Volume 44 Number 6 January 2020 • Tevet / Shevat 5780 On Rosh Hashanah, I spoke about the importance of commu- nity. I spoke about the importance of diversity in a community, how every person counts in a huge way, about responsibility to take care of each other, and how to fill yourself up - to refuel - from the people around you, as well as to help the community to stay full. Though it is early in my time here at Kol Ami, we have already had a variety of experiences together - loss, learning, cel- ebration, and change. You have welcomed my family and me into your congregation- al family and we are so grateful for the warmth and kindness you have shown us. I am very much looking forward to the Installation Weekend this month. My un- derstanding is that Kol Ami hasn’t had an installation for their rabbi in a long time so I thought I’d answer a few questions I’ve been asked since we announced the date. Why do we need an installation? Aren’t you already the rabbi? Yes, I am already your rabbi. Now we get a chance to honor the relationship we have begun between congregation and rabbi with a ritual. Just as a Bar Mitzvah becomes a Jewish adult once they turn 13 regardless of whether or not they’ve had their service yet, the installation will be a holy moment to mark this change in Kol Ami history and my journey as a rabbi. Message from the Rabbi By Rabbi Rachel Blatt Contents Kids Konnections ............................ p.17 Youth Groups ................................. p.18 January Events Calendar ................. p.22 Yahrzeits & Birthdays ...................... p.24 Anniversaries & Donations.............. p.25 President’s Message ......................... p.3 Tree of Life Long Learning................. p.9 Facility Focus & Security Spotlight ... p.10 Sisterhood ...................................... p.11 Brotherhood................................... p.14 (continued on next page) FRIDAY, JANUARY 24 | 6:30 PM Shabbat Services Followed by Congregational Dinner (Reservations Required) SATURDAY, JANUARY 25 | 9:30 AM Services with Guest Speaker Rabbi Cheryl Peretz, Associate Dean of the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies Followed by Kiddush Luncheon (RSVP Requested) SUNDAY, JANUARY 26 | 10:30 AM Installation Ceremony where we will ritually install Rabbi Rachel Blatt with the help of our special guest, Rabbi Cheryl Peretz Followed by Brunch and Community Celebration This event is free and open to the community. RSVP Requested. Reservations & RSVP for any of these events by calling 813-962-6338 or emailing FrontOffi[email protected]CONGREGATION KOL AMI CELEBRATES INSTALLATION WEEKEND Rabbi Rachel Blatt Save the Date – More Info to Follow
Transcript
Volume 44 Number 6 January 2020 • Tevet / Shevat 5780
On Rosh Hashanah, I spoke about the importance of commu-nity. I spoke about the importance of diversity in a community, how every person counts
in a huge way, about responsibility to take care of each other, and how to fill yourself up - to refuel - from the people around you, as well as to help the community to stay full. Though it is early in my time here at Kol Ami, we have already had a variety of experiences together - loss, learning, cel-ebration, and change. You have welcomed my family and me into your congregation-al family and we are so grateful for the warmth and kindness you have shown us. I am very much looking forward to the Installation Weekend this month. My un-derstanding is that Kol Ami hasn’t had an installation for their rabbi in a long time so I thought I’d answer a few questions I’ve been asked since we announced the date.
Why do we need an installation? Aren’t you already the rabbi?Yes, I am already your rabbi. Now we get a chance to honor the relationship we have begun between congregation and rabbi with a ritual. Just as a Bar Mitzvah becomes a Jewish adult once they turn 13 regardless of whether or not they’ve had their service yet, the installation will be a holy moment to mark this change in Kol Ami history and my journey as a rabbi.
The Kol Ami ChaiLites is published on the first of every month by Congregation Kol Ami, Conservative Congregation affiliated with The United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism.
All articles and announcements are due two weeks prior to the month being published. We reserve the right to edit for length and consistent editorial tone.
The ChaiLites is published 11 times a year.
AdvertisingPlease contact the office at 813-962-6338.
Congregation Kol Ami • January 2020 • Tevet / Shevat 5780
Message from the Rabbi (continued from page 1)
Request from Rabbi Blatt Please keep us informed of significant events in your family life. It is our desire to be of help and service to you in times of special need. It is especially important that we know of those in the hospi-tal, and assisted living or nursing homes, so that we can visit and they may be included in a prayer for recovery at Shabbat Services.
So what is an installation anyway?It certainly won’t involve any wrenches, instruction manuals, or even downloads. A rabbinic installation is a ceremony where the congregation and rabbi receive blessings in honor of our new relationship together. Rabbi Cheryl Peretz, Associate Dean of the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies at the American Jewish University will be presiding over the ceremony. Rabbi Peretz has been a mentor for me over the last 10 years, she presented me for ordination and it is very special for her to be here for my next steps of my rabbinic journey. She will work with the Chair of the weekend, Bev Fink and me to design a ceremony that will last about an hour. Various members of our community who were involved in bringing me to Congregation Kol Ami will be honored, speeches will be made, songs will be sung, and the community as a whole will be celebrated. Following the last few years of transition and uncertainty, it is important to recognize and commemorate this occasion!
Why is it taking place over the whole weekend?While the Installation itself will take place on Sunday, we are expanding the celebration throughout the weekend. You can choose to join us for Friday Night Services and Dinner, Shabbat morning services to learn more with Rabbi Peretz, or just come for Sunday’s celebration.
Can kids come?We want everyone to be a part of this ritual. If your kids can sit through an hour long program in the sanctuary, we welcome you to bring them (the toy and book corner will be open for quiet play) with your supervision. If you’d rather enjoy the program without having to worry about watching your kids, we will have child care available and Kol Yeladim will be in session. All children will be brought into the ceremony for a few minutes and will, of course, be invited to brunch afterward. If your child is not in Kol Yeladim and would need childcare, please let us know so that we can prepare for appropriate numbers.
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Congregation Kol Ami • January 2020 • Tevet / Shevat 5780 3
B’Yachad By David Pearlman, President
Happy New Year Kol Ami!
