October 2014 • Volume 28 • Issue 9 A Reform Congregation Embracing Our Jewish Tradition

News & Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah

Kol Nidre

Friday, October 3

Service 8 pm

Yom Kippur

Saturday, October 4

Early Service 8 am

Late Service 11:30 am

Family Service 2:30 pm

Forgiveness Conversation 2:30 pm

Afternoon Service/Yizkor/Neilah 4 pm

SS I M C H ATI M C H AT TT O R A HO R A H

Join us for this

multigenerational

celebration !!

October 15th

at 6:00 pm

Sukkot Pizza in the Hut

Oct 8 5:30 - 6:30 pm

Service at 6:30 in the Alterman Chapel

See

page

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News & Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah

Yom Kippur—Neilah

For the last two years, I have been sharing

messages to encourage the members of our sacred

community to come and join us for Neilah. Neilah

is the final service after a long day of prayer and

self-reflection as we move through the Gates of Repentance. God

is ready to forgive us, but only if we have done the work to get to

a place of balance and atonement.

Last year, towards the end of our Neilah service, I announced that

I would be leaving the ark open for the last 15 minutes of the

service, inviting our congregants to come before the open Ark to

share a private prayer – just between you and the Kadosh Baruch

Hu / The Holy One of Blessing. I have to be honest with you… I

was expecting one or two brave souls to come up, be vulnerable

in front of a watchful congregation, and return to their seats.

Instead, what I witnessed made my eyes well up and my voice

crack. There was a long line of people who came forward to have

their time – standing before God – to help heal, to forgive, to

return to their true selves. It was an amazing, poignant, truly

AWEsome moment for all of us.

We will be doing that again this year. At a certain point, we will

all stand together to open the Ark and then, even though the ark is

open, you will be able to sit again (it is permitted to sit while the

Ark is open).

Whatever one might need, this is our chance to express our

deepest prayers and feelings before our most sacred space at our

most sacred time, just as the High Priest did in ancient times

when he went before God in the Holy of Holies of the Tabernacle

or The Holy Temple of Jerusalem.

Many have never seen a service of Neilah. I encourage you to

come. It is always meaningful to get through the day, together,

spiritually refreshed and feeling whole.

I will also like to remind everyone to bring an abundance of food

for Operation Isaiah, as we collect food on Yom Kippur for the

Atlanta Community Food Bank.

Lastly, note we have something new going on this year. For some

who don’t want to leave the building before we return for Yizkor

or Minchah/Afternoon prayers, there will be a discussion on

Forgiveness at 2:30 pm in the Library. The conversation will be

led by Cindy Getty, our Adult Education Committee Chairperson,

and will include therapists who will share their insights from a

healing perspective and from a Jewish perspective.

Friends, from my family to you… may the year be a year of

strength, of fortitude, of good health, and joy as we all continue

on our journeys.

Gamar Chatimah Tovah – May you be sealed in the Book of

Life!

Rabbi Fred Greene

The Introduction to the Talmud

that You’ve Been Waiting For!

Bring a dairy lunch and join Rabbi Greene for a lively monthly class and discussion

which will consist of an introduction to the Talmud - its stories, its themes, the sages,

and see how its teachings build upon the foundation of the Torah.

The class will meet from 11:45 am to 1 pm on:

Tuesday, October 14

Fridays, November 7, December 19, January 23, February 20, March 13 and April 17

All are welcome. Dates are subject to change. Please check the TBT calendar to confirm.

RSVPs are appreciated for each session.

RSVP to michelle@bethtikvah.com

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News & Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah

Notes from Cantor Kassel

“Oh, won’t you stay…………... Just a little bit longer?

Oh please, please stay……….Just a little bit more.”

lyrics to “STAY” – by Maurice Williams and The Zodiacs (1960)

We are well into the Hebrew month of Tishrei which has in it: Yom Kippur, Sukkot, Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah. I’m pretty sure that

“Shemini Atzeret” is not on the radar of most Reform Jews, but it’s meaning is closely related to these “Stay” lyrics (above) only it’s G-d who is

singing to us and not The Hollies, the Four Seasons, Jackson Brown or Bruce Springstein.

So what IS Shemini Atzeret and what meaning can it hold for us today?

Shemini Atzeret originates from Leviticus 23:36:

“….. seven days you shall bring offerings by fire to the LORD. On the eighth day you

shall observe a sacred occasion and bring an offering by fire to the LORD; it is a

solemn gathering (ATZERET): you shall not work at your occupation.

Shemini Atzeret is usually translated as “the assembly of the eighth day” but the truth is that it’s real translation is uncertain. It could come from

the word atzar, meaning “stop” and in the context of the quote from Leviticus – there is the implication of deliberately extending the previous seven

days of Sukkot.

The following distinguish Shemini Atzeret from Sukkot:

1) The shaking of the lulav and etrog is not done

2) The blessing for being commanded to dwell in the Sukkah is not recited.

3) The memorial prayer YIZKOR is inserted into the service after the Torah reading.

4) A special prayer for rain (geshem) is recited (replacing the prayer for dew).

Still, what do we make of this request to “stay”, to linger, to not rush away to whatever is next in our lives and in the Hebrew calendar?

From Selichot through the High Holy Days and through Sukkot it’s tempting to say “Enough already! Time to get back to the ordinary routine of

daily life.” For me, this time of atzeret is another calling from G-d - to bring some degree of holiness from a month of holy days into the rest of

the year, most especially to those days which I might have the luxury of labeling ‘ordinary’.

You need only watch a few minutes of local and/or national and international news to see that our ‘ordinary’ is quite extraordinary. We can benefit

from as many reminders as possible to cherish each day.

