April-May 2016 Newsletter - Traditional Congregation

‫שרשרת המםורה‬
“Chain of Tradition”
The Newsletter of Traditional Congregation
April-May 2016
Adar II—Iyar 5776
‫אדר ב—אייר‘ תשע‘‘ו‬
FIRST FRIDAY:
A Traditional Shabbat Experience
April 8, 2016 (reservations are closed)
May 13, 2016—Reserve now!
Florence Gaponoff Mother’s Day Mitzvah Project Assembly Day
Sunday, April 10
10:15 AM
All hands on deck to assemble over 300 gift bags!
PESACH 5776 —April 22-30, 2016 Schedule of Services, page 6
Last Day of Pesach Kiddush Luncheon
Cards v Phillies
Details TBA
Shabbat, April 30
May 3 in the
Party Suites!!
Graduation Shabbat
Celebrate our Grads on Shabbat, May 28
Mark your calendars!
Shavuot services and
Luncheons with
Special Guest Speaker
Rabbi Jonathan Porath
June 12-13
Watch for details
From the Desk of Rabbi Gordon...
TEAM
A
s you know, there is a popular saying that there
is no “I” in “team.” This is countered by the
clever rejoinder, that there is, however, “me.”
The truth is that a strong team also allows a little “me”
to shine.
The special attention to this season comes amidst our
daily and weekly living: Morning and evening minyanim, Torah teaching every day and classes several
times each week, and our monthly “First Friday” Shabbat Dinners. It includes our regular appeals and responses to feed the hungry and clothe those in need in
our local community as well as to donate financial support to those who need it. And we maintain our support for Israel and for the Ethiopian students we’ve
“adopted.”
Among the proudest times in our congregation are
those that happen during this season. Aside from its
lightheadedness, Purim at Traditional is a team production with several who shine. Without naming
names, it required the preparation
and skills of five megillah readers,
The thrust of the Pesach team is inter“Among the proudest nal, within your households. Some
two chairpeople of our Mishlo’ach
Manot program, several dozen astimes in our congrega- bear the majority of the responsibility,
semblers, a card and delivery route
but we may ask, “How can we help?”
tion
are
those
that
compiler, a number of drivers on PuIs there cleaning, shopping, cooking,
rim day, and eight Not-Ready-forsetting up that we can do? And of
happen during this
Purim players who were directed by
course, as we look inward, we are reseason.”
yet another. It is also the season
minded to look outward – can we host
when we receive your donations for
someone who needs to be hosted? I
and assemble hundreds of Mother’s
am often touched by the stories of
Day gift bags for those who need a little special attenthose who now take it upon themselves to host, like
tion. Here we fulfill both sides of our religious heritage
their parents or grandparents who some time ago
– faith and practice of our particular holydays and their
hosted people for the seder.
traditions, and also show our kindness to the welfare of
And although it is still some time away, Traditional
our American community.
Congregation will be welcoming a special speaker for
We see this dual response reflected in the Talmudic
each of the Shavu’ot lunches (Sunday and Monday,
teaching (Shabbat 127a) that we recite here every
June 12 and 13) – Rabbi Jonathan Porath. As Shavu’ot
is the holyday which celebrates the receiving of the Tomorning, a favorite of Frank Altman, “ :‫ע"ה‬These are
rah, let it be noted that the Talmudic teaching cited
the things whose fruits we eat in this world and whose
above concludes with “…and the study of Torah equals
principle remains in Olam ha-Ba (the World-tothem all.”
Come): Honoring father and mother; rising to Torah
study morning and evening; welcoming guests; visiting
The popular saying about team has its counterpart in
the sick; dowering a bride; accompanying the dead to
Hebrew. Few prayers in Hebrew employ the “i” –
the grave; devotion in prayer; bringing peace between a
“me”; nearly all use the “nu” form – “we.” Every sucperson and his fellow – and the study of Torah equals
cessful and proud achievement of Traditional Congrethem all.”
gation is a “nu” – so, NU, come join us.
2
From the President
I
drags my thoughts to a crucial aspect of the Passover story—
the departure of the Hebrews from Egypt.
f you’ve seen my car the past three months you
know exactly why I’ve chewed my fingernails up to
my elbows: Liat received her learner’s permit in January and
has been in the driver’s seat—as it were—since
then. Although I’ve been impressed with her composure
behind the wheel, when I came across a piece in last month’s
New York Times entitled “Teenage Drivers? Be Very
Afraid,” a shiver went through my spine. The last thing I
needed to see was this article. Within the first few paragraphs, the author’s main contention exploded open like an
air bag: our children's safety is greatly at risk the moment
they step on the gas. One researcher quoted in the article put
things as bluntly as imaginable: “the most dangerous two
years of your life are between 16 and 17,
and the reason for that is driving.”
Such thoughts hardly comfort a 48-yearold man with a 16-year-old daughter. The other great dangers of our era—
the terrorism of ISIS, the rhetoric of
Donald Trump, and the tooth decay from
the candy Jerry Chervitz ladles out each
Shabbat—seem like distant mirages here
in sleepy St. Louis. But each time she
grips the wheel, Liat takes her life into
her own hands.
