February - March 2019 1 February - March 2019 | 5779 rodefsholomtemple.org Religious Services Rodef Sholom Temple 401 City Center Blvd. Newport News, VA 23606 (757) 826-5894 www.rodefsholomtemple.org Monday and Thursday: 7:45 AM Friday Evening: 6:00 PM, unless otherwise noted Shabbat Morning: 9:30 AM Office Hours Monday, Tuesday & Thursday: 9:00AM – 5:00 PM Friday: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM Closed Wednesday Other hours by appointment The Messenger Rodef Sholom Temple A Pregnant Year… The Best is Yet to Come! This Jewish year, 5779, is a leap year, or in Hebrew: “Shana Meuberet.” In order to maintain a lunar calendar for our festivals along with a solar calendar to align our festivals with the seasons of the year, the Jewish calendar adds a thirteenth month. This happens several times every 19 years, ensuring that Passover is always in the Spring while Rosh HaShana is always in the Fall. Rabbi’s Message - Rabbi Gilah Dror The extra month that is added to the Jewish calendar is always accomplished by a doubling of the month of Adar. And so, this year, the Jewish month of 1st Adar is followed by the Jewish month of 2nd Adar! And, in a leap year when Adar is doubled, Purim is always celebrated in 2nd Adar - a month before Passover, just as it is celebrated every year. Literally, however, “Shana Meuberet” means: “A pregnant year!” I share this literal translation of “Shana Meuberet” with you to highlight my sense that a Jewish leap year is a year filled with anticipation of added vision, added joy, added sense of purpose, and of added blessing! In a regular year, the traditional liturgy of the Musaf Amidah for Shabbat Rosh Chodesh (Shabbat which coincides with the beginning of the new Jewish month) names 12 blessings that we hope to enjoy during that year, one blessing for each of the 12 months. The blessings listed in the traditional prayer are: goodness, blessing, joy, gladness, deliverance, consolation, sustenance, support, life, peace, pardon of sin, and forgiveness of transgression. In a leap year, a thirteenth blessing, “atonement for wrongdoing,” is added into the same prayer (see page 199 of Siddur Lev Shalem). Of course, “atonement for wrongdoing” might not seem like much of an added blessing…. Think of it as a “lightening of the burdens” we may feel when we realize we have not been completely perfect…. But, to my mind, beyond these specific traditional liturgical blessings, calling a leap year a “Shana Meuberet” (pregnant year) encourages us to envision more clearly the blessings that we yearn for in our lives and in the life of our congregation. The image of a “pregnant year” generates a vision of waiting for something good that is about to happen. It evokes a sense of longing for possibilities that have yet to become a reality. It is a reminder that the best is yet to come! May this Jewish year, 5779, bring us spiritual and material blessings, the ability to envision the future and its possibilities, and the motivation to take the steps forward to make our dreams a reality! I take this opportunity to wish you and your loved ones a Purim Sameach, a very happy Purim!
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February - March 2019
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February - March 2019 | 5779rodefsholomtemple.org
Religious Services
Rodef Sholom Temple 401 City Center Blvd. Newport News, VA 23606 (757) 826-5894 www.rodefsholomtemple.org
Monday and Thursday: 7:45 AM
Friday Evening: 6:00 PM, unlessotherwise noted
Shabbat Morning: 9:30 AM
Office Hours
Monday, Tuesday & Thursday:9:00AM – 5:00 PM
Friday: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Closed Wednesday
Other hours by appointment
The MessengerRodef Sholom Temple
A Pregnant Year… The Best is Yet to Come!
This Jewish year, 5779, is a leap year, or in Hebrew: “Shana Meuberet.” In order to maintain a lunar calendar for our festivals along with a solar calendar to align our festivals with the seasons of the year, the Jewish calendar adds a thirteenth month. This happens several times every 19 years, ensuring that Passover is always in the Spring while Rosh HaShana is always in the Fall.