So even if you don’t “STAY…… just a little bit longer” in the physical space of Temple Beth Tikvah, we hope you will “STAY” (atzeret)

connected beyond the drama and excitement of the High Holy Days and be a part of what goes on here the rest of the year!

B’Shalom,

Cantor Nancy Kassel

TIME TO APPLY FOR

ALEF FUND TAX CREDIT 2015!

Since 2008, ALEF Fund has provided over $10 Million in schol-

arships to students at local Jewish pre-k, day schools, and high

schools. Redirecting a portion of your state taxes to ALEF Fund

helps provide children in our community with a Jewish educa-

tion.

ALEF Fund has made the process of reserving a state tax credit

even simpler this year. At www.aleffund.org , you can reserve

your 2015 tax credit in less than two minutes! Complete your

application and direct your tax dollars to the ALEF Fund Partner

Schools of your choice.

Please act now to ensure your credit will be approved and your

tax dollars will secure a Jewish education for our families!

Please visit our website to reserve your tax credit or contact Alli-

son Feldman, ALEF Fund Manager at afeldman@jfga.org or

678.222.3739 for assistance.

4

News and Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah

It’s been 16 months since I became President of Temple Beth Tikvah.

The few people that I think actually read my monthly articles might

remember my first one in June, 2013. I joked about how folks asked me

if I was crazy for taking the job. At the time, someone reminded me of a

story of a newly installed Temple President who was asked how he was

sleeping, with all the pressure and obligations. He responded, “Ever

since I became president, I am sleeping like a baby. I wake up every two

hours and cry,”

Sixteen months later I can say that many aspects of this job have been

nothing short of profoundly rewarding. I don’t think I have ever put as

much effort into something without some sort of tangible goal in mind.

My goal when I started my term was to leave this community in better

shape at the end of my term, communally, spiritually and financially.

However, to be perfectly honest, there have been quite a few sleepless

nights as I did my very best to navigate the waters of a Rabbinic change.

Last February, after considering over 50 requests, I asked 18 TBT

members representing all walks of synagogue life to accept a very

difficult position on our rabbinic search committee. I told each of them

that the job would be long hours, hard work and tax their minds and

deepest feelings. I have observed this eclectic group work together and

bond as a true team spending many hours together doing this amazing

sacred and difficult work. Their commitment to our community and to

each TBT family is nothing short of heroic.

Change is difficult and when it is coupled with fear, it

renders us inert. We need to come together to do our

very best as we move forward without Rabbi

Greene’s leadership and presence in our community

as of July 1, 2015. For the sake of our special

community, it is imperative that we support the

search committee and try not to fear the upcoming change, but to

embrace it and the opportunity it provides. The change will, in the end,

be what we all make of it. I encourage you to be present, and to be part

of the process. The committee is posting frequent updates to a blog that

can be found on the TBT website.

Please be sure to let Rabbi Greene know what and how much you value

and appreciate about him during his remaining time with us. It is equally

important to offer your support to the eventual new Senior Rabbi and be

part of a positive transition. If we all work together, we can take the fear

out of change and move forward building our community and forging

our future together.

L’Shalom

Ron Swichkow

Sleepless in Roswell

Shalom! As we embark on the New Year of 5775, TBT is challenged with finding a new rabbinic leader. This is no small task for our community

as it stands today. A new rabbi will be joining our family and with their arrival comes many expectations both on our behalf and the new rabbi’s as

well.

One of those expectations, naturally, deals with the financial aspects of the congregation. As a 500 family congregation, what do you think are the

expectations of the congregants to financially support the congregation? In what ways can we support our congregation? How much is each family

expected to give? One of the deciding factors that a new rabbi wants to know, is how well does the congregation support the synagogue?”

While the answers to the questions above are certainly based upon each family’s individual circumstances, these are important questions for each

and everyone of us to consider. Supporting TBT, especially during this upcoming year of change, is incredibly important for a number of reasons.

It is very important for the new rabbi to see our committed support. Knowing that the fiscal circumstances of their new congregation are positive

makes for a much easier transition for the incoming Rabbi. Have you thought about honoring Rabbi’s Greene’s dedication and leadership to TBT

for the past 8 years?

This is where contributions to the Annual Campaign make a difference. A strong unified congregational support will speak volumes to the new

Rabbi. If every family contributed a minimum of $18, we would set participation records and surpass expectations.

Another meaningful way to contribute to TBT is through a new fund that we will be establishing in 5775. Sometime later this year, we will begin

an organized approach to building a TBT Legacy Campaign. This type of program will provide individual donors the opportunity to invest in the

future of the synagogue. Congregations throughout the states have started Legacy Campaigns as a way to allow donors to help support their congre-

gation well into their future. Feel free to reach out to myself or our President, Ron Swichkow if you have an interest in considering this special

type of contribution.

May the New Year of 5775 bring health, happiness and prosperity to you and your family!

Shalom,

Jonathan Agin

In early August, you received an e-mail

from TBT announcing our new part-

nership with “Grapevine”. This was

also featured in a Kol Tikvah article

in the August edition.

In late August, you received an e-

mail from “Grapevine” (www.grape-vine.com). Grapevine is a

Jewish community / social network platform (sponsored in part by

Jewish Federations and private funding) -- to engage our members

in the Jewish community and at TBT based on their stated interests

and passions. TBT is one of 4 synagogues in Atlanta participating

in the Grapevine pilot (at no cost to TBT until after the pilot con-

cludes). Please check your email for Grapevine “goings on” in

Atlanta, and take a moment to fill out your profile on the Grape-

vine site. We are currently developing a “work plan” for how we

can most effectively leverage Grapevine for the benefit of our

members.