Last month, I talked about the excitement and energy we were hop-ing to achieve from our December Gala: “Kol Ami Energized.” I am thrilled
to be reporting back to you that in addition to all of us having fun that night, we also “have funds” now! The budgeted line item for this fiscal year for fundraising was a net goal of $25,000; I am happy to report that the NET amount from this event alone is over $48,000! Yasher Koach and Todah Rabah, Kol Ami. To me, this reinforces what we have been talking about – the ruach at Kol Ami is palpable and real! If you missed Nachum and his band, you missed quite a show. We had approximately 250 people dancing in the aisles, crying in the seats, all in the name of Judaism and Kol Ami. It was indescribable. We carried that energy into the dessert recep-tion where Elanit Aarons led people in Israeli Dancing, and we hovered over silent auction items keeping guard of them as if it were Fort Knox. What a night! Our generosity that evening will continue to ensure a strong bottom line. So again, I say, Todah Rabah!
Early the next morning on Sunday, December 9th, Rabbi Blatt, Mitch and I took off for Boston to be a part of USCJ’s Annual Conference, which this year was held in collaboration with the Rabbinical Assembly Conference. At the time of this writing, we are just now com-ing back from Boston, so I look forward to reporting back to you next month on all the learning we accomplished and the great ideas we hope to bring to Kol Ami.
A friendly reminder that our Annual Congre-gational Meeting is coming in February. As I mentioned last month, we are looking at an action-packed agenda. One of my goals as President was to finally complete the work of a Bylaws revision which began nearly seven years ago. In November, the Board of Trustees took the first step in the process by unani-mously approving the revisions. The Board
re-examined, voted and approved this again in December, and it will be included on our agenda in February. The revisions will streamline Board structure, the role of our beloved Past Presidents, the way we count a quorum, and provide notice, as well as many other 21st century updates.
Now, as we turn the page from 2019 to 2020, the fun continues! I am sure you are all aware of Rabbi Blatt’s Installation Weekend coming up later this month on Friday, January 24th-
Sunday, January 26th. This will be a community-wide celebration, not only for Rabbi Blatt, but also for Congrega-tion Kol Ami. I hope to be able to see you at services, either Friday night or Saturday morning, or at the formal In-stallation Ceremony on Sunday morn-ing. Rabbi’s goal for the weekend is to provide many opportunities for us to all come together and celebrate our future, you guessed it….B’yachad!
B’yachad, David Pearlman
Meet Rabbi Cheryl Peretz, Special Guest Speaker for Rabbi Blatt’s Installation Weekend!!!For 18 years, Rabbi Cheryl Peretz has served as one of the Deans of the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies, teaching, counseling, advising and programming. In addition to her work at AJU, Rabbi Peretz has served as a pulpit rabbi in Los Angeles area synagogues such as Sinai Temple, Adat Shalom in West Los Angeles, and Burbank Temple Emanuel El. She has been a High Holiday guest rabbi in Orlando, Florida, and Redlands and Tiburon, California. She is also a regular contributor the School’s virtual Torah learning program and teaches the broader com-munity through in-home study groups, Adult Education, Talmud classes, and scholar-in-residence programs.
Rabbi Peretz is a graduate of the double degree program between Barnard College and the Jewish Theological Seminary of America where she earned degrees in Mathematics and Jewish Philosophy. She also holds a Master’s in Business Admin-istration degree from Baruch College.
Rabbi Peretz is known for creating individually expressive lifecycle rituals, offering interactive and lively teaching, listening compassionately to facilitate insight and meaning in times of transition, and for guiding personal and professional develop-ment, integrating corporate principles with spiritual dialogue. She brings experience from her MBA and years of corporate professional experience in marketing, creating safe space work environments, vision and planning, organizational management and leadership, personnel supervising, budget and finance, and staff/board development, consulting with both rabbis and congregations to create healthy, productive relationships. Over the years, Rabbi Peretz has coached hundreds of rabbis in career planning, job searches, and professional guidance.
Mazel Tov to:
Brodie Newhouse and his family on him becoming a Bar Mitzvah
Hamakom Yinakhem, Condolences to:
Lisa Tolson on the passing of her beloved husband, Terry Tolson.
Elanit Aarons-Kravetzky on the passing of her beloved mother-in-law and our beloved congregant, Isabel Aarons.
If you wish to have a life cycle event included in the ChaiLites, please contact Joanna Paley at least 2 weeks before the 1st-of-the-month publication date at 813-962-6338 or email [email protected].
Life Cycle Events
4 Congregation Kol Ami • January 2020 • Tevet / Shevat 5780
Please join us for our next Howard Kanter Kiddush Fund Luncheon on Saturday, January 11. These complimentary luncheons are catered by Nosh Caterers and
are also open to non-members in the greater Jewish Community.
Although members are not required to RSVP to attend, we do ask that any non-members who plan to attend contact the Kol Ami office at (813) 962-6338 to make reservations
Howard Kanter Kiddush Fund Luncheonso we can prepare appropriately.
The Kiddush Fund, created by Kol Ami member Howard Kanter (z”l), provides one Kiddush Luncheon per month on a Shabbat that does not have a Kiddush Luncheon sponsored by members or another committee of the synagogue.
Your extra donations (in addition to your usual contributions to Kol Ami) help insure this effort for years to come.
We hope to see you on Saturday, January 11. Also, please be sure to mingle and introduce yourself to someone you don’t know at these wonderful opportunities to make new friends and enjoy fellowship with your Kol Ami family.
As a service to our members, we are offering the opportunity to honor loved ones’ anniversaries, birthdays, other special occasions, or to express your gratitude for someone’s kindness. With a donation of $25 we will procure a quarter-page spot in the ChaiLites.
Congregation Kol Ami • January 2020 • Tevet / Shevat 5780 9
For more information on any TOLLL classes, please call Kol Ami at 813-962-6338 or email [email protected].
The Good Class
Led by Rabbi Rachel Blatt
A class based on the NBC show “The Good Place,”
with TV clips, text study, and discussion on
Jewish philosophy, ethics and the afterlife.
TUES JAN 7 & 21•7:30PM10 part series
*Previous viewing of the
show is not required.
