The monthly newsletter of Temple Sinai, a warm and welcoming Reform Jewish community engaged in lifelong learning, soulful worship & social justice located in Summerlin, Nevada. Join us for Shabbat services every Friday at 7:30 p.m.
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I Believe The Children Are Our Future Social Action Committee Support our Troops Our collection of items for troops overseas continues through May 10 th . We have collection carts in the lobby ready for toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, body spray, beef jerky, protein bars, dried fruit, trail mix, nuts and gum. We invite you to attend our ‘packaging event’ on May 11 th at 5 pm in the Temple library. For more information contact Robert Levin at [email protected]. Committee Co- Chairs Needed The term for the current co-chairs will end on June 1 st . If you have an interest in helping manage the Social Action Committee please contact Rabbi Cohen or Robert Levin at [email protected]. I think those words were probably once in a song but they are very relevant to life in Nevada today. Today, there are so many good teachers and schools in this state. I know several of the teachers personally. The trouble is that we also have many problems that are holding our school system back, particularly lack of financial investment, patchy administration and difficulty recruiting and keeping talented teachers. Why should folks at a Temple care? Because we have just had Pesach, a holiday where education of children is paramount and public education is an important part of our heritage. In the Talmud, Joshua Gamla is lauded for instituting a system of schools in every city and town, even specifying the requisite class size and that the local people should pay for the schools. Right now Governor Sandoval is trying to get a new Business License Fee through the Nevada legislature which would bring $430 million to public schools. The fee would be charged to every business in Nevada and would be based on business size and also on industry sector. I realize that not all business owners will be happy about this but many I have spoken to are supportive. The Las Vegas Global Economic Alliance, with which I have contact, explained to me that of around two hundred and fifty companies that did not relocate to Vegas in the past few years, over a third of them refused to come because of a lack of a skilled work force and good public education. That’s over seventy companies! Our Temple is a member of Nevadans for the Common Good (NCG) which supports the License Fee, not as a blank check but as a way of targeting specific programs which have been proven and ensuring that, as those programs as used in Nevada, that they are accountable for quality control and results. NCG is not supporting this because they care about Republicans or Democrats but because the education research we have read indicates that more money can make a difference if used well. If you want to know more, call me at the office at 702 254 5110 or email me at [email protected]or go to gov.nv.gov and click on “News and Media”, then “Press Releases”, then “2015” and scroll down to find an explanation. I hope the congregation will be engaged in this issue, not just teachers and parents of kids in the school system but anyone who cares about Nevada. L’shalom/To Peace Rabbi Malcolm Cohen May 2015 Iyar/Sivan 5775 Events……………………………....2 President’s Message………………....3 Cantor…...………………………….4 Life Long Learning……………….....5 Religious School…………………….6 Sisterhood & Men’s Club…………...7 Life Cycles………………………….9 Tzedakah...............................................11 Temple News and Notes....................16 Dine Out...............................................27
Transcript
I Believe The Children
Are Our Future
Social Action Committee Support our Troops Our collection of items for troops overseas continues through May 10th. We have collection carts in the lobby ready for toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, body spray, beef jerky, protein bars, dried fruit, trail mix, nuts and gum. We invite you to attend our ‘packaging event’ on May 11th at 5 pm in the Temple library. For more information contact Robert Levin at [email protected]. Committee Co- Chairs Needed The term for the current co-chairs will end on June 1st. If you have an interest in helping manage the Social Action Committee please contact Rabbi Cohen or Robert Levin at [email protected].
I think those words were probably once in a song but they are very relevant to life in Nevada today. Today, there are so many good teachers and schools in this state. I know several of the teachers personally. The trouble is that we also have many problems that are holding our school system back, particularly lack of financial investment, patchy administration and difficulty recruiting and keeping talented teachers. Why should folks at a Temple care? Because we have just had Pesach, a holiday where education of children is paramount and public education is an important part of our
heritage. In the Talmud, Joshua Gamla is lauded for instituting a system of schools in every city and town, even specifying the requisite class size and that the local people should pay for the schools. Right now Governor Sandoval is trying
to get a new Business License Fee
through the Nevada legislature which
would bring $430 million to public
schools. The fee would be charged to
every business in Nevada and would be
based on business size and also on
industry sector. I realize that not all
business owners will be happy about
this but many I have spoken to are
supportive. The Las Vegas Global
Economic Alliance, with which I have
contact, explained to me that of around
two hundred and fifty companies that
did not relocate to Vegas in the past few
years, over a third of them refused to
come because of a lack of a skilled work
force and good public education. That’s
over seventy companies!