Rabbi’s Message - Rabbi Gilah DrorThe extra month that is added to the Jewish calendar is always accomplished by a doubling of the month of Adar. And so, this year, the Jewish month of 1st Adar is followed by the Jewish month of 2nd Adar! And, in a leap year when Adar is doubled, Purim is always celebrated in 2nd Adar - a month before Passover, just as it is celebrated every year.
Literally, however, “Shana Meuberet” means: “A pregnant year!” I share this literal translation of “Shana Meuberet” with you to highlight my sense that a Jewish leap year is a year filled with anticipation of added vision, added joy, added sense of purpose, and of added blessing!
In a regular year, the traditional liturgy of the Musaf Amidah for Shabbat Rosh Chodesh (Shabbat which coincides with the beginning of the new Jewish month) names 12 blessings that we hope to enjoy during that year, one blessing for each of the 12 months. The blessings listed in the traditional prayer are: goodness, blessing, joy, gladness, deliverance, consolation, sustenance, support, life, peace, pardon of sin, and forgiveness of transgression. In a leap year, a thirteenth blessing, “atonement for wrongdoing,” is added into the same prayer (see page 199 of Siddur Lev Shalem). Of course, “atonement for wrongdoing” might not seem like much of an
added blessing…. Think of it as a “lightening of the burdens” we may feel when we realize we have not been completely perfect….
But, to my mind, beyond these specific traditional liturgical blessings, calling a leap year a “Shana Meuberet” (pregnant year) encourages us to envision more clearly the blessings that we yearn for in our lives and in the life of our congregation. The image of a “pregnant year” generates a vision of waiting for something good that is about to happen. It evokes a sense of longing for possibilities that have yet to become a reality. It is a reminder that the best is yet to come!
May this Jewish year, 5779, bring us spiritual and material blessings, the ability to envision the future and its possibilities, and the motivation to take the steps forward to make our dreams a reality!
I take this opportunity to wish you and your loved ones a Purim Sameach, a very happy Purim!
Rodef Sholom Temple
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Rodef Sholom Temple
401 City Center Blvd. Newport News, Virginia 23606
Tuesdays with Rabbi -Adult EducationJewish Stories from the Past… for the Present!
Tales from Midrash and Talmud
Happy New Year and welcome to the first Messenger of 2019. There is so much going on at Rodef Sholom Temple as things are finally coming together on the campus. For those who haven’t heard, we FINALLY received our final Certificate of Occupancy from the City of Newport News towards the end of 2018, so we’re no longer operating on a Temporary Certificate of Occupancy. Our punch list is almost complete, and if you’ve sat in our beautiful sanctuary and gazed out of the windows and wondered why you still see the orange silt fence, it’s because final plantings and stabilization have not occurred at our storm water pond (and can’t due to the cold weather). When it is stabilized in the spring, the orange fence will be removed.
The topic of security is certainly on everyone’s mind, and in that vein, at our last Board meeting I appointed Joe Schy to chair what we’re calling our “Emergency Plan Committee.” This committee is tasked with coming up with a plan that will not only address security issues, but also other emergencies, be they weather-related, natural disasters or other emergencies. We’re still working out the kinks with the Newport News Police Department as far as coverage during services and Sunday School is concerned, so please bear with us if you don’t see a police presence at a particular service. As a reminder, the cost of police presence is now a necessary part of synagogue life, post the tragedy in Pittsburgh, and it is not currently budgeted in our 2018-2019 budget. If you have not paid the suggested $100 security assessment fee, please do so as soon as you can…it will be greatly appreciated.
I mentioned at the top of the column how things are coming together on the UJC campus, and it’s really wonderful to see the various synagogues on campus interact and support the great programs that the UJC puts on. A perfect example occurred on Saturday, January 12th.
The world premiere of Nobody Wants Us was shown to a packed room of over 200 guests. This documentary is an incredible story of some of the last refugees allowed into the U.S. until the end of World War II. It is directed by Laura Seltzer-Duny, who grew up in Newport News and is the daughter of RST members Steve and Sally Seltzer. This is just but one example of the amazing things going on at the UJC as well as at RST.
