See You at the Movies This Fall Hadassah`s Annual Celebrate the

Transcription

An Affiliate of the Jewish Federation
of Greater Charlotte
Vol. 37, No. 8
Elul- Tishrei 5775/6
September 2015
See You at the Movies This Fall
The Charlotte Jewish Film Festival continues its mission of
bringing you films that make you
laugh, cry, think, and feel with
their exciting 2015 FallFlicks’
lineup:
Sunday, October 11 – 1 PM
The Outrageous Sophie Tucker
is the rags to riches story about
one of old time showbiz’s biggest
stars. Nicknamed “The Last of the
Red Hot Mammas,” Sophie’s
bawdy, brash, risqué attitude and
songs paved the way for performers such as Mae West, Marilyn
Monroe, Bette Midler, Cher,
Madonna, Lady Gaga, and Beyoncé. Off stage/camera, this larger
than life personality was equally
as fascinating. “Sophie was like
the Forrest Gump of the first half
of the 1900s,” says film co-producer Susan Ecker. “She was
close friends with seven U.S.
presidents, King George VI,
young Queen Elizabeth, Charlie
Chaplin, J. Edgar Hoover (who
once asked to borrow one of her
dresses), Al Capone, Judy Garland, Jerry Lewis, Frank Sinatra,
and every other notable of her
era.”
Producers Susan and Lloyd
Ecker are scheduled to appear.
Sunday, October 18 – 1 PM
The Farewell Party tackles an
extremely sensitive issue in a vibrant and unique way as five
friends at a Jerusalem retirement
home struggle with their decision
to help terminally ill patients take
control of their own fates. In the
press release for the film, co-directors Sharon Maymon and Tal
Granit noted, “In our movies, we
try to deal with contemporary social issues which are often controversial. We try to break the
emotional drama with absurd and
comic elements. We feel this
makes these difficult and important topics more accessible to our
audience, and hopefully, as in life,
they will laugh as they wipe away
their tears.”
Sunday, November 1 - 1 PM
Look at Us Now, Mother! is a
deeply personal film from director
Gayle Kirschenbaum as she explores and tries to repair the extremely damaged relationship that
she has with her mom Mildred.
What emerges is a uniquely cinematic family study with humor
and pathos in the midst of conflicts and affections that bind family members together. “This is the
most complicated and emotionally charged film I have ever done
and the most important,” commented Gayle. “This is my story
but it also could be your story;
laugh a little, cry a little and dis-
cover that forgiveness is possible
even when it seems unlikely.”
Gayle and Mildred Kirschenbaum are scheduled to appear.
Please see ad on page 34 and
visit charlottejewishfilm.com for
additional details and to purchase
tickets.
Tickets will also be sold in the
lobby of the Levine JCC on Sunday, September 27, from 10 AM–
2 PM. Y
Hadassah’s Annual Celebrate the Tatas
Announces the “little” Reveal
With sparkles, paint, laughter,
and mammography, Celebrate the
TaTas will again be saving lives.
The Breast Cancer Fundraiser will
be sharing its message this year at
a more intimate venue in October.
The conversation remains the
same: raise funds for research so
that one day our daughters don’t
have to worry about this terrible
disease.
Celebrate the TaTas is a unique
Hadassah breast cancer initiative
designed to empower, educate and
raise funds for breast cancer research.
In its fourth year, Charlotte’s
Celebrate the TaTas invites
women (21 years and older) to
participate. We offer a few important things: an opportunity to have
your Tatas turned into a beautiful
tapestry, and perhaps even more
importantly, an opportunity to receive a mammogram. Due to a
generous grant by The Jewish
Federation of Greater Charlotte,
uninsured women can receive a
life-saving mammogram. A huge
thank you to Charlotte Radiology,
Mecklenburg Radiology Associates, and Novant Health for making the mammograms a reality and
for saving at least two lives last
year. Insurance accepted. Appointments recommended. To make an
appointment, please contact Lorrie
Klemons at 704-944-6880 or [email protected].
New this year:
On Thursday, October 8, Celebrate the TaTas is hosting the “little” Reveal at Dressler’s from
12:30-3 PM. Don’t let the name
fool you, the “little” reveal is anything but small. This year, Cele-
brate the TaTas is paying tribute to
the artists and photographers that
bring paint, sparkles, and much
joy to the program.
Some of the highlights of the
luncheon include: The TaTas tap-
THE STRENGTH OF A PEOPLE.
THE POWER OF COMMUNITY.
Turn to page 9 for the Jewish
Federation’s annual
listing of donors.
(Continued on page 14)
5007 Providence Road, Suite #112
Charlotte, NC 28226
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The Charlotte Jewish News - September 2015 - Page 2
JEWISH FEDERATION NEWS
programs are offering at-risk populations and people of all ages the
skills, coping mechanisms, and
tools to live productive lives.
Jeff and I were also fortunate to
learn first-hand about the after effects of last summer’s Operation
Protective Edge. A briefing by an
IDF spokesperson at Black Arrow
vista overlooking Gaza, a visit
with David and Etti at Kibbutz Nir
Oz to find out how its residents
coped each day, and a meeting
with 29 year old Talli, whose
seven and nine year old daughters
are still traumatized by the sounds
of trucks going by and who continue to look for safe places to
hide wherever they go, gave us a
better understanding of the ways
Israelis dealt with the terror of last
summer’s war. It also made us
proud of our Federation system
which raised 28 million dollars in
62 days for Operation Protective
Edge.
Participating in JFNA’s Campaigners Mission was an amazing
experience. Not only did we learn
so much about Federation to share
with Federation lay and professional leaders, we also had the opportunity to share our trip with the
warm and wonderful leaders who
are Federation.
To find out more about Federation, or to volunteer as a Federation campaigner and experience
next year’s JFNA’s Campaigners
Mission, please contact [email protected]. Y
Trip to Israel Invigorates Local Federation
Sue Littauer and Jeff Turk See Your Federation Dollars at Work
By Sue Littauer
As we prepared to board our
flight to Tel Aviv on Saturday
night, July 4, Jeff Turk and I
watched the fireworks in New
York City from JFK Airport. What
a great way to embark on our
wonderful journey and the exciting experiences that awaited us in
Israel.
Jeff and I started our trip with a
visit to Hadera, our P2Gether
community. As a member of Federation’s Allocations Committee,
Jeff was eager to visit Hadera and
the agencies our Federation funds.
We visited the Charlotte Good
Deeds Store at an elementary
school in Givat Olga, one of the
poorest neighborhoods in Hadera.
The value-based Good Deeds
Store provides at-risk children
with tools to achieve academic
success by rewarding them for
learned behavior. According to the
school principal Yael, “every
penny donated makes my dreams
come true.”
Jeff could hardly pull himself
away from the wonders of Technoda, a science and technology
based hands-on enrichment center
for disadvantaged children in
Givat Olga and gifted students
throughout Israel. Also in Givat
Olga, we met Victor and Vital at
Aharai!, an agency that prepares
periphery students for full and
meaningful army service and active adult lives. Because of
Aharai!, Victor and Vital, who
were destined to become high
school drop-outs, have made
amazing strides toward fulfilling
SHABBAT AND HOLIDAY CANDLE
LIGHTING FOR SEPTEMBER 2015
Friday, September 4, 7:29 PM
Rosh HaShanah Eve, September 13, 7:16 PM
2nd Night of Rosh HaShanah, September 14,
after 8:10 PM
Yom Kippur Eve, September 22, 7:02 PM
Sukkot Eve, September 27,
6:56 PM
2nd Night of Sukkot,
September 28, after 7:50 PM
The Charlotte Jewish
News
5007 Providence Road, Suite 112
Charlotte, NC 28226
Phone
(voice mail after office hours)
Office 704-944-6765
FAX 704-365-4507
email: [email protected]
An Affiliate of the
Jewish Federation of Greater Charlotte
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[email protected]
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Chair - Bob Davis
Members: Bob Abel, Evelyn Berger, David Delfiner, Ann
Langman, Linda Levy
The CJN does not assume responsibility for the quality or kasruth of any
product or service advertised. Publishing of a paid political advertisement does not constitute an endorsement of any candidate, political
party or position by this newspaper, the Federation or any employees.
Published monthly except July
An affliate of:
Birthright Israel and returned to Israel on MASA,
both Federation-funded programs, before making
Aliyah. Ron, a 26 year old
engineer from Donetsk, had
arrived in Israel only six
days before we met. From
these young men, we
learned about the challenges
of learning Hebrew, finding
employment and getting settled in their new country. All
three left their countries to
find a better life in Israel.
When asked who pays for
David and Etti at Kibbutz Nir Oz.
them to leave, they each retheir dreams. Vital hopes to be- sponded, “You do.” The Jewish
come a surgeon and Victor’s goal Federations’ overseas partner
is to become an officer in the army JAFI (The Jewish Agency for Isand a member of the IDF’s elite rael) has helped more than three
unit. “In drugs and alcohol, there million Jews from around the
are no winners,” said Victor.
world make Aliyah to Israel, and
At the end of our long day in has helped to integrate them into
Hadera, we joined 53 dedicated Israeli society.
Federation lay leaders and profesAt the Bank Discount in the
sionals from 17 communities on Hertzi-Lilenblum financial disJFNA’s (Jewish Federations of trict, we learned about modern
North America) Campaigners’ Israel through the eyes of enterMission. Each day was packed prising entrepreneurs Sharona
with training workshops, educa- Meushar, founder of Applicaster,
tional sessions, visits to agencies and Yonaton Meiri, founder of Sufunded by our Annual Campaign perFly.com and the young North
dollars, and meetings with men, American interns they employ.
women, and children who are the Many young adults who particigrateful recipients of our Federa- pated in Birthright yearn to return
tion’s generosity.
to Israel, and through
We met new immigrants to Is- Federation funded prorael from the Ukraine and from grams such as MASA and
France. Ola is from Donetsk, a Onward Israel, they have
city in the Ukraine ravaged by returned to Israel to intern
war. He came to Israel one month in these and other Israeli
prior to our visit and is learning startups.
Hebrew with other new immiAt each of these stops
grants at an absorption center in and many others, we met
Ramleh. Terit, who experienced Israelis who are overblatant anti-Semitism in Paris and coming the challenges of
immigrated to Israel from France poverty,
assimilation,
five months previously, now physical disabilities, culworks in the financial services in- tural and literacy barriers. Sue Littauer (standing, center) and Jeff Turk
dustry in Tel Aviv. Both Ola and At each stop, we learned (standing, 2nd from right) visit Aharai! Givat
Terit were participants on how Federation-funded Olga.
CONTENTS
Schools ..........................................pp. 22-24
Federation News ..............................pp. 2, 3
Youth Visions .......................................p. 24
Synagogues/Congregations .............pp. 3-7
Levine-Sklut Judaic Library ..............p. 25
Jewish Family Services .........................p. 8
High Holidays....................pp. 26-31, 34-42
Community News.....................pp. 8, 13-20
Jewish Community Center .........pp. 32, 33
Federation Donor Listings.............pp. 9-12
Dining Out............................................p. 43
Women’s News.....................................p. 24
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Tributes to the Jewish Federation
Annual Campaign
The Jewish Federation of Greater Charlotte thanks
and acknowledges the following tributes made
May 9–July 31.
In honor of the birth of Hannah Dove Friedman,
daughter of Jonathan and Rachel Friedman
By: Mike and Sue Littauer
In honor of Sharyn Handelsman’s Birthday
By: Bernice Solomon
In honor of Linda Seigel’s Birthday
By: Elaine Melnick, Gina Salvati
In memory of Elizabeth Klein
By: Kevin and Laurie Berzack
In memory of David Cabillis, father of
Jodie Iagnocco
By: Michael and Jodie Iagnocco
In honor of Alison Lerner
By: Lisa Richman
In memory of Nancy Udell, mother of
Janice Fisner
By: Anna Garcia
In honor of Howard Levine and
Julie Lerner Levine
By: Jeff and Aviva Stein
If you would like to make a Tribute to the Jewish
Federation, please contact the Federation office at
704-944-6761.Y
In honor of the birth of Scarlett Mae Rosen,
daughter of Andrew and Jen Rosen, sister of
Bayla Bea Rosen
By: Mike and Sue Littauer
Agency Boards Achieve 100% Giving
The mission of the Jewish Federation of Greater Charlotte is to
raise and distribute funds to support and enrich the lives of Jews
locally, nationally, in Israel, and
worldwide. Through education,
planning, and community building, the Federation’s mission ensures that Jewish values, goals,
traditions, and connections are
preserved for current and future
generations.
The Jewish Federation of
Greater Charlotte appreciates the
support from the boards of directors of the following beneficiary
agencies/institutions that have
achieved 100% giving to the 2015
Annual Campaign:
The boards of directors of the
following agencies/institutions
achieved 100% giving:
* Charlotte Jewish Day School
* Charlotte Jewish Film Festival
Committee
* Charlotte Jewish News
* Charlotte Jewish Preschool
* Congregation Ohr HaTorah
* Consolidated High School of
Jewish Studies
* Foundation for the Charlotte
SYNAGOGUES
CONGREGATIONS
&
Temple Solel Joins URJ
Temple Solel, the Reform congregation in Fort Mill, has announced its affiliation with the
Union of Reform Judaism. In
doing so, they become one of a
small number of congregations
who are members of both URJ
and ISJL (Institute of Southern
Jewish Life).
In making the announcement,
James Fox, President, said, “The
endless resources of both of these
organizations will enhance our
services, enrich our Religious
School, and help guide a variety
of congregation activities. We’re
in a great spot as we head toward
our High Holiday services.”
Temple Solel’s Lay Leaders,
Edie Yakutis and Russ Cobe, have
already benefited from the affiliation, having just returned from an
extensive Lay Leader education
program in Wisconsin.
The ISJL membership provides
the congregation with a Torah,
visits from knowledgeable ISJL
Fellows, and an outstanding curriculum for the congregation’s religious education program.
In addition to religious school,
the Temple also plans to add a
confirmation class as well as adult
education.
