Volume 186, Issue 4 Masquerade 2015 - Sh’vat/Adar/Nisan 5775 TOURO SYNAGOGUE Cantor David Mintz From the Cantor As our community transitions into Mardi Gras mode and the streets begin to overflow with parade ladder seats and bead recycling bins, it’s worthwhile to notice how the season nearly coincides with the Jewish tradition’s own Mardi Gras, of sorts. I’m referring, of course, to the holiday of Purim, which actually holds many similarities to Mardi Gras. Just as parade season begins two weeks before Fat Tuesday itself, our Jewish tradition teaches that we start to increase our joy at the beginning of the month of Adar, two weeks before Purim takes place. Both festivals include lavish costumes, carnivals, kings, queens, delicious pastries, and even requisite debauchery. In the midst of all this, however, let us not lose sight of the deeper meaning of Purim. Rabbi Sharon Brous teaches that behind all of this revelry, the story of Purim offers the hard truth that everything in our lives can change in an instant. We see this throughout Megilat Esther, when in one moment, Esther is an orphaned religious minority, and in another she’s royalty. In one moment, Haman is in a position of political power, and in another, he’s sentenced to death. And on a whim, the Jews of Shushan saw their fate turned upside down, as a day of mourning was transformed into a day of celebration. So what do we do with this confusing and arbitrary randomness of life? We respond with acts of generosity and strengthening community. More than simply being a day of revelry, Purim is traditionally celebrated by sending gifts of food to loved ones and offering gifts to the poor. “The only way to make sense of the absurd randomness of life,” Brous teaches, “is to honor the loving relationships that sustain us and work to address the imbalance of fortunes that leaves some with abundance and others with nothing.” As the celebratory chaos of the coming months swirls around us, may the deeper lessons of Purim resonate. May we be reminded that while there is much about the world that we cannot control, there is plenty that is within our grasp. May we meet the random chaos of our world with acts of kindness, generosity and love. Happy carnival season and chag sameach! Sunday, March 1, 2015 @ 10:00 a.m.Grant Meyer Garden Pavilion The Megillah according to Join us for a one of a kind Purim Shpiel, where Esther, Mordechai, Achashverosh and Haman will be joined by John, Paul, George and Ringo in a magical mystery tour through Shushan! Come dressed in your favorite costume, as the story of Purim is told through your favorite Beatles songs! Bring boxes of mac and cheese to use as groggers and then donate to the Broadmoor Food Pantry!
From the Cantor As our community transitions into Mardi Gras mode and the streets begin to overflow with parade ladder seats and bead recycling bins, it’s worthwhile to notice how the season nearly coincides with the Jewish tradition’s own Mardi Gras, of sorts. I’m referring, of course, to the holiday of Purim, which actually holds many similarities to Mardi Gras. Just as parade season begins two weeks before Fat Tuesday itself, our Jewish tradition teaches that we start to increase our joy at the beginning of the month of Adar, two weeks before Purim takes place. Both festivals include lavish costumes, carnivals, kings, queens, delicious pastries, and even requisite debauchery. In the midst of all this, however, let us not lose sight of the deeper meaning of Purim. Rabbi Sharon Brous teaches that behind all of this revelry, the story of Purim offers the hard truth that everything in our lives can change in an instant. We see this throughout Megilat Esther, when in one moment, Esther is an orphaned religious minority, and in another she’s royalty. In one moment, Haman is in a position of political power, and in another, he’s sentenced to death. And on a whim, the Jews of Shushan saw their fate turned upside down, as a day of mourning was transformed into a day of celebration. So what do we do with this confusing and arbitrary randomness of life? We respond with acts of generosity and strengthening community. More than simply being a day of revelry, Purim is traditionally celebrated by sending gifts of food to loved ones and offering gifts to the poor. “The only way to make sense of the absurd randomness of life,” Brous teaches, “is to honor the loving relationships that sustain us and work to address the imbalance of fortunes that leaves some with abundance and others with nothing.” As the celebratory chaos of the coming months swirls around us, may the deeper lessons of Purim resonate. May we be reminded that while there is much about the world that we cannot control, there is plenty that is within our grasp. May we meet the random chaos of our world with acts of kindness, generosity and love. Happy carnival season and chag sameach!
Sunday, March 1, 2015 @ 10:00 a.m.Grant Meyer Garden Pavilion
The Megillah according to
Join us for a one of a kind Purim Shpiel, where Esther, Mordechai, Achashverosh and Haman will be joined by John, Paul, George and Ringo in a magical mystery tour
through Shushan! Come dressed in your favorite costume, as the story of Purim is told through your favorite Beatles
songs! Bring boxes of mac and cheese to use as groggers and then donate to the Broadmoor Food Pantry!
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7th Annual
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 3 PM, AT TOURO’S PRIMO PARADE SPOT
T UR SYNAG GUE’S
Let’s taco ‘bout your Sunday Gras plans - have you bought your ticket yet to watch Super Krewe Bacchus from our coveted parade
spot? You won’t have to worry about food, drinks or toilets because at Bacchus Bash it’s nacho problem. Don’t miss your chance to join us for unlimited tacos, margaritas, keg beer
Join us for a casual, relaxing and abbreviated service at 5 p.m. followed by a family dinner in
the Bowsky Garden as the parades go by.
Babysitting will not be offered at these services.
Shabbati
Gras$5/person
for dinner
Friday, February 6 & 13
Also, simple entertainment is needed to help occupy the kids while they wait for the parade to arrive. If you have any ideas for entertainment for the kids (clowns, magicians, musicians, etc), please contact
Dr. Juan Gershanik’s office by calling 504-896-2229 or 504-377-1162. Finally, we will need help assembling the stands on Monday evening, February 2 and disassembling them on Thursday evening, February 19.
Please note that Shabbat Morning Services on SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 14 will be abbreviated to 15 minutes. This will give those who are
observing a yahrzeit a chance to recite kaddish.
