Rabbi's Message March 2011

Transcription

1 Rabbi's Message March 2011 When will the snow stop?? I am sure the last couple of weeks you have gotten tired of shoveling. I am sure you bristled at having to rearrange all your plans when you woke up and you heard school was cancelled. I am sure you were frustrated when you could not get your car out of the garage. I am sure you or your neighbor had water damage in the house which left you frustrated with the burden of extra work this creates. These are difficult times. These are times that raise our awareness of global warming. These are times that challenge our patience and test our flexibility in new situations. These are times that question and challenge our beliefs. For those who believe in God, we ask why God permits these things to happen. Where are you, God?? Our sages teach us during difficult times to turn to our text. This month we will read from the Book of Esther and celebrate Purim. Purim is the Jewish celebration in which we are commanded to be happy and drunk!! Do you know that the Book of Esther is the only book in the Hebrew Bible which does not mention God s name? Rabbi Hai Gaon explained this omission by saying that Mordecai knew that the Persians would copy it and he did not want God s name used for idolatrous purposes. Furthermore, the additions to the Book of Esther in the Apocrypha, which was not considered divinely inspired, include a prayer by Esther in which the Lord s name is found. Another interesting lesson is that in contrast to all the other biblical books, Palestine is not mentioned in the Book of Esther. The only reference to the relationship of the Jews of Persia with their ancient homeland is that Mordecai is described as one who had been carried away from Jerusalem with the captives (Esther 2:6). Furthermore, all the letters of the Hebrew alphabet are found in verse 13 of chapter 3 in the Book of Esther. Would this explanation help us to understand why we have so much snow? Or why we have to be worried about global warming? Or why God lets all this happen to our world? Probably not, but at least the Book of Esther will inspire us to learn that our ancestors suffered and lived through difficult times. They survived and became stronger because of their beliefs. May all of us be able to renew our beliefs and hopes. Let us hope that all the snow will melt quickly! Let us remember that even though the word God is not in the Book of Esther, God helped and saved Esther and our ancestors from Haman. That is our lesson; we may not see God s help and words but I am sure God is talking to us! S H A B B A T S E R V I C E S B vracha, Rabbi Claudio J. Kogan, MD, MBE, MEd March 4 (7:30 pm) Erev Shabbat Service 3 rd Grade Siddur Presentation March 11 (6:00 pm) Kabbalat Shabbat Service and Carry-in Dairy Dinner TBT Men s Softball The TBT Men s Softball Team is entering its thirtieth season and has unexpected openings. Sunday mornings, April to early August. If interested, call Alan Weiss ( ) to discuss. March 18 (7:00 pm) Family Shabbat Service March 25 (7:30 pm) Erev Shabbat Service (choir participating)

2 2 President s Message Each day is precious! It s good to be busy with work and Temple and your groups; when you re my age you ll miss it. Remember to take care of yourself, find time to do what you enjoy. This is some of Shirley s advice to me, her daughter. She shares these thoughts from her home in Florida, always eager for my call, answering brightly Hello daughter! even talking for a few minutes when I m hurrying home from work, or driving to a meeting at Temple. Shirley is a relatively healthy 84, a fiercely independent widow living in Florida. On many calls she will sadly tell me about the loss of another friend, or a neighbor who is terribly sick. I am lucky to have a gutsy Mom who is now recuperating from knee replacement surgery. Much of her determination to recover is based on the hope that she will soon be able to follow some of her own advice to live and enjoy the beauty in each day. When I tell her about all that is happening here at TBT, she envies us for having so much to choose from to enrich our lives. Please take a close look at what is coming up at Temple Beth Tikvah. There is so much to make each of your days more rewarding and precious. Mark your calendar and take advantage of some very special upcoming opportunities to pray, study, travel and enjoy others in our synagogue community. Celebrate Shabbat at Erev Shabbat services or Torah study on Saturday mornings. You may be interested to note that the Purim service is March 18 th, and the Social Justice service is April 8 th and we ll have a chance to hear from the teens who participated in URJ s L Taken Social Justice Seminar. * Hurry, there may still be room on the bus for the April 3 rd trip to New York City! It s a full day to immerse in Jewish history, culture and food! TBT Professional Staff Rabbi Claudio J. Kogan Dr. Howard F. Sommer, Rabbi Emeritus cantorial staff Rick Calvert, Cantorial Soloist educational staff Marcia Geringer, Religious School Principal Bernadette Stak, Nursery School Director Linda DeRusha, Librarian