December 2013 Bulle n

Kislev—Tevet 5774

Where Traditional Judaism Embraces the Contemporary World

SCHOOL CLOSED: DON'T FORGET THERE WILL BE NO SCHOOL 12/22-1/3

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Through the generations, Jewish leadership lamented the

immanent death of Judaism. The agents of death have taken

many forms: The cultural imposition of the Syrian-Greeks (the story of Hanuka)

The political subjugation of the Roman Empire

The religious persecution of the High Church in the Middle Ages The economic oppression of Eastern European nations

The lure of the enlightenment in Western Europe The genocidal success of the Nazis The sway of secularism in the 21st century. The historian Simon Rawidowicz described the Jews as an Ever-Dying People. We tend to

look at the world and conclude, “We are not going to make it to the next generation.”

The most recent reinforcement of Rawidowicz’ thesis now comes with the recent publica-tion of the Pew Survey on Jewish Americans. This comprehensive report, the most complete

survey of the American Jewish community in more than a decade, reveals shocking, though not really surprising statistics:

Almost 1/4 of all American Jews respond they have no religion.

Among Millennials, those born in the closing decades of the 20th century, the ratio is 1/3.

Among Jews who agree that their religion is Jewish, more than 1/2 define themselves as Jews by virtue of their ancestry or by their participation in a culture, nothing more. 2/3

of Jews by religion are agnostic with regard to God, and/or ignostic: God just doesn’t matter.

Less than 1/3 Jews belong to a synagogue and the percentage of those Jews active in

the life of the synagogue is, for lack of a more quantifiable term, depressing.

There are those who shrug and reassure the community, “Don’t worry”, echoing the con-clusion of the Biblical Prophets that there will always be Sh’ayrit Yisrael, the Saving Rem-nant of Israel, the small group that will provide the strength to overcome whatever threat-

ens the Jews of any given generation. Others panic and search for the panacea, the quick-

cure to the seemingly terminal disease.

My response to both is (a) we should worry, and (b) there is no quick-cure. We have a major

attitude problem to overcome, and a pervasive perspective to construct.

It seems to me that the key to religious survival is to reject “unhealthy” definitions of reli-gion. From the fundamentalist Christian world, we conclude that being religious is a matter

of faith and belief, a tenet rejected by the Rabbis of the Talmud 19 centuries ago.

FROM OUR

RABBI

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From the literalist Jewish community, we conclude that being religious is a matter of ritual-

istic observances. By either of these definitions, I understand why so many Jews declare,

“I’m not religious.”

For the serious Jew, the measure of being religious is the acceptance of two universal princi-

ples, one from the Torah and the other from the Talmud:

1. Every human being is created in the God’s Image: we are to reflect the 13 Attributes of

Divinity (Exodus 34.6), which include compassion, patience, impulse control and for-

giveness.

2. Humanity and God are equal partners in the process of transforming the world from the

way it is to the way it ought to be.

A Jew who takes being Jewish seriously must accept the mitzva – the religious responsibility – to act in a Godly way and to transform the world using our God-given talents and insights.

The key to sociological survival is our sense of belonging. When, for example, we participate in a Passover Seder, we do not refer to our ancestors in Egypt as “they”: WE were slaves to Pharaoh in Egypt. We empathize with the Jewish community throughout history and today,

for better or for worse, with a sense of “we”: WE sound the Shofar, WE eat in the Sukka, WE light Hanuka candles together.

According to statistics, the majority of people who affiliate with congregations do so be-

cause they seek a welcoming community, a place like Cheers “where everyone knows your name.” Congregations need to reflect a family feel, where one can leave the competitive world at the door. It is in the synagogue and sanctuary that we connect with others with the resolve to fulfill our idealistic destiny.

It seems to me these are the religious questions the Pew report should have included:

Whether you believe in God or not, do you accept the priority of acting in a Godly way?

Are you proud of your Jewish Heritage with its universal vision of the world the way it

should be?

Do you identify with your Jewish Family through history and throughout the world?

Are you happy to share Jewish life with your family and friends?

Are you willing to support the congregational community for the next generation, no mat-

ter what your level of activity is?

I suspect that the number of people who say “yes” to this question is far greater than the

statistics reflected in the Pew report.