If anyone is interested in participating in this work plan

development, please contact Mark Rudel at 404.429.9289.

Connecting the right

people

To the right opportuni-

Fundraising

5

B’nai Mitzvah

News & Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah

Sophia Frances Gurin will be called to the Torah as a Bat Mitzvah on October 11, 2014. Sophia is the daughter of

Michelle and Michael Gurin and the sister to Joshua. She is the granddaughter of Ronald and Judy Gurin of Atlanta

and Harbhajan K. Singh of Charlotte. Sophia is in the 8th grade at The Davis Academy where she participates in stu-

dent government and is active on the yearbook staff. Sophia is a photography enthusiast, loves working with digital

media, proud to speak in Hebrew and Spanish and takes particular pride in helping raise her two rescue pups.

Natan Baruch Friedman will be called to the Torah as a Bar Mitzvah on October 11, 2014. He is the son of Sasha

Friedman. His grandparents are Michael and Anna Gutkin. Natan is in the 7th grade at the Atlanta Jewish

Academy. He enjoys being on the swim team, acting, and reading. He also enjoys spending time with friends and

family. Natan visits Israel often and is fluent in Hebrew.

Lindsey Shippel will be called to the Torah as a Bat Mitzvah on October 25, 2014. Lindsey is the daughter of David

and Robyn Shippel. She is the granddaughter of Warren and Donna Sharmat of Miami, FL and Allan and Pessie

Shippel of Roswell, GA. Lindsey is a 7th grader at Elkins Pointe Middle School. She does competition and football

cheer for the Milton Junior Eagles. She also plays basketball for the Milton Jr. Eagles. Lindsey looks forward to

sharing her Bat Mitzvah with her family, friends, and community.

Noah will be called to the Torah as a Bar Mitzvah on October 25, 2014. Noah is the son of Amy and Aaron Frank and

the brother to Lily. He is the grandson of Joan Rosenbluth and of the late Jerrell Rosenbluth of Atlanta and Herb and

Cynthia Frank of Delaware. Noah is in the 7th grade at Crabapple Middle School where he is an honor roll student.

Noah plays baseball and basketball and enjoys snowboarding.

The new school year got off to a great start! The children have been busy settling into their regular classroom routines with old

friendships renewing and new ones forming. The teachers and I are eager to see all of the children’s growth and development over

the next few months. Our staff this year includes: Sheri Baker, Lisa Garris, Alicia Hirsch, Lisa Laudicina, Rhonda Povlot, Maria

Schwartz, Linda Siegel, Ellisa Vitulli and Rachel Wilson. I would like to thank all of these special women for their hard work and

commitment to our wonderful school.

This past month has been extremely busy time of year for our school. Our teachers have been hard at work planning many exciting

and new activities for our children. The children at Beth Tikvah are engaging in new learning experiences, cooking, science, yoga,

music, and of course, playing! During the month of September, our finest and youngest were dipping apples in honey, making

round challahs, and singing happy birthday to the world.

For more information or to take a tour of our wonderful school, please call me at 678-350-0076 or email preschool@bethtikvah.com.

Shalom,

Jenifer Friedman

Director

Early Childhood Education Center

Early Childhood Education Center

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Religious School

Gesher Youth Group 3rd & 4th graders

Beginning of the year Kickoff Event!

Join us for pizza, ice cream and The LEGO Movie !!

Sunday, October 5th at 12:15 pm $5 per person

(includes lunch, movie & ice cream)

RSVP to youth@bethtikvah.com or

email Michele Gergans at msgergans@bellsouth.net

for more info.

Youth Group

HOTTY (9-12th Grade)

We had a blast at our kickoff event for the year! We started at Temple playing mixers and eating dinner, then headed over to Historic Roswell for a fun Scavenger Hunt. We fin-ished with Havdallah outside under the stars and a tasty dessert! Missed this one? Don’t worry - we have plenty of other awesome events planned for the year. If you did not get the HOTTY calendar in your email, make sure to let us know so we can update your information or add you to our mailing list. Hope to see you at our next event on October 11th – Sushi, Sukkah, and S’mores!

Join the HOTTY Facebook Page (https://www.facebook.com/groups/TBT.HOTTY/)

to stay up-to-date on what's happening and to RSVP for HOTTY events!

JYG (7-8th Grade) JYG’s Kickoff event in September was a blast! We went to Discover Mills for a fun scav-enger hunt around the mall. After the scavenger hunt we loaded up on popcorn and soda to watch a movie together. This year, JYG will be having events every other month. Our next event is bowling at Brunswick Zone on November 9. Mark it on your calendars so you can be sure to be there!

Join the JYG Facebook Page (https://www.facebook.com/groups/TBT.JYG/) to stay

up-to-date on what's happening with JYG, RSVP and arrange carpools for events!

5th & 6th Grade Our first event for our new 5th & 6th grade youth group is in just a few days! We are going to Scottsdale Farms for a Hayride, pumpkin picking, and more. This is a great way to kick off the year for our 5th & 6th graders and the start of Fall! Can’t wait to see all of you 5th & 6th graders there!

Join the 5th & 6th Grade Facebook Page (https://www.facebook.com/groups/

TBT.56/) to stay up-to-date on what's happening, RSVP and arrange carpools for

events!

Want more info about the youth groups at TBT? Contact us at: youth@bethtikvah.com or call us: Bobbee (303) 981-2356 & Adam (404) 971-4687

October 5 - 5/6th Pumpkin Patch & Hayride October 11 - HOTTY Sushi, Sukkah & S'mores November 8 - HOTTY IDF night

November 9 - JYG Bowling

December 6-7 - HOTTY Latke-In December 14 - 5/6th Paint Your Own Pottery (12:30-3pm @ offsite TBD)

What a wonderful start to the new school year. It was an outstand-

ing first few weeks. Thank you to our Teachers, Madrichim and

staff for making the first week so successful.

