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Shalom March 2011

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Shalom March 2011
12
Dear Friends: Following the Academy Awards telecast, being a winner seems to be on everyone’s mind these days. I began to think of those who come so close but don’t win, neither from failure or effort nor excellence, but for all the different external reasons that cause a vote to go one way rather than another. Yet these “losers” do so well, not only in terms of competition but in terms of themselves. What is a winner anyway – or a loser? Harry Truman once became infuriated with someone who called his father a loser because his farm in Grandview, Missouri failed during the Depression. Truman angrily wrote him, “How can a man have been a failure when his son became President of the United States?” Many years ago, our family attended a state fair in Minnesota and together surveyed the table containing the prize winning produce grown in this proudly agricultural state. As I was surveying the blue, red and white ribbons on the vegeta- bles, flowers, cakes and cookies, I saw a small girl looking forlornly at a box of blueberries she had hopefully submitted, that sat in the case but without an award. To her mother she sadly asked, “Are first, second and third prizes all they have?” I recall a woman here at our Temple who was worried as many parents might have been, about her daughter who was not a top student in school. She was not on any teams and not a recipient of prizes which our schools shower on students at graduation time, most of them collected by a select few. Her daughter asked her a question I’ve never forgotten: “Mom, are there any prizes just for being nice?” There are other prizes but they are not blue ribbons and they aren’t high grades and large fortunes. They are feelings inside, satisfactions that can’t be purchased, relationships that enrich every day. As Rabbi Harold Schulweiss sadly points out, our Jewish system of values which always scored decency, kindness and integrity at the top, has been swallowed up by “middle-classicism,” perpetually seeking greater successes. He writes: “The child is enveloped by measurement, the weight of meritocracy hangs heavily over him filled with endless rewards…from the silver and gold stars to 3.8 and 4.0 averages, from scores on the SAT to the GRE, the child is judged by the extrinsic marks of success.” I recall when Kira was very small, on hearing the radio announcer characterize someone as “one of the most im- portant men in the world,” she turned to me and asked, “Daddy, am I important?” I wrote a sermon about it then, and many years later I’m still wondering how well I and other parents teach our children that they are important, not because of their achievements but because of their intrinsic individuality. Do we help them to grow not into what we think they ought to be, but what they have the capacity to become, not into little bundles of achievement, but into adults who understand the rich- ness of wisdom, the beauty of music, the wonder of love? Are there any prizes either at the fair, in school or in life that could be more precious? Yours sincerely, Stephen H. Pinsky Adar / Adar II 5771| March 2011 Rabbi’s Voice Rabbi Stephen H. Pinsky
Transcript
Page 1: Shalom March 2011

Dear Friends:

Following the Academy Awards telecast, being a winner seems to be on everyone’s mind these days. I began to think of those who come so close but don’t win, neither from failure or effort nor excellence, but for all the different external reasons that cause a vote to go one way rather than another. Yet these “losers” do so well, not only in terms of competition but in terms of themselves. What is a winner anyway – or a loser? Harry Truman once became infuriated with someone who called his father a loser because his farm in Grandview, Missouri failed during the Depression. Truman angrily wrote him, “How can a man have been a failure when his son became President of the United

States?” Many years ago, our family attended a state fair in Minnesota and together surveyed the table containing the prize

winning produce grown in this proudly agricultural state. As I was surveying the blue, red and white ribbons on the vegeta-bles, flowers, cakes and cookies, I saw a small girl looking forlornly at a box of blueberries she had hopefully submitted, that sat in the case but without an award. To her mother she sadly asked, “Are first, second and third prizes all they have?”

I recall a woman here at our Temple who was worried as many parents might have been, about her daughter who

was not a top student in school. She was not on any teams and not a recipient of prizes which our schools shower on students at graduation time, most of them collected by a select few. Her daughter asked her a question I’ve never forgotten: “Mom, are there any prizes just for being nice?”