As our ancestors embarked towards Canaan, they turned towards freedom. But leaving Mitzrayim meant abandoning
the structure, stability, and rhythm of their lives. The Torah,
of course, makes life in Egypt nothing short of rotten. But it
was a life with an order to it. And then out of the wilderness
comes Moses, demanding that the Israelites give up their
order. A newfound freedom awaits, but stability as they
knew it, maybe everything as they knew it, will disappear. From the moment that he returned to Egypt—with his
theological learner’s permit in hand—Moses sat in the
driver’s seat.
“Leaving Mitzrayim
meant abandoning
the structure, stability, and rhythm of
their lives.”
And so when I settle in the car and watch
Liat readjust the rear view mirror, I feel
a strong connection with the Hebrews in
Egypt. As she backs out of the driveway, I lose my hold on my order, and in
its place is something like...faith. A life
greater than anything they could find in
Egypt awaited the Hebrews, but they had
to trust in hands other than their
own. Every time she drives, I put my
faith—and my life—in Liat’s hands. I
definitely need to ask Rabbi Gordon
about an appropriate bracha!
Please don’t think for a second that I equate Liat with Moses
(trust me, that’s the last sort of encouragement any of my
headstrong children need!), but as she has begun driving, I
feel a spark of kinship with our ancestors. For eight days in
April, I hope we’ll all feel this kinship, although matzah will
have a great deal to do with it. As you and your family recreate that bond at your seder table, Jane, Liat, Sela, Orli, and
I wish you all a Chag Pesach sameach v' kasher, and please
keep a wide berth of any car you see on the highway doting
along at 40 mph while the passenger has both arms covering
his eyes.
Now to be fair, I find Liat to be a thoughtful, careful
driver...so far. Yes, she’s too slow on the highways and too
fast on Olive Boulevard, but she keeps her eyes on the road
when someone talks to her, her phone is tucked away and in
silent mode, and she starts a music playlist before pulling out
of the driveway. On this last point she gets bonus points:
often she’ll turn on my Simon and Garfunkel playlist. Smart
kid!
Lately when we’ve driven, however, my thoughts haven’t
been focused on any possible danger. Over the past month
or so, driving with Liat makes me think about one thing:
Pesach.
Boaz Roth has just received the Congressional Medal for
Bravery in recognition for not buying a gallon of milk in
preparation for last January’s two-inch blizzard. He only
purchased a half-gallon.
I’m sure you’re trying to piece this one together. The
plague of darkness when Liat forgets to turn on her high
beams? The wicked child when cutting off an 18-wheeler
furiously honking at her? The bitter herbs when she floors it
at a red light, straining my Altima’s transmission? All close
candidates, but none that really hit the mark. Liat’s driving
Next month: It’s time to hit those weights.
3
From the Executive Director
Marian S. Gordon
I
One of the most important new roles I will take on is
that of community involvement. Even after 50 years,
Traditional remains the best-kept Jewish secret in St.
Louis, and I aim to change that. To that end, I’ve become involved with JProSTL, a wonderful organization
for like-minded Jewish professionals; and the Women’s
Philanthropy arm of Jewish Federation of St. Louis,
which gives Jewish women the opportunity to connect
with each other and become full partners in the St.
Louis Jewish community. These organizations provide
excellent opportunities to represent Traditional at community events, meet and work with new people, and let
them know what we’re all about and why they should
check us out.
t is with great excitement that I increase my involvement with Traditional Congregation by becoming the first Executive Director in our 50-year
history.
And why, you may ask, do we need an Executive Director at this stage of the game? I’m glad you asked.
The first, and perhaps most obvious, reason is that like
many synagogues, we no longer have the cadre of volunteers available to us that we used to. With many
Double Income households, in which neither spouse
has the time or energy to do much volunteering, as well
as an aging population no longer able to give their
Additionally, I hope to increase the involvement of you,
time and expertise, synagogues increasingly must rely
our members, in whatever areas you’re interested in
on paid professionals to keep them running on a daily
and able to connect. As a wise and accombasis. And not just plodding along—but
running in good health: spiritually, socially
“Even after 50 plished person reminded me, ‘Some people
can give time but not money, and some
and financially.
years, Traditional can give money but not time.’ I’m asking
Furthermore, as is true in almost every envi- remains the best- you—and will continue to ask you—to give
ronment today, day-to-day functioning inkept Jewish se- to our synagogue, often, in whatever way
cludes a heavy reliance on technology and
you can.
cret in St. Louis,
social media. This has expanded our opporAbout six months after I started working at
tunities—along with our workloads
and I aim to
someone (I’m channeling you,
(websites which must be designed, updated
change that.” Traditional,
Annabelle) called me “our shul’s best
and analyzed, not to mention email, blogcheerleader.” Eight years later, I’m still leadging, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, flickr,
ing the chants, and hope to continue doing so for many
tumblr, foursquare, Instagram—you get the point).
years to come. I invite you to join our team, to talk us
Thirdly, I don’t think that anyone involved with our conup in the community, to invite your friends to join us
gregation—and I do mean anyone—has as much interfor services and events, and to make Traditional Conest in the success of our organization as yours truly—
gregation an integral part of your life.
after all, my family’s entire livelihood depends on it!
