October Bulletin 2015

Temple Beth Shalom
208 Madrona St. Chula Vista, CA. 91910 -- 619-420 6040
October Bulletin 2015
Experience Heart-Centered Judaism
Temple Beth Shalom
Weekly Friday Services from 7:30 – 8:35 PM
Shabbat (Saturday) Morning Services from 10:00 AM-- 12:30 PM
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TBS Sukkoth &
Simchat Torah Schedule
High Holiday Service Schedule September 27th, 2015
FOR ALL QUESTIONS REGARDING ATTENDING SERVICES AT TBS — PLEASE CALL
ARLENE AT 858-344-5632 or Call the Rabbi at 563-505-7363
SUKKOTH SERVICES
Sun. Sept.27th
7:30 – 8:15 PM Sukkoth Services & Dinner
Mon. Sept.28th
10:00 – 12:30 PM Sukkoth Morning Service
Fri. Oct. 2nd,
7:30 – 8:30 PM Shabbat Sukkoth Services
Sat. Oct. 3rd
Sun. Oct. 4th,
Mon. Oct. 5th
10:00 - 12:45 PM Shabbat Services
7:30 – 8:15 PM Shimini Atzeret Services & Yizkor Services
10:00 – 12:30 PM Shimini Atzeret Morning Service
700 PM– 8:15 PM Dessert and Simchat Torah
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At Temple Beth Shalom
Come & Dance with the Torah
Simchat Torah Celebration
Monday Night Oct. 5th 2015
7:00 PM – Ice-Cream Pot Luck Dessert
7:30 PM Simchat Torah Celebration
With Dr. Tzvi Zacs, the Fiddler!
Followed by Hakafot (Dancing with the Torah)!
Flags for the Kids!
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The President’s Message
Dear Board Members and Fellow Congregants,
As your president, I want to thank all of you who have made our High Holiday
Services a smashing success this year. Of course, the growth and success of
depends on the countless workers and volunteers at TBS, who give of their time,
talent, and treasure to make the synagogue a lovely place to worship. I want to
especially thank the Rabbi for one of the most moving Yizkor services I have seen
in year; I also want to thank David Leviah and his family for doing such a
wonderful Yizkor book.
As the holidays approached, we continued to upgrade our Sanctuary and Social
Hall This summer we embarked on some beautification projects and refinished
the synagogue lighting along and our synagogue now has energy efficient lighting
that will save the synagogue thousands of dollars from our yearly utility bills. I
want to thank Mary Kopel, for overseeing this special building project. TBS is
starting to look at lot like Cinderella, after the Fairy Godmother added some
beautification to the lovely maiden. Sometimes, I think TBS resembles the story
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of Stone Soup, where everything adds their own gifts in making a vibrant and
appealing congregation.
Attendance at TBS has been strong and it looks like we may have as many as 6-12
new members; we are slowly growing and for a small synagogue, we feel that our
prospects for growth look extremely good for the near future.
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Beginning with the Selichot Holiday, we had an excellent show of people for this
special service.
The Shabbat before Rosh Hashanah also fielded a fine turn out to hear Yale Strom
dazzle us with his violin music and storytelling about life in the old Shetle.
Rosh Hashanah Services struck a very deep spiritual cord with our members, and
special kudos for the Rabbi who made the services meaningful and introspective.
The Rosh Hashanah Dinner was fantastic this year—chicken dinner was very
popular.
Before the holidays, we welcomed close to seven Jews by Choice to our little
congregational community.
Yom Kippur was one of the best attended services we had in many years and some
of our old time members renewed their connection with Judaism via TBS.
The Rabbi’s Healing Service was very special as well and well attended.
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So far, the Sukkot dinners have been well received and attended.
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We hope to get anywhere from 5 – 8 new members from the services.
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Lastly, the donations have been much better after our YK Appeal than they have
been previous years.
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Note that our major fundraiser of the synagogue, the Yale Strom Hot Pstromi band will
be playing on November 22, 2015. We are looking for sponsors to donate at least $100
for this event (See the flyer).
Obviously, we have a ways to go, but we continue to attract new people all the time.
This year’s expanded participation of the membership made the High Holiday
Services meaningful and spiritual. Steve Goldkrantz, Eli Adams, Eric Madrid,
Camille Moreno, Sonya and her grandchildren blowing the shofar together;
Alondra Chabner, Michael Savala Jr., Barry Scher and the Men’s Club, and Patti
and Letti for their wonderful meals!! Some of our congregants participated in
the Shofar blowing; the Torah readings; and the miscellaneous honors—all of
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which helped each person take ownership and pride in our synagogue. We are so
proud of you all! New classes continue to be developing—and a President’s work
is never finished.
As your president, I am in the unique position of being both out front and behind
the scenes. For example, meeting and greeting new potential Temple members,
being the one to hear about TBS and member needs, sharing our visions for the
future of TBS. Also, being called when office equipment is not functioning,
getting updates about our financial situation, giving consideration to increasing
our membership and prioritizing how TBS money is spent.