TALMUD STUDY
T R A C T A T E P E S A C H I MAn all levels discussion of Talmud structure, Passover laws
THURSDAYS
JANUARY 9 , 23 & 30
10 :30AM
Shabbat in January
Gutsy Torah with Rabbi RachelSaturdays, January 11, 18 and 25 at 8:30 a.m.
• A weekly Shabbat morning discussion of the Torah portion of the week with some attitude. A wonderful way to learn there is more to Torah than meets the eye!
Tuesdays in January
L’Chaim: Sharing Life’s LessonsTuesdays, January 7, 14, 21 and 28 at 11:00 a.m.
• Discussion topics vary with a different leader each week. Friendly group sharing our life’s lessons. Everyone is welcome.
“The Good Class” with Rabbi BlattTuesdays, January 7 and 21 at 7:30 p.m.
• An interactive class based on the NBC show “The Good Place,” with TV clips, text study, and discussion on Jewish philosophy, ethics and the afterlife.
• Previous viewing of the show is not required.
Thursdays in January
Talmud Study – Masechet PesachimThursdays, January 9, 23 and 30 at 10:30 a.m.
• Weekly Talmud Study with Rabbi Blatt
• Join our Talmud class. This ALL LEVELS class focuses on the Talmud Tractate Pesachim.
Tallit Making WorkshopF E B R U A R Y 9 T H , 2 0 2 0
10am | $18 plus cost of fabric
with Rabbi Rachel Blatt
WILLIAM’S 2ND ANNUAL DUFFLE BAG COLLECTION DRIVE
ALL DONATIONS WILL BENEFIT
ECKERD’S RAISING HOPE PROGRAM!
CONTACT: PAOLA KASENETZ @ [email protected] OR USE THE AMAZON LINK: HTTPS://WWW.AMAZON.COM/HZ/WISHLIST/LS/35R
SW1ESCJU0F?REF_=WL_SHARE OR DROP OFF AT THE BIN NEAR KOL AMI CHAPEL
DRIVE ENDS JAN 31, 2020
WILLIAM’S 2ND ANNUAL DUFFLE BAG COLLECTION DRIVE
ALL DONATIONS WILL BENEFIT
ECKERD’S RAISING HOPE PROGRAM!
CONTACT: PAOLA KASENETZ @ [email protected] OR USE THE AMAZON LINK: HTTPS://WWW.AMAZON.COM/HZ/WISHLIST/LS/35R
SW1ESCJU0F?REF_=WL_SHARE OR DROP OFF AT THE BIN NEAR KOL AMI CHAPEL
10 Congregation Kol Ami • January 2020 • Tevet / Shevat 5780
Facility Focus & Security Spotlight By Amy Feder-Binder, House Committee Chair
January Candle Lighting TimesJanuary 3 ...................... 5:29 p.m.
January 10 .................... 5:34 p.m.
January 17 .................... 5:40 p.m.
January 24 .................... 5:45 p.m.
January 31 .................... 5:51 p.m.
January Torah PortionsJanuary 4 ........................Vayigash
January 11 ........................Vayechi
January 18 ........................Shemot
January 25 ...........................Vaera
Weekly Service ScheduleFriday Evenings ............... 6:30 p.m.
Shabbat Mornings .......... 9:30 a.m.
Sunday Minyan ............... 9:15 a.m.
Mon.-Thurs. Minyanim .... 7:30 p.m.
Shabbat & Services at Kol Ami
Tampa Jewish Family Services
Community Food BankTampa Jewish Family Services (TJFS) food distribution is offered
once a month at the agency’s Citrus Park location.
Distribution date for January at Citrus Park:
January 2
This location offers emergency food bank distribution
on weekdays by appointment only. Pick-up for both services
must be arranged in advance by calling 813-960-1848.
Please help spread the word in your community that this service is available
in Citrus Park.
If you would like to make a contribution, please drop off canned goods or a monetary donation to the agency’s
Citrus Park location at 13009 Community Campus Dr.,
Tampa, FL 33625.
TJFS will never turn away an individual or family in need.
A hearty yasher koach to all our security volunteers for the month of December! Please give thanks to:
Jon Zimmer, Dan Ochman , Mario Rodriguez, Jack Rudowsky, Darren Kasenetz and Cindy Schiff.
Security Spotlight By Jon Zimmer, Security Committee Chair
Thank you to all the Chai Guys:Darren Kasenetz, Mario Rodriguez, Al Lenok, Ari Horowitz, Jon Zimmer, & Amy Feder-Binder. We had a very successful morning on Sunday, December 15th.
Chai Guys: (above) Mario Rodriguez, Ari Horowitz & Al Lenok
(right) Mario Rodriguez & Al Lenok
Congregation Kol Ami • January 2020 • Tevet / Shevat 5780 11
Kol Ami Sisterhood
What is Sisterhood? Don’t let the name confuse you. We are a women’s group but not a sorority. Our purpose is to strengthen and unite the women of the synagogue. We work together to support the Conservative Move-ment and commit our time to the synagogue. By being a part of Sisterhood, you become part
of something bigger than yourself. We are affiliated with Wom-en’s League for Conservative Judaism and participate in WLCJ’s programs and events.
The benefits of a Sisterhood membership extend far beyond the individual member. The synagogue benefits, the Jewish community benefits from your support, and future Jewish generations benefit from the legacy we create. Our members are women of various ages, marital status, careers and volunteer experiences; in short, we are a diverse group of women. I invite you to experience the joys of Sisterhood. Come to one of our exciting programs and events like Havdalah and Hollywood, Learn Mah Jongg, and Passover Recipe Cooking, just to name a few. Wow! We are very busy. There is something for everyone to do.
On November 21st, we had our annual Challahpaloozah Challah Bake hosted by Amanda Moonitz. She taught the women how to make turkey challahs. The challahs were rolled and formed to look like turkeys for their Thanksgiving Shabbats. It was a very successful event. With help from Cindy Korenvaes, Carol Tarica, and Karen Borden, the event ran smoothly. They shopped for the supplies and the food for dinner. When Amanda arrived to host
By Roberta Baer, Sisterhood President
“ Bloom where your seeds are planted”
the event, the women already had the tables set to start rolling and creating. As usual, dinner was a hit! Next year, we will do another theme challah and Amanda wants to host a baking class. Thank you to all who were involved who made this a fun and successful night.
