm.OurClergyteamisincomparable.Theyareamazingand specialeachintheirownway.Ithasbeenaveryexcitingyearaswewelcomedournew Senior rabbi, Jeremy Barras toourTemple.Wehaveaprofessionalstaffandagroupof layleaderswhoworktirelesslytobringyouunique,innovativeandenjoyableworship servicesandprograms.Oneofthegreatestperksofmypositionforthelast16yearsas yourMembershipDirectorisgettingtoknowyousomanyofyouandyourfamiliesand havingyougettoknowme.Ifyouhaven’tyetfoundyourspecialplaceatBethAm,let mehelpyou.Therelationshipsthatformhereareincredible–theyarewithoutadoubt lifetimefriendships! Itisimportantthatourmembersfeelcomfortablewiththeirlevelsofgivingtothis community.Forthatreason,wehavemaintainedlowmembershipcontribution increases;andourFairShareprogramallowsformultiplemembershipchoices.Those ofyouwhoareabletogivewithinoneofourCommitteeof100levelsmakeitpossible forfamilieshavingfinancialchallengestoremainpartofourcongregation.Youalso helpustomeetthefinancialobligationsconnectedwithmaintainingconsistently superiorservice.Pleaseconsiderjoiningorre-joiningoneofourCommitteeof100 levelsthisyear.Anyincreaseinmembershipisgreatlyappreciated. ThankyouforeverythingyoudotosupportTempleBethAm! Enjoyyoursummerandbesafe! Withloveandgratitudealways, RitaDiaz MembershipDirector TempleBethAm Page 25 Commentator Tikkun Board vice President: LisaHellerGreen Chair: SusanRosenthal May 2016 • Page 26 olam thank you to Susan rosenthal! TheTikkunOlamCommitteethanksSusan rosenthal for heroutstandingserviceasCommitteeChair. UnderSusan’sleadership,theCommitteeimplemented threesuccessfulMitzvahDays,introducedtheSocial JusticeSpeakerSeries,re-invigoratedtheTikkunOlam Clergy: RabbiRachelGreengrass Shabbat,andmuch,muchmore. DebbieBenitez MarloByrne SuzanneCalleja JacquelineCrabill MarcDachs MarnyDixon GaryEisenberg TeriGolden MyriamGrad StaceyJones DanLevine JeffMarcus ShelleyPayne MelissaPeerless RachelRobbins-Turetsky JackieRose RosemarieRoth AprilStuzin PaulWeiss RoseWeiss Susanwillremainanactivememberofthe Committee,asnewchairMelissa Peerless takes thehelm. Watchthisspaceformoreinformationaboutupcoming TikkunOlamprogramsforthe comingyear. Photos: top: Susan and her husband, Bobby, at the Beth Am 60th Anniversary Gala), bottom right (Susan, Stacey Jones, and Dan Levine at Mitzvah Day 2015, and bottom left, Susan and former Beth Am President Adrian Dubow. Social Justice Speaker Series Cuban-american relations May 24, 2016 • 7:00 p.m. • Chapel WithrecentchangestoU.S.policytowardCuba–aswellasPresidentObama’spioneeringvisit– Cuban-Americanrelationsareatthetopofthepoliticalandsocialagenda. TheseissuesparticularlyresonateinourMiamicommunity,whereabout2,500CubanJewishfamilies live,followingamassexodusfromtheislandduringandaftertheCubanRevolutionof1959. OurMaySocialJusticeSpeakerSerieseventwilladdressrecentactionstowardandinCuba,froma humanrightsperspective. new Shoes for Family Central hope Schneiderman, abelovedteacherintheEarlyChildhoodCenteratTempleBethAmDay School,spearheadedthedonationofmorethan50pairsofnewshoestoFamilyCentral. FamilyCentralprovideschildcareresourceandreferralservices;eligibilitydeterminationand enrollmentofchildrenforsubsidizedchildcareandVPK;education,trainingandcoachingof