Our Temple is a member of Nevadans for
the Common Good (NCG) which
supports the License Fee, not as a blank
check but as a way of targeting specific
programs which have been proven and
ensuring that, as those programs as used
in Nevada, that they are accountable for
quality control and results. NCG is not
supporting this because they care about
Republicans or Democrats but because
the education research we have read
indicates that more money can make a
difference if used well.
If you want to know more, call me at the office at 702 254 5110 or email me at [email protected] or go to gov.nv.gov and click on “News and Media”, then “Press Releases”, then “2015” and scroll down to find an explanation. I hope the congregation will be engaged in this issue, not just teachers and parents of kids in the school system but anyone who cares about Nevada. L’shalom/To Peace
Every Friday Night - Shabbat Worship at 7:30pm Every Second Friday Night – Congregational Shabbat Dinner at 6:00pm Every Third Friday Night - Friday Night Live at 5:45pm Every Saturday Morning Worship - 10am unless there is a Bar/Bar Mitzvah, then Torah service precedes morning worship at 9:00am Every Sunday Morning - Religious School at 9:30am 9:00am Ethics Every Tuesday - Hebrew School, Post B'nai and Confirmation Classes at 4:30pm Every Wednesday 7:00pm Boy Scout Meeting Every Thursday 6:30pm Mahjong Sunday, May 3 9:15am Annual Congregational Meeting with Breakfast Monday, May 4 5:00pm Sisterhood Rehearsal Tuesday, May 5 6:00pm Ritual Committee Meeting Wednesday, May 6 4:30pm Sisterhood Rehearsal Thursday, May 7 1:00pm Brandeis Meeting 6:00pm BBYO Meeting 6:30pm Marketing Meeting Friday, May 8 6:00pm Sisterhood Shabbat for Mother's Day Sunday, May 10 9:30am NO Religious School Monday, May 11 7:00pm Social Action Committee Meeting
Events
Tuesday, May 12 12:00pm Lunch Bunch for Women Age 50+ 6:00pm Conversion Class 7:00pm Virtual Tour of Israel Wednesday, May 13 4:00pm Finance Committee Meeting Friday, May 15 All day Youth Retreat Saturday, May 16 All day Youth Retreat 7:00pm An Evening with Marty Allen Sunday, May 17 All day Youth Retreat 9:00am Blood Drive 9:00am Ethics 10:00am Men's Club Breakfast Monday, May 18 7:00pm Bingo Night Tuesday, May 19 7:00pm Virtual Tour of Israel Monday, May 23 6:00pm A Right to Die Sunday, May 24 10:00am Shavuot Service 3:00pm "I Knew I came in Here for Something" Musical Tuesday, May 26 6:00pm Caring Committee Meeting 6:15pm Temple Sinai Board Meeting 7:00pm Book Club Wednesday, May 27 1:30pm Brandeis Meeting 3:00pm Dine Out - Bagel Café 4:00pm Finance Committee Meeting Friday, May 29 7:30pm Confirmation Sunday, May 31 5:00pm Friends of Israeli Scouts
Education Through Experience The month of April includes several holidays and special memorials that require extra attention in terms of educational preparations. Passover is a major holiday that is taught through texts, songs, traditions, and foods. By explaining the customs of each step during the Seder night, singing special songs and the traditional tunes, and by eating the traditional foods, drinking the grape juice while reclining and more, we convey the message to our students that through understanding our heritage we should make our observance choices. The model Seders on Sunday before Passover were an important part in this learning process, and I want to thank the Cantor, Rabbi, parents, madrichim, and the teachers who worked diligently on preparing the students for their Passover celebration with their families. As we make the transition to the “Yoms’ Season” (Holocaust memorial Day, Jerusalem Day, IDF Memorial Day, Israel Independence Day), we continue to educate using tangible experiences for each of the special days, with ceremonies, activities, reading, and writing. Shalom, Dr. Sharon Knafo
CaSinai Royale Night!
7 May 2015
From Your Sisterhood From Your Men’s Club Happy Mother’s Day From Temple Sinai Sisterhood! This month the Sisterhood Shabbat
will be Friday May 8th at 7:30pm. We
are excited to share our evening
highlighting women in Judaism
through poetry, stories and song.