Sisterhood wishes our friends and families warm wishes for a Happy New Year! Make Sisterhood part of your plans for next year.
Thank you.
Your big sister of Sisterhood, Roberta Baer
I would like to introduce our sister, Joanna Paley. Joanna is originally from a small town in New Jersey and moved to Tampa after graduating high school in 2004. She graduated from the Academy of Design with a B.A. degree in Fashion Merchandising in 2011. Joanna is extremely passionate about family,
friends, and hockey. Joanna and her Dad have been going to hockey games together since she was eight years old. Her favor-ite Jewish foods are latkes and noodle kugel. Joanna is proud to be a Kol Ami Sister because she grew up watching and hearing about her grandmother volunteering and being a part of her synagogue’s Sisterhood.
Meet a Sister of Sisterhood – Joanna Paley
Torah Fund is in full swing!The 2019/2020 pin is here. The theme this year is Chesed, which means kindness. Sisterhood is a movement of kindness through action. By donating to Torah Fund,
you are ensuring the growth of Conservative Jewish learning, education and leadership. Make your contribution to Torah Fund today and get a beautiful pin in appreciation of your generous gift.
Contact Roberta Baer, Sisterhood President, Torah Fund Chair
12 Congregation Kol Ami • January 2020 • Tevet / Shevat 5780
Kol Ami Sisterhood (cont’d)
HAVDALLAH & HOLLYWOOD
TAKE 4: MYSTERY NIGHT
Join us for Havdallah under the stars
(weather permitting ) , fol lowed by 2
feature f i lms : for adults and
for the kiddos (adult
supervision provided) . Light "theater"
snacks and refreshments will be
provided .
CLUE
Scooby Doo
S A T . J A N . 1 1 . 2 0 2 0
6 : 4 5 - 9 : 3 0 P M
S I S T E R H O O D P R E S E N T S
Please RSVP for this FREE EVENT to
Sisterhood .kolami .tampa@gmail .com
by Tuesday , January 7 , 2020
Sisterhood’s Kitchen
Amazing Fast Rise Challah
Ingredients
• 2 cups bread flour
• 1½ teaspoons fast rising yeast
• 2 Tablespoons sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• Mix in (raisins or chocolate chips) if desired
• 3 Tablespoons oil
• 1 egg
• ½ cup warm water
• Toppings for challah if desired
• Egg wash (beat 1egg and ½ cup water)
Method
• Mix dry ingredients first: bread flour, sugar, salt and yeast. Mix warm water, egg and oil until thoroughly mixed.
• Add liquid to dry ingredients gradually.
• Continue to mix until you can make a dough ball, capturing all of the flour. Dough should be soft and slightly sticky.
• Flour surface and knead the dough for about 5 min-utes. Use additional flour if needed.
• Place dough ball into an oiled bowl and turn dough over to cover all sides. Cover with saran wrap and let rise for 30 minutes or more.
• Knead dough again and divide into thirds (easier to cut with a knife). Place on parchment paper.
• Roll out dough into 3 strands, all the same length.
• Begin braiding from the middle. Braid one half, then turn dough over and finish braiding. Dough will con-tinue to rise for about an hour once braided.
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
• Brush top of braid with egg wash and toppings and bake for 20 minutes. Let challah cool completely before putting away.
Let Sisterhood share your Simcha!Does your family have a Bar or Bat Mitzvah coming up? Celebrating a special Birthday, Anniversary, Baby Naming or other Simcha?
Would you like to sponsor a Kiddush or Kiddush luncheon?
For more information about Sisterhood Simcha Kiddush prices, please contact Sisterhood: [email protected].
Kol Ami Sisterhood
Congregation Kol Ami • January 2020 • Tevet / Shevat 5780 13
Kol Ami Sisterhood (cont’d)
Sisterhood Needle Workers meet weekly, every Tuesday at 1:30 p.m. in the Jaffe Board Room. It is open to everyone and provides crafters an oppor-tunity to socialize, exchange information, and learn new techniques.
One of the current charity projects the group participates in is Warming the World, a local nonprofit organization that provides hats to newborns around the world. Hats can be
knitted or crocheted; however, many of our group prefer to use a circular loom. Last year, the organization sent hats to six states (IL, TN, MS, AL, FL and MN), Puerto Rico, Ecuador, Brazil, Iceland, Guam, Burundi, Somaliland, the American Heart Association, several organizations that help mothers worldwide, and one organization that helps babies locally.
For information about the Sisterhood Needlework Group or contributing to Warming the World, contact Carol Tarica at [email protected].
Sisterhood Needle WorkersSisterhood Sunday
with the Needle WorkersJanuary 12 at 10:00 a.m. at Kol Ami
Learn to Crochet!Instructor Marsha Bravo will be available
to teach you the basics of crochet.
No experience necessary! Materials will be provided.
Or come to work on your needlework projects or just come and visit.
14 Congregation Kol Ami • January 2020 • Tevet / Shevat 5780
Happy (secular) New Year! I trust you all enjoyed a happy, latke-filled Hanukkah, and that you made it through the holiday season unscathed. If you did not happen
to attend at least one of Brotherhood’s terrific programs in 2019 (e.g., Steaks in the Sukkah, Firearm Safety Training at Shooter’s World, brunch and lecture on U.S.-Israel Defense Relations, Craft Beer Tasting & Brewery Night at Wild Rover, the Lightning game on Jewish Heritage Day), then unfortunately you really missed out. We had a really great year, filled with many successful, well-attended and fun events (just ask around and you’ll hear all about them). Luckily, 2020 will bring many more opportunities for you to experience the spirit, camaraderie, and service that Brotherhood brings to Kol Ami. Here are just a few of our upcoming programs and events.