We have already celebrated our first holidays; Rosh Hashanah and

Yom Kippur. Our students were again very fortunate to have Dr.

Joel Margolies came to the school during this busy holiday season.

Dr. Margolies taught the children about the Shofar, the meaning of

the sounds the Shofar makes and let the students experience the Sho-

far up close. To conclude his lessons he blew the Shofar for the stu-

dents. Thank you Dr. Margolies for volunteering your time at our

school. This was the second time our children have heard the sho-

far. The Rabbi blew it for them on the first day of school.

We had our first raffle drawing of the year. Congratulations to our

first in Line carpool winners – The Sunday winners were Dana &

Bram Wieskopf and Marc & Martyne Seidband. The Tuesday

winners were Michael & Marlene Cohn and Harris & Suellen Berg-

man. We also gave away a third spot on Sundays, through

December, to the family who bought the most raffle tickets.

Congratulation to Marc Williams and Michelle Easton.

Upcoming Events:

For those of you with kindergarten children

attending religious school or Jewish day

school and those of you with children in

first through third grade who have not been

consecrated, please mark your calendar for

our consecration service on Sunday, October 19th . Each child will

receive a blessing by the Rabbi under a tallit, a torah scroll of their

own, and a certificate that you can keep to remember this meaning-

ful ceremony. Our kindergarten and 1st graders will have their fami-

ly education day on Sunday, October 19th as well. Our 6th Grade

families should plan to join us on October 26th as their Family Edu-

cation Day will be centered around our Bar/Bat Mitzvah meeting

and our 13 Mitzvot program for upcoming Bar and Bat Mitzvah

students.

I’m wishing all of you a healthy, happy and peaceful new year.

Shana Tova

Hassia

HOTTY BOARD RETREAT AT BIG CANOE

President - Aaron Schwartz

Programming VP - Elyssa Goldman

Social Action VP - Allie Goodman

Religious & Cultural VP - Drew

Baker

Membership VP - Maddie Schwartz

Communications VP - Emily Restler

Board Member at Large - Ben

Goldenthal

Freshman Rep - Jake Mershon

Song leader - Jacob Shippel

7

News and Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah

Rabbi Tam’s Adult Education Classes

Essays on the Unique Nature and Destiny of the Jewish

People: Fact or Fiction?

Confronting the challenges of Modernity, many Jewish

intellectuals and religious leaders attempted to define and explain

the nature of the Jewish people. Are we a religion like any other?

Are we a national entity or ethnicity like the Italians or Poles?

What is it about our history that is unique, if in fact it is unique at

all? How can the Jews survive as a distinct entity in the modern

world? What are the conditions our survival demands? On

Sunday mornings we will read from and discuss several excerpts

from essays by “modern” Jewish thinkers on the nature and

future of the Jewish People. Do any of these essays guide us

toward a viable Jewish future?

Oct. 19 Simon Rawidowicz (Professor of History at

Brandeis University in the mid- twentieth century):

“Israel the Ever-dying People.”

Oct. 26 Yehezkiel Kaufman (Professor of Philosophy at the

Hebrew University in Jerusalem in the mid-

twentieth century): “On the Fate and Survival of

the Jews.”

Nov. 2 Abraham Geiger (“Father of Reform Judaism):

“Revelation.”

Nov. 9 Moses Hess (A Zionist Thinker prior to Herzl):

“Israel Within the Organism of Humanity.”

Nov. 16 Leon Pinsker (A physician and 19th. Century Jew

whose hope that assimilation was the natural

solution to the “Jewish Problem” failed him,

causing him to turn to Zionism): “Auto-

Emancipation.”

Dec. 7 Simon Dubnov (The great Jewish historian from

Vilna in first half of the twentieth century, who

believed the Jews to be a “unique nation,” but was

not a believer in Zionism. He was shot in the street

as an old man by the Nazis in 1941): “A Spiritual

Nation.”

Dec. 14 Erich Kahler (A Jewish intellectual of the mid-

twentieth century who taught at the New School of

Social Research in New York and was a member of

the Institute of Advanced Study at Princeton):

“What Are the Jews?”

Classes will meet from 10:30-11:45 am in the Library

From Sarah to Savannah: Leadership lessons from

our ancestral mothers for today’s women

Instructor: Rabbi Pamela Jay Gottfried

Do women have different ways of communicating, praying,

acting and leading? What lessons can we learn about women’s

leadership today from the biblical and rabbinic stories of

women such as Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel & Miriam? Together

we’ll study the ancient texts and try to glean wisdom to help us

flourish as women and as leaders - at home and in the

workplace - in the 21st century.

$36 for the 7 class series.

Please register by sending your check to the TBT office, and

designate Women’s Study Group on the memo line.

This class meets on the following Thursday evenings at 7 pm:

2014: October 23rd, November 20th, December 18th

2015: January 15th, February 19th, March 19th, April 23rd

How to have a difficult conversation; when to tell a social lie –

Sarah (Genesis 18)

How to take charge of a situation – Rebecca (Genesis 27)

How to take charge of a situation – Rachel (Genesis 31)

How to work for justice & freedom – The Midwives, Miriam,

Pharaoh’s Daughter (Exodus 1-2)

How to protect your family & be an equal partner at home –

Tziporah (Exodus 4)

How to lead in the workplace; conforming to gender roles –

Miriam (Exodus 15)

How to communicate effectively; when talk is not gossip –

Miriam (Numbers 12)

Adult Ed

Cantor Kassel’s Adult Learning

Parent's Guide To The B'nei Mitzvah Service

(Chose 1 of the two week classes to attend)

Sundays: Oct. 19 and Nov. 2 or Nov. 9 and Nov. 16

from 11:15-11:55 am

These 2 classes will help parents better understand

the structure, choreography and honors associated

with a Bar/Bat Mitzvah service.