This is the 2nd year Sisterhood has
held the Shabbat service and we are
excited to have it in our new Temple, as our congregation
grows and matures developing traditions keeps memories
alive. I can’t help saying the word “tradition” without
snapping my fingers over my head and singing the word
(similar to Fiddler on the Roof), not because I am such a
huge fan of the movie, but because the word really does
have a deeper connotation then merely its definition.
When I think tradition the word and thought are flooded
with hamish memories that fill my heart. The only thing
that gives me a stronger satisfaction is being part of a
wonderful team of people developing traditions!
Temple Sinai’s Sisterhood is blossoming into an
organization committed to the entire congregation. Last
month we had our 3rd annual Women’s Seder with
activities, soulful worship and community bonding for
close to 80 women. This month we will have our 2nd
annual Sisterhood Shabbat (contact Marge Nordell and
Ricki Greenspon if you want to be involved), and next year
who knows what tradition we will develop and breathe life
into as we reach out into our community. I am very proud
of the women in our community who have invested their
time and commitment as I couldn’t have done it alone!
Friday May 8, 2015 7:30pm Sisterhood Friday Shabbat
Sunday June 14, 2015 10:00am Sisterhood Annual
Meeting & Brunch
The Sisterhood’s Gift Shop is open during Temple hours of operation. Contact the office to peruse the goods! As usual Friday evenings and Sunday mornings Sisterhood will be attending the shop. The Sisterhood Gift Shop OFFERS INVITATIONS for any celebration and SPECIAL ORDERS! Get your Bar/Bat Mitzvah shopping done in one convenient location! Cont. on page 9
Happy Mother’s Day! “A woman of valor, seek her out; her worth is far beyond that of rubies… She rises while it is still night, and supp l i e s prov i s ions for her household… She girds herself with strength, and performs her tasks with vigor… She gives generously to the poor; her hands are stretched out to those in need… She is clothed with strength and splendor; she looks to the future cheerfully. Her mouth is full of wisdom, her tongue with kindly teaching. She oversees the activities of her household, and never eats the bread of idleness… It is for her loyalty to G-d that a woman is to be praised. Extol her for the fruit of her hand, and let her works praise her.” – Proverbs 31
On behalf of the Temple Sinai Men’s Club, we wish a
blessed and happy Mothers’ Day to all the women of valor
who have shaped and enriched our lives and our
congregation. We thank you for the countless lessons you
have taught, kindnesses you have shown, and good works
you have undertaken. To all of the mothers and
grandmothers and wives, to all of the women who teach
and share and inspire: Happy Mothers’ Day, and we love
you!
Planning alert: Please note that, this month, in order to
celebrate Mothers’ Day and accommodate family plans,
our monthly Men’s Club breakfast will be held on the third
(rather than second) Sunday of the month: May 17. In
June, we will return to the second Sunday of the month
(June 14). However, our June 14 breakfast will be our
annual membership meeting and elections and is therefore
open to Temple Sinai Men’s Club members only. If you
have not yet joined the Men’s Club but would like to
participate in our annual meeting and elections, it is not
too late – you may pay your annual dues of $25 (which will
count for the 2015/16 fiscal year) at any time prior to the
start of the June 14 meeting (including at the door that
morning) to be eligible to vote and participate. There will
be no breakfast meeting in July; our regular breakfast
programs will then resume on August 9.
Kol tuv,
Sean Lyttle
8
Anniversaries
Shavuot Morning!
What’s ahead in our Torah?
May 1-2 Achare mot/Kedoshim Moses in-structs Aaron about the Yom Kippur laws for fasting and atonement./ God instructs the Israelites on how to be a holy people.
May 8-9 Emor The set times of the Jewish calen-dar are named and described: the Sabbath, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and the Pilgrimage Festivals of Pesach, Shavuot, and Sukkot.
May 15-16 Behar/Bechukotai G-d instructs us about the sabbatical and jubilee years./ G-d gives us a choice – the Blessings or the Curses.
May 22-23 Bamidbar · G-d commands a census
of all the Israelite males over the age of twenty. The
duties of the Levites are detailed. Each tribe is as-
signed specific places in the camp around the Taber-
nacle.
May 29-30 Naso The obligations of a nazirite vow
are explained, as is the priestly blessing.