administrative staff Jane Luyckx, Temple Administrator Sandy Walsh, Temple Secretary custodial staff Don Bernat and Al Davenport * Speaking of good food, come and enjoy outstanding Mexican catered by Greg Sharon s Taco Pacifico at TBT s Spring Fling on April 9 th; * TBT s film series, hosted by the Gamermans, is rescheduled to March 30 th, April 6 th and April 13 th; * Choose one or both Seders, whether it s the Shoreline Women s Seder on March 27 th or our TBT Community 2 nd Night Seder on April 19th; and many more activities and dates too numerous to include in this column. I do need to mention that this is a particularly good time to call Allison Barasz who has volunteered to lead the Caring Committee. Add your name to her list of caring TBT members who will be there for others when there is a call for help. Finally, save the date for our Annual Congregational Meeting to be held on Monday night April 11 th, which will be preceded by a carry-in dinner. In closing, thank you to the many volunteers who work to make TBT so full of wonderful opportunity to live and enjoy the beauty in our days, especially Barb Chupp and Jill Lesage, Co-chairs of Programming. Wendy Bluemling Consultation on Conscience From May 1-3, 2011, TBT will be sending a delegation to the Religious Action Center s Consultation on Conscience in Washington, D.C. This event features high level briefings with public policy decision makers and social action leaders and helps those with a passion for Tikkun olam bring Jewish values to modern issues of civil rights, economic and environmental justice, religious persecution, and more. In past years, speakers have included a wide range of elected officials, as well as advocacy and activist leaders, journalists, diplomats, and other community leaders. This event is open to all adult members of our congregation! Interested? Come to an informational/planning meeting at TBT on Sunday, March 13 from 12:15-1:00 p.m. in the TBT Library. If you can t make it, please call Sandy in the TBT office ( ) and let her know of your interest and we will mail info to you. You can also visit for more information. If you are interested in current affairs/issues/topics, this event is for you! We hope you will be able to join us.

3 3 Adult Education at TBT JOIN US!! Adult Education at TBT is flourishing. The Sunday morning Basics of Judaism course, held at TBT from 10:30-11:15 am, will feature two events in the coming weeks. On March 6, join Judith Barr, TBT member and Lecturer at Southern Connecticut State University, to learn about Jewish customs around Death and Dying and how these customs help in the grieving and mourning process. On March 13, join the Rabbi for an exploration of Brit Milah (ritual circumcision for newborn boys), Simchat Bat (celebration/ naming for newborn girls), and Bar/Bat Mitzvah. The Monday night series continues at 7:30 pm on March 4, with Rabbi Herbert Brockman, who will speak about: What we can learn about the Jewish demographic studies in Baltimore and how we can reflect on the recent New Haven Jewish Demographic Report. Leader of Congregation Mishkan Israel in Hamden, Rabbi Brockman is a seventh generation Rabbi, who served at the Baltimore Hebrew Congregation early in his career. Among his many activities and accomplishments, he has been at the forefront of interfaith and justice work, not only in New Haven, but also nationally and internationally. THE TIME IS NOW! Register for the TBT trip to NYC and the Museum of Jewish Heritage, the Eldridge Street Synagogue, and the Tenement Museum on Sunday, April 3 rd. Transportation will be provided, and it s a bargain! Catch the reduced price of $50 for this extensive and fascinating trip through time. To register, use the enclosed flyer and fax to Sandy Walsh at , or call TBT at Join Rabbi Kogan and friends for this exciting and interesting day. Temple Beth Tikvah & Philanthropy The Importance of an Endowment Over the past couple of months this column has been devoted primarily to Temple Beth Tikvah s short term monetary needs. Today it will be directed toward our longer term goals and needs. We all know the importance of a synagogue to our shoreline community so assuring TBT s longer term health is one of the Board of Directors primary tasks. Our financial stool has three legs, each of which is of primary importance. The first is our membership (that s You and Me!). Our members are entitled to the best environment, programs and services that can be provided at a fair level of dues. The second leg is our annual operating budget which is funded by dues, tuition and voluntary contributions. These are the funds from which all annual operating expenses are paid including salaries. The third leg represents the ability to maintain our building and grounds, to provide the funds for other longer term needs and to have funds available which ensure our lasting fiscal health. With money the bank the ability to do our best is greatly enhanced. This strength comes from our Endowment Fund which must grow over time. Yes, we do have an Endowment Fund now but it is small and does not yet yield an income which will help