“Taste of Judaism” Was Delicious This past month, over several two-hour sessions, I offered our first “Taste of Judaism” program, or at least the first such program during my tenure in Montgomery. This program has already reached some 90,000 persons across the country over the past 25 years; our program at Temple Beth Or added about 30 to that list. The experience was wonderful, certainly for me but by all reports as well for those who participated. Those who signed up – having heard about the program through our advertising, a major article in the Advertiser and through word of mouth – represented nearly a dozen different denominations, and included several with Jewish ties somewhere in their background. The group’s profile exactly matched the program’s criteria of identifying individuals or couples who have been curious about Judaism, including some whose interest went beyond curiosity or an academic interest towards the possibility of conversion and eventual membership. The sessions ranged over Jewish theology, history, texts, American denominations, distinctiveness from Christianity and other important themes. Especially moving was the story of one participant who had been reared in Judaism but whose life journey took him in different directions; here, he felt, he had finally “come home.” The program would not have been nearly as successful, by the way, without the magnificent way Katie Wetherbee managed it from beginning to end. She deserves our thanks. The expenses for “Taste of Judaism,” especially the advertising, were more than covered by a grant from the Union for Reform Judaism; we also received a secondary grant from the National Center to Encourage Judaism in the Washington area, as well as donations from some of the participants. From every perspective, in other words, this program was a real success. Church of the Ascension to Join Interfaith Thanksgiving Service When I have time, I love exploring old archives and finding old historical documents. One such I came across is in our Temple archives: the program of what might have been our first Interfaith Thanksgiving Service, dated November 30, 1899. Five congregations participated: First Baptist Church; Central Presbyterian Church; Court Street Methodist Church, Dexter Avenue Methodist Church and our own Kahl Montgomery. The program, held at Beth-Or (hyphenated in those days), was similar to those of recent years, including beautiful choir hymns accompanied by organ; a reading of the President’s Proclamation, three addresses by local ministers, and the singing of every verse of “America.” Interestingly, the program was held on the afternoon of Thanksgiving itself. In recent years, our joint services have been held only with the First United Methodist Church. These services have been meaningful and inspirational, and always followed by a wonderful Thanksgiving reception, invariably on the Tuesday evening preceding Thanksgiving. After discovering old programs describing a program with broader church sponsorship – temple bulletins from the 1920’s also describe Thanksgiving services with multiple churches participating – I suggested the addition of Church of the Ascension. After discussion with Rev. John Coleman there, and with Rev. Lawson Bryan at First United Methodist, both dear colleagues and friends, we have agreed to move ahead with tri-partite sponsorship. This year, we will be at FUMC on November 20 at 7:00 p.m., and I will be preaching; next year, 2013, we will convene at Ascension, and Rev. Bryan will be preaching, followed by a turn here in 2014. This year’s service promises to be magnificent, and I hope we have a very substantial turnout to express our thanks, and our commitment (always appropriate at Thanksgiving) to share of what we have with those whose bounty is less. Rabbi Elliot Stevens November 2012 ~ Cheshvan/Kislev 5773 Volume 161, Number 5 November 2012 ~ Cheshvan/Kislev 5773 A VIEW FROM THE BIMAH Saturday, November 10 Shabbat Morning Service Saturday morning, November 10th, Rabbi Stevens will lead a Shabbat morning service. Service will run from 9:30 – 11:15 a.m. and include Torah study and a light brunch.
Transcript
“Taste of Judaism”
Was Delicious This past month, over several two-hour sessions, I offered our first “Taste of Judaism” program, or at least the
first such program during my tenure in Montgomery. This program has already reached some 90,000 persons across the country over the past 25 years; our program at Temple Beth Or added about 30 to that list.
The experience was wonderful, certainly for me but by all reports as well for those who participated. Those who signed up – having heard about the program through our advertising, a major article in the Advertiser and through word of mouth – represented nearly a dozen different denominations, and included several with Jewish ties somewhere in their background. The group’s profile exactly matched the program’s criteria of identifying individuals or couples who have been curious about Judaism, including some whose interest went beyond curiosity or an academic interest towards the possibility of conversion and eventual membership. The sessions ranged over Jewish theology, history, texts, American denominations, distinctiveness from Christianity and other important
themes. Especially moving was the story of one participant who had been reared in Judaism but whose life journey took him in different directions; here, he felt, he had finally “come home.”
The program would not have been nearly as successful, by the way, without the magnificent way Katie Wetherbee managed it from beginning to end. She deserves our thanks.
The expenses for “Taste of Judaism,” especially the advertising, were more than covered by a grant from the Union for Reform Judaism; we also received a secondary grant from the National Center to Encourage Judaism in the Washington area, as well as donations from some of the participants. From every perspective, in other words, this program was a real success.
Church of the Ascension to Join Interfaith
Thanksgiving Service When I have time, I love exploring old archives and finding old historical documents. One such I came across is in our Temple archives: the program of what might have been our first Interfaith Thanksgiving Service, dated November 30, 1899. Five congregations participated: First Baptist Church; Central Presbyterian Church; Court Street Methodist Church, Dexter Avenue Methodist
Church and our own Kahl Montgomery. The program, held at Beth-Or (hyphenated in those days), was similar to those of recent years, including beautiful choir hymns accompanied by organ; a reading of the President’s Proclamation,
three addresses by local ministers, and the singing of every verse of “America.” Interestingly, the program was held on the afternoon of Thanksgiving itself.
In recent years, our joint services have been held only with the First United Methodist Church. These services have been meaningful and inspirational, and always followed by a wonderful Thanksgiving reception, invariably on the Tuesday evening preceding Thanksgiving.
