CONGREGATION P’NAI TIKVAH (Formerly Valley Outreach Synagogue) Kol Kiruv September 2013 Elul/Tishrei Vol. 20—No. 4 Table of Contents Cover Page Rabbi’s Message Cantor’s Notes President’s Message Women’s Rosh Chodesh Jewlicious Learning Decide to Forgive MiShebeirach Women’s Retreat Challah Baking at the Rabbi’s Security Briefing Report Apricot-Raisin Apple Recipe Updates & Fundraising Mitzvah Envelopes Birthdays & Anniversaries Kidz Korner High Holiday Services Flyer Yahrzeits Kever Dorot Memorial Services CPT Bookworms 5774 Grandma Sadie Getting Married Calendar at a Glance Clergy and Staff Rabbi: Yocheved Mintz Cantor: Marla Goldberg Accompanist: Timothy Cooper Newsletter: D’vorah Turrentine, Educator: Rabbi Mintz Bookkeeper: Lynn Pisetzner Office Administrator: ‘D’vorah Turrentine [email protected]www.pnaitikvahlv.com CPT on the Web: www.pnaitikvahlv.org Social Network with CPT: www.facebook.com/ pnaitikvahlv www.twitter.com/ pnaitikvahlv 1 MAY YOU BE INSCRIBED AND SEALED FOR A GOOD YEAR — 5774 The Yamim HaNoraim, the Days of Awe, are upon us, and a new Jewish year is dawning, filled with promise and possibil- ities. If you haven’t already done so, please go online at www.pnaitikvahlv.org tor call the office, 702-436-4900, to re- quest tickets for services in the Houston Room of the Texas Station: Erev Rosh HaShanah, Wednesday, Sept 4 , 7 p.m. Rosh HaShanah, Thursday, Sept 5, 10 a.m. Erev Yom Kippur, Friday, Sept 13, 7 p.m. Yom Kippur, Saturday, Sept 14, 10 a.m. (all day) (Dr. Gard Jameson and Dr. Mark Baxter will speak on “Spirituality in HealthCare” during the afternoon ‘break’) Do let the office know if you will be joining us at the Buffet for Rosh HaShanah and Break-the-Fast, Yom Kippur night. Tashlich and an al fresco Kabbalat Shabbat and picnic will be held at the lake at Sunset Park, on Friday, September 6 at 5 p.m. Bring bread crumbs ...and, if you have one—-a shofar! 1 2-3 4 5 6 6 7 7 8-10 11 12 12 13 13 14 14 15 16 16 17 18-19 20 Congregation P’nai Tikvah will worship on Shabbat, September 20th at Kraft-Sussman Chapel, in the Bank of Nevada Business Park at 3975 S. Durango, Suite 104, in Las Vegas. Kabbalat Shabbat and Maariv services will begin at 7:30 PM. Torah Study will take place at 10:00 AM on September 21st at Rabbi Mintz’s home. A bagels and lox brunch is served. Please RSVP by call- ing the administrative office at (702) 436-4900 or by emailing [email protected].
Congregation P'nai Tikvah - Rekindling the Jewish Spirit. Congregation P'nai Tikvah is the only Reconstructionist/Renewal synagogue in Nevada. The community's mission is to "Rekindle the Jewish Spirit" through meaningful spiritual and educational Jewish programming to the Las Vegas Valley through Torah (learning), Tefillah (prayer), Tzedakah (charity), and Kehillah (community). Serving the Jewish Community of Henderson, Green Valley, and greater Las Vegas, Congregation P'nai Tikvah is a joyful warm, welcoming spiritual home for all who are seeking a meaningful Jewish life, blending creativity and innovation with tradition.
