TBE December/January 2014/15 Bulletin

Learnings & Teachings...................................................................................pg. 6

American Jews as Macabees..................................................................pg. 7-10

Caring Community......................................................................................pg. 11

Affiliated with the Union for Reform Judaism 2309 Packard St., Ann Arbor, MI 48104 | Phone 734-665-4744

Fax 734-665-9237 | Religious School 734-665-5817 | www.templebethemeth.org

Temple Beth Emeth...its ways are ways of pleasantness, and all its paths are peace.

Kislev -Tevet - Sh’vat • 5775

Ann Arbor’s home for Reform Judaism

Friday, December 56 pm Tot Shabbat 6:30 pm Tot Dinner and Popsicle Oneg7:30 pm Shabbat Service | 3rd Grade Shabbat with Guest Spearker from OSRUITorah Portion: Vayishlach (Gen. 32:4-36:43)

Saturday, December 68:50 am Torah Study with Rabbi10 am Chapel Service

Friday, December 126 pm Tot Shabbat 6:30 pm Tot Dinner and Popsicle Oneg7:30 pm Shabbat Service | Birthday & Anniversary CelebrationTorah Portion: Vayeishev (Gen. 37:1-40:23)Sermon: Hunkering Down


Friday, December 196 pm Brotherhood Latke DinnerTot Shabbat - Cancelled7:30 pm Shabbat Service | Chanukah Service & All Ensemble ConcertTorah Portion: Mikeitz (Gen. 41:1-44:17)


Friday, December 266 pm Tot Shabbat 6:30 pm Tot Dinner and Popsicle Oneg7:30 pm Shabbat ServiceTorah Portion: Vayigash (Gen. 44:18-47:2)

Saturday, December 278:50 am Torah Study with Cantor10 am Chapel Service

January 2015

Friday, January 26 pm Tot Shabbat 6:30 pm Tot Dinner and Popsicle Oneg7:30 pm Shabbat Service Torah Portion: Va-y’chi (Gen. 47:28-50:26)Sermon: The Meaning of Life

Saturday, January 38:50 am Torah Study with Rabbi10 am Chapel Service

Liturgical CalendarLatkes! Lights! Chanukah! Friday, December 19Brotherhood Latke Dinner | 6 pm $12 for adults and $6 for children under the age of 12. Tickets can be purchased on line (http://bit.ly/1v3l1ZJ) or call the office, 665-4744.

Chanukah Service & All Ensemble Concert | 7:30 pm All ensembles participate in this evening of song and prayer. No Tot Shabbat or Tot Dinner. Be sure to bring your menorah and candles. Will be a night to remember!

December 25th Movie | Mary Poppinsat The Michigan Theater | Doors open 10 amShow starts at 10:30 amAdvance: $7/ticket until December 20 (can be purchased at http://bit.ly/15eeVNX) At door: $10/adult | $7/child under 12

Regular Michigan Theater concessions for sale, raffle with prizes, and special themed snacks.

Sisterhood | 2014 Chanukah Bazaar Saturday, December 6 | 9 am -2 pm Sunday, December 7 | 3:30-7:30 pmEverything you need for Chanukah and more! Gelt, candles, dreidels, menorah, gift wrap, toys, cards, kitchen items, music, jewelery and unique gifts.

December 2014 - January 2015

-continued on next page

2 President’s PostLiturgical Calender (Continued)

Friday, January 96 pm Tot Shabbat 6 pm Elementary Shabbat Service with Rabbi Levy6:30 pm Tot Dinner and Popsicle Oneg7:30 pm Shabbat Service | Birthday & Anniversary CelebrationTorah Portion: Sh’mot (Exod. 1:1-6:1)Sermon: The Best Stories Begin with the Word “So”


Friday, January 166 pm Tot Shabbat 6:30 pm Tot Dinner and Popsicle Oneg7:30 pm Shabbat Service | Pulpit SwitchTorah Portion: Va-eira (Exod. 6:2-9:35)


Sunday, January 18 10:30 am Pulpit Switch

Friday, January 236 pm Tot Shabbat 6:30 pm Tot Dinner and Popsicle Oneg7:30 pm Shabbat Service | 2nd Grade ShabbatTorah Portion: Bo (Exod. 10:1-13:16)


Friday, January 306 pm Tot Shabbat 6:30 pm Tot Dinner and Popsicle Oneg7:30 pm Shabbat Service with Kol Halev & Worship BandTorah Portion: B’shalach (Exod. 13:17-17:16)

Saturday, January 318:50 am Torah Study with Rabbi10 am Bar Mitzvah: Benjamin Nacht

On Wednesday, November 12, I attended the Annual Dinner of Abrahamic Traditions held this year at Temple Beth Emeth/St. Clare’s. The event is sponsored by the Niagara Foundation, which was founded 10 years ago by a group of Turkish-Americans to celebrate diversity and foster understanding among peoples from different backgrounds and heritages. Shoshana Mandel Warner and TBE’s Social Action Committee were instrumental in co-hosting this event with St. Clare’s.

This year’s dinner began with a service in the sanctuary led by our Cantor, Regina Hayut, by the Rev. James Rhodenhiser, and by Mr. Talha Ghazi. Cantor Hayut first demonstrated how our sanctuary can be transformed from a neutral space to become a Jewish space, and also to become a Christian space. She then asked people to walk around the room and greet everyone. Cantor Hayut chanted Torah, Rev. Rhodenhiser read from the Christian Bible, and Mr. Ghazi chanted from the Koran. We then engaged in responsive readings.

Following the service, we moved to the social hall where we ate dinner with people from various religious organizations. After dinner, we heard from three speakers: Rabbi Robert Dobrusin from Beth Israel Congregation, Rev. Reid Hamilton, chaplain of Canterbury House in Ann Arbor, and Dr. Zeki Saritoprak, a professor from the Department of Theology and Religious Studies at John Carroll University in Cleveland. The theme of this year’s dinner was Conflicts, Violence, and Religion. What do our religious tradition and scriptures teach about violence? The speeches were followed by a time for questions and answers.

After I returned home, I wanted to learn more about the Niagara Foundation. Their website states that they named their organization after Niagara Falls, “where two great lakes become more magnificent together than they could be separately.” The website further states the following. “The Niagara Foundation employs the Niagara Falls as a metaphor to underline the importance of the cooperation and understanding among diverse groups of people. We may be separated by ethnicity, religion, race and color, but we all experience both happiness and sorrow, as we are all human beings. “ To this, I would like to add, Amen.

L’shalom,Susan Gitterman

Annual Pulpit Switch | TBE & STCFriday, January 16 | 7:30 pm Sunday, January 18 | 10:30 am

Come hear our physical and spiritual partner, the Very Reverend James Rhodenhiser share his wisdom and insights.

Susan Gitterman

3YouthAnn Arbor Reform Temple Youth | AARTYTBE’s Youth Group for 9th to 12th graders.

AARTY’s JNN: Jewish Nerd Night Sunday, December 14 & January 11 | 7:30 pmJoin us for the first of our monthly Jewish Nerd nights directly following Religious School on Sunday.

RishonimRishonim is TBE’s youth group for 3rd to 5th graders and is a great opportunity to socialize outside the classroom. Events range from bowling in the fall to ice skating in the winter to eating at BD’s Mongolian BBQ in the spring. Rishonim events are held on Sundays.

Rishonim Chanukah PartySunday, December 14 | 3-5 pm Meet at Colonial Lanes,1950 S. Industrial Hwy, for a great evening with food, fun and lots of bowling! Cost: $15. RSVP by November 10 to [email protected].

Rishonim Ice Skating at Vets Sunday, January 25 | 1–2:30 pm Meet at Veterans Park Ice Rink, 2150 Jackson Ave, for skating and pizza. Cost: $15.RSVP by January 19 to [email protected].

KadimaKadima, is TBE’s youth group for middle schoolers, and has events throughout the year that take place on Saturdays.

Kadima goes to Sky Zone Saturday, December 13 | 6-8 pmJoin us at Sky Zone for lots of fun at an indoor trampoline park! Drop off and pick up at Sky Zone, 42550 Executive Drive, Canton. Cost: $25RSVP by December 8 to [email protected].

Kadima goes to Ice Skating at VetsSaturday, January 24 | 12:30–2:30 pmMeet at Veterans Park Ice Rink, 2150 Jackson Ave, for skating and pizza. Cost: $15. RSVP by January 19 to [email protected] .

Shalom Gever | Peaceful Warrior Martial ArtsMondays & Wednesdays | 4:30–8 pm December 1, 3, 8, 10, 15 & 17January 5, 7, 12, 14, 19, 21, 26 & 28REGISTER TODAY !!!Health, Healing and Self-DefenseTry out this unique martial arts instruction including lessons in how to live a healthy lifestyle, be energetic, do well in school, and learn anti-bullying self-defense. 12-week semesters for belt advancement. Drop-in when schedules permit. Enrollment is open for students and their parents. Shalom Gever is taught by Rabbi Peter Gluck, 5th Degree Black Belt and martial arts instructor for eighteen years. Contact: Temple Beth Emeth office or Rabbi Gluck, [email protected] for more registration information.

4 Generation to Generation: Our School

Religious & Hebrew School Announcements3rd Grade Shabbat with special guest speaker from the URJ’s Camp OSRUI | Friday, December 5 at 7:30 pm

3rd grade students are honored, Youth Choir performs, 3rd grade parents provide oneg.