to boost our financial health. Our Board has made a firm commitment to leave the principle of the Endowment Fund intact and to let the interest accrue until further growth is achieved. Ideally, the Endowment Fund will reach a point where it provides another source of revenue and has the strength to provide us with long term financial back up. It is hoped that each of you, our members, will consider making gifts to the Endowment Fund either through current donations or via gifts from your estate. All gifts, large and small, will help to strengthen your synagogue. Please call Jane in the office ( ) if we can be of assistance as you consider financial planning to make a meaningful gift to the Endowment Fund. Check this column next month for a discussion of planned / estate giving. ~ Ed Sack Need an evening out without the kids? Childcare by the TBT SALTY youth group will be provided on Saturday night March 19 th from 5:30 to 11pm in the temple social hall. Our teens have lots of babysitting experience as well as being supervised by advisor Devorah Lynch. We are asking for a suggested minimum donation of $15.00 for the evening and $20.00 for more than one child (snacks included). Donations to SALTY will be used for future events and programs. Children must be potty trained. Please pre-register and let us know of any food allergies or special needs by ing Andrea Kaye, Dir. of Youth Activities at kaye.andrea6@sbcglobal.net

4 4 Social Justice Madison Cares During the school break (February 20 th to February 26 th ) the Youth Group will be travelling to New Orleans to work with Habitat for Humanity. For more information contact Linda Brody Srebnik at Linda.brody@comcast.net Clothing Drive Thanks to everyone who contributed coats, mittens, warm clothing, kitchen supplies and bedding. This has been a very harsh winter and everything has been put to immediate use. Keren Or We will have an activity table at the Purim Carnival on March 20 th. Participants will help assemble activity pages to be bound into books. These books will be donated to Keren Or, an organization based in the Jerusalem area in Israel. Keren Or, which means ray of light in Hebrew, provides therapy and education for children and young adults with multiple disabilities, all of whom have some degree of vision impairment. These books allow the patients to read and interact with the environment. Each participant in this activity will get a special treat!! Consultation on Conscience On March 13, from 12:15 to 1:00, there will be an informational meeting about Consultation on Conscience, a Social Justice seminar for adults, to take place in Washington, D.C., from May 1 st to May 3 rd. All who are interested are welcome. Food Baskets Please remember those of our neighbors who are struggling this winter. Please bring non- perishable items to the baskets in the lobby; the economy has pushed local food banks beyond their capacity and there is an urgent need for donations not only during the holidays but all year round. We distribute this food to various local agencies regularly. Please consider joining us on the Social Justice Committee. We participate in many enjoyable and rewarding projects. For more information please contact Kate Lee at falkon181@aol.com, or Ellen Goldfarb at erg1021a@aol.com. Torah Tots Torah Tots meets on Sunday, March 6 th, 11 to noon. Come join us for an interactive parent-grandparent child oriented session. This month the theme is Purim. Open to congregants and interested community members of pre-school aged children. There will be a craft and snack. Meet the Rabbi, our school principal, Ms. Geringer, our librarian, Linda DeRusha, and our cantorial soloist and music teacher, Rick Calvert. RSVP to Sandy in the temple office. Following the March 6 th Torah Tots program, there will be an open house for the TBT Nursery School (NS). All young children and their parents are welcome to visit the Nursery School classrooms and talk with the NS director and staff to find out more about the great programs offered by TBT NS for children ages 2-5. Religious School Third grade parents and their families are invited to join us on Friday, March 4 th for a carry-in Shabbat dinner at 6:00 p.m., followed by the Erev Shabbat Service at 7:30 p.m. During this service, our third graders will be presented with their own new Siddur that we know they will treasure using throughout their lifetime. A festive Oneg follows the service. We hope the congregation will join us at 7:30 to participate in this special event in the lives of our young children. For further information or questions, please contact Marcia Geringer or the third grade class parents Karen Redlich, Susan Newman and Anne Josephy-Zack who are generously coordinating this evening. TBT Book Club The book club is reading Finkler Question in February and will be reading Great House by Nicole Krause in March and I Remember Nothing by Nora Ephron in April. TBT Gift Shop Meetings usually take place the 3rd Thursday of each month at 7:30 p.m. at the Shoreline Diner in Guilford. For further information please contact Myra Josephson at or standj_992003@yahoo.com.