I encourage you to visit us for services and take in one of our wonderful dinner programs that our Programing Committee puts on… or come to the next Shabbat School and observe how talented our youth are. You should have also recently received a flyer regarding our upcoming Purim celebration entitled. “Shushan Masquerade”…come to Palace Shushan and enjoy the fun! That’s about it for me, I hope you and your families and friends have a Happy and Healthy year.
Last but not least, we have an important staffing update: Tess Goldblatt has worked for Rodef Sholom Temple for over 14 years, half of which was “dual-hatted” as our Temple Administrator and the Jane Fairman Director of Congregational Learning. Tess has resigned those two positions. She tells us she is exhausted and needs to change gears at this stage of her life. She will stay on as long as needed between March 1st-May 31st so we can hire and train and ensure a smooth transition. We have begun an on-going, multi-pronged search process to hire a full-time administrator and a part-time Director of Congregational Learning. Tess will remain a congregant with us and looks forward to those days ahead with Rodef Sholom Temple.
That’s about it for me. I hope you and your families and friends have a happy and healthy year.B’ShalomSteve
President’s Message Staff Update!
Rodef Sholom Temple
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Barbara Gordon 2019
Blue Yarmulke Person-of-the-Year Rodef Sholom Men’s Club
Seaboard Region Federation of Jewish Men’s Clubs
Blue Yarmulke Person-of-the-Year Breakfast
10:00am, Sunday, March 10th, 2019 Rodef Sholom Temple 401 City Center Blvd
Reservations for the breakfast are on a "first-come, first served" basis, and must be made not later than March 5th, 2019
Reservations can be made by submitting this form to your club President, With a check made payable to Rodef Sholom Men’s Club
To add a congratulatory tribute honoring Barbara, please click on the link below.
https://www.wizadjournal.com/fjmcseaboard2019
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“Why I Go to Minyan,” Reflections
From Louis Silverman. Reasons I go to minyan: - to assure there will be 10 persons so that kaddish can be said; - camaraderie; - to keep my Hebrew proficient; - gives me a forum to vociferously voice my opinions on world issues; - collect pushke money to underwrite my vacations; - not to embarrass the Rabbi for not having 10 persons;
(The above not in order of importance.)
From Ann ChapmanI love Friday night services – it’s my end-of-the-work-week treat. Attending services gives me a chance to stop, rest, and relax.
Though my parents have passed away and my kids have moved out of town, I feel connected to them on Eruv Shabbat, remembering when we used to go to shul together.
The Rabbi always gives a thought-provoking d’var Torah, and the oneg is a great chance to learn what’s going on with friends.
morning minyansaying good morning to G-dten souls in one voicepraying for lightthe world slumbers in darkness
Ron Kleiman
What a wonderful way to start a Monday and Thursday by going to morning minyan to pray, to chant, to sing, and to learn a bit of Torah.
I enjoy the socialization with members of the RST com-munity but also feel a special bond with many of the regulars. We really are, in a sense, a morning minyan family. We miss individuals when they are not there for services, when they become ill, and especially when they pass. The numbers for minyan are there, but the individu-als we’ve lost over the years will be remembered in our hearts and minds.