Jewish Parenting Workshop: “It’s Not Just a Good Deed, It’s a Mitzvah”Saturday, December 13 | 8:30-9:30 am and 10:45-11:45 am | Adult Lounge

Use a Jewish framework to shape and reinforce your parenting values. Facilitated by Terri Ginsburg.

3rd Grade Family Program Hebrew Names: A Rosenthal by Any Other Name…Saturday, January 17 |10:45 am-12:30 pm | Social Hall

All 3rd graders and their families. Create a beautiful plaque of your Hebrew name. Learn the significance and meaning of both Hebrew and English names.

Enjoy music, play a name game, eat bagels and get to know other families.

Whole School Tu B’shevat Program | Saturday, January 31 10 am - Noon | Leslie Science & Nature Center

Celebrate the holiday of trees and nature. Learn some interesting facts about Tu B’shevat. Create skits and play games. Sing songs about trees, nature and Israel. Take a winter hike with guides from the Science Center and discover the nature secrets of winter!

Marilyn Price, Jewish Puppeteer, tells stories and makes puppets with students. What a fun Saturday morning! Sponsored by the Jewish Educator's Council and Jewish Federation.

“Simchat Torah” photos by Marjorie Lesko.

5B’nai Mitzvah

Please Celebrate our B’nai Mitzvah With Us! Saturday mornings at the 10 am service.

MembershipNew Members:

Scott & Sara Lupkas

Ellen Katz

Bennett Stark

Saturday, January 31 | Benjamin Nacht

Hi. My name is Benjamin Nacht. I am in 7th grade at Forsythe Middle School. I live with my parents and my older brother, Joshua. I love to dance and write stories. My favorite form of dance is tap. I like to read nonfiction, especially science and philosophy. I also like to listen to comedy and tell funny stories and jokes with my friends. I am enjoying learning to chant my Torah portion. I look forward to my Bar Mitzvah.

First Grade Consecration

Photo by Lauren Linkner

Mazel Tov to: Ellen & Jeoffrey Stross on the birth of their granddaughter, Annabelle Jane Stross, first child to Alison Long & John Stross, October 18. Ted, Wendy & Diana Lawrence on the marriage of Rick Lawrence to Meredith Hickson, October 26.Benjamin Nacht on his Bar Mitzvah, January 31.

Condolences to: Jan Warner & Shoshana Mandel-Warner, on the death of Jan’s father Leon Warner, October 14. Molly Resnik on the death of her mother Gertrude Resnik, November 4.Ellen Katz on the death of her father Martin Katz, November 20.

6 Learnings & TeachingsBetter get reading for December’s Nosh and Nowledge!Monday, December 1, 7 pm | Thursday, December 4, NoonLed by: Terri GinsburgA Guide for the Perplexed, a novel by Dara Horn (2013).An engrossing adventure that intertwines stories from Genesis, medieval philosophy, and the digital frontier, A Guide for the Perplexed is a novel of profound inner meaning and astonishing imagination.

January’s Nosh and NowledgeMonday, January 5, 7 pm | Thursday, January 8, NoonLed by: SooJi MinLittle Disturbances of Man, stories by Grace PaleyOne of the best American short story writers, Grace Paley shares her wit and humor.

Books can be found in the TBE library and on our Kindles.

Beyond Pentateuch: The Rest of the Hebrew Bible Thursday, December 4 and January 15 | 7:30 pm Join us for guided discussions of the Hebrew Bible we know less well. Together we will read from our ancient prophets, our historical narrative, from Joshua to the Babylonian exile, the poetry of Psalms, Job and more…. In each seminar we will discuss texts chosen by a specialist in history, textual analysis, ancient Near Eastern civilization, or maybe even archeology. Enjoy informal exchanges; learn from scholars and each other; chat over refreshments after class.

December 4: Professor Lisbeth Fried teaches Amos.January 15: Professor Philip Schmitz teaches Hebrew prophecy in light of the Phoenician oracular tradition in the Adult Lounge.

Registration is not required, but it will allow us to email you the focus texts. To register, contact Leonore Gerstein [email protected], 930-1673.

Parenting Workshop | It’s Not Just a Good Deed, it’s a Mitzvah. Saturday, December 13 | 8:30-9:30 am & 10:45-11:45 amWhat kind of person do you want your child to be? Discuss the values that you hope your children will develop. Learn how Judaism can help provide a framework for these values and put them in a Jewish context. Facilitated by Terri Ginsburg in Room 2LL.

[E]met: An Honest Conversation about DeathMonday, December 15 | 7 pmRemember the two topics never discussed at the dinner table; sex and death? Well, we’ve had the sex talk. Now let’s have the death talk. Emet means truth and met is death. Come join us for our ongoing monthly discussion group about death. The purpose is to increase the awareness of death with a view to helping people make the most of their (finite) lives. [E]met is a group directed discussion of death with no specific agenda other than to share stories, ideas and experiences. While a decidedly Jewish context will be offered, the discussion is not limited by any one belief. [E]met is not a grief support group or a counseling session, but rather an opportunity to grapple with this important part of life within a community of others, and of course, to share a nosh. This will be co-facilitated by Brian Ashin, and Rabbi Levy.

Men’s Torah Study ReinventedEvery 2nd and 4th Monday | December 8 & 22, January 12 & 26 | 7 pmA men’s Torah discussion group will be led by a lay leader on the 2nd Monday and by Rabbi Levy on the 4th Monday. We will find our way as men by wrestling with text. For more information contact Bill Parkus, [email protected].

Women’s Torah StudyMonday, December 8 & 22, January 12 & 26 | 7 pm An in-depth study and lively discussion of the week’s Torah portion led by Cantor Regina Hayut. The group will explore various passages from the portion looking at several translations and commentaries from a variety of scholars from Talmudic times to the modern day. No Hebrew knowledge necessary to participate in the discussion. For questions, contact Cantor Regina Hayut at [email protected].

Being a Modern Day Maccabee, by Cantor Regina Lambert-HayutWhen I was a child attending my synagogue’s pre-school classes, our wonderful teacher overheard some kids asking one another what they were getting for Christmas. I imagine that our lesson that day was quite different than the one originally planned and instead we learned all about Chanukah. It must have been a great lesson since after all of these years, it still has an impact on me. What I learned has lasted me a lifetime…so far. I learned to have pride in who I am and what I believe in. It taught me that the miracle of light was truly a miracle of survival against the odds, the few against the mighty many, God’s hand in proving to the rest of the world that we had the right to be who we were.Today, I am not convinced that this message, although so very beautiful, is the only or even the most poignant message that we take away from the story of the Maccabees. I see things in a wholly different way…The Maccabees were responding to the challenges of their modern age. In those days, it was nearly impossible to live in the modern world and not fully adapt and integrate into the culture that was the latest, greatest fashion. And, in the days of Mattathias, it was the new Hellenistic/Greek culture that was all the craze. Everyone who was anyone fashionable was Hellenizing. What good is it to fight the trend? Well, if it demands that you give up the essence of who you are, then it is terrible. If it permits you to continue to be your particularistic self with your particularistic ways of identifying your own uniqueness in the world, then it can be wonderful.Could one be Jewish and also live in the modern world? Some, like the ultra-orthodox in the Jewish community, say no. Others, including Reform Jews along with most of the rest of the Jewish world say yes.

It took several generations for the Maccabees to acknowledge that being a part of the Greek Hellenistic society didn’t mean that one must give up being Jewish. But I wonder, was that the gift of Judah Maccabee? Had there been no resistance, would there no longer be Jews as we know them? Was the resistance a way of assuring that we could keep our identity and our ways even in the face of modernity?We are doing it right now, right here at TBE. We are living in our modern world, and we are enjoying the fruits of it, yet we are also still standing up for our religion, our culture, our community. It is challenging to do this. It is not easy to interact with the ‘other’ in day-to-day business. Yet we manage to do just that and still stand up and say, I am a Jew living a Jewish life. To me, that is what it means to be a modern-day Maccabee.

American Jews as Macabees: What’s Worth Fighting For?

American Jews as Maccabees: What’s Worth Fighting For? by Rabbi Robert LevyAchad Ha-am, the early Zionist philosopher, once examined an early Talmudic teaching for its particular Jewish understanding of the value of life. The teaching asks what is the proper course of action if two people on a journey run critically short of water. One person has one bottle left and the other has none. One bottle can save one of them, but if they share it, both will die. One rabbi, who is not well known to later generations, argues for sharing the bottle, so that a person not live having inflicted suffering on another. Akiva, the well known and beloved sage, argues that life must take precedence over compassion. The person holding the water must sanctify life, not by dying in shared humanity, but by living and therefore drinking the water.Achad Ha-am sees in this passage a Jewish principle worthy of a fight. “Where it is possible to save one of two souls, it is the moral duty to overcome the feeling of mercy, and to save.” Life viewed with objectivity demands that we place life as the highest of values. And this is a value without compassion. We don’t need to feel that a life is worth saving. Rather life simply demands that it be saved.I believe that this is the Jewish motivation for the great liberal consensus that exists in the American Jewish community. Life, translated into support for homeless shelters and affordable housing, food banks and free and reduced lunch programs, immunization efforts, foreign aid, and on and on, reflects for Jews not charity or mercy or compassion but the demands of the value of life. Life is worth fighting for.This unencumbered value has particular purpose when viewed in a capitalist society. We live in a world of valuation. Labor has cost and worth, hence the trend of outsourcing. Transportation is meted out on the basis of affordability, as the commercial points out the human powered sedan chair is the ancestor of the Cadillac SUV. And so life has a value assigned to it; cost/benefit analysis applied to living. Perhaps that immunization program is too costly per life saved as compared to . . . whatever. Or perhaps resource is diverted to those who can pay rather than those who need to be saved. It seems clear to me that the economic system that has provided such great wealth for ourselves and the potential to help others, and grants a large measure of individual liberty also challenges us to stay true to the value of the worth of life. Selfishness is the easy path and can be justified all too easily.To be fair, the Talmud text and Achad Ha-am agree that, if forced to choose, your life takes precedence. Save yourself, if you must. But we live in a world that almost always excludes that choice. Being caught without water is the rare experience. So, indeed, saving the lives of others is the value worthy of the fight. Committing to be compassionate is the calling, and seeing the world beyond our own vast appetites is the vision. The fight worth waging is with ourselves.

