May 2016 - The New Reform Temple

May 2016
Confirmation Service
Our entire congregation is invited to attend our
annual Confirmation Ceremony on Friday, May
13 at 6:00 p.m. The New Reform Temple was
built on the notion that Confirmation, the
celebration of 11 years of Jewish education, was
to be a high point in the Religious Life of the
synagogue. Four outstanding young people will
each share with the congregation a brief
reflection on important topics facing the Jewish
Community. Let us support these fine you
people by our presence.
CHARLES MARTIN FROMM
son of
Laurie Bomba & Andrew Fromm
JULIA BERYL KENNEALLY
daughter of
Elizabeth Rosin & Mark Kenneally
KAYLA MARIE MASISAK
daughter of
Cheryl & Tony Masisak
SABINA ELIZABETH L. SHIFRIN
daughter of
Judy Shifrin
Vol. 50, No. 9
Save the Date: Rick Recht to Join
Rabbi Alan Londy August 19 for
a Summer ‘Shabbat Alive!’
In modern day Israel, August 19 is celebrated as
a holiday of love (Tu B’Av), and if you love
Rick Recht’s music, it is surely no coincidence
he will be returning to the NRT that very day for
“Shabbat Alive!” Join us as Rick once again
brings his beautiful and meaningful “Shabbat
Alive” music to The New Reform Temple.
Many people are looking to join a Temple prior
to the High Holy Days, and with a wine and
cheese “meet and greet” at 5:30 prior to 6 p.m.
services, this is a perfect opportunity for
members to bring their friends so they too can
experience the NRT.
The appearance of this celebrated Jewish artist
will also continue to shine a light on the NRT as
a great place for Jewish families in Kansas City,
especially as we begin to celebrate our 50th
Anniversary.
Services will be held in our Krasne Garden
weather dependent.
We are extremely grateful to the NRT member
who, inspired by Rick’s recent Shabbat Alive!
performances, is funding his return appearance
with an anonymous donation.
THE NEW REFORM TEMPLE
7100 Main Street at Gregory
Kansas City, Missouri 64114
Phone: 816-523-7809 Fax: 816-523-2454
E-Mail: [email protected]
Rabbi Alan Londy, D. Min.
Board of Directors
Daniel Fromm
President
Ann L. Darke
First Vice President
Ann K. Baum
Second Vice President
Bill Wien
Secretary
Howard Barewin
Treasurer
Irwin E. Blond
Michael Braude
Robert N. Epsten
Bradley Freilich, M.D.
Donna Holmes
Tom Isenberg
Leslie Mark
Edward Porter
Theodore Prince
Diane Robinson
Beth G. Thompson
Steven R. Unterman, M.D.
Craig V. Wilson
Michael Grossman
Past President
Arthur L. Stern Paul Uhlmann, Jr.
Life Directors
Worship Hours
May 6. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6:00 p.m.
May 13. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6:00 p.m.
Confirmation Service
May 20. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6:00 p.m.
May 27. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6:00 p.m.
Annual Yom HaShoah/Holocaust
Memorial Commemoration
The community-wide Yom HaShoah/Holocaust
Memorial Commemoration will take place on
Sunday, May 1, at 1:30 pm at the JCC. The
commemoration will feature a moving candle lighting
ceremony. Six candles will be lit in memory of the six
million Jews who perished. The service also honors
those who survived the Nazi genocide.
The entire community is invited to attend at no
charge.
Fourth Annual Reel
Judaism....Explore the Modern
Jewish Experience in Film
Thursday, May 12
Welcome to Kutsher’s: The
Last Catskills Resort
(2012)
Kutscher’s Country Club is the
last surviving Jewish resort in
the Catskills. One of the
legendary Borscht Belt hotels
during its heyday, Kutsher’s
has been family–owned ad
operated for over 100 years. Exploring the full Dirty
Dancing–era Catskills experience-and how it
changed American pop culture in the comedy,
sports, and vacation industries–this documentary
captures a last glimpse of a lost world as it
disappears before our eyes. 72 minutes.
Please RSVP to the Temple office if you are
planning to attend.
NRT Book Club – An Evening With
NRT Friends
The next NRT book club will
be held on May 26 at 7 pm at
the home of Leslie and Darren
Mark.