To that end, please join us on Monday, April 4, from
So after 8 ½ years of wearing many different sheitels at
7:00-8:30 PM. Purple Cows and Other Game Plans
Traditional, the time has come for me to let go of some
will be facilitated by Marci Mayer Eisen, Director of
of the things I’ve been doing; take on other, more chalJProSTL. It’s an opportunity for you to let us know
lenging responsibilities; and procure an office assistant
what’s working at TradCong, and where we might do
to help with administrative tasks and that modern
better.
nemesis, social media.
I look forward to continue working with each and every
I assure you that we are not the first synagogue to be
one of you, and to listening to and helping to implelate joining the Executive Director’s party; many of
ment your ideas. If you have suggestions for programs,
them do the best they can for as long as they can with
fundraisers, etc., please contact me. If you have a comvolunteers, and then come to the realization that proplaint, President Boaz Roth opens his office every Shabfessional help would be beneficial.
bat during kiddush.
4
HOME PAGE
In This Issue:
Rabbi’s Message - p 2
...And Around the World—p 11
President’s Message—p 3
We Get Letters—p 12
Executive Director’s Message—p 4
Birthdays/Anniversaries—pp 13-14
Mother’s Day—p 6
Contributions—pp 15-16
Pesach Schedule—p 6
From the EZ Life—p 17
Human Trafficking Prayer—p 7
April Calendar—p 18
First Friday; Graduation Shabbat—p 8
May/June Calendar—p 19
In Our Community...—pp 9-10
Shabbat Services/
Candle Lighting—p 20
Kiddush Sponsorships are Available!
What’s YOUR reason to celebrate? Birthday, anniversary, new job, new baby—or just to take a turn
sponsoring our kiddushim. Opportunities are available! Call Marian at 314-576-5230 to reserve your
date.
Want someone to do the preparing for you? Here are
some caterers to choose from:
A & B, Barb Levin, 314-434-2810
Kohn’s, 314-569-0727
Amazon’s Rewards program is so easy to use. Just log in to
http://smile.amazon.com when you’re ready to shop at Amazon and choose Traditional Congregation of Creve Coeur as the
charity you want to support. One-half percent of the amount of
your eligible purchases will go to Traditional—at no cost to you!
That makes us smile!
5
Board of Traditional
Boaz Roth, President
Cyndee Levy, Immediate
Past President
Steve Bell, Executive VP
Ellis Frohman, Financial VP
Marty Levy, Ritual VP
Florence Schachter,
Education VP
Elaine Farkas,
Membership VP
Ken Bohm,
Administrative VP
Steve Roufa, Building
& Grounds VP
(Open) Fundraising VP
Lori Tesser, Treasurer
Mimi Levy, Secretary
Christy Brick,
Sisterhood Rep.
Members at Large
Sid Bennett
Chris Brown
Bill Gold
Tobie Hupert
Ari Levy
Steve Puro
Dina Rinder
Iris Salsman
Jerry Tullman
Rabbis/Staff
Rabbi Seth D Gordon
Rabbi Ephraim I Zimand,
Emeritus
Marian S Gordon,
Executive Director
You can help
women in shelters know that they are cared
about with a beautiful Mother’s Day gift bag.
Volunteers are needed to assemble gift bags on
Sunday, April 10, 10:15 AM—1:00 PM
(High school students can receive credit for volunteer hours)
For more info, contact Barbara Gaponoff Berson, 314-740-3043
or Claire Hack, 314-401-8914
Thank you to everyone who has dropped off items all year long.
Please continue to bring toiletries and personal care items right up until assembly day.
PESACH—
PESACH—April 2222-30, 2016
Thursday, April 21 At dusk
Friday, April 22
6:45 AM
Friday, April 22
7:00 AM
Shacharit/Siyyum b’chorim
Friday, April 22
Latest time to eat chametz
10:44 AM
Search for chametz
Last chance to sell chametz through Rabbi Gordon
Schedule of Services/Candle lighting:
Fri. April 22: Shacharit/Siyyum b’chorim 6:45 AM; Minchah/Shabbat 7:00 PM;
Candles 7:26 PM
Shabbat April 23: Shacharit 9:00 AM; Minchah/Arvit 7:15 PM; Candles 8:26 PM
Thurs. April 28: Minchah/Arvit: 7:00 PM; Candles: 7:32 PM
Fri. April 29:
Minchah/Shabbat 7:00 PM; Candles 7:33 PM
Shabbat April 30: Shacharit 9:00 AM; Shir HaShirim; Yizkor; Kiddush Luncheon;
Minchah/Arvit 7:15 PM.
Chametz may be eaten after 8:26 PM, Saturday night, April 30
6
7
Friday, May 13, 2016
6:30 PM – Kabbalat Shabbat Service
7:15 PM - Dinner
Share Shabbat with friends, old and new!
Delicious, kosher full-course meal
Friendly company, lively conversation
$12/person
No charge for first-time non-members and kids under 6
RSVP for May 13 by 5/6/16
[email protected] or 314.576.5230
Celebrate the Class of 2016!