For those of you who have been members of Kol Ami for many years, you may remember our Yom HaShoah Yellow Candle Project. The Yellow Candle Project was originally developed in the late 1970s by local community Men’s Clubs in the U.S. to honor the memory of the six million Jews who perished in the Holocaust. Through the work of the Federation of Jewish Men’s Clubs (FJMC), the Yellow Candle Project spread across North America and even-tually around the globe from the U.S. and Canada to Europe, Israel, South America, India, South Africa, etc. Al-though Kol Ami’s Yellow Candle Project was unfortunately abandoned over 10
Kol Ami Brotherhood By Mario Rodriguez, Brotherhood President
Farewell 2019… Hello 2020!
(Brotherhood continued on next page)
Reigniting the Candle
HISTORY: In 1981, the Federation of Jewish Men’s Clubs created the Yom HaShoah Yellow Candle Project to keep alive the memory of the Six Million Jews who perished in the Holocaust (Shoah). The Candle is modeled after a traditional Jewish memorial Yahrzeit candle. It was modified in answer to survivors’ question: “How could Yahrzeits be observed for those families whose entire families were wiped out?” The Candle is Yellow in remembrance of the yellow stars forced upon European Jews during the Nazi regime. A photo on the candle showed young people visiting Auschwitz-Birkenau con-centration camp, reflecting the importance of teaching our youth the lessons of the Holocaust and of remembering the Six Million. In addition, the program logo is a yellow Magen David outlined in barbed wire, with the word “Jude” in the middle, preserving the memory of the armband or cloth patch that Jews were forced to wear in the ghettos of Eastern Europe.
Sometime after the founding of Congregation Kol Ami, a Yellow Candle Fund was established. The synagogue purchased and mailed a Yellow Candle to each member. Funds donated to the Kol Ami Yellow Candle Fund were used to provide partial funding for our youth to attend a summer Jewish program (primarily Camp Ramah). Over the past decades the program was discontinued for financial reasons, although limited funds from our membership continued to be donated to the Kol Ami Yellow Candle Fund and are used accordingly.
TODAY: In 2020, the Brotherhood of Kol Ami is reigniting the candle. Brotherhood will be purchasing and distributing a yellow candle to each Kol Ami family unit. Included with the candle will be a request for a minimum donation of $18. Funds collected will be used to self-fund the program for each ensuing year. Any remaining funds will be divided equally between the Kol Ami ‘Yellow Candle’ Fund and to support Brotherhood.
Help us to have Kol Ami join with organizations across North America and beyond (all streams of Judaism, synagogues, schools, museums, military bases and government offices) who sponsor this international program. Show all that we will never forget the Six Million Jews that perished in the Shoah and those lost these past years to anti-Semitism.
Congregation Kol Ami • January 2020 • Tevet / Shevat 5780 15
Kol Ami Brotherhood (cont’d)
years ago due to financial challenges, our Brotherhood has com-mitted itself to bringing this important program back in 2020… Brotherhood is “Reigniting the Candle” at Kol Ami. Please read more about our plan to bring the Yellow Candle Project back to Kol Ami in Barry Dvorchik’s article elsewhere in this issue of the ChaiLites. We hope that you and all of our member families will participate in and support this very important and meaningful global project.
The Torah commands us to bind tefillin onto our heads and upper arms every weekday, in fulfillment of the verse (Deut. 6:8), “You shall bind them as a sign upon your hand, and they shall be for a reminder between your eyes.” On Sunday morn-ing, February 2nd, we will hold our annual World-Wide Wrap event, which is a FJMC program that teaches Jewish boys and girls around the world how to wrap tefillin. Brotherhood will once again partner with our Kol Yeladim School to teach our kids the spiritual meaning behind this incredibly powerful mitzvah. If you have children enrolled in our Kol Yeladim School, please be there to support them and to show your pride as they wrap tefillin for the first time. It is a beautiful and spiritually uplifting event that you won’t want to miss.
For you football fans out there, I am sure you are aware that Sunday, February 2nd is also Super Bowl Sunday, so Brotherhood will again be hosting our annual Super Bowl Watch Party. Come out and cheer for your team as we watch the big game on our giant 12’ by 12’ screen. We’ll be serving pizza, baked ziti, Caesar salad, chips and dips, sweets, and of course beer, wine and soft drinks. We always have a lot of fun eating, drinking and watching the Super Bowl game together. So, put on your favorite team’s fan gear and come out to join the fun. Let’s be honest, doesn’t this sound like a lot more fun than watching it alone at home (trash talking is no fun if you’re by yourself)?
Although the Bucs are not expected to make it to the Super Bowl this year, you can still come out to cheer for our home team, the Kol Amigos, as they take on the competition in the Tampa JCC’s 14th Annual Softball Tourna-ment on Sunday, March 1st. They are probably practicing right now as you read this, and they deserve all of the support and ruach we can offer. So please come out, show your team
spirit, and cheer on the Kol Amigos as they take a shot at this year’s championship. GO KOL AMIGOS!
In addition to these planned events and programs, we will also be scheduling more Chai Guys service days when we get togeth-er on a Sunday morning to work on cleaning up, beautifying, and making improvements to our beloved Kol Ami’s grounds and property. Who knows, we may even surprise you with some new opportunities for service, learning, and social programs in 2020… anyone interested in learning more about our Jewish history or perhaps playing some poker? Whatever else Brother-hood may offer in 2020, I look forward to seeing you at one of our upcoming events or at shul for Shabbat services. Until then, I wish you and your families a happy, healthy, and prosperous New Year!
L’shalom, in brotherhood, Mario Rodriguez
W A T C H O N O U R 1 2 ' X 1 2 ' B I G S C R E E N
SUPER BOWL
VIEWING PARTY
K O L A M I ' S B R O T H E R H O O D P R E S E N T S
F E B R U A R Y 2 D O O R S O P E N A T 5 : 4 5 P M
$ 1 0 P E R A D U L T , C H I L D R E N A G E 1 2 & U N D E R A R E F R E E
E N J O Y P I Z Z A , H O M E M A D E B A K E D Z I T I , C A E S A R
S A L A D , G A R L I C B R E A D , C H I P S & D I P S , H O M E M A D E
P A S T R I E S , S O D A , W I N E , B E E R , L I Q U O R & M O R E !
$ 1 H O N O R B A R W I L L B E A V A I L A B L E .