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Shimon (the son of Rabban Gamliel) says: “It is not what one says but rather what one does that makes all the difference in the world-- (Pirkei Avot ). Between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, Judaism sets aside a period of reflection when we as indi-viduals can ask ourselves what can I do to make a difference in the coming year? Your leadership team, Rabbi Mintz, Cantor Goldberg and your Board of Directors, and our many vol-unteers, has spent many hours asking the same question: What can we do to make a difference in the coming year? The answer is that the WE that is needed to make a difference is a much larger “we” than just the leadership team…it is the greater team that is the Congregation P’nai Tikvah community in total. WE CAN’T MAKE A DIFFERENCE WITHOUT YOU, OUR MEMBERSHIP. It starts with renewing our memberships, our commitments and our pledges to our synagogue---all of us. The funds that we re-ceive from our pledges serve as our investment in our Congregation. They allow us to continue to provide the spiritual and religious nourishment that makes a difference in the quality of our life. Our Kol Nidrei pledges and our contributions to the Book of Remembrance are not only mitzvahs for those whose memories we want to honor but are mitzvahs in securing the future of our shul. We need each other to spread the word as to why we are members of P’nai Tikvah to other individu-als and families whom we know are searching or maybe searching for a new spiritual home. Invite them to join us at Shabbat services, Torah, High Holidays and the many other religious and social events that we sponsor during the course of the year. We need volunteers. Shabbat services, the High Holiday services require hours of volunteer work, as well as Chanukah, or Purim or Passover, etc. We will soon be in full gear promoting our major fund raiser of Grandma Sadie and her upcoming wedding. We will need volunteers to help us from work-ing the reception desk, helping to obtain ads for our wedding program. Together, hand in hand, we can make a difference. May this coming year be one of good health for you and your family. L’Shana Tovah Tikateivu! Barbara Holland President of the CPT Board
For details regarding current CPT fundraisers or suggestions for future fundraising opportunities, please contact Dale Gardner [email protected]
you can think of helps the congregation’s sustaina-
bility and funds future
Jewlicious Learners
Classes for the Fall will take
place on Monday afternoons at the Rab-
bi’s home, from 4:15 to 6:00, beginning
August 26 and continuing Sept 9, 16,23,
and 30; October 6, 21, 28,; November
4, 18, and 25; December 2, 9, and 16;
January 6, 13, and 27; February 3, 10,
and 24; March 3, 10, 17, 24, 31; April 7,
and 28; May 5, 12,19 and June 2. Regis-
tration continues to be open, but clas-
ses have begun.
We are looking forward to a great year
of learning and growing. Older students
will be completing “Likro u-L’vareich,”
which younger students will be begin-
ning. Our Gan will be doing reading
readiness. Older students will be learn-
ing cursive and conversational Hebrew,
and will be delving into the prayer cur-
riculum and Jewish values. Younger stu-
dents will be exploring the holidays and
learning Hebrew print. The entire
group will be continuing to learn through
experiential programming and discovery
methodology.
If you know of youngsters who are in
need of Jewish education, please call
the office.
DECIDE TO FORGIVE
Decide to forgive
For resentment is negative
Resentment s poisonous
Resentment diminishes and devolurs the self
Be the first to forgive, to smile and to take the first step
And you will see happiness bloom
On the face of your human brother or sister.
Be always the first
Do not wait for others to forgive
For by forgiving you become the master of fate
The fashioner of life
A doer of miracles
To forgive is the highest,
Most beautiful form of love.
In return you will receive
Untold peace and happiness
And here is the program for
Achieving a truly forgiving heart
SUNDAY: Forgive yourself
MONDAY: Forgive your family
TUESDAY: Forgive your friends and associates
WEDNESDAY: Forgive across economic lines within your own nation
THURSDAY: Forgive across cultural lines with your own nation
FRIDAY: Forgive across political lines with your own na-tion
SATURDAY: Forgive other nations
Only the brave know how to forgive, a coward never for-gives
It is not in his nature
Submitted by Phyllis Zuckerman
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Mi Shebeirach/”Get Well” Wishes to…
Marie Ackerman Marjorie Lieberman D’vorah Turrentine Edith Rome Gary Paykel Elliot Bender Paul Bodner Olivia Bender Gittel bat Libba Heika Libba Heika bat Sima Wendy Linker Maya Granat Rabbi Rob Bonem Edward Rueben Patti Lade Wendy Linker Tony Reed Ginger Odom Rabbi Bob Freedman Phyllis Zuckerman Rabbi Stephen Robbins Craig Goodrich Connie Rivshun Gavriella bat Yisraella v’Yosef Bonnie Epstein Dina Bat Sara Danny Lev Rosabelle Mintz David White Bud Corson Esther Schwartz Richard Wulff Ann Brandt Aaron Shopnick Marilyn Kapel Karl Reynolds Peter Hernandez Lou & Sonny Mayron Madeline Plonsker Rabbi Dr. Byron Sherwin Kayle Julianno Scott & Rachel Dykstra Jonathan Schwartz Beverly Wiegert Dotti Elgart Jan Orenstein
Continued on page 9
Women’s Retreat – July 25-28, 2013
--Submitted by Nancey (Naftala) Kasse
"Making Trouble: The Role of Women in the Shifting Paradigm of Contemporary Judaism”---
Thirteen words that were the key to a doorway to a Shabbaton in Park City, Utah.
