Oct 2014 Kol Tikvah

October 2014 • Volume 28 • Issue 9
A Reform Congregation Embracing Our Jewish Tradition
S I M C H AT T O R A H
Join us for this
multigenerational
celebration !!
October 15th
at 6:00 pm
Kol Nidre
Friday, October 3
Service
See
page
11
8 pm
Yom Kippur
Saturday, October 4
Early Service
8 am
Late Service
11:30 am
Family Service
2:30 pm
Forgiveness Conversation
2:30 pm
Afternoon Service/Yizkor/Neilah 4 pm
Sukkot Pizza in the Hut
Oct 8
5:30 - 6:30 pm
Service at 6:30 in the
Alterman Chapel
News & Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah
Yom Kippur—Neilah
For the last two years, I have been sharing
messages to encourage the members of our sacred
community to come and join us for Neilah. Neilah
is the final service after a long day of prayer and
self-reflection as we move through the Gates of Repentance. God
is ready to forgive us, but only if we have done the work to get to
a place of balance and atonement.
Many have never seen a service of Neilah. I encourage you to
come. It is always meaningful to get through the day, together,
spiritually refreshed and feeling whole.
I will also like to remind everyone to bring an abundance of food
for Operation Isaiah, as we collect food on Yom Kippur for the
Atlanta Community Food Bank.
Last year, towards the end of our Neilah service, I announced that
I would be leaving the ark open for the last 15 minutes of the
service, inviting our congregants to come before the open Ark to
share a private prayer – just between you and the Kadosh Baruch
Hu / The Holy One of Blessing. I have to be honest with you… I
was expecting one or two brave souls to come up, be vulnerable
in front of a watchful congregation, and return to their seats.
Instead, what I witnessed made my eyes well up and my voice
crack. There was a long line of people who came forward to have
their time – standing before God – to help heal, to forgive, to
return to their true selves. It was an amazing, poignant, truly
AWEsome moment for all of us.
Lastly, note we have something new going on this year. For some
who don’t want to leave the building before we return for Yizkor
or Minchah/Afternoon prayers, there will be a discussion on
Forgiveness at 2:30 pm in the Library. The conversation will be
led by Cindy Getty, our Adult Education Committee Chairperson,
and will include therapists who will share their insights from a
healing perspective and from a Jewish perspective.
Friends, from my family to you… may the year be a year of
strength, of fortitude, of good health, and joy as we all continue
on our journeys.
Gamar Chatimah Tovah – May you be sealed in the Book of
We will be doing that again this year. At a certain point, we will Life!
all stand together to open the Ark and then, even though the ark is
open, you will be able to sit again (it is permitted to sit while the
Rabbi Fred Greene
Ark is open).
Whatever one might need, this is our chance to express our
deepest prayers and feelings before our most sacred space at our
most sacred time, just as the High Priest did in ancient times
when he went before God in the Holy of Holies of the Tabernacle
or The Holy Temple of Jerusalem.
The Introduction to the Talmud
that You’ve Been Waiting For!
Bring a dairy lunch and join Rabbi Greene for a lively monthly class and discussion
which will consist of an introduction to the Talmud - its stories, its themes, the sages,
and see how its teachings build upon the foundation of the Torah.
The class will meet from 11:45 am to 1 pm on:
Tuesday, October 14
Fridays, November 7, December 19, January 23, February 20, March 13 and April 17
All are welcome. Dates are subject to change. Please check the TBT calendar to confirm.
RSVPs are appreciated for each session.
RSVP to [email protected]
2
News & Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah
Notes from Cantor Kassel
“Oh, won’t you stay…………... Just a little bit longer?
Oh please, please stay……….Just a little bit more.”
lyrics to “STAY” – by Maurice Williams and The Zodiacs (1960)
We are well into the Hebrew month of Tishrei which has in it: Yom Kippur, Sukkot, Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah. I’m pretty sure that
“Shemini Atzeret” is not on the radar of most Reform Jews, but it’s meaning is closely related to these “Stay” lyrics (above) only it’s G-d who is
singing to us and not The Hollies, the Four Seasons, Jackson Brown or Bruce Springstein.
So what IS Shemini Atzeret and what meaning can it hold for us today?
Shemini Atzeret originates from Leviticus 23:36:
“….. seven days you shall bring offerings by fire to the LORD. On the eighth day you
shall observe a sacred occasion and bring an offering by fire to the LORD; it is a
solemn gathering (ATZERET): you shall not work at your occupation.
Shemini Atzeret is usually translated as “the assembly of the eighth day” but the truth is that it’s real translation is uncertain. It could come from
the word atzar, meaning “stop” and in the context of the quote from Leviticus – there is the implication of deliberately extending the previous seven
days of Sukkot.
The following distinguish Shemini Atzeret from Sukkot:
1) The shaking of the lulav and etrog is not done
2) The blessing for being commanded to dwell in the Sukkah is not recited.
3) The memorial prayer YIZKOR is inserted into the service after the Torah reading.
4) A special prayer for rain (geshem) is recited (replacing the prayer for dew).
Still, what do we make of this request to “stay”, to linger, to not rush away to whatever is next in our lives and in the Hebrew calendar?
From Selichot through the High Holy Days and through Sukkot it’s tempting to say “Enough already! Time to get back to the ordinary routine of
daily life.” For me, this time of atzeret is another calling from G-d - to bring some degree of holiness from a month of holy days into the rest of
the year, most especially to those days which I might have the luxury of labeling ‘ordinary’.
You need only watch a few minutes of local and/or national and international news to see that our ‘ordinary’ is quite extraordinary. We can benefit
from as many reminders as possible to cherish each day.