After discovering old programs describing a program with broader church sponsorship – temple bulletins from the 1920’s also describe Thanksgiving services with multiple churches participating – I suggested the addition of Church of the Ascension. After discussion with Rev. John Coleman there, and with Rev. Lawson Bryan at First United Methodist, both dear colleagues and friends, we have agreed to move ahead with tri-partite sponsorship. This year, we will be at FUMC on November 20 at 7:00 p.m., and I will be preaching; next year, 2013, we will convene at Ascension, and Rev. Bryan will be preaching, followed by a turn here in 2014. This year’s service promises to be magnificent, and I hope we have a very substantial turnout to express our thanks, and our commitment (always appropriate at Thanksgiving) to share of what we have with those whose bounty is less.
Rabbi Elliot Stevens
November 2012 ~ Cheshvan/Kislev 5773
Volume 161, Number 5 November 2012 ~ Cheshvan/Kislev 5773
A V I E W F R O M T H E B I M A H
Saturday, November 10 Shabbat Morning Service
Saturday morning, November 10th, Rabbi
Stevens will lead a Shabbat morning service. Service
will run from 9:30 – 11:15 a.m. and include Torah study and a light
brunch.
2
ELLIOT L. STEVENS, D. D., RABBI David A. Baylinson, D.D., Rabbi Emeritus
Temple Beth Or Officers Jamie Loeb ......................................President Diane Weil ......................................Vice-President: Programs Gracie Hanchrow ............................Vice-President: Finance Morris Capouya ..............................Treasurer Susan Finklestein ............................Secretary Jenny Ives .......................................Immediate Past President
Board of Trustees Frances Capouya ............................Adult Education Micki Beth Stiller ...........................Cemetery Bob Goldberg .................................Facilities Sam Kaufman .................................Long Range Planning Andy Weil ......................................Member at Large Steve Clein ......................................Membership & Attendance Philip Bernstein/Pete Ginsburg ......Men’s Club President Jarred Kaplan ..................................Religion School Marlene Beringer ............................Ritual Susan Bernstein ..............................Sisterhood President Adam Finkelstein ...........................Youth & Scholarship
Temple Beth Or Staff Gina Friday .....................................Temple Administrator Terri Finkelstein .............................Religion School Director Linda Smith ....................................L’Chaim League Marlon Cotton ................................Maintenance Manager Elizabeth French .............................Organist & Choir Director
Please call Gina Friday at 262-3314 to report any corrections or inaccuracies in the bulletin.
Celebrating Our 161st Year
When scheduling calendar events involving the Temple
it is important that you check dates with the Federation and the Temple for potential conflicts within the Jewish community. Their number is 277-5820 and you can view the community calendar at www.jewishmontgomery.org.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
If you plan to donate marketable securities to Temple Beth Or for payment of your
annual dues or to make a donation, please contact Gina Friday at 262-3314 or via email at [email protected] to
provide you with the transfer information for you to provide to your financial
institution.
The highest degree of charity - above which there is no higher—is he who strengthens the hand of his poor fellow Jew and gives him a gift or [an interest-free] loan or enters into a business partnership with the poor person. [Interestingly, Maimonides within the internal allocation of this degree proceeds from the lower rank to the higher. The loan is a higher form of charity than is the outright gift since the poor are not shamed thereby (Rashi on Babylonian Talmud Shabbat 63a), while the business partnership is more praiseworthy than the loan or any other form of charity.] By this partnership the poor man is really being strengthened as the Torah commands in order to strengthen him till he is able to be independent and no longer dependent on the public purse. It is thus written, “Strengthen him [the poor person] so that he does not fall [as distinct from the one who has already become poor] and become dependent on others” (Leviticus 25:35).
[In modern terms, these are all charitable actions aimed at breaking the poverty cycle and enabling the poor to establish themselves as independent and productive members of society. For this reason, there is no halakhic objection to the poor working while they are receiving their basic needs from society. By the same standards, guidance regarding budgeting, financial planning, consolidation of loans, and so forth, would be included in this highest form of charity.]
A lower standard of charity is one in which the benefactor has no knowledge of the recipient and the latter has no knowledge of the individual source of charity—matan b’seter [“giving in secret”]. This is practicing the mitzvah of charity for the sake of the mitzvah [since the benefactor has no benefit, social or egoistical]. Such charity is like the courtyard in the [ancient] Temple where the righteous used to place their donations secretly and the poor would benefit from them in secret. Similar to this secret courtyard is the act of one who puts his money into the charity box [or funds].
Below this rank is the case where the recipient is known to the benefactor but the latter is unaware of the source of the charity. [Since the benefactor may have, subconsciously, pleasure and a sense of power over the recipient, this detracts from his act and makes it less meritorious than the previous standard.] This is what the sages used to do when they would go in secret and place their gifts at the door of the poor. It is fitting to do this and meritorious in those cases where the officials in charge of the communal charity do not behave righteously.
Where the recipient is aware of the source of the charity but the giver does not know to whom the money is being given, the degree is lower [since the recipient, knowing who gave him the money, feels beholden to him and ashamed in his presence]. Yet, there is merit since the poor are saved from direct shame.
Of less merit is charity where both are known to each but [at least] the gift is made before the poor asks for it. [In this case the giver is showing care since he anticipates the needs of poor. The Patriarch Abraham does not wait for the stranger to come to ask for his assistance, but runs toward him and begs him to share his hospitality; this is the archetype of Jewish righteousness.]
[Clearly] where one gives charity after being asked for it is of a lower degree. [Since the method of giving charity is an integral part of charity], one who gives less than what is fitting but with good grace [is of higher merit than] one who gives unwillingly.
Our President, Jamie Loeb is abroad and wishes all a happy Thanksgiving. In lieu of the usual President’s message is this reading.
Maimonides' Ladder of Tzedakah – A Mitzvah for Thanksgiving The best forms of charity make the recipient self-sufficient.