We cannot survive by reading premature reports of our demise and saying “Oy!” Our survival

is based on the way we act and interact with a sense of “Joy!”

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FROM OUR

PRESIDENT

It has certainly been an interesting experience being Congregational President in

this day and age of changing attitudes towards organized religion. Some of the chal-

lenges we faced included membership growth and retention, building improvement

(maintenance and expansion), personnel management, budget oversight, religious

activities and the ever popular fundraising. I was very fortunate to have the histori-

cal perspective iterated to me by those who had been members longer than I have.

I relied upon several people on the Boards I oversaw these past two years who have

been instrumental in the transformation of Beth Am.

Jim Riola spearheaded the school expansion that was necessary to accommodate

our growing student body during his tenure as President, as well as serving on

the Board as Past President.

Dan Williams, a former President, Past President and long time Treasurer of Beth

Am, made sure our special events over the past few years were all successful.

Herb Weissman could always be counted on to lead our fundraising with his ener-

gy, enthusiasm, and smile. He had also been our Treasurer.

Greg Alman put his heart and soul into our religious side, making some of the

tough decisions (you try assigning High Holiday honors!) that others really did-

n’t want any part of.

Simon Mendel, well, what can be said about the job he’s done as Treasurer.

Doubtlessly, the task that no one really wants in this day and age is Treasurer.

He transformed the system that we had used “in the old days” and made it

work in this modern era.

Those whom I mentioned will not be back on the 2014 Board. I hope the new Board

continues on the path that these five have blazed. I cannot thank each of them

enough for their many, many years of service and dedication to Beth Am which, I

know, was predicated on their love for this place. They truly knew the meaning of

and the path to self-fulfillment.

I Found Mine – I Hope You Found Yours

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Tradition is difficult to break but we have grown in non-traditional ways. We didn’t

build some fancy new building. We improved upon our current property. We have

an expanded, comfortable, modernized kitchen. Our sanctuary is very comfortable

and can be arranged for most any size crowd or event. Our social hall walls are

filled with artwork and the library is overflowing with books. Our grounds are green

with flora. We easily accommodate kids from pre-kindergarten through seventh

grade and you can hear their sounds of laughter coming from the new playground.

The old and the new are visible everywhere, but no more so than in the volunteers

who help us each day. The Mitzva Brigade, Men’s Club, Gift Shop, Book and Movie

Club, cooking classes, poker lessons and catering crew are all led by a core of dedi-

cated volunteers. Their numbers are growing.

I will certainly adjust to my new position as “Immediate Past President”. This is not

the first time in my life that I will serve in a downgraded status. Remember, I’m

retired. I will be present at the Board meetings and remind the 2014 Board of the

legacy of past Boards, the framework under which we operated during my term as

President, the mandates of our members and our fiduciary responsibility to them,

and especially the need to look at our long history and the events that shaped what

and where we are today. We must learn from our past so we reinforce the positive

and do not repeat those decisions and actions that negatively affected Beth Am.

Central Florida’s Jewish community is unique and unlike those in large cities with

large Jewish populations. Ours is an evolving community that offers many opportu-

nities for leading a satisfying, fulfilling Jewish life. Over the past two years at Beth

Am, we strove to give everyone options for participation and, in turn, you could feel

good about yourselves. Community service, special events for holiday celebrations,

expansion of programs for our children and, of course, the spirituality of our reli-

gious services were all there for the taking. With all the ups and downs that this

ride as Congregational President brought with it (as in every leadership role in every

aspect of life), I was able to find my fulfillment. I hope you found yours.

