1 VOLUME 14 ISSUE 2 OCTOBER 2015 AMESSAGE FROM RABBI AGIN More than Meets the Eye Two women were visiting an art museum. One of the women, obviously eager to get it over with and go to lunch, said as they were approaching a picture: “It looks just like a photograph.” The friend responded, “Well, as long as we are here, let us look and see.” They moved closer to the picture and the first woman stopped, examined it very closely for a few moments and then turned to her friend and noted, “you know, as you look at the details, there is really more here than meets the eye.” I wonder if this woman’s comment does not in one way or another apply to all of us. We go through life seeing things as we are and not as they are. We do not see what is really there, but rather what we have been conditioned to observe. Yet, in every situation, there is more than really even meets the most trained eye For example, we go to a restaurant and we want immediate service. On occasion, we see the server as being curt or rude. Immediately, we respond in kind. But, we never stop to think, perhaps, the server is rushed and pushed or has a headache. Is it not possible that the server has a sick child at home or is under some strain? Are they really angry at us or is it that they are just upset? Should we not think before we react because there might just be a little bit more to it than meets the eye? Actually, isn’t this what we mean when we say “stereotype,” which really implies, “fixed thinking” or to quote Webster, “repetition of the same posture or form of speech?” Those who engage in stereotyped thinking fail to know, fail to see so much of the world. It is indeed their loss. There is a quote from Ibn Ezra that shares the above. “Dive into the sea of thought and draw precious pearls.”
Transcript
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VOLUME 14 ISSUE 2 OCTOBER 2015 A MESSAGE FROM RABBI AGIN -‐
More than Meets the Eye Two women were visiting an art museum. One of the women, obviously eager to get it over with and go to lunch, said as they were approaching a picture: “It looks just like a photograph.” The friend responded, “Well, as long as we are here, let us look and see.” They moved closer to the picture and the first woman stopped, examined it very closely for a few moments and then turned to her friend and noted, “you know, as you look at the details, there is really more here than meets the eye.” I wonder if this woman’s comment does not in one way or another apply to all of us. We go through life seeing things as we are and not as they are. We do not see what is really there, but rather what we have been conditioned to observe. Yet, in every situation, there is more than really even meets the most trained eye For example, we go to a restaurant and we want immediate service. On occasion, we see the server as being curt or rude. Immediately, we respond in kind. But, we never stop to think, perhaps, the server is rushed and pushed or has a headache. Is it not possible that the server has a sick child at home or is under some strain? Are they really angry at us or is it that they are just upset? Should we not think before we react because there might just be a little bit more to it than meets the eye? Actually, isn’t this what we mean when we say “stereotype,” which really implies, “fixed thinking” or to quote Webster, “repetition of the same posture or form of speech?” Those who engage in stereotyped thinking fail to know, fail to see so much of the world. It is indeed their loss. There is a quote from Ibn Ezra that shares the above. “Dive into the sea of thought and draw precious pearls.”
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A MESSAGE FROM BOARD TRUSTEE MARLENE FRIEDMAN Most people come to Services on Friday evening or the High Holy Days and do not know what has to happen in order for everything to get off effortlessly. Many people are working tirelessly each week in order for you to come to Temple and enjoy Services, Onegs, and Programs (with food), and educational events (with food), movies (with food), and make decisions on how to keep the Temple functioning. Rabbi Agin sets the tone and the Temple Board and Sisterhood make it happen. Eleven years ago, I walked through the doors of Temple Shalom and was warmly greeted by Arline Agin and Ruth Sachs and embraced by this congregation. It did not take long before I eagerly became active – and the rest is history. We may be a small congregation but we are mighty. Our accomplishments are many and on-‐going. The saying “it takes a village” is certainly apropos here. Many people participate without thinking twice. Rabbi Agin encourages us to always learn and has many interesting programs through the year. Without his encouragement, and the work of many congregants, we would not be an active Temple.