‘SkREWE OFTouro Synagogue will once again host the Krewe of VIPs this
Mardi Gras season. We will have a wheel chair accessible platform set up on the steps of our sanctuary for those with disabilities or special needs to view the Mardi Gras Parades
on the dates listed adjacent. These Mardi Gras stands are handicap accessible and are provided free to children with
disabilities and their families during some of the Mardi Gras parades. Without these stands, many children would not be able to enjoy a Mardi Gras parade! Help is needed to ensure the success of this very important mitzvah! If you are able to chaperone/host, for one of following dates, please contact
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 11 AM: Pontchartrain, Choctaw
and Freret Parades
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 4:15 PM: Babylon, Muses & Chaos Parades
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 9:15 AM: Iris and Tucks Parades
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There’s an old joke about the dying man who wanted to be buried with the $100,000 he amassed during his lifetime. He gathered his three closest friends, a priest, a preacher and a rabbi, and secured a promise that each would place in his coffin the one-third entrusted to him. A year after the burial, the three surviving friends gathered to remember their departed colleague. As the discussion progressed, first the minister and then the priest admitted that each had held back a portion of the cash to house the poor, attend to the needy, etc. The third friend, the rabbi, chastised his friends for deviating from their friend’s dying wishes. When the two others sheepishly asked the rabbi (not Alexis Berk) if he had followed the wishes of the departed to the letter, he replied, “Of course, I put in my check for the full amount.” None of us is so shallow that we want to “take it with us” when we go. Those notions went out of style thousands of years ago when we abandoned the Pharaohs in Egypt. Most of us have a desire to leave behind some fruits of our labors that make better the world in which we live. Being committed to the precepts of Tzedakah, it is only natural for that to be a meaningful part of the strategy for our inevitable exit. How is it feasible for us to make a difference, especially if we lack the resources to create a park, school, library or oak forest? The simple answer is planning. Like an ambitious landscaping project, small plants and saplings can give rise to a garden of mature trees and thick hedges if we have the time to plan ahead. By contrast, an instant mature garden may be prohibitively expensive. Planning tzedakah as an important component of our life’s work is much the same. Such planning can include speaking to our children so they understand our goal to make a difference. Not only can this create healthy expectations, but it provides an opportunity to teach our children about values that hopefully become their core values as well. It is easy to begin talking about leaving, for example two percent for tzedakah when the net value of our assets is $50,000, and to have that fluctuate in tandem with the changes in our financial circumstances. Planning for tzedakah works like any other savings plan. Doing it all at once is not realistic for many of us. Rather, the successful strategy for many of us is a disciplined long-term approach. While there are many examples of how planning our dreams can be an effective strategy, the following is particularly illustrative. Purchased around age 40, a $100,000 life insurance policy in favor of one’s favorite charity – Touro Synagogue, for example – can be acquired for a monthly premium of around $75. A second-to-die policy on a couple is even more affordable. Such an incredibly generous gift placed in the Touro Synagogue Foundation would provide $5,000 a year to the Synagogue – forever! The point of this article is not to sell insurance. Rather, I hope to initiate a dialog you have with yourself about how you want to make a difference. Translating our dreams into action has to start with envisioning our dreams. And being reminded that dreams can come true through early action. And that it is never too late – or too early – to think about permanent repairs to the world in which we live.
Scott Silbert
President’s Message
Lunchtime Study with Rabbi Berk
Rabbi Joseph Telushkin’s “The Book of Jewish Values”
Join us in the Mautner Learning Center for any or all Thursday sessions, 12:00-1:00 p.m. Bring a brown bag lunch. Drinks will be provided.
February Sessions: 5 & 12March Sessions: 5 & 19
“The Book of Jewish Values,” by Rabbi Joseph Telushkin is available on Amazon.
Justice, justice shall you pursue, that you may thrive… – Deuteronomy 16:20
Join Rabbi Berk in exploring the ethics of protected speech in the face of controversy, especially in the
wake of the recent terrorist attacks in Paris.
RSVP to [email protected] so we can prepare dinner and save you a spot.
$10 suggested donation for dinner.
A RABBI’S APPRECIATION OF THE WORLD’S RELIGIONS
Rabbi Gerson is a graduate of the Lee Honors College of Western Michigan University (B.A. Magna Cum Laude, 1967), Temple University (M.A., Religion, 1976, and M.A., Psychology, 1977), The
Reconstructionist Rabbinical College (Rabbi, 1976), and The Chicago Theological Seminary (Doctor of Ministry, 1984). He is also certified by the Family Therapy Training Center of the Philadelphia Child Guidance Clinic. In 1967, he was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship grant for study in India and Japan, and in 1969, a graduate fellowship for study at the Hebrew University, Jerusalem.
Dr. Gerson served as Senior Rabbi of Oak Park Temple B'nai Abraham Zion, Oak Park, Illinois, a position he held from 1979 to 2009.
Now a man of leisure, he and his wife Carol spend a great deal of time in New Orleans, especially during the winter, and are active in the Touro Torah Study Group as well as the Touro Choir.
In the wake of 9/11, globalization, and the interplay of religion, politics, and social policy, it is increasingly important for us to understand the religions of the world on their own terms as well as from a Jewish perspective. In this five session course, Rabbi Gary Gerson will be exploring, in sequence, Christianity, Mormonism, Islam, Sufism, Baha’i, Hinduism, Buddhism, Zoroastrianism, Jainism, Sikhism, Confucianism, Taoism, Shintoism, Native American religion, Wicca and Scientology. Drawing on his life-long study of the world’s religions, Rabbi Gerson hopes to bring order and meaningful understanding of these many religious paths.
February 4: Islam, Sufism, Baha’i
February 18: Hinduism, Buddhism
February 25: Zoroastrianism, Jainism, Sikhism; Confucianism, Taoism, Shinto
Native American Religion, Wicca, Scientology
CLASS SCHEDULE
7-8:30 p.m.