Temple Beth Emeth | 2309 Packard Street | Ann Arbor, MI 48104 | 734-665-4744 | templebethemeth.org

7

Shalom Y’all, by Avital OstfieldI have always been taught that the Maccabees were heroes who stood up to a force that was marginalizing the Jewish community. As a recent graduate of the school of social work, I am no stranger to engaging in conversations about marginalized populations. What I did not experience as a child or an adult were Jewish communities of the south. Last October, I was blessed with the opportunity to tour the “Jewish South.” I participated in a program called the Tent that partnered with the Institute of Southern Jewish Life in order to create this experience for young Jews from around North America between the ages of 21-30. We began in New Orleans and ended in Memphis, making our way through the Mississippi Delta in between. We had with us a scholar from Emory University, who specialized in the history of the Southern Jewish community. Each day we had seminars addressing different communities, and how Jews accessed secular society in these settings and over the course of modern American history. These included but were not limited to the civil war, immigration to the south from Eastern Europe, the civil rights movement and much more rich culture and history. In addition to this academic learning, we visited small Jewish communities. We saw a plethora of temples of many denominations, a cemetery, museums and universities. At each synagogue we were greeted with different characters and messages. Some were of hope, some of preservation, some of pride, some of shame for actions taken by their recent ancestors when faced with racial inequality in which the Jewish identity fit into a strictly black and white culture. Many Rabbis of the south spoke out during the civil rights movement, however some did not fearing their place in the society that generations before them pushed hard to be a part of. We read a letter written by a particular congregation to civil rights activist organizations of the north, warning them of the ramifications these changes could make to their status in their local community. This particular synagogue was bombed in the late 1950s by protestors of integration. What stuck out to me however, amongst all of these towns and these stories were the lay leaders who were there to greet us and welcome us into their spaces. They embodied what I truly see as radical hospitality. These are communities without Rabbis that have services on average about once a month. Nearly 90 percent of their community gathered to pray with us, feed us and share their stories. I will never forget Polly hugging all 21 of us within seconds of our arrival. I left from Memphis on Sunday morning with a sense that we all can learn from this level of commitment and love. Not only for our own communities, but extended to those visitors who seek to learn about us, with us and act as Jews of the world together.



Everyday Miracles, by Sarah Hong & Anya AbramzonIn the face of soaring adversity and terrible odds, an outnumbered group of Jews stood their ground to defend justice and pursue righteousness. They were underestimated by their foes (and perhaps even by themselves) but undeterred. Not only is this familiar story a tale of miracles, but it is also a testament to the will and strength of the individuals and the collective of the Maccabees. In modern America, Jews face discrimination and injustice on a smaller, less blunt, and more insidious scale. Thankfully our temples and our physical safety are not regularly under siege.Yet, as modern Jews compelled by the Torah to pursue social justice, to repair the world, to welcome strangers and feed the hungry, we too, like the Maccabees, find ourselves facing serious, formidable challenges to our righteous mission. One can argue we live in an age of cynicism in which it's easy to view the hardships and challenges facing global citizenry as too big, too vast, and frankly beyond our reach. However, if we adopt this view, we become paralyzed, demotivated and the status-quo of suffering and injustice persists. Feeling small and impotent to affect change becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy, engendering inaction and enabling the woes and wrongs of the world to multiply unchecked. Had the Maccabees of yore thought this way about the battalions they faced, far greater than they in number and ammunition, the temple would not have been liberated and history altered.The modern Maccabee must believe in his/her potential to impact change and be an agent of good despite the enormity of the world's challenges. One must believe that no good deed is too small, and that each mitzvah we perform has value and impact. Because really, there is no such thing as a "small miracle." For those who receive help, a "small miracle" can keep one's heart flame alight for 8 long days and longer. When what we perceive as the small scale of our impact deters us from taking action and giving of ourselves, opportunities for change and for miracles are squandered.We at Jewish Family Services have the privilege to bear witness to "small miracles" every day. Refugees in our resettlement program tell us that receiving a small welcome basket and feeling welcome in a new homeland is powerful and therapeutic. Our older adults speak of their profound gratitude for the volunteer community members who check on them weekly as "friendly visitors." These volunteers dedicate time from their busy personal and professional lives to help isolated and homebound seniors and people with disabilities feel connected to their community. Whether it's the "thank you" we get when handing someone a bag from the food pantry or the gradual improvements we see in the quality of life for those in emotional pain receiving sliding scale or pro-bono counseling services, we can testify to the therapeutic reach of charitable deeds, big and small.

-continued on page 10

8



Let Us Be Bell Menders, by Karla GoldmanRose Schneiderman, Samuel Gompers, Emma Goldman, Betty Friedan, Abraham Joshua Heschel, Bella Abzug, Gloria Steinem … There has been no shortage of Jews in American progressive social justice movements. American Jews have had a disproportionate and often shaping involvement in almost every social justice movement that has pushed American society to become more inclusive and more just.

Beyond the work of individual Jews, Jewish communal frameworks have also contributed to the greater good. Setting out to help Jewish immigrants, communal leaders quickly realized that the evils of tuberculosis, unsanitary tenements, and urban blight could not be fixed for Jews alone. Taking up the work of building healthier and fairer cities, Jewish communities invested in the well-being of the broader society. Indeed, from the early twentieth century to today, Jews have been actively engaged in holding America to its promise as both reformers and radicals, from inside and outside the Jewish community.

This past summer, we lost two brothers who incarnated these two vital strands of making a difference. When Leonard (Leibel) Fein passed away in August, organizational leaders across the country mourned the loss of this “father” of contemporary Jewish social justice. He stood out as an activist (he founded Mazon, Moment, and the National Jewish Coalition for Literacy) and our most eloquent advocate for the indispensable centrality of justice to Jewish identity and a Jewish future.

At his funeral, Leibel’s brother, Rashi Fein, offered an impassioned and rousing call to join his brother’s work of repairing the world. Rashi, himself, was widely known as a leading health care economist, having made his initial mark as a formulator of Medicare when he staffed John F. Kennedy’s Council of Economic Advisors. Rashi spent the rest of his career, at Harvard and elsewhere, teaching and advocating for universal health care. Sadly, Rashi himself died only three weeks after his brother.

At both funerals, the story was told of Rashi and Leibel’s father, who grew up in a shtetl in Moldova, where the local rabbi would speak of a country called America and a wondrous bell bearing the inscription: “Proclaim liberty throughout the land unto all the inhabitants thereof.” “Could there really be such a bell, such a land” the rabbi asked, that actually placed the Hebrew Bible’s ideal of justice for all at its very core? Rashi’s father did come to America and did get to visit the bell.

But when he saw it, he realized it was cracked. Inspired by their father’s story and example, Leibel and Rashi fought their whole lives to repair that bell. Grounded in a Jewish obligation to pursue justice, each did it in his own way. One challenged the Jewish community to remain focused on our tradition’s enduring call to justice.

The Lights of Chanukah, by Terri Ginsburg

We come to chase the dark away.In our hands are light and fire.Each individual light is small.

But together the light is mighty.-Lyrics from a Chanukah Song

I heard High School Shir Chadash singing the beautiful, but not well known, song of Chanukah Banu Choshech Legaresh. The translation is “We have come to chase the dark away.”

This song was in my mind as I sat down to write this article on what modern day Maccabees would fight for. I kept going back to the notion of vanquishing darkness, rather than fighting a war. As I read more about this, I realized that my thinking paralleled the history of the holiday.

Chanukah began as a holiday to celebrate the victory of the Maccabees. The story found in the First and Second Books of the Maccabees tells the history of the Maccabees, but there is no mention of the cruse of oil or the miracle. Both books mention the cleansing and rededicating of the Temple, and even mention the relighting the lamps in the Temple. Chanukah is celebrated for 8 days because it is modeled after the holiday of Sukkot, which the Maccabees could not observe while they were hiding in the Judean hills.

The first mention of the miracle is found in the Talmud and was written by later rabbis. This aspect of the holiday was popularized as the importance of the Maccabean victory decreased as time went on. To ensure that Chanukah would continue to last, the rabbis decided to emphasize its spiritual meaning and its symbol, the menorah. They also instituted rules about the lighting of candles.

We are blessed as Jews to have a holiday in the middle of the darkest time of year which requires us to light candles, give gifts and spend time with those we love. My hope, as we light our Chanukah candles, is that each of us, even the children, focuses on how we can bring some light into the world. Be it through how we treat others, donating money or objects to those in need or working to eliminate some of darkness in our world.