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Bullets from the Board September 24, 2015
• Barney Baker is continuing to update our computer and phone systems • Shemini Atzeret/Simchat Torah/Yizkor services will be on October 4th, with a
dinner following. The cost is $10.00 per person. • The first Lunch and Learn with the Forward will be on Tuesday, October 27th at
12:30 • On the same day at 7:00pm will be the first 92nd Street “Y” program • Adult Education classes will resume in October • The Old Bags for Chic Chicks will be on November 19th • Sisterhood now has 34 paid-‐up members • The next Sisterhood meeting is a paid-‐up luncheon on November 2nd • The Joffes donated beautiful planters in front of the building • Jeff Joffe power washed our property • Suggestions were made for a luncheon next year after our Rosh Hashanah
services
"IRAN, ISRAEL, AMERICA...AND THE JEWS" On Tuesday, October 13th, at 7:00pm, Rabbi Agin will present a talk based on a sermon that was given by Rabbi Mitchell Wohlberg, who is a prominent Conservative Rabbi in Baltimore, Maryland. Rabbi Agin and the Temple Board both agreed that since the talk had political overtones, that it best be offered as an Adult Education Program and not from the pulpit. Following the talk, there will be time to share opinions, concerns and to ask questions. The program will conclude by 8:30pm. Refreshments will be available and the program is open to non-‐members as well as members.
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Temple Shalom is “alive and well” and getting ready for another active season. The Program/Calendar Committee of Rabbi Agin, Odette Port, Marlene Friedman, Judi Migdol and Naomi Alexander have been working all summer to make things happen for the New Year 5776.
On Sunday, October 4th at 5:00pm, there will be Shemini Atzeret/ Yizkor Service and it will be followed by unrolling the Torah Scroll to honor Simchat Torah. This will be followed with a light dinner for all who are attending. Jane Galler will lead the music portion of the Services. The 92nd Street “Y” Alive Series will return for the third consecutive year starting Tuesday, October 27th at 7:00pm with Dennis Ross, Alan Dershowitz, and Ethan Bronner: “The United States/Israel Relationship”. Doors will open at 6:30pm with refreshments. The series is made available through the Sylvia Hershkowitz Memorial Fund. This is free to the community. Lunch and Learn with the Forward will return beginning, Tuesday, October 27th from 12:30 to 2:00pm. This program is limited to 15 participants and lunch is included. This is a funded program. Call the Temple office at 941-‐625-‐2116 to register. In the planning stages, is a Mission to Cuba in 2016. As the Mission takes shape. the community will be informed. This mission will be limited. On Saturday, Octobr 17th, we will have Relaxed Shabbat Services with Rabbi, Jane and Dale. Rabbi and Jane will lead the Service, lunch will be served. and there will be an art ceramic class with Dale. Registering for the lunch and art program is requested. On Friday evening, October 30th, Dr. Catherine Bukovitz will be called to the Torah in honor of her becoming a Bat Mitzvah. Dr. Bukovitz will not only read from Torah and offer the D’Var Torah, but will lead Shabbat Services with Rabbi Agin assisting. In addition, Dr. Bukovitz will sponsor the Oneg Shabbat honoring this life cycle event. Shabbat Services start at 7:30 P.M. For information about other Temple Shalom programs, call the Temple office at 941-‐625-‐2116. Remember -‐ Temple Shalom is Charlotte County’s only affiliated Reform Congregation. Temple Shalom is “alive and well” and getting ready for another active season.
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MID-‐WEEK RELIGIOUS SCHOOL CLASSES Thursday, October 8th-‐ the first Advanced Hebrew and History class of the season will meet from 4:00 to 5:15 -‐ this includes pre-‐Bar-‐Mitzvah students. Tuesday, October 13th-‐ the first Beginner’s Hebrew and History class of the season will meet from 4:00 to 5:15 -‐ this class is for students with no knowledge of Hebrew. History and Customs will be included in the program. Please call the Temple office at 941-‐625-‐2116 to register your child.
ADULT EDUCATION PROGRAMS OPEN TO THE COMMUNITY New York City 92nd Street “Y” Alive Series on DVD
Tuesday, October 27th at 7:00pm -‐ The United States/Israel Relationship -‐ Alan Dershowitz and Dennis Ross Tuesday, December 1st at 7:00pm -‐ Catholic, Jewish and Latino relations in the Age of a Latino Pope Thursday, January 12th, 2016-‐7:00 P.M. Making Sense of the Middle East -‐ Robin Wright and Professor Ralph Buultjens
Sponsored by the Sylvia Hershkowitz Memorial Fund -‐ Free to the Community
JEWISH SPIRITUALITY PROGRAM AND TEXT BY LAWRENCE KUSHNER Classes will be on November 3rd, 10th, 24th and December 8th The text is $18.00. Please call Temple office at 941-‐625-‐2116 to register. Refreshments will be served.