Book Discussion: "Unorthodox: The Scandalous

Rejection of My Hasidic Roots"

by Deborah Feldman

Sunday, Jan. 11 from 10:45-11:55 am

The Music and Religion of Leonard Cohen

Sunday, Feb. 8 from 10:45-11:55 am

Tips for Leading an Engaging Seder

Sunday, Mar. 15 and Sunday, Mar. 22 from

11:00-11:55 am

8

News and Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah

A plaque on a tree at JF&CS reads “Shalom Bayit: October 1998 In

memory of women and children who lost their lives to domestic violence

and honoring the courage of our survivors.” This beautiful tree

flourishes with vibrant flowers every summer, an indicator of the

strength and vitality of survivors and a testament to individuals working

toward Peace in the Home.

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. How can you help

create a community free from abuse?

Abuse continues because we remain silent and victims hide in fear, from

shame, a feeling of being alone and thinking nobody will believe them.

We deny the reality that abuse — physical, sexual and emotional control

— occurs in Jewish homes at the same rate as the community at large.

The impact of living with abuse lasts a lifetime.

Everyone can make a difference. If you suspect someone may be abused,

listen, believe her/him, inquire about safety and resist blaming. Ask how

you can help. Remain calm, and provide resources.

Your actions impact our entire community. Challenge violence, initiate

discussions and begin educational programming within your

congregation. Inquire about programs for youth on healthy relationships

and preventing dating violence.

Shalom Bayit, a program of Counseling Services - Tools for Life, strives

to mobilize the Jewish community to create the change needed to end

domestic violence, providing counseling and programs for adults and

abuse prevention for youth.

Nobody deserves to be abused. For information about Shalom Bayit

counseling, education or opportunities to make a difference, contact

shalombayit@jfcs-atlanta.org.

JF&CS - Nobody Deserves to be Abused

My Extraordinary Summer in Israel

Every year as I eagerly await my summer vacation in Israel, the

wait at times is overwhelming. I get very excited at the prospect

of visiting my family, extended family and friends.

My visit this year was at times stressful and very scary. The

current conflict started during my vacation. A few weeks after I

arrived the sound of the sirens started. This time not only the

south suffered but the center of Israel all the way to Haifa was

on alert. When I heard the first siren I felt as if the years had

reversed and I was once again a 5½ year old child going through

the Sinai War. When I was a child my father was drafted. I

remember my mother having to put tape on the windows to keep

glass from flying and then cover the windows with dark paper or

blankets. We did this in case the enemy planes flew over our

home; they wouldn’t be able to see the lights in our homes. The

sound of the planes was so loud and lasted so long that I still

have memories of it all these years later. I experienced this

again during my trip this past summer. The difference this time

was that it wasn’t planes flying overhead, but missiles were be-

ing launched over our cities. I watched many children doing the

same things I did as a child. I ran many times, just as these

children were doing, trying to find a shelter. People in the south

part of Israel have thirty seconds to find shelter when the sirens

go off.

It is very hard for people to imagine what it is like to hear our

planes and their missiles all the time in the background. Every-

where you went the first thing you did was locate the closest

shelter in case the sirens went off. After three bombs went off

you had to wait 10 minutes before you could leave the shelter.

I drove with my niece to Tel Aviv and as we were driving the

sirens started. It is one of the worst experiences you can have.

You need to stop the car and figure out if there is a shelter that

you can run to or do you just lie down on the road and cover

your head. Meanwhile the clock is ticking; a minute and a half is

not a lot of time when you are panicking. The sad part is that

this was a daily occurrence and everyone was experiencing the

same thing as I was.

Men and women were being called up to serve their country.

Being the size it is, everyone in Israel knows someone that was

drafted or has already been killed in one of the conflicts/wars.

Everyone is very attached to the news reports. In Israel, when

any person is lost in any conflict/war, the entire country is in

mourning.

This is not the first time I have visited Israel when a conflict was

happening but this was definitely one of the hardest ones I have

dealt with. It is very hard for people to imagine what it is like

being there and living through this each and every day. It is a

feeling of being emotionally abused day in and day out by the

sirens and the bombs.

On the other side there is such an outpouring of love, support

and strength throughout the country. The Israel Defense Force

(IDF) is being inundated with socks, underwear, toiletries and

food. Civilians are buying enormous water tanks and putting

them in their trucks. They are converting these into makeshift

showers for the soldiers. It is so amazing to see the entire

country united and standing behind their military. The amazing

part is through all the sadness, fear and the bombings, the peo-

ple still live their lives. Restaurants are still open, theatres still

put on their plays, concerts still happen and people still go to

work.

Since I was a child, we (Israel) have hoped for peace. We are

always singing about peace, talking about peace and ever

hoping for peace. Parents are always promising their children

we will not have more wars. The reality is the wars have never

stopped and we don’t have peace. Israel is always fighting for

our survival and peace for our country. For the past ten years

the people in southern Israel have lived this way. They live

underground and study underground. They live in fear of

Hamas missiles and suicide bombers

As the new year approaches let us all pray and wish for peace

and safety in Israel and the entire world.