P L E A S E R S V P B Y F R I D A Y , J A N U A R Y 3 1 , 2 0 2 0 T O
F R O N T O F F I C E @ K O L A M I . O R G | ( 8 1 3 ) 9 6 2 - 6 3 3 8
I N V I T E Y O U R F R I E N D S & C O M E J O I N T H E F U N !
Congregation Kol Ami • January 2020 • Tevet / Shevat 578016
WORLD WIDE WRAP DAY
S U N D A Y , F E B R U A R Y 2 , 2 0 2 0
9 : 0 0 - 1 0 : 3 0 A M ,
All are welcome to join us, along with Kol Yeladim Students, on Sunday,
February 2, 2020 as we unite with other congregations around the world in
celebrating the mitzvah of Tefillin! We will learn about tefillin and its history with
Rabbi Blatt. Members of the Brotherhood & Kol Ami teens will help demonstrate
and teach the proper wrapping technique before Minyan.
Bagels and light refreshments to follow!
9:00 - 9:30am: Learning about Tefillin
9:30 - 10:00am: Minyan
10:00 - 10:30am: Light Brunch
10:30am: 3rd - 7th Graders return to Kol Yeladim Classes
K O L A M I ' S B R O T H E R H O O D P R E S E N T S
P L E A S E R S V P B Y
F R O N T O F F I C E @ K O L A M I . O R G | ( 8 1 3 ) 9 6 2 - 6 3 3 8
Congregation Kol Ami • January 2020 • Tevet / Shevat 5780 17
Happy New Year! Time sure does fly here at Kol Yeladim. Kol Ami is abuzz with so many great events happening. Rabbi Blatt has been busy with our students in religious school and will begin “Ask the Rabbi” this semester with all our students! So, if you have a question you have been dying to ask the Rabbi, send it
with your student and let them find out the answer and share it with you! Talk to your students about what they are learning in religious school; it is a great way to help them retain the infor-mation they are learning by “teaching” you. Even if you don’t read Hebrew, just letting them explain is part of the learning process! Our students have been very busy practicing for their class Shabbat, studying Hebrew, learning about the Parsha of the week, enjoying fun with their friends, and so much more!
We had a VERY Happy Chanukah Party with our religious school friends. Donut decorating, sand art, scratch art, dreidel making and playing were all part of the fun activities at the party. We also had a fantastic Hanukkiah making contest with our religious school classes. They all did an amazing job. Check out the pic-tures of all the designs and the winner too!
Kids’ KonnectionsBy Jennifer Halls, Education Director
January is a busy month! Students will return from Winter Break, Wednesday, January 8, 2020. You should have already received your child’s progress report for the Fall semester; If you have not, please reach out to us and we will be sure to get you a copy. We have two Shabbat schools this month and would love to see our families come and support this great group of 6th and 7th graders. They will begin practice for their B’nei Mitzvah by leading services and participating with our congregation! It is so amazing to watch our youth lead services and have meaningful participation in our congregation. They love to see familiar faces, so JOIN US!!!
Upcoming Events
1/8 ........... Students Return 5:00-7:00 p.m.
1/11 ......... Shabbat School (6th & 7th Grades)
1/12 ......... Academy 10:30 -11:30 a.m. (8th-12th Grades)
I look forward to seeing you around Shul! Jennifer Halls
C A L L I N G A L L 8 T H - 1 2 T H G R A D E R S
L E D B Y R A B B I R A C H E L B L A T T & J E N N H A L L SF O R M O R E I N F O R M A T I O N , C O N T A C T E D U C A T I O N D I R E C T O R J E N N H A L L S
A T E D U C A T I O N @ K O L A M I . O R G O R C A L L ( 8 1 3 ) 9 6 0 - 3 6 5 4
The Academyat Kol Ami
8TH & 9TH GRADE(JENN HALLS)
All in the Family - Study the biblical family tree of the Jewish people and learn about the Twelve Tribes of
Israel. Students will trace their individual heritage back as far as possible and see how it connects with our biblical lineage. We will also film a short, news- style program to update parents on what’s happening at Kol Yeladim.
10TH - 12TH GRADE(RABBI BLATT)
What does that have to do with Judaism? Discuss current events, social media trends, and how to live
life through a Jewish lens in today’s world. Bring your devices, an open mind, and your voice. Conversation, creative expression, and learning.
10TH GRADECONFIRMATION
(RABBI BLATT)
Explore your Jewish identity and connection to God, prayer,
culture, and community. Using Jewish sources, we’ll explore
what makes Judaism meaningful to you. Service and Project
18 Congregation Kol Ami • January 2020 • Tevet / Shevat 5780
It’s been another great month of Youth Events here at Congregation Kol Ami! We started the month off right with USY at the Kol Ami Energized event, where we enjoyed a wonder- ful, spiritually invigorating performance by Nachum Peterseil and his Band. We then volunteered our help at the Silent Auction. In
addition, we donated six hand-painted marble mug sets made by USY, and two Home Entertainment baskets which were generously donated in honor of Kol Ami Youth Groups.
Boneem & Chaverim had a ‘ball’ at our Pin Chasers Bowling event! We enjoyed a delicious pizza lunch and lots of bowling fun. We can’t wait to go bowling with all of our friends again next year!
Finally, it was time to celebrate HANUKKAH! USY and Kadima celebrated with USY Shabbat and Dinner. Kids of all ages had a blast celebrating the first night of Hanukkah at the Congregational Hanukkah Party on Sunday, December 22. We enjoyed a super sweet time lighting the candles, decorating candy Hanukkah Houses, and playing dreidel. Our DJ set the tone with some great
Youth GroupsAbby Salem-Goldman, Youth Director
(Youth Groups continued on next page)
Pizza & PJ Shabbat
Recommended for children ages 15 mo. - 8 yrs. Family members of all ages are welcome!
Friday, January 31, 2020 6:00 - 7:00pm
Join us for a child-friendly, musical Shabbat service led by Rabbi Blatt and David Berger.
tunes and games. Finally, we ended the night with a special treat – a super stuffed dreidel piñata! Wishing you all a Happy New Year!