As has been the case for the last
three years, Temple Solel will be
holding its High Holiday services
on the campus of St. Philip Neri
Catholic Church. A detailed
schedule for all services can be
found on the congregation’s website at templesolelsc.org and in
this edition of CJN. Once again,
there is no charge for members,
students, or members of the
Armed Forces. Services are open
to nonmembers for a cost of $50
(covering all HH services). Any
questions regarding High Holidays or general membership can
be directed to the Roy and Wendy
Weinberger at 803-619-9707.Y
Jewish Community
* Hebrew Cemetery Association
* Jewish Family Services
* Jewish Federation of Greater
Charlotte
* Jewish Preschool on Sardis
* Levine Jewish Community
Center
* Shalom Park Freedom School
Committee
* Temple Beth El
* Temple Israel
* Friendship Circle
* Ballantyne Jewish Center
* Jewish War Veterans
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704-604-4756
[email protected]
Temple Or Olam Immerses in Nature for the New Year
The Torah tells us to protect nature and sustenance – even when
we are at war: “When in your war
against a city you have to besiege
it a long time in order to capture
it, you must not destroy its trees,
wielding the ax against them. You
may eat of them, but you must not
cut them down. Are trees of the
field human to withdraw before
you into the besieged city?”
(Deuteronomy 20:19). To do so,
our sages say, would be to engage
in bal tashchit, what Talmud calls
needless destruction.
Needless destruction plagues
our world, from the devastation of
our environment to the enslavement and genocide of whole peoples. This past year, we have all
seen the terror wrought by fanatics
of every stripe. Innocent lives
have been lost.
Needless destruction can de-
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stroy a family’s security and a
community’s peace.
In Genesis, we read of two
trees: The Tree of Knowledge of
Good and Bad, and the Tree of
Life. In Proverbs, we read that our
Torah is “a tree of life to all who
grasp it, and whoever holds on to
it is happy; its ways are ways of
pleasantness, and all it paths are
peace” (Proverbs 3:17-18). Torah
is our source of wisdom and understanding, a source of life itself.
This year at Temple Or Olam’s
High Holy Days, we will explore
ways in which we can dedicate
ourselves to planting and nourishing wisdom and life in ourselves,
in our community, and in our
world. If we were blessed with a
single tree of life and wisdom,
what kind of revelation could we
expect to receive? What kind of
spiritual fruit could it bear for us
and for our congregation?
To that end, we will begin our
High Holy Day season with a S’lichot service in the midst of nature;
our havdalah will, of course, take
place under the stars. On Rosh
Hashanah, when we celebrate the
birth of the world, we will reflect
on the nature of awe and the awe
of nature. Our Rosh Hashanah
Shacharit services will conclude
in a nearby park.
TOO has recently decided to
devote increased energy to the
care of our environment during
our next year. Over the Days of
Awe, we will ask: When we get in
touch with our sense of wonder
about the created world, how are
we led to protect and care for the
world we live in? What promises
and vows can we be sure we can
keep? We will be sharing our reflections on Yom Kippur afternoon at a special communal study
session. And at Neilah, we’ll conclude our spiritual travels with a
service of renewal, one based on
our commitment to integrate
sources of life and wisdom in our
lives.
Feel free to join us for a musical, rich, and reflective experience
of the Days of Awe.Y
Temple Or Olam
High Holy Day
Service Schedule
* September 13: Erev Rosh
Hashanah Service, 7 PM: McGill
Baptist Church, 5300 Poplar Tent
Road, Concord, NC
* September 14: Rosh
Hashanah Morning Services, 10
AM-12 noon followed by brunch
and Tashlich at Dorton Park:
McGill Baptist Church, 5300
Poplar Tent Road, Concord, NC
* September 22: Kol Nidre
Service, 7 PM: McGill Baptist
Church, 5300 Poplar Tent Road,
Concord, NC
* September 23: Yom Kippur
Morning Service, 10 AM-12
noon: McGill Baptist Church,
5300 Poplar Tent Road, Concord,
NC
* September 23: Neilah Service: 6:30 PM, Havdalah, and
break fast: McGill Baptist
Church, 5300 Poplar Tent Road,
Concord, NC
Temple Or Olam does not require tickets for attendance at our
services. Suggested donations for
guests to defray our rental costs
are below:
* Families: $216
* Individuals: $108
* Students: gratis
Please visit www.or-olam.org
for more information. Y
Temple Solel Blazing a Path for Reform
Jewish Education in Fort Mill
Temple Solel is the home of the
only Reform Jewish education
program in Fort Mill, SC. Partnering with the Goldring Woldenberg
Institute of Southern Jewish Life
(ISJL), Temple Solel offers an innovative religious education program for the entire family, from
ages 3-103. This year, we are
adding opportunities for Confirmation and Adult Education
through our program. We offer
our students the opportunity to be
life-long learners in the teachings
of the Torah on Sundays during
the school year from 10 AM-12
noon at Blooming Einsteins, 2752
Pleasant Road, Suite 103, Fort
Mill.
The ISJL Education Curriculum includes the key content
areas: Community, Culture and
Symbols, God, Hebrew and
Prayer, Israel, Jewish History,
Jewish Holidays, Lifecycle
Events, Mitzvot, Jewish Values,
and Torah. Our teachers will share
their love of what it means to be
Jewish through a variety of face to
face and online activities, which
will appeal to multiple learning
styles, while fostering communication, collaboration, critical
thinking, and creativity.
Our religious education program is based on these three big
ideas from the ISJL:
1. Celebrating the Jewish holidays is an essential aspect of Jewish identity.
2. The Torah contains stories
that teach us how to live our lives.
3. Hebrew is the language of
the Jewish people.
Education Director, Mara
Cobe, brings more than two
decades of experience as a teacher
and administrator. She has an extensive background in language
education, curriculum, assessment, and educator’s professional
development. In addition, our
teachers attend annual training
from the ISJL, and return each
year renewed and energized,
ready to share with Temple Solel
family. We’re looking forward to
a wonderful year. We’d love to
have you join us “Pathfinders” as
we start this year’s religious education journey at Temple Solel.
For more information on enrollment, please contact us at
[email protected]. Y
High Holiday Schedule at Havurat Tikvah
As the record-breaking heat of
this summer dies down, Havurat
Tikvah has a lot to celebrate. After
a few months of lighter programming, we are busy preparing for
our lay-led High Holidays services, and we also have a few other
exciting events coming up.
Recently, we celebrated the 2nd
Bar Mitzvah of one of our members, Saul Brenner. It was a wonderful opportunity for all of his
friends and family to gather and
commemorate such a joyous occasion.
Since it is the start of a new
Jewish year, we at Havurat Tikvah
like to remember that we are a
family. Therefore, on September
20, we will hold a community memorial service to remember our
loved ones. We will convene at
the Hebrew Cemetery (1801
Statesville Avenue, Charlotte, NC
28206) at 10:30 AM.
Rosh Hashanah services will
take place on Monday, September
14 and Tuesday, September 15 at
10 AM. On September 14, we will
also hold Tashlich services, which
will take place at 3:30 PM. Please
see our calendar for more information and directions.
On Tuesday, September 22, we
will have Kol Nidre services at
7:15 PM. In order to start on time,
we ask that everyone is seated by
7 PM.
We will begin our Yom Kippur
services at 10 AM on Wednesday,
September 23. At approximately
12:30, we will transition to the
Yizkor/Healing service and then
break for the afternoon. At 6 PM,
we will reconvene for Mincha and
some group discussion, which
will take us to the 7 PM Neilah
service. Immediately after the
prayers conclude, we will have a
pot luck break-fast.
All of our High Holiday services will take place in the
Fellowship Hall at Avondale Presbyterian Church (2821 Park
Road). Please see our calendar for
more details.
Havurat Tikvah is an affiliate of
the Jewish Reconstructionist Federation, providing a comfortable,
family atmosphere where all Jews
can feel welcome. If you are interested, we invite you to visit, get to
know us, and to become part of
our congregation of nearly 60
households.
For more information about
any of our activities, check out our
website (www.havurattikvah.org).
You can also find Havurat Tikvah.
If you have any questions about
membership or other aspects of
Havurat Tikvah, give us a call at
980-225-5330.Y
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TOUR EITHER COUNTRY OR COMBINE BOTH
High Holiday Services at Temple Kol
Ami of York County
Temple Kol Ami of Fort Mill,
SC, is pleased to extend an invitation for our High Holiday Services to all in York County and
beyond who wish to observe.
Services are held at Unity Presbyterian Church in Fort Mill which
is easily accessible to the Ballantyne area as well as the Sun City
area. Once again we will be led by
Rabbi Joseph Levanon and Cantorial soloist Beverly Levy. Rabbi
Levanon served at Fayetteville’s
Beth Israel Congregation for 17
years and has been with Temple
Kol Ami for the past year. He is a
renowned scholar and widely
published author who has also
worked previously as a professor
of Judaic Studies at six universities. Beverly comes to us with an
extensive background in Jewish
religious education and a beautiful
voice.
The full schedule of services is
posted on our website www.templekolamisc.org. Tickets are required for ages 13 and up and can
be purchased on our website as
well. For more information,
please contact us at [email protected] or 803-7010149. Babysitting will be
available for a $5 donation by
reservation only- please contact us
at the above e-mail to reserve your
spot today. Tickets will not be
mailed out- your name will appear
on a list at the door at time of
services.
Wishing all a sweet, happy
and healthy New Year! L’Shana
Tova. Y
Temple Solel High Holy Days Services
Temple Solel, the Reform Jewish Congregation in Fort Mill, has
announced their High Holy Days
schedule for 2015. This will be
their fourth High Holy Days services. All services (and the breakthe-fast) will be held at St. Philip
Neri Church (Community Room),
in Fort Mill as they were last year,
(except otherwise, as noted).
September 13 - High Holidays
Family Service – 10 AM at
Blooming Einsteins, 2752 Pleasant Rd., Suite 103, Fort Mill
Erev Rosh Hashanah – 7 PM
Rosh Hashanah – 10 AM;
Tashlich to follow
September 18 - Shabbat Shuva
- 7 PM
September 22 - Kol Nidre - 7
PM
September 23 - Yom Kippur –
Morning Service, 10 AM; Yizkor,
4 PM, Neilah following Yizkor;
Break-the-fast following Neilah
Participation is free for all
members of the congregation and
is $50 for non-members. James
Fox, the President of Temple
Solel, has also announced that stu-
dents and active military personnel are cordially invited to participate at no charge.
Non-members who are interested in attending any of the services should call Wendy and Roy
Weinberger at 803-548-5415.Y
“I would say that behind all my ideas, the strongest
idea of mine which is conveyed in my thinking, even
more than in my writing, is the freedom of choice. I feel
that the freedom of choice is the very essence of life.
Although the gifts which God has given us are small in
the comparison to the gifts which He has given maybe
to the angels or the stars, we have one great gift –
and that is to choose.”
– Isaac Bashevis Singer in Isaac Bashevis Singer:
Conversations, ed. Grace Farrell
- Small group tours January, February, March
- Private tours on your dates year round
Contact us: [email protected] or 704-461-4514
Catch the Spirit with High Holidays at
Ohr HaTorah
“Seek God when you can find
Him, call on Him when He is
near.” These are the famous words
of Isaiah speaking to the people of
Israel.
Maimonides writes that these
words of Isaiah refer to the first 10
days of the year, beginning with
Rosh Hashanah and culminating
with Yom Kippur.
The statement is a powerful
testament to the spiritual meaning
of these days of Awe. As our souls
feel a longing to connect with our
source and to get recharged Jewishly.
The key to unlocking the divine beauty of these days is by
opening our hearts and minds to
the deep mystical spirit that emanates during these special days.
When these days are experienced in a genuine way, they can
have an positive impact on our
lives and our Jewish life.
Attending services at Ohr HaTorah during Rosh Hashanah and
Yom Kippur is a way to tap in to
this divine experience. The services at OHT convey a deeper
meaning to the words read and,
accompanied by the passion felt at
the service, they create a special
connection with God and the
community.
The heartfelt words read by
Rabbi Binyomin Weiss and his
melodious voice inspire the participant and allow for the heart to
open to the spirit of these days.
This awesome experience begins at midnight of Saturday night
September 5, with the Selichot
service. That is when the feeling
of the days of awe envelops the
community with a sincere call to
God. A pre-Selichot Farbrengen
which will set the mood for the
upcoming service and the High
Holidays will begin at 11 PM.
The High Holiday services at
Ohr HaTorah are a journey of the
soul seeking to connect to the
inner soul of the Jewish experience. Rosh Hashanah and Yom
Kippur are pivotal to the entire
year and they present an extraordinary opportunity to bond with
God and with community in a momentous and spiritual way.
Those of you who are searching to explore the deeper meaning
of the High Holidays and seek to
touch the Divine will find the Ohr
HaTorah experience truly rewarding. The High Holiday service is
in a sense a learning activity as
Rabbi Yossi Groner provides
short and succinct commentaries
on the liturgy and expounds on the
mystical significance of many of
the rituals observed on Rosh
Hashanah. The atmosphere in the
synagogue reflects the spirituality
of the Holy Days and it helps
shape the total experience.
Ohr HaTorah is a welcoming
synagogue which helps congregants form friendships and excels
with its joyous and uplifting service. One of the distinctive advantages at Ohr HaTorah is that it
allows for worshippers to engage
in their prayers at their own pace
and to truly connect to God in a
meaningful way.
Rosh Hashanah begins on the
evening of September 13. The
service schedule at Congregation
Ohr HaTorah is as follows:
Evening services at 7:15 PM and
morning services at 9 AM. Kol
Nidrei services on Tuesday night,
September 22, is at 7 PM. Yom
Kippur morning services, September 23, is at 9 AM. Evening
services begins at 5:30 PM. Tickets are not required to attend services. For more information please
call our office at 704-366-3984 or
visit our website chabadnc.org.Y
Hold The Date
The entire Charlotte
Jewish Community
will join over 400
communities across the
globe on the morning of
Sunday, November 15
as we come together
for the Global Day of
Jewish Learning.
High Holiday Services – Right Near You
Once again, the Ballantyne
Jewish Center will be hosting
Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur
services in the Ballantyne area.
Join us this year and feel right at
home. Whether your background
in Jewish prayer and practices is
extensive or limited, attending
services at the Ballantyne Jewish
Center - where the warmth and
authenticity of the traditional are
blended with the comfort and
practicality of the contemporary will leave you felling enriched,
connected, uplifted, and inspired.
Rosh Hashanah is a time when
we once again accept God's King-
ship, and when the entire Creation, the Universe with all its
creatures, is judged. Yom Kippur
is the time when the Almighty forgives us for all our wrongdoing.
The High Holidays is not only a
time of remembrance of a certain
occasion in history, but also a recurrence of the original event. It is
a time of reawakening of the special relationship between God and
the Jewish people, and between
God and the world.
Everyone is welcome free of
charge.