By Dr. Meir Tamari & Moses Maimonides Excerpted from The Challenge of Wealth: A Jewish Perspective on Earning and
Spending Money. Copyright 1995 by Jason Aronson, Inc.
3
BLANCHE WINTER FUND Happy 85th Birthday to
Irving Winter Louisa and Michael Weinrib
ENDOWMENT FUND In Memory of Andy Kromis
Alan and Diane Weil
FLORAL FUND In Memory of Andy Kromis
Corinne F. Capilouto
Happy 92nd Birthday Betty Roswald Bloom
Patricia and Allen Dees
In Memory of Harold Bloom Patricia and Allen Dees
In Honor of Irving Winter's 85th Birthday Tricia and Maurice Rosenbaum
Happy Birthday Ralph Capouya Frances Capouya
GENERAL FUND For Rosh Hashanah Hospitality
David B. Block
In Memory of Andy Kromis Raymond , David and Michael Cohen
Woodley and Sara Bagwell Marlene and Rick Beringer
Bern, Butler, Capilouto and Massey, Camille Elebash-Hill and Inge Hill, Jr.
Rubin A. Franco Philip and Susan Bernstein
James F. Bennett
In Memory of Don Horwitz Marlene and Rick Beringer
In Memory of Jean Spielholtz Marlene and Rick Beringer
In Memory of Jean Weil Tricia and Maurice Rosenbaum
Philip and Susan Bernstein Tricia and Maurice Rosenbaum
In Honor of Mr. and Mrs. Alan Rothfeder
Anne and Herman Franco
GROUNDS BEAUTIFICATION Happy Birthday Robert Shinpaugh
Barbara Shinpaugh
In Honor of Irving Winter's 85th Birthday
Charlotte and Joe Mussafer
LUCIEN S. LOEB MEMORIAL In Memory of Jean Weil
Kathryn L. Weiner
RABBI'S DISCRETIONARY FUND In Memory of Jean Weil
Gracie and Jack Hanchrow Sandi and Allen Stern
Robin Kromis
In Honor of November Birthdays Gaby Capp
In Honor of Rabbi Elliot Stevens Norman and Harriette Dorosin
Zion Residential, Inc.
RABBI'S PUBLICATION FUND In Appreciation of the meaningful
Yom Kippur services Dr. Laurie J. Weil and
Dr. Tommy Wool
In Honor of Rabbi Elliot Stevens Robin Kromis
SOCIAL CONCERNS In Memory of Andy Kromis Louisa and Michael Weinrib
- - - - - - - - - -
Birthday and Anniversary Blessings on November 2nd.
- - - - - - - - - -
BIRTHDAYS 1 ........ Alan Rothfeder 4 ........ Robert Goldberg 7 ........ Rick Beringer 8 ........ Marlene Beringer 8 ........ Adam Schloss 10 ...... Gaby Capp 11 ...... Ralph Capouya 16 ...... Jarred Kaplan 18 ...... Charles Kohn 18 ...... Adolph Weil, III 19 ...... Morris Capouya 20 ...... John Ives 21 ...... LaNette Clein 25 ...... Elliot Cohen 26 ...... Sharon Benn 26 ...... Robert Shinpaugh 29 ...... Robert Weil
ANNIVERSARIES
7 ........ Terri & Adam Finkelstein 8 ........ Erin & Bob Sommer 14 ...... Sari & Michael Capilouto 14 ...... Terri & Kenny Capouya 20 ...... Anne & Herman Franco 22 ...... Carolyn & Nikki Rothschild 26 ...... Eleanor & Richard Kohn 26 ...... Gay & Irving Winter 27 ...... Karen & Lew Nyman 28 ...... Bari & Joe Levin
- - - - - - - - - -
YAHRZEITS To be read 11/2/2012 Marie Ullman Levy Herman Loeb, Sr.
Kalman Shwarts, Sr. Harry Stiller
To be read 11/9/2012 Isaac Capelouto Herman Dubin Rhoda Dubin Phyllis Franco
Emily Hurt Terri Berlin Meredith
To be read 11/16/2012 Irving R. Bean
Theresa G. Bernstein Isabelle D. Goldberg
Inez Greene Reuben Herzfeld Bertha Kaufman Samuel Kaufman
Milton Long Jeannette Nyman
To be read 11/23/2012 Edna Jane Bloom
Bernice Clein Diana G. Hanan
Alma Happ Jack Loeb, Sr.
Julius Simon Marks Louis Charles Neumann
Ray Worth
To be read 11/30/2012 William Greene
Bernard Eric Hanan Beatrice Feinberg Levy
Lucien S. Loeb Marcelle Sabel Moers
Peggy Simon Leonel Weil
Contributions to Funds We greatly appreciate the people who
support Temple Beth Or by remembering and honoring their friends and loved ones
through their generous contributions. Those that are received after the 20th of the
month will be in the next bulletin.
4
SISTERHOOD
Sisterhood has just finished another successful fundraiser. Thank you to all of you who have ordered cheesecakes for family and friends. Marlene Beringer and Lisa Weil have worked very hard to make this a profitable fundraiser. Your cheesecakes will be available for pickup before Thanksgiving.
We had a small but enthusiastic crowd to celebrate Sukkot. This is is always a beautiful service and was followed by a lovely reception hosted by Lisa Newcomb. This was followed the next week with Simchat Torah service. Again we had a lovely service with the Torah. Thanks to Betty Goldberg for hosting a beautiful and delicious reception.
Carol Loeb and Julie Goolsby are already making plans for Chanukah. Yes, it is almost that time of year again. Our annual Chanukah dinner will be on Saturday, Dec 8. Put this on your calendar and make plans to bring the family for a wonderful dinner and a lot of fun. See the reservation form on Page 7. Please make your reservations early.
Peggy Cohn has some beautiful items in the giftshop. Remember our gift shop for weddings, Chanukah, birthdays, anniversaries, and other inportant events.