JEWISH ETHICS for Professionals Series:
Attorneys and Judges
let’s talk
LEGALETHICS
with Rabbi Berk
FIRST TUESDAYS: Spirituality in the City
FEATURING:Marth Orphe, Pastor, First Street Peck Wesley United Methodist Church
Tuesday, February 3, 2015 at 12:30 p.m. at Lenes Hall in the
Immaculate Conception Jesuit Church, 130 Baronne Street
People of all faiths (or none at all) are warmly invited to this annual interfaith series that promotes dialogue, mutual
understanding, and collaboration on topics of spirituality.
First Tuesdays is co-sponsored by The Jesuit Church of the Immaculate Conception, Loyola Institute for Ministry, and The Catholic Book Store. All presentations begin at 12:30 in Lenes Hall, 130 Baronne Street, the parish center of Jesuit Church,
and include a simple lunch that starts at 12:15 p.m. All are welcome. Admission is free.
“What Does God Require?”
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Seder Songs Come Alive
All ages are welcome!
Sunday, March 29th,
Seder Songs @ 9:30amModel Seder @ 10 am
You've scrubbed your kitchen, stocked up on matzah, now join Cantor Mintz for a musical preparation for Passover!
The cantor will lead us through an interactive exploration of melodies old and new to enliven our annual model seder that
will follow at 10 a.m. and your own seder at home.
An evening of story, song & celebration with
Rabbi Alexis Berk & Cantor David Mintz
Touro Synagogue First Night Congregational Seder
Friday, April 3, 2015 Abbrev. Shabbat Service at 6 p.m.
Seder begins at 6:30 p.m. RSVP here: https://touronola.wufoo.com/forms/first-night-congregational-seder/
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Saturday, April 4, 2015, at the South Beach Biloxi Hotel and Suites
Pesach by the Sho
res of the Sea
A Seaside Second Night Seder
BOOK YOUR ROOM AT THE
South Beach Biloxi Hotel and Suites1735 Beach Boulevard, Biloxi, MS 39531
Spend the day and night at South Beach Biloxi Hotel and Suites, just 1½ hours and less than 90 miles from Touro Synagogue
for our Second Night Seder on the Sea.
Join us for a pop-up experiential Seder led by Rabbi Berk and Cantor Mintz.
We will enjoy the Seder meal on Saturday night on the hotel terrace
overlooking the Gulf.
Price per person TBD
Book a suite for your family (studio, one and two bedroom suites
are available at varying prices)
Rates range based on room requests from $129 - $239 per night.
To make a room reservation, call the hotel directly at 228.388.2627 and use the group rate code “TOUR.”
Group room rates will be available until March 9, 2015. Cancellations
can be made without penalty if cancelled 48 hours in advance.
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TOT
ROCKS!Saturday, March 14, 9:30 a.m.
in the Shushan Assembly Please join us for tot fun with songs,
movement, crafts, Torah, challah and more. For all birth through pre-school age
children and their parents.
Our Tot Shabbat hosts for March are Sam, Carrie and Austin Marks.
The theme is Our Jewish Family.
Sunday, March 29 at 9:15 a.m. in the Mautner Learning Center
Discussion of the tough topics. Advice and guidance on addressing
some difficult questions asked by children.
Parents, grandparents, teachers - all are welcome.
NO CLASS FOR GRADES 3 – 6 ON SUNDAY, MARCH 15 IN LIEU OF LATE NITES.
PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDARS.
BREAK
JewCCY was very strongly represented at NfTY Southern’s Winter KallahClave in Memphis. We enjoyed a fun weekend of programming, exploration of the Civil Rights Movement and a clean-up of South Memphis with Knowledge Quest – an organization that gives kids in South Memphis somewhere to go after school. We look forward to having even greater participation at Spring Kallah at Jacobs Camp, April 17-19! There are some awesome events in 2015, so save the dates below! If you attend a JewCCY event and wish to see the photos taken, they can always be seen at jewccy.shutterfly.com.
February 4 @ 6:30PM: Hump Day Hangout at Gates of PrayerDinner, Movie & some mid-week fun with JewCCY.February 21 @ 1PM: Dads vs. JewCCY 2nd Annual Jewbowl Flag Football Game Contact Todd Hamilton at [email protected] for details or if you wish to participate! Fun for the WHOLE family!February 28: JewCCY’s FIVE YEAR ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION at SECTOR6!! All 6th-12th graders welcome! Register TODAY to save your spot here:https://jewccy.wufoo.com/forms/jewccys-5th-birthday-at-sector6/
News from JewCCY
Uptown HebrewClasses are off on
Wednesday, February 11 & 18Classes resume on
Wednesday, February 25
ANNOUNCING First & Second Grade Family Activity Day
“Honoring your Father and Mother”Sunday, March 8 ~ 9:00 – 11:30
More details to come in the Monday Memo.