The sun was shining as we arrived in Salt Lake City: Caren Epstein, Annie Goodrich (and her
trusty dog, Levi), Nancey Kasse, Jane Kusel, Ellen Royer, and Rose Shapiro, off on an adventure.
Some of us hardly recognized the others as fellow CPT members, but that soon melted away as the
bonding began. We were picked up from the airport by our one and only Reb Yo! (aka Rabbi
Yocheved Mintz). As the drive started, the study commenced. The first question was, “Think of
three Jewish women that have influenced your lives”…and from there the sharing flowed. We
drove through Salt Lake City as we made aliyah (you know, up the mountain). We stopped in
Park City, had a tasty lunch in a small diner, encompassed by the ambiance of the silver mining/
ski resort town. Beauty shone in the architecture and the bustling of shopkeeps and shoppers.
Brick and wood buildings stood side by side, with little sitting areas to be found in the nooks and
crannies of the mountain town. Art galleries, bookstores, people from many countries, candy
stores and each other exchanged stories, getting to know each other.
After our acclimating to the higher elevation, we moved forward on our aliyah to the place where
we would share meals and dream dream—Deer Valley (a misnomer, as it brought us even higher,
to 9000 foot altitude). A couple of turns, as the terrain changed to trees, and grass, we could just
see sky above the mountain tops. A couple of landmarks, to include a defunct silver mine and we
were at Little Belle, number #18 (did you think it would be any other number?)
Kissing the rainbow glass mezuzah, walking through the door into the abode where we would be
sleeping and storing our assorted belongings for the weekend, we continued to ascend; from floor
to floor we circled each area, becoming aware of our surroundings.
Like a spiral, we would draw together as a circle on many occasions throughout the Shabbaton.
To sit in a circle as we studied about women, each of us facing each other, to sit in a circle around
the table as we ate and praised G!d for our meals and to sit in a circle as we davenned Shacharit.
We came from different backgrounds, rich and delicious with tradition, which we shared at each
turn. Reb Yo, guiding and mentoring us on the trail we were walking together, to learn more
about the Shifting Paradigm of Female Empowerment into the future and about the integration of
tradition into a modern understanding. Reb Yo, had much for us to learn, many prompts to bring
out hidden treasures inside of us.
And food. Did I mention the food yet? Fruit, veggies omelets, cinnamon mini-bagels, couscous,
cashews, Oreo’s, juice, grapes, bananas, melon, pineapple…I am sure I am forgetting something,
but it was all delicious!
8
We swam in a pool perched in the woods, surrounded by flowers and trees, an observing dor,
and white puffy clouds, the temperature just right in or out of the pool. We had a light rain as
we stood on the mountain top on Shabbat and studied Torah and davenned Shacharit with a sid-
dur prepared by Reb Yo. We did Alef-Bet Yoga each morning to stretch our bodies, once again
in a circle with each other.
One night we did a play, The Women’s Minyan, by Naomi Ragen--- each of us taking on at least
one role, going through the challenges of Charedi women in Meah She’arim, an ultra-Orthodox
section of Jerusalem. It was a stimulating play that prompted stimulating conversation. One
night we watched a documentary about famous Jewish women in show business, like Molly
Picon, Sophie Tucker, and others. We also read about different Jewish women who changed
the world, like Golda Meir and Barbara Streisand, Susan Sontag and Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Do-
na Gracia Nasi and Estee Lauder; and discussed how other Jewish women have made their
mark, how much work remains to be done, and where we each could make a difference. We
had some hilarious Scrabble and Boggle games, too, and had to deal with an inability to go on-
line for four days (although some of us did go up to Stein Ericksen’s Lodge to use their wi-fi).