As you can see, your Sisterhood is constantly busy working for the congregation. We appreciate the support of Rabbi Stevens and the Temple Board. We have many more plans for the rest of the year. If you have not joined Sisterhood, please send your dues to Mae Cohen or leave them at the Temple office.
Susan Bernstein
* * *
L’CHAIM LEAGUE
Thank you to Linda Smith for her dedication and service to the
The L'Chaim League is sponsoring a homemade Thanksgiving Luncheon with a Bingo game for the residents of the Capitol Heights Senior Home, 149 S. Panama Street, Montgomery. Volunteers are needed to: set-up and decorate, serve, clean-up afterwards, help call bingo and hand out prizes. We are asking that 4 different volunteers prepare 4 different desserts (cakes, pies and cookies) that can be frozen ahead and delivered to the Temple, or prepared and delivered the morning of the event. Donated items for prizes needed are: handkerchiefs, cordless razors, gloves, hats, scarves, toiletry gift items, etc. Please wrap and label your donated gift to either a Gentleman or Lady. Donated prizes can be dropped off at the Temple prior to Nov. 14th. This group is very happy that they have been selected to receive this meal and participate in a fun afternoon. Don’t miss out on this worthwhile project. To volunteer please contact Sharon Berry via email: [email protected] or 262-3314.
Save The Date: Dec. 5th, L'Chaim League's annual Chanukah Luncheon
@ Mr. G's.
Sharon Berry
* * * FROM THE LIBRARY
As we come into the holiday season, for this month’s column we’re revisiting some of the titles in the library’s cookbook collection. If you are looking for ideas on how to spend some enjoyable time in the kitchen with your children or grandchildren, we have some titles to offer there, as well.
The Book of Jewish Food: An Odyssey from Samarkand to New York by Claudia Roden. (699 ROD 1996)
The Children’s Jewish Holiday Kitchen: 70 Ways to Have Fun with
Your Kids and Make Your Family’s Celebrations Special by Joan Nathan, illustrated by Brooke Scudder. (699.1 NAT 1995)
Dairy Gourmet: The Secret Recipes from Tastebuds Gourmet Café and Flower Shop by Sarah M. Lasry, photographs by Estee Gestetner. (699.9 LAS 2006)
Fast & Festive Meals for the Jewish Holidays: Complete Menus, Rituals, and Party-Planning Ideas for Every Holiday of the Year by Marlene Sorosky, in collaboration with Joanne Neuman and Debbie Shahvar. (699.1 SOR 1997)
Jewish Cookery: In Accordance with Jewish Dietary Laws by Leah W. Leonard. (699.9 LEO 1949)
Jewish Cooking in America by Joan Nathan. (699.9 NAT 1998)
Jewish Holiday Treats: Recipes and Crafts for the Whole Family by Joan Zoloth, with photographs by Lisa Hubbard. (699 ZOL)
Kosher Light: Your Traditional Jewish Favorites Cooked Healthy by Zillah Bahar with a forward by Rabbi Joel Landau. (699.3 BAH 1998)
Light Jewish Holiday Desserts by Penny Wantuck Eisenberg. (699.3 EIS 1999)
Mother and Daughter Jewish Cooking: Two Generations of Jewish Women Share Traditional and Contemporary Recipes by Evelyn Rose and Judi Rose. (699 ROS 2000)
Nechama Cohen’s Enlitened Kosher Cooking: More than 250 Good-Carb, Healthy-Fat, Sugar-Free Recipes, from the Simple to the Elegant by Nechama Cohen. (699.9 COH 2006)
Sephardic Cooking: 600 Recipes Created in Exotic Sephardic Kitchens from Morocco to India by Copeland Marks. (699.2 MAR 1992)
Sephardic Flavors: Jewish Cooking of the Mediterranean by Joyce Goldstein, photographs by Beatriz de Costa. (699.2 GOL 2000)
The World of Jewish Desserts: More than 400 Delectable Recipes from Jewish Communities from Alsace to India by Gil Marks. (699.9 MAR 2000)
Eric A. Kidwell, MLS
5
SHALIACH NEWS
I did not expect that.
As an Israeli, This is my memory of November 4th, the night it happened. I did not expect that.
When I was 7 years old, my parents went to a movie and I stayed home with my grandmother who came to visit. I saw "Indiana Jones" on TV. I remember this because on the other channel there was a live broadcast of a large political rally, which I found a matter for adults.
Suddenly in the middle of the movie, a caption came on saying “this broadcast will stop for a special newscast" appeared on the bottom of the screen. I waited for several minutes, but the movie was not cut. I went to wake my grandmother, and before she took me to bed I realized the movie was no longer on. I did not expect that.
At that time terror attacks were a matter of habit in Israel, I think that as a child I probably assumed this was another terrorist attack. On the next day I woke up and heard the news. I remember my parents sitting in the kitchen, and I realized that something had happened. Something big, because of the faces they had on.
On that night of November 4th, 1995, Yitzhak Rabin was assassinated by a Jewish right-wing extremist who had decided to end the unwanted peace process with the Palestinians. He was holding the same opinion as a big part of the Israeli society was holding, but no one thought of that option.
A murderer, Yigal Amir, killed the Prime Minister. A murderer rejecting the Democratic principles which Israel is based upon. A murderer who decided to make his own statement by killing the Prime Minister of Israel because he had a different opinion about this subject.
After the murder, there was a weird silence in Israel. People were silent and had nothing to say. People just sat and cried because there was nothing else to do.
As a child I cried for Yitzhak Rabin as well. He was a leader, Prime Minister, a family man. This was the same Rabin whose second term as Prime Minister was marked by two historic events: the Oslo Agreements with the Palestinians and the Peace agreement with Jordan.