childcareteachersanddirectorstoimprovequality;andbuildingofcommunitiestopromoteandsupportearlylearningand literacythroughoutPalmBeach,Broward,andMiami-DadeCounties.Theorganizationservesmorethan100,000peopleperyear, strengtheningfamiliesandearlylearningthroughoutourcommunity. FamilyCentralChiefProgramOfficerandBethAmmemberWendy Salomon wrote:“Mystaffwasoverwhelmedwiththe extraordinaryshoedonationthatIbroughtintoday!Theyareexcitedtodistributethebeautifulshoestotheneedywomenthey workwith.Pleaseknowtheywillbemuchappreciated.” Photo:familycentralshoes(FamilyCentralstaffmembersposewithnewshoesdonatedbyTempleBethAm.) By dr. Lenore C. Kipper, rJe, Judaic Studies director, emerita Prominent American Rabbis Who Influenced American and Jewish Life the Beginning of Conservative Judaism InreactiontoReformJudaism,in1887anewinstitutionwas createdcalledTheJewishTheologicalSeminary(JTS)Association inNewYorkCity.Itbeganwitheightstudents.Intheearly1800s mostofthecongregationsandRabbiswereconnectedtoReform Judaism.AsIwrotebefore,IsaacMayerWisewasthecentral leaderofthismovement.HisgoalwastounifyallAmerican rabbis,however,manydifferencesofopinionsdisappointedthe moretraditionalrabbis,especiallyafterthePittsburghPlatform of1885,andthisledtothebeginningofConservativeJudaism. Solomon Schechter In1901,ProfessorSchechterwasteachingatCambridgeUniversity inEngland.Healreadyhadanimpressivescholarlyreputation, andhewasinvitedtobethePresidentofJTS.Hewasavisionary leaderandbecamethearchitectofConservativeJudaism.Lifein Americawaschanging.ThenewimmigrantswerefromEastern Europe.Theyhadtoadapttotheirnewfreedomwhilestillbeing faithfultotheheritageoftheirancestors.SolomonSchechter understoodtheirsituation.Hegatheredafacultyofscholarly RabbistoteachandtrainnewAmericanstudentstoleadthenew conservativecongregationsthatwereestablished.Healsobegan workontheTheJewishEncyclopedia,andthetranslationofthe HebrewBibleforTheJewishPublicationSociety. SchechterdreamedofestablishingJewishDaySchoolsfor Americanstudentssothattheywouldhaveastrongknowledgeof HebrewandJewishhistory.In1909heappointedMordecaiKaplan asdeanofthenewlyorganizedTeacher’sInstitute.Todaythereare manyJewishDaySchoolsnamedafterhim.Thisbecamean essentialpartoftheConservativemovement,andmanyfuture leadersandteacherscamefromthesedayschools. By1913,underhisleadership,theUnitedSynagogueofAmerica wasorganized,andhebecameitsfirstpresident.Although Schechterwasatraditionalist,heunderstoodthenecessityfor adaptationandchangewhilepreservingthetraditionsand observancesthatwereatthecoreofhistoricalJudaism.Itwashis strongbeliefthatAmericanJewishimmigrantsneeded “Judaization”aswellas“Americanization”,becausetheywere sheddingtheirJewishtraditionstooquickly. Schechterdiedatagesixty-fivein1915.Hesucceededincreatinga renaissanceofJewishlearning.Hetaughthisstudents,“Youcannot loveGodwithyourfather’sheart.”Hetaughtanentiresynagogue movementthateachgenerationmustthinkandinterpretits relationtoJudaism. Mordecai Kaplan Kaplanlivedtobeahundredyearsold.Oneauthor,StevenSchnur, wrote,“duringhiscenturyofJewishlife,hehasdonemoreto changethewayAmericanJewsthinkandworshipthananyother contemporaryinterpreterofJudaism.”Whatwashisinfluence? HecametoAmericain1889fromLithuaniawhenhewasnine yearsold,withhisfather,whowasajudgeontheRabbinicalCourt