Vol. 30 no. 12 December 2017 Kislev/Tevet 5778 THIS MONTH Friday, December 1 @ 6pm Shabbat Dinner followed @ 7pm by Family Service Sunday, December 10 @ 10am Journey Through the Bible Returns Thurs, December 14 @ 12pm Lunch and Learn with the Rabbi Fri, December 15 @ 7:30pm Hanukkah Shabbat (bring your favorite menorah to light) Sat, December 16 @ 10am Tot Shabbat with Cantor Steve and Rabbi Rick, followed @10:30am by Monthly Minyan Fri, December 29 @ 5:30pm Oneg, followed @ 6pm by Kabbalat Shabbat Service WISHING YOU HAPPY HANUKKAH!
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December 2017 Scribe · 2015-12-01 · Vol. 30 no. 12 December 2017 Kislev/Tevet 5778 THIS MONTH Friday, December 1 @ 6pm Shabbat Dinner followed @ 7pm by Family Service Sunday, December
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Vol. 30 no. 12 December 2017 Kislev/Tevet 5778
THIS MONTH
Friday, December 1 @ 6pm
Shabbat Dinner followed @
7pm by Family Service
Sunday, December 10 @ 10am
Journey Through the
Bible Returns
Thurs, December 14 @ 12pm
Lunch and Learn with the Rabbi
Fri, December 15 @ 7:30pm
Hanukkah Shabbat (bring your
favorite menorah to light)
Sat, December 16 @ 10am
Tot Shabbat with Cantor Steve
and Rabbi Rick, followed
@10:30am by Monthly Minyan
Fri, December 29 @ 5:30pm
Oneg, followed @ 6pm by
Kabbalat Shabbat Service
WISHING YOU
HAPPY HANUKKAH!
T E M P L E S I N A I
O F G L E N D A L E1212. N. Pacif ic Avenue
Glendale, CA 91202-1697
www.temple-sinai.net
Tel 818.246.8101
Fax 818.246.9372
Rabbi Rick Schechter
Cantor Steve Hummel
President Michael Simon
TORAH READINGS
Have Something for
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LIBRARY HOURSThe Freedman Library is open after services on Fridays from 9:00 to 10:00 p.m. and Sunday mornings when there is Religious School.
Everyone is encouraged to use the library and check out a book
Date Time Parashah Torah Haf tarah
December 1 (Kislev 13) 4:25 Vayishlach Gen. 32:4-36:43 Hosea 11:7-12:12
December 8 (Kislev 20) 4:25 Vayeishev Gen. 37:1-40:23 Amos 2:6-3:8
December 15 (Kislev 27) 4:27 Mikeitz Gen. 41:1-44:17 Zechariah 4:1-7
December 22 (Tevet 4) 4:30 Vayigash Gen. 44:18-47:27 Ezekiel 37:15-28
December 29 (Tevet 11) 4:35 Va-y?chi Gen. 47:28-50:26 I Kings 2:1-12
Our Love Af fair with Hanukkah
by Rabbi Rick Schechter
The Rabbi?s Reflections
As winter descends upon Southern California this month, the air is colder and the nights are longer. The festival of Hanukkah emerges to warm us from the cold and light up the dark nights.
Some people lament that the celebration of Hanukkah in American culture has become too much like Christmas? overblown, materialistic, and overly commercialized. No doubt there is a good deal of truth to this claim. We may speculate as to whether Hanukkah would be such a popular holiday in American Jewish culture were it not for its proximity to and occasional competit ion with Christmas.
The last t ime the American Jewish community was asked (in the 2000-2001 National Jewish Population Survey), 72 percent of U.S. Jewish households lit Hanukkah candles. The more recent 2013 Pew Research Center Survey of American Jews did not ask about Hanukkah observance, but did f ind that slightly fewer Jews (70 percent) now participate in a Passover seder. Clearly we American Jews love Hanukkah. And I do not think it is merely because we are trying to compete with Christmas.
Our attraction to Hanukkah, I believe, comes from two powerful places. First and foremost, it is the home. Hanukkah is a family celebration? like Passover? that mainly takes place in our homes (as well as our spiritual home of Temple Sinai). Home is where the
candles of the menorah are customarily l it and displayed. Home is usually where the latkes are cooked and eaten. Home is where Hanukkah gelt, chocolates, or gif ts are most l ikely given. The celebration of Hanukkah is rooted in family space and family love. Parents and children, family and friends come together in the comfort of home to celebrate.