Steve Leibowitz

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SUPPORTERS OF BETH AM

Michael & Heddy Bernstein General In memory of Grandmother, Fanny Dorfman Alan Brown General In memory of his mother, Roslyn Brown Fred & Francis Brown Education In memory of his mother, Roslyn Brown Mark & Diane Siegel General In memory of his mother, Marilyn Levy Betsy Batwin General In honor of the Tom & Joanie Mayer’s new grandson Helene Gold General In memory of her sister, Lois Davis Marc Siegel General In memory of his step-father, Sid Levy Diane Siegel General In memory of her father, Harry Stern Jackie and Stan Levine General In memory of her mother, Florence Olicker Howard Finkelstein General In memory of his mother, Beatrice Finkelstein Lawrence Kaplan General In memory of his father, Hyman Kaplan and sister Ruthann Kaplan Carolyn Kaplan General In memory of her mother, Ruth Maysman Lois Smith General In memory of her daughter, Rebekah Lynn Smith Harry & Barbara Bernstein General In memory of her grandfather, Meyer Handler

High Holy Days Appeal

Nicholas Abrudescu & Nancy Brown Gitty Adler Greg Alman Eric & Lisa Alpert Myron & Allyson Ascher Michael & Roxanne Baron Barbara Bernstein Roberta Bernstein Rob & Diana Bial Craig & Jody Blattner Steven & Nikki Botwinik Stuart & Michelle Bourne Steve & Doreen Bierenbaum Frank & Sherril Bracco Michael & Lauri Cayado Dilly Clarke Mike & Joanna Cohen Jeff Cohen & Luci Belnick Joe & Bernice Davids Lucy Estrin Howard & Kim Finkelstein Craig & Lisa Fishman Carol Francis Eva Gaber Phil & Fran Gelfand Scott & Jeanne Gold Russell & Amy Goldberg Hank & Norma Greenberg Brian & Marisa Gruber Alan & Elyse Jacobs Steve & Candace Jaffe Millie Harris Gary & SuzAnne Kaltbaum Phil & Sara Kaprow Rabbi Moe & Sheila Kaprow Josh & Rebecca Katz Matt & Kristi Klein Lloyd & Mary Lavin

Jack & Jeri Leavitt Tobe & Anne Lev Jonathan & Gail Lewis Mitchell & Marilyn Lustig Barry Miller Sherman & Marilyn Miller Lester & Marlene Morris Albert & Sarah Opoliner Thom & Beth Oxborough Joe & Glo Padawer Dan & Kris Rashy Cliff & Denise Reback Marcia Rosen Paul & Margie Schlesinger Steve & Susan Shapiro Sable Jim & Rhonda Scorzelli Steve & Lucy Seidler Sam & Rachel Shapiro Mark & Nancy Sharfman Jason & Lisa Shenkman Mark & Diane Siegel Elaine Silver & Michael Baron Neal & Bernadette Silverstein Lois Smith Sherwin & Barbara Sokolov Beau & Missy Ward-Spaulding Marty & Marsha Stein Karen Stroup Katlyn Tissue & Blake Kachman Lillian Tobias Eric & Susan Weinstein Sherwood & Susan Weisman Herb & Shelley Weissman Lloyd & June Werk Sam & JoAnn Woociker Anne Zahary Alan Zemel & Pam Bellet

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Reduce your 2013 Income Tax!

Here’s a way to reduce your 2013 income tax. Pay your outstanding 2013 dues balance. You can also reduce

your 2013 income tax by prepaying your 2014 dues and Building Fund commitment. It is very easy…just make

sure we receive your payment, preferably by check, for all or a portion of these amounts by December 31, 2013.

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At our recent Annual Meeting of Members, a concerned member asked about the costs we incur for credit card

transactions. We were informed that we spent $5,000.00 this year for processing fees. We are asking for your

support in helping to lower our costs by paying us with a check rather than credit card. We will no longer accept

AMEX since their processing fees are highest. Thank you advance for your support!

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We are preparing to gather the information for our 2014 Directory. If you have had a change of your physical or

email address or phone number please let the office know about these changes!

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WEDNESDAY EVENING ADULT EDUCATION

December 11th & 18th at 7:15 pm

The Wednesday evening study of Rabbinic texts returns on December 11th and

18th at 7:15. This class, facilitated by Rabbi Kassel Abelson, features Pirkay Avot,

the guidelines to justice and mentchy living that date back to the time of the Mishna,

18 centuries ago, and apply to our everyday life in the 21st century.

Rabbi Abelson is the Emeritus Chair of the Rabbinical Assembly’s Committee on

Jewish Law and Standards, and is a past president of the international Rabbinical As-

sembly.