LUNCH AND LEARN WITH THE FORWARD We will meet on Tuesdays -‐-‐ October 27th, November 24th, January 26th, 2016, and on February 23rd, 2016 at 12:30. Please call Temple office at 941-‐625-‐2116 to register. Lunch will be served.
Sponsored by Rhoda and Lee Hammer – Free to all who attend
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YAHRZEITS
October 2, 2015 William Chait Fannie Platzbatt Lillian Bennett Dr. Joseph Kaplowe Harry Schecker Sylvia Bennett Lee E. Marks Elaine Bloom Claire Kaufman Jean A. McCreadie Ray B. Weinstein Edward J. Whitfield Abraham Dermer Louis Fayne Jean Yankwitt Minnie Dermer Morris Gurin Rose K. Goldberg Samuel Kleigfield Robert Mosicant Gustav Tobin
October 9, 2015
Irving Bloom Samuel Goldman Janet Levine Marcus Meyer Sarah Itzkowitz Esther Taxter Morris Radin Hyman Lefkowitz Jennie Gottfried Elsie Roshkind Sara Tehrani Mitchell Goldsmith Robert Block H. Aaron Goldberg Gussie Kahan
Sam Rosen
October 16, 2015 Jean Glazer Howard Grossman Benjamin Mosicant Celia Cohen Moe Hershkowitz Lillian Blank
Herman Goldfarb Adele R. Levin Albert Duke Alfred Nathan Nettie Greenwald Dorothy E. Little Trevor Singerman Albert Joseph Itzhak Binder Sylvia Barenbaum Phillip Rabinowitz Carl David Potnick Ethel Engelman William Brantz Irving Sadoff
October 23, 2015 Ella Rudin Anna Hellman Bernard Chait Floyd Shechterman Benjamin Pius Morris Greenberg Sadie Schoenfeld Dr. Perry Gattanell Lisa Hasson Ruth Gregory Benjami Kraus Jay Gattanell Dora Grossman
October 30, 2015
Laura Castro Evelyn Lubline Donald Ralls Merrick Coffina Tillie C. Mosicant Phillip Glixon Dr. Jacob M. Goldstein Naomi Rudberg Charles Lerner Cele Hutt Fredrick W. Schade Doris F. Olsan Elizabeth Langel Pearl Z. Schwartz David Maslansky Ruth Scheiner Richard Stumpf Gisella Kiken Dr. Phillip Gerber Nancy Constine Max H. Pitasky Samuel Goldberg Charles Hymson Yitzhak Rabin Archie Keila Jacob Itzkowitz Rebecca Cohen Sheila Cohen Ida Goldberg Sam Harris Isobel Mann
FAMILIES THAT ARE OBSERVING A YAHRTZEIT DURING THE MONTH ARE REQUESTED TO ATTEND THE FRIDAY EVENING SHABBAT
SERVICE DURING WHICH THE NAMES WILL BE READ PRIOR TO KADDISH. A DONATION TO THE TEMPLE IN MEMORY OF YOUR LOVED ONE IS AN HONORED TRADITION
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OCTOBER CELEBRATIONS Glenn Pomerantz October 1st Thelma Jordan October 8th Dale Doyle October 9th Marcia Friedman October 14th Teadora Thosath October 16th Amy Melser October 19th David Sours October 19th Lesleigh Hershkowitz October 22nd Joyce Greenwald October 31st Frank and Rita Grott October 17th Al and Concetta Weinflash October 20th
A Note From Dr Catherine Bukovitz Please join me on a special occasion as I am called to the Torah as a Bat Mitzvah on Friday, October 30, 2015 at 7:30pm at the Temple. There will be a pre-‐service reception with refreshments at 6:45pm and an Oneg will follow the service. Hope to see you all there .
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Thank You to Laurie and Jeff Joffe for the beautiful planters in front of the building. They look wonderful out there. Thank You also to Jeff for power washing our property. It certainly made a tremendous difference!
High Holiday Thanks A big Thank You to Judy Falk and Ellen Plavner for polishing the silver on our Torahs. They looked so beautiful at our High Holy Day services – they were sparkling!!! A big Thank You to Marlene and Shelly Friedman and Anita and Max Weisglass for the beautiful Bimah flowers for the High Holy Day services. They dressed up the room and added so much to the décor. A big Thank You to all the people that worked so hard to make our Break-‐The-‐Fast as wonderful as it was. Compliments to all of you – and a lot of gratitude too!!! Last, but certainly not least, a big Thank You to Rabbi Agin for a great job at all of the services. Your sermons, as well as all of the prayers, were so inspirational and insightful. We are so fortunate to have you as our Rabbi.