The other main source of Hanukkah?s tremendous appeal to us is, I believe, found in the holiday?s central symbol: Light. Our winter Jewish holiday asks us to kindle light at the darkest t ime of the year, and to feel the warmth of f lame at the start of the coldest season of the year. Light to dispel the darkness. Heat to dispel the cold. Human beings, young and old, yearn for this l ight and warmth on the deepest of levels. Hanukkah voices and satisf ies our yearning.
Home and hearth. Light and love. Warmth and family and friends. Hanukkah il lumines it all.
April, Evan, and Nina join me in wishing you and your family a happy Hanukkah and a joyous season.
Chag Hanukkah Sameach,
SisterhoodMatters
by Ruth Lambert
Shalom! Did you have a nice Thanksgiving? Did you eat/drink/ laugh too much? I hope that you all had a lot to be thankful for this year ? I know that I did.
So, December ? how on earth did that happen? It feels like the year has just f lown by and now it?s time to make latkes, buy gelt and gif ts and get ready for 2018.
Sisterhood has (as always) a lot going on for the end of the year. Our latke mix and gelt necklace fundraisers and Hanukkah party are right around the corner. Please take a moment to look at the latke mix order form and the Hanukkah Party f lyer (both are in the Scribe) and RSVP asap ? our Hanukkah parties are legendary. A quick explanation about the gelt necklaces ? we make them to honor our late teacher and friend Cathy Ryne. Cathy made gelt necklaces for her religious school kids for the 2 years that she taught at TSG. We continue that tradition in her honor and we donate 10% of our prof its to the Neuro-Cancer Center at UCLA where Cathy was treated. The rest goes to Campership which Cathy loved. So, buy a gelt necklace ? you?ll be glad that you did!
Don?t forget to go to the TSG gif t shop for anything you might need for the holiday ? the gif t shop has lovely and thoughtful gif ts for anyone on your list, not to mention menorahs, candles, dreidels, etc. Stop by, say hi to Suzy and shop!!
I want to thank everyone who reached out to me about the physical destruction of URJ Camp Newman. Your thoughtfulness and kindness were overwhelming. Quick update: thanks to the Jewish Federation, the Union of Reform Judaism and the hard work of the Camp Newman folks, next summer?s camp will be held at Cal State Marit ime in Vallejo, CA. Needless to say, that news lif ted the hearts of the 1500 kids who love their camp, not to mention the parents of those kids who were wondering what on earth to do with their kids next summer!! If you?d like to give to the camp reconstruction fund, please go to:
ht tps:/ / campnewman.org/newmanstrong
The Sisterhood Board wishes you the happiest of holiday seasons with the brightest candles, the best spin of the dreidel, and the most delicious latkes! We wish you a happy and healthy New Year. See you in January!!
Maja Primorac and Pavel Lerner are delighted to announce the arrival of Kyle Lerner on October 3.
Mazel Tov to the entire family!
January Shabbat Dinner
Family NightShabbat Dinner
Fr iday, January 5, 2018 at 6:00 pmin t he Tem ple Social Hall
RESERVATION WILL NOT BE ACCEPTEDAFTER WEDNESDAY JANUARY 3, 2018
Make reservat ions on the Temple website Temple-Sinai.net or cal l ingLorna Simon at (818) 357-0174
Adults ______ x $ 12.00 = $ _________Children (12 and under) ______ x $ 7.00 = $ _________Total Due = $ _________
Checks should be made payable to Temple Sinai Sisterhood. To allow us to plan for the correct number of people, you must make your reservation by the date shown above, although you my pay at the door. If you have questions, call the Temple off ice at (818) 246-8101.
If you make reservations but are not able to attend, it is still your responsibility to pay. We appreciate everyone's cooperation.
Temple Sinai Solar PanelsOur 125 solar panels came online in February 2012, and have produced an average of 43% of our power for the past f ive years; that adds up to almost 250,000 kWh, saving us money and reducing CO2 and other pollutants. A mitzvah for the earth.
Along with our other power-saving efforts, such as LED lighting in the social hall, and smart thermostats, we?re doing a great deal to help our environment, our health and our planet.