So even if you don’t “STAY…… just a little bit longer” in the physical space of Temple Beth Tikvah, we hope you will “STAY” (atzeret)
connected beyond the drama and excitement of the High Holy Days and be a part of what goes on here the rest of the year!
B’Shalom,
Cantor Nancy Kassel
TIME TO APPLY FOR
ALEF FUND TAX CREDIT 2015!
Please act now to ensure your credit will be approved and your
tax dollars will secure a Jewish education for our families!
Please visit our website to reserve your tax credit or contact AlliSince 2008, ALEF Fund has provided over $10 Million in schol- son Feldman, ALEF Fund Manager at [email protected] or
arships to students at local Jewish pre-k, day schools, and high
678.222.3739 for assistance.
schools. Redirecting a portion of your state taxes to ALEF Fund
helps provide children in our community with a Jewish education.
ALEF Fund has made the process of reserving a state tax credit
even simpler this year. At www.aleffund.org , you can reserve
your 2015 tax credit in less than two minutes! Complete your
application and direct your tax dollars to the ALEF Fund Partner
Schools of your choice.
3
News & Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah
Sleepless in Roswell
It’s been 16 months since I became President of Temple Beth Tikvah.
The few people that I think actually read my monthly articles might
remember my first one in June, 2013. I joked about how folks asked me
if I was crazy for taking the job. At the time, someone reminded me of a
story of a newly installed Temple President who was asked how he was
sleeping, with all the pressure and obligations. He responded, “Ever
since I became president, I am sleeping like a baby. I wake up every two
hours and cry,”
Sixteen months later I can say that many aspects of this job have been
nothing short of profoundly rewarding. I don’t think I have ever put as
much effort into something without some sort of tangible goal in mind.
My goal when I started my term was to leave this community in better
shape at the end of my term, communally, spiritually and financially.
However, to be perfectly honest, there have been quite a few sleepless
nights as I did my very best to navigate the waters of a Rabbinic change.
Last February, after considering over 50 requests, I asked 18 TBT
members representing all walks of synagogue life to accept a very
difficult position on our rabbinic search committee. I told each of them
that the job would be long hours, hard work and tax their minds and
deepest feelings. I have observed this eclectic group work together and
bond as a true team spending many hours together doing this amazing
sacred and difficult work. Their commitment to our community and to
each TBT family is nothing short of heroic.
Change is difficult and when it is coupled with fear, it
renders us inert. We need to come together to do our
very best as we move forward without Rabbi
Greene’s leadership and presence in our community
as of July 1, 2015. For the sake of our special
community, it is imperative that we support the
search committee and try not to fear the upcoming change, but to
embrace it and the opportunity it provides. The change will, in the end,
be what we all make of it. I encourage you to be present, and to be part
of the process. The committee is posting frequent updates to a blog that
can be found on the TBT website.
Please be sure to let Rabbi Greene know what and how much you value
and appreciate about him during his remaining time with us. It is equally
important to offer your support to the eventual new Senior Rabbi and be
part of a positive transition. If we all work together, we can take the fear
out of change and move forward building our community and forging
our future together.
L’Shalom
Ron Swichkow
Fundraising
Shalom! As we embark on the New Year of 5775, TBT is challenged with finding a new rabbinic leader. This is no small task for our community
as it stands today. A new rabbi will be joining our family and with their arrival comes many expectations both on our behalf and the new rabbi’s as
well.
One of those expectations, naturally, deals with the financial aspects of the congregation. As a 500 family congregation, what do you think are the
expectations of the congregants to financially support the congregation? In what ways can we support our congregation? How much is each family
expected to give? One of the deciding factors that a new rabbi wants to know, is how well does the congregation support the synagogue?”
While the answers to the questions above are certainly based upon each family’s individual circumstances, these are important questions for each
and everyone of us to consider. Supporting TBT, especially during this upcoming year of change, is incredibly important for a number of reasons.
It is very important for the new rabbi to see our committed support. Knowing that the fiscal circumstances of their new congregation are positive
makes for a much easier transition for the incoming Rabbi. Have you thought about honoring Rabbi’s Greene’s dedication and leadership to TBT
for the past 8 years?
This is where contributions to the Annual Campaign make a difference. A strong unified congregational support will speak volumes to the new
Rabbi. If every family contributed a minimum of $18, we would set participation records and surpass expectations.
Another meaningful way to contribute to TBT is through a new fund that we will be establishing in 5775. Sometime later this year, we will begin
an organized approach to building a TBT Legacy Campaign. This type of program will provide individual donors the opportunity to invest in the
future of the synagogue. Congregations throughout the states have started Legacy Campaigns as a way to allow donors to help support their congregation well into their future. Feel free to reach out to myself or our President, Ron Swichkow if you have an interest in considering this special
type of contribution.
May the New Year of 5775 bring health, happiness and prosperity to you and your family!
Shalom,
Jonathan Agin
in the Jewish community and at TBT based on their stated interests
and passions. TBT is one of 4 synagogues in Atlanta participating
in the Grapevine pilot (at no cost to TBT until after the pilot concludes). Please check your email for Grapevine “goings on” in
Atlanta, and take a moment to fill out your profile on the Grapevine site. We are currently developing a “work plan” for how we
can most effectively leverage Grapevine for the benefit of our
members.
In early August, you received an e-mail
from TBT announcing our new partConnecting the right
nership with “Grapevine”. This was
people
also featured in a Kol Tikvah article
To the right opportuniin the August edition.