Again, I thank you for your trust and faith in both myself and the TBS Board. The
most important thing I have learned is that the effort and input of everyone is
needed to keep our Shul vital and thriving. Monthly contributions and donations
are essential to make necessary repairs, pay our bills, and especially pay our able
and hard-working synagogue staff and Rabbi. Make paying your dues a
priority. If you are not yet a member, and perhaps reading our bulletin for the
first time, visit and attend our Shul services to see what you have been missing.
I welcome your ideas for increasing Shul membership. New members are the key
to making and keeping TBS financially stable. To our current members, share
your compliments freely with others, also, share your complaints with me so I
may address them and find remedies to the best of my ability.
Todah Rabbah,
Arlene LaGary
President, Temple Beth Shalom
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On Saturday, Oct. 24th, at 1:30 PM – 3:00 PM
Temple Beth Shalom of Chula Vista
We invite you to come and celebrate a special Shabbat Program,
as we explore the relationship between science fiction and
Judaism.
The Jewish Background of
Star Trek and Judaism
Featuring: Sunny Cooper, one of the original writers of the Original Star Trek Series! Sunny is
one of the original writers of the Star Trek Series and she has a wealth of knowledge to share
with us about her experiences with each of the famous cast members.
Her lively presentation promises to make this a most exciting talk, and together with Rabbi
Michael Leo Samuel, they will talk about many of the biblical themes found in the original
series.
Call up Temple Beth Shalom at 619 420-6040 to RSVP. Space is limited.
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YALE STROM & HOT PSTROMI
Performing
At
Temple Beth Shalom of Chula Vista
Sunday, November 22, at 3:00 pm
Reservations: $20 in advance
$25 at the door
Kosher Hot Dogs
Veggie Burgers
For Sale
Temple Beth Shalom of Chula Vista
208 Madrona St
Chula Vista
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The Rabbi’s Message
The holiday of Sukkoth is very happy time of the year. According to Jewish mystical
tradition, seven biblical personalities we invite to visit the sukkah during the seven days
of Sukkot with the words “Enter, exalted holy guests.” Each of these “guests” is symbolic
of one of the sefirot (divine emanations)—Abraham (lovingkindness, hesed), Isaac
(strength, gevurah), Jacob (beauty, tiferet), Moses (victory, netzach), Aaron (splendor,
hod), Joseph (foundation, yesod), and David (sovereignty, malkhut). All seven are guests
in every sukkah throughout the seven days of the festival, but on each day one of them
leads the others as the guest of honor. After reciting a special blessing, it is customary to
tell stories, sing, or study traditional texts about the individual featured that night. A
popular practice is to decorate the wall of the sukkah with an ornamental chart bearing
an inscription that includes the names of these seven ushpizin.
Another connection between the ushpizin and Sukkot is that all seven were wanderers
or exiles. At God’s command, Abraham left his father’s house to go to the Land of
Canaan (Gen. 12:1), and Isaac went to Gerar in the land of Abimelech, king of the
Philistines, to escape a famine (Gen. 26:1). Jacob fled to Padan-Aram to find a wife and
to escape the wrath of Esau (Gen. 28:5) and, in his last years, lived in Egypt. Joseph was
sold into slavery in Egypt (Gen. 37:36). After killing the Egyptian taskmaster, Moses fled
Egypt for Midian (Exod. 2:15); later, together with Aaron, he led the people during their
40 years of wandering in the wilderness. David was pursued by Saul and fled to the land
of the Philistines (1 Sam. 19:10). The theme of wandering and homelessness symbolized
by the temporary nature of the sukkah is reflected in the lives of the ushpizin.
The precise order of ushpizin is important, because of the correlation with the days of
the week on which tradition tells us several of them died. On the fourth day of Sukkot,
we honor Moses (the fourth guest), falls on the same day of the week as the Seventh of
Adar (the date of his death). Similarly, the fifth day of Sukkot is on the same day of the
week as the First of Av (death of Aaron, fifth honored guest), and the seventh day of the
festival occurs on the same day of the week as the Sixth of Sivan (Shavuot, the traditional
date of the death of David, the seventh of the ushpizin).
One of the most ethical lessons Sukkoth teaches us is the importance of creating shelter
for the homeless among us. No matter how secure our world may seem to be, it does
not take much to overturn our reality upside down.
Many years ago, I once befriended a Jewish homeless person who once was a very
wealthy businessman. One day, he was hit by a car and remained in a coma for nearly
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two years. When he awoke, he discovered that everything he had either taken by
unscrupulous relatives or had disappeared. He had to live literally off the streets. But
throughout it all, he never complained about his ill-fortune. One day, I offered him a
chance to speak to my teen Sunday school class, which he gladly accepted. I began the
class with a number of didactic questions. For example: Have you ever personally met a
homeless person? The answer was a resounding, “No!” Then I asked, “Why do you think
we have so many homeless people in our cities?” One student said, “Because they’re
lazy!” Another said, “Because they’re on drugs!” Still, another one said because they are
crazy!” Then I introduced my student, who politely said, “ I for example am a homeless
person.”