We have about a year and a half remaining on our solar panel lease, and then they are all ours! I encourage you when you make a donation to the temple, to consider contributing to the Energy Eff iciency Fund, which will help to make the f inal payment on our solar panels.
Foods
Oatmeal, Dry Pasta. Rice
Dry Milk, Cooking Oil, Juice
Canned Meat, Canned Fish
Canned Soup, Tomato Sauce
Canned Fruit, Canned Vegetables
Peanut butter, Whole Grain Cereal
(no glass containers, please)
Personal Care
Diapers,
Soap
Razors
Toothpaste
Toothbrushes
Annual SOVA Hanukkah Food DriveWhere: Bring Donat ions on rel igious school days, Shabbat or Hanukkah Dinner
When: Month of December
The JFS { SOVA Com m unit y Food and Resource Program responds to hunger and poverty in our community by providing individuals and families with the resources they need to regain self-sufficiency and independence including free groceries, case management, counseling, legal and job assistance and other supportive services.
On the f irst Sunday in November Beth Fabinsky organized her husband Rob Thompson, kids Ben and Leila Thompsky and her friend Susan Spence to cook and serve dinner at the Ascencia shelter in Glendale. They served teriyaki chicken wings, soba noodles, pea pod and mushroom stir-fry and butter cookies for dessert.
Temple Sinai has committed to providing guest chefs for Ascencia dinners on the f irst Sunday of every month. If you?d like to participate in this wonderful and much appreciated mitzvah, please contact Jan Freed [email protected] and he can tell you how it works!
Red Cross Tracing Service Helps Holocaust Survivors Find Loved OnesThe Red Cross provides a free service that helps people research what happened to their family or friends whom they knew prior to or during the Holocaust. This service is part of our Restoring Family Links program.
We have successfully researched the fate of over 45,000 individuals since World War II. We have secured documentation regarding proof of forced labor, forced evacuation from former Soviet territories, and internment in concentration camps, which, of course, is required for submitting restitution claims. In various cases, our service has revealed that missing persons have actually survived the war. In fact, more than 1,600 people separated from loved ones due to the Holocaust have been located and reunited with our clients after years of searching. In more than 16,000 cases, our clients have received confirmation that their relatives were deported or did not survive the war; and, yet, even when our clients receive tragic news, they are stil l grateful to learn new information.
For information, please contact:
Bob Rich
Red Cross Restoring Family Links/Holocaust Tracing
Last Mont h's Jew ish Book Fest ival was a great success! Seen here: Pat Sm it h, our coordinat or , w it h Rabbi Naom i Levy, who spoke eloquent ly about her new book , Einstein and the Rabbi, and Debby Singer f rom t he Jew ish Federat ion's PJ Library Program .
Glendale Temple Youth
Glendale Temple Youth is Temple Sinai?s youth program for grades K-12. This year, we have worked to expand our model to include not just high school and middle school students, but grades K-5 as well. There are two primary values that GTY is focused on. Our events tap into what educators call a ?social curriculum,? or the development of relationships and emotional intell igence. In addition, Jewish youth groups can be imperative in the formation of a child's Jewish identity - just as much as camp or a bar/bat mitzvah can be. Here is a list of reasons why you should encourage your child to join GTY:
1. Kids should hang out at temple outside of school hours and services.Though services and religious school have their moments, they are not always about FUN. School t ime is structured around lessons and schedules and t'filah. When we encourage our kid to hang out at temple, Temple Sinai can begin to feel l ike a home away from home. And that?s a good thing. Youth group events give kids the opportunity to be in temple without the pressure to perform or ?be on.?
2. Kids should have the opportunity to share meaningful Jewish experiences with other Jewish kids. It sounds simple, but it?s true. Jewish youth group is a way to make sure your child is spending time with other Jewish kids. This helps to root your child?s Jewish identity with positive and meaningful relationships. Which leads me to...
3. Jewish Youth Group st rengthens our community and camaraderie. A child's Jewish community becomes their extended family, which in turn becomes our community. Lasting relationships, mutual support and shared experiences bring kids together at temple. Your child can and will develop friendships that will stay with them past college when they become adults.
4. The Youth Group and Temple become a safe space for dif f icul t conversat ions and the chal lenges of growing up.The youth advisor or director can be another set of eyes and ears on your child and may even be someone your child is more comfortable talking to. If your kid is in trouble, and they don?t want to talk to you (their parent) about it, who do you want them to talk to?