THE SWEETNESS OF THE SANCTUARY

Every Shabbat, we pass around the candy baskets to allow everyone to taste the sweet-ness of the Shabbat service. We thank everyone who contributed the post-October 31st campaign for candy to en-hance our “Sweetness Collection”. The response was overwhelming, with enough sweet-ness to share with Ronald McDonald House, Safehouse, and wherever else our Mitzvah Bri-gade plans to take it. We especially thank all the families in our school for their generosity. We know that chocolate is the mainstay of our congregation! We especially thank the “regulars” at our Shabbat morning service. Lisa Alpert brought in several bags of choco-late, and Allyson and Myron Ascher brought in only one bag… one huge bag… one in-credibly large bag filled with enough sweetness to brighten a full Sanctuary on the High Holy Days and through the year.

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DECEMBER YAHRTZEITS

NAME YAHR_C RELATIONSHIP RELATED_TO Beatrice Finkelstein 1-Dec Mother Howard Finkelstein

Jeanette Lack 2-Dec Mother Ilona Sheplan Joseph Pervin 2-Dec Father Bernice Shapiro Joseph Pervin 2-Dec Grandfather Susan Shapiro

Charles Bernstein 3-Dec Husband Roberta Bernstein Charles Bernstein 3-Dec Father Michael Bernstein

Dustin Rose 3-Dec Son Ed & Lynn Rose Ruth Loeb 4-Dec Mother Carol A. Francis

Meyer Handler 5-Dec Grandfather Barbara Bernstein Florence Olicker 7-Dec Mother Jacqueline Levine Louis Gelfand 8-Dec Father Philip Gelfand Louis Wilensky 8-Dec Father Ellis Wilensky

Doris Werk 9-Dec Mother Lloyd Werk Helen Ascher 9-Dec Mother Myron Ascher

Irving Aaron Fishman 10-Dec Father Sheri Rosenberg Ruth Williams 10-Dec Mother Daniel Williams Arnold Taub 11-Dec Father Gloria Padawer Bessie Zang 11-Dec Grandmother Michael Berren

Bernard Tobias 12-Dec Husband Lillian Tobias Jacob Tulip 13-Dec Grandfather Cyndie Elman

Margaret Katzen 13-Dec Mother Marlene Morris Harry Stern 14-Dec Father Diane Siegel

Ida S. Karesh 14-Dec Grandmother Marsha Stein Ida S. Karesh 14-Dec Mother Sondra Pritchard

Lorraine Goldstein 14-Dec Mother Michael Goldstein Ethel Taub 15-Dec Mother Gloria Padawer

Richard Pritchard 15-Dec Husband Sondra Pritchard Richard W. Pritchard 15-Dec Father Marsha Stein

Bertha Gussow 17-Dec Grandmother Irving Gussow Donald Porter 17-Dec Brother Shelley Weissman

Sid Levy 19-Dec Step-Father Marc Siegel Steven Zlatkiss 19-Dec Son Jerrod & Linda Zlatkiss Aaron Zelkowitz 21-Dec Son Michael & Deborah Zelkowitz David Goldfarb 23-Dec Father Marcia Rosen

Sophia Rosenband 23-Dec Grandmother Lucy Seidler

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IN MEMORIAM

As a Congregational Family, we extend our heartfelt condolences to

NANCY MENDEL

As she remembers her mother RITA FINEBERG

If we have inadvertently omitted a yahrtzeit or incorrectly published personal information about you in this bulletin, we apologize. Please let us

know so we can correct our records.

DECEMBER YAHRTZEITS

Sheila Gordon 25-Dec Wife Ira Gordon

Sheldon Howard Jacobs 25-Dec Brother Alan Jacobs

Tessie Pearlman 25-Dec Mother Marshall Pearlman

Rebekah Lynn Smith 27-Dec Daughter Lois Smith

Sharon Rose 28-Dec Sister Ed Rose

Benjamin Miller 29-Dec Grandfather Cyndie Elman

Dora Jarenkes 29-Dec Grandmother Lon Winter

Gertrude Rosenfeld 29-Dec Grandmother Robert Bial

Louis Schiff 30-Dec Father Celia Rosenberg

Bertha Gair 31-Dec Grandmother Richard Gair

Elaine Kneiz 31-Dec Aunt Sheri Rosenberg

Henry Ascher 31-Dec Father Myron Ascher

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IT’S FOOTBALL TIME Super Bowl Raffle