As an adult I am crying because of the significance of the assassination, because people took the power to their hands and broke the very basic democratic idea. Just the thought that in the Jewish state, a Jew would kill another
Jew for his political belief is unbearable.
I will always be proud that Israel is a democratic state. As Israelis, we will always criticize their leaders and how they operate. But Israel is still a democracy, and in my democracy a Prime Minister was assassinated. I did not expect that.
Since that night 17 years have passed. I admit that in recent years I stopped going to the memory ceremonies, But every year I remember. Every year I check with myself: Did I do enough to protect my democracy? Have I done enough to hear other opinions? Have I done enough to prevent an event like that from happening again?
Ori Tal
Photos from the Taste of Judaism classes held recently at Temple Beth Or.
Ori’s next event at Temple Beth Or will be Café Israel on November 8 at 7:00 PM. Topic: The Israeli Media World.
See page 13 for more information.
6
FAMILY FRIENDLY SERVICES
especially for babies, toddlers, kids, moms, dads and grandparents
too! 5:00 - 5:30 PM in
the Library
November
9
Tot SPECIAL SHABBAT SERVICE!
CALLING ALL CHILDREN – AND YOUNG AT HEART!
Peninnah Schram, one of America’s great and beloved Jewish storytellers, will share a story during our Shabbat service on Friday, December 7. For the first 15 minutes of our service, we invite our kids to sit on the bimah steps; we’ll sing a song or two, say a special children’s prayer or two, and hear Peninnah’s special story. A foreshortened regular service follows. When was the last time you heard our choir sing children’s songs?! All are invited, and it should be a lot of fun.
L’Chaim League event on October 16th at the
home of Louisa and Mike Weinrib
7
RENOWNED STORYTELLER PENINNAH SCHRAM
TO SPEAK DURING CHANUKAH
This year’s Chanukah celebration features a spe-cial treat: A visit from Peninnah Schram, one of America’s most beloved and engaging Jewish sto-ry-tellers. Ms. Schram will be with us on three occasions: She will join us for worship on Friday evening, December 7, during which she will share with us a special story. On Saturday evening, December 8, Ms. Schram will offer a special program during our Chanukah Family Dinner, including on her new book, The Apple Tree’s Discovery. Copies of her books will be available for purchase and signing. Finally, on Sunday morning, December 9, Ms. Schram will lead a storytelling workshop for all ages, “Jewish Stories One Generation Tells Anoth-er.” This program, from 11:00 a.m. until noon, will take place at the end of the Kol Ami religion school, at Agudath Israel * Etz Ahayem, where Ms. Schram will explore with the participants the types of tales and themes that Jews, both Ashkena-zi and Sephardi, have transmitted from one genera-tion to another, the reasons for these tales, their sources and their transformations. The focus will also be on the inclusion of these stories in the home, the synagogue and the classroom; Ms. Schram will talk, tell, and involve the audience in discussion.
Peninnah Schram, internationally known storyteller, teacher, author, and recording artist, is Professor of Speech and Drama at Stern College of Yeshiva University. She travels across the US and other countries presenting storytelling programs and workshops for all ages, and scholar/storyteller-in residence weekends. Ms. Schram is the author of ten books of Jewish folktales, including Jewish Stories One Generation Tells Another and Stories Within Stories: From the Jewish Oral Tradition. Her latest illustrat-ed anthology, The Hungry Clothes and Other Jewish Folktales, was pub-lished by Sterling Publishing in 2008. She has also recorded a CD, The Minstrel and the Storyteller with singer/guitarist Gerard Edery. Ms. Schram is a recipient of the prestigious Covenant Award for Outstand-ing Jewish Educator (1995) awarded by The Covenant Foundation. In 1999 she received The Circle of Excellence Award from the National Storytell-ing Network for "a body of work which is nationally recognized as a shin-ing example of quality in the art form of storytelling performance." She has also been awarded the National Storytellers Network 2003 Lifetime Achievement Award "For sustained and exemplary contributions to story-telling in America." Her presentations are sponsored by the Rothschild-Blachschleger Lecture and Enrichment Fund; her presentation in conjunction with the Kol Ami religion school is cosponsored by the Carol Hart Youth and Scholarship Fund and by Agudath Israel * Etz Ahayem.
Saturday, December 8
There will be a special
Chanukah worship service and candle lighting, which will
begin at 6 PM. Please bring your favorite Chanukah Menorah
and candles.
Following the service will be our annual Sisterhood Latke
Dinner.
$10 for Adults; $6 for Children ages 10 to 5. Children 4 and under,
are free
Chanukah Shabbat with Family and Friends and Peninnah Schram
Your check is your reservation.
Please mail check to Sharon McDaniel at 2632 Old Orchard Lane, Montgomery, AL, 36117-2410
8
Top Left: Rabbi Stevens during Sukkot Service. Remainder of photos taken during Simchat Torah service.
9
NEED HELP GETTING AROUND DURING SERVICES? A wheelchair and walker are stored in the coat closet and available to members and guests during Temple events.
We would like to know. Please call the temple office when a family member is in the hospital or ailing. Too often we find out about illnesses, crises and hospitalizations long after they occur. This is a missed opportunity for the calls and visits the rabbi would like to share. Please let the temple know if
there is a concern in your family or another congregation family (with their permission). We need your help in order to offer ours.
Cooking and baking for the Food Festival will begin soon. Cooking dates are posted below. Please contact the chair person and volunteer to cook, bake or clean. Volunteering begins NOW! You may also contact Karen Goldstein ([email protected] or 265-1145) to volunteer for the week and day of the event.
The following items are on our wish list for the 10th Annual
February 24, 2013 Treasure Market. We would appreciate any items listed below:
(not chipped), (sets of four or more) Appliances in good working order and clean
Books
Please donate large box television sets to another charity of your choice. We cannot sell these items and have difficulty removing the TV's from the Temple. Please be sure all items are clean and in good
condition. Thank you!