Temple Sinai Ritual Committee
Ilan & Julie Dascalu 5/6 8th Anniversary
Stephen & Marsha Seiden 5/6 25th Anniversary
Daniel & Lucille Weinberger 5/8 48th Anniversary
Philip & Fay Fisher 5/9 36th Anniversary
Greg & Tera Safdeye 5/9 5th Anniversary
Jeffrey & Barbara Klein 5/12 42nd Anniversary
Alan & Cory Bernstein 5/13 20th Anniversary
Jaime & Suzanne Pollack 5/14 16th Anniversary
Les & Barbara Gilbert 5/18 41st Anniversary
Carlene & Fred Cohen 5/19 4th Anniversary
Steve & Evelyn Taylor 5/19 13th Anniversary
Steve & Sharry Solomon 5/23 33rd Anniversary
Robert & Eileen Levin 5/25 2nd Anniversary
Lawrence & Rona Schwartz 5/26 41st Anniversary
Steven & Sandee Levine 5/28 15th Anniversary
Donald & Cheryle Cole 5/29 32nd Anniversary
Michael & Andrea Leven 5/29 54th Anniversary
Shel & Jacqueline Kolner 5/30 11th Anniversary
Glenn & Stacey Roter 5/30 11th Anniversary
Sunday May 24: Shavuot Morning Service at 10am
including reading of the Ten Commandments and
Yizkor/Memorial Service. In addition to the traditional
aspects of Shavuot morning we will be studying the
Jewish principle of “Go and see what the people are
doing” and working out whether Rabbis and other
leaders should be at the forefront of Jewish action or be
following the lead of the people they serve.
Announcing Dedication
Pavers
Pavers are customized bricks used to honor your friends and
family whose names will be placed in the decorative walkway
in our courtyard next to the Hebrew School classrooms.
Note, they are not intended as memorials since people will
be walking on them.
Pavers are 7 1/8” by 3 1/4 inch and may contain up to 3
lines of engraving 16 characters per line including spaces.
A donation of $118 for each custom paver is required.
Please call the office or Shel Kolner at 702.334.8914 to order
and arrange payment.
Examples: Steve & Susie Shlomo Ben Yosef Goldbergstein Bar Mitzvah And Family Sept. 11, 1954
An easy and important way you can help support your Temple is by utilizing our advertising and sponsorship programs. We need your help in finding advertisers. The programs are: Shofar advertising - starting at $15 is a really good deal for businesses in the area. They get to 350 families in print or online. All we need to contact them are a person’s name and their e-mail address. We take care of the rest. Please volunteer some names and addresses. See below. E-blast Sponsorship - The weekly e-blast can contain add-on advertising. The advertiser gets 5 weekly e-blasts for $18, a very easy but effective way to get to the 600 members on our e-mail list. All we need is the person’s name and their e-mail address. We take care of the rest. Shabbat Flyer Sponsorship - Personal messages may be displayed in the flyer. e.g. Sponsor in honor of your anniversary or birthday. An easy way to support your Temple and it is only $18. This may be coordinated with Oneg Shabbat sponsorships. To do any of the above or to supply information requested above, contact Shel Kolner (702.228.4744 or 702.334.8914) or send an e-mail to [email protected].
Have you seen the personal tribute cards? If not, they are available in our Sisterhood gift shop. Stop and take a look. These cards match our standard tribute cards but are used to send personal notes. They allow you to convey your personal sentiments to family and friends while still indicating to them that a donation was made in their honor to the Temple Sinai general fund. The cards are available in 7-packs for $36.00. They are also available by calling Dorothy Cohen (702.228.7040) or Phyllis Feigenson (973.525.7799). Talk to the ladies or stop in at the gift shop. You will be happy you did.
Temple Sinai Time Capsule
As a result of the efforts of several members, including Archie Weitman, Dr. Lawrence Copeland, Frances Copeland, Steve Haberkorn, Mark Ohriner, Myron Bernstein, Meera Kamegai and Seymour Kaplan, Temple Sinai is putting together a Time Capsule. It will be placed into a wall in our small Shul. The location will be marked by a plaque on the wall. If you have any information, including pictures, and any personal history that relates to the history of Temple Sinai, we would love to have you submit that information for placement in the Time Capsule. All of the information provided for the Time Capsule will be private. It should be placed into sealed envelopes, marked “Time Capsule”, and brought to the Temple. Thank you in advance for your participation.
Safe Nest Drop Off Box
Temple Sinai continues its support for Safe Nest by housing a drop off box on site. Safe Nest is Nevada’s largest and most comprehensive charity devoted solely to domestic violence issues. Safe Nest’s programs are concentrated in four areas of service: shelter, counseling, advocacy and prevention. Safe Nest accepts clothing, toys and baby supplies. For a comprehensive list please visit their website www.safenest.org . The drop off box is located on east side of the property near the center of the parking lot. For donation receipts please see Lisa in the office.