Shabbat, May 28
Join us to honor our graduates from
high school, college and grad school
Festive kiddush following Shabbat services
If someone in your immediate family is graduating this year,
please let Marian know so we can include him/her in our program.
8
In Our Community...
The Harvey Kornblum Jewish Food Pantry is looking for these specific items
in order to provide well-balanced nourishment for the community in need:
1. Canned Beef Stew/Chili/Pasta with Meat
2. Any Kinds of Canned Vegetables
3. Kosher Food
4. Canned Tuna Fish
5. Peanut Butter
6. Canned Fruits
7. Healthy Soups
8. Toilet Paper, Deodorant and Detergent
The Jewish Food Pantry feeds over 8,000 individuals in a month. The need is
great so please help in any way you can. Thank you. Items should be brought
to the food pantry cart in our lobby. For information, contact Louise Levine,
636-227-1259.
A BIG THANK YOU to all who made generous donations of blankets to our recent
drive. The following organizations were thrilled to receive the blankets just as the temperatures were dropping once again. Even though Punxsutawney Phil did not see his
shadow, meaning an early Spring, we still live in St Louis where the weather changes on a
whim.
~ Opal’s House is an emerfor abused women and their
eliminate the effects of domesintimate partner relationtiming was perfect, because
nitely needed the blankets.
gency agency providing shelter
children. Their mission is to
tic violence within families or
ships. Their contact said the
they had a full house and defi-
~ Winter Outreach in the City
of St Louis consists of volunteers who collect donations of
blankets, coats, hats and gloves,
then venture out on the streets in search of homeless individuals, as well as going to
homeless shelters, to provide the items to those in need. With the warmer weather, their
inventory was low, and they were in need of donations for the expected cold weather.
Thank you for your generous hearts,
Mindy Strauss and The Chesed Committee
9
In Our Community...
Thank you to all* who drove, schlepped, stuffed, shopped, wrapped, tied, checked,
decorated, fluffed, labeled and helped with the Mishloach Manot project! This fundraiser for
the shul was truly a success on many levels.
Alberta Berger
Bill Gold
Gil Melnick
Sarah Sanders
Barbara Gaponoff Berson Gary Golden
Nitai Melnick
Florence Schachter
Joan Block
Paul Goldstein
Lois Ockner
Elissa Schachter
Ken Bohm
Micah Gordon
Barbie Perlmutter
Lori Tesser
Christy Brick
Rabbi Gordon
John Perlmutter
Gail Tullman
Chris Brown
Ranana Gordon
Anat Reschke
Jerry Tullman
Eric Farkas
David Holden
Donna Rosenberg
Bettina Weinberg
Joshua Farkas
Ora Kent
Boaz Roth
Jeff Weisman
Zach Farkas
Zippy Kent
Jane Roth
Margie Weisman
Shelah Feldman
Marty Levy
Sela Roth
Ellis Frohman
Mimi Levy
Iris Salsman
*apologies if your name was inadvertently omitted—please let us know!
And many thanks to those who purchased and participated by financially supporting the
effort…..it could not happen without you.
Elaine Farkas and Nikki Goldstein
Thank you to our Not-Ready-For-Purim Players for a delightful Purim Shpiel!!
Doug Berson, Marty Levy, Jerry Chervitz, Stan Estrin, Christy Brick, Elizabeth Berson,
Barbara Gaponoff Berson, Jack Heller, and Mark Weinstein on keyboard.
10
...And Around the World
February 2016
To Traditional Congregation of Creve Coeur
Giving is a godly quality.
There's a proverb that says that a person is born with closed hands—meaning that giving isn't natural
for him. Therefore, in order for a person to give he must overcome nature. He must educate himself to
give.
How does one educate a person to give? One way is to teach the person that giving pays off—if you will
give, you will receive. One thing relates to the other—if you will give to others, others will give to you.
I would like to thank you, the Traditional Congregation of Creve Coeur, for 25 years of giving to us the
students in any way you can. With God's help, we will give as you are giving in order to expand the cycle
of helping others. In this way we will be able to show you the good things that develop by giving to us.
I would like to thank you by using one word that is known to all: "thanks".
From me: Ysayas Amana
————————————————————————————————————————————————-
GIDEON TRUNECH LAW OFFICES
To: Traditional congregation of St. Louis
Hello,
I was glad to hear that you are interested in knowing the status of students, who studied at the University of Haifa,
today.
First of all, I want to thank you again for the support and care.
Thanks to you I was able to concentrate on studies and be successful.
As you probably know, I am a graduate of Haifa University Law School in 2011.
I am happy to tell you that today I am married and have two sons.
Also, I am a member of the Israel Bar Association from 2012, and I work as a lawyer in a law firm that deals with
labor law and Insurance Claims.
In the near future I plan to open my own private office.
I wish you all the best!!
Best regards,
Gideon Trunech, Adv.
13-A Remez David St.
Mobile : +972- 50-2341231
Kfar Saba 443213
Fax: +972-72-3707899
[email protected]
11
We get letters...
Dear Rabbi, Marian and Congregation,
What a fun, yummy evening sampling and enjoying the soups! I know how much work that
effort took!
I was thrilled to be invited! I left with a full and
“happy” tummy!