Arnie Abrams
Rodef Sholom Temple
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Todah Rabah Thank You!The Gale Phillips Education Endowment
In memory of Gale PhillipsBill & Sylvia CraftStan & Janet GlasoferRichard AlpertHoward WaltersTsvi & Martha Katz-HymanRoz DamskySam ParrucciTamela RaynorBeverly Lewandroski & Danielle LitschAbby AlpertJay & Tova WarrenJames & Linda WilsonJohn & Louise RhoadsRichard & Joanne GordonHarvey & Doris MarguliesDavid & Jeanne Alpert Susan Duty
In appreciation of all of Gale Phil-lips’ caregivers at VHSRex Phillips
Our Future Simcha Board
In honor of Eddie Olshansky’s tzedakah and mitzvahsThe Briers & the Piskins
Angel Gifts
In memory of Devera Wilks BelkovBert & Gladys Aaron
Endowment Fund
In memory of Dorothy Tickler, Janet Glasofer’s motherSam & Lisa Margolin
In memory of Eddie Benson, Sam Parrucci’s son-in-lawSam & Lisa Margolin
In memory of Gale Phillips
Sam & Lisa Margolin
Silverman-Schoenbaum Fund
In memory of Dorothy Tickler, Janet Glasofer’s motherLouis & Bobbi Sue Silverman
In memory of Eddie Benson, Sam Parrucci’s son-in-lawLouis & Bobbi Sue Silverman
In memory of Devera Wilks BelkovLouis & Bobbi Sue Silverman
In honor of Rabbi Norman and Jeanne Golner’s 50th wedding anniversaryLouis & Bobbi Sue Silverman
In memory of Gale PhillipsLouis & Bobbi Sue Silverman
Gemilut Chasadim (Acts of Loving Kindness)
Stan & Janet Glasofer
In memory of Devera Wilks BelkovDr. Geoffrey & Lisa NochimsonPamela Falls Eyraud
In memory of Dorothy Tickler, Janet Glasofer’s motherSaul & Carina Gleiser
In memory of Eddie Benson, Sam Parrucci’s son-in-lawSaul & Carina Gleiser
In memory of Gale PhillipsAnonymous
Dina & Leon Familant Memorial Scholarship Fund
Congratulations to Stan & Janet Glasofer on their new home!Dr. Harold & Aileen Familant
In memory of Dorothy Tickler, Janet Glasofer’s motherDr. Harold & Aileen Familant
In memory of Eddie Benson, Sam Parrucci’s son-in-lawDr. Harold & Aileen Familant
Speedy recovery to Burton JaffeDr. Joe & Lynne Familant
Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund
Dr. Bruce LongmanHoward Smith
In appreciation of Rabbi Dror Stan & Janet Glasofer Jonathan & Wendy EisnerKenny & Robin Murov Melvin DicklerSidney & Cynthia Becker
In memory of Devera Wilks BelkovBill & Sylvia Craft
In memory of Eddie Benson, Sam Parrucci’s son-in-lawDr. Arnie & Elaine Abrams
In memory of Dorothy Tickler, Janet Glasofer’s motherDr. Arnie & Elaine Abrams
In memory of Gale PhillipsDr. Arnie & Elaine Abrams
In honor of Rabbi Norman and Jeanne Golner’s 50th wedding anniversaryDr. Arnie & Elaine Abrams
In appreciation of Rabbi Dror and all of Gale Phillips’ caregivers Rex Phillips
Eric and Jack Luckman
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Endowment Fund
In memory of Fran Luckman, Jeff’s motherJack & Beth Arager
In memory of Dorothy Tickler, Janet Glasofer’s motherJeff & Lori Luckman
In memory of Eddie Benson, Sam Parrucci’s son-in-lawJeff & Lori Luckman
Torah Maintenance Fund
In memory of Devera Wilks BelkovEthel Krinick
Sisterhood Torah Fund
In memory of Dorothy Tickler, Janet Glasofer’s motherJay & Tova WarrenDavid & Karen LevyJack & Beth AragerEvelyn Goodman
In memory of Eddie Benson, Sam Parrucci’s son-in-lawJay & Tova WarrenDavid & Karen LevyBob & Barbara CohenEvelyn Goodman
In memory of Stanley Goldblatt, Richard Goldblatt’s fatherJack & Beth Arager