There are other prizes but they are not blue ribbons and they aren’t high grades and large fortunes. They are feelings

inside, satisfactions that can’t be purchased, relationships that enrich every day. As Rabbi Harold Schulweiss sadly points out, our Jewish system of values which always scored decency, kindness and

integrity at the top, has been swallowed up by “middle-classicism,” perpetually seeking greater successes. He writes: “The child is enveloped by measurement, the weight of meritocracy hangs heavily over him filled with endless rewards…from the silver and gold stars to 3.8 and 4.0 averages, from scores on the SAT to the GRE, the child is judged by the extrinsic marks of success.”

I recall when Kira was very small, on hearing the radio announcer characterize someone as “one of the most im-portant men in the world,” she turned to me and asked, “Daddy, am I important?” I wrote a sermon about it then, and many years later I’m still wondering how well I and other parents teach our children that they are important, not because of their achievements but because of their intrinsic individuality. Do we help them to grow not into what we think they ought to be, but what they have the capacity to become, not into little bundles of achievement, but into adults who understand the rich-ness of wisdom, the beauty of music, the wonder of love? Are there any prizes either at the fair, in school or in life that could be more precious? Yours sincerely, Stephen H. Pinsky

Adar / Adar II 5771| March 2011

Rabbi’s Voice Rabbi Stephen H. Pinsky

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Shalom March 2011 - Page 2

A publication of

Temple Beth Torah 900 Big Blue Trace

Wellington, Florida 33414

TEL.: 561-793-2700 FAX: 561-793-1072

E-MAIL: [email protected] WEB SITE: templebethtorah.net

TEMPLE OFFICE HOURS:

Monday - Thursday: 9AM - 5PM Friday: 9AM - 4PM

RABBI

Stephen H. Pinsky [email protected]

CANTOR Carrie F. Barry

[email protected] PRESIDENT Louise Marks

[email protected] VICE PRESIDENTS

Richard Lebowitz Philip Levine

TREASURER Richard Samuels SECRETARY Marcia Weber

EDUCATION DIRECTOR Jodi Kaufman

[email protected] PRESCHOOL DIRECTOR

Sandy Wilensky [email protected]

YOUTH ADVISOR Jamie Sistino

[email protected] BROTHERHOOD PRESI-

DENT Doug Barr

SISTERHOOD CO-PRESIDENTS

Jennifer Goldstein Darlene Lebowitz

[email protected] SHALOM CREATIVE DESIGN

Philip Levine EDITOR

Phyllis Weinstein

I have expressed rather frequently my love of Temple and Temple life. Here and now, I will share with you a major element that influences me: our wonderful Tem-ple Children. When I enter our portals, I stroll into the school wing to see our preschool students. I read to the three-year-old classes. It’s an activity that I absolutely adore. Fran Ler-ner reads to the four year olds. I enjoy walking through our halls on Sundays and on Tuesday evenings when Religious School is in session. I am in awe of our Youth Group members because I qvell from the knowledge that I have watched them grow and I see them acquire the patina of sophistication by the end of seventh grade. They are our future. They will perpetuate our faith. I recently received a petition from seventh grade students in Mrs. Hirschberg’s first period class. It inspired this article. Dear Temple Beth Torah Board of Directors: We would like to suggest a lower mezzuzah be placed on the front entrance to the Temple. We are the 7th grade class of Mrs. Hirschberg, and we are aware that Febru-ary is National Jewish Disabilities month. We think that handicapped people should be able to kiss the Mezzuzah as they come into theTemple. We will have a bake sale to pay for the mezuzah. Petition for the Mezzuzah.

Please consider this. Everybody should be able to have the opportunity to touch the mezuzah. This is very important to all of us. We would like to help people with disabilities. This will help many members of the Jewish community. This gives those less fortunate a chance . We want to make sure everyone who enters the Synagogue has a chance. This is a positive sign that we care about others. We hope you agree with our idea.