We want to thank you for the tribute in honor of the
birth of our granddaughter, Paige Rachel. We feel
very blessed to be able to share our simcha with our
Traditional family.
Fondly,
Bettina and Mel Weinberg
Thank you,
Dear Friends at Traditional
Congregation –
Fran Wilner (friend of Carol Max)
Dear Traditional Congregation and Comedy Night Committee Members,
Thank you for allowing A&B Catering to be a part of the Comedy Night Dinner. I
appreciate the opportunity, and most especially, everyone’s hard work to make
the night successful.
I hope you will consider A&B Catering in the future. I would love to cook for you
again!
Respectfully,
Barbara A. Levin, Manager
A&B Catering, LLC
Dear Traditional,
I’m grateful to the Congregation for the mishloach manot we received this Purim. From wine to water and many goodies in between, it was a munificent gift. Eve couldn’t understand the source
of the bounty, but she was thankful for the Hamantashen. Thank
you all.
Saul Klein
What a wonderful surprise to
receive the beautiful Shalah
Manot basket from our “St.
Louis Shul.”
Please accept our very sincere
thanks for this wonderful gift.
While we enjoy many aspects
of Florida life, we certainly
miss the very special warm
and caring friends at Traditional Congregation. While
not the same as being an
“inhouse” member, we are
happy to be counted among
the “Friends of Traditional”
members.
We look forward to seeing everyone in August for the 50th
anniversary celebration.
Warm regards,
Susan and Stuart Boxerman
Dear Elaine, Mishloach Manot team, and Traditional Congregation,
A huge thank you to Elaine and
Nikki for their heart-healthy and
Thank you so much for the lovely and clever goodies. They
wellness-themed Mishloach Manot!
arrived today in good condition and your note of explanation
As a physician and a nurse, we apis very funny (and true!) We heard that the "spiel" was hipreciate your creativity to help our
larious and everyone had a happy Purim.
Traditional family celebrate from
We hope that you have a joyous Pesach. We look forward to 50 years to 120!!
seeing you again in August.
Doug & Barbara Gaponoff Berson
Thank you so much! Our love,
Joan and Jules
12
Show You Care with a Card from Traditional
Sending a tribute card is a great way to acknowledge someone’s special day. Cards are available for a
minimum donation of $5 each to either Traditional Congregation or Sisterhood. You’ll save time,
postage, and get a tax deduction—what could be better? All you have to do is call Marian Gordon (314576-5230) for a shul tribute or Gloria Friedlander for a Sisterhood tribute (314-469-3274), and we’ll take
care of the rest.
May Birthdays
April Birthdays
Alan Levi
Jeanette Seigel
Marty Levison
Marla Zimmerman
Margarita Weinstein
Cecilia Soibel
Ron Abeles
Nate Rosenberg
Debra Hauptman
Mauricio Lisker
Suzanne Mosher-Kopp
Gail Tullman
Irving Diamant
Joshua Farkas
Andy Zimmerman
Aaron Levy
Adam Levy
Benjamin Levy
Sandra Rich
Phil Brick
Annabelle Chapel
Mindy Strauss
Maureen Brodsky
Gloria Ezekiel Kweskin
Traude Wilson
Cyndee Levy
April 1
April 1
April 2
April 2
April 4
April 5
April 7
April 7
April 10
April 10
April 13
April 14
April 19
April 20
April 20
April 21
April 21
April 21
April 22
April 23
April 25
April 25
April 27
April 27
April 27
April 28
Daniel Brick
Paul Brick
Robbyn Roth
Norma Kaplan
Morris Mandel
Randy Zimring
Mallory Matson
Frederick Chait
Stanley Becker
Ann Bohm
Gloria Golbart-Marks
Noga Melnick
Jerry Tullman
Carol Max
Linda Bell
Jeffrey Rosenblum
Jennifer Tobias
Nancy Feldman
Gary Wilson
Tobie Hupert
Nina Radman
Shirley Becker
Sandy Pomerantz
Norton Kronemer
May 1
May 1
May 1
May 2
May 5
May 5
May 6
May 7
May 8
May 8
May 8
May 8
May 9
May 14
May 18
May 20
May 20
May 21
May 24
May 25
May 26
May 28
May 29
May 31
May Anniversaries
Alan & Vilma Levi
Ken & Ann Bohm
Steve & Sandy Bell
Randy & Terri Canis
Robert & Myra Perlman
April Anniversaries
Mel & Bettina Weinberg
Phillip & Nina Radman
Bernie & Ceil Tobin
April 4
April 7
April 29
51st
53rd
60th
13
May 7
May 15
May 24
May 27
May 29
50th
33rd
18th
15th
61st
Show You Care with a Card from Traditional
June Birthdays
Sidney Bennett
Susie Lippmann
Noah Ockner
Lily Hauptman
Daniel Rinder
Ophira Melnick
Jeff Weisman
Barry Witten
Zumi Brody
Lauren Friedman
Robert Becker
Adam Lieber
Lois Elfanbaum
Alexander Levy
Jane Roth
Jack Heller
Lucille Tullman
Mike Schwartz
June Anniversaries
June 2
June 4
June 8
June 12
June 14
June 15
June 16
June 21
June 22
June 22
June 23
June 23
June 24
June 24
June 25
June 27
June 28
June 29
Something to celebrate in
your family
or circle of friends?