GOOD NEWS! Sarah Lieberman and Diana Lacey have been awarded scholarships from The Blue Jeans Ball by the AUM School of Nursing. They are the daughters of Karen and Bruce Lieberman and Clare Weil. Benjamin Weinrib has received a Fred Russell-Grantland Rice Sportswriting Scholarship at Vanderbilt University. Ben is the son of Liz Wahls and David Weinrib and grandson of Louisa and Michael Weinrib.
2013 Food Festival Cooking Schedule Cooking me begins at 9 AM unless otherwise noted. Time and dates are subject to change so please call the Temple to confirm mes. * ‐ This date is reserved on an “if needed” basis.
October 28 Strudel Susan Finklestein, 272-5270, [email protected] November 11 Strudel Susan Finklestein, 272-5270, [email protected] December 11 Mondel Bread LaNette Clein, 281-9872/zlcarter.hotmail.com December 12 Mondel Bread LaNette Clein, 281-9872/zlcarter.hotmail.com January 7 Rugelach Sharon Berry, 290-0445/[email protected] January 15 Rugelach Sharon Berry, 290-0445/[email protected] January 22* Rugelach Sharon Berry, 290-0445/[email protected]
10
COMING TO THE TBO BIG SCREEN: God is One: Moses, Jesus, Muhammad Bruce Feiler, Omid Safi and Karen King Reza Aslan, moderator LIVE FROM THE 92ND STREET Y
Sunday, December 16 7:15 p.m. in the Baylinson Social Hall
Live From NY’s 92nd Street Y series: Take a journey with some of the most fascinating and dynamic thinkers and writers on religion today. Monotheism is a very new idea in the history of religions, yet it has become the foundation of the three great western religions: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Are prophets inventors of religion, or are they social reformers who, as mouthpieces of the gods, strive to amend and reinterpret the existing beliefs and practices of their communities? Dr. Reza Aslan is an acclaimed scholar of reli-gions and author of the best sellers No God but God and How to Win a Cosmic War. He is the founder of AslanMedia.com. Bruce Feiler is the best-selling author of Walking the Bible and The Council of Dads. Omid Safi is a professor of religious studies at the Uni-versity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Karen King is Hollis Professor of Divinity at the Harvard Divinity School.
This program, is offered without charge by the Rothschild-Blachschleger Lecture Fund. Bring your friends and neighbors!
COMING TO THE TBO BIG SCREEN: Eric Kandel & Elie Wiesel with Dr. Gail Saltz: Mind, Body and Soul LIVE FROM THE 92ND STREET Y
Sunday, November 4 6:30 p.m. in the Baylinson Social Hall
Live From NY’s 92nd Street Y series: Psychiatrist, psychoanalyst, columnist, best selling author and television commentator, Dr. Gail Saltz talks with an assortment of special guests to explore what it means to be human, with a focus on healing, feeling, fortitude and fitness. Join us as we unravel the mysteries of memory. How does the mind remember? Why are memories so vital to human be-ings? Can we alter or enhance our memories? What happens to memories over time? Explore both the biological and emotional aspects of the human memory with the world’s most knowledgeable authorities on the subject. Eric Kandel won the Nobel Prize in 2000 for his research on the physiological basis of memory storage in neurons. He is the author of the award-winning In Search of Memory, among other books. Elie Wiesel is a novelist, journalist and Nobel Prize winner. Chairman of the United States Holocaust Memorial Council from 1980 - 1986, he serves on numerous boards of trustees and advisors. Andrew W. Mellon Professor in the Humanities at Boston University. This program, is offered without charge by the Rothschild-Blachschleger Lecture Fund. Bring your friends and neighbors!
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STUDY OPPORTUNITIES WITH RABBI STEVENS
JUDAISM BASICS & BASIC HEBREW This basic survey of Judaism runs for eleven sessions, starting October 9. Take a whirlwind tour of Jewish history, learn about Jewish traditions on life cycle events and the Jewish calendar, study the main religious themes of Jewish tradition, and ask as many questions as you wish.
Sessions run from 4:15 - 5:15 PM.
October 9 ............ Overview of Judaism. October 16 .......... A Whirlwind Tour of Jewish History. October 23 .......... The Basic Texts of Judaism. October 30 .......... The Basic Texts of Judaism. November 6 ........ Lifecycle: Birth through Bar Mitzvah. November 13 ...... Lifecycle: Marriage and Divorce. November 27 ...... Lifecycle: Illness, death, mourning. December 4 ......... Holidays: Shabbat and Festivals. December 11 ....... Holidays: Rosh Hashanah and Yom
Kippur. December 18 ....... Holidays: Minor holidays (Chanukah,
Purim, etc.). January 8 ............ Issues and Values: Selections from the
Responsa Literature.
Hebrew bonus session: For those who want to learn to read Hebrew, now’s your chance. You CAN learn to read in just eleven sessions, from 5:15 - 5:45 PM following the class in Basic Judaism.
AMAZING WOMEN IN THE JEWISH BIBLE –
A NEW ADULT EDUCATION SERIES Starting on Thursday evening, October 25, Rabbi Stevens will be offering a five-part series on biblical women – as seen through the eyes of rabbinic commentaries and mid-rash. The early rabbis knew how to “spin” a story to enhance – or destroy! – a reputa-tion, or to create a good yarn on sometimes sparse material. We will discover, as we read these commentaries, the “back stories” of these women, and learn from their per-sonalities that were all too human. The five sessions which will start at 7 PM are:
REBECCA ............................ October 25 DINAH ................................. November 15 DEBORAH and YAEL ......... December 13 BATHSHEBA ...................... January 3 RUTH ................................... January 24
All programs are offered without charge.
Bring your friends!