ofNewYork.HecontinuedhisJewishstudiesandalsoattended ColumbiaCollegeandCityCollegeofNewYork.Atthesametime heenrolledatJTS.Duringthistimehebegantoquestionmany aspectsoftraditionalJudaism.Hewasnotabletoacceptthebelief thatboththewrittenandtheorallaw,theTorahandtheTalmud, weregivenbyMoses.Hequestionedthetraditionalbeliefsabut God.Atagetwenty-one,whenhecompletedhisstudiesatJTS,he wasappointedtohisfirstcongregation.Therehewasabletotest someofhisideas.AtoneofthemeetingsofConservativeRabbis hegaveaspeechthatarguedthatJudaismexistedfortheJewish people,andnottheJewishpeopleforJudaism.Hesetforthsome ofhiscontroversialideasandprinciplesthatbecamethefoundation ofwhatwastobecomeReconstructionistJudaism.Hisbook, Judaism as a Civilization,describeshisteachingsaboutGod, Ritual,Torah,theJewishPeople,theLandofIsrael,SocialAction, SynagogueCenter,Havurot,andthecoreteachingthatJudaism isanevolvingreligiouscivilizationandculture,oneinwhich ritualobservances,religiousteachings,peoplehoodallplayan importantpart. Perhapsoneofthemostcontroversialideasishisconceptabout God.HisnaturalisticconceptofGodisbasedontheideathatthe worldcanbeexplainedintermsofscientificallyverifiableideas. RatherthanbeliefinapersonalGodwhointervenesinhistoryand knowsthethoughtsinthemindsofhumans,Kaplanbelievedinthe doctrineofgodliness.Insideeachpersonisadivinespiritand sparkthatservesasthesourceofaperson’smoralvalues.God, therefore,worksthroughpeopleandisthePowerintheworldand inallpeoplethatmakesforjustice,equalityandpeace.(as describedbyRonIsaacs). HecontinuedtoteachatJTSuntil1963,especiallyattheTeacher Institute.Althoughhisideasweredifferentfrommostoftheother teachers,heunderstoodthenewAmericanJew,hewasavisionary, because,infact,hisideasspreadnewwaysofthinkingamong ReformandConservativeRabbis.ThecreationofJewish CommunityCenterswasinfluencedbyhisideas.Hebelievedin womenhavingequalopportunityinJewishlife.Hisdaughterwas thefirstgirltohaveaBatMitzvah.TempleBethAmreflectsmany ofhisideasaboutbecomingasynagoguecenter.Evenhisoriginal writingshavealreadyevolved.TheReconstructionistMovement neverbecamelarge,buthiswritingscertainlychangedJudaismin America.Kaplanhasearnedaplaceasoneofthegreatand importantJewishthinkersofourtime.Iencourageyoutoreadhis booktogainamorecompleteunderstandingofhisbeliefs.You mayfindyourselfsaying: of course, I believe that.Buthewrotein theearly20thcentury,anditisnowthe21stcentury.Hecertainly influencedme. Shalom, Lenore Page 27 May 2016 • Page 28 Commentator Tuesdays with Manny Temple Beth Am’s Mission to Cuba led by emerging artists from the Opera Studio of Manny Perez tuesday, May 24 at 7:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary Joinusforaneveningoflushmusicandartistry. Refreshmentstofollow. $10donationatthedoor. Cantor Rachelle Nelson. Space is limited so please call Brit Olom Tours at 305.403.7548 if you are interested in learning more. Week ending May 6, 2016 In Loving Memory ShirleenAgress ShirleyBaker StevenBelin FrankBenedick SheldonBernstein MaxCarlin* HertaCohn Dr.RichardE.Deutch* HerbertH.Emory IdaFeldman RuthF.Fishman* SamuelFletcher* MiltonForster MicheleFrilley YettaGastwirth SidneyGlaser* FrancesGoldberg MollieGrapin LouisGuberman* RitaHermanHaller* JuliusJacobs* IrwinRobertKatz AlexanderLaster GerriMarcus MosesMarkowitz