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6 6 Schedule of Services Friday, March 4 7:30 p.m. Erev Shabbat Service and 3 rd Grade Siddur presentation Torah portion: Pekude (Exodus 38:21 40:38) TAMC, rev. ed., p 628; TAMC, 1 st ed., p. 681; Hertz, p. 385 Saturday, March 5 9:00 a.m. Torah Study 10:00 a.m. Bat Mitzvah of Molly LeGrant, daughter of Rebecca and Randy LeGrant Friday, March 11 6:00 p.m. Kabbalat Shabbat Service (followed by carry-in dairy dinner) Torah portion: Vayikra (Leviticus 1:1 5:26) TAMC, rev. ed., p.660; TAMC, 1 st ed., p. 757; Hertz, p. 410 Saturday, March 12 9:00 a.m. Torah Study 10:00 a.m. Shabbat Morning Minyan Friday, March 18 7:00 p.m. Family Shabbat Service Torah portion: Tzav (Leviticus 6:1 8:36) TAMC, rev. ed., p.688; TAMC, 1 st ed., p. 781; Hertz, p. 429 Saturday, March 19 9:00 a.m. Torah Study 10:00 a.m. Shabbat Morning Minyan Sunday, March 20 10:00 a.m. Purim Service Friday, March 25 7:30 p.m. Erev Shabbat Service (choir participating) Torah portion: Shemini (Leviticus 9:1-11:47) TAMC, rev. ed., p.707; TAMC, 1 st ed., p. 798; Hertz, p. 443 Saturday, March 26 9:00 a.m. Torah Study 10:00 a.m. Shabbat Morning Minyan The Chumash (Torah Commentary) contains the Hebrew text of the Torah (the first section of the Bible) with vocalization and punctuation. The Chumashim we use at TBT also contain English translations and commentaries. In addition, they carry the text of each Haftarah, a portion from the Prophets (the second section of the Bible). The three Chumashim referred to above are: TAMC, rev. ed. = The Torah: A Modern Commentary, revised edition (2005) TAMC, 1 st ed. = The Torah: A Modern Commentary, 1 st edition (W. Gunther Plaut, ed.) (1981) Hertz = The Pentateuch and Haftorahs (J.H. Hertz, ed.) (1937) Rosh Chodesh in Unity Celebrate Rosh Chodesh with women from across the Shoreline Mishenichnas Adar, marbim b simchah! When the month of Adar arrives, we increase our joy! (Mishnah Ta anit) On Sunday March 6th, the women of Temple Beth Tikvah, Congregation Beth Shalom Rodfe Zedek (CBSRZ, Chester), Chabad of the Shoreline, and Shoreline Hadassah will gather to celebrate Rosh Chodesh Adar II, the beginning of a joyous month that includes the festival of Purim. Rosh Chodesh is an ancient holiday that sanctifies the appearance of the first sliver of moon each month, symbolizing renewal and the cycle of life. Since the Middle Ages, it has been set apart as a holiday particularly important to women. Rosh Chodesh offers an opportunity for prayer, study and discussion of issues of concern to women. For the third consecutive year, the women of our local Jewish communities will come together for prayer, study, discussion, and nosh. Led by Rabbi Rachel Goldenberg (CBSRZ) and Rochel Baila Yaffe (Chabad of the Shoreline), we will focus this year on central themes of Purim, studying texts from our Jewish tradition as well as learning how to bring the mitzvot of Purim into our homes. The event will take place at 7pm on Sunday March 6th at Temple Beth Tikvah, (Note this is a ½ hour earlier than we usually meet.) To RSVP for the event (we would like a head count because this is going to be a larger than normal group), please Claire Morduch at clairemorduch@gmail.com or call at Upcoming dates: Tuesday, April 5 (Nisan) 7:30 pm Theme: Religious observance in a secular world Thursday, May 5 (Iyar) 7:30 pm