9



Let Us Be Bell Menders, continuedThe other challenged the nation to extend the benefits of its great health care system to those who needed it most.

Each brother asked, “How do we hold our society to its promise?” They were not satisfied with a version of justice that benefited them and their families but left others vulnerable or oppressed. What did they fight for? What should we fight for? From wherever we work or stand, let us be bell menders.

Let us be the ones to repair the bell, mend the world, and re-inscribe responsibility for the weakest among us into our fundamental American and American Jewish values.

Light and Life, by SooJi MinAs a young girl, I remember eating in one room with women and children while the men ate in a separate room. My mother would shuttle food back and forth from the kitchen. As I grew older, I would often venture into the men’s room and try to participate in the conversation. My father’s friends would humor me but it was clear I was transgressing. “Speak only when you’re spoken to,” my father would say. Whenever I answered, his response would be: “Don’t talk back.” Yet no matter what my father said or did, I continued to speak out. At a parent-teacher conference my freshman year of high school, my teacher could tell something was wrong. When she gently pressed, I started to answer truthfully about some of the issues I was facing at home, tears welling up in my eyes. My father shot me a stern look. I quickly changed the subject. During the ride home he reminded me not to share any dirty laundry with strangers. Meanwhile, I was crumbling inside with pain. I couldn’t pretend to be happy anymore. Again and again, something compelled me to speak out.When my mother was in a coma, hours before she passed away, I overheard a conversation from two Korean women who came to say goodbye. One woman remarked to the other how my mom had ordered a large amount of food the last time they went out to eat and then ended up taking most of it home. Turns out that the food that my mother had ordered was exactly what she had given to me the last Sunday I had visited her in her home. Even at the end of her life, my mother’s main concern was feeding me—her grown daughter, then pregnant with her only grandson (who she would not live to see born).Each of us is born with a divine spark. That spark, or light, shines brighter when it interacts with another light. Looking back, it was my mother’s unconditional love for me that enabled me to survive. Her love is what kept the light inside of me alive. Then every single interaction—large or small made a difference. Whether it was just one of my father’s friends who took the time to ask me a question or my high school teacher who noticed something was wrong—my spirit was made that much stronger. The light from others kept my heart open. It kept me from plunging into the depths of utter despair.My mother fought for me. And every act of protest, every act of kindness is a testament to her love. I want to be alive. I want to feel. A wide-open heart, I am learning, allows even more light into my being. Light dispels darkness. Light feeds the spirit. Light illuminates the soul. When I engage in acts of loving kindness, whether it’s caring for my children or acknowledging a complete stranger, I not only fan the flames that fuel another’s light. I benefit as well. My heart opens just that much more.

Everyday Miracles, continuedSo at this time of year, and all times of year, we urge you to take action, to recognize that even in the face of great adversity and sweeping local and global need, your good deeds matter. As a modern Maccabee, you may find yourself feeling outnumbered in a world gone mad. Even if you have only enough oil to last one day, we impel you to light it and see what happens. Perhaps you have underestimated your ability to foster change or misjudged the potential impact of your deed. Take action. Give back. Perhaps a miracle will ensue.

10

Dreidel Drive: TBE’s Spin on GivingTBE has paired with Jewish Family Services for our annual Dreidel Drive to bring a little holiday tzedakah to families in our community. How it Works:• Pick up a dreidel tag off the dreidel board outside the TBE office with JFS clients’ wishes on it.• Enjoy shopping and choosing gifts that go directly to the client who requested it. • Return gift, UNWRAPPED, to TBE by Wednesday, December 10 with the tag attached. Who it Supports: Gifts are distributed by JFS to children or older adults of families facing financial difficulties. JFS clients are diverse in religion, race, ethnicity, and culture. This program enhances the holiday season for clients who may otherwise not be able to give gifts to their loved ones. Your gifts will reach all corners of the community and assist in making this holiday season special for everyone.We hope you’ll join us in supporting this wonderful opportunity to give back to those in need this holiday season!

Families with Young Children (FYC): Tot Shabbat Service times every FridayDecember 5, 12, 26 (No Tot service December 19)January 2, 9, 16, 23, 30Tot (0–5 year olds) Shabbat Services led by Rabbi Levy and Cantor Hayut, 6 pmDinner for Tot Shabbat 6:30 pm Popsicle Oneg, 7 pm

All of your favorite songs, tot bots, tot team, Cantor Hayut and Rabbi Levy will hold Tot Shabbat at 6 pm. Join us for macaroni and cheese, fish sticks, applesauce, and salad bar at 6:30 pm. Dinner is just $5 per person and this year you can buy a punch card ahead of time for a discounted price. Punch cards are available in the TBE office.

Sukkat Shalom - The Peaceful Shelter of Shabbat Elemetary Shabbat Service with Rabbi LevyFriday, January 9 , 2015 | 6 pm in the Chapel We are expanding service offerings for our youngest members. What to do after Tot Shabbat no longers meets your needs and, more importantly, the needs of your children? Join with us for Sukkat Shalom, The peaceful Shelter of Shabbat. Held also at 6 pm, when Tot Shabbat is held, this will be a quieter moment, more suitable for our slightly older children. Our plan is to hold the service on January 9 to assess how it went, re-adjust as needed. Then we will probably hold it again and finalize our plans before beginning weekly elemetary services. Join us for what will be, a beautiful moment of welcome for both our children and for the Shabbat Bride.

R&RSocial Events for TBE adults (formerly Ruach/Renaissance Group)

R&R Throws a Chanukah PotluckSaturday, December 21 | 6 pmChapel Hill Condominiums. 3350 Green Rd., Ann Arbor, MI 48105Bring a gift, a dish to share and your overall Chanukah excitement. Cost is $5. RSVP by December 12 to Miriam Shaw, [email protected].

TNT (Twenties and Thirties) Twenties and Thirties (TNT) get together monthly for social and religious programming.

TNT Does Alpha House | Tuesday, December 23 | 5:30 pmJoin us in our volunteer effort at Alpha House. We will be making dinner, setting up, clearing, eating and playing with the adorable kids. Join us! Let us know if you’re interested by December 15 to [email protected].

Caring Community 11Caring Community

1 3

7 8 10

1514 16 17

21 22 23 24

28 29 30 31

2

9

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday

December 2014

4:15 pm Hebrew School4:30 pm Shalom Gever5:40 pm Youth Choir7 pm Women’s Torah Study7 pm Men’s Torah Study

5 pm Hebrew 1046 pm Hebrew 1037 pm Youth Engagement Committee7:30 pm Brotherhood Board Meeting

4 pm DAMES Dinner4:15 pm Hebrew School4:30 pm Shalom Gever5:30 pm Hebrew 1005:40 pm Youth Choir7:30 pm Pulpit Committee Meeting

Chanukah | Second Night1 pm Mahj | off site4:15 pm Hebrew School 4:30 pm Shalom Gever5:30 pm Hebrew 1005:40 pm Youth Choir7 pm Executive Committee Meeting

3 pm Rishomin Chanukah Party5 pm Shir Chadash 6 pm Evenings in the Library with Authors: Miriam Brysk6 pm Religious School6 pm Kol Halev7:30 pm AARTY | JNN

4:15 pm Hebrew School4:30 pm Shalom Gever5:40 pm Youth Choir7 pm [E]met: An Honest Conversation about Death

Chanukah | First Night5 pm Hebrew 1046 pm Hebrew 1037:30 pm Finance Committee Meeting

Chanukah | Sixth Night6 pm R&R Chanukah Party Potluck | offsite

Chanukah | Seventh Night4:30 pm Shalom Gever7 pm Men’s Torah Study7 pm Women’s Torah Study7 pm Genesis Board Meeting

Chanukah | Last Night4 pm Back Door Food Pantry

TBE Office Closed TBE Office ClosedTBE Office Closed 4 pm Back Door Food Pantry

4:15 pm Hebrew School4:30 pm Shalom Gever5:40 pm Youth Choir7 pm Nosh & Nowledge | Terri

Noon Yoga5 pm Hebrew 1046 pm Hebrew 103

1 pm Mahj – off site4:15 pm Hebrew School4:30 pm Shalom Gever5:30 pm Hebrew 1005:40 pm Youth Choir7:30 pm Board Meeting

3:30-7:30 pm Sisterhood Chanukah Bazaar5 pm Shir Chadash6 pm Religious School6 pm Kol Halev

Ann Arbor Schools Winter Break


No Hebrew School or Religious School

No Hebrew School or Religious School

6

11 12 13

18 19 20

25 26 27

54

Thursday Friday Saturday

Kislev - Tevet • 5775

Noon Yoga with Shlomit4 pm Back Door Food Pantry7 pm Sisterhood Board Meeting

TBE Office Closed8:50 am Torah Study with Rabbi10 am Chapel Service

Chanukah | Fourth Night8:30 am Brotherhood Breakfast | Weber’s 6 pm Tot Shabbat-Cancelled6 pm Brotherhood Latke Dinner7:30 pm Shabbat Service | All Ensemble Chanukah Service

12:30 pm Rabbi’s Lunch & Learn6 pm Tot Shabbat 6:30 pm Tot Dinner and Popsicle Oneg7:30 pm Shabbat Service | Birthday & Anniversary Celebration

TBE Office ClosedTBE Movie at Michigan Theater: Mary PoppinsDoors open at 10 amShowing at 10:30 am

TBE Office Closed6 pm Tot Shabbat 6:30 pm Tot Dinner and Popsicle Oneg7:30 pm Shabbat Service