2/28/2013Zachary Miller
3/28/2011Asher and Blaise Schwam
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L’ Chayim Award Dinner honoring Susan and Lou Good
january 25, 2015
Phyllis and Jack Alltmont, Renee Zack
Alan and Diane Franco, Kathy and Hal Shepard
Carol Good, Lou and Susan Good, and Rabbi Alexis Berk
Scott and Julie Silbert, Deborah and Cantor David Mintz
Rabbi Emeritus David Goldstein, Naomi Orlansky, Shannie Goldstein, and Larry Orlansky
PHYLLIS and Jack Alltmont
Diane and Alan Franco
Ana and Juan Gershanik
Carol Good
Susan and Lou Good
Jill and Dave Israel
Carmen and Andy Jacobs
Susan and Lou Good
Dotty Jacobs
betty Kohn
Ruth and Larry Kullman
Sherry and Alan Leventhal
Laura and Walter Levy
Kathy and Hal Shepard
Julie and Scott Silbert
A Special Thank You!TO OUR Underwriters
Ellen and Marc Yellin
Guy Brenner and Jon Schlackman,
Morgan Stanley Wealth Management
Anonymous
Best WesternSt. charles inn
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Rachel and Jeffrey AlltmontMary Lynn and Charles Alltmont
Ava and Michael AlltmontPhyllis and Jack Alltmont
Suzanne and Ted BaerAimee and Steven Bain
Julie Koppman and Brian BainArlene and Paul BarronWilliam Taylor Barry IIICathy and Morris Bart
Rabbi Alexis and Bob BerkJoy and Andrew Braun
Vivian and Richard CahnShira Bergman and Michael Cohen
Marjorie and Scott CowenRichard Dattel
Cathy and Jerry DattelRebecca and Simon Finger
Ann FishmanDiane and Alan Franco
Linda and Richard FriedmanSusan and Marc FriedmanAna and Juan Gershanik
Cathy and Charles GlaserMargery and Dov Glazer
June Leopold and Martin GoldsteinCarol GoodPeggy Good
Caroline and Jeffrey GoodSusan and Lou GoodGeorge Greenberg
Lauren and David GreenbergSamantha Guichet
Jenni and David HammerBarbara Herman
Lisa and Mike Herman
Teri and Jonathan HunterJill and David Israel
Dotty JacobsCarmen and Andy Jacobs
Carole JacobsonPatsy Kanter
Lisa and Brian KatzBeverly Katz
Jim Derbes and Jan KatzCarole and Morton Katz
Betty KohnMillie and Robert Kohn
Marilyn and Paul KullmanRuth and Larry Kullman
Mara and Stephen KuppermanBeth and Austin LavinSuzy and Gary Lazarus
Nora Udell and Michael LeikinPatti Lengsfield
Andrea and Terry LestelleSherry and Alan Leventhal
Marilyn and Alan LevinLaura and Walter Levy
Ellen and Stephen ManshelCarrie and Austin MarksSharon and Rick Meyer
Melinda and Morris MintzDoris and Bill Norman
Naomi and Larry OrlanskySara and Joe Pasternack
Darnell and Randy PhilipsonJoyce and Sidney Pulitzer
Laurie and Ricky RosenbergEdie and Paul Rosenblum
Madalyn and Robert Schenk
Guy Brenner and Jon Schlackman, Morgan Stanley Wealth Management
Stanley SchwamPhyllis and Jay Shames
Dana and Louis ShepardKathy and Hal Shepard
Leona ShlosmanNancy and Gary SilbertJulie and Scott Silbert
Cathy Lazarus and Eric SimonJanice and Jeffrey Smith
Dara and Dale SmithBest Western St. Charles Inn
Amy and Mark SteinIlona and James ThomsonNancy and Steve Timm
Karen and Lance TurkishRose Marie and Ron Wagman
Daniel WeinerMarjorie and Roy Weiner
Stacey WeinrebJoyce and Woody Widosfsky
David WillenzikGinny Wise and Kevin Wilkins
Carol Wise Frankie WolfNaomi Yavneh
Jan and Steve YellinEllen and Marc Yellin
Renee ZackRella and David Zapletal
Jack ZollerMelanie and Sam Zurik
Jenny and Lee Zurik
Ellen and Shawn AlexanderJulia and David Assef
Robert BasheinIrene and Elliott Bisgier
Audrey and Danny BuckmanRabbi Debra Pine and Rabbi Andrew Busch
Valerie and JC CohenIna and Richard Davis
Lisa Goff
Wendy and Julian GoodBetty Jason and Michael Green
Kathy and Jack GrundfestJulianne Grundfest
Julie and Garrett HallMarlene and Bernie Jaffe
Ann and Steve KernJoy and Nicholas Krohn
Vanessa and Dani LevineJulie Wise Oreck and Marshall Oreck
Loel and Larry SamuelJerry Tanenbaum
Donna and Al TanenbaumBZ and Jay Tanenbaum
Thomas WolfJanice and Mike Zazulak
Thank You!TO the following individuals & families for their generosity & support
and to our additional supporters
*as of january 23, 2015
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Yehuda Benyamin Potash will become a Bar Mitzvah on Saturday, March 21, 2015
In preparing for my Bar Mitzvah, I have been visiting elderly residents at St. Anna’s Nursing Home as my Mitzvah Project – with many residents in their 90s or even 100s. I have come to learn that the way our society often portrays the elderly is not how they really are. Unlike media portrayals of “grumpy old people,” the residents at St. Anna are very nice and caring and truly cherish visits from all young people. I have been doing different activities with the residents that help with their memory and recall. This includes giant crosswords and playing the Name That Tune game using popular music from the 1940’s and 1950’s. The Name That Tune game was so popular that we are next doing a Broadway showtune themed edition. I have learned from this experience that my Bar Mitzvah is less about myself and more about helping others feel and do better!
Yehuda is the son of Dr. Mordecai and Michelle Potash, and the grandson of Eugene and Roberta Hosansky, and Dr. Hanan and Phyllis Potash.
For my Bar Mitzvah project, I have become involved with Make Music NOLA, which provides free music instruction to high poverty students in the Ninth Ward and
Central City. I have been assisting a teacher in teaching violin to middle school students. The lessons I have learned while becoming involved in Make Music NOLA are similar
to the lessons I have learned while preparing for my Bar Mitzvah. These lessons have hopefully developed a foundation for my Jewish life.
Ethan is the son of Brian and Lisa Katz, brother of Logan Katz, and the grandson of Morton and Carole Katz, and Richard and Diane Bardack.
Ethan Scott Katzwill become a Bar Mitzvah on
Saturday, February 28, 2015
My Bat Mitzvah project is to help send underprivileged kids to camp. Henry S. Jacobs Camp is my second home. I wanted to help make my home someone else’s favorite place! To me, becoming a Bat Mitzvah
means having more Jewish responsibilities and privileges.
Madelyn is the daughter of Lisa Kullman Goff and the late Douglas Adam Goff, and the granddaughter of Marilyn and Paul Kullman,
and the late Nancy and Allan Goff.