MalcolmF.Marks* RalphMeyers EstelleMirkin WilliamPrizer GeorgeRawson ManiaRosen* KarenRossman* AnneRubinson* Dr.StanleyH.Salzman* SylviaSavitz* MollySchneider* EdwardSchulman* ArthurSiegel YacobSmilovitz* EugeneL."Gene"Solomon* JoyceSumberg VivianS.Talbot* GladysTraeger RuthTropin SybilWilliams FredWillner* Dr.WalterP.Zand* EdwardZucker Week ending May 13, 2016 DorothyAlvin DuvanArboleda* AlbertM.Aronson* MaeAxlrod BernardBess MeyerBlynder* MarvinBochner VeraBraverman* ElvaBush* LillianGlickmanCades* MeyerElkaim* MartinEpstein* LouisD.Foglia JeanGoldberg* HarryGunther* EttaHalpern* BlancheHelfen SimonHilf* MollyHill IdaHollub* ElaineG.Jacobs* WalterJacobs* GraceD.Kaufman* NeilKellerman HarryKeusch* GeorgeKopp MildredLefton SidneyLeibowitz* DavidLewin Charlotte"Lottie" Lewinsky BenLipoff* MiltonD.Lunden* Miriam"Mimi"Mandel SofieMarlin* CatherineMoulton* JeromeNagelbush DonaldNelson BenNotovitz* CarolinePowers* FriedaRosenthal* WilliamRosenthal EdwinSaiontz WilliamSakolsky AnnaSchenkman* FridaSchrenzel* MurraySchwartz* ScottJ.Segal* N.NormanShane* SylviaSondak IrvingSussman JosephMarkWeinstein* JuliusL.Ziegler* Week ending May 20, 2016 Selig"Jap"Apperman H.LawrenceAsher* MarilynBaumal RoseBernstein* EvaRuthBerry* ClaraBlynder* ElaineBoas NathanBrameister RoseBrenner* MorrisBurk* Dr.JohnCassel LuzmilaCastillo DorothyCoe* SamuelCohen YettaCoonin ChanaDrecksler BettyDubick* IdaDubick BorisDuchowny AnneEpstein* MargaretFerency BerthaFishbein BernaFisher* SarahGeller* HildaShapiroGinsburg* HerbertGluckson RayMarksGoldberg* RhodaGoldman JoyceGolinsky CharlotteGrossberger* BashHaber WilliamHarris* AlexKaplan* CilaKapustin* TimothyMartinKashuk* BenjaminKlein* LesleyLippCleveland EmmaLitman* GeorgeMalin* BeatriceMallinger BenjaminMiller* JacobMoses SydellOltchick* EdwardQuartin* FrancesRapp* GeorgeRatner* EdwinStephenReisman FayReps* MaxRobinson SimchaSholomRoss* SaulSchekman* WilliamShanbrun JerryShepard* SeymourSiegel* MildredSilverman* BettyeSlaminsky ChaiaMinnieSorkin* Myron"Mike"Susman LillianH.Tiplitz* MylesJayTralins* JosephP.Ullman* SidneyJ.Wilck PaulaFriedWoolman* CharlesZinn* PhyllisZisman* Week ending May 27, 2016 NathanAdler* SaraL.Aibel* SylviaBedine* MaxBelin SadieBerger* TodBerman AnneBluestein* MoiseyBlumin* JacobBottner* EvaBrameister JackBraverman* EllenChopp* BettyAlvinClark BenB.Clein* ElciradelaCruz StephenEngle* StephenEuster EdwinFeibelman GertrudeFeldman StellaFenster* HarryFields IrvingFriedman CarlosGarcia PhilipB.Germain GoldieGerstman* SybilGilbert BenjaminGlass AaronA.Glick MurielGoldring GeorgeI.Hale HarryHollub* KateHorowitz* JudyBaerIsis* MichaelJankowitz RuthKleinberg* FredLevinson HansH.Lewin* SilviaLieberman TheodoreM.Lowenthal* MauriceManov Dr.EllisMargolin CeilNotovitz* AlbertPravda ElsiePrice CharlesRolnick* GertrudeSanders* RoseSchmier* HarveySharp JeanSiegal SolSteinbook MaxSusman* ArleneGreenVerona* AlfredoVogel LilyanWallach* GoldieWasserman* LarryDennisWolfe HowardN.Zimmett* Page 29 May 2016 • Page 30 Commentator STEPHEn ARKY FAMILY CARInG FUnD MarilynArkyJablonskiandBrendaJablonskiin celebrationofDanielleArkyandMorganArky ontheoccasionsoftheirMarchBirthdays CAnTOR nELSOn’S DISCRETIOnARY FUnD We Give Thanks IleneandMiltonHirschinlovingmemoryof ThelmaSchreer