All the fun continues in January, when Chaverim, Boneem, and Kadima go to Altitude Trampoline Park together to bounce into the New Year on Sunday, January 12, at 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. USY is looking forward to our 2nd Meatless Monday on January 13th featuring Israeli Bourekas and Biscuit Cakes! Join us for a delicious time!
• Medical Appointments• Companionship• Daily activities• Light housekeeping• Errands and Shopping
• Report to family• Meal preparation• Prescription reminders• Assist with personal grooming• Transportation
DepenDability • Quality • KinDness
Your loved ones deserve the Best!Your loved ones deserve the Best!
licensed& insured
“Knowing that we can make a difference inspires us to move forward one day at a time. We are glad to care for your loved ones as if they were an extension of our own family.” Silvia
We have been providing Caregivers and Private Sittersto the Elderly Community in Tampa since 2003
24 Congregation Kol Ami • January 2020 • Tevet / Shevat 5780
Yahrzeits
Honor the Memory of Your Loved Ones
Honor the memory of a loved one with a bronze plaque on a memorial board in our sanctuary for a donation of $360. Please notify the office if you would like to receive yahrzeit notifications for additional loved ones.
Tevet Yahrzeits
4 Gerald M. Levenson
5 Henry Graff
Esther Dorothy Spera
6 William White
Adele Lasher
Marlene Kaplan
Leon Lavine
8 Jack Darrow
Lila Sampson
9 Henrietta Whitehorn
William Hyatt
10 Anita Latter
Ethel Herman
Sylvia Pearlman
Rebbetzin Rose Adler
Elaine Ochman
Lawrence Goldberg
11 Bernard Scheier
Neil Joseph Ranells
Michael Seigel
Fay Rimoin
12 Louis Amsterdam
Morris Walk
Judi Goldsmith
Rose Friedman
13 Shirleyann Reid
Alfred Fellheimer
Susan Rudowsky
Julius Glanzman
Rachel Bulmash
14 Joseph Friedman
Elaine White
15 John Yunger
16 Reba Yeuson
Frieda Weisberg Greenberg
Benjamin D. Levine
Celia Goldberg
17 Rosalind Carmen
Sonia Fink
William Bluestone
Etta Botwinik
Phillip Kline
Rebecca Starr
Isidore Scheier
Florence Greenspon
Sarah Landow
Herbert D. Levenson
18 Milton Cotzen
Richard Sachs
Ida Dubowsky
19 Isadore Jaffe
Benjamin Acosta
Melvin Oaks
21 Walter Ukalo
Milton Shustek
Fani Freiman
Abraham Rock
22 Jack Goren
23 Sarah Chesler
Mary Gravina
Abraham Roth
24 Irving Schul
26 Sarah Terebelo
Molly Rock
Peter Kurjan
Helen Lubin
Isaac Abalak
27 Paul Drezner
Asia Doliner
Mort Feder
28 Norman Sholk
Minna Krieger
Flora Kross
29 Lois Rivkin
Reuben Zalkin
Errol Cornell
Jonah B. Dubowsky
Sylvia Weiss
Shevat Yahrzeits
1 Helen Hoffman
Nathaniel Baker
2 Samuel Sussman
Philip Krischer
Millie Berman
Rachel Teicher
Arnold Dirnfeld
Arthur Wiener
Nathan Druian
Max Berger
3 Phillip Kaufman
Allan Laffer
Samuel Shumsky
Alexander Pheterson
4 Edward White
Murray Fisch
5 Charles Herzog
Deborah Cohen
Sol Levenson
Harry Paul Goldstein
January Birthdays1 Cynthia Ostrovsky
2 Gerald Leopold
4 Richard Dembo
Elijah Ochman
Sylvia Richman
5 Julia Ruby
Anita Waiberman
6 Sheri Peterson
7 Tanya Rubin
Alan Nastir
Ellen Nastir
8 Paul Wallach
9 Allan Hellman
10 Sheldon Goldberg
Jared Freedland
Theodore Sheps
11 Sheryl Tindell
Ava Nissensohn
13 Jordan Levy
Eileen Kanter
Jacob Dackman
14 Batia Friedman-Shaw
Judith Ranells
Emile Lewkowiez
15 Elanit Aarons-Kravetzky
Lea Merrill Davidson-Bern
16 Andrea Friedman
Joshua Halpern
17 Lisa Cohen
Jonathan Graff
18 Lilly Kossoff
Ariella Chauca
Eric Rubin
19 Lauren Sinnreich
Boris Goldgof
20 Samuel Weinstein
Ethan Levy
Ronald Pross
Stan Horowitz
Terry Rosenwasser
Evan Pearlman
21 Aaron Binder
22 R. Lawrence Siegel
Jereld Packer
Marilyn Daniels
Andrew Nissensohn
Birthdays & AnniversariesOnce a month, we celebrate all of our members’ birthdays and anniversaries for that month. Your name(s) and birthday or anniversary will be included in the Shabbat Shalom and you will be invited up to the bima for a special treat.
The January Birthday / Anniversary Shabbat will be celebrated on Friday, January 10, at Shabbat services, starting at 6:30 p.m. Be sure to join us!