8:30 am Religious School8:30 am Jewish Parenting Workshop8:50 am Torah Study with Rabbi10 am Chapel Service10:45 am Religious School10:45 am Pre-School 3 Class Meets10:45 am Jewish Parenting Workshop6 pm Kadima | Sky Zone

Chanukah | Third Night4 pm Back Door Food Pantry7:30 pm Membership Committee Meeting

Noon Nosh & Knowledge | Terri4 pm Back Door Food Pantry7:30 pm Beyond Pentatuch: The Rest of the Hebrew Bible

12:30 pm Rabbi’s Lunch & Learn6 pm Tot Shabbat 6:30 pm Tot Dinner and Popsicle Oneg7:30 pm Shabbat Service | 3rd Grade Shabbat with OSRUI Guest

8:30 am Jewish Parenting Workshop8:30 am Religious School8:50 am Torah Study with Rabbi9 am-2 pm Sisterhood Chanukah Bazaar10 am Chapel Service10:45 am Jewish Parenting Workshop10:45 Religious School11 am 9th Grade Madrichim Training

Chanukah | Fifth Night8:50 am Torah Study with Rabbi10 am Chapel Service


AARTY Shul In

54 6 7

1211 13 14

18 19 20 21

25 26 27 28

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday

January 2015

1 pm Rishonim Ice Skating | Vets Park5 pm Shir Chadash 6 pm Religious School6 pm Kol Halev7:30 pm High School Shir Chadash Cafe

6 pm Kol Halev6 pm Zeitouna Program

4:15 pm Hebrew School4:30 pm Shalom Gever5:40 pm Youth Choir7 pm Nosh & Knowledge | SooJi

1 pm Mahj – off site4:15 pm Hebrew School4:30 pm Shalom Gever5:40 pm Youth Choir7:30 pm Board Meeting

4:15 pm Hebrew School 4:30 pm Shalom Gever5:40 pm Youth Choir7:30 pm Sisterhood Genetic Testing Panel7:30 pm Pulpit Committee Meeting

Noon Purim Committee Meeting5 pm Shir Chadash 6 pm Religious School6 pm Kol Halev7:30 pm AARTY | JNN

4:15 pm Hebrew School4:30 pm Shalom Gever5:40 pm Youth Choir7 pm Women’s Torah Study7 pm Men’s Torah Study7 pm Genesis Board Meeting7 pm SAC Board Meeting

7 pm Youth Engagement Committee7:30 pm Brotherhood Board Meeting

10:30 am Pulpit Switch | Rabbi Levy @STC5 pm Shir Chadash 6 pm Religious School6 pm Kol Halev

1 pm Mahj – off site4:15 pm Hebrew School4:30 pm Shalom Gever5:40 pm Youth Choir

TBE Office Closed4:30 pm Shalom Gever7:30 pm Genesis Green Mtg.

4:15 pm Hebrew School4:30 pm 4th Grade TuB’shevat Seder4:30 pm Shalom Gever5:40 pm Youth Choir7 pm Men’s Torah Study7 pm Women’s Torah Study

4:15 pm Hebrew School4:30 pm 4th Grade TuB’shevat Seder4:30 pm Shalom Gever5:40 pm Youth Choir7:30 pm Genesis Board Meeting

NFTY MI Ski Trip

3

8 9 10

15 16 17

22 23 24

29 30 31

1 2

Thursday Friday Saturday

Tevet - Sh’vat • 5775

8:50 am Torah Study with Rabbi10 am Bar Mitzvah: Benjamin Nacht10 am Tu B’Shevat Family Program |offsite

12:30 pm Rabbi’s Lunch & Learn6 pm Tot Shabbat 6:30 pm Tot Dinner and Popsicle Oneg7:30 pm Shabbat Service with Kol Halev & Worship Band

4 pm Back Door Food Pantry

Noon Nosh & Knowledge | SooJiNoon Yoga with Shlomit4 pm Back Door Food Pantry7 pm Sisterhood Board Meeting7:30 pm Cemetery Committee Meeting

8:30 am Religious School8:50 am Torah Study with Rabbi10 am Chapel Service10:45 am Religious School12:30 pm Kadima Ice Skating | Vets Park5 pm Sisterhood Fundraiser Dinner7 pm Sisterhood Cello Concert8 pm TNT Bowling | Colonial Lanes

12:30 pm Rabbi’s Lunch & Learn6 pm Tot Shabbat 6:30 pm Tot Dinner and Popsicle Oneg7:30 pm Shabbat Service | Pulpit Switch: Rev. James Rhodenhiser

8:30 am Religious School8:50 am Torah Study with Rabbi10 am Chapel Service10:45 am Religious School10:45 am 3rd Grade Family Program5:30 pm Brotherhood Dinner | offsite7 pm Brotherhood Bowling | Colonial Lanes

12:30 pm Rabbi’s Lunch & Learn6 pm Tot Shabbat 6 pm Elementary Shabbat Service with Rabbi Levy6:30 pm Tot Dinner and Popsicle Oneg7:30 pm Shabbat Service | Birthday & Anniversary Celebration

8:50 am Torah Study with Rabbi10 am Chapel Service

4 pm Back Door Food Pantry6 pm Brotherhood Dinner | Zamaan Cafe7:30 pm Finance Committee Meeting

12:30 pm Rabbi’s Lunch & Learn6 pm Tot Shabbat 6:30 pm Tot Dinner and Popsicle Oneg7:30 pm Shabbat Service | 2nd Grade Shabbat

8:30 am Religious School8:50 am Torah Study with Rabbi10 am Chapel Service10:45 am Religious School10:45 am Pre-School 3 Class Meets5 pm BDFP Benefit: Saline Fiddlers Philharmonic

4 pm Back Door Food Pantry7:30 pm Beyond Pentatuch: The Rest of the Hebrew Bible7:30 pm Membership Committee Meeting

TBE Office ClosedNew Year’s Day

6 pm Tot Shabbat 6:30 pm Tot Dinner and Popsicle Oneg7:30 pm Shabbat Service


NFTY MI Ski Trip

16 Social ActionSocial Action Committee Meeting Dates: Wednesday, January 14 | Monday, March 16 | Monday, May 18 7-9 pm, Adult LoungeSAC Retreat | June 2015 TBD

Upcoming Events:

Zeitouna Women at TBE | Sunday, January 4, 6-9 pm Back in 2002, a dozen Arab and Jewish women met to talk about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the increasing polarization of their communities. They couldn’t foresee that 12 years later they would still be together, would be intimate and caring friends, and would be profoundly changed by the experience they shared in Zeitouna.

Refusing to be EnemiesIf you would like to know the women’s stories, how they handle conflicts, and what has kept them together, you can meet them at TBE on Sunday, January 4 from 6-9 pm in the Social Hall.

Interfaith Hospitality Network (IHN) at Alpha House 2014 Dates of Service: December 22-28; 2015 Dates of Service: March 9-15, June 8-14, August 24-30, December 21-27. Volunteers can sign up to prepare and drop off dinner for 25; serve dinner and clean up; supervise playtime; spend the night and prepare breakfast on Saturday and Sunday. Contact Helena Robinovitz, 734-475-7751 or [email protected] for more information.

Back Door Food Pantry:Current Needs:1. TOILETRIES: all varieties, regular and travel sizes, to distribute to ~ 120 families weekly; 2. FOOD: Cans and bags of beans other than kidneys and pintos; non-cow’s milk; and condiments such as dressings, catsup and mayo; 3. FINANCIAL DONATIONS: for help covering food purchases from Food

Gatherers; 4. VOLUNTEERS ages 14 and older especially on: Mondays (1:15 to 2:45 pm to unpack and shelve the FG delivery), and Thursdays (3 to 5 pm and 5 to 7:30 pm to set up, distribute food, take an inventory, clean and close up).

NOTE CHANGES of Distribution Days: Closed on Christmas and New Years Day, the BDFP will be open instead on Tuesday, December 23 and on Tuesday, December 30. Contact [email protected] for more info.

THANK YOU, TBE MEMBERS for HIGH HOLIDAY DONATION CHECKS TO THE BDFP.

Food Gatherers Community Kitchen at the Delonis Center Volunteers needed two different dates per month. Ten (10) volunteers covering two (2) shifts to prepare and serve food.

Second Saturdays, Noon-2:30 pm and 2:30-5 pm.

2014 dates: December 13.2015 dates: January 11, February 14, March 14, April 11, May 9, June 13, and July 11.

Contact Yuni Aaron, 369-4411 or [email protected]. Click here for easy online volunteer registration.

First Mondays, 3-5 pm or 5-7 pm.

2014 dates: Dec 1. 2015 dates: Jan 5, Feb 2, March 2, Apr 6, May 4, and July 6 .

Contact Bette Cotzin, 663-4817 [email protected].