Congratulations to Ruby Conn who was elected Director of Va. Peninsula Assoc. Of RealtorsJay & Tova Warren
Mazel Tov to the Beckers on Robyn’s marriageJay & Tova Warren
In memory of Gale PhillipsJay & Tova WarrenDavid & Karen Levy
In memory of Karen Pressel
Todah Rabah, continued
Jay & Tova Warren
The Seymour & Lillian Glasofer Education Fund
In memory of Dorothy Tickler, Janet Glasofer’s motherBill & Sylvia CraftMike Klesmer & Myra WaranchLarry & Danile SpokonyStanley & Linda MolinBarbara Gordon & Ellen WaranchEric & Janet GoodmanLinda RoesenTsvi & Martha Katz-HymanBetty LevinRichard & Joanne Gordon
In memory of Eddie Benson, Sam Parrucci’s son-in-lawMike Klesmer & Myra WaranchBarbara Gordon & Ellen WaranchRichard & Joanne Gordon
In memory of Devera Wilks BelkovMike Klesmer & Myra WaranchRichard & Joanne Gordon
In memory of Stanley Goldblatt, Richard Goldblatt’s fatherBabs RosenthalBob & Sheryl Bellick
In memory of what would have been Helen Anapol’s 100th birthdayMyra Waranch
In honor of Tess GoldblattNeal & Barbara Rosenbaum
Building Fund – Relocation
Ron Kleiman
In memory of Dorothy Tickler, Janet Glasofer’s motherGary NachmanRalph & Bobbi GoldsteinCharles & Sue Friedman
Kenny & Robin MurovRochelle Portnoy
In memory of Eddie Benson, Sam Parrucci’s son-in-lawGary NachmanKenny & Robin Murov
In memory of Devera Wilks BelkovBuddy & Libby DavidRalph & Bobbi GoldsteinGary & Janet NachmanBert & Gladys AaronKenny & Robin MurovRoz Damsky
In memory of Stanley Goldblatt, Richard Goldblatt’s fatherCharles & Sue FriedmanKenny & Robin Murov
In memory of Jeannette Katz Brinch, Martha Katz-Hyman’s sisterCharles & Sue Friedman
In memory of Dr. Irving Posner, Marvin Posner’s brotherKenny & Robin Murov
In memory of Fran Luckman, Jeff Luckman’s motherKenny & Robin Murov
In memory of Gale PhillipsNorm & Bonnie KatzenbergKenny & Robin MurovBarbara Gordon & Ellen WaranchRochelle Portnoy
In memory of Bernice Adelson Dr. Phil Levy
In honor of Josh David being named the 51st Annual Humani-tarian awardee Ralph & Barbara Goldstein
Todah Rabah continued on page 9
Rodef Sholom Temple
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Yahrzeits
February 1 -2, 2019
Josephine Levy ScherEthel Cohen MinkoffRose LichtenbergLori Rains RobertsRobert DavisSiegfried FrenkelMorris FriedlandSarah BrownLeonard GordonLouis B. AronowTillie ReshefskyJessie Grace KesslerBenjamin LevyLena LevyIrving FarberEstelle SegaloffClarence GreenwaldLawrence P. RoesenRose NeviasChaye LemerBen M. BeckerMyer Joseph GoldsteinAaron WeinerJayne L. ZilberMelvin CarmelRuth GoldsteinMorton W. SpigelBeverly Rae LevineSeymour GarfinkelJack LuckmanSylvia M. TeichmanMilton SummersRobert E. Crum
February 8-9, 2019Belle S. FrankJoseph GreenClaire Lipman AustinDora WoodmanWilliam MorgensternRose SchwartzMary SiegelSam Siegel Sydney FriedlandCelia KanterJane Friedleng GoldmanDorothy KurkeLela Belle GuillorySiegfried DannenbergEva Frankel RoseMorris KlevensNorman BrodFannie KalkinAlvin C. RogersWilliam M. ZilberDavid SegaloffCelia Drucker RoseSarah BattlemanWilliam HaughtonJesse L. MirmelsteinHarry L. NachmanMinnie GreensponGeorge SchonfeldFrances BrodskyFannie AlperRhea Cooper TannenBen F. FriedmanSarah F. BlackmanFlorence GrossYale Julius ErlachSidney HolzsweigEdwin MarkoffReisa Saunders
February 15-16, 2019