As we sat together on the last morning, it was apparent that we had all been touched by one an-
other, the women of our tradition, and Reb Yo’s teachings.
The next time you see an invitation to attend an event that Reb Yo is putting on, sign up! You
will be glad you did!
And one more thing, we learned this, the shortest birkat ha-mazon /grace after meals:
B'rich rahamana malka d'alma mareih d'hahy pita
Sweet!
9
Happy New Year
Department
Women’s Retreat "Making Trouble: The Role of Women in the Shifting Paradigm of Contemporary Judaism”---
10
“CHALLAHDAY” BAKING with RABBI MINTZ
11
Board President, Barbara Holland, Participates in Security Briefing
More than two dozen Jewish community organizations participated in the annual Community Security
Briefing sponsored by our Jewish Federation in cooperation with ADL. Audrey Plotkin, Chair of the
Crisis & Emergency Management Committee of the Jewish Federation chaired the meeting at which
Jason Periard, Director of Community Security for the Jewish Federation of Los Angeles, was the key-
note speaker. Congregation P’nai Tikvah was represented by Board President, Barbara Holland. Also
attending was CPT member Wendy Kraft, co-owner of Kraft-Sussman, our gracious venue hosts.
Representatives from Las Vegas Metropolitan Police, Henderson Police and the FBI were also present
and offered recommendations as to how Jewish organizations can insure the safety and security of
their facilities.
Apricot-Raisin Baked Apples
6 large Rome Beauty or Granny Smith apples (about 3 pounds)
1 cup apricot jam
2/3 cup raisins
1/4 cup sugar
Ground cinnamon
2 tables butter
1/2 cup water
1. Core apples, peel bottom third of each apple at blossom end
2. Place apples in buttered 9-by-13-inch baking dish, blossom (peeled) ends up. Mix half the apricot jam with the raisins
and fill the cored opening in each apple with the mixture. Sprinkle apples with sugar and cinnamon. Place pat of but-
ter on each apple. Combine remaining jam with water; pour into bottom of baking dish.
3. Bake apples at 350 degrees on middle rack about 45 minutes, basting often, until tender and well browned. If apples
are tender but have not colored sufficiently, place under broiler about 30 seconds. Place pan on rack to cool slightly.
Serve apples warm or at room temperature with some of the juices spooned over each apple. Make 6 servings.
Nick Malgieri is the author of “Chocolate,” HarperCollins; 1998
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UPDATES and
Fundraising Opportunities
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On’gai Shabbat— Time to Sign up!
We still have a few openings left for those of you who want to celebrate a simcha or commemorate the memory of a loved one by sponsoring an Oneg Shabbat. And for you foodies who want to get your Bobby Flay or Gordon Ramsey on, there’s still time! Check the schedule below; an opening is your opportunity:
September 20 Sponsor & Caterer Needed
October 4 Sponsor & Caterer Needed
October 18 Sponsor & Caterer Needed
November 1 Sponsor & Caterer Needed
November 15 Sponsor Needed
Caterer - Barbara & Andy Holland
December 6 Sponsor– Scott Linker
Caterer Needed
December 20 Sponsor & Caterer Needed
Note URL for Congregation P’nai Tikvah , As well as Facebook and Twitter Addresses
Make our web address, www.pnaitikvahlv.org , a favorite! Social networking with our shul is easier than ever! “Like” us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/pnaitikvahlv and follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/pnaitikvahlv .
Thanks to Cindy Fox, Jon Axelrod, and Danielle Holland—CPT’s social network mavens—for keeping us current!! Anyone else wish to volunteer? Just call 436-4900 to be our new maven!
If you refer someone to a car dealership, on behalf of CPT,
we can receive a referral fee. This is a wonderful and easy
way to do a mitz- vah for
CPT . More in- formation
contact Doris 869 -2700.