This document was signed by twenty-seven of our seventh grade students. I was teary-eyed after first reading this. Parents, don’t you think you have done a great job? Mrs. Hirschberg, I salute you for inspiring our students. They are our future, and this gesture has made it seem brighter This is one of the reasons why I am thrilled to be your President. Shalom, Louise

From The President Louise Marks

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From the Desk of the Temple Educator Jodi Kaufman

Purim is celebrated by the reading of the Scroll of Esther, known in Hebrew as the Megillat Esther, which relates the basic story of Purim. Under the rule of King Ahashuerus, Haman, the King's prime minister, plots to extermi-nate all of the Jews of Persia. His plan is foiled by Queen Esther and her uncle Mordechai, who ultimately save the Jews of the land from destruction. The reading of the megillah is typically a rowdy affair, punctuated by booing and noise-making when Haman's name is read aloud. Purim is an unusual holiday in many respects. First, Esther is the only Book of the Bible in which God is not men-tioned. Second, Purim, like Chanukah, is viewed traditionally as a minor festival, but elevated to a major holiday as a result of the Jewish historical experience. Over the centuries, Haman became the embodiment of every anti-Semite in every land where Jews were oppressed. The significance in Purim lies not so much in how it began, but in what it has become -a thankful and joyous affirmation of Jewish survival against all odds. Did You Know? Fun Facts About Purim… Persia is modern-day Iran. In Deuteronomy 25:19, we are commanded: “You shall blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under

heaven; you shall never forget.” Amalek is the historic enemy of the Jews, and Haman is a descendant of Ama-lek. As we listen to the reading of the megillah, whenever Haman’s name is mentioned we blot it out with graggers, foot stamping and shouting.

Haman’s name is mentioned 54 times in the megillah— that’s a lot of foot stamping, booing, hissing and grag-ger twirling!

Haman had 10 sons; when their names are read from the megillah, it is a tradition to read them quickly without taking a breath.

The longest verse in the Bible is found in one verse of the book of Esther. (8:9) It has 43 words in Hebrew and 90 words in English.

All the letters of the Hebrew alphabet are found in one verse in Esther. (3:13) There is a street in Tel Aviv called “Queen Esther Street.” The Jewish women’s organization “Hadassah” was founded on Purim. Hadassah was Esther’s Hebrew name. Please join us on March 20, 2011 for our Purim celebration complete with Purim Spiel and Carnival! Chag Sameach! Jodi Kaufman

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The Preschool Press

Sandy Wilensky

TempleBeth Torah Leonie Arguetty Preschool

Preschool News

Last month we welcomed over 200 guests to the preschool for our favorite program of the year - Grandpar-ents’/Special Persons’ Day. It is uplifting to watch the children as they interact with their grandparents, and to ob-serve the love and pride in the eyes of the grandparents as they watch their loved ones learn. Research tells us that children find unique acceptance in their relationships with grandparents. Grandparents contribute in so many ways. They're very often role models, mentors and historians -- teaching values, instilling religious and ethnic heritage, and passing on family traditions. Having them in our classrooms is the highlight of the school year. Special thanks to all the parents who donated their time and delicious baked goods, fruits and flowers to the breakfast, which preceded the classroom visitation. Kudos to Tanya Siskind and Sherry Derrevere, our VPO co-chairs for this event.

This short but busy month was also filled with lessons in dental health, culminating in an exciting and inter-active dental health program presented by Dr. Lisa Feldman’s educational staff. The children especially enjoyed go-ing home with new toothbrushes to reinforce the day’s learning.

Registration for Fall classes is now open to the general community, but it is not too late to reserve a place for your child in our 2010-2011 programs. Please call 793-2649 or stop by the preschool office for more infor-mation, to schedule a tour or to sit in on a class. Registration for our “Summer of Fun” Enrichment Camp is also in progress. Parents can customize a camp experience by choosing 2, 3 or 5 day a week programs, for either a full or half day. We look forward to enjoying this summer with children from ages 2 to 6 years old, to participate in many fun filled activities. We also welcome back our teens, twelve years old and up, who earn community service hours for their participation in our CIT program. Please contact the preschool office, 793-2649 for more infor-mation. There are limited openings. Looking ahead, the month of March promises to be just as busy for the preschoolers as they prepare for Purim. The children have already begun decorating Purim costumes and baking hamantaschen for our Purim Pa-rade and celebration on March 9 & 10. Come join the fun! Shalom, Sandy Wilensky, Director