In late August, you received an email from “Grapevine” (www.grape-vine.com). Grapevine is a
Jewish community / social network platform (sponsored in part by
Jewish Federations and private funding) -- to engage our members
If anyone is interested in participating in this work plan
development, please contact Mark Rudel at 404.429.9289.
4
News and Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah
B’nai Mitzvah
Sophia Frances Gurin will be called to the Torah as a Bat Mitzvah on October 11, 2014. Sophia is the daughter of
Michelle and Michael Gurin and the sister to Joshua. She is the granddaughter of Ronald and Judy Gurin of Atlanta
and Harbhajan K. Singh of Charlotte. Sophia is in the 8 th grade at The Davis Academy where she participates in student government and is active on the yearbook staff. Sophia is a photography enthusiast, loves working with digital
media, proud to speak in Hebrew and Spanish and takes particular pride in helping raise her two rescue pups.
Natan Baruch Friedman will be called to the Torah as a Bar Mitzvah on October 11, 2014. He is the son of Sasha
Friedman. His grandparents are Michael and Anna Gutkin. Natan is in the 7th grade at the Atlanta Jewish
Academy. He enjoys being on the swim team, acting, and reading. He also enjoys spending time with friends and
family. Natan visits Israel often and is fluent in Hebrew.
Lindsey Shippel will be called to the Torah as a Bat Mitzvah on October 25, 2014. Lindsey is the daughter of David
and Robyn Shippel. She is the granddaughter of Warren and Donna Sharmat of Miami, FL and Allan and Pessie
Shippel of Roswell, GA. Lindsey is a 7th grader at Elkins Pointe Middle School. She does competition and football
cheer for the Milton Junior Eagles. She also plays basketball for the Milton Jr. Eagles. Lindsey looks forward to
sharing her Bat Mitzvah with her family, friends, and community.
Noah will be called to the Torah as a Bar Mitzvah on October 25, 2014. Noah is the son of Amy and Aaron Frank and
the brother to Lily. He is the grandson of Joan Rosenbluth and of the late Jerrell Rosenbluth of Atlanta and Herb and
Cynthia Frank of Delaware. Noah is in the 7th grade at Crabapple Middle School where he is an honor roll student.
Noah plays baseball and basketball and enjoys snowboarding.
Early Childhood Education Center
The new school year got off to a great start! The children have been busy settling into their regular classroom routines with old
friendships renewing and new ones forming. The teachers and I are eager to see all of the children’s growth and development over
the next few months. Our staff this year includes: Sheri Baker, Lisa Garris, Alicia Hirsch, Lisa Laudicina, Rhonda Povlot, Maria
Schwartz, Linda Siegel, Ellisa Vitulli and Rachel Wilson. I would like to thank all of these special women for their hard work and
commitment to our wonderful school.
This past month has been extremely busy time of year for our school. Our teachers have been hard at work planning many exciting
and new activities for our children. The children at Beth Tikvah are engaging in new learning experiences, cooking, science, yoga,
music, and of course, playing! During the month of September, our finest and youngest were dipping apples in honey, making
round challahs, and singing happy birthday to the world.
For more information or to take a tour of our wonderful school, please call me at 678-350-0076 or email [email protected].
Shalom,
Jenifer Friedman
Director
Early Childhood Education Center
News & Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah
5
Youth Group
Gesher Youth Group
3rd & 4th graders
Beginning of the year Kickoff Event!
Join us for pizza, ice cream and
The LEGO Movie !!
Sunday, October 5th at 12:15 pm
$5 per person
(includes lunch, movie & ice cream)
RSVP to [email protected] or
email Michele Gergans at [email protected]
for more info.
HOTTY (9-12th Grade)
We had a blast at our kickoff event for the year! We started at Temple playing mixers and
eating dinner, then headed over to Historic Roswell for a fun Scavenger Hunt. We finished with Havdallah outside under the stars and a tasty dessert! Missed this one? Don’t
worry - we have plenty of other awesome events planned for the year. If you did not get
the HOTTY calendar in your email, make sure to let us know so we can update your
information or add you to our mailing list. Hope to see you at our next event on October
11th – Sushi, Sukkah, and S’mores!
Join the HOTTY Facebook Page (https://www.facebook.com/groups/TBT.HOTTY/)
to stay up-to-date on what's happening and to RSVP for HOTTY events!
JYG (7-8th Grade)
JYG’s Kickoff event in September was a blast! We went to Discover Mills for a fun scavenger hunt around the mall. After the scavenger hunt we loaded up on popcorn and soda
to watch a movie together. This year, JYG will be having events every other month. Our
next event is bowling at Brunswick Zone on November 9. Mark it on your calendars so
you can be sure to be there!
HOTTY BOARD RETREAT AT BIG CANOE
Join the JYG Facebook Page (https://www.facebook.com/groups/TBT.JYG/) to stay
up-to-date on what's happening with JYG, RSVP and arrange carpools for events!
5th & 6th Grade
Our first event for our new 5th & 6th grade youth group is in just a few days! We are going
to Scottsdale Farms for a Hayride, pumpkin picking, and more. This is a great way to kick
off the year for our 5th & 6th graders and the start of Fall! Can’t wait to see all of you 5th &
6th graders there!
Join the 5th & 6th Grade Facebook Page (https://www.facebook.com/groups/
TBT.56/) to stay up-to-date on what's happening, RSVP and arrange carpools for
events!