Chair, Interfaith Efforts, Affordable Housing AdvocacyShoshana Mandel Warner

VP, Interfaith Council for Peace and Justice (ICPJ) liaison, Co-Genesis Faith and Food Garden CoordinatorBob Milstein

Religious School liaison, Youth Advocate Abbie Egherman

Co-Genesis Faith and Food Garden CoordinatorLisa Perschke

Archivist, CommunicationsEd Davidson

Back Door Food Pantry Co-CoordinatorEllie Davidson

Crop Walk Coordinator, Poverty and International Debt Relief EffortsSusan Beckett

Youth OutreachMarian Cohen

SAC Shabbat Simone Yehuda

Israel peace initiatives, Hand in Hand Schools liaisonIrene Butter

Food Gatherers Community Kitchen at Delonis CoordinatorYuni Aaron

Interfaith Hospitality Network (IHN) at Alpha House coordinatorHelena Robinovitz

Recording Secretary, Human Trafficking Elizabeth Wojtowycz

Rotating Shelter Coordinator, Sisterhood liaisonMiriam Shaw

17Sparks of Our Flame - Sisterhood

PresidentHillary Handwerger

VP AdministrationBobbi Heilveil

VP MembershipLaura Wallace

VP Programming Carol Milstein

VP Fundraising Yuni Aaron

TreasurerFredda Unangst

Recording Secretary

Noreen DeYoung

Corresponding Secretary Emily Miller

Upcoming Events:

Chanukah Bazaar Saturday, December 6 | 9 am - 2 pm and Sunday, December 7 | 3–7:30 pmEverything you need for Chanukah and more! Gelt, candles, dreidels, menorahs, gift wrap, toys, kitchen items, music, jewelry and unique gifts.

DAMES Dinner | Wednesday, December 10 | 6 pm DAMES (Dinner in Appreciation of Members of our Exceptional Sisterhood), an annual celebration, will take place on Wednesday, December 10 at 6 pm in the TBE social Hall. It is a special evening of food and fun for all current members! Not a member yet? Now is the time to join! Contact Laura Wallace (734-453-5966 or [email protected]) and bring a check to cover dues ($36/$54/$72) that evening.

Genetic Counseling Discussion | Wednesday, January 14, 2015 | 7–9 pmHave you ever wondered about genetic testing? How it might apply to your life? Why you should even consider it?

Sisterhood is sponsoring a panel discussion with faculty and students from the Genetic Counseling program at the University of Michigan. They will cover the history of genetic counseling, how it’s done, what can be discovered, what might be of interest to an Ashkenazi or Sephardic Jewish population, and what genetic counseling might tell us about a person’s ancestry. Come join us to learn about this fascinating topic.

Cello.bration! | Saturday, January 24, 2015 | 7 pm | TBE SanctuaryThe Temple Beth Emeth Sisterhood will present an extraordinary evening of music featuring a 16-member cello ensemble from the University of Michigan’s school of music. The ensemble is comprised of students from the studio of professor Richard Aaron, who serves as their teacher, mentor and their music director for this concert. Aaron is a member of TBE and has collaborated musically with the Temple in the past but this is his first experience involving his own cello studio. The selected music includes Villa-Lobos’s Bachianas Brasilleras No. 1, Rachmaninov’s Vocalise, and Piazzolla’s Tangos. Featured is a world premier by composer Evan Ware. This cello ensemble concert will be a unique opportunity for the listener to appreciate the cello as an instrument of unbelievable range and artistry. The diversified programming and superb musicianship of these young people certainly guarantees this evening will be an electrifying experience for the audience.

$18 general admission/$10 students. Purchase tickets at the event or online to insure seating. Some reserved seats available for $36. www.templebethemeth.org (online sales close by Thursday, January 22).


18 Sparks of Our Flame - Brotherhood

Upcoming Events:

Latke Making at TBE | Wednesday, December 10 | 9 am - 2 pmWe’re looking for guys interested in assisting with making 1000 latkes. There will be a catered lunch for those helping. To assist, contact George Brieloff at: [email protected] or 734-478-7859.

Latke Dinner at TBE | Friday, December 19 | 6-7:30 pm

Breakfast @ Weber’s (8:30-10 am) Social Hall Set-Up @ TBE (10 am - 1 pm) Preparing for Dinner, Serving Dinner, Clean Up @ TBE (3:30-8 pm)

We’re going to throw a new item on the menu this year (stay tuned). As with every latke dinner, we need help with set-up, checking people in at the door, cooking, serving, cleanup, etc. To assist with any or all of latke dinner, contact George Brieloff at: [email protected] or 734-478-7859.

Tickets for latke dinner are $12 for adults and $6 for children under the age of twelve. Tickets can be purchased on line through the TBE website at or make your reservation through the TBE office. Please RSVP by December 5.

JANUARY 2015

Bowling at Colonial Lanes | Saturday, January 17 Dinner at 5:30 pm/Bowling at 7 pm

Please join Brotherhood for a night out for dinner and a couple of games bowling. Everyone is welcome to this adults only event. Please contact George Brieloff to RSVP.

Dinner at Zamaan Café | 3580 Plymouth Rd., Ann Arbor | Sunday, January 25 | 6-7:30 pmThe guys are getting together for some dinner and laughs. Please contact George Brieloff to RSVP.

PresidentGeorge Brieloff [email protected]

TreasurerMarty Ludington [email protected] Vice President, Religious ProgrammingRoger Stutesman [email protected]

Vice President Larry Yonovitz [email protected]

Membership Form 2014/2015We focus on what our membership really wants and needs. Past experience tells us that this does not appear to be monthly social meetings with speakers, deli trays and poker. The range of our events in the last few years is too big to list here, but we do know that an opportunity for fellowship will get attention and an email for help will get the job done. Check our website: http://www.templebethemeth.org/tbe/brotherhood.

Questions? Contact George Brieloff at [email protected]

Temple Beth EmethAttn: Brotherhood,

2309 Packard St. Ann Arbor, MI 48104

Name _______________________________________________________Address _____________________________________________________Phone ______________________________________________________Email _______________________________________________________

Return form with check for $40 dues, optional $50, $75 to:

19Sparks of Our Flame - Sisterhood ContinuedThe Kugel Cookoff and Dinner was held on Sunday, November 2. Along with a great meal, there was an educational talk (Hillary Handwerger had to substitute at the last minute for the speaker and became an expert in the history of kugel in just 2 days!) Members of Kol Halev put on a fantastic concert of Yiddish songs.

Thank you to Kol Halev, Cantor Hayut, Deb Schild and Carol Milstein, our cooks, and everyone who participated in our contest and came to the dinner.

The winners of the Kugel Cookoff were Marianne Aaron (sweet) and Bobbi Heilveil (savory). We are including the recipes that they willingly shared.

1 Cup sugar 1 stick butter8 oz cream cheese 5 eggs 1 pt. Sour cream 1 tsp Vanilla 2 Cups milk12 oz bag of fine noodles (raisins, optional)

Marianne's Fine Noodles Kugel

topping:

cinnamon/sugarcornflake crumbsapricot jam, drizzled, warmed in microwave (about ¼ cup)slivered almonds

Potato Fried Shallot Kugel (gluten-free)

½ cup vegetable oil2 lg. shallots, thinly sliced 3 lb. russet potatoes, peeled1 large onion, peeled5 Tbsp potato starch1 ½ tsp kosher salt

1. 1. Preheat oven to 450º, Butter a 9x13” pan

2. 2. Boil noodles according to directions (4-6 min). Drain

3. 3. While noodles are boiling, combine the 7 ingredients in a blender. Pour mixture over noodles and mix (adding raisins, if desired). Pour into pan.

4. 4. Sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar, corn flake crumbs, jam and almonds.

5. 5. Bake at 450* for 5 minutes, reduce heat to 350*

6. for 1 hour

1. Preheat oven to 450º (425º if using glass).

2. Heat vegetable oil until shimmering and add the sliced shallots. Cook over medium high heat, stirring occasionally until golden (about 6 minutes). Transfer to a paper towel lined plate. Save the shallot oil.

3. In food processor, coarsely grate potatoes and onion and place in a paper towel lined strainer.

4. In a large bowl, whisk together potato starch, salt, pepper, nutmeg, eggs, egg yolks and olive oil.

5. Remove as much water as possible from the potatoes and onions..

6. Add to potato starch mixture and combine well.

7. Stir in boiling water.

8. Preheat pan for 2 minutes and then add 2 Tablespoons of shallot oil, heat for another 2 minutes. Pour in kugel mixture.

9. Bake at 450 (425 if using glass) for 20 minutes. Lower heat to 375 (350 if using glass) and bake for an additional 40 minutes, until golden.

Yes! I want to join the TBE Sisterhood and share in the mitzvah of helping my community.Name ____________________________________________________Address __________________________________________________Phone________________ Email ______________________________

Please send a check (separate from your Temple dues) for $36 (basic membership level) or make an additional donation by paying $54 or $72 (support at this level lets Sisterhood provide more to the community) to:

Questions? Laura Wallace, [email protected]

TBE SisterhoodAttn: Membership,

2309 Packard St. Ann Arbor, MI 48104

¼ tsp black pepper pinch of nutmeg 3 extra large eggs 2 extra lg egg yolks ¼ cup olive oil ½ cup boiling water

Our library has almost 200 children’s books about Chanukah. Judaism’s complex, often contradictory messages, shine brightly in the Chanukah themes. Many of our older Chanukah books focus on the Maccabees as brave Jewish warriors. Others focus on faith, “not by might but by spirit alone.” Bravery is a common theme, such as in The Hanukah Trike, a story for the very youngest of us (if you fall off, get back on). Religious freedom and being Jewish in a Christian majority country are themes in several

books. One of my favorites, Elijah’s Angel: A Story for Chanukah and Christmas by Michael J. Rosen addresses authentic friendship between Christians and Jews.