Game is on February 2, 2014 Only $25 per square

PURCHASE SQUARES:

at the Synagogue office (407.862.3505) by credit card using the secure Payments page

on our web site Wednesday and Sunday when Religious School

is in session

For additional information or to purchase squares, call: Herb at 321.246.0717

YOU WIN if your number combination matches at

the end of the 1st quarter$250 the end of the 2nd quarter$250 the end of the 3rd quarter$250 the end of the game ... $500

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DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS

If we have inadvertently omitted a birthday or anniversary or incorrectly

published personal information about you in this bulletin, we apologize. Please let us know so we can correct our records.

Danielle Allen 1‐Dec

Sharon Berger 1‐Dec

Fabian Poliak 2‐Dec

Rachel Zelkowitz 2‐Dec

Elli June Stein 3‐Dec

Leslie Intro 4‐Dec

Daniel Williams 4‐Dec

Natalie Woociker 4‐Dec

Elena Graff 5‐Dec

Jacob Green 5‐Dec

Sarah Myers 5‐Dec

Robert Rosenberg 5‐Dec

Eric Kaltbaum 8‐Dec

Gloria Padawer 9‐Dec

Suzanne Weinstein 9‐Dec

Andrew LoMedico 10‐Dec

Margot Baron 11‐Dec

Erin Piper Rosenbla 11‐Dec

David Bernstein 12‐Dec

Jacqueline Levine 13‐Dec

Harry Lipkind 13‐Dec

Denise Reback 13‐Dec

Rachel Shapiro 14‐Dec

Paul Karlinsky 15‐Dec

Robin Mackler 15‐Dec

Nicholas Abrudescu 16‐Dec

Lisa Herwitz 17‐Dec

Logan Intro 17‐Dec

Mark Lichtenstein 17‐Dec

Lillian Tobias 18‐Dec

Margaret Buxbaum 19‐Dec

Ka e Weisman 20‐Dec

Kris ne Klein 19‐Dec

Randi Yoffee 21‐Dec

Lindsay William 24‐Dec

Daniel Kaprow 25‐Dec

Pearl Seidler 25‐Dec

Frances Brown 26‐Dec

Jason Belcher 27‐Dec

Manny Mar n 28‐Dec

Sophia Poliak 28‐Dec

Marilyn Miller 29‐Dec

Jerrod Zlatkiss 29‐Dec

Jeffrey Grushka 30‐Dec

Seth Reichelson 30‐Dec

Michael Cassell 27‐Dec

Isaac Lewis 27‐Dec

DECEMBER ANNIVERSARIES

NAME ANNIVERSARY YEARS_MARRIED David & Juli Goldstone 15-Dec 17 Scott & Jeanne Gold 18-Dec 30 Alan & Elyse Jacobs 17-Dec 30 Jonathan & Gail Lewis 18-Dec 19 Manny & Ava Martin 19-Dec 26 Steve & Candace Jaffe 20-Dec 28 Joseph & Bernice Davids 21-Dec 61 Richard & Ruth Rubin 22-Dec 34 Mark & Jackie Lichtenstein 25-Dec 30 Evan & Jana Shear 27-Dec 16 Matthew & Kristine Klein 30-Dec 13 Marshall & Sandra Pearlman 30-Dec 40

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DECEMBER 2013 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 NO SCHOOL Family Hanuka Cele-bration 6-8 pm

2 3 4 Second Harvest 6-8

5 Book & Movie Club (Panera) 7pm

6 Kabbalat Shabbat 7:30 pm

7 Va-Yigash Mitzva Class 9 am Shabbat Service 9:30 am

8 Religious School CBA 9:30 AM Rabbi’s Club for 8th-10th Graders @ 12:15

9 10 Religious School Winter Springs 5 pm Board Meeting 7:30 pm

11 Religious School CBA 4:15 pm

12 13 Kabbalat Shabbat 7:30 pm

14 Va-Yechi Mitzva Class 9 am Shabbat Service 9:30am

15 Religious School CBA 9:30 AM 3rd & 4th Grade Schmooze Rabbi’s Club for 8th-10th Graders @ 12:15 Tea @ Helene Gold’s House