Rosh Hashanah services will be
held at the South Charlotte Ban-
quet Center, 9009 Bryant Farms
Road, Monday, September 14.
Morning service at 9:30 AM, Shofar Blowing at 12:15 PM. Services followed by a Kiddush lunch
at 1:30 PM.
Tuesday, September 15. Morning Service at 9:30 AM, Shofar
Blowing at 12:15 PM. Services
followed by a Kiddush lunch at
1:30 PM.
Yom Kippur services will be
held at The Springhill Suites in
Ballantyne, 12325 Johnston Road.
Tuesday, September 22. Kol
Nidrei at 7:15 PM.
Wednesday, September 23.
Morning services at 10 AM.
Neilah at 6:45 PM.
Our Fantastic Children’s
Program
At the Ballantyne Jewish Center we are committed to making
the High Holidays a meaningful
and enjoyable experience for the
entire family. Therefore, we are
very excited that once again we
will have a fantastic, exciting, and
interactive children’s program
during services for all ages. Parents can enjoy services while their
children have a blast. Program
highlights include games, songs,
activities, food crafts, stories, refreshments, and prizes. Kids love
this program and learn so much in
the process.
The children are divided into
age appropriate groups to ensure
that everyone will enjoy.
For more information, please
contact Rabbi Yisrael and Leah
Levin 704-246-8881 info@
JewishBallantyne.com or visit
our website www.JewishBallantyne.com.Y
Camp Gan
Israel
Ballantyne
The second summer of CGI
Ballantyne was a smashing success. With handpicked, devoted
and talented staff, daily trips,
crazy fun activities, Kosher cooking, unbelievable camp spirit,
Jewish themes, and learning and
of course fantastic campers. Special thank you to the Jewish Federation of Greater Charlotte
Impact Fund for their support.
Evan Rogers and Seth Cohen ready to roll on
Lake Norman
Damien Rouchouze makes his own Some of our Seniors show off the tote
challah
bags they made at Sew Fun
On left, Holden
Obrien enjoys
horseback
riding at Red
Barn
Noa Widger is ready to play
Human Hungry Hippo
At right, The
Weiss family
all dressed up
for “Twin
Day”
Jewish Family Services
Hunger is Here in Charlotte
Hunger often results from a crisis. It could be losing a job, facing
divorce, suffering an illness, or
family violence.
You can stop hunger where it
starts.
During this High Holiday season, your tax-deductible gift to
the Jewish Family Services annual Family to Family campaign
will improve the lives of people
facing hunger, financial instabil-
Josh Rubin’s Plumbing, LLC
ity, emotional and mental health
issues, and the numerous other
challenges that each of us encounters throughout our lives.
It’s easy to give: www.jfscharlotte.org
Make this your most meaningful Rosh Hashanah ever. Y
PICK UP YOUR GOPLAYSAVE COUPON BOOK
AND START SAVING NOW
Save Thousands with GoPlaySave (formerly Citipass)
Coupon Books (photo attached)
Stop by JFS Monday-Friday 9 AM-5 PM to pick up your
book.
LICENSED - BONDED - INSURED
COMMERCIAL & RESIDENTIAL
Layouts for slabs - Rough-in and Finish
Water Heater Repairs and Replacement
Kitchen/Bath Remodeling
Toilets, Tubs, Faucets, Sink, and Disposal
Repairs/Replacement
~ 10 YEARS EXPERIENCE ~
NC State Lic. #29197
SC State Lic. #M110508
704-517-4918
Mark Your
Calendar
October 11: Women’s Self
Awareness and Defense Course
with Sherriff Carmichael
October 15: Lunch and Learn:
Anticipatory Grief with guest
speaker Larry Dawalt from Hospice
November 5: Aging Resource
Center Ribbon Cutting
December
10:
Senior
Chanukah Party Y
Programming in Lake
Norman
Parent Meet Ups: September 27,
October 4, and October 11 during religious school.
Enjoy coffee and bagels at
these informal parent gatherings.
Our licensed therapist will facilitate discussion with moms and
dads to openly ask questions, discuss your concerns and experiences, share your support and
advice and develop solutions that
work for your family.
Healthy Relationships curricu-
JFS Volunteers
Thank you to the following
people who contributed their time
to Jewish Family Services in June.
Volunteers: Ben and Susan
Aizenman, Linda Babich, Marcia
Borden, Jennifer Collman, Elana
Congress, Alicia Cooper, Andrea
Cronson, Sheryl Effren, Mel and
Caren Frank, Robert Friedman,
Gail Halverson, Becca Horner,
Tara Hubara, Robert Jacobson,
Karen Knoble, Matt Luftglass,
Frada Mozenter, Margaret Musa,
Applications for the 2016
Jewish Federation of Greater Charlotte
Impact and Innovation Fund
are now available.
The Jewish Federation’s Impact and Innovation
Fund distributes grants that are intended to
inspire individuals, organizations, synagogues,
and agencies to provide innovative and
impactful engagement opportunities for the
greater Charlotte Jewish community.
For more information or to receive an
application, please contact the
Federation ofﬁce, 704.944.6757
www.jewishcharlotte.org
Barbara Rein, Jenny Rosenthal,
Lisa Shporer, Harry Sparks, Jeff
and Stacy Strauch, Amalia
Warshenbrot, Mike Weinberg
Hadassah Cooks: Susan
Aizenman, Ilene Cantor, Sharon
Cavanaugh, Gladys Cherny, Mary
Gordan, June Hirschmann, Sari
Hochberg, Fran Kaplan, Judy
Kaufmann, Penny Krieger, Andy
McCleary, Sharel Persin, Fran
Schuler, Hagit Stav and Susan
Ziker
lum with Madrichim: October
18, December 6, February 7,
and April 3 during religious
school.
Our licensed therapist will discuss healthy relationships with
friends, boy/girlfriends and families; keeping safe while staying
connected to technology; and
what to do when a friend is in
trouble.
Learn, Kibbitz, Nosh with JFS:
October 14 and March 9. Y
Food Pantry Donations:
Temple Israel and Temple Beth El
Congregants, Sheryl Effren, Ellice
Liss, Erica Valenstein, Alex
Berenfeld, Matt Luftglass and
Meg Goldstein, Kim Wilkoff, Jan
Weiner, Stephanie Kurtz Thompson, Susan Gundersheim
Tzedakah Donations: Morah
Yudi’s Alef 2 Class TIRS,
Wednesday Lunch Bunch, Eric
and Susan Lerner, Todd Fishman
and Marcia Kaplan, Lindsey and
Alison Houser, Michele Laube,
Jared & Elizabeth Lawrence, Rick
and Tina Rogovin, Cheryl Ross Y
Community News
Scouting’s New Membership Policy
By now almost everyone has
heard about the new Boy Scouts
of America membership/leadership policy. For those of us involved in Scouting at the JCC,
this is a long overdue change. The
revision does permit the sponsoring institution to set its own standards with regard to the change,
but for us this is not even a consideration. The JCC has a non-discrimination policy and those of us
in Scouting at the JCC have always respected that policy. In fact,
we have always encouraged diversity in our membership because we feel it is an important
component of a child’s education
and best reflects contemporary Judaism’s viewpoint.
If you are considering Scouting
for your child, or know somebody
who is, we hope you will strongly
consider Scouting at the J. We are
starting a new Cub Pack for boys
in grades 1-5. Leadership is by
parents and family, but excellent
support and training are provided
by experienced Scout Council
professionals and volunteers. If
there is sufficient interest we
would also like to start a Scout
Troop for boys who have completed fifth grade, and a Venturing
unit for boys and girls who have
completed eighth grade.
Cub Scouting is a fun-filled,
exciting program with a strong
family emphasis. The five objectives are character development,
participatory citizenship, personal
fitness, outdoor skills, and leadership. The focus is on learning by
doing. We plan to have most
meetings on Sunday afternoons
from 4-5:30. In addition to regular
meetings, Cub Scouting has a
newly revised and exciting advancement program. Also, we will
plan family activities such as
camping, fishing, service events,
aircraft carrier trip, and a week of
Cub Scout Day Camp.
Yes, you can join Cub Scouts at
many area churches and a other
locations, but why not do it at
Shalom Park where you and your
son already have family and
friends. For more information call
David Lintz at 704-451-4411 or
email [email protected]
Ben Bernanke to Receive the
Inaugural Levine Medal for Life at
The Echo Foundation 17th Awards Gala
*McGlohon Theater at Spirit Square
*September 17
*Keynote speech at 6 PM
*Tickets: $300 for Awards ceremony and gala reception
*Limited number of $65 tickets for Awards ceremony only
*Tickets available by calling 704-372-100
*Sponsorships available by calling 704-347-3844
Charlotte Jewish News - September 2015 - Page 13
Chesed Shel Emet: The Truest Act of
Kindness
By Brian Yesowitch, President,
Hebrew Cemetery Association
Board
Our Cemetery Association
Board is filled with volunteers,
young and old, who come from
many different hometowns and
backgrounds. Aside from the fact
that all of us are Jewish, another
trait that unites us is our desire to
perform “chesed shel emet” – the
truest act of kindness.
The medieval French Rabbi
known to us as Rashi considers
performing the mitzvot surrounding Jewish burials “chesed shel
emet.” This comes from the story
of Jacob asking Joseph to not bury
him in Egypt. In Genesis 47:29,
“The time drew near that Israel
must die; and he called his son
Joseph and said to him: ‘If I have
found favor in thy sight, deal
kindly and truly with me; bury me
not, I pray, in Egypt.’” Rashi’s
explanation is: “The kindness
shown to the dead is a true kindness, for (in such a case) one does
not expect to be repaid.” (Rashi’s
commentary on Genesis 47:29)
At the Cemetery Association,
we don’t believe that the act of
“chesed shel emet” ends with the
funeral. Our Association board
members, Director and grounds
keepers work to ensure that the
headstone markers (some of them
erected over 140 years ago) continue to be cared for and legible.
For the families of the recently deceased, visiting the cemetery and
seeing that their family’s plots are
in a dignified and beautiful setting
is very important. For other visitors, immersing themselves in
over 100 years of Jewish tradition
becomes an important experience
- one that leaves an impression
and provides enrichment for
months to come.
It is in that spirit that we would
like to invite the community to
join us at the Cemetery on Sunday, September 20 at 10:30 AM
for this year’s Annual Memorial
Service. 5775 has been a year
filled with many challenges for
the Jewish people. Individually, as
well, we all recognize there has
been loss, grief, illness, and sadness in our lives and in our neighbors’ lives. For many in Charlotte,
the Annual Memorial Service can
be the most meaningful and enriching experience during the
High Holy Days. Last year, the
service was led by twelve clergy
members representing seven area
congregations. We expect a similar turnout this year. We have
shaded accommodations for 600
participants. All are welcome to
attend this free event. One doesn’t
have to be a member of an area
synagogue to participate. One
doesn’t have to even have family
buried in our Cemetery. We are
sincere with the declaration, “All
are welcome.” Upon conclusion
of the service, all are welcome to
visit the Memorial Building featuring the Mindy Ellen Levine
Chapel. Tours will also be given
of our Blumenthal Memorial Garden along with the historic section
of the Cemetery, which includes
Jewish graves dating back to
1870.
Membership to our Hebrew
Cemetery Association is an affordable $72 annually. It always
pays to pre-plan your funeral
expenses. Contact our Director,
Sandra Goldman ([email protected] or 704-5761859) to receive information or
arrange a meeting to discuss plot
availability and pricing.
Have you considered adding
the Hebrew Cemetery to your es-
tate planning? We are in our 3rd
year of participation in the Create
Your Jewish Legacy program
through the Foundation for the
Charlotte Jewish Community. Our
Director Sandra Goldman can
walk you through the process of
turning an existing financial vehicle into a bequest to support the
long term maintenance and upkeep of our community’s oldest
institution that continues to serve
the Jewish people of this region.
My wife Martha and I have made
our commitments along with
nearly 30 other individuals and
families. I hope you will join us.
Additionally, our community
supports needy individuals with
reduced cemetery fees during
their time of loss. You can make a
contribution of any amount to the
Steinberger Funeral Assistance
Fund on our website www.hebrewcemetery.org or by contacting our Director, Sandra
Goldman, at 704-576-1859 or [email protected].
Don’t forget to “like” our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/
HebrewCemetery. Our #ThrowbackThursday posts have gotten
so popular; they will be featured
in the September issue of Charlotte Magazine.
“Chesed Shel Emet” — the
truest act of kindness. The idea
has been around since biblical
times and it continues to serve our
community today. All of us at the
Hebrew Cemetery Association
wish you and your family a Shana
Tova U’mtukah. Y
2nd Annual CJFF Fan Appreciation Day
Wrap Up
Capacity crowds enjoyed a full
day of great movies, entertaining
speakers, delicious food and community fun at the Charlotte Jewish
Film Festival’s 2nd Annual Fan
Appreciation Day event that took
place on July 19 at Regal Ballantyne Village Stadium Theaters.
Highlights included Ziggy
Gruber and Erik Greenberg Anjou
leading an insightful and funny
tour of the deli world, the inspiring story of the establishment of
the Israeli Air Force and a tailgating
party
before
Paul
Hirschberger and Koren Cohen
tackled the American style football league that is currently thriving in the holy land.
And of course, there was the
Inaugural CJFF Chicken Soup
Contest.
A huge shout out to the six
amazing chefs who shared their
tasty creations with CJFF fans –
Shellie Barer (Mommy’s Soup),
Giosue Coppola/Portofino’s Ristorante (Minestra Di Pollo E Vedure), Sandra Goldman (Goldie’s
Soup), Jered Mond/Izzy’s Catering (Momma Rita’s Soup),
Melanie Rowe/Melanie Rowe
Catering (Meli’s Deli Chicken
Soup), and Janice Zacks
(Finkel’s Hindl Zup Mit
Michael’s
Homemade
Lochshen).
Jered Mond/Izzy’s Catering won the Fan’s Favorite
Award for Momma Rita’s
Soup while celebrity judges
Ziggy Gruber, Erik Greenberg Anjou, Jon Dressler
(Dressler’s Restaurant and Dogwood Southern Table and Bar),
Frank Scibelli (FS Food Group),
and Amy Rogers (WFAEats)
chose Shellie Barer’s Mommy’s
Soup for the Critic’s Choice
Award.
Frank Scibelli commented afterwards “the soups were great examples of Jewish comfort food,
the kind of soups that make you
Ziggy Gruber and Janice Zacks
(photo by Peter Safir).
want to catch a cold.”