Madelyn Ruth Goffwill become a Bat Mitzvah on
Saturday, March 28, 2015
Celebrating B'Nai Mitzvah at Touro!
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Touro Synagogue reached out to the community by preparing and serving lunch to guests at the Harry Tompson Rebuild Center on Christmas Day. Thanks to the efforts of Touro volunteers,
the guests were treated to a scrumptious lunch, carolers with live music, and treat bags. Approximately 130 guests dined on deep fried turkey, apple pecan stuffing, green bean bundles, cranberry sauce and a
ssorted homemade desserts. Each guest left with a full stomach, a smile on their face and a new toothbrush and pair of socks in their pocket. One of the guests expressed her gratitude by saying:
“This was a great party, thank you. Today I didn’t feel homeless.”
Susie AllenBrian Bain & Julie Koppman & J.K. Bain
Steven & Aimee BainBob Batterman
Nina BerissJoy Braun
Catherine CrawfordAbby Gaunt
Ana GershanikAlex, Maureen, Sofia, Katie & Thomas Gershanik
Larry HamiltonTeri Hunter
Marc, Ben & Abby KahnLisa, Tess & Josie Keleher
Naomi Yavneh KlosCathy Lazarus
Walter & Laura LevyEmily Nykaza
Rick & Suzette PerlesKaren Remer
Scott, Shelley and Tierney SaltzmanLisa & Caroline Santopadre
Isabella & Shoshana ShattenkirkJulie Silbert
Amara SkinnerJan Smith
Kerry TapiaJennifer & Elliette Vorhoff
Renee ZackTouro Synagogue Office Staff
Touro Synagogue Religious SchoolYoung Judea
Special thanks to The Hunger Fund committee for their generous support, Sr .Vera and Sr. Enid from St. Joseph Church, Robert from the Rebuild Center and Eileen Hamilton
without whom this party would not have been possible.
Jeanne Kessler and Chris Kahnco-organizers
Thank you to the following people for making this “Party” possible:
Christmas Day Mitzvah at the Rebuild Center
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Social Action at Touro
All initiatives allow one-time or on-going commitments
When you read this, Touro will be in the process of adding more towers to our Pitt Street garden. It has been our plan to start small and grow tall in order to make a dent in the very real and serious problem of food insecurity in our city. Through your generosity, we support Broadmoor Food Pantry (BFP) with
canned and other processed foods every week.
And, with the garden, we have been providing healthy, fresh produce to BFP as well. In the next several months, we will be growing and harvesting three times more produce than we grew last fall. We will need harvesters for the expanded
On-going or one-time involvement is ALWAYS welcome. There is no social action “committee” and no agenda of meetings. We are all in action as a congregation together. Please contact the individuals associated with each initiative below or Teri Hunter ([email protected]), board chair of social action, to learn more or to get involved.
Mass Incarceration
“The New Jim Crow offers a devastating account of a legal system doing its job perfectly well. We have simply replaced one caste system (Jim Crow) for another one (imprisonment,
parole, detention) that keeps the majority of minorities in a permanent state of disenfranchisement. . . . Alexander does a fine job of truth-telling, pointing the finger where it rightly should be pointed: at all of us, liberal and conservative, white and black.” —Forbes
We hope you’ll join us for a conversation on Michelle Alexander’s book, The New Jim Crow. We will continue to discuss these intersections of criminal justice, racism, and how they are manifesting in social movements happening now in Ferguson and elsewhere. All are encouraged to review http://newjimcrow.com/about/book-trailer prior to the conversation. Regardless of whether or not you have read the book or watched the trailer we welcome you to join this discussion. Check the TMail for information on the next session.
LGBTQ ActionAs many of us have learned through our recent training experience, being an LGBTQ ally means moving beyond tolerance to action with intention. GLSEN, the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network, recently released its biennial National School Climate Survey report. The report reveals that schools across the country remain hostile environments for a distressingly large number of LGBTQ students, the great majority of whom report victimization and discrimination ranging from verbal harassment to physical assault and discriminatory school policy.
For example, 36% of LGBTQ students were pushed or shoved in school, and 16.5% were physically assaulted (punched, kicked, injured with a weapon). Most do not report the incident because they doubt that effective intervention is forthcoming. 56% report experiencing discriminatory policies or practices at school. We can do better. Let’s work together as committed Reform Jews to figure out how.
For information or to share your ideas, contact Laura Levy at [email protected].
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Sophie B. Wright School
The Sophie B. Wright building is receiving a total renovation with the addition of a gym, so SBW is displaced in temporary housing. SBW will remain out of their building through the 2014/15 school year. Our support is crucially important as they try to maintain their customary high morale, strong sense of community, and motivation in their temporary home in a neighborhood riddled with problems. It is easy to help. Contact Teri Hunter for more information ([email protected]).
Encourage student achievement
Believe it or not, $5 gift cards to Raising Canes are hugely motivational for the students at SBW. Academic improvement and success, leadership, and good citizenship are amongst the reasons students receive gift cards in recognition. Drop off your gift card donations at the Touro office and we will deliver them for you.
Teacher Appreciation: It’s more than a little gesture
Help Touro show appreciation for the hard-working SBW teachers who are making a big difference in educational equality. Touro provides monthly teacher appreciation snacks at SBW and the teachers couldn’t be more appreciative. Help once or on an on-going basis. Contact Julie Koppman ([email protected]) or Sam Guichet ([email protected]) to get involved.
More Opportunities to Support the Harry Tompson Rebuild CenterOur annual Jazz Fest Shabbat drive for travel-sized hygiene supplies for the Harry Tompson Center is approaching. Be sure to save any unopened travel-size soap, toothpaste, shampoo and related items for collection, and drop them off at Touro as you enter Jazz Fest Shabbat.