The students walked out with a more compassionate and less judgmental position. Now
they realized that any one of us is probably just a paycheck away from living on the
streets.
Next time you see a homeless person on the street, remember: under a different set of
circumstances, that homeless person could be you or me.
Best Regards—Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel
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New Talmud Series:
Prayer & Jewish Folklore of the Talmud
Talmud Class
Tractate Berakhot
Where?
When?
At the Synagogue Social Hall
Every Sunday 10:00-11:45 AM Oct. 4th, 11th 18th, 25th
Donations are always appreciated!
Why?
Because it’s fun to argue with the Rabbis !
Talmudic Digressions are always exciting and
unpredictable as we debate the Babylonian and
Jerusalem Talmud
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NEW TBS HEBREW CLASSES
for THE FALL OF 2015
208 Madrona St., Chula Vista 91910 -- 619-420-6040
6:00- 7:00 PM
This is a great opportunity to refresh your Hebrew Skills and
learn about the Jewish Mysticism of the Hebrew Letters as we
learn!
New Classes Will be starting on:
Tuesday Oct. 13th, 20th, 27
From 5:30 – 6:30 PM -- $10.00 Donation
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NEW TBS ADVANCED
HEBREW CLASSES for THE
FALL OF 2015
CONVERSATIONAL HEBREW
Great for Family Education!
208 Madrona St., Chula Vista 91910 -- 619-420-6040
6:00- 7:00 PM $10.00 Donation
Wednesday Oct. 14th, 21st , 28
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Check it out!! – Jewish Values Online
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Torah Classes in Spanish
Temple Beth Shalom’s Adult Education Program –
208 Madrona St., Chula Vista 91910 -- 619-420-6040
Programa de Educación de Adultos en el Templo Beth Shalom--208 San Madrona, Chula Vista
91910 - 619-420-6040 Clases para noviembre de 2012, 2:00—4:30 PM - Clases impartidas por
Arturo Alvarado. Bienvenidos Hermanos y Hermanas de la fe judía, y dar la bienvenida al pueblo
Judío hispano. Bienvenidos a todos al Templo Beth Shalom! De sus vidas tienen un gran significado
espiritual temas. Temas sobre la Parasha
Programa de Educación de Adultos de Temple Beth Shalom
208 Madrona St., Chula Vista 91910 – 619-420-6040
Para sus vidas, tenemos temas de gran significancia espiritual. Temas acerca de la Parasha semanal. Las
historias del Génesis son fundamentales en muchos aspectos, en este libro fascinante, porque se trata de
un libro sobre los orígenes, por ejemplo, el origen de la humanidad, el primer matrimonio, la familia en
primer lugar, el primer asesinato, y así sucesivamente.
5th de Octubre: Parasha Noach – La historia de Noé nos cuenta cómo un hombre hizo una gran
diferencia y salvó a su mundo, las enseñanzas bíblicas y ecológicos son muy importantes para nosotros
hoy.
12th de Octubre, vamos a estudiar la historia de Abraham, el fundador del pueblo judío. Vamos
a examinar lo que motivó a Abraham a hacer una nueva vida para sí mismo, y vamos a estudiar
lo que hizo Abraham único en la historia de la civilización y la religión.
Segundo día de reposo: de Octubre 19: Parasha Vyrae - Esta sección contiene varias historias famosas
bíblica, por ejemplo, Abraham y los tres ángeles, la historia de Sodoma y Gomorra, El sacrificio de Isaac,
que es sin duda uno de los mejores relatos de conocidos la Biblia.
Tercer día de reposo: de Octubre 26 : la parashá Chayeh Sarah - En esta sección, leemos acerca de los
acontecimientos que tuvieron lugar después de la muerte de Sarah, así como el matrimonio de Rebeca e
Isaac.
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Temple Beth Shalom Events for October 2015
208 Madrona St. Chula Vista, CA. 91910 -- 619-420 6040
 Sunday Oct. 19th, Sunday Talmud Classes: 10:00 – 11:45 in the Social Hall
 26th -- Tractate Sanhedrin & the Afterlife in Jewish Tradition
 Spanish Weekly Parsha Class with Dr. Arturo Alvarado every Shabbat
Afterhoon from 2:00 – 5:00 PM -- Torah with Rashi and the
Commentaries (in Spanish) -- Saturday Oct. 18th 25th
 Shabbat Evening Services every Friday night from 7:30 – 8:30
 Shabbat Morning Services every Saturday from 10:00-12:45 PM
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New Classes in Kabbalah 101 for November 5th, 12th, 19th 2014 (5 Part
Series) – Prayer services and Breakfast 8:30 AM – 11:45 AM
Sunday November 17th , 2014 Chula Vista Yeshiva Symposium—Precis on
War and Peace in Jewish Tradition --
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Call up TBS at 619-420-6040 to RSVP
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