16

17 Rabbi's monthly presentation @ Oakmonte—1:30 pm Religious School Winter Springs 5 pm

18 Religious School CBA 4:15 pm

19

20

21 Shemot Mitzva Class 9 am Shabbat Service 9:30 am

22

NO SCHOOL

23 24

NO SCHOOL

25 Ronald McDonald House 10am

NO SCHOOL

26

27

28 Va-Era

NO SCHOOL Shabbat Service 9:30 am

29

NO SCHOOL

30 31

NO SCHOOL

Community Minyan 7:45 am Mon-Fri Jewish Academy of Orlando

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We need volunteers and there are plenty of rewarding opportuni es at Congrega on Beth Am.

If you can spare a few minutes or a few hours or need community service hours for school, we can help! Give us a call and let’s talk.

BOOK & MOVIE CLUB The CBA Book & Movie Club takes our annual break during the month of December. We will resume in January 2014. Over the past year, we have had read books and watched movies on many different topics resul ng in some very interes ng discussions. We’ve also had a lot of fun and schmoozing. A recap of the year since June is as follows: Books: Movies: Rashi’s Daughter’s The Band’s Visit Book I Jocheved Crossing Delancey Checkpoints The Debt Night A preview of what’s coming in 2014: Books: Movies: Infidel The Five People You Meet in Heaven Mazel One Night with the King As a Driven Leaf and one movie TBD We meet on the third Thursday of each month. Everyone is welcome to join us at any me. We are open and welcoming to anyone interested. Please feel free to contact me at any me. Norma Greenberg bookandmovieclub@congbetham.org

PARENT COFFEE & SCHMOOZE 9:30 am in the Social Hall

COME SPEND SOME TIME WITH PARENTS FROM YOUR CHILD'S CLASS AND MAKE NEW FRIENDS!

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Help Needed to Collect Holiday Gifts for “SafeHouse of Seminole County”

CBA’s Mitzvah Brigade is coordinating an effort to gather toys for the infants, children

and teens at Seminole County SafeHouse. We would greatly appreciate any/all assis-

tance to help make this holiday season a bit brighter for the youth at SafeHouse. A

“Wish List” is attached or can be picked up in the CBA office. Please place your dona-

tions in the box marked “Seminole County SafeHouse” located in the CBA Lobby. If

donating used items, please be sure they are in “Like New” condition. We will be de-

livering the donations collected by CBA to SafeHouse in Mid-December. If you have

any questions, please feel free to contact Randi Yoffee (Cell: 407-697-0960 or e-mail:

randiy@earthlink.net).

SafeHouse Kids’ Holiday Wish List Newborn – 3 years Teething Rings Noise Makers Baby Walkers Baby Books Playskool Toys Electronic books Push & pull toys Soft books Baby Rockers Bath Toys Mini basketball sets Strollers Baby swings

4-6 years Talking dolls Tricycles Blocks Legos Balls Cabbage Patch dolls Leap Pad Counting books Washable paint Barbie skates Play food sets Ball poppers Bowling sets Cartoon-themed items Train sets Play cash register Scooters Play kitchen sets Big wheels

7-9 years Legos Bicycles Action figures Skateboard Razor Board Remote controlled cars Musical instruments Building sets Easy Bake Oven Doll House Walkie Talkie Pokemon Leap Pad Boom Box Karaoke Movies Manicure Kits Balls Scooters Robots

10-13 years Bicycles Accessories Journals Radios Video Games Slip & Slide Make Up Footballs Baseballs Soccer Balls Baseball Gloves Nail Polish Scooters

14-17 years* Gift Cards Electronic devices Make Up Nail Polish Jewelry Movie Passes Entertainment Tickets Art supplies Lap Tops Desk Tops MP3 Players DVDs Digital cameras Headphones *Fewer people tend to donate gifts for teens, perhaps because those items tend to be more expensive than gifts for younger children. Please consider donating a Gift Card from retailers such as Target, Wal-Mart, or Best Buy so that SafeHouse can pool the gift cards to purchase teen gifts for the Toy Shop. Thank you!