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Wednesday, October 14: Board Meeting, 10 am. Wednesday, October 28: General Meeting, 10 am. We are fortunate to have Lori Lasson, as our guest speaker. Lori is the Director of Planned Giving for Hadassah and is flying down to Florida to speak to only two groups, the Collier-‐Lee Chapter of Hadassah and US! Whether or not you’ve ever planned to give a bequest to Hadassah, we hope you will come to hear her presentation. She is a dynamic speaker and will speak about Hadassah in a way that is sure to inspire all of us. See you there!!!! The first meeting of the Sisterhood for this year was very well attended and enjoyable. We discussed plans for the coming year and enjoyed catching up after the summer. Our next meeting will be held on Monday November 2nd, at 10:00 am at the Temple. This will be our Paid Members Lunch. Please join us for a business meeting followed by a delicious lunch provided by Sisterhood and a performance by the Enharmonics singing group from Port Charlotte High School. This program has become one of our favorite programs of the year. The students have beautiful voices and they are always very enthusiastic and happy to perform for us. For many of the students, this will be their only chance to visit a Temple, so it is an important part of our outreach to the Community. The program will begin at 11:30 am. Any member of the Congregation who would like to hear these wonderful young people is welcome to join us for their performance. Please mark your calendar for our annual Game Day, which will be held on Monday February 15th, 2016. We hope to have another record setting attendance as we did last year.
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DONATIONS
General Fund
Wally and Phyllis Sadoff In memory of Eric Goldwyn In memory of Eli Starkman Ellen Plavner In memory of Donald Gilbert In honor of Chris Ahern’s birthday In honor of Helen Schliefer’s birthday In honor of Ann Chopek’s birthday Anita Weisglass In memory of Donald Gilbert In honor of Max Weisglass birthday Odette Port In memory of Donald Gilbert In honor of Chris Ahern’s birthday In honor of Helen Schliefer’s birthday In honor of Anna Chopek’s birthday Judi Migdol In memory of Donald Gilbert In honor of Helen Schiefer’s birthday In honor of Anna Chopek’s birthday In honor of Chris Ahern’s birthday Speedy recovery for Lynne Levitt Karen Siegel In memory of Malcolm Siegel Garnette Scholl In memory of Lester Scholl Meskin Family Trust In memory of Lita Melser Howard and Leslie Gilbert In memory of Harry Rosen Marlene Friedman In honor of Chris Ahern’s birthday In honor of Helen Schliefer’s birthday In honor of Anna Chopek’s birthday In honor of Judy Falk’s birthday In honor of Elaine Lubiner’s birthday In honor of Arline Agin’s birthday Speedy recovery for Lynne Levitt In memory of Donald Gilbert
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Barbara Lippson In memory of James Lippson Robert and Jeanette Burke In memory of Estelle Burke Dr. Neil and Amy Zusman In memory of Lita Melser Marian Ugoretz In honor of Max Weisglass’ birthday In honor of Bernie and Joe Kelly’s anniversary In honor of my children Cynthie and Mark’s visit Cynthie and Mark Ugoretz in honor of their mother Marian Ugoretz
Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund Irv and Sharon Forsch In memory of Julie Richardson Barbara Waksler In memory of Morton Waksler In memory of Minnie Pitasky Lynne Levitt In memory of Cantor Abraham Levitt Jeffrey and Michele Pollack In memory of Herbert Cook Rabbi and Arline Agin In memory of Lita Melser In honor of Sheldon and Freya Harris’ fiftieth anniversary In honor of Richard and Joyce Greenwald’s sixtieth anniversary Alvin and Elaine Lubiner In memory of Max Lubiner Dr. Matthew and Michele Bagan In memory of Laurence Horowitz Howard Guralnick In memory of Barbara Halpern Marian Ugoretz In memory of Adam Cohen In honor of Rabbi Agin’s birthday
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You are encouraged to bring a non-‐perishable food item as a sign of a “Mitzvah of Concern”. When the bins are filled, we deliver them to St. Vincent de Paul’s food bank. Please remember that we have an obligation to help those who are in need in the community.