Doing a load of laundry? Grabbing a shower? Calling a loved one? Most of us take these things for granted. But for the homeless of New Orleans these are cherished luxuries. On a typical night in greater New Orleans there are approximately 2000 people living on the street, in shelters or in abandoned buildings. One quarter of these people are chronically homeless. Touro Synagogue has partnered with the Harry Tompson Center, which provides these and other cherished luxuries to this population. Among the Center’s most vital needs are the following:
• Mental Health Professionals to provide mental health services (on-going and/or periodically)
• Leaders for one-time enrichment classes with the guests (topics such as how to speak in an interview, veteran’s assistance, song sessions, or whatever you may enjoy sharing)
• Community mentors for guests who have been recently placed in housing
• A Touro member to serve on the planning committee for the Center’s March 2015 Gala, and to assist in obtaining donations of auction items
There are many more opportunities to become involved with the Harry Tompson Center. For more information please contact Naomi Yavneh at [email protected] or Julie Silbert at [email protected].
TOURO WALKS
Won't you join with the Touro community as we walk together in support of the following cause? To learn more contact Aimee Bain ([email protected]).
Touro’s First Annual Walk to End HungerMark your calendars and plan to join us for the first annual congregational Walk to End Hunger. On Sunday, March 22 we’ll begin at 9:30 a.m. at Touro and walk to our community partners, the neighboring Broadmoor Food Pantry. Stay tuned for further details. Together we can make a difference in hunger in this community!
coffee
cereal
grits
oatmeal
peanut butter
jelly
Broadmoor Food Pantry
Help us fill the Broadmoor Food Pantry so that they can help fill the stomachs of hungry
individuals and families in our neighborhood. Bring donations to the General Pershing entrance.
Contact Anamaria Villamarin-Lupin at [email protected] for more information.
For February and March we are collecting:crackers
tuna
mayo
large bags of potatoes
non-refrigerated fruits
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February 2015
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March 2015
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Pulpit Flowers
Joel Weinstock
The Zakris Family
The Children, Grandchildren and
Great-Grandchildren of Adele Adatto
Diane and Bob Hammer
Jenni and David Hammer
Stacey Weinreb
Oneg Shabbat
Carol Wise
Carole Jacobson, Jay Glazer and
Shelley Middleberg and their families
Kiddush Luncheon
Ginny Wise and Kevin Wilkins
THANK YOU TO OUR DECEMBER SPONSORS We thank these generous supporters
for their help in making Shabbat a wonderful experience:
TOURO SYNAGOGUE FUND In Honor of: 90th Birthday of Oscar Z. Levy, Jr. By: Joel and Bert Myers Anne and Morris Phillips William M. Lucas, Jr. Susan and Lou Good for all of their many good works By: Betty and Donald Weil Birthday of Hertha Bart Birthday of Julanne Isaacson 60th Wedding Anniversary of Joel and Bert Myers Birthday of Jack Lengsfield By: Betty KohnIn Memory of:Sidney B. Weiner By: Marjorie and Roy Weiner Beverly Leopold Levy Pamela Smith-Sucherman By: Laura and Walter Levy Michael A. Berenson By: James A. Mounger Maurice Smith Madeline Smith By: Janice and Jeffrey Smith Edward Levine By: Mary Lynn and Charles Alltmont Julie and Scott Silbert David Bernstein Minnie Berenson Ames By: Sarah Rabin Helen Sizeler By: Marilyn and Sidney Lassen Ben Frank Freedman By: Martin Goldstein and June Leopold Adele Oberdorfer Levy By: Adele Adatto Betty Aron By: Betty KohnDonations: By: Beverly Katz/Exterior Designs, Inc. Marlene and Bernie Jaffe Judith and Michael Kenter Amy and Mark Stein Jayne Weiss Jacqueline and Beryl Ames Betty Townsend Zipporah Dvash CARING SUPPORT FUND In Memory of:Beverly Leopold Levy By: Sybil F. Kline CHOIR MUSIC SUPPORT FUND Donations: By: Adrienne and Adrian Juttner
PRAYER BOOK SUPPORT FUND Donations: By: Carolyn Malkove Wickstrom
SOCIAL ACTION SUPPORT FUND Donations: By: Dana and Louis Shepard TORAH STUDY SUPPORT FUND In Memory of:Patrice Willoughby By: Joan BanksDonations: By: Reuven Bryer Roger White
Donations BARBARA S. LOEB TIKKUN OLAM FUND Donations: By: Teri and Jonathan Hunter BUILDING PRESERVATION FUND In Memory of:Sylvia Weiner By: Marjorie and Roy Weiner DEBRA VAN DER LINDEN SIDELNIK MEMORIAL FUND In Memory of:Ryan David Reaves By: Marianne and Isidore Cohn, Jr. Sybil F. Kline and Jack Hudson Meryl Rosenbloom
DONALD MINTZ FUND In Honor of: Susan and Lou Good receiving the L’Chayim Award By: Susan and Byron KantrowIn Memory of:Fannie Safferstone Klein By: Susan and Byron Kantrow
CANTOR’S DISCRETIONARY FUND In Honor of: Honor received and wonderful Shabbat morning services By: Jacqueline and Beryl AmesDonations: By: George Dansker