Thank you again to everyone
who made 2015 another recordbreaking year for the CJFF and
we look forward to seeing you at
the movies – please check out all
the details on the 2015 FallFlicks’
lineup at charlottejewishfilm.com
or on page 1 and page 34.Y
Shellie Barer and Jered Mond hold
yheir trophies (photo by Marissa
Brooks).
“Harvey is an
excellent
Leadership
Coach. I would
recommend him
to anybody.”
-Marc Sokolowicz, Assistant VP,
Medical Economics at Carolina Healthcare System
Ready for your own success story?
Call us for a complimentary consultation.
704-604-1655
www.
.com
Dr. Scott Menaker, DDS
Dr. Tricia Rodney, DDS
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Scott is a long time community
volunteer, leader, and sponsor
in the Jewish community since
1985. Both he and Tricia, along
with their dental team, volunteer
their time and expertise to make a
positive impact in our community.
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Moishe House Charlotte September 2015 Events
Moishe House is a nonprofit
organization dedicated to promoting community among Jewish
young adults in their twenties and
early thirties. It seeks to fill the
void that often exists after graduating college and prior to settling
down.
The organization, with 76
houses in 17 countries, brings together Jewish adults who live together and plan local programs,
both home-based and external, for
other young Jewish adults.
Moishe House Charlotte began in
August 2013 and has hosted over
Residential
& Commercial
Cleaning
~ Bonded & Insured ~
[email protected]
Majestycleaningmd.com
Phone/Fax: 980-819-4088
Free Estimate
100 events ranging from service
projects to social events to Jewish
learning and more. Its current residents are Elana Congress, Audrey
Singer, Danielle Soowal, Matt
Hirschl, and Tahis Haloulos.
Read on to see what we’re up
to this September as we bring in
5776:
1. Rosh Hashana Baking for
JFS - Tuesday, September 1 at 7
PM at Moishe House
Help others celebrate a sweet
new year by making personal
honey cakes and round challah
which will go in gift bags to Jewish seniors in our community. No
baking experience necessary- and
yes, you might get to try a little
too.
2. Radical Reels Tour - Friday,
September 11 at 7:45 PM at the
Whitewater Center
We will attend the Radical
Reels Tour at the Whitewater Center, an offshoot of the Banff Film
Festival. The showing is a collection of short films featuring action
sports such as whitewater kayaking, rock climbing, and mountain
biking. The movie starts at 8 PM
and is free. Bring chairs or a blanket and view some beautiful
scenery and rad moves under the
stars.
3. Rosh Hashanah Dinner with
UNCC and Queens students Monday, September 14 at 7:30
PM at Moishe House
Celebrate the Jewish New Year
and the beginning of 5776 in style
with a festive dinner at the Moishe
House. Traditional (and not-so traditional) main courses and nosh
will be provided. Special guests
from UNCC and Queens, and apples and honey, will be in attendance.
4. Trivia Night at VBGB’S Thursday, September 17 at 7:45
PM.
Come join us for a fun summer
night of trivia. Rave Production
Trivia Team will host the event. It
starts at 8:15 PM and it’s free to
play. Win some prizes and have a
beer with your friends. Be sure to
come by 7:45 PM to get a seat.
5. Break the Fast with Moishe
House and Torah on Tap Wednesday, September 23 at 8:30
PM at Brixx Wood Fired Pizza
Foxcroft
You have fasted all day, now
join Moishe House and Torah On
Tap as we eat the night away. Join
other young adults in the greater
Charlotte Jewish community as
we celebrate the end of Yom Kippur and the start to an exciting
New Year. We provide free appetizers to start you off. Feel free to
invite all your friends, just let us
know how many people will be attending so we can save you a seat.
Moishe House Charlotte, visit us
on the web at www.moishehouse.org/houses/charlotte, or on
facebook at www.facebook.com/
MoisheHouseCharlotte. You can
also e-mail us at [email protected]. We look forward to hearing from you. Y
Hadassah
Celebrate the
Tatas “little”
Reveal
(Continued from page 1)
estries, inspirational message
from two breast cancer survivors,
and an incredible silent auction.
The luncheon is open to all
women and men that care about
raising awareness, education, and
funds for breast cancer research.
Tickets are $54 per person. While
we hope to accommodate everyone that is interested, availability
is limited. If you are interested in
attending, please contact Penny
Krieger at [email protected]
Want to help? Join our “WigOut,” a new campaign to sponsor
wigs for breast cancer patients. A
donation of $50 secures a wig for
someone in need. Donate at the
luncheon or contact [email protected] with the
number of wigs you want to sponsor.
The Big Reveal will be back
next year on October 27, 2016, at
The Ritz Carlton, Charlotte.
Celebrate the TaTas will be
honoring Dr. Matthew Gromet of
Charlotte Radiology, and Dr.
Nicole Abinanti of Mecklenburg
Radiology Associates. For sponsorship opportunities please
contact Talia Goldman at [email protected].
Wishing the community a year
full of paint, sparkles, and good
health. Y
Shalom Park Freedom School Gives 80 Scholars a Summer They
Won’t Forget
There were extra shouts of joy
at Shalom Park Freedom School’s
morning pep rally “Harambee”
one day this summer. The scholars
and friends of SPFS surprised volunteer and resident photographer
Alan Goldberg with a birthday
celebration. Alan, who turned 90
on July 11, was “toasted” by several scholars who read anecdotes
of some of Alan’s many life expe-
riences — from meeting General
Patton in World War II to the first
time he met his wife Ruth. Alan
has volunteered with SPFS since
it began five years ago, using his
photography skills to capture the
fun and memories of Freedom
School. From the sweltering heat
at Cane Creek to indoors at the
JCC, Alan, along with Temple Israel’s Ralph Besnoy, has been
SAVE THE DATE
NOVEMBER 4, 2015
Ari Shavit*
7:00 PM
Sam Lerner Center for Cultural Arts
*Ari Shavit is the author of the critically-acclaimed,
New York Times bestseller My Promised Land: the
Triumph and Tragedy of Israel. An outspoken
columnist for Haaretz, Israel’s newspaper of record,
and a prominent commentator on Israeli Public
Television, Shavit has become one of the strongest
voices in the nation’s public arena. He challenges
the dogmas of both Right and Left with his unique
insights into the roles of Israel and Zionism in the
21st century.
Freedom School scholars enjoy swimming on a field trip
to Cane Creek Park.
there to document the scholars’
experiences at camp. He has
snapped away at the children taking home their first challah ever
and captured them getting off the
bus the first day of Freedom
School and giving their site director a “chai five.”
“They say a picture speaks a
thousand words,” SPFS Co-chair
Marcia Stern said. “Our pictures
speak more than a thousand
words. They tell the story of the
Freedom School here. You are a
part of Freedom School.” From
Freedom School scholars spent an afternoon learning
about science and enjoying the theme “Blow it Up!”
thanks to Atomz Lab.
there, Marcia presented Alan with
his very own SPFS T-shirt, a “billion dollar chocolate bar,” and a
birthday cake to feed all.
For his part, Alan said he’s enjoyed watching SPFS grow and
flourish every year. “This is the
best group we’ve ever had,” he
said, referring to the 80 scholars.
Every time he volunteers, the kids
recognize him and hug him. “A
wonderful feeling — just look at
them,” he said. In addition to the
hugs, the best part about SPFS according to Alan? “Seeing the spirit
WWW.JEWISHCHARLOTTE.ORG
For more information, please contact Tal Stein, Director of Community
Relations & Israel Affairs, 704.944.6751 or [email protected].
THE STRENGTH OF A PEOPLE.
THE POWER OF COMMUNITY.
Jewish
Community
Relations
Council
SPFS scholar and teen board members Dana Sheinhaus, Rachel
Musa, Lindsay Rosenzweig, and Ian Bodeheimer cool off with a treat.
of these young children — their
involvement, their happiness. And
the fact they are learning along
with it.”
Alan is one of the many 150
volunteers who helped make
SPFS a success this year. This
summer marked the fifth time that
eight Shalom Park agencies have
pulled together to provide a sixweek, literacy-based camp for
economically disadvantaged children. The camp expanded to serve
80 scholars, up from 50 in previous years. These scholars are
selected from Huntingtowne
Farms and Sterling Elementary, the two schools that have
faith-based partnerships with
Temple Israel and Temple
Beth El.
In addition to the 11 Freedom School staff members
and interns, 27 teens served at the
camp. These rising 10th-12th
graders worked as school assistants for at least two weeks at the
camp, helping scholars boost their
literacy skills and assisting with
daily activities. They also helped
with fundraising for the school,
planned a book drive and raised
funds for Challah for Scholars.
“Being on the board gave me an
opportunity to participate in a
great program that really benefits
these young scholars,” said Ian
Bodenheimer, a first-time teen
board member who spent four
weeks at the camp. “I thoroughly
enjoyed making meaningful
bonds with the scholars, other
board members and interns. I look
forward to continuing my involvement.”
More than 45 individuals and
organizations volunteered their
time to provide afternoon enrichment activities for the scholars
that ranged from an interactive
drum circle to making “snow” in
a science experiment. Community
volunteers chaperoned off-site
trips to Discovery Place, Ray’s
Splash Planet, Cane Creek Park,
theater performances and bowling. Twenty-eight people served
as guest readers each morning.
And others helped ensure SPFS
had the supplies needed for the
camp. From 2,400 snacks and
drinks to 1,200 books to 88
bathing suits and towels, SPFS is
a true example each summer of
the Charlotte Jewish community
engaging in Tikkun Olam and giving children a truly memorable
summer experience.
SPFS or to make a donation, visit
www.spfreedomschool.org. Y
The birthday presentation made to Alan Goldberg.
Charlotte Jewish News - September 2015 - Page 17
Have a sweet year. And share what Rosh Hashanah means to you.
#RoshHashanahPublix
Internship Program at ZABS Place Begins This Fall
By Rebecca Gale
College students are always
looking for a way to get their foot
in the door. This fall, students pursuing careers catering to individuals with special needs will have
this opportunity by interning at
ZABS Place.
ZABS Place is a non-profit
thrift boutique in downtown
Matthews that employs young
adults with special needs. The
brainchild of Friendship Circle directors, Bentzion and Rochel
Groner and Temple Beth El members, Charles and Caren Gale,
ZABS Place became a reality
through the overwhelming support of a key group of committed
community members because
they knew the statistics: There are
50,000 young adults with special
needs and 70% of them are unemployed. After being featured in articles in The Charlotte Observer
and Charlotte Jewish News, the
organization was inundated with
phone calls from parents all
cradling the same hope: Can my
child work at ZABS?
Knowing that they did not have
enough job coaches to support
these young adults, Caren Gale
reached out to Isabel Owen, the
Executive Director of Autism
Charlotte, who with Laura Cozart
had already established an internship program for their organization with several colleges. Gale
saw the benefits of utilizing these
colleges to draw from a population of students interested in fields
such as psychology, special edu-
that outline preferred job coaching
methods.
“Currently, teaching is through
instruction, observation, and
hands-on experience.” Dugo says.
The interns assist employees in
a variety of tasks such as sorting
donations, working the cash register, and posting merchandise for
sale on eBay. The goal is for the
college students to support the
employees while still promoting
their independence.
Greg Trombello of Wingate
University is one of ZABS Place’s
first interns. After working for
Intern Greg Trombello helps an employee sort some items.
cation, and speech therapy.
“It seemed like a perfect
match,” Gale says. “Our young
adults benefit from having a peer
mentor and the college students
benefit by gaining hands-on experience for college credit.”
Autism Charlotte provides college students with as many resources as possible before they
begin their internship program.
Cozart even takes them through a
three-hour training program so the
students know what to expect.
“We take everyone’s needs into
consideration,” Cozart says. “We
are there to provide hands-on support.”
Alison Salerno Dugo, Supported Employment Coordinator
at ZABS Place, also assists these
college interns before they begin
working with ZABS employees
by providing them with materials
Join Us!
Wednesday, October 28
8:30am-2:30pm
Admissions Open House
Come for your private tour.
Friday, October 30
Morning Preschool Visitation
only a couple weeks, he feels he
has already learned so much.
“All the workers here are good
workers,” he says. “Even though
they have disabilities, they are just
like you and me.”
The internship program is offered to all college students in the
Charlotte area, and students can
contact Laura Cozart at Autism
Charlotte or Alison Dugo at [email protected] if they are
interested.
ZABS Place is grateful for the
support of the Charlotte Jewish
community and thrilled by their
new partnership with Autism
Charlotte.
ZABS Place is a beneficiary
agency of the Jewish Federation
of Greater Charlotte. Y
Operation Understanding Includes
Charlotte in Their Summer Itinerary Again
23 days. 6 states. 16 cities. 24
teenagers.
By Amy Krakovitz
Every year Operation Understanding DC selects both Jewish
and African American teens from
their area to travel the US in
search of the past, present, and future of civil rights, tolerance, and
an appreciation of each other’s
cultures. From New York City to
the Deep South, OUDC’s mission
is to “build a generation of African
American and Jewish community
leaders who promote respect, understanding, and cooperation
while working to eradicate racism,
anti-Semitism, and all forms of
discrimination.”
In New York, they visit com-
munities in Harlem and in Borough Park; they meet with people
who marched on Selma, and people who survived the Holocaust;
they experience a living history
and a turbulent past, all while
planning for a brighter future.
Part of their visit includes
Charlotte, where they visit the
Museum of the New South to see
the “Cotton Fields to Skyscrapers” exhibit and hear from two notable local speakers. Susan
Jacobs, director of Temple Beth El
religious school, and lifelong
member of Temple Israel, speaks
to them about growing up Jewish
in the south. And for a special
Andrew Goldberg and Lauren Lee
Bellamy
Baruch HaBah: Peter Blair Joins Levine JCC as CEO
By Amy Krakovitz
“We just felt in our kishkes that
this was home for our family,”
Peter Blair says of his visit to
Charlotte. “It spoke to me as a
Southern Jew, having been born
and raised in Memphis.”
Blair joins our community as
the new CEO of the Levine JCC
and his enthusiasm and vision are
already well in place.
He comes most recently from
the Harry and Rose Samson Family Jewish Community Center in
Milwaukee, but was in the Jewish
education field for 15 years prior
to that as Director of Early Childhood Education for the Mercer Island and Seattle campuses for the
Stroum Jewish Community Center in Seattle, followed by a stint
as Head of School for the Merage
Jewish Community Center of Orange County in Irvine, CA. His
experience in education plays a
large role in his plans for LJCC’s
future.