Want more info about the youth groups at TBT? Contact us at:
[email protected] or call us:
Bobbee (303) 981-2356 & Adam (404) 971-4687
President - Aaron Schwartz
Programming VP - Elyssa Goldman
Social Action VP - Allie Goodman
Religious & Cultural VP - Drew
Baker
Membership VP - Maddie Schwartz
October 5 - 5/6th Pumpkin Patch & Hayride
October 11 - HOTTY Sushi, Sukkah & S'mores
November 8 - HOTTY IDF night
November 9 - JYG Bowling
December 6-7 - HOTTY Latke-In
December 14 - 5/6th Paint Your Own Pottery (12:30-3pm @ offsite TBD)
Communications VP - Emily Restler
Board Member at Large - Ben
Goldenthal
Freshman Rep - Jake Mershon
Song leader - Jacob Shippel
Religious School
What a wonderful start to the new school year. It was an outstanding first few weeks. Thank you to our Teachers, Madrichim and
staff for making the first week so successful.
We have already celebrated our first holidays; Rosh Hashanah and
Yom Kippur. Our students were again very fortunate to have Dr.
Joel Margolies came to the school during this busy holiday season.
Dr. Margolies taught the children about the Shofar, the meaning of
the sounds the Shofar makes and let the students experience the Shofar up close. To conclude his lessons he blew the Shofar for the students. Thank you Dr. Margolies for volunteering your time at our
school. This was the second time our children have heard the shofar. The Rabbi blew it for them on the first day of school.
We had our first raffle drawing of the year. Congratulations to our
first in Line carpool winners – The Sunday winners were Dana &
Bram Wieskopf and Marc & Martyne Seidband. The Tuesday
winners were Michael & Marlene Cohn and Harris & Suellen Bergman. We also gave away a third spot on Sundays, through
December, to the family who bought the most raffle tickets.
Congratulation to Marc Williams and Michelle Easton.
Upcoming Events:
For those of you with kindergarten children
attending religious school or Jewish day
school and those of you with children in
first through third grade who have not been
consecrated, please mark your calendar for
our consecration service on Sunday, October 19th . Each child will
receive a blessing by the Rabbi under a tallit, a torah scroll of their
own, and a certificate that you can keep to remember this meaningful ceremony. Our kindergarten and 1st graders will have their family education day on Sunday, October 19th as well. Our 6th Grade
families should plan to join us on October 26th as their Family Education Day will be centered around our Bar/Bat Mitzvah meeting
and our 13 Mitzvot program for upcoming Bar and Bat Mitzvah
students.
I’m wishing all of you a healthy, happy and peaceful new year.
Shana Tova
Hassia
6
Adult Ed
Nov. 2
Rabbi Tam’s Adult Education Classes
Essays on the Unique Nature and Destiny of the Jewish
People: Fact or Fiction?
Nov. 9
Abraham Geiger (“Father of Reform Judaism):
“Revelation.”
Moses Hess (A Zionist Thinker prior to Herzl):
“Israel Within the Organism of Humanity.”
Leon Pinsker (A physician and 19th. Century Jew
whose hope that assimilation was the natural
solution to the “Jewish Problem” failed him,
causing him to turn to Zionism): “AutoEmancipation.”
Simon Dubnov (The great Jewish historian from
Vilna in first half of the twentieth century, who
believed the Jews to be a “unique nation,” but was
not a believer in Zionism. He was shot in the street
as an old man by the Nazis in 1941): “A Spiritual
Nation.”
Erich Kahler (A Jewish intellectual of the midtwentieth century who taught at the New School of
Social Research in New York and was a member of
the Institute of Advanced Study at Princeton):
“What Are the Jews?”
Nov. 16
Confronting the challenges of Modernity, many Jewish
intellectuals and religious leaders attempted to define and explain
the nature of the Jewish people. Are we a religion like any other?
Are we a national entity or ethnicity like the Italians or Poles?
What is it about our history that is unique, if in fact it is unique at
all? How can the Jews survive as a distinct entity in the modern Dec. 7
world? What are the conditions our survival demands? On
Sunday mornings we will read from and discuss several excerpts
from essays by “modern” Jewish thinkers on the nature and
future of the Jewish People. Do any of these essays guide us
toward a viable Jewish future?
Dec. 14
Oct. 19
Simon Rawidowicz (Professor of History at
Brandeis University in the mid- twentieth century):
“Israel the Ever-dying People.”
Oct. 26
Yehezkiel Kaufman (Professor of Philosophy at the
Hebrew University in Jerusalem in the midtwentieth century): “On the Fate and Survival of
Classes will meet from 10:30-11:45 am in the Library
the Jews.”
From Sarah to Savannah: Leadership lessons from
our ancestral mothers for today’s women
Cantor Kassel’s Adult Learning
Instructor: Rabbi Pamela Jay Gottfried
Do women have different ways of communicating, praying,
acting and leading? What lessons can we learn about women’s
leadership today from the biblical and rabbinic stories of
women such as Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel & Miriam? Together
we’ll study the ancient texts and try to glean wisdom to help us
flourish as women and as leaders - at home and in the
workplace - in the 21st century.
Parent's Guide To The B'nei Mitzvah Service
(Chose 1 of the two week classes to attend)
Sundays: Oct. 19 and Nov. 2 or Nov. 9 and Nov. 16
from 11:15-11:55 am
These 2 classes will help parents better understand
the structure, choreography and honors associated
with a Bar/Bat Mitzvah service.