23 Lloyd Firestone
David Horwitz
Scott Tolson
25 Kathleen Wasserman
Rebecca Haber
26 Noah Agliata
Lydia Abrams
Paul Weinberger
Kerri Aaron
28 Donna Goldman
Terri Rosenblatt
Greg Winarsky
29 Andrew Altman
Joseph Boer
30 Bram Goldstein
Shaun Stone
Sheila Bush
Adev Aarons
31 Robert Shapiro
Ilona Friedman
William Fries
Terri Hinds
Haley Solomon
Marilyn Weisman
Congregation Kol Ami • January 2020 • Tevet / Shevat 5780 25
Rabbi’s Discretionary FundIN HONOR OF
Rabbi BlattBy Sheri & Bill Peterson
Emily Solondz on becoming a Bat Mitzvah
By the Solondz Family
IN MEMORY OF
Brother, Scott A. MacklerBy Harvey Mackler
Aunt, Lynn DarrowBy Greg & Paula Baker
Stepmother, Leah AbramsonBy Marilyn & Gil Weisman
Father, Isidore BlittBy Cindy Korenvaes
Walter Sanders, Father of Brian Sanders & Marc Sanders & Beloved Congregant
By Nat & Debbie Doliner
Marvin B. Blatt, Father of Rabbi Marc Blatt
By Nat & Debbie Doliner
Maynard P. Kaplan, Father of Sheri Peterson
By Nat & Debbie Doliner
J. Lionel Skoorka, Brother of Marilyn Daniels
By Lisa & Gary Teblum
Uncle, Joseph AlexanderBy Harvey Mackler
Building FundIN MEMORY OF
Grandfather, Leon RitterBy Sylvia Richman & Marv Halem
Husband, Harold RichmanBy Sylvia Richman
Endowment FundGET WELL WISHES TO
Susan LeibowitzBy Sheri & Bill Peterson
Lisa TeblumBy Sheri & Bill Peterson
Mother, Roberta DolinskyBy Karen & Alan Borden
Grandfather, Joseph Rosenwasser
By Marc & Terry Rosenwasser
Father, Sam GoldbergBy Sandra Wainberg
Howard Kanter Kiddush FundIN MEMORY OF
J. Lionel Skoorka, Brother of Marilyn Daniels
By Terry & Marc RosenwasserGwen & Matt NiehoffAmy WasserSusan & Ron Pross
Larry Marofsky, Brother of Stu Marofsky
By Terry & Marc Rosenwasser Susan & Ron Pross
Jeffrey Greenspon, Brother of Erma Ruffkess
By Marc & Terry Rosenwasser Bonnie & Richard Hoffman
Marvin B. Blatt, Father of Rabbi Marc Blatt
By Susan & Ron Pross
Maynard P. Kaplan, Father of Sheri Peterson
By Susan & Ron Pross
Jay Fink Library FundIN MEMORY OF
Brother, Donald SchulBy Beverly Fink
(Donations continued on next page)
Donate! There are many ways to get involved in Congregation Kol Ami
and making a donation is always a great way to support our
Shul and the programs that we offer. You can now make your
donations online using your credit card. To do so, go to:
https://kolami.org/donate-payments
Marilyn DanielsBy Sheri & Bill Peterson
IN MEMORY OF
Grandfather, Joseph RosenbergBy Gary & Lisa Teblum
Father-in-Law, Henry Breitstein By Penny Breitstein
J. Lionel Skoorka, Brother of Marilyn Daniels
By Cindy Korenvaes Sheri & Bill Peterson
Larry Marofsky, Brother of Stu Marofsky
By Sheri & Bill Peterson
General FundIN HONOR OF
Gwen Niehoff on receiving the Women of Distinction Award
By Brian & Sheila ShawCarol & Joseph Tarica
Marcy Fries on receiving the Women of Distinction Award
By Jeff & Terri Hinds
IN MEMORY OF
Grandmother, Saly FinsterwaldBy Beverly & Mike Stevens
J. Lionel Skoorka, Brother of Marilyn Daniels
By Nancy & Ephraim GraffPaul & Rae Wallach Steven Daniels Alan & Karen Borden
Walter Sanders, Father of Brian Sanders & Marc Sanders & Beloved Congregant
By Maia Michaelson & Family
Father, Gilbert GreensponBy Erma & Skip Ruffkess
Uncle, Herbert SprinczelesBy Erma & Skip Ruffkess
Uncle, Martin SprinczelesBy Erma & Skip Ruffkess
Grandfather, Bernard SprinczelesBy Erma & Skip Ruffkess
26 Congregation Kol Ami • January 2020 • Tevet / Shevat 5780
Kol Ami’s KAMEL ProgramSponsored by the Ma’asim Tovim (Good Deeds) Committee, the Kol Ami Medical Equipment Loan (KAMEL) Program pairs up congre-gants who are willing to loan their currently unused medical equipment
to other congregants who are in need of such equipment on either a short- or long-term basis.
If you have extra equipment (e.g., canes, walkers, wheel-chairs, shower chairs, grab bars, etc.) you are willing to lend, or if you would like to borrow equipment, please contact Ma’asim Tovim Chair, Sue Dvorchik at [email protected] or contact the Kol Ami office at (813) 962-6338. We will try to make the “shidduch” (match)!
Mazel Tov! Max with his Zeydeh and Bubbe (Irv and Barbara Shargaa of Orlando) on Bubbe’s 90th birthday. Zeydeh turned 90 in May, right before their 65th wedding anniversary.
Donations (cont’d)
Judith R. Sobel Adult Ed IN MEMORY OF
Aunt, Goldie ClosnerBy Karen Closner
Father, Mark GleyzermanBy Alexander & Nelly Vinokurov
Father, Michael RimoinBy Shirley & Frank Entis & Family
Larry Wasser FundIN MEMORY OF
Grandmother, Lena DanielsBy Alan & Marilyn Daniels
Ma’asim Tovim FundIN MEMORY OF
Mother, Telma BaratzBy Dora & Max Rattes
Nicole Kleban FundIN MEMORY OF
Father, Milton HermanBy Larry & Marsy Herman
Mother, Anne LewisBy Marsy & Larry Herman
Prayer Book FundIN MEMORY OF
Grandfather, Harry FinkelBy Craig & Ann Kalter
Father, Edwin StraussBy Beverly & Mike Stevens
Grandfather, Nathan PearlmanBy Nathan Pearlman
Father, Aaron SiegelBy R. Lawrence & Tracey Siegel
School FundIN HONOR OF
Ellie Halls on becoming a Bat Mitzvah
By Cindy Korenvaes Jamie & Jeff Krischer
Emily Solondz on becoming a Bat Mitzvah
By Cindy KorenvaesJamie & Jeff Krischer
Brodie Newhouse on becoming a Bar Mitzvah
By Jamie & Jeff Krischer
Sue & Barry Dvorchik on their Granddaughter’s Bat Mitzvah
Congregation Kol Ami • Rabbi Rachel Blatt • Mitchell Weiss, Executive DirectorJennifer Halls, Education Director • Abby Salem-Goldman, Youth Director • David Pearlman, President