Chanukah Begins Saturday, December 8, 2012
Shop Beth Or’s Sisterhood Gift Shop for all of your holiday items; candles, gelt, lollipops, short bread cookies and dreidles. See our collections of beautiful menorahs, candlesticks, napkin holders, salad servers, cheese boards with matching knives and many more items from the collection of Gary Rosenthal, Michael Aram and Quest.
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BEDTIME BUNDLES For the 5th year we will be collecting bedtime items for Child Protect during November and December. Please put your purchases which must be new and unused in the playpen in the Temple lobby beginning in early November. After coming to Child Protect because they were abused or molested, these boys and girls go into foster care, often with nothing to call their own, according to Director Jannah Bailey. Please be generous for these unfortunate children, who are mostly ages 6-12. Items wanted are pajamas, pillow cases, socks, underwear, bedtime stories, journals and writing implements, sketchbooks and coloring pencils or crayons, toothpaste and toothbrushes, washcloths, fleece throws, slippers, dolls and toys, combs/brushes/hair ornaments, and anything else you can think of. If you don't want to shop or are unable to do so, please send a check to the temple office earmarked "for bedtime bundles" and we will be glad to shop for you! Thank you!
Louisa Weinrib 262-6155
September 13, 2012 Troy University
Press Release excerpts: MONTGOMERY—The stories of Holocaust survivors now liv-ing in Alabama will be the focus of an exhibit coming to Troy University’s Montgomery Cam-pus in October as part of a Year of Holocaust Remembrance. “Darkness Into Life: Alabama Holocaust Survivors Through Photography and Art,” an exhibit on loan from the Birmingham Holocaust Education Center, will be on display from Oct. 1-Nov. 30 inside Whitley Hall, rooms 140, 141 and 142. The exhibit will open with a community reception on Mon-day, Oct. 1, at 6 p.m. inside Whitley Hall. Admission is free and open to the public. Featuring the stories of 20 Holo-caust survivors, the exhibit con-
sists of photos, paintings and narratives by the survivors that teach the history of the Holo-caust and offer a rich under-standing of its impact on these individuals and their families. Dr. Dan Puckett, an associate professor of history at the Mont-gomery Campus and a specialist in Holocaust research, called “Darkness into Life” a unique and powerful exhibit that puts a local perspective on the history of the Holocaust. “I’ve never really seen anything like this before focusing specifi-cally on Alabama and this state’s connections to the Holocaust,” Dr. Puckett said. “It’s a very moving exhibit that shows what these survivors experienced and the lives they forged after.” In conjunction with the exhibit, a group of the featured survivors will discuss their experiences during a lecture on Thursday,
Oct. 25, at 6 p.m. inside Whitley Hall. Admission is free and open to the public. “Darkness Into Life” is the first part of a Year of Holocaust Re-membrance at TROY, which will include a number of special events designed to explore the history and lasting effects of the Holocaust. Dr. Puckett said the idea for a Year of Holocaust Remem-brance came from the successful lecture series featuring Holo-caust survivor Ann Rosenheck who spoke at TROY’s campuses in 2010. "The Ann Rosenheck events were well received and we thought there was an opportunity here to build off that success and do more,” Dr. Puckett said. Events planned for the Year of Remembrance include: A return to TROY by Ausch-
witz survivor Ann Rosenheck. Rosenheck will speak at the Troy and Dothan campuses in October. A Holocaust Film Series at the Troy and Dothan campuses. A teachers’ workshop on Nov. 8 at the Dothan Campus focused on helping educators present the history of the Holocaust to mid-dle and high school students. Additional exhibitions focused on Holocaust survivors. Dates and further details about upcoming events will be an-nounced throughout the year. “From Darkness Into Life” and other events during the Year of Holocaust Remembrance are supported by a grant from the Alabama Humanities Founda-tion. For more information about the Year of Holocaust Remem-brance, contact the Office of Sponsored Programs at (334) 670-3102.
Hosted by JFCA’s Shaliach, Ori Tal
November 8 7:00 PM
Café Israel at Temple Beth Or
Topic: The Israeli Media World Throughout the years, the Israeli media has changed a lot; from newspapers of the IDF and the political parties to private owned newspapers with different agenda and ideas. When the world of media is changing, and the internet is the main source of information, the old newspapers and TV channels are struggling to keep their audience and to stay above the water. Join us in reviewing the Israeli Media. Where we are heading towards elections and see how the battle between Fox News VS MSNBC is not as bad as it could be.