How to have a difficult conversation; when to tell a social lie –
Sarah (Genesis 18)
How to take charge of a situation – Rebecca (Genesis 27)
How to take charge of a situation – Rachel (Genesis 31)
How to work for justice & freedom – The Midwives, Miriam,
Pharaoh’s Daughter (Exodus 1-2)
How to protect your family & be an equal partner at home –
Tziporah (Exodus 4)
How to lead in the workplace; conforming to gender roles –
Miriam (Exodus 15)
How to communicate effectively; when talk is not gossip –
Miriam (Numbers 12)
Book Discussion: "Unorthodox: The Scandalous
Rejection of My Hasidic Roots"
by Deborah Feldman
Sunday, Jan. 11 from 10:45-11:55 am
The Music and Religion of Leonard Cohen
Sunday, Feb. 8 from 10:45-11:55 am
$36 for the 7 class series.
Please register by sending your check to the TBT office, and
designate Women’s Study Group on the memo line.
Tips for Leading an Engaging Seder
Sunday, Mar. 15 and Sunday, Mar. 22 from
11:00-11:55 am
This class meets on the following Thursday evenings at 7 pm:
2014: October 23rd, November 20th, December 18th
2015: January 15th, February 19th, March 19th, April 23rd
7
News and Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah
On the other side there is such an outpouring of love, support
and strength throughout the country. The Israel Defense Force
(IDF) is being inundated with socks, underwear, toiletries and
food. Civilians are buying enormous water tanks and putting
them in their trucks. They are converting these into makeshift
showers for the soldiers. It is so amazing to see the entire
country united and standing behind their military. The amazing
part is through all the sadness, fear and the bombings, the people still live their lives. Restaurants are still open, theatres still
put on their plays, concerts still happen and people still go to
work.
My Extraordinary Summer in Israel
Every year as I eagerly await my summer vacation in Israel, the
wait at times is overwhelming. I get very excited at the prospect
of visiting my family, extended family and friends.
My visit this year was at times stressful and very scary. The
current conflict started during my vacation. A few weeks after I
arrived the sound of the sirens started. This time not only the
south suffered but the center of Israel all the way to Haifa was
on alert. When I heard the first siren I felt as if the years had
reversed and I was once again a 5½ year old child going through
the Sinai War. When I was a child my father was drafted. I
remember my mother having to put tape on the windows to keep
glass from flying and then cover the windows with dark paper or
blankets. We did this in case the enemy planes flew over our
home; they wouldn’t be able to see the lights in our homes. The
sound of the planes was so loud and lasted so long that I still
have memories of it all these years later. I experienced this
again during my trip this past summer. The difference this time
was that it wasn’t planes flying overhead, but missiles were being launched over our cities. I watched many children doing the
same things I did as a child. I ran many times, just as these
children were doing, trying to find a shelter. People in the south
part of Israel have thirty seconds to find shelter when the sirens
go off.
Since I was a child, we (Israel) have hoped for peace. We are
always singing about peace, talking about peace and ever
hoping for peace. Parents are always promising their children
we will not have more wars. The reality is the wars have never
stopped and we don’t have peace. Israel is always fighting for
our survival and peace for our country. For the past ten years
the people in southern Israel have lived this way. They live
underground and study underground. They live in fear of
Hamas missiles and suicide bombers
As the new year approaches let us all pray and wish for peace
and safety in Israel and the entire world.
Hassia Levin
It is very hard for people to imagine what it is like to hear our
planes and their missiles all the time in the background. Everywhere you went the first thing you did was locate the closest
shelter in case the sirens went off. After three bombs went off
you had to wait 10 minutes before you could leave the shelter.
JF&CS - Nobody Deserves to be Abused
A plaque on a tree at JF&CS reads “Shalom Bayit: October 1998 In
memory of women and children who lost their lives to domestic violence
and honoring the courage of our survivors.” This beautiful tree
flourishes with vibrant flowers every summer, an indicator of the
strength and vitality of survivors and a testament to individuals working
toward Peace in the Home.
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. How can you help
create a community free from abuse?
Abuse continues because we remain silent and victims hide in fear, from
shame, a feeling of being alone and thinking nobody will believe them.
We deny the reality that abuse — physical, sexual and emotional control
— occurs in Jewish homes at the same rate as the community at large.
The impact of living with abuse lasts a lifetime.
Everyone can make a difference. If you suspect someone may be abused,
listen, believe her/him, inquire about safety and resist blaming. Ask how
you can help. Remain calm, and provide resources.
Your actions impact our entire community. Challenge violence, initiate
discussions and begin educational programming within your
congregation. Inquire about programs for youth on healthy relationships
and preventing dating violence.
Shalom Bayit, a program of Counseling Services - Tools for Life, strives
to mobilize the Jewish community to create the change needed to end
domestic violence, providing counseling and programs for adults and
abuse prevention for youth.
Nobody deserves to be abused. For information about Shalom Bayit
counseling, education or opportunities to make a difference, contact
[email protected].
I drove with my niece to Tel Aviv and as we were driving the
sirens started. It is one of the worst experiences you can have.
You need to stop the car and figure out if there is a shelter that
you can run to or do you just lie down on the road and cover
your head. Meanwhile the clock is ticking; a minute and a half is
not a lot of time when you are panicking. The sad part is that
this was a daily occurrence and everyone was experiencing the
same thing as I was.
Men and women were being called up to serve their country.
Being the size it is, everyone in Israel knows someone that was
drafted or has already been killed in one of the conflicts/wars.
Everyone is very attached to the news reports. In Israel, when
any person is lost in any conflict/war, the entire country is in
mourning.
This is not the first time I have visited Israel when a conflict was
happening but this was definitely one of the hardest ones I have
dealt with. It is very hard for people to imagine what it is like
being there and living through this each and every day. It is a
feeling of being emotionally abused day in and day out by the
sirens and the bombs.