Gary & Traude Wilson
Richard & Claire Hack
Paul & Nikki Goldstein
Mel & Louise Saltzman
Herb & Suzanne Gilden
Gary & Karyn Wilson
David & Gail Berwald
Stuart & Judy Kaufman
Stuart & Susan Boxerman
Irv & Kay Diamant
Andy & BelleAnne Curry
Doug & Barbara Gaponoff Berson
Jerry & Zeta Chervitz
David & Liz Holden
Michael & Robbyn Roth
Marty & Linda Bell
Randy & Muriel Zimring
Marty & Mimi Levy
John & Barbie Perlmutter
Richard & Joyce Becker
Marty & Marilyn Levison
Gary & Nancy Feldman
Leonard & Norma Kaplan
Jeffrey & Sharon Rosenblum
June 5
June 9
June 10
June 10
June 12
June 13
June 14
June 14
June 16
June 16
June 17
June 19
June 20
June 20
June 20
June 24
June 24
June 25
June 26
June 27
June 27
June 29
June 30
June 30
50th
31st
37th
43rd
61st
34th
52nd
57th
53rd
59th
14th
28th
51st
24th
34th
55th
32nd
27th
39th
51st
40th
36th
59th
47th
Purchase an everlasting leaf on
our Simchah Tree
Birthdays, anniversaries and yahrzeit observances for
the coming week as well as names of those who are ill in
our community are listed in our weekly Shabbat Bulletin. Send a tribute card or give someone a call—it
means a lot!
Large leaf $150
Small leaf $75
Contact Annette Heller to order
314-576-5111 or
[email protected]
14
Thank you to our contributors!
Tribute donations are a wonderful way to show you care by making a charitable gift to our
congregation, The following donations were received recently by the Congregation/Sisterhood. Please
send recipient information and your donation (minimum of $5 per card) to Marian Gordon at Traditional
Congregation, or to Gloria Friedlander for Sisterhood tributes, 14284 Forest Crest Dr, Chesterfield MO
63017.
In Memory Of:
Paul Figot, Mirna Figot,
Moises Lisker
Mauricio & Marcia Lisker
Alvin Rabinoff, Morris
Rabinoff
Rafi Rabinoff
Bob Rubin
Carol Max
Tillie Lapin
Miriam Pessin
Ida Dolgin
Robert & Myra Perlman
Hans Bloch, Chaim Krut
Leib & Esther Abramson-Krut
Anna Schuver, Gus Kaplan
Marty & Mimi Levy
Shirley Fish Bookman
David & Gail Berwald
Philip Handelman, uncle of
Sherri Lopatin
Jerry & Gail Tullman
Ken & Ann Bohm
Dorothy Levison, mother of
Marty Levison
Jerry & Gail Tullman
Carol Max
Mauricio & Marcia Lisker
Ken & Ann Bohm
Ellis Frohman
Paul & Lori Tesser
Doug & Barbara Gaponoff
Berson
Harry Shore
Ruth Tockman
Ben Ginsberg
John & Barbie Perlmutter
Anna Lee Brown
Alan & Donna Rosenberg
Sorel Davidson Harris
Lynn Harris
Leo Lowentritt
Marty & Mimi Levy
Jacob Frohman, Lillian Goldberg
Ellis Frohman
Rachael Gilden
Herb & Suzanne Gilden
Cecile Raskas
Norton & Shirley Lieber Kronemer
Frank Curry
Andy & BelleAnne Curry
Ellen Deutsch
Dick & Dianna Fine
Barbara Price, sister of Judy Kaufman
Jerry & Gail Tullman
Ellis Frohman
Carol Max
Ken & Ann Bohm
Mitchell Dolgin
Robert & Myra Perlman
Gussie Lefkowitch
Bill & Nanci Gold
Edward Strauss
Mindy Strauss
Woodward Wilson
Gary & Traude Wilson
Norman Guralnick
Rafi Rabinoff
Wolf Federman
Barry Schapiro
15
Shmuel & Gittel Gersten, Moishe
Gersten; the Eichner Family
Abe & Frances Gersten
Ida Pogrelis
Marilyn Jacobs
Ruth Schwartz
Benjamin & Susan Schwartz
Nathan Young
Paul & Nikki Goldstein
Estelle Diamant
Henry & Marlene Diamant
In Honor of:
Birthdays of Richard Hack, Orli
Roth, Joshua Zeid, Alan Rosenberg,
Desi Holden, Sue Friedman, Gil
Melnick, Ari Levy, Boaz Roth,
Ranana Gordon, Jeffrey Melnick,
Judy Becker, Mark Weinstein, Marty
Levy, Bernie Tobin
Chris & Anne Brown
Bar Mitzvah of Elie Altgold, grandson of Bill & Nanci Gold and
nephew of Gary & Alayna Lerner
Ellis Frohman
Arlene Fox
Birth of Barry Schapiro’s granddaughter
Sherri Lopatin
Jerry & Gail Tullman
Ellis Frohman
Birth of Bernie & Ceil Tobin’s greatgranddaughter
Ellis Frohman
Birth of Mel & Bettina Weinberg’s
granddaughter
Hal & Ellen Rosen
Jack & Annette Heller
Paul & Nikki Goldstein
Carol Max
Birthday of Cecilia Soibel