Meet with other congregants
for an evening of thought
provoking conversation,
friendship and fun to discuss
the book The Underground
Girls of Kabul: In search of a
Hidden Resistance in Afghanistan, by Jenny
Nordberg.
Space is limited. Please RSVP to the Temple office
by May 24.
We Gratefully Acknowledge the
Following Contributions to
The New Reform Temple
To the Henry & Marion Bloch Religious School
Henry Bloch
H&R Block Foundation
Marion and Henry Bloch Family Foundation
To the Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund
Feeding the Hungry
Jeff & Carole Rosen
In Memory of Paul Uhlmann, Jr.
John & Reesa Helzberg
To the Shabbat Flowers
Irv Belzer & Sue McCord Belzer
Steve & Susie Block
Howard & Judith Boasberg
Arnold & Donna Brown
Bibie Chronwall & Esther Loeb
Adele Levi
John & Geri Neuberger
Arthur & Barbara Stern
Robert & Cindy Tucci
Steven Unterman & Ellen Murphy
To the Temple
Donald J. Hall
Roger Hurwitz
John & Jenny Isenberg
Ann, Nicole & Jacqueline Kantor
Richard & Eleanor Kohn
Adele Levi
Dwight & Lynne Lincoln
Danny & Rosalind Markstein
Patricia Cleary Miller
Brien & Maggie Murphy
Roy & Lyn Neff
Lewis & Susan Nerman
Carlo & Tina Nunziante
Joseph & Katy Nunziante
Heather Paxton
Charlie & Lisa Schellhorn
Michael & Cathy Schultz
Samuel & Lynn Scott
Neil & Susie Sloman
Morton & Estelle Sosland
Arthur & Barbara Stern
Eugene Strauss
Harold & Ruth Tivol
Chuck & Ester Udell
Brent Waxman
Andy & Lisa Weil
Bobby & Sheila Weil
Laurie Weil & Tommy Wool
Robert Weil, Sr.
Vicki Weil
Bill & Gail Wien
Craig & Carol Wilson
Peggy Wolf
In Memory of Larry Bunsick
Beth Barnett & Glenn Haynes
In Memory of Ronald Prince
Kenneth & Ann Baum
In Memory of Paul Uhlmann, Jr.
Dennis & Katherine Aikman & Family
Lorn & Merilyn Berenbom
Jim & Boo Bullis
Beth Barnett & Glenn Haynes
Michael & Linda Braude
Tom & Lois Davidson
Ernest & Barbara Fleischer
Steven & Lisa Glassman
Darren Goldberger
Arlan & Nancy Koppel
Edward Goldstein & Rachel Krantz
In Memoriam
The Temple extends sincere
sympathy to the bereaved
family and friends of
Paul Uhlmann, Jr.
From the Henry & Marion Bloch
Religious School
As another year has passed so quickly, it is important
to reflect on the happenings of the past year, enjoy the
successes and recognize areas of missed opportunities
and improvement. Every Sunday that school is in
session, I feel the balance and richness that our
students have throughout the morning. There are
opportunities for all types of learners so everyone can
learn at their own speed as well as through a variety
of methods. Each of our teachers incorporates
creative ways for hands-on learning through projects,
presentations and student brainstorming. The artistic
element of learning and expression is present in
lesson plans even in Kindergarten and Mazel Tots.
Throughout all of the grades, Judaic topics are
presented and discussed through critical thinking and
expression. As our students mature, there is a
development of understanding of the sequence of
Jewish history, the main characters and the lessons
that are learned from our sacred texts and the
holidays. Confirmation class is a special place where
and when self-expression leads our young adults to
creating an authentic and fulfilling Jewish life. Rabbi
Londy and Tom Barnett guide them to choices that
are made by education and experience and developed
thoughts and ideas.
Our morning service is a time for us to come together
and bond as individual families into one large family.
It is filled with singing and stories and even silliness
and laughter. All ages participate and the music starts
our day with an appreciation of God, life, and all the
blessings we have individually and collectively. It is
a time for sharing with each other, learning about
each other and filling the building with a sense of
holiness and thanksgiving. Devra Lerner and Rabbi
Londy make every week special as we add new tunes
and sing with our heart and souls.