8
News and Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah
October 2014
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
1
2
Friday
3
KOL NIDRE
Erev Yom Kippur - TBT
Offices Close at Noon
8:00 pm - 10:00 pm Kol
Nidre Service
Saturday
4
YOM KIPPUR
8:00 am - 10:30 am
Yom Kippur Early
Service
11:30 am - 2:00 pm
Yom Kippur Late
Service
2:30 pm - 3:30 pm
Conversation on
Forgiveness
2:30 pm - 3:30 pm Yom
Kippur Family Service
4:00 pm - 5:30 pm Yom
Kippur Afternoon
Service
5:30 pm - 6:30 pm
Yizkor Service
6:30 pm - 7:15 pm
Neilah
7:15 pm Break the Fast
5
6
7
8
9:30 am - 12:00 pm Religious
School
6:45 pm - 8:30 pm
Kesher/Confirmation/Kivunim
9:30 am - 10:30 am Tai
Chi
9:30 am - 11:30 am
Religious School Mixers
7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Families Anonymous
5:00 pm - 6:30 pm Religious
School - Tuesday
9:30 am - 12:00 pm Religious
School Sukkah Visits - K-2
and 7th Grade
5:00 pm - 7:30 pm Religious
School Sukkah Visits - 3rd
through 6th Grade
11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Chavurah Meeting
7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Board of Ed Meeting
9
EREV SUKKOT
TBT Office Closes at
Noon but ECEC is in
session full day
SUKKOT
TBT Offices Closed
10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Sukkot Service
10
SUKKOT
8:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Shabbat Service
11
SUKKOT
9:00 am - 10:00 am
Bagels, Learning & Torah
10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Shabbat Service Gurin/Friedman B'nai
Mitzvah
5:30 pm - 6:30 pm
Pizza in the Hut
6:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Sukkot Service
6:00 pm - 10:00 pm
HOTTY - Sushi, Sukkah,
S'mores
12:30 pm - 3:00 pm
5th/6th YG - Pumpkin
Patch & Hayride
12:15 pm - Gesher LEGO Movie, Pizza & Ice
Cream
12
SUKKOT
13
Columbus Day
SUKKOT
14
SUKKOT
No Religious School
Fulton County Break
Fulton County Break
9:30 am - 11:45 am
ATID
No Religious School
No Religious School
12:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Senior Luncheon
9:30 am - 10:30 am Tai
Chi
7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Families Anonymous
11:45 am - 1:00 pm The
Introduction to the
Talmud that You've Been
Waiting For!
1:00 pm Atlanta Pride
Parade
15
EREV SIMCHAT
TORAH / SHEMINI
ATZERET
16
SIMCHAT TORAH
TBT Offices Closed
TBT Offices Close at
3 pm
6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Simchat Torah Service
10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Shemini Atzeret
Service & Yizkor
17
8:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Shabbat Service
18
9:00 am - 10:00 am
Bagels, Learning & Torah
10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Shabbat Service
7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Sisterhood - Sweet Night
Out
7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Ruach Relay for Life
Meeting
19
20
21
9:30 am - 12:00 pm Religious
School
6:45 pm - 8:30 pm
Kesher/Confirmation/Kivunim
9:30 am - 10:30 am Tai
Chi
9:35 am - 11:45 am RS
Family Ed Day &
Consecration - K & 1st grade
7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Families Anonymous
5:00 pm - 6:30 pm Religious
School - Tuesday
23
6:30 pm - 8:00 pm
HOTTY - Board Meeting
27
28
9:30 am - 11:45
am ATID
6:30 pm - 8:30 pm Kesher
Teen/Parent Dinner & Class
9:30 am - 10:30 am Tai
Chi
9:30 am - 12:00 pm Religious
School
6:45 pm - 8:30 pm
Confirmation
5:00 pm - 6:30 pm Religious
School - Tuesday
10:00 am - 11:45 am RS
Family Ed Day - 6th Grade
Bar/Bat Mitzvah & 13 Mitzvot
Meeting
10:30 am - 11:45 am
Essays on the Unique
Nature & Destiny of the
Jewish People: Fact or
Fiction?
7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Families Anonymous
7:30 pm - 10:00 pm
Officers Meeting
7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Breast Cancer Support
Group
7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Ruach Relay for Life
Meeting
7:30 pm - 10:00 pm
Board of Trustees
Meeting
10:30 am - 11:45 am
Essays on the Unique
Nature & Destiny of the
Jewish People: Fact or
Fiction?
26
22
24
25
6:00 pm - 6:30 pm
Oneg
9:00 am - 10:00 am
Bagels, Learning & Torah
6:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Ruach Shabbat Service
10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Shabbat Service Shippel/Frank B'nai
Mitzvah
7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Women's Study - From
Sarah to Savannah:
Leadership Lessons from
our Ancestral Mothers
29
30
31
8:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Shabbat Service
1:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Ruach Relay for Life
9
News and Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah
COMFORT FOOD COOK-OFF
Sisterhood Chocolate Party
Saturday, October 18th
7 - 9:00 PM
Sisterhood wishes to send out a “Thank You”, to all who attended and
helped with September’s Opening Event: Lattes and Carbs.
We are looking forward to an eventful and productive year.
We still have openings on our new and exciting committees:
Social Action, Baking Crew, Social Events, & Education.
We need YOU to be a part of Sisterhood!
Join us for a Comfort Food Cook-off. Enjoy homecooked food, prepared by representatives from 13 area
churches and synagogues - including ours! All
proceeds from this interfaith gathering will benefit
Family Promise of North Fulton/DeKalb, a response to
homelessness that our congregation supports!