G. Jack OstheimerEmanuel H. ShapiroSarah GreenbergerJoseph RubinElaine F. ClevensonEva ConnHarry HelfandLillian DiamonsteinGeorge W. LeBoltAnshul NeihouseIda LipnickRose FischelSadye WeinstockMorris NeviasCharles OlshanskySidney SagmanO.K.TicklerLois Meyers NewmanEthel MargolisEdythe N. SloaneSarah FirestoneRaymond SchoenbaumLillian K. GlasoferFred E. SamuelsHarry A. MorewitzHarris GordonMax SolomonDavid S. SkloffRegina GirshinMelvin PasterHenry LasrisBenjamin Louis EpsteinNathan RottblattFrances M. Arager
February 22-23, 2019
David Harold RubenLeonard Leon StrickMorris DruckerSarah DiskinElliot BornsteinAbe J. CohenAnnie Levy MeyerAbe NewmanMargaret PressRose WolshinHarold (Harry) J. AustinMollie WeisenfeldHarry E. PennCharles FirestoneJack MinkoffMelvin L. SachsIda Sear SachsGertrude Conn SametWilliam BrownHelen KlesmerArthur MallenbaumJoann MossFannie HolzsweigDavis FamilantLillian FamilantJulius Conn Jr.Maurice Marvin PortnoyMarvin I. MazurKate W. SachsPatricia SmithJacob A. KirsnerMurrie HymanRobert Aaron LevinMary MorgansteinFannie WaxmanShirley KleinCecilia KorsenBessie Tessler
The names of these loved ones will be called on these weekends:
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Yahrzeits, continued
Todah Rabah continued from page 7
Sisterhood
In memory of Dorothy Tickler, Janet Glasofer’s motherBuddy & Libby David
Men’s Club
In memory of Eddie Benson, Sam Parrucci’s son-in-lawBuddy & Libby David
Rodef Sholom Minyan Club
In memory of Eddie Benson, Sam Parrucci’s son-in-lawLawrence & Danile SpokonyTsvi & Martha Katz- Hyman
March 22-23, 2019
Benjamin GoldmanRebecca Harris AbelBertha GoldsteinEva FrenkelRachel MorewitzMonte L. BinderEva Levine AdelsonSiegfried SternIda Strauss
March 29-30, 2019
William A. ChaitMorris H. LiebermanJudith AnapolMinnie Smith CohenJacob OfsaBernard N. Flax
March 1-2, 2019
Carlton JanuarySadye Nachman NeufeldEthel L. SimonJack GreenePearl Smith CaplonAbraham KalkinRebecca KlaffMarcia Lynn Levy OlitskyCynthia Beth KatzGrace WiseIda B. KramerIsrael BodnerRebecca GreenbergMatilda GreenfeldLouis HellerRose L. GuralDavid RecantNathan RosenbaumShirley Goldstein NewmanSylvia Garfinkel CarmelLionel SeratingMorris SandlerSidney A. Batterson
March 8-9, 2019
Sol P. LevinsonEdwin B. GordonHarry LevyBarbara Gail LasrisAbraham SchwartzMorris OdisBetty SudarskyLewis H. ErlachMoses Schneider
March 15-16, 2019
Margaret Ann LernerFrank ReshefskyFannie KirsnerGad GoldsteinIda M. RoesenIsabel WeinerSally EllisMichael SametGarland January ConnCharles MallenbaumAbe Markowitz
The Jewish Museum and Cultural Center will be showing the movie The Pianist on
Sunday, February 10, 2019 at 2:00 p.m.
Free Admission Address: 607 Effingham Street in Portsmouth
Any questions, please contact Barbara Rossen at 757-391-9266
The names of these loved ones will be called on these weekends:
Rodef Sholom Temple
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Temple NewsCelebrate Special Occasions at Rodef Sholom Temple Having a special birthday or anniversary? Remembering a departed loved one? Want to share good news or good fortune with friends? Are you reading Haftorah on the anniversary of your Bar/Bat Mitzvah?
Celebrate that special occasion with Temple members by sponsoring a Oneg Shabbat, a Kiddush Luncheon, or Minyan Breakfast. For the most basic menu selection, your minimum donation of $50 for a Oneg Shabbat, $150 for a Kiddush Luncheon, or $35 for a Minyan Breakfast is tax-deductible. Call the Temple Office to schedule your sponsorship.