TheLeightFamilywiththanksforcreatingthemost incredibleBarMitzvahforBruce PhilipLeitmaninlovingmemoryofAnnBerent CraigandDeirdreNashandfamilyinappreciationfor everythingyoudidtomakethisdifficulttimeinour liveseasier. JoanandGregoryReedinlovingmemoryofmother, PatteRoberts BettySuchmanwiththanksformakingCliff’sunveiling aloving,warmandmeaningfuloccasion. EllenandLouisWolfson,AmyandRickDeutchand DebraandDavidDeutchinlovingmemoryofour mother,FeliciaDeutch DonnaandCraigZimmettinlovingmemoryof FeliciaDeutch THE JOAn KRAMER GALLAnT AnD MARTIn GALLAnT CHILDREn'S FUnD Inmemoryofourpapa,MartinGallantwithlovefrom Jane,MackandSunny BrianGallantinlovingmemoryofhisparents TracyGallantBrodyinlovingmemoryofherparents COnExIón LATInA FUnD KennethandJudithRosenthalinhonorof HadassahBlum DAY SCHOOL FUnD RyanandRachelBailineinmemoryofNathanLubie BorisandRaquelGabayinthelovingmemoryof LeonorGabay AmyandRickeyMittelberginmemoryofGloriaGostel AmyandRickeyMittelberginmemoryofSeymourFine ShawnJ.NowickiandAshleighinmemoryof Dr.WilliamDitkowsky PattiandMichaelSacksinhonoroftheBatMitzvah ofSydneyLichtenstein NatalieSnyderinmemoryofDr.WilliamDitkowsky BarbaraandGaryCoheninthelovingmemoryof Dr.WilliamDitkowsky GEnERAL FUnD IngaK.Bergerandfamilyinlovingmemoryof RudyBerger GaryandCarolCoheninlovingmemoryofStanley AllenCohen RitaDiazinmemoryofNanceFine,sisterofDawn AdelsFine RitaDiazinmemoryofPhilipMasters,fatherof WendySalomon RitaDiazinmemoryofDr.KennethFields,brother ofDr.DanielFields RitaDiazinmemoryofEdmundMilberg,father ofLeslieSteinberg HarrietFeinglassinlovingmemoryofCharles Wasserman BillandDiliaGrossmaninmemoryofNormanNash ElliotandIrisGruskyinmemoryofNathanLubie ElliotandIrisGruskyinmemoryofSoniaWasserberger David,AlexaandMicheleKeyesinmemoryof NathanLubie LorraineKurlandinlovingmemoryofJackEskenazi PhilipandPhyllisLapidusinlovingmemoryof HattieLapidus EricLubovinmemoryofNormanNash MichaelandSusanMeisterinmemoryofSonia Wasserberger MichaelandSusanMeisterinmemoryofNathanLubie LoisandMichaelPfefferinmemoryofNathanLubie, fatherofKarenSerure GeorgeEShapiro,Ph.DinmemoryofMurrayGinsburg JackieandRichardSiegelinwishingofRomanKrislav aspeedyrecovery WilliamandMarciaSilverinmemoryofWinnie Lebowitz LindaandBobSpiegelmaninwishingofPhillDunn, son-in-lawofAlanandLynneStein,aspeedyrecovery RhodaWeltinlovingmemoryofDavidWelt THE SHEPARD KInG SCHOLARSHIP FUnD BernitaKing,RussellKingandTamaraKingStarkin memoryofourbelovedShep,whocontinuestoinspire usineverythingwedo LEnORE KIPPER EnDOWMEnT FUnD BarryandDebrahShulmaninmemoryofIrwinKatz LESLEE AROnOvITZ YOUTH SCHOLARSHIP FUnD ShellyandSteveBrodieinmemoryofArthurRudin SherryandBarrySoloweyinmemoryofSidney Nullman LEWIS D. SILvERMAn M.D. SCHOLARSHIP FUnD DavidandHedyHirschinmemoryofLaurenIvans, sisterofJeremyIvans LIBRARY FUnD EdithandNormanEinspruchinmemoryofNanciFine EdithandNormanEinspruchinmemoryofSidney Magerer,fatherofSherryTropin NeilandMadelynMessingerinmemoryofSusanFink, motherofDr.JackZiffer SuzanneandLarryFishmanwithappreciationof EttaGold–donatedagenerousboxsetofDVDfrom theSimonWiesenthalCenterFund MATTHEW KASS SCHOLARSHIP FUnD KarenandMortKassinmemoryofbelovedfather, MurrayGinsburg,torememberalwaysyourdear daughter,Leah RABBI BARRAS’ DISCRETIOnARY FUnD TIKKUn OLAM FUnD