Saturday, October 11, 2014
5:00 -7:00 PM
Temple Sinai
5645 Dupree Dr. NW
Atlanta, GA 30327
$10/adults, $5 for kids aged 4-13,
FREE for kids 3 and under!
Purchase your ticket by clicking here
Speaking of events….Sisterhood Chocolate Party ~ October 18, 2014
TBT Seniors Luncheon
Monday, October 13th
at 12 PM
Click here for the Evite link for full details:
“From Failure to Success"
We will see you there!
Lynne Garson
Stacy Chambers & Robin Bledsoe
Co-Chairs, Temple Beth Tikvah Sisterhood
Email: [email protected]
[email protected]
presented by
RSVP to Natine at
Being a HOTTY Runs
in the Family
Even though I am only a freshman,
I’ve come to realize that HOTTY is
one of the best things that has happened to me. One of my favorite
things about HOTTY is that people
in one age group or grade hang out
with everyone, not just the select
few that are all freshmen or all seniors. I feel loved and respected in
HOTTY, and always count the
days, hours, and minutes until I can
see the people in youth group again.
Whether I’ve known someone for
10 years or 2 weeks, I’ve found a
second family through HOTTY.
This second family is even better
with one of my best friends, mentors, and fellow HOTTYites…aka
my actual older sister, Yael.
The two of us were always close,
but HOTTY definitely helped us
get closer and gave us to talk about
and look forward to. Before the first
10
event I went to, Yael told me to
come into her room and told me
how excited she was for me to be
in HOTTY and NFTY. She was
one of the people who got me
most excited to meet some of my
best friends in fun programs, and
to start the fire of compassion for
my TYG. From that moment on,
we’ve had more NFTY jam sessions, memory talks, and lookingforward-to than I can count. Yael
helped me want to become friends
with everyone in HOTTY, which
has made my experience already
10 times better than I ever
could’ve imagined.
For HOTTY, and all the memories
I’ve made, I couldn’t be more
grateful. Thanks for being the best
TYG ever!
Do you want to get involved with
HOTTY! For more details, check
the HOTTY Facebook Page
Leora Greene
News and Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah
NEW (AND IMPROVED) ORLEANS
The Inevitable City: The Resurgence of New Orleans and the Future of Urban America, Scott Cowen
Tuesday, 11-04-2014
7:30 PM
MJCCA-Zaban Park • 5342 Tilly Mill Road
Dunwoody, Georgia 30338
United States
Community Partner
Of
Temple Beth Tikvah
SCOTT COWEN, The Inevitable City: The Resurgence of New Orleans and the Future of Urban American
After seven years of service as the president of Tulane University, Scott Cowen watched the devastation of his beloved
New Orleans at the hands of Hurricane Katrina. When federal, state, and city officials couldn’t find their way to decisive
action, Cowen, known for his gutsy leadership, quickly partnered with a coalition of civic, business, and nonprofit leaders
looking to work around the old institutions to revitalize and transform New Orleans. The Inevitable City is the story of the
resurgence and reinvention of one of America’s greatest cities.
Member: $13.00
Community: $18.00
Open to the Community
Please use the following codes
when ordering tickets
Individual Tickets
Series Tickets
11
TBT
TBT Series
Donations
Annual Campaign
Dale and Wendy Bearman in memory of
Julius 'Jay' Bearman
Sandy and Nancy Simon in memory of Charlotte Clein
Lawrence and Anne Skal
Building Fund
Harvey and Natine Rosenzweig in memory of
Anne Hoffman
Cantor Kassel’s Discretionary Fund
Ellery and Sofiya Potash in honor of Cantor Kassel
Fred and Judie Taylor in appreciation of Cantor Kassel
Judy Levine in memory of Bea Marshall
Jerry and Marcy Kaufman in memory of Joselyn Berg
David and Beth Janes in appreciation of Cantor Kassel
Caring/Kehillat Chesed Fund
Jeffrey Harrison in memory of Charlotte Clein
Sanford and Gail Seidman in memory of Larry Kaufman
Ruth Zeidman in honor of Bernice Bickwit's special
birthday
General Fund
Ronald and Renee Gurin in memory of Etta Klepak
Martin and Charlene Milstein in memory of
Charlotte Clein and wishing a speedy recovery to
Marty Tauber and Roy Lazarus
Harlan & Ivie Graiser in memory of Meyer Esterkin,
Solomon Graiser and Mildred Graiser
Hayyim Kassorla in memory of Larry Kaufman
Nadine Duhaney
Bernard and Bernice Bickwit in memory of
Martha Resnick
Shirley Crawford
Michael Zalkin Memorial Library Fund
Gilbert and Ellen Ludwig in memory of Fred Stern
Jeffrey & Beth Kess in memory of Elizabeth Goldberg
Preschool Fund
Saul and Gloria Levenson in memory of Jerome Sirot
Rabbi Greene’s Discretionary Fund
Ellery and Sofiya Potash in honor of Rabbi Greene
Paul and Maxine Shilling in memory of Larry Kaufman
Betty Rickles in memory of Harold Goldsmith
Fred and Judie Taylor in appreciation of Rabbi Greene
Ronald and Eleanor Katz in honor of Rabbi Greene
Marc and Martyne Seidband in memory of
Howard Seidband
Tom and Patti Seibold in memory of Lillian Gelb
Arthur Gittelman and Marcia Pearl in appreciation of
Rabbi Greene
Howard and Cynthia Steinberg in memory of
Sondra Prosterman
Rich and Sheila Sachs in honor of Steve Mahan and
Jeff Willard's marriage
Bruce Beck in memory of Louise Beck
Jerry and Marcy Kaufman in memory of Joselyn Berg
Harvey and Natine Rosenzweig in appreciation of
Rabbi Greene
Terry and Michelle Stein in honor of Marty and
Charlene Milstein's 55th wedding anniversary
David and Beth Janes in appreciation of Rabbi Greene
Rabbi Tam’s Discretionary Fund
Lonnie & Debbie Carter in memory of Sy Lewis
Barry Kaiser in memory of Irving Kaiser
Religious School Fund
Neil and Ruth Hilsen in memory of Edna Licht
Fred and Patricia Landsberg in memory of Mildred Turkel
Max and Carol Wolf in memory of Isaac Jacob Wolf
Tikkun Olam Fund
Jeffrey Willard in memory of Morris Willard
David Sandfelder in memory of Grandmother Shirley and
all of his uncles
Torah Fund
Morray and Susan Scheinfeld in memory of Morris Belger
Youth Group Fund
David Sandfelder in memory of Grandmother Shirley and
all of his uncles
Stanley and Bobbie Kopkin in memory of William Raider
12
News and Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah
SHMOOZE NEWS / KUDOS CORNER
In Memorium
Thank You to our
Amazing
Office Volunteers!