“I have a deep commitment to
the role learning plays in Jewish
life,” he asserts. “… The LJCC
can be a unique destination for
life-long Jewish experience, one
that celebrates our traditions and
diversity, and offers an inclusive
entry point for community engagement.”
As important as education may
be to Blair, he also feels that the
people are essential, too. “I have a
real simple goal for the near term:
to meet the community and learn
from its members. … People will
learn pretty quickly that I am a
hyper-communicator. … I’m not
hesitant to engage in respectful,
open communications, even when
opinions differ.”
But for all his experience in
Jewish communal work and his
commitment to communication,
members of the Jewish community of Charlotte know one thing:
Shalom Park is a unique and different kind of organization than
found in all of the Jewish world.
But Blair feels that the partnership
structure will not be a stumbling
block for him. “I … very much
believe that the success and
strength of any one organization
directly impacts the other. I come
from a very collaborative environment, where a shared vision and
Peter Blair
mission can be accomplished in a
variety of ways. I’m excited to
join a community where the foundation of that culture is in place.”
Blair does not join us alone. He
brings with him with wife Traci,
children Hudson and Cohen, and
a history of Jewish commitment.
In Memphis, he “was a member of
Temple Israel – a large Reform
synagogue. … My parents instilled in us the value of education, and I’ve made that a priority
in my life through ongoing fellowships.” The whole family is
excited to begin this chapter of
their lives in Charlotte. “We have
every intention for this chapter to
be a long one!” Y
Shalom Green Forges Ahead with Initiatives
Efforts to improve environmental awareness and increase sustainability on Shalom Park are
progressing as Shalom Green, the
Shalom Park Environmental Initiative, moves ahead on a number
of fronts.
• Shalom Park Community
Garden - The design for the
Shalom Park Community Garden
is complete, and the first work
days for garden construction and
planting will take place in late
September and early October.
Community members are encouraged to participate. For more in-
Teen campers planting.
formation or to volunteer, contact
Yonatan Thull at [email protected].
The Shalom Green Garden
Committee is currently seeking
donations to help complete the
build out of the garden. Donations
in any amount are appreciated $72 will help purchase a tree;
$360 a rectangular raised bed;
$720 a large trellised raised bed.
All donations are tax deductible.
Checks may be made payable to
the Foundation of Shalom Park
with “Community Garden” in the
memo line and mailed to the
Foundation at 5007 Providence
Road, Suite 102, Charlotte NC
28226.
• Reducing our Carbon Footprint
Energy Audits of Temple Beth
El and the main campus buildings
on Shalom Park have identified
opportunities to save thousands of
dollars, while at the same time re-
Teen camp learns about the new garden from designer Bobbie Mabe.
ducing energy usage and impact
on the environment. Green teams
at each agency will be evaluating
ways to implement recommended
changes, and Shalom Green’s Carbon Footprint Reduction Committee will be supporting these efforts
with information and educational
programming. For more information, or to get involved, contact
Lisa Garfinkle at [email protected].
• Shalom Green Challenge –
Beginning in October, LJCC
Cares will be leading the Shalom
Green Challenge, monthly challenges - connected to Jewish values – to live more sustainably at
home. The challenge will include
learning opportunities, activities,
and discussion topics to get families working together to go green.
Monthly themes will include Appreciating and Caring for the
Earth, Reducing Waste, Reducing
Carbon Footprint, Conserving
Water, Eating and Growing
Green, and Spring Clean/Green
Clean.
Register by sending an email to
Julie Rizzo at [email protected].
• Educating our Youth - Teen
campers at the LJCC enjoyed a
morning with Garden Committee
members and Education Co-Chair
Rabbi Jonathan Freirich, as they
learned about Jewish values related to protecting the planet,
started seeds of fall vegetables for
the community garden with Garden designer Bobbie Mabe, and
worked in the Charlotte Jewish
Preschool garden with Garden
Committee chair Candice Serbin.
Religious school students of all
ages, from kindergarten to high
school, will have the opportunity
to learn more about Jewish values
and sustainable living during the
upcoming school year. Y
“Meditation and prayer before God are
particularly efficacious in grassy fields and
amid trees, since a man's soul is thereby
strengthened, as if every blade of grass and
every plant united with him in prayer.”
-- Nachman of Bratslav
School
New Leadership Team for a New Year at CJP
By Andy Tucker, President, Charlotte Jewish Preschool Board of
Directors
It is hard to believe that another
school year has begun, and at CJP
we are excited for many of the
new changes.
In addition to our new Execu-
tive Director, Lisa Shporer, we
have an entirely new leadership
team. Joining Lisa is Ruth Ann
Smith, a long-time teacher at CJP,
who moved into the role of Director of Operations. Brooke Amo,
former Assistant Director, will
serve as the Director of Education,
overseeing the curriculum and its
implementation in the classrooms
as well as the development of new
programs to enrich our school’s
learning environment. We are all
very excited for this team to continue the wonderful legacy of
excellent Jewish preschool education.
The CJP Board of Directors
also has exciting plans for this
school year. Last year the Board
began to investigate our school’s
communication strategy. To that
end, we conducted a parent survey
with a specific focus on how CJP
communicates with our families
and what resources are most beneficial. What we learned was that
parents find the weekly communication from teachers, newsletters
highlighting the week’s activities
as well as previewing the upcoming week, very helpful.
Additionally, some members of
the Board met with CJP parent
Robin Rothberg, a communications professor at UNC Charlotte,
to discuss ways to improve our
communication with many of our
constituents: parents, staff, and
community partners. She provided
some great recommendations on
how to better leverage some of
our present channels of communication as well as some important
best practices for tools such as
Facebook.
All of this work culminates in
the forthcoming upgrade of our
CJP website. While parents indicate that they primarily use it to
download forms and to search the
calendar, we hope that it will be a
more dynamic place that will
make both communication and
The American Hebrew Academy continues to attract top-tier students from around the globe to
your own backyard.
We nurture your child’s Jewish identity and offer unparalleled academic opportunities. Our
students discover who they are as learners, as leaders and as Jews. Why do we attract students
from around the globe? Come for a tour of campus and find out.
Now accepting applications for 2016-2017. Call 336-217-7074 for more information.
other transactions much easier.
Some of our planned upgrades include electronic forms submission
and online payment for annual
fund and perhaps tuition. As we
continue our exploration, if you
have other ideas that we could add
to our “website wish list,” please
contact me ([email protected]).
Another exciting opportunity
that will ultimately enhance our
children’s learning at CJP involves our Judaica Specialist,
Morah Becca Weiner. This fall she
will be joining Hebrew College
for its Master’s Program in Jewish
Education with a specialization in
Early Childhood Education. Hebrew College has been nationally
recognized for its excellence in
distance learning, and because the
program is fully online, Morah
Becca will still be working with
our children. One of the great benefits of such a program is that
Morah Becca will get to interact
with Jewish educators around the
world. For example, she will have
the opportunity to work with author Rachel Raz who has published Jewish children’s books
that are used at CJP.
About this incredible opportunity, Becca says, “My primary
goal in pursuing my Master’s Degree is to grow myself as a Jewish
educator. A good teacher never
stops learning, and I want to learn
about best practices in Jewish education and apply them to my
classes at CJP.”
Her experience in this program
will also enable her to provide
professional learning opportunities for her colleagues at the preschool. “I will be taking a Hebrew
class for the early childhood classroom as well, which means more
implementation in the Judaica
classroom. Also, I will take what
I learn in my program and pass it
on to our CJP teachers during my
monthly Lunch and Learn class,”
says Becca.
Morah Becca also received the
Legacy Heritage Fellowship, a financial award for tuition that will
also enable her to attend the annual Legacy Heritage conference
in Boston. At this conference, she
will have the opportunity to meet
her professors in person and collaborate with her classmates from
around the country. Congratulations, Becca, on this wonderful
opportunity.
The start of a new school year
always holds the promise of new
possibilities, new ways for us to
fulfill our motto: “Learn – Grow
– Connect”. This year is no exception, as we all work together to ensure that our children discover
new wonders and learn the joy of
Jewish life. Y
Countdown to the First Day of School at CJDS
It has become our annual tradition at Charlotte Jewish
Day School to get ready for the upcoming school year, by
having a “Facebook Countdown” beginning 10 days before school begins, featuring our teachers and staff. This
allows our families and friends the opportunity to get to
know us! You can find out more about CJDS by visiting
our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/cjdschool.
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If you answered "Yes" to any of the above
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Goals for the New Year at JPS
By Dedee Goldsmith, director,
Jewish Preschool on Sardis
I love that the beginning of the
school year and that Rosh
Hashanah fall around the same
time. It is a wonderful, in your
face, reminder of renewal. Goals.
Planning for the year ahead.
In the eyes of a child, a goal
may be to learn to write her name,
to tie his shoes alone, or to make
a new friend. As an adult, we aspire to accomplish new things too.
I know all the teachers at the Jewish Preschool on Sardis have
many goals. They strive to make
new connections with the children
and families, to develop a creative
curriculum to engage children in
new ways, and to prepare children
for future learning.
How about you? What are your
goals? How can JPS help you?
Looking to volunteer, looking to
finally get to that Mommy & Me
class? Want to finally inquire
about that preschool for your child
for the coming school year?
Contact us to help you reach
your goals. Volunteer in the classroom. Come to Shabbat Send off
or Mommy & Me. Take a tour and
get to know us. You’ll be grateful
you did.
L’shanah Tova to our JPS families and supporters. Wishing
you a year of health and fulfillment. Y
Babies learn to share at JPS.
Operation
Understanding
Benjamin makes his own challah.
Shabbat at camp.
treat, Charles Jones, one of the
original Freedom Riders from
1961, talks to them about paving
the way for the civil rights movement of the 60s.
The students all have different
hopes for the program and varying reasons for joining. Lauren
Lee Bellamy, a 17-year-old senior
from The School Without Walls in
Washington, DC, wanted to join
because, as she said, “I don’t have
a lot of Jewish friends and I
wanted to learn more. It seems to
me that our communities have
similar histories.
“We all have the potential to be
leaders and be more outspoken,”
she continued. “I want to take the
knowledge I gain here and put it
out into the world.”
Andrew Goldberg of Potomac,
MD, said, “I wasn’t an activist before I started this, but now I feel
it. The rally for voting rights in
Winston-Salem really affected
me.” The 17-year-old senior from
Bullis High School joined the
program because he had a friend
who did it two years ago and it
sounded interesting. The day we
spoke, Goldberg was looking forward to meeting with some of the
men who participated in sit-ins in
the early 1960s to protest segregation. And learning about Rabbi
Joachim Prinz’s devotion to the
civil rights also impressed him as
well as Bellamy.
“Rabbi Prinz said, ‘Being a
neighbor is not a geographical
term; it’s a moral concept,’” Bellamy quoted. And ultimately that
is what we hope all of us can
learn. Y
“We should take
care not to make
the intellect our
god; it has, of
course, powerful
muscles, but no
personality.”
--Albert Einstein
Levine-Sklut Judaic Library and Resource Center
Strengthen Your Core
Exercise Your Mind and
Your Jewish Core
Melton Goals:
To teach the common roots and
experiences of pluralistic Judaism
To convey core and meaningful Jewish knowledge appropriate
for all forms of Jewish commitment
To stimulate reflection and critical thinking about Judaism in a
non-judgmental, interactive setting
To bring relevancy to Jewish
learning in the contemporary
world
To empower informed, independent Jewish learners to explore and to define what Judaism
means
To inspire Jewish leadership,
service, and engagement
Melton Results:
Jewish Practices Are More
Meaningful
Expanded Involvement and Interest in Jewish Learning
Enhanced Connections between Jewish Ethics and Everyday Life
Greater Appreciation for the
Diversity of Jewish Beliefs and
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Increased Positive Feelings for
God and Spirituality
Better Ability to Transmit Jewish Meaning to Others, Particularly Family Members
More Attached to the Jewish
People and the Jewish Community
Find Your Stride … Register
for Melton Core & More;
[email protected]/704
-944-6740/lsjl.org. Y
Top Kids’ Books for the Season Include
New Book from Local Author
By Penny Schwartz
(JTA) — From Antarctica to
Shanghai and farms to cities, this
year’s crop of High Holidays
books for children offers a globetrotting exploration. Friendship
and family are the themes that run
through five new titles that entertain and inform young ones and
older readers. Turning the pages
of a new book is the perfect way
to usher in the holidays.
Time to Start a Brand New Year
(Hachai Publishing; ages 2-5) by
Rochel Groner Vorst; illustrated
by Shepsil Scheinberg
With this new title, Hachai
publishing adds to its collection of
rhyming, colorful stories for
young kids. This High Holidays
story by Rochel Groner Vorst features a contemporary haredi Orthodox family getting ready to
celebrate Rosh Hashanah, from
apple picking to harvesting honey,
to hearing the shofar. The author,
who as a teen won Pittsburgh’s
Holocaust poetry contest, is a
kindergarten teacher at a Jewish
day school in Charlotte, North
Carolina, where she grew up.
Other recommended books are:
Penguin Rosh Hashanah (CreateSpace Independent Publish-
ing; ages 3-6) by Jennifer Tzivia
MacLeod
Talia and the Very Yum Kippur
(Kar-Ben; ages 4 to 8) by
Linda Elovitz Marshall; illustrated by Francesca Assirelli
Tamar’s Sukkah (Kar-Ben; ages
3-8) by Ellie B. Gellman; illustrated by Katherine Janus Kahn
Shanghai Sukkah (Kar-Ben; ages
5-9) by Heidi Smith Hyde; illustrations by Jing Jing Tsong Y
BOOK AND AUTHOR EVENT
Meet Rochel Groner Vorst
Author of “Time to Start a Brand New Year”
Wednesday, September 2, 1:15 PM
Levine-Sklut Judaic Library and
Resource Center
Event will be followed by a book
signing and a craft
Women’s News
Charlotte Chapter of Hadassah Presents
“Buy to Build Israel” Trip To Israel Raffle
Charlotte Chapter of Hadassah’s
2nd Annual Israeli Products Fair
November 22;10 AM–2 PM
Sam Lerner Center for Cultural
Arts, Main Street, and Weinberger
Activity Center at Shalom Park
The Charlotte Chapter of
Hadassah is pleased to announce
that we will be selling raffle tickets to win a 2016 Hadassah Mission for two to Israel at the “Buy
to Build Israel” Fair on November
22. Tickets are $72 each and can
be purchased at the front desk of
Now Open
the Levine JCC. The drawing will
occur at the Fair on November 22.