Why Youth Group?
Glendale Temple Youth
There are many more wonderful reasons why youth group is important. I have just reviewed some of the my top reasons for why youth group is an important part of your child?s Jewish upbringing. Please check out our upcoming events for all ages!
GTY K-1
Saturday, February 11, 11am - 1pm
GTY 2-3
Saturday, March 17, 11am - 1pm
GTY 4-5
March 24, 11am-1pm
Jr. GTY (6th-8th Grade)
December 9th, Hanukkah Escape Room
GTY (9th-12th Grade)
January 27th, Dave and Busters in Hollywood
Glendale Temple Youth is Temple Sinai?s youth program for grades K-12. Our goal is to bring quality, fun, and inclusive programming for all Jewish youth. Youth Groups are divided by grade to allow for age appropriate and specif ic programming outside of Religious School and services.
SOVA col lect ionOur appeal this year resulted in $1,815 for HIAS and $815 for the SFV Refugee Children Center. Thanks to those individuals and families who donated to these worthy organizations.
SOVA has let us know that the f inal amount of food and other items we collected on Yom Kippur was 1,658 pounds! Thanks to everyone who participated in this mitzvah!
Tzedakah Fair 2017The religious school kids had a great t ime learning about the organizations that were represented at our Tzedakah Fair early in November. They returned to their classrooms and voted for the ones that ?spoke? to them the most:
- Kindergarten: Pasadena Humane Society & Family Promise
- Grade 1: Teranga Ranch & Habitat for Humanity
- Grade 2: Teranga Ranch
- Grade 3: Pasadena Humane Society, Doctors without Borders, Jewish World Watch & Friends of the LA River
- Grade 4: Habitat for Humanity & Beagle Freedom Project
Chasing PortraitsA Great Granddaughter?s Quest for Her Lost Art Legacy
by Elizabeth Rynecki
Elizabeth spends a large period of her life searching for her great-grandfather?s works of art lost during the chaos that was WW II. His work on canvas represented the everyday life of many in the Jewish community of Poland. Before being taken to a concentration camp he gave his life?s work to friends. Elizabeth?s search leads her through several generations of her family and through the loss they incurred.
Did You Know?Anyone can help to sponsor our regular Friday night Oneg Shabbats. It?s a great way to honor a loved one?s yahrzeit or celebrate a special family occasion. You can also participate by contributing food for the table or by volunteering your time to help set-up, serve, and/or clean up. For more information, please contact:
Flo Cohen at 818-244-5650 or at f locoh733@gmail .com
Bella Molho ? Agnes Lieberman Flower Fund
October 13, 2017 ? 24 Tishrei, 5778
Martha Sensel and Joel Schwartz ? for the yahrzeit of Martha?s sister Elizabeth Murphy
November 3, 2017 ? 15 Cheshvan, 5778
Stephanie and George Loew ? for the yahrzeit of George?s mother Suzanne Loew
Parents of our Kindergarten class ? in honor of the consecration of their children
November 10, 2017 ? 22 Cheshvan, 5778
Randi Burke-Aguiar and James Aguiar ? for the yahrzeit of Randi?s grandmother Elizabeth Burke
Joyce and Larry Moskowitz ? for the yahrzeits of Larry?s step-mother Helen Moskowitz and his uncle Harold Moskowitz
November 17, 2017 ? 29 Cheshvan, 5778
Maggie and Jan Freed ? for the yahrzeit of Jan?s mother Shirley Freed
Donna and Roger Baar ? for the yahrzeit of Donna?s mother Anna Nann
Debbie and Dan Hel ler ? for the yahrzeits of Debbie?s parents Edith and Eugene Jamin
Alan Snitzer ? for the yahrzeit of his mother Honey Snitzer
Randi Burke-Aguiar and James Aguiar ? for the yahrzeit of Randi?s grandmother Rose Forman
Elaine, Kari and Dana Edelman ? for the yahrzeit of mother and grandmother Mary Cohen
November 24, 2017 ? 7 Kislev, 5778