Temple Beth Tikvah
acknowledges with sorrow the passing of:
Betty Schultz
Grandmother of Steve Gergans
TO THE
TBT OFFICE STAFF
ON DOING A
SPLENDID JOB
PREPARING FOR
THE
HIGH HOLY DAYS!
Ellen Levitz
Erica Stein
Mae and Milton Abraham Kramer
Mother and Father of Gail Tate
Addie Myers
Leslie Swichkow
Lawrence Kaufman
Brother of Jerry Kaufman
June Wallach
Natine Rosenzweig
Richard Staviss
Terry Stein
May God console you among all the
mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.
Welcome to the TBT Family!!
Breast Cancer
Survivor Group
for the Jewish
Community
Lawrence & Barbra Garb
Ella
Joseph & Waynah Dunn
Stuart & Frances Solomon
Come join our support group! The monthly
support group meetings are for all interested
people who have had cancer, who are going
through treatment or surgeries, and /or who
have been recently diagnosed, as well as for
those who might have questions pertinent to
breast cancer.
October 23rd at 7:00 PM
This survivor support group is sponsored by
The Kehillat Chesed/Caring Committee of
Temple Beth Tikvah.
HELP US HELP YOU
Your synagogue community
wants to be a
Caring Community/Kehillat Chesed
For further information or questions, please
contact Valerie Rapowitz at
[email protected]
If you have recently experienced a
loss, are facing a crisis or are celebrating a simcha,
please let our office know as soon as possible.
Our clergy and friends strive to be a source of
support as best as they can. If you know of one of
our fellow congregants who has experienced a
loss or can use a hand, please contact the office
at 770.642.0434.
Honor a person or event with a
leaf on our tree of life. You can
purchase a leaf as an
individual or as a group.!
13
News and Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah
Synagogue Information
Synagogue Office
Fax Number
School Office (Perri)
Preschool (Jenifer)
Assistant to Clergy
Financial Secretary
Admin. Assistant
Office Manager
- 770-642-0434
- 770-642-0647
- 770-642-4168
- 678-350-0076
- Michelle Leder
- Jenny Korsen
- Lisa Singer
- Becky Sullivan
Planning a simcha or group gathering?
The Tam-Blank Social Hall is the Place to Be.
For more information on renting our Social Hall,
contact the synagogue office at 770-642-0434.
Get Involved! TBT Committees and Chairpersons
Adult Education
Cindy Getty
[email protected]
Budget & Finance
Karen Korshak
[email protected]
Campership
Marcia Haber
[email protected]
Chavurot
Dalia Faupel
[email protected]
College Outreach
Lynda Bennett
[email protected]
Ginger Glazer
[email protected]
Communications
Marsha Mathis
[email protected]
Family Promise
Andy Fried
[email protected]
Jeff Schultz
[email protected]
Fundraising
Jonathan Agin
[email protected]
House
Ted Nathan
[email protected]
Human Resources
Seth Zimmer
[email protected]
Interior Standards & Marketing
Susan Estroff
[email protected]
Israel
Gene Carasick
[email protected]
Kehillat Chesed (Caring)
Leslie Swichkow
[email protected]
Library
Ilana Zalkin
[email protected]
Membership Recruitment &
Retention
Mark Rudel
[email protected]
Jill Leitman
[email protected]
Marcia Pearl
[email protected]
Men’s Club
Mark Greenspan
[email protected]
Peter Hartog
[email protected]
14
Nominating Committee
Sheryl Blechner
[email protected]
Ritual
Esther Shultz
[email protected]
Security
Jay Sausmer
[email protected]
Seniors
Natine Rosenzweig
[email protected]
Sisterhood
Stacy Chambers
[email protected]
Robin Bledsoe
[email protected]
Social Action
Darrin Cohen
[email protected]
Website Development
Scott Povlot
[email protected]
Youth Group
Debra Schwartz
[email protected]
Michal Loventhal
[email protected]
News and Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah
15
News and Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah
Fred Greene
Rabbi
Donald A. Tam
Rabbi Emeritus
Nancy Kassel
Cantor
Hassia Levin
Education Director
Jenifer Friedman
ECEC Director
Ron Swichkow
President
Todd Boehm
Vice President
Harlan Graiser
Vice President
Denise Straus
Vice President
Andy Gutman
Treasurer
Michael Braun
Secretary
Jill Mattos
Chairperson,
Board of Education
16