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The Preschool Press Sandy Wilensky

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Beau Aubin Smith, son of Hylee and Scott Smith, will be called to the Torah as a Bar Mitzvah on Saturday, March 5, 2011. Beau is a 7th grade honor roll student at Western Pines Middle School. He enjoys playing football, bas-ketball, and XBOX Live! Beau will be joined on his special day by his sisters, Nicki and Jolee, and his brother Jake. Also joining him will be his grandparents Ron and Dee Smith from Illinois, and Barbara and Julius Voisin from Louisiana, as well as many other relatives and friends. David Fisher, the son of Amy Fisher, will be called to the Torah as a Bar Mitzvah on Saturday, March 12, 2011. David is a 7th grade Principal’s Honor Roll student at Wellington Landings Middle School. He is in two school bands where he plays flute and alto saxophone. David is the Treasurer of the Student Council, and is a member of the Robotics Club and the Environmental Club. David will be celebrating with his mother, sister, grandparents, aunts and cousins. Genna Caitlyn Barashick, daughter of Barbara and Mark Barashick, will be called to the Torah as a Bat Mitzvah on Saturday, March 19, 2011. Genna is a 7th grade student at Wellington Landings Middle School. She enjoys music and playing the flute in her school’s Advanced Band. Genna is also a member of the drama club. She likes to be with friends, to travel, and hopes someday to visit Israel. Along with her parents, Genna will be sharing her simcha with her brother, Michael. She will be celebrating with family and friends from near and far representing Chicago, New York, Tucson, New Orleans and St. Louis. Jacob Levy, the son of Jill and Ron Levy will be called to the Torah as a Bar Mitzvah on Saturday, March 26, 2011. Jake is a seveth grade honor student at Polo Park Middle School. He enjoys video games, basketball and reading. Celebrating this joyous occasion with Jake will be his parents, his sister Alexandra, his brother Jesse, his grandparents and many special relatives and close friends.

B’nai Mitzvah Students at Temple Beth Torah March 2011

Young Adult Connection Temple Beth Torah Youth Committee

Do you have a child graduating from high school or college in 2011?

Graduate's Shabbat on May 20

On Friday, May 20, 2011 at 7:30 PM we will recognize and bless our graduates during Shabbat services. The Youth Committee will recognize each student and provide a gift for this year's graduates.

Please help us by sending your graduate's name and the name of the high school/college they are graduating from. Please email or call

Bonnie Stein at [email protected] or 969-9496.

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Events at Temple Beth Torah

March 2011 Tue Mar 1, 2011 25th of Adar I, 5771 Wed Mar 2, 2011 26th of Adar I, 5771 7:15pm School Committee Thu Mar 3, 2011 27th of Adar I, 5771 Fri Mar 4, 2011 28th of Adar I, 5771 Shabbat Family Dinner 7:30pm Shabbat Service Sat Mar 5, 2011 29th of Adar I, 5771 8:45am Torah Study 9:45am Shabbat Service 6pm Chalutzim and Kochavim GameWars Sun Mar 6, 2011 30th of Adar I, 5771 MITZVAH DAY 5pm 7th Grade 6pm Mitzvah Corps Mon Mar 7, 2011 1st of Adar II, 5771 12pm Lunch and Learn Tue Mar 8, 2011 2nd of Adar II, 5771 3pm Religious School 7pm Confirmation Class 7:30pm Personnel Committee Wed Mar 9, 2011 3rd of Adar II, 5771 Preschool Purim Celebration Thu Mar 10, 2011 4th of Adar II, 5771 Fri Mar 11, 2011 5th of Adar II, 5771 7:30pm Shabbat Service Sat Mar 12, 2011 6th of Adar II, 5771 8:45am Torah Study 9:45am Shabbat Service