7 7 The Spiritual Journey through the Five Megillot Have you ever wondered about the connection of certain biblical books with specific Holy Days? Jewish tradition provides spiritual insights into our life s journey through the emotional experiences addressed in the collective texts known as the Five Megillot. The Five Megillot: Ecclesiastes (Sukkot), Esther (Purim), Song of Songs (Passover), Ruth (Shavuot) and Lamentations (Tisha B Av) offer us insights into our emotional state of mind through our calendar year. All are welcome to join Rabbi Hesch Sommer, JFS Coordinator of Pastoral Care, Pastoral Counseling and Community Outreach Services in an exploration of these emotional themes and how they impact on our lives. You are invited to participate in all sessions or in any of the sessions. The dates, times and locations for the remaining four sessions are listed below: Esther: The Fragility of Jewish Identity - March 2, 2011 (Wednesday) at Temple Beth Tikvah (Madison) How do we identify ourselves within the larger communities in which we live? Is our sense of who we are a reaction to the challenges brought on by anti-semitism? Is Purim really a holiday for children or does it explore darker issues which deal with the angers and frustrations we feel as a religious minority? Is it ever possible to really blur the emotional distinction between blessed be Mordecai and cursed be Haman? These and other issues will be explored as we discuss the Book of Esther in anticipation of the holiday of Purim. Song of Songs: The Redemptive Power of Love - April 12, 2011 (Wednesday) at Temple Emanuel (Orange) Ruth: Sharing the Journey in Times of Joy and in Times of Heartache - June 2, 2011 (Wednesday) at Congregation Sinai (Milford) Lamentations: Communal Sorrow and Personal Sorrow-Mirror Images - August 3, 2011 (Wednesday) at Temple Beth David (Cheshire) Join us as we explore these texts and use their wisdom and insights to prepare us for the ups and downs of life s path. Each session will run from 7:00-8:30pm. There will be no charge for the sessions, but people are asked to contact Rabbi Sommer ( ext.117) to register or hsommer@jfsnh.org. This course is joint project of Jewish Family Service of New Haven and the Center for Jewish Life and Learning of Jewish Federation/Jewish Community Center of Greater New Haven and is a co-sponsored by each of the host congregations. TBT Cooks! In their annual December cooking, Judith and Charles Barr led a cooking group, including Carol Miller and Leslie Sude, Paul Wang, Clara and Tillie. In January, there were two birthday celebrations. At the beginning of the month, the Brody/Srebnik familes celebrated William Brody s 90 th birthday by cooking together. And towards the end of the month, Wendy and Mark Bluemling and extended family of children and grandchildren cooked as part of Mark s birthday celebration. Mazel Tov to both families! It is a wonderful birthday activity. In February, a group led by Maureen Fried, including the Greenblatts and the Starensiers prepared a meal for the dining room. THANK YOU ALL! In March, the confirmation class is planning to cook a meal together at TBT and take it to the Community Dining Room as part of their class Mitzvah project. March is also time for the NEW COOKS TRAINING FOR THE COMMUNITY DINING ROOM!! Have you seen the notice in the Shofar every month about cooking for the Branford Community Dining Room, but never signed up? Now is your chance! Please join us on Sunday afternoon, March 6 th, from 1:45 about 3:30 for a fun afternoon of cooking and kitchen camaraderie! This session is geared particularly for those families who have never cooked for the Community Dining Room before. Children are welcome. Call Amy Eppler-Epstein, , for more information. For those of you who have cooked before and need a partner or may be new cooks but can t come in March, we can pair up groups. Currently volunteers are still needed for April and beyond! Call Amy, , or Claire, , to sign up.