Hassia Levin

9

News and Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah

October 2014

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 2 3 KOL NIDRE

Erev Yom Kippur - TBT

Offices Close at Noon 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm Kol

Nidre Service

4 YOM KIPPUR 8:00 am - 10:30 am Yom Kippur Early

Service 11:30 am - 2:00 pm Yom Kippur Late

Service 2:30 pm - 3:30 pm

Conversation on

Forgiveness 2:30 pm - 3:30 pm Yom

Kippur Family Service 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm Yom

Kippur Afternoon

Service 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Yizkor Service 6:30 pm - 7:15 pm

Neilah 7:15 pm Break the Fast

5 9:30 am - 12:00 pm Religious

School 9:30 am - 11:30 am Religious School Mixers 9:30 am - 12:00 pm Religious

School Sukkah Visits - K-2

and 7th Grade 11:00 am - 12:00 pm Chavurah Meeting 12:30 pm - 3:00 pm 5th/6th YG - Pumpkin

Patch & Hayride 12:15 pm - Gesher - LEGO Movie, Pizza & Ice

Cream

6 6:45 pm - 8:30 pm

Kesher/Confirmation/Kivunim 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Families Anonymous

7 9:30 am - 10:30 am Tai

Chi 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm Religious

School - Tuesday 5:00 pm - 7:30 pm Religious

School Sukkah Visits - 3rd

through 6th Grade 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Board of Ed Meeting

8 EREV SUKKOT TBT Office Closes at

Noon but ECEC is in

session full day 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Pizza in the Hut 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm

Sukkot Service

9 SUKKOT TBT Offices Closed

10:00 am - 12:00 pm Sukkot Service

10 SUKKOT 8:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Shabbat Service

11 SUKKOT 9:00 am - 10:00 am Bagels, Learning & Torah 10:00 am - 12:00 pm Shabbat Service -

Gurin/Friedman B'nai

Mitzvah 6:00 pm - 10:00 pm HOTTY - Sushi, Sukkah,

S'mores

12 SUKKOT

No Religious School 9:30 am - 11:45 am ATID 1:00 pm Atlanta Pride

Parade

13 Columbus Day SUKKOT

Fulton County Break No Religious School 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm Senior Luncheon 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Families Anonymous

14 SUKKOT

Fulton County Break

No Religious School 9:30 am - 10:30 am Tai

Chi 11:45 am - 1:00 pm The

Introduction to the

Talmud that You've Been

Waiting For! 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Ruach Relay for Life

Meeting

15 EREV SIMCHAT TORAH / SHEMINI

ATZERET

TBT Offices Close at

3 pm 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm

Simchat Torah Service

16 SIMCHAT TORAH TBT Offices Closed

10:00 am - 12:00 pm Shemini Atzeret

Service & Yizkor

17 8:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Shabbat Service

18 9:00 am - 10:00 am Bagels, Learning & Torah 10:00 am - 12:00 pm Shabbat Service 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Sisterhood - Sweet Night

Out

19 9:30 am - 12:00 pm Religious

School 9:35 am - 11:45 am RS Family Ed Day &

Consecration - K & 1st grade 10:30 am - 11:45 am Essays on the Unique

Nature & Destiny of the

Jewish People: Fact or

Fiction?

20 6:45 pm - 8:30 pm

Kesher/Confirmation/Kivunim 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Families Anonymous

21 9:30 am - 10:30 am Tai

Chi 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm Religious

School - Tuesday 7:30 pm - 10:00 pm Board of Trustees

Meeting

22 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm

HOTTY - Board Meeting

23 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Breast Cancer Support

Group 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Ruach Relay for Life

Meeting 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Women's Study - From

Sarah to Savannah:

Leadership Lessons from

our Ancestral Mothers

24 6:00 pm - 6:30 pm

Oneg 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm

Ruach Shabbat Service

25 9:00 am - 10:00 am Bagels, Learning & Torah 10:00 am - 12:00 pm Shabbat Service -

Shippel/Frank B'nai

Mitzvah

26 9:30 am - 11:45

am ATID 9:30 am - 12:00 pm Religious

School 10:00 am - 11:45 am RS Family Ed Day - 6th Grade

Bar/Bat Mitzvah & 13 Mitzvot

Meeting 10:30 am - 11:45 am Essays on the Unique

Nature & Destiny of the

Jewish People: Fact or

Fiction? 1:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Ruach Relay for Life

27 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm Kesher

Teen/Parent Dinner & Class 6:45 pm - 8:30 pm

Confirmation 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Families Anonymous

28 9:30 am - 10:30 am Tai

Chi 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm Religious

School - Tuesday 7:30 pm - 10:00 pm Officers Meeting

29 30 31 8:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Shabbat Service

10

News and Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah

TBT Seniors Luncheon

Monday, October 13th

at 12 PM

“From Failure to Success"

presented by

Lynne Garson

RSVP to Natine at

rosen4348@aol.com

COMFORT FOOD COOK-OFF

Join us for a Comfort Food Cook-off. Enjoy home-

cooked food, prepared by representatives from 13 area

churches and synagogues - including ours! All

proceeds from this interfaith gathering will benefit

Family Promise of North Fulton/DeKalb, a response to

homelessness that our congregation supports!

Saturday, October 11, 2014

5:00 -7:00 PM

Temple Sinai

5645 Dupree Dr. NW

Atlanta, GA 30327 $10/adults, $5 for kids aged 4-13,

FREE for kids 3 and under!

Purchase your ticket by clicking here

Sisterhood Chocolate Party

Saturday, October 18th 7 - 9:00 PM

Sisterhood wishes to send out a “Thank You”, to all who attended and

helped with September’s Opening Event: Lattes and Carbs.

We are looking forward to an eventful and productive year.

We still have openings on our new and exciting committees:

Social Action, Baking Crew, Social Events, & Education.

We need YOU to be a part of Sisterhood!

Speaking of events….Sisterhood Chocolate Party ~ October 18, 2014

Click here for the Evite link for full details:

We will see you there!

Stacy Chambers & Robin Bledsoe

Co-Chairs, Temple Beth Tikvah Sisterhood

Email: SisterhoodTBT@gmail.com

Being a HOTTY Runs

in the Family

Even though I am only a freshman,

I’ve come to realize that HOTTY is

one of the best things that has hap-

pened to me. One of my favorite

things about HOTTY is that people

in one age group or grade hang out

with everyone, not just the select

few that are all freshmen or all sen-

iors. I feel loved and respected in

HOTTY, and always count the

days, hours, and minutes until I can

see the people in youth group again.

Whether I’ve known someone for

10 years or 2 weeks, I’ve found a

second family through HOTTY.

This second family is even better

with one of my best friends, men-

tors, and fellow HOTTYites…aka

my actual older sister, Yael.

The two of us were always close,

but HOTTY definitely helped us

get closer and gave us to talk about

and look forward to. Before the first

event I went to, Yael told me to

come into her room and told me

how excited she was for me to be

in HOTTY and NFTY. She was

one of the people who got me

most excited to meet some of my

best friends in fun programs, and

to start the fire of compassion for

my TYG. From that moment on,

we’ve had more NFTY jam ses-

sions, memory talks, and looking-

forward-to than I can count. Yael

helped me want to become friends

with everyone in HOTTY, which

has made my experience already

10 times better than I ever

could’ve imagined.

For HOTTY, and all the memories

I’ve made, I couldn’t be more

grateful. Thanks for being the best

TYG ever!

Do you want to get involved with

HOTTY! For more details, check

the HOTTY Facebook Page

Leora Greene

11

NEW (AND IMPROVED) ORLEANS The Inevitable City: The Resurgence of New Orleans and the Future of Urban America, Scott Cowen

Tuesday, 11-04-2014 7:30 PM MJCCA-Zaban Park • 5342 Tilly Mill Road Dunwoody, Georgia 30338 United States

SCOTT COWEN, The Inevitable City: The Resurgence of New Orleans and the Future of Urban American

After seven years of service as the president of Tulane University, Scott Cowen watched the devastation of his beloved New Orleans at the hands of Hurricane Katrina. When federal, state, and city officials couldn’t find their way to decisive action, Cowen, known for his gutsy leadership, quickly partnered with a coalition of civic, business, and nonprofit leaders looking to work around the old institutions to revitalize and transform New Orleans. The Inevitable City is the story of the resurgence and reinvention of one of America’s greatest cities.

Community Partner

Of

Temple Beth Tikvah

Member: $13.00

Community: $18.00

Open to the Community

Please use the following codes

when ordering tickets

Individual Tickets TBT

Series Tickets TBT Series

12

News and Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah

Annual Campaign

Dale and Wendy Bearman in memory of

Julius 'Jay' Bearman

Sandy and Nancy Simon in memory of Charlotte Clein

Lawrence and Anne Skal

Building Fund

Harvey and Natine Rosenzweig in memory of

Anne Hoffman

Cantor Kassel’s Discretionary Fund

Ellery and Sofiya Potash in honor of Cantor Kassel

Fred and Judie Taylor in appreciation of Cantor Kassel

Judy Levine in memory of Bea Marshall

Jerry and Marcy Kaufman in memory of Joselyn Berg

David and Beth Janes in appreciation of Cantor Kassel

Caring/Kehillat Chesed Fund

Jeffrey Harrison in memory of Charlotte Clein

Sanford and Gail Seidman in memory of Larry Kaufman

Ruth Zeidman in honor of Bernice Bickwit's special

birthday

General Fund

Ronald and Renee Gurin in memory of Etta Klepak

Martin and Charlene Milstein in memory of

Charlotte Clein and wishing a speedy recovery to

Marty Tauber and Roy Lazarus

Harlan & Ivie Graiser in memory of Meyer Esterkin,

Solomon Graiser and Mildred Graiser

Hayyim Kassorla in memory of Larry Kaufman

Nadine Duhaney

Bernard and Bernice Bickwit in memory of

Martha Resnick

Shirley Crawford

Michael Zalkin Memorial Library Fund

Gilbert and Ellen Ludwig in memory of Fred Stern

Jeffrey & Beth Kess in memory of Elizabeth Goldberg

Preschool Fund

Saul and Gloria Levenson in memory of Jerome Sirot

Rabbi Greene’s Discretionary Fund

Ellery and Sofiya Potash in honor of Rabbi Greene

Paul and Maxine Shilling in memory of Larry Kaufman

Betty Rickles in memory of Harold Goldsmith

Fred and Judie Taylor in appreciation of Rabbi Greene

Ronald and Eleanor Katz in honor of Rabbi Greene

Marc and Martyne Seidband in memory of

Howard Seidband

Tom and Patti Seibold in memory of Lillian Gelb

Arthur Gittelman and Marcia Pearl in appreciation of

Rabbi Greene

Howard and Cynthia Steinberg in memory of

Sondra Prosterman

Rich and Sheila Sachs in honor of Steve Mahan and

Jeff Willard's marriage

Bruce Beck in memory of Louise Beck

Jerry and Marcy Kaufman in memory of Joselyn Berg

Harvey and Natine Rosenzweig in appreciation of

Rabbi Greene

Terry and Michelle Stein in honor of Marty and

Charlene Milstein's 55th wedding anniversary

David and Beth Janes in appreciation of Rabbi Greene

Rabbi Tam’s Discretionary Fund

Lonnie & Debbie Carter in memory of Sy Lewis

Barry Kaiser in memory of Irving Kaiser

Religious School Fund

Neil and Ruth Hilsen in memory of Edna Licht

Fred and Patricia Landsberg in memory of Mildred Turkel

Max and Carol Wolf in memory of Isaac Jacob Wolf

Tikkun Olam Fund

Jeffrey Willard in memory of Morris Willard

David Sandfelder in memory of Grandmother Shirley and

all of his uncles

Torah Fund

Morray and Susan Scheinfeld in memory of Morris Belger

Youth Group Fund

David Sandfelder in memory of Grandmother Shirley and

all of his uncles

Stanley and Bobbie Kopkin in memory of William Raider

Donations

13

News and Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah

HELP US HELP YOU

Your synagogue community wants to be a

Caring Community/Kehillat Chesed

If you have recently experienced a loss, are facing a crisis or are celebrating a simcha, please let our office know as soon as possible.

Our clergy and friends strive to be a source of support as best as they can. If you know of one of our fellow congregants who has experienced a loss or can use a hand, please contact the office at 770.642.0434.

SHMOOZE NEWS / KUDOS CORNER

In Memorium

Temple Beth Tikvah

acknowledges with sorrow the passing of:

Betty Schultz

Grandmother of Steve Gergans

Mae and Milton Abraham Kramer

Mother and Father of Gail Tate

Lawrence Kaufman

Brother of Jerry Kaufman

May God console you among all the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.

Thank You to our Amazing

Office Volunteers!

Ellen Levitz

Erica Stein

Addie Myers

Leslie Swichkow

June Wallach

Natine Rosenzweig

Richard Staviss

Terry Stein

Honor a person or event with a

leaf on our tree of life. You can

purchase a leaf as an

individual or as a group.!

TO THE

TBT OFFICE STAFF

ON DOING A

SPLENDID JOB

PREPARING FOR

THE

HIGH HOLY DAYS!

Lawrence & Barbra Garb

Ella

Joseph & Waynah Dunn

Stuart & Frances Solomon

Welcome to the TBT Family!!

Breast Cancer Survivor Group

for the Jewish Community

Come join our support group! The monthly

support group meetings are for all interested

people who have had cancer, who are going

through treatment or surgeries, and /or who

have been recently diagnosed, as well as for

those who might have questions pertinent to

breast cancer.

October 23rd at 7:00 PM

This survivor support group is sponsored by

The Kehillat Chesed/Caring Committee of

Temple Beth Tikvah.

For further information or questions, please

contact Valerie Rapowitz at

vrapowitzslp@yahoo.com

14

News and Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah

Synagogue Information

Synagogue Office - 770-642-0434

Fax Number - 770-642-0647

School Office (Perri) - 770-642-4168

Preschool (Jenifer) - 678-350-0076

Assistant to Clergy - Michelle Leder

Financial Secretary - Jenny Korsen

Admin. Assistant - Lisa Singer

Office Manager - Becky Sullivan

Adult Education Cindy Getty eeg@comcast.net Budget & Finance Karen Korshak karcpa@comcast.net

Campership Marcia Haber marciahaber@yahoo.com Chavurot Dalia Faupel d2faupel@comcast.net College Outreach Lynda Bennett lrbennett08@comcast.net Ginger Glazer ggchoc@bellsouth.net Communications

Marsha Mathis marmat0915@yahoo.com Family Promise Andy Fried andyf17@gmail.com Jeff Schultz asburypark@comcast.net Fundraising Jonathan Agin jlagin1@gmail.com

House Ted Nathan

tnathan@baldwinscheduling.com

Human Resources Seth Zimmer sz4941@att.com Interior Standards & Marketing Susan Estroff sestroff@earthlink.net

Israel Gene Carasick gcarasick@gmail.com Kehillat Chesed (Caring) Leslie Swichkow lswichkow@comcast.net Library Ilana Zalkin ilanaz@att.net Membership Recruitment & Retention Mark Rudel

mrudel@ups.com Jill Leitman jaarons2@yahoo.com Marcia Pearl marciapearl@bellsouth.net Men’s Club Mark Greenspan greenspanfamily@bellsouth.net Peter Hartog althazyr@gmail.com

Nominating Committee Sheryl Blechner ssb1951@gmail.com Ritual Esther Shultz savtaesther5@gmail.com

Security Jay Sausmer jsausmer@gmail.com Seniors Natine Rosenzweig rosen4348@aol.com Sisterhood Stacy Chambers sisterhoodtbt@gmail.com Robin Bledsoe sisterhoodtbt@gmail.com Social Action

Darrin Cohen dcohen@wealthofga.com Website Development Scott Povlot spovlot@yahoo.com Youth Group Debra Schwartz dls63@bellsouth.net Michal Loventhal loventhalmichal@gmail.com

Get Involved! TBT Committees and Chairpersons

Planning a simcha or group gathering?

The Tam-Blank Social Hall is the Place to Be.

For more information on renting our Social Hall,

contact the synagogue office at 770-642-0434.

15

News and Happenings from Temple Beth Tikvah

16

Fred Greene

Rabbi

Donald A. Tam

Rabbi Emeritus

Nancy Kassel

Cantor

Hassia Levin

Education Director

Jenifer Friedman

ECEC Director

Ron Swichkow

President

Todd Boehm

Vice President

Harlan Graiser

Vice President

Denise Straus

Vice President

Andy Gutman

Treasurer

Michael Braun

Secretary

Jill Mattos

Chairperson,

Board of Education