DivinaGrossmaninremembranceofDr.WilliamDitkowsky CarolinaandHarveyGurlandinappreciationofyourbeinga wonderfulteacher PaulandLoisLester DonnaLevineinmemoryofArthurRudinfatherofSteveand CindyRudin JanandRichardPollackinappreciationofthelovelyservicein celebrationofLeslieandAdam’swedding TheShepardFamilyinappreciationforyourinspiration…from BabyBoomerstoGenerationY SteveandEllenSimoninlovingmemoryofDr.GeraldBerkowitz andBettyW.Simon EllenandLouisWolfson,AmyandRickDeutch,Debraand DavidDeutchinmemoryofFeliciaDeutch AnnieBerensoninlovingmemoryofJeaneApperman MarkandMarjorieBuchbinderinmemoryofAnitaBuchbinder TheCummingsFamilyinmemoryofSidneyNullman TheCummingsFamilyinmemoryofDr.NormanNash WarrenandElizabethJanowitzinmemoryofDr.NormanNash Pam,RichardandBenStrassberginmemoryofSidneyMagerer, fatherofSherryTropin MichaelWeisberginmemoryofSylviaWeisberg EllenandGlennWidomandFamilyinlovingmemoryof MarionBleeker RABBI BAUMGARD'S DISCRETIOnARY FUnD Bunny&HowardMichaelsoninlovingmemoryofDr.Allan K.Michaelson RABBI BOOKMAn’S DISCRETIOnARY FUnD PhyllisGoldstein,inlovingmemoryofSeymourGoldstein RABBI GREEnGRASS’ DISCRETIOnARY FUnD MyriamandMarcGradinhonorofthebeautifuljobyoudidat PaulKaminsky'sfuneralservice AllanLippinmemoryofNancyLipp KenandJudyRosenthalinappreciationoftheunveilingfor ShirleyLitman RABBI KEMPLER’S DISCRETIOnARY FUnD R.JudithRatzan,MDinmemoryofMildredTuchmanand JosephDavidTuchman Dr.FlorenceOrinWechsberginmemoryofmyparentsandsisters RITUAL/PRAYER BOOK FUnD ElisabethFrankinlovingmemoryofStephenFrank JudyGilbert-GouldinlovingmemoryofAustinGilbert JudyGilbert-GouldinlovingmemoryofGeraldGould AdeleHertzandfamilyinmemoryofShirleyBosin,our beautifulmotherandgrandmother TheKleinFamilyinlovingmemoryofSamuelFried DonnaLevineinlovingmemoryofBeatriceRabinovitz, motherandgrandmother HarveyLYounginlovingmemoryofMartinYoung HarveyLYounginlovingmemoryofEstherG.LeppelYoung YAHRZEIT FUnD AnnL.AibelinlovingmemoryofLawrenceAibel MarilynBrillinmemoryofSidneyP.Schreer RichardFeinsteininlovingmemoryofSarahFeinstein EllenandLaneGenetinlovingmemoryofGilbertFein RobertGordonFamilyinlovingmemoryofMarvinGordon Dr.StuartandDianneGottliebinmemoryofLeonGottlieb DollyHarrisinlovingmemoryofStanleyHarris,Sidney HarrisandAlbertLevick AdeleHertzandfamilyinmemoryofGeorgeBosin,our lovingfather,grandfatherandgreat-grandfather L.MelvinKatzinmemoryofIsadoreDiamond RuthKriegerinlovingmemoryofMaryMarkowitz RuthKriegerinlovingmemoryofWilliamKrieger LisaMassirmaninlovingmemoryofFayeKline JanandRichardPollackinmemoryofMurrayGinsburg GuillermoandMaggieRetchkimaninmemoryof HectorRetchkiman KenandJudithRosenthalinmemoryofStuartRosenthal KenandJudithRosenthalinmemoryofHowardand ShirleyLitman RobertandJaneSalzmaninlovingmemoryofMarySalzman MichelleandScottSarasoninlovingmemoryofEstherLevi StuartShapiroinlovingmemoryofEvelyn“Boo”Shapiro JeffreySparinmemoryofBenjaminSpar SISTERHOOD FUnD WendyKornfieldinlovingmemoryofmyhusbandCliff SusanandRichardLampeninlovingmemoryofNanceAdelsFine SusanandRichardLampenwishingmazaltovtoJayusiaand AlanBernsteinonthebirthoftheirgranddaughterMia SusanandRichardLampenwishingmazeltovtoJudithand MarcLederhandlerontheweddingoftheirdaughterSarahto DylanKluck RitaandBernieSwichkowinlovingmemoryofRita’sparents, MarionandAlBleeker