Jack & Annette Heller
Anniversary of Mel & Bettina
Weinberg
Jack & Annette Heller
Birthdays of Manfred & Libby Katz
Ilse Altman
Promotion of grandson Eli Abeles
Ilse Altman
Engagement of Anat Reschke &
Brad Fink
Carol Max
Susan Fleminger
Jerry & Gail Tullman
Ilse Altman
Marty & Mimi Levy, Rededication
Shabbat Honorees
Miriam Pessin
Jerry & Gail Tullman
Mauricio & Marcia Lisker
Paul & Nikki Goldstein
Sherri Lopatin
Jerry & Elaine Levy
Arlene Fox
Doug & Barbara Gaponoff
Berson
Susan Fleminger
Ellis Frohman
Mindy Strauss
Earl & Iris Salsman
Rebecca Levin making the Dean’s
List
Lois Elfanbaum
Wedding of Miriam Fishman
Ilse Altman
Special Birthday of Judy Becker
Paul & Nikki Goldstein
Marty & Linda Bell
Mindy Strauss
Gary & Marilyn Ratkin
Bar Mitzvah of JJ Lerner, son of
Gary & Alayna Lerner and grandson of Bill & Nanci Gold
Paul & Nikki Goldstein
Elizabeth Berson’s lead role in
The Addams Family Show
Doug & Barbara Gaponoff Berson
Birthdays of: Frances Gersten,
Hal Rosen, Bill Gold, Myra
Perlman, Dick Fine, Miriam
Roth, Nikki Goldstein, Claire
Hack, Anat Reschke, Dikla
Roufa, JJ Lerner, Ken Levy, Mimi
Levy, Laurie Bennett, Joan
Block, Kay Diamant
Chris & Anne Brown
Anniversaries of: Eric & Elaine
Farkas, Lenny & Renee Kohn,
Boaz & Jane Roth, Adam &
Jenny Bell, Phil & Christy Brick
Chris & Anne Brown
Birth of my grandson, Theodore
Marcel Rabinoff Wickelgren
Rafi Rabinoff
Birthdays of Sue Friedman and
Nikki Goldstein
Mindy Strauss
Anniversaries of Phil & Christy
Brick and Shelby & Suzanne
Mosher-Kopp Mindy Strauss
Purim
Paul & Nikki Goldstein
Marian Gordon’s new role
Paul & Nikki Goldstein
Birth of Ellis Frohman’s granddaughter
Jack & Annette Heller
Ilse Altman
Anniversary of Steve & Debbie
Altman
Ilse Altman
Anniversaries of Boaz & Jane
Roth, Shelby & Suzanne MosherKopp, Leib & Esther Abramson16
Krut, Mel & Bettina Weinberg
Carol Max
Birthdays of Miriam Roth, Mimi
Levy, Marty Levison, Irv Diamant, Kay Diamant, Cecilia
Soibel
Carol Max
Refuah Sh’leimah for:
Norton Figot
Mauricio & Marcia Lisker
Miriam Roth
Mauricio & Marcia Lisker
Gloria Friedlander
Jerry & Gail Tullman
Carol Max
Mel & Louise Saltzman
Barbara Mirowitz
Susan Fleminger
Ken & Ann Bohm
Sue Friedman
Jerry & Gail Tullman
Barbara Mirowitz
Barry Schapiro
Ken & Ann Bohm
Special Contributions
Virgil Wiles
Kevin Heuser
Gloria Sirkin
Fran Wilner
Altman Torah Fund
Bernie Tobin’s 85th Birthday
Ilse Altman
Marty & Mimi Levy, Rededication Shabbat Honorees
Joe & Florence Schachter
Miriam Roth
In memory of Jerold Goldenhersh
Ilse Altman
Packs of cards purchased by:
Colman & Diann Bank
Rabbi Seth & Marian Gordon
Anat Reschke
FROM THE
LIFE
T
these seem to be contradictory signifihe Pesach Seder is replete with
symbolism, the significance of
cances for the symbolism of the matzah.
which is a gold mine for indiPerhaps the resolution of the seeming
vidual interpretation. Since evecontradiction lies at the very center of the
ryone’s interpretation reflects his/her perPesach message. Historically we have
sonal point of view, it is difficult for me to
seen formerly oppressed peoples who
see how it can possibly be mistaken. i
have gained their liberty who have done a
would therefore like to suggest that one of
turnabout and in their independence opthe areas for discussion at the seder might
pressed others. Unfortube what each person’s –
nately, this is all too true
especially the children in
“The eating of matzah, reof our own American foreattendance – opinion is reminds us, with each mouth- bearers who, with their
garding the significance
ful, to rejoice in being free
freedom to expand across
of any of the seder symand remember what it was the continent, did so by
bols in relation to the exolike before we were liberdeceiving and decimating
dus, particularly and/or to
ated.”
the indigenous population.
him/her personally.