Mitzvah Envelopes Harriet & Jules Schreider -In memory of Seymour Cohen Jennifer Cohen -In gratitude for studying with Rabbi Mintz as my teacher Barbara Holland Annie Goodrich -In memory of Joseph Lowther David Aris -Rabbi's Discretionary Fund
Philip & Ellen Weinblatt -Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund
Ann Brandt -In deep appreciation for Rabbi Mintz prayers & hospi-tal visits
Jane Kusel -In loving memory of Davida Lewin Schermer
Luis & Rose Dominguez -In memory of Davida Lewin Schermer
D’vorah & Palmie Turrentine -In memory of Davida Lewin Schermer
Rabbi Yocheved Mintz -In memory of Davida Lewin Schermer and Harold Sussman
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Happy September
Birthday!!
KIDZ KORNER for September
HAPPY SEPTEMBER BIRTHDAYS
Danny Royer David Clark Ethan Deal Jackie Ackerman Don Ortega Andy Holland Anne Ullman Emma Kraft
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY
De'Anne Ernst & Don Ortega September 10
B’RUCHIM HaBAIM / WELCOME TO
NEW MEMBERS
Welcome to Edward & Mary Benstock Patsy Kart
Stanley & Sondra Rose Sol & Adrianne Rubin
September 4 September 6 September 7 September 11 September 12 September 20 September 25 September 30
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Memorial plaques are available for your consideration,
To honor the departed,
To inspire the living.
To be remembered in the hearts of those we leave
behind is,
In a sense, to live forever.
For further information, call the Synagogue office at
702-436-4900
Mitzvah donations also appreciated
YAHRZEITS
FOR SEPTEMBER
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*Davida Lewin-Schermer -Remembered by the CPT Congregation
*Harold “Suss” Sussman -Remembered by Laura Sussman & Wendy Kraft
Abraham Ancman -Remembered by the Ancman Family Jeffrey Bernstein -Remembered by Harriet Bernstein Gabriel Eugene Blechman -Remembered by Maxine Blechman Irving Malerman -Remembered by Cindy Fox Bell Berland Mogliner -Remembered by Maxine Blechman
Tillie Rauch -Remembered by Gloria Granat Rabbi Richard Schachet -Remembered by CPT Congregation
Remembering Friends and Family: If you know of someone who can use a little cheer in their life because of illness or a death in their family-or a simcha -mazel tov celebration; the "Sunshine La-dy” Phyllis Zuckerman would like to send a card. Please contact her at:(702)
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P’nai Tikvah Bookworms 5774
THE PARTICULARS WHO: All members of our Congregation P’nai Tikvah community
September 4 Erev Rosh HaShanah—Texas Station 7:00pm
September 5 Rosh HaShanah—Texas Station 10:00am
September 6 Tashlich & Kabbalat Shabbat. Sunset Park Lake
September 8 Kever Dorot-Various Jewish Cemeteries
September 9 Jewlicious Learning 4:15pm
September 9 Simchat Chochmah 7:00pm
September 13 Erev Yom Kippur—Texas Station 7pm
September 14 Yom Kippur—(all day) Texas Station
September 16 Jewlicious Learning 4:15pm
September 16 Simchat Chochmah 7:00pm
September 20 Kabbalat Shabbat and Maariv Services 7:30pm at Kraft Sussman Chapel
September 21 Torah Study at Rabbi Mintz Home
September 23 Jewlicious Learning 4:15pm
September 23 Simchat Chochmah 7:00pm
September 29 Women’s Rosh Chodesh 7:00pm—Location TBA
September 30 Jewlicious Learning 4:15pm
September 30 Simchat Chochmah 7:00 pm
October 3 CPT Board Meeting at Sam Lieberman’s apartment
Blessing for the Month of Tishri In this year of new beginnings, may we all be blessed with the ability to
apologize and to offer forgiveness; with the determination to make the
course corrections in our lives to fulfill our divine potential; with a year
of health and good fortune, friendship and love, security and safety, and
peace. Amen
Kol Kiruv, the newsletter of Congregation P’nai Tikvah, is available on-line at www.pnaitikvahlv.org at no cost. If mailed, hard copy delivery is $36 annually. Please notify us and remit payment .