RitaandBernieSwichkowinlovingmemoryoffather,Maurice Swichkow Page 31 Commentator May 2016 • Page 32 Temple Beth Am professional Directory 2015/2016 aCCOuntant - JKO Professional Services, LLC Janet Kredi-Oberstein Certified Public accountant • attorney at Law 9404SW88Place,Miami,FL33176 Phone:305.753.2107|Fax:305.675.9268|Email:jkredi@a.net aSK MrS. KatZ! IdentifyLearningChallenges•ImplementEducationalSolutions CoordinateAcademicProgress•GetSchoolPlacementAdvice KATZEDUCATIONALCONSULTINGGROUP •Susan Moss Katz, Director [email protected]305.710.5002|www.katzeducational.com CaMP COnneCtiOn FindingSummerSpotsforChildrenandTeens FreeInformationandGuidance,SleepawaycampsandTeenprograms [email protected]|561.637.0676 www.thecampconnection.com eState SeLLing & e-SaLeS By rita. turn yOur traSh intO CaSh $$$ Willsellantiques,collectibles,designerhandbags&shoesandjewelry,all onmyonlinestoreinadditiontodoingcompleteestatesales.Callmefor anappointment.Excellentreferences. RitaDiaz 305.323.9322|[email protected] FuneraL ServiCeS EDEN FUNERAL SERVICES-Professional,Compassionate, Affordable,Local,outofstateburials,pre-planning, Veteransservice,Servingallcemeteries. FamilyOwnedandOperated 305.257.8110or[email protected]|ari Oberstein, LFd - Owner gyneCOLOgy & WOMen'S heaLth randye Karmin, M.d. TownCenterOneAtDadeland 8950SW74thCt.,Ste.1705,Miami,FL33156 305.670.0010|www.miamiwomencare.com MOheL -abraham Benyunes, Md FaaP AbrahamJ.BenyunesisaMohelcertifiedbytheJewishTheological SeminaryandtheRabbinicalAssemblyofAmerica. Tel.:305.271.4711 Email:[email protected] www.moheldoctor.com MOheL -Certified reform Mohel - Bris doctor, Jason James Md Dr.JasonJamesisaboard-certifiedOb/Gynandacertifiedreformmohel throughtheNationalOrganizationofAmericanMohalim(NOAM).Pro vidingafamily-centeredfocusforabeautiful,inclusiveceremonyforyour son'sbris(britmilah).305.778.5157|facebook.com/brisdoctor nannieS, hOuSeKeePerS, BaBy SPeCiaLiStS & eLderLy COMPaniOnS ClassActNannies,LLC-Jennifer Medwin 11767SouthDixieHighway,Miami 305.302.9777|Fax:305.662.6400 www.ClassActNannies.com PineCreSt SPeeCh theraPy Susan Steinhart, Ma, CCC 9719S.DixieHwy.,Pinecrest,FL33156 305.669.4474 Pinecrestspeechtherapy.com Pre and POSt divOrCe COunSeLing ExpertWitness&Evaluations–FamilyandCivil Jerome Poliacoff, Ph.d. FLPsychologistPY3449 Tel:305.624.7900 reLatiOnShiP exPert- COuPLeS and FaMiLieS roberta gallagher, LCSW HeartAching-NoCommunication-Trust Icanhelp.Over35yearsofexperience. 305.663.0584-S.Miami|www.robertagallagher.com Sat aCt PreP HSMath&ScienceTutoring Zachary B. Poliacoff Tel:305.965.0826 SOuth FLOrida PediatriC PartnerS 7800SW87thAve#C350 MiamiFL33173 305.271.4711 the hOMeWOrK heLPer Barbara B. Poliacoff RetiredDCSBElementaryTeacher K-6Subjects&OrganizationalSkills Tel:305.206.6096 avaiLaBLe FOr dOnatiOn Pool table available for donation to appropriate charity. Purchased in 2008, used about six times and currently in storage. in perfect condition. Pictured below. Please contact Bob hersh for further information 786.364.9425. Commentator Commentator (uSPS: 0052-060) is Published Monthly except July by temple Beth am, 5950 north Kendall dr., Pinecrest, FL 33156-2068. Periodicals Postage Paid at Miami, Florida. POStMaSter: Send address changes to