You do not need to be present to
win.
In addition to this fabulous raffle, the event will feature an Israel
Travel Room, children’s activities,
photos, music, and vendors offering a wide variety of Israeli products, including Judaica, jewelry,
skin products art, olive oils, and
much more.
For additional information,
contact Stacy Baum at 704-8080423 or [email protected].
For a complete list of rules and
trip dates, additional information
about the Fair, or to sign up for a
table to sell Israeli items, please
visit http://www.hadassah.org/regions/southern-seaboard/chapters/charlotte/charlotte.html.
Thank you to our sponsors
Charlotte Chapter of Hadassah,
Youth Visions
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Housee Dates:
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October
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ctober 7
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October
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ctober 27
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ccharlottecountryday.org/Visit
harlo t t ecoun t r ydday.or g / V isi t
(704)
(7 04) 943-4530
94 3 - 45
4 30
Hebrew High Opening Session
Wednesday, September 16
w Meet, Greet, and Get Your Class Assignments
In Gorelick Hall w 7 PM
w Hebrew for Credit 1 w 5-6 PM
w Hebrew for Credit 2, 3, and 4 w 6-7 PM
Special Dessert in Lounge After Classes
Register now at www.hebrewhigh.org
Class elective sheets available on the web
Jewish Federation of Greater
Charlotte, the Levine JCC, and
Ayelet Tours. Y
Wishing vs. Praying
By Rabbi Chanoch Oppenheim,
Charlotte Torah Center
A small ship was battling for
survival amidst a storm at sea and
the caption asked if anyone knew
how to pray. One woman raised
her hand and said “yes.” The captain replied, “Great, we’re short
one life jacket. You pray and the
rest of us will put on life jackets.”
Before beginning any conversation about the long prayers associated with the High Holidays,
one must understand that real
prayer requires neither synagogue, congregation, nor stan-
dardized prayer. There is great
personal and communal benefit
every time one prays because it
causes us to realize that we ultimately are not in control. One
can’t control sickness, having an
abusive spouse, or being let go
from the company you have given
the best years of your life to because they merged with another
company. It takes effective life
skills to be able to deal with life
on life’s terms, not ours.
The following story was related
by Abraham Twerski, a retired
psychiatrist and rabbi, which he
heard from an alcoholic in recovery.
When I began attending Alcoholics Anonymous, I was told that
prayer was an essential part of the
program and element of recovery,
I said, “I can’t pray; I don’t believe in God.” It’s now seven
years later and I’ve prayed every
day since then even though I’m
still not sure if I believe in God.
You may ask, ‘if I don’t fully believe in God, then why do I pray.’
That’s easy; when I pray I am reminded that I am not God.
Listen to the wise words of one
whose life was once hopeless. Really, the captain of our story is
mistaken. There’s a huge aspect of
prayer that has nothing to do with
getting results and therefore both
the people with and without life
jackets need to pray because even
if you have a life jacket you need
to remember that you are not God.
You can attempt to control people
and situations and might sometimes be successful in doing so
but ultimately life has a way of
presenting situations that no
amount of financial resources, academic expertise, or life experience will allow you to solve. Still
in all, most people I speak with
who pray believe in God. Even
though some people haven’t
prayed in years, when sickness or
some other tragedy strikes, they
find themselves praying and at
that moment they consciously or
subconsciously realize that they
are not in control. If they would
have been in control, if they
would have had some way to have
solved this problem, they
wouldn’t be praying.
Prayer is a foreign concept for
many Jews and sometimes the
reason is because they view
prayer as getting a result but there
leader), then the prayer will reflect
that terrible deficiency in our
lives. Imagine a person who gets
great advice for how to deal with
an abusive relationship but
doesn’t think he/she has the ability to implement the advice s/he
has been given. If one doesn’t believe in oneself, one can’t move
forward.
What does believing in yourself have to do with prayer? When
you pray to God, it is crucial to
believe in yourself; that you possess a beautiful and generous soul
that was lovingly gifted to you by
God. God has given you another
day to live and that testifies that
God believes in you.
Wherever you find yourself
this year during the High Holidays, make sure that you remember to believe in yourself and your
ability to pray/connect to God.
This year don’t just wish, pray. Y
is a huge difference between actually praying—spending time with
God — as opposed to just wishing
things would get better. When we
just wish things get better, nothing
usually does. But when we actually spend the time directly asking
for God’s help, something happens to you. (Exactly what is not
for this article.) Some people say
that they pray for something to
happen but the truth is, they might
not be praying, they might be
wishing.
The great 19th century Chassidic master Rav Tzadok Hakohen
of Lublin once said that in order
for prayer to be real, belief only in
God is not sufficient; you must
believe in yourself also. If one
doesn’t believe in himself, it doesn’t matter how much you believe
in God because ultimately you
don’t think you have the ability
(I’m not strong enough; I’m not
smart enough; I’m not confident
enough; I’m not enough of a
The BIG Reveal is proud
to present
The 2015 Little Reveal
"
A Conspiracy of Love
By Rabbi Murray Ezring, Temple
Israel
Rabbi Shimon ben Gamliel
once said, “there never were
greater days of joy in Israel than
the 15th of Av and Yom Kippur
(Ta’anit chapter 4).” This statement sounds strange to us today.
Yom Kippur, after all, is a day of
fasting. It is a day on which we
envision ourselves on trial before
God. It is the day that God and
judged whether we are worthy of
living another year. On the other
hand, Tu B’av is a little known
holiday which is often referred to
as the Jewish Sadie Hawkins Day
or Valentine’s Day.
How could these two days be
compared to each other because of
based on their joyousness? In the
ancient world, Yom Kippur afternoon and Tu B’Av revolved
around the same ritual. Young, unmarried women would dress in
wore white dresses, and danced in
the vineyards enticing the young
men to come choose them for a
wife.
Love has always been a fundamental of Jewish life: Love of life,
spouse, children, Israel and her
people, your neighbor, the
stranger, and of course, our love
of God. Just as there are many
forms of love, there are many different expressions of love.
Whether love is expressed emotionally, physically, or filially, it
defines the closeness of relationship.
Last month, Temple Israel dedicated an entire Shabbat to celebrate Tu b’Av. We acknowledged
every loving relationship in our
synagogue family. It was a beautiful Shabbat as loving couples explained the ways in which their
love for each other continues to
grow.
Years ago, I used this story to
illustrate filial love. Nearly 100
years ago, two young medical
school graduates, with their father,
tried an important experiment.
They built a small sanitarium on a
small farm in Kansas. The doctors
were Charles Menninger and his
sons Karl and William. They were
determined to create a new loving,
family atmosphere which included patients and staff. They
wanted a place where the emotional and mental wellbeing of
their patients would be as important as their physical health.
Nurses were specially trained and
taught to let each person know
how much you value them.
Steve Goodier reminds us that
Karl Menninger wrote, “Love
cures people, both the ones who
give it and the ones who receive
it.” He continues by quoting
Hamilton Wright Mabie, “Blessed
is the season which engages the
whole world in a conspiracy of
love.”
Our High Holy Days are a season of such a conspiracy. We tend
to wrap ourselves in the guilt and
fear of Judgement Day. In truth,
Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur
are the time of year that God
showers us with love. The Days of
Repentance should not be filled
with fear and trepidation. Instead,
we are taught that they are filled
with love and hope.
Yom Kippur is the day that
God, our Parent and Creator, responds to our requests to be forgiven. Our Divine Parent, like our
mothers and fathers, will respond
with the love that is the foundation of our religious relationship
with God. God does not sit in
judgement to condemn. Founded
in the love God holds for us, our
Holy One hopes to find the reason
to forgive and grant us another
year of life.
Join me in this conspiracy of
love. Ponder this verse written by
Emmett Fox:
There is no difficulty that
enough love will not conquer.
No disease that enough love
will not open.
No gulf that enough love will
not bridge.
No wall that enough love will
not throw down.
No sin that enough love will
not redeem.
As we prepare to approach
God, requesting forgiveness for
the mistakes we have made, let us
remember that God’s answer will
be based in love for us all. Imagine what our year would be like if
we let each person in our lives
know how much we value them?
May 5776 be, as our Talmud describes Tu b’Av and Yom Kippur,
“the most joyous year yet, filled
with love for family, neighbors,
strangers and for God, our Divine
Parent.” Y
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Date: Fcvg<"
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October 8, 2015
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Time: 12:30 - 3:00PM
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Cost:
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Place: Dressler’s
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Metropolitan Avenue, Charlotte
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Watch for your E-vite in your inbox, where you can pay for
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Or...please mail your check payable to Hadassah to:
Yjgtg"yg"yknn"ujqyecug"vjg"Dgcwvkhwn"Vc"Vcu"Ctvyqtm0
Penny Krieger; 12030 Summerberry Ct., Charlotte, NC 28277
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For further
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Sandra Goldman at [email protected]"Tkv|"Ectnvqp
Join us for a Fantastic Silent Auction and Delicious Catered
Luncheon Where we will showcase the Beautiful Ta Tas Artwork
Educating, celebrating and empowering women in Charlotte and
worldwide, so that our daughters will be free of this disease.
Save the Date: The Big Reveal has been scheduled for October27, 2016 at the Ritz
The Power of Our World’s Birthday and Our Own
By Rabbi Judith Schindler, Temple Beth El
In American culture, birthdays
are a day for celebration. That was
the case for me as I was growing
up. Given that I was a twin and
my brother and I were the
youngest of five kids, a big deal
was made of our birthday. My
family would always gather on
the beach in Westport, Connecticut for a cookout and invite
friends, family, and anyone who
wanted to take the drive.
Now that I am an adult, my
birthday continues to be an opportunity to connect with those who
are most important in my life.
Each birthday, I look forward to
the long conversation that I have
with my twin. Both of our lives
are crazy. Throughout the year, we
have quick conversations. Inevitably, one of us has to run to a
meeting, to pick up a child or to
put a child to bed. However, each
birthday, we take time to talk not
about the small things but about
the big things and the greater picture of our lives.
In Jewish culture, birthdays are
a time of awe because that is the
day on which your life’s course
began. The Hebrew date on which
you were born has special power.
(If you don’t know the Hebrew
Barbara & Jerry Levin
Linda & Mark Goldsmith
Rabbi Binyamin & Ilana Levin
Brian Goldsmith - Certified Pedorthist
date of your birth, you can easily
calculate it at hebcal.com or by
asking your rabbi.) On your lunar
birthday, your mazal, your constellation and good fortune radiates with added strength.
My birthday according to the
lunar and Hebrew calendar is
most definitely a time of awe. I
was born on the new moon of Elul
which is the last new moon of the
Jewish year. For Jews, the first of
Elul is like an astonishing alarm
calling us to awaken to the ways
we have gone off course – physically, spiritually, emotionally, and
with our relationships. During
Elul, we blow the shofar at services each morning.
Elul is an intense time of preparation for the High Holidays. For
me, there is the professional component that puts me into overdrive
– making sure the Temple, services and most of all, my sermons,
are in order. Then there is the personal component for all of us. Elul
represents a turning point for focusing on getting our lives and our
priorities in order.
Rabbi Menachem Mendel
Schneerson, of blessed memory,
instituted a “Jewish Birthday
Campaign” and encouraged Jews
to make birthday resolutions. He
taught that on our birthdays we
are reborn with potential. Birthdays are an ideal time for selfevaluation and for increasing our
daily acts that lift the world. The
question of “What did you do on
your birthday?” should be answered with a commitment you
make and a mitzvah you fulfill
with more regularity. “I made a
commitment to giving more
tzedakah this year,” you could say
or “I made a commitment to care
for the elderly” or “to love the
stranger.”
If our personal birthdays are
time for self-reckoning how
much the more so is our world’s
birthday, that we share with the
Jewish people. We celebrate Rosh
Hashanah on the day that our tradition teaches Adam and hence
humanity was born. Just like personal birthdays are a time for resolutions and rebirth, so is the
world’s and humanity’s birthday a
time for collective reflection and
resolution, and deeper, more
meaningful conversations.
Rosh Hashanah is not likened
to a secular birthday where some
are inclined to celebrate with
drinking or dancing and filling
their day with revelry. Rosh
Hashanah is likened to a Jewish
birthday, where we reflect on the
meaning of life and work to create
a good year by committing to fill
our days with acts of goodness
and devotion that make a difference.
The first of Elul is a time for
awakening. There is a forty day
time span from that date until
Yom Kippur. We are given forty
days to assess our lives daily. Yet,
the truth is it is not just the countdown to the High Holidays that
ultimately matters, it is the countdown of our lives. Every Hebrew
month, every day, and every hour
matters. Make we make the most
of them.
Shanah tovah – may this New
Year be good. May we make it
good through the way we live.Y
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It Is The Heart That Counts
ships God because God commanded worship, even if that person does not know even the
meaning of the words, the prayer
By Dr. Rabbi Barbara Thiede,
Temple Or Olam
If a person does not know the
meaning of the prayers, but wor-
ascends and pierces the firmament, for the sacred words of the
Torah and prayer contain a superior sanctity, and when they issue
At this special time of
Rosh Hashanah,
all of us at Levine Properties
wish all of you a New Year
blessed with good health,
happiness, and prosperity
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Fridays
Jewish Preschool on Sardis
rm5
6619 Sardis Road, Charlotte, NC 28270
11:30 am - 12:15 pm
Oct. 16 – Dec. 18 Following class, you are invited
(no meeting on Nov. 27)
to stay for our all school
Shabbat, 12:15 -12:45pm
from the heart of a person who is
praying for the sake of heaven,
they bring about great amendments in the superior world.
—Or Yesharim, quoting the
Baal Shem Tov
It is the heart that counts, after
all.
For centuries, rabbis have worried about whether congregants
understand the kavannot of
prayer, of ritual, of practice. They
have taught, written, and sermonized. They have hoped to teach
their congregants the rich traditions they have inherited.
Their concern, past and present, is not groundless: Which of
our synagogue members have
studied the multi-layered intentions and meanings behind High
Holy Day liturgies? How many
Jews can translate the Hebrew
they read?
High Holy Days frequently
turn, like Pesach, into cultural
comfort food – something we do
rather than something we feel,
something we know rather than
understand. We might be familiar
with the nusach, the melodies, the
themes of creation and majesty or
forgiveness and atonement. But
familiarity does not, by itself, lead
to discernment. It may only ensure that we do not feel uncomfortable.