Thank you to the following who have sponsored or provided a meal:
December Meals• Jonathan Golner and Bianca Bass and Mitchell Golner
in honor of the 50th Wedding Anniversary of Rabbi Norman and Jeanne Golner
• Geofrey Nochimson in memory of Marilyn Nochimson
• The Glasofers in honor of Rabbi Dror’s birthday
• Jean Rafaelof in appreciation for all the prayers and support
• Danile Spokony in honor of her birthday
• Kenny Murov in memory of Harold Murov
• Bonnie Brooks in memory of Frances T. Brooks
January Meals• Bob Nochimson in memory of Marilyn Nochimson
• The Weinstock Family in memory of what would have been the birthday of Britlyn Weinstock
• Rabbi Dror in memory of the morning minyan people
• Geoffrey and Shelly Kostiner in memory of Arnold L. Kostiner
• Shelly Portnoy in memory of Steve Portnoy
New Member:
• Kelli and Jeff Kaplan and their family Caroline, Matthew, and Benjamin
Condolences:
The congregation notes with sadness the passing of:
• Gale Phillips, wife of Rex Phillips; mother of Rachel Anthony and William (Annya) Phillips; grandmother of Jordan, Chase, Josh, and Allie; Jordan’s mother, Ginny Phillips; and two sisters and several nieces and nephews.
• Ruth Pearl Reiss, wife of William J. Reiss, of blessed memory; mother of Michael Reiss and Leslie R. Fuentes (Joseph); grandmother of Adina Eve Carter and Jocelyn Jane Fuentes
Save These Dates for Upcoming Congregational Dinners:
Friday night services at 6:00 p.m. followed by Evelyn and Richard Mason’s finest.• February 8th: Game Night – Try your hand at
Trivial Pursuit, Scrabble, Trouble, card games and more.
• April 12th: Farewell to Chametz. A carb-loaded feast!
• May 31st: New Member/Teacher Appreciation Shabbat
February - March 2019
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RST Sisterhood
Our annual Torah Fund Brunch is Sunday morning, February 24th, at the home of Elina Blaha. Our guest will be Leora Skolnik, who is married to Rabbi Yonatan Warren, the son of Tova and Jay Warren. Leora is a graduate of Barnard College and the William Davidson Graduate School of Education at the Jewish Theological Seminary in New York City, one of the institutions that is supported by our Torah Fund donations. She will be answering our questions about her life as the wife of a Navy chaplain, and the frequent moves and separations that entails. Invitations will go out by the end of January, and all Sisterhood members will be asked to make a Torah Fund donation.
March 17th is the date for putting together our annual Mishloach Manot Purim bags. This is Sisterhood’s largest fundraiser of the year and also a wonderful opportunity for Rodef Sholom members to perform the mitzvah of sending these gifts of food and beverage to members of the congregation. Our annual mailing went out at the beginning of January, and you can also see the information and make your payments on the RST website, here: http://www.rodefsholomtemple.org/events/purim-mishloach-manot-orders/. The deadline is February 18th.
We are also planning a Passover fair for March 17th, with Passover necessities such as seder plates, kiddush cups, matzah holders and afikoman presents. More details will be forthcoming!
Our thanks to Judie Kavit and Sarah Barnett for leading our second Sisterhood Yoga Shabbat on January 18th. Taking the time at the end of a busy week to think, relax, and unwind with Shabbat services and gentle yoga poses was wonderful!
Sisterhood Calendar of EventsSisterhood Passover Fair and Gift Sale Prepare for the Perfect Seder or bring a treat to someone else’s.Sunday March 17th - 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM Items include: Seder plates, Matzah trays and covers, Miriam’s cups, Afikomen bags and haggadahs.