(The term ‘Indian giver,’
to describe a person who grants someFor a very long time i have found the symthing and then takes it back, does not rebolism of matzah intriguing. What infer to the American Indian, but to the U.S.
trigues me about matzah is the seemingly
government.) In contrast to this, the Torah
contradictory manner in which it is treated
consistently relates our relationship toby the text of the Haggadah. At the beginwards others to our remembering our own
ning of our re-telling of the exodus experience (Maggid) we refer to matzah as
experience of oppression in Egypt so as to
avoid duplicating it. Our elation of having
“… – ‫לחמא עניא‬lachma anya…” -“ …the
gained freedom must never erase our
provision (lit. bread) of the impoverished
sense of past deprivation. The eating of
that our ancestors ate while in Egypt…”
matzah, a central mitzvah of the seder and
i.e., a symbol of our being oppressed in
Pesach, reminds us, with each mouthful,
Egypt. Yet by the close of the re-telling, it
to rejoice in being free and remember
is referred to as the provisions we prepared
for our desert journey upon leaving Egypt,
what it was like before we were liberated.
which because of our rush to freedom, was
With wishes for a joyful and thoughtful
unable to bake long enough to rise, i.e., it
celebration of Pesach and the seder,
has been transformed into a symbol of our
liberation from Egypt. On the surface
‫אז‬
17
TRADITIONAL CONGREGATION
Calendar of Events
April 2016
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
1
Shabbat
2
Bar Mitzvah
of JJ Lerner
Candles
7:06 PM
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
First Friday
Shabbat Experience
6:30 PM
Candles
7:13 PM
10
11
12
13
Mother’s
Day Gift
Bag Assembly
10:15 AM
17
18
24
25
Pesach 2
Pesach 3
19
20
14
15
General Board
Meeting
7:30 PM
Candles
7:20 PM
21
22
23
Candles
7:26 PM
Pesach 1
First Seder
Second Seder
29
30
26
27
28
Pesach 4
Pesach 5
Pesach 6
Pesach 7
Candles
7:33 PM
18
16
Pesach 8
Last Day of
Pesach Luncheon
TRADITIONAL CONGREGATION
Calendar of Events
May-June 2016
Sunday
May 1
8
15
Monday
2
9
16
Tuesday
Wednesday
Friday
5
6
Yom Hashoah
Candles
7:39 PM
11
12
13
Yom Hazikaron
Yom Haatzma’ut
First Friday
Shabbat Experience
6:30 PM
General Board
Meeting
7:30 PM
Candles
7:46 PM
19
20
3
Cardinals
Game! Details TBA
4
10
17
Thursday
18
Shabbat
7
14
21
Candles
7:52 PM
22
29
23
30
24
31
25
June 1
26
27
Lag B’Omer
Candles
7:58 PM
2
3
Candles
8:03 PM
6
5
Yom Yerushalayim
7
9
8
10
Candles
8:07 PM
Movie Night
TBA
12
13
14
15
16
20
21
22
23
24
Candles
8:11 PM
26
27
4
Bar Mitzvah of
Matthew Levy
11
Erev Shavuot
18
Candles
8:10 PM
Shavuot w/ Shavuot w/
Rabbi Jona- Rabbi Jonathan Porath than Porath
19
17
28
Graduation
Shabbat
28
29
30
19
25
Traditional Congregation of Creve Coeur
THE CHAIN OF TRADITION
12437 Ladue Rd, St Louis MO 63141
(314) 576-5230
www.traditional-congregation.org
Rabbi Seth D Gordon
Rabbi Ephraim I Zimand, Emeritus
Boaz Roth, President
Marian S Gordon, Executive Director
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
DEADLINE FOR
SUMMER NEWSLETTER:
WEDNESDAY, MAY 18
Dated Material Please Deliver Promptly
PESACH
April 22-30
SHAVUOT
June 12-13
Shabbat Services & Candle Lighting
Candle
Lighting
(18 minutes
before sunset)
Kabbalat
Shabbat
Talmud Class
with
Rabbi Gordon
1/2
7:06
6:30
5:30
6:45
8:06
8/9
7:13
6:30
5:45
7:00
8:13
15/16
7:20
6:30
5:45
7:00
8:20
22/23
7:26
7:00
6:00
7:15
8:26
29/30
7:33
7:00
6:00
7:15
8:33
6/7
7:39
6:30
6:15
7:30
8:39
13/14
7:46
6:30
6:15
7:30
8:46
20/21
7:52
6:30
6:30
7:45
8:52
27/28
7:58
6:30
6:30
7:45
8:58
3/4
8:03
6:30
6:30
7:45
9:03
Weekday
10/11
8:07
6:30
6:30
7:45
9:07
arvit
17/18
8:10
6:30
6:45
8:00
9:10
6:45 PM
24/25
8:11
6:30
6:45
8:00
9:11
April
May
June
20
Shabbat
Shabbat
Minchah/Arvit
ends
Services
(not before)
Shacharit Services:
7:00 AM
Monday– Friday
9:00 AM Shabbat,
Sundays and Holidays
Arvit
6:30 PM Monday—
Thursday
Sunday evening
upon request