Singing Avinu Malkeinu do we
pause, even tremble at the recognition that creation is a mystery
we cannot fathom?
How shall we avoid making the
Days of Awe merely a ritual of the
fall season? How shall we make
these days real, not rote?
Ask congregants. They will tell
you.
One year, members of Temple
Or Olam wrote anonymously
about the burdens they longed to
leave behind. Their answers became a “People’s Haftorah”
which I sang to haftorah trope
during Yom Kippur.
God, help me tear down the
walls – I want so much to know
companionship and love but my
soul is afraid.
My work is stifling me. I am
tired of my fear and self-doubt.
I feel so impatient with others.
I must listen more and judge less.
I wish I could leave behind
shyness. My distrust of other people.
The guilt because I was not
there when my mother died.
Why do I believe that those I
love will do me harm, or leave
me?
I don’t want to be ruled by that
terrible fear, that fear of people
harming me.
I am tired of being frightened.
I don’t want to be so hard on
myself.
I want to forgive myself.
As I sang my congregants’
words their longing – their kavvanot – became a mirror for
everyone present. Nothing I sang
was unknown. Everything I sang
came from a human heart – open,
vulnerable, longing for compassion and understanding. True sacrifice to God, so Psalm 51, is a
broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart.
God, I am sure, also welcomes
hopeful hearts.
Congregants wrote, too, of
what they needed. This, too, became part of the People’s
Haftorah:
I want more of the love of my
life, my wife.
I want more time with my husband.
I want to spend time with my
parents.
Friendship, a clean home, to
see our granddaughter more often.
Time to work out, time for running. Time for joy.
I want quiet days, free time to
do as I wish, more time to study.
I want to write more and feel
the breath of inspiration.
I want the wisdom to heal my
family.
Hanging out with the kind of
people I like – spiritual, positive,
people who make living life a
great joy.
To be more of me.
More singing, singing harmony. Singing of the soul.
I want more of God’s presence
in my life.
Who among us does not long
for second chances, to start
afresh? Who among us does not
need renewal of body and spirit?
Hearing their own hopes reminded our congregants of the
very purpose of our High Holy
Day observance: To examine our
souls in order to be able to start
afresh, to find a way to lay down
the burdens of the past and to embrace – and create, too – a peaceful future
How do we make our observance of the Days of Awe real?
By taking the courage and the
time to listen to our own hearts,
by sharing their contents – with
friends and family, with community, and with God.
It is the heart that counts, after
all.Y
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Unity Through Diversity - This Is a Hakhel Year
By Rabbi Yossi Groner, Congregation Ohr HaTorah
An interesting ritual proscribed
by the Torah, that was observed
every seven years in the days of
the Temple in Jerusalem, has
much relevance to this coming
New Year.
Every seven years, during the
Festival of Sukkot at the conclusion of the Sabbatical Year, the
King of Israel would gather all the
people of the land to the courtyard
of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem
for a formal address. It was the
largest assembly held in the Holy
city.
During the Sabbatical year the
lands would lie fallow and the
poor and the homeless would help
themselves to the crop and fruits
of the field. Farmers and landowners would focus on the their spiritual life during this time as they
were prohibited from working the
land during the Sabbatical year.
Once the Sabbatical year was
over, they would resume their regular agricultural life. It was at this
time when the Torah instructs the
king to remind the nation, as they
go back to the real world, to conduct their business with integrity
and fairness.
There in the presence of all the
people, men, women, and children
and all residents of the Land of Is-
rael, the king was to read a portion
of the text of book of Deuteronomy where the words of Moses
would guide the people to be
pious and upright in their affairs
which is imbued with reverence
for God.
The scene in Jerusalem was incredible. It was a pilgrimage of
the great multitudes, of all kinds
of people, who came together for
one common goal.
There were farmers and country folk mixing with urban city
dwellers, scholars with simple
people, rich and poor, upper class
and blue collar. It was a demonstration of love and reverence for
the words of God as they were
being read aloud by the king.
This ceremony of the gathering
of the masses in Jerusalem is
called “Hakhel” which means assemble. It is rooted in the Hebrew
word Kahal or Kehila which
means and assembly or a congregation.
The act of Hakhel has a powerful energy about it as it gathers together so many people, each with
individual character and unique
skills, and brings them together as
one community with a common
goal.
This coming year of 5776 is a
Hakhel year, as the year 5775 that
we are leaving is a Sabbatical
year. The entire year is named a
Hakhel year, and the Hakhel spirit
injects every day of the year with
Hakhel energy.
The ultimate spirit of Hakhel is
unity, a kind of unity that unites
people of diverse walks of life
who come together as one with
one common goal. It is a much
greater expression of unity when
people of diverse backgrounds or
opinions unite.
The Jewish people are likened
to the human body. Each limb and
organ has its individual and
unique character and function. Yet
no limb can function independently, if it did, the body would not
be in the right state of health. Only
when there is proper cooperation
and coordination is the body
healthy.
As this year is a Hakhel year,
the call to action is to emphasize
genuine unity in our community,
to respect each other regardless of
our diverse attitudes or opinions,
and, in addition, to focus on our
spiritual growth by developing
reverence and love for our treasured Torah which the heritage of
all of us.
May all of our community be
blessed with God’s blessings of
life, health and tranquility. May
this indeed be a year of unity and
cooperation amongst all of us. Y
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Why Are These Services Different Than All Others?
Happy
New Year
from
Bill & Patty
Gorelick
Happy
New Year
Bob & Anne
Yudell
By Rabbi Michael Shields, Temple Kol Tikvah
The High Holy Days, Yamim
Noraim, the Ten Days of Awe are
most certainly different than all of
the other days of the year. The
worship shared has a heightened
sense of urgency. The prayers and
readings emphasize the specific
themes of the season. Man of the
melodies change and are often
more cantorial in nature. These
changes are very appropriate in
that they serve the sacred atmosphere and worship that we are
hoping to achieve. However, not
all changes are good. A story:
When I was a rabbinical intern
in rabbinical school, a congregation member came to me and said,
“Rabbi, I just love how Rosh
Hashanah and Yom Kippur services are like going to the theater.
We all get to dress up, fight for the
best parking spots and fight
through the throngs of people filing in to services. Then we get to
listen to beautiful melodies and
appreciate the artful poetry of the
prayers and the beautiful choreography of the Torah service.”
She had transformed the High
Holy Days into a theater production. The rabbi, cantor, and Torah
readers were the actors, the congregation members were the audience and the clergy’s robes,
tallitot, and even the Torah were
props. Unlike regular Shabbat
services where the rabbi is a humble facilitator and everyone worships together, Rosh Hashanah
and Yom Kippur had turned into a
spectator sport. The true audience
was forgotten. God was forgotten.
For many, the High Holy Days
are an ordeal or a burden, simply
something one must do. Every
worshipper is an actor in a Divine
production, or if you’re a sports
fan, a player in the big game.
What is done on Rosh Hashanah
and Yom Kippur as well as every
day can change one’s life and
change the world.
Sometimes the Yamim Noraim,
the High Holy Days, are different
in a negative way. We lose our
sense of obligation and participation and relinquish our religious
responsibility and possibility to
our rabbis and cantors.
These High Holy Days, the
sound of the Shofar challenges us
to hearken to our best selves. In
order to do this, we must be willing to show up to the big game. A
colleague shared this anecdote
comparing football to the High
Holy Days: “Football is a sport in
which twenty-two physically fit
men run around on a field while
ninety thousand people who need
exercise watch them. High Holy
Day services are a sport in which
hundreds of people who are not
sure how to daven watch a few
people who do.”
In Jewish tradition, the words
“da lifnei mi atta omed,” (“know
before whom you stand”) are critically important to the High Holy
Days. The prayer leaders do not
stand before you and perform the
liturgy. We all stand before God.
Every time we get distracted,
every time we have a nasty
thought, every time we show up
late or leave early, we should remind ourselves, “da lifnei mi atta
omed.”
A wagon driver was once taking a rabbi from town to town.
They came upon an orchard and
the driver said, “I’ll climb up a
tree and get some apples for
lunch.” As soon as the driver was
up in the tree, the rabbi yelled:
“He’s watching! He’s watching!”
Nearly falling out of the tree, the
driver scurried down and ran off,
fearful that the farmer would
catch him. The rabbi took the
reins and continued on. A while
later, the rabbi caught up with the
wagon driver. “Rabbi, why did
you yell, ‘He’s watching!’? The
farmer was nowhere to be found.”
The Rabbi said, “I wasn’t talking
about the farmer. I said, (pointing
upward) God’s watching!” I hope
that we don’t just “enjoy” these
High Holy Days. Instead, I hope
we all can laasok b’divrei Torah
(engage meaningfully in Torah).
May we carry the lessons of the
Yamim Noraim into our lives and
continue to pray both with our
mouths and our feet, our prayers
and our deeds. May the High Holy
Days become infused into the
every day.
Shanah Tovah U’metukah! Y
An Under the Sea Camp Experience
By Patty Torcellini, Early Childhood/Katan Program Supervisor
Camp Katan, the preschool
summer camp at the Sandra and
Leon Levine JCC, finished its
very successful six-week run on
Friday, July 31. It was a fun-filled
summer where campers had a
chance to grow, make new
friends, and create life long memories.
Our preschoolers, all 186 of
them, had swimming lessons in
the Levine JCC’s amazing pools,
soaked their counselors on the
Splashground, saw a magic show
complete with magic wands and
flying tables, used their imaginations watching a puppet show, listened to Ms. Linda’s stories in the
library, had science lessons with
Ms. Rachel, danced in music with
Ms. Lo, celebrated Shabbat with
Ms. Nancy, played on gymnastic
equipment, bounced and played in
the bouncy houses, had games and
sports in the gym with Coach D,
and so much more. I was amazed
by the creativity and nurturing of
the staff, most of who are local
preschool and CMS teachers. I
miss seeing the smiling faces in
my office, watching swim lessons
at the outdoor pool, and listening
to the two-year-old campers as I
roam the hallways during lunch
learning to say Hamotzi before
eating.
Thankfully the JCC is not just
a place for fun in the summer. It is
year round fun offering programming for all ages. I hope to see
many of my new little friends
around the JCC this year, building
upon their newfound swimming
capabilities with swim lessons
through our aquatics department,
celebrating holidays through our
fall and winter enrichment programs, and continuing to grow in
our community. The excitement
of Camp Katan may have come to
a close, but the new and enriching
opportunities our community provides for families carries on
throughout the year. I look forward to sharing many more great
experiences with all of you.
Visit www.charlottejcc.org to
view all fall classes at the Levine
JCC. Registration is now open for
members and non-members. To
enroll in classes, please call 704366-5007 or visit the Levine JCC
Customer Service Desk. Y
3100 Miles Later…
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Waiting for an Apology That Will Never Come
By Nina Badzin
(Kveller via JTA) - I used to
have the right idea for Yom Kippur. I liked the notion of an entire
month to clean up my messes
from the past year, and I worked
hard to deliver carefully worded
apologies. The promise of a clean
slate appealed to my resolutionmaking personality. And I appreciated the fact that the obligation
to make life improvements deeper
than, say, eating better, differentiated the Jewish New Year from
the secular one. I was a High Holidays superfan.
This year, however, I’ve found
it difficult to focus solely on my
faults, my wrongdoings and my
petty behavior. Enough about me,
I’ve found myself thinking. Let’s
talk about you.
I realize it’s not in the “High
Holidays spirit” to preoccupy myself with the ways I’ve been
wronged, but I can’t stop thinking
about the few relationships in my
life that could use some healing.
One friend, in particular, I’ve
drifted apart from due to so many
layers of back and forth “offenses” through the years that I’m
not even sure how the tension
started or why. I’m willing to do
my part, but I refuse to take all the
responsibility.
Knowing it was time to get
some guidance, I asked one of my
rabbis in Minneapolis the central
question bothering me: “As I prepare for Yom Kippur, am I supposed to offer some kind of
universal catchall forgiveness
Nina Badzin
even to people who have not
asked for it?”
According to Rabbi Fredman,
we are not obligated to forgive
those who do not ask. However,
Jewish law requires that we engage someone in dialogue if we
feel we’ve been wronged.
“If you are able to mend the relationship,” Rabbi Fredman said,
“you should try.”
I was afraid I would get that
kind of answer. It’s the worst-case
scenario. I’m not obligated to forgive someone who doesn’t ask,
yet I’m not supposed to hold a
grudge.
What’s worse, I have to do the
work of starting the conversation
even if the other person has made
no move to discuss where we
stand. I told Rabbi Fredman that I
found the task unrealistic.
Let’s say I gently bring up the
issue so I can put the negative
feelings behind me. How do I
move on from my anger if my
friend still won’t acknowledge
any wrongdoing?
Certainly the time I’ve wasted
going over the same details and
telling myself that I’m justified in
my point of view has added nothing positive to my life. Nevertheless, it’s hard to forgive someone
who cannot shoulder any blame.
Thinking that perhaps a woman
would better understand my need
to obsess a bit this year, I asked
my friend (and fellow Kvell-er)
Rebecca Einstein Schorr, a Reform rabbi, to advise me as if I
were a congregant.
I gave her the same spiel:
“How can I move forward in a relationship when I’m owed an
apology, but it never comes?”
Rebecca agreed that the responsibility for teshuvah (repentance) lies with the one who has
wronged another individual.
“However,” she continued,
“waiting for another person to recognize his or her role in causing
you pain can shackle you to the
past. While the onus still resides
with the person who has hurt you,
there is nothing constructive about
holding onto grudges.”
“But how am I supposed to get
rid of a grudge?” I asked.
“The best advice I can give
someone is to act as though the
other person has asked for forgiveness. Aside from extreme examples of physical or emotional
abuse, it can be more productive
to release others and move forward with the relationship in cases
where no apology is forthcoming.”
I admitted that I had no extreme
situations to report, but I was still
apprehensive about starting a new
year devoting any time to a friend
who is unable to recognize her
role in a rift. I continued the conversation with my friend Rivkie
Grossbaum, who also happens to
be a teacher at Chabad Minneapolis.
There are three levels of forgiveness in Judaism, she told me.
In the first level, “We might still
be upset, yet we find it in ourselves not to hope for the person’s
downfall.”
I could manage level one, as I
don’t tend to imagine revenge
schemes.
“At the second stage,” Rivkie
said, “we might not be ready to relate to the person as we did before,
but we are able to stop carrying
feelings of resentment.”
I liked that Rivkie differentiated between moving on from resentment and being close to the
person again.