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Our tradi on teaches us the importance of tz’daka. What a wonderful and las ng way to commemo‐rate a birthday, anniversary, yahrzeit, recovery from illness or hardship, Bat or Bar Mitzva, wedding, new baby or other occasion!

Or give just because…..! We maintain various funds, dona ons to which are used to support our many ac vi es and to make

Beth Am the Synagogue we want it to be. Please show that you care — make a contribu on to the fund of your choice. All contribu ons are tax deduc ble

A MESSAGE FROM THE MITZVAH BRIGADE

Update from the Mitzvah Brigade The group is growing! At our November meeting, it was standing room only. Now we have a problem....finding a place to meet which will accommodate everyone. What a wonderful problem to have! The brigade has several projects in place for the holiday season. We can’t do it alone. We need your help. In December, we will be collecting items for the Safe House. They have given us a wish list of items needed for infants through the teen years. A collection box is located at the synagogue. We will be preparing brunch for the families at the Ronald McDonald House on Christmas Day. Donations of items and money are greatly appreciated. Boxes of cookies, pastries, paper goods and juice will help to support this effort. At the beginning of the month, the school and the brigade are joining together for an evening at the Second Harvest Food Bank. The response to this activity has been amazing and as of today, there are no more spots for volunteers. As you can see, there is much to be done. We also have several projects in place to support our extended family at Beth Am. There was a great response to the Mitzvah Meal Project and thanks to the efforts of our brigade, we have meals in the freezer for families in need. The meals consist of a chicken, stuffing, rolls, brownies and vegetables. The meal will be delivered to your home. Please help us. If you are in need of our support, please contact Debbie Zelkowitz or the office. There has also been discussion of what the group can do when there has been a death in the fami-ly. Besides providing a meal, we want to be able to show that we are there for you. Please look for further information in the next article. We are forty members strong however there is always room for one more....so they say...Please consider joining us. The next meeting will be on Sunday, January 26th at the synagogue. We look forward to seeing you then. As always, we appreciate all of the support the congregation has provided this past year.

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Catering By

Artisans (Your CBA Caterer)

Celebrating a simha at Beth Am?

If you want...

delicious food

an impressive presentation

personal, caring attention

every last detail taken care of

unbeatable pricing

catering profits to benefit

Beth Am

Then...

Catering By Artisans is your only

choice!

For information, contact:

Sheri Rosenberg 321.356.1529

eBay at CBA

In the last 18 months, our eBay program has generated

more than $6,000 for Congrega on Beth Am. This

money goes 100% directly to the synagogue and

benefits every member.

Please keep cleaning out your houses, so this high gain

and low effort fund raising program can con nue. We

can sell almost everything on EBay except books and

clothing. Those items that do not sell are saved and sold

at our annual garage sale.

Please contact the Beth Am office to make arrangements

with Herb Weissman with any ques ons or to have your

dona ons picked up. and he will arrange to pick up your

items at your convenience.

HOW TO CONTACT US 407.862.3505

Shalom@CongBethAm.org www.CongBethAm.org

Please direct all correspondence to:

P.O. Box 915756 Longwood, FL 32791-5756

We're located at: 3899 Sand Lake Road

Want the latest information about Congregation Beth Am? Want to be the first to know about special events?

Follow Congrega on Beth Am on Facebook and find out what you’ve been missing!

Programming informa on Special Events Classes

Resources Ask the Rabbi And so much more…

Congrega on Beth Am,It’s where we come come together.

- 17 -

The hiring of a lawyer is an important decision that should not be based solely upon advertisements. Before you decide, ask us to send you free written information about our qualifications and experience.

GWEN D. BLOOM Attorney At Law

1180 Spring Centre South Blvd. Admitted to Practice in Florida (1991)

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Tel: 407-682-3390 Florida Bar Real Property, Probate and Trust

Fax: 407-682-3185 Law Section and Orange County Bar

www.gwenbloomlaw.com

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Wills and Trusts

Probate and Trust Administration

Transfer Tax Planning

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We encourage you to support our advertisers who support us with

their ads in the Bulletin, Membership Directory and on our web site

- 18 -

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Promote your business with a Bulletin ad

For information, contact Elyse at the office 407.862.3505

- 19 -

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