There are many books with a “faith in miracles” theme. A new one of these is The Dreidel That Wouldn’t Spin: A Toyshop Tale of Hanukkah, by Martha Seif Simpson (2014). The flyleaf of this new book tells us that the “true spirit” of Chanukah

is that miracles still occur, if your heart is in the right place. Eric Kimmel, the author of ten of the children’s Chanukah books in our collection, says in Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins, “Hanukkah is a holiday that celebrates freedom.” And since at least four of his Chanukah books feature scary goblins, perhaps he considers bravery a Chanukah theme as well. We just acquired Kimmel’s most recent Chanukah book, Simon and the Bear. The flyleaf tells us he’s combined many of the themes in this one, “by demonstrating the kind of courage, faith, and selflessness that led the Maccabees to victory so long ago, Simon learns about miracles.”

And then there are the books, maybe the majority of them, which emphasize Chanukah as the Jewish midwinter holiday, the light in the middle of winter, with warm family gatherings, and the generosity and thoughtfulness

of present exchange. The point of many of these books seems to be to familiarize Jewish kids with the symbols of the holiday: the dreidel, the menorah, gelt, and of course, presents. Included in these is the Chanukah around the world theme: Hanukkah in Alaska, Antarctica, the prairie and even under the sea! These books convey the message that Jews are like everyone else….just with a little twist. Others that do this are the ones that riff on familiar folktales to tell a Chanukah story: the gingerbread man becomes the runaway latkes or the runaway

dreidels; Scrooge becomes Scroogmacher; the Jewish sorcerer’s apprentice can’t stop the pan from frying latkes….you get the point. Our newest addition in this genre is the very funny I Know an Old Lady who Swallowed a Dreidel, by Caryn Yacowitz (2014).

Perhaps it is the proliferation of Chanukah in Chelm books that do the best job of conveying the spirit of Chanukah. The wise fools/foolish wise ones are uniquely Jewish, timeless, faithful, and oh so brave in their foolishness. And anyway, what’s better on a cold winter night than a ridiculous story to warm you up?

Evenings in the Library with Authors: George Bornstein | Sunday, January 18, 2015 | 7:30-9 pmU of M Professor of Literature Emeritus George Bornstein’s book The Colors of Zion: Blacks, Jews and Irish from 1845 to 1945 is original and hopeful. Literary history that is useful and needed in our own time. Contact Clare Kinberg for more info at : [email protected].

Movie Showing | Refusing to be Enemies: The Zeitouna Story | Sunday, December 21 | 4-6 pm As a lead up to the January 4th Zeitouna event and for those of you who haven’t seen this wonderful movie yet, we’ll be showing it in the library. Refusing to be Enemies: the Zeitouna Story is a 58-minute long documentary film that profiles without Hollywood patina a self-formed group of twelve ordinary women calling themselves “Zeitouna,” the Arab word for “olive tree.” These six Arabs and six Jews weave an unusual and intimate tapestry of sisterhood. Contact Clare Kinberg for more info at : [email protected].

Clare Kinberg

20 Books & More

Special Contributors to the Center Insert

Sarah Schneider Hong, LMSW is the Director of Programs & Outreach at JFS. Sarah oversees all Jewish Family Life Education and Volunteer Services at JFS and also provides direct counseling services to JFS clients. She earned her BA at Duke University and her MSW at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.

Anya Abramzon has been the Executive Director of Jewish Family Services (JFS) since 1997. Anya earned her MSW at the University of Michigan. She first came to JFS as a social work intern in 1994 and then returned in 1997 as the first full-time employee of JFS. Since then the agency has expanded its services in response to the growing needs of our community and has evolved along with it. Today JFS serves over 4,500 cases annually.

Karla Goldman directs the Jewish Communal Leadership Program at the University of Michigan where she is Sol Drachler Professor of Social Work and teaches American Jewish history. She previously taught American Jewish history at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion and served as Historian in Residence at the Jewish Women’s Archive. She is currently completing a history of the Jewish community of Cincinnati and is the author of Beyond the Synagogue Gallery: Finding a Place for Women in American Judaism (Harvard University Press).

21Social Action (continued)Saline Fiddlers Philarmonic Concert BDFP Fundraiser | Saturday, January 10 | 5 pm in the TBE SanctuaryAn STC family won a concert by the Saline Fiddlers Philharmonic and made plans for the concert to be held in the Sanctuary as a fundraiser for the BDFP. This event is on the Genesis and STC calendars now, but I want to make sure it is also on TBE's calendar. Suggested donations: $8 per adult, $5 per child or $20 per family.

Lee Gordon to speak at Social Action Shabbat | Friday, March 20 | 7:30 pm Saturday, March 21 from 4-6 pm (TBE) and Sunday, March 22 from 6-9 pm (JCC)Lee Gordon, co-founder of the Bilingual/bicultural schools, Hand in Hand in Israel will be our Social Action Shabbat speaker on March 20, 2015. He will speak also at TBE on Saturday, March 21, 6-9 pm and Sunday, March 22 from 4-6 pm at the JCC. Lee Gordon will educate us about the Hand in Hand schools which enroll an equal number of Jewish and Arab students to build a more inclusive and integrated society in Israel.

SAC members Abbie Egherman and Miriam Shaw spoke to Bnai Mitzvot students and their parents in November and presented the “many opportunities for the B’nai Mitzvot and their families to participate in Mitzvah activities that are coordinated by the social action committee. We especially encourage participation in the crop walk, back door food pantry, mitzvah day, food and faith gardens, alpha house and the upcoming rotating shelter. If you missed the recent 6th grade family meeting, make sure to look in your packet of information for ideas and contact information.

Please consider donations to the Social Action Committee’s fund. Donations are our only source to support ongoing programs such as with Alpha House, the SAWC Rotating Shelter, and newer programs such as the Hand in Hand Schools/SAC shabbat, and Zeitouna. There are office expenses and hospitality expenses as well as supporting efforts such as this year’s visit of Arik Ascherman from Rabbis for Human Rights and Jubilee.

22 YahrzeitsDecember 5 & 6Helen BelitskyHenry BelzerEve BermanElmer BoadwayDoreen BrennerAlbert CoffmanElaine ColtonIlse FrankelHilda FriedmanMinnie GrossAlice GutmannSteven HarnickDavid HarrisHershel HermalinPeter HerzogAlice JarvisBella KadisIzabella KandisbratHenry KoosisHarry KotlarskyMorris LevinMartin LevineRuth LiebermanKatherine MayersteinNorbert ReinsteinSandy RosenthalMamie SandweissAbe SchmierBarbara ScodelRose SherickRobert SilverKassey SpiegelMartha SteinClarine SwartzEsther Wolf

December 12 & 13Blanche BelzerReuben BergmanCelia BornsteinPatricia BorquezBernard BrawerAbraham BrochsteinCharles BrombergEdith BurchmanAlice BurnesInga Cantor-ClawsonMorton EisenbergMaurice FaumanNathan FinkSaul FrankPauline GaineyFrank GoldbergGene GoodmanSally GreenfieldBarbara KaplanLouis KatzEugene KellerEstelle KleinRuth KlunoverBernice LabaRegina LevyAaron LipsetMary Love KasselbergAmotz MoragHarold RaybergMyra Robbins

Lotta ShumacherRuth SieganLucille SpringMenja TomasSamuel TumarkinRichard VermeulenMichael WainerPesia WeckerEdward YonovitzRuth Young

December 19 & 20Andrea AvereKarl BergEmma BernsteinAllen BobroffPeter CopelandAaron DeZureAlvin EdelsonSophie EisenbergLinda EnglandSamuel FedermanCarlton Field (Junior)Miki FreemanSarah GinnsJames GlassnerGenivieve GoffMarjory GroceSamuel HamburgerSelma HamrickMorris KazanowLorraine KorobkinLeonard KronheimStephen LevinePaul MelnickMinnie MerionSylvia NeffCarolyn ParkusAaron RossBette SchlagerHoney SiegelSadie SilberscheinCelia SternVincent WasciukJoseph ZahnPaul Zegelbaum

December 26 & 27Hugo AdlerLewis BergerPauline BloomEllis BrownsteinSidney CohenEva CohenWarren CookSadye EisenR. Gibson FairDoris FaumanJulius FedermanHy FreedlandAlexander FriedmanEsther GittermanJoseph GottliebFanny HarrisDavid KleinSylvia KrasnovMary KrollBobbie Kulwin

Bernice LapedisWilliam LoewensteinDon McCrackenFrances MurtCarrie RiffDora SaullesArthur ShavelIrving SigalEleanor SimonJack SolomonHarriet SternNaftali TalSamuel TaubmanEstera Zekic

January 2 & 3Selma AdlerYale AdlerShirley BlanderWalter BlockAda BohmSadie CooperRonald CurtisYaakov DorfmanJoan GoldsteinReyn HendricksonSolomon HurwitzJoanne JenkinsJean KatzElizabeth Lichtenstein JaffeeSamuel LoundySadie MillerSidney OrensteinAlbert PickusBeth ReifmanSidney RobbinsSeymour RossMorris RubinGeri RuddFrances SedmanIsadore SheppsSam SolomonFrieda SorenShemaryahu TalmonGil WeintrobDorothy Wolff

January 9 & 10Evelyn ApplebaumMolly BergJacob BrullBernard CohenWilfred DonerMartin EisenbergBetty FaginRachel FoxBetty FreedmanGeorge FrischerSaul GorneAlan HollidayHerbert JosephLarry KimballBenjamin KrollHattie LanskyJoseph LanskyRoss LevineNathan Margulis