8 8 SHORELINE WOMEN S SEDER This year, in an effort to connect and bond all Jewish women of the Shoreline, the women of Congregation Beth Shalom Rodfe Zedek (CBSRZ) and Temple Beth Tikvah (TBT) will join together to present A Shoreline Women s Seder - An Intergenerational Pre-Passover Gathering. This unique, spirit lifting event will be held on Sunday, March 27th at 4 pm at CBSRZ, led by Rabbi Rachel Goldenberg and Cantorial Soloist Belinda Brennan. Through the generous assistance of the Women of Vision Society of the Jewish Federation of Greater New Haven, the Seder will be free of charge to members of both synagogues. (Non-members are welcome for a charge of $25 per person.) Reservations are required and must be made by March 20th. Rabbi Goldenberg has described the event as, An opportunity to create connections between generations of women joined by our Shoreline neighbors at TBT to share in the spirit of joy and liberation that defines the Passover season. To develop ritual and prepare for this wonderful gathering, women from both congregations will create our meal. TBT has set aside a day of cooking on Thursday, March 24th (time to be determined). CBSRZ s day of cooking will be on Friday, March 25th at 10 am. Please feel free to join one or both of the groups regardless of membership. If you are unable to attend a cooking session, arrange to prepare a delicious side dish or dessert at home. In addition to meal preparation, CBSRZ member Evelyn Foster has generously opened her home pottery studio on February 23rd to create Seder plates and Miriam cups for the tables. You may also join women from both congregations on the day of the Seder to decorate our sacred space beginning at 10 am, March 27th in the CBGRZ social hall. This year s Shoreline Women s Seder is a new approach to developing meaningful Passover traditions between Jewish women on the Shore. Keep in mind, the full vision requires TBT to host next year s gathering when we will create the visualization. This year, CBSRZ is highlighting the many talents women of both congregations demonstrate through their storytelling, musicianship, flower arranging, artistic ability, designing, and cooking. Please invite your mothers, daughters, other family members and friends of all faith traditions to this occasion. Attendees are asked to bring a family memory, an object of special meaning, a photo of a loved one or a family story or tradition to share with others. If you would like to be a part of the joint synagogue preseder planning, there will be a meeting on Thursday, March 10th at 6 pm at the Ivory Restaurant and Pub in Deep River. Please join us! For more information about joining the planning committee, meal preparation, other pre-seder events, or attending the Seder, please read the invitation inserted into this month s Shofar and/or contact: Jill Lesage at jwlesage@comcast.net or Donna Fedus at donna.fedus@yahoo.com Used Medical Equipment Needed! Do you have an adjustable cane or shower chair in your closet? Charlie s Closet is a clearinghouse for used medical equipment. We accept donations of clean, gently used equipment and provide that equipment to anyone needing it. At the present we are completely out of commodes, adjustable canes and shower chairs. If you have these or any other unused pieces gathering dust at home, we would welcome the donation. We are the red barn in the parking lot of Sachem Hollow Senior housing. Donations can be dropped off anytime. Call for more info. Tired of being snowed in this winter? Can't get out and visit or dine with friends? Can't get a Bridge, Mah Jong or card game? Neither rain, nor snow, nor sleet stops Tower One/ Tower East residents from having the time of their lives! Enjoy exercise classes, art classes, lectures, movies, dining with friends and family; the list is endless! Call NOW for a tour! Tower One/Tower East 18 Tower Lane New Haven, CT