RABBI’S DISCRETIONARY FUND In Honor of: 90th Birthday of Oscar Z. Levy, Jr. By: Vicki and Edward Lazarus Honors received during the High Holy Days By: Lisa and Michael Herman Bris of Matthew Leonard Kupperman By: Mara and Stephen Kupperman Speedy Recovery of the Berk Family By: Mary Lynn and Charles Alltmont Jacqueline and Beryl Ames Linda Green and Michael Brown Audrey and Daniel Buckman Barbara and Paul Chirlian Marianne and Isidore Cohn, Jr. Clergy, Staff and Leadership of Congregation Temple Sinai George Dansker Ina and Richard Davis Ann Fishman Diane and Alan Franco Margot Garon Adrien and Errol Genet Ana and Juan Gershanik Martin Goldstein and June Leopold Jackie and Sol Gothard Ann and Steve Harris Sherril Herman Carmen and Andrew Jacobs Dotty Jacobs Adrienne and Adrian Juttner Susan and Byron Kantrow Beverly Katz Jan Katz and Jim Derbes Betty Kohn Janet and Rene Koppel Elaine and Gus Kuhn Ruth and Larry Kullman Rene Lehmann Laura and Walter Levy Ellen and Stephen Manshel Carrie and Austin Marks Naomi and Larry Orlansky Michelle and Mordecai Potash Edie and Paul Rosenblum
Lisa and David Schlakman Ellen Rae and John Shalett Michele and Matt Slaine Caroline and Stephen Sontheimer Harriet Stern Leona Stich Betty and Donald Weil Helen and Nathan Wexler Frankie Wolff Ellen and Marc Yellin Joan and Larry ZaslowIn Memory of:Edward Levine By: Linda Green and Michael BrownDonations: By: Diane and Alan Franco
ARI BERK’S EBOLA PROJECT DONATIONS In Honor of: Speedy Recovery of the Berk Family By: Susan Allen and Richard DiCarlo Mary Lynn and Charles Alltmont Arlene and Paul Barron Barbara and Paul Chirlian Jeanie Cohen Rabbi Loewy and Congregation Gates of Prayer Bianka Dadukian Ann Fishman Barbara and Beryl Laufer Martin Goldstein and June Leopold Laura and Walter Levy Susan and Byron Kantrow Jan Katz and Jim Derbes Bonnie and Arthur Lustig Carrie and Austin Marks Edie and Paul Rosenblum Lisa and David Schlakman Robert Shepard Vicky and Peter Sperling Frankie Wolff GENERAL DONATIONS TO FOUNDATION In Memory of:Harold ShermanMinnie Sherman By: Ivan Sherman
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YahrzeitsPerpetually enshrined on the Yahrzeit Tablets of Touro Synagogue are the following loved ones for whom Kaddish will be recited at Touro Synagogue for the month of February and March.
Friday, Feb. 6 / Saturday, Feb. 7 Hilda levy Jacobs, lillian Widofsky, Jacquelyn barbara Mintz, Malvin P. raHM, dorotHy feitel rotHscHild, tHirba W. Green MarGolis, Helen Weil younG, tHeone GreensPan, valerie b. Wolf, aMelia Meyer, Hilda aaron GodcHaux, louis kaufMan Good, Jr., irMa dresner boczar, cHarles louis stern, sr., cHarles Mayer saMuel, Mayer GodcHaux, bertHa berlin, MicHael HeyMann
Friday, Feb. 13 / Saturday, Feb. 14 Gertrude aPPelton zaroWitz, leo Miller, sr., saMuel levy, lazarus koHlMann, Pauline Mayer levy, saMPson l. Hiller, dr. irWin isaacson, WilliaM b. bear, dr. isadore J. rosen, estHer sinGer, frieda younG, rabbi leo a. berGMan, Julia beer bartlett, ralPH H. fisHMan, lionel Weil, Milton e. burGlass, selMa rutH levy, Harry sHusHan, bertHa davis ocHs, cHarles blocH, HerMan Wolf krasne, irMa Goldstein PHilliPs, Harry s. kaufMan, Jr., leonard rotHstein, JaMes Morton, rutH Helen younG, siMon isaacs, Malena block levy, alMa leMMel blocH, susan Weil bain
Friday, Feb. 20 / Saturday, Feb. 21GeorGe M. Gross, isaac blocH, caroline Weil HeineMann, HannaH HeineMann coHn, s. fred zander, Max feibleMan, bertHa sPieGel Miller, Gerald Harvey coHen, beatrice burG kottWitz, abraHaM coPeland, Jacques trautMan, flora Meyer brill, Harris HyMan, rose stern levy, Gustave falk, Harry b. caPlan, Julius Weill, cHarles ePstein, ricHard b. kaufMann, Jr.
Friday, Feb. 27 / Saturday, Feb. 28 leo zander, eva tulboWitz GeisMar, david leo koPPMan, benJaMin J. PHilliPs, M.d., louise Mayer bluM, cHarles levy, david band, retta strouse leiPziGer, robert Gervis, lena leoPold falk, Jeannette GreensPan Mintz, Marion levy sontHeiMer, HerMan HirscH levy, bertHa Grace “cookie” naGel, eMily lazarus coHen, sara baskind sMitH, Jacob M. GensburGer, Jacquelyn “Jackie” Wolff, florence Joelson freedMan
Friday, March 6 / Saturday, March 7 fannie ocHs rubenstein, Gerson aletrino, soloMon turkisH, testa JosePH naGel, Herbert H. Meyer, sidney deutcH, Gertrude davis sHerMan, roGer G. Weill, Joel kern HandelMan, bianca adler klinG, louis G. sHusHan, louise loWenstein levy, iska broWn koHlMeyer, etHel lilly Gordon, rose fatt neWHouse, duke isadore a. MarcHiz, bertHa l. Mayer, siGMund koHlMann, Henrietta GoldenberG, HannaH Weil, Marion koPPMan, Paul klinG, Jr., Mrs. JosePH sHusHan, Jack fielkoW, esMar kaiser, siMon M. HeineMann, Julia HirscH, Jeanie GoodWin