COMMentatOr, teMPLe Beth aM, the Janet (z”l) and riChard yuLMan CaMPuS, 5950 n. KendaLL drive, PineCreSt, FL 33156-2068. volume 25 number 10. Senior rabbi:JeremyBarras rabbi: RachelG.Greengrass,MARE,RJE rabbi: JudithKempler Chazan: CantorRachelleF.Nelson,D.M. Founding rabbi emeritus: HerbertBaumgard,D.H.L.,D.D. rabbi emeritus:TerryA.Bookman,D.D. President: WilliamGrossman executive director: RobertHersh Membership director: RitaDiaz Finance director: JohnWenzel Campus Logistics director: ShariDebowsky Campus activities director: MichelleCohen Security director: SharoneLevi head of day School: DeborahR.Starr,Ed.D. director of Lifelong Learning: TamaraDonnenfeld,MARE,RJE hebrew/Judaic Studies director: Rabbi MarcKasten,M.Ed.,RJE admissions director, day School: CariAltman,M.S.Ed. elementary School director: SusanaNovak,M.S.Ed. youth engagement director: JackiAltman administrative Office: 305.667.6667 early Childhood Program/day School Office: 305.665.6228 early Childhood Program/day School Fax: 305.668.6340 religious School Office: 305.667.6667ext.119 religious School Fax: 305.666.2536 administration Fax: 305.662.8619 Clergy Office Fax: 305.667.1390 email: [email protected] web: www.tbam.org AFFILIATED WITH THE: UnionforReformJudaism Mission Statement Temple Beth Am embraces Jewish life through lifelong learning, spiritual growth and community engagement. INVITATIONS Linda Mann • save-the-dates & announcements • ceremony programs & menus • seating items & napkins • stationery, pads, favors & gifts • sign-in books & boards • specials & clearance items • in-house printing & calligraphy 305.235.7887 [email protected] • www.paperpigeonmiami.com Page 33 May 2016 • Page 34 Commentator LEGENDARY QUALITY AND LUXURY LIKE NO OTHER SINCE 1954 10600 SW 61 Avenue, Pinecrest Available Amy Hollub 305.305.0813 Pioneer Member of Beth Am hollubhomes.com A Focus on the Highest Level of Quality and Trust Let Our Family Care For Your Family Dr. Jack Cohn Dr. Adam Cohn Dr. Aaron Cohn We provide Preventive, Restorative, and Cosmetic Dentistry for all ages! 305-598-1428 9840 SW 77 Ave, Suite 201 Miami, FL 33156 [email protected] www.smilemiami.com Page 35 May 2016 • Page 36 Commentator Food is the Heart and Soul of Entertaining. Your Choice of a Caterer is Crucial to the Success of Your Event. 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Photos: ©iStockphoto.com/Steven Allan; Photo Courtesy of the IDF; ©iStockphoto.com/Dejan ©iStockphoto.com/Dejan Gileski Member FINRA Page 37 May 2016 • Page 38 Commentator Great Products and Exceptional Service Shelley Tunis 305.238.6399 [email protected] occasionallyyours.net +RQRUHG7R%H2QH2I(:0¶V7RS$JHQWV &KDLUPDQ¶V&OXE Emerald Level 2013, 2014 Sapphire Level 2011, 2012 ³ %HD&LWURQ¶VVXFFHVVLQUHDOHVWDWHLVGULYHQE\KHU LQIHFWLRXVSRVLWLYLW\DQGXQZDYHULQJZRUNHWKLF%HD¶V business has grown organically each year due to her vast network and referrals from previous clients ± a testament to her dedication and commitment to unparalleled customer service. ³ Bea Citron, Luxury Real Estate Specialist Email: [email protected] Cell: 305-606-7993 TheRileySmithGroup.com Commentator The Janet (z”l) and Richard Yulman Campus 5950 N. Kendall Drive, Pinecrest, FL 33156 PERIODICAL POSTAGE PAID MIAMI, FLORIDA