9 9 Post-Pesach Scotch whisky tasting event to be held at the Guilford Jewish Federation office In partnership with Temple Beth Tikvah and the Jewish Federation of Greater New Haven, the Jewish Single Malt Whisky Society ( is coordinating a Scotch whisky tasting event at the Jewish Federation Shoreline office located at Lighthouse Square, 705 Boston Post Rd., Guilford in an office shared with United Way (behind Planet Fitness). On Thursday, May 12 th 2011, at 7PM Joshua Hatton, President and Founder of the JSMWS, is hosting Andy Hogan, Master Brand Ambassador from the Arran Malt Distillery ( Andy will teach up to 40 people about their whiskies. There will up to 7 different whiskies to explore; the majority of which can be described as fruity, floral, honeyed, and salty with a smaller offering of smoky whiskies. A $25 cover charge is requested to participate. Fifty percent of all proceeds will benefit the Laurence B. and Elaine J. Sommer Memorial Fund for Social Justice. This is not a catered event so those attending are requested to bring hors d oeuvres to feed 6-8(dairy, please). For more information or to RSVP to the event, please contact Joshua Hatton directly at: Home: or by jewmaltwhisky@yahoo.com Please RSVP by April 28, Call early, this limited engagement has a maximum seating of 40 people. Mi Shebeirach list update Our Mi Shebeirach list, which is an important way of recognizing and keeping in our prayers those struggling with illness, tends to get longer and longer each month. To prevent keeping people on the list who may not need to be there still, Sandy Walsh will send out a monthly request, through and in the Shofar, for names. After this request goes out, the old list will be discarded and the new will include those names sent to her by e- mail, tbtsandy@sbcglobal.net. You can also contact Sandy by phone at Names will remain on the list for one month unless otherwise specified. BIRTHDAY GREETINGS TO: Abigail Alpert, Sophie Alpert, Adam Coe, Richard Denton, Brendan Fitzgerald, Alana Friedman, Jacob Friedman, Laura Gibson, Andrew Goldfarb, Jordyn Goldstein, Sam Greenberg, Barbara Harding, Evan Hasenfeld, Noah Horton, Noah Indes, David Karas, Ethan Langevin, Josie Lee, Molly LeGrant, Jonah Leventhal, Maya Moleski, Noah Rubin, Rebecca Rubinstein, Julian Schlessel, Kyle Scholnick, Dana Schwartz, Rachel Stahl, Bennett Stanger, Sophia Stanger, Amanda Sterman, Ariel Tortora, Eliana Weinzimer Tree of Life So many joyous events can be commemorated by purchasing a leaf on Temple Beth Tikvah s Tree of Life. What a meaningful way to honor a graduation, a Bar or Bat Mitzvah, a marriage, or an anniversary. Stop for a few moments and read the inscriptions on the Tree of Life in our social hall. Think of how you as an individual, or as part of a group, may honor someone special and in so doing enhance this lovely work of art while contributing to the life and strength of Temple Beth Tikvah. I would like to purchase a leaf stone on the Tree of Life. Please have the inscription read: Enclosed is my check for ($148 leaf; $648 stone)

10 10 THE JEWISH EXPERIENCE ON FILM - RESCHEDULED! The snow and ice defeated our January film schedule, but we haven t given up on The Jewish Experience On Film for 2011! We will show the January films on three consecutive Wednesdays beginning on March 30 th using the Temple s new large-screen projection system. We look forward to screening and discussing these wonderful films with you! Ken and Martha Gamerman community in Mexico. When the patriarch of a large family dies, his relatives, friends, hangers-on, two maids and his mistress come together to mourn his death and celebrate his life. Amid this tumultuous gathering to sit shivah for Moishe, two divine accountants watch over the mourners to calculate which angel will accompany his soul to the afterlife. In Spanish, Yiddish and Hebrew, with English subtitles. 98 Minutes AJAMI Wednesday, March 30, 7:00 p.m. Wine and Cheese Reception One of the five Oscar nominees for this year s best foreign-language film, this Israeli drama takes its name from a rough neighborhood in Jaffa, a mostly Arab city just south of Tel Aviv. Co-written and co-directed by Israeli and Palestinian filmmakers, this compelling drama explores the tensions and fragile friendships between Christians, Muslims and Jews in Israel today. As characters endure loss and suffer violence, this film examines how people can find strength by placing more value upon the individual than upon the ethnic group. In Arabic and Hebrew, with English subtitles. 