Friday, March 13 / Saturday, March 14 Mollie yoedicke, rebecca bernstein bennett, bernard M. rosentHal, Morris MicHaelis, Harold MansHel, ellie HuGHes berGMan, leon HocHstein, Jesse PHiliP stern, rabbi eMil WilliaM leiPziGer, Jeanne GoodMan Goldstein, Jules lazard caHn, louis euGene Hornikel, dr. artHur d. rosentHal, HannaH GlucksMan kern, leon Mintz, JaMes P. HoffMan, HannaH n. tannenbauM, HoWard J. fleck, o.d., Mrs. Maurice bluMenfeld, douGlas a. Goff, natHan PHilliP Miller, Mrs. rose b. broWn, kennetH alan kirscHMan
Friday, March 20 / Saturday, March 21 caroline saloMon Mayer, saMuel Mintz, belle Hanauer Maas, Harry GoodMan Goldstein, fanny litH, louis GeisMar, caMille s. HocHstein, lester s. seeliG, etHel fisHel riPPner, Gertrude Pailet sinGer, alfred alltMont, etHel Jacobs beer, racHel adler silverstein, isaac l. Weil, abraHaM n. silverstein, ella Maas, racHel HandelMan, P. sidney neuWirtH, dr. WilliaM koHlMann, sHePard sHusHan, Moise M. fisHMan, Gladys r. ber, Gloria PlitMan coHen
Friday, March 27 / Saturday, March 28 MarGaret Hall seeliG, louis H. yarrut, Minel louis GeisMar, JosePH M. rosentHal, JosePH sHusHan, Wilfred G. GeHr, louise isaacs Pfaelzer, belle G. kronacHer, dr. Jack kusHner, Meyer rosenfeld, rev. louis a. silverstein, estHer s. kirstein, Mac sliMMer, sadie kaHn rabin, bernard scHWartz, audrey Pailet Weiss, Henry c. dreyfus, rosalie Picard dreyfus, WilliaM broWn, Harry bennett, saM s. soloMon, Mollie berGMan, stella M. vacant, sHePard H. sHusHan
Friday, April 3 / Saturday, April 4 alPHonse b. Hiller, louis J. PHilliPs, Mrs. saMuel Green, Harry ross, anna l. rosen, ralPH J. scHWarz, leaH s. lazarus, Jacob Maas, Patrick W. bordelon, louis ocHs, Jr., dr. david adiGer, sadie Marx, Marvin l. “buddy” Jacobs, Mark bartlett, Murray aaron koPPMan
Torah StudyEveryone is invited on
Saturday mornings at 9:00 a.m. to Unwrap Ancient Wisdom in a
Post-Modern World with our Torah Study group.
PARASHIYOTFeb. 1-7
YitroExod. 18:1-20:23 /
Isaiah 6:1-7:6; 9:5-9:6
Feb. 8-14Mishpatim
Exod. 21:1-24:18 / II Kings 12:5-16
Feb. 15-21 T’rumah
Exod. 25:1-27:19 / I Kings 5:26-6:13
Feb. 22-28 T’tzaveh
Exod. 27:20-30:10 / Esther 7:1-10; 8:15-17 or
I Samuel 15:2-34
March 1-7Ki Tisa
Exod. 30:11-34:35 / I Kings 18:1-39
March 8-14Vayak-heil-P’kudeiExod. 35:1-40:38 / Ezekiel 36:22-36
March 15-21Vayikra
Lev. 1:1-5:26 / Ezekiel 45:16-25
March 22-28Tzav
Lev. 6:1-8:36 / Malachi 3:4-24
March 29 - April 4First Day of Pesach
Exod. 12:37-42, 13:3-10 / Isaiah 43:1-15
Our beloved are with us through the blessing of memory ...
we think of them now; they live in our hearts;
they are a continual blessing.
-Chaim Stern, Paths of Faith
IN MEMORIAMMay their memory be for a blessing
Virginia “Tootsie” McCarthy grandmother of Christine White (Jason),
and great-grandmother of Jonah McCarthy White
Ben Frank Freedmanbrother-in-law of Stanley Schwam
and Arnold “Jim” Bennett
Ryan David Reavesgrandson of Elaine and Bernie Van Der Linden,
nephew of Lisa Amann (Cary) and cousin to Deborah and Blake Amann
Edward Levinefather of Elly Zakris (Peter Sather),
grandfather of Sara, Arielle and Jacob Zakris
Mazel Tovon the birth of Annie Kay Reiss, daughter of Charlotte and Gary “Taavi” Reiss
to Cathy and Morris Bart on the wedding of their daughter Michelle Erin Bart to John Jacob Goehring
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Friday, February 65:00pm Casual Shabbati Gras,Forgotston Chapel
Saturday, February 710:30am Shabbat Morning Service,Forgotston Chapel
Friday, February 135:00pm Casual Shabbati Gras,Forgotston Chapel
Saturday, February 1410:30am Shabbat Songs and Kaddish, Abbreviated Service, Forgotston Chapel
Friday, February 206:00pm Shabbat Evening Service, Choir Shabbat, Forgotston Chapel
Saturday, February 2110:30am Shabbat Morning Service,Forgotston Chapel
Friday, February 276:00pm Shabbat Evening Service,Forgotston Chapel
Saturday, February 28 10:30am Shabbat Morning Service, Bar Mitzvah of Ethan Scott Katz, Main Sanctuary
Friday, March 66:00pm Shabbat Evening Service, Birthday Blessings, Forgotston Chapel
Saturday, March 710:30am Shabbat Morning Service, Forgotston Chapel
Friday, March 136:00pm Shabbat Evening Service,Forgotston Chapel
Saturday, March 14 10:30am Shabbat Morning Service, Forgotston Chapel
Shabbat Services February and March 2015Non-Profit Org.
Scott Silbert, PresidentRabbi Alexis BerkCantor David MintzKerry Tapia, Executive DirectorEileen A. Hamilton, Director of EducationTerry D. Maddox MM, Music DirectorDavid Goldstein, Rabbi EmeritusRalph H. Slifkin, Cantor Emeritus
TOURO SYNAGOGUE
MEMBER OF UNION FOR REFORM JUDAISM
Friday, March 206:00pm Shabbat Evening Service, Forgotston Chapel
Saturday, March2110:30am Shabbat Morning Service, Bar Mitzvah of Yehuda Benyamin Potash, Main Sanctuary
Friday, March 276:00pm Shabbat Evening Service,Forgotston Chapel
Saturday, March 2810:30am Shabbat Morning Service, Bat Mitzvah of Madelyn Ruth Goff,Main Sanctuary