RST Book ClubAfter a fall hiatus, the next RST Book Club meeting will take place on Sunday, March 3rd from 10am to 12pm. We will be discussing The Weight of Ink by Rachel Kadish. It is a winner of a National Jewish Book Award and a USA TODAY best seller. “Set in London of the 1660s and of the early twenty-first century, The Weight of Ink is the interwoven tale of two women of remarkable intel-lect: Ester Velasquez, an emigrant from Amsterdam who is permitted to scribe for a blind rabbi, just before the plague hits the city; and Helen Watt, an ailing historian with a love of Jewish history. Electrifying and ambitious, sweeping in scope and intimate in tone, The Weight of Ink is a sophisticated work of historical fiction about women separated by centuries, and the choices and sacrifices they must make in order reconcile the life of the heart and mind.” I am looking forward to seeing all the “regulars” and invite others who love to read to join us for fellowship and discussion. It is the first Book Club meeting to take place in the new Rodef Sholom Temple building!Elina Blaha
Rodef Sholom Temple
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RodefSholomTemple
401 City Center Blvd.Newport News, VA 23606
ELECTRONIC ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
Dated Material: Please Deliver by February 1, 2019
Non-Profit Organization
U.S. Postage PaidNewport News, VA
Permit No. 30
Congregation Rodef Sholom, Friends, and Religious School Students are Cordially
Invited to the NEW Palace Sushan! Free & Festive Purim Banquet
Inaugural Megillah reading, with lively commercial breaks
One for every member! Pick-Up Your Mishloach Manot Gift Bag!
Tzedakah Opportunity Games
Wednesday EveningThe 20th Day of March in the year 2019
Complimentary Banquet at 6PMFollowed by More Mitzvah Festivities
in the Palace
King A and Queen E request the favor of headcounts for free food by March 11th
Mishloach Manot (or Shalach Manot) WHAT IS IT? Every member gets one bag with a list of those who gave the bag! During the holiday of Purim, it is a tradition to exchange gift baskets of food and drink called Mishloach Manot. This mitzvah is one of the many ways that we, as a people, emphasize the importance of community. It is also a way to add warmth and friendship to our synagogue. This year, RST Sisterhood will be preparing Masquerade-themed Mishloach Manot bags filled with food and drink. This project helps our members fulfill this mitzvah. Please be generous- this is Sisterhood's main fundraiser of the year! HOW CAN I PARTICIPATE? HOW CAN I HELP? 1) You can send a bag to any member of the congregation. 1) Volunteer to assemble bags on Sunday, March 17th at Only 1 bag will be given to each recipient. The names of RST during school hours from 10AM-Noon. Just of those who sent them a bag will appear on the card. check the box below. 2) Volunteer to make phone calls the week of March 11th to 2) On the reverse side, check off names of members to whom alert members that they have a bag waiting for them. you wish to send a bag. Or take advantage of the special rate of $136 to send a bag to the entire congregation. Fill out the 3) Help deliver bags the week after March 27th to members form and send the full page with your check to the office by Feb 18th. who cannot pick them up. 3) Your order can also be completed and paid for online at www.rodefsholomtemple.org Name__________________________ Phone_____________________ Email________________________ THIS ENTIRE PAGE FORM WITH PAYMENT MUST BE RECEIVED BY Monday, February 18th TO BE PROCESSED. 1) YOUR ORDER TOTAL: I wish to order ____ bags @ $6/each for a total of $______. ____I wish to order a bag for each RST family for a special rate of $136. ____I wish to pick up my personal bag in Williamsburg at the Gleiser home at 5504 South Mallard Run.
Checks payable to RST Sisterhood and mailed to: Rodef Sholom Temple, 401 City Center Blvd. Newport News VA 23606
2) VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES: ____ I will make phone calls the week of March 11th to alert members they have a bag waiting for them on Purim night. ____I will help assemble bags on Sunday, March 17th at RST from 10AM-Noon. ____I will help deliver bags after March 27th to members who are unable to pick them up due to infirmity. *Please note that all undergraduate college students and out-of-the-area members will receive a Starbucks gift card in lieu of a bag: Please remind us who should get one:__________________________________________