For the first time, this year we have added an actual
Torah service. Everyone sees how we give respect to
the Torah as we take it from the ark, unroll it, read
from it and bring it through the congregation so
everyone can feel its holiness. There are so many jobs
to do during the Torah service and everyone is not
only willing but anxious to participate. Rabbi
Londy always adds a “dvar” words to explain the
main idea of the parasha, chapter that is read that
week.
This year we have also added a Hebrew language
specialist, Leah Nash, who travels from class to
class teaching the students the Hebrew alphabet
with the goal of being able to read. This is critical
so that for the rest of their lives, our students can
pick up a siddur (prayerbook) no matter where they
are in the world and be able to recite the prayers that
they have learned at religious school.
Our visits with Rick Recht brought us all together in
song and inspired us all. Melissa Mallin, our gifted
8-9 grade teacher brings inspirational lessons to our
older students and helps them compare and contrast
ideas from Judaism to other religions and ideas. I
think we were all amazed at her beautiful voice
when she sang with Rick in his concerts. Melissa,
along with Civia White, taught everyone how to
recite the Shema in words and motions. This has
become a standard every Sunday.
Patti Greenbaum has a special talent for being able
to teach our youngest students as well as the Mazel
Tots (pre-school) kids the customs and meaning of
the holidays and rituals with her unbelievably hands
on activities. I can’t even count how many times
she has shared an idea with me and I just shake my
head and say, “That is amazing! How do you even
think of that?”
Bridging the years between Bible stories and
discussions of politics and mature subjects are
Adryan Steinberg and Adrianne Applebaum. Their
teaching experience, creativity and most
importantly, the love for what they do, create a
foundation for the children that is solid. Both of
these educators are team players that nurture and
motivate the students in all areas of Judaism. They
do it all and do it with love and professionalism.
They are the backbone of the middle years and
provide a seamless transition from childhood to
adolescence.
It is an awesome responsibility to give our students a
culminating experience that is empowering and real. I
cannot praise and thank Tom Barnett enough for his
years of guidance and molding of our confirmation
young adults. He knows what makes them tick and he
stretches their minds and imaginations to incorporate
ideas of others, not just their own. He leads them to
discussions of topics that are relevant and important
and guides them to see their responses through a
Jewish lens.
I truly feel blessed to see all of these amazing
educators, professionals and devoted individuals
perform their magic each Sunday. I thank them all for
a year of new adventures and past traditions
continued. I have spent many years as a leader of a
faculty but I have never been so in awe of a group of
consummate teachers as we have at the Henry &
Marion Bloch Religious School. I will miss each of
you throughout the summer months but feel the
excitement of all the new firsts to come next year.
Lastly, I thank each and every parent and grandparent
for demonstrating to their children the importance of a
quality Jewish education. You are showing our future
generation that Jewish values are critical and that they
are the key to continuity of the Jewish people. Never
underestimate the power of each family member as a
role model for being a good Jew and a good person to
those who are silently observing our choices.
Shelley Rissien
Religious School Director
The Temple Belongs to Its Members
Help NRT to Gain New Members
The New Reform Temple is only as strong as its
members. Please share your enthusiasm with your
friends who are currently unaffiliated with a
congregation. Ask them to come with you to Friday
night service. Bring them for High Holy Day
worship. Encourage them to come to our Saturday
morning Torah Study at 9:00 am. Tell them about
our fabulous Religious School. Suggest they make
an appointment with Rabbi Londy to discuss
membership. Invite them to social events that NRT
hosts. If you know any person who might be
interested, contact the rabbi so he can reach out to
them. NRT is a small congregation and we become
stronger with each new member that affiliates with
us. Let us work together to assure the future of our
temple.
Rabbi Alan Londy
Dan Fromm, President
Craig Wilson, Membership Chair
Summer Food Drive
Our congregation has been asked by Jewish Family
Services to collect donations of: peanut butter,
cereal, baby wipes and canned fruits, vegetables,
beans, and soup. These products will be stocked in
the JFS Food Pantry and will provide food for more
than 200 households in our community.
Please drop your donations in the collection barrel
located in our Temple’s lobby. Donations will be
collected through the month of June.
Prepping for Purim
Sunday morning Family Torah Service