Sun Mar 13, 2011 7th of Adar II, 5771 Mon Mar 14, 2011 8th of Adar II, 5771 7:30pm Life Long Learning Tue Mar 15, 2011 9th of Adar II, 5771 Wed Mar 16, 2011 10th of Adar II, 5771 Thu Mar 17, 2011 11th of Adar II, 5771 Ta'anit Esther Miami Heat Game Brotherhood, TBA Fri Mar 18, 2011 12th of Adar II, 5771 7:30pm Shabbat Service Sat Mar 19, 2011 13th of Adar II, 5771 8:45am Torah Study 9:45am Shabbat Service Sun Mar 20, 2011 14th of Adar II, 5771 Purim PURIM CARNIVAL 9am Brotherhood Meeting Mon Mar 21, 2011 15th of Adar II, 5771 7:30pm Life Long Learning Tue Mar 22, 2011 16th of Adar II, 5771 3pm Religious School 7pm Confirmation Class 7:30pm Monthly Board Meeting Wed Mar 23, 2011 17th of Adar II, 5771 Thu Mar 24, 2011 18th of Adar II, 5771 Pre Bar/Bat Mitzvah Parents' Meeting

Fri Mar 25, 2011 19th of Adar II, 5771 NFTY-STR Spring Kallah @ TBT!!!!!7:30pm Shabbat Service Sat Mar 26, 2011 20th of Adar II, 5771 NFTY-STR Spring Kallah @ TBT!!!!! 8:45am Torah Study 9:45am Shabbat Service Sun Mar 27, 2011 21st of Adar II, 5771 NFTY-STR Spring Kallah @ TBT!!!!! 9am Membership Meeting 9am Religious School 9:15am Youth Committee 5pm 7th Grade Mon Mar 28, 2011 22nd of Adar II, 5771 Preschool Conferences Tue Mar 29, 2011 23rd of Adar II, 5771 Preschool Conferences 3pm Religious School Wed Mar 30, 2011 24th of Adar II, 5771 Preschool Program Thu Mar 31, 2011 25th of Adar II, 5771

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Welcome to our New Members

We welcome the following new members to our “Temple family” and look forward to their participation in our services and activities.

Sherrie Rosen, Membership Co-Chairperson

Nancy Freedman, Membership Co-Chairperson

Noah and Sandra Fuhrman Stephen and Cheryl Walton

Mazel Tov To: Our B’nai Mitzvah:

Beau Smith and his family David Fisher and his family

Genna Barashick and her family Jacob Levy and his family

Special Simchas: Betty and Hank Brodie on the birth of their new great grandchild

Get Well To: Sabina Dener, Dr. Helen Garson, Neil Garson,

Harvey Harnick, Alan Marks, Oscar Peskoff and Linda Politzer

Deepest Sympathy To: Richard Cohen on the loss of his mother, Beverly Cohen

Barbara Abrams on the loss of her aunt, Sophie Silfen The Richel Family on the loss of former Temple member, Stanley Richel

Joanne Miner on the loss of her grandfather, Philip Silverstone Robert Kappel on the loss of his cousin, Amy Silverman

Alan Burke on the loss of his father, Sidney Burke The Jankowitz family on the loss of long time Temple member, Belle Jankowitz

Selma Rudnick Waters on the loss of her husband, Hilton Waters Diane Marks on the loss of her aunt and Stella Levitt on the loss of her sister in law, Shirley Levitt

Page 11: Shalom March 2011

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] Gracious Donations ] RABBI’S DISCRETIONARY FUND