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Saturday, December 1, 9:30 AM, Shabbat morning service and Torah study with Rabbi Stevens. Light brunch served. Tuesday, December 4, 4 PM, Basic Judaism with Rabbi Stevens begins at 4:15 PM. Class eight: Holidays: Shabbat and Festivals. A 30-minute Basic Hebrew class follows at 5:15 PM. Saturday, December 8, 6 PM, Family Chanukah dinner and service featuring renowned story-teller Pennina Schram. Sunday, December 9, 11 AM - Noon, Master class in story-telling featuring renowned story-teller Pennina Schram. Special Sunday school program [at AIEA] for story tellers of all ages. Tuesday, December 11, 11 AM, L'Chaim League's Chanukah Luncheon at Mr. G's Restaurant. Tuesday, December 11, 4 PM, Basic Judaism with Rabbi Stevens begins at 4:15 PM. Class nine: Holidays: Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. A 30-minute Basic Hebrew class follows at 5:15 PM. Thursday, December 13, 7 PM, Rabbi Stevens's five-part series on Women in the Hebrew Bible: Insights from Midrash and Commentaries. Topic: DEBORAH AND YAEL. Friday, December 14, 6 PM, Union Prayer Book service. Sunday, December 16, 7:15 PM, 92nd Street Y Program: GOD IS ONE: MOSES, JESUS, MUHAMMAD, BRUCE FEILER, OMID SAFI AND KAREN KING on TBO's big screen - in the Baylinson Social Hall. Sponsored by the Rothschild-Blachschleger Lecture Series. Bring your family and friends. Tuesday, December 18, 4 PM, Basic Judaism with Rabbi Stevens begins at 4:15 PM. Class ten: Holidays: Minor holidays (Chanukah, Purim, etc.). A 30-minute Basic Hebrew class follows at 5:15 PM. Friday, December 28, 6 PM, Shabbat Service. TORAH READING AND D’VAR TORAH. Thursday, January 3, 7 PM, Rabbi Stevens's five-part series on Women in the Hebrew Bible: Insights from Midrash and Commentaries. Topic: BATHSHEBA. Tuesday, January 8, 4 PM, Basic Judaism with Rabbi Stevens begins at 4:15 PM. Class eleven: Modern Judaism: Israel; Denominations. A 30-minute Basic Hebrew class follows at 5:15 PM. Friday, January 11, 5 PM, Family Chavurah Shabbat service in the Blachschleger Library - suitable for children of all ages. Saturday, January 12, 9:30 AM, Shabbat morning service and Torah study with Rabbi Stevens. Light brunch served. Thursday, January 24, 7 PM, Rabbi Stevens's five-part series on Women in the Hebrew Bible: Insights from Midrash and Commentaries. Topic: RUTH. Friday, January 25, 6 PM, Sisterhood Shabbat Service accompanied by Turia Williams and Becky Taylor. TORAH READING AND D’VAR TORAH. Friday, February 8, 5 PM, Family Chavurah Shabbat service in the Blachschleger Library - suitable for children of all ages. Saturday, February 9, 9:30 AM, Shabbat morning service and Torah study with Rabbi Stevens. Light brunch served. Friday, February 22, 6 PM, Shabbat Service. TORAH READING AND D’VAR TORAH. Saturday, February 23, 7 PM, Purim Service - Costumes (adults, too!), Purim Pranks, the famous Megillah and Hamentaschen! In the TBO Library.
Sunday, February 24, 9 AM - 3 PM, Temple Beth Or's 10th Annual Jewish Food Festival Thursday, March 7, 2 PM, Interfaith Shoah Memorial Service at Agudath Israel*Etz Ahayem. Friday, March 8, 5 PM, Family Chavurah Shabbat service in the Blachschleger Library - suitable for children of all ages. Saturday, March 9, 9:30 AM, Shabbat morning service and Torah study with Rabbi Stevens. Light brunch served. Friday, March 15, 6 PM, Shabbat Service. Huntingdon College Night. Reception follows. Thursday, March 21, 7 PM, Guest Speaker: Mirabi Starr, author of GOD OF LOVE; A GUIDE TO THE HEART OF JUDAISM, CHRISTIANITY AND ISLAM. Sponsored by the Rothschild-Blachschleger Lecture Series. Tuesday, March 26, 5:30 PM, Second Seder. Seating will begin at 5:00 PM, with the service to begin promptly at 5:30. Tuesday, March 26, All Day, TBO Office closed for Passover. Friday, March 29, 6 PM, Shabbat Service. TORAH READING AND D’VAR TORAH. Friday, April 12, 5 PM, Family Chavurah Shabbat service in the Blachschleger Library - suitable for children of all ages. Sunday, April 14, Noon, Jewish Federation of Central Alabama sponsors an Israeli Festival. Details to come. Thursday, April 18, 7 PM, Guest Speaker, Janice Rothschild will speak on her new book Rabbi Alphabet Browne: Prophet in Time of Priests. Janice Rothschild is the widow of the late Rabbi Jacob Rothschild, who was senior rabbi at The Temple in Atlanta during the Civil Rights Era. Program will be held in the Baylinson Social Hall. Sponsored by the Lucien Loeb L'Chaim League. Friday, April 26, 6 PM, Shabbat Service. TORAH READING AND D’VAR TORAH. Friday, May 10, 5 PM, Family Chavurah Shabbat service in the Blachschleger Library - suitable for children of all ages. Saturday, May 11, 9:30 AM, Shabbat morning service and Torah study with Rabbi Stevens. Light brunch served. Tuesday, May 14, 7 PM, Erev Shavuot Family Service, including a reading of the Book of Ruth and a light dairy repast. Wednesday, May 15, All Day, TBO Office closed for Shavuot. Friday, May 24, 6 PM, Shabbat Service. TORAH READING AND D’VAR TORAH. Friday, June 7, 5 PM, Family Chavurah Shabbat service in the Blachschleger Library - suitable for children of all ages. Saturday, June 8, 9:30 AM, Shabbat morning service and Torah study with Rabbi Stevens. Light brunch served. Friday, June 28, 6 PM, Shabbat Service. TORAH READING AND D’VAR TORAH. Thursday, September 5, All Day, TBO Office closed for Rosh Hashanah. Thursday, September 19, All Day, TBO Office closed for Sukkot. Thursday, September 26, All Day, TBO Office closed for Simchat Torah.
Be sure to check upcoming bulletins for possible date changes and more information. You may also consult the TBO website for additional information at www.templebethor.net.
And Beyond!
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Want an updated look at what’s going on at Temple? Go to www.templebethor.net.
November 2012 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1 2 6 PM Shabbat Service
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4 6:30 PM, 92nd Street Y Program: ERIC KANDEL & ELIE WIESEL WITH DR. GAIL SALTZ: MIND, BODY AND SOUL on TBO's big screen
5 6 4:15 PM Basic Judaism 5:15 PM Basic Hebrew
7 8 7 PM, Café Israel with JFCA Shaliach, Ori Tal at Temple Beth Or.: TOPIC: The Israeli Media World.
9 5 PM, Family Chavurah Shabbat service in the Blachschleger Library 6 PM Shabbat Service
10 9:30 AM, Shabbat morning service and Torah study with Rabbi Stevens. Light brunch served