Mindy and Gene Stein ? for the yahrzeit of Mindy?s mother Freda Koen
Susan and Matthew Brownstein ? for the yahrzeit of Matthew?s father Samuel Brownstein
For the yahrzeit of her brother Mordecai Jabin and her great grandmother Chaja Treiter Kistenberg
Sisterhood Campership Fund
Marilyn and Ben Silva
In honor of Evan Schechter?s Bar Mitzvah
Marc and Tina Lowenthal
For the yahrzeit of Marc?s cousin, Louis Lowenthal
Brotherhood General Fund
Pat and Steve Smith
In memory of Ab Berman, brother of Jerry Berman
Sinai Seniors Fund
Noelle Mill ien
For the yahrzeit of her mother Violette Mill ien
Nov 13, 2017 Fred Gutman, Uncle of Dan Golden
Nov 5, 2017 Phyllis Rockower, Cousin of Ilena Blicker
Oct 9, 2017 Bob Schiller, Friend of Dan and Arline Golden
Condolences
Weizmann Day School to Honor Lori Snyder at December 15 Serviceby Lisa Feldman, M.A. Ed. Head of Weizmann Day School
Weizmann is looking forward to honoring Lori Snyder for her 36 years of dedication to Jewish education in the San Gabriel and Pomona Valleys. The celebration will take place at Temple Beth Israel of Pomona?s Hanukkah Shabbat service on December 15, 2017 at 7:30 p.m., with an oneg to follow. All are welcome to join the celebration. Lori Snyder currently serves as School Administrator and Science Instructor at Weizmann, where she is in her 12th year.
Lori is a beloved educator not only at Weizmann, but also throughout the area. During the past 36 years Lori has taught students at Atid Hebrew Academy (formerly in West Covina), at Temple Beth Israel of Pomona, and at Temple Shalom in West Covina. In addition, Lori has led Jewish youth groups in Temple City and Arcadia, and has worked at Shabbatons in Malibu, Glendale, and the San Bernardino Mountains. Lori is also the proud mother of two Jewish day school graduates.
According to Shelly Freedenthal, a co-worker at Weizmann, ?Students of all ages love Lori. She helps them solve problems and teaches them important l ife lessons.
Please join us on December 15 to shower Lori with love and appreciation for all she does!
Our Congregation extends its sympathy to the families
December 1, 2017 14 Kislev, 5778
Bonnie Pashkow grandmother of Emma Anderson
Marc Grefeson cousin of Larry Cohen
Phyllis Owensmith aunt of Jan Freed
Rose Rothbardt great grandmother of Scott
Richland
Janice Ring mother of Jeffrey Ring
Eleanor Schwartz mother of Susan Sabath
Shawn M. Smith brother of Steven Smith
Chimon Rafi Mayeri father of Louise Mayeri Spillman
Jacob Wolf
Rifka Kornfeld
December 8, 2017 21 Kislev, 5778
Samuel Forest Forman uncle of Randi Burke-Aguiar
Sandra Frankel mother of Todd Frankel
Herbert Wilzig uncle of Roberta Tinajero Frankel
Steven Lowenstam brother of Ruth Goldstein
Noah Ned Jamin uncle of Debbie Heller
Ana Raimist aunt of Robi Hellman
Allen Silverstein father of Elinor Peters
Mary Clark mother of Nancy Rosen
Elizabeth Morris cousin of Ellen Strauss
Louis E. Friedman
Bessie Zimmerman
Esther Schwartz
Louis Labovitch
Abraham Gross
Max Abramson
Harry G. Goodman
December 15, 2017 28 Kislev, 5778
Benjamin Cann grandfather of Cynthia Baker
Morrie Cohen father of Larry Cohen
Betty Gordon mother of Bruce Gordon
Phil Hammer step-father of Jan Sway
Aaron Goldstein
Sophia Kay Tepper
Beckie Pullman
Harry Zeidler
Minnie Berniker
Fannie D. Cohen
Caroline Morse
Leopold Ullman
Helen Small
Will iam Schweidt
December 22, 2017 Tevet , 5778
Irene Cann grandmother of Cynthia Baker
Eugene Brumer father of Susan Hain
Robert Lowenthal father of Marc Lowenthal
Yahrzeit We Remember
Anne Monas grandmother Jennifer Mervis
Gerald Richelson father of Mark Richelson
Morris Friedman grandfather of Rabbi Rick
Schechter
Aaron Seltzer grandfather of Andrew Seltzer
Yetta Zaloszynski Grzebin grandmother of Marilyn Silva