120 Minutes ARRANGED Wednesday, April 6, 7:00 p.m. Bring A Snack To Share This fresh and funny film is a Brooklyn fable about the parallel destinies of two young women who are rookie public school teachers, one an Orthodox Jew and the other a traditional Muslim. The two become friends when they discover how much they have in common - their sense of womanly modesty; their expectation of an arranged marriage; and the mistrust of friends and family for their new colleague. This low-budget, mainstream American independent film treats religious insularity with a charming and engagingly light touch. In English, Arabic and Hebrew, with English subtitles. 120 Minutes MY MEXICAN SHIVAH Wednesday, April 13, 7:00 p.m. Bring A Snack To Share This sparkling comedy explores the life of the Jewish FEARLESS GORECKI Polish composer Henryk Gorecki transformed unspeakable tragedy into transcendent music with his Symphone No. 3, "Symphony of Sorrowful Songs." Inspired by words scrawled on the wall of a Nazi concentration camp, he changed victims into heroic survivors with his music. The performance will be dedicated to Holocaust survivor Selma Engel and her late husband, Chaim. Also on the program, the world premiere of Augusta Read Thomas's Radiant Circles. Thomas is one of the foremost contemporary American composers and the NHSO is overjoyed to be the first orchestra to perform this impressive new work. March :30 pm Woolsey Hall, New Haven Tickets: $10 - $65 -- students $10 Bring a donation of non-perishable food items to support The Junior League of Greater New Haven's Hunger Awareness Committee and the Connecticut Food Bank. FOR TICKETS Call , Ext. 10 NewHavenSymphony.org

11 C O N T R I B U T I O N S O N E G S H A B B A T 11 RABBI S DISCRETIONARY FUND by Bobbie Bernstein in honor of Rabbi Kogan We wish to thank the following members for sponsoring an Oneg Shabbat during February: GENERAL FUND by Jacky and Richard Cohen in memory of Milton Bernblum, husband of Sondra Bernblum LAURENCE B. & ELAINE J. SOMMER MEMORIAL FUND FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE by Marilyn Rittner in appreciation of Sandy Walsh by Diane and Elliot Sachs in memory of Milton Bernblum, husband of Sondra Bernblum by Richard and Emily Scholnick in memory of Samuel Scholnick, loving father and grandfather by the Social Justice Committee Tzedakah Box by Sid and Ina Berson in memory of Ina s mother, Celia Milavsky, and her grandmother, Ann Beizer by Sandy and Dick Whelan in memory of Sandy s parents, Ida and Bill Goldberg ENDOWMENT FUND by Roberta and Larry Harris in memory of Elizabeth Harris by Janice and Kent Lee in memory of their dear friend, Richard B. Cramer by Roberta and Larry Harris in memory of Harold Harris by Ed and Laury Walker and family in memory of George Walker by Edward and Gloria Sack in loving memory of Rena F. Sack THE HELEN KATZ GOODKIND BEAUTIFICATION FUND by Helen, Marcy, Sandy and Lizzi Winokur in memory of Arnold Winokur by Roberta and Larry Harris in memory of Gladys Welsch THE RICHARD C. KAHRIMANIS MUSIC FUND by Sally Cohen in memory of Minnie Cohen, mother of Mike Cohen PRAYERBOOK FUND by Linda and Kenneth Chipkin in memory of Linda s beloved father, Benjamin Bernstein THE YOUTH SCHOLARSHIP FUND bv Susan Fox Hallenbeck in memory of Howard M. Fox THE ISRAEL & MARY TICOTSKY EDUCATION ENRICHMENT FUND by Marcia Geringer in memory of Sidney B. Geringer THE CEMETERY FUND by Sally Cohen in memory of Esther Gilman, mother of Sally Cohen Feb. 4 Feb. 11 Feb. 18 by the TBT Choir in memory of Debbie Friedman, singer and songwriter who inspired a generation of creativity in Jewish music by parents of religious school students in Grades K-2 by Wendy Bluemling in honor of the many dedicated and hard working members of the Temple Board of Directors Congratulations to Ronni and Steve Berman on the birth of their grandson, Nathan Michael Berman, January 29, 2011 Stop & Shop and Big Y cards available in the Temple office, Gift Shop or contact Barbara Agranov ; ddagranov@snet.net

12 12 T E M P L E B E T H T I K V A H SHOFAR P. O. Box 1269, Durham Road, Madison, CT Rabbi President Editor Associate Editor Claudio J. Kogan Wendy Bluemling Julie Fraenkel Sandy Walsh M A R C H 2011 Our Advertisers Pay the Bill Please Patronize Them If You Will To place your ad, please call the Temple office at