“The third stage is restoring the
relationship. At this level not only
have we forgiven the individual,
but we’re now ready to be close
again. The Talmud explains that
we’re expected to find the strength
to forgive on the first level. Absence of any forgiveness whatsoever is a sign of cruelty.”
There’s no doubt that the toxic
nature of a grudge has allowed me
to overly focus on the few problematic relationships in my life instead of the many that are going
well. I do not want to become the
kind of person who is always feeling offended. And I think it’s safe
to say if you’re perpetually waiting for an apology from friends
and family, the problem is likely
you and not everyone else.
Another friend of mine, Tzipporah Leah Kalatsky, gave me a
final way to think about the apologies I might be waiting for.
“What you learned from the
negative aspects of these relationships is a gift,” she said. “An apology would be nice, but maybe it’s
unnecessary.”
The truth is, even if I decide to
bring up the issues with the few
people I have in mind, the exact
apology I’m hoping for is probably not coming. By the time Yom
Kippur begins, I’m going to force
myself to stop obsessing about it,
which is a decent form of forgiveness, albeit the most basic one. I
hope that the people I’ve hurt will
release me on that level, too.
Maybe in another year I can improve my capacity for a higher
form of forgiveness, or at the very
least spend more time worrying
about who I’ve hurt rather than the
other way around. Y
(Nina Badzin lives in Minneapolis with her husband and
four children. She’s a columnist
for The HerStories Project and for
Tcjewfolk.com. Many of her essays have appeared in Brain,
Child Magazine’s site, the Huffington Post, and elsewhere, and her
short stories are published in various literary journals and anthologies. This piece originally
appeared on Kveller, a 70 Faces
Media company.)
Abraham as a Role Model: Gratitude
for Life
A Rosh HaShanah Message
By Louis Aiello
There are major similarities to
what it means have life and to be
alive, but there are major differences to what it means to be alive
and living. The very definition to
the purpose of life is the act of living, but it doesn’t signify an end
but a beginning to something. It
gives reason to exist with the understanding the time we have here
is limited. Our lives are indeed a
privilege, that could end any time
and so we structure our lives accordingly around this by teaching
our children about God.
In understanding what
it means to talk about the
existence of God, one can
better understand there is
more to this universe then
their initial self. In a world
where God is being
squeezed out of the equation, individuals are setting themselves up for
self-destruction. In believing in
something higher than one-self
one will therefore be able to think
of others.
In understanding this, we know
it’s what we do with our own lives
which affect our children and futures. Upon our last breath, our
life may indeed be over but it’s
when we know our legacy truly
begins. Depending on how we
lived it, that will be our contribution.
Abraham understood this better
than anyone. It’s what he did with
the time he had that made him
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successful. Above all he and
Sarah wanted children and due to
their faith in God they were rewarded with Isaac. A parent like
Abraham understood what it
meant to sacrifice his own life and
life’s ambition for the greater
good with Isaac. Even in the most
traumatic of experiences Abraham
believed God would not sacrifice
his son because he and Sarah were
both old and could no longer procreate.
Upon reaching the alter Isaac
asked his loving father where the
sacrifice was, and Abraham
replied, “God will provide the sacrifice, my son.” This wasn’t a lie.
Even in the most difficult of situation, Abraham knew he was
being tested but he wasn’t trying
to deceive Isaac. Sometimes we
must do things as parents for the
betterment of our future and place
our own children in uncomfortable positions so they can understand the gratitude of life.
As one with Asperger’s Syndrome, I sacrificed my entire
childhood to survive, in doing so
I forced myself to understand myself and the world I lived in because no one else could. In a
growing environment of discontent where one finds solace with
their communities, I never found
that. I remained within my very
own individual class and ethnicity
of myself my entire life.
I have been on a journey to discover myself so that I could make
sense of the world and, just like
Abraham, never asked for anything. In a world where the idea of
receiving is far more important
than giving, we forget our mortality and that fame and fortune are
not the key to happiness but instead the acts of faith, hope, love,
and charity and how we go about
delivering them.
I have come to realize that the
relationship that Abraham had
with God is real. Since then I have
entered a state of inner peace.
Abraham never once asked God
for anything, but since he didn’t
he was rewarded because he understood the future to come was
most crucial. In believing in himself and God, he was motivated to
succeed.
If we as Jews are to remember
anything today, remember it’s
when we pray to the Almighty that
it’s not just a means of worship
but really a message for ourselves
that we must all make ourselves
useful in the climate of anti-Semitism. If our purpose to live within
our community is not understood,
then eventually Israel and the
West will become non-existent.
Let us pray, that today we remember all those that came before
us and understand what it is they
did with their own lives which
gave them solace. If we are to remember anything today remember this, the world is not perfect
and it never will be but that is exactly why we are here today, to
make it better. Hence is the definition to the gratitude of living.Y
Louis Aiello is a member of
Temple Beth El, Charlotte.
During Days of Introspection, How to
Get Back on the Proper Path
By Steve Bayar
(My Jewish Learning via JTA)
— We live with a practical tradition. We begin the Jewish New
Year with 10 days devoted to introspection.
Between
Rosh
Hashanah and Yom Kippur we are
asked to review our past failures
and victories, to evaluate our relationships and how we can make
things better for ourselves and
those we care for. We take stock of
our lives and try to put ourselves
back on the right path.
“Chet” is the Hebrew word
commonly translated as “sin.” It is
derived from the term that means
“to miss the target.” The assumption is that sin is a mistake; an action we would correct, if possible.
It is human to make mistakes — it
is brave to try to correct them. This
makes “teshuvah” — translated as
“to return” — an attainable task.
We are not expected to be perfect,
but we are expected to clean up
the messes we have made.
Our tradition identifies two categories of relationships: those we
have with each other and those we
have with God. The mistakes we
make fall into these categories as
well: the ways in which we hurt
others and the ways in which we
hurt God.
Isn’t it incredible that we can
hurt God? Some may disagree and
ask, “How can a perfect God be
concerned with our sins?” In my
opinion, it is a measure of God’s
love for us that God created a relationship in which God is affected
by our actions. While some may
say this is only a metaphor, I’m
not so sure. If one truly believes in
the concept of tikkun olam, and
recognizes our responsibility to fix
the world, how can God not be
disappointed and hurt when we
fail?
This interplay between teshuvah and chet, our relationship to
others, creates a very involved dynamic and ideally forces us to face
our frailties and responsibilities.
We have made mistakes — how
can we atone for them? We are always in need of repentance and
atonement.
We learn from the Midrash
(Mishle 6:6):
The students of Rabbi Akiva
asked him, “Which is greater,
teshuvah or tzedakah?”
He answered, “Teshuvah, because sometimes one gives
tzedakah to one who does not need
it. However, teshuvah comes from
within (it is always needed).”
The students said, “Rabbi, have
we not already found that
tzedakah is greater than teshuvah?”
In this text, Rabbi Akiva places
emphasis on the necessity of
teshuvah — we are always in need
of repentance and atonement. Yet
the students refuse to accept his
answer. The text doesn’t provide a
resolution to the debate and seemingly leaves the matter for us to
decide.
This text identifies some of the
most important issues in our community today: How does one explore Judaism and derive deep
meaning from it? What if you
want to strengthen your Jewish
identity? One way is through in-
Rabbi Steve Bayar
trospection and to find yourself in
intense moments that we create
through silent ritual and prayer.
This is the essence of teshuvah,
the “return to one’s tradition.” This
is one way, and it is a good way.
But it is not the only way.
Another way to achieve this
goal is to immerse oneself in
tzedakah. I have experienced moments of spiritual delight wrapped
in my prayers and turning toward
God, when the door opened and
my path was illuminated. But I
have also experienced the intensity of giving a bag of school supplies to a child who has never had
them before, of delivering 20,000
pounds of food to a shelter in Mississippi or building a house in Appalachia.
I
found
these
experiences equivalent ways of
becoming close to God.
I can tell you this: When I am
alone and feel in the dark, when I
am scared and aware of my mortality, or when I am in pain, it is
the tzedakah experiences that I
dust off and recall. They bring me
back. Ritual and prayer are vital
expressions of my identity and
form the basis of my observance,
but my humanity comes from
tzedakah. Y
(Steven Bayar received his
bachelor’s degree in religious
studies and master’s degree in biblical studies and medieval Jewish
philosophy from the University of
Virginia. He was ordained at the
Reconstructionist Rabbinical College and served congregations in
Greenbelt, Maryland, and Chestnut Ridge, New York, before coming to Congregation Bnai Israel in
Millburn, New Jersey, in 1989.)
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On Yom Kippur, Must We Ask Forgiveness for Communal Wrongs?
By Edmon J. Rodman
Los Angeles (JTA) - On Yom
Kippur, as we focus on our personal faults, how do we acknowledge those shortcomings that are
more communal?
In synagogue, reciting line by
line the Al Chet prayer, seeking
atonement for the areas of our
lives where in the past year we
have fallen short, events in the
news, even those that may have
touched our lives, seem far away
and better off resolved by the talking heads of the cable news.
Beating our chest for each
“chet,” we ask God in page after
painful page to forgive us for
“rashly judging others,” “scorning parents and teachers,” even
engaging in “idle chatter” and
“forbidden trysts.” Isn’t that
enough?
Yet in an “Alternative Confessional” found in the Mahzor Lev
Shalem, the High Holidays prayer
book published by the Rabbinical
Assembly of the Conservative
movement, we find the additional
shortcomings of “refusing to
hear,” “hesitating,” “complacency” and “not using our power,”
which suggest we look outside the
usual range of things for which we
are accustomed to taking responsibility.
Reading this new litany last
year, I couldn’t help but think,
“Do I have to own up to this stuff,
too?”
Seeking advice on how to approach the added failings, I had
lunch with Rabbi Jonathan Klein,
executive director of CLUE-LA
(Clergy and Laity United for Eco-
nomic Justice), a Los Angelesbased organization that is “committed to worker justice,”
according to Klein.
Before our lunch orders even
arrived, I realized that chet-wise,
I was not going to get off easy.
Referring to the language in the
High Holidays confessional
prayers, Klein pointed out that
“the prayers are in the plural, not
just to prevent embarrassment of
the individual,” but “because there
is an understanding or collective
responsibility.”
L’Shanah Tovah
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“If we don’t contemplate our
culpability for communal wrongs
at Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, when are we supposed to do
it?” asked Klein, a former rabbinic
director at the University of
Southern California Hillel who
was ordained from the Reform
movement’s Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion
in 1997.
It was a question for which I
had no answer.
“Some are guilty, all are responsible,” he added, looking at
me from across the table, quoting
Abraham Joshua Heschel.
Waiting for our orders, we
talked over events in the news.
The rabbi noted the stabbing of
six marchers at the Jerusalem gay
pride parade by a repeat offender,
a haredi Orthodox man - a 16year-old girl died from her injuries. There was also the
firebombing of a Palestinian home
on the West Bank that killed an
18-month-old boy and injured
three other family members. His
father later succumbed to the injuries from an attack allegedly
perpetrated by Jewish extremists.
“We should be pondering as individuals, as part of a larger collective, how such evils can
pervade our society,” said Klein,
who noticed that the smoothie I
had ordered suddenly was not
going down so easily.
“All the chets are very real and
easily done,” said the rabbi, who
Communal Wrongs
wanted me to understand that
“chet” means “missing the mark”
and not “sin,” per se. Since in the
confession “they are alphabetical,” they represent “encyclopedic
options for making mistakes,” he
added. “There is also a recognition that there are other dimensions to a chet.”
One of those chets was the way
we do business. In Los Angeles,
where the County Board of Super-
visors recently voted to raise the
minimum wage from $9 to $15 by
2020, as well in other areas of the
country, the issue of a “living
wage” had earned its share of
headlines, forcing us to look at the
way we literally have fallen short.
“The people who work in our
stores, who we may employ, were
made in God’s image, too,” said
Klein, whose organization has
made raising the minimum wage
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a key goal.
Though Klein said he was
proud of the “Jewish community’s
commitment to the public sphere,”
he added, “People forget just how
hard it is to be on the other end.”
Klein reminded me that the haftarah from Isaiah chanted Yom
Kippur morning “teaches you to
think beyond the individual.”
Since I had brought along a mahzor, we looked over the lines describing the fast desired by God
that directs Jews to “let the oppressed go free” and “to share
your bread with the hungry.”
“The whole point of the holidays is to re-center ourselves
around our commitment to the
highest ideals of Judaism,” he
said, leading me to ask, “How do
I begin?”
On Yom Kippur, he began, “We
say the Al Chet over and over.
Maybe one reading should be
through the lens of your individual
faults.” For the second, he suggested, “make it through the lens
of communal thoughts.” The third
time would be “as fellow human
travelers on this planet,” said
Klein, noting the universality of a
holiday period that begins with
celebrating the birthday of the
world.
The bill came and we agreed to
split it, with Klein insisting to
cover the tip. Rising from the
table, and still digesting our conversation, I noticed that he was a
good tipper. Y
(Edmon J. Rodman is a JTA
columnist who writes on Jewish
life from Los Angeles. Contact him
at [email protected].)
North Carolina Council on the
Holocaust
SEEKING DIRECTOR
OF HOLOCAUST
TEACHER
WORKSHOPS
The North Carolina Council on the Holocaust is seeking a
Director of Holocaust Teacher Workshops to identify sites in North
Carolina to hold workshops for teachers on how to teach the
Holocaust. The Director is also responsible for recruiting teachers
to the workshop.
The North Carolina Council on the Holocaust provides educators with the training, lesson plans, and resources they need to
teach the history of the Holocaust and lessons learned from the
Holocaust. The Council offers teachers traveling exhibits, Holocaust survivor speakers, dramatic plays, DVDs, and books free of
charge.
The North Carolina Council on the Holocaust is the only
state-mandated organization in North Carolina with the objective
to educate the public about the Holocaust. The Council is used by
the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction to foster
teamwork, tolerance, compassion, and anti-bullying in the public
schools.
The position would require someone who has a valid North
Carolina driver’s license and who can travel throughout the state.
The position may require an individual to spend the night “on the
road” as much as eight nights per year.
This is a paid position per workshop conducted. Expense
reimbursements are provided. Teaching and classroom experience
would be helpful; training will be provided.
Please send a resume and cover letter in a Word attachment
directed for Mike Abramson, Chairman of the NC Council on the
Holocaust, to [email protected].
Please visit our website at: www.ncpublicschools.org/holocaust-council.
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