In Honor Of Heidi and Marvin Zeichner in their

new home Rhoda & Sy Zenlea

Our marriage

Eileen & Gerry Midman

The speedy recovery of Dawn Begley Selma & Saul Goldman

The speedy recovery of Anita Sloman

Dulcie Burns

The birth of Betty and Hank Brodie’s great grandchild

Rhoda & Sy Zenlea

The Bat Mitzvah of Lindsay August Karen August

The 30th wedding anniversary of Carol

and Ed Cohen Patricia Rankin

The engagement of Seth Pinsky to

Angela Sung Danielle & Harvey Levinsohn

In Appreciation For

Our daughter, Joey’s, Torah reading Stacy & Andrew Fradkin

Our services and the Rabbi’s Lunch &

Learn Arline & Noel Shevack

In Memory Of Icek Leucove

Danielle & Harvey Levinsohn

Susan McComb Helen & Neil Garson

Evelyn Mehlman

Roslyn & Karen Eismann Roselyn & Morris Ball

My dear wife Cyril Gold

Norma Bressler

Debra & Barry Cohen

Gussie Fader Rose Schwartz

Leonard Schwartz

Rose Schwartz

CANTOR’S DISCRETIONARY FUND In Honor Of

The birth of Eli Barry Saundra & Barry Riggs

The Bat Mitzvah of Lindsay August

Karen August

RABBI STEPHEN PINSKY EDUCATION FUND

In Honor Of The engagement of Seth Pinsky to

Angela Sung Eileen & Gerry Midman

Ed Cohen’s special birthday Phyllis & Marvin Weinstein

In Memory Of Walter Weiss

Lisa & Rabbi Stephen Pinsky

Anna and Adolph Heller Ruthe Blecher

Minna and Nachman Blecher

Ruthe Blecher

William Weiss Lisa & Rabbi Stephen Pinsky

CANTOR FENAKEL RELIGIOUS

SCHOOL In Honor Of

The Bar Mitzvah of Jesse Schietz The Thal Family

YOUTH GROUP FUND

In Memory Of Rebecca Dubin

Barbara & Harvey Harnick

TZEDAKAH BOX FUND In Memory Of Cary M. Speier Siegbert Speier

Hilton Waters

Roz & Morris Ball

LIBRARY FUND In Honor Of

The 60th wedding anniversary of Doris and Karl Fishman

Barbara & Lowell Stein

TREE OF LIFE In Honor Of

Our 30th wedding anniversary Carol & Ed Cohen

Noel Shevack’s 80th birthday

The Shevack Family

The 55th wedding anniversary of Arline and Noel Shevack

The Shevack Family

GENERAL TEMPLE FUND In Honor Of Mitzvah Day

Sharry Israel & Oscar Peskoff

The speedy recovery of Roz Eismann Corinne Ingerman

The speedy recovery of Sabina Dener

Corinne Ingerman

In Memory Of Dr. Daniel Hammond

Claire Marcus

Page 12: Shalom March 2011

Friday, March 4 at 7:30 p.m. DRESS DOWN SHABBAT

An informal Service with camp- style music and spirit.

March Birthday Blessings.

Saturday, March 5 at 9:45 a.m. Bar Mitzvah of Beau Smith

Son of Hylee and Scott Smith Torah Portion: Pekudei, Exodus 38:21-40:38

Friday, March 11 at 7:30 p.m.

“ When You Haven’t Got a Prayer” Rabbi Pinsky will deliver a short message on the difficult topic of finding time and reason to pray.

Saturday, March 12 at 9:45 a.m.

Bar Mitzvah of David Fisher Son of Amy Fisher

Torah Portion: Vayikra, Leviticus 1:1-5:26

Friday, March 18 at 7:30 p.m. TORAH STUDY SHABBAT

The congregation will share a Shabbat Service of prayer, music and Torah study including the reading of

a selection from this week’s Torah portion.

Saturday, March 19 at 9:45 a.m. Bat Mitzvah of Genna Barashick

Daughter of Barbara and Mark Barashick Torah Portion: Tzav, Leviticus 6:1-8:36

Friday, March 25 at 7:30 p.m.

NFTY-STR REGIONAL CONCLAVE Our Youth Group, TiBToFTY, will host youth-groupers from across Florida who will conduct this special and

inspiring service.

Saturday, March 26 at 9:45 a.m. Bar Mitzvah of Jacob Levy Son of Jill and Ronald Levy

Torah Portion: Tazria, Leviticus 12:1-13:59

March 2011 Service Calendar


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