Jerome MirskyRichard NupufMayer RavinLouis SacksDonald SchronPauline SegelHerbert ShepardHannah VergunLouis WagnerHershel WeilSteven Weininger

January 16 & 17Jacob AdlerRose BaruDorothy BlockTillie BoxerLeatrice BrawerHarry BronsteinCelia CohenAngelo DiPietroHazel FisherJack GinnsIrene GoldbergNorman GreenspoonBen HaroldSally HonigstockJosephine KatzD.J. KimballEric KinderEmanuel KirschShirley KoosisAlene KramerSadie LieblingSophie LittBetty MaletteMelvin MorgensternFlorence MuskovitzJan PerelLancelot PowondraWilliam ReinhartPearl SarnoffSamuel SchlimovichPatsy SchwartzGustav ShapiroRobert ShoherJanice SondheimerShirley SucherMarion WalshRena WaxFae WeissCarol WeissMeyer WissLibby Yarows

January 23 & 24Sam BoxerWilliam BrandisKenneth CallowMildred CarronMolly CharsonMarilynn CollinsVivian DomenickPaul EldenRandall FaginMargorie FitzpatrickIrene FreedmanEdith Freeman

Evelyn FreibandUdell GillStella HermanBenjamin JudaRene’e JudaDavid KatzRose KellerBeatrice LawrenceBella LipsetJack LudingtonBernice MarkWilliam McDermottMary ModellRussell PerelPhillip ReifmanFae ReinerMollie RothenbergJenny RubinMollie SacksNorman SchneyerRichard ShwayderWarren ShwayderMildred SpoonDiana StalburgJennie StiefelLucille StohlmanClara StoneTheresa WeisbergEva Zegelbaum

January 30 & 31Minna AdlerHedwig BachAlysse BennAdam BlockRosalyn CunninghamMargaret EldenRose FreedlandWerner HeumannRobert HorowitzClara JohnsonSidney KantorMaurice LaxPearl LevineEssie LichtensteinJulian LichtensteinEdith LipmanSandy MalesonDavid MarshEva MendelsohnCharlotte ParadiseJames PortmanRuth ReedTubie ResnickHershel RubinMilton SchlagerFranklin SimonRose SprungDaniel SweeneyAlbert VergunEvelyn WaresThayer Warshaw

Back Door Food PantryIn memory of the Yahrzeit of my mother-in-law, Beatrice Weinstein, from Fran & Jack Weinstein.

Back Door Food Pantry-AARTY YK Drive Paul Estenson & Rochelle FlumenbaumWilliam & Janine Chey

Cantor’s Discretionary Fund Alan & Bette Cotzin Judith LambertIn honor of Cantor Regina-Hayut’s Installation, from Virginia Murphy, David Uhlmann, and Emily Uhlmann.Mazel Tov from Irene Bolton.Alan & Bette CotzinIn honor of Cantor Regina Lambert-Hayut’s installation as Cantor of TBE, from Tom Mustachio.

Caring Community Fund In honor of Joseph Spiegel, from Elise & Jerry Herman.

General FundIn memory of my sister Felicia Weiss and my Parents, from Mark and Romana Solent.Ned Kirsch & Paula HillerRichard and Andrea LevyIn memory of Sanford Izenson on his Yahrzeit from Robert Izenson & Gwynne Osaki.In memory of Harold Field Jr. with deepest condolenced to Stephen Field and family, from Mark & Romana Solent.In appreciation of the hospitality and generosity of Marianne and Ron Aaron, from Irene Rothschild.In honor of the marriage of Rick Lawrence and Meredith Hickson, from the McCune-Stein family.

Jean Perlman Fund TBE Sisterhood

Jubilee Donations Eleyne Levitt Marian Cohen & Sheldon Ginns

Melvin & Lois Levy Endowment: In appreciation of Rabbi Levy for conducting the unveiling of the gravestone for Dorothy Newman, from Sharon & Chuck Newman.Allan Newman & Roddy Wares

Music FundIn memory of Marge and Maurice Gorbaty at the time of their Yahrzeit, from Mark & Leslie Rosenwasser.

Oneg Fund Marc Kessler

Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund: In gratitude for the beautiful wedding ceremony he performed for our son Rick and our new daughter, Meredith, from Wendy & Ted Lawrence.Thank you for everything, from Stewart and Helena Robinovitz.In memory of Dorothy Saulles, from Marv and Sue Wagner.In thanks for his celebration of the marriage of Rick Lawrence and Meredith Hickson, from Rachel & David Hickson.In memory of the parents of Ann and Alan Soloman, from Mark & Leslie Rosenwasser.In honor of Talia Akiva’s Bat Mitzvah, from Bonnie Miller.In gratitude for Rabbi Levy’s bright light shining on the wedding of Beile

Lindner and Jorgen Gleeman, from Molly & Rudi Lindner.Wishing a speedy recovery to Ron Shepps, from Eileen & Herbert Pritzker.Wishing a speedy recovery to Andrew Paberz, from Eileen & Herbert Pritzker.

In honor of Benjamin Schreiber becoming an Eagle Scout, from David and Susan Schreiber.

Social Action Fund With gratitude to Rabbi Levy and Cantor Hayut for all of your support to our family during Leon Warner’s illness and passing, from the Mandel Warner Family.

Social Action Fund - Alpha HouseIn memory of Leon Warner, from Stewart & Helena Robinovitz.Congratulations to Susan and Dave Gitterman on the wedding of Lizzy and the birth of your grandchild from Stewart & Helena Robinovitz.In memory of Rabbi Alan Ponn’s wife, from Stewart & Helena Robinovitz.

Social Action Fund – Rotating ShelterAnnette FischFran WeinsteinEd and Ellie DavidsonMartin & Gale StolzenbergJoel & Joan Levitt Ronnie ShapiroBurt Steinberg & Ava AdlerMarian Cohen & Sheldon Ginns

Youth Fund Gary & Maureen Fagin

23Donations

Contribution FormPlease find enclosed $________ as a donation to the _____________________________________________________

Fund in honor/memory of_________________________________TBE Funds: Adult Education, Building, Cantor’s Discretionary, Caring Community, Flower, General Fund, Isaac and Pearl Levine Educational, Genesis Landscape, Library, Melvin & Lois Levy Endowment Fund, Memorial Garden Care, Oneg Fund, Music, Professional Development Fund in Honor of Ronnie Simon, Rabbi Levy’s Discretionary, Religious Education, Social Action/Interfaith Hospitality Network, Spiritual Life, Year of Torah, Youth, Youth Scholarship.Sisterhood Funds: College Connections, Barbara F. Heilveil Campership Fund, Sponsorship Fund. Contributions are tax-deductible.

Please send acknowledgement to:

Name _________________________

Address ______________________________________________________________________________________

Donor’s Name_______________________________

Address ______________________________________________________________________________________

Temple Beth Emeth2309 Packard Street Ann Arbor, Michigan 48104

TBE’s Staff and ResourcesRabbi Robert D. Levy ___________________________ [email protected]

Cantor Regina S. Lambert-Hayut _______________ [email protected]

Executive Director SooJi Min [email protected]

Dir. of Education Terri Ginsburg [email protected]

Library Coordinator Clare Kinberg _____________ [email protected]

Director of Congregational Services Avital [email protected]

Clergy Coord. Sarah Krell [email protected]

School Asst. Tressa Hart [email protected]

Saturday School Coordinator Emily [email protected]

Account Manager David Monroe [email protected]

Administrative Assistant Victoria Gross [email protected]

General Office Questions [email protected]

Website_________________________________________www.templebethemeth.org

Family Shabbat Table Talk ___________________________________urj.org/shabbat

TNT Group Website ___________________________www.templebethemeth.org/tnt

Add your name to these TBE e-mail lists by calling the office

Announcements___________________Weekly announcement of events and servicesHotline _________________________Births, deaths, emergency news (members only)TBE Tots __________________________________________________www.tbetots.orgBeth Israel Funeral Notices_____________________________________Call the office

The TBE Bulletin is published monthly by Temple Beth Emeth | 2309 Packard | Ann Arbor, MI 48104

TBE is a non-profit religious institution in the State of Michigan. Volume 15 | Issue 14

Rabbi Robert D. Levy

Cantor Regina S. Lambert-Hayut

Cantor Emerita Ann Z. Rose

Director of EducationTerri Ginsburg

Executive DirectorSooJi Min

Officers and Board of TrusteesPresidentSusan Gitterman

VP for AdministrationJulie Steiner

VP for Education and YouthLisa Newman

VP for Finance Ronnie Shapiro

VP for Membership Rachel Glick

VP for Religious Practice Alexandria Wood

VP for Social Action Bob Milstein

TreasurerLarry Yonovitz

SecretaryElaine Yeglic

Ex-officio:Immediate Past PresidentDeborah Scott Katz

Sisterhood PresidentHillary Handwerger

Brotherhood PresidentGeorge BrieloffMembers at LargePhil BarrSarah CohenMichele ForbesBonnie KeeneMarjorie LeskoLisa LynchJoe PollakDeb SchildJordan ShavitSteve StancroffJodi WalloMartha Weintraub

Bulletin EditorSooJi Min

Bulletin DesignDavid Monroe

Levy Endowment LectureKeren McGinnityFebruary 20 & 21

Date post:	06-Apr-2016
Category:	Documents
Upload:	temple-beth-emeth
View:	229 times
Download:	0 times

TBE December/January 2014/15 Bulletin

Documents