If you know of any member of the congregation who is ill or in assisted living/nursing home, please contact Judy Falk at 941-‐627-‐8908 or email her at [email protected]. The Temple has instituted a Sunshine Correspondent and she needs your help in identifying these people, so they will know that we are thinking of them. Thank you. (See form on table in Temple). Please be aware that rides to and from Temple for Shabbat services can be arranged. Please call Judy Falk at 941-‐627-‐8908 if you are in need of a ride, or are willing to provide a ride for a member. Do you play an instrument? Rabbi Agin would like to organize a small musical group to play once a month on a Friday evening for Shabbat. If you have some musical talent, please let Nicole or Rabbi Agin know. It would be wonderful to create something different for a Shabbat service. Do you have any GOOD IDEAS for the Temple – functions, fundraisers, committees? If so, please let us know. Please contact any board member with your thoughts. This is your temple and we want your input!!!! Would you like to sponsor an Oneg Shabbat? It could be for a life cycle event – birth of a child, birthday, anniversary, or just to do it. Please call Naomi Alexander or Marlene Friedman to schedule it. Would you like to advertise in the Shalom (and reach all of our congregants)? Please call Judi Migdol at 941-‐764-‐0992 for information. We have a wonderful library in Temple Shalom. Please let us know what kind of books you would like us to obtain for your reading pleasure. A note from Judy Falk -‐ It's that time again. I will once again be collecting money for Mah Jongg cards for 2015/2016. I would like to have the money ($8 for regular/$9 for large) in by December 10th. Please remember to give me your name and address along with size and number of cards you want. The Sisterhood receives $2.00 for each card ordered. Thank you
Please visit our new web page – www.TempleshalomFL.com.
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Save the Date
Saturday, March 5, 2015 5:00pm to 9:00pm
Dinner and Dancing at
Charlotte Harbor Yacht Club In Honor of
Rabbi Solomon Agin’s Thirteenth year at
Temple Shalom And fiftieth year in the
Rabbinate
More Details to Follow
Any Questions, Call Judi Migdol
941-764-0992
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FUND RAISING NEWS
Are you aware of the many ways you can help benefit temple with little or no cost to you? You get all you pay for, and additional percentages from the sites go to the Temple. Plus, you can spend more time with friends! These are win-‐win situations! GIFT CARDS will now be ordered every month now that we are back in season. Orders can be dropped off at the Temple office on Tuesdays and Thursday mornings, as well as the first Friday of the month at services. They will be available the at the second Friday evening of the month, or will be held for you to be picked up the following Tuesday or Thursday morning -‐-‐ so that gives you a lot of time to order your cards!
AMAZON SMILE Temple Shalom has registered with Amazon Smile -‐ a charitable component of Amazon Corporation, which provides income to the Temple based on purchases made by Amazon customers who have identified the Temple in their Amazon profile. The following link: https://smile.amazon.com/ch/51-‐0198480 will take you to a site that is associated with the Temple, and which a percentage of your purchases from Amazon are donated to the temple. You may also go to your Amazon account, and change your Smile contribution association. Use the following name to associate your Amazon account: Jewish Community of Port Charlotte. Did you know that you can purchase Amazon Gift Cards from the Temple and use them to pay for your purchases on AMAZON SMILE. It's a win-‐win for the Temple!!!
TEMPLE ART AUCTION IN 2016! Do you frequent a particular establishment? Might you be willing to ask for a gift card or service to be auctioned off during our silent auction next February? Businesses are more apt to give something to their regular customers. Please help our silent auction. And with little out of pocket cost to you!
OLD BAGS FOR CHIC CHICKS This fun fundraiser will be on November 19th. Watch your Shalom for more details!
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101 Taylor Street | Punta Gorda, FL 33950 | 941.623.5874
23190 Utica Avenue Post Office Box 494675 Port Charlotte, Florida 33949-4675 941-625-2116 http://www.Templeshalomfl.com Affiliated with Union of Reform Judaism
Rabbi Solomon Agin, DD
Carol Roark President Gay Wein President Elect Myron Post Vice-‐President Odette Port Vice President Robert Burke Treasurer Judi Migdol Recording Secretary Laurie Joffe Corresponding Secretary Joyce Gelfand Trustee Marlene Friedman Trustee Shelly Harris Trustee Ellen Plavner Trustee Rodger Richardson Trustee Abe Wolson Past President Naomi Alexander Sisterhood Board Representative Laurie Joffe Publicity Richard Greenwald Endowment Rabbi Solomon Agin Religious School Director Rodger Richardson Facilities and Grounds Joyce Gelfand Fundraising Jeanette Burke Librarian